[Event "EU-ch 20th"]
[Site "Skopje"]
[Date "2019.03.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Model game 1: Gledura, Benjamin"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic, Davorin"]
[BlackElo "2694"]
[ECO "A37"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[EventDate "2019.03.18"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.04.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.04.29"]
[Tiebreak "Sum of Buchholz"]
[WhiteElo "2630"]

1.Nf3 ( { A more common move order to reach the game position is: } 1.c4 c5
2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Nf3 e5 6.a3 Nge7 7.Rb1 O-O 8.d3 a5 9.O-O d6
{ with a transposition into the game. } ) 1...c5 2.c4 Nc6
{ Symmetrical variation is a very popular way to meet the English opening.
It often leads to centrally balanced yet complex middlegame battles.
Black's best development plan is ...Nc6 and ...g6, ...Bg7 in order to fight for the control of the important central d4-square. For that purpose,
Black usually develops his knight to e7 rather than f6, where it would obstruct the Bg7. In this chapter, we will examine a middlegame tabiya that arises when Black plays the ambitious ...e7-e5 which virtually prevents White's d4-break altogether. Naturally, the main downside of this move is
that leaves the d5-square weakened. Having the first-move advantage, White typically tries to utilize this slight weakening take a positional initiative in the middlegame. }
3.Nc3 e5 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.O-O d6 7.a3 Nge7 8.d3 O-O 9.Rb1 a5
{ [%cal Gb2b4,Yd6d5,Yc8e6] [#] This is an important middlegame tabiya of the symmetrical English, with over 2000 recorded games to its account. Black is not inferior in the center although his pawn structure is less flexible with the pawn on e5 instead of e6. He would very much like to play ...d6-d5 not only to get rid of the backward d-pawn but also to create a reversed Maroczy bind which provides him with a space advantage. Meanwhile, White's task is to frustrate this plan either by direct means, such as putting his knight on d5, or indirect ones, such as preparing a quick b4-break or targeting Black's weak queenside pawns. Usually, the side that wins the strategic battle for the d5-square gets the upper hand in the middlegame. Let's see now how this dynamic typically plays out in grandmaster games. }
10.Ne1
{ [%cal Ge1c2,Yb2b4,Yc2e3,Gd6d5] This has historically been the most popular move. It is completely natural to open the diagonal for the English bishop and maneuver the knight to c2. This way, it can join the fight for the d5-square via e3 while also supporting the b2-b4 break. However, as we will see in the first model game, Black have found a good antidote to this plan. }
( 
{ Some players have realized that it is better to keep the knight on f3 for
the time being in order to slow down Black's ...Be6,. ..d5 plan (due to the
Ng5-sortie). For that purpose, the most useful move is } 10.Bd2
{ [%cal Yf3g5,Rc8e6] which will be covered in the Model games 2 and 3. } ) ( 
{ In model game 4, we will see } 10.Bg5 { aimed at provoking } 10...f6
{ and then retreating to } 11.Bd2
{ [%csl Yf6,Rg7,Rg8][%cal Yd5g8] White's idea is to weaken the a2-g8 diagonal and shut down the bishop on g7. }
) ( 
{ Finally, in model game 5, we will focus on the modern, modest looking
move } 10.b3
