(1) Korobov,Anton (2657) - Smith,Axel (2416) [A00]
CZECH OPEN 2010 Pardubice (CZE) (6.1), 28.07.2010
1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
g6
3.Nc3
d5
4.cxd5
Nxd5
5.e4
Nxc3
6.bxc3
Bg7
7.Bc4
c5
8.Ne2
Nc6
9.Be3
0-0
10.0-0
Na5
11.Bd3
b6
12.Qd2
e5
13.Bh6
cxd4
14.cxd4
exd4
15.Bxg7
Kxg7
16.f4
f6
17.f5
Qd6
If the position looks familiar, it is because it is almost identical to the opening in the first game of the World Championship, in which Anand infamously forgot his preparation. Almost identical, but not quite, as in the aforementioned game, White had inserted Rac1 a couple of moves earlier.
18.Nf4
gxf5?
This goes against the classic adage to not open lines when your opponent is better developed. Especially around the king. [Though 18...g5
did not look fun for Anand, it still seems the safest route even here with the slight difference. 19.Nh5+
Kh8
etc.]
19.exf5
Nc6?!
[Black should really be trying to develop extra quick now with 19...Bd7
and has seriously underestimated the danger.]
20.Rae1
Ne5
21.Rxe5!!
The Ukrainian demonstrates the form and energy that brought him the title a full point ahead of the field.
21...Qxe5
[If Black had taken with 21...fxe5
22.f6+!
Kf7
(22...Rxf6
23.Nh5+
Kf7
24.Rxf6+
) 23.Bc4+
Ke8
24.f7+
Kd8
25.Nd5!
Be6
26.Qh6
Pinning the bishop. 26...d3
27.Ne3
And the bishop falls, since 27...Kd7
28.Rf6
d2
29.Bxe6+
Kc7
30.Bg4
Qc5
31.Bf3
Qc1+
32.Nd1
Qc5+
33.Kh1
Kd7
34.Rc6+-
]
22.Re1
Qc7
23.Qf2
Qf7
24.Qg3+
Kh6
[24...Kh8
was no better since White would continue with 25.Ng6+!!
Kg8
(25...hxg6
26.fxg6
Qd7
(26...Qg7
27.Qh4+
Kg8
28.Bc4+
) 27.Qh4+
Kg8
28.Bc4+
Kg7
29.Qh7#
) 26.Nxf8+
Kxf8
27.Qd6+
Kg8
28.Bc4
Qxc4
29.Re8+
Kg7
30.Qf8#
]
25.Re6!
Qc7
26.Qh4+
Kg7
27.Nh5+
Kh8
28.Qxf6+!!
Rxf6
29.Re8+
Rf8
30.Rxf8#
Some players are quite touchy about getting mated, but it is obvious that Black was so impressed by his opponent's flawless gem that he saw no point in denying it to him. And who can blame him? 1-0