Games
[Event "Pawn endgames"] [Site "?"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Pawn endgames"] [Black "Position 4"] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Critical squares"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "3k4/8/3p4/3P4/8/4K3/8/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "23"] {[%csl Rd4,Re4,Gf4][%cal Ge3e4,Ge3f4,Ge3d4,Gf4f5,Gf5e6][%mdl 4096][%evp 0,23, 1016,1016,29953,29960,29961,29964,29965,29966,29969,29970,29971,29972,29973, 29974,29975,29976,29977,29978,29979,29980,29981,29982,29983,29984]} {[%tqu "En","","","","e3f4","",10,"e3e4","is a blunder.",0]} 1. Kf4 $1 (1. Ke4 $2 { is a blunder.} Ke7 2. Kf5 Kf7 $11 {[%csl Re6,Rf6,Rg6][%cal Gf5g5,Gf5g4,Gf5f4, Gf5e4]}) (1. Kd4 $2 Kd7 (1... Kc7 2. Ke4 Kd7 3. Kf5 Ke7 4. Kg6 Kd7 5. Kf6 $18) 2. Kc4 (2. Ke4 Ke7 3. Kf5 Kf7 $11) 2... Kc7 3. Kb5 Kb7) 1... Ke7 {[%csl Re5, Rf5,Gg5][%cal Gf4g5,Gg5f6,Gf6e6]} {[%tqu "En","","","","f4g5","",10,"f4f5","", 0]} 2. Kg5 $1 (2. Kf5 $2 Kf7 $11 {Black is in opposition.}) 2... Kf7 3. Kf5 { [%cal Gf7e7,Gf7g7] Now Black has to move and loses control of critical squares. } (3. Kh6 Ke7 4. Kg6 Kd7 5. Kf6 Kc7 6. Ke7) 3... Ke7 (3... Kg7 4. Ke6 $18) { [%tqu "En","","","","f5g6","The black king is forced away and the d6-pawn will be captured.",10]} 4. Kg6 {[%cal Rg6f6,Rf6e6,Ge7e8,Ge7d8,Ge7f8,Ge7d7] The black king is forced away and the d6-pawn will be captured.} Ke8 (4... Kf8 5. Kf6 Ke8 6. Ke6 $18) (4... Kd8 5. Kf6 Kd7 6. Kf7 Kc7 7. Ke6 $18) (4... Kd7 5. Kf6 Kc7 6. Ke6 $18 (6. Ke7)) 5. Kf6 Kd7 6. Kf7 Kd8 7. Ke6 Kc7 8. Ke7 Kc8 { [%cal Ge7d6]} 9. Kxd6 Kd8 10. Ke6 Ke8 11. d6 Kd8 12. d7 1-0 [Event "Pawn endgames"] [Site "?"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Pawn endgames"] [Black "Position 5"] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Extra pawn"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "5k2/p4ppp/8/8/8/8/PP3PPP/6K1 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "29"] {[%mdl 4096][%evp 0,29,95,92,96,94,94,103,97,102,121,121,123,165,186,198,195, 240,270,417,587,731,880,1086,1156,1177,1156,1304,1339,1498,2058,2498] White has an extra pawn on the queenside. This is called a pawn majority on the queenside. In order to achieve a win he has to create a passed pawn.} {[%tqu "En","","","","g1f1","",10]} 1. Kf1 Ke7 2. Ke2 Kd6 {[%csl Gb4][%cal Ge2d3, Gd6c5]} {[%tqu "En","","","","b2b4","Rule: The pawn without an opposing pawn has to move first: 'Candidate first'.",10,"a2a4","",0]} 3. b4 $1 {[%csl Rc5] [%cal Rb4c5] Rule: The pawn without an opposing pawn has to move first: "Candidate first".} (3. a4 $2 a5) 3... Kd5 {[%cal Rd5c4]} 4. Kd3 {[%cal Gd3c4]} f5 5. f4 g6 6. g3 a6 7. a4 Kc6 {Sooner or later the king has to retreat.} { [%tqu "En","","","","d3d4","",10]} 8. Kd4 {[%cal Rd4e5]} Kd6 9. b5 axb5 10. axb5 Kc7 {[%tqu "En","","","","d4e5","White abandons his passed pawn as he infiltrates on the kingside and gains decisive material adavantage.",10]} 11. Ke5 {White abandons his passed pawn as he infiltrates on the kingside and gains decisive material adavantage.} (11. Kc5 $2 Kb7 {[%csl Gb5]}) 11... Kb6 12. Kf6 Kxb5 13. Kg7 Kc4 14. Kxh7 Kd4 15. Kxg6 {[%csl Gf5]} (15. Kxg6 Ke4 16. h4 {[%cal Gh4h5,Gh5h6,Gh6h7,Gh7h8]}) 1-0 [Event "I a Tilburg 53/181"] [Site "?"] [Date "1991.