FIDE World Teams 2017: China wins Open; Russia wins Women; India impresses!
We gave it our all, we gave it our best. Yet we did not win a medal at the World Team Championship 2017. Well, that's how sports is! We finished fourth in both open and women's section. In the last round the men's team beat Norway 3-1 and our girls were able to get the better of Azerbaijan with the same margin. In this report we bring you two very interesting games with detailed analysis. Vidit's draw against Aryan Tari annotated by Sagar Shah, and Adhiban's win over Johan Salomon by indefatigable Aradhya Garg.
Photos by Anastasiya Balakhontseva
Men's team beats Norway 3-1, Women's team win against Azerbaijan with the same margin
Open section:
After eight rounds India had already lost all the possibilities of winning a medal in the open section. However, winning the last round is always important. It helps you to finish the tournament in good spirits and at the same time you have your rating, national pride and many more things at stake. India took on Norway, which without Magnus Carlsen and Jon Ludvig Hammer, wasn't particularly strong.
Aryan Tari is the next big name in Norway after Magnus Carlsen, and he was pitted against Vidit Gujrathi
When we had the World Juniors in Pune in 2014, Vidit was India's biggest hope to win the gold medal. However, the boy from Nashik finished fourth. One of the reasons was his loss against Aryan Tari!
Vidit was out there for blood and he played as if he was in the romantic age of 1900s! He sacrificed pawns and pieces to drag the white king out in the centre. And guess what? When he got the king out in the centre, suddenly it became really safe! At some point Vidit was also losing the game, but I really recommend you to go over the battle as there is a lot about attack and defence that you can learn from it.
[Event "11th World Teams 2017"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk RUS"]
[Date "2017.06.26"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2593"]
[BlackElo "2692"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2017.06.17"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk RUS"]
[Date "2017.06.26"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2593"]
[BlackElo "2692"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2017.06.17"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Bd3 (6. e5 {is by
far the main move.}) 6... d5 7. Qe2 dxe4 8. Nc3 Bb4 9. Bxe4 O-O {I already
like Black's position. He has got his king castled. His bishops are active.
There are open lines for his rooks on e8 and b8. All in all there's a reason
why e5 is preferred over Bd3.} 10. Bxc6 Rb8 11. Be3 $6 (11. O-O {was a good
move. I am not sure what Aryan was worried about. With Rd1 coming up White
should have no real issues here.}) 11... Qd6 12. Bf3 Ba6 $6 (12... Ba5 $1 {
Attacking b2 makes it very difficult for White to meet this move.} 13. Qd2 Rxb2
$19) 13. Qd2 Qe7 14. O-O-O Ba3 $1 {Vidit is in his element! I would be very
afraid if I was White here. First of all Black king is safe and I already have
four Black pieces looking at my king.} 15. Na4 Bxb2+ $1 {Now for a second,
let's leave the engines aside and try to look at this game from a practical
point of view. The bishop has taken the pawn on b2 and opened the white king.
As Kasparov says in an attack there are no pieces or pawns. There are units of
attack and units of defence. Here b2 is a unit of defence that is destroyed by
a unit of attack!} 16. Nxb2 Qa3 17. Bd4 (17. c4 {Might have been better, but I
am already quite cynical after} Qxa2 {I have a feeling that Black should have
decent compensation here.}) 17... Qxa2 18. Qc3 Rfd8 $1 {Bringing the last
piece in the game. Black's threat is Qa1 followed by taking the piece on b2.}
19. Bc6 Bb5 $3 {Vidit finds a great resource. The idea is to simply deflect
the bishop from the control of the e4 square so that the knight can jump in.} (
19... Qa1+ 20. Kd2 Qxb2 21. Qxb2 Rxb2 22. Kc3 {And even though White is a pawn
down, he is better here because of his active bishops.} Rbb8 23. Bxa7 $16) 20.
Bf3 (20. Bxb5 Ne4 $19) 20... c5 $5 (20... Be2 $3 {Following the same theme
this move would have won the game.} 21. Bc6 (21. Rde1 Bxf3 22. gxf3 c5 $1 23.
Qxc5 Qa1+ 24. Kd2 Qxb2 $19) 21... Bxd1 22. Rxd1 Qa1+ 23. Kd2 Qxb2 24. Qxb2 Rxb2
{The rest is just matter of technique.}) 21. Qxc5 Qa1+ 22. Kd2 Qxb2 {Once
again, though this looks completely winning, white king manages to survive.
Now this is not something that you can blame a player for. Vidit's evaluation
ended somewhere here saying the material is even, and white king is disastrous,
while black king is great. Should be better for Black. But the tragedy is that
it is not!} 23. Ke3 Qa2 (23... Re8+ 24. Kf4 $1 $16 {The king is afraid of no
one! (Inspired by Eesha Karavade's eighth round king march?!)}) 24. Bxf6 gxf6
$2 (24... Qe6+ 25. Be5 Re8 $11 {was how Black could have survived.}) 25. Rxd8+
Rxd8 26. Qxb5 {Black is just a piece down now with no compensation.} Qxc2 27.
Rd1 $2 (27. Be4 $1 {Not such a difficult move to find for Aryan.} Qd2+ (27...
Qc3+ 28. Kf4 $18 {Once again the king is safe.}) 28. Kf3 $18) 27... Rxd1 28.
Qb8+ Kg7 29. Bxd1 Qxd1 {Now the game is drawn.} 30. Qxa7 Qg1 31. Kf3 Qxh2 32.
Qd7 h5 33. g3 Qh1+ 34. Ke3 Qe1+ 35. Kf3 Qe5 36. Kg2 f5 37. Qd2 Qe4+ 38. Kh2 Qg4
39. Qc3+ Kh7 40. Qc7 Qg6 41. Qf4 Qf6 42. Kh3 Kg6 43. Qb8 Kg7 44. Qf4 Qg6 45.
Kh4 f6 46. f3 Kh7 47. g4 hxg4 48. fxg4 fxg4 49. Qc7+ Kg8 50. Qd8+ Kf7 51. Qd7+
Kf8 52. Qd8+ Kg7 53. Qc7+ Qf7 54. Qxf7+ Kxf7 55. Kxg4 Ke6 56. Kf4 1/2-1/2
far the main move.}) 6... d5 7. Qe2 dxe4 8. Nc3 Bb4 9. Bxe4 O-O {I already
like Black's position. He has got his king castled. His bishops are active.
There are open lines for his rooks on e8 and b8. All in all there's a reason
why e5 is preferred over Bd3.} 10. Bxc6 Rb8 11. Be3 $6 (11. O-O {was a good
move. I am not sure what Aryan was worried about. With Rd1 coming up White
should have no real issues here.}) 11... Qd6 12. Bf3 Ba6 $6 (12... Ba5 $1 {
Attacking b2 makes it very difficult for White to meet this move.} 13. Qd2 Rxb2
$19) 13. Qd2 Qe7 14. O-O-O Ba3 $1 {Vidit is in his element! I would be very
afraid if I was White here. First of all Black king is safe and I already have
four Black pieces looking at my king.} 15. Na4 Bxb2+ $1 {Now for a second,
let's leave the engines aside and try to look at this game from a practical
point of view. The bishop has taken the pawn on b2 and opened the white king.
As Kasparov says in an attack there are no pieces or pawns. There are units of
attack and units of defence. Here b2 is a unit of defence that is destroyed by
a unit of attack!} 16. Nxb2 Qa3 17. Bd4 (17. c4 {Might have been better, but I
am already quite cynical after} Qxa2 {I have a feeling that Black should have
decent compensation here.}) 17... Qxa2 18. Qc3 Rfd8 $1 {Bringing the last
piece in the game. Black's threat is Qa1 followed by taking the piece on b2.}
19. Bc6 Bb5 $3 {Vidit finds a great resource. The idea is to simply deflect
the bishop from the control of the e4 square so that the knight can jump in.} (
19... Qa1+ 20. Kd2 Qxb2 21. Qxb2 Rxb2 22. Kc3 {And even though White is a pawn
down, he is better here because of his active bishops.} Rbb8 23. Bxa7 $16) 20.
Bf3 (20. Bxb5 Ne4 $19) 20... c5 $5 (20... Be2 $3 {Following the same theme
this move would have won the game.} 21. Bc6 (21. Rde1 Bxf3 22. gxf3 c5 $1 23.
Qxc5 Qa1+ 24. Kd2 Qxb2 $19) 21... Bxd1 22. Rxd1 Qa1+ 23. Kd2 Qxb2 24. Qxb2 Rxb2
{The rest is just matter of technique.}) 21. Qxc5 Qa1+ 22. Kd2 Qxb2 {Once
again, though this looks completely winning, white king manages to survive.
Now this is not something that you can blame a player for. Vidit's evaluation
ended somewhere here saying the material is even, and white king is disastrous,
while black king is great. Should be better for Black. But the tragedy is that
it is not!} 23. Ke3 Qa2 (23... Re8+ 24. Kf4 $1 $16 {The king is afraid of no
one! (Inspired by Eesha Karavade's eighth round king march?!)}) 24. Bxf6 gxf6
$2 (24... Qe6+ 25. Be5 Re8 $11 {was how Black could have survived.}) 25. Rxd8+
Rxd8 26. Qxb5 {Black is just a piece down now with no compensation.} Qxc2 27.
Rd1 $2 (27. Be4 $1 {Not such a difficult move to find for Aryan.} Qd2+ (27...
Qc3+ 28. Kf4 $18 {Once again the king is safe.}) 28. Kf3 $18) 27... Rxd1 28.
Qb8+ Kg7 29. Bxd1 Qxd1 {Now the game is drawn.} 30. Qxa7 Qg1 31. Kf3 Qxh2 32.
Qd7 h5 33. g3 Qh1+ 34. Ke3 Qe1+ 35. Kf3 Qe5 36. Kg2 f5 37. Qd2 Qe4+ 38. Kh2 Qg4
39. Qc3+ Kh7 40. Qc7 Qg6 41. Qf4 Qf6 42. Kh3 Kg6 43. Qb8 Kg7 44. Qf4 Qg6 45.
Kh4 f6 46. f3 Kh7 47. g4 hxg4 48. fxg4 fxg4 49. Qc7+ Kg8 50. Qd8+ Kf7 51. Qd7+
Kf8 52. Qd8+ Kg7 53. Qc7+ Qf7 54. Qxf7+ Kxf7 55. Kxg4 Ke6 56. Kf4 1/2-1/2
Adhiban was in his element as he destroyed his opponent Johan Salomon
Usually when I wake up I go through all of my messages in order to check if something important has cropped up. On Tuesday morning I received a message from Aradhya that he found Adhiban's game really interesting and would like to send in analysis for the final round report. After two hours when I received the annotated game from Aradhya I was amazed to see the varations and analysis. I would recommend that you use the magnifying glass on top of the replayable board to zoom in and play over the analysis. In case that's too difficult, click on the save button and download the game.
