Azerbaijan vs World 6th & 7th & 8th Round

Karjakin Sergey - Mamedyarov Shakhriyar, Azerbaijan vs World, 6th Round.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Qd3!? ( diagram )


7..Qc7

7..d5 8.Qg3 was a unpleasant suprise for Shakh in Karjakin Sergey - Mamedyarov Shakhriyar, Grand Prix Nalchik, 5th Round.

8.Qg3 Qxg3 9.hxg3 Rb8

Pressing White's b2 seem like a most logical reaction.Black should be fine here.

10.g4N

New.

10..d5 11.g5 f6

Different scheme of development is 11..Bd6+Ne7.

12.gxf6?!

Not looking good, White helps Black to develop faster, 12.Bd3 is good enough.

12..Nxf6 13.Bd3 Bd6 ( diagram )


Well, at this point White is facing some problems moustly because of the pressure on b2 pawn.

14.O-O?!

14.b3 is a safer choice.

14..O-O 15.Re1?

But this is serious, 15.b3 gives slight plus to Black but I think White should be able to equalise with patient defence 15..Ng4 ( 15..Be5!? ) 16.Be2 ( 16.Bb2 Bc5 17.Nd1 a5 is very good for Black ) 16..Bh2+ 17.Kh1 Be5 18.Bxg4 Bxc3 19.Rb1 e5 20.Be2 a5 is slight better for Black, White's biggest headache is lack of space, also, White must avoid possible exposure of c2 pawn after d4-c5-c4 plan.

15..Bc5?!

Wrong! 15..Ng4 is very strong, if 16.f3 Bc5+ 17.Kh1 Nf2+ 18.Kh2 Nxd3 19.cxd3 Bd4 is nice edge for Black, if 16.Nd1 Bc5 and White is baldy pressed on f2 spot, if 16.Rf1 Bc5 17.Nd1 a5 is highly problematic for White.

16.exd5

16.Na4!?

16..cxd5 17.Na4 Bd6

17..Ba7 18.Be3 Bxe3 19.Rxe3 Bd7 20.b3 Bxa4 21.bxa4 is equal.

18.b3 e5 19.f3 ( diagram )


19..Bd7

19..e4 20.fxe4 dxe4 21.Bc4+ ( 21.Bxe4 Nxe4 22.Rxe4 Rb5! is promising for Black ) 21..Kh8 22.Be3 and White is able to hold the balance.

20.Bd2 Rbc8?!

Why? 20..Bxa4 21.bxa4 Rfc8 is not looking dangerous for White, 20..Rfc8 is the strongest reply which still keeps some pressure.

21.Nb6 Bc5+ 22.Be3 Bxe3+ 23.Rxe3 Rc6 24.Nxd7 Nxd7 25.c4 d4 ( diagram )


What is this? Yea, now White is better! Black's center is very shaky and Knight is on light square so he can be chased away from defensive post.

26.Re2

26.Be4 Rc7 27.Bd5+ Kh8 28.Re4 is nice pull for White.

26..a5 27.Be4 Rc7 28.Bd5+ Kh8 29.a3?!

Kinda going too fast, 29.Rd1 Rf6 ( 29..g6 30.Be6 and Black has hard time defending e5 pawn ) 30.Kf2 keeps the pressure.

29..h6 30.b4 axb4 31.axb4 Nb6 32.Rxe5 ½-½

After 32..Nxc4 33.Ree1 White can continue to press a bit longer, his advantage is safe and sound but Karjakin decided to make a draw.Ok.

Guseinov Gadir - Karjakin Sergey, Azerbaijan vs World, 7th Round.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5 Ne4 6.O-O a6

6..Be7 7.Re1 Nc5 8.c3 dxc3 9.Nxc3 O-O 10.Nd5 Ne6 is Gashimov Vugar - Karjakin Sergey, Azerbaijan vs World, 3rd Round.

7.Bxc6 dxc6 ( diagram )


This entire line is very enjoyable for Black.

8.Nxd4N

8.Re1 is played most of the time.

8..Bc5 9.c3 O-O 10.Re1 f5

Aaaa, someone is aggressive :) 10..Ng5 is playable for sure.

11.f3 Ng5 12.Bxg5 Qxg5 13.Qb3+ Kh8 14.Na3 Qe7 ( diagram )


After logical sequence of moves we have reached position in the diagram which is more then pleasant for Black.In fact White is already having problems.First of all, Black will kick out the Knight out of the center with the help of c5, then he'll block the passer.It's a good question should White play f4 or not, if he does then he'll be horribly exposed on h1-a8 diagonal and down the g-file after Kh8-Rg8-g5, if he turns down the offer and rejects f4 then Black will play f4 by himself with latter pawn storm.Very unpleasant situation for White.

15.Kh1

15.f4 Be6 is very good for Black, 15.e6?! Rf6 will destroy the passed pawn sooner or later.

15..Bxa3 16.bxa3

16.Qxa3 and Black can choose between 16..Qxa3 17.bxa3 c5 18.Nb3 b6 with nice plus or 16..c5 right away.

16..c5 17.Nc2 b6 18.c4 f4!

White is in horrible shape, his structure is very poor and there's no good plan at horizon for him.

