Round 2. Game 2.

7 June 2007

Shirov
Aronian Driving away the knight and centralizing.

Queen’s Indian Defense 22.Cf3 Cd6 23.Ia4
Notes by grandmaster Yury Yakovich XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-trk+0
1.d4 Cf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cf3 b6 4.g3 Ea6 5.Ic2 Eb7
6.Eg2 c5 7.d5!?
9zpl+-vlpzpp0
This pawn sacrifice occurred in one of the Elista 9-zp-sn-+-+0
games between Bareev and Polgar. 9+-zpr+-zP-0
7...exd5 8.cxd5 Cxd5 9.0–0 Ee7 10.Gd1 Cc6
XIIIIIIIIY 9Q+-+-+-+0
9r+-wqk+-tr0 9zP-+-vLN+-0
9zpl+pvlpzpp0 9-zP-+PzP-zP0
9-zpn+-+-+0 9tR-+-+-mK-0
9+-zpn+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy
23...b5! 24.Ic2
9-+-+-+-+0 The a7
pawn is untouchable: 24.Ixa7? Ga8 25.Ib6
9+-+-+NzP-0 Ed8, winning a queen.
9PzPQ+PzPLzP0 24...Cf5 25.a4?!
Shirov criticizes this move. Probably stronger is
9tRNvLR+-mK-0 25.Ef4 or 25.Gd1, although in these lines Black also
xiiiiiiiiy has full compensation for the queen.
11.Ia4 25...b4
A novelty. Bareev continued 11.If5 in the game Not good is 25...Cxe3 26.fxe3 Exg5?! 27.Kf2 b4? in
mentioned above. view of 28.e4, winning a piece.
11...Cf6 12.Cc3 0–0 13.g4 26.Gd1 Cxe3 27.fxe3
The point! XIIIIIIIIY
13...Cb4! 9-+-+-trk+0
According to Shirov, prior to the game he discovered
that this move gives Black sufficient counterplay, but
9zpl+-vlpzpp0
decided not to change his opening plan. 9-+-+-+-+0
14.a3 Cbd5 15.Cxd5 Exd5 16.g5 Ec6 17.Ih4 9+-zpr+-zP-0
Ce8
Dubious is 17...Ce4?! in view of 18.Ce5! Exg5
9Pzp-+-+-+0
19.Cxc6 Exh4 20.Cxd8 Cxf2 21.Gd5! Gaxd8 9+-+-zPN+-0
22.Gh5 with advantage to White. 9-zPQ+P+-zP0
18.Ce5 Exg2 19.Gxd7
9+-+R+-mK-0
XIIIIIIIIY
xiiiiiiiiy
9r+-wqntrk+0 27...Gxd1+
9zp-+Rvlpzpp0 In the diagrammed position Shirov was correctly
9-zp-+-+-+0 concerned about 27...c4!? – this was the reason to
criticize his 25th move. Black’s pawns become very
9+-zp-sN-zP-0 dangerous. After the sample 28.Gxd5 Exd5 29.e4
9-+-+-+-wQ0 Ee6 30.Cd4 Gc8 31.Cxe6 fxe6 followed by с4
с3,
9zP-+-+-+-0 Black obtains good winning chances, as the White’s
queen must guard the passed pawn. It is interesting to
9-zP-+PzPlzP0 note that the computer assesses the resulting position
9tR-vL-+-mK-0 as a better for White. Aronian rejected 27...с4 because
xiiiiiiiiy he wanted to coordinate his forces first, and then
advance the c
pawn.
19...Eb7!
28.Ixd1 Gd8 29.Ic2 g6
This decision is typical for Aronian. Instead of fighting
A multipurpose move. Black makes luft, prepares to
for equality by 19...Ic8 20.Gxe7 Ec6, he sacrifices a transfer the bishop to g7, and controls the f5
square.
queen, getting a rook, a bishop, and a clear plan of
30.h4 Ed6 31.Kf2 a6 32.Cd2
playing in the center and on the queenside.
The knight goes to с4. Maybe it was better to place
20.Gxd8 Gxd8 21.Ee3 Gd5!
there a queen (32.Ic4)? The queen is a bad blocker
of course, but on c4 it prevents ...Eе6 (the a6
pawn is Levon chooses the most aggressive continuation
attacked). And the knight can find other good again. In the case of 42...Ee7 White begins his
squares, such as е4. counterattack by 43.If4! (bad is 43.e5? in view of
32...Ef8 33.Cc4 Ec8 34.Ie4 Ee6 35.b3 43...Gf5 44.Ic6 Exf7 45.Id7 (45.Ic7 Ed5+, etc.)
