Tag: Magnus Carlsen

  • Chess.com: Resistance is Futile

    Chess.com: Resistance is Futile

    Well, I guess there is just no getting away from Chess.com as they have officially acquired Play Magnus Group, which owns Chess24, New in Chess, GingerGM, Chessable, etc. etc…

    Chess.com, the world’s largest chess website, has acquired Play Magnus Group, a leading chess entertainment and education company that includes Chess24. The proposed acquisition was initially announced on August 24, 2022 and was unanimously recommended by Play Magnus Group’s board. After receiving regulatory and shareholder approval, the acquisition officially closed on December 16, 2022. 

    Chess24.com press release

    Many Chess24 players and fans are understandably nervous as it most likely indicates an impending doom for the smaller website. In my opinion, there is no chance that Chess.com will allow Chess24 to continue to operate in its current capacity when they can close its play servers and direct that traffic to the main website. It is an unfortunate development for the online chess world. In any case, we will just have to wait and see how it plays out.

  • Campfire Digest – December 10, 2021

    Campfire Digest – December 10, 2021

    Good Morning, campers! Welcome to Campfire Chess Digest for Friday, December 10, 2021! The World Chess Championship 2021 is still underway and it has certainly had a share of ups and downs, breathtaking and disappointing moments. There’s still much more chess to come before the year is done!

    Here’s some of the best chess action we’ve seen this week:

    Magnus Carlsen is…once again…World Chess Champion

    https://www.chess.com/news/view/fide-world-chess-championship-2021-game-11
    Magnus Carlsen cruised to defend his World Championship title for the fifth time this week against Ian Nepomniachtchi. It was one of the most lopsided and unusual championships I can recall. Ian just couldn’t capitalize on several opportunities presented to him by Magnus. And for another two years, Norway is king of world chess.

    A World Record at the World Chess Championship

    https://en.chessbase.com/post/world-championship-2021-g6
    Magnus Carlsen came out on top of an incredible 136 move game that set a world record for the longest chess game played in a world championship. The previous title was held by Anatoly Karpov and Viktor Korchnoi in the 1978 World Chess Championship.

    A Century of Chess: Karlsbad 1907

    https://www.chess.com/blog/kahns/a-century-of-chess-karlsbad-1907
    Long before the Soviet Empire dominated the professional chess world, the German Empire’s elite held firmly to the title of the world’s best chess players. This exceptional article from Chess.com (a rarity these days) explores Akiba Rubinstine’s rise to prominence in the early part of the twentieth century.

    World Rapid and Blitz Coming to Warsaw

    https://en.chessbase.com/post/the-world-rapid-and-blitz-championships-will-take-place-in-warsaw
    The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz tournament will soon be making its way to Warsaw beginning on Christmas Day and running through December 31st.

  • Campfire Digest – December 3, 2021

    Campfire Digest – December 3, 2021

    Good Morning, campers! Welcome to Campfire Chess Digest for Friday, December 3, 2021! As you read this, the 2021 World Chess Championship rages (if you can call it that) in Dubai between Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi. There’s no clear leader at this point but Nepo certainly put Magnus on the ropes a few times going into Thursday’s rest day.

    Here’s some of the best chess action we’ve seen this week:

    Anish Giri Annotates WCC 2021 Game 5

    https://en.chessbase.com/post/world-championship-2021-g5-expert-annotations
    After the sleeper draw that was Game 5 of the World Chess Championship, GM Anish Giri published a very nice annotated game outlining some of the missed opportunities for both players.

    Hikaru Nakamura Departs the FIDE World Ranking List

    https://en.chessbase.com/post/the-new-fide-world-ranking-list-december-2021
    GM Hikaru Nakamura was nowhere to be found on the newly published FIDE World Ranking List because he has not been active in international tournament play for quite some time. He’s mostly traded those commitments for a life on Twitch these days.

    Chess.com Remains Undisputed Clickbait Article Champion

    https://www.chess.com/article/view/chess-coms-holiday-gift-buying-guide
    Ten ways to mate your opponent in five moves… Ten streamers you wouldn’t want to play blitz with… and the list goes on and on. Maybe we could start making a list of Chess.com’s most click-baity articles. In any case, this year’s “Buying Guide” for the holidays is no better than the website’s recent forays into Bitcoin, PogChamps, and other nonsensical stuff.

    Levon Aronian Joins the US Chess Federation

    https://chess24.com/en/read/news/levon-aronian-completes-transfer-to-usa
    The United States continues to build an impressive roster of players with the recent addition of GM Levon Aronian. He joins the ranks of recent additions such as GMs Wesley So and Fabiano Caruana.

    The World Chess Championship 2021 continues today in Dubai live via Chess24’s YouTube channel. Chess.com has a stream with GMs Hess and Caruana, but I recommend the Chess24 stream as its less headache-inducing.

  • The World Chess Championship Approaches

    The World Chess Championship Approaches

    It’s upon us! The great day of judgment where two of the world’s best chess players will meet to do battle for the title of World Chess Champion. GM Magnus Carlsen has held this title 2013 after defeating legendary Indian GM Viswanathan Anand. Since then, he has defended his title against Anand, GM Sergey Karjakin (2016) and GM Fabiano Caruana (2018). This year, he will face Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi in Dubai.

    As of this entry, the official website from FIDE has not launched, but the schedule of events has been released.

    • 24 November: Opening Ceremony
    • 25 November: Off day
    • 26 November: Game 1
    • 27 November: Game 2
    • 28 November: Game 3
    • 29 November: Off day
    • 30 November: Game 4
    • 1 December: Game 5
    • 2 December: Off day
    • 3 December: Game 6
    • 4 December: Game 7
    • 5 December: Game 8
    • 6 December: Off day
    • 7 December: Game 9
    • 8 December: Game 10
    • 9 December: Off day
    • 10 December: Game 11
    • 11 December: Game 12
    • 12 December: Game 13
    • 13 December: Off day
    • 14 December: Game 14
    • 15 December: Tie break (or Closing Ceremony)
    • 16 December: Closing Ceremony

    Live coverage of the event will be available on Chess24 and Chess.com. For additional details on the event itself, visit FIDE’s official press release on the World Chess Championship and Expo 2020 Dubai.

  • Carlsen Wins the FTX Crypto Cup

    Carlsen Wins the FTX Crypto Cup

    After struggling a bit in the early rounds, Magnus Carlsen has emerged victorious in the FTX Crypto Cup online tournament. Overall, it was an exciting tournament to follow with many twists and turns. The initial round was filled with close scores and a large number of ties among the players. This eventually whittled down to four players who faced each other over the last two days for a share of the tournament prize. Wesley So battled it out against Magnus in a series of rapid events which ended in a tie between the players. This prompted a blitz playoff that was filled with some interesting and nail biting moments.

    [pgn] [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.31”] [Round “3.21”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “D40”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “Semi-Tarrasch defence”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. e3 dxc4 6. Bxc4 a6 7. O-O b5 8. Be2 Bb7 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11. Nd2 Ke7 12. Nb3 Nbd7 13. Rd1 Bb6 14. a4 b4 15. a5 Ba7 16. Na4 Bd5 17. Nd4 Rhb8 18. Bd2 Nc5 19. Nxc5 Bxc5 20. Rac1 Bxd4 21. exd4 Kd7 22. Bf4 Rb7 23. h4 Bb3 24. Rd3 Ba4 25. Be5 Bb5 26. Bf3 Nd5 27. Bxd5 exd5 28. Rg3 g6 29. Rc5 Bc6 30. Rf3 f5 31. h5 Rb5 32. Rc1 Re8 33. hxg6 hxg6 34. Rh3 Re6 35. Rh7+ Kd8 36. b3 g5 37. Bc7+ Ke8 38. Bb6 f4 39. Rg7 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.31”] [Round “3.21”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2765”] [ECO “A01”] [Opening “Nimzovich-Larsen attack”] [Variation “symmetrical variation”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “13400924”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. b3 b6 2. e4 Bb7 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bb2 Bg7 5. d4 e6 6. h4 h6 7. Nge2 d6 8. Qd2 Nd7 9. O-O-O Ne7 10. Kb1 a6 11. h5 g5 12. g3 b5 13. Bg2 b4 14. Na4 a5 15. f4 Nc8 16. d5 Bxb2 17. Nxb2 e5 18. Bh3 Ncb6 19. Nd3 Qe7 20. fxe5 dxe5 21. Rhf1 O-O 22. Bxd7 Nxd7 23. g4 Bc8 24. Ng3 Nc5 25. Nxc5 Qxc5 26. Rf6 Kg7 27. Rdf1 a4 28. Rc6 Qa7 29. Qf2 Qxf2 30. Rxf2 Ra7 31. Nf5+ Bxf5 32. Rxf5 f6 33. bxa4 Rf7 34. Rc4 Rxa4 35. Rf3 Ra3 36. Rb3 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.31”] [Round “3.22”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “B30”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Nimzovich-Rossolimo attack (without …d6)”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e5 4. O-O Bd6 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 b5 7. Bb3 Nge7 8. d4 c4 9. Bc2 Ng6 10. dxe5 Be7 11. Nd4 Ngxe5 12. f4 Ng6 13. Nxc6 dxc6 14. Qh5 Qb6+ 15. Kh1 Qc5 16. Qf3 O-O 17. Be3 Qd6 18. Qh5 c5 19. Nd2 Bb7 20. e5 Qc7 21. Nf3 h6 22. Rae1 Qc6 23. e6 Nh4 24. exf7+ Rxf7 25. Qxf7+ Kxf7 26. Ne5+ Kf8 27. Nxc6 Bxc6 28. Re2 Re8 29. Bc1 Rc8 30. Kg1 Bf6 31. f5 b4 32. Bd2 Rd8 33. Be1 b3 34. axb3 cxb3 35. Bxb3 Bb5 36. c4 Bc6 37. Rf4 Rd4 38. Rxd4 Bxd4+ 39. Bf2 Nxf5 40. Bc2 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.31”] [Round “3.22”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “B08”] [Opening “Pirc”] [Variation “classical system, 5.Be2”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. Nf3 g6 2. e4 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. Be2 a6 6. a4 O-O 7. O-O Nc6 8. Be3 Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Nd7 11. Ne2 Na5 12. c3 Nc4 13. Bc1 c5 14. b3 Na5 15. Be3 cxd4 16. cxd4 Qb6 17. Rb1 Rac8 18. Qd2 Qd8 19. d5 Nc5 20. Qd1 Nd7 21. Bg4 b5 22. axb5 axb5 23. Qd2 Ra8 24. Nd4 Nc5 25. Qb4 Qb6 26. Nxb5 Rfb8 27. Be2 Nab7 28. Qc4 Qd8 29. b4 Nd7 30. Nd4 Ne5 31. Qc2 Rc8 32. Nc6 Qe8 33. Rfc1 e6 34. Bf1 h5 35. b5 exd5 36. exd5 Nd7 37. Re1 Kh7 38. b6 Qf8 39. Qd2 Re8 40. Bb5 Nbc5 41. Bd3 Nb7 42. Bf1 Ra3 43. Qb4 Raxe3 44. Rxe3 Rxe3 45. fxe3 Qe8 46. e4 Ndc5 47. e5 dxe5 48. Na5 Bf8 49. Qb5 Qc8 50. Nxb7 Nxb7 51. Qc6 Bc5+ 52. Kh1 Qf5 53. Ra1 Bd4 54. Rd1 Nc5 55. Qb5 Be3 56. Bd3 e4 57. Rf1 exd3 58. Rxf5 gxf5 59. d6 d2 60. Qb1 Kg7 61. g4 hxg4 62. hxg4 fxg4 63. Kg2 Kf6 64. Kf1 Bf4 65. Ke2 Bxd6 66. b7 Nd7 67. Qb5 Nb8 68. Qd5 Bf4 69. Qd8+ Kf5 70. Qc8+ Kg5 71. Qg8+ Kf5 72. Qxf7+ Kg5 73. Qd5+ Kf6 74. Qg8 Kf5 75. Qc8+ Kg5 76. Qc5+ Kg6 77. Qg1 Kf5 78. Qh1 Kf6 79. Qh5 g3 80. Qd5 Bc7 81. Kxd2 Ke7 82. Kd3 Bd6 83. Kc4 Kd7 84. Kb5 Ke7 85. Qg8 Kf6 86. Qg4 Ke7 87. Qe4+ Kd7 88. Qf5+ Ke7 89. Qh3 Kf6 90. Kc4 Kg5 91. Kd5 Bc7 92. Ke4 Kf6 93. Qf5+ Ke7 94. Kd5 Nd7 95. Kc6 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.31”] [Round “3.23”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “D41”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “Semi-Tarrasch, 5.cd”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 cxd4 6. Qxd4 exd5 7. e4 dxe4 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Ng5 Be6 10. Nxe6+ fxe6 11. Bg5 Ke8 12. O-O-O Nc6 13. Bc4 Ne5 14. Bxe6 Nd3+ 15. Kc2 Nxf2 16. Bxf6 Nxd1 17. Rxd1 gxf6 18. Rd7 Rd8 19. Rxb7 Rd6 20. Bc4 f5 21. Rxa7 Kd8 22. Ra8+ Ke7 23. Ra5 Bh6 24. Nd5+ Kf7 25. Ne3+ Kg6 26. Nxf5 Rd2+ 27. Kc3 Rf2 28. Ne7+ Kf6 29. Nd5+ Kg7 30. Ra7+ Kg6 31. Ra6+ Kg7 32. Ra7+ Kg6 33. Ra6+ Kg7 34. Ra7+ 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.31”] [Round “3.23”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2765”] [ECO “A01”] [Opening “Nimzovich-Larsen attack”] [Variation “classical variation”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “13400924”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. b3 d5 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. g3 Bf5 4. Bg2 e6 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Nd2 Bc5 7. e4 Bg6 8. e5 Ng8 9. h4 h6 10. Nh3 Ne7 11. Nf4 Bh7 12. Nh5 O-O 13. g4 Ng6 14. Nf3 f6 15. exf6 Nxf6 16. Nxf6+ gxf6 17. Qd2 e5 18. Qxh6 Nf4 19. g5 Rf7 20. gxf6 Nxg2+ 21. Kf1 Qxf6 22. Qxf6 Rxf6 23. Kxg2 Raf8 24. Rh3 d4 25. Rg3+ Kh8 26. Rf1 Bd6 27. Ng5 c5 28. Nxh7 Kxh7 29. Rg4 b5 30. Bc1 c4 31. Bg5 Rf3 32. Rg3 R3f7 33. Rh3 Rc8 34. Rd1 cxd3 35. cxd3 Rc2 36. Rd2 Rxd2 37. Bxd2 Rc7 38. Rf3 Rc2 39. Bg5 Rxa2 40. Rf7+ Kg8 41. Rd7 Bb4 42. h5 Be1 43. Bh4 a5 44. h6 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.31”] [Round “3.24”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “open Berlin defence, l’Hermet variation”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. dxe5 Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 8. Nxd4 d5 9. exd6 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd6 11. Qe4+ Qe6 12. Qd4 Qd6 13. Qe4+ Qe6 14. Qd4 Qd6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.31”] [Round “3.24”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “A35”] [Opening “English”] [Variation “symmetrical, four knights system”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. d4 e6 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bg2 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd4 11. cxd4 Bd6 12. a4 Rb8 13. e4 b6 14. Ba3 Bxa3 15. Rxa3 Bb7 16. Kd2 Ke7 17. Rb1 Rhd8 18. Ke3 Bc6 19. Bf1 Rdc8 20. Ba6 Bb7 21. Bb5 Rc7 22. a5 Bc8 23. Bd3 Bd7 24. Rab3 Rc6 25. e5 h6 26. Be4 Rc4 27. axb6 Rxb6 28. Rxb6 axb6 29. Rxb6 Rc3+ 30. Kd2 Ra3 31. Rb7 Ke8 32. d5 Ra2+ 33. Ke3 Ra3+ 34. Ke2 Ra2+ 35. Kf3 Ra3+ 36. Kg2 exd5 37. Bxd5 Rd3 38. Be4 Ra3 39. h4 Ra5 40. f4 Ra2+ 41. Kf3 Ra3+ 42. Kf2 Ra2+ 43. Ke1 Ra1+ 44. Kd2 Ra2+ 45. Kc3 Ra3+ 46. Rb3 Rxb3+ 47. Kxb3 f6 48. Kc3 fxe5 49. fxe5 Ke7 50. Kd4 Bg4 51. Bg6 Bd1 52. Ke3 Bb3 53. Kf4 Be6 54. g4 Bd7 55. g5 hxg5+ 56. Kxg5 Ba4 57. Bf5 Be8 58. Bg4 Kf8 59. h5 Ke7 60. h6 gxh6+ 61. Kxh6 Bf7 62. e6 Bxe6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.31”] [Round “3.31”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “A00”] [Opening “Polish (Sokolsky) opening”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. b4 d5 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. e3 Bg4 4. Be2 Bxe2 5. Qxe2 Nbd7 6. Nf3 e6 7. a3 c6 8. c4 Bd6 9. d3 a5 10. c5 Bc7 11. O-O O-O 12. Nbd2 b6 13. cxb6 Bxb6 14. Rfc1 axb4 15. axb4 Qe7 16. Rab1 Rfc8 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. d4 Bc7 19. Ne1 Bd6 20. Nd3 Rcb8 21. Nf3 Rb6 22. Nfe5 Qb7 23. Qc2 Bxe5 24. dxe5 Nd7 25. Rb3 c5 26. Nxc5 Nxc5 27. Qxc5 Rc6 28. Rbc3 Rxc5 29. Rxc5 h5 30. b5 Ra5 31. h3 g6 32. Rb1 Kg7 33. h4 Qb8 34. g3 Qxe5 35. Rcc1 Ra2 36. b6 Qf5 37. Rf1 Rxf2 38. b7 Rxf1+ 39. Rxf1 Qe5 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.31”] [Round “3.32”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “B51”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Canal-Sokolsky (Nimzovich-Rossolimo, Moscow) attack”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. O-O Nf6 5. Re1 a6 6. Bf1 b6 7. c4 Bb7 8. Nc3 Ne5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. d3 e6 11. a3 Be7 12. b4 O-O 13. Rb1 Nd7 14. Be3 Qc7 15. Rb2 cxb4 16. axb4 a5 17. bxa5 bxa5 18. Nb5 Qd8 19. Qc2 Bc6 20. Ra1 h6 21. Na7 Qc7 22. Nb5 Qc8 23. h3 Nc5 24. Rba2 a4 25. Qc3 Nb3 26. Na7 Qd7 27. Nxc6 Qxc6 28. Rb1 Nd4 29. f4 f6 30. Bxd4 exd4 31. Qc2 a3 32. c5 Qxc5 33. Qxc5 Bxc5 34. Be2 Rfb8 35. Rc1 Rb2 36. Bg4 f5 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.31”] [Round “3.33”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “C50”] [Opening “Giuoco Pianissimo”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O h6 6. c3 O-O 7. b4 Bb6 8. a4 a6 9. Nbd2 d6 10. Re1 Ne7 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 d5 13. e5 Nh5 14. Bf1 Nf4 15. Nb3 Neg6 16. a5 Ba7 17. Bxf4 Nxf4 18. Qd2 Ng6 19. Nc5 f6 20. Bd3 f5 21. Bc2 Re8 22. g3 Bxc5 23. bxc5 Be6 24. Rab1 Rb8 25. Re3 Ne7 26. Reb3 Qc8 27. Nh4 Rf8 28. Ng2 Bd7 29. h4 Ba4 30. R3b2 Bxc2 31. Qxc2 Nc6 32. Qc3 g5 33. hxg5 hxg5 34. f4 Kg7 35. Kf2 Rh8 36. fxg5 Rh2 37. Qf3 Nxd4 38. Qxd5 Nc6 39. e6 Qd8 40. Qd7+ Qxd7 41. exd7 Rd8 42. Rd2 Ne5 43. Rxb7 Kg6 44. Rxc7 1-0 [/pgn]

    Throughout the past couple of days it was apparent that Magnus was struggling with a lack of motivation or from an illness that kept his performance below what we’ve come to expect from the world champion. He even went as far as to mention that he felt like shit during a postgame interview with Chess24 yesterday, which contributed to some of his mistakes on the board. In any case, Carlsen took the crown for this event and took home a $60,000 chunk of the prize fund and 0.6 bitcoin (about $22,000 as of this posting).

    For an exceptional analysis of the games in the final matchups, check out this video from Gotham Chess:

    Carlsen and many of the familiar GMs on this circuit will reunite on June 26th for the 2021 Grand Prix.

  • FTX Crypto Cup Semis Start Today

    FTX Crypto Cup Semis Start Today

    In trying to get back into chess regularly, I’ve spent my days at work with the Chess.com streaming broadcast of the FTX Crypto Cup. The games in this tournament so far have ranged from inspiring to head scratching. The roster itself is a who’s who of the best in chess from around the world. Carlsen, Nakamura, So, Giri, and Caruana are just some of the big names rounding out this Champions Chess Tour event. Each player is competing for a chance to participate in the tour’s finale starting on September 25th.

    The preliminary round of the FTX Crypto Cup was quite an experience. Magnus Carlsen struggled through much of the round while Fabiano Caruana, who made it a point to tell everyone that he hadn’t played a game of online chess all year, absolutely dominated with a score of 10/15! Carlsen eventually managed to squeak by with a score of 8.5.