19.a4 Be6 20.Qc3

20.a5? b5! is possible so White moves the Queen away.

20..a5

Black wants to be sure and blocks the weak pan on light square, 20..Rf5 would be more direct but more risky since allows White at some point to trade the weak pawn(s).

21.Na3 Rf5

Everything according to plan.

22.Re4 Raf8

22..Rd8 makes sense.

23.Nb5 Rh5 24.Qd2 ( diagram )


24..g5

24..Qh4? would be a serious mistake due to 25.g4!

25.Kg1

25.Rd1 Qg7 and nothing changes, Black is simply rolling forward.

25..Qg7?! ( diagram )

25..Bf5 26.Re2 g4 comes into consideration, it's important to push back the active Rook.


26.h3?

Provocation, oversight, miscalculation, whatever it is it's very bad.26.Rd1 is a plus for Black but it's not so simple as it may seem 26..g4 ( 26..c6? 27.Qd6! gives counterplay ) 27.Rxf4 gxf3 28.Nxc7 Bxc4 and there's a lot of fight in the position.

26..Bxh3!

White is falling apart.

27. gxh3 Rxh3 28.Re2 g4

28..Rxf3 indeed looks good enough 29.Rd1 ( 29.Rae1 Rg3+ wins ) 29..Rg3+ 30.Rg2 Rxg2+ 31.Qxg2 Qxe5 is probably winning.

29.Rh2 gxf3+ 30.Kh1 Rg3 ( diagram )


31.Qf2

31.Qb2 holds on a bit longer but it's losing as well 31..f2! ( 31..Rg8? 32.e6! ) 32.Qxf2 Qg6 33.Rg1 Rg8.

31..Rg8 32.Rd1 Rg2 33.Rxg2 fxg2+ 34.Kg1 Qh6 35.Qxg2 Rxg2+ 36.Kxg2 Qg5+ 0-1

Radjabov Teimour - Karjakin Sergey, Azerbaijan vs World, 8th Round.

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.Bg2 Bg4 4.O-O Nd7 5.d4 e6

Rock solid setup for Black.

6.Nbd2 Ngf6 7.Re1 Be7 8.e4 O-O 9.c3 dxe4 10.Nxe4 Qb6 11.Nxf6+ Bxf6 12.h3 ( diagram )


12..Bxf3?!

New and not the best, 12..Bf5 should be prefered and this continuation occured only once.

13.Bxf3

Generally speaking this type of structure should be very good for Black but we are used to see c4-d4 center, in that case d4 is very shaky and exposed, as far as I know plan is Bf6-doubled Rooks and Knight to f5.But here we have a different story, d4 is well defended and White simply improves his position and only later goes for expansion in the center.Black lacks good plan, he can't blow up the center, neither e5 or c5 can't work since it would increase the scope of the Bishops which means he can just wait and sit tight.

13..a5 14.a4 Rfd8 15.Qc2 g6

15..Nf8 16.Be3 Qc7 17.Bg2 is not a improvement for Black.

16.Be3 Qc7 17.Rad1 Nb6

If 17..e5 18.d5 and if 17..c5 18.Bf4 in both cases with huge edge for White.

18.c4

Right, only now this one comes, Black can't organise pressure on d4 spot.

18..Nd7

18..e5?? 19.dxe5 Bxe5 20.Bxb6 wins while 18..Rd7 19.Qb3 attack the Knight and threats d5.

19.Kg2 Be7

Again, 19..e5 is replied with 20.d5, 19..Re8 is a decent choice but it's not solving problems.

20.h4 ( diagram )


20..h5?!

This will backfire soon but it's hard to come up with something good, again both 20..c5 and 20.. e5 aren't helping Black.

21.Bh6 Bf8 22.Bf4 Bd6 23.Bg5 Re8 24.Re2

24.Be4! eyeing on g6 pawn is stronger but Radjabov takes his time.

24..Bf8 25.d5 e5?!

25..cxd5 26.cxd5 is clear edge for White, same is after 25..exd5 26.cxd5.25..Nc5 offers best chances.

26.d6! ( diagram )


26..Qb6?!

Necessary is 26..Bxd6 27.Red2 Re6 28.c5 Nxc5 29.Rxd6 Rxd6 30.Qxc5 Rxd1 31.Bxd1 Kg7 and it's not rosy for Black but at least he is not losing.

27.g4!

White is simply winning, Black is disoriented and can't offer any real resistance, pawn on d6 is too strong to cope with.

27..e4

27..hxg4 28.Bxg4 f5 runs into nice 29.Bxf5 gxf5 30.Qxf5 with overwhelming position.

28.Bxe4 hxg4 29.Bxg6

Very simple.

29..Rxe2 30.Qxe2 Qb3 31.Bd3 Bg7

31..Ne5 32.Qe4 Ng6 33.Qxg4 wins.

32.Qxg4 Ne5 33.Qf5 ( diagram )


33..f6

33..Nxd3 34.Rxd3 is a easy win.

34.Qh7+ Kf7?!

A blunder but it was already over, 34..Kf8 35.Bh6 Bxh6 36.Qxh6+ Kf7 37.Qh7+ Kf8 38.Qe7+ Kg8 39.Rg1 kills Black.

