Round 1.

Game 1 27 May 2007 Carlsen Aronian Ruy Lopez Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov
1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Eb5 a6 4.Ea4 Cf6 5.00 Ee7 6.d3 Magnus deviates from the main line, possibly delaying his Marshall test until the later games. 6...b5 7.Eb3 d6 8.a4 Gb8 A logical move Black is not rushing to determine position of the c8 bishop, planning to develop it to e6 later. 9.axb5 axb5 10.Cc3 10.c3 seems like a good alternative, limiting the c6 knight and preparing d3 d4, after which White could expect a small edge. 10...00 11.h3 White tried 11.Ce2 and 11.Cd5, but without success. 11...Cb4!? The 5 square is not available for the knight, but Black finds the way to move the c pawn. This knight maneuver is a novelty. In the games played about 100 years ago, Black preferred an immediate 11...E6, and after that the line fell out of fashion completely. 12.Ce2 c5 13.Cg3 Ee6 A typical maneuver that neutralizes Whites strong light squared bishop. Sometimes Black is ready to spend two tempi on it (when the bishop is first developed to b7). 14.Exe6 fxe6 15.c3 Cc6 16.Ge1 Id7 20.Exf6!? Exf6 21.e5 was probably objectively stronger, with good chances to equalize, for instance, 21...dxe5 (or 21...Ed8!? 22.exd6 Ixd6 23.Ce4 Id5 24.Cc3) 22.dxe5 Ixd1 23.Gaxd1 Ee7 24.Gd7 etc. 20...exd5 21.Exf6 Exf6 22.Ixd5+ Gf7! Apparently, White underestimated this resource, planning on 22...Kh8?! 23.e5! Now the b2 pawn hangs, and the pin of the rook does not trouble Black at all. 23.Id2 The Whites position is unpleasant. It would be much better if he traded out the Blacks strong bishop by Ch5! 23...Ce5! Right on time! 24.Cxe5 Exe5 25.Ce2 One has to turn to defense. Attempts of active play could only sharpen the position without solving any of Whites problems. For instance, 25.Cf5? d5!, and Blacks trumps outweigh: 26.f4 Ec7 27.g4!? Eb6+ 28.Kh1 d4 or simply 28...dxe4 with a big advantage. By the way, unattractive 25.Gad1 is not the worst idea the knight would have a chance to get to f5 at some point. 25...Gbf8 26.Gf1 In case of 26.f3? a rook sacrifice decides: 26...Gxf3! 27.gxf3 Ixh3 with winning attack. For example, 28.Ga3 (or 28.f4 Ig4+ 29.Kh1 If3+ 30.Kg1 Gf6! 31.f5 Ixe4, and White is helpless) 28...c3!!, cutting the Whites extra rook off the kingside: 29.Gxc3 Exc3 30.bxc3 Ixf3! 31.Cd4 Ig3+ 32.Kh1 Gf2 etc. 26...Gf3!!

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Black solved the opening problems, if there were any to begin with. All his pieces are well developed and ready for action, and the doubled pawns increase control of the center and give Black the f file. 17.d4 Perhaps White should have delayed this advance in favor of something like 17.Ee3 or 17.Eg5. 17...exd4 18.cxd4 c4! This reply probably already gives Black better chances, because his queenside pawns are strong. White cannot benefit from his pawn center, because his pieces are not very active. Of course, not 18...cxd4? 19.Cxd4, and Blacks central pawns can become vulnerable. 19.Eg5 h6 20.d5?! A tempting, but very responsible decision. White plays his trumps, but it gives Black a strong bishop in addition to powerful queenside pawns.

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Nevertheless!! This brilliant resource is both attacking and defensive, as White threatened to drive the bishop away from its stronghold on e5. 27.Ga3? The previous move caught Carlsen completely unprepared, and the Norwegian failed to keep cool. 27.gxf3 also loses: 27...Gxf3 28.Id5+ (28.Cg3 Ixh3 or 28.Cf4 Exf4 29.Id5+ Kh7 30.If5+ Ixf5 31.exf5 Ee5 is hopeless for White) 28...Kh7 29.Ga8 Ixh3!, and the Blacks king runs away from the checks: 30.Ig8+ Kg6 31.Ie8+ Kg5 32.Ie7+ Kh5! (but not 32...Ef6?? 33.Ixd6) 33.Ie8+ g6 etc. White must play 27.Id5+! Kh7 28.Gad1 with the idea Ixe5. Black can reply by

28...Ic8!, but White creates counterchances: 29.Ixb5!? (or 29.Cd4 Gxh3 30.Cf5 (weaker is 30.Ce6? Eh2+ 31.Kh1 Gh4 32.Cxf8+ Ixf8) 30...Gb3 31.f4 Exb2 32.Cxd6) 29...Gb3 (29...Gxh3!? 30.f4!) 30.Id5 Gxb2 Blacks advantage is undisputable, but White retains good drawing chances. 27...Gxa3 28.bxa3 Ic6

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Now Black has a strong passed c pawn, and White lacks counterplay. The rest is a matter of technique. 29.Cd4 Exd4 30.Ixd4 Ga8 31.Ga1 c3 32.Ib4 Ic5 33.Ib3+ Kh8 34.Ga2 Ga4! 35.Ge2 Gxa3 36.Id1 Ga8 White resigns.

counterplay in that case, too), and here Gurevich tested 11...Ie7 (safer is 11...00) 12.c3 (12.c4!?) 12...Ed7 (12...00!? again looked okay) 13.Ib3 000 14.Gae1 c6, and won after a long struggle (Acs Gurevich, St. Vincent 2002). White also played 9.Id2, preparing a long castling, but Mikhail played some games on this subject as well. 9...c5 10.Eb5+ White tried different approaches, but never could create any real problems for the opponent. Even such a theorist as Ivanchuk failed to obtain an advantage after 10.dxc5 Exc5 11.Ed3 00 12.Ie2 Ic7 13.000 Cf4 14.Exf4 Ixf4+ 15.Kb1 b6 16.g3 Ic7 17.Ee4 Eb7 18.Exb7 Ixb7 19.Ce5 Gad8, and Black equalized in Ivanchuk Drozdovskij, Odessa 2006. The text move looks interesting White gains time to develop the initiative. 10...Ed7 11.Exd7+ Ixd7 12.c4 Cb6 13.Gc1 Ee7 Black also played 13...Gc8, but Gurevich prefers to prepare short castling. 14.dxc5 Exc5 15.b4 Ee7 16.c5 Cd5 17.Ce5 Ic7 18.Ia4+ Kf8

Leko Gurevich French Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Cc3 Cf6 4.Eg5 dxe4 This line of the French has become quite a troublesome for White, as he cannot find any advantage. Maybe Nimzovich and Sveshnikov are right about 3.e5!? 5.Cxe4 Cbd7 6.Cf3 h6 7.Cxf6+ Cxf6 8.Ee3 Another option is 8.Eh4, but 8...c5 gives Black a decent game. 8...Cd5

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Series of energetic moves allowed White to deprive the opponent of the right to castle. The Blacks position looks dangerous. However, Mikhail encountered such situations many times in the Meran a strong knight on d5 helps Black to keep control of the position and gain time to complete development. 19.Cc4 h5! In Iordachescu Meier (Dresden 2007) Black preferred 19...g6 20.00 Kg7 21.Ib3 Ghd8 22.Gfe1 Gac8 and eventually won the game, although Whites queenside majority offers him better chances. Apparently, Blacks rooks on the back rank seemed too passive for Gurevich, and he found an excellent way to direct one of them in a different way! 20.00 In case of 20.h4 Black continues 20...g6 followed by Kg7, while the pawn on h4 makes it more difficult for White to develop. 20.Ia5 also gives nothing: 20...Ixa5 (or 20...b6!? 21.Cxb6!? Cxb6 22.cxb6 Ixb6 23.Ixb6 axb6 24.Gc6 Ed8) 21.Cxa5 b6, and a strong knight on d5 saves Black from trouble. 20...h4 21.h3 Gh5 22.Gfe1 An attempt to trade the strong knight by 22.Ce3 is always met by 22...Cf4. 22...a6 23.Ib3 Gd8 24.a3 Kg8 25.Gc2 Gf5 26.Ec1

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9.Ed2 Leko decides to keep the bishop. In case of 9.Ed3 Black takes on e3: 9...Cxe3 10.fxe3 Ed6 11.0 0 (Black holds the ending after 11.e4 e5! 12.dxe5 Ec5 13.Eb5+ c6 14.Ixd8+ Kxd8 15.Ec4 Ke7, Leko Ivanchuk, Monaco 2007. White also tried long castling after 11.Id2 or 11.Ie2, but Black has enough

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White cannot find a plan to make use of his queenside majority, therefore one can conclude that Black equalized the game. 26...Cf4 27.Exf4 Gxf4 28.Ce5 Gfd4 29.Gc4 G4d5 30.Cf3 Gd3 31.Gc3 G3d5 A draw agreed neither side can improve his position.

20.Gxc5 Cxc5 21.h5 Eh7 22.Gc1 Cd7 23.Cd2, and Black did not manage to bring his light squared bishop back into the game without queenside losses. As well see, Rublevsky plans a different role for his a pawn. 14.Ea2 Interesting is 14.Eb5!? a6 15.Exd7+ Kxd7 16.Ke2 Gg8 17.Ghd1 Ke8 18.Eb6 with some pressure, which does not seem too promising, though. 14...a5!?

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A completely new idea! Black is not worried about the knight arriving on b5, preferring to establish a firm control of the b4 square and block the activity of Whites queenside pawns. 15.h4 h5 A small clarification on another wing Sergey does not yield anywhere! 16.Gc1 Gg8 17.Ke2 Ec5 18.Cb5 Ke7 19.Ec3 b6 20.Ghd1 f6 21.Gd2 Ggd8 Black gradually brings his pieces into the game, while White has no chance to initiate anything active, because it is very difficult to find a decent breakthrough. 22.Gcd1 Cf8 23.Ca7 Gxd2+ 24.Exd2 The bishop had no business on c3 one should try to break the fortress on the queenside. 24...Gc7 25.Cb5 Gc8 26.Ef4 Ee8 A safe approach. Also possible is 26...e5 27.Ee3 Exe3 28.Kxe3 Gc2. Black was worried about 29.Cc3 Gxb2 30.Cd5+ , but detailed analysis shows that he can hold: 30...Ke8 (or even 30...Kd6 31.Cxf6+ (31.Ec4 f5!) 31...Kc5 32.Gc1+ Kd6 with a move repetition) 31.Cc7+ (31.Ec4?! Ce6 32.Eb5+ Kf8) 31...Ke7 32.Cd5+ (32.Ec4?! Ef7) 32...Ke8 with a draw. Being under time pressure, Sergey was understandably reluctant to make his king a target. The text move solves all the problems. 27.Cd6 Gd8 28.Cxe8

Ponomariov Rublevsky Slav Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.Cc3 dxc4 5.a4 Ef5 6.Ce5 e6 7.f3 c5!?

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This move became popular after the Kramnik Topalov match, Elista 2006. I should remind that Sergey Rublevsky was among the Kramniks helpers during the match. 8.e4 Eg6 9.Ee3 cxd4 10.Ixd4 Ixd4 11.Exd4 Cfd7 12.Cxd7 Cxd7 13.Exc4 White obtained a certain advantage: his pieces are more active, while the Blacks bishop is locked on g6. However, it is hard to gain anything serious, as the Blacks position is very solid. 13...Gc8 After a more common 13...a6 Black usually holds the position. For instance, in the 6th game of the Topalov Kramnik match Black neutralized the opponents initiative after 14.Ke2 Gg8 15.Ghd1 Gc8 16.b3 Ec5 17.a5 Ke7. However, in the recent match Aronian Kramnik (Yerevan 2007) Levon created problems for the opponent by 14.h4 Gc8 15.Ea2 h6 16.Gc1 Gg8 17.Ke2 Ec5 18.Exc5 Gxc5 19.Cb1 Ke7

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28...Gxe8! This is more accurate than 28...Gxd1 29.Kxd1 Kxe8 30.g4 with good chances to remove the h4 pawn from the dark square, although it is unlikely to provide any real winning chances the position remains too closed for bishops. 29.Ed2 Cg6 30.Gc1 Threatening to take on a5 at some point. 30...Gd8! The most accurate. Taking the pawn is unnecessary: 30...Cxh4?! 31.Gh1 Cg6 (31...Cxg2?? 32.Gh2) 32.Gxh5 etc. 31.g3 After 31.Exa5? Cf4+ 32.Kf1 Cd3! White risked losing: 33.Gxc5 Cxc5 34.Exb6 Gc8 35.a5 Cd3 etc. 31...Ce5 Black has solved all the problems. 32.Ec3 32.Exa5 achieves nothing in view of 32...Cd3. 32...Cc6 The knight goes to d4 a draw is imminent. 33.Ec4 Cd4+ 34.Exd4 Gxd4 35.b3 g6

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A new move that poses serious problems White increases control of the key c5 square. In Novikov Nosenko (Simferopol 1991) White played 14.a3, and now 14...b4!? 15.axb4 Exb4 followed by ...c6 c5 when appropriate deserved attention. 14...Ia5 15.a3 Threatening b2 b4, after which taking on 3 is impossible due to the queen getting trapped. Blacks reply is forced. 15...b4 16.axb4 Exb4 In case of 16...Ixb4 17.Ce1! Black is practically forced to sacrifice a pawn: 17...c5!? 18.Cxc5 Cxc5 19.dxc5 Gfc8 20.Cd3 Ib5, but the compensation may be insufficient. 17.Ga1!? An interesting rearrangement! After 17.Cfd2!? Black can play 17...c5!? 18.Cb3 Exe4 19.Ixe4 Ib6. White stand more actively, but Black has no obvious weaknesses. 17...Ib6 18.Gfc1 Gfd8 In the event of 18...Gfc8 White has 19.Cfd2! Exd2 20.Cxd2 c5 21.Cc4 Id8 (21...Ic7? 22.Ca5) 22.Cd6, winning an exchange. 19.Ce1! White gradually brings his pieces in the right direction. 19...e5 Black tries to undermine Whites pawn chain from another side, but it brings no relief. 20.Cd3! exd4 21.Cxb4 Ixb4 22.Ga4 Ib6 23.exd4! Weaker is 23.Gxd4?! c5!, because the 5 pawn is untouchable: 24.Cxc5?? Cxc5 25.Gxd8+ Ixd8 26.Ixc5 Gc8, and wins. 23...Cf8 24.Ic3

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Here the players agreed to a draw.

Gelfand Kasimdzhanov Slav Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.Cc3 e6 5.Eg5 h6 6.Exf6 The Anti Moscow Gambit (6.Eh4), which leads to extremely sharp game, is more popular recently, however, Gelfand selects a calmer continuation. 6...Ixf6 7.e3 Cd7 8.Ic2 Id8 Kasimdzhanov goes for rather passive setup. An alternative plan is linked with 8...g6 and Eg7. 9.Ed3 Ee7 10.00 00 11.Gac1 dxc4 12.Exc4 b5 13.Ee2 Eb7 A typical position of the variation. Black can solve his problems if he advances the c pawn, getting rid of a backward pawn and unlocking the light squared bishop. Otherwise White retains a lasting advantage. 14.Ce4!?

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Whites strategy proved right he controls the c5 square and exerts pressure on the backward c pawn. He has a clear advantage.

24...Ec8 25.Cc5 Gb8 26.b3 Ic7 Black could try to trade the strong knight by 26...Ce6!? 27.Ec4 Cxc5 28.dxc5 Ic7, but this position is also hard to defend. 27.Ig3?! White exchanges an influential defender, but eases the Blacks task. More natural is 27.Ec4, retaining the advantage. 27...Ixg3 28.hxg3 Ce6! 29.Ec4 Cxd4 30.Gxa7 Ee6 31.Cxe6 fxe6 32.Ge1 Kh8 33.Ge3 c5 34.g4 Black has achieved a lot, but White still has an edge. The rook ending is drawn, but how can one play for a win without taking on e6? 34...Gd6 35.g5! This is the only way! 35...hxg5 36.Gg3 Gdb6 37.Gxg5 G6b7 38.Gxb7 Gxb7 39.Gxc5 Cxb3?! More accurate is 39...Kh7 40.Ge5 Kg6 with some drawing chances, although White can try to convert an extra pawn. 40.Gh5+ Kg8 41.Exe6+ Kf8 42.Ed5 Gb6 43.Gf5+ Ke8 44.Gf7 Cd4!? 45.Gxg7? Going right into the trap! After 45.Gc7 White still had winning chances. 45...Ce2+

7.b4 Eg4!? More common is 7...a5 8.bxa5 Ixa5 9.Ed2 b4 followed by Ce4 with a roughly equal game.

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8.h3?! Too slow. More active is 8.a4!? Cbd7 9.Eb2 (Kozul Kuljasevic, Warsaw 2005) or 9.Ib3 (Lalic Gupta, Port Erin 2005) with a complex struggle. Now Black equalizes without difficulties. 8...Exf3 9.gxf3 a5 10.bxa5 Eg7 11.f4 Ixa5 12.Ed2 b4 13.Ce2 Ce4 14.Eg2 Cxd2 15.Ixd2 Cd7 In the near future the a and b pawns will be traded with complete equality. 16.00 00 17.Gab1 Ixa2 18.Gb2 Ia6 19.Gxb4 Gfb8 20.Gfb1 Gxb4 21.Gxb4 h6 22.Ef3 Gb8 23.Cc1 Gxb4 24.Ixb4 e6 25.Ib1 g5 26.fxg5 hxg5 27.Cd3 Ef6 28.Ee2 Ia7 Game drawn.

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46.Kf1 46.Kh2?? Gh6, checkmate! 46...Cc3 Threatening the mate from another side! 47.Gb7 A draw is agreed Black can simply take the d5 knight.

Grischuk Malakhov Sicilian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 c5 2.Cf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Cxd4 Cf6 5.Cc3 Cc6 In the Sicilian, Malakhov shares his love between the Dragon and the Rauzer. In todays game he selected the latter variation. 6.Eg5 Ed7 Normally Vladimir plays 6...e6, but he failed to solve opening problems in recent games against Yakovich and Inarkiev, played in the Russian Club Championship in Dagomys. Malakhovs second Alexey Dreev often employs 6...Ed7. 7.Id2 Cxd4 7...Gc8 is common, which leads to exceptionally sharp position after 8.f4 Cxd4 9.Ixd4 Ia5 10.e5 dxe5 11.fxe5 e6 12.000 Ec6 13.Cb5 Exb5 14.exf6. 8.Ixd4 h6 9.Exf6 gxf6 According to Botvinnik, disadvantages of the pawn structure in such positions are compensated by the bishop pair and control of the central squares. However, recently White started to get an edge, utilizing his development lead and precarious location of the Blacks king. 10.Eb5! Depriving Black of the two bishop advantage. 10...Ec6 Trying to improve the pawn structure. Weaker is 10...Exb5 11.Cxb5 Ia5+ 12.Cc3 with an advantage to White (Luther Schlichtmann, Crans Montana 1999).

Kamsky Bacrot Slav Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.Cc3 a6 The Chebanenko Variation of the Slav Defense is one of the safest openings for Black at present time. 5.e3 b5 6.c5 White gains space, planning to carry out a2 a4 and seize the a file. 6...g6 A popular move. 6...Eg4 is weaker because of 7.Ib3! followed by 4. In Hillarp Persson Arlandi (Calvia (ol) 2004) White carried out a typical plan for this variation: 7...Cbd7 8.a4 Exf3 9.gxf3 e5 10.Ia3 Gc8 11.axb5 axb5 12.Eh3 exd4 13.exd4 Ee7 14.Ia5! 00 15.Ixd8 Gfxd8 16.Ga6 with a clear advantage. 6...Cbd7 7.b4!? a5! also offers decent equalizing chances.

11.00 Eg7 The f6 f5 advance is in Blacks plans, so he develops the bishop on the a1 h8 diagonal.

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12.Gad1! Planning a rook lift in case Black castles short. 12...Kf8?! Black keeps the rook on h8 to defend the king, however, it gives White a stable advantage. Black cannot obtain any counterplay, and it is impossible for him to connect rooks and coordinate pieces. Perhaps Vladimir should have developed his queen to b6 or a5 instead. 13.Id3 Ia5 14.Exc6 bxc6 15.Ce2! The Whites knight goes to f5, so Blacks reply is practically forced. 15...f5 16.exf5 Ixa2 17.b3 White has a clear advantage, and soon he will start attacking the king. 17...Ia5 18.If3 Gc8 19.Cg3 Ee5 20.c4 From now on White is able to meet Blacks Ic3 by Gd3. 20...Exg3 Black trades the last minor piece, but it does not bring him any relief, because he is unable to coordinate his major pieces. Bad king becomes a decisive factor. 21.fxg3! Planning 22.f6. 21...Ie5 22.f6 exf6

27...c5 28.Ic3 Ig7 29.Id2 Gd8 30.Ia5 Gd7 31.Ib5 Gd8 32.Ia5 Gd7 33.Ia4 Gd8 34.Ixa7 Ih8 35.Ge1 Kg7 36.Ic7 If8 37.Ge7 Ga8 38.Ixd6 Ga7 39.Gfe4 Gb7 40.Ge3 Gxe7 41.Gxe7 Gg6 42.Ixc5 Black resigns.

Polgar Bareev Caro Kann Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 c6 Previously Evgeny preferred the French Defense, but recently turned to a safer Caro Kann. 2.d4 d5 3.Cc3 dxe4 4.Cxe4 Ef5 5.Cg3 Eg6 6.h4 h6 7.Cf3 Cd7 8.h5 Eh7 9.Ed3 Exd3 10.Ixd3 e6 11.Ef4 Ia5+ 12.Ed2 Ic7 13.000 000 14.Ce4 Cgf6 15.g3 Cxe4 16.Ixe4 Cf6 17.Ie2 A well known position that occurred in practice many times. 17...Gd5!? A fresh idea Black simply attacks a pawn! Usual 17...Ed6 18.c4 c5 19.Ec3 leads to a slightly inferior game for Black. It looks like Evgeny decided to check whether Judit is ready for such a turnaround. Of course, it was all prepared at home... 18.Ce5 A principled continuation White activates the knight, but sacrifices a central pawn. However, the fact that Judit spent more than half an hour on this move, suggests that the opponents move surprised her. In any event, it was difficult to create real problems for Black. The tournament practice saw 18.c4 Gxh5 19.Gxh5 Cxh5 20.Ie5 Ixe5 21.Cxe5 (or 21.dxe5 g6) 21...f5, and Black holds, or 18.Ef4 Ed6 19.Exd6 Gxd6 20.Ce5 Ghd8 with an acceptable game. 18...Gxd4 19.Ef4 Ge4! Correct! 19...Gxd1+? loses to 20.Gxd1, as Black cannot defend against the knight jumps to g6 or c4. 20.Id3 Ec5 21.Cg6 Gxf4 22.Cxf4 Ia5!?

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23.Gde1! Of course, not 23.Ixf6? Ixf6 24.Gxf6 d5 with saving chances. White plays against the king. 23...Ig5 24.h4 Ig6 25.Ge4! Brining the rook to the f file. 25...h5 26.Gf4 Gh6 27.Kh2 Black is stalemated. Grischuk is in time trouble, and therefore plays with extra care. The White;s queen will soon get to the queenside and start collecting the harvest. The rest is relatively easy technical job.

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An interesting novelty that was also prepared at home, judging by the speed of play. In Jakovenko Zelcic (Saint Vincent 2005) Black continued 22...Exf2 23.Ghf1 Ec5 24.If3 Ed6 with a good game, although later he had problems with active possibilities.

23.f3?! A dubious decision. Safer is 23.Kb1 Exf2 24.Ghf1 Eb6 25.Ie2, but here after 25...Ig5 White has to struggle for equality. 23...Ixa2 24.c3 Eb6 25.Kc2 Ia5 Blacks advantage becomes clear. After the queen comes to g5, White will have problems defending her kingside pawns, while Black has already snatched a pawn on the queenside! 26.Kb1 Ig5 27.Ce2 White loses one of the pawns in any case. 27...Gd8 28.Ic2 Gxd1+ 29.Gxd1 Ixh5 30.g4 Ic5 31.Id3 Id5 In principle, when playing against an extra exchange, one should keep the major pieces on board, but in this particular case it was difficult to achieve without making concessions: 31...Ie7 32.Cg3 followed by Cg3 e4, or 31...Ec7 32.Cg3. Possibly Black should keep the knight by 32...Cd5!? 32.Kc2 32.Ixd5?! cxd5 strengthens Blacks central pawns. 32...Ixd3+?! One should have abstained from this exchange. The choice is 32...h5!? 33.gxh5 Ixh5, 32...Ec7!?, or 32...a5!?, although in any case it is hard to break Whites defense. 33.Kxd3 h5 33...a5!? deserved attention again, gaining space on the queenside. 34.gxh5 Cxh5 35.b4! a6 36.c4 Ec7 37.Gh1 g6 38.c5

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-tR0 9+-+-+p+-0 9-vlpmkpsnp+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-sNK+P+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy
46...Ea5?! The knight had to be kept. A bishop has an unfortunate disadvantage it cannot control half of the squares. 46...Cd5!? is more promising. Black needs the knight to obtain connected passed pawns, because the king cannot go far from weak pawns. 47.Ce4+ Cxe4 48.Kxe4 Eb4 Maybe Black should move the pawns starting with 48...g5, but there is no winning plan to be seen the rook will attack the pawns and prevent them from advancing further. 49.Gb8 Ea3 50.Gd8+ Ke7 51.Ga8 The bishop feels lonely playing against the rook. 51...Ec5 52.Gb8 f6 Nothing is achieved by 52...e5 53.Gb7+ Ke6 54.Gc7, and Black cannot keep all the pawns: 54...f5+ 55.Kd3 Kd5 56.Gg7. 53.Gb7+ Kd8 54.f4

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+k+-+-+0 9+pvl-+p+-0 9p+p+p+p+0 9+-zP-+-+n0 9-zP-+-+-+0 9+-+K+P+-0 9-+-+N+-+0 9+-+-+-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
The Blacks task has become significantly harder. It is quite possible that the position is already objectively drawn a rook is very strong in such positions. One should push pawns, but what pawns? Moving the kingside pawns can make the b7 pawn vulnerable. Creating a single passed pawn on the queenside should not be dangerous for White. 38...a5 Although Black is generally reluctant to trade the b4 pawn, Evgeny could be worried about his queenside majority being counterfeited after, for example, 38...Kd7 39.Cd4 Cf4+ 40.Kc4 g5 41.Gh7 Ke7 42.Cb3 followed by C5. 39.bxa5 Exa5 40.Ga1 Ec7 41.Kc4 Cf6 42.Gh1 b6 43.cxb6 Exb6 44.Cc3 Kd7 45.Gh8 Despite three extra pawns, it is very difficult for Black to create really strong passers. It would be great to get a connected pair, but this can only be achieved by 5 e4 or g5 g4 followed by recapturing with a king or a knight. I think the rook can prevent it. 45...Kd6 46.Kd3

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-mk-+-+0 9+R+-+-+-0 9-+p+pzpp+0 9+-vl-+-+-0 9-+-+KzP-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy
Now a draw is near Black did not manage to improve his position. 54...Ee7 55.Ga7 Ke8 56.Gc7 c5 57.Gb7 Kf8 58.Gb8+ Kf7 59.Gb7 Kf8 60.Gb8+ Kg7 61.Gb6 Kf7 62.Gb7 Ke8 63.Gb6 Game drawn.

Adams Shirov French Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 It is extremely difficult to predict Shirovs response to this move. He can play virtually anything. In this game Alexei played 1...e6 2.d4 d5 Adams is, in turn, adamant in his tastes, and almost exclusively meets the French by

3.Cd2 It is considered that the easiest equality for Black is 3...5, but Shirov prefers a more risky and ambitious move. 3...Cf6 4.e5 Cfd7 5.c3 c5 6.Ed3 Cc6 7.Ce2 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9.exf6 Cxf6 10.Cf3 Ed6 11.00 Black undertook both typical French breaks c5 and f6, and developed his pieces naturally. White plans to play against a weak pawn on e6 and a weak square e5. 11...Ic7 Preventing Ef4. Another popular continuation is 11...00. 12.g3 Fashion of the 80s. White weakens his kingside to some extent, but insists on developing the bishop to f4. 12...00 13.Ef4 Ed7 14.Gc1 Ce4!? A rare move. Black is ready to sacrifice an exchange by 15...Exf4 16.Cxf4 Gxf4, getting a pawn and a better structure in return. More common is 14...Gae8, preparing 6 5. My game against Beliavsky (Kiev 1986, USSR championship) went on 15.Ge1 Exf4 16.Cxf4 Ib6 17.b3 (17.Ge3!?) 17...g6 18.Eb1 Ge7 19.Gc3 Ce8 20.Gce3 with some advantage to White. Safer is 15...Ib8!? 16.Id2 Kh8 17.Exd6 Ixd6 18.Cf4 Cg4!, and Black carries out 6 5 under more comfortable circumstances. Brynell Gleizerov (Stockholm 1986) ended in a draw after 19.Ef1 e5 20.dxe5 Cgxe5 21.Cxe5 Cxe5 22.Eg2 d4 23.Exb7 Eg4 24.Cd3 Cxd3 25.Gxe8 Gxe8 26.Ixd3 Ib4 27.Ee4 Ixb2. 15.Exd6 Naturally, Adams does not allow an exchange sacrifice on f4. 15...Ixd6 16.Cc3 Cxc3 Bad is 16...Gxf3? due to 17.Ixf3 Cxd4 18.Ie3. 17.bxc3 e5 18.Cxe5 Cxe5 19.dxe5 Ixe5 Black managed to advance e6 e5, but White still enjoys a symbolic advantage, as his king is safer, and the d5 pawn is more vulnerable than the c3 pawn. 20.Ge1 If6 21.Id2 Gad8 22.Ef1 Ec6?! Shirov rushes to force the matters. Interesting is 22...Ef5!?, planning to meet 23.Eg2 by 23...Ee4. 23.Eg2 d4 24.Exc6

pieces on board and shift back and forth from attacking the enemy king to pressuring against his pawn weaknesses. Exchanges favor Shirov, whose aim is a drawn rook or queen ending with three pawns against two on the same flank. 26...Gfd8 27.Ib3+ G4d5 28.Gc5 Kf8 On 28...Id6 29.Gec1 is unpleasant. 29.Gc4 Id6 30.Gf4+! 30.Ib7 does not give an advantage because of 30...Gd1 31.Gf4+ Kg8 32.If7+ Kh8. 30...Kg8 31.Gfe4 h5 32.h4 Kh7 33.Ge6 Ic5 34.Ib1+ Gf5 35.G1e2! White removes the rook from the first rank, making it more difficult to trade pieces. 35...Gdd5 36.Kg2 Ib5 37.Ie4 Gc5 38.Ge7 Gc4

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9zp-+-tR-zpk0 9-+p+-+-+0 9+q+-+r+p0 9-+r+Q+-zP0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9P+-+RzPK+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy
39.Id3 39.Ie6!? deserved attention! Now 39...Id5+ 40.Ixd5 cxd5 41.Gxa7 leads to a lost rook ending, while in other lines it becomes hard for Black to defend his king. 39...Ga4 39...Id5+? leads to the line above. 40.Ic3 Id5+ 41.f3 Gd4 42.Gxa7 Ge5 White won a pawn, but Black centralized. Converting the material advantage becomes difficult. 43.Gxe5 Ixe5 44.Ic2+ Kg8 45.Ga8+ Kf7 46.Ga7+ Kg8 47.Ib3+ Kh7 48.Ib1+?! Kh6 49.Ic1+ Kh7 50.Ic2+

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24...bxc6 At the press conference after the game Alexei said that he counted on 24...dxc3?, but here realized that after 25.Ed5+ Kh8 26.Id3 Ixf2+ 27.Kh1 Id2 28.Gcd1 Black has no compensation for the sacrificed piece. 25.cxd4 Gxd4 26.Ie3 It may seem that a draw can be agreed soon in this major piece ending, but actually White has a stable advantage based on better king location and Blacks inferior pawn structure. Adams must keep all the

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Adams misses a threefold repetition, which occurs after 50...Kg8. Following Shirovs claim, the game was announced a draw. Nevertheless, one can hardly find a clear cut way to use the Whites extra pawn. After 51.a4 Gb4! 52.Kh3 Ie6+ 53.Kh2 Ie5; 51.a3 (depriving the Blacks rook of the b4 square) 51...Gd8 52.Gb7 Ie3; 51.Gb7 c5 52.Gb5 Id5 Black has good drawing chances.

Round 1. Game 2 28 May 2007 Aronian Carlsen Volga Gambit Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5!? The Volga Gambit is a rare guest in high level competitions, but after losing the first game as White, Carlsen tries to initiate complicated struggle in every game. 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Cc3 Exa6 7.g3 The most popular plan at present time. 7...d6 8.Eg2 Eg7 9.Cf3 Cbd7 10.Gb1! The idea of Dutch grandmaster Piket. White tries to neutralize Blacks queenside initiative by b2 b3 and Ec1 b2. 10.0 0 is inaccurate, as after 10...Cb6! it becomes difficult for White to develop the bishop to the a1 h8 diagonal, because 11.Gb1 is met by 11...Ec4!, and Black regains a pawn. 10...Ia5 Preventing b2 b3. 11.0 0 The Blacks queen arrived on a5 rather prematurely, so 11.Ed2!? deserved attention. 11...Cb6! 12.a3 White begins the queenside action, because now 12.Ed2 is met by 12...Cc4 13.Ee1 0 0, and on 14.b3 14...Ca3 is unpelasant. 12...Cc4 13.b4 Ic7 14.Ia4+ Cd7 15.Cb5 Now Black has a forced way to equalize the game. 16...Exb5 17.Ixb5 Ixb5 18.Gxb5 Cxc5 19.Cd2 Cxa3 20.Exa3 Gxa3 21.Ce4 Game drawn. As it often happens, although both players aimed at sharp struggle, the complications resulted in a completely equal ending.

Gurevich Leko Nimzo Indian Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cc3 Eb4 4.Ic2 0 0 5.a3 Exc3+ 6.Ixc3 b6 7.Eg5 Eb7 8.f3 h6 9.Eh4 d5 10.e3 Cbd7 11.cxd5 Cxd5 12.Exd8 Cxc3 13.Eh4 Cd5 14.Ef2 This endgame often occurs in this fashionable line of the Nimzo Indian Defense. White obtains a small advantage, but Black can hold. 14...c5 15.e4 Ce7 A more active 15...Cf4?! is met by 16.Eb5 and then 17.Ce2 with an advantage to White, e.g., 16...Gad8 17.Ce2! Cxg2+ 18.Kf1 f5 19.d5!, winning a knight for two pawns (I.Sokolov C.Hansen, Malmoe 2001). 16.0 0 0 This move has never been played, and, possibly, not by a chance. 16.Eb5 Ec6 (16...Cc6 followed by 17...a6 is also okay) 17.Exc6 Cxc6 is not very promising. Peter defended this position successfully several times: 18.Ce2 Gfd8 (or 18...cxd4 19.Cxd4 Cxd4 20.Exd4 Gac8, Topalov Leko, Cannes 2002) 19.0 0 0 cxd4 20.Cxd4 Cde5 21.Kb1 Cxd4 22.Gxd4 Kf8, and the position is too closed and symmetrical to count on bishops superiority over a knight (Gelfand Leko, Wijk aan Zee 2002). 16.Ce2 Gac8 17.Cc3 gives White better chances. Peter did not manage to survive after 17...cxd4 18.Exd4 Cc5 19.Gd1 Gfd8 20.Ee3 Gxd1+ 21.Kxd1 e5 22.b4! Ce6 23.Kc2 Cc6 24.Kb2 (Kramnik Leko, Dortmund 2006), however, the ending is objectively drawn. 16...Gac8 17.Kb1 c4! A fresh idea! First it looks like releasing tension in the center should be in Whites favor, but the Blacks idea is very concrete Leko locks Whites light squared bishop, thus preparing ...f7 f5.

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+ +k+ tr0 9+ wqnzppvlp0 9l+ zp +p+0 9+NzpP+ + 0 9QzPn+ + +0 9zP + +NzP 0 9 + +PzPLzP0 9+RvL +RmK 0 xiiiiiiiiy
15...Ib8! After the game Aronian said that he completely overlooked this move, counting only on 15...Ic8, after which 16.bxc5 Ixc5 17.Eh3! Ccb6 (17...f5 18.Cg5 with a big advantage to White) 18.Ia5 Exb5 (18...Cxd5? loses to 19.Ee3 Cxe3 20.Cc7+) 19.Ixb5 Ixb5 20.Gxb5 leads to an ending with a stable advantage to White. 16.bxc5

XIIIIIIIIY 9 +r+ trk+0 9zpl+nsnpzp 0 9 zp +p+ zp0 9+ + + + 0 9 +pzPP+ +0 9zP + +P+ 0 9 zP + vLPzP0 9+K+R+LsNR0 xiiiiiiiiy
18.Ce2 Perhaps it was better to active one of the bishops by 18.Eg3!?, but after 18...f5 19.Ed6 Gf7 Blacks chances are higher, because White fails to maintain his center. 18...f5! Whites reply is practically forced. 19.exf5 Bad is 19.Cf4? fxe4 20.Cxe6 Gf6 and then Black takes on f3. 19.e5?! yields an important d5 square to Black without much compensation: 19...b5 20.Cf4 Kf7 with advantage. 19...Cxf5 20.Cc3 Cf6 Here Black also controls the d5 square, but has a backward pawn on e6. Nevertheless, White must struggle for equality his bishops are passive, and Black has a clear plan of using his queenside majority. 21.Ee2 A prophylactic 21.Gc1!? comes to ones mind, planning to meet 21...Cd5 by 22.Ce4. 21...Cd5 22.Cxd5 Exd5 23.h4 b5 Black has an easy game: he prepares the queenside pawn advance, while White has no active play. 24.Ghf1 Attempting to develop the bishop on the g3 b8 diagonal after g2 g4 the text move protects the f3 pawn in advance. 24...Gf7 Black prepares doubling the rooks, either on the f file or on some other file. 25.Gc1 a5 26.Kc2 Ga7 27.Ga1 It turns out that the planned activity seriously weakens a pawn on d4: 27.g4 Ce7 28.Eg3 Gd7! with subsequent bishop retreat. Gurevich has to turn to passive defense completely. 27...Gd7 28.Gfd1 Ce7 29.Ee1 Cf5 30.Ef2 Gdc7 31.Kd2 Ce7 32.Ge1 Kf7 33.Ed1?! Clearly, moving pieces along the first rank is very boring, but White should not prevent his rook from getting to c1. 33.h5!? now or earlier is interesting. In case of 33...b4 White can play 34.axb4 axb4 35.Gec1. 33...b4 34.axb4 axb4 35.Ee2 c3+ Now Blacks initiative is fairly unpleasant. 36.bxc3 bxc3+ 37.Kc2 37.Kc1 Gb7 does not ease the Whites task. 37...Eb3+! A neat blow!

XIIIIIIIIY 9 +r+ + +0 9+ tr snkzp 0 9 + +p+ zp0 9+ + + + 0 9 + zP + zP0 9+lzp +P+ 0 9 +K+LvLP+0 9tR + tR + 0 xiiiiiiiiy
38.Kc1 38.Kxb3? loses to 38...c2 with a simple back rank checkmate idea. Even the strongest 39.Eb5 Gb7 40.Ga5 c1I 41.Gxc1 Gxc1 leads to a decisive advantage to Black. 38...Cd5 39.Ga3 Gb7 40.Ed3 Cb4 40...Ec4!? may be even stronger, preparing decisive rook penetration. 41.Ee4 Ed5 42.Ge3 42.Gf1 Gb5 43.Exd5 Cxd5 with decisive advantage to Black. 42...c2 White loses material. The rest is pure technique.

XIIIIIIIIY 9 +r+ + +0 9+r+ +kzp 0 9 + +p+ zp0 9+ +l+ + 0 9 sn zPL+ zP0 9tR + tRP+ 0 9 +p+ vLP+0 9+ mK + + 0 xiiiiiiiiy
43.Gec3 Gxc3 44.Gxc3 Ca2+ 45.Kxc2 Cxc3 46.Kxc3 Gb3+ 47.Kc2 Ec4 48.Eg3 Ge3 49.Ee5 Ge2+ 50.Kc3 Ed5 51.Exd5 exd5 52.g3 Ge3+ 53.Kb4 g6 White resigns.

Rublevsky Ponomariov Sicilian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 c5 2.Cf3 d6 3.d4! This shows Rublevskys determination for the fight. Chess public is more used to see a quiet check from b5 in Rublevskys games. 3...cxd4 4.Cxd4 Cf6 5.Cc3 a6 6.Ec4!?

Another surprise. Although Rublevsky already employed this ultra sharp continuation against Svidler in the Superfinal 2006, professional players did not realize that the Sozin Attack became a long term part of Sergeys opening repertoire. 6...e6 7.Eb3 Cbd7 A popular continuation. Another common move is 7...b5. 8.Eg5 Ia5!? 9.Id2 In the aforementioned game against Svidler, Rublevsky continued 9.Exf6 Cxf6 10.0 0 Cd7 11.f4 Cc5 12.f5 with complex struggle. 9...Ee7 10.0 0 0 Cc5 11.Ghe1 h6 12.Exf6 Exf6 13.Kb1 Ed7 14.f4 A tempting 14.Cf5?! leads to Blacks advantage after 14...exf5 15.exf5+ Kd8 16.Ixd6 Ic7 17.Id2 Cxb3 18.axb3 Exc3 19.bxc3 Ge8. 14...0 0 0!?