[Event "11th World Teams 2017"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk RUS"]
[Date "2017.06.26"]
[Round "9.4"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Salomon, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2501"]
[Annotator "Aradhya Garg"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2017.06.17"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk RUS"]
[Date "2017.06.26"]
[Round "9.4"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Salomon, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2501"]
[Annotator "Aradhya Garg"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2017.06.17"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]
1. Nf3 $5 {The last round game was supposed to be quiet interesting as we did
have a chance for a medal in the Womens section but in the Mens section,we had
to try to fight for a victory against a young,upcoming but a little weakened
Norweigian team without their top players Magnus Carlsen and Ludvig Hammer.The
thing about Adhiban here is that he can simply play anything and have it
prepared beforehand and it is extremely difficult for his opponent to predict
what he has in store for the day and this immediately puts some psychological
pressure on the opponent!} d5 2. c4 e6 3. e3 Nf6 4. b3 Be7 5. Bb2 O-O 6. Nc3 c5
7. cxd5 {Adhiban had been blitzing his moves uptil now whereas his opponent
had already spent 6 minutes on the clock which was definitely a psychological
boost for us!} exd5 {Probably a strong pragmatic decision of not going into a
variation Black has little knowledge about and a variation that can be
Extremely dangerous and is very concrete!However this position resulted to the
Tarrasch Defense like structures which Salomon probably did not have good
knowledge about!} (7... Nxd5 {Black wants to avoid any weaknesses in the
centre but leaves the kingside poorly defended.This move is probably the most
challenging one and Adhiban already had faced it against Gagare Shardul just
one month after the initial model game Karjakin-Anand Candidates Chess 2016
and probably had an improvement up in his sleeves!} 8. Qc2 {[%cal Gh2h4]} Nc6 (
8... Bf6 9. h4 $5 {This idea was originally of Van Wely but Karjakin used it
in a different position quite probably inspired by the knowledge and
understanding of the Dutch theoritician and played a remarkable game against
Anand Sir.} b6 10. Ng5 g6 11. a3 Nxc3 12. Bxc3 Bb7 13. f4 Nd7 14. Bb5 Bxc3 15.
Qxc3 Nf6 16. h5 Bxg2 17. Rh2 Ne4 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. Kf2 a6 20. Be2 Ra7 21. d3
Ba8 22. Rg1 f6 23. hxg6 hxg6 24. Rxg6+ Rg7 25. Rhh6 Rxg6 26. Rxg6+ Kh7 27. Rg3
Rg8 28. Bg4 Qe7 29. e4 b5 30. Qa1 Rg6 31. f5 Rh6 32. fxe6 Rh2+ 33. Kg1 {
1-0 (33) Van Wely,L (2714)-Van der Werf,M (2435) Netherlands 2001}) 9. h4 $5
$146 {[%csl Rh7][%cal Gf3g5,Gf1d3,Gd3e4,Ga2a3] A very ambitious move, aiming
at weakening the enemy kingside with Ng5. But if for any reason White will
have to castle short, the early advance of the h-pawn will also count as a
weakening move.} ({Previously, White was successful with a reversed Hedgehog
approach:} 9. a3 Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Bd7 11. Be2 Rc8 12. O-O b6 13. Qb2 Bf6 14. b4
$14 {Lysyj,I (2691)-Zhou,W (2627) China 2015 (1-0, 40)} Bxc3 15. Qxc3 Ne7 16.
Qb2 Bc6 17. bxc5 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Rxc5 19. d4 Ra5 20. g3 g6 21. Rfc1 Qd7 22. Rc4
Rc8 23. Rac1 Rxc4 24. Rxc4 Qd6 25. a4 h5 26. Qc3 Kf8 27. Bd1 e5 28. Bb3 exd4
29. Rxd4 Rc5 30. Qd2 Qf6 31. Rd7 Rc3 32. Ba2 a5 33. Rd6 Rc1+ 34. Kg2 Qa1 35.
Rxb6 Rg1+ 36. Kf3 Qf1 37. Rf6 Kg7 38. Rxf7+ Kh6 39. e4+ g5 40. Rxe7 {1-0 (40)
Lysyj,I (2691)-Zhou,W (2627) China 2015}) 9... b6 ({Black cannot really
exploit the exposed position of the white queen. If} 9... Ndb4 10. Qb1 b6 11.
a3 Nd5 {White can choose between transposing to the game with} 12. Qc2 {
or playing some other constructive move.}) 10. a3 {or playing some other
constructive move.} (10. Ng5 {is premature due to} f5 {Karjakin decides to
wait until Black develops his bishop, which would leave the e6-pawn undefended.
}) 10... Bf6 $5 $146 {[%csl Gf6,Gg8] was Sharduls improvement on ...f5 played
by Anand Sir against Karjakin.This move is also quite logical as Black
refrains from weakening his King and simply gets the Bishop to its ideal
diagnol and asks White to make some decisions up here!However,it was not
convincing and Adhiban gained a very dangerous initiative out of the opening
here!} (10... Bb7 11. Ng5 g6 {looks dangerous. Over the board one would be
afraid of} 12. Nxh7 (12. Nce4 $5 {may be simpler}) 12... Kxh7 13. Nxd5 exd5 14.
h5 {but things are not entirely clear:} f5 15. hxg6+ Kxg6 16. Bd3 d4 17. Bxf5+
Kf7 (17... Rxf5 18. g4) 18. exd4 cxd4 (18... Nxd4 19. Rh7+ Ke8 20. Bg6+ Kd7 21.
Bxd4 cxd4 22. Kf1 $1 $18 {[%csl Re7][%cal Ga1e1,Rc2c8] leaves the black king
cut off along the c-file and the e7-bishop vulnerable.}) 19. Rh6 $5 {[%csl Gc6]
} (19. Rh7+ Ke8 20. Bg6+ Kd7) 19... Ne5 20. f4 Rh8 $1 21. Rxh8 Qxh8 22. O-O-O
Nc6 23. g4 $44) (10... h6 11. g4 $36 {[%csl Rh6][%cal Gg4g5]}) (10... Nf6 11.
g4 $1 $36 Nxg4 $2 12. Qe4 $18 {[%csl Rc6,Rg4]}) (10... f5 {Not an easy move to
play, but with Ng5 hanging in the air there were micro problems in all the
alternative lines.} 11. Bb5 Bb7 12. Nxd5 exd5 {[%csl Ge5]} (12... Qxd5 {
leaves the e6-pawn vulnerable.}) 13. d4 Rc8 ({Black misses a good chance for
counterplay:} 13... c4 $5 14. bxc4 a6 15. Bxc6 Bxc6 16. c5 (16. cxd5 Bxd5 {
[%csl Rf3,Rh4][%cal Ga8c8,Gd5c4]}) 16... Rc8 {Black will soon retrieve the
c-pawn as} 17. cxb6 $2 Bb5 {leaves the king trapped.}) 14. dxc5 bxc5 15. O-O
Bf6 16. Rfd1 $14 {[%csl Rc5,Rd5,Rg8] 1-0 (43) Karjakin,S (2760)-Anand,V (2762)
Moscow 2016 CBM 172 [Marin,M] Black's position has two minor defects: the bad
placement of the knight and the weaknesses induced by ...f7-f5.}) 11. Bb5 Bb7
12. Ng5 g6 13. Nce4 Bxb2 14. Qxb2 {[%csl Rf6,Rg7,Rg8,Gh1,Rh6,Rh7,Rh8][%cal
Gh4h5] Whites initiative looks very promising practically and it already seems
as if White has an advantage and the White Rook can play from its Inititial
position on h1 up here!} h6 15. h5 hxg5 16. hxg6 {[%csl Rg8,Rh8]} f6 (16... Nd4
17. exd4 $18 {[%csl Rh8]}) 17. Nxg5 Nc7 $1 $146 {[%cal Gc6e5]} (17... Qd6 18.
g7 {[%csl Rg8]} Rfb8 19. Qc2 $6 {[%csl Rg8,Rh7]} (19. Rh8+ $1 {here was the
strongest simply getting a winning position up here!} Kxg7 20. Rh7+ Kf8 {
and it is probable that Adhiban simply left his calculatins here although
White still gets a DECISIVE ADVANTAGE after} (20... Kg8 21. Qb1 {[%csl Rg6,Rg8]
} f5 22. Rh6 $18 {[%csl Rc6,Re6,Rg8][%cal Gh6g6,Gb1b2]}) (20... Kg6 21. Bd3+
Kxg5 (21... f5 22. Qg7#) 22. Rg7+ Kh6 23. Rg6+ Kh7 24. O-O-O $18 {[%csl Rh7]})
21. Qc2 {[%csl Rf8][%cal Gc2g6]} f5 22. Qd1 $5 {[%csl Rf7,Rf8,Rh5,Rh8] Again
trying to use the ENERGY of more and more pieces in the position and also
trying to see the WHOLE GEOMETRY of the board very clearly when White has a
decisive advantage up here!} Nf6 23. Rf7+ Kg8 24. Rxf6 $18) 19... f5 20. O-O-O
Qe5 21. Rh8+ Kxg7 22. Rh7+ Kg6 23. Rdh1 Rh8 {and the game was still extremely
complicated and eventually led to a draw.} 24. f4 Rxh7 25. Rxh7 Qa1+ 26. Qb1
Qxb1+ 27. Kxb1 Na5 28. b4 cxb4 29. axb4 Bc6 30. Be2 Nf6 31. Re7 Nb7 32. Nf3
Be4+ 33. d3 Bd5 34. Ne5+ Kh6 35. Rf7 Ne8 36. g4 fxg4 37. Nxg4+ Kg6 38. Ne5+ Kh6
39. e4 Nbd6 40. exd5 Nxf7 41. Nxf7+ Kg6 42. dxe6 Kf5 43. Bf3 Rc8 44. Bd5 Kxf4
45. d4 Ke3 46. Bb7 Rc7 47. d5 Rxb7 48. d6 Nf6 49. Ne5 Kd4 50. d7 Nxd7 51. Nxd7
Rc7 52. e7 Rc8 53. Nf6 {1/2-1/2 (53) Adhiban,B (2663)-Gagare,S (2491) Dubai
2016}) 18. g7 $5 {[%csl Rg8,Rh7][%cal Gb2c2] White simply continues with his
Initiative on the Kingside and Whtie has great prospects as ALL his pieces are
playing on the Kingside up here and White is continously trying to use the
ENERGY of more and more pieces in the variations also!} (18. Bc4 Ne5 19. g7
Kxg7 20. Qc2 {[%csl Rg7,Rh7]} Nd3+ 21. Bxd3 fxg5 22. Qc3+ {[%csl Rg7][%cal
Gh1h7]} Qf6 23. Rh7+ Kg8 24. Qxf6 Rxf6 25. Rxc7 Bxg2 26. Bc4 Raf8 {with some
initiative for White although a very probable draw!}) 18... Kxg7 (18... Re8 19.
Qb1 $1 {[%csl Rg8,Rh7]} f5 (19... Kxg7 20. Qh7+ Kf8 21. Qf7#) 20. Nxe6 {
[%csl Rc7,Gg7,Rg8][%cal Gh1h8]} Nxe6 21. Qxf5 $18 {[%csl Rg8]}) 19. Rh7+ Kg8 (
19... Kg6 20. Be2 $1 {[%csl Gb2,Ge2,Gg5,Rg6,Gh7][%cal Ge1c1,Gf2f4] Backward
attacking moves must also be considered!They MUST also be considered!And White
is able to gain an Extremely dangerous initiative aswell as the attack up here
which should be practically decisive up here!White simply gets another piece
into the attack with this move here!}) 20. Bxc6 (20. Qc2 {[%csl Rg6]} f5 21.