    [pgn] [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “1.1”] [White “Svidler, Peter”] [Black “Aronian, Levon”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2714”] [BlackElo “2781”] [ECO “C53”] [Opening “Giuoco Piano”] [WhiteFideId “4102142”] [BlackFideId “13300474”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 a5 8. Nbd2 Be6 9. Bb5 Qb8 10. Nf1 Qa7 11. d4 exd4 12. Bxc6 dxc3 13. Ba4 Bxf2+ 14. Kh1 Bxe1 15. Qxe1 Ng4 16. h3 Nf2+ 17. Kh2 cxb2 18. Bxb2 Nd3 19. Qc3 Nxb2 20. Qxb2 Qc5 21. a3 d5 22. Rc1 Qe7 23. e5 c5 24. Ne3 Rfd8 25. Bb5 a4 26. Qf2 Ra5 27. Bd3 g6 28. Bb1 d4 29. Nf1 c4 30. Nxd4 Qc5 31. Rd1 Qxe5+ 32. Ng3 Rad5 33. Nf3 Qd6 34. Re1 b5 35. Be4 Qc5 36. Qb2 c3 37. Qc1 Rd2 38. Rf1 Bc4 39. Rg1 Qe3 40. Bc6 f5 41. Re1 Qf2 42. Rg1 c2 43. Nxd2 Rxd2 44. Bf3 Qd4 45. Re1 Kf7 46. Nf1 Bxf1 47. Rxf1 Qc3 48. Kh1 Kg7 49. Qe1 Kf8 50. Bc6 Rd1 51. Qxc3 Rxf1+ 52. Kh2 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “1.2”] [White “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Black “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2820”] [BlackElo “2759”] [ECO “A10”] [Opening “English”] [Variation “Anglo-Dutch defense”] [WhiteFideId “2020009”] [BlackFideId “12573981”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. c4 f5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. d3 e5 4. g3 Bc5 5. Bg2 d6 6. e3 Nc6 7. Nge2 a6 8. d4 Ba7 9. b4 O-O 10. b5 axb5 11. cxb5 Na5 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Ba3 Qxd1+ 14. Rxd1 Re8 15. Bb4 Bb6 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. Bxd5+ Be6 18. O-O Bxd5 19. Rxd5 Nc4 20. Nc3 c6 21. bxc6 bxc6 22. Rd7 c5 23. Rb1 Red8 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Ba3 Ba5 26. Nb5 Rb8 27. Bxc5 Nd2 28. Rb2 Bc3 29. Ba7 Rb7 30. Rc2 Nf3+ 31. Kf1 Rxb5 32. Rxc3 Rb1+ 33. Kg2 e4 34. Rc8+ Kf7 35. Rc7+ Kg6 36. h4 Kh6 37. Bc5 g6 38. Ba3 Rg1+ 39. Kh3 Rh1+ 40. Kg2 Ra1 41. Kh3 Rh1+ 42. Kg2 Rg1+ 43. Kh3 Rh1+ 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “1.3”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2736”] [ECO “D37”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “classical variation (5.Bf4)”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “2016192”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. a3 c5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Nxc5 11. Be5 Bf5 12. Be2 Bf6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qd4 Qd6 15. Rd1 Rfd8 16. Qd2 Qf6 17. Qd4 Qd6 18. Qd2 Qf6 19. Qd4 Qd6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “1.4”] [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “A07”] [Opening “Reti”] [Variation “King’s Indian attack (Barcza system)”] [WhiteFideId “13401319”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. d3 Nd7 5. Nbd2 e6 6. e4 Bd6 7. h3 Bh5 8. O-O Ne7 9. d4 O-O 10. Re1 b5 11. a4 b4 12. c4 bxc3 13. bxc3 Rb8 14. e5 Bc7 15. Ba3 c5 16. Nb3 c4 17. Nc5 Nxc5 18. Bxc5 Ba5 19. Qc1 Qd7 20. Nh4 Rfe8 21. f4 Rb3 22. Re3 Bg6 23. Nxg6 hxg6 24. g4 Reb8 25. Qe1 Rb2 26. Qh4 Bd8 27. Qe1 Nc6 28. Kh1 Be7 29. Bxe7 Qxe7 30. Qg3 Rb1+ 31. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 32. Kh2 Qa3 33. f5 Qc1 34. h4 gxf5 35. gxf5 Ne7 36. fxe6 Nf5 37. e7 Rb8 38. Re1 Qd2 39. Rb1 Re8 40. Qg5 Ne3 41. Kh1 Qxc3 42. e6 Qxd4 43. exf7+ Kxf7 44. Bf3 Rxe7 45. Bh5+ Ke6 46. Qg6+ Qf6 47. Qg3 Qe5 48. Qg6+ Kd7 49. Bf3 Qe6 50. Qg3 Qd6 51. Qg5 Kc7 52. Re1 Qe5 53. Qg6 Qf4 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “1.5”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Dubov, Daniil”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2710”] [ECO “A45”] [Opening “Queen’s pawn game”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “24126055”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 g6 4. Nb5 Na6 5. e3 Bg7 6. Nf3 O-O 7. h3 Ne4 8. c3 c6 9. Na3 Nb8 10. Be2 Bf5 11. O-O Nd7 12. c4 Nb6 13. Rc1 c5 14. Be5 Bxe5 15. dxe5 dxc4 16. Nxc4 Qxd1 17. Rfxd1 Na4 18. g4 Be6 19. Bd3 Bxc4 20. Bxc4 Rad8 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Rc2 Nb6 23. Kg2 Kg7 24. Be2 Rd5 25. a3 a5 26. Bc4 Rd1 27. Be2 Rd5 28. Kf1 e6 29. Ke1 Kf8 30. Bf1 Rd7 31. Ng1 c4 32. Bxc4 Nc5 33. Be2 Nd3+ 34. Bxd3 Rxd3 35. Nf3 Rd7 36. Nd4 g5 37. Ke2 h6 38. Nb5 Ke7 39. Nd6 f6 40. f4 gxf4 41. exf4 Nd5 42. Kf3 fxe5 43. fxe5 a4 44. Rc8 Rd8 45. Rxd8 Kxd8 46. Nxb7+ Ke7 47. Nc5 Nb6 48. Ke4 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “1.6”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2776”] [ECO “D32”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “Tarrasch, von Hennig-Schara gambit”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “4126025”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 cxd4 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qd1 exd5 7. Qxd5 Bd6 8. Bg5 Nge7 9. Qd2 h6 10. Rd1 hxg5 11. Qxd6 Qb6 12. Qa3 O-O 13. e3 Nb4 14. Qa4 Bf5 15. e4 Be6 16. a3 Na2 17. Nxa2 Bxa2 18. Qb5 Qe6 19. Bd3 Rfd8 20. Ne2 Nc6 21. O-O Ne5 22. Nc1 Nxd3 23. Nxa2 a6 24. Qxb7 Nf4 25. Nc3 Rdb8 26. Qd7 Rxb2 27. Qxe6 fxe6 28. g3 Ng6 29. Rd6 Kf7 30. Rd7+ Kf6 31. Rc7 Rd8 32. Rc6 Kf7 33. Rc7+ Kf6 34. Rc6 Kf7 35. Na4 Re2 36. Nc5 Ne5 37. Rxa6 Nf3+ 38. Kg2 g4 39. Ra7+ Kf6 40. Ra6 Rdd2 41. Nxe6 Kf7 42. Nf4 Rxe4 43. h3 Ne1+ 44. Rxe1 Rxe1 45. hxg4 Ra2 46. g5 Kf8 47. g6 Re8 48. Ne6+ Kg8 49. Ra7 Kh8 50. Nd4 Rf8 51. Nf5 Rb2 52. g4 Rg8 53. Re7 Rb6 54. Re1 Rgb8 55. Rh1+ Kg8 56. Rd1 Kf8 57. Rh1 Kg8 58. Ne7+ Kf8 59. Nd5 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “1.7”] [White “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Black “Ding, Liren”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2760”] [BlackElo “2799”] [ECO “B12”] [Opening “Caro-Kann”] [Variation “advance variation”] [WhiteFideId “623539”] [BlackFideId “8603677”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 c5 6. Be3 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Ne7 8. O-O Nbc6 9. Bb5 a6 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. c4 Qd7 12. Nc3 dxc4 13. Na4 Nd5 14. Nxf5 exf5 15. Rc1 c3 16. Nxc3 Nxe3 17. fxe3 g6 18. Qxd7+ Kxd7 19. Rfd1+ Ke7 20. Ne2 Bh6 21. Kf2 Rhc8 22. Rc5 Rab8 23. b3 Rb5 24. Rdc1 Kd7 25. Nd4 Rxc5 26. Rxc5 Bf8 27. Rc4 c5 28. Nf3 Ke6 29. Ke2 h6 30. h3 Bg7 31. b4 Bxe5 32. bxc5 Bg7 33. Ra4 Rxc5 34. Rxa6+ Ke7 35. Ne1 Rc1 36. Ra7+ Kf8 37. Ra8+ Ke7 38. Ra7+ Kf8 39. Ra8+ Ke7 40. Ra7+ 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “1.8”] [White “Pichot, Alan”] [Black “Giri, Anish”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2630”] [BlackElo “2780”] [ECO “B32”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Labourdonnais-Loewenthal (Kalashnikov) variation”] [WhiteFideId “110973”] [BlackFideId “24116068”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 g6 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 Bg7 9. Nc2 Nf6 10. Be2 O-O 11. Be3 Be6 12. O-O Rc8 13. f3 Nh5 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. Qxd5 Nd4 16. Bd3 b5 17. Nxd4 exd4 18. Bg5 Qb6 19. cxb5 Rc5 20. Qb3 Rxg5 21. bxa6 Qxb3 22. axb3 Nf4 23. Bc4 Rxg2+ 24. Kh1 Rxb2 25. Rfb1 Rc2 26. Rc1 d3 27. Rxc2 Bxa1 28. Rc1 Bd4 29. Rd1 Bc5 30. h4 Kg7 31. Kh2 Kf6 32. Kg3 Ke5 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “2.1”] [White “Aronian, Levon”] [Black “Giri, Anish”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2781”] [BlackElo “2780”] [ECO “C59”] [Opening “two knights defence”] [Variation “Steinitz variation”] [WhiteFideId “13300474”] [BlackFideId “24116068”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Be2 h6 9. Nh3 Bd6 10. d3 Nb7 11. Ng1 Nc5 12. Nf3 e4 13. dxe4 Ncxe4 14. O-O O-O 15. Nbd2 Qc7 16. Nc4 Bc5 17. Be3 Rd8 18. Qc1 Bxe3 19. Nxe3 Rb8 20. c3 Bg4 21. Rd1 Ng5 22. Nxg5 Bxe2 23. Re1 Bh5 24. Nh3 Re8 25. b3 Re6 26. Nc4 Rxe1+ 27. Qxe1 Re8 28. Qd2 Bg4 29. Nf4 g5 30. Nd3 Re2 31. Qc1 Bf5 32. Qd1 Ng4 33. g3 Qe7 34. h3 Bxd3 35. Qxd3 Nxf2 36. Qf5 Re1+ 37. Rxe1 Qxe1+ 38. Kg2 Ne4 39. Qf3 Nxc3 40. h4 Ne4 41. Qe3 Qxe3 42. Nxe3 Nc3 43. a4 Ne4 44. Nf5 Kh7 45. b4 gxh4 46. gxh4 c5 47. Kf3 Nc3 48. bxc5 Nxa4 49. c6 Nb6 50. h5 a5 51. Ke4 a4 52. Kd4 a3 53. Kc3 Nc4 5 4. Nd4 a2 55. Nc2 Ne3 56. Na1 Nd5+ 57. Kc4 Ne7 58. c7 Kg7 59. Kb3 Kf6 60. Kxa2 Kg5 61. Kb3 Kxh5 62. Nc2 Kg5 63. Kc4 h5 64. Kd3 h4 65. Ke2 Kf6 66. Nd4 Nc8 67. Kf3 Ke5 68. Nc6+ Kd6 69. Nd8 Kxc7 70. Nxf7 Nd6 71. Nxd6 Kxd6 72. Kg4 h3 73. Kxh3 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “2.2”] [White “Ding, Liren”] [Black “Pichot, Alan”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2799”] [BlackElo “2630”] [ECO “E62”] [Opening “King’s Indian”] [Variation “fianchetto, Uhlmann (Szabo) variation”] [WhiteFideId “8603677”] [BlackFideId “110973”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. c4 O-O 5. d4 d6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 e5 8. d5 Nb8 9. e4 a5 10. Rb1 Na6 11. Re1 Nc5 12. b3 c6 13. dxc6 bxc6 14. Ba3 Qe7 15. Qd2 Rd8 16. Rbd1 Be6 17. h3 Qc7 18. Ng5 Qb6 19. Qe3 Bh6 20. h4 Ne8 21. Bxc5 Qxc5 22. Qxc5 dxc5 23. Nxe6 fxe6 24. Na4 Bd2 25. Rf1 Nc7 26. Nxc5 Bc3 27. Bh3 Kf7 28. Kg2 Ke7 29. f4 Bd4 30. Nb7 Rdb8 31. fxe5 Bxe5 32. Nc5 Rd8 33. Nd3 Bc3 34. Rf3 Na6 35. Rdf1 Rf8 36. Nf4 Be5 37. Nxe6 Rxf3 38. Rxf3 a4 39. Ng5 a3 40. Rf7+ Kd6 41. Rxh7 Kc5 42. Rb7 Kd4 43. Nf3+ Kc3 44. Nxe5 Kb2 45. b4 Kxa2 46. c5 Re8 47. Nc4 Rxe4 48. Ra7 Rxc4 49. Be6 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “2.3”] [White “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Black “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2776”] [BlackElo “2760”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “modern exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “4126025”] [BlackFideId “623539”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8. Be3 Qa5 9. Qd2 Nc6 10. Rb1 a6 11. Rc1 cxd4 12. cxd4 Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 e6 14. h4 h6 15. Bd3 O-O 16. Rc5 Bd7 17. Rb1 b5 18. a4 bxa4 19. Rb7 Nb8 20. Ra5 Rc8 21. Rb1 Be8 22. Ke2 Nc6 23. Rxa4 a5 24. Rba1 Rab8 25. Bd2 Rb2 26. R4a2 Rcb8 27. e5 Rxa2 28. Rxa2 a4 29. Bc2 Nb4 30. Bxb4 Rxb4 31. Kd2 Bb5 32. Bd3 Bc6 33. Kc3 Rb3+ 34. Kc2 Bf8 35. Nd2 Rb4 36. Kc3 Bxg2 37. Be4 Bh3 38. Bc2 Be7 39. h5 gxh5 40. Ra1 Rb8 41. Rxa4 Bg2 42. Be4 Bxe4 43. Nxe4 h4 44. Ra7 Kf8 45. Ra1 Bg5 46. Rh1 Rc8+ 47. Kd3 Rc1 48. Rh2 Rd1+ 49. Kc4 Kg7 50. f4 Bxf4 51. Rxh4 Bg5 52. Rh3 Rc1+ 53. Kd3 Kg6 54. Rf3 Rg1 55. Nxg5 Rxg5 56. Rf6+ Kg7 57. Ke3 h5 58. Rf4 Rg6 59. Kf3 Rg1 60. Kf2 Rg5 61. Ke3 Kf8 62. Rf6 Rg3+ 63. Kf2 Rg4 64. Rh6 Rxd4 65. Rxh5 Rd5 66. Ke3 f5 67. Kf4 Rd4+ 68. Kg5 Kg7 69. Rh1 Rg4+ 70. Kh5 Re4 71. Kg5 Rxe5 72. Ra1 Re4 73. Ra7+ Kf8 74. Kf6 Ke8 75. Re7+ Kd8 76. Rh7 f4 77. Rf7 Re3 78. Kg5 e5 79. Kf5 f3 80. Ke6 e4 81. Kd6 Ke8 82. Re7+ Kf8 83. Ke6 Re2 84. Ra7 f2 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “2.4”] [White “Dubov, Daniil”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2710”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “E06”] [Opening “Catalan”] [Variation “closed, 5.Nf3”] [WhiteFideId “24126055”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Qc2 c5 7. dxc5 d4 8. b4 a5 9. b5 Bxc5 10. Nbd2 Nbd7 11. Nb3 e5 12. O-O Re8 13. Nxc5 Nxc5 14. Ba3 Qc7 15. Rab1 Bd7 16. Nd2 Rab8 17. b6 Qc8 18. Bxc5 Qxc5 19. Ne4 Nxe4 20. Bxe4 g6 21. Bd5 Bf5 22. Qd2 Bxb1 23. Rxb1 Rbd8 24. e4 Rd6 25. Rb5 Rxd5 26. exd5 Qxc4 27. Rxa5 d3 28. h4 h5 29. Kg2 Rc8 30. Qg5 Qb4 31. d6 Qxa5 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “2.5”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “B49”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Taimanov variation”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Be2 b5 8. Nxc6 Qxc6 9. e5 Bb7 10. Bf3 Qc7 11. Bxb7 Qxb7 12. Qd3 Ne7 13. Bc5 Qxg2 14. O-O-O Qc6 15. Ne4 Nf5 16. Bxf8 Rxf8 17. Rhe1 Rc8 18. Kb1 f6 19. f4 fxe5 20. fxe5 h6 21. Rg1 Qd5 22. Nd6+ Ke7 23. Nxc8+ Rxc8 24. Qxd5 exd5 25. Rxd5 Ke6 26. Rd3 g5 27. a4 bxa4 28. Rg4 Rc6 29. Rxa4 h5 30. Rda3 g4 31. Kc1 Kxe5 32. Rxa6 h4 33. Rxc6 dxc6 34. Kd1 h3 35. Ke2 g3 36. Kf3 gxh2 37. Ra1 Nd4+ 38. Kg3 Nxc2 39. Rc1 Nb4 40. Kxh2 Kd4 41. b3 c5 42. Kxh3 Nc6 43. Rc4+ Kd5 44. Kg2 Ne5 45. Rc1 c4 46. bxc4+ Nxc4 47. Rxc4 Kxc4 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “2.6”] [White “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Black “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2736”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence, open variation”] [WhiteFideId “2016192”] [BlackFideId “13401319”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re2 c6 12. Ne3 Bc7 13. Nf5 d5 14. Ne7+ Kh8 15. Nxc8 Rxc8 16. g3 Qd7 17. d3 Nd6 18. Be3 Rce8 19. Qd2 Bb6 20. Bf4 Rxe2 21. Qxe2 Re8 22. Qf3 Qf5 23. Bg2 Re6 24. h4 Ne8 25. Kh2 Qf6 26. c3 Bc7 27. Bg5 Qxf3 28. Bxf3 h6 29. Bd2 Nf6 30. h5 Kg8 31. Kg2 a5 32. c4 dxc4 33. dxc4 Ne4 34. Be1 Kf8 35. Rd1 Ke7 36. Bg4 Rd6 37. Rxd6 Bxd6 38. Bxa5 Be5 39. Bf3 f5 40. Bxe4 fxe4 41. b3 Kf6 42. Bd2 g6 43. hxg6 Kxg6 44. a4 h5 45. b4 Kf5 46. Kh3 Bf6 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “2.7”] [White “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Black “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2759”] [BlackElo “2765”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “open Berlin defence, l’Hermet variation”] [WhiteFideId “12573981”] [BlackFideId “13400924”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. dxe5 Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 d5 10. exd6 Qxd6 11. Qe4+ Qe6 12. Qd4 Qd6 13. Qe4+ Qe6 14. Qd4 Qd6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “2.8”] [White “Svidler, Peter”] [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2714”] [BlackElo “2820”] [ECO “C50”] [Opening “Giuoco Pianissimo”] [WhiteFideId “4102142”] [BlackFideId “2020009”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 h6 6. O-O d6 7. Re1 O-O 8. Nbd2 Bb6 9. h3 Ne7 10. a4 a5 11. Bb3 c6 12. d4 Ng6 13. Nf1 d5 14. Ng3 Nxe4 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Rxe4 Bf5 17. Re1 e4 18. Nd2 Qh4 19. Re3 Rae8 20. Nf1 Bc7 21. Ng3 Bd7 22. Qc2 Bf4 23. Re2 Bxg3 24. fxg3 Qxg3 25. Re3 Qh4 26. Bd2 Kh7 27. Be1 Qg5 28. Rg3 Qe7 29. Bd2 f5 30. Rf1 Qd6 31. Re3 f4 32. Rxe4 Bf5 33. Rfe1 Rxe4 34. Rxe4 f3 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “3.1”] [White “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Black “Aronian, Levon”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2820”] [BlackElo “2781”] [ECO “C45”] [Opening “Scotch”] [Variation “Mieses variation”] [WhiteFideId “2020009”] [BlackFideId “13300474”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. g3 g6 9. c4 Ba6 10. b3 Bg7 11. Bb2 O-O-O 12. Nd2 Rhe8 13. O-O-O Nb6 14. f4 d5 15. Qe3 f6 16. c5 Bxf1 17. cxb6 Ba6 18. bxa7 Kb7 19. Nf3 Qb4 20. Rd4 Qb6 21. Qd2 Bf8 22. Re1 Bc5 23. exf6 Bxd4 24. Bxd4 Rxe1+ 25. Qxe1 c5 26. Qe7 cxd4 27. Qxd8 Qc5+ 28. Kd1 Kxa7 29. f7 d3 30. Nd4 d2 31. Ne2 Bd3 32. Kxd2 Qc2+ 33. Ke3 Qxe2+ 34. Kd4 Qe4+ 35. Kc3 Qe1+ 36. Kxd3 Qe4+ 37. Kd2 Qd4+ 38. Ke2 Qe4+ 39. Kf2 Qc2+ 40. Kf1 Qb1+ 41. Kg2 Qc2+ 42. Kh3 Qf5+ 43. g4 Qxf7 44. Kg3 Kb7 45. Qh8 Qe7 46. Qe5 Qc5 47. f5 Qg1+ 48. Kh4 d4 49. Qf4 Qe1+ 50. Kh3 Qc3+ 51. Kg2 d3 52. Qf3+ c6 53. f6 Qc2+ 54. Kh3 d2 55. f7 d1=Q 56. Qxd1 Qxd1 57. f8=Q Qc2 58. Qf7+ Kb6 59. a4 Ka5 60. Kg3 Kb4 61. h4 c5 62. Qf3 Qd2 63. g5 Qd6+ 64. Kg2 Qd4 65. Kh3 Qe5 66. Qd3 Qd4 67. Qf3 Qe5 68. Qd3 Qd4 69. Qb5+ Kc3 70. a5 Qe3+ 71. Kg2 Qe4+ 72. Kf2 Qxh4+ 73. Kf3 Qh3+ 74. Kf2 Qf5+ 75. Ke2 Qc2+ 76. Kf3 Qd1+ 77. Kf2 Qd4+ 78. Kf3 Qd5+ 79. Kf2 Qf5+ 80. Ke2 Qg4+ 81. Kf2 Qf4+ 82. Ke2 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “3.2”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “Svidler, Peter”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2714”] [ECO “A3 4”] [Opening “English”] [Variation “symmetrical, three knights system”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “4102142”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Qc7 7. e4 e6 8. Bd3 Bd7 9. Qd2 Bc6 10. Qf4 Qxf4 11. Bxf4 Nd7 12. O-O-O Be7 13. Bc2 f6 14. e5 Nb6 15. exf6 gxf6 16. Rhe1 Kf7 17. Bg3 Rad8 18. Rxd8 Rxd8 19. Bd1 Bf8 20. Nh4 Bh6+ 21. f4 Nd5 22. Bh5+ Kg8 23. Rf1 e5 24. Rd1 Rf8 25. Rxd5 Bxd5 26. Nf5 Be6 27. Nxh6+ Kg7 28. Ng4 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “3.3”] [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Black “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2759”] [ECO “A07”] [Opening “Reti”] [Variation “King’s Indian attack”] [WhiteFideId “13401319”] [BlackFideId “12573981”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. c4 dxc4 4. Na3 Nc6 5. Nxc4 Bg7 6. d3 e5 7. Bd2 Nge7 8. Bg2 a5 9. O-O Be6 10. Rc1 O-O 11. Qa4 Qd7 12. Rfd1 f6 13. a3 Rfb8 14. Qb5 Nf5 15. Bc3 Qf7 16. e4 Nfe7 17. Nxa5 Na7 18. Qa4 b6 19. Nc4 b5 20. Ncxe5 fxe5 21. Qb4 Nac6 22. Qc5 Bg4 23. Nxe5 Bxe5 24. Bxe5 Bxd1 25. Rxd1 Nxe5 26. Qxe5 Rf8 27. f4 Rfd8 28. Rc1 Qg7 29. Qe6+ Kf8 30. e5 c6 31. Be4 Qf7 32. Qh3 Kg8 33. Rf1 Kh8 34. g4 Qe6 35. Kh1 Rd4 36. Qh6 Ng8 37. Qh4 Rf8 38. Qf2 Rfd8 39. Qh4 Rf8 40. b4 Rd7 41. Qg3 Rdf7 42. h3 Ne7 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “3.4”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2736”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “open Berlin defence, Showalter variation”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “2016192”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4 exd4 7. c3 b5 8. Bc2 Be7 9. Re1 O-O 10. a3 Bb7 