{ [%csl Yd5,Ye4][%cal Gc1b2,Gf3d2,Ye2e3,Gc3d5,Yb7b5] White's idea here is slightly different. He does not plan to push b4 but rather focuses on strong control over the c4-d5 axis and flexibility in the center. }
) 10...Be6 11.Nc2
{ This is still a part of White's maneuver, though a bit slow. } ( 
{ White could stop Black's plan with } 11.Nd5 { but then } 11...Rb8
{ [%csl Yc3][%cal Gb7b5,Yc3b5] highlights the downside of this move - decreased control over b5-square. }
12.Nc2 ( 12.b4 { doesn't work here due to } 12...axb4 13.axb4 Bxd5 14.cxd5
Nxb4 ) 12...b5 $11
{ White can get a better version of this type of position if his knight is
on d2 and bishop on b2, as we will see in the model game 5. } ) ( 
{ Probably the most promising idea that White has at his disposal is } 11.Bg5
f6 12.Be3 $5
{ [%cal Rd6d5] a clever attempt to provoke a slight weakening in black position with }
12...b6
{ [%csl Rc6] Now White can use the tactical advantage of weakened a1-h8 diagonal to push b2-b4 in time: }
13.Nd5 { [%cal Gb2b4] } 13...Rb8 14.b4 axb4 15.Nxe7+
{ [%csl Rc6] The point, as Qxe7 is not possible now. } 15...Nxe7 16.axb4 Qd7
17.Nc2
{ although Black should still get good counterplay on the kingside with }
17...h5 $1 $132 ) 11...d5 12.cxd5 Nxd5
{ [#] Now we have the reversed Maroczy bind on the board. White needs to
act quickly or otherwise Black's space advantage will prove to be a
significant one. } 13.Ne3 Nde7
{ [%csl Rc1,Re3] The most principled reply since piece exchanges favor the side with less space. }
( 13...Nxe3 $5 14.Bxe3 Nd4 15.Bxb7 Rb8 16.Bg2 f5 $44
{ [%csl Rd4] We will see a similar positional pawn sacrifice in the model game 3. }
) 14.Nc4 Rb8 { [%cal Gb7b5] } 15.Bg5 { [%csl Rg5] } 15...f6
{ An important point. The dark-squared bishop is generally White's most
passive piece when Black has c5-d6-e5 pawn center, so he is happy to
exchange it for one of the knights. That's why Black plays this slightly weakening move. }
( 15...h6 16.Bxc6 hxg5 17.Bb5 $5 $13
{ [%csl Gb5,Gc4][%cal Gc4e3,Gb5c4] gives White good control over the light squares. }
) 16.Be3 b6 $1
{ The most precise move. Black doesn't rush but simply improves his
position first. } ( 16...b5 { seems premature as it weakens the c5-pawn. }
17.Nd2 { [%csl Rc5] } 17...Nd4 18.a4 $1 b4 19.Nce4 $132 { [%csl Rc5] } ) ( 
{ The downside of the immediate } 16...Nd4 { is that after } 17.a4 $1
{ [%csl Yc4] White controls the light squares. } 17...Nec6 18.b3 Nb4 19.f4
$13 ) 17.Qa4 $6
{ [%cal Rb6b5] This move is fairly typical in this tabiya (as we will see in the model game 2, for example). However, the queen will turn out to be misplaced here. }
( { The best option would have been } 17.f4
{ [%csl Rg7] trying to open up the center while Bg7 is still passive. Nevertheless, Black has a pleasant position after }
17...b5 18.Nd2 exf4 19.Bxf4 Ne5 $132 { [%cal Ge7f5] } ) ( 17.a4
{ is now met by } 17...Nb4 $1
{ [%csl Yb4,Yd4][%cal Ge7f5,Gf5d4,Ge7c6,Yf6f5] when f2-f4 is much more difficult to play. }
) 17...Nd4 { [%cal Gb6b5] } 18.Bxd4 exd4
{ [#] We have discussed this structure already in the English/reversed
Dragon tabiya chapter. This is an excellent version for Black since the
d4-pawn is well-protected and Black can easily improve his position. Meanwhile, after }
19.Nb5 Nd5 $15
{ [%csl Ra4,Rb5,Yd5,Re2] it becomes clear that Nb5 and Qa4 are misplaced. White position is suspicious so he tried to complicate matters with the risky-looking }
