Beliavsky, Alexander (2618) - Sakaev, Konstantin (2648) Yugoslavian Club Championship, Vrnjacka-Banja, 1999 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. Bxc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 Nc6 7. Ne2 Bf5 8. a3 e6 9. Nbc3 Qd7 10. O-O O-O-O 11. Be3 h5! 11...f6 12. exf6 gxf6 13. Re1! White has a little advantage 12. Bc2 12. Rc1 h4 13. Na4 Nd5 14. Nc5 Bxc5 15. Rxc5 with unclear play 12...h4! 12...Ne7 13. Bg5! White has a little advantage 13. h3 f6! 14. Bxf5 exf5 15. exf6 gxf6 16. Nf4 Bd6 16...Nxd4?! 17. Bxd4 Qxd4 18. Qf3! White has a little advantage; 16...Bh6 17. Nd3! Nxd4 18. Nc5 Qd6 19. b4 with compensation 17. Qf3 17. Nd3 Rhg8 with initiative 17...Bxf4 18. Qxf4 Ne7 19. Rac1 Ned5 20. Qf3! 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Qf3 Rhe8! Black has the upper hand 20...Rhg8 21. Nxd5 Qxd5 21...Nxd5 22. Rc5 with counterplay 22. Qxd5 Nxd5 23. Bd2 Rge8 23...Rg7 24. f3 =; 23...f4 24. f3 Ne3 25. Bxe3 fxe3 26. Rc3! = 24. Rfe1 Better is 24. f3! Re2 25. Rf2 Rde8 26. Kf1 R2e6 Black has a little advantage 24...Re4 25. Rxe4 fxe4 26. Re1 Re8 27. g3 hxg3 28. fxg3 f5 29. Rf1 Rf8 30. Kf2 Kd7 31. Ke2 Ke6 32. Bg5 Rg8 33. h4 c6 34. Rc1?! Kf7! 35. Kf2 Kg6 36. Kg2 Kh5 Black has a little advantage 34...a6?! 1/2:1/2 Bezgodov - Sakaev 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Nce2 c5 6. c3 cxd4 7. cxd4 f6 8. Nf4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Qb6 10. Bxb4 (10. Qh5+ g6 11. Nxg6 Bxd2+ 12. Kxd2 Qxb2+ 13. Ke3 Qxa1 14. Nxh8+ Kd8) 10... Qxb4+ 11. Qd2 Qxd2+ 12. Kxd2 Ke7 (12... Kf7 13. exf6 gxf6 14. Nf3 Nc6 15. Bb5) 13. exf6+ gxf6 14. Re1 (14. Nge2 Nc6 15. Nd3 e5 16. f4 exd4 17. Ng3 Nb6 18. b3 h5; 14. Nfe2 e5 15. f4) 14... Nb6 15. Bd3 (15. Nf3 Kd6 16. Nh5 Rf8 17. Bd3 Nc6) 15... Nc6 16. Nf3 Kd6 17. Nh5 Rf8 (17... e5 18. Nxf6 e4 19. Ng5 Kc7 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Rxe4 Bf5 22. Rf4 Nc4+ 23. Kc3 Nd6 24. d5 (24. g4 24... h6 25. Rxf5 25... hxg5 $1 26. Rxg5 Raf8 27. Rg7+ Kc8 28. g5 Rh3+ 29. Kc2 Nf5)) 18. Bxh7 e5 19. Ng3 (19. dxe5+ fxe5 20.Rhf1 Bg4) 19... e4 20. Nh4 Nxd4 21. f3 Rh8 (21... f5 22. Rhf1) 22. Nhf5+ Bxf5 23. Nxf5+ Ke5 (23... Nxf5 24. Bxf5 Ke5 25. fxe4 Nc4+ 26. Kc1 Nd6 27. Bg6 dxe4 28. h4) 24. Nxd4 Kxd4 (24... Rxh7 25. Ne2) 25. Bf5 Nc4+ (25... Rag8 26. g4 Nc4+ 27. Kc1) 26. Ke2 Rag8 (26... Ne3 27. Bh3 (27. fxe4 dxe4 28. Bh3 Rag8 29. Rhg1 f5 30. Kf2 f4 31. Re2 Rxh3 32. Rd2+ Ke5 33. gxh3 Rxg1 34. Kxg1 f3) 27... Rag8 28. Rhg1 f5 29. Kf2) 27. Rd1+ Ke5 28. g4 Rh3 (28... exf3+ 29. Kf2 (29. Kxf3 29... Rh3+) 29... d4 (29... Nd6 30. h4) 30. h4 Ne3 31. h5 Nxg4+ (31... Nxd1+ 32. Rxd1) 32. Bxg4 Rxg4 33. h6) 29. fxe4 Re3+ (29... dxe4 30. Rd7 Re3+ 31. Kd1) 30. Kf2 dxe4 31. Rd7 Kf4 32. Re1 (32. Rxb7 Ne5) 32... Rh8 33. Bh7 Ne5 34. Rxe3 Nxg4+ 35. Ke2 Nxe3 36. Rxb7 Nf5 37. Rxa7 Nd4+ 38. Kd1 Rd8 39. Rf7 f5 40. Kc1 e3 0-1 Fominyh, Alexander (2552) - Sakaev, Konstantin (2648) Russian Men Championship, Moscow, 1999. 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qb3 Nc6 6. Bd2 Bb7 7. d5 Ne7! 7...exd5 8. cxd5 Ne7 9. d6 cxd6 with unclear play 8. dxe6 fxe6 9. Bg2 Nf5 10. O-O Bc5 Black has a little advantage 11. Nc3 O-O 12. Qc2 Qe8 13. Bg5 13. e4 Qh5! Black has the upper hand 13...Ng4! 13...Qh5 14. Bxf6 Rxf6 15. Ne4 = 14. h3 14. Ne4 Qg6! Black has the upper hand 14...Nxf2! 15. Rxf2 Nxg3 16. Qd2? 16. Qd3 the only move A) 16...e5 17. e4 Bxf2+ (17...Rf4?! 18. Bxf4 exf4 19. Nd4 Qe5 20. Rd1 White has the upper hand) 18. Kxf2 Nh5 with unclear play B) 16...Qg6? 17. Qxg6 hxg6 18. e3 Rf5 19. Bf4! h5! with compensation) 19...Rxf4 20. exf4 Rf8 21. b4! Bxb4 22. Ne2 Nxe2+ 23. Rxe2 Rxf4 24. Rf1 Bc5+ 25. Kh1 White has the upper hand C) 16...d5!? 