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Kasparov, Garry"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2770"] [BlackElo "2650"] [Annotator "Kasparov,Garry"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "r1b4r/1p2kppp/3Npn2/2q1p3/8/2N4P/PPP3P1/R2Q1R1K w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "23"] [EventDate "1991.??.??"] [SourceTitle "Best of CI Kasparov"] [Source "Chess Informant"] [SourceDate "2017.12.12"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.12.12"] [SourceQuality "2"] {[%tqu "En","","","","f1f6","",10] Diagram [#]} 1. Rxf6 $1 gxf6 (1... Kxf6 2. Nde4+ $18) 2. Nce4 Qd4 (2... Qc7 3. Qh5 {[%cal Rh5f7,Ga1d1]} Rf8 4. Qh6 $1 { [%cal Rh6f6]} f5 (4... Qxc2 5. Rc1 Qxb2 6. Rc7+ $18 {[%cal Rh6f8]}) 5. Nxf5+ $1 exf5 6. Qf6+ Ke8 7. Nd6+ Kd7 {[%tqu "En","","","","d6b5","",10]} 8. Nb5 $18) 3. Qh5 Rf8 {[%tqu "En","","","","a1d1","",10,"h5h4","",0]} 4. Rd1 $1 {[%cal Rd1d7] } (4. Qh4 $6 Kd7 $16) 4... Qe3 5. Qh4 {[%cal Rh4f6,Rh4e7]} Qf4 6. Qe1 Ra4 $8 7. Qc3 Rd4 8. Rxd4 Qf1+ 9. Kh2 exd4 {[%tqu "En","","","","c3c5","",10,"c3c7","",0] } 10. Qc5 $1 {[%cal Rc5f8]} (10. Qc7+ $2 Bd7 11. Qc5 Qf4+ $1 12. g3 Qe5 13. Nf5+ $1 {[%cal Rc5e7,Rf5e7]} Kd8 14. Qxf8+ Kc7 15. Nfd6 Qh5 $13) 10... Kd7 { [%tqu "En","","","","d6b5","",10]} 11. Nb5 $1 Qf4+ 12. g3 (12. g3 {Stockfish 271221: 1)} Rg8 ({Stockfish 271221: 2)} 12... Qxg3+ 13. Nxg3 Ke8 14. Qxc8+ Ke7 15. Qc7+ Ke8 16. Nd6# {[%eval 32760,244] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) ({Stockfish 271221: 3)} 12... Kd8 13. gxf4 Bd7 14. Qxf8+ Be8 15. Nxf6 d3 16. Qxe8# {[%eval 32760, 244] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) ({Stockfish 271221: 4)} 12... Ke8 13. gxf4 Bd7 14. Nxf6+ Kd8 15. Qxf8+ Be8 16. Qxe8# {[%eval 32760,244] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) ({Stockfish 271221: 5)} 12... Qf2+ 13. Nxf2 Ke8 14. Qxc8+ Ke7 15. Qc7+ Ke8 16. Nd6# { [%eval 32760,244] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) ({Stockfish 271221: 6)} 12... Qd2+ 13. Nxd2 Ke8 14. Qxc8+ Ke7 15. Qc7+ Ke8 16. Nd6# {[%eval 32760,244] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) ({ Stockfish 271221: 7)} 12... Rh8 13. gxf4 Kd8 14. Qc7+ Ke8 15. Nbd6+ Kf8 16. Qxf7# {[%eval 32760,244] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) ({Stockfish 271221: 8)} 12... Qe5 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. Qc7+ Ke8 15. Nd6# {[%eval 32762,244] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) ({ Stockfish 271221: 9)} 12... d3 13. gxf4 dxc2 14. Qc7+ Ke8 15. Nxf6# {[%eval 32762,244] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) 13. gxf4 Rg2+ 14. Kxg2 Kd8 15. Qc7+ Ke8 16. Nbd6+ Kf8 17. Qxf7# {[%eval 32758,245] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) 1-0 [Event "Moscow 5'"] [Site "Moscow"] [Date "1972.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Tal, Mihail"] [Black "Antoshin, Vladimir S"] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Angriff/Attack"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "r3r3/pp1q1kpp/2p2nb1/2np4/3N1Q2/BP3PP1/P1P3BP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 20"] [PlyCount "20"] [EventDate "1972.??.??"] [EventType "tourn (blitz)"] [EventRounds "32"] [EventCountry "RUS"] [SourceTitle "EXT 2001"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2000.11.22"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2000.11.22"] [SourceQuality "1"] 20... Ne6 {[%tqu "En","Attention! You've only got 60 seconds for this move, and for the rest only 20-30! Wie leiten Sie einen starken Angriff ein?","","", "e1e6","",10,"De","Achtung! Sie haben nur 60s f黵 diesen Zug und die weiteren nur 20-30! Wie leiten Sie einen starken Angriff ein?","","","e1e6","",10]} 21. Rxe6 Rxe6 {[%tqu "En","How do you continue?","","","g2h3","You have spotted the idea!",10,"De","Wie setzen Sie fort?","","","g2h3","Sie haben die Idee durchschaut!",10]} 22. Bh3 Rae8 {[%tqu "En","And now?","","","d4e6","",10,"De", "Und weiter?","","","d4e6","",10]} 23. Nxe6 Rxe6 {[%tqu "En","The continuation of the attack?","","","f4b4","The pin of the rook is not everything! (There were a couple of alternatives (Rc1 or c4), however, this move is clearly the best!)",10,"De","Die Fortsetzung des Angriffs?","","","f4b4","Die Fesselung des Turms ist nicht alles! (Es gab auch eine Reihe von Alternativen (Tc1 oder c4), aber dieser Zug ist eindeutig der Beste!)",10]} 24. Qb4 Bxc2 