20.b4 axb4 21.axb4 $2 ( 21.Bxd5 Bxd5 22.axb4 Qe7 $15
{ [%csl Re2,Rg1] was the only chance to stay in the game, although Black is still clearly better there. }
) 21...Nxb4 22.Rxb4 cxb4 23.Ncd6 Qe7 $19
{ Positional exchange sacrifices are fairly common in the English opening
but White had no real compensation for it here and he soon lost the game. }
24.Rc1 Rfd8 25.Qxb4 Bf8 26.Qxd4 Rxd6 27.Qxd6 Qxd6 28.Nxd6 Bxd6 29.Rc6 Rc8
30.Rxd6 Rc1+ 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup Online Final"]
[Site "Tornelo INT"]
[Date "2021.03.31"]
[Round "8.3"]
[White "Model game 2: Meier, Georg"]
[Black "Heinemann, Thies"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic, Davorin"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[BlackTeam "Hamburger CC 1830"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]
[ECO "A37"]
[EventCountry "NET"]
[EventDate "2021.03.30"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventType "team-tourn (rapid)"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.04.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 201"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.04.30"]
[WhiteElo "2628"]
[WhiteTeam "Deizisau SF"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]


{ [%evp 0,169,19,27,70,30,30,-3,14,21,17,7,9,3,62,37,27,38,32,20,27,30,32,23,39, 6,19,21,23,24,15,11,11,-5,40,2,9,4,6,-22,29,8,-3,-10,1,0,11,0,0,0,24,25,53,13, 45,27,36,11,7,7,25,15,25,19,43,29,28,17,17,29,28,33,29,29,50,60,50,40,62,60,40, 1,0,0,0,0,0,0,-9,-7,-5,-5,0,-15,0,-31,0,-1,0,58,76,71,68,71,91,91,94,95,100,80, 82,95,97,97,145,91,90,90,90,90,104,97,97,89,100,103,156,173,203,184,218,202, 171,181,249,210,218,226,239,252,290,298,298,174,236,189,176,186,189,189,249, 189,526,662,1016,1016,1015,1016,1016,1016,1022,1032,1032,1032,1032,1032,1032, 1032,29979,29980,29981,29982] }
1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.O-O d6 6.Nc3 e5 7.d3 Nge7 8.a3 O-O
9.Rb1 a5 10.Bd2
{ [#] This is a good waiting move which allows White to complete his
development before deciding what to do with his f3-knight. The bishop can
support b2-b4 from d2, while clearing the first rank at the same time. Black needs to find a useful move now, as well, since the most natural
10...Be6 isn't too attractive due to Nf3-g5. } 10...Rb8 ( 10...Be6
{ can be met by } 11.Qc1 $5 { [%cal Rd6d5] and if } 11...d5 { then } 12.Ng5
{ is unpleasant } ) ( 10...h6 $5 { [%cal Gc8e6] seems like a safe bet. } )
11.Qa4 $5
{ [%csl Yc1][%cal Gf1c1,Ga4d1] A very interesting idea. The queen is sufficiently annoying on a4 (putting pressure on the a5-pawn and covering the b5-square) but the main idea is to transfer the rook to c1 in order to indirectly attack the c5-pawn and thus discourage Black from pushing the thematic ...d6-d5. }
11...Bd7
{ [%csl Ra4] Clearly taking aim at the white queen, although this plan seems less to the point compared to the standard ...h6, ... Be6, ...d5. }
( 11...h6 $5
{ looks more consistent with Black's positional needs in this tabiya than
the text } 12.Rfc1 { [%csl Rc5][%cal Rd6d5] } 12...Be6 13.Qd1 b6
{ [%cal Gd6d5] } 14.Ne1 { and now } 14...d5
{ might be slightly premature due to } ( 
{ It is better to keep the tension with something like } 14...Kh7 $1 $13
15.Nc2 ( 15.Nd5 b5 ) 15...d5 ) 15.cxd5 Nxd5 16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.b4
