(1) Van Wely,L (2677) - Giri,A (2672) [A11]
4th NH Chess Tournament Amsterdam NED (4), 15.08.2010



1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.b3 Nbd7 6.Bb2








White's move order is an attempt to delay the obvious d4, leaving it as an option, while gaining time with other aspects of his development.

6...e5! The most oft played move here is actually 6...Bd6 but Giri has decided that if White is going to leave the e5 square up for grabs, then he might as well grab it.

7.Qc2 a6 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.g4 Now White gets nothing if he plays slowly, so Giri was not surprised when Van Wely opted for this aggressive move.

9...h6 10.Rg1 e4 11.Nxd5 Before playing 10...e4, Anish had briefly analyzed this sacriice and concluded it was 'rubbish' (ever known the young to mince words?), but nor was he shocked to see Van Wely play it anyhow. It was a practical decision, and things were not easy for Black as it were. [11.Nd4 Ne5 would hardly be an improvement.]

11...Nxd5 12.Qxe4+ Ne7 13.Rc1 Nf6 14.Bxf6 gxf6 Though Black is objectively ahead, considerably so, he has his work cut out for him.

15.Bc4 Bg7 16.h4 Qd6 17.Nd4 Kf8 18.f4 h5 19.Nf5 Bxf5 20.gxf5 Rd8 21.Ke2










21...b5! [Taking with 21...Qxd2+ would be far worse, as it would allow White a ton of play. 22.Kf3 Re8 23.Rgd1 Qb4 24.Rd7! and suddenly Black is so tied down, it is he who is in danger of losing.]

22.Bd3 Nd5 23.Kf3 [If 23.Bb1 Re8! 24.Qc2 Bh6 25.Qc5 (25.Kf3 Bxf4 26.Qc5 (26.exf4 Qxf4+ 27.Kg2 Re2+ ) 26...Bh2 27.Qxd6+ Bxd6-/+ ) 25...Bxf4 26.Kf3 Bh2 27.Qxd6+ Bxd6-/+ ]

23...Nxf4! 24.Qxf4 Qxd3 25.Rg2 Re8 26.Rcg1 Rh7 27.Qb4+ Kg8 28.Qc5 Kh8 29.b4 Bh6 30.Rc1 Rg7 31.Rxg7 Kxg7 32.Rg1+ Kh7 33.Qa7 Qxf5+ 34.Ke2 Qe6 0-1