6/12/2017 – Erwin l'Ami is a strong grandmaster and a popular author. In an interview with ChessBase he talks about his fascination for chess, how he caught the chess virus, gambit play in modern chess, his favorite games, the Dutch Stonewall, how and why to study the opening and why playing blitz can improve your game.
In the Dutch Stonewall Black from the very first move fights for the initiative. Let Erwin l'Ami take you on a fascinating journey to the depth and attractions of this unique opening. At the end you will be rewarded with a new repertoire against 1.d4!
Dive into the fascinating world of the Sicilian Kalashnikov variation! We will uncover the secrets of this explosive opening from the very first moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5.
€34.90
You are a chess professional – as a player, author and second. What fascinates you about chess?
I like every aspect of it; the fight behind the board but also the more scientific approach when you are at home analyzing opening variations or one's games. The immense depth of the game continues to fascinate me.
Do you still remember when the chess virus infected you?
Very well! I have three older brothers so when it came to football or other physical activities it would be hard to compete with them. However, I quickly discovered I could beat them at chess...
Currently you support Anish Giri as a second and in the past you also helped Veselin Topalov as a second. What does a second do?
A second tries to take away work that would otherwise lay on the shoulders of the player. The second prepares opening variations for the next game while the player can relax and unwind.
How (and how much) do top players such as Topalov and Giri work for chess? And what do they do?
I worked with Topalov until 2011 so I don't know how hard he is working to date, but obviously he used to definitely put his hours in! Anish has an enormous work ethic and can literally work from early morning until late everything. Players typically work on all aspects of the game: endgames, solving positions, analyzing games but the emphasize is definitely on opening preparation.
Do you have a role-model, a chessplayer whose games or style you admire?
I was 13 when I saw the famous Kasparov-Topalov game (from Wijk aan Zee 1999) happening live in front of my eyes when I visited the tournament.
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1.e4Ftacnikd6Topalov is a
Sicilian player, but against Kasparov he prefers to spring a slight surprise
on his well prepared opponent as soon as possible.2.d4Nf63.Nc3Pirc is
a somewhat rare opening in Gary's practice and he often used to react with3.f3!?e.g.e54.d5c65.c4Qb66.Nc3Be77.Nge20-08.Ng3cxd59.Na4!Qc710.cxd5Bd711.Be3Rc812.Nc3Na613.Be2Bd814.0-0Qa515.Kh1Nc516.Bd2Ne817.f4exf418.Bxf4Bf619.Bg4Qd820.Bxd7Qxd721.Qf3Rc722.Nf5Bxc323.bxc3Na424.Qg3Nxc325.Rae1f626.Bxd6Nxd627.Nxd6
Kasparov,G-Wahls,M/GER-Kasparov/1992/ But the Bulgarian was probably well
prepared for a fight in the Saemisch, after all he is King's Indian expert.3...g64.Be3Bg7?!A major exponent of the 4.Be3 line GM Vlastimil Jansa
would be dissatisfied with this move, as later Black will have to lose a tempo
capturing on h6.4...Ng4?!5.Bg5is also not ideal, as it rather loses
than gains time.4...c6!?has the best reputation.5.h3!Black's most reasonable alternative isLess dangerous is≤5.Qd2Nbd76.Bd3b57.Nf3e5!?5...Nbd7≤5...b5?!6.e5!dxe56...Nfd77.exd6exd68.d5b49.dxc6bxc310.cxd7+Nxd711.b3Be712.Bh6Bb713.Nf3Qa514.Be2g515.Bg7Rg816.Bd4h517.Qd3g418.hxg4hxg419.Bxc3Qd520.Qxd5Bxd521.Nd4Rc822.Bb4Bxg223.Rg1Ba824.Rxg4Rh825.0-0-0+-Sokolov,A-Zakharevich,I/
Elista/1995/7.dxe5Qxd1+8.Rxd1Nfd79.f4Bg710.Nf3f611.e6Nf812.Nxb5Nxe613.Nxa7Bb714.Bc4Nc715.Kf2Nd516.Nxc6Bxc617.Bxd5Bxd518.Rxd5Rxa219.Rb50-020.Rd1Nc621.Nd4Nxd422.Bxd4Rc823.Rd2+-
Jansa,V-Schlosser,M/Muenster/1992/≤5...Bg7?!6.f4![+]()0-07.Nf3Nbd78.e5Nh59.Ne2Bh810.g4Ng711.Bg2dxe512.fxe5Nb613.Bh6Be614.0-0Qd715.Nf4Bd516.Nxd5Nxd517.Qe2Rad818.Rae1Nc719.c3Nce620.Nd2Qc721.Ne4a522.Rf2b523.Ref1Qb624.Kh1Jansa,V-Hoi,C/Gausdal/
1991/6.f4e57.Qf3!?
