[Event "Qatar Masters op"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2014.11.28"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Model game 1: Oleksienko, Mikhailo"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E68"]
[WhiteElo "2620"]
[BlackElo "2725"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr/Kuljasevic,D"]
[PlyCount "161"]
[EventDate "2014.11.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2016"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteClock "1:30:30"]
[BlackClock "1:30:30"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d4 d6 6. c4 {The fianchetto
variation is one of the most solid positional systems against the King's
Indian defense. One of its main benefits is that it takes out the sting from
the Mar-del-Plata type of attack with 6...Nc6 and 7...e5. Black has a wide
choice of alternative plans and in this chapter, we will discuss the one that
has become popular over the last decade, namely:} Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. e4 exd4 9.
Nxd4 Re8 10. Re1 Nc5 11. h3 Bd7 {[%csl Rc1][%cal Yc7c6,Ga7a5,Ga5a4,Gh7h5,Gh5h4,
Yh7h6,Yg6g5] [#] This is the middlegame tabiya of our interest. Black has
released the tension in the center early by exchanging the pawns on d4. In
return, he obtained a strong outpost for his knight on c5, the long open
diagonal for his dark-squared bishop and the semi-open e-file, which allows
him to put pressure against White's center, particularly on the e4-pawn.
Please note how he hasn't played ...c7-c6 yet, a move that often accompanies ..
.exd4 exchange in such positions. His idea is to postpone this move for the
time being so that he can remain more solid in the center. Instead, his main
plan is undermine White on the flanks by pushing h- and a-pawns. Depending on
what White does, Black may play ...c6 at an opportune moment. White, on the
other hand, seems to enjoy a pleasant space advantage. However, this is only a
part of the picture because it is very difficult for him to achieve his ideal
setup with Qc2, Be3, Rad1, f4, Bf2 due to the pressure on the e4-pawn and
d4-knight. White's main goal is, therefore, to find a good way to achieve this
or some alternative piece arrangement and complete his development. In the
following model games, we will examine the following plans: 1) Bf4 with Qc2 2)
Ndb5 after ...a5 3) b3, Bb2 with f4 4) b3, Bb2 with f3 5) f3, Be3 While all of
the listed plans lead to complex play, I believe that the last one is the most
promising for White because the dark-squared bishop is placed best on the
g1-a7 diagonal. In the first model game, we examine the first plan with} 12.
Bf4 {[%cal Gd1c2,Ga1d1]} (12. Qc2 {[%csl Rd4] immediately runs into the
typical tactic} Nfxe4 13. Nxe4 Bxd4 14. Bg5 f6 15. Qd2 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 fxg5 17.
Qxd4 c6 18. Bg2 Be6 $11) 12... h6 {[%csl Rf4][%cal Gg6g5]} 13. Qc2 {[%csl Rd4,
Rh6] [#] This is a better version for White since now the h6-pawn is weak.} ({
In another important game in this line, White played a couple of useful
waiting moves instead} 13. Rb1 a5 {[%csl Yb5][%cal Rb2b4,Gd4b5]} 14. Kh2 a4 15.
