Games
[Event "42 chess olympiad"] [Site "?"] [Date "2016.09.02"] [Round "?"] [White "Nikolov Momchil"] [Black "Tagelsir Abubaker"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A04"] [WhiteElo "2585"] [BlackElo "2216"] [Annotator "Doe,John"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 {White is trying to set up Kings Indian Attack structures and therefore to escape the most main theoretical lines of Sicilian defence.} Nc6 4. g3 g6 {This is the most optimal way of developing tje black position after having played ...e6.} 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O Nge7 7. c3 {Another typical strategy of getting control over the center, preparing d4.} O-O { i like immidiate} (7... d5 8. Qe2 O-O 9. a4 d4 10. cxd4 Nxd4 11. Nxd4 Bxd4 12. Nc3 Nc6 13. h4 Bg7 {with pleasant game for Black as it was in the game Labarta Gonzalez-Anand V 2001}) 8. Be3 b6 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 (10. cxd4 {simplifies the game:} d5 11. e5 Nf5 12. Nc3 f6 13. exf6 Qxf6 14. Qd2 Nfxd4 15. Nxd4 Nxd4 16. Nxd5 exd5 17. Bxd4 {and it's equal in Dolmatov S-Tregubov P Kstovo 1997 Stockfish 240816 64:} Qxd4 18. Bxd5+ Be6 19. Bxe6+ Kh8 20. Rad1 Qxb2 21. Qxb2 Bxb2 22. Rd7 Ba3 23. f4 Rae8 24. f5 gxf5 25. Bxf5 Re7 26. Rxe7 Bxe7 27. Kg2 Kg7 28. Rf3 Bc5 29. Be6 Rd8 30. Rf7+ Kg6 31. Rd7 Rxd7 32. Bxd7 a6 33. h4 Kf6 { [%eval 5,25]}) 10... Ba6 ({I prefer} 10... Bb7 {for example} 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Qd6 Nc8 13. Qd2 Qc7 14. Na3 Qb7 15. Rfe1 b5 16. Bd4 e5 17. Be3 Nb6 18. b3 f5 { with interesting initiative for Black, Radulov I-Taimanov M ,Leningrad Interzonal 1973}) 11. Re1 Ne5 {Black is trying to take advantage of the white squares.} 12. Na3 {A good move. It keeps more space for other pieces on the second rank.} Nd3 13. Re2 Nc5 14. Rd2 d5 {Understandable. Black tries to get rid of the d7 backward pawn.} 15. Bg5 (15. b4 {would be interesting too.} Nd7 16. Bg5 Bf6 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. e5 Ne8 19. f4 {with a comfortable game for White. Black has a weak position on the kingside and it's not so easy to find play.}) 15... f6 16. Be3 Qc8 17. Nxe6 {A very brave decision. But White could also go simple with} (17. exd5 Nxd5 18. b4 Nxe3 19. fxe3 Bh6 20. Ndc2 Na4 21. Rd7 Nxc3 22. Qd6 Re8 23. Rc7 Qd8 24. Qxd8 Ne2+ 25. Kf2 Raxd8 26. b5 {with a big advantage. It is not that easy to calculate that far but at least we do not sacrifice any material.}) 17... Qxe6 18. exd5 Qd6 {I don't understand this move. The immidiate} (18... Qd7 {is better} 19. b4 Nf5 (19... Na4 20. d6 Nf5 21. Bxa8 Nxe3 22. Qf3 {with a decisive advantage}) 20. bxc5 Nxe3 21. fxe3 bxc5 {is still good for White but here Black at least gets some game to play.}) 19. Bf4 Qd7 20. b4 Nd3 (20... Na4 21. d6 Nf5 22. Bxa8 Rxa8 23. b5 Bxb5 24. Qb3+ { and White wins.}) 21. Rxd3 Bxd3 22. Qxd3 {Now the game is strategically won for Black has he has many weak white squares and there's the problem with the passed d-pawn.} Rac8 23. Nb5 Nf5 {A final mistake. After this Black has no chance to survive.} 24. Bh3 $1 Rcd8 25. Nd6 Kh8 26. Nxf5 gxf5 27. d6 b5 28. Bxf5 Qc6 29. Qd1 {A very strong move.} Qe8 30. Qg4 Qf7 31. Qh3 h6 32. d7 Rb8 33. Re1 Rb6 34. Bxh6 Bxh6 35. Qxh6+ Kg8 36. Re4 {A very nice game by the white player and the first sensation of the Olympiad. Bulgaria draws the match against Sudan!} 1-0 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.02"] [Round "1.3"] [White "Shankland, Samuel L"] [Black "Fernandez Lopez, Joan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B38"] [WhiteElo "2679"] [BlackElo "2142"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "37"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "United States"] [BlackTeam "Andorra"] [WhiteTeamCountry "USA"] [BlackTeamCountry "AND"] [WhiteClock "1:16:02"] [BlackClock "0:27:41"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 d6 8. Be2 Nxd4 9. Bxd4 O-O 10. O-O a5 11. b3 Bd7 12. Qd3 Bc6 13. a3 Nd7 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. b4 Qb6 16. c5 $1 (16. b5 Ne5 {doesn't win material.}) 16... Qc7 (16... dxc5 17. b5 Ne5 18. Qg3 {attacks two pieces.}) 17. cxd6 exd6 18. Qd4+ Nf6 19. b5 (19. b5 {and Black resigned because of} Bd7 20. Qxf6+ Kxf6 21. Nd5+) 1-0 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.02"] [Round "1.2"] [White "Mandizha, Farai"] [Black "Radjabov, Teimour"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D15"] [WhiteElo "2357"] [BlackElo "2722"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "50"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Zimbabwe"] [BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"] [WhiteTeamCountry "ZIM"] [BlackTeamCountry "AZE"] [WhiteClock "0:07:10"] [BlackClock "0:10:05"] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 a6 5. a4 g6 6. Bf4 Bg7 7. e3 O-O 8. h3 Qb6 9. Ra3 Ne4 10. Qc2 Nxc3 11. a5 Bf5 12. Qxc3 Qa7 13. Qb4 c5 14. dxc5 Rc8 15. Rb3 Nd7 16. Nd4 Nxc5 17. Nxf5 gxf5 18. Ra3 Ne4 19. Qxe7 Bf8 20. Qe5 Bxa3 21. bxa3 Qc5 22. Qxf5 Qxa5+ 23. Ke2 Qd2+ 24. Kf3 Qxf2+ 25. Kg4 h5+ (25... h5+ {always wins the queen:} 26. Kxh5 (26. Qxh5 Nf6+) 26... Ng3+ 27. Bxg3 Qxf5+) 0-1 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.02"] [Round "1.3"] [White "Urkedal, Frode"] [Black "Kett, Tim"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C57"] [WhiteElo "2537"] [BlackElo "2227"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "75"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Norway"] [BlackTeam "Wales"] [WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"] [BlackTeamCountry "WLS"] [WhiteClock "0:34:32"] [BlackClock "0:00:36"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 b5 6. Bf1 Nd4 7. c3 Nxd5 8. cxd4 Qxg5 9. Bxb5+ Kd8 10. O-O Bb7 11. Qf3 exd4 12. d3 Qe5 13. Nd2 Bd6 14. g3 Qf6 (14... Rb8 15. Nc4 Nf4 16. Qxf4 Qd5 17. Qg5+ {1-0 Zelcic,R (2500)-Jukic,B (2415) Slavonski Brod 1995}) 15. Qg4 Qe6 16. Qxe6 fxe6 17. Re1 e5 18. Nc4 a6 19. Ba4 Nb6 20. Bg5+ Kc8 21. Nxb6+ cxb6 22. f4 b5 23. fxe5 Bb4 24. Rec1+ Kd7 25. Bb3 Rae8 26. e6+ Rxe6 27. Bxe6+ Kxe6 28. Rc7 Bd5 29. a3 Ba5 30. Rxg7 Rc8 31. b4 Bb6 32. Re1+ Kf5 33. h3 h5 34. g4+ hxg4 35. hxg4+ Kxg4 36. Bd8+ Kf5 37. Rf1+ Ke6 38. Rf6+ 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.02"] [Round "?"] [White "Abdelazeez Mohamed Abdalla"] [Black "Petrov, Martin"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2183"] [BlackElo "2458"] [PlyCount "99"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] {This could easily be a master vs. amateur game. It is indeed one, however, in this game the weaker player, Elo-wise, demonstrates great understanding and beats a strong International Master.} 1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00: 00]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} b6 { 51 Petrov decides to play it classical: A Queen's Indian ladies and gentlemen!} 4. g3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Bb4+ {345 After a long thought. Presumably, Petrov wanted to win this game and then he decided to choose something less common than the main line.} 5. Nbd2 $1 {65 A great choice by Abdelazeez! The exclamation mark is not because of this move's strength but it is for its psychological value! White will have a very solid position and although this is not an ambitious continuation for White, it definitely keeps White's position solid and avoids complications!} (5. Bd2 c5 {is what probably Petrov was hoping for.}) 5... Ba6 {(376) Again, after a long time for an opening move. Petrov is obviously not happy with his choice of opening and he seeks some complications in which he may outplay his lower-rated opponent. But this move does not offer many complications, so he should have tried the following continuation if he wanted a very complicated game:} (5... Bb7 6. Bg2 c5 7. d5 $1 exd5 8. Nh4 O-O 9. O-O Re8 {(#) Well, this is not a nice position for Black with that aimless bishop on b4 but the position is really complex and both parties can go astray.} 10. Nb1 (10. Nf5 d6 11. a3 Bxd2 12. Qxd2 Ne4 13. Qf4 Re5 14. cxd5 Bxd5 15. Rd1 Nc6 16. Rxd5 Rxd5 17. Bxe4 Rd1+ 18. Kg2 Nd4 19. Qg4 g6 20. Bg5 gxf5 21. Bxf5 h5 22. Qxh5 Nxf5 23. Bxd8 {1-0 (23) Bach,M (2337) -Reeh,O (2420) Hamburg 1999}) 10... d6 11. a3 Ba5 12. cxd5 b5 13. Nf5 Bc8 14. Ne3 Nbd7 15. Nc2 Ne5 16. b4 Bb6 17. Nc3 Bd7 18. Bg5 h6 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. bxc5 Bxc5 21. Ne4 Qg6 22. Nxc5 dxc5 23. e4 Nc4 24. Qd3 f6 {0-1 (24) Moiseenko,A (2692)-Riazantsev,A (2684) Wroclaw 2014}) 6. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Bb7 {[%emt 0: 00:41]} 7. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Be4 {71} 8. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nc6 $6 { 138 Is Petrov after some tricks?} (8... Bxd2+ 9. Bxd2 O-O 10. O-O d6 11. Qe3 a5 12. b3 Nbd7 {Preserves equality for Black. Nevertheless, White has a risk-free solid position which he can try to imprve and even push for an advantage.} 13. Bc3 Re8 14. Bh3 Bb7 15. Rfd1 Qe7 16. Bb2 h6 17. Rac1 Qf8 18. Ne1 Rac8 19. Qd3 Qe7 20. Nc2 Ra8 21. Na3 Rec8 22. Nb5 a4 23. d5 axb3 24. axb3 e5 25. Ra1 Ba6 26. Nc3 Qd8 27. Ra2 Bb7 28. Rda1 Rxa2 29. Rxa2 Ra8 30. Qb1 c6 31. Bg2 cxd5 32. cxd5 b5 33. b4 Nb6 34. Rxa8 Qxa8 35. e4 Nc4 36. Bc1 Ba6 37. Bf1 Qc8 38. Qa2 Kh7 39. Kg2 Nd7 40. Bxc4 bxc4 41. Qa3 Bb7 42. Qa7 f5 43. Nb5 fxe4 44. Nxd6 Qf8 45. Qxb7 Qf3+ 46. Kg1 Nf6 47. Be3 Qd1+ {1/2-1/2 (47) Yilmaz,M (2570)-Sjugirov,S (2669) Moscow 2015}) 9. O-O {361} Bxd2 {142} 10. Bxd2 {[%emt 0:00:18]} O-O {82} (10... Bxf3 {does not work due to} 11. Qxf3 {A rare case of a pin over the long diagonal by the queen!}) 11. Qe3 $6 {418 Abdelazeez still follows the plan with d6 and Nbd7 but the queen on e3 here does not do much for White. Nevertheless, we cannot blame him because he is following exactly the same plan demonstrated by the expert of this opening, GM Pavel Tregubov} (11. Rfd1 h6 12. Qe3 $6 {Strangely, Tregubov made this one inaccurate move too.} (12. Bc3 $1 $14) 12... a6 (12... d5) 13. Bc3 Re8 14. Bh3 b5 15. b3 bxc4 16. bxc4 Rb8 17. Ne5 d6 18. f3 dxe5 19. dxe5 Nd5 20. cxd5 Bxd5 21. f4 Ne7 22. g4 Qc8 23. f5 Ba8 24. f6 Ng6 25. fxg7 Qb7 26. Kf2 Rbd8 27. Qxh6 Qb6+ 28. Qe3 Qxe3+ 29. Kxe3 Kxg7 30. Bf1 Rd5 31. Rxd5 Bxd5 32. Kf2 Bc4 33. e3 Bxf1 34. Rxf1 Rd8 35. Rc1 Rd5 36. Bd4 Ra5 37. Rxc7 Rxa2+ 38. Kg3 Ra5 39. h4 Kg8 40. h5 Nxe5 41. g5 Rb5 42. g6 fxg6 43. h6 Nf7 44. h7+ Kxh7 45. Rxf7+ Kh6 46. Re7 {1-0 (46) Tregubov,P (2628) -Romanishin,O (2559) Ohrid 2001}) 11... d5 {1034} 12. b3 {1364} Rc8 {576} 13. Bc3 {246} Ne7 {151} 14. Rfd1 {519} Nf5 {212} 15. Qc1 {41 Petrov has managed to regroup his pieces but White still has the pair of bishops and more space.} Qd6 {270} 16. Bh3 $1 {209 A typically good move in this position. Now White wants to move his knight either to d2 or g5 to capture the bishop on e4.} Bxf3 {413} 17. exf3 {11 Petrov decideds to defend with two knights vs.two bishops.} Qc6 { 314} 18. c5 $1 {542 Brilliant positional play by Abdelazeez! Great timing, the pawn on c5 cannot be taken because White first will capture f5 and then c5.} Rfe8 {399} (18... bxc5 $2 19. Bxf5 exf5 20. dxc5 Qxc5 $2 21. Bxf6 Qxc1 22. Raxc1 gxf6 23. Rxd5 {And Black is dead lost in this endgame.}) 19. b4 {71 Abdelazeez reminds us of Capablanca and Karpov! He gradually grinds his advantage through! Petrov is in trouble!} Rcd8 $2 {112 Probably shocked at how a player who is almost 300 Elo below him had outplayed him in 20 moves. Petrov starts to stall and hope for a mistake by his opponent. However, in my opinion this was a bad practical decision. Once a player is capable of demonstrating such a great positional skill, procrastination would only give him more time to increase his advantage, Petrov should have played bxc5 to complicate matters.} (19... bxc5 20. bxc5 (20. dxc5 d4 {could have happened, which would have considerably mitigated White's advantage.}) 20... Nd7) 20. a4 {144} bxc5 { [%emt 0:00:35]} 21. Bxf5 {374} (21. b5 {was better and decisive.} Qb6 22. dxc5 Qxc5 23. Bxf6 Qxc1 24. Raxc1 gxf6 25. Bxf5 exf5 26. Rxc7 {with a winning rook endgame.}) 21... exf5 {437 Petrov misses his chance but he really had to take the queenless endgame and should have tried to defend it.} (21... cxb4 22. Bxb4 Qxc1 23. Rdxc1 exf5 24. Rxc7 Rd7 25. Rac1 g6 26. Rxd7 Nxd7 27. Rc7 Nf8 28. Bc5 Ne6 29. Rxa7 Nxc5 30. dxc5 Re1+ 31. Kg2 Rc1 {with some drawing chances.}) 22. dxc5 {333} a5 $4 {384 It is a bad day at the office for Petrov. He blunders and forces himself into a lost endgame.} (22... d4 23. Bxd4 Qxf3) 23. b5 $1 { [%emt 0:00:57]} Qxc5 {[%emt 0:00:57]} 24. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Qxc1 {[%emt 0: 00:11]} 25. Raxc1 {[%emt 0:00:12]} gxf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 26. Rxc7 {[%emt 0:00: 14]} d4 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 27. Rd3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} (27. Kf1 {was much better which prevents Black's rook to enter the second rank.}) 27... Rd6 {379} 28. Kg2 {90} (28. Kf1) 28... Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 29. Ra7 $6 {148} (29. f4 {was better and less challenging!}) 29... Re2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 30. Rxa5 {358} Ra2 {[%emt 0: 00:10]} 31. f4 $2 {322 Now it is already difficult for Abdelazeez to win.} Re6 $1 {80 Finally Petrov gets some active play in this game and he does not miss it!} 32. h3 $2 {271 This is a weird move! White's advantage is all gone now.} Ree2 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 33. Rf3 {[%emt 0:00:44]} d3 {92} 34. b6 {80} Reb2 $4 { 49 And Petrov lets the draw slip out of his hand!} (34... d2 35. Rd5 Rxa4 36. b7 Rb4 37. Rfd3 Rxb7 38. Rxd2 Rxd2 39. Rxd2 h5 40. h4 Kg6 $11) 35. Rb5 $1 { [%emt 0:00:55]} Rxb5 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 36. axb5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} d2 {[%emt 0:00: 20]} 37. Rd3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 38. Rd5 $3 {91 A cold shower for Petrov! He had probably counted on Rxb5 but:} d1=Q {67} (38... Rxb5 39. Rxb5 d1=Q 40. b7 {Black has no check and White will assuredly promote!}) 39. Rxd1 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Rxb5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 40. Rd6 {0 The rest is a matter of technique and considering the level of play Abdelazeez demonstrated, we can be sure that he had no difficulty winning this one. At least today!} Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:37]} Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 42. Ke1 { [%emt 0:00:53]} Kg6 {258} 43. Kd1 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Rxf2 {397} 44. Rd2 {[%emt 0: 00:11]} Rf1+ {[%emt 0:00:21]} 45. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Re1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 46. b7 {68} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 47. Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 48. h4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 49. Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rb8 {[%emt 0: 00:10]} 50. Kd3 {And Abdelazeez and Sudan did it! 2-2 against Bulgaria with mighty Veslin Topalov in their lineup!} 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Women"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.02"] [Round "?"] [White "Gaponenko, Inna"] [Black "Silva, Ana Ines Teixeira D"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2416"] [BlackElo "1855"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "3rn1k1/3r1ppp/1p2p3/p3B3/2P5/1P3QR1/P2q1PPP/5RK1 w - - 0 29"] [PlyCount "11"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 29. Rxg7+ $1 {(02:22)} Nxg7 {(01:32)} 30. Qf6 $1 {(00:03)} Kf8 {(00:07)} 31. Qxg7+ {(00:05)} Ke7 {(00:07)} 32. Qf6+ {(01:14)} Ke8 {(00:48)} 33. Qh8+ { (00:05)} Ke7 {(00:03)} 34. Bf6+ {(00:04) and White recovers not only the rook, but is a piece up with the attack still raging.} 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.03"] [Round "?"] [White "Sadikin The, Irwanto"] [Black "McShane, Luke J"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2327"] [BlackElo "2671"] [PlyCount "157"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 1. d4 {(00:00)} Nf6 {(00:00)} 2. c4 {(00:00)} g6 {( 00:00)} 3. Nc3 {(00:11)} Bg7 {(00:00)} 4. e4 {(00:15)} d6 {(00:00)} 5. Nf3 {(00:09)} O-O {(00:00)} 6. Be2 {( 00:06)} e5 {(00:00)} 7. O-O {(00:23)} Na6 {(00:04)} 8. Be3 {(00:53)} Qe8 {(00:20)} 9. dxe5 {(00:45)} dxe5 {( 00:06)} 10. h3 {(00:15)} Nh5 {(01:12)} 11. c5 {(00:18)} Nf4 {(00:58)} 12. Bxa6 {(02:41)} bxa6 {(00:07)} 13. Rc1 {(00:08)} Ne6 {(07:08)} 14. c6 {(45:17)} Qxc6 {(07:00)} 15. Nd5 {(03:14)} Qb7 {(01:07)} 16. b3 {(03:07)} Re8 {(34:02)} 17. Bg5 {(09:59)} Kh8 {(12:55)} 18. Qc2 {(12:31) } Bd7 {(17:38)} 19. Rfd1 {(00:16)} c5 {(09:13)} 20. Bf6 {(03:39)} Nd4 {(06:23)} 21. Nxd4 {(02:01)} cxd4 {(00:06)} 22. Qd2 {(00:28)} Bc6 {(00:45)} 23. Qh6 { (11:31)} Rg8 {(00:03)} 24. Bxg7+ {(01:40)} Rxg7 {( 00:03)} 25. Rc5 {(01:39)} Bxd5 {(01:08)} 26. Rxd5 {(00:43)} f6 {(00:54)} 27. f4 {(00:14)} Re8 {(00:48)} 28. fxe5 {(00:14)} fxe5 {(00:06)} 29. Qg5 {(01:02)} Rge7 {( 01:06)} 30. Rc1 { (00:34)} Re6 {(00:54)} 31. Rcc5 {(00:30)} Qg7 {(00:27)} 32. Qc1 {(00:21)} R6e7 {(00:51)} 33. Rc6 {(00:10)} Qf7 {(00:24)} 34. Rxa6 {(00:38)} Rf8 {(00:09)} 35. Raa5 {(00:52)} Qf2+ {(00:43)} 36. Kh2 {(00:23)} Qf6 {(00:41)} 37. Rac5 {(00:10) } Kg7 {(00:18)} 38. b4 {(00:17)} h5 {(00:23)} 39. b5 {(00:49)} h4 {(00:08)} 40. Qd2 {(00:00)} Rff7 {(00:00)} 41. a4 {(02:32)} Rc7 {(17:59)} 42. a5 {(03:55)} Rxc5 {(02:01)} 43. Rxc5 {(00:07)} Qe7 {(01:12)} 44. Rc6 {(01:14)} Qd8 {(05:58)} 45. Rc5 {(10:18)} d3 {(01:42)} 46. Rd5 {(00:20)} Rd7 {(03:26)} 47. Qxd3 { (00:09)} Rxd5 {(00:02)} 48. Qxd5 {(00:25)} Qxa5 {(01:38)} 49. Qxe5+ {(00:29)} Kf7 {( 00:44)} 50. Qd5+ {(01:21)} Ke7 {(00:22)} 51. Qg5+ {(00:23)} Kd7 {(01:18) } 52. Qxh4 {(07:18)} Qxb5 {(00:15)} 53. Qh7+ {(00:15)} Kd8 {(00:40)} 54. Qxa7 { (01:25)} Qe5+ {( 00:12)} 55. Kg1 {(00:34)} Qxe4 {(00:04)} 56. Qf2 {(02:28)} Qb1+ {(00:59)} 57. Kh2 {(00:16)} Ke7 {(01:08)} 58. Kg3 {(00:20)} Qe4 {(00:22)} 59. Qf4 {(00:29)} Qe1+ {(00:13)} 60. Kg4 {(00:27)} Qe2+ {(00:25)} 61. Qf3 { (00:16)} Qe5 {(00:16)} 62. h4 {(01:52)} Ke6 {(00:52)} 63. Kh3 {(01:00)} Ke7 { (00:20)} 64. g3 {(03:51)} Ke8 {(00:42)} 65. Kg2 {(00:05)} Qb2+ {(00:43)} 66. Kf1 {(00:07)} Qb6 {(00:25)} 67. Qe2+ {(00:10)} Kd7 {(00:35)} 68. Qe4 {(#) (00: 27)} Qf6+ $4 {(00:41)} ({Whether through fatigue or duress, Black misses that he can play} 68... Qe6 $1 {and the queen exchange would lead to a drawn pawn endgame.} 69. Qxe6+ ({If White avoids it, Black can bring his king back to support, and White cannot progress.} 69. Qf3 Ke7 70. Kf2 Qd6 71. Qe3+ Kf6 {etc. }) 69... Kxe6 $11) 69. Ke2 {(00:10)} Kd8 {(00:29)} 70. Ke3 {(00:06)} Qf1 { (00:33)} 71. Qd3+ {(00:05)} Qxd3+ {(00:09)} 72. Kxd3 {(00:08)} Kd7 {(00:44)} 73. Ke4 {(00:21)} Ke6 {(00:17)} 74. Kf4 {(00:08)} Kf6 {(00:40)} 75. Kg4 { (00:09)} Kg7 {(00:29)} 76. Kg5 {(00:04)} Kf7 {(00:23)} 77. Kh6 {(00:25)} Kf6 { (00:03)} 78. g4 {( 00:13)} Kf7 {(00:02)} 79. g5 {(00:07)} 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Women"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.03"] [Round "?"] [White "Fronda, Jan Jodilyn"] [Black "Khotenashvili, Bela"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2128"] [BlackElo "2463"] [PlyCount "93"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 1. e4 {(00:07)} e5 {(00:00)} 2. Nf3 {(00:05)} Nc6 {(00:00)} 3. d4 {(01:45)} exd4 {(00:00)} 4. Nxd4 {( 00:05)} Bc5 {(00:02)} 5. Nxc6 {(01:16)} Qf6 {(02:33)} 6. Qf3 {(02:47)} bxc6 {(02:12)} 7. Nd2 {(02:41)} Qxf3 {(01:32)} 8. gxf3 { (00:09)} a5 {(00:54)} 9. Nb3 {( 03:29)} Bb6 {(00:26)} 10. a4 {(00:10)} Ne7 { (02:17)} 11. Be2 {(18:35)} d6 {(05:49)} 12. Be3 {(02:27)} Be6 {( 14:15)} 13. Nd4 {(06:45)} Bd7 {(02:53)} 14. O-O {(09:31)} f5 {(08:32)} 15. Rfd1 {(03:20)} Rf8 {(02:50)} 16. exf5 {(07:47)} Bxf5 {(02:12)} 17. Bg5 {(02:48)} Bxd4 { ( 07:23)} 18. Rxd4 {(00:06)} h6 {(06:55)} 19. Bxe7 {(14:56)} Kxe7 {(00:01)} 20. Re1 {(00:46)} Kd7 {(02:19)} 21. Bd3 {(00:13)} Bxd3 {(09:23)} 22. Rxd3 {(00:07)} Rae8 {( 00:19)} 23. Rde3 {(02:45)} Rxe3 {(00:22)} 24. Rxe3 {(00:05)} Rf4 { (04:23)} 25. b3 {(03:11)} c5 {(02:21)} 26. Kg2 {(#) (00:29)} c4 {(01:51)} ({ After} 26... d5 $1 {Black would slowly advance and win the game. White is practically without any counterplay whatsoever here. This move also denies White Re4 as in the game.}) 27. Kg3 {(01:07)} g5 {(02:30)} 28. Re4 {(03:46)} cxb3 {(00:20)} 29. cxb3 {(00:04)} d5 $2 {(06:03) Allowing White to transpose into a drawn endgame, however it is Black who needs to be careful now.} (29... Rf8 {would still allow Black to keep an advantage and try to milk the position for a win.} 30. f4 d5 $1) 30. Rxf4 $1 {(05:30)} gxf4+ {(00:01)} 31. Kxf4 { (#) (00:07)} Ke6 $4 {(00:15) This catastrophic blunder now throws away even the draw, and now Black is plain lost.} ({Both} 31... c5 {or 31...Kd6 would have maintained the draw.}) 32. b4 $3 {(01:34) This superb shot is probably what Black missed, or else completely underestimated.} axb4 {(00:20)} 33. Ke3 { (00:04) Entering the square.} b3 {(07:07)} 34. Kd2 {(00:34)} c5 {(02:39)} 35. a5 {(00:11) White saw her opportunity and makes no mistakes.} Kd7 {(01:00)} 36. Kc3 {( 00:51)} c4 {(00:12)} 37. a6 {(00:36)} d4+ {(02:00)} ({The point is that after a move such as} 37... Kc7 {White pushes her second passed pawn.} 38. f4 $1) 38. Kb2 {(00:07)} Kc7 {(01:53)} 39. f4 {(00:04)} Kb6 {( 00:46)} 40. f5 { (00:00)} Kxa6 {(00:00)} 41. f6 {(00:09)} Kb5 {(01:37)} 42. f7 {(00:06)} Ka4 { (00:10)} 43. f8=Q {(00:11)} c3+ {(00:12)} 44. Kb1 {(03:26)} d3 {(07:16)} 45. Qa8+ {(00:39)} Kb4 {(00:35)} 46. Qe4+ {(00:06)} Ka3 {(00:21)} 47. Qxd3 {(00:22) } 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.03"] [Round "?"] [White "Navara, David"] [Black "Stefansson, Hannes"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2742"] [BlackElo "2574"] [PlyCount "63"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 1. d4 {(0s) Today, we have another fine game from the uncompromising, smart, and creative Czech Super-GM, David Navara.} Nf6 {(0s)} 2. c4 {(0s)} e6 {(0s)} 3. Nc3 {(0s)} Bb4 {(21s)} 4. e3 {(0s)} O-O {(33s)} 5. Bd3 {(0s)} d5 {(65s)} 6. cxd5 {(41s)} exd5 {(20s)} 7. Nge2 {(12s) Not long ago this year, Navara lost a crucial game in European championship to Inarkiev, in the very same line.} Re8 {(498s)} 8. O-O {(12s)} Bd6 {( 191s)} (8... Bf8 {was Inarkiev's choice, and we will not get to see Navara's improvement is...at least this time!} 9. Bd2 b6 10. Nf4 Bb7 11. Qf3 a6 12. Rad1 Ra7 13. Bc2 c5 14. dxc5 bxc5 15. Qh3 g6 16. Nce2 Bc6 17. Bc3 Nbd7 18. Bb3 Qa8 19. g4 Ne5 20. g5 d4 21. f3 dxc3 22. gxf6 c4 23. Bc2 Nxf3+ 24. Kf2 cxb2 25. Qg3 Qb8 26. Nc3 Ne5 27. h4 Rd7 28. h5 Qd8 29. hxg6 fxg6 30. Rxd7 Qxd7 31. Kg1 Kf7 32. Ne4 Bh6 33. Qh4 Bxe4 34. Bxe4 Qg4+ 35. Qxg4 Nxg4 36. Bd5+ Kxf6 37. Nxg6+ Kg5 {0-1 (37) Navara,D (2735)-Inarkiev,E (2686) Gjakova 2016}) 9. Bd2 {(11s)} a6 {(247s)} 10. Rc1 {(335s)} b6 {(347s) Stefansson, follows Inarkiev's idea, with the difference of having his bishop on d6.} 11. Ng3 $1 {(304s)} c5 {(256s)} 12. Bb1 {(779s) Now it is clear why the bishop is better on f8: in case of Nf5, the bishop on d6 will not be under attack and Black can parry any attack on the kingside by means of g6.} Be6 { (348s)} 13. dxc5 {(695s)} Bxc5 {(364s)} 14. Nce2 {(668s) This is not one of those 'isolated' d-pawns. Black's pieces are not correctly placed and his a6-b6 pawns moves are just permanent weaknesses.} Nbd7 {(143s)} 15. Bc3 {(33 s) } Bd6 {(350s)} 16. Nd4 {(605s)} Rc8 {(223s)} 17. Qe2 {(684s)} b5 {(165s)} 18. Nxe6 {(90s)} fxe6 {( 39s)} 19. e4 {(9s)} Bf4 $6 {(363s) There is no need for this provocative move. Be5 directly could help Black neutralize White's edge.} (19... Be5) 20. Rce1 {(453s)} Be5 {(54s)} 21. Bxe5 {(27s)} Nxe5 {(6s)} 22. f4 $1 {(85s) The key! Now White has all of his pieces mobalized for a kingside attack. The bishop on b1 will turn into a monster very soon.} Qb6+ $2 {(53s) This just makes things worse.} 23. Kh1 {(14s)} Ng6 {(176s)} 24. e5 {(135s)} Nd7 {(6s)} 25. Qh5 {(420s)} Ndf8 {( 127s)} 26. f5 {(8s) It is all over now} exf5 { (18s)} 27. Nxf5 {(9s)} Rcd8 {(645s)} 28. Nd6 {(99s)} Re6 {(53s)} 29. Qf3 { (175s)} Nxe5 {(137s)} 30. Rxe5 $1 {(15s) An elegant finish!} Qxd6 {(14s)} 31. Qf7+ {(19s)} Kh8 {(5s)} 32. Rxd5 $1 {(10s) A crushing victory for Navara. Although, we should admit that Stefansson did really make only one mistake, nevertheless it was enough for Navara to wrap up the game convincingly. With this win, Navara sealed the deal in Czech's favor 3-1 against Iceland!} 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.03"] [Round "?"] [White "McNab, Colin A"] [Black "Shankland, Samuel L"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2434"] [BlackElo "2679"] [PlyCount "101"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] {US team is second seed and one of the main candidates to win this event, with three of its four players in the Top 10 in the world. However, that is not what makes the US team a favorite in this event. It also has two strong young players: Sam Shankland and Ray Robson who are close to 2700. Therefore, we can say that the US is balanced and ready to win any match in this event. In this match against the Scottish team, USA team's rating average was almost 300 points above their opponents in 'kilts'. However, in this game experienced Scotch GM Colin McNab almost threw GM Shankland off the cliff.} 1. Nf3 {(0s)} c5 {(0s)} 2. c4 {(30s)} Nf6 {(7s)} 3. g3 {(29s) McNab almost exclusively plays the English.} Nc6 {(13s)} 4. Bg2 {(30s)} d5 {(16s)} 5. cxd5 {(81s)} Nxd5 {(6s)} 6. Nc3 {(71s)} Nc7 {(19s) An ambitious continuation. Shankland is up for a reversed Maroczy-bind.} (6... e5 $2 {bad due to} 7. Nxe5) 7. b3 {(154s)} (7. O-O e5 8. b3 Be7 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Rc1 f6 11. Ne1 Bd7 12. Nd3 {1-0 (28) Aronian,L (2815)-Svidler,P (2753) Flor & Fjaere 2014 is the typical way of handling this opening.}) 7... e5 {(79s)} 8. Bb2 {(30s)} f6 {(22s)} 9. Rc1 {(231s)} (9. O-O Be7 10. Rc1 O-O 11. Ne1 {would have transposed to the game Aronian-Svidler}) 9... Bg4 {(89s) A rare move. It is funny to see that one of the players who played this move is actually the oldest man in Canada! (see the ChessBase article on Zoltan Sarosy} 10. d3 {(1882s) After a long ponder McNab prefers this move over Ne4} (10. Ne4 Ne6 11. h3 Bh5 12. d3 Be7 13. O-O O-O 14. Nh4 f5 15. Nxf5 Rxf5 16. g4 Nf4 $1 {with a dangerous attack for Black!}) 10... Qd7 { (270s)} 11. Na4 {(61s)} b6 {(175s)} 12. a3 {(62s) McNab prepares for the typical b4 pawn sac. He also procrastinates a bit in order to make sure that Shankland is not going to play h5-h4 against his kingside castle.} O-O-O { (1460s) After almost 25 minutes of thinking, Shankland decides to put his king in front of a rook on a semi-open file while the h1-a8 diagonal is exposed and White's bishop is in it! Nevertheless, the move is not entirely bad even if he probably would have been better off playing short castle and asking White what he wants to do with his knight on a4!} 13. Qc2 {(412s)} Nd5 $6 {(414s) but this is too much.} (13... Kb8 14. O-O (14. Nc3 Bxf3 $17) (14. b4 cxb4 15. Nxb6 (15. Qxc6 Qxc6 16. Rxc6 Bd7) 15... axb6 16. Qxc6 Qxc6 17. Rxc6 Nd5 $15) 14... Ne6 {followed by h5-h4}) 14. b4 {(831s)} cxb4 $2 {(974s) An oversight I guess.} (14... Kb8 15. bxc5 b5 16. Nc3 Bxf3 17. exf3 Nxc3 18. Bxc3 Bxc5 19. O-O Rc8 20. Qb2 Nd4 21. a4 h5 {And it was far from clear although McNab has the upper hand. }) 15. Qxc6+ {(192s)} Qxc6 {(2s)} 16. Rxc6+ {(10s)} Kb7 {(2s)} 17. Rc4 $1 { (210s)} Bxf3 {(190s)} (17... bxa3 18. Bxa3 $1 Bxf3 19. Bxf3 Bxa3 20. Nc3 $18) 18. Bxf3 {(14s)} b5 {(2s)} 19. axb4 $1 {(363s) Accurate play by McNab.