Games
[Event "FIDE Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1"] [White "Caruana, F."] [Black "So, W."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E00"] [WhiteElo "2784"] [BlackElo "2799"] [Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 {The first move came a surprise to So as "Fabiano played only 1.e4 at the previous Candidates."} Nf6 ({The two relevant game to the game opening are Caruana-Short (played five years ago) and Ding-So (from 2011) with the following move order:} 1... e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 Bb4+ {They both saw} 4. Nbd2 { Caruana,F (2782)-Short,N (2683) London 2013: Ding,L (2654)-So,W (2658) Khanty-Mansiysk 2011}) 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ {A surprise for the surprise. So usually chooses the QGD with 3...d5 or the Queen's Indian with 3...b6.} 4. Bd2 {This is a completely new position for both players, at least according to the Megabase.} Be7 5. Bg2 {Back into the Catalan type of positions.} d5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qb3 Nbd7 9. Bf4 a5 10. Rd1 ({Another option was} 10. Rc1 Ne4 11. Nc3 g5 12. Be3 Nd6 13. c5 Nc4 {as in Matsenko,S (2546)-Swiercz,D (2649) Columbus 2017}) 10... Nh5 $146 {A novelty in comparison to:} (10... b5 11. c5 Ba6 12. Qc2 b4 13. Bf1 Ne4 14. Nbd2 f5 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 Nxd2 17. Qxd2 Bg5 {which Black held comfortably in Mamedyarov,S (2775) -Kovalenko,I (2644) Riga 2013}) 11. Bc1 Nhf6 {The idea itself is very standard. Black kicks the bishop away from the active position under the threat of a threefold repetition.} 12. Nbd2 {However now there is:} ({The more natural} 12. Nc3 {would be strongly met with} a4 13. Qc2 (13. Nxa4 dxc4 14. Qc2 b5 {leads to the same.}) 13... dxc4 14. Nxa4 b5 {with comfortable position for Black. leads to the same.}) 12... b5 {When Black gets some space to operate on the queenside.} 13. c5 ({The pawn is not worth it:} 13. cxb5 cxb5 14. Qxb5 Ba6 {as the central one on e2 will suffer in return.}) 13... b4 {Frees the bishop.} 14. Qc2 {Caruana was not happy with his play at this stage of the game.} ({He suggested instead} 14. a3 {and this may lead to wild complications after} Ba6 15. e3 e5 $5 16. axb4 ({Or } 16. dxe5 Nxc5 17. exf6 Nxb3 18. fxe7 Qxe7 19. Nxb3) 16... axb4 17. Qxb4 e4 { with compensation for a pawn.}) (14. e4 $5 {might have been an option too. Say} dxe4 15. Ne5 (15. Ng5 e3 $1 16. fxe3 Nd5) 15... a4 16. Qc2 Qc7 17. Nxe4 { and White seems better.}) 14... a4 {So is consistently looking for queenside action.} 15. Re1 {Preparing e2-e4.} ({Both} 15. b3 $5) ({And} 15. e3 $5 { were interesting alternatives according to Caruana.}) 15... e5 $1 {"Maybe this is not the best" So. Black went wrong later.The move in the game frees his pieces and even fights for the initiative.} ({A slow move like} 15... Qc7 { would have allowed} 16. e4 {with all the conveniences after} dxe4 17. Nxe4 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 Nf6 19. Bf4 {with advantage for White.}) 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Nd7 18. Nf3 Bxc5 19. Ng5 {Played after ong thought. The position requires rapid action.} ({Slow moves like} 19. Bf4 Qb6) ({or} 19. e4 Qb6 {are good for Black.} ) 19... g6 20. Bf4 Qb6 21. e4 {The most energetic move.} ({Both players considered} 21. e3 {Now} h6 {is wrong to} ({Where Caruana was afraid of} 21... b3 $1 22. axb3 ({Or} 22. Qb1 Bb4 23. Rf1 Nc5 {"followed by Bc8-f5 and can get quickly into strategically lost position" (Caruana)}) 22... axb3 23. Qe2 Ra2 { Let's continue the line a bit with} 24. Bh3 h6 25. Nxf7 Rxf7 26. e6 Rxf4 27. exd7 Bxd7 28. exf4 Bxh3 29. Qe8+ Kg7 30. Re7+ Bxe7 31. Qxe7+ Kg8 32. Qe8+ { and it all ends with perpetual check.}) 22. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 (22... Rxf7 23. e6) 23. e6+ Kxe6 24. Qxg6+ Ke7 25. Qxh6 {with crushing attack.}) 21... b3 {So is also in a hurry to open up the queenside and deflect the opponent's pieces fom his king.} 22. axb3 axb3 23. Qe2 {The critical moment of the game.} Ba6 $2 { After this White's attack continues unhindered.} ({Correct was:} 23... Ra2 $1 { (Caruana) when White intended} 24. Rab1 ({Or} 24. exd5 Ba6 25. Qf3 Rxb2 26. Ne4 cxd5 27. Nxc5 Nxc5 28. Be3 Bc4 29. Bd4 {"with a mess. The b-pawn might be very, very dangerous" (Caruana)}) 24... Ba6 25. Qf3 {At the very last moment Caruana saw the resource} Bd3 $5 26. Qxd3 Bxf2+ 27. Kh1 Bxe1 28. Rxe1 Rxb2 {and did not like it too much for White. Then indeed} 29. exd5 Qf2 30. Qf1 Nc5 $5 { should be OK for Black.} (30... Qxf1+ 31. Rxf1 Ra2 32. dxc6 b2 33. Be4 Ra1) ( 30... cxd5)) 24. Qf3 Bc4 25. Rxa8 Rxa8 {Black managed to trade a pair of rooks, but had to abandon the kingside. The punishment is swift:} 26. e6 $1 dxe4 ({ Since} 26... fxe6 27. Bc7 $1 {loses on the spot.}) 27. exf7+ Bxf7 28. Nxe4 Bd4 {Makes things even worse, although Black's position is obviously suspicious, to say the least.} (28... Re8 {"was still putting up a good fight"(Caruana). The thing is that the light-squared bishop does enormous defensive work after} 29. Rd1 Bd5 30. Qg4 Be6 31. Qe2 Bd5) 29. Nd6 Bd5 30. Qe2 {Without the light-squared bishop Black cannot hold the kingside.} Nf8 ({Or mate after} 30... Bxg2 31. Qe6+ Kh8 32. Nf7+ Kg8 33. Nd8+ Kg7 34. Qxd7+) 31. Bxd5+ cxd5 32. Qf3 Qa5 {There is no defense against the mating attack. For example} 33. Re7 Qc5 34. Bh6 Qxd6 35. Qf7+ Kh8 36. Bg7+ 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1"] [White "Kramnik, V."] [Black "Grischuk, A."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A48"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2767"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. b3 $5 {A rare move that has been played by the likes of Smyslov, Kortchnoi and Portisch. "Just another way to reach the normal setup." (Kramnik)} c5 $5 {Played after six minutes.} (3... Bg7) 4. dxc5 Qa5+ 5. Nbd2 Qxc5 6. Bb2 Bg7 7. e3 O-O 8. c4 b6 $146 (8... d6 9. Be2 Nbd7 10. O-O b6 11. Rc1 Bb7 12. Nb1 Ne4 13. Bd4 Qf5 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Nbd2 Ndf6 {Grachev,B (2655) -Chatalbashev,B (2552) Astana 2017}) 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Qc7 11. Rc1 d6 12. Nb1 Nbd7 13. Nc3 Rac8 14. Rc2 Qb8 15. Qa1 a6 16. Rd2 Rfe8 17. Rfd1 Ba8 (17... Nc5) 18. Ng5 $5 (18. h3) 18... Rc5 (18... b5 19. cxb5 Rc5 20. Nf3 (20. Nxf7 Kxf7 21. bxa6 {Grischuk}) 20... axb5 21. b4 Rh5 22. h3 {Kramnik}) 19. Nh3 (19. Nd5 b5) 19... b5 20. Nf4 (20. cxb5 axb5 21. b4 Rf5) 20... bxc4 21. Bxc4 (21. bxc4) 21... Rg5 (21... Ne5 22. Be2 (22. Bxa6 $2 Bxg2 $1 23. Kxg2 Qa8+)) 22. Ncd5 Ne5 23. Be2 Ne4 $6 {Kramnik didn't like this move.} (23... e6 24. Nxf6+ Bxf6 25. h4 Rf5 (25... Rxg2+ 26. Nxg2 Qb7 27. f3) 26. Rxd6) (23... Ned7) 24. Rd4 ({ Grischuk had seen} 24. Rc2 e6 25. Nc7 Rc8 26. Nxa6 Rxc2 27. Nxb8 Rxe2 28. Nxe2 Nf3+ 29. Kf1 Nxh2+ 30. Ke1 Rxg2) 24... Nc5 25. h4 Rf5 26. e4 ({Kramnik also considered} 26. g4 {which might be better.}) 26... Rxf4 27. Nxf4 Nxe4 28. Nd5 Nc5 29. Rb4 Qa7 30. Ne3 {Setting a trap in his opponent's time trouble...} a5 { ...which Grischuk falls for.} 31. Rb5 Ne6 ({The point was} 31... Bc6 32. Rxc5 Qxc5 33. Bd4 Qb4 34. f4 {Kramnik}) 32. Rxe5 dxe5 33. Bxe5 Qc5 34. Bxg7 Nxg7 35. Qd4 Qxd4 36. Rxd4 Bc6 37. Rd2 Rb8 $6 ({After} 37... Ne6 {White's advantage is not so big.}) 38. Rc2 Be8 39. Rc7 Kf8 40. Ra7 a4 41. bxa4 Rb1+ 42. Kh2 Rb4 ({ Kramnik suggested} 42... Rb2 43. Bc4 Rxf2 44. a5 Rf4 {but it's still pretty bad for Black after} 45. Rc7 $1 Rxh4+ 46. Kg1) 43. a5 Rxh4+ 44. Kg1 $1 { Grischuk had missed this.} Ra4 45. Bc4 Bc6 46. Rc7 Be8 47. a6 Nh5 48. Nd5 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Mamedyarov, S."] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C60"] [WhiteElo "2763"] [BlackElo "2809"] [PlyCount "142"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. c3 a6 (4... d6 5. d4 Bd7 6. O-O Bg7 7. Be3 Nf6 8. dxe5 dxe5 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Re1 Re8 11. h3 h6 {Tari,A (2597)-Kamsky,G (2677) Moscow 2018}) 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 Bg4 8. Qb3 Bxf3 9. gxf3 Bg7 10. Be3 $146 (10. Nc3 Ne7 11. Ne2 O-O 12. h4 c5 13. dxc5 a5 14. a4 Nc6 15. Bg5 Bf6 16. Rd1 Qe7 {Tobler,P (2154)-Egner,M (2188) corr. 2016}) 10... Ne7 11. Nc3 Bxd4 12. Bxd4 (12. O-O-O c5 13. Ne2 Nc6 14. Qxb7 Na5 15. Qd5 Qxd5 16. exd5 Bxe3+ 17. fxe3 O-O-O) 12... Qxd4 13. Qxb7 O-O 14. Qxc7 Rab8 {[Here] "I can play for some advantage." *Mamedyarov} ({Interesting was} 14... Nd5 15. Nxd5 (15. exd5 Qd3 16. Nd1 Rfe8+) 15... cxd5 16. Qc3 {Mamedyarov}) 15. O-O Rxb2 16. Qxe7 Qxc3 17. Kg2 Rc2 18. Rad1 Rxa2 19. Rc1 Rc2 20. Rxc2 Qxc2 21. Ra1 Qc4 22. Qb7 Qb5 23. Qxa6 Qg5+ 24. Kf1 Qf6 25. Kg2 Rb8 26. Ra5 $6 {An unfortunate square.} (26. Qa3 Rb5 27. Rd1) 26... Rb3 27. Qc8+ $6 {Also not the best.} (27. Qe2) 27... Kg7 28. Qg4 Rb5 $1 {Now White has to take and Black gets a passer.} 29. Rxb5 cxb5 30. Qd7 Qg5+ 31. Kf1 Qe5 32. h4 b4 33. Qb7 Qc3 34. e5 b3 35. Kg2 Qc4 36. Qb6 h6 37. Kg3 Qd5 38. f4 Kh7 39. Qb8 Qc4 40. f3 Qc3 41. Qf8 Qc4 42. Qb8 Kg7 43. Qb6 Qd5 44. Qb8 Qd1 45. Qb7 Qg1+ 46. Kh3 Qe3 47. Kg2 Qe2+ 48. Kg3 Qe1+ 49. Kg2 Qe3 50. Qb4 g5 51. hxg5 hxg5 52. fxg5 Qe2+ 53. Kg3 Qxe5+ $2 ({Winning was} 53... b2 54. e6 Qe5+ 55. Kg2 fxe6) 54. Kf2 Qh2+ 55. Ke3 Qg1+ 56. Kf4 Qc1+ 57. Kg4 Qe3 58. Kg3 $2 {Karjakin saw ghosts here.} (58. f4 Qg1+ 59. Kh4 Qf2+ 60. Kg4 Qe2+ 61. Kg3 b2 62. Qc3+ Kh7 63. Qb3 $1 {is a draw.}) 58... Qxg5+ 59. Kf2 Qd5 60. Ke3 Kg6 61. Ke2 Kf6 62. Ke3 Ke6 63. Qb6+ Kd7 64. Qa7+ Kc6 65. Qa6+ Kc5 66. Qa4 Qc4 67. Qa5+ Kc6 68. Qa1 Kb5 69. Qb2 Kb4 70. Kd2 Qf4+ 71. Ke1 Qh4+ 0-1 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1"] [White "Aronian, L."] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A18"] [WhiteElo "2794"] [BlackElo "2769"] [PlyCount "43"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. d4 b6 8. h4 (8. Be2 Bb7 9. Bf3 Bxf3 10. Nxf3 Bd6 11. Qa4+ c6 12. O-O O-O 13. Rb1 Bc7 14. Re1 Rc8 15. Kh1 Qf5 {Svidler,P (2763)-Ding,L (2774) Palma de Mallorca 2017}) 8... Bb7 9. Bg5 Qf5 10. Bd3 $146 (10. Rh3 h6 11. Bd3 Qa5 12. Bd2 Nd7 13. Nf3 O-O-O 14. Kf1 Be7 15. h5 Nc5 16. Ne5 Nxd3 17. Rxd3 Rhf8 {Budczies,J-Vogt,L (2500) Bochum 1990}) 10... Qa5 11. Kf1 Nc6 12. Rb1 f6 13. Bd2 O-O-O 14. a4 e5 15. c5 ({Aronian also looked at} 15. Rh3 {but wasn't sure about} exd4 16. cxd4 Bb4) 15... Bxc5 16. Rb5 Qa6 17. Rh3 (17. Bf5+ Kb8 18. dxc5 Ne7 19. Bc2 c6 20. c4 cxb5 21. cxb5 Qa5 22. Bxa5 Rxd1+ 23. Bxd1 bxa5 {with a decent position for Black (Aronian).}) 17... Bxd4 $1 {"Somehow I felt this shouldn't be a good move. I don't know why." (Aronian)} (17... exd4 18. Rxc5 bxc5 19. Qg4+ Rd7 20. Bxa6 Bxa6+ 21. Ke1 Re8+ 22. Kd1 Ne5 {looked unclear to Aronian. "I would say I was a bit worried about this."}) 18. Be2 Rd6 $1 (18... Kb8 19. Rg3 $5 {Aronian} ) 19. Rb1 (19. Rb2 Qa5 20. cxd4 Qd5 21. dxe5 Nxe5 {Aronian wasn't sure about this. "Then I felt, short of time, if something goes wrong it goes really wrong."} 22. Nf3 $5 Rhd8 {looked dangerous to him, but engines like it for White.}) 19... Qa5 20. Rb5 (20. cxd4 Qd5 21. Nf3 (21. Rb5 Qa2) 21... Nxd4) 20... Qa6 (20... Bxc3 21. Rd3 Rxd3 22. Bxd3 Ba6 23. Bxc3 Qxc3 24. Ne2 Qa3 25. Rb3 Qxa4 26. Bf5+ Kb8 27. Rxb6+ cxb6 28. Qxa4 Bxe2+ 29. Kxe2 Nd4+ 30. Kd3 Nxf5 31. Qd7) 21. Rb1 Qa5 22. Rb5 (22. c4 $2 Bc5 {is asking for trouble.}) 1/2-1/2 [Event "Kuehlhaus"] [Site "Kuehlhaus"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2784"] [BlackElo "2799"] [PlyCount "65"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 {So: "The very first move was already a surprise for me because in the last Candidates Fabiano played e4 in all his games."} Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qb3 Nbd7 9. Bf4 a5 10. Rd1 Nh5 11. Bc1 Nhf6 12. Nbd2 b5 13. c5 b4 14. Qc2 a4 15. Re1 e5 {FC: "I expected e5, but I wasn't really happy with my last two moves. I was trying to get e4 in but I felt I'd lost the plot a bit." So suggested the idea of e3 and Bf1.} 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Nd7 18. Nf3 Bxc5 19. Ng5 {FC "I took a long time to play Ng5 because it leads to a very sharp position. I had to make sure I wasn't losing in the complications."} g6 20. Bf4 Qb6 21. e4 {Fabiano decided on this when he played Ng5.} (21. e3 b3 22. axb3 (22. Qb1 Bb4 {"and then Nc5 and Bf5 I can quickly get a strategiacally lost position. So I decided to play in the sharpest way."}) 22... axb3 23. Qb1 (23. Qe2)) 21... b3 22. axb3 axb3 23. Qe2 Ba6 {So: "After Ba6 my king is too vulnerable, and I couldn't manage to defend. Somehow things went really badly, really quickly."} (23... Ra2 24. exd5 { Caruana was worried about} (24. Rab1 Ba6 25. Qf3 Bd3 26. Qxd3 Bxf2+ 27. Kh1 Bxe1 28. Rxe1 (28. exd5 {This zwichenzug, however, is still winning.} Nc5 29. Qe3 cxd5 30. Rxe1 Rxb2 31. Bxd5 {White's bishops are strong.}) 28... Rxb2 29. exd5 Qf2 {gives Black counterplay.}) 24... Ba6 25. Qf3 Rxb2 26. Ne4 cxd5 27. Nxc5 Nxc5 28. Be3 {FC: "I had a feeling that black is doing well...I was also worreid that the b-pawn would be winning for black."} Bc4 29. Bd4 {"and we get some sort of mess".}) 24. Qf3 Bc4 25. Rxa8 Rxa8 26. e6 dxe4 27. exf7+ Bxf7 28. Nxe4 Bd4 (28... Re8 {"was still putting up a good fight."}) 29. Nd6 Bd5 30. Qe2 Nf8 31. Bxd5+ cxd5 32. Qf3 Qa5 33. Re7 {"I think we see in every Candidates tournament that there are ups and downs for every player." So: "It's clear it's going to be a tough tournament".} 1-0 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2767"] [Annotator "KGBesenthal"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. b3 c5 4. dxc5 Qa5+ 5. Nbd2 Qxc5 6. Bb2 Bg7 7. e3 O-O 8. c4 b6 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Qc7 11. Rc1 d6 12. Nb1 Nbd7 13. Nc3 Rac8 14. Rc2 Qb8 15. Qa1 a6 16. Rd2 Rfe8 17. Rfd1 Ba8 18. Ng5 Rc5 19. Nh3 {[#] A interesting opening phase. So far both players have tried to develop their pieces to the best possible position without provoking too much "enemy contact". But that changes immediately.} b5 20. Nf4 bxc4 21. Bxc4 Rg5 22. Ncd5 Ne5 23. Be2 Ne4 24. Rd4 Nc5 25. h4 Rf5 {[#] Kramnik has an advantage - the black rook gets lost on the kingside.} 26. e4 (26. g4 $1 {war hier aber wohl der stärkere Zug.}) 26... Rxf4 27. Nxf4 Nxe4 28. Nd5 Nc5 29. Rb4 Qa7 30. Ne3 a5 31. Rb5 Ne6 {[#] This is how it can come: Black has lost the exchange, but he has a pawn for it his minor pieces are strong. Kramnik's advantage is small, though the ex-world champion decides to execute a brutal solution.} 32. Rxe5 dxe5 33. Bxe5 { The advantage may still be small, but it exists: Kramnik's army is very active and he can make progress with the queenside pawns long before Black can mobilise his own majority.} Qc5 34. Bxg7 Nxg7 35. Qd4 Qxd4 36. Rxd4 Bc6 37. Rd2 Rb8 38. Rc2 Be8 39. Rc7 Kf8 40. Ra7 a4 41. bxa4 {[#] Kramnik has managed to increase its advantage.} Rb1+ 42. Kh2 Rb4 43. a5 Rxh4+ 44. Kg1 Ra4 45. Bc4 Bc6 46. Rc7 Be8 47. a6 Nh5 48. Nd5 1-0 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2763"] [BlackElo "2809"] [Annotator "KGBesenthal"] [PlyCount "142"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. c3 a6 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 Bg4 8. Qb3 Bxf3 9. gxf3 Bg7 10. Be3 Ne7 11. Nc3 Bxd4 12. Bxd4 Qxd4 13. Qxb7 O-O 14. Qxc7 Rab8 15. O-O Rxb2 16. Qxe7 Qxc3 17. Kg2 Rc2 18. Rad1 Rxa2 19. Rc1 Rc2 20. Rxc2 Qxc2 21. Ra1 Qc4 22. Qb7 Qb5 23. Qxa6 Qg5+ 24. Kf1 Qf6 25. Kg2 Rb8 26. Ra5 Rb3 27. Qc8+ Kg7 28. Qg4 Rb5 29. Rxb5 cxb5 30. Qd7 Qg5+ 31. Kf1 Qe5 32. h4 b4 33. Qb7 Qc3 34. e5 b3 35. Kg2 Qc4 36. Qb6 h6 37. Kg3 Qd5 38. f4 Kh7 39. Qb8 Qc4 40. f3 Qc3 41. Qf8 Qc4 42. Qb8 Kg7 43. Qb6 Qd5 44. Qb8 Qd1 45. Qb7 Qg1+ 46. Kh3 Qe3 47. Kg2 Qe2+ 48. Kg3 Qe1+ {[#] A difficult position. Black can hardly advance his pawns, because white threatens e5-e6, or even a queen invasion via f6.} 49. Kg2 Qe3 50. Qb4 g5 {In that sense, it is only logical that Black opens the position on the kingside.} 51. hxg5 hxg5 52. fxg5 Qe2+ 53. Kg3 Qxe5+ 54. Kf2 Qh2+ 55. Ke3 Qg1+ 56. Kf4 Qc1+ 57. Kg4 Qe3 58. Kg3 ({It's hard to say why Karjakin did not play} 58. f4 {here.}) 58... Qxg5+ 59. Kf2 Qd5 60. Ke3 Kg6 61. Ke2 Kf6 62. Ke3 Ke6 63. Qb6+ Kd7 64. Qa7+ Kc6 65. Qa6+ Kc5 66. Qa4 Qc4 67. Qa5+ Kc6 68. Qa1 Kb5 69. Qb2 Kb4 70. Kd2 Qf4+ 71. Ke1 Qh4+ {Last but not least black forces the exchange of queens.} 0-1 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2794"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "KGBesenthal"] [PlyCount "43"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. d4 b6 8. h4 {[#] That certainly looks like a fighting Aronian.} (8. Nf3 {is most often played at this point.}) 8... Bb7 9. Bg5 Qf5 10. Bd3 Qa5 11. Kf1 Nc6 (11... Qxc3 12. Ne2 Qb4 13. c5 {would be playable but Black would have given White a lead in developmental and a difficult defensive task, which was certainly not in Ding's interest.}) 12. Rb1 f6 (12... Qxa2 13. Ra1 Qb2 14. Ra4 $16) 13. Bd2 O-O-O (13... Qa3 {would have been the best move - avoiding the constraining a2-a4 giving space to the black queen.}) 14. a4 $1 {[#] Now White is a little better: without material loss, White has gained some space advantage and Black's queen is unable to move.} e5 15. c5 (15. Rh3 {the computers suggests at this point. The fact that after this move the d3-bishop has been covered, the threat of c4-c5 probably increased.}) 15... Bxc5 16. Rb5 Qa6 17. Rh3 {[#]} Bxd4 $1 18. Be2 (18. cxd4 Rxd4 19. Ne2 Qxa4 20. Qb1 Rdd8 21. Nc3 Qd4 $11) 18... Rd6 (18... Ba8 $1 $11 {allowing the queen to come back into the game via b7.}) 19. Rb1 (19. Rb2 $1 Qa5 20. cxd4 Qd5 21. dxe5 {White still has an edge. The difference between Rb1 and Rb2 is that on b2 the rook defends the d2-bishop.}) 19... Qa5 20. Rb5 Qa6 21. Rb1 Qa5 22. Rb5 1/2-1/2 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2784"] [BlackElo "2799"] [Annotator "User-PC"] [PlyCount "65"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qb3 Nbd7 9. Bf4 a5 10. Rd1 Nh5 11. Bc1 Nhf6 12. Nbd2 $146 b5 13. c5 (13. cxb5 cxb5 14. Qxb5 Ba6) 13... b4 $6 14. Qc2 $14 a4 $6 15. Re1 (15. e4 $14 dxe4 16. Nxe4) 15... e5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Nd7 18. Nf3 Bxc5 (18... Re8 19. Bf4 Nxc5) ( 18... Nxc5 19. Be3 Ra5 20. Nd4 Bd7) 19. Ng5 g6 20. Bf4 (20. e6 fxe6) 20... Qb6 21. e4 b3 22. axb3 axb3 23. Qe2 Ba6 $6 (23... Ra2) 24. Qf3 $1 $16 Bc4 25. Rxa8 Rxa8 26. e6 dxe4 (26... fxe6 27. Bb8) 27. exf7+ Bxf7 28. Nxe4 Bd4 29. Nd6 Bd5 $6 30. Qe2 Nf8 $2 31. Bxd5+ cxd5 32. Qf3 Qa5 33. Re7 1-0 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2763"] [BlackElo "2809"] [Annotator "User-PC"] [PlyCount "142"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. c3 a6 5. Bxc6 (5. Ba4 d6 6. d4 Bd7 7. O-O Bg7) 5... dxc6 6. d4 (6. Nxe5 Qg5 7. d4 Qxg2 8. Qf3 Qxf3 9. Nxf3 $15) 6... exd4 7. cxd4 Bg4 (7... Bg7) 8. Qb3 (8. Nbd2 $146 Bg7 9. h3 Be6 10. Nb3 $14) 8... Bxf3 9. gxf3 Bg7 (9... b6 $11) 10. Be3 (10. Qxb7 Ne7) 10... Ne7 11. Nc3 Bxd4 (11... O-O 12. O-O-O) 12. Bxd4 $6 (12. O-O-O $1 c5 (12... Bxe3+ 13. fxe3 Qc8 14. h4 $16) 13. Ne2 Nc6 14. Qxb7 Na5 15. Qd5 Qxd5 16. exd5) (12. Rd1 c5) 12... Qxd4 $15 13. Qxb7 O-O (13... Qa7 14. Qxa7 Rxa7) 14. Qxc7 $6 Rab8 $11 (14... Nd5 $1 $15 15. Nxd5 (15. exd5 Qd3 16. Ne2 Rae8 17. O-O Rxe2 $17)) 15. O-O (15. Qxe7 Rxb2) 15... Rxb2 16. Qxe7 (16. Nd1 Rb5 (16... Rd2) 17. Ne3 $11) 16... Qxc3 $15 17. Kg2 Rc2 18. Rad1 Rxa2 19. Rc1 Rc2 20. Rxc2 Qxc2 21. Ra1 Qc4 22. Qb7 (22. h4 ) 22... Qb5 23. Qxa6 Qg5+ 24. Kf1 Qf6 25. Kg2 Rb8 26. Ra5 $6 (26. Qa3) 26... Rb3 $17 27. Qc8+ $6 (27. Qe2) 27... Kg7 28. Qg4 Rb5 $1 29. Rxb5 cxb5 30. Qd7 Qg5+ 31. Kf1 Qe5 (31... Qc5) 32. h4 $6 (32. Qd2 $1 $15) 32... b4 33. Qb7 Qc3 34. e5 b3 35. Kg2 Qc4 $1 36. Qb6 h6 (36... Qxh4 37. Qxb3 Qg5+ 38. Kh1 Qxe5) 37. Kg3 Qd5 38. f4 Kh7 (38... h5) 39. Qb8 Qc4 $6 (39... Qd3+ 40. f3 Qe3) 40. f3 Qc3 41. Qf8 $1 Qc4 42. Qb8 Kg7 43. Qb6 $6 (43. Qd6 Qe6 44. Qd4 $11) 43... Qd5 44. Qb8 Qd1 45. Qb7 Qg1+ 46. Kh3 Qe3 47. Kg2 Qe2+ (47... Qxf4 48. Qxb3 Qxe5) 48. Kg3 Qe1+ 49. Kg2 $4 (49. Kh3 $17) 49... Qe3 $1 $19 50. Qb4 (50. Kf1 Qxf4 51. Qxb3 Qxh4 $19) 50... g5 $1 51. hxg5 hxg5 52. fxg5 Qe2+ 53. Kg3 Qxe5+ $2 (53... b2 $19 54. e6 Qe5+ $19 55. Kg2 (55. Kg4 Qxe6+) 55... fxe6) 54. Kf2 Qh2+ 55. Ke3 Qg1+ $15 56. Kf4 Qc1+ 57. Kg4 Qe3 58. Kg3 (58. f4) 58... Qxg5+ 59. Kf2 Qd5 60. Ke3 Kg6 61. Ke2 Kf6 62. Ke3 Ke6 63. Qb6+ Kd7 64. Qa7+ Kc6 65. Qa6+ Kc5 66. Qa4 Qc4 67. Qa5+ Kc6 68. Qa1 Kb5 69. Qb2 Kb4 70. Kd2 Qf4+ 71. Ke1 Qh4+ 0-1 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2767"] [Annotator "User-PC"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. b3 c5 $5 (3... Bg7) 4. dxc5 Qa5+ 5. Nbd2 Qxc5 6. Bb2 Bg7 7. e3 O-O 8. c4 b6 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Qc7 11. Rc1 d6 12. Nb1 Nbd7 13. Nc3 Rac8 14. Rc2 Qb8 15. Qa1 a6 16. Rd2 Rfe8 17. Rfd1 Ba8 18. Ng5 Rc5 19. Nh3 b5 20. Nf4 bxc4 21. Bxc4 Rg5 22. Ncd5 Ne5 $2 (22... Nxd5 23. Bxd5 (23. Bxg7 Nxf4) 23... Bxb2 24. Qxb2 Nf6 $11) 23. Be2 $14 Ne4 $2 24. Rd4 $16 Nc5 25. h4 Rf5 26. e4 ( 26. g4 $1 Rxf4 27. exf4 Nc6 28. Rc4 $16) 26... Rxf4 27. Nxf4 Nxe4 $14 28. Nd5 Nc5 $6 (28... f5) 29. Rb4 (29. h5 $1 $16) 29... Qa7 30. Ne3 a5 (30... h5 $14) 31. Rb5 $16 Ne6 32. Rxe5 dxe5 33. Bxe5 Qc5 34. Bxg7 Nxg7 35. Qd4 Qxd4 36. Rxd4 Bc6 37. Rd2 Rb8 (37... Ne6) 38. Rc2 Be8 39. Rc7 Kf8 40. Ra7 $16 a4 41. bxa4 Rb1+ 42. Kh2 Rb4 43. a5 Rxh4+ 44. Kg1 Ra4 45. Bc4 Bc6 46. Rc7 Be8 47. a6 Nh5 48. Nd5 1-0 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2794"] [BlackElo "2769"] [PlyCount "43"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. d4 b6 $5 8. h4 (8. Be2 Bb7 9. Bf3 Bxf3 10. Nxf3 Bd6 11. Qa4+ c6 12. O-O O-O 13. Rb1 Bc7 14. Re1 Rc8 15. Kh1 Qf5) 8... Bb7 9. Bg5 Qf5 10. Bd3 $146 (10. Rh3) 10... Qa5 11. Kf1 Nc6 $6 (11... h6 12. Bd2 Bd6) (11... Qxc3 12. Ne2) 12. Rb1 (12. Rh3 $14) 12... f6 13. Bd2 $36 O-O-O (13... Qa3 $1 $11) 14. a4 $1 $14 e5 15. c5 $6 (15. Rh3 $1 $14) 15... Bxc5 $1 16. Rb5 Qa6 17. Rh3 Bxd4 18. Be2 (18. cxd4 $6 Rxd4 $15 19. Ne2 Qxa4 20. Rb1 Qxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Rd6 $15) 18... Rd6 $2 $16 (18... Bc5 $2 19. Rxc5 $1 Rxd2 20. Qxd2 $18) (18... Ba8 $1 $11) 19. Rb1 (19. cxd4 $6 Nxd4 20. Bd3 Ne6 $15) (19. Rb2 $1 $16 Qa5 20. cxd4 Qd5 21. dxe5 $16) 19... Qa5 $1 $11 20. Rb5 (20. cxd4 $11 Qd5 21. Rb5 Qxd4 22. Rd3 Qxh4 23. Rxd6 cxd6 24. Bc3) 20... Qa6 $16 21. Rb1 Qa5 $1 $11 22. Rb5 1/2-1/2 [Event "FIDE Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.11"] [Round "2"] [White "Grischuk, A."] [Black "So, W."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C84"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2799"] [Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"] [PlyCount "91"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {More and more people are choosing this modest move in order to avoid, above all, the Marshall Attack.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 ({The other way to play it is:} 9. Re1 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 Re8 12. Nf1 Nc6 13. Ne3 Bf8 14. a4 b4 15. Nd5 h6 {Here Carlsen went for an interesting pawn sacrifice} 16. a5 Nxd5 17. exd5 Nxa5 18. Ba4 {Carlsen,M (2837)-Ding,L (2774) Saint Louis 2017}) 9... Bb7 10. Nbd2 Re8 11. Ng5 {Often this is preparation for the f2-f4 advance, but in this case it is Grischuk getting closer to move 40.} Rf8 12. Re1 (12. f4 {is not good due to} h6 13. Ngf3 exf4) 12... d5 $146 {Most likely, an over-the-board novelty. "This looks strange as he is losing lots of tempos." (Grischuk)} ({ There is nothing wrong with chasing the knight back at once:} 12... h6 13. Ngf3 Re8 {as in the predecessor, which saw further} 14. Nf1 Bf8 15. Ng3 g6 16. Nh4 d5 {Vu,P (2090)-Nguyen,V (2195) Hue 2012}) 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Ndf3 {Grischuk criticized this move as he felt he did not get much out of the situation. "Tactics did not work after this."} Qd7 {For the time being So ignores the annoying knight.} (14... h6 15. Ne4 {would have transposed to the line from above.} Qd7 16. a4 {although Black seems quite solid after say} Rfe8) 15. d4 { White needs to hurry before his opponent consolidates.} ({The pawn is poisoned } 15. Nxe5 $2 Nxe5 16. Rxe5 f6) 15... exd4 (15... h6 $2 {fails to} 16. dxe5 $1) 16. cxd4 (16. Nxd4 {avoids the isolani, but yields White nothing after} Nxd4 17. Qxd4 h6) 16... h6 17. Ne4 {So far everything was more or less normal and both sides have something to play for. White is hoping that his extra space and more active pieces will help him launch a successful kingside attack. Black, on his turn, hopes to trade as many pieces as possible and get to the isolated d-pawn in the endgame.} Rfe8 $2 {If there is a move to criticize So for, this is the one. The rook occupies the open file, but weakens the f7 spot, on a moment at which the Spanish bishop is viciously looking at it.} ({Good was } 17... Rad8 $5 18. Bd2 Nf6 {with decent play for Black.}) ({But if he wanted to occupy the open file no matter what, So should have used the other rook:} 17... Rae8 $5) 18. Bd2 Nf6 ({Now} 18... Rad8 {comes a bit late and White seizes the initiative with} 19. Rc1 Bf8 20. Nc5 Bxc5 21. Rxc5 Rxe1+ 22. Qxe1 Nf6 23. d5) 19. Rc1 (19. d5 {"was tempting, but after"} Nxd5 20. Bxh6 gxh6 21. Bxd5 Rad8 {"Black trades the queens and has nothing to worry about." (Grischuk) }) 19... Nxe4 ({The central pawn is poisoned:} 19... Nxd4 20. Bxf7+ (20. Ne5 { at once would also do}) 20... Kxf7 21. Ne5+ {(Grischuk)}) 20. Rxe4 Bf6 21. Rg4 $1 {Apparently, So underestimated the rook lift. Black's position becomes critical at once.} Kh8 ({After} 21... h5 {White planned} 22. Rf4 Rad8 23. Ng5 { (Grischuk)}) ({The obvious capture} 21... Nxd4 {is bad due to} 22. Nxd4 Bxd4 23. Bc3 c5 24. Bxd4 cxd4 25. Rxd4 Qe7 (25... Re1+ 26. Qxe1 Qxd4 27. Rc7 { is large advantage for White as well. The f7 pawn is too vulnerable.}) 26. Rd7 Rad8 27. Rcc7 {(Grischuk)} ({In the post mortem both GMs missed the immediate finish with} 27. Bxf7+ $1)) 22. Rc5 {"Here I did't really calculate anything. I said to myself, OK, I have all pieces in attack, and Black defends with one bishop. If there is no mate, I just quit chess."} Rad8 23. Qc1 {Just bringing more and more pieces into the attack. Bd2xh6 cannot be stopped.} ({White also considered the direct} 23. Bxh6 gxh6 24. Rh5 Bg7 25. Qc1 {but decided it does not work after (or more likely decided it is not worth the risk)} Qd6 {As a matter of fact White's attack is crushing after} 26. Ng5 Rd7 27. Nxf7+ Rxf7 28. Bxf7 Rf8 29. Rg6 {and the queen should be sacrificed in order to avoid mate:} Qxd4 30. Qxh6+ Bxh6 31. Rhxh6#) 23... Nxd4 ({Or} 23... Kh7 24. Bxh6 gxh6 25. Bc2+) 24. Nxd4 Re4 {The last desperate try.} ({In case of} 24... Bxd4 { Grischuk planned the following} 25. Bxh6 Re2 (25... Bxc5 26. Bxg7+ Kg8 27. Qh6 {is also inevitable mate.}) 26. Bxg7+ Bxg7 27. Rh5+ Kg8 28. Rxg7+ Kxg7 29. Qh6+ Kg8 30. Qh8#) 25. Rxc7 Qxd4 26. Be3 (26. Bc3 {would also do. For example} Rxg4 27. hxg4 Qe4 28. f3 Bd4+ 29. Kh1 {(Grischuk, So)}) 26... Rxg4 27. hxg4 Qe4 28. f3 {The long diagonal is too short for the black pieces.} Qb4 29. Rxb7 { The rest would most likely not have been played if Grischuk had some extra time on the clock. But as usual, he was playing on increment and So tried some swindles.} Bxb2 30. Qf1 (30. Qxb2 $2 Qe1+ 31. Kh2 Qh4+ {is perpetual instead.}) 30... f6 31. Qf2 Be5 32. f4 Bd6 33. g5 Qe4 34. Qf3 {Safe play in the time trouble.} (34. gxf6 Qxb7 35. fxg7+ Kxg7 36. Qg3+ {would have been mate.}) 34... Qb1+ 35. Qf1 Qe4 36. Qf3 Qb1+ 37. Kf2 Bb4 {White missed this, but likely for him it was not important.} 38. Qe2 Qe4 39. Qf3 Qb1 40. Kg3 fxg5 41. Kh2 ({ Avoiding any king weakening} 41. fxg5) 41... Qf5 ({"The last beautiful line was"} 41... Bd6 42. Rd7 Rxd7 43. Qa8+ Kh7 44. Bg8+ Kg6 45. Qe8+ Kf5 46. Qe6# { (Grischuk)}) 42. Rf7 Qg6 43. fxg5 Bd6+ {Black resigned because of} 44. Kh3 hxg5 45. Bxg5 Qxg5 46. Rf5 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.11"] [Round "2"] [White "Mamedyarov, S."] [Black "Aronian, L."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E32"] [WhiteElo "2809"] [BlackElo "2794"] [PlyCount "48"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bxf6 Qxf6 9. Nf3 c6 10. g3 $146 (10. e3 Nd7 11. Be2 dxc4 12. Qxc4 e5 13. O-O exd4 14. Qxd4 Qxd4 15. Nxd4 Nf6 {Yu,Y (2751)-Ding,L (2777) Riadh 2017}) 10... Nd7 11. Bh3 {"It is for me a new idea. It is just to play." (Mamedyarov)} b6 { Afterward Aronian felt this was perhaps a bit risky.} (11... Qd8 12. O-O b6 { Aronian}) 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Qc6 Rb8 {The critical moment of the game.} 14. O-O ({"I need to play} 14. Rc1 {and it must be not so easy for Black." (Mamedyarov) } Rd8 (14... g5 $5 15. O-O (15. Qd6 $5) 15... Qg7 {"It it works, it will work wonderfully!" (Aronian)}) 15. Qa4 a5 16. Rc7 Rb7 (16... Qe7 17. Ne5 Nc5 18. Qc6 Bd7 19. dxc5) 17. Qc6) 14... Rd8 15. Rfc1 Ba6 16. Bf1 Bc4 $1 {Mamedyarov had missed this.} 17. Qa4 (17. Rc3 a5 {Aronian}) 17... a5 18. b3 b5 19. Qxa5 Bxb3 20. Rc7 ({After} 20. Rc6 Bc4 21. Qc7 {Black is absolutely fine with e.g.} g5) 20... Bc4 21. Qa7 Ra8 22. Qb7 Rab8 23. Qa7 Ra8 24. Qb7 Rab8 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.11"] [Round "2"] [White "Kramnik, V."] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C67"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2763"] [PlyCount "109"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 (9. Nc3 a5 (9... h6 10. Rd1+ Ke8 11. h3 Ne7 12. Be3 Ng6 13. a3 Be7 14. Rd2 a6 15. Re1 Nh4 16. Nxh4 Bxh4 17. Ne2 Be7 18. Nf4 h5 19. e6 Bd6 20. e7 Kxe7 21. c4 Bxf4 22. Bxf4+ Be6 23. Bg5+ Kf8 24. b3 Kg8 {½-½ Kramnik,V (2754)-Anand,V (2786) Monte Carlo MNC 2005}) (9... Ne7 10. h3 Ng6 11. Ne4 Be7 12. b3 h5 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Nd4 Bd7 15. Ng5 Bxg5 16. Bxg5+ Ke8 17. e6 fxe6 18. Nxe6 Bc8 {1-0 (18) Kramnik,V (2729)-Aleksandrov,A (2634) Turin ITA 2006}) 10. h3 a4 11. Rd1+ Ke8 12. a3 h6 13. Bf4 Be6 14. Ne4 Ra5 15. g4 Bd5 16. Re1 Ne7 17. e6 Bxe4 18. exf7+ Kxf7 19. Rxe4 Ng6 20. Bxc7 Rb5 21. Ne5+ Nxe5 22. Bxe5 Bc5 23. Bc3 Ra8 24. Rd1 Bf8 25. Rd7+ Kg8 26. Kg2 {1-0 Kramnik,V (2777)-Ivanchuk,V (2716) Monte Carlo MNC 2004}) 9... Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Bf4 (11. Rd1 Be7 12. Ne2 Be6 13. Nf4 Bc8 14. Ne2 Be6 15. b3 a5 16. a4 Rd8 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2793) -Nakamura,H (2781) Caleta 2018}) (11. Ne2 b6 12. Rd1 Ba6 13. Nf4 Bb7 14. a4 Be7 15. e6 Bd6 16. exf7+ Kxf7 17. Ng5+ Kf6 18. Ne4+ Kf7 19. a5 c5 {Kramnik,V (2811) -Malakhov,V (2712) Sochi RUS 2017}) 11... Be7 12. Rad1 Be6 13. Ng5 Rh6 14. Rfe1 Bb4 15. a3 ({The main move is} 15. g4 {played six times by Vachier-Lagrave and also once by Karjakin.}) 15... Bxc3 16. bxc3 Ne7 17. Nf3 Rh8 18. Bg5 $146 (18. Nd4 a6 19. Bg5 c5 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. c4 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Kxd8 23. a4 b6 {Yu,Y (2724)-Malakhov,V (2706) China 2015}) 18... c5 19. Nd2 {Kramnik's preparation was roughly until here.} Kf8 20. Nf1 Nf5 (20... Nd5 21. f4 {is dangerous (Karjakin).}) 21. g3 {With the idea f3, Kg2 and push the pawns but...} (21. Re4 $5) 21... Ne7 $1 {Kramnik missed that Black can just go back.} 22. Kg2 { "Black is holding by tempi. If I manage my knight on e3 here it's almost over. " (Kramnik)} (22. Ne3 Bxh3 23. Bxe7+ Kxe7 24. Nd5+ Kf8 25. Nxc7 Rc8 26. e6 fxe6 27. Nxe6+ Bxe6 28. Rxe6 Re8 {should be a draw (Kramnik).}) 22... Nd5 23. c4 Nb6 24. Ne3 Nxc4 25. Nxc4 (25. Nd5 Nb2 26. Nxc7 Nxd1 27. Nxa8 Nb2 ({After} 27... Nc3 28. Nc7 {Kramnik mentioned} Kg8 {but that doesn't seem to work tactically:} 29. Nxe6 fxe6 30. Re3 Nd5 31. Rb3 b6 32. c4 Nc7 33. Rd3) 28. Nc7) 25... Bxc4 26. g4 hxg4 27. hxg4 Bb5 28. Kg3 Re8 29. f4 {Here Kramnik thought his position was close to winning.} b6 (29... Ba4 {Karjakin}) 30. f5 ({Karjakin was a bit worried about} 30. Bd8) 30... Ba4 31. Rc1 (31. Rh1 Rxh1 32. Rxh1 Kg8 33. Kf4 Bxc2 34. f6 Rd8 {Karjakin/Kramnik}) (31. Kf4 Kg8) 31... Kg8 32. c4 Bc6 33. Rcd1 Ba4 34. Rc1 Bc6 35. Bh4 Ba4 36. Rc3 Bc6 37. Rce3 Rh6 38. Bg5 (38. Rd3 f6 39. e6 g5 $1 {Kramnik} 40. fxg6 Kg7) 38... Rh7 ({One journalist suggested} 38... Rh1 39. Rxh1 Bxh1 {but that's very dangerous:} 40. Kf4 Bc6 41. Rh3 $1 {followed by 42.f6.}) 39. R3e2 (39. Bf4 Rd8 40. e6 fxe6 41. fxe6 {Kramnik} Rd2 $1 42. R1e2 Rd1) 39... Ba4 40. Re3 Rh8 41. Bh4 (41. e6 fxe6 42. Rxe6 Rxe6 43. Rxe6 Rh1 { Kramnik}) (41. Rd3 f6 42. Bf4 fxe5 43. Bxe5 Kf7) 41... Rh6 42. e6 fxe6 43. g5 Rh8 44. Rxe6 (44. g6 Rh5) 44... Rf8 $1 45. R6e5 $6 ({It looks like Kramnik missed a big chance here. He had seen} 45. Kg4 $1 Bd7 46. g6 $3 Bxe6 47. fxe6 Rh6 48. Kg5 Rf6 {"Here I stopped [calculating], but maybe I shouldn't have stopped." (Kramnik)} 49. e7 Rhxg6+ 50. Kh5 Re6 51. e8=Q+ Rxe8 52. Rxe8+ Kh7 53. Re7 {with winning chances.}) 45... Bc2 46. f6 gxf6 47. gxf6 Rh7 48. Rg5+ Kh8 49. Re7 Rg8 50. Rxh7+ Kxh7 51. Rxg8 Kxg8 52. Kf2 Bb3 53. Bg3 Bxc4 54. Bxc7 Bd5 55. Bb8 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.11"] [Round "2"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Caruana, F."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E05"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2784"] [PlyCount "91"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 b6 ({ Normal is} 7... a6 {e.g.} 8. a4 Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nc3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Qxd4 14. Qxc7 Nc6 15. Qxb7 Na5 16. Qc7 Qd8 17. Qf4 Rb8 { Mamedyarov,S (2804)-Wei,Y (2743) Wijk aan Zee 2018}) 8. Ne5 Qxd4 9. Bxa8 Qxe5 10. Bf3 Nd5 11. Qxc4 Ba6 12. Qb3 $146 ({The normal move is} 12. Qa4 {e.g.} c5 13. Re1 b5 14. Qe4 Nc6 15. Nc3 Rd8 16. Rd1 Qxe4 17. Bxe4 Nd4 {Aronian,L (2799) -Hou,Y (2652) Tbilisi 2017}) 12... Nc6 {Caruana remembered this was the move to play, but said he "didn't remember the details."} 13. Qa4 Bb7 14. Nc3 Nd4 15. Bxd5 exd5 16. Bf4 (16. Qxa7 Ba8 17. Bf4 Qh5 18. Qxc7 Nf3+ 19. exf3 d4 { "and it becomes a mess." (Caruana)}) 16... Qf6 17. Rad1 (17. Qxa7 Qc6 $1 { Caruana}) 17... c5 18. Be3 Nf3+ (18... Nxe2+ 19. Nxe2 d4 20. Bf4 (20. Nf4 dxe3 (20... g5 21. Qd7 Bc8 22. Qxa7 gxf4 23. Bxf4 Bh3 24. Rfe1 Qc6 25. f3 Qxf3 26. Rd2 {Ding}) 21. Nd5 {Ding}) 20... g5 21. f3 gxf4 22. Nxf4 Bd6 23. Qxa7 {Caruana }) 19. exf3 d4 20. f4 ({Caruana expected} 20. Bf4 dxc3 21. Rfe1 cxb2 22. Qd7 Bxf3 23. Rb1 g5 24. Qxe7 Qxe7 25. Rxe7 gxf4 26. Rxb2 Rd8 27. Rb1) 20... dxc3 ( 20... Bf3 21. Bxd4 Qf5 {doesn't work because of} 22. Nd5 $1 Qxd5 23. Bc3 Bxd1 24. Rxd1 {Caruana}) 21. bxc3 Bf3 ({Ding was afraid of} 21... Qe6 22. Bc1 { but now Caruana's} c4 {can be replied by} (22... Qe2 $6) 23. Rde1 $1 Qd5 24. f3 {and White is better.}) 22. Rd3 Bc6 23. Qb3 Qf5 24. c4 Be4 25. Rd2 Qh5 (25... Qg4 26. Bd4 $1 cxd4 27. f3 {Caruana}) 26. f3 Bxf3 27. f5 $6 {"This gives me a chance to consolidate." (Caruana)} (27. Bd4 $5) 27... Bc6 28. Qd1 Qh3 29. Rff2 h6 30. Qf1 Qg4 31. Rf4 Qg5 32. Rd3 Qf6 33. Bd2 Ba8 34. h4 Qc6 35. Kh2 {"I started to feel I was getting outplayed." (Caruana)} Bd6 36. Rf2 Be5 37. Bc3 Bxc3 38. Rxc3 Re8 39. f6 g6 40. Rcc2 (40. Rd3) 40... Re4 41. Rfe2 Qe6 42. Rxe4 Bxe4 43. Rf2 (43. Rd2 $5 Bf5 44. Qf4 Qxf6 45. Qxh6 Be6 46. h5 Bxc4 47. hxg6 fxg6 {Caruana}) 43... Bf5 44. Qc1 Kh7 45. Qc3 h5 46. a3 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1.1"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A48"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2767"] [Annotator "Sagar,Shah"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. b3 $5 c5 4. dxc5 Qa5+ 5. Nbd2 Qxc5 6. Bb2 Bg7 7. e3 O-O 8. c4 b6 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Qc7 11. Rc1 d6 12. Nb1 Nbd7 13. Nc3 Rac8 14. Rc2 ( 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. cxd5 Qb7 16. Bb5 Nb8 (16... Nc5 17. b4 $16) 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. e4 a6 19. Bd3 Rxc1 20. Qxc1 Rc8 $15) 14... Qb8 15. Qa1 a6 16. Rd2 Rfe8 17. Rfd1 Ba8 18. Ng5 $5 (18. Nd5 b5 $5 (18... Bxd5 19. cxd5 b5 $13) 19. cxb5 Bxd5 20. Rxd5 Nxd5 21. Bxg7 e6 $15) 18... Rc5 19. Nh3 b5 $1 20. Nf4 bxc4 21. Bxc4 $14 Rg5 $6 (21... Ne5 $1 22. Be2 (22. Bxa6 Bxg2 $1 $17) 22... a5 23. Ncd5 Bxd5 24. Nxd5 Nxd5 25. Rxd5 Rc2 26. R5d2 Nf3+ 27. Bxf3 Bxb2 28. Qb1 Rxd2 29. Rxd2 Bf6 $11) 22. Ncd5 {Triumph of White's strategy. He controls the d5 square four times!