GOTM; January, 2015. |
Welcome to my "Game of The Month" feature! (Game # 54, for January, 2015.) (A list of all the main games on this website.) This is a game, that is annotated - by me - for your enjoyment. Hopefully it is done in a way that is both entertaining and also informative, there are certainly lots of diagrams - and a link to a re-play page as well. The main purpose {and thrust} of this column is to try and educate the general chess public. I have deeply annotated this game on my hard drive, you are welcome to contact me if you would like to try and obtain a copy. (Because of copyright violations, I ONLY offer a printed version! I simply cannot afford to "give away" the electronic version any longer ...) This
is a feature where I will try to pick a game that was recently played at
the GM level. Then I will annotate it and try to basically explain what
happened. ---> While I would not mind if
an expert (or even a master!)
enjoyed my work here, this column is aimed primarily at lower-rated
players. I
hope that you enjoy this game ... feedback is both encouraged and
welcome. (Please respect my
copyright.) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ |
Click HERE to see an explanation of the symbols I commonly use - when annotating a chess game.
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(Click HERE to see the ChessBase story on this round.) Click HERE to see a "star-dot-pdf" file of my analysis.
GM Magnus Carlsen |
GM Levon Aronian |
*******************************
Carlsen's page on the CG website. Carlsen's FIDE profile page. |
Aronian's page on the CG website. Aronian's FIDE profile page. |
*******************************
This
game was the most important game of the tournament and this is why I chose this game for
annotation.
Some good reasons to do this game were:
It WAS a very interesting game and a very complicated one as well. (The tactics were outstanding and would make a good addition to my school on tactics.)
I am not sure if I have ever done a game in the Ragozin System vs. White's QP-opening.
I felt that the job done by many on-line annotators left me with more questions than answers. I knew that if there were other chess-players out there who felt as I did, that - by annotating this chess game - I could fill a real need and answer a lot of questions as well. In particular, many things were missed and/or overlooked in the latter half of the game.
I had not done a game since January of last year, so this would definitely be a nice way to start my coverage for 2015.
Note
that the diagrams are fairly large, if you save them to your
computer, you will be able to see and study the positions better.
[A.J. Goldsby I]*********************************************************************************************** This will be my "Game of The Month" for January, 2015. Many thought that this was
the game of the tournament ... 1.d4 Nf6; 2.c4 e6; 3.Nf3 d5; 4.Nc3 Bb4!?; 5.cxd5, (1st avoidance) Carlsen ducks the sharpest lines ... probably he was thinking his opponent might have had a TN tucked up his sleeve somewhere. (If he was not afraid of a novelty, maybe he had not reviewed this line recently, and was unsure of the correct continuation? While I admit that this does not seem likely, avoiding the line that has proven to give White a fairly substantial edge does not seem like good chess. Of course lately - Carlsen seems content to play quiet systems and rely on his supernatural endgame ability to bring home the full point, especially when he faces players over 2650.)
rnbqk2r/ppp2ppp/4pn2/3P4/1b1P4/2N2N2/PP2PPPP/R1BQKB1R b KQkq - 0 5
This is the current position, to hold equality, Black should recapture with his KP here.
[
The main
line, (and the sharpest continuation - and also the
A famous clash is:
5...exd5; (Hold the center.) This move is virtually forced,
according to all the books ... (and maybe one DVD) ...
[ Slightly inferior would be the following continuation:
6.Bg5 h6; (Decision time.) By transposition, we reach a
very old line ... which seems to have become popular again in recent years.
[ It seems (to me) that
masters, in a constant search to find something new ...
rnbqk2r/ppp2pp1/5n1p/3p2B1/1b1P4/2N2N2/PP2PPPP/R2QKB1R w KQkq - 0 7
[ For more info on this old {and complicated!} opening, see MCO-15, page # 426; columns # 73-78, & all notes. ]
[ 6...P-KR3; is not the only move here, playing the Black Knight
RR 6...Nbd7;
7.e3 c5;
8.Bd3 Qa5;
9.Qc2 c4;
10.Bf5 0-0;
11.0-0 Re8; '~'
GM V. Kramnik - GM V.
Grischuk; ICT / Melody Amber
(rapid) / Monaco, 2010. (1-0)
For the next series of moves,
both sides continue to develop, in adherence with the four
basic principles of the opening. 7.Bxf6 Qxf6; 8.Qa4+!? Nc6[]; 9.e3 0-0; 10.Be2 Be6; 11.0-0 a6; 12.Rfc1 Bd6; The consensus of several good
chess engines is that Black is holding his own here ...
r4rk1/1pp2pp1/p1nbbq1p/3p4/Q2P4/2N1PN2/PP2BPPP/R1R3K1 w - - 0 13
The only problem that Black has is that ... in the long term ... his Knight on c6 is not on its very best square here.
***************************************************************************************************** Now White decides that his Q is not on its best spot ... and returns it to the center. (DF-14 likes 15.h3.) 13.Qd1 Ne7; 14.a3 Rfd8; 15.b4 Nc8; 16.Na4 b6; "=" With moves like b4 and Na4, White restrains any attempt by the second party to liberate his position with ...c7-c5.
r1nr2k1/2p2pp1/pp1bbq1p/3p4/NP1P4/P3PN2/4BPPP/R1RQ2K1 w - - 0 17
All the engines agree that the current position is pretty much equal, although I think it is easier to play White's side of the chess-board.