Ndb5 {[%cal Rc7c6] In Model game 2, we will see that this principled move may
not be the best idea.} h5 {[%cal Gh5h4,Gf6h7,Yg6g5]} 16. Qd2 Bc6 {[%csl Re4]}
17. Bg5 Ne6 $1 {[%csl Rb5] This move allows Black to poke weaknesses in
White's kingside structure after} 18. Be3 h4 19. g4 g5 {[%csl Rb5,Ye5,Ge6,Yf4]
[%cal Rf2f4] Black got a much better version of this structure compared to the
main game since White cannot easily push f2-f4. The b5-knight is too far from
the kingside.} 20. Kg1 Nd7 {[%csl Gg6][%cal Yd7f8,Yf8g6]} 21. Nd5 {[%csl Yc7,
Ye6]} Ne5 22. Qc2 Ng6 {Black knights are placed perfectly, covering all the
important squares. His early middlegame strategy was a success.} 23. Rbd1 Be5
$15 {[%csl Ye5,Ye6,Rg2,Yg6] 1-0 (55) Moradiabadi,E (2536)-Ganguly,S (2643)
Mashhad 2011}) 13... Nh7 $6 {A passive move. Harikrishna obviously wanted to
keep the tension.} (13... Nfxe4 {looks more logical, leading into
simplifications.} 14. Nxe4 Bxd4 15. Qd2 Bg7 16. Nxc5 dxc5 17. Bxh6 Be6 18. Qf4
Bxh6 19. Qxh6 Qf6 20. b3 c6 $11 {with a nearly equal position,
Svidler-Radjabov, Astana rapid 2012.}) 14. Be3 {[%csl Yd4,Ye4][%cal Ga1d1,
Gf2f4,Ye3f2]} Qc8 ({in case of} 14... Ng5 15. f4 $1 Nxh3+ 16. Kh2 Qc8 17. Qe2
g5 18. f5 g4 19. Qxg4 Ng5 20. Rad1 $16 {and White had a wonderful position,
Zaitsev-Timoshenko, Bucharest 1993.}) 15. Kh2 h5 $146 {Novelty by Harikrishna.}
({Before} 15... a5 {was played} 16. Rad1 Nf6 17. f4 h5 18. Bf2 a4 19. Nf3 $16 {
and White has a comfortable middlegame, Rogozenco-Markovic, Elista 1998.}) 16.
Rad1 h4 {A very ambitious play by Black. He would like to weaken White's
kingside with his h-P. Nevertheless White is active, his position looks more
comfortable.} 17. g4 $1 {The right answer. Black can't control the dark
squares on the kingside easily, so White can try to play for f4.} Ne6 {Trying
to exchange the strong d4-knight before going ...g6-g5.} (17... g5 {is too
early because it allows} 18. Nf5 Be5+ 19. Kg1 $16 {[%csl Gf5,Rg5,Rh7][%cal
Gc2d2,Yf2f4]}) 18. Nde2 {[%csl Rc8,Rd7][%cal Gf2f4]} (18. Nxe6 $5 Bxe6 {
[%csl Re6]} 19. b3 g5 20. f4 gxf4 21. Bxf4 {[%csl Gc6,Re6] The bishop is
placed slightly worse on e6 compared to c6 in the game.}) 18... g5 {[%cal
Gg7e5] [#] Naturally, White did not want to allow his opponent to establish
the blockade on e5 and f4, so he played} 19. f4 ({It was also possible to
prepare this pawn break with} 19. Rf1 $5 Be5+ 20. Kh1 {[%cal Gc3d5,Gf2f4,Yc2d2]
etc.}) 19... gxf4 20. Nxf4 Nxf4 21. Bxf4 {[%csl Rh7][%cal Gf1f8]} Bc6 {[%csl
Gc6][%cal Gg7e5]} ({The knight was somewhat misplaced on h7 so it was worth
considering} 21... Nf8 $5 {[%cal Gf8g6]}) 22. Nd5 Be5 23. Qf2 $6 {[%csl Rf2]} (
{The queen is not placed so well on f2; it was better to start with} 23. Rf1
$16 {[%cal Gc2d2,Gf1f8]}) 23... Qd8 24. Bxe5 (24. Rf1 $1 {was better to keep
the tension} Bxd5 25. Rxd5 Qf6 26. Qd2 Qg7 27. Kh1 $14) 24... Rxe5 25. Ne3 $6 {
White would like to transfer his N to f5. On the other hand this is a little
bit accurate, because Black can activate his Q.} Qf6 26. Qxf6 Nxf6 27. Nf5 Rae8
28. Nxh4 Bxe4 29. Rd2 Bxg2 30. Rxe5 Rxe5 31. Kxg2 {It is an interesting
endgame, which should be equal. Nevertheless White has a passed h-P, so he
looks more comfortable.} Re1 (31... Ne4 32. Re2) 32. Nf3 Rc1 33. b3 a6 (33...