25. Bxe6+ Qxe6 {[%tqu "En","Now you have harvested the first gains from the exchange sacrifice at the beginning. But that's not the end of the game yet!","","", "a1e1","The last piece is activated!",10,"b4b7","Particularly in a blitz game, these materialistic moves are not bad at all!",9,"De","Nun haben Sie die ersten Zinsen aus dem Qualit鋞sopfer zu Beginn eingestrichen. Aber damit ist die Partie noch nicht zu Ende!","","","a1e1","Die letzte Figur wird aktiviert!",10,"b4b7","Gerade in einer Blitzpartie sind diese materialisitschen Z黦e nicht zu verachten!",9]} 26. Re1 Qc8 27. Re7+ Kg6 28. g4 b6 29. Qd2 Bb1 30. Qd1 1-0 [Event "Riga"] [Site "Riga"] [Date "2021.11.03"] [Round "7.1"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Najer, Evgeniy"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C43"] [WhiteElo "2770"] [BlackElo "2654"] [Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"] [PlyCount "117"] [EventDate "2021.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {The experienced Najer decided to tame the young tallent with a solid Petroff. What's more, the last time he had played this opening was in 2004, when Firouzja was a one year old...} 3. d4 Nxe4 4. dxe5 d5 5. Nbd2 {[%csl Gc2,Gc3]} (5. Bd3) (5. exd6) (5. Be3) (5. Be2) (5. Bb5+) (5. c4) 5... Nxd2 6. Bxd2 Be7 ({On the other hand, Najer is an expert of this line, but as White. Here is a game of his:} 6... h6 7. b4 c5 8. Bb5+ Nc6 9. O-O Be7 10. bxc5 Bxc5 11. Rb1 O-O 12. Re1 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. Bd3 {Najer,E (2648)-Andreikin,D (2726) Sochi 2020} b6 15. Bf5 Nd4 16. Bg4 Bxg4 17. hxg4 Ne6 18. Rb3 Rc8 19. Rd3 d4 20. Nh2 Be7 21. Nf3 Qd5 22. Nxd4 Nxd4 23. c3 Ne2+ 24. Qxe2 Qxa2 25. Rd7 Bc5 26. Be3 Qe6 27. Rxa7 Qxe5 28. Bxc5 Qxc5 29. Rb7 Qc6 30. Qf3 Qxf3 31. gxf3 Rxc3 32. Kg2 Rb3 33. Rd1 Rb4 34. Rd6 Rc8 35. Rdxb6 Rxb6 36. Rxb6 g6 37. Kg3 Rc3 38. Ra6 Kg7 39. Rb6 Rd3 40. Ra6 Rc3 41. Rb6 {1/2 (41) Najer,E (2648)-Andreikin,D (2726) Sochi 2020}) 7. c3 (7. Bd3 c5 8. c3 {[%csl Rd4] is the common move order.}) 7... c5 8. Bd3 Nc6 9. O-O Bg4 10. Re1 {[%cal Ge1e5,Re5e6,Gd3f1] The pawn structure forces White to search for an attack on the kingside, whereas his opponent would try to keep him busy in the center.} Qd7 11. h3 Bh5 12. Bf4 Qe6 {The pawn needs to be blocked. Another question is if the queen is the best piece for that purpose.} ({The natural} 12... O-O {can be met with} 13. Qc2 Bg6 14. Bxg6 hxg6 15. Rad1 {[%csl Ge5][%cal Gd1d4,Gc3d4,Gf3d4] with an advantage for White. In this line Black will always have to worry about the e5-e6 breaks. On the other hand, a solid blockade of the e-pawn will give Black a chance to recapture on g6 with the f7-pawn, thus eliminating the attack once and for all.}) {[%tqu "En","","","","d3e2","Firouzja's play is very logical and straightforward. The queen is freed.",10]} 13. Be2 $1 { [%csl Re2,Rf3][%cal Gd1d4,Gc3d4,Gf3d4,Rd1h5] Firouzja's play is very logical and straightforward. The queen is freed.} O-O 14. Qd2 Bg6 {This also seems forced.} ({For the natural} 14... Rad8 $2 {[%cal Gd8d5,Rd5d4]} 15. Ng5 Bxg5 { [%tqu "En","","","","f4g5","wins material for White.",10]} 16. Bxg5 {[%cal Rg5d8,Re2h5] wins material for White.}) ({Whereas if Najer prepares the Ra8-d8 maneuver with} 14... h6 {then} 15. Nd4 cxd4 16. Bxh5 {[%csl Rf4,Rh5] wins a hefty bishop pair for White.}) 15. Rad1 Be4 {A risky decision.} ({However, Black cannot solve his problems with trades:} 15... d4 $5 16. cxd4 cxd4 17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Qxa2 19. Bc4 Qa5 {[%tqu "En","","","","e5e6","and White's initiative is annoying.",10]} 20. e6 $1 {[%cal Rc4g8] and White's initiative is annoying.