} bxa4 { (89s)} 20. Kd2 {(821s)} Ka6 {(252s)} 21. Bxd5 {(50s)} Rxd5 {(16s)} 22. Bc3 { (13s)} Kb5 {(214s)} 23. Rc7 {(168s)} Rd6 {(4s)} 24. Rc5+ {(71s)} Kb6 {(134s)} 25. Ra1 {(40s) McNab is going to win the pawn on a4 and Black has no real counterplay here.} Kb7 {(59s)} 26. Rxa4 {(85s)} Rb6 {(6s)} 27. Rd5 {(68s)} Bd6 {(50s)} 28. b5 {(21s)} Rd8 {(7s)} 29. Rc4 $6 {(104s)} (29. d4 $1 {would have won on the spot.} g6 (29... exd4 30. Raxd4 $18) 30. Kd3 Be7 31. Rxd8 Bxd8 32. Kc4 {And black is helpless.}) 29... Be7 {(79s)} 30. Rxd8 {(28s)} Bxd8 {(1s)} 31. Ba5 {(42s)} Rd6 {(1s)} 32. Bxd8 {(10s)} Rxd8 {(0s)} 33. Kc3 {(34s)} Kb6 { (101s)} 34. Kb4 {(21s)} Rd6 {(4s)} 35. h4 $6 {(50s)} (35. g4 Re6 36. h4 Rd6 37. h5 Re6 38. Rc8 h6 39. Rb8+ Kc7 40. Rg8 Re7 41. Kc5 $18) 35... h5 {(12s)} 36. g4 $6 {(49s) This not technically good. McNab does not try to optimize his advantage. Maybe his approach of good enough moves in the opening paid off due to the complications in the position, but in a rook endgame you need to be one thing: a maximizer!} (36. f4 {seems more appealing to me.}) 36... hxg4 {(215s)} 37. Rxg4 {(6s)} Rd5 $1 {(7s) Shankland plays fast and effective. He creates some counterplay.} 38. Rxg7 $2 {(30s) This throws away his winning chances. McNab falls for Shankland's trap.} (38. Ka3 $1 g5 (38... Rd7 39. Ka4 a6 40. bxa6 Kxa6 41. Rb4 Rd8 42. Kb3 $16) (38... Kxb5 39. Rxg7 Rd4 40. Rb7+ Kc5 41. Rc7+ Kb5 42. Rc4 Rd8 43. f4 $16) 39. hxg5 fxg5 40. Rxg5 Rxb5 41. Rg4 {With very good practical chances.}) 38... Rd4+ $1 {(3s) The b-pawn is Black's anyways!} 39. Kc3 {(57s)} Rxh4 {( 5s)} 40. Rf7 {(0s)} Rf4 {(0s)} 41. f3 {(120s) } Kxb5 {(42s)} 42. Rxa7 {(26s)} Kc6 {(3s)} 43. Rg7 {( 146s)} (43. Ra6+ Kd7 44. Rb6 Ke7 45. Rb4 Rf5 46. Rh4 Kd6 47. Kd2 Rg5 48. f4 Rg8 {is better but I doubt White can create much out of this}) 43... Kd6 {(40s)} 44. Rg4 {(48s)} Rf5 {(4s) } 45. Ra4 {(233s)} Rh5 {(20s)} 46. f4 {(314s)} Rh2 {(123 s)} 47. Ra6+ {(474s)} Ke7 {(9s)} 48. fxe5 {(42s)} fxe5 {(4s)} 49. e4 {(39s)} Rh8 {(17s)} 50. Kc4 { ( 34s)} Rd8 {(12s)} 51. Rh6 {(78s)} 1/2-1/2 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Women"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.03"] [Round "?"] [White "Krush, Irina"] [Black "Sahl, Sheila Barth"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2444"] [BlackElo "2181"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 1. Nf3 {(00:00)} f5 {(00:00)} 2. d4 {(02:00)} Nf6 {(00:00)} 3. g3 {(00:45)} e6 {(00:30)} 4. Bg2 {(00:10)} Be7 {(00:34)} 5. O-O {(00:30)} O-O {(00:28)} 6. c4 { (00:22)} d6 {(00:57)} 7. Nc3 {(00:22)} Ne4 {(01:00)} 8. Nxe4 {(06:58)} fxe4 { (00:06)} 9. Ne1 {(00:08)} d5 {(00:50)} 10. f3 {(00:45)} dxc4 {(04:21)} 11. Be3 {( 05:31)} Nc6 {(06:40)} 12. fxe4 {(11:54)} Rxf1+ {(00:30)} 13. Kxf1 {(00:08)} Bd7 {(08:08)} 14. Nf3 {(06:12)} Qf8 {(05:24)} 15. Kg1 {(02:40)} Rd8 {(02:36)} 16. Qc2 {( 12:37)} b5 {(03:53)} 17. b3 {(00:09)} Nb4 {(09:06)} 18. Qc3 {(00:25) } c5 {(00:59)} 19. bxc4 {(03:49)} cxd4 {(01:55)} 20. Bxd4 {(03:06)} Bc5 { (08:37)} 21. cxb5 {(03:36)} Rc8 {(00:32)} 22. Bxc5 {(05:33)} Rxc5 {( 03:01)} 23. Qd2 {(07:32)} Bxb5 {(17:38)} 24. Bh3 {(10:01)} Rc2 {(05:09)} 25. Bxe6+ { (01:59)} Kh8 {(00:02)} 26. Qg5 {(01:16)} Bxe2 {(08:27)} 27. Ne5 {(02:53)} Qf6 { (00:53)} 28. Rb1 {(02:47)} Rb2 $3 {(07:02)} ({Not} 28... Qxg5 $4 29. Nf7+ Kg8 30. Nxg5+ Kf8 31. Rxb4) ({or} 28... Qxe6 $4 29. Qd8+ Qg8 30. Nf7#) 29. Rc1 { (04:15)} ({Obviously} 29. Rxb2 $4 {is mate.} Qf1#) 29... Rc2 {(00:19)} 30. Bb3 {(02:12)} h6 {(02:29)} 31. Qe3 {( 04:16)} Qb6 {(02:40)} 32. Ng6+ {(00:31)} Kh7 {(00:08)} 33. Nf8+ {(00:23)} Kh8 {(00:05)} 34. Ng6+ {(00:42)} Kh7 {(00:03)} 35. Nf8+ {(00:24)} Kh8 {(00:04)} 36. Ng6+ {(00:30)} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.03"] [Round "2.2"] [White "Atabayev, Yusup"] [Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2453"] [BlackElo "2808"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "78"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Turkmenistan"] [BlackTeam "Russia"] [WhiteTeamCountry "TKM"] [BlackTeamCountry "RUS"] [WhiteClock "0:08:15"] [BlackClock "0:02:41"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Bxc6 ({Perhaps the White player was planning to follow} 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Qe2 Qe7 7. Nbd2 Bg4 8. h3 Bh5 9. a3 Nd7 10. b4 {as in Carlsen,M (2855)-So,W (2770) Bilbao ESP 2016 but accidentally took on c6 a move too early?}) 4... dxc6 5. d3 Bd6 $1 {The perfect place for this bishop. This is why taking on move four isn't accurate.} 6. h3 Be6 7. Nc3 Qe7 8. Qe2 O-O-O 9. Bd2 h6 10. O-O-O Kb8 11. Kb1 Rhe8 12. g4 Bc8 13. Rdg1 Nd7 14. Nd1 Nc5 15. Ne3 Ne6 16. Nf5 Qf8 17. Qe1 f6 18. h4 Bc5 19. h5 {White's opening wasn't that bad actually. It's about equal here, but Kramnik will start to outplay his opponent from here.} Qf7 20. Rg3 b5 21. Ng1 Bb6 22. Ne2 c5 23. Rf1 Bb7 24. Nc1 Rd7 25. Nh4 Red8 26. Be3 c4 27. Bxb6 axb6 28. Ng6 Nc5 29. Qe2 cxd3 30. cxd3 Rd4 31. f4 exf4 32. Nxf4 b4 33. Re3 Qd7 34. Qf3 Qa4 35. Nfe2 Rxd3 $1 36. Nxd3 Rxd3 37. Ng3 (37. Nc1 Rd4) 37... Ba6 $1 38. b3 Qa3 39. Rd1 Na4 $1 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.03"] [Round "2.1"] [White "Greet, Andrew N"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C47"] [WhiteElo "2455"] [BlackElo "2808"] [Annotator "Rashad Babaev"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Scotland"] [BlackTeam "United States of America"] [WhiteTeamCountry "SCO"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Be2 $5 {This is a pretty rare line. The main variations are} (4. Bb5 {and}) (4. d4) 4... d5 {The most principal and active response for Black. Another possible move could be} (4... Bb4 {for example} 5. Nd5 Ba5 6. O-O O-O 7. d4 Nxd5 8. exd5 Nxd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. Qxd4 Bb6 11. Qf4 { with advantage for White as it was in the game of Blees-Alterman, Wijk aan Zee 1998}) 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. O-O Nxc3 7. bxc3 e4 {In the game Van der Wiel-Timman, Wijk aan Zee 1985 Black tried} (7... Bd6 8. d4 O-O 9. Rb1 h6 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Ba3 Re8 13. Bf3 Qh4 {with a comfortable game.}) 8. Ne1 Bd6 9. f3 {The pawn on e4 is pretty annoying and White tries to get rid of it. In case of } (9. d3 Qh4 10. g3 Qe7 11. Ng2 O-O {Black has no problems at all.}) 9... f5 { Keeping the important pawn on e4 which restricts the position of White but on the other hand the pawn becomes isolated.} ({After} 9... exf3 10. Nxf3 { White position's is more free but the game is equal anyway. For example} O-O 11. d4 h6) 10. fxe4 fxe4 11. d4 Be6 {The idea behind this move, besides just developing, is to stop the white pawn chain from advancing by c4-c5-d5 at some point. It is a well-known plan of this kind of structures to block the c3-d4 pawns on the c4-d5 squares. It reminds me of the famous game Thomas-Alekhine, 1925.} 12. Rb1 Na5 13. g3 {A very complicated position and if White would try to complicate the game more then} (13. Bd3 {is just what they need.} exd3 14. Qh5+ g6 15. Qxa5 dxc2 (15... b6 16. Qa6 dxc2 17. Nxc2 {Black needs to solve development problems and where to castle.}) 16. Rxb7 {probably better chances for white.}) ({At the post-mortem Caruana mentioned the move} 13. Rxb7 $5 { which leads to amazing complications:} Qh4 (13... Nxb7 14. Bb5+ Bd7 15. Qh5+ g6 16. Qd5 Rf8 17. Qe6+ Qe7 18. Bxd7+ Kd8 19. Rxf8+ Qxf8 20. Bg5+ Be7 21. Bc6) 14. g3 Bxg3 15. hxg3 Qxg3+ 16. Ng2 Nxb7 17. Bb5+ Kd8 {and who knows what's going on.}) 13... Qd7 {White has two active moves here.} 14. Rb5 (14. Bg5 {could be interesting as well.} Rf8 15. Ng2 Rxf1+ 16. Qxf1 Qf7 17. Nf4 Bxf4 18. Bxf4 O-O-O 19. a4 {with a slight advantage for White}) 14... Nc4 {I think this is getting risky for Black. Less ambitious would be} (14... b6 15. Ng2 Bf7 16. Ne3 O-O {and the position is equal.}) 15. Rxb7 Nb6 16. c4 $2 {And the mistake comes. Instead White should play} (16. Ba6 Bd5 (16... Bf7 17. Rxf7 Qxf7 18. Qe2 {I really wonder about the black king's position} Qg6 19. Bb5+ Kf7 20. Bc6 { with a strong attack for White}) 17. c4 Bxb7 18. Bxb7 Rb8 19. Bxe4 Nxc4 20. Qe2 {with a decisive advantage.}) 16... Qc6 {Not sure what White was preparing here but I do not see compensation for the material loss.} 17. c5 (17. d5 Qxb7 18. dxe6 O-O-O {gives Black the advantage.}) 17... Qxb7 18. cxd6 cxd6 19. Bb5+ Bd7 20. Ng2 O-O-O 21. Rf7 Qd5 {A nice centralization move. Advice to players who want to improve their games: "Pay attention to centralization moves." It helped me a lot.} 22. Ba6+ Kb8 23. Rxg7 Qxa2 {The centralized queen is being used.} 24. Be2 Ba4 $1 {A bery accurate moves by Caruana. In a difficult and complex situation he finds the best moves.} 25. Ne3 Rc8 26. Qe1 (26. Bg4 Bxc2 27. Qd2 Rc6 28. d5 Rc5 {and Black is winning.}) 26... Bxc2 27. Bg4 Rc6 28. Nf5 $2 {It's hard to suggest anything for White.} (28. Qb4 Qb1 29. Qxb1 Bxb1 30. Bd2 Rc7 31. Rg5 Bd3) 28... e3 {Caruana misses the opportunity of finishing White off by playing} (28... h5 29. Bh3 Qa1 30. Bd2 Qxe1+ 31. Bxe1 Bd3 32. Bd2 Nc4) 29. Ne7 $2 (29. Bf3 d5 30. Ne7 Re6 31. Bxe3 {and White can still fight.}) 29... Be4 30. Nxc6+ Bxc6 31. Qe2 (31. Qf1 Qd5) 31... Qd5 32. Bxe3 Rf8 {Cuts off the king.} 33. Bf4 Rxf4 34. gxf4 Qxd4+ 35. Kf1 Qxg7 36. f5 Nd5 37. Bf3 Qa1+ {A very interesting game with many tactical ideas.} 0-1 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.03"] [Round "2.2"] [White "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Black "Shaw, John"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B01"] [WhiteElo "2789"] [BlackElo "2454"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "41"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "United States"] [BlackTeam "Scotland"] [WhiteTeamCountry "USA"] [BlackTeamCountry "SCO"] [WhiteClock "0:47:58"] [BlackClock "0:05:04"] 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd8 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bc4 a6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 exf6 8. Nf3 Bb4 9. O-O Bxc3 10. bxc3 O-O 11. Re1 Nc6 12. Nh4 Na5 13. Bd3 Be6 14. Ng6 Re8 15. Qh5 c5 (15... fxg6 16. Bxg6 {loses a pawn because of} Nc4 17. Rxe6 $1 Rxe6 18. Bf7+) 16. Nf4 c4 17. Be4 Qc7 18. g3 Rad8 19. Re3 b6 20. Rae1 Qd6 $2 ({ More tenacious was} 20... Bd7 21. Bd5 Bc6 22. Rxe8+ Rxe8 23. Rxe8+ Bxe8 { and now the computer goes} 24. Qg6 $1 Kh8 25. Ne6 $1 fxg6 26. Nxc7) 21. Bd5 { Suddenly Black loses big material so he resigned.} 1-0 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.03"] [Round "2.1"] [White "Smerdon, David C"] [Black "Saric, Ivan"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B22"] [WhiteElo "2531"] [BlackElo "2668"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "72"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Australia"] [BlackTeam "Croatia"] [WhiteTeamCountry "AUS"] [BlackTeamCountry "CRO"] [WhiteClock "0:02:00"] [BlackClock "0:10:49"] 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 d6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 e6 7. Bc4 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. exd6 ({The main line goes} 9. Qe2 {e.g.} b6 10. Bxd5 exd5 11. Rd1 Na6 12. Nc3 Nc7 13. h3 Bb7 14. Bf4 Ne6 15. exd6 Bxd6 16. Bxd6 Qxd6 17. Qe5 Rfd8 { Nakamura,H (2787)-Oparin,G (2565) Gibraltar 2016}) 9... Bxd6 10. Nc3 b6 11. Qd3 Bb7 12. Bg5 Qd7 13. Rfe1 h6 14. Ne4 ({Maybe White should go for something quiet like} 14. Nxd5 Bxd5 15. Bxd5 exd5 16. Bd2 {but Smerdon is not that kind of player.}) 14... Nb4 15. Qb3 Bxe4 (15... hxg5 16. Nfxg5 Be7 17. Nxe6 { is murky.}) 16. Rxe4 N8c6 $6 (16... b5 $1 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Rxe6 Nd5 19. Rxh6 $5 gxh6 20. Qxd5+ Kg7) 17. Bf6 $6 ({Smerdon surely must have looked at} 17. Bxh6 $1 {and to his regret he will see that the computer likes it for White after} Na5 18. Qc3 gxh6 19. Rg4+ Kh8 20. Rh4) 17... Nd5 $1 (17... gxf6 18. Qe3 f5 19. Qxh6 {leads to a draw.}) 18. Ne5 Bxe5 19. dxe5 {This is too much.} (19. Bxe5) 19... gxf6 20. exf6 Nxf6 21. Rxe6 Ng4 $1 22. Rd1 Nd4 $1 {Suddenly it all works for Black.} 23. Qh3 Ne2+ $1 24. Bxe2 Qxe6 25. Bxg4 Rad8 $1 26. Rc1 Qf6 27. g3 Rd2 28. Bf5 Rfd8 29. Rc4 R8d4 30. Rc8+ Kg7 31. g4 Qe5 32. Qe3 Qxe3 33. fxe3 Rb4 34. b3 Rxa2 35. Rc3 Rb2 36. Rc7 R4xb3 0-1 [Event "Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.03"] [Round "2.2"] [White "Dolzhikova, Olga"] [Black "Paikidze, Nazi"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B11"] [WhiteElo "2167"] [BlackElo "2366"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "42"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Norway"] [BlackTeam "United States of America"] [WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"] 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. h3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 e6 6. d3 Nf6 7. Bd2 Nbd7 8. O-O-O d4 9. Ne2 Qb6 10. g4 h6 11. Qg3 O-O-O 12. f4 Nc5 13. Qe1 Qb5 14. e5 Nd5 15. b3 Na4 16. Kb1 Bc5 17. Ka1 $2 {If the king stays put, things won't start landing on c3 since White has enough firepower aimed there. But now...} Nac3 $1 18. Bxc3 dxc3 {And you can see that capturing the pawn is a disaster now since} 19. d4 (19. Nxc3 Nxc3 20. Qxc3 Bd4) 19... Qa5 20. Rh2 (20. dxc5 Nb4 21. Nxc3 Nxc2+) 20... Ne3 (20... Nb4 21. Nxc3 Bxd4 22. Rxd4 Rxd4 {and White fights on for a touch longer}) 21. Rc1 Qa3 0-1 [Event "Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.03"] [Round "2.1"] [White "Krush, Irina"] [Black "Sahl, Sheila Barth"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A96"] [WhiteElo "2444"] [BlackElo "2181"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "United States of America"] [BlackTeam "Norway"] [BlackTeamCountry "NOR"] 1. Nf3 f5 2. d4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 d6 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Nxe4 fxe4 9. Ne1 d5 10. f3 dxc4 11. Be3 Nc6 12. fxe4 Rxf1+ 13. Kxf1 Bd7 14. Nf3 Qf8 15. Kg1 Rd8 16. Qc2 b5 17. b3 Nb4 18. Qc3 c5 19. bxc4 cxd4 20. Bxd4 Bc5 21. cxb5 Rc8 22. Bxc5 Rxc5 23. Qd2 Bxb5 24. Bh3 Rc2 25. Bxe6+ Kh8 26. Qg5 Bxe2 27. Ne5 Qf6 28. Rb1 $6 {Moving her to f4 or f5 was simpler.} Rb2 $1 (28... Qxg5 29. Nf7+ Kg8 30. Nxg5+ Kf8 31. Rxb4) 29. Rc1 (29. Rxb2 Qf1#) 29... Rc2 30. Bb3 $1 h6 $3 {The move missed by Krush.} 31. Qe3 Qb6 32. Ng6+ (32. Qxb6 Rxc1+ 33. Kf2 axb6) 32... Kh7 33. Nf8+ Kh8 34. Ng6+ Kh7 35. Nf8+ Kh8 36. Ng6+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.04"] [Round "3.4"] [White "Flores, Diego"] [Black "Robson, Ray"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D45"] [WhiteElo "2595"] [BlackElo "2674"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "78"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Argentina"] [BlackTeam "United States of America"] [WhiteTeamCountry "ARG"] 1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. b3 O-O 8. Be2 b6 9. O-O Bb7 10. Bb2 Qe7 11. Rfd1 Rac8 12. Rac1 c5 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Bb5 a6 15. Bxd7 Qxd7 16. dxc5 bxc5 17. Ne2 Ne4 18. Ng3 f5 19. Be5 Be7 20. Nh5 g6 21. Nf4 g5 22. Ne2 h6 23. Ba1 Qe6 24. Ne5 Bf6 25. Nd3 d4 26. f3 c4 27. bxc4 Nc3 28. Nxc3 dxc3 29. c5 Qxe3+ 30. Kh1 Rfd8 31. Bxc3 Bxc3 32. Qxc3 Bxf3 {The big decision. Accept the bishop and face a forced perpetual, or go for more.} 33. gxf3 (33. Re1 Qxd3 34. Re8+ Rxe8 (34... Kh7 35. Qxd3 Rxd3 36. Rxc8) 35. Qxd3 Rxc5 $1 {and Black should not lose as White's king is arguable weaker, and White has to crawl in a ball just to win the a6-pawn} 36. Rg1 Be4 37. Qxa6 { Black can clamp down on the a6 square with his whole army, so White should not be able to win.}) 33... Qxf3+ 34. Kg1 Qe3+ 35. Kg2 Qe4+ 36. Kf2 Qh4+ 37. Kg2 Qe4+ 38. Kg1 Qe3+ 39. Kf1 Qf3+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.04"] [Round "?"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Rapport, Richard"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2761"] [BlackElo "2752"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 1. d4 {(0s) Shakhriyar Mamedyarov is known among chess players for his flamboyant attacking style, creativity and original approach to the royal game. In this game, he faced another original and attacking player, Super-GM Richard Rapport, whose uncompromising approach has brought him brilliant results. All these are indicative of a tense and exciting battle.} d5 {(0s)} 2. c4 {(0s)} c6 {(7s)} 3. cxd5 $5 {(455s) An interesting choice after some thought! What is Mamedyarov up to?!} cxd5 {(13s)} 4. Nc3 {(2s)} Nf6 {(8s)} 5. Bf4 {(1s)} Nc6 { (7s)} 6. e3 {(2s)} Bf5 {(7s)} 7. Qb3 {(190s) This move leads to some complications. In most of the games in this line, White has just a small edge but Black does not have so much counterplay.} Na5 {(12s)} 8. Qa4+ {(3s)} Bd7 { (5s)} 9. Qd1 {(2s)} Rc8 {(647s)} 10. Nf3 {(114s)} e6 {(581s)} 11. Bd3 {(604s)} Nc4 {(95s)} 12. Qe2 {(529s)} Qa5 {(847s)} 13. Bxc4 {(200s)} Rxc4 {(396s)} 14. O-O {(8s)} Bb4 {(320s)} 15. Ne5 {(67s)} Rc8 {(20s)} 16. Qf3 $146 {(362s) An interesting move which artificial intelligence is fond of!} (16. Rfc1 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Bb5 18. Qb2 Nh5 19. a4 Ba6 20. Qb4 Qd8 21. a5 f6 22. Qa4+ Ke7 23. Qb4+ Ke8 24. Nf3 Rc4 25. Qb2 Nxf4 26. exf4 Qc7 27. g3 Kf7 28. Nd2 Rc6 29. Nb3 Bc4 30. Nc5 b6 31. axb6 axb6 32. Na6 Bxa6 33. Rxa6 Rc8 34. Kg2 Rxc3 35. Rxc3 Qxc3 36. Ra7+ Kg8 37. Qe2 Qc6 38. f5 e5 39. dxe5 d4+ 40. Kh3 d3 41. Qh5 Kh8 42. e6 d2 43. Rd7 Qb5 44. Kg2 Qc6+ 45. Qf3 Qxf3+ 46. Kxf3 Kg8 47. Ke2 Kf8 48. Rf7+ Kg8 49. Rb7 h5 50. Kxd2 Kf8 51. h3 Rc5 52. g4 Rb5 53. Rb8+ Ke7 54. Rg8 Rb2+ 55. Kc3 Rxf2 56. Rxg7+ Kd6 57. Rd7+ Kc6 58. Rd2 {1-0 (58) Li,C (2721)-Nguyen,N (2659) Ho Chi Minh City 2015}) 16... h6 {(72s) The engines suggest this move on depth 27! Nevertheless, this is a logical move. White has the threat of Bg5. That simple isn't it? Nevertheless, now Black cannot castle due to Bxh6 tricks.} 17. Rfc1 {(1500s)} Bxc3 {(169s)} 18. bxc3 {(2s)} Rxc3 {(64s)} 19. g4 {(10s) Logical! White sacked a pawn and now he is trying to capitalize on his superior development.} Bb5 {(951s)} 20. g5 {(541s)} hxg5 {(326s)} 21. Bxg5 { (7s)} Rg8 $2 {(323s) Nimzowitsch would have loved this 'mysterious' rook move. Unfortunately for Rapport, this original rook move is not only a waste of time, it is a serious mistake!} (21... Qc7 22. Rxc3 Qxc3 23. Rb1 Ba6 24. Bxf6 Qc2 25. Re1 gxf6 26. Qxf6 Rf8 {should have kept the balance, despite White's unpleasant grip thanks to his knight on e5.}) 22. Kh1 $6 {(116s) This does not throws away White's entire advantage but it misses a win!} (22. h4 Qc7 23. Rxc3 Qxc3 24. Qd1 Be2 25. Rc1 Bxd1 26. Rxc3 Kd8 27. f3 $3 {with this fantastic prophylactic move Black would be dead lost. I cannot blame Mamedyarov for missing this move.} Ba4 28. Kf2 Be8 29. Ng4 Bc6 30. Nxf6 gxf6 31. Bxf6+ Kd7 32. h5 $18) 22... Qc7 {(731s)} 23. Rxc3 {(240s)} Qxc3 {(2s)} 24. Rg1 {(13s)} Rf8 { (14s)} 25. Bxf6 {(68s)} gxf6 {(4s)} 26. Qxf6 {(2s) White is in full control and close to winning.} Bd3 {(95s)} 27. h4 {(197s)} Be4+ {(50s)} 28. Kh2 {(60s)} Qc7 {(21s)} 29. h5 {(229s)} Bf5 {(118s)} 30. h6 {(119s)} (30. Rg7 Qc2 31. Kg3 { seems simpler.}) 30... Qc2 {(36s)} 31. Qh4 {(156s)} Qe4 {(165s)} 32. Qxe4 { (211s)} (32. Ng4 $1 Bxg4 33. Rxg4 {wins on the spot. Black does not have even a check!}) 32... Bxe4 {(23s)} 33. Rg7 {(5s)} f6 {(5s)} 34. Ng6 {(193s)} Bxg6 { (50s)} 35. Rxg6 {(2s)} Rh8 {(73s)} 36. Kg3 {(97s)} Kf7 {(52s)} 37. Rg7+ {(3s)} Kf8 {(3s)} 38. Rxb7 {(4s)} Rxh6 {(6s)} 39. Rxa7 {(2s) As we saw, 'Shakh' could have won earlier in a number of occasions, nevertheless, he managed to maintain his grip and as a result he now has a winning rook endgame. Black's king is cut-off and White's extra pawn will prove decisive.} Rh1 {(190s)} 40. a4 {(0s)} e5 {(0s)} 41. a5 {(77s)} Rg1+ {(508s)} 42. Kh2 {(74s)} (42. Kf3 { Looks more normal to me!}) 42... Ra1 {(142s)} 43. a6 {(7s)} Ra3 {(103 s)} 44. Kg2 {(581s)} Ke8 {(507s)} 45. dxe5 $1 {(46s) Mamedyarov finds the winning plan! } fxe5 {(5s)} 46. f4 {(4s)} d4 {(38s)} (46... exf4 47. exf4 d4 48. Ra8+ Kf7 49. a7 Kg7 50. f5 d3 51. Kf2 Ra5 52. f6+ Kf7 53. Rh8 {And white wins!}) 47. exd4 { ( 33s)} exf4 {(44s)} 48. d5 {(18s) A fine victory for Mamedyarov. His opening choice and the way he handled the middlegame was exceptional. Rapport has nothing to do but to blame himself for his Rg8.} (48. d5 Kd8 (48... Rd3 49. Rh7 ) 49. d6 Ra4 50. Kf3 Kc8 51. Rc7+ Kb8 52. a7+ Rxa7 53. Rxa7 Kxa7 54. d7 { and a primitive win for White}) 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.04"] [Round "3.2"] [White "Mareco, Sandro"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A09"] [WhiteElo "2606"] [BlackElo "2789"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "140"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Argentina"] [BlackTeam "United States of America"] [WhiteTeamCountry "ARG"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 Bg4 4. g3 Bxf3 5. exf3 a5 6. b5 Nd7 7. Bg2 e6 8. O-O Ngf6 9. f4 Nc5 10. d3 Nfd7 11. Nd2 Be7 12. Nb3 O-O 13. Nxd4 Bf6 14. Be3 Qe7 15. Rc1 Qd6 16. Nb3 Nxb3 17. axb3 Bd4 18. Bxb7 Rad8 19. Bf3 Nc5 20. Re1 g6 21. Qc2 Qb6 22. Ra1 Rd6 23. Bxd4 Rxd4 24. Re3 Rfd8 25. Rd1 Qd6 26. Qc3 Qb6 27. h4 h5 28. Be2 c6 29. bxc6 Qxc6 30. Ra1 Qb7 31. Rxa5 Qxb3 32. Qxb3 Nxb3 33. Ra3 Rb8 34. Ra7 Nc1 35. Bf1 Rb2 36. Re4 Rd8 37. Re1 Rc2 38. Ra1 Nb3 39. Rad1 Nd4 40. Kg2 Nf5 41. Rb1 Rd2 42. Kg1 Nd4 43. Red1 Ra2 44. Ra1 Rb2 45. Rdb1 Rc2 46. Ra3 Rd7 47. Rba1 Kg7 48. Kg2 Rb7 49. R3a2 Rc3 50. Rd1 Kf6 51. f3 Rbb3 52. Kf2 Nc6 53. g4 Nb4 54. Rad2 Nc6 55. Ra1 Nb4 56. Rad1 Ra3 57. Be2 Nc6 58. g5+ Kg7 59. d4 Na5 60. c5 Nb3 61. Rd3 Rc2 62. Re1 Rb2 63. c6 Raa2 64. c7 (64. f5 $1 {With the idea of} gxf5 65. c7 Nc1 66. Rxc1 Rxe2+ 67. Kg3 Rg2+ 68. Kf4 {and unlike in the game, White's king escapes}) 64... Nc1 65. Rxc1 Rxe2+ 66. Kf1 Rh2 67. Kg1 Rag2+ 68. Kf1 Rf2+ 69. Kg1 Rhg2+ 70. Kh1 Rh2+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.04"] [Round "3.1"] [White "Navara, David"] [Black "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A33"] [WhiteElo "2742"] [BlackElo "2696"] [Annotator "Rashad Babaev"] [PlyCount "85"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Czech Republic"] [BlackTeam "Uzbekistan"] [WhiteTeamCountry "CZE"] [BlackTeamCountry "UZB"] 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. a3 Bc5 {Black could choose other interesting lines as well. For instance} (6... Nxd4 7. Qxd4 b6 8. Qf4 Be7 9. e4 d6 10. Qg3 O-O 11. Bh6 Ne8 12. Bf4 Bb7 13. Rd1 Bh4 14. Qh3 Qf6 15. Be3 Bg5 16. Be2 {Kasparov, G-Van Wely, L Moscow 2004 with a slight but enduring advantage for White.}) (6... Be7 {is another interesting set up where Black just simply goes for a small center.} 7. e4 O-O 8. Nc2 b6 9. f4 Bb7 10. Bd3 Rc8 11. Qe2 d6 12. O-O Na5 13. Be3 {Carlsen,M-Topalov,V 2009 with typical pressure for White in such positions. In general these type of positions are so cramped for Black and at some point they need to come up with breakthroughs such us b5 or d5.}) 7. Nb3 Bb6 {This is an interesting choice to me. Personally I do not like placing bishop on b6 from where it does not have any control of d6 weak square and I am not sure how long Black can withstand the pressure of White on that square. On the other hand Black will try for the d5 move which leads to a new weak isolated pawn but makes his position more free and with more space.} 8. Bf4 d5 9. c5 {Navara is choosing a more forcing line which will keep the black king in the center of the board. An alternative would be} (9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. e3 d4 {and Black should feel safe here.}) 9... Bc7 10. Bxc7 Qxc7 11. Nb5 Qe5 ({Deviating from a recent game where Navara had Black:} 11... Qb8 12. Nd6+ Ke7 13. Nd2 b6 14. b4 a5 15. b5 Na7 16. cxb6 Qxd6 17. bxa7 Rxa7 {Rapport,R (2731)-Navara,D (2744) Prague CZE 2016}) 12. Nd6+ Ke7 13. Qc1 $1 {I do not know if this was home preparation by Navara but it is definitely the best move in the position. Let's see what would happen in case if White tries for more predictable moves:} (13. Qd2 Ne4 14. Nxe4 Qxe4 15. e3 e5 16. f3 Qa4 17. Nc1 Be6 {looks pretty equal.}) (13. Qc2 b6 14. Nb5 Qe4 15. Qc3 Qc4 16. e3 Qxc3+ 17. Nxc3 Rb8 {is getting even more pleasent for Black.}) 13... d4 {Quite a logical move. The idea is to free the d5 square for pieces and to prevent White from developing by e3. But I think Kasimdzhanov underestimated White's next move or possibly just missed it. Therefore I would go for the more prophylactic move} (13... g5 {in order to avoid the f4 idea.} 14. e3 Ne4 15. Nxe4 Qxe4 16. Nd2 Qf5 {and the position is still dynamic and hard to evaluate but to me it looks equal.}) 14. f4 {Only this is the first new move.} (14. e4 Nxe4 15. f4 Qd5 16. Bc4 Nxc5 17. Bxd5 Nd3+ 18. Kd2 Nxc1 19. Raxc1 Kxd6 20. Bxc6 bxc6 21. Nxd4 Bd7 {Bocharov,D (2595) -Inarkiev,E (2677) Moscow RUS 2016}) 14... Qe3 (14... Qd5 15. Qc2 d3 ({There is a nice idea if Black plays} 15... b6 16. e4 dxe3 17. Rd1 Qh5 18. cxb6 { with a decisive advantage.}) 16. Qxd3 Qxd3 17. exd3 a5 18. Rd1 a4 19. Nc1 { with the better game for White.}) ({Navara told Chess.com the following beautiful line which he spotted shortly after playing 14.f4:} 14... Qd5 15. Qc2 Ng4 16. e4 $1 Ne3 17. Qd1 $3 {and White wins material in all lines.}) 15. Qxe3 dxe3 16. g3 {Obviously the white bishop goes to the long diagonal.} a5 { This is a common pawn move with knight on b3 which will win a tempo in the future and space. It reminds me of the rule "Knights stand badly on b3, b6, g3 and g6."} 17. Bg2 a4 18. Nc1 {Yes, it is always a challenge where to give up fianchetto bishop and where to save it. I think White could try for} (18. Bxc6 bxc6 19. Nd4 Bd7 20. O-O Rhb8 21. Rab1 Ra5 22. Rfc1 {with a slight advantage for White and Black still has to solve theproblems of his e3 weak pawn which can be attacked by the white king in the future.}) 18... Nd7 19. Nd3 Nxc5 { Black starts a forcing line.} 20. Nxc8+ Raxc8 21. Nxc5 Nd4 22. Rc1 b6 23. Nd3 Rxc1+ 24. Nxc1 Rc8 25. Nd3 Rc2 26. Bf3 Nxf3+ 27. exf3 Rg2 $1 {Not often we see an endgame position where someone is down a piece and plays such a quiet move just to prevent something. The players are playing very creatively today. The idea to stop White from castling. Let's look at other lines in order to see the difference.} (27... Rd2 28. Nb4 b5 29. O-O Rxb2 30. Rc1 Rb3 31. Ra1 Rb2 32. f5 exf5 33. Nd5+ Kd6 34. Nxe3 g6 35. Rc1 Ke5 36. Rc8 {with chances to win the game.}) (27... b5 28. O-O Rd2 29. Nb4 Rxb2 30. Rc1 Rb3 31. Ra1 Rb2 32. f5 { brings us to the same line as the previous.}) 28. Nb4 {Now Black is forced to take on b2, otherwise Kd1 will be next.} Rxb2 ({Navara mentioned} 28... h5 29. Kd1 Rxb2 30. Re1 (30. Kc1 $5) 30... Rxh2 31. Rxe3 Rg2 {but might have missed} 32. Nd5+ {when calculating this.}) 29. O-O Rb3 30. Ra1 Kd6 (30... Rb2 31. Ra2 Rb1+ 32. Kg2 Kd6 33. Nc2 Kc5 34. Nxe3 Kd4 35. Kf2 Kc3 36. Rc2+ Kb3 37. Rc7 Kxa3 38. Ke2 Kb3 39. Rb7 a3 40. Rxb6+ Ka2 41. Rd6 Kb3 42. Rd3+ Ka4 43. Nc2 Rb3 44. Rd4+ {It's hard to say if Black can hold this position but it is worth to try.} ) 31. Kf1 Kc5 32. Ke2 Rc3 {Overlooking an exchange combination, but other lines were also bad for Black.} 33. Rc1 Rxc1 34. Nd3+ Kc4 35. Nxc1 Kc3 36. Kxe3 Kb2 37. Kd2 b5 38. Nd3+ Kxa3 39. Kc3 Ka2 {Zugzwang is approaching. In case of} (39... h6 40. Nb4 f5 41. Nc2+ Ka2 42. Nd4 Kb1 43. Nxb5 g6 44. g4 {White is still winning.}) 40. Kc2 Ka3 41. g4 b4 42. Nb2 f6 43. f5 {Outstanding endgame technique was demonstrated by Navara. It is difficult to say where he started to outplay Kasimdzhanov. I think Black's mistake was to choose a forcing line with 18...Nd7 which led to a hopeless position.