} Ne5 23. Be2 Ne4 (23... Qc8 24. h4 Rf5 25. Rc1 $16) (23... Nxd5 24. Nxd5 e6 25. f4 $1 $16 (25. Nf4 Nf3+ 26. Bxf3 Bxb2 27. Qxb2 Bxf3 $17)) 24. Rd4 Nc5 ( 24... Nf6 25. Nxf6+ Bxf6 26. Nd5 Nd7 27. Nxf6+ Nxf6 28. f3 $16) 25. h4 $1 Rf5 26. e4 Rxf4 27. Nxf4 Nxe4 {Black has compensation but it seems to be not enough.} 28. Nd5 Nc5 29. Rb4 Qa7 30. Ne3 a5 31. Rb5 Ne6 32. Rxe5 $1 dxe5 33. Bxe5 Qc5 34. Bxg7 Nxg7 35. Qd4 (35. Qc1 $14) 35... Qxd4 36. Rxd4 Bc6 37. Rd2 Rb8 38. Rc2 Be8 39. Rc7 Kf8 40. Ra7 a4 41. bxa4 Rb1+ 42. Kh2 Rb4 (42... Rb2 43. Bc4 Rxf2 44. a5 $16 Nf5 45. Nxf5 Rxf5 46. a6 Ra5 47. Rc7 $18) 43. a5 Rxh4+ 44. Kg1 Ra4 45. Bc4 Bc6 46. Rc7 Be8 47. a6 Nh5 48. Nd5 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1.4"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E00"] [WhiteElo "2784"] [BlackElo "2799"] [Annotator "Sagar,Shah"] [PlyCount "65"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qb3 Nbd7 9. Bf4 a5 10. Rd1 Nh5 11. Bc1 (11. Bd2 Nhf6 12. Bf4) 11... Nhf6 12. Nbd2 b5 13. c5 (13. cxb5 cxb5 14. Qxb5 Ba6) 13... b4 14. Qc2 a4 15. Re1 e5 $5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Nd7 18. Nf3 Bxc5 (18... Nxc5 19. Be3 Ra5 (19... b3 20. Qc3 $16) 20. Nd4 Bd7 $14) 19. Ng5 g6 20. Bf4 Qb6 21. e4 (21. e6 Bxf2+ $15) 21... b3 (21... d4 22. e6 $16) (21... dxe4 22. e6 $18) (21... Nxe5 22. Bxe5 f6 23. Bc7 $3 (23. exd5 fxe5 24. Kh1 $14) 23... Qxc7 24. Qxc5 fxg5 25. exd5 $18) 22. axb3 axb3 23. Qe2 Ba6 $5 (23... Ra2 $13) (23... Rxa1 24. Rxa1 Nxe5 $5 (24... h6 25. Nxf7 Rxf7 26. e6 Rxf4 27. exd7) (24... Nb8 25. exd5 cxd5 26. Bxd5 $18) 25. Bxe5 f6 26. exd5 fxe5 27. Qxe5 (27. dxc6 Rxf2 28. Qc4+ Kg7 29. Kh1 Rxg2 30. Kxg2 Qxc6+ 31. Ne4 Bb7 32. Re1 Qd5 33. Qxd5 Bxd5 $11) 27... Rxf2 28. Kh1 Bd4 29. Qe7 $18) 24. Qf3 Bc4 25. Rxa8 Rxa8 26. e6 $1 dxe4 27. exf7+ Bxf7 28. Nxe4 Bd4 ( 28... Bd5 29. Qg4) 29. Nd6 Bd5 30. Qe2 Nf8 (30... Bxg2 31. Qe6+ Kg7 (31... Kh8 32. Nf7+ Kg8 33. Nd8+ Kh8 34. Qe8+ Kg7 35. Re7+ Kf6 36. Qf7#) 32. Qxd7+ $18) 31. Bxd5+ cxd5 32. Qf3 $1 Qa5 33. Re7 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.10"] [Round "1.3"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A18"] [WhiteElo "2794"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "Sagar,Shah"] [PlyCount "43"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. d4 b6 $5 ( 7... e5) (7... c5) 8. h4 (8. Nf3 Bb7 9. Bd3) 8... Bb7 9. Bg5 Qf5 10. Bd3 Qa5 11. Kf1 Nc6 12. Rb1 f6 13. Bd2 O-O-O 14. a4 e5 15. c5 Bxc5 $1 16. Rb5 Qa6 17. Rh3 (17. dxc5) 17... Bxd4 $1 18. Be2 $1 (18. Rd5 Rxd5 19. Bxa6 Bxa6+ 20. Ne2 Bc5 $19) (18. cxd4 Rxd4 19. Ne2 Qxa4 20. Qxa4 Rxa4 $17) (18. Rb1 Bxc3 $1 19. Bxa6 (19. Bxc3 Rxd3 20. Qxd3 Qxd3+ 21. Rxd3 Ba6 $1 22. Rb5 Ne7 23. Ke1 c6 $19) 19... Bxa6+ $19) 18... Rd6 (18... Ba8 19. Rxe5 Qb7 $19) 19. Rb1 (19. Rb2 Qa5 20. cxd4 Qd5 21. dxe5 Nxe5 22. Nf3 $16) 19... Qa5 20. Rb5 (20. cxd4 Qd5 21. dxe5 (21. Nf3 Nxd4 $17) 21... Nxe5 $19) 20... Qa6 (20... Bxc3 21. Rd3 (21. Rxa5 Rxd2 $19) 21... Rxd3 22. Bxd3 Ba6 23. Bxc3 (23. Rxa5 Bxd3+ 24. Ke1 (24. Ne2 Nd4 ) 24... Bxd2+ 25. Qxd2 Rd8 $17) 23... Qxc3 24. Ne2 Qa3 25. Rb3 Qxa4 26. Bf5+ Kb8 27. Rxb6+ cxb6 28. Qxa4 Bxe2+ 29. Kxe2 Nd4+ $14) 21. Rb1 Qa5 22. Rb5 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.11"] [Round "2.1"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C84"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2799"] [Annotator "Sagar,Shah"] [PlyCount "87"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {The d3 system in the Ruy Lopez is becoming quite popular.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 {Once d6 is played the knight is threatening to jump to a5 and win the b3 bishop. So either c3 or a3 should be played here.} 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Bb7 10. Nbd2 Re8 11. Ng5 Rf8 12. Re1 ( 12. f4 $6 h6 $15) 12... d5 $6 {Wesley breaks in the centre} (12... h6 13. Ngf3 Na5 14. Bc2 c5 {seemed like a more solid way to play.}) 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Ndf3 {The bishop on b3 and the knight on g5 create some issues for Black.} Qd7 ( 14... h6 15. Ne4 f5 16. Ned2 {Although White looks passive, the pressure on the e5 pawn and the weakness of the a2-g8 diagonal gives Black a lot of headaches.} Bf6 17. c4 bxc4 18. Nxc4 $16) 15. d4 {An interesting decision by Grischuk opting for an isolated pawn position.} (15. a4 {was also a nice move giving White a small edge.}) 15... exd4 16. cxd4 (16. Nxd4 Nxd4 17. Qxd4 h6 $11 {I think this position is nothing special for White.}) 16... h6 17. Ne4 Rfe8 ( 17... Rad8 {was perhaps more important than Re8.} 18. Bd2 Nf6 {Now the rook being on d8 makes much more sense for Black than on e8 as was in the game.}) 18. Bd2 Nf6 $6 {Perhaps this is the critical error of the game. It looks like the most natural move, but it leads to a bad position by force.} (18... Bf8 19. Rc1 {White has an edge here, but things are under control.}) 19. Rc1 $1 Nxe4 20. Rxe4 {The rook on e4 might look misplaced, but it is ideally posted to move to the kingside especially g4.} Bf6 21. Rg4 $1 {In the game against Kramnik, the rook came to g5, and now to g4. Grischuk has surely come with a lot of rook lifting ideas here!} Kh8 (21... Nxd4 22. Nxd4 Bxd4 23. Bc3 c5 24. Bxd4 cxd4 25. Rxd4 $16) 22. Rc5 Rad8 (22... Nxd4 23. Nxd4 Bxd4 24. Bc3 $18) 23. Qc1 $1 Nxd4 24. Nxd4 Re4 (24... Bxd4 25. Bxh6 $1 $18) 25. Rxc7 Qxd4 26. Be3 ( 26. Bc3 $18 {was also very strong.}) 26... Rxg4 27. hxg4 (27. Bxd4 Rxg2+ 28. Kf1 Bxd4 29. Rxf7 $18 {And Black is just lost. Maybe Grischuk didn't want to give any inch of counterplay and hence he didn't take the queen.}) 27... Qe4 28. f3 {The bishop on b7 is lost now.} Qb4 29. Rxb7 Bxb2 30. Qf1 (30. Qxb2 Qe1+ $11) 30... f6 31. Qf2 {White is just a piece up and Grischuk managed to convert this into a win.} Be5 32. f4 Bd6 33. g5 Qe4 34. Qf3 Qb1+ 35. Qf1 Qe4 36. Qf3 Qb1+ 37. Kf2 Bb4 38. Qe2 Qe4 39. Qf3 Qb1 40. Kg3 fxg5 41. Kh2 Qf5 42. Rf7 Qg6 43. fxg5 Bd6+ 44. Kh3 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.11"] [Round "2.2"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E06"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2784"] [Annotator "Sagar,Shah"] [PlyCount "91"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 b6 $5 { In the Catalan, the c8 bishop is always the problem piece. In order to develop it Black has to indulge into many uncomfortable moves. Sometimes Bd7, Bc6, sometimes a6 b5 Bb7. With a6 b5 and Bb7 the queenside is soft and so is the c5 square. From all of this we can deduce that b6 is a very desirable move for Black. The problem is the knight jumping to e5 and the rook on a8 being in the firing line of the bishop on g2.} 8. Ne5 Qxd4 9. Bxa8 Qxe5 {Black currently has two pawns and piece for a rook. Seems sufficient compensation, but soon c4 will be lost and Black has to keep playing actively in order to prove that he has compensation for the sacrificed material.} 10. Bf3 (10. Qxc4 Ba6 $15) 10... Nd5 11. Qxc4 Ba6 12. Qb3 (12. Qc2 c5 $13) 12... Nc6 13. Qa4 Bb7 14. Nc3 Nd4 15. Bxd5 exd5 16. Bf4 Qf6 (16... Nxe2+ 17. Nxe2 Qxe2 18. Rae1 $18) 17. Rad1 c5 18. Be3 Nf3+ $5 (18... Nxe2+ $1 19. Nxe2 d4 {was also possible because Qf3 is coming up.} 20. Nf4 dxe3 $13) 19. exf3 d4 {Black will win back the piece because of the pawn fork and the strong bishop on b7.} 20. f4 dxc3 (20... dxe3 21. fxe3 $16) 21. bxc3 Bf3 $5 (21... Qe6 {was quite interesting. The main idea being to get the queen to h3.} 22. f5 $1 (22. Qd7 Qe4 $19) 22... Qxf5 (22... Qe4 23. Qxe4 $16) 23. f3 $13) 22. Rd3 Bc6 {Black has to co-ordinate his pieces well in order to get an attack going in this position on the light squares, but it seems pretty difficult now.} (22... Be2 {seems like the main move here.} 23. Rd7 Bxf1 24. Kxf1 $14) 23. Qb3 Qf5 24. c4 Be4 25. Rd2 Qh5 26. f3 Bxf3 { White has sacrificed a pawn, but in return has coordinated his forces and now cannot be worse.} 27. f5 Bc6 28. Qd1 Qh3 29. Rff2 h6 30. Qf1 Qg4 31. Rf4 Qg5 32. Rd3 Qf6 33. Bd2 Ba8 34. h4 Qc6 35. Kh2 Bd6 36. Rf2 Be5 37. Bc3 Bxc3 38. Rxc3 {The position is roughly around even.} Re8 39. f6 g6 40. Rcc2 Re4 41. Rfe2 Qe6 42. Rxe4 Bxe4 43. Rf2 Bf5 44. Qc1 Kh7 45. Qc3 h5 46. a3 {Both the players agreed to a draw here. It is around even and a very keenly fought struggle came to an end.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.12"] [Round "3.4"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2794"] [BlackElo "2800"] [Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"] [PlyCount "54"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 {If Aronian only knew what this surprise would lead to....} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O ({The other way to develop is} 6. Nbd2 Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8. Nf1 Nd7 9. Ng3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 g6 11. Be3 Qe7 12. O-O (12. O-O-O O-O-O 13. Ne2 Rhe8 14. Kb1 b6 15. h4 Kb7 {½-½ Anand,V (2775)-Carlsen,M (2870) Chennai IND 2013}) 12... Bd6 13. a4 c5 14. c3 O-O-O 15. Rfb1 Kb8 16. a5 a6 17. Nf1 Qe6 18. Qd1 f5 19. f3 Be7 20. Qa4 Nf6 {1/2-1/2 Jakovenko,D (2710)-Almasi,Z (2707) Germany 2018}) 6... Qe7 7. h3 {Kramnik: "The thing is, Black wants ... Bg4 after Nbd2. I always considered 7.h3 as a very serious move and I actually spent a lot of time analyzing it, and it was not so easy. But then, a couple of years ago, I found this very strong resource:} Rg8 $1 {"g7-g5-g4 is a big threat" (Kramnik). Apparently, White is not capable of opening the center, otherwise this whole concept will fail. Ironically, it is the pawn on h3 which makes this idea so strong. The weakened kingside and the fast long-ranged black pieces put White in a huge danger.} 8. Kh1 {Both players could not find anything better. Here are some lines to convince that Black's attack is not a joke:} ({The attempt to get a better version of the game continuation with} 8. c3 {would be met with} g5 9. d4 ({The pawn is immune due to} 9. Bxg5 Bxh3 { this is a frequently occurring theme in the attack.}) 9... exd4 $1 ({If now Black continues as in the game} 9... Bd6 10. dxe5 Bxe5 11. Nxe5 Qxe5 12. Qd4 { White would be indeed OK.}) 10. cxd4 Bb6 {when the white center is about to crumble at any moment and the captures on g5 are always bad.} 11. Bxg5 ({Or} 11. Nxg5 h6 12. Nf3 Bxh3) 11... Bxh3 $1 {with huge advantage for Black.}) (8. Be3 {trades the good bishop but doe snot slow down the attack-} Bxe3 9. fxe3 g5 ) ({If} 8. Nc3 g5 9. Bxg5 Bxh3 $1 10. gxh3 h6 {is similar to the first line above and excellent for Black.}) 8... Nh5 $146 {Technically speaking this is the novelty.} ({As this all has been seen previously in a correspondence game, which Black won after:} 8... h6 9. Nbd2 g5 10. Nc4 Bd6 11. d4 Nxe4 12. dxe5 Bc5 13. Qe2 f5 {etc., Kazoks,A (2345)-Calio,M (2334) corr. 2015}) 9. c3 {Obviously White needs to do something and do it fast. This move is aiming for a quick central counter-blow.} ({Aronian "Maybe I should have gone for"} 9. Nc3 { "It will be like the game" said Kramnik and suggested} g5 10. Nxe5 g4 11. d4 Bd6 ({The other suggestion of the former world champion is not as good-} 11... gxh3 12. g3 ({Or even} 12. g4 $1) 12... Nf6 13. dxc5 Qxe5 14. Bf4 Qxc5 15. Bxc7 {and here it might be White who is better.})) 9... g5 10. Nxe5 ({If} 10. d4 { Black can always go for} exd4 ({Or even} 10... g4 11. dxc5 gxf3 12. Qxf3 Qh4 { "with dangerous threats" (Kramnik)}) 11. cxd4 Bb6 12. Nh2 Nf6 13. e5 Nd5 { with clear advantage as the kingside attack proceeds without any problems after Bc8-e6 and 0-0-0.}) 10... g4 ({Of course not:} 10... Qxe5 11. d4 Qe7 12. Qxh5) 11. d4 ({The captures on g4 lead to mate after} 11. Nxg4 Bxg4 12. hxg4 Qh4+ 13. Kg1 Ng3) 11... Bd6 ({Wrong is} 11... gxh3 12. g3 $1) 12. g3 ({Another mating picture occurs after} 12. Nxg4 Bxg4 13. hxg4 Qh4+ 14. Kg1 Qh2#) 12... Bxe5 13. dxe5 Qxe5 14. Qd4 Qe7 $1 {Kramnik wants mate!} ({Aronian was hoping for a slightly worse endgame after} 14... Qxd4 15. cxd4 gxh3) 15. h4 c5 16. Qc4 {"A terrible blunder; I forgot that Black is threatening ...f5." (Aronian)} ({ The best chance according to Kramnik was} 16. Qd3 Bd7 17. c4 O-O-O 18. Nc3 Bc6 19. Nd5 Qe5 {when Black is better but the game goes on.}) 16... Be6 17. Qb5+ c6 18. Qa4 (18. Qe2 {will be met as well with} f5 $1) ({White's best was still} 18. Qd3 Rd8 19. Qe3 {although Black is clearly better here after}) 18... f5 $1 19. Bg5 ({"The main point was"} 19. exf5 Nxg3+ $1 {which lead to mate after} 20. fxg3 Bd5+ 21. Kg1 Qe2 22. Rf2 Qe1+ 23. Rf1 Qxg3# {(Kramnik)}) 19... Rxg5 $1 {Not slowing down at all. White's position is in ruins, Kramnik accurately finishes the game.} 20. hxg5 f4 21. Qd1 ({Or} 21. gxf4 Nxf4 22. Qc2 Qxg5) ({And } 21. Kg2 Qxg5 {with decisive attack in both cases.}) 21... Rd8 22. Qc1 fxg3 23. Na3 Rd3 24. Rd1 Bd5 25. f3 ({Or mate after} 25. Rxd3 Qxe4+) 25... gxf3 26. exd5 ({"The main idea was to win with"} 26. Rxd3 Qxe4 27. Re3 f2+ 28. Rxe4+ Bxe4# {(Kramnik)}) 26... Qe2 27. Re1 g2+ (27... g2+ {Aronian resigned because of} 28. Kh2 g1=Q+ 29. Kxg1 f2+ 30. Kg2 fxe1=Q#) 0-1 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.12"] [Round "3.3"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C50"] [WhiteElo "2763"] [BlackElo "2767"] [PlyCount "60"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nc3 h6 6. h3 d6 7. Na4 Bb6 8. a3 Ne7 (8... O-O 9. O-O Be6 10. Re1 Bxc4 11. dxc4 Nd4 12. Nh4 Nd7 13. g3 Qf6 { Artemiev,V (2691)-Mamedyarov,S (2799) Huaian 2017}) 9. b4 $146 (9. Nxb6 axb6 10. O-O O-O 11. Nh4 g5 12. Qf3 Kg7 13. Nf5+ Bxf5 14. exf5 Qd7 15. g4 Qc6 { Neiksans,A (2503)-Ivanchuk,V (2764) Warsaw 2010}) 9... Ng6 10. O-O O-O 11. c3 c6 12. Nxb6 axb6 13. Bb3 Re8 14. Re1 Be6 15. Bc2 d5 16. exd5 ({"I could have played} 16. Be3 {but I felt it is also dangerous for White. I didn't like my position very much." (Karjakin)}) 16... Nxd5 17. Bd2 Bf5 18. d4 Bxc2 (18... e4 $6 19. Nh2 Nf6 20. Nf1 {Grischuk/Karjakin}) 19. Qxc2 exd4 20. Rxe8+ Qxe8 21. Nxd4 b5 22. a4 bxa4 23. Rxa4 Rxa4 24. Qxa4 Ngf4 25. Qd1 (25. c4 Qe4 26. Qa8+ Kh7 27. Nf3 {is also OK for White.}) 25... Qe4 26. Qf1 Ne6 (26... Nxb4 $2 { fails to} 27. Bxf4 Qxf4 28. Ne2) 27. f3 Qg6 28. Nxe6 Qxe6 29. Qd3 b5 30. c4 bxc4 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.12"] [Round "3.2"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C89"] [WhiteElo "2799"] [BlackElo "2769"] [PlyCount "73"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. Re1 Bd6 13. d3 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 Bxd3 17. Nd2 Qf5 18. Bd4 Rfd8 $5 (18... Rfe8 19. a4 h6 20. Qxf5 (20. h4 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 Rd8 22. Qxf5 Bxf5 23. axb5 axb5 24. Bxd5 cxd5 { Saric,I (2662)-Aronian,L (2801) Hersonissos GRE 2017}) 20... Bxf5 21. Nf3 Be6 22. Be5 Bc5 {Caruana,F (2811) -Svidler,P (2768) Wijk aan Zee 2018}) 19. a4 h6 20. h4 $146 (20. Kg2 Bf8 21. Re5 Qxf3+ 22. Kxf3 b4 23. Rd1 bxc3 24. bxc3 Rab8 { Alekseenko,K (2609)-Matlakov,M (2709) Moscow 2018}) 20... Rac8 ({Ding didn't like} 20... Bf8 21. Re5 Qxf3 22. Nxf3) 21. axb5 axb5 22. Bxd5 (22. Qxf5 Bxf5 23. Ne4 c5 $5 24. Nxd6 (24. Bxg7 Bxe4 25. Rxe4 c4) 24... Rxd6 25. Be5 Rd7 {Ding }) (22. Ra7 Ra8 23. Rea1 Rxa7 24. Rxa7 Re8 25. Qxf5 Bxf5 26. Ra6 Ne7) 22... cxd5 23. Qxf5 Bxf5 24. Ra5 b4 25. Rxd5 Be6 26. Ra5 (26. Rb5 Ra8 {So}) 26... bxc3 27. Bxc3 Rb8 28. Nf1 Bb4 29. Raa1 Bc5 (29... Bxc3 30. bxc3 Rb2 {is another way to draw. "I was not sure about my calculation so I decided to play it simple." (Ding)}) 30. Ne3 Rd3 31. Red1 Rbd8 32. Rxd3 Rxd3 33. Rd1 Rxd1+ 34. Nxd1 Bb3 35. Ne3 Bxe3 36. fxe3 Kf8 37. Kf2 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.12"] [Round "3.1"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B90"] [WhiteElo "2784"] [BlackElo "2809"] [PlyCount "98"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3 Be7 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. g4 O-O 11. g5 Nh5 12. O-O-O b5 13. Nd5 Bxd5 14. exd5 f6 15. gxf6 Bxf6 16. Kb1 (16. Na5 Qc7 17. Nc6 Nf4 18. c4 bxc4 19. Bxc4 a5 20. a3 Nb6 { Hracek,Z (2613)-Dziuba,M (2584) Czech Republic 2017}) 16... Nf4 17. Rg1 Kh8 18. Bd3 Bg5 19. Na5 Bh6 20. Nc6 $146 (20. Be4 Qh4 21. Nb7 Qe7 22. Rge1 Nf6 23. Na5 Qe8 24. Bxf4 Nxe4 25. fxe4 Rxf4 26. Qb4 Qd7 {Karg,H (2183)-Kuosa,N (2568) corr. 2009}) 20... Qh4 21. Qb4 Rf6 22. a4 Qxh2 23. Be4 Qe2 24. Bxf4 Bxf4 25. Qa5 Nc5 26. Qc7 Bh6 27. Nd8 Nxe4 ({Initially Mamedyarov was planning} 27... bxa4 28. Nf7+ Rxf7 29. Qxf7 Qb5 {with a possibly winning attack, but then he suddenly noticed}) (27... bxa4 28. Qe7 $1 Qb5 29. Qxf6 $1 {and Black can resign.}) ({ Besides,} 27... Rf8 28. Nf7+ Rxf7 29. Qxf7 Nxe4 {wasn't a good move order because of} 30. Qb7 $1 {preventing ...Rc8.}) 28. fxe4 Rf8 29. Nf7+ ({Strong was } 29. Rde1 $1 Qh5 {but somehow both players misevaluated} (29... Qc4 30. Nf7+ { is the same as in the game but with an extra pawn for White}) 30. Ne6 {which according to engines is close to winning.}) 29... Rxf7 30. Qxf7 Rc8 31. Rc1 Qxe4 32. Rgf1 ({Engines don't agree with Caruana that Black is better, and go} 32. Rg3 $5 {e.g.} bxa4 33. Qe6) 32... Bf4 33. Rg1 Bh6 34. Rgf1 Rg8 35. Rcd1 bxa4 36. Qe7 Qg6 37. Rf8 Bg5 38. Rxg8+ Kxg8 39. Qd7 h5 40. Rg1 e4 41. Qxa4 e3 42. Qxa6 Qf5 43. Qa8+ Kh7 44. Qe8 Bf4 45. Qe6 g6 ({The players had seen that} 45... Qxe6 46. dxe6 Kg8 47. e7 Kf7 48. Rxg7+ Ke8 49. Rg1 h4 50. c3 Bg3 51. Kc2 e2 52. Kd2 e1=Q+ 53. Rxe1 Bxe1+ 54. Kxe1 Kxe7 55. Ke2 {is a draw.}) 46. Rf1 Kg7 $6 {But now White has} ({Caruana was worried about} 46... Kh6 {when he has to play} 47. b4 {which is also risky in timetrouble.}) 47. Qxf5 $1 gxf5 48. c4 Bg3 (48... h4 $2 49. Kc2) 49. Rg1 h4 (49... h4 {The players agreed to a draw due to the following line:} 50. Kc2 e2 51. Kd2 e1=Q+ 52. Rxe1 Bxe1+ 53. Kxe1 h3 54. Kf2 f4 55. b4 Kf6 56. c5 dxc5 57. bxc5 Ke5 58. d6 Ke6 59. Kf3 Kd7 60. Kf2) 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.14"] [Round "4"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2784"] [Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"] [PlyCount "132"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 {A pet line of Boris Spassky. He tried it twice against Tigran Petrosian in their second world championship match in 1969. Both games were easily held by Black.} Qe7 6. Nc3 ({Carlsen opted for the more conventional} 6. d3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Qxe2+ 8. Bxe2 g6 9. Nd4 a6 10. Bf4 Bg7 11. h3 Bd7 12. Bf3 Nc6 {but did not get much in Carlsen,M (2834) -Caruana,F (2811) Wijk aan Zee 2018}) 6... Nxc3 7. dxc3 Qxe2+ 8. Bxe2 Nc6 9. Be3 Be7 10. O-O-O O-O 11. Rhe1 ({Another recent top game saw} 11. Rhg1 a6 12. g4 Re8 13. h4 Be6 14. Ng5 Bd7 15. Kb1 Ne5 {with an eventual draw, Artemiev,V (2697)-Khalifman,A (2614) Moscow 2018}) 11... Bf6 $146 {A logical novelty in comparison to an earlier correspondence game.} ({The predecessor saw:} 11... Bd7 12. Nd4 Bf6 13. f4 Rfe8 14. Bf3 a6 15. Bf2 g6 16. g4 {with some pressure for White, Lehtinen,P (2180)-Halme,O (2316) corr. 2005}) 12. Nd2 {At first sight it seems that Black should not worry at all. The position is symmetrical and not much is going on.} Re8 13. Bf3 Ne5 14. Bf4 {However, the slight lead in the development for White forces Caruana to play carefully. 15.Nd2-c4 is a threat now.} Kf8 15. Bd5 ({The timid} 15. Be2 Ng6 16. Bg3 Bd7 {is already a bit more equal for Black.}) 15... c6 16. Bb3 Bf5 ({Black cannot close the bishop with} 16... d5 17. c4 d4 $2 {due to} 18. Ne4) 17. h3 g5 {Energetic play by Black. He intends to find counter-play on the kingside.} 18. Bh2 Kg7 19. c4 (19. f4 {was safer, with approximate equality.}) 19... g4 $1 20. Ne4 $1 { Kramnik is ready to enter the huge complications which materialize seemingly out of thin air.} ({After} 20. hxg4 Nxg4 21. Bg3 Bg5 {Black's active pieces compensate him for the slight structural weaknesses.}) 20... Bxe4 21. Rxe4 Bg5+ 22. Kb1 gxh3 23. c5 $1 {Another exclam, for the courage. "I've noticed this, but I thought it was very risky for White." (Caruana) Kramnik undermines the central knight but at a very high price. Not only is he losing a couple of is kingside pawns, but the survivor on g2 is just a step closer to becoming a queen.} ({The American GM expected instead something like} 23. gxh3 f5 24. Re2 ({Or} 24. Ree1 Nf3 25. Rxe8 Rxe8 26. Bxd6 Nd2+ 27. Ka1 Ne4 28. Bb4 (28. Bg3 $2 f4) 28... Nxf2 {when Black is better.}) 24... Nf3 25. Rxe8 Rxe8 26. Bxd6 Re2 { where indeed Black is doing great.}) 23... f5 ({Also good for Black was} 23... hxg2 24. cxd6 Nf3 25. Rg4 Re2 26. Rxg2 h6 {but apparently Caruana wants more.}) 24. Rb4 hxg2 25. Rxb7+ Kh8 {Best.} (25... Kf8 $2 {gets on the road of the white pieces and White is clearly better after} 26. Bxe5 Rxe5 27. cxd6 ({ Or the preliminary check} 27. Rf7+ Ke8 28. cxd6)) ({"Perhaps I can just go"} 25... Re7 {suggested Caruana after the game. Then the most likely outcome is a draw after} 26. Rxe7+ Bxe7 27. Rg1 {although it is White who needs to prove it. }) 26. cxd6 Nf3 27. Ba4 ({Kramnik's original plan} 27. Bg1 {fails to} Re2 { For example} 28. d7 Rd2 29. Rxd2 (29. Rc1 Rd6 {traps the rook.}) 29... Nxd2+ 30. Ka1 Nf3) 27... Nxh2 28. Bxc6 {For a moment it seems as Kramnik outsmarted his opponent. The g2 pawn is stopped and the one on d6 has everyone around it for support.} Rad8 $3 {A fantastic resource. All black pieces are now into the game and help each other.} ({Indeed, bad was} 28... Red8 29. Bxg2 {when White has all the fun.}) ({However, besides the text move the where a couple of very interesting alternatives. Caruana spent his last three minutes trying to make the move:} 28... Re4 {work. It does indeed in case of:} 29. Bxe4 ({But he could not find anything after} 29. Rg1 $1 Rae8 ({Maybe the simple} 29... Re6 { when Black is much better is a good idea though.}) 30. Bxe4) 29... fxe4 30. Rg1 e3 31. fxe3 Rf8 {(Caruana)}) (28... Nf1 $5 {was the other idea, with advantage for Black after} 29. Bxg2 Nd2+ 30. Ka1 Rad8) 29. d7 {The only move, as tactics works well for Black.} ({After both} 29. Bxg2 Rxd6 $1) ({and} 29. Bxe8 Rxd6 $1 30. Rd7 Rxd1+ 31. Rxd1 Nf1 {and Black wins.}) 29... Re2 30. Bxg2 Rxf2 31. Bc6 { Caruana preserved the extra piece and even kept two dangerous passers on the kingside. But it ain't over yet, moreover because Black is in serious time trouble.} Ng4 ({Another idea was to send the knight to the queenside after} 31... Nf1 32. Rxa7 Nd2+ 33. Ka1 Nc4 {with serious winning chances for Black.}) ({Both players considered the forcing} 31... f4 32. Rxa7 f3 33. Ra3 Rd2 34. Rxd2 Bxd2 35. Bxf3 Nxf3 36. Rxf3 Rxd7 {when Black is better, but Kramnik believed he should hold.}) 32. Rxa7 Ne3 {"A nice knight, but it cost me a lot of time to get there." (Caruana)} 33. Rg1 h6 {In order to bring the king into the play. But as Kramnik summarized it, Black has no time to waste.} ({Caruana was not sure what to do after} 33... Rxc2 $1 34. Rc7 {and apparently both missed the strong} (34. Ba4 {is better although Black is once again close to winning after} Rf2) 34... Bf6 $1 {which wins for Black.}) 34. Rc7 Kg7 35. a4 { All of a sudden the white pawns started to run too fast and it is not clear who is better at all.} Kf7 ({Instead} 35... Rxc2 {could have led to a curious draw after} 36. Rc8 Rxc6 37. Rxd8 Rd6 38. Re8 Ng4 (38... Rxd7 $2 39. Rxe3) 39. Rf1 Ne3 (39... Kg6 40. Rg8+ Kh7 41. Re8) 40. Rg1) 36. Bb5 Ke7 37. a5 Rf4 38. c3 $1 ({Correctly avoiding the counterplay after} 38. a6 Rb4 39. Rb7 ({Or} 39. Bc6 Bf6) 39... Bf6) 38... Kd6 39. Rb7 ({Kramnik thought that} 39. Rc6+ Ke7 40. Rb6 {leads to a win, but this might not be the case after} ({However} 40. a6 $1 { is clear edge for White.}) 40... Re4 41. a6 Nc4) 39... Rg4 40. Re1 (40. Rh1 { "finishes it immediately" (Kramnik)}) 40... f4 41. a6 {Finally, the time trouble is over. However, the position remains enormously complicated with loads of nuances and this determined the following drama.} h5 42. a7 Ra8 43. b4 {A first step in the wrong direction. Once again Kramnik decides to deprive his opponent of any counterplay, but this time it turns out to be wrong.} ({ Correct was:} 43. c4 $1 {with the idea:} h4 ({Caruana was planning the desperate} 43... Kc5 44. b4+ Kd4 {although here too, White should win after} 45. Bc6 Bd8 (45... Kc3 46. Rc7) 46. Rc7 $1 Bxc7 47. Bxa8 Rg8 48. Bb7) 44. c5+ Kxc5 45. Rc1+ Kd6 46. Rc8 {and White wins.}) ({The straightforward} 43. Rb8 Rxa7 44. d8=Q+ Bxd8 45. Rxd8+ Ke5 {leads only to a draw.}) 43... h4 44. c4 { Going for another forcing line. Things are not that clear anymore.} ({For example} 44. Re2 h3 {(Caruana)}) ({Or} 44. Be2 Rg3 45. b5 h3 46. b6 h2 47. Rb8 Rg1 {and here Kramnik mentioned only} 48. Bf3 $3 {which leads to an utterly fantastic position after} Rxe1+ 49. Ka2 Ng2 $1 {Then} 50. Bxg2 Re2+ 51. Kb3 Rxg2 52. d8=Q+ ({Not} 52. Rxa8 Bd8 $3 53. Rxd8 h1=Q 54. a8=Q Qb1+ {and Black mates....}) 52... Bxd8 53. Rxa8 Rg8 $1 (53... Bxb6 {is a draw after} 54. Rd8+ $1 Bxd8 55. a8=Q h1=Q 56. Qxd8+ {with perpetual...}) 54. b7 h1=Q 55. b8=Q+ Ke6 {leads to a position where Black fights for the win.}) ({Therefore, for practical purposes most likely best was to (somewhat) clarify matters with} 44. d8=Q+ Bxd8 (44... Rxd8 $2 45. Rb8) 45. Rd7+ Ke6 46. Bc6 Rxa7 47. Rxa7 {with winning chances for White.}) 44... h3 45. c5+ Ke5 46. Rb8 (46. c6 h2 47. c7 Rg1 {is a draw according to the computer. Say} 48. Bc6 Rxe1+ 49. Ka2 Re2+ 50. Kb3 Nd5 51. Bxd5 Kxd5 52. c8=Q Re3+ 53. Kc2 (53. Ka4 h1=Q 54. Qc5+ Ke6 55. Rb6+ Kxd7 56. Qd6+ {and perpetual.}) 53... Re2+ 54. Kd3 Re3+) ({Nothing is clear after} 46. Bc6 h2) 46... Rxa7 47. Rg8 {"And I thought it just finishes the game" (Kramnik). However...} Bf6 $3 {A second shocker for the former world champion.} 48. d8=Q {The only move.} ({It transpires that the rook is invinsible due to the sudden discovery} 48. Rxg4 $2 Kf5 {and the threat of Ra1 mate wins for Black.}) (48. Rxe3+ $2 {is bad as well after} fxe3 49. Rxg4 h2) 48... Bxd8 49. Rxg4 Bf6 50. Rg6 Rb7 {Caruana became ambitious. It was Kramnik who was low on time now.} ({The American GM rejected the possible draw after} 50... Kf5 51. Bd3+ Ke6 52. Rxf6+ Kxf6 53. b5) 51. Be2 Rxb4+ 52. Ka2 {"All of a sudden I am better again." (Kramnik) "I completely underestimated how fast is the c-pawn" (Caruana)} Nc2 ({Actually, it is still most likely a draw after} 52... Be7 {say} 53. c6 Ra4+ 54. Kb3 Rb4+ 55. Kc3 Nd5+ 56. Kd2 Bh4 57. Rc1 Rd4+ 58. Bd3 h2) 53. Rc1 (53. Rb1 Re4 $1 {holds for Black (Caruana)}) 53... Nd4 54. Bd3 (54. Bg4 $5) 54... Ra4+ 55. Kb1 {In time trouble Kramnik decided to repeat the moves.} ({His original intention} 55. Kb2 {would have probably led to a draw after} Ke6 56. c6 (56. Rh1 Rb4+ 57. Kc3 Nc6+ 58. Rxf6+ Kxf6 59. Rxh3 Kg5 { (Caruana, Kramnik)}) 56... Nxc6+ 57. Rxf6+ Kxf6 58. Rxc6+ Kg5 {(Caruana, Kramnik)}) 55... Nb3 $1 {Black is taking his chance! The king hunt creates a myriad of tactical opportunities, even in the endgame.} 56. Re1+ ({Like the one after} 56. Rd1 $2 Ra1+ 57. Kc2 Nd4+ $1 {An important maneuver.} 58. Kd2 Nf3+ 59. Ke2 Rxd1 60. Kxd1 h2 61. Rh6 Nh4 {and all of a sudden the h-pawn queens!}) ({Safe was} 56. Rc2 Ke6 57. Rh2 Ra1+ 58. Kc2 Ra2+ 59. Kxb3 Rxh2 60. c6 {with a draw.}) 56... Kd5 57. Kc2 ({Kramnik suggested another "draw line"} 57. Rxf6 Ra1+ 58. Kb2 Rxe1 59. Kxb3 h2 60. Bb5 $2 {but there is a nasty little spoiler} (60. Bc4+ Kxc5 61. Rf5+ {instead is a draw.}) 60... f3 $3 { interference theme that wins for Black!}) 57... Nd4+ 58. Kb1 (58. Kc1 $1 { would have still shared the point.}) 58... Nf3 59. Rd1 $4 {With two seconds left on his clock Kramnik blunders!} ({He could have still saved the game with } 59. Rxf6 Nxe1 60. Bf1 h2 61. Rh6 Kxc5 62. Rxh2) ({At the very last moment the former world champion saw} 59. Rf1 Nd2+ 60. Kc2 Ra2+ $1 {which wins for Black.} (60... Nxf1 61. Bxf1 Ra2+)) 59... Ra1+ 60. Kc2 Rxd1 {An echo from the line from above (see the line on move 56). Now Caruana wins this hugely dramatic game.} 61. Ba6 ({Since} 61. Kxd1 h2 62. Rh6 Bh4 {promotes the pawn.}) 61... Rd2+ 62. Kc1 Bb2+ 63. Kb1 Kxc5 64. Bb7 Ne5 65. Rf6 f3 66. Rf5 f2 0-1 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.14"] [Round "4"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D43"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2769"] [PlyCount "102"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7 (11... a6 12. f4 gxf4 13. Bxf4 Bg7 14. Nxf7 Kxf7 15. e5 Rf8 16. exf6 Nxf6 {Grischuk,A (2737)-Korobov,A (2692) Doha 2016}) 12. Nxf7 Kxf7 13. e5 Nd5 14. Ne4 Qb6 15. Nd6+ Ke7 16. a4 $146 (16. Bg4 h5 ( 16... Raf8 17. Qc2 Qxd4 18. Qg6 Qxg4 19. Qxg7+ Kd8 20. Nxb7+ Kc8 21. a4 b4 { Topalov,V (2780)-Kramnik,V (2799) Wijk aan Zee NED 2008}) 17. Bxh5 Raf8 18. Qg4 Bh6 19. h4 Rhg8 20. hxg5 Bxg5 21. Ne4 Ne3 22. Qxg5+ Rxg5 23. Bh4 Kd8 {Shirov,A (2740)-Karjakin,S (2732) Foros 2008}) 16... Raf8 17. Bf3 a6 18. Bxd5 cxd5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Kh1 Bc6 ({"Black should play} 20... Ba6 21. f4 b4 {and in fact White doesn't have threats.} 22. Qc2 gxf4 23. Bh4+ Bf6 {and Black is OK." (Grischuk)}) 21. f4 gxf4 22. Rxf4 ({Winning was} 22. Bh4+ $1 Bf6 23. Qg4 $1 Rhg8 24. exf6+ Kxd6 25. Qxf4+ e5 26. dxe5+) 22... Rxf4 23. Bxf4 Kd8 (23... Ra8 24. Rxa8 Bxa8 25. Nc8+ {Grischuk}) 24. Qg4 Rf8 25. Bd2 (25. h3 Qxd4 26. Bg5+ hxg5 27. Qxd4 Bxe5 {Grischuk} 28. Qg4 Bxd6 29. Qxe6 Rf6 {and "probably Black is winning even." (Grischuk)}) 25... Kc7 26. h3 (26. Ne8+ Rxe8 27. Ba5 Qxa5 28. Rxa5 Kb6 {is highly unclear.}) 26... b4 27. Qxg7 Qxd4 28. Bxb4 Qxb2 29. Ba5+ Kb8 30. Rg1 c3 {"I was just not too afraid of this pawn somehow. I thought I will block it." (Grischuk)} ({After} 30... d4 {(Grischuk) White has to find} 31. Qe7 $1 (31. Nxc4 Qb3) (31. Qg4 Qa2 $1 32. Be1 c3)) 31. Qe7 c2 32. Bd2 Qxe5 33. Bxh6 Rg8 34. Nf7 Qc3 35. Qd6+ Kb7 36. Qxe6 d4 37. Nd6+ Kb6 38. Ne4 (38. Bd2 c1=Q 39. Rxc1 Bxg2+ 40. Kg1 Bd5+ 41. Qxg8 Qxc1+ 42. Bxc1 Bxg8 {"and draw" (Grischuk)}) 38... Nc5 39. Qxg8 ({Grischuk said he was "very stupid" that he didn't go for} 39. Qxc6+ Kxc6 40. Nxc3 dxc3 41. Rc1 {"but I just misjudged [the game continuation]. I think I barely survived."}) 39... Nxe4 40. Kh2 d3 41. Be3+ Kb5 42. Qb8+ Kc4 43. Qc7 Qf6 44. Rf1 Qd6+ 45. Qxd6 Nxd6 46. Rf6 Kd5 47. Rxd6+ Kxd6 48. Kg3 Kd5 49. Kf2 Kc4 50. Bd2 Kb3 51. Ke3 Bxg2 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.14"] [Round "4"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E37"] [WhiteElo "2809"] [BlackElo "2799"] [PlyCount "62"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 7. Qc2 c5 8. dxc5 Nc6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Nf3 (10. e3 Qf6 11. f3 Qh4+ 12. g3 Nxg3 13. Qf2 Nf5 14. Qxh4 Nxh4 15. b4 a5 {Morozevich,A (2675)-Harikrishna,P (2737) Biel 2017}) 10... Qf6 11. e3 Bg4 12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O Rfe8 14. Bd2 d4 15. Rad1 Nxd2 16. Rxd2 $146 (16. Qxd2 Rad8 17. Qc1 d3 18. Rxd3 Rxd3 19. Bxd3 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Ne5 21. Be4 Nxf3+ 22. Bxf3 Qxf3 23. Qd1 Qf5 {Bareev,E (2683)-Ivanchuk,V (2741) Havana 2006} ) 16... dxe3 17. Rd6 Re6 18. fxe3 Rxd6 19. cxd6 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 Qxd6 21. Qb3 Qe7 22. Bd5 Nd8 23. Rc1 Qd7 24. Qc4 Ne6 25. Bxe6 fxe6 26. Qd4 Qxd4 27. exd4 Rf8 28. Rc7 Rf7 29. Rc8+ Rf8 30. Rc7 Rf7 31. Rc8+ Rf8 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.14"] [Round "4"] [White "Kramnik, V."] [Black "Caruana, F."] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2784"] [PlyCount "94"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. Nc3 Nxc3 7. dxc3 Qxe2+ 8. Bxe2 Nc6 {This position has an extremely high drawing percentage.} 9. Be3 Be7 10. O-O-O O-O 11. Rhe1 Bf6 12. Nd2 Re8 13. Bf3 Ne5 14. Bf4 Kf8 15. Bd5 c6 16. Bb3 Bf5 17. h3 g5 18. Bh2 Kg7 19. c4 g4 20. Ne4 Bxe4 21. Rxe4 Bg5+ 22. Kb1 gxh3 {Safer and was better} 23. c5 $6 {Bold but dangerous.} (23. gxh3) 23... f5 24. Rb4 hxg2 25. Rxb7+ Kh8 26. cxd6 Nf3 27. Ba4 (27. Bg1 {was Kramnik's original plan, but} Re2 {is winning for black.} 28. Bf7 Rd2 {or} (28... Nxg1 29. Rxg1 Rxf2 30. Bc4 Be3) 29. Rxd2 Nxd2+ 30. Ka1 Rd8 {Black collects the d6-pawn and then forces White to five up a piece for the g-pawn.}) 27... Nxh2 28. Bxc6 Rad8 (28... Re4 {Caruana burned up several vital minutes trying to make this interesting move work, e.g.} 29. Rg1 (29. Bxe4 fxe4 30. Rg1 e3 $1 { is winning.}) 29... Rae8 {was what Caruana considered, but it's only equal.}) 29. d7 (29. Bxe8 $2 Rxd6 $1 30. Rd7 Rxd1+ 31. Rxd1 Nf1 $1 {and Black wins.}) 29... Re2 30. Bxg2 Rxf2 31. Bc6 Ng4 32. Rxa7 Ne3 33. Rg1 {Nach} h6 $2 (33... Rxc2 {Black stands well, e.g.} 34. Ba4 (34. Rc7 Bf6 $1 35. Rc8 {looks strong, but actually threatens nothing.} Rxb2+ 36. Kc1 (36. Ka1 Rb4#) 36... Rxa2 37. Re1 f4 $19) 34... Rf2 35. a3 Bf6 36. Rb7 Nc4 37. Re1 Kg7 $19 {After the text the white pawns become very dangerous.}) 34. Rc7 Kg7 35. a4 Kf7 36. Bb5 Ke7 37. a5 Rf4 38. c3 Kd6 39. Rb7 (39. Rc6+ Ke7) 39... Rg4 40. Re1 f4 41. a6 h5 42. a7 Ra8 {Still stronger was} 43. b4 (43. c4 {z.B.} Kc5 44. b4+ Kxb4 45. Bc6+ Kc3 46. Rc1+ Kd4) 43... h4 {Here Kramnik misses the strong possibility} 44. c4 $6 h3 45. c5+ Ke5 {Better was} 46. Rb8 $2 {Now, white gets into trouble.} (46. Bc6 {e.g.} h2 47. Rh1 Rg1+ 48. Kb2 Rxh1 49. Bxh1 Nd1+ 50. Kb3 f3 51. Bxf3 Nf2 52. c6 {and the white pawns decide.}) (46. c6 h2 47. c7 Rg1 48. Bc6 {could have led to an amazing draw, e.g.} Rxe1+ 49. Ka2 Nd5 50. Bxd5 Kxd5) 46... Rxa7 47. Rg8 Bf6 0-1 [Event "FIDE Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.14"] [Round "4"] [White "Grischuk, A."] [Black "Ding Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "Johannes Fischer"] [PlyCount "102"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7 12. Nxf7 Kxf7 13. e5 Nd5 14. Ne4 Qb6 15. Nd6+ Ke7 16. a4 Raf8 17. Bf3 a6 18. Bxd5 cxd5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Kh1 Bc6 21. f4 gxf4 $2 ({Better was} 21... Kd8) 22. Rxf4 $2 {Returns the compliment and missed the opportunity to turn the game in his favor:} (22. Bh4+ Bf6 23. Qg4 { and white is winning. He threatens the devastating 24.Qg7+ and Black does not have an adequate defence, e.g.} Bxh4 ({or} 23... Rhg8 24. exf6+ Nxf6 25. Qxf4 { and White wins the trapped knight on f6 and retains a material advantage.}) 24. Qxh4+ Nf6 25. Rxf4 {and white wins.}) 22... Rxf4 23. Bxf4 Kd8 ({The engines prefer here} 23... Rf8 {with a clear edge for Black.}) 24. Qg4 Rf8 25. Bd2 Kc7 26. h3 (26. Ba5 $4 Qxa5 $1 27. Rxa5 Rf1#) 26... b4 27. Qxg7 Qxd4 28. Bxb4 Qxb2 {Black has one pawn more and his pawns are strong, but the position is very confusing - both kings are endangered. In addition, both players were short of time} 29. Ba5+ Kb8 30. Rg1 c3 31. Qe7 c2 32. Bd2 Qxe5 33. Bxh6 Rg8 34. Nf7 Qc3 35. Qd6+ Kb7 36. Qxe6 d4 37. Nd6+ Kb6 38. Ne4 Nc5 $1 39. Qxg8 Nxe4 40. Kh2 d3 { The time control is done, white has an exchange more, but the black pawns are dangerous. In the game White can save himself in a endgame with bishops of opposite colours.} 41. Be3+ Kb5 42. Qb8+ Kc4 43. Qc7 Qf6 44. Rf1 Qd6+ 45. Qxd6 Nxd6 46. Rf6 Kd5 47. Rxd6+ $1 Kxd6 48. Kg3 Kd5 49. Kf2 Kc4 50. Bd2 Kb3 51. Ke3 {The white king is just in time.} Bxg2 1/2-1/2 [Event "FIDE Berlin Candidates"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.15"] [Round "5.1"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A65"] [WhiteElo "2794"] [BlackElo "2767"] [Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"] [PlyCount "83"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [WhiteClock "1:11:37"] [BlackClock "0:09:25"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. e4 e6 6. Nc3 exd5 7. cxd5 Bg7 8. Nge2 { Let's quickly skip the opening phase, the interesting is still to come. Apparently both players were happy with sharp and complex opening.} Nbd7 ({ Aronian had also tried the alternative} 8... a6 9. a4 Nbd7 10. Ng3 Nh5 11. Nxh5 gxh5 12. Bd3 O-O 13. O-O f5 14. exf5 Ne5 15. Bc2 Bxf5 16. Bxf5 Rxf5 17. Ne4 { and Black held the draw in Aronian,L (2801)-Svidler,P (2763) Palma de Mallorca 2017}) 9. Ng3 h5 10. Be2 Nh7 11. Bf4 $146 ({Aronian improves on a game of his own:} 11. Be3 h4 12. Nf1 O-O 13. Qd2 Re8 14. Bh6 {which later ended in a draw, Aronian,L (2809)-Li,C (2735) Geneva 2017}) 11... Qe7 (11... h4 12. Nf1 Qe7 13. Qd2 {would transpose into the game.}) 12. Qd2 (12. O-O Bd4+ 13. Kh1 Bxc3 $1 ( 13... h4 14. Nb5 {is less clear.