} {Stockfish 271221:} Bc5 ({Stockfish 271221:} 20... Bf6 21. Qd7 fxe6 22. b4 Qa3 23. Qxb7 Kh8 24. Bd6 Rfe8 25. Bb5 Red8 26. Bc6 Qb3 27. b5 h6 28. Rd2 Bc3 29. Rde2 Bxe1 30. Rxe1 Rg8 31. Be5 Rad8 32. Qxa7 Qb4 33. Rc1 Kh7 34. Kh2 Rd3 35. b6 Qd2 36. Rf1 Rb3 37. b7 Qe2 38. Qa1 Bd3 39. Rc1 Qxf2 40. Qa8 $18 {[%eval 257,36] [%wdl 979,21,0]}) ({Stockfish 271221:} 20... Rad8 21. Qe3 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Bc5 23. Qe2 fxe6 24. Rd7 Kh8 25. Qe5 Bxf2+ 26. Kh2 Qxe5 27. Bxe5 Bf7 28. Bd6 Kg8 29. Bxf8 Kxf8 30. Rxb7 a5 31. b3 Bd4 32. Kg3 Be8 33. Bb5 Bg6 34. Rd7 e5 35. Rc7 h6 36. Bc4 Be8 37. Bd5 Bh5 38. Rb7 Be8 39. Kg4 g6 40. Kg3 a4 41. bxa4 Bxa4 42. Rf7+ Ke8 43. Rh7 Bc2 44. Rxh6 Ke7 45. h4 Kd6 46. Bf3 { [%eval 291,36] [%wdl 992,8,0]}) ({Stockfish 271221:} 20... Kh8 21. Re5 Qb6 22. Qxb6 axb6 23. exf7 Bf6 24. Rb5 Bxf7 25. Bxf7 Rxf7 26. g3 Ra5 27. Rxb6 h6 28. Kg2 Kh7 29. Be3 Bg5 30. f4 Bf6 31. Kf3 Re7 32. Rd3 Ra1 33. Kg4 Re1 34. Bc5 Rc7 35. Ba3 Kg6 36. Rb5 Kh7 37. h4 g6 38. Rdb3 h5+ 39. Kf3 Rf1+ 40. Kg2 Rd1 41. Rxb7 Rxb7 42. Rxb7+ Kg8 43. Kf3 $18 {[%eval 314,36] [%wdl 996,4,0]}) 21. Qe5 fxe6 22. Bxe6+ Bf7 23. Rd5 Qb6 24. Rxc5 Qxe6 25. Qc3 Qb3 26. Qc1 Rad8 27. Be5 Bg6 28. Rc7 Rf7 29. Qg5 Rdf8 30. Rec1 Qe6 31. Rxf7 Rxf7 32. Qd8+ Rf8 33. Qd4 Rf7 34. f4 h6 35. Qxa7 Kh7 36. Kh2 Be4 37. Rc3 Qd5 38. Rg3 Qe6 39. Qc5 Rd7 40. Qf2 Qd5 41. b4 Bf5 42. Qe2 Bg6 43. Qb2 $18 Qe6 {[%eval 166,36] [%wdl 776,224,0] }) 16. Ng5 {Still winning the bishop pair.} Bxg5 17. Bxg5 d4 $146 {This is a novelty and it follows the general idea of striking in the center. However, since a lot of files and diagonals are opened Najer has more problems to solve. } ({In an earlier game, White preserved his advantage after} 17... h6 18. Be3 d4 19. cxd4 Rfd8 20. Qc3 Qg6 21. g3 cxd4 22. Bxd4 Qe6 23. Kh2 Rac8 24. Qe3 Bf5 25. Bc3 {So,W (2760)-Yu,Y (2738) Jerusalem 2019} Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Qxa2 27. g4 Be6 28. Qe4 Ne7 29. Qxb7 Nd5 30. Bd4 a5 31. Bf3 Qc4 32. b3 Qc2 33. Bxd5 Bxd5 34. Qxd5 Qxd1 35. e6 Qc2 36. exf7+ Kh7 37. Qe5 Qg6 38. Qe7 {1-0 (38) So,W (2760) -Yu,Y (2738) Jerusalem 2019}) ({White is also significantly better in the possible endgame after} 17... Nxe5 18. f3 Bg6 19. f4 Nc6 20. Bg4 Qd6 21. Qxd5) 18. Bf1 (18. f4 $5) 18... Qg6 19. Qf4 {Once more, very logical and straightforward play from Firouzja who fights back in the center and proves that his pieces are better prepared for the task.} Bc2 20. Rd2 Rae8 21. Bh4 Kh8 $2 (21... a6 $5 {to prevent White's next idea was perhaps more accurate.} { Stockfish 271221:} 22. cxd4 ({Stockfish 271221:} 22. Kh2 h6 23. cxd4 cxd4 24. b3 Qh7 25. Qg3 {[%cal Rf2f4]} g5 26. f4 f6 27. exf6 Rxe1 28. Bc4+ Kh8 29. fxg5 Re3 30. Qd6 Rd8 {[%tqu "En","","","","f6f7","",10]} 31. f7 $1 $16 {[%cal Rf7f8] } Qxf7 32. Qxd8+ Nxd8 33. Bxf7 Nxf7 34. Rxc2 Nxg5 35. Bxg5 hxg5 36. Rd2 Re4 37. g3 $16) ({Stockfish 271221:} 22. Qg3 {[%cal Rf2f4]} Qxg3 23. Bxg3 Bf5 24. f4 Rd8 25. Bf2 dxc3 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. bxc3 h5 28. Bxc5 Rd2 29. Re2 Rd1 30. Kf2 Rc1 31. Re3 Nd8 32. Bd3 Rxc3 33. Bxf5 Rxc5 34. Rd3 Ne6 35. Kg3 g5 36. Bxe6 gxf4+ 37. Kxf4 fxe6 38. Rd7 b5 39. g4 hxg4 40. hxg4 b4 41. Rb7 a5 42. Kg5 $16 { [%csl Ga2,Ge6]}) 22... cxd4 23. b3 h6 24. Bc4 b5 25. Bd5 Nb4 26. Qxd4 Nxd5 27. Qxd5 Bf5 28. Kh2 Rc8 29. Re3 Be6 30. Qd6 Qb1 31. f4 Rfe8 32. Qd3 Qxd3 33. Rexd3 Bf5 34. Rd6 Re6 35. g4 Rxd6 36. exd6 Bd7 37. f5 $16) ({Stockfish 271221:} 21... Bb1 {[%cal Rb1a2]} 22. a3 f6 23. Bc4+ Kh8 24. e6 $5 Ne5 25. Bd5 Bf5 26. cxd4 cxd4 27. Rxd4 Bxe6 28. Be4 Qh5 29. Bg3 Nc6 30. Rdd1 Bb3 31. Rc1 Nd4 32. Bd3 Rd8 33. Bf1 Rd7 34. Rc7 Qf7 35. Re3 Rxc7 36. Qxc7 Nc6 37. Qf4 Rd8 38. Kh2 Be6 39. Qe4 Bd5 40. Qc2 h6 41. Bd3 a6 42. Bg6 Qf8 43. b4 Bf7 44. Be4 Bd5 45. Bxd5 $16 Rxd5 {[%eval 100,43] [%wdl 351,647,2]}) ({Stockfish 271221:} 21... a6 {[%cal Rb7b5]} 22. cxd4 cxd4 23. b3 h6 24. Bc4 b5 25. Bd5 Nb4 26. Qxd4 Nxd5 27. Qxd5 Bf5 28. Re3 Be6 29. Qd6 Qb1+ 30. Rd1 Qc2 31. Kh2 Rc8 32. Rd2 Qb1 33. f4 Rfe8 34. Qd3 Bf5 35. Qxb1 Bxb1 36. g4 b4 37. f5 Rc2 38. Rxc2 Bxc2 39. e6 fxe6 40. fxe6 a5 41. Re2 Bd3 42. Re1 Rc8 43. Bf2 Bb5 44. Re5 Rc2 45. Rxb5 Rxf2+ 46. Kg3 Rxa2 {[%eval 126,43] [%wdl 535,464,1]}) 22. f3 {[%cal Gf3e4] Further limiting the bishop.