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96. d8e8
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5
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96... h5g5
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8
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97. e8e7
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5
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97... g5g6
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7
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98. e7e6
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6
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98... g6g5
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6
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99. e6e3
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5
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99... g5f6
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3
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100. a6a7
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One more step...
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6
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100... a1f1
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step...
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101. e3f2
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1
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101... f1h1
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2
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102. f3e2
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1
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102... h1e4
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2
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103. f2e3
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4
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103... e4c4
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3
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104. e2e1
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4
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104... c4b4
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1
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105. e1f1
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The king escapes from the checks, White wins.
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1 104... c4b4
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105... b4b1
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1 104... c4b4 105. e1f1 The king escapes from the checks, White wins.
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106. f1g2
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1 104... c4b4 105. e1f1 The king escapes from the checks, White wins. 105... b4b1
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106... b1b7
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1 104... c4b4 105. e1f1 The king escapes from the checks, White wins. 105... b4b1 106. f1g2
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107. g2h2
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1 104... c4b4 105. e1f1 The king escapes from the checks, White wins. 105... b4b1 106. f1g2 106... b1b7
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107... f6f7
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1 104... c4b4 105. e1f1 The king escapes from the checks, White wins. 105... b4b1 106. f1g2 106... b1b7 107. g2h2
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108. e3a3
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1 104... c4b4 105. e1f1 The king escapes from the checks, White wins. 105... b4b1 106. f1g2 106... b1b7 107. g2h2 107... f6f7
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108... b7a8
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1 104... c4b4 105. e1f1 The king escapes from the checks, White wins. 105... b4b1 106. f1g2 106... b1b7 107. g2h2 107... f6f7 108. e3a3
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109. a3b3
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1 104... c4b4 105. e1f1 The king escapes from the checks, White wins. 105... b4b1 106. f1g2 106... b1b7 107. g2h2 107... f6f7 108. e3a3 108... b7a8
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109... f7g7
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1 104... c4b4 105. e1f1 The king escapes from the checks, White wins. 105... b4b1 106. f1g2 106... b1b7 107. g2h2 107... f6f7 108. e3a3 108... b7a8 109. a3b3
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110. b3b8
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1 104... c4b4 105. e1f1 The king escapes from the checks, White wins. 105... b4b1 106. f1g2 106... b1b7 107. g2h2 107... f6f7 108. e3a3 108... b7a8 109. a3b3 109... f7g7
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110... a8f3
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1 104... c4b4 105. e1f1 The king escapes from the checks, White wins. 105... b4b1 106. f1g2 106... b1b7 107. g2h2 107... f6f7 108. e3a3 108... b7a8 109. a3b3 109... f7g7 110. b3b8
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111. a7a8q
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The first loss for Wesley So since April. It took more that a hundred moves to grind him down. Anish Giri wins a third in a row to take clear second before the final round of the event.