Kg7 $5 {was also possible, for example} 34. Nd4 Kg6 35. Nb5 d5 36. cxd5 Rc5 $11
{with equalizing.}) 34. Nd4 Nd7 35. Ne2 Re1 36. Kf2 Rh1 $6 {An inaccuracy. Now
White can force the exchange of Rs.} (36... Ra1 {was more logical} 37. Nc3 Rc1
$1 {otherwise Rd1.} 38. Nd5 Nc5 39. Kg2 Ne6 $11 {and Black can hold the
position.}) 37. Ng1 $1 Rh2+ 38. Ke1 Rxd2 39. Kxd2 {This is already unpleasant
for Black, because in N endgames the passed h-P is more important advantage.}
Ne5 40. Ke3 Kg7 41. Nf3 Nc6 ({Of course} 41... Nxf3 $2 42. Kxf3 Kg6 43. Kf4 $18
{is losing for Black.}) 42. Nd4 Ne5 43. Ke4 Kf6 44. Nf5 Nd7 45. h4 Nc5+ 46. Ke3
a5 47. Nd4 c6 48. Nf5 Ke5 49. h5 {White improves his N and pushes his h-P as
much as possible.} Ne6 50. Nh4 Kf6 51. Nf3 Nf8 52. Nd2 Ke5 53. h6 b6 54. Nf3+
Kf6 55. Nd4 Kg5 56. Nxc6 Kxh6 57. Nd8 Kg6 58. Nb7 {After some maneuvers White
gave his h-P, but he gains a P up.} f5 59. gxf5+ Kxf5 60. Nxd6+ $18 {One side
with a P up in a N endgame usually wins.} Ke5 61. Nc8 Nd7 62. Kd3 Nc5+ 63. Kd2
Nd7 64. Kc3 Kf6 65. b4 Ke5 66. b5 Ke4 67. c5 $1 {A strong break-through!} Nxc5
68. Nxb6 Nb7 69. Kc4 Ke5 70. Nc8 Ke6 71. b6 Kd7 72. Na7 a4 73. Kd5 Nd6 74. Nc6
Nb7 75. Ne5+ Kc8 76. Kc6 Nd8+ 77. Kb5 Ne6 78. Ka6 Nc5+ 79. Ka7 Nb7 80. Nc4 Nd8
81. Na5 {A nice victory by Oleksienko!} 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 18th"]
[Site "Minsk"]
[Date "2017.05.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Model game 2: Galliamova, Alisa"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E68"]
[WhiteElo "2456"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic, Davorin"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2017.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "BLR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d4 d6 6. c4 Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. h3
Re8 9. e4 exd4 10. Nxd4 Nc5 11. Re1 Bd7 12. Rb1 h6 13. Kh2 {[%csl Rh2,Yh3]
[%cal Gf2f4] This is a generally useful move, although White should keep in
mind that his king is more vulnerable to tactics on this square than on g1.} a5
14. Ndb5 {This move seems like a principled reaction to ...a5 but the knight
might prove to be a bit misplaced and far away from the kingside on this
square.} h5 {[%csl Rb5][%cal Gh5h4]} 15. Qc2 $6 {[%csl Rc1,Re1] This is not a
good move here because white pieces lose coordination and are hanging.} (15.
Bg5 {[%cal Rh5h4]} Ne6 16. Be3 h4 17. g4 g5 $11) 15... h4 16. g4 {[#]} c6 $1 {
[%csl Rh2][%cal Gd8b8] A strong and thematic move, using tactical advantages.
The d6-pawn is untouchable so Black wins a tempo to further misplace white
knight.} 17. Na3 {[#]} (17. Nxd6 $2 Qc7 18. Rd1 Bf8 19. Bf4 g5 $19 {[%csl Rd6]}
) (17. Nd4 $2 {[%csl Rc2,Rd4]} Nxg4+ 18. hxg4 Bxd4 $19) 17... d5 $1 {[%csl Ra3,
Re1,Rh2] The classical central break. Black strikes while the iron is hot,
that is, while white pieces are still uncoordinated and his king is vulnerable.