35.Bxf6 1-0

Final report by Chessbase http://chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5415

6th Round results

Gashimov - Anand 0-1
Kramnik - Radjabov ½-½
Guseinov - Shirov ½-½
Karjakin - Mamedyarov ½-½

7th Round results

Anand - Radjabov ½-½
Gashimov - Kramnik 0-1
Shirov - Mamedyarov 1-0
Guseinov - Karjakin 0-1

8th Round results

Mamedov - Anand 0-1
Kramnik - Mamedyarov 1-0
Gashimov - Shirov ½-½
Radjabov - Karjakin 1-0

World 21½ - 10½ Azerbaijan

Individual results

Kramnik 6½/8
Anand 5½/8
Karjakin 5/8
Shirov 4½/8

Radjabov 4/8
Mamedyarov 3/8
Gashimov 2/8
Guseinov 1/6
Mamedov ½/2

Azerbaijan vs World 3rd & 4th & 5th Round

Gashimov Vugar - Karjakin Sergey, Azerbaijan vs World, 3rd Round.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d4

A sideline, main is 4.O-O.

4..exd4 5.e5 Ne4 6.O-O Be7 7.Re1 Nc5 8.c3

Quite rare, most of the time White opts for 8.Nxd4.

8..dxc3 9.Nxc3 O-O 10.Nd5 ( diagram )


10..Ne6N

New move, 10..f6 is a older try, take it literally because it appeared in one game which had been played more then 100 years ago.

11.b3 f6 12.Bc4

12.Bb2 makes perfect sense, Gashimov goes for another plan, he wants to make use of the pin.

12..Nxe5 13.Nxe5 fxe5 14.Rxe5 ( diagram )


14.Nxe7+ Qxe7 15.Rxe5 is interesting try, certainly White enjoys fine compensation for the pawn, 15..d6?! looks sloppy 16.Re2 and Black faces problems due to a pin, so 15..Rxf2 is stronger, if 16.Rxe6 dxe6 17.Kxf2 Qf6+ 18.Kg1 Qxa1 19.Qd8+ Kf7 20.Qxc7+ Kf6 is =, if 16.Bxe6+ dxe6 17.Kxf2 Qf6+ 18.Kg1 Qxe5 19.Qd8+ Kf7 20.Bb2 Qxb2 21.Rf1+ Kg6 and White has no other choice then to go for perpetual, 16.Qe1!? is a fighting continuation, White is two pawns down but Black still need to unpin and to develop 16..Rf8 17.Bg5 with compensation.

14..c6?!

14..Bd6 is a bit unusual but stronger 15.Bg5 Qe8 16.Re1 with plenty of good options for Black like 16..b6 or 16..Rb8 with b5 to follow, third continuation is 16..c6 17.Nc3 Bc7 and White can continue 18.Bxe6+ dxe6 19.Ne4 but Black is having some edge.
If 15.Re1 Black can choose between 15..b5! 16.Bd3 ( 16.Bxb5?! c6 17.Bd3 Bxh2+ 18.Kxh2 Qh4+ 19.Kg1 Qxf2+ 20.Kh2 Qh4+ 21.Kg1 cxd5 with nice egde ) 16..Bxh2+ 17.Kxh2 Qh4+ 18.Kg1 Qxf2+ 19.Kh2 Qh4+ 20.Kg1 Bb7 with lots of attacking ideas or to make a draw with 15..Bxh2+ 16.Kxh2 Qh4+ 17.Kg1 Qxf2+.

15.Nxe7+ Qxe7 16.Bxe6+ dxe6 ( diagram )


Black's material advantage is almost without any importance, White is able to maintain some pressure thanks to his powerful Bishop.

17.Bb2 Bd7 18.Qd3 Rad8 19.Qe3 b6 20.Rg5

Simple play based on dominance on the dark squares.

29..Rf7 21.Rd1 Bc8 22.Rxd8+ Qxd8 23.h3 c5 24.Qg3

24.Qe5!?

24..Qc7 25.Be5 Qd7

Black has untangled himself and he is ready to kick out his Bishop.

26.h4 Ba6 ( diagram )


27.Bc3?!

Not the most precise, better is 27.Kh2.

27..h6 28.Rg4

Sad retreat, 28.Rg6 Kh7 and Rook must go back since 29.h5?? isn't working due to nasty check 29..Qd1+!

28..Kh7 29.Kh2 Be2 30.Re4 Bd3 31.Re3 Bf5

Quite a achievement for Black, hostile Rook is being pushed back and his Bishop is in the play.But, to make something out of the position is very difficult, Bishops are opposing each other and as we know this fact can help weaker side to find a way to make a draw.

32.Rf3 Qd8 33.Be5 Rd7 34.Qf4?! ( diagram )


34.Re3 is necessary.

34..Qe8?!

34..g5! 35.hxg5 hxg5 36.Qa4 ( 36.Qg3? Kg6! is winning ) 36..g4 37.Rg3 Kg8 ( 37..Qh4+?? 38.Rh3! wins ) 38.Rxg4+ Bxg4 39.Qxg4+ Kf8 40.Qf4+ Rf7 41.Qh6+ Ke7 and King escapes, Black holds big advantage.

35.g4 Bb1 36.a3 Kg8 37.h5 ½-½

Perhaps game lasted a bit longer, everything's possible since live transmission is horrible, there's no other way to put it.

