CARLSEN, MAGNUS (2776) vs GRISCHUK, ALEXANDER (2733) 1-0 [B85] XXVI SuperGM Ciudad de LINARES (ESP) (12) 05.03.2009, Sicilian, Scheveningen [B85]

ANALYSED GAME N^o 138
Updated: March 2009

Carlsen, Magnus (2776) -
Grischuk, Alexander (2733) [B85]
XXVI SuperGM Linares
ESP (12), 05.03.2009

(Annotation: "Chess-Theory")

"ChessBase - News - Carlsen, M
(2776) - Grischuk,A (2733) [B84] -
XXVI Super GM Linares ESP (12), 2009"
image Copyright: chessbase.com/

X0 Sicilian, Scheveningen (Paulsen), classical variation, with 7.0-0 Be7 8.a4 Nc6, Maroczy System (8.a4) [B85].

1.e4 X1 c5 X2 2.Nf3 X3 d6 X4 3.d4 X5 cxd4 X6 4.Nxd4 X7 Nf6 X8 5.Nc3 X9 a6 X10

The famous Sicilian Najdorf [B90]. Hence, the Scheveningen may be considered as a refinment of the Najdorf.

6.Be2 X11 e6 X12

...e6 and ...a6 may be played in an order or in the opposite.

7.0-0 X13 Be7 X14

[ The Maroczy System is usually played in the following move order: 7...Qc7 X15 8.f4 X16 Nc6 X17 9.Kh1 X18 Be7 X19 10.a4 X20 ]

8.a4 X21

[ Since 1928 the main line continues by: 8.f4 X22 Qc7 X23 9.Be3 X24 Nc6 X25 10.Kh1 X26 0-0 X27 11.a4 X28 as in the game: 11...Re8 X29 12.Qd2 X30 Bd7 X31 13.Nb3 X32 b6 X33 14.Bf3 X34 Rab8 X35 15.g4 X36 Bc8 X37 16.g5 X38 Nd7 X39 17.Bg2 X40 Bb7 X41 18.Qf2 X42 g6 X43 19.h4 X44 Bf8 X45 20.Rad1 X46 Nc5 X47 Radjabov, Teimour (2682) - Babula, Vlastimil (2604) (39 m.) 1-0 [B85] EU-cup 21st Saint Vincent 23.09.2005.]

8...Nc6 X48 9.Be3 X49 0-0 X50 10.f4 X51 Qc7 X52 11.Kh1 X53

In an other move order we reach the main line.

11...Re8 X54

This time the position is the same than in Radjabov - Babula 1-0 [B85] 2005.

12.Bf3 X55 Bf8 X56 13.Qd2 X57 Rb8 X58 14.Qf2 X59 e5 X60 15.fxe5!N X61

The novelty that Magnus Carlsen has found for this game.

[ In this position Michael Adams versus Anand chose to pursue by: 15.Nde2 X62 The standard reply. 15...exf4 X63 16.Bb6 X64 Qe7 X65 17.Nxf4 X66 Be6 X67 18.Rad1 X68 g6 X69 19.Qd2 X70 Ne5 X71 20.Be2 X72 +/= Adams, Michael (2741) - Anand, Viswanathan (2786) (28 m.) 1/2-1/2 [B85] Linares 22nd 02.03.2005.]

15...dxe5 X73

[ Of course, an alternative choice is to take back the pawn by the Knight: 15...Nxe5!? X74 but, at the analysis, this reply may be risked: 16.Bg5 X75 ( Not the weak answer: 16.Be2?! X76 which may be followed by by the play line: 16...Neg4 X77 17.Bxg4 X78 Nxg4 X79 18.Qf4 X80 Nxe3 X81 19.Qxe3 X82 = In this rather open position, Black owning a pair of Bishops against two Knight, does not have any problem. ) 16...Nfg4 X83 17.Qg1! X84 Presumably the best move. ( Is not so good: 17.Bxg4?! X85 Nxg4 X86 18.Qg3 X87 Qb6 X88 19.Nb3 X89 Be6 X90 20.a5 X91 Qc7 X92 21.Nd4 X93 Ne5 X94 +/= and Black has practically equalized. ) 17...Nxf3!? X95 18.gxf3 X96 Ne5 X97 19.Nd5 X98 Qc4 X99 20.Ra3 X100 Be6 X101 21.Rc3! X102 And then Black has only one way for continuing: 21...Bxd5 X103 22.Rxc4 X104 Bxc4 X105 White has a significant advantage but the game is not clear.]

16.Nb3 X106 Nb4!? X107

[ 16...Be6 X108 is obviously a good alternative. The two Bishops control adjacent open diagonals a3-f8 and a2-g8. Is then playable: 17.Rad1 X109 Nb4 X110 and then for example: 18.Bb6 X111 Qc6 X112 19.Na5 X113 Qc8 X114 20.Ba7 X115 Ra8 X116 21.Be3 X117 Be7= X118 ]

17.Ba7 X119

Is usual in such a position, before to play the Bishop in b6. The Rook is forced to go back in a8.

