[Event "6th Tal Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow/Russia"]
[Date "2011.11.19"]
[Round "4.5"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2730"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Ramirez,Alejandro"]
[PlyCount "170"]
[EventDate "2011.??.??"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:00] The American
super star is going out for blood in this game! He has not been able to create
serious winning chances in this tournament, and his game against Svidler was
very one-sided in favor of the Russian, so he brings out all of his fighting
spirit on Ian!} 6. Be2 {[%emt 0:05:30] Perhaps a slight disappointment for the
spectators.  The game steers away from the razor-sharp lines of the Yugoslav
attack, but this doesn't mean the game will be any less interesting.} Bg7 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} 7. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:30]} 8. Re1 {[%emt 0:
01:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 9. Nb3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:00]} 10.
Bf1 {[%emt 0:00:30]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 11. Nd2 $6 {[%emt 0:08:30] A strange
novelty.  The more common move is} (11. a4 Bxb3 12. cxb3 Nb4 {With the idea of
e6 next move, which is considered to be fine for Black.}) 11... a4 {[%emt 0:08:
30]} (11... d5 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 {looked like a slight edge for
Black already, however the move played in the game is just as ambitious.}) 12.
Ndb1 {[%emt 0:01:30] Although original, this anti-development maneouvre of the
knight cannot be recommended.  It is not heading for any particularly useful
square.} Ra5 {[%emt 0:15:30]} 13. Na3 {[%emt 0:02:30]} d5 {[%emt 0:01:30]} 14.
exd5 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:06:30]} 15. Ncb5 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Qc8 {
[%emt 0:23:30]} 16. c3 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:03:30] There should be
almost no doubt that Hikaru has achieved an excellent position from the
opening.} 17. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Nc7 {[%emt 0:02:30]} 18. Rd1 {[%emt 0:06:30]
} Nxb5 {[%emt 0:06:30]} 19. Nxb5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 20. Na3
{[%emt 0:07:30] Retreating again to the side of the board...} (20. Nd4 Bc4 21.
Qe1 Bxf1 22. Qxf1 Rad5 {followed by a3 gave Black a dominating position.})
20... Rad5 {[%emt 0:09:30]} 21. Rxd5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Rxd5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 22.
Be3 {[%emt 0:02:30]} Ng4 {[%emt 0:03:30]} 23. h3 {[%emt 0:04:30]} Nxe3 {[%emt
0:00:30]} 24. Qxe3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qc6 {[%emt 0:02:30] Nakamura has now
established a stable advantage.  He holds the open d-file, the pair of bishops
and is overall more active.  Although he is still far from winning, he has
punished Ian for his dubious play.} 25. Nc2 {[%emt 0:05:00]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:06:
41]} 26. a3 {[%emt 0:02:30]} Be5 {[%emt 0:02:49]} 27. Nb4 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Rd8
{[%emt 0:00:06]} 28. Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 29. Re1 {[%emt
0:01:30]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:01:41]} 30. g3 {[%emt 0:05:30]} Bxd3 $5 {[%emt 0:07:54]
Nakamura tries to dismantle Ian's position in an opposite colored game where
he will hold the initiative.  It was also possible to tend to the position in
a more calm and subtle matter, as he is holding all the trump cards.} (30... h5
31. h4 Kg7 {with the idea of f6 and e5 comes to mind.}) 31. Bxd3 {[%emt 0:03:
30]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 32. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Rd6 {[%emt 0:00:19] The
point, now the f2 AND b2 pawns will be under fire.} 33. Re4 {[%emt 0:01:30]}
Rb6 {[%emt 0:04:08]} 34. Bc4 $6 {[%emt 0:01:30]} (34. Re2 Rf6 35. Qg2 {looks
unpleasant but I don't see how Black makes progress.}) 34... e6 {[%emt 0:00:05]
} 35. Re2 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Bxa3 36. Bxe6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Bxb2 $6 {[%emt 0:01:
18]} (36... Rxb2 {Although it is usually not advisable to trade pieces when
the opposite colored bishops are on the board and you are trying to play for a
win; I believe this was a better move.  Although Hikaru has won some queenside
pawns, the initiative on the kingside is lost, which means he has to be
careful of his own king.  The combined power of the passed a-pawn and the
pressure he can exert over f2 might still allow him to win this game.}) 37.
Bxf7+ $5 {[%emt 0:01:30]} (37. Ba2 Bxc3 $2 (37... Ba3 38. Re4 $17) 38. Bxf7+
Qxf7 39. Qxc3 {leaves the king way too vulnerable to consider winning.}) 37...
Qxf7 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 38. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Re6 $2 {[%emt 0:03:45] And
Nakamura falters.  It is hard to blame him with little time left.  It was
absolutely essential to take control of d8.} (38... Qc7 $1 39. Re8+ Kg7 $1 40.
