[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 39th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2011.07.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Model game 1: Meier, Georg"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2656"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M/Kuljasevic,D"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2011.07.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 {Queen's Indian defense is a solid and flexible
opening. It has been a source of big theoretical debates among the world's top
in the 1980-ies, 90-ies and 2000's although in recent decades, 3...d5 became
Black's most popular option. Nevertheless, some of its tabiyas have not lost
any of its complexity and general interest. In this chapter, we will explore
an interesting one that arises after} 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 {[%csl
Rd2][%cal Yd2b2,Rb1d2] [#] The point of the check on b4 was to misplace white
bishop which doesn't stand so well on d2. There, it blocks the square for the
knight. Ideally, White would like to place it on b2.} 7. Bg2 O-O 8. Nc3 d5 9.
cxd5 exd5 {[%cal Yc7c5,Ge7d6,Ga6b7,Ga7a6,Yb8a6,Gb8d7,Gf6e4] The basic central
structure has been defined. It is a variation of the Carlsbad structure where
Black is more flexible with his c-pawn; it can go to c5, c6 or remain on c7.
He has two basic plans: 1) push ...c5, usually with Bb7 and Na6, aiming for
the hanging pawns structure 2) keep the position closed, aiming for ...Nbd7,
Bd6, Re8, Ne4 setup.} 10. O-O {[%csl Rd5][%cal Ge2e4,Yf3e5,Yf2f4,Yb3b4,Ya2a3]
White, on the other hand, also has several promising plans: 1) attack on the
c-file with Rc1, Bf4, Ne5, (Nb5) 2) improve the bishop to b2 via c1 3) going
for the central break e2-e4, usually prepared with Qc2, Rad1, Ne5, Rfe1 4)
sometimes White can also go for the minority attack with a3-b4, etc.} Re8 {
[%csl Ya6,Re2,Ye8][%cal Ye7b4] [#] This is the most accurate move for Black.
The idea is to increase the pressure against the e2-pawn, so that White cannot
easily improve his bishop on d2.} (10... Bb7 {is another reasonable option
although then White has more liberties with his bishop. In modern times, many
strong players have opted for} 11. Bc1 $5 {[%csl Yb2,Rd2][%cal Gc1b2]} Nbd7 12.
Bb2 {White has restored his piece coordination and is placed well to meet
opening of the center with ...c5. Therefore, Black keeps the center closed and
keeps improving his control over e4-square:} Re8 13. Rc1 a6 {[%cal Ge7d6,Rf3e5,
Rc3b5]} (13... Bf8 14. Nd2 $1 {[%cal Ge2e4]} Bb4 (14... a6 15. Re1 Bd6 16. e4
dxe4 17. Ndxe4 $16) 15. a3 Bf8 16. Re1 $1 {[%cal Ge2e4]} c5 17. Nf3 Rb8 18. e3
$13 {1-0 (52) Grischuk,A (2736)-Vescovi,G (2660) Bursa 2010}) 14. e3 {A bit
too slow.} ({It was better to play} 14. Nd2 $1 {[%cal Ge2e4,Re7d6,Gf1e1]
preparing the e2-e4 break} Bd6 15. Re1 Rb8 (15... Ne4 {is similar to
Kuljasevic-Bosiocic.}) 16. e4 dxe4 17. Ndxe4 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 $14 {[%csl Rc7,Ye4]}
) 14... Bd6 {[%csl Yb7,Yd6,Yd7,Yf6] Black has a harmonious setup.} 15. Nd2 {
My opponent decided to take full control over the e4-square with} Ne4 $5 {
[%cal Gd7f6,Gf7f5]} 16. Ncxe4 dxe4 {[%csl Gd5,Ge4][%cal Gd7f6] This structural
transformation is quite common in this middlegame tabiya. Black wants to put a
piece on d5-square and create a blockade in the center.} 17. Nc4 $6 ({The
right move was} 17. d5 $1 {[%cal Gb2g7,Gd1d8] sacrificing a pawn to open files
and diagonals. After the forced} Bxd5 18. Nc4 Bxc4 19. Rxc4 {[%csl Yb2,Re4,Yg2]
White has excellent compensation for the pawn thanks to his active pieces.} Nc5
20. Qa1 $1 $36) 17... Bd5 {[%csl Rb2,Gd5] Now the center remains closed and it
is difficult for White to generate activity for his pieces, particularly the
dark-squared bishop.} 18. Qc2 Nf6 19. Rfd1 $2 ({The last chance to open the
center was} 19. Ne5 {[%csl Re4][%cal Gf2f3]} Qe7 20. f4 exf3 21. Bxf3 $11 {
[%csl Rc7,Re3,Ye5,Rf7]}) 19... b5 20. Na5 $2 {[%csl Ra5,Yd5,Yd6]} (20. Nxd6
cxd6 21. Qc7 b4 22. Qxd8 Rexd8 $17) 20... Qd7 21. Qd2 Rac8 22. Rc2 h5 $1 $40 {
[%csl Ra5,Rb2,Yd5,Yd6,Yd7,Yf6,Rg3,Rh2][%cal Gh5h4] Black has everything under
his control in the center and on the queenside, so he launches a decisive
attack against the white king.} 23. Bc3 c6 24. Bb4 Bb8 25. Qe2 h4 $19 {0-1 (42)
Kuljasevic,D (2538)-Bosiocic,M (2605) Pozega CRO 2018}) 11. Rc1 {[%cal Gd2f4]
This is one of several promising plans for White.} ({Black's main idea can be
seen after} 11. Bc1 $2 Bb4 {[%csl Re2]}) ({or} 11. Bf4 $2 Bb4 {[%csl Re2]}) ({
In the next three model games, we will focus on another plan} 11. Ne5 Bb7 12.