XIIIIIIIIY 45...Gxe5) 43...Kg8 44.Cd6 Exb3 45.Cc8 with
9-+-tr-vlk+0 complications that are hard to assess.
43.bxc4 Kg8
9+-+-+p+p0 Leads to a draw.
9p+-+l+p+0 Now 43...Ee7 is met by 44.e5!, as on 44...Gf5 White
9+-zp-+-zP-0 has 45.Ic6 Exf7 46.Ic7! (the d5
square is under
control) with the initiative, although the b
pawn
9PzpN+Q+-zP0 secures Black from losing the game
46...Ef8! 47.e6
9+P+-zP-+-0 b3. During the game, Shirov was concerned about
43...b3!?, thinking that he must give away a piece:
9-+-+PmK-+0 44.Ixb3 (44.Cd6? is bad due to 44...Gg5+ 45.Kh1
9+-+-+-+-0 Gg3 46.If4 Gh3+ 47.Kg2 b2, and wins) 44...Exf7
xiiiiiiiiy with some winning chances.
35...Gd5! However, it seems here White can play 44.e5!, too.
Black arranged his pieces well, and can start bothering 44...Gf5 (44...b2 is harmless for White due to 45.Ib7
the White’s kingside. b1I 46.Ixb1 Exf7 47.Ib7 Kg8 48.Ic8+ Kg7
36.Kg3 h6! 37.gxh6 Exh6 38.If3 Kh7 39.e4 Gh5 49.e6) 45.Ie4! Gxf7 46.Ixh4+ Kg7 47.Id8 with a
Alexei had just a minute left on the control move, and possible draw.
he selected the active 40.Cd6!? 44.Cd6 Gg5+ 45.Kh1
In the case of 40.If6?, 40...Eg7 41.Ie7 Exc4 45.Kf1? loses to 45...Gg3 46.If4 Eh3+ and
42.bxc4 b3 43.Ixf7 b2 gives Black a winning 45.Kh2? fails to 45...Eg3+.
advantage – the b
pawn wins the game. On 40.Id3 45...Gg3 46.If4 Gh3+
Black could respond by 40...g5!?, and it is practically Draw.
impossible to evaluate the consequences of this move
in a minute. However, Aronian finds the opportunity to
attack the h4
pawn after the text
move as well. Bareev
Leko
XIIIIIIIIY Slav Defense
9-+-+-+-+0 Notes by grandmaster
Ruslan Scherbakov
9+-+-+p+k0
9p+-sNl+pvl0 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Cf3 Cf6 4.e3 Eg4
9+-zp-+-+r0 A rare move. Usually Black plays 4...Ef5.
9Pzp-+P+-zP0 5.Cc3
On 5.cxd5 Black replies 5...Exf3 6.Ixf3 cxd5 with a
9+P+-+QmK-0 very solid position.
9-+-+P+-+0 5...e6 6.h3 Exf3
9+-+-+-+-0 In the case of 6...Eh5 White could seriously consider
7.g4 Eg6 8.Ce5, as in Bareev–Bruzon (Khanty
xiiiiiiiiy Mansyisk 2005), and White got a slight advantage
40...Eg5! 41.Cxf7 after 8...Cbd7 9.Cxg6 hxg6 10.a3 g5 11.Ed2 Ee7
The only move, as 41.hxg5? loses to 41...Gh3+. 12.If3 g6 13.0–0–0 (Evgeny won that game).
41...Exh4+ 42.Kg2 7.Ixf3 Cbd7 8.Ed2
XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0 9r+-wqkvl-tr0
9+-+-+N+k0 9zpp+n+pzpp0
9p+-+l+p+0 9-+p+psn-+0
9+-zp-+-+r0 9+-+p+-+-0
9Pzp-+P+-vl0 9-+PzP-+-+0
9+P+-+Q+-0 9+-sN-zPQ+P0
9-+-+P+K+0 9PzP-vL-zPP+0
9+-+-+-+-0 9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
42...c4!? 8...Eb4!?