17. Be3 (17. cxd5 exd5 with attack) 17...dxc4 18. Qd2 Rd8 19. Qc1 Qh5 20. Bxc5 Qxc5 21. Qg5 Nf5 with compensation, with idea 22. e4 Rd3! D) 16...Qh5 17. Be3 e5 18. Nd2 (18. Qd2 e4 19. Nd4 Qe5 with attack) 18...Bxg2(18...e4 19. Ndxe4) D1) 19. Kxg2 Bxe3 D1a) 20. Rxf8+ Rxf8 21. Qxe3 Nf5 22. Qd3 Qg5+ 23. Kh2 Ne3 24. Rg1 (24. Qe4 Rf2+ 25. Kh1 Qg3 Black has a decisive advantage) 24...Rf2+ 25. Kh1 Qf4 26. Nf3 Rxf3 27. exf3 Qxf3+ 28. Kh2 Ng4+ Black has a decisive advantage D1b) 20. Qxe3 Nf5 21. Rxf5 (21. Qe4 Qg6+ Black has a decisive advantage; 21. Qd3 Qg5+ 22. Kh2 Ne3 23. Nf3 Qf4+ 24. Kh1 Rf7 25. Qe4 Raf8! Black has the upper hand) 21...Rxf5 D1b1) 22. Nf3 Raf8 23. Nd5 Qg6+ 24. Kh2 Qd6 25. Qe4 c6 26. Ne3 (26. Nc3 Qe6 27. Rd1 Rh5 Black has a decisive advantage) 26...Rxf3 27. exf3 Rf4 28. Qc2 Rxf3 29. Rd1 Qe6 30. Ng4 h5 31. Nf2 e4 Black has a decisive advantage D1b2) 22. Rf1 Qg6+ 23. Kh2 Rxf1 24. Nxf1 Rf8 25. Ng3 Qe6 Black has the upper hand D2) 19. Bxc5 Qxh3 20. Rxf8+ Rxf8 21. Bxf8 Bc6 Black has the upper hand (21...Bh1 22. Kf2 with unclear play) D3) 19. Rxg2! Qxh3 20. Rh2 Qg4 21. Qxh7+ Kf7 22. Bxc5 bxc5 with unclear play E) 16...Bxf2+ 17. Kxf2 Nh5 with unclear play 16...Nf5! Black has the upper hand 17. Re1 17. e4 Nd6 Black has the upper hand 17...Qh5 18. Bf4 Bxf2+ 19. Kxf2 Nh4 20. Qe3 Nxg2 21. Kxg2 Qh4 22. Bg3 22. Bxc7? Qxe1 Black has a decisive advantage 22...Qxc4 Black has a decisive advantage 23. Rd1 Qc6 24. Rd4 Rae8 25. Re4 Rf5 26. Kh2 Qc5 27. Nd4 Bxe4 28. Nxe4 Re5! 29. Qd3 Rxe4 30. Qxe4 d6 31. Nf3 a5 32. a3 Qd5 33. Qc2 Qc5 34. Qe4 Qb5 35. Qc2 h6 36. Nd4 Qd7 37. Qe4 e5 38. Nf3 Rf8 39. a4 Qf5 40. Qc6 Rf7 41. Qc4 g5 42. Ne1 h5 43. Ng2 h4 44. Be1 Kh7 45. Bd2 Rg7 46. Be3 e4 47. Bd4 Re7 48. Qc6 Qf7 49. Kg1 Qe6 50. Qa8 c5 51. Qh8+ Kg6 52. Bf2 Re8 53. Qc3 Rf8 54. Be1 d5 55. Qb3 Rf6 56. Qb5 d4 57. e3 d3 58. Bc3 Rf3 59. Qa6 Rxh3 60. Qb7 Rf3 61. Qg7+ Kh5 62. Qh8+ Kg4 63. Be1 h3 64. Nf4 gxf4 65. Qh4+ Kf5 66. Qh5+ Kf6 67. Bc3+ Ke7 68. Qg5+ Kd7 69. exf4 Kc6 0:1 Raetsky, Alexander (2453) - Sakaev, Konstantin (2649) Russian Club Championship, St.Petersburg, 1999 1. d4 d6 2. e4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 Nc6 5. d5 Nd4 6. Nb1!? N c6 7. c3 Nb5 8. Bg2 cxd5 9. exd5 Nc7 10. Ne2 Nf6 11. O-O O-O 12. c4 12. a4!? 12...b5!? 12...e5 13. Nbc3 (13. dxe6 Bxe6 14. Na3 d5 =) 13...Bf5 14. h3 h5 with unclear play 13. cxb5 Nxb5 14. a4 14. Nbc3 Nxc3 15. Nxc3 Rb8 with initiative 14...Nc7 15. Nbc3 Bb7 16. Rb1 Qd7 17. b4 e6! 18. dxe6? 18. Nf4! the only move e5(18...Ncxd5 19. Ncxd5 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Bxd5 exd5 22. b5 White has a little advantage) 19. Nfe2 18...Nxe6 19. Bxb7 Qxb7 20. Nf4 20. Qxd6 Rfd8 21. Qe5 Rac8! Black has the upper hand 20...d5! 21. Qf3 21. Ncxd5 Rad8 22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 23. Qg4 Nd4 Black has the upper hand 21...Rad8 22. Rd1 Ne4! 23. Nce2 23. Ncd5 N4g5! Black has a decisive advantage 23...Rfe8! 24. Be3?! 24. b5 24...Nxf4 Black has a decisive advantage 25. Bxf4 d4 26. b5 Qd5 27. Rb3 Qc4 28. Rbd3 Nc5 29. R3d2 d3 30. Nc1 Bc3 31. Rxd3 Nxd3 32. Rxd3 Rxd3 33. Nxd3 Qxa4 34. Qd5 Qe4 35. Qd7 Qe7 36. Qd5 Rd8 37. Qc4 Bf6 38. Nb4 Rd4 39. Qc8+ Kg7 40. Nc6 Rd1+ 41. Kg2 Qe4+ 42. Kh3 Rd5 0:1 Rossi,C (2436) - Sakaev,K (2627) Istanbul olm (2), 2000 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.0-0 Nge7 5.c3 a6 6.Ba4 b5 7.Bc2 Bb7 8.Re1 Rc8 9.a3?! c4= 10.d4 cxd3 11.Qxd3 Ng6 12.Nbd2 12.Be3 Be7 13.Nbd2 0-0 14.Rad1 Qc7 (14...Nce5? 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.Qe2 Nc4 17.Nxc4 bxc4 18.e5 +/- Gershon) 15.Nb3 d6 16.Nbd4= 12...Be7 13.Nf1N 13.Nb3 Qc7 14.Nbd4 (14.Be3 Nce5 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.Qe2 Nc4 =/+; 14.Nfd4 0-0 15.Qh3 Nce5! =/+) 14...0-0 A) 15.Nxc6 A1) 15...Bxc6 16.Be3 d6 (16...d5 17.e5 f5 18.Bd4 +/=; 16...f5?! 17.exf5 Rxf5 18.Nd4 Rh5 19.Nxc6 +/- with the idea Qxh2+ 20.Kf1 dxc6 21.Qd7+-) 17.Nd4 Bb7 18.Rad1 +/=; A2) 15...dxc6! 16.Be3 c5 =/+; B) 15.Be3 15...Nce5 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.Qe2 Nc4 18.Bc1 Bf6 =/+ Westerinen,H-Schandorff,L/Gentofte 1999 13...0-0 14.Ng3 Qc7 14...d6 15.Be3 Qc7 16.Rad1= 15.e5!? 15.Qe2 Na5 16.Nd4 Nc4 =/+; 15.Be3 Nce5 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.Qe2 Nc4 =/+ 15...Na5!? 15...d6 16.exd6 Bxd6 =/+ 16.Ne4 Nc4 17.Neg5! Qc6! 17...Bxg5 18.Nxg5 Ncxe5 19.Qg3 with compensation for the material 18.h4 18.b3 Ncxe5! (18...Bxg5 19.Bxg5 Nb2 20.Qd2 Qxc3 21.Nd4 unclear) 19.Rxe5 f6 -/+; 18.Qd4 h6! (18...Bxg5 19.Be4 Qc7 20.Bxb7 Qxb7 21.Nxg5 unclear) 19.Be4 Qc7 20.Bxb7 Qxb7 21.Ne4 Qc7 =/+ 18...Bxg5! 