{ [%csl Yc1,Rc5, Rc6] and we can see once again how useful it is to have a rook on c1 in this position. }
) ( 11...Be6 $5 { is also possible, as we will see in Model game 3. } )
12.Rfc1 Nd4 $6
{ Black abandons control over the b4-square for the sake of one tempo. } ( 
12...h6 $142 { [%cal Gd7e6,Yd6d5] } ) 13.Qd1
{ [%csl Rd4][%cal Gb2b4] [#] There is no good way for Black to stop the b4-break now. His own d5-break is still work in progress, so it becomes clear that White obtains an advantage in the early middlegame. }
13...Bc6 ( 13...Nxf3+ 14.Bxf3 Nc6 15.Nb5 $16 { [%csl Yd2, Rd6][%cal Gb2b4] }
) ( 13...Nec6 14.Nd5 $16 { [%cal Gb2b4] } ) 14.e3 Ne6 15.b4 { [%csl Rc6] }
15...axb4 16.axb4 cxb4 17.Rxb4 { Now Black gets to play } ( 
{ White could have secured a serious positional advantage with } 17.Nb5 $1
{ [%cal Gd2b4] preparing the strong Bxb4. } 17...e4 ( 17...d5 18.Bxb4 $16
{ [%csl Re7] } ) 18.Ne1 $16 ) 17...d5 { and his position after } 18.cxd5 Nxd5
19.Rbb1
{ [%csl Yb1,Rb7,Yc1] is only slightly worse. White has a slightly better pawn structure (isolated b-pawn) and a long-term pressure on the queenside thanks to his active rooks. }
19...Ne7 ( 19...b5 $6 20.Nxd5 Bxd5 21.e4 Ba8 22.Bc3 $16
{ [%csl Ra8,Re5][%cal Rb5b4] } ) 20.Ne1 Qd7 21.Bxc6 bxc6 22.Qa4 $14
{ [%csl Rc6,Gd3,Rg7] } 22...Rxb1 23.Rxb1 Rd8 24.Qc4 h5 25.h4 Qa7 26.Kf1 Rb8
27.Qa4 Qc7 28.Ke2 Rxb1 29.Nxb1 Qb7 30.Nc3 Nc5 31.Qc4 Nb3 32.Nf3 Nxd2 33.Nxd2
Nd5 34.Nce4 Qb5 35.Nd6 Qxc4 36.N2xc4 f6 37.Nb7 Bf8 38.Nd8 Nb4 39.Na5 c5
40.Nc4 Be7 41.Nb7 Kf7 42.Nba5 Ke6 43.Nb3 g5 44.hxg5 fxg5 45.Nbd2 h4 46.g4 h3
47.Nf3 Nc6 48.Ncd2 Nb4 49.Nf1 Kd5 50.e4+ Ke6 51.Ng1 Nc6 52.Nxh3 Nd4+ 53.Kd1
Bd8 54.Ng1 Ba5 55.Nh2 Kf6 56.Nhf3 Nc6 57.Ne2 Nb4 58.Nc1 Bc7 59.Ke2 Bd6 60.Nb3
Nc6 61.Nbd2 Bc7 62.Nc4 Ne7 63.Ne3 Ke6 64.Kd2 Kf6 65.Nd5+ Nxd5 66.exd5 c4
67.Kc3 cxd3 68.Kxd3 Bb6 69.Nd2 e4+ 70.Nxe4+ Ke5 71.Nxg5 Bxf2 72.Ne4 Bb6 73.d6
Bd8 74.Ke3 Bh4 75.Kf3 Bd8 76.d7 Ke6 77.Nc5+ Kd6 78.Nb7+ Kxd7 79.Nxd8 Kxd8
80.Kf4 Ke7 81.Kg5 Kf7 82.Kh6 Kg8 83.g5 Kh8 84.g6 Kg8 85.g7 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.01.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Model game 3: Gledura, Benjamin"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic, Davorin"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[ECO "A37"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[EventDate "2018.01.23"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[WhiteElo "2612"]


{ [%evp 0,62,29,28,55,16,16,16,20,12,36,36,29,24,39,24,26,25,25,20,30,30,27,15, 50,3,20,49,2,-4,27,36,35,11,0,17,15,2,53,-6,0,-11,-23,-100,-83,-67,-62,-38,-44, -47,-49,-36,-44,-13,-30,-49,-49,-47,-35,-23,-62,-62,-52,-51,-52] }
1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.O-O Nge7 7.a3 O-O 8.d3 d6
9.Rb1 a5 10.Bd2 Rb8 11.Qa4 Be6 $5
{ [%cal Gd6d5] Interestingly, Black can play this way without having to prepare it with 11...h6. }
12.Nb5 ( { In the event of } 12.Ng5 { Black goes } 12...Bd7
{ and claims that the knight is misplaced on g5. For example: } 13.Rfc1 b6
14.Qd1 h6 15.Nf3 Be6 { [%cal Gd6d5] } ( 15...f5 $5 $13 { [%cal Gg6g5] } ) )
12...d5 13.cxd5 Bxd5 ( 13...Nxd5 { would be very bad because of } 14.Ng5
{ [%csl Re6] } ) 14.Nc3 Be6 15.Ng5 Bf5
{ [#] The bishop is chased around, but Black is happy with the fact that he
has achieved the Maroczy bind structure. He only needs to consolidate his