Bxc6 Qxg5 $19 {[%csl Rh7]}) 20... Bxc6 21. Qc2 f5 22. Qc3 {[%csl Rg7,Rh8]} Qf6
23. Rxc7 $16 {[%csl Rg8]} Qxg5 24. Rxc6 $16 {[%csl Rg8][%cal Ge1c1]}) 8. d4 Nc6
9. Be2 {A simpler way was} cxd4 (9... Bg4 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. O-O a6 12. h3 Be6 {
[%csl Gd4]} 13. Na4 Bd6 14. Nd4 Qe7 15. Rc1 Bd7 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. Qd4 Bxa4 18.
bxa4 $16 {[%csl Gb2,Rb6,Ge2][%cal Ge2f3,Gf1d1] Alekseev,E (2700)-Hracek,Z
(2615) Rijeka 2010 (1/2-1/2, 55)}) 10. Nxd4 Be6 $5 {This move was played
almost automatically showing a willingness to go into Tarrasch like pawn
structures with an Isolated pawn.It is quite probable,therefore that Salomon
did not even consider the move ...Bc5 up here.However,...Bc5 was definitely a
more challenging move.} (10... Bc5 {is an interesting alternative simply
hoping to maybe take on d4 on the next move or to get the pawn on b7 towards
the center also forcing opponent to make decisions!However,this move is
comittal and difficult to play when playing without much preparation during
the game!} 11. Nxc6 (11. O-O Nxd4 12. exd4 Bd6 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Gf8e8,Gc8f5]
is however absolutely fine for Black without absolutely any problems!}) 11...
bxc6 12. O-O Bd6 13. Rc1 Bf5 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Gf8e8,Ga8c8] and if Black
manages to complete his development with ...Re8 and gets in ...Rc8,it may even
be he who would be fighting for the Initiative and therefore it is White who
should try to play energetically up here!Black looks for active counterplay to
counter his broken pawn structure.} 14. Na4 {[%csl Gc5,Rc6]} (14. h3 Bc7 $1 {
[%csl Rg1,Rh2][%cal Gd8d6] An Important resource simply aiming to get Strong
co-ordination with ....Qd6 here.} (14... Rc8 15. Ba6 $1 {An important idea as
White simply manages to Disco-ordinate Opponents pieces this way and White
manages to take over the Initiative up here!} Rc7 (15... Rb8 16. Na4 $14 {
[%csl Rc5,Rc6] to clearly better and with some Very clear initiative for White
up here!}) 16. Bd3 Qd7 {[%cal Gf8c8]} (16... Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Be5 {[%cal Gf8e8]}
18. Rfd1 {[%csl Rc6,Rd5][%cal Gd3a6] is more pleasant to slightly better for
White up here!}) 17. Qc2 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 Re8 19. Rc2 {[%cal Gc3e2,Gf1c1,Gf1d1]
and White definitely has the Easier game and more pleasant positions up here!})
15. Ba3 (15. Na4 $6 Qd6 16. f4 Bb6 {[%csl Re3,Rg1][%cal Gf8e8]} 17. Nxb6 axb6 {
[%csl Ga8][%cal Gf8e8] and Black has the Initiative and is absolutely fine up
here!}) 15... Re8 (15... Bd6 16. Bxd6 Qxd6 17. Na4 $14 {[%cal Gd1d4,Ge2d3] and
White can keep pressing on in the position with some edge!}) 16. Bd3 Bxd3 (
16... Qd7 17. Bxf5 Qxf5 18. Nb5 $1 {[%csl Rc6,Rd4]} cxb5 19. Rxc7 $14 {[%csl
Rc5,Rd5][%cal Ga3b2,Gd1d4] to clearly better position for White up here!}) 17.
Qxd3 {[%cal Gc1c2,Gf1c1]} Qd7 (17... Bb6 18. Qf5 {[%cal Gf1d1] is again easier
to play for White up here!}) 18. Rc2 {[%cal Gf1c1,Gc3e2]} Re6 {[%cal Ga8e8,
Gc7b6,Gf6e4] and Black has Very strong counterplay and is absolutely fine in
this position up here!}) 14... Rc8 (14... Bd7 15. Nc5 {[%cal Gc5b7]} Bc8 16.
Qc2 $16 {[%cal Gf1d1]}) 15. Nc5 Qe7 16. Qd4 {[%csl Gc5,Gd4][%cal Gf1d1] and
Whites position again looks quite promising despite the Engine not agreeing to
this!}) 11. O-O {This was played after a minutes think but Adhiban was
deciding probably whether to get the Rook to c1 first or castle and chose the
right decision as he can try to flexible with the a1-rook also!Try to be
flexible with your development!Flexible!} Rc8 12. Rc1 $14 {Adhiban again took
some time and was probably trying to remember the subtelities of the Tarrasch
Defense and trying to get acquanted with the middlegame subtelites up
here!However,it is quite clear that White has some clear initiative and edge
up here!However,Whites opening strategy has been quite a success and White has
managed to get some edge objectively and also has the advantage on the clock
up here!} Qa5 $6 {Probably not such a good move as Black simply aims at this
air and the computer comically even suggests ....Qd8 after a3!This move was
also played after a four and a half minute think which makes the decision even
more dubious here!} (12... Nxd4 $5 {Normally when having an IQP,the side
should try to avoid exchanges but here it is necessary as Black should also
try to play as ENERGETICALLY as possible when having an IQP and this is the
case up here!} 13. Qxd4 (13. exd4 a6 {[%cal Ge7d6,Gf6e4,Ge6f5,Gf8e8] and Black
is absolutely fine without much problems in this position up here!}) 13... Bc5
14. Qd2 {[%csl Rd2] The Queen is actually a little vulnerable here as it can
get into unpleasant pins after ....Bb4 and Qd3 is better but it is diffucult
to see that from the practical eye!} (14. Qd3 {[%cal Gf1d1,Ge2f3,Gc3e2,Ge2d4]}
Qe7 (14... Qd7 {[%cal Gf8d8,Ge6f5]} 15. Rfd1 Rfd8 16. Bf3 {[%csl Rd5]} Bf5 17.
Qb5 Qxb5 18. Nxb5 $16 {[%csl Gd4,Rd5]}) 15. Bf3 {[%cal Gf1d1]} Ba3 16. Qd2 {
[%cal Gf1d1]} Bxb2 17. Qxb2 $14) 14... Qe7 $1 {[%cal Gf8d8] The right scheme
of development and Black hopes to get the other rook to d8 up here!} (14... Re8
15. Bf3 $14 {[%cal Gf1d1] to clearly better position for White here!}) 15. Bf3
(15. Nb5 {[%csl Gd4]} Ne4 $1 {A move to the Wing should ALWAYS be countered in
the center!Always!Always!} 16. Qd3 (16. Qd1 a6 $1 (16... Qg5 17. Bd4 {[%csl
Gd4][%cal Ge2f3]} b6 (17... a6 18. Bxc5 Nxc5 19. Nd6 {[%csl Rb7,Rc5]} Bh3 (
19... Rc7 20. b4 {[%csl Rb7,Rc5] with almost the decisive advantage for White
up here!}) 20. Bf3 $16 {[%csl Rb7,Rd5] to winning position for White up here!})
18. Bf3 {[%csl Gd4][%cal Gd1e2,Gc1c2,Gf1c1] and White has some very definite
initiative and advantage in this position up here!}) 17. Nd4 Qg5 18. Bf3 Bd7 {
[%cal Gf8d8] and the position looks to be dynamically balanced and Black has
fine play here!}) 16... Rfd8 17. Nd4 Bd7 {and with his Active pieces Black is
absolutely fine in this position up here!}) 15... Rfd8 16. Ne2 {[%csl Gd4]
[%cal Ge2f4]} (16. Rfd1 d4 $1 {[%csl Gd4]} 17. exd4 Bxd4 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. Rxc8
Rxc8 20. Qxd4 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Re8 {with STRONG COUNTERPLAY and Black is
absolutely fine up here!}) 16... Ne4 (16... Bf5 17. Nd4 Bg6 18. Rfd1 Ne4 19.
Qe2 Bb6 20. g3 {[%csl Gg1] with some clear edge for White up here!}) 17. Qd1
Ng5 18. Nf4 Nxf3+ 19. Qxf3 $14 {[%csl Rd5][%cal Gf1d1]}) (12... Qd7 {[%cal
Gf8d8] was still more logical simply connecting the rooks and aiming to
continue with ...Rfd8 in this position up here!} 13. Nxc6 bxc6 (13... Rxc6 14.
Bb5 $18 {[%csl Rc6,Rd7][%cal Gc3e2,Ge2d4]}) (13... Qxc6 14. Ne4 {[%csl Rf6]}
Qb6 (14... Qd7 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 (15... gxf6 16. Qd4 $18 {[%csl Ra7,Rg8][%cal
Ge2f3,Gf1d1,Gd4h4]}) 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Qd4 $16 {[%csl Ra7,Rf6,Rf7,Rg8][%cal
Gf1d1,Ge2f3] to the winning initiative for White up here!}) 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.
Bxf6 gxf6 17. Qd2 $16 {[%csl Rf6,Rf7,Rg8][%cal Gd2b2,Ge2f3]}) 14. Na4 $14 {
[%csl Rc5][%cal Gb2d4] to clearly better position for White up here!}) 13. Nxe6
$5 {Very similiar to one of Kasparovs Classical Games in the Tarrasch from the
White side when White does give Black the open "f" file but gains the two
Bishops and clear initiative and also destroys opponents pawn structure even
further!It is great how even todays top players study tons and tons of
Classical games!} (13. a3 $1 {[%csl Ra5][%cal Gb3b4]} Nxd4 (13... Qb6 14. Na4 {
[%csl Rb6]} Qd8 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. b4 $16 {[%csl Gb2,Ge2,Re5][%cal Gf2f4,Ge2d3]}
) (13... Rfd8 14. b4 {[%csl Ra5]} Qc7 (14... Qb6 15. Na4 Qc7 16. Nxe6 (16. b5
Nxd4 $1 17. Rxc7 (17. Qxd4 Qb8 {[%cal Ge6f5]} 18. Nc5 Bf5 {[%cal Ge7d6]} 19.
Nd3 Bd6 {when White has some edge but Black has STRONG COUNTERPLAY in this
position here!}) 17... Nxe2+ 18. Qxe2 Rxc7 19. Bd4 $16 {but 16Ne6!was
therefore definitely stronger up here!}) 16... fxe6 17. b5 $18 {[%csl Rc6]})
15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. b5 $18 {[%csl Rc7]}) 14. Qxd4 $14 {[%cal Gf1d1] to clearly
better position for White!} (14. exd4 a6 15. b4 Qd8 {[%csl Rc4][%cal Gf8e8,
Ge7d6] and Black is absolutely fine in this position here!})) 13... fxe6 14.
Bg4 $6 {Objectively not a good move and one which could potentially have
drained all of Whites advantage!White offers his important asset-the two
Bishops and also the open "f" file but does not get anything substantial
here!This move was also played immediately and was probably a little haste.} (
14. a3 $1 {[%cal Gb3b4]} Qd8 (14... Bd6 15. b4 Qd8 16. Nb5 $14 {[%cal Gb5d4]
to clearly better position for White!}) 15. Bd3 (15. Na4 Bd6 {and Black looks
to have strong counterplay in the position here!}) 15... a6 16. Ne2 $14 {
[%csl Gb2,Gd3][%cal Gd1d2,Gf2f4,Ge2d4] and with some very definite initiative
for the White pieces up here!}) 14... Kf7 $2 (14... Nxg4 $1 {The Obvious move
simply challenging Blacks plan!} 15. Qxg4 Rf6 {[%cal Gf6g6]} (15... Bf6 16.