} ({Another typical idea is the piece sacrifice:} 17... Bxg4 $5 {[%csl Rh2]}
18. hxg4 Nxg4+ 19. Kh1 h3 $1 {[%cal Gd8h4]} 20. Bf3 Qh4 {[%csl Rf2] and Black
achieves a strong attack.} 21. Be3 Nxe3 (21... Bxc3 $5 22. bxc3 Ne5 23. Be2
Nxe4 {[%csl Ye4,Ye5]}) 22. Rxe3 Re5 $40 {[%csl Ra3,Rh1][%cal Ge5g5,Gg7d4]}) 18.
cxd5 cxd5 19. e5 {White tries to keep the center closed.} ({In the event of} 
19. Nxd5 {Black takes a strong initiative for a mere pawn with} Rc8 $1 {
[%csl Rc2][%cal Gc5e4]} 20. Nxf6+ (20. Nc3 b5 $3 21. Naxb5 Bxb5 22. Nxb5 Nd3 {
[%csl Re1]}) 20... Qxf6 {[%csl Ra3,Rc2,Rh2] Black pieces dominate the board
and pose too many threats.} 21. Qd2 Bc6 22. f3 b5 $19) 19... Nfe4 $6 ({Even
stronger was} 19... d4 20. Ncb5 Nfe4 $1 21. Bxe4 Rxe5 {[%csl Rb5,Re4,Rh2][%cal
Gd4d3] For the piece, Black achieves a winning attack. For example:} 22. Bf4
Nxe4 23. Rxe4 Rxe4 24. Qxe4 Bc6 25. Qd3 Qf6 $1 {[%csl Rh2][%cal Gf6f3]} 26. Qd2
g5 $19) 20. f4 Bc6 $2 {A bit too static, playing into White's hands.} (20...
Rc8 $1 $17 21. Nxd5 Bc6 $36) 21. g5 $2 {White missed the last chance to
consolidate.} (21. Be3 $13 {[%csl Yd4][%cal Gb1d1]}) 21... Rc8 22. Nxe4 Nxe4
23. Qd3 Nc5 24. Qd4 Ne6 25. Qf2 Bf8 26. Rd1 d4 27. Nc2 Bxg2 28. Qxg2 Re7 29.
Ne1 Rec7 30. Nd3 Qd7 31. a3 Qb5 32. Qe4 Qb3 33. Bd2 Nc5 34. Nxc5 Qg3+ 35. Kh1
Qxh3+ 36. Kg1 Bxc5 37. Qg2 d3+ 38. Kf1 Qf5 39. Qf3 Bb6 40. Rbc1 Rc2 41. b3 R8c6
42. Rb1 h3 43. Be1 Rg2 44. Rxd3 Rcc2 0-1

[Event "Asia rap (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Guangzhou"]
[Date "2010.11.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Model game 3: Salem, AR Saleh"]
[Black "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E68"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2644"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic,D"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2010.11.13"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. e4
exd4 9. Nxd4 Nc5 10. h3 Re8 11. Re1 Bd7 12. Kh2 h6 13. f4 {[%csl Rc1,Rd4,Ye4,
Yf4] [#] This is an ambitious and logical plan. It has to be said that it
would work better with white bishop on the g1-a7 diagonal. In this structure,
White always has to be careful about protecting the e4-pawn (and sometimes the
one on f4, as well) from Black's tactical shots.} (13. Nb3 {[%csl Yc5] should
be quickly noted as an attempt to trade of the strong c5-knight. However, it
runs into a thematic and strong reply} Na4 $1 {[%csl Rb3,Yc3,Ge4]} 14. Nxa4
Bxa4 $11 {[%csl Rb3] and White remains with a less useful knight, so Black is
completely fine.} 15. Bd2 Nd7 16. Qc1 Ne5 17. Re3 c5 {[%csl Yd4][%cal Yc6d4,
Ye5c6]} 18. Bc3 Bxb3 19. axb3 Nc6 20. Qd1 a5 21. Rd3 Nd4 $11 {1/2-1/2 (68)
Gelfand,B (2734)-Grischuk,A (2747) Almaty 2016}) 13... a5 14. Rb1 {[%cal Gb2b3]
A typical and useful prophylaxis, preparing b2-b3.} (14. b3 {[%csl Ra1]
immediately runs into a series of 'diagonal' tactics:} Nfxe4 $1 15. Nxe4 Nxe4
16. Bxe4 c5 17. Nc2 Rxe4 $1 18. Rxe4 Bf5 {[%csl Ra1,Re4,Yf5,Yg7]} 19. Re1 Bxc2
20. Qxc2 Bxa1 21. f5 g5 22. Bxg5 Qxg5 23. Rxa1 Re8 $15) 14... h5 15. b3 {
[%csl Yb1] [#] A critical moment. Black should play} c6 {[%csl Yb5,Rd4,Yd5,Rh2]