XIIIIIIIIY 9 mk + + tr0 9+pwq + + 0 9p+ +lzp zp0 9+ sn zp + 0 9 + + + sN0 9+ + wQ + 0 9PzPP+L+PzP0 9+K+ +R+ 0 xiiiiiiiiy
26...Gc8! 27.g3 27.a3 is dangerous in view of 27...Ca4 28.Id2 Gd8 29.Ib4? Gd4. 27.Gxf6?? loses to 27...Cd7. 27...Ed5! The bishop goes to 4. White has no time to attack the pawns, as he must turn to defending. 28.Ef3 Ca4! 29.Gc1 Ee6 Interesting is 29...Eg8!?, saving an opportunity to transfer the bishop to an important b1 h7 diagonal. 30.Eg4?? loses to 30...Ic4. 30.Ee2 Ia5 31.c4 Ib4 32.Ib3 Id2!? In mutual time trouble, Ponomariov creates complications. 32...Ixb3 33.axb3 Cc5 34.Kc2 is of little promise. 33.Ic2 Ie3

XIIIIIIIIY 9 +ktr + tr0 9+p+l+pzp 0 9p+ zppvl zp0 9wq sn + + 0 9 + sNPzP +0 9+LsN + + 0 9PzPPwQ +PzP0 9+K+RtR + 0 xiiiiiiiiy
This natural move is a novelty. Usual continuation is 14...Ic7, and 15.Cf3 leads to double edged position. Probably Black was worried that after 15.Ccb5!? Ib6 16.Cxd6+ Ixd6 17.e5 Ic7 18.exf6 gxf6 White can contribute from Blacks ruined pawn structure. However, this game shows that Black has no serious problems. 19.Ie3 Kb8 19...Ghg8 20.g3 h5 with mutual chances is also possible. 20.Ec4 White transfers the bishop to more active location. 20...Ec8 21.Ee2 After 21.Cb3 the game is even. 21...e5! Ponomariov timely creates counterplay in the center. 22.fxe5 fxe5 23.Cf3 Gxd1+ 24.Gxd1 f6 25.Ch4 Ee6! While White prepares to attack Blacks pawn weaknesses, Black aims his pieces at the king. 26.Gf1? Waste of time. White underestimates the opponents initiative. Safer is 26.g3 with an even game.

XIIIIIIIIY 9 mkr+ + +0 9+p+ + + 0 9p+ +lzp zp0 9+ + zp + 0 9n+P+ + sN0 9+ + wq zP 0 9PzPQ+L+ zP0 9+KtR + + 0 xiiiiiiiiy
34.Gf1! Black threatened b5, and after 34.b3? he wins by 34...Gd8! 34...Cb6 34...Cc5! is worthy of consideration. Now 35.Gxf6? (35.Cg2 is mandatory) loses to 35...Exc4!! 36.Exc4 Ce4. 35.Cf5! This equalizes. It is difficult to dare playing the position after 35.b3 Cd5 under the time pressure. 35...Exf5 36.Gxf5 Cxc4 36...Ig1+ 37.Gf1 Ixh2 38.Gxf6 Cxc4 39.Exc4 Ixc2+ 40.Kxc2 Gxc4+ leads to a drawn ending with Black having an extra pawn. 37.Exc4 Ie1+ 38.Ic1 Ie4+ 39.Ic2 Ie1+ 40.Ic1 Ie4+ 41.Ic2 Draw.

Kasimdzhanov Gelfand Bogo Indian Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 b6 4.g3 Ea6 5.b3 Eb4+ 6.Ed2 Ee7 7.Cc3 There are hundreds games on 7.Eg2 c6 8.Ec3 d5 9.Ce5 Cfd7 10.Cxd7 Cxd7 11.Cd2 0 0 12.0 0 Gc8 13.e4 with a slight but lasting advantage to White. Many developed variations continue deep into the endgame. The plan selected by Rustam is not studied to such extent and leaves more room for creativity. 7...0 0 8.Gc1 Veselin Topalov popularized this move.

In Chuchelov Kipper, Germany 1995, Black played 14...Cxc5 15.Cb5, and the strongest 15...Ce6 leaves Black with acceptable albeit slightly inferior position. 15.Cd3 Ie7 The point of the recapture with the bishop Black develops the queen normally. 16.Cxc5 One could wait with this a little 16.Cb5!? maintains a small advantage. 16...bxc5 17.e4 17.Cxd5 Cxd5 18.Exd5 Gfd8 19.e4 Cb4 brings White nothing. With the text move, White attempts to fix the pawn structure, but insufficient control of the center makes it difficult to achieve it conveniently.

XIIIIIIIIY 9rsn wq trk+0 9zp zppvlpzpp0 9lzp +psn +0 9+ + + + 0 9 +PzP + +0 9+PsN +NzP 0 9P+ vLPzP zP0 9+ tRQmKL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
8...d5 The Whites idea is to meet 8...c6 by 9.e4 d5 10.e5, although the resulting position is not entirely clear. Now 10...Ce4 11.Ed3 Cxd2 (11...Cxc3 12.Gxc3 led Black to difficulties in Topalov Ponomariov, Sofia 2005) 12.Ixd2 Cd7 13.0 0 gives White a small advantage (Van Wely Carlsen, Schagen 2006). 9.cxd5 exd5 Black recaptures with the knight more often: 9...Cxd5. After 10.Eg2, Black recently started experimenting with 10...Ea3!?, but White maintains better chances: 11.Gb1 Eb7 12.0 0 (Navara Goloshchapov, Boelln 2007). 10.Eg2 Eb7 11.Ce5 After a normal 11.0 0 Cbd7 (11...Ca6 12.Ef4 Ge8 13.Ce5 h6 14.Cb5 gave White activity in Aronian Ivanchuk, Morelia/Linares 2006) 12.Ef4 c6 a standard position emerges. White has a slightly better game. 11...Ca6 A standard 11...Cbd7 is also possible. 12.0 0 h6 13.Ef4 c5 14.dxc5 14.Cd3 is another possibility. Black can continue 14...Ge8, but not 14...cxd4?! 15.Cb5 with advantage (Jussupow Bischoff, Hamburg 1991). 14...Exc5!? A novelty. On 14...bxc5?! a standard 15.Cc4! gives White a good game. The idea is to add pressure against Blacks hanging pawns by Cc4 e3, while the Blacks queen cannot leave d8 because of Cc4 a5.

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+ + trk+0 9zpl+ wqpzp 0 9n+ + sn zp0 9+ zpp+ + 0 9 + +PvL +0 9+PsN + zP 0 9P+ + zPLzP0 9+ tRQ+RmK 0 xiiiiiiiiy
17...d4 Of course, not 17...dxe4? 18.Ed6. 18.Ca4 Exe4 19.Ge1 Ib7 20.Ef1!? White attempts to snatch both central pawns! In case of 20.Exe4 Cxe4 21.f3 Cf6 22.Cxc5 Cxc5 23.Gxc5 Gfe8 Black has adequate counterplay. 20...Gfe8 21.Exa6 Ixa6 22.Cxc5 Ixa2 23.Ixd4

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Game drawn. On 23.Exh6 Black can simply retreat the bishop: 23...Ec6! (weaker is 23...gxh6? 24.Ixd4), and taking the d4 pawn is dangerous: 24.Ixd4?! Gxe1+ 25.Gxe1 Ge8! 26.Ee3 Ic2!, directing the queen via f5 to Whites weakened kingside. 23.Ge2 Ia5 24.Cxe4 Gxe4 25.Gxe4 Cxe4 26.Ixd4 Cg5 is harmless for Black, too. After the move in the game, Black can again retreat the bishop with equality.

Bacrot Kamsky Dutch Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Cf6 3.Eg2 g6 4.Cf3 Eg7 5.b4 A rare plan against the Leningrad Dutch. 5...c6 6.c4 d5 7.Cbd2 Ce4 8.Eb2 a5!? The players took off the trodden path and started creating rather early in the game. 9.bxa5 Ixa5 10.0 0 0 0 11.a4 Ee6 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Cb3 Ia6 14.Ce5 The situation is strategically complicated, although symmetry and lack of obvious weaknesses suggest rough equality.

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+r+ +k+0 9+ + +lvlp0 9 sn + +p+0 9+ sNp+p+ 0 9 + zPp+ +0 9+ + +PzP 0 9 vL +P+LzP0 9tR + +RmK 0 xiiiiiiiiy
26...Cc4 Being in a time trouble, Black did not dare playing 26...Gxc5!? 27.dxc5 Exb2 28.Gxa8+ Cxa8 29.Gb1 Ed4+ 30.Kf1 Kg7, obtaining real winning chances, as the Whites passer can be stopped on 7. 27.Ec3 Gxa1 28.Exa1 Ef8 Even stronger is 28...Ga8! with penetration to a2. 29.fxe4 dxe4 30.Ec3 Ce3 31.Ga1 Cc2 32.Gc1 Exc5 33.dxc5 Eb3 34.e3? Gxc5 35.Eb2

XIIIIIIIIY 9rsn + trk+0 9+p+ zp vlp0 9q+ +l+p+0 9+ +psNp+ 0 9P+ zPn+ +0 9+N+ + zP 0 9 vL +PzPLzP0 9tR +Q+RmK 0 xiiiiiiiiy
14...b6?! 14...Gc8 should be preferred. 15.Id3! Cd7 16.a5?! More promising is 16.Cc6! Kf7 17.a5 with better chances. 16...Gfc8 17.Ie3 bxa5 18.f3 Cef6

XIIIIIIIIY 9 + + +k+0 9+ + + +p0 9 + + +p+0 9+ tr +p+ 0 9 + +p+ +0 9+l+ zP zP 0 9 vLn+ +LzP0 9+ tR + mK 0 xiiiiiiiiy
35...Kf7?! After 35...Gd5! Black wins the e3 pawn. 36.Kf2? Better is 36.Ef1! 36...Ke6? And here 36...Gd5! is clearly stronger. 37.Ef1 Ed5 38.Ee2 Gc6 39.Ed1 Cb4 The last few moves of both players were made at a head spinning pace, but it didnt help Etienne to make the control. White lost on time. It looks like some players are not used to playing without time increment! As for the final position, White should be able to hold it after the rook trade.

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+r+ +k+0 9+ +nzp vlp0 9q+ +lsnp+0 9zp +psNp+ 0 9 + zP + +0 9+N+ wQPzP 0 9 vL +P+LzP0 9tR + +RmK 0 xiiiiiiiiy
19.Cxa5? A serious mistake that passes the advantage to the opponent. After a logical 19.Gxa5! Ib6 20.Gxa8 Gxa8 21.Cd3 followed by 22.Cb3 c5 White retains the pressure. 19...Ib6 20.Cd3 Simplifications such as 20.Ib3 Ixb3 21.Cxb3 do not solve the problem: 21...Gab8! 22.Ga3 Gc2 etc. 20...Ef7 21.Id2 e5! 22.Ib4 e4 23.Ixb6 Cxb6 24.Cc5 Cfd7 25.Cab3 Safer is 25.Cxd7 Cxd7 26.e3, but Black is still better here. 25...Cxc5 26.Cxc5

XIIIIIIIIY 9 + + + +0 9+ + + +p0 9 +r+k+p+0 9+ +l+p+ 0 9 sn +p+ +0 9+ + zP zP 0 9 vL + mK zP0 9+ tRL+ + 0 xiiiiiiiiy

Malakhov Grischuk English Opening Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.c4 Cf6 2.Cf3 b6 3.g3 c5 4.Eg2 Eb7 5.0 0 g6 This is one of the safest systems of the English Opening. More than 20 years ago it was employed by Garry Kasparov in the World Championship match against Anatoly Karpov. However, recently White found some interesting aggressive plans, which seriously bother Black. 6.d4 cxd4 7.Ixd4 Eg7 8.Cc3 d6 9.Gd1 Cbd7 10.Ee3 Karpov continued harmlessly by 10.b3 Gc8 11.Eb2 0 0 12.Ie3 Ge8 13.Gac1 a6 14.Ea1 Gc5! 15.a4 Ia8 16.Ce1 Gf5! 17.Exb7 Ixb7, and Black is at least equal (Karpov Kasparov, London/Leningrad (m/23) 1986). 10...Gc8 11.Gac1 0 0 12.Ih4 a6 13.b3 This position became popular recently. White builds up an attack against the enemy king, while Black defends and at the same time prepares a thematic ...b6 b5 break.

XIIIIIIIIY 9 +rwq trk+0 9+l+nzppvlp0 9pzp zp snp+0 9+ + + + 0 9 +P+ + wQ0 9+PsN vLNzP 0 9P+ +PzPLzP0 9+ tRR+ mK 0 xiiiiiiiiy
13...h5!? An interesting idea Black holds the g pawn, which often goes forward in such positions. Apart from the text, Black has several possibilities. For example, there is an interesting discussion between Aronian and Kramnik: 13...Gc7 14.Eh3! Ib8 15.Eg5 (15.g4!? was also tested many times, but in Aronian Kramnik, Saint Vincent 2005, White was forced to fight for a draw after 15...e6 16.g5 Ce8 17.Eg2 b5 18.Ce4 bxc4 19.bxc4 d5 20.cxd5 Exd5 21.Cc5 Cxc5 22.Exc5 Cd6 23.Gb1 Ixb1 24.Gxb1 Gxc5) 15...Exf3?! (parting with the bishop is not good, better is something like 15...Ge8) 16.exf3 b5 17.Exd7 Gxd7 18.Cd5 Cxd5 19.cxd5, and Vladimir, playing White, obtained a clear advantage (Kramnik Aronian, Turin (ol) 2006). 14.Eh3!? Nevertheless! This thematic maneuver is a novelty in this particular position. Earlier White continued 14.Eg5 and 14.h3, planning to carry out g3 g4, with a lively game.

14...Gc7 15.Cg5 A logical decision with the h pawn already on h5, the knight will not be disturbed here. 15...Ib8?! Black underestimates the danger. An immediate 15...b5?! does not seem to provide with adequate compensation: 16.cxb5 axb5 17.Cxb5 Gxc1 18.Gxc1 Ia5 19.a4, but 15...Ge8 looks more accurate. White cannot pose real problems. For example, 16.Ed4 (on 16.g4?! one can just take everything: 16...hxg4 17.Exg4 Cxg4, but 16.a4!?, ruling out ...b6 b5, deserves a shot) 16...e6! with a good game. Whites group on the kingside is basically unemployed. 16.Exd7! Gxd7 In case of 16...Cxd7 17.g4! Black has to give away a pawn: 17...Cf6 18.gxh5 Cxh5 19.Exb6 Gcc8 20.Ed4, and the compensation is insufficient. 17.Exb6 Cg4?! 18.h3 Ch6?! A very dubious maneuver. It was better to return. 19.g4! Is that possible that Black counted only on 19.e4?! Exe4!, regaining a pawn? 19...d5?! This move makes the situation for Black almost desperate, but there is no compensation for a pawn anywhere. The h1 a8 battery can be neutralized by a simple f2 f3, but how can Black improve the location of his poor knight?

XIIIIIIIIY 9 wq + trk+0 9+l+rzppvl 0 9pvL + +psn0 9+ +p+ sNp0 9 +P+ +PwQ0 9+PsN + +P0 9P+ +PzP +0 9+ tRR+ mK 0 xiiiiiiiiy
20.cxd5?! Much stronger is 20.gxh5! Cf5 21.Ig4 and then h5xg6, securing the e6 square for the knight in addition to a couple of extra pawns. 20...Exc3 21.Gxc3 Gxd5 White is a pawn up, but poorly coordinated pieces and weak king make his task more difficult. 22.Gcc1?! 22.Gxd5!? was worthy of consideration. 22...Exd5 23.Gd3! (23.Ee3?! Ib4! with idea ...Ch6 f5! or 23.Ec7?! Ib4 24.Ig3 hxg4) 23...Ixb6 (23...Ie5 24.Gd1 f6 25.Ee3) 24.Gxd5 Ic6 25.Gd3! with an advantage. 22...Gc8? Stronger is 22...Gxd1+ 23.Gxd1 f6, after which White is forced to sacrifice a piece: 24.Ee3!? (24.Cf3?? loses to 24...Exf3 25.Ee3 Exe2 26.Ge1 Ib4! 27.Gxe2 Cf5!)

24...Gd8! 25.Gc1 fxg5 26.Ixg5 Cf7 27.Ixg6+ Kf8, and Black feels not so bad. 23.Ee3 Gxc1 24.Gxc1 Id6 25.Cf3 Kg7 26.Ce1! Strong rearrangement, neutralizing Blacks initiative and securing a lasting advantage. 26...f6 27.f3! g5 28.If2 hxg4

XIIIIIIIIY 9 + + + +0 9+l+ zpnmk 0 9p+ wq zp +0 9+ +r+ zp 0 9 + + +P+0 9+P+ vLP+ 0 9P+ +PwQ +0 9+ tR sN mK 0 xiiiiiiiiy
30.Cc2? One could improve the bishop first: 30.Ec5! Id7 31.Cc2, and now 31...Gd1+ 32.Gxd1 Ixd1+ 33.Ce1 leads to a position with a big advantage to White. 30...Gd1+ 31.Gxd1 Ixd1+ 32.Ce1 Ib1 33.Ec5 Ixa2 34.Ie3 e5 Black regained a pawn. White is still more active, but such activity is not supposed to bring anything real. 35.Ee7 Ia5 36.Cd3 Ic7 37.Ea3?! Ec8 Better is 37...Ic3! 38.Cc5 Id6 39.Ic1 Ic6 40.Ic4 Id6?! And here I like 40...Ib5! 41.Ce4! Black last moves made in a time trouble were unsuccessful, and Grischuks position is again unpleasant. 41...Ib6+?! 41...Ixa3 42.Ixc8 Ixb3 looks dangerous, but I cannot find a decisive continuation: 43.Ixa6 (43.Cg3 Ib6+ 44.Kg2 Cd8 45.Id7+ Cf7 46.Cf5+ Kg6) 43...Id1+ 44.Kg2 Id8 45.Ie6 Kg6 46.Cg3 Ch6, and Black should hold. 42.Kg2?! Stronger is 42.Ec5! Ie6 43.Ee7 (43.Ib4!?) 43...Ixc4 (43...Ixe7? 44.Ixc8 Cd6?? 45.Ic5) 44.Exf6+ Kg6 45.bxc4 Ee6 46.c5 with an extra pawn, although Black has some drawing chances. 42...Ee6 43.Ic1 Ib5 It looks like the pawn could be taken: 43...Ixb3!? 44.Ic5 Id1 45.If8+ Kh7! with the idea to take on e2 or return to d8. 44.Ie3 Ed5 44...Ixb3!? deserved attention. 45.Cg3 e4? This sacrifice is unnecessary. After 45...Ch6!? or 45...Kg6!? Black could play on without any worries. 46.fxe4 Eb7

XIIIIIIIIY 9 + + + +0 9+l+ +nmk 0 9p+ + zp +0 9+q+ + zp 0 9 + +P+P+0 9vLP+ wQ sN 0 9 + +P+K+0 9+ + + + 0 xiiiiiiiiy

47.Eb2?! Missing a chance to finish the game in his favor by 47.If3! Ie5 (47...Ce5 48.If5 and Cg3 h5) 48.Ee7!, snatching the f6 pawn. 47...Ce5 48.Exe5? One should not give away such a strong bishop after 48.Cf5+ White had good chances to build up a strong attack: 48...Kg6 (48...Kg8 49.Kh3!) 49.Kf1! Cxg4 50.Ih3! etc. 48...Ixe5 49.Ia7 Ic7 50.Kh3 It is better to return the queen to the center by 50.Id4. 50...Kg6 51.e3?! White loses all his advantage. 51...Ih7+ 52.Ch5 Ie7 53.Id4 Ec8! Threatening to take on g4. 54.Id5 Ee6 55.Id1 Ih7 Attacking the knight! 56.Kg2 More cautious is 56.Kg3.

XIIIIIIIIY 9 + + + +0 9+ + + +q0 9p+ +lzpk+0 9+ + + zpN0 9 + +P+P+0 9+P+ zP + 0 9 + + +K+0 9+ +Q+ + 0 xiiiiiiiiy
56...Exg4 Grischuk could scare his opponent a little by 56...Id7! 57.Ixd7 Exd7, and White has to show some accuracy. Yet, a draw is well within the reach: 58.Kf3 a5 59.Cf4+!? gxf4 60.exf4 Ee8 61.Ke3, trading the f6 pawn, after which even an extra bishop cannot help Black to win. 57.Cf4+! Kh6 58.Ixg4 Ixe4+ 59.If3 Ixf3+ 60.Kxf3 gxf4 61.Kxf4 Now this long suffering game proceeds to a pawn ending. 61...Kg6 62.Ke4 a5 63.Kf4 Kf7 64.Kf5

XIIIIIIIIY 9 + + + +0 9+ + +k+ 0 9 + + zp +0 9zp + +K+ 0 9 + + + +0 9+P+ zP + 0 9 + + + +0 9+ + + + 0 xiiiiiiiiy

A draw is agreed.

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+ + mk tr0 9zpl+n+pzpp0 9 zp zP vl +0 9+ zp + + 0 9 sn + + +0 9+ sN +NzP 0 9PzP + zPLzP0 9tR vL tR mK 0 xiiiiiiiiy

18.Eg5! Bravo! Bareev is not disturbed by the opponents quick reactions, and selects the sharpest continuation. White is not afraid to run into a computer analysis. 18...Exf3?! In my opinion, not the best reply. Black should accept the challenge by 18...Cc2! 19.Exf6 (the consequences of the exchange sacrifice 19.Ge7!? Exe7!? 20.Exe7+ Kg8 are unclear) 19...Cxf6, and after 20.Ge7 reject winning an exchange by 20...Cxa1?? because of 21.Gxb7 Gd8 22.Ce5 with decisive advantage to White, and go for 20...Exf3! 21.Exf3 Ge8! 22.Gxe8+ Kxe8 23.Ec6+ Kd8 with a good game. 19.Exf6 Cxf6 20.Exf3 Gd8 21.Ge7 Whites activity becomes threatening. Black must play very precisely to hold the balance. 21...Cc2! Bad is 21...Gxd6? due to 22.Gxa7 g6 23.Gd1 with a clear advantage to White. 22.Gd1 Cd4 23.Kg2 Gxd6 24.Gxa7 g6 25.Ee2! The bishop goes to 4, and the f7 pawn becomes vulnerable. 25...Kg7 26.Ec4 Gd7 On 26...Gf8, 27.Gb7 is unpleasant. 27.Gxd7 Cxd7 28.Ge1 28.b4 promises no advantage in view of 28...Ce5! (28...cxb4?? drops a piece to 29.Ce4).

Bareev Polgar Bogo Indian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 b6 4.g3 Ea6 5.Ic2 c5 6.d5!? A topical pawn sacrifice. This line is not studied sufficiently deeply, thus it gives some room for creativity. 6...exd5 7.cxd5 Eb7 8.Eg2 Cxd5 9.0 0 Ee7 10.Gd1 Cc6 11.If5 Cf6 12.e4

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+ wqk+ tr0 9zpl+pvlpzpp0 9 zpn+ sn +0 9+ zp +Q+ 0 9 + +P+ +0 9+ + +NzP 0 9PzP + zPLzP0 9tRNvLR+ mK 0 xiiiiiiiiy
12...d6!? A novelty. The diagrammed position occurred in practice of Leko, Carlsen and Aronian, and Black always continued 12...g6!? 13.e5! After lengthy thought Bareev selects the most principled and in my opinion the best move. 13...Id7 14.Ixd7+ Cxd7 15.exd6 Ef6 The pawn on d6 strength or weakness? Who made a more accurate assessment, Judit or Evgeny? 16.Ge1+! An important check. Black loses the right to castle. 16...Kf8 17.Cc3 Cb4

XIIIIIIIIY 9 + + + tr0 9+ +n+pmkp0 9 zp + +p+0 9+ zp + + 0 9 +Lsn + +0 9+ sN + zP 0 9PzP + zPKzP0 9+ + tR + 0 xiiiiiiiiy

28...Kf8? A terrible move! The Blacks rook will be out of play for a long time. A natural 28...Cf5!? 29.Ed3 Cd6 30.Cb5 Cxb5 31.Exb5 Cf6 gives Black saving chances. 29.a4

Also 29.Cd5 b5 (or 29...Kg7 30.Ge7 Gd8 31.Ce3 with a big advantage to White) 30.Ef1 Kg7 31.Cc7 looks very good for White. 29...h5 30.Cd5 h4 31.g4 g5 Setting up a trap. 32.Cc7 After 32.Ge7?! Black gets counterplay by 32...Cf6! 33.Gb7 h3+! 34.Kh1 (34.Kg3?? Ce4#) 34...Cxg4. 32...Cf6 33.h3

Shirov Adams Ruy Lopez Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Eb5 a6 4.Ea4 Cf6 5.0 0 b5 6.Eb3 Ec5 An intriguing opening choice. Recently Michael did not play this line much, while it is one of the cornerstones of Alexeis opening repertoire! 7.a4 Gb8 8.c3 0 0 Much more common is 8...d6 9.d4 Eb6 followed by 10.Ca3 0 0 11.axb5 axb5 12.Cxb5 Eg4 with active play for a sacrificed pawn. It is possible that Adams did not want going into this position against the opponent who played it many times. 9.d4 Eb6 10.dxe5 Cg4

XIIIIIIIIY 9 + + mk tr0 9+ sN +p+ 0 9 zp + sn +0 9+ zp + zp 0 9P+Lsn +Pzp0 9+ + + +P0 9 zP + zPK+0 9+ + tR + 0 xiiiiiiiiy

33...Kg7? 33...Gg8! is necessary, protecting the g5 pawn in advance. Now Bareev increases his advantage with series of energetic moves. 34.Ge5! Kh6 35.f4! Ch7 36.f5 Looking at Black pieces is painful. 36...Cc6 37.Gd5 Kg7 38.f6+ Kh6 Even 38...Cxf6 is better, although after 39.Gxg5+ Kf8 40.Gf5 the Blacks position is not enviable. 39.Eb5 39.Gd6 may be even stronger. 39...Cb4 40.Gd6 Gb8 41.Ca6 Cxa6 42.Exa6 Cf8 43.Ec4 Gb7

XIIIIIIIIY 9 trlwq trk+0 9+ zpp+pzpp0 9pvln+ + +0 9+p+ zP + 0 9P+ +P+n+0 9+LzP +N+ 0 9 zP + zPPzP0 9tRNvLQ+RmK 0 xiiiiiiiiy
11.Ef4 A logical move White simply protects the pawn. It is a little bit strange that nobody employed this move, although actually the game can still return to trodden paths via move repetition. Usually White preferred to settle things with an edge pawn: 11.axb5 axb5 12.Ef4 (after 12.Ca3 Ccxe5 13.h3 Topalov Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2006 Black continued 13...d6! 14.Ie2 (in case of 14.hxg4 Exg4 Blacks initiative compensates the sacrificed piece) 14...Cxf3+ 15.Ixf3 Ce5 16.Ig3 Ee6 and equalized), and after 12...Ie8!? 13.Ca3 (or 13.Cd4 Cgxe5 14.Cxb5 d6 15.Ea4 Eg4 16.Ic2 f5! with good compensation for a pawn, Svidler Khalifman, Moscow 2005) 13...Ccxe5 14.Cxe5 Cxe5 15.Cxb5 d6 16.Cd4 Cg6 17.Eg3 Ixe4 18.Ge1 Ib7 Black returns a pawn with a decent game. Interesting is 11.a5!? Ea7 12.Ef4 Ie7 13.e6!? dxe6 14.e5, as Kosintseva sisters played. Still the position remains double edged. 11...Ie7 A more standard 11...Ie8!? is also possible, which can give Black additional tactical possibilities if White takes the b5 pawn with the knight. 12.axb5 axb5 The game transposed to Smirin Kamsky (Khanty Mansyisk 2005). 13.Id5

XIIIIIIIIY 9 + + sn +0 9+r+ +p+ 0 9 zp tR zP mk0 9+ zp + zp 0 9P+L+ +Pzp0 9+ + + +P0 9 zP + +K+0 9+ + + + 0 xiiiiiiiiy

44.Kf3! The Whites monarch goes to c6. White wins. Polgar attempts to complicate things are in vain Bareevs advantage is too big. 44...Cd7 45.Ke4 Kg6 46.Ed3 c4 47.Exc4 Cxf6+ 48.Kd4 Kg7 49.Eb5 Ge7 50.Gxb6 Ge4+ 51.Kd3 Gb4 52.Kc2 Cxg4 53.Kc3 Ge4 54.hxg4 h3 55.Gd6 h2 56.Gd1 Gxg4 57.Gh1 Gg3+ 58.Kb4 Gg2 59.Kb3 g4 60.a5 g3 61.Ec6 Ge2 62.a6 Ge7 63.Ga1 Ga7 64.Eg2 Black resigns.

Nevertheless, after a natural 13.Ca3 Cgxe5 14.Cxe5 Cxe5 15.Cxb5 d6 it is difficult for White to keep an extra pawn, despite the b5 knight is not being attacked. 13...Eb7! Adams ignores the threat and simple develops his pieces on active locations. 14.Ixb5 Ea8 15.Ic4 Ccxe5 16.Cxe5 Cxe5 One pawn is regained, and Black still has the initiative. His pieces are clearly more active. 17.Exe5 Otherwise after Ce5 g6 White loses an extra pawn. 17...Ixe5 18.Cd2 Gbe8 Only this move is a real novelty. In the aforementioned game, Kamsky continued 18...Kh8 19.Cf3 If4 20.Gae1 Gbe8, and here the players agreed to a draw. Adams could be afraid of a possible improvement.

XIIIIIIIIY 9l+ +rtrk+0 9+ zpp+pzpp0 9 vl + + +0 9+ + wq + 0 9 +Q+P+ +0 9+LzP + + 0 9 zP sN zPPzP0 9tR + +RmK 0 xiiiiiiiiy
19.Gad1 If4 20.Id3 Exe4 21.Cxe4 Gxe4 22.g3! Of course not 22.Ixd7? Ge2 with sufficient counterplay. 22...Ig4 23.Gfe1! White also wants to show some activity. And he is right! In case of 23.Ec2 Gfe8 24.Ixd7 Ixd7 25.Gxd7 Ge2 26.Eb3 Gf8 followed by Ge2xb2, Black is not worse. 23...Gxe1+ Interesting is 23...Gf4!? 24.Gd2 d6, keeping a pawn, but Black was reasonably worried about the rook getting stuck on the f file after 25.Ed5. However, maybe this is not too scary after all. 24.Gxe1 g6 25.Ge7

pawn, but keep the queens on board this will force the Whites king staying at home. And the Blacks king is always at the right place in defense! 26.Ixd7 If6 27.Ge2 Kg7 28.Kg2 Gd8 29.Ie7 Gd3 30.Ie4 In this position trading queens is not dangerous for Black, because the Whites rook must guard the d2 square. 30...Gd7 The f7 square is safely covered, and there are no other kingside weaknesses to be seen. Making use of an extra queenside pawn is very difficult if possible at all. 31.Ec2 h5 32.h4 Ec5 33.Ic4 Ge7 34.Ee4 Eb6 35.b4 Ge6 36.Id3 Ie7 37.Ef3 Gxe2 38.Exe2 If6 39.Ef3 Kf8 40.Id2 Kg7 41.Ee4 Kf8 42.f4 Ie6 43.Ic2 White would have decent chances with a pawn on the e file instead of a queenside pawn.

XIIIIIIIIY 9 + + mk +0 9+ zp +p+ 0 9 vl +q+p+0 9+ + + +p0 9 zP +LzP zP0 9+ zP + zP 0 9 +Q+ +K+0 9+ + + + 0 xiiiiiiiiy

43...f5 44.Ef3 Ie3 45.c4 Ed4 Of course, Black is alert and does not allow locking his bishop. 46.c5 Kg7 47.Ia2 Kh6 48.Ia8 Id2+ 49.Kh3 Ixb4 50.If8+ Eg7 51.Ie7 Ic3 52.Ed5 Planning Ed5 g8 and Ie7 g5, but this is more of a dream. 52...Ef6

XIIIIIIIIY 9 + + trk+0 9+ zpptRp+p0 9 vl + +p+0 9+ + + + 0 9 + + +q+0 9+LzPQ+ zP 0 9 zP + zP zP0 9+ + + mK 0 xiiiiiiiiy

25...Ig5 In case of 25...d6 26.Id5 Black has to transpose to a difficult endgame: 26...If5 27.Ixf5 gxf5 28.Kg2 Kg7 29.Kf3 Kf6 30.Gd7 etc. Adams decides to abandon a

XIIIIIIIIY 9 + + + +0 9+ zp wQ + 0 9 + + vlpmk0 9+ zPL+p+p0 9 + + zP zP0 9+ wq + zPK0 9 + + + +0 9+ + + + 0 xiiiiiiiiy

53.If8+ On 53.Ixc7 Black obviously intended 53...Exh4! 54.Kxh4 Id2 55.Kh3 Ixd5 with a draw. 53...Eg7 54.Ie7 A draw is agreed.

Round 1. Game 3 29 May 2007 Carlsen Aronian English Opening Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov
1.Cf3 After the disaster in the first game, Magnus implements some first move corrections, turning not to 1.d4, but to a more solid knight move, which makes it difficult for Black to get well studied positions. 1...Cf6 2.c4 b6 3.g3 c5 4.Eg2 Eb7 5.00 e6 6.Cc3 Ee7 7.Ge1 This move does not fit together well with the pervious one. Black should have paid serious attention to 14...Cc6!?, not worrying about 15.Eh6 Ef6 16.Cxc6 (in case of 16.Cf3 e5! 16...cxd4? is met by 17.e5! White can lose a pawn: 17.Ixc8 Gaxc8) 16...Ixc6. Nevertheless, White is somewhat better after 17.Kg1 Kh8 (or 17...e5 18.d5) 18.e5 Exe5 19.Gxe5 or 19.dxe5. 15.Cf3! This knight will play a big role later in the game! 15...Kh8 16.h4 White has two major trumps: strong pawn center and kingside activity. 16...Cc6 17.Eg5 cxd4 18.Exf6 gxf6 19.cxd4 19.If4!? is also tempting, trying to use weakened position of the enemy king. 19...e5 This forces transition to an ending. However, it does not make Blacks life easier. 20.Ixc8 Gaxc8 21.d5 Ca5 The knight is heading to d6, but this maneuver looks rather slow. Interesting is 21...Cb4!?, striving for active counterplay and not forgetting to improve the own king later on. 22.h5! Cc4 The pawn is unstoppable, as well as the Whites knight, which is coming to f5: 22...Kg7 23.h6+!? (23.Ch4 is also not bad) 23...Kxh6 24.Gh1+ Kg7 25.Ch4 with strong endgame initiative. 23.Ch4 Cd6 24.h6!

XIIIIIIIIY 9rsn-wqk+-tr0 9zpl+pvlpzpp0 9-zp-+psn-+0 9+-zp-+-+-0 9-+P+-+-+0 9+-sN-+NzP-0 9PzP-zPPzPLzP0 9tR-vLQtR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy
A popular line of the English Opening. 7...d5 Otherwise White plays e2 e4 and d2 d4, although many people are happy to set up the Hedgehog structure by a6 b6 d6 e6. There is also 7...Ce4 8.Cxe4 Exe4 9.d3 Eb7 10.e4 with a small advantage to White. 8.cxd5 Cxd5 9.d4 Cxc3 10.bxc3 Ee4 Mechanically blocking Whites e pawn from moving to e4. 11.Ce5 Otherwise White cannot build the pawn center. 11...Exg2 12.Kxg2 00 13.e4 Ic8 A new but clearly not the best continuation. Yermolinsky Atalik (Berkley 2005) continued 13...Ef6 14.Cg4 cxd4 15.Ea3 Ee7 16.Exe7 Ixe7 17.cxd4 with slightly inferior but acceptable position for Black. 14.Ig4 Ef6

XIIIIIIIIY 9rsnq+-trk+0 9zp-+-+pzpp0 9-zp-+pvl-+0 9+-zp-sN-+-0 9-+-zPP+Q+0 9+-zP-+-zP-0 9P+-+-zPKzP0 9tR-vL-tR-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-tr-mk0 9zp-+-+p+p0 9-zp-sn-zp-zP0 9+-+Pzp-+-0 9-+-+P+-sN0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9P+-+-zPK+0 9tR-+-tR-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy
Stamping the Blacks king to the back rank and creating a far advanced pawn, which potentially can become a queen. Despite having control of the c file, queenside pawn majority and a strong blockade knight on d6, Blacks situation is very difficult. 24...Gc3? It looks like Aronian underestimated the opponents chances. The rook is better placed on the second rank: 24...Gc2! 25.Gac1 (it is unlikely that 25.Ge3 with the idea to attack on f6 is dangerous for Black after

25...Gfc8 followed by Gc8 c4 one can at least hang onto the e4 pawn) 25...Gfc8 26.Gxc2 Gxc2, and now after 27.Cf5 Cxf5 28.exf5 Black has many different ideas. For example, 28...Kg8 29.Ge4 Kf8 30.Gg4 e4! (after 30...Ke7 31.Gg7 e4 32.Kf1! White retains good winning chances, contrary to 32.Gxh7? e3 33.d6+ Kxd6 34.Gxf7 Gxf2+ 35.Kh3 e2 36.Gxf6+ Kd5 37.Ge6 Gxf5, and Black survives) 31.Gxe4 (or 31.Kf1!? Gd2!) 31...Gd2 with good drawing chances. 25.Gac1 Gfc8 26.Gxc3 Gxc3 27.Cf5! Cxf5 28.exf5 Kg8

The king marches to g6 with decisive effect. Black resigns.

Leko Gurevich French Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Cc3 Cf6 4.e5 Gurevich confidently solved opening problems in the first game: 4.Eg5 dxe4 5.Cxe4 Cbd7 6.Cf3 h6 7.Cxf6+ Cxf6 8.Ee3 Cd5. 4...Cfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Cf3 Cc6 7.Ee3 a6 8.Id2 b5 9.dxc5 Exc5

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29.Ge4! It is possible that Aronian overlooked this strong maneuver, counting only on 29.d6? Kf8 30.d7 Ke7 31.Gd1 Kd8 32.Gd6 Gc7! 33.Gxf6 Gxd7 34.Kf3 (34.Gc6? Gc7!) 34...Gc7!, where Black is okay: 35.g4 Ke7 36.g5 Gc4. Now Black cannot set up counterplay, and protecting weaknesses was impossible anyway. 29...Kf8 30.Gg4 Gc7 31.Gg7 b5 32.Gxh7 Kg8 Otherwise White simply queens the h pawn. 33.Gg7+ Kh8 34.d6 Gd7 35.Kf3 b4 36.Ke4 Gxd6 Black even cannot sacrifice a queen for stalemate in 36...a5 37.Kd5 a4 38.Kc6 b3 39.Kxd7 (actually, there is 39.Gg4!) 39...b2 40.Ke8 b1I 41.d7, because there are some Blacks pawns left on board. 37.Gxf7 Ga6 38.g4! A strong rook on the 7th rank, an active king, and passing pawns White is dominating, and Black is helpless. 38...Kg8 39.h7+ Kh8 40.g5! fxg5 41.f6

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10.Ce2!? A rare continuation. White plays 10.Exc5 Cxc5 11.If2 Ib6 12.Ed3 more frequently. 10...Ib6 11.Exc5 11.Ced4?! f6! 12.exf6 Cxf6 13.000 Ce4 14.Ie1 0 0 with an advantage to Black (Van Mil Hergott, Groningen 1988). 11...Cxc5 12.Ced4 Ce4 13.Ie3 b4 14.Ed3 Eb7 15.00 Let us consider this move a novelty. There was a game in which White selected a different act: agreed to a draw. Of course, bad is 15.Exe4? dxe4 16.Ixe4 Gd8 17.Cxc6 Exc6 with the initiative the Whites king stuck in the center. 15...00 16.Gae1 Cxd4 17.Ixd4 Weaker is 17.Cxd4, as the queen will be rather tied up defending the d4 knight. The text makes it easier for White to advance his pawns and play with the king. 17...Ixd4+ 18.Cxd4

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18...g6 Mikhail rejected 18...a5 because of 19.f5, but unexpected 18...Cd2!? 19.Gf2 Ce4 20.Gf3 Cd2 21.Gh3 g6, trying to break Whites piece coordination, looked promising. 19.Ga1! A good idea White plans to open up the queenside. 19...a5 20.a3 Cc5 21.axb4 axb4 22.Kf2

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The resulting ending is technically winning for White. Yes, Mikhail clearly did not show the best example of handling his pet French Defense. 30...Ca6 31.b5 Cc5 32.Cb3! Cd7 The bishop ending is totally hopeless. 33.Kd4 Ke7 34.Cc5 Cb6 35.h4 Kd8 36.Ed3 Ke7 37.Ee2 Kd8 38.Ef1 Ke7 39.Ed3 Kd8 40.Ec2 Ke7 41.Ed1 White passes the time control. Now he can finish the game. 41...Kd8 42.Ee2 Ke7 43.g5 Kd8 44.h5 Ke7 45.h6! Kd8 46.Ed3 Ke7 47.Ec2 Kf8 48.Cd3 Cd7 49.Cf2! Ke7 50.Cg4

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22...Gfc8?! This move completely ignores the Whites plan. One should think about 22...h5!? or even 22...f6!? 23.g4! b3?! And this impulsive push only assists White in creating a passed pawn on the queenside. 24.Ke3! Maybe Black overlooked this calm move. After 24.Cxb3 Cxd3+ 25.cxd3 Gc2+ 26.Ke3 Gxb2 27.Cc5 Gc8 White stands better, but Black can hope to obtain some counterplay. 24...bxc2 25.Gxa8 Gxa8 26.Exc2 Kf8 27.Gc1 Gc8 28.Ga1 Ga8 29.Gxa8+ Exa8 30.b4

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The knight comes to f6, gets exchanged, and in the bishop ending the Whites king invades via the dark squares. Black resigns.

