Good day, dear friend!

It is unlikely that you will find at least one strong player who has not studied the English opening in chess. If you play with black, you will have to respond somehow if your opponent plays 1.с2-с4.

And if you have White, you must admit, sometimes you want to avoid the well-trodden opening paths and play "for understanding", especially if your opponent plays what you don't like.

What is an English beginning?

In the English opening, there are much fewer long forced variations, the cost of a mistake is not as high as, for example, in openings. Yes, and fundamental re-evaluation of positions do not occur so often.

The English Opening is not as fundamental as the Queen's Gambit, for example, and stands aside from fashionable opening trends. However, it is very popular.

In previous years it was used by Botvinnik, Spassky, Petrosyan. The English beginning was seriously tested in the matches of two K. Yes, and in modern times, from time to time there are "English" discussions involving Kramnik, Nakamura, Topalov, Ivanchuk.

The peculiarity of the English beginning is that permutations of moves are often allowed. For example, White's first move could be 1.Nf3.

Another feature is that the English opening often spills over into other openings. For example 1.c4 Nf6 2.Kc3 e6 3.d4 Bb4- On the desk .

There are about 15 different systems in the English beginning.

In order not to completely confuse you with lengthy arguments and not to inflate the article to an indecent size, I propose today to consider one system called “dragon in the first hand”.

Dragon in the first hand

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Kf6 3.g3

As you can see, on the board is a mirror image of the Sicilian dragon variant. Of course, with the difference that White has an extra tempo.

The most common black continuations 3…c6, 3…Bb4, 3…d5

a) 3…c6

White in response most often plays 4.d4, 4.Cg2 And 4.Kf3

4.d4

Seems the most logical since the move Dc6 not yet possible. But only for now.

The chances of the parties are approximately equal.

4.Cg2

White allows the formation of a center.

Sample variant:

White is behind in development, but he has an extra pawn and no obvious weaknesses.

Gurgenidze - Panteleev 1978

4.Kf3

With the advantage of white. Najdorf-Rosetto 1978

b) 3…Bb4

The ideas behind this Bishop lunge are similar to the Nimzowitsch Defence.

4.Cg2 0-0

Whites most often answer 5.Kf3 And 5.e4

5.Kf3

With equality. Larsen - Tal, 1979

5.e4

with an idea Kge2, after which bishop b4 is out of business.

The game is equal.

c) 3…d5

4.cd Kxd5 5.Cg2

With a color change on the board "early" dragon. However, Black does not have time to play c5, like White in the Maroczi system.

However, Black has a choice:

5…Ne7.5…K:с3, 5…Kb6. Worse 5…c6 or 5…Ce6– see error section.

5…Ne7

Sample variant:

White has the best game. Ulman - Taimanov 1982

5…K:с3

White has the initiative on the queenside.

5…Kb6

With a slight advantage for White. Huebner - Adoryan 1985

As you can see, in the Dragon in the first hand, White does not allow Black to play in the same way as White plays in the Sicilian Dragon: castling long and attacking the king.

Also, Black does not have time to "squeeze White with the move c7-c5 as in the Maroczi system in the early dragon.

On the whole, Black has good chances for an equalization, but one should play carefully.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

A typical mistake in this variation is to play for black, by analogy, as one plays for white in the dragon variation in the Sicilian.

White has an obvious advantage. They play e4 and d5, getting a strong passed pawn.

Black has a difficult position.

Another example:

Black is losing.

What are the ideas of the English beginning?

I would note the following:

• Ability to avoid beaten paths and forced options. Drag the opponent into formations unfamiliar to him and replay.
• Possibility to move to the desired opening with a rearrangement of moves.
• Possibility to avoid undesirable openings in a given game.

About this, the third point, - a little more.

Your humble servant does not like to play the Grunfeld Defense with White. The English Opening avoids this opening. 1.c4 Kf6 2. Kc3 g6 3.e4- voila. Black should play the King's Indian.

Similarly, the Slavic defense. If black on 1.с4 answer 1…c6, I play 2.e4 and if 2….d5, That 3.ed cd 4.d4. Learned? Panov's attack in the Caro-Kann defense. The opponent is often not ready for such metamorphoses.

I suppose, having arranged the pieces, you can easily figure out on your own how after the move 1.с4 one can avoid such openings as the Nimzowitsch Defence, the Queen's Indian Defence, various gambits like the Budapesh or Albin gambits.

It goes without saying that the accepted Queen's Gambit is difficult to play for Black in this order of moves.

In conclusion:

If you take your chess career seriously, studying the English opening is, in my opinion, a promising business. It contains a huge number of little-studied, "creative" positions and paths.

This is where the eyes of the leading players will be directed as the fundamental openings in chess are finally studied and analyzed "from cover to cover."

Sample games:

1. Nakamura - Wang Hao

2012, 45th Biel GM, 0:1

2. Kramnik - Anand

2013, Zuerich Chess Challenge, 1:0

3. Nakamura - Howell

2011, 3rd London Chess Classic, 1:0

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Each of us loves to play chess. The beginning of the game is a tough fight in which good positions are chosen for one's own pieces. It should be taken into account that during the opening part it is not only necessary to quickly mobilize your own pieces, as it is written in all textbooks that tell about the beginning of a game of chess.

How to play the opening in chess?

Chess is such an unexpected game. During the game, the chess player must:

1. improve the position of mobilized figures;
2. exchange bad pieces;
3. do everything necessary to push back the opponent's pieces;
4. create unforeseen circumstances for the enemy;
5. follow the original tactics;
6. keep strengthening individual points that are of significant importance in strategy and tactics.

All these tasks, combined with the mobilization of all combat forces, should answer the question of how to start a game of chess.

An opening that begins with c2-c4 and a flank attack is called the English Opening. Video of this debut can be easily found on the worldwide web.

This is a project approved by our readers, in which you or your child will be able to improve their playing skills, complete a chess category, and grow up to the winner of regional tournaments in a short time. The teachers are FIDE masters, online training.

It allows the chess player, who prefers to start with white, to prevent the emergence of modern and deeply thought-out tactics. How to start a game of chess in case of abandoning the first move d2-d4 in favor of c2-c4? Accept the gambit with the queen. In recent years, such a beginning of the game has brought excellent results to opponents and can be encountered during the game of grandmasters. The first move c2-c4 does not allow the opponent to take over the tactics after the first move c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4. This step will lead to a disadvantageous start option for the enemy.

Pros and cons of the English beginning

The main advantage compared to the d4 opening is that it is easier to build tactics this way. In this case, White can easily block his opponent's favorite positions. One of the main disadvantages of the first move is that the opponent can immediately respond with the first move e5. Many grandmasters, after the first c4 e5 opening, believe that the probability of White winning is extremely small. Therefore, chess players who are afraid of the first retaliatory step e5 start playing this tactic in a different playing order: 1. Kf3 Kf6, and only then the second C4. However, at the first step. Kf3 has another minus: black can play d5.

In order to visually see the tactics, it is enough to delve a little into the essence of the process and understand what the Catalan opening chess online is.

This is the closed opening tactic in chess, which begins with a sequence of moves:

2. c2-c4 e7-e6

By playing g3 on the third move, White does not give his opponents the opportunity to use the Nimzowitsch strategy for defense. White uses this opening with the aim of fighting for victory on the central flank from the very first moves, with the king's bishop on g2 playing the main role, which, in addition to putting pressure on the central flank, also makes it impossible for the opponent to develop the queenside.

The King's Indian Opening is a flank type opening that players start by attacking the opponent's strong side from the center of the board. Place d5 must be quickly attacked by establishing control of White's king's bishop. Video of this victory can be found on the Internet. The King's Indian opening is a great start and offers many advantages in the game.

Patzer start c20

The beginning of the c20 patzer in chess begins with White's first move e2-e4 and the counter-move d1-h5 to Black's first move e7-e5.

Zaragoza opening in chess

A chess opening starting with c2-c3. It was invented in 1917 by a Spanish chess player from the city of Zaragoza. In 1921, a tournament was held in which everyone had to start their game with this combination.

Refers to incorrect openings in chess and is rarely used in modern chess.

We hope this article has given you some tips on how to play the opening in chess. Now you have some basic skills and can learn further with the help of our portal.

Encyclopedic YouTube

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  Many variations of this opening have been contributed to by Zukertort , Nimzowitsch , Rubinstein , Reti , Capablanca , Botvinnik. Often used the English beginning in tournaments and matches Smyslov , Polugaevsky , Larsen , Petrosyan , Tal , Portisch , Korchnoi , Karpov , Ulman , Ljubojevic, Andersson, Miles , Gort , Huebner , gulko, Fur coat, Kasparov , Ivanchuk , Kramnik. The latest developments and ideas in the English beginning belong to Michal Gurevich, Mikhail Marin, Lars Karlsson, Anthony Kosten and others.

  The English Opening is a godsend for the escaper: this opening allows the player who prefers to play closed openings with White to avoid many popular and deeply developed openings. It is also important that White can prevent those defenses that are perfectly studied and played by the opponent.

  What openings can be avoided by abandoning 1. d2-d4 in favor of 1. с2-с4?

  Queen's Gambit Accepted. Recently, this opening has brought good results to Black and is found at the highest level, for example, it is often used by Anand. The move 1. c2-c4 prevents Black from playing the accepted queen's move in the normal way, for example, after 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4, the attempt to accept the gambit by 3 ... dc is unsuccessful due to White's reply 4. e4!, which leads to unfavorable for black variants of this opening.

  Chigorin Defense and Albin's Countergambit. Despite the traditionally bad reputation, these openings are found even at the level of top-class grandmasters. Albin A. Morozevich, the greatest contemporary apologist for the Chigorin Defense and the Countergambit, even has a positive balance with Black.