11. cxd4 Bf6 12. Nc3 Re8 13. Rxe8+ Qxe8 14. Nd5 Bd8 15. Qd3 f5 16. Bf4 Ne7 17. Nc3 a6 18. Re1 Qg6 19. d5 Nc4 20. Nd4 Qf7 21. Nxf5 Nxf5 22. Qxf5 Qxf5 23. Bxf5 Nb6 24. Re8+ Kf7 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Bxc7 Re8 27. Ne4 Nc4 28. f3 Bxd5 29. Ng5+ Kf6 30. Bxd7 Re1+ 31. Kf2 Rb1 32. Bd8+ Ke5 33. b4 Kd6 34. Bc8 Rb2+ 35. Kg3 Ne3 36. Bxa6 h6 37. Ne4+ Bxe4 38. fxe4 Kc6 39. e5 Rd2 40. Ba5 Ra2 41. e6 Nd5 42. Bc8 Rxa3+ 43. Kg4 Kd6 44. Ba6 Ra2 45. g3 Rxh2 46. Bxb5 Kxe6 47. Bc4 Ke5 48. Bxd5 Kxd5 49. Kf5 Rh5+ 50. Kf4 Ke6 51. Bb6 Rf5+ 52. Ke4 h5 53. Bd8 Rb5 54. Ba5 Rg5 55. Kf3 Rf5+ 56. Kg2 Rb5 57. Kh3 Kf5 58. Kh4 g6 59. g4+ hxg4 60. Kg3 Rd5 61. Bb6 Rd3+ 62. Kg2 Rb3 63. Bc5 g3 64. Kh3 Kf4 65. Bd6+ Kf3 66. Bxg3 Rxb4 67. Bd6 Rd4 68. Ba3 g5 69. Kh2 g4 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “3.5”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “open Berlin defence, l’Hermet variation”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. dxe5 Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 8. Nxd4 d5 9. exd6 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd6 11. Qe4+ Qe6 12. Qd4 Qd6 13. Qe4+ Qe6 14. Qd4 Qd6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “3.6”] [White “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Black “Dubov, Daniil”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2760”] [BlackElo “2710”] [ECO “B30”] [Opening “Sicilian defence”] [WhiteFideId “623539”] [BlackFideId “24126055”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 e5 7. Nc3 Bb4 8. Bd2 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 e4 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Ne7 12. Qa4+ Bd7 13. Qb4 a5 14. Qd6 Bc6 15. Be2 Qe6 16. O-O O-O 17. Rfd1 Nd5 18. Qxe6 fxe6 19. Bd2 Rf5 20. Rac1 Rxe5 21. Rc5 a4 22. Re1 Rf8 23. Bg4 h5 24. Bh3 e3 25. fxe3 g5 26. g3 Nf4 27. Bxe6+ Rxe6 28. exf4 Rxe1+ 29. Bxe1 gxf4 30. Rxh5 fxg3 31. hxg3 Rf3 32. a3 Kf7 33. Rc5 Kg6 34. Rc2 Be4 35. Rc5 Bc6 36. Bf2 Rb3 37. Rc2 Rd3 38. Kf1 Kf5 39. Be1 Ke4 40. Rc3 Rxc3 41. Bxc3 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “3.7”] [White “Pichot, Alan”] [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2630”] [BlackElo “2776”] [ECO “C11”] [Opening “French”] [Variation “Steinitz variation”] [WhiteFideId “110973”] [BlackFideId “4126025”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Nce2 c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. Nf3 cxd4 8. cxd4 f6 9. exf6 Nxf6 10. Ng3 Qb6 11. Bd3 Bb4+ 12. Bd2 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Qxd4 14. O-O O-O 15. Ne2 Qb6 16. Be3 Bc5 17. Bxc5 Qxc5 18. Qc1 Qd6 19. f4 Qb6+ 20. Kh1 Bd7 21. Qc3 Bb5 22. Bxb5 Qxb5 23. Qe5 Rae8 24. Ng3 Ng4 25. Qd4 Qc4 26. Qxa7 Rxf4 27. Rxf4 Qxf4 28. Rf1 Qb4 29. a3 Qb5 30. Rf4 Rc8 31. Rf1 Qxb2 32. h3 Nf6 33. Qe3 Re8 34. Qg5 Qd4 35. Kh2 Rf8 36. Rf3 h6 37. Qc1 Qe5 38. Kh1 Qd6 39. Qb1 b6 40. Qg6 Qe5 41. Qb1 Qd6 42. Qg6 b5 43. Qb1 Qd7 44. Qg6 Qe7 45. Qb1 Qd7 46. Qg6 d4 47. Ne2 e5 48. Ng3 Qf7 49. Qb1 Qd7 50. Qg6 Kh8 51. Ne4 Qe7 52. Ng3 Qf7 53. Qb1 Qe8 54. Qb4 Nh7 55. Rxf8+ Nxf8 56. Qd6 Ng6 57. Kh2 Kh7 58. Qd5 Qf8 59. Qe4 Qf4 60. Qd3 h5 61. Kh1 h4 62. Ne4 Qf5 63. Qe2 Nf4 64. Qf3 d3 65. Kh2 Kh6 66. Kh1 Qh5 67. Qf2 Kh7 68. Kh2 Kh6 69. Kh1 g5 70. Qb6+ Qg6 71. Qb7 g4 72. Nf2 gxh3 73. gxh3 d2 74. Qf3 Qg3 75. Qc6+ Kh5 76. Qe8+ Ng6 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “3.8”] [White “Giri, Anish”] [Black “Ding, Liren”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2780”] [BlackElo “2799”] [ECO “A20”] [Opening “English opening”] [WhiteFideId “24116068”] [BlackFideId “8603677”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. O-O Nb6 7. Nc3 Be7 8. d3 O-O 9. Be3 Re8 10. Rc1 Bf8 11. Bg5 Qd7 12. Ne4 h6 13. Bd2 a5 14. Nc5 Bxc5 15. Rxc5 Qd6 16. Rc1 Be6 17. a3 a4 18. Be3 Bb3 19. Qe1 Bd5 20. Bc5 Qe6 21. e4 Bb3 22. Qc3 Nd7 23. Be3 Nf6 24. Nd2 Ba2 25. f4 Rad8 26. Nf3 exf4 27. Bxf4 Rd7 28. Rfe1 Bb3 29. Nd2 Red8 30. Nxb3 Rxd3 31. Qxd3 Rxd3 32. Nc5 Qe7 33. Nxd3 g5 34. Be3 Ng4 35. Bc5 Qe6 36. e5 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “4.1”] [White “Aronian, Levon”] [Black “Ding, Liren”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2781”] [BlackElo “2799”] [ECO “D02”] [Opening “Queen’s bishop game”] [WhiteFideId “13300474”] [BlackFideId “8603677”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 e6 5. c3 Qb6 6. Qb3 c4 7. Qc2 Bd6 8. Bxd6 Qxd6 9. b3 cxb3 10. axb3 O-O 11. Nbd2 Nc6 12. Bd3 Bd7 13. O-O Rfc8 14. Qb2 a5 15. Rfc1 b6 16. Bf1 h6 17. c4 Nb4 18. Ne5 Ra7 19. Qa3 Qf8 20. cxd5 exd5 21. Nd3 Nc2 22. Qxf8+ Kxf8 23. Rab1 Rac7 24. Ne5 Nb4 25. Nxd7+ Nxd7 26. Rxc7 Rxc7 27. Rb2 Rc1 28. f3 f5 29. Kf2 Ke7 30. Nb1 Nf6 31. Na3 Ne8 32. Rb1 Rc3 33. Ke2 Nd6 34. Kd2 Rc8 35. Rc1 Rxc1 36. Kxc1 f4 37. exf4 Nc6 38. Nc2 Nf5 39. Kd2 Ncxd4 40. Nxd4 Nxd4 41. Kc3 Nc6 42. g4 Kd6 43. h4 Kc5 44. f5 d4+ 45. Kd2 Kb4 46. g5 hxg5 47. hxg5 Kxb3 48. Bb5 Ne7 49. f6 gxf6 50. gxf6 Ng6 51. Kd3 a4 52. Kxd4 a3 53. Bc4+ Kb2 54. Bd5 Nf8 55. f7 a2 56. Bxa2 Kxa2 57. Kc4 Kb2 58. Kb5 Kc3 59. Kxb6 Kd4 60. Kc7 Ke5 61. Kd8 Kf6 62. Ke8 Nh7 63. f4 Kf5 64. f8=Q+ Nxf8 65. Kxf8 Kxf4 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “4.2”] [White “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Black “Giri, Anish”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2776”] [BlackElo “2780”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “modern exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “4126025”] [BlackFideId “24116068”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8. Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. h3 Qe6 13. Bd3 a5 14. O-O a4 15. Qe2 a3 16. Bc4 Qd7 17. Bc3 Nc6 18. Rfd1 e6 19. Qa2 Rd8 20. Bb5 Qc7 21. Rb3 Bd7 22. d5 Bxc3 23. Rxc3 exd5 24. exd5 Qd6 25. Qa1 a2 26. dxc6 Qxd1+ 27. Qxd1 a1=Q 28. Rc1 Bxc6 29. Rxa1 Rxd1+ 30. Rxd1 Bxb5 31. Rb1 Bc6 32. Nd4 Bd5 33. Rb5 Rd8 34. Rb4 Kf8 35. f3 Ke7 36. Rb6 Rd6 37. Rb2 Ra6 38. Rd2 Ra2 39. Rd1 Rb2 40. Nf5+ Ke6 41. Ng7+ Ke5 42. Ne8 Be6 43. Re1+ Kd4 44. Nf6 h5 45. h4 b5 46. g4 b4 47. gxh5 gxh5 48. Nxh5 b3 49. Ng3 Ra2 50. h5 b2 51. h6 Ra 1 52. h7 Rxe1+ 53. Kf2 b1=Q 54. h8=Q+ Kc4 55. Qh4+ Kb3 56. Qd4 Rc1 57. Ne2 Rc4 58. Qb6+ Kc2 59. Qa7 Qb2 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “4.3”] [White “Dubov, Daniil”] [Black “Pichot, Alan”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2710”] [BlackElo “2630”] [ECO “A19”] [Opening “English”] [Variation “Mikenas-Carls, Sicilian variation”] [WhiteFideId “24126055”] [BlackFideId “110973”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 c5 4. e5 Ng8 5. d4 cxd4 6. Qxd4 Nc6 7. Qf4 d6 8. Nf3 Nh6 9. Bd2 dxe5 10. Nxe5 Bd6 11. Nxc6 Bxf4 12. Nxd8 Bxd2+ 13. Kxd2 Kxd8 14. Bd3 Ke7 15. Rhe1 Rd8 16. Kc2 Ng4 17. f3 Nf6 18. b4 b6 19. Rad1 Bb7 20. Bf1 g5 21. h3 h6 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Nb5 a6 24. Nc3 Rd4 25. Na4 Nd7 26. Kc3 Rf4 27. Nb2 h5 28. Nd3 Rf5 29. Be2 Kd6 30. Rd1 Kc7 31. Kd4 Rf6 32. Ke3 h4 33. Rc1 Rf5 34. a3 Ne5 35. Nf2 Nd7 36. Bd3 Rf4 37. Be4 Bxe4 38. Nxe4 Rf5 39. Kd4 Nf6 40. Nxf6 Rxf6 41. Re1 Kd6 42. Kc3 Rf5 43. Rd1+ Kc7 44. Kd4 Rf4+ 45. Kd3 Rf5 46. Ke3 Re5+ 47. Kf2 Rf5 48. Rd4 a5 49. Ke3 Re5+ 50. Kd2 Rf5 51. Ke3 Re5+ 52. Kd2 Rf5 53. Kd3 Re5 54. f4 Rf5 55. fxg5 Rxg5 56. Rg4 Rh5 57. Rf4 Rh7 58. Rg4 Kd6 59. Rg5 axb4 60. axb4 f6 61. Rg8 Ra7 62. Rb8 Kc7 63. Rf8 Ra2 64. Rxf6 Rxg2 65. Rxe6 Rg3+ 66. Re3 Rg1 67. Kd4 Rd1+ 68. Ke5 Rh1 69. b5 Kd7 70. Rd3+ Ke7 71. Kf5 Rh2 72. Re3+ Kd6 73. Kg4 Rg2+ 74. Kxh4 Kc5 75. Re4 Rg1 76. Kh5 Rg2 77. h4 Rg8 78. Kh6 Rg1 79. h5 Rg2 80. Kh7 Rg3 81. h6 Rg2 82. Kh8 Rg6 83. h7 Rg5 84. Re6 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “4.4”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2760”] [ECO “B23”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “closed”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “623539”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. f3 Nc6 4. Bb5 g6 5. Nge2 Bg7 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8. Be3 Nf6 9. Qd2 O-O 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. Be2 a6 12. Kb1 b5 13. g4 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 e5 15. Be3 b4 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 e4 18. fxe4 Re8 19. Bd4 Rxe4 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. h3 a5 22. Rhf1 Qe7 23. Bd3 Re5 24. Qf2 Rxd5 25. Rde1 Re5 26. Qd4 Rc5 27. Re4 Be6 28. b3 Kg8 29. Rfe1 Rxe4 30. Rxe4 Qc7 31. h4 Re5 32. g5 Rxe4 33. Qxe4 Qc5 34. Qa8+ Kg7 35. Qf3 Qg1+ 36. Kb2 Qd4+ 37. Kb1 h5 38. Qf1 Bd5 39. Qe1 Kf8 40. Qg3 Ke7 41. Qe1+ Be6 42. Qh1 Bd5 43. Qe1+ Qe5 44. Qf2 Be6 45. Qf1 Bf5 46. Bxf5 gxf5 47. Qd1 f4 48. Qxh5 Qe1+ 49. Kb2 Qc3+ 50. Kb1 f3 51. g6 Qe1+ 52. Kb2 f2 53. Qg5+ f6 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “4.5”] [White “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2736”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “open Berlin defence, l’Hermet variation”] [WhiteFideId “2016192”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. dxe5 Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 d5 10. exd6 Qxd6 11. Qe4+ Qe6 12. Qd4 Qd6 13. Qe4+ Qe6 14. Qd4 Qd6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “4.6”] [White “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2759”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “12573981”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8. Rc1 Qa5 9. Qd2 O-O 10. Nf3 Bg4 11. Ng5 h6 12. h3 Bd7 13. Nf3 cxd4 14. cxd4 Qxd2+ 15. Bxd2 e6 16. h4 Nc6 17. e5 Rfd8 18. Bd3 Be8 19. Be3 Rac8 20. Kd2 Nb4 21. Be4 Bc6 22. Bxc6 Nxc6 23. Rc3 Bf8 24. a3 Rd5 25. Rb1 Rc7 26. g4 Ra5 27. Rbb3 Rd7 28. Ke2 Kg7 29. Rd3 Ra4 30. Rbc3 Be7 31. Kd1 Bd8 32. Kc2 Bb6 33. Kb3 Ra5 34. Kc2 Rad5 35. Rc4 Rc7 36. Kd2 Rb5 37. Ke2 Rd7 38. Rc2 Rbd5 39. Rc4 a6 40. Kd2 Ba7 41. Ke2 Rd8 42. Kd2 Na5 43. Rcc3 b5 44. Ke2 Nc4 45. a4 Nb2 46. Rd2 Nxa4 47. Rc6 a5 48. Ra2 Rb8 49. Kd3 Bb6 50. Ke4 Rb7 51. h5 g5 52. Ne1 Rc7 53. Rxc7 Bxc7 54. Bd2 Bb6 55. Nc2 Rd7 56. Ra3 Rd8 57. f4 gxf4 58. Bxf4 Rc8 59. g5 hxg5 60. Bxg5 Rxc2 61. Rg3 Rh2 62. Bf6+ Kf8 63. h6 b4 64. Rg4 Nc3+ 65. Kf3 Nd5 66. Bh4 Bxd4 67. h7 Rxh4 68. Rxh4 Bxe5 69. h8=Q+ Bxh8 70. Rxh8+ Ke7 71. Ra8 Kd6 72. Rxa5 f5 73. Ke2 Ke5 74. Kd3 f4 75. Ra8 Ne7 76. Rb8 Nc6 77. Rb5+ Kd6 78. Ke4 e5 79. Rd5+ Ke6 80. Rb5 Kd6 81. Rd5+ Kc7 82. Rb5 f3 83. Ke3 Kd6 84. Kf2 e4 85. Ke3 Ne7 86. Rxb4 Nd5+ 87. Kxe4 f2 88. Rb1 Nc3+ 89. Kf3 Nxb1 90. Kxf2 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “4.7”] [White “Svidler, Peter”] [Black “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2714”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “C53”] [Opening “Giuoco Piano”] [WhiteFideId “4102142”] [BlackFideId “13401319”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O h6 7. Re1 O-O 8. Nbd2 a6 9. a4 Ne7 10. d4 Ba7 11. h3 Ng6 12. Bf1 c6 13. a5 Re8 14. Qc2 d5 15. exd5 exd4 16. Rxe8+ Qxe8 17. Nxd4 Nxd5 18. N2f3 Ne5 19. Bd2 Nxf3+ 20. Nxf3 Be6 21. c4 Ne7 22. Bc3 Rd8 23. Rd1 Rxd1 24. Qxd1 Qd7 25. Qxd7 Bxd7 26. b4 f6 27. Nd2 Kf7 28. Ne4 Ke6 29. Nc5+ Bxc5 30. bxc5 g5 31. f3 h5 32. g4 hxg4 33. hxg4 Ng6 34. Kf2 Kf7 35. Ke3 Be6 36. Bd3 Kg7 37. Be2 Kf7 38. Bd3 Kg7 39. Be2 Kf7 40. Bd3 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “4.8”] [White “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Black “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2820”] [BlackElo “2765”] [ECO “E40”] [Opening “Nimzo-Indian”] [Variation “4.e3”] [WhiteFideId “2020009”] [BlackFideId “13400924”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 d5 5. Nf3 c5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bd2 cxd4 8. exd4 Nc6 9. Bd3 O-O 10. O-O Be7 11. a3 Bf6 12. Qc2 g6 13. Bh6 Re8 14. Rad1 Bd7 15. Ne4 Be7 16. Qd2 Qa5 17. Qxa5 Nxa5 18. b4 Nc6 19. Nc5 Bc8 20. Rc1 Bf8 21. Bg5 f6 22. Bd2 a5 23. b5 Nce7 24. Rfe1 Kf7 25. g4 h6 26. h4 g5 27. b6 Nxb6 28. Rb1 Ned5 29. hxg5 hxg5 30. Rb5 Nd7 31. Nxe6 Rxe6 32. Rxe6 Nc7 33. Re3 Nxb5 34. Bxb5 Nb6 35. Rc3 Bd6 36. Be2 Be6 37. Ne1 Rc8 38. Rxc8 Nxc8 39. Bxa5 Bxa3 40. Nc2 Bb2 41. Bd8 Ne7 42. Bf3 Bb3 43. Ne3 Bxd4 44. Bxb7 Be6 45. Bxe7 Kxe7 46. Nf5+ Bxf5 47. gxf5 Kd6 48. Kg2 Ke5 49. Bc8 Kf4 50. f3 Be5 51. Be6 Bd4 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “5.1”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “Aronian, Levon”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2781”] [ECO “C78”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Moeller defence”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “13300474”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. h3 Ne7 9. d4 Ba7 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Nxe5 Qxd1 12. Bxd1 Nxe4 13. Nd2 Nxd2 14. Bxd2 Rd8 15. Bf4 Be6 16. Re1 Nd5 17. Bg3 Nf6 18. Bf4 c6 19. Bb3 Bxb3 20. axb3 Nd5 21. Bg3 Bb8 22. Rad1 Bxe5 23. Bxe5 f6 24. Bg3 Kf7 25. Rd2 Ne7 26. Red1 Rxd2 27. Rxd2 Ke8 28. Kf1 Rd8 29. Rxd8+ Kxd8 30. f3 Kd7 31. Ke2 h5 32. b4 Nf5 33. Bf2 Ke6 34. g4 hxg4 35. hxg4 Ne7 36. Kd3 f5 37. Bd4 g6 38. c4 b5 39. b3 fxg4 40. fxg4 Ng8 41. Ke3 Nh6 42. Kf4 Nf7 43. c5 Nd8 44. Bc3 Nf7 45. Bd4 g5+ 46. Ke4 Nh6 47. Kf3 Kd5 48. Bc3 Nf7 49. Bf6 Ke6 50. Bc3 Kd5 51. Bf6 Ke6 52. Bc3 Nh6 53. Bg7 Ng8 54. Ke4 Ne7 55. Bc3 Nd5 56. Bd2 Kf6 57. Be1 Ke6 58. Bd2 Kf6 59. Be1 Ke6 60. Bd2 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “5.2”] [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2820”] [ECO “A07”] [Opening “Reti”] [Variation “King’s Indian attack (Barcza system)”] [WhiteFideId “13401319”] [BlackFideId “2020009”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. d3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 e5 6. O-O a5 7. c3 Bd6 8. e4 dxe4 9. dxe4 O-O 10. a4 Be6 11. Qe2 Nd7 12. Nc4 h6 13. Rd1 Qe7 14. Nh4 Bc5 15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. exf5 Rfe8 17. Nd2 Nf6 18. Ne4 Rad8 19. Rxd8 Rxd8 20. Nxc5 Qxc5 21. Be3 Qd6 22. Qb5 e4 23. Bf4 Qd7 24. Re1 b6 25. Bxe4 Re8 26. f3 Nxe4 27. fxe4 f6 28. Kf2 Rd8 29. Re2 Ne5 30. Bxe5 Qxb5 31. axb5 fxe5 32. Ke3 Rd1 33. Rd2 Re1+ 34. Kf3 h5 35. Rd5 Rb1 36. Rxe5 Rxb2 37. Re8+ Kf7 38. Rc8 Rxb5 39. Rxc7+ Kf6 40. Rc6+ Ke7 41. c4 Rc5 42. Rxb6 Rxc4 43. Ra6 a4 44. Kf4 Kf7 45. h3 Rb4 46. g4 Rb3 47. g5 a3 48. g6+ Ke7 49. Ra7+ Kf8 50. e5 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “5.3”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Svidler, Peter”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2714”] [ECO “A15”] [Opening “English opening”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “4102142”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. h4 h6 6. e4 Nxc3 7. dxc3 Qxd1+ 8. Kxd1 Nd7 9. Bf4 c6 10. Kc2 a5 11. a4 Nc5 12. Nd2 h5 13. Be3 e5 14. f3 f6 15. Bc4 Ne6 16. Nb3 Bd6 17. Rad1 Ke7 18. Rd2 Bc7 19. Rhd1 b6 20. g3 Rd8 21. Rxd8 Nxd8 22. Nd2 Nb7 23. Be2 Nd6 24. f4 Bg4 25. Bxg4 hxg4 26. fxe5 fxe5 27. Bg5+ Ke6 28. Rf1 Rg8 29. Kd3 Bd8 30. Nc4 Nxc4 31. Kxc4 Be7 32. b4 axb4 33. Bxe7 Kxe7 34. cxb4 Rd8 35. a5 Rd4+ 36. Kb3 c5 37. a6 Rxb4+ 38. Ka3 Rb5 39. Ra1 c4 40. Ra2 Ra5+ 41. Kb2 c3+ 42. Kb3 c2 43. Rxc2 Rxa6 44. Rc6 Kf7 45. Rc7+ Kf6 46. Rc6+ Kf7 47. Rc7+ Kf6 48. Rc6+ Kf7 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “5.4”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2759”] [ECO “D37”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “4.Nf3”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “12573981”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 Be7 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1 c5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Bxe7 Nxe7 11. Be2 b6 12. O-O Bb7 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. b4 Nd7 15. Nb5 Nf6 16. Qxd8 Rfxd8 17. Rc7 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Ned5 19. Rxa7 Rxa7 20. Nxa7 Ra8 21. Nc6 Rxa2 22. h3 g5 23. Rc1 Rb2 24. Ra1 Nxb4 25. Ra8+ Kg7 26. Ne5 Ra2 27. Rb8 Ra7 28. Rxb6 Nbd5 29. Bxd5 Nxd5 30. Rb1 Rc7 31. Ra1 Ne7 32. g4 Ng6 33. Nxg6 Kxg6 34. Kg2 Kf6 35. Kf3 Kg6 36. Kg3 Kf6 37. Kf3 Kg6 38. Kg3 Kf6 39. Kf3 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “5.5”] [White “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2760”] [BlackElo “2736”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “open Berlin defence, l’Hermet variation”] [WhiteFideId “623539”] [BlackFideId “2016192”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. dxe5 Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 d5 10. exd6 Qxd6 11. Qe4+ Qe6 12. Qd4 Qd6 13. Qe4+ Qe6 14. Qd4 Qd6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “5.6”] [White “Pichot, Alan”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2630”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “B10”] [Opening “Caro-Kann defence”] [WhiteFideId “110973”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 Qc7 4. exd5 cxd5 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 e6 7. g3 a6 8. Bg2 dxc4 9. Bf4 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. dxc4 Qc7 12. Qe2 O-O 13. O-O b6 14. Ne5 Bb7 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16. Rfd1 Nbd7 17. Nxd7 Nxd7 18. Rd4 Rad8 19. Rad1 Qc7 20. b4 h6 21. a3 Nf6 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Rxd8+ Qxd8 24. Ne4 Nd7 25. c5 Qa8 26. Qc2 Qc6 27. Qe2 bxc5 28. Nxc5 Nxc5 29. bxc5 f6 30. Qd3 Kf7 31. h4 a5 32. Qc3 a4 33. Qd4 Ke7 34. Qg4 g5 35. hxg5 hxg5 36. Qc4 e5 37. Qc2 Kd7 38. Qf5+ Kc7 