} (43. f5 exf5 44. gxf5 h6 45. h3 h5 46. h4 {and Black will lose both queenside pawns and the game:} Ka2 ( 46... b3+ 47. Kc3) 47. Nxa4 b3+ 48. Kc3 Ka3 49. Nb2 Ka2 50. Nc4) 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.04"] [Round "3.4"] [White "Volokitin, Andrei"] [Black "Fridman, Daniel"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B12"] [WhiteElo "2647"] [BlackElo "2618"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "45"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Ukraine"] [BlackTeam "Germany"] [WhiteTeamCountry "UKR"] [BlackTeamCountry "GER"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 c5 6. Be3 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Ne7 8. O-O Nbc6 9. Bb5 Bg6 10. c4 a6 11. cxd5 Qxd5 12. Nc3 Qxe5 13. Ba4 Rc8 14. Rc1 Nf5 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Ne2 {discovering an attack on c6} Nxe3 {Did Black not get the memo?} (16... Qe4 {is uncomfortable but still a game since White cannot easily increase the pressure on c6}) 17. Rxc6 $1 Ke7 (17... Nxd1 18. Rxe6+ Kd8 19. Rxe5 {and White recovers the piece with interest since} Nxb2 20. Re8+ Kc7 21. Rc1+) 18. fxe3 Qxe3+ 19. Kh1 Rxc6 20. Bxc6 Qd3 21. Qa4 e5 22. Rd1 Qxe2 23. Qb4+ 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.04"] [Round "3.3"] [White "Neiksans, Arturs"] [Black "Hillarp Persson, Tiger"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B09"] [WhiteElo "2628"] [BlackElo "2523"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "100"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Latvia"] [BlackTeam "Sweden"] [WhiteTeamCountry "LAT"] [BlackTeamCountry "SWE"] 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. f4 Nf6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be3 b6 7. Qd2 c5 8. e5 Ng4 9. O-O-O dxe5 10. Nxe5 cxd4 11. Bxd4 Nxe5 12. Bxe5 Qxd2+ 13. Rxd2 Bxe5 14. fxe5 Nc6 15. Nd5 Kg7 16. Bb5 Nxe5 17. Re1 f6 18. Nxe7 Bb7 19. Nd5 Rad8 20. Red1 Kf7 21. Ne3 Rxd2 22. Rxd2 Ke6 23. Ba4 f5 24. Bb3+ Kf6 25. Rd6+ Kg5 26. Re6 Ng4 27. Nxg4 Kxg4 28. g3 Bf3 29. Re7 h5 30. Kd2 Kh3 31. Ke3 Bg4 32. Kf4 Kxh2 33. Bd5 g5+ 34. Kxg5 Kxg3 35. Re3+ Kf2 36. Kf4 h4 37. c4 h3 38. Rc3 h2 39. Bf3 Bxf3 ( 39... Rh8 {was the cleanest conversion since} 40. Rc2+ Ke1 41. Rc1+ Kd2 42. Rh1 Bxf3 43. Kxf3 {is fairly easy -- Black just plays lawnmower with his king}) 40. Rxf3+ Kg2 41. Rg3+ Kh1 42. Rg7 Rd8 43. Ke3 Rd1 44. Kf2 {Despite what the computers say, Black's king is just stuck. Robson found the idea amusing.} Rd2+ 45. Kf3 Rxb2 46. Rd7 Rb1 47. Kf2 Rb2+ 48. Kf3 Rb1 49. Kf2 Rb2+ {The threat of mate on the first rank keeps the Black rook from pillaging the queenside, and Black's two extra pawns don't amount to squat.} 50. Kf3 Rb1 1/2-1/2 [Event "42nd Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Tromso NOR"] [Date "2016.09.04"] [Round "3.1"] [White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"] [Black "Muminova, Nafisa"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C12"] [WhiteElo "2538"] [BlackElo "2324"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Russia"] [BlackTeam "Uzbekistan"] [WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"] [BlackTeamCountry "UZB"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bc1 Ne4 7. Qg4 Kf8 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 c5 10. Bd3 Nxc3 11. dxc5 Nc6 12. Nf3 f5 $6 {An unsuccessful novelty.} (12... Qa5 13. O-O Qxc5 14. a4 a5 15. Be3 Qb4 16. Qh5 Bd7 17. Ng5 Be8 18. f4 Kg8 {Hector,J (2518)-Romsdal,T (2198) Copenhagen DEN 2004}) 13. exf6 Qxf6 14. Bb2 e5 15. Qh4 g5 16. Qg3 e4 (16... d4 17. h4 g4 18. Nd2 {is also good for White.}) 17. Bxe4 $1 {This is the problem.} Qe7 (17... dxe4 18. Nd2 { just wins back Nc3.}) 18. Qd6 $1 {White keeps her pawn and the rest is technique.} dxe4 19. Nd2 Rh7 20. Bxc3 Bf5 21. Nc4 Rd8 22. Bf6 Qxd6 23. Nxd6 Rdd7 24. Nxf5 Rdf7 25. Bg7+ Rhxg7 26. Nxg7 Kxg7 27. Rd1 Rc7 28. O-O Na5 29. Rd5 Nc4 30. Rfd1 Kf6 31. a4 e3 32. fxe3 Nxe3 33. Rd6+ Kf5 34. R1d3 Nxc2 35. Rd7 Rxc5 36. R3d5+ Rxd5 37. Rxd5+ Ke6 38. Rc5 Nd4 39. Rc7 a5 40. Rxb7 Ne2+ 41. Kf2 Nc3 42. Rb6+ Kf7 43. Rxh6 Nxa4 44. Ra6 Nc5 45. Rxa5 Ne6 46. Kf3 Kf6 47. Kg4 Kg6 48. Ra6 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Tromso NOR"] [Date "2016.09.04"] [Round "3.3"] [White "Zhao, Xue"] [Black "Nguyen, Thi Mai Hung"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A12"] [WhiteElo "2522"] [BlackElo "2316"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "104"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "China"] [BlackTeam "Vietnam"] [WhiteTeamCountry "CHN"] [BlackTeamCountry "VIE"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. e3 Nf6 4. b3 Bg4 5. Bb2 e6 6. h3 Bh5 7. Be2 Nbd7 8. Nc3 Bd6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. g4 {A risky but interesting novelty.} (10. Nd4 Bg6 11. O-O O-O 12. Nf3 h6 13. d3 Qe7 14. Qd2 Rfe8 15. Rfe1 Rad8 16. Rad1 Nf8 17. Qc1 Ne6 { Goletiani,R (2311)-Foisor,S (2276) Saint Louis USA 2015}) 10... Bg6 11. g5 Ne4 12. h4 h6 13. d3 Nxc3 14. Bxc3 hxg5 15. Nxg5 (15. Bxg7 Rh7) 15... f6 16. Nf3 Qe7 17. Rg1 Qf7 18. Kd2 $5 Ne5 19. Nd4 Rxh4 20. f4 Nd7 21. Rg2 $6 (21. Rh1 Rxh1 22. Qxh1 {might be good for White. The threat is 23.f5.}) 21... Bh7 22. Qg1 g6 {Bh7 is out of play for the moment but in the long run Black's safer king and better structure will make the difference.} 23. Rf1 O-O-O 24. Bg4 Qe7 25. Nc2 Kb8 26. Qf2 Rh6 27. Rfg1 Nc5 28. Be2 Ne6 29. Kc1 Rf8 30. Qf1 g5 31. fxg5 fxg5 32. Qd1 Rh2 33. Rxh2 Bxh2 34. Rh1 Bd6 35. Rh6 Nc5 36. Kd2 {The second time around, this isn't the most comfortable move to play.} g4 37. Qh1 Bxd3 38. Bxd3 Rf2+ 39. Be2 Ne4+ 40. Kd3 Nc5+ 41. Kd2 Ne4+ 42. Kd3 Ng3 43. Rh8+ Kc7 44. Qh7 Nxe2 45. Ba5+ b6 46. Bd2 g3 47. Nd4 Rf7 48. Qh3 Qe4+ 49. Kxe2 Rf2+ 50. Kd1 Qb1+ 51. Bc1 Qd3+ 52. Bd2 Qxd2# 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Tromso NOR"] [Date "2016.09.04"] [Round "3.2"] [White "Javakhishvili, Lela"] [Black "Tsiganova, Monika"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A58"] [WhiteElo "2486"] [BlackElo "2095"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Georgia"] [BlackTeam "Estonia"] [WhiteTeamCountry "GEO"] [BlackTeamCountry "EST"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 O-O 8. a7 Rxa7 9. e4 Ba6 10. Be2 e6 11. O-O exd5 12. e5 Bxe2 13. Qxe2 Re8 14. Bg5 ({ Strong was} 14. Qd1 Ng4 15. Nb5 Ra6 16. Nd6 Re6 {because there's} 17. Nxf7 $1) 14... h6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nxd5 Bg7 17. Qc4 Nc6 18. Qxc5 Ra5 19. Qc4 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Bxe5 21. Rab1 (21. b4) 21... Qa8 22. Rfd1 Rxa2 23. Nb6 $2 {This spoils the advantage.} (23. b4) 23... d5 $3 {An amazing find. Black is completely fine!} 24. Qb3 (24. Nxa8 dxc4 25. Nb6 Bxb2) (24. Nxd5 Rxb2) (24. Rxd5 Rxb2) ( 24. Qxd5 Qxd5 25. Nxd5 Rxb2) 24... Rb8 25. Qe3 Qa7 26. Qxe5 Qxb6 27. Rd2 d4 28. h4 Rd8 29. Rbd1 Rxb2 30. Rxd4 Rxd4 31. Rxd4 Rb1+ 32. Kh2 Qb8 33. Qxb8+ Rxb8 34. g4 Rb5 35. Kg3 Kg7 36. Rd7 Kf6 37. f3 Ke5 1/2-1/2 [Event "42nd Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Tromso NOR"] [Date "2016.09.04"] [Round "3.1"] [White "Socko, Monika"] [Black "Mamedjarova, Zeinab"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2437"] [BlackElo "2295"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "126"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Poland"] [BlackTeam "Azerbaijan 1"] [WhiteTeamCountry "POL"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 ({Interestingly, Valentina Gunina also used the Petroff today to beat a lower rated player as Black:} 5. c4 Be7 6. d4 O-O 7. Bd3 d5 8. Qc2 Nc6 9. a3 Bg4 10. cxd5 {Now things go crazy.} Bxf3 11. dxc6 Nxf2 12. Kxf2 $6 (12. Bxh7+ $1 Kh8 13. O-O {was the way to go.}) 12... Bxc6 13. Bxh7+ Kh8 14. Rd1 Bd6 15. g3 $6 ({Here} 15. d5 {was critical.}) 15... f5 {Now Black is clearly better.} 16. Nc3 Kxh7 17. d5 Be8 18. Ne2 Bh5 19. Rd4 Bxe2 20. Kxe2 Qf6 21. Rh4+ Kg8 22. Kf1 Rae8 23. Bf4 Re4 24. Rd1 Rfe8 25. Bxd6 Rxh4 26. gxh4 cxd6 27. Qf2 Re4 28. Re1 Rxh4 29. Re8+ Kf7 30. Rb8 Qg5 31. Rxb7+ Kg6 32. Rb4 Qc1+ 33. Kg2 Rxb4 34. axb4 a6 35. Qd4 Qc2+ 36. Kg3 Qe2 37. Kh3 Qf3+ 38. Kh4 Kh6 39. Qg1 Qh5+ 40. Kg3 Qg4+ 41. Kf2 Qxg1+ 42. Kxg1 Kg5 43. Kg2 Kf4 44. Kf2 Ke4 45. Ke2 Kxd5 46. Kd3 g5 47. h3 f4 48. b3 Ke5 49. Ke2 Ke4 { 0-1 (49) Tokhirjonova,G (2289)-Gunina,V (2520) Tromso NOR 2016}) 5... Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Bf4 Nc6 8. Qd2 Be6 9. Ng5 Bxg5 10. Bxg5 f6 11. Be3 Qd7 12. O-O-O ( 12. b3 a6 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. h3 Rhe8 {?-? Martinovic,S (2453)-Simic,R (2384) Subotica SRB 2008}) 12... O-O-O 13. Be2 Rhe8 14. b3 Bg4 15. f3 $6 Qe6 $1 16. fxg4 Qxe3 17. Bd3 h6 18. Rde1 (18. Bb5 $5) 18... Qxd2+ 19. Kxd2 Ne5 20. Re3 c6 21. Rhe1 Kc7 22. a4 a5 23. h4 Rh8 24. Rg3 Rdf8 25. Rf1 Rf7 26. Be2 d5 27. Re1 Kd6 28. g5 hxg5 29. hxg5 f5 30. Re3 Re7 31. Rh3 Rhe8 32. Rf1 g6 33. Rh6 Re6 34. Rh7 R8e7 35. Rxe7 Rxe7 36. Bd3 Rh7 37. Ke3 Rh5 38. Be2 Rxg5 39. Kf2 Ng4+ 40. Bxg4 Rxg4 41. Rh1 Kc5 42. Rh7 b6 43. Rb7 Rf4+ 44. Ke3 Re4+ 45. Kf3 Re1 46. b4+ axb4 47. cxb4+ Kxb4 48. Rxb6+ Kc5 49. Rb7 Ra1 50. Rg7 Rxa4 51. Rxg6 Rc4 52. Rg5 Rc3+ 53. Kf4 Rxc2 54. Kxf5 Re2 55. g4 d4 56. Rg8 d3 57. Rd8 Kc4 58. g5 c5 59. g6 Rg2 60. Rd7 Kc3 61. g7 c4 62. Kf4 d2 63. Ke3 Rxg7 0-1 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "chess24.com"] [Date "2016.09.05"] [Round "4.4"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Black "Volokitin, Andrei"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D78"] [WhiteElo "2754"] [BlackElo "2647"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "76"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Russia"] [BlackTeam "Ukraine"] [WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"] [BlackTeamCountry "UKR"] [WhiteClock "0:00:45"] [BlackClock "0:01:54"] {By far the most important match of the day was the battle between the two Eastern European power houses, Russia and Ukraine. These two teams have an ever growing history and the competitive tension between them has never been higher. On paper, Russia was the clear favorite but as often happens in chess, the result was far from clear. One of the focal points of the match was the encounter between Grischuk and Volokitin, with the Russian enjoying a comfortable rating advantage (+100). Let's see what happened!} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 {The Reti has become one of the most played openings at the top level, and the Russians in particular enjoy the opening subtleties and transpositions that this opening offers.} 4. c4 (4. O-O O-O 5. d3 d5 6. Nbd2 c5 7. e4 {Attacking the center with the e-pawn is another attempt at destabilizing Black's position.} Nc6 8. c3 e5 9. a4 b6 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nc4 { was unclear in Caruana,F (2791)-Le,Q (2712) Dubai 2014}) 4... c6 {Now the game seems to be heading toward a Fianchetto Grunfeld-Slav type of structure.} 5. b3 Ne4 (5... d5 6. Bb2 O-O 7. O-O {but now White is not forced anymore to place his pawn on d4. I believe the option Volokitin chose in the game is much more precise.} Bg4 8. d3 Nbd7 9. Nbd2 {1-0 (66) Dubov,D (2666)-Andreikin,D (2743) ICC INT 2016 and many other games}) 6. d4 d5 7. O-O O-O 8. Bb2 Bf5 9. Nbd2 (9. e3 Nd7 10. Qe2 a5 11. Nc3 Nxc3 12. Bxc3 Be4 13. cxd5 (13. Bh3 $5 {may be tried to try and win the bishop pair} Bxf3 14. Qxf3 e6 {though I believe Black is extremely solid here.}) 13... cxd5 14. Qb5) 9... Qa5 10. e3 Nd7 (10... Nc3 $6 11. Qe1 Bd3 12. Nb1 $1 Ne2+ 13. Kh1 {and the knight will be trapped. Undoubtedly this was something prepared by Grischuk at home.}) 11. Qe2 Rfe8 12. Nxe4 Bxe4 13. Bh3 dxc4 $5 {Great depth in his calculation by Volokitin.} (13... Rad8 {was the "normal continuation"} 14. cxd5 (14. Ng5 h6 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Qc2 e5) 14... Qxd5 15. Nd2 e5 16. Nxe4 Qxe4 17. Bg2 Qf5 18. Rad1 exd4 19. Bxd4 { and White still maintains a slight plus, but Black should have no problem maintaining the balance and stirring the game into peaceful waters.} Bxd4 20. Rxd4 Nc5 21. Qb2 Ne6) 14. Bxd7 Qh5 15. g4 $1 {Grischuk is starting to feel the heat, but he maintains his precision.} (15. Kg2 $2 Red8 16. g4 (16. Bh3 Rd6 $1 {and there is nothing stopping Rf6. White is in big trouble.} 17. g4 Qh4 18. Ba3 Rf6) 16... Qh4 17. Kg1 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Rxd7 {is good for Black.}) 15... Qh3 16. Ne1 Bd3 17. Nxd3 cxd3 18. Qxd3 Rad8 (18... Red8 $6 {The rook has to remain on the e-file in order to break with e5 at the right moment.} 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Qe4) 19. Bxc6 (19. Bxe8 Qxg4+ 20. Kh1 Qf3+ 21. Kg1 {but Grischuk clearly wanted to press for an advantage}) 19... bxc6 20. Qe4 c5 $1 {Black can't allow White to stabilize the position. If that happens, he will simply be a pawn up.} 21. Rad1 h5 22. gxh5 Qxh5 23. f4 $6 (23. f3 $1 {was necessary to maintain the balance. White had to realize that making an advantage is already out of the question. He had to apply the brakes and attempt massive simplifications.} cxd4 24. Bxd4 Bxd4 25. Rxd4 Rxd4 26. Qxd4 Qg5+ 27. Kh1 Rc8) 23... Qe2 24. Ba1 (24. f5 $1 {was the best chance:} Rd6 $1 (24... Qxb2 25. fxg6 Rf8 26. gxf7+ Rxf7 27. Rxf7 Kxf7 28. Rf1+ Bf6 29. Qh7+ Ke6 30. Qf5+ Kf7 31. Qh7+) 25. Ba3 Bxd4 26. Rde1 Qxa2 27. Kh1 Qxa3 28. fxg6 Rxg6 29. Rg1 Rxg1+ 30. Rxg1+ Kf8 31. exd4 Qxb3 {with only a small advantage for Black.}) 24... cxd4 25. Rde1 Qg4+ 26. Qg2 Qxg2+ 27. Kxg2 dxe3 28. Re2 (28. Bxg7 Rd2+ $1 (28... Kxg7 $2 29. Rxe3 Rd2+ 30. Rf2) 29. Kg3 Kxg7 30. Rxe3 Rxa2) 28... Bxa1 29. Rxa1 e5 $1 {The central break at the right moment!} 30. fxe5 (30. Rxe3 exf4 31. Rxe8+ Rxe8 32. Kf3 Rd8 33. Kxf4 Rd2 {Despite the fact that the material is equal, the difference in the rooks' activity give Black almost a winning advantage.} 34. Kg3 Kg7 {White's rook is simply stuck defending the pawns, and Black will slowly push his majority on the kingside.}) 30... Rxe5 31. Rae1 Kg7 32. Kg3 (32. Kf3 Rh8 33. Kf4 Kf6 34. Rxe3 Rf5+ 35. Kg3 Rg5+) 32... Rde8 33. h3 f5 34. Kf3 (34. Rc2 { was more resilient, though the final outcome should remain the same.} Kh6 35. Kf3 Kh5) 34... Rh8 35. Kg3 g5 36. Rh2 f4+ 37. Kf3 Kf6 38. Rc1 Kf5 {An impeccable performance by Volokitin. After Grischuk declined the draw with Bxc6 instead of Be8, Black grasped the initiative and never let it go. A series of precise moves allowed Black to reach a superior rook endgame, and the conversion was an endgame masterclass. Surely this game will find its place in the annals of history and is a must-analyze for any chess professional or amateur alike.} 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.05"] [Round "4.2"] [White "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"] [Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E18"] [WhiteElo "2731"] [BlackElo "2709"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "116"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Russia"] [BlackTeam "Ukraine"] [WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"] [BlackTeamCountry "UKR"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Bd2 Bf6 9. Rc1 Nxd2 10. Qxd2 d6 11. d5 e5 12. e4 Nd7 13. h4 a5 14. Bh3 Nc5 15. Kg2 Bc8 16. Bxc8 Qxc8 17. Qe2 Be7 18. Nd2 Nd7 19. Rh1 Nf6 20. Nf1 h5 21. Ne3 g6 22. Rcg1 Kg7 23. Kf1 Rh8 24. Ke1 Qd7 25. Kd1 Kg8 26. f3 Bf8 27. g4 Rh7 28. Kc2 Be7 29. Rg2 Qd8 30. Kb1 Kh8 31. Nf1 Nd7 32. Rgh2 Kg7 (32... hxg4 $2 33. h5 $1 { is good for White.}) 33. Rh3 $4 {This blunders a pawn.} hxg4 34. fxg4 ({Now} 34. h5 {doesn't work because the rook on h3 is hanging.}) 34... Rxh4 35. Rxh4 $6 {Only here does it really go wrong for White.} ({Amazingly, the computer still thinks it's equal, supported by a line such as} 35. Qh2 Rxh3 36. Qxh3 Bg5 37. Nh2 Bf4 38. Nf3 Nf6 39. Ne2 Qh8 40. Nxf4 exf4 41. Qf1 Qe8 42. Qh3 Qh8) 35... Bxh4 36. Qh2 Bg5 37. Qh7+ Kf8 38. Nh2 Qf6 39. Rf1 Bf4 40. Nf3 Ke7 { This is a big difference from the line above. It's Black who will get the h-file.} 41. Rh1 Bg3 42. Nd2 Qf4 43. Qh3 Nf6 44. Qg2 Qxg4 45. Ne2 Bf4 46. Nxf4 exf4 47. Qf1 Nh5 48. Qd3 Kf8 49. a3 Re8 50. Ka2 Kg7 51. Nf3 Nf6 52. Re1 Nd7 53. Qc3+ Ne5 54. Rf1 Qh3 55. Qc1 Nxf3 56. Qc3+ f6 57. Rxf3 Qg4 58. Qd3 Rh8 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.05"] [Round "4.1"] [White "Smerdon, David C"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B22"] [WhiteElo "2531"] [BlackElo "2857"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "51"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Australia"] [BlackTeam "Norway"] [WhiteTeamCountry "AUS"] [BlackTeamCountry "NOR"] 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Na3 Qd8 7. Nc4 Be7 8. Be3 cxd4 9. Qxd4 O-O 10. O-O-O Nd5 11. Qg4 Nxe3 12. fxe3 $5 Qc7 13. Bd3 Nd7 14. Qf4 Qc5 15. b4 $5 {Smerdon admitted that he played "ugly chess," but it worked tactically today.} Qc6 16. Nd4 Qxg2 17. Rhg1 Qh3 18. Rg3 Qh4 $6 (18... Qh5) 19. Qxh4 Bxh4 20. Rh3 Bg5 21. Rg1 {Smerdon said that against anyone below 2700, he would not have taken the draw.} ({Objectively speaking, White should have played on:} 21. Bxh7+ Kh8 22. Bc2+ Kg8 23. Nf3 Bh6 (23... Be7 24. Bh7+ Kh8 25. Be4+ Kg8 26. Bxb7) 24. Rg1 {with strong pressure.}) 21... h6 22. Rxg5 hxg5 23. Bh7+ Kh8 24. Bd3+ Kg8 25. Bh7+ Kh8 26. Bd3+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.05"] [Round "?"] [White "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"] [Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2731"] [BlackElo "2709"] [PlyCount "116"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] {Round four was under the spell of the Ukraine-Russia match! Two of the top guns in the Olympiad since the fall of the Soviet Union and the two countries in political conflict! That would be enough tension to win most of the attention of the fourth round at the Baku Chess Olympiad. In a 'black' day in this match, ex-FIDE world champion, Ruslan Ponomariov, delivered one of the two victories for the Ukrainian team to let his teammates edge Russia 2.5-1.5} 1. d4 {(0s)} Nf6 {(0s)} 2. c4 {(0s)} e6 {(0s)} 3. Nf3 {(0s)} b6 {(9s)} 4. g3 { (54s)} Bb7 {(17s) Ponomariov adopts this classical system in the QID over 4... Ba6} 5. Bg2 {(42s)} Be7 {(12s)} 6. O-O {(75s)} O-O {(17s)} 7. Nc3 {(76s)} (7. Re1 {is another common move in this opening.}) 7... Ne4 {(44s)} 8. Bd2 {(9s)} Bf6 {(80s)} (8... f5 {is considered the main line. Ponomariov goes for a less theoretical, yet more passive continuation.}) 9. Rc1 {(606s) Surprised by Pono's choice, Tomashevsky goes for the mainline after thinking for a while.} Nxd2 {(202s)} 10. Qxd2 {(35s)} d6 {(29s)} 11. d5 {(871s)} e5 {(78s)} 12. e4 { (112s) Here comes the typical position arising after Bf6. White has given up on his pair of bishops but he manages to have more space and Black's bishop pair is not doing much in this position. To sum it up in one sentence: Black does not have any weaknesses but he is passive and has less space.} Nd7 {(220s) } 13. h4 {(153s)} (13. b4 a5 14. a3 g6 15. h4 Bg7 16. Bh3 Nf6 {could have been an alternative continuation here. There are not so many games in this line in the database.}) 13... a5 {(282s) This stops White's play on the queenside but now White has enough time to shut down any Black activity on the kingside and plan a long-term campaign thanks to his space advantage.} 14. Bh3 {(98s)} Nc5 { (437s)} 15. Kg2 {(135s)} Bc8 {(282s)} 16. Bxc8 {(1037s)} Qxc8 {(71s)} 17. Qe2 { (124s) A quick evaluation: White has a small edge thanks to Black's passive bishop on f6. The case of White losing this game is almost unthinkable.} Be7 { (571s)} 18. Nd2 {(275s)} Nd7 {(1020s)} (18... f5 19. exf5 Qxf5 20. Nde4 { would only give away the beautiful e4 square to White's knights.}) (18... g6 19. h5 {and White is faster to mobalize his pieces on the h-file.}) 19. Rh1 { (599s) White prepares an assault on the kingside. Black's position is very unpleasant. He does not have any counterplay and White is gradually grinding his advantage with no risk.} Nf6 {(100s)} 20. Nf1 {(196s) This knight is going to land on e3. This is too typical to earn an exclamation mark!} h5 {(703s)} 21. Ne3 {(165s)} g6 {(8s)} 22. Rcg1 $1 {(319s) Now we know what Tomashevsky's long-term plan is. He is preparing a king-march to the queenside in order to keep his king safe before the final attack. This concept was first introduced by the 9th world chess champion Tigran Petrosian.} Kg7 {(169s)} 23. Kf1 {(166s) } Rh8 $1 {(33s) Ponomariov is ready to face g4.} 24. Ke1 {(108s)} Qd7 {(213s)} 25. Kd1 {(50s)} Kg8 {(240s)} 26. f3 {(144s)} Bf8 $1 {(103s) QID position has transformed into a KID position. Now Black's King's Indian bishop finds a nice spot: the bishop goes to g7 or h6 to cover his mighty king.} 27. g4 {(47s) Tomashevsky starts his attack.} Rh7 {(64s)} 28. Kc2 {(100s)} Be7 {(140s)} 29. Rg2 {(62 s)} (29. g5 Ne8 30. Kb1 Bf8 31. Rf1 Bg7 32. Nb5 Rh8 33. f4 {I wonder how Black is going to defend f7.} exf4 34. Rxf4 Be5 35. Rf3 Kg7 36. Rhf1 Rf8 37. Qf2 Kg8 38. Nc2 Ng7 39. Ncd4 Rae8 40. Nc6 Qg4 41. Qc2 $1 {Black seems to be completely out of any useful move.} Qd7 (41... Qxh4 42. Nxc7) 42. Qd3 Qc8 43. Nxe5 Rxe5 44. Nd4 a4 45. Nc6 Ree8 46. Rf4 Qd7 47. Qf3 $18) 29... Qd8 {(46s) } 30. Kb1 {(166s)} Kh8 {(104s)} 31. Nf1 {(226s)} (31. g5 {(#) should be considered a strong alternative.}) 31... Nd7 {(140s)} 32. Rgh2 {(20s)} Kg7 { ( 141s)} 33. Rh3 $4 {(46s) I do not understand... Doesn't this just lose a pawn?!} hxg4 {(142s)} 34. fxg4 {(65s)} Rxh4 {(6s) Ponomariov grabs the pawn!} 35. Rxh4 {(98s)} Bxh4 {(4s)} 36. Qh2 {(37s)} Bg5 $1 {(24s) Ponomariov keeps his head cool, the bishop goes to f4 and covers everything including the f-file. Black is much better now.} 37. Qh7+ {(113s)} Kf8 {(50s)} 38. Nh2 {(34s) } Qf6 {(457s)} 39. Rf1 {(50s)} Bf4 {(171s)} 40. Nf3 {(0s)} Ke7 {(0s) Tomashevsky has managed to transform his position from much better to slightly better and five moves later he is totally lost!} 41. Rh1 {(617s)} Bg3 {(222s)} 42. Nd2 {(547s)} Qf4 {(296s)} 43. Qh3 {(484s)} Nf6 {(193s) Mercilessly, Pono grabs the second pawn. The game is practically over.} 44. Qg2 {(166s)} Qxg4 { (157s)} 45. Ne2 {(127s)} Bf4 {(66s)} 46. Nxf4 {(11s)} exf4 {(49s)} 47. Qf1 { (44s)} Nh5 {(61s)} 48. Qd3 {(32s)} Kf8 {(179s)} 49. a3 {(59s)} Re8 {(91s)} 50. Ka2 {(4s)} Kg7 {(34s)} 51. Nf3 {(18s)} Nf6 {(48s)} 52. Re1 {(43s)} Nd7 { (70s) The final phase: Black trades the knights and he will gradually push his extra pawns.} 53. Qc3+ {(71s)} Ne5 {(66s)} 54. Rf1 {(5s)} Qh3 {(157s)} 55. Qc1 {(14s)} Nxf3 {(102s)} 56. Qc3+ {(2s)} f6 {(51s)} 57. Rxf3 {(5s)} Qg4 {(4s)} 58. Qd3 {(111s)} Rh8 {(15s) Tomashevsky had enough. Ponomariov was well rewarded for his passive 'waiting' strategy. What can I say about Tomashevsky's blunder? Well, when the tension is high we can all make mistakes. After all, we are human!} 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.05"] [Round "?"] [White "Wang, Yue"] [Black "Dvirnyy, Danyyil"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2737"] [BlackElo "2543"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 1. Nf3 {(0s) The Chinese have been like a machine in this event. In round four they dismantled the young and talented Italian team 3-1.} d5 {(0s)} 2. d4 {(0s) } Nf6 {(0s)} 3. c4 {(0s)} c6 {(0s)} 4. e3 {(47s)} Bg4 {(26s)} 5. h3 {(50s)} Bh5 {(7s)} (5... Bxf3 6. Qxf3 e6 {used to be considered the safest continuation but recent results in 2015 and 2016 favor White. That may have been the reason behind the Italian GM's opening choice or he may have considered other matters that are unknown to your commentator!}) 6. g4 {(33s)} Bg6 {(7s)} 7. Ne5 {(3s)} e6 {(95s)} 8. Nxg6 {(9s)} hxg6 {(6s)} 9. Bg2 {(7s) Wang Yue is a very classical player. I have always considered his positional understanding as one of the best of players of my generation. The way he handles Dvirnyy's opening choice is no exception to his style: "I get two bishops and I start grinding!"} Nbd7 {(102s)} 10. Qd3 {(84s)} g5 {(440s)} 11. Nc3 {(156s)} Bb4 {(149s)} 12. Bd2 {(82s)} Qe7 {( 1705s)} 13. a3 {(257s)} Bxc3 {(1081s)} 14. Bxc3 {(227s)} Nf8 { (141s)} 15. cxd5 {(1769s)} exd5 {( 99s) The position is closed and White needs to do something before his pair of bishops become useless.} 16. Qf5 {(362s)} Ne4 $6 {(839s) This move is not a blunder or even a positional mistake but this changes the game's character from a tough complicated battle into a technical calm position which is more in line with Wang Yue's strengths. In that sense, the Italian GM puts himself into an unfavorable situation by entering into his opponent's area of expertise.} 17. Bxe4 {(670s)} Qxe4 {(38s)} 18. Qxe4+ {(5s)} dxe4 {(4s)} 19. d5 {(21s)} cxd5 {(146s)} 20. Rd1 {(41s)} O-O-O $2 {(314s) But this almost throws away the game.} (20... Ne6 21. Rxd5 f6 { looks very drawish to me.}) 21. Bxg7 {(38s)} Rg8 {(6s)} 22. Bf6 {(366s)} Rd7 { (5s)} 23. f4 $1 {(313s) This is exactly what I was talking about Wang Yue's great understanding of technical positions.} exf3 {(99s)} (23... gxf4 24. exf4 Ne6 25. Kf2 b6 (25... Nxf4 26. Rc1+ {loses the knight!}) 26. Ke3 {with close to a decisive advantage}) 24. Rf1 {(105s)} ({I prefer} 24. O-O Nh7 25. Bd4 b6 26. Rxf3) 24... Ne6 {(223s)} 25. Rxf3 {(22s)} Kc7 {(280s)} 26. Rf5 {(245s)} Kc6 {(83s)} 27. Rc1+ {(176s)} Kb6 {(93s)} 28. Ke2 {(5s)} Rg6 {(100s)} 29. Rcf1 { ( 53s)} Rh6 {(53s)} 30. R1f3 {(42s)} Kc6 $2 {(5s) played so fast and what is worse: loses a pawn on the spot! I cannot say more other than blundering a pawn was a contagious epidemic in the fourth round of Baku Olympiad!} (30... Rg6 31. Be5 Nd8 {is very bad but not over!}) 31. Bxg5 {(88s)} Nxg5 {(135s)} 32. Rxg5 {(4s)} d4 {(41 s)} 33. e4 {(109s)} d3+ {(6s)} 34. Kd2 {(3s)} Re6 {(46s)} 35. e5 {(75s)} Rd5 {(44s)} 36. Rxf7 {(67s) An easy victory for Wang Yue. Dvirnyy had a draw in his pocket but he made way too many mistakes!} 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.06"] [Round "?"] [White "Duda, Jan-Krzysztof"] [Black "Iordachescu, Viorel"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2675"] [BlackElo "2584"] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 { [%emt 0:00:00]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. d3 {[%emt 0:00: 00]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 6. c4 { [%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:00] } 8. h3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} 9. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 { [%emt 0:00:00]} 10. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nb8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 11. c5 $1 { [%emt 0:00:00] The exclamation point is for originality. Pushing c5 here is anything but usual. Nomrally White will work with plans with either b4-b5, or perhaps Qd2, Ne1(h2) with f2-f4 ideas. White's idea with c5 is to instead play on the c-file with his heavy pieces combined with b4-b5 ideas as leverage.} Bxa4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 12. Qxa4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 13. Rfd1 { [%emt 0:00:00] White is in no hurry to develop on the c-file and first takes preventive measures to protect the backward d3 pawn.} dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 14. Bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 15. Rac1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nd7 { [%emt 0:00:00]} 16. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nxc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 17. Rxc5 { [%emt 0:00:00]} Re6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 18. b4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00: 00]} 19. Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rd6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 20. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 21. a4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:00] We now see another problem for Black: there is a lack of constructive breakthroughs or ways to improve.