  Budapest Gambit.

  Slavic defense. One of the most popular, hard-to-break contemporary openings. Fans of the "Slav" often respond to 1.с4 with 1.с6, trying to reduce the game to well-studied schemes after 2.d4. However, White has the option to switch the game to the Caro-Kann defense (2. e4) or stick to the main lines of the Reti opening.

  Grunfeld Defense. The variations of this opening are developed exceptionally deeply, many grandmasters are looking for ways to gain an advantage, but Black has counterplay everywhere. The English Opening gives White several opportunities to avoid the Grunfeld Defense.

  Nimzowitsch Defense. The name "anti-Nimzowitsch" speaks for itself - White avoids the main defensive options.

  Queen's Indian Defense and Bogolyubov's Defense.

  Benoni Defence, Modern-Benoni, Volga Gambit.

  Dutch defense.

  « Tango» 1. d4 Kf6 2. c4 Nc6!? This unusual debut has become popular over the past ten years. It is not easy for White to refute Black's strategy. The opening occurs in competitions of the highest rank and brings good practical results to Black.

  English defense (English Defense) 1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6!? The defense was developed by a group of English chess players led by E. Miles. The natural reaction to Black's somewhat slow strategy is 3. e4. However, this move brings White more grief than joy. Black has amazing counterplay resources against White's center. The statistic of the variation is also in Black's favor. Therefore, strong chess players prefer 3. a3!?, although there is no need to talk about a significant advantage for White here. See the book by I. Odessky "The Impossible Beginning". The English Opening allows White to evade this opening.

  Polish defense, St. George Defense. 1. d4 b5?! 2. e4 a6. The defense is a variation of the Sokolsky opening in the second hand. It would seem that Black, who from the very first moves neglects the center in favor of flank operations, should be easily punished. However, not all so simple. In this opening, playing with white, sometimes the strongest chess players in the world suffered defeats, for example, in 1983 A. Karpov lost to E. Miles.

  Untitled debut 1. d4 e6 2. c4 Bb4!? Many strong grandmasters played this way, for example, Psakhis, Eingorn, Short, Korchnoi. A flexible opening that allows you to vary plans and move to other openings, and the statistics for black are not bad. The English Opening gives White the opportunity to evade this opening as well.

  King's Indian Defense. Generally speaking, White rarely avoids this opening. But move 1.c2-c4! gives them that opportunity.

  Advantages and disadvantages of the English beginning

  The main advantage of the English Opening compared to 1.d4 is that in this opening it is easier to build the game not from Black's point of view, but from White's point of view. You can easily prevent your opponent from playing his favorite positions. The only significant disadvantage of the opening is that black can immediately respond with 1…e5. According to many chess players, after 1. c4 e5 White's chances of gaining an advantage are extremely small. However, according to others [ what? ] of chess players, Black should not respond to White c4 with e5, because in the Sicilian Defense with e4 c5, as a rule, everything is in order for Black, but here it’s the same with a change of color, while White has an extra tempo [ ] . Nevertheless, the grandmasters, who are afraid of the answer 1…e5, play the English Opening with a different order of moves: 1. Kf3 Kf6, and only now - 2. c4. However, 1. Kf3 has another minus: Black can respond with 1… d5, which means that White cannot avoid the Queen's Gambit Accepted or the Slav Defence. And in the orthodox Queen's Gambit, early Kf3, as you know, simplifies the defense for Black.

  Is it worth fearing, by playing 1.c4, an immediate response 1...e5? Let's see the statistics. If the move 1...e5 were so dangerous for White, most grandmasters would respond exactly like this to the move 1.c4. However, the most popular response here is 1…Kf6. Further. After 1. c4 Kf6 2. Nc3, the answer 2… e5 is in fourth place in popularity, behind such continuations as 2… g6, 2… e6 and 2… c5. This means that black players prefer other defenses to systems with e7-e5.

  The move 1. c2-c4 is popular in world championship matches: suffice it to recall that Korchnoi in his matches against Karpov opened most of the games with the move of the bishop pawn. Kasparov, in a match with Karpov in 1987, chose the English opening as the main opening weapon. He did not change this move in the last, 24th, game of the match, when he needed a victory. It is curious that in game 23 Karpov was in a similar situation: he needed to win. He chose 1. c2-c4 and won.

  The English opening is not very popular among amateurs, even at a high level. The reason is simple. Here there is a great chance of "boring" positions, it is not so easy to start a sharp tactical struggle. In this opening, the winner is the one who surpasses the opponent in positional understanding, in the art of maneuvering, in the ability to feel the finest nuances of emerging positions. The English opening is not a debut for scorchers, not for lovers of sparkling attacks. You won't get far here on one tactic and calculation. It seems that as the research on closed openings grows, it will become more and more difficult to play them: it is already becoming difficult to come up with something new in the Grunfeld or Nimzowitsch defenses today. In the English beginning, events, as a rule, develop not so rapidly, the pawn structure is not determined immediately, there are much fewer forced variations developed before the endgame. This means that there are more game positions in it, so the future belongs to the English beginning.

  Queen's Gambit Overview of the main systems

  Dec 19, 2018 Posted by

  1.c4 This move was often played in the 19th century by English champion Howard Staunton, hence the name of the opening. The English Opening is one of the most popular openings these days. The reason for this is the variety of positions that arise in it, corresponding to the taste of chess players of different styles.

  "The English Opening" - this name was given to the opening thanks to the English chess player Howard Staunton

  This opening is used by chess players of the highest level. During the World Championship match, the English kickoff was played three times.