[%cal Gd8b6] to take control over the central squares and prepare ...Qb6/c7.} (
15... Qc8 $2 {[%csl Rc8] is too passive. It was strongly met by} 16. e5 $1 {
[%csl Rc5,Rf6]} Nh7 17. Ba3 $36 {[%cal Gc3d5] undermining the c5-knight and
taking full control over h1-a8 diagonal.} h4 18. g4 $16 {1-0 (28) Jianu,V  
(2500)-Cheparinov,I (2709) Plovdiv 2013}) 16. Ba3 (16. Bb2 {seems a but better,
but it could be met by} Rc8 $1 17. Qd2 h4 18. g4 b5 $1 19. cxb5 cxb5 20. g5 Nh5
21. Nd5 Ng3 $132) (16. e5 $2 {doesn't work now due to} dxe5 17. fxe5 h4 $1 18.
exf6 Qxf6 $40 {[%csl Rc3,Rd4,Rh2]}) 16... h4 17. g4 {[%csl Ra3,Rf4]} Qc7 {
Trying to exploit the weak f4-pawn.} ({The alternative plan is} 17... Qb6 $5 {
[%csl Rd4][%cal Gc5e4] putting pressure on d4 and b3:} 18. Bb2 a4 $132 {
[%csl Ya4,Rb3,Yh4]}) 18. Kh1 Rad8 19. Bf3 Bc8 {[%csl Ra3,Re4,Rf4] Black
accomplished the typical regruping and we have a complex middlegame ahead.
White's space advantage looks nice but it comes with a price - he needs to
always look out for Black's tactical shots. Also, his dark-squared bishop is
misplaced on a3; it would have been placed much better on g1-a7 diagonal.} 20.
Qd2 Nfd7 $6 ({Black had an unexpectedly strong pawn break at his disposal:} 
20... b5 $3 21. cxb5 cxb5 22. Ndxb5 Qb8 $132 {[%csl Re4,Rh1][%cal Gc8b7,Gb8a8]
and White will probably need to make some positional or material concession to
protect the weak e4-pawn.}) 21. Rbd1 Qb6 22. Nde2 Nf6 23. Ng1 Qc7 24. Qc2 b6 $1
{[%cal Gc8b7,Yb7h1]} 25. Bc1 Ba6 26. Nge2 Bb7 27. Kg2 Re7 $1 {[%csl Re4][%cal
Gd8e8]} 28. a3 $2 {Too slow.} (28. g5 $14 {[%cal Rf6e4]}) 28... Rde8 29. Nd4 $2
{This tactical mistake is already decisive.} Nfxe4 $1 30. Nxe4 Nxe4 31. Kh2
Bxd4 32. Rxd4 Ng5 33. fxg5 Rxe1 34. Bb2 d5+ 0-1

[Event "New Delhi Parsvnath op 14th"]
[Site "New Delhi"]
[Date "2016.01.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Model game 4: Rajdeep, Sarkar"]
[Black "Demchenko, Anton"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E68"]
[WhiteElo "2267"]
[BlackElo "2596"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic,D"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2016.01.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.02.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.02.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. e4
exd4 9. Nxd4 Re8 10. h3 Nc5 11. Re1 Bd7 12. Rb1 h6 13. Kh2 a5 14. b3 h5 15. Bb2
({White could also play} 15. f3 {[%csl Ge4,Gf3] at once. After} a4 $132 {
[%csl Rb3][%cal Ga8a2]} 16. b4 {[%csl Rc4]} Ne6 17. Be3 ({The right reply is} 
17. Nde2 {keeping more pieces on the board.} h4 18. g4 g5 $132 {[%csl Ye5,Yf4]}
) 17... h4 $1 18. g4 Nxd4 19. Bxd4 g5 20. Qd2 Be6 {[%csl Rc4]} 21. Nd5 Nh7 22.
Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Qd4+ Kg8 {[%csl Ye5,Yf4]} 24. Ne3 a3 25. Rf1 Qf6 26. Qxf6 Nxf6
$17 {[%csl Ra2,Ya3,Rc4] 1/2-1/2 (63) Petrosyan,T (2443)-Demchenko,A (2629)
Yerevan 2016}) 15... c6 16. Qd2 Qb6 {[%csl Rd4]} ({was also interesting,
exploiting the fact that after} 16... h4 $5 17. g4 {[%csl Rd2,Rg4] white queen
does not support the g4-pawn any more, so the classical piece sacrifice is
possible:} Bxg4 $1 18. hxg4 Nxg4+ 19. Kg1 h3 20. Bxh3 Qh4 21. Bg2 Nd3 $1 {
[%csl Rd4,Rf2]} 22. Nf3 Qxf2+ 23. Qxf2 Ngxf2 $132) 17. Nc2 Rad8 {We have
already seen this plan for Black in the previous model game. In this one,
White chooses a different, more modest plan for his f-pawn} 18. f3 {[%csl Gb2,
Gc2,Ge4,Gf3] [#] This way, White avoids the problems with his e4-pawn,
although, on the flip side, he also controls less space.} Qc7 (18... h4 $5 19.
g4 d5 $1 20. e5 Qc7 $13) 19. h4 {[%csl Yg4][%cal Rh5h4,Rf3f4] The most
principled follow-up. Black's initiative on the kingside has been contained
and White has everything under control in the center. The downside of such
prophylactic play is that White cannot easily push f3-f4 anymore due to the
weakness of the g4-square.} (19. f4 h4 20. g4 g5 $1 {[%csl Rh2][%cal Yc7h2]})
19... Bc8 20. Ne3 Nfd7 21. Rbd1 Ne5 $11 {[%csl Yc5,Ye5][%cal Rf3f4] Both sides
have well-placed knights, so it is not easy to make much progress with pawn
breaks. In the ensuing maneuvering battle, White has a little bit more space
but the position is objectively balanced.} 22. Qc2 Qb6 23. Ba3 Bh6 24. Bc1 Bf8
25. Nf1 $6 {White moved his knight away from the center at his own peril.} a4
$1 {[%csl Rb3,Rc4][%cal Rb3b4] A timely move that breaks up White's structure
on the queenside.} 26. Nxa4 Nxa4 27. bxa4 Be6 {[%csl Rc4]} 28. Ne3 Qc5 {
[%csl Rc4]} 29. Bb2 Nxc4 30. Nxc4 Qxc4 31. Qxc4 Bxc4 $17 32. Bc3 Bxa2 33. Rd2
Bc4 34. Rb1 Ba6 35. Ba5 Rd7 36. Bh3 Rde7 37. Bb4 c5 38. Bc3 Kh7 39. Rbd1 Bg7
40. Bxg7 Kxg7 41. Rxd6 Be2 42. Rc1 Bxf3 43. Rxc5 Rxe4 44. Rd2 Rxa4 45. Bg2 Bxg2
46. Rxg2 Rb4 47. Rc7 Re6 48. Rd2 Rb3 49. Rg2 Rf6 50. Rd7 Rff3 51. Rd4 Rfd3 52.
Rf4 b5 53. Rgf2 f5 54. Rg2 Rd6 55. Rf1 b4 56. Ra1 Rbd3 57. Ra4 Rb6 58. Raa2 b3
59. Rab2 Kf6 60. Rge2 Re6 61. Rg2 Ree3 62. Rbf2 Ke5 63. Rf1 Rc3 64. Rff2 Kd4
65. Rb2 Rc1 66. Rbd2+ Kc3 67. Rd6 Rc2 68. Rc6+ Kb2 69. Rxg6 Ree2 70. Rxe2 Rxe2+
71. Kh3 Kc1 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.08.30"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Model game 5: Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E68"]
[WhiteElo "2686"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M/Kuljasevic,D"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "France"]
[BlackTeam "Bulgaria"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "BUL"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nf3 d6 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. e4
exd4 9. Nxd4 Re8 10. h3 Nc5 11. Re1 Bd7 12. Rb1 ({White could also play} 12. f3
$5 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Gc1e3] here, preparing 13.Be3. I believe that Black's best