Qxe6+ Kh8 {[%cal Gd5d4]} 17. a3 {[%csl Rd5][%cal Gf1d1]} Qa6 (17... Rfd8 18.
Rfd1 $18 {[%csl Rd5][%cal Gb3b4]}) 18. Rcd1 (18. Rfd1 d4 $1 {[%csl Rg1] This
move just shows how Strong Blacks counterplay can be with even just one
inaccuracy from Black in these structures!} 19. Nd5 {[%csl Gd5]} (19. exd4 Bxd4
{[%csl Gd4,Re6,Rf2,Gf8,Rg1][%cal Gc8e8] and Black gets Very strong counterplay
and is doing very well up here!}) 19... Rce8 20. Qh3 Qe2 {[%csl Rf2]} 21. Nxf6
Rxf6 (21... gxf6 22. Bxd4 Nxd4 23. Rxd4 $18 {[%csl Rh8]}) 22. Bxd4 Qxf2+ (22...
Rxf2 23. Bxg7+ Kg8 (23... Kxg7 24. Qg3+ Kh8 25. Qxf2 $18) 24. Qg3 $18 {[%csl
Rg8]}) 23. Kh1 Rf7 24. Bc5 $16) 18... Nb4 19. Qxa6 Nxa6 20. Rd3 $16 {[%csl Rd5]
[%cal Gf1d1,Gb3b4]}) 16. Na4 (16. Nxd5 Qxd5 {[%csl Gd5][%cal Gd5f5]} 17. Bxf6
Bxf6 18. Rfd1 Qf5 19. Qxf5 exf5 20. b4 a6 21. a4 {can possibly be what was in
Adhibans mind but the position actually has high drawing tendency if Black can
keep his pieces well-co-ordinated here!} Rd8 22. b5 axb5 23. axb5 Rxd1+ 24.
Rxd1 Nd8 $11 {[%cal Gg8f8,Gf8e8,Gf8e7]}) 16... Rg6 17. Qe2 Rf8 {[%cal Ge7d6,
Ga5c7]} 18. g3 Bd6 {[%cal Ga5c7,Gc7e7] with Strong counterplay and the edge
for White does not look as convincing here!}) 15. Bh3 {[%csl Re6,Gh3][%cal
Gc3e2,Ge2f4,Ga2a3] and Adhibans strategy is complete and he even got his worst
piece into the game to its ideal position(albeit with a little luck)but White
gets clear advantage up here!} Rcd8 {[%cal Gd5d4]} 16. Ne2 {[%csl Gd4,Rf7]
[%cal Gf2f4,Gf4f5]} Rd6 (16... Qxa2 17. Bxf6 $1 {White is consisten with his
attack and White gets a winning position up here!} Bxf6 (17... Kxf6 18. Nf4 $18
{[%csl Re6,Rf6][%cal Gd1h5]}) 18. Nf4 g6 (18... e5 19. Qh5+ Ke7 (19... Kg8 20.
Be6+ Rf7 (20... Kh8 21. Ng6#) 21. Bxf7+ Kf8 22. Ne6+ $18) 20. Ne6 $18 {[%csl
Rd8,Rf8,Rh7]}) 19. Nxe6 $18) (16... e5 17. f4 $1 {[%csl Gf1,Gf4,Rf7] Every
piece can play from its Initial position!Every piece can play from its Initial
position!} Kg8 (17... Ne4 18. fxe5+ Kg8 19. Nf4 $16) 18. fxe5 Ne4 19. Nf4 {
[%csl Re6,Rg8]} Bg5 {[%csl Re3]} 20. g3 Qxa2 21. Qc2 $16 {[%csl Gb2,Rd5,Ge5,
Gh3][%cal Gc2b1,Gf1d1] and with clear dominance up here!}) 17. Nf4 {[%csl Rc5,
Re5,Re6,Rf7][%cal Gf4d3] and White simply gets a Decisive attack up here!} g6
18. a4 $1 {[%csl Rd6,Re6,Rf7][%cal Gb2a3] An Extremely extremely strong move
simply aiming to get the last reserves of pieces into the game by getting the
Bishop to a3 Removing opponents Key Defensive Rook and also aiming to get More
and more pieces into the attack up here!This move was also suggested by Paul
Keres in one very popular classical game in Keres-Botvinnik Candidates
Tournament 1953 and was also a strong idea during the K-K Matches in 1986 and
this original way White makes the advantage simply decisive up here!} Qb6 $1 {
The toughest defense and now it is White who has to make a decision!} 19. b4 $5
{[%cal Gb4b5] The good think about this move is that it was played after a
20-minute think that shows that Adhiban did recognize this as a Critical
Moment and therefore thought for such a long time here and played a
practically strong move here also!} (19. Re1 {is the engine suggestion but
unfortunately we are mere mortals and normally no one would seriusly consider
this move!}) (19. Ba3 {[%csl Re6]} Nb4 (19... Rdd8 20. Bxe6+ (20. Bxe7 Kxe7 21.
Nxe6 $18 {[%csl Rd8,Rf8]}) 20... Ke8 21. Bb2 $18 {[%csl Gb2,Rd5,Ge6]}) 20. g3 {
[%csl Re5,Rf6,Rf7][%cal Ga3b2,Gf4d3] This is an engine move but White simply
tries to keep the concept of Development!intact and also hopes to now continue
with Bb2 and Nd3 and White has a DECISIVE ADVANTAGE up here!} Re8 21. Bb2 Nc6
22. Nd3 $18 {[%cal Gb3b4,Gb4b5]}) (19. Nd3 Ne4 {[%cal Ge7f6]} 20. Ba3 {[%csl
Rf7]} a5 (20... Rdd8 21. b4 {[%csl Re5][%cal Gb4b5,Gd3f4]} Ng5 22. Bg4 Nxb4 {
with still a clear advantage for White although it is much more murky here!})
21. Bxd6 (21. Nc5 {[%csl Re6]} Nxc5 22. Bxc5 Qc7 23. Qg4 $18 {[%csl Re6,Rf7]
[%cal Gf1d1]}) 21... Bxd6 22. g3 $18 {[%csl Re6][%cal Gd3f4]}) 19... Qxb4 (
19... a6 20. Rb1 $18 {[%csl Rd4,Re5,Rf7][%cal Gb4b5]}) 20. Rb1 Qc5 21. Bxf6 $6
{Probably also ok,but there was definitely a much stronger alternative here!} (
21. Qd3 $1 {[%csl Rc5,Rf7][%cal Gf1c1,Gb2a3] White simply plays as
Energetically as possible and this would practically be a better option here
probably!White also tries to use energy of as many pieces as possible and
White gets a winning position up here!} Nd8 (21... a5 22. Rfc1 Qa7 23. Qb5 $18
{[%csl Rd6,Re6,Rf7][%cal Gf4d3,Gb2a3]} (23. Bd4 Nxd4 24. exd4 $16 {[%csl Re6,
Rf7][%cal Gd3e3]})) (21... Qa5 22. Bxf6 Kxf6 (22... Bxf6 23. Rxb7+ Ne7 24. e4
$18) 23. Rxb7 $18) (21... Qc4 22. Qxc4 dxc4 23. Ba3 Rfd8 (23... Nd8 24. Bxd6
Bxd6 25. Rfc1 $18) 24. Rxb7 $18 {[%csl Re6,Rf7]}) 22. Ba3 (22. Rfc1 Qa5 23. Qd4
g5 24. Nd3 $16 {[%cal Gd3e5] and White has clear initiative here also!}) 22...
Qa5 23. Bxd6 Bxd6 24. g3 $16) 21... Bxf6 22. Rb5 {This move was played after
only 1 minute of thinking and is probably not the strongest but has a strong
virtue of hoping to displace the Opposition Queen up here!} (22. Rxb7+ Ne7 (
22... Be7 23. Qg4 {[%csl Re6,Re7,Rf7]} Nd8 24. Rxe7+ Kxe7 25. Qh4+ $18 {
[%csl Rh7]}) 23. Qb3 {[%csl Re6,Rf7][%cal Ge3e4,Gf4d3,Gf1c1]} Rc8 {[%cal Gc5c3]
} 24. e4 {[%csl Re6,Rf7]} Qc4 $1 (24... Qc3 25. Bxe6+ Rxe6 26. Qxd5 Qe5 27.
Nxe6 Qxe6 28. Rxa7 $18 {[%csl Ga4]}) 25. Qa3 {[%csl Re7,Rf7] with irresistible
practical pressure up here again!}) 22... Qc4 (22... Qc3 23. Bxe6+ {[%csl Rf7]}
Kg7 (23... Rxe6 24. Nxe6 $18 {[%csl Rb7,Rd5]} (24. Qxd5 $18 {[%csl Rb7]})) 24.
Rxb7+ $18) 23. Rxb7+ Ne7 24. Rxa7 $16 {but the position is not as clear up now
and therefore Qd3!was stronger and Black has some chances to counterplay in
the position now!} e5 $6 {[%csl Rf7] The final nail in the coffin...Having
such an exposed King,Black should not play so commital chess although not
allowing sacrifice on e6 is understandable.} (24... Rb8 $1 {[%cal Gb8b2]
Simply hoping to get as much activity of pieces as possible and Black hopes to
play energetically to compensate for Whites material advantage up here!} 25.
Nxe6 Rxe6 26. Bxe6+ Kxe6 27. Qf3 {[%cal Gf3h3]} Kf7 28. Rd1 Rb6 $16 {[%cal
Gb6a6] but the position is very much defendable up now here!}) 25. Nd3 e4 (
25... Rb8 {[%cal Gb8b3]} 26. Rd7 Rxd7 27. Bxd7 $16 {[%cal Gd7b5,Gd1d2,Gf1d1,
Gd1c1] but this option is still the stauchest defense up here!}) 26. Nf4 {
[%csl Gf4,Rf7][%cal Ga7d7]} Rfd8 27. Qb1 {[%csl Rf7][%cal Gf1c1,Gc1c7] White
simply again tries to use the Energy of all pieces and White gets a winning
position up here!} Qc5 28. Rb7 {[%csl Rf7][%cal Gf1c1,Gc1c7]} Rc6 (28... Ra8
29. Rc1 Qa5 30. Bd7 $18 {[%csl Rf7][%cal Gd7b5]}) 29. Bd7 $1 {[%csl Rf7]} Rd6 (
29... Rc7 30. Ne6 $18 {[%csl Rc5,Rd8]}) 30. Rc1 Qa5 31. Bb5 {[%csl Rf7][%cal
Gc1c7]} Kf8 32. g3 {[%csl Gg1][%cal Gg1g2] Simply improving the position of
King even though there was no need for it but this is an extremely important
practical moment and also probably practically the best move in this position
here!This approach of improving the position even if not needed has been
applied by brilliant players and here is another example!} Qd2 33. Rc2 Qa5 34.