} 22. Rdc1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bh6 {[%emt 0:00:00] (#)} 23. Rxc6 $1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (23... Bxc1 24. Rxc1) 24. Rxc6 { [%emt 0:00:00]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 25. Qc4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} h6 {[%emt 0:00: 00]} 26. a5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 27. Rxa6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rxa6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 28. Qxa6 {[%emt 0:00:00] WIth two pawns for the exchange, a passed a-pawn, and the knight on d5, White is winning.} f5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 29. Qc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} fxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 30. dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rd6 { [%emt 0:00:00]} 31. Qb7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} ({Obviously not} 31. Qxc7 $2 Rxd5 $1) 31... c6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 32. a6 $1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} ( 32... cxd5 33. a7) 33. Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:00] The threat is now Qxd7 Rxd7 Nxc6.} Qd8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 34. a7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rd1+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 35. Kh2 { [%emt 0:00:00]} Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 36. h4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:00] Simple and deadly efficient: the idea is h5 gxh5 and Nf5, which is precisely what happens. } Qf8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 37. h5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} gxh5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 38. Nf5 { [%emt 0:00:00]} h4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 39. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:00: 00]} 40. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qg5 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.06"] [Round "?"] [White "Nguyen, Anh Khoi"] [Black "Jones, Gawain C B"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2448"] [BlackElo "2635"] [PlyCount "64"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 1. d4 {(0s) In a round riched with cool games, this game was a true gem of its kind since we hardly ever see these Tal-like attacking games in modern days. GM Gawain Jones paid his tribute to Tal and the English squad with this beautiful victory.} Nf6 {(0s)} 2. c4 {(0s)} g6 {(0s)} 3. Nc3 {(0s)} Bg7 { (0s) Jones' 'pet' opening against 1.d4, A KID!} 4. e4 {(0s)} O-O {(26s)} 5. Nf3 {(0s)} d6 {(15s)} 6. h3 {(17s) This is the favorite move of Magnus Carlsen. GM Michael Krasenkow from Poland is considered one of the experts in this line with white.} e5 {(87s)} 7. d5 {(6s)} Na6 {(267s)} (7... a5 {Is more common.}) 8. Be3 {(39s)} (8. Bg5 {This was Tigran Petrosian's favorite move. The idea is to provoke h6 before placing the bishop on e3.} Qe8 9. g4 {Jones has faced this before.} Nd7 (9... Kh8 10. Be2 Ng8 11. Rg1 Bd7 12. a3 Nc5 13. b4 Na4 14. Rc1 f6 15. Be3 Nxc3 16. Rxc3 a5 17. b5 f5 18. gxf5 gxf5 19. exf5 Bxf5 20. Nh4 Be4 21. Bd3 Rf4 22. Bxe4 Rxh4 23. Bf5 Ne7 24. Be6 Ng6 25. Qc2 Nf4 26. Bxf4 exf4 27. c5 Rh5 28. Kd2 dxc5 29. Rxg7 Kxg7 30. Rxc5 Qg6 31. Rxc7+ Kh6 32. Qc3 Rf8 33. Rxb7 Rg5 34. Rc7 Rg2 35. Bg4 Rf6 36. Qd4 Rg1 37. Bf3 Qg5 38. h4 Qxh4 39. Qa7 Kg5 40. Rxh7 {1-0 (40) Navara,D (2751)-Szabo,K (2518) Montpellier 2015}) 10. Rg1 Nb6 11. Be2 Bd7 12. h4 Na4 13. Nb5 N4c5 14. Nd2 f6 15. Be3 c6 16. Nc3 Kh8 17. a3 f5 $132 {1-0 (58) Navara,D (2691)-Jones,G (2653) Istanbul 2012}) 8... Nc5 {(154s)} 9. Nd2 {(36s)} Nh5 {(252s) A rare move chosen by Jones.} 10. b4 {(683s)} Na6 {(526s)} 11. a3 {(35s)} Qe8 {(54s)} 12. c5 {(196s)} f5 {(57s)} 13. cxd6 {(1296s)} cxd6 {(102s)} 14. Nb5 {(239s) Ok it seems that Black is in trouble, both d6 and a7 are hanging. Something went very wrong for Gawain Jones or.....} f4 $1 {(547s) Jones understands what the position calls for! There is no time to wait and defend all the weaknesses.} 15. Nxd6 $2 {(644s) Honestly, I find it very risky. The Vietnamese IM must have completey missed Gawain Jones' idea.} (15. Bxa7 Bd7 16. Nxd6 Qe7 17. Bc5 Nxc5 18. bxc5 b6 19. Bc4 f3 20. Nxf3 Nf4 {with a lot of headaches for both sides. Engines claim that White is winning but in a practical game at the board, this only looks unclear!}) 15... fxe3 $3 {(276s) Positional queen sacrifices are so rare these days that I cannot resist giving this move two exclamation marks.} 16. Nxe8 { (4s)} exf2+ {(51s)} (16... exd2+ $2 {offers nothing.} 17. Qxd2 Rxe8) 17. Ke2 { (3s)} Ng3+ {(91s)} 18. Kd3 {(91s)} Rxe8 {(21s) Ok, here is the deal: Black has two minor pieces for the sacrificed queen and his knight on g3 has an eye on the rook on h1, the pawn on f2 is unpleasant for White to say the least and at some point White will need to decide where to put his king.} 19. Kc2 $6 { (362s) This gives away an important tempo.} ({I prefer} 19. Qa4 {to stop Bd7.} Bf5 {with more headaches for both players.} (19... Nc7 20. Kc2 Nxh1 21. Bb5 Nxb5 22. Qxb5 Bxh3 23. gxh3 Ng3 24. d6 {and White has the upper hand.})) 19... Bd7 {(85s)} 20. Bc4 $2 {(116s) This hands over the initiative to Black. From now till end of the game, Jones dictates his superiority over his opponent with every single move.} Ba4+ {(748s)} 21. Bb3 {(73s)} Bb5 $1 {(14s) Now the pawn of f2 is a real threat!} 22. Kb2 {(735s)} Be2 {(256s)} 23. Qb1 {(239s)} Bh6 $1 {(157s) White's passive play has put him in a dire situaiton: all of Black's pieces are active and Black's initiative will soon become overwhelming. } 24. Nf3 {(495s)} Kh8 {(319s)} 25. Ka2 {(208s)} Rac8 {(320s)} (25... Nc7 { looks winning to me.}) 26. Qb2 $4 {(77s) White's last chance for active play is gone.} (26. d6 Nb8 27. Qb2 Nxe4 28. Bf7 Bf4 29. Bxe8 Bc4+ 30. Kb1 {looks like a draw with perpetual.}) 26... Nxe4 {(83s) Now it is all over.} 27. Raf1 { (137s)} Bxf1 {(54s)} 28. Rxf1 {(3s)} Nc3+ {(114s)} 29. Ka1 {(3s)} e4 $1 { (15s) Black's King's Indian bishop will go back to its mighty post on g7 and the game will be over then!} 30. Qxf2 {(237s)} exf3 {(153s)} 31. Qxf3 {(15s)} Bg7 {(45s)} 32. d6 {(50s) Too late!} Re2 {(74s) Although I must admit I have some doubts about the objective value of this queen sacrifice, Gawain Jones must be praised for his bold and active play. It reminds me of Kasparov's unsound pawn sacrifice against Karpov in their 16th crucial game of 1985 match. That game had a similar story: Karpov played passively and was gradually outplayed by Kasparov in what proved to be one of the most important games in the history of chess.} (32... Re2 33. Qxb7 Nb5+ 34. Kb1 Nxa3#) 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Women"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.06"] [Round "?"] [White "Rapport, Jovana"] [Black "Muzychuk, Anna"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2318"] [BlackElo "2550"] [PlyCount "56"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 1. c4 {(0s) This game and its seemingly unexpected finish had a crucial effect on the final result of the match between Serbia and Ukraine.} c5 {(0s)} 2. Nf3 {(0s)} g6 {(0s)} 3. e4 {(314s) Rapport forces the game into a Maroczy-bind.} Bg7 {(23s)} 4. d4 {(5s)} cxd4 {(30s)} 5. Nxd4 {(7s)} Nc6 {(21s)} 6. Be3 {(115s) } Nf6 {(38s)} 7. Nc3 {(59s)} d6 {(55s)} 8. Be2 {(213s)} O-O {( 18s)} 9. Rc1 $5 {(447s) A rare choice in this very popular opening.} (9. O-O {is more common here.}) 9... Bd7 {(360s)} 10. Qd2 {(74s)} Nxd4 {(218s)} 11. Bxd4 {(33s)} Bc6 { (74s)} 12. f3 {(18s)} a5 {(35s) The players are following the general plans for both sides. However, I started to doubt whether or not it was better for White to keep her rook on a1 to see which plan Black would adopt.} 13. Be3 { (1051s)} Nd7 {(503s)} 14. g4 $6 {(522s) Not a very good novelty.} a4 {(886s)} 15. h4 {(208s)} Qa5 $6 {(640s) Muzychuk's reaction is too optimisitc.} (15... f5 {is probably a better choice here.}) 16. h5 {(1127s)} Qe5 {(559s)} 17. Rh3 { (915s)} Nc5 {(493s)} 18. Rc2 {(98s)} a3 {(974s)} 19. b3 {(7s)} f5 {(26s) Anna Muzychuk played a very risky continuation and engines do not seem to be fond of it. Although, they do not give so much advantage to white either. I assess this position as unclear and in game like this, anything can happen.} 20. h6 { (284s)} fxg4 $1 {(321s) Good dynamic intuition. Black's compensation for the sacrificed bishop is going to be very unpleasant.} 21. hxg7 {(4s)} gxh3 {(5s)} 22. gxf8=Q+ {(5s)} Rxf8 {(4s)} 23. f4 $4 {(79s) This loses on the spot.} (23. Qd1 $1 Qh2 24. Rc1 (24. Kd2 Rxf3) 24... Qg2 25. Kd2 Rxf3 26. Qg1 Rg3 27. Qxg2 hxg2 {with a rich position!}) 23... Nxe4 $3 {(387s) A beautiful shot that wins by force! Great imagination to see this and carry the calculations to the end.} 24. fxe5 {(253s)} h2 $3 {(59s) Brilliant!! We have a second queen sacrifice, although admittedly Black promotes her pawn the next move!} 25. Qd4 {(3s)} (25. Bf3 Nxd2 26. Kxd2 Bxf3 {was another way to finish the game.}) 25... h1=Q+ { (267s)} 26. Bg1 {(4s)} Rf2 $1 {(29s) Curtains fall. A deadly and forcing interference shot.} 27. Nxe4 {(333s)} Qxg1+ {(10s)} 28. Kd2 {(5s)} Rxe2+ $1 { (10s) A spectacular attacking finish by Anna Muzychuk.} ({After} 28... Rxe2+ $1 29. Kd3 Bxe4+ 30. Kxe2 Qxd4) 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Women"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.06"] [Round "?"] [White "Krush, Irina"] [Black "Daulyte, Deimante"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2444"] [BlackElo "2421"] [PlyCount "52"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 { [%emt 0:00:00]} 3. b3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Bb2 {[%emt 0:00: 00]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 6. d3 { [%emt 0:00:00]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00: 00]} 8. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 9. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qd7 { [%emt 0:00:00]} 10. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rae8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 11. Nd2 { [%emt 0:00:00]} Bh3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 12. Nde4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bxg2 {[%emt 0: 00:00]} 13. Nxf6+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 14. Kxg2 {[%emt 0:00: 00]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 15. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 16. e4 { [%emt 0:00:00]} Nd8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 17. Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c6 {[%emt 0:00: 00]} 18. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} f4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 19. f3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} fxg3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 20. hxg3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rxf3 $3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 21. Kxf3 { [%emt 0:00:00]} Qh3 $3 {[%emt 0:00:00] Cutting off the king and readying the arrival of the rest of the troops. The king must flee, but will not succeed in escaping.} 22. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bh6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 23. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00: 00]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 24. Kd1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 25. Qf2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 26. Qg1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rf3 {[%emt 0:00: 00]} 0-1 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.06"] [Round "5.4"] [White "Stupak, Kirill"] [Black "Bok, Benjamin"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D43"] [WhiteElo "2561"] [BlackElo "2592"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "70"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Belarus"] [BlackTeam "Netherlands"] [WhiteTeamCountry "BLR"] [BlackTeamCountry "NED"] [WhiteClock "0:01:04"] [BlackClock "0:01:54"] {Belarus was coming off as a big underdog in today's clash against Netherlands, but that didn't stop them from dreaming big, and up to a point it looked as they might pull one of the biggest surprises on the top boards. It was only until the last minute when Netherlands' MVP, Benjamin Bok outclassed his opponent and helped Netherland top the ranking entering the free day. Let's see how the game went!} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 {The Semi- Slav, an opening that brings tremendeous heat and theoretical battle to the table.} 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 {A less venomous try. White is giving up the bishop pair in hopes of achieving a long lasting positional advantage due to his space and development, nonetheless Black is considered to be doing quite well once he manages to stabilize the position.} (6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 b5 (7... g5 8. Bg3 b5 { a more tame approach, still leading to very sharp theoretical struggles.} 9. Ne5 (9. Be2 Bb7 10. h4 g4 11. Ne5 h5 12. O-O Bg7 13. f3 {Adhiban,B (2643)-Van Wely,L (2654) Linares 2015})) 8. e5 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 (10... Be7 11. exf6 Bxf6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. g3) 11. exf6 Bb7 {leads to the Botvinnik system, one in which if you don't know at least 25-30 moves of theory you will end up completely outclassed by your opponent. Personally this is something that I've always tried to avoid, and it seems that Stupak also thought the same.}) 6... Qxf6 7. e3 g6 8. e4 {A rare continuation, nevertheless Stupak tried it before last year and I am sure Bok's pre game preparation dealt with it as well.} dxe4 (8... Bg7 9. exd5 cxd5 10. cxd5 O-O 11. Be2 exd5 12. Nxd5 { 1/2-1/2 (12) Stupak,K (2551)-Riazantsev,A (2646) St Petersburg 2015} Qd6 13. Nc3 Rd8 14. Qd2 Be6 15. d5 Qc5 {and Black will manage to regain his pawn and the game should peter out to a draw in no time.}) 9. Nxe4 Bb4+ 10. Ke2 Qg7 { A crazy position. You don't see the white king on e2 and a fianchetto black queen at move 10 very often! Black needs to immediately blast the center and try to take advantage of White's king weakness. If White manages to finish his development with g3-Bg2 and hide his king, he will be much better. The text move was Bok's novelty.} 11. c5 {Trying to stop the break.} (11. g3 f5 12. Nc3 c5 13. Bg2 O-O 14. a3 Ba5 15. Re1 Rd8 {with the initiative.}) 11... O-O 12. Qa4 (12. g3 Nd7 13. Bg2 b6 14. Qa4 a5 {The king is starting to feel uncomfortable.} 15. Kf1 f5 16. Nd6 Nxc5 17. Qc2 (17. dxc5 Ba6+ 18. Kg1 Qxb2) 17... Ba6+ 18. Kg1 Nd7 {and Black is better.}) 12... Na6 13. Ke3 {Huh?? I thought that's not where the king is supposed to go when the queens are still on the board...} b5 (13... f5 14. Bxa6 fxe4 15. Kxe4 Bxc5 16. dxc5 bxa6 {and I'm not sure if I believe in white's position much.}) 14. cxb6 axb6 15. Qxc6 {This is a pawn, but is it really? I would never feel safe facing this position as White, and Bok delivers!} f5 $1 {The pressure is mounting and Black's pieces are looking for their perfect place around White's king.} (15... Rb8 {was also good:} 16. Bxa6 Bxa6 17. Rac1 f5 18. Nc3 Bb7 19. Qb5 Bd6 20. Ke2 Rfc8 {Let's not go into the endgame!} (20... Bxf3+ 21. gxf3 Qxd4 22. Rhd1 Qe5+ 23. Qxe5 Bxe5) 21. Rhd1 Bf4 22. Rb1 Ra8) 16. Qxa8 Nc7 17. Nf6+ $1 {The only move.} (17. Qc6 Nd5+ 18. Ke2 fxe4) 17... Qxf6 18. Qc6 (18. Qa4 {was the only move to maintain some sort of balance} Rd8 19. Kd3 {is the computer's attempt at survival, but no human would be able to make this move in my opinion.} (19. Bb5 Bb7 20. Rhd1 g5 $1 ( 20... Nd5+ 21. Ke2 Nf4+ 22. Kf1 Bxf3 23. gxf3 Qh4 24. Qxb4 Qxh2 25. Ke1 Qg1+ 26. Bf1 Ng2+ 27. Ke2 Nf4+) 21. Ke2 Bd6 22. Bc6 Ba6+ 23. Ke1 g4 {with a very unpleasant attack. Practically this kind of positions is very difficult to defend over the board.})) 18... Nd5+ 19. Ke2 Rd8 (19... Bc5 $5 20. Qa4 g5 21. Rd1 g4 22. Ne5 b5 23. Qxb5 Bxd4 {and I certainly prefer Black here.}) 20. g3 Bc5 $1 21. Qa4 (21. Rd1 Ba6+ 22. Ke1 Bb4+ 23. Nd2 Qxd4 (23... Rc8 24. Qd7 Qxd4 25. Qxe6+ Kf8 26. Bxa6 Re8) 24. Qxe6+ Kf8 25. Bxa6 Re8 26. Qxe8+ Kxe8 27. Ke2 Bc5 28. Rhe1 (28. Rhf1 Qxb2 29. Kf3 Qa3+ 30. Kg2 Qxa6)) 21... Nb4 $2 {A bad mistake that could have taken its toll. The position is completely crazy though and precision is a very difficult task for either side.} (21... Bxd4 $1 {was the winning move:} 22. Qxd4 (22. Nxd4 Nb4 23. Qxb4 Rxd4 24. Qc3 Qe5+ 25. Qe3 Re4 26. Rd1 Ba6+ 27. Kf3 Rxe3+ 28. fxe3 Bb7+) 22... Nf4+ 23. Qxf4 Qxb2+ 24. Nd2 Qxa1 {Assessing this position was probably what Bok had problems with, but in fact the game is almost won for Black.} 25. Qxh6 Ba6+ 26. Kf3 Bb7+ 27. Ke2 Qe5+ 28. Kd1 Bxh1 29. Qxg6+ Kf8) 22. Rd1 (22. a3 $1 {would have placed Black in a tough spot:} Ba6+ 23. Ke1 Rxd4 $1 (23... Nd3+ 24. Bxd3 Bxd3 25. Rd1 Be4 26. Qb3 {The initiative is fading and White's king is starting to feel safe again.}) 24. Qe8+ Kg7 25. Bxa6 Rd8 26. Qxd8 (26. Qa4 Qxb2) 26... Nc2+ 27. Kd1 Qxd8+ 28. Kxc2 Qa8 {A completely crazy line that is almost impossible to accurately calculate from the beginning.}) 22... Bb7 23. Rd2 (23. a3 Bc6 24. Qb3 Bd5 25. Qc3 Na2 26. Qc2 Be4 27. Qc4 Bd5 28. Qc2 Be4) 23... Ra8 (23... Bc6 24. Qb3 Bd5 25. Qa4 f4 26. dxc5 fxg3 (26... Bxf3+ 27. Kxf3 fxg3+ 28. Kg2 Rxd2 29. Qa8+ Kh7 30. Qb7+ Kg8 31. Qa8+ Kf7 32. Qb7+ Kf8 33. Qb8+) 27. Rxd5 Nxd5 28. fxg3 Qxb2+ 29. Ke1 Nc3) 24. Qd1 Bf8 (24... e5 $1 25. dxc5 Bxf3+ 26. Kxf3 Qc6+ 27. Rd5 Nxd5 28. Bc4 Rd8 29. Qb3 Kh7) 25. a3 {White is starting to feel much better. Black is losing steam and the pressure of maintaining the initiative is starting to take its toll. Bok now finally blunders.} e5 $2 (25... Nd5 $5 26. Ke1 f4 27. Bg2 Bd6 28. Qe2 {and Black still has some initiative but White is now better and his material advantage should be decisive in the outcome of the game.}) 26. axb4 exd4 27. Qb3+ Kh8 28. Rd1 $4 (28. Bg2 {the most natural move, and White is completely winning now. I am not sure what phantoms Stupak was afraid of.} Bc6 (28... Re8+ 29. Kf1) 29. Rhd1 Bb5+ 30. Rd3) 28... Re8+ 29. Kd2 Bxf3 30. Qxf3 d3 $3 {This is the move that White missed for sure _ a beautiful intermezzo opening the diagonals towards the White king.} 31. Rb1 $2 (31. Kxd3 $3 Qxb2 32. Qc6 Rd8+ 33. Ke3 Rxd1 34. Kf3 {(operation "Hide the Monarch")} Qd4 35. Kg2 Rd2 36. Qf3 Bxb4 37. Be2 {but White maintains some chances of survival due to the presence of opposite-colored bishops.}) 31... Bxb4+ 32. Kxd3 Qe6 33. Kc2 Rc8+ 34. Qc3+ Bxc3 35. bxc3 Qc6 {That was a wild affair! The only thing that can be said about it is: "Kids, the king is not supposed to be on e3 at move 13!"} 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.06"] [Round "5.1"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E04"] [WhiteElo "2761"] [BlackElo "2752"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "68"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan 1"] [BlackTeam "India"] [BlackTeamCountry "IND"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 c6 5. g3 dxc4 6. Bg2 b5 7. O-O Bb7 8. Ne5 a6 9. b3 b4 10. Ne4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 c3 12. a3 a5 13. axb4 Bxb4 {A new move, probably prepared by Hari although he spent eight minutes on it.} (13... axb4 14. Bf4 Nd7 15. Bxc6 Bxc6 16. Nxc6 Qc8 17. Rxa8 (17. Na5 Be7 18. d5 O-O 19. e4 exd5 20. exd5 Bc5 {Baron,T (2524)-Shirov,A (2702) Riga LAT 2015}) 17... Qxa8 18. d5 Bc5 19. Qd3 O-O 20. dxe6 Qxc6 21. exd7 Rd8 22. Rd1 Bb6 {Ding Liren (2778)-So,W (2775) Shanghai CHN 2016}) 14. Qd3 Qe7 15. Bxh7 $5 {A remarkable pawn grab.} Nd7 16. Be4 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Rd8 18. Qf3 Rd5 {This makes sense. If White takes, Black will have some strong pawns in the center and his bishop on b7 will come to life.} 19. Qg4 Kf8 20. Bxd5 {Shakh takes anyway! A risky decision.} exd5 21. Ra4 c5 22. Ba3 Rh6 23. Bxb4 axb4 24. Rfa1 Qe8 25. Ra7 Qc6 26. Qg5 Re6 27. Qd8+ Re8 28. Qd6+ Kg8 {White hasn't achieved much, and Black's pawns really have become strong now.} 29. Rxb7 {The only way to do something about those pawns.} (29. f4 d4) (29. Qxc6 Bxc6 30. Rc7 c4 $1) 29... Qxb7 30. Qxc5 Rxe5 31. Ra7 d4 $1 {A great move.} 32. Qxd4 (32. Qxe5 Qxa7 33. Qe8+ Kh7 34. Qc8 g6 35. Qc4 Qd7 36. Kf1 Kg8 37. Ke1 Qa7 {is a winning endgame.}) 32... Rd5 $1 33. Rxb7 Rxd4 34. Kg2 (34. Rc7 Rd1+ 35. Kg2 Rb1) 34... Rd1 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.06"] [Round "5.3"] [White "Sedlak, Nikola"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D02"] [WhiteElo "2537"] [BlackElo "2782"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "68"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Serbia"] [BlackTeam "United States of America"] [WhiteTeamCountry "SRB"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 e6 6. c3 Bd6 7. Bg3 O-O 8. Bd3 b6 9. Qe2 Bb7 10. Rd1 Re8 11. e4 Be7 12. e5 Nh5 13. a3 g6 14. Nf1 f5 15. exf6 Bxf6 16. Ne3 e5 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Rxe5 20. Bc4 b5 $1 21. Bxb5 Qb6 22. O-O Kg7 23. Bd3 Bg5 24. c4 Rae8 25. cxd5 Rxe3 $1 26. fxe3 Bxe3+ 27. Rf2 ({Both} 27. Kh2 Re5 28. Rde1 Bxd5 29. Qg4 {and}) (27. Kh1 Re5 28. g4 Bxd5 29. Qe1 {looks dangerous.}) 27... c4 $1 28. Bxc4 Rf8 29. Rdf1 Qd4 30. b3 h5 31. d6 (31. Qe1 h4 32. gxh4 Qf4) 31... h4 32. Kh1 ({After} 32. g4 Qf4 $1 { (threatening Qg3)} 33. Kh1 h3 {wins.}) 32... Rxf2 33. Rxf2 hxg3 34. Rf7+ Kh6 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.08"] [Round "?"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Eljanov, Pavel"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2808"] [BlackElo "2739"] [PlyCount "105"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] {In one of the crucial matches in round six, or probably the entire tournament, the US team narrowly edged the strong Ukrainian team 2.5-1.5 to clinch clear second on the leaderboard. The US team has never been in danger in any of their matches ( well a bit against the Czech maybe) and their "big three" have consistently scored. This time Caruana won with very fine technique on board one against Eljanov.} 1. e4 {(0s)} c5 {(0s)} 2. Nf3 {(0s)} Nc6 {(0s)} 3. Bb5 { (0s) This is not an unusual choice by Fabiano. He has employed the "Rossolimo" in the past in a handful of games.} g6 {(0s)} 4. Bxc6 {(24s)} bxc6 {(0s) This came as a surprise to me. dxc6 is considered the solid continuation here. Eljanov's immediate reply implies that he had this line thoroughly investigated or maybe he was just afraid of Caruana's strength in handling "main line" like this game which took place in the very same country a few months earlier.} (4... dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Bf4 b6 9. Qd2 Re8 10. O-O-O a5 11. Ne5 b5 12. Qe3 Qb6 13. Bh6 Bh8 14. f4 a4 15. Rhf1 e6 16. g4 a3 17. b4 Nd7 18. Nxd7 Bxd7 19. e5 f5 20. Ne2 Bg7 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. h4 fxg4 23. h5 gxh5 24. Ng3 Kh8 25. Nxh5 Re7 26. Nf6 Be8 27. f5 exf5 28. Rxf5 Qc7 29. Rg5 Rg7 30. Rh1 Bg6 31. Rxg4 Qf7 32. Kb1 cxb4 33. Qd4 Bf5 34. e6 Rxg4 35. exf7 Rxd4 36. Ne8 {1-0 (36) Caruana,F (2804)-Radjabov,T (2726) Shamkir 2016}) 5. O-O {(20s)} Bg7 {(22s)} 6. Re1 {(19s)} Nh6 {(47s) Well, recent results in this line have been very promising for Black. Results among Top GMs in 2016 show that Black is actually doing very well in this line. So, probably we are witnessing a shift in fashion of how to handle the "Rossolimo" with Black.} 7. c3 {(34s)} O-O {(31s) The players are following the main line according the most recent games.} 8. h3 {(42s) less common than} (8. d4) 8... f5 {(17s)} (8... f6 { used to be the way people handled this position. Black prevents e5 and plans to retreat his badly placed knight on h6 to f7. Black hopes to create a pawn mass in the center while his queenside is somewhat weakened and his pieces are a bit crammed. That is what I knew from from my past experience with this position. Eljanov, however, has a more radical approach to solve his opening "issues".}) (8... d5 {Is another way, which Gelfand employed against Inarkiev in their recent match.} 9. d3 c4 $5 10. dxc4 (10. exd5 cxd5 11. dxc4 dxc4 12. Na3 Qc7 13. Bxh6 Bxh6 14. Qe2 Rb8 15. Qxe7 Qxe7 16. Rxe7 Rxb2 17. Rxa7 { is dynamically balanced.}) 10... dxe4 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Rxe4 e5 13. Re1 f6 14. Nbd2 Nf7 15. Nb3 a5 16. Be3 a4 17. Bb6 Re8 18. Nc5 Bf5 19. Nh4 Bc8 20. Rad1 f5 21. Nf3 e4 22. Nd4 Ne5 23. b3 axb3 24. axb3 Bf8 25. Ra1 Rxa1 26. Rxa1 Bh6 27. Bc7 Nd7 28. Nxd7 Bxd7 29. b4 e3 30. f4 Bg7 31. Kf1 e2+ 32. Kf2 Be6 33. Nxe6 Bxc3 34. Be5 Bxa1 35. Nc7 Re7 36. b5 Bxe5 37. fxe5 Rxc7 38. b6 Re7 {0-1 (38) Inarkiev,E (2730)-Gelfand,B (2734) Magas 2016}) 9. e5 {(6s)} Nf7 {(5s)} 10. d3 {(197s)} Rb8 {(68s) A very rare move.} (10... Ba6 11. c4 e6 12. Nc3 g5 13. Be3 h5 14. h4 g4 15. Ng5 Nxe5 16. Bxc5 Ng6 $5 17. g3 Re8 18. Qa4 Bb7 19. Qb4 Ba6 20. Qa3 Bb7 21. Qb4 Ba6 22. Qa3 Bb7 23. Qb4 {1/2-1/2 (23) Inarkiev,E (2730) -Gelfand,B (2734) Magas 2016}) 11. Na3 $146 {(371s)} (11. Nbd2 d6 12. e6 Ne5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Nf3 Bg7 15. Qa4 h6 16. Qh4 f4 (16... g5 17. Nxg5 $1 (17. Bxg5 hxg5 18. Nxg5 Rf6 19. Qh7+ Kf8 20. Qh5 Kg8 $11) 17... Rf6 18. Nf7 Qf8 19. Qc4 Qe8 20. b3 Rb6 21. Bd2 (21. Bf4 Bxe6 22. Rxe6 d5) 21... Bxe6 22. Rxe6 d5 23. Qh4 Rxe6 24. Nxh6+ $13) 17. Bxf4 Rf5 18. Qg4 Qf8 19. Bg3 Qf6 20. Nh4 Rg5 21. Qe2 a5 22. Rab1 a4 23. a3 c4 24. dxc4 c5 25. Kh2 Bb7 26. b4 Bc6 27. Nf3 Rf5 28. bxc5 Rxb1 29. Rxb1 dxc5 30. Nh4 {1-0 (30) Bok,B (2611) -Kotronias,V (2541) Moscow 2016}) 11... Ba6 {(185s)} 12. Nc4 {(2461s) After a somewhat deep thought, Caruana decides to keep things simple.} Bxc4 {(1244s)} 13. dxc4 { (5s) Judgment time: The opening phase is over and now the game is entering the middle game phase. White has more space and both sides' pawn structure is a bit funky. Black's main plan will be to put pressure on e5 otherwise White's excessive space could become a decisive factor in this game.} d6 {(4s)} 14. e6 {(51s)} Ne5 {(8s) The fewer the pieces on the board the happier Black will be.} 15. Nxe5 {(326s)} Bxe5 {(225s)} 16. Bh6 {(83s)} Bg7 {(90s)} 17. Bxg7 {(32s)} Kxg7 {(4s)} 18. Rb1 {(79s) Caruana plans to adviance his pawns on queenside.} Qa5 {(436s) Eljanov carefully prevents any active plans of White for the moment.} 19. a4 {(752 s)} Rf6 {(798s)} 20. Re3 {(428s)} Qa6 {(108s)} 21. b3 { (12s)} Qc8 {(19s) Eljanov combines attack and defence. He brings back his queen to c8 to keep his pieces coherent while having an eye on White's "strong" weakness on e6.} 22. Qe1 {(60s)} a5 $6 {(704s) The first inaccuracy, Eljanov voluntarily gives White a passed pawn. In my opinion, "patience" was the best policy.} ({Better was} 22... Rf8 23. b4 Qa6 24. bxc5 Rxb1 25. Qxb1 dxc5 26. Qd3 Qxa4 27. Re1 (27. Qd7 Kf6 $1) 27... Qa5) 23. b4 {(170s)} axb4 { (211s)} 24. cxb4 {(4s)} cxb4 {(16s)} 25. Rxb4 {(5s)} Ra8 $6 {(27s)} (25... Rxb4 26. Qxb4 Rxe6 27. Rxe6 Qxe6 28. Qc3+ (28. a5 Qe5 {(#)}) 28... Kf7 29. a5 Qc8 30. Qb3 Ke8 31. c5 dxc5 32. Qg8+ Kd7 33. Qxh7 Qc7 34. Qxg6 Qe5 35. a6 c4 36. a7 Qa1+ 37. Kh2 Qxa7 38. Qxf5+ Kd6 39. Qf4+ Kd5 {should lead to a draw. I know that it is easy to sit and check these lines with engines while at the first look it looks ugly for black but I am sure Eljanov could have estimate safety of this position intuitively.}) 26. Qa1 {( 106s)} ({I love this strategic pseudo pawn sacrifice.} 26. c5 $1 dxc5 27. Rc4 {(#)}) 26... f4 {(456s)} 27. Re4 {(95s)} f3 {(18s)} 28. g4 {(300s)} Kg8 {(17s)} 29. Qd1 {(34s) Fabiano plays fast and maintains his grip.} Rxe6 {(43s)} 30. Qxf3 {(20s)} Rxe4 $2 {(133s)} ( 30... d5 {would have given Black a lot of activity which probably would have secured equality for Black.