}) 14. bxc3 h4 {would be embarrasing for the knight.}) 12... h4 {Otherwise White will castle and transfer the g3-knight to the optimal f2 square.} 13. Nf1 g5 {In order to cause confusion into White's camp.} (13... O-O {would allow the regroupment} 14. Ne3 {As} (14. Bh6 $5 { also looks good for White.}) 14... g5 $2 {comes short to} 15. Nf5) 14. Be3 Ne5 {However now White has a chance to expand on the kingside, which he takes at once.} 15. g3 Bd7 ({Grischuk disliked} 15... f5 {due to} 16. f4 $1 ({Aronian's line} 16. gxh4 {is not convincing due to} f4 $1 ({Rather than} 16... gxh4 17. f4) ({Nor} 16... g4 17. f4) 17. Bf2 gxh4) 16... Ng4 17. e5 {with strong initiative for White.}) ({Instead of the text move, Aronian considered} 15... Bh3 {to be best, with the idea} 16. gxh4 g4 17. f4 Nf3+ 18. Bxf3 gxf3 {where Black looks OK.}) ({One more option was} 15... Ng6 {in order to keep the blockade as much as possible.}) 16. gxh4 gxh4 $6 ({It was not too late for} 16... g4 17. f4 Nf3+ 18. Bxf3 gxf3 19. Rg1 {and now say} f5 $5 {with unclear play.}) ({At the post mortem both players analyzed} 16... Qf6 17. hxg5 ({ However here} 17. O-O-O {looks strong with the idea} Nxf3 18. Bxf3 Qxf3 19. Ng3 gxh4 (19... Bh3 20. hxg5 Be5 {looks like Black's best chance although White should be better here too.}) 20. Rdf1 Qg4 21. Rhg1 $1 {with big advantage for White.}) 17... Nxf3+ 18. Bxf3 Qxf3) 17. Rg1 f5 ({Here} 17... Rg8 {is not convincing due to} 18. f4 Ng6 19. e5 $1 {and "this is worse than in the game" (Grischuk)}) 18. f4 Ng4 19. e5 $1 {You do not need to ask Aronian twice to start an attack. Nor Grischuk.} dxe5 (19... Nxe3 {simply brings more white pieces into the game} 20. Nxe3) 20. d6 Qe6 $5 {"Setting a trap" (Aronian)} ({Or } 20... Qf7 21. Nd5 {with large advantage for White.}) 21. Nb5 ({Black's idea is revealed in the line} 21. h3 exf4 22. Bxf4 Bd4 {"when Black is back in business" (Aronian)}) 21... Rc8 ({After} 21... Bxb5 22. Bxb5+ Kf7 23. Rc1 { "the black king has no good square" (Aronian)}) 22. Nc7+ Rxc7 23. dxc7 exf4 { At this point Grischuk was already very low on time, while his opponent had almost an hour on his clock.} 24. Rd1 {It is hard to call this a mistake, but according to the computer it is.} (24. Bxf4 {allows Black time to cement the position with} Bd4) ({However, the computer suggestion:} 24. O-O-O {would most likely have won after} fxe3 25. Nxe3 $3 ({Rather than} 25. Qxd7+ $2 Qxd7 26. Bb5 Bxb2+ 27. Kc2 Qxb5 28. c8=Q+ Ke7 29. Qc7+ Kf6 30. Rd6+ Kg5 {where it is even Black who wins and which was seen by both the opponents.}) 25... Bh6 ({ Aronian was not sure about} 25... Bd4 26. Nxg4 ({Apparently he missed the killing blow} 26. Nxf5 $1 {and Black's position collapses} Bxg1 27. Ng7+) 26... Qxa2 {this is indeed unclear, but there was a win before that.}) ({The captures lose quickly} 25... Qxe3 26. Qxe3+ Nxe3 27. Rxg7) ({Or} 25... Nxe3 26. c8=Q+ Bxc8 27. Qd8+ Kf7 28. Bh5+ {and mate.}) 26. Bb5 $1 Bxe3 27. c8=Q+ Kf7 28. Qxh8 {and White wins.}) 24... Ng5 $1 {With seconds on the clock Grischuk finds the best defense.} ({Instead} 24... fxe3 {loses to} 25. c8=Q+ Bxc8 26. Qd8+ Kf7 27. Qc7+ Kg6 28. Rd6 {(Aronian)}) ({Similar is} 24... b6 25. c8=Q+ Bxc8 26. Qd8+ Kf7 27. Qc7+ Kg6 28. Rd6) 25. c8=Q+ Bxc8 26. Qd8+ Kf7 27. Qc7+ (27. Qxg5 { leads only to a draw after say this peculiar line} fxe3 28. Rxg4 fxg4 29. Qf4+ Qf6 30. Bc4+ Ke8 31. Bb5+ Kf7 32. Qc7+ Kg6 33. Rd6 Be6 34. Bd3+ Kh6 35. Rxe6 Qxe6 36. Qf4+ Kh5 37. Bf5 Qf6 38. Ng3+ hxg3 39. Qxg4+ Kh6 40. Qh3+ Kg5 41. Qg4+ ) 27... Kg8 {Now Black loses.} ({Both players missed the resource} 27... Qe7 28. Bc4+ Kf6 29. Qxf4 (29. Qxe7+ Kxe7 30. Bxc5+ {would most likely be a draw.}) 29... Nh3 30. Rd6+ Be6 31. Bd4+ ({White should likely survive after} 31. Qxg4 fxg4 32. Rxe6+ Qxe6 33. Bxe6 Kxe6 34. Rxg4 Bxb2 35. Bxc5) 31... cxd4 32. Qxd4+ Kf7 33. Bxe6+ Qxe6+ 34. Rxe6 Bxd4 {and it is Black who wins here.}) 28. Rd6 ({ Aronian saw a similar winning line} 28. Rxg4 $1 fxg4 29. Rd6 {with the main idea} Qf5 (29... Qf7 30. Qxc8+ {"and the g4 pawn is hanging" (Aronian) is also curtains.}) 30. Bd3 Ne4 31. Rd8+ Kh7 32. Qe7 (32. Qxc8 {wins as well.}) 32... Be6 33. Nd2 fxe3 34. Nxe4 $1 {and it is over. Apparently, the nerves played huge role in this game!}) 28... Qf7 {Now comes the strangest move of the event so far.} 29. Qd8+ {Aronian refuses to capture the bishop with a check and to win! Unbelievable...} ({The explanation lies in the line:} 29. Qxc8+ Kh7 30. Qxc5 ({Also winning for White is the line that Grischuk calculated-} 30. Qd7 Qxd7 ({Or} 30... fxe3 31. Rxg4 fxg4 32. Bd3+ Kg8 33. Qc8+ Bf8 34. Rg6+ { and Black has to part with his queen.}) 31. Rxd7 fxe3 32. Nxe3 $1 {(Grischuk)}) 30... Ne4 {It seems as Black is even taking over the initiative, but} 31. Rxg4 $3 {clarifies matters. White wins almost the whole chess-set after} Nxc5 32. Rxh4+ Kg8 33. Rd8+ Bf8 34. Rxh8+ Kxh8 35. Bxc5) 29... Qf8 30. Bxf4 Ne6 31. Bc4 Qxd8 32. Rxd8+ Kh7 33. Rxh8+ Bxh8 {Now the worst is over for Grischuk and he is the only one to play for the win. One can only imagine the enormous pressure that all the candidates are facing. Yesterday Grischuk missed a relatively simple tactical win, today Aronian. Huge attacking players like them will never allow such "clicks" in usual tournaments, but here it is different.} 34. Bd6 {In Grischuk's time-trouble both players place their pieces optimally.} Ng5 35. Rg2 Ne4 36. Bb8 Bd4 37. h3 (37. Bxa7 Ne5 $1) 37... Ne5 38. Bd5 Nd3+ {The position is still extremely complicated.} ({Check this line for example} 38... Bxb2 $5 39. Nd2 Bc3 40. Bxe4 fxe4 41. Kd1 Bxh3 42. Rh2 Ng4 43. Rxh3 Nf2+ 44. Kc2 Nxh3 45. Kxc3 {when it should be a draw somehow...}) 39. Ke2 Nc1+ ({Or} 39... Nxb2 40. Ne3 Nc3+ 41. Kd2 Nxd5 42. Nxd5 Be6 43. Nf4 Nc4+ 44. Ke1 Bf7 45. Re2 {when again, nothing is clear but Black is playing for a win.}) 40. Kd1 Nd3 41. Nd2 Nf6 ({Grischuk spent a lot of time checking the line} 41... Nef2+ 42. Ke2 Nc1+ 43. Kf3 Nfd3 44. Rg8 Ne1+ 45. Kf4 Ncd3+ 46. Kg5 Be3+ 47. Kf6 {but realized in time that it will not end well for him.}) 42. Bf3 {They agreed to a draw due to the line:} (42. Bf3 Nf2+ ({Instead} 42... Nxb2+ 43. Kc2 f4 44. Rg5 Bxh3 {is risky for Black after} 45. Bxf4 ({Or} 45. Nb3 $5)) 43. Kc1 (43. Ke1) 43... Nxh3 44. Rh2 Ng5 45. Rxh4+) 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.15"] [Round "5.2"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E06"] [WhiteElo "2784"] [BlackElo "2763"] [PlyCount "61"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Qb3 c6 7. O-O dxc4 { Karjakin played this since he knew the position would be the same as in lines with Qc2.} 8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 {Generally Black's big goal is to get in ... c5 to remove both his backward pawn and the outpost on c5.} 10. Nbd2 (10. Rd1 { at least hopes to prevent the freeing move}) 10... c5 $1 {Well, that was easy! Caruana wanted to get a "grip on the position by piling up on c5 with moves like Nb3, but Black couldn't let that happen. Black will recover the pawn without issue.} 11. dxc5 Na6 12. Nb3 Be4 13. Qc3 Rc8 14. Be3 Nd5 15. Qd2 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 Nxc5 {All of this was known exactly to Karjakin.} 18. Nxc5 (18. Nd4 Bg5 {--Karjakin}) 18... Bxc5 19. Qb3 Qb6 20. e3 Be7 21. Rfd1 Rc7 22. Rac1 Rfc8 23. Rxc7 Rxc7 24. Kg2 g6 25. Rd2 Kg7 26. Rc2 Rxc2 27. Qxc2 Qc5 28. Qxc5 Bxc5 29. b3 f5 30. a4 bxa4 31. bxa4 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.15"] [Round "5.4"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E06"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2809"] [PlyCount "61"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4 Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Bg5 Nbd7 12. Nc3 h6 13. Bc1 {An uncommon move, as you might expect. The idea is to spend the extra tempos to reroute the bishop to b3 rather than have it get in the way on, say, d2.} a5 (13... e5 14. e4 {Was Ding's idea. "I didn't expect [Mamedyarov] to play this line."}) 14. b3 Qe7 15. Bb2 Rfd8 16. Rac1 {Mildly criticized by Mamedyarov as passive, as it also allows Black, who is a little short on space, to exchange bishops despite weakening c7.} Ba3 17. Bxa3 Qxa3 18. Nb5 Qe7 $1 19. Qc2 (19. Nxc7 Nb6 20. Qc2 Rac8 {was the line that Black thought White has missed, but in face Ding admitted that he didn't see the ...Ba3 idea at all.}) 19... Bxf3 20. Bxf3 c6 21. Nc3 Nb6 22. e3 e5 23. dxe5 Qxe5 24. Rfd1 g6 25. Rd2 Rd7 26. Rxd7 Nbxd7 27. Rd1 h5 28. Rd4 (28. h4 {was Ding's preference after the game, as you'll understand below.}) 28... Nc5 29. h4 (29. Nd5 $2 Ne6 $1 30. Nxf6+ Qxf6 { and Black wins due to the twin threats [Mamedyarov]. Ding again admitted that he didn't see this, otherwise he would have played 28. h4 instead.}) 29... Kg7 30. Kg2 Ne6 31. Rd1 {Mamedyarov joked that if the game continued he would have played 31...Rh8 and "fake" playing ...g5. But an homage to Kramnik this was not; he would have simply toggled the rook on the next move! Why not trading rooks with 31...Rd8? Mamedyarov thought White would swap, then play the exotic maneuver Nc3-b1-d2-c4, targeting the weak queenside pawns.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.15"] [Round "5.3"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D41"] [WhiteElo "2799"] [BlackElo "2800"] [PlyCount "114"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. Bc4 Nd7 12. O-O b6 13. Rad1 Bb7 14. Rfe1 Rc8 15. Bb3 Re8 16. h3 (16. Re3 Nf6 17. Qd3 b5 18. d5 exd5 19. e5 Ne4 20. Qxb5 Qb6 21. Qxb6 axb6 {So,W (2788)-Dominguez Perez,L (2739) Saint Louis 2017}) 16... Nf6 17. Qf4 Nh5 $146 (17... Qc7 18. Qh4 h6 19. Re3 b5 20. Ne5 a5 21. a4 bxa4 22. Bxa4 Red8 23. f3 Ba8 {Epishin,V (2574)-Del Rio de Angelis,S (2489) Calvia 2005}) 18. Qe5 Nf6 19. Qf4 Nh5 20. Qh2 {Kramnik was still in his preparation here.} h6 21. d5 exd5 22. exd5 (22. e5 g6 23. Nd4 Qd7 {Kramnik}) 22... Rxe1+ 23. Nxe1 Qf6 24. Nd3 Ba6 {"The pawn looks dangerous but I'm in time." (Kramnik)} 25. Qe5 {"The best try." (Kramnik)} (25. Nb4 Be2) (25. d6 Bxd3 26. d7 Rd8 27. Rxd3 Nf4 {Kramnik}) 25... Bxd3 26. Qxh5 Bc2 27. Rc1 Bf5 28. Rxc8+ Bxc8 29. d6 {"Important." (Kramnik)} (29. Qd1 Qd6) 29... g5 {Stopping Qd5.} 30. Qd1 (30. h4 gxh4) (30. Qe2 Qxd6 31. Qe8+ Qf8 32. Bxf7+ Kg7 {Kramnik}) 30... Bd7 31. Qd5 Kg7 ({Kramnik wanted both ...a5 and ...Kg7 "and at least I can try."} 31... a5 32. Bd1 Qa1 33. Kh2 Qc1 34. Bg4 Qf4+ 35. Kg1 Qc1+ {Kramnik} ) 32. Qb7 Qa1+ 33. Kh2 Qe5+ 34. Kg1 Qxd6 35. Qxa7 h5 36. Qb7 h4 37. Qf3 Qe7 38. Qc3+ f6 39. Qc4 Qe8 40. Qb4 b5 41. a3 Qe5 42. Bd1 Bc6 43. Bf3 Be8 44. Kf1 Bf7 45. Be2 Be8 46. Bf3 f5 47. Kg1 Bf7 48. Qd2 Kg6 49. Qc1 Be6 50. Qc6 Kf6 51. Qe8 Qa1+ 52. Kh2 Qxa3 53. Qd8+ Qe7 54. Qh8+ Qg7 55. Qd8+ Kg6 56. Qe8+ Qf7 57. Qxb5 Qc7+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.16"] [Round "6"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C88"] [WhiteElo "2799"] [BlackElo "2794"] [PlyCount "155"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. a5 d6 10. d3 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nbd2 Rb8 {This line was heavily discussed last year in St. Louis.} 13. Nb3 ({Carlsen chose instead} 13. c3 Qe8 14. Nc4 Qg6 15. h3 Nd7 16. Be3 d5 17. Ncd2 bxc3 18. bxc3 Nc5 19. Bxc5 Bxc5 20. Qa4 {and went on to win later, Carlsen,M (2822)-Aronian,L (2809) Saint Louis 2017. However, there remained a lot of questions about White's chances in this game.}) 13... Qc8 14. h3 $146 {So improves on another St. Louis game.} ({ In that one the world champion defended the black color after} 14. Qe2 Nd8 15. d4 exd4 16. Nbxd4 c5 17. Nb3 e5 18. Nbd2 Ne6 {Caruana,F (2807) -Carlsen,M (2822) Saint Louis 2017}) 14... Nd8 15. Be3 c5 16. Nbd2 Nc6 17. c3 Rb5 18. d4 ( {White can of course keep the pawn with either} 18. Nc4) ({Or} 18. Nb3 { but Black would have no problems at all in these lines.}) 18... exd4 {An ambitious move.} ({Aronian saw that he can equalize with:} 18... bxc3 19. bxc3 exd4 20. cxd4 c4 ({Probably also good is} 20... cxd4 21. Nxd4 Nxd4 22. Bxd4 Nd7 ) ({Maybe even} 20... Nxa5 21. dxc5 dxc5 22. Qa4 {is a better version of the game continuation for Black. Although with so many weaknesses White still has decent compensation for a pawn.}) 21. Nxc4 Nxe4 {"should be around equal" (Aronian)}) (18... Nxa5 $2 {should be avoided though as it drops a piece after} 19. dxe5 dxe5 (19... bxc3 20. bxc3 dxe5 21. c4) 20. c4) 19. cxd4 Nxa5 20. dxc5 dxc5 {In return for the pawn White has active pieces and can exploit the many weaknesses in the opponent's camp.} 21. Ra2 {"I kind of prepared this line" (So). He later revealed that he considered the position equal.} Qb7 ({Here and on the next moves Aronian avoids} 21... Nc6 {in order to keep the c4 square under control and not to let the white queen there.}) ({The American GM expected} 21... Nd7 {with the idea Nd7-b8-c6.}) 22. b3 ({If} 22. Qa1 Bd8) 22... Kh8 {"I was a little surprised by this, but it is probably a good move." (So)} ({Aronian disliked the position after:} 22... Nxe4 23. Nxe4 Qxe4 24. Bg5 Qb7 25. Qe2 Bxg5 26. Nxg5 {"maybe it holds somehow but it was not the position I wanted to get" (Aronian)} Qd5 27. Nxe6) ({Black also disliked} 22... Nd7 23. Qe2 {as he felt he should keep the knight on f6.}) 23. Qc2 {So is combining threats against the weaknesses on the queenside with threats on the opposite wing. Now e4-e5 followed by Nf3-g5 is always a threat.} Nd7 ({If} 23... Nc6 { to centralize this knight, then either} 24. Nc4 ({Or} 24. Ng5)) 24. Rea1 Bd8 25. Nc4 ({Aronian saw the excellent reply to} 25. e5 c4 26. Nxc4 Nxc4 27. Qxc4 Rxf3 $1 {with a fantastic counter-attack.}) 25... Nxc4 26. Qxc4 Bf6 ({After} 26... a5 27. Rd1 $1 {is strong.} ({Rather than} 27. Qxe6 Rb6 28. Qc4 Rd6 { although here too, White is better.})) 27. Rd1 Qc6 28. Rad2 {Little by little the white pieces occupied commanding positions.} Nb6 (28... Ne5 {is unpleasant for Black after} 29. Nxe5 Bxe5 30. Rd8 {(Aronian, So)}) 29. Qc2 Qc7 {After this move Black's position becomes too loose.} ({Black rejected} 29... Qc8 $1 { on the account of} 30. e5 Bd8 31. Bg5 {But this seems way better than the game continuation after} (31. Bxc5 $2 Rxc5 32. Rxd8 Rxc2 {wins for Black.}) 31... Nd5 $1 {This was probably Black's best chance.}) ({After} 29... e5 30. Bg5 $1 { is strong for White (Aronian)}) 30. e5 $1 {So breaks open the position for his active pieces. The rook on b5 and the knight on b6 are out of the game and So attacks practically with an extra rook.} ({Also quite unpleasant for the second player was the resource} 30. Bg5 $5 {(Aronian) with the threat e4-e5 and if} c4 31. Bxf6 gxf6 32. Nd4 Re5 33. f4 {wins material for White.}) 30... Be7 (30... Bxe5 $2 {drops material heavily after} 31. Ng5 g6 32. Nxe6) ({Here} 30... Bd8 {does not work (see the line from the previous comment) due to} 31. Bxc5 $1 Rxc5 32. Rxd8 Rxc2 33. Rxf8#) 31. Nd4 Rc8 ({Perhaps the last chance was the eventual endgame after} 31... Qxe5 32. Nxb5 axb5 33. Re2 Qc3) 32. Nxe6 $1 {White keeps playing for the attack.} ({"It does not make any sense to take the exchange"} 32. Nxb5 axb5 33. f4 Nd5 {"as Black is at least equal" (Aronian, So). The black connected passers are perfectly supported by all his pieces.}) 32... Qxe5 33. Nf4 {Aronian did not expect this and "relaxed too soon" after seeing it. He later called the move "excellent practical chance."} ({Aronian spend almost all his remaining time on the sharp and beautiful lines:} 33. Rd6 $1 {with the threat Be3-f4! (So did not see this) If} Kg8 ({The main tactical point of the move is that} 33... Bxd6 $1 34. Ng5 {is a nasty double attack.}) ( {Probably} 33... Re8 {leaves defensive chances to Black.}) 34. Bf4 Qf6 35. Ng5 {wins for White.}) ({Black was also afraid of} 33. Nd8 {when after} Kg8 34. Rd7 c4 ({Aronian intended} 34... Qf6 {but this loses to} 35. Bg5 $3 Qxg5 36. Qe2 $1 ) (34... h6) 35. Bd4 Qf5 $2 ({However} 35... Nxd7 $1 36. Bxe5 Nxe5 {provides Black drawing chances.}) 36. Rxe7 Rxd8 (36... Qxc2 37. Re8#) 37. Rxg7+ { and White should win.}) 33... Rf8 {This is "bad" (So); "a terrible move." (Aronian)} (33... Kg8 $1 {was mandatory} 34. Re2 Bf8 {when Black can cement his position.}) 34. Re2 $1 {Now the black pieces are once again loose.} Qc3 ({ Last chance was} 34... Bf6 $5) ({Aronian's initial plan was} 34... Qf5 35. Qxf5 Rxf5 {but then he spotted} 36. Bc1 $1 {"and Black can resign"(Aronian). For example} Bf8 37. Rd8 Kg8 38. Ree8 c4 39. g4 Rf6 40. Ne6) 35. Qb1 $1 (35. Qa2 { with the same idea was also very strong as indicated by the Armenian GM.}) 35... Qf6 ({Or} 35... Nc8 36. Bd2 Qf6 37. Ne6 Rg8 38. Bg5 Qf7 39. Bxe7 Nxe7 ( 39... Qxe7 40. Nd4) 40. Ng5 Qg6 41. Qxg6 Nxg6 42. Nf7#) 36. Bc1 $1 {"Here the game is already finished. It is just (white) pieces coming." (Aronian)} c4 ({ A curious line is} 36... Qf7 37. Bb2 Bf6 38. Bxf6 Qxf6 39. Ne6 Rg8 40. Nc7 Ra5 41. Ne8 Qg5 42. Nd6) 37. bxc4 Nxc4 ({Alas,} 37... Rg5 {does not work due to} 38. Re6 $1 {(Aronian)} ({But not} 38. Ne6 $2 Rxg2+ $1 39. Kxg2 Qf3+)) 38. Re6 Qg5 {Sacrifices the queen in the vain hope of a fortress.} ({Or else Black will lose material on the pin} 38... Qf7 39. Rd7 Re8 40. Qe4) 39. Ng6+ ({ There was an alternative win} 39. Rd7 Bf6 40. Rf7 $1 Rbb8 (40... Rg8 41. Rexf6) 41. Rxf8+ Rxf8 42. Qxb4 Rc8 43. Qxc4 $1) 39... Qxg6 40. Rxg6 hxg6 41. Qe4 { This is the problem. More material is lost.} Bf6 42. Qxc4 b3 43. Ba3 Rfb8 ({If } 43... b2 44. Bxf8 b1=Q 45. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 46. Kh2) 44. Rb1 b2 45. h4 {The rest is good technique by So.} (45. Qa4 $5 a5 46. h4) 45... Ra5 (45... a5 46. Bd6 R8b7 47. g4 Rb3 48. Kg2 {(Aronian, So)}) 46. Qd3 Rd8 (46... Bxh4 47. Rxb2) 47. Qb3 Rc8 48. Qb7 Rd8 49. Qb3 Rc8 50. Qb4 Rb5 51. Qg4 Rc3 (51... Rcb8 52. Qxg6) 52. Bxb2 Rxb2 53. Rxb2 Rc1+ 54. Kh2 Bxb2 55. Qxg6 Ra1 56. g4 a5 57. Qh5+ Kg8 58. Qb5 Ba3 ({The utility of the kingside pawns is revealed after} 58... Bf6 59. Qe8+ Kh7 60. g5 Bc3 (60... Bb2 61. Qe4+ Kg8 62. g6 Kf8 63. Qe6) 61. Qh5+ Kg8 62. g6 Kf8 63. Qc5+) 59. Qe5 Rd1 60. Qe6+ Kh7 61. Qe4+ Kh8 62. Qa8+ Kh7 63. Qxa5 Bd6+ 64. Kg2 Rd4 65. Qf5+ Kh8 66. Qh5+ Kg8 67. g5 Kf8 68. Qg6 Be7 69. Qf5+ Ke8 70. Kh3 Rd6 71. Qh7 Kf7 72. f4 Rd4 73. Qf5+ Ke8 74. Qe5 Rb4 75. Kg4 Kf8 76. Qf5+ Ke8 77. Qe6 Rd4 (77... Kf8 78. Qc8+ Kf7 79. g6+ Kxg6 80. Qf5+ Kh6 81. Qh5# ) 78. Qe5 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.16"] [Round "6"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D35"] [WhiteElo "2809"] [BlackElo "2800"] [PlyCount "127"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 c5 7. Rb1 Be7 8. Bb5+ (8. Nf3 O-O 9. Bc4 Qc7 10. Qe2 a6 11. O-O b5 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. a4 bxa4 14. Bf4 Qc8 {Carlsen,M (2832)-So,W (2815) Chess.com Speed Chess Ch 2017}) 8... Bd7 9. Bd3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Nc6 11. Be2 $146 (11. Nf3 Nb4 12. O-O Bc6 13. Bc4 b5 14. Ne5 bxc4 15. Rxb4 Bxe4 16. Qa4+ Kf8 {Naroditsky,D (2626)-Shimanov,A (2646) Saint Louis 2017}) 11... Rc8 12. Nf3 Qa5+ 13. Bd2 Bb4 14. Rb2 Bxd2+ 15. Qxd2 Qxd2+ 16. Kxd2 Na5 {Kramnik considered the endgame equal.} 17. Rbb1 Ke7 18. Rhc1 f6 19. h4 Rhd8 20. Bd3 a6 21. Ke3 b5 22. g4 Be8 23. Ng1 Nc6 24. Ne2 Rd6 { And here Kramnik thought he was better.} 25. Rd1 (25. a4 bxa4 26. Bxa6 Ra8 27. Bb7 Ra7) 25... Rcd8 26. Bc2 Na5 27. Bd3 Nc6 28. Bc2 h5 29. g5 fxg5 30. e5 R6d7 31. hxg5 h4 32. g6 Na5 (32... h3 33. f4 Na5) 33. Rbc1 Rc7 34. Bd3 Rdc8 $2 { A blunder based on a strange oversight. As Kramnik pointed out, he had many alternatives.} (34... Bc6 35. Nf4 Rdc8) (34... Rxc1 35. Rxc1 Bc6 (35... h3 $5) 36. Nf4 Rh8 37. Bf1 Nc4+) (34... Nc4+ 35. Bxc4 Rxc4 36. Rxc4 bxc4 37. Rh1 Bxg6 38. Rxh4 {Mamedyarov}) 35. Rxc7+ Rxc7 36. Rh1 Nc4+ 37. Kf4 {In his earlier calculations, Kramnik "had a hallicunation," thinking his rook was on c8 instead of c7. Therefore he had planned 37...Bc6 38.Rxh4 Rf8+ here, winning back the pawn.} Nb2 38. Be4 b4 39. Rxh4 Nd1 40. f3 (40. Rh7 $1) 40... Nc3 41. Nxc3 bxc3 42. Rh2 (42. Rh7 Kd8 43. Bc2 Rb7 44. Rh8 Ke7 45. Ke3 Rb2 46. Be4 Rg2) 42... Rc8 43. Ke3 Bb5 44. f4 Bc4 45. Rh7 Rg8 46. a3 a5 (46... Bb3 47. Kd3) 47. Bc2 (47. d5 $1 exd5 48. Bc2 Ke6 49. Kd4 Rf8 50. f5+ Rxf5 51. Bxf5+ Kxf5 52. Kxc3 Kxg6 53. Rh2) 47... Kd7 48. d5 Bxd5 49. Kd4 Ba2 (49... Kc6 50. f5) (49... Bf3 50. Kxc3 Bg4 51. Kd4 Bf5 52. Bxf5 exf5 53. Kd5) 50. Kxc3 Kc6 51. Rh2 Kc5 52. Rd2 Rh8 (52... Rf8 53. Rd7 Rxf4 54. Rxg7 Rg4 55. Rd7) 53. Rd7 Rh3+ 54. Kb2 Bd5 55. Rxg7 Kd4 (55... Rg3 56. Ra7) 56. Rh7 Rg3 57. Rh5 Rg2 58. Rg5 Rf2 59. g7 Be4 60. g8=Q Rxc2+ 61. Kb3 Rc3+ 62. Ka4 Rc5 63. Rg2 $1 ({More aaccurate than} 63. Rg3 Bc2+ 64. Rb3 Rc4+ 65. Kxa5 Bxb3 66. f5) 63... Bf3 64. Qd8+ 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.16"] [Round "6"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E60"] [WhiteElo "2784"] [BlackElo "2767"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. e3 O-O 5. Be2 c5 (5... d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. e4 Nb6 8. O-O Bg4 9. Nbd2 $1 {was one of Grischuk's ideas when he played this system as White.}) 6. d5 e6 7. Nc3 exd5 (7... b6 8. O-O exd5 9. cxd5 Re8 10. Nd2 Ba6 11. Re1 d6 12. e4 Qc8 13. a4 c4 {Nakamura,H (2787)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2751) Moscow 2018}) 8. cxd5 d6 9. Nd2 Na6 10. O-O Nc7 11. e4 Re8 12. a4 Rb8 13. f3 a6 14. a5 Bd7 15. Nc4 Bb5 16. Bg5 {"A very nice move" (Grischuk) which prevents ...Nd7.} Bxc4 17. Bxc4 b5 18. axb6 Rxb6 19. Na4 $146 (19. Qc2 h6 20. Bh4 g5 21. Bf2 Nd7 22. Ra2 Qf6 23. Be2 Reb8 24. Be3 Ne5 {Hamitevici,V (2430) -Jumabayev,R (2599) London 2015}) ({Also interesting was} 19. f4 Rxb2 20. e5 dxe5 21. f5 e4 (21... Rb4 $5) 22. d6 Nb5 23. fxg6 hxg6 24. Nd5 Re6 25. Nxf6+ Rxf6 {and here the players missed the killer move} 26. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 27. Qd5+ Kf8 28. Rxf6+ Bxf6 29. Bh6+ Ke8 30. Qe6+ Be7 31. d7+ Qxd7 32. Qg8+) 19... Rb4 ( {Grischuk didn't like} 19... Rb7 20. Qd3 Qb8 21. Rae1) 20. b3 Qc8 (20... Qb8 21. Bf4) 21. Bf4 ({Grischuk also suggested} 21. Nxc5 dxc5 22. d6 Nb5 (22... Rd8 23. e5) 23. Bxf6 Bxf6 24. d7 Bd4+ 25. Qxd4 Nxd4 26. dxc8=Q Rxc8 27. Ra3 Rcb8 ( 27... Rd8) (27... Nc2) 28. Rxa6 Nxb3 29. Bd5 {Grischuk}) (21. Ra2 Nd7 22. Nb2 Ne5 23. Nd3 Nxc4 24. Nxb4 Nb2 25. Rxb2 Bxb2 26. Nc6 Qd7 {Caruana}) 21... Qd7 ( 21... Nh5 $5 22. Bxd6 Nb5 23. Nb6 Qb7 24. Bxc5 Nc3 25. Qd2 Rxb6 26. Kh1 { Caruana}) 22. Ra2 Nh5 23. Be3 Rbb8 24. Qd2 Nb5 25. g4 ({Also here Grischuk seriously considered} 25. Nxc5 dxc5 26. Bxc5 {("This looks so desparate." - Caruana)}) 25... Nf6 26. Nb2 Qc8 (26... Nxe4 27. fxe4 Nc3 {"and the computer is showing zeros," said FIDE's Nastja Karlovich. Caruana: "If the computer is showing zeros it's probably winning for Back."}) 27. Bf4 Nd7 (27... Rb6 28. Bd3 (28. Na4)) 28. Bxb5 axb5 29. Bxd6 Rb6 30. Bg3 c4 31. bxc4 (31. Qc2 $5 Ra6 32. Rxa6 Qxa6 33. bxc4 bxc4 {Grischuk: "I thought at least practically it's very nice. Against computer you are going to lose any position so it also doesn't matter."}) 31... bxc4 {Grischuk thought he had great compensation here but he had missed...} 32. Qe2 $1 {when...} Rb4 {was the only move, he thought.} (32... c3 33. Nc4 Rb4 {Caruana}) 33. Bd6 ({If White wants to continue (which he should, according to engines) it's with} 33. Rc1 c3 34. Nd3 (34. Nd1 f5 { didn't look appealing to Caruana in time trouble}) 34... Rc4 {when Caruana didn't see a move.}) 33... Rb6 34. Bg3 Rb4 35. Bd6 Rb6 36. Bg3 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.16"] [Round "6"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D73"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2763"] [PlyCount "35"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. c4 dxc4 6. O-O O-O 7. Na3 c5 8. dxc5 c3 9. Nb5 Na6 10. Nxc3 Nxc5 11. Nd4 $146 {"White is not objectively better but at least the game gets more complicated than in the main line." (Karjakin)} ({ Karjakin wasn't afraid of} 11. Be3 Nfe4 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Bd4 Bxd4 14. Qxd4 Qxd4 15. Nxd4 Nd6 {Kramnik,V (2787)-Wei,Y (2743) Wijk aan Zee 2018}) 11... Qb6 12. Be3 Qxb2 {"A typical manever." (Karjakin)} 13. Ncb5 (13. Ndb5 Nce4) 13... Ne6 ({Karjakin wasn't sure about} 13... Ng4 14. Rb1 Nxe3 15. fxe3 Qxa2 16. Qc1) 14. Rb1 Qxa2 15. Ra1 Qb2 (15... Qc4 16. Ra4) 16. Rb1 (16. Qd3 Bd7 {Karjakin}) 16... Qa2 17. Ra1 Qb2 18. Rb1 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.18"] [Round "7.1"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E51"] [WhiteElo "2763"] [BlackElo "2799"] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6. Bd2 c5 7. a3 cxd4 { Karjakin was surprised by this.} (7... Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Ne4 9. Rc1 Nxc3 10. Rxc3 cxd4 11. Nxd4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Bd7 13. O-O Nc6 {Riazantsev,A (2671)-Inarkiev,E (2709) Doha 2016}) 8. axb4 dxc3 9. Bxc3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Qxd1+ 11. Kxd1 $146 (11. Rxd1 Bd7 12. Ne5 Rc8 13. Be2 Ba4 14. Ra1 Be8 15. Nc4 Nbd7 16. Nd6 Rcb8 { Sandipan,C (2569)-Visakh,N (2389) Kolkata 2015}) 11... Bd7 12. Ke2 Rc8 13. Bd3 Nd5 14. Ne5 Be8 {"I realized I don't have anything." (Karjakin)} 15. Bd2 f6 16. Nc4 Rd8 17. Rhc1 Nc6 18. Be4 Ndxb4 (18... a6 19. b5 $5 {Karjakin}) 19. Bxb4 Nxb4 20. Bxb7 Rab8 21. Rxa7 Rd7 22. Na5 Nd3 23. Rd1 Nxb2 24. Rxd7 Bxd7 25. Bc6 Bxc6 26. Nxc6 Re8 (26... Rb6 27. Nd4 Nc4 {seemed easier to Karjakin.}) 27. e4 Nc4 28. Kd3 Nd6 29. f4 Kf8 30. e5 fxe5 31. fxe5 Nf5 (31... Nf7 32. Kc4 Nd8 33. Nd4 Nf7 {Karjakin}) 32. g4 Nh4 33. Kc4 Nf3 34. Ra2 Rc8 35. Kb5 Ke8 $4 ({ As Karjakin pointed out, the way to draw was} 35... Rc7 $1 36. Kb6 (36. Rf2 Rf7 ) 36... Rd7 37. Rf2 Rd3) 36. Kb6 $1 g5 37. h3 Nxe5 38. Nxe5 Rc3 39. Rh2 Ke7 40. Kb5 Re3 {So lost on time here but according to Karjakin it was a technical win for White.} 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.18"] [Round "7.4"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A28"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2769"] [PlyCount "147"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 g6 5. g3 Bg7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O d6 8. b3 ( 8. Rb1 a5 9. a3 Re8 10. Nd2 Be6 11. Nd5 Qd7 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. Ne4 Bg7 14. Bh6 Bh3 {Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2650)-Mamedyarov,S (2804) chess.com INT 2018}) 8... Nd4 9. Nd2 c6 10. e3 Ne6 11. Bb2 $146 ({Voorganger (4):} 11. Ba3 Re8 12. Nde4 Nxe4 13. dxe4 Qa5 14. Bb2 Qc7 15. Qd2 Nc5 {Malakhov,V (2694)-Ding,L (2710) China 2014}) 11... Nc5 12. Qc2 a5 13. Rae1 Re8 14. h3 Bf5 15. e4 Bd7 16. Ne2 b5 17. d4 exd4 18. Nxd4 (18. Bxd4 bxc4 19. Bxc5 cxb3 20. Nxb3 dxc5 21. Nxc5 Bc8) 18... Rc8 19. N4f3 $2 {"A blunder." (Kramnik)} ({Kramnik though he had a good version of a King's Indian but Ding wasn't so sure after e.g.} 19. Re3 d5) 19... d5 $1 {Missed by Kramnik.} 20. exd5 Rxe1 21. Rxe1 cxd5 (21... Bf5 22. Qd1 Nd3 {was also interesting.}) 22. cxb5 Bf5 23. Qd1 Nd3 24. Bd4 Rc1 (24... Nxe1) (24... Ne4 $5) 25. Qxc1 Nxc1 26. Rxc1 Ne4 27. Nf1 {A move Ding missed. Also here Kramnik thought he was better and Ding did not agree.} Bxd4 28. Nxd4 Qb6 ( 28... Bd7 $5 {Ding} 29. Bxe4 dxe4 30. Ne3 Qb6 31. Rc4) 29. Bxe4 dxe4 (29... Bxh3 $5 30. Bxd5 Qxd4) ({Kramnik was also very optimistic after} 29... Bxe4 30. Rd1 {but Ding played like the computer does:} a4 31. bxa4 (31. b4 a3 32. Ne3 Qd6) 31... Qa7) 30. Nxf5 gxf5 31. a4 Qe6 32. Ne3 $6 (32. Rc3 h5 33. h4 {Kramnik }) 32... Qxb3 33. Rc4 (33. Nxf5 h5 34. Rc7 Kh7) 33... h5 34. h4 Kh7 35. Kg2 f6 36. Rd4 Kg6 37. Rc4 Kf7 38. Kh2 Kg6 39. Kg1 Qb1+ 40. Kg2 Qb3 41. Rd4 Kf7 42. Rd5 Qxa4 43. Rxf5 Kg6 44. b6 (44. g4 hxg4 45. h5+ Kh7 46. Rc5 (46. Nxg4 e3) 46... Qb3) 44... Qb3 45. Rxa5 Qxb6 46. Rd5 Qb2 47. Rf5 Qa2 48. Rc5 Qe2 49. Rc4 Qa2 50. Rb4 Qa5 51. Rb8 Qa2 52. Rd8 Qa5 53. Rd5 Qa2 54. Rf5 Qe6 55. Rd5 Qa6 56. g4 hxg4 57. h5+ Kf7 58. Rd7+ Ke6 59. Rg7 Qe2 60. h6 Qf3+ 61. Kg1 g3 62. Rxg3 Qh5 63. Rg7 f5 64. h7 f4 65. Ng4 Qh3 66. Rg6+ Kf5 67. Rg7 Ke6 68. Rg6+ Kf5 69. Nh6+ Kxg6 70. h8=Q Qxh6 71. Qe8+ Kf5 72. Qb5+ Kg4 73. Qe2+ Kf5 74. Qb5+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.18"] [Round "7.4"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D39"] [WhiteElo "2794"] [BlackElo "2784"] [Annotator "AlexYermo"] [PlyCount "76"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 {An interesting ploy from Caruana. He goes for the Vienna Variation, the line championed by Aronian himself.} 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 h6 ({Karjakin-Aronian from earlier in this tournament, and countless other games, saw} 6... c5) 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 {This line didn't use to be so hot until lately, when efforts of Nisipeanu, Pelletier and Vallejo Pons finally gained recognition.} 8. Bxc4 ({The almost forgotten idea} 8. Qa4+ { makes some sense here. At least the black c-pawn won't be able to hit the white centre right away. After} Nc6 9. Bxc4 O-O 10. O-O Bd7 11. Qb3 Ba5 12. Rad1 Bb6 13. e5 Qe7 14. Qc2 Nb4 15. Qe2 Bc6 16. a3 {White is hoping to translate his spatial gains into something meaningful.}) 8... c5 $1 9. O-O { White states his intention to play for quick development.} ({Alternatively,} 9. e5 $5 Qd8 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 cxd4 12. cxd4 Nc6 13. O-O O-O 14. Qd3 b6 { would lead to a standard pawn structure Kramnik doesn't mind defending as Black.}) 9... cxd4 10. e5 Qd8 11. Ne4 O-O 12. Qe2 Be7 (12... Bd7) 13. Rad1 Qc7 14. Bd3 ({A straight-forward pawn sac} 14. Nd6 Bxd6 15. exd6 Qxd6 16. Rxd4 Qe7 17. Rfd1 Nc6 18. Rd6 {may succeed but only in blitz.}) 14... Nd7 {This move underlines a general problem with White's concept: his e5-pawn is insufficiently protected due to the absence of his dark-squared bishop. Granted, Black is behind in development, but his kingside defences are quite solid.} 15. Rc1 Qa5 {[#]} 16. g4 $6 {It's hard to blame Levon for trying to turn his luck around, but such moves tend to backfire on you more often than not.} (16. Ng3 Nc5 17. Bb1 d3 {forces White to part with the bishop, effectively ending his attacking chances.}) 16... Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 18. f4 Qa5 19. g5 Qd8 $6 {Caruana shows his willingness to defend tough.} ({There's something to be said in favour of the counterattacking plan} 19... Bd7 20. gxh6 Rfc8 ({Fabiano must have seen} 20... g6 21. Nc5 $5 Bxc5 22. Qe5 f6 23. Qxc5 Qxc5 24. Rxc5 {and found this endgame troublesome.}) 21. hxg7 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 Bc6 {but leaving his king without shelter is unnerving.}) 20. h4 Bd7 21. gxh6 g6 22. h5 Kh8 23. Kh2 {Aronian just couldn't stop. Clearly, he was thinking attack, when in reality White should be looking to escape with a draw.} ({ The obvious} 23. hxg6 fxg6 24. Nc5 {offers White compensation, albeit Black can survive:} Rc8 {etc.}) 23... Bc6 24. Rf3 Bd6 $1 {The engines may not rate this move as the strongest, but from a human point of view it's more than good enough. Caruana's play is very consistent.} 25. Qf2 Bc7 26. Kh3 Qe7 (26... gxh5 27. Rg3 f5 {Again, the engines try to lead us astray.}) 27. Ng5 e5 28. Rxc6 $5 {Probably, the best chance, although White cannot count on more than a draw in all lines.} bxc6 29. Nxf7+ Rxf7 30. hxg6 Rf6 $2 {Fabiano's only mistake in the overall very solidly played game.} ({He must have rejected} 30... Rxf4 { on account of} 31. Rxf4 exf4 32. Qxd4+ Qe5 33. g7+ Kg8 34. Bc4+ Kh7 35. Qd3+ Kxh6 36. g8=Q Rxg8 37. Bxg8 {and indeed, it seemed White could survive, but only until Black finds} Qh8 $1 38. Bb3 Kg5+ 39. Kg2 Qxb2+ 40. Bc2 Qf6 {with decent winning chances.}) 31. g7+ $2 {In time trouble Levon misses his chance.} (31. Qh4 $3 Qe6+ (31... e4 32. Bxe4) 32. f5 Qe7 33. Be4 {would lead to a crazy position. Black is up a whole rook, but, positionally speaking, White is doing just fine.}) 31... Kg8 32. Bc4+ $2 ({Again,} 32. Qh4 $1) 32... Kh7 33. Qh4 e4 34. Rg3 Bxf4 35. g8=Q+ Rxg8 36. Bxg8+ Kh8 37. Rg7 Qf8 38. Rh7+ Kxg8 0-1 [Event "Berlin"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.18"] [Round "7"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E51"] [WhiteElo "2763"] [BlackElo "2799"] [Annotator "AlexYermo"] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6. Bd2 c5 $6 {With this move Black accepts a slightly worse position.} ({Most prefer} 6... b6) 7. a3 cxd4 8. axb4 dxc3 9. Bxc3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Qxd1+ 11. Kxd1 Bd7 12. Ke2 Rc8 13. Bd3 Nd5 14. Ne5 Be8 15. Bd2 f6 16. Nc4 Rd8 17. Rhc1 Nc6 18. Be4 Ndxb4 19. Bxb4 Nxb4 20. Bxb7 Rab8 21. Rxa7 Rd7 22. Na5 Nd3 23. Rd1 Nxb2 24. Rxd7 Bxd7 25. Bc6 Bxc6 26. Nxc6 {[#] It may seem that having regained his pawn Black is out of danger, but the remote position of his knight and a 7th rank weakness still pose problems.} Re8 ({Staying active with} 26... Rb6 27. Nd4 Nc4 28. f4 h5 {appears to be a better choice.}) 27. e4 Nc4 28. Kd3 Nd6 29. f4 Kf8 $6 (29... h5 $5) 30. e5 fxe5 31. fxe5 Nf5 32. g4 Nh4 ({This position is already quite dangerous for Black, and it can only be held by precise play:} 32... Rc8 $1 {was a good start.}) 33. Kc4 $1 Nf3 34. Ra2 Rc8 35. Kb5 Ke8 $2 {The decisive error.} (35... Rc7 36. Kb6 Rd7 37. Rf2 Rd3 {This is what Wesley missed.} (37... Rf7 38. Nd8 { is, indeed, lost for Black.})) 36. Kb6 g5 37. h3 {Quite a situation: Black cannot save his rook without stepping back with the king to the f-file, which will cost him the knight.} Nxe5 38. Nxe5 Rc3 39. Rh2 Ke7 40. Kb5 Re3 1-0 [Event "Berlin"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.18"] [Round "7"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2809"] [Annotator "AlexYermo"] [PlyCount "31"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 {True to his uncompromising style and with the tournament situation in mind, Grischuk chooses the sharpest continuation.} ({Of course,} 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 O-O { is safe for White, but Mamedyarov himself had a hard time proving White's advantage in recent games against Radjabov and Yu Yangyi.}) 6... g5 $5 7. Bg3 Ne4 8. Qc2 (8. Qb3 {is an alternative, but after} Nc6 9. e3 h5 10. h4 g4 11. Ne5 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Nxg3 13. fxg3 Nxe5 14. dxe5 {not too many people would find White's pawn structure attractive.}) ({As in a similar position with the exchange on d5 included, White isn't getting much out of a pawn sacrifice with } 8. Nd2 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Bxc3 10. Rc1 {mainly because of the annoying} Bb2 $1) 8... h5 $1 {The point of Black's play. Facing the threat to his bishop White is forced to weaken his pawns.} 9. h3 Nc6 $1 {Shakh demonstrates excellent preparation.} ({The immediate} 9... Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Nxg3 11. fxg3 Nc6 {allows White to expand in the center} 12. e4 $5 {Dubov-Brkic, 2016}) 10. e3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Nxg3 12. fxg3 Qd6 13. Qf2 {It's OK to repeat the position, but Grischuk was burning time fast, even by his standards.} Qa3 14. Qc2 Qd6 15. Qf2 { Very uncharacteristic of Alexander.} ({With} 15. Kf2 {which already was played in Azmaiparashvili-Nikolaidis, 1996 White continues to fight.} h4 16. g4 Bd7 17. Bd3 {and his king isn't so bad.}) 15... Qa3 16. Qc2 1/2-1/2 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.18"] [Round "7"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "AlexYermo"] [PlyCount "147"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 g6 5. g3 Bg7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O d6 8. b3 $5 Nd4 (8... e4 9. dxe4 Nxe4 10. Nxe4 Bxa1 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bh6 {favors White.}) 9. Nd2 c6 10. e3 Ne6 11. Bb2 Nc5 12. Qc2 a5 13. Rae1 Re8 14. h3 Bf5 $5 15. e4 Bd7 16. Ne2 b5 17. d4 exd4 18. Nxd4 {With his trademark deceptive opening play Kramnik has achieved a favourable structure. The only piece of the puzzle missing from this picture is his Nd2 that should have really been on c3 to prevent the d6-d5 idea.} Rc8 19. N4f3 $6 ({An attempt to maintain control with } 19. Re3 {could be met with} d5 20. e5 Nfe4 21. f4 f6) 19... d5 $1 {[#] Seeing how solid Ding has been in this tournament so far, we may forget he's an accomplished Kings Indian player!