response is} c6 {[%csl Rg1,Rg3][%cal Gd6d5] Otherwise, he risks ending up in a
passive position with little to no counterplay.} ({A good example is} 12... Nh5
{[%csl Rg3]} 13. g4 Nf6 14. Be3 h5 15. g5 Nh7 16. f4 $16 {[%csl Ye4,Yf4,Yg5,
Rh7] 0-1 (78) Salem,A (2638) -Demchenko,A (2660) Riadh 2017}) ({or} 12... h5
13. Be3 h4 14. g4 Nh7 15. f4 g5 16. fxg5 Nxg5 17. Qc2 $16 {[%cal Gd4f5]}) 13.
Be3 d5 14. cxd5 cxd5 {The situation in the center is tense. White can keep
some edge with} 15. b4 (15. exd5 Na4 $1 {[%csl Rd5]} 16. Nxa4 Nxd5 17. Bf2
Rxe1+ 18. Qxe1 Bxa4 19. b3 Be8 $1 20. Rd1 Qc7 21. Nf5 gxf5 22. Rxd5 f4 $11)
15... Na6 16. Qb3 dxe4 17. fxe4 {[%csl Ra6,Yd4,Re4,Rf7][%cal Ge1f1] when his
pieces are more active and better coordinated. On the other hand, Black can
hope to create some counterplay against the isolated e4-pawn.} Qc7 (17... Nh5
18. Rf1 Be6 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. Rad1 Qc7 21. Ne2 Nxg3 22. Nxg3 Qxg3 23. Rd3 $36)
18. Bf2 Rac8 19. Rac1 Nh5 20. Nce2 Qd6 $13) 12... h6 13. f3 {[%cal Gc1e3] [#]
In my view, this is the best approach for White in this tabiya since g1-a7 is
the best diagonal for the dark-squared bishop. With this move, we prepare
Be3-f2, and then, eventual f3-f4. Black needs to come up with some active play
quickly.} (13. Kh2 {is the most common prophylactical move.}) 13... Ne6 (13...
c6 $5 {[%cal Gd6d5]} 14. Be3 Qc7 ({I believe that Black should waste no time
in the center and try} 14... d5 $1 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. b4 Na6 17. Qb3 Qc7 18. Bf2
dxe4 19. fxe4 Rad8 20. Rbd1 Qb8 $13) 15. b4 (15. Qd2 $5) 15... Ne6 16. Nde2 {
[%csl Rd7,Re6]} a5 17. b5 $1 $14 {[%csl Ra8] White had everything under
control here and soon obtained a superior endgame.} cxb5 18. Nxb5 Bxb5 19. cxb5
d5 20. exd5 Qe5 21. Bf2 Qxd5 22. Qxd5 Nxd5 23. f4 $16 {[%csl Gf2,Gg2] 1/2
Yurtaev,L (2530)-Akopian,V (2630)/ Tilburg 1994/CBM 044 (79)}) (13... Nh5 $5 {
[%csl Rd4,Rg3] is a sharp variation, which looks a bit risky for Black.} 14. g4
Ng3 15. Be3 h5 16. Qd2 {1-0 Osbahr,T (2000) -Bergner,H  (2000)/ICCF Email 2003/
CBM 110 (42)} hxg4 17. hxg4 Qh4 $13 {[%csl Yg3]}) 14. Nde2 $1 {[%csl Rd7,Re6]
In principle, we should avoid piece exchanges since Black has less space and
thus less good squares for his pieces.} a6 {[%cal Gb7b5]} 15. Be3 b5 16. b3 $14
{White simply keeps his pawn structure solid and does not allow his opponent
to generate any additional activity.} h5 17. Qd2 (17. f4 $5 {[%csl Ge3,Gg2]})
17... Qc8 (17... h4 18. g4 b4 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. cxd5 Nc5 21. Rec1 $14) 18. Nd5 {
[#] White is fully in control. It is clear that Black should look for
improvements earlier in the middlegame.} Rb8 19. Red1 c5 {This move looks
strange as White safely controls the d4-square. Probably GM Veselin Topalov
didn't see other good options.} (19... bxc4 20. bxc4 Nxd5 21. cxd5 Nc5 22. h4
Rb6 23. Rdc1 $14) 20. g4 $6 (20. Ndf4 $5) 20... hxg4 21. hxg4 Bc6 (21... bxc4
22. Nxf6+ $1 (22. bxc4 Nxd5 23. cxd5 (23. Qxd5 Rxb1 24. Rxb1 Nd4 $1) 23... Nc7
$13) 22... Bxf6 23. bxc4 Ba4 24. Rdc1 $14) 22. Ndc3 (22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 23. Qxd6 $6
Rd8 24. Qg3 bxc4 25. bxc4 Rxd1+ 26. Rxd1 Rb2) (22. Kf2 $5) 22... Rd8 23. Nd5
Rb7 24. Bh3 Re8 25. g5 Nd7 26. Bxe6 $6 {A strange exchange. The bishop pair
will be an important factor in Black's favour.} (26. Kf2 $142 Qd8 27. f4 {
although Black's position remains solid.}) 26... Rxe6 27. Nef4 Re5 (27... Ne5
$5 28. Kf2 Re8 $36) 28. Kf2 (28. Nf6+ $5 Nxf6 29. gxf6 Bxf6 30. Qxd6 $13) 28...
