Vote! What is the best game of 2018?

by ChessBase
12/22/2018 – The year 2018 comes to a close and it was filled with great events, strong tournaments and fantastic games. Now, at the end of the year we invite you to vote for the player of the year (male and female), the newcomer, the game, the combination and the endgame of the year. What do you think: what was the best game of 2018?
Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.

Game of the year 2018

At the end of the year, we again invite our readers to vote — for the player of the year, the women player of the year, the game of the year, the combination of the year, and the endgame of the year. And for the "newcomer" of the year 2018.

For every poll, our editorial team created a shortlist. Which is, of course, subjective though a team selected it. To make things easier we limited the shortlist to five or sometimes ten proposals and some of you might miss their favourites — we know that our shortlist is just one of many possible.

But all the five games selected by the editors of the ChessBase Magazine are good enough to become the "Game of the Year 2018". But which game is your absolute favourite? What game do you think is the "Game of the Year 2018"? Enjoy the games (below) and take your pick!

Vote:

Partie/Game/Partida
Kramnik-Caruana105
26%
Aronian-Kramnik104
26%
Hillarp Persson-Laurusas91
23%
Ding-Duda62
15%
Aronian-Mamedyarov30
7%

Login to your ChessBase Account to vote (and if you don't have one, you can register for free)

The shortlist — five fantastic games played in 2018

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Qe2 Qe7 6.Nc3 Nxc3 7.dxc3 Qxe2+ 8.Bxe2 Nc6 9.Be3 Be7 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.Rhe1 Bf6 12.Nd2 Re8 13.Bf3 Ne5 14.Bf4 Kf8 15.Bd5 c6 16.Bb3 Bf5 17.h3 g5 18.Bh2 Kg7 19.c4 g4 20.Ne4 Bxe4 21.Rxe4 Bg5+ 22.Kb1 gxh3 23.c5 f5 24.Rb4 hxg2 25.Rxb7+ Kh8 26.cxd6 Nf3 27.Ba4 Nxh2 28.Bxc6 Rad8 29.d7 Re2 30.Bxg2 Rxf2 31.Bc6 Ng4 32.Rxa7 Ne3 33.Rg1 h6 34.Rc7 Kg7 35.a4 Kf7 36.Bb5 Ke7 37.a5 Rf4 38.c3 Kd6 39.Rb7 Rg4 40.Re1 f4 41.a6 h5 42.a7 Ra8 43.b4 h4 44.c4 h3 45.c5+ Ke5 46.Rb8 Rxa7 47.Rg8 Bf6 48.d8Q Bxd8 49.Rxg4 Bf6 50.Rg6 Rb7 51.Be2 Rxb4+ 52.Ka2 Nc2 53.Rc1 Nd4 54.Bd3 Ra4+ 55.Kb1 Nb3 56.Re1+ Kd5 57.Kc2 Nd4+ 58.Kb1 Nf3 59.Rd1 Ra1+ 60.Kc2 Rxd1 61.Ba6 Rd2+ 62.Kc1 Bb2+ 63.Kb1 Kxc5 64.Bb7 Ne5 65.Rf6 f3 66.Rf5 f2 0–1
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Kramnik,V2800Caruana,F27840–12018C42FIDE Candidates 20184
 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.c4 c6 5.b3 Bg7 6.Bb2 0-0 7.0-0 a5 8.Nc3 Ne4 9.Na4 Bxb2 10.Nxb2 Nd7 11.d3 Nef6 12.d4 b6 13.Rc1 Bb7 14.Nd3 Rc8 15.Nfe5 Nxe5 16.dxe5 Nd7 17.Qd2 dxc4 18.Rxc4 Nxe5 19.Rh4 h5 20.Rd1 Nxd3 21.Qh6 Qd6 22.Rxd3 Qf6 23.Be4 Ba6 24.Re3 Qg7 25.Qg5 Rcd8 26.Qxe7 Rd1+ 27.Kg2 Qa1 28.Bxc6 Rg1+ 29.Kf3 Qf1 30.Kf4 Qxf2+ 31.Kg5 Kg7 32.Rf4 Qxh2 33.Qf6+ Kh7 34.Qxg6+ Kh8 35.Kh6 1–0
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Hillarp Persson,T2544Laurusas,T24841–02018A11Batumi Chess Olympiad | Open7.15