Bc1 ({In Model game 5, we will examine} 12. Qc2 $5 {[%cal Ga1d1,Ge2e4]}) 12...
Nbd7 {[%cal Ge7d6,Ga7a6,Rc7c5]} ({In Model game 2, we look at} 12... Na6 {
[%cal Gc7c5,Ya6c7,Yc7e6]} 13. Bb2 c5 14. dxc5 bxc5 15. e3 {[%csl Yc5,Yd5]}) 13.
Bb2 Bd6 14. f4 {[%csl Ye5][%cal Ge2e3] This was played in model game 4.} ({
Model game 3:} 14. Nd3 {[%cal Rc7c5,Ga7a6,Gc7c6,Gf6e4]})) 11... Bb7 {[%cal
Rd2c1,Gd2f4]} 12. Ne5 {[%csl Ye5][%cal Yg2a8]} (12. Rc2 $5 {[%cal Yd2c1,Yc1b2]}
) 12... Na6 {[%cal Gc7c5]} (12... Nbd7 {[%cal Gd7f8,Gf8e6,Ye7d6,Ga7a6] is
another option in this old theoretical line.}) 13. Bf4 {[%csl Rc6,Rc7][%cal
Gc3b5,Ge5c6]} h6 {[%cal Rf4g5,Ge7f8] With this move, Black prepares ...Bf8.
His plan is to detablize the e5 knight with ...c5 and, potentially, ...g5.} (
13... c5 14. Nb5 {[%csl Gb5][%cal Ra6c7]} (14. e3 $5 h6 $5) 14... Ne4 $6 (14...
h6 {- see below}) 15. dxc5 $1 Bxc5 16. Nd3 Qd7 17. a4 d4 18. b4 (18. Nxc5 $142
bxc5 19. f3 Nf6 20. e4 $1 $16) 18... Nxb4 19. Nxb4 Bxb4 20. Rc7 Qd5 21. Qxd4
$14 {1/2 Fridman,D (2661)-Miroshnichenko,E (2690)/Eforie Nord 2009/ CBM 132
Extra (27)}) (13... c6 {needs checking:} 14. e4 Nc7 15. exd5 cxd5 16. a4 Ne6
17. Be3 Bb4 18. Qd3 a6 19. Bh3 h6 $11 {0-1 Schandorff,L (2497)-Hansen,S (2553)/
Koge 2005/CBM 105 ext (59)}) (13... Bf8 $6 14. Bg5 {[%csl Rd5][%cal Yg5d8]})
14. Nb5 {[%csl Ra7,Rc7][%cal Ge5c6] The most active among several alternatives.
} (14. Qd3 c5 $1 (14... Ba3 15. Rcd1 Bf8 16. h3 c5 17. g4 Nc7 18. Bg3 Qc8 19.
Rc1 Ne4 $132 {1/2 Petursson,M (2565) -Stefansson, H (2555)/ Iceland 1998/EXT
2000 (32)}) 15. Qf5 (15. Nb5 Nb4 16. Qd2 a6) 15... cxd4 16. Nb5 Bc5 17. Nf3
Rxe2 18. Nfxd4 Rxa2 19. Be5 Ne4 $17 {1/2 Hebden,M (2500) -Langeweg,K (2405)/
Benidorm 1992/TD (46)}) (14. Nd3 Bf8 15. Rc2 c6 16. Qa1 Nb4 17. Nxb4 Bxb4 18.
a3 Bf8 19. Rd1 Qd7 20. Qb2 Qf5 {1/2 Vescovi, G-Spraggett,K/ Buenos Aires 2005})
(14. g4 c5 15. e3 Nc7 16. Bg3 Ne6 17. dxc5 bxc5 18. h3 Bd6 19. Ne2 h5 $132 {
0-1 Roobol,M (2342)-Spoelman,W (2546) / Vlissingen 2009/CBM 131 Extra (35)}) (
14. h4 $5 {needs more tests as the games played so far are not too convincing:}
c5 (14... Ba3 $5 15. Rc2 c6) 15. dxc5 (15. Nb5 $5) 15... Nxc5 (15... Bxc5 16.
Nd3 Ba3 17. Rc2 Qd7 18. Ne5 Qe7 19. Nb5 Bc5 20. Nd3 Red8 21. Qb1 $14 {1/2
Jussupow,A (2645)-Chuchelov,V (2550)/ Ohrid 2001/CBM 084 (25)}) 16. Be3 Bd6 17.
Bxc5 bxc5 18. Nc4 Bc7 19. Rc2 Rb8 20. Rd2 d4 21. Bxb7 Rxb7 22. Na4 Ne4 $15 {
1/2 Radjabov,T (2729)-Gelfand,B (2733)/ Monte Carlo 2007/CBM 117 ext (46)})
14... Bf8 {[%csl Rd4,Re5,Rf4][%cal Gc7c5,Ye8e5,Gg7g5,Gc5d4] Kramnik is not
afraid of 15.Nc6 and he is right.} (14... c5 15. Nc4 (15. dxc5 $5 bxc5 16. Nc4)
(15. a3 $5 Bf8 16. Bh3 {can lead to the game position}) 15... Bc6 $1 16. Ncd6
Rf8 (16... Bxb5 17. Nxb5 Qd7 18. a4 Rac8 19. Qd2 Nb4 $11 {V.Ivanchuk}) 17. dxc5
bxc5 18. Nd4 (18. Qd2 Qd7 19. Qa5 {V.Ivanchuk} Nb8 $1 {[%cal Re7d8,Ra7a6]} 20.
e4 $1 a6 $1 21. Nc7 Bxd6 22. Bxd6 Qxd6 23. exd5 Ra7 $1 24. dxc6 Qxc7 25. Qxc5
a5 $1 $13) 18... cxd4 $1 19. Rxc6 Nb4 20. Nb7 Qe8 21. Rc7 Na6 22. Rc1 Qb5 23.