Rcc7 {[%csl Gb7,Gc7,Rf8]} Qd2 35. h4 {[%csl Gf4] Not even allowing ...
g5!Stopping every ounce of counterplay up here!} Kf7 36. Kg2 {[%csl Gg2]} Rg8
37. Nxd5 $1 {[%csl Re4,Rf7] Forcing moves MUST have PRIORITY!They MUST have
PRIORITY!} Rxd5 (37... Qxd5 38. Bc4 $18 {[%csl Rf7]}) 38. Rxe7+ Bxe7 39. Qxe4
$18 {[%csl Re7,Rf7]} 1-0
have a chance for a medal in the Womens section but in the Mens section,we had
to try to fight for a victory against a young,upcoming but a little weakened
Norweigian team without their top players Magnus Carlsen and Ludvig Hammer.The
thing about Adhiban here is that he can simply play anything and have it
prepared beforehand and it is extremely difficult for his opponent to predict
what he has in store for the day and this immediately puts some psychological
pressure on the opponent!} d5 2. c4 e6 3. e3 Nf6 4. b3 Be7 5. Bb2 O-O 6. Nc3 c5
7. cxd5 {Adhiban had been blitzing his moves uptil now whereas his opponent
had already spent 6 minutes on the clock which was definitely a psychological
boost for us!} exd5 {Probably a strong pragmatic decision of not going into a
variation Black has little knowledge about and a variation that can be
Extremely dangerous and is very concrete!However this position resulted to the
Tarrasch Defense like structures which Salomon probably did not have good
knowledge about!} (7... Nxd5 {Black wants to avoid any weaknesses in the
centre but leaves the kingside poorly defended.This move is probably the most
challenging one and Adhiban already had faced it against Gagare Shardul just
one month after the initial model game Karjakin-Anand Candidates Chess 2016
and probably had an improvement up in his sleeves!} 8. Qc2 {[%cal Gh2h4]} Nc6 (
8... Bf6 9. h4 $5 {This idea was originally of Van Wely but Karjakin used it
in a different position quite probably inspired by the knowledge and
understanding of the Dutch theoritician and played a remarkable game against
Anand Sir.} b6 10. Ng5 g6 11. a3 Nxc3 12. Bxc3 Bb7 13. f4 Nd7 14. Bb5 Bxc3 15.
Qxc3 Nf6 16. h5 Bxg2 17. Rh2 Ne4 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. Kf2 a6 20. Be2 Ra7 21. d3
Ba8 22. Rg1 f6 23. hxg6 hxg6 24. Rxg6+ Rg7 25. Rhh6 Rxg6 26. Rxg6+ Kh7 27. Rg3
Rg8 28. Bg4 Qe7 29. e4 b5 30. Qa1 Rg6 31. f5 Rh6 32. fxe6 Rh2+ 33. Kg1 {
1-0 (33) Van Wely,L (2714)-Van der Werf,M (2435) Netherlands 2001}) 9. h4 $5
$146 {[%csl Rh7][%cal Gf3g5,Gf1d3,Gd3e4,Ga2a3] A very ambitious move, aiming
at weakening the enemy kingside with Ng5. But if for any reason White will
have to castle short, the early advance of the h-pawn will also count as a
weakening move.} ({Previously, White was successful with a reversed Hedgehog
approach:} 9. a3 Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Bd7 11. Be2 Rc8 12. O-O b6 13. Qb2 Bf6 14. b4
$14 {Lysyj,I (2691)-Zhou,W (2627) China 2015 (1-0, 40)} Bxc3 15. Qxc3 Ne7 16.
Qb2 Bc6 17. bxc5 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Rxc5 19. d4 Ra5 20. g3 g6 21. Rfc1 Qd7 22. Rc4
Rc8 23. Rac1 Rxc4 24. Rxc4 Qd6 25. a4 h5 26. Qc3 Kf8 27. Bd1 e5 28. Bb3 exd4
29. Rxd4 Rc5 30. Qd2 Qf6 31. Rd7 Rc3 32. Ba2 a5 33. Rd6 Rc1+ 34. Kg2 Qa1 35.
Rxb6 Rg1+ 36. Kf3 Qf1 37. Rf6 Kg7 38. Rxf7+ Kh6 39. e4+ g5 40. Rxe7 {1-0 (40)
Lysyj,I (2691)-Zhou,W (2627) China 2015}) 9... b6 ({Black cannot really
exploit the exposed position of the white queen. If} 9... Ndb4 10. Qb1 b6 11.
a3 Nd5 {White can choose between transposing to the game with} 12. Qc2 {
or playing some other constructive move.}) 10. a3 {or playing some other
constructive move.} (10. Ng5 {is premature due to} f5 {Karjakin decides to
wait until Black develops his bishop, which would leave the e6-pawn undefended.
}) 10... Bf6 $5 $146 {[%csl Gf6,Gg8] was Sharduls improvement on ...f5 played
by Anand Sir against Karjakin.This move is also quite logical as Black
refrains from weakening his King and simply gets the Bishop to its ideal
diagnol and asks White to make some decisions up here!However,it was not
convincing and Adhiban gained a very dangerous initiative out of the opening
here!} (10... Bb7 11. Ng5 g6 {looks dangerous. Over the board one would be
afraid of} 12. Nxh7 (12. Nce4 $5 {may be simpler}) 12... Kxh7 13. Nxd5 exd5 14.
h5 {but things are not entirely clear:} f5 15. hxg6+ Kxg6 16. Bd3 d4 17. Bxf5+
Kf7 (17... Rxf5 18. g4) 18. exd4 cxd4 (18... Nxd4 19. Rh7+ Ke8 20. Bg6+ Kd7 21.
Bxd4 cxd4 22. Kf1 $1 $18 {[%csl Re7][%cal Ga1e1,Rc2c8] leaves the black king
cut off along the c-file and the e7-bishop vulnerable.}) 19. Rh6 $5 {[%csl Gc6]
} (19. Rh7+ Ke8 20. Bg6+ Kd7) 19... Ne5 20. f4 Rh8 $1 21. Rxh8 Qxh8 22. O-O-O
Nc6 23. g4 $44) (10... h6 11. g4 $36 {[%csl Rh6][%cal Gg4g5]}) (10... Nf6 11.
g4 $1 $36 Nxg4 $2 12. Qe4 $18 {[%csl Rc6,Rg4]}) (10... f5 {Not an easy move to
play, but with Ng5 hanging in the air there were micro problems in all the
alternative lines.} 11. Bb5 Bb7 12. Nxd5 exd5 {[%csl Ge5]} (12... Qxd5 {
leaves the e6-pawn vulnerable.}) 13. d4 Rc8 ({Black misses a good chance for
counterplay:} 13... c4 $5 14. bxc4 a6 15. Bxc6 Bxc6 16. c5 (16. cxd5 Bxd5 {
[%csl Rf3,Rh4][%cal Ga8c8,Gd5c4]}) 16... Rc8 {Black will soon retrieve the
c-pawn as} 17. cxb6 $2 Bb5 {leaves the king trapped.}) 14. dxc5 bxc5 15. O-O
Bf6 16. Rfd1 $14 {[%csl Rc5,Rd5,Rg8] 1-0 (43) Karjakin,S (2760)-Anand,V (2762)
Moscow 2016 CBM 172 [Marin,M] Black's position has two minor defects: the bad
placement of the knight and the weaknesses induced by ...f7-f5.}) 11. Bb5 Bb7
12. Ng5 g6 13. Nce4 Bxb2 14. Qxb2 {[%csl Rf6,Rg7,Rg8,Gh1,Rh6,Rh7,Rh8][%cal
Gh4h5] Whites initiative looks very promising practically and it already seems
as if White has an advantage and the White Rook can play from its Inititial
position on h1 up here!} h6 15. h5 hxg5 16. hxg6 {[%csl Rg8,Rh8]} f6 (16... Nd4
17. exd4 $18 {[%csl Rh8]}) 17. Nxg5 Nc7 $1 $146 {[%cal Gc6e5]} (17... Qd6 18.
g7 {[%csl Rg8]} Rfb8 19. Qc2 $6 {[%csl Rg8,Rh7]} (19. Rh8+ $1 {here was the
strongest simply getting a winning position up here!} Kxg7 20. Rh7+ Kf8 {
and it is probable that Adhiban simply left his calculatins here although
White still gets a DECISIVE ADVANTAGE after} (20... Kg8 21. Qb1 {[%csl Rg6,Rg8]
} f5 22. Rh6 $18 {[%csl Rc6,Re6,Rg8][%cal Gh6g6,Gb1b2]}) (20... Kg6 21. Bd3+
Kxg5 (21... f5 22. Qg7#) 22. Rg7+ Kh6 23. Rg6+ Kh7 24. O-O-O $18 {[%csl Rh7]})
21. Qc2 {[%csl Rf8][%cal Gc2g6]} f5 22. Qd1 $5 {[%csl Rf7,Rf8,Rh5,Rh8] Again
trying to use the ENERGY of more and more pieces in the position and also
trying to see the WHOLE GEOMETRY of the board very clearly when White has a
decisive advantage up here!} Nf6 23. Rf7+ Kg8 24. Rxf6 $18) 19... f5 20. O-O-O
Qe5 21. Rh8+ Kxg7 22. Rh7+ Kg6 23. Rdh1 Rh8 {and the game was still extremely
complicated and eventually led to a draw.} 24. f4 Rxh7 25. Rxh7 Qa1+ 26. Qb1
Qxb1+ 27. Kxb1 Na5 28. b4 cxb4 29. axb4 Bc6 30. Be2 Nf6 31. Re7 Nb7 32. Nf3
Be4+ 33. d3 Bd5 34. Ne5+ Kh6 35. Rf7 Ne8 36. g4 fxg4 37. Nxg4+ Kg6 38. Ne5+ Kh6
39. e4 Nbd6 40. exd5 Nxf7 41. Nxf7+ Kg6 42. dxe6 Kf5 43. Bf3 Rc8 44. Bd5 Kxf4
45. d4 Ke3 46. Bb7 Rc7 47. d5 Rxb7 48. d6 Nf6 49. Ne5 Kd4 50. d7 Nxd7 51. Nxd7
Rc7 52. e7 Rc8 53. Nf6 {1/2-1/2 (53) Adhiban,B (2663)-Gagare,S (2491) Dubai
2016}) 18. g7 $5 {[%csl Rg8,Rh7][%cal Gb2c2] White simply continues with his
Initiative on the Kingside and Whtie has great prospects as ALL his pieces are
playing on the Kingside up here and White is continously trying to use the
ENERGY of more and more pieces in the variations also!} (18. Bc4 Ne5 19. g7
Kxg7 20. Qc2 {[%csl Rg7,Rh7]} Nd3+ 21. Bxd3 fxg5 22. Qc3+ {[%csl Rg7][%cal
Gh1h7]} Qf6 23. Rh7+ Kg8 24. Qxf6 Rxf6 25. Rxc7 Bxg2 26. Bc4 Raf8 {with some
initiative for White although a very probable draw!}) 18... Kxg7 (18... Re8 19.
Qb1 $1 {[%csl Rg8,Rh7]} f5 (19... Kxg7 20. Qh7+ Kf8 21. Qf7#) 20. Nxe6 {
[%csl Rc7,Gg7,Rg8][%cal Gh1h8]} Nxe6 21. Qxf5 $18 {[%csl Rg8]}) 19. Rh7+ Kg8 (
19... Kg6 20. Be2 $1 {[%csl Gb2,Ge2,Gg5,Rg6,Gh7][%cal Ge1c1,Gf2f4] Backward
attacking moves must also be considered!They MUST also be considered!And White
is able to gain an Extremely dangerous initiative aswell as the attack up here
which should be practically decisive up here!White simply gets another piece
into the attack with this move here!}) 20. Bxc6 (20. Qc2 {[%csl Rg6]} f5 21.
