GOTM; December; 2011.  

 GM Viswanathan Anand (2811) - GM Hikaru Nakamura (2758);  
  [E97]  
  ICT, 3rd Chess Classic, (Round # 04)    
  London, ENG (UK) / 06,12,2011.  

  [A.J. Goldsby I]  

DECEMBER, 2011.  "The Game of The Month"

This is the game from the big event known as: "The (2011) London Classic."  

Nakamura related in one interview that: 
"I had lost the day before, and I was in a strange mood. I also wanted to play fighting chess." 

The result was a fascinating struggle, and an imperfect game ... with many mistakes. Yet, in a way, its a relief to see these chess titans play like this. Instead of the polished moves that appears to be the work of machines, we get a slug-fest that contains pikes like the guys down at your local club might even play! And, even though it is a flawed encounter, it still 1000x better than a short farce that ends in a draw by agreement!!! (So ... hats off to both players!) 

   1.d4 Nf6;  2.c4 g6;  3.Nc3 Bg7;  4.e4 d6;  5.Nf3 0-0;  6.Be2 e5;  7.0-0 Nc6;  8.d5 Ne7;  

This is the "Mar del Plata" variation; this system has been studied for over 75 years and was a favorite of the young Bobby Fischer. 
(See one of his most classic victories in this particular line.)  

   r1bq1rk1/ppp1npbp/3p1np1/3Pp3/2P1P3/2N2N2/PP2BPPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 9   

Study this position for a few minutes. 

The pawn on d5 divides the board in half and also gives the first player a considerable edge in space. Normally, White plays on the Q-side with Black playing on the King-side. [For more, see MCO-15, the KID section begins on page # 588.] 

   9.b4 Ne8;  (Strategic retreat.)   

Black immediately goes for his break on the King-side ... in order to get his play going on the King-side. 
(This is one of the absolute MUSTS of this opening, Black cannot dawdle! The second player must move this Knight and get in ...f7-f5; as soon as the opening is over; failure to obtain active counter-play will mean that Black will be slowly squeezed to death on the Q-side.) 

   r1bqnrk1/ppp1npbp/3p2p1/3Pp3/1PP1P3/2N2N2/P3BPPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 10   

The alternatives have not worked out well for Black, at least not according to current KID theory. 

          [ One possible alternative was the continuation of: 
             9...a5!?;  10.Ba3 axb4;  11.Bxb4 Nd7;  12.a4,  "+/="  (White has a small edge here.)  
             when White has already opened lines on the Q-side, while Black has yet to get the 
            ball rolling on the opposite wing. 

            [ See also MCO-15, page #599; column # 18, and all notes. ] 

            A good game for this position would be the Super-GM game: 
            GM Vladimir Kramnik (2790) - GM Magnus Carlsen (2813); 
           19th Melody Amber (rapid) / Nice, FRA; (R#8) / 21,03,2010. 

            {An incredible, super-human contest - it was drawn, but only after over 90 moves of play!!!}   

                  ****************************************************************************************     

            Another possible line would be: 
            9...Nh5!?;  10.Re1! f5;  11.Ng5 Nf6;  12.Bf3, '±'  12...c6;  "<=>"  
            and although White is clearly better here, Black also gets a measure of counter-play. 

            [ See MCO-15, page # 596;motstly columns # 8 and # 9. (And all corresponding notes.) ]   

             A good game for this position would have to be: 
             GM Vladimir Kramnik (2790) - GM Alexei Shirov (2710); 
             ICT, 15th Super-GM / Linares, ESP; (R# 04) / 1998.  

             {This contest appears to have been a hard-fought encounter, and was drawn in 46 total moves.} ]  

Over the next few moves, both sides will pursue their respective KID plans. 

   10.c5 f5;  11.Nd2 Nf6;  12.a4 g5!?;   (space, K-side)   

While there is really nothing wrong with this idea, perhaps Nakamura should play 12...f5-f4; and go ahead and close the King-side. 
(See the note given - just below.)  

   r1bq1rk1/ppp1n1bp/3p1n2/2PPppp1/PP2P3/2N5/3NBPPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 13   

            [ Against Kramnik, Nakamura tried the following continuation: 
              12...f4;  13.Nc4 g5;  14.Ba3 g4;  15.cxd6 cxd6;  16.b5, '±'  {+/}  (White is much better.) 
               and although the first player is clearly on top, Kramnik was unable to notch the full point. 

              GM Vladimir Kramnik (2780) - GM Hikaru Nakamura (2733);  
              FIDE Team Champ. Tournament (aka, The 39th Men's Olympiad.)  
              Khanty Mansiysk, RUS; (R# 4.1) / 24,09,2010.   