Nd6 Qd7 24. Qd3 $1 Bxd6 25. Qxa6 Bxf4 26. gxf4 Qg4 27. Qd3 $1 Qxf4 28. Rcd1
Rfe8 29. Rfe1 Rac8 30. Qxd4 Qxd4 31. Rxd4 Rc2 $11 {1/2 Aronian,L (2752)
-Ivanchuk,V (2729)/ Morelia/Linares 2006/CBM 112/[Avrukh,B] (35)}) 15. Bh3 $146
{[%cal Ge5c6,Rd8d7][%mdl 8] This move prepares 16.Nc6 by taking away the
d7-square from the queen, although the bishop seems a bit misplaced here.} (15.
Nc6 {can be safely met by} Qd7 {[%csl Rb5,Rc6]} 16. Nbxa7 $2 (16. Qc2 $142 Nb4
$1 17. Nxb4 Qxb5 18. Nd3 Ba3 19. Rcd1 Re7 $11) {doesn't work due to} 16... Rxa7
$1 17. Nxa7 Ra8 18. Qc2 c5 19. a3 Rxa7 20. Rfd1 Qe6 $17 {0-1 Onischuk,A (2670)
-Alekseev,E (2708)/Biel 2008/ CBM 126 (52)}) 15... c5 16. a3 {[%csl Ra6][%cal
Ra6b4,Gb3b4] Now both White's b5-knight and a3-pawn restrict Black's pieces on
the queenside.} Ne4 $132 {[%csl Yc5,Yd5,Ge4][%cal Rf2f3] [#] Black can be
satisfied with the outcome of the early middlegame since his pawn center is
solidly protected and his pieces sufficiently active.} (16... Nh5 $5) 17. Rc2
g6 {[%csl Re5][%cal Gf8g7]} (17... Nb8 $5 {[%csl Rb5][%cal Ga7a6]}) 18. Qc1 {
[%csl Rh6]} g5 {Black must weaken his position to lift the pressure. The play
becomes extremely complicated.} 19. Be3 Bg7 20. Nf3 $6 {Too passive.} (20. f4
f6 21. Nd3 c4 22. bxc4 dxc4 23. Rxc4 Nxg3 24. hxg3 Qd5 25. Kf2 Qxb5 $132) (20.
f3 $142 $1 Nd6 21. Nxd6 Qxd6 22. f4 {[%csl Rf7,Rg5]} f6 $140 23. Nd3 c4 24.
bxc4 dxc4 25. Rxc4 Qd5 26. Ne1 $1 Qh1+ 27. Kf2 Qxh2+ 28. Bg2 $14) 20... Qe7 {
[%cal Ga8d8] Kramnik had several good alternatives but he decided to simply
centralize his remaining pieces.} (20... Bc6 $1 21. Nc3 Bd7 $1 {K.Landa} 22.
Bxd7 Qxd7 23. Rd1 Rad8 $15) (20... Bc8 $5 {[%csl Rb7,Yc8][%cal Gb7c8]}) 21. Rd1
Rad8 (21... Bc6 $5 22. Nc3 Rad8) (21... Bc8 $5 22. Bxc8 Raxc8 23. dxc5 $140 $2
bxc5 24. Rxd5 $2 Qb7) 22. Nxa7 Nd6 {[%csl Ra7]} 23. a4 Nb4 {[%csl Yb4]} (23...
Ra8 $5 24. Nb5 Nxb5 25. axb5 Nb4 26. Rcd2 Ra5 $132) 24. dxc5 bxc5 25. Rxc5 Na2
26. Qc2 Nb4 27. Qc1 (27. Qb1 $5 Ba6 28. Nb5 Nxb5 29. Rxb5 (29. axb5 d4 $1)
29... Bxb5 30. axb5 Qb7 31. Nd4 Bxd4 32. Bxd4 Qxb5 33. e3 $44) 27... Nc4 $6 {
[%mdl 2048] A risky attempt to set a "fire on board" instead of repeating
moves:} (27... Na2) 28. bxc4 d4 {[%csl Ra7,Rc5][%cal Gb7h1,Ge8e1]} 29. Bxg5 $2
(29. Nxd4 Qxc5 30. Nf5 Rxd1+ 31. Qxd1 Qxc4 32. Qd7 Rb8 33. Ne7+ Kh8 34. Nac8 $1
Rxc8 35. Qxb7 $1 $16 {(K.Landa) Of course, it was very difficult for White to
find the right way under time pressure.}) 29... Qxc5 30. Bxd8 d3 $1 {[%csl Ra7,
Rd8,Rf3]} 31. Ne1 $2 (31. e4 $1 Qxa7 32. Qa3 Qc5 33. Rb1 Rxd8 34. Qxb4 Qxb4 35.
Rxb4 Bxe4 36. Bg2 {was the only way to put up any resistance, according to K.