  1. c4 (Some schemes of the English Opening are similar to the Sicilian Defence, which is played by White with a change of color, thus gaining an extra tempo compared to the usual variations. Black has two typical replies - 1…c5 and 1…e5. Other continuations lead the game to other openings or lead to the systems under consideration with a rearrangement of moves.) c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 (3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 (.) (5. e3 g6 (5... Nc6 6. Bb5 (+0.48) (5... e6 {, переходя к ферзевому гамбиту +0.18}) (5... Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. d4 (7. h4 {+0.00}) 7... Bg7 8. Bd3 O-O 9. O-O Qc7 {+0.27 (Карпов — Каспаров, 1987)}) 6. Qb3 Nc7 (6... Nxc3 7. Qxc3 {+0.48}) 7. Bc4 e6 8. d4 {+0.48 !}) (5. g3 e6 (5... g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. Nxd5 Qxd5 9. d3 Nc6 10. Be3 Bd7 {! +0.00}) (5... Nc6 6. Bg2 Nc7 {возникает рассматриваемая ниже система Рубинштейна- Ботвинника +0.39}) 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8. d4 O-O {черные сохраняют неплохие контршансы как при} 9. Nxd5 (9. e4 Ndb4 {! +0.00}) 9... exd5 {!} (9... Qxd5 {?} 10. Be3 {+0.48 !}) 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Qc2 Bb6 12. Bg5 f6 {+0.00 .}) (5. d4 e6 {, переходя к улучшенной защите Тарраша ферзевого гамбита, +0.21} (5... Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 {, стремясь к защите Грюнфельда +0.24}) (5... cxd4 6. Qxd4 Nxc3 7. Qxc3 Nc6 (7... e6 8. e4 Nc6 9. Bb5 Qb6 10. Bxc6+ Qxc6 11. Qxc6+ bxc6 12. O-O {+0.48}) 8. e4 Bg4 9. Bb5 Rc8 10. Be3 Bxf3 11. gxf3 a6 12. Rd1 Qc7 13. Bxc6+ Qxc6 14. Qd4 {+0.48 . Портиш — Хюбнер, 1979.})) (5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. Ne5 Qc7 {!} 7. Nxd5 Qxe5 8. Nb6 Rb8 9. Nxc8 Rxc8 {+0.00}) 5... Nb4 (5... Nxc3 6. bxc3 (6. dxc3 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Nc6 8. Be3 {+0.27 Тимман — Таль, 1979}) 6... g6 {ведет к структуре защиты Грюнфельда +0.33}) 6. Bc4 (6. Bb5+ Bd7 (6... N8c6 7. d4 cxd4 8. a3 {!} dxc3 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. axb4 cxb2 11. Bxb2 {+0.27 белые получают за пожертвованную пешку инициативу. Чехов — Вернер (1979)} e6 (11... f6 12. e5 { !} Bg4 {?!} 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Nd4 {+0.48 !, с сильнейшей атакой у белых (Каспаров — Корчной, 1989}) (11... Bd7 {!? Таль — Тимман (1985)} 12. O-O f6 13. Bc4 Nxb4 {!} 14. e5 {!} Rc8 15. Bf7 {!} Rc2 16. Rfb1 Nd3 {+0.00}) 12. O-O f6 13. e5 f5 14. Nd4 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 Bd7 16. Bxa7 {+0.48 !, и белые, отыграв пешку, сохранили активную позицию}) 7. a3 Bxb5 8. axb4 Bd3 9. Qa4+ Nc6 10. b5 Nb4 11. b6+ {!} Qd7 12. Qxd7+ Kxd7 13. Rxa7 Rb8 14. Ne5+ {+0.48 Форинтош — Фараго, 1979}) 6... Be6 (6... Nd3+ 7. Ke2 Nf4+ {!} (7... Nxc1+ 8. Rxc1 a6 9. d4 cxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd4 11. Nxd4 e6 12. Rhd1 {+0.33} (12. f4 {+0.00}) (12. e5 {+0.30 })) 8. Kf1 Ne6 9. b4 {+0.27 !?} (9. Ne5 {+0.27})) (6... N8c6 7. d4 cxd4 8. a3 { !} dxc3 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. axb4 cxb2 11. Bxb2 e6 12. O-O f6 13. e5 f5 14. Nd4 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 Bd7 16. Bxa7 {+0.27 !}) 7. Bxe6 Nd3+ 8. Kf1 fxe6 9. Ng5 Qb6 {!?} (9... Nc6 {+0.00}) (9... Qd7 {+0.00}) 10. Qe2 {?!} (10. Qa4+ Nd7 (10... Nc6 { +0.00}) 11. Qc4 N7e5 12. Qxe6 Qxe6 (12... h6 13. Qxb6 (13. Nd5 Qxe6 {+0.00}) 13... axb6 {+0.00 , черные получают достаточную компенсацию за пешку}) 13. Nxe6 Kd7 14. Nxc5+ Nxc5 15. d4 {+0.48}) (10. Qf3 c4 11. b3 h6 (11... Ne5 { +1.03}) 12. bxc4 Nxc1 {?} 13. Nf7 {+5.50 !, Тукмаков — Пешина, 1980}) 10... c4 11. b3 h6 12. Nf3 (12. Nh3 {+0.00}) 12... Nc6 13. bxc4 O-O-O 14. g3 g5 {+0.00 , с сильной атакой у черных (Полугаевский — Таль, 1979).}) 3... cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 {Здесь встречаются и другие продолжения.} (4... d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 {ведет к ферзевому гамбиту} 6. e4 Nc7 7. Bf4 {!} Ne6 8. Bb5+ {+0.27 (Тимман — Майлс, 1986).}) (4... a6 5. Nc3 d5 (5... e6 6. g3 Qc7 7. Bg2 Qxc4 8. Bf4 Bb4 9. O-O {! } Bxc3 10. Rc1 {+0.83 !}) 6. Nb3 {(Рашковский — Чехов, 1976). +0.33}) (4... b6 {чаще всего ведет к позициям типа системы «ёж», рассматриваемой ниже.} 5. Nc3 Bb7 6. f3 d6 7. e4 Nbd7 8. Be2 e6 9. O-O Be7 10. Be3 O-O 11. a4 {!} a6 12. a5 { +0.27 !, Гельфанд — Смирин, 1988.}) (4... e5 5. Nb5 {(другие отступления конем не оставляют белым надежд на дебютное преимущества)} d5 {! возникают запутанные ситуации, где за пожертвованнуo^ пешку черные часто имеo^т активную фигурную игру.} 6. cxd5 Bc5 {!} (6... Nxd5 {?? !} 7. Qxd5 {! +5.50}) 7. N5c3 O-O 8. e3 e4 {!} 9. Nd2 (9. a3 a5 10. Be2 Be7 11. g4 {+0.27 ! Гельфанд — Гофман, 1989}) 9... Qe7 10. a3 a5 {(Палатник — Каспаров, 1982). +0.00}) (4... Nc6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Ndb5 (6. g3 Qb6 {,} (6... Bc5 7. Nb3 Bb4 8. Bg2 d5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. O-O {! +0.00}) 7. Nb3 (7. Nc2 Bc5 {! +0.00}) 7... Bb4 (7... d5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. Bg2 (10. Qxd5 Be6 11. Qe4 Bb4+ 12. Bd2 O-O {-0.48 !}) 10... Be6 11. O-O (11. Bxd5 Bb4+ 12. Kf1 Rd8 {-0.83 !}) 11... Rd8 12. Bg5 {!} f6 13. Bd2 Be7 14. Bc3 {+0.27 , Карпов — Корчной, 1988}) (7... Ne5 8. e4 Bb4 9. Qe2 d6 (9... O-O 10. f4 Nc6 11. e5 {!} Ne8 12. Bd2 f6 13. c5 {+0.27 ! Портиш — Корчной, 1970}) 10. f4 Nc6 11. Be3 (11. Bg2 {после} e5 {+0.00 ! Портиш — Сакс, 1988}) 11... Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Qc7 13. Bg2 e5 14. c5 {+0.27 , Морович — Корчной, 1988}) 8. Bg2 Qa6 9. c5 b6 10. O-O bxc5 11. Be3 d5 12. Nxc5 Qa5 13. N3a4 {+0.27 . Эйнгорн — Георгиев, 1984}) (6. Bf4 Bb4 7. Ndb5 O-O 8. Bd6 Bxd6 9. Nxd6 Ne8 {+0.18} (9... Qb6 {+0.27})) 6... Bb4 (6... d5 7. Bf4 (7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Nxd5 exd5 9. Qxd5 {?} Bb4+ {!} 10. Bd2 Qe7 {-0.27 , Шуба — Портиш, 1984}) 7... e5 8. cxd5 exf4 9. dxc6 bxc6 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11. Rd1+ Bd7 12. Nd6 Bxd6 13. Rxd6 Rb8 14. Rd2 Re8 {+0.00 . Карпов — Полугаевский, 1984}) (6... Bc5 7. Bf4 e5 8. Be3 $13 {!?} (8. Bg5 $13)) 7. a3 (7. Bf4 O-O {ведет к уже рассмотренной позиции +0.21}) 7... Bxc3+ 8. Nxc3 d5 {!} 9. e3 O-O 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Be2 Bf5 12. O-O (12. Nb5 Qb6 13. O-O a6 14. Nd4 Nxd4 15. Qxd4 Qxd4 16. exd4 Rac8 {-0.27 , Хасин — Штейн, 1961}) 12... d4 {+0.00 , Решевский — Бенко, 1964.}) 5. g3 (5. Nc3 Bb4 6. g3 {возникает позиция, которая также может получиться из защиты Нимцовича (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 c5 5.g3 cd 6.N:d4), весьма популярная в настоящее время.} (6. e3 Ne4 7. Qc2 Nxc3 8. bxc3 Be7 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O a6 {-0.27 Решевский — Фишер, 1970}) 6... Ne4 (6... O-O 7. Bg2 d5 8. cxd5 (8. Qb3 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 (9. Qxc3 e5 {!} 10. Nb5 a6 11. Na3 d4 { -0.27}) 9... Nc6 {!} 10. cxd5 Na5 {!} 11. Qc2 Nxd5 12. Qd3 {!} Qc7 {!} 13. O-O Bd7 14. e4 Nb6 15. f4 e5 {+0.00 ! Каспаров — Шуба, 1986}) (8. O-O dxc4 9. Qa4 Na6 10. Ndb5 Nd5 11. Rd1 Bd7 (11... Qe8 {+0.00}) 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Rxd5 Qe8 { ! (Николаф — Браун, 1988) +0.00}) 8... Nxd5 9. Bd2 Nb6 10. Nc2 Be7 11. O-O Nc6 {+0.00}) 7. Qd3 Qa5 8. Nb3 Nxc3 {!} 9. Bd2 (9. Nxa5 Ne4+ 10. Bd2 Bxd2+ 11. Qxd2 Nxd2 12. Kxd2 Nc6 13. Nxc6 dxc6 {+0.00}) 9... Ne4 {!} 10. Qxe4 Bxd2+ 11. Nxd2 O-O 12. Bg2 Nc6 13. Qe3 {!} d5 14. O-O d4 15. Qd3 {(Фараго — Браун, 1979). +0. 00}) 5... Bb4+ (5... d5 6. Bg2 e5 7. Nf3 (7. Nc2 {+0.00}) (7. Nb3 {-0.09}) (7. Nb5 {+0.06}) 7... d4 8. O-O (8. Nxe5 {??} Qa5+ {-5.50}) 8... Nc6 9. e3 {. Фактически белые играют защиту Грюнфельда с переменой цвета и парой лишних темпов — это дает им основание надеяться на преимущество в дебюте.} Be7 (9... Bc5 10. exd4 exd4 11. Re1+ (11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Nb3 Qb6 13. Bg5 Ne4 {+0.00}) 11... Be6 12. Ng5 {!} O-O 13. Rxe6 {?} (13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. Nd2 d3 {! +0.00}) 13... fxe6 14. Nxe6 Qb6 {!} 15. Nxf8 Rxf8 {+0.00}) (9... d3 10. Nc3 Bb4 {+0.68}) 10. exd4 exd4 11. Bf4 O-O 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. Bxe5 Bc5 14. Nd2 Re8 {+0.00 Ногейрас — Портиш, 1984}) (5... Qb6 6. Bg2 Bc5 {!} 7. e3 Nc6 8. O-O Nxd4 9. exd4 Bxd4 10. Nc3 e5 11. Nb5 O-O 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. b3 d5 {! (Ногейрас — Псахис, 1986) +0.00}) (5... Qc7 6. Nd2 (6. Nc3 Qxc4 7. e4 Qb4 8. a3 Qd6 9. Be3 {+0.00}) 6... a6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. b3 {+0.27 ! (Багиров — К. Григорян, 1977).}) 6. Bd2 Qb6 7. Bg2 (7. Bxb4 Qxb4+ 8. Nc3 Qxb2 {+0.27 ,} (8... O-O 9. Qb3 Qc5 10. Rd1 d6 11. Qa3 {+0.27 ! (Зильберштейн — Полугаевский, 1972)}) (8... a6 9. Qb3 (9. a3 Qxc4 10. Rc1 {+0.83}) 9... Qc5 10. Nc2 {!} Nc6 11. Bg2 Rb8 12. O-O b5 13. cxb5 axb5 14. Rfc1 {+0.27 ,}) 9. Ndb5 Qb4 10. Nc7+ Kd8 11. Qd2 Ne4 12. Nxe6+ fxe6 13. Nxe4 Qxd2+ 14. Kxd2 {(Зильберштейн — Васo^ков, 1972) -0.06}) 7... Nc6 (7... Qxd4 8. Bxb4 Qxc4 9. Ba3 {+0.27}) 8. Nb3 d5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. O-O {+0.27 . (Тайманов — Гипслис, 1972).} *!}