              An exciting game, Black eventually drew by perpetual check in a total of just forty-one (41) moves. ]   

   13.Nc4 h6!?;   (insane)    

Nakamura admitted {after the game} that this was an idea that he came up with while drinking with a friend!  

   r1bq1rk1/ppp1n1b1/3p1n1p/2PPppp1/PPN1P3/2N5/4BPPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 14   

If a "Class C" player had tried this move, I would have given it a whole question mark. 
(Black needs to push his K-side Pawns forward as quickly as possible.)   

            [ Black should have probably played something like:   
              (>/=)  13...f4!?;  14.f3 Ng6;  15.Ba3 Rf7;  16.b5, '±'  ("+/")  16...Bf8;   
               (Source: Fritz "Power-Book.")  

              when - like the game here - the box shows that White is hugely better ...   
              but for White to prove the exact path to the win is not so easy for the 
              first player to be able to do. ]  

   14.f3 f4;  15.Ba3 Ng6;   {See the diagram, just below.}  

Now the problem with Black's idea of ...h7-h6!? becomes clearly evident ...   

   r1bq1rk1/ppp3b1/3p1nnp/2PPp1p1/PPN1Pp2/B1N2P2/4B1PP/R2Q1RK1 w - - 0 16   

  ... compared to the main lines, Black is down some 2-3 tempi! 

[Editor's note - in the main lines, Black's pawns are already on f4, g5 and h5.]  

   **********************************************************************************************************************************************************************    

Now we proceed with the "normal" ideas of the King's Indian. 
(White pushes forward on the Q-side, while Black tries to make something happen on the opposite side of the chess board.)  

   16.b5 dxc5;  17.Bxc5 Rf7;  18.a5 h5;  19.b6 g4;  ('!')  20.Nb5 cxb6;  21.axb6,  "+/-"  

Although White has not yet won material, the engines show the first player to be winning here. 
(By some 2-3 points.)  

  r1bq2k1/pp3rb1/1P3nn1/1NBPp2p/2N1Ppp1/5P2/4B1PP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 21  

White has an "IDEAL" K.I.D. type of position. V. Anand has completely broken down Black's defenses on the Q-side, while H. Nakamura has barely got his K-side counterplay rolling. 

   21...g3!?;   (Looking for counter-play?)   

This was somewhat risky, Fritz (and other chess engines) show that  >/=  21...a6T;  was pretty much forced for Black.  

   r1bq2k1/pp3rb1/1P3nn1/1NBPp2p/2N1Pp2/5Pp1/4B1PP/R2Q1RK1 w - - 0 22   

Now just about all of the engines show that White is winning by something like 4-5 points here. However, it is exactly here that Anand begins to falter, which means that he is not 100% sure of what to do from this type of position. 

   22.Kh1!?,   (King-safety.)   

Anand hides his King in the corner, although this may not be necessary in this position. 

            [ The boxes like:  >/= 22.bxa7 Nd7;  23.Ba3 Ndf8;  24.Bd3,  "+/-"  (decisive) 
               with a won game for White. ]  

   22...Bf8;   ('Box?' / dark squares)    

This move is usually forced in these lines, Black cannot allow White to completely dominate the d6-square. 

   23.d6 a6;  24.Nc7 Rb8;  25.Na5 Kh8;   (Forced?)   

The threat was Bc4, pinning the Black Rook/f7 to the Black King, so it looked like Black had to play this move here.   

   1rbq1b1k/1pN2r2/pP1P1nn1/N1B1p2p/4Pp2/5Pp1/4B1PP/R2Q1R1K w - - 0 26   

Now White appears on the verge of crashing though completely.  

   26.Bc4,  "+/-"  26...Rg7;  27.Ne6,   ('!?')   

This is good for an edge for White, but may not be the most accurate move here. 

            [ >/=  27.Ra2!,  "+/-"  - Fritz 12. ]  

   27...Bxe6[];  28.Bxe6 gxh2;   

Black MUST open lines on the King-side if he is to make anything of his attack here.   

   1r1q1b1k/1p4r1/pP1PBnn1/N1B1p2p/4Pp2/5P2/6Pp/R2Q1R1K w - - 0 29   

The amounts have varied, but all of the chess engines continue to show that White is clearly winning in this position.   

   29.Nc4?,  (White is drifting?)  

H. Nakamura ... in the post-game interviews ... stated that he thought that Anand was a natural KP player, and this was one of the reasons for choosing to play the King's Indian Defense (opening) in this particular clash with the World Champion.  