Landa}) 31... Rxe2 32. Qf4 Rxf2 $1 0-1

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Model game 2: Fedoseev, Vladimir1"]
[Black "Prithu, Gupta"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2664"]
[BlackElo "2493"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic, Davorin"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,63,27,28,28,5,28,19,28,-4,38,-5,16,16,24,24,24,19,19,19,19,21,11,13,
18,4,35,24,24,22,17,18,22,24,9,0,58,35,29,-26,143,121,125,125,125,125,125,104,
104,108,108,101,126,126,121,125,192,225,218,246,246,236,287,285,373,413]} 1. d4
Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 d5 8. cxd5 exd5
9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O Re8 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. Bc1 $5 {[%cal Gc1b2] [#] This
apparently passive move has been tested quite extensively on the top level.
The bishop feels quite at home on the b2-square.} (12. Rc1 {-Model game 1})
12... Na6 {[%cal Gc7c5] In this game we examine Black's most active plan with .
..c5.} ({The alternative is a more positional} 12... Nbd7 {[%csl Ye5][%cal
Ge7d6] where Black doesn't plan to open the center with ...c5. It will be
discussed in Model games 3 and 4.}) 13. Bb2 c5 14. dxc5 bxc5 15. e3 $14 {
[%csl Yb2,Rc5,Rd5,Yg2] The double fianchetto is perhaps the most effective way
to play against the hanging pawn center. However, White needs to play actively
to utilize the long range power of his bishops. Otherwise, Black might
cosolidate with moves like ...Nc7-e6, Rb8, and get ready for the d4-break.} Nc7
{[%csl Gd5,Ge6][%cal Gc7e6,Yd5d4]} (15... Qd6 16. Nc4 $1 {[%csl Rb7]}) (15...
Bd6 16. Ng4 $1 $16 {[%csl Rd5]}) 16. Rc1 {[%csl Rc5][%cal Gc3a4] Reminding
Black that the c-pawn could also become a target.} Ne6 {[#]} 17. Rc2 $1 {
[%csl Rd5][%cal Gc2d2] A very instructive maneuver. Rooks are often placed
well on the second rank in this structure. Black needs to play accurately to
defend his pawn center dynamically.} Qd6 (17... Rb8 $1 {was stronger, preparing
} 18. Rd2 Qa5 $1 $132 {[%csl Ra2,Rd5][%cal Ga5a2] and now White doesn't win
the d5-pawn because the a2-pawn also falls.} 19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. Bxd5 Bxd5 21.
Rxd5 Qxa2 $11) 18. Ng4 {[%csl Rd5][%cal Gg4f6] Trying to undermine d5-pawn.} (
18. Nc4 $5 Qa6 19. Bxd5 Bxd5 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Qxd5 Qxa2 $14 {[%csl Gb2,Gc4]})
18... Rad8 19. Rd2 (19. Nb5 $5 {[%csl Rg8][%cal Gb2f6,Rg7f6]}) 19... Nc7 $2 {
[%csl Rc7] Black missed his last chance for counterplay. This is clearly too
passive.} ({The right reply was, once again} 19... Qa6 $1 {[%csl Ra2,Rd5][%cal
Ya6a2]} 20. Nxf6+ Bxf6 21. Bxd5 Bxc3 22. Bxc3 Bxd5 23. Rxd5 Qxa2 $11) 20. Nxf6+
Bxf6 21. Ne4 $1 {[%csl Rd6,Rf6] Unsurprisingly, tactics work out in White's
favor.} Rxe4 22. Bxf6 {[%csl Rd8,Re4][%cal Rd1d8]} Rde8 23. Bg5 $5 {[%csl Rc7]
[%cal Gg5f4]} Qg6 24. Bxe4 Qxe4 25. f3 $16 {[%cal Rb7h1] White shuts down the
long diagonal. With his king safe, Black has no compensation for the exchange.
Fedoseev converted his advantage in a convincing fashion.} Qf5 26. Bf4 Ne6 27.
b4 $1 {[%csl Ra7,Rc5,Re8][%cal Gd1a4]} g5 28. Qa4 Rd8 29. e4 Qf6 30. Qxa7 Qe7
31. bxc5 gxf4 32. c6 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Model game 3: Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M/Kuljasevic,D"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 d5 8. cxd5
exd5 9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O Re8 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. Bc1 Nbd7 {[%csl Ye5][%cal Yd7e5,