Karjakin Sergey - Radjabov Teimour, Azerbaijan vs World, 4th Round.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3!?

Interesting choice, last time Radjabov went for 3..d5 against Carlsen and got himself in trouble at very early stage of the game.

3..Nc6

Not this time! Black picks up the more solid continuation.

4.Bg2 Nf6 5.Qe2 d6 6.O-O Be7 7.c3 O-O 8.d4 d5 9.e5 Nd7 10.h4N ( diagram )


New move.White, naturally, seeks his chances on Kingside.

10..a5

10..h6 stops the White's next move but of course, Teimour's move is perfectly playable.

11.Bg5 b6 12.Qe3 Ba6 13.Rc1

Well, where else? Going to e1 is pointless since Black is not planning f6 so here Rook can be useful if Black decides to release the testion with cxd4.

13..Rc8 14.Nbd2 Re8 15.a3 h6

15..a4!?

16.Bf4 ( diagram )


White wants to keep some pressure on Black's Kingside so he decides to avoid the trade.16.Bxh6 is a bluff 16..gxh6 17.Qxh6 Bf8 18.Qh5 Bd3! defending everything, in case of 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 White lacks good plan.

16..Nf8

Black is a bit too cautious, 16..a4 looks good with fine or even a bit better chances for Black, point is that Black is having lots of fine plans on the Queenside which we can't say for White, his only decent plan is to attack the Black's King, 17.h5 and if 17..Na5 and if 18.Nh2 Bf8 19.Ng4 Qe7 White is simply stuck, but he can improve the line with 18.g4!? with g5 to follow.Most likely Black should go for 17..Nf8 holding everything under control.

17.h5 Nh7

Not the best, 17..a4 is better which is explained a bit earlier.

18.b4

Of course.

18..cxb4

18..cxd4 19.Nxd4 Nxd4 20.Qxd4 is just fine for White.

19.axb4 Bb5 20.bxa5 Nxa5 21.Rcb1 Ba6 ( diagram )


22.Bf1

Simple chess, Bishop is doing nothing on g2.

22..Bxf1 23.Kxf1 Rc6

23..Qc7!? or 23..Nf8!? is interesting.

24.Ng1 Qd7

24..Qc7 is quite playable.

25.Kg2 Bd6 26.Ne2 Rc8 27.Qd3

27.g4 is more aggresive try.

27..Qc6 28.Qb5 Qxb5 29.Rxb5 Nf8 30.Nb3 Re7 ( diagram )


Evaluation remains the same after exchange of Queen, position is roughly equal.Black's b6 is weak, so is White's c3.

31.Bc1

Again very simple, White simply improves his pieces.

31..Ra7 32.Rb4 Nd7 33.Rba4 Rb7

33..Nb8!?

34.Nd2 Nb8 35.R4a2 Nbc6 36.Ba3 Ra7 37.Bd6

White achieved a lot and his position might look a bit better but it's still more-less equal.

37..Rca8 38.f4 Nb7 39.Rxa7 Rxa7 40.Rxa7 Nxa7 41.Bb4 Nb5 42.Nb1

42.Kf2!?

42..Na5 43.Na3 ( diagram )


43..Na7?!

Black should have take it 43..Nxa3 44.Bxa3 Nc4 with fine position.

44.Kf3

44.f5! would be some problems to his opponent.

44..N7c6 45.Bd6 Nb7 46.Nb5?!

Slowly but surely White is outplaying his opponent but 46.f5 is even better.

46..Nxd6

It's too late for easy solutions, 46..Nba5 47.f5 is unpleasant, 46..f5 47.g4 is a clear edge.

47.Nxd6 ( diagram )


47..f6?!

Classic.Story is almost always the same, such attempt to clarify situation on the board almost always backfires.Have seen it many times before, player under pressure can't take it any more and wants to free himself a bit, but then stronger/more active side finds it easier to find a hole in opponent's position.One example is Efimenko Zahar - Postny Evgeny, Olympiad Dresden 2008, 10th Round.There Black was holding well until time pressure came and until 47..f5? came.
47..Kf8 is doing well, 48.Nc1 is trying to make f5 breakthrough work 48..Be7 49.Nb5 Na5 50.Nd3 Nc4 51. g4 Ke8 52.f5 Kd7 53.Nf4 Bd8 and Black holds, if 48.Ng1 going for g5 48..Be7 49.Nb5 Na5 50.g4 Nc4 51.Kg3 Ke8 52.Nf3 Kd7 53.g5 Ne3 and White can't make progress since his Knight on b5 is cut off from main action.

48.g4 Kf8 49.Nb5 Kf7 50.Nc1 fxe5?!

Well, time pressure, even better 50..Ke7 51.Nd3 Kf7 52.f5 runs into problems.

51.dxe5!

Yes! 51.fxe5 is lame and weak.

51..Be7 52.Nd3 g6 53.hxg6+ Kxg6 54.Nc7 Kf7?!

54..Nd8 55.Nc1 h5 56.gxh5+ Kxh5 57.Nb3 Kg6 58.Nd4 Kf7 59.f5 exf5 60.Nxd5 and Black keeps chances to survive.