19.hxg5 Rfd8 =/+ 20.Qd4 Qc5 20...d6 21.exd6 Rxd6 (21...Nxd6 22.Qg4 Qc4 23.Qh3 Nf5 24.Bxf5 exf5 25.Qxf5 Rd5 26.Qh3 Rd3 27.Be3 Rcd8 with conpesation) 22.Qg4 Rcd8 =/+ 21.Qd3?! 21.Bxg6 hxg6 22.b3 Qxd4 (22...Bxf3 23.bxc4 Bb7 24.Qxc5 Rxc5 25.cxb5 axb5 26.Bd2 Ra8) 23.Nxd4 Nb6 24.Bd2 d6 =/+ 21...Bxf3 22.Qxf3 Ncxe5 23.Qh5 Nc4! 23...d6 24.Re3 Nd7 25.Rh3 Ndf8 26.Bd2 with compensation 24.b3 Nd6 25.Re3 f5! -/+ 25...Nf5 26.Rh3 Nf8 27.Bf4 with compensation 26.Rh3 Nf8 27.g6?! 27.Bf4 Ne4 -/+ 27...hxg6 28.Qh8+ Kf7 29.Bg5 Re8 30.Rd1 Qc6-+ 31.c4 bxc4 32.bxc4 Nxc4 33.Rd4 d5 34.Qh4 Nd6 34...e5 35.Rd1 Ne6-+ 35.Ba4 Nb5 36.Rb4 e5 36...Nd7-+ 37.g4! e4 37...Ne6 38.Bd2 (38.gxf5 Nxg5 39.Qxg5 Qc1+ -+) 38...Nc5 (38...Ned4!?) 39.gxf5 Nxa4 40.Qg5 (40.Rxa4 Nd4-+) 40...Nc5 41.fxg6+ Ke6 42.f4 Kd7 43.Rh7 Re7-+ 38.Bb3 a5 38...Qd7 39.a4 Nc3 40.gxf5 gxf5 41.Qh5+ (41.Rb6 Rc6-+) 41...Ng6 42.Bd2 Rh8 43.Rb7 Rxh5 (43...Qxb7? 44.Qxf5+ Ke7 45.Bg5+ Kd6 46.Qxg6+ Ke5 47.f4+ exf3 48.Rxf3 Rhf8 unclear) 44.Rxd7+ Ke6 45.Rxh5 Kxd7 46.Rg5 (46.Rxf5 Nh4-+) 46...Ne5 47.Rxg7+ Ke6-+ 39.Ra4 Ra8 40.gxf5 gxf5 41.Qh5+ Ng6 42.Qd1 42.Bf4 Qe6 43.Rg3 Rh8 44.Qg5 Rh6-+ 42...Re5 43.Qd2 Qe6 44.Bf4 Nxf4 45.Qxf4 Nd6 46.Rc3 Kg8 47.Ba2 47.Rc5 Rb8-+ 47...Nf7 48.Rc5 Rd8 49.Raxa5 e3 50.fxe3 Rxe3 51.Rc2 Re1+ 52.Kf2 Rh1 53.Kg2 Qe1 54.Rxd5 Qg1+ 55.Kf3 Rxd5 0-1 Sakaev, Konstantin (2648) - Ibragimov, Ildar (2554) Russian Men Championship, Moscow, 1999. 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. Bxc4 Nb6 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. Ne2 Bg4 8. f3 Be6 9. Nbc3 Nb4?! N 10. Be4 c6 11. a3 11. O-O Bc4 White has a little advantage 11...N4d5 12. O-O Qd7 13. Qc2 13. Bd3 Bf5!? 14. Ne4 e6 White has a little advantage 13...g6 13...f5!? 14. exf6 (14. Bd3 White has a little advantage) 14...exf6 15. Bxh7 (15. Nf4!? White has a little advantage) 15...O-O-O with compensation. 14. Bd3! White has the upper hand 14...Nxc3 14...f5 15. exf6 exf6 16. Ne4 White has the upper hand 15. bxc3 Bc4 16. a4! Bxd3 17. Qxd3 c5 18. a5 c4 19. Qc2 Nd5 20. Nf4! e6 21. Nxd5 exd5 22. f4 22. Bg5 Be7 23. Bxe7 (23. Bh6 O-O-O!) 23...Qxe7 24. f4 f5! 25. exf6 Qe3+! 26. Kh1 O-O White has a little advantage 22...Qf5 23. Qa4+ 23. Qxf5? gxf5 24. Rb1 O-O-O = 23...Qd7 24. f5 24. Qxd7+ Kxd7 25. f5 Be7 White has a little advantage 24...Qxa4 25. Rxa4 gxf5 25...Be7 26. f6 Bd8 (26...Bf8 27. g4! Kd7 28. Be3 g5 29. Kg2 h5 30. h3 hxg4 31. hxg4 Rh4 32. Kg3 White has a decisive advantage) 27. e6 White has a decisive advantage 26. Rxf5 Be7 27. Bg5! Bxg5 28. Rxg5 Rd8 29. Rb4 Rd7 30. Rb2 Ke7 31. Rf2 b5 32. axb6 axb6 33. Rgf5 Rf8 34. Rf6 Rb7 34...b5 35. Rb6 White has a decisive advantage 35. e6? 35. Rd6 White has a decisive advantage 35...Ke8 36. R2f5 Re7 37. exf7+ Rexf7 38. Rxf7 Rxf7 39. Rxd5 39. Rxf7 Kxf7 40. g4 h5! 39...Ra7 White has a little advantage 40. Rb5 Ra3 41. Rxb6 Rxc3 42. Rh6 Rd3 43. Rxh7 Rxd4 44. Kf2 c3 45. Rc7 Rd2+ 46. Kf3 Rd3+ 47. Kg4 Rd2 48. Kh3 c2 49. g4 Kd8 50. Rc4 Ke7 51. Kg3 Ke6 52. Rc8 Ke5 53. h4 Rd3+ 54. Kg2 Rd2+ 55. Kf3 Rd3+ 56. Ke2 Rd4 1/2:1/2 Sakaev, Konstantin (2648) - Ibragimov, Ildar (2554) Russian Men Championship, Moscow, 1999. 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 c5 4. d5 Nf6 5. Nc3 b5 6. Bf4 Ba6 7. e5 b4 8. e6! N fxe6? 8...Qa5 the only move 9. exf7+ (9. Na4 fxe6 10. dxe6 Nc6 11. b3 Rd8 Black has the upper hand) 9...Kxf7 10. Na4 A) 10...c3 11. bxc3 (11. Nf3? c2 12. Qxc2 b3+ Black has the upper hand; 11. b3?! Bxf1 12. Kxf1 Qb5+ 13. Ne2 Qb7 Black has a little advantage; 11. Bxa6 Nxa6 12. b3 Rd8 13. Nf3 Rxd5 14. Qe2 with compensation) 11...bxc3 12. Qc2 Nxd5 13. Nf3 Nxf4 14. Qf5+ Kg8 15. Qxf4 Qb4 16. Qe5 with attack B) 10...Nbd7 B1) 11. b3 cxb3 12. axb3 Bxf1 13. Kxf1 Qb5+ 14. Ne2 Qb7 Black has a little advantage B2) 11. Nf3 Bb5 12. b3 Bxa4 13. bxa4 b3+ 14. Nd2 b2 15. Rb1 c3 (15...Nb6 16. Qc2 with unclear play) 16. Nc4 B2a) 16...Qb4 17. a3 Qb7 B2a1) 18. Ne3 Nb6 19. Qb3 Nfxd5 20. Bc4 e6 21. a5? (21. Bg3 with unclear play) 21...Nxf4 22. axb6 Nxg2+ B2a2) 18. Na5 Qb6 