Ge7d6] This is a more restrained approach. Black focuses his forces on putting
pressure on the e5-knight and prefers the position to remain closed for the
time being.} 13. Bb2 Bd6 {[%csl Re5] [#] White has an important decision to
make now.} 14. Nd3 {[%csl Yd3][%cal Rc7c5] A modest continuation. It is mainly
aimed at the ...c5 since the knight is placed quite effectively on d3 in
positions with the hanging pawns.} (14. Nc4 {is harmless, e.g.} Bf8 15. Ne3 c6
16. Qc2 g6 17. Rad1 a5 18. Bh3 Ne4 19. Nxe4 Rxe4 20. Nc4 Ba6 21. Bg2 Re6 22.
Ne3 Qe7 $132 {1/2 (53) Kosten,A (2514)-El Gindy,E (2498) Cairo 2003}) (14. f4
$5 {will be covered in the next model game.}) 14... a5 {[%cal Gc7c6][%mdl 32]
Karjakin chose an interesting setup. This way, he limited White's options on
the queenside. Anyway, the key is to keep the position closed.} (14... c5 {
would allow White to demonstrate flexibility of his knights after} 15. Nb5 $1
Bf8 16. Rc1 {[%csl Rc5,Yd3]} Ne4 17. Nf4 $14 {[%csl Rd5]}) (14... a6 $5 {
[%csl Yc7][%cal Yf6e4] , preventing Nc3-b5, is more standard and quite good.}
15. Rc1 Ne4 16. e3 Qe7 $132 {[%csl Ye4,Rg3][%cal Gh7h5,Gh5h4]}) 15. Rc1 c6 {
[%csl Ya5,Yb6,Yc6,Yd5][%cal Gf6e4,Gb7a6,Ga8c8,Re2e4,Rb3b4] Black has a good
version of the Carlsbad structure since it is very difficult for White to open
the position with any of his typical pawn breaks. Black took the initiative
over the next several moves.} 16. Na4 (16. Re1 Ne4 {[%cal Re2e4]}) 16... Rc8
17. e3 Ba6 (17... h5 $1 {[%csl Rb2,Yb6][%cal Gh5h4] was possible, at once.})
18. Re1 {[%cal Gf2f3,Ge3e4] [#] White is getting ready to carry out f3-e4
break, but Black's counterplay arrives just in time:} h5 $1 {[%cal Gf6g4,Gh5h4]
} (18... Qe7 19. Ne5 $1 {[%csl Rb6]} Nxe5 20. dxe5 Bxe5 21. Bxe5 Qxe5 22. Nxb6
Rb8 23. Na4 $14 {[%csl Gc5] was what White hoped for}) (18... Ne4 19. f3 Ng5
20. e4 $13) 19. Bh3 (19. f3 h4 20. g4 Qc7 $17 {[%csl Rh2]}) 19... Ng4 (19... h4
$1 $40 {would be more pleasant for Black, just like in Kuljasevic-Bosiocic (in
Model game 1).}) 20. Nf4 $6 (20. f3 $1 {was quite possible; the resulting
complications are favourable for White:} Rxe3 $1 (20... Nxe3 21. Qd2 Bxd3 22.
Bxd7 $1 ({but not} 22. Qxd3 Qg5 $1 {[%cal Rd6g3]} 23. Kh1 $6 h4 $1 {[%cal
Rh4g3]} 24. f4 Qh6 25. Rxe3 Rxe3 26. Qxe3 hxg3) 22... Qxd7 23. Qxd3 Qe7 24. Rc3
b5 $8 25. Nc5 Bxc5 26. Rxc5 {[%cal Rb2c1] , and Black inevitably loses a piece.
}) (20... Bxd3 21. Qxd3 Ngf6 22. Re2 $16) 21. Rxe3 Nxe3 22. Qd2 Bxd3 23. Qxd3
Qg5 24. Kh1 $1 Rd8 (24... Bxg3 25. Rg1 Qf4 $1 26. hxg3 Qxf3+ 27. Rg2 {[%cal
Rd3e2]} Re8 $1 28. Qe2 Qe4 29. Bxd7 Re7 30. Bh3 Nxg2 31. Qxe4 Rxe4 32. Kxg2 b5
33. Nc3 Rxd4 34. Bc1 $16) 25. f4 $1 (25. Re1 Bxg3 26. Qxe3 Qh4) 25... Bxf4 26.
Re1 Ng4 $1 27. Bxg4 Qxg4 28. gxf4 Qxf4 29. Bc1 $16 {[%cal Ge1e8]}) 20... g6 (
20... Bxf4 21. exf4 f5 22. Qd2 $14) 21. Bxg4 hxg4 22. Qxg4 Nf6 {White has won
a pawn but Black has some compensation due to his bishop pair.} 23. Qg5 (23.
Qf3 $142 $14) 23... Be7 24. Nxg6 (24. Qh6 Bf8 25. Qh3 {looks illogical but
after the text move White has nothing better than a perpetual.}) 24... fxg6 25.
Qxg6+ Kh8 26. Nc5 ({White will finally have to settle for a draw after other
attempts, too, e.g.} 26. e4 Bb4 27. Re3 Bd2 28. Rf3 Rf8 29. Rc2 Nxe4 {etc.})
26... bxc5 27. dxc5 Rf8 {[%cal Rd8e8]} 28. Qh6+ (28. e4 $6 d4) 28... Kg8 29.
Qg6+ Kh8 30. Qh6+ Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Magas m"]
[Site "Magas"]
[Date "2016.07.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Model game 4: Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[Annotator "Gelfand,B/Kuljasevic,D"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2016.07.13"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 d5 6. Bg2 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Be7 8. cxd5
exd5 9. O-O O-O 10. Nc3 Re8 {This is the main tabiya of this system. I have
some expierence with both colours. Sergey Karjakin had used it with big
success in the latest Candidates tournament.} 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. Bc1 {This is a
side line system, but pretty playable.} Nbd7 13. Bb2 Bd6 (13... Bf8 {is an
alternative. It would transpose to a game from Botvinnik-Bronshtein WCh match!
For the curious readers I have included some more games in my annotations,
both modern and classical ones.} 14. f4 (14. Rc1 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Rxe5 16. Nb5 Re7
17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. e4 dxe4 19. Qg4+ Bg7 20. Rfd1 Qf8 21. Nd4 Bc8 22. Qh4 f5 23.
Nc6 Re8 24. Bh3 Bh6 25. Rc2 e3 {0-1 (39) Botvinnik,M-Bronstein,D Moscow 1951})
14... c5 15. e3 cxd4 16. exd4 Ne4 17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Qe2 Nf6 19. g4 a5 (19...