} 20. exd5 Rxe1 21. Rxe1 cxd5 {It looks logical to open the c-file for Rc8 against the white queen.} ({However, the immediate} 21... Bf5 22. Qd1 Nd3 {was even stronger. White then would be facing a grim defensive task down the exchange, as} 23. Bxf6 Bxf6 24. Rf1 { is simply unbearable.}) 22. cxb5 {Now at least White has the favourable pawn structure which should help him to survive when he goes down material.} Bf5 23. Qd1 Nd3 24. Bd4 Rc1 25. Qxc1 Nxc1 26. Rxc1 Ne4 27. Nf1 Bxd4 $2 {Ding misses his chance.} ({Instead,} 27... Bd7 $1 {would have set up a great tactical shot: } 28. a4 ({Likely White would have to grovel for a draw after} 28. Bxg7 Kxg7 29. N3d2 Nxd2 30. Nxd2) 28... Bxd4 29. Nxd4 Nxf2 $1 30. Kxf2 Qf6+ {winning the rook in case of both} 31. Ke3 ({and} 31. Nf3 Qb2+) 31... Qg5+) 28. Nxd4 Qb6 29. Bxe4 $1 dxe4 30. Nxf5 gxf5 31. a4 {Objectively this is a dead draw.} Qe6 32. Ne3 Qxb3 33. Rc4 h5 34. h4 Kh7 35. Kg2 f6 36. Rd4 Kg6 37. Rc4 Kf7 38. Kh2 Kg6 39. Kg1 Qb1+ 40. Kg2 Qb3 41. Rd4 Kf7 42. Rd5 Qxa4 43. Rxf5 Kg6 44. b6 Qb3 45. Rxa5 Qxb6 46. Rd5 Qb2 47. Rf5 Qa2 48. Rc5 Qe2 49. Rc4 Qa2 50. Rb4 Qa5 51. Rb8 Qa2 52. Rd8 Qa5 53. Rd5 Qa2 54. Rf5 Qe6 55. Rd5 Qa6 56. g4 {True to his uncompromising approach to this tournament Kramnik keeps on pushing for a win. This time there's enough safety margin in the position for him to get away with that.} hxg4 57. h5+ Kf7 58. Rd7+ Ke6 59. Rg7 Qe2 60. h6 Qf3+ 61. Kg1 g3 62. Rxg3 Qh5 63. Rg7 f5 ({Of course,} 63... Qxh6 $4 {would seem to be a gross blunder since the queen is lost after} 64. Re7+ Kxe7 65. Nf5+ Ke6 66. Nxh6 { What is funny is that White still can't win after} f5 $1 {The reason is that the knight is trapped.} 67. Kf1 Kf6 68. Kg2 f4 $1 {is the correct continuation. } ({The tempting} 68... Kg6 {would actually lose after} 69. Ng8 Kf7 70. Kg3 $1 {and the black pawns will fall and White will have the opposition to boot.}) 69. Ng4+ Kf5 70. Nh2 Ke5 71. Kf1 Kf5 72. Ke2 Kg5 73. Nf1 Kf5 {and White cannot progress. The minute White tries to free his knight with} 74. Nd2 e3 { instantly draws.}) 64. h7 f4 65. Ng4 Qh3 66. Rg6+ Kf5 67. Rg7 Ke6 68. Rg6+ Kf5 69. Nh6+ Kxg6 70. h8=Q Qxh6 71. Qe8+ Kf5 72. Qb5+ Kg4 73. Qe2+ Kf5 74. Qb5+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "FIDE Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.18"] [Round "7.2"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D37"] [WhiteElo "2794"] [BlackElo "2784"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. Bxc4 c5 9. O-O cxd4 10. e5 Qd8 11. Ne4 O-O 12. Qe2 Be7 13. Rad1 ({White can also place the other rook on d1, as in this fascinating game:} 13. Rfd1 Qa5 14. Ng3 Rd8 15. Qe4 Nd7 16. Bd3 Nf8 17. Nh5 Bd7 18. Qg4 g6 19. Nf4 Bc6 20. Bxg6 fxg6 21. Nxg6 Bxf3 22. Nxe7+ Kf7 23. Qxf3+ Kxe7 24. Qf6+ Ke8 25. Rd3 Rd7 26. Rf3 Qc5 27. Qxh6 Rc8 28. Qh5+ Kd8 29. Qg5+ Ke8 30. Qh5+ Kd8 31. Qg5+ {1/2-1/2 (31) Grandelius,N (2653)-Bluebaum,M (2643) Germany 2018}) 13... Qc7 14. Bd3 $146 {A novelty, which is backed up by deep opening preparation.} ({White did not get much in this game:} 14. Ng3 Rd8 15. Nh5 g6 16. Nf4 Nc6 17. Qe4 Bf8 18. h4 Bg7 19. Rfe1 Bd7 20. Bd3 Be8 {Moiseenko,A (2671)-Meier,G (2644) Jerusalem 2017}) 14... Nd7 15. Rc1 Qa5 16. g4 {"A complete surprise" (Caruana). Albeit typical, Aronian's idea is nevertheless very impressive. It is very obvious that White needs to attack on the kingside. But as we have seen in the games from above the pure piece attack with the heavy pieces lifts leads White nowhere. Aronian wants to clear the road for them. This is risky for two reasons: it gives Caruana time to finish his development and opens the white king as well. And of course, it drops another pawn.} Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 18. f4 Qa5 $1 {The best square for the queen.} (18... Qd5 {"does not work" (Caruana, Aronian) due to the beautiful idea} 19. g5 Bd7 20. gxh6 gxh6 21. Rc5 $1 { "always an annoying resource" (Caruana)} Bxc5 22. Nf6+) 19. g5 Qd8 ({Both players agreed that the other defensive set up} 19... g6 20. h4 h5 {is not good for Black after} 21. Ng3 {with the f4-f5 ideas in the air as well as the knight sacrifice on h5.}) 20. h4 ({Later on Aronian regretted that he did not lift the rook:} 20. Rf3 Bd7 21. Rg3 Bc6 22. gxh6 g6 {which would have helped him to establish a strong attacking knight on g5.} 23. Ng5 {"I wanted to place the knight like that later" (Aronian)} Qd5 24. Kf2 {Intending h2-h4-h5. It is not clear how strong White's attack is but it is definitely dangerous.}) 20... Bd7 21. gxh6 g6 {Missed by White.} ({He expected} 21... f5 {instead when after} 22. Ng5 Bxg5 23. hxg7 {both} Kxg7 ({As well as the exchange sacrifice} 23... Bh6 24. gxf8=Q+ Kxf8 25. Rf3 {which is also unclear.}) 24. hxg5 Qb8 25. Bb5 { lead to unclear game which Aronian considered favorable for him.}) 22. h5 { The most straightforward way to continue the attack.} ({Although} 22. Ng5 $5 { deserved attention as well, to which Caruana intended the prophylactic move} Kh8) 22... Kh8 {Another useful prophylactic move.} 23. Kh2 {Aronian did not like his choice right after the game. The move clears the road for the heavy pieces on the g-file, but is slow.} ({The obvious continuation} 23. hxg6 fxg6 24. Qg4 {was not to Aronian's liking as his opponent can start bugging him on the other side with} ({Instead} 24. Nc5 Bxc5 25. Rxc5 Bc6 26. Rg5 {is approximately equal.}) 24... Rc8) 23... Bc6 24. Rf3 {Perhaps this is the real mistake.} ({Caruana expected the following:} 24. hxg6 fxg6 25. Qg4 Qd5 (25... Bxe4 26. Bxe4 Bd6 {might be interesting as well, albeit risky.}) 26. Rc5 $1 ({ Here they both saw the brilliancy} 26. Rxc6 bxc6 27. Qxg6 Rg8 28. Qf7 Raf8 29. Ng5 $1 {seems like mate-} Rxf7 ({Until one discovers the counter-brilliancy} 29... Qg2+ $3 30. Kxg2 Rxf7 {and the king is pinned (Aronian, Caruana)}) 30. Nxf7#) 26... Bxc5 27. Qxg6 Qd7 28. Nxc5 Qe7 29. Qg7+ $1 Qxg7 30. hxg7+ Kxg7 31. Nxe6+ {with a draw. Objectively, this was the best that White could do.}) 24... Bd6 ({Caruana discarded} 24... Qd5 {since after} 25. Rg3 Qxh5+ 26. Qxh5 gxh5 27. Rg7 {"White has enough for the pawn." Still} f5 $1 {seems promising for the second player. For example} 28. Rxe7 fxe4 29. Rxc6 bxc6 30. Bxe4 Rxf4 { when the compensation should not be enough.}) 25. Qf2 Bc7 $1 {Caruana liked the bishop here.} 26. Kh3 Qe7 {A strong resource, missed by Aronian.} (26... Qd5 27. Rc5 $1) 27. Ng5 {Finally, the knight lands on g5, but it is a bit late. } ({Maybe} 27. Rg1 Rg8 28. Rfg3 {was White's best hope.}) 27... e5 $1 {Central powerplay.} ({But not} 27... Bxf3 28. Qxf3 Bd6 29. Qe4 {when White gets all then light squares.}) 28. Rxc6 $1 {Not even thinking about a retreat.} bxc6 29. Nxf7+ Rxf7 30. hxg6 {White is down a rook but his pawns look scary!} Rf6 { Surprisingly, this should have led to a draw.} ({Aronian felt too pessimistic at this stage of the game and believed that Black is winning after} 30... Rxf4 $1 31. Rxf4 exf4 {but things are not that simple and White can escape after} 32. Qxd4+ (32. Qc2 Qe6+ {wins for Black after} 33. Kg2 f3+ $1 34. Kxf3 Rf8+ { and mate.}) 32... Qe5 33. g7+ Kg8 {and now} 34. Bc4+ ({Not} 34. Qd7 Qh5+ 35. Kg2 Qd5+ {(Aronian)}) 34... Kh7 35. Qd3+ Kxh6 36. g8=Q Rxg8 37. Bxg8 {with likely draw.}) 31. g7+ Kg8 32. Bc4+ ({The drawing line was} 32. Qh4 $1 e4 33. h7+ ({Not} 33. Bxe4 $2 Qxe4) 33... Kxg7 34. Rg3+ Kh8 35. Rg8+ $1 Rxg8 36. hxg8=Q+ Kxg8 37. Bc4+ Kg7 38. Qg5+ {when Black cannot escape the perpetual-} Kh7 (38... Kf8 $4 39. Qg8#) 39. Qg8+ Kh6 40. Qg5+) 32... Kh7 {Now Black wins.} 33. Qh4 e4 34. Rg3 Bxf4 35. g8=Q+ (35. Rb3 {loses to} Rxh6) 35... Rxg8 36. Bxg8+ Kh8 37. Rg7 Qf8 $1 ({Avoiding the last trap:} 37... Qd6 38. Rh7+ Kxg8 39. Qg4+ Rg6 40. Rg7+ $1 {and Black gets checkmated.}) 0-1 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.19"] [Round "8.2"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D40"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2800"] [PlyCount "181"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nf3 c5 5. e3 dxc4 6. Bxc4 a6 7. Bb3 ({Instead, the world champion chose:} 7. O-O b5 8. Be2 Bb7 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11. Nd2 {against Wesley So and later won, Carlsen,M (2832)-So,W (2815) chess.com INT 2017}) 7... b5 8. e4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bb7 {The opening that Kramnik chose is somewhat provocative as he is lagging in development. Grischuk has every right to play aggressively.} 10. e5 $146 ({Therapeutic measures do not yield White anything:} 10. O-O Nc6 11. Be3 Bd6 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Bd4 Qc7 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Qh5 O-O {with equality in the predecessor Maljush,A (2344)-Kupreichik, V (2464) Minsk 2004}) 10... Ne4 {The alternatives were:} (10... Bxg2 $2 {which drops a piece after} 11. Rg1) (10... Nd5 {which gives full control to White after} 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. O-O Bxb3 13. axb3) ({And} 10... Nfd7 {which allows the dangerous sacrifice} 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nxe6 Qc8 13. O-O) 11. O-O ({Safer and easier seems } 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. O-O {with the idea to exploit the position of the black bishop for further tempo-gainers, such as Qd1-g4 at the proper moment. If} Nc6 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 ({Better is} 13... Qxd1 14. Rxd1 Bxc6 15. Be3 {although White is a bit better in the endgame as well.}) 14. Qg4 {with advantage for White.}) 11... Nxc3 12. bxc3 Nc6 13. a4 ({Also interesting is} 13. Qf3 Rc8 {with the idea} 14. Nxc6 Bxc6 ({The cunning} 14... Qh4 $5 {to deprive White of the Qf3-g3 maneuver is answered by the even more cunning} 15. Bd5 $5 exd5 16. Nd4 { when White is better.}) 15. Qg3) 13... Bc5 $1 {Kramnik catches up with the development as quickly as he can.} 14. axb5 axb5 ({Weaker is} 14... Nxd4 15. cxd4 Bxd4 16. Ra4 Bxe5 17. Qh5 {when White gets everything that he wants.}) 15. Rxa8 Bxa8 16. Nxb5 O-O {Just sacking the pawn.} ({White wins a pawn after} 16... Qxd1 17. Rxd1 Nxe5 18. Nc7+ Ke7 19. Bg5+ f6 20. Nxe6 fxg5 21. Nxc5 Rc8 22. Na4) ({However} 16... Nxe5 {looks solid enough. For example:} 17. Qe2 ({ White has nothing in case of:} 17. Qxd8+ Kxd8 18. Rd1+ (18. Bg5+ f6) 18... Ke7) 17... Nd7 18. Rd1 O-O) 17. Qxd8 Rxd8 18. Bf4 h6 19. h4 Ne7 {For the pawn Black has more active pieces and the c3 pawn is far from dangerous.} 20. Rd1 Rb8 $1 { The black rook is more valuable than his counterpart.} ({Surely not} 20... Rxd1+ 21. Bxd1) 21. Bc4 ({After} 21. c4 Bc6 22. Ba4 Nf5 {Black gets strong counter-play on the kingside. Say:} 23. h5 Nh4 24. g3 Nf3+ 25. Kf1 Nh2+ 26. Kg1 Ng4 $1) 21... Bc6 22. Nd4 Be4 (22... Bxd4 23. cxd4 Nf5 {should be easy to draw for Black (Svidler).}) 23. h5 (23. Re1 $5 Bg6 24. Be3 {might be better.}) 23... Nd5 24. Bxd5 ({In the coming time-trouble Grischuk wants to keep the black rook away from the second rank:} 24. Bd2 Rb2 25. Bxd5 Bxd5 26. Be3) 24... Bxd5 {With the gain of the bishop pair Black's compensation became more obvious. Experienced players know that the power of the pair often compensates for a pawn.} 25. Be3 Rc8 ({If} 25... Rb2 26. Ra1 $1) 26. Re1 Bc4 27. Nf3 Ba3 28. Bd4 Bd3 29. Nd2 Bb2 30. Nf1 Rc4 ({Or} 30... Kf8 31. Re3 Bh7) 31. Re3 Bf5 ({Kramnik rejected} 31... Bxc3 32. Bxc3 Rxc3 {because he could not see a way to break the pin after} 33. f3 {However, there is no progress either as White cannot win without the king but whenever he tries to activate it , say like this-} g6 34. hxg6 fxg6 35. Kh2 {then the rook escapes-} Rc1 {with a draw.}) 32. Ng3 Bh7 33. Kh2 $1 {Now the king enters the battle in a slightly unusual way and Black has to fight for his life.} Bc1 34. Re2 Bf4 35. Kh3 Ra4 (35... Bg5 $5 {was interesting with the idea to generate counterplay after} 36. Kg4 Bd3 37. Ra2 f6 ) 36. Kg4 Bc1 37. Kf3 Bd3 38. Re1 Bb2 39. Ke3 Bc2 40. Kd2 Bb3 $6 {Kramnik believed this was wrong and suggested to keep the bishop on the b1-h7 diagonal. } (40... Bh7 41. Ne4) 41. Rb1 {The first time control is finally reached and Grischuk starts improving everything that he can.} Ra2 42. Kd3 Ba4 43. Ne4 Ba3 44. Ke3 Bc2 45. Re1 Bb3 46. g4 Bd5 47. Kd3 Be7 48. Rb1 Ra8 49. f4 Bh4 50. Rh1 Bd8 51. Rb1 Bc7 52. Ke3 Kh7 53. Nd6 Kg8 ({The opposite-colored bishop endgame after} 53... Bxd6 $2 54. exd6 Rd8 55. Rb6 {is lost for Black.}) 54. Rb5 Bc6 55. Rb4 Bd8 56. Bb6 Bh4 57. Bd4 Bg2 58. Rb2 Bc6 59. Rb6 Bg2 60. Rb2 Bc6 61. Rb3 Bg3 {So far so good, but here White hurried to push the pawn.} 62. c4 $6 ({Instead he should have prepared it for one more move-} 62. Ne4 Bh4 ({Here} 62... Bh2 { is just bad due to} 63. Rb2 Bg1+ 64. Kd3 Bxd4 65. Kxd4) 63. c4 {with decent winning chances.}) 62... Bh2 $1 {Now Black is back in business.} 63. f5 ({ White has nothing more than repetition in the line} 63. c5 Bd5 64. Rc3 Bc6) 63... exf5 64. Nxf5 ({According to Kramnik, Grischuk should have gone for} 64. gxf5 f6 65. Rb6) 64... Kh7 65. Bb2 {Once again the players entered the low-time phase.} Re8 (65... Ra2 $5) 66. Nd6 Re7 67. Rb8 f6 68. Rc8 Bh1 $6 { Getting overly ambitious again.} ({Instead} 68... Bxe5 69. Bxe5 Rxe5+ 70. Kf4 Bd7 {"should be a draw" (Kramnik) although it is evident that Black needs to suffer for it.}) ({However Kramnik's second idea} 68... Bd7 $1 {was strong when after} 69. Rc7 fxe5 70. c5 e4 $1 {would be the correct move order. Here Black is perfectly fine.} ({Rather than} 70... Bf4+ {which allows the interesting resource:} 71. Ke4 (71. Kf2 e4) 71... Bf5+ 72. gxf5 Rxc7 73. Kd5)) 69. Nf5 Rb7 70. exf6 ({Even stronger was:} 70. e6 $1 Rb3+ 71. Bc3) 70... Rb3+ { This was the position that Black evaluated in his favor, but..} 71. Bc3 $1 { Kramnik completely missed this study-like idea.} ({Instead} 71. Kd4 Bg1+ 72. Ke5 {is perpetual after} gxf6+ 73. Kxf6 Rxb2 74. Rc7+) ({While} 71. Kf2 { drops the bishop} Rxb2+) 71... gxf6 (71... Rxc3+ 72. Kd4 {wins for White.}) 72. Kd2 Bf4+ 73. Kc2 {Grischuk kept the extra pawn but what's more important has nasty threats in the time-trouble.} Rb8 74. Rxb8 Bxb8 75. Ne7 $1 {"Very strong practical chance." (Kramnik)} (75. Bxf6 {is a draw after} Bf3 76. Ne3 Ba7 77. Kd3 Bxe3 78. Kxe3 Bxg4) 75... Be4+ ({Kramnik's suggestion} 75... Ba7 {does not seem convincing here:} 76. Kd3 Bf3 77. Nd5) ({Best seems to be} 75... Bf3 76. Nd5 Be5 77. Bxe5 fxe5 78. Ne3 Kg7 {when Black has chances to hold.}) 76. Kd2 Bf4+ {White soon won second pawn and the game.} 77. Ke2 Kg7 (77... Bg5 78. c5) 78. Nf5+ Kf7 79. Bd2 Be5 80. Bxh6 Ke6 81. Be3 Bxf5 82. gxf5+ Kxf5 83. h6 Kg6 ({ Or} 83... Ke4 84. h7 f5 85. c5 Kd5 86. Kd3) 84. c5 f5 85. Kf3 Kf7 86. Bf4 Bd4 87. c6 Ke7 88. c7 Kd7 89. h7 Kc8 90. Ke2 Kd7 91. Kd3 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.19"] [Round "8"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2799"] [BlackElo "2784"] [PlyCount "129"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. d3 (6. Nc3 Nxc3 7. dxc3 Qxe2+ 8. Bxe2 Nc6 9. Be3 Be7 10. O-O-O O-O 11. Rhe1 Bf6 12. Nd2 Re8 { Kramnik,V (2800)-Caruana,F (2784) Berlin GER 2018}) 6... Nf6 7. Nc3 Qxe2+ 8. Bxe2 g6 9. Bg5 (9. Nd4 a6 10. Bf4 Bg7 11. h3 Bd7 12. Bf3 Nc6 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14. Bxc6+ bxc6 {Carlsen,M (2834)-Caruana,F (2811) Wijk aan Zee 2018}) 9... Bg7 10. O-O-O O-O $146 (10... h6 11. Bd2 Bd7 12. Rde1 O-O 13. Bd1 a6 14. Ne4 Nxe4 15. Rxe4 Nc6 {Foisor,C (2427)-Foisor,M (2217) Warsaw 2011}) 11. Rhe1 h6 12. Bh4 { So regretted this as the bishop will be badly placed. "I should play better earlier on."} (12. Be3 Ng4) 12... Nc6 {Caruana Black was aleady more comfortable here.} 13. d4 a6 14. a3 Bd7 15. d5 Na7 (15... Ne7 16. Bxa6) 16. Nd4 Nc8 17. Nb3 (17. f3 Re8 18. Bf2) 17... g5 (17... Re8 18. f3) 18. Bg3 Re8 19. Na5 (19. f3 Nh5 20. Bf2 Nf4 21. Bf1 Nb6) 19... b5 {"Principled." (Caruana)} ({ Caruana was surprised about Na5 until he saw} 19... b6 20. Nc4 Ne7 21. Ne3 { and the knight is well placed on e3.}) 20. f3 Nh5 21. Bf2 Nf4 22. Bf1 Nb6 ( 22... Rxe1 23. Bxe1 Nb6 24. g3 Bxc3 25. Bxc3 Nfxd5 26. Bd4 {with enough compesation.}) 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Bxb6 cxb6 25. Nb7 {"Very critical but also risky for White." (Caruana)} Be5 (25... Bxc3 $5 26. bxc3 Re5 27. Nxd6 (27. c4 bxc4 28. Bxc4 Nxg2 29. Nxd6) 27... Nxd5 28. Ne4 Bc6 29. c4) 26. Ne4 Rb8 27. Nexd6 Ng6 28. g3 Ne7 29. a4 Nf5 (29... Nc8 30. Nxc8 Rxc8 31. axb5 axb5 32. d6 Rb8 33. Bg2 {Caruana}) 30. Nxf5 Bxf5 31. Re1 f6 32. Rxe5 fxe5 33. Nd6 Bd7 34. axb5 axb5 (34... a5 $5 35. Bd3 Kg7 36. Kd2 Kf6 {is also OK for White.}) 35. Bxb5 Bxb5 36. Nxb5 Rf8 37. Kd2 Rxf3 38. Ke2 g4 39. Nd6 h5 40. Nc4 b5 41. Nxe5 Rf5 42. Ng6 Kf7 43. Nf4 h4 {This knight move, which reminds of Karpov's famous Ng2 against Kasparov, "completely shocked" Caruana.} 44. Ng2 $5 (44. Ke3 Re5+ ( 44... h3 $5) 45. Kd4 (45. Kd2) 45... Re1 46. gxh4 Rh1 {Caruana}) 44... hxg3 45. hxg3 Rf3 (45... Rxd5 46. Ne3) 46. Ne3 Rxg3 47. c4 bxc4 48. d6 (48. Nxc4 Kf6 49. d6 Rh3 50. d7 Rh8 {Caruana}) 48... Ke6 49. Nxc4 Rf3 50. d7 {With some accurate moves So is going for a rather clear draw.} Rf8 51. Ne3 g3 52. d8=Q Rxd8 53. Kf3 Rd3 54. Kf4 Rb3 55. Ng2 Kd5 56. Nh4 Kc4 57. Kg4 Rd3 58. b4 Rb3 59. b5 Kd5 60. b6 Ke4 61. b7 Rxb7 62. Kxg3 Rg7+ 63. Kf2 Rg4 64. Ng2 Rxg2+ 65. Kxg2 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.19"] [Round "8"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A13"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2794"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Bg2 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qxc4 c5 7. d4 Bc6 8. dxc5 Nbd7 9. Be3 Bd5 10. Qc2 Be4 11. Qc1 Ng4 $146 (11... Bxc5 12. Bxc5 Rc8 13. b4 b6 14. Nc3 bxc5 15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Qc4 Nef6 {Zhou,J (2566)-Adams,M (2729) Khanty-Mansiysk 2007}) 12. b4 {"This came as a surprise. I thought this shouldn't work." (Aronian)} (12. O-O Bxf3 (12... Nxe3 13. Qxe3 Bxb1 14. c6) 13. Bg5 Bxg2 14. Bxd8 Bxf1 15. Ba5) 12... a5 13. Bg5 {"Good move." (Aronian)} f6 14. Bd2 (14. Nbd2 $5 Bc6 (14... Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Nge5 16. Bxb7 fxg5 17. c6) 15. Qc4 Nxf2 16. O-O) (14. Qc4 Nxf2 15. Kxf2 Bd5 {Ding}) 14... axb4 15. Bxb4 Nxc5 16. Bxc5 Rc8 {"I felt this position should be good for Black." (Aronian)} ({ Aronian wasn't sure about} 16... Qa5+ 17. Nbd2 Bxc5 18. O-O Nxf2 19. Rxf2) 17. Qc4 (17. Qf4 Bxc5 18. Qxg4 f5 19. Qxg7 Bf8 20. Qb2 Bg7 {Aronian}) 17... Bxc5 18. Qxe6+ Kf8 {Aronian thought this was OK for Black. "I promised my team to play solid today!"} 19. Qxg4 Bb4+ 20. Nbd2 Bxd2+ 21. Nxd2 Bxg2 22. Rg1 Bd5 ( 22... Bc6 {Aronian}) 23. Rd1 Qc7 24. Ne4 $1 {Missed by Aronian.} Rd8 (24... Bxa2 $5) 25. f3 Qe5 (25... Kf7 $6 26. Ng5+ $1) 26. Qf4 Qxf4 27. gxf4 Kf7 28. Nc3 Bc4 29. a4 (29. Rb1 b5 30. Nxb5 Rhe8 31. Nc3 Re3 32. Rc1 Rde8) 29... Rxd1+ 30. Kxd1 Rd8+ 31. Kc2 Rc8 32. Kd2 Ba6 33. Ne4 Kf8 34. f5 Rd8+ 35. Ke3 Rd5 36. Rc1 (36. Ng3 Ra5 37. Rc1 Rxa4 38. Rc8+ Kf7 39. Rc7+ Kf8 40. Nh5 Ra2 41. Nf4 Kg8 {"If I don't get mated I will make a draw." (Aronian)}) 36... Rxf5 37. Rc8+ Ke7 38. Rc7+ Kf8 39. Rc8+ Ke7 40. Rc7+ Kf8 41. Rc8+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.19"] [Round "8"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E06"] [WhiteElo "2809"] [BlackElo "2763"] [PlyCount "60"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 c6 { Here Mamedyarov's prep ended.} (7... a6 8. a4 Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nc3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Qxd4 14. Qxc7 Nc6 {Mamedyarov,S (2804)-Wei,Y (2743) Wijk aan Zee 2018}) 8. a4 b6 9. Nbd2 Bb7 10. Nxc4 c5 $146 (10... Nbd7 11. Rd1 Rc8 12. Nfe5 Nd5 13. Qb3 Ba6 14. e4 N5f6 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bxf6 Nxf6 17. Rac1 Qc7 {Poulopoulos,I (2212)-Erenberg,A (2359) Pardubice 2016}) 11. Rd1 Nbd7 12. b3 {The first small surprise for Karjakin.} Rc8 (12... Be4 13. Qb2 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Bxg2 15. Kxg2) 13. dxc5 ({Karjakin expected} 13. Bf4 cxd4 14. Qb2 (14. Nxd4 $2 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 e5)) 13... Bxc5 14. Nfe5 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Qc7 16. Nxd7 Nxd7 (16... Qb7+ 17. f3 Nxd7 18. e4) 17. Qe4 Nf6 18. Qf3 Qc6 19. Qxc6 Rxc6 20. f3 ( 20. Rd3 $5 Rfc8 21. Bb2 Kf8 22. Rad1 {Mamedyarov}) 20... Rfc8 21. e4 Kf8 22. Bf4 Be7 23. Rd3 Rd8 24. Rxd8+ Bxd8 25. Rd1 Be7 26. Ne5 Rc2+ 27. Rd2 Rc3 28. Rd3 Rc2+ 29. Rd2 Rc3 30. Rd3 Rc2+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.19"] [Round "?"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A26"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "147"] [EventDate "2018.03.19"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 g6 5. g3 Bg7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O d6 { Диаграмма} 8. b3 {Редкий ход.} ({Главная линия - } 8. Rb1 {.}) 8... Nd4 ({Вариант} 8... e4 $6 9. dxe4 Nxe4 10. Nxe4 Bxa1 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bh6 {дает белым лучшие шансы.}) 9. Nd2 c6 10. e3 Ne6 {Диаграмма} 11. Bb2 {Новинка.} ({Владимир избрал} 11. Ba3 {в партии с Максимом Вашье-Лагравом (Мемориал Алехина 2013, 1/2).}) 11... Nc5 12. Qc2 a5 13. Rae1 Re8 14. h3 Bf5 15. e4 Bd7 16. Ne2 b5 { Диаграмма} 17. d4 ({Проблема выбора структуры - одна из сложнейших в шахматах. Мне кажется, что сильнее} 17. f4 $1 {.}) 17... exd4 18. Nxd4 ({ Интересно} 18. Bxd4 $5 {с идеей, скажем, на} Rc8 $2 { получить структурный перевес путем} 19. Bxc5 $1 dxc5 20. f4 {.}) 18... Rc8 {Диаграмма} 19. N4f3 $6 { Неудачный ход.} ({Предпочтительнее} 19. f4 { с неясной игрой.}) 19... d5 $1 {Программный подрыв структуры.} 20. exd5 $6 (20. Ne5 {оставляло белым надежды на уравнение.}) 20... Rxe1 21. Rxe1 { Диаграмма} cxd5 $2 (21... Bf5 $1 {давало большие шансы на победу. После} 22. Qd1 Nd3 23. Bxf6 Bxf6 {во избежание худшего белые должны отдать качество.}) 22. cxb5 $2 (22. Ne5 $1 {уравнивало игру.}) 22... Bf5 23. Qd1 Nd3 24. Bd4 {Диаграмма} Rc1 $1 ({В случае} 24... Nxe1 $2 25. Qxe1 {проходная белых компенсирует небольшой материальный дефицит.}) 25. Qxc1 Nxc1 26. Rxc1 Ne4 27. Nf1 {Диаграмма} Bxd4 $2 ({После} 27... Bd7 $1 { Дин мог рассчитывать на успех. Например:} 28. Bxg7 ({проигрывает} 28. a4 $2 Bxd4 29. Nxd4 Nxf2 $1) 28... Kxg7 29. a4 Qf6 {с решающим перевесом.}) 28. Nxd4 Qb6 29. Bxe4 dxe4 $6 ({Точнее} 29... Bxe4 $1 {, вынуждая ответ} 30. Rd1 {. Компьютер придерживается материалистической парадигмы и оценивает перевес черных в пешку. Моя оценка скромнее: черные вне зоны риска.}) 30. Nxf5 gxf5 31. a4 Qe6 {Диаграмма Компьютер справедливо ставит нули, зато у белых моральный перевес.} 32. Ne3 ({Наиболее амбициозна попытка } 32. Rc4 $5 {с идеей провести b4 и образовать пару связанных проходных. Четкая реакция на это -} h5 $1 33. h4 f4 34. gxf4 Qg4+ 35. Ng3 e3 {, и белые должны переключить свои помыслы на достижение ничьей.}) 32... Qxb3 33. Rc4 h5 34. h4 Kh7 35. Kg2 f6 36. Rd4 Kg6 37. Rc4 Kf7 38. Kh2 Kg6 39. Kg1 Qb1+ 40. Kg2 Qb3 41. Rd4 Kf7 42. Rd5 Qxa4 43. Rxf5 Kg6 44. b6 Qb3 45. Rxa5 Qxb6 {Диаграмма Ничейный исход стал очевиден. Однако борьба продолжалась еще тридцать ходов. У меня были серьезные опасения, что Крамник снова перегнет палку. К счастью, они оказались напрасны.} 46. Rd5 Qb2 47. Rf5 Qa2 48. Rc5 Qe2 49. Rc4 Qa2 50. Rb4 Qa5 51. Rb8 Qa2 52. Rd8 Qa5 53. Rd5 Qa2 54. Rf5 Qe6 55. Rd5 Qa6 {Диаграмма} 56. g4 {Владимир сеет ветер...} hxg4 57. h5+ Kf7 58. Rd7+ Ke6 59. Rg7 Qe2 60. h6 Qf3+ 61. Kg1 g3 62. Rxg3 Qh5 63. Rg7 { Диаграмма} f5 ({На} 63... Qxh6 $6 {заготовлен удар} 64. Re7+ $1 Kxe7 65. Nf5+ Ke6 66. Nxh6 {. Диаграмма Правда, позиция ничейна:} f5 67. Kf1 ({Другая возможность -} 67. Kg2 Ke5 ({проигрывает} 67... Kf6 $4 68. Kg3 Kg6 69. Kf4 Kxh6 70. Kxf5) 68. Kg3 e3 {с ничьей.}) 67... e3 $5 68. f3 ({после} 68. fxe3 Ke5 69. Nf7+ Ke4 70. Kf2 f4 { разменивается последний белый пехотинец}) 68... f4 69. Ke2 Kf6 70. Ng4+ Ke6 71. Kd3 {Диаграмма} Kf5 $1 ({ Если конь выйдет на волю, то принесет успех своей команде:} 71... Kd5 $4 72. Nf6+ Ke5 73. Ne4 Kf5 74. Nc3 Ke5 75. Ne2 {.})) 64. h7 f4 65. Ng4 ({Надежнее} 65. Ng2 {, и у черных нет больше вечного шаха -} Qd1+ 66. Kh2 Qh5+ { .}) 65... Qh3 66. Rg6+ Kf5 67. Rg7 {Диаграмма} Ke6 ({Черные могут поиграть на цугцванг:} 67... Qh4 68. Kg2 Qh5 69. Kg1 Qh3 {. Диаграмма Но победы это не приносит. После} 70. Nh2 f3 71. Rg3 Qxh7 72. Nxf3 $1 ({возможно и} 72. Nf1) 72... exf3 73. Rxf3+ {на доске крепость: белые просто курсируют ладьей между полями е3 и g3. Диаграмма}) 68. Rg6+ Kf5 69. Nh6+ Kxg6 70. h8=Q Qxh6 71. Qe8+ Kf5 { Диаграмма Не надо быть мастером, чтобы увидеть, что белые без пешки. Однако их спасает вечный шах.} 72. Qb5+ $1 Kg4 73. Qe2+ $1 Kf5 74. Qb5+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.19"] [Round "?"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "So, Wesley "] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E51"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "2018.03.19"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6. Bd2 ({Чаще играли} 6. Bd3 {, но и ход в партии встречался бессчетное количество раз.}) 6... c5 7. a3 { Диаграмма} cxd4 $6 ({Лучше} 7... Bxc3 $1 8. Bxc3 Ne4 {. Отмечу здесь дискуссию между Ароняном и Анандом (Лондон 2015, 1/2).}) 8. axb4 dxc3 9. Bxc3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Qxd1+ {Диаграмма Позиция довольно тонкая. Обладание двумя слонами дает белым инициативу, но ее непросто материализовать.} 11. Kxd1 {Сергей решил, что ладья может пригодиться на вертикали "а". Это новинка.} ({В партии Сандипан - Висах (Индия 2015, 1-0) было сыграно} 11. Rxd1 {.}) 11... Bd7 12. Ke2 {Похоже на неточность, после чего черные выходят сухими из воды.} ({Можно попробовать поиграть на доминацию:} 12. Ne5 $5 Ne4 (12... Rc8 13. f3 Be8 14. e4 $14) 13. Ke2 Nxc3+ 14. bxc3 Rc8 15. Bd3 Rxc3 ( 15... Be8 $14) 16. Rhc1 Rc8 17. Nxd7 Rxc1 18. Rxc1 Nxd7 19. Rc7 Ne5 {. Диаграмма Трудно оценить позицию без детального анализа.} 20. Rxb7 ({или} 20. Be4 {дает белым, по крайней мере, практические шансы.} )) ({Другая возможность развития инициативы заключается в размене одного из слонов:} 12. Bxf6 $5 gxf6 13. b5 {. Занятен прямой вариант, где белые добиваются успеха:} Rc8 14. Bd3 Rc5 15. Kd2 Bxb5 $2 16. Ra5 a6 17. Rha1 Nc6 18. Rxb5 {.}) 12... Rc8 13. Bd3 Nd5 14. Ne5 Be8 15. Bd2 {Диаграмма} f6 ({После} 15... Na6 $1 16. Bxa6 bxa6 {у черных не может возникнуть и тени проблем.}) 16. Nc4 Rd8 17. Rhc1 Nc6 18. Be4 Ndxb4 19. Bxb4 Nxb4 20. Bxb7 Rab8 21. Rxa7 Rd7 22. Na5 Nd3 {Диаграмма} 23. Rd1 ({После ходов} 23. Rc2 Bg6 24. Rc3 {сильнейшая линия ведет к равенству, однако отклонения от нее довольно любопытны.} h6 ({После жадного} 24... Nxb2 $6 25. Rb3 $1 { возникает Crestообразная связка. На} Nd3 {белые ответят эффектным} 26. Bd5 $1 {с выигрышем пешки.}) 25. Ra8 Rxa8 ({не проходит} 25... Rdxb7 $4 {из-за} 26. Rc8+) 26. Bxa8 Nxb2 $11) 23... Nxb2 24. Rxd7 Bxd7 25. Bc6 Bxc6 26. Nxc6 { Диаграмма Положение близко к ничейному. Впрочем, можно проиграть и выигранную позицию.} Re8 ({Имело смысл не ставить ладью в пассив и предпочесть} 26... Rb6 $5 {.}) 27. e4 Nc4 28. Kd3 Nd6 29. f4 {Диаграмма} Kf8 $6 {Неудачный ход.} ({ После} 29... h5 $1 {за белых не видно возможностей поставить проблемы перед соперником.}) 30. e5 $1 fxe5 31. fxe5 Nf5 32. g4 Nh4 33. Kc4 Nf3 34. Ra2 Rc8 35. Kb5 {Диаграмма} Ke8 $2 {Уэсли не разгадал замысла соперника и допустил фатальную ошибку.} ({Удерживало равновесие} 35... Rc7 $1 { . Оборона черных держится на варианте:} 36. Rf2 Rf7 37. Nd8 $4 Nd4+ {.}) 36. Kb6 $1 {Ладье становится тесно.} g5 ({Не оставляет надежд} 36... Rxc6+ 37. Kxc6 Nxe5+ 38. Kd6 Nxg4 39. Kxe6 Kd8 40. Rg2 h5 41. h3 {.}) 37. h3 Nxe5 38. Nxe5 Rc3 {Диаграмма} 39. Rh2 ({После} 39. Ra7 $1 {возможны элегантные матовые конструкции.} Rxh3 40. Kc6 h5 41. Kd6 Kf8 42. Rf7+ Kg8 (42... Ke8 43. gxh5 Rxh5 44. Re7+ Kf8 45. Nd7+ Kg8 46. Nf6+) 43. Ke7 hxg4 44. Nxg4 Rh4 45. Nf6+ Kh8 46. Rf8+ Kg7 47. Rg8+ Kh6 48. Kf7 Ra4 49. Rg6#) 39... Ke7 40. Kb5 {Для выигрыша от белых требуется техническая работа, ведь потенциальное окончание "ладья и конь против ладьи" теоретически ничейно. Однако Карякину не пришлось демонстрировать свою блестящую технику, поскольку Со не успел пережать часы после хода} Re3 {и просрочил время.} 1-0 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.19"] [Round "?"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D39"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2018.03.19"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. Bxc4 {Диаграмма Соперники пришли к Венскому варианту защиты Рагозина.} c5 9. O-O cxd4 10. e5 Qd8 11. Ne4 O-O 12. Qe2 Be7 13. Rad1 Qc7 {Диаграмма} 14. Bd3 {Новинка.} ({Эта позиция встречалась в двух партиях Георга Майера за черных - с Валентином Иотовым (США 2012, 1/2) и Александра Моисеенко (Израиль 2017, 1/2). В обеих последовало} 14. Ng3 {.}) 14... Nd7 15. Rc1 Qa5 {Диаграмма} 16. g4 $5 {Левон идет ставить мат. Такие яркие ходы весьма привлекательны, но не всегда способствуют достижению желаемого результата.} Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 18. f4 Qa5 19. g5 {Диаграмма} Qd8 $6 ({Трудно указать недостатки развивающего хода} 19... Bd7 $1 {. Например:} 20. gxh6 g6 {. Остается} 21. Nc5 ({ В варианте} 21. Qf2 Rac8 22. Qxd4 {благодаря ресурсу} Qb6 $1 {черные отражают матовую угрозу и остаются с большим перевесом.}) 21... Bxc5 22. Qe5 f6 23. Qxc5 Qxc5 24. Rxc5 Kh7 25. Rc7 Rf7 26. Rxb7 Be8 {. Эндшпиль к явной выгоде черных.}) 20. h4 Bd7 21. gxh6 g6 22. h5 Kh8 { Диаграмма} 23. Kh2 $6 ({Лучшее продолжение -} 23. hxg6 $1 fxg6 24. Nc5 {с острой игрой. Характерна оценка этой позиции "Стокфишем": 0.00.}) 23... Bc6 24. Rf3 $2 ({Сильнейшая защита -} 24. Rf2 $1 {. В случае } Bd6 {король защищал себя сам -} 25. Kh3 $1 {. Оценку железного друга легко предугадать... }) 24... Bd6 $2 ({После} 24... Qd5 $1 {могло сказаться то обстоятельство, что ладья перекрыла ферзя, и позиция белых становилась проигранной.}) 25. Qf2 Bc7 26. Kh3 Qe7 {Диаграмма} 27. Ng5 $2 (27. Rg1 $1 { давало равенство. Например:} Rg8 28. Rfg3 Bd7 29. Rxg6 $1 fxg6 30. hxg6 Rxg6 31. Rxg6 {.}) 27... e5 $2 ({Простым (как кажется) ходом} 27... gxh5 $1 {Фабиано мог достичь подавляющего превосходства. Не могу указать за белых ни одной вразумительной попытки остаться в борьбе.}) {Диаграмма Аронян в очередной раз проявляет себя как художник.} 28. Rxc6 $1 bxc6 29. Nxf7+ $1 Rxf7 30. hxg6 Rf6 ({Сильнее грубое} 30... Rxf4 $1 31. Rxf4 exf4 32. Qxd4+ Qe5 33. g7+ Kg8 34. Bc4+ Kh7 35. Qd3+ Kxh6 36. g8=Q Rxg8 37. Bxg8 Qh8 38. Bb3 Kg5+ 39. Kg2 Qxb2+ 40. Bc2 {. Диаграмма Две лишних пешки не гарантируют черным победы при ферзях. А вот чистый разноцвет выигран.} ) 31. g7+ Kg8 {Диаграмма} 32. Bc4+ $2 {Теперь гармония утрачивается безвозвратно.} ({Тихий ход} 32. Qh4 $3 {мог установить гармонию в боевых порядках белых. Вариант} e4 33. h7+ $1 Kxg7 34. Rg3+ Kh8 35. Rg8+ Rxg8 36. hxg8=Q+ Kxg8 37. Bc4+ Kg7 38. Qg5+ Kh7 39. Qg8+ Kh6 40. Qg5+ {кончается вечным шахом.}) 32... Kh7 33. Qh4 e4 34. Rg3 Bxf4 35. g8=Q+ Rxg8 36. Bxg8+ Kh8 37. Rg7 {Диаграмма} Qf8 0-1 [Event "FIDE Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.20"] [Round "9"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Kramnik, V."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D35"] [WhiteElo "2763"] [BlackElo "2800"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 c5 7. Rb1 Be7 8. Nf3 (8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. Bd3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Nc6 11. Be2 Rc8 12. Nf3 Qa5+ 13. Bd2 Bb4 {Mamedyarov,S (2809)-Kramnik,V (2800) Berlin GER 2018}) 8... O-O 9. h4 $146 { "Our preparation. An idea of my second Alexander Riazantsev. It's also important that the computer doesnt really show it."} (9. Bc4 Qc7 10. Qe2 a6 11. O-O b5 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. a4 bxa4 14. Bf4 Qc8 {Carlsen,M (2832)-So,W (2815) chess. com INT 2017}) 9... cxd4 10. cxd4 Nc6 11. h5 f5 $5 {"Very hard to expect but I don't really believe it." (Karjakin)} ({"Of course we expected} 11... h6 { to prevent h6." (Karjakin)}) 12. exf5 ({"I could have played} 12. e5 {as I discussed with Alexei Shirov [who visited the tournament today - PD], but I didn’t like that he will play} b6 {and gradually block d5, put the bishop on b7..." (Karjakin)}) 12... Qa5+ 13. Bd2 Qxf5 14. Bc3 $1 {An important move. Now d4 is protected, and Bd3 is threatened.} h6 (14... Qg4 15. Be2 Qxg2 16. Rg1 Qh3 17. d5 $1 {Karjakin}) (14... b6) 15. Bd3 Qg4 16. Kf1 e5 { "Interesting, but too sharp and I think bad, but practically interesting." (Karjakin)} 17. d5 e4 (17... Nd4 18. Nxe5 Qf4 19. Bxd4 Qxd4 20. Bh7+) 18. dxc6 exf3 19. gxf3 Rxf3 ({Relatively better was} 19... Qxf3 20. Qxf3 Rxf3 21. Ke2 Rxd3 22. Kxd3 Bf5+ 23. Ke2 bxc6 {Karjakin}) 20. Be2 ({"To play} 20. cxb7 Bxb7 21. Qb3+ Kh8 22. Qxb7 Raf8 23. Qe4 Rxf2+ 24. Ke1 {over the board was a bit too much." (Karjakin)}) 20... Rxf2+ (20... Rh3 21. Rg1 Qf4 22. Qd5+) 21. Kxf2 Bc5+ 22. Kf1 Qf4+ (22... Qg3 23. Qd5+ Be6 24. Qxe6+ Kh8 25. Qxh6+) 23. Bf3 bxc6 { "Somehow it wasn't so easy." (Karjakin)} 24. Be1 $1 {Good defense.} Be6 25. Bh4 Rf8 26. Kg2 Kh8 {"A brilliant move." (Karjakin)} 27. Rc1 ({Karjakin didn't like } 27. Bg3 Qg5 {because Black threatens to take on f3 but there is the move} 28. Re1 $1 {with the idea} Rxf3 29. Qxf3 Bd5 30. Re4) 27... Rf5 $1 {In time trouble Kramnik finds another good try.} 28. Rc3 Rd5 (28... Bd4 29. Rxc6 Rg5+ 30. Bxg5 Qxg5+ 31. Kf1 Bh3+ 32. Ke1 Qg3+ 33. Kd2 Qf4+ 34. Kc2 Bf5+ 35. Kb3 Qe3+ 36. Ka4 {Karjakin}) (28... Bb6 $5) 29. Bxd5 Bxd5+ 30. Rf3 Qg4+ 31. Bg3 Bd6 32. Rh3 Be7 33. Qe2 Be4 34. Qf2 a5 35. a4 ({Karjakin played this move because he calculated} 35. Rh1 Bc5 36. Rh4 Qxh4 37. Bxh4 Bxf2 38. Kxf2 Bxf3 39. Kxf3 g6 40. Ke4 gxh5 41. Kd4 Kg7 (41... a4 $5) 42. Kc5 Kg6 (42... a4 $5) 43. Kxc6 Kf5 ( 43... a4 $5) 44. Kb5 Kg4 45. Bd8 h4 46. Kxa5 h3 47. Bc7 {and he imaged it would be nice to have his pawn on a4!}) (35. Rh1) 35... c5 36. Rh1 Bf6 37. Re1 Bc6 38. Ree3 c4 39. Qe2 Qxh5 40. Qxc4 Bd7 41. Rd3 {"I didn’t see any draw for him so maybe I didn’t play perfectly but I never lost an advantage." (Karjakin)} 1-0 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.20"] [Round "9.2"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E11"] [WhiteElo "2784"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"] [PlyCount "133"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qb3 b6 9. Nc3 Ba6 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. Rfc1 ({The alternative is:} 12. Qa4 a6 13. Qb3 Nfd7 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. Rfc1 {Ortega,M (2443)-Jakubowski,K (2529) Figueira da Foz 2017}) 12... Nc6 {Allows a forcing continuation.} ({Ding disliked the line:} 12... Nfd7 13. Nd3 {which Caruana considered "playable, but probably equal."}) 13. Nxd5 Nxd4 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Qc4 Bxg2 16. Qxd4 Rfd8 17. Qf4 $146 ({Both players calculated the line:} 17. Qb4 Qxb4 18. Bxb4 Bb7 19. Rc7 Ba6 {which would lead to "the same" (Ding) after:} 20. Rac1 (20. Nxf7 Nd5 21. Nxd8 Nxc7 22. Nc6 {1/2-1/2 (22) Gleizerov,E (2545)-Farago,I (2515) Oberwart 1996}) 20... Nd5 21. Rxf7 $1 Bxe2 $1 ({But not} 21... Nxb4 $4 22. Rcc7 {with quick mate.})) 17... Bb7 18. Bb4 Qe8 19. Rc7 Nd5 20. Qxf7+ Qxf7 21. Rxf7 Ba6 22. Ba3 Bxe2 23. Rc1 {Straight from the opening White entered a promising endgame where he can play for a win without any risk. A dream situation for Caruana and his tournament position!} Bh5 24. Rb7 Be8 25. Kg2 a5 26. h4 Rdb8 27. Rxb8 Rxb8 28. g4 b5 ({Here strong was} 28... h5 $1 29. g5 b5 30. b3 b4 31. Bb2 Ne7 {"followed by Ne7-f5" (Caruana)}) 29. b3 b4 (29... h5 $1) 30. Bb2 a4 { Ding: "I played this move too quickly. I did not realize the danger after...} 31. h5 $1 {...when it is very unpleasant for Black to defend." "Black cannot really clarify the situation and lacks any counterplay" (Caruana)} Ra8 32. Kg3 {This endgame somehow reminded the experts of the classic Kasparov-Petrosian, Niksic 1983. The future world champion managed to win even without the queenside pawns, with the same pieces left on the board. Another difference was that the e6 pawn stands on d5, which probably favors White. But in any case the presence of the opposite-colored bishops is not necessary helping Black, but quite the opposite. It provides White extra attacking chances.