55.f5 exf5 56.gxf5 d4 ( diagram )


57.e6+?

No, 57.c4 is much better.

57..Kf6 58.Ke4 dxc3

Less material = Black is closer to achieve a draw.

59.Nd5+ Kg5 60.Nxc3 h5?!

Stunning 60..Nd4! gives better chances 61.Kxd4 Kxf5 62.Kd5 h5 is a unusual picture, but it looks drawish.

61.Ne1?

61.Nd5 is stronger.

61..Kf6?

Again 61..Nd4! 62.Kxd4 Kxf5 63.Kd5 h4 looks like a draw.

62.Nd5+ Kg7 63.Nf3 ( diagram )


63..h4?!

63..Bf6 is better but White should be able to crack the blockade.

64. Nxe7 Nxe7 65.Ke5

It's easy now, pawns are freely rolling forward.

65..h3 66.f6+ Kf8 67.Kd6 Ng8 68.e7+ Ke8 69.Ke6 1-0

Karjakin Sergey - Gashimov Vugar, Azerbaijan vs World, 5th Round.

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 exd5 6.cxd5 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.e4 O-O 9.Bd3 b5

Last time Gashimov played 9..a6 which is a passive continuation.

10.Nxb5 Re8 11.O-O Nxe4 12.Re1 a6 13.Na3 Nf6 14.Rxe8+ Nxe8 15.Bg5 Nf6

15..Qc7 is the main move.

16.Nc4 Bb7 17.Bc2

Interesting choice, Bishop goes to a4.

17..Qc7 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Ba4

Trying to stop Nd7 as Black loses an exchange in that case.

19..Nd7

Nevertheless!

20.Bxd7 Qxd7 21.Nb6 Qf5N

Much better then older move 21..Qd8.

22.Nxa8 Bxa8 23.Qe2 Bxd5 24.Rd1 ( diagram )


24..Bxa2!?

Some weird stuff here, computer is very confident and gives total equality after 24..Qe6! Well, 25.Qxa6 Bxb2 ( 25..Bxf3 26.gxf3 Qxh3 27.Qxd6 Qxf3 28.Rd3 and Black is fighting for a draw for sure ) 26.Qd3 Bxf3 27.Qxf3 Bd4 28.a3 and Black should be happy if he manages to make a draw.

25.Rxd6 Be6 26.Rxa6 Qb1+ 27.Qe1!?

27.Kh2 Qxb2 28.Qxb2 Bxb2 29.Rc6 Ba3 is a different way to safely play for a win, might be even more promising then game continuation.

27..Qxb2 28.Rxe6! fxe6 29.Qxe6+ Kg7 30.Qd7+ ( diagram )


30..Kg8?

30..Kh6 keeps the c5 pawn alive but Black must consider 31.g4 Qe2 32.Kg2 which looks scary at first glace but after 32..Qe7! Black's King goes back to safety with equality.

31.Qc8+ Kg7 32.Qxc5

Safe edge for White.Time to go around in circles, just to test patience of his opponent.

32..Qb7 33.Qe3 Qd5 34.g3 h6 35.Nd2 Qd4 36.Qe2 Qd7 37.Kh2 Qe7 38.Ne4 Qe6 39.Qc2 Be7 40.Qc3+ Kg8 41.Qd4 Kf7 42.Nc3 Bf6 43.Qa7+ Qe7 44.Qa2+ Kg7 ( diagram )


As I said, this is quite easy and safe way to play for a win.QN is better then QB which means that White will try to base his attacks on light squares since Black can't parry on that square complex.Any exchange of the pieces would be a draw proposal, no difference is in a exchange of Queens or light pieces, simply because all pawns are on one wing.
This structure and material situation had appeared lots of time before, stronger side makes a nice winning percentage in such situations.

45.Nd5 Qf7 46.Qd2 Kh7 47.Qd3 Be5 48.Kg2 Kg7 49.Qe4 Qf5 50.Qa4

50.Qxf5 gxf5 is not a winning try.

50..Qf7 51.Qc6 Kh7 52.Nb4 Qe7 53.Nd3 Bd6 54.Qd5 Kg7 55.h4! h5

Black can't avoid this, otherwise h5 would weaken his light squares.

56.Nb2

Knight is heading towards g5 square.

56..Qe5 57.Qb7+ Qe7 58.Qc6?? ( diagram )


Blunder, 58.Qb3 keeps the edge.

58..Bc5??

58..Bxg3! is a draw 59.fxg3 ( 59.Kxg3 Qe5+ ) 59..Qe2+ capturing the Knight on b2.

59.Nc4 Bd4 60.Nd6 Be5 61.Ne4 Bd4 62.Ng5 Bf6 63.Ne6+ Kh7 64.Qe4

White made nice progress but it's still not enough to win a game.

64..Qf7 65.f4 Be7 66.Qe5 Kg8 67.Kf3 Bf6 68.Qd5 Be7 69.Ke4 ( diagram )


Compare this diagram with Michael Adams - Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Linares 2005, 10th Round.Same structure, same material.Karjakin firstly puts the King in the center and only then makes f5 push.

69..Bf6?