   1r1q1b1k/1p4r1/pP1PBnn1/2B1p2p/2N1Pp2/5P2/6Pp/R2Q1R1K b - - 0 29   

Here that insight pays off, and Vishy plays an inaccurate move that allows "Nak" to jump right back into the game. 
(Better was 29.Bh3!, here.) 

            [ >/=  29.Bh3!,  "+/-"  - Fritz 12. ]  

   29...Qe8!;   "<=>"   (counterplay)   

An astute tactician like Hikaru rarely would miss this type of opportunity.  

   1r2qb1k/1p4r1/pP1PBnn1/2B1p2p/2N1Pp2/5P2/6Pp/R2Q1R1K w - - 0 30   

Now Black has very good piece play in this position. 
(Nakamura is at least equal, and may even hold a tiny edge in this particular position.) 

   30.Bd5!?,   (dubious?)    

I don't know if Anand was in time pressure here or not, but he fails to find the most forceful continuation for White.   

   1r2qb1k/1p4r1/pP1P1nn1/2BBp2p/2N1Pp2/5P2/6Pp/R2Q1R1K b - - 0 30   

Once more, White's LSB really belongs on the h3-square. 

            [ >/=  30.Bh3 Qb5;  31.d7!,  "~" (unclear) ]   

   30...h4;   (Now Black is OK.)   

Now all of a sudden, the tables have turned ...   

   1r2qb1k/1p4r1/pP1P1nn1/2BBp3/2N1Pp1p/5P2/6Pp/R2Q1R1K w - - 0 31   

White must find the best way to defend his position here.   

Now 31.Ra2 is probably best ... 

   31.Rf2!? h3!;  32.gxh3 Rc8!;  33.Ra5 Nh4;   "-/+"  

Once more we have another key position here ...   

   2r1qb1k/1p4r1/pP1P1n2/R1BBp3/2N1Pp1n/5P1P/5R1p/3Q3K w - - 0 34   

We have gone from a position where the engines evaluations showed that White was winning; now the engines are showing "minus-slash-plus" ... 
meaning that Black is winning.   

   34.Kxh2,  (Urgh.)   

This seems to expose the WK to the full fury of all of Black's pieces, yet the alternatives were unsavory ... 
to say the least!   

          [ White also feels the pressure after the following continuation: 
            34.Rxh2 Nxd5;  35.exd5 e4!;  "-/+"  
            (again - the engines consider this to be a won position for Black). ]   

   34...Nd7!?;   (Really - '?!')   

This is just a routine move, yet with just a little thought, Black should have been able to find something more forcing than this. 
(See below.)  

            [ Black had a clear win here, you should be able to confirm this with any chess engine:   
              >/=   34...Nxd5!;  35.exd5T,  This was forced.  

                     (</= 35.Qxd5? Qg6;  "-/+" )   

              35...Rg3;  36.Qf1 Qh5;  37.d7 Rd8;  38.Bxf8,  
              White may as well ... otherwise Black captures on f3, with a won game.  

                     ( Or  38.d6 Nxf3+;  etc. )   

              38...Rxd7!;  39.Bd6 Nxf3+;  40.Rxf3 Rxf3;  41.Bxe5+ Kg8;  42.Qg2+ Rg3;  43.Ra2 Rh7;  "-/+"   
             and Black is winning by over 15 points, according to the computer. ]   

The next 2-3 moves are probably forced/best ... for both sides. 

   35.Bb4 Rg3;  36.Qf1 Qh5;  "/+"  (Black is clearly better.)  37.Ra3,   (defends f3)   

Anand is on the defensive here, and - once more - faces an immediate tactical crisis.  

   2r2b1k/1p1n4/pP1P4/3Bp2q/1BN1Pp1n/R4PrP/5R1K/5Q2 b - - 0 37   

Study this position for just a few minutes. 

            [ Also possible was: 37.Be1,  although Black remains in firm control of this position. ]   

   37...a5?;  (Not the best!)   

I am not sure how much time the players had left on their chess clocks here, I am starting to think that time pressure may have been a problem ... 
because of the uneven play at this stage of the game.   

   2r2b1k/1p1n4/1P1P4/p2Bp2q/1BN1Pp1n/R4PrP/5R1K/5Q2 w - - 0 38   

Black had another win here, see the note given - just below.  

