(1) Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar (2756) - Ivanchuk,Vassily (2754) [A79]
39th Olympiad Men Khanty-Mansiysk RUS (9.1), 30.09.2010
1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
e6
3.Nf3
c5
4.d5
d6
5.Nc3
exd5
6.cxd5
g6
7.Nd2
Bg7
8.e4
0-0
9.Be2
Na6
10.0-0
Re8
11.f3
Nc7
Ivanchuk`s ability to not only play any opening, but any type of position due to his sheer versatility makes it almost impossible to really prepare against him. Vassily's choice of the Benoni shows that he is willing to take chances in this game and it is quite fitting that the first game with this line as black was played by Tal.
12.a4
Nd7
13.Kh1
b6
14.Ra3
Qe7
15.a5
Previously 15.Nb5 had been played in Kramnik-Topalov (2001) and 15.Nc4 in Eljanov-Oleksienko (2004).
15...Bb7
16.Nb5
Nf6?!
[Better was 16...Nxb5
17.Bxb5
Red8
18.Re1
]
17.Nxc7
Qxc7
18.Bb5
Reb8
19.Nc4
There is no question it is far easier to find good squares for white pieces than for black, which says a lot about the position.
19...bxa5
20.Bf4
Bf8
21.e5!
Classic and perfectly timed.
21...Nxd5
22.exd6
Qd8
23.Bg3
Nb4
24.d7
Bd5
25.Bxb8
Rxb8
26.Ne3
Be6
27.Ba4
Bg7
28.f4!!
Brilliant. With the d7 pawn splitting the black forces, white goes for the jugular.
28...Bxb2
Although this seems to ignore white's obvious threats, it doesn't seem as black had any good moves left to protect himself. [If black were to try and cover the d-file with 28...Bd4
white would still follow up with 29.f5!
Bxd7
30.Bxd7
Qxd7
(30...Bxe3
31.Rxe3
) 31.Ng4!
threatenng Nf6+. If 31...Nd5
32.fxg6
fxg6
33.Rd3
Rb7
34.Nh6+
(Also possible is 34.Rxd4
cxd4
35.Qxd4
h5
36.Qxd5+
Qxd5
37.Nf6+
Kg7
38.Nxd5+-
) 34...Kg7
35.Rf7+
Qxf7
36.Nxf7
Rxf7+-
]
29.f5
Bxd7
30.fxg6
hxg6
31.Qb3
31...Bxa3?
An error though finding the computer's defense is far from obvious. [31...Nd5!
was best. While 32.Qxd5
Be6
33.Qxd8+
Rxd8
34.Rb3
Bxb3
35.Bxb3
Rd7
is hardly inspiring, it was still black's best chance.]
32.Qxf7+
The rest is a mop up.
32...Kh8
33.Bxd7
Qg8
34.Qf6+
Qg7
35.Qh4+
Qh7
36.Qf4
Ra8
37.Qf3
Rb8
38.Qf4
Ra8
39.Be6
Bb2
40.Nc4
Bd4
41.Nd6
a4
42.Nf7+
Kg7
43.Ng5
Qh5
44.g4!
The quickest path to mate.
44...Qh4
45.Qc7+
Kh8
46.Nf7+
Kh7
47.Ne5+
Kh6
48.g5+
1-0