Black's main problem is to break up effectively the strong pawn cahin e4,f5,
so deserving attention isb5!?7...Qa58.Bd3Bg79.dxe5dxe510.f5b510...gxf5?!11.Qxf5!b512.Nge2b413.Nb1Nb614.Qf2Na415.0-0Be616.b3Nb217.Ng3Nxd318.cxd3Qb519.Nd2Rd820.Bg5Movsesian,
S-Ftacnik,L/Hamburg op/1997/11.Nge2≤11.g4?!b412.Nd1gxf5!13.gxf5b3+14.Nc3bxc215.Nge2Rb816.Bc1Rg817.Bxc2Bf818.b3Ba619.Bd2Bb420.a3Nh521.Qxh5Bxe222.Nxe2Bxd2+Kharlov,A-Labok,V/Podolsk/
1992/8.0-0-08.Bd3Bb78...b49.Nce2Qe710.dxe5dxe511.f5gxf512.Qxf512.exf5?!Bb713.g4Nd514.Bf2e415.Qg3e316.Be1Bg717.g5Be518.Qg4h519.Qg20-0-020.Nf3Nf421.Nxf4Bxf422.Be2c523.h4Ne524.Rxd8+Rxd825.Kb1Nxf30-1,Wagener,C-Andersen,J/Szeged/1994/12...Qe6!?∞<=>5.Qd2c66.f3More consistent and preferred by Jansa is6.Bh6!?as White can sometimes effectively play f4 later on.Bxh67.Qxh6Qa57...b58.e5!b49.exf6bxc310.bxc3exf611.Bd3Qe7+12.Ne2Qf813.Qd2Qe714.0-00-015.Rfe1f516.c4Nd717.Rab1Nb618.Qa5Be619.Nf4Qf620.c5dxc521.Nxe6fxe622.Qxc5±Jansa,V-Gazik,I/CSR-chT/1992/8.Bd3c5!?8...b59.Nf3b410.Ne2Ba611.0-0Nbd712.Ng3Bxd313.cxd3Rg814.Qd2Rb815.a3Qb516.axb4Qxb417.Qxb4Rxb418.Rfc1Nb819.Rxa7Rxb220.e5!עe8,Van der Wiel,J-Azmaiparashvili,Z/Wijk aan Zee/1993/
Rather passive is8...Nbd79.Nf3e510.0-0exd411.Nxd4Qh512.Qd20-013.Be2Qe514.f4Qe715.Bf3Nb616.Rae1Rd817.b3c518.Nde2Bd719.Ng3Bc620.a4± (),[+]Adams,M-Nogueiras,J/Buenos Aires/1991/9.Nge2≤9.Nf3Bg4!∞9...cxd410.Nxd4Nc6!?Unplayable is10...Qb6?11.0-0-0Nc612.Nxc6bxc613.e5!dxe514.Ne4Be615.Qg70-0-016.Nxf6exf617.Qxf6Rhe818.Rhe1Bg419.f3e420.Rxe4Rxe421.Ba6+Qxa622.Rxd8+Kb723.Qxf7+Kb624.fxe41-0,Jansa,V-Hoffmann,H/BL2-O 9697/
1997/11.Nb3Qb612.Nd512.0-0-0Be613.f30-0-014.Rhe1Kb815.Bf1Rc816.Qe3Qxe3+17.Rxe3g518.g3h519.f4h420.Bb5Ng421.Re2hxg322.hxg3Rh3Kroeze,F-Beim,V/Leeuwarden/1994/12...Nxd513.exd5Nb4!?13...Ne514.0-0Bd715.Be20-0-016.a4Kb817.a5Qc718.c4Bg419.Bxg4Nxg420.Qf4Ne521.Ra4g522.Qd4h523.Rc1h424.Qe3h325.g3e626.Nd4Qc527.Rc3Ng428.Qd2e529.Nb3Qc830.c5Hamdouchi,H-Chabanon,J/
FRA-chT/1998/6...b57.Nge2White has various possibilities here.