Ponomariov Rublevsky Sicilian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 c5 2.Cf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Cxd4 Cc6 5.Cc3 a6 6.Cxc6 bxc6 7.Ed3 d5 8.00 Cf6

A novelty that forces exchanges in the center. Weaker is 13...a5, as in Kritz Kobalia (Biel 2006). 14.cxd5 cxd5 Bad is 14...Cxa4? because of 15.d6 Eg5 16.Ie4. 15.Cc3 Cd7 16.Gad1 Cc5 17.Eb1 a5 18.Gfe1 g6 Defending against a possible Exh7+, Ih5, and Ge3 h3. 19.Ee3 Ea6 20.Id2 Gb8 21.Ed4 Gb4 22.Ie3

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Rublevsky frequently applies this order of moves, therefore this position often occurs in his practice. Last year in Poikovsky, Ponomariov played 9.Ge1!? The game continued 9...Ee7 10.e5 Cd7 11.Ig4 (Rublevsky faced 11.Ca4 twice, but equalized by 11...00 12.c4 a5, drawing with Karjakin in Foros, 2006, and beating Bologan in Poikovsky, 2006) 11...g6 12.Ca4 Ia5 13.Eh6. Sergey was unable to hold the endgame after 13...Ib4 14.Ixb4 Exb4 15.c3 Ea5 16.b4 Ec7 17.f4 a5 18.b5 Cb6 19.Cxb6 Exb6+ 20.Kf1 cxb5 21.Exb5+ Ed7 22.Gab1 Exb5+ (22...Gb8? 23.c4 with a big advantage to White, Bacrot Rublevsky, Khanty Mansiysk (m/2) 2005) 23.Gxb5 Ec7 24.c4 dxc4 25.Gc5 (PonomariovRublevsky, Poikovsky 2006). Obviously, Rublevsky planned to improve his game. It is possible that he would reject 13...Ib4 in favor of 13...c5!? 14.b3 c4 15.Ef1 Eb7, which occurred in Carlsen Mamedyarov (Moscow 2006) and Khairullin Svidler (Moscow 2006). Ponomariov showed no curiosity, and deviated by 9.Ie2 Ee7 10.Ca4 An unsound kingside attack in Timofeev Rublevsky (Moscow 2002) failed. After 10.Ef4 00 11.Gad1 Ia5 12.e5 Cd7 13.Ih5 g6 14.Ih6 Gb8 15.h4 Ge8 16.h5 Ef8 17.Ig5 Eg7 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.Ce2 Gxb2 20.Exg6 hxg6 21.Ixg6 Ge7 Blacks material advantage decided the game. 10...00 11.c4 Eb7 A natural move. Pawn exchanges 11...dxc4?! (HamdouchiTregubov, Belfort 2002) and 11...dxe4?!(DominguezQuezada, Santa Clara 2007) do not equalize. After 11...Ge8 12.e5 Cd7 13.Ef4 Cb6 14.Cc3 Cxc4 15.Exc4 dxc4 16.Gad1 Ib6 17.Ce4 c5 18.Ig4 White seized the initiative in Morozevich Volokitin (Sochi 2006). 12.e5 Cd7 13.Ef4 Cb6!

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22...Cd7! The knight heads to 6 to join the fight for the d4 square. 23.a3 Gb7 24.f4 Ec4 25.Gd2 Cb8 26.Ed3 Exd3 27.Ixd3

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27...Cd7! The bishop trade weakened the light squares in Ponomariovs camp, therefore the Blacks knight returns to c5. White is forced to put his knight on 4. 28.Ca4 Ib8 29.Gc1 Gc8 30.Gdc2 Gbc7 31.Gxc7 Gxc7 32.Gxc7 Ixc7 33.Ic3 Ib7! 34.Kf2?! In case of 34.Ixa5 Ib3! 35.Kh1 g5!? Blacks activity completely compensates the sacrificed material. The king move is symptomatic. Ruslan does not want to accept that the position is equal, and starts making pseudo active moves. Underestimating the opponents resources was one of the reasons of White getting in trouble in this game. 34...Ib5 35.Ic2 Cb8 36.Cc3 Ib7 37.Ce2 Cc6 38.Ec5 Ib5 39.Exe7 Cxe7 40.Ic3 h5 41.Cd4 Ib6 42.Ke2 Cf5 43.Cxf5 gxf5 44.b4?! This move is again too ambitious. Ponomariov allows

the Blacks pawn advancing to h4. The Blacks queen begins to create dangerous threats on the kingside. 44...axb4 45.axb4 Ia6+ 46.Ke3 Ia7+ 47.Id4 Ia3+ 48.Kf2 h4! Suddenly White faces difficulties. 49.Ib6 Ruslan initiates active counterplay linked with the b pawn without regard to the material. It is difficult to say whether White could defend successfully in case of a passive 49.Id2. 49...Ib2+ 50.Ke1 Ic1+ 51.Ke2 Ic4+ 52.Kd1 If1+ 53.Kc2 Ic4+ 54.Kd1 If1+ 55.Kc2 Ixf4!? After 55...Ixg2+ 56.Kb3, the Whites king runs away from checks, and White, combining the perpetual check threats with pushing the b pawn, obtains good drawing chances. 56.Id8+ Kh7

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The Blacks king hides from checks. Whites kingside is helpless, and pushing the b pawn does not lead to success, because the Blacks passer is no less dangerous. 66.b6 Ic3+ 67.Kd1 Id3+ 68.Kc1 If1+ 69.Kb2 Ixg2+ 70.Kb3 If3+ 71.Kc4 Ic3+ 72.Kb5 Ib3+ 73.Ka6 Ia3+ 74.Kb5 Ib2+ 75.Ka6 Ia2+ 76.Kb5 Ie2+ 77.Kc5 Ic2+ 78.Kd6 d3 79.b7 79.Ig8+ Kf3 80.Ixe6 d2 also wins for Black. 79...d2 80.Kxe6 Ie4+ 81.Kf6 Ic6+ 82.Ke5 Ixb7 83.h3+ Or 83.Ixd2 Ie7+, 83.Id4+ Ie4+, winning in both lines. 83...Kxh3 84.Id3+ Kh2 85.Ixd2+ Ig2 86.Id1 If2 The endgame is completely hopeless for White. The f pawn promotes. 87.Kf6 f4 88.Kf5 f3 89.Kg4 Ig3+ 90.Kh5 f2 91.If1 If3+ 92.Kh6 Ig2 White resigns.

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57.Ie7? Wrong square! It looks like White could save this game by 57.If6! After the forced 57...Ic4+ 58.Kd1 If1+ 59.Kc2 Ixg2+ 60.Kb3 If3+ (or 60...Ih3+ 61.Ka4 Ixh2 62.Ixf7+ Kh6 63.Ixe6+ Kg5 64.If6+ with unclear play) 61.Ka4 Ih5 62.b5 d4 63.Kb4! (the only move!) 63...d3 64.Kc3 White stops the Blacks pawn and makes a draw. 57...Ixe5 Now Blacks excellently centralized queen serves several purposes: supports the passed pawn, stops the Whites b pawn, attacks the enemy king and defends his own king against the perpetual check. The subsequent play of Rublevsky is admirable. After 6 hours of tense fight, he does not make a slightest mistake and does not give Ponomariov a single drawing chance. 58.Ixf7+ Kh6 59.b5 Ie2+ 60.Kc3 Ic4+ 61.Kd2 d4 62.If8+ Kg6 63.Ig8+ Kh5 64.Ie8+ Kg5 65.Id8+ Kg4

Gelfand Kasimdzhanov Slav Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.Cc3 e6 5.Eg5 h6 6.Eh4 Sharp Anti Moscow Gambit leads to a very complicated game. White sacrifices a pawn, planning to use weaknesses in the opponents camp. In the first game, Gelfand continued 6.Exf6 Ixf6 7.e3 and then got a clear advantage in the subsequent play, however, the opponent could select a more ambitious plan today. 6...dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.Eg3 b5 9.Ee2 Eb7 10.h4 g4 11.Ce5 Cbd7

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A possible reply Black does not want keeping an extra pawn, preferring rapid development. In addition, his rook can use the open g file. 12.Exg4 The practice shows that 12.Cxg4 b4! gives Black a good game. Also 12.00 Cxe5 13.Exe5 Gg8 cannot satisfy White. 12...Gg8 13.Cxd7 Ixd7 14.Ef3 000 14...b4?! is premature: 15.Ca4 c5 16.Cxc5 Exc5 17.dxc5 0 00 18.Ixd7+ Gxd7 19.Gc1 Exe4 20.Gxc4 Exf3 21.gxf3 a5 22.Ke2 with a big advantage (Shchekachev Shalimov, St. Petersburg 1999). 15.Ef4!? A new idea. White moves the bishop away, ruling out possible exchange sacrifices on g3. Another option was tested in S.IvanovShalimov (St. Petersburg 2000) 15.a4 a6 16.Ee5. Black reacted quite well: 16...Ce8! 17.axb5 cxb5 18.d5 Ie7 (18...f5!? is interesting) 19.Ie2 Eg7 20.Eg3 Ed4! with an excellent game. 15...a6 15...Ixd4?? is of course impossible due to 16.Ixd4 Gxd4 17.Ee5, and Black loses a piece. 16.a4 After 16.00? Black can already take the pawn: 16...Ixd4! 17.Ixd4 Gxd4 18.Ee5 Gd3 19.Ee2 Cd7! 20.Exd3 cxd3 21.Ef4 c5 with advantage. Interesting is 16.e5!? Cd5 17.Cxd5 cxd5 18.Id2 with a position resembling of a French Defense. White can hope to get an advantage because of Blacks weakened kingside. 16...Eb4 Of course, Black does not fall for provocation: 16...b4? 17.Ce2 followed by attack on the 4 pawn. 17.e5 c5!?

An excellent counterblow! The position becomes exceptionally sharp, but one can see that Blacks pieces (especially rooks) are more active. His king, however, is as a rule less safe. It is interesting to note that Black had another promising idea: 17...Cg4!? The knight should not be taken: 18.Exg4?! Ixd4 19.Ixd4 (19.g3?? Ie4+) 19...Gxd4, and meanwhile the d4 pawn is already threatened. 18.exf6? This looks like a serious mistake, giving away the initiative to the opponent. One had to find 18.axb5! cxd4 (18...Ixb5? 19.00) 19.bxa6 Exf3 20.Ixf3 Cd5 (weaker is 20...Id5?! 21.a7 Kb7 22.exf6 Ixf3 23.gxf3 dxc3 24.Ga4!, and White is much better compared to the line 21.00 dxc3 22.bxc3 Exc3 23.Gac1 with compensation. The game can go on 23...Ia7 24.Gxc3 Cxc3 25.Ixc3 Ixa6 26.Gc1 (26.Exh6!? Gd3 27.Ib4 Ic6 28.Eg5) 26...Ic6 27.g3 h5 28.Kh2, and White is unlikely worse. Black is also not worse, though. 18...cxd4 19.axb5 Ixb5! The strongest. Less promising is 19...dxc3 20.Ixd7+ Gxd7 21.Ga4 (weaker is 21.Exb7+?! Kxb7 22.bxa6+ Kc6, and on 23.Ga4 there is 23...Kb5) 21...Exf3 22.gxf3 Ggd8! 23.Gxb4 Gd1+ 24.Ke2 Gxh1 25.Gxc4+ Kb7 26.bxc3 Gxh4 27.Gc7+ Kb6 28.Eg3 with sufficient compensation for an exchange. 20.Ic2 A heavy looking move, but there are no easy ways for White left. For example, a natural 20.Exb7+?! Ixb7 21.Ie2 did not solve any problems: 21...Ic6 22.Ed2 dxc3 23.bxc3 Ec5, and the Whites king will soon feel the grip of the Blacks pieces. 20...Exf3 21.gxf3

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21...dxc3?! Possibly not the best, however, one cannot play perfectly in such a sharp position. 21...Gg6!? deserved attention. White could defend by 22.000!? (22.Kf1 dxc3 23.bxc3 Gxf6 24.Ie4 Id5!) 22...dxc3 23.Gxd8+ Kxd8 24.Gd1+ Kc8 25.Ie4! cxb2+ 26.Kb1! If5! 27.Gd4! Ea3 28.Gxc4+ Kd8 29.Gd4+ Ke8 30.Eg3 Gxf6 31.Gd3! Ixe4 32.fxe4 Ec5 33.h5! with the idea to trap the rook by Eg3 e5 and good drawing chances

after 33...e5 34.Exe5 Gxf2 35.Exb2. 22.bxc3 If5! Black wins material, but his extra pawns are vulnerable. 23.Ixf5 Exc3+ 24.Ke2 exf5 25.Ga4 25.Gxa6!? deserved serious attention. The c4 pawn looked more dangerous, but actually it is not easy to defend it: 25...Gge8+ 26.Kf1 Kb7 (in case of 26...Ge1+ 27.Kg2 Gxh1 28.Kxh1 Gd4 29.Ee3 Gxh4+ 30.Kg2 the Blacks rook is offside: 30...Kd7 31.Kg3 Gh1 32.Ga4, grabbing the dangerous pawn) 27.Ga4 Ge1+ 28.Kg2 Gg8+ 29.Kh2 Gxh1+ 30.Kxh1 Gc8 31.Exh6 Exf6 32.h5 Gh8 33.Ee3 Gxh5+ 34.Kg2 with real drawing chances. 25...Gge8+ 26.Ee3 Gd2+ 27.Kf1 Gd1+ 28.Kg2

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Black cannot make progress. After 35...Gd6 36.Ec5 Gc6 37.Ee3 Gd6 38.Ec5 Gc6 the players agreed to a draw.

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28...Gxh1 It looks like 28...Gg8+! is more promising. 29.Kh2 Ee5+ forces White to move the last pawn to a dark square: 30.f4 Gxh1+ 31.Kxh1 Ed6 32.Gxc4+ Kd7 33.Ga4 Ga8, retaining winning chances. 29.Kxh1 Exf6 30.Gxc4+ Kd7 31.Gb4 More accurate is 31.Gf4! Ke7 (31...Ke6?! 32.Ga4 Ga8 33.Exh6) 32.Gb4, and if 32...Ga8, then 33.Exh6 Gh8? 34.Gb7+. 31...Gc8 Stronger is 31...Ga8!, and if 32.Gb7+ (32.Exh6?! Gh8; 32.Ga4 h5!, 32.h5 a5 33.Ga4 Ec3), then 32...Ke8 33.Gb6 Eg7 34.Exh6 Exh6 35.Gxh6 Ke7 etc. 32.h5 Eg7 33.Kg2 Gc6 Now in the event of 33...Ga8 34.Ga4 it is not easy for Black to make his passed pawn moving without losing weak kingside pawns. Still, the text makes his chances even slimmer. 34.Gb7+ Ke6 35.Ga7

Kamsky Bacrot Ruy Lopez Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Eb5 a6 4.Ea4 Cf6 5.00 Ee7 6.Ge1 b5 7.Eb3 00 8.h3 Kamsky does not allow the Marshall attack. He said at one of the press conferences that after the 10 year break he is not ready to participate in theoretical discussions in lengthy and forced variations. Gata plans to use his main trumps excellent technique and sense of position in slow maneuvering play. 8...Eb7 9.c3 Recently 9.d3 became more popular. Frankly speaking, the resulting positions bored many chess players. Maybe this is why Kamsky selects a less common move. 9...d5 10.exd5 Cxd5 11.d3 11.Cxe5? is of course bad due to 11...Cxe5 12.Gxe5 Cf4 with a clear advantage to Black. 11.d4 exd4 leads to an even game. 11...Id6 12.Cbd2 Gad8 13.Ce4

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13...Id7 The diagrammed position occurred in a game of 15 year old Bobby Fischer. His opponent Laszlo Szabo

selected an ambitious 13...Ig6 14.Cg3 Ec5 (14...Cf4!? led to a sharp game after 15.d4 Cd3 16.Ge3 Cxc1 17.Gxc1 exd4 18.cxd4), and after 15.d4 (15.Cxe5?? Cxe5 16.d4 Cd3+) 15...exd4 Fischer did not find the winning 16.Ch4! (he played 16.cxd4?) 16...If6 17.Ce4! Ixh4 18.Eg5! 14.a4 Kh8 Preparing f5. 15.axb5 axb5 16.d4! Otherwise Black seizes the initiative.

21.Ixd7 Gxd7 22.bxc3 Cd3 23.Gd1 Cxc1 24.Gaxc1 Exf3 25.gxf3 Converting of the extra pawn is not easy, but Black is doomed to passivity. 25...Ef4 26.Ga1 Gd6!? Bacrot wants to attack Whites weak kingside pawns by f6 f5, if the opportunity arises. 27.c4 Gb6 28.Gd3 g6 28...f5!? made sense here. 29.c5 Gb5 30.Ec4 Gb4 31.Ee6 Gd8

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16...exd4?! Losing the match, Black could try an energetic 16...f5!? with a sharp game, for instance, 17.Ceg5 (17.Cc5 Exc5 18.dxc5 e4 19.Cd4) 17...e4 18.Ce5 Cxe5 19.dxe5 e3 (19...Ic8 20.Ih5) 20.e6 Ie8 21.Cf7+ Gxf7 22.exf7 exf2+ 23.Kxf2 Ixf7 with compensation for a sacrificed exchange. 17.cxd4 f6 Covering e5 and g5 from the Whites knights. 18.Cc3! White begins to struggle for the d5 square, simultaneously glancing at the b5 pawn. 18...Ccb4 19.Ie2! Double attack! 19...Ed6 20.Ixb5

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32.d5?! Kamsky is probably tired, too. Stronger is 32.Gad1! with the idea to place the pawns on c6 and d5, put the bishop on d7 and threaten the d5 d6. 32...Kg7?? A suicide. After 32...Gc4 it would be difficult for Kamsky to convert the pawn, because 33.c6? is met by 33...Gxc6. 33.d6 cxd6 34.c6 d5 35.Ga7+ Kh6 36.c7 Black resigns. Apparently, Bacrot did not manage to recover after yesterdays unlucky loss. His todays play was way below his usual standards.

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20...Cxc3?! Black proceeds to an inferior ending, although he could continue to fight in a complex middlegame by 20...Ec6 with certain compensation for a pawn because of piece activity.

Grischuk Malakhov Ruy Lopez Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Eb5 Cf6 4.00 Cxe4 5.d4 Ee7 An unexpected opening choice. This line is a rare guest in tournament practice, because of its suspicious reputation. One could expect a Berlin endgame after 5...Cd6 6.Exc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Cf5 8.Ixd8+ Kxd8. However, Vladimir, considering the match score, decided to play a more complex game. It is possible that he took his opponents habit to think a lot into account and the resulting positions give White a lot of tempting continuations. 6.Ie2 Cd6 7.Exc6 bxc6 8.dxe5 Cb7

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It is easy to see the reason why this line is out of fashion nobody likes playing with such knight on b7, surrounded by ruined pawn structure. However, Black wants to bring the knight to e6, and advance of the d pawn will give him some elbow room. 9.Cd4 More common is 9.Cc3 00 10.Ge1. 9...00 10.Cc3 Ec5!? An interesting idea prior to brining the knight to e6, Black wants to trade the d4 knight. He is short of space, so each vacant square is golden! 11.Gd1 Ge8 12.Ef4 The pawn is immune: 12.Cxc6? Ih4! 13.Cd4 Exd4 14.g3 Exf2+ 15.Ixf2 Ih5 with good chances to trouble the Whites king on the light squares. 12...Exd4 13.Gxd4 d5 14.b4 The alternatives 14.Ih5 and 14.Eg3 do not cause serious difficulties for Black. 14...a6 A prophylactic move. An immediate 14...Ef5? runs into 15.Ia6! 15.Id2!? A new move. SmrckaYudovich (corr., 1969) continued 15.Ih5, but it did not achieve much after 15...Id7 16.Gad1 If5 17.Ixf5 Exf5. 15...Ie7 Vacating a square for the knight! 16.Eg3 Cd8

17...Ef5?! with 18.c4! Ce6 19.cxd5! Cxd4 20.Cxd4 Ed7 21.e6! fxe6 22.dxc6 Ec8 23.Ee5 with a big advantage. However, Black could obtain a good game after 17...Ce6!? 18.Gh4 a5. 17...Ef5 18.Ce2 Here one could consider a different route for the knight: 18.Cd1!?, but Black stands well after 18...Ce6 19.Ce3 Eg6. 18...Ce6 19.Cd4 Cxd4 20.Gxd4 a5 Black equalized the game completely. 21.c3 Ee6 22.Eh4 If8

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23.Gc1 White demonstrates accuracy, preventing Black from forming connected pawns after ...a5xb4 and ...c6 c5. 23...c5 24.bxc5 Ixc5 25.h3 25.Gd3!? was worthy of consideration, planning to transfer the rook to the kingside. In this case the game could end in a draw by repetition after 25...Ic4 26.Gd4 Ic5 27.Gd3. 25...Gab8 26.a4 Gb3 27.Eg5 Geb8 28.c4 dxc4 29.Gd8+ Gxd8 30.Ixd8+ If8 31.Gd1 Gb8 32.Ixc7 h6

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17.Gh4 17.Ce2!? is probably more accurate, planning to meet

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33.Ixb8 Ixb8 34.Gd8+ Ixd8 Logical play led to depletion of forces, and the players agreed to a draw.

Polgar Bareev Caro Kann Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 Polgar changes the opening variation compared to the first game, selecting the Panov Attack. 3...cxd5 4.c4 Cf6 5.Cc3 Cc6 6.Eg5 dxc4!?

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True to his match strategy, Bareev selects the most active and risky continuations. 6...e6 is considered to be safer. 7.Exc4!? The most principled. White sacrifices a pawn, because Blacks life after 7.d5 Ce5 8.Id4 h6! seems too easy. 7...Ixd4 8.Ixd4 Cxd4 9.000 e5 10.f4 Eg4 11.Cf3 Cxf3 12.gxf3

and played 12...Ee6!? 13.Ed3 It is interesting to put a practical test on another Grischuks recommendation 13.Eb5+!? Cd7 14.Ghe1 f6 15.Eh4. 13...Ee7 14.f5 14.fxe5 deserved attention, although 14...Cd7 gives Black safe position. 14...Ed7 15.Ghe1 000 16.Gxe5 Ed6 17.Ge2 Ec6 White regains a pawn, but Black completes development. 18.Ce4 Ee5 19.Eh4 Gd5 20.Cxf6 gxf6 21.Ee4 Gxd1+ 22.Kxd1 Exe4 23.fxe4 Gg8

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The exchanges significantly simplified the game. Blacks pawn weaknesses are compensated by activity of his pieces. The game is even. 24.Kc2 Kd7 25.Kd3 Gg4 26.Ee1 Gg1 27.Ef2 Gd1+ 28.Kc2 Gh1 29.Exa7 h5 30.Ed4 An equal rook ending arose. The players attempted to set problems for each other, but in 15 moves the inevitable happened. 30...Exd4 31.Gd2 Kc7 32.Gxd4 Gxh2+ 33.Kc3 h4 34.a4 Gh1 35.Gd3 Kc6 36.Kc4 b6 37.Gc3 Kb7 38.Gd3 Ka6 39.b4 h3 40.Kd5 Gh2 41.Kd6 Ge2 42.Gxh3 Gxe4 43.Gh8 Gxb4 44.Ke7 Gxa4 45.Kxf7 Kb5 46.Kxf6 Ga1 47.Gc8 Kb4 48.Kg6 Gg1+ 49.Kf7 b5 50.f6 Ka3 51.Ga8+ Kb3 52.Gg8 Gf1 53.Gg5 b4 54.Ke6 Kc4 55.f7 Gxf7 56.Kxf7 b3 Draw.

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The diagrammed position already occurred in Bareevs practice. Playing against Grischuk (Moscow, Russian superfinal 2004), he selected a sharp 12...Exf3!? 13.fxe5 Exh1 14.exf6 Gc8 (14...h6!?) 15.Ge1+ Kd7, but after 16.Gd1+ Ed6 17.Ee2! gxf6 18.Exf6 Eg2 19.Ee5 Ke6 20.Exd6 Ghd8 21.Eg3 White got an advantage and eventually won. However, in a recent game Jakovenko L'Ami (Wijk aan Zee 2007) Black continued 16...Ke8!?, and got a good game after 17.Ee2 (Grischuk recommended 17.Ed3!?) 17...h6 18.Eh4 g5 19.Eg3 Ee4 20.Eg4 Gxc3+ 21.bxc3 Ea3+ 22.Kd2 h5. Bareev decided not to check out Polgars preparation,

Adams Shirov Ruy Lopez Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Eb5 a6 4.Ea4 Cf6 5.00 b5 6.Eb3 Ec5 The players repeat yesterdays opening, but now Shirov plays a more familiar role. 7.a4 Gb8 8.c3 d6 9.d4 Eb6 10.axb5 axb5 11.Id3

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This move posed some problems for Black recently. White wants to take the b5 pawn with the queen instead of a routine 11.Ca3 00 12.Cxb5, because the b5 knight often becomes headache. Going back with the queen is much easier. In addition, the knight on d2 supports the center and the queenside. 11...00 Black also tested 11...Ed7, and now 12.Ca3 00 13.Eg5 h6 14.Eh4 Ie7 (in Shabalov Friedel, Minneapolis 2005 Black played 14...g5, and after 15.Cxg5 hxg5 16.Exg5 exd4 17.Gae1 Kg7 18.f4 Ee6 the resulting complicated position is acceptable for Black; however, Whites play can be improved) 15.Gfe1 gives White better chances (Negi Lahno, New Delhi (m/2) 2006). 12.Eg5 12.Ixb5, which already occurred in Alexeis practice, is not very promising: 12...Ie8 13.Id3 exd4 14.cxd4 Cxd4 15.Cxd4 Exd4 16.Ixd4 Gxb3 with equality (Kupreichik Shirov, GER chT 1997). 12...exd4! After 12...h6 13.Exf6! Ixf6 14.Ixb5 Black did not manage to solve his problems completely: 14...Ce7 (after 14...Ca7 15.Ia4!? White got better chances in Negi Lahno, New Delhi (m/4) 2006, and on 14...Ca5, as in Shabalov Ganguly, Edmonton 2005, White should play 15.Ec2!), and now 15.Cbd2 Cg6 gave Black good counterplay in Dvoirys Mkrtchian, Chelyabinsk 2007, but one could consider 15.dxe5!, although 15...If4 gives Black certain compensation for a pawn. 13.cxd4 h6 14.Eh4 g5!

Here comes the improvement! After 14...Eg4?! 15.Cbd2 White strengthens the pawn center and obtains a serious advantage. 15.e5 This tempting move leads to a forced draw. The sacrifice 15.Cxg5?! is also hardly dangerous for Black: 15...hxg5 16.Exg5 Cxd4 etc. The only way to fight for an advantage is 15.Eg3. Black must reply 15...Ch5, after which 16.e5 is not dangerous because of 16Kg7 17.Ec2 Gh8 with a good game despite weakened position of the king. 15...gxh4 This move allows the queen invasion, but White is little short on resources. 16.Ig6+ Kh8 17.Ixh6+ Ch7 18.Ec2 f5 19.exf6 Gf7 20.Cg5

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Attempts to gradually improve the position can only lead to problems, e.g., 20.Ge1?! Ed7, and there may be a problem with perpetual. 20...Ixf6 The only but sufficient defense. 21.Cxf7+ Regaining a piece by 21.Ixf6+? Gxf6 22.Cxh7 led to a sad ending after 22...Gf4. 21...Ixf7 22.Exh7 Ixh7 23.If8+ Ig8 24.Ih6+ Ih7 25.If8+ Ig8 26.Ih6+

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Draw by perpetual.

Round 1. Game 4 31 May 2007 Aronian Carlsen Bogo Indian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich
1.d4 Cf6 2.Cf3!? Aronian rules out the Volga Gambit, which occurred in the 2nd game of this match (2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5!?). 2...e6 3.c4 Eb4+ 4.Cbd2 More common is 4.Ed2, but I prefer the text. White will soon obtain the bishop pair, and Black has to play very accurately to avoid strategically inferior position. 4...b6 5.a3 Exd2+ 6.Ixd2 Eb7 7.e3 00 8.b4 d5?! A dubious plan. Sooner or later Black will have to open the center by 7 5, after which Whites bishop pair will become a force to recon with. Safer is 8...d6 9.Eb2 Cbd7 10.Ee2, and then one can start standard kingside play by 10...Ce4 11.Ic2 f5, or play in the center 10...Ie7 11.00 c5. 8...a5!? also deserves attention, considering the move order selected by White. 9.Eb2 Cbd7 10.Ed3 dxc4 11.Exc4 c5 12.00 Gc8 13.Ie2 Ie7 14.Gfc1 cxd4 15.Cxd4 h6

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32.Ed6! Gaining control of the 7 square. Now Black is unable to defend his queenside pawns. 32...Id7 33.Ec7 Gf8 34.Gc2 Ge8 35.Gc4 If7 36.Ed6 Gd8 37.Gc7 Cd7 38.Ic6 Ie6 39.Gxa7 Kf7 40.Ixb6 Black resigns. Unfortunately, after the free day, Carlsen played way below his usual strength. Aronian accurately converted his positional plus.

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White has a secure advantage. Aronian could play 16.f3!? followed by 4, playing against the b7 bishop, but he preferred to use weakness of Blacks queenside. 16.Ea6!? The two bishop advantage sometimes allows swapping one of them in order to transpose to a position with the advantage of a different kind. 16...Exa6 17.Ixa6 Gxc1+ 18.Gxc1 Cb8 Covering the 6 square. 19.Ic4 Gd8 20.h3 Ce8 21.b5 Gd5 22.Ie2 Gc5 23.Gd1 Gc8 24.If3 Whites advantage is so stable that Black can only stand still and try parrying concrete threats. 24...Gd8 25.Gc1 Cd6 26.a4 e5 27.Cf5 Cxf5 28.Ixf5 f6 29.Ie4 The Blacks knight is doomed on b8, as 29...Cd7 runs into 30.Gc7, and White wins. 29...If7 30.Ea3 Kh8 31.Kh2 Kg8

Gurevich Leko Nimzo Indian Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cc3 Eb4 4.Ic2 00 5.a3 Exc3+ 6.Ixc3 b6 7.Eg5 Eb7 8.f3 h6 9.Eh4 d5 10.e3 Cbd7 11.cxd5 Cxd5 12.Exd8 Cxc3 13.Eh4 Cd5 14.Ef2 c5 15.e4 Ce7 16.Ce2 In the second game of the match, Gurevich selected an unsuccessful 16.000?!, and after 16...Gac8 17.Kb1 c4! 18.Ce2 f5! 19.exf5 Cxf5 20.Cc3 Cf6 Black seized the d5 square, and started dictating his will. 16...f5!

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Almost a novelty! This move occurred once in a postal game. Unlike the second game, here White is able to keep a pawn on e4. Nevertheless, this undermining weakens the e4 pawn and opens the f file. Usually Black continued 16...Gac8 17.Cc3 with a small advantage to White after 17...cxd4 18.Exd4 Cc5 19.Gd1 Gfd8 20.Ee3 Gxd1+ 21.Kxd1 e5 22.b4! Ce6 23.Kc2 Cc6 24.Kb2 (Kramnik Leko, Dortmund 2006). Black lost that game, but the ending is of course drawn. 17.Cg3 After 17.exf5 Cxf5 18.dxc5 Cxc5 Black did not have any problems in RuntingAsquith (corr., 2002). 17...fxe4 18.fxe4 cxd4 19.Exd4 White relies on his bishop pair, however, he still has to complete development. Besides, the Blacks knights have good outposts, such as e5. 19...Gac8 And attempt to exert pressure on e4 by 19...Cf6 is met by 20.Ec4! (in case of 20.Exf6 Gxf6 21.Ec4 Gc8 22.b3 Gc6!? planning ...Ce7 g6 Black is okay) 20...Cxe4 21.Exe6+ Kh7 (21...Kh8? 22.Ch5!) 22.Cxe4 Exe4 23.000, and the bishop pair is troublesome for Black in this open position. 20.Gd1 Gfd8 20...e5!? was worthy of consideration. 21.Ec3 Cc5, and then 22.Ec4+ Kh7 23.Exe5 Cxe4 24.Gd7 Gxc4 25.Gxe7 Gc1+ 26.Ke2 Cxg3+ 27.hxg3 Ea6+ 28.Ke3 Gxh1 29.Gxg7+ Kh8, and White has nothing more than perpetual. However, the text is also quite good. 21.Ec3 Cg6 22.Eb5 Cc5 23.00

27...b5! Fixing the opponents b pawn on a light square, as White is left with a light squared bishop. 28.a5 28.Ga1 bxa4 29.Gxa4 Cb5 is also more pleasant for Black. 28...Ce8

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29.Ce2 White still cannot find a place for his knight. In a middlegame one could think about e4 e5 followed by Cg3 e4, but here it only gives Black more squares for the knights: 29.e5 Cc7 30.Ce4 Gd3 31.Ee1 (31.Gc1?! Cd5) 31...Cd5 with initiative. Probably staying still is a better option: 29.h3 a6 30.Gf2, and the Whites position is inferior but defendable. 29...e5 30.Gc1 Cf6 31.Cg3 h5! Black starts creating some real threats! 32.h3 This move does nothing against Blacks activity, but White is already in big trouble! An attempt to prepare invasion by 32.Ee1 is met by 32...Cf4 (but not 32...h4?! 33.Cf5 Cxe4 34.Gc7 Gd1 35.Gxg7+ Kf8 36.Kf1 Cf4 37.g3 hxg3 38.hxg3 Cd3 39.Ke2 Gxe1+ 40.Kxd3 Cd6! 41.Gg5 with a possible draw) 33.Kf1 Cg4, and the Blacks knights look threatening. 32...a6

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White has finally completed the mobilization, but now Black trades one of the bishops. 23...Ea6 24.Exa6 Cxa6 25.Gxd8+ An attempt to obtain some outposts for the pieces by 25.Ch5 e5 26.Cg3 does not bring much: 26...Cc5 27.Gd5 Ca4 28.Ce2 Gxd5 29.exd5 Cxb2! 30.Exb2 Gc2 31.Exe5 Cxe5, and White has to demonstrate some accuracy to make a draw. 25...Gxd8 26.b4 Cc7 27.a4 The match situation forced Gurevich to play actively. One could simplify the game by 27.Eb2!? Gd2 (27...Ce8 28.a4) 28.Gf2 Gd1+ 29.Gf1.

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Leko is not in hurry, but 32...Gc8!? is also worthy of consideration. 33.Kh2? Mistakes in defense usually lead to more serious

consequences. White needed to seek counterchances by 33.Ee1 Cf4 34.Kf1 h4 35.Cf5 Cxe4 36.Cxh4 etc. 33...Gc8 34.Ed2 Gxc1 35.Exc1 h4 36.Cf5 Cxe4 Now White is just a pawn down. 37.g3 hxg3+ 38.Cxg3 Cxg3 39.Kxg3 Kf7 40.Kg4 Ce7

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Black has an easy plan of improving his position, threatening by either promoting the e pawn or winning the b pawn. Gurevich decided not to test the opponents technique, and congratulated Leko with the victory in the game and in the match.

should often put the bishop on d7, in order to keep an eye on the e6 square in case White goes f2 f4 f5. In addition, the d7 bishop supports Blacks queenside play. 11.Ig3 b4 12.Ca4 Cbd7 13.f3 00 14.Gac1 White has to take care of the a4 knight and the b3 bishop. Developing any kingside play is surely late. 14.Eh6? is bad due to 14...Ch5! 15.Ih3 gxh6! 16.Ixh5 Ia7! 17.Gad1 e5 (Polgar Gelfand, Dos Hermanas 1994). Rather submissive play in Short Kasparov (London rapid (m/2) 1993) 14.Gad1 Kh8 15.Gfe1 Gb8 16.Kh1 Ce5 17.Ce2 Ic7 18.c3 Ed7 allowed Black to create queenside pressure. 14...Gb8!? A novelty. Black frees the d7 knight from guarding the b6 square. On 14...Ce5 White has 15.Cb6, trading a bad knight for Blacks light squared bishop, as 15...Ixb6?? loses instantly to 16.Cf5. 15.c3 bxc3 15...Ce5!? is probably more accurate. 16.Gxc3 Ce5

Rublevsky Ponomariov Sicilian Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 c5 2.Cf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Cxd4 Cf6 5.Cc3 a6 6.Ec4 e6 7.Eb3 b5 In the second game of the match Ruslan selected a riskier 7...Cbd7 8.Eg5 Ia5 9.Id2 Ee7 10.000 Cc5. 8.00 Ee7 9.If3 Ib6 Another direction is 9...Ic7 10.Ig3, and here Black chooses between 10...Cc6 and 10...00. 10.Ee3 Ib7

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17.Gfc1 Nevertheless, White could think about 17.Cb6!? Ixb6 18.Cxe6!, which leads to a position with non standard material ratio after 18...Ixe3+ (18...Ch5!? also deserves attention) 19.Gxe3 fxe6. Rublevsky does not want to complicate things. 17...Ed7 18.Ie1 Turning to the queenside completely, before it is too late. 18...Ed8 A good maneuver. 19.Id1 Ea5 Black could capture a pawn by 19...Exa4 20.Exa4 Ixb2, but it is rather dangerous. After 21.a3 Ea5 22.Gb3 Gxb3 23.Ixb3 Ixb3 24.Cxb3 Ed8 his queenside is left without defenders and passivity of the rook can also lead to dire consequences. 20.G3c2 Gfc8

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A rather unusual maneuver. Normally this square is occupied by a bishop, but in such positions Black

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An attempt to trouble White on the a7 g1 diagonal by 20...Exa4 21.Exa4 Eb6 does not bring fruits after a simple 22.Kh1 the bishop is just gone for nothing. 21.Gxc8+ Gxc8 22.Gxc8+ Ixc8 23.Ed2 Ic7 24.Exa5 Ixa5 25.Cc3 White reduced the opponents activity by exchanges. 25...Ic5 26.Kf1 a5 27.Cde2 Kf8 28.Id4 Continuing in the same style. 28...Ixd4 29.Cxd4 Cd3 30.Ke2 Cxb2

Mass exchanges led to an endgame with a symbolic plus to White. His space advantage is not playing any role, because his king cannot march into the enemy camp: the e4 pawn always requires protection. A draw is imminent. 41.Kd3 Cf6 42.Ca3 Cg4 43.h3 Cf6 44.Cc4 Kd7 45.Ke3 Ke7 46.Kf3 Kd7 47.g4 h6 48.Ce3 g6 49.Cg2 Ke7 50.Ch4 Kf7 51.Ke3 Ch7 52.Cf3 Kf6 53.h4 Ke7 54.Cd2 Cf6 55.Kf3 Kd7 56.g5, and the players shook hands. Game drawn.

Kasimdzhanov Gelfand Queens Gambit Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 d5 4.Cc3 dxc4 5.e4 Eb4

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31.Kd2 An attempt to trap the knight by 31.a4 is parried by 31...d5, securing the 4 square for the knight, while in case of a more refined 31.a3!? Black could think about 31...Ec8!? with the idea of ...Ec8 a6. 31...a4 32.Kc2 axb3+ 33.axb3 e5 34.Cde2 Cc4! Black does not allow White to create an outside passed pawn. 35.bxc4 Ee6 36.Cd5 Cd7 37.Cec3 f5 38.Cb5 fxe4 39.fxe4 Exd5 40.cxd5 Ke7

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6.Exc4!? A very rare continuation White sacrifices a pawn, but seizes the initiative thanks to his development lead. The main lines of the Vienna Variation start with 6.Eg5 c5, and then 7.e5 or 7.Exc4. 6...Cxe4 7.00 Cxc3 7...Cf6 does not promise complete equality: 8.Ia4+ Cc6 9.Ce5 Ee7 10.Cxc6 bxc6 11.Ixc6+ Ed7 12.If3 (Gustafsson Aronian, playchess.com 2004). Dubious is 7...Exc3?! 8.bxc3 Cxc3 9.Ib3 (or 9.Id3 Cd5 10.Ea3) 9...Cd5 10.Ea3 Cc6 11.Gfe1 Cce7 12.Exe7 Cxe7 13.d5 with strong initiative (S.Pedersen P.H.Nielsen, Faaborg 2007) 8.bxc3 Ee7 Greedy 8...Exc3?! could get Black into trouble: 9.Gb1 c5!? (9...00 10.Id3 and Cf3 g5) 10.Eg5 f6 11.Ib3!? cxd4 (or 11...fxg5 12.Exe6) 12.Exe6, and the Blacks king falls under strong attack. 9.Ce5 00 10.Ig4 Development lead and control of the center allows White to start kingside operations. 10...Kh8 A new move Black radically prevents 11.Eh6. Potkin Kharlov (Sochi 2006) went 10...Cc6 11.Eh6 Ef6 12.f4 with more than adequate compensation for a pawn. 11.Ih3 Ie8 12.Ed3 f5 13.Ge1 An unexpected retreat 13.Ee2!? with the idea Ee2 h5 looks interesting. In this case Black would have to play

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13...Kg8 14.Eh5 Id8. 13...Cc6 14.Cf3 White saves the knight from being exchanged, as did Carlsen in the 3rd game against Aronian. However, this position is a bit different. A natural 14.Ef4!? has to be considered, too. 14...Ig6 15.Gb1 Ed6 16.Gb2!? A tempting maneuver. The bishop doesnt have to move, as it has enough scope from c1, while doubling the rooks on the e file should increase pressure on Black. Yet, Blacks defensive resources are rich enough. 16...b6 17.Gbe2 Ed7 18.Cg5 Gae8

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19.Eb5 On 19.Ec4?! Black could respond 19...e5!, and 19.f4!? h6 is also not too scary for Black. But maybe White had to play it anyway, in order to stop the e pawn. 19...h6 Interesting is 19...e5!? 20.Exc6 (on 20.dxe5?! there is 20...Gxe5!) 20...Exc6 21.dxe5 Ee7 with an excellent game. The text move is also possible. 20.Exc6 Exc6 21.Cxe6 Gg8 22.c4 Ed7!? Black is not interested in 22...Eb4 23.Cf4 If7 24.Gxe8 Gxe8 25.Gxe8+ Ixe8 26.Ie3 Ixe3 27.Exe3, and White holds the balance. 23.d5?! The knight retreat is safer: 23.Cf4 If7 24.d5 etc. 23...Exe6 24.Gxe6 Gxe6 25.dxe6?! This loses a pawn. Better is 25.Gxe6 Ge8! 26.Exh6! Gxe6 (26...gxh6?? 27.Ic3+) 27.Ed2+ Kg8 28.dxe6 Ixe6 29.Id3 with inferior but defendable position. 25...Ge8 26.Ie3

26...f4? The time deficit begins to tell. One could take the pawn by 26...Eb4, and 27.Ge2? is bad in view of 27...f4! 28.Ixf4 Id3. Also good is 26...Ec5!? 27.Ie2 Eb4! 27.Ie4 Ixe4 28.Gxe4 Now White is okay, although the e6 pawn still requires some care. 28...Kh7 29.f3 Building a pawn chain by 29.g4?! fxg3 30.hxg3 is impossible due to 30...h5!, and after 31.Ge2 Kg6 32.Eb2 Black improves his position by 32...Ge7 etc. Rustam didnt want to play an inferior rook ending after 29.Exf4 Exf4 30.Gxf4 Gxe6 31.Kf1, where White has weak pawns and no forced draw. 29...g5 30.Kf2 Kg6 31.g4 31.Eb2 Kf5 32.g4+ fxg3+ 33.hxg3 h5 (33...Gxe6?? 34.g4+) 34.Ge1 is possible. Black cannot win the e6 pawn so easily, e.g., 34...a6 35.a4 g4 36.Gh1 Gxe6 37.Gxh5+ Kg6 38.fxg4 Ge4 39.Kf3 Gxc4 40.a5 b5 41.Gf5 Gc2?! 42.Gf6+ Kh7 43.Ed4, and Whites piece activity together with a strong passed pawn secures him from losing. However, it is possible that Blacks play can be improved. 31...Kf6 32.Eb2+ Ke7 33.h4!