            [ The correct line for Black would have been:   
               >/=  37...Nxb6!;  38.Rc3T,  (forced)  

                      ( </= 38.Nxb6? Rc1!;  39.Qxc1!? Nxf3+;  40.Rfxf3 Qxh3#. )  

               38...Nxd5;  39.exd5 Rd8;  40.Ba3!? b5;  "-/+"  (- 3.43)   
               when White's position is beginning to fall apart. ]   

Now, according to Fritz 12 and Houdini 1.5, Anand's next move is completely forced, although (OTB) I would have probably played the Bishop to d2, instead. 

   38.Be1 Rxc4!?;   (Sham sack.)  

With this move, Nakamura breaks through on the dark squares. (It was also nearly forced, as Black had to break White's grip on the d6-square here. Not only this, Black is guaranteed to regain the exchange, by attacking the White Rook on f2 - which cannot move, as Black stomps on f3.) 

            [ With some sliding - the box finds the following variation for Black:   
               >/=  38...Nxb6!;  39.Nxb6 Bxd6;  40.Be6! Rc6!?;  41.Bg4 Qh6;  42.Rxa5! Rxb6;  "~"  (unclear) 
               with a complex position, that - after over an hour of analysis - seems to offer both sides relatively equal chances. ]   

   39.Bxc4 Bxd6;   (button game)   

Once more, the tables have turned, and - according to the chess engines - White actually has a small (but solid) edge in this position.  

   7k/1p1n4/1P1b4/p3p2q/2B1Pp1n/R4PrP/5R1K/4BQ2 w - - 0 40   

The only question is: "What is the correct move for White in this difficult and rather complex position?" 

   40.Rxa5?,   (Why?)  

This Pawn was not going anywhere, there was no rush to capture it.  

            [ >/=  40.Rd3, "+/="  - Fritz 12 & Houdini 1.5 ]   

   40...Bc5;  "/+"  (With a gain of time.)  

Once more - the tide has changed and suddenly Black is {again} much better ...    

   7k/1p1n4/1P6/R1b1p2q/2B1Pp1n/5PrP/5R1K/4BQ2 w - - 0 41   

The engines consider Black to be clearly winning in this position.  

   41.Be2?,  (Maybe - '??')   

This is wrong, taking on c5 was both correct and forced ...  

            [ >/=  41.Rxc5T,  - Fritz 12. ]  

   41...Bxb6!?;   (hmmm)   

This is OK, but according to all the chess engines, the immediate capture on f2 was clearly better. 
(And winning for Black!)   

            [ >/=  41...Bxf2;  42.Bxf2 Nxf3+;  43.Bxf3 Qxf3;  44.Ra1 Rg7;  "-/+"  ]   

   42.Rb5?,   (Another error.)   

Anand is losing time and putting his pieces on bad squares as well.  

            [ >/=  42.Ra8+ Kg7;  43.Ra3 Nf6;  "/+" ]  

Now Black should have captured on f2, with play nearly identical to the note after Black's 41st move ... ... ... 

   42...Bd4!?;  43.Bd1??,   (Simply terrible.)  

The losing move, Rd5 was both sensible and the indicated continuation here.   

            [ The correct defense was:   
               >/=   43.Rd5T Nf6;  "/+"  (and)  Black is clearly better. 
              (However, this is still a fairly substantial improvement   
               over the course of the actual game!) ]   

Now Black finally captures on f2 and mops up, the rest of the game requires no further analysis. (Game improvement: 47.Bh4, Nc5! "-/+") 

   43...Bxf2;  44.Bxf2 Nxf3+;  45.Bxf3 Qxf3;  46.Rb1 Rg6;  47.Rxb7!? Nf6;  48.Rb8+ Kh7;  49.Rb7+ Kh6;  "-/+" 

Black is clearly winning, so Anand gives up and turns down his King, an epic and entertaining struggle.   

   8/1R6/5nrk/4p3/4Pp2/5q1P/5B1K/5Q2 w - - 0 50   

White's e-Pawn is doomed, once Black gets his connected passers rolling up the board, White will not have any real chance to save his game.   

          [ Black wins easily after the following moves: 
            49...Kh6;  50.Rb6 Ng4+!;  51.Kg1! Nxf2+;  52.Rxg6+ Kxg6;  53.Qxf2 Qxe4;  "-/+"  
            when Black's connected (passed) Pawns will eventually prove to be decisive. ]   

   Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby, 2012. All rights reserved.    

  0 - 1   

•   See this ChessBase article, which includes detailed video discussion (analysis) of this game.  
    (All CB articles on this tournament.) 

•   Read an interesting and well-written TWIC article on this event - from the London Chess Center. 

•   The official website for this event. (At least, that is, until they delete it in a few months.)