19. Nc6 White has the upper hand B2b) 16...c2+ 17. Nxa5 cxd1=Q+ 18. Kxd1 B2b1) 18...Nxd5 19. Bc4 N7b6 (19...e6 20. Bxd5 exd5 21. Rxb2 Nb6 22. Nc6 with initiative) 20. Be5 Rd8 21. Ke2 e6 22. Bxb2 (22. Rxb2 Bd6 23. Bxd6 Rxd6 24. Rc1 =) 22...Nxa4 23. Rhc1 Nxb2 (23...Bd6 24. Nb7 Rd7 25. Nxd6+ Rxd6 26. Be5 Rb6 27. Bb3 White has the upper hand) 24. Rxb2 Nb6 25. Nc6 White has the upper hand B2b1) 18...Nb6 19. Rxb2 Nfxd5 20. Be5 e6 = B3) 11. Rc1!? Bb5 12. b3 B3a) 12...c3 13. Nf3 Bxf1 14. Kxf1 Qb5+ 15. Kg1 Qb7 (15...c4 16. Qe2 Qxd5 17. Rd1 Qc6 18. Ng5+ Kg8 19. Rd6! White has a decisive advantage) 16. Qe2 Qxd5 17. Rd1 B3a1) 17...Qc6 18. Ng5+ Re8 20. h4 with attack B3a2) 17...Qf5 18. Qc4+ Ke8 19. Ng5 with attack B3b) 12...Bxa4 13. bxa4 B3b1) 13...c3 14. Nf3 Nb6 B3b11) 15. Ne5+ Kg8 16. Bb5 (16. Nc6 Qxa4 17. Qe2) 16...Nbxd5 with unclear play B3b12) 15. Ng5+ Kg8 16. Qe2 e5 B3b121) 17. Qxe5 Re8 18. Ne6 Qxa4 with unclear play (18...Nbxd5 19. Bc4 White has a decisive advantage; 18...Nfxd5 19. Bb5 White has a decisive advantage) B3b122) 17. dxe6 Be7 18. g3 White has the upper hand B3b2) 13...Nb6 14. Bxc4 Nxc4 15. Rxc4 Rd8 16. Nf3 with compensation 9. Qa4+ Qd7 9...Nbd7 10. dxe6 bxc3 11. exd7+ (11. bxc3 Qb6 12. exd7+ Nxd7 13. Nf3 White has the upper hand) 11...Qxd7 12. Qxa6 cxb2 13. Rb1 White has a decisive advantage; 9...Nfd7 10. dxe6 bxc3 11. O-O-O!? (11. bxc3 Qb6 12. exd7+ Nxd7 13. Nf3 White has the upper hand) 11...cxb2+ 12. Kb1 White has a decisive advantage 10. dxe6 Qxa4 10...Qc6 11. Bxb8 Qxa4 12. Nxa4 Rxb8 13. Nxc5 Bb5 14. a4 bxa3 15. Rxa3! (15. bxa3 Rc8 16. a4 Rxc5 17. axb5 White has the upper hand) 15...Rc8 16. Rxa7! White has a decisive advantage 11. Nxa4 Bb5 12. Nxc5 Nc6 12...Na6 13. a4 (13. Nb3!?) 13...Nxc5 14. axb5 Nxe6 15. Be3 White has the upper hand 13. Rc1 Nd5 13...Na5 14. Bd2! Nd5 15. a3! White has a decisive advantage 14. Bxc4 Bxc4 15. Rxc4 Nxf4 16. Rxf4 g5 17. Rc4 Bg7 18. Nf3! White has the upper hand 18. Na6 Ne5! with counterplay; 18. Nd3 Nd4 19. Ne2 Nxe6 20. Rxb4 Rd8 with counterplay 18...Ne5? 18...Bxb2 19. Na6 (19. Na4 Ne5 20. Nxb2 Nxc4 21. Nxc4 Rc8 22. Nfe5 h5 23. Ke2 Rh6 with counterplay) 19...Bxc3 20. Rxc3 bxc3 21. Nc7+ Kd8 22. Nxa8 Kc8 23. Nxg5 White has the upper hand 19. Nxe5 Bxe5 20. Nd3 Bd6 21. h4 White has a decisive advantage 21...gxh4 22. Rcxh4 a5 23. Rxh7 Rg8 24. g3 O-O-O 25. Ke2 Kb7 26. R7h4 Rg6 27. Re4 Rg5 28. g4 Rd5 29. Rd1 Kb6 30. b3 Rc8 31. Rd2 Kb5 32. Nb2 Rxd2+ 33. Kxd2 Bc5 34. Nd3 Bd6 35. f4 a4 36. g5 a3 37. f5 Rf8 38. f6 1:0 Sakaev, Konstantin (2648) - Kobalija, Mihail (2573) Russian Men Championship, Moscow, 1999. 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Nh4 e6 7. Nxf5 exf5 8. e3 Bb4 9. Bxc4 O-O 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Qc2 g6 12. f3 Nb6?! 12...Rc8 13. Bb3 a5 14. Qf2 N 14. Kh1 Re8 (14...c5 15. Qf2 [15. Nb5 Rc8 16. Qf2 White has a little advantage; 15. Na2 cxd4 16. Nxb4 axb4 17. exd4 Qxd4 18. Bg5 with unclear play] 15...Qe7 16. Bd2 Rad8 17. Rad1 White has a little advantage) 15. e4!? (15. Qf2 c5 16. Bd2 White has a little advantage, with idea 16... f4?! 17. Rad1! White has the upper hand) 15...Qxd4 (15...fxe4? 16. fxe4 Qxd4 17. Bg5 Be7 [17...Nbd7 18. Rad1 Qe5 19. Bxf7+ White has a decisive advantage] 18. Rad1 Qe5 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Qf2 White has a decisive advantage) 16. exf5 Nfd5! (16...Nbd5? 17. fxg6 hxg6 18. Bg5 White has the upper hand, E.Gleizerov - D.Djaparidze, Katowice, 1991) 17. fxg6 hxg6 18. Ne4 (18. Bg5?! Bxc3 19. Rad1 [19. bxc3 Qxc3 Black has a little advantage] 19...Qe5 20. f4 Qe2 Black has a little advantage) 18...f5! with unclear play 14...Kg7?! 14...c5?! 15. Na2! White has the upper hand; 14...Qe7!? 15. e4!? (15. Bd2 c5 16. Rad1 White has a little advantage) 15...fxe4 16. Bg5 e3 17. Qh4 (17. Bxe3 White has a little advantage) 17...Nbd7 18. Rfe1 Rae8 19. Rxe3 Qd6 (19...Qxe3+!? 20. Bxe3 Rxe3 21. Re1 White has a little advantage) 20. Rae1 Rxe3 21. Rxe3 White has a little advantage 15. Bd2 Qd6 15...Qe7 16. Rae1 with attack 16. Rad1 Rad8 17. Kh1 Qe7 18. Rfe1 White has the upper hand 18...c5 19. Qh4 19. Nb5 White has a little advantage 19...c4? 