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33...gxh4? This is a serious mistake Black disconnects his pawns, thus creating many weaknesses. One could simply maintain the tension by 33...Ec5+ 34.Kg2 Gg8, although after 35.h5 Black is unable to make progress due to weakness of the h6 pawn. 34.Eg7 h3 35.Kg1 Ec5+?! Also in case of 35...Gg8 36.Exh6 Gg6 37.Exf4 Exf4 38.Gxf4 Kxe6 39.Kh2 Black is a pawn down. However, the text move is even worse. 36.Kh2 Gd8 37.Exh6 Gd3

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38.Kxh3? White returns the favor! After 38.Eg5+ Ke8 39.Exf4 Gxf3 40.Exc7 he has real winning chances, for example, 40...Ke7 41.g5 Ge3 42.Gxe3 Exe3 43.g6 Ed4 (43...Kxe6 44.Ee5!) 44.Kxh3 Kxe6 45.Kg4 etc. 38...Gxf3+ 39.Kh4 Ge3 Now the position becomes equal. 40.Eg5+ Ke8 41.Gxe3 After 41.Gxf4 Gxe6 Black cannot be worse. 41...fxe3 42.Kg3 e2 43.Ed2 Ke7 44.Kf3 Kxe6 45.Kxe2 c6 46.Ef4 Ee7 47.Kd3 b5 48.cxb5 Game drawn.

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10...Ce4 Kamsky wants to play the Dutch again! Topalov selected 10...Ch5 11.Ec1 b5, and after 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.e4 dxe4 14.Ixe4 Gb8 15.Ie2 Chf6 16.Ef4 Gb6 Whites chances looked higher. Nevertheless, Veselin defended successfully in a very important game against Teimour Radjabov: 17.Ce5 Cd5 18.Exd5! exd5 19.Cc3 Cxe5! (in Kramnik Topalov, (m/9) Elista 2006 White obtained an advantage after 19...Cf6 20.Cxb5 Ea6 21.a4 Ce4 22.Gdc1) 20.dxe5 d4 21.Ee3 dxe3! 22.Ixe3 Eg5 23.Ic5 Ee7 24.Ie3 Eg5 25.Ic5 Ee7 26.Ie3, and the game ended in a move repetition (Radjabov Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2007). 11.Cc3 f5 In BareevRenet (France 1995) Black played more provocatively: 11...g5 12.Ee3 f5. Having a two point lead, Gata does not dare moving pawns from his king. 12.Ce5 Cxe5 13.Exe5 Cd6

Bacrot Kamsky Catalan Opening Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 Cf6 In the second game Kamsky immediately went for the Dutch Defense: 1...f5 2.g3 Cf6 3.Eg2 g6 4.Cf3 Eg7 etc. 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Eb4+ 4.Ed2 Ee7 5.Eg2 d5 6.Cf3 00 7.00 c6 8.Ef4 The game transposes to a Catalan. 8...Cbd7 8...b6 is played more frequently. 9.Ic2 a5 Veselin Topalov drew attention of the chess world to this pawn advance. 10.Gd1

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14.Exd6?! Although this exchange leads to a closed position in which the Blacks bishops are fairly passive, it minimizes Whites winning chances. 14.c5 Cf7 15.Ef4 g5 is unclear, but 14.b3!? looks promising. Black could reject taking a pawn: 14...dxc4 15.Ca4!? or 15.Gab1!? would give White a very good game. 14...Exd6 15.e3 Gb8 16.c5 Ec7 17.f4 Ed7 18.a3 White wants to lock the opponent completely, but Kamsky finds an excellent plan. 18...Ee8 19.b4 b5 20.cxb6 Exb6 21.Ca4 axb4 22.axb4 Gf7

The only Blacks weakness the c6 pawn is safely protected by the bishop. The Blacks position has another disadvantage lack of space, but Gata skillfully finds the squares for his pieces. 23.Ic3 Gfb7 24.Ef1 g5!

The simplest. 38.Ia3 Eg6 39.Ef3?! f4

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Reminding the opponent that Black is not the only side that can face problems. 25.Ea6 Gg7 26.Gd2 I think White would not lose this game if he took the bishop: 26.Cxb6!? Ixb6 27.Gdb1. Bacrot wants to put the knight on c5, but Blacks dark squared bishop plays an important role in the kingside play. 26...h5 27.Gg2 Ec7 28.Cc5 If6 29.Ef1 Ed6

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White resigns. Gata Kamsky advances to the next stage!

Malakhov Grischuk Queens Gambit Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.c4 Cf6 2.Cf3 e6 3.Cc3 d5 4.d4 dxc4 Grischuk offers the opponent to play the Vienna Variation, as in Kasimdzhanov Gelfand. Kasimdzhanov accepted the challenge, and his game continued 5.e4 Eb4 6.Exc4!? Cxe4 7.00! with very sharp play, but Malakhov prefers quieter waters. 5.Ia4+ c6 6.Ixc4 b5 This position usually occurs after 4...c6 5.Ib3 dxc4 6.Ixc4 b5. 7.Id3 Cbd7 8.e4 White seizes the center, and Black drives the Whites knight to a4 and starts playing on the queenside. 8...b4 9.Ca4 Ia5 10.b3 c5 11.Ee2 Eb7 12.e5

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30.fxg5? Probably Etienne recalled that he is in a must win situation. Bad timing... One had to maintain the tension by 30.Gaa2 or 30.Cd3, it is very difficult for Black to break through. 30...Gxg5 31.Ga7 e5 The mistake on the move 30 opened the game, and the bishop pair gained a lot of power. 32.dxe5 Exe5 33.Ib3? Moving the queen away from the kingside is clearly wrong. More tenacious is 33.Id2 Ec3 (33...h4 34.gxh4) 34.Ic1. 33...h4! Now Blacks attack develops smoothly. 34.gxh4 Gxg2+ 35.Exg2 Ixh4 36.Cd3 Exh2+ 36...Ed4!? is also interesting 37.Kf1 Ic4!

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12...Ce4!? The idea of Ivanchuk. Alexey Dreev, Malakhovs second in Elista, preferred 12...Cd5 13.00 Gc8 (probably stronger is 13...Ee7!? 14.Ed2 00 15.Gfc1 Gfc8 16.Ib5 Ixb5 17.Exb5 C5b6 18.dxc5 Cxc5 with mutual chances, Piket Van Wely, Monte Carlo 1999)

14.Ed2 Ee7, and here 15.a3!? (instead of 15.Gac1?!, Umansky Dreev, 1989) gives White some chances to get an advantage. 13.Ee3 Gd8 14.00 14.Ib5 Ixb5 15.Exb5 cxd4 16.Exd4 a6 led to a roughly even endgame in Nikolic Ivanchuk, Monte Carlo 1999). Under different circumstances Malakhov would probably gladly accept such ending, relying on his excellent technique, but here he needed to play more ambitiously to level the match score. 14...a6 15.Gac1 Ee7 16.Ic2!? White attempts to use awkward position of the Blacks knight, but Grischuk parries all the threats with great accuracy. 16...00! Dubious is 16...cxd4?! due to 17.Exd4 00 18.Ic7! with a big endgame advantage. 17.Ed3 cxd4 18.Exe4 The following entertaining although by no means forced line occurs after 18.Exd4: 18...Gc8 19.Ib1 Cc3!? 20.Cxc3 bxc3 21.Exh7+ Kh8 22.Ee4 c2 23.Exc2 Exf3 24.gxf3 Id5 with a sharp game. 18...Gc8!? In case of 18...Exe4 19.Ixe4 dxe3 20.Ixe3 White has only a minimal advantage, but Grischuk prefers a larger scale game. 19.Exh7+ Kh8 20.Id3 Gxc1 21.Exc1 21.Gxc1!? Exf3 22.Exd4 Cxe5 23.Ie3 Kxh7 24.Exe5 Eb7 led to a position in which Blacks bishop pair compensates activity of Whites pieces. 21...Exf3 22.Ixf3 Not good is 22.gxf3?! in view of 22...Cxe5 23.Ie4 f5 with advantage to Black. 22...Kxh7 23.Ge1 Kg8 24.Ig3 f6 An interesting decision. Grischuk creates pawn weaknesses in his position, but once and for all stops all Whites attempts to make up a kingside attack. A natural 24...Gc8 also looks okay. 25.exf6 Gxf6 26.Id3 Id5

Whites camp. 27.Ed2 gives roughly equal chances. 27...Ixe4 28.Gxe4 e5! 29.Cb2 Gc6 30.Cc4 Cb6! 31.Gxe5 Ef6 32.Ga5 Cxc4 33.bxc4 Gxc4 34.Ef4 d3 The pawns are unstoppable. 35.g3 Gc2 36.Gd5 Gxa2 37.Gxd3 Ga3 White resigns.

Shirov Adams Queens Indian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.d4 Shirov changes the opening easily. He does not want to test Adams preparation after 1.e4, and turns to closed openings. However, closed games by Shirov often develop like open ones. 1...Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 b6 4.g3 Eb7 5.Eg2 Ee7 6.0 0 00

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7.d5!? This sacrifice became popular after Polugaevsky Korchnoi match (Buenos Aires 1980). 7...exd5 8.Ch4! c6 9.cxd5 Cxd5 10.Cf5 Cc7 Korchnoi played 10...Ec5? in the aforementioned game, and lost after 11.e4 Ce7 12.Cxg7! Kxg7 13.b4! Exb4 14.Id4+ f6 15.Ixb4 (Polugaevsky Korchnoi, Buenos Aires (m/12) 1980). 11.e4 d5 12.Cc3 Ef6 13.exd5 More frequently White plays 13.Ef4!? Ec8! 14.g4. Navara tried it twice this year, but succeeded neither against Gelfand nor against Fedorchuk: 14...Exf5 (14...Cba6 15.e5 Ee7 16.Eg3 f6 17.Cd4 Ed7 18.Gc1 fxe5 19.Exe5 Ef6 20.Eg3 with a sharp game, Navara Gelfand, Prague 2006) 15.gxf5 Cd7 16.Gc1 Gc8 17.exd5 Cxd5 18.Cxd5 cxd5 19.Ixd5 Gxc1 20.Gxc1 Ce5 21.Gd1 Ixd5 22.Gxd5 Ge8 23.h3 g5 24.Exe5 Gxe5 25.Gxe5, draws (Navara Fedorchuk, Ustron 2006). 13...Cxd5 White developed strong attack in Kasparov Marjanovic (La Valetta 1980): 13...cxd5 14.Ef4 Cba6 15.Ge1 Id7?! 16.Eh3! Kh8? 17.Ce4 Exb2 18.Cg5 Ic6 19.Ce7 If6 20.Cxh7! Id4 21.Ih5 g6 22.Ih4 Exa1

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27.Ie4?? Malakhov selects the worst possible moment to transit to an endgame. Apparently, he overlooked Blacks 28th move, after which the Blacks rook can invade into the

23.Cf6+, and Black resigned in anticipation of a checkmate: 23.Cf6+ Kg7 24.Ih6+ Kxf6 25.Eg5# or 24.Cf5+gxf5 25.Ih6#. However, soon Black discovered a more tenacious defense: 15...Ec8!? (instead of 15...Id7?). The resulting positions are more fitting to Shirovs aggressive style, therefore Adams attempts to simplify the situation by exchanging a couple of knights. 14.Cxd5 cxd5 15.Ef4 A novelty. White played 15.Ce3 before, regaining the d5 pawn and maintaining certain pressure after 15...Cc6 16.Cxd5. 15...Cd7 16.Cd6 Ea6

21...Cd7 22.Ib3 or 21...Ca4 22.Exb8 23.Ie6, threatening 24.Gd7 and 24.Ed5. 22.Exd5 Gd8 23.bxc5 bxc5

Ixb8

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17.Ixd5?! As usual, Shirov does not count material. However, 17.Ge1!? looks more promising in my opinion. Black must play very accurately in order to avoid losing. Let us consider the variations: ) On 17...Exb2 there is 18.Exd5! Now 18...Exa1? loses to 19.Cxf7! Gxf7 20.Exf7+ Kxf7 21.Id5+ Kg6 22.Ie4+ with checkmate. Necessary is 18...Cf6! 19.Exf7+ Gxf7 20.Ib3 Exa1 21.Ixf7+ Kh8 22.Ib3 Id7 23.Gxa1 Gf8 with some chances to defend. B) Bad is 17...d4 in view of 18.b4. C) In response to 17...Cc5 18.Exd5 Cd3, White can play 19.Ia4!? Cxe1 20.Gxe1 with strong initiative, for example, 20...Ed3 21.Exf7+!? Gxf7 (21...Kh8 22.Ed5) 22.Cxf7 Kxf7 (bad is 22...Id5 due to 23.Ge8+ Kxf7 24.Gxa8 Ixa8 25.Id7+) 23.Ib3+ Kg6 24.Gd1 with a clear advantage. 17...Exf1 18.Kxf1 More natural is 18.Gxf1, but it gives the Blacks queen a square 18...Ie7, and there is nothing real for White. Nothing but a funny perpetual: 19.Cxf7!? Ixf7 20.Ixf7+ Kxf7 21.Ed5+ Kg6 (21...Ke8?? should be avoided) 22.Ee4+ Kf7 23.Ed5+. 18...Gb8 Now 18...Ie7? is bad because of 19.Ge1. 19.Gd1 Perhaps White had 19.Cb7!? with approximately even game. 19...Cc5 20.Cxf7 Gxf7 21.b4 Ixd5! The most accurate. White has dangerous initiative after

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24.Ee3?? A huge blunder. After 24.Exf7+ Kxf7 25.Gb1 the game is probably a draw. 24...Kh8! Now White does not get a single pawn for an exchange, because 25.Exc5? is followed by 25...Gfd7. 25.Exf7 Gxd1+ 26.Ke2 Gd7 The rest is a matter of technique. 27.Eb3 Ed4 28.Ef4 Ge7+ 29.Kf1 g6 30.Eh6 Gc7 31.Ef4 Gc6 32.Ed5 Gb6 33.Eb3 Gc6 34.Ed5 Gb6 35.Eb3 c4 36.Exc4 Gb2 37.h4 Gxf2+ 38.Ke1 Gc2 39.Eb3 Gh2 40.a4 Kg7 White resigns.

Round 1. Game 5 1 June 2007 Carlsen Aronian Queens Indian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 b6 4.a3 Magnus selects the Petrosian Variation of the Queens Indian. Aronian chooses the plan associated with d7 d5. 4...Eb7 5.Cc3 d5 6.cxd5 Cxd5 7.Ic2 Ee7 8.e4 Cxc3 9.bxc3 00 10.Ed3 c5 11.00 Ic7 Black wants to counter Whites strong center by playing on the queenside. Another idea is to strive for simplifications by playing 11...Ic8 and ...Ea6. 12.Ie2 Cd7

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The bishop accomplished its task and can retreat to the diagonal c1h6. In Sokolov Leko (Wijk aan Zee 2004) White arranged his rooks in exotic way by 15.Gfb1, but this is less reasonable as the f1 rook can be used for attacking purposes on the kingside. 15...a5?! Aronian plays by analogy with the aforementioned Sokolov Leko. However, here this plan looks dubious. The bishop on b7 controlled the e4 square, while after it moves to a6, the Whites queen can be quickly transferred to the kingside after e4 e5. Black demonstrated an interesting plan of countering the Whites attack in Eljanov Sandipan (Turin 2006), playing 15...Cb6!? 16.h4 Gae8!? 17.h5 f5! 16.Gb1 Ea6? 17.e5! b4 This seems almost desperate. Leko moved the f rook to b8 against Sokolov, but in our game after 17...Gfb8 18.Cg5!? the f1 rook supports the f1 pawn advance. 18.axb4 axb4 19.Eg5 Cb6 In case of 19...Exg5? White has a standard 20.Exh7+! Kxh7 21.Cxg5+, and now 21...Kg8 (21...Kg6 22.Ig4 f5 23.Ig3; 21...Kh6 22.Ie3 Kg6 23.Ig3) 22.Ih5 Gfe8 23.Ixf7+ Kh8 24.Ih5+ Kg8 25.Ih7+ Kf8 26.Ih8+, with decisive advantage in all variations. 20.Ie4 g6 21.Ih4 Ga7

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This position had occurred in both players games, and they both played Black in 2005. Yakovich Aronian (Sochi 2005) continued 13.Ed2, and after 13...Gac8 14.a4 Gfd8 15.h3 Cb8 16.Gfe1 cxd4 17.cxd4 Cc6 White could get an edge by 18.d5. Gelfand Carlsen (Biel 2005) went on 13.e5!?, and the Norwegian managed to neutralize the opponents initiative with accurate play: 13...Gfd8 14.h4 Cf8 15.Ee3 Ic6 16.Gfd1 Gac8 17.h5 h6 18.Ce1 Ch7 19.Ig4 Cg5 20.Kh2 Kh8 21.a4 Ce4 22.Gdc1 Eg5 23.f4 f5 24.Ie2 Eh4 25.Cf3 Ee7 26.Eb5 Ic7 27.Ec4 Id7 28.Eb5 Ic7 29.Ec4 Id7, drawn. Playing White, Magnus selected the most fashionable 13.Eb2 c4 Limiting the scope of the b2 bishop considerably. 14.Ec2 Of course not 14.Exc4?! because of 14...Exe4, and Black has a good game. 14...b5 15.Ec1!?

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22.Ef6! The most practical decision. Of course, White should

not enter the ending by 22.Exe7?! Ixe7 23.Ixe7 Gxe7 24.Gxb4, as Black has drawing chances after 24...Cd5 25.Ga4 Eb7 26.Ga3 Cf4. 22.Gxb4!? suggested by Mikhail Gurevich, looked exceptionally tempting. Now after 22...Exb4 (bad is 22...f6 in view of 23.exf6 Exb4 24.cxb4) 23.Ef6 Gfa8 24.Cg5 h5 25.Exg6! fxg6 26.Ie4 Black must part with the queen 26...If7 27.Cxf7 Kxf7 28.cxb4. However, the position arising after 28...Cd5 is far from being simple to handle Black obtains counterchances because of his strong c pawn. 22...Exf6 22...Cd5 leads to checkmate: 23.Cg5 h5 24.Ixh5! gxh5 25.Eh7#. 23.exf6 Cd5 24.Ee4! This forces an ending with an extra pawn and a knight superior to the opponents bishop. 24...If4 25.Exd5 Ixh4 26.Cxh4 exd5 27.Gxb4 Ec8 28.Gb6! Protecting the important f6 pawn. The only counterplay for Black is linked with attacking the c3 pawn. 28...Ga3 29.Gc1 Ee6 30.Cf3 Gfa8 31.h4 h6 32.Ce5 Ga1 33.Gxa1 Gxa1+ 34.Kh2 Ga3 35.Gb8+ Kh7

Ponomariov Rublevsky Slav Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.Cc3 dxc4 5.a4 Ef5 6.Ce5 e6 7.f3 c5 8.e4 Eg6 9.Ee3 cxd4 10.Ixd4 Ixd4 11.Exd4 Cfd7 12.Cxd7 Cxd7 13.Exc4

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Ponomariov decided to return to discussing this particular line of the Slav. The game proceeded to an endgame right from the opening. White has a certain advantage. 13...a6 In the first game Rublevsky showed a new and interesting idea 13...Gc8 14.Ea2 a5!? 15.h4 h5 16.Gc1 Gg8 17.Ke2 Ec5 18.Cb5 Ke7, and confidently solved all the problems. It is possible that Sergey found an improvement for White and decided to return to a known path. 14.Ke2 After 14.h4 Gc8 15.Ea2 Black has to spend time on 15...h6 (15...h5!?) 16.Gc1, but now he does not need to care about the g7 pawn: 16...Ec5 after 16...Gg8 17.Ke2 Ec5 18.Exc5 Gxc5 19.Cb1 (interesting is 19.b4!? Gc6 20.Cb1) 19...Ke7 20.Gxc5 Cxc5 21.h5 Eh7 22.Gc1 Cd7 23.Cd2 Black did not manage to bring the bishop into the game without queenside concessions, Aronian Kramnik, Yerevan (m/2) rapid 2007 17.Ce2 00 with a good game, Aronian Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2007. 14...Gg8 15.h4 This ending became popular after TopalovKramnik, Elista (m/6) 2006, which continued 15.Ghd1 Gc8 16.b3 Ec5 17.a5 Ke7, and Black diminished the opponents initiative. 15...Gc8!? An improvement compared to RuckGustafsson (Graz 2006), which continued 15...h5 16.Ghd1 Gc8 17.Eb3 with a small advantage to White. 16.Ea2 Ec5 17.Exc5 Gxc5 The h5 square is covered. 18.Gac1

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36.f4!! A brilliant solution! With this series of sacrifices, Carlsen gets to the f7 pawn, keeping the superior knight on board. 36.Gf8? leads to a drawn ending: 36...Gxc3 37.Cxf7 Exf7 38.Gxf7+ Kg8 39.Gd7 Gd3 40.Gxd5 Kf7 41.Gd6 c3. 36...Gxc3 37.h5 gxh5 38.Gf8 Ga3 39.f5 Exf5 40.Gxf7+ Kg8 41.Gg7+ 41.Gb7 also wins. 41...Kf8 42.Gb7 Ga8 43.Kg3! The bishop must cover both g6 and d7 in order to prevent invasion of the knight, and it can be done only from f5. As soon as the Whites king attacks the bishop, the game is decided 43...Gd8 44.Kf4 Ee4 45.g3 c3 46.Gf7+ Kg8 47.Gg7+ Kf8 48.Cd7+ Gxd7 49.Gxd7 Black resigns.

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White threatens b2 b4 and h4 h5, thus Black must take care of the g6 bishop. 18...h5!? As in the first game, Rublevsky does not allow White advancing the h pawn any further. This move can be considered new, because 18...h6 transposes to AronianKramnik, where Black failed to equalize after 19.Cb1 (also possible is 19.b4!? Gc6 20.Cb1) 19...Ke7 20.Gxc5 Cxc5 21.h5 Eh7 22.Gc1 Cd7 23.Cd2. 19.b4 Gc6 20.Cb1 Ke7! A very interesting idea Black does not cede the file, accepting serious damage to his pawn structure. 21.Gxc6 bxc6 22.Cc3 Gb8 23.Gb1 f5! It is time to liberate the bishop! 24.Ec4 fxe4 25.fxe4 Cf6 26.Ke3

problems after 29...Kd6. 29...Kd6 30.g3 White tries to keep winning chances, but Black strong central position helps him to remain optimistic. 30...Ke5 31.b5

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In case of 31.a5? White could be late: 31...c5! 32.b5 d4+ 33.Ke2 Ga8 with decisive advance of the central pawns. 31...cxb5! A superficial 31...c5?! leads to unnecessary problems 32.b6, and if 32...c4?, then 33.Gb5! c3 34.b7 c2 35.Gc5 c1I+ 36.Gxc1 d4+ 37.Kd2 Exb7 38.Gb1 with decisive advantage. 32.axb5 d4+ 33.Kd2 Gb6 Black got a better position in the end, but the remaining resources are not sufficient to play for a win. 34.Ec8 Kd6 35.Eh3 Kc5 36.Ef1 Gf6 37.Ke1 d3

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One might think that Black is in trouble the a6 pawn is attacked, and the Whites king plans marching to the queenside... 26...Cd5+! An excellent resource that was, without a doubt, planned in advance. 27.Cxd5+ White gains nothing by 27.exd5 Exb1 28.dxc6 (after 28.Cxb1? Gxb4 only White could have problems) 28...Gxb4 29.Exa6 Kd6 30.Eb7, and here Black can force a draw by 30...Gb3 31.Kd4 Gb4+ 32.Ke3 Gb3, if he wants to. 27...exd5 28.Exa6 Exe4 29.Gb2 Interesting is 29.Ed3!?, but Black cannot have

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38.b6 Gxb6 39.Gxb6 Kxb6 40.Kd2 Kc5 Game drawn.

Gelfand Kasimdzhanov Slav Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.Cc3 e6 5.e3 Previously Gelfand preferred 5.Eg5. 5...Cbd7 6.Ed3 dxc4 7.Exc4 b5 8.Ed3 a6 9.a4

This response to the Meran is considered fairly harmless. 9...Eb7 10.00 b4 11.Ce4 c5 12.Cxf6+ gxf6!?

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The players try to put pressure on the opponent regardless of the color of their pieces. The text voluntarily destroys Blacks pawn structure, but in return strengthens control of the center, opens a file for a rook, and allows Black to direct his bishops against Whites kingside. 12...Cxf6 is considered to lead to a good game for Black: 13.dxc5 Exc5 14.Ie2 Id5! 15.Gd1 Ih5 16.h3 Gd8, preventing e3 e4. Nevertheless, White can hope on a small advantage after 17.b3 (Kramnik Kasparov, Zurich (rapid) 2001 continued 17.Cd4, offering harmless exchange of the queens) 17...00 18.Eb2. 13.Ie2 Ed6 A new move. In WaltherPelletier (Switzerland 1993) Black played 13...Gg8, and White did not shy away from taking the h7 pawn, although he lost the game in the end. 14.Ed2 Gg8 15.a5 Here 15.Exh7? is impossible in view of 15...Gh8 followed by ...Eb7xf3 and ...Ed6xh2. 15...Ib8 Threatening to take on h2! 16.h3 f5 17.e4 On 17.Gac1 White probably disliked 17...Ee4. 17...c4!? 18.Ec2 fxe4 19.Exe4 Cf6 20.Exb7 Ixb7 21.Gac1 In case of 21.Gfe1 Black could protect the c4 pawn by 21...Gc8 22.Gac1 Id5. 21...Ce4! Attacking the d2 bishop. 22.d5! Gelfand fights for the initiative. A passive 22.Ee1 is harmless for Black: 22...Gc8 23.Gxc4 Gxc4 24.Ixc4 Cg5! 25.Cxg5, attacking two pawns, although White has sufficient compensation after 25...Gxg5 26.g3 Gxa5 27.Ed2. 22...Ixd5 23.Gfd1

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23...Id3 Black transposes to an endgame. After 23...If5 24.Kf1 the position remains unclear, although Whites centralized pieces can trouble the enemy king. 24.Ixd3 cxd3 25.Ee3 Ke7 26.Gxd3 Gac8 27.Gcd1!

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Correct decision. Trading the rooks is in Blacks favor, as he has an extra king in the action. The rooks doubled on the d file will keep the opponent alert. For example, he has to keep an eye on Cf3 g5. 27...Ec5? A serious mistake Black probably underestimated Whites strong 29th move. One had to choose between 27...Ggd8 28.Cg5! (28.Eb6?! Gd7 29.Ce5 Gb7) 28...Cc5, and Black holds after 29.Exc5 (29.G3d2 is probably more promising) 29...Gxc5 30.Cxf7 Kxf7 31.Gxd6 Gxd6 32.Gxd6 Gxa5, or 27...f5!?, and after 28.Cg5 Cxg5 29.Exg5+ Gxg5 30.Gxd6 Gcg8 31.g3 f4 Black should also be okay. 28.Gd7+ Kf6 29.Ed4+! e5!

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The only move that keeps Black in the game! After 29...Exd4? 30.G1xd4 White develops a devastating attack: 30...Cg5 31.Gf4+ Kg6 32.Ce5+ etc. 30.Exc5 More promising is 30.Exe5+ Ke6 31.Kf1!, retaining an extra pawn. 30...Gxc5 31.Ge1 Cg5!

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44...Gf6! (44...Ga6? 45.Gbb5) 45.Gf2 Ga6 a draw was agreed the rook ending with 3 pawns vs. 2 pawns on the same wing is of course drawn.

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Rook endings are notorious for their drawing tendencies. 32.Cxg5 One could force the Blacks king staying in the center by 32.Gd6+?! Ke7 33.Cxg5, but after 33...Kxd6 (33...Gxg5? 34.Gxa6) 34.Ce4+ Kc6 35.Cxc5 Kxc5 36.Gxe5+ Kc4 the king could proceed further to Whites queenside pawns. 32...Gxg5 33.Gd6+ Kg7 34.Gxa6 White won a pawn, but he is unable to reduce activity of Blacks rooks. 34...Gc2 35.b3 Gf5 36.f3 Gb2 37.Ge4 On 37.Ge3 Black can play 37...Gg5 38.g4 e4! with the idea ...Gg5 c5. 37...Gg5 Preventing Ge4 g4 check. 38.g4 Gxb3 39.Kf2 Gg6 40.Gb6 Ga3 41.Gxe5 b3 White cannot keep the queenside pawn, and after 42.Kg3 h6 43.h4 b2 44.Gxb2

Grischuk Malakhov Sicilian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 c5 2.Cf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Cxd4 Cf6 5.Cc3 Cc6 Being in desperate need to win, Malakhov returns to the Rauzer System of the Sicilian. 6.Eg5 Ed7 7.Id2 h6!? An improvement. In the first game Malakhov played 7...Cxd4 8.Ixd4 h6, but after 9.Exf6 gxf6 10.Eb5! Grischuk traded one of the opponents bishops, and Black was left with no compensation for his damaged pawn structure. 8.Exf6 gxf6 9.000 9.Cf5!? deserves attention, making it difficult for Black to develop the f8 knight. 9...Cxd4 10.Ixd4 Ia5 Now White has no time for Eb5. 11.f4 Gc8 12.Kb1 Ic5 13.Id3 f5! A typical advance. Black clears the way for his bishops without respect to the material. 14.e5 Eg7 15.Ee2

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15...Ee6! Surprisingly, this natural move is a novelty. The same note 16.exd6 exd6 17.Cb5 d5 18.c3 with advantage

to White is found in the commentary to many various game. But what if Black, instead of capturing the pawn, plays 16...00!? In my opinion, his piece activity clearly compensates the sacrificed pawn. Therefore Grischuk, who can be satisfied with a draw as it gives him the match victory, proceeds to an equal ending. 16.Ib5+ Ixb5 17.Exb5+ Kf8 18.exd6 Exc3 19.bxc3 19.d7 Gd8 20.bxc3 a6 21.Ea4 b5 22.Eb3 Exd7 23.Gd4 e6 leads to an equal game. 19...exd6 20.Gxd6 Ke7 21.Gd3 a6 22.Ea4 Gc4 23.Gd4 Gxc3 Black successfully resolved opening problems, but in this particular game this achievement does not make him happy. The resulting endgame is a dead draw, and Malakhovs attempts to complicate struggle do not lead him anywhere. The draw gives Grischuk a ticket to the new round. 24.Ge1 b5 25.Eb3 Ghc8 26.Ge5 h5 27.Gd2 G3c6 28.h4 Kf6 29.Kb2 Gg8 30.Ge3 a5 31.g3 Ggc8 32.a3 a4 33.Exe6 fxe6 34.Ge5 Gc3 35.Gde2 Kf7 36.Gxb5 Gxg3 37.Gb7+ Kf6 38.Gh7 Gc6 39.Gh6+ Kf7 40.Gd2 Kg7 41.Gxh5 Gf3 42.Gd7+ Kg8 43.Gg5+ Kh8 44.Gh5+ Drawn.

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12.g4! The exclamation mark is given for aspiration to create a psychologically right situation on board. 12...e5 13.Ed2 Cc5 14.g5!? All or nothing! 14...dxe4 15.dxe4

Polgar Bareev Caro Kann Defense Notes by grandmasters Ruslan Scherbakov and Yury Yakovich
1.e4 c6 2.Cc3 d5 3.Cf3! In our opinion, this is the right approach to a situation when you desperately need a win. Polgar turns down sharp variations, which did not bring her anything good in the 1st and 3rd games, and shows her inclination to play a complex middlegame. 3...Eg4 4.h3 Exf3 In a different match situation Bareev could prefer 4...Eh5 5.exd5 cxd5 6.Eb5+ Cc6 7.g4 with a sharp game. 5.Ixf3 e6 6.Ee2 Cd7 7.d3 g6 It is important for Black to keep the game closed, otherwise Whites bishop pair may become very strong. 8.00 Eg7 9.Ef4 Playing against Seirawan in Monte Carlo, 1994, Judit continued 9.Ig3 Ce7 (Karpov preferred 9...Ib6 10.Kh1 Ce7 11.f4 f5 12.e5 with an equal game, Karpov Anand, Brussels, 1991) 10.Eg5 00 11.h4 h6 12.Ed2 h5, but did not manage to open the position and eventually lost. 9...Ib6 Following Karpov. 10.Cd1 Cgf6 11.a4 a5

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15...Cfd7?! In our opinion, Bareev chooses the worst possible moment to reject the strategy that gave him success in the previous games, i.e., going after the most principled continuations, if no direct refutation can be seen. Why Evgeny did not take the pawn: 15...Cfxe4? Maybe he was worried about the pin 16.Ee3, although after 16...f5! 17.gxf6 Cxf6 followed by castling makes it very difficult for White to develop the initiative. 16.Ec4 00 17.h4 Attack! 17...Ce6 18.Exe6 fxe6 19.Ih3 Or 19.Ig4 with similar ideas. 19...Id4?! Black should have started with 19...Gf7!?, planning to meet 20.Ixe6 by 20...Id4, and now 21.Cc3? loses to 21...Cf8. 20.Cc3! Jusit is in her element! She launches the attack without respect to the material. 20...Ixd2 21.Gad1 Ixc2 22.Gxd7 Ixb2 Perhaps 22...Ib3!? is safer. 23.h5

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23...gxh5?? Decisive mistake! It is scary even to look at the Blacks position, however, he possibly could survive by 23...Gf7! with the following sample lines: ) 24.Gxf7 Kxf7 25.Gb1 Id2 26.Gxb7+ Kf8 27.Ixe6 (or 27.h6 Ixg5+ 28.Kf1 Ic1+ 29.Cd1!? Ixd1+ 30.Kg2 Ge8! 31.Ia3+ Kg8 32.Gxg7+ Kh8 33.Ig3 Ih5, and Black holds the balance) 27...Ixg5+ 28.Kf1 If6 29.Ic4 Gd8 with the idea 30...If3); B) 24.Ixe6 24...Gaf8 25.Cd1 (25.hxg6 hxg6 26.Gxf7 Gxf7 27.Ixg6 Ixc3 28.Ie6 Id2! (but not 28...Kf8?? due to 29.Ic8+ Ke7 30.Gd1, winning) 29.g6 Ig5+ with perpetual) 25...Ie2 26.h6 Ih5! 27.hxg7 Ixg5+ 28.Kh2 Ih4+, and Black makes a draw. 24.Ixe6+ Polgar delivers a spectacular finishing blow. 24...Kh8 25.Gxg7! Kxg7 26.Ih6+ Kg8 On 26...Kf7 White wins by 27.Gb1. 27.g6 hxg6 28.Ixg6+ Kh8

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29.Kh1! There is no defense against mate. 29...Gf4 30.Ixh5+ Kg8 31.Gg1+ Kf8 32.Ih8+ Kf7 33.Ig7+ Black resigns.

Round 1. Game 6 2 June 2007 Aronian Carlsen Slav Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov
1.d4 Cf6 2.Cf3 d5 3.c4 c6 4.Cc3 dxc4 5.a4 Ef5 6.Ce5 Cbd7 7.Cxc4 Cb6 8.Ce5 a5

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Magnus selected a rare system, in which Blacks light squared bishop can be shut off for a while by Whites pawn chain. 9.g3 More often White plays 9.f3 Cfd7 10.Cxd7 Cxd7 11.e4 Eg6 12.Ee3 with a small advantage. 9...Cfd7 More popular is 9...e6 10.Eg2 Eb4 11.00 00 12.e3 followed by Id1e2, Gf1d1 and e3 e4 the practice promises White better chances. 10.Cxd7 Ixd7 Utilizing the opportunity, Black attempts to trade his bishops, however, he remains underdeveloped. 10...Cxd7 does not equalize: 11.Eg2 e6 12.00. 11.e4 Eh3 12.Exh3 Ixh3 13.Ib3 Ga6 Blacks defensive setup looks extremely suspicious, but judging by the speed of play, everything was prepared at home. 14.Ef4!? An interesting novelty. Earlier White played 14.Ee3 e6 15.d5 Eb4, but could not achieve anything real: 16.dxe6 Ixe6 17.Ixe6+ fxe6 18.Exb6 Gxb6 19.00 0 Ec5 20.f4 Ke7 21.Kc2 Gb4 with a good ending in Gyimesi Bu Xiangzhi (Tegernsee 2007), which Black managed to win. 14...e6 15.Ee5!

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A very strong move! Now in order to place the bishop to b4, Black must seriously weaken the e6 square. 15...Eb4 Carlsen prefers to abandon a pawn! It is difficult to defend after 15...f6 16.Ec7 Eb4 17.000 Kf7 18.Ce2!, while White has a clear objective. 16.Exg7 Gg8 17.Ee5 Ig2 This move regains a pawn, but Blacks position becomes cut in two parts. Insecure king and weak kingside add more headaches. 18.000 Exc3

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19.Ixc3 Capturing with the pawn has its merits: 19.bxc3!? Ixe4 20.c4! Ie2! 21.c5 (21.Gd3 Cxa4!) 21...Ic4+ 22.Ixc4 Cxc4 23.Ef4 b5 24.Kc2 with a clear advantage. The Blacks knight gets stuck on c4, and the fact that White controls the b8 square suggests that Black will have problems holding his queenside after White doubles the rooks on the b file by Kc2 c3, Gb1 b3 and Gh1b1. 19...Ixe4 20.Ghe1 Id5 If the queen retreats to some other place, for example, 20...If5, White can think about an immediate 21.d5!?, exploding the center. However, Black has a defense: 21...cxd5! (bad is 21...Cxd5? 22.Gxd5! exd5 23.Ic5 f6 24.Exf6+ Kf7 25.Ie7+ Kg6 26.Eh4 c5 27.Ge5) 22.Gxd5! (22.Ic7 Ig5+ and Ig5 e7) 22...Cxd5

23.Ic8+ Ke7 24.Ixb7+ Ke8 25.Ixa6 Ixf2 with good chances to hold the position thanks to the strong d5 knight. 21.b3 Id7?! Of course, the knight is excellently located on d5, but the queen becomes very passive. Black should consider 21...Cd7!?, keeping the queen on d5. In this case it would be more difficult for White to attack the kingside pawns. 22.Ic2 Ie7 After 22...Gg6 23.h4 Ie7 24.Kb2 White will eventually break the opponents defense. 23.Ixh7 It is not necessary to rush taking the pawn. White can continue building up the attack. After 23.Kb2!? f6 (23...Cd5 24.Ixh7) 24.Ef4 Cd5 25.Ge2 Gg6 26.Gde1 f5 27.Ed2 Kf7 28.h4 Black is probably unable to prevent opening the kingside. 23...Gg6

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White found a good spot for the queen. From e1 it attacks the queenside and can help advancing the kingside pawns. 36...Gg6 37.Ge2 Gf3 38.Gxf3 Ixf3 39.Gc2 If6 It was necessary to prevent Ie1e5 d6. 40.Ixa5 40.Ie5!? deserved attention, but White logically thinks that trading the d4 pawn is not in his interests. 40...Ixd4+ 41.Ka2 Gf6

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In case of 23...Ia3+ 24.Kd2! Ia2+ White chooses between 25.Ic2 with an extra pawn in the ending, or 25.Ke3!? Cd5+ 26.Kf3 with attacking chances. 24.Ge3 One could force trading the queens by 24.Ih8+!? If8 (not 24...Kd7? 25.d5! Cxd5 26.Ib8 Ia3+ 27.Kc2, and 27...Ia2+ is impossible in view of 28.Eb2 Gb6 29.Gd3, followed by Ge1a1, and the queen is trapped) 25.Ixf8+ Kxf8. Black has to suffer a lot for a draw. 24...Cd5 25.Gf3 If8 26.h4 Gh6 Maybe Black should have traded the queens by 26...Ih6+ 27.Ixh6 Gxh6. 27.Ic2 Ga8 28.Id2 Gh5 29.Kb2 Ig8 30.Ge1 Ig6 Gradually Black consolidates, but he has no compensation for a pawn, and his only hope is to survive. 31.Ed6 Gd8 32.Ea3 Ig4 33.Gd3 Gf5 34.Ge5 Kd7 35.Ie2 Gg8 36.Ie1!

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42.f4?! However, this advance that weakens the g3 pawn should have been avoided. Stronger is 42.Ec5! Ie4 43.Id2 and Gc2 c4. 42...Gg6 42...Id3!? is also unclear. 43.Ia8 In case of 43.Gd2 Ie3 44.Ib4! Kc7! 45.Id6+ Kb6 46.Id8+ Ka6 Black can defend. 43...Cb4+! 44.Exb4 Ixb4

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45.Gg2? An overlook, after which Black forces a draw. White has to continue 45.Gc4! Id2+ 46.Ka3, but Black retains good drawing chances by 46...Id6+ (in case of 46...Kc7!? 47.If8 Gxg3 48.Ixf7+ Id7 49.Ixd7+ Kxd7, White has some winning chances after 50.h5 Gh3 51.Gc5 Gh4 52.Gg5! (52.f5? Kd6!) 52...Gxf4 (52...Kd6!?) 53.Gg7+ Kd6 54.Gxb7 Gh4 55.Gh7, etc.) 47.Gb4 b5! 48.axb5 cxb5 49.Ib7+ Kd8 50.Ixb5 Gxg3, etc. 45...Gxg3! 46.Gxg3 Id2+ 47.Ka3 Ic1+ White cannot avoid the perpetual its a draw.

13.Ic2! Very strong. White threatens 14.Cxe5, and 14...If5 can be met by 15.Ed3 Ih5 16.Ee2, and repeating the position cannot satisfy Ponomariov. 13...Ef5 14.Id1! Eg4 The only move. 15.h3 Exf3 16.Exf3 Ig6 17.Eh5 Ie4 18.Ef3 Ig6 18...Ih4 loses to 19.g3 Ixh3 20.Eg4. 19.Eh5 Ie4 Game drawn. Of course, White has a clear advantage, but the draw allows Rublevsky to advance to the next stage.