  Games with comments

  Philip - Yanovsky

  Stockholm, 1962
  

  1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. Nge2 e5 ((?) The Nimzowitsch formation c4-d3-e4 was a formidable weapon in the hands of White in the 1950s and 1960s. Often the world champion M. Botvinnik played the same way, repeatedly pointing out that with the order of moves chosen by Black, it is more promising) (6... c5) 7. O-O (because now White can refuse to move d2-d4, with the transition to the King's Indian Defense, and, having played d2-d3, free his hands for operations on the flanks.) Be6 (?! Black's plan to force the exchange of the bishop on g2 is wrong. Black is still on f6, and in response to f2-f4 he does not have the “brake” f7-f5, which should have been taken care of immediately. . )) 8. d3 Qc8 (8... Nh5 (: after Here it was already late) 9. f4 (Black is deprived of the f7-f5 move, since after e4:f5 the b7-pawn comes under attack.)) 9. f4 ( Nc6 10. Nd5 Bg4 11. Ne3 Bh3 12. f5 {!} Bxg2 {Стратегически партия решена — черным нечего противопоставить пешечной атаке противника на королевском фланге.} 13. Kxg2 Ne8 {Иначе последует g4, Ng3, g5 и f5-f6. Черные пытаются «забаррикадировать» королевский фланг.} 14. Nd5 f6 15. h4 {! Точный ход, не допускающий g6-g5.} Rf7 16. g4 Ne7 17. Nxe7+ Rxe7 18. Ng3 {Последние приготовления к решающему штурму.} Rf7 19. g5 {!} Qd8 20. fxg6 hxg6 21. h5 { Грозит смертельная атака на линии «h». Спасаясь от нее, черные вынуждены идти на материальные жертвы.} fxg5 22. Rxf7 Kxf7 23. hxg6+ Kg8 (23... Kxg6 {После} 24. Qh5+ {партия заканчивается моментально. Впрочем, и теперь белые «управляются» довольно быстро.}) 24. Qh1 Nf6 25. Bxg5 Qd7 26. Rf1 Rf8 27. Qh4 {Здесь черные могли с чистой совестьo^ сдаться. Но еще последовало:} Qg4 28. Rxf6 Qxh4 29. Rxf8+ Bxf8 30. Bxh4 Kg7 31. Bd8 c6 32. Nf5+ Kxg6 33. Bc7 {. Черные сдались. Учебный пример фланговой атаки при обеспеченном центре.} *!}

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  Timman — Karpov

  Montreal, 1979
  

  1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 (4. g3 (As indicated in the analysis, the main and most common continuation is -)) 4... Be7 (4... Bb4 (in favor of the rare, A. Karpov does not remain in debt and also evades the tried and tested)) 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. Nxc6 (7. Be2 (In case) d5 8. cxd5 Nb4 9. e4 Nxe4 (! Black equalizes chances, since on) 10. Nxe4 (follows) Qxd5 (with the threats of 11…Q:e4 and 11…Q:d4! (Bagirov — Nei, 1979).)) 7... bxc6 8. Be2 d5 9. O-O Bd6 10. b3 Qe7 11. Bb2 dxc4 (! An ingenious decision that takes into account the dynamic possibilities lurking in the position. It will soon become clear that the opening of the files is a more significant factor than the weakening of the pawn structure.) 12. bxc4 (12. Bxc4 (due to variation Now it is risky for White to answer) Bxh2+ ( 13. Kxh2 Ng4+ 14. Kg3 Qg5 15. f4 Qg6 16. Qb1 Bf5 17. e4 Nf6+ {, с сильной атакой у черных.}) 12... Rb8 13. Qc1 Ng4 14. g3 {?} (14. Bxg4 {Следовало упростить игру путем} Bxg4 15. Re1 {, и если} Rb4 { , то} 16. Ne2 Bxe2 17. Rxe2 Qh4 18. f4 {.}) 14... Re8 15. Nd1 {Белые не разгадывают замысла соперника.} (15. Bf3 {, хотя и в этом случае после Относительно лучше было} Ne5 16. Be2 Bh3 {у черных весьма инициативная позиция.}) 15... Nxh2 {! Блестящий удар, которым начинается далеко и точно рассчитанная комбинация.} 16. c5 (16. Kxh2 {В случае} Qh4+ 17. Kg1 Bxg3 {!} 18. fxg3 Qxg3+ 19. Kh1 Re4 (19... Re6 {из-за хуже} 20. Bf6) 20. Rf4 Rxf4 21. exf4 Qe1+ {у черных выигрывающая атака.}) 16... Nxf1 17. cxd6 Nxg3 {!} 18. fxg3 Qxd6 {Черные с лихвой отыграли пожертвованный материал, сохранив к тому же и атаку.} 19. Kf2 Qh6 20. Bd4 Qh2+ 21. Ke1 {Ведет к потере еще одной пешки, однако ничего лучшего у белых уже не было.} (21. Kf3 {решало На} h5 22. Nf2 Bg4+) 21... Qxg3+ 22. Kd2 Qg2 23. Nb2 Ba6 24. Nd3 {Белые пытаются наладить взаимодействие своих фигур, но открытая позиция их короля позволяет Карпову перейти к финальной атаке.} Bxd3 25. Kxd3 Rbd8 26. Bf1 Qe4+ 27. Kc3 c5 {! А. Карпов четко завершает атаку.} 28. Bxc5 Qc6 29. Kb3 Rb8+ 30. Ka3 Re5 31. Bb4 Qb6 {Белые сдались.} 0-1!}

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  Kasparov - Salov

  Barcelona, ​​1989
  

  1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. Nc3 c5 4. e4 ( (4. d4 {После} cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bb7 {белые, чтобы провести e2-e4, должны предварительно сыграть f2-f3 или Bc1-g5. Построение, избранное Г.Каспаровым в ответ на систему «ёж», значительно агрессивнее.}) 4... d6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Bb7 7. Qe2 {!} Nbd7 {?! Первая неточность. Белые недвусмысленно показали, что в их планы входит при случае удар Nc3-d5! (аналогично бывает в сицилианской защите), и поэтому, как указал В. Салов,} (7... e6 {! следовало срочно завершить развитие:} 8. g3 Be7 9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O Qc7 {! (грозило 11.e5!), с последующим a7-a6 и обычной для системы «ёж» сложной борьбой.}) 8. g3 Rc8 {И здесь и на следующем ходу необходимо было е7-е6.} 9. Bg2 a6 10. O-O Qc7 11. b3 e6 {Поздно.} 12. Nd5 {!} Qb8 13. Rd1 g6 (13... exd5 {Быстро завершалась борьба после} 14. exd5+ Kd8 15. Nc6+ Bxc6 16. dxc6 Nc5 17. b4) 14. Bg5 {! Не давая противнику передышки.} Bg7 15. Bxf6 {!} Nxf6 (15... Bxf6 {Плохо} 16. Nxf6+ Nxf6 17. e5 {!} dxe5 18. Bxb7 Qxb7 19. Qxe5 Qe7 20. Nc6 {!}) 16. Nxb6 Rd8 17. e5 {!} Bxg2 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. Nxe6 {! Разгром.} fxe6 20. Qxe6+ Be7 21. c5 {! Неочевидный ход.} (21. Re1 { Значительно слабее было} Qb7 22. Qxe7+ Qxe7 23. Rxe7+ Kxe7 24. Kxg2 {, и, хотя белые сохранили перевес, у черных оставались шансы на спасение.}) 21... Bb7 22. Re1 Qc7 23. c6 {!} Bxc6 24. Rac1 Rd7 25. Nxd7 Qxd7 26. Qc4 {!} Bb7 27. Qc7 Rf8 28. Qb8+ Kf7 29. Rc7 {черные сдались. Блестящая победа Каспарова в этой партии была удостоена 1-го приза за красоту игры.} 1-0!}

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  Aronian - Karjakin

  1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Qa4+ c6 6.Qxc4 b5 7.Qb3 (7.Qc2 Bb7 8.a4 a6 9.Nc3 Nbd7 10.O-O Be7 11.d3 O-O 12. e4 h6 ( Sargissian,G (2677)-Xu,Yi (2538) Moscow 2018 )) 7...Bb7 8.O-O Be7 9.d4 O-O 10.Rd1 Nbd7 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nd7 13.Bf4 $146 ( 13.Nc3 Qc7 14.Bf4 Rfd8 15.Qc2 Qb6 16.Ne4 c5 17.Bg5 Bxg5 18.Nxg5 Nf8 ( Sargissian,G (2679)-Khuska,Y (2372) Douglas 2015 )) 13...Qc7 14.Nd2 Rfd8 15.Rac1 a6 16.Qe3 c5 17.Bxb7 Qxb7 18.Ne4 c4 19.h4 h6 20.Rd4 Nf8 ((Karjakin mentioned the possibility) 20...Nb6 ( . )) 21.b3 Rxd4 22.Qxd4 Rd8 23 .Nd6 Bxd6 24.exd6 f6 ("Absolutely equal position" - Karjakin.) 25.Be3 e5 26.Qb2 (26.Qg4 $11) 26...Qc6 27.bxc4 bxc4 28.Qb4 (28.Qc2 Rc8 29. Rd1) 28...Rc8! ("I already felt that Black had a game," said Karjakin.) (28...Rxd6 29.Bc5 Rd8 30.Bxf8 Rxf8 31.Rxc4 (with a draw. )) 29.f3 h5 30.Kf2 Kf7 31 .Rd1 Nd7 32.Qb1 g6 33.g4 (Karjakin did not like this move, since the change in structure would be beneficial for Black.) 33...Rh8 34.g5 f5 35.Qc2 Rc8 36.Qc3 Ke6 37.Kg2 Qa4 38. Qd2 Qb5 39.a4 Qc6 40.Qc2 Rb8 41.Bd2 Rb3 42.Bc3? ((White shouldn't have given up the a-pawn. Karjakin expected) 42.a5 (but didn't consider it) 42...Kxd6 (and further) 43.Bb4+ Kc7 44.Be7 (with unclear play. )) 42...Qxa4 43.Ra1 Qc6 44.Ra5 Rb5 45.Qa4 Nb6 46.Qa1 Rxa5 47.Qxa5 Qb5 48.d7 Kxd7 49.Qa3 Nd5 50.Bxe5 Qc6 (“I realized that it would not be easy to win, but I think that nothing I didn’t spoil ”, Karyakin.) 51.qf8 QE6 52.QB8 C3 53.QB7+ KE8 54.QB8+ KF7 55.QB7+ NE7 56.Bxc3 qxe2+ 57.KH3 QB5 58.Q7 qc6 qxf3+ 60.kh2 QF2+ 61. Kh1 Qxh4+ 62.Kg1 Qxg5+ 63.Kh2 Qh4+ 64.Kg1 Qe4 65.Qg7+ Ke6 66.Bf6 Nd5 67.Bb2 f4 68.Kh2 Kf5 69.Qf8+ Kg5 70.Qd8+ Kg4 71.Qc8+ Kh4 72.Bg7 Qe2+ 73.Kh1 Qf3+ 74.Kh2 Qg3+ 0-1