Black develops the bishop, at the same time At this moment Bareev has already spent an hour
increasing control of the center. On 8...Ed6 White can more than his opponent, so he initiated peace talks.
already begin active operations on the kingside by Black can respond to 15.e4 by 15...e5! (certainly not
9.g4!? (Dreev
Movsesian, Sarajevo 2002). 15...dxe4? 16.Cxe4 with unpleasant initiative). White
9.Ed3 could try obtaining some advantage by 16.Eg5!? h6
On 9.g4 Black obviously intended 9...Exc3 10.Exc3 17.Eh4, but, according to Leko, the final position of
Ce4 with a good game. this game was studied at home, and it is logical to
9...0–0 10.a3 conclude that he knows how to make a draw.
Here 10.g4?! is also premature, as after 10...e5 Black
seizes the initiative due to his development lead.
10...Ea5 11.b4 Ec7 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.0–0 Ge8
Rublevsky
Grischuk
XIIIIIIIIY Scotch Game
9r+-wqr+k+0 Notes by grandmaster
9zppvln+pzpp0 Yury Yakovich
9-+-+psn-+0 1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Cxd4
9+-+p+-+-0 The Scotch Game is one of the favorite openings of
9-zP-zP-+-+0 Rublevsky.
4...Ec5 5.Ee3
9zP-sNLzPQ+P0 Recently Sergey preferred 5.Cxc6.
9-+-vL-zPP+0 5...If6 6.c3 Cge7 7.Ec4 Ce5 8.Ee2 Ig6 9.0–0
9tR-+-+RmK-0 d6 10.f3 0–0 11.Cd2 d5 12.Kh1 dxe4

xiiiiiiiiy XIIIIIIIIY
Leko shows unequivocally that he intends to push his 9r+l+-trk+0
central pawn forward. Nobody had any doubts about 9zppzp-snpzpp0
it, though.
14.Gfc1
9-+-+-+q+0
Only this strange
looking move is a novelty. In 9+-vl-sn-+-0
Kharlov–Al Sayed (Dubai 2003) White immediately 9-+-sNp+-+0
started playing in the center by 14.e4. The game went
on 14...e5 15.Eg5 h6 16.Eh4 g5 17.Eg3 exd4 9+-zP-vLP+-0
18.Cxd5 Cxd5 19.exd5 Ce5 20.Exe5, and here 9PzP-sNL+PzP0
20...Gxe5 looked more accurate, to follow by Id8
d6
with an even game.
9tR-+Q+R+K0
14.Gac1 is more logical, but Bareev realized that after xiiiiiiiiy
14...e5 (now 14...Ed6?! 15.e4! gives White a clear 13.Cxe4
plus) 15.Cxd5?! e4 16.Exe4 Cxe4 17.Cxc7 Cxd2 In the diagrammed position Rublevsky always played
the f1
rook is attacked, and after, say, 18.Ixb7 Gb8 13.fxe4, but after 13...Eg4 14.Ef4 Exe2 15.Ixe2
19.Ixa7 Cxf1 20.Cxe8 Cxe3!, Black has no Ed6 16.Gad1 Gae8 he did not achieve any advantage
problems to say the least. However, White has other in the following games:
opportunities, e.g., 15.e4!? exd4 16.Cxd5 Cxd5 a) 17.Eg3 a6 18.C2b3 b5 19.Ca5 Cg4 (Rublevsky–
17.exd5 Ce5 18.Ig3 or 15.If5!?, which give him Kobalia, Kazan 2005);
hope for a slight advantage.
b) 17.Exe5 Exe5 18.Ib5 Exd4 19.cxd4 Ib6
14...Ed6
(Rublevsky–Georgiev, Saint Vincent 2005);
The hasty 14...e5? gives White an advantage after
c) 17.Ib5 Cg4 18.e5 c6 19.Ixb7 Exe5 20.Exe5
15.Cxd5 e4 16.Exe4 Cxe4 17.Cxc7 Cxd2
(Rublevsky–Najer, Warsaw 2005).
18.Ixb7 (18.If5!?) 18...Gb8 19.Ixa7, etc.
15.e4 13...Eb6
XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqr+k+0 9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+n+pzpp0 9zppzp-snpzpp0
9-+-vlpsn-+0 9-vl-+-+q+0
9+-+p+-+-0 9+-+-sn-+-0
9-zP-zPP+-+0 9-+-sNN+-+0
9zP-sNL+Q+P0 9+-zP-vLP+-0
9-+-vL-zPP+0 9PzP-+L+PzP0
9tR-tR-+-mK-0 9tR-+Q+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
14.Ge1 White – carrying out the thematic ...d5xc4 followed by
A novelty. L.Milov–David (Bastia 2005) went on ...b7
b5 is now more difficult for Black, as White can
14.Ef2 Cf5 15.Ic1 Cxd4 16.Exd4 with equality. take on b5 twice!