} ({As now Firouzja had the interesting resource} 22. Bb5 $5 { [%cal Rb5e8] with a serious edge in all lines. The young GM might have worried about the liquidation into an opposite-colored bishop ending after} Qf5 (22... dxc3 23. bxc3) (22... d3 23. Re3) 23. Qxf5 Bxf5 24. cxd4 cxd4 25. Bxc6 bxc6 26. Rxd4 $16 {[%csl Ga7,Gc6][%cal Rd4d6,Rd6c6,Rc6a6,Ra6a7] White is up a pawn, but the opposite-colored bishops certainly provide Black drawing chances.}) 22... a6 23. Bf2 Rd8 24. Rc1 {[%cal Rc1c2,Rd2c2]} Bb1 ({Or} 24... Bf5 25. cxd4 Nxd4 26. Bxd4 cxd4 27. Kh2 $16 {[%cal Rd2d4,Rf4d4] and the d4-pawn is doomed.}) 25. cxd4 Nxd4 26. Bxd4 cxd4 27. a3 Ba2 28. Rxd4 {Up to here Firouzja completely outplayed his opponent, but around here he rushed and almost missed the win.} ( {Both} 28. b4) ({And} 28. Kh2 {were depriving Black of any chances.}) 28... Qb6 29. Rcd1 Rfe8 30. Kh2 $2 {That is the real mistake.} ({Instead} 30. b4 $1 { would have converted the advantage without any unpleasant surprises. In comparison to the game continuation, the line} Rxd4 31. Qxd4 Qxd4+ 32. Rxd4 g5 33. Rd7 b5 34. Ra7 Rxe5 35. Rxa6 Bc4 (35... Bb3 36. Kf2) 36. Bxc4 bxc4 37. Kf2 $1 $18 {leaves Black no chances.}) 30... Rxd4 31. Qxd4 Qxd4 32. Rxd4 {It seems as there is no difference, but Najer has a nice resource now:} g5 $3 {[%csl Gf4,Gh4][%cal Rg5f4,Rg5h4] This quickly leads to a rook endgame, full of survival chances for the defender.} 33. Rd7 b5 34. Rd6 ({With the king on h2, the line} 34. Ra7 Rxe5 35. Rxa6 Bc4 $1 36. Bxc4 bxc4 37. Rc6 Re2 $1 {leads White nowhere.}) 34... Rxe5 35. Rxa6 Bc4 36. Bxc4 bxc4 {[%mdl 4096]} 37. a4 { This seems like White's best try. Firouzja wants to defend his passer sideways. } ({Rather than} 37. Rc6 Rb5 {when the a-pawn would not make too many moves.}) 37... Rc5 38. Rb6 c3 39. bxc3 Rxc3 40. a5 Kg7 41. a6 Ra3 {The a6-pawn is dangerous, but while bringing in the supporters White will have to part with his kingside pawns. Objectively, it is a draw.} 42. Kg3 Ra2 $1 {That forces White to abandon the pawn early.} 43. f4 gxf4+ 44. Kxf4 Rxg2 45. Ke5 Ra2 $1 46. Kd6 f5 $1 {The key resource. The f-passer is really dangerous.} ({Not} 46... Kg6 47. Kc7+ Kg5 48. Kb7 f5 49. a7 Rxa7+ 50. Kxa7 f4 51. Rb5+ Kh4 52. Rb3 { when White wins.}) 47. Kc7 f4 48. Kb8 f3 49. a7 f2 50. Rb1 f1=Q {But at the very final moment Najer succumbs to the pressure.} ({Firouzja rightly pointed out that this pawn should not have been given that easily and indeed, Black makes a draw after} 50... Kg6 $1 51. a8=Q ({Or} 51. Rf1 Rb2+ 52. Kc7 Ra2) 51... Rxa8+ 52. Kxa8 Kg5 53. Rf1 Kh4 54. Rxf2 Kxh3 55. Kb7 h5 56. Kc6 Kg3) 51. Rxf1 Rb2+ 52. Ka8 Rb3 53. Rc1 Kg6 54. Rc7 h5 55. Rb7 {The king is out.} Rxh3 56. Rb6+ Kg5 57. Kb7 Ra3 58. Ra6 Rb3+ 59. Kc7 {The king marches all the way to h7.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2022.03.04"] [Round "4"] [White "Predke, Alexandr"] [Black "Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B95"] [WhiteElo "2682"] [BlackElo "2761"] [Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"] [PlyCount "88"] [EventDate "2022.??.??"] {[%evp 0,88,19,31,72,53,86,80,55,57,55,20,70,45,90,49,48,38,70,81,40,25,37,0, 18,-19,-23,-19,-4,-24,0,-10,0,-59,-46,-45,-45,-45,-46,-52,-38,-38,-18,-59,-42, -69,-74,-60,-63,-77,-77,-56,-71,-45,-29,-79,-93,-91,-59,-83,-100,-253,-272, -319,-323,-336,-382,-385,-399,-418,-338,-350,-355,-384,-401,-408,-414,-424, -414,-414,-370,-414,-414,-414,-409,-462,-475,-518,-568,-592,-603]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qf3 {[%cal Ge1c1] A rare line, which became popular thanks to the efforts of the unforgettable Bronstein. Recently Nepomniachtchi added it to his repertoire as well.