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  Caruana - Kramnik

  1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 c6 4.e4 dxe4 5.Nxe4 c5!? ( Practically, this is a novelty - and already on the fifth move. ) (5...Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Qxd4 7.Bxb4 Qxe4+ 8.Be2 Na6 9.Bd6 b6 10.Nf3 Bb7 ( Jobava,B (2702)-Lu,Sh (2627) Doha 2016 )) 6.Nxc5 Nc6 $146 (6...Bxc5 7.dxc5 Qxd1+ 8.Kxd1 Nf6 9.Be2 Bd7 10.b4 O-O 11.Be3 Rd8 ( Hatt,A (2122) - Mos,X Villa -Carlos Paz 2003)) 7.Nf3 (( Caruana didn't like it) 7.Be3 e5 8.dxe5 Qa5+ 9.Qd2) (7.Ne2 Nxd4 8.Nxb7 (8.Ne4!?) 8...Nf3+ 9. gxf3 Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 Bxb7 11.Bg2 Ne7 ( Kramnik )) 7...Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Qxd4 9.Nxd4 Bxc5 10.Nb5 Ke7 11.Bd2 what was there to hide, that according to his analysis) 11.Nc7 (White kept the advantage.)) 11...Bd7 ( Here the opponents agreed that Black's position is not worse.) liked the continuation) 13...Bd4 14.Rc1 Rd8 15.Rc7+ Rd7 16.Rc8 (16.Rxd7+ Kxd7 17.Be2 Ne7 18.Bf3 Rc8)) 14.g3 Rc8 (14...Nf6 15.Bg2 Nd5 (from equality.)) 15.Bg2 b6 16.Ke2 Nh6 (16...h5 17.Rhc1 Rxc1 18.Rxc1 Nf6 19.Bg5 ( Kramnik ) (19.a4 h4 20.a5 hxg3 21.hxg3 Rh5 22.Bc6 ( Caruana ))) 17.Rac1 Nf5 (17...Rxc1 18.Rxc1 Nf5 19.a4 h5 20.Rc4 Be5 (20...Rd8) 21.f4 Bb8 22.Bc3) 18.Bc3 f6 19.f4?! (Caruana was not happy with this move. ) (19.Be4 h5 20.h4 Rc7 21.a4 Rhc8 22.Bc6 Be5!? ( Kramnik )) 19...h5 20.Bc6 Rcd8 (20...Rcg8 21.Rcd1 g5 22.fxg5 Rxg5 23.Rhf1 Rf8 24.Rf4!?) 21.a4 h4 22.Kf3 (22.g4 Nh6 23.Kf3 Nf7 24.Rhe1 (24.a5 g5 25.axb6 axb6 26.Ra1 Bb8) 24.. .g5 25.Bd5 Bxf4 26.Rxe6+ Kf8) 22...hxg3 (22...Bb8 23.g4 Nd4+ 24.Ke3 e5 25.f5 h3) 23.hxg3 Rxh1 24.Rxh1 Bb8 (( Kramnik almost played ) 24...Be5 (but he didn't like it) 25.fxe5 Rd3+ 26.Kf2 Rxc3 27.Rd1) 25.Be4 Kf7 (25...Rc8 26.Bc6 Kf7 27.Rd1 ( Caruana )) 26.Rc1 Ne7 ( 26...g5 27.fxg5 fxg5 28.Be1 Rd4 29.g4 Nd6 ((Kramnik) and now) 30.Bg3!(also equalizes.)) 27.Be1 f5 28.Bb1 Rd4 (28...g5!? 29.fxg5 Rd4 30.a5 Bd6 (Kramnik)) 29.Bc3 Rc4 30.Ba2 Rc8 31.Bb2 Rd8 32.Bc4 Rc8 33.Bb3 Rxc1 34.Bxc1 Bd6 35.Bd2 Nd5 36.Bxd5 exd5 37.Bc3 Be7 38. a5 Bf6 39.Bxf6 Kxf6 40.Ke3 1/2-1/2