Not too promising is the old line7.0-0-0Qa58.Kb1Nbd79.Bh6Bxh610.Qxh6Nb611.Nh3Bxh3!12.Qxh3Na4!Ultra-sharp is7.g4h5!?7...Nbd78.g5Nfd79.f4Nb6∞7...Nbd78.Bh6Bxh69.Qxh6Bb7
Black should strive for immediate counterplay.9...e5!?10.a3
and forcing a central exchange costs Black precious time, e.g.Too soft is≤10.dxe5?!dxe511.Nc1Bb712.Nd3Qe713.g30-0-014.b4a515.a3Kc716.Be2axb417.axb4Ra8=Kristensen,B-Hansen,C/Vejle/1994/10...Qa511.dxe5dxe512.Nc1Bb713.b4!Qb614.Nb39...Qa510.Nc1b410...Qb611.Nb3a512.a4b413.Nd1Ba614.Ne3Bxf115.Rxf1Qa615...c5!?16.Nc4Qa617.Nbxa5cxd418.Qd216.Kf2Rc817.Kg1c518.dxc5Nxc519.Nd4Qb620.Nc4Qa621.b3Ncd722.Nb5Ne523.Ne3Qb624.Kh1Rc525.Rad1Rg826.Rd2g527.Nxd6+Qxd628.Rxd6Rg629.Rxf61-0,Moroz-Janda/
Decin/1998/11.Nb3Qh512.Qxh5Nxh513.Nd1a514.a3Bb715.axb4axb416.Rxa8+Bxa817.Nf20-018.Nd3c519.dxc5dxc520.Nbxc5Nxc521.Nxc5Rc822.Nd3Rxc223.Kd1b324.Be2Bb725.Re1f526.exf5gxf527.Nb4!
Rantanen,Y-Jamieson,R/Haifa olm/1976/10.a3!The right moment for
prophylaxis≤10.0-0-0?!Qa5Gary tries to achieve a better
version of10.Nc1e511.dxe5dxe512.Nb3a613.0-0-0Qc7!?14.Qg7Rf814...Rg8?15.Rxd7+-15.g30-0-016.Bh3Kb817.Bxd7Nxd718.Qxh7a519.Kb1a420.Nc1a321.b3b422.N3e2c523.Qh6f5!?Moroz,A-Yurasov,
A/Simferopol/1991/10...e510...a511.Nd1b412.Ng3!? As Black's K will have to castle <<, he doesn't want to weaken his
position here any further.11.0-0-0Qe7Black wants to get his K to safety
as soon as possible.But interesting was11...a6!?12.Kb112.f4Ng413.Qg7Qf6=nikam nevedie a po12...Qc7/\ (Covers a5.)13.dxe5dxe514.Qg7Ke7!?12.Kb1a613.Nc1!0-0-014.Nb3exd4!?Topalov
realizes the danger, connected with Na5 followed by a timely d5-> and decides
to open up the position and fight.14...c5?!15.d5±15.Rxd415.Nxd4c516.Nb3-15.Rd415...c516.Rd1Nb6
/\d516...Ne517.Be2d5?18.f4/\e5+/-17.g3'!' Ftacnik.Kb817...d5!?18.Bh3+18.Qf4d419.Bh3+Nfd7∞18...Kb819.exd519.Qf4+Ka7!/\20.Nxc5?Nh521.Qe3d4!19...Nbxd520.Nxd5Nxd520...Rxd521.Qf4+!?Qe522.Qxe5+Rxe523.Rd621.Na518.Na5?!Kasparov already envisages the rich combinational possibilities, but this
very natural move is probably objectively not the best.18.Bh3!?
/\Rhe1d519.exd5-17...d5!?Deserving attention is also18.Qf4Ka718...Ka819.Na519.g4!?/\Bb5 and Black can't play19.Bxb5Nh520.Qh4!?Qxh421.gxh4axb522.Nxb5+Kb823.Nxd6f524.Nxc5Bd5!?∞19...d5?20.Nxc5!±18...Ba819.Bh3d520.Qf4+Ka721.Rhe1d4Ftacnik:
'Black has achieved impressive success, but his position is a bit dangerous.