Qd4+ Rf6 41. Rd8 Qxc3 42. Rd7+ Kg8 43. Rd8+ Rf8 44. Rxf8+ Kxf8 45. Qd8+ Kf7 46.
Qd7+ Kf6 47. Qd6+ Kf5 {An Black isn't only not getting mated, the checks run
out soon and his extra material should tell.}) 39. Qd8+ {[%emt 0:00:30]} Kg7 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} 40. Qd4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Qd8+ {[%emt
0:01:00]} Qf8 {[%emt 0:39:40]} 42. Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Qd6 {[%emt 0:00:04]
Trying to win.  The rook is quite poisoned.} 43. Qxd6 {[%emt 0:01:30]} (43.
Qxe6+ Qxe6 44. Rxe6 Kf8 $1 $17 {And since the R can't make it to the a-file,
this becomes incredibly dangerous for White.}) 43... Rxd6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 44.
Rxb2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a3 {[%emt 0:00:55]} 45. Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra6 {[%emt
0:00:04] Like in the rest of the game, Black is the one holding all the trump
cards, however it is still far from winining.  His a3 pawn is quite vulnerable
and the pawn count will be dangerously reduced.} 46. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Kf7 {
[%emt 0:01:09]} 47. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 48. Kd3 {[%emt 0:
00:30]} Kd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 49. f4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} h5 {[%emt 0:03:27]} (49...
Ra4 50. c4+ Kc5 51. g4 {lead nowhere for Black.}) 50. g4 {[%emt 0:19:30]} h4 $1
{[%emt 0:00:05] I like this move, as it makes h3 into another weakness,
specially considering what White's only resouce in this position is.} 51. c4+ {
[%emt 0:08:30]} Kc5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 52. Kc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Re6 {[%emt 0:01:
56]} 53. Rf2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Re3+ {[%emt 0:00:43]} 54. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:30]}
Kxc4 {[%emt 0:05:07]} (54... Kc6 $5 {Was an intersting study-like move.  The
idea is to try to catch the f-pawn with the K, while allowing the R to defend
and capture pawns.  However it mights till not be enough.} 55. f5 gxf5 56. gxf5
Kd7 57. Kb1 Rxh3 58. Ka2 Ke7 59. Rf4 $1 (59. f6+ $2 Kf7 60. Rf4 b6 {Zugzwang.})
59... b6 60. Rd4 Kf6 61. Rf4 {And the game is still not won.}) (54... Kd6 55.
Rd2+ {is awkward for Black.}) 55. f5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} g5 {[%emt 0:03:39]
Controlling the important f4 square.} 56. f6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:
01]} (56... Rb3 57. Rf4+ $2 {Overly cute.} (57. Rf1 $11) 57... gxf4 58. f7 Rc3+
$19) 57. f7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 58. Kb1 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Kd5
{[%emt 0:01:18]} 59. Rf5+ {[%emt 0:00:30]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 60. Rxg5 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Rxf7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 61. Rh5 {[%emt 0:01:00]} b5 {[%emt 0:04:
42]} 62. Rxb5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Rf3 {[%emt 0:01:03]} 63. Rb6+ {[%emt 0:03:30]}
Ke5 {[%emt 0:01:16]} 64. Rb5+ {[%emt 0:01:30]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:02:30]} 65. Rb6+ {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Kd5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 66. g5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rxh3 {[%emt 0:01:
12]} 67. Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:01:06] This endgame with the split
pawns is unfortunately for Hikaru drawn.  It is reminiscent of the
Botvinnik-Fischer endgame from the 1962 Olympiad.  The defensive task is not
incredibly difficult.} 68. g6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 69. Rg4 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 70. Ka2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:
02]} 71. Rf4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:06:53]} 72. Rg4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Rh1
{[%emt 0:01:07]} 73. Rb4 {[%emt 0:04:30]} h3 {[%emt 0:01:57]} 74. Rb3 {[%emt 0:
00:30]} Kxg6 {[%emt 0:00:20]} (74... h2 75. Rh3 Kxg6 76. Rh8 {is a simple draw,
since the a3 pawn does not help Black.}) 75. Rg3+ {[%emt 0:01:30]} Kf5 {[%emt
0:00:23]} 76. Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 77. Rxa3 {[%emt 0:01:
30]} Rh2+ {[%emt 0:00:32]} 78. Ka1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kf4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 79.
Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rh1+ {[%emt 0:01:39]} 80. Ka2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rh2+ {
[%emt 0:00:12]} 81. Ka1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rh1+ {[%emt 0:00:54]} 82. Ka2 {[%emt
0:00:30]} Kg4 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 83. Rb4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:30]}
84. Rb3+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 85. Rb4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg3 {
[%emt 0:00:03] Hikaru had the advantage the entire game, it seemed like he was
about to win in several ocassions, but Ian's combination of resourcefulness
and sheer desperation allowed him to scrape a draw from an atrocious opening.}
1/2-1/2