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1. c2c4 1... e7e6 2. g2g3 2... d7d5 3. f1g2 3... g8f6 4. g1f3 For the time being Anish refrains from the Catalan. 4... d5d4 And Wesley stops it for good. Now the game will take a Reti course, or a reverse Benoni one if we want to be more exact. Interestingly enough, this position is pretty fresh for both the players. 5. e1g1 5... c7c5 6. e2e3 6... b8c6 7. e3d4 7... c5d4 8. d2d3 8... f8d6 9. b1a3 9... e6e5 Here we are in the Modern line of the Modern Benoni reversed with two extra tempi for White. One by default, and a second one due to Black's opening development with e7-e6-e5. This fact allows White a chance to play more aggressively than usual. 10. c4c5 Anish comes up with a novelty! Previously only the natural 10... d6c5 This is more or less forced. 11. a3c4 White's idea becomes clear. He wants to regain the pawn in the most comfortable way by swapping off both the knights and clearing the road for his g2 bishop. 11... f6d7 12. f1e1 12... e8g8 Correct! Black cannot keep the pawn 13. f3e5 13... c6e5 14. c4e5 14... d7e5 15. e1e5 The smoke has cleared. White is slightly better thanks to his better bishops which insert strong pressure on the queenside. The heavy pieces are also ready to assist them. 15... d8b6 Wesley tries to finish the development on the queenside. 16. a2a4 Anish actively opposes this. The pawn has an intention to go all the way to a6. 16... a7a5 Stops the pawn but allows the b5 square for the white rook. 17. d1c2 Anish concentrates on queenside play. His position was very rich and he could have tried 17... c5b4 18. e5b5 18... b6e6 19. c1f4 White is not in a hurry. He knows that the pressure will soon be converted into an extra pawn. 19... c8d7 Wesley defends creatively. 20. g2d5 To kick away the queen from the e-file. 20... e6f6 21. b5b7 21... a8c8 22. c2d1 22... d7e6 23. b7b6 23... f8e8 24. d5e6 24... e8e6 25. a1c1 An important in-between move which makes use of the back-rank weakness. 25... c8e8 26. b6e6 26... f6e6 27. f4d2 27... b4d2 28. d1d2 Anish won a pawn and managed to trade plenty of pieces. The technical part of the game starts now where White still has plenty of work to do. The presence of the heavy pieces gives Black a lot of chances. He can: 1) Swap the queens at the right moment to reach a theoretically draw endgame. 2) Swap the rooks at the right moment to deliver perpetual. 3) Try an attack which is usually very strong with the heavy pieces on board. White, on his turn, should try to swap off the rooks rather than the queens and avoid the scenario with the perpetual... 28... e6f5 29. c1c4 29... f5d5 30. b2b4 30... a5b4 Wesley missed his chance. Strong was 31. d2b4 31... h7h5 32. c4d4 32... d5f3 33. d4e4 Now Giri is in time to take control of the position. 33... e8d8 34. e4e3 34... f3d1 35. g1g2 35... d8d3 36. e3d3 36... d1d3 The most unpleasant scenario happened for So. White's plan is to place the pawn on a5, then bring the queen to b7 (b6) from where it will defend the king from the checks and push all the way to a8. 37. h2h4 Good technique. Anish prevents the opening of his king and this is Black's only chance. 37... g7g5 Which Wesley knows very well! Perpetual is the magic word for him. 38. b4b8 38... g8g7 39. b8e5 39... f7f6 40. e5e3 40... d3c4 41. h4g5 41... c4d5 42. e3f3 42... d5g5 43. f3b7 43... g7h6 44. b7a8 44... h6g7 45. a8a7 The endgame is extremely complex with many checks and hidden details. 45... g7g6 46. a7a8 Giri reapets the moves to gain some time on the clock. 46... g5f5 Wesley deviates from the line above. 47. a8f3 47... f5e5 Is this a win for White or a draw? It should be the former one. It will take hours and even days to prove it despite the huge power of the engines. For a practical game one thing is sure - it is unpleasant for both sides. Black is fighting for his life and White is struggling not to miss an important check! 48. g2h2 48... g6f7 49. f3b3 49... f7g7 50. b3b4 50... e5c7 51. b4e4 51... c7c5 52. h2g2 52... c5g5 53. e4e7 53... g7g6 54. e7e8 54... g6g7 55. e8d7 55... g7h6 56. d7d6 56... h6g6 57. d6d3 57... g6g7 58. d3e4 58... g5c5 59. e4b7 59... g7g6 60. b7b1 60... g6g7 61. b1e4 61... c5g5 62. e4e7 62... g7g6 63. e7e8 63... g6g7 64. e8b5 64... g5g4 65. b5b7 65... g7g6 66. b7b1 66... g6g7 67. a4a5 At last the pawn makes a move, but so does the black one! 67... h5h4 68. b1d3 68... g4c8 69. a5a6 69... c8c6 70. g2h2 70... c6b6 71. h2g2 White misses a direct win 71... h4h3 Again amazing resourcefulness by Wesley. Now he touches the half point. 72. g2h3 72... b6f2 73. d3c4 73... g7g6 74. c4f4 74... f2g1 75. f4e4 75... f6f5 76. e4g2 76... g1a1 77. g2c6 77... g6g5 78. h3g2 78... a1a2 79. g2f3 79... a2a3 80. f3e2 80... a3a2 81. e2d3 81... a2b3 82. c6c3 82... b3d5 83. c3d4 83... d5b5 84. d4c4 84... b5b1 85. d3d2 85... b1b2 86. d2e3 86... b2a3 87. e3f2 87... a3a5 88. c4f4 88... g5g6 89. f4d6 The rest of the game is difficult to annotate. Both players fell into time trouble with the position still being extremely complicated. 89... g6h5 90. f2e3 90... a5a4 91. e3d2 91... a4b3 92. d6d3 Now that the queen is sheltering the king from the checks White is in control. 92... b3a2 93. d2e3 93... h5g5 94. e3f3 94... a2a1 95. d3d8 95... g5h5 96. d8e8 96... h5g5 97. e8e7 97... g5g6 98. e7e6 98... g6g5 99. e6e3 99... g5f6 100. a6a7 One more step... 100... a1f1 101. e3f2 101... f1h1 102. f3e2 102... h1e4 103. f2e3 103... e4c4 104. e2e1 104... c4b4 105. e1f1 The king escapes from the checks, White wins. 105... b4b1 106. f1g2 106... b1b7 107. g2h2 107... f6f7 108. e3a3 108... b7a8 109. a3b3 109... f7g7 110. b3b8 110... a8f3
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1. e2e4
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1... c7c5
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1. e2e4
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2. g1f3
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5
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2... d7d6
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3
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3. d2d4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6
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3... c5d4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4
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4. f3d4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4
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4... g8f6
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4
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5. b1c3
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6
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5... a7a6
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Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3
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6. h2h3
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Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf.