19...Ng8 the only move 20. Qg3 Nf6 White has the upper hand 20. Bc2 Nh5 21. Qf2! 21. Qxe7 Bxe7 22. Nb5 (22. Na2!?) 22...Bb4 23. Bc3 White has the upper hand 21...Qf6 22. e4! fxe4 Better is 22...f4 23. g4! White has a decisive advantage 23...Nf4 24. Nxe4 Qc6 25. Bxf4 Bxe1 26. Rxe1 Nd7 27. g5! Rfe8 28. Kg2 Kg8 29. Rd1 f5 30. d5 Qa6 31. Nd6 Re7 32. Re1 1:0 Sakaev (2627) - Mrva (2468) Istanbul olm (8), 2000. In the match with Slovakia team we considered to win with big score and their avoiding the fight on white boards couldn't please us. So all responsibility was laid on Alexander Morozevich and me, who were playing with the white pieces. Sasha gradually outplayed Shtol and reached the victory and I have played rather balanced game. 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 It seemed to me the variation used to play by my opponent against system with g3 is rather doubious. That's why I chose this move. Nevertheless it was not so easy way indeed. 3...Bg7 4.Bg2 0-0 5.Nc3 d6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Bxf3 Nc6 9.e3 Nd7 10.Bg2 a5!N Good novelty, they played 10...e5 11.d5 Ne7 12.e4 f5 13.h4 Nf6 (13...f4 14.Bh3 Rf6 15.Qe2 +/- Botvinnik,M-Smyslov,V 1957) 14.Bg5 h6 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 with strong 16.Qd3!N (positional incorrect 16.h5 Bg5 17.hxg6 f4 18.Bh3 Kg7 with good play for Black, Portisch,L-Sznapik,A 1984) 16...h5 17.0-0-0 +/- 11.Qe2 I paid attention to 11.h4!?, but I disliked 11...Nb6 12.Qe2 e6 13.h5 d5 , though my partner, who is a follower of King's Indian positions, most likely would prefer another way. After 11.0-0 Black has simple plan 11...e5 12.d5 Ne7 13.e4 f5 11...e5 12.d5 Nb4 13.a3 The Knight must be driven away since it is able to get a good post on the d3 square after approximate 13.e4 Nc5 14.0-0 f5. 13...Na6 14.Rb1 f5?! This natural move turned out a serious mistake after which White has an advantage. Deserves attention 14...Bh6 15.b4 (or 15.h4 f5 16.h5 Kg7 17.b4) 15...f5 with complicated but better for White position because of lame a6 Knight's position. The best was 14...Nac5! 15.b4 axb4 16.axb4 Na4 17.Nxa4 (Risky is 17.Nd1 Bh6 18.h4 f5 19.h5 Kg7 with active play for Black) 17...Rxa4 18.e4 Qa8 19.0-0 Ra2, and White's advantage is minimal, if of course it is at all. 15.e4 Nac5 16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 Na4 17...Nxe4 18.Nxe4 fxe4 19.Bxe4 +/- 18.Nd1! +/- Very effective multifunctional move proving an advantage. White keeps a couple of pieces, consolidates plentifully the f2 square, clears the 3rd rank for the Rook (subsequently not for Rb1-b3 but Rh1-h3-a3!), and also threating 19.ef5 gf5 20.g4 and then it will be able to put the knight into the play through the e3 square. 18.Nxa4 Rxa4 19.0-0, as it was told before can offer White a little. 18...f4 18...Nf6 19.exf5 gxf5 20.g4! +/-; 18...Qe7 19.Rb3 f4 20.h4 Bh6 21.Bh3 f3 22.Qc2 +/-. 19.h4 c5! Makes White worsen his pawn structure of queenside. 20.dxc6 bxc6 21.h5 g5 22.h6! Bf6 23.Bh3 Kh8 Perhaps better was 23...Qe7!? 24.Bf5 Rfb8 , with the idea to put the Knight onto e6 through f8 by the chance. 24.Bf5 Ndb6 25.g4! Strengthening the light-square bishop and preparing h1 Rook's manoevre. 25...Nc8 26.Rh3 Ne7 27.Be6 Ng6 28.Ra3 Qe7 29.Bf5 Nh4 30.Rba1 Nb6 31.Rxa8 Nxa8 Exchange of one more couple of the Rooks is good for White 31...Rxa8 32.Rxa8+ Nxa8 33.Nc3 +/- 32.Nc3 Qb7 33.b5 Nxf5 34.gxf5 Nb6 35.Qd3 Also promising was 35.Ra6 +/- but White has already planned some X-rays on the 6th rank and b file which in combination with mate net (... 22.h6!) decides. 35...Be7 36.Ra6 Rf6 37.c5! dxc5 38.bxc6 Rxc6 39.Qb5+- Bd8 40.Nd5 White threatens nothing immediately but Black is completely pinned and can't find any useful move. 40...g4 41.Bb2 f3 After 41...g3 the simplest is 42.Bxe5+ Kg8 43.fxg3 fxg3 44.Bxg3 42.Bxe5+ Kg8 43.Ra7 The last trap was 43.Rxb6 Bxb6 44.Qxc6 Ba5+; After 43.Ra7! Black calculated 43...Qxa7 44.Qxc6 Qd7 45.Nf6+ Bxf6 46.Qxf6 and resigned. 