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26... e8d8
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If you do not want it, I will keep it.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material.
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27. e3f5
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The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it.
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27... c6c5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot.
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28. f5g3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5
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28... f7e5
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I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3
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29. h7h8
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it
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29... g6g8
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8
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30. f4e5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8
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30... f6e5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5
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31. h8h5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5
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31... e6g4
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The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5
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32. f3g4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only.
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32... g8g4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4
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33. h5e5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4
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33... b7b6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5
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34. g3e4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6
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34... g4h4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4
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35. f2e2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4
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35... h4h6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2
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36. b2b3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6
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36... d8d7
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3
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37. e2d2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7
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37... d7c6
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Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2
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38. e4c3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R.
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38... a7a6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3
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39. e5e4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6
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39... h6h2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4
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40. d2c1
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2
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40... h2h1
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1
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41. c1b2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1
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41... h1h6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2
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42. c3d1
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6
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42... h6g6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1
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43. d1e3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6
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43... g6h6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3
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44. e4e7
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6
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44... h6h2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7
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45. e7e6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2
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45... c6b7
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6
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46. b2c3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7
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46... h2h4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3
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47. c3b2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4
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47... h4h2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2
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48. e3d5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2
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48... h2d2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5
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49. d5f6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2
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49... d2f2
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Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6
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50. b2c3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces.
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50... f2f4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3
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51. f6e4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4
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51... f4h4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4
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52. e4f2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4
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52... h4h2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2
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53. e6f6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2
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53... h2h7
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6
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54. f2d3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7
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54... h7h3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3
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55. c3d2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3
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55... h3h2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2
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56. f6f2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2
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56... h2h4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2
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57. c2c4
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Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4
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57... h4h3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one.
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58. d2c2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3
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58... h3h7
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2
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59. d3b2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7
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59... h7h5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2
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60. f2e2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5
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60... h5g5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2
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61. b2d1
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5
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61... b6b5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1
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62. d1c3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5
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62... c7c6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3
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63. c3e4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6
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63... g5h5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4
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64. e4f6
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5
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64... h5g5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6
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65. e2e7
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5
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65... b7b6
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Vishy is not afraid of ghosts.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7
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66. f6d7
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts.
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66... b6a5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7
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67. e7e4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5
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67... g5g2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4
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68. c2c1
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2
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68... g2g1
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1
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69. c1d2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1
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69... g1g2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2
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70. d2e1
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2 69... g1g2
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70... b5c4
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Well calculated.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2 69... g1g2 70. d2e1
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71. e4c4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2 69... g1g2 70. d2e1 70... b5c4 Well calculated.
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71... g2g3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2 69... g1g2 70. d2e1 70... b5c4 Well calculated. 71. e4c4
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72. d7c5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2 69... g1g2 70. d2e1 70... b5c4 Well calculated. 71. e4c4 71... g2g3
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72... a5b5
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with the threat Rg3xb3.
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2 69... g1g2 70. d2e1 70... b5c4 Well calculated. 71. e4c4 71... g2g3 72. d7c5
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73. c4c2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2 69... g1g2 70. d2e1 70... b5c4 Well calculated. 71. e4c4 71... g2g3 72. d7c5 72... a5b5 with the threat Rg3xb3.