Kasparov unleashes phantastic combination.'Opening the position is suicide,
after21...dxe422.fxe4/\Nd5Nxe422...Rxd1+23.Rxd1Nxe424.Rd7+!+-23.Nxe4Rxd1+24.Rxd1Bxe425.Re1Re826.Rxe4!Qxe427.Qc7+Ka828.Nc6+-22.Nd5'!' Ftacnik.Nbxd522...Nfxd5?23.exd5Qd624.Qxf7++-23.exd5Qd624.Rxd4! '!!' Ftacnik.24.Qxd6?Rxd625.b4cxb426.axb4Nxd524.Nc6+Bxc625.dxc6Qxf426.Re7+26.gxf4Nd5!?26...Kb627.gxf4Nd528.Rxf7Rdf824...cxd4?Ftacnik: 'It
should be noted, that 24...Kb6! would most certainly save the game for black,
but we would be robbed of some fascinating lines. '24...Kb6!=24...Bxd5!?25.Rxd5!Nxd525...Qxf426.Rxd8Qh626...Qc727.Rxh8Qxa528.Re7++-27.Re7+Kb628.b4!+-26.Qxf7+Nc727.Re6Rd727...Qd1+28.Ka2Rd729.Re7±28.Rxd6Rxf729.Nc6+Ka830.f425.Re7+‼'!' Ftacnik. The real point of the combination.25.Qxd4+?Qb6!26.Re7+Nd727.Rxd7+27.Qc3Qg1+27...Rxd728.Qxh8Rxd5-+25...Kb625...Qxe7?26.Qxd4++-25...Kb826.Qxd4Nd727.Bxd7Bxd528.c4!+-26.Qxd4+Kxa526...Qc527.Qxf6+Qd628.Be6‼Bxd529.b4+-27.b4+Ka428.Qc3!?This shows Kasparov's combination was more intuitive, than
arithmetically exact. Ftacnik: 'It seems, that white could have won more
easily with the help of a fine move 28.Ra7!!'A simpler and even more
beautiful win was found by (I think) Kavalek:28.Ra7!/\Bb728...Nxd5Ftacnik29.Rxa6+‼Qxa630.Qb2Nc3+31.Qxc3Bd532.Kb2Qe633.Bxe6fxe634.Qb3+!Bxb335.cxb3#29.Rxb7Qxd529...Nxd530.Bd7‼Ra830...Rxd731.Qb2Nc3+32.Qxc3Qd1+33.Kb2Rd334.Ra7!+-31.Bxb5+axb532.Ra7+Qa633.Qxd5Qxa734.Qb3#30.Rb6!+-30.Rb6Ra830...a531.Ra6Ra832.Qe3‼Rxa632...Rhe833.Rxa8Rxa834.Kb2+-33.Kb2axb434.axb4Kxb435.Qc3+Ka436.Qa3#31.Qxf6a532.Bf1+-28...Qxd528...Bxd5?29.Kb229.Ra729.Kb2?Qd429...Bb730.Rxb730.Qc7?Qd1+=30...Qc4?!Ftacnik: 'Black is spoiling the defensive effort, it
was much tougher to win the game after the best 30...Rhe8!'A better chance
was30...Rhe8!31.Rb631.Ra7?Rd632.Kb2Qe5-+31...Ra832.Bf1‼+-/\Rd6≤32.Be6Rxe633.Rxe6Qc4!34.Qxc4bxc435.Rxf6Kxa336.Rxf7Re8=31.Qxf6Kxa3Now White wins by force.31...Rd1+32.Kb2Ra832...Qd4+33.Qxd4Rxd434.Rxf7Rd635.Re7/\Be633.Qb6Qd4+33...a534.Bd7!Rd535.Qe3axb436.Ra7++-34.Qxd4Rxd435.Rxf7a536.Be6axb437.Bb3+Ka538.axb4+Rxb438...Kb639.Rxh7and with 3
pawns for the exchange White gradually wins.39.c3±_|_R31...Ra8?32.Qb6a533.Ra7+-32.Qxa6+Kxb433.c3+!Kxc333...Kb334.Qa2+Kxc335.Qb2+Kd336.Re7!+-34.Qa1+Kd234...Kb435.Qb2+Ka535...Qb336.Rxb5+36.Qa3+Qa437.Ra7++-35.Qb2+Kd1Ftacnik: 'You are not
dreaming, black king went all the way from e8 to d1!'35...Ke3?36.Re7+35...Ke136.Re7+Kd137.Bf1!+-is the same as in the game.36.Bf1!Rd237.Rd7!Ftacnik: 'The final trick, but white is completely right,
the game is finally over.'Rxd738.Bxc4bxc439.Qxh8Rd339...Rb7+40.Ka2Kc241.Qd4+-40.Qa8c341.Qa4+Ke141...Kd242.Qc2+42.f4f543.Kc1Rd244.Qa71–0
All Gary's games from those years carry great nostalgic feelings! The precision is breathtaking.
