The Hours After

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave – Fabiano Caruana
5th GRENKE Chess Classic; Baden-Baden, April 7, 2018
English Opening A29

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 0-0 6. 0-0 e4 7. Ng5 Bxc3 8. bxc3 Re8 9. Qc2 d5 10. cxd5 Qxd5 11. d3 Bf5 12. Bf4 h6 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. Qb2 Qc5 16. dxe4 Bxe4 17. Bf1!? Vachier-Lagrave entered a very-much-analysed variation of the English Opening, and the text is his surprise – but it fails to impress Caruana. 17. ... Re7 18. a4 Rae8 19. Rac1? This appears to be White’s most serious mistake. After 20. Qb5(!) the game seems more balanced. 20. ... g5! 20. Bd2

20. ... Qf5! Black’s initiative looks scaringly powerful already. 21. f3. Worsening an already bad situation, but 21. c4 Ne5! can be hardly better. 21. ... Qc5+ 22. Kh1. Not 22. Kg2?? because of 22. ... Bxf3+! 23. Kxf3 (or 23. exf3 Re2+ and mate in three moves) 23. ... Qg1! with a quick mate. 22. ... Bd5! Threatening 23. ... Rxe2 24. Bxe2 Rxe2 25. Rf1 Ne5 with a mating attack. Vachier-Lagrave still resists a little, but not for a long time. 23. Be1 Bc4 24. e4 Bxf1 25. Bf2 Qc4 26. Rxf1 Qxa4 27. c4 Ne5 28. Bd4 g4 29. fxg4 Qd7 30. Qc3 31. Bxe5 Rxe5 32. Qf3 Rxe4 33. Rcd1 Qe6 34. g5 hxg5 35. Rd5 g4 36. Qc3 Re5 0 : 1.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (left) vs. Fabiano Caruana (right). Photo: Georgios Souleidis/GRENKE Chess Classic.