}) 31. Qxe4 {(37s) Judgement time 2: We are entering the endgame phase in this game. The last exchange gave White a lot of play as his queen is very nicely placed in the center and it will soon target black king while having an eye on his far passed pawn on the a-file. White also controls the b-file which makes his rook more active than Back's rook. The main advantage of White is that his heavy pieces are capable of combining both attack and defence while black pieces are only in defensive situation. Evaluation? White is better!} Qc7 {(266s)} 32. c5 $1 {(342s) Of course!} dxc5 { (105s)} 33. Qc4+ {(10s)} Kg7 {(53s)} 34. Qc3+ {(33s)} Kg8 {(5s)} 35. Qc4+ { (44s)} Kg7 {(13s)} 36. Qxc5 {(40s)} Qd6 $6 {(16s)} (36... Ra5 37. Qe3 Qd6 38. Rd4 Rd5 39. Rxd5 cxd5 40. a5 d4 41. Qd3 e5 42. a6 e4 43. Qxe4 d3 44. a7 d2 45. a8=Q d1=Q+ 46. Kg2 Q1d4 47. Qab7+ Kh6 48. Qxd4 Qxd4 49. Qe7 {Keeps an eyen on Black but Black has a trick up his sleeves.} Qf6 50. Qe3+ (50. Qxf6 {(#) leads to stalemate!}) 50... Kg7 {Practically, it is very unpleasant to defend this position but I think with correct and dilligent defense Black should have good drawing chances.}) 37. Qc3+ {(16s)} Qf6 {(13s)} 38. Qe3 {(19s)} Rf8 {(571s)} 39. Re4 {(115s)} Rf7 {(44s) Black is just too passive.} 40. Re5 $1 {(#) (0s) I love the harmony among White's pieces! All for one ( promoting the a-pawn), one for all!} Qd6 {(0s)} 41. a5 {(220s) White is winning.} Qd1+ {(583s)} 42. Kg2 {(82s)} Qa1 {(317s) Finally Eljanov gets to activate his queen. Unfortunately for him, it is too late!} 43. Qe2 {(402 s)} e6 {(493s)} 44. a6 { (199s) The rest is just trivial considering Caruana is in charge!} Qd4 {(216s)} (44... Ra7 45. Rxe6 Qxa6 46. Qe5+ {and mate follows.}) 45. Rxe6 {(267s)} c5 { (207s)} 46. Re7 {(181s)} Qd5+ {( 35s)} 47. f3 {(70s)} c4 {(11s)} 48. Rxf7+ { (216s)} Qxf7 {(69s)} 49. Qe5+ {(69s)} Kh6 {(24s)} 50. Qe3+ {(79s)} Kg7 {(30s)} 51. Qd4+ {(9s)} Kh6 {(14s)} 52. a7 {(72s)} Qb7 {(201s)} 53. h4 {(13s) Black stopped White's pawn but now mate is unavoidable. A neat demonstration of simple chess by Fabiano Caruana. In the 1920s the US had a famous grandmaster, Isaac Kashdan, who was considered by many, including the 4th world champion Alexander Alekhine, as one of the main contenders for the world champion title. Kashdan's nickname was 'der Kleine Capablanca' ( German for "The little Capablanca") for his talent in grinding wins out of even positions. Since Fabiano's performance was better and beyond, I would like to call him 'Der große Capablanca' !!!!} 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.08"] [Round "?"] [White "L'Ami, Erwin"] [Black "Adhiban, B."] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2611"] [BlackElo "2671"] [PlyCount "132"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] {India-Netherlands was the crucial match of round six. The winner of this match would take the sole lead in the event at this point. In what turned out to be a close match, Erwin L'Ami's decisive blunder turned out to be the pivotal factor in India's victory.} 1. d4 {(0s)} Nf6 {(0s)} 2. c4 {(0s)} e6 { (0s)} 3. Nc3 {(0s)} Bb4 {(0s)} 4. Qc2 {(17s)} Nc6 $5 {(0s) Interesting and rare choice but Adhiban.} 5. Nf3 {(109s)} d6 {(0s)} (5... O-O 6. Bd2 (6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 d6 8. Bg5 (8. b4 e5 $1 {This is a famous and interesting gambit}) 8... h6 9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 Ne4 11. Qc2 f5 12. h3 Nxg3 13. fxg3 Qf6 14. e3 e5 15. d5 e4 16. dxc6 exf3 17. cxb7 Bxb7 18. O-O-O Rab8 19. Re1 Be4 20. Qc3 Qxc3+ 21. bxc3 Rb1+ 22. Kd2 Rb2+ 23. Kc1 Rfb8 24. gxf3 Rc2+ 25. Kd1 Rb1# {0-1 (25) Duenas,A (1936)-Benjamin,J (2583) ICC INT 2009}) 6... d5 {was another possible option.} (6... d6 {transposes})) 6. Bd2 {(114s)} Qe7 {(46s)} 7. a3 {(144s)} Bxc3 {(8s)} 8. Bxc3 {(7s)} a5 {(4s) Black has to prevent White from further expansion on the queenside.} 9. e3 {(243s)} (9. e4 e5 10. d5 Nb8 11. c5 Nbd7 12. cxd6 cxd6 13. Nd2 O-O 14. Be2 Nc5 15. b4 axb4 16. axb4 Rxa1+ 17. Bxa1 Na6 18. Qb3 Bg4 19. f3 Bd7 {1/2-1/2 (45) Carlsen,M (2776)-Ivanchuk,V (2779) Nice 2009}) 9... O-O {(35s)} 10. Bd3 {(211s)} h6 $146 {(433s) I don't know what the point of this novelty is. Maybe it was Adhiban's improvisation.} 11. O-O { (137s)} e5 {(232s)} 12. d5 {(619s)} ({I prefer} 12. Nd2 Bd7 13. Rae1) 12... Nb8 {(63s)} 13. Nd2 {(42s)} a4 {(274s) Adhiban manages to fix the pawn structure on the queenside, however, White is ahead in development and opens up the game in the center!} 14. f4 $1 {(314s)} Nbd7 {(30s)} 15. Rae1 {(295s)} Re8 {(45s)} ( 15... Nc5 16. fxe5 dxe5 17. Bb4 {Looks bad}) 16. Bf5 {(515s)} (16. Ne4 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Nf6 18. Bf3 {is equally strong and worthy of consideration. I do not believe that Black would want to touch his e-pawn in any case. A move which will leave White with a monster on c3.}) 16... c6 {(997s) Counter intuitive as it opens the game in White's favor. Nevertheless, Black needs to do something!} 17. dxc6 {(603s)} bxc6 {(1s)} 18. Ne4 {(26s)} Nxe4 {(330s)} 19. Bxe4 {(31s)} Ra6 {(313s)} 20. Rd1 $6 {(156s) After this prosaic move, white's advantage starts to fizzle out.} (20. c5 $1 Nxc5 (20... dxc5 {is just too 'ugly'.} 21. h3 c4 22. Qe2 Nc5 23. Qxc4 Nxe4 (23... Be6 24. Qe2) 24. Qxe4 Qb7 25. Rd1 f5 (25... Bd7 26. Bxe5) 26. Qc4+ Be6 27. Qc5 exf4 28. Rxf4 {(#) Botvinnik would be so happy to see this position. He believed that if you have opposite colored bishops when you have the initiative it is as you were already a piece up in your attack!}) 21. Bh7+ Kh8 22. fxe5 Nb7 (22... dxe5 23. Bb4 $18) 23. exd6 Nxd6 24. Bd3 {And I doubt whether Black can keep his head above water for long.}) 20... Nf6 {(466s)} 21. Bf3 {(356s)} c5 $1 {(188s) No more c5 for White! Black gives away the less relevant square of d5 to shut down White's bishop on c3.} 22. Rxd6 $6 {(186s) L'Ami senses the danger and transforms the position into an endgame with equal but unbalanced material. Nevertheless, he still makes Black's task easier. It would have been better if he had kept the tension in this position.} Rxd6 {(697s)} 23. fxe5 {(9s)} Rd7 {(164s)} (23... Rdd8 { should lead to the same thing as in the game.}) 24. exf6 {(81s)} Qxe3+ {(2s)} 25. Kh1 {(239s)} Qd3 {( 294s) almost forced.} 26. Qxd3 {(225s)} Rxd3 {(1s)} 27. fxg7 {(#) (17s) White has two pawns for the sacrificed exchange, nevertheless, Black can always return the exchange and get a position in which he has a slight edge. Therefore despite the engines screaming equality, it is Black who enjoys the better practical chances.} Ba6 {(532s)} 28. Bc6 {(285s)} Re2 {(309s) } 29. Bd5 {(139s)} Re7 {(128s)} 30. Bf6 {(108s)} Re8 {(64s)} 31. Rc1 {(151s)} Re2 {(497s)} 32. Kg1 {(49s)} Red2 {(116s)} 33. Bf3 {(92s)} Re3 {(65s)} 34. Bc3 {(107s)} Rd6 {(46s)} 35. Bd5 {(47s)} Re7 {( 34s)} 36. Rd1 $4 {(194s) And finally L'Ami blunders in an absolutely equal position.} (36. Rb1 Bc8 (36... Bb7 37. b4) 37. h3 Be6 38. Re1 Re8 (38... Red7 39. Bf6 {and White is better}) 39. Kf2 Red8 40. Bxe6 Rxe6 41. Rxe6 fxe6 42. Ke3 Rd1 43. Ke4 Kf7 $11) (36. h3) 36... Bxc4 {(4s)} 37. Bf3 {(181s) L'Ami missed:} (37. Bxf7+ $4 Rxf7 38. Rxd6 Rf1#) 37... Rxd1+ {(2s)} 38. Bxd1 {(8s)} Bb5 {(3s) The endgame is winning despite the fact that Black still has some work to do to force White's resignation.} 39. Bf3 {(301s)} Re6 {(33s)} 40. Kf2 {(0s)} Bc6 {(0s)} 41. Bg4 { (664s)} Rd6 {(27s)} 42. Be5 {(358s)} Rd2+ {( 30s)} 43. Ke3 {(6s)} Rxg2 {(7s)} 44. h3 {(17s)} h5 {(390s)} 45. Bd1 {(202s)} (45. Bxh5 Rg5 $19) 45... h4 {(166s) } 46. Kf4 {( 255s)} Bd7 {(70s)} 47. Bf3 {(104s)} Rg1 {(130s)} 48. Bf6 {(41s)} Rf1 {(162s)} 49. Ke3 {(23s)} Bxh3 {(139s)} 50. Bxh4 {(21s)} Kxg7 {(6s)} 51. Bc6 {(76s)} Rb1 {(29s)} 52. Bxa4 {(18s)} Rxb2 {(39s)} 53. Be7 {(28s)} c4 {(12s)} 54. Bb4 {(31s)} Kg6 {(31s)} 55. Kd4 {(79s)} Be6 {(88s)} 56. Kc3 {(286s)} Ra2 { (12s)} 57. Bc6 {(47s)} f5 {(34s)} 58. a4 {(33s)} f4 {(137s)} 59. a5 {(15s)} Kf5 {(13s)} 60. Bb7 {( 145s)} Ke5 {(34s)} 61. a6 {(5s)} Bd5 {(22s)} 62. Bc5 {(2s)} f3 {(56s)} 63. Bd4+ {(37s)} Kd6 {(37s)} 64. Bxd5 {(37s)} Kxd5 {(4s)} 65. a7 { (4s)} Kc6 {(66s)} 66. Kxc4 {(19s)} Kb7 {(3s) A painful defeat for Erwin and a good victory for Adhiban, whom Caissa likes very much these days!} 0-1 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "chess24.com"] [Date "2016.09.08"] [Round "6.1"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Eljanov, Pavel"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B31"] [WhiteElo "2808"] [BlackElo "2739"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "105"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "United States"] [BlackTeam "Ukraine"] [WhiteTeamCountry "USA"] [BlackTeamCountry "UKR"] [WhiteClock "0:08:39"] [BlackClock "0:08:58"] {The most important game of the round was clearly the encounter on the top board between the U.S.'s heavy hitter and the Ukrainian Agent (there is a striking similarity between Eljanov and Agent Smith from the Matrix, or am I the only one that sees that?). In my pre-round predictions I had Fabiano as the winner, but after the first hour of play I have to admit that I was sweating heavily as Black seemed to have outprepared White. Let's see how the American champion turned the tables and helped his team get a crucial victory in the title hunt.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {Fabiano has been experimenting with the Bb5 Sicilian against Nc6 recently. In March he managed to win a very nice game against local favorite Radjabov (see the note to move 4...dxc6).} (3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 {The Shveshnikov has not been seen at top level in a while}) 3... g6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 (4... dxc6 {is considered to be more of the sideline nowadays. White will get a long-lasting positional advantage and it is very difficult for Black to fight for more than a draw.} 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Bf4 b6 9. Qd2 Re8 10. O-O-O a5 11. Ne5 b5 12. Qe3 Qb6 13. Bh6 Bh8 14. f4 a4 15. Rhf1 e6 16. g4 a3 17. b4 Nd7 18. Nxd7 Bxd7 19. e5 {1-0 (36) Caruana,F (2804)-Radjabov,T (2726) Shamkir 2016}) 5. O-O Bg7 6. Re1 {White is not in a hurry to commit the place of the "d" pawn.} Nh6 (6... Nf6 7. e5 Nd5 8. c4 Nc7 9. d4 cxd4 10. Qxd4 Ne6 11. Qh4 {1/2-1/2 (60) Caruana,F (2795) -Kasparov,G (2812) Saint Louis 2016}) 7. c3 O-O 8. h3 f5 (8... d6 9. d4 Qb6 10. Nbd2 cxd4 11. cxd4 Ba6 12. Nf1 {and White is enjoying a nice space advantage in the center, as well as better placement for his pieces. Black will try to balance those advantage using his bishop pair. The position remains fairly balanced, though I would attribute White a slight edge.}) 9. e5 Nf7 10. d3 { As I mentioned earlier, it is often that the pawn remains on d3.} (10. d4 cxd4 11. cxd4 Bb7 12. Nc3 c5 13. d5 e6 14. Bf4 Re8 15. Qd2) 10... Rb8 11. Na3 Ba6 12. Nc4 Bxc4 13. dxc4 d6 14. e6 Ne5 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 {At this point in the game Fabiano was already down around 40 minutes on the clock, Eljanov's preparation paid off quite handsomely.} 16. Bh6 Bg7 (16... Rxb2 17. Qc1 Rb8 18. Bxf8 Kxf8 19. g3) 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Rb1 (18. b4 $5 cxb4 19. cxb4 Rxb4 20. Qd4+ Kg8 21. Qxa7 c5 (21... Rxc4 $2 22. a4 {The "a" pawn is a very powerful weapon as it gives White plenty of compensation for the material deficit.} Rb4 23. a5 c5 24. a6 Rb8 25. Reb1 {the invasion is almost impossible to stop}) 22. a4 Re8 23. a5 Qa8 24. Qd7 Rb7 25. Qa4 Reb8) 18... Qa5 19. a4 Rf6 20. Re3 Qa6 21. b3 Qc8 22. Qe1 a5 (22... f4 23. Re4 f3 24. g3 (24. g4 $6 {might prove a bit too provocative if the queenside is not open for counterplay.} h5 $1 25. Qe3 (25. g5 Rf5 26. Qe3 Qc7) 25... hxg4 26. h4 Qh8 27. Qg5 Qf8) 24... a5 25. b4 axb4 26. cxb4 cxb4 27. Rxb4 Ra8 28. c5 {White's "a" pawn is always a problem Black needs to deal with. His problems are starting to become quite apparent; the difference in activity between White and Black's pieces will become a big problem for Eljanov.}) 23. b4 $1 {Immediately creating the passed pawn} axb4 24. cxb4 cxb4 25. Rxb4 Ra8 (25... Rxb4 26. Qxb4 Rxe6 27. Ra3 (27. Rxe6 Qxe6 28. a5 Qe5 {Black should find a way to give a perpetual before the "a" pawn becomes unstoppable}) 27... Re5 28. a5 Qa6 29. Kh2) 26. Qa1 f4 27. Re4 f3 28. g4 Kg8 29. Qd1 Rxe6 $6 {Fabiano described this move as being a "weird decision" by Eljanov. I have to agree as I believe the f3 pawn wasBblack's main hope for a dangerous counterplay agains the white king.} (29... Qf8 $1 30. c5 d5 31. Re3 g5 32. Qd3 Qh6 33. Rxf3 Rxf3 34. Qxf3 Qxe6 35. Qc3 Qf6) 30. Qxf3 {The problem is that Black now has another weakness that he needs to worry about, the "c6" pawn. He was supposed to wait for the structure to stabilize after c5-d5 before taking on e6. From now on Caruana plays a flawless game. His technique should definitely be studied by any aspiring player.} Rxe4 $6 { Too passive.} (30... d5 31. Rf4 Re1+ 32. Kg2 Qe6 33. cxd5 Qxd5 34. Rb7) 31. Qxe4 Qc7 32. c5 dxc5 (32... d5 33. Qe6+ Kf8 34. Rb6 Rxa4 35. Rxc6 Re4 36. Qxd5 Qe5 37. Rc8+ Kg7 38. Rg8+ Kh6 39. Qd3) 33. Qc4+ Kg7 34. Qc3+ Kg8 35. Qc4+ Kg7 36. Qxc5 Qd6 (36... Ra5 37. Qc2 Qd6 38. Re4 Rd5 39. Qc3+ e5 40. a5) 37. Qc3+ Qf6 38. Qe3 Rf8 39. Re4 Rf7 40. Re5 Qd6 41. a5 Qd1+ 42. Kg2 Qa1 43. Qe2 { Strong technique!} (43. Rxe7 $6 Qxa5 44. Qd4+ Kf8 45. Re4 Kg8 46. Re8+ Rf8 47. Rxf8+ Kxf8 48. Qh8+ Kf7 49. Qxh7+ Kf6 {Even though Black is a pawn down, the conversion is suddently not that easy. Fabiano did not fall into the material trap.}) 43... e6 44. a6 Qd4 45. Rxe6 c5 (45... Qd5+ 46. Kg1 Qb5 47. Qxb5 cxb5 48. Rb6) 46. Re7 Qd5+ 47. f3 c4 48. Rxf7+ Qxf7 49. Qe5+ Kh6 50. Qe3+ Kg7 51. Qd4+ Kh6 52. a7 Qb7 53. h4 {A very beautiful game by Fabiano. He did not panic when faced with a strong preparation, managed to stabilize the position, created weaknesses in his opponent's camp, and ultimately converted with impeccable technique. The Americans are back in title contention!} 1-0 [Event "Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.08"] [Round "6.2"] [White "Gunina, Valentina"] [Black "Muzychuk, Mariya"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D70"] [WhiteElo "2520"] [BlackElo "2539"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Russia"] [BlackTeam "Ukraine"] [WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"] [BlackTeamCountry "UKR"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 Nc6 8. d5 Ne5 9. f4 Ng4 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Qxg4 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Bxb5 13. Bd4 Rf8 14. f5 Qd7 15. Nf3 gxf5 16. exf5 Bd3 {It's clear to see White's center has collapsed. Everything can be captured.} 17. Qg3 Qxf5 18. Ne5 Ba6 19. O-O-O Nxd5 20. c4 Nb4 21. Qb3 f6 22. Nf3 Nc6 23. Be3 Qg4 24. Nd4 Ne5 25. h3 Qg8 26. Qa4+ c6 27. Bh6 Bxc4 {Pawn number three.} 28. Rhe1 Bxa2 {Pawn number four.} 29. Kb2 Bd5 30. g4 Rf7 31. g5 Qg6 32. Ka1 Nd3 33. Re6 $6 {Setting a diabolical trap.} Nc5 { Was White falling into a simple fork?} 34. Qb4 Nxe6 35. Qxb7 Rd8 $4 {Nearly any other move wins here.} (35... Qh5 36. Qxa8+ Nd8 37. Re1 fxg5) 36. Nxe6 Bxe6 {Black has to go into the trap now, as Nc7+ was a big deal.} 37. Qxc6+ Bd7 38. Rxd7 Rxd7 39. Qc8+ Rd8 40. Qc6+ Rd7 41. Qc8+ {The White king was so perfectly tucked away as to make you think this was a puzzle from a book.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.08"] [Round "6.4"] [White "Girya, Olga"] [Black "Ushenina, Anna"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E12"] [WhiteElo "2452"] [BlackElo "2457"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "123"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Russia"] [BlackTeam "Ukraine"] [WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"] [BlackTeamCountry "UKR"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. Bg5 Be7 7. e3 O-O 8. Qc2 h6 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. cxd5 exd5 11. h4 c5 12. O-O-O cxd4 13. exd4 Qd6 14. Kb1 Nd7 15. g4 Qf4 16. Be2 g6 17. g5 hxg5 18. hxg5 Bg7 19. Rh4 Qd6 20. Nh2 Rac8 21. f4 a6 22. Ng4 Rfe8 23. Ne5 (23. f5 {is even stronger. White can pressure g6 more or think about f6, sealing off Black's pieces from defending the king.}) 23... Nxe5 24. fxe5 Qe7 25. Qd2 b5 26. Bg4 Rc4 27. Rdh1 Kf8 28. Qh2 (28. Rh7 $1 { is one of those slight improvement moves that computer find. White's more is more "human."}) 28... Qxg5 29. Bd7 Rd8 30. e6 Ke7 31. Rh7 Qf6 32. Re1 g5 33. Ka2 Qg6 34. Qh3 f5 35. Re5 Rf8 36. Nxd5+ Bxd5 37. Rxd5 f4 38. Bxb5 {fancy and not bad, but simply} (38. Qg2 {hitting g5 works even more cleanly. Black cannot survive on the g-file.}) 38... Rc7 39. Bd3 Qf6 40. Rf5 $2 {This inaccuracy should have been the one to throw away the full point.} (40. Qg2 { is still there for the taking.} f3 41. Qxg5 Qxg5 42. Rxg5 f2 43. Rgxg7+ Kxe6 44. Rxc7 f1=Q 45. Bxf1 Rxf1 {is easy}) 40... Qxd4 {Now Black's king is no less safe than White's. From here on out, White has to win the game a second time.} 41. Qg2 Rxf5 42. Bxf5 Qf6 43. Bg4 Qe5 44. Rh3 Qb5 45. Rb3 Qc4 46. Be2 Qxe6 47. Qxg5+ Bf6 48. Qh5 Bg7 49. Bf3 Qe5 {natural, but continuing the aggression with} (49... Rc2 50. Bd5 Qf6 {holds the balance}) 50. Qg6 Qf6 51. Qh7 a5 52. Rb5 a4 53. Bd5 Rd7 54. Qe4+ Kd8 55. Qxa4 Qd4 56. Qa8+ Ke7 57. Qg8 Qf6 58. Rb8 Bf8 59. Bc4 Rc7 60. Qd5 Rd7 61. Qe4+ Kd6 62. Rb6+ 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.09"] [Round "?"] [White "Harikrishna, P."] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2752"] [BlackElo "2808"] [PlyCount "91"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2 Nc5 10. c3 Be7 11. Bc2 d4 12. Nb3 d3 13. Bb1 Nxb3 14. axb3 Bf5 15. b4 O-O 16. Bf4 Qd7 17. h3 Rfd8 18. g4 Bg6 19. Bg3 Kh8 20. Re1 Qc8 21. Nd2 a5 22. bxa5 Rxa5 23. Rxa5 Nxa5 24. f4 f5 25. exf6 Bxf6 26. Ba2 Nc4 27. Bxc4 bxc4 28. g5 Qxh3 29. Qf3 Bh5 30. Qf2 Be2 31. gxf6 gxf6 32. Qg2 Qe6 33. Kh2 Rg8 34. Ra1 Rg6 35. Qe4 $2 (35. Ra8+ $1 Rg8 36. Rxg8+ Kxg8 37. f5 $1 {leaves Black in a very bad position.}) 35... Qxe4 36. Nxe4 Bf3 $1 {Harikrishna must have missed that Ra8+ is not possible.} 37. Nf2 (37. Nd2 Rh6+ 38. Kg1 Rh1+ 39. Kf2 Rxa1 40. Kxf3 {already looks dangerous for White, though with good play it might be a draw.}) (37. Ra8+ Kg7 38. Re8 Rh6+ 39. Kg1 Rh1+ 40. Kf2 Bxe4 41. Rxe4 d2 {loses for White.}) 37... d2 38. Ra7 Rh6+ 39. Bh4 (39. Kg1 Rh1+ 40. Nxh1 d1=Q+) 39... d1=Q 40. Nxd1 {Now the game is a simple draw.} Bxd1 41. Kg3 Kg8 42. f5 Bc2 43. Rxc7 Bd3 44. Rc5 Rh5 45. Bxf6 Rxf5 46. Rxf5 1/2-1/2 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.09"] [Round "?"] [White "Shankland, Samuel L"] [Black "Sethuraman, S P."] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2679"] [BlackElo "2640"] [PlyCount "150"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Nc3 e6 7. Qa4+ Nbd7 8. Ne5 a6 9. f3 $5 {A new idea, perhaps, playing against the bishop. The computer doesn't approve, but what do they know.} Bf5 10. g4 Bg6 (10... b5 {is necessary according to the mechanical brain, let's analyze a little bit why:} 11. Qd1 Nxe5 $1 (11... Bg6 12. h4 {is the game}) 12. dxe5 (12. gxf5 Nc4 { doesn't make sense for White.}) 12... Nxg4 13. fxg4 Qh4+ 14. Kd2 Bxg4 {And Black's pair of bishops, better structure and better king give him enough compensation for the piece. Is this easy to evaluate during the game? No, quite the contrary.}) 11. h4 b5 12. Qd1 b4 13. h5 $1 Bxh5 14. Nxd7 (14. Ne2 $1 {is a very computer like move} Bg6 15. Nxg6 fxg6 16. Nf4 Kf7 17. e4 $1 { With a big initiative.}) 14... Nxd7 15. Rxh5 $2 {This move is strange, though, it makes sense to eliminate d5} (15. Nxd5 Bg6 (15... exd5 16. Rxh5 Bd6 17. Kf2 {also looks very good for Shankland.}) 16. Nf4 {still gains the pair of bishops, and the central pawn mass gives White a big advantage.}) 15... bxc3 16. bxc3 Qc7 {The pressure on c3 now gives Black counterplay, not to mention d5 is not a weakness anymore.} 17. Bd2 Bd6 18. Bd3 Nb6 19. Ke2 h6 20. g5 Kd7 $5 {With the kings in the center, anything can happen!} 21. gxh6 gxh6 22. Rb1 Rag8 23. Bxa6 $2 {a bit greedy, there was no reason to allow the move Rg2+.} (23. Qh1 $13 Nc4 $1) (23. Kf2 $1 {is a move so brave I wouldn't really consider it.} ) 23... Rg2+ 24. Kd3 $2 {Shankland seriously underestimates the attack.} (24. Kf1 Rhg8 25. Rh1 {keeps White afloat, though his position is obviously grim.}) 24... Ra8 25. Bb5+ Kd8 26. Rxh6 Rxa2 {It seems like White has threats, but in truth it is only a few checks.} 27. Rh8+ Ke7 28. Re8+ Kf6 29. Be1 Kg7 30. f4 { With Black's king safe on g7, it is time for him to restart his attack.} f5 31. Qb3 Qf7 (31... Ra3 32. Rb2 Rxb3 33. Rxg2+ Kf7 34. Reg8 $1 {And Black is the one that has to be careful} Bf8 35. Rh8 $1 {And things are far, far from clear. }) (31... Rh2 $1 {was winning, threatening now Ra3,}) 32. Qd1 Nc4 33. Rd8 $1 { After this move Sethuraman fell to below two minutes, with many moves to go the win is not easy to find.} Be7 $6 (33... Nxe3 $1 34. Kxe3 (34. Qc1 Qh5 $19) 34... Bxf4+ $1 {Nothing else works.} 35. Kxf4 (35. Kd3 Qh5 $1 {is the prettiest.} 36. Qxh5 Rad2+) 35... Rg4+ $1 36. Ke3 f4+ $19 {White gets mated.}) 34. Rd7 Rab2 (34... Nb2+ 35. Rxb2 Rgxb2 {at least won the exchange} 36. Bh4 Bxh4 37. Rxf7+ Kxf7 $19 {But the evaluation I gave at the end is very computer like. With two minutes on the clock who knows if White has a perpetual or more. }) 35. Bxc4 dxc4+ 36. Kxc4 Qe8 37. Rxb2 Rxb2 38. Qa1 Rb8 39. Qa7 Kf8 40. Kd3 Ra8 41. Qb7 Rb8 42. Qh1 $6 Qxd7 {The endgame is tough to win, but only two results are possible. Shankland wins after a very long struggle.} 43. Qh8+ Kf7 44. Qxb8 Qc6 45. Qb2 Qe4+ 46. Kd2 Qg2+ 47. Kc1 Qf1 48. Kd1 Qd3+ 49. Qd2 Qc4 50. Qe2 Qa4+ {Shankland,S (2679)-Sethuraman,S (2640) Baku 2016 playchess.com (ChessBase)} 51. Qc2 Qc4 52. Kd2 Qf1 53. Qd3 Qh1 54. Qe2 Qe4 55. Qh2 Qb7 56. Ke2 Qb2+ 57. Bd2 Qb5+ 58. Kf2 Kg6 59. Qg2+ Kf7 60. Qf3 Bh4+ 61. Kg2 Qd3 62. Qh5+ Kf8 63. Qd1 Kg7 64. Qg1 Qxd2+ 65. Kh3+ Kf8 66. Kxh4 Qxc3 67. Kh5 Qc6 68. Kh6 Qf3 69. Qg7+ Ke8 70. Qe5 Kd7 71. Kg7 Qg4+ 72. Kf8 Qh4 73. Qg7+ Kd6 74. Ke8 Qh5+ 75. Qf7 Kd5 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.09"] [Round "?"] [White "Laznicka, Viktor"] [Black "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2651"] [BlackElo "2731"] [PlyCount "78"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 1. d4 {(00:00)} Nf6 {(00:00)} 2. c4 {(00:00)} e6 {( 00:00)} 3. Nc3 {(00:00)} Bb4 {(00:00)} 4. Qc2 {(00:00)} O-O {(01:13)} 5. a3 {(00:00)} Bxc3+ {(00:43)} 6. Qxc3 {(00:03)} d6 {(02:10)} 7. f3 {(00:31)} d5 {(08:38)} 8. cxd5 {(01:33)} exd5 {(03:02)} 9. e3 {(00:47)} a5 {(14:27)} 10. Bd2 {(09:44)} b6 {(08:04)} 11. Rc1 { ( 09:09)} c6 {(07:23)} 12. Bd3 {(04:39)} Ba6 {(01:13)} 13. Ne2 {(00:05)} Bxd3 { (08:16)} 14. Qxd3 {(00:08)} Qd7 {(00:40)} 15. O-O {(02:19)} Na6 {(00:06)} 16. Be1 {( 12:20)} c5 {(07:34)} 17. Bh4 {(00:30)} c4 {(09:13)} 18. Qd2 {(01:55)} Ne8 {(01:27)} 19. e4 {(02:02)} Nac7 {(00:34)} 20. a4 {(05:46)} Nd6 {(02:47)} 21. Nc3 {( 02:26)} b5 {(00:53)} 22. axb5 {(01:26)} Ndxb5 {(00:23)} 23. exd5 { (03:21)} Nxd5 {(05:12)} 24. Ne4 {(00:38)} Qc6 {(01:11)} 25. Nc5 {(01:36)} Nb6 { (00:18)} 26. Rfe1 {(02:07)} Rfe8 {(01:02)} 27. Re4 {(01:51)} a4 {(00:36)} 28. Rce1 {(04:42)} Nd6 {(03:32)} 29. Re5 {(07:32)} h6 {(06:01)} 30. Be7 {(07:48)} Nbc8 {(01:36)} 31. Qf4 {(06:02)} Nxe7 {(00:42)} 32. Rxe7 {(00:03)} Rxe7 { ( 01:07)} 33. Rxe7 c3 $1 {(00:09)} (33... a3 34. bxa3 c3 35. a4 c2 36. Re2 $11) 34. bxc3 {(09:54)} a3 {(03:21)} 35. Re1 {(00:35)} a2 {(00:05)} 36. Ra1 Qb5 $1 { (00:20)} ({A careless move such as} 36... Qd5 $2 {would throw it away.} 37. Qd2 Nb5 38. Qd3 {and Black has no real advantage as progress is impossible and White has passed pawns of his own.}) 37. Qc1 {(02:18)} Qe2 {(00:31)} 38. Nb3 { (03:48)} Nc4 {(01:08)} 39. Qe1 {(00:42)} Qb2 {(00:51)} 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.09"] [Round "?"] [White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Black "Hracek, Zbynek"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2591"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] {Nepomniachtchi (Nepo from now on because I feel too lazy to write down the whole name!) has been an instrumental figure in Russia's strong comeback to table one. WIth seven in seven, you cannot ask for more than that!} 1. e4 { (00:00)} c5 {(00:00)} 2. Nf3 {(00:00)} Nc6 {(00:00)} 3. d4 {(00:00)} cxd4 { (00:00)} 4. Nxd4 {( 00:00)} Nf6 {(00:00)} 5. Nc3 {(00:04)} e5 {(00:00) Hracek is a veteran GM with years of experience at the highest level. He always plays 'healthy' openings with a good grasp of middlegame nuances. His opening choice today is a Sveshnikov!} 6. Ndb5 {(00:20)} d6 {(00:06)} 7. Bg5 {(00:21)} a6 { ( 00:07)} 8. Na3 {(00:07)} b5 {(00:04)} 9. Nd5 {(00:05) The favorite move of 12th world champion Anatoly Karpov.} (9. Bxf6 gxf6 {used to be the main line but it is not so any more!}) 9... Be7 {(00:04)} 10. Bxf6 {(00:06)} Bxf6 { (00:03)} 11. c4 {(00:08) Nepo plays this against the Sveshnikov, exclusively.} b4 {(00:05)} 12. Nc2 {(00:08)} O-O {(00:07)} 13. g3 {(00:14)} Be6 {(00:20)} 14. h4 {(00:44)} a5 {(01:21)} 15. Bh3 {(01:57)} a4 {(03:31) Nepo himself had reached this position back in 2009 against Ni Hua} 16. Qd3 $146 {(07:34) This move seems very natural but it is a novelty! We may not be surprised to see a novelty on move 16 in a Berlin, Spanish or even a French Defence, however, it is rare to see a novelty in the Sveshnikov this early!} (16. b3 Bxd5 17. cxd5 Nd4 18. Nxd4 exd4 19. O-O Re8 20. bxa4 Rxe4 21. Rc1 Re8 22. Rc4 d3 23. Qxd3 Rxa4 24. Rfc1 Ra3 25. Qc2 Bc3 26. Rc8 Qe7 27. Rxe8+ Qxe8 28. Bf1 g6 29. Bc4 Ra7 30. Qd3 Re7 {1/2-1/2 (30) Nepomniachtchi,I (2632)-Ni,H (2701) Sochi 2009}) 16... b3 $1 {(12:46) This is why nobody plays Qd3. Nepo on the other hand has a different opinion.} 17. Nce3 $6 {(00:08) Very very dubious!} bxa2 $2 { (08:09) a weak reaction from Hracek. He had to go "all in" in this position. It may not be something he likes but it is what the position calls for.} (17... a3 $1 18. Qxb3 (18. axb3 axb2 19. Rb1 Bxh3 20. Rxh3 Ra1 21. Rh1 Qa5+ 22. Kf1 Rxb1+ 23. Qxb1 Qa3 24. Qd1 Rb8 25. Kg2 Bd8 $17) 18... Nd4 19. Qc3 Qd7 $1 { I think Hracek missed the power of this move and that is why he did not enter this line.} 20. Nxf6+ gxf6 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. b3 (22. b4 Qb7) 22... Qb7 23. Qd3 f5 24. O-O fxe4 25. Qd1 Nf3+ 26. Kh1 Rad8 {and d5-d4 seems unstoppable.}) 18. Rxa2 {(06:56)} Qa5+ {(27:10)} 19. Kf1 {(00:46)} Bxd5 {(06:45)} 20. Nxd5 { (05:37)} Nb4 {(03:40)} 21. Nxb4 {(03:23)} Qxb4 {(00:02)} 22. Bd7 {(00:07)} Bd8 {(09:13) Both players are activating their bishops.} 23. Bc6 {(08:37)} Ra7 { (01:20)} 24. Qc2 {(00:12)} a3 $2 {(03:06) This is a tactical blunder. Hracek does not play active chess today.} (24... Bb6 25. Rxa4 Rxa4 26. Bxa4 Bd4 27. b3 f5 28. exf5 Qb7 29. Rh2 g6 30. g4 (30. h5) (30. fxg6 Bxf2 31. gxh7+ Kh8 { was very dangerous for White.}) 30... Qf3 31. Rg2 Kh8 32. b4 gxf5 33. gxf5 Rg8 34. Rxg8+ Kxg8 {And Black's activity should suffice for a draw despite White's two extra pawns.}) 25. Kg2 {(00:03)} Qc5 {(07:17)} 26. Bd5 {(00:09)} g6 $2 { (07:21) This is just a waste of time.} (26... axb2 27. Rxb2 Qc7 28. Rhb1 Qd7 29. Rb7 Rxb7 30. Rxb7 Bc7 31. Qb3 {And White's attack may or may not be decisive but at least not sometimes soon!}) 27. Rb1 $1 {(00:23) A strong move which assures White's control over the seventh rank.} axb2 {(02:34)} 28. Raxb2 {(00:11)} Kh8 {(03:43)} 29. Rb5 {(00:29)} Qc8 {(00:57)} 30. Rb8 {(01:20)} Qd7 { (00:49)} 31. Qd2 {(11:03)} Kg7 {(00:25)} 32. R8b7 {(03:12)} Rxb7 {( 00:38)} 33. Rxb7 {(00:05)} Qg4 {(01:20) After the 6th round game between L'Ami-Adhiban this is the second time I am commenting on opposite colored bishops in a position concerning attack and defence! Since White has a strong attack over the f7 square and Black's dark-squared bishop is helpless to defend f7, it is as if White is a piece up in his attack. If you want to know who said that for the first time, I encourage you to read our Round 6 report!