} (7. f4) (7. Qd2) (7. Be2) (7. Bc4) 7... Be7 ({The above-mentioned players ended up in identical positions, seprated appart by almost seventy years of chess development and a modest pawn advance (on a3)} 7... Nbd7 8. O-O-O Qc7 9. a3 (9. Qg3 b5 10. Bxb5 axb5 11. Ndxb5 Qb8 12. Nxd6+ Bxd6 13. Qxd6 Qxd6 14. Rxd6 { as in Bronstein,D-Najdorf,M Buenos Aires 1954} h6 15. Bd2 Bb7 16. f3 O-O 17. b3 Rfc8 18. Kb2 Nc5 19. Be3 e5 20. Rhd1 Ne6 21. Rb6 Bc6 22. Nd5 Bxd5 23. exd5 Nc5 24. Rb5 Nfd7 25. c4 {[%csl Ra2,Rb3,Rc4,Rd5]} e4 26. Bxc5 Nxc5 27. fxe4 Nxe4 28. d6 Rxa2+ 29. Kxa2 Nc3+ 30. Ka3 Nxd1 31. c5 Nc3 32. Ra5 Nd5 33. c6 Nf6 34. Ra6 Kf8 35. b4 Ke8 36. b5 Nd7 37. Ra7 Rb8 38. Rxd7 Rxb5 39. Ra7 Rb8 40. d7+ Ke7 41. d8=Q+ Kxd8 42. c7+ {1-0 (42) Bronstein,D-Najdorf,M Buenos Aires 1954 MCL [ChessBase]}) 9... Be7 10. Qg3 b5 11. Bxb5 axb5 12. Ndxb5 Qb8 13. Nxd6+ Bxd6 14. Qxd6 Qxd6 15. Rxd6 {interestingly both White players won in these games, Nepomniachtchi, I (2784)-Abdusattorov,$146 (2627) Chess.com INT 2020} h6 16. Bf4 g5 17. Bg3 Nh5 18. Rhd1 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Ke7 20. a4 Nc5 21. b3 Bb7 22. f3 Rhc8 23. Kb2 Ra6 24. Rxa6 Nxa6 25. Nb5 Rb8 26. c4 Nb4 27. Rd2 Bc6 28. Kc3 Na6 29. b4 Be8 30. e5 h5 31. Rd6 Bxb5 32. axb5 Nc7 33. b6 Ne8 34. Rc6 Kd7 35. b5 Rb7 36. c5 Rb8 37. Kb4 Ra8 38. b7 Rb8 39. Ra6 Nc7 40. c6+ Kd8 41. Kc5 h4 42. g4 { 1-0 (42) Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Abdusattorov,N (2627) Chess.com INT 2020}) 8. O-O-O Qa5 {Vachier-Lagrave is as always perfectly prepared in his beloved Najdorf.} ({In the majority of the cases Black prefers to develop his knight on d7, here, or on the next move. Here is an example:} 8... Nbd7 9. Be2 Qc7 10. Qg3 b5 11. a3 Bb7 12. Rhe1 Rc8 13. f4 Nxe4 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. Bxe7 Kxe7 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Nc5 18. Nf5+ Kf6 19. Qg3 Ne4 20. Qxg7+ Kxf5 21. g4+ Kxf4 22. Rf1+ {1-0 (22) Yoo,C (2647)-Drygalov,S (2838) Chess.com INT 2020}) 9. h4 Bd7 $5 { [%cal Gb8c6,Gd7c6,Rc6h1][%mdl 4] Black indicates that he would like to develop his knight to c6.} (9... Nbd7) 10. Bc4 $146 {After a heavy thought, Predke decided to switch to Sozin-like development.} ({The predecessor saw:} 10. g4 Nc6 11. Nb3 Qc7 12. Qe2 b5 13. Be3 h5 14. g5 Ng4 15. a3 Rb8 16. Bd2 b4 $132 { [%cal Rb8b2,Gc6b4,Rb4a2,Rb4c2] with active counter-play for Black, Sedlak,$146 (2524) -Ljubicic,F (2406) Pula 2003} 17. axb4 Nxb4 18. f3 Bb5 19. Qg2 Ne5 20. Bxb5+ axb5 21. f4 Ng4 22. f5 O-O 23. f6 gxf6 24. Rhf1 fxg5 25. hxg5 Rfc8 26. Qh3 Bf8 27. Qxh5 Ne5 28. Rh1 Bg7 29. g6 Nxg6 30. Rdf1 Na2+ 31. Kb1 Nxc3+ 32. bxc3 b4 33. Qh7+ Kf8 34. Qxg6 bxc3 35. Rh8+ Bxh8 36. Bh6+ Ke8 37. Qg8+ Kd7 38. Rxf7+ Kc6 39. Rxc7+ Kxc7 40. Qf7+ Kc6 41. Qxe6 Be5 42. Qd5+ Kd7 43. Bf4 Bxf4 44. Qf7+ Kc6 45. Qxf4 Rf8 46. Qc1 Rf2 47. Qe1 Rf3 48. Qe2 Rg3 49. Qa6+ Kc7 50. Ka2 Rb6 51. Qc4+ Kb8 52. Nd4 Kb7 53. Qd5+ Kb8 54. Nc6+ Kc7 55. Na5 {1-0 (55) Sedlak,N (2524)-Ljubicic,F (2406) Pula 2003}) ({Critical seems} 10. e5 $5 dxe5 {when} 11. Qxb7 $2 {certainly does not work due to} ({However} 11. Nxe6 $1 { leads to interesting complications and unclear play after} fxe6 12. Bxf6 O-O 13. Qxb7 gxf6 {[%tqu "En","","","","d1d7","",10,"b7a8","",0]} 14. Rxd7 ({ But not} 14. Qxa8 $2 {[%tqu "En","","","","d7c6","",10]} Bc6 15. Qa7 Bc5 { when the queen is suddenly trapped.}) 14... Nxd7 15. Qxd7 Kf7 $15 {and it is anyone's game.} {Stockfish 271221:} 16. Bc4 Qb6 17. Qd3 Kg7 18. Qd7 Ra7 19. Qxe6 Qxe6 20. Bxe6 f5 21. f3 h5 22. Nd5 a5 23. a4 e4 24. fxe4 fxe4 25. g4 Re8 26. Nf4 hxg4 27. Bxg4 Bf8 28. Rf1 Kg8 29. Nd5 Bh6+ 30. Kb1 Re5 31. Nb6 Rf7 32. Re1 e3 33. Be2 Re4 34. Bd3 Rxh4 $15 35. Nc4 {[%eval -35,32] [%wdl 12,912,76]}) 11... exd4 12. Qxa8 Qb6 {and Black wins material.