You published a number of popular DVDs that also got very positive reviews. People were particularly impressed by the amount of work you put into these DVDs. In two of your DVDs you offer readers a “Gambit Guide”. What fascinates you about gambits and how did you get the idea for this DVD?
That’s very easy; I had trouble meeting them! As a young child you are always taught to play 1.e4 and open games but I had no such education and always played 1.d4. That means the open games for a long time did not come natural to me and gambit play especially was completely out of my comfort zone!
Top players, however, seem to believe that you can no longer play gambits on top level. And when Adhiban Baskaran tried the King’s Gambit against Wesley So in the Tata Steel Tournament this year it was a big surprise and considered to be rather bold. What do you think – are top grandmasters too timid and should they try a gambit once in a while?
Adhiban later told me it was a good thing he hadn't seen my DVD before his game with So as the refutation of the line he played is right there! (smiles).
To avoid them or to play them, you have to know them. In two Volumes we see gambits such as Frankenstein-Dracula Gambit, the Cochrane Gambit, the Belgrade Gambit, the King's Gambit, Marshall Gambit, the Scotch Gambit, the Jänisch Gambit and many more.
Some gambits are better then others but the truth is that on top level most players know how to effectively deal with them. My DVD therefore is aimed at ambitious amateurs and beyond, but not the worlds very best (smiles).
What are Giri’s thoughts on this – he does not strike me as someone who is particularly keen to dare a gambit?
Anish has a very classical approach to the game and I doubt we will see him essay the King's Gambit any time soon!
After the Gambit Guide you published a DVD about the Stonewall Dutch. What are the advantages of the Stonewall?
In times when opening theory develops very, very fast it's nice to be able to fall back on an opening that is more or less solely based on ideas. There is no need to memorize long variation, here understanding the position is more of the essence. I can imagine that speaks to the imagination of many players and it may be the reason for why the Stonewall-DVD has been selling as well as it does.
Would you consider the Stonewall as a positional gambit – after all, Black decides to seriously weaken the central square e5?
Haha, interesting thought! I never thought about it that way. Officially though, I think “Gambit” only applies to real sacrifices, rather then lost squares. I think the Stonewall deserves a reappraisal, see also Carlsen's recent games in which he had great results!
Why should you study openings – to get an advantage in the opening or just to get a playable middlegame position – or for other reasons?
Each his own, I think! Some people love to spend hours delving into opening variations, trying to immediately take their opponent out in a sharp Najdorf while others would prefer to study an opening that gives them a playable game. At the very top, obviously the approach is very different. All the players are very well prepared there and the main emphasize is on trying to surprise your opponent and get a playable position in the process.
How important is it for amateurs to study openings?
Honestly, not much! Amateurs tend to spend most time in this area because results are immediately visible. It's all short-term though, and long-term one would do better to spend the time on analyzing one's games, endgames, solving etc.
But why study chess at all – would it not be easier and more fun to just play and simply enjoy the game?
We are walking a very philosophical path now! Personally, I like to broaden my horizons and deepen my understanding of the game. I can't imagine simply playing the game and not drawing any conclusions from it.
Erwin l'Ami after winning the strong Reykjavik Open 2015 with 8.5/10
You are a strong grandmaster and a strong blitz-player. In 2015 you won the Rabat Blitz Marathon and in 2016 you became Dutch Online Blitz Champion. Do you use blitz to try gambits or new opening ideas?