} 34. Qa2 $18 { (03:31) White's attack is unstoppable.} Bxh4 {(02:13) equivalent to a resignation.} 35. Qa7 {(00:05)} Kh6 {(01:27)} 36. Rxf7 {(00:38)} Rxf7 {(00:13)} 37. Qxf7 {(00:04)} Bg5 {( 01:02)} 38. Qf8+ {(04:03)} Kh5 {(00:01)} 39. Qxd6 { (00:23)} Bf4 {(00:22)} 40. Qf6 {(00:00)} Qg5 {(00:00)} 41. Qf7 {(01:53) Hracek reaction to Nepo's dubious novelty was slow and inactive. Nepo did all he had to do, activated his bishop, placed his rooks on the right squares and seized the seventh rank. He simply asked Hracek a number of difficult questions in this game and unfortunately for the Czechs and Hracek, he failed to answer them.} 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.09"] [Round "7.4"] [White "Shankland, Samuel L"] [Black "Sethuraman, S.P."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D13"] [WhiteElo "2679"] [BlackElo "2640"] [Annotator "Rashad Babaev"] [PlyCount "149"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "United States of America"] [BlackTeam "India"] [BlackTeamCountry "IND"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. cxd5 {Less popular for White because it leads to a symmmetrical pawn structure. But I have to admit that the diagonal a4-e8 is very tricky in such positions and Black needs to keep eyes on it. A more common continuation is} (5. Nc3 e6 6. Qb3 Qb6 7. Nh4 Nbd7 8. h3 Bh5 9. g4 Bg6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Bg2 dxc4 12. Qxc4 Bd6 13. Bd2 Rc8 {with an edge for White.}) 5... cxd5 6. Nc3 e6 {This blocks the bishop's way back and now the diagonal a4-e8 becomes more vulnerable. Another logical continuation could be} (6... a6 7. Qb3 Bc8 8. Ne5 e6 9. Bd3 Bd6 10. f4 O-O 11. O-O {where I still do not like Black's position.}) 7. Qa4+ Nbd7 {In case of} (7... Nfd7 8. Ne5 Bf5 9. g4 Bg6 10. h4 f6 11. Nxg6 hxg6 {White has a nice position as in Bernard,C-Peralta, F 2006.}) 8. Ne5 a6 {This needs to be played in order to prevent Bb5 and prepare b7-b5 at some point to slow down the pressure on Nd7.} 9. f3 {Typical tempo winning by pushing the pawns on the kingside. White could get a more stable position after} (9. Nxg4 Nxg4 10. Bd3 Bd6 11. Qd1 Ngf6 12. Bd2 Rc8 13. O-O O-O 14. Rc1 {which is equal and not so fun to play.}) 9... Bf5 10. g4 Bg6 (10... b5 {deserves more attention.} 11. Qd1 Nxe5 12. gxf5 (12. dxe5 Nxg4 13. fxg4 Qh4+ 14. Kd2 Bxg4 15. Be2 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Qg5 {is a very interesting position. I would estimate it as dynamically equal.})) 11. h4 b5 12. Qd1 ({Question: Why not} 12. Qb3 {for example} b4 13. h5 Be4 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. fxe4 Be7 17. Be2 {with a nice advantage for White.}) 12... b4 {Very difficult to find any other move for Black. For instance, if} (12... h5 13. Nxg6 fxg6 14. g5 Ng8 15. Bh3 Bb4 16. Kf2 Ne7 17. Bxe6 {White is getting a decisive advantage.}) 13. h5 Bxh5 (13... bxc3 14. hxg6 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Nd7 16. gxh7 Be7 17. Qc2 g6 18. f4 {with a very chaotic position but better chances for White.}) 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. Rxh5 {Shankland is missing the little tactical blow} (15. Nxd5 $1 Bxg4 16. Nf4 g5 (16... Bf5 17. e4 Bg6 18. Qb3) 17. fxg4 gxf4 18. Qf3 Be7 19. Qxf4 Rg8 20. Bd3 {which should lead to a better position for White.}) 15... bxc3 16. bxc3 Qc7 17. Bd2 Bd6 18. Bd3 Nb6 (18... Bg3+ {looks attractive but is pretty much useless. After} 19. Kf1 Nf6 20. Rh3 Bd6 21. Qc2 { the White king feels safe and will be placed on g2 in the future.}) 19. Ke2 { Maybe it is a matter of taste but I like the f2 square for the king more than e2.} (19. Kf2 Rb8 20. Bxa6 Nc4 21. Qa4+ Ke7 22. Bxc4 Rb2 23. Rd1 g6 24. Rh6 Qxc4 25. Qxc4 dxc4 26. a4) 19... h6 20. g5 {White could possibly get more ready for pressure on the kingside by developing rook first:} (20. Rb1 f6 21. e4) 20... Kd7 {It was not easy to decide where to place king, on e7 or d7. I think both of them are good squares but my intuition says e7.} 21. gxh6 gxh6 22. Rb1 Rag8 23. Bxa6 $2 {Not a good time for material collection.} (23. Be1 Rg2+ 24. Kf1 Rhg8 25. Rh1 Rxa2 26. Qb3 Nc4 27. Bxc4 Qxc4+ 28. Qxc4 dxc4 29. Rxh6 {should be equal.}) 23... Rg2+ 24. Kd3 {Another very risky move by Shankland. Since his position is bad anyway it makes sence to complicate it more. I like this psychological decision.} (24. Kf1 Rhg8 25. Rh1 Kd8 {with idea Nc4 next move.} 26. Rxb6 {I think white is just forced to play it} Qxb6 { winning position for Black.}) 24... Ra8 25. Bb5+ Kd8 26. Rxh6 {It's hard to suggest any other move for White. All lines are bad.} Rxa2 27. Rh8+ Ke7 28. Re8+ Kf6 29. Be1 (29. Ra1 Rgxd2+ 30. Qxd2 Rxa1 31. f4 Nc4 {and Black is winning.}) 29... Kg7 30. f4 f5 (30... Nc4 {should have been better and faster of way of finishing the game.}) 31. Qb3 Qf7 (31... Rh2 $1 {is a very tricky move:} 32. Rxe6 Ra3 33. Qd1 Qc4+ 34. Bxc4 dxc4#) (31... Ra3 {then} 32. Rb2) 32. Qd1 Nc4 {It was not too late for Qc7.} 33. Rd8 (33. Rc8 Rab2 34. Bxc4 dxc4+ 35. Rxc4 Qb7 {Black is winning everywhere.}) 33... Be7 $2 (33... Nxe3 $1 34. Kxe3 Bxf4+ 35. Kxf4 Rg4+ 36. Ke3 f4+ 37. Kf3 Rg3+ 38. Bxg3 Qh5+ 39. Kxf4 Qf5+ 40. Ke3 Qe4#) 34. Rd7 Rab2 $2 {The second bad move in a row after which the position is equal.} (34... Qf8 35. Rb7 Nd6 {and there still remains chances to win the game.}) 35. Bxc4 dxc4+ 36. Kxc4 {An amazing position for the king. Surprisingly Black cannot attack him.} Qe8 (36... e5+ 37. d5 Qe8 38. Rxb2 Rxb2 39. Rxe7+ Qxe7 40. fxe5 Qxe5 41. Qd4 Qxd4+ 42. Kxd4 {now Black needs to play for a draw.}) 37. Rxb2 Rxb2 38. Qa1 Rb8 $2 (38... Re2 39. Kd3 Rxe3+ 40. Kxe3 Qxd7) 39. Qa7 Kf8 40. Kd3 (40. Rxe7 $4 Qb5#) 40... Ra8 41. Qb7 Rb8 42. Qh1 Qxd7 43. Qh8+ Kf7 44. Qxb8 {After many mistakes for both sides White got a winning endgame position.} Qc6 45. Qb2 (45. Qh8 {looks more accurate.} Qe4+ 46. Ke2 Qg2+ 47. Bf2 Qg4+ 48. Ke1 Qf3 49. Qh7+ Kf8 50. Qh2 Qc6 51. Kd2 Qb7 52. Qh6+ Kf7 53. Qh5+ Kf8 54. Be1 Qb2+ 55. Kd3 Qb5+ 56. Kc2 Qc6 57. Kd2 Qd5 58. Ke2 { and step by step White will restrict the black queen and advance pawns.}) 45... Qe4+ 46. Kd2 Qg2+ 47. Kc1 Qf1 48. Kd1 Qd3+ 49. Qd2 Qc4 50. Qe2 Qa4+ 51. Qc2 Qc4 52. Kd2 (52. e4 fxe4 53. Qxe4 {was better.}) 52... Qf1 53. Qd3 Qh1 54. Qe2 Qe4 55. Qh2 Qb7 56. Ke2 Qb2+ 57. Bd2 Qb5+ 58. Kf2 Kg6 59. Qg2+ Kf7 60. Qf3 (60. Qf1 {wouldn't allow Black to activate his queen.}) 60... Bh4+ 61. Kg2 Qd3 62. Qh5+ Kf8 63. Qd1 (63. Qxh4 Qxd2+ 64. Qf2 Qxc3 {with big chances for a draw.}) 63... Kg7 64. Qg1 Qxd2+ 65. Kh3+ Kf8 $2 (65... Bg5 $1 66. c4 Qe2 67. Qxg5+ Kf7 68. Qg1 Qxc4) 66. Kxh4 Qxc3 67. Kh5 Qc6 68. Kh6 Qf3 69. Qg7+ Ke8 70. Qe5 Kd7 (70... Ke7 71. Qc7+ Ke8 72. Kg5 Qxe3 73. Qd6 Qg3+ 74. Kf6 Qh4+ 75. Kxe6 Qh6+ 76. Ke5 Qh8+ 77. Qf6 Qh3 78. Qxf5 {and White should be winning.}) 71. Kg7 {Final a breakthrough with the king.} Qg4+ $2 (71... Qh1 72. d5 exd5 73. Qxf5+ Kc6 74. Qe6+ Kc5 {would put more problems for White to win the game.}) 72. Kf8 Qh4 73. Qg7+ Kd6 74. Ke8 Qh5+ 75. Qf7 1-0 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.09"] [Round "7.1"] [White "Shirov, Alexei"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "*"] [ECO "B90"] [WhiteElo "2673"] [BlackElo "2755"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "49"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Latvia"] [BlackTeam "Netherlands"] [WhiteTeamCountry "LAT"] [BlackTeamCountry "NED"] [WhiteClock "1:18:32"] [BlackClock "1:34:05"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Bg7 10. Be2 h5 11. Bxg4 hxg4 12. Nd5 Nc6 13. Nf5 Bxf5 ({Another game in the same round went} 13... Bxb2 14. Rb1 Ba3 15. Rb3 Bc5 16. O-O e6 17. Qa1 e5 18. Qd1 Nd4 {McShane,L (2671)-Yu,Y (2725), Baku Olympiad 2016}) 14. exf5 Bxb2 15. Rb1 Qa5+ 16. Qd2 Bf6 17. Rxb7 O-O 18. Nxe7+ (18. c3 Rab8 19. Rxb8 Rxb8 20. O-O Rb5 21. Rd1 Kg7 22. Bxd6 Rxd5 23. Qxd5 Qxd5 24. Rxd5 exd6 25. Rxd6 Nb8 {Wang Hao (2710)-Gelfand,B (2743) Beijing CHN 2014}) (18. Qxa5 Nxa5 19. Rb4 Rfb8 (19... Rab8 20. Rxb8 Rxb8 21. Nxf6+ Kg7 22. Nh5+ Kh6 23. Kd2 Kxh5 { Kamsky,G (2721)-Vachier-Lagrave,M (2745) Beijing CHN 2013}) 20. Bxd6 Rd8 21. Nxf6+ exf6 22. Bg3 Rac8 23. Rxg4 Rxc2 24. O-O Rd5 25. h4 Rxf5 26. Ra4 Kg7 27. Rd1 Nc6 {Jakovenko,D (2759)-Karjakin,S (2753) Chita RUS 2015}) 18... Kg7 19. Nxc6 Rfe8+ 20. Kd1 Qxa2 21. Nb4 Qa1+ 22. Qc1 Qd4+ 23. Qd2 Qa1+ 24. Qc1 Qd4+ 25. Qd2 {The exact same happened in Ganguly,S (2630)-Vachier-Lagrave,M (2722) Linares ESP 2013.} * [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.09"] [Round "7.4"] [White "Li, Chao b"] [Black "Short, Nigel D"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E52"] [WhiteElo "2746"] [BlackElo "2666"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "88"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "China"] [BlackTeam "England"] [WhiteTeamCountry "CHN"] [BlackTeamCountry "ENG"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. e3 Bb7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. Bd2 d5 8. cxd5 exd5 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Rc1 a6 11. Ne5 Re8 12. f4 Nf8 (12... c5 13. Be1 cxd4 14. exd4 Be7 15. a4 Nf8 16. Qf3 Ne6 17. Bf2 Bb4 {Tikkanen,H (2550)-Naiditsch,A (2685) Stockholm SWE 2010}) 13. Be1 c5 14. Bh4 c4 15. Bc2 b5 16. g4 Qb6 17. g5 Ne4 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Qe2 Bd5 20. Qg2 Qb7 21. f5 Nd7 22. Ng4 Kh8 23. Bg3 Rac8 24. Qh3 f6 25. g6 Nf8 26. Rf2 Rc6 27. Rcf1 a5 28. Rg2 a4 29. Rf4 c3 30. bxc3 Bxc3 31. Bh4 Qb6 32. gxh7 Re7 33. Ne5 $1 fxe5 $2 (33... Rd6) 34. Bxe7 ({Missing } 34. f6 $1 {which won on the spot!}) 34... exf4 35. Bxf8 Bxd4 $1 {Short finds the only move.} 36. Qg4 $2 ({Again,} 36. f6 $1 {was the way to go. It's a draw after} Bxf6 37. Qd7 $1 Qxe3+ 38. Kh1 Qe1+ 39. Rg1 Qc3 40. Bxg7+ (40. Qxd5 Qf3+ 41. Rg2 Qf1+ 42. Rg1 Qf3+) 40... Bxg7 41. Qe8+ Kxh7 42. Bxe4+ Bxe4+ 43. Qxe4+ Kh6 44. Qxf4+ Kh7 {and White has not more than a perpetual.}) 36... Rc7 { Now all is covered and Black is winning.} 37. Qh5 (37. exd4 Qxd4+ {and the pawns will roll.}) 37... f3 $1 38. Rg4 Be5 $2 {More errors in time trouble.} ({ There was nothing wrong with} 38... Bxe3+ 39. Kh1 {and now e.g.} Qf6) 39. Bc5 $2 (39. Qe8 $1 {suddenly draws again:} Qxe3+ 40. Kh1 Qe1+ $1 (40... Kxh7 41. Rh4+ Kg8 42. Be7#) 41. Rg1 {and now} Kxh7 $3 42. Bc5 $3 {and now Black cannot prevent the perpetual.} (42. Rxe1 f2 43. Qg6+ Kg8 {wins for Black!})) 39... Qh6 40. Qe8+ Kxh7 41. Qxe5 Rxc5 42. Qe7 f2+ $1 43. Kg2 Bc4 44. Kxf2 Qxh2+ 0-1 [Event "Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.09"] [Round "7.3"] [White "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"] [Black "Szczepkowska-Horowska, Karina"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D97"] [WhiteElo "2475"] [BlackElo "2409"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "72"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Russia"] [BlackTeam "Poland"] [WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"] [BlackTeamCountry "POL"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Nc6 8. Be2 e5 9. d5 Nd4 10. Nxd4 exd4 11. Qxd4 c6 12. Qd1 Re8 13. dxc6 Qxd1+ 14. Nxd1 Nxe4 15. cxb7 Bxb7 16. Ne3 f5 17. O-O f4 18. Bc4+ Kh8 19. Nd1 Rac8 20. Bd3 g5 21. Bxe4 Bxe4 {For anyone wondering when does the bishop pair make up for a pawn deficit, the answer begins and ends with this position!} 22. Nc3 Bd3 23. Rd1 Bc2 24. Rf1 Rcd8 {No GM in the world would prefer White here. There are barely any moves.} 25. a4 Bd3 26. Rd1 Bc2 27. Rf1 {A little torture first.} Bb3 28. Kh1 Bc4 29. Rg1 Bd4 30. Nd1 {Shades of the Karpov-Kasparov World Championship game where all of White's pieces came back home.} Re2 31. a5 Rc2 32. Re1 Kg8 33. h4 h6 {The patience! Black refuses to trade in his positional advantage to get back to material equality.} 34. hxg5 hxg5 35. Kg1 Kf7 36. g3 Rh8 {In a cite twist, Black causes resignation despite never recovering the pawn since ...Bd5 is coming.} 0-1 [Event "Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.09"] [Round "7.2"] [White "Javakhishvili, Lela"] [Black "Haast, Anne"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E61"] [WhiteElo "2486"] [BlackElo "2306"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "86"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Georgia"] [BlackTeam "Netherlands"] [WhiteTeamCountry "GEO"] [BlackTeamCountry "NED"] 1. Nf3 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 Bf5 4. Nc3 g6 5. h3 Ne4 6. Nxe4 Bxe4 7. Ng5 Bf5 8. e4 Bc8 9. Be3 Bg7 10. Qd2 O-O 11. h4 c5 12. d5 Nd7 13. h5 {Unlike some of the other games in this report, White cares not to win slowly.} Nf6 14. hxg6 fxg6 15. Bd3 a6 16. O-O-O b5 17. e5 $1 dxe5 18. Nxh7 $1 Nxh7 19. Bxg6 Bf5 20. Bxf5 Rxf5 21. Qc2 Qd7 22. g4 Rf6 23. Qxh7+ {It's hard to fathom how White didn't win from here. Black's counterplay is far too slow. We just need a finishing touch on the kingside.} Kf7 24. Qh5+ $2 {Seems innocuous enough, but now already things are tough.} (24. Qe4 {is the computer's suggestion but more "human" would be the straightforward...}) (24. g5 Rg6 25. Rh6 Qf5 26. d6 { and White either brings the last piece in the attack or gets the pawn to d7.}) 24... Rg6 25. g5 Qf5 26. Qe2 Rb8 27. Rh4 Rxg5 $1 28. cxb5 (28. Bxg5 Qxg5+ 29. Kb1 Qxh4) 28... Rxb5 29. Rc4 Rg2 {the initiative has completely turned} 30. Qc2 e4 31. b3 Bd4 32. Bxd4 cxd4 33. Rcxd4 Rxf2 34. R1d2 Rxd2 35. Rxd2 Qf4 36. Kb2 Qe5+ (36... Rc5 $1 37. Qxc5 Qxd2+ 38. Qc2 Qxd5 {was the way to even play for a win}) 37. Kb1 e3 38. Qh7+ Qg7 39. Qxg7+ Kxg7 40. Re2 Rxd5 41. Rxe3 Kf6 42. Kc2 e5 43. Rd3 Ke6 1/2-1/2 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.10"] [Round "?"] [White "Jobava, Baadur"] [Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2665"] [BlackElo "2709"] [PlyCount "41"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 1. d4 {(00:00)} Nf6 {(00:00)} 2. Nc3 {(00:00)} d5 {(00:00)} 3. Bf4 {(00:00)} c5 {(00:39)} 4. e3 {(00:00)} cxd4 {(00:40)} 5. exd4 {(00:00)} a6 {(00:12)} 6. Bd3 {(00:04)} Nc6 {(00:28)} 7. Nge2 {(00:04)} e6 {(00:58)} 8. Qd2 {(05:00)} b5 { (04:02)} 9. O-O {(01:10)} Be7 {(02:00)} 10. a3 {(07:20)} Bd7 {(04:29)} 11. h3 { ( 00:08)} O-O {(01:13)} 12. Rfe1 {(04:53)} Na5 {(09:56)} 13. Rad1 {(07:37)} Qb6 {(06:05)} 14. Ng3 {(06:29)} Rfc8 {(06:56)} 15. Nf5 {(18:47) At first sight this looks a bit risky. Consider the continuation:} exf5 {(03:08)} 16. Rxe7 { (00:03)} Be6 {(#) (00:08) The rook looks trapped doesn't it? The only way out would seem to be by giving up the exchange, and Ponomariov quite possibly spent time evaluating such a sacrifice, but Jobava has other ideas in mind.} 17. Bh6 $3 {(01:15) Absolutely stellar.} gxh6 {(27:39)} ({For example,} 17... Kf8 {fails to} 18. Bxg7+ Kxe7 19. Bxf6+ {and if Black takes the bishop...} Kxf6 20. Nxd5+ $1 Bxd5 21. Qh6+) ({and} 17... Kh8 18. Bxg7+ Kxg7 19. Qg5+ Kf8 20. Qxf6 {transposes to the game.}) 18. Qxh6 {(00:05)} Rxc3 {(00:08)} 19. Qg5+ { (01:15)} Kf8 {(00:28)} 20. Qxf6 {(00:04)} Rxd3 {(18:35)} 21. cxd3 {(01:04)} 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Women"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.10"] [Round "?"] [White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"] [Black "Krush, Irina"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2538"] [BlackElo "2444"] [PlyCount "134"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] {Today saw an epic victory for the undergunned US women's team against Russia, the incumbent champions. In this topsy-turvy match, Katerina Nemcova first put the US team in the lead only to see Valentina Gunina equalize by beating Nazi Paikidze. With Zatonskih and Pogonina ending in a draw, it all came down to the mighty first board clash on board one, where ex-world champion GM Alexandra Kosteniuk faced multiple US women's champion GM Irina Krush.} 1. e4 { (0s)} c5 {(0s)} 2. Nf3 {(0s)} e6 {(2s)} 3. d4 {(0s)} cxd4 {(6s)} 4. Nxd4 {(0s)} a6 {(16s) Krush plays the "Kan-Paulsen" system, whose disappearance from top-level competition might lead one to think it is considered "risky'. Nevertheless, in such a crucial match, only those who have the guts and eagerness to take such risks can hope for victory.} 5. Bd3 {(24s)} Nf6 {(35s)} 6. O-O {(88s)} Qc7 {(30s)} 7. Qe2 {(268s)} d6 {(28s)} 8. a4 {(93s)} (8. c4 { is the mainline.}) 8... b6 {(439s) otherwise a5 would have fixed Black's queenside.} 9. f4 {(249s) Already an uncommon way of handling this opening.} Nbd7 {(176s)} 10. b4 $5 $146 {(503s) An interesting novelty by Kosteniuk. The bishop will go to b2 while the c5 square is taken away from Black. A very creative idea by Kosteniuk.} d5 $2 {(1357s) Krush's reaction is very human but rather overly optimistic. She gives away more space when her king is still in the center.} (10... e5 11. Nf5 Bb7 {was probably a better choice and what Kosteniuk had probably prepared for.}) 11. e5 {(284s)} Ne4 {(18s) White cannot win a pawn on e4 because her pawn on b4 is en prise. Nevertheless, I assure you that White does not want that pawn at the cost of her light squared bishop which would give Black a lot of compensation along the a8-h1 diagonal and c and d files.} 12. Ba3 {( 564s)} a5 {(413s)} (12... Bb7 13. c4 {looks close to lost for Black. Irina Krush is in deep trouble.}) 13. Nb5 {(412s)} Qc6 {(193s)} 14. bxa5 {(191s)} Bc5+ {(1092s)} (14... Bxa3 15. N1xa3 O-O 16. c4 Ndc5 { Looks bad but playable for Black.}) 15. Bxc5 {(54s)} Ndxc5 $6 {(23s) Irina misses a nasty tactic.} 16. Na7 $1 {(607s) Kosteniuk has played superbly so far. The knight on a7 is 'untouchable'} Qc7 {(99s)} (16... Rxa7 $4 17. Bb5 { and the pin costs Black a queen.}) 17. axb6 {(77s)} Qxb6 {(30s)} 18. Nxc8 {(8s) } Rxc8 {(70 s)} 19. Bb5+ {(37s)} Nd7+ {(363s)} 20. Kh1 {(5s)} Qa7 {(19s)} 21. Bd3 {(481s)} Ndc5 {(541s)} (21... O-O 22. Bxe4 dxe4 23. Qxe4 Nb6 24. Nd2 Rfd8 25. Rfd1 Qa5 {surprisingly gives Black good chances to fight for a draw.}) 22. Qe3 {(138s)} Rc7 $6 {(51s) This again loses a tempo.} (22... Ra8 {was necessary and Black should hope to hold a middlgame a pawn down.}) 23. Na3 { (223s)} Qa5 {(395s)} 24. Nb5 {(218s)} Rc8 {(8s)} 25. Nd4 $6 {(132s) This lets go off some of White's advantage.} (25. Bxe4 Nxe4 26. Qa3 {followed by f5 looks very nasty.}) 25... O-O {(36s)} 26. Bb5 {(167s)} Ra8 {(81s)} 27. Rf3 $6 { (269s) An inappropriate square for the rook.} (27. Rfe1 {with the idea of c4 or f5 to undermine Black's strong centralized knights.}) 27... Qb4 {(261s)} 28. Bc6 {(597s)} Ra6 $6 {(145s)} (28... Rac8 29. f5 Qb8 {was probably better.}) 29. f5 {(27s)} Rc8 {(296s)} 30. Bb5 {(40s)} Raa8 {(15s)} 31. c3 $6 {(244s)} (31. Rd1 {is a strong prophylactic move which prevents Black's attempt to exchange queens.}) 31... Qb2 {(21s)} 32. Raf1 $6 {(24 s)} (32. Rd1 {This is still better.} Nxa4 $2 33. fxe6 fxe6 34. Bd7 {with a winning attack.}) 32... Qd2 { (55s)} 33. fxe6 {(62s)} fxe6 {(2s)} 34. Nc6 $6 {(217s)} Rc7 {(53s)} 35. Qd4 { (58s) Most of White's advantage has fizzled out.} h6 $1 {(20s) A necessary vent for Black's king when neither side has much to improve.} 36. Qb4 {(36s)} Qg5 {(51s) Ok, but a bit counter-intuitive.} (36... Rb7 {forces} 37. a5 { and now} Kh7 $1 {with a difficult position for... White!} 38. Nd4 {for instance runs into} Qa2) 37. g3 {(71s)} Qd2 {(31s)} 38. Nd4 {(32s)} Qg5 {(28s)} 39. Nc6 {(15s)} Qd2 {(16s)} 40. Nd4 {(0s)} Qg5 {(0s)} 41. Bc6 {(889s)} Rac8 { (221s)} 42. c4 {(123s)} Qd2 {(848s)} 43. Qxd2 $6 {(524s)} (43. Rf8+ {is a beautiful trick but it is in vain. Nevertheless, it was better than exchanging queens.} Kh7 (43... Rxf8 $4 44. Rxf8+ Kxf8 45. Qb8+ Ke7 46. Qe8#)) 43... Nxd2 { (9s)} 44. cxd5 {(1s)} Nxf3 {(69s)} 45. Rxf3 {(4s)} exd5 {(25s) Krush's stubborn play paid off. She is back in the game with full control. With all these open files in this position, Black's rooks would 'rule' the board and White's extra pawns for the exchange are 'weak' compensation. Nevertheless, White should be able to hold with accurate play.} 46. Bxd5+ {(30s)} Kh7 {(143s) } 47. Rf4 $2 {(398s) I do not understand this move. White needed some active play with e6.} (47. e6 $1 Nxa4 48. Re3 Nb6 49. Bc6 Nc4 50. Re1 Rxc6 51. Nxc6 Rxc6 52. e7 Nd6 53. e8=Q Nxe8 54. Rxe8 $11) 47... Rd7 {(284s)} 48. Bc4 {(2s)} g5 $1 {(64s) Now we have the proof of why Rf4 was wrong.} 49. e6 {(8s)} gxf4 { (294 s)} 50. exd7 {(1s)} Nxd7 {(11s)} 51. Bd3+ {(26s)} Kh8 {(24s)} 52. Bf5 { (68s)} Rc1+ {(45s)} 53. Kg2 {(3s)} Nc5 {(43s)} 54. gxf4 {(94s) White parts with her pawns, but she really does not have any choice.} (54. Ne2 f3+ $1 55. Kxf3 Rf1+ 56. Kg4 Rf2) 54... Nxa4 {(23s)} 55. Kg3 {(27s)} Nc5 {(38s)} 56. Ne6 { (88s)} Nd7 {( 121s)} 57. Nd4 {(61s)} Nf6 {(16s)} 58. Nf3 {(8s)} Rc3 {(26s) White's f4 pawn will collapse soon.} 59. h3 {(66s)} Kg7 {(47s)} 60. Bb1 {(9 s)} Rc4 {(65s)} 61. Ne5 {(31s)} Rb4 {(7s)} 62. Bg6 {(14s)} Nd5 {(26s)} 63. Bf5 { (68s)} Nxf4 {(56s) Now Black should be technically winning.} 64. Ng4 {(22s)} Ne2+ {(55s)} 65. Kh4 {(19s)} Nd4 {(38s)} 66. Be4 {(29s)} Ne6 {(10s)} 67. Bg2 { (44s)} h5 $1 {(14s) An elegant finish for a well-fought battle. Kosteniuk won the first half of the match but Krush won the second half and unfortunately for Kosteniuk, Irina Krush only made the 'penultimate' mistake in this game!} ( 67... h5 68. Kxh5 Nf4+) 0-1 [Event "Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.10"] [Round "8.1"] [White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"] [Black "Krush, Irina"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B42"] [WhiteElo "2538"] [BlackElo "2444"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "134"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Russia"] [BlackTeam "United States of America"] [WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. O-O Qc7 7. Qe2 d6 8. a4 b6 9. f4 Nbd7 10. b4 d5 {Provocative. The computer don't like it, but Krush said the whole idea is to counterattack i the center quickly.} 11. e5 Ne4 12. Ba3 (12. Bxe4 dxe4 13. Qxe4 Bb7 14. Qe2 Bxb4 {is clearly not what White wants.} ) 12... a5 $6 13. Nb5 Qc6 14. bxa5 Bc5+ 15. Bxc5 Ndxc5 16. Na7 Qc7 (16... Rxa7 17. Bb5) 17. axb6 Qxb6 18. Nxc8 Rxc8 19. Bb5+ Nd7+ 20. Kh1 Qa7 21. Bd3 Ndc5 22. Qe3 {Weirdly White has the pawn, castled king, and the bishop, but Black's position is not easy to crack. Krush's "accidental" sac wasn't the worst in the world.} Rc7 23. Na3 Qa5 24. Nb5 Rc8 25. Nd4 O-O 26. Bb5 Ra8 27. Rf3 Qb4 28. Bc6 Ra6 29. f5 Rc8 30. Bb5 Raa8 31. c3 Qb2 32. Raf1 Qd2 33. fxe6 fxe6 34. Nc6 Rc7 35. Qd4 h6 36. Qb4 Qg5 37. g3 Qd2 38. Nd4 Qg5 39. Nc6 Qd2 40. Nd4 Qg5 { Sorry Irina, the position has only occurred twice. This reporter saw the arbiter's checking of the claim, and it looked like Krush's confusion stemmed from the fact that this position was reached once with pawn on g2, but of course close is not good enough. As Krush said, not much is lost in trying! The players went back onstage to resume.} 41. Bc6 Rac8 42. c4 $5 {By this point it was becoming clear that the board one result would also be the match result, and Kosteniuk didn't want to end things quietly.} Qd2 $1 43. Qxd2 Nxd2 44. cxd5 Nxf3 45. Rxf3 exd5 46. Bxd5+ {with best play, White might hold, but that's not a great endorsement for this idea.} Kh7 47. Rf4 Rd7 48. Bc4 g5 49. e6 gxf4 50. exd7 Nxd7 51. Bd3+ Kh8 52. Bf5 Rc1+ 53. Kg2 Nc5 54. gxf4 Nxa4 55. Kg3 Nc5 56. Ne6 Nd7 57. Nd4 Nf6 58. Nf3 Rc3 {Without much effort, Krush got rid of the passers.} 59. h3 Kg7 60. Bb1 Rc4 61. Ne5 Rb4 62. Bg6 {to prevent Nh5+} Nd5 63. Bf5 (63. f5 {would deaden the bishop, and as Krush said, she wants to have the pawns come closer to her king}) 63... Nxf4 64. Ng4 Ne2+ 65. Kh4 Nd4 {One small element in play, as pointed out by Krush. Even if the knights are traded, which Black need not do, Krush thought the ending is winning since he own pawn is "far enough back." That's right, she doesn't want it advanced since in many positions Rook+side Pawn against Bishop is not even winning! This is well beyond the scope of this brief analysis.} 66. Be4 Ne6 { Krush was confident she would grind down White. How would she start? Well, she planned to make a bunch of rook moves to gain time on the clock...and use the bathroom!} 67. Bg2 $2 h5 {No time-wasting/gaining needed. If the pawn is captured, Nf4+ comes.} 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.10"] [Round "8.1"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A33"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2808"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "83"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Russia"] [BlackTeam "United States of America"] [WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"] 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 e6 6. a3 Bc5 7. Nb3 Bb6 8. c5 Bc7 9. g3 O-O 10. Bg2 b6 11. O-O Be5 12. a4 bxc5 13. Nxc5 d5 14. e4 Bd4 15. exd5 exd5 16. Nb3 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Bg4 18. f3 Be6 19. Nd4 Nxd4 20. Qxd4 Qa5 21. Be3 Rfc8 22. Qb4 Qd8 23. Bd4 Ne8 24. Qb2 Nd6 25. g4 Nc4 26. Qf2 Na5 27. f4 Nb3 28. f5 Bd7 29. Rad1 Nxd4 30. Rxd4 Qf6 31. Qg3 Qb6 32. f6 Be6 33. Qe3 Kh8 34. Kh1 (34. fxg7+ $5 Kg8 (34... Kxg7 {is too dangerous. A sample line:} 35. Qg5+ Kf8 36. Kh1 Rab8 37. Rxd5 $1 Bxd5 38. Bxd5 Rc7 39. Qe5 Rbc8 40. Qh8+ Ke7 41. Qxh7) 35. g5 Re8) 34... Rg8 35. c4 Rad8 36. a5 Qxa5 37. Qe5 Rde8 38. cxd5 Bd7 39. Qd6 (39. fxg7+ Rxg7 40. Qf6 Bb5) 39... Qd8 40. h3 Bb5 41. Qxd8 Rxd8 42. fxg7+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.10"] [Round "8.4"] [White "Robson, Ray"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C67"] [WhiteElo "2674"] [BlackElo "2754"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "92"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "United States of America"] [BlackTeam "Russia"] [BlackTeamCountry "RUS"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Bc7 13. Nf5 d5 14. Ne7+ Kh8 15. Nxc8 Rxc8 16. g3 Qf6 17. Bh3 Rd8 18. d4 Nd6 19. Bf4 Bb8 20. Be5 Qh6 21. Bg2 Nc4 22. Bxb8 Rxb8 23. b3 Nd6 24. Qd3 Qg6 25. Qd2 Rfe8 26. Re5 f6 27. Rxe8+ Rxe8 28. Qb4 f5 29. Re1 Rxe1+ 30. Qxe1 Qf6 31. Qe3 g5 32. f4 h6 33. a4 a5 34. Kf1 $6 (34. Qe5 {begs to be played. Now Black gets the upper hand.}) 34... Ne4 35. c4 Kg7 36. c5 gxf4 37. gxf4 Qh4 38. Bxe4 $2 {In timetrouble Robson miscalculates.} ({White had to play} 38. Bh3 Qh5 39. Kg2 Kf6 40. Qd3 {and, although it's quite passive, he might hold this.}) 38... fxe4 39. Qf2 $6 Qxf2+ 40. Kxf2 Kf6 {This pawn ending is just lost. After the time control Robson made a few more moves, but his body language showed that he knew it was hopeless.} 41. Kg3 Kf5 42. h3 h5 43. h4 e3 44. Kf3 e2 45. Kxe2 Kxf4 46. Kd3 Kg4 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.10"] [Round "8.3"] [White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2782"] [Annotator "Doe,John"] [PlyCount "100"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Russia"] [BlackTeam "United States of America"] [WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O (5... d6 {I remember playing this line in my childhood. Black is letting White to pin the kinght on purpose and then winning couple of temps and nice attacking chances on the kingside.} 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Bg3 h5 $1 {Trying to trap the bishop.} 9. Nxg5 h4 $1 10. Nxf7 hxg3 11. Nxd8 Bg4 12. Qd2 Nd4 13. Nc3 Nf3+ $3 14. gxf3 Bxf3 {and Black checkmates soon. Unfortunately we are not going to see this kind of variations at a high level but I remember winning many games like this.}) 6. a4 (6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 Be7 8. Bb3 d6 9. h3 Na5 10. Ba4 c5 11. Nc3 Be6 12. Nh2 { with equal chances, Torre,E-Timman, J ,Moscow ol(Men) 1994}) 6... d6 7. c3 a6 8. h3 Ba7 9. Re1 Ne7 {A typical plan for such positions. The knight is being transfered to g6-f4 and also it frees pawn c7 in order to play c6-d5.