14...Ef5! 5...e6 6.Eg5 Cbd7
An accurate decision. XIIIIIIIIY
15.Ef4 9r+lwqkvl-tr0
15.Cc5?!, recommended by some engines, is not
dangerous for Black in view of a human
like reply 9+p+n+pzpp0
15...Gfe8!?, e.g., 16.Cxb7 Gab8 17.Cc5 Cd5 9p+p+psn-+0
18.Cxf5 Cxe3 19.Cxe3 Exc5 with rough equality. 9+-+p+-vL-0
15...Exe4
XIIIIIIIIY 9P+PzP-+-+0
9r+-+-trk+0 9+-sN-+N+-0
9zppzp-snpzpp0 9-zP-+PzPPzP0
9-vl-+-+q+0 9tR-+QmKL+R0
9+-+-sn-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy
7.e3
9-+-sNlvL-+0 The alternative is 7.cxd5 exd5 (7...cxd5 is less logical
9+-zP-+P+-0 after the knight was developed to d7, but is also
9PzP-+L+PzP0 playable) 8.e3 Ee7 9.Ed3 0–0 10.Ic2 Ge8 11.0–0.
The arising position resembles of the Karlsbad
9tR-+QtR-+K0 Variation, however, the insertion of ...a7
a6 and a2
a4
xiiiiiiiiy corrects plans of both sides. White cannot carry out
the minority attack by b2
b4
b5, however, he has
16.Exe5
other opportunities. Kramnik–Gelfand (Novgorod
One could complicate the struggle by 16.fxe4!?, and
now 1997) went on 11...Cf8 12.Gae1 Ee6 13.Ce5 with a
small but lasting advantage to White. Probably Boris
a) 16...Ixe4 The most principled but probably not
considered this variation less suitable for today’s
the best continuation. 17.Eg5!? C7c6 (or 17...C7g6
game.
18.Ef3 Id3 19.Exb7 with some advantage to White)
7...Ia5 8.cxd5
18.Eh5 Id3 19.Cxc6 bxc6 20.Gxe5 Ixd1+
8.Cd2 Eb4 9.Ic2 c5 occurred often but without
21.Gxd1 f6 22.Exf6 Gxf6 23.Ef3 with a small
much success.
advantage in the ending;
8...exd5
б) 16...C5c6!? 17.Eh5 If6 18.Gf1 Cxd4 19.Exc7
In the case of 8...Cxd5 White has an interesting pawn
Ic6 20.Exb6 axb6 21.cxd4 (or 21.Ixd4 Ib5!)
sac 9.e4!? Cxc3 10.bxc3 Cf6 11.Ed3 Ixc3+
21...Ixe4 22.Ef3 Ie6 with an approximately even
12.Ke2 with initiative due to a space advantage.
game;
9.Ed3 Ce4
в) 16...C7c6!? In my opinion, the safest option.
Only this move can justify recapturing with a pawn on
17.Eh5 (in the case of 17.Cxc6 Cxc6 18.Eg4 the previous move – now Black at least trades one of
(18.e5?! If5) 18...If6! Black holds on е5 and the opponent’s knights. Otherwise developing the
obtains a good game) 17...If6 18.Gf1 Ie7 19.Cf5 queen to a5 simply makes no sense.
Ie6 with an even game. 10.0–0 Cxg5 11.Cxg5 Ee7
16...Cc6 17.Cxc6 Exc6 18.Ed3 Ih5 The immediate 11...Cf6 is also played.
The position is completely equal – so it’s a draw. 12.f4 Cf6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
Gelfand
Kamsky
9+p+-vlpzpp0
Slav Defense 9p+p+-sn-+0
Notes by grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov 9wq-+p+-sN-0
9P+-zP-zP-+0
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Cc3 Cf6 4.Cf3 a6 5.a4
This advance is not the most popular reply to the 9+-sNLzP-+-0
Chebanenko System, selected by Kamsky. The 9-zP-+-+PzP0
players must know a lot of different opening theory, 9tR-+Q+RmK-0
because now the game can transpose to a number of
various Slav
related systems. Insertion of ...a7
a6 and xiiiiiiiiy
a2
a4 can favor Black, as he gains control of the b4
13.Ic2
square. However, there is also some positive news for A new and quite logical move. White tries to provoke
weakening of the opponent’s kingside. In parts, and at some point he may lack defenders at
Zakharevich–Kobalia (Elista 2001) White certain sector of the board.
immediately moved the knight towards e5: 13.Cf3 0– 22.bxa5
0 14.Ce5, and after 14...c5 15.g4! obtained good 22.Gb1 axb4 23.Cxb4 deserved attention, but Black
winning chances and eventually won. Black could is not forced to take on b4 by 23...Exb4, which gives
defend better, though: that is, he could delay castling. White an endgame advantage after 24.Ib3 – he can
13...h6 14.Cf3 Ee6 simply retreat by 23...Ia7!?