39. Qh7+ Qd7 40. Qh8 Qd1+ 41. Kg2 Qd5+ 42. Kg1 Qf3 43. Qf8 Qd1+ 44. Kh2 Qd8 45. Qf7+ Kc6 46. Qa7 Qd4 47. Qb6+ Kd7 48. Qb7+ Ke6 49. Qc6+ Ke7 50. Qb7+ Ke6 51. Qc6+ Kf5 52. Kg2 g4 53. Qc8+ Kg6 54. c6 Qd5+ 55. Kg1 Qd1+ 56. Kh2 Qd4 57. Qg8+ Kh6 58. Qf8+ Kg6 59. Qg8+ Kh6 60. Qf8+ Kg6 61. Qg8+ 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “5.7”] [White “Giri, Anish”] [Black “Dubov, Daniil”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2780”] [BlackElo “2710”] [ECO “C55”] [Opening “Two knights defence (Modern bishop’s opening)”] [WhiteFideId “24116068”] [BlackFideId “24126055”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Nc3 d6 7. a3 h6 8. Re1 Re8 9. h3 Bf8 10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. Bxd5 Ne7 12. Bb3 Ng6 13. Be3 Qf6 14. Nh2 Be6 15. Bxe6 Qxe6 16. Qg4 a5 17. Qxe6 Rxe6 18. a4 Ne7 19. f4 exf4 20. Bxf4 f5 21. exf5 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 Nxf5 23. Nf3 Kf7 24. Bd2 b6 25. g4 Ne7 26. Nd4 Ng6 27. Rf1+ Kg8 28. Ne6 Rc8 29. Bc3 c5 30. b3 d5 31. Rf5 d4 32. Nxf8 Rxf8 33. Rxf8+ Kxf8 34. Bd2 Ke7 35. Kf2 Ke6 36. Kg3 Ne5 37. h4 Nc6 38. h5 Ne7 39. g5 hxg5 40. Bxg5 Nd5 41. Kf3 Ke5 42. Bh4 Ke6 43. Bg3 Kf5 44. Bh4 Nf6 45. Kf2 g5 46. hxg6 Kxg6 47. Bxf6 Kxf6 48. Ke2 Kg5 49. Kf3 Kf5 50. Kg3 Kg5 51. Kf3 Kf5 52. Kg3 Kg5 53. Kf3 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.23”] [Round “5.8”] [White “Ding, Liren”] [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2799”] [BlackElo “2776”] [ECO “D32”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “Tarrasch, von Hennig-Schara gambit”] [WhiteFideId “8603677”] [BlackFideId “4126025”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 cxd4 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qxd4 exd5 7. Qxd5 Nf6 8. Qd1 Bc5 9. Nf3 O-O 10. e3 Nc6 11. Be2 Qe7 12. O-O Rfd8 13. Qb3 Bf5 14. Bd2 a6 15. Na4 Be6 16. Qc2 Ba7 17. Rfd1 Rac8 18. Nc3 Nb4 19. Qb1 g6 20. Ne4 Nc2 21. Nxf6+ Qxf6 22. Bc3 Rxc3 23. bxc3 Nxa1 24. Qxa1 Rc8 25. Nd4 Bd5 26. Bf1 h5 27. Qb2 h4 28. c4 Be4 29. Rd2 h3 30. Ne2 Qe7 31. gxh3 Bb8 32. Ng3 Be5 33. Qb3 Bc6 34. Bg2 Bxg2 35. Kxg2 Qc7 36. Rd5 Bg7 37. h4 Qc6 38. h5 Be5 39. hxg6 fxg6 40. Qd3 Kh7 41. Qe4 Bg7 42. c5 Re8 43. Rh5+ Kg8 44. Qxc6 bxc6 45. Rh4 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “6.1”] [White “Aronian, Levon”] [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2781”] [BlackElo “2776”] [ECO “D38”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “Ragozin variation”] [WhiteFideId “13300474”] [BlackFideId “4126025”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bf4 c5 7. g3 O-O 8. Bg2 c4 9. O-O Nc6 10. Bg5 Be6 11. Ne1 Be7 12. Nc2 Rc8 13. Rc1 Qa5 14. f4 Ne8 15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16. f5 Bd7 17. g4 h6 18. Qe1 Qb6 19. Bxd5 Bc6 20. Bxc4 Nf6 21. Bd3 Nxg4 22. Qg3 Nf6 23. Kf2 Kh8 24. Rg1 Rg8 25. Qh4 Qxb2 26. Ne3 Qb6 27. Nc4 Qd8 28. Ne5 Qf8 29. e4 Rd8 30. Ke3 Be8 31. Rg3 Nc6 32. Nxc6 Bxc6 33. e5 Qa3 34. Rc2 Rde8 35. Kf2 Nh7 36. f6 Qf8 37. fxg7+ Rxg7 38. Qxh6 Rd8 39. Bxh7 Rxg3 40. Qxf8+ Rxf8 41. Kxg3 Kxh7 42. d5 Bd7 43. Ne4 Bf5 44. Nf6+ Kg6 45. Rg2 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “6.2”] [White “Dubov, Daniil”] [Black “Ding, Liren”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2710”] [BlackElo “2799”] [ECO “E10”] [Opening “Queen’s pawn game”] [WhiteFideId “24126055”] [BlackFideId “8603677”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Nbd2 dxc4 6. Bg2 b5 7. Ne5 Qxd4 8. Nc6 Nxc6 9. Bxc6+ Bd7 10. Bxa8 c6 11. O-O O-O 12. Bb7 Qb6 13. Ne4 Qxb7 14. Nxf6+ gxf6 15. Bh6 Rd8 16. Qd4 e5 17. Qh4 Be7 18. Rad1 Qc8 19. f4 e4 20. g4 Be6 21. f5 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Bd5 23. Be3 a5 24. Kf2 b4 25. Rg1 c3 26. bxc3 bxc3 27. Bd4 c2 28. Bxf6 Bxf6 29. Qxf6 Qb8 30. Qg5+ Kh8 31. Rg3 Qb6+ 32. Kg2 e3+ 33. Kh3 Qc5 34. Qd8+ Kg7 35. Qg5+ Kh8 36. Qd8+ Kg7 37. Qg5+ Kh8 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “6.3”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “Giri, Anish”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2780”] [ECO “A00”] [Opening “Polish (Sokolsky) opening”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “24116068”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 Bxb4 3. Bxe5 Nf6 4. c3 Be7 5. g3 d6 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. Bg2 O-O 8. e3 d5 9. Ne2 c6 10. d4 Bf5 11. Nd2 Nd7 12. O-O Re8 13. c4 dxc4 14. Nxc4 Qc7 15. Rc1 Rad8 16. Nf4 Nb6 17. Nxb6 Qxb6 18. Qa4 g6 19. Rc3 Bg5 20. Rb3 Qc7 21. Qxa7 Re7 22. Nd3 Bxd3 23. Rxd3 c5 24. Rc3 b6 25. Qxc7 Rxc7 26. Rb1 Rd6 27. a4 Bf6 28. Bf1 Rcd7 29. dxc5 Bxc3 30. cxd6 Rxd6 31. Rc1 Rc6 32. Rd1 Rc7 33. Rd6 Ba5 34. Bb5 Kg7 35. e4 Rc1+ 36. Kg2 Rc2 37. e5 Bb4 38. Rf6 Be7 39. Rxb6 Rxf2+ 40. Kxf2 Bc5+ 41. Kf3 Bxb6 42. Ke4 Kf8 43. Kd5 Ke7 44. g4 h 5 45. h3 hxg4 46. hxg4 Ba5 47. Bd3 Bd2 48. Bc2 Be1 49. Bd3 Bd2 50. Ba6 Be1 51. Bc8 Kd8 52. e6 fxe6+ 53. Bxe6 Kc7 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “6.4”] [White “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Black “Pichot, Alan”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2736”] [BlackElo “2630”] [ECO “B51”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Canal-Sokolsky (Nimzovich-Rossolimo, Moscow) attack”] [WhiteFideId “2016192”] [BlackFideId “110973”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 O-O 9. Ba4 Ne5 10. Qe2 Bd7 11. Bxd7 Qxd7 12. Rd1 Rfc8 13. b3 a6 14. Bb2 Rab8 15. h3 Nc6 16. Nf3 Qe8 17. Nd5 Nd7 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Qb2+ Kg8 20. Rac1 Nde5 21. Ne1 Qf8 22. Qe2 Nd7 23. Qe3 Qg7 24. Rc2 Kf8 25. f4 a5 26. Nf3 Rd8 27. Nc3 Nc5 28. Rcd2 b6 29. Nd5 b5 30. cxb5 Rxb5 31. Nc3 Rbb8 32. e5 Nb7 33. Na4 dxe5 34. Nxe5 Nxe5 35. fxe5 Kg8 36. Nb6 Rxd2 37. Rxd2 Nd8 38. Nc4 Nc6 39. Qc5 Rc8 40. Rd7 Qh6 41. Nb6 Rd8 42. Qxc6 Qe3+ 43. Kh1 Qe1+ 44. Kh2 Qxe5+ 45. g3 Rf8 46. Nc4 Qe1 47. Qf3 a4 48. Qe3 Qb1 49. Rd2 axb3 50. Qxb3 Qe1 51. Qd1 Qe6 52. Qe2 Qa6 53. Ne5 Qb7 54. Nd7 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “6.5”] [White “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Black “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2759”] [BlackElo “2760”] [ECO “B51”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Canal-Sokolsky (Nimzovich-Rossolimo, Moscow) attack”] [WhiteFideId “12573981”] [BlackFideId “623539”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. O-O e6 7. Re1 Be7 8. Bf1 O-O 9. c4 Re8 10. Nc3 Bf8 11. a4 Ne5 12. Bf4 Ng6 13. Bg3 a6 14. h3 b6 15. Qd2 Bb7 16. a5 bxa5 17. Nb3 Rb8 18. Nxa5 Ba8 19. Ra4 Qd7 20. c5 e5 21. Bxa6 dxc5 22. Qxd7 Nxd7 23. Bb5 Red8 24. Nc4 Nb6 25. Ra7 Nc8 26. Ra5 f6 27. f3 Nf4 28. Rea1 Bb7 29. Bf2 Ne6 30. Ba6 Bc6 31. Bb5 Bb7 32. Ba6 Bc6 33. Bb5 Bb7 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “6.6”] [White “Svidler, Peter”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2714”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “A13”] [Opening “English opening”] [Variation “Agincourt variation”] [WhiteFideId “4102142”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. e3 Nf6 4. b3 Bd6 5. Bb2 O-O 6. Be2 c5 7. O-O b6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. d4 Bb7 10. Nbd2 Nd7 11. Nc4 Be7 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Nd4 Bf6 15. Bf3 Ba6 16. Qd2 Qd7 17. Rfd1 Rfd8 18. Nf5 exf5 19. Bxd5 Qe7 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. Qd4 Qxd4 22. Rxd4 Bxc4 23. Bxc4 Rxd4 24. exd4 Ne6 25. d5 Nc5 26. Bb5 Rd8 27. b4 Ne4 28. Rc7 g6 29. Bc6 Nc3 30. Rxa7 Nxd5 31. Bxd5 Rxd5 32. g3 f4 33. gxf4 Rd4 34. b5 Rb4 35. a4 Rxf4 36. Ra6 h5 37. Rxb6 Rxa4 38. Rc6 Rb4 39. b6 h4 40. Kg2 Rb3 41. h3 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “6.7”] [White “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2820”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “A48”] [Opening “King’s Indian”] [Variation “East Indian defence”] [WhiteFideId “2020009”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Bd3 c5 6. c3 O-O 7. O-O cxd4 8. cxd4 e5 9. d5 Nbd7 10. b4 a5 11. Ba3 axb4 12. Bxb4 Nc5 13. Bxc5 dxc5 14. Nc4 Nh5 15. a4 Nf4 16. Bc2 f5 17. Rb1 Ra6 18. Re1 fxe4 19. Bxe4 Qd7 20. Nfxe5 Bxe5 21. Nxe5 Qxa4 22. d6 Rd8 23. Qf3 Rf8 24. Bd5+ Kg7 25. Bb3 Qd4 26. Rbd1 Nh3+ 27. gxh3 Rxf3 28. Rxd4 cxd4 29. Nxf3 Rxd6 30. Re7+ Kh6 31. h4 d3 32. Ne5 Rd4 33. Bg8 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “6.8”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “C54”] [Opening “Giuoco Piano”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “13401319”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Qb3 Na5 11. Qa4+ Nc6 12. Qb3 Na5 13. Qa4+ Nc6 14. Qb3 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “7.1”] [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Black “Aronian, Levon”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2781”] [ECO “E39”] [Opening “Nimzo-Indian”] [Variation “classical, Pirc variation”] [WhiteFideId “13401319”] [BlackFideId “13300474”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 O-O 6. Nf3 Na6 7. g3 Nxc5 8. Bg2 Nce4 9. O-O Nxc3 10. bxc3 Be7 11. e4 d6 12. e5 dxe5 13. Nxe5 Qc7 14. Qe2 Bd6 15. Bf4 Ne8 16. c5 Qxc5 17. c4 Bxe5 18. Qxe5 Qxe5 19. Bxe5 f6 20. Bf4 e5 21. Be3 Be6 22. c5 Rf7 23. Rfb1 Rb8 24. a4 f5 25. Rb4 Nf6 26. c6 b6 27. Rb5 e4 28. Rd1 Rc8 29. Rd6 Re7 30. Bg5 Kf7 31. Bf1 Ne8 32. Bxe7 Kxe7 33. Rd1 Rxc6 34. Rbb1 Nd6 35. Rdc1 Bd7 36. Rxc6 Bxc6 37. Ra1 Nb7 38. Bb5 Bd5 39. Rc1 Nc5 40. a5 g5 41. Kf1 f4 42. Bc4 Ke6 43. axb6 axb6 44. Ke2 h6 45. Bxd5+ Kxd5 46. Rb1 Kc6 47. gxf4 gxf4 48. Rg1 b5 49. Rg6+ Kd5 50. Rxh6 Ne6 51. h4 b4 52. Rh8 b3 53. Rb8 Nd4+ 54. Kd1 e3 55. fxe3 fxe3 56. h5 Kc4 57. h6 Kd3 58. Kc1 e2 59. Re8 Nf5 60. h7 Ne3 61. Rd8+ Kc4 62. Kd2 b2 63. Rb8 Nc2 64. Kxe2 Nb4 65. Rxb4+ Kxb4 66. h8=Q 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “7.2”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2765”] [ECO “A45”] [Opening “Queen’s pawn game”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “13400924”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 c6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Bd3 Bxd3 6. Qxd3 Nbd7 7. O-O-O e6 8. e4 dxe4 9. Nxe4 Nxe4 10. Qxe4 Nf6 11. Qe2 Qd5 12. Kb1 Qxg2 13. Nf3 Qg4 14. Be3 Qh5 15. Rhg1 h6 16. Bf4 O-O-O 17. Rd3 Nd5 18. Be5 Qf5 19. Rb3 Rg8 20. a3 g5 21. Ka2 Bd6 22. c4 Nf4 23. Qe3 Kb8 24. d5 exd5 25. Nd4 Qd7 26. Rc1 Bxe5 27. Qxe5+ Ka8 28. Qe1 Ne6 29. Nf3 Nc5 30. Ne5 Nxb3 31. Nxd7 Nxc1+ 32. Qxc1 Rxd7 33. cxd5 cxd5 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “7.3”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2820”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “open Berlin defence, l’Hermet variation”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “2020009”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. dxe5 Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 8. Nxd4 d5 9. exd6 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd6 11. Qe4+ Qe6 12. Qd4 Qd6 13. Qe4+ Qe6 14. Qd4 Qd6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “7.4”] [White “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Black “Svidler, Peter”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2760”] [BlackElo “2714”] [ECO “B11”] [Opening “Caro-Kann”] [Variation “two knights, 3…Bg4”] [WhiteFideId “623539”] [BlackFideId “4102142”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 Bg4 4. h3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 e6 6. Be2 Bc5 7. O-O Ne7 8. Na4 Bd6 9. d4 dxe4 10. Qxe4 Nd7 11. Rd1 Nf6 12. Qf3 Qa5 13. b3 e5 14. dxe5 Bxe5 15. Rb1 O-O 16. Bd2 Qc7 17. Nb2 Ng6 18. g3 Rad8 19. Nc4 Bd4 20. c3 Bc5 21. b4 Be7 22. h4 h5 23. Be3 b5 24. Na5 Ne5 25. Qg2 Rxd1+ 26. Rxd1 c5 27. Qb7 Qxb7 28. Nxb7 cxb4 29. cxb4 Bxb4 30. Bxb5 a5 31. Bb6 Ne4 32. a4 Nc3 33. Ra1 Nxb5 34. axb5 Rb8 35. Bxa5 Bxa5 36. Nxa5 Rxb5 37. Ra2 g6 38. Kg2 Kg7 39. Ra4 Rb2 40. Nc4 Nxc4 41. Rxc4 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “7.5”] [White “Pichot, Alan”] [Black “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2630”] [BlackElo “2759”] [ECO “B10”] [Opening “Caro-Kann defence”] [WhiteFideId “110973”] [BlackFideId “12573981”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 Bg4 4. h3 Bh5 5. Qe2 e6 6. g4 Bg6 7. h4 h5 8. Ne5 Bh7 9. g5 Bd6 10. Nxf7 Kxf7 11. Qxh5+ Kf8 12. Qg4 Bg6 13. h5 Bf7 14. Nc3 Nd7 15. f4 Ne7 16. Bd2 Qb6 17. O-O-O Ke8 18. g6 Bg8 19. Qg5 d4 20. Ne2 Rh6 21. e5 Bb4 22. Bxb4 Qxb4 23. a3 Qb6 24. Ng3 Nc5 25. Ne4 Na4 26. Nd6+ Kd7 27. Nc4 Qc5 28. Bh3 b5 29. b4 Qd5 30. Bg2 bxc4 31. Bxd5 cxd5 32. dxc4 Nc3 33. Rd3 Rf8 34. Rxc3 dxc3 35. Qg1 Nc8 36. cxd5 exd5 37. Rh3 Rxf4 38. Rxc3 Rxh5 39. Qc5 Rc4 40. Rxc4 Rh1+ 41. Kb2 dxc4 42. Qb5+ Kd8 43. Qb7 Rh3 44. c3 Be6 45. Qxg7 Ne7 46. Qf6 Kd7 47. Qf2 Nc8 48. g7 Nb6 49. Qg2 Rd3 50. g8=Q Na4+ 51. Kb1 Nxc3+ 52. Kc2 Bxg8 53. Qxg8 Nd5 54. Qg4+ Kd8 55. Qxc4 Rd1 56. Qh4+ 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “7.6”] [White “Giri, Anish”] [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2780”] [BlackElo “2736”] [ECO “C45”] [Opening “Scotch game”] [WhiteFideId “24116068”] [BlackFideId “2016192”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bb4+ 5. c3 Bc5 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Nf5 Bxe3 8. Nxe3 Nge7 9. c4 d6 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Be2 f5 12. exf5 Nxf5 13. Nxf5 Bxf5 14. O-O Be6 15. Qd2 Qf6 16. Rad1 Qf4 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. cxd5 Ne5 19. Qxf4 Rxf4 20. Rc1 Re4 21. Rc2 Re8 22. f3 Rb4 23. b3 Nd7 24. Bc4 Ne5 25. a3 Rb6 26. b4 Nxc4 27. Rxc4 Ra6 28. Rc3 Re2 29. Rf2 Re1+ 30. Rf1 Re2 31. Rf2 Re1+ 32. Rf1 Re2 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “7.7”] [White “Ding, Liren”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2799”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “D31”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “Janowski variation”] [WhiteFideId “8603677”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 a6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 h6 6. Bf4 Nf6 7. e3 Bd6 8. Be5 c6 9. Bd3 Be7 10. h3 Be6 11. O-O Nbd7 12. Bh2 O-O 13. Rc1 Rc8 14. Bb1 c5 15. dxc5 Nxc5 16. Nd4 Bd6 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 18. Qf3 Qe5 19. Rfd1 Nce4 20. Nce2 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Rc8 22. Rxc8+ Bxc8 23. Qf4 Qxf4 24. Nxf4 Nd6 25. Bd3 Kf8 26. b3 Ke7 27. f3 Nde8 28. Kf2 Nc7 29. g4 Bd7 30. h4 Nfe8 31. h5 Nd6 32. a4 a5 33. Ke2 Kf6 34. Kd2 Ke5 35. Bc2 Ne6 36. Nd3+ Kf6 37. Nf4 Nxd4 38. exd4 Be6 39. Ke3 Nc8 40. Bd3 Ne7 41. Bb5 Bc8 42. Be8 g5 43. Nd3 Kg7 44. Bb5 f6 45. Kf2 b6 46. Kg3 f5 47. Ne5 fxg4 48. fxg4 Kf6 49. Kf3 Ke6 50. Kg3 Ng8 51. Bd3 Ke7 52. Nc6+ Kd6 53. Ne5 Ke7 54. Nc6+ Kd6 55. Ne5 Ke7 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “7.8”] [White “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Black “Dubov, Daniil”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2776”] [BlackElo “2710”] [ECO “B52”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Canal-Sokolsky attack, 3…Bd7”] [WhiteFideId “4126025”] [BlackFideId “24126055”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Nxd7 5. O-O Ngf6 6. Qe2 e6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Rc8 9. c4 Qc7 10. b3 Be7 11. Nc3 O-O 12. Bb2 Rfe8 13. Rad1 a6 14. f4 Bf8 15. Nf3 e5 16. fxe5 dxe5 17. Kh1 Qc6 18. Nd5 b5 19. Nd2 Nxd5 20. exd5 Qg6 21. Ba1 e4 22. Rf4 e3 23. Nf1 bxc4 24. bxc4 Ne5 25. h3 Bd6 26. Nxe3 Qg3 27. Qf2 Qxf2 28. Rxf2 Nxc4 29. Nf5 Bf8 30. d6 Nxd6 31. Nxd6 Bxd6 32. Rxd6 Rc1+ 33. Kh2 Rxa1 34. Rxa6 h5 35. Ra7 f6 36. Rc2 Re5 37. Rc3 Rg5 38. Rg3 Rxg3 39. Kxg3 Kh7 40. h4 Kg6 41. Ra5 Kf7 42. Ra7+ Kg6 43. Ra5 Kf7 44. Ra7+ Kg6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “8.1”] [White “Aronian, Levon”] [Black “Dubov, Daniil”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2781”] [BlackElo “2710”] [ECO “D78”] [Opening “Neo-Gruenfeld, 6.O-O c6”] [WhiteFideId “13300474”] [BlackFideId “24126055”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 d5 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. Qb3 dxc4 8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qc2 Bf5 10. Qd1 c5 11. Nc3 Nc6 12. Nh4 Bd7 13. dxc5 b4 14. Ne4 Nxe4 15. Bxe4 Rc8 16. Nf3 Bh3 17. Re1 Qxd1 18. Rxd1 Rfd8 19. Rd3 Rxd3 20. Bxd3 Ne5 21. Nxe5 Bxe5 22. a3 b3 23. Bc4 Rxc5 24. Bxb3 Rc7 25. Bh6 Bxb2 26. Rd1 Rc8 27. a4 Bg7 28. Be3 a6 29. f3 h5 30. Kf2 Bf6 31. a5 Kg7 32. Bd5 Rc2 33. Rb1 Bf5 34. Rc1 Rxc1 35. Bxc1 Bc3 36. Bb7 Bxa5 37. Bxa6 Bc3 38. Bc4 Bd7 39. h4 Be5 40. Be3 Bc6 41. Bc5 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “8.2”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2776”] [ECO “A01”] [Opening “Nimzovich-Larsen attack”] [Variation “modern variation”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “4126025”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. c4 Nf6 4. Nf3 e4 5. Nd4 Bc5 6. Nf5 d5 7. Nxg7+ Kf8 8. cxd5 Bd4 9. Nc3 Ne7 10. e3 Bxc3 11. dxc3 Kxg7 12. c4 Ng6 13. g4 h6 14. h4 c5 15. Be2 Kg8 16. Qc2 Rh7 17. O-O-O Nxg4 18. h5 Nf8 19. Qxe4 f5 20. Qc2 Nxf2 21. Rhg1+ Kf7 22. Rdf1 Qh4 23. Be5 Qe4 24. Qc3 Nh3 25. Rg4 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “8.3”] [White “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Black “Ding, Liren”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2736”] [BlackElo “2799”] [ECO “E32”] [Opening “Nimzo-Indian”] [Variation “classical variation”] [WhiteFideId “2016192”] [BlackFideId “8603677”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bf4 c5 8. dxc5 Qa5 9. e3 Bf5 10. Bd3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Bxd3 12. Qxd3 Qxc5 13. Rb1 b6 14. Be5 Nbd7 15. Bd4 Qa3 16. Qc2 Rfc8 17. O-O Ne4 18. Rfc1 Ndc5 19. Nd2 Nd6 20. Rd1 Qa4 21. Nb3 Ne6 22. Qe2 Nb5 23. Be5 f6 24. Na1 Nxc3 25. Bxc3 Rxc3 26. Rxd5 Qe4 27. Rdd1 Rac8 28. Rb2 Qc4 29. Kf1 Rc1 30. Rd2 Rxd1+ 31. Rxd1 Kf8 32. Nb3 Qxe2+ 33. Kxe2 Rc2+ 34. Rd2 Rxd2+ 35. Kxd2 Ke7 36. e4 Kd6 37. Ke3 g5 38. f3 Ke5 39. g3 h5 40. h4 gxh4 41. f4+ Kd6 42. gxh4 a6 43. Nd2 b5 44. Nf1 a5 45. Ng3 Ng7 46. Kd4 Ne6+ 47. Ke3 Ng7 48. Kd4 Ne6+ 49. Ke3 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “8.4”] [White “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Black “Giri, Anish”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2759”] [BlackElo “2780”] [ECO “C50”] [Opening “Giuoco Pianissimo”] [WhiteFideId “12573981”] [BlackFideId “24116068”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 d6 7. a4 a5 8. c3 Qe7 9. O-O g5 10. Bg3 Bd7 11. Re1 Rg8 12. d4 Ba7 13. Na3 h5 14. h4 gxh4 15. Bxh4 O-O-O 16. Nc2 Rg4 17. Bb5 exd4 18. cxd4 Rdg8 19. Ne3 Rxh4 20. Nxh4 Nxe4 21. Nef5 Qg5 22. Qf3 d5 23. Rad1 Kb8 24. g3 Nxd4 25. Nxd4 Bxb5 26. Kh2 Bxa4 27. b3 Be8 28. Re2 Bb6 29. Ng2 Bd7 30. Qxf7 Bg4 31. Nf3 Qg7 32. Qxg7 Rxg7 33. Ngh4 Bxf2 34. Rxf2 Nxf2 35. Rxd5 b6 36. Nd4 Kb7 37. Ng2 Ne4 38. Re5 Nd2 39. Nf4 Rd7 40. Nb5 Nf3+ 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “8.5”] [White “Svidler, Peter”] [Black “Pichot, Alan”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2714”] [BlackElo “2630”] [ECO “B50”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [WhiteFideId “4102142”] [BlackFideId “110973”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bd3 Nf6 4. c3 Bg4 5. Bc2 e6 6. h3 Bh5 7. d4 d5 8. exd5 Qxd5 9. Bb3 Qe4+ 10. Be3 Bxf3 11. gxf3 Qf5 12. Nd2 cxd4 13. Bxd4 Nc6 14. Ba4 Be7 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Qb3 O-O 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. O-O-O Rab8 19. Qc4 Rb5 20. Kc2 Rfb8 21. b3 Rd5 22. Qe4 Re5 23. Qd3 g6 24. Ne4 Qf4 25. Rhe1 Rf5 26. Qd7 Bf8 27. Qxa7 Rbb5 28. Rd8 Ra5 29. Qe7 Qh6 30. a4 Rxf3 31. Red1 Rd5 32. R1xd5 cxd5 33. Nf6+ Rxf6 34. Qxf6 Qh5 35. Qe7 Qe2+ 36. Kc1 Kg7 37. Qxf8+ Kf6 38. Qc5 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “8.6”] [White “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Black “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2820”] [BlackElo “2760”] [ECO “B52”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Canal-Sokolsky attack, Sokolsky variation”] [WhiteFideId “2020009”] [BlackFideId “623539”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 g6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bg7 9. f3 O-O 10. Be3 Nc6 11. O-O a6 12. Qd3 Rfc8 13. b3 b5 14. cxb5 Ne5 15. Qd2 d5 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 axb5 18. Rad1 Qxd5 19. Qe2 Nc6 20. Nxb5 Qe6 21. Rd2 Nb4 22. Re1 h5 23. Nd4 Qa6 24. Qxa6 Rxa6 25. a4 Rc3 26. Bf2 Nd3 27. Red1 Nxf2 28. Kxf2 Bxd4+ 29. Rxd4 Rxb3 30. Ra1 Rb2+ 31. Kg3 Ra5 32. h4 Kg7 33. Kh3 Rb7 34. Ra2 Rba7 35. Rb4 R7a6 36. Kg3 Ra7 37. Kf2 R7a6 38. Kg3 Ra7 39. Kf2 R7a6 40. Kg3 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “8.7”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “D37”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “classical variation (5.Bf4)”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. a3 c5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Nxc5 11. Be5 Bf5 12. Be2 Bf6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qd4 Qd6 15. Rd1 Rfd8 16. Qd2 Qf6 17. Qd4 Qd6 18. Qd2 Qf6 19. Qd4 Qd6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “8.8”] [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “A48”] [Opening “King’s Indian”] [Variation “Torre attack”] [WhiteFideId “13401319”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. Nbd2 O-O 5. e4 d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. c3 Nd7 8. Bc4 N5b6 9. Bb3 c5 10. O-O cxd4 11. Re1 Re8 12. Ne4 Nf8 13. Nxd4 Bxd4 14. Qxd4 Qxd4 15. cxd4 Be6 16. Nc5 Bxb3 17. axb3 Nd5 18. Nxb7 Ne6 19. Be3 Reb8 20. Na5 Rb5 21. Rec1 a6 22. g3 f6 23. Rc4 Kf7 24. Kg2 Rd8 25. Nc6 Rd6 26. Rxa6 Rxb3 27. Bc1 Rb7 28. Na5 Rxa6 29. Nxb7 Ra1 30. h4 Nb6 31. Rc3 Nd5 32. Rc4 Nb6 33. Rc3 Rb1 34. Na5 Nd5 35. Rc4 Nb6 36. Rc3 Nd5 37. Rc4 Nb6 38. Rc6 Nxd4 39. Rxb6 Rxc1 40. Nb3 Nxb3 41. Rxb3 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “9.1”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Aronian, Levon”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2781”] [ECO “C50”] [Opening “Giuoco Pianissimo”] [Variation “Italian four knights variation”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “13300474”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. Nd5 Qd8 9. c3 d6 10. d4 exd4 11. cxd4 Ba7 12. h3 Ne7 13. Ne3 b5 14. Bd3 c5 15. a4 cxd4 16. Nf5 Nxf5 17. exf5 O-O 18. O-O bxa4 19. Rxa4 a5 20. b4 Bb6 21. bxa5 Rxa5 22. Rxa5 Bxa5 23. Nxd4 Bb7 24. Qb3 Ba8 25. Bc4 Qf6 26. Rd1 Rc8 27. Bd5 Bxd5 28. Qxd5 Bb6 29. Qb7 Bxd4 30. Qxc8+ Kh7 31. Qc6 Qe5 32. Qf3 Bc5 33. g3 Qf6 34. Kg2 Qe5 35. Rb1 Qd4 36. Rb7 Kg8 37. h4 Qd2 38. f6 g6 39. h5 Qc2 40. Rb8+ Kh7 41. Rf8 Qa2 42. hxg6+ Kxg6 43. Rg8+ Kh7 44. Rg7+ Kh8 45. Qf5 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “9.2”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “C54”] [Opening “Giuoco Piano”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “13401319”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Qb3 Na5 11. Qa4+ Nc6 12. Qb3 Na5 13. Qa4+ Nc6 14. Qb3 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “9.3”] [White “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Black “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2760”] [BlackElo “2765”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence, open variation”] [WhiteFideId “623539”] [BlackFideId “13400924”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Bc7 13. Nf5 d5 14. Ne7+ Kh8 15. Nxc8 Rxc8 16. d3 Qd6 17. g3 Nf6 18. Qf3 Rce8 19. Bd2 Qc5 20. c3 Qd6 21. h4 Kg8 22. Bh3 Qd8 23. Kg2 a5 24. a4 h6 25. Bf5 Rxe1 26. Rxe1 Re8 27. Rxe8+ Nxe8 28. d4 g6 29. Bd3 h5 30. b3 Qd7 31. c4 dxc4 32. Bxc4 Nd6 33. Qf6 Qf5 34. Qxf5 Nxf5 35. d5 Nd6 36. Bf4 b5 37. axb5 cxb5 38. Bd3 a4 39. bxa4 bxa4 40. Bc1 Nb7 41. Bb5 Nc5 42. Ba3 Bd6 43. f3 Kg7 44. g4 Kf6 45. gxh5 gxh5 46. f4 Ke7 47. Bxc5 Bxc5 48. Bxa4 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “9.4”] [White “Pichot, Alan”] [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2630”] [BlackElo “2820”] [ECO “B10”] [Opening “Caro-Kann defence”] [WhiteFideId “110973”] [BlackFideId “2020009”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 g6 4. e5 Bg7 5. d4 f6 6. exf6 exf6 7. Bd3 Ne7 8. O-O Na6 9. Bxa6 bxa6 10. Re1 Kf7 11. c4 dxc4 12. Nc3 Nd5 13. Qa4 Nb6 14. Qxc6 Bd7 15. Qd6 Re8 16. Be3 Bf5 17. Qa3 Qc8 18. d5 Bf8 19. Qa5 Qb7 20. Bc5 Bh6 21. d6 Bf8 22. Qb4 Rec8 23. Rad1 Bd3 24. b3 Rab8 25. bxc4 Bxc4 26. d7 Bxc5 27. dxc8=Q Bxb4 28. Qh3 Kg7 29. Re3 Qf7 30. Ne4 Nd5 31. Neg5 fxg5 32. Nxg5 Qg8 33. Qd7+ Kh8 34. Nf7+ Kg7 35. Ne5+ Kh8 36. Nxc4 Nxe3 37. Nxe3 Bc5 38. Ng4 Qg7 39. Qxg7+ Kxg7 40. Rd7+ Kf8 41. g3 Rb2 42. a4 h5 43. Ne3 Ra2 44. Rc7 Bb6 45. Rc4 Ke7 46. Rf4 g5 47. Rf5 g4 48. Rxh5 Rxa4 49. Rg5 a5 50. Nxg4 Rd4 51. Ne3 a4 52. Nf5+ Kf6 53. Nxd4 Kxg5 54. Nc2 Bc5 55. Kf1 a3 56. Ke2 a2 57. Kd3 Bf8 58. Kc4 Bg7 59. Kb3 a1=Q 60. Nxa1 Bxa1 61. Ka4 Kg4 62. Ka5 Bd4 63. f4 Bg1 64. Ka6 Kf5 65. h3 Bf2 66. h4 Kg4 67. h5 Kxh5 68. f5 Kg5 69. g4 Bd4 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “9.5”] [White “Giri, Anish”] [Black “Svidler, Peter”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2780”] [BlackElo “2714”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “24116068”] [BlackFideId “4102142”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bd2 Nb6 6. e3 Bg7 7. h4 e5 8. dxe5 Nc6 9. Nf3 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. h5 Qe7 12. a4 Be6 13. a5 Nd7 14. a6 bxa6 15. hxg6 hxg6 16. Rxh8+ Bxh8 17. Bxa6 Rb8 18. Qa4 Rxb2 19. Qa3 Qxa3 20. Rxa3 Nc5 21. Bb5+ Kd8 22. Be2 Nb3 23. Rxa7 Be5 24. f4 Bd6 25. Ra8+ Ke7 26. Rb8 Rxd2 27. Bb5 Rc2 28. Ne4 Bb4+ 29. Kd1 Rc1+ 30. Ke2 Bg4+ 31. Kd3 Nc5+ 32. Nxc5 Bxc5 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “9.6”] [White “Ding, Liren”] [Black “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2799”] [BlackElo “2759”] [ECO “A81”] [Opening “Dutch defence”] [WhiteFideId “8603677”] [BlackFideId “12573981”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. Nf3 d5 5. c4 c6 6. Bf4 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Nbd2 Ne4 9. Rc1 Nd7 10. Nxe4 fxe4 11. Ne5 Bg5 12. Bxg5 Qxg5 13. f4 Qe7 14. Qb3 Nxe5 15. fxe5 Rxf1+ 16. Bxf1 a5 17. e3 Qb4 18. Qc2 Qe7 19. Be2 Bd7 20. c5 Qg5 21. Qd2 Be8 22. Rf1 Bh5 23. Bxh5 Qxh5 24. Qf2 a4 25. Kg2 h6 26. h3 Rb8 27. g4 Qg6 28. Kg3 Qe8 29. Qc2 Ra8 30. Qd2 Qe7 31. h4 Rf8 32. Rxf8+ Qxf8 33. Qf2 Qd8 34. h5 Qe7 35. Qc2 Qf8 36. Qf2 Qe7 37. Qc2 Qf8 38. Qf2 Qe7 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “9.7”] [White “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2776”] [BlackElo “2736”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence, open variation”] [WhiteFideId “4126025”] [BlackFideId “2016192”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Bd7 10. h3 h6 11. b3 b6 12. Bb2 Kc8 13. Rad1 a5 14. Rd3 Be7 15. Rfd1 Be6 16. g4 Nh4 17. Nxh4 Bxh4 18. f4 g6 19. a4 Kb7 20. Ne2 c5 21. c4 h5 22. g5 Bf5 23. Re3 Rhd8 24. Rd5 Be1 25. Bc3 Bxc3 26. Nxc3 c6 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. Ne4 Rd1+ 29. Kg2 Kc7 30. Nd6 Be6 31. h4 Rd2+ 32. Kg3 Rd1 33. Kg2 Rd2+ 34. Kg3 Rd1 35. Kg2 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “9.8”] [White “Dubov, Daniil”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2710”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “D06”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “symmetrical (Austrian) defence”] [WhiteFideId “24126055”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c5 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. cxd5 Nf6 5. Nxd4 Qxd5 6. Nc3 Qa5 7. e4 Bd7 8. Bd2 Nc6 9. Ndb5 Rc8 10. Rc1 e5 11. Bc4 a6 12. Nd5 Qd8 13. Nbc3 Nd4 14. Bb3 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 Bc6 16. O-O Bc5 17. Qg4 O-O 18. Kh1 Bxd5 19. Nxd5 f5 20. Qg5 fxe4 21. Qxe5 Rf5 22. Qxd4 Bxd4 23. Rxc8 Rxd5 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. g3 Bxb2 26. Bf4 b5 27. Re1 Rd4 28. Kg2 Rc4 29. Rd1 Bf6 30. Rd2 Kf7 31. g4 Bd4 32. Re2 Bc5 33. Rd2 Ke6 34. h4 a5 35. h5 a4 36. h6 gxh6 37. Bxh6 b4 38. Bf4 b3 39. axb3 axb3 40. Rb2 Rc3 41. Rb1 Kd5 0-1 [Event “FTX Cry pto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “10.1”] [White “Aronian, Levon”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2781”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “D02”] [Opening “Queen’s bishop game”] [WhiteFideId “13300474”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 cxd4 6. exd4 Qb6 7. Nb3 Bg4 8. a4 a6 9. a5 Qd8 10. h3 Bh5 11. g4 Bg6 12. Ne5 Nd7 13. Nxg6 hxg6 14. c3 e6 15. Bd3 Nf6 16. Qf3 Bd6 17. Kf1 Bxf4 18. Qxf4 Nd7 19. Kg2 g5 20. Qg3 Rc8 21. Rhe1 Qc7 22. Nd2 Qxg3+ 23. fxg3 Ke7 24. Nf3 f6 25. Bf5 Nf8 26. c4 Kf7 27. cxd5 exf5 28. dxc6 fxg4 29. hxg4 Rxc6 30. Rac1 Ng6 31. d5 Rcc8 32. Nd4 Rhd8 33. Ne6 Re8 34. b4 Ne5 35. Nxg5+ Ke7 36. Ne6 g5 37. Nc5 Red8 38. Rcd1 Kf7 39. Rd4 Rc7 40. Re2 Rd6 41. Ne4 Rdd7 42. Nxg5+ Kg6 43. Nf3 Nxf3 44. Kxf3 Rc1 45. d6 Rc6 46. Re7 Rdxd6 47. Rxd6 Rxd6 48. Rxb7 Rd3+ 49. Ke4 Rxg3 50. Kd5 Rxg4 51. Kc5 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “10.2”] [White “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Black “Dubov, Daniil”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2736”] [BlackElo “2710”] [ECO “D78”] [Opening “Neo-Gruenfeld, 6.O-O c6”] [WhiteFideId “2016192”] [BlackFideId “24126055”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 d5 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. Qb3 dxc4 8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qb3 Be6 10. Qd1 c5 11. Nc3 Nc6 12. dxc5 b4 13. Nb5 Bd5 14. Nbd4 Qa5 15. a3 Qxc5 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. Bd2 bxa3 18. Rxa3 Rad8 19. Qc1 Qxc1 20. Bxc1 Rd7 21. Ne5 Bxg2 22. Nxd7 Bxf1 23. Nxf6+ Bxf6 24. Kxf1 Rc8 25. Be3 Bxb2 26. Rxa7 Bf6 27. Rb7 h5 28. Bf4 Ra8 29. Rb8+ Rxb8 30. Bxb8 Kg7 31. h3 Kg8 32. f3 e6 33. g4 hxg4 34. hxg4 Be7 35. e4 f5 36. gxf5 gxf5 37. exf5 exf5 38. Ke2 Kf7 39. Bf4 Ke6 40. Bd2 Kd5 41. Bc1 Bd6 42. Bd2 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “10.3”] [White “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2759”] [BlackElo “2776”] [ECO “B40”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Anderssen variation”] [WhiteFideId “12573981”] [BlackFideId “4126025”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Be2 Bb4 7. O-O Bxc3 8. bxc3 Nxe4 9. Qd3 d5 10. Ba3 Nd6 11. Qg3 Nxd4 12. cxd4 Nf5 13. Qh3 Bd7 14. Bd3 Qf6 15. Rab1 b6 16. Rfe1 Ne7 17. Bd6 Ng6 18. Qe3 Rd8 19. c3 Bc6 20. Ba3 Rd7 21. Qg3 Nf4 22. Bf1 Ng6 23. Bd3 Nf4 24. Bc2 g5 25. Bc1 h6 26. h4 Rg8 27. Bd2 Rc7 28. Re3 Kd7 29. Rbe1 Kc8 30. Rf3 Qg7 31. Bc1 Bb5 32. Bd1 Nh5 33. Qe5 gxh4 34. Qxg7 Nxg7 35. Bxh6 Nf5 36. Bf4 Rc6 37. Bc2 Nxd4 38. cxd4 Rxc2 39. Be5 f5 40. Bf6 Rg6 41. Bxh4 Rxa2 42. Rh3 Re2 43. Ra1 Kb7 44. Bg3 Rg7 45. Rh8 Rxg3 46. fxg3 a5 47. g4 fxg4 48. Rg8 Re4 49. Rd1 Bc4 50. Rg7+ Kc6 51. Rg8 a4 52. Ra8 Kb5 53. Kf2 Kb4 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “10.4”] [White “Svidler, Peter”] [Black “Ding, Liren”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2714”] [BlackElo “2799”] [ECO “A08”] [Opening “Reti”] [Variation “King’s Indian attack”] [WhiteFideId “4102142”] [BlackFideId “8603677”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. O-O e6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. c4 Nc6 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Bd2 Be7 11. Nc3 O-O 12. Nxd5 Bxd5 13. Ba5 Bxb3 14. Bxd8 Bxd1 15. Bxe7 Bxe2 16. Bxf8 Bxf1 17. Bxc6 Kxf8 18. Bxb7 Rb8 19. Kxf1 Rxb7 20. b3 Rc7 21. Rd1 Rc2 22. Rd5 Rxa2 23. Rxe5 Rb2 24. Ra5 Rxb3 25. Rxa7 g6 26. h4 h5 27. Kg2 Kg7 28. Ra8 Rb2 29. Ra7 Rb3 30. Ra8 Rb2 31. Ra7 Rb3 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “10.5”] [White “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Black “Giri, Anish”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2820”] [BlackElo “2780”] [ECO “C78”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “5.O-O”] [WhiteFideId “2020009”] [BlackFideId “24116068”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 d6 8. d4 Bb6 9. Be3 O-O 10. h3 Re8 11. Nbd2 h6 12. Re1 exd4 13. cxd4 Nb4 14. d5 Nd3 15. Re2 Nh5 16. Bxb6 cxb6 17. Re3 Nxb2 18. Qc2 Nc4 19. Bxc4 bxc4 20. Qxc4 b5 21. Qd4 Nf4 22. Rae1 Ng6 23. e5 dxe5 24. Nxe5 Nxe5 25. Rxe5 Rxe5 26. Rxe5 Bd7 27. Nb3 Qf6 28. Nc5 Rd8 29. Qe4 g6 30. g4 Kh7 31. Re7 Bc8 32. Rc7 Kg8 33. Kg2 h5 34. Qf3 Kg7 35. Ne4 Qxf3+ 36. Kxf3 hxg4+ 37. hxg4 Bd7 38. Nc5 Bxg4+ 39. Kxg4 Rxd5 40. f4 Kh6 41. Kf3 f5 42. Ke3 Rd6 43. Ra7 Rc6 44. Kd4 Rd6+ 45. Ke5 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “10.6”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “Pichot, Alan”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2630”] [ECO “A05”] [Opening “Reti opening”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “110973”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. b3 d5 3. Bb2 Bf5 4. e3 e6 5. Be2 h6 6. d3 Be7 7. Nbd2 Bh7 8. O-O O-O 9. c4 a5 10. a3 Nbd7 11. Qc2 Bd6 12. Bc3 Qe7 13. Qb2 c6 14. b4 axb4 15. axb4 e5 16. Rxa8 Rxa8 17. d4 exd4 18. Nxd4 Ne5 19. c5 Bc7 20. N4f3 Neg4 21. Bd4 Ne4 22. h3 Ngf6 23. Nxe4 Bxe4 24. b5 Re8 25. Ra1 Kh7 26. Kf1 cxb5 27. Qxb5 Rb8 28. Ra7 Bxf3 29. gxf3 Qe6 30. Bd3+ Kg8 31. Rxb7 Qxh3+ 32. Ke2 Qc8 33. c6 Ra8 34. Bxf6 gxf6 35. Qxd5 Ra5 36. Qd7 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “10.7”] [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Black “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2760”] [ECO “B22”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Alapin’s variation (2.c3)”] [WhiteFideId “13401319”] [BlackFideId “623539”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Na3 a6 7. Nc4 Nbd7 8. Be2 b5 9. Ne3 Qc6 10. O-O Bb7 11. a4 b4 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Rd8 14. Qb3 Nd7 15. Bf3 Qc7 16. Bxb7 Qxb7 17. Nc4 Nb6 18. Bg5 Be7 19. Bxe7 Kxe7 20. Na5 Qc7 21. cxb4 Nd5 22. Rac1 Rb8 23. Qg3 Rxb4 24. Qxg7 Rbb8 25. Qg5+ Kd7 26. Qh5 Kc8 27. Nc4 Kb7 28. f4 Ka7 29. f5 Rhd8 30. fxe6 fxe6 31. Rf7 Rd7 32. Rcf1 Rbd8 33. Qxh7 Ne7 34. Nd6 Nf5 35. h3 c4 36. Rf4 Nxd6 37. exd6 Qxd6 38. Qe4 e5 39. Rxd7+ Rxd7 40. Qe3+ 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.24”] [Round “10.8”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “D41”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “Semi-Tarrasch, 5.cd”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 cxd4 6. Qxd4 exd5 7. e4 dxe4 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Ng5 Be6 10. Nxe6+ fxe6 11. Bg5 h6 12. O-O-O+ Ke7 13. Bxf6+ gxf6 14. Nxe4 Bg7 15. Ng3 f5 16. Bd3 Nc6 17. Rhe1 Be5 18. Nxf5+ exf5 19. f4 