} 10. d4 Ng6 11. Bd3 {White decides to move the bishop back and therefore make Black's d5 move less effective but it seems to me a bit passive. Instead we can try} ( 11. Nbd2 c6 12. b4 Re8 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. Qc2 {with a slight advantage for White.}) 11... c6 12. Be3 Nh5 13. Nbd2 {The typical discovered attack idea does not work in this case:} (13. Nxe5 dxe5 14. Qxh5 exd4 15. cxd4 Bxd4 {and Black feels comfortable.}) 13... Nhf4 14. Bf1 exd4 15. Bxd4 (15. Nxd4 d5 16. N4f3 Bxe3 17. fxe3 Nh5 18. exd5 cxd5 {with an equal position.}) 15... Bxd4 16. cxd4 d5 17. e5 {A pretty responsible continuation. I think it would be better not to force things with} (17. Qb3 Rb8 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Ne4 Bf5 20. Bc4 {and the position is around equal here.}) 17... f6 $1 {Opening up the "f" file and with the knight on f4 Black gets attacking chances on the kingside.} 18. Ra3 {Another common place for the rook but it looks suspicious to me because White is just not in time to create something.} (18. exf6 Qxf6 19. Qb3 h6 20. Rac1 a5 21. Kh1 {Yes, indeed White has an isolated pawn weakness but it is not easy for Black to utilize it.}) 18... fxe5 19. dxe5 (19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. Rxe5 Qb6 21. Nf3 Qxb2 22. Rae3 {and it looks like White is getting nice compensation for the material. May be Ian should have tried for this idea in order to complicate the game more.}) 19... a5 {A nice move. It fixes the pawn on a4 from being advanced to a5 after which it could block the black pawn chain.} 20. Qc1 {In order to stop Black from advancing "c" pawn. It is a bit weird position for queen but c2 was not available anyway because of Bf5.} Qe7 { Keeping eyes on the c5 idea again.} 21. Rb3 {Another prophylactic move.} Bf5 ({ If} 21... c5 22. Rb5) 22. Nd4 Ne6 {I like how Black regroups his pieces. With a wonderfull position for the knight on e6 and the open "f" file he can count on an attack on the kingside.} 23. Nxf5 (23. Nxe6 Bxe6 24. g3 Rf7 {followed by Raf8 and nice prospects to attack.}) 23... Rxf5 24. Bd3 Rf4 {An important tempo.} 25. Bxg6 (25. g3 Rxa4 26. f4 Ngxf4 27. gxf4 Rxf4 {looks very scary with an open king.}) 25... hxg6 26. Qd1 {I think White should have played} (26. Rg3 Raf8 27. Nf3 Rxa4 28. Qc2 Rb4 29. Rxg6 Qc5 {where Black still has better chances though.}) 26... Raf8 (26... Rxa4 $2 27. Rxb7) 27. Rf3 Qb4 {Now material loss is unavoidable.} 28. Rxf4 (28. Rb3 Qxa4 29. Rxb7 Qd4 30. Nf3 Rxf3 31. Qxd4 Nxd4 32. gxf3 Nxf3+ 33. Kf1 Nxe1 34. Kxe1 Re8 {with big advantage for Black.}) 28... Rxf4 29. Nf3 (29. b3 Rd4 30. Re2 Nf4) 29... Qxa4 30. Qd3 Rf5 { Game over. White has no compensation at all and Black just needs to play accurately to win the game.} 31. Qb1 Qf4 32. Qc2 Kh7 33. Re3 Qc4 (33... Qb4 { would have been more accurate. For example:} 34. Qd1 a4 35. h4 Qg4 36. g3 Kh8) 34. Qd1 $2 {It was the last chance of White to try and survive in this game.} ( 34. Qxc4 dxc4 35. Ra3 b6 36. Ra1 Nc5 37. Rd1 Nd3 38. e6) 34... Rf4 35. Rc3 Qb4 36. Qc1 a4 37. h4 Kg8 {Better will be} (37... Nd4 38. Nxd4 Qxd4) 38. Qb1 Qe4 39. Qd1 Nd4 40. Re3 Nxf3+ 41. gxf3 Qf5 42. e6 {The pawn is not going to queen. It is just a last chance for White to stay alive for a couple of more moves.} Rxh4 43. Re4 {Of course Black is not going to take rook with the pawn.} Rxe4 ( 43... dxe4 $4 44. Qd8+ Kh7 45. Qxh4+) 44. fxe4 Qxe4 {There's nothing to comment anymore.} 45. Qd2 Qxe6 46. Qa5 Qg4+ 47. Kf1 b5 48. Qc7 g5 49. Qb8+ Kh7 50. Qd6 b4 {Wesley defeated the best player of the Olympiad so far. Nepomniachtchi had scored 7 points out of 7 games.} 0-1 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "chess24.com"] [Date "2016.09.10"] [Round "8.1"] [White "Jobava, Baadur"] [Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B13"] [WhiteElo "2665"] [BlackElo "2709"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "41"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Georgia"] [BlackTeam "Ukraine"] [WhiteTeamCountry "GEO"] [BlackTeamCountry "UKR"] [WhiteClock "0:45:12"] [BlackClock "0:12:16"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 cxd4 5. exd4 a6 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. Nge2 e6 { A new setup.} ({So far everyone went} 7... Bg4) 8. Qd2 b5 9. O-O Be7 10. a3 Bd7 11. h3 O-O 12. Rfe1 Na5 13. Rad1 Qb6 14. Ng3 Rfc8 {A bit of a sloppy move. Allowing Nf5 wasn't necessary.} 15. Nf5 exf5 16. Rxe7 Be6 {Maybe Ponomariov was hoping to catch the rook?} 17. Bh6 $3 gxh6 $6 ({Relatively better was} 17... Nh5 18. Qg5 Nc6 19. Rxe6 fxe6 {but after} 20. Be2 {White still has good winning chances.}) 18. Qxh6 {White is winning in all variations.} Rxc3 (18... Bd7 19. Rde1 Qxd4 20. Nxb5 $1 axb5 21. c3 Qb6 22. R1e3) 19. Qg5+ Kf8 20. Qxf6 Rxd3 (20... Rc7 21. Bxf5) 21. cxd3 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.10"] [Round "8.2"] [White "Kryvoruchko, Yuriy"] [Black "Mchedlishvili, Mikheil"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C41"] [WhiteElo "2693"] [BlackElo "2609"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "63"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Ukraine"] [BlackTeam "Georgia"] [WhiteTeamCountry "UKR"] [BlackTeamCountry "GEO"] 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. a4 O-O 7. O-O a5 8. Re1 b6 9. Bg5 Bb7 10. Qd2 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Rad1 Re8 13. Nd5 Be7 14. Qc3 c6 15. Ne3 exd4 (15... d5 $1 {wasn't too difficult:} 16. exd5 Bb4 17. Qb3 cxd5 18. Nxd5 Bxe1 19. Rxe1 Rc8) 16. Qxd4 Bf8 17. Nf5 c5 18. Qd3 Ne5 $2 (18... Nf6) 19. Nxe5 Rxe5 20. f4 Re8 21. e5 {White is crushing through.} dxe5 (21... d5 22. Bxd5 Qxd5 23. Qxd5 Bxd5 24. Rxd5 {wouldn't save the game.}) 22. Nxh6+ gxh6 23. Qg6+ $1 ({Stronger than} 23. Qg3+) 23... Kh8 24. Bxf7 Bg7 25. Rxd8 Rexd8 26. f5 Rd2 27. Qxb6 Rxg2+ 28. Kf1 Bf3 29. Bh5 e4 30. Bxf3 exf3 31. Qc6 Rf8 32. Re8 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.11"] [Round "?"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "Radjabov, Teimour"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2808"] [BlackElo "2722"] [PlyCount "67"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] {The match between the host, Azerbaijani team, and Russia was a do-or-die one. The winner will take a big step toward the podium while the loser is left with mere chances of clinching any medal. In this 'close encounter' the Russians managed to hold their nerves better and win the match 3-1. Kramnik's quick victory in this game made a great contribution to the team's morale and the final result.} 1. e4 {(00:00)} e5 {(00:30) It will remain a mystery what Kramnik would have done against Radjabov's Sveshnikov.} 2. Nf3 {(00:00)} Nc6 { (00:02)} 3. Bc4 {(00:00) Kramnik plays the Italian against 1...e5 exclusively these days.} Bc5 {(01:45)} 4. O-O $5 {( 00:20) Is Kramnik going for the Max Lange attack? Ahh, who is Max Lange? You can google or read Edward Winter's great article for ChessBase. Search fror Max Lange in the site's Search.} Nf6 { (00:38)} 5. d3 {(00:06) No! Kramnik declines the invitation and does not play d4 to enter the Max Lange.} d6 {(02:31)} 6. c3 {(00:13)} a6 {(00:02) The position has transposed into what is unofficially known as the 'Giuoco Pianissimo'. This is when White does not opt for an early d4 in the game.} 7. Re1 {(01:21)} (7. a4 Ba7 8. Na3 Ne7 9. Nc2 Ng6 10. Be3 O-O 11. Bxa7 Rxa7 12. Ne3 Ng4 13. Qd2 a5 14. d4 Ra8 15. dxe5 N4xe5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. Bb3 Nd7 18. Bc2 Re8 19. f3 b6 20. Rfd1 Nc5 21. b4 Nd7 22. Bb3 Nf6 23. Qd4 Qe7 24. Nd5 Nxd5 25. Bxd5 Ra7 26. b5 Bb7 27. c4 Qe5 28. Rac1 Qxd4+ 29. Rxd4 Kf8 30. Kf2 Ke7 31. f4 f6 32. Rc3 Kd7 33. Rh3 h6 34. Rg3 Re7 35. Rg6 Bxd5 36. cxd5 Ra8 37. Kf3 Rae8 38. Kg4 Rxe4 39. Rxg7+ Kc8 40. Rd2 Kb8 41. Rc2 Rc8 42. Ra2 Rd4 43. Kf5 Rxd5+ 44. Kxf6 Rf8+ 45. Rf7 Rxf7+ 46. Kxf7 Rf5+ 47. Kg6 Rxf4 48. g3 Rc4 49. Kxh6 d5 50. Kh5 d4 51. g4 d3 52. h4 Rd4 53. Rd2 Kc8 54. g5 Kd7 55. Kg6 Rxh4 56. Rxd3+ Ke8 57. Ra3 Rc4 58. Kg7 Kd7 59. g6 c6 60. Kf6 cxb5 61. g7 Rg4 62. axb5 Rg1 63. Rd3+ Ke8 64. Re3+ Kd7 65. Re5 Rxg7 66. Rd5+ {1-0 (66) Anand,V (2762)-Aronian,L (2786) Moscow 2016}) 7... Ba7 {(05:34)} 8. a4 $5 {(00:34) This move became popular thanks to Anand's two victories at the Candidates against Aronian} O-O {(01:42)} 9. h3 {(00:44)} Ne7 {(06:35)} 10. Nbd2 {(00:31)} Ng6 {(01:34)} 11. d4 $1 {( 00:25) Any other move would be a waste of time. Furthermore, White now has the choice of placing his bishop on f1 to counter Black's possible activity on the kingside.} (11. Nf1 c6 12. Bb3 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Be6 16. Bc2 Qf6 17. Ng3 Bxd4 18. cxd4 Ngf4 19. Ra3 Qd8 20. Ne4 Bf5 21. Rf3 Bxe4 22. Bxe4 Ng6 23. g3 Qd7 24. h4 Rfe8 25. h5 Nf8 26. h6 g6 27. a5 Re6 28. Bc2 Rxe1+ 29. Qxe1 Re8 30. Qd1 Qg4 31. Kg2 Ne6 32. Be3 Rd8 33. Qd2 Nxe3+ 34. Qxe3 Ng5 35. Rf6 Qh3+ 36. Kg1 Qxh6 37. f4 Ne6 38. Rxe6 fxe6 39. Qxe6+ Kf8 40. Qf6+ Ke8 41. Qe6+ Kf8 42. Qf6+ Ke8 {1/2-1/2 (42) Caruana,F (2795)-So,W (2773) Saint Louis 2016}) (11. Bb3 Re8 12. d4 h6 13. Bc2 c6 14. Nf1 d5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 dxe4 18. Qxd8 Rxd8 19. Ng3 Bb8 20. Be3 Bxe5 21. Nxe4 Bc7 22. a5 Bf5 23. Nc5 Rab8 24. g4 Bc2 25. Rac1 Bg6 26. b4 Bd6 27. Na4 f6 28. Ba7 Ra8 29. Bc5 Be5 30. Nb6 Rab8 31. Nc4 Bf4 32. Be3 Bxe3 33. Rxe3 b5 34. axb6 Bf7 {1/2-1/2 (34) Anand,V (2770)-Aronian,L (2792) Saint Louis 2016}) 11... h6 { (04:56)} 12. Bf1 $146 {(07:09) This is a novelty in a calm position.} Re8 { (02:31)} 13. a5 {(07:48) A typical and natural reaction after an early a4. White gains some space on the queenside.} Bd7 {(10:08)} 14. b4 {(11:12)} Bc6 $6 {( 19:15) A known provocative move with the intention of opening up the a7-f2 diagonal for the bishop. However, it seems that Radjabov overestimated his play after d5 in this particular position.} (14... d5 $1 15. exd5 $6 (15. dxe5 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Rxe4 Bc6 18. Re1 Qxd1 19. Rxd1 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Nxe5 21. Kg2 (21. Be2 Ng4 $1) (21. Bg2 Ng6 22. f4 c6 {Diagram (#)}) 21... Ng6 22. Kg3 Ne7 23. f4 Nf5+ 24. Kf3 Nh4+ 25. Kg3 (25. Kg4 $2 Bxf2) 25... Nf5+ $11) 15... e4 16. Nh2 Nxd5 17. Qb3 (17. Nxe4 $2 Rxe4 {wins for Black}) 17... Bf5 18. Nc4 c6 { And Black will reroute his bishop via b8.}) 15. d5 {(07:09)} Bd7 {(00:22)} 16. c4 {(03:24)} Nf4 {(02:14) Black has active pieces but White has a lot of space to manouver his pieces and pushes his pawns.} 17. c5 $5 {(15:08)} g5 $2 { (10:16) Too optimistic to be true!} (17... dxc5 18. bxc5 Bxc5 19. Rb1 (19. Bb2 Ng6 20. Nc4 Bb4 21. Re3 Bc5 22. Re1 Bb4 {Looks like a draw.}) 19... b5 (19... Bb5 20. Qc2 Ba7 21. Bxb5 axb5 22. Rxb5 Qc8 23. Nf1 $14) 20. axb6 cxb6 21. Nc4 Ng6 {and White has enough compensation but not more than that.}) 18. Nc4 { (02:18)} Qe7 {(01:30)} 19. Be3 {(05:37)} Bb5 {(03:43) Radjabov tries to get rid of the knight.} (19... Nxe4 20. cxd6 Nxd6 21. Bxf4 gxf4 22. Ncxe5 {Is Kramnik's intention.}) 20. Rc1 {(03:19)} Nxe4 {(18:43) It is hard to suggest anything better. Maybe Radjabov had to play Qf8 and stay tight and hope for the best.} 21. cxd6 {(05:09)} Nxd6 {(00:04)} 22. Bxf4 {(02:35)} gxf4 {(00:56)} 23. Ncxe5 {(02:38)} Bxf1 {(02:59)} 24. Kxf1 {(00:10)} Nb5 {( 01:38) It is easy to blame Radjabov for this move but it is impossible for a human to handle a position with so many weaknesses. This game was decided when Radjabov made the strategic mistake of g5. The kingside's weaknesses are overwhelmingly difficult to defend.} 25. Qd2 {(01:32)} Qf6 {(00:48)} 26. Re4 {(02:15) f4 falls, so does Black's position.} Qg7 {(01:31)} 27. Rxf4 {(00:39)} Rxe5 { (00:04)} 28. Rg4 {(00:14)} Rh5 {(00:41)} 29. Rxg7+ {(01:47)} Kxg7 {( 00:02)} 30. g4 {(00:11) Kramnik craves some more material.} Rxh3 {(00:16)} 31. Kg2 { (00:07)} Rxf3 {(00:04)} 32. Kxf3 {(00:03)} Rd8 {(00:05)} 33. g5 {(01:52) And now checkmating Black's king!} Rd6 {(01:44)} 34. gxh6+ {(02:14) A rather easy game for Kramnik. Radjabov underestimated White's pawn avalanche on the queenside and his own pseudo-attack on the kingside. Once things went the way Kramnik hoped, he never gave any chance to Radjabov for a comeback.} 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.11"] [Round "?"] [White "Lorparizangeneh, Shahin"] [Black "McShane, Luke J"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2478"] [BlackElo "2671"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "6k1/prn2qpn/b1p2p2/2Pp1P2/3P1B2/2N3QB/P6P/4R1K1 b - - 0 34"] [PlyCount "12"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] 34... Nb5 {(00:26)} 35. Bf1 {(00:50) Things have already gone bad here but Black misses the next shot.} Nc7 $2 {(00:51)} 36. Bxc7 {(01:41)} Bxf1 {(#) ( 00:08)} 37. Bd6 $1 {(00:06)} Ba6 {(00:32)} 38. Qg6 $1 {(00:10)} Nf8 {(00:53)} ( 38... Qxg6+ 39. fxg6 Nf8 40. Re8) 39. Re8 $1 {(00:22)} Re7 {(00:26)} 40. Bxe7 $1 {(00:00)} 1-0 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.11"] [Round "9.1"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B01"] [WhiteElo "2808"] [BlackElo "2857"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "56"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "United States"] [BlackTeam "Norway"] [WhiteTeamCountry "USA"] [BlackTeamCountry "NOR"] [WhiteClock "0:19:39"] [BlackClock "0:33:54"] 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 {Carlsen admitted to Chess.com that it was "partly a joke" to go ?for the Scandinavian again, just like two years ago when he beat Caruana with it!} (3... Qd8 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 c6 8. Ne2 e6 9. g4 Qd5 10. Bg2 Nbd7 11. Qg3 Qc4 12. Qb3 Qxb3 13. axb3 Bd6 14. c4 a6 {Caruana,F (2801)-Carlsen,M (2877) Tromso NOR 2014}) ({There was another game against the same opponent with the same opening:} 3... Qa5 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. d4 c6 6. Bc4 Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 e6 {which was a blitz game that eventually ended in a draw, Caruana,F (2805)-Carlsen,M (2876) Stavanger NOR 2015.}) 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 c6 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nc4 Qc7 8. a4 ({More popular are} 8. Qf3 {and}) (8. g3) 8... Nd5 $5 {A new idea.} 9. Bd3 g6 10. Qf3 N7f6 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. O-O Bg7 13. c3 O-O 14. Qg3 Qxg3 15. hxg3 Rd8 {Carlsen's idea worked well; he has fully equalized.} 16. Be2 Be6 17. a5 c5 18. dxc5 Bxc3 19. a6 bxa6 20. Na5 Bxa5 21. Rxa5 Nb4 22. Bf4 Nc6 23. Ra3 a5 24. Bb5 Nd4 25. Ba6 Bc8 26. Bc4 Be6 27. Ba6 Bc8 28. Bc4 Be6 1/2-1/2 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.11"] [Round "9.4"] [White "Urkedal, Frode"] [Black "Shankland, Samuel L"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B94"] [WhiteElo "2537"] [BlackElo "2679"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "62"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Norway"] [BlackTeam "United States"] [WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"] [BlackTeamCountry "USA"] [WhiteClock "0:07:15"] [BlackClock "0:50:41"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. Qe2 h6 8. Bh4 g6 9. O-O-O ({In his repertoire book for Quality Chess, Parimarjan Negi recommends} 9. f4 e5 10. fxe5 dxe5 11. O-O-O) 9... e5 10. Nb3 Be7 11. Kb1 b5 12. a3 Qc7 13. f3 Kf8 14. Bf2 Kg7 15. h4 Nb6 16. g3 $6 {"Way too slow." (Shankland)} Rb8 17. Bxb6 $6 (17. g4 $5) 17... Qxb6 18. Bh3 $6 a5 $1 {White lacks one piece to attack b5 so Black can immediately go forward.} 19. Bxc8 Rhxc8 20. Nd5 (20. g4 b4 (20... a4 21. g5 hxg5 22. hxg5 Nh5 23. Nc1 Nf4) 21. axb4 axb4 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. Rxd5 Rb7) 20... Nxd5 21. Rxd5 a4 $1 {This gives Black a winning attack.} 22. Nc1 b4 23. axb4 Qxb4 24. Nd3 Qc3 25. Kc1 Qc4 26. Rh2 a3 27. bxa3 Qa2 28. Kd1 Rb1+ 29. Nc1 Qxa3 30. Qd2 Qxf3+ 31. Re2 Qxg3 0-1 [Event "Baku Chess Olympiad | Open"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.11"] [Round "9.2"] [White "Hammer, Jon Ludvig"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E60"] [WhiteElo "2651"] [BlackElo "2789"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "63"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Norway"] [BlackTeam "United States"] [WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"] [BlackTeamCountry "USA"] [WhiteClock "0:18:02"] [BlackClock "0:23:54"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O c5 7. dxc5 dxc5 8. Ne5 Qc7 9. Nd3 Be6 (9... Nbd7 10. Nc3 a6 11. Bf4 e5 12. Bd2 Re8 13. Rc1 h5 14. b4 Rb8 15. Qa4 b6 {Najdorf,M-Cantero,R Montevideo 1954}) 10. Bf4 (10. Qa4 Nbd7 11. Nf4 Bf5 12. Nc3 Nb6 13. Qb3 e5 14. Nfd5 Nbxd5 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. Bxd5 Rab8 { Troianescu,O-Guensberger Timisoara 1958}) 10... Qc8 11. Nd2 (11. Qa4 $5 Bh3 12. Nc3) 11... Bh3 {Nakamura said that Hammer "probably mixed up the variations." If White wants to play like this, he shouldn't allow the trade of light-squared bishops.} 12. Nf3 Bxg2 13. Kxg2 b6 14. Re1 Qb7 15. Qc1 Rd8 16. Bh6 Bh8 {From this point "he was too ambitious," said Nakamura. "He should have just played something stupid and make a draw but that's not easy when you're White in a team match."} 17. Nde5 Ne4 18. Qf4 f6 19. Rad1 Nd6 20. Ng4 Nc6 21. Kg1 Nf7 22. h3 f5 23. Ngh2 e5 24. Qc1 e4 25. Nh4 Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Nd4 27. Re1 Qa6 28. Be3 Qxa2 29. g4 Bf6 30. Ng2 Ne6 31. gxf5 gxf5 32. Nf1 ({Not awaiting} 32. Nf1 Qxb2 {Hammer resigned.}) 0-1 [Event "Baku AZE"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.11"] [Round "9.3"] [White "Smirnov, Anton"] [Black "Ismagambetov, Anuar"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D15"] [WhiteElo "2482"] [BlackElo "2542"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "63"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Australia"] [BlackTeam "Kazakhstan"] [WhiteTeamCountry "AUS"] [BlackTeamCountry "KAZ"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. Qc2 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. b3 cxb3 8. axb3 e6 9. Bd3 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. e5 Nd5 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Bxh7 Rc8 14. Qb1 Bb4 15. Be3 Qe7 16. Bd3 f6 17. Ra2 fxe5 18. Bg6+ Kf8 19. dxe5 d4 20. Bg5 Qc5 21. Be4 Nxe5 22. Nh4 (22. Nxd4 $1) 22... Bxe4 (22... Bd5 $1) 23. Qxe4 Kg8 24. Re2 Nf7 25. Qxe6 Qc6 26. Qg4 Nxg5 27. Qxg5 Qf6 28. Qd5+ Kh7 29. Re5 g6 30. Qxd4 $6 (30. Nxg6 $1) 30... Bc3 $2 31. Qd7+ Kh6 32. Nf5+ $1 (32. Nf5+ $1 Kg5 (32... gxf5 33. Re6) 33. f4+ Kh5 34. Qd1#) 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.11"] [Round "9.3"] [White "Flores, Diego"] [Black "Torre, Eugenio"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D18"] [WhiteElo "2595"] [BlackElo "2447"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "84"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Argentina"] [BlackTeam "Philippines"] [WhiteTeamCountry "ARG"] [BlackTeamCountry "PHI"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. O-O O-O 9. Nh4 Bg4 10. f3 Bh5 11. g4 Nd5 12. Ng2 Bg6 13. Na2 Be7 14. e4 Nb6 15. Bb3 a5 16. Be3 c5 $5 (16... N8d7 17. Nc3 Bb4 18. h4 h6 19. Qe2 Bh7 20. Rad1 Re8 21. g5 hxg5 22. hxg5 Nf8 23. Qf2 Ra6 {Sokolov,I (2643)-Devereaux,M (2385) Reykjavik ISL 2011}) 17. dxc5 N6d7 18. Rc1 Na6 19. c6 bxc6 20. Rxc6 Nac5 21. Nc3 Nxb3 22. Qxb3 Ne5 23. Rb6 Qc8 24. Qb5 $6 (24. Ne2) 24... f6 $1 {Bringing the g6-bishop into the game.} 25. Nf4 Be8 26. Qb3 Bf7 27. Qb5 $6 {Maybe hoping for a repetition? But this is not a good square for the queen.} Rd8 (27... g5 $5) 28. Rb7 $6 (28. g5) 28... Bb4 {With only a few moves, Black gained the upper hand.} 29. Rc1 Nxf3+ 30. Kg2 Nd4 31. Bxd4 e5 32. Rxf7 $2 {Panic.} ({ The computer plays the remarkable} 32. Kf3 {which is actually not so bad for White.}) 32... Kxf7 33. Nce2 Qxg4+ 34. Kf2 exf4 {This is over.} 35. Qb7+ Kg8 36. Bxf6 gxf6 37. Rc7 Rac8 ({There's nothing wrong with this move, but Black had a mate in five with} 37... Qh4+ 38. Kg2 f3+) 38. Rxh7 Bc5+ 39. Ke1 Bb4+ 40. Kf2 Qg6 41. Rd7 Qg5 42. e5 Qh4+ 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.11"] [Round "9.4"] [White "Sethuraman, S.P."] [Black "Korobov, Anton"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B69"] [WhiteElo "2640"] [BlackElo "2675"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "122"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "India"] [BlackTeam "Ukraine"] [WhiteTeamCountry "IND"] [BlackTeamCountry "UKR"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7 9. f4 Be7 10. Nf3 b5 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Kb1 Qb6 13. g3 Na5 $5 ({ Usually Black goes} 13... O-O-O {here.}) 14. f5 (14. Re1 Rc8 15. f5 b4 16. Nd1 Nc4 17. Bxc4 Rxc4 18. b3 Rc7 19. Ne3 Qc5 {Scholl,E (2385)-Timman,J (2540) Leeuwarden 1974}) 14... b4 15. fxe6 fxe6 16. Ne2 Nc4 17. Qd4 (17. Qh6 $5) 17... Qxd4 18. Rxd4 Ne5 19. Bg2 a5 20. Re1 Rc8 21. Rdd1 Kf7 22. Nf4 Ng6 23. Nxg6 hxg6 24. e5 d5 25. exf6 Bxf6 26. h4 Rh5 27. Bh3 Rc4 28. Re3 d4 29. Re2 Rhc5 30. Ne1 Re5 31. Rf2 Rf5 $5 32. Re2 ({Maybe} 32. Bxf5 gxf5 {wasn't so bad because of} 33. g4 $1) 32... Bc6 33. g4 Re5 34. Rf2 Ke7 35. g5 Bh8 36. Nd3 Re3 37. Bf1 (37. Nf4 $5) 37... Be4 38. Nf4 Rc8 39. Bd3 Rg8 40. Ng2 $6 {From this point on, White loses the thread.} (40. Bxe4 Rxe4 41. Rdf1 Kd6 42. Nd3 Rxh4 43. Rf7 e5 44. Ra7) 40... Rf3 41. Re2 Bd5 42. Be4 Bxe4 43. Rxe4 Kd6 44. Ne1 Rf1 45. c3 bxc3 46. bxc3 Rb8+ 47. Kc2 Rf2+ 48. Kd3 Rxa2 49. Nc2 dxc3 50. Rde1 Rd8 51. R1e2 Kc5+ 52. Ke3 Rd6 53. Rh2 Bg7 54. h5 gxh5 55. Reh4 Rd5 56. Rxh5 Kc4 57. Rh7 Rxg5 58. Ke4 Kb3 59. Rxg7 Rxg7 60. Nd4+ Ka3 61. Nb5+ Kb4 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.11"] [Round "9.1"] [White "Rapport, Richard"] [Black "Jobava, Baadur"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C30"] [WhiteElo "2752"] [BlackElo "2666"] [Annotator "Babaev R"] [PlyCount "116"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Hungary"] [BlackTeam "Georgia"] [WhiteTeamCountry "HUN"] [BlackTeamCountry "GEO"] 1. e4 d6 2. Nc3 e5 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3 {Other possible moves are} (4. Bc4 Qh4+ 5. Kf1 Be6 6. Qe2 Nc6 7. Nf3 Qh5 8. Nd5 O-O-O 9. Nxf4 Bxc4 10. Qxc4 Qg4 11. Qxf7 Nh6 {Sutovsky,E-Nisipeanu,L 2004}) (4. d4 Qh4+ 5. Ke2 g5 6. Nf3 Qh6 7. Nd5 Kd8 8. h4 g4 9. Ng5 Qg6 {Macieja,B-Vescovi,G 2004. In both lines, the games are very complicated and full of tactics.}) 4... Ne7 {Typical Jobava, thanks to his unusual, creative way of playing positions, the game has left theory already.} (4... g5 {seems more logical to me.} 5. h4 g4 6. Ng5 h6) 5. d4 Ng6 { Black's idea is to protect the pawn without weakening his kingside with the ... g5 move.} 6. Bd3 {It would be very interesting to try to get the pawn back by} (6. Nd5 Be7 7. Nxf4 Nxf4 8. Bxf4 O-O 9. Qd2 {with possible queenside castling and an attack on the kingside. This looks more attractive to me than what happened in the game.}) 6... Be7 7. O-O Nd7 {I prefer more logical and simple moves in the beginning of the game.} (7... O-O 8. Nd5 c5 9. Nxf4 Nxf4 10. Bxf4 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Nc6 12. c3 Ne5 {with a slight advantage for White, but eventually Black can equalize the game if he chooses accurate moves.}) 8. Nd5 Ndf8 {Not a surprise anymore. When you look at Jobava's games, this kind of move is almost expected. Jobava has a very rich fantasy.} (8... O-O 9. c3 b6 10. Nxf4 c5 11. Qe2 Bb7 12. Nxg6 hxg6 13. Bf4 {is better for White.}) 9. Qe1 { An interesting idea, to support the march of h-pawn to h5, but to me, the simple} (9. Nxf4 Nxf4 10. Bxf4 Ng6 11. Bg3 O-O 12. c3 b6 13. Qe2 {would be better.}) 9... Ne6 10. Nxe7 Qxe7 11. h4 O-O {It makes sense to delay castling and stop the h-pawn by} (11... h5 12. e5 d5) 12. h5 Nh8 13. e5 d5 14. c4 { Why not play} (14. g3 fxg3 15. c3 c5 16. Qxg3 f5 17. Nh4 {with nice attacking chances.}) 14... dxc4 15. Bxc4 Rd8 16. Bxe6 Qxe6 17. Qh4 Rd5 $1 {I think that Black can be satisfied with the position he got from the opening.} 18. Bxf4 Qg4 {The position is equal.} 19. Rac1 Qxh4 20. Nxh4 c6 (20... Rxd4 {deserves attention but it is difficult to let White bring the rook to the seventh rank.} 21. Rxc7 b6 22. a3 h6 23. Kh2 Bg4 24. Bg3 Bxh5 25. Nf5 Re4 {should still be equal.}) 21. Be3 Rb5 22. b3 h6 23. Rc3 {White is still thinking about an attack on the kingside and a possible way of transfering the rook there through the third rank.} (23. Nf5 Bxf5 24. Rxf5 f6 25. Rc5 Rxc5 26. dxc5 Re8 27. Bf4 fxe5 28. Rxe5 Rxe5 29. Bxe5 Nf7 30. Bb8 a6 31. Bf4 {and probably Black can draw but not easily.}) 23... Ra5 24. a4 Rd5 {The idea behind provoking a4 was to have b3 as a target in the future.} 25. Nf5 {The knight has a nice square on d6, but the question is how we can get him there.} (25. Rf4 {would be an interesting idea to bring the knight via f3-d2-e4 to d6.} Bd7 26. Nf3 Rf8 27. Nd2 f6 28. exf6 Rxf6 29. Rxf6 gxf6 30. Bxh6 Rxh5 31. Rg3+ Kf7 32. Rg7+ Ke6 33. Ne4 Rxh6 34. Nc5+ Kf5 35. Rxd7 {with advantage for White.}) 25... Bxf5 26. Rxf5 Re8 27. g4 Re6 28. Kg2 a6 29. Kg3 g6 (29... f6 30. exf6 Rxf5 31. gxf5 Rxf6 32. Rc5 Nf7 33. Kf4 Nd6 34. Re5 Rf8 {still allows pressure for White, but there are big chances for a draw.}) 30. Rf3 {This one I do not like.} (30. hxg6 {looks much better.} Nxg6 31. Rc1 Nf8 32. Rcf1 Rd7 33. Kf3 Ng6 34. Ke4 { and White can torture Black for the rest of his life.}) 30... gxh5 31. gxh5 f6 32. Rxf6 Rxf6 33. exf6 Rxh5 34. Kg4 $2 {It was time to force the exchange of rooks and draw the game.} (34. Rc5 Rxc5 35. dxc5 Kf7 36. Bxh6 Kxf6) 34... Rd5 35. Bxh6 Rxd4+ 36. Kf3 (36. Kf5 Kf7 37. Bg7 Ng6 38. Rh3 {and White should hold this position.}) 36... Kf7 37. Be3 Rd6 38. Bg5 Rd5 39. Kg4 Kg6 40. Bh4 Nf7 { The knight that was sitting on h8 on move 12 is coming back to the game with power.} 41. Kf3 Rh5 42. Bg3 Kxf6 {As we know, a knight is a stronger piece than a bishop if the game is limited to one side of the board, especially when there are outposts such as d5.} 43. Re3 Rd5 44. Ke2 Ne5 45. Re4 Nd3 46. Re3 { It's not even easy to suggest what to play for White.} Nc1+ 47. Kf3 Kf5 $1 48. Bb8 Rd4 {Going for the b3-pawn.} 49. Rc3 Rd3+ 50. Rxd3 Nxd3 51. Ke3 Nc5 52. Kd4 Nxb3+ 53. Kc4 Nc1 54. a5 $6 {This might be the losing move.} (54. Kd4) 54... Ke4 55. Kc5 Kd3 56. Be5 (56. Kb6 Kc4 57. Kxb7 Kb5 {and Black is winning.}) 56... Nb3+ 57. Kb4 Nd2 58. Kc5 Ne4+ {The endgame was played well by Jobava. White at some point lost the thread of the position and was forced to play passively Eventually he succumbed to the pressure.} 0-1 [Event "Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.11"] [Round "9.1"] [White "Shvayger, Yuliya"] [Black "Socko, Monika"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B38"] [WhiteElo "2408"] [BlackElo "2437"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "42"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Israel"] [BlackTeam "Poland"] [WhiteTeamCountry "ISR"] [BlackTeamCountry "POL"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Be2 d6 9. f3 Bd7 10. Qd2 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Bc6 12. O-O a5 13. b3 Nd7 14. Be3 Nc5 15. Rab1 e6 16. Rfd1 Be5 {It is fairly obvious that Black has dangerous intentions, so the simple 17.g3 is a required antidote, with 17.Bf4 being reasonable too.} 17. Bf1 $2 {Not only ignoring the attack, but also taking away a square for the king.} Qh4 18. h3 (18. g3 Qf6 {and White is weakened but not mated.}) 18... Qg3 19. Bd3 f5 $1 {Opening the f-file will make Qh2 game, set, and match.} 20. exf5 (20. Rf1 fxe4 21. Nxe4 Nxe4 22. Bxe4 Bxe4 23. fxe4 Qh2#) 20... Nxd3 21. Qxd3 Bxf3 {White resigned rather than guard the pawn on the second rank and face ...Qh2+ and ...Qh1+.