} Kf8 33. Nf3 Bd7 34. Rc4 Kg8 35. Ne5 Bb5 36. Rc5 Be8 37. Nc4 Bd7 38. Ne5 Be8 39. Bd4 Kf8 40. f3 Ke7 41. Kh4 $1 ({At first White wanted to play:} 41. Nd3 g6 (41... Kf8 {might be better.}) 42. h6 {but he disliked} g5 43. Nf2 Bg6 {Still, White is better after} 44. Ne4 axb3 45. axb3 Ra3 46. Nxg5 Rxb3 47. Rc6) 41... Kf8 42. Kg5 {Provoking a weakening.} h6+ 43. Kh4 Kg8 44. Kg3 Kh7 {Here Caruana regretted about his provocation as he thought the king is safer on h7. But it turned out it is not.} 45. Nd3 Kg8 46. Rc1 axb3 47. axb3 Kh7 48. Nc5 Bf7 49. Re1 Ne7 $1 50. Bb2 ({Black's idea is revealed in the line:} 50. Nxe6 Nc6 51. Bc5 Re8 52. Nf8+ Kg8 {with a draw (Caruana)}) 50... Nc6 51. f4 Ra2 52. Nd3 e5 $1 {Correctly trading pawns.} 53. fxe5 {Ding is within a reach of the draw, but now starts to slowly slip.} Bxb3 ({Safer was} 53... Nd8 54. Re4 Bxb3 55. Rxb4 Bf7 {(Caruana)}) 54. e6 Ra7 ({White saw the correct defense} 54... Bc4 $1 55. e7 Nxe7 56. Rxe7 Bxd3 57. Rxg7+ Kh8 58. Bd4 b3 {There are many discovered checks, but none of them is lethal:} 59. Rb7+ Kg8 60. Rxb3 Be2 {(Caruana)}) 55. Nc5 Bc4 {This loses.} ({Bad was} 55... Bd5 56. Nd7 Ne7 57. Rf1 $1) ({Strangely, the only defense was:} 55... Ba2 56. Nd7 Ra8 57. Rf1 Nd8 58. e7 Nf7) 56. Nd7 Bb5 {"Very good defense" (Caruana). But Black might be lost already.} ({ They both saw the beautiful line} 56... Ra2 57. e7 Bf7 58. Rf1 $1 ({Not} 58. e8=Q Bxe8 59. Rxe8 Rxb2 60. Nf8+ {when the king escapes} Kg8) 58... Kg8 59. e8=Q+ Bxe8 60. Rf8+ Kh7 61. Nf6+ $1 gxf6 62. Bxf6 {with study-like mate.}) ({ Black also loses after} 56... Ne7 57. Re4 Bb5 (57... Bd5 58. Rf4) 58. Rf4 Bxd7 59. Rf7 $1 {(Caruana)}) (56... Bxe6 $2 57. Nf8+) 57. Nf8+ ({Caruana misses the strong idea} 57. Re3 Bc4 58. Rf3 $1 {with unstoppable Rf3-f7!} Bxe6 59. Nf8+) 57... Kg8 58. Ng6 Ne7 {An oversight, just very close to the draw.} ({Both} 58... Ra8 $1) ({Or} 58... Bd3 $1 {should have held.}) 59. Ra1 $1 {"I missed this move, but I was very lucky that I have...} Nc6 {...and I did not lose immediately." (Ding)} (59... Rxa1 {drops a piece after} 60. Nxe7+ Kf8 61. Ng6+) 60. Rd1 {Going for the king once more.} (60. e7 {does not even win a pawn but definitely draws due to the opposite-colored bishops after} Kf7 61. e8=Q+ Kxe8 62. Rxa7 Nxa7 63. Bxg7 b3) 60... Kh7 $1 {The most tenacious defense, which prevents the maneuver Rd1-d5-f5-f8 (with a check). (Caruana)} 61. Rd5 Ba4 ( 61... Bc4 {loses to} 62. Rc5) ({And} 61... Rb7 {to} 62. Rf5 Bd3 63. Rf7 { (Caruana)}) 62. Kf4 ({Caruana missed the study-like win after} 62. Rd2 $3 { This takes away the c2 square and preserves the knight on g6. Both players saw the move, but not the follow-up:} Bb5 (62... Bb3 63. Rf2 {with the threat Rf2-f8-h8 is decisive since} Ra8 {weakens the seventh rank and is equaly bad after} 64. Rf7) 63. Rf2 Bd3 64. Nf8+ $1 Kg8 65. Nd7 $3 {This is extremely difficult to find. White ruins the mating net, in order to create another one. After} Bc4 66. Rf8+ Kh7 67. Re8 $1 {the return of the Jedi to g6 (sorry, the knight) will finish the game.}) 62... Bc2 63. Rc5 ({Caruana thought he should have tried the endgame after} 63. Ne5 Nxe5 64. Kxe5 {although he considered it drawish, but unplesant.}) 63... Ba4 64. g5 hxg5+ ({Correct was the preliminary } 64... Ra8 65. Rf5 hxg5+ 66. Kxg5 Nd8 67. e7 Ne6+ 68. Kg4 Kg8 {when Black should hold.}) 65. Rxg5 Nd8 {Now a second chance is given to Caruana.} 66. Re5 {And he misses it!} ({They both got extremely tired and missed the final move in the line} 66. Nf8+ Kg8 67. h6 Kxf8 68. h7 $1) 66... Be8 67. e7 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.20"] [Round "9"] [White "Aronian, L."] [Black "Mamedyarov, S."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E06"] [WhiteElo "2794"] [BlackElo "2809"] [PlyCount "82"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 b6 { Aronian got surprised by this.} 8. Qxc4 Bb7 9. Nc3 c5 10. Rd1 Nbd7 (10... cxd4 11. Bf4 Qc8 12. Qxc8 Rxc8 13. Nb5 {Mamedyarov}) 11. Ne5 (11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. b4 Bxf2+ 13. Kxf2 Rc8 14. Qf4 Rxc3 15. Bb2 Rc7 {Bu,X (2710)-Bacrot,E (2715) Tbilisi 2017}) 11... Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Qc8 13. Nxd7 Qxd7 14. dxc5 Qc6+ 15. f3 $146 (15. e4 a6 16. Qe2 Bxc5 17. Bg5 Be7 18. Rac1 Qb7 19. Qf3 h6 20. Bf4 Rfd8 { Fridman,D (2607)-Rambaldi,F (2544) Bergamo 2016}) 15... Qxc5 16. Qxc5 Bxc5 17. Bf4 Rfd8 18. e4 Ne8 19. Kf1 Kf8 20. Ke2 Ke7 $6 (20... f6 {Mamedyarov}) 21. Nb5 Rdc8 22. Rac1 a6 23. Nc3 b5 24. a4 (24. e5 $5 {(Dreev)} Bb6 $1 25. Ne4 Rxc1 26. Rxc1 Bd4) 24... Bd6 25. Be3 Rab8 (25... Be5 26. axb5 axb5 27. Nxb5 Bxb2 28. Bc5+ Kf6) 26. axb5 axb5 27. Ba7 Rb7 28. Bd4 Rc4 29. e5 Bc5 30. Nd5+ exd5 31. Bxc5+ Ke6 32. b3 $2 {"Crazy blunder." (Aronian)} (32. Bd4 Rbc7 33. Ra1 Ra4) 32... Rxc1 33. Rxc1 Kxe5 34. Kd3 Ke6 35. Bb4 Kd7 36. Kd4 (36. Re1 Nc7 37. Re7+ Kc6 38. Rxf7 Na6 39. Rf4 (39. Be7 Nc5+) 39... Nxb4+ 40. Rxb4 Rf7) 36... Nc7 37. Ba5 Ne6+ 38. Kxd5 Ra7 39. b4 Ra6 40. f4 Rd6+ 41. Ke4 Rd4+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.20"] [Round "?"] [White "Grischuk Alexander"] [Black "Kramnik Vladimir "] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D26"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "181"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.20"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.20"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nf3 c5 5. e3 $5 ({Грищук уклоняется от улучшенной защиты Тарраша, возможной после} 5. cxd5 Nxd5 {, поскольку этот дебют является коронным у экс-чемпиона мира.}) 5... dxc4 6. Bxc4 {Определился дебют - принятый ферзевый гамбит.} a6 {Диаграмма} 7. Bb3 $5 {Довольно редкий ход.} ({Чаще встречалось} 7. O-O {.}) 7... b5 8. e4 $5 ({Снова сюрприз вместо обычного} 8. O-O {.}) 8... cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bb7 {Диаграмма} 10. e5 $1 {А это - новинка.} ({В партии Андрей Малюш - Виктор Купрейчик (Минск 2004, 1/2) было сыграно } 10. O-O {.}) 10... Ne4 ({На} 10... Nfd7 {надо считаться с ударом} 11. Bxe6 $1 {, и в случае} fxe6 12. Nxe6 Qc8 13. O-O { у белых неприятная инициатива.}) 11. O-O ({ Белые могут перейти в лучший эндшпиль. Впрочем, можно понять желание Грищука сохранить более сложный характер борьбы, поскольку доказательство перевеса в окончании требует компьютерной точности.} 11. Nxe4 $5 Bxe4 12. O-O Nc6 13. Nxc6 Qxd1 14. Rxd1 Bxc6 15. Be3 Be7 16. Rac1 Rc8 17. f4 g6 ({в варианте} 17... O-O $2 18. f5 exf5 19. e6 f6 20. Bc5 {белые побеждают}) 18. Rd3 Bb7 ({в случае} 18... O-O 19. Rdc3 Bd7 20. Rc7 Rfd8 21. Bd1 Rxc7 22. Rxc7 Kf8 23. Be2 {оценка та же, что и в главном варианте}) 19. Rxc8+ Bxc8 20. Rc3 Kd7 21. Bb6 Bd8 22. Rd3+ Ke7 23. Bc5+ Ke8 24. Kf2 {. Диаграмма У белых ясный перевес, но удастся ли его реализовать - остается неясным.}) 11... Nxc3 12. bxc3 Nc6 {Диаграмма} 13. a4 $5 {Масштабная игра!} ({ Хочется поскорее создать атаку. Но, например, попытку} 13. Qg4 {парирует типовое} h5 $1 {, и черные в порядке.}) ({В случае} 13. Be3 { занятен кооперативный вариант:} Nxe5 $2 {(в реальности кто ж возьмет эту пешку!)} 14. Qh5 $1 Ng6 15. f4 Qh4 16. Qe2 Be7 17. g3 Qh3 18. f5 exf5 19. Rxf5 O-O 20. Raf1 Bf6 21. Rh5 Qd7 22. Rxf6 gxf6 {Диаграмма} 23. Rxh7 $1 Kxh7 24. Qh5+ Kg7 25. Bh6+ Kg8 26. Qxg6+ Kh8 27. Qg7#) 13... Bc5 $1 {Естественный развивающий ход.} ({На} 13... b4 {белые могут развивать инициативу путем} 14. a5 $1 {.}) 14. axb5 axb5 15. Rxa8 Bxa8 16. Nxb5 {Диаграмма Часто трудно верно оценить и сопоставить вес динамических и материальных факторов. Владимир решает погасить инициативу соперника жертвой пешки.} O-O ({После} 16... Nxe5 $5 {за черных не видно опасностей. Например:} 17. Bf4 Qxd1 18. Rxd1 Ng4 {.}) 17. Qxd8 Rxd8 18. Bf4 {Слабость структуры не дает белым больших оснований реализовать материальный перевес.} h6 19. h4 Ne7 20. Rd1 Rb8 21. Bc4 Bc6 22. Nd4 Be4 23. h5 Nd5 24. Bxd5 Bxd5 25. Be3 Rc8 26. Re1 Bc4 27. Nf3 Ba3 28. Bd4 Bd3 29. Nd2 Bb2 30. Nf1 Rc4 31. Re3 { Диаграмма} Bf5 $2 {Игра черных на победу в такой позиции выглядит безумием.} ({ Вероятно, Крамник не смог оценить, что после} 31... Bxc3 $1 32. Bxc3 Rxc3 {белые не могут использовать связку, ведь на} 33. Kh2 {следует} Rc1 {.}) 32. Ng3 Bh7 33. Kh2 Bc1 34. Re2 Bf4 35. Kh3 Ra4 36. Kg4 Bc1 37. Kf3 Bd3 38. Re1 Bb2 39. Ke3 Bc2 40. Kd2 Bb3 41. Rb1 Ra2 42. Kd3 Ba4 43. Ne4 Ba3 44. Ke3 Bc2 {Диаграмма У белых большие шансы на победу.} 45. Re1 ({Компьютер рекомендует более активное} 45. Rb8+ $1 Kh7 46. g4 $1 {, но и ход Грищука сохраняет преимущество.}) 45... Bb3 46. g4 Bd5 47. Kd3 Be7 48. Rb1 Ra8 49. f4 Bh4 50. Rh1 Bd8 51. Rb1 Bc7 52. Ke3 Kh7 53. Nd6 Kg8 54. Rb5 Bc6 55. Rb4 Bd8 56. Bb6 Bh4 57. Bd4 Bg2 58. Rb2 Bc6 59. Rb6 Bg2 60. Rb2 Bc6 61. Rb3 Bg3 62. c4 Bh2 {Диаграмма После серии маневров Александр идет на штурм.} 63. f5 $1 exf5 ({Черные на грани поражения и после} 63... Bg3 $5 64. Ne4 Bh4 65. Rb6 Ra3+ 66. Nc3 {.}) 64. Nxf5 $2 (64. gxf5 $1 {давало решающий перевес. Возможен вариант:} f6 65. Rb6 Ra3+ 66. Kd2 Bf3 67. Rb8+ Kh7 68. Nf7 Bf4+ 69. Ke1 Ra8 70. Rxa8 Bxa8 71. e6 Kg8 72. Nd8 Kf8 73. Bc5+ Ke8 74. e7 Be4 75. Ne6 {с выигрышем.}) 64... Kh7 65. Bb2 Re8 66. Nd6 Re7 67. Rb8 {Диаграмма} f6 $6 ({Простым} 67... Bxe5 $1 68. Bxe5 Rxe5+ 69. Kd4 f6 70. Nf7 Re8 {черные уверенно достигали мирной гавани.}) 68. Rc8 Bh1 $2 ({После} 68... Bd7 $1 69. Rc7 fxe5 {белые вновь не могут использовать связку, как и в варианте на 31 ходу. Например:} 70. c5 e4 71. c6 Bg1+ 72. Kf4 Bh2+ {с ничьей.}) 69. Nf5 Rb7 {Диаграмма} 70. exf6 $2 ({ Выигрывает} 70. e6 $1 Rb3+ 71. Bc3 $1 Rxc3+ 72. Kd2 $1 {.} ({А вот в случае} 72. Kd4 $2 Rb3 73. e7 $4 {партия заканчивается в пользу черных:} Bg1+ 74. Ne3 Bxe3#)) 70... Rb3+ 71. Bc3 gxf6 72. Kd2 Bf4+ 73. Kc2 Rb8 74. Rxb8 Bxb8 75. Ne7 Be4+ ({ Четкий путь к ничьей -} 75... Bf3 $1 {, и после} 76. Nd5 {на выбор:} Be5 ({или} 76... Kg7 77. Nxf6 Kf7 78. g5 hxg5 79. h6 Bf4 80. h7 Kg7 {.}) 77. Bxe5 fxe5 78. Kd3 Kg7 79. Ne3 Kf6) 76. Kd2 { Диаграмма} Bf4+ $4 {Решающая ошибка.} ({Вело к ничьей} 76... Bf3 $1 77. Nd5 Kg7 78. Nxf6 Bf4+ 79. Kd3 Kf7 {.}) 77. Ke2 { Пешка g4 в безопасности, и черные обречены.} Kg7 78. Nf5+ $1 Kf7 79. Bd2 Be5 80. Bxh6 Ke6 81. Be3 Bxf5 82. gxf5+ Kxf5 83. h6 Kg6 84. c5 f5 85. Kf3 Kf7 86. Bf4 Bd4 87. c6 Ke7 88. c7 Kd7 89. h7 { Диаграмма Пешка с оттягивает на себя короля соперника, а пешка h проходит. Решает перекрытие слоном на е5.} Kc8 90. Ke2 Kd7 91. Kd3 1-0 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.20"] [Round "?"] [White "Ding Liren "] [Black "Aronian Levon "] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E04"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.20"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.20"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Bg2 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qxc4 c5 7. d4 ({ Поединок Аронян - Дин Лижэнь (Кубок Мира, Тбилиси 2017, 1/2) продолжался} 7. Ne5 Qc8 {.}) 7... Bc6 8. dxc5 Nbd7 9. Be3 Bd5 10. Qc2 Be4 11. Qc1 {Диаграмма} Ng4 { Новинка.} ({Надежнее игра на уравнение:} 11... Bxc5 12. Bxc5 Rc8 13. b4 b6 {и т.д.}) 12. b4 a5 13. Bg5 f6 { Диаграмма} 14. Bd2 ({К небезвыгодным для белых осложнениям ведет} 14. Nc3 $5 {. Возможны следующие продолжения. Острее} Bf5 $5 ({В случае} 14... Bxf3 15. Bxf3 axb4 16. Bxg4 bxc3 17. Be3 Bxc5 18. O-O { у белых приятнее.}) 15. Bf4 axb4 16. Nb5 {. Здесь варианты снова разветвляются. Один из них -} Rc8 ({Другая возможность -} 16... e5 17. Nfd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 g6 19. Nxf5 gxf5 20. c6 bxc6 21. Qxc6 {с атакой за фигуру.}) 17. Nd6+ Bxd6 18. Bxd6 Nxc5 19. Bxc5 b6 20. Bxb4 Rxc1+ 21. Rxc1 {. За ферзя у белых ладья, слон и инициатива.}) 14... axb4 15. Bxb4 Nxc5 16. Bxc5 {Диаграмма} Rc8 $6 {Левон вызывает осложнения, в которых Лижэнь оказывается на высоте.} ({Верный путь -} 16... Qa5+ $1 17. Nbd2 Bxc5 18. O-O Bd5 {с равновесием, хотя возможно острое продолжение:} 19. e4 Nxf2 20. Rxf2 Bxf2+ 21. Kxf2 Qb6+ ({ "Стокфиш" упрямо лезет под связку -} 21... Bxa2) 22. Kf1 Bc6 {.}) 17. Qc4 Bxc5 18. Qxe6+ Kf8 19. Qxg4 Bb4+ 20. Nbd2 Bxd2+ 21. Nxd2 Bxg2 22. Rg1 Bd5 23. Rd1 Qc7 24. Ne4 Rd8 25. f3 {Диаграмма} Qe5 $6 ({ Продолжение} 25... Qb6 $1 26. Kf1 Kf7 27. Kg2 Qe3 28. Rge1 Bxe4 { давало хорошие шансы на ничью.}) 26. Qf4 $1 Qxf4 27. gxf4 Kf7 28. Nc3 Bc4 {Диаграмма} 29. a4 ({Стоило предпочесть} 29. Kf2) ({или} 29. Rb1 {с большим перевесом.}) 29... Rxd1+ 30. Kxd1 Rd8+ 31. Kc2 Rc8 32. Kd2 Ba6 33. Ne4 Kf8 {Диаграмма} 34. f5 $2 {Ведет к потере лишней пешки.} (34. Ra1 $1 {давало шансы ее реализовать.} ) 34... Rd8+ $1 35. Ke3 Rd5 36. Rc1 $6 ({Еще можно было бороться за победу путем} 36. Ng3 $1 Ra5 37. Rc1 $1 { , но черные способны устоять после} Rxa4 38. Rc8+ Kf7 39. Rc7+ Kg8 $1 40. Nh5 Rh4 41. Nxg7 Rxh2 42. Kf4 Bxe2 43. Ne8 Rh6 {.}) 36... Rxf5 37. Rc8+ Ke7 38. Rc7+ Kf8 39. Rc8+ Ke7 40. Rc7+ Kf8 41. Rc8+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.20"] [Round "?"] [White "So Wesley "] [Black "Caruana Fabiano "] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C42"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "129"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.20"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.20"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 {Диаграмма Безобидный вариант русской партии, но, как известно, в тихом омуте черти водятся.} Qe7 6. d3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Qxe2+ 8. Bxe2 g6 9. Bg5 Bg7 10. O-O-O O-O 11. Rhe1 { Диаграмма Позиция за внешней простотой скрывает глубокие нюансы. Черные уже играют на перехват.} h6 $1 {Фабиано "спросил фамилию" у слона.} 12. Bh4 ({После размена слона перспективы черных выше -} 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Nd5 Bd8 {.}) 12... Nc6 13. d4 a6 ({Интересно} 13... g5 $5 {.}) {Диаграмма} 14. a3 $6 {Потеря времени.} ({Видимо, настал подходящий момент для размена слона:} 14. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 15. Nd5 Bd8 16. c3 {. В случае} Be6 {белые решают позиционные проблемы тактическим путем:} 17. Nxc7 $1 Bxc7 18. d5 {с равенством.}) 14... Bd7 ({Снова давало шансы на перевес} 14... g5 $5 15. Bg3 Re8 {.}) { Диаграмма} 15. d5 $6 {Внешняя агрессия приводит к возникновению слабости, поскольку пехотинец отрывается от коллектива.} ({Видимо, размен слона был лучшим решением, хотя после} 15. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 16. Nd5 Bd8 {от белых требуется точность для удержания равновесия.}) 15... Na7 16. Nd4 Nc8 17. Nb3 g5 18. Bg3 Re8 19. Na5 b5 20. f3 Nh5 21. Bf2 Nf4 22. Bf1 {Диаграмма} Nb6 ({ Фабиано мог выиграть пешку путем} 22... Rxe1 $1 23. Bxe1 Bxc3 24. Bxc3 Nb6 {, что, вероятно, было лучшей возможностью.}) 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Bxb6 cxb6 {Диаграмма} 25. Nb7 $5 {Впечатляющее решение, которому Уэсли обязан спасением партии.} ({ Альтернатива -} 25. Nc6 {. У черных есть несколько перспективных возможностей, но сумеют ли они победить - вопрос открытый. Например:} f5 $5 26. g3 Nxd5 27. Rxd5 Bxc6 28. Rxd6 Bxf3 {с перевесом.}) 25... Be5 26. Ne4 Rb8 {После хода в партии Со спасается единственными ходами.} ({Зная результат, можно предложить} 26... g4 $5 {.} ) 27. Nexd6 Ng6 28. g3 Ne7 {Диаграмма} 29. a4 $3 Nf5 30. Nxf5 Bxf5 31. Re1 f6 {Диаграмма} 32. Rxe5 {Жертва качества вынуждена, но достаточна для ничьей.} fxe5 33. Nd6 Bd7 34. axb5 axb5 35. Bxb5 Bxb5 36. Nxb5 Rf8 37. Kd2 Rxf3 38. Ke2 g4 39. Nd6 h5 40. Nc4 {Диаграмма} b5 $1 {Каруана ставит проблемы, но Со блестяще их решает.} 41. Nxe5 Rf5 42. Ng6 Kf7 43. Nf4 h4 $1 44. Ng2 $1 hxg3 45. hxg3 Rf3 46. Ne3 Rxg3 { Диаграмма} 47. c4 $1 bxc4 48. d6 $5 ({Спасало и} 48. Nxc4 Kf6 49. d6 Rb3 50. d7 $1 {.}) 48... Ke6 49. Nxc4 Rf3 {Диаграмма} 50. d7 $1 Rf8 51. Ne3 g3 52. d8=Q {Благодаря отвлечению ладьи белый король получает возможность подойти к проходной.} Rxd8 53. Kf3 Rd3 54. Kf4 Rb3 55. Ng2 Kd5 56. Nh4 Kc4 57. Kg4 Rd3 58. b4 Rb3 59. b5 Kd5 60. b6 Ke4 {Диаграмма} 61. b7 $1 Rxb7 62. Kxg3 {Материальное соотношение теоретически ничейно. Фабиано не стал проверять соперника.} Rg7+ 63. Kf2 Rg4 64. Ng2 Rxg2+ 65. Kxg2 1/2-1/2 [Event "FIDE Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.20"] [Round "9.4"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D35"] [WhiteElo "2763"] [BlackElo "2800"] [Annotator "Sagar,Shah"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. cxd5 Nxd5 $5 {Kramnik's pet system in this tournament.} 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 c5 7. Rb1 $5 {Karjakin wants to prevent the exchange of the pair of bishops starting with Bb4+} Be7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. h4 $5 { This is a novelty. Playing h4 in such lines leads to some new fresh positions these days!} cxd4 10. cxd4 Nc6 11. h5 {All of this has been analyzed by Karjakin. Now if Kramnik would have been in a normal tournament situation he would have blocked the h-pawn with h6. But here he wants to win and goes for something much more risky.} f5 $5 {Karjakin had not prepared this at home.} ( 11... h6 12. Bb5 $14) 12. exf5 Qa5+ (12... exf5 13. Bc4+ Kh8 14. h6 g6 15. O-O $16) 13. Bd2 Qxf5 14. Bc3 $1 {This move is important because it stops e5 and also prepares Bd3.} h6 (14... Qg4 15. Be2 $1 Qxg2 16. Rg1 Qh3 17. d5 $18) 15. Bd3 Qg4 16. Kf1 {White is better out of the opening because all his pieces are well placed. Also the rook will come into the game from h3 to g3 and cause a lot of trouble.} e5 $5 {Objectively perhaps this is not the best move, but it leads to interesting positions.} 17. d5 (17. dxe5 Be6 $44) 17... e4 (17... Nd4 18. Nxe5 (18. Nxd4 Qxd1+ 19. Rxd1 exd4 20. Bxd4 $16) 18... Qxd1+ 19. Rxd1 $18) 18. dxc6 exf3 19. gxf3 Rxf3 (19... Qxf3 20. Qxf3 Rxf3 21. Ke2 $1 Rxd3 22. Kxd3 Bf5+ 23. Ke2 bxc6 24. Rb7 $16 {In this position White is an exchange up. Although Black has some drawing chances, it is a pretty uphill task.}) 20. Be2 $6 {This may objectively not be the best move but it is more human. cxb7 would have won but it is not easy to calculate all the lines.} (20. cxb7 $1 {was a winning move, but perhaps it was too difficult for a human to calculate.} Bxb7 21. Qb3+ (21. Rxb7 Rxf2+ 22. Kxf2 Bh4+ 23. Rxh4 Qxh4+ 24. Ke2 Re8+ 25. Kd2 Qg5+ 26. Kc2 Qg2+ 27. Kb1 Qxb7+ 28. Ka1 $18) 21... Kh8 22. Qxb7 Raf8 23. Qxe7 (23. Qe4 Qxe4 (23... Rxf2+ 24. Ke1 $18) 24. Bxe4 Rxc3 $11) 23... Rxf2+ 24. Ke1 $18 { White this looks extremely risky, White is objectively winning.}) 20... Rxf2+ 21. Kxf2 Bc5+ 22. Kf1 Qf4+ 23. Bf3 bxc6 {Black is a rook down and objectively lost, but Kramnik poses great practical difficulties to his opponent. If it was anyone lesser than Karjakin it would not have been an easy defensive task.} (23... Bg4 24. Qd5+ Kh8 25. Rxb7 $18) 24. Be1 $3 {The only defensive move. The idea is to play the king to g2 and the bishop to g3 when everything would be safe.} (24. Qe2 Ba6 $19) 24... Be6 25. Bh4 Rf8 26. Kg2 Kh8 $5 {A very nice move by Kramnik. Now Bd5 becomes a possibility with no check after the capture. } 27. Rc1 Rf5 28. Rc3 $1 (28. Bg3 Rg5 $19) 28... Rd5 29. Bxd5 Bxd5+ 30. Rf3 { A rook and an exchange down is just too much for Black to handle.} Qg4+ 31. Bg3 Bd6 32. Rh3 {Everything is jammed but there is no way for Black to increase the pressure! White consolidates with Qe2-f2 and brings his rook out from h3 and wins the game.} Be7 33. Qe2 Be4 34. Qf2 a5 35. a4 $5 (35. Rh1 Bc5 36. Rh4 Qxh4 37. Bxh4 Bxf2 38. Kxf2 Bxf3 39. Kxf3 $18 {And in this bishop endgame Karjakin wanted his pawn to be on a4 and hence he played that move.}) 35... c5 36. Rh1 Bf6 37. Re1 Bc6 38. Ree3 c4 39. Qe2 Qxh5 40. Qxc4 Bd7 41. Rd3 {A fine defensive effort by Sergey.} 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.22"] [Round "10"] [White "Kramnik, V."] [Black "Aronian, L."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C50"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2794"] [PlyCount "73"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. Nd5 ({The move:} 6. a3 { led to surprisingly sharp game after} h6 7. h3 Qe7 8. Ne2 d6 9. c3 Ba7 10. Ng3 Bd7 11. b4 O-O-O 12. a4 {Godena,M (2513)-Carlstedt,J (2442) Berlin 2015}) 6... Nxd5 7. Bxd5 d6 $146 {This logical move is a novelty.} ({Previously:} 7... O-O 8. Bg5 Be7 9. h4 d6 10. Qd2 Bg4 11. c3 Qd7 12. O-O-O {has been tested in Benda, H (2274)-Kilgus,G (2354) Austria 2007}) 8. Be3 Bxe3 9. fxe3 O-O {Now an approximately equal game emerges. White's plan is clear: to castle, then bring the queen on g3, knight on h4 and eventually f5, double the rooks on the f-file and eventually mate. Black on his turn has many ways to try and prevent this.} 10. O-O Nb8 $5 {A nice maneuver.} ({Safer looks} 10... Ne7 11. Bb3 Ng6 12. Qe1 Be6 {although then the knight on g6 does not do much.}) 11. b4 { An agressive try, which however makes it easier for Black to find counterplay on the queenside.} ({After} 11. a3 Nd7 12. Qe1 Nf6 13. Ba2 Be6 {the position will be equal.}) 11... Nd7 12. Qd2 (12. Qe1 c6 13. Bb3 a5 14. a3) 12... c6 13. Bb3 a5 14. a3 Nf6 15. h3 h6 16. Rab1 b5 17. Qc3 Bd7 {Aronian wants to play for more than a draw.} ({Safe was to get rid of the light squared bishops as soon as possible with:} 17... Qb6 18. Rbe1 (18. Kh2 Be6 ({Or} 18... Bd7 $5)) 18... Be6 {with equality.} ({While} 18... Ra7 $5 {would lead to a sharp game as well after} 19. Nh4)) 18. Rf2 {From here on Kramnik is consistently preparing the exchange sacrifice on f6.} Qb6 19. Re1 Rfe8 {Preparing c6-c5.} (19... c5 $6 20. bxc5 {leaves the central pawn hanging.}) 20. Nh4 c5 21. Ref1 {More preparation is needed.} ({This was the first moment in which the exchange sacrifice was a serious option:} 21. Rxf6 gxf6 22. Bd5 {would be well met with:} cxb4 $1 ({ This is better than} 22... Ra7 23. Rf1 cxb4 24. Qe1) 23. axb4 Ra7 {and Black should repel the attack.}) 21... cxb4 {"I thought this is awfully dangerous." (Kramnik)} ({Kramnik spent all his time on the idea:} 21... c4 {either at once, }) ({or the preliminary} 21... axb4 22. axb4 c4 {For example:} 23. dxc4 bxc4 ( 23... Nxe4 $2 {is bad due} 24. c5 {(Kramnik)}) 24. Qxc4 Be6 25. Qe2 (25. Qd3 Qxb4 {"is equal" (Kramnik)}) 25... Nxe4 26. Rxf7 $5 {Then the former world champion continued with his interesting calculations:} Ng3 $2 {Here} ({However } 26... d5 $1 {is very strong when Black takes over.}) 27. Qf3 $1 {was rejected by Kramnik on the account of} (27. Qd3 e4 (27... Nxf1 28. Rxg7+ Kf8 $1 {save Black indeed.} ({Rather than} 28... Kxg7 $2 29. Qg6+ Kf8 30. Qf6+ Kg8 31. Nf5 Ra7 32. Bxe6+ Rxe6 33. Qxe6+ Kh7 34. Qxh6+ Kg8 35. Qg6+ Kf8 36. Kxf1 { with clear advantage for White.})) 28. Bxe6 exd3 29. Rf8+ Kh7 30. Bg8+ Kh8 31. Ng6# {(Kramnik)}) 27... Nxf1 {but there is a mate after} 28. Rf8+ $1 Rxf8 29. Bxe6+ Kh7 (29... Kh8 30. Ng6+ {loses for Black as well.}) 30. Qe4+ Kh8 31. Ng6+ Kh7 32. Nxf8+ Kh8 33. Qh7#) 22. Qe1 d5 $1 {It is mandatory to bring the queen into the defense.} (22... bxa3 $2 {loses after the forcing:} 23. Rxf6 gxf6 24. Qg3+ Kh7 ({Or} 24... Kf8 25. Ng6+ $1 fxg6 26. Qxg6 Qxe3+ 27. Kh2 Be6 28. Qxf6+ Kg8 29. Bxe6+ Rxe6 30. Qxe6+ {and Black will be mated soon.}) 25. Rxf6 Re7 26. Rxf7+ Rxf7 27. Qg6+ Kh8 28. Qxh6+ Kg8 29. Ng6 {with mate on h8 coming.}) 23. axb4 ({After} 23. Bxd5 {Black can sacrifice the exchange with} bxa3 ({Or simply take the dangerous bishopat once} 23... Nxd5 24. exd5 f6) 24. Bxa8 Rxa8 {with compensation in either case.}) ({Once more} 23. Rxf6 {deserves serious investigation, and once more it appears a bit too early for it-} gxf6 24. Bxd5 bxa3 $1 {(Kramnik)} ({Or} 24... Ra6 25. axb4 a4 {as Aronian intended to play.} (25... axb4 $5))) 23... dxe4 24. bxa5 Rxa5 ({On} 24... Qxa5 {Kramnik intended} 25. Qd1 $1 {which creates the threat of finally capturing on f6 followed by Qd1-h5.} ({While Aronian did not like the possibility:} 25. Qxa5 Rxa5 26. Rxf6 {"with probable draw" (Kramnik, Aronian)})) 25. Ng6 $1 {Both sides are walking into a minefield and whoever steps wrong first...} ({Here} 25. Rxf6 {is plain wrong as the king escapes after} gxf6 26. Qg3+ Kf8 27. Ng6+ fxg6 28. Qxg6 Ke7) ({Kramnik also considered} 25. d4 {but the line that he suggested seems suspect to say at least-} exd4 26. Rxf6 gxf6 27. Ng6 dxe3 28. Kh1 {Now} b4 $1 { brings the black rook on the kingside and there is no attack whatsoever.}) 25... Be6 {Instinctively, Aronian tries to neutralize the pressure on the diagonal.} ({None of the players mentioned the move} 25... exd3 {which could have led to massive complications after} 26. Rxf6 gxf6 27. Qg3 Be6 {Here is a possible line:} 28. Rxf6 d2 29. Ne7+ Kf8 30. Nf5 $3 (30. Ng6+ Kg7) 30... d1=Q+ 31. Kh2 Re7 $1 {The only move.} ({If the rook goes to any other square, say} 31... Rd8 {then} 32. Rxf7+ $1 {mates} Bxf7 33. Qg7+ Ke8 34. Qxf7#) 32. Qg7+ Ke8 33. Bxe6 $1 Qxe6 (33... Kd8 34. Nxe7) 34. Rxe6 Rxe6 35. Qg8+ Kd7 36. Qxf7+ Kd8 37. Qxe6 {when White can play for a win.}) 26. Nxe5 ({White's initial idea:} 26. Rxf6 {deserves serious attention:} gxf6 27. Bxe6 ({Both players thought that} 27. Qg3 $1 {loses to} Bxb3 28. cxb3 ({However here White has the fantastic} 28. Nxe5+ $3 Kh8 29. Nd7 Qa7 30. Nxf6 Ra8 31. Qf4 {with huge attack. }) 28... Kh7 $1 {(Kramnik, Aronian)}) 27... Rxe6 28. Nh4 Qd8 29. Nf5 Kh7 30. Qh4 (30. Qg3 Qf8) 30... Qf8 31. Qxe4 {when it is anyone's game.}) 26... exd3 ({ Not} 26... Bxb3 27. Rxf6 gxf6 28. Nd7 $1 {(Kramnik)}) 27. Rxf6 $1 {Finally! If this was boxing I do not really want to imagine how they would look like at the end...} gxf6 28. Rxf6 d2 $1 ({There is no need to bring the white bishop in after} 28... dxc2 $2 29. Qg3+ Kf8 30. Bxc2) 29. Qg3+ ({Not} 29. Qxd2 Ra1+ 30. Kf2 (30. Kh2 $2 {loses to} Qc7 31. Qd4 Bxb3 32. Qxa1 Bd5) 30... Qa5 { when White's attack peters out.}) 29... Kf8 (29... Kh7 {is bad due} 30. c4 $1 { (Kramnik)}) 30. Rf1 $3 {"I thought this just finishes the game." (Kramnik)} ({ Instead} 30. Nd7+ Ke7 31. Nxb6 {would see Black playing for a win after} Ra1+ $1 ({But not the instant:} 31... d1=Q+ 32. Rf1 Qd2 33. Bxe6 fxe6 (33... Kxe6 34. Qf4) 34. Qc7+) 32. Kh2 Rh1+ $3 33. Kxh1 d1=Q+ 34. Kh2 Kxf6) (30. c4 $5 { "might be very interesting here" (Kramnik)} Qd8 (30... Ra1+ 31. Kh2 d1=Q 32. Bxd1 Rxd1 33. Rxh6 {(Kramnik) White felt he should be mating here, but it seems the king slips away after} Ke7) ({The Russian GM missed the defense} 30... Ke7 $1 {when Black is doing more than fine.}) 31. Qf4 d1=Q+ 32. Bxd1 Qxd1+ 33. Kh2 {(Kramnik) This is indeed a win for White.}) 30... Ra7 $1 { The only fighting defense.} ({Black loses after} 30... d1=Q 31. Rxd1) ({ Neither good is} 30... Qd6 31. Ng6+ $1) (30... Rd8 $5 {is harder to refute. In fact after} 31. Qf4 d1=Q 32. Qxh6+ Kg8 33. Qg5+ {The draw seems the right result, as if Black tries to play for a win with-} Kf8 34. Qh6+ Ke8 35. Qh8+ Ke7 36. Ng6+ $1 fxg6 37. Qf6+ Ke8 38. Qf8+ Kd7 39. Rxd1+ Bd5 $1 (39... Kc8 40. Bxe6+) 40. Rxd5+ Kc8 41. Rc5+ Kb7 42. Qe7+ {he may end up losing.}) 31. Ng6+ Kg7 32. Nf4+ ({No repetition even considered:} 32. Ne7+ $2 Kh7) 32... Kh8 ( 32... Kf8 $2 {drops the rook after} 33. Nxe6+ Rxe6 34. Bxe6 Qxe6 35. Qb8+) 33. Nh5 f6 ({Again the only move as} 33... Rg8 34. Qe5+ Kh7 35. Nf6+ Kh8 36. Nd5+ { wins loads of material for White.}) 34. Nxf6 Rf8 (34... Bxb3 $2 35. Nxe8) ( 34... Ree7 {was suggested by Aronian and now rather than} 35. Bxe6 (35. Qg6 $2 Qxe3+ 36. Kh1 Bxb3 {wins for Black.}) ({White should do} 35. Qf4 $1 Bg8 36. Qxh6+ Rh7 37. Qf4 $3 {with strong attack for the exchange.}) 35... Qxe6 36. Qb8+ Kg7 37. Nh5+ Kh7 {(Kramnik)}) (34... Rd8 $1 {was also a resource with the devilish idea} 35. Qf4 Bf5 $3 36. Nd5 Qg6) 35. Qf4 Rh7 36. Qe5 {The culmination of the game.} Qc7 $2 {A blunder which puts an abrupt end of a great game.} (36... Rg7 $1 {was the only move. Then after} 37. Bxe6 Qc6 { The game should have objectively ended in a draw:} (37... Rg5 {is also OK as long as Black goes for} 38. Nd7+ Rxe5 39. Rxf8+ Kh7 40. Rf7+ Kh8 $1 ({And not} 40... Kg6 41. Nxe5+ Kh5 42. Rf5+ Kh4 43. Ng6+ Kg3 44. Rf3#)) (37... Qc7 38. Qd4 {is advantage for Black.}) 38. Bg4 (38. Bd5 Rxf6 $1 39. Bxc6 Rxf1+ 40. Kxf1 ({ But White still has a draw after} 40. Kh2 $1 d1=Q 41. Qe8+ Rg8 42. Qe5+) 40... d1=Q+ {wins for Black.}) 38... d1=Q (38... Rxf6 39. Qxf6) 39. Rxd1 Qxf6 40. Qxf6 Rxf6 {"should be a draw" (Kramnik, Aronian)}) 37. Ne8+ $1 {Black resigned due to:} (37. Ne8+ Qxe5 38. Rxf8+ Bg8 39. Rxg8#) (37. Nh5+ $1 {would also do.}) 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.22"] [Round "10"] [White "Mamedyarov, S."] [Black "Caruana, F."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E04"] [WhiteElo "2809"] [BlackElo "2784"] [PlyCount "115"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. O-O Rb8 7. e3 Be7 (7... b5 8. b3 cxb3 9. axb3 Be7 10. Qe2 O-O 11. Bd2 Bb7 12. Rc1 a6 {Radjabov,T (2722) -Cheparinov,I (2677) Monzon 2016}) 8. Nfd2 e5 9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. dxe5 Ng4 11. Nxc4 Be6 12. Nbd2 $146 (12. Qxd8+ Rxd8 13. Nbd2 Bb4 14. e4 Bxd2 15. Nxd2 Nxe5 16. f4 Nd3 17. f5 Nxc1 18. Raxc1 Bxf5 19. exf5 Rxd2 20. Rxc6 Kd7 21. Rfc1 { ½-½ Van der Stricht,G (2424)-Hausrath,D (2507) Belgium 2008}) 12... h5 (12... Rb4 13. b3 h5 14. f3 $6 (14. h3) 14... Nxe3 $1 15. Nxe3 Qd4 {Mamedyarov}) 13. f3 (13. h3 Qd3 14. b3 h4 15. hxg4 hxg3 16. Qf3 Qh7 17. Qg2 Bd5 18. e4 Bc5 { Caruana}) 13... Qd3 14. fxg4 Bxc4 15. Nxc4 Qxc4 16. gxh5 Qe6 17. Qf3 (17. b3 Qxe5 18. Qc2 Qxa1 19. Bb2 Qxa2 20. Qxc6+ Kd8 (20... Kf8 21. Rxf7+ $1) 21. Rd1+ {Mamedyarov}) 17... Rb5 18. Qf5 (18. Bd2 Rxb2 19. Bc3 Rc2 20. Rfc1 {Mamedyarov} Rxc1+ 21. Rxc1 O-O 22. Bd4 c5 23. Bxc5 Bxc5 24. Rxc5 Qxa2) 18... Rxe5 19. Qxe6 Rxe6 (19... fxe6 20. Bd2 Rhxh5 21. Kg2) 20. Rf5 (20. g4 $6 g6 $1) 20... Rd6 ( 20... Rf6 $5) 21. Kg2 Rd1 22. b3 g6 $6 {Mamedyarov thought he had a winning position after this.} 23. Re5 (23. hxg6 fxg6 24. Rf2 Rf8) 23... c5 24. hxg6 fxg6 25. e4 Rh7 26. h4 {Missed by Caruana.} (26. Rd5 Re1 27. Rd2 Bf6 {Caruana/ Mamedyarov}) 26... Rf7 (26... c6 27. Re6 {Caruana/Mamedyarov}) 27. Kh3 Rff1 ( 27... c6 28. Re6 Kd7 29. Rxg6 Rff1 30. Bg5 Rxa1 31. Rg7 {Caruana/Mamedyarov}) 28. Bg5 Rxa1 29. Rxe7+ Kf8 30. Rxc7 Rxa2 31. Be7+ (31. e5 Re2 32. Bf4 Rf3 33. Kg4 Rxb3 34. Kg5 Rb6 35. Rxc5 a6 36. g4 Kf7 {Caruana/Mamedyarov}) 31... Kg8 32. Rc8+ (32. e5 Rb2 {Caruana/Mamedyarov}) 32... Kg7 33. Bxc5 Re2 34. e5 (34. Re8 a5 35. e5 Rc1 $1 36. Bd6 Rc3 {Caruana/Mamedyarov}) 34... Rd1 35. Re8 Rd5 36. Bd6 (36. b4 a5 37. e6 g5 $1 38. e7 axb4 39. Rc8 b3 {Caruana/Mamedyarov}) 36... Re3 37. Re7+ Kg8 38. Re8+ Kf7 39. Re7+ Kg8 40. b4 Rdd3 41. Kg4 Rxg3+ 42. Kf4 Rgf3+ 43. Ke4 Rfe3+ 44. Kf4 Rf3+ 45. Kg5 Rf7 46. e6 Rd5+ 47. Kxg6 Rxd6 48. Rxf7 Rxe6+ 49. Rf6 Re4 50. b5 Rxh4 51. Ra6 Rh7 52. b6 Rg7+ 53. Kh6 Rh7+ 54. Kg5 Rg7+ 55. Kf5 axb6 56. Rxb6 Rf7+ 57. Rf6 Rxf6+ 58. Kxf6 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.22"] [Round "10"] [White "Ding Liren"] [Black "So, W."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D37"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2799"] [PlyCount "61"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 b6 7. cxd5 (7. Bd3) 7... Nxd5 8. Nxd5 Qxd5 (8... exd5 9. Bd3 c5 10. O-O c4 11. Bb1 Nc6 12. b3 Be6 13. bxc4 dxc4 14. Qa4 Qd7 {Fedoseev,V (2724)-Friedel,J (2562) chess.com INT 2018}) 9. Be2 $5 {This confused So.} (9. Bxc7 Bb4+ 10. Nd2 Ba6 11. f3 Bxf1 12. Rxf1 Nc6 13. a3 Rac8 {Jorczik,J (2405)-Baramidze,D (2613) Eppingen GER 2014}) 9... Bb7 (9... Bb4+ 10. Nd2 Bxd2+ (10... Qxg2 11. Bf3 Bxd2+ 12. Kxd2 Qxf2+ 13. Kc3 {Ding}) 11. Qxd2 Qxg2 12. O-O-O Ba6 13. Rhg1 Qc6+ 14. Kb1) 10. Bxc7 (10. O-O Rc8) 10... Qa5+ $146 (10... Bb4+ 11. Kf1 Nc6 12. Qa4 Rfc8 13. Bg3 a6 14. h3 b5 15. Qd1 Na5 {Injac,T (2277)-Goczo,M (2176) Novi Sad 2017}) 11. Kf1 Nd7 12. h4 Rac8 13. Bf4 (13. Bg3 $5 {So} Nf6 14. Ne5 Ne4 {Ding}) 13... Rfd8 (13... Bf6 14. Bd3 {So}) 14. Kg1 (14. a3 $5 {So}) 14... Bxf3 (14... Bf6 15. a3) 15. Bxf3 e5 16. Bg5 (16. Bg3 exd4 17. Bb7 Rc4 18. e4 Nf6 19. e5 Nd5) 16... Bxg5 (16... f6 17. Qb3+ Kh8 18. Qf7 Qb4 19. Be4 {might be too dangerous (So).}) 17. hxg5 exd4 18. Qxd4 (18. g6 fxg6 19. Qxd4 Ne5) 18... Qxg5 19. Rh5 Qf6 20. Rd5 Qxd4 21. Rxd4 Ne5 22. Bd5 (22. Bb7 Rxd4 23. exd4 Rc7 24. Ba6 Ng4 25. d5 Nf6 26. d6 ( 26. Rd1 Ne8) 26... Rd7 27. Rc1 g5 28. Rc7 Rxd6 29. Rxa7 Rd2) 22... Nc6 23. Rdd1 Kf8 24. Bxc6 (24. Rac1 Ke7) 24... Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Rxc6 26. Rd7 Rc2 27. Rxa7 Rxb2 28. a4 Ra2 29. Rb7 Ra1+ 30. Kh2 Rxa4 31. Rxb6 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.22"] [Round "10"] [White "Grischuk, A."] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E00"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2763"] [PlyCount "56"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Qc2 c6 9. Rc1 (9. a4 a5 10. Rc1) 9... b6 10. a4 (10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Bf4 Bb7 12. Qb3 Rc8 13. Rxc8 Qxc8 14. Nc3 Nh5 {Karjakin,S (2753)-Wei,Y (2743) Wijk aan Zee 2018}) 10... Ne4 $146 (10... Ba6 11. b3 c5 12. a5 Bb7 13. a6 Bc6 14. Ne5 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Nd7 {Pustovoitova,D (2382)-Gunina,V (2507) Moscow 2018}) 11. Be1 a5 12. Nbd2 Nxd2 13. Nxd2 Bf6 14. cxd5 (14. Qd3 Ba6) 14... cxd5 15. e4 Bxd4 16. Nb3 (16. exd5 Nc5 17. Nb3 Nxb3 18. Qxb3 Ra7) 16... Bf6 17. exd5 exd5 18. Bxd5 Ra7 19. Bg2 (19. Bc3 Bxc3 20. Qxc3 Nf6 21. Bf3 Rd7 22. Rd1 Nd5) 19... h6 (19... Ba6 20. Bc3 Rc7 (20... Ne5) 21. Bxf6 Rxc2 22. Bxd8 Rxc1+ 23. Rxc1 Rxd8 24. Bf1) 20. Bc3 Rc7 21. Bxf6 Rxc2 22. Bxd8 Rxc1+ 23. Rxc1 Rxd8 24. Rd1 Kf8 25. f4 Ke7 26. Re1+ Kf8 27. Rd1 Ke7 28. Re1+ Kf8 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.22"] [Round "10"] [White "Mamedyarov, S."] [Black "Caruana, F."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2809"] [BlackElo "2784"] [Annotator "Marco Baldauf"] [PlyCount "115"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. O-O $5 {Mamedyarov is already showing he wants to steer today's game along a risky path!} (6. Qa4 { is the alternative, leading to much too calm endgames. Catalan is a fine opening when everyone is involved - you can take it easy or play instead like Mamedyarov} Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Nd5 8. Bxb4 Ndxb4 9. O-O Rb8 10. Na3 O-O 11. Qb5 b6 12. Qxc4 Ba6 13. Nb5 Qd5 14. Qxd5 Nxd5 15. a4 Na5 16. Ne5 {1/2-1/2 (34) Anand, V (2800)-Kramnik,V (2780) Bilbao 2010 CBM 139 [Edouard,R]}) 6... Rb8 {Now Black is the liberty to threaten to defend the c4-pawn possibly with ...b5.} 7. e3 Be7 (7... b5 8. b3 cxb3 9. axb3 $44) 8. Nfd2 {White backtracks to prevent b5, but reduces his control of the center and so lets Caruana get in} e5 $5 { too. A similar position but with ...a6 instead of ...Be7 has been played many times, including by Mamedyarov from the black side. It is clear that this version is better for Caruana.} 9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. dxe5 Ng4 11. Nxc4 Be6 12. Nbd2 (12. Qxd8+ Rxd8 13. Nbd2 Bb4 14. e4 Bxd2 15. Nxd2 Nxe5 16. f4 Nd3 17. f5 Nxc1 18. Raxc1 Bxf5 19. exf5 Rxd2 20. Rxc6 Kd7 21. Rfc1 {1/2-1/2 (21) Van der Stricht,G (2424) -Hausrath,D (2507) Belgium 2008}) 12... h5 13. f3 Qd3 { a little less crazy approach. White has "only" two pawns extra, and black has close to full compensation.} (13... h4 $5 {can't be dismissed either, but leads to equality.} 14. fxg4 hxg3 15. Qf3 (15. hxg3 Qd3 $44) 15... Rxh2 16. Qxg3 Rh4 17. Rf4 Qd3 $44) 14. fxg4 Bxc4 15. Nxc4 Qxc4 16. gxh5 {both were still playing quickly up until now, so it is clear that this was still home preparation. Caruana, happy to take a half a point off Mamedyarov with the black pieces is nevertheless not playing for one - generally a wise move. In any case, he probably has enough compensation for the material deficit: a weak white king, poor development of the queenside and a shattered pawn structure. Still, two pawns are two pawns and Mamedyarov could certainly be just as satisfied.} Qe6 {Caruana finally spent time thinking on this one.} 17. Qf3 $5 { I like this modest move, but considering the king position it's probably a reasonable solution. Mamedyarov angles to get the queens off as soon as possible.} Rb5 18. Qf5 Rxe5 19. Qxe6 Rxe6 {By the time Mamedyarov arranges a queeen exchange, Caruana recapture at least one of the pawns. And for the remaining pawn he should still have enough compensation.