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6... e7e5
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after
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7. d4e2
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5
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7... h7h5
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Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example).
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2
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8. g2g3
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example).
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8... c8e6
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3
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9. f1g2
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6
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9... b8d7
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2
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10. a2a4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7
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10... f8e7
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4
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11. e1g1
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7
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11... a8c8
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1
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12. c1e3
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8
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12... d7b6
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A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3
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13. b2b3
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But allows the main idea
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn.
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13... d6d5
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea
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14. e3b6
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Practically forced.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5
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14... d8b6
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced.
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15. c3d5
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Perhaps the other capture
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6
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15... f6d5
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture
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16. e4d5
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5
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16... e6d7
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The optimal square for the bishop.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5
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17. c2c4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop.
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17... b6d6
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4
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18. a4a5
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The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6
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18... f7f5
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After
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19. d1d3
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5
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19... h5h4
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This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3
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20. g3g4
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This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade.
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20... e8g8
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with
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21. e2c3
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But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8
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21... e5e4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was
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22. d3e3
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4
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22... e7d8
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Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3
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23. g2e4
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Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts.
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23... f5e4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse
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24. c3e4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4
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24... d6f4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4
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25. e3f4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4
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25... f8f4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4
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26. f2f3
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4
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26... d8e7
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In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3
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27. g1f2
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black.
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27... c8f8
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2
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28. f2e3
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Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8
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28... d7e8
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Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache.
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29. c4c5
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It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache. 28... d7e8 Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6.
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29... e8b5
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache. 28... d7e8 Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6. 29. c4c5 It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway.
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30. b3b4
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The last chance. In the line
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache. 28... d7e8 Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6. 29. c4c5 It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway. 29... e8b5
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30... f4e4
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Maxime is alert!
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache. 28... d7e8 Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6. 29. c4c5 It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway. 29... e8b5 30. b3b4 The last chance. In the line
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31. e3e4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache. 28... d7e8 Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6. 29. c4c5 It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway. 29... e8b5 30. b3b4 The last chance. In the line 30... f4e4 Maxime is alert!
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31... f8e8
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A nice ambush which wraps up the game.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache. 28... d7e8 Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6. 29. c4c5 It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway. 29... e8b5 30. b3b4 The last chance. In the line 30... f4e4 Maxime is alert! 31. e3e4
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32. e4f4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache. 28... d7e8 Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6. 29. c4c5 It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway. 29... e8b5 30. b3b4 The last chance. In the line 30... f4e4 Maxime is alert! 31. e3e4 31... f8e8 A nice ambush which wraps up the game.
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32... g7g5
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache. 28... d7e8 Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6. 29. c4c5 It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway. 29... e8b5 30. b3b4 The last chance. In the line 30... f4e4 Maxime is alert! 31. e3e4 31... f8e8 A nice ambush which wraps up the game. 32. e4f4
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33. f4f5
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache. 28... d7e8 Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6. 29. c4c5 It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway. 29... e8b5 30. b3b4 The last chance. In the line 30... f4e4 Maxime is alert! 31. e3e4 31... f8e8 A nice ambush which wraps up the game. 32. e4f4 32... g7g5
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33... g8f7
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Once again ignoring the rook and concentrating on the king. Checkmate is near.