queenside for complete strategic success. However, Gledura decided to throw spanner in the works with }
16.Nge4 $5 { [%csl Rc5] } ( 16.Rfc1 Qd7 17.Qd1
{ would be a calmer alternative, when it is clear that Black is completely
fine once he plays } 17...b6 $11 { [%cal Gc6d4] } ) 16...b6 17.Nxc5 bxc5
18.Bxc6 Nxc6 19.Qxc6 Rc8 $44
{ [%csl Yf5,Yg7][%cal Gc5c4] As a result of this tactical operation, White has won a pawn. In return, Black gets the bishop pair and strong presence on the light squares in the absence of the English bishop. This is enough for full positional compensation, as MVL proved in the remainder of the game. }
20.Qf3 c4 21.e4 Be6 22.Rfd1 cxd3 ( 22...h5 $5 $44 { [%cal Ge6g4] } ) 23.Be1
{ White gave back the pawn to complete a consolidating maneuver. The
position remains balanced. } 23...Bc4 24.b3 Ba6 25.b4 ( 25.Nd5 f5 $132 )
25...axb4 26.axb4 Bc4 27.Nd5 f5 28.Rxd3 $1
{ The exchange sacrifice seems like the best solution here. White will have
full compensation thanks to his strong Nd5 and the b5-pawn. } 28...fxe4
29.Qxe4 Bxd3 30.Qxd3 $44 { [%csl Yd5][%cal Gb4b6,Gd3b3] } 30...Rf7 31.Qb3 Kh8
1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Model game 4: Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M / Kuljasevic,D"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[ECO "A37"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventDate "2016.09.26"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]


{ [%evp 0,118,28,23,47,-3,-7,-5,19,9,8,0,4,19,26,27,26,26,26,18,28,25,22,8,9, -22,14,14,20,10,48,-2,-32,-81,-81,-81,-77,-75,-71,-71,-77,-94,-94,-94,-96,-113, -113,-113,-104,-113,-90,-90,-118,-107,-94,-94,-97,-88,-96,-108,-74,-122,-123, -129,-118,-118,-99,-95,-98,-104,-109,-109,-114,-111,-107,-143,-157,-184,-181, -181,-164,-181,-177,-208,-188,-169,-196,-260,-181,-191,-199,-197,-174,-198, -176,-166,-166,-241,-239,-279,-279,-272,-218,-334,-335,-504,-515,-515,-510, -732,-818,-818,-815,-857,-859,-1032,-1022,-1022,-1022,-1022,-1095] }
1.Nf3 c5 2.g3 Nc6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.O-O e5 ( 6...e6
{ is another common continuation. } ) 7.a3 Nge7 8.d3 O-O 9.Rb1 a5 10.Bg5 ( 
{ The most popular line starts with } 10.Ne1 Be6 11.Nc2 d5 12.cxd5 Nxd5
13.Ne3 Nde7 14.Nc4
{ and leads to an interesting position à la reversed Marocy, where White's
active piece play compensates for a lack of space. } ) 10...f6 11.Bd2 { [#] }
11...Be6 12.Ne1 { The knight is headed to d5, so Black shouldn't hesitate. }
12...d5 13.cxd5 ( { In fact, the most promising continuation for White is }
13.Na4 $5 { [%csl Rc5] [%cal Gb2b4] } 13...b6 14.b4 $1 axb4 15.axb4 cxb4
16.Bxb4 Nxb4 17.Rxb4 { [%csl Rb6] } 17...Rb8
{ Both sides have completed their respective plans (b2-b4 for White and
...d6-d5 for Black) and we have a roughly balanced position. The b6-pawn is
slightly exposed and White can try to take advantage of it with } 18.Qb1
{ Among several reasonable responses, perhaps the most principled one for
Black is } 18...dxc4 19.dxc4 f5 $1 20.Nxb6 e4 $44
{ [%csl Ye6,Rg2,Yg7] -using the strength of his bishop pair. } ) 13...Nxd5
14.Qb3 $6
{ [%csl Rb7,Re6][%cal Rd5e3,Gf7f6] [#] This move should be the point of the whole Bg5-d2 maneuver, that is, provoking ...f7-f6. Now the bishop on e6 is undefended so Black cannot win an exchange with 14...Ne3 as he could if the pawn was still on f7. Both d5 and b7 are hanging. Nevertheless, Giri found a strong reply }