} 20. Rf5 (20. g4 $2 g6 21. hxg6 Rxg6 22. Rf4 Bd6 $17) 20... Rd6 (20... Reh6 $6 21. Bd2 Rxh5 22. Rxh5 Rxh5 23. Rc1 $14) 21. Kg2 Rd1 22. b3 g6 (22... Bf6 23. Rb1 {and it is not clear how black should continue}) 23. Re5 c5 $6 (23... Rxh5 {would probably be the easier solution for Caruana} 24. Rxe7+ Kxe7 25. Ba3+ Rd6 26. Rc1 Kd7 27. Bxd6 cxd6 $11) 24. hxg6 fxg6 25. e4 Rh7 26. h4 {Caruana probably overestimated this position when he was weighing 23 ... c5 against the simple solution 23 ... Rxh5 decided} Rf7 {probably the best solution for Caruana. But the resulting endgame was no fun.} (26... Kf8 $2 27. Bh6+ $18) (26... Kd7 $6 27. Rd5+ Rxd5 28. exd5 $14) 27. Kh3 $1 {White's king is safe here and can be activated quickly at the right moment.} Rff1 28. Bg5 Rxa1 29. Rxe7+ Kf8 (29... Kd8 30. Re6+ Kd7 31. Rxg6 $16) 30. Rxc7 Rxa2 31. Be7+ $6 {the first step in the wrong direction - the bishop will later be AWOL from defending the g3 pawn.} (31. e5 {and Caruana has one difficult task ahead} Re2 32. Rxc5 $14) 31... Kg8 32. Rc8+ Kg7 33. Bxc5 Re2 34. e5 Rd1 $1 35. Re8 Rd5 36. Bd6 {now the bishop is slightly offside and Caruana is in time to gain counterplay against g3.} Re3 37. Re7+ Kg8 38. Re8+ Kf7 39. Re7+ Kg8 40. b4 Rdd3 $1 $11 {and black has enough activity.} 41. Kg4 Rxg3+ 42. Kf4 Rgf3+ 43. Ke4 Rfe3+ 44. Kf4 Rf3+ 45. Kg5 Rf7 46. e6 Rd5+ $1 {Caruana finds a very clean solution and the draw is ready to be signed.} 47. Kxg6 Rxd6 48. Rxf7 Rxe6+ 49. Rf6 Re4 50. b5 Rxh4 51. Ra6 Rh7 52. b6 Rg7+ 53. Kh6 Rh7+ 54. Kg5 Rg7+ 55. Kf5 axb6 56. Rxb6 Rf7+ 57. Rf6 Rxf6+ 58. Kxf6 1/2-1/2 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.22"] [Round "10"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2794"] [Annotator "KGBesenthal"] [PlyCount "73"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 {[#] Aronian continues with an unusual move. Of course, most "normal" is the symmetrical 5...d6.} 6. Nd5 Nxd5 7. Bxd5 d6 8. Be3 Bxe3 9. fxe3 {[#] This motif is also taught to beginners: The open f-line offers attacking opportunities; at the same time, the doubled pawns ensures good control of the central square d4. Hard to believe at this moment that Kramnik actually has grave plans of attack!} O-O 10. O-O Nb8 11. b4 Nd7 12. Qd2 c6 13. Bb3 a5 14. a3 Nf6 15. h3 h6 16. Rab1 b5 17. Qc3 Bd7 18. Rf2 Qb6 19. Re1 Rfe8 {[#] Now Black is a bit better. On the kingside, nothing is going on, while White looks passive on the queenside as well.} 20. Nh4 c5 21. Ref1 cxb4 22. Qe1 {[#]} d5 ({Black had to do something. After} 22... bxa3 $2 {the white attack would become overpowering:} 23. Rxf6 gxf6 24. Rxf6 Be6) 23. axb4 dxe4 24. bxa5 Rxa5 25. Ng6 {[#] Kramnik remains true to form for this tournament and is fighting for victory.} Be6 26. Nxe5 exd3 27. Rxf6 gxf6 28. Rxf6 d2 29. Qg3+ Kf8 30. Rf1 Ra7 {[#] The position is completely balanced. But for Black, defense is extremely difficult and time is running short.} 31. Ng6+ {Kramnik finds the best continuation.} Kg7 32. Nf4+ Kh8 33. Nh5 f6 34. Nxf6 Rf8 35. Qf4 Rh7 36. Qe5 {[#] Both players have a whole series of more precise options, but it's not merely about moves on the board at this point.} Qc7 $2 {Aronian makes a game ending mistake just before the time control.} (36... Rg7 $1 37. Bxe6 Rg5 38. Nd5+ Rxe5 39. Rxf8+ Kh7 40. Rf7+ Kg6 41. Rf6+ Kg7 42. Rf7+ {etc. would have led to a drawn conclusion. Hard to see without enough time on the clock.}) 37. Ne8+ 1-0 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.22"] [Round "10"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2763"] [Annotator "KGBesenthal"] [PlyCount "56"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Qc2 c6 9. Rc1 b6 10. a4 Ne4 11. Be1 a5 {[#] The board is still full, the tension unresolved - much can still happen. But for now both players have developed their pieces well and the position is balanced.} 12. Nbd2 Nxd2 13. Nxd2 Bf6 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. e4 {[#] Grischuk starts a plan for activity...} Bxd4 16. Nb3 Bf6 17. exd5 exd5 18. Bxd5 Ra7 {[#] ... but only a symmetrical, tension-free position has emerged, and barring an unlikely blunder, we're heading for a draw.} 19. Bg2 h6 20. Bc3 {Quite interesting maybe the fact that the computer considers this position "0.00" from now until the very end of the game.} Rc7 21. Bxf6 Rxc2 22. Bxd8 Rxc1+ 23. Rxc1 Rxd8 24. Rd1 Kf8 25. f4 Ke7 26. Re1+ Kf8 27. Rd1 Ke7 28. Re1+ Kf8 1/2-1/2 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.22"] [Round "10"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2799"] [Annotator "KGBesenthal"] [PlyCount "61"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 b6 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Nxd5 Qxd5 {[#] A position already frequently reached in grandmaster practice, however, most now continue with 9.Bd3 at this point.} 9. Be2 {This move is naturally also good.} (9. Bxc7 Bb4+ 10. Nd2 Ba6 {Black would have a comfortable game with good compensation for the pawn guaranteed:} 11. Bxa6 $6 Qxg2 $1) 9... Bb7 10. Bxc7 Qa5+ 11. Kf1 Nd7 {[#] Also now Black, whose rooks are already connected, has good compensation via his lead in development.} 12. h4 Rac8 13. Bf4 Rfd8 14. Kg1 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 e5 16. Bg5 Bxg5 17. hxg5 exd4 18. Qxd4 Qxg5 19. Rh5 Qf6 20. Rd5 Qxd4 21. Rxd4 {[#] White has returned the pawn and thereby fully equalised the position. The players make a few more moves before the inevitable becomes obvious.} Ne5 22. Bd5 Nc6 23. Rdd1 Kf8 24. Bxc6 Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Rxc6 26. Rd7 Rc2 27. Rxa7 Rxb2 28. a4 Ra2 29. Rb7 Ra1+ 30. Kh2 Rxa4 31. Rxb6 1/2-1/2 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.21"] [Round "?"] [White "Karjakin Sergey "] [Black "Kramnik Vladimir "] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D35"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.21"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.21"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 c5 7. Rb1 { Так с Крамником играл Мамедьяров. Смысл хода - не пустить слона на b4.} ({У Со с Крамником было} 7. Nf3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ {.}) 7... Be7 8. Nf3 ({ Шахрияр продолжал} 8. Bb5+ {.}) 8... O-O {Диаграмма} 9. h4 $5 {Новинка.} ({Чаще всего играли} 9. Bc4 {.}) 9... cxd4 10. cxd4 Nc6 11. h5 {Диаграмма} f5 $6 {Вскрытие игры ведет к ослаблению позиции черных. Впрочем, вызывает уважение готовность Крамника биться до конца в неудачно складывающемся турнире.} ({Можно было сыграть} 11... h6 $5 {и поинтересоваться, что хотят белые.}) ({ Вполне надежно и} 11... Bb4+ 12. Bd2 Bxd2+ 13. Qxd2 h6 {.}) 12. exf5 Qa5+ 13. Bd2 Qxf5 14. Bc3 {Диаграмма} h6 $2 {Потеря времени.} ({Лучшая возможность -} 14... Qe4+ $1 { . Для объективной оценки последствий требуется глубокий анализ, а на практике ход борьбы может принять непредвиденный оборот. Возможное продолжение:} 15. Be2 b5 $1 16. Rxb5 Ba6 17. Rb2 Bc4 $1 18. h6 g6 19. Qc2 Qxc2 20. Rxc2 Bd5 {с компенсацией за пешку.}) 15. Bd3 Qg4 16. Kf1 $1 { Черным не остается иного, как идти ва-банк.} e5 $5 17. d5 e4 18. dxc6 exf3 19. gxf3 Rxf3 {Диаграмма} 20. Be2 $2 ({ Решало партию} 20. cxb7 $1 Bxb7 21. Qb3+ Rf7 22. Qxb7 Raf8 23. Qe4 Rxf2+ 24. Ke1 {. После размена ферзей должен сказаться лишний слон.}) 20... Rxf2+ { Смертница-ладья гибнет, зато оставшиеся черные фигуры обретают жизненную силу.} 21. Kxf2 Bc5+ 22. Kf1 Qf4+ 23. Bf3 {Диаграмма} bxc6 $2 {Решающая ошибка.} ({Сильнее немедленное} 23... Be6 $1 {. Может последовать:} 24. cxb7 Bc4+ 25. Kg2 Qg5+ 26. Bg4 Bd5+ 27. Kh3 Qe3+ 28. Qf3 $1 Bxf3 29. b8=Q+ Rxb8 30. Rxb8+ Bf8 31. Rxf8+ $1 Kxf8 32. Rf1 Kg8 33. Rxf3 Qe4 $1 {. Диаграмма Черные собираются провести подрыв g7-g6 и имеют шансы на спасение.}) 24. Be1 Be6 25. Bh4 $6 {Сергей отнял поле g5 у ферзя, но в этом не было нужды.} ({После} 25. Kg2 $1 Qg5+ 26. Bg3 Rd8 27. Qxd8+ $1 Qxd8 28. Rb8 Bc8 29. Bg4 Qd5+ 30. Kh2 { ресурсы обороны исчерпывались.}) 25... Rf8 26. Kg2 Kh8 27. Rc1 Rf5 28. Rc3 {Диаграмма} Rd5 $5 {Снявши голову, по волосам не плачут.} 29. Bxd5 Bxd5+ 30. Rf3 Qg4+ 31. Bg3 Bd6 {Диаграмма Точными ходами Карякин раскручивается.} 32. Rh3 Be7 33. Qe2 Be4 34. Qf2 a5 35. a4 { Диаграмма} c5 {Это проигрывает, впрочем, как и остальные ходы.} ({Например:} 35... Kh7 36. Rh1 Bc5 37. Rh4 {.}) 36. Rh1 Bf6 37. Re1 Bc6 38. Ree3 c4 39. Qe2 Qxh5 40. Qxc4 Bd7 41. Rd3 1-0 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.21"] [Round "?"] [White "Caruana Fabiano "] [Black "Ding Liren "] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E11"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "146"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.21"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.21"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O c6 { Диаграмма} 8. Qb3 $5 {Как и в противоборстве с Уэсли Со, Фабиано избирает этот ход вместо стандартного} (8. Qc2 {.}) 8... b6 ({Уэсли предпочел } 8... Nbd7 {.}) 9. Nc3 Ba6 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. Rfc1 Nc6 ({ Альтернативы -} 12... Nfd7) ({и} 12... Nbd7 {. Теперь же наступает обострение. Диаграмма}) 13. Nxd5 $1 { Только так можно бороться за перевес!} Nxd4 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Qc4 Bxg2 16. Qxd4 Rfd8 {Диаграмма} 17. Qf4 $5 { Новинка.} ({В партии Евгений Глейзеров - Иван Фараго (Австрия 1996) последовало:} 17. Qb4 Qxb4 18. Bxb4 Bb7 19. Rc7 Ba6 20. Nxf7 Nd5 21. Nxd8 Nxc7 22. Nc6 {. 1/2}) 17... Bb7 18. Bb4 Qe8 19. Rc7 Nd5 20. Qxf7+ Qxf7 21. Rxf7 Ba6 22. Ba3 Bxe2 23. Rc1 { Диаграмма "Стокфиш" ставит нули, а людям приятнее играть белыми благодаря лучшей структуре.} Bh5 (23... a5 $5) 24. Rb7 Be8 25. Kg2 a5 26. h4 Rdb8 27. Rxb8 Rxb8 28. g4 b5 29. b3 b4 30. Bb2 {Диаграмма} a4 $2 ({Лучше} 30... h5 $1 {, избегая зажима королевского фланга. Таким образом черные имели большие шансы удержать равновесие.}) 31. h5 $1 Ra8 32. Kg3 Kf8 33. Nf3 Bd7 34. Rc4 Kg8 35. Ne5 Bb5 36. Rc5 Be8 37. Nc4 Bd7 38. Ne5 Be8 39. Bd4 Kf8 40. f3 Ke7 {Диаграмма} 41. Kh4 Kf8 42. Kg5 $1 h6+ { Компьютер не боится подрыва h5-h6 - человеку же его допускать не хочется, и Дин соглашается на слабость пешки g7.} 43. Kh4 Kg8 44. Kg3 Kh7 45. Nd3 Kg8 46. Rc1 axb3 47. axb3 Kh7 48. Nc5 Bf7 49. Re1 { Диаграмма} Ne7 $1 {Дин цепко обороняется.} 50. Bb2 ({В варианте} 50. Nxe6 $2 Nc6 51. Bc5 Re8 52. Nf8+ Kg8 53. Rxe8 Bxe8 { черных спасает разноцвет.}) 50... Nc6 51. f4 Ra2 52. Nd3 e5 $1 53. fxe5 Bxb3 54. e6 {Диаграмма} Ra7 $2 {Теперь позиция черных становится проигранной.} ({ Блокадное} 54... Ne7 $1 {венчало трудную защиту. Например:} 55. Rf1 Bxe6 56. Re1 Nf5+ $1 57. gxf5 Bxf5 58. Re7 Kg8 59. Rxg7+ Kf8 {с ничьей.}) 55. Nc5 Bc4 56. Nd7 Bb5 {Диаграмма} 57. Nf8+ $2 ({Достигало цели} 57. Re3 $3 {с неизбежным вторжением по вертикали "f".}) 57... Kg8 58. Ng6 Ne7 $2 { В шахматах нет рецептов на все случаи жизни. Сейчас этот ход проигрывает.} ({ Черные держались в варианте} 58... Ra8 $3 59. Rd1 Rd8 60. Rc1 Re8 $1 61. Rc5 Ba4 62. Rf5 Nd8 63. e7 Ne6 {.}) 59. Ra1 Nc6 60. Rd1 Kh7 61. Rd5 Ba4 {Диаграмма} 62. Kf4 $2 ({Верное оформление идеи -} 62. Rd2 $1 Bb3 63. Rf2 Ra8 (63... Bxe6 64. Nf8+) 64. Rf7 Rg8 65. Nf8+ Rxf8 (65... Kh8 66. g5 hxg5 67. h6) 66. Rxg7+ Kh8 67. g5 hxg5 68. Rd7+ Kg8 69. h6 Bxe6 70. h7#) ({К победе вновь вел перевод ладьи на вертикаль "f". Немедленное} 62. Rf5 $6 {неточно из-за} Bc2 {, хотя можно повторить позицию после} 63. Rc5 {и затем ступить на победную стезю.}) 62... Bc2 63. Rc5 Ba4 64. g5 {Диаграмма} hxg5+ $2 ({Спасал ход} 64... Ra8 $3 { , берущий под контроль восьмой ряд, и на} 65. Rf5 {-} hxg5+ $1) 65. Rxg5 Nd8 66. Re5 $2 {В этой многострадальной партии Каруана в последний раз упускает возможность победить - правда, этюдным образом.} (66. Nf8+ $1 Kg8 (66... Kh6 67. Kg4 Bd1+ 68. Kh4 Bc2 69. Rg6+ Bxg6 70. Bc1#) 67. h6 Re7 ( 67... Kxf8 68. h7) 68. Rxg7+ Rxg7 69. Bxg7 (69. hxg7 {выигрывает более прозаично}) 69... Nxe6+ 70. Nxe6 Bc2 71. Kg5 b3 72. Bb2 Kf7 73. Ng7 Kg8 74. Nh5 Kf7 75. Nf6 Kf8 76. h7 Kg7 {Диаграмма} 77. h8=Q+ Kxh8 78. Kh6 Bf5 79. Ba3 b2 80. Bf8 b1=Q 81. Bg7#) 66... Be8 $1 67. e7 { Здесь последовало мирное соглашение. Можно представить состояние Фабиано, поэтому он принял правильное решение. Еще можно было продолжить борьбу после} Nc6 68. Nf8+ Kg8 69. Rg5 {, но без реальных шансов на успех. Например:} Nxe7 $5 70. h6 Nd5+ 71. Rxd5 Kxf8 72. hxg7+ (72. h7 g5+ $1) 72... Rxg7 73. Bxg7+ Kxg7 {с ничьей.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.21"] [Round "?"] [White "Aronian Levon "] [Black "Mamedyarov Shakhriyar "] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E03"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "82"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.21"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.21"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 b6 { Диаграмма} 8. Qxc4 ({Левона не соблазняют осложнения после} 8. Ne5 Qxd4 9. Bxa8 Qxe5 {, что встретилось в поединке второго тура Дин Лижэнь - Фабиано Каруана.}) 8... Bb7 9. Nc3 c5 10. Rd1 Nbd7 {Диаграмма} 11. Ne5 ({В партии с Хоу Ифань (Кубок мира 2017, Тбилиси, 1/2) Аронян сыграл} 11. Bg5 {, и после} cxd4 12. Rxd4 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Rd2 Rc8 15. Qa4 Bc6 16. Qb4 Bxf3 17. exf3 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Qc7 {получил хуже.}) 11... Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Qc8 13. Nxd7 Qxd7 14. dxc5 Qc6+ {Диаграмма} 15. f3 { Новинка.} ({Встречалось} 15. e4 {.}) 15... Qxc5 16. Qxc5 Bxc5 {Следует отметить, что в партии восьмого тура Мамедьяров - Карякин возникла схожая позиция.} 17. Bf4 Rfd8 18. e4 Ne8 19. Kf1 Kf8 20. Ke2 Ke7 21. Nb5 Rdc8 22. Rac1 a6 23. Nc3 b5 {Диаграмма} 24. a4 $1 {Аронян находит возможность разжечь угасающее пламя борьбы.} Bd6 $1 {Достойный ответ.} ({После } 24... b4 $2 25. Nb1 {слабость ферзевого фланга черных становится ощутимой.}) 25. Be3 Rab8 26. axb5 axb5 27. Ba7 Rb7 28. Bd4 Rc4 29. e5 Bc5 {Диаграмма} 30. Nd5+ $1 { Наиболее радикальная попытка борьбы за перевес.} exd5 31. Bxc5+ Ke6 {Диаграмма} 32. b3 {Теперь же партия входит в мирное русло.} ({Можно предположить, что позиция белых вызвала бы у Магнуса Карлсена живой интерес и оптимизм. Но скорее всего у черных достаточные ресурсы для поддержания равенства. Например:} 32. Bd4 $5 Rbc7 33. Ra1 Ra4 34. b3 (34. Kd3 $5) 34... Rc2+ 35. Kd3 Raa2 36. Rxa2 Rxa2 37. Ra1 Rxa1 38. Bxa1 Kd7 $1 { и т.д.}) 32... Rxc1 33. Rxc1 Kxe5 34. Kd3 Ke6 35. Bb4 Kd7 36. Kd4 Nc7 37. Ba5 Ne6+ 38. Kxd5 Ra7 39. b4 {Диаграмма} Ra6 $1 {С активной ладьей черным нечего опасаться.} 40. f4 Rd6+ 41. Ke4 Rd4+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "FIDE Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "11.1"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2767"] [Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"] [PlyCount "194"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "China"] [BlackTeam "Russia"] [WhiteTeamCountry "CHN"] [BlackTeamCountry "RUS"] [WhiteClock "0:01:24"] [BlackClock "0:06:07"] 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 {A novelty in comparison to a very fresh game.} ({There Black comfortably held after} 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,I (2751)-Gelfand,B (2695) Moscow 2018} ) 12. Rac1 c4 13. e4 Rd8 14. Be3 Ng4 15. e5 Na5 {Perhaps it is here where Grischuk messed up with his preparation.} ({The move that he mentioned later was possible at once:} 15... f5 $5 {since} 16. exf6 {does not work anyway due to} Nxd4 $1 17. Bxd4 Bxf3 {and Black wins.}) 16. Bf4 {"This is supposedly good for Black, but I do not know (remember) how." (Grischuk) See the previous note. } ({"I think I had this in preparation. If"} 16. Bb1 f5 $1 {"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 it "is obviously bad." (Grischuk)} 18. h3 Nh6 19. Bb1 {Now the black king may never castle and White is eager to open the center files.} Nb3 (19... Kd7 $2 20. d5 $1) 20. Be3 Qc7 { Black saw what will happen next but he thought he may "get lucky."} ({In desperation Grischuk even considered a la Petrosian sacrifices like} 20... Bd5 21. Nxd5 Rxd5 22. Be4 Nf5 23. Bxd5 exd5 {but realized that "he will slowly lose." Indeed he cannot keep the position blocked forever.}) 21. Rfe1 Kf8 ( 21... O-O 22. Bxh6 gxh6 23. Qe3 Kg7 24. Ne4 {is a crushing attack for White.}) 22. d5 $1 {Thematic and very strong.} exd5 (22... Bxd5 23. Nxd5 exd5 24. e6 { would not change anything.}) 23. e6 fxe6 24. Ng5 $1 Qd7 ({From afar Grischuk intended to try:} 24... Bc8 {but then realized that} 25. Nxd5 $1 {would be nasty enough. For example:} ({Ding saw a safer win:} 25. Qf3+ $1 Kg8 26. Bf4 { and if} Qb7 27. Nxe6 Bxe6 28. Rxe6 {where Black is completely hopeless.}) 25... exd5 ({However} 25... Rxd5 $1 26. Rxd5 exd5 27. Qf3+ Bf6 28. Qxd5 g6 $1 { is not that clear.}) 26. Bb6 {this indeed wins for White.}) ({And if} 24... Bxg5 25. Bxg5 Re8 26. Nxd5 $1 {is decisive.}) 25. Bg6 $1 {Both players agreed that this was a very strong move.} Bf6 (25... Kg8 26. Bb6 {"and then I immediately resign" (Grischuk) Say} Rf8 27. Nxe6 Rf6 28. Nf4 $1 Rxf4 29. Qxe7 Qxe7 30. Rxe7 {and Black has hardly any moves.}) 26. Bb6 Rc8 {"This move totally surprised me" (Ding)} ({The alternative was losing on the spot:} 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 ({Missing the beautiful win} 28. Nd8 $1 Bc6 (28... Rxd8 29. Bxd8 Qxd8 30. Qe8+ Qxe8 31. Rxe8#) 29. Rxd5 $1 {and Black can resign.}) 28... Bxd5 29. Nf4 {This is also winning but it does complicate matters.} ({Once again:} 29. Nd8 $1 {"was not only winning, but winning brilliantly." (Grischuk) }) ({Also nice was:} 29. Rxd5 Qxd5 30. Nd8 $1 {with mate.}) 29... Nc1 $3 { An excellent practical chance. Now both players levelled on the clock and played the next 11 moves practically on increment.} 30. Qxh5 ({"If takes"} 30. Rxc1 {"then"} Bf7 {"and there is suddenly no mate" (Grischuk)} 31. Rcd1 Qc6 { "this is not so clear" (Ding) However simple move like} 32. Ba5 {leaves Black absolutely hopeless as he has no reasonable moves. For example} 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 the line:} 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 is over.}) ({Also winning is} 32. Nxf6+ gxf6 33. Bxf7+ Qxf7 34. Qg4+ Kh7 35. Qf5+ Kg7 36. Re4 {with mating threats and healthy extra pawn.} ) 32... Nfe5 33. Be4 Rh4 {Now, in timetrouble, more miracles happen.} 34. f4 ( 34. Qe3 $1) 34... Rxf4 $1 35. Nxf4 Nxf4 36. Bh7+ {"This of course shocked me." (Grischuk)} Kh8 (36... Kxh7 {drops the queen after the in-between check} 37. Qe4+) 37. Qe4 Qc6 38. Bd4 (38. Be3 $1 Qxe4 39. Bxe4 Ned3 40. Bxf4 Nxf4 41. Rf1 {would have kept solid advantage for White.}) 38... Nxh3+ {Getting overly excited with a few seconds left on his clock.} ({Correct was} 38... Ned3 { when Black is not worse at all. Of course} 39. Qxc6 $2 {fails to} Bxd4+) 39. Kh2 ({Even} 39. gxh3 Nf3+ 40. Kh1 $1 Nxd4 41. Bg6 {is advantageous for White.}) 39... Ng5 40. Qxc6 Rxc6 41. Bc2 Ngf7 42. Bxe5 $2 {"I do not understand this." (Grischuk) Indeed, why was this trade needed? White can take on e5 in any given moment.} (42. Bc3 {"I thought there is almost no hope. White will just win slowly." (Grischuk)}) 42... Nxe5 43. Rd5 Re6 44. Kh3 Kg8 45. b3 ({Black was more afraid of} 45. Bf5 Re8 46. Bd7 Re7 47. Bc8 g6 48. g3 {when the pin might be indeed more than unpleasant for him.}) 45... Kf7 46. bxc4 Nxc4 47. Rd7+ Be7 48. Rxe6 Kxe6 49. Ra7 Nxa3 50. Rxa6+ Kd5 {"This is like my dream. Everything is exchanged and I have very good drawing chances." (Grischuk)} 51. Bh7 Nc4 52. Kg4 Bf6 53. Ra7 {As Grischuk explained White will be winning if he manages to take away all the pawns from the board. However, this will never happen as the b-pawn is too strong.} Kd4 54. Bg8 Nd6 55. Kf3 Kc5 56. Ra8 { In the remainder, Ding tried everyhting that he could but the win had slipped away.} 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 ({Shuffling the bishop left and right was the easiest draw as White cannot make progress.} 73... Bf6) 74. Bxb1 Nxb1 75. Rxg7 Nc3 76. Re7 Bd4 {This is also a draw as the bishop will always have enough squares on the diagonals as Grischuk explained.} 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 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "11.3"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2784"] [BlackElo "2800"] [PlyCount "79"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "United States"] [BlackTeam "Russia"] [WhiteTeamCountry "USA"] [BlackTeamCountry "RUS"] [WhiteClock "0:51:56"] [BlackClock "0:04:42"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 c5 $5 {Virtually a novelty, as early as move five.} (5... Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+ 8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 b6 10. Nf3 Bb7 {Jobava,B (2702)-Lu,S (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 {Hutt,A (2122) -Moas,H Villa Carlos Paz 2003}) 7. Nf3 ({Caruana didn't like} 7. Be3 e5 8. dxe5 Qa5+ 9. Qd2) (7. Ne2 Nxd4 8. Nxb7 (8. Ne4 $5) 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 ({Since everyone is using computers these days, Kramnik didn't see a reason to keep it a secret that} 11. Nc7 {gives White an advantage.}) 11... Bd7 {Here the players agreed that Black is not worse.} 12. b4 Bxb5 13. cxb5 Bd6 ({ Kramnik didn't like} 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 {is equal.}) 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 $6 {Caruana wasn't happy with this.} (19. Be4 h5 20. h4 Rc7 21. a4 Rhc8 22. Bc6 Be5 $5 {Kramnik}) 19... h5 20. Bc6 Rcd8 (20... Rcg8 21. Rcd1 g5 22. fxg5 Rxg5 23. Rhf1 Rf8 24. Rf4 $5) 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 then he didn't like} 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 $1 {is equal too.}) 27. Be1 f5 28. Bb1 Rd4 (28... g5 $5 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 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "11.4"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2794"] [BlackElo "2763"] [PlyCount "148"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Armenia"] [BlackTeam "Russia"] [WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"] [BlackTeamCountry "RUS"] [WhiteClock "0:29:32"] [BlackClock "0:22:12"] 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,Y (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)-Houska,J (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} 20... Nb6 {as an option.}) 21. b3 Rxd4 22. Qxd4 Rd8 23. Nd6 Bxd6 24. exd6 f6 {"A totally 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 $1 {"I already felt Black can play a bit," said Karjakin.} ( 28... Rxd6 29. Bc5 Rd8 30. Bxf8 Rxf8 31. Rxc4 {is a draw.}) 29. f3 h5 30. Kf2 Kf7 31. Rd1 Nd7 32. Qb1 g6 33. g4 {Karjakin didn't like this as the resulting structure change is favorable for Black.} 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 $2 ({ White didn't need to give up the a-pawn. Karjakin expected} 42. a5 {but didn't consider} Kxd6 {when} 43. Bb4+ Kc7 44. Be7 {is unclear.}) 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 realised it's not easy at all, but I think I didn't spoil anything." (Karjakin)} 51. Qf8 Qe6 52. Qb8 c3 53. Qb7+ Ke8 54. Qb8+ Kf7 55. Qb7+ Ne7 56. Bxc3 Qxe2+ 57. Kh3 Qb5 58. Qc7 Qc6 59. Qe5 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 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "11.2"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2799"] [BlackElo "2809"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "United States"] [BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"] [WhiteTeamCountry "USA"] [BlackTeamCountry "AZE"] [WhiteClock "1:50:10"] [BlackClock "1:33:28"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 c6 8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Nc3 (10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 c5 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Rac1 Qb6 { Vitiugov,N (2722)-Riazantsev,A (2650) St Petersburg 2017}) 10... Nbd7 11. Rd1 Qb6 {Mamedyarov: "I prepared this line for white for my game with Karjakin. "It was time to play it with black!"} 12. Ne5 (12. e4 c5 13. d5 exd5 (13... c4) 14. e5 d4 15. exf6 Nxf6 16. Ne2 Be4) 12... Rfd8 13. Be3 $146 (13. Nxd7 Rxd7 14. a4 a5 15. e4 b4 16. Ne2 c5 17. d5 exd5 18. e5 Ne8 19. Bh3 Rdd8 {Bazeev,G (2285) -Koryakin,E (2369) Peterhof 2009}) (13. Bg5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Ng4 15. Bxe7 Qxf2+ 16. Kh1 c5 17. Rxd8+ Rxd8 18. Ne4 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 Ne3+ 20. Kf2 Nxc2 21. Rc1) 13... Nd5 {"Black is OK."} 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15. Rac1 Rac8 16. Qd3 b4 17. Rxc8 Bxc8 18. Qc2 Nxe5 19. dxe5 d4 20. Bxd4 Rxd4 21. Qxc8+ Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Qxd8 23. Qxd8+ Bxd8 24. b3 Bc7 25. f4 Bb6+ 26. Kf1 Be3 27. h4 h5 28. Bh3 Kf8 29. Kg2 Ke7 30. Kf3 Bd2 31. e3 Be1 {Here Mamedyarov offered a draw. "But spectators might wonder why draw, White is up a pawn." (So)} 32. f5 exf5 33. Bxf5 g6 34. Bd3 Bc3 35. Kf4 Be1 36. Bc4 Bf2 37. Bd5 Be1 38. g4 hxg4 39. Kxg4 Bc3 40. Kf4 Be1 41. Kg4 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "11.3"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A35"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2767"] [Annotator "Sagar,Shah"] [PlyCount "192"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 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 12. Rac1 c4 13. e4 Rd8 14. Be3 Ng4 15. e5 Na5 $6 {A dubious move by Grischuk.} (15... f5 $1 {This is extremely desirable move for Black as it controls the e4 square and in general stops White's attacking chances.} 16. exf6 (16. h3 Nxe3 17. fxe3 O-O $15) 16... Nxd4 $1 17. Bxd4 Bxf3 {The mate on h2!}) 16. Bf4 Qb6 17. Rcd1 h5 18. h3 Nh6 19. Bb1 Nb3 20. Be3 Qc7 21. Rfe1 {Black is in trouble. He has no harmony in his position. His knight is stranded on h6, the other one on b3. He also doesn't know what to do with his king!} Kf8 $6 22. d5 $1 {Ding Liren is in good form!} exd5 23. e6 $5 { Another pawn sacrifice! Objectively may not be the best, but Practically an excellent choice.} (23. Nd4 $1 Qxe5 24. Nxb3 cxb3 25. Qd2 $16) 23... fxe6 24. Ng5 $6 (24. Bd4 $1 $14 {With a complete dark square blockade.}) 24... Qd7 $6 ( 24... Qc8 $5) 25. Bg6 $1 Bf6 26. Bb6 $1 Rc8 (26... Bxg5 27. Bxd8 Bxd8 28. Qxe6 Qxe6 29. Rxe6 Be7 30. Rxd5 $18) 27. Nxe6+ Kg8 28. Nxd5 $1 (28. Nd8 $1 {was also winning.}) 28... Bxd5 29. Nf4 (29. Nd8 {was the easiest.}) 29... Nc1 $5 30. Qxh5 Nd3 31. Nxd5 Nf7 32. Qe2 (32. Nxf6+ gxf6 33. Bxf7+ Qxf7 34. Qg4+ Kh7 35. Qf5+ Kg7 36. Re4 $18 {The attack is just too powerful. White is completely winning.}) 32... Nfe5 33. Be4 Rh4 {Black is slowly fighting back.} 34. f4 Rxf4 35. Nxf4 Nxf4 36. Bh7+ Kh8 (36... Kxh7 37. Qe4+ $18 {The queen is lost on d7.}) 37. Qe4 Qc6 38. Bd4 $6 Nxh3+ (38... Ned3 $11) 39. Kh2 (39. gxh3 Nf3+ 40. Kh1 Nxe1 41. Bxf6 Qxe4+ 42. Bxe4 gxf6 43. Rxe1 c3 44. bxc3 Rxc3 $16 {Black has some drawing chances.}) 39... Ng5 40. Qxc6 Rxc6 41. Bc2 Ngf7 42. Bxe5 (42. Bc3 $18 {With careful play Ding would have most certainly won this.}) 42... Nxe5 { It is still winning for White but Grischuk managed to survive.} 43. Rd5 Re6 44. Kh3 Kg8 45. b3 Kf7 46. bxc4 Nxc4 47. Rd7+ Be7 48. Rxe6 Kxe6 49. Ra7 Nxa3 50. Rxa6+ Kd5 51. Bh7 Nc4 52. Kg4 Bf6 53. Ra7 Kd4 54. Bg8 Nd6 55. Kf3 Kc5 56. Ra8 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 74. Bxb1 Nxb1 75. Rxg7 Nc3 76. Re7 Bd4 77. Rd7 Be5 78. Kh6 Kc2 79. Kg5 Kb3 80. Kf5 Bh8 81. Rb7+ Kc2 82. Rh7 Bd4 83. Ke6 Kb3 84. Rd7 Bh8 85. Rd8 Bg7 86. Kf7 Be5 87. Re8 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 {A heartbreak for Ding Liren.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "11.2"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A13"] [WhiteElo "2794"] [BlackElo "2763"] [Annotator "Sagar,Shah"] [PlyCount "148"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+ c6 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qb3 $5 { I had played this once against Neelotpal Das. The idea is to keep an eye on the b5 pawn and make c5 difficult to achieve.} (7. Qc2 {is a normal move.}) 7... Bb7 8. O-O Be7 9. d4 O-O 10. Rd1 Nbd7 11. Ne5 $5 Nxe5 $5 {Karjakin has no fear!} 12. dxe5 Nd7 13. Bf4 Qc7 14. Nd2 Rfd8 (14... Nxe5 15. Qe3 f6 16. Nb3 $44 {White has excellent compensation.}) 15. Rac1 (15. a4 $5 $14) 15... a6 16. Qe3 c5 {Black has achieved what he wanted - the c5 move. But White still has quite some menacing ideas related to kingside attack because of the pawn on e5.} 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. Ne4 c4 19. h4 (19. Nd6 Bxd6 20. Rxd6 Nf8 21. Rcd1 {White cannot be worse here, but after} Rxd6 22. exd6 {It doesn't seem the pawn on d6 will go anywhere because of the knight blocking on d7. The position is round about even.}) 19... h6 20. Rd4 Nf8 (20... Nb6 {was possible, but Sergey was afraid of some kingside attack.}) 21. b3 $6 (21. Nd6 $11) 21... Rxd4 22. Qxd4 Rd8 ( 22... Qd5 $1 $15 23. Qe3 Rc8 $17) 23. Nd6 Bxd6 24. exd6 f6 25. Be3 e5 26. Qb2 Qc6 (26... Rxd6 27. bxc4 $14) 27. bxc4 bxc4 28. Qb4 {According to Sergey it was better to start with Qc2.} (28. Qc2 $1 Rc8 29. Rd1 {The queen is placed better on c2 than on b4.}) 28... Rc8 29. f3 h5 30. Kf2 Kf7 31. Rd1 Nd7 32. Qb1 g6 33. g4 {Pawns don't come back!} Rh8 $1 {Sergey keeps his structure intact and threatens hxg4 with attack on the h4 pawn.} 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 $6 { The crucial mistake. Why did Aronian just give up his a4 pawn? No one knows. When asked in the press conference, Levon was just too dejected to give a reply.} (42. a5 $1 $11) 42... Qxa4 $17 43. Ra1 Qc6 {The rest may not be trivial, but Karjakin kept his nerve and won the game!} 44. Ra5 Rb5 45. Qa4 Nb6 46. Qa1 Rxa5 47. Qxa5 Qb5 48. d7 Kxd7 49. Qa3 Nd5 50. Bxe5 Qc6 51. Qf8 Qe6 52. Qb8 c3 53. Qb7+ Ke8 54. Qb8+ Kf7 55. Qb7+ Ne7 56. Bxc3 Qxe2+ 57. Kh3 Qb5 58. Qc7 Qc6 59. Qe5 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 [Event "Berlin"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "11"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D31"] [WhiteElo "2784"] [BlackElo "2800"] [Annotator "Prithu Gupta"] [PlyCount "79"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventCountry "GER"] [SourceTitle "playchess.com"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceQuality "1"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 c6 {I guess the whole Chess World must be in shock when Kramnik played c6 instead of the Semi Tarrasch with Nf6-c5.} 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 c5 $5 {This move has no sanction in Correspondence chess and has been played only 4 times (that too by players below 2300 rating) in human games.} ( 5... Bb4+ {is the one of the most heavily analysed lines.}) (5... Nf6) (5... Nd7) 6. Nxc5 (6. Nf3 {was another option and it happens to be the top choice of many engines.} cxd4 7. Qxd4 Bb4+ 8. Bd2 Qxd4 9. Nxd4 Bxd2+ 10. Kxd2 Ke7 11. Bd3 Bd7 $11 {might be good enough for equality.Black has a very solid position. }) (6. dxc5 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Nf6 8. Nd6+ Bxd6 9. cxd6 Ne4 10. Ke1 Nxd6 11. b3 { White should have a small edge.}) 6... Nc6 $146 (6... Bxc5 {is what was played before} 7. dxc5 Qxd1+ 8. Kxd1 Nf6 9. Be2 Bd7 10. b4 O-O 11. Be3 Rd8 12. Ke1 e5 13. Rd1 Nc6 14. a3 Bg4 15. f3 Be6 16. Rd6 Ne8 17. Rd2 Rxd2 18. Kxd2 Rd8+ 19. Kc3 Nc7 20. Bd3 f5 21. Ne2 e4 22. fxe4 Ne5 23. Nd4 Nxd3 24. Kxd3 fxe4+ 25. Kc3 Bf7 26. Rd1 Ne6 27. Rd2 Nc7 28. Nb5 Rxd2 29. Bxd2 Nxb5+ 30. cxb5 Be8 31. a4 Kf7 32. Kd4 a6 33. c6 b6 34. c7 Bd7 35. bxa6 {1-0 (35) Hutt,A (2122)-Moas,H Villa Carlos Paz 2003}) 7. Nf3 (7. Nb3 a5 $1 {is the only move that keeps black alive.} 8. Nf3 (8. a4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Nxd4 10. Bxb4 Nxb3 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. Rd1+ Ke8 13. Ba3 Bd7 $11) (8. Ne2 a4 9. Nd2 Nf6 10. g3 e5 11. Bg2 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 Qxd4 13. O-O Bc5 14. Qe2 O-O 15. Nf3 Qg4 $132) 8... a4 9. Nbd2 Nxd4 10. Bd3 Nxf3+ 11. Nxf3 Bb4+ 12. Bd2 Qxd3 13. Bxb4 Qe4+ 14. Qe2 Qxe2+ 15. Kxe2 $14 {white has a slightly better position becuse of black's lack of developement and white's bishop being much more active than black's.}) (7. Ne2 Nxd4 8. Ne4 $5 Nxe2 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. Bxe2 Bb4+ 11. Nc3 Bd7 12. Be3 Ke7 13. Bd4 Nf6 14. a3 Bd6 15. b4 Bc6 16. O-O b6 $14 {/=.But black is very solid again.}) (7. Be3 e5 $5 8. dxe5 Qa5+ 9. Qd2 Nb4 $13) 7... Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Qxd4 9. Nxd4 Bxc5 10. Nb5 Ke7 11. Bd2 { From this point onwards both sides played flawlessly.} (11. Nc7 Bb4+ 12. Ke2 Rb8 13. Bf4 Bd6 14. Bxd6+ Kxd6 15. Nb5+ Ke7 16. Nxa7 Bd7 $44) 11... Bd7 12. b4 Bxb5 13. cxb5 Bd6 14. g3 Rc8 15. Bg2 b6 16. Ke2 Nh6 17. Rac1 Nf5 18. Bc3 f6 19. f4 h5 20. Bc6 Rcd8 21. a4 h4 22. Kf3 hxg3 23. hxg3 Rxh1 24. Rxh1 Bb8 25. Be4 Kf7 26. Rc1 Ne7 27. Be1 f5 28. Bb1 Rd4 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 [Event "Berlin"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "11"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2784"] [BlackElo "2800"] [Annotator "KGBesenthal"] [PlyCount "79"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 {[#]} c5 {An interesting manifestation of Kramnik's creativity! This has never been played at this level, and Kramnik described it as "a bad move", but it turns out to be quite playable!} (5... Bb4+ $11 {would be a normal move here.}) 6. Nxc5 Nc6 {The next original follow up.} 7. Nf3 {Here Caruana invested a good chunk of time, and opted for one of the safer variantions.} (7. Nb3 {was just one of several alternatives.}) 7... Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Qxd4 9. Nxd4 Bxc5 10. Nb5 Ke7 {[#] Kramnik was well aware of this position from his home preparation.} 11. Bd2 (11. Nc7 { was possible, e.g.} Rb8 12. Bf4 Bb4+ 13. Ke2 Bd6 14. Bxd6+ Kxd6 15. Nb5+ Kc5 16. Rd1 Nf6 17. Nd6 Rf8 $11) 11... Bd7 12. b4 Bxb5 13. cxb5 Bd6 14. g3 Rc8 15. Bg2 b6 16. Ke2 Nh6 17. Rac1 Nf5 18. Bc3 f6 19. f4 h5 20. Bc6 Rcd8 21. a4 h4 { [#] Kramnik tries to get something out of his majority on the kingside, but it doesn't amount to much. In the end, his small structural advantage is balanced by Caruana's bishop pair.} 22. Kf3 hxg3 23. hxg3 Rxh1 24. Rxh1 Bb8 25. Be4 Kf7 26. Rc1 Ne7 27. Be1 f5 28. Bb1 Rd4 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 {Undoubtedly one of the most accurately played games in Berlin.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "11"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2799"] [BlackElo "2809"] [Annotator "KGBesenthal"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 {[#]} c6 ( {Here} 7... a6 {is the most common by far. There follows} 8. Qxc4 ({or} 8. a4 { and a balanced position.})) 8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Nc3 Nbd7 11. Rd1 Qb6 12. Ne5 Rfd8 13. Be3 Nd5 14. Nxd5 cxd5 {[#] Now, after some detours we have a familiar structure from the Slav exchange variation. Since the white g2-bishop is not quite in the game black probably doesn't need to worry much.} 15. Rac1 Rac8 16. Qd3 b4 17. Rxc8 Bxc8 18. Qc2 {[#]} Nxe5 {The start of exchanges, which result in a pawn down for Black, however, due to the opposite-coloured bishops, a drawn ending results.} (18... Bb7 {would be a completely risk-free way to end the game.}) 19. dxe5 d4 20. Bxd4 Rxd4 21. Qxc8+ Rd8 (21... Bf8 $11 { was probably the most precise.}) 22. Rxd8+ Qxd8 23. Qxd8+ Bxd8 24. b3 Bc7 25. f4 Bb6+ 26. Kf1 Be3 27. h4 h5 28. Bh3 Kf8 29. Kg2 Ke7 30. Kf3 Bd2 31. e3 Be1 { [#] There are still some moves, but White is no longer making progress.} 32. f5 exf5 33. Bxf5 g6 34. Bd3 Bc3 35. Kf4 Be1 36. Bc4 Bf2 37. Bd5 Be1 38. g4 hxg4 39. Kxg4 Bc3 40. Kf4 Be1 41. Kg4 1/2-1/2 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "11"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2794"] [BlackElo "2763"] [Annotator "KGBesenthal"] [PlyCount "148"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+ c6 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qb3 Bb7 8. O-O Be7 9. d4 O-O 10. Rd1 Nbd7 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 13. Bf4 Qc7 14. Nd2 { [#] Not an easy position to handle.} Rfd8 (14... Nxe5 15. Qe3 f6 16. Nb3 Rad8 17. Nd4 {with compensation for the pawn.