 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 Levon recently started playing 1.e4 thus it was not surprising to see it coming from him in one of the most crucial game in the Olympiad. e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Nxe4 6.d4 Be7!? This is an interesting alternative than the main line b5. Piket was playing this a lot and recently it was played by Radjabov few times. We can be assured about the source/ inspiration Mamedyarov got to enter this line. 6...b5 is far more common 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 would be the normal move order for open spanish. Be6 7.Re1 b5 8.Rxe4 The most principled approach. 8.Bb3 would transpose to the main open Spanish but white gives some concession by committing Re1 thus black manages to bypass a number of critical system. d5 9.dxe5 Be6 8...d5 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.Rxe5 bxa4 The main tabiya of this line. Radjabov had this position twice as black and in both games b3 was played 11.Qe1 f6 12.Re3N 12.Re2 was seen in: 1/2-1/2 (22) Van Kampen,R (2637)-L'Ami,E (2630) Netherlands 2014 12...c5 played instantly 13.Qd1 0-0 Only here Mamedyarov started to consume more time 14.Nc3 Rb8 14...a3!? 15.b3 cxd4 16.Qxd4 Bb7 is doable but Mamedyarov was not really in a mood to play like this after all. 15.b3 cxd4 For his last two moves Mamedyarov thought 40 min. It was a very crucial moment as his next moves would change the nature of the position drastically. 16.Qxd4 Bd6!? changing the course of the game dynamically. 16...axb3 17.axb3 Bb7 Once again possible and could easily be the best in computer or correspondence chess but clearly Mamedyarov didn't want a position like this where white has zero risk. True to his style he opted for the most aggressive way and got into a position which might be worse but gives white much more difficult options to choose. 17.Qxd5+ Or else Bd6 is totally justified Kh8 18.Rd3 Most natural once again Qe8 19.Bb2 As of now white is a pawn up and the compensation for black is not that obvious Be5! The most practical approach. By sacrificing the second pawn black makes sure that the knight goes out of play. It is of course also based on heavy calculation and had a tremendous practical value. 20.Nxa4 Rb5 According to computer white is outright winning. During the game such things make very little impact. Right now, white has two obvious moves Qf3 and Qc4 and the important thing is to make the correct decision. 21.Qf3?! Still fine according to computer world but I am certain that had Levon spotted Mamedyarov's upcoming piece sacrifice then he would not have opted for this. 21.Qc4 This actually made lot more sense as here the tempo would come from e6 and from that diagonal black bishop doesn't look so threatening as compared with b7. Be6 22.Qh4 Bc7 23.g3± with the bishop on e6 white gets ample time to consolidate himself 21...Bb7 22.Qe3 Be4‼ With a very deep idea in mind. 22...Bxg2? This is however premature. 23.Kxg2 Qg6+ 24.Kf1 Bxh2 25.Re1 Rg5 26.Ke2 Re8 27.Kd2 The difference! It is astonishing to see the preciseness of Mamedyarov's calculation in such complex position. Why the king is better place on d2 than d1? We will see that soon which occurred in the game. 23.Rd2 23.Bxe5 this could have led to draw. Rxe5 23...Bxd3 24.Bd6 Qxe3 25.fxe3 Rd8 26.cxd3 Rxd6 27.Rc1 24.f4 Re7 25.Re1 Rff7 26.Qxe4 Rxe4 27.Rxe4 Re7 28.Rxe7 Qxe7 should be about equal 23...Bxg2! Only now the sacrifice works with the rook is placed on d2. 24.Kxg2?! 