( { After } 14.Nc2 f5 15.Ne3 Nde7 $1
{ Black should be able to neutralise White's play on the queenside. } ( 
{ A less precise try is } 15...Nb6 16.b3 Rb8 17.Nc4 Nd7 18.Nb5 Ra8 19.e3 $14
{ Kramnik,V (2766)-Leko, P (2749) Monte Carlo 2007 } ) 16.Nc4 Rb8 17.Bg5 h6
18.Bxe7 Nxe7 19.Qa4 b6 $13 ) 14...Nc7 $1 15.Qb6 $146
{ This is the only way to justify White's previous move. However, the queen
is in big danger now. } ( 15.Qxb7 Nd4
{ [%csl Rb7,Re1][%cal Yc7a8] promises Black a strong compensation for the pawn. }
16.Nf3 Rb8 17.Qe4 Qd7 18.Qe3 Rfc8 $36
{ [%csl Rd2,Yd4,Re3] Despite the extra pawn, White's position seems unpleasant. }
) ( { In the event of } 15.Qd1 Rf7 $1 16.Na4 Bf8 $15 { [%csl Yc5] } )
15...Nd4 16.Nf3 $6 { Peter is inviting new troubles. } ( 
{ The lesser evil would be } 16.f4 f5 $1 ( 16...exf4 17.Bxb7 $1 ( 
{ The more natural } 17.Bxf4 $6 Nd5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Bxd5+ Qxd5 20.e4 Qd7
21.Qxc5 f5 $36 { leaves White under strong positional pressure } ) 17...Rb8
( 17...Nd5 18.Qxc5 Nb3 19.Qc6 Nxd2 20.Qxe6+ Kh8 21.Bxd5 Re8 22.Qh3 Nxb1
23.Bxa8 Nxc3 24.bxc3 Qxa8 25.Qg2 $13 ) 18.Bxf4 Rf7 19.e3 Ncb5 20.Qxd8+ Rxd8
21.Nxb5 Ne2+ 22.Kf2 Nxf4 23.Bc6 Nxd3+ 24.Nxd3 Rxd3 25.Rfd1 Rb3 26.Rd2 $11 )
17.fxe5 Bxe5 18.Qxc5 Bg7 $36
{ [%csl Rc5, Yd4,Ye6,Yg7] The vulnerable placement of the Qc5 yields Black a powerful initiative, but at least White is a pawn up. }
) 16...Ra6 $1 { Giri's strong tactical play is inspiring. } 17.Qxb7 Nxe2+ $1
{ [#] The big point. The knight cannot be taken because the queen would get
trapped, so Black gets his pawn back with interest. } 18.Kh1 ( 
{ Of course, not } 18.Nxe2 Bd5 { [%csl Rb7] and the queen is trapped }
19.Qxa6 Nxa6 $19 ) 18...Nxc3 19.bxc3 { [%csl Rd3] } 19...Bd5 ( 19...c4 $5
20.d4 Bd5 21.Qb2 Qa8 22.Ne1 exd4 23.cxd4 f5 $17 ) 20.Qb2 Qa8 21.Ne1 Rd6 $17
{ [%csl Rd3] Starting to put pressure on White's weaknesses. } 22.d4
{ Peter isn't prepared to sit and wait, but this move leads to the loss of
a pawn. } ( 22.Be3 Ne6 23.Bxd5 Qxd5+ 24.Kg1 f5 25.c4 Qa8 $17 ) 22...Rfd8 ( 
22...Bxg2+ 23.Nxg2 cxd4 24.cxd4 Rxd4 $17
{ would lead to the same character of play. } ) 23.Kg1 cxd4 24.cxd4 Bxg2
25.Nxg2 Rxd4
{ So, now Black is a pawn up, but White's pieces get some activity. } 26.Bc3
( 26.Be3 Rd3 27.Bb6 R8d7 $17 ) 26...R4d7 ( 26...Rd3 $5 ) 27.Ne3 Nd5 28.Nxd5
Rxd5 29.a4
{ Now the Pa5 is fixed, so Black's pieces are tied to protecting it. On the
other hand, White's king is still in danger. } 29...h5 $1
{ Exploiting the main drawback of his opponent's position. } 30.h4 ( 30.Qb3
$5 { deserved to be considered: } 30...Kh7 31.Rfd1 Rc5 32.Rxd8 Qxd8 33.Be1
$17 ) 30...Qc6 31.Qb3 ( { It makes sense to swap the queenside pawns: }
31.Rbc1 $5 Qxa4 32.Ra1 Qg4 33.Rxa5 Rd3 34.Ra7 $17 ) 31...Kh7 32.Rfc1
{ Now, when the last piece has moved from the kingside, the advance of
Black's pawns is becoming dangerous. } 32...Qd7 ( 32...Rd3 $1
{ was stronger: } 33.Qb5 Qf3 34.Be1 e4 $19
{ and Black's pieces are dominating over the board. } ) 33.Be1 e4 34.Qb7
{ A temporary pawn sacrifice. } 34...Qxa4 35.Ra1 Qe8 36.Rc7 R5d7 37.Rxd7 $2
{ Alas, Peter chooses the wrong way of regaining the pawn. } ( 
{ The correct } 37.Rxa5 Rxc7 38.Qxc7 Rd1 39.Kf1 $17
{ would offer him definite drawing chances. } ) 37...Rxd7 38.Qb3 ( 
{ The most stubborn was } 38.Qb5 { , but after } 38...e3 $1 39.Rxa5 exf2+
40.Kxf2 f5 41.Kf1 Qf7 { Black would slowly develop a decisive attack. } )