}) 15. Rac1 a6 16. Qe3 c5 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. Ne4 c4 19. h4 h6 20. Rd4 Nf8 21. b3 Rxd4 22. Qxd4 Rd8 23. Nd6 Bxd6 24. exd6 f6 25. Be3 e5 26. Qb2 Qc6 27. bxc4 bxc4 28. Qb4 Rc8 29. f3 h5 30. Kf2 Kf7 31. Rd1 Nd7 32. Qb1 g6 33. g4 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 {[#] The players have been holding a delicate balance, but now Aronian makes a mistake.} 42. Bc3 (42. a5 $1 Kxd6 43. Bb4+ Kc7 44. Rd6 Qb5 45. Qd2 Rxb4 46. Rxd7+ Qxd7 47. Qxb4 {and due to Black's weak king position he cannot capitalise on the extra pawn.}) 42... Qxa4 43. Ra1 Qc6 44. Ra5 Rb5 45. Qa4 Nb6 46. Qa1 {[#] Now we reach and ending in which Black is up two pawns.} Rxa5 47. Qxa5 Qb5 48. d7 Kxd7 49. Qa3 Nd5 $1 { A powerful knight, combined with the queen, decides the game in Karjakin's favour.} 50. Bxe5 Qc6 51. Qf8 Qe6 52. Qb8 c3 53. Qb7+ Ke8 54. Qb8+ Kf7 55. Qb7+ Ne7 56. Bxc3 Qxe2+ 57. Kh3 Qb5 58. Qc7 Qc6 59. Qe5 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 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "11"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2767"] [Annotator "KGBesenthal"] [PlyCount "192"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 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 12. Rac1 c4 13. e4 Rd8 14. Be3 Ng4 15. e5 Na5 16. Bf4 {[#] We reach a dynamic position - no early draws here - and indeed both players needed a win. At the moment, White has a small edge with his strong center. It's not much, but it is something to work with in a practical game.} Qb6 17. Rcd1 h5 18. h3 Nh6 19. Bb1 Nb3 20. Be3 Qc7 21. Rfe1 { [#] White has brought his heavy pieces to the center, where the enemy king remains.} Kf8 22. d5 $1 {The Chinese stages a breakthrough in the center.} exd5 23. e6 (23. Bc2 $1 {is the move the computers favour. In fact, it seems it is appropriate, to first bring all the pieces to their best squares, e.g. the knights on d4 and f4. The ideal set up would be to exchange the crippling b3-knight for one of white's bishops. Black would not be able to do much to stop the e5-e6 push.}) 23... fxe6 24. Ng5 {[#] Now the game is actually equal, but as always in such situations it's harder to defend than attack. Black immediately makes a mistake.} Qd7 {This move has at least two serious disadvantages: The moves Nc3-e4 and Bb6 (in addition to Nxe6) are now possible. But there are so many variations that require concrete calculation.} (24... Qc6 $1 $11) 25. Bg6 $1 {This prepares a motif that is barely recognizable: a back rank mate!} Bf6 26. Bb6 $1 Rc8 27. Nxe6+ Kg8 28. Nxd5 Bxd5 {[#]} 29. Nf4 { Ding's move is good enough, but there was a better one...} (29. Nd8 $1 { Threatening Qe8 mate. If now} Rxd8 {then} 30. Rxd5 $1) 29... Nc1 {Everything played in extreme time trouble - and players still have to reach move 40!} 30. Qxh5 (30. Qe3 $1) 30... Nd3 31. Nxd5 Nf7 32. Qe2 (32. Nxf6+ $1 gxf6 33. Bxf7+ Qxf7 34. Qg4+ Kh7 35. Qf5+ Kg7 36. Re4) 32... Nfe5 33. Be4 Rh4 34. f4 Rxf4 35. Nxf4 Nxf4 36. Bh7+ Kh8 37. Qe4 Qc6 38. Bd4 Nxh3+ 39. Kh2 Ng5 40. Qxc6 Rxc6 41. Bc2 {[#] The time-control is reached. Ding is still much better, but Grischuk has fought his way back into the game. Ding must have been fairly demoralised, knowing that he surely missed a dozen wins.} Ngf7 42. Bxe5 Nxe5 43. Rd5 Re6 44. Kh3 Kg8 45. b3 {This move finally brings Black fully back to life.} Kf7 46. bxc4 Nxc4 47. Rd7+ Be7 48. Rxe6 Kxe6 49. Ra7 Nxa3 50. Rxa6+ Kd5 51. Bh7 Nc4 52. Kg4 Bf6 53. Ra7 Kd4 54. Bg8 Nd6 55. Kf3 Kc5 56. Ra8 b4 57. Ke2 Bc3 {[#] There have been many fascinating moments in this Candidates Tournament - this one belongs among them: Black has built a kind of "fortress" in the middle of the board.} 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 {[#] And so slowly, it is White who must now be on guard.} 68. Ba2 Kc2 69. Rb8 Ne4 70. Rb4 Nc3 71. Be6 ({Not} 71. Rxd4 $4 Nxa2) 71... Kc1 72. Bf5 Be5 73. Rb7 b1=Q 74. Bxb1 Nxb1 75. Rxg7 { [#] Black needs to keep his the bishop to stop the pawn - grapping White's rook would lose! The ending of rook against knight, which could result is fairly common and drawn. The knight then has to stay close to the king and the defender has to avoid getting stuck in a corner. Rudimentary for any super GM.} Nc3 ({and still not} 75... Bxg7 $4 76. Kxg7) 76. Re7 Bd4 77. Rd7 Be5 78. Kh6 Kc2 79. Kg5 Kb3 80. Kf5 Bh8 81. Rb7+ Kc2 82. Rh7 Bd4 83. Ke6 Kb3 84. Rd7 Bh8 85. Rd8 Bg7 86. Kf7 Be5 87. Re8 Bd4 88. Rb8+ Kc2 89. Rb7 Be5 90. Rb6 Bd4 91. Rf6 {[#] Grischuk knows the endgame knight vs. pawn is coming.} Bxf6 92. Kxf6 Nd5+ {The rule is this endgame is safely draw when the knight gets in front of the pawn.} 93. Kf7 {In this case, every other move immediately leads to a draw. } Ne3 $1 {Only thus!} 94. Kf6 Nd5+ 95. Kf7 Ne3 96. g7 Nf5 $1 {One should remember this point!} 1/2-1/2 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.24"] [Round "12"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2763"] [BlackElo "2784"] [Annotator "AlexYermo"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 {Karjakin has had a lot of success in this line, which he has always played against the Petroff since the early days of his career. Among others, Sergey defeated Kramnik and Gelfand. Interestingly enough, three of his losses came at the hands of another participant of this tournament, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov!} Nc6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Qd2 Be6 9. O-O-O Qd7 10. a3 $5 {Not a very popular move, but Karjakin had a plan.} ({Since Fabiano does not employ the Petroff that often, he has faced this position only once. Vachier-Lagrave (London Classic 2016) played} 10. b3 O-O-O 11. Nd4 {and here Fabiano replied with} a6 $5 12. Nxe6 fxe6 {giving White the Bishop pair. Eventually, the game was drawn, as MVL had to worry about his king safety.}) ({White shouldn't hurry with} 10. Nd4 { as Black can change his plans regarding his king's placement:} Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Qa4 12. a3 O-O) 10... h6 (10... O-O-O 11. Nd4 Nxd4 $2 12. Bxd4 {double attacks a7 and g7.}) 11. Nd4 Nxd4 ({Now} 11... O-O-O 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. g3 d5 {doesn't look so attractive to Black who doesn't have any play against the white king on the dark squares.}) 12. Bxd4 Rg8 13. Be2 c5 {Practically forced.} ({Else} 13... b6 14. c4 O-O-O 15. Rhe1 {offers White some edge due to the drafty residence of the black king.}) 14. Be3 d5 15. f4 O-O-O 16. Bf3 Bg4 {[#] Fabiano is looking to relieve pressure by trading bishops.} ({Black had} 16... f5 {but that would mean accepting a slightly worse position for many moves to come.}) 17. Bxd5 $3 {Excellent decision from Sergey, who really knows how to handle decisive games. The value of this move lies in creating an extremely unpleasant situation for Fabiano. Objectively Black may not be much worse, but he finds it hard to develop any play.} ({Of course, not} 17. Qxd5 $2 Qxd5 18. Rxd5 Bxf3 19. Rxd8+ Rxd8 20. gxf3 Rd5) 17... Bxd1 18. Rxd1 Qc7 19. c4 Rge8 20. Qf2 b6 ({Perhaps} 20... f5 {was the better choice.}) 21. g4 $1 (21. Bxf7 $2 { falls into a trap:} Rxd1+ 22. Kxd1 Bh4) 21... Bf6 (21... Bd6 {can be answered by} 22. Kb1 {since now} Rxe3 23. Qxe3 Bxf4 24. Qd3 $1 Kb8 (24... Bxh2 $4 25. Bb7+) 25. h3 {offers White long-term attacking chances. With opposite-colored bishops safety of the kings is paramount.}) 22. Kb1 Rd7 23. Rd3 {Imagine yourself in Caruana's place. He has no active play and he has to wait and see while Karjakin improves his position. Eventually White can strike with b2-b4 or advance his h-pawn.} g5 $6 {I can understand why Fabiano played this move, but it's just not good enough.} 24. Ka2 Ree7 25. Qf3 Kd8 26. Bd2 Kc8 27. Qf1 $1 Rd6 {Now White wins the second pawn, and, more importantly, gets a passer on the h-file.} ({On} 27... Kd8 28. Rh3 {breaks down Black's defenses.}) 28. fxg5 Bxg5 29. Bxg5 hxg5 30. Qf5+ Rdd7 31. Qxg5 Qe5 32. Qh6 Kd8 ({The endgame after} 32... f6 33. h4 Kc7 34. g5 Rh7 35. Qg6 Rdg7 36. Qxf6 Qxf6 37. gxf6 Rd7 38. f7 Rd8 39. Rf3 Rf8 40. Rf4 {is near hopeless for Black, as his rooks are doomed to passivity.}) 33. g5 $1 {In mild time trouble (actually, Caruana had less time) Karjakin remains precise.} Qd6 34. Qh8+ Re8 35. Qh4 Qg6 36. Qg4 Re5 37. h4 Ke7 38. Rd2 {Not a bad move,} ({while both} 38. Qg3 Qf5 39. Rf3) ({and the immediate} 38. Bxf7 Qf5 (38... Qf5) 39. Rxd7+ Kxd7 40. Qd1+ {were also winning. }) 38... b5 {[#] Now Sergey finds a techical solution, which wins slowly but surely.} 39. Bxf7 $5 Qf5 40. Rxd7+ Kxd7 41. Qxf5+ Rxf5 42. g6 Ke7 43. cxb5 Rh5 44. c4 Rxh4 45. a4 Rg4 46. a5 Kd6 47. a6 Kc7 48. Kb3 {The white king simply marches on to the K-side, while Black's defenses are hopelessly stretched.} 1-0 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.24"] [Round "12"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2809"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "AlexYermo"] [PlyCount "86"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. Bc4 Nd7 12. O-O b6 13. Rad1 Bb7 14. Rfe1 Rc8 15. Bb3 Re8 16. h3 Nf6 17. Qf4 Nh5 {This move was seen earlier in the tournament in So-Kramnik, played in Round 5.} 18. Qh2 h6 19. Ne5 ({Wesley was unable to get anything going after} 19. d5 exd5 20. exd5 Rxe1+ 21. Nxe1 Qf6 22. Nd3 Ba6 $1) 19... Nf6 20. Qf4 b5 {[#]} 21. Re3 ({White had an interesting possibility in} 21. Nxf7 Kxf7 22. e5 {hoping for} Qc7 $2 ({I'm sure both players saw} 22... a5 23. exf6 Qxf6 24. Qd6 Rc6 25. Qa3 a4 26. d5 Ra6 27. dxe6+ Kg8 28. Bc2 Raxe6 $11) 23. Rc1 Qb8 24. Rxc8 {where Black has no good recapture: } Bxc8 (24... Rxc8 25. Bxe6+ Kxe6 26. exf6+ Kf7 27. Re7+ Kf8 28. Qe3 $18) 25. Qf5 $3 Kf8 26. exf6 exf5 27. Rxe8+ Kxe8 28. fxg7 $18) ({Another plan was the standard} 21. d5 $5 exd5 22. exd5 Qd6 23. Qd4 a5 24. a4 b4 25. Re3) 21... Rc7 22. Nd3 {Shakh appears to be a bit indecisive.} (22. d5 exd5 23. exd5 Qd6 24. Qg3 Rd8 25. Ng4 Qxg3 26. Nxf6+ gxf6 27. Rxg3+ Kf8 28. d6 Rc6 29. Rgd3 a5 $14) 22... Rc3 $1 {A rook trade will come as big relief for Black's position.} 23. Nc5 Rxe3 24. Qxe3 Bc6 25. Rc1 Qb6 26. f3 Rd8 27. Kf2 a5 28. g4 ({The last chance to change the course of the game was represented by} 28. Nxe6 $5 fxe6 29. Bxe6+ Kf8 30. d5 Qxe3+ 31. Kxe3 Bd7 ({A rather unclear situation arises after} 31... Bxd5 32. Rd1 Bxe6 33. Rxd8+ Ke7 34. Ra8 a4 35. a3 g5) 32. Bxd7 Nxd7 33. Rc7 Ke8 34. Kd4 b4 35. Ra7 {Honestly, White doesn't have much in either line, but this is more like Mamedyarov's chess than the sit-and-wait policy he adopted in the game continuation.}) 28... a4 29. Bc2 Nd7 30. Bd3 (30. Nd3 Nf6 31. Bb1) 30... Nxc5 31. Rxc5 b4 $15 {[#] I guess around these parts Shakh came to realize his position was gradually getting worse.} 32. Bc4 $2 { This active attempt only puts White on the brink of disaster.} ({Instead, he could have held on with} 32. h4 b3 33. axb3 axb3 34. Bb1 Be8 35. Qc3 b2 36. e5 Rb8 37. h5 {It's not clear how Black makes progress from this point on.}) 32... Bd7 33. g5 (33. e5 b3 34. axb3 a3 35. Qd2 Ra8 36. b4) 33... hxg5 34. Qxg5 Be8 35. Qe7 $2 {This loses.} (35. Qe3 $142) 35... b3 $1 {Ding has let his chances slip away in some games, but this time he stays focused and brings home his first victory.} 36. axb3 a3 37. b4 (37. Qc7 Qxc7 38. Rxc7 Ra8 $19) 37... Ra8 38. d5 (38. Ba2 Qxb4) 38... a2 {[#]} 39. dxe6 {There will be no miracles as White's Rc5 remains pinned and is unable to join the attack.} ({However, there was no salvation in} 39. Bxa2 Rxa2+ 40. Kg3 Qxb4 41. Qxe8+ Kh7 42. Qxf7 (42. Rc8 Qd2 $1) 42... Qxc5 43. Qh5+ Kg8 44. Qe8+ Qf8 45. Qxe6+ Kh7 $19) 39... a1=Q 40. exf7+ Bxf7 41. Bxf7+ Kh7 42. Qh4+ Qh6 43. Rh5 Qa7+ 0-1 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.24"] [Round "12"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2794"] [Annotator "AlexYermo"] [PlyCount "108"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3 d6 9. Bd2 Kh8 10. h3 Nd7 11. Nc3 Na5 12. Nd5 Nxb3 13. axb3 Bb7 14. c4 f5 15. Ba5 Rc8 16. Rc1 bxc4 17. bxc4 fxe4 18. dxe4 Nc5 19. Bc3 Qe8 20. b4 Ne6 21. Bd2 c6 $6 22. Nxe7 Qxe7 {[#] The only moment in this otherwise uneventful game that is worth mentioning.} 23. Be3 ({White had to try} 23. c5 $5 {Likely Grischuk wasn't sure how to answer} Rcd8 {He had two good options:} 24. Re3 ({ or} 24. cxd6 Rxd6 25. Rc3 $1 Qd8 26. Qb3) 24... dxc5 25. bxc5 Nxc5 26. Qe2 Ne6 27. Ba5 Rc8 28. Bc3 {winning the e5-pawn.}) 23... c5 24. bxc5 Nxc5 25. Bxc5 Rxc5 26. Nd2 Bc8 27. Nf1 Be6 {Now White's advantage is purely academic.} 28. Ne3 Rc6 29. Qa4 Rfc8 30. Rb1 h6 31. Rb8 Rxc4 32. Rxc8+ Rxc8 33. Qxa6 Qc7 34. Rd1 Rd8 35. Qd3 Qc5 36. Kh2 Qc7 37. Kg1 Qc5 38. Rd2 Qc7 39. Qa3 Qe7 40. Rd1 Kh7 41. Qb4 Qc7 42. Rd3 Kg8 43. Qd2 Qe7 44. Kh2 Qf8 45. Kg1 Qe7 46. Qd1 Kh7 47. Rd2 Qf8 48. Rd3 Qe7 49. Rd2 Qf8 50. Nf1 Rd7 51. Ng3 Qb8 52. Kh2 Qf8 53. Kg1 Qb8 54. Kh2 Qf8 1/2-1/2 [Event "World Chess Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin"] [Date "2018.03.24"] [Round "12"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2799"] [Annotator "AlexYermo"] [PlyCount "84"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. e3 Bf5 7. g4 Be6 8. Qb3 $146 (8. h4 Bxh4 $5 {For a long time theory disapproved of this move} 9. Qb3 g5 10. Be5 f6 11. Bh2 Bxg4 12. Qxb7 Qe7 13. Qxe7+ Nxe7 14. Be2 Bxe2 15. Kxe2 Nd7 16. Nf3 {0-1 (47) Giri,A (2785)-So,W (2815) chess.com INT 2017}) 8... Qb6 9. f3 g5 10. Be5 f6 11. Bg3 Qxb3 12. axb3 h5 13. gxh5 Rxh5 14. Bd3 Kf7 15. h4 f5 16. Nh3 f4 17. exf4 Bxh3 {[#] This runs into an incredible response.} (17... gxh4 $14 18. Ng5+ Rxg5 19. fxg5 hxg3) 18. fxg5 $1 {Kramnik continues to entertain, bad tournament situation or not.} Bd7 ({Not} 18... Bg2 $2 19. Rh2 $18) 19. Kf2 Na6 20. Bxa6 bxa6 21. Ne2 Bd8 22. Be5 Ne7 23. Nf4 ({Worse is} 23. Rxa6 Ng6 $17) 23... Rh7 24. h5 Kg8 25. Rag1 Nf5 26. h6 Be8 27. g6 Rxh6 28. Rxh6 Nxh6 29. Rh1 Bg5 30. Ne6 Bxg6 31. Nxg5 Nf7 {[#]} 32. Ne6 $2 ({Computers think White should play} 32. f4 $16) ({while I see value in} 32. Nxf7 Kxf7 33. Ke3 Bf5 34. Ra1 { and White can play this forever.}) 32... Nxe5 33. dxe5 Re8 34. Nf4 Bc2 $1 35. Rg1+ Kf7 36. e6+ Kf6 37. Nh5+ Ke5 38. f4+ Kd6 39. Ng7 Rf8 40. Ke3 {[#]} d4+ $1 41. Kf3 Ke7 42. b4 Kf6 $11 1/2-1/2 [Event "FIDE Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.24"] [Round "12"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2763"] [BlackElo "2784"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Nc6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Qd2 Be6 9. O-O-O Qd7 ({In another top game Black decided to castle short recently:} 9... a6 10. b3 h6 11. Be2 Qd7 12. Kb1 Bf6 13. Nd4 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Bxd4 15. Qxd4 O-O 16. c4 Rfe8 17. Bf3 {but Black could not equalize in full, Anand, V (2776)-Mamedyarov,S (2809) Moscow 2018}) 10. a3 h6 {A surprise for the first player.} ({Karjakin expected} 10... a6) 11. Nd4 $146 {Technically speaking, a novelty, although this is the most common move in the line.} ({Notably, the predecessor is a game of Caruana's coach:} 11. Kb1 Rg8 12. Bd3 O-O-O 13. Qe2 Bf6 14. Bb5 Kb8 15. Rhe1 g5 16. Nd2 {with advantage for White in Kasimdzhanov, R (2698)-Li,D (2488) Chengdu 2017}) 11... Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Rg8 ({With the pawn on h6 it is not advisable to castle short at all.} 12... O-O {White will quickly start pushing the g-pawn and the hook on h6 will give him a chance to quickly open files against the opponent's king. [Karjakin's second Alexander Riazantsev thought this might still have been better than the next move. - PD]} ) 13. Be2 ({White did not like} 13. c4 c5 14. Bc3 O-O-O {followed by d6-d5 with equality.}) 13... c5 {"I am not sure if this is best in this position." (Karjakin)} ({"Maybe I can just play"} 13... a6 {(Caruana)}) ({Or} 13... Qa4 $5 {(Karjakin)}) 14. Be3 d5 15. f4 O-O-O 16. Bf3 Bg4 {The most obvious and logical move, but it has a flaw.} ({Instead Caruana suggested} 16... f5 17. Qf2 Qc7 18. Rd3 Rd7 19. Rhd1 Rgd8 20. h3 {which both players considered slightly better for White.}) 17. Bxd5 $1 {"I think this is very interesting at least from a practical point of view." (Karjakin) "Yeah, I should not have allowed this. It becomes very difficult to play." (Caruana)} ({It is also practically forced as if White allows the trade of the bishops with} 17. Qe2 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 {Black will easily level the chances after say} Qc6) 17... Bxd1 18. Rxd1 Qc7 19. c4 {For the exchange White has a pawn and the bishop pair. Especially valuable is his light-squared bishop. It blocks the black rooks' way out while at he same time exerts strong pressure on the opponent's position. Furthermore, White has the obvious plan of advancing his kingside pawns and improving on that part of the board.} Rge8 20. Qf2 b6 21. g4 Bf6 22. Kb1 {A useful, prophylactic move which avoids any problems along the c1-h6 diagonal.} Rd7 23. Rd3 {Not only defending the bishop in advance but also preparing further improvement of the rook itself. It can be both useful for the kingside assault or queenside attack after Rd3-b3 and a3-a4-a5.} g5 24. Ka2 $1 {Just in case, avoiding the back-rank checks. Karjakin makes the most unpleasant moves for his opponent, slowly but steadily improving everything. At the same time, Caruana can clearly see he has nothing to do against this slow play.} Ree7 ( 24... Rde7 {drops a pawn after} 25. fxg5 Bxg5 26. Bxg5 hxg5 27. Qf5+ Kb8 28. Qxg5 {since} Qxh2 {fails tactically after} 29. Bxf7 $1 Rxf7 30. Rd8+ Rxd8 31. Qxd8+ Kb7 32. Qd5+) 25. Qf3 Kd8 26. Bd2 Kc8 27. Qf1 $1 {With the threat Rd3-h3. "I was very proud of this idea." (Karjakin)} Rd6 {Caruana decided to sacrifice a second pawn in order to get some air for his pieces.} 28. fxg5 Bxg5 29. Bxg5 hxg5 30. Qf5+ Rdd7 (30... Qd7 31. Qxg5) 31. Qxg5 Qe5 ({Once more} 31... Qxh2 { fails tactically after} 32. Qg8+ Kc7 (32... Rd8 33. Be6+ $1) 33. Qa8 $1 { for example} Qxc2 34. Qxa7+ Kc8 35. Qa8+ Kc7 36. Qc6+ Kb8 37. Rh3 {and mate follows.}) 32. Qh6 Kd8 ({On} 32... f6 {White intended to mount pressure with the simple} 33. h4 {when "it is probably just lost." (Caruana)}) ({There is a constant problem with the black king:} 32... Kc7 33. Qc6+ Kd8 34. Qa8+) 33. g5 Qd6 34. Qh8+ Re8 35. Qh4 ({Avoiding} 35. Qh3 Qf4 $1 {But} ({Rather than} 35... Qg6 $2 36. Qxd7+ $1 Kxd7 37. Bxf7+ Qd6 38. Bxe8+) 36. Rf3 {(Caruana) should be winning as well.} (36. Bc6 Qxc4+ {(Karjakin)})) 35... Qg6 36. Qg4 {White can combine the advance of the kingside pawns with threats against the opponent's king. Caruana's rooks had a terrible destiny today; it was basically outperformed by the gorgeous bishop on d5.} Re5 37. h4 Ke7 38. Rd2 (38. Qg3 Re2 39. Qb8 {would had won as well.}) 38... b5 {The last try in timetrouble, but Karjakin calculated everything till the end.} 39. Bxf7 $1 Qf5 40. Rxd7+ Kxd7 ({ After} 40... Qxd7 {White has a choice between} 41. Qxd7+ ({And} 41. Qg3)) 41. Qxf5+ Rxf5 42. g6 Ke7 43. cxb5 Rh5 44. c4 Rxh4 45. a4 Rg4 46. a5 Kd6 47. a6 { With the threat b5-b6.} Kc7 48. Kb3 {Black resigned as the white king's march towards his g-pawn cannot be stopped.} 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.24"] [Round "12"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D41"] [WhiteElo "2809"] [BlackElo "2769"] [PlyCount "86"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. Bc4 Nd7 12. O-O b6 13. Rad1 Bb7 14. Rfe1 Rc8 15. Bb3 Re8 16. h3 (16. Re3 Nf6 17. Qd3 b5 18. d5 exd5 19. e5 Ne4 20. Qxb5 Qb6 21. Qxb6 axb6 {So,W (2788)-Dominguez Perez,L (2739) Saint Louis 2017}) 16... Nf6 17. Qf4 Nh5 $146 (17... Qc7 18. Qh4 h6 19. Re3 b5 20. Ne5 a5 21. a4 bxa4 22. Bxa4 Red8 {Epishin,V (2574)-Del Rio de Angelis,S (2489) Calvia 2005}) 18. Qh2 h6 19. Ne5 (19. d5 exd5 20. exd5 Rxe1+ 21. Nxe1 Qf6 22. Nd3 Ba6 23. Qe5 Bxd3 24. Qxh5 Bc2 {So,W (2799)-Kramnik,V (2800) Berlin GER 2018}) 19... Nf6 20. Qf4 b5 21. Re3 (21. Nxf7 Kxf7 22. e5 a5 23. exf6 Qxf6 {is just equal.}) 21... Rc7 22. Nd3 Rc3 23. Nc5 Rxe3 24. Qxe3 {After this trade Ding felt quite comfortable.} (24. fxe3 Bc6 25. d5 e5 {Ding}) 24... Bc6 25. Rc1 Qb6 26. f3 Rd8 27. Kf2 a5 28. g4 a4 29. Bc2 (29. Bd1 $5 Qb8 30. Kg2 Qd6 {Mamedyarov} 31. Be2 $1 Qxd4 32. Qxd4 Rxd4 33. Nxe6) 29... Nd7 {Here Ding thought Black is already better.} 30. Bd3 Nxc5 31. Rxc5 b4 32. Bc4 Bd7 33. g5 hxg5 34. Qxg5 Be8 35. Qe7 b3 $1 36. axb3 a3 $1 {Missed by Mamedyarov.} 37. b4 Ra8 38. d5 {Ding had missed this, and said he was lucky he had 43...Qa7+.} a2 39. dxe6 a1=Q 40. exf7+ Bxf7 41. Bxf7+ Kh7 42. Qh4+ Qh6 43. Rh5 Qa7+ $1 (43... Qd4+ $2 44. Kg2 { is a draw in fact.}) 0-1 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.24"] [Round "12"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2799"] [PlyCount "84"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. e3 Bf5 7. g4 Be6 8. Qb3 $146 (8. h4 Bxh4 9. Qb3 g5 10. Be5 f6 11. Bh2 Bxg4 12. Qxb7 Qe7 13. Qxe7+ Nxe7 14. Be2 Bxe2 15. Kxe2 Nd7 {Giri,A (2785)-So,W (2815) chess.com INT 2017}) 8... Qb6 9. f3 g5 (9... Qxb3 10. axb3 Nd7 11. h4 {"and White has free play for nothing." (Kramnik)} f5 12. g5) 10. Be5 f6 11. Bg3 Qxb3 12. axb3 h5 13. gxh5 Rxh5 (13... Nh6 14. Bd3 Nf5) 14. Bd3 Kf7 $6 (14... f5 15. h4 Nd7 {Kramnik}) 15. h4 f5 16. Nh3 f4 (16... gxh4 17. Nf4 Rh6 18. Bf2) 17. exf4 Bxh3 (17... gxh4 18. Ng5+ Bxg5 19. fxg5) 18. fxg5 Bd7 19. Kf2 Na6 20. Bxa6 (20. Rae1 Nb4 21. Bb1) 20... bxa6 21. Ne2 Bd8 22. Be5 (22. Nf4 Rh8 23. Nd3) 22... Ne7 23. Nf4 Rh7 24. h5 Kg8 25. Rag1 (25. g6 Rh6 26. Rxa6 Bc8) 25... Nf5 26. h6 Be8 27. g6 Rxh6 28. Rxh6 Nxh6 29. Rh1 Bg5 30. Ne6 Bxg6 31. Nxg5 Nf7 32. Ne6 (32. Nxf7 Kxf7 33. Ke3) 32... Nxe5 33. dxe5 Re8 34. Nf4 {Kramnik thought this was practically winning.. .} Bc2 $1 {...but had completely missed this move.} 35. Rg1+ (35. Rh5 Bxb3 36. Nd3 d4) 35... Kf7 36. e6+ Kf6 37. Nh5+ Ke5 38. f4+ Kd6 39. Ng7 Rf8 40. Ke3 d4+ 41. Kf3 Ke7 42. b4 Kf6 (42... Kf6 {A possible line is} 43. Ke2 Rh8 44. f5 Rh2+ 45. Kf3 Rh6 46. Ne8+ Ke7 47. Nc7 Kf6 48. Ne8+) 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.24"] [Round "12"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C88"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2794"] [PlyCount "108"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3 d6 9. Bd2 (9. c3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. h3 Re8 12. d4 Nd7 13. d5 Bf8 {Alekseev,E (2616)-Kovalev,V (2639) Tallinn 2018}) 9... Kh8 $146 (9... Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Nd4 12. Qd1 a5 13. c3 Nxb3 14. axb3 Nd7 {Calzetta Ruiz,M (2317)-Atalik,E (2393) Turin 2006}) 10. h3 Nd7 11. Nc3 Na5 12. Nd5 Nxb3 13. axb3 Bb7 14. c4 f5 15. Ba5 Rc8 16. Rc1 bxc4 17. bxc4 fxe4 18. dxe4 Nc5 {Aronian thought this should be "sufficient for equality."} 19. Bc3 {Grischuk thought this was the critical moment, and he felt White is better here.} (19. b4 $5) ({He spent a lot of time on} 19. Bb4 $5 Ne6 20. Nxe5 c5 21. Ba5 Qxa5 22. Ng6+ hxg6 23. Nxe7 Qc7 24. Nxg6+ Kg8 25. Nxf8 Rxf8 {but didn't like it.}) 19... Qe8 20. b4 Ne6 21. Bd2 c6 22. Nxe7 Qxe7 23. Be3 ({After} 23. c5 dxc5 24. bxc5 Rcd8 {Grischuk "couldn't find a way" to continue, which might be} 25. Re3 Nxc5 26. Qe2 Ne6 27. Ba5) 23... c5 24. bxc5 Nxc5 25. Bxc5 Rxc5 26. Nd2 Bc8 27. Nf1 Be6 28. Ne3 Rc6 29. Qa4 Rfc8 30. Rb1 h6 31. Rb8 Rxc4 32. Rxc8+ Rxc8 33. Qxa6 Qc7 34. Rd1 Rd8 35. Qd3 Qc5 36. Kh2 Qc7 37. Kg1 Qc5 38. Rd2 Qc7 39. Qa3 Qe7 40. Rd1 Kh7 41. Qb4 Qc7 42. Rd3 Kg8 43. Qd2 Qe7 44. Kh2 Qf8 45. Kg1 Qe7 46. Qd1 Kh7 47. Rd2 Qf8 48. Rd3 Qe7 49. Rd2 Qf8 50. Nf1 Rd7 51. Ng3 Qb8 52. Kh2 Qf8 53. Kg1 Qb8 54. Kh2 Qf8 1/2-1/2 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "?"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar "] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E04"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "115"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.23"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.23"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Nc6 $5 {Ход на борьбу. Черные не хотят расставаться с лишней пешкой.} 6. O-O Rb8 7. e3 {Диаграмма} Be7 ({ Чаще играли} 7... b5 {.}) 8. Nfd2 e5 {Этот ход был исполнен лишь в партии Герт Ван дер Штрихт - Даниэль Хаусрат (ч-т Бельгии 2008). Начинается конкретная игра.} 9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. dxe5 Ng4 11. Nxc4 Be6 12. Nbd2 ({В первоисточнике последовало: } 12. Qxd8+ Rxd8 13. Nbd2 Bb4 14. e4 Bxd2 15. Nxd2 Nxe5 16. f4 Nd3 17. f5 Nxc1 18. Raxc1 Bxf5 19. exf5 Rxd2 20. Rxc6 Kd7 21. Rfc1 {1/2.}) 12... h5 13. f3 { Диаграмма} Qd3 ({Другие возможности:} 13... Rb4 $5 14. Qe2 ({или} 14. fxg4 Bxc4 15. Nxc4 Qxd1 16. Rxd1 Rxc4) 14... h4 $1 15. fxg4 hxg3 16. hxg3 Bxc4 17. Nxc4 Qd5 18. e4 Qxc4 19. Qxc4 Rxc4) (13... h4 $5 14. fxg4 hxg3 15. Qf3 Rxh2 16. Qxg3 Rh4 17. Rf4 Qd3 18. Nf3 Qd1+ 19. Qe1 Qxe1+ 20. Nxe1 g5 21. Re4 Bd5 22. Rd4 Bc5 23. b3 Bxd4 24. exd4 Rxg4+ 25. Kf2 Bxc4 26. bxc4 Rxd4 27. Bxg5 {. Все эти варианты имеют общую оценку - равенство.}) 14. fxg4 Bxc4 (14... h4 $5 {вновь заслуживает пристального внимания.}) 15. Nxc4 Qxc4 16. gxh5 Qe6 {Диаграмма} 17. Qf3 {Усиление игры белых следует искать в этот момент:} (17. b3 $5) ( {или} 17. Bd2 $5 Rxb2 18. Bc3 {.}) 17... Rb5 18. Qf5 Rxe5 19. Qxe6 Rxe6 20. Rf5 {Диаграмма У белых лишняя пешка, однако уместно вспомнить высказывание Александра Грищука, что оценка позиции обычно определяется не пешечной структурой, а расположением фигур.} Rd6 $1 { Каруана не дает сопернику ввести фигуры в бой и получает достаточную компенсацию.} 21. Kg2 Rd1 22. b3 g6 $1 ({Достаточно для уравнения и} 22... Rh6 23. Bb2 Rd2+ 24. Rf2 Rxf2+ 25. Kxf2 Rxh5 {.}) 23. Re5 {Диаграмма} c5 {Похоже, что Фабиано не устраивает ничья после} (23... Rxh5 $5 24. Rxe7+ Kxe7 25. Ba3+ Rd6 {.}) 24. hxg6 fxg6 25. e4 Rh7 {Диаграмма} 26. h4 $1 {Мамедьяров реагирует наилучшим образом.} Rf7 27. Kh3 Rff1 28. Bg5 Rxa1 29. Rxe7+ Kf8 30. Rxc7 Rxa2 {Диаграмма Может показаться, что у белых преимущество, но высший разум показывает, что позиция равна.} 31. Be7+ ({ Идейно прорваться королем к пешке g6, но черные пресекают эту попытку, например, в случае} 31. e5 Ra6 32. Kg4 Rb1 {.}) 31... Kg8 32. Rc8+ Kg7 33. Bxc5 Re2 34. e5 Rd1 35. Re8 Rd5 36. Bd6 Re3 37. Re7+ Kg8 38. Re8+ Kf7 39. Re7+ Kg8 40. b4 Rdd3 41. Kg4 Rxg3+ 42. Kf4 Rgf3+ 43. Ke4 Rfe3+ 44. Kf4 Rf3+ { Диаграмма Вечный шах?} 45. Kg5 $5 {Нет! Шахрияр продолжает борьбу.} Rf7 46. e6 Rd5+ $1 {Самый прямой путь к ничьей.} ({При размене ладей можно и проиграть:} 46... Rxe7 47. Bxe7 Kg7 $4 ({к ничьей ведет} 47... Kh7 48. Kf6 Rf3+ 49. Ke5 Kg8 50. Bc5 a6 51. Kd6 Rf4 52. e7 Kf7 53. Kd7 Re4 54. Bd6) 48. Bf6+ Kh7 49. e7 Re3 {. Диаграмма} 50. h5 $1 gxh5 51. Kf4 $1 Re6 52. Kf5 Re1 53. Be5 {.}) 47. Kxg6 Rxd6 48. Rxf7 Rxe6+ 49. Rf6 Re4 50. b5 Rxh4 51. Ra6 Rh7 52. b6 { Диаграмма} Rg7+ $1 {Последняя тонкость.} 53. Kh6 Rh7+ 54. Kg5 Rg7+ 55. Kf5 axb6 56. Rxb6 Rf7+ 57. Rf6 Rxf6+ 58. Kxf6 1/2-1/2 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "?"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir "] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C50"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "77"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.23"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.23"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 {Диаграмма} 6. Nd5 ({Более популярная линия -} 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 {.} ({ Не слишком удачно для белых} 7. Bh4 $6 g5 8. Bg3 d6 { , поскольку их слон обрекается на заточение.}) 7... Qxf6 8. Nd5 Qd8 9. c3 {.}) 6... Nxd5 7. Bxd5 d6 ({ Встречалось} 7... O-O {. Теперь партия заходит на неизведанную территорию.}) 8. Be3 $5 Bxe3 9. fxe3 O-O 10. O-O {Диаграмма} Nb8 $5 {Нешаблонный перевод коня на f6.} 11. b4 Nd7 12. Qd2 c6 13. Bb3 a5 14. a3 Nf6 15. h3 h6 16. Rab1 b5 {Диаграмма} 17. Qc3 {Я слежу за онлайнами гроссмейстеров Сергея Шипова и Яна Непомнящего и не стану присваивать себе чужие мысли. И Сергей, и Ян нашли решение Крамника весьма странным, поскольку черные получают возможность выиграть время на развитии слона и нападении ферзем с b6 на пешку е3. Предполагаю, что смысл хода ферзя на с3 в том, чтобы в случае размена слонов на е6 и появления на этом поле черной пешки, ферзь смог атаковать ее с поля b3.} ({При желании можно разрядить обстановку ходом} 17. a4 {. Даже если математически этот ход сильнейший, хорошо, что Крамник его не сделал!}) 17... Bd7 18. Rf2 Qb6 19. Re1 {Диаграмма} Rfe8 ({Точнее} 19... Rfc8 $1 20. Nh4 c5 {. Чтобы не отставать от соперника в развитии инициативы, белым следует пожертвовать качество:} 21. Rxf6 gxf6 22. bxc5 dxc5 23. Bd5 {. По мнению компьютера, шансы черных выше, но на практике возможен любой исход.}) 20. Nh4 $1 { Белые обозначают намерение пожертвовать качество.} c5 ({Оправдывало положение ладьи} 20... Be6 $5 21. Ref1 Bxb3 22. Qxb3 Re6 23. Nf5 Ne8 ({или} 23... Kh7 { со сложной игрой.})) 21. Ref1 $5 ({При немедленной жертве качества можно рассчитывать лишь на компенсацию, но не более того:} 21. Rxf6 gxf6 22. Qd2 axb4 23. axb4 Be6 24. Qf2 Qd8 25. Bd5 Ra7 26. Rb1 {и т.д.}) 21... cxb4 ( {В варианте} 21... a4 $5 22. Ba2 Be6 23. Rxf6 gxf6 24. bxc5 Qxc5 25. Qe1 Kf8 26. Nf5 Bxf5 27. Rxf5 d5 28. Bxd5 Ra6 {снова можно говорить о динамическом равновесии.}) { Диаграмма} 22. Qe1 $1 ({Не годится} 22. axb4 $2 a4 23. Ba2 Qxe3 {.}) 22... d5 ({Пожалуй, надежнее} 22... a4 $1 23. Rxf6 ({ на} 23. Ba2 {ответ} d5 $1 {выигрывает в силе}) 23... axb3 {. Возможное продолжение:} 24. Qg3 Qd8 25. cxb3 ({ безнадежно} 25. Rxf7 $2 Qg5 26. Qxg5 hxg5 27. Rxd7 Rf8) 25... bxa3 26. Rxf7 Qg5 27. Qxg5 hxg5 28. Rxd7 gxh4 29. Rff7 {с вечным шахом.} ) ({Интересно и} 22... Be6 $5 {.}) ({А вот} 22... bxa3 $4 { проигрывает ввиду} 23. Rxf6 gxf6 24. Rxf6 {.}) 23. axb4 dxe4 24. bxa5 Rxa5 25. Ng6 $1 {Крамник подтягивает к передовой все боевые резервы.} Be6 26. Nxe5 { По-видимому, Крамник не разделяет мое излюбленное высказывание "потом суп с котом".} ({Жертва качества в этот момент выглядит довольно перспективно. После} 26. Rxf6 $1 gxf6 27. Qg3 {черных выручает лишь компьютерная защита} b4 $3 {.} ({В случае} 27... Bxb3 $2 {атака достигает цели, хотя и не сразу:} 28. Nxe5+ Kh8 29. Nd7 Qa7 30. Nxf6 {и т.д.}) {После} 28. Bxe6 Rxe6 29. Nf4+ Kf8 30. Nxe6+ Qxe6 {черные близки к уравнению.}) 26... exd3 {Диаграмма} 27. Rxf6 $1 {Пора!} gxf6 28. Rxf6 d2 $1 { Левон на высоте!} 29. Qg3+ $1 ({После} 29. Qxd2 $2 Ra1+ 30. Kf2 Qa5 31. Qxa5 Rxa5 {белым предстоит унылая борьба за ничью.}) 29... Kf8 $1 (29... Kh7 $2 {проигрывает ввиду} 30. c4 $1 {.}) {Диаграмма} 30. Rf1 $1 ({Заманчиво } 30. Nd7+ {, после чего возможны эффектные варианты:} Ke7 (30... Bxd7 $4 31. Rxf7#) 31. Nxb6 Ra1+ 32. Kh2 { . Диаграмма} Rh1+ $1 {.} ({Слабее} 32... d1=Q $6 {, хотя, вероятно, не проигрывает:} 33. Rxe6+ $1 fxe6 34. Qc7+ Kf8 35. Nd7+ Kg8 36. Qg3+ Kf7 37. Ne5+ Ke7 38. Qh4+ Kd6 39. Qb4+ Kc7 (39... Kxe5 $4 40. Qf4#) 40. Qc5+ Kd8 41. Qb6+ Kc8 42. Bxe6+ Rxe6 43. Qxe6+ Kb7 {. Диаграмма Белые могут долго шаховать, но мата нет.}) 33. Kxh1 d1=Q+ 34. Kh2 Kxf6 35. Qf4+ Kg7 $1 36. Qe5+ Kf8 37. Qc5+ Kg8 38. Bxe6 Rxe6 39. Nd5 {. Диаграмма Инициативы белых хватит лишь для ничьей.}) 30... Ra7 (30... Rd8 $5 {вынуждало белых давать вечный шах:} 31. Qf4 d1=Q 32. Qxh6+ Kg8 33. Qg5+ {. Теперь атака продолжается.}) 31. Ng6+ Kg7 32. Nf4+ Kh8 33. Nh5 f6 ({Отражало натиск} 33... Bg4 $1 34. Qxg4 Qxe3+ 35. Kh1 Rg8 {, хотя ответ} 36. Qh4 { сохраняет баланс.}) 34. Nxf6 Rf8 {Диаграмма} 35. Qf4 $1 ({Вариант} 35. Qe5 Qc7 ({на} 35... Bxb3 $4 {решает} 36. Nd7+) 36. Qxe6 Qg7 37. Kh2 d1=Q 38. Rxd1 Qxf6 39. Qxf6+ Rxf6 {ведет к равенству.}) 35... Rh7 {(ладья отняла поле у короля)} 36. Qe5 {Диаграмма} Qc7 $4 {Развязка драмы.} ({Давало защиту} 36... Rg7 $1 37. Bxe6 Rg5 $1 38. Qc3 b4 $1 {. У белых выбор: играть неясную позицию после} 39. Qd3 ({или давать вечный шах:} 39. Ne8+ bxc3 40. Rxf8+ Kh7 41. Rf7+ Kg6 42. Rf6+ Kh5 43. Bf7+ Kh4 44. Rf4+ Kg3 45. Rf3+ Kh4 46. Rf4+ {.}) 39... Rg7 40. Qxd2 Qxe6) 37. Ne8+ $1 {Левон признал поражение ввиду варианта:} Qxe5 38. Rxf8+ Bg8 39. Rxg8# 1-0 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.23"] [Round "?"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D37"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "61"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.23"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.23"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 b6 7. cxd5 Nxd5 $1 ({ В варианте} 7... exd5 $6 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. O-O c5 10. Ne5 $5 {белые захватывают инициативу.}) 8. Nxd5 Qxd5 9. Be2 { Диаграмма} Bb7 $5 {Уэсли жертвует пешку.} 10. Bxc7 Qa5+ $1 {Новинка.} ({В партии Injac - Goczo (1-0), сыгранной в клубном ч-те Сербии среди женщин, последовало} 10... Bb4+ {.}) 11. Kf1 Nd7 12. h4 Rac8 13. Bf4 ({Со обнаружил изъян положения слона на f4, в связи с чем стоит присмотреться к отступлению} 13. Bg3 $5 {.}) 13... Rfd8 14. Kg1 {Диаграмма} Bxf3 $1 15. Bxf3 e5 $1 {После прорыва центра точность требуется уже от белых, поскольку черные фигуры лучше готовы к бою.} 16. Bg5 $1 Bxg5 ( {Черным совершенно ни к чему осложнения после} 16... f6 $6 17. Qb3+ Kh8 18. Qf7 {.}) 17. hxg5 exd4 18. Qxd4 { Диаграмма} Qxg5 {Теперь позиция быстро выхолащивается.} ({После} 18... Nf8 $5 {игра могла быть поживее, но равенство сохранялось. Например:} 19. Qh4 Rd2 20. b4 Qe5 21. Rb1 Rxa2 22. Qf4 {и т.д.}) 19. Rh5 Qf6 20. Rd5 Qxd4 21. Rxd4 Ne5 22. Bd5 Nc6 23. Rdd1 Kf8 24. Bxc6 Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Rxc6 {Диаграмма Соперники решили для наглядности осуществить взаимное истребление пешек ферзевого фланга.} 26. Rd7 Rc2 27. Rxa7 Rxb2 28. a4 Ra2 29. Rb7 Ra1+ 30. Kh2 Rxa4 31. Rxb6 1/2-1/2 [Event "FIDE Berlin Candidates"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.26"] [Round "13.4"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C88"] [WhiteElo "2784"] [BlackElo "2794"] [Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"] [PlyCount "77"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3 {Of course, Anti-Marshall. No computers, please.} d6 9. Bd2 {Caruana borrowed this "brilliant" idea from Grischuk, who tried it in the previous round against Aronian himself.} ({Other options for White are:} 9. c3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. h3 Re8 12. d4 {Alekseev,E (2616)-Kovalev,V (2639) Tallinn 2018}) ({Or} 9. a4 Bd7 10. c3 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. Nbd2 Re8 13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 Bg4 15. h3 { which was discussed by the two players six years back, Caruana,F (2773) -Aronian,L (2816) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2012}) 9... Bg4 ({Black deviates from his early game at once. That game saw:} 9... Kh8 10. h3 Nd7 11. Nc3 Na5 12. Nd5 Nxb3 13. axb3 Bb7 14. c4 f5 15. Ba5 {Grischuk,A (2767)-Aronian,L (2794), 2018}) 10. c3 d5 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qe2 $146 {A novelty.} ({Previously} 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. g4 {was tested, when White won a pawn, but Black had typical Marshall compensation:} Bg6 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Rxe5 Nb6 16. d4 Bd6 {Jackson,S (2185) -Littlewood,P (2435) London 1984}) 12... Rb8 13. Bg5 dxe4 (13... d4 $5) 14. dxe4 h6 {Asking the bishop where is it going.} (14... Nd7 15. Be3 $5) 15. Bc1 $1 {There is no better square for this bishop. Up to here Caruana was in his preparation.} (15. Bh4 Nd7 {looks good for Black here without the option Bg5-e3.}) ({Naturally, White is not happy with the trade of this bishop:} 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nbd2 Na5 {with comfortable play for Black.}) 15... Bg6 {The bishop leaves the road for the black knight.} ({Black cannot play in Chigorin-style} 15... Na5 16. Bc2 {as} c5 {drops the central pawn after} 17. g4 ) ({But there was this interesting regroupment after} 15... Qc8 $5 16. Nbd2 Rd8 17. Nf1 Na5 18. Bc2 Qe6) (15... Nh7 {with the idea Be7-g5 can be answered} 16. Bd5 {and there is a problem with the e5 pawn:} Na5 17. g4 Bg6 18. Nxe5) 16. Nbd2 Nh5 ({On} 16... Bc5 17. a4 {is unpleasant.}) 17. Nf1 Bc5 ({The immediate} 17... Nf4 {leads to clear advantage for White after} 18. Bxf4 exf4 19. Rad1 Qc8 20. Qd2) 18. g3 {Sensibly depriving Black of the Nh5-f4 option. The question is: can the second player exploit the weakening of the f-file?