} 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.12"] [Round "10.2"] [White "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Black "Mchedlishvili, Mikheil"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D78"] [WhiteElo "2789"] [BlackElo "2609"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "78"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "United States of America"] [BlackTeam "Georgia"] [BlackTeamCountry "GEO"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. O-O a5 8. b3 Bf5 9. Bb2 Ne4 10. Nh4 Nxd2 11. Qxd2 Be6 12. e4 dxc4 13. d5 Bxb2 14. Qxb2 cxd5 15. Rfd1 $2 (15. exd5 Bxd5 16. Rad1 c3 17. Qxc3 e6 {is equal.}) 15... d4 16. bxc4 (16. Rxd4 Qb6) 16... Nc6 17. Qxb7 Qc8 (17... Bd7 18. Qb3 e5) 18. Qb5 Rb8 19. Qc5 Rb7 20. Nf3 Rd8 21. Nd2 d3 22. Rab1 Rc7 23. Rb6 Nd4 24. Qxa5 Bxc4 25. Nf3 Ne2+ 26. Kh1 Be6 27. Ne1 Rc1 28. Rxc1 Qxc1 29. Rc6 d2 30. Qxd8+ Kg7 31. Rxc1 dxc1=Q 32. Qa5 Nc3 33. Bf3 Qxe1+ 34. Kg2 h5 35. Qb4 Bxa2 36. Qxe7 Bc4 37. Qe5+ Kh7 38. Kh3 Qxf2 39. Qxc3 Bf1+ 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.12"] [Round "?"] [White "Volokitin, Andrei"] [Black "Babula, Vlastimil"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2647"] [BlackElo "2540"] [PlyCount "117"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] {Ukraine has had a great performance so far without Ivanchuk. Andrei Volokitin's score of 7.5/8 on board 4 (he is actually the team's alternate) has been their greatest asset for their great showing so far. In this match, he once more shows how valuable he has been to his team so far.} 1. e4 {(00:00) } c5 {(00:00)} 2. Nf3 {(00:00)} e6 {( 00:00)} 3. d4 {(00:00)} cxd4 {(00:00)} 4. Nxd4 {(00:00)} Nc6 {(00:15)} 5. Nc3 {(00:07)} d6 {(00:21) GM Babula transposes the game from Taimanov to Scheveningen. The setback here is that White has the alternative of castling on the queenside.} 6. Be3 {(06:00)} Nf6 {(02:01)} 7. Qd2 {(00:39)} Be7 {(00:58)} 8. f3 {(02:25)} O-O {(00:51)} 9. O-O-O {(00:05)} a6 {(00:59)} 10. g4 {(01:04)} Nd7 {(00:55) This is one of the oldest lines in the English attack.} 11. h4 {( 01:21)} Nxd4 {(00:48)} 12. Bxd4 {(01:45)} b5 { (00:52)} 13. g5 {(02:09)} Qc7 {(05:36)} 14. Kb1 {(37:15) players are following the most popular continuation.} b4 {( 04:57)} (14... Bb7 15. g6 b4 {leads to a complicated and probably well-probed position.} (15... hxg6 16. h5 {is almost equvalent to checkmate.})) 15. Na4 {(03:15)} Bb7 {(01:05) Now Bc6 is a threat.} 16. Qxb4 {(00:47) This is not new to Babula, and he played all this last year against well-prepared Dutch GM Robin Van Kampen.} (16. b3 {is another possibility. Volokitin himself was a victim of this move from black's side against Bologan.} d5 17. g6 fxg6 18. Bh3 e5 19. Bxd7 Qxd7 20. Bc5 d4 21. Nb6 Qc7 22. Bxe7 Qxb6 23. Bxf8 Rxf8 24. Qg5 Qe6 25. Rhf1 h6 26. Qd2 a5 27. f4 Bxe4 28. Qe2 Qc6 29. Rde1 Bf5 30. fxe5 Rc8 31. Rf2 Qc3 32. Rxf5 gxf5 33. e6 Re8 34. e7 Kh8 35. Qe5 d3 36. Qxc3 bxc3 37. cxd3 Kg8 38. Re5 g6 39. h5 Kf7 40. d4 Kf6 41. hxg6 f4 42. g7 Kxg7 43. d5 Kf6 44. d6 f3 45. d7 f2 46. dxe8=Q f1=Q+ 47. Kc2 Qf2+ 48. Kxc3 Qg3+ 49. Kd2 Qf2+ 50. Kd3 Qf3+ 51. Re3 Qd5+ 52. Kc2 Qc5+ 53. Kb1 Qf5+ 54. Kb2 Qf2+ 55. Ka3 Qxe3 56. Qf8+ Kg5 57. e8=Q {1-0 (57) Bologan,V (2663) -Volokitin,A (2572) Istanbul 2003}) 16... Bc6 {(04:54)} 17. Nc3 {(01:13)} Rfc8 {(05:01) Babula deviates first! He probably found something fishy in his game against Van Kampen and he was not interested in discovering what Volokitin has prepared for him in that line!} (17... Rfb8 18. Qc4 Ne5 19. Qe2 Bb5 20. Nxb5 axb5 21. c3 Nc4 22. b3 e5 23. Bg1 Qa5 24. Rd3 b4 25. Rd5 Na3+ 26. Ka1 Qc7 27. c4 Nb5 28. Rxb5 Rxb5 29. a4 d5 30. Kb1 dxc4 31. Qxc4 Qd8 32. Qxb5 Qd1+ 33. Kb2 Qd2+ 34. Kb1 Qd1+ 35. Kb2 Qd2+ 36. Kb1 Rc8 37. Bc4 Qd1+ 38. Kb2 Qd2+ 39. Kb1 Qd1+ 40. Kb2 Qd2+ 41. Kb1 {1/2-1/2 (41) Van Kampen,R (2626)-Babula,V (2545) Jerusalem 2015}) 18. Qc4 {(12:36)} Rab8 {(01:36)} 19. b3 {(11:07)} Ne5 {(17:24) } 20. Qe2 {(00:43) Black has sacrificed a pawn but now he has both b and c file open against White's king. White's attack is still not dangerous and for the moment it is Black who has the initiative.} Ba8 {(00:37)} 21. Qg2 $6 { (11:50) too optimisitc. This leaves White's queenside a bit vulnerable.} Qa5 { (17:29)} 22. Rh3 {(03:24)} Ng6 {(10:17)} (22... Rxc3 $4 {does not work due to.} 23. Bxc3 Qxc3 24. f4) (22... Nc6 23. Qd2 e5 24. Be3 Nb4 {would have given Black a strong attack and initiative. Please consider that d5 is a strong breakthrough too!} 25. g6 (25. Be2 $4 d5 $1 26. exd5 Bxd5 $19) 25... hxg6 26. h5 g5 {And Black's attack is more dangerous.}) 23. h5 $6 {( 03:06) Another risky move! Now White is in serious danger.} Nf4 {(00:43)} 24. Qd2 {(00:04)} Nxh3 $2 {(02:51)} (24... Bxg5 $1 25. Rg3 h6 {Looks very bad for White!}) 25. Nd5 $1 {(00:18) I guess Babula missed this.} Qxd2 {(02:18)} 26. Nxe7+ {(00:03)} Kf8 {(00:06)} 27. Rxd2 {(00:05)} Kxe7 {(03:27)} 28. Bxh3 {(00:10)} Rb5 $6 { (03:29) wrong plan, Black had to open up the kingside.} (28... Rg8 $5 29. Bf1 a5 30. Bd3 h6 $1) 29. Rg2 {(00:24)} g6 {(01:45)} 30. h6 {(01:25)} Bc6 {(05:49)} 31. c4 {(00:29) two inactive move and now White dominates the game and dark squares. Black's rook have a hard time finding an open file and the position is extremely unpleasant for Black.} Rb7 {(02:36)} 32. Rd2 {(00:08)} Rd7 { (00:57)} 33. Bf6+ {(00:49)} Ke8 {(00:04)} 34. Kb2 {(00:20) Engines give 0.6 for White but in my opinion the game is stratigically over.} Rb8 {(00:32)} 35. Bc3 {(01:37)} Ke7 {(00:49)} 36. Bf6+ {(00:29)} Ke8 {(00:02)} 37. Kc3 {(00:14)} a5 {(00:41)} 38. Bf1 {(00:12)} Kf8 {(02:13)} 39. Bh3 {(00:50)} Ke8 {(00:22)} 40. Bf1 {(00:00)} Kf8 {(00:00)} 41. Rd4 {(10:21)} Ke8 {(09:49)} 42. Bh3 { (03:21)} Kf8 {(05:13)} 43. Bg4 {(00:58) Volokitin is in no rush. He takes his time to psychologically break Babula by proving that he is the only one with a plan to improve his pieces.} Kg8 {(05:29)} 44. f4 {(03:08)} Re8 {(00:16)} 45. a3 {(01:47)} Kf8 {(02:13)} 46. b4 {(00:30)} axb4+ {(00:06)} 47. axb4 {(00:02) Finally an open file for Black's rook, the problem is that it is too late to utilize it to Black's benefit.} Rc8 {(00:45)} 48. Kb3 {(02:39)} Ke8 {(07:09)} 49. b5 {(01:14)} Bb7 {(00:32)} 50. Kb4 {(05:22)} Rdc7 {(02:54)} 51. Be2 { (00:05)} d5 $2 {(01:29) desparation but what else?} 52. exd5 {(01:53)} exd5 { (00:05)} 53. cxd5 {(00:22)} Rc1 {(03:58)} 54. d6 {(00:44)} Rb1+ {(00:39)} 55. Ka5 {(00:15)} Ra8+ {(00:39)} 56. Kb6 {(00:04)} Bc8 {(00:09)} 57. Bf3 {(00:53)} Ra6+ {(00:35)} 58. Kc7 {(00:31)} Rxb5 {(00:17)} 59. Re4+ {(00:37) and mate follows in few moves. Babula started well and due to Volokitin's risky move got the upper hand. Had he not missed Bxg5 he might even have obtained a winning position. After falling for the Nd5 tactic, Volokitin played accurately and Babula remained passive. Once can conclude that Volokitin won because he better adjusted himself to the changes that happened to the characteristics of the resulting position after Nd5.} 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.12"] [Round "10.4"] [White "Shankland, Samuel L"] [Black "Sanikidze, Tornike"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E49"] [WhiteElo "2679"] [BlackElo "2497"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "77"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "United States of America"] [BlackTeam "Georgia"] [BlackTeamCountry "GEO"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 Nf6 6. e3 c5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bd3 O-O 9. Ne2 b6 10. O-O Ba6 11. f3 Bxd3 12. Qxd3 Re8 13. Ng3 Nc6 14. Bb2 c4 15. Qe2 h5 16. Qf2 $1 {"A very strong move." (Shankland)} (16. e4 h4 17. Nf5 dxe4 18. fxe4 Rxe4 19. Qf3 Re6 20. Ne3 Rc8 21. Rad1 Ne7 {Hammer,J (2689) -Sanikidze,T (2537) Drancy FRA 2016}) 16... Qd7 ({The point behind 16.Qf2 is that now} 16... h4 $2 17. Nf5 Ne7 18. Nxh4 g5 {fails to} 19. Qg3 {(Shankland)}) 17. Rae1 Ne7 (17... h4 18. Nh1 h3 19. Ng3 {Shankland}) 18. e4 h4 19. Nh1 Ng6 20. e5 Nh5 21. Bc1 Nhf4 22. Bxf4 Nxf4 23. Qxh4 Nd3 24. Re3 Re6 25. f4 Rh6 26. Qg3 Qa4 27. Nf2 Nxf2 28. Qxf2 Qxa3 29. f5 a5 30. Rg3 Kh8 31. Qf4 Qf8 32. f6 gxf6 33. exf6 Re8 34. Qf5 Rh7 35. Rh3 Qg8 36. Rff3 Re1+ 37. Kf2 Re2+ 38. Kxe2 Qxg2+ 39. Ke1 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.12"] [Round "10.3"] [White "Pantsulaia, Levan"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A09"] [WhiteElo "2601"] [BlackElo "2782"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Georgia"] [BlackTeam "United States of America"] [WhiteTeamCountry "GEO"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. c4 dxc4 4. Na3 Bg7 5. Nxc4 Nc6 6. d3 e5 7. Bd2 Be6 8. Rc1 Nge7 9. Bg2 a5 10. O-O O-O 11. b3 (11. Qa4 b6 12. Bc3 f6 13. a3 {?-? Grischuk, A (2746)-Feller,S (2666) Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2011}) 11... h6 (11... Qd7 12. Bc3 f6 13. Qc2 b5 14. Ncd2 a4 15. Ne4 axb3 16. axb3 Bf7 17. Bd2 Ra3 18. Nc5 Qd6 19. Nb7 Qd7 {was one of the games Petrosian,T (2611)-Carlsen,M (2851) from the Chess.com GM Blitz Battle 2016.}) 12. Bc3 f6 13. Qd2 $6 {Allowing ... a4 so easily is not a good idea.} (13. Nfd2 $5) 13... a4 14. Bb2 $2 {And this just blunders a pawn.} (14. e4 $5) 14... axb3 15. axb3 b5 16. Ne3 Na5 {There you have it.} 17. Qb4 Nxb3 18. Ng5 {Trying to confuse matters, but So doesn't err.} hxg5 19. Bxa8 c5 (19... Qxa8 $2 20. Qxe7) 20. Rxc5 Qxa8 21. Rxb5 Nc6 {Black is just winning here.} 22. Qd6 Nbd4 23. Bxd4 Nxd4 24. Rb2 Rd8 25. Qb6 f5 26. Rfb1 f4 27. Nc4 e4 28. e3 fxe3 29. fxe3 exd3 30. exd4 Bxc4 31. Qxg6 Qd5 32. Rf2 Qxd4 33. Rbb2 Qe5 34. Rbd2 Rd6 35. Qf5 Qe1+ 36. Rf1 Qxd2 37. Qc8+ Kh7 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.12"] [Round "10.1"] [White "Navara, David"] [Black "Eljanov, Pavel"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2742"] [BlackElo "2739"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "70"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Czech Republic"] [BlackTeam "Ukraine"] [WhiteTeamCountry "CZE"] [BlackTeamCountry "UKR"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. Bg5 a6 8. Bc4 h6 9. Bh4 d6 10. a4 g5 11. Bg3 Ba7 12. Nbd2 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. Re1 Qd7 15. b4 Nd8 16. d4 (16. Bb3) 16... exd4 17. Qc2 Bg6 (17... dxc3 $5 18. Qxc3) 18. cxd4 Nc6 19. Qc3 Nxe4 20. Nxe4 Rxe4 21. b5 Ne7 22. Rxe4 Bxe4 23. Re1 Bg6 24. Nh2 { From this point on, Navara completely loses the thread.} (24. bxa6 bxa6 25. a5 {is unclear.}) 24... Nf5 25. Ng4 Kg7 26. Re4 Rf8 27. d5+ f6 28. Re6 {The last few moves were all directed to the a1-h8 diagonal. It's as if Navara had forgotten about...} Bd4 $1 {Black is clearly better now.} 29. Qe1 Rf7 30. Bd3 Nxg3 31. Bxg6 Kxg6 32. Qb1+ Kg7 33. Qd3 h5 34. Qxd4 {Allowing a tactic.} Qxe6 $1 35. dxe6 Ne2+ 0-1 [Event "Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.12"] [Round "10.1"] [White "Socko, Monika"] [Black "Hou, Yifan"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E16"] [WhiteElo "2437"] [BlackElo "2658"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Poland"] [BlackTeam "China"] [WhiteTeamCountry "POL"] [BlackTeamCountry "CHN"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 a5 5. Bxb4 axb4 6. g3 b6 7. Bg2 Bb7 8. O-O O-O 9. Nbd2 c5 {Black has already equalized. White has the first permanent weakness on a2 and doesn't even control the e4-square yet.} 10. Re1 d6 11. e4 Nc6 12. d5 exd5 13. cxd5 Ne7 {Now we're in some Benoni structure without Black's usual dark-squared bishop but with immediately mobile queenside pawns.} 14. Nc4 Ng6 (14... b5 {Looks more logical and consistent, as long as you don't get bowled over by the center pawns, which you shouldn't:} 15. Nxd6 Qxd6 16. e5 Qb6 17. exf6 Qxf6 {and Black is not worse. It's arguable easier to play for the second side since d5 is so easy to gang up on.}) 15. a4 bxa3 16. Rxa3 b5 17. Rxa8 Bxa8 18. Na3 Re8 19. Nxb5 Rxe4 20. Rxe4 Nxe4 21. Qa4 $2 {Giving away the last vestiges of the center is not recommended.} Bxd5 22. Nh4 Nxh4 23. Bxe4 Qe8 {Perhaps the move White missed.} 24. gxh4 (24. Bxd5 Qe1#) 24... Bxe4 { The rest is easy: safer king, mobile pawn center, and extra material.} 25. Qa5 Qd7 26. h3 h6 27. Nc3 Bf3 28. Kh2 Qe7 29. Qa6 Qe5+ 30. Kg1 Qe6 31. Kh2 Qg6 32. Qf1 Qf6 33. Kg3 Bc6 34. Qe2 d5 35. Qg4 d4 36. Nb1 Qe5+ 37. Qf4 Qe1 38. Qf5 Qg1+ 39. Kf4 Qxf2+ 40. Ke5 f6+ 0-1 [Event "Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.12"] [Round "10.3"] [White "Szczepkowska-Horowska, Karina"] [Black "Zhao, Xue"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E12"] [WhiteElo "2409"] [BlackElo "2522"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "113"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Poland"] [BlackTeam "China"] [WhiteTeamCountry "POL"] [BlackTeamCountry "CHN"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. Nc3 c5 7. e4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bc5 9. Nf3 Nc6 10. b4 Nd4 11. Qd2 Nxf3+ 12. gxf3 Be7 13. Rg1 g6 14. Bb2 a5 15. b5 d6 16. Na4 e5 17. Qe3 Nd7 18. Bh3 Rb8 19. Bxd7+ Qxd7 20. Nxb6 Qc7 21. c5 dxc5 22. Nc4 f6 23. a4 Ra8 24. O-O-O Bc8 25. Qc3 Be6 26. Rd2 O-O 27. Rgd1 Rfb8 28. Ba3 Bf8 29. Kc2 Qf7 30. Ne3 Rc8 31. Nd5 Rab8 32. Qc4 Bh6 33. Re2 Rd8 34. Bc1 Bxd5 35. Rxd5 Rxd5 36. Qxd5 Qxd5 37. exd5 Bxc1 38. Kxc1 {China needed a hold here as Black. Is the position defensible?} Kf7 39. Kc2 Ke7 40. Kc3 c4 $1 {It's all about activity in rook endings, by not letting White blockade the pawn with Kc4, the defensive task is easier.} 41. Rb2 (41. Kxc4 Kd6 42. Rd2 Rc8+ 43. Kb3 Rc5 {Black should be able to draw by taking the pawn on d5, but Black doesn't even need to risk that since White can't make much progress anyway.}) 41... Kd6 42. b6 Kxd5 43. b7 Kc6 44. Kxc4 f5 45. Rb5 e4 46. f4 { At this point, GM Rashad Babaev came by, and his instincts told him White could win, but in fact, that is likely not right.} Rxb7 47. Rxb7 Kxb7 48. Kb5 Kc7 49. h4 Kd6 $1 50. Kxa5 {99 times out of 100 the extra passer can win by functioning as a decoy, but Black will never let White's king see the light of day. Black has *just* enough waiting moves to outlast White.} Kc5 51. Ka6 Kc6 52. a5 (52. a5 h6 53. Ka7 Kc7 54. a6 h5 55. Ka8 Kc8) 52... h6 53. Ka7 Kc7 54. Ka8 Kc8 55. Ka7 Kc7 56. Ka8 Kc8 57. Ka7 1/2-1/2 [Event "Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.12"] [Round "10.2"] [White "Javakhishvili, Lela"] [Black "Gunina, Valentina"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E12"] [WhiteElo "2486"] [BlackElo "2520"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "88"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Georgia"] [BlackTeam "Russia"] [WhiteTeamCountry "GEO"] [BlackTeamCountry "RUS"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Qc2 Nxc3 8. bxc3 c5 9. e4 Nd7 10. Bf4 Be7 11. d5 exd5 12. exd5 O-O 13. Rd1 g5 $1 {Clearly Black players didn't want to settle for solid chess in this match.} 14. Be3 f5 15. h4 g4 16. Ng5 Bd6 17. Bb5 (17. Ne6 Qf6 18. Nxf8 Rxf8 {Is not that easy for White. Black has the idea of ...f4, firm control of e5, a target on d5, and open e-file to pressure, etc.}) 17... Qe7 18. O-O f4 19. Bc1 Ne5 20. Rfe1 g3 21. fxg3 fxg3 22. Qe4 c4 23. Bf4 Bc5+ 24. Kh1 $2 (24. Be3 {Was necessary to keep the king on a secure square.}) 24... Nd3 $1 25. Qxe7 Bxe7 $2 (25... Nf2+ 26. Kg1 Nxd1+ 27. Qxc5 bxc5 28. Rxd1 Rxf4 {and White has compensation, but perhaps nothing more.}) 26. Rxe7 $2 (26. d6 {is the hard-to-find computer move that attempts to dislodge Black's best piece by virtue of Bxc4+} Bxg5 27. Bxc4+ Kg7 28. Bxg5 Nxe1 29. Rxe1 {and this time White has the small edge since the d-pawn is farther advanced and will win back the exchange quickly.}) 26... Rxf4 27. Rxb7 $2 (27. Kg1 {getting out of the fork was the last chance}) 27... Nf2+ 28. Kg1 Rxh4 29. Nh3 Nxd1 30. Re7 Nxc3 31. Bd7 Rf8 32. Re3 Ne4 33. d6 Kh8 34. Be6 Nxd6 35. Rxg3 Ne4 36. Re3 c3 37. Bb3 Rd8 38. Rf3 Rg4 39. Kh2 Kg7 40. Rf7+ Kh6 41. Re7 Rd2 42. Re6+ Kg7 43. Re7+ Kg6 44. Re6+ Kf5 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.13"] [Round "11.3"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Lesiege, Alexandre"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B13"] [WhiteElo "2782"] [BlackElo "2512"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "United States of America"] [BlackTeam "Canada"] [BlackTeamCountry "CAN"] 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. Bg5 Be6 8. Bxf6 exf6 9. h3 Bb4 10. c5 O-O 11. Rc1 b6 12. Bb5 Na5 13. a3 Bxc3+ 14. Rxc3 Nc4 15. b4 a5 $6 (15... a6 $1 16. Bxc4 (16. Ba4 Bd7) 16... dxc4 17. O-O b5 { and Black is fine.}) 16. O-O axb4 17. axb4 Qb8 18. Bxc4 dxc4 19. Nd2 bxc5 ( 19... b5 20. Ne4) 20. bxc5 Qb4 21. Qf3 Bd5 22. Qxd5 Qxc3 23. Ne4 Qd3 24. Nxf6+ Kh8 25. Nd7 Rfe8 26. Ne5 Qf5 27. Qxc4 Kg7 28. Qc3 $6 (28. Ng4) 28... Ra2 29. Nd3 $2 Qf6 $6 (29... Ree2 $1 30. d5+ f6 31. c6 Red2 {was strong. Black is close to winning after} 32. c7 Rac2 33. c8=Q Qxc8 34. Qa3 Qc7) 30. Nb4 Rae2 31. Nd5 Qg5 32. Nc7 R8e3 33. Qc1 h6 34. d5 Qe5 $2 ({It's not clear at all after} 34... Rd3 $1 {when the computer give 0.00 for different lines.}) 35. fxe3 Qg3 36. Qa1+ ({It's Black, not White, who gets checkmated after} 36. Qa1+ Kg8 37. Qa8+ Kg7 38. Ne8+) 1-0 [Event "42nd Olympiad Open 2016"] [Site "Baku AZE"] [Date "2016.09.13"] [Round "11.4"] [White "Sebenik, Matej"] [Black "Volokitin, Andrei"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E15"] [WhiteElo "2526"] [BlackElo "2647"] [Annotator "mycomputer"] [PlyCount "84"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Slovenia"] [BlackTeam "Ukraine"] [WhiteTeamCountry "SLO"] [BlackTeamCountry "UKR"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qc2 b6 9. Bf4 Nbd7 10. Rd1 Ba6 11. b3 Rc8 12. Nc3 Qe8 13. e4 dxc4 14. h3 Bb4 15. Ne2 (15. Re1 h6 16. bxc4 Bxc4 17. a3 Be7 18. Nd2 Ba6 19. Qa4 Bd3 20. Re3 Bb5 21. Nxb5 cxb5 22. Qxa7 g5 23. Bc7 Ra8 {Beliavsky,A (2630)-Izoria,Z (2602) Minneapolis USA 2005}) 15... cxb3 16. axb3 Bxe2 17. Qxe2 a5 18. g4 Qe7 19. Rac1 Rfe8 20. g5 Nh5 21. Be3 g6 22. Ne5 $6 Nxe5 23. dxe5 Qc7 24. f4 Red8 25. Bf3 c5 26. Bxh5 gxh5 27. Kf2 (27. Qxh5 Qc6 28. Qf3 Rxd1+ 29. Rxd1 c4) 27... Qc6 28. Rxd8+ Rxd8 29. Rd1 Rc8 30. Qa6 Ra8 31. Qd3 b5 32. f5 c4 33. bxc4 Qxc4 34. Qxc4 bxc4 35. Rc1 c3 36. Bd4 a4 37. Bxc3 Bxc3 38. Rxc3 a3 39. Rc1 a2 40. Ra1 Ra3 41. h4 Kf8 42. Ke2 Rh3 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Women 2016"] [Site "Tromso NOR"] [Date "2016.09.13"] [Round "11.2"] [White "Gunina, Valentina"] [Black "Ju, Wenjun"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E11"] [WhiteElo "2520"] [BlackElo "2583"] [Annotator "Babaev R"] [PlyCount "110"] [EventDate "2016.09.02"] [WhiteTeam "Russia"] [BlackTeam "China"] [WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"] [BlackTeamCountry "CHN"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 { This is the most common continuation. Less popular is} (7... b6 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Nc3 Bb7 10. Rc1 c5 11. Bf4 Na6 12. dxc5 bxc5 13. Ne5 Nc7 14. Nc4 Rb8 { Timoscenko,G (2510)-Psakhis,L (2500)/Frunze 1981/URS-ch}) 8. Qc2 b6 9. b3 a5 { This development scheme chosen by Eljanov,P against Postny,E in 2009 gave Black quite promising prospects.} 10. Bf4 (10. Rd1 Nbd7 11. Bf4 Ba6 12. Nc3 Rc8 13. e4 dxc4 14. Qe2 Bb4 15. Rac1 b5 {with a very complicated but equal position.}) 10... Nbd7 11. Nc3 Ba6 12. Nd2 {White is trying to prepare e4 and play it at the appropriate moment but I think} (12. e4 {would be in spirit of position.} dxc4 13. Rfd1 cxb3 14. axb3) 12... Nh5 $1 {Taking advantage of White's play and forcing the bishop to retreat back to e3 which blocks the e2 pawn from going to e4.} 13. Be3 Rc8 14. Rfd1 {A pretty useful place for the rook but maybe position requares more concrete actions such as} (14. Bf3 { driving the knight from the h5 square.} Nhf6 15. a3 Re8 16. Rfc1 {but honestly speaking I still like Black's position with their harmoniously developed game.} ) 14... Nhf6 (14... b5 {deserves attention.} 15. Bf3 Nhf6 16. a3 bxc4 17. bxc4 dxc4 18. Na4 c3 19. Nxc3 Nd5) 15. h3 {In order to take care of the g4 square but at the same time pretty harmless for Black and now he can go for the b5 breakthrough which is dictated by the pawn formation.} b5 $1 16. a3 bxc4 17. bxc4 dxc4 18. Bg5 (18. Nce4 {would still be advantageous for Black after} Nd5 19. Nxc4 c5 20. dxc5 Nxc5 21. Bxc5 Bxc5 22. Nxc5 Rxc5) 18... c5 {Possibly this was a premature move. Instead Black could play} (18... h6 19. Bxf6 Nxf6 20. Nce4 Nxe4 21. Nxe4 Qc7 {and now White needs to spend some time in order to get the c4 pawn back.} 22. Nd2 Rfd8 23. Nxc4 Bf6 {with a strong initiative for Black.}) 19. dxc5 Bxc5 20. Nde4 Qc7 21. Bf4 e5 22. Bg5 (22. Nxc5 {looks better} Nxc5 23. Bg5 Ncd7 24. Rab1 Rb8 25. a4 Rxb1 26. Rxb1 h6 27. Be3 Rb8 28. Nb5 Bxb5 29. axb5 {with 2 strong bishops future is bright for White.}) 22... Nxe4 23. Bxe4 h6 24. Bxh6 $2 {A very interesting combination but unfortunately there's not enough coordination between the pieces in order to get decisive attaking chances.} (24. Nd5 Qa7 25. Be3 Bxe3 26. Nxe3 Nc5 27. Nf5 Qc7 {is still better for Black.}) 24... gxh6 25. Qd2 Kg7 {The first inaccurate move. Much better would be} (25... Nb6 26. Qxh6 f5) 26. Qxd7 Qxd7 27. Rxd7 Bd4 28. Rc1 Rfd8 29. Rd5 (29. Rxd8 Rxd8 30. Kg2 Bc5 31. a4 Ba3 32. Rc2 {White can count on getting opposite-colored bishop endgames and big chances to draw the game.}) 29... Rxd5 30. Bxd5 Rd8 {This does not change Black's plan.} (30... Rb8 31. a4 Bxc3 32. Rxc3 Rb4 33. Bc6 Rb3 {starting offensive plans for Black.}) 31. Bc6 Rb8 32. a4 Bxc3 33. Rxc3 Rb3 34. Rc2 Kf6 35. Kg2 Ke6 36. e4 {White's intention is to get at least the d5 square for his bishop is understandable.} (36. Rc1 Kd6 37. Be8 f6 38. f4 exf4 39. gxf4 Kc5 40. h4 Kd4 {looks pretty hopeless.}) 36... Ke7 $2 { This is beyond my understanding. Not sure why not to go for the obvious} (36... Kd6 37. Bd5 Kc5 38. Bxf7 Ra3 39. f4 c3) 37. Rd2 $2 (37. Bd5 Rb4 38. f4 exf4 39. gxf4 f6 40. e5 Rxa4 41. Kf2 Rb4 42. Ke3 a4 43. h4 {and Black needs to prove that the advantage will be enough to win.}) 37... Rd3 38. Rc2 Rb3 {Repeating moves to gain some time.} 39. Bd5 {On the second attempt White is choosing right move.} Rb4 40. Rd2 $2 {The decisive mistake.} (40. f4 {would still keep tension in the game.}) 40... Bc8 (40... Rxa4) 41. Bc6 c3 42. Rc2 Rb3 43. Kf3 Bxh3 44. Ke2 f6 45. Rc1 Kd6 46. Be8 Kc5 47. Bf7 Ra3 48. Be8 {Any other move is still losing the game. In the event of} (48. Kd3 Bd7 49. Rxc3+ Rxc3+ 50. Kxc3 Bxa4 51. Bg6 Bc6 {Black should be winning.}) 48... Be6 49. f4 Bc4+ 50. Kf3 c2+ 51. Kg4 Bd3 52. Bb5 Bxe4 53. fxe5 fxe5 54. Be2 Kd4 55. Bf1 Rb3 0-1 [Event "42nd Olympiad Baku 2016 Open"] [Site "Baku"] [Date "2016.09.13"] [Round "?"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Lesiege, Alexandre"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2782"] [BlackElo "2512"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "60"] {The USA team arrived at the last round of the 2016 Chess Olympiad as the leader, edging Ukraine thanks to their better tie-break. In this crucial final round, we watched a North American derby between the US and the surprisingly strong Canadian team. With Kovalyov and Hansen scoring in every other game, the Canadians reached 4th place after the penultimate round. Being ahead just by a whisker in tie-break, a victory in this match was direly needed by the US squad. With the team's "big three" guns culminating victories one after other, we just had to sit and wait for one of them to score. This time, it was Caruana and So who delivered the victory. So's victory came in a topsy-turvy game.} 1. c4 {(00:00) Wesley So is not trying to get into an opening debate and he opts for an "English".} c5 {(00:56)} 2. Nf3 {(00:00)} Nc6 {(01:52)} 3. Nc3 {(00:17)} g6 $6 {(03:00) There is nothing wrong with this move. However, Black usually does not combine it with Nc6 due to White's next move.} 4. e3 $1 {(00:10) Now the game enters a form of "Panov attack", in the Caro-Kann defense!} Nf6 {(00:07)} 5. d4 {(00:04)} cxd4 {(00:04)} 6. exd4 {(00:03)} d5 { (00:20)} 7. Bg5 {(00:13)} (7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Qb3 Nxc3 9. Bc4 Nd5 10. Bxd5 e6 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 12. O-O {is one of the most popular ways to play this opening. Wesley goes for more complications to keep the game more unbalanced and more difficult for his 'out of retirement' GM opponent.}) 7... Be6 {(00:36)} 8. Bxf6 {(00:49)} exf6 {(00:05)} 9. h3 $146 {(00:04) I could not believe my eyes but this move is a novelty according to the ChessBase Online database. White players had almost exclusively played c4-c5 in this position} (9. c5 Bg7 10. Bb5 O-O 11. O-O g5 12. Ne2 a6 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Ng3 a5 15. h3 Rb8 16. b3 Rb4 17. Ne1 Rb7 18. Nc2 Qc7 19. Qd2 Ra8 20. Nh5 Bf5 21. Ne3 Bg6 22. Ng3 Qf4 23. Ne2 Qe4 24. Nc3 Qh4 25. Rad1 f5 26. f4 gxf4 27. Nc2 Bh6 28. Qf2 Qg5 29. Rde1 Bh5 30. Kh1 Kh8 31. Ne2 f3 32. gxf3 f4 33. Kh2 Re7 34. Ng1 Bg6 35. h4 Qg3+ 36. Qxg3 fxg3+ {1/2-1/2 (36) Rakhmanov,A (2641)-Alekseev,E (2636) St Petersburg 2016}) 9... Bb4 {(05:40)} 10. c5 {(00:06)} O-O {(03:04)} (10... Qa5 11. Qd2 O-O 12. Be2 b6 {Looks very promising for Black.}) 11. Rc1 {( 05:05)} b6 $6 {(26:03) This is a bit risky.} (11... Qd7 12. Be2 Ba5 $5 13. O-O Bc7 {Looks interesting. }) 12. Bb5 {(08:52) White completes his development by winning a crucial tempo. } Na5 {(14:13)} 13. a3 {(03:05)} Bxc3+ {(00:17)} 14. Rxc3 {(00:02)} Nc4 { (07:42)} 15. b4 {(00:06)} a5 {(06:29)} (15... a6 16. Ba4 (16. Bxc4 dxc4 { and then Black plays b5-f5 and Bd5 and White has nothing there.}) 16... a5 { this looks more promising than the game.}) 16. O-O {( 00:08)} axb4 {(00:35)} 17. axb4 {(00:16) The position has already become too critical for Black.} Qb8 {(05:55)} (17... Ra2 18. Qc1 Qb8 {looks better because.} 19. Bxc4 dxc4 20. Nd2 Rd8 {and unlike in the game the pawn on d4 is hanging in this line.}) 18. Bxc4 {(18:30)} dxc4 {(00:10)} 19. Nd2 {(00:02)} bxc5 {(02:47)} 20. bxc5 {(00:02) White's knight is heading to d6 and Black has to do something about it.} Qb4 { (06:13)} 21. Qf3 {(03:05)} Bd5 {(08:22) A strong blockade but....} 22. Qxd5 $1 {(00:11) Wesley So has other things in mind.} Qxc3 {( 00:04)} 23. Ne4 {(00:01)} Qd3 {(00:22)} 24. Nxf6+ {(00:06)} Kh8 {(00:38)} 25. Nd7 {(00:07)} Rfe8 {(01:20) } 26. Ne5 {(01:01)} Qf5 $2 {(00:59) Up to this point Lesiege has been resilient and resourceful, but this move throws away everything. A series of miraculous moves would have saved him.} (26... Qe2 27. Nxf7+ Kg7 28. Ne5 Kh8 $3 {Only a machine would play like this!} 29. Rc1 (29. Qxc4 $4 Rxe5 $19) 29... Qd2 $1 30. Qxc4 Ra4 $1 31. Qf1 Qxd4 32. Nf3 Qf6 33. c6 Ra7 {And White has a good grip but he really cannot improve even though Black's weakened king offers potential 'time pressure' blunders in a game like this with such a high outcome at stake.}) 27. Qxc4 {(00:03) White's two passers are just way too strong .} Kg7 {(00:31)} 28. Qc3 {(03:55)} Ra2 {(02:05)} 29. Nd3 $4 {(00:07) Did he just let the other rook to the second rank?!} Qf6 $4 {(00:51) Lesiege returns the favor in time pressure.} (29... Ree2 30. d5+ f6 $1 {a move that is hard to see but forced.} 31. c6 Red2 $1 32. c7 Rac2 $1 {and Black is winning!!} ) 30. Nb4 {(00:46)} Rae2 {(00:55)} 31. Nd5 {(00:22)} Qg5 {(00:21)} 32. Nc7 { (00:33)} R8e3 $6 {(00:31) Lesiege gets emotional} (32... Rb8 {would have maintained equality.}) 33. Qc1 {(00:49)} h6 {(01:30)} 34. d5 {(00:57)} Qe5 $4 { (01:25) Lesiege blunders a rook after a long game. He probably missed the check on a1.} 35. fxe3 {(00:52)} Qg3 {(00:55)} 36. Qa1+ {(00:10) And it is Black who gets mated not white! And US team wins the Olympiad after four decades!} (36. Qa1+ Kg8 37. Qa8+ Kg7 38. Ne6+ $1 fxe6 39. Qf8+ Kh7 40. Rf7#) 1-0