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  Ding Liren - Grischuk

  Berlin, 2018. Candidates Tournament
  

  1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.e3 e6 5.d4 d5 6.a3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 a6 8.O-O b5 9.Ba2 Bb7 10.Qe2 Qc7 11.Bd2 Be7 $146 ( New. ) ( (Black achieved the equation after no problem) 11...Rd8 12.Rfc1 cxd4 13.exd4 Be7 14.d5 exd5 15.Bg5 O-O 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Nxd5 Qd6 18.Re1 Nd4 19.Nxf6+ Qxf6 20.Nxd4 Rxd4 ( Nepomniachtchi, Ya (2751)-Gelfand, B (2695) Moscow 2018 )) 12.Rac1 c4 13.e4 Rd8 14.Be3 Ng4 15.e5 Na5 ) 15...f5!? (which he mentioned later, could have been done immediately, since) 16.exf6 (doesn't work anyway) 16...Nxd4! (Grischuk said: "This position should be acceptable for Black, but I don't remember how." See previous note. ) (( "I think I had this in preparation. If") 16.Bb1 f5! ("is good for Black as" ) 17.exf6 Bxf3 18.Qxf3 Qxh2# ( (Grischuk) )) 16...Qb6 17.Rcd1 h5 ( The idea is to secure a square for the black knight, but this is "obviously bad" - Grischuk. ) 18.h3 Nh6 19.Bb1 ( Now the black king will not be able to castle, and White is going to open files in the center. ) 19...Nb3 (19...Kd7? 20.d5!) 20.Be3 Qc7 ( Grischuk saw what will happen next, but decided that he “may get lucky.”) (( In desperation, he even considered sacrifices in the spirit of Petrosian) 20...Bd5 21.Nxd5 Rxd5 22.Be4 Nf5 23.Bxd5 exd5 ( but realized that “ will gradually lose." Indeed, Black would not have been able to maintain the blockade.)) 21.Rfe1 Kf8 (21...O-O 22.Bxh6 gxh6 23.Qe3 Kg7 24.Ne4 (with White's devastating attack.)) 22.d5! (Thematically and very strongly.) 22...exd5 (22...Bxd5 23.Nxd5 exd5 24.e6 (changed nothing.)) 23.e6 fxe6 24.Ng5! Qd7 (( From a distance Grischuk wanted to continue ) 24...Bc8 ( but realized that it was strong ) 25.Nxd5! ( For example: ) (( Ding saw an easier way to win: ) 25.Qf3+! ) 26...Qb7 27.Nxe6 Bxe6 28.Rxe6 ( and Black is defenseless. )) 25...exd5 (( After ) 25...Rxd5! 26.Rxd5 exd5 27.Qf3+ Bf6 28.Qxd5 g6! ( all not so clear.)) 26.Bb6 (and White wins. )) (( On ) 24...Bxg5 25.Bxg5 Re8 ( decides ) 26.Nxd5!) 25.Bg6! (Both players called this move very strong.) 25...Bf6 (25...Kg8 26.Bb6 ("and you can immediately resign" (Grischuk) For example) 26...Rf8 27.Nxe6 Rf6 28.Nf4! Rxf4 29.Qxe7 Qxe7 30.Rxe7 (and Black is almost in zugzwang. )) 26.Bb6 Rc8 ("This move surprised me a lot", - Ding. ) ((Other continuations lost immediately: ) 26...Bxg5 27.Bxd8 Bxd8 28.Qxe6 Qxe6 29.Rxe6 Nf7 (29...Be7 30.Nxd5 Bxd5 31.Rxd5 Nf7 32.Rd7 Nc5 33.Rexe7 Nxd7 34. Rxf7+ ( (Ding) )) 30.Rde1 ( (Grischuk) )) 27.Nxe6+ Kg8 28.Nxd5 ((White misses a nice win ) 28.Nd8!Bc6 (28...Rxd8 29.Bxd8 Qxd8 30.Qe8+ Qxe8 31 .Rxe8#) 29.Rxd5!( and it's time for Black to resign.)) 28...Bxd5 29.Nf4 ( This path to victory is much more difficult. ) ((Again) 29.Nd8! ("Not just winning, but winning brilliantly ”, - Grischuk. )) (( Also nice ) 29.Rxd5 Qxd5 30.Nd8! (mate. )) 29...Nc1!! (Great practical chance. Both grandmasters spent almost all their time thinking, and the next 11 moves they had to do by adding.) 30.Qxh5 (("To capture") 30.Rxc1 ("should") 30...Bf7 ( "and checkmate is gone" - Grischuk.) 31.Rcd1 Qc6 ("unclear" - Dean. But a simple move) 32.Ba5 (leaving Black in an absolutely hopeless position where he has no reasonable moves. For example) 32.. .Bxg6 33.Nxg6 Rh7 34.Qxh5) 30...Nd3 31.Nxd5 Nf7 32.Qe2 ((Grischuk's suggestion) 32.Re7 Bxe7 33.Bxf7+ Kf8 34.Qxh8+ Kxf7 ( wins if we continue: ) 35. Qh5+ g6 36.Qh7+ Ke6 37.Nf4+ Ke5 38.Nxd3+ cxd3 39.Qg7+ Ke6 40.Re1+ Kd5 41.Qd4+ Kc6 42.Rc1+ ( and it's all over. )) (( Wins and ) 32.Nxf6+ gxf6 33.Bxf7+ Qxf7 34 .Qg4+ Kh7 35.Qf5+ Kg7 36.Re4 (with mating threats and a healthy extra pawn.)) 32...Nfe5 33.Be4 Rh4 (Now all sorts of miracles happen in time trouble. ) 34.f4 (34.Qe3!) 34. ..Rxf4! 35.Nxf4 Nxf4 36.Bh7+ ("Of course, it shocked me," - Grischuk.) 36...Kh8 (36...Kxh7 (losing the queen due to an intermediate check) 37.Qe4+) 37.Qe4 Qc6 38.Bd4 ( 38.Be3!Qxe4 39.Bxe4 Ned3 40.Bxf4 Nxf4 41.Rf1 (Kept a big advantage for White.)) 38...Nxh3+ (Played in the heat of battle, when only a few seconds remained on the clock.) ((Correct) 38 ...Ned3 (and Black is no worse. Of course) 39.Qxc6? (losing due to ) 39...Bxd4+) 39.Kh2 (( Even ) 39.gxh3 Nf3+ 40.Kh1! Nxd4 41.Bg6 (leads to White.)) 39...Ng5 40.Qxc6 Rxc6 41.Bc2 Ngf7 42.Bxe5? (“I don’t understand this,” Grischuk. Really, why was this exchange necessary? White could take on e5 at any time.) (42.Bc3 (“I considered my position hopeless. White was gradually winning,” - Grischuk. )) 42...Nxe5 43.Rd5 Re6 44.Kh3 Kg8 45.b3 ((Black feared rather) 45.Bf5 Re8 46.Bd7 Re7 47.Bc8 g6 48.g3 (with an extremely unpleasant pin.)) 45.. .Kf7 46.bxc4 Nxc4 47.Rd7+ Be7 48.Rxe6 Kxe6 49.Ra7 Nxa3 50.Rxa6+ Kd5 ("I could only dream of that. Everything has been exchanged and I have good chances for a draw" - Grischuk.) 51.Bh7 Nc4 52.Kg4 Bf6 53.Ra7 (As Grischuk explained, White wins if all pawns are removed from the board. However, this will never happen because the b-pawn is too strong. ) 53...Kd4 54.Bg8 Nd6 55.Kf3 Kc5 56.Ra8 ( Until the end of the game, Ding tried everything he could, but victory had already slipped away. ) 56...b4 57.Ke2 Bc3 58.Kd3 Kb6 59.Ke3 Kc6 60.Kf4 Nb7 61.Kf5 Nc5 62.g4 Kb5 63.g5 b3 64.Kg6 Kb4 65.Bd5 Bd4 66.Kh7 Kc3 67.g6 b2 68.Ba2 Kc2 69.Rb8 Ne4 70.Rb4 Nc3 71.Be6 Kc1 72 .Bf5 Be5 73.Rb7 b1=Q (( One could just move the bishop back and forth, because White cannot strengthen the position either. ) 73...Bf6) 74.Bxb1 Nxb1 75.Rxg7 Nc3 76.Re7 Bd4 ( As Grischuk explained, this position is also drawable, because the bishop always has squares along the long diagonal.) 77.Rd7 Be5 78.Kh6 Kc2 79.Kg5 Kb3 80.Kf5 Bh8 81.Rb7+ (( Or ) 81.Rh7 Bd4 82.Re7 Bh8) 81...Kc2 82.Rh7 Bd4 83.Ke6 Kb3 84.Rd7 Bh8 85.Rd8 Bg7 86.Kf7 Be5 87.Re8 (87.Rd3 Kc2) 87...Bd4 88.Rb8+ Kc2 89.Rb7 Be5 90 .Rb6 Bd4 91.Rf6 Bxf6 92.Kxf6 Nd5+ 93.Kf7 Ne3 94.Kf6 Nd5+ 95.Kf7 Ne3 96.g7 Nf5 97.g8=Q Nh6+ 1/2-1/2

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  Carlsen - Caruana

  London, 2018. World Championship match. Party 4
  

  1.c4 ( Magnus decided not to repeat the d4 move he encountered in the first game. This may mean that his team could not find a good answer to Caruana's Rd8 move in the Queen's Gambit Declined, but most likely with White Magnus wants to try different openings in order to understand , which Caruana prepared.When he finds out what awaits him in response to d4, c4, e4 and so on, he will understand where to deliver the decisive blow.) 1...e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 ( The four knights variant of the English Opening is in vogue lately.) 4...d5 (4...Bb4 (very relevant. At the last Olympiad, Caruana played this position for both colors. Obviously, Magnus was ready for it.)) 5 .cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Bc5!? (This move takes the game away from the main variation, but it has also been seen quite often in the games of strong players over the past two years.) (6...Nb6 7.O-O Be7 8.a3 ( It has always been considered the main variation. The position is strategically very rich, and there is still room for openings in it. Both opponents have chances to outplay the opponent. )) 7.O-O O-O 8.d3 Re8 ( Again, Caruana chooses a rarer move. ) (8...Bb6 ( is the main continuation, although it has already been played here not many games after) 9.Nxd5 Qxd5 10.b4 e4 (a difficult position arises where Black is not inferior to White.)) 9.Bd2 Nxc3 10.Bxc3 Nd4 11.b4 Bd6 12.Rb1! (I like this move because it doesn’t look like a computer move. Here Caruana thought, although he could still play according to his preparation and just try to remember the necessary continuation. It’s hard to imagine that he didn’t understand that the Rb1 move suggests itself and didn’t analyze it . ) (12.Nxd4 ( It was possible to continue like this, but Magnus rejected this possibility, probably believing that it led to a draw too early. Caruana still answered without hesitation, which means he would be ready for this exchange. ) 12...exd4 13.Bxd4 Bxg3 14.hxg3 Qxd4 15.Qd2 ( At first glance, White's position is better, he can continue e3 and d4, placing pawns on squares of the opposite color to his bishop, but in this case it can affect weakening of the kingside. After an exemplary continuation) 15...c6 16.e3 Qf6 17.d4 h5! (Black goes over to a counterattack on the kingside. It is clear that Magnus was not eager to play such a position with a prepared opponent.)) 12.. .Nxf3+ 13.Bxf3 a6 14.a4 c6 15.Re1 ( After this move, I have almost nothing to say about the position. Magnus' only chance to start a difficult fight was to continue with b5. ) (15.b5 cxb5 ( I'm sure Magnus didn't like this answer. ) (15...axb5 ( Caruana was ready to play this position. In the second game, he has already shown that he can move into a slightly worse endgame right from the opening if he is confident that he can keep it and knows how to position his pieces and neutralize his opponent's advantage. 16.axb5 Bd7 17.bxc6 Bxc6 18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.Qc2 Bf8 board, and the e2-e4 advance would make the d3-pawn a long-term weakness.Open files on the queenside would mean that black's rooks would become active if white didn't want to continue the exchanges, and white had no obvious way to create a second weakness in black's position.Carlsen has a moral advantage, but in my opinion, the position is drawn.)) 16.axb5 a5 (A passed pawn may have an effect, but White still has a slightly more comfortable position. After) 17.Qa4! (The a5-pawn is difficult to defend: even if the continuation b7-b6 does not lead to the loss of the rook, it weakens the c6-square. White puts comfortable pressure. However, after ) 17...Qe7 18.Rfc1 Bf5! (and e4 the position will quickly become simpler, and still a draw seems to be the most likely outcome.)) 15...Bd7 ( Now the plan with b4-b5 is prevented, and it's hard to come up with an active idea for either side. New exchanges will start soon. ) 16.e3 Qf6 17.Be4 (17.Bg2 ( Magnus could have prevented Bf5, but still he has neither an advantage nor a reasonable plan.)) 17...Bf5 18.Qf3 Bxe4 19.Qxf6 gxf6 20.dxe4 b5! (The last important move in this game. Black prevents White from continuing b4-b5 and fixes the b4-pawn on the black square. The broken queenside means little without the queens, and when the black king comes to g6 to interfere with the plan with Kf5, the position will be completely boring.) 21.Red1 Bf8 22.axb5 axb5 23.Kg2 Red8 24.Rdc1 Kg7 25.Be1 Rdc8 26.Rc2 Ra4 27.Kf3 h5 28.Ke2 Kg6 29.h3 f5 30.exf5+ Kxf5 31.f3 Be7 32.e4+ Ke6 33.Bd2 Bd6 34.Rbc1 ( Nothing else could be expected after 20…b5. Caruana solved his opening problems with Black, but Magnus could have put him in more trouble with b5. I'm interested to see how the fight will develop after yesterday's rest day For some reason it seems to me that they will add up more tightly than the last couple.) 1/2-1/2