17...Ra8 X120 18.Bb6 X121 Qe7! X122

"XXVI Tornedo International de Ajedrez
"Ciudad de Linares" GM Magnus Carlsen
versus GM Alexander Grischuk (R 12)"
image Copyr.: ajedrez.ciudaddelinares.es/

In all this phase White has the initiative, but Black finds a relatively accure defense, preserving his chances to equalize.

[ It is not advised to play: 18...Qc6?! X123 because; 19.Na5 X124 Qe6 X125 20.Rad1 X126 Be7 X127 ( It is frankly a bad idea to take the c2-pawn: 20...Nxc2?? X128 21.Nd5! X129 Nxd5 X130 22.exd5 X131 Qf6 X132 23.d6 X133 Nd4 X134 24.Bxd4 X135 exd4 X136 25.Qxd4 X137 Rd8 X138 26.Bd5! X139 and White has a winning game! ) 21.Rd2! X140 +/= with a significant White initiative.]

19.Rad1 X141 Be6?! X142

An inaccurate move allowing White to pursue develop his progression on the Queen side with threat.

[ Black has the opportunity of an active defense: 19...Bg4 X143 20.Bxg4 X144 Nxg4 X145 21.Qe2 X146 Qh4 X147 22.h3 X148 Qh6 X149 23.Bg1 X150 Nf6 X151 +/= White has a little advantage due to the control of the d-file.]

20.Nd5! X152

With the idea to create a dangerous passed pawn on the d-file.

[ Is not so sharp than the Magnus' choice: 20.Nc5 X153 Bc4 X154 21.Rfe1 X155 Rac8 X156 22.Nd5 X157 White of course has a clear advantage but Black may choose to continue by 22...Bxd5 or 22... Qd6.]

20...Bxd5 X158

The only correct reply.

[ 20...Nbxd5? X159 loses a pawn: 21.exd5 X160 e4 X161 22.dxe6 X162 exf3 X163 23.exf7+ X164 Qxf7 X165 24.Qxf3 X166 +/-; Is a blunder: 20...Nfxd5?? X167 21.exd5 X168 Bf5 X169 22.d6 X170 Qe6 X171 23.Nc5 X172 + - and White wins.]

21.exd5 X173 e4 X174 22.d6 X175 Qe6?! X176

The subjacent idea is to play the Queen en f5 in view to exchange the Queens. But the resulting endgame will be favourable to White.

[ The only accurate defense is: 22...Qe5 X177 23.d7 X178 Nxd7 X179 24.Rxd7 X180 exf3 X181 25.Qxf3 X182 Re7 X183 ( 25...f6 X184 26.Nd4 X185 Qe4! X186 Forcing more or less the Queen exchange. Among other alternatives, it may follow: 27.Rxb7 X187 Rac8 X188 28.c3 X189 Nd3 X190 29.Qxe4 X191 Rxe4 X192 +/= White has only a small advantage and the game is not clear. ) 26.Rxb7 X193 Rxb7 X194 27.Qxb7 X195 Qe8! X196 and then possibly 28.c4 X197 with only a little White advantage.]

23.Nc5! X198 Qf5 X199 24.Be2 X200 Qxf2 X201 25.Rxf2 X202 Nbd5 X203

The best choice indeed.

26.a5 X204

Seems correct but this move is not the best opportunity for White.

[ Rather strong is: 26.Rxf6! X205 Nxf6 X206 27.a5 X207 Rec8 X208 28.c4! X209 +/- and then Black is practically in zugzwang. ( 28.b4 X210 Rc6 X211 forcing the advance of the d-pawn. 29.d7 X212 Rxb6! X213 In view ta take back the control of the d8-square. 30.axb6 X214 Rd8 X215 31.Nxb7 X216 Rxd7 X217 32.Nc5 X218 Rxd1+ X219 33.Bxd1 X220 and White has a winning advantage. ) ]

26...Nxb6 X221 27.axb6 X222 Rab8? X223

A serious mistake.

[ Black did not have a better possibility than: 27...Rec8! X224 28.b4! X225 Rc6 X226 29.Nxb7 X227 Rxb6 X228 30.d7 X229 Rxb7 X230 31.d8Q X231 Rxd8 X232 32.Rxd8 X233 Rxb4 X234 33.Kg1 X235 Rb6 X236 The ending is unclear and Black has some chances to draw.]

28.Rxf6! X237

Taking the full control of the d7-square.

28...gxf6 X238 29.Nd7! X239

The only winning move.

29...f5 X240 30.c4! X241

A strong answer among other alternatives. Black can undertake nothing.

30...a5 X242 31.c5 X243 Bg7 X244 32.Nxb8 X245 Rxb8 X246 33.Ba6!! X247

A superb rip off!

33...Bf6 X248

[ The Bishop is untouchable since: 33...bxa6?? X249 34.c6 X250 Rxb6 X251 35.c7 X252 Bf6 X253 36.c8Q+ X254 ]

34.Bxb7 X255 Rxb7 X256 35.c6 X257 Rxb6 X258 36.Rc1 X259 Bxb2 X260 37.d7

A beautiful Carlsen' s game in spite of some inaccurate replies of his opponent.

1-0

"Plaza in Linares
Andalusia (Spain)"
image Copyr.: ajedrez.ciudaddelinares.es/
Plaza in Linares
Andalusia (Spain)

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