***************************************************************************************************** Now Carlsen goes for an
absolute lock on e5 ... ... ... (DF-14 likes h3 or Bd3 for White on move seventeen.);
17.Nb2 Ne7;
18.Nd3 Ng6; 19.a4!? a5!; 20.b5 Re8;
"="
r3r1k1/2p2pp1/1p1bbqnp/pP1p4/P2P4/3NPN2/4BPPP/R1RQ2K1 w - - 0 21
Carlsen has an easy position
to play, however, and he does not have a weak (backward) Pawn, as Black does here.
(On move 23, Black might
should have played 23...Nf8; or even 23...Qe6; or ...Qh4. And 25...Ne6; also looked 21.Rc3 Bf5; 22.Rac1 Rad8; 23.Nd2 Rd7!?; 24.g3!? Nf8; 25.Bg4! Nh7!?; 26.Bxf5 Qxf5; "~" (unclear)
4r1k1/2pr1ppn/1p1b3p/pP1p1q2/P2P4/2RNP1P1/3N1P1P/2RQ2K1 w - - 0 27
The position is no longer
dead equal, Black has to work hard to keep his game together.
27.Qf3 Qg5; 28.h4!? Qe7; 29.Rc6 Nf6; (Eyeing e4.) Black seems to be holding his own here ...
4r1k1/2prqpp1/1pRb1n1p/pP1p4/P2P3P/3NPQP1/3N1P2/2R3K1 w - - 0 30
However, when looking at this
position, (WITHOUT an engine!); I could not find an easy line of play for Black,
*****************************************************************************************************
(Now the engines like moves that prevent long-term play for Black, i.e., R/1-c2, etc.) 30.Nf4!?, (Not bad ...) Carlsen plays a "safe, but solid" move, as is his normal mode in such positions lately. (A similarity to Capablanca?)
4r1k1/2prqpp1/1pRb1n1p/pP1p4/P2P1N1P/4PQP1/3N1P2/2R3K1 b - - 0 30
For one thing, White can (now) play Nb1 and then Nc3, and put more pressure on Black's QP, it is up to Aronian to prove that he can hold this position - (or not).
[ The best of the metal monsters seem to prefer
*****************************************************************************************************
I do not know if time pressure
was a factor at this stage of the game, or if Aronian simply faltered 30...g6?; (A blunder?) Black self-destructs ... it seems no one can "hang" with the young World Champion in these kind of positions.
There are many reasons why
30...g6?; is bad, probably the two most important would have to be:
[ It seems that all Black had to play here was:
[ White might have a tiny edge, but DAYS of analysis (with various engines)
Notice that (against Carlsen)
if you open the door, he rarely fails to walk through it and capitalize on the
opportunity given to him. 31.h5! Kg7[]; ("Box.") It would seem that this
play was forced for Black.
4r3/2prqpk1/1pRb1npp/pP1p3P/P2P1N2/4PQP1/3N1P2/2R3K1 w - - 0 32
Now White racks up the win in impressive fashion.
[ Even worse would have been:
</=
( Black loses horribly after:
34.Qf5 Bd6;
(Only play?) (RR 34...Bxf2+!?; 35.Qxf2 Qxe3; 36.Qxe3 Rxe3; 37.Nc4!, +-)
35.Nc4 Ba3!?;
(Best?)
(The endgame - that is eventually reached - after the following continuation: *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
A lost ending is reached after the continuation of:
The following sharp move, (the Rook capture on h6); is thematic for how
White wins
Now - after RxP/h6! - White threatens Qh7+ and then Qh8 mate, so Black's reply is 100% forced. (</= 37...Kf8?; 38.Rh8#.)
38.Qxe8+ Bf8;
39.Rg6, '+-'
(White
is winning here.)
*****************************************************************************************************
Obviously, Aronian was counting on a discovery on the WQ, (when his DSB
on d6 moves); to win back the Pawn and get back 32.hxg6 fxg6; 33.Nxd5 Nxd5; 34.Qxd5 Bxg3[]; (Forced.) And here, Black had no choice at all.
[ Of course not: </= 34...Ba3?;
35.Qxd7! Qxd7; 36.Rxc7,
'+-' & White is winning. (easily)
35.Qg2!, (Correct!)
Another thing that is impressive, at least to me, is that Carlsen rarely falters in difficult positions.
4r3/2prq1k1/1pR3pp/pP6/P2P4/4P1b1/3N1PQ1/2R3K1 b - - 0 35
I'm thinking that this was the move that Aronian (perhaps in time pressure!?) might have missed.
[ RR 35.Qf3!? Bd6; 36.Qg4, "+/=" ]
35...Bd6; 36.Nc4, {Diagram, below.} Take a look here ...
