Starting with today, my comments will become less comprehensive. I have a good reason for that: quite soon, I will participate in the Spanish team championship, where the expected rating average of my opponents corresponds ->to the 18th cathegory. One does not play against Svidler and Ivanchuk every day, and I feel I should be doing some preparation for this special occasion. However, I will analyze the most interesting games from the remaining rounds in Elista in greater detail for the next issue of ChessBase Magazine.
1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
e6
3.Nc3
Against Judit, Bareev displayed excellent preparation in the Quen's Indian. For some reason, he applies another treatment to Judit's countryman.
3...Bb4
4.Qc2
0-0
5.a3
Bxc3+
6.Qxc3
b6
7.Bg5
Bb7
8.e3
[Leko's play against Gurevich in the lines starting with 8.f3
was quite convincing. Besides, Bareev is a specalist of the system introduced by the text move.]
8...d6
9.Ne2
Nbd7
10.Qd3
Ba6
11.Qc2
Qc8
12.b4
c5
13.dxc5
bxc5
14.b5
Bb7
The mutual losses of time tend to compensate each other. However, the fact that White has been forced to block the queenside can be regarded as an achievement for Black, whose advantage in the centre will persist untill deep in the endgame.
15.a4
d5
16.a5
Rb8
17.Ng3
Qc7
18.Be2
Qe5
19.Bxf6
Nxf6
20.0-0
h5
21.h4
Rfd8
22.Rad1
g6
23.Bf3
d4
24.Bxb7
Rxb7
25.Rfe1
Qc7
26.exd4
cxd4
27.Qd3
Ng4
28.Nf1
Ne5
29.Qe2
Ng4
30.a6
White avoids the repetition of moves mainly because of the unfavourable match situation.
30...Rbb8
31.Qd3
Rbc8
32.Re4
e5
33.f3
Nf6
34.Ree1
Nd7
35.Nd2
Nc5
36.Qa3
Re8
White's position is difficult. His queenside pawns are blocked, while the enemy centre is quite threatening. Bareev recurs to desperate means.
37.Nb3
Nxb3
38.Qxb3
Qxc4
39.Qxc4
Rxc4
40.Rc1
The permanent possibility of creating a far advanced passed pawn offers White reasonable saving chances.
40...Rc3
41.Kf2
Rec8
42.Ra1
Rc2+
43.Kg3
R2c5
44.Reb1
Kg7
45.b6
axb6
46.Rxb6
R5c7
47.Rd6
Rc1
48.Ra5
R8c5
49.Ra4
R1c4
50.Ra1
Rc1
51.Ra4
R1c4
52.Ra1
Rc1
With the intention of eternally pursuing the white rook or, in case of exchange, place his own rook behind the passed pawn. 1/2-1/2