38...Rd3 39.Qc4 Qd7 $6
{ A loss of tempo. This inaccuracy makes Black's task tougher. } ( 
{ Anish had to play } 39...f5 $1 40.Rxa5 Rd1 41.Qb4 e3 42.Ra7 Kh8 43.Kh2 exf2
44.Bxf2 Qc6 45.Bg1 Qc2+ 46.Kh3 Qd3 $19 ) 40.Rxa5 f5 41.Kg2 Rd1 42.Qe2 Rb1
43.Rc5 $2 ( { The only way to put-up resistance was } 43.Ra3 Qe7 44.Re3 Qb7
45.Qc4 Rd1 46.Qb4 $17 { , and it's not easy to make further progress. } )
43...Qb7 $2 ( 43...e3 $1 { was winning on the spot: } 44.fxe3 Qe7 45.Rb5 Qe4+
46.Kh2 Rc1 $19 ) 44.Kh2 f4 45.gxf4 Qe7 46.Rc4 Qxh4+ 47.Kg2 Qxf4 48.Qxe4 Qg5+
49.Kf3 $2
{ It is only after this mistake that the result of the game becomes
predictable. } ( { Had Peter played } 49.Kf1 $1 Ra1 ( 49...Qb5 50.Qd3 Be5
51.Kg2 $17 ) 50.Qd3 Qb5 51.Rd4 $17
{ the limited material balance would still offer drawing chances. } )
49...Rb5 $1 50.Qd3 Qg1 $19 { Now the monarch is helpless. } 51.Re4 Rb2 52.Qc4
( 52.Rh4 { offered no hope either: } 52...Qxe1 53.Rxh5+ Kg8 54.Qc4+ Kf8
55.Qf4+ Ke8 56.Qa4+ Kf7 57.Qf4+ Bf6 58.Rh7+ Kg8 $19 ) 52...Qh1+ 53.Kg3 Rb1
54.Qe2 Qg1+ 55.Kh3 Rb3+ 56.f3 g5 57.Bf2 g4+ 58.Kh4 Qh2+ 59.Kg5 Rxf3
{ Impressive positional play by GM Anish Giri! } 0-1

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.07"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Model game 5: Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Edouard,Romain / Kuljasevic,D"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[ECO "A37"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]


{ [%evp 0,99,26,-11,24,6,5,6,6,6,1,7,28,29,29,22,31,22,40,22,22,15,23,27,25,26, 33,31,31,33,24,5,17,-8,27,32,27,30,26,-18,0,-27,-27,-4,15,8,-3,-9,25,8,19,13, 43,35,59,78,93,33,85,70,81,33,28,33,38,18,38,35,53,48,57,52,52,62,77,67,74,43, 39,43,43,43,119,92,160,172,185,190,218,326,374,374,374,367,396,405,759,759, 29979,29980,29981,29982] }
1.c4 c5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 e5 6.O-O Nge7 7.d3 d6 8.a3 a5 9.Rb1
O-O 10.b3 $5
{ [%cal Gc1b2,Gf2f4] [#] An interesting try. The bishop will look awkward on b2, but will prove useful when White plays f4, or to target some weaknesses on the queenside as in the game. In the center, White's plan is to deny his opponent the opportunity to break with ...d6-d5. }
10...Rb8 ( 10...h6 { [%cal Gc8e6] } 11.Nd2 Be6 12.Nd5 Rb8 13.Bb2 b5 $13
{ transposes to the game anyway. } ) 11.Bb2 h6 12.Nd2 Be6 ( 12...Bg4 $5 $146
{ might be a reasonable try, pushing White to play h3, while the h3-pawn
will shortly become a target for Black. } ) 13.Nd5 b5 14.e3
{ [%csl Yd5] [%cal Gf2f4,Rc6d4] [#] White has achieved his goal in the center. His structure is more flexible and he is ready to meet ....f5 with f4, when his bishop proves to be placed well on b2. Black managed to gain some space on the queenside by pushing ...b7-b5, although this is not a big problem for White since his c4-pawn is fortified with b3 and d3-pawns. }
14...Qd7
{ [%csl Rg1][%cal Ge6h3] Black prepares the generally useful exchange of the light-squared bishops. }
15.Re1
{ [%cal Ge6h3,Gg2h1] The most logical move: White wants to keep the light-squared bishops alive. }
( 15.Qc2 $5 { makes sense anyway, as it seems that } 15...Bh3
{ doesn't work: } ( 15...Kh7 16.f4 $13 ) 16.Ne4 $1 { [%csl Yf6] } 16...Nxd5
17.Bxh3 Qxh3 18.cxd5 Ne7 19.Nxd6 Nxd5 ( 19...Rfd8 20.Ne4 Nxd5 21.Qe2 $14 )
20.Qxc5 Nf6 ( 20...Qe6 21.Rfc1 $14 ) 21.Qxe5 Rfd8 22.Ne4 $16