} (18. a4 $5) 18... Kh7 19. Kg2 Qe7 ({So far} 19... f5 {does not work due to} 20. exf5 Rxf5 21. Bc2) 20. Bc2 $1 {Now it is stopped for good.} Rfd8 21. b4 {Once that stability was achieved on the kingside Caruana shifts his attention to the opposite wing. In particular, towards the weak pair on a6 and b5.} Bb6 22. a4 Nf6 {Aronian abandoned the ill pawns and decided to bet on the kingside attack. } (22... Qe6 {in order to defend the knight in the line} 23. axb5 axb5 { would be most likely met with} 24. Be3 $1 {with advantage for White.} (24. Qxb5 Bxf2 $1)) 23. Nh4 {A very good move.} ({"I did not want to get the game too out of control after"} 23. axb5 axb5 24. Qxb5 Bxf2 25. Qxc6 Bxe1 26. Nxe1 { "which I managed to do anyway. But maybe it was good." (Caruana) Indeed, the two pieces are more vaulable than the rook here as the endgame is not likely going to happen any time soon.}) 23... Qe6 24. Bd3 (24. axb5 axb5 25. Qxb5 $2 { is no longer an option as the black knight is defended and he can simply grab material} Bxf2) ({However Caruana mentioned the worthy alternative} 24. Nxg6 fxg6 25. Bd3 Rf8 {and now, say,} 26. f3 {with advantage for White.}) 24... Bh5 $1 {Now it gets messy.} ({"An important line is:"} 24... Ne7 25. Nxg6 Nxg6 26. axb5 axb5 27. Bxb5 Bxf2 28. Bc4 $1 {(Caruana)} ({Black's idea is} 28. Kxf2 Qb6+ {(Caruana)})) 25. g4 Bxg4 {This is what the bishop came for at h5.} (25... Bg6 {"is the worst of the options as after"} 26. Ng3 {" (Black) is losing a pawn and I have consolidated my center" (Caruana)}) 26. hxg4 Nxg4 ({White would be happy with the endgame after} 26... Qxg4+ 27. Qxg4 Nxg4 28. Be2 Bxf2 29. Rd1 Bxh4 30. Bxg4 {"the black pawns are not moving and the knight on c6 is still bad. White should be technically winning here" (Caruana)}) 27. Nf5 Nxf2 ({ Caruana expected another attacking idea:} 27... Qg6 28. N1g3 Bxf2 29. Rf1 Bxg3 30. Nxg3 {but once again the black pawns are not going anywhere, and the bishop is worth more than the pawns. Besides, b5 will drop later, explaned the winner of the game.}) 28. Bc2 g6 29. N1e3 ({Both players spoted a curious draw after} 29. N5e3 Nh3 30. Nd5 Ng1 31. Qd3 Ne7 32. Nfe3 Qh3+ 33. Kxg1 Qg3+) (29. Be3 {"would be the most desirable option, but it drops all the pawns"} Nxe4 30. Bxe4 gxf5 {(Caruana)}) 29... gxf5 30. exf5 Qf6 31. Qxf2 {All of this was basically forced and this position is the critical test of the sacrifice.} (31. Kxf2 {suprisingly loses after} Qh4+ 32. Kf1 Nd4 $3 33. cxd4 Rxd4 {with a decisive attack for Black.}) 31... e4 $2 {After this Black's initiative quickly evaporates.} ({The critical idea was not spoted by the humans, but by the AI:} 31... Nxb4 $1 32. cxb4 Rd4 $3 {to insert the rook into the attack. Then anything can happen. For example:} 33. Kh3 ({I especially like this artificial line:} 33. Bb2 Qg5+ 34. Qg3 Rd2+ 35. Kf3 Qh5+ 36. Ke4 Rg8 37. Bd1 Rxd1 38. Qxg8+ Kxg8 39. Raxd1 {Go figure what's going on at the end...}) 33... Rg8 (33... Qg5 $5) 34. Nd5 Rxd5 35. Qf3 Rd4 {with compensation for the piece.}) (31... Nd4 {might transpose into the same after} 32. cxd4 ({However White has extra choice} 32. Be4 $1 {and it is good enough for the advantage.}) 32... Rxd4 ({Aronian was only considering} 32... exd4 {but it does not work due to} 33. Ng4 $1)) ({Also bad for Black is} 31... Rg8+ 32. Kf1 Nd4 33. cxd4 exd4 34. Nd5 {(Aronian)}) 32. Rh1 {"I do not have any ideas here." (Aronian) In fact it is White who is attacking.} Rd6 ({Maybe Black should have tried} 32... Nxb4 33. cxb4 Rg8+ 34. Kf1 Qxa1 35. Ke2) 33. Bxe4 Rg8+ 34. Kf1 Ne5 35. Qf4 {The white pices are clearly beter prepared than the opponent's ones. The end is near.} c6 36. axb5 ({Aronian suggested a "trivial" win instead:} 36. Rxh6+ $1 Qxh6 37. f6+ Rg6 38. Qxh6+ Kxh6 39. Nc4+ $1 ({Somewhat worse, but probably also winning is} 39. Nf5+ Kh5 40. Nxd6 Rxf6+ 41. Nf5)) ({The American GM spent some time to make this line work:} 36. Nd5 cxd5 ({However he could not find anything after} 36... Rg1+ $1) 37. Rxh6+ Qxh6 38. f6+ $1) 36... Rg5 (36... axb5 {would have forced White to find} 37. Rxh6+ $1 ({Or} 37. Qxh6+)) 37. bxa6 Qd8 38. f6+ Ng6 39. Rxh6+ $1 {A neat finish of a crucial game!} (39. Rxh6+ Kxh6 40. Qh2+ Rh5 41. Nf5+ Kh7 42. Qxh5+ Kg8 43. Ne7+ Nxe7 44. Qh7+ Kf8 45. Qh8+ Ng8 46. Qg7+ Ke8 47. Qxg8+ Kd7 48. Qxf7+ Kc8 49. Qb7#) 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.26"] [Round "13"] [White "Mamedyarov, S."] [Black "Grischuk, A."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D77"] [WhiteElo "2809"] [BlackElo "2767"] [PlyCount "77"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. c4 dxc4 7. Na3 c3 8. bxc3 c5 9. Re1 Nc6 10. Bb2 Nd5 11. Qc2 (11. e4 Nb6 12. Rb1 Bg4 13. d5 Ne5 14. c4 e6 15. Qb3 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 exd5 17. exd5 Re8 {Meier,G (2647)-Van Wely,L (2656) chess.com INT 2018}) 11... cxd4 $146 (11... Nb6 12. Rad1 Bf5 13. e4 Bg4 14. h3 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Qc8 16. Bg2 e6 {Dreev,A (2652)-Puranik,A (2509) Bastia 2017}) 12. Nxd4 Nf6 $1 {"After this Black is OK but I played a bit stupidly." (Grischuk)} 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. c4 Bf5 15. Qc1 Qc7 16. Nc2 Rab8 17. Bc3 {Grischuk had missed that White is threatening 18.Nb4 here.} Bxc2 18. Qxc2 Ne8 19. h4 c5 20. Red1 Bxc3 21. Qxc3 Nf6 22. Bf3 h5 23. Rab1 Rxb1 24. Rxb1 Rb8 25. Rb5 Ne8 (25... a6 26. Qa5 {Grischuk}) 26. Qe3 Rxb5 27. cxb5 Nd6 (27... c4 $5 {Grischuk}) 28. a4 c4 29. Kg2 (29. Qc3 Qc5) 29... c3 30. Bc6 Qa5 (30... a6 31. Qxc3 axb5 32. axb5 Nxb5 {is an immediate draw, but that was equally valuable as a loss for Grischuk.}) 31. Qc5 a6 32. e4 axb5 33. axb5 Kh7 34. e5 Nxb5 $2 (34... Nf5 { still draws.} 35. Be4 e6) 35. e6 $1 {Suddenly White is winning in all lines.} Qa3 36. Qxb5 c2 37. exf7 Kg7 38. Be4 c1=Q 39. Qe8 1-0 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.26"] [Round "13"] [White "Ding Liren"] [Black "Kramnik, V."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A13"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2800"] [PlyCount "94"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 c5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 b6 5. e4 Bb7 6. d3 d6 7. Bg2 g6 8. O-O Bg7 9. Re1 O-O (9... e5 10. d4 Nc6 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Nd5 Nd7 13. Bh3 Nf8 14. Qa4 Ne6 {Cordova,E (2606)-Terry,R (2492) Lima 2018}) 10. d4 cxd4 11. Nxd4 a6 12. b3 Nbd7 13. Ba3 $146 (13. Bb2 Qc7 14. Re2 Rad8 15. Qe1 Qb8 16. Rd1 Nc5 17. f3 Rfe8 18. Kh1 {½-½ Portisch,L (2655)-Spassky,B (2615) Mexico City 1980}) 13... Nc5 14. b4 Ncd7 15. b5 {Kramnik seemed to suggest this was a positional mistake ("let's put it this way, unusual") He thought he was better here.} Ne8 (15... Ne5 16. Qb3 Rc8 {Kramnik} 17. Rad1 Nxc4 18. e5 {Ding}) 16. Rc1 Ne5 17. Qe2 axb5 18. Ndxb5 g5 {"Totally came as a surprise." (Ding) "A typical Hedgehog idea" (Kramnik) to cement the knight on e5 with g5-g4.} (18... Rc8 19. Red1 Nxc4 20. Bb4 {Ding}) 19. h3 $6 (19. Red1 {should give White at least a slight edge.}) 19... f5 {"I thought it was almost gone." (Kramnik)} 20. exf5 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Rxa3 $1 {Ouch. From this point, Ding can only hope for a draw.} 22. Nxa3 Qa8+ 23. Qe4 Qxa3 24. fxe6 Nf6 25. Qe2 Qa8+ 26. f3 h5 27. e7 Re8 28. Ne4 g4 29. hxg4 hxg4 30. fxg4 Nfxg4 $6 ({Black should won slowly with} 30... Rxe7 31. g5 { and now} Nfd7 $1 ({and not} 31... Nxe4 32. Qxe4 {as Kramnik suggested})) 31. Qd1 $1 Bh6 32. Rc3 Rxe7 $6 ({And here} 32... Kg7 33. Re2 Rxe7 34. Qd5 Qe8 { was stronger.}) 33. Qd5+ Qxd5 34. cxd5 {The worst is over for Ding, who manages to avoid any further danger now.} Ra7 35. Re2 Nf7 36. Kh3 Nge5 37. Nxd6 Nxd6 38. Rxe5 Bg7 39. Rg5 Ne4 40. Rc8+ Kh7 41. Rh5+ Kg6 42. Rh4 Ng5+ 43. Kg2 Rxa2+ 44. Kf1 Ra1+ 45. Ke2 Ra2+ 46. Kf1 Ra1+ 47. Ke2 Ra2+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.24"] [Round "?"] [White "Aronian Levon "] [Black "Karjakin Sergey "] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A13"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "148"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.24"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.24"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+ c6 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qb3 Bb7 8. O-O Be7 9. d4 O-O 10. Rd1 Nbd7 {Диаграмма} 11. Ne5 $5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 {Пешка е5 дает белым перевес в пространстве. С другой стороны, черные получили пешечное большинство на ферзевом фланге.} 13. Bf4 ({Габриэл Саргиссян сыграл} 13. Nc3 {в партии с Йованкой Хауска (Дуглас 2015, 1-0). }) 13... Qc7 14. Nd2 Rfd8 {Диаграмма} 15. Rac1 ({Шансы на перевес давал лишь подрыв} 15. a4 $1 {. Может последовать:} a6 ({после} 15... Nc5 16. Qc2 Nxa4 17. Ne4 { у белых инициатива}) 16. h4 Nc5 17. Qc2 Nxa4 18. Ne4 Nb6 19. Nd6 Nc4 {. Диаграмма Разжигает инициативу профилактический ход} 20. Kh2 $3 {. Его смысл иллюстрирует вариант:} Nxd6 $2 21. exd6 Bxd6 22. Rxd6 $1 Rxd6 23. Qc5 Rad8 24. Rd1 {с выигрышем.}) 15... a6 ({ Альтернатива -} 15... c5 $5 16. Qxb5 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Rab8 18. Qa6 g5 19. Be3 Nxe5 20. b3 Rd6 21. Qa3 Rbd8 {с равенством.}) 16. Qe3 c5 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. Ne4 c4 19. h4 h6 20. Rd4 $6 {Потеря времени.} ({ Точнее немедленное} 20. b3 $1 {. Например:} Rac8 21. Nd6 Bxd6 22. Rxd6 Nf8 23. bxc4 Rxd6 24. exd6 bxc4 25. Qd4 {с равными шансами.}) 20... Nf8 21. b3 Rxd4 22. Qxd4 {Диаграмма} Rd8 $6 ({ Размен ферзей давал черным шансы использовать пешечное большинство:} 22... Qd5 $1 23. Qxd5 exd5 24. Nd6 Ng6 25. Nf5 Ba3 26. Rd1 Rc8 {с инициативой.}) 23. Nd6 Bxd6 24. exd6 f6 {Диаграмма На доске динамическое равновесие, которое сохранялось довольно долго.} 25. Be3 e5 26. Qb2 Qc6 27. bxc4 bxc4 28. Qb4 Rc8 29. f3 h5 30. Kf2 Kf7 31. Rd1 Nd7 32. Qb1 g6 33. g4 Rh8 { Диаграмма} 34. g5 $6 {Объективно, сделанный ход не упускает равенства, но белым становится сложнее его удержать.} ({Удачнее вскрыть вертикаль "g", чтобы при случае побеспокоить черного монарха:} 34. gxh5 $1 Rxh5 35. Kg3 {. Например, после} f5 36. Bg5 {слон получает отличную стоянку.}) 34... f5 35. Qc2 Rc8 36. Qc3 Ke6 37. Kg2 Qa4 38. Qd2 Qb5 39. a4 Qc6 40. Qc2 Rb8 41. Bd2 Rb3 {Диаграмма} 42. Bc3 $2 {Левон отдает не ту пешку и оказывается в тяжелой ситуации.} ({Сохраняло статус-кво} 42. a5 $1 {, поскольку после} Kxd6 {открытое положение черного короля дает белым достаточную контригру:} 43. Bb4+ Kc7 44. Rd6 Qb5 45. Qd2 Rxb4 46. Rxd7+ Qxd7 47. Qxb4 Qc6 48. Qe7+ Qd7 49. Qc5+ {с ничьей.}) 42... Qxa4 43. Ra1 Qc6 44. Ra5 Rb5 {Диаграмма} 45. Qa4 $2 { Теперь положение белых становится проигранным.} (45. Ra4 $1 {позволяло рассчитывать на благополучный исход. Например:} e4 46. Bh8 a5 47. Rxc4 Rc5 48. Rxc5 Qxc5 49. Qa2+ Qd5 50. Qa4 exf3+ 51. exf3 {, и белые держатся.}) 45... Nb6 46. Qa1 Rxa5 47. Qxa5 {Диаграмма} Qb5 $2 ({Четкий путь к цели -} 47... Nd5 $1 48. Qd8 Qd7 49. Qg8+ Kxd6 50. Qf8+ ({не меняет оценки} 50. Qxg6+ Qe6 51. Qh7 Nxc3 52. g6 Nd5 53. g7 Ne7) 50... Qe7 51. Qb8+ Kc5 52. Bxe5 c3 {. Проходная "с" предрешает исход борьбы.}) 48. d7 Kxd7 49. Qa3 Nd5 50. Bxe5 Qc6 { Диаграмма} 51. Qf8 $2 {Решающая ошибка.} ({ Следовало заблокировать опасную проходную -} 51. Bc3 $1 {, и выигрыша не видно. В случае} Nxc3 $2 52. Qxc3 {его точно нет из-за вечного шаха.}) 51... Qe6 52. Qb8 c3 53. Qb7+ Ke8 54. Qb8+ Kf7 { Диаграмма} 55. Qb7+ $6 {Теперь Сергей истребляет белую пехоту.} ({Упорнее} 55. Kf1 $1 { . Наиболее техничный способ реализации -} Qb6 $1 {.} ({В случае} 55... c2 $6 56. Qb7+ Ne7 57. Bf4 Qc4 58. Bc1 a5 { выигрыш возможен, но непрост.}) {На} 56. Qc8 { решает} ({Побеждают черные и после} 56. Qxb6 Nxb6 57. Bxc3 Nc4 58. Kf2 f4 {.}) 56... c2 $1 57. Kg2 (57. Qxc2 Ne3+) 57... Qe3 58. Qd7+ Ne7 {.}) 55... Ne7 56. Bxc3 Qxe2+ 57. Kh3 Qb5 58. Qc7 Qc6 59. Qe5 Qxf3+ 60. Kh2 Qf2+ {Диаграмма} 61. Kh1 ({На} 61. Kh3 {решает} f4 {.} ) 61... 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 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.24"] [Round "?"] [White "Ding Liren "] [Black "Grischuk Alexander "] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D40"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "188"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.24"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.24"] 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. e3 {Теперь партия переходит из английского начала в принятый ферзевый гамбит.} e6 5. d4 d5 6. a3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 a6 8. O-O b5 9. Ba2 Bb7 10. Qe2 Qc7 11. Bd2 {Диаграмма} Be7 { Новинка.} ({В партии Ян Непомнящий - Борис Гельфанд (Мемориал Таля, Москва 2018, 1/2) Борис успешно решил дебютные проблемы после} 11... Rd8 12. Rfc1 (12. Rac1 $5) 12... cxd4 13. exd4 Be7 14. d5 exd5 15. Bg5 O-O 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nxd5 Qd6 {.}) 12. Rac1 c4 ({ Альтернатива -} 12... cxd4 13. exd4 Rd8 ({на} 13... O-O $6 { неприятно} 14. d5 $1 {.})) 13. e4 Rd8 14. Be3 Ng4 15. e5 { Диаграмма} Na5 $2 {Александр не учел конкретику позиции.} ({Удачнее} 15... Nxe3 16. fxe3 O-O 17. Bb1 f6 {со сложной борьбой.}) ({А сильнейшее, вероятно, -} 15... O-O $1 16. Bf4 g5 $1 17. Bxg5 Nxd4 $1 18. Nxd4 Rxd4 {с видами на перехват инициативы.}) 16. Bf4 $1 { У черных возникли проблемы с конем на g4.} Qb6 $6 ({После} 16... Nh6 $1 17. Bxh6 gxh6 {компьютер не видит ничего страшного в разрушении структуры и затем спокойно рокирует. Скажем, в варианте} 18. Rcd1 O-O 19. Qe3 Kh8 20. Qxh6 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Bg5 22. Qh5 f6 {черные выходят сухими из воды.}) 17. Rcd1 h5 $2 {Стремясь вызволить коня, Грищук непоправимо ослабляет позицию.} ({Лучшей защитой было} 17... O-O $1 {. В случае} 18. h3 ({Жестче } 18. Ng5 $1 {, но и здесь еще не все решено. Например:} h6 19. Qxg4 Bxg5 20. Bxg5 (20. Be3 $5) 20... hxg5 21. Bb1 Nb3 22. Ne2 f5 23. exf6 Rxf6 {, и борьба продолжается.}) 18... f5 19. Qd2 Nh6 20. Bxh6 gxh6 21. Qxh6 Kh8 {у черных неплохая компенсация за пешку.}) 18. h3 Nh6 19. Bb1 Nb3 20. Be3 Qc7 21. Rfe1 Kf8 {Диаграмма} 22. d5 ({Точнее подготовительное} 22. Bc2 $1 {, и после примерного} Kg8 {прорыв} 23. d5 $1 {выигрывает в силе. После} exd5 24. Bxb3 cxb3 25. Nd4 {у белых решающий перевес.}) 22... exd5 23. e6 $6 {Не лучшее развитие атаки.} ({Ход} 23. Bc2 $5 {неплох, но не столь силен, как прежде, и в варианте} Nc5 $1 24. Bxc5 $1 Bxc5 25. e6 d4 $1 {черные пока на плаву.}) ({ Видимо, опаснее всего -} 23. Nd4 $1 Qxe5 24. Nxb3 cxb3 25. Qd2 {с грозной инициативой.}) 23... fxe6 24. Ng5 { Диаграмма} Qd7 $2 {Здесь ферзь расположен неудачно, а удачно - на с6.} ({После} 24... Qc6 $1 { позиция исключительно сложна. Белым ничего не дает игра по аналогии с партией - после} 25. Bg6 d4 $5 26. Be4 Qb6 {у черных не хуже.}) 25. Bg6 $1 {Лижэнь удерживает черного скакуна на краю доски - в противном случае последует вилка с f7.} Bf6 (25... d4 {уже безнадежно ввиду} 26. Bxd4 $1 Bxg5 ({или} 26... Nxd4 27. Rxd4 Qxd4 28. Nxe6+) 27. Be3 Qc6 28. Be4 {.}) 26. Bb6 Rc8 ({На} 26... Bxg5 {решает} 27. Bxd8 Bxd8 28. Qxe6 Qxe6 29. Rxe6 Be7 30. Rde1 $5 ({прозаичнее} 30. Nxd5 Bxd5 31. Rxd5) 30... Ng8 31. Nxd5 $1 Bxd5 32. Rb6 $1 {с неизбежным матом.}) 27. Nxe6+ Kg8 28. Nxd5 Bxd5 {Диаграмма} 29. Nf4 $2 ({Лижэнь упустил возможность заматовать соперника: } 29. Nd8 $1 Rxd8 30. Rxd5 ({или} 30. Bxd8 {.})) 29... Nc1 30. Qxh5 Nd3 31. Nxd5 Nf7 {Диаграмма} 32. Qe2 $6 ({Здесь решение уже посложнее:} 32. Nxf6+ $1 gxf6 33. Bxf7+ Qxf7 34. Qg4+ Kh7 35. Qf5+ Kg7 36. Re4 Rhe8 37. Rh4 Kg8 38. Bd4 Rc6 {. Диаграмма} 39. Qf3 $1 { Белые ставят тяжелые фигуры, как учил великий Алехин: ферзя позади ладьи.} Rce6 40. Qg3+ Qg7 41. Rg4 {.}) 32... Nfe5 33. Be4 Rh4 34. f4 ({Достойная альтернатива -} 34. Qe3 $1 Qf7 35. Nxf6+ Qxf6 36. Bd4 Kh8 37. Bc3 Nxe1 38. Rxe1 {с выигрышем.}) 34... Rxf4 35. Nxf4 Nxf4 36. Bh7+ Kh8 37. Qe4 Qc6 {Диаграмма} 38. Bd4 $2 {Ход в партии расплескивает весь перевес.} ({Выигрывало} 38. Qxf4 $1 Qxb6+ 39. Kh1 Kxh7 40. Qf5+ $1 {.}) 38... Nxh3+ $2 ({Прыжок} 38... Ned3 $1 {делал позицию неясной.}) {Диаграмма} 39. Kh2 {Тонкий момент, на котором хочется заострить внимание. Ход в партии достаточен для победы, но не является сильнейшим.} ({Дает четкий выигрыш 3)} 39. Kf1 $3 { . Суть в том, что в варианте} Ng5 40. Qxc6 Rxc6 41. Bc2 Ngf7 42. Bxe5 Nxe5 43. Rxe5 Bxe5 {король не попадает под шах и белые дают мат -} 44. Rd8# {.}) ({2)} 39. Kh1 Qxe4 40. Bxe4 Nd3 41. Bxd3 Bxd4 42. Bf5 Nf2+ 43. Kh2 Nxd1 44. Bxc8 Nxb2 45. Bxa6 Bc5 46. Re8+ Kh7 47. Bxb5 Bxa3 48. Rc8 Bd6+ 49. Kh3 Nd3 50. Bxc4 Ne5 {. Диаграмма}) ({В следующих двух вариантах реализация перевеса под вопросом. 1)} 39. gxh3 $6 Nf3+ 40. Kh1 Nxe1 41. Bxf6 Qxe4+ 42. Bxe4 gxf6 43. Rxe1 c3 44. bxc3 Rxc3 { Диаграмма}) 39... Ng5 40. Qxc6 Rxc6 41. Bc2 Ngf7 {Диаграмма} 42. Bxe5 $2 {Без конкретной выгоды не стоит менять слона на коня, ибо в открытой позиции слон сильнее.} ({Лучший ход -} 42. Bc3 $1 { , освобождая вертикаль "d" для ладьи. Позиция белых технически выиграна.}) 42... Nxe5 ( {Конечно, не} 42... Bxe5+ $4 43. Rxe5 Nxe5 44. Rd8# {.}) 43. Rd5 Re6 44. Kh3 Kg8 {Диаграмма} 45. b3 $6 ({В варианте} 45. Bf5 $5 Re7 46. Rd6 $2 ({Однако промежуточный шах} 46. Rd8+ $1 { вынуждает черного монарха отнять поле f7 у коня, и после} Kf7 47. Rd6 Re8 48. g3 $1 {позиция белых близка к выигранной.}) 46... Nf7 $1 47. Rxe7 Nxd6 48. Be6+ Kf8 49. Rd7 Ne4 {у черных большие шансы на ничью.}) 45... Kf7 46. bxc4 $6 {Завершение неудачной идеи.} Nxc4 47. Rd7+ Be7 48. Rxe6 Kxe6 49. Ra7 Nxa3 50. Rxa6+ Kd5 {Диаграмма Позиция ничейна.} 51. Bh7 Nc4 52. Kg4 Bf6 53. Ra7 Kd4 54. Bg8 Nd6 55. Kf3 Kc5 56. Ra8 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 { Диаграмма Грищук выбирает свой путь к мирной гавани.} b1=Q ({При стоянии на месте у черных нет проблем. Например:} 73... Bf6 74. Rxg7 Bxg7 75. Kxg7 Nd5 76. Kf8 Ne3 77. Be4 Nc2 78. Bxc2 Kxc2 79. g7 b1=Q 80. g8=Q {.}) 74. Bxb1 Nxb1 75. Rxg7 Nc3 76. Re7 Bd4 77. Rd7 Be5 78. Kh6 Kc2 79. Kg5 Kb3 80. Kf5 Bh8 81. Rb7+ Kc2 82. Rh7 Bd4 83. Ke6 Kb3 84. Rd7 Bh8 85. Rd8 Bg7 86. Kf7 Be5 87. Re8 Bd4 88. Rb8+ Kc2 89. Rb7 Be5 90. Rb6 Bd4 91. Rf6 Bxf6 92. Kxf6 Nd5+ 93. Kf7 {Диаграмма} Ne3 $1 {Единственный ход.} 94. Kf6 ({На} 94. g7 {следует} Nf5 95. g8=Q Nh6+ {.}) 94... Nd5+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.24"] [Round "?"] [White "Caruana Fabiano "] [Black "Kramnik Vladimir "] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D31"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "82"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.24"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.24"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 {Диаграмма} c5 { Ход в партии встречался лишь на любительском уровне. Хотя дебютный сюрприз Крамника успешно выполнил свою миссию в данном поединке, но вряд ли найдет последователей.} 6. Nxc5 Nc6 7. Nf3 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Qxd4 9. Nxd4 Bxc5 10. Nb5 Ke7 {Диаграмма} 11. Bd2 $6 ({Дебютное новшество Крамника могло быть поставлено под сомнение путем} 11. Nc7 $1 Rb8 12. Bf4 Bb4+ 13. Ke2 $1 Bd6 14. Bxd6+ Kxd6 15. Nb5+ Ke7 16. Nxa7 {. За пешку у черных нет достаточной компенсации.}) 11... Bd7 12. b4 Bxb5 13. cxb5 Bd6 14. g3 {Диаграмма} Rc8 ({Продолжение} 14... Nf6 $5 15. Bg2 Nd5 {вело к равенству. Возможно, Крамнику здесь что-то не понравилось. А быть может, он играл на победу...}) 15. Bg2 b6 16. Ke2 Nh6 17. Rac1 Nf5 18. Bc3 f6 19. f4 h5 20. Bc6 Rcd8 21. a4 {Диаграмма} h4 $1 { Владимир последователен в стремлении обострить борьбу.} 22. Kf3 ({Фабиано не пошел навстречу пожеланиям соперника. К большим осложнениям вел вариант} 22. g4 $5 Bxf4 23. gxf5 Bxc1 24. Rxc1 exf5 25. a5 g5 26. axb6 axb6 27. Be1 {.}) 22... hxg3 23. hxg3 Rxh1 24. Rxh1 {Диаграмма} Bb8 {Крамник хочет еще поиграть.} ({Эффектное} 24... Be5 $5 {вело к ничейной позиции после} 25. Bxe5 fxe5 26. fxe5 {.}) 25. Be4 Kf7 26. Rc1 Ne7 27. Be1 f5 28. Bb1 {Диаграмма} Rd4 ({Попытка} 28... g5 $5 {ведет к ничьей после} 29. fxg5 Rd4 30. Ba2 Bd6 31. a5 Bxb4 32. Bxb4 Rxb4 33. axb6 axb6 34. Re1 Nd5 35. Bxd5 exd5 36. Re5 {.}) 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 {Диаграмма} Bf6 ({У белых есть мало-мальская идея игры на выигрыш: пожертвовать слона на b6. Например: } 38... g6 39. Bd4 Bxb4 $4 ({верно} 39... Bd8 $1) 40. Bxb6 $1 {. У черных возможностей игры на победу нет вовсе. Поэтому Владимир форсировал ничью.}) 39. Bxf6 Kxf6 40. Ke3 d4+ 41. Kxd4 {После очевидного} Ke6 { на доске крепость.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.26"] [Round "?"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey "] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C42"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.26"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.26"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Nc6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Qd2 Be6 9. O-O-O Qd7 {Диаграмма} 10. a3 {Редкий ход.} ({ В основном белые предпочитали} 10. Kb1 {.}) ({ На турнире в Вейк-ан-Зее 2016 Хоу Ифань отстаивала позицию черных против Фабиано Каруаны и Магнуса Карлсена. Магнус сыграл} 10. b3 {и перехитрил соперницу в ничейном эндшпиле.}) ({Фабиано избрал} 10. h4 {, и борьба завершилась ничьей. Любопытно, что после ходов} h6 11. a3 Rg8 12. Nd4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 ({Каруана взял} 13. Qxd4 {) могла возникнуть позиция, практически идентичная той, что возникла в партии.})) 10... h6 {Так еще не играли. Достоинства этого хода неочевидны.} ({Не делали и напрашивающийся ход} 10... O-O {, вероятно, опасаясь, что белые разовьют инициативу на королевском фланге.}) ({Юрий Кузубов в партии с Бенджамином Боком (Командный ч-т Европы 2017, 1/2) избрал} 10... a6 {и добился уравнения после} 11. Be2 h5 12. Nd4 Nxd4 13. cxd4 ({ сильнее} 13. Bxd4 $1) 13... d5 14. Rhe1 O-O-O {.}) 11. Nd4 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Rg8 ({По-прежнему напрашивается} 12... O-O $5 {, хотя пешка на h6 может стать зацепкой для атаки.}) 13. Be2 c5 (13... O-O-O $2 14. Bxa7 {ведет к потере пешки.}) 14. Be3 d5 ({На d5 пешка становится уязвимой. Надежнее} 14... O-O-O $5 {.}) 15. f4 $1 O-O-O 16. Bf3 {Диаграмма} Bg4 ({После} 16... f5 $5 {позиция черных, по крайней мере, не пробивалась напрямую.}) 17. Bxd5 $3 {Прекрасная позиционная жертва качества. Может быть, по компьютерным меркам позиция равна. А по человеческим - у белых долговременное давление благодаря могучему белопольному слону.} Bxd1 18. Rxd1 Qc7 19. c4 Rge8 20. Qf2 b6 $1 {Избыточная защита по Нимцовичу пешки с5.} 21. g4 Bf6 ({ Логичен план по стабилизации положения короля:} 21... a6 $5 22. Kb1 Kb8 23. Rd3 Ka7 24. a4 a5 {.}) ({можно начать с} 21... Kb8) 22. Kb1 {Диаграмма} Rd7 $2 ({Для удержания равновесия от черных требовались конкретные действия:} 22... Qe7 $1 23. Rd3 b5 $1 24. Ka2 (24. Bxc5 Qe1+) 24... bxc4 25. Bxc5 Qe2 26. Bxc4 Qxf2 27. Bxf2 Rxd3 28. Bxd3 Kb7 {с острым окончанием. Диаграмма}) 23. Rd3 g5 ({Быть может, все же стоило попытаться перевести короля на а7, сыграв} 23... a6 $5 {.}) ({Имеет смысл и} 23... Rde7 $5 { , пытаясь активизировать ладьи.}) 24. Ka2 Ree7 25. Qf3 Kd8 26. Bd2 Kc8 {Диаграмма} 27. Qf1 $1 {Сергей пропускает ладью на h3.} Rd6 28. fxg5 Bxg5 29. Bxg5 hxg5 30. Qf5+ Rdd7 31. Qxg5 Qe5 32. Qh6 {Диаграмма} Kd8 $2 ({Упорнее} 32... f6 $1 {, беря под контроль седьмую горизонталь, хотя после} 33. h4 {у белых большие шансы на победу.}) 33. g5 $1 Qd6 34. Qh8+ Re8 35. Qh4 Qg6 36. Qg4 Re5 37. h4 Ke7 38. Rd2 b5 {Диаграмма} 39. Bxf7 ({ Лучший путь к цели - тот, в котором уверен. Карякин сделал надежный выбор, хотя быстрее решало} 39. Qg3 {.}) 39... Qf5 40. Rxd7+ Kxd7 41. Qxf5+ Rxf5 {Сергей демонстрирует поучительную технику.} 42. g6 Ke7 43. cxb5 Rh5 44. c4 Rxh4 45. a4 Rg4 46. a5 Kd6 47. a6 Kc7 48. Kb3 {Диаграмма Черный монарх прикован к защите от прорыва b5-b6, в то время как белый направляется поддержать проходную на f8.} 1-0 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.26"] [Round "?"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D41"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "86"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.26"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.26"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. Bc4 Nd7 12. O-O b6 13. Rad1 Bb7 14. Rfe1 Rc8 15. Bb3 Re8 16. h3 Nf6 17. Qf4 Nh5 18. Qh2 h6 {Диаграмма} 19. Ne5 {Новинка.} ({В пятом туре Уэсли Со сыграл против Владимира Крамника} 19. d5 {(точнее, это был 21 ход, поскольку имело место повторение). Продолжение} exd5 20. exd5 ({ интересно} 20. e5 $5) 20... Rxe1+ 21. Nxe1 Qf6 22. Nd3 Ba6 23. Qe5 Bxd3 24. Qxh5 Bc2 25. Rc1 Bf5 26. Rxc8+ Bxc8 {привело к равенству.}) 19... Nf6 20. Qf4 b5 21. Re3 ({Не сулит перевеса прямолинейное} 21. Nxf7 Kxf7 22. e5 a5 23. exf6 Qxf6 24. Qd6 Rc6 25. Qd7+ Qe7 26. Qxe7+ Kxe7 $1 {.}) 21... Rc7 22. Nd3 Rc3 { Диаграмма} 23. Nc5 ({На прорыв} 23. d5 $5 {черные могут реагировать по-разному: 1)} exd5 ({2)} 23... e5 $5 24. Nxe5 Rxe3 25. fxe3 Qd6 26. Nc6 Nxe4 27. Nxa7 Qc5 28. Nc6 Nc3 29. Rd2 Rxe3 30. Qd4 Re1+ 31. Kf2 ({проигрывает} 31. Kh2 $4 {ввиду} Qd6+ 32. g3 Ne4 33. Rg2 Nxg3 34. Rxg3 Re2+) 31... Qxd4+ 32. Rxd4 Re8 {с равенством в обоих вариантах.}) 24. e5 Ne4 25. Rxe4 Rxb3 $1 ({на} 25... dxe4 $4 {белые матуют:} 26. Qxf7+ Kh7 27. Nf4 Qe7 28. Qf5+ g6 29. Qxg6+ Kh8 30. Qxh6+ Qh7 31. Ng6#) 26. Nc5 Rc3 27. Nxb7 Qe7) 23... Rxe3 24. Qxe3 ({Вероятно, перспективнее} 24. fxe3 $5 {.}) 24... Bc6 25. Rc1 Qb6 26. f3 Rd8 27. Kf2 a5 {Диаграмма} 28. g4 $6 {Попытка атаки оказывается пустой тратой времени.} ({Надежнее сдерживающее} 28. a3 $5 { . Например:} a4 29. Bd1 b4 30. axb4 Qxb4 31. Nxe6 fxe6 32. Rxc6 Rxd4 33. Be2 {. Здесь компьютер ставит равенство. Я бы предпочел играть белыми, поскольку черная проходная не является грозной силой, а пехотинец "е" попросту слаб.}) ({К неясным последствиям (разумеется, для человека, а не компьютера) ведет жертва коня:} 28. Nxe6 $5 fxe6 29. Bxe6+ Kf8 30. d5 Qxe3+ 31. Kxe3 {.}) 28... a4 29. Bc2 {Диаграмма} Nd7 $1 {Для реализации пешечного большинства черным нужен размен коней.} 30. Bd3 $6 ({Шахрияру следовало уклониться -} 30. Nd3 $1 {, после чего сопернику было бы непросто разыграть свой козырь.}) 30... Nxc5 31. Rxc5 b4 32. Bc4 $6 {Слон напрасно ушел с диагонали, где он блокировал проходную.} Bd7 33. g5 $6 {Никаких угроз белые не создают. Однако можно понять Мамедьярова, который, вероятно, не верил в успех пассивной обороны.} hxg5 34. Qxg5 Be8 {Диаграмма} 35. Qe7 $2 ({ Упорнее} 35. Kg2 $1 {. Игра по аналогии с партией не гарантирует черным успеха:} b3 ({после} 35... Rxd4 $2 36. Rc8 {черные вынуждены спасаться:} f6 $1 37. Rxe8+ Kf7 38. Rxe6 fxg5 39. Rxb6+ Rxc4) 36. axb3 a3 37. b4 Rb8 38. Qd2 Qxb4 39. Qxb4 Rxb4 40. Kg3 (40. Kf2 a2 41. Bxa2 Rb2+) 40... Kf8 41. Kf4 Ra4 42. Ba2 Rxd4 {с игрой на два результата. Диаграмма}) 35... b3 $1 36. axb3 a3 $1 {Решающий прорыв.} 37. b4 Ra8 38. d5 a2 { Диаграмма} 39. dxe6 ({Не помогает и} 39. Bxa2 Rxa2+ 40. Kg3 Qxb4 41. Qxe8+ Kh7 42. Qxf7 Qxc5 43. Qh5+ Kg8 44. Qe8+ Qf8 {.}) 39... a1=Q 40. exf7+ Bxf7 41. Bxf7+ Kh7 42. Qh4+ Qh6 43. Rh5 {Диаграмма} Qa7+ $1 0-1 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.03.26"] [Round "?"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander "] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C88"] [Annotator "user"] [PlyCount "108"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] [SourceDate "2018.03.26"] [SourceVersionDate "2018.03.26"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3 d6 {Диаграмма} 9. Bd2 $5 {Этот редкий ход скрывает коварный замысел.} ({Главная линия -} 9. c3 {.}) 9... Kh8 10. h3 Nd7 11. Nc3 Na5 12. Nd5 Nxb3 13. axb3 Bb7 14. c4 f5 {Диаграмма} 15. Ba5 $1 {Слон пришел в пункт назначения.} Rc8 16. Rc1 bxc4 ({Интересна жертва пешки:} 16... Nc5 $5 17. cxb5 axb5 18. Bxc7 Qe8 {со сложной игрой.}) 17. bxc4 fxe4 18. dxe4 Nc5 19. Bc3 Qe8 20. b4 Ne6 21. Bd2 { Диаграмма} c6 $2 {Неочевидный недостаток этого хода в том, что пешка перекрыла кислород белопольному слону.} ({Отступление } 21... Bf6 $1) ({или} 21... Bd8 $1 {оставляло оценку позиции неопределенной.}) 22. Nxe7 Qxe7 23. Be3 $2 ({ Подрыв} 23. c5 $1 {давал большой перевес. Например:} Rcd8 24. Re3 dxc5 25. bxc5 Nf4 ({не лучше} 25... Nxc5 26. Qc2 Ne6 27. Ba5 Rc8 28. Nxe5 Nd4 29. Qc5 Qxc5 30. Rxc5) 26. Qf1 Bc8 27. Bc3 Ng6 28. Bb2 Rd7 29. Rd1 Rxd1 30. Qxd1 Rd8 31. Qa1 {.}) 23... c5 $1 {Слон снова в деле.} 24. bxc5 Nxc5 25. Bxc5 Rxc5 26. Nd2 { Диаграмма} Bc8 $1 27. Nf1 Be6 {Слон атакует изолятор с4. На доске равенство, которое сохранилось до конца партии.} 28. Ne3 Rc6 29. Qa4 Rfc8 30. Rb1 h6 31. Rb8 Rxc4 32. Rxc8+ Rxc8 33. Qxa6 {Диаграмма Грищук выжал из позиции максимум, но оценка осталась прежней. Здесь можно говорить о "принципе одной слабости". К пехотинцу d6 не подступиться, а других объектов атаки и нет.} Qc7 34. Rd1 Rd8 35. Qd3 Qc5 36. Kh2 Qc7 37. Kg1 Qc5 38. Rd2 Qc7 39. Qa3 Qe7 40. Rd1 Kh7 41. Qb4 Qc7 42. Rd3 Kg8 43. Qd2 Qe7 44. Kh2 Qf8 45. Kg1 Qe7 46. Qd1 Kh7 47. Rd2 Qf8 48. Rd3 Qe7 49. Rd2 Qf8 50. Nf1 Rd7 51. Ng3 Qb8 52. Kh2 Qf8 53. Kg1 Qb8 54. Kh2 Qf8 {Диаграмма Позиция не сильно изменилась.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "FIDE Candidates 2018"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.27"] [Round "14"] [White "Grischuk, A."] [Black "Caruana, F."] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C43"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2784"] [Annotator "Sagar,Shah"] [PlyCount "138"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {Caruana chooses his trusted Petroff.} 3. d4 Nxe4 4. dxe5 d5 5. Nbd2 Nxd2 6. Bxd2 Be7 7. Bd3 c5 8. c3 Nc6 9. O-O Bg4 {The pin is pretty irritating.} 10. Re1 Qd7 11. h3 Bh5 12. Bf4 Qe6 13. a3 $5 {Aiming for b4.} O-O 14. b4 h6 15. Bg3 b6 16. Nd4 $5 {I think Grischuk could no longer think of ways to strengthen his position and now tries to force the issue. The result is a comfortable middlegame position for Caruana.} Bxd1 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Raxd1 c4 $1 {I really liked this move. There is no knight that can sit on d4 and at the same time Black can always threaten d5-d4.} 19. Bc2 b5 $1 {Now a5 is a threat.} 20. a4 a6 21. f3 Bg5 (21... Nxb4 $1 {This would have been quite a bold sacrifice. Of course not apt for the occasion but objectively very strong. } 22. cxb4 Bxb4 23. Re2 Bc5+ 24. Bf2 Bxf2+ 25. Kxf2 b4 $13 {These phalanx of pawns is surely equivalent to a piece. Whether Black can win this is a different matter. But he is not worse.}) 22. Bf2 Bf4 23. Bc5 Rfd8 (23... Bxe5 $5 24. Bxf8 Rxf8 {would have been good compensation for Black.}) 24. Bd6 Bg3 25. Re2 g5 26. Kf1 Kf7 27. Bc7 Re8 28. Bd6 Rac8 {Grischuk,A (2767)-Caruana,F (2784) Berlin 2018 playchess.com [ChessBase]} 29. Ra1 Red8 30. Bb1 Rd7 31. Ra3 $6 {This move gives Black the advantage as he can now break with d4.} d4 32. axb5 axb5 33. cxd4 Nxd4 34. Rea2 Nc6 35. Be4 Bxe5 36. Bxc6 Rxd6 37. Bxb5 Rd1+ 38. Ke2 Rg1 {Although the material is even, the c-pawn along with the active pieces guarantee Black a huge advantage.} 39. Ke3 Rb1 40. Ra7+ Kf6 41. Bd7 Bf4+ 42. Ke2 Rd8 43. Rc2 Rxb4 44. Bc6 c3 45. Rd7 (45. Rxc3 Rd2+ 46. Kf1 Rb1+ $19) 45... Rc8 46. Be4 (46. Rxc3 Rb6 $19) 46... h5 47. Kd3 Rb2 48. Ke2 (48. Rxc3 Rd2#) 48... h4 49. Rd1 Ke5 50. Ra1 Rd8 51. Rd1 Rdb8 52. Ra1 Bd2 53. Ra6 Rd8 54. Rc6 Rb1 55. Kf2 Ra1 56. Rc4 Rd4 57. Rc8 Rb4 58. Ke2 Kf4 59. Kf2 Rbb1 60. Rf8+ Ke5 61. Bd3 Rb2 62. Ke2 Re1+ 63. Kf2 Rc1 64. Rxb2 cxb2 65. Rb8 Bc3 66. Be4 Bd4+ 67. Ke2 Kf4 68. Rb4 e5 69. Rb7 Kg3 {A thorough domination.} 0-1 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.27"] [Round "14"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Ding Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C84"] [WhiteElo "2763"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "Sagar,Shah"] [PlyCount "90"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3 O-O 9. Nc3 Bg4 {This move was recently popularized by Aronian by playing it against MVL at the World Cup 2017.} 10. Be3 {So that the knight on d4 can be taken.} Nd4 11. Bxd4 exd4 12. Nd5 c5 (12... Nxd5 13. Bxd5 Rc8 {is another way to play.}) 13. a4 Be6 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6 15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. Qe2 {In general the position is equal but not drawn because of the minor piece imbalance.} Qd7 17. b3 (17. e5 {is definitely something to think about.}) 17... e5 18. Ra2 b4 $5 { I am pretty surprised with this move because White now gets a very pleasant square on c4 for his knight and can put a lot of pressure.But later I think I started to understand the idea behind this move. Black wants to shut the queenside and just focus on the kingside with ...g5 and ...h5. It surely was an interesting and deep decision by Ding.} 19. Nd2 $14 Rae8 20. Raa1 Bd8 21. g3 g5 $5 {Ding Liren starts playing aggressively. He played b4 in a way to just shut off things on the queenside and focus on the kingside!} 22. Nc4 Re6 23. a5 Ref6 24. f3 {The rook couldn't be allowed on the f3 square.} h5 25. Nb6 Qf7 26. Kg2 h4 27. Nd5 (27. gxh4 gxh4 28. Nc4 Be7 (28... h3+ 29. Kh1 Rxf3 30. Rg1+ Kh8 31. Nxd6 $16) 29. Kh1 Rxf3 $13 {Black wins a pawn, but his bishop is so bad that it will most certainly end in a draw.}) 27... h3+ $1 {Perhaps Sergey missed this move. It is not the end of the world, but definitely White is on the backfoot.} 28. Kg1 Rxf3 29. g4 Kg7 30. Rxf3 Qxf3 31. Qxf3 Rxf3 32. Rf1 Rxf1+ 33. Kxf1 Bxa5 {Black has two pawns, but the knight on d5 is great and the bishop on a5 is poor. So it is still a draw.} 34. Ne7 Kf6 35. Nf5 {I found it unneccessary to move the knight away from d5. Just keep the knight on d5 and take your king to the queenside. The structure on the kingside is anyway sealed.} Ke6 36. Ng3 Bd8 37. Nh1 a5 38. Ke2 d5 39. Nf2 Kd6 40. exd5 Kxd5 41. Ne4 Kc6 42. Kd2 Be7 43. Kc1 Kb5 44. Kb2 a4 45. Ka2 a3 {Black has everything - 2 extra pawns, a protected passed pawn! But there is just no way to win!} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Berlin GER"] [Site "Berlin GER"] [Date "2018.03.27"] [Round "14"] [White "Kramnik, V."] [Black "Mamedyarov, S."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E06"] [WhiteElo "2800"] [BlackElo "2809"] [Annotator "Sagar,Shah"] [PlyCount "108"] [EventDate "2018.03.10"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Ne5 Qd6 $5 { An interesting opeinng experiment by Mamedyarov in a must-win situation.} 8. Na3 Rd8 9. Naxc4 Qa6 (9... Qxd4 10. Qc2 {is excellent compensation.}) 10. Qc2 Rxd4 {Kramnik gives up a pawn but gets a lot of play in return.} 11. Bg5 (11. b3 $5 {followed by Bb2 is also a very valid and strong way to play.}) 11... Nbd7 12. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 13. Rxd1 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 {The exchanges have eased off Black's situation.} Qa5 15. Bf4 Nd5 16. Be4 g6 17. Bh6 Qc5 18. Qd2 Qb4 19. Qc2 Qc5 {It seems like Mamedyarov is fine with a draw, but perhaps Kramnik would like to continue?} 20. Qd3 {Kramnik plays on!} Qd6 21. Nc4 Qc5 22. Qf3 $1 { Kramnik is making full use of the available resources in the position.} c6 ( 22... Qxc4 23. Rxd5 $44 {The rook cannot be picked up and the bishop on c8 cannot develop easily.All in all it looks like a difficult position for Black.} ) 23. Bd3 {Kramnik aims for the e4 break.} Nf6 24. e4 e5 25. Be3 Qb4 26. Nxe5 { The position is tremendously complicated and difficult to play for both sides with less time on the clock.} Qxb2 27. Bf4 Be6 28. Rb1 Qxa2 29. Rxb7 {Black has kept his extra pawn, but White is maintaining his initiative.} Bc5 { Kramnik,V (2800)-Mamedyarov,S (2809) Berlin 2018 playchess.com [ChessBase]} 30. Kg2 Re8 31. h3 $6 (31. Bg5 $1 Nh5 32. Nxc6 {The computers think this is clearly better for White.}) 31... Bxf2 $1 {A nice way to equalize everything here.} 32. Qxf2 Bxh3+ 33. Kg1 Qxf2+ 34. Kxf2 Rxe5 35. Bxe5 Ng4+ 36. Kg1 Nxe5 { Black cannot be worse here.} 37. Be2 Kg7 38. Rxa7 Kf6 39. Ra5 Bd7 40. Kf2 { The position is just even. Both players played on for a few moves, but the result was never in doubt.} Ke6 41. Ke3 Kd6 42. Ra1 h5 43. Rd1+ Ke7 44. Kd4 f6 45. Kc5 Bh3 46. Ra1 Bg2 47. Ra4 Ke6 48. Rd4 Nf3 49. Rd8 Ng5 50. Bc4+ Ke7 51. Rg8 Nxe4+ 52. Kxc6 Nd6+ 53. Kc5 Nxc4 54. Kxc4 Kf7 1/2-1/2