24.f4! Apparently white is still clearly better here as per comps but that really doesn't count during a tournament game. It is immensely difficult to take the right call specially in such wild positions with an open king. Ba8! Not good move as per machine but clearly any human would go for this rather than getting into some depressing endgame. 24...Bxb2 Comps say this is black's best move but I am ready to bet any amount that this was not the move which bothered Levon. 25.Qxe8 Rxe8 26.Nxb2± 25.fxe5 Qc6 Would someone get into this position as white thinking he is winning unless he knows that computer says this is winning? If Levon gets this position as a problem and not during the game then surely, he would find the best moves from white side but when one doesn't know that this position is winning or not then things get incredibly difficult. 26.Qf4‼ Only move that keeps the advantage. It stops both Qh1-Kf2-Qh2 and Qh1-Kf2-fe5 Rbb8!? 26...Rd5 27.Rad1 27.exf6 Qh1+ 28.Kf2 Qg2+ 29.Ke3 Qh3+ 30.Qg3 Qe6+ 30...Rbe8+ 31.Kf2 31.Be5 gxf6 32.Nc5 and white is winning. Once again…all these lines are very easy to create with computers (even there could be some mistakes!) but during a game things look totally different. 24...Qg6+ 25.Kf1 Bxh2 26.Re1 26.Nc5 would lead to equal position but mostly Levon was ambitious here and most likely he missed black's 28th move Re8 27.Ne6 Qg1+ 28.Ke2 Qg4+ 29.f3 Qxe6 30.Qxe6 Rxe6+ 31.Kf1= 26...Rg5 27.Ke2? The final mistake! 27.Nc3 would still keep white in the game 27...Re8 Now it gets clear why including Rd2 was important by playing 23...Be4. White is forced to play Kd1 now... 28.Kd1 Rg1! Brilliant imagination by Mamedyarov who must have seen this from long back and perhaps it was this move that Levon spotted a bit too late. Incredible bold and imaginative play by Mamedyarov. 29.Be5 29.Qxe8+ Qxe8 Hence the king should be on d1! Point of including Be4-Rd2 gets clear now. 29...Bxe5 Now it gets technical. 30.Rde2 h5 30...Rd8+ 31.Kc1 Qf5 would have expedited things. 31.Qd3 Qg2 32.Nb6 Rxe1+ 33.Rxe1 Qxf2 34.Nd5 Rd8 35.c4 Qxa2 36.Qf3 g6 37.Re3 Kg7 38.Qh3 Qf2 39.Rd3 Qg1+ 40.Kc2 Qh2+ 41.Qxh2 Bxh2 42.Rh3 Be5 43.Kd3 a5 44.Ke4 Kf7 45.Kf3 Rh8 46.Kg2 g5 47.Ne3 Ke6 48.Kf1 f5 0–1
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Aronian,L2780Mamedyarov,S28200–12018C84Batumi Chess Olympiad | Open5.1
 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 b5 A line that Duda has played only once but then that was in an important game in the Polish Championship 2018 against Radek so naturally it was not a surprise and Ding turned out to be well prepared for it. 6.e5 Nd5 7.Nxb5 Nb6 8.Be2 Nc6 9.0-0 Be7 10.Qd2!?N An interesting concept in this newly developing line. White first brings his queen to the kingside and only then develops his bishop on c1. 10.Be3 is more common 0-0 11.Qd2 11.Nc3 Rb8 12.a3 Bb7 ½-½ (61) Mamedyarov,S (2801)-Caruana,F (2822) Saint Louis 2018 11...Rb8 12.Rfd1 Bb7 was the first time Duda played this line. 13.b3 a6 14.Nc3 cxb3 15.axb3 Nb4 0-1 (55) Wojtaszek,R (2750)-Duda,J (2724)Warsaw 2018 Just the day before the Wojtaszek - Duda game this position came up in another Wojtaszek game but this time he was Black and tried this line against Gajewski. It’s interesting to see that Duda actually next day decided to play the same line which Wojtaszek himself played as Black. 