Bxc6 Qxg5 $19 {[%csl Rh7]}) 20... Bxc6 21. Qc2 f5 22. Qc3 {[%csl Rg7,Rh8]} Qf6
23. Rxc7 $16 {[%csl Rg8]} Qxg5 24. Rxc6 $16 {[%csl Rg8][%cal Ge1c1]}) 8. d4 Nc6
9. Be2 {A simpler way was} cxd4 (9... Bg4 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. O-O a6 12. h3 Be6 {
[%csl Gd4]} 13. Na4 Bd6 14. Nd4 Qe7 15. Rc1 Bd7 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. Qd4 Bxa4 18.
bxa4 $16 {[%csl Gb2,Rb6,Ge2][%cal Ge2f3,Gf1d1] Alekseev,E (2700)-Hracek,Z
(2615) Rijeka 2010 (1/2-1/2, 55)}) 10. Nxd4 Be6 $5 {This move was played
almost automatically showing a willingness to go into Tarrasch like pawn
structures with an Isolated pawn.It is quite probable,therefore that Salomon
did not even consider the move ...Bc5 up here.However,...Bc5 was definitely a
more challenging move.} (10... Bc5 {is an interesting alternative simply
hoping to maybe take on d4 on the next move or to get the pawn on b7 towards
the center also forcing opponent to make decisions!However,this move is
comittal and difficult to play when playing without much preparation during
the game!} 11. Nxc6 (11. O-O Nxd4 12. exd4 Bd6 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Gf8e8,Gc8f5]
is however absolutely fine for Black without absolutely any problems!}) 11...
bxc6 12. O-O Bd6 13. Rc1 Bf5 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Gf8e8,Ga8c8] and if Black
manages to complete his development with ...Re8 and gets in ...Rc8,it may even
be he who would be fighting for the Initiative and therefore it is White who
should try to play energetically up here!Black looks for active counterplay to
counter his broken pawn structure.} 14. Na4 {[%csl Gc5,Rc6]} (14. h3 Bc7 $1 {
[%csl Rg1,Rh2][%cal Gd8d6] An Important resource simply aiming to get Strong
co-ordination with ....Qd6 here.} (14... Rc8 15. Ba6 $1 {An important idea as
White simply manages to Disco-ordinate Opponents pieces this way and White
manages to take over the Initiative up here!} Rc7 (15... Rb8 16. Na4 $14 {
[%csl Rc5,Rc6] to clearly better and with some Very clear initiative for White
up here!}) 16. Bd3 Qd7 {[%cal Gf8c8]} (16... Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Be5 {[%cal Gf8e8]}
18. Rfd1 {[%csl Rc6,Rd5][%cal Gd3a6] is more pleasant to slightly better for
White up here!}) 17. Qc2 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 Re8 19. Rc2 {[%cal Gc3e2,Gf1c1,Gf1d1]
and White definitely has the Easier game and more pleasant positions up here!})
15. Ba3 (15. Na4 $6 Qd6 16. f4 Bb6 {[%csl Re3,Rg1][%cal Gf8e8]} 17. Nxb6 axb6 {
[%csl Ga8][%cal Gf8e8] and Black has the Initiative and is absolutely fine up
here!}) 15... Re8 (15... Bd6 16. Bxd6 Qxd6 17. Na4 $14 {[%cal Gd1d4,Ge2d3] and
White can keep pressing on in the position with some edge!}) 16. Bd3 Bxd3 (
16... Qd7 17. Bxf5 Qxf5 18. Nb5 $1 {[%csl Rc6,Rd4]} cxb5 19. Rxc7 $14 {[%csl
Rc5,Rd5][%cal Ga3b2,Gd1d4] to clearly better position for White up here!}) 17.
Qxd3 {[%cal Gc1c2,Gf1c1]} Qd7 (17... Bb6 18. Qf5 {[%cal Gf1d1] is again easier
to play for White up here!}) 18. Rc2 {[%cal Gf1c1,Gc3e2]} Re6 {[%cal Ga8e8,
Gc7b6,Gf6e4] and Black has Very strong counterplay and is absolutely fine in
this position up here!}) 14... Rc8 (14... Bd7 15. Nc5 {[%cal Gc5b7]} Bc8 16.
Qc2 $16 {[%cal Gf1d1]}) 15. Nc5 Qe7 16. Qd4 {[%csl Gc5,Gd4][%cal Gf1d1] and
Whites position again looks quite promising despite the Engine not agreeing to
this!}) 11. O-O {This was played after a minutes think but Adhiban was
deciding probably whether to get the Rook to c1 first or castle and chose the
right decision as he can try to flexible with the a1-rook also!Try to be
flexible with your development!Flexible!} Rc8 12. Rc1 $14 {Adhiban again took
some time and was probably trying to remember the subtelities of the Tarrasch
Defense and trying to get acquanted with the middlegame subtelites up
here!However,it is quite clear that White has some clear initiative and edge
up here!However,Whites opening strategy has been quite a success and White has
managed to get some edge objectively and also has the advantage on the clock
up here!} Qa5 $6 {Probably not such a good move as Black simply aims at this
air and the computer comically even suggests ....Qd8 after a3!This move was
also played after a four and a half minute think which makes the decision even
more dubious here!} (12... Nxd4 $5 {Normally when having an IQP,the side
should try to avoid exchanges but here it is necessary as Black should also
try to play as ENERGETICALLY as possible when having an IQP and this is the
case up here!} 13. Qxd4 (13. exd4 a6 {[%cal Ge7d6,Gf6e4,Ge6f5,Gf8e8] and Black
is absolutely fine without much problems in this position up here!}) 13... Bc5
14. Qd2 {[%csl Rd2] The Queen is actually a little vulnerable here as it can
get into unpleasant pins after ....Bb4 and Qd3 is better but it is diffucult
to see that from the practical eye!} (14. Qd3 {[%cal Gf1d1,Ge2f3,Gc3e2,Ge2d4]}
Qe7 (14... Qd7 {[%cal Gf8d8,Ge6f5]} 15. Rfd1 Rfd8 16. Bf3 {[%csl Rd5]} Bf5 17.
Qb5 Qxb5 18. Nxb5 $16 {[%csl Gd4,Rd5]}) 15. Bf3 {[%cal Gf1d1]} Ba3 16. Qd2 {
[%cal Gf1d1]} Bxb2 17. Qxb2 $14) 14... Qe7 $1 {[%cal Gf8d8] The right scheme
of development and Black hopes to get the other rook to d8 up here!} (14... Re8
15. Bf3 $14 {[%cal Gf1d1] to clearly better position for White here!}) 15. Bf3
(15. Nb5 {[%csl Gd4]} Ne4 $1 {A move to the Wing should ALWAYS be countered in
the center!Always!Always!} 16. Qd3 (16. Qd1 a6 $1 (16... Qg5 17. Bd4 {[%csl
Gd4][%cal Ge2f3]} b6 (17... a6 18. Bxc5 Nxc5 19. Nd6 {[%csl Rb7,Rc5]} Bh3 (
19... Rc7 20. b4 {[%csl Rb7,Rc5] with almost the decisive advantage for White
up here!}) 20. Bf3 $16 {[%csl Rb7,Rd5] to winning position for White up here!})
18. Bf3 {[%csl Gd4][%cal Gd1e2,Gc1c2,Gf1c1] and White has some very definite
initiative and advantage in this position up here!}) 17. Nd4 Qg5 18. Bf3 Bd7 {
[%cal Gf8d8] and the position looks to be dynamically balanced and Black has
fine play here!}) 16... Rfd8 17. Nd4 Bd7 {and with his Active pieces Black is
absolutely fine in this position up here!}) 15... Rfd8 16. Ne2 {[%csl Gd4]
[%cal Ge2f4]} (16. Rfd1 d4 $1 {[%csl Gd4]} 17. exd4 Bxd4 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. Rxc8
Rxc8 20. Qxd4 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Re8 {with STRONG COUNTERPLAY and Black is
absolutely fine up here!}) 16... Ne4 (16... Bf5 17. Nd4 Bg6 18. Rfd1 Ne4 19.
Qe2 Bb6 20. g3 {[%csl Gg1] with some clear edge for White up here!}) 17. Qd1
Ng5 18. Nf4 Nxf3+ 19. Qxf3 $14 {[%csl Rd5][%cal Gf1d1]}) (12... Qd7 {[%cal
Gf8d8] was still more logical simply connecting the rooks and aiming to
continue with ...Rfd8 in this position up here!} 13. Nxc6 bxc6 (13... Rxc6 14.
Bb5 $18 {[%csl Rc6,Rd7][%cal Gc3e2,Ge2d4]}) (13... Qxc6 14. Ne4 {[%csl Rf6]}
Qb6 (14... Qd7 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 (15... gxf6 16. Qd4 $18 {[%csl Ra7,Rg8][%cal
Ge2f3,Gf1d1,Gd4h4]}) 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Qd4 $16 {[%csl Ra7,Rf6,Rf7,Rg8][%cal
Gf1d1,Ge2f3] to the winning initiative for White up here!}) 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.
Bxf6 gxf6 17. Qd2 $16 {[%csl Rf6,Rf7,Rg8][%cal Gd2b2,Ge2f3]}) 14. Na4 $14 {
[%csl Rc5][%cal Gb2d4] to clearly better position for White up here!}) 13. Nxe6
$5 {Very similiar to one of Kasparovs Classical Games in the Tarrasch from the
White side when White does give Black the open "f" file but gains the two
Bishops and clear initiative and also destroys opponents pawn structure even
further!It is great how even todays top players study tons and tons of
Classical games!} (13. a3 $1 {[%csl Ra5][%cal Gb3b4]} Nxd4 (13... Qb6 14. Na4 {
[%csl Rb6]} Qd8 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. b4 $16 {[%csl Gb2,Ge2,Re5][%cal Gf2f4,Ge2d3]}
) (13... Rfd8 14. b4 {[%csl Ra5]} Qc7 (14... Qb6 15. Na4 Qc7 16. Nxe6 (16. b5
Nxd4 $1 17. Rxc7 (17. Qxd4 Qb8 {[%cal Ge6f5]} 18. Nc5 Bf5 {[%cal Ge7d6]} 19.
Nd3 Bd6 {when White has some edge but Black has STRONG COUNTERPLAY in this
position here!}) 17... Nxe2+ 18. Qxe2 Rxc7 19. Bd4 $16 {but 16Ne6!was
therefore definitely stronger up here!}) 16... fxe6 17. b5 $18 {[%csl Rc6]})
15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. b5 $18 {[%csl Rc7]}) 14. Qxd4 $14 {[%cal Gf1d1] to clearly
better position for White!} (14. exd4 a6 15. b4 Qd8 {[%csl Rc4][%cal Gf8e8,
Ge7d6] and Black is absolutely fine in this position here!})) 13... fxe6 14.
