The Aims of Art

Baadur Jobava – Sebastian Bogner
17th European Individual Chess Championship; Gjakova, May 13, 2016
Sicilian Defence B28

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. g3 b5 4. a4 Bb7 5. d3 e6 6. Bg2 d6 7. 0-0 Nd7 8. Na3 Ngf6 9. Bf4 e5? A serious mistake which evidently weakens the central light squares, particularly d5 and f5. Correct was 9. ... Qb6 and if 10. c3 Be7 11. Qb3 then 11. ... c4!? with unclear but balanced play, To Nhật Minh – Sárosi, Kecskemét 2014. 10. Bd2 Bc6 11. b4! The first of a series of powerful blows by which Baadur literally dismantles Black’s position. 11. ... Be7 12. axb5 axb5 13. c4! Rb8. If 13. ... bxc4? then 14. b5 Bb7 15. Nxc4 with an overwhelming advantage. 14. bxc5 Nxc5 15. cxb5 Bxb5 16. Nxb5 Rxb5 17. d4! The final breakthrough is in the centre. 17. ... Ncd7. Not 17. ... Ncxe4?? 18. Qa4 Qd7 (or 18. ... Qb6 19. Rfb1) 19. Bh3 and wins. 18. Qe2 Qb8 19. Nh4! 0-0? An unlucky case of self-targeting. Of course, after 19. ... g6 20. Bh6 White keeps the upper hand, but still there is no win in sight. 20. Nf5 Re8 21. g4! g6. On 21. ... h6 22. h4 doesn’t change anything. 22. Nh6+ Kg7 23. g5 Nh5 23. ... Ng8 is equally met by 24. Ra8! with similar consequences to those in the game.

24. Ra8! Indeed, it’s not hard to foresee, but beautiful to see! 24. ... Qxa8 25. Qxb5 Qd8? Committing hara-kiri, but after 25. ... Rd8 26. Rc1 White stands much better anyaway (Leitão’s analysis). 26. Ba5 1 : 0. For if 26. ... Qc8 then 27. Bh3 finis.

Baadur Jobava
Photo: Tarjei J. Svensen/Matt & Patt