Since I am doing a lot of work for Anish these days, I tend to have less time to play myself. (Online) blitz is a way to keep 'in touch' with the board and that's my main goal behind it. Rabat blitz was a very fun event and I sure hope the tournament will resurrect in the near future!
Can blitz help to improve one’s game or is it just fun and entertainment?
If you take it serious, I think it can be a helpful tool to test new openings or play strong opponents. As a young player it was a great experience that I could just go online and play with grandmasters.
Last question: what is your favorite game, what is your favorite gambit gameand what is your favorite Stonewall game?
Favorite game
I think Kasparov-Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999 for the mere fact I was right there and it gave such a lasting impression.
I think Anand-Carlsen, from Grenke 2015 was quite monumental for the line!
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1.d4f52.g3Nf63.Bg2e64.c4c65.Nf3d5The Stonewall system must
have come as a surprise for Vishy. Magnus prefers to deviate from the main
theoretical lines as soon as possible.6.0-0Bd67.b3Qe7Avoiding the
exchange of the dark-squared bishops.8.Ne50-09.Nd2White goes for a
classical plan of occupying the central square with both of his knights.a5
A typical useful move for such a structure - Black is getting some space for
his q-side pieces and preventing White from advancing the b-pawn.9...c510.e3Nc611.Bb2cxd412.exd49...Nbd710.Ndf3Ne411.Bf49...b610.cxd5exd510...cxd511.Ndc4!11.Bb2Bb712.Rc110.Bb2
This natural developing move seems most promising.Black doesn't experience
any problems after10.Ndf3b611.Qc2Bb712.Bf4Ne413.Nd3Bxf414.Nxf4Nd7=10...Nbd710...b611.cxd5exd512.Rc1Bb713.e311.Qc2a412.Ndf3Vishy decides not to react to the aggressive advance of Black's
a-pawn.The previously played12.bxa4!?also comes to consideration:Ne413.Nxe413.Ndf3Bxe514.dxe5?!Nb615.cxd5exd516.Rab1Nc4
0-1 (29) Goganov,A (2550)-Sandipan,C (2590)/Moscow RUS 201313...fxe414.f4exf315.Nxf312...Ne413.e3NThis innovation doesn't really
change the evaluation - White is slightly better due to a space advantage, but
Black's position is very solid.Also worth considering is13.Rab1!?
freeing the a1-square for the bishop is more promising. For instance,a313...Bxe514.dxe5Qb415.Rfd11-0 (24) Cifuentes Parada,R (2508)
-Salamero Pelay,F (2130)/Spain 2011/EXT 201314.Ba1Nxe515.Nxe5Bd716.f3Nf617.Nd3with a long strategic battle, where White's chances are
preferable due to a space advantage.13...a314.Bc3After14.Bc1g514...c5!?15.cxd5exd516.Nxd7Bxd717.dxc5Bxc518.Qd3Rad8=
is another solid way to equalise15.Nxd7Bxd716.c5Bc717.b4Be8
White lacks harmony, so Black has no reasons for complaint.14...Nxe515.Nxe5Bd7The following simplification hardly promises Black equality:15...Bxe516.dxe5Nxc317.Qxc3Bd718.c5Be819.Rad1Bh520.f316.Nxd7
The exchange of the passive bishop definitely makes Black's play easier.
It looks like16.Be1!Be817.f3Nf618.Nd3e519.c519.dxe5Bxe520.Nxe5Qxe521.Qc1Qe7=19...Bc720.Nxe5Bxe521.dxe5Qxe522.Qc3Qe723.Qd4would allow White to keep a small, but risk-free edge.16...Qxd717.c5This ambitious advance is double-edged: White seizes a lot of
space on the queenside, but releasing the pressure in the centre offer Black
decent counterplay on the opposite side.17.Be1b518.f3Nf619.c5Bc720.Bc3h5=17...Bc7Magnus deviates from a boring equalising line:17...Nxc318.Qxc3Be719.b4b520.Rab1Ra421.Rb3Rfa8=18.b4h5Black
has no real threats yet, but White's king is under pressure now.19.Be1e520.dxe520.f3!?also deserved some attention:Nf621.Rb1exd422.exd4h423.b5hxg324.hxg3Nh525.bxc6bxc626.f4Nf627.Rf3=20...Bxe521.Rd1Qe6Keeping an eye on the vulnerable Pa2. The position is still equal,
but White has to play precisely.22.f3After22.Rd3h422...Bb223.f3Nf624.Bc3=23.gxh4!f424.f3Nf6White's position doesn't look good,
though25.Bf2Qf526.e4dxe427.fxe4Qg628.Kh1enables him to keep the
balance.22...Nf623.Bh3!White correctly opens up the position - the
bishops need more space! However, the king is getting exposed now.23.Qb3
was too passive:Rfe824.Bf2Bb223...g624.e4dxe425.fxe4Bb2!