1-0 Sakaev, Konstantin (2629) - Ulibin, Mikhail (2579) Dubai, 2000 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 c5 7. Bxe7 Kxe7 8. dxc5 Nxe5 9. Qe2! N 9. Qd2 9...Nbc6 9...f6 10. f4 Nec6 A) 11. f5 Nd4 12. Qf2 A1) 12...Nxf5 A11) 13. g4 d4! 14. O-O-O Ne3!(14...Qa5? 15. gxf5 dxc3 16. Qg3 Rg8 [16...Kf7 17. Bc4 White has a decisive advantage] 17. Qd6+ Kf7 18. Bc4 White has a decisive advantage) 15. Rd2 e5 Black has the upper hand A12) 13. O-O-O! d4 14. Nf3 e5 15. Bc4 Ne3 16. Rhe1! with attack A2) 12...e5 13. O-O-O (13. g4 b6 with unclear play) 13...Bxf5 (13...Nbc6 14. g4 White has the upper hand, with idea 15. Bg2) 14. Rxd4 exd4 15. Nb5 Be4 with unclear play B) 11. O-O-O Kf7 B1) 12. Nb5 Rf8 13. Nd6+ Kg8 14. f5 exf5 15. Rxd5 Ne5 16. Rxe5 fxe5 17. Qxe5 Qf6 (17...Nc6 18. Bc4+ Kh8 19. Qf4 Qa5 20. Nf3 Qxc5 21. Ng5 with attack) 18. Bc4+ Kh8 19. Qxf6 (19. Qf4 Be6 with unclear play) 19...gxf6 20. Ne2 Nc6 21. Nf4 b6 22. Bd5 Bd7 23. cxb6 axb6 White has a little advantage B2) 12. f5 Re8 B21) 13. fxe6+ Bxe6 14. Nxd5 Bxd5 15. Qh5+ Kf8 16. Qxd5 (16. Rxd5 Re1+ 17. Kd2? Qa5+) 16...Qxd5 17. Rxd5 Re1+ 18. Rd1 Rxd1+ 19. Kxd1 Nd7 = B22) 13. Qh5+ Kg8 B221) 14. fxe6?! Bxe6 15. Nxd5 Bf7! 16. Qf3 Ne5 17. Qb3 Nbc6 Black has a little advantage B222) 14. Bc4 Qe7 15. Bb3 (15. Bxd5? exd5 16. Nxd5 Qf7 17. Qxf7+ Kxf7 18. Nc7 Bxf5 19. Nxa8 Na6 Black has the upper hand) 15...Na6 16. fxe6 Nxc5 17. Bxd5 Bxe6 18. Nf3 Qf7 = B223) 14. Nf3! Ne7 15. Bd3 exf5 16. Rhe1 with attack 9...Nec6 10. O-O-O Kf8 11. f4 Nd7 - 9...Nbc6 10. O-O-O 10. f4?! A) 10...Nc4 11. O-O-O Kf8 12. Qf2 White has the upper hand B) 10...Nd7 11. Nxd5+ Kf8 12. Nc3 Nxc5 13. Nf3 b6 14. Qe3 White has the upper hand C) 10...Ng6 C1) 11. Qf2? d4 12. O-O-O Qa5 Black has the upper hand C2) 11. g3 Qa5 (11...d4 12. Ne4 Qa5+ [12...f5 13. Nd2 with initiative] 13. Qd2 [13. Kf2 f5 14. Ng5 Qxc5 15. Kg2 h6 Black has the upper hand] 13... Qxd2+ 14. Kxd2 White has a little advantage) 12. Qb5 = C3) 11. h5 Nxf4 12. Qf2 e5 13. O-O-O d4 with unclear play C4) 11. f5 Nd4 12. Qf2 Nxf5 with unclear play D) 10...d4! 11. O-O-O Qa5 12. fxe5 (12. Ne4 Nd7 White has a little advantage, with idea 13. Qc4 f5 14. Ng5 Nxc5 Black has the upper hand) 12...dxc3 13. Qe3 Qxa2 (13...cxb2+ 14. Kb1) 14. Qxc3 Qa1+ 15. Kd2 Qa4 Black has a little advantage 10...Kf8 10...Qa5 A) 11. f4 d4! Black has a little advantage 10. f4 d4 11. O-O-O Qa5 B) 11. Rh3 d4 (11...Nc4?! 12. Qg4 White has a little advantage) 12. Ne4 (12. Nb5 d3 Black has the upper hand) B1) 12...d3? 13. cxd3 Nd4 (13...Qxa2 14. d4 Qa1+ [14...Rd8 15. Ra3 White has a decisive advantage] 15. Kc2 Qa4+ [15...Nb4+ 16. Kb3 Qa2+ 17. Kxb4 White has a decisive advantage] 16. Kb1 Nxd4 [16...Nb4 17. Ra3 White has a decisive advantage] 17. Qd2 Rd8 18. Ra3 Qc6 19. Qg5+ White has a decisive advantage) 14. Qd2 Qxa2 15. Qg5+ Kd7 16. Qxe5 Qa1+ 17. Kd2 Qxb2+ 18. Ke3 White has a decisive advantage B2) 12...Qxa2 13. Ra3 Qd5 14. f4 B21) 14...Nd7 15. c4 (15. Rg3!? with compensation; 15. Nf3 Nxc5 16. Nxc5 Qxc5 Black has a little advantage) B211) 15...d3 16. Raxd3 (16. Rdxd3 Qxc4+ 17. Kb1 [17. Rac3 Qa2 18. Ra3 =] 17...b5 18. Nf3 with attack [18. cxb6 Nxb6 19. Rac3 Qa4]) 16...Qxc4+ 17. Kb1 Qb4 18. Nf3 Nxc5 19. Nxc5 Qxc5 20. Ne5 with attack B212) 15...Qf5 16. Nh3 Nxc5 17. Ng3 Qg6 (17...Qf6 18. Nh5 d3 [18...Qxh4? 19. g3 d3 20. Raxd3 Nxd3+ 21. Rxd3 White has a decisive advantage; 18... Qg6 19. g4 Qe4 20. Qf2 with attack] 19. Qe3 Qd4 20. Qg3 with compensation) 18. Ng5 with compensation (18. f5 Qh6+; 18. h5 Qf6) B22) 14...Nc4 15. Rg3! with compensation (15. Ra4 b5 16. cxb6 Nxb6 17. Ra3 Rd8 18. Nf3 Bb7 Black has the upper hand) C) 11. Kb1 Kf8 C1) 12. Rh3 Qxc5 (12...Nc4 13. Rg3! [13. b3 Na3+ 14. Kb2 Qxc5 with unclear play] 13...Qxc5 14. Qg4 g6 15. h5 [15. Bxc4 Qxc4 16. Qxc4 dxc4 17. Rg4 =; 17. Ne4 Ke7 Black has a little advantage] 15...Qb4 16. Bxc4 Qxc4 17. Qg5 with initiative) 13. f4 Nc4 Black has a little advantage C2) 12. f4 Nc4 (12...Nd7 13. Nf3 Nxc5 - 10...Kf8 11. f4 Nd7 12. Nf3 Nc5 13. Kb1 Qa5) 13. Qf3 (13. Qf2 Nxb2! Black has the upper hand; 13. Rh3 e5!?) 