Kamsky did not risk castling, as Black can face a 22...Ixa5 23.Gb1 Ia7 24.Cc3 Gh6 25.Ib3 Gb8
strong attack after 14...0–0 15.Ce5, preparing a pawn Kamsky is obviously reluctant to retreat the bishop on
storm. However, the move Id1–c2, although it c8, as he is concerned about the f7
square.
provoked a weakening in the Black’s camp, also 26.Cf3!?
slowed down the attack: the g4
square should be Gelfand again moves this knight and returns it to the
taken under control again, and the d4
pawn can center!
become weak after 15...c5!? It is very likely that 26...Ee8 27.Ce5 Ed6 28.Gf2
castling was possible, despite all the dangers. XIIIIIIIIY
15.Ce5 Gd8 16.h3 h5!?
XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-+lmk-+0
9-+-trk+-tr0 9wqp+-+pzp-0
9+p+-vlpzp-0 9-+pvl-sn-tr0
9p+p+lsn-+0 9+-+psN-+p0
9wq-+psN-+p0 9P+-zP-zP-+0
9P+-zP-zP-+0 9+QsNLzP-+P0
9+-sNLzP-+P0 9-+-+-tRP+0
9-zPQ+-+P+0 9+R+-+-mK-0
9tR-+-+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy
28...Cg8?!
xiiiiiiiiy An interesting maneuver. Black brings the h6
rook
An interesting idea – Black keeps the king in the into the game, the knight goes to e7, and under
center, but rules out White’s possible pawn attack on favorable circumstances he can even think about the
the kingside. 16...0–0 is not losing here, too – 17.g4 ambitious ...f7
f6. However, the text
move
c5 18.g5 hxg5 19.fxg5 Cd7, and the position is temporarily weakens control of the center. The
unclear, although White probably should not rush with immediate break 28...c5!? is interesting. After
g4
g5, and take time to improve his position first. 29.Cxd5 cxd4 30.Cb6! dxe3 31.Gc2! White remains
17.Cf3!? in control, but the game becomes sharper, and Black
The White’s knight comes towards the vacant g5
could find some chances to take the initiative.
square. 29.Gfb2 Ce7?
17...Kf8 18.Cg5 Ed7 19.Gae1 XIIIIIIIIY
19.Eg6 is parried by the only adequate defense:
19...Ee8! (of course not 19...fxg6?? 20.Ixg6 Ee8
9-tr-+lmk-+0
21.Ce6+). 9wqp+-snpzp-0
19...Ib4 20.Ca2 Ib6 21.b4 9-+pvl-+-tr0
XIIIIIIIIY 9+-+psN-+p0
9-+-tr-mk-tr0 9P+-zP-zP-+0
9+p+lvlpzp-0 9+QsNLzP-+P0
9pwqp+-sn-+0 9-tR-+-+P+0
9+-+p+-sNp0 9+R+-+-mK-0
9PzP-zP-zP-+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+-+LzP-+P0 Careless move in anticipation of the time trouble. On
9N+Q+-+P+0 29...b6 White can continue 30.a5!? b5 (30...bxa5??
31.Ixb8! Exb8 32.Gxb8) 31.Ga2. Necessary is
9+-+-tRRmK-0 29...Ec7, and White keeps some pressure, but Black
xiiiiiiiiy can defend.
White wants to stop ...c6
c5 once and for all. 30.Ic2?
21...a5!? White misses an unexpected chance! After 30.Ib6!