This brave attempt to play for a win was fully justified.After25...Ng426.exf5Rxf527.Rxf5gxf528.Bf2Bb229.Re1=Black wouldn't be able to
win the Pa2, so White should be OK.26.exf5Qxa227.Bf2Anand's move is
natural - White is connecting the rooks, so the pieces are located more
harmoniously. However, this loss of tempi allows Magnus to stabilise the
situation on the kingside.27.Rf2! was safer:Rad828.Rxd8Rxd829.Bc3and White neutralises the dangerous passer:Nd530.f6Kf731.Bxb2axb232.Qxb2Qxb233.Rxb2with a drawish endgame.27...g5!28.Rfe1?White doesn't have time for a slow improvement - the Pa2 is simply
too strong!The correct approach would be28.Bg2Qf729.Bd4!Bxd4+30.Rxd4Now, when the dark-squared bishop is gone, White is able to stop the
pawn:Ng431.Qd2a232.Qxg5+Qg733.Qxg7+Kxg734.Ra1Ra435.Rd2Rfa836.b5Rb436...Ne537.bxc6bxc638.f6+!Kxf639.Rf2+Ke640.Re2and
Black cannot make any progress.37.Rdxa2Rxa238.Rxa2Rb1+39.Bf1cxb539...Ne340.Rf2cxb541.Rf3=40.Re2Kf641.h3Ne542.Kf2White
should be able to achieve a draw quite easily.28...Qf7!29.Re6!
Vishy manages to find the best way to develop his counterplay.29.Rd6
was much worse:Rfe830.Rde6Ng431.Bxg4hxg432.Qb3Rxe633.fxe6Qf334.Qc4Qd535.Qc2Kg736.e7Re837.Re3Bd438.Rxa3Rxe7-+29...Ng4?
This natural move is not the best from an objective point of view, though
White's task is becoming extremely tough.After the correct29...Rfe8!30.b5cxb531.Bg2b432.Bf1Kh833.Bc4Rxe634.fxe6Qe7White still
would have some counter-chances, but Black's advantage is indisputable there.30.Bxg4hxg431.Rg6+Kh732.Rd7??That desperate move leads to a quick
loss.At the same time, Vishy could have escaped by means of32.Re6!Rfe832...Qxf533.Rd7+Kg834.Rg6+Kh835.Rh6+=33.Be3!It turns out, that White has enormous attacking resources everywhere:Be5!33...Rxe634.fxe6+Qg635.Rd7+Kh635...Bg736.Qa2leads nowhere36.Bxg5+!Kxg537.h4+gxh338.Qd2+Kh539.Qe2+Qg440.Rh7+Kg541.Qe3+Kf542.Rf7+Bf643.Qf2+Ke444.Rxf6h2+45.Kxh2Rh8+46.Kg1Qd1+47.Qf1Qxf1+48.Rxf1Kd549.Ra1=34.h4‼gxh335.Rg6Bg736.Rd7‼Qxd737.f6Qd1+38.Qxd1Kxg639.Qd3+Kxf640.Bd4+Kf741.Qf5+Kg842.Bxg7Kxg743.Qxg5+with perpetual.32...Qxd7-+Unfortunately,
there are not many pieces left. Black easily wins now.33.f6Qd1+33...Rxf6was also good enough:34.Rxf6+Kg835.Rg6+Bg736.Qa2+Qf7-+34.Qxd1Kxg635.Qd3+Kh636.h4gxh30–1
Johannes FischerJohannes Fischer was born in 1963 in Hamburg and studied English and German literature in Frankfurt. He now lives as a writer and translator in Nürnberg. He is a FIDE-Master and regularly writes for KARL, a German chess magazine focusing on the links between culture and chess. On his own blog he regularly publishes notes on "Film, Literature and Chess".
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