1.e4
c6
2.d4
d5
3.f3!?
A bold decision by Hou, who is seeking the title of "youngest world champion ever". You know who holds the title, right? Here is a hint, her name is not Gary. Let us not to forget that this line became fashionable with the help of Mr. "unpredictable genius" Ivanchuk!
3...dxe4
[the more fighting is 3...Qb6
4.a3N
(4.a4
e6
5.c3
c5
6.exd5
exd5
7.Bb5+
Bd7
8.Qe2+
Be7
9.dxc5
Qxc5
0-1 Nepomniachtchi,I (2695)-Ivanchuk,V (2741)/Havana 2010/CB24_2010 (54) with reasonable position for black) 4...e5
5.exd5
Nf6
6.dxe5
Bc5
7.exf6
Bf2+
8.Ke2
0-0
9.Qd2
Re8+
10.Kd1
Re1+
11.Qxe1
Bxe1
12.Kxe1
Bf5
13.Be2
Nd7
14.dxc6
bxc6
15.Bd1
Re8+
16.Ne2
Nxf6
17.Nbc3
Bc8
18.a4
a5
19.Rf1
Ba6
20.Rf2
h5
21.Ra3
h4
22.g3
h3
23.g4
Rd8
24.Nf4
Nd7
25.Rb3
Qd4
26.Nfe2
Re8
27.Ne4
Qxa4
28.Bd2
Qa1
29.Bc3
Ne5
30.Ra3
Qb1
31.Nd2
Qc1
32.Rxa5
Ng6
33.Rxa6
Nf4
34.Ra8
Diagram 1-0 Ivanchuk,V (2754)-Jobava,B (2710)/Khanty Mansiysk 2010/CB39_2010]
4.fxe4
e5
5.Nf3
Bg4
6.Bc4
Nd7
7.c3
According to two surveys in CBMs 133 and 134 this move should enable white to get a promising position, however I personally do not believe that this assessment is fully correct.
7...b5
This is considered the main line. The prophylactic Bh5, which is played by Konstantin Landa, would be the next choice in this line.
8.Bd3
Ngf6
9.0-0
Bd6
10.Bg5
0-0
11.Nbd2
h6
12.Bh4
Qc7
White has a fine edge due to black's weakened queenside.
13.Qc2
Nh5
14.h3
Be6
15.Rae1
Nf4
16.Bg3
Nxd3
17.Qxd3
Rad8
18.Bf2
a6
19.Nh4?!
Understandable but premature. The Chinese prodigy had to accede to the solid b3 or Qc2.
19...Nb6
[19...exd4!?
20.cxd4
Rfe8
and black's bishop pair has a wider scope and white has to accept the retreat of knight to f3]
20.b3
Rfe8
21.Qf3
b4
22.Rc1
bxc3
23.Qxc3
exd4
24.Bxd4
c5?
A serious mistake which could cost the underdog the whole point. [24...f6
25.Nf5
(25.Qxc6?
Bh2+
26.Kh1
Qxc6
27.Rxc6
Rxd4
28.Kxh2
Rxd2
29.Rxb6
Rxa2
with a better ending for Black.) 25...Bxf5
26.Rxf5
Re6
is an unbalanced position with equal chances for both sides]
25.Bxg7
Bf4
26.Nhf3
Rxd2
27.Nxd2
Bxd2
28.Qxd2
Kxg7
29.Qc3+
Kh7
30.Qxc5
Qxc5+
31.Rxc5
White's advantage is clear now.
31...Ra8
32.Ra5?!
This is the first of a number of inaccuracies by Hou Yifan which let the win slip out of her hands. [32.Rc6!
Nc8
(32...Nd7
33.Rxe6
fxe6
34.Rf7+
and White wins.) 33.Rd1
Ne7
34.Rc7
Ng6
35.Rd6
There is no forced line but it is clear that White dominates and sooner or later the a6 pawn falls.]
32...Nc8
33.Rc1
Nd6
34.e5?!
It is obvious that Hou does not want to give counterplay to her opponent, nevertheless she should have played Ra4 in order to keep Black's minor pieces restricted.
34...Nf5
35.Kf2
h5
36.Rc2
Nd4
37.Rd2
Nc6
38.Rc5
Ne7
39.b4
Kg6
40.a3
Kf5
41.Ke3?!
White's advantage evaporates with this, however I do not see a clear way to improve.
41...Rg8
42.Ra5
Rg3+
43.Kf2
Rb3
44.Rxa6
Nd5
White may have three pawns but in compensation Black has four strong active pieces! Do not forget to include the king!
45.Ra5
Ne3
46.Rc5
Nc4
47.Rc2
Nxa3
48.R2c3
Rb2+
49.Kg3
Nb1
50.Rf3+
Kg5
51.h4+
Kg6
52.Rc7
Kg7
53.Rf6
Kg8
54.Rf4
Rb3+
55.Kh2
Rb2
56.Rc5
Na3
57.Rc3
Nb5
58.Rg3+
Kf8
59.Rg5
Nc7
60.Rxh5
Nd5
61.Re4
Kg7
62.Rg5+
Kh7
63.Rc4
Rb3
64.Rg3
Rb2
65.Rg5
Rb3
66.Rd4
Nxb4
67.Rg3
Rb2
68.Rc3
Nd5
69.Rcd3
Ne7
70.Rd2
Rb5
71.Re2
Ng6
72.Rde4
Bf5
73.e6
Bxe6
and the draw is sealed after a breath-taking fight between the two ladies! 1/2-1/2