Qd8 29. cxb5 axb5 30. Rh1 Ra7 31. Rh2 Qa5 32. Qxa5 Rxa5 33. Kf1 b4 {The
endgame is good for Black.} 34. Rg2 Re8 35. Rd1 Ne5 $6 (35... Be5 $15 {/=}) 36.
Rf2 Kf8 $2 (36... Nd7 $142 {[%cal Yg7e5]}) 37. Nf6 $1 {Black underestimated
this move. He is now in trouble.} Rd8 38. Kg2 Ke7 (38... Bxf6 39. gxf6 {
[%csl Gf6]}) 39. N4d5+ Bxd5 40. Nxd5+ Kf8 41. Kg3 $16 {[%csl Gd5]} Nc6 42. Rh2
Ne7 43. Nb6 (43. f4 $142 $14) 43... Rb5 44. Nc4 d5 45. Kg4 Bc3 (45... Ke8 $142
46. exd5 Nxd5 47. Bf2 f5+ 48. Kg3 f4+ 49. Kg4 Kf7 $14) 46. Bf4 $1 Rb7 (46...
Bd4 $142 47. Bd6 $1 dxc4 (47... Rxd6 48. Nxd6 Rb6 49. Rxd4 cxd4 50. e5 $16) 48.
Rxd4 $1 cxd4 49. Rh8+ Kg7 50. Rxd8 Nc6 51. bxc4 Rxg5+ 52. Kxg5 Nxd8 53. Kf4 $16
) 47. Ne5 {[%cal Rh2h7]} Bxe5 48. Bxe5 Ke8 49. Rh8+ (49. Rh7 $142 d4 50. Rh8+
Kd7 51. Bxd4 $1 Rxh8 52. Bxh8+ Kc6 53. Be5) (49. Kf4 $5) 49... Kd7 50. Rxd8+
Kxd8 51. Bd6 Rb5 52. Bxe7+ (52. Rc1 $142 $1 {winning a pawn without trading
minor pieces;} c4 53. bxc4 dxc4 54. Rxc4 b3 55. axb3 Rxb3 56. Rc7 Nc8 57. Be5
Rb5 58. Kf4 {is hardly a good option for Black.}) 52... Kxe7 53. Rxd5 Ra5 54.
Rd2 Ke6 55. f4 Ra8 $2 (55... Ra7 $142 56. Rc2 (56. f5+ Ke5) 56... Rc7 {, and
it is still difficult for White to convert his extra pawn. He must probably
bring his king to b2, play a2-a3 etc. but that considerably simplifies the
game.}) 56. f5+ Ke5 57. Rd7 $18 Kxe4 58. Rxf7 gxf5+ 59. Rxf5 Rxa2 60. Rxc5 Rg2+
61. Kh5 Rg3 62. g6 Kf4 63. Kh6 Rxb3 64. g7 Rg3 65. Rb5 b3 66. Kh7 Rh3+ 67. Kg6
Rg3+ 68. Kf7 1-0