Bg4 $6 {Objectively not a good move and one which could potentially have
drained all of Whites advantage!White offers his important asset-the two
Bishops and also the open "f" file but does not get anything substantial
here!This move was also played immediately and was probably a little haste.} (
14. a3 $1 {[%cal Gb3b4]} Qd8 (14... Bd6 15. b4 Qd8 16. Nb5 $14 {[%cal Gb5d4]
to clearly better position for White!}) 15. Bd3 (15. Na4 Bd6 {and Black looks
to have strong counterplay in the position here!}) 15... a6 16. Ne2 $14 {
[%csl Gb2,Gd3][%cal Gd1d2,Gf2f4,Ge2d4] and with some very definite initiative
for the White pieces up here!}) 14... Kf7 $2 (14... Nxg4 $1 {The Obvious move
simply challenging Blacks plan!} 15. Qxg4 Rf6 {[%cal Gf6g6]} (15... Bf6 16.
Qxe6+ Kh8 {[%cal Gd5d4]} 17. a3 {[%csl Rd5][%cal Gf1d1]} Qa6 (17... Rfd8 18.
Rfd1 $18 {[%csl Rd5][%cal Gb3b4]}) 18. Rcd1 (18. Rfd1 d4 $1 {[%csl Rg1] This
move just shows how Strong Blacks counterplay can be with even just one
inaccuracy from Black in these structures!} 19. Nd5 {[%csl Gd5]} (19. exd4 Bxd4
{[%csl Gd4,Re6,Rf2,Gf8,Rg1][%cal Gc8e8] and Black gets Very strong counterplay
and is doing very well up here!}) 19... Rce8 20. Qh3 Qe2 {[%csl Rf2]} 21. Nxf6
Rxf6 (21... gxf6 22. Bxd4 Nxd4 23. Rxd4 $18 {[%csl Rh8]}) 22. Bxd4 Qxf2+ (22...
Rxf2 23. Bxg7+ Kg8 (23... Kxg7 24. Qg3+ Kh8 25. Qxf2 $18) 24. Qg3 $18 {[%csl
Rg8]}) 23. Kh1 Rf7 24. Bc5 $16) 18... Nb4 19. Qxa6 Nxa6 20. Rd3 $16 {[%csl Rd5]
[%cal Gf1d1,Gb3b4]}) 16. Na4 (16. Nxd5 Qxd5 {[%csl Gd5][%cal Gd5f5]} 17. Bxf6
Bxf6 18. Rfd1 Qf5 19. Qxf5 exf5 20. b4 a6 21. a4 {can possibly be what was in
Adhibans mind but the position actually has high drawing tendency if Black can
keep his pieces well-co-ordinated here!} Rd8 22. b5 axb5 23. axb5 Rxd1+ 24.
Rxd1 Nd8 $11 {[%cal Gg8f8,Gf8e8,Gf8e7]}) 16... Rg6 17. Qe2 Rf8 {[%cal Ge7d6,
Ga5c7]} 18. g3 Bd6 {[%cal Ga5c7,Gc7e7] with Strong counterplay and the edge
for White does not look as convincing here!}) 15. Bh3 {[%csl Re6,Gh3][%cal
Gc3e2,Ge2f4,Ga2a3] and Adhibans strategy is complete and he even got his worst
piece into the game to its ideal position(albeit with a little luck)but White
gets clear advantage up here!} Rcd8 {[%cal Gd5d4]} 16. Ne2 {[%csl Gd4,Rf7]
[%cal Gf2f4,Gf4f5]} Rd6 (16... Qxa2 17. Bxf6 $1 {White is consisten with his
attack and White gets a winning position up here!} Bxf6 (17... Kxf6 18. Nf4 $18
{[%csl Re6,Rf6][%cal Gd1h5]}) 18. Nf4 g6 (18... e5 19. Qh5+ Ke7 (19... Kg8 20.
Be6+ Rf7 (20... Kh8 21. Ng6#) 21. Bxf7+ Kf8 22. Ne6+ $18) 20. Ne6 $18 {[%csl
Rd8,Rf8,Rh7]}) 19. Nxe6 $18) (16... e5 17. f4 $1 {[%csl Gf1,Gf4,Rf7] Every
piece can play from its Initial position!Every piece can play from its Initial
position!} Kg8 (17... Ne4 18. fxe5+ Kg8 19. Nf4 $16) 18. fxe5 Ne4 19. Nf4 {
[%csl Re6,Rg8]} Bg5 {[%csl Re3]} 20. g3 Qxa2 21. Qc2 $16 {[%csl Gb2,Rd5,Ge5,
Gh3][%cal Gc2b1,Gf1d1] and with clear dominance up here!}) 17. Nf4 {[%csl Rc5,
Re5,Re6,Rf7][%cal Gf4d3] and White simply gets a Decisive attack up here!} g6
18. a4 $1 {[%csl Rd6,Re6,Rf7][%cal Gb2a3] An Extremely extremely strong move
simply aiming to get the last reserves of pieces into the game by getting the
Bishop to a3 Removing opponents Key Defensive Rook and also aiming to get More
and more pieces into the attack up here!This move was also suggested by Paul
Keres in one very popular classical game in Keres-Botvinnik Candidates
Tournament 1953 and was also a strong idea during the K-K Matches in 1986 and
this original way White makes the advantage simply decisive up here!} Qb6 $1 {
The toughest defense and now it is White who has to make a decision!} 19. b4 $5
{[%cal Gb4b5] The good think about this move is that it was played after a
20-minute think that shows that Adhiban did recognize this as a Critical
Moment and therefore thought for such a long time here and played a
practically strong move here also!} (19. Re1 {is the engine suggestion but
unfortunately we are mere mortals and normally no one would seriusly consider
this move!}) (19. Ba3 {[%csl Re6]} Nb4 (19... Rdd8 20. Bxe6+ (20. Bxe7 Kxe7 21.
Nxe6 $18 {[%csl Rd8,Rf8]}) 20... Ke8 21. Bb2 $18 {[%csl Gb2,Rd5,Ge6]}) 20. g3 {
[%csl Re5,Rf6,Rf7][%cal Ga3b2,Gf4d3] This is an engine move but White simply
tries to keep the concept of Development!intact and also hopes to now continue
with Bb2 and Nd3 and White has a DECISIVE ADVANTAGE up here!} Re8 21. Bb2 Nc6
22. Nd3 $18 {[%cal Gb3b4,Gb4b5]}) (19. Nd3 Ne4 {[%cal Ge7f6]} 20. Ba3 {[%csl
Rf7]} a5 (20... Rdd8 21. b4 {[%csl Re5][%cal Gb4b5,Gd3f4]} Ng5 22. Bg4 Nxb4 {
with still a clear advantage for White although it is much more murky here!})
21. Bxd6 (21. Nc5 {[%csl Re6]} Nxc5 22. Bxc5 Qc7 23. Qg4 $18 {[%csl Re6,Rf7]
[%cal Gf1d1]}) 21... Bxd6 22. g3 $18 {[%csl Re6][%cal Gd3f4]}) 19... Qxb4 (
19... a6 20. Rb1 $18 {[%csl Rd4,Re5,Rf7][%cal Gb4b5]}) 20. Rb1 Qc5 21. Bxf6 $6
{Probably also ok,but there was definitely a much stronger alternative here!} (
21. Qd3 $1 {[%csl Rc5,Rf7][%cal Gf1c1,Gb2a3] White simply plays as
Energetically as possible and this would practically be a better option here
probably!White also tries to use energy of as many pieces as possible and
White gets a winning position up here!} Nd8 (21... a5 22. Rfc1 Qa7 23. Qb5 $18
{[%csl Rd6,Re6,Rf7][%cal Gf4d3,Gb2a3]} (23. Bd4 Nxd4 24. exd4 $16 {[%csl Re6,
Rf7][%cal Gd3e3]})) (21... Qa5 22. Bxf6 Kxf6 (22... Bxf6 23. Rxb7+ Ne7 24. e4
$18) 23. Rxb7 $18) (21... Qc4 22. Qxc4 dxc4 23. Ba3 Rfd8 (23... Nd8 24. Bxd6
Bxd6 25. Rfc1 $18) 24. Rxb7 $18 {[%csl Re6,Rf7]}) 22. Ba3 (22. Rfc1 Qa5 23. Qd4
g5 24. Nd3 $16 {[%cal Gd3e5] and White has clear initiative here also!}) 22...
Qa5 23. Bxd6 Bxd6 24. g3 $16) 21... Bxf6 22. Rb5 {This move was played after
only 1 minute of thinking and is probably not the strongest but has a strong
virtue of hoping to displace the Opposition Queen up here!} (22. Rxb7+ Ne7 (
22... Be7 23. Qg4 {[%csl Re6,Re7,Rf7]} Nd8 24. Rxe7+ Kxe7 25. Qh4+ $18 {
[%csl Rh7]}) 23. Qb3 {[%csl Re6,Rf7][%cal Ge3e4,Gf4d3,Gf1c1]} Rc8 {[%cal Gc5c3]
} 24. e4 {[%csl Re6,Rf7]} Qc4 $1 (24... Qc3 25. Bxe6+ Rxe6 26. Qxd5 Qe5 27.
Nxe6 Qxe6 28. Rxa7 $18 {[%csl Ga4]}) 25. Qa3 {[%csl Re7,Rf7] with irresistible
practical pressure up here again!}) 22... Qc4 (22... Qc3 23. Bxe6+ {[%csl Rf7]}
Kg7 (23... Rxe6 24. Nxe6 $18 {[%csl Rb7,Rd5]} (24. Qxd5 $18 {[%csl Rb7]})) 24.
Rxb7+ $18) 23. Rxb7+ Ne7 24. Rxa7 $16 {but the position is not as clear up now
and therefore Qd3!was stronger and Black has some chances to counterplay in
the position now!} e5 $6 {[%csl Rf7] The final nail in the coffin...Having
such an exposed King,Black should not play so commital chess although not
allowing sacrifice on e6 is understandable.} (24... Rb8 $1 {[%cal Gb8b2]
Simply hoping to get as much activity of pieces as possible and Black hopes to
play energetically to compensate for Whites material advantage up here!} 25.
Nxe6 Rxe6 26. Bxe6+ Kxe6 27. Qf3 {[%cal Gf3h3]} Kf7 28. Rd1 Rb6 $16 {[%cal
Gb6a6] but the position is very much defendable up now here!}) 25. Nd3 e4 (
25... Rb8 {[%cal Gb8b3]} 26. Rd7 Rxd7 27. Bxd7 $16 {[%cal Gd7b5,Gd1d2,Gf1d1,
Gd1c1] but this option is still the stauchest defense up here!}) 26. Nf4 {
[%csl Gf4,Rf7][%cal Ga7d7]} Rfd8 27. Qb1 {[%csl Rf7][%cal Gf1c1,Gc1c7] White
simply again tries to use the Energy of all pieces and White gets a winning
position up here!} Qc5 28. Rb7 {[%csl Rf7][%cal Gf1c1,Gc1c7]} Rc6 (28... Ra8
29. Rc1 Qa5 30. Bd7 $18 {[%csl Rf7][%cal Gd7b5]}) 29. Bd7 $1 {[%csl Rf7]} Rd6 (
29... Rc7 30. Ne6 $18 {[%csl Rc5,Rd8]}) 30. Rc1 Qa5 31. Bb5 {[%csl Rf7][%cal
Gc1c7]} Kf8 32. g3 {[%csl Gg1][%cal Gg1g2] Simply improving the position of
King even though there was no need for it but this is an extremely important
practical moment and also probably practically the best move in this position
here!This approach of improving the position even if not needed has been
applied by brilliant players and here is another example!} Qd2 33. Rc2 Qa5 34.