Nd5 20. Bxe4 f6 21. Qd3 g6 22. Bxg6 Re7 23. Nf7 Rxf7 24. Bxf7+ Kxf7 25. Qxh7+
Bg7 26. g5 Qd6 27. g6+ Kf8 28. Rae1 Nb4 $13 {0-1 (43) Evans,L (2545)-Larsen,B 
(2625) San Antonio 1972}) 20. g5 Ba6 21. Qe3 Bxf1 22. Rxf1 Nd7 23. Bxe4 Nxe5
24. fxe5 Rc8 25. Bd3 Re7 26. Qe4 $44 {1/2 (48) Anton Guijarro,D (2639)
-Harikrishna,P (2755) Caleta ENG 2016}) 14. f4 {[%csl Re4,Ye5][%cal Ge2e3] [#]
This is clearly a more ambitious move than Giri's 14.Nd3. This move does
weaken the e4-square irreparably, but on the pro side White keeps a strong
knight on e5.} c5 (14... Ne4 {led to an impressive victory of 6th World
Champion. However it can hardly be attributed to an opening success:} 15. Nxe4
dxe4 {[%csl Gb7,Ge4,Ye5]} 16. e3 Nf6 17. a3 c5 $6 {[%cal Gb2d4]} ({In fact,
Black position is probably for preference after} 17... a5 $1 18. Qc2 Qe7 $15 {
[%csl Rb2][%cal Rd4d5,Yb7d5]}) 18. Qe2 cxd4 19. Bxd4 {[%csl Yd4,Ye5]} Qe7 20.
b4 a5 $6 (20... Qe6) 21. b5 $14 {[%csl Rb6]} Bxe5 22. Bxe5 Nd7 23. Bd4 Nc5 24.
f5 $1 Nd7 $2 (24... f6 {[%csl Yd4][%cal Gg3g5,Gh2h4]}) 25. f6 Qe6 (25... Nxf6
26. Rxf6 gxf6 27. Qg4+ $18) 26. Qh5 Ne5 27. Rf5 Ng6 28. fxg7 Rad8 29. Qxh7+ $1
{1-0 (27) Botvinnik,M-Padevsky, N Monte Carlo 1968}) 15. e3 {Black has many
plans here and no doubt it would be tried in further games. My opponent went
for the most straightforward one.} cxd4 16. exd4 {[#]} Bb4 {[%cal Gb4c3,Gf6e4]
Inarkiev obviously plans to exchange on c3, followed by Ne4. This is a
reasonable idea although there was a better way to fight for the e4-square.} (
16... a6 $142 17. Qd3 b5 $132 {[%cal Gb5b4]}) 17. Rc1 Bxc3 18. Rxc3 {I decided
to take with a rook, as I was not impressed by the following line:} (18. Bxc3
Ne4 19. Qh5 Nxe5 20. fxe5 Qe7) 18... Ne4 {[%csl Ye4]} 19. Rc2 {I do believe
that has more point to have a rook here rather than on c1, as they can be
doubled. The rook can also join an attack on the second row.} Nf8 $2 {[%csl
Rf7] A grave mistake, which allows White to start a mating attack. Black had 2
options in his disposal:} (19... f6 {[%csl Ye5] was the most natural choice in
my opinion. Now White has many options: There is an interesting option, but it
is hard to to be sure without a computer help:} 20. Bxe4 ({Probably my
opponent has rejected it because of} 20. Nc6 Bxc6 21. Rxc6 f5 22. Qh5 (22. Qd3
Ndf6 $13) 22... g6 {and White has an option to take a draw:} (22... Nb8 23. Rd6
$1 {is a cute line} ({or} 23. Rc7 $1)) 23. Rxg6+ hxg6 24. Qxg6+) (20. Nd3 f5
21. Ne5 {is possible with a long game, where White's chances are slightly more
preferable.}) 20... dxe4 {leaves White with slightly better chances:} (20...
fxe5 21. Bxd5+ $1 (21. Bxh7+ Kxh7 22. fxe5 Kg8) 21... Bxd5 22. dxe5 Be4 (22...
Nc5 23. Rd2) 23. Rd2 Bc6 24. Rd6 Qc7 25. Qd4 {and it seems that Black are not
in time to double their pieces on long diagonal.} Rac8 26. Rc1 Nc5 27. b4 Ba8
28. bxc5 bxc5 29. Qa4 $1 Qb7 $140 30. Qb3+) 21. Nc4 e3 (21... Nf8 22. Ba3 (22.
Ne3 Ba6 23. Re1 Ne6 $13) 22... Qd7 23. Nd6 Re6 24. Nxb7 Qxb7 25. d5 $14) 22.
Nd6 Qe7 23. Nxe8 Qe4 24. Qf3 $14) (19... Ndf6 {[%cal Ge4d6,Gf6e4] was a
reasonable plan, with the idea to put knights on d6 and e4:} 20. Qd3 (20. g4
Nd6) 20... Nd6 21. Rfc1 Rc8 22. Rxc8 Bxc8 23. Ba3 {would lead to a complicated
game. Probably White is slightly better.}) 20. Qh5 {Suddenly it is not easy to
protect the f7-pawn.} g6 (20... Nd6 21. f5 f6 22. Nc6 {was probably the lesser
evil, but still White has a huge advantage}) (20... Re7 21. Ba3 Rc7 22. Rxc7
Qxc7 23. Rc1) (20... Qe7 21. Ba3) 21. Qh6 {[%csl Rg8][%cal Gg2e4,Gd4d5]
Suddenly White has a mating attack.} f6 ({In case of} 21... Nd6 22. g4 f6 {
I would have to find} 23. f5 $1 (23. Nc6 $2 {allows} Qd7 $1 24. Bxd5+ Nf7 {
and Black is doing fine}) 23... fxe5 24. f6 Qd7 25. dxe5 {with an easy win.