}) ({The machine likes Bronstein's} 10. Qg3 $5) 10... Nc6 11. Bb3 h6 ({Another way to play it is} 11... Nxd4 12. Rxd4 Bc6 {but Vachier-Lagrave wants to keep this knight alive for greater deeds.}) 12. Be3 ({Perhaps the computer's} 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Bf4 { is an improvement $2}) 12... Ne5 13. Qe2 ({The queen can be left in front of the pawns with} 13. Qg3 {but from here it does not threaten anything yet, and Black can proceed as in the game} Rc8 14. Qxg7 $2 Rg8 15. Qxh6 Neg4 {[%csl Gf4, Rf8,Rg5,Rg6,Rg7,Rh5,Rh7,Rh8][%cal Gh6f4,Re6e5,Re5d4,Re5f4] and Black will win a piece.}) 13... Rc8 14. Kb1 $1 {Careful play by Predke.} ({The immediate} 14. f4 {is spectacularly refuted with} {[%tqu "En","","","","c8c3","",10]} Rxc3 $1 15. Bd2 (15. bxc3 $2 {[%tqu "En","","","","f6e4","is plain bad for White.",10]} Nxe4 {[%cal Ge4g3,Ge4c3,Ga5c3,Rg3e2,Rg3h1] is plain bad for White.}) {[%tqu "En","","","","e5d3","",10]} 15... Nd3+ $3 16. Kb1 Qh5 $1 {and Black is clearly on top.}) 14... b5 15. f4 {Another major decision point. The Russian GM decided to force matters in the center.} ({Th alternative was the doubled-edge position after} 15. a3 b4 16. axb4 Qxb4 17. f3 $11) 15... Neg4 ({ This time} 15... Rxc3 16. Bd2 $1 {[%cal Rd2a5] does not work for Black.}) 16. e5 ({After} 16. Bg1 b4 $1 {[%csl Ra4,Gc3][%cal Gc3a4] suddenly embarrasses the white knight.}) ({However} 16. a3 {was still possible.}) 16... dxe5 17. fxe5 Nxe5 18. Bxh6 {[%cal Re2e5,Rg7h6]} Rxh6 19. Qxe5 {As a result, Vachier-Lagrave won a hefty bishop pair and from here on every endgame he enters would be close (if not perfectly) winning for him. But before that he needs to solve the problem of his king in the middle. Right now Predke threatens various knight jumps, like Nd4-f5, or even Nd4xe6 $1} Qc7 $1 {Very useful $1 The white queen is removed from her optimal position.} {[%tqu "En","","","","e5e2","",10, "e5c7","",0]} 20. Qe2 ({As we know, the endgame after} 20. Qxc7 $2 Rxc7 { is horrific for White.}) 20... Qf4 {Black finds a clever idea to insert the second rook into the assault.} ({There was an interesting alternative} 20... b4 $5 21. Na4 Rh5 22. g4 Re5 $1 (22... Ra5 23. g5) 23. Qg2 Ra5 {with Black's edge. } {Stockfish 271221:} 24. g5 Bxa4 25. Bxa4+ Rxa4 26. gxf6 Bxf6 27. h5 Ra5 28. h6 gxh6 29. Rhf1 Rg5 30. Qe2 Bxd4 31. Rxd4 Qc6 32. Rdf4 Rc7 33. Rf6 Rg2 34. R6f2 Rxf2 35. Qxf2 a5 36. Rg1 Kf8 37. Qd2 Ke7 38. Rf1 e5 39. b3 Rd7 40. Qf2 Ke8 41. Qh2 Qe6 42. Re1 Rd5 43. Qh4 f5 44. Rg1 e4 45. Qh2 e3 46. Qb8+ Rd8 47. Qb5+ Kf7 {[%eval -173,39] [%wdl 0,172,828]}) 21. Rh3 {[%cal Gh3e3]} ({Here} 21. Rhe1 $1 {[%cal Gd4e6,Re2e8,Re1e8,Gb3e6] looked stronger, when White can consolidate his kingside thank to small tactics, like} Kf8 ({Or} 21... Qxh4 $2 22. Nf5 { [%cal Rf5h6,Rf5h4,Rf5g7,Re2e7]}) ({Or} 21... Rxh4 $2 22. Nxe6 $1 fxe6 23. Bxe6 Bxe6 24. Qxe6 Qc7 25. Nd5 $1 {[%cal Rd5f6,Rd5c7,Re6e7]}) 22. g3 $11 { capitalizing on the extra tempo to defend.} {Stockfish 271221:} Qg4 ({ Stockfish 271221:} 22... Qxg3 $2 23. Nf5 Qg6 24. Nxh6 gxh6 25. Nd5 Nxd5 26. Bxd5 Rxc2 27. Qxc2 exd5 28. Rf1 Qxc2+ 29. Kxc2 Be6 30. Rde1 Kg7 31. h5 Bg5 32. Kd3 Bg4 33. Re5 Bxh5 34. Rxd5 Bg6+ 35. Ke2 Bh5+ 36. Kf2 Bh4+ 37. Ke3 Bg5+ 38. Kd4 Bg4 39. Rd6 a5 40. Rb6 a4 41. b3 axb3 42. axb3 Be2 43. Rf2 $18 Bc4 { [%eval 442,28] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) 23. Qd3 Rd8 24. a3 Rh5 25. Ne4 e5 26. Nxf6 Bxf6 27. Ne2 Bc6 28. Qe3 Rxd1+ 29. Rxd1 e4 30. Rd6 Be8 31. Rxa6 Qf3 32. Qd2 Re5 33. Ka2 e3 34. Qd3 Qf5 35. Rd6 g6 36. Rd5 Rxd5 37. Qxd5 Qf2 $11 {[%eval 5,28] [%wdl 33,944,23]}) 21... Rc5 $1 {[%cal Rc5e5] The point behind Vahcier-Lagrave's play. The second rook enters the battle.} (21... Qg4 $5 22. Qe1 b4 {looks good for Black too.}) 22. Re3 Qg4 23. Nf3 Bc6 24. a4 {This turns out to be a weakening.