Rad8 20. fxe5 Rhf8 21. Re3 Rd5 22. Rf1 f4 23. Rh3 Nxe5 24. Re1 Rf6 25. Be4 Rc5+ 26. Kb1 b6 27. b4 Rc4 28. a3 Rd4 29. Bb7 Kd6 30. Kc2 a5 31. Kc3 Rc4+ 32. Kb3 Rd4 33. Rh5 Rd3+ 34. Ka4 Nc4 35. Rc1 Rxa3+ 36. Kb5 Ne3 37. Rc6+ Ke7 38. Re5+ Kf7 39. Rc7+ Kf8 40. Be4 axb4 41. Kxb4 Ra5 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “11.1”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Aronian, Levon”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2781”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “open Berlin defence, l’Hermet variation”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “13300474”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. dxe5 Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 d5 10. exd6 Qxd6 11. Qe4+ Qe6 12. Qd4 Qd6 13. Qe4+ Qe6 14. Qd4 Qd6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “11.2”] [White “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2760”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “D37”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “4.Nf3”] [WhiteFideId “623539”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 b5 6. e5 Nd5 7. Nxb5 Nb6 8. a4 Qd7 9. Na3 Bb4+ 10. Bd2 Bxa3 11. Rxa3 a5 12. h4 Nc6 13. h5 h6 14. Rh4 Bb7 15. Qc1 Nb4 16. Rg4 f5 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Bxc4 Nxc4 19. Qxc4 Ba6 20. Qc5 Nd3+ 21. Rxd3 Bxd3 22. Bx h6 Qd6 23. Bg7 Qxc5 24. dxc5 Rg8 25. h6 e5 26. Rg3 Bh7 27. Bxf6 Rxg3 28. fxg3 Ra6 29. Bxe5 Rxh6 30. Bxc7 Rh1+ 31. Kd2 Rb1 32. Kc3 Rc1+ 33. Kd4 Rc2 34. Bxa5 Rxb2 35. Bd2 Bf5 36. a5 Bg4 37. Bf4 Rxg2 38. Ne5 Bc8 39. c6 Ra2 40. Nc4 Be6 41. Nb6 Rxa5 42. c7 Ra6 43. Kc5 Kf7 44. c8=Q Bxc8 45. Nxc8 Kg6 46. Nd6 Kh5 47. Nc4 Kg4 48. Ne5+ Kh3 49. Kd4 Ra3 50. g4 Ra4+ 51. Ke3 Kh4 52. Kf3 Ra8 53. Ng6+ Kh3 54. Bd6 Ra6 55. Nf4+ Kh2 56. Bc5 Ra5 57. Be3 Rb5 58. Bf2 Rb3+ 59. Ke4 Rb5 60. Nd5 Rb2 61. Bd4 Rg2 62. Be5+ Kh3 63. Nf4+ Kxg4 64. Nxg2 Kh3 65. Ne3 Kh4 66. Bf4 Kh3 67. Kf3 Kh4 68. Bg3+ Kh3 69. Bf2 Kh2 70. Nd1 Kh1 71. Be1 Kh2 72. Bg3+ Kh1 73. Nf2+ Kg1 74. Bf4 Kf1 75. Bh2 Ke1 76. Ne4 Kf1 77. Nd2+ Ke1 78. Ke3 Kd1 79. Kd3 Ke1 80. Bg3+ Kd1 81. Nc4 Kc1 82. Bf2 Kd1 83. Nb2+ 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “11.3”] [White “Pichot, Alan”] [Black “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2630”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “B40”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Anderssen variation”] [WhiteFideId “110973”] [BlackFideId “13401319”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Ne4 Qc7 9. f4 f5 10. exf6 gxf6 11. Qh5+ Kd8 12. Qf3 Rb8 13. Bd3 Qb6 14. c3 f5 15. Nf2 Rg8 16. O-O c5 17. Bxf5 exf5 18. Qxd5 Qg6 19. Rd1 Rg7 20. g3 Bb7 21. Qe5 Rc8 22. c4 h5 23. Bd2 Re7 24. Ba5+ Ke8 25. Qh8 Kf7 26. Bc3 Bh6 27. Rd6 Qxd6 28. Qh7+ Ke8 29. Qh8+ Bf8 30. Qxh5+ Kd8 31. Ba5+ Rc7 32. Rd1 Qe6 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “11.4”] [White “Giri, Anish”] [Black “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2780”] [BlackElo “2765”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence, open variation”] [WhiteFideId “24116068”] [BlackFideId “13400924”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Bd7 10. Rd1 Kc8 11. g4 Ne7 12. Ng5 Be8 13. f4 c5 14. f5 h6 15. Nf3 Nc6 16. Kf2 Nb4 17. Na3 Bc6 18. c3 Nd5 19. Nc2 b5 20. Ne3 Nb6 21. b3 Kb7 22. c4 a6 23. Bb2 Be7 24. Rac1 h5 25. g5 Bxf3 26. Kxf3 Bxg5 27. Rg1 Bh6 28. Rc2 Rhd8 29. Ke4 Rd7 30. cxb5 axb5 31. Rxc5 Rxa2 32. Rc2 Bxe3 33. Kxe3 Nd5+ 34. Ke4 Nb4 35. Rcg2 Nd3 36. Bd4 Rxg2 37. Rxg2 c5 38. Be3 c4 39. bxc4 bxc4 40. Rxg7 Kc6 41. Rh7 Nxe5 42. Rh6+ 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “11.5”] [White “Ding, Liren”] [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2799”] [BlackElo “2820”] [ECO “A08”] [Opening “Reti”] [Variation “King’s Indian attack”] [WhiteFideId “8603677”] [BlackFideId “2020009”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. d4 Nf6 5. O-O cxd4 6. Nxd4 e5 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. c4 Be6 9. Bg5 Rc8 10. Qa4 Qd7 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. e3 Rb8 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Qxd7+ Kxd7 15. Nc3 d4 16. exd4 Rxb2 17. Rfd1 Bb4 18. Na4 Rxa2 19. d5 Bg4 20. Rxa2 Bxd1 21. Nb2 Be2 22. Rxa7+ Kd6 23. Rxf7 Ra8 24. Rxf6+ Ke7 25. d6+ Kxf6 26. Bxa8 Bxd6 27. Na4 Bd3 28. Nc3 h6 29. Be4 Ba6 30. Kg2 Bc5 31. Nd5+ Kf7 32. Nc7 Bc8 33. f3 Bb6 34. Nd5 Bc5 35. g4 Be6 36. Nc3 Bb4 37. Ne2 Kf6 38. h4 Be1 39. Ng3 Bc4 40. g5+ hxg5 41. Nh5+ Ke7 42. hxg5 Bd2 43. g6 Bh6 44. Kg3 Be6 45. Kh4 Bd2 46. Kg3 Bh6 47. Kf2 Bc4 48. Bf5 Bb3 49. Kg3 Bc4 50. Kg4 Bb3 51. Ng3 Bf4 52. Ne4 Bd5 53. Nc3 Bc4 54. Ne4 Bd5 55. Nc5 Be3 56. Nd7 Bd4 57. g7 Bg8 58. Kg5 Kf7 59. Be4 Kxg7 60. Nf6 Be6 61. Ng4 Bxg4 62. fxg4 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “11.6”] [White “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Black “Svidler, Peter”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2776”] [BlackElo “2714”] [ECO “E60”] [Opening “King’s Indian defence”] [WhiteFideId “4126025”] [BlackFideId “4102142”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. h4 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. Be2 h5 7. Nf3 c5 8. d5 e6 9. Bf4 Re8 10. Ng5 exd5 11. exd5 a6 12. O-O Nbd7 13. Bxd6 Qb6 14. Bf4 Qxb2 15. Rc1 b5 16. cxb5 axb5 17. Bxb5 Ra3 18. Qd2 Qb4 19. Bc6 Ng4 20. Nb5 Qxd2 21. Bxd2 Rxa2 22. Bf4 Ree2 23. Bg3 Ne3 24. Rfe1 Nf5 25. Rxe2 Rxe2 26. Na7 Nxg3 27. Nxc8 Bd4 28. Bxd7 Rxf2 29. Kh2 Be5 30. Re1 Ne2+ 31. Kh1 Bg3 32. Nh3 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “11.7”] [White “Dubov, Daniil”] [Black “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2710”] [BlackElo “2759”] [ECO “E61”] [Opening “King’s Indian defence, 3.Nc3”] [WhiteFideId “24126055”] [BlackFideId “12573981”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. d5 h6 7. Bh4 d6 8. Nd2 e5 9. e3 Re8 10. Bd3 Qb6 11. O-O a6 12. Qc2 Nh7 13. f4 f5 14. g4 e4 15. Be2 fxg4 16. Ncxe4 Bf5 17. Bd3 Nd7 18. Rab1 Ndf8 19. Kh1 Qc7 20. Rbe1 b5 21. Rg1 h5 22. b3 b4 23. Nf2 Qf7 24. h3 Bxd3 25. Qxd3 g5 26. hxg4 gxh4 27. g5 Ng6 28. Nde4 Rad8 29. Nf6+ Kh8 30. Nxe8 Rxe8 31. Re2 Nhf8 32. Kh2 Ne5 33. fxe5 Qf3 34. Rg2 Bxe5+ 35. Kg1 h3 36. Nxh3 Qxh3 37. Qc2 Kg7 38. Ref2 Qxe3 39. Qf5 Qe1+ 40. Rf1 Bd4+ 41. Kh1 Qh4+ 42. Rh2 Qe4+ 43. Qxe4 Rxe4 44. Rxh5 Ng6 45. Rh2 Be5 46. Rhf2 Nf4 47. Rf3 Kg6 48. Rg1 Ne2 49. Rd1 Rh4+ 50. Kg2 Rh2+ 51. Kf1 Ng3+ 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “11.8”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2736”] [ECO “C53”] [Opening “Giuoco Piano”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “2016192”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. Ne4 Be7 9. O-O Nb6 10. Bb3 Bf5 11. a4 a5 12. Be3 Kh8 13. Re1 Bg6 14. Ng3 Nd7 15. d4 f5 16. d5 Ncb8 17. Bc1 f4 18. Ne4 Na6 19. Bc2 Re8 20. b3 Bf6 21. Ba3 Nb6 22. d6 c6 23. Qe2 Nd7 24. Rad1 Bh5 25. b4 axb4 26. cxb4 Qb6 27. b5 cxb5 28. axb5 Nab8 29. Bb4 Nf8 30. Nc3 Qd8 31. Nd5 Ra2 32. Qc4 Rxc2 33. Qxc2 Bxf3 34. gxf3 Qd7 35. Nc7 Rd8 36. Qc4 Qh3 37. Rd3 Nbd7 38. Qf7 Bh4 39. Re2 Nf6 40. Bc3 Qf5 41. Rd1 Qh3 42. Rd3 Qf5 43. Red2 e4 44. Bxf6 Bxf6 45. Rd5 Qc8 46. b6 e3 47. d7 Nxd7 48. Rd1 e2 49. Re1 Ne5 50. Rxe5 Bxe5 51. Kg2 Rf8 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “12.1”] [White “Aronian, Levon”] [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2781”] [BlackElo “2736”] [ECO “D02”] [Opening “Queen’s bishop game”] [WhiteFideId “13300474”] [BlackFideId “2016192”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 Bf5 4. c4 e6 5. Qb3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Be7 7. e3 O-O 8. c5 Rb8 9. Bb5 Ne4 10. Qa4 Nxd2 11. Kxd2 f6 12. Rhc1 Qd7 13. b3 Rfc8 14. h3 g5 15. Bh2 a6 16. Bxc6 Qxc6 17. Qxc6 bxc6 18. g4 Bg6 19. h4 h6 20. Bg3 Kf7 21. Kc3 Ke8 22. Nd2 Kd7 23. Rh1 Rh8 24. Rh2 Rh7 25. hxg5 hxg5 26. Rxh7 Bxh7 27. Rh1 Bg6 28. f3 Rg8 29. e4 dxe4 30. Nxe4 Kc8 31. Rh6 Kb7 32. Nd2 Kc8 33. Nc4 Bf8 34. Rh2 Bg7 35. f4 gxf4 36. Bxf4 Rh8 37. Rxh8+ Bxh8 38. g5 Bg7 39. gxf6 Bxf6 40. Nd2 Bf5 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “12.2”] [White “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2759”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “C65”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence”] [WhiteFideId “12573981”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Nd7 7. Nc4 f6 8. c3 Nb6 9. Na5 O-O 10. O-O Rb8 11. b4 Bd6 12. Be3 Be6 13. Nd2 Qd7 14. Qc2 Nc8 15. a3 b6 16. Nab3 Ne7 17. f4 exf4 18. Bxf4 Ng6 19. Bxd6 cxd6 20. Nd4 d5 21. Rae1 Rfe8 22. Qd1 Rbd8 23. Qf3 dxe4 24. Nxe4 Bd5 25. Nf5 Bxe4 26. Rxe4 Rxe4 27. Qxe4 Qxd3 28. Qxc6 Qd7 29. Qc4+ Kh8 30. h4 Ne5 31. Qf4 Qf7 32. h5 h6 33. Nxh6 Qxh5 34. Nf5 Qg4 35. Qh2+ Kg8 36. Ne7+ Kf7 37. Qxe5 Rd2 38. Qh2 Kxe7 39. Qc7+ Qd7 40. Re1+ Kf7 41. Qc4+ Qd5 42. Qc7+ Qd7 43. Qc4+ Qd5 44. Qc7+ Qd7 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “12.3”] [White “Svidler, Peter”] [Black “Dubov, Daniil”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2714”] [BlackElo “2710 “] [ECO “B30”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Nimzovich-Rossolimo attack (without …d6)”] [WhiteFideId “4102142”] [BlackFideId “24126055”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e5 4. O-O Nge7 5. Bc4 d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. Re1 f6 8. d4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Be6 11. Qh4 Qb6 12. Bxd5 Bxd5 13. Nc3 Bf7 14. Be3 Qc6 15. f4 Be7 16. Bf2 O-O 17. fxe5 Rae8 18. Qe4 Qa6 19. e6 Bg6 20. Qe2 Qc6 21. Qb5 Bxc2 22. Qxc6 bxc6 23. Bxa7 Bf5 24. a3 Ra8 25. Bf2 Rfe8 26. Re2 Bd6 27. Rae1 Be5 28. Bg3 Bd4+ 29. Bf2 Be5 30. Bg3 Bd4+ 31. Bf2 Be5 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “12.4”] [White “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2820”] [BlackElo “2776”] [ECO “D45”] [Opening “QGD semi-Slav”] [Variation “Stoltz variation”] [WhiteFideId “2020009”] [BlackFideId “4126025”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. b3 O-O 8. Be2 b6 9. O-O Bb7 10. Bb2 Qe7 11. Rad1 Rad8 12. Rfe1 Rfe8 13. g3 Bb4 14. a3 Bxc3 15. Qxc3 c5 16. Qc2 cxd4 17. exd4 Rc8 18. Nd2 Qd6 19. Bf3 Qb8 20. Qd3 Qa8 21. Be2 e5 22. dxe5 Nxe5 23. Qf5 Ned7 24. Bf1 h6 25. Qf4 Rxe1 26. Rxe1 Re8 27. Rxe8+ Qxe8 28. Qc7 Qc8 29. Qxc8+ Bxc8 30. b4 Ba6 31. f3 Kf8 32. Kf2 Ke7 33. a4 Kd6 34. c5+ 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “12.5”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “Ding, Liren”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2799”] [ECO “E15”] [Opening “Queen’s Indian”] [Variation “Nimzovich variation (exaggerated fianchetto)”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “8603677”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O d5 9. Bc3 c5 10. Ne5 Bb7 11. dxc5 bxc5 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Nd2 Nbd7 14. Rc1 Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Qb6 16. e3 Rac8 17. Re1 Rfd8 18. Qc2 Nd7 19. Bc3 Nf8 20. e4 d4 21. Nc4 Qa6 22. Ba5 Rd7 23. Bd2 Ne6 24. Qd3 Re8 25. f4 Bf8 26. Bf1 Rdd8 27. Na5 Qxd3 28. Bxd3 Ba8 29. Bb5 d3 30. Bxe8 Rxe8 31. Rc3 Nd4 32. Rxd3 Bxe4 33. Rc3 f5 34. Kf2 Rd8 35. Nc4 g6 36. Rd1 Nc2 37. Ne5 Nb4 38. Rc4 Bg7 39. Ke2 Bc2 40. Rxc5 Bxe5 41. fxe5 Bxd1+ 42. Kxd1 Kf7 43. Ke2 Nd5 44. Bg5 Rd7 45. Rc6 Nc7 46. Rd6 Ke8 47. Kd3 Rxd6+ 48. exd6 Nb5 49. Bf4 Kd7 50. Kc4 Nxd6+ 51. Bxd6 Kxd6 52. Kd4 Kc6 53. Ke5 a5 54. a3 Kc5 55. h4 Kc6 56. Kf6 Kd5 57. Kg7 Ke4 58. Kxh7 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “12.6”] [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Black “Giri, Anish”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2780”] [ECO “B22”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Alapin’s variation (2.c3)”] [WhiteFideId “13401319”] [BlackFideId “24116068”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Bc4 Nb6 5. Bb3 d6 6. exd6 Qxd6 7. Nf3 c4 8. Bc2 Qe6+ 9. Kf1 g6 10. b3 Bg7 11. Na3 cxb3 12. axb3 O-O 13. d4 Nc6 14. h4 h5 15. Bg5 Qd7 16. Qe1 Nd5 17. Rd1 b5 18. c4 bxc4 19. bxc4 Ba6 20. Kg1 Nf6 21. d5 Qd6 22. dxc6 Qxa3 23. Ra1 Qb2 24. Bxg6 Bxc4 25. Rb1 Qa2 26. Bxf6 exf6 27. Ra1 Qb2 28. Bf5 Rfe8 29. Qc1 Qxc1+ 30. Rxc1 Be6 31. Nd4 Bh6 32. Rc2 Bf4 33. g3 Be5 34. Nxe6 fxe6 35. Bg6 Re7 36. Kg2 a5 37. Bxh5 a4 38. f4 Bc7 39. Be2 e5 40. f5 e4 41. Bc4+ Kg7 42. Rd1 Kf8 43. Rd7 a3 44. g4 Rxd7 45. cxd7 Ke7 46. Be6 a2 47. Bxa2 Kxd7 48. g5 fxg5 49. hxg5 Bf4 50. g6 Be5 51. Bd5 Rh8 52. Kg1 e3 53. Re2 Rh5 54. Be6+ Ke7 55. Rg2 Bg7 56. Ra2 Bd4 57. Kg2 Kf6 58. Kf3 Rh3+ 59. Ke4 Rh4+ 60. Kd3 Bc5 61. Rg2 Rd4+ 62. Kc3 Rd2 63. Rxd2 exd2 64. Kxd2 Bf8 65. Kd3 Kg7 66. Kc2 Be7 67. Kd3 Bf6 68. Kc2 Be7 69. Kd3 Bf6 70. Kc2 Be7 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “12.7”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Pichot, Alan”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2630”] [ECO “B51”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Canal-Sokolsky (Nimzovich-Rossolimo, Moscow) attack”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “110973”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. a4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. a5 Bg7 7. O-O a6 8. Be2 O-O 9. d3 b5 10. axb6 Nxb6 11. Qd2 a5 12. Qg5 Nfd7 13. Qh4 Nb8 14. Bh6 Nc6 15. Nd5 f6 16. c3 Be6 17. Ne3 Bf7 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Nd2 Rb8 20. f4 Nd7 21. Ndc4 Nb6 22. Nd2 Nd7 23. Rfb1 Rb7 24. Bd1 Qb8 25. Ba4 Rc8 26. Ndc4 Nd8 27. Nd5 Nf8 28. Re1 Be6 29. b3 Qa7 30. Re3 Nf7 31. Rae1 Rcb8 32. Kh1 Rxb3 33. Bxb3 Rxb3 34. Qf2 a4 35. Qa2 Nh6 36. R3e2 Bxd5 37. exd5 Ng8 38. Rc2 Qa8 39. Ne3 f5 40. Rb1 Rxb1+ 41. Qxb1 Nf6 42. c4 Qa5 43. Kg1 N8d7 44. Kf2 Qb4 45. Qa1 h5 46. Ke2 Qa5 47. Rb2 h4 48. Rb5 Qa8 49. Qe1 a3 50. Ra5 Qb8 51. Qa1 Qh8 52. Rxa3 Qh5+ 53. Kd2 h3 54. g3 Qf3 55. Qf1 Qxf1 56. Nxf1 Kf7 57. Ne3 Nf8 58. Ke2 e6 59. Ra7+ Ke8 60. Kf3 e5 61. g4 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “12.8”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2760”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “modern exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “623539”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8. Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O Bg4 13. Rxb7 Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Bxd4 15. e5 Na6 16. Rxe7 Rad8 17. e6 fxe6 18. Qe1 Bf6 19. Rxa7 Rxd2 20. Rxa6 Qxa6 21. Qxd2 Qb6 22. g3 Bd4 23. Qe2 Rf6 24. Kg2 Qb2 25. Qxb2 Bxb2 26. Rb1 Bd4 27. Rb8+ Rf8 28. Rxf8+ Kxf8 29. Kf1 Kg7 30. Kg2 Kf8 31. Kf1 Kg7 32. Kg2 Kf8 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “13.1”] [White “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Black “Aronian, Levon”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2760”] [BlackElo “2781”] [ECO “C78”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Moeller defence”] [WhiteFideId “623539”] [BlackFideId “13300474”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. c3 b5 7. Bc2 d5 8. d4 dxe4 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. dxc5 Qe7 11. Nd2 Bb7 12. Qe2 Ng6 13. Nb3 O-O 14. a4 Rab8 15. axb5 axb5 16. Nd4 Bd5 17. Nxb5 Qxc5 18. Na3 Qc6 19. c4 Be6 20. b3 Nh4 21. Qe3 Bg4 22. Bd1 Qe6 23. h3 Bf3 24. Bxf3 Nxf3+ 25. gxf3 Rxb3 26. Qxb3 Qxh3 27. Nc2 exf3 28. Ne1 Qg4+ 29. Kh1 Qh3+ 30. Kg1 Qg4+ 31. Kh1 Qh3+ 32. Kg1 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “13.2”] [White “Pichot, Alan”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2630”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “C19”] [Opening “French”] [Variation “Winawer, advance, poisoned pawn variation”] [WhiteFideId “110973”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 Kf8 8. Nh3 Nbc6 9. Bd3 Qa5 10. Bd2 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qa4 12. O-O Qxd4 13. Nf4 h5 14. Qg3 h4 15. Qh3 Nxe5 16. Be3 Qa4 17. Be2 N5c6 18. Bg4 Ne5 19. Rfe1 Kg8 20. Bd2 Nxg4 21. Qxg4 Qxc2 22. Qe2 Nc6 23. Nd3 h3 24. Rac1 Qa4 25. Ne5 hxg2 26. Rc3 Qh4 27. h3 Qh5 28. Nxc6 bxc6 29. Qe3 Ba6 30. Kxg2 Bc4 31. Qg3 d4 32. Rxc4 Qd5+ 33. Kh2 Qxc4 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “13.3”] [White “Giri, Anish”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2780”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “modern exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “24116068”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8. Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 Nc6 10. d5 Ne5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Qd2 Qa5 13. Rb3 e6 14. f4 Bg7 15. c4 Qd8 16. Bb2 Bxb2 17. Rxb2 e5 18. O-O Qd6 19. f5 gxf5 20. exf5 f6 21. Rb3 Bd7 22. Qh6 Rf7 23. Rxb7 Rg7 24. Bf3 Kh8 25. Be4 Rag8 26. Rxa7 Qb6 27. Ra3 Qb2 28. Rg3 Qd4+ 29. Kh1 Qxe4 30. Qxf6 Qxc4 31. Rb1 Be8 32. Rxg7 Rxg7 33. Qf8+ Rg8 34. Qf6+ Rg7 35. Qf8+ Rg8 36. Qf6+ Rg7 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “13.4”] [White “Ding, Liren”] [Black “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2799”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO ” E01″] [Opening “Catalan”] [Variation “closed”] [WhiteFideId “8603677”] [BlackFideId “13401319”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Bd6 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O dxc4 8. Qc2 Nc6 9. Rd1 Re8 10. Qxc4 e5 11. d5 Nd4 12. Nc3 Nxf3+ 13. Bxf3 a6 14. a4 Rb8 15. e4 Qe7 16. Qe2 Bd7 17. Bg5 h6 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Bg4 Bxg4 20. Qxg4 Bc5 21. Rd2 c6 22. Kg2 Bd4 23. Qf3 Qxf3+ 24. Kxf3 Bxc3 25. bxc3 cxd5 26. Rxd5 Rbc8 27. Ra3 Rc7 28. Ke3 f6 29. Rb3 Kf7 30. Kd3 Rec8 31. c4 Rxc4 32. Rxb7+ Kg6 33. Rdd7 Rc2 34. Rxg7+ Kh5 35. Rb3 Rxf2 36. Rb6 Rfc2 37. Rb3 Rxh2 38. Rb1 Rcc2 39. Rf1 Rcf2 40. Rxf2 Rxf2 41. a5 Ra2 42. g4+ Kh4 43. Rg6 Ra3+ 44. Ke2 Ra2+ 45. Kf3 Ra3+ 46. Ke2 Rxa5 47. Rxf6 Kg5 48. Re6 Ra2+ 49. Kd3 Ra3+ 50. Kc4 Kf4 51. Rxh6 Kxe4 52. Rh8 Kf4 53. Rg8 e4 54. g5 e3 55. g6 Kg5 56. g7 Kg6 57. Re8 Kxg7 58. Kb4 Kf7 59. Re4 Rd3 60. Kc4 Ra3 61. Kb4 Rd3 62. Kc4 Ra3 63. Kb4 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “13.5”] [White “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Black “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2776”] [BlackElo “2765”] [ECO “B32”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Labourdonnais-Loewenthal (Kalashnikov) variation”] [WhiteFideId “4126025”] [BlackFideId “13400924”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3 a6 7. Na3 Be7 8. Be3 Nf6 9. Nc4 b5 10. Nb6 Rb8 11. Nxc8 Qxc8 12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O b4 14. Nd5 Nxe4 15. a4 bxa3 16. Rxa3 Nf6 17. Bxa6 Qd7 18. Bc4 Nxd5 19. Qxd5 Nb4 20. Qd1 d5 21. Ra7 Qc6 22. Rxe7 Qxc4 23. Rxe5 Nxc2 24. Qxd5 Qxd5 25. Rxd5 Nxe3 26. fxe3 Rxb2 27. Rf2 Rb1+ 28. Rf1 Rb2 29. Rf2 Rb1+ 30. Rf1 Rb2 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “13.6”] [White “Dubov, Daniil”] [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2710”] [BlackElo “2820”] [ECO “B48”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Taimanov variation”] [WhiteFideId “24126055”] [BlackFideId “2020009”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. f4 b5 8. e5 Bb7 9. Be2 Nxd4 10. Bxd4 Nh6 11. Bf3 Nf5 12. Bf2 Bb4 13. O-O Bxc3 14. bxc3 O-O 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16. a4 Qc6 17. axb5 axb5 18. Qd3 Ra4 19. Rxa4 bxa4 20. c4 h5 21. c5 Rb8 22. Rd1 Ra8 23. Ra1 Ne7 24. h3 Qd5 25. Qe2 a3 26. c4 Qb7 27. Qxh5 Qb2 28. Qd1 Nc6 29. h4 a2 30. h5 Rb8 31. Be1 Qb1 32. Bc3 Qxd1+ 33. Rxd1 Rb1 34. Rf1 Nb4 35. g4 Nd3 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “13.7”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “Svidler, Peter”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2714”] [ECO “B51”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Canal-Sokolsky (Nimzovich-Rossolimo, Moscow) attack”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “4102142”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 a6 6. Be2 Ngf6 7. O-O g6 8. e5 dxe5 9. Nxe5 Bg7 10. Bf4 O-O 11. Rd1 Qa5 12. Qc3 Qb6 13. Nc4 Qe6 14. Qe3 b5 15. Na5 Nb6 16. Qxe6 Bxe6 17. Be5 Rac8 18. c3 Na4 19. b3 Nb6 20. Bf3 Nfd5 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. c4 bxc4 23. bxc4 Nxc4 24. Bxd5 Bxd5 25. Rxd5 Nxa5 26. Nd2 Nc6 27. Nb3 Rfd8 28. Rc5 Nb4 29. Kf1 Rxc5 30. Nxc5 Rc8 31. Rc1 Rc6 32. a4 e5 33. Ke2 f5 34. Kd2 Kf7 35. Rc4 Nd5 36. Nd3 Rxc4 37. Nxe5+ Ke6 38. Nxc4 Nf6 39. Kc3 Kd5 40. Kb4 Ng4 41. Ne3+ Nxe3 42. fxe3 Ke4 43. Ka5 Kxe3 44. Kxa6 f4 45. a5 g5 46. Kb6 g4 47. a6 f3 48. gxf3 gxf3 49. a7 f2 50. a8=Q f1=Q 51. Qe8+ Kf2 52. Qf7+ Kg2 53. Qxh7 Qg1+ 54. Kc6 Qxh2 55. Qxh2+ Kxh2 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “13.8”] [White “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Black “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2736”] [BlackElo “2759”] [ECO “A58”] [Opening “Benko gambit accepted”] [WhiteFideId “2016192”] [BlackFideId “12573981”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. g3 O-O 8. Nf3 Qa5 9. Bd2 d6 10. Bg2 Nbd7 11. O-O Nb6 12. Qc2 Qxa6 13. e4 Nc4 14. b3 Nxd2 15. Nxd2 Ng4 16. a4 Qa5 17. Rac1 Ba6 18. Nb5 Bxb5 19. axb5 Qxb5 20. h3 Ne5 21. Rfd1 Ra3 22. Bf1 Qb4 23. Qc3 Qb7 24. Qe3 Ra2 25. Be2 Rb8 26. Kf1 Nd7 27. Nf3 Qb4 28. Bc4 Rba8 29. Qd3 Rb2 30. Rc2 Raa2 31. Rxb2 Rxb2 32. Re1 Ra2 33. Bb5 Ne5 34. Nxe5 Bxe5 35. Re2 Ra1+ 36. Kg2 Qa3 37. Qc2 Rc1 38. Qa2 Qb4 39. Bc4 Qc3 40. Re3 Qd4 41. Bf1 Kg7 42. Qe2 Qa1 43. Qa6 Qb2 44. Qe2 Rc2 45. Qf3 Qa1 46. Bd3 Rc1 47. Re2 Rh1 48. Qe3 Qf1+ 49. Kf3 Qxh3 50. Qg5 Rd1 51. Re3 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “14.1”] [White “Aronian, Levon”] [Black “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2781”] [BlackElo “2759”] [ECO “D37”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “4.Nf3”] [WhiteFideId “13300474”] [BlackFideId “12573981”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Qc2 dxc4 6. e4 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Ne5 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Bf4 Ng6 11. Bg3 Bb4 12. O-O O-O 13. Rfd1 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Bxb5 15. Nxb5 Qb6 16. a4 e5 17. c4 Qc5 18. Kf1 Rfd8 19. f3 a6 20. Bf2 Qc6 21. Na3 Nf8 22. c5 Ne6 23. Nc4 Rxd1+ 24. Qxd1 Rd8 25. Qc1 Nd7 26. Na5 Qc7 27. Nxb7 Qxb7 28. c6 Qb3 29. cxd7 Qd3+ 30. Kg1 Rxd7 31. Qf1 Qd6 32. Be3 h5 33. h4 Nf8 34. a5 Ng6 35. g3 Rc7 36. Rc1 Rd7 37. Rc5 Qe6 38. Kg2 Qa2+ 39. Qf2 Qa3 40. Qe2 Rd3 41. Bf2 Kh7 42. Rc7 Qxa5 43. Rxf7 Rd2 44. Qe3 Qa2 45. Rf5 Qc2 46. Rxh5+ Kg8 47. Rg5 Kh7 48. h5 Nf8 49. Rxe5 Nd7 50. Re7 Nc5 51. Qg5 Rxf2+ 52. Kh3 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “14.2”] [White “Svidler, Peter”] [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2714”] [BlackElo “2736”] [ECO “C53”] [Opening “Giuoco Piano”] [WhiteFideId “4102142”] [BlackFideId “2016192”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. O-O d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. a4 Nb6 9. Bb3 a5 10. Re1 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qe2 Bg6 13. Bc2 Qd7 14. Nh4 Rad8 15. Nxg6 hxg6 16. Nd2 Nd5 17. Ne4 Be7 18. Bb3 Qf5 19. Bc4 Nb6 20. Bb5 Na7 21. Be3 Nxb5 22. axb5 Qd7 23. Bc5 a4 24. d4 exd4 25. Bxd4 Nd5 26. Red1 Rfe8 27. c4 Nf4 28. Qf3 Qf5 29. Ng3 Nxh3+ 30. Kf1 Qxf3 31. gxf3 Ng5 32. Be5 Rxd1+ 33. Rxd1 c6 34. Rd7 Nxf3 35. Bc3 cxb5 36. cxb5 b6 37. Ne4 a3 38. bxa3 Bxa3 39. Nd6 Bxd6 40. Rxd6 Re6 41. Rxe6 fxe6 42. Ke2 Ng5 43. Bd4 Ne4 44. Kf3 Nd6 45. Bxb6 Nxb5 46. Kg4 Kf7 47. f4 Nd6 48. Bd4 Nf5 49. Bb2 Kg8 50. Kg5 Kh7 51. Bc3 Nd6 52. Bb2 Nf7+ 53. Kg4 Kh6 54. Bc3 Nd6 55. Be5 Nc4 56. Bd4 Nd6 57. Be5 Nf5 58. Bc3 Ne3+ 59. Kf3 Nd5 60. Be5 Nf6 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “14.3”] [White “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2820”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence, open variation”] [WhiteFideId “2020009”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Nf5 11. c3 d5 12. Nd2 Re8 13. Nf3 Rxe1 14. Qxe1 Nd6 15. Bd3 Bf5 16. Bxf5 Nxf5 17. Bf4 Qd7 18. Ne5 Bxe5 19. Qxe5 c6 20. Re1 f6 21. Qe2 g5 22. Bg3 Ng7 23. Qf3 Qf5 24. Qxf5 Nxf5 25. f3 Kf7 26. Kf2 h5 27. h3 Re8 28. Rxe8 Kxe8 29. Bb8 a6 30. g4 Ng7 31. f4 hxg4 32. hxg4 gxf4 33. Bxf4 Kf7 34. Kf3 Kg6 35. Be3 Ne6 36. Bf4 b5 37. Be3 a5 38. Bf4 a4 39. Be3 Nc7 40. b3 axb3 41. axb3 Ne6 42. Ke2 Ng5 43. Bxg5 Kxg5 44. Kf3 b4 45. cxb4 f5 46. gxf5 Kxf5 47. b5 cxb5 48. b4 Kg5 49. Kg3 Kf5 50. Kf3 Kg5 51. Kg3 Kf5 52. Kf3 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “14.4”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “Dubov, Daniil”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2710”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “24126055”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Be2 b6 10. Rc1 e6 11. O-O Bb7 12. dxc5 Nd7 13. cxb6 axb6 14. Qc2 Qc7 15. Nd4 Nc5 16. f3 Be5 17. h3 Rfc8 18. Rfd1 Ra5 19. Rb1 Rca8 20. Rb2 Na4 21. Rb3 Nc5 22. Rb2 Na4 23. Rb3 Nc5 24. Rb2 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “14.5”] [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2776”] [ECO “C01”] [Opening “French”] [Variation “exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “13401319”] [BlackFideId “4126025”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Bd3 Bd6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 Bg4 8. Bg5 Nbd7 9. Nbd2 c6 10. c3 Qc7 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Rfe8 13. a4 a5 14. Bf5 Bg6 15. Qd3 Bf4 16. Bxg6 hxg6 17. Bxf4 Qxf4 18. Rxe8+ Rxe8 19. Re1 Rxe1+ 20. Nxe1 Ne4 21. Nef3 Nxd2 22. Nxd2 Nf8 23. g3 Qd6 24. Kg2 Ne6 25. h4 g5 26. h5 Qf4 27. Qe2 Qf5 28. Nf1 g4 29. Nh2 Qxh5 30. Qxg4 Qxg4 31. Nxg4 Kf8 32. Kf3 Ke7 33. Ne5 Ng5+ 34. Ke3 Ne4 35. g4 g5 36. f3 Nd6 37. b3 f6 38. Nd3 b6 39. Ke2 Ke6 40. Ke3 Ke7 41. Ke2 Ke6 42. Ke3 Ke7 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “14.6”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Ding, Liren”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2799”] [ECO “B19”] [Opening “Caro-Kann”] [Variation “classical, 7…Nd7”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “8603677”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 e6 10. Bf4 Ngf6 11. O-O-O Be7 12. Qe2 O-O 13. Kb1 a5 14. Ne4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 Nf6 16. Qe2 a4 17. g4 Nd5 18. Bd2 Qb6 19. c4 Ba3 20. Be1 Nf4 21. Qc2 Rfd8 22. h5 c5 23. Bc3 cxd4 24. Rxd4 Rxd4 25. Nxd4 Bb4 26. Bxb4 Qxb4 27. a3 Qc5 28. Qe4 Rd8 29. Nf3 Qd6 30. Ka1 b6 31. g5 hxg5 32. Nxg5 f5 33. Qb7 Rd7 34. Qa8+ Rd8 35. Qxa4 Qe7 36. Nf3 Qb7 37. Rd1 Rxd1+ 38. Qxd1 Kh7 39. Qb3 Kh6 40. c5 Nd5 41. Ne5 Qc7 42. Qg3 Kxh5 43. Qh2+ Kg5 44. Nf3+ Kf6 45. Qxc7 Nxc7 46. cxb6 Na6 47. b4 Ke7 48. Kb2 Kd6 49. Kc3 Kc6 50. Nd4+ Kxb6 51. Nxe6 g6 52. a4 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “14.7”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Giri, Anish”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2780”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “modern exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “24116068”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8. Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O Bg4 13. Rxb7 Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Bxd4 15. e5 Na6 16. Rxe7 Rad8 17. e6 fxe6 18. Qe1 Nc5 19. Bc3 Nd3 20. Bxd4 Nxe1 21. Rg7+ Kh8 22. Rd7+ Kg8 23. Rg7+ Kh8 24. Rd7+ Kg8 25. Rg7+ 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “14.8”] [White “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Black “Pichot, Alan”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2760”] [BlackElo “2630”] [ECO “B51”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Canal-Sokolsky (Nimzovich-Rossolimo, Moscow) attack”] [WhiteFideId “623539”] [BlackFideId “110973”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. O-O g6 7. Re1 Bg7 8. Bf1 Nc5 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Nb3 Nxb3 11. axb3 Bg4 12. f3 Be6 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 Bf5 15. c3 e5 16. dxe6 Bxe6 17. b4 a5 18. b5 d5 19. Be3 Qd6 20. Bd4 Rfc8 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Qd4+ Kg8 23. Ra4 b6 24. Qf6 Qc5+ 25. Rd4 a4 26. h4 a3 27. bxa3 Rxa3 28. h5 gxh5 29. Kh1 Rxc3 30. Rxe6 fxe6 31. Qxe6+ Kh8 32. Qe5+ Kg8 33. Rxd5 Qc7 34. Qe6+ Kh8 35. Rd7 Qf4 36. Qe7 Qh6 37. Qe5+ Kg8 38. Bd3 Rxd3 39. Rxd3 Rf8 40. Rd6 Qc1+ 41. Kh2 Qf4+ 42. Qxf4 Rxf4 43. Rxb6 Kg7 44. Rb8 Rb4 45. b6 h4 46. b7 h5 47. f4 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “15.1”] [White “Pichot, Alan”] [Black “Aronian, Levon”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2630”] [BlackElo “2781”] [ECO “B40”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Anderssen variation”] [WhiteFideId “110973”] [BlackFideId “13300474”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Ne4 Qc7 9. f4 Bb7 10. c4 Bb4+ 11. Ke2 O-O 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Ng5 f6 14. Nf3 fxe5 15. fxe5 Rf5 16. Be3 d4 17. Bxd4 Raf8 18. Qb3 Rxf3 19. gxf3 Bxf3+ 20. Kd3 Qb7 21. Kc2 Bxh1 22. a3 Qe4+ 23. Bd3 Rc8+ 24. Kb1 Qxd4 25. axb4 Qxe5 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “15.2”] [White “Giri, Anish”] [Black “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2780”] [BlackElo “2760”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “modern exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “24116068”] [BlackFideId “623539”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8. Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O Bg4 13. Rxb7 Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Bxd4 15. e5 Na6 16. Rxe7 Rad8 17. e6 fxe6 18. Qe1 Nc5 19. Be3 Nd3 20. Bxd4 Nxe1 21. Rg7+ Kh8 22. Rd7+ Kg8 23. Rg7+ Kh8 24. Rd7+ Kg8 25. Rg7+ 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “15.3”] [White “Ding, Liren”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2799”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “open Berlin defence, l’Hermet variation”] [WhiteFideId “8603677”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. dxe5 Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 d5 10. exd6 Qxd6 11. Qe4+ Qe6 12. Qd4 Qd6 13. Qe4+ Qe6 14. Qd4 Qd6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “15.4”] [White “Grischuk, Alexander”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2776”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “modern exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “4126025”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8. Be3 Qa5 9. Nd2 O-O 10. Nb3 Qc7 11. Nxc5 Nd7 12. Na4 a6 13. Rc1 b5 14. Nb2 Bb7 15. f3 Qa5 16. Qb3 e5 17. d5 Rfc8 18. Be2 Bf8 19. O-O Nc5 20. Bxc5 Rxc5 21. Nd3 Rc7 22. Nxe5 Rac8 23. c4 Qd2 24. Qd3 Qf4 25. d6 Rc5 26. d7 Rd8 27. Ng4 Rc7 28. Qc3 Bg7 29. e5 Rcxd7 30. cxb5 axb5 31. Bxb5 Rd2 32. a4 h5 33. Nf6+ Bxf6 34. exf6 Qg5 35. Rf2 Rxf2 36. Kxf2 Rd2+ 37. Be2 Rxe2+ 38. Kxe2 Qxg2+ 39. Kd3 Qxf3+ 40. Kc4 Qe2+ 41. Kb4 Qxh2 42. Qd4 Qb8 43. Ka3 Qg3+ 44. Rc3 Qe1 45. Re3 Qc1+ 46. Kb4 Bc6 47. Rc3 Qb2+ 48. Ka5 Kh7 49. Qc4 Bd5 50. Qc5 Be6 51. Ka6 Qe2+ 52. Ka7 h4 53. Qd4 g5 54. a5 h3 55. Re3 Qg4 56. Qd3+ Kh6 57. Re1 Qf5 58. Qd2 Qc5+ 59. Kb8 Qc8+ 60. Ka7 Qc7+ 61. Ka8 Bd7 62. Rc1 Bc6+ 63. Rxc6 Qxc6+ 64. Kb8 Qg2 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “15.5”] [White “Dubov, Daniil”] [Black “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2710”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “D79”] [Opening “Neo-Gruenfeld, 6.O-O, main line”] [WhiteFideId “24126055”] [BlackFideId “13401319”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. c4 c6 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Ne5 Ng4 9. Nxg4 Bxg4 10. Nc3 Nc6 11. h3 Bd7 12. e4 dxe4 13. d5 Ne5 14. Nxe4 Bb5 15. Re1 Nd3 16. Re3 Nxc1 17. Rxc1 Bh6 18. f4 Qb6 19. Qd2 Rac8 20. Kh2 Rxc1 21. Qxc1 Qd8 22. Qc5 a6 23. Nc3 Qd6 24. Qxd6 exd6 25. Nxb5 axb5 26. Rb3 Ra8 27. a3 Ra5 28. Bf1 Bg7 29. Bxb5 Bd4 30. Kg2 h5 31. Kf3 Kg7 32. g4 hxg4+ 33. hxg4 Ra8 34. Bd7 b6 35. Rb4 Bg1 36. Re4 Ra7 37. Bc6 f5 38. Re2 fxg4+ 39. Kxg4 Bd4 40. a4 Kf7 41. Be8+ Kf8 42. b3 Kg7 43. Re6 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “15.6”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2765”] [ECO “B30”] [Opening “Sicilian defence”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “13400924”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 Nf6 6. O-O O-O 7. Nd5 d6 8. c3 Rb8 9. a4 Nxd5 10. Bxd5 Bf6 11. Re1 Re8 12. Bd2 Ne7 13. Bc4 Ng6 14. b4 b6 15. b5 Be6 16. Bxe6 Rxe6 17. c4 Nf4 18. Qb3 g5 19. Be3 g4 20. Nd2 h5 21. Nf1 h4 22. Qd1 Bg7 23. Bc1 Rg6 24. Ne3 Qd7 25. Nf5 Bf6 26. a5 Kh7 27. axb6 axb6 28. Be3 d5 29. Bxf4 exf4 30. cxd5 Bxa1 31. Qxa1 Re8 32. Nxh4 Rg5 33. g3 f3 34. h3 Rh5 35. Nf5 Rxf5 36. exf5 Rxe1+ 37. Qxe1 Qxd5 38. Qe7 Qxf5 39. hxg4 Qd5 40. Qf6 Kg8 41. Qf5 Qb3 42. Qxf3 Qxb5 43. Qd5 Qe8 44. g5 Qe6 45. Qxe6 fxe6 46. f4 Kf7 47. Kf2 b5 48. Ke3 Kg6 49. g4 b4 50. Kd2 e5 51. fxe5 Kxg5 52. Kc2 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “15.7”] [White “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2736”] [BlackElo “2820”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “open Berlin defence, l’Hermet variation”] [WhiteFideId “2016192”] [BlackFideId “2020009”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. dxe5 Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 8. Nxd4 d5 9. exd6 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd6 11. Qe4+ Qe6 12. Qd4 Qd6 13. Qe4+ Qe6 14. Qd4 Qd6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup Prelim”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.25”] [Round “15.8”] [White “Firouzja, Alireza”] [Black “Svidler, Peter”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2759”] [BlackElo “2714”] [ECO “A04”] [Opening “Reti opening”] [WhiteFideId “12573981”] [BlackFideId “4102142”] [EventDate “2021.05.23”] 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Qb3 Nxc3 9. Bc4 e6 10. bxc3 Bd7 11. Be2 Na5 12. Qb1 Bg7 13. Ba3 Bf8 14. Bxf8 Kxf8 15. c4 Bc6 16. Qb4+ Kg7 17. O-O Rc8 18. Ne5 b6 19. Rad1 Qg5 20. g3 Rhd8 21. Qb2 Ba4 22. Rd2 Qe7 23. d5 f6 24. Ng4 Nxc4 25. Bxc4 Rxc4 26. d6 Qf7 27. Ne3 Rc5 28. Rc1 Rdc8 29. Re1 e5 30. f4 Re8 31. Rf2 Qd7 32. fxe5 Rcxe5 33. Rxf6 Qb5 34. Qd4 Qc5 35. Rf4 Qxd4 36. Rxd4 Bd7 37. Rc4 Rc5 38. Rxc5 bxc5 39. Rb1 Bc6 40. Nc4 Kf6 41. Na5 Bd5 42. Nb7 Bxb7 43. Rxb7 Rd8 44. Rxh7 Rxd6 45. Rxa7 Rd2 46. a4 Ra2 47. a5 c4 48. Rc7 Rxa5 49. Rxc4 Ra2 50. Rf4+ Kg7 51. Rf2 Ra4 52. Kg2 g5 53. Rb2 Kg6 54. Rb6+ Kg7 55. Kf3 Kf7 56. h3 Kg7 57. Re6 Kf7 58. Re4 Ra6 59. Rd4 Kg6 60. Ke4 Re6+ 61. Kd3 Ra6 62. Rc4 Ra3+ 63. Rc3 Ra4 64. Ke3 Rb4 65. Rd3 Ra4 66. Rd6+ Kf5 67. g4+ Ke5 68. Rd3 Kf6 69. Rd6+ Ke5 70. Rh6 Ra3+ 71. Kf2 Ra2+ 72. Kg3 Ra3+ 73. Kg2 Ra2+ 74. Kg3 Ra3+ 75. Kg2 Ra2+ 76. Kg3 1/2-1/2 [/pgn]