Rublevsky Ponomariov Caro Kann Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 c6!? Surprise! It was almost impossible to predict the Caro Kann Defense when Black desperately need a win. 2.d4 d5 3.Cd2 dxe4 4.Cxe4 Cf6 5.Cxf6+ gxf6!? So this was his idea. Ponomariov creates the position with complex pawn structure. Of course, Whites chances should be preferred, but Black hopes to make some complications. 6.c3 White makes a useful waiting move. When the Blacks bishop comes out to f5, White will develop his knight to f3, not worrying about Eg4. After 6...Ef5 7.Cf3 e6 8.g3! Ic7 9.Eg2 Cd7 10.00 000 11.Ge1 Whites queenside attack carried out by c4 or b4, Ia4 etc. is quicker than Blacks kingside play. 6...Id5!? 7.Ib3! This move is especially strong under the given circumstances. White ties the opponents bishop to defending the b7 pawn, while trading the queens on b3 is not in Ponomariovs interests. 7...Cd7 8.Cf3 Cb6 9.c4! Ih5 10.Ee2 Eg7?! Perhaps Black could try 10...Gg8!? 11.g3 Ee6 (11...Eg4? loses to 12.c5! Ee6 13.Id1! Cd5 14.Ch4, winning the queen) 12.Ef4 Eh6. 11.00 00 12.Ee3 e5

Kasimdzhanov Gelfand Queens Indian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 b6 4.g3 Ea6 5.b3 Eb4+ 6.Ed2 Ee7 7.Eg2 In the second game of the match Kasimdzhanov selected a more ambitious 7.Cc3!? 00 8.Gc1 with a complicated game. 7...c6 8.Ec3 d5 9.Ce5 Cfd7 10.Cxd7 Cxd7 11.Cd2 00 12.00 Cf6 13.e4 dxe4 14.Cxe4 b5 15.Cc5 Exc5 16.dxc5 bxc4 17.Ie2

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17...Id3! An improvement compared to L'Ami Iordachescu (Vlissingen 2006), in which 17...Cd5?! was met by 18.Ee5 with advantage to White. 18.Ixd3 cxd3 19.Exc6 Gac8 20.Eg2 Cd5! 21.Exd5 Black equalized the game, and the players agreed to a draw, postponing decisive struggle until the tie breaks.

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Bareev Polgar Queens Indian Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 Cf6 2.Cf3 e6 3.g3 b5!? A logical opening choice Judit is heading for complicated and unexplored positions. 4.Eg2 Eb7 5.00 c5 6.c3 Ca6!? A good idea that was employed by Kasparov. The a6 knight covers the c5 square and does not block the light squared bishop. 7.Eg5 Ee7 8.Cbd2 00 9.Ib3

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The only move. After 14.Ia3?! Black wins an exchange by 14...Exf3 15.Exf3 Cb3, while on 14.Exf6?! Black simply plays 14...gxf6. 14...Ixa5? Unexpectedly, Polgar simplifies the position everybody knows that Evgeny possesses a remarkable endgame technique. 14...Ea6 is not very promising: 15.Ixd8 Gfxd8 16.Cfe5, but the match situation and the position both demanded 14...Ic8! Now White has to make a difficult decision by playing 15.Ixa7 Cb3 (15...Ee4!? is also interesting) 16.Cb6 Ic6. Now 17.Gab1? loses to 17...Ec5 18.a5 Ga8, and on 17.Ee3 Black can drive the bishop away by 17...Cg4. After 17.Ga3 Exa3 18.bxa3 the compensation for an exchange is insufficient, for example, 18...Ea8!? (or 18...Ic5!?) 19.a5 Gb7 20.Ia6 Cxa5 21.Ixa5 Gxb6 etc. It seems 17.Ce1! is the best chance: 17...Id6! (17...d5?! 18.Cd3 Cxa1 19.Gxa1 is not bad for White) 18.Ef4!? (18.Ga3? Exg2) 18...e5 19.Ee3, and here Black chooses between 19...Cxa1 20.Exb7 Cb3 and 19...Ec6!? 20.Ga3 Exg2 21.Cxg2 Ie6. In both cases White struggles to make a draw. 15.Cxa5 Exf3 16.Exf3 Gxb2 Better pawn structure secures Black a small advantage, but achieving a draw does not look as difficult for White as it was before. 17.Gfd1?! An inaccuracy, which complicated the defenders task. Better is 17.Gfc1!, protecting the c3 pawn and planning to bring the knight back to c4. 17...Gc8 18.Ee3

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White had many options, but Evgeny likes to develop his queen early. 9...Ib6!? A new move. Also not bad is 9...Gb8!? 10.Ixb5 Exf3 11.Ixa6 Exg2 12.Kxg2 Gxb2 with a good game for Black, but the position simplifies too much. 10.a4 b4 11.Cc4?! A rather impulsive move White underestimates the opponents resources. 11.e4!? deserves attention, but Evgeny is not in a mood for such demanding moves. Safer is 11.a5!? Id8 12.Gfc1, finishing mobilization. 11...Id8! At the first glance, Black wasted time on the queen maneuvers. However, she managed to maintain the tension. In addition, after the rook comes to b8, White will have to take care of his queen. Black can think about ...d7 d5 when the moment is right. 12.dxc5 White is almost forced to get into complications. In case of 12.cxb4 Cxb4 followed by exchanging the pawns, Black obtains an advantage in the center, while control of the b4 square allows her keeping Whites queenside pawns immobile. 12.Exf6 gxf6 also does not make the Whites task easier. 12...Cxc5 13.Ixb4 Gb8 Threatening to take on f3. One can conclude that Polgar got a complicated position with initiative and this is exactly what Bareev wanted to avoid. 14.Ia5

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18.Gab1? loses a pawn to 18...Gxb1 19.Gxb1 Cxa4, and in case of 18.Cc4 Gb3 19.Gdc1 d5 followed by ...Gb3 b2, Black increases the advantage. 18...Kf8 18...d5!?, restricting the a5 knight, deserved very serious attention! Now 19.c4?! Ed8! looks dangerous, but maybe White is not lost: 20.Gdb1! Gxb1+ 21.Gxb1, and after 21...Exa5!? (21...Cfd7 22.Cb7! Gb8 23.cxd5 Gxb7 24.Gxb7 Cxb7 25.dxe6 Cdc5 26.exf7+ Kxf7 27.Exb7 Cxb7 28.Exa7 leads to equality) 22.Exc5 dxc4 a strong passed pawn gives Black better chances. Stronger is 19.Ed4, but after 19...Gb6! (19...Ed8?! 20.Cc4! dxc4 21.Exc5) 20.Gdb1 Cfd7 defending is still difficult for White. 19.Ed4 Gc2 20.Cb7 Cb3 21.Gab1 Cxd4 This exchange allows White to get rid of a weak pawn. 21...Cd2!? 22.Gb5 d5 may be more promising. 22.cxd4 d5 23.a5 g5 Black can still produce some activity, but the worst is over for White. 24.h3 h5 25.g4 hxg4 25...h4!? deserved attention, hoping to get closer to the h3 pawn at some point. 26.hxg4 G8c4 27.e3

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32...Cc4?! Of course, Judit realized that this exchange only worsens her position, but there was no other way to continue playing for a win. 33.Exc4 dxc4 34.Ca5 Ga4 35.Cxc4 Gxa6 36.Ce5 White already stands better. Black must defend accurately, and can forget about her passed pawn for a long time. 36...Ed6 37.Gc8+ Ke7 38.Cc4 Eb4?! Stronger is 38...f6!?, and if 39.Gh8, then 39...Eb4 40.Gh7+ Kd8, setting up counterplay against the f2 pawn. 39.Gc7+ Ke8 40.Gb7 Ee7

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27...Cd7?! It was not a good idea to remove the knight that prevented White from using his bishop in defense more efficiently. An immediate 27...a6?! runs into 28.Gb6, but 27...Eb4!? is strong enough, and if 28.a6?!, then 28...Ga2 29.Ga1 Gcc2 30.Gxa2 Gxa2 31.Gb1 Ee7. 28.Kf1 Ga4 29.Gdc1 Gb4 30.a6 Cb6 31.Ee2 White solved all his problems Black simply has no objects of attack. 31...Gxc1+ 32.Gxc1

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41.Ke2 White could play for a win by 41.Ce5 f6 42.Gb8+ Ed8 43.Cd3, but Bareev prefers to seal the match. 41...Ga2+ 42.Kd3 Gxf2 43.Gb8+ Kd7 44.Gb7+ Game drawn.

Shirov Adams Petroff Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cf6 The Petroff is a good choice when you are content with a draw. In addition, this opening is a part of Adams opening repertoire. 3.d4 Cxe4 4.Ed3 d5 5.dxe5!? A rare continuation normally White takes on e5 with the knight, but the resulting positions are extensively analyzed, and Black usually equalizes. 5...Ee7 6.00 Eg4 White plays 6...00 more frequently.

Blacks strong center and active pieces give him sufficient compensation. The second is 10...f6!? 11.Ef4 fxe5 12.Exe5 Cd7 13.Eg3 Ef6 14.Cdb5 c6 15.Cd6 Exc3 16.bxc3 Cc5 with rough equality. Maybe Adams lost concentration, thinking that he has nothing to worry about. 11.h3 Eh5 12.e6! fxe6 After 12...Cc5 13.exf7+ Exf7 14.Cb3!? Black has problems protecting the e4 pawn. 13.Cxe6 Ge8 14.Cxd8 Gaxd8 15.Eg5 Cf6 16.Gfe1 Eg6 17.Gad1

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Most likely Adams expected 7.c4!?, after which 7...Cc6!? gives Black a good game. However, Alexei unexpectedly played 7.Exe4!? Being in a must win situation, Shirov proceeds to an endgame with a small advantage. One can recall great Emanuel Lasker making a similar decision in St. Petersburg 1914 against Capablanca. The second World Champion, trailing by a point, proceeded to a roughly equal complex ending and won in excellent style. 7...dxe4 8.Ixd8+ Exd8 9.Cd4 00 10.Cc3

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17...Kf8?! Suddenly Black faces serious difficulties. It is difficult to protect the e4 pawn, but the text move is dubious to say the least. Black has to seek salvation I the following lines: ) 17...Kf7 18.Gxd8 Gxd8 19.Exf6 gxf6 20.Cxe4 Gd4 21.f3 Exe4 22.Gxe4 Gd2 23.Gc4 c6, and there is no guarantee that this rook ending can be won. B) 17...Gxd1!? 18.Gxd1 Kf7 19.Exf6 gxf6 (weaker is 19...Kxf6 in view of 20.Cd5+ Ke5 21.Cxc7 Gc8 22.Gd5+) 20.Gd7+ Ge7 21.Gxe7+ Kxe7 22.Cd5+ Kd6 23.Cxf6 e3 24.fxe3 Exc2, and the activity of Blacks pieces can suffice for a draw. 18.Exf6 gxf6 White wins a pawn without compensation. 19.Cd5 e3 20.Cxe3 c5 21.Kf1?! It is better to gain some space by 21.g4!? h5 22.Kg2. 21...Gd4 22.c3?! Ed3+ 23.Kg1 Gd6 Unsuccessful combination of the 20th and 21st moves by White allowed Adams activating his pieces. 24.Gd2 b5 25.Cc2 Ged8 26.Ged1 Ke7 27.Ce1 Ee4! An active looking 27...c4?! gives White good winning chances in a rook ending 28.Cxd3 (28.Cf3!?) 28...cxd3 (bad is 28...Gxd3? in view of 29.Gxd3 cxd3 30.f3, and the Whites king goes to 3) 29.Ge1+, and Black cannot stop the Whites king from taking the position in front of his passed d pawn. 28.Gxd6 Gxd6 29.Gxd6 Kxd6 30.Kf1 Kd5 31.Ke2 Eb1! 32.a3 Kc4 33.Kd2

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10...Cd7?! In my opinion, not the best. Black could seek counterplay in two different ways. The first is a pawn sacrifice: 10...c5!? 11.Cdb5 Cc6 12.Cd6 (12.Cxe4? Ee2!) 12...Cxe5 13.Cxb7 f5 14.Cxc5 Eb6, and

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33...Ee4? It was not the Michael Adams day. A natural 33...a5!? with the idea to trade as many queenside pawns as possible by b5 b4 gives Black decent drawing chances. 34.f3 Eg6 35.b4! Now Black can only dream about pawn exchanges. Adams decided to simplify the opponents task by 35...Kb3?! (instead of 35...cxb4!?) 36.bxc5 The rest is easy. 36...Kxa3 37.c6 Ka4 38.g4 Ee8 39.c7 Ed7 40.Cd3 Ka5 41.Cc5 Ec8 42.Ce4 Kb6 43.Cxf6 Kxc7 44.Cxh7 Kd6 45.h4 a5 46.h5 Ke7 47.Cg5 Eb7 48.h6 Kf6 49.f4 Black resigns

Round 1. Tiebreak. 3 June 2007 Aronian Carlsen (1) Benoni Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov
1.d4 Cf6 2.Cf3 e6 3.c4 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 Magnus demonstrates his aggressive intentions. The Benoni Defense is a strategically risky opening, in which Black intends to get counterchances by active piece play. 6.Cc3 g6 7.g3 Eg7 8.Eg2 00 9.00 a6 10.a4 Ge8 11.Ef4 Ce4 12.Cxe4 Gxe4 13.Cd2 Gb4 24...Eb7?! As a rule, Black does not want placing the bishop to b7, where it is restricted by the opponents pawns. Maybe he was reluctant to move pawns from his king by 24...f5, but 24...Ed7 was clearly better. 25.e4 Ge8 26.f5! Weakening on the e5 square is imaginary, as White has one more f pawn. 26...Ih4 27.h3 Black could sacrifice on e4 under favorable circumstances, so White opens the way for his king. 27...Ec8 28.Ic3 If4 29.If6 Ie5 30.Ixe5 Gxe5 Maybe better is 30...dxe5!? 31.f4 Ge8 32.f6!

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Whites chances in this fairly rare line are higher. 14.b3 A rare move. More normal is 14.Ga2, as Mikhail Tal played. 14...Gxf4 Or 14...Exa1 15.Ixa1. Keeping the f4 bishop with such kingside weaknesses is dangerous: 15...g5 16.Ee3 Ef5 17.Cc4 with initiative. 15.gxf4 Exa1 16.Ixa1 Cd7 17.Ce4 Ie7 18.Gc1 Whites advantage is determined by his better development and space advantage, but Blacks position is quite solid. He also hopes to make use of his queenside advantage later on. 18...b6 19.Gc3 Cf6 20.Ge3 Cxe4 21.Exe4 Id8 Black solved problems with his king by exchanging the e4 knight. The Whites king is not very active in positions with such pawn structure, so he should advance his central pawns. 22.Gg3 Ih4 23.e3 Ie7 24.Ed3

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Levon taught something from the two losses in the main match. In both cases he allowed blocking his own king in a similar manner, after which breaking through the opposite wing decided the game. Now it is time to pay back! 32...Ed7 33.Ge3 b5 34.axb5 axb5 35.e5 Kf8 36.Kf2 Black cannot allow e6, therefore, he must stand still. White has many ways of improving his position, so in the long run Black is doomed. 36...Kg8 37.Ee2 Kf8 38.h4 Kg8 39.Ke1 Kf8 40.Kd2 h6 Black got sick of passivity, but this move allows White to carry out a decisive breakthrough. 41.Ed3 h5

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42.e6! fxe6 43.Exg6 exd5 44.Exe8 Exe8 45.Ge6 The rest is easy.

45...c4 46.Gxd6 cxb3 47.Kc3 Kf7 48.Kxb3 Kg6 49.Kb4 Kf5 50.Kc5 Ef7 51.Kxb5 Ee6 52.Kc5 Kxf6 53.Kd4 Kf5 54.Ke3 Ef7 55.Kf3 Ee6 56.Ga6 Ef7 57.Ga8 Kf6 58.Ga6+ Kf5 59.Ga1 Eg6 60.Gg1 Kf6 61.Ke3 Ef7 62.Gg5 Ke6 63.Kd4 Kf6 64.Kc5 Ke7 65.Gg7 Kf6

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66.Gxf7+ Black resigns.

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18...Cxe4?! A rather impulsive move. 19.Ie2! This resource was probably underestimated by Aronian. He expected 19.fxe4? Ixe4+ followed by ...Ee7 g5. Luckily for him, Blacks position is not so bad. 19...Cf6! The best chance Black sacrifices the queen. In case of 19...Cc5 20.b4! Eg5 (20...Ca4? 21.Cc6 Ig5? 22.h4) 21.Cb5 Ia8 22.bxc5 Exc1 23.Gxc1 White obtains better chances all his pieces are very active. 20.Cc6 Ixc6 21.Gxc6 Gxc6

Carlsen Aronian (2) English Opening Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.Cf3 Cf6 2.c4 b6 3.g3 c5 4.Eg2 Eb7 5.00 e6 6.Cc3 Ee7 7.b3 In the 3rd match game Carlsen outplayed the opponent after 7.Ge1 d5 8.cxd5 Cxd5 9.d4 Cxc3 10.bxc3, but now he decided to change the line for some reason. 7...00 8.Eb2 d5 9.cxd5 Cxd5 10.Cxd5 Exd5 11.Gc1 Cd7 12.d4 Gc8

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Whites rather inactive play in the opening allowed Black to equalize. 13.Id2 Cf6 Anatoly Karpov preferred 13...cxd4 14.Gxc8 Ixc8 15.Ixd4 Cf6 and won the game against Speelman, Thessaloniki (ol) 1988. 14.Gfd1 cxd4 15.Cxd4 Exg2 16.Kxg2 Id5+ 17.f3 h6 17...Ib7 with the idea ...Gc8xc1 and Gf8 c8. 18.e4

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22.Exf6 Normally the player with the queen should exchange rooks. Therefore, 22.Gc1 deserved attention, but Carlsen probably did not want to let the knight to d5: 22...Gxc1 23.Exc1 Gc8 24.Eb2 Cd5 with good chances to hold. 22...Exf6 23.Ia6 After 23.Gd7 Gfc8 24.Kh3 Gc2 Black has sufficient counterplay. 23...Gc7 24.Kh3 g6 25.Ia4 Gfc8 26.Gd7 Kg7 27.b4 h5 28.Id1 g5 29.Gxc7 Gxc7 30.Kg2

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The resulting position is even Black is not worse. In the subsequent game Aronian even tried to look for winning chances. 30...Gc4 31.a3 a5 32.b5 Gd4 33.Ic2 Gd5 34.a4 Gd4 35.Ic6 Ed8 36.Ic3 e5 36...Ef6. 37.f4 gxf4 38.gxf4 Ef6 39.fxe5 White should have tried 39.Ic7!? Gxf4 40.Ixb6, but this line is unlikely to provide real winning chances Black can even give away his bishop for the b pawn. 39...Exe5 40.Ic2 Gg4+ 41.Kh1 Ed4 42.h3 Gg3 43.If5 h4 44.Kh2 Gg6

in the first rapid game. 4...cxd4 5.Cxd4 d5 6.Eg2 e5 7.Cf3 d4 8.00 Cc6 9.e3 Ee7 10.exd4 exd4 11.Ef4 00 12.Ce5

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Black can feel confident in this rare line. However, it is possible that White can claim a minimal advantage. 12...Ib6 13.Ib3 Ca5 14.Ixb6 axb6 15.Cd2 Ch5 16.Cef3 A new continuation. White tested 16.Cb3 and 16.Gfe1 before. 16...Cxf4 17.gxf4 Ed6 18.Ce5 Ee6 19.b3 f6 20.Cd3 Cc6 21.Ce4 Ec7 White safely blocks the d4 pawn, and his minor pieces are quite active. However, disadvantages of the kingside pawn structure does not allow him claiming an advantage. In addition, Blacks pieces are also arranged well. 22.c5 Ef5 23.Gfd1 Gad8 24.cxb6 Exb6 25.Cec5

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The Whites queen has no objects of attack, but Black also should not try using his f pawn after all, queen is a strong piece. 45.Kh1 Ef6 46.If2 Eg5 47.Id4+ Gf6 48.Kg2 Kg6 49.Ie4+ Kh6 50.Ie8 Kg7 51.Ie5 Ef4 52.Id4 Eg3 53.Kh1 Kg6 54.Ie4+ Kh6 55.Ie3+ Kh7 56.Ie4+ Gg6 57.If5 Kg7 58.Id5 Gd6 59.If5 Kf8 60.Ie4 Ge6 61.Ia8+ Kg7 62.Id5 Kg6 63.Id3+ f5 64.Id5 Gd6 65.Ic4 Kf6 66.Ic3+ Ee5 67.Ie1 Eg3 68.Ic3+ Ke7 69.Kg2 Kd7 70.Kf3 Game drawn.

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25...Cb4!? 26.Cxb4 Aronian does not want taking the pawn, as after 26.Exb7 Gfe8!? the d pawn could become a threat, for instance, 27.Ef3 Exc5 28.Cxc5 d3, etc. 26...Exc5 27.Cd3 Exd3 28.Gxd3 Gf7 29.a3 Gc7 Black could try attacking a weak f4 pawn by 29...Ge7!? 30.b4 Ea7 31.Ef3 Kf7 with the idea to move the king forward, but 32.f5 ruins these plans. 30.b4 Ee7 31.Gad1 Ga8?!

Aronian Carlsen (3) English Opening Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 Cf6 2.Cf3 e6 3.c4 c5 4.g3 Not allowing the Benoni, which was used by Magnus

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31...Gcd7 is acceptable. 32.Ee4 By 32.Ed5+!? Kf8 33.Gh3 White could pose some problems for the opponent. 32...g6 33.f5 g5 34.Kg2 Kf8 35.Gh3 Gd7 36.Ghd3 Gc7 37.Ed5 Kg7 38.h4 h6 39.h5

Carlsen Aronian (4) Queens Indian Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 b6 4.Cc3 In the 5th game of the classical time control match Carlsen played 4.a3 Eb7 5.Cc3 d5 6.cxd5 Cxd5 7.Ic2 Ee7 8.e4 Cxc3 9.bxc3 00 10.Ed3 and won confidently. However, Magnus again changes the tune, trusting the opponents homework. 4...Eb7 5.Eg5 Ee7 6.e3 h6 7.Eh4 c5 Sometimes Black plays 7...Ce4, but does not equalize completely: 8.Cxe4 Exe4 9.Eg3 with a small plus to White, CarlsenSasikiran (Sarajevo 2006). 8.Ee2 cxd4 9.Cxd4 a6 10.00 Cc6 Usually Black plays 10...00. 11.Cf3 00 12.Id2 Ib8 13.Gfd1 Gd8 14.Gac1 d6 15.Ic2 Ia7 16.a3 Gac8 17.Ib1 Cb8 18.b4 Cbd7 19.Eg3 d5

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White stands more actively, but it is impossible to squeeze anything out of it. The game is heading towards a peaceful end. 39...Ga7 40.Gf3 Gc3 41.Gxd4 Gaxa3 42.Exb7 Gxf3 43.Exf3 Gb3 44.Gd7 Kf8 45.Gc7 Gxb4 46.Gc8+ Kg7 47.Ed5 Gg4+ 48.Kf1 Gd4

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Whites unhurried play allowed carrying out this typical freeing break without much effort. 20.cxd5 Cxd5 21.Cxd5 Exd5 22.e4 Ec6 23.Cd4 Ea4 24.Gxc8 Gxc8 25.Gc1 Ia8 26.f3 Eg5 One did not have to go into all these complications, as 26...Ef6 gives Black a good game. 27.f4! Otherwise White is unlikely to obtain any chances for advantage. 27...Gxc1+ 28.Ixc1 Ixe4! 29.fxg5 Ixd4+ 30.Ef2 Ie5 31.Ic8+

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Draw agreed.

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31...Cf8?! Probably more accurate is 31...Kh7 32.Ed3+ g6 33.Ixa6 Ia1+ 34.Ef1 Ixa3 35.b5 Ib3! 36.gxh6

(36.Exb6 Exb5!) 36...Id1!? with sufficient counterplay, for example, 37.Exb6 Ec2, and White has to fight for a draw. 32.Ixa6 b5 33.Ef1 hxg5 34.Ic8 f5 35.Ec5 If6 36.h3 A forced sequence led to a position in which Black has an extra pawn, but is completely tied up. White doesnt have many resources to create real threats, but Black has problems with moves. He cannot hold the extra pawn. 36...e5 37.Exf8 Ixf8 38.Ie6+ If7 39.Ixe5 White got an edge the a4 bishop supported by the b5 pawn does not decorate Blacks position. 39...Id7

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Black has to demonstrate some accuracy! 58...f3! White cannot take the f3 pawn without losing the b4 pawn. 59.Ixg5+ Kh7 60.h5 The resulting ending with two pawns vs. one after 60.Ie7+ Kg8 61.Id8+ Kg7 62.Ic7+ Kg8 63.Ic8+ Kg7 64.Ib7+ Kh6 65.Ixf3 Ixb4 is also an easy draw. 60...gxh5 61.Ixh5+ Kg7 62.Ig4+ Kh7 63.Id7+ Kh6 64.Ic6+ Kg7 65.Ic7+ Kh6 66.If4+ Kh7 67.If7+ Kh6 68.Ixf3 Ixb4

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40.Ee2?! It seems White could win a pawn by 40.Ie3!, after which Black has to struggle for a draw: 40...Ec2!? 41.Ixg5 Ed3, etc. 40...Kh7 41.Kf2 g6 42.Ie3 Id8 Now the worst is over. 43.Ie5 Id2 44.Kg3 Ic1 45.Kh2 Ixa3 46.Ie7+ Kh6 47.If8+ Kh7 48.Ie7+ Kh6 49.Ie5 Kh7 50.Ie7+ Kh6

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With this move, Levon could simply claim a draw in the game, which enabled him qualifying for the next stage! 51.Exb5 This does not win, but continue the struggle! 51...Exb5 52.Ie5 Kh7 Simpler is 52...Ia7 53.Ixb5 Ic7+ 54.Kg1 Ic3. 53.Ixb5 f4 54.Id7+ Kh6 55.Ie8 Ib2 56.If8+ Kh7 57.Ie7+ Kh6 58.h4

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White has zero winning chances in this ending the Blacks king is in front of the passed pawn, but Levon manages to find losing chances! 69.Kh3 Ib1 70.If6+ Kh7 71.If3 Kg7 72.Kh4 Kh7 73.If7+ Kh8 74.Ih5+ Kg7 75.Ig4+ Kh7 76.Ih5+ Kg7 77.Ie5+ Kh7 78.Id5 Kg7 79.Id4+ Kh7 80.Id7+ Kh8 80...Kg6 is also possible. 81.g4 Ih1+?! This check is not good. It is safer to keep the queen in the center: 81...Ie1+. Black defends easily: 82.Kh5 Ie5+ 83.g5, and now, for instance, 83...Ih2+ 84.Kg6 Ic2+ 85.If5 Ixf5+ 86.Kxf5 Kg7. 82.Kg5 Ic1+?? Aronian finds the only losing move! 83.Kg6

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83...Ib1+ 84.If5 Now Black either loses the pawn ending or gets mated, therefore he resigned. A stunning end of the game, which doubted Aronians chances to take part in further stages of the World Championship cycle.

49.Kh5 Kf8 50.Kxh6 Ce7 51.Kh7 Black resigns.

Carlsen Aronian (6) Nimzo Indian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cc3 Eb4 4.e3 00 5.a3 Exc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 7.Ed3 Cc6 8.Ce2 b6 9.e4 Ce8 10.00 Ea6 11.f4 f5

Aronian Carlsen (5) English Opening Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.d4 Cf6 2.Cf3 e6 3.c4 c5 4.g3 cxd4 5.Cxd4 Eb4+ 6.Ed2 Ec5 7.Cb3 Ee7 8.Eg2 Cc6 9.Cc3 b6 10.Ef4 Eb7 11.00 00

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12.e5?! A risky continuation. 12.Cg3 is played more frequently. However, Yusupov Karpov (Linares 1993) showed that after 12...g6 13.Ee3 cxd4 14.cxd4 d5! 15.cxd5 Exd3 16.Ixd3 fxe4 17.Ixe4 Ixd5 Blacks chances are not worse. Let us not forget that Carlsen need to win, and he takes risks, hoping to force the opponent to spend time on concrete problems in the opening. 12...d6 13.d5 exd5! Alas for the Norwegian, Aronian found an excellent reply. Black wins a pawn and confidently neutralizes Whites initiative. 14.cxd5 Exd3 15.Ixd3 dxe5 16.Id2 Ce7 17.Gd1 Cg6 18.fxe5 Cxe5 19.Cf4 Gf7 20.Ie2 Cg6 21.Ce6 Id7 22.c4 Cd6 23.Eb2 Ge8 24.Ih5 Cf8 25.Cg5 Gfe7 26.Gac1 Ge2 27.Ec3 G2e7 28.Gf1 h6 29.Ch3 Ge4 30.Cf4 If7 31.Ih3 Gxc4 32.Ch5 Ce4 33.Exg7

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This position occurred twice in Aronians practice and once in Calrsens practice. Both players had White. 12.Ed6!? Aronian used this move for the first time, and Carlsen failed to find a good reply in a blitz game. 12...Ca5 13.Cxa5 Exg2 14.Kxg2 bxa5 15.e4 Gc8?! 16.b3 Exd6 17.Ixd6 a4? 18.e5 Ce8 19.Id4 White wins a pawn and converts it with slight flaws acceptable in a blitz game. 19...axb3 20.axb3 f6 21.Gxa7 Gc7 22.Gxc7 Ixc7 23.exf6 Cxf6 24.Cb5 Ic6+ 25.f3 h6 26.Ga1 Ch7 27.Ie4 d5 28.Ie2 dxc4 29.Cd4 Id5 30.Ixc4 Ixc4 31.bxc4 Gc8 32.Gc1 e5 33.Cf5 Kf8 34.c5 Cg5 35.Cd6 Gc6 36.h4 Ce6 37.Ce4 Ke7 38.h5 Gc7 39.Kh3 Cd4 40.Kg4 Ce6 41.Gc2 Cd4 42.Gc3 Gc6 43.Ga3 Ce6 44.Kf5 Cxc5 45.Gc3 g6+ 46.hxg6 Ce6 47.Gxc6 Cd4+ 48.Kg4 Cxc6

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33...Cg5! 34.Ib3 Gxc1 35.Cf6+ Kxg7 36.Cxe8+ Ixe8 37.Ib2+ Kg6 38.Ixc1 Ie5 39.Gd1 Ce4 40.Ie3 Cd7 41.d6 h5 42.Ib3 c4 43.Ixc4 Ic5+ 44.Ixc5 bxc5 45.Gb1 Kf6 46.Gb7 Ke6 47.Gxa7

Kxd6 48.Kf1 c4 49.Ke2 c3 50.Ga6+ Kd5 51.Kd1 Ce5 52.Ga5+ Kd4 53.Kc2 Cc4 54.Ga8 Ce3+ 55.Kb3 Cc5+ 56.Ka2 c2 57.Gd8+ Kc3 White resigns.

Kasimdzhanov Gelfand (1) Queens Indian defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 b6 4.g3 Ea6 5.b3 Eb4+ 6.Ed2 Ee7 7.Eg2 c6 8.Ec3 d5 9.Ce5 Cfd7 10.Cxd7 Cxd7 11.Cd2 00 12.00 f5!? In the last classical control game of their match, Gelfand selected 12...Cf6, but for the rapid game he prefers playing with pawn chains. 13.Eb2 Ed6 14.Gc1 Gc8 15.Cf3 Ie7 16.Id2 Cf6 17.Ce5 Ce4 18.Ie3 c5

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Whites next two moves are unsuccessful. He not only wastes time in a complicated position, but also weakens the kingside and blocks his light squared bishop. 19.f3?! More natural 19.Gfd1 is better. 19...Cf6 20.Kh1? Now Black wins a pawn. 20...cxd4 21.Exd4 Exe5 22.Exe5 I think 22.Ixe5!? is more logical. 22...dxc4 23.Id2 This move is also dubious. Perhaps White should have played 23.bxc4. 23...Gfd8 24.Ib2 Cd5 25.Ed4 25.e4? loses immediately to 25...c3!

25...e5 After 7 minutes of thinking, Gelfand decides to return the material. He probably just underestimated strength of 25...Ib4!, threatening 4 3. Now 26.bxc4 does not work because of 26...Ixb2 27.Exb2 Ce3! With decisive advantage, while after the only 26.Ec3 Cxc3 27.Gxc3 cxb3 28.Gxc8 Gxc8 Black has an extra pawn and an overwhelming position. 26.Exe5 c3 27.Exc3 Cxc3 28.Gxc3 Ixe2 29.Gxc8?! Maybe the endgame after 29.Ixe2 Exe2 30.Gxc8 Gxc8 31.Ge1 Gc2 32.a3 offers White more saving chances, although Blacks advantage here is obvious, too. 29...Gxc8 30.Id4 Ixa2 31.Id5+ Kh8 32.Gd1 On 32.Ge1 Black has 32...If2!, and after 32.Ixf5 Ixb3 his passed pawns decide the game. Now the Whites king is less secure that its Black counterpart, and Gelfand starts playing for the attack. 32...h6 33.f4 Ic2! Threatening Eb7! 34.Ge1 If2 35.Gg1 Gc2 36.If7 36.Ixf5 loses immediately to 36...Ixg2+! 37.Gxg2 Gc1+ 38.Gg1 Eb7+. The last chance to complicate things is 36.g4, although after 36...Ixf4 Black should also win. 36...Ed3! The Blacks bishop is transferred to 4 with mating attack. 37.h4 Ee4 38.Kh2 Gc1! 39.Ie8+ Kh7 White resigns

Gelfand Kasimdzhanov (2) Slav Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.Cc3 e6 5.e3 Cbd7 6.Ic2 Ed6 7.b3 00 8.Ee2 b6 9.00 Eb7 10.Eb2 Ie7 11.Gad1 Gfe8 12.Gfe1 Gad8 13.Ed3 c5 14.cxd5 exd5 15.Ef5 Cf8 16.Eh3 A new move. White plans to rearrange his forces by g2 g3 and Eh3 g2 with pressure on Blacks central pawns. 16...Cg6 In turn, Black seeks his chances on the kingside. 17.Cb5 White attempts a forced sequence to spoil Blacks pawn structure. Id prefer to stick to the original plan by 17.g3!? 17...Eb8 18.dxc5 bxc5 19.Exf6 gxf6

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Despite Blacks pawn being disconnected, his pieces are quite active. Now 20.g3 is unpleasantly met by 20...Ie4. With the pawn sacrifice, Gelfand attempts to secure the d4 square for his knights, but Kasimdzhanov reacts very actively. 20.b4 a6 21.Cc3 Ic7!? 22.Ca4 d4! 23.Ixc5 23.e4? loses to 23...Ch4! 23...Exf3 24.Ixc7 Exc7 25.gxf3 dxe3 26.fxe3 Possibly better is 26.Gxd8!? exf2+ 27.Kxf2 Gxd8 28.Ef1. 26...Gxd1 27.Gxd1 Gxe3

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Despite the position has simplified significantly, Blacks attack on the dark squares is exceptionally unpleasant, especially bearing in mind Kasimdzhanov huge advantage on the clock. 28.Ef1 Ga3 29.Cc5 Gxa2 30.Exa6 Ch4 31.Eb7 Exh2+ 32.Kf1?! Possibly 32.Kh1 Cf5 33.Ce4 is stronger. 32...Cf5 33.Gd3 Ef4 34.Ce4

36.Kh1 Gb2 37.Cxf6+ Kf8 38.Kg1 Eg3 39.Gxe3 Ef2+ with decisive advantage) 35...f5 36.Cf6+ Kf8 37.Ch5 Eg5. 35.Cc3 Ga7 36.Ec8 Cd6 37.Cd5 Ga1+ 38.Kg2 Ee5 39.Ed7 Ga2+ 40.Kf1 Cc4 41.f4 Ed6 42.Ef5 White consolidates. Gelfands only problem now is lack of time on the clock. 42...h5 43.Gc3?! Stronger is 43.Gg3+. 43...Cd2+ 44.Ke1 h4 45.Gc2?! Cf3+ 46.Kf2 Ga3 47.Gc3 Gxc3 48.Cxc3 Cd4 49.Eh3 Exb4 On 49...Exf4 White trades knights by 50.Ce2!, and Black cannot win the resulting ending with opposite colored bishops. 50.Cd5 Despite Blacks two extra pawns, the endgame is drawish due to defects of Blacks pawn structure and presence of the opposite colored bishops. Kasimdzhanovs attempts to make use of Whites time trouble did not succeed. 50...Ec5 51.Kg2 f5 52.Kh2 Kg6 53.Eg2 Ce6 54.Kh3 Ef2 55.Ef3 Eg3 56.Ed1 Cd4 57.Ce7+ Kf6 58.Cd5+ Ke6 59.Cc3 Exf4 60.Kxh4 Ke5 61.Kh3 Ed2 62.Ce2 Ce6 63.Cg1 Ee3 64.Cf3+ Kf4 65.Kg2 Cc5 66.Ec2 Ce4 67.Ch4 Cd6 68.Cf3 Ec5 69.Eb3 f6 70.Ch4 Kg4 71.Cf3 Ce4 72.Ce1 Cc3 73.Cd3 Eb6 74.Ec2 Cd5 75.Ed1+ Kg5 76.Kf3 Cc3 77.Eb3 Cb5 78.Ed5 Cd4+ 79.Kg2 Ea5 80.Cc5 Kg4 81.Ce6 Cc2 82.Ef3+ Kh4 83.Ec6 Ce1+ 84.Kf2 Cd3+ 85.Kg2 Ce5 86.Eb5 Ed2 87.Ee2 Ee3 88.Ed1 Eb6 89.Cg7 Kg5 90.Ce6+ Kg6 91.Ec2 Cc4 92.Kf3 Cd6 93.Kf4 Eg1

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94.Exf5+ Cxf5 95.Cf8+ Kf7 96.Kxf5 Draw.

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34...Kg7? It seems 34...Ce3+! wins: 35.Ke1 (or 35.Kg1 Gg2+

Kasimdzhanov Gelfand (3) Petroff Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cf6 Gelfand attempts to use the Petroff for peace. 3.Cxe5 d6 4.Cf3 Cxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Ed3 Cc6 7.00 Ee7 8.c4 Cb4 9.Ee2 00 10.Cc3 Ef5 11.a3 Cxc3 12.bxc3 Cc6 13.Ge1 Ge8

40.Ia1 Stronger is 40.Ge6!, forcing the Blacks king to f7 40...Kf7, and only then 41.Ia1 with advantage. It would be difficult for Gelfand to defend, bearing in mind his serious time trouble. 40...Kg7 41.Ge6 Gf8 42.a4 Gf7 Now Black is okay. He only has to be careful and not blunder anything. 43.Ic3 Cf5 44.Cf3 Ixa4 45.Cg5 Gf8

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14.Ga2!? A novelty! 14...Ca5 15.cxd5 Ixd5 16.Gb2 c6 Not good is 16...Cc4? in view of 17.Ib3! Ee6 18.Exc4 Ixc4 19.Ixc4 Exc4 20.Gxb7. 17.Ia4 Id8 18.c4 Ef6 19.Ee3 Ee4 20.Gd2 b6 21.Ce5 Ie7 22.Cg4 Eg5 23.Ef1 Exe3 Interesting is 23...f5!? 24.f4 (24.Ce5?! is dubious due to 24...f4) 24...Eh4. 24.Gxe3 24.Cxe3!? deserves consideration. 24...Ig5 25.Id1 Ef5 25...c5!? looks good: 26.Gg3 cxd4 27.Gxd4 Cc6 28.Gd6 Gad8!, and Black has an excellent game. 26.Ce5 f6 27.Cf3 If4?! I think 27...Ih5!?, controlling the 8 square, is stronger. 28.Gde2 Ed7 29.Ie1 Gxe3 30.Gxe3 Id6 31.h3 More active is 31.c5!? 31...c5 32.d5 Kf8 33.Cd2 Ef5 34.Ee2!? White starts fighting for the 6 square. 34...Id7 35.Eh5 Cb7 36.g4 Eg6 37.Exg6 hxg6 38.g5 Cd6?! Better is 38...Ge8!?, not giving away the e file. 39.gxf6 gxf6

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46.Ge1?! After this mistake Black seizes the initiative. 46.Gxf6 Gxf6 47.Ce6+ Kf7 48.Cg5+ led to a draw. 46.Gc6! Cd4 47.Gc7+ Kg8 48.Id3 with a sharp game offered practical winning chances, as the time advantage could become a factor, too. 46...Cd4 47.Ge7+ Kg8 48.Id3? Decisive mistake. 48.Cf3 was necessary. 48...Cf5 49.Ie2 Ia1+ 50.Kh2 fxg5 51.Ie6+ Kh8 52.Gb7 Id4 White resigns

Shirov Adams (1) Ruy Lopez Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Eb5 a6 4.Ea4 Cf6 5.00 Ee7 6.Ge1 d6 7.c3 Eg4 8.d3 Cd7 9.h3 Eh5 10.Ee3 h6 11.g4 Eg6 12.Cbd2 Eg5 13.Cxg5 hxg5 14.Kg2 f6 15.Exc6 bxc6 16.b4 Cf8 17.Cb3 Ce6 18.Ca5 Id7 19.Ia4

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White got a small advantage in a rare line of the Ruy Lopez due to superior pawn structure.

19...c5 A sharper 19...d5 does not solve all the problems: 20.f3 d4 21.cxd4 exd4 22.Ed2. As in the last game of the classical control match, Shirov does not avoid an endgame with a small advantage. 20.Ixd7+ Kxd7 21.bxc5 dxc5 22.f3 Gab8 23.Cb3 Ef7 24.Cxc5+ Cxc5 25.Exc5 Gb2+ 26.Kg3 Exa2 27.d4

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27...exd4?! Safer is 27...Ke6!?, keeping the center closed. After 28.dxe5 fxe5 29.Ee3 Kf6 the king can defend the kingside weaknesses, and White has problems carrying out his invasion. 28.cxd4 Ec4 29.d5 Ghb8 One should have tried to destroy Whites pawn chain by 29...c6, and if 30.d6, then 30...Ge8. 30.Gac1 Ge2 31.Gxe2 Exe2 32.Gc2 Ed3 33.Gc3

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White wins a pawn and dominates on board. The rest is easy. 38...Ke7 39.Gxc7+ Ke8 40.Gc6 Kf7 41.Gb6 Gg6 42.Gb7+ Ke8

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43.d6 Eb5 44.Ge7+ Kd8 Or 44...Kf8 45.Ec5. 45.Eb6+ Kc8 46.Gc7+ Kb8 47.Ea7+ Ka8 48.d7 Black resigns

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33...Ef1?! Preparing ...c7 c6 by 33...Eb5 was already necessary. 34.h4! gxh4+ 35.Kxh4 Gh8+ Otherwise the king breaks to the kingside pawns. 36.Kg3 g5?! This only creates more weaknesses. However, Blacks position was already very tough. 37.Ed4 Gh6 38.Gc6

Adams Shirov (2) Italian Opening Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Ec4 Cf6 4.d3 Ec5 5.c3 a6 6.Eb3 Ea7 7.00 d6 The Italian Opening has become popular recently in the tournament practice. The character of play resembles of the Ruy Lopez, but the variations are less forced and sharp. 8.h3 More common is 8.Cbd2. 8...h6 On 8...00 White planned 9.Eg5. 9.Ge1 g5!