} ({Safer looked} 24. a3 {with the idea to meet} Bxf3 25. gxf3 Qxh4 {with} 26. Bxe6 $3 fxe6 27. Rxe6 Nh5 28. Rxh6 gxh6 29. Qe6 $1 { [%cal Re6g8] when the same old machine claims that White has enough initiative for a perpetual.}) 24... Kf8 25. axb5 axb5 26. g3 b4 {Black took full control and now pushes the knight to the edge.} 27. Na2 (27. Na4 Rf5 {is awkward for White.}) 27... Rf5 {The pin is unbearable and Predke goes for a forcing line.} 28. Nd4 Qxe2 {[%tqu "En","","","","e3e2","",10,"d4e2","",0]} 29. Rxe2 ({ As we already know the endgame after} 29. Nxe2 Ng4 {is practically unplayable for White.}) 29... Bf3 30. Rxe6 {This was White's point. Alas, there is a drawback.} ({However, the endgames were pretty bad for White as well} 30. Nxf3 Rxf3 31. Rd3 Rxd3 32. cxd3 Bd6) ({Or} 30. Nxf5 Bxe2 31. Re1 (31. Nxh6 Bxd1) 31... exf5 32. Rxe2 Ne4 {with massive Black advantage in both cases.}) 30... Bxd1 31. Rxe7 ({No time for} 31. Nxf5 fxe6) 31... Bxc2+ $1 {A decisive in-between spoiler $1} ({Predke likely only saw} 31... Kxe7 32. Nxf5+ Kf8 33. Nxh6 gxh6 {when White should be the one to win.}) 32. Kxc2 (32. Bxc2 Rf1+ { changes nothing.}) 32... Rc5+ {Vachier-Lagrave keeps the rook alive and quickly converts his advantage.} 33. Kd3 Kxe7 34. Nxb4 Nd7 35. Nd5+ Kf8 36. Nf5 Rg6 37. Nde3 Rb6 38. Nd4 Ne5+ 39. Ke4 Nc6 40. Bd5 Ne7 41. b3 Rg6 42. b4 Rc3 43. Bc4 Rxg3 44. Ndc2 Rg4+ $1 {PLAY CHESS, NOT WAR.} 0-1 [Event "Pawn endgames"] [Site "?"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Pawn endgames"] [Black "Position 6"] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Triangulation"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "2k5/8/p1P5/P2K4/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "11"] {White benefits from his advantage if his king accomplishes a triangulation manoeuvre. The black king cannot correspond to this as has no squares. The key to triangulation is to achieve the same position with the opponent to move.} 1. Kd4 {[%csl Gb8,Gc7,Gd8]} (1. Kd6 $4 {[%cal Gc8d8,Gc8b8]} Kd8 {now} (1... Kb8 $4 2. Kd7 $18 (2. c7+ $4 Kc8 $11 3. Kc5 $4 Kxc7 $11) 2... Ka7 3. c7 Kb7 4. c8=Q+) 2. c7+ $2 {would be a blunder.} (2. Ke6 Kc7 3. Kd5 $11) 2... Kc8 $11) (1. Kc5 Kc7 2. Kd5 Kc8 3. Kd6 Kd8 4. c7+ Kc8 $11) 1... Kd8 (1... Kc7 $4 2. Kc5 $18 { [%cal Rc5b6,Gc7b8,Gc7c8,Gc7d8]} {Stockfish 271221: 1)} Kc8 ({Stockfish 271221: 2)} 2... Kd8 3. Kd6 Kc8 4. c7 Kb7 5. Kd7 $18 Ka8 6. c8=Q+ Ka7 7. Qc4 Kb8 8. Qb3+ Ka7 9. Kc6 Ka8 10. Qb7# {[%eval 32752,201] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) ({Stockfish 271221: 3)} 2... Kb8 3. Kd6 (3. Kb6 Kc8 4. c7 $18 (4. Kxa6 Kc7 5. Kb5 (5. Ka7 Kxc6 6. Ka6 Kc7 7. Ka7 Kc6 8. a6 Kc7 9. Ka8 Kc8 10. a7 Kc7 $11) 5... Kb8 6. Kb6 Kc8 (6... Ka8 7. a6 Kb8 8. c7+ $18) 7. c7 (7. a6 Kb8 8. a7+ Ka8 9. Kc7 Kxa7 10. Kd7 Kb8 11. c7+ $18)) 4... Kd7 5. Kb7 $18) 3... Kc8 4. c7 Kb7 5. Kd7 $18 Ka8 6. c8=Q+ Ka7 7. Qc4 Kb8 8. Qb3+ Ka7 9. Kc6 Ka8 10. Qb7# {[%eval 32752,201] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) 3. Kb6 Kd8 4. Kxa6 Kc7 5. Kb5 Kc8 6. Kb6 Kd8 7. c7+ Kc8 8. a6 Kd7 9. a7 Kd6 10. c8=Q Ke5 11. Qg4 Kf6 12. a8=Q Ke5 13. Qae4+ Kd6 14. Qee6# { [%eval 32744,201] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) (1... Kb8 {Stockfish 271221:} 2. Kc4 ({ Stockfish 271221:} 2. Kd5 Kc8 3. Kd4 Kd8 4. Kc4 Kc8 5. Kd5 Kc7 6. Kc5 Kc8 7. Kb6 Kb8 8. Kxa6 (8. c7+ $4 Kc8 9. Kxa6 Kxc7 10. Ka7 Kc6 $11) 8... Kc7 9. Kb5 Kc8 10. Kb6 Kd8 11. a6 Ke7 12. c7 Kf6 13. a7 Kg6 14. a8=Q Kg5 15. Qf3 Kg6 16. c8=Q Kh6 17. Qf6+ Kh7 18. Qch8# {[%eval 32734,105] [%wdl 1000,0,0]}) 2... Kc8 3. Kd5 Kc7 4. Kc5 Kc8 5. Kb6 Kb8 6. Kxa6 Kc7 7. Kb5 Kc8 8. Kb6 Kd8 (8... Kb8 9. a6 Ka8 10. Kc7 Ka7 11. Kd7 $18) 9. a6 Ke7 10. c7 Kf6 11. a7 Kg6 12. a8=Q Kg5 13. Qf3 Kg6 14. c8=Q Kh6 15. Qf6+ Kh7 16. Qch8# {[%eval 32738,105] [%wdl 1000, 0,0]}) 2. Kc4 Kc8 (2... Kc7 3. Kc5 $18) 3. Kd5 Kd8 4. Kd6 Kc8 5. c7 Kb7 6. Kd7 1-0