    The projected Semifinals pairings are Carlsen-Radjabov and Nepomniachtchi-So. I was originally cheering for Nakamura or Caruana but since they’ve been eliminated from the tournament, my money’s on Carlsen.

    [pgn] [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.11”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2820”] [ECO “C42”] [Opening “Petrov”] [Variation “classical attack, Marshall variation”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “2020009”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4 c6 9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 13. g4 Bg6 14. Ne5 Bxe5 15. dxe5 Qa5 16. Qd4 Na6 17. Bg5 b5 18. Be2 Rfe8 19. Bf3 Rac8 20. Rfe1 Nc7 21. Qb4 Qxb4 22. cxb4 Ne6 23. Be3 c5 24. bxc5 Nxc5 25. Rec1 Nd3 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27. Bg2 Nxe5 28. f4 Nc4 29. Bxa7 f6 30. Rd1 Be8 31. Bd5+ Kf8 32. Bf2 Ke7 33. Rd3 h6 34. Be1 Bc6 35. Bb4+ Ke8 36. Be6 Ra8 37. a3 Ra7 38. Kf2 Bd7 39. Bg8 f5 40. g5 hxg5 41. fxg5 g6 42. Kg3 Ra6 43. h4 Be6 44. Bh7 Kf7 45. Rd8 Rxa3+ 46. Bxa3 Nxa3 47. Rd6 Nc4 48. Bxg6+ Ke7 49. Ra6 b4 50. Ra7+ Kd6 51. Rb7 Ne5 52. Be8 Nd3 53. Bf7 f4+ 54. Kh2 Bxf7 55. Rxf7 b3 56. Rb7 Nc5 57. Rb5 Kc6 58. Rb4 f3 59. g6 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.11”] [White “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2760”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence, open variation”] [WhiteFideId “623539”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. c4 Nc7 14. d4 d5 15. cxd5 Bb4 16. Bd2 Bxd2 17. Qxd2 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Qxd5 19. Re5 Qd6 20. Bc4 Bd7 21. Rae1 Rae8 22. Qc3 Rxe5 23. dxe5 Qe7 24. Qa5 a6 25. Qb6 Bc8 26. h3 g6 27. a3 Rd8 28. Qe3 b5 29. Be2 c5 30. Rd1 Rxd1+ 31. Bxd1 h5 32. f4 Be6 33. Be2 c4 34. Qd4 a5 35. a4 bxa4 36. Bxc4 Bxc4 37. Qxc4 Qb4 38. Qc1 h4 39. Kh1 Qd4 40. Qc8+ Kg7 41. Qc1 Kh7 42. Kh2 Kg7 43. Kh1 Kh7 44. Kh2 Kg7 45. Kh1 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.11”] [White “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2736”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “C80”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “open, Bernstein variation”] [WhiteFideId “2016192”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2 Nc5 10. c3 Be7 11. Bc2 d4 12. Nb3 dxc3 13. Nxc5 Bxc5 14. Be4 Qd7 15. bxc3 Rd8 16. Qc2 Ne7 17. Bg5 h6 18. Rfd1 Qc8 19. Bxe7 Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Kxe7 21. Nd4 Re8 22. Bf3 g6 23. Qd2 Bxd4 24. cxd4 Bg4 25. d5 Bxf3 26. d6+ Kd7 27. gxf3 Re6 28. Rc1 c5 29. Qe3 c4 30. Qa7+ Ke8 31. Rd1 Qd7 32. Qa8+ Qd8 33. Qxa6 Kf8 34. Qxb5 Qg5+ 35. Kf1 Rxe5 36. Qxe5 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.11”] [White “Giri, Anish”] [Black “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2780”] [BlackElo “2765”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence, open variation”] [WhiteFideId “24116068”] [BlackFideId “13400924”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Ne2 b6 12. Rd1 Ba6 13. Nf4 Be7 14. e6 Bd6 15. a4 Bb7 16. exf7+ Kxf7 17. Ng5+ Kf6 18. Ne4+ Kf7 19. Nxd6+ cxd6 20. h4 Nxh4 21. Rxd6 Rad8 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Nd3 Ng6 24. a5 c5 25. axb6 axb6 26. Ra7 Rd7 27. Be3 Re7 28. b4 Be4 29. Rxe7+ Kxe7 30. bxc5 Bxd3 31. cxd3 bxc5 32. Bxc5+ Ke6 33. Be3 Ne5 34. Bd4 Nxd3 35. Bxg7 Kf5 36. Bd4 Nf4 37. Be3 Nd5 38. Bd2 Nf6 39. Kh2 Ng4+ 40. Kg3 Ne5 41. Bc3 Ng6 42. Bb2 Ke4 43. Bf6 Kf5 44. Bh4 Ke4 45. Bd8 Kf5 46. Kf3 Ne5+ 47. Ke2 Ng6 48. Ke3 Nf4 49. Kf3 Ng6 50. Kg3 Ke4 51. Bc7 Kf5 52. f3 Ne7 53. Kf2 Nd5 54. Bd8 Kg6 55. Bh4 Kf5 56. Bg3 Kg6 57. Bh2 Kf5 58. Ke2 Kg6 59. Bb8 Kf5 60. Kf2 Kg6 61. Bd6 Kf5 62. Bh2 Kg6 63. Bb8 Kf5 64. Ke2 Kg6 65. Kd3 Kf5 66. Kd4 Ne7 67. Bd6 Ng6 68. g3 Ke6 69. Bb8 Kf5 70. Kd5 Nh8 71. Bc7 Nf7 72. Kd4 Ng5 73. Ke3 Ne6 74. Bd6 Ng5 75. Be7 Nf7 76. Bb4 Ne5 77. Bc3 Nf7 78. Bd2 Ne5 79. Ke2 Nf7 80. Ba5 Ne5 81. Bc7 Nf7 82. Kf2 Ng5 83. Kg2 Ne6 84. Bb6 Ng5 85. Be3 Nf7 86. Bd2 Ne5 87. Bf4 Nf7 88. Kh3 Nd8 89. Kh4 Ne6 90. Be3 Kg6 91. Kh3 Kf5 92. Kg2 Nf8 93. Kf2 Ng6 94. Ke2 Nf8 95. Bh6 Nd7 96. Ke3 Ne5 97. Bf4 Nf7 98. Bc7 Ng5 99. Bd8 Nf7 100. Ba5 Ne5 101. Bc3 Nf7 102. Kd3 Ng5 103. Ke2 Nf7 104. Bd2 Ne5 105. Bf4 Nf7 106. Ke3 Nd8 107. Bd6 Nf7 108. Bb4 Ng5 109. Bd2 Nf7 110. Ba5 Ne5 111. Bd8 Nf7 112. Bh4 Ne5 113. Be7 Nc4+ 114. Ke2 Ne5 115. Bd6 Nf7 116. Bf4 h4 117. gxh4 Kxf4 118. h5 Nh6 119. Kd3 Nf5 120. Kc4 Kg5 121. f4+ Kxh5 122. Kd5 Kg6 123. Ke5 Ng7 124. f5+ Kf7 125. f6 Ne8 126. Kf5 Nc7 127. Ke5 Nb5 128. Kf5 Na3 129. Ke5 Nb1 130. Kf5 Nd2 131. Ke5 Nf1 132. Kf5 Nh2 133. Ke5 Nf3+ 134. Kf5 Ne1 135. Ke5 Nd3+ 136. Kf5 Nc5 137. Ke5 Nb7 138. Kf5 Nd8 139. Ke5 Ne6 140. Kf5 Nc5 141. Ke5 Nb3 142. Kf5 Na1 143. Ke5 Nc2 144. Kf5 Ne3+ 145. Ke5 Nd1 146. Kf5 Nf2 147. Ke5 Ng4+ 148. Kf5 Ne3+ 149. Ke5 Nc4+ 150. Kf5 Na5 151. Ke5 Nb7 152. Kf5 Nd6+ 153. Ke5 Nc8 154. Kf5 Nb6 155. Ke5 Na8 156. Kf5 Nc7 157. Ke5 Ne6 158. Kf5 Nf8 159. Ke5 Ng6+ 160. Kf5 Nh4+ 161. Kg4 Kxf6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.12”] [White “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2820”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “C02”] [Opening “French”] [Variation “advance, Euwe variation”] [WhiteFideId “2020009”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bd7 6. Be2 Nge7 7. Na3 Ng6 8. Nc2 cxd4 9. cxd4 f6 10. h4 fxe5 11. h5 Nf4 12. dxe5 Nxe2 13. Qxe2 Qa5+ 14. Bd2 Qa4 15. Bc3 Be7 16. Nfd4 Nxd4 17. Nxd4 O-O 18. O-O Rf4 19. b3 Qa6 20. Qxa6 bxa6 21. g3 Rg4 22. Kg2 Rg5 23. Rac1 Rxh5 24. Ba5 Be8 25. Rfe1 Rh6 26. b4 Rg6 27. Rc7 Bd8 28. Rb7 Bxa5 29. bxa5 h5 30. Rc1 h4 31. Rcc7 hxg3 32. fxg3 Bb5 33. Nxb5 axb5 34. a6 Kh7 35. Rxb5 Rg5 36. Rbb7 d4 37. Rd7 Rc8 38. Rxd4 Rc3 39. Rxa7 Rgxg3+ 40. Kf2 Rcf3+ 41. Ke2 Ra3 42. Rd2 Rg5 43. Kd1 Rg1+ 44. Ke2 Rg5 45. Kd1 Rg1+ 46. Ke2 Rg5 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.12”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2760”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “623539”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8. Nf3 Qa5 9. Nd2 Nd7 10. Nb3 Qc7 11. Rc1 O-O 12. Be2 Nf6 13. f3 b6 14. dxc5 Nd7 15. cxb6 axb6 16. Qc2 Qa7 17. Ra1 Ba6 18. Bd4 Rfc8 19. O-O Bxe2 20. Qxe2 e5 21. Be3 Rxc3 22. Rfc1 Rxc1+ 23. Rxc1 Qxa2 24. Qxa2 Rxa2 25. Rc7 Nf8 26. Bxb6 Rb2 27. Rc3 Ne6 28. Be3 Bf8 29. Rd3 Rb1+ 30. Kf2 Nf4 31. Bxf4 exf4 32. g3 Rb2+ 33. Kg1 Bd6 34. Rxd6 Rxb3 35. Kg2 Rb2+ 36. Kh3 fxg3 37. hxg3 h5 38. g4 hxg4+ 39. Kxg4 Kg7 40. Kf4 Rb5 41. Kg4 Ra5 42. Kf4 Rb5 43. Kg4 Ra5 44. Kf4 Rb5 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.12”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2736”] [ECO “C50”] [Opening “Giuoco Piano”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “2016192”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. h3 h6 7. c3 d6 8. Re1 a5 9. d4 Bb6 10. Be3 exd4 11. cxd4 d5 12. exd5 Ne7 13. Nc3 Nexd5 14. Qd2 c6 15. Bxh6 gxh6 16. Qxh6 Bf5 17. Re5 Bg6 18. Rg5 Nh7 19. Rg4 Re8 20. Nxd5 cxd5 21. Bd3 Nf8 22. Ne5 Re6 23. Bf5 Rd6 24. Nxg6 fxg6 25. Bxg6 Rxg6 26. Rxg6+ Nxg6 27. Qxg6+ Kh8 28. Qh5+ Kg8 29. Qg4+ Kh7 30. Re1 Rc8 31. Re6 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.12”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “Giri, Anish”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2780”] [ECO “D80”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “Stockholm variation”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “24116068”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Bg7 5. e3 c5 6. Nf3 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Ne4 8. Bh4 Nxc3 9. bxc3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 O-O 11. O-O Qc7 12. Be2 Nc6 13. Rb1 a6 14. Qb3 Ne5 15. a4 Re8 16. Bg3 Qc5 17. Rfc1 Bd7 18. Qxb7 Bxa4 19. Qb4 Qxb4 20. cxb4 Nd7 21. Ra1 Bxd4 22. Rxa4 Be5 23. Bxe5 Nxe5 24. Rxa6 Rxa6 25. Bxa6 Rb8 26. b5 Kf8 27. f4 Nd7 28. Rc8+ Rxc8 29. Bxc8 Ke8 30. Bb7 Kd8 31. Bd5 e6 32. Bc6 Nb8 33. Bf3 Kc7 34. Kf2 Kb6 35. Be2 Nd7 36. Kf3 Nc5 37. h4 Na4 38. Kg4 Nc3 39. Bd3 Nd1 40. Kg5 Nxe3 41. g3 Nd1 42. Kf6 Nf2 43. Bc2 Nh1 44. g4 Nf2 45. g5 Nh3 46. Kxf7 Nxf4 47. Kf6 Kxb5 48. Bb3 Ng2 49. Bxe6 Nxh4 50. Bg8 Nf3 51. Bxh7 Nxg5 52. Kxg5 Kb4 53. Bxg6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.13”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2820”] [ECO “B48”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Taimanov variation”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “2020009”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. g4 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 b5 9. O-O-O Bb7 10. Kb1 Nf6 11. g5 Ng4 12. Bf4 e5 13. Nd5 O-O-O 14. f3 exd4 15. Bxc7 Re8 16. Bg3 Bxd5 17. exd5 Ne3 18. Rxd4 Nf5 19. Rd1 Nxg3 20. hxg3 Kc7 21. a4 Rb8 22. axb5 axb5 23. Bd3 h6 24. gxh6 Rxh6 25. Rxh6 gxh6 26. Rh1 b4 27. Rh5 Rb6 28. Rf5 f6 29. Bc4 Bd6 30. f4 Bc5 31. d6+ Bxd6 32. Rxf6 Bc5 33. Rf5 Bd4 34. Rh5 Rg6 35. Rh3 Bf2 36. f5 Rxg3 37. Rxh6 Be3 38. Ra6 Bc5 39. f6 Rf3 40. f7 Rf5 41. Ka2 Kb7 42. Rh6 d5 43. Rh7 Kc6 44. Bd3 Rf6 45. Kb3 Bf8 46. Be2 Kc5 47. Bh5 Rh6 48. Rxh6 Bxh6 49. c3 bxc3 50. Kxc3 Bg7+ 51. Kb3 Kd6 52. Kc2 Ke7 53. b4 Bd4 54. Kd3 Ba7 55. Ke2 d4 56. Kd3 Kf8 57. Ke4 Ke7 58. b5 Kf8 59. Bg6 Bb6 60. Kd3 Ba7 61. Kc4 Bb6 62. Bh5 Ba7 63. Kb4 Bb6 64. Bg6 Ke7 65. Kc4 Kf8 66. Kd3 Ba7 67. Ke4 Bb6 68. Bh5 Ba7 69. Kd5 d3 70. Kc6 d2 71. b6 Bxb6 72. Kxb6 d1=Q 73. Bxd1 Kxf7 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.13”] [White “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2760”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence, open variation”] [WhiteFideId “623539”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Bd7 10. Rd1 Be7 11. g4 Nh4 12. Nxh4 Bxh4 13. Nd2 Kc8 14. Ne4 h6 15. a4 a5 16. Nc5 Be8 17. b3 b6 18. Nd3 c5 19. Bb2 h5 20. f3 Kb7 21. Kg2 Bc6 22. Bc3 f5 23. gxf5 Raf8 24. e6 Rxf5 25. Ne5 Re8 26. Nxc6 Kxc6 27. Rd2 Rxe6 28. Rf1 Be1 29. Rd3 Re2+ 30. Kh1 Bxc3 31. Rxc3 Rd5 32. f4 Rdd2 33. Rg3 Rxc2 34. Kg1 Re7 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.13”] [White “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2736”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “C65”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence”] [WhiteFideId “2016192”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. Nc3 Bd7 7. Na4 Bb6 8. Nxb6 axb6 9. Re1 h6 10. c3 Ne7 11. Bc4 b5 12. Bb3 Ng6 13. d4 O-O 14. h3 Re8 15. Bc2 Bc6 16. Nd2 d5 17. dxe5 Nxe4 18. f4 Nh4 19. Nxe4 dxe4 20. Qxd8 Raxd8 21. Be3 Nf5 22. Kf2 g5 23. Rad1 Nxe3 24. Kxe3 gxf4+ 25. Kxf4 e3 26. Rd4 b4 27. g4 bxc3 28. bxc3 Rxd4+ 29. cxd4 Bd5 30. Bb3 Rd8 31. Kxe3 Bxb3 32. axb3 c6 33. h4 Rd5 34. b4 Rb5 35. Rb1 Kg7 36. Ke4 Kg6 37. h5+ Kg7 38. Kf5 Rd5 39. Ke4 Rb5 40. Rb2 Kf8 41. Kd3 Ke7 42. Kc4 f6 43. Re2 Rd5 44. exf6+ Kxf6 45. Re5 b5+ 46. Kd3 Rd8 47. Rc5 Rd6 48. Ke4 Re6+ 49. Re5 Rd6 50. d5 cxd5+ 51. Rxd5 Rb6 52. Kd4 Rb8 53. Rd6+ Kg5 54. Rg6+ Kh4 55. Kc5 Kg3 56. Rxh6 Kxg4 57. Rb6 Rc8+ 58. Kxb5 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.13”] [White “Giri, Anish”] [Black “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2780”] [BlackElo “2765”] [ECO “C67”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence, open variation”] [WhiteFideId “24116068”] [BlackFideId “13400924”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Bf4 Be7 12. Rad1 Be6 13. Ng5 Rh6 14. Rfe1 Rd8 15. Rxd8+ Kxd8 16. Nxe6+ Rxe6 17. g4 Nh4 18. Re3 Rg6 19. Rg3 hxg4 20. hxg4 Ke8 21. Kf1 Re6 22. Re3 Rg6 23. f3 f5 24. exf6 Rxf6 25. Ne2 Kf7 26. Rd3 Bc5 27. Rd7+ Kg8 28. Rxc7 Ng6 29. Bg3 Rxf3+ 30. Kg2 Re3 31. Kf1 Rf3+ 32. Kg2 Re3 33. Kf1 Rf3+ 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.14”] [White “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2820”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “C02”] [Opening “French”] [Variation “advance, Euwe variation”] [WhiteFideId “2020009”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bd7 6. Be2 Nge7 7. Na3 cxd4 8. cxd4 f6 9. exf6 gxf6 10. O-O Bg7 11. Nc2 O-O 12. b4 a6 13. a4 e5 14. Ba3 e4 15. Nd2 f5 16. Nb3 Ng6 17. f4 Nce7 18. a5 Ba4 19. Ne3 Qc7 20. Rc1 Qd6 21. g3 Rac8 22. Rc5 Rxc5 23. bxc5 Qe6 24. c6 Qxc6 25. Bc5 Rc8 26. Qb1 Bb5 27. Nc1 Bxe2 28. Nxe2 Qd7 29. Qb3 Kh8 30. Rb1 Nc6 31. Qxb7 Qxb7 32. Rxb7 Nxa5 33. Rd7 Nb3 34. Nxf5 Bf6 35. Bd6 a5 36. Ra7 h5 37. Be5 Bxe5 38. dxe5 Rc2 39. Ned4 Nxd4 40. Nxd4 Rd2 41. Nf5 d4 42. e6 e3 43. e7 Nxe7 44. Rxe7 a4 45. Nxd4 Rxd4 46. Rxe3 h4 47. Kg2 Rd8 48. g4 Rb8 49. Re4 Ra8 50. Re2 a3 51. Ra2 Kg7 52. Kh3 Kg6 53. Kxh4 Ra4 54. Kg3 Kf6 55. h4 Kg6 56. h5+ Kf6 57. Kh4 Ra8 58. f5 Kg7 59. g5 Ra4+ 60. Kg3 Kf7 61. h6 Kg8 62. g6 Kh8 63. Kf3 Kg8 64. f6 Kh8 65. Re2 Ra8 66. f7 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.14”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2760”] [ECO “A70”] [Opening “Benoni”] [Variation “classical with e4 and Nf3”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “623539”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. e4 Bg7 8. h3 O-O 9. Bd3 a6 10. a4 Nbd7 11. O-O Qc7 12. Re1 c4 13. Bf1 Re8 14. Bf4 Rb8 15. Bh2 b5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Nd4 Qc5 18. Nc6 Bb7 19. Nxb8 Rxb8 20. Ra5 Bc8 21. Qa1 Ne8 22. Ra8 Bd4 23. Bg3 Nef6 24. Rxb8 Nxb8 25. Ne2 Be5 26. Bxe5 dxe5 27. b4 Qxb4 28. Rb1 Qc5 29. Qxe5 Nbd7 30. Qd4 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.14”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2736”] [ECO “C50”] [Opening “Giuoco Piano”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “2016192”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. h3 d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. a4 Be6 9. Ng5 Bf5 10. Qf3 Nde7 11. c3 h6 12. Ne4 Bd6 13. b4 a6 14. Nbd2 Kh8 15. Ba3 Bg6 16. Nxd6 cxd6 17. b5 Na5 18. Bb4 axb5 19. axb5 b6 20. Bd5 Rc8 21. c4 f5 22. Be6 Rb8 23. Bxa5 bxa5 24. d4 Rf6 25. d5 Bf7 26. Bxf7 Rxf7 27. Nb3 Ra8 28. c5 a4 29. c6 Qb6 30. Qd3 Rb8 31. Rxa4 Ng6 32. Rb4 Nf4 33. Rxf4 exf4 34. Nd4 f3 35. Rc1 Ra7 36. Ne6 Ra2 37. Qd4 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.26”] [Round “1.14”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “Giri, Anish”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2780”] [ECO “A35”] [Opening “English”] [Variation “symmetrical, four knights system”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “24116068”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. e3 e6 5. d4 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bb5 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bd7 9. O-O Bd6 10. Nf3 Bg4 11. Be2 O-O 12. b3 a6 13. Bb2 Re8 14. Rc1 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 d4 16. exd4 Nxd4 17. Bxb7 Ra7 18. Ne4 Nxe4 19. Qxd4 Bxh2+ 20. Kxh2 Qxd4 21. Bxd4 Rxb7 22. Rfe1 f5 23. f3 Rd8 24. Rc4 Ng5 25. Re5 Rbd7 26. Bb6 Rf8 27. Be3 h6 28. Rcc5 f4 29. Bc1 Rd6 30. Rf5 Rdf6 31. Rxf6 Rxf6 32. Rc4 Ne6 33. Rc6 Kf7 34. Rxa6 Rf5 35. Ra7+ Ke8 36. Ba3 Kd8 37. Bb4 Rh5+ 38. Kg1 Rd5 39. Bc3 g6 40. a4 Kc8 41. Re7 Nc5 42. a5 Rd3 43. Be5 Nd7 44. Bxf4 g5 45. Bg3 Rxb3 46. a6 Kd8 47. Rh7 Ra3 48. Bd6 Ra1+ 49. Kh2 Ke8 50. Re7+ Kd8 51. Re6 g4 52. fxg4 Ra4 53. Rxh6 Ke8 54. Re6+ Kd8 55. g5 Nb6 56. Bc5 Nc8 57. g6 Kd7 58. Rf6 Rh4+ 59. Kg3 Rh5 60. Be3 Ne7 61. a7 Ra5 62. g7 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.21”] [White “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2820”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “A48”] [Opening “King’s Indian”] [Variation “East Indian defence”] [WhiteFideId “2020009”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. b3 Bg7 4. Bb2 O-O 5. e3 b6 6. g3 Bb7 7. Bg2 d5 8. O-O Nbd7 9. Nbd2 c5 10. Qe2 Rc8 11. c4 dxc4 12. bxc4 e6 13. a4 Ne4 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. Rfd1 Qe7 16. a5 Rfd8 17. h4 h6 18. Ne1 Bxg2 19. Nxg2 Nf6 20. axb6 axb6 21. Nf4 Qb7 22. Rab1 cxd4 23. Bxd4 Qc6 24. Rxb6 Qxc4 25. Qxc4 Rxc4 26. Rbb1 Ng4 27. Bxg7 Rxd1+ 28. Rxd1 Kxg7 29. Rd2 g5 30. hxg5 hxg5 31. Ne2 Ne5 32. Kg2 g4 33. Nd4 Rc1 34. Rc2 Rb1 35. Rd2 Kg6 36. Kh2 Nc4 37. Rc2 Nd6 38. Kg2 Ne4 39. f3 gxf3+ 40. Kxf3 Ng5+ 41. Kg2 Re1 42. Re2 Ra1 43. Rc2 Ra3 44. Kf2 e5 45. Nc6 Kf5 46. g4+ Ke6 47. Nb4 Ra4 48. Rc6+ Kd7 49. Rb6 Ne4+ 50. Kf3 Nd2+ 51. Ke2 Nc4 52. Rb7+ Ke6 53. Kd3 Nd6 54. Rb6 Ra3+ 55. Ke2 Rb3 56. Nd5 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.21”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2760”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “modern exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “623539”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8. Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O Bg4 13. Rxb7 Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Bxd4 15. e5 Na6 16. Rxe7 Rad8 17. e6 fxe6 18. Qe1 Nc5 19. Bc3 Nd3 20. Bxd4 Nxe1 21. Rg7+ Kh8 22. Rd7+ Kg8 23. Rg7+ Kh8 24. Rd7+ Kg8 25. Rg7+ 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.21”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2736”] [ECO “C50”] [Opening “Giuoco Piano”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “2016192”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. Re1 Ng4 7. Re2 Kh8 8. h3 f5 9. Bg5 Nf6 10. Nc3 d6 11. Nd5 fxe4 12. dxe4 Be6 13. Nxf6 gxf6 14. Bxe6 fxg5 15. c3 Qf6 16. Bg4 Ne7 17. Qd2 Rg8 18. b4 Bb6 19. a4 a5 20. Qa2 Qg6 21. Qe6 Qg7 22. bxa5 Bxa5 23. Rb1 Ra7 24. Qc4 Qg6 25. Rb5 c6 26. Nxe5 dxe5 27. Rxe5 Rd8 28. Re6 Qg7 29. g3 Raa8 30. Kg2 Ng6 31. e5 Bc7 32. Bf5 Nxe5 33. Qb4 Rf8 34. Re7 Rf7 35. Qxb7 Raf8 36. Rxf7 Qxf7 37. Be4 h5 38. Bxc6 Qc4 39. Bb5 Qxc3 40. Qe4 Qc5 41. Rc2 Qd6 42. Be2 h4 43. gxh4 Ng6 44. Kf1 Bb6 45. Bf3 Ne5 46. Rd2 Qc5 47. Rc2 Nxf3 48. Rxc5 Nd2+ 49. Ke2 Nxe4 50. Rc6 Bxf2 51. hxg5 Nxg5 52. a5 Ne4 53. Kd3 Nc5+ 54. Kc4 Nb7 55. Rh6+ Kg7 56. Rh5 Ra8 57. Rf5 Nd6+ 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.21”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “Giri, Anish”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2780”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “24116068”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8. Nf3 Qa5 9. Nd2 O-O 10. Nb3 Qxc3+ 11. Bd2 Qb2 12. Bc1 Qc3+ 13. Bd2 Qb2 14. Bc1 Qc3+ 15. Bd2 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.22”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2820”] [ECO “C55”] [Opening “Two knights defence (Modern bishop’s opening)”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “2020009”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. Nc3 Bc5 6. h3 