{ ½-½ (61) Ibrahimov, R (2518)-Tregubov,P (2575) Riyadh 2017 } ) 15...Bg4 ( 
15...f5 16.f4 $13
{ [%csl Yb2,Re5] and suddenly we see what the white bishop is doing on b2! }
) 16.Qc2 Rfc8 $6 { A serious positional mistake. } ( 16...b4 $5
{ was a better try, looking for counterplay on the queenside. } 17.Ra1
{ [%cal Ga1a8] } ( 17.axb4 Nxd5 18.cxd5 Nxb4 $132 ) 17...Bh3 $5 18.Bh1 ( 
18.Bxh3 Qxh3 19.Nxe7+ Nxe7 20.axb4 axb4 21.d4 exd4 22.exd4 Nc6 $11 )
18...bxa3 19.Bxa3 ( 19.Rxa3 Nxd5 20.cxd5 Nb4 $132 ) 19...f5
{ [%csl Ra5,Rb3][%cal Gh6h5,Gh5h4] } 20.Nxe7+ Nxe7 21.Bb2 Nc6 $13 ) ( 
16...Be6
{ has been played in one game (though it actually came from 15...Bf5
16.Qc2). It is quite interesting to wait and see what White is doing, but
it remains a bit worse for Black: } 17.f4 f5 $6 18.Nxe7+ Nxe7 19.cxb5 Qxb5
20.Bc3 $1 Nd5 21.Ba1 Nb6 ( 21...Ne7 22.Nc4 $16 ) 22.fxe5 dxe5 23.a4 Qd7
24.Qxc5 Qxd3 25.Qxa5 Rfe8 26.Rbc1 $16
{ 1-0 (39) Lagarde,M (2655) -Saduakassova, D (2505) Sitges 2019 } ) 17.Ne4 $1
{ [%cal Ge4f6] Black's reply is forced: } 17...Nxd5 18.cxd5 Ne7 19.Nd2 $1 $16
{ [%csl Ra5][%cal Ga3a4,Yd2c4] [#] The point behind White's 17th move. White will push a3-a4 next and secure access to a wonderful c4-outpost for his knight. Moreoever, Black's a-pawn will become a serious long-term weakness as a result. }
19...Bh3 20.Bh1 ( 20.e4 $5 $16
{ is also a typical move when Black goes for a light-squared bishops
exchange. But Ding's move makes Black's position even tougher to play. }
20...Bxg2 21.Kxg2 f5 22.a4 Rf8 23.axb5 Rxb5 24.Bc3 f4 25.Qd1 $16 ) 20...Nf5
21.a4 $1 h5 22.axb5 Rxb5 23.Ra1 h4 24.Bc3 { [%csl Ra5][%cal Gd2c4] } 24...Ra8
25.Ra4 Qd8 26.Bf3 Rab8 27.Rea1 $5 Bh6 28.Re1
{ White got afraid of ...Nxe3 (for good reason) - the problem for Black is
that the two tempi lost by White do not change the position! } ( 28.Rxa5 hxg3
$5 ( 28...Nxe3 $6 29.fxe3 Bxe3+ 30.Kh1 Rxa5 31.Bxa5 Qf6 32.Qd1 hxg3 33.Ne4 ( 
33.hxg3 $2 Qh8 $1 $19 ) 33...Qh4 34.Nxg3 $16 ) 29.hxg3 Rxa5 30.Bxa5 Nxe3
31.fxe3 Bxe3+ 32.Kh2 Qf6 33.Kxh3 Bxd2 34.Qd1 ( 34.Kg2 e4 35.dxe4 Qxa1 36.Bxd2
c4 $1 37.Qxc4 Qa2 $13 ) 34...Ra8 35.Bc3 $1 ( 35.Bxd2 Rxa1 36.Qxa1 Qxf3 $11 )
35...Qf5+ 36.Kg2 Rxa1 37.Bxa1 Qxd3
{ and Black has drawing chances. Amazing stuff! } ) ( 28.Qc1 $5
{ may have been a great move, with the idea } 28...hxg3 ( 28...Nxe3 $2
29.Rxh4 $1 $18 ) 29.hxg3 Nxe3 30.Rh4 $1 $18 ) 28...Qg5 $6 ( 28...Bg7
{ might actually be the best move - to keep ...e3 ideas when White goes Qd1
with the idea of Qe2. } ) 29.Ne4 Qd8 30.Ra3 $5 Ne7 31.Nd2 Nf5 32.Qd1 $1 Bg7
33.g4 $1 { It's time. } 33...Nh6 34.Kh1 f5 35.gxf5 gxf5 36.Rg1
{ The way Ding has organized is piece is just a delight. } 36...Qd7 ( 
36...Ng4 37.Qe2 $16 ) 37.Qe2 Kh8 38.Ra4 $5 ( 38.e4 $5 ) 38...Rxb3 39.Rxh4
Rxc3 40.Rxh3
{ It looks like Black has counterplay on the queenside, but he's too slow!
} 40...a4 ( 40...Rc2 41.Qd1 Rbb2 42.Nc4 Ra2 43.Rg6 Kh7 44.Qg1 Rxf2 45.Rxd6
$18 ) 41.e4 $1 { Calm and powerful. } 41...Rc2 ( 41...a3 42.exf5 Qxf5 43.Rhg3
Qxd3 44.Rxg7 Qxe2 45.Bxe2 Rc1 46.Ra7 $18 ) ( 41...Rb2 42.Qf1 $3 Rxd2 ( 
42...Qf7 43.Nc4 $18 ) 43.Qg2 Qf7 44.Qg5 $18 ) 42.Rh5 $5 ( 42.exf5 $5 Qxf5
43.Rhg3 Rbb2 44.Rxg7 Rxd2 45.Qe3 Qf4 46.Qxf4 exf4 47.Be4 $18 ) 42...f4 43.Qd1
Rbb2 44.Nc4 a3 45.Bg4 Qd8 46.Nxb2 Rxb2 47.Be6 a2 48.Rxg7 $1 Kxg7 ( 48...Rb1
49.Rg1 $3 Rxd1 50.Rxh6# ) 49.Qg1+ Kf8 50.Rf5+
{ Just a superb game from Ding Liren! } 1-0