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  Carlsen - Caruana

  London, 2018. World Championship match. Party 9

  1.e4 c5 (First surprise. Caruana prefers 1.e4, but the Sicilian Defense is a rare guest in Carlsen's repertoire.) 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 (White avoids the main line of the Sicilian Defence, which appeared after 3.d4. Now the Rossolimo line is in no way inferior to other ways of fighting for White's advantage.) 3...g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bg7 6.h3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Nd7 ...b6 (and won beautifully, but then the opening could have turned into a disaster.) 8.Be3 e5 (And now, instead of castling, Caruana got a won position with a move) 9.Nxe5!(and on) 9...Nxe4 10.Qf3!( and Black can't parry all the threats)) 8.Be3 e5 9.O-O (9.Qd2 (White can't determine the king's position yet. Sometimes it's advantageous for him to castle on the queenside.)) 9...b6! (I like this idea. Black is preparing Nf8-e6 before the castle.) 10.Nh2 Nf8 (Now White has to continue f4 - when the knight is on e6, this move will be more difficult.) 11.f4 exf4 12.Rxf4 Be6!? (The first interesting moment in the game. I was surprised that Carlsen didn't put the knight on e6, but he had his own ideas. He plans to continue with h6, g5 and Ng6. Then, depending on White's play, he castles on the flank where At about this moment, I joined the live commentators and said that I already like Black's position, although objectively he has no advantage yet.) 13.Rf2 h6! 14.Qd2 ( Attacking the h6-pawn, White prevents the opponent from castling shortly. ) (( Move ) 14.Nf3 ( which the engines suggest seems pointless to me. What did the knight forget there? Caruana makes a much more human decision by making the move that I expected during the game.)) 14...g5! (Another strong move. Black wants to improve the position of his pieces by capturing space on the kingside and preparing Ng6.) 15.Raf1?! (Now, for the first time in the game, I didn't like Caruana's decision. White's position is no worse, but the rook takes the square away from the knight. My computer doesn't agree with me.) (15.Nf1 (Live, I suggested moving the knight through g3 to f5. It's a good idea, just not a good one. )) (15.Ne2!? ( This enterprising pawn sacrifice deserves attention. White is ready to continue with c3, Ng3 and Nf5. )) 15...Qd6 16.Ng4 ( The computer doesn't like this move by Caruana, but it fits in perfectly with his previous play.White invades along the f-file.) 16...O-O-O 17.Nf6 ( The knight stands well here, but it can be driven away.) 17...Nd7! 18.Nh5 Be5! (Here I decided that Magnus would win this game. White's position is very passive and the kingside will be opened soon.) 19.g4! (Good decision. White prevents the breaks g5-g4 and h6-h5.) 19...f6 20.b3 Bf7 21.Nd1 Nf8? (Magnus played too creatively. His position is better even without the f6-pawn, but it was possible to torment White for free.) ) 22.Nxf6 (Now White has compensation in the form of a pawn, although his position continues to deteriorate.) 22...Ne6 23.Nh5 Bxh5 24.gxh5 Nf4 25.Bxf4 gxf4 26.Rg2? (Caruana has previously made inaccuracies that led him to a bad position, but I just don't understand this decision. On the other hand, it's okay that even strong players make mistakes. ) (26.Rxf4! Bxf4 27.Qxf4 $44 ( And White got rid of the strong dark-squared bishop, got two extra pawns, and, most importantly, the unfortunate knight, which was limited by the f4-pawn, can go to e3 and f5.The computer says that the position is equal, but any white chess player would prefer to play white.) ) 26...Rhg8 27.Qe2 Rxg2+ 28.Qxg2 Qe6! (The move is a high-class indicator. Black is preparing Rg8, capturing the g-file.) 29.Nf2 Rg8 30.Ng4 Qe8! (Now White is in a really bad position. If the h5-pawn were defensible, he would be better, but it is lost, Black drives the knight away with h6-h5 and opens the g-file. The position is not only objectively bad, White is also it is much more difficult to find acceptable continuations.) 31.Qf3 Qxh5 32.Kf2 Bc7 33.Ke2? (It's hard to criticize Caruana, who managed to draw, but it's not the strongest move.) (33.e5 Kb7 34.Nf6 ( gave more chances to save, but it's hard to play like a machine all the time.) 34...Qh4+ 35.Ke2 Rg3 36 .Qxf4 Qxf4 37.Rxf4 Bxe5 38.Rf5 Bxf6 39.Rxf6 Rxh3 40.Rf7+ (and White must hold.)) 33...Qg5! (Simple and strong. H5 threatens to open up the g-file.) 34.Nh2 h5 35.Rf2 (Until now, Magnus has played well, reproaching himself, perhaps, only for Nf8, but now he starts to "float", missing more not a win, but a more decisive continuation.) 35...Qg1? ( Makes it difficult to win. ) (( Stronger ) 35...Qg7! ( Invading the black squares with the queen. It seems to me that White's position cannot be saved. )) 36.Nf1 ( The next few moves were made in time trouble, but it is unlikely that Magnus himself thinks that's enough excuse for letting White off the hook.) 36...h4? (36...Qg7! (remained strong)) 37.Kd2 (37.e5! (it allowed White to activate the queen. It is all the more difficult to go for this continuation, since Black is capturing the e-file.) 37...Rg5 38.Nd2! Rxe5+ 39.Ne4! ( The knight is blocking the rook, as it was just on g4, but this time the enemy pawn cannot attack it.) 39...Qc1 40.Qxf4 Qxc2+ 41.Qd2 ( With good chances to defend.)) 37... Kb7 38.c3 Be5 39.Kc2 Qg7? (It is paradoxical, but now this continuation, which won on previous moves, is beneficial for White. The position of the pieces has changed, and not the queen, but the bishop invades the queenside, which is much less dangerous for White. ) (39...a5 ( even stronger than b5, but this move seems more human to me. It was necessary to pass the control move, do without weakening and look for a way to win in a calm environment.) 40.a4 Rg6 (and Black would have had time to find a breakthrough, while White had not no meaningful counterplay. )) (39...b5 (Machine thinks this move wins convincingly, but I don't understand why. His idea is hard to understand and almost impossible to find in time trouble.)) 40.Nh2! ( Caruana survived in time trouble, and now he can think. His position is unpleasant, but defensible.) 40...Bxc3 (( Stronger ) 40...Qg3 ( but it is not easy to make such a move. After ) 41.Ng4 ( Black should part with an exchange) (41.Qe2! Qxh3 42.Nf3!) 41...Rxg4! 42.hxg4 h3 43.Qe2 (with a good position, which is difficult for a man to take.)) 41.Qxf4 Bd4 42.Qf7+! Ka6 43.Qxg7 Rxg7 44.Re2! (The e-pawn provides enough counterplay for a draw.) 44...Rg3 45.Ng4! (45.e5? Bxe5) 45...Rxh3 46.e5 Rf3 47.e6 Rf8 48.e7 Re8 49.Nh6 h3 50.Nf5 Bf6 ( The last few moves were forced. All Black can achieve is a rook ending with an extra pawn, moreover, the pawns h3 and e7 will be exchanged, and the position will become clearly drawn.) 51.a3 b5 52.b4 cxb4 53.axb4 Bxe7 54.Nxe7 h2 55.Rxh2 Rxe7 the game began to want to continue the game.Black clearly cannot win here, which means he should have calmed down, forgotten about the lost victory and left himself more time for rest and emotional recovery.Instead, Carlsen makes another 50 moves, hoping for a ghostly chance of success that can be estimated as 0.1%. ) 56.Rh6 Kb6 57.Kc3 Rd7 58.Rg6 Kc7 59.Rh6 Rd6 60.Rh8 Rg6 61.Ra8 Kb7 62.Rh8 Rg5 63.Rh7+ Kb6 64.Rh6 Rg1 65.Kc2 Rf1 66.Rg6 Rh1 67 .Rf6 Rh8 68.Kc3 Ra8 69.d4 Rd8 70.Rh6 Rd7 71.Rg6 Kc7 72.Rg5 Rd6 73.Rg8 Rh6 74.Ra8 Rh3+ 75.Kc2 Ra3 76.Kb2 Ra4 77.Kc3 a6 78.Rh8 Ra3+ 79.Kb2 Rg3 80.Kc2 Rg5 81.Rh6 Rd5 82.Kc3 Rd6 83.Rh8 Rg6 84. Kc2 Kb7 85.Kc3 Rg3+ 86.Kc2 Rg1 87.Rh5 Rg2+ 88.Kc3 Rg3+ 89.Kc2 Rg4 90.Kc3 Kb6 91.Rh6 Rg5 92.Rf6 Rh5 93.Rg6 Rh3+ 94.Kc2 Rh5 95.Kc3 Rd5 96.R h6 Kc7 97.Rh7+ Rd7 98.Rh5 Rd6 99.Rh8 Rg6 100.Rf8 Rg3+ 101.Kc2 Ra3 102.Rf7+ Kd6 103.Ra7 Kd5 104.Kb2 Rd3 105.Rxa6 Rxd4 106.Kb3 Re4 107.Kc3 Rc4+ 108.Kb3 Kd4 109. Rb6 Kd3 110.Ra6 Rc2 111.Rb6 Rc3+ 112.Kb2 Rc4 113.Kb3 Kd4 114.Ra6 Kd5 115.Ra8 , and Carlsen by missing the win. ) 1/2-1/2