Looks like losing mistake, 69..Qe8 seems to hold 70.f5 gxf5+, if 71.Qxf5 Qc6+ 72.Ke3 Qc1+ 73.Ke2 ( 73.Kf2 Qd2+ 74.Kf3 Qd1+ 75.Kg2 Qg4 76.Qxg4+ hxg4 looks like a draw ) 73..Qc4+
74.Kf2 Qg4 75.Qxg4+ hxg4 76.Ke3 Kf7 77.Nd4 Kg6 78.Kf4 Kh5 and White can't make progress since Black threatens to trade a Bishop for two remaining opponent's pawns, if 71.Kxf5 Qf7+ 72.Ke5 Qf6+ 73.Ke4 Qg6+ 74.Kf3 Qg4+ 75.Kf2 Kh7 keeps the head above waters, if 71.Kf3 Qf7 72.Nf4 Qxd5+ 73.Nxd5 Kf7 74.Nf4 Bd6 75.Nxh5 Kg6 76.Nf4+ Kh6 77.Ke3 Bc5+ 78.Ke2 Bd6 is not winning for White.

70.f5 gxf5+ 71.Qxf5 Qb7+ 72.Ke3 Qb3+ 73.Ke2 Qb2+

If you compare the game with the analysis above you'll realise that Black is missing important resource Qg4 which holds his position together.Black's Queen is moved to the left and can't access good squares.

74.Kf3 Qb3+ 75.Kg2 Qb7+ 76.Kh2 Qb2+ 77.Kh3 ( diagram )


No more checks, Black is lost.

78..Qe5 78.Qxe5

Quicker is 78.Qg6+ Bg7 79.Qe8+ Kh7 80.Ng5+ with trivial win.

78..Bxe5 79.Nf4 Bxf4

79..Kf7 80.Nxh5 is winning.

80.gxf4 Kf7 81.Kg3 Kf6 82.Kf2 Ke6 83.Ke3 Kd5 84.Kd3 1-0

Coverage by Chessbase...here...

3rd Round results

Mamedyarov - Anand ½-½
Gashimov - Karjakin ½-½
Guseinov - Kramnik 0-1
Shirov - Radjabov ½-½

4th Round results

Mamedov - Anand ½-½
Mamedyarov - Kramnik 0-1
Gashimov - Shirov ½-½
Radjabov - Karjakin 0-1

5th Round results

Anand - Mamedyarov ½-½
Kramnik - Guseinov 1-0
Radjabov - Shirov ½-½
Karjakin - Gashimov 1-0

World 13 - 7 Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan vs World 1st & 2nd Round

Karjakin Sergey - Guseinov Gadir, Azerbaijan vs World, 1st Round.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nf6 5.e5 Nc6 6.Qa4 Nd5 7.Qe4

7.Qb3 is less tested variation.

7..Nc7 8.Nc3 Bg7 9.Bf4 b5 10.O-O-O b4 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.Qxd5 ( diagram )


12..e6N

New move, 12..O-O or 12..Qb6 accured several time before.

13.Qe4 h6 14.h4 Qc7 15.Bb5

Nice move, Bishop is looking at weak d7 and, if necessary, can switch to defensive purposes via a4-b3.

15..Qb6?!

Not sure is it best, 15..Bb7 where Black should not be scared of 16.Bxc6?! Bxc6 17.Qxb4 Rb8 18.Qd6 Qb7 19.b3 a5 with initiative for the cheap pawn, instead White should go for 16.Kb1 Rc8 but Black should be fine here.

16.Qc4!?

Possible but perhaps 16.Bxc6!? is more testing for Black 16..Qxc6 17.Qxc6 dxc6 18.Nd2 with nice play on weak dark squares.

16..Ne7

16..Bb7 17.Rd6 Rc8 18.Rhd1 can offer some edge.

17.Be3

At first glance 17.Qxb4 is looking like a possible move but 17..Rb8! spoils all the fun.

17..Qa5 ( diagram )


18.Bc5!?

18.Qc5 deserves serious attention 18..Qxa2 19.Bc4 Qa4 ( 19..Qa1+?? 20.Kd2 Qxb2 21.Bd4 Qa3 22.Ra1 and Q is trapped ) 20.Kb1 Qc6 21.Qxb4 with nice edge, Black is having problems castling, most likely trade of Queen will arise soon but nevertheless White remains better side.

18..a6 19.Bxe7 Kxe7 20.Qc5+ Kd8 21.Nd4 Bf8

Forced sequence.

22.Nc6+ Ke8 23.Qxf8+ Rxf8 24.Nxa5 axb5 25.Nb3 Bb7 26.f3 Rxa2 27.Kb1 Ra7 ( diagram )


Despite the massive exchanges White remains with slight plus, better control over dark squares gives him slight initiative.Still, with precise play Black should be fine.

28.Nc5 Bd5 29.b3 f6

Right decision.

30.exf6 Rxf6 31.Nd3

31.Rd4 is slight pull for White.

31..Ke7 32.Nxb4 Ba8 33.Kb2 Rc7 34.Rd4

34.Ra1 is not a big deal, simple 34..Bc6 is working quite ok.

34..Rf5 35.Ra1 Bc6 36.Rad1 Bb7 37.Rg4 ( diagram )


37..g5!?