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A very interesting idea! Black immediately begins operations on the kingside, utilizing the fact that he hasnt castled yet, and Whites h3 pawn is a good object of attack. 9...00 10.Cbd2 leads to standard positions. 10.Ch2 g4! Nevertheless! 11.hxg4 Gg8 12.If3 Ie7 Black regains a pawn and seizes the initiative. 13.Ee3 Exe3 14.fxe3 Adams attempts to get some play on the f file, but it is safer to capture on e3 with the queen, turning to defense. 14...Exg4 14...Ed7!? 15.Gf1 Gg6 16.Cd2 000 followed by ...Gd8 g8 deserved consideration. 15.Cxg4 Cxg4 16.Ih3 Cd8 17.Cd2 Ce6 18.Ge2 000

25.Exe6? Adams plays indecisively. One should have taken the pawn: 25.Ixh4 Gh8 26.Gh5 Gxh5 27.Ixh5 Cc5 28.Ec2, and White can defend. 25...Ixe6 26.c4 Gh8 It is not bad for Black that his h pawn remained alive. 27.Gef2 Gh6 28.Ih3 Gg8 29.G5f3 Ie7 30.Kf1 Gg5 31.Ke2 Ig7 32.Ih1 Ghg6 33.Kf1 Gg3 34.Ixh4 Gxg2 Gradually Black infiltrates the enemy camp. 35.Gh3 Ka7! A strong move that is especially unpleasant in time trouble Black prevents an endgame possible after Ih4 h8. Now White can neither simplify the position, nor defend his king or the queenside pawns, which became very vulnerable since the Blacks rook invaded his territory. 36.Gh2 Gg1+ 37.Ke2 Gb1 38.Kf3 Ge1 39.Ih3 a5 40.Gfg2 Gf1+ 41.Ke2 Gb1 42.Kf3 Gf1+ 43.Ke2 Gg1 44.Gxg1 Gxg1

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Black advantage is doubtless. Having evacuated the king on the queenside, Shirov can now start active operations on the open g file. 19.Gf1 Kb8 20.Cf3 h5 21.Ih4 f6 22.Ch2 Gdf8 23.Gf5 Cxh2 24.Ixh2 h4

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45.Kd2 Curiously, leaving the king in the center by 45.Kf3!? is more tenacious, and if 45...Ga1, then 46.Gg2. 45...Gb1 46.Kc3 Ig1 Now White is helpless. 47.Ig2 Gc1+ 48.Kb3 Id1+ 49.Ka3 Ixd3+ 50.b3 Gxc4 51.Gh7 Ic3

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White resigned in view of inevitable mate.

Shirov Adams (3) Ruy Lopez Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Eb5 a6 4.Ea4 Cf6 5.00 Ee7 6.Ge1 b5 7.Eb3 00 8.h3 Leading the match 20, Shirov is not in a mood for a sharp Marshall Attack. 8...Eb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3

advantage in the ending. 25.Gb1 Gad8 26.Gxe8+ Gxe8 27.Ee3 Ca4

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It became fashionable recently to handle the Ruy Lopez in such unhurried manner, but one can unlikely pose any problems in such way. It is possible, however, that Shirov is not planning posing problems. 10...Id7 11.Cc3 Gfe8 12.Ce2 12.Cd5 Cxd5 13.exd5 Cd4 14.Cxd4 exd4 gives Black a good game, SvidlerKamsky (Sofia 2006). 12...Cd8!? A new move. Adams shows that such maneuver can be played not only in Ec5 Ruy Lopez. Zhang Zhong Jenni (Bled, ol 2002) continued 12...h6 13.Cg3 Ef8 with an acceptable game. 13.Cg3 Ce6 14.c3 c5 15.d4 Black is well prepared to this advance. White could continue in the same style by, for example, 15.a4. 15...exd4 16.cxd4

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28.Ed4 Whites desire to simplify the position is understandable, but perhaps he should have started with 28.b3 Cc3 29.Ge1. 28...Exd4 29.Cxd4 Ge4 An attempt to penetrate via the d file by 29...Gd8!? deserved attention. 30.Cc6 Ge6 31.Cb4 Kf8 32.Kf1 Ke7 33.b3 After 33.Cd3 White is out of trouble. 33...Cc5 34.Cd5+ Kd7 35.b4 Gd6 36.Cc3 Gd3 37.Gd1 Gxd1+ 38.Cxd1 Ca4 39.Ke2 Kd6 40.Kd3?! More precise is 40.f4. 40...Ke5! 41.g3 g5 42.Ce3 f5 Somewhat inaccurate defending led White to difficulties. 43.f3 (43.Ke2!?) 43...f4 44.Cg4+ Kf5 45.gxf4 Kxf4 After 45...h5 White draws by 46.fxg5! hxg4 47.fxg4+ Kxg5 48.Kd4, taking the a6 pawn with the king, after which the Blacks knight is tied to the b5 pawn, and the king must control the opponents passed pawns. 46.Ke2 Cc3+ 47.Kf2

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16...d5 Maybe Black should have preferred a more complex game after 16...c4 17.Ec2 d5 18.e5 Ce4. 17.dxc5 dxe4 18.Ixd7 Cxd7 19.c6 19.Exe6?! is not good due to 19...Cxc5! 19...Exc6 20.Cxe4 Exe4 21.Gxe4 Cdc5 22.Ge3 Cxb3 23.Gxb3 Cc5 24.Ge3 Ef6 As a result of the tactical skirmish, Black obtains an

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47...Cd5!? Unfortunately for Black, after 47...Cb1 48.Cf6 Cxa3 49.Cd5+! Ke5 50.Cc7 Cc2 51.Cxa6 his king cannot approach the b4 pawn, because the Whites king advances on the kingside, while the knight can be sacrificed to the b5 pawn. 48.Ch6 Ce3 49.Cg4 Cd1+ 50.Ke2 Cc3+ 51.Kf2 h5 52.Cf6 h4 53.Cd7 Cd1+ 54.Kg2 Ce3+ 55.Kf2 Cc2 56.Cc5 Cxa3 57.Cxa6 Cc2 58.Cc7

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58...Cd4 Black could net a pawn by 58...Cxb4 59.Cxb5 (59.Ce6+?! Ke5) 59...Cd3+ 60.Kg2 Ce1+ 61.Kf2 Cxf3 62.Cc3, but here White holds. Black is unable to get to the h3 pawn, and in some cases, when White gets opposition, the pawn ending is drawn as well. 59.Cd5+ Ke5 60.Cc3 There are no more problems for White the position is drawn. 60...Kf4 61.Cd5+ Kf5 62.Cc3 Ke5 63.Kg2 Kd6 64.Kf2 Kc6 65.Ke3 Ce6 66.Ce2 Kd5 67.Kd3 Ke5 68.Ke3 Cc7 69.f4+ gxf4+ 70.Cxf4 Cd5+ 71.Cxd5 Kxd5 72.Kd3 Ke5 73.Ke3 Kd5 74.Kd3 Ke5 75.Ke3

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The players agreed to a draw, which allowed Alexei Shirov to qualify for the next stage.

Round 2. Game 1 6 June 2007 Aronian Shirov Queens Gambit Accepted Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 e5 4.Cf3 exd4 5.Exc4 Cc6 Ch5!!, and after 16.Ixe5 Gb5 the Whites queen gets caught in the center of the board David Bronstein fell into this nice trap in one of early games against the computer!) 13...Gxb2 14.Gac1 00 15.Gc5 Cg4! 16.Ec1! (logical 16.Gfc1? is refuted by the unexpected 16...Id6!! 17.Gxc6 (otherwise Ce5) 17...Gxf3! 18.Gxd6 (18.Ixf3? Ixh2+ 19.Kf1 Gxd2 20.Ke1 Gxf2 21.Ixf2 Cxf2 22.Kxf2 If4+ 23.Kg1 Ixe4+) 18...Gxd3 19.Gd8+ Kf7 20.Ee1 Cf6! 21.Gxc7+ Kg6 22.Gc1 Cxe4 with good winning chances). Now White plans to transfer the bishop to a3, then put the major pieces to the c file, and start collecting the Blacks pawns. Therefore, Beliavsky Scherbakov (Niksic 1996) continued 16...Cb4!? with wild complications. 12.b3 An interesting move, which already occurred in the tournament practice. More often White develops the bishop by a2 a3 and b2 b4, but this more aggressive approach demands more time, and in addition Black can undermine the Whites pawns by ...a7 a5. 12...00 Blacks pawn structure is destroyed, however, in return he obtained two open files for his rooks! The Blacks minor pieces are also arranged quite well, particularly the knights are ready to come forward. White must be alert, but if he manages to neutralize Blacks activity, he will get reasonable hope to utilize the opponents pawn weaknesses in the subsequent game. 13.Eb2 Ef4!?

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Shirov is not planning to defend passively! In this line Black gets an active position, however, he has to pay for it by getting pawn weaknesses. The resulting positions demand a lot of imagination in order to keep the balance and Alexei is quite content with it! Usual continuation 5...Eb4+ wins time for development and simplifies the game, giving Black an acceptable but slightly inferior position without almost any active ideas. 6.00 Ee6 7.Exe6 White also tried 7.Eb5 Ec5 8.Cbd2 Cge7 9.Cg5 (or 9.Cb3 Eb6 10.Cbxd4 Ed7 11.Cxc6 Exc6 12.Ie2 00 13.Eg5 Ie8! with an excellent game) 9...Id6 10.Cxe6 Ixe6 11.Cb3 Id6 12.Ef4! Ixf4 13.Cxc5 00 with good counterchances to Black. 7...fxe6 8.Ib3 Id7 9.Ixb7 Gb8 10.Ia6 Cf6 11.Cbd2

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11...Ed6 11...Eb4?! is riskier: 12.Id3! (one of the first games on this topic, Scherbakov Bronstein, Hastings 1994/95, continued 12.e5?! Cg4! 13.Ie2 Id5, and Black seized the initiative) 12...Exd2 (12...00 13.Cc4 favors White) 13.Exd2! (White must be alert: 13.Cxd2?! 00 14.a3? is met by 14...Ce5! 15.Ig3!

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14.g3 A new and probably not the best continuation. After 14.Id3 White has better chances. For example, Van WelySasikiran (Moscow 2004) went on 14...Gbd8 15.Cc4 Cb4!? 16.Ixd4 Ie7 17.Ixa7 Ga8 18.Exf6!? gxf6 19.Id4 Cc2 20.Ic3 Cxa1 21.Gxa1 with a small advantage that is very difficult to convert, because it is not easy to play actively with the knights. 14...Eh6 15.Ea3 Cxe4!

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An excellent counterblow! After 15...Gf7 White can return the queen by 16.Id3, and in comparison to the variations above, he strengthened control of the important b4 and e5 squares. 16.Exf8 Cxd2 Weaker is 16...Exd2?! 17.Exg7! Ec3 (or 17...Kxg7 18.Id3 Ec3 19.Ixe4 Exa1 20.Gxa1) 18.Eh6 Exa1 19.Gxa1, and in addition to pawn weaknesses, Black has a weak king. 17.Cxd2 Exd2 18.Ea3 Id5 18...Ce5!? deserved serious consideration, trying to utilize insecure position of the Whites king. 19.Ic4 Otherwise Black seizes the initiative.

24...c6? It looks like Alexei tricked himself in search of the most promising continuation. Being in time trouble, he commits a serious mistake. 24...Ec3 25.Gxc7 d2 is unclear the Blacks pieces have good chances to stop the Whites passer. Even the simple 24...Exc1 25.Gxc1 d2 26.Gd1 c6 was at least more accurate than the text. After 27.Kf1 Gd5 28.Ke2 a5 Black has excellent chances to hold this ending. 25.Exd2 Cxd2 26.Gd1 White gains time to improve his pieces. 26...Ce4?! Nevertheless, it was better to return by 26...Cc4!? 27.f3! Maybe Black underestimated this resource. 27...Cc3 In the case of 27...Cxc5!?, White could continue 28.Gxa7 (or 28.Gc7 Gd6 29.Kf2) 28...e5 29.Gc7, gradually neutralizing the Blacks passer, e.g., 29...Ce6 30.Gxc6 Cd4 31.Gc4 Cxf3+ 32.Kf2 Gf8 33.Ke3, etc. 28.Gd2 Now the passed pawn is under control, and the rook is much stronger than the knight in such positions. 28...Cxa2

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19...Ixc4 19...Ec3!?, keeping the files locked, looked good. 20.bxc4 Ce5 21.Gab1 Gd8 22.c5 Cc4 23.Ec1 d3 And now 23...Ea5!? deserved attention, and if 24.Gb7, then 24...a6 or 24...Gd5. 24.Gb7

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29.Gb3? Much simpler is 29.Gb1!, threatening to take the knight, and after 29...Cc3 30.Gb3 White destroys Blacks last hope. 29...Cc1 30.Gb1 Ce2+ 31.Kf2 e5 32.Ga1 One could play 32.Gb3 Cd4 33.Gbxd3 Gd5 34.Gc3, but Aronian does not want allowing his opponent to consolidate his pieces and activate the king. 32...Gd5 33.Gxa7 Gxc5 It is better to delay this recapture by, for instance, 33...h5!?, but Shirov already had under a minute until the control move I remind you that there is no increment until the move 60. 34.Gxd3 It seems Levon planned 34.Gb2, but at the last moment decided against keeping the Blacks passer on board. Now Black could remain in the game by 34...h5 35.Gbb7 Kh7. 34...Cd4 35.Gd2

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35...h6?! More active and tenacious is 35...h5! 36.f4 Cf5. 36.f4! Cb5 Now 36...Cf5? is met by 37.g4. 37.Ga8+?! 37.Gb7 looked safer. 37...Kh7 38.f5?! Cd4 39.g4?! Playing on the opponents time, Levon gives Alexei good drawing chances. 39...Gc3? 39...h5! would probably save Black half a point. 40.Gb2

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13.Ge1 13.b3 Eb7 14.Eb2 occurred more often recently. Peter played that line, too. 13...c5 14.c3 Eb7 15.Ih3 This position often occurred in the tournament practice. Black lost the right to castle, and his kings rook is offside, but apart from that his position is quite acceptable. White did not have any problems with developing his pieces, but now he has difficulties making progress. 15...Gd8

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40...h5?? The last move of the first control turns out to be the last move of the game. Only 40...Cb5 allowed to continue the resistance, albeit in a hopeless position. 41.Gbb8 The escape attempt 41...Kh6 is parried by the simple 42.h4, therefore Black resigns.

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16.Ee4!? A novelty. White removes Exf3 from the agenda. Previously he played 16.Kh1 Kg8 (or 16...Cf6 17.Ed2 Kg8 18.Gad1 Ed5 19.b3 Ib7 20.Ee3 Exf3 21.gxf3, T.Petrosian Galkin, Kusadasi 2006) 17.Ed2 Ef4 18.Ee3 Cf6 19.Gad1 with a slightly better game for White (T.Petrosian Kidambi, Dubai 2007), but Bareev obviously prepared an improvement in one of these lines. 16...Exe4 17.Gxe4 Cf6 18.Ge1

Leko Bareev Caro Kann Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Cc3 dxe4 4.Cxe4 Cd7 Usually Evgeny plays 4...Ef5. 5.Cg5 Cgf6 6.Ed3 e6 7.C1f3 Ed6 8.Ie2 h6 9.Ce4 Cxe4 10.Ixe4 Ic7 11.00 b6 12.Ig4 Kf8

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18...g6!? A very difficult move. Black found no reason to bring his king to h7, where it is prone to a knights check from g5, but this pawn advance seems to weaken his king. 19.b3 In the case of 19.Exh6+?! Kg8 White is unlikely to unpin easily. 19...Kg7 20.dxc5 Exc5 21.Eb2 On 21.c4?! Black has 21...Eb4! followed by ...Eb4 c3. 21...Gd5!

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An excellent maneuver! As you can recall, this maneuver solved Evgenys opening problems in the first game against Judit Polgar, although the position was quite different. 22.c4 Gh5 23.Ig3 Perhaps returning the queen in the center by 23.Ig4!? Gd8 24.Ie4 and then Ie4 e2, Ga1d1 was better White has a solid game. 23...Ed6! 24.Ce5 Gd8 25.h3 Gf5

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28...g5?? 28...Ce4!! would finish the game in Bareevs favor. 29.Gxe4 (or 29.Cf3 Cg3! 30.Gc2, and now 30...Ed6! 31.fxg3 Exg3 32.Ih1 Ic5+) 29...Gxf2! gives Black decisive advantage. For example, 30.Ed4 (30.Gxf2 Gd1+ mating, or 30.Gee1 Gxb2+ 31.Kh1 Ef2) 30...Gxd4 31.Gxd4 Gxf1+ 32.Kxf1 Exd4 etc. 29.Cg4

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29...Ed6? Black overestimates his chances, being under severe time pressure. This move indeed locks the Whites queen, but only temporarily. Evgeny should have traded the queens with a good game. 30.g3 Ch5 Sticking to the losing plan. 31.Ce3 Nothing will prevent the Whites queen from going out to the h1 a8 diagonal, while Black has made some serious damage to his position. 31...Exg3?! 32.fxg3

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26.Ge2?! Overestimating the chances. 26.Ic3!? retains a minimal advantage. 26...Ec5 27.Gf1? Too passive. Surprisingly, after this mistake White ends up in a difficult position. 27.Gae1 Kh7 28.Ic3 was mandatory. 27...Kh7! 28.Ih2? This move loses, however, the position was already quite unpleasant! 28.Ic3? is impossible, because after 28...Ed4 the e5 knight lacks sufficient protection, and in addition White has no adequate defense against ...Cf6 h5 f4.

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32...Gxf1+?

One should have taken the pawn: 32...Ixg3+ 33.Ixg3 Cxg3 34.Gef2 Gxf2 35.Gxf2 f5 with some chances to survive. 33.Cxf1 Gd1 34.Ge3 Black has absolutely no compensation for a piece. Bareev resigned.

Grischuk Rublevsky Sicilian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 c5 2.Cf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Cxd4 Cc6 5.Cc3 a6 So far Rublevskys opening tastes remain stable. He used the same move order in the 3rd game against Ponomariov. 6.Ee2 Ponomariov continued 6.Cxc6, but did not obtain any advantage in the opening. 6...d6 7.00 Cf6 8.Ee3 Ed7!? The favorite system of Rublevsky. Black tries to save a tempo on the natural Scheveningen move Ic7. 9.a4 Ee7 10.f4 Cxd4 11.Ixd4 Ec6 12.b4 00 13.b5 Ee8 14.e5 Ic7!? 15.b6 Ic6

Sjugirov, who comments the computer match for the public, said here: Humans play much more interesting chess! 18...exd5 19.Exd5 Whites initiative is obviously very dangerous. 19...Ec5? loses to 20.Exc6! Exd4 21.Exd4 bxc6 22.b7 Gb8 (or 22...Gd8 23.Ea7, and Black has no defense against Gd1 followed by b8I, for example, 23...Cb8 24.Gd1) 23.Gb1 c5 24.Ee3! and despite having an extra piece, Black has no reasonable moves. The queen retreats to c8 and h6 may be tested in the future games of the match, therefore we will abstain from analyzing these positions. After lengthy consideration, Rublevsky played 19...Ic5, and Grischuk instantly responded by 20.e6! Ixd4 20...fxe6 21.Exe6+ Gf7 (21...Kh8? loses on the spot to 22.Exd7 Ixd4? 23.Exd4 Exd7 24.Gxe7) 22.Ie4 or 22.Exf7+ leads to Whites advantage. 21.Exd4 Cf6

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The diagrammed position occurred in Rublevskys games twice. Jakovenko (Moscow, 2003) and Svidler (Moscow 2005) continued 16.exd6 Ixd6 17.Ef3, but Black made draws in both cases. However, Grischuk prepared an interesting novelty for this match. 16.Ef3!? d5 17.Gae1 Cd7

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22.Eb3! The key move! Grischuk keeps playing instantly, demonstrating the depth of his home analysis. Black cannot avoid material losses. 22...Gd8! The only defense! Being under the time pressure, Rublevsky finds the only way to continue the fight. 23.Exf6 Ec5+ 23...Exf6 is hopeless in view of 24.e7. 24.Kh1 gxf6 25.e7 Exe7 26.Gxe7 Ec6

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18.Cxd5!? The point! The 14 year old international master Sanan

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In the diagrammed position Alexander spent about 40 minutes, and played 27.Gc7! Now White can sacrifice an exchange on c6 when

appropriate, and the b pawn will head towards the queening square. The natural 27.Gfe1 Gd2 28.G7e2?! Gfd8 29.Kg1 Kf8 30.Kf2 G8d4 leads to a position in which White has problems with converting his advantage due to the opponents piece activity. 27...Gd2 28.Ge1! Here comes another excellent move! Whites top priority is activity, so he pays no attention to the g2 pawn. 28...Gf2? The time trouble! Taking the f4 pawn was totally unnecessary. Black should have tried to bring the king away from the danger zone by 28...Kg7! with the idea to meet 29.h3 (not 29.Gxc6? due to 29...Ge8!) by 29...Exg2+ 30.Kg1 Kh6!, retaining some saving chances. 29.h3 Now White wins. 29...Gxf4 30.Gee7 Gf1+ 31.Kh2 Gf2

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10.Ee3 Playing against Short in Linares, 1994, Kamsky obtained an advantage by 10.Eg5 Ee6 11.Exf6 Exf6 12.Cd5 Eg5 13.a5 Gc8 14.Eg4, and after 14...Kh8 15.c3 Eh6?! confidently won the game. Short was impressed by Kamskys approach, and later followed Gatas play until the move 14 in Short Gelfand, Groningen 1996. However, Boris prepared an improvement: 14...Cd4! (instead of 14...Kh8), and after 15.Cxd4 exd4 16.f4 Eh6 17.Exe6 fxe6 18.Cb6 Gc5 19.g3 e5 20.f5 Ic7 21.c3 Gb5 22.Cd5 Ic4 23.Ga4 Ib3 24.Ixb3 Gxb3 25.cxd4 the players agreed to a draw. The text move also fails to create any problems for Black. 10...Ee6 11.Ef3 Ca5 12.Cxa5 Ixa5 13.Id2

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White ends the game with series of tactical blows. 32.Gxc6! bxc6 33.Gxf7! Gf4 34.c3! Ge4 35.Ge7+ Black resigns.

Kamsky Gelfand Sicilian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 c5 2.Cf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Cxd4 Cf6 5.Cc3 a6 Few people doubted that Gelfand will play the Najdorf Variation. 6.a4 Recently Kamsky preferred 6.Eg5, however, playing against such a renowned theoretician as Gelfand, Gata decided to return to the text move, which he used regularly in the 90s. 6...Cc6 One of the best replies to the system employed by White. 7.Ee2 e5! 8.Cb3 Against Kengis (Bern 1990), Kamsky retreated the knight to f3, and Black did not experience any problems. 8...Ee7 9.00 00

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13...Gfc8 Rashkovsky Timoschenko (Kishinev 1975) continued 13...Kh8, but since Cd5 is not a threat, touching the king is not necessary. 14.Gfd1 14.Cd5?! Ixd2 15.Cxe7+ Kf8 16.Exd2 Gxc2 with advantage to Black. 14...Kf8 Gelfand prefers to see his king on f8 rather than on h8. 15.Ic1 Gc4 16.Gd3 Gac8 17.Id1 G4c6 18.Gd2 Gc4 19.Gd3 G4c6 20.h3 h6 21.Gd2 Gc4 22.Gd3 G4c6 23.Gd2 Neither player has an active plan in this position, so a draw was agreed.

Round 2. Game 2. 7 June 2007 Shirov Aronian Queens Indian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 b6 4.g3 Ea6 5.Ic2 Eb7 6.Eg2 c5 7.d5!? This pawn sacrifice occurred in one of the Elista games between Bareev and Polgar. 7...exd5 8.cxd5 Cxd5 9.00 Ee7 10.Gd1 Cc6 Driving away the knight and centralizing. 22.Cf3 Cd6 23.Ia4

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11.Ia4 A novelty. Bareev continued 11.If5 in the game mentioned above. 11...Cf6 12.Cc3 00 13.g4 The point! 13...Cb4! According to Shirov, prior to the game he discovered that this move gives Black sufficient counterplay, but decided not to change his opening plan. 14.a3 Cbd5 15.Cxd5 Exd5 16.g5 Ec6 17.Ih4 Ce8 Dubious is 17...Ce4?! in view of 18.Ce5! Exg5 19.Cxc6 Exh4 20.Cxd8 Cxf2 21.Gd5! Gaxd8 22.Gh5 with advantage to White. 18.Ce5 Exg2 19.Gxd7

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23...b5! 24.Ic2 The a7 pawn is untouchable: 24.Ixa7? Ga8 25.Ib6 Ed8, winning a queen. 24...Cf5 25.a4?! Shirov criticizes this move. Probably stronger is 25.Ef4 or 25.Gd1, although in these lines Black also has full compensation for the queen. 25...b4 Not good is 25...Cxe3 26.fxe3 Exg5?! 27.Kf2 b4? in view of 28.e4, winning a piece. 26.Gd1 Cxe3 27.fxe3

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19...Eb7! This decision is typical for Aronian. Instead of fighting for equality by 19...Ic8 20.Gxe7 Ec6, he sacrifices a queen, getting a rook, a bishop, and a clear plan of playing in the center and on the queenside. 20.Gxd8 Gxd8 21.Ee3 Gd5!

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27...Gxd1+ In the diagrammed position Shirov was correctly concerned about 27...c4!? this was the reason to criticize his 25th move. Blacks pawns become very dangerous. After the sample 28.Gxd5 Exd5 29.e4 Ee6 30.Cd4 Gc8 31.Cxe6 fxe6 followed by 4 3, Black obtains good winning chances, as the Whites queen must guard the passed pawn. It is interesting to note that the computer assesses the resulting position as a better for White. Aronian rejected 27...4 because he wanted to coordinate his forces first, and then advance the c pawn. 28.Ixd1 Gd8 29.Ic2 g6 A multipurpose move. Black makes luft, prepares to transfer the bishop to g7, and controls the f5 square. 30.h4 Ed6 31.Kf2 a6 32.Cd2 The knight goes to 4. Maybe it was better to place there a queen (32.Ic4)? The queen is a bad blocker

of course, but on c4 it prevents ...E6 (the a6 pawn is attacked). And the knight can find other good squares, such as 4. 32...Ef8 33.Cc4 Ec8 34.Ie4 Ee6 35.b3

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35...Gd5! Black arranged his pieces well, and can start bothering the Whites kingside. 36.Kg3 h6! 37.gxh6 Exh6 38.If3 Kh7 39.e4 Gh5 Alexei had just a minute left on the control move, and he selected the active 40.Cd6!? In the case of 40.If6?, 40...Eg7 41.Ie7 Exc4 42.bxc4 b3 43.Ixf7 b2 gives Black a winning advantage the b pawn wins the game. On 40.Id3 Black could respond by 40...g5!?, and it is practically impossible to evaluate the consequences of this move in a minute. However, Aronian finds the opportunity to attack the h4 pawn after the text move as well.

Levon chooses the most aggressive continuation again. In the case of 42...Ee7 White begins his counterattack by 43.If4! (bad is 43.e5? in view of 43...Gf5 44.Ic6 Exf7 45.Id7 (45.Ic7 Ed5+, etc.) 45...Gxe5) 43...Kg8 44.Cd6 Exb3 45.Cc8 with complications that are hard to assess. 43.bxc4 Kg8 Leads to a draw. Now 43...Ee7 is met by 44.e5!, as on 44...Gf5 White has 45.Ic6 Exf7 46.Ic7! (the d5 square is under control) with the initiative, although the b pawn secures Black from losing the game 46...Ef8! 47.e6 b3. During the game, Shirov was concerned about 43...b3!?, thinking that he must give away a piece: 44.Ixb3 (44.Cd6? is bad due to 44...Gg5+ 45.Kh1 Gg3 46.If4 Gh3+ 47.Kg2 b2, and wins) 44...Exf7 with some winning chances. However, it seems here White can play 44.e5!, too. 44...Gf5 (44...b2 is harmless for White due to 45.Ib7 b1I 46.Ixb1 Exf7 47.Ib7 Kg8 48.Ic8+ Kg7 49.e6) 45.Ie4! Gxf7 46.Ixh4+ Kg7 47.Id8 with a possible draw. 44.Cd6 Gg5+ 45.Kh1 45.Kf1? loses to 45...Gg3 46.If4 Eh3+ and 45.Kh2? fails to 45...Eg3+. 45...Gg3 46.If4 Gh3+ Draw.

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40...Eg5! 41.Cxf7 The only move, as 41.hxg5? loses to 41...Gh3+. 41...Exh4+ 42.Kg2

Bareev Leko Slav Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.e3 Eg4 A rare move. Usually Black plays 4...Ef5. 5.Cc3 On 5.cxd5 Black replies 5...Exf3 6.Ixf3 cxd5 with a very solid position. 5...e6 6.h3 Exf3 In the case of 6...Eh5 White could seriously consider 7.g4 Eg6 8.Ce5, as in BareevBruzon (Khanty Mansyisk 2005), and White got a slight advantage after 8...Cbd7 9.Cxg6 hxg6 10.a3 g5 11.Ed2 Ee7 12.If3 g6 13.000 (Evgeny won that game). 7.Ixf3 Cbd7 8.Ed2

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42...c4!?

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8...Eb4!?

Black develops the bishop, at the same time increasing control of the center. On 8...Ed6 White can already begin active operations on the kingside by 9.g4!? (Dreev Movsesian, Sarajevo 2002). 9.Ed3 On 9.g4 Black obviously intended 9...Exc3 10.Exc3 Ce4 with a good game. 9...00 10.a3 Here 10.g4?! is also premature, as after 10...e5 Black seizes the initiative due to his development lead. 10...Ea5 11.b4 Ec7 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.00 Ge8

At this moment Bareev has already spent an hour more than his opponent, so he initiated peace talks. Black can respond to 15.e4 by 15...e5! (certainly not 15...dxe4? 16.Cxe4 with unpleasant initiative). White could try obtaining some advantage by 16.Eg5!? h6 17.Eh4, but, according to Leko, the final position of this game was studied at home, and it is logical to conclude that he knows how to make a draw.

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Leko shows unequivocally that he intends to push his central pawn forward. Nobody had any doubts about it, though. 14.Gfc1 Only this strange looking move is a novelty. In KharlovAl Sayed (Dubai 2003) White immediately started playing in the center by 14.e4. The game went on 14...e5 15.Eg5 h6 16.Eh4 g5 17.Eg3 exd4 18.Cxd5 Cxd5 19.exd5 Ce5 20.Exe5, and here 20...Gxe5 looked more accurate, to follow by Id8 d6 with an even game. 14.Gac1 is more logical, but Bareev realized that after 14...e5 (now 14...Ed6?! 15.e4! gives White a clear plus) 15.Cxd5?! e4 16.Exe4 Cxe4 17.Cxc7 Cxd2 the f1 rook is attacked, and after, say, 18.Ixb7 Gb8 19.Ixa7 Cxf1 20.Cxe8 Cxe3!, Black has no problems to say the least. However, White has other opportunities, e.g., 15.e4!? exd4 16.Cxd5 Cxd5 17.exd5 Ce5 18.Ig3 or 15.If5!?, which give him hope for a slight advantage. 14...Ed6 The hasty 14...e5? gives White an advantage after 15.Cxd5 e4 16.Exe4 Cxe4 17.Cxc7 Cxd2 18.Ixb7 (18.If5!?) 18...Gb8 19.Ixa7, etc. 15.e4

Rublevsky Grischuk Scotch Game Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Cxd4 The Scotch Game is one of the favorite openings of Rublevsky. 4...Ec5 5.Ee3 Recently Sergey preferred 5.Cxc6. 5...If6 6.c3 Cge7 7.Ec4 Ce5 8.Ee2 Ig6 9.00 d6 10.f3 00 11.Cd2 d5 12.Kh1 dxe4

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13.Cxe4 In the diagrammed position Rublevsky always played 13.fxe4, but after 13...Eg4 14.Ef4 Exe2 15.Ixe2 Ed6 16.Gad1 Gae8 he did not achieve any advantage in the following games: a) 17.Eg3 a6 18.C2b3 b5 19.Ca5 Cg4 (Rublevsky Kobalia, Kazan 2005); b) 17.Exe5 Exe5 18.Ib5 Exd4 19.cxd4 Ib6 (RublevskyGeorgiev, Saint Vincent 2005); c) 17.Ib5 Cg4 18.e5 c6 19.Ixb7 Exe5 20.Exe5 (RublevskyNajer, Warsaw 2005). 13...Eb6

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14.Ge1 A novelty. L.MilovDavid (Bastia 2005) went on 14.Ef2 Cf5 15.Ic1 Cxd4 16.Exd4 with equality. 14...Ef5! An accurate decision. 15.Ef4 15.Cc5?!, recommended by some engines, is not dangerous for Black in view of a human like reply 15...Gfe8!?, e.g., 16.Cxb7 Gab8 17.Cc5 Cd5 18.Cxf5 Cxe3 19.Cxe3 Exc5 with rough equality. 15...Exe4

White carrying out the thematic ...d5xc4 followed by ...b7 b5 is now more difficult for Black, as White can take on b5 twice! 5...e6 6.Eg5 Cbd7

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16.Exe5 One could complicate the struggle by 16.fxe4!?, and now a) 16...Ixe4 The most principled but probably not the best continuation. 17.Eg5!? C7c6 (or 17...C7g6 18.Ef3 Id3 19.Exb7 with some advantage to White) 18.Eh5 Id3 19.Cxc6 bxc6 20.Gxe5 Ixd1+ 21.Gxd1 f6 22.Exf6 Gxf6 23.Ef3 with a small advantage in the ending; ) 16...C5c6!? 17.Eh5 If6 18.Gf1 Cxd4 19.Exc7 Ic6 20.Exb6 axb6 21.cxd4 (or 21.Ixd4 Ib5!) 21...Ixe4 22.Ef3 Ie6 with an approximately even game; ) 16...C7c6!? In my opinion, the safest option. 17.Eh5 (in the case of 17.Cxc6 Cxc6 18.Eg4 (18.e5?! If5) 18...If6! Black holds on 5 and obtains a good game) 17...If6 18.Gf1 Ie7 19.Cf5 Ie6 with an even game. 16...Cc6 17.Cxc6 Exc6 18.Ed3 Ih5 The position is completely equal so its a draw.

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7.e3 The alternative is 7.cxd5 exd5 (7...cxd5 is less logical after the knight was developed to d7, but is also playable) 8.e3 Ee7 9.Ed3 00 10.Ic2 Ge8 11.00. The arising position resembles of the Karlsbad Variation, however, the insertion of ...a7 a6 and a2 a4 corrects plans of both sides. White cannot carry out the minority attack by b2 b4 b5, however, he has other opportunities. KramnikGelfand (Novgorod 1997) went on 11...Cf8 12.Gae1 Ee6 13.Ce5 with a small but lasting advantage to White. Probably Boris considered this variation less suitable for todays game. 7...Ia5 8.cxd5 8.Cd2 Eb4 9.Ic2 c5 occurred often but without much success. 8...exd5 In the case of 8...Cxd5 White has an interesting pawn sac 9.e4!? Cxc3 10.bxc3 Cf6 11.Ed3 Ixc3+ 12.Ke2 with initiative due to a space advantage. 9.Ed3 Ce4 Only this move can justify recapturing with a pawn on the previous move now Black at least trades one of the opponents knights. Otherwise developing the queen to a5 simply makes no sense. 10.00 Cxg5 11.Cxg5 Ee7 The immediate 11...Cf6 is also played. 12.f4 Cf6

Gelfand Kamsky Slav Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Cc3 Cf6 4.Cf3 a6 5.a4 This advance is not the most popular reply to the Chebanenko System, selected by Kamsky. The players must know a lot of different opening theory, because now the game can transpose to a number of various Slav related systems. Insertion of ...a7 a6 and a2 a4 can favor Black, as he gains control of the b4 square. However, there is also some positive news for

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13.Ic2 A new and quite logical move. White tries to provoke

weakening of the opponents kingside. In ZakharevichKobalia (Elista 2001) White immediately moved the knight towards e5: 13.Cf3 0 0 14.Ce5, and after 14...c5 15.g4! obtained good winning chances and eventually won. Black could defend better, though: that is, he could delay castling. 13...h6 14.Cf3 Ee6 Kamsky did not risk castling, as Black can face a strong attack after 14...00 15.Ce5, preparing a pawn storm. However, the move Id1c2, although it provoked a weakening in the Blacks camp, also slowed down the attack: the g4 square should be taken under control again, and the d4 pawn can become weak after 15...c5!? It is very likely that castling was possible, despite all the dangers. 15.Ce5 Gd8 16.h3 h5!?

parts, and at some point he may lack defenders at certain sector of the board. 22.bxa5 22.Gb1 axb4 23.Cxb4 deserved attention, but Black is not forced to take on b4 by 23...Exb4, which gives White an endgame advantage after 24.Ib3 he can simply retreat by 23...Ia7!? 22...Ixa5 23.Gb1 Ia7 24.Cc3 Gh6 25.Ib3 Gb8 Kamsky is obviously reluctant to retreat the bishop on c8, as he is concerned about the f7 square. 26.Cf3!? Gelfand again moves this knight and returns it to the center! 26...Ee8 27.Ce5 Ed6 28.Gf2

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An interesting idea Black keeps the king in the center, but rules out Whites possible pawn attack on the kingside. 16...00 is not losing here, too 17.g4 c5 18.g5 hxg5 19.fxg5 Cd7, and the position is unclear, although White probably should not rush with g4 g5, and take time to improve his position first. 17.Cf3!? The Whites knight comes towards the vacant g5 square. 17...Kf8 18.Cg5 Ed7 19.Gae1 19.Eg6 is parried by the only adequate defense: 19...Ee8! (of course not 19...fxg6?? 20.Ixg6 Ee8 21.Ce6+). 19...Ib4 20.Ca2 Ib6 21.b4

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28...Cg8?! An interesting maneuver. Black brings the h6 rook into the game, the knight goes to e7, and under favorable circumstances he can even think about the ambitious ...f7 f6. However, the text move temporarily weakens control of the center. The immediate break 28...c5!? is interesting. After 29.Cxd5 cxd4 30.Cb6! dxe3 31.Gc2! White remains in control, but the game becomes sharper, and Black could find some chances to take the initiative. 29.Gfb2 Ce7?

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White wants to stop ...c6 c5 once and for all. 21...a5!? A struggle of plans takes place, but Whites chances are higher, because the Blacks camp is sliced in two

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Careless move in anticipation of the time trouble. On 29...b6 White can continue 30.a5!? b5 (30...bxa5?? 31.Ixb8! Exb8 32.Gxb8) 31.Ga2. Necessary is 29...Ec7, and White keeps some pressure, but Black can defend. 30.Ic2? White misses an unexpected chance! After 30.Ib6! Black is forced to play 30...Ia8 (30...Ixb6? 31.Gxb6 drops the b7 pawn for free) 31.a5!, and the

threat a5 a6 is very strong: 31...f6!? (31...Ge6? 32.a6! bxa6 33.Ixb8 Exb8 34.Gxb8 Ia7 35.G1b7; 31...Cc8 32.Id8! Exe5 33.fxe5) 32.a6! (after 32.Cf3? Cc8 33.Id8 White does not threaten Ce5 d7, so Black can force a draw by 33...Ee7 34.Ic7 Ed6) 32...bxa6 33.Ixb8 Exb8 34.Gxb8 Ia7 35.G1b7 Ixb7 36.Gxb7 fxe5 37.fxe5 with good winning chances. 30...Kg8 31.Cf3 The point of this move is not one more knight relocation but strengthening the center: Black is seriously planning ...c6 c5. 31...Ed7 32.Gb3?! This move is slow and gives Black a comfortable game. 32.a5!? is more challenging. 32...c5! 33.Cb5 Exb5 34.Gxb5 cxd4 35.exd4 Or 35.Cxd4 Exf4! 35...Exf4 Suddenly Black not only won a pawn, but also brought the kings rook into play. White regains material, but he already has to demonstrate accuracy. 36.Ib3

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White has a passed pawn on the a file, but his king is fairly vulnerable. Pluses and minuses of the sides are balanced the most likely outcome is a draw. 42.Ib5 Cc6+ 43.Kd2 Ef4+ 44.Kc3 Id7 In the event of 44...Ie7 White cannot take the knight: 45.Ixc6?? Ia3+ 46.Kc2 Ic1+ 47.Kb3 Ixc6, but 45.Kb3 or 45.Ic5 is enough. 45.a5 g5!? 46.a6 g4 47.hxg4 hxg4 48.Ce5 An attempt to play for a win by 48.Ce1 is dodged by 48...Ic7! 49.Ixd5 Ed6 50.Cc2 Cb4+! 51.Ic4 Cxa6 52.Ixc7 Cxc7 with a draw. 48...Cxe5

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36...Gc6 More promising is 36...Ge6! with the idea to protect the knight in the variation 37.Gxb7? Gxb7 38.Ixb7 Ixa4. Instead of capturing the pawn, White can proceed with 37.Ec2, and then 37...Gc6!? looks good White struggles for equality. 37.Gxb7 The preliminary 37.Ib4!? deserves consideration. 37...Gc1+ 38.Kf2 The tactical blow 38.Gxc1?! Gxb7 39.Ixd5 is calmly refuted by 39...Gd7!, but not 39...Cxd5?? 40.Gc8#. 38...Gxb1 The trap 38...Eg3+!? leads to the same position after 39.Ke2 Gxb1 40.Gxb8+ Ixb8 41.Ixb1 Ie8!, while 39.Kxg3? is bad: 39...Gxb1 40.Gxa7 (40.Gxb8+? Ixb8+ with check!) 40...G1xb3 41.Gxe7 Gxd3. 39.Gxb8+ Ixb8 40.Ixb1 Eg3+ 41.Ke2 Ie8!