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  Carlsen - Caruana

  London, 2018. World Championship match. Party 13

  1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 ( Magnus uses a new move order, logical considering how Caruana used to play against the English opening. ) 3...Bb4 (3...d5 ( In classical games, Caruana used the Sicilian Defense with a change of color, but here White didn't play Ng1-f3, so after ) 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2 (the knight on d5 hangs. On the contrary, in a position with the inclusion of Nf3 and Nc6, the knight is safe. Therefore, Black cannot continue Bc5, as they did in the two classical games, they have other opportunities to fight for equality with good preparation, but the line prepared by Caruana is avoided.) 5...Bc5? (5...Nb6 (normal answer)) 6 .Nxd5) 4.e4!? (Magnus makes an interesting move, intending not just to get a position typical of the Rossolimo system with an extra tempo. Considering how he outplayed Caruana in these games, it makes sense to aim for a position where the extra tempo provides White with at least equality. Objectively, Black should be ok, but from a practical point of view it's a nice surprise.) 4...O-O 5.Nge2 c6 (5...d6 ( I like this move with black squares. After an approximate continuation ) 6.Bg2 Nc6 7 .O-O ( The engines consider the position equal, but White has a very straight forward plan of attack in the spirit of the King's Indian Defense with h3, d3, f4-f4, etc. Black is under pressure and will need to find an acceptable plan. I think he is in order after Bc5 followed by Nd4.) 7...a5 8.d3 Bc5 9.h3 Nd4!? back.)) 6.Bg2 a6?! (Too slow.) 7.O-O b5 8.d4! (Energetic and strong. I don't know if it was prepared, but it looks good. Magnus plays very strong.) 8...d6 (8...exd4 9.Nxd4 bxc4 (with a positional catastrophe after) 10.e5! ( and Black's position is lost despite the extra pawn )) 9.a3! ( Again without fear of losing a pawn. ) 9...Bxc3 (9...Ba5 ( seems like the best attempt. ) 10.b4 Bb6 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Qc2 ( I would choose white, but the game continues. )) 10. Nxc3 bxc4 11.dxe5 dxe5 ( Black's position is practically lost if he can't save the c4-pawn, so he has to fight for it as if for his life.) 12.Na4 (12.Be3 ( Seems more natural to me. The knight was favorably placed on c3 Of course, it's easy to criticize with an engine at hand.)) 12...Be6 13.Qxd8 Rxd8 14.Be3 Nbd7 15.f3 (The last few moves Carlsen did not act in the most accurate way, and Caruana almost returned to the game. ) 15...Rab8! 16.Rac1 Rb3! (The c-pawn will fall sooner or later, but Black can ruin White's pawn structure in retaliation.) 17.Rfe1 ( Bf1 threatens and Black is in a terrible position. Caruana's move is not so terrible, but I would prefer another possibility . ) 17...Ne8 (17...Rdb8! 18.Bf1 c3! ( Black gives up a pawn, destroying White's kingside. Otherwise, White would have continued Bxc4 with an easy win. ) 19.Rxc3 Rxc3 20.bxc3 ( Black in a worse position, and they will have to suffer, but they can defend themselves.)) 18.Bf1 Nd6 19.Rcd1! (And Black is in for various tactical difficulties.) 19...Nb5? (Activity always deserves encouragement and is often the most correct decision, but now the position is falling apart.) ((However sad it may be, but it would be more careful) 19...Nb7 (Black defends, but there is no critical continuation.)) 20.Nc5 Rxb2 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.Bxc4 ( Black won't be able to hold his extra pawn. His position is like train cars after a train crash. ) 22...Nd4 (22...Kf7 ( Defending the e6-pawn, Black would have lost sight of a more important threat: ) 23.Bxb5!axb5 24.Bg5!(Winning a piece and the game.)) 23.Bxd4 exd4 24.Bxe6+? (Inaccuracy.) (24.Rxd4! (The pin is deadly. White needs to find a very difficult move, but he wins.) 24...Kf7 ( Black is counting on Nd7-e5, and the rook on d8 cannot be taken in view of Nxf3. But White wins amazingly ) 25.Kh1!! (Parrying Ne5 in time. ) (25.Kf1 (Not good because Black gets too much counterplay after ) 25...Ke7 26.Red1 ( otherwise the knight is saved ) 26...Rxh2!) 25 ...Ke7 (25...Ne5 26.Rxd8 Nxf3 27.Re2) 26.Red1 (And the pin of the knight, which cannot be got rid of, wins the game. An attempt to rebuild with a move) 26...Rbb8 (loses in view) 27.Bxa6 (and after all the rooks have been exchanged, the passed "a" decides the game.) 27...Nc5 28.Rxd8 Rxd8 29.Rxd8 Kxd8 30.Bc4 (and White wins. )) 24...Kf8 25.Rxd4 Ke7 26.Rxd7+ Rxd7 27.Bxd7 Kxd7 (White has an extra pawn and wins easily if he brings his king into the game. But if the king is cut off from the first rank, his task becomes much more difficult. I'm not sure if the position is won.) 28. Rd1+ Ke6 29.f4 c5 ( The c-pawn's move is hard to block. ) 30.Rd5 Rc2 31.h4 c4 32.f5+ Kf6 33.Rc5 h5 ( Magnus missed the win. His king cannot enter the fight and his pawns are blocked. However, he controls the course of the fight. ) 34.Kf1 Rc3? (I have already been told that I put two question marks to the moves of my opponents in vain, so I will limit myself to just one, although this move is very bad. Black should not have allowed the white king to enter the game. ) (34...c3 35.Ke1 Ra2 ( With an easy draw. The white king is too passive. ) 36.Rxc3 Ke5) 35.Kg2! ( Freedom! ) 35...Rxa3 36.Rxc4 Ke5 37.Rc7! Kxe4? (Last mistake. Black could resist after Ra2+, but this move was very difficult to find in time trouble, no wonder even a very strong player could not find salvation in this difficult position. Technically this move cost Black the game, but I would criticize Rc3 much more strongly ) (37...Ra2+! ( Black should have tried to make the white king passive again. ) 38.Kh3 Kxe4 39.Rxg7 Ra1!(Black is ready for Kf3 getting counterplay.) 40.Rc7 Rf1!(The only move, but Black is barely holding on. It's impossible for a man in time trouble to find this continuation.)) 38.Re7+! ( Deciding the outcome of the game. White does not let the black king go to f3. ) 38...Kxf5 39.Rxg7 ( Black cannot prevent the loss of the h5-pawn, and the a-pawn does not give hope for salvation. rapid), but Magnus seemed to be the master of the situation. One game is not enough, but if the difference between opponents in rapid chess is so great, Magnus's desire for a draw in the 12th game is much easier to understand.) 39...Kf6 40.Rg5 a5 41.Rxh5 a4 42.Ra5 Ra1 43.Kf3 a3 44.Ra6+ Kg7 45.Kg2 Ra2+ 46.Kh3 Ra1 47.h5 Kh7 48.g4 Kg7? ( The position cannot be saved, but this way Black misses the last practical chance. ) (48...a2 ( a good move, but he loses too. ) 49.Kh2! ( It is important to defend the g2-square. ) (49.Kg2 Kg7 50.g5? ? (50.Kh2 ( Wins ))) 49...Kg7 50.g5 Kg8 (50...Rb1 51.Ra7+ Kg8 52.Rxa2 Rb5 53.Rg2! (Otherwise White cannot save the pawns. )) 51.Ra7 Kh8 52.h6! (protecting the g-pawn. ) (52.g6? (And this naive move is wrong... ) 52...Rb1! g6, the game ends in a draw.)) 52...Rb1 53.Rxa2 Rb5 54.Rg2!$18 (I doubt Magnus didn't know about this idea and he could have known the Ippolito-Ganguly game, but Black should have tried this move. )) 49.Kh4 a2 50.Kg5 Kf7 51.h6 Rb1 52.Ra7+ Kg8 53.Rxa2 Rb5+ 54.Kg6 Rb6+ 55.Kh5 1-0

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  Nakamura - Sevyan

  Saint Louis, 2019
  

  1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e4 Bb4 5.d3 d6 6.a3 Bc5 7.b4 Bb6 8.Na4 Bg4 9.Be2 Nd7?! (( Black could get the same position with an extra tempo: ) 9...Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Nd4 11.Nxb6 axb6 12.Bb2) 10.Nxb6 axb6 11.Bb2 O-O 12.h3 $146 (12.O-O Re8 13.Nd4 Nxd4 14.Bxg4 Nf6 15.Bh3 c6 16.f4 b5 17.cxb5 Qb6 ( Pantsulaia,L (2585)-Korobov,A (2668) Kocaeli 2017 )) 12...Bxf3 13.Bxf3 Nd4 14.O-O Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 Qg5 16.Rae1 Nb8 17.d4 Nc6 18.dxe5 dxe5 19.Rd1 Rfd8 20.Rd5 Rxd5 21.cxd5 Nd4 ((Nakamura didn't see anything concrete after ) 21...Ne7 (but he liked the text move anyway. )) 22.Bxd4 exd4 23.Qd3 c5 24.dxc6 bxc6 25.Qxd4 c5 26.Qd6?! cxb4 (( Nakamura pointed out that ) 26...h6! ( gave a draw: ) 27.Qxb6 Rxa3 28.bxc5 (28.Qxc5 Qxc5 29.bxc5 Rc3) 28...Rc3 29.c6 Qc5 30.Qd8+ Kh7 31 .Qd5 Qxc6 32.Qxf7 Qxe4) 27.axb4 Qb5 28.Rc1 ( Now White wins for sure. ) 28...h6 29.Qc6 Qa6 30.b5 Qa5 31.Rd1 Rb8 32.Kh2 Qa2 33.Qc7 Qa8 34.Rd7 Rf8 35.Qxb6 Qxe4 36.Qd6 Qe6 37.Qxe6 fxe6 38.b6 Kh7 39.b7 Kg6 40.Rc7 Rb8 41.Kg3 Kf5 42.Rxg7 Rd8 43.f3 e5 44.Rc7 Rb8 45.Kf2 e4 46.fxe4+ K xe4 47 .Kg3 Kf5 48.Kh4 Kg6 49.Rc6+ 1-0

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  Video - Roman Lovkov's blitz