Well, it's hard to criticise Guseinov's decision, computer dislikes it but I find it to be typical human reaction.If 37..Kf6 then 38.Rd6 comes in 38..Re5 39.Rgd4 Ke7 40.Rb6 Kf6 and there's no clear way to gain some serious plus for White but it's a bit hard to play on as Black with having the annoying Rook on b6 deep inside your camp.
Problem is that Black is opening up his Kingside which will offer some additional targets to his opponent.

38.Rh1

Exactly.

38..Rcc5?!

A bit clumsy, better is to make a semi-waiting 38..Rfc5 with possible line 39.hxg5 Rxg5 40.Rhh4 with some plus but nothing serious.

39.Nd3 Rcd5

Black's Rooks are lacking some space on 5th rank so he should be careful.

40.Kc3 Bc6 41.Rh2!

White simply waits since Black is not ideally coordinated.

41..Rf8

41..Kf6!?

42.hxg5 Rxg5 43.Rgh4 Rf6 44.Kd4 d6 45.Ke3 ( diagram )


45..e5?

Yep, a mistake. 45..Be8 46.Rxh6 ( 46.Kf2 h5 is fine for Black ) 46..Rxh6 47.Rxh6 Rxg2 48.Rxe6+ Kd7 gives sufficient compensation for the pawn.

46.Nf2?

Missing the 46.Nb4! Ba8 47.Rxh6 Rxh6 ( 47..Rxg2?? 48.Rh7+! ) 48.Rxh6 Rxg2 49.Rh8 wins, Bishop is trapped.

46..Rfg6 47.Rg4 Bd7 48.Rxg5 Rxg5 49.g4 Rg6

One pair of Rooks off the board means less problems for Black.

50.Rh5 Bc6 51.Nd3 Bd7 ( diagram )


52.c4 bxc4 53.bxc4 Rf6 54.c5 e4?

54..Re6 is heading towards the draw.

55.cxd6+?

55.Nf4 wins a pawn after 55..Kd8 56.Kxe4.Time trouble, no doubt about it.

55..Kxd6 56.fxe4 Bxg4 57.e5+ Ke6 58.Rh4 Rf3+ 59.Ke4 h5 60.Nf4+ Ke7 61.Nxh5 Bxh5 62.Rxh5 Ra3 ½-½

Mamedyarov Shakhriyar - Karjakin Sergey, Azerbaijan vs World, 2nd Round.

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Qc2

Shakh's pet line.

5..e6 6.Nf3 c5 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Be2 Nc6 9.O-O ( diagram )


9..Nb4

Very rare, move appeared only once, 9..Be6 is the main continuation.

10.Qb1N

New.

10..g6 11.Bd2 Bf5 12.Qd1 c4

Black takes control over light square complex, it looks a bit risky since Black needs few more moves to castle.

13.b3!

Challenging Black's strategy.

13..Bc2

13..b5? would be logical continuation but it's bad 14.bxc4 dxc4 ( 14..bxc4 15.Ne5 and White is ready for Qa4+, Black can stop it with 15..Bc2 16.Qc1 Bf5 but then 17.e4 opens up the center with edge ) 15.Ne5 with nice edge, White can blow up the Q side with a4 or to play in the center, in both ways he can count on the advantage.

14.Qc1 cxb3 15.Qb2 ( diagram )


15..Nd3?!

Risky, better is 15..Bd6 16.axb3 Rc8 with fine position.

16.Bxd3 Bxd3 17.Rfc1 b5?

But this is asking too much, 17..Bd6 18.Ne5 Bf5 19.Qxb3 and most likely Black must sacrifice a pawn if he wants to survive 19..O-O 20.Qxb7 Qb8 21. Qxb8 Rfxb8 22.f3 where I think Black can't claim sufficient compensation for the pawn.

18.Ne5 Bf5 19.Qxb3 Bd6 20.e4 Be6

Not 20..dxe4?? 21.Qxf7#!

21.Nc6 Qd7 22.exd5 ( diagram )


As GM Nigel Short would say, Black is totally shafted :)

22..O-O

22..Nxd5 isn't better 23.Nxd5 Bxd5 24.Re1+ ( 24.Qxd5?? Bxh2+ winning the Queen ) 24..Be6 ( 24..Kf8 25.Bh6+ Kg8 and White can play 26.Qxd5 since 26..Bxh2+?? is not working 27.Kxh2 Qxd5 28.Ne7# ) 25.Qf3 Rc8 ( 25..O-O 26.Qf6 and Black is flatly lost, he can't parry both mating threats on g7 and e7 squares ) 26.Qf6 is winning.

23.dxe6?!

Not the strongest, Black gets another chance, 23.Bg5 keeps the Black on his knees, if 23..Nh5 24.dxe6 Qxc6 25.Nd5 wins, if 23..b4 24.dxe6 Qxc6 25.Na4 is winning, if 23..Nxd5 24.Nxd5 Bxd5 and again 25.Qxd5 works 25..Bxh2+ 26.Kxh2 Qxd5 due to 27.Ne7+ with easy win.

23..Qxc6 24.Bh6 Bxh2+!

What's this? It's the only move and good enough to keep the head above the water.

25.Kxh2

25.Kh1 Bd6 26.Bxf8 Rxf8 is a egde for White but Black has some practical chances.

