(1) Ivanchuk,Vassily (2779) - Aronian,Levon (2750) [D45]
1.d4
d5
2.c4
c6
3.Nf3
Nf6
4.Nc3
e6
The Semi Slav, one of the sharpest opening, which was developed a lot thanks to Anand.
5.e3
Nbd7
Meran...
6.Qc2
Anti-Meran...
6...Bd6
and now... the Anti-Anti Meran, do you think? No!
7.b3
White chooses a calm and positional approach. Instead 7.g4! is sharp and was tried by Magnus in this tournament successfully against Anand and unsuccessfully against Aronian.
7...0-0
8.Be2
b6
9.0-0
Bb7
10.Bb2
Rc8
11.Rac1
Normally, as I know, Black puts his queen on e7, before striking in the centre. But this move order was already played by Anand against Ivanchuk.
11...c5
12.dxc5
Novelty.
12...bxc5
13.Rfd1
Qe7
14.g3
Strong move! Ivanchuk prepares cxd exd Nh4!
14...Rfd8
15.cxd5
exd5
A structure with hanging pawns has arisen. Hanging pawns might be weak, but they can be strong as well.. Depends on how well the player handles them.
16.Nh4
As I told you! The knight is provoking some weaknesses.
16...Bb8
17.Bf1
Transporting the bishop to g2 or h3.
17...Ne5
An inaccuracy, I think. Qe6, putting the queen on a typical square for this structure and preventing Bh3, kept position equal.
18.Bh3
Rc7
19.Bg2
19...d4
Too early. Aronian just gives up a pawn. But to be honest his position was a bit unpleasant already. Though I think, after the best Rcc8! Black can hold the position.
20.Nf5
Qe8
21.exd4
cxd4
22.Nxd4
Bxg2
23.Kxg2
g6
24.Ne4!
Nice trick, which Black could have avoided by not playing g6. But it was very bad for Black anyway. The rest is easy for Ivanchuk.
24...Qe7
25.Nxf6+
Qxf6
26.Qe2
Rxc1
27.Rxc1
Qd6
28.Qe4
[28.f4!
would win immediately. 28...Nd7
29.Nc6
winning.]
28...Qb4
29.Rc2
f5
30.Qe2
Qb7+
31.Nc6!
31...Re8
32.Kg1
Nf3+
33.Qxf3
Re1+
34.Kg2
Qb5
35.Rc4
1-0