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49.Ixd7 In the case of 49.Ib8+ Kg7 50.dxe5 White has no realistic winning chances, while it is quite possible to overlook some nasty check after 6 hours of playing, e.g., 50...Ia4! 51.a7 Ia3+ 52.Kd4 (after 52.Kc2? Ia2+ White drops the a7 pawn: 53.Ib2 (53.Kc3?? Id2+ 54.Kd4 Ee3+) 53...Ixa7), and now even 52...Eg3 (or 52...Ia4+) does not lose: 53.a8I Ef2+ 54.Kxd5 Ixd3+ 55.Kc6 Ic4+ 56.Kd7 Ie6+ 57.Kc7 (57.Kd8?? Eb6+) 57...Ixe5+ with perpetual. 49...Cxd7 50.a7 Cb6 51.Eb5 Ed6 52.Ec6 Game drawn.

Round 2. Game 3 8 June 2007 Aronian Shirov Queens Gambit Accepted Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 e5 4.Cf3 exd4 5.Exc4 Cc6 The players decided to continue their theoretical dispute in the QGA. 6.00 Ee6 7.Eb5 In the first game Aronian failed to set problems after 7.Exe6 fxe6 8.Ib3 Id7 9.Ixb7 Gb8 10.Ia6 Cf6 11.Cbd2 Ed6. 7...Ec5 unable to take the g7 pawn and neutralize the a7 bishop at the same time. 13...Exd4 And now 13...Cxe4?! is dubious in view of 14.Cxe6 Ixd1 (of course, not 14...fxe6 15.Ih5+ with a strong attack) 15.Cxg7+ Kf8 16.Gxd1 Cxf2 17.Gf1 (weaker is 17.Gd7?! Cd3+ 18.Ed4 Ce5! 19.Exa7 Gxa7 20.Gd4 Kxg7 or 18.Kf1 Cxb2 19.Cf5 Gg8 20.Gxc7 Gg5) 17...Cd3+ 18.Kh1 Cxb2 19.Ce6+ Ke7 20.Cxc7 Gad8 21.Cxa6 Cd3 22.g3 with an extra pawn, although Black retains drawing chances due to limited number of pawns. 14.Exd4

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8.b4 A very rare move with harmless reputation. Usually White plays 8.Cbd2 Cge7 9.Cg5 (in the case of 9.Cb3 Eb6 10.Cbxd4 Ed7 Black forces favorable exchanges: 11.Cxc6 Exc6 12.Ie2 00 13.Eg5 Ie8! with an excellent game) 9...Id6 10.Cxe6 Ixe6 11.Cb3 Id6 12.Ef4! Ixf4 13.Cxc5 00 with good counterchances. 8...Eb6 9.a4 9.Eb2 Cge7 followed by castling is not dangerous for Black, e.g., 10.Exd4 (or 10.Cxd4 00 11.Cxc6 Cxc6) 10...00 11.Ec5 Exc5 12.bxc5 a6 13.Exc6 Cxc6 with an excellent game (Beliavsky Scherbakov, Niksic 1996). 9...a6 9...a5?! is more risky: 10.bxa5 (10.Eb2!?) 10...Gxa5 11.Cg5 (11.Cbd2!?) 11...Id7 (11...Ed7 12.Ca3 Ce5 13.Ef4 c6 14.Exe5 Ixg5 15.f4) 12.Cd2 Cge7 13.Cxe6 Ixe6 14.Cc4, planning to take on b6 and d4 with a clear advantage, Ushenina Korbut, St. Petersburg 2004. 10.Exc6+ bxc6 11.a5 Ea7 12.Eb2 Cf6 This natural developing move is a novelty. Earlier White played 12...Ce7? 13.Exd4 Exd4 14.Cxd4, and Black did not get any compensation for the damaged pawn structure. 13.Cxd4 On 13.Exd4?! Black can reply 13...Cxe4!, and White is

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14...Cxe4! 15.Exg7 Gg8 16.Ee5 Eh3 17.Eg3 Cxg3 18.hxg3 Ixd1 19.Gxd1 Ee6 Logical play of both sides results in an endgame, in which Black must create piece activity to compensate for his weak pawns. 20.Cc3 In the case of 20.Gd4 Black proceeds by 20...Gg5 followed by ...c6 c5. 20...Gg4 21.Gab1

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21...Gb8 A logical but not the strongest move. Black had an excellent opportunity to prevent the Whites knight from getting to c5 21...c5!, and now 22.bxc5 (22.b5 gives nothing: 22...axb5 (22...Gb4!?) 23.Gxb5 Gc4)

22...Gc4 23.Gbc1!? (or 23.Gdc1 Gxc5 24.Ce4 Gb5!) 23...Gb8!? solves all the problems. 22.f4! Now White transfers the knight to c5, after which one of the Blacks pieces will be clued to defending the a6 pawn. 22...Ef5 Possibly an inaccuracy. Black is still unable to stop the opponent from transferring the knight to f5, while the bishop cannot now land on d5. Risky is 22...c5?! 23.b5! (23.bxc5?! Gxb1 24.Gxb1 Gxg3) 23...Ef5 (in the event of 23...Gxg3 24.bxa6 Gxb1 25.Cxb1 the a passers can become dangerous) 24.Gbc1 axb5 25.Cd5, and although Black is probably unable to hole the a pawn, his drawing chances remain quite real, because of limited number of pawns on board. 22...Gxg3 is acceptable: 23.Ce4 Gg6 24.Cc5 Ga8 25.Kf2 Ed5 26.Ge1+ Kf8 27.g3 Gh6, and Black holds. 23.Gb2 Gxg3 24.Ca4 Kf8 Shirov does not want to place his bishop passively after 24...Gd8 25.Gxd8+ Kxd8 26.Cc5 Ec8, as the Whites rook can find the way to break into the Blacks camp. 25.Cc5 Ga8 26.Kf2 Gc3 27.Gbd2 If 27.Gd4, then 27...f6 28.Gbd2 Ke7, and the Blacks rook does not let White making progress. 27...Gc4 28.Gd4 White wins a pawn by 28.Gd8+ Gxd8 29.Gxd8+ Ke7 30.Gb8, but after 30...Gxf4+ 31.Ke3 Gg4 32.g3!? Ee6 33.Kf3 Gc4 34.Cxa6 Ed5+ Black has sufficient counterchances. In addition, promoting the a pawn becomes more difficult, as the Blacks rook can be placed behind the pawn. 28...Gxd4 29.Gxd4 Ke7 30.Gd1

31...Kf6 32.Ge5 h6 33.g3 Ec4 34.Cd7+ Kg7 35.Ge7 Gd8 Shirov is not concerned about the rook ending with an extra a pawn to White. Interesting is 35...Gc8!? with the idea to drive the opponents pieces away by ...Ec4 e6. 36.Ke3 h5 37.f5 White made considerable progress the f pawn is potentially dangerous. However, his resources are probably insufficient to win the game. After 37.Ce5 Ed5 38.Gxc7 Gb8 39.Cxc6 (39.Cd3 Ec4 40.Gxc6 Exd3 41.Kxd3 Gxb4) 39...Exc6 40.Gxc6 Gxb4 41.Gxa6 Gb3+ the resulting endgame is probably drawish. 37...Gg8

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38.Ge4 The interesting 38.g4!? is dodged by 38...Kh6! (38...hxg4? 39.Ge4!) 39.Cf6 (39.gxh5 Gg1 with counterplay) 39...Gb8 40.gxh5 Gxb4 41.Gxc7 Ed5, etc. 38...Eb5 39.Gh4 Gd8 40.Cc5 Kh6 41.Kf4 Ee2 Activating the rook deserved attention: 41...Gd1!? 42.Ke5 Kg7 (42...Gg1?! is dangerous: 43.Kf6! Gxg3 44.Gd4!, and the Blacks king feels insecure) 43.Gxh5 Gd5+ 44.Ke4 Gd1 45.Gh4 Kf6 with good counterchances. 42.Gh2 Eb5 43.Ke5 Kg5 Alexei prefers to activate his king, however, there is a chance that the king eventually turns out misplaced. 43...Kg7 44.Gxh5 Gd5+ 45.Ke4 Gd1 is possible again. 44.Ce4+ Kg4 45.Kf6 Kf3 46.Gh4 Ed3 47.Cc5 47.Gf4+ is not very promising: 47...Kg2 48.Kxf7 Gd4 49.Cc5 (49.Gf2+? Kg1 50.Gd2 Ec4+ 51.Kg6 Gxe4) 49...Gxf4 50.gxf4 Exf5 (weaker is 50...Ec4+ 51.Ke7 h4 52.Ce6 h3 53.f6 h2 54.f7 h1I 55.f8I) 51.Cxa6 h4, and White must force a draw by 52.Cc5 Ec8 (52...h3 53.a6 h2 54.a7 h1I 55.a8I) 53.f5 h3 54.f6 h2 55.Kg7 h1I 56.f7. The ladder 56...Ia1+ 57.Kg8 Ia2 58.Kg7 Ib2+ does not succeed, as after 59.Kg8 the Blacks queen is unable to get to b3. 47...Kxg3 48.Gxh5

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30...Ee6 Black decides to defend the a6 pawn with the bishop. Waiting longer is dangerous: 30...h5 31.Ge1+ (31.g3 f6) 31...Kf6 (31...Kf8 32.Ge5 Eg4 33.f5) 32.g3 Eg4 33.Ge5 Ef5 34.Kf3 Eg4+ 35.Ke4, and Black cannot keep the bishop on the c8 h3 diagonal. 31.Ge1 Attacking the h7 pawn by 31.Gh1 in pointless, as in the case of 31...Ec4 32.Gxh7?! Gb8 White cannot protect the b4 pawn.

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48...Ec4?! Black can already pick up the f pawn by 48...Kg4! intending ...Gd8 d6, check: 49.Gh7 (49.Gg5+ Kf4; 49.Ke7 Gd6) 49...Gd6+ 50.Ke7 Kxf5 51.Gxf7+ Ke5 with a possible draw after 52.Cd7+ Kd4 53.Kd8 Kc3 54.Kxc7 Gd4. 49.Gh1 Gb8?? A big blunder, which leads to a losing position. Black has to continue defending patiently, for example, by 49...Kg4, although White can still look for the opportunities. 50.Gd1! The threat to the b4 pawn turns out to be illusive, and the Blacks rook is terribly misplaced. 50...Gxb4 Basically the only move. White threatened Gd1d4, after which the bishop cannot protect both pawns, while on 50...Ga8 White wins by the simple 51.Gd7, and Blacks pawn weaknesses finally begin to tell. An exchange sacrifice on f7 is possible, too. 51.Gd4 Kf3

(56...Kd2 57.Ga3) 57.a6, and the pawn cannot be stopped easily. 55...Ga4 56.Cxc7 Kd3 57.a6 Ga5 58.Gf4 White is still winning, but Black keeps resisting. 58...Kc3 59.Ke7 59.Kg7 is also sufficient to win: 59...Ga1 60.f6 Gg1+ (60...Kd3 61.Kf8 Ga2 62.Gh4 Ga1 63.Gh7 Kd4) 61.Kf8 Ga1 62.Ge4. 59...Gc5 Black does not want to stand passively: 59...Ga1 60.f6 Kd3, which allows White to carry out decisive rearrangement: 61.Gh4 Ga2 62.Kf8 Ga1 (62...Kc3 63.Ge4) 63.Gh5 Ke4 (63...Kd4 64.Cb5+! Ke3 65.Ca3!) 64.Gc5 Kd4 65.Gc6, etc. 60.Kd6 Ga5

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61.f6?? Fantastic! Having more than enough time, Levon does not want to examine the subtleties of the resulting rook ending. White wins by 61.Kc6! Exa6!? (or 61...Ga1 62.Kb6 Gb1+ 63.Kc5) 62.Kb6 Ge5 63.Cxa6 Kd3 64.Cc5+ (or 64.f6 Ke3 65.Gf1 Ke2 66.Gc1 Gf5 67.Gc6) 64...Ke3 65.Gf1 Ke2 66.Ge1+! 61...Exa6 62.Cxa6 Gxa6+ 63.Ke7 Ga7+ 64.Kf8

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52.Cxa6? This move does not miss a win, but gives the opponent some chances. White has a clear cut win in this position: 52.Ge4!! Black is completely tied up, while White has all the time to improve the position of his king. The game can continue 52...Ga4 53.Ke7 Gb4 54.f6 Ga4 55.Gh4 Kg3 56.Gd4 Gb4 57.Cxa6, etc. 52...c5! 53.Cxc5 Ke3 54.Gh4 Kd2 55.Ca6 55.Ke5!? is possible: 55...Kc3 56.Gh3+ Kb2

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64...Kd3! The Blacks king arrives in time. In time to prevent Gf4 e4 e7... 65.Gh4 Ke3 66.Gh7 66.Kg8 is not better: 66...Kf3 67.Gh7 Kf4 68.Gxf7 Ga6!

66...Kf4 67.Gxf7 Ga6! 68.Kg7 ... and in time to arrive to g5 with a book draw, because White cannot make progress after 68.Kg7 Kg5! (68...Kf5?? 69.Gb7 Gxf6 70.Gb5+)

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69.Gf8 Gb6, and if 70.f7, then 70...Gg6+. Therefore the players agreed to a draw.

15.Ih3!? Ge8 Hasty 15...c5? runs into 16.Gxe6!, and 16...fxe6?? loses to 17.Ixe6+ Kf8 18.Ch4 g5 19.Ec4 with a decisive attack. 16.c4 Cf6?! It is better to carry out the thematic 16...c5!? right away, and if 17.d5, Black can think about 17...Ce5!? 18.Cxe5 Exe5 with an acceptable game. 17.Ed2 c5 18.d5!? 18.Ec3 cxd4 19.Cxd4 a6 20.Gad1 retains an advantage, but the text move is more energetic.

Leko Bareev Caro Kann Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Cc3 dxe4 4.Cxe4 Cd7 5.Cg5 Cgf6 6.Ed3 e6 7.C1f3 Ed6 8.Ie2 h6 9.Ce4 Cxe4 10.Ixe4 Ic7 11.00 b6 12.Ig4 Kf8 13.Ih4!? In the first game of the match Leko played 13.Ge1 c5 14.c3 Eb7 15.Ih3, but Bareev was able to solve the opening problems. 13...Eb7 14.Ge1 14.Cg5 Exh2+! (14...Cf6? 15.Eg6!; 14...Ee7?! 15.Ih5 Exg5 16.Exg5 c5 17.Ee3) 15.Kh1 Ed6, and the tactical 16.Eg6? loses material after 16...Ee7!

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18...e5? Now White obtains a long lasting advantage and the opportunity to improve his position gradually with his opponent having no counterplay whatsoever. 18...Ec8 also does not cure: 19.Ih4 exd5 20.Gxe8+ Cxe8 21.cxd5, etc. It looks like Black should bravely take the pawn: 18...exd5!? After 19.Gxe8+ Cxe8 20.Ge1 Cf6 21.cxd5 Id8!? (or 21...Exd5 22.Ec3) 22.Ch4 White develops the initiative, but Black has chances to defend. 19.Ec3 g6 20.Ih4 Kg7

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14...Kg8 A new move. Previously Black played 14...Ge8 15.Ed2 c5 16.Ee4 Exe4 17.Gxe4 Cf6 (17...c4? 18.d5!) 18.Ge2 with better chances to White (Arakhamia Speelman, England 1998).

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21.Cd2!? The protected passed pawn on d5 allows White improving his position without obstacles. The text move frees the f pawn. There were other tempting opportunities, for example, 21.Ge2 Ge7 22.Gae1 Ghe8 23.Cxe5 Exe5 24.Gxe5 Gxe5 25.Gxe5 Gxe5 26.Ig3 Ge7 27.d6 Id7 28.dxe7 Ixe7 with an undisputed advantage. However, 21.Ig3!? may be even stronger! 21...Ch5 (21...e4 22.Ih4!) 22.Gxe5! Cxg3

23.Gxe8+! (23.Ge7+ leads to an ending in which White is a pawn up: 23...Kh7 24.Gxc7 Exc7 25.Exh8 Ce2+ 26.Exe2 Kxh8 27.Kf1) 23...f6 24.Gxh8 Kxh8 25.Exf6+ Kg8 26.hxg3 with an overwhelming advantage. 21...Id8 22.Ec2!? A good maneuver the bishop is heading to a4, making it difficult for Black to defend the key e5 square. 22...Ec8 23.Ea4 g5 On 23...Ed7 White can start his attack without wasting any time: 24.f4! (swapping the bishops also keeps the advantage) 24...Exa4 25.fxe5 Ee7 26.If4! Ch5 (26...Ch7 27.Ce4) 27.If3, and Whites powerful central pawns ruin all Blacks defensive attempts. For example, 27...Kg8 28.b3 Ed7 29.e6 fxe6 30.dxe6 Gh7 (30...Gf8 31.Id3!) 31.exd7 Ixd7 32.Ie4! with a decisive attack. 24.Ig3 Ch5 25.If3 g4 26.Id1 Ge7 27.h3 The immediate 27.Ce4!? looks strong enough. 27...Cf6 28.hxg4 Exg4 29.f3

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37.f4! This break was planned well in advance. 37...Ge8? Necessary is 37...fxe4! 38.Exe4 (or 38.fxe5 Exe5 (after 38...Ig5 39.e6+ Gf6 40.Exf6+ Kxf6 41.Gf1+ Ke7 42.Gf7+ Kd6 43.Ixg5 hxg5 44.Gxe4 Ce7 Black fortifies, but Whites large material advantage should be enough for a win) 39.Exe5+ Cxe5 40.Ixe5+) 38...Gf6 (weaker is 38...Id6?! 39.Gf1 Ghf8 40.Gf2! and f4xe5) 39.Gae1!? Ghf8 40.fxe5 Cxe5 41.Exe5 Exe5 42.Ixe5 with an extra pawn, however, White still has to put some effort to win the game. 38.Cf2 Gf6 39.Gae1 Now the Blacks position cracks under the pressure. 39...e4 40.Exe4! fxe4 41.Cxe4 Black resigns in view of inevitable loss of the material: 41.Cxe4 Gxe4 42.Gxe4 Ed7 43.Ge6, etc.

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29...Ec8 29...Eh5!? offers more chances to defend, keeping the bishop on the kingside, although the Blacks position is already very difficult. 30.Ge3 Peter demonstrates patience, abstaining from concrete action. The immediate 30.f4!? is playable: 30...Eg4 (30...Cg4?! 31.Ce4) 31.Ic1 with the idea Cc3 e4, and if 31...exf4, then 32.Ce4 Ee5 33.Cxf6 Exc3 34.Ce8+! Ghxe8 35.Ixc3+ followed by Ea4xe8. 30...Ch5 An attempt to active the h pawn by 30...h5 31.Ie1 h4 drops a pawn: 32.Ce4 Cxe4 33.Gxe4. 31.Ie1 f6 32.Ih4 Cf4 33.Ce4 Gf7 34.g3 Cg6 35.Ih5 Eb8 36.Ec2 Move by move, White has seriously improved his position, as is now ready to launch a decisive attack. Black is unable to prevent it. 36...f5!? No matter what Black does, White carries out his kingside break.

Grischuk Rublevsky Sicilian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 c5 2.Cf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Cxd4 Cc6 5.Cc3 a6 6.Ee2 Ic7 Having suffered a tough loss in the first game of the match 6...d6 7.Ee3 Ed7, Rublevsky tries another line. 7.00 Cf6 8.Ee3 Ee7 9.f4 d6 10.a4 00 11.Kh1 Ge8 12.Ef3 Ed7 13.Cb3 b6 14.g4! The pawn storm plan gained popularity after the 24th game of the Karpov Kasparov match (Moscow 1985), which continued 12...Gb8 (instead of 12...Ed7) 13.Id2 Ed7 14.Cb3 b6 15.g4 Ec8 16.g5 Cd7 17.If2 Ef8 18.Eg2 Eb7 19.Gad1 g6 20.Ec1 Gbc8 21.Gd3 Cb4 22.Gh3 Eg7 23.Ee3 (23.f5!) 23...Ge7! 24.Kg1 Gce8 25.Gd1 f5 with a sharp game. 14...Ec8 15.g5 Cd7 16.Eg2 Eb7 17.Gf3 Cb4 18.Gh3 g6 Defending against 19.Ih5. 19.Id2

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19...Ef8! Wang Rui played 19...Cc5?! against Jakovenko (Moscow, 2004), and Grischuks helper here in Elista developed a spectacular attack: 20.If2 Ef8 21.Gf1 Gab8 22.Cd4 Ie7 23.f5 exf5 24.Cxf5! Ie6 25.Gxh7! gxf5 26.Ih4 Eg7 27.Gxg7+! Kf8 28.g6 Kxg7 29.Ed4+, and Black resigned. The text move is stronger. Black immediately transfers the bishop to g7, and the d7 knight can assist in defense from f8. 20.If2 Eg7 21.Gf1 Ge7! Following Kasparovs footsteps.

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25.a5! Playing on the entire board! The tempting 25.Cd5 is well met by 25...Cxd5 26.exd5 e4!, and now 27.Exe4? loses to 27...Gxe4 28.Ixf7+ Kh8 29.Ixg6 Cf8! 30.Ixe4 Exd5. 25...bxa5 26.Cc5 Cf8 The counterblow 26...Cxc2?! leads to a bad position after 27.Cxd7 Cxe3 28.Cf6+ Exf6 29.gxf6 Cxf1 30.Ih4! h5 31.fxe7 Ge8 32.Exf1. 27.Cxb7 Ixb7 28.Eb6 Gb8 29.Exa5 Cc6 30.b4

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22.Ed4! Surprisingly, this natural move is a novelty. In De FirmianVan Wely (New York 1997) the players repeated the moves by 22.Ih4 Cf8 23.If2 Cd7, and agreed to a draw. T. Petrossian defeated J. Geller (Dresden 2007) after 22.Cd4 Ic4 23.Id2 e5 24.b3 Ic7 25.fxe5 Cxe5 26.Cde2 Gae8 27.Ed4 Id8 28.Cf4 Gd7 29.Cfd5 Cxd5 30.exd5 Gde7 31.Ce4 Cg4 32.Exg7 Kxg7 33.Cf6 Ge2 34.Gxh7+ Kf8 35.Cxg4 Gxd2 36.Gfxf7+. However, the play of both sides can be improved. 22...e5 23.fxe5 dxe5 Bad is 23...Cxe5? in view of 24.Ih4. Playing 23...Exe5 is scary, as it weakens the king too much. 24.Ee3 Gd8 24...Gc8 is still to be tested.

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The Blacks position looks very dangerous, however, the natural 30...Cxa5 31.bxa5 Ic8 or 31...Ia7!? allows him to struggle for equality. Rublevsky, however, selected 30...Ce6?!, planning to transfer the knight to f4, however, after 31.Ih4! Black is practically forced to part with the h7 pawn. 31...Cxa5 32.bxa5 32.Ixh7+?! in not dangerous for Black in view of 32...Kf8 33.bxa5 Cxg5 34.Ixg6 Cxh3 35.Exh3 Gd8. 32...Cf4 32...Cf8 is not satisfactory, as after 33.Cd5 Ge6 34.Ghf3 Black is unlikely to hold the position. 33.Ixh7+ Kf8 34.Cd5 Ge6 34...Cxh3? loses to 35.Exh3 Gd7 36.Cf6 Exf6 37.gxf6 Ixe4+ 38.Eg2 with inevitable checkmate. Black cannot survive after 34...Cxd5? 35.exd5 e4 36.Gb3 Ia8 37.Gxb8+ Ixb8 38.Ixg6, too. 35.Ghf3 Gd8 35...Gc8? loses to 36.Eh3 Cxh3 37.Ixh3 Gcc6

38.Ih7 Gxc2 39.Cf6.

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36.Gxf4? Surprisingly, this move gives Black good chances to survive! The simple 36.Cxf4! exf4 37.Gxf4 Gd2 (or 37...Gd7 38.h4) 38.h4 followed by h5 gives White an easy win. 36...exf4 37.Cxf4 Ic6 38.e5 Ic4! 39.Ih3 Kg8 40.Cxe6 fxe6

the material deficit, Rublevsky makes a draw. 44.Exa6 Or 44.Ge1 Gxh2+ 45.Kg1 Ec7! 46.Gxe6 Gh5! 47.Gxg6+ Kf7 48.Gf6+ Kg7 49.Gf5 Kg6 with a draw. 44...Gxh2+ 45.Kg1 Gh5 46.b4 (46.Ec4 Ed4+ 47.Kg2 Gxg5+ 48.Kh3 Gxa5) 46...Gxg5+ 47.Kh1 Gg4 48.b5 Ga4 49.Ec8 Game drawn.

Kamsky Gelfand Queens Pawn Opening Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

In short, the game developed as follows: White got into severe time trouble, blundered two pawns and resigned. However, how can one explain Kamskys lengthy thinking in a quiet position? Why Gata got into such a terrible time trouble, leaving himself 2 minutes for the 16 remaining moves? It is clear that the reasons have nothing to do with chess, so it is a question of physical and psychological state of the American player. In this game he did not look like Kamsky we know: the iron willed and extremely tenacious player with accurate calculation and excellent technique. 1.d4 Cf6 2.Cf3 d5 3.Ef4 c5 4.e3 Cc6 4...Ib6 is met by 5.Cc3!, and 5...Ixb2?? is unsatisfactory in view of 6.Cb5.

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Despite Whites two extra paws, winning this position is difficult because of Blacks piece activity. 41.Ib3 41.Ie3 is strongly met by 41...Gd5! with a possible draw. 41...Ixb3 42.cxb3 Exe5 43.Eb7 Also after 43.Eh3 Gd6 draw is the most likely outcome.

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43...Gd2! Blacks limited forces are very well coordinated. Despite

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Usually White plays 5.c3 here, and after 5...Ib6 the game is roughly equal. Suddenly, after thinking for more than half an hour, Kamsky came out with 5.Eb5 Objective merits of this move are not obvious. Black reacted simply and strongly. 5...cxd4 6.exd4 Ia5+ 7.Cc3 Eg4 8.00 e6 9.h3 Exf3 10.Ixf3 Gc8 11.Gfd1 Ee7 12.Ef1 00 White spent more than an hour and a half for all these moves. 13.Ce2?! A dubious decision. Black plans to carry out a minority attack by b7 b5. Therefore, White should not weaken the control of this square when it is not necessary. The

prophylactic 13.a3!? is a good idea. The game can continue 13...a6 14.Ca2!? b5 15.c3 Ib6 16.Cc1 a5 17.b4, and the knight is transferred to c5. 13...b5 14.c3?! 14.a3 Ib6 15.c3 a5 16.Cg3 b4 17.axb4 axb4 18.Ed3 with approximate equality looked okay. 14...b4 15.Id3 Ib6 16.cxb4 Cxb4 17.Ib3 Ce4 18.a3?! Stronger is 18.Cc3!? 18...Cc6 19.Ixb6 axb6 20.b4?! White defends against ...Ca5, but cedes all the outposts on the c file. Fighting for the file by 20.Gac1 Ca5 21.Gxc8 Gxc8 22.Gc1 can be recommended.

40.Kd2 Cxd4 41.Gc1 Gb5 42.Gc8+ Gf8 43.Gc7 Ga5 44.Gb2 Gf7 45.Gc8+ Kg7 46.Ce5 Gb7 47.h4 gxh4 48.Gb4 Ga2+ 49.Kd3 Cf5 50.Gxf4 Gba7 51.Gc3 G7a3 52.Gxa3 Gxa3+ 53.Ke2 b5 54.Gg4+ Kf6 55.Cd3 Ga8 56.Kd2 e5 57.Gb4 e4 58.Cc5 Gg8 White resigns

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20...g5! 21.Ee3 Cd6 Black already stands better. He is prepared to attack Whites kingside weaknesses. Having 2 minutes for the remaining 16 moves, Kamsky did not manage to solve problems of defense. 22.Cc1 f5 23.Cb3 Cc4 24.b5 Cd8 25.a4 Cb7 26.Ec1 f4 27.Ee2 Eb4 28.Ga2 Cbd6 29.Ed3 Ga8

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30.Kf1?? A blunder. White should try 30.Ed2 Exd2 31.Cxd2 Cxb5 32.Ge1 Cxd4 33.Cxc4 dxc4 34.Exc4 with saving chances. 30...Cxb5 31.Gc2 Cbd6 32.Ed2 Gxa4 After this the game cannot be saved, although Kamsky miraculously managed to pass the control in time. Two pawns is too large a handicap. 33.Exb4 Gxb4 34.Cc1 Cf5 35.Exf5 Gxf5 36.Cd3 Gb3 37.Ga2 Gf7 38.Ke2 Cd6 39.Gda1 Cb5

Round 2. Game 4 10 June 2007 Shirov Aronian Ruy Lopez Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov
1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Eb5 a6 4.Ea4 Cf6 5.00 Ee7 6.Ge1 b5 7.Eb3 00 8.h3 Eb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3 Alexei already played this unhurried variation in the match with Michael Adams. 10...Ca5 Adams achieved a good game after 10...Id7 11.Cc3 Gfe8, but Aronian prefers playing in his usual manner, placing a pawn on c5 and neutralizing the Whites light squared bishop by ...Eb7 c8 e6. 11.Ea2 c5 12.Cbd2 Cc6 13.Cf1 Ec8 17.Cg3!? A novelty. Previously White played 17.exd5 Ixd5!? 18.Ie2 Gfd8 19.Cxe5 Ixe5 20.Ixe5 Cxe5 21.Gxe5 Gxd3 22.Gxe6 Kf7 23.Ge3 Gad8 with sufficient compensation for a pawn (Karjakin Grischuk, Foros 2006). 17...dxe4?! Levon overestimates his chances, attempting to play more actively. This recapture loses a pawn without sufficient compensation almost by force. 18.Cxe4 c4 19.dxc4 Ixd1 20.Cxf6+ Exf6 In the case of 20...gxf6?! 21.Gxd1 bxc4 22.Ee3 the c4 pawn is too weak. 21.Gxd1 e4 22.cxb5 axb5 23.Cg5 Cxb4 Black breaks the opponents pawn structure, however, the extra pawn is still on board. Weaker is 23...Exc3? 24.Gb1 Ed4 25.Cxe4 with an extra pawn AND good pawn structure. 24.Cxe4 Cd5 25.Gb1 Correct decision. White has nothing against trading the weaknesses c3 and b5. 25...Ga5 Of course not 25...Cxc3? 26.Cxc3 Exc3 27.Gxb5 with good winning chances.

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14.c3 Recently White often played 14.Eg5, and in most cases Aronian was the defender of Blacks position, so Shirov decided not to test the opponent in such a familiar variation. However, Levon has sufficient experience in other lines, too, for example, 14.Ce3 Ee6 15.Ed5 Ed7 16.Eb3 Ee6 17.c3 Exb3 18.Ixb3 g6 19.Ia2 a5 20.a4 b4 21.Ed2 with a slight advantage to White (Anand Aronian, Wijk aan Zee 2006). 14...Ee6 15.Exe6 fxe6 16.b4 The alternative 16.Cg3 was also tested frequently. 16...d5 Black failed to equalize in BacrotAronian (Turin (ol) 2006): 16...Id7 17.Cg3 a5 18.bxc5 dxc5 19.Ib3 Gab8 20.a4 b4, because of numerous pawn weaknesses in his camp.

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26.Cxf6+!? White must keep at least one queenside pawn, therefore pointless is 26.Ed2? Gxa3 27.Gxb5 Cxc3 28.Exc3 Exc3 29.Gb7 (29.Gd3 Ga1+; 29.Cxc3 Gxc3 30.Gb7 Gc5) 29...Ee5, and although White is a pawn up after 30.Cc5, the position after 30...Ga1 31.Gxa1 Exa1 32.Cxe6 Ge8 is drawish. In the case of 26.Gb3, Shirov was concerned about 26...Ee7 with pressure against the a3 pawn, and Black has good chances to destroy all the opponents pawns on the queenside. 26...gxf6 27.Gb3 Gc8 28.Ed2 Interesting is 28.Gd3!? and only then Ec1d2. 28...Gc4 29.Gdb1 Cc7 30.Kf1 Kf7 31.Gb4 White is reluctant to make this move without improving his position, but there could be no such opportunity in future. 31...Gxb4 The a3 pawn cannot be taken: 31...Gxa3?? 32.Gxc4 bxc4 33.Gb7.

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32.axb4 Ga2 33.Ee1 The more active 33.Ke2 Cd5 34.Kd3 runs into 34...e5 35.Gd1 (35.f3 f5) 35...Ke6, and the Whites king is insecure, for example, 36.g4 f5 37.gxf5+ Kxf5, etc. 33...Cd5

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Activity of Blacks pieces makes Whites winning chances problematic. 34.Gd1 One could first check by 34.Gc1 whether Black is willing to prevent c3 c4. 34...h5 35.Gd3 Ga1 36.g3 f5 37.Ke2 Ga2+ 38.Ed2 Cb6 38...h4!? is very interesting, and Blacks strong central pawns secure his adequate counterplay: 39.Kf3 hxg3 40.Kxg3 (or 40.fxg3 Cb6 41.Ee1 Cc4) 40...Kg6 or 40...Ga3 with the idea to take on b4. 39.Kf1 In the case of 39.Kf3?! Cc4 White must retreat his king: 40.Ke2. 39...Cd5 40.Gd4 Cf6 If Black prevents c3 c4 by 40...Gc2, White can consider 41.Ke2 followed by Ke2 d3, although in this case achieving real progress is difficult, too. 41.Ee1

Cg5?? 52.f4+) 50.Ge8 Cxe1 51.Kxe1 Gh7 52.Gb8 Kd4 53.Gxb5 Gxh6 54.Ke2. The Blacks is not hopeless here, too. 44...Cg5! A very strong resource that was foreseen by Black the Whites rook gets cut off. In the case of 44...Cxc3 45.Gh8 Ce2 46.Gd8 Blacks counterplay is insufficient. 45.f4 White gains nothing by 45.Kg2 Ge2 46.h4 Cf7 47.Kf1 Gc2. 45...Cf7 46.g4 Kg6

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The Whites rook is completely offside, but Blacks king and knight are also immovable. The question is whether Whites king and bishop can outplay the Blacks rook. The mission seems impossible, as the opponents rook has a chance to attack the pawns. 47.Kg1 White gradually improves his position, using zugzwang. 47...Ge2 48.Ef2 Gc2 Rejecting 48...Ge4!? 49.Gh4 (49.Eg3 Gc4) 49...Gxf4 50.gxf5+ Gxf5, and White retains winning chances, although it is not impossible that this position can be held. 49.Ed4 Ge2 50.Gh4 Ge4?! After 50...Gc2!? White can start moving his king on the queenside: 51.Kf1, etc. 51.Kg2 Ge2+ Inconsistent, but Levon did not dare playing the position arising after 51...Gxf4 52.gxf5+ Gxf5. 52.Kf3 Gc2 53.Ke3 Gc1 54.Kd3 Ga1

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41...Gc2 On 41...Cd5 Shirov would play 42.c4 bxc4 43.Gxc4, but maybe Black can hold after 43...Gb2. 42.Gd8 Ce4 43.Gh8 Kf6 44.Gxh5 44.Gh6+!? Ke5 45.Gxh5, but 45...Cxc3 46.Gh8 Ce2! gives Black decent counterplay. Still, White retains winning chances by 47.h4 Cd4 48.h5 Cf3 49.h6 Gc7! (49...Gc1? 50.Ge8! Gxe1+ 51.Kg2

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55.Ee5 White is unable to create a passed pawn so far: 55.c4?

Gd1+! However, interesting is 55.Ee3!?, and it is possible that Black cannot deal with two ideas: breaking to the b5 pawn with the king, and carrying out the c3 c4 break by d2. For example, 55...Ch6 (55...Ge1 56.Kd4) 56.Gh5 Cf7 57.Kd4 Ge1 58.Gh4! Ch6 59.c4! bxc4 60.Ed2! Gd1 61.Kc3 Cf7, and now something like 62.g5!? Kg7 63.b5!?, although here Black is still kicking. 55...Gd1+ Swapping the bishop is tempting: 55...Cxe5+ 56.fxe5 Gd1+ 57.Ke2 Gd5, however, White has real winning chances after 58.gxf5+ exf5 59.c4 Gxe5+ 60.Kf3 bxc4 (or 60...Kg5 61.Gd4 bxc4 62.Gxc4 Ge1 (62...Gd5 63.h4+ Kh5 64.Ke3) 63.h4+!? Kf6 64.Gc6+ Ke5 65.h5!, and the h pawn becomes a threat) 61.Gxc4 Ge1 62.h4 Gb1 63.Ke3 Kf6 64.Kd3! intending Kd3 c2 and b4 b5. 56.Kc2 Ge1 57.Ed4 In the case of 57.Ec7 Ge4 White is unable to carry out c3 c4 without brining the bishop to d4, while 57.c4 runs into 57...Ge4! 57...Ge2+ 58.Kd3 Ge1 59.Ec5 And again 59.c4? is met by 59...Gd1+! 59...Ge4 It seems after 59...Gc1 Black was concerned by 60.Ee3, and White implements the ideas quoted in the note to the 55th move under more favorable circumstances. 60.Ee3 White uses the opportunity to drive the rook away by zugzwang. 60...Gc4 61.Ed4 Ch6 62.Kd2 Cf7 63.Kc2 Or 63.Gh5 Gc8 64.Ec5 immediately.

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68.Gh4!? Unfortunately for White, the c3 c4 break cannot be done without concessions: 68.c4!? bxc4 69.Kc3 Ga3+ 70.Kxc4 Gf3, and Black wins the f4 pawn. Nevertheless, after 71.Gh4! Gxf4+ 72.Kb3 White retains decent winning chances thanks to a strong bishop and an extra passed pawn. Blacks hopes are pinned with limited material remaining on board, which gives him a chance to escape to R+B vs. R ending. 68...Ga1! The only defense! In the case of 68...Ga2+? 69.Kd3 White breaks through: 69...Ga3 (on 69...e5 there is 70.Ee3) 70.Kd4 Ga1 71.Eb6. 69.g5 This continuation allows White to protect the f4 pawn and restricts the knight, but now ...e6 e5 becomes a lot more effective. However, Alexei was already very short on time, and could not search for alternatives. 69...Ga2+ Black seeks counterchances! 70.Kd3 After 70.Kb3 Gd2 Black prevents the c pawn advance. 70...e5! 71.fxe5 There is no sense in allowing ...e5 e4. 71...Cxe5+ 72.Ke3 Kxg5 73.Ee7+ Otherwise Black gives perpetual check starting with ...Ce5 c4 etc. 73...Kg6 74.Gh8 Kg7 Perhaps 74...Cc4+!? 75.Kd4 Ge2 is more accurate. 75.Gc8 75.Gh5!? deserves attention, with the idea to meet 75...Kg6 by 76.Gg5+. 75...f4+

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63...Ch6 As we shall see later, as long as the Whites rook is on h4, Black must not retreat his rook from c4! 64.Gh5 Cf7 65.Kb3 Gc8 Only now this retreat is indeed forced. 66.Ec5 Gd8 67.Kc2 67.c4? Gd3+. 67...Ga8

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An excellent resource!

76.Ke4? This move loses all winning chances. After the correct 76.Kd4! Black still has to work hard for a draw. 76...Ge2+ 77.Kf5 f3 The f pawn gives Black a draw. 78.Ec5 Cd3? In mutual time trouble both players act inaccurately. More precise is 78...Cf7 with possible cute line 79.Ed4+ Kh7 80.Kf6!? f2 81.Kxf7 f1I+ 82.Ef6 Ge8! 83.Gxe8 Ic4+, drawing, or the simpler 78...Cg6 79.Ed4+ Kf7, etc. 79.Ed4+ Kf7

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80.Gb8? White forces a draw. He still could make Black suffer by 80.Gc6!, brining the rook to f6: 80...f2 81.Gf6+ Ke7 82.Kg5. 80...f2 81.Gb7+ Ge7 82.Gxe7+ Kxe7 83.Exf2 Cxf2 A draw is agreed: White easily trades the only remaining Blacks pawn.

11.Ic2!? White attempted to get an advantage in the diagrammed position by 11.Cc3, but after 11...d5 12.Ic2 Exc4 13.Exc4 dxc4 14.Ia4 c5 Blacks problems on the way to equality does not look serious. Considering the match situation and Lekos impeccable technique, Bareev decides to complicate the struggle. 11...Ic8!? This move was introduced by Lev Psakhis. I like it more than the immediate 7 5, which gave White a small advantage in Agrest Korhcnoi (Malmoe 1996) 12.dxc5 Cxc5 13.Cc3. Black is ready for 12...5, and if 13.dc, then 13...Ixc5, attacking the g5 bishop and the c4 pawn. Of course, bad is 11...d5?! in view of 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Ic6! with Whites advantage. 12.b4!? Ivan Sokolov did not prevent Blacks plans against Rasul Ibrahimov (Warsaw 2005) 12.Cc3, and after 12...c5 13.Gd1 cxd4 14.Gxd4 Ic5 15.Eh4 e5! (weaker is 15...d5, played in the actual game, because White has 16.Ia4) 16.Gd2 Gac8 Black could obtain an easy game. 12...c5 13.dxc5 bxc5 14.b5 Eb7

Bareev Leko Nimzo Indian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cc3 Eb4 4.Ic2 00 5.a3 Exc3+ 6.Ixc3 b6 7.Eg5 Eb7 8.e3 d6 9.Ce2 This continuation recently gained popularity. White moves his knight to c3, where it controls the center well. Naturally, Black has enough time to set up counterplay while White carries out such a time consuming maneuver. 9...Cbd7 10.Id3 Ea6

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15.a4!? Bareev gains space on the queenside at cost of delayed development of the kingside. Naturally, Leko counterattacks in the center. 15...d5 16.a5 Gb8 17.Cg3

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If White completes development without any positional concessions, his queenside advantage and the bishop pair will influence the outcome of the game decisively, therefore Black acts very energetically.