10.Na3 Bxa3 11.bxa3 Bb7 12.Be3∞ 1/2-1/2 (41) Gajewski,G (2599)-Wojtaszek,R (2750) Warsaw 2018 10...0-0 11.Qf4 Rb8 Duda kept on blitzing even after this new idea of Qd2-Qf4 which underlines his depth of preparation against a novelty. Although nowadays any move that is in the top three choices of the computer can hardly be called a novelty. 12.Nc3 f5 13.Qg3 It was Ding who started to think for the first time and he took a solid 22min to make this decision. 13.exf6 Rxf6 14.Qe4 Nb4 gives Black decent counterplay. 13...Kh8 This time finally it was Duda's turn to think and after about 15min he opted for the natural Kh8. 13...Qe8!? The computer's suggestion 14.Rd1 Nb4 15.b3 cxb3 15...Ba6 16.Bg5 gives white some edge 16.axb3 a6 17.Bc4 Nc2! The practical choice 17...Qd7 18.Bg5 17...N6d5 18.Ne2 18.Ra2 18.Rb1 The engine prefers this move but it is psychologically hard to keep the rook on b1 instead of e2. 18...Nb4 19.Ra1 Nc2 20.Ra2 Nb4 21.Re2 a5! Black now has got a strategically fine position and if White gives him some more time to consolidate Black will then soon take over. 22.d5 Ding is a very solid player (or else it would have been slightly difficult to remain unbeaten for 14 months!) but he is also very good when there is total chaos on the board. In fact he gets better when there is chaos on board and those are the days when such games as Bai Jinshi - Ding Liren take place :) exd5 After a long thought Duda chose not to exchange one knight. It was a tough call. At first sight it looks as if exchanging a knight would have been safer. It is hard to say if Duda didn't like something for N6d5 or at this stage he was just getting more optimistic about his position. 22...N6xd5 23.Nxd5 23.Bg5 Bxg5 24.Nxg5 h6 is fine for Black 23.Bxd5 Nxd5 23...exd5 24.e6 Rf6 25.Bf4 Everything is equal according to the computer. From a human perspective everything looks messy. Let’s just say White has good compensation. 24.Nxd5 exd5 25.e6 Rxb3 26.Bf4 also leads to similar evaluation and similar conclusions. 23...exd5 23...Nxd5 24.Bg5 24.e6 Rf6 25.Ng5 Qe8 25...Kg8!? 26.Rxd5 Nxd5 27.Bxd5 Bb7 28.Bc4 is just one sample variation of the many wild lines which were possible 23.e6 Bd6 23...Rf6 24.Bg5 24.Ng5 Qf8 24...Rxe6 25.Bb5! 25.Rde1 dxc4 26.Rxe6 Bxe6 27.Rxe6 N6d5 favours Black 25...Rxe2 26.Nxe2 This is not easy to evaluate properly during the game 24.Qh3 24.Bf4! Rb7 Too subtle a way to stop the e7 threat! 24...dxc4 25.e7 24...Qe7 25.Nxd5 24...Bxf4 25.Qxf4 Qe7 26.Bxd5 25.Nb5! Bxf4 26.Qxf4 Qe7 27.Bd3 24...Qf6! 24...Qe8 25.Nb5 25.Nb5! After a long thought of 30min Ding goes for the only way to maintain the balance. dxc4 26.Nxd6?! Right intention but wrong move order. This will allow Black to seize the initiative. 26.Ng5 The correct move order to get a similar position to what happened in the game. Although Black will have some extra options here to equalise but he won’t get an advantage. h6 This leads to massive complications and will be hard to guess what both players saw here. 26...Qg6? 27.Nxd6 cxd6 28.e7 Re8 transposes to the game. Since Duda didn't see White's upcoming deep combination which happened in the game most likely he would have opted for the same line here too. 27.Nf7+ 27.Nxd6 cxd6 28.e7 Bd7! 28...Re8 29.Qh5! We will be seeing this tactic a number of times Rxe7 29...Bd7 30.Rxd6+- 30.Qe8+ is mate 29.exf8Q+ Rxf8 30.Ne6 Bxe6 31.Bb2 31.Rxd6 Rd8-+ 31...Qg6 32.Rxd6 f4 Practically I would prefer White here. 27...Kg8 27...Rxf7 28.exf7 Bf8 28...Bd7 29.Bb2 Qg6 30.Nxd6 cxd6 31.Qg3 Qxf7 32.Qxd6 Nc6 33.Qxh6+ Kg8 34.Qg5 Re8 holds the balance. 