The Friendly Shark

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov – Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
32nd European Chess Club Cup; Novi Sad, November 8, 2016
Grünfeld Defence D78

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 5. 0-0 0-0 6. c4 c6 7. Qb3 Qb6 8. Nc3 Rd8 9. Rd1 Bf5 10. Ne1 dxc4 11. Qxc4 Na6 12. e4 Be6 13. Qa4 Qb4 14. Nc2. A new idea, although quite spontaneous. For 14. Qxb4 Nxb4 15. h3 Ne8 16. Be3 Nd6 17. a3 Na6 18. Nf3 Bb3 see Jumabayev – Vachier-Lagrave, World Rapid Chess Championship, Berlin 2015. 14. ... Qxa4 15. Nxa4 Nd7 16. Bg5 Re8 17. b3 Nb6 18. Nxb6 axb6 19. Rac1 Nc7? This move shows almost immediately its weak points.

20. d5! Mamedyarov won the theoretical duel as his position certainly looks more pleasant. 20. ... cxd5 21. exd5 Bg4 22. Re1 Nb5 23. h3 Bd7 24. a4 Nc3. Desperately trying to not give away a Pawn. 25. Na3! 25. Bxe7? Rac8 would lead nowhere. 25. ... Ra5 26. Bxe7. With the obvious threat of Na3-c4. 26. Bd2 was also strong. 26. ... Nxd5 27. Bd6 Rxe1+ 28. Rxe1 Nf6 29. Nc4. The demolition of Black’s Queenside is surprisingly fast. 29. ... Ra6 30. Bxb7 Ra7 31. Bg2 b5 32. Bc5 Ra6 33. Bb7 bxc4 34. Bxa6 cxb3 35. a5 Bf5 36. Bd4 1 : 0. Very elegant play by Mamedyarov.

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
Photo: Lennart Ootees