Tick Tack

Fabiano Caruana – Leinier Domínguez Pérez
1st American Cup — Champions Bracket; match game 1; Saint Louis, April 24, 2022
English Opening A33

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. g3 Qb6 7. Ndb5 Ne5 8. Bf4 Nfg4 9. e3 a6 10. h3 axb5 11. hxg4 Nxc4 12. g5!? A powerful novelty by Caruana, who is clearly fighting for something more than 12. Qb3 d5= Giri – Vachier-Lagrave, 6th Grand Chess Tour, 3rd stage, Blitz Tournament, Zagreb 2021 (time control: 5 minutes plus 2 seconds per move). 12. ... d5 13. a4 bxa4 14. Bxc4 dxc4 15. Rxa4 Rxa4 16. Qxa4+ Qc6 17. Qxc6+ bxc6 18. Be5 Ke7 19. Ne4 Bb7

20. Rh4 (20. Nf6!?) 20. .. Ke8 21. Nd2 h6 22. Nxc4 Ba6 23. Nd6+ Bxd6 24. Bxd6 Bb5 25. Be5 Kf8 26. f3 Kg8

27. g6! fxg6 (27. ... f6?? 28. Rd4+−) 28. Rd4 g5 29. Rd8+ Kh7 30. Rd7 Rg8 31. Kf2 h5 32. e4 Kh6 33. Ke3 Kg6 34. b3 h4 35. g4 Kh7 36. Kf2 Kg6 37. Bc3 Kh7 38. Re7 Ra8 39. Rxg7+ Kh6 40. Bf6 Ra2+ 41. Ke3 e5! 42. Bxe5 h3 43. Rg8 c5 44. f4 gxf4+ 45. Kxf4 Rf2+ 46. Kg3 Re2 47. Kf3

47. ... Rd2? Domínguez Pérez had defended tooth and nail so far, but with almost no time on the clock he inevitably ends up slipping. Both 47. ... Rg2! 48. Rh8+ Kg6 49. Rxh3 Rg1 and 47. ... Re1! 48. g5+ Kh5 49. g6 h2! 50. Bxh2 Rb1 should draw. 48. g5+! And, of course, Caruana does not let slip his chance. 48. ... Kh5 49. Rh8+ Kg6 50. Rh6+! Kf7 51. g6+ Ke7 52. g7 Rg2 53. Rxh3 1 : 0.

Once again Caruana showed his deep theoretical preparation and his determination in pursuing his goals. Photo: Bryan Adams/Saint Louis Chess Club.