29.Re8 Qxf7 30.Rdd8 Nd7 Only a computer can play like this. This is 0.00 but really has no practical impact as such lines would never occur in a real game. 28.Bb2 Qg6 29.Nfxd6 cxd6 30.e7 Re8 31.Rxd6 Qg4 32.Qxg4 fxg4 One thing I am certain of is that if any of the players saw this line then they would have left it after spotting Rg6 thinking it is winning for White with a guaranteed draw. As Black no one would like to enter such a line and as White there is a secured draw. Also, optically it looks winning. However, emotions are only for humans. This position is 0.00 for the silicon mind. 33.Nc7 33.Rg6 c3 34.Bxc3 N6d5 35.Rxg7+ Kh8= 33...Bd7 34.Rg6 N4d5 35.Rxg7+ Kh8 36.Nxd5 Nxd5 37.Be5 cxb3= 26...cxd6? The losing move which even the computer fails to understand initially. Ding once again started blitzing out from now on, showing the confidence he has in his calculation. 26...Bxe6! 27.Ng5 It is this move which must be the reason Duda didn't take on e6. 27.Nxc4 The computer's first choice and clearly the best but I am sure this could not have bothered Duda. Nxc4 28.bxc4 Nc6! 27...Bg8 28.Re6 and now it all comes down to the psychological factor if Black would spot Qa1 and more importantly would he believe that after playing such a move he will survive? Only then would it be possible to play 26...Be6 Qa1! The only move and at first glance it feels like this will lead to mate within 5-6 moves. On closer inspection it turns out that not only there is no mate but Black is completely winning now! 29.Qh5 29.Nxf5 N6d5 29...cxd6 another only move but by elimination this is easy 30.Be3 Qxd1+ 31.Qxd1 Bxe6 32.Nxe6 Rf6-+ 27.e7! Re8 27...Bd7 28.exf8Q+ Rxf8 29.bxc4 Nxc4 30.Rd4!+- 28.Ng5 Qg6 28...h6 is the same position we analysed before where White wins with the nice Qh5 trick. 29.Rxd6! f4! only way to stay in the game. 30.Qh4! 30.Rxg6 Bxh3 31.Nf7+ Kg8 32.Nh6+ A spectacular perpetual but by now Ding smelled blood. 30...Qb1 31.Re1 31.Qxf4! A killer blow with an amazing piece of tactics. Bd7 32.Rf6‼ It is easy to overlook this nice intermediate move. 32.Rxb6 Nd5-+ must be the reason why Ding didn't opt for this. 32...Kg8 33.Rxb6!+- No more Nd5 due to Qf7! 31...Bf5 31...Bd7 is the lesser evil but even here if White finds the following strong move Black is totally busted. 32.f3 32.Rd8 The rest is simple Bg6 32...Nc6 33.Qxf4+- 33.Rxb8 Rxb8 34.Qxf4 Rg8 35.Nf7+ Bxf7 36.Qxf7 Nd7 37.e8Q Nf6 38.Bg5 Very creative and impressive game by Ding. 1–0
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Ding,L2804Duda,J27391–02018D24Batumi Chess Olympiad | Open10.1
 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.0-0 Qe7 7.h3 Rg8 8.Kh1 Nh5 9.c3 g5 10.Nxe5 g4 11.d4 Bd6 12.g3 Bxe5 13.dxe5 Qxe5 14.Qd4 Qe7 15.h4 c5 16.Qc4 Be6 17.Qb5+ c6 18.Qa4 f5 19.Bg5 Rxg5 20.hxg5 f4 21.Qd1 Rd8 22.Qc1 fxg3 23.Na3 Rd3 24.Rd1 Bd5 25.f3 gxf3 26.exd5 Qe2 27.Re1 g2+ 0–1
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Aronian,L2794Kramnik,V28000–12018C65FIDE Candidates 20183

Links

Reports about chess: tournaments, championships, portraits, interviews, World Championships, product launches and more.

Discuss

Rules for reader comments

 
 

Not registered yet? Register

We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.