1.d4
d5
2.c4
c6
3.Nf3
Nf6
4.Nc3
e6
5.Bg5
dxc4
The Botvinnik system. This has become Smeets's pet line these days. A bold choice against an "in form" Nak!
6.e4
b5
7.e5
h6
8.Bh4
g5
9.Nxg5
hxg5
10.Bxg5
Nbd7
11.g3
The most accurate. [11.exf6
ef6 would give Black an extra option after 11...Bb7
12.g3
c5
13.d5
Nxf6
which is good enough for Black. That said, it is not a part of Smeets' fighting resume, since he avoided this continuation against Giri in round two and went for the main line instead.]
11...Bb7
[11...Rg8
used to be a long story of its own, however, this messy line is now considered "unacceptable" for Black these days.]
12.Bg2
Qb6
13.exf6
c5
14.d5
0-0-0
15.0-0
b4
16.Na4
Qb5
17.a3
exd5
18.axb4
cxb4
19.Bf4
Bh6
Both players are following the "footsteps" of Giri-Smeets which ended in a wild draw!
20.Qd2!
Simple, new and of course: strong! [Giri went for the less efficient 20.Bd6
]
20...Bxf4
21.Qxf4
Bc6
22.Qd4
Kb8
23.Rfe1
Rhe8
In this position, very typical of the Botvinnik System, White is winning. However, It is Nakamura who goes astray first!
24.Re7
[The simple 24.Qf4+!
would have sealed Smeets' fate earlier, since 24...Kc8
25.Re7
Qa5
would no longer work as in the game due to 26.Qd6!
]
24...Qa5
This move could have turned the tables, and though Nak has missed a chance, he stays cool and converts his advantage by consolidating his position.
25.Rxf7
Bxa4
26.Bxd5
Qc5
27.Qf4+
Ne5
28.Be4
Rd7
29.Rg7
Bb5
30.Rxd7
Bxd7
31.Bg6
Rf8
32.Re1
Qd6
33.Qxe5
Rxf6
34.Qxd6+
Rxd6
After many several inaccuracies, the sky is blue all of a sudden. It is easy to conclude "the rest is a matter of technique", nevertheless, that is for us with engines at hand, not for the players who have to compete with all the pressures including the clocks counting down!
35.Bf7!
Prophylactic and precise!
35...Rd2
36.Bxc4
Rxb2
37.h4
Bg4
38.Kg2
a5
39.Re5
Rc2
40.Rb5+
Kc7
41.Bd5
Rd2
42.Bf7
Bd7
43.Rxa5
Bc6+
44.Kf1
Bf3
45.Ra1
Kd6
46.Bb3
[46.Re1
cuts the king off from kingside and supports the h-pawn march to promotion.]
46...Rd3
47.Rb1
Kc5
48.Ke1
Kb5
49.Bd1
Bxd1
50.Rxd1
Rc3
"All rook endings are drawn", once said Dr.Tarrasch. Well....I suppose he did not mean this one!
51.h5
b3
52.Kd2
Rc8
53.Rc1
Rf8
54.f4
Kb4
55.Rh1
Ka3
56.Ke3
b2
57.g4
Rc8
58.Rb1
Ka2
59.Rxb2+
Kxb2
60.h6
Kc3
61.g5
A fine game by Nakamura who with this win tops the leaderboard alone once more. 1-0