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73... a6a5
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2 69... g1g2 70. d2e1 70... b5c4 Well calculated. 71. e4c4 71... g2g3 72. d7c5 72... a5b5 with the threat Rg3xb3. 73. c4c2
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74. e1f2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2 69... g1g2 70. d2e1 70... b5c4 Well calculated. 71. e4c4 71... g2g3 72. d7c5 72... a5b5 with the threat Rg3xb3. 73. c4c2 73... a6a5
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74... g3h3
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2 69... g1g2 70. d2e1 70... b5c4 Well calculated. 71. e4c4 71... g2g3 72. d7c5 72... a5b5 with the threat Rg3xb3. 73. c4c2 73... a6a5 74. e1f2
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75. c2c1
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2 69... g1g2 70. d2e1 70... b5c4 Well calculated. 71. e4c4 71... g2g3 72. d7c5 72... a5b5 with the threat Rg3xb3. 73. c4c2 73... a6a5 74. e1f2 74... g3h3
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75... b5b4
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2 69... g1g2 70. d2e1 70... b5c4 Well calculated. 71. e4c4 71... g2g3 72. d7c5 72... a5b5 with the threat Rg3xb3. 73. c4c2 73... a6a5 74. e1f2 74... g3h3 75. c2c1
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76. f2e2
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1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8f6 As I predicted after the second game, the Berlin is back. It would not be surprise if the opponents play it with reversed colors. 4. e1g1 4... f6e4 5. d2d4 5... e4d6 6. b5c6 6... d7c6 7. d4e5 7... d6f5 8. d1d8 8... e8d8 9. h2h3 9... d8e8 10. b1c3 10... h7h5 11. c1f4 11... f8e7 12. a1d1 12... c8e6 Some time ago a very strong GM revealed to me that this is the easiest equalizer for Black. 13. f3g5 13... h8h6 Black will trade on g5 but only once that he can kick away the annoying bishop. 14. g2g3 14... e7g5 Now it is the right time as otherwise White will stabilize the situation in the flank with the move h3-h4. What follows next is pretty forced 15. f4g5 15... h6g6 16. h3h4 The only chance to fight for the advantage is to sacrifice a pawn. Vishy had already faced the alternative, which is known as a forced draw 16... f7f6 17. e5f6 17... g7f6 18. g5f4 18... f5h4 19. f2f3 The pawn is gone, but Magnus wants to play Kg1-f2 and then attack on the open central files. Vishy needs to reduce the pressure. 19... a8d8 Which he does promptly. All of this is not new yet. 20. g1f2 20... d8d1 21. c3d1 21... h4f5 22. f1h1 This is the important pawn White wishes to win. Two versus one on the kingside will give a chance for a dangerous passer. 22... e6a2 Black uses the moment when the knight blocks the rook to snatch another pawn. 23. h1h5 23... a2e6 24. g3g4 24... f5d6 25. h5h7 25... d6f7 The novelty. Yes, on move 25! A couple of weeks ago another Super-GM game went 26. d1e3 This stops the positional threat f6-f5 which will significantly reduce the material. 26... e8d8 If you do not want it, I will keep it. 27. e3f5 The knight is transferred to a better position while watching carefully the f5 spot. 27... c6c5 28. f5g3 28... f7e5 I am not sure if this was still prep but it looks like a very convincing defense. If Anand allows the maneuver Ng3-h5 his position will become very, very suspicious. Have a look at it 29. h7h8 29... g6g8 30. f4e5 30... f6e5 31. h8h5 31... e6g4 The point of Vishy's defense. The pawns on the kingside disappear and the knight cannot do much on one flank only. 32. f3g4 32... g8g4 33. h5e5 33... b7b6 34. g3e4 34... g4h4 35. f2e2 35... h4h6 36. b2b3 36... d8d7 37. e2d2 37... d7c6 Technically speaking Magnus is a pawn up but the problem is that the knight cannot be separated into three pawns :) The real problem is that anytime he tries to advance his pawns this will lead to exchanges and will liquidate into a theoretically draw endgame R+N versus R. 38. e4c3 38... a7a6 39. e5e4 39... h6h2 40. d2c1 40... h2h1 41. c1b2 41... h1h6 42. c3d1 42... h6g6 43. d1e3 43... g6h6 44. e4e7 44... h6h2 45. e7e6 45... c6b7 46. b2c3 46... h2h4 47. c3b2 47... h4h2 48. e3d5 48... h2d2 49. d5f6 49... d2f2 Nothing much happened in the past few moves. At the moment that the white knight approaches the black camp though Anand starts hitting it with the rook. This is the best defensive technique as he does not want to allow too much freedom to the white pieces. 50. b2c3 50... f2f4 51. f6e4 51... f4h4 52. e4f2 52... h4h2 53. e6f6 53... h2h7 54. f2d3 54... h7h3 55. c3d2 55... h3h2 56. f6f2 56... h2h4 57. c2c4 Finally a white pawn moved but it can easily be attacked here by a black one. 57... h4h3 58. d2c2 58... h3h7 59. d3b2 59... h7h5 60. f2e2 60... h5g5 61. b2d1 61... b6b5 62. d1c3 62... c7c6 63. c3e4 63... g5h5 64. e4f6 64... h5g5 65. e2e7 65... b7b6 Vishy is not afraid of ghosts. 66. f6d7 66... b6a5 67. e7e4 67... g5g2 68. c2c1 68... g2g1 69. c1d2 69... g1g2 70. d2e1 70... b5c4 Well calculated. 71. e4c4 71... g2g3 72. d7c5 72... a5b5 with the threat Rg3xb3. 73. c4c2 73... a6a5 74. e1f2 74... g3h3 75. c2c1 75... b5b4
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