Rcc7 {[%csl Gb7,Gc7,Rf8]} Qd2 35. h4 {[%csl Gf4] Not even allowing ...
g5!Stopping every ounce of counterplay up here!} Kf7 36. Kg2 {[%csl Gg2]} Rg8
37. Nxd5 $1 {[%csl Re4,Rf7] Forcing moves MUST have PRIORITY!They MUST have
PRIORITY!} Rxd5 (37... Qxd5 38. Bc4 $18 {[%csl Rf7]}) 38. Rxe7+ Bxe7 39. Qxe4
$18 {[%csl Re7,Rf7]} 1-0
16-year-old Aradhya Garg (rated 2302), the one who has analyzed Adhiban vs Salomon, with Jacob Aagaard
Karthikeyan Murali played an excellent game to win against Frode Elsness
[Event "11th World Teams 2017"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk RUS"]
[Date "2017.06.26"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Elsness, Frode"]
[Black "Karthikeyan, Murali"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2466"]
[BlackElo "2582"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2017.06.17"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk RUS"]
[Date "2017.06.26"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Elsness, Frode"]
[Black "Karthikeyan, Murali"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2466"]
[BlackElo "2582"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2017.06.17"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Na3 Bxa3 8.
bxa3 Nc6 9. Bb2 Rb8 10. Qc2 b5 11. a4 Ba6 12. axb5 Bxb5 13. Ba3 Re8 14. Rfd1 a5
15. Rab1 Nd5 16. Rxb5 $5 Rxb5 17. Qxc4 Rb6 18. Bc5 Rb8 19. e4 Nf6 20. d5 $6
exd5 21. exd5 Qd7 $1 22. Qa4 Nxd5 23. Nd4 Ne5 24. Qxa5 Nc4 25. Qa6 Nb2 26. Ra1
Nb4 27. Qa5 N2d3 28. Ba7 Re5 29. Qa3 Rbe8 30. Rf1 Re1 31. Qc3 Qa4 32. a3 Qxa7
33. axb4 Rxf1+ 34. Bxf1 Nxf2 35. Bb5 Ne4 36. Qe3 Rd8 37. Nf5 Qxe3+ 38. Nxe3 Rd4
{A technically perfect game by Karthikeyan.} 0-1
bxa3 Nc6 9. Bb2 Rb8 10. Qc2 b5 11. a4 Ba6 12. axb5 Bxb5 13. Ba3 Re8 14. Rfd1 a5
15. Rab1 Nd5 16. Rxb5 $5 Rxb5 17. Qxc4 Rb6 18. Bc5 Rb8 19. e4 Nf6 20. d5 $6
exd5 21. exd5 Qd7 $1 22. Qa4 Nxd5 23. Nd4 Ne5 24. Qxa5 Nc4 25. Qa6 Nb2 26. Ra1
Nb4 27. Qa5 N2d3 28. Ba7 Re5 29. Qa3 Rbe8 30. Rf1 Re1 31. Qc3 Qa4 32. a3 Qxa7
33. axb4 Rxf1+ 34. Bxf1 Nxf2 35. Bb5 Ne4 36. Qe3 Rd8 37. Nf5 Qxe3+ 38. Nxe3 Rd4
{A technically perfect game by Karthikeyan.} 0-1
Sasikiran was almost on the verge of winning, but in the end had to settle for a draw
Results of round nine:
| Round 9 on 2017/06/26 at 13:00 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | SNo. | Team | Res. | Team | SNo. |
| 1 | 5 | TURKEY | 1.5-2.5 | BELARUS | 10 |
| 2 | 6 | UKRAINE | 2.5-1.5 | EGYPT | 4 |
| 3 | 7 | RUSSIA | 4-0 | UNITED STATES | 3 |
| 4 | 8 | NORWAY | 1-3 | INDIA | 2 |
| 5 | 9 | POLAND | 1.5-2.5 | CHINA | 1 |
For board wise break down, click here.
Crosstable Open:
| Rank | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | MP | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHINA | * | 2½ | 2½ | 2½ | 2 | 2½ | 3½ | 2 | 3½ | 3½ | 16 | 24½ |
| 2 | RUSSIA | 1½ | * | 3 | 2½ | 2 | 2½ | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3½ | 15 | 25 |
| 3 | POLAND | 1½ | 1 | * | 2½ | 1½ | 3 | 3 | 2½ | 2½ | 3 | 12 | 20½ |
| 4 | INDIA | 1½ | 1½ | 1½ | * | 2 | 2½ | 2½ | 3½ | 3 | 2½ | 11 | 20½ |
| 5 | TURKEY | 2 | 2 | 2½ | 2 | * | 2 | 1½ | 1 | 2½ | 3 | 10 | 18½ |
| 6 | UKRAINE | 1½ | 1½ | 1 | 1½ | 2 | * | 2 | 2½ | 3 | 2½ | 8 | 17½ |
| 7 | BELARUS | ½ | 1 | 1 | 1½ | 2½ | 2 | * | 2 | 3½ | 3½ | 8 | 17½ |
| 8 | UNITED STATES | 2 | 0 | 1½ | ½ | 3 | 1½ | 2 | * | 2½ | 3 | 8 | 16 |
| 9 | NORWAY | ½ | 1 | 1½ | 1 | 1½ | 1 | ½ | 1½ | * | 2½ | 2 | 11 |
| 10 | EGYPT | ½ | ½ | 1 | 1½ | 1 | 1½ | ½ | 1 | 1½ | * | 0 | 9 |
China claimed the gold. Russia decimated USA in the last round and won the silver. The bronze went to Poland. India had to be content with the fourth spot. Not bad, considering that we started as the fifth seeds.
Women's section:
Harika took a drop in the final round and the onus was on Tania to hold the top board. However, she lost to Gunay Mammadzada. By the way, Gunay is a huge talent and I had already spotted the spark when she beat me in Dubai Open 2015.
Eesha scored a fine win over Gulnar Mammadova
Padmini won on board three against Fataliyeva Ulviyya
It was nice to see Viji coming back to her winning ways as she beat Khanim Balajayeva
Thus India beat Azerbaijan by a good margin 3.0-1.0. However, it was not good enough for a medal. In round eight report we had mentioned that in order to win a medal the following things had to work out in India's favour:
- Russia should beat Ukraine
- USA should be able to hold or beat Georgia
- India should beat Azerbaijan by a huge margin (3.5-0.5 or 4-0)
The first point happened. Russia did beat Ukraine. That sent Ukraine below us in the final standings. However, USA wasn't able to hold Georgia. The Georgian women won 3-1. Once that happened, point three didn't matter much because even if we had won 4-0 we would not have won the bronze.
Results of round nine:
| Round 9 on 2017/06/26 at 13:00 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | SNo. | Team | Res. | Team | SNo. |
| 1 | 5 | RUSSIA | 3-1 | UKRAINE | 10 |
| 2 | 6 | CHINA | 3-1 | EGYPT | 4 |
| 3 | 7 | VIETNAM | 1.5-2.5 | POLAND | 3 |
| 4 | 8 | AZERBAIJAN | 1-3 | INDIA | 2 |
| 5 | 9 | GEORGIA | 3-1 | UNITED STATES | 1 |
For a board wise break down, click here
Crosstable Women:
| Rank | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | MP | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RUSSIA | * | 3 | 2½ | 3 | 3 | 3½ | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3½ | 16 | 25½ |
| 2 | CHINA | 1 | * | 3½ | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2½ | 2 | 3 | 13 | 22 |
| 3 | GEORGIA | 1½ | ½ | * | 2 | 2½ | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 21½ |
| 4 | INDIA | 1 | 2 | 2 | * | 1½ | 2½ | 2½ | 2½ | 3 | 3 | 12 | 20 |
| 5 | UKRAINE | 1 | 2 | 1½ | 2½ | * | 2 | 2½ | 3 | 2½ | 2½ | 12 | 19½ |
| 6 | POLAND | ½ | 1 | 2 | 1½ | 2 | * | 2 | 2½ | 3½ | 3½ | 9 | 18½ |
| 7 | UNITED STATES | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1½ | 1½ | 2 | * | 2 | 2 | 3½ | 6 | 16½ |
| 8 | VIETNAM | 1 | 1½ | 1 | 1½ | 1 | 1½ | 2 | * | 2½ | 4 | 5 | 16 |
| 9 | AZERBAIJAN | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1½ | ½ | 2 | 1½ | * | 4 | 5 | 15½ |
| 10 | EGYPT | ½ | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1½ | ½ | ½ | 0 | 0 | * | 0 | 5 |
Closing ceremony:
The Chinese men with gold medal and smiles!
Since China has been around, it has been difficult for Russia to win the gold. They had to settle for the silver. (photo from Vitiugov's Twitter)
Starting as the fifth seeds, Poland should be happy with their bronze medal
Russian women dominated throughout the event and rightfully claimed the gold
The smiles say it all!
China took home the silver medal
Georgian team made a great comeback to clinch the bronze
Although towards the end Turkey did lose two encounters, their tenacity was praiseworthy
Adhiban and Karthikeyan after the closing ceremony. Did you notice if Adhiban is being photographed and he is not playing chess, his fingers automatically pose in the shape of 'V' (for victory!) That's how positive this man is!
All that matters at the end of the day is that you have tried your best!
Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Anna Rudolf did a great job with live commentary
ChessBase India had setup a live games page where you could not only listen to the GM commentary, but also play over the live games, and also check some light annotations by the Tactical Analysis feature. A lot of people visited that page and followed the event.
Thank you, @ChessbaseIndia. Love your coverage of the event and the dedicated page for the broadcast & games! An example to follow 👏👏 https://t.co/v5ZrbnVe4o
— Anna Rudolf (@Anna_Chess) June 24, 2017
Eteri Kublashvili did a great job of being the press officer and doing interviews with various players
A huge thanks to the photographer of the event Anastasiya Balakhontseva. Without your pictures, we really couldn't have written such huge and colourful reports.
There are so many other people like Anna Burtasova, Maxim Notkin, Sergey Shipov and others that we would like to thank for making the experience of viewing the World Team Championship a very pleasant one.
Previous reports on World Teams 2017:
ChessBase India covered the event extensively, bringing you updates of the Indian players in Khanty Mansiysk. If you did enjoy our coverage, please send us a line or two in the comments section below:
India has excellent chances at World Teams 2017
Opening ceremony of World Teams 2017
Live Games from the World Teams 2017
Round one: Viji's unbelievable miss
Round two: Tania powers team India to a win over USA
Round three: The tale of two Hedgehogs
R1-3 on Firstpost: World Team Chess Championship 2017: Vidit Gujrathi shows mettle, but India blunder in initial rounds
Round four: Indian explosion in Khanty Mansiysk
Round five: Egypt gives Indian a scare
Round six: Deadlock with Turkey
R4-6 on Firstpost: World Team Chess Championship 2017: India falter after initial spark in both men's, women's sections
Round seven: Adhiban! Adhiban!
Round eight: Eesha's supercharged king beats Vietnam
A final reporting with opinions of players and coach is coming up!