A struggle of plans takes place, but White’s chances Black is forced to play 30...Ia8 (30...Ixb6?
are higher, because the Black’s camp is sliced in two 31.Gxb6 drops the b7
pawn for free) 31.a5!, and the
threat a5
a6 is very strong: 31...f6!? (31...Ge6? XIIIIIIIIY
32.a6! bxa6 33.Ixb8 Exb8 34.Gxb8 Ia7 35.G1b7; 9-+-+q+k+0
31...Cc8 32.Id8! Exe5 33.fxe5) 32.a6! (after
32.Cf3? Cc8 33.Id8 White does not threaten Ce5
9+-+-snpzp-0
d7, so Black can force a draw by 33...Ee7 34.Ic7 9-+-+-+-+0
Ed6) 32...bxa6 33.Ixb8 Exb8 34.Gxb8 Ia7 9+-+p+-+p0
35.G1b7 Ixb7 36.Gxb7 fxe5 37.fxe5 with good
winning chances. 9P+-zP-+-+0
30...Kg8 31.Cf3 9+-+L+NvlP0
The point of this move is not one more knight 9-+-+K+P+0
relocation but strengthening the center: Black is
seriously planning ...c6
c5. 9+Q+-+-+-0
31...Ed7 32.Gb3?! xiiiiiiiiy
This move is slow and gives Black a comfortable White has a passed pawn on the a
file, but his king is
game. 32.a5!? is more challenging. fairly vulnerable. Pluses and minuses of the sides are
32...c5! 33.Cb5 Exb5 34.Gxb5 cxd4 35.exd4 balanced – the most likely outcome is a draw.
Or 35.Cxd4 Exf4! 42.Ib5 Cc6+ 43.Kd2 Ef4+ 44.Kc3 Id7
35...Exf4 In the event of 44...Ie7 White cannot take the knight:
Suddenly Black not only won a pawn, but also brought 45.Ixc6?? Ia3+ 46.Kc2 Ic1+ 47.Kb3 Ixc6, but
the king’s rook into play. White regains material, but 45.Kb3 or 45.Ic5 is enough.
he already has to demonstrate accuracy. 45.a5 g5!? 46.a6 g4 47.hxg4 hxg4 48.Ce5
36.Ib3 An attempt to play for a win by 48.Ce1 is dodged by
XIIIIIIIIY 48...Ic7! 49.Ixd5 Ed6 50.Cc2 Cb4+! 51.Ic4
9-tr-+-+k+0 Cxa6 52.Ixc7 Cxc7 with a draw.
9wqp+-snpzp-0 48...Cxe5

9-+-+-+-tr0 XIIIIIIIIY
9+R+p+-+p0 9-+-+-+k+0
9P+-zP-vl-+0 9+-+q+p+-0
9+Q+L+N+P0 9P+-+-+-+0
9-+-+-+P+0 9+Q+psn-+-0
9+R+-+-mK-0 9-+-zP-vlp+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9+-mKL+-+-0
36...Gc6
9-+-+-+P+0
More promising is 36...Ge6! with the idea to protect 9+-+-+-+-0
the knight in the variation 37.Gxb7? Gxb7 38.Ixb7 xiiiiiiiiy
Ixa4. Instead of capturing the pawn, White can 49.Ixd7
proceed with 37.Ec2, and then 37...Gc6!? looks good In the case of 49.Ib8+ Kg7 50.dxe5 White has no
– White struggles for equality. realistic winning chances, while it is quite possible to
37.Gxb7 overlook some nasty check after 6 hours of playing,
The preliminary 37.Ib4!? deserves consideration. e.g., 50...Ia4! 51.a7 Ia3+ 52.Kd4 (after 52.Kc2?
37...Gc1+ 38.Kf2 Ia2+ White drops the a7
pawn: 53.Ib2 (53.Kc3??
The tactical blow 38.Gxc1?! Gxb7 39.Ixd5 is calmly Id2+ 54.Kd4 Ee3+) 53...Ixa7), and now even
refuted by 39...Gd7!, but not 39...Cxd5?? 40.Gc8#. 52...Eg3 (or 52...Ia4+) does not lose: 53.a8I Ef2+
38...Gxb1 54.Kxd5 Ixd3+ 55.Kc6 Ic4+ 56.Kd7 Ie6+
The trap 38...Eg3+!? leads to the same position after 57.Kc7 (57.Kd8?? Eb6+) 57...Ixe5+ with
39.Ke2 Gxb1 40.Gxb8+ Ixb8 41.Ixb1 Ie8!, while perpetual.
39.Kxg3? is bad: 39...Gxb1 40.Gxa7 (40.Gxb8+? 49...Cxd7 50.a7 Cb6 51.Eb5 Ed6 52.Ec6
Ixb8+ with check!) 40...G1xb3 41.Gxe7 Gxd3. Game drawn.
39.Gxb8+ Ixb8 40.Ixb1 Eg3+ 41.Ke2 Ie8!