Taking into account that I found a similiar idea on move 23 I hope I would be
able to find it here as well.}) 22. Bxe4 fxe5 (22... dxe4 23. Ng4 {[%csl Rf6]
[%cal Gf4f5,Gd4d5] is also bad} Rc8 (23... e3 24. d5 $1) (23... Bd5 24. f5) 24.
Rxc8 (24. d5 Rxc2 25. Nxf6+ Kf7 26. f5 $1) 24... Bxc8 25. f5 $1 Bxf5 26. Rxf5
gxf5 27. Nxf6+ Kf7 {and now the most stylish is} 28. d5 $1) 23. f5 $1 {[%cal
Gf5f6,Gf6f7] The pawn joins the attack and Black is hopeless.} ({The computer
shows as the most convincing the following line:} 23. Bxg6 $1 hxg6 24. f5)
23... Re7 (23... dxe4 24. f6) 24. Bg2 {[%csl Yb2,Gc2,Gf1,Gg2,Yh6][%cal Gb2a3]}
e4 25. Ba3 Rf7 (25... Rg7 26. Bh3) 26. fxg6 (26. Rcf2 {was also winning.})
26... Rxf1+ 27. Bxf1 Nxg6 28. Rf2 ({The computer says it was also possible to
win by} 28. Bh3 Bc8 29. Rc6 $3 {, but I missed that move.}) 28... Qd7 ({
I considered} 28... Rc8 {to be the most stubborn:} 29. Bh3 Rc6 30. Bf5 Rf6 {
Still white is winning easily after for example} 31. h4) 29. Bh3 Qc6 30. Be7 $1
{A nice way to add the bishop to the attack. The f6-square is critical.} e3 (
30... Nxe7 31. Be6+) 31. Rf6 Qc1+ ({I was hoping for a nice mate:} 31... e2 32.
Be6+ Kh8 33. Rf8+ $1 Rxf8 34. Qxf8+ $1 Nxf8 35. Bf6#) 32. Rf1 Qc6 33. Bf6 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Model game 5: Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[Annotator "Kuljasevic, Davorin"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2017.08.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,61,27,27,27,5,5,5,28,20,41,0,11,11,14,14,24,24,24,24,28,25,27,27,27,
-14,21,-7,-2,25,55,43,40,24,22,-27,-24,-2,14,14,3,3,0,-92,-93,-196,-88,-73,-31,
32,79,107,117,103,126,197,203,630,29991,29992,29993,29994,29999,-30000]} 1. d4
Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Bg2 d5 9.
cxd5 exd5 10. O-O Re8 11. Ne5 Bb7 {In this game, we will examine} 12. Qc2 $5 {
[%cal Ga1d1,Gf1e1,Gd2f4,Ye2e4] [#] a move that prepares Rad1 with the e3-e4
break in mind. As usual, Black has two viable strategies:} c5 {[%csl Rd4]} ({
and the restrained} 12... Nbd7 $5 13. Rad1 {[%cal Yd2f4,Yf4g5,Yd2c1,Yc1b2]
However, White is more flexible with his bishop here compared to the previous
variations so Black cannot just easily play} Bd6 (13... h6 {[%cal Rd2g5] is
met by} 14. Nb5 $1 c5 15. Bf4 Nf8 16. dxc5 bxc5 17. Nc4 $14 {[%csl Rc5,Rd5]
and White has the typical pressure against the hanging pawns.}) {in the view of
} 14. Bg5 $1 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Rxe5 16. Nxd5 Rxg5 17. Nxf6+ Qxf6 18. Bxb7 $14 {
[%csl Yb7,Rd6][%cal Gf2f4,Ge2e4,Ge4e5] White has the better end of an
opposite-colored bishops middlegame.}) 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. Rad1 {[%csl Rd5][%cal
Gd2g5] The pressure against the d5-pawn becomes quite unpleasant. Navara found
a good way to relieve it:} Qc8 $1 {[%csl Gb7,Yc8][%cal Yc8b7,Yd1d8] A strong
multipurpose move. The queen moves away from the line of fire while also
protecting the vulnerable b7-bishop.} (14... Na6 {would be strongly met by} 15.