17...Ic7! 18.Ee2 Ie5 19.Exf6 Cxf6 20.00 h5! 21.h4 Otherwise the Blacks pawn gets to h3, threatening the Whites king. 21...Gfd8 On 21...g5?! Bareev planned 22.Ga3!? (22.Cxh5 Cxh5 23.Exh5 gxh4 24.Ef3 is also acceptable) with the idea f2 f4. 22.Gad1 g6 The match score encourages solid play by Black. 22...Cg4?! allows White to get a comfortable position after 23.Exg4 hxg4 24.cxd5 Gxd5 25.Gxd5 Ixd5 26.e4 Ie5 27.Gd1.

the same time impairing his own pawn structure. However, in the case of 30.Id3 Black repeats the position by 30...Ce5, which could not satisfy Bareev, trailing in the match by two points. 30...Gbb8 31.Id3 Gbc8 32.Ge4 e5 Black is better. His pieces are active, and the pawn chain is movable. 33.f3 Cf6 34.Gee1 Cd7 35.Cd2 Cc5 36.Ia3 Ge8

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23.Ef3?! Allows Black breaking in the center. After the game Leko suggested the prophylactic 23.Gfe1!? In my opinion, the more concrete 23.cxd5!? is interesting, too. 23...Gxd5 24.Ec4, and now: A) 24...Gxd1 25.Gxd1 Cg4 26.a6 Ea8 27.Gd7 If6 (or 27...Cxe3 28.fxe3 Ixg3 29.If2 with advantage to White) 28.Gxa7 Ixh4 29.Cf1; B) 24...Gdd8 25.Gxd8+ Gxd8 26.Gc1 Cg4 27.Ee2 Cxe3 28.Ixc5, and White possesses the initiative in a complicated game. 23...d4! 24.Exb7 Gxb7 25.Gfe1 Ic7 26.exd4 cxd4 27.Id3 Cg4 28.Cf1 Despite being in time trouble, Bareev apparently did not even consider 28.Ie4!? due to the possibility of 28...Cf6 29.Id3 Cg4. 28...Ce5 29.Ie2 Cg4

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37.Cb3! Being in a difficult position and under severe time pressure, Bareev decides to transpose to a rook ending without a pawn. If White hesitated for one more move, Black would probably win the game after f7 f5. 37...Cxb3 Now Leko has no time for 37...f5? due to 38.Ixc5 Ixc5 39.Cxc5 Gxc5 40.Gxd4. 38.Ixb3 Ixc4 One could continue the game with even material by 38...Ic5!? followed by advancing the central pawns, but the rook ending also offers Black decent winning chances. 39.Ixc4 Gxc4 40.Gc1 Gc3! Weaker is 40...Gb4 due to 41.Gc5 f6 42.Gc7. 41.Kf2 The only move. 41.Gxc3? loses to 41...dxc3 42.Gc1 Gc8 43.Kf2 Kg7 44.Ke3 Gc5.

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30.a6?! Clearly, such move cannot be explained in chess terms. White improves position of the Blacks rook, at

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41...Gec8?! This natural move played by Leko after the time control is a serious mistake. Black leaves the e5 pawn unprotected, and full control of the c file does not bring him anything. The prophylactic 41...Kg7! creates more difficult problems for White. How he should react? 42.Ke2 is bad because of 42...Gb8. On 42.Ga1 Black

has both 42...Ge6 43.Gec1 Gb6, and 42...Gc2+. Let us consider the forced play after 42.Gxc3 dxc3 43.Gc1 (or 43.Ke2 Gb8 44.Kd3 Gxb5, etc.) 43...Gc8 44.Ke3 (44.Ke2!? does not save in view of 44...Gc5 45.b6 axb6 46.Ga1 c2! 47.a7 Ga5! 48.Gxa5 c1I 49.a8I Ic2+ 50.Ke3 Ic3+, and the queen ending is won easily) 44...Gc5 45.Ke4 (or 45.b6 axb6 46.a7 (46.Ga1 c2 47.a7 Ga5 48.Gxa5 c1I+) 46...Ga5 47.Gxc3 Gxa7 with decisive advantage) 45...Kf6 46.b6 axb6 47.a7 Gc4+ 48.Ke3 Ga4 49.Gxc3 Gxa7 50.Gc6+ Kf5 51.Gxb6. White managed to obtain a rook ending with 3 pawns against 4 on the same flank, but Blacks piece activity allows him to win: 51...Ga2 52.g3 Gg2 53.Gb4 f6! (there is still a chance to lose the game: 53...Gxg3?? 54.Kf2 Gh3 55.Kg2) 54.Ga4 g5!, and Black wins a second pawn and the game. So, it is difficult to find an adequate reply to 41...Kg7!, which means Leko had real winning chances in that line. 42.Ga1! Apparently, Leko overlooked this possibility. Now White carries out the b5 b6 break, and his strong a pawn secures a draw. 42...Gc2+ 43.Kg3 G2c5 44.Geb1 Kg7 Or 44...Gb8 45.b6 axb6 46.a7, etc. 45.b6 axb6 46.Gxb6 G5c7 47.Gd6 Black is unable to make progress. 47...Gc1 48.Ga5 G8c5 49.Ga4 G1c4 50.Ga1 Gc1 51.Ga4 G1c4 52.Ga1 Gc1 Game drawn.

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7...h5!? The idea of Evgeny Najer, which brought him success against Ni Hua (Ergun 2006). 8.h4 Ch6 9.f3 d5 10.Cc3 Eb4 11.Ed2 dxe4 12.0 00 e3 13.Exe3 Exc3

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14.bxc3 Surprise! Rublevsky keeps following Ni Hua, although this year in Poikovsky he played 14.Eg5!? and quickly defeated Tkachiev after 14...Exb2+ 15.Kb1 Ee6 16.Exf6 Exf6 17.Ge1 Gb8+ 18.Kc1 Cf5 19.Ixc7 00 20.Gxe6 fxe6 21.Ec4 Eb2+ 22.Kd2 Gbd8+ 23.Ed3 Ef6 24.Ixc6 Gd6 25.Ie4 Gc8 26.g4 Cd4 27.g5 Ee5 28.f4. Probably Sergey and Alexander both found an improvement for Black. Here Grischuk fell into lengthy thought, and finally played 14...00? An unsuccessful novelty. Maybe Grischuk analyzed only 14.Eg5, and did not pay sufficient attention to the alternatives. Or maybe Alexander found holes in his home analysis, and deviated from it, but the resulting position turned out to be clearly in Whites favor. 14...Ixc3?? loses immediately to 15.Ed4. I think we will not find out the reason why Grischuk rejected Najers 14...Cf5 until the end of the match. After 15.Ig5 Cxe3 16.Ixe3+ Ie7 17.Ixe7+ Kxe7 18.Ec4 Ee6 Evgeny gradually equalized the game, and won the endgame after the opponents inaccuracy. 15.Ig5! On 15.Ed4?! Black plays 15...Cf5! 15...Cf5 The lesser of evils. 15...Ixc3?? loses to 16.Ed4, and 15...Ixg5 16.hxg5 Cf5 17.Ef4 is also bad for Black. 16.Ixf6 gxf6 17.Ef4

Rublevsky Grischuk Scotch Game Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Cxd4 Ec5 The Scotch Game is on agenda again, but this time Rublevsky prefers 5.Cxc6!?, because 5.Ee3 did not give him a slightest advantage in the second game of the match. 5...If6 6.If3 bxc6 Although recently Black succeeded holding the ending arising after 6...Ixf3 7.gxf3 bxc6 8.Ee3 Exe3 9.fxe3 Ce7 10.Cc3, such course of struggle is clearly in Whites favor. Maybe this is why Grischuk decides to remain in the middlegame. 7.Ig3

White has a big and possibly decisive advantage in the endgame due to his better pawn structure and the bishop pair. 17...Ee6 18.Ea6 Of course, Rublevsky does not allow Black proceeding to an endgame with opposite colored bishops by 18.Exc7?! Ce3. 18...Cd6 Grischuk gives up a pawn to get rid of the Whites dark squared bishop. After 18...Exa2 19.Exc7 the bishops control the entire board, and Rublevsky has a pleasant choice of either targeting the weak pawns or opening the files on the kingside by g2 g4. 19.Exd6 cxd6 20.Gxd6 Gab8 On 20...Exa2 White plays 21.Gxc6, but not 21.c4?? Gfb8 22.Kd2 Gb6, and Black wins! 21.Gxc6 Exa2 22.Kd2 Gfd8+

45...Gc4+ 46.Kd3 Gc1 47.Gxh5 Gg1 48.g4 Gh1 49.Ge5+ Kf6 50.Gf5+ Kg7 51.h5 Ge1 52.Gf4 Ga1 53.Ke3 Ga3+ 54.Kf2 Ga2+ 55.Kg3 Ga1 56.Gf5 Gh1 57.Kf4 Gh3 58.Kg5 Gh1 59.f4 Gh2 60.Gd5 Ga2 61.h6+ Kg8 62.Gd8+ Kh7 63.Gd7 Kg8 64.h7+ Kh8 65.Gxf7 Ga7 66.Gf8+ Black resigns

Gelfand Kamsky Slav Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Cc3 Cf6 4.Cf3 a6 5.e3 g6 6.Ee2 Eg7 7.00 00 From the Chebaneko System the game transposes to the Schlechter Variation, in which ...Ec8 g4 is more popular than ...a6. 8.a4 Ee6 Gata had played 8...Eg4 more frequently, but it seems he was not satisfied with the results. For example, BacrotKamsky (Turin (ol) 2006): 9.Ib3 Ga7 10.h3 dxc4 11.Ixc4 Ef5 12.Cg5 b5 13.Ib3 h6 14.e4 Ec8 15.Cf3 with a clear advantage to White.

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23.Ed3 White is a pawn up, has better pawn structure and active pieces. His position is won easily. 23...Ee6 24.Ga1 Gd7 25.Gc5! f5 26.Ke3 The king goes to g5. 26...Ge7 27.Kf4 Gb2 28.g3 Kg7 29.Kg5 Gd7 30.Ga3 Gb1 31.Gca5 Ge1 32.Gxa7 Gd8 33.Ga1 Ge5 34.G1a5 Ge1 35.Exf5 Ed5 36.Kf4 Gf1 37.Ee4 Exe4 38.Kxe4 Ge1+ 39.Kf4 Gc8 40.Gg5+ Kf6

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9.Cg5!? This unexpected knight thrust is a novelty. The idea behind it is logical White suggests Black to waste time on some useless move like ...h7 h6. 9...Ec8 10.Ib3 b6 11.Ed2 e6 12.Cf3 Consequently, Black failed to develop the c8 bishop. White arranged his pieces well and has an undisputed advantage. 12...Cbd7 13.cxd5 exd5

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The time control is passed. Grischuk keeps resisting only by inertia. 41.Ga6+ Ke7 42.Ge5+ 42.Gf5 wins quicker, but the text move is also sufficient. 42...Gxe5 43.Kxe5 Gxc3 44.Ke4 Gxc2 45.Ga5 White obtains two connected passed pawns.

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Perhaps 13...cxd5 is safer, but Black did not want to play it after the knight that in this case belongs to c6 was developed to d7. 14.a5! Right on time White creates his opponent some queenside weaknesses. 14...b5 15.Gfd1 Ge8 16.Gac1 Ef8 Of course 16...Ixa5? 17.Cxd5 Id8 18.Cb4 cannot satisfy Black. Maybe he could try to sac a pawn: 16...c5!? 17.Cxd5 c4 18.Cxf6+ Cxf6 19.Ia3 Ee6 with activity. 17.Ca2 Eb7 18.Eb4 Eh6 19.Gc2 Ce4 20.Cc1 Ge6 21.Cd3 If6 22.Cfe5

29...Ee7 30.Gdc1 h5 31.Id2 Ed6 32.b4 f6! Neutralizing Whites anticipated battery on the a1 h8 diagonal, which would be difficult with the queen still on d3. 33.Id3 Kf7 34.Ec5 Eb8 35.f3 Now White prepares the only possible break e3 e4, however, Black made considerable progress. 35...Ec8 36.Ge2 h4 37.Ic3 h3?! This is logical Black attempts to draw the opponents attention to possible threats on g2. However, Whites material advantage is still convertible with perfect play. More tenacious is 37...Ie5!?, forcing the queen trade. 38.g3 Ed7 39.Gce1 g5

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22...Cxe5 23.dxe5 Gxe5!? Black had almost no choice. In the case of 23...Ih4 24.g3 Id8 25.f4 White would eventually break in the center. 24.Cxe5 Ixe5 Black has no compensation for the sacrificed exchange, because his position contains weaknesses. 25.Ef3 Ge8 26.Exe4 Ixe4 27.Ec5 Eg5 28.Id3 Ie6

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40.e4? A rushy control move! The preliminary 40.Id3! would make the break decisive: 40...f5 (or 40...Kg7 41.e4) 41.e4 dxe4 42.fxe4 f4 43.e5! Kg7 44.gxf4 Ig4+ (44...gxf4 45.Kf2) 45.Ig3, and White advanced the e pawn while the opponents bishops are restricted. 40...dxe4 41.Gxe4 Ia2! Black uses the opponents mistake for creating counterchances. This move is impossible with the Whites queen standing on d3. 42.G1e2 White must show some alertness. The careless 42.Ef2? Gxe4 43.Gxe4 runs into the unexpected 43...Exg3!, and the game ends in a draw after 44.hxg3 h2+ 45.Kg2 h1I+ 46.Kxh1 Ixf2 etc., while after 42.Ge7+ Gxe7 43.Gxe7+ Kg6 44.Id3+ (44.Ef2?! Exg3! 45.hxg3 h2+ 46.Kg2 Eh3+ 47.Kxh2 Ixf2+ 48.Kxh3 If1+ with perpetual) 44...Ef5 45.Ie2 Ib1+ 46.If1 Ic2 making progress is very hard for White. 42...Ib1+ 43.Ge1 Ia2 44.G1e2 Ib1+ 45.Ie1 Ixe1+ 46.Gxe1 Ee6 Now breaking into the Blacks camp becomes nearly impossible. 47.Kf2 f5 48.G4e2 Ec7 49.Gd2 Gd8 Trading rooks is okay for Black. 50.Gxd8 Exd8 51.Gd1 Ed5 52.f4 g4 53.Ke3 Ef6 54.Ge1 Ee4

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Normally trading major pieces in not recommended for the player without an exchange, but perhaps 28...Ixd3 29.Gxd3 f5 is more tenacious. In this case Black can use his king in defense, and White has problems breaking through. 29.Ed4?! Having achieved a serious advantage, Gelfand plays indecisively. A more concrete plan deserved attention: 29.b4!? h5 30.Ed4 Ee7 31.Ec3, intending Id3 d4. Trading the dark squared bishops is equal to resignation for Black, but avoiding it without additional concessions is impossible.

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55.Ed4 is of course responded by 55...Ee7. Game drawn.

Round 2. Game 5. 11 June 2007 Aronian Shirov Gruenfeld Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 g6 3.Cc3 d5 In contrast to the previous encounters between these players, Shirov deviates from the QGA, and goes for a sharp Gruenfeld. 4.cxd5 Cxd5 5.e4 Cxc3 6.bxc3 Eg7 7.Ec4 c5 8.Ce2 Cc6 9.Ee3 00 10.00 Eg4 11.f3 Ca5 12.Ed3 cxd4 13.cxd4 Ee6 14.d5 Exa1 15.Ixa1 f6 16.Eh6 Ge8

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22...Exd5! Of course, not 22...Ixb5?? 23.Ixf6 with inevitable mate. 23.exd5 Ixb5 24.Ixf6 Ie8 25.Id4

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This extra sharp line recently gained a lot of popularity. White sacrifices an exchange and launches the attack on the kingside. 17.Id4 Recently Whites hopes of obtaining an advantage were pinned with 17.Kh1 Gc8 18.Cf4 Ed7 19.e5. After suffering several defeats, Black found the way to hold the position. Here is one of the most important games in this variation: 19...Cc4 20.e6 Ea4 21.Cxg6 hxg6 22.Exg6 Ce5 23.Ee4 Ec2 24.Exc2 Gxc2 25.Id1 Kh7 26.f4 Kxh6 27.fxe5. White gets a strong attack for the sacrificed rook, but Black survives with series of precise moves: 27...Ic8!? 28.exf6 Gg8!? 29.f7 (or 29.Id3 Ggxg2 30.Ih3+ Kg6 31.If5+ Kh6 32.Ih3+ with perpetual) 29...Ggxg2 30.f8I+ (stronger is 30.Ixc2 Gxc2 31.f8I+ Ixf8 32.Gxf8 , but the ending after 32...Gd2 is drawish) 30...Ixf8 31.Gxf8 Gxh2+ 32.Kg1 Gcg2+ 33.Kf1 Gh1+ 34.Kxg2 Gxd1 35.Gd8 Kg6, and a draw was agreed soon in KorotylevTimofeev, Tomsk 2004. 17...Ef7 18.Eb5 e5 19.If2 Ge7 20.f4 exf4 21.Ixf4 Ib6+ 22.Kh1

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White managed to open up the Blacks king, however, Black has enough defensive resources. 25...Gf7!? A new move. Shirov already tried 25...Gd8 26.h3 Gf7 27.Gxf7 Ixf7 28.Ic3! b6 29.Cg3 in TopalovShirov (Wijk aan Zee 2007), and then committed a big mistake: 29...Cb7? (29...Ge8! 30.Id4 with good compensation, Rakhmanov Danin, Sochi 2007) After 30.Ce4 Ie7 31.Cf6+ Kf7 32.Cxh7 Whites strong initiative brought him a victory. 26.Gxf7 Ixf7 27.Ed2 Intending to build a battery on the a1 h8 diagonal. 27...Ig7!? Black has no intention of protecting the knight! 28.Ie4 Black has good counterplay after 28.Exa5?! Ixd4 29.Cxd4 Gc8 or 28.Ixg7+ Kxg7 29.Exa5 Gc8, as the rook is very strong. 28...If7 29.Ec3 Gc8 30.h3 Cc4 31.Id4

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31...Kf8 The only defense against the mate in one but this is enough. 32.Ih8+ In principle, Levon could continue playing against the king by 32.Cf4!? Ke8 33.Ce6, but favorable match situation, material deficit and possibly tiredness resulted in taking a different decision. Also, the speed of Shirovs play suggested that this position could be analyzed by him at home. 32...Ig8 33.Id4 If7 34.Ih8+ Game drawn.

14.Cxf6+ Exf6 In HuebnerLarsen (Bugojno 1982) White got an advantage after 14...Cxf6 15.Ce5 Gd8 16.Ig3. 15.g4 c5 16.Ec3 000 17.dxc5 Ixc5 18.Ed4 Ic6 19.Ghe1 Ghe8

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White possibly keeps a minimal advantage, but Peter had nothing against accepting a draw offer, which allowed him to qualify for the World Championship in Mexico.

Leko Bareev Caro Kann Defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Cc3 dxe4 4.Cxe4 Ef5 5.Cg3 Eg6 6.h4 h6 7.Cf3 Cd7 8.h5 Eh7 9.Ed3 Exd3 10.Ixd3 e6 Bareev sticks to his opening principles, however, the Caro Kann Defense is not the best choice in a must win situation. 11.Ed2 More popular is 11.Ef4, but at the moment Leko is satisfied with this modest bishop move. 11...Cgf6 12.000 Ee7 13.Ce4 Ib6 A rare continuation. Black activates the queen, however, such position cannot be made complicated in principle. Usually Evgeny played 13...00, for instance, 14.Kb1 c5 15.dxc5 Ic7 16.Cxf6+ Cxf6 with a good game, Smirin Bareev, Moscow 2002. By the way, Black managed to win that game.

Grischuk Rublevsky Sicilian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 c5 2.Cf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Cxd4 Cc6 5.Cc3 a6 6.Ee2 Ic7 7.00 Cf6 8.Ee3 Ee7 9.f4 d6 10.a4 00 11.Kh1 Ge8 12.Ef3

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Just like the previous odd games of the match, the players continued their Scheveningen discussion. Rublevsky again altered his opening play by opting for 12...Ef8!? instead of 12...Ed7, which occurred in the Game 3. 13.Id2 In the game against Khalifman (Wijk aan Zee 2002) Grischuk continued 13.g4, and after 13...Cxd4 14.Exd4 e5 15.Eg1 exf4 16.g5 Cd7 17.Cd5 Id8 18.Eg2 (18.Id2!? deserves attention) 18...Ge5?! 19.Id2! seized the initiative. However, Grischuk himself showed in the post game notes that after 18...Ce5! 19.Gxf4 (19.Eb6?! Ixg5 20.Cc7 Ed7 gives Black more than adequate

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compensation for an exchange) 19...Ee6 20.Ee3 Gc8 Black equalizes. 13...Gb8 14.If2 e5 15.Cde2 b5!? A minor surprise! It seems Grischuk was prepared to show an improvement to Adams Anand (Linares 2005), which was draw after 15...exf4 16.Eb6 Ie7 17.Cxf4 Ee6 18.Gad1 g6 19.Id2 Ce5 20.Ee2 Gbc8 21.Ef2 h6 22.h3 Gc6 23.Eh4 g5 24.Cxe6 Ixe6 25.Eg3 Cc4 26.Id4 Eg7 27.Exc4 Gxc4 28.Ixd6 Ixd6. 16.axb5 axb5

In any case the course of the game is extremely double edged. Early in the match the players would probably go test their luck in the arising complications, but here they decided to postpone it until better times.

Kamsky Gelfand Sicilian Defense Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 c5 2.Cf3 d6 3.Eb5+ Ed7 4.Exd7+ Ixd7 5.c4 Cf6 6.Cc3 g6 7.00 Normally White tries to save a tempo on the castling by playing 7.d4 cxd4 8.Cxd4 Eg7 9.f3 00 10.Ee3, although in this case Black also solves his opening problems easily. However, the line occurred in the game shows that 7.0 0 is even more harmless. 7...Eg7 8.d4 cxd4 9.Cxd4 00 10.f3 Gc8 11.b3

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17.f5!? A new move. In McShanePelletier (Biel 2004) White continued 17.Cd5, which led to a double edged game after 17...Cxd5 18.exd5 Cb4 (18...exf4!?) 19.fxe5 Gxe5. 17...Cb4 A multi purpose move. Black controls the d5 square and attacks the c2 pawn. 18.Cg3 Of course, White could like to start the pawn storm by g2 g4 g5, however, apart from capturing on 2, Black has a typical central break d6 d5, and the Whites position is cracking: 18.g4 d5!

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11...d5! A brilliant idea of Vassily Ivanchuk. Black equalizes easily, therefore if White intends to play a full fledged game, he should avoid the diagrammed position. Here Kamsky started thinking, seemingly surprised by the text move. 12.exd5 Cxd5 13.Cxd5 e6 14.Eh6 The original game Delchev Ivanchuk (Silivri 2003) ended in a draw after 14.Ee3 exd5 15.cxd5 Ca6 16.Gc1 Gxc1 17.Ixc1 Cb4 18.Id2 Cxd5 19.Ce2 Ie7. 14...exd5 15.Exg7 Kxg7

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The players agreed to a draw in this complex position. They understood that in anticipation of the Cg3 h5 maneuver with kingside initiative (after, for instance, 18...h6?! 19.Ch5) Black is practically forced to play 18...Cxc2!? The game can continue A) 19.Ixc2 b4; B) 19.Eg5!? Cxa1 20.Exf6 Ic5 21.Id2 Cb3 22.Ig5; C) 19.Ga7 Gb7 20.Gxb7 Exb7 21.Eg5.

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16.c5?!

Apparently, White overlooked Blacks next move. 16.cxd5 leads to a completely equal position. 16...Ca6 White loses a pawn. Certain lack of harmony of Blacks pieces in addition to having control of the d4 square gives him reasonable drawing chances. Of course, 16...Gxc5?? is a blunder in view of 17.Cf5+ Ixf5 18.Id4+. 17.Cc2 Cxc5 One is reluctant to play 17...Gxc5, as after 18.Id4+ f6 19.Ce3 the Blacks pieces are arranged badly. 18.Id4+ f6 19.Ce3 Ce6

d pawn unstoppable. 33...b6 34.a3 Ie6 35.Gb2 d3 36.b4 axb4 37.axb4 Cb3 38.Ia4 Cd4 39.Kg2 Cc2 There was an easy win by 39...Cf5!, however, converting an extra exchange in this situation is easy enough. 40.Gxc2 dxc2 41.Ixc2 g4 42.fxg4 hxg4 43.Kg1 Gd4 44.Ic7+ Kg6 45.Ic2+ f5 46.Ic3 Gc4 47.Id2 Kh7 48.h3 gxh3 49.Cxh3 Ic6 50.Ie3 Gc1+ 51.Kf2 Ic2+ 52.Kf3 Gf1+ 53.Cf2 Gxf2+

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20.Ih4?! Kamskys wish to fight back in his last White game is understandable, but objectively he has no winning chances in this position. Therefore it was correct to postpone the attempts until the last game by playing 20.Ixd5 Ixd5 21.Cxd5 Gc2 22.Gf2 Gac8 23.Ge1 with an equal ending. 20...Gc5! 21.Gad1 d4 22.Cg4 Gf8 23.Gfe1 Gh5 Also possible is 23...h5. 24.Ig3 Gd5 Black has an extra central passed pawn, and his pieces are placed perfectly. 25.Gd2 Id6 26.Ih4

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White resigns, as he is unable to prevent checkmate.

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26...h5! 27.Cf2 g5! Gelfand drives the opponents piece back with energetic pawn advances. 28.Ie4 Ge5 29.Ib1 Gxe1+ 30.Ixe1 Gd8 31.g3 Cc5 32.Ie2 a5 33.Ib5 The Blacks position is won. The last chance to fight for a draw was transposing to a major piece ending by 33.Ce4, but this should also be winning for Black. Kamskys reluctance to trade the knights makes the

Round 2. Game 6. 12 June 2007 Shirov Aronian Ruy Lopez Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov
1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Eb5 a6 4.Ea4 Cf6 5.00 Ee7 6.Ge1 b5 7.Eb3 00 8.d3 Shirov, as usual, avoids complications of the Marshall Attack. At present time, White fails to show any advantage in that variation. In the previous White game, Alexei preferred another scheme: 8.h3 Eb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3 Ca5 11.Ea2 c5 12.Cbd2 Cc6 13.Cf1, then Levon neutralized the opponents light squared bishop by 13...Ec8 14.c3 Ee6 with a good game. 8...d6 9.c3 Ca5 10.Ec2 c5 11.Cbd2 Cc6 12.Cf1 Ge8 Black becomes first to start the central action. 16.exd5 Ixd5!? 16...Cxd5 is also possible. Black could be worried about 17.d4!?, however after 17...cxd4 18.cxd4 (18.Id3 Cf6) 18...Cxd4 19.Cxd4 exd4 20.Id3 Cf6 21.Ch5 Ed6 22.Cxf6+ Ixf6 he holds the position. Yet, the text move is safer. 17.Ee3 Gac8 Interesting is 17...a5!?, but Aronian prefers to strengthen his position. 18.Cd2

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13.a3 Other known continuations do not alter much the character of the struggle. 13...h6 14.b4 The plan of playing on the queenside does not seem promising. Michael Adams, Shirovs opponent in the first match, handled this position as follows: 14.Ce3 Ef8 15.Eb3 Gb8 (15...Ee6!? looks more logical, Bologan David, Dijon 1994) 16.h3 Ee6 17.Exe6 Gxe6 (normally Aronian takes with the pawn) 18.Cd5 with a minimal advantage, but the Blacks position here is very solid, Adams van der Sterren, GER chT 1995). 14...Ee6 A new move. Previously Black retreated with the bishop 14...Ef8, intending to meet 15.d4 by 15...cxd4 16.cxd4 Eg4 with a good game, as in KokkilaViljava (Finland 1991), but Alexei is not in a rush to push the central pawn. 15.Cg3 In the case of 15.d4 Black has 15...exd4 16.cxd4 cxd4, and now 17.Cxd4?! leads White to difficulties after 17...Cxd4 18.Ixd4 Cg4 with initiative. 15...d5 As a result of rather cautious handling of the opening,

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18...Cb8! An excellent maneuver the knight is heading to d7, protecting the only weakness in the Black's camp. After that White has no objects of attack. 19.Cge4 Cbd7 20.Eb3 Otherwise White cannot express any activity. On 20.If3 Black calmly continues 20...Cxe4 (20...Ic6!?) 21.dxe4 Ic6. 20...Ixd3 21.Exe6 fxe6 22.If3 White managed to create a couple of weak pawns in the opponents camp, however, one of those pawns is an extra pawn! 22...cxb4 Black simplifies the position, and White cannot do anything about it. 23.axb4 Cxe4 24.Cxe4 Cf6 25.Cxf6+ Exf6 26.Gxa6 Ixc3 27.Gb1

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Only Black can play for a win after 27...Gc4. Therefore, Shirov offered a draw, and Aronian accepted and proceeded to the World Championship in Mexico.

Rublevsky Grischuk Scotch Game Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich

1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Cxd4 Continuing the Scotch Game discussion. 4...Ec5 5.Cxc6!? If6 6.If3 bxc6 7.Ig3 h5!? Despite losing the Game 4, Grischuk again selects the same line. 8.h4 Ch6 9.f3 d5 10.Cc3

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10...Ed4! Here comes the improvement! In the Game 4, Alexander played 10...Eb4, but after 11.Ed2 dxe4 12.000 e3 13.Exe3 Exc3 14.bxc3 00? 15.Ig5! Rublevsky won convincingly. 11.Ed2 Gb8 Unlike the Game 4, the rook can attack on the b file. 12.000

and Black obtains the g4 and f5 squares (the latter is achieved by trading on e4), which increases his chances to develop harmoniously and being the attack. Therefore, Rublevsky wants to proceed to an endgame, in which Blacks pawn weaknesses can tell. 13.Ig5 Id6! Black wants to castle and then attack the king by either Ib4 or (if the situation is right) by sacrificing a rook on b2. Here 13...dxe4?! is dubious in view of 14.Ge1! Ef5 (now after 14...00 the Whites rook is very well placed on e4 15.Gxe4, and 15...Cf5? is bad due to 16.Gxe5! Ixe5 17.g4 f6 18.Ec4+) 15.Cxe4!? Exb2+ 16.Kd1 with initiative. 14.exd5 Not trying to win a pawn, but intending to secure a route for the bishop (via c4 to b3). 14...00 14...cxd5?? loses in view of 15.Ge1! f6 16.Ixg7. 14...Gxb2? does not work yet: 15.Ge1! Ef5 16.Gxe5+ Ixe5 17.Kxb2. 15.Ec4 cxd5 16.Exd5

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So far Grischuk handles the game very well. Now he faces a difficult choice: either to finish the game in a draw by perpetual, or sacrifice an exchange and obtain strong initiative in a position that is difficult to assess. 16...Ixd5 A pity! As chess lover and chess professional Id very much to see 16...Gxb2! 17.Kxb2 Ixd5. The bishop must be attacked, otherwise Black plays 18...Ee6 with a devastating attack. Therefore, 18.Ghe1. Bad is 18.f4? in view of 18...Ib7+ 19.Kc1 (or 19.Ka1 Ef6) 19...f6 20.Ig3 Ed6. 18.Gde1 leads to similar lines. 18...Cf5!? 18...Ef5 leads to an unclear game: 19.Kc1 Id6 20.Gxe5 Ixe5 21.Ge1. The Black knight is out of play, so it may be difficult for Black to use insecure position of the White king. 19.Gxe5! 19.g4? loses spectacularly to 19...Ib7+ 20.Kc1 (or 20.Ka1 Cd4! 21.Gc1 f6 22.Ig6 Ef5! 23.gxf5 Gb8 wins) 20...f6 21.Ig6 Ed6 22.Cb1 Ixf3! 23.gxf5? Exf5 24.Ig1 Ea3+ 25.Cxa3 Ixa3+ 26.Kb1 Gb8+

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12...Ee5! Of course, not 12...dxe4? in view of 13.Eg5, winning. The bishops pirouette makes a strong impression. In the case of 13.f4?! the bishop returns to d4 13...Ed4,

27.Ka1 Ib2#. 19...Ixe5 20.g4 Dubious is 20.Ixh5?! in view of 20...Ee6 21.Ka1 (and again White has an opportunity to lose spectacularly after 21.g4? .Gb8+ 22.Ka1 Ce3! 23.Gc1 Id6! 24.Exe3 Ia3) 21...Gd8 with dangerous initiative to Black. 20...hxg4 21.fxg4 f6 22.If4!? After 22.Ih5 Cd4 23.Ixe5 fxe5 it is hard for White to defend against the rook invasion to the second rank. 22...Cxh4 (now 22...Cd4!? can be met by 23.g5 with an unclear game) 23.g5!?, and White retains drawing chances. My conclusion is that the exchange sacrifice could give Black decent winning chances. Rublevsky would have to find several accurate defensive moves. However, Grischuks choice is easy to understand he did not want to gamble with his chance of playing in Mexico. 17.Cxd5 Exb2+ 18.Kb1 Ec3+ 19.Kc1 Eb2+ 20.Kb1 Ec3+ Draw.

Round 2. Tiebreak. 13 June 2007 Rublevsky Grischuk Scotch Game Notes by Ruslan Scherbakov
1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Cxd4 Ec5 Once again the Scotch. 5.Cxc6 If6 6.If3 bxc6 7.Ig3 h5!? 8.h4 Ch6 9.f3 d5 10.Cc3 Ed4! In the Game 4, Grischuk could not survive after 10...Eb4 11.Ed2 dxe4 12.000 e3 13.Exe3 Exc3 14.bxc3. 11.Ed2 Gb8 12.000 Ee5 18.Ee3 Possibly, an inaccuracy. The immediate queen retreat 18.Ia3 deserved attention. 18...Gfd8 19.Ic5 a5!? Black starts the queenside action. His kingside is safe. White must play accurately. 20.Kb1 20.a3!? deserved attention. 20...a4

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13.f4 A new move, prepared during the last night. White is not concerned that Black can utilize the g4 and f5 squares, planning to block the opponents queenside pawns. In the last game of the classical match Rublevsky went for 13.Ig5, and Black got the initiative after 13...Id6! 14.exd5 00. 13...Ed4 14.Id3 Eg4 15.e5 Exc3 16.Ixc3 Ie6 17.Ge1 00

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21.Ed3?! Developing the bishop is premature, as Black has yet to develop his knight to f5. More precise is 21.a3, and if 21...Ef5, then 22.Ee2. 21...Ef5 22.Gc1? This move creates real problems for White. However, it is always tough to acknowledge ones mistakes by 22.Ee2. 22...Exd3 23.cxd3 Cf5 23...Ig6!? also looked good. 24.Ef2 Gb5

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The pluses and minuses of the sides seem balanced. However, Black has a simple plan, and semi closed nature of the position favors the knight. His chances can rise even more if the light squared bishops are exchanged, because the tandem Q+N can become very strong.

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25.Ixc6? This recapture leads to huge problems. 25.Ic3 Gdb8 26.Gc2 is better, although Black enjoys a clear plus. 25...Gdb8 26.Ixe6 White is unlikely to hold after 26.Ic2 Ig6, but 26.b3!? axb3 27.a3 is more tenacious, although 27...Cd6! (weaker is 27...b2 28.Gc3) gives

Black a very strong attack. 26...Gxb2+ 27.Ka1 fxe6 28.Gb1 a3! The endgame is hopeless for Black. White has many weaknesses and his pieces are passive Black is dominating. 29.Ec5

Rublevsky struggled somewhat after 12...Ed7 13.Cb3 b6 14.g4 in the game 3. 13.Id2 Gb8

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Perhaps 29.Gxb2 Gxb2 30.Ec5 Gd2!? (30...Gxg2) 31.Exa3 Gxd3 32.Eb4 Ce3!? Is better, while after 29.g3 d4 White has no moves. 29...Cxh4! Collecting the harvest. 30.Gxb2 axb2+ 31.Kb1 Cxg2 32.f5 White aims for counterchances, but only facilitates his loss. 32...Cf4 33.fxe6 Cxd3 34.Ea3 Cxe5 35.Kc2 Cc4 36.Ec5

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14.Gad1!? In the Game 5 Grischuk played 14.If2 e5 15.Cde2 b5!? 16.axb5 axb5 17.f5!?, and 17...Cb4 gave Black counterplay. The text move is aimed against such ideas White is not rushing to retreat his queen from d2. 14...e5 Rublevsky made this move instantly, although Black has many options. 15.Cde2 Here comes Grischuks novelty. In Yang Xian Liang Jinrong (China 1987) Black equalized after 15.Cxc6?! bxc6 16.fxe5 dxe5 17.b3 Ee6. 15...b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.f5 b4 18.Cd5 Cxd5 19.Ixd5 Ea6

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36...Cd2 37.a4 b1I+ 38.Gxb1 Cxb1 39.a5 Gb5 White resigns.

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By this point Sergey gained about a minute on his clock, so one can guess that the opponents plan did not surprise him. 20.Id2 Probably not the best move such retreat cannot give White an advantage. Interesting is 20.Ga1!? or even 20.f6!? 20...Cd4 21.Exd4 exd4 22.Gfe1 Exe2 23.Ixe2 Ee7 The Blacks bishop is more active than its counterpart White must demonstrate accuracy. 24.Gxd4 The simplification attempt 24.e5?! runs into 24...Eh4, and Grischuk did not want defending

Grischuk Rublevsky Sicilian defense Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 c5 2.Cf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Cxd4 Cc6 5.Cc3 a6 6.Ee2 Ic7 7.00 Cf6 8.Ee3 Ee7 9.f4 d6 10.a4 00 11.Kh1 Ge8 12.Ef3 Continuing the Scheveningen discussion. 12...Ef8

passively. 24...Ef6 25.Gc4 Ia5

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26.c3?! In the case of 26.b3?! d5! 27.Gc6 Ec3 28.Gd1 dxe4 29.Exe4 Ixf5 Black wins a pawn. The best is 26.Gd1!? Exb2 27.Gxd6, and White must gradually neutralize Blacks activity. 26...bxc3 27.bxc3 d5 28.Gc6 Exc3 29.Gd1 Ef6! 29...d4 is met by 30.Ic4. 30.Ic2 Ib4!? There is also 30...d4!?, but White is supposed to hold this position. Sergey tries playing for a win. 31.e5!? Alexander was already in time trouble, and he tries to force simplifications. 31...Exe5 32.Exd5 Ih4 33.g3 Exg3 34.Exf7+! Kxf7 35.Ia2+ Kf8 36.Ia3+ Ge7 Black could win a pawn by 36...Kg8 37.Ixg3 Ie4+ 38.Ig2 Gb1 (on 38...Ixf5 there is 39.Gc7) 39.Gcc1 Gxc1 40.Gxc1 Ixf5, but the position is drawish. 37.Ixg3 Ie4+ 38.Ig2 Gb1 39.Gcc1 Ie1+

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47.Gc8+ Ke7 48.Gc7+ Kf6 49.Gd6+ Kxf5 50.Gf7+ Ke4 51.Gxg7 Gf5+ 52.Ke2 Gb2+ 53.Gd2 Gxd2+ 54.Kxd2 Gf2+ 55.Ke1 Gxh2 56.Kf1 Draw.

Rublevsky Grischuk Scotch Game Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov

1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Cxd4 Ec5 5.Cb3 Rublevsky deviates from the theory well analyzed by the opponent. 5...Eb6 6.Cc3 Cf6 7.Ie2

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40.Ig1 Grischuk had only 4 seconds left before making this move! Of course, bad is 40.Gxe1?? Gxe1+ 41.Gxe1 Gxe1+ 42.Ig1 Gxg1+ 43.Kxg1 Kf7 with a winning pawn endgame. 40...Ie4+ 41.Ig2 Ixg2+ 42.Kxg2 A draw now. 42...Gb2+ 43.Kg3 Gb3+ 44.Kf4 Gb4+ 45.Kg3 Ge3+ 46.Kf2 Ge5

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7...d6 Sergey already tested this line in Rublevsky Anand (Bastia 2004): 7...00 8.Eg5 h6 9.h4?! (better is 9.Eh4) 9...d6 10.f3?! hxg5! 11.hxg5 Cg4! 12.fxg4 Ixg5 with a big advantage to Black. 8.Eg5 h6 9.Eh4 g5 10.Eg3 Ie7 11.h4 Gg8 A new move. VargaAcs (Budapest 2004) gave Black an acceptable game after 11...Eg4 12.f3 Ch5 13.Ef2 (13.Eh2!?) 13...Ee6. 12.hxg5 hxg5 13.000 Ee6

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Black develops, he has no weaknesses so the openings problems are solved. 14.Gh6 White relies on activity. The ending after 14.Cd5 Exd5 15.exd5 Ixe2 16.Exe2 Ce7 looks good for Black. In the event of 14.Ib5 Black can reply 14...Ed7. 14...000 On 14...Cg4 White planned 15.Cd5 (15.Gh7 Cf6) 15...Exd5 16.Ixg4 Ee6 17.Ih5, but Black is very solid after 17...000. 15.Cd5 Exd5 16.exd5 Ce5 Of course bad is 16...Ixe2?? 17.Exe2 followed by capturing on f6.

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22.Gh6 Overstepping the risk limit. 22.Gxg5 Gxg5 23.Ixg5 Cxd5 is harmless for Black. 22...Ce8?! Black had the tactical trick 22...Ce4!, and now 23.Gxd6 Cxd6 gives him ad edge. 23.Ih7 If8 Taking the pawn by 23...Gg7?! 24.Ih8 Gxd5 is unsafe White develops strong activity by 25.Ec4 Gd8 26.Ce4. 24.Gh1 Cf6 25.If5 Cxd5

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17.Exe5 An crucial decision. Both 17.a4!? and 17.Cd4!? fail to pose any problems for Black. 17...dxe5 18.If3 Gd6 18...Ce8!? 19.Cd2 Ce8 20.Gh5 White avoid swapping the queens 20.If5+ Id7. 20...Cf6 21.If5+ Kb8

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26.Ce4? The mistake leading to a bad position White overlooks the strong reply. Necessary was 26.Ec4 with mutual chances. 26...Ce7! 27.Ih7?! White is reluctant to retreat. 27...Gxd1+ 28.Kxd1 f5?! 28...Cg6! wins simpler, threatening to trap the queen. 29.Ec4 fxe4 30.Exg8 Cxg8 31.Ixe4 White obtained some chances, but alas his king is very insecure. 31...a6

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The further play occurred under very strong time pressure both players had less than 5 second left. Playing on the Blacks side is much simpler, and objectively he has an advantage. 32.Gh8 Ka7 33.Ixe5 If7 34.Ixg5 Cf6 35.f3 Id7+? One should have limited himself to 35...Ie6.

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36.Id2? White consolidates by 36.Kc1! as 36...Cd5?? fails to 37.Gd8! 36...Ib5 Now Black starts the decisive attack. 37.c3 Cd5 38.Gh1 Ee3

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After 38...Ee3 White lost on time before playing 39.Ie2 (which allowed Black to checkmate by 39...Cxc3+!). In tense struggle Grischuk won the last ticket to Mexico!