13...Qxc5 14. Bxc4 Qxc4 15. Nge2 with compensation 11. f4 Nd7 12. Nf3 Nxc5 13. Kb1!? 13. f5 (13. g4 b5! 14. Qxb5 Qb6 =) 13...exf5! 14. Rxd5 Qb6 15. Qc4 Nd7 (15...Ne4 16. Nxe4 fxe4 17. Qxe4 Be6 18. Rb5 Qc7 [18...Qf2 19. Bd3 with initiative] 19. Ng5 Re8 20. Bd3 with initiative) 16. Rxf5 Qe3+ 17. Kb1 Nf6 18. Qc5+ Qxc5 19. Rxc5 White has a little advantage 13...b5 A) 13...b6 14. Qe3 (14. f5!? Ba6 15. Qe3 Bxf1 16. Rhxf1 with attack) 14...Ba6 15. Bxa6 Nxa6 16. f5 with attack B) 13...Qa5! 14. Qe3 Na4 15. Nxa4 Qxa4 16. Bd3 b6 (16...Nb4 17. a3 Nxd3 18. Rxd3 with initiative) B1) 17. h5 h6 (17...Ba6 18. Bxa6 Qxa6 19. h6 with initiative) 18. f5 exf5 19. Rh4 Qa5 with unclear play B2) 17. Qe2 Nb4 18. a3 Nxd3 19. cxd3 with compensation B3) 17. c3 Ba6 18. Bc2 Qc4 19. Rhe1 with compensation (19. Bd3 Qa4 =) 14. Qe3! 14. Qxb5 Qb6 = 14...Qb6 15. Rxd5! 15. Nxd5? exd5 16. Rxd5 Nd7 Black has the upper hand; 15. Bxb5? Rb8 Black has the upper hand, with idea 16. b3 Ne4 15...exd5 16. Nxd5 Qd8 17. Qxc5+ Ne7 18. Nc3! With compensation 18. Qxe7+ Qxe7 19. Nxe7 Kxe7 20. Bxb5 Rd8 (20...Bb7!? 21. Re1+ Kf6!? 22. Ne5 Bxg2!?) 21. Re1+ Kf8 = 18...a6 18...Qb6 19. Qxb6 axb6 20. Bxb5 Bb7 21. Ne5! White has the upper hand; 18...Bb7 19. Bxb5 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Qb6 21. Qa3 White has the upper hand 19. Be2 Be6?! 19...Bg4 20. Rd1 Qc8 21. Qb4 f6 22. f5!? (22. Nd5 Ra7 with unclear play) 22...Bxf5 23. Nd4 with attack; 19...Bb7! 20. Rd1 Qc8 21. Qb4 Qc7 22. Ne5 Rd8 23. Rxd8+ Qxd8 24. a4 with compensation 20. Rd1 Qc8 21. Qb4 White has the upper hand 20... h5 21...Qc7 22. Nd4 White has the upper hand 22. Nd4 Rh6 23. Bf3 Ra7 23...Rb8 24. f5! (24. Nc6 Bxa2+ 25. Kxa2 Rxc6 26. Bxc6 Qxc6 =) 24...Bxf5 25. Nd5 White has a decisive advantage 24. f5! Bc4 25. Nc6 Rxc6 26. Bxc6 Kg8 27. Be4 Nxf5 28. Qa5! White has a decisive advantage 28...Rd7 29. Rxd7 Qxd7 30. b3 Bf1 31. Qxa6 g6 32. Nd5 Qd6 32...Qe6 33. Qxe6 fxe6 34. Bxf5 gxf5 35. Ne3 Be2 36. Kc1! f4 (36...b4 37. Kd2 Bb5 38. g3 Kf7 39. c3 bxc3+ 40. Kxc3 White has a decisive advantage) 37. Kd2 Bg4 38. Nxg4 hxg4 39. a4 White has a decisive advantage 33. Qxd6? Time 33. Nf6+ Kh8 34. Qa8+ Kg7 35. Ne8+ White has a decisive advantage 33...Nxd6 34. Ne3 Nxe4 34... Be2 35. Bd5 White has a decisive advantage 35. Nxf1 White has a decisive advantage 35...Kg7 36. Kb2 Kf6 37. Ka3 Nc3 38. Kb4 Nxa2+ 39. Kxb5 Ke5 40. Kc5 Nc3 41. b4 Ne4+ 42. Kb5 Nc3+ 43. Kc4 Time 43...Ne4 44. Kb5 Nd6+ 45. Kc6 Nf5 46. b5 Nd4+ 47. Kc5 Ne6+ 48. Kb4 Kd6 49. c4 Nc5 50. Nd2 f6 51. Nb3 Nd3+ 52. Ka5 g5 53. c5+ Kc7 54. b6+ Kb7 55. Kb5 gxh4 56. c6+ Kb8 57. Nc5 1:0 Shirov, Aleksei (2751) - Topalov, Veselin (2702) saraevo, 2000 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 de4 5. N:e4 Be7 6. B:f6 gf6 7. Nf3 a6 8. c4?! f5 9. Nc3 Bf6! 9...c5 10. d5 Bf6 11. Qc2! White has little advantage, Wang Zili - Dreev, 1999. 10. Qd2 c5 11. d5 0-0 12. 0-0-0 e5? 12...b5 13. de6 (13. cb5 e5 14. h4 with unclear play) 13...Q:d2+ 14. R:d2 (14. N:d2 B:e6 15. Nd5 [15. cb5 B:c3 16. bc3 ab5 17. B:b5 R:a2 Black has little advantage] 15... B:d5 16. cd5 c4 Black has little advantage) 14...B:e6 15. Nd5 White has little advantage; 12...Nd7 13. h4 Nb6! with unclear play; 12...Qa5! 13. Kb1 Bg7 Black has little advantage) 13. h4 b5 14. d6! ┼c6 14...Be6 15. Ng5! White has advantage 15. d7 Bb7 16. Qd6! White has advantage 16...e4 16...Nd4 17. N:e5 Be7 (17...b4 18. Na4! Be7 19. Qb6 White has advantage) 18. Qh6 b4 19. Nd5! (19. Rh3 Bf6 with unclear play; 19. Na4 Qc7 with unclear play) 19...B:d5 20. cd5 White has advantage 17. Nd5 Bg7 18. Ng5 Nd4 18...Qa5?! 19. Kb1 White has advantage; 18...Kh8 19. g4 with atack; 18...h6 19. Nh3 White has advantage 19. Ne7+ Kh8 20. Rh3! f4 20...Qb8 21. R:d4! cd4 (21...B:d4 22. Qh6 Qf4+ 23. Kb1 White has a decisive advantage) 22. N:f5 d3 23. c5 White has advantage 21. Kb1 b4 22. Be2!! f3 22...N:e2 23. Q:c5 White has a decisive advantage 23. gf3 N:e2 24. Q:c5 Nf4 25. Qf5 Ng6 26. h5 Q:e7 27. hg6 1:0 If 27...fg6 then 28. R:h7+ Kg8 29. Q:g6 with idea 30. Rh8+! Short, Nigel (2683) - Svidler, Peter (2672) KC Internet Grand Prix, 2000. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Be7 6. d4 Na5 7. Be2 d6 8. Qa4+ c6 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Nxe5 Nf6 11. O-O b5 12. Qc2 O-O Svidler chosed the line where White's chances, in my opinion, are obviously better. After 12...Qc7 13. f4 O-O 14. Be3 White also has advantage. 13. a4?! Here 13. Bf4! seems to be strong, for example, 13...Bd6 14. Rd1 Qc7 15. Rxd6 Qxd6 16. Ng6 Qc5 17. Nxf8 Qxf8 (17...Kxf8 18. e5 Nd5 19. Qxh7 Nxf4 20. Qh8+ Ke7 21. Qh4+) 18. Nd2 with advantage. By now nobody has played 13. Bf4, usual continuations are 13. a4 and 13. Nd2. 13...Qc7 14. Nf3 a6 15. Bg5 Bg4! It is stronger than 15...Be6 16. Nbd2 Nb7 17. Nd4 Nc5. 16. Nbd2 Nb7 17. h3 Bh5 18. Rae1 Nc5 19. Nd4 Bg6?! Looks like a mistake. Necessary was 19...Bxe2 20. Rxe2 Ne6, or 20...h6 21. Bh4 Nh5!? 22. Bxe7 Qxe7, and if 23. Nxc6?!, then 23...Qf6 24. Nd4 Nf4. 20. f4?! Tempting was 20. Bxf6!? Bxf6 21. f4, for example, 21...b4? 22. f5 bxc3 23. N2b3. 20...Ncxe4 21. Nxe4 Bxe4 White hardly has a sufficient compensation for a pawn. 22. Bd3 Bxd3 23. Qxd3 Rfe8?! I would recommend 23...Nd5. In the case of 23...Bc5 24. Bxf6 gxf6 one should expect a quick draw, but after 23...Rfe8?! White gains better chances. 24. Re5! Qd7 25. Qf3?! If 25. Qe2, then 25...Bc5!, that's why 25. Qg3!? deserved attention. 25. Qf3 permits 25...Nd5. 25...Nd5 26. axb5 axb5 27. Bxe7 Nxe7 28. Rfe1 Ng6 Possible was 28...Nd5 29. Nxc6 (after 29. Qg4 Rxe5 30. Qxd7 Rxe1+ Black stands better) 29...Qxc6 30. Rxe8+ Rxe8 31. Rxe8+ Qxe8 32. Qxd5 with a draw. 29. Rxe8+ Rxe8 30. Rxe8+ Qxe8 31. Nxc6 Nh4 32. Qd5 Qe3+ 33. Kh1 Qc1+ 32. Qg4 Qxc6 33. Qxh4 f6 34. Qg3 1/2:1/2 Svidler, Peter (2672) - Short, Nigel (2683) KC Internet Grand Prix, 2000. 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 This is the MacCutcheon variation, rarely used now. It seems that the most unpleasant line for Black is 5. e5 h6 6. Bh4!? (an uncommon continuation, as well as all the variant with 4...Bb4) 6...g5 7. Bg3 Ne4 8. Nge2 c5 9. Qd3!? 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 Kf8 9. Be3 Rather rare move, very sharp and risky. The main way is 9. Bd3 Nxd2 10. Kxd2 c5. 9...Nxc3 10. Bd3 Nc6 11. Nf3!? A questionable decision, no wonder that Svidler spent a long time while thinking about this move. The alternative was 11. a3, avoiding a trade of the bishop d3, but it would have lost an important tempo. 11...Nb4 12. Bd2 If 12. O-O immediately, then 12...Nxd3 13. cxd3 Bd7 (13...h5 14. Qh3). White can't play 14. Nh4?> (necessary is 14. Bd2 Na4 with the same position as in the game), for after 14...h5! 15. Qh3 g5! Black wins a piece. 12...Nxd3+ 13. cxd3 Na4 14. O-O Bd7 15. Rab1 Preventing 15...Bb5. 15...b6?! This natural move, probably, is a mistake. If 15...b5, then strong is 16. Ba5! 16. Nh4 Qe8 17. Rfe1 Another possible way - 17. f4 g6 18. Qh3 with the following 19. g4 and 20. f5, or 19. Be1, 20. Nf3 and 21. Bh4. 17...Kg8 18. Re3 Rh7 19. Rg3 Threatening is 20. Bxh6. 19...Kh8 20. Re1 20...Rc8?! The idea to carry out c7-c5 is wrong. Necessary was 20...a5 and then b6-b5-b4, developing counterplay. To open any line is good for White. 21. Ree3 c5 22. Ref3 cxd4 22...c4 23. dxc4 dxc4!? deserved attention. 23. Qxd4 Rc2 24. Qf4 Rxa2 25. h3 Rxd2 The only move, 26. Qxf7 threated. 26. Qxd2 g5 27. Qb4?! Better was 27. Rf6! gxh4 28. Rg4 Qf8 29. Rxh4 h5 30. Qe2 Nc3 31. Qf3 and 32. Rxh5 with mating attack. 27...a5 28. Qd4 In the case of 28. Qg4 unpleasant is 28...Nc3. 28...Qc8 29. Re3 Stronger was 29. Kh2 with mating attack, for example, 29...Qc3 30. Qg4 Qxe5 31. Rxf7! with a win. 29...Qc3 30. Qg4 d4 31. Re4 Nc5 32. Rxd4 a4 33. Nf3 Once more 33. Kh2 with the further mating attack was better. 33...Qc1+ 34. Kh2 h5 35. Qxg5 Qxg5 36. Nxg5 Rg7 37. Rd6 Rxg5 38. Rxg5 a3 39. d4 a2? 39...Nb3 was better, though after 40. Rxb6 (40. Rxd7 a2 41. Ra7 Na5) 40...a2 41. Ra7 a1=Q 42. Rxa1 Nxa1 43. Rxh5 White must gradually win. After 39...a2 Black had no chances, his position is lost. 40. dxc5 a1=Q 41. Rxd7 Qc1 42. Rxh5+ Kg7 43. Rh4 bxc5 44. g3 Kf8 45. Rf4 Ke8 46. Rfxf7 1:0 |