Nc4 $1 $36 {[%csl Rd5][%cal Gd2g5,Gc4e3] when} Qc8 {wouldn't work anymore due
to} 16. Na5 $18 {[%csl Ya5,Rb7,Rd5]}) 15. e4 $1 {[#] Aronian carries out the
thematic pawn break, sharpening the situation in the center.} Bf8 {[%csl Re5]
A good way to keep the tension.} (15... d4 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 $36 {[%csl
Gd5,Ge5]}) (15... dxe4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 $16) (15... Qe6 $5)
16. f4 {[%csl Ye5][%cal Gf1f4] The sharpest continuation.} (16. Bf4 $5 $13 {
was also possible.}) 16... d4 17. Nd5 Nxd5 ({Black could continue keeping
tension with} 17... Nbd7 $5 $13) 18. exd5 {[%csl Yd5,Ye5] [#] Both players
have played a model game in the g3-Queen's Indian so far. Here Navara makes a
seemingly logical decision:} f6 $6 {He surely spotted that after the opening
of the b1-h7 diagonal for the queen on the previous move, Aronian was getting
ready to sacrifice his knight on f7. What can be a more natural way to defend
against a dangerous threat than to expel that piece from the dominant central
position with a tempo?} ({However, since Black is lagging in development, it
was more urgent to play} 18... Nd7 $1 {Navara was probably concerned about the
pin:} 19. Bh3 (19. Nc6 {is just for show - the knight is unstable on c6 after}
Nf6 $15 {threatening ...Nxd5.}) {White seems to just win material here, but
things are not so simple after} 19... Re7 $1 {The thing with such moves (just
like 24... Rd7!! in Mamedyarov-Lenderman) is that they are inconspicuous -
they just don't seem like they could be the best move in the position. Yet,
this exchange sacrifice would have given Navara much better chances than the
materialistic continuation in the game. White should not accept the sacrifice
immediately, but rather continue} 20. Nc6 ({If} 20. Nxd7 $2 Rxd7 $17 21. Bxd7
Qxd7 $19 {White would get slaughtered on the light squares.}) {when, besides
retreating to e8, Black can try to obtain initiative himself with a stunning
rook sacrifice:} 20... Re6 $3 {[#] The whole idea is to clear out the the
h1-a8 diagonal, which was weakened after 19.Bh3. But it can be done only with
a non-materialistic approach! After} 21. Bxe6 ({Black would obtain a strong
attack in case of} 21. dxe6 $6 Qxc6 22. exf7+ Kh8 23. Kf2 Nf6 $40) 21... fxe6
$13 {the position is very complicated, but Black has good compensation,
considering White's weakness on the light squares.}) ({The other way to
develop the knight} 18... Na6 $2 {would not work because of} 19. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7
20. Qxh7 $40 {and Black is missing his knight in defense. White's attack
becomes decisive quickly, for example:} Nc7 21. f5 Nxd5 22. Bxd5+ Bxd5 23. f6
$18) {I would imagine that in a rapid game most people would instinctively
retreat their knight to c4 or d3 here. Aronian, on the other hand, sensed that
the last black move seriously weakened his king's position and, realizing that
Black is not sufficiently developed, he started the attack with:} 19. Rde1 $3 {
[#] A brilliant intuitive piece sacrifice, which is even more impressive for a
rapid game.} fxe5 {Navara takes material,} ({although} 19... Nd7 $5 {was also
an option. White can ignore this and continue the attack with:} 20. Be4 $1 ({
or just play for positional advantage with} 20. Nc6 $16 {since Black can not
move his knight to f6 any more.}) 20... fxe5 21. Bxh7+ Kh8 22. fxe5 $40 {
and, similarly to the game, White would have a strong attack for the
sacrificed piece. Black would probably have to give up some material back:}
Bxd5 23. Qg6 Rxe5 24. Rxe5 Nxe5 25. Qh5 Qg4 26. Qxe5 Kxh7 27. Qxd5 Re8 $16 {
with a worse, but playable position.}) 20. fxe5 Nd7 {This was surely also the
first move of Aronian's calculation when he entered this variation.} ({However,
Black had another possibility:} 20... d3 $5 21. Qxd3 Ba6 22. Qf3 Bxf1 23. Rxf1
{[#] We can see from this position that 19.Rde1!! was largely an intuitive
sacrifice. It was impossible to calculate all details of the combination until
the end, but Aronian's intuition told him that even in this position where he
is down a rook, his strong central pawns supported by other pieces, just have
to prevail against more numerous, but severely underdeveloped black army. For
instance:} c4 $5 24. d6 Nd7 25. e6 $1 $40 {and White crashes through.}) 21. e6
Nf6 22. Rxf6 $1 {[#] This exchange sacrifice and the next move were surely
foreseen by Aronian on move 19. If White did not have these moves, his piece
sacrifice would have been refuted.} gxf6 23. Qf5 $1 $40 {This was the point of
Aronian's combination. He sacrificed a lot of material to gain attacking
momentum and now he is ready to send all of his pieces on black king. The
critical squares are h7 and f6. Black has such poor development and piece
coordination that his extra rook is practically meaningless in defense.
Importantly, White's central pawns serve as a barrier between white and black
pieces, allowing Aronian to develop his attack undisturbed.} Qd8 $2 {Navara
covers the f6-weakness, but this move loses quite easily.} ({Better defenses
were either} 23... Qc7 24. Re4 Rad8 25. Rg4+ Kh8 26. Rh4 Rxd5 27. Bxd5 Bxd5 28.
Qxd5 Qe7 29. Qf5 $16) ({or} 23... Re7 24. d6 Bxg2 25. dxe7 Bxe7 26. Kxg2 $16 {
in both cases giving back the extra rook to fend off a direct attack on the
king. The arising type of position with the strong e6-pawn should be winning
for White, but Black can still put up some resistance.}) 24. Re4 {Aronian
engages the heavy artillery first.} Re7 25. Rg4+ Kh8 (25... Rg7 {leads to a
forced checkmate on h7 after} 26. Be4 $18) 26. Be4 {Now the light-squared
bishop joins the attack, too, and Black is busted.} Rc8 27. Rh4 Kg8 ({Navara
probably realized that he can not defend the h7-pawn with} 27... Rcc7 {due to}
28. Qxf6+ Kg8 29. Rg4+ Bg7 30. Rxg7+ $1 {and the queen on d8 is not protected.}
Rxg7 31. Qxd8#) 28. Rxh7 Bxd5 29. Qg6+ Rg7 30. Qh5 $1 {[#] The final touch and
Black king is in the mating net.} Bxe4 31. Rh8# 1-0