25..Ng4+ 26.Kg1 Nxh6 ( diagram )


27.e7?!

27.d5 is better, White is still in charge.

27..Rfe8 28.Nd5 Qd6 29.Qf3

Ain't so clear anymore, 29.Rc5 Nf5 30.Re1 Ra7 pressing the e7 pawn gives counterplay.

29..Nf5 30.Nc7!?

30.Rc7 Nxd4 31.Qe4 Ne2+ 32.Kh1 f5! 33.Qxe2 Qxd5 34.Rd1 Qe4 and Black is having quite acceptable position, ironically for White his own far advanced pawn blocks him from taking full control over seventh rank.

30..Nxd4 31.Qd1 Rac8 32.Nxe8 Rxe8 33.Qg4? ( diagram )


Black is doing very fine here.Better is 33.Qd3 with balanced position.

33..h5?

Missing the chance with 33..f5! 34.Qd1 Rxe7 35.Rc8+ Kg7 and suddenly White must take care of nasty Re4-Rh4 threat, only Black can fight for an edge in this position.

34.Rc8 hxg4 35.Rxe8+ Kg7 36.Rg8+ Kxg8 37.e8=Q+ Kg7

Pair of Rooks is off the board which means balanced situation on the board.

38.Qe4

38.Rc1!? or 38.Qe3!?

38..f5

38..g3 should be better, simply opening up the Kingside can 39.Rd1 gxf2+ 40.Kxf2 Qf6+ 41.Kg1 Nf5 with fine play.

39.Qb7+ Kh6 40.Re1 Ne2+ 41.Kf1 ( diagram )


41..Nc3

Keeping the Knight closer to opponent's King is worth considering 41..Nf4 42.Qe7 but evaluation can't be damaged.

42.Qc8?!

42.g3 Ne4 43.Kg2 is equal.

42..Ne4

42..Qd3+ 43.Kg1 Ne2+ 44.Rxe2 ( 44.Kh1 Qd2 45.Rb1 g3! 46.fxg3 Nxg3+ 47.Kh2 Qd6 can be unpleasant for White ) 44..Qd1+ 45.Kh2 Qxe2 46.Qh8+ Kg5 47.Qd8+ and only way to avoid perpetual is 47..Kf4 48.Qd4+ Qe4 49.Qd6+ Qe5 50.Qxa6 Kg5+ 51.g3 with pawn up for Black but White keeps fine drawish chances.

43.Qc1+ Kh5 44.Qe3 Qd5

44..b4!?

45.a3 Qc4+ 46.Kg1 Qc2 47.Qa7 Qd2 48.Rf1 Qd6 49.Qh7+ Kg5 50.g3 ( diagram )


50..Kf6?!

Wrong step, cool would be 50..Nxg3 51.fxg3 Qxg3+ 52.Kh1 Qd6 with some weird stuff ( I love it! ) or simply 50..f4 is enough to keep the balance.

51.Rc1 Qb6?

No! 51..Nxf2? 52.Qh8+ Ke7 53.Qg7+ Kd8 54.Qc3 Nh3+ 55.Kh1 is winning, 51..Ng5 is the best.

52.Qh8+ Ke6 53.Qe8+ Kd5

King must march in the center, smells like trouble.

54.Rd1+ Kc4 55.Qf7+ Kc3 56.Qa2 a5 57.Qe2 ( diagram )


58..Qxf2+

Only way but not enough to save the game.

58.Qxf2 Nxf2 59.Kxf2 b4 60.axb4

Mamedyarov must have been in time trouble, otherwise I can't explain his errors in the next phase, 60.Rc1+! is the cleanest kill 60..Kd2 ( 60..Kb2 61.axb4 axb4 62.Rc5 b3 63.Ke3 Ka3 64.Kd2 b2 65.Kc2 wins ) 61.Rc5 b3 62.Rxa5 is a child's play.

60..axb4 61.Ke3 Kc2 62.Rd2+ Kc1 63.Rd6?!

63.Kd3 wins in a easy fashion 63..b3 64.Kc3 g5 65.Rf2.

63..g5 64.Rc6+?!

64.Rb6 is a much easier way.

64..Kb2 65.Rf6?!

65.Rc5 b3 66.Rxf5 Kc1 67.Kd3! is winning.

65..f4+ 66.gxf4 gxf4+ ( diagram )


67.Kd2??

67.Rxf4 b3 68.Kd3 g3 69.Rg4 Ka1 70.Kc3 b2 71.Ra4+ Kb1 72.Rb4 and Black can't trick White with stalemate motive, as it happened in the game, because soldier on g3 is alive.

67..f3 68.Rf4 b3 69.Rxg4 f2 70.Rf4 Ka2 71.Ra4+ Kb2 72.Rf4 Ka2 73.Rxf2 b2 74.Kc3 Ka1 75.Rxb2 ½-½

Details by Chessbase http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5409

1st Round results

Radjabov - Anand ½-½
Gashimov - Kramnik ½-½
Mamedyarov - Shirov 1-0
Guseinov - Karjakin ½-½

2nd Round results

Shirov - Guseinov 1-0
Radjabov - Kramnik ½-½
Mamedyarov - Karjakin ½-½
Anand - Gashimov 1-0

World 4½ - 3½ Azerbaijan