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache. 28... d7e8 Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6. 29. c4c5 It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway. 29... e8b5 30. b3b4 The last chance. In the line 30... f4e4 Maxime is alert! 31. e3e4 31... f8e8 A nice ambush which wraps up the game. 32. e4f4 32... g7g5 33. f4f5
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34. f1e1
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Now it is proper mate, or else it would be a prosaic win:
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache. 28... d7e8 Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6. 29. c4c5 It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway. 29... e8b5 30. b3b4 The last chance. In the line 30... f4e4 Maxime is alert! 31. e3e4 31... f8e8 A nice ambush which wraps up the game. 32. e4f4 32... g7g5 33. f4f5 33... g8f7 Once again ignoring the rook and concentrating on the king. Checkmate is near.
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34... b5d3
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache. 28... d7e8 Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6. 29. c4c5 It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway. 29... e8b5 30. b3b4 The last chance. In the line 30... f4e4 Maxime is alert! 31. e3e4 31... f8e8 A nice ambush which wraps up the game. 32. e4f4 32... g7g5 33. f4f5 33... g8f7 Once again ignoring the rook and concentrating on the king. Checkmate is near. 34. f1e1 Now it is proper mate, or else it would be a prosaic win:
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35. e1e4
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1. e2e4 1... c7c5 2. g1f3 2... d7d6 3. d2d4 3... c5d4 4. f3d4 4... g8f6 5. b1c3 5... a7a6 Maxime is one of the greatest speacialist in the Najdorf. 6. h2h3 Fabiano deviates from the discussion they both had a couple of months ago after 6... e7e5 7. d4e2 7... h7h5 Since White wants to fianchettoe the bishop with g2-g4 this restricting move makes a lot of sense. Black actually wants to delay on the kingside in most of the cases in this line and the h5-h4 resourse is useful for both attacking and strategical aims (to weaken the dark squares for example). 8. g2g3 8... c8e6 9. f1g2 9... b8d7 10. a2a4 10... f8e7 11. e1g1 11... a8c8 12. c1e3 12... d7b6 A novelty! Maxime came well prepared for the game and uncorked a nice positional sacrifice of a pawn. 13. b2b3 But allows the main idea 13... d6d5 14. e3b6 Practically forced. 14... d8b6 15. c3d5 Perhaps the other capture 15... f6d5 16. e4d5 16... e6d7 The optimal square for the bishop. 17. c2c4 17... b6d6 18. a4a5 The fire cannot be stopped with fuel. After 18... f7f5 19. d1d3 19... h5h4 This targets the black squares. Black's play is very easy and natural: he simply advances the pawns on the kingside and creates weaknesses along the dark squares. Fabiano will be happy to play b3-b4 followed by c4-c5 but this is impossible due to the blockade. 20. g3g4 This looks like the best defense. White can also stay still with 20... e8g8 21. e2c3 But this is wrong. Allowing e5-e4 leads to further problems along the b8-h2 diagonal. Correct was 21... e5e4 22. d3e3 22... e7d8 Nice regrouping. Black hits where it hurts. 23. g2e4 Desperation. Fabiano figured that the alternatives are even worse 23... f5e4 24. c3e4 24... d6f4 25. e3f4 25... f8f4 26. f2f3 26... d8e7 In the endgame the value of the pawns increases and normally three pawns should be good enough to fight the bishop. However, in this particular situation the bishop pair and the many useful half-open files speak of the undisputable advantage for Black. 27. g1f2 27... c8f8 28. f2e3 Caruana's desire to activate the king is understandable but the rooks and bishops can now create tactical headache. 28... d7e8 Another nice regroupment. The threat is Be8-g6. 29. c4c5 It is hard to critice White for his decisions as the position is most likely lost anyway. 29... e8b5 30. b3b4 The last chance. In the line 30... f4e4 Maxime is alert! 31. e3e4 31... f8e8 A nice ambush which wraps up the game. 32. e4f4 32... g7g5 33. f4f5 33... g8f7 Once again ignoring the rook and concentrating on the king. Checkmate is near. 34. f1e1 Now it is proper mate, or else it would be a prosaic win: 34... b5d3
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