4r3/2prq1k1/1pRb2pp/pP6/P1NP4/4P3/5PQ1/2R3K1 b - - 0 36
White is clearly MUCH better ... but is this position really a forced win for GM M. Carlsen?
36...Rf8?!, (Maybe - '?') And yet another miscue.
5r2/2prq1k1/1pRb2pp/pP6/P1NP4/4P3/5PQ1/2R3K1 w - - 0 37
Did Aronian have a chance for a type of endgame that has proven extremely difficult for human players to win?
[ Black had to play:
>/= 36...Qd8[];
("Box.")
37.f4!? Qf6;
38.Qh3 Rde7; 39.Rc3, '±'
('+/')
37.Ne5!, (Outpost.) The WN is an absolute monster on the critical e5-square ...
5r2/2prq1k1/1pRb2pp/pP2N3/P2P4/4P3/5PQ1/2R3K1 b - - 0 37
... & the only way to get rid of it is to swap of the Black Bishop on d6.
[
After the following var: (</=) RR
37.Nxd6?! cxd6!; 38.Rxb6
Qf7!; (</= 39.Rcc6? Qb3!; 40.Kh2 Qd1, '~' (unclear) )
39...Qb3;
40.Rc7 Rdf7; 41.Qg3
Qxa4; 42.b6, '±'
('+/')
37...Bxe5!?; (Urgh.)
With this move, Aronian basically abandons any real hope of defense and looks to wild counterplay to hold the game.
5r2/2prq1k1/1pR3pp/pP2b3/P2P4/4P3/5PQ1/2R3K1 w - - 0 38
It is time to take a long, hard look at the current situation in this game. (See the diagram, just above.)
[
The ONLY chance was: 5r2/2pq2k1/1pRb3p/pP4p1/P2P4/2R1P3/5PQ1/6K1 b - - 0 39
Black's DSB - anchored on the d6 square - is a powerful defensive unit.
*****************************************************************************************************
Now Black's King is left to fend for itself, not surprisingly, Aronian is unable to hold his side of the game. 38.Qxg6+ Kh8; 39.Qxh6+ Kg8; 40.dxe5 Qxe5; 41.Rg6+ Kf7; (Technically - an error.)
Now the naked BK goes for a walk ...
5r2/2pr1k2/1p4RQ/pP2q3/P7/4P3/5P2/2R3K1 w - - 0 42
This move is a mistake ... according to the chess engines ...
[
Black apparently had to play the following line:
45.Kg2,
'+-' (White is winning.)
I tend to think that Aronian saw all of this - but simply chose to
Now Black may have thought that White was unable to move his R@c1, due to the threats of ...Rd1+; and then ...Qe4+. 42.Rc4!, (Nice.) Once more, in a complicated position, (where others might falter); Carlsen finds the way to win with accurate tactics.
5r2/2pr1k2/1p4RQ/pP2q3/P1R5/4P3/5P2/6K1 b - - 0 42
White's Rook luft threatens Rf4+ winning, and ... (as the analysis will show);
[
After the following continuation: RR
42.Rg5 Qf6;
43.Qh7+, etc. ('+-' or '+/' ?)
42...Qa1+!?; (hmmm) "Bonzai!" (Might as well.) 5r2/2pr1k2/1p4RQ/pP6/P1R5/4P3/5P2/q5K1 w - - 0 43
I think Aronian knew he was busted here, but chose the only variation that might give his opponent any chance to commit an error.
[
The engines show that Black's best defense was:
(Black loses badly after the following line:
46.Qxf4+, "+/-"
The following moves are all forced (for Black) ... and probably best for White. 43.Kg2 Rh8; 44.Rf4+ Ke8; 45.Re6+ Re7; 46.Rxe7+ Kxe7; 47.Re4+, "+/-" Black Resigns. Aronian throws in the towel here, there is no point in playing any longer. {See the final diagram - just below.}
7r/2p1k3/1p5Q/pP6/P3R3/4P3/5PK1/q7 b - - 0 47
Some things of note - about this game - are: My version of this game differs from the CB version mainly in the fact that I wanted to explain the latter half of the game in greater detail, as I try to cater to the players who are mostly below 1600 on the FIDE/USCF rating scale. (I also think that most of the on-line commentators did a poor job, in this regard.)
[
After the following moves:
(</= 47...Kf7?; 48.Qe6+ Kg7;
48.Rd4+ Qxd4[];
49.Qg5+ Kc8;
50.exd4, '+-'
Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby, 2015. All rights reserved.
1 - 0Games, for further study
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The analysis for this page was prepared with the excellent program, ChessBase 10.0. (My main engines are Fritz 13, Deep Fritz 14, and I also use Houdini 3.0.)
The HTML was polished with several different tools and programs, (mostly FP) ... the text was checked for spelling with MS Word.
Please note!: Due to the fact that I upgraded to <<Windows 7>> ... I no longer have the use of the program, "Chess Captor."
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***
This page was first posted on/in: January, 2015. Final format completed on: Friday; March 13th, 2015. This page was last updated on 04/01/15 .
COPYRIGHT (c) A.J. Goldsby I;
Copyright (©) A.J. Goldsby; 1985 - 2014, & 2015. All rights reserved.