Sunday, March 21, 2021

Edge of Tomorrow

Anish Giri – Ian Alexandrovich Nepomniachtchi
Champions Chess Tour 2021; 4th stage; Magnus Carlsen Invitational 2021; Final match game 6; time control: 15 minutes plus 10 seconds per move; chess24.com, March 19, 2021
Sicilian Defence B48

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. g4 h6 8. h4 Nf6 9. Nxc6. From a strategic viewpoint, this looks very dubious. Worth considering was 9. Nb3 d6, switching from a Taimanov to a Scheveningen formation. 9. ... bxc6. In compliance with the theoretical precepts, Black strengthens the centre. If 9. ... Qxc6 10. Bg2 Ba3!? then 11. Bc1 with an edge for White. 10. Qf3 d5 11. g5 hxg5 12. hxg5 Rxh1 13. Qxh1 Ng4 14. Bd2 Bb7?! Black makes it too easy for White to play in attack. Decidedly better was 14. ... Rb8! seeking counterplay. 15. Qh3 Ne5 16. 0-0-0. Now White has reached a promising attack position without having to fear anything. 16. ... d4 17. Nb1 c5 18. f4 Nc6? This seems to be the losing move. Black had to play 18. ... Ng6, whether he liked or not.


19. g6!+− 0-0-0 20. gxf7 Qxf7 21. Bc4. Game over. 21. ... Kb8 (21. ... Re8 22. f5+−) 22. Bxe6 Qc7 23. Bc4 Ka7 24. Na3 Nb4 25. Re1 Be7 26. Kb1 Re8 27. e5 Bd8 28. Bb3 g5 29. Nc4 gxf4 30. Bxf4 Nd5 31. Bd2 Qg7 32. Nd6 Rh8 (32. ... Rxe5 33. Rxe5 Qxe5 34. Qd7+−) 33. Qe6 Bh4 34. Rc1 Nc7 35. Qc4 Qxe5 36. Nf7 Qh2 37. Qxc5+ Kb8 38. Qxd4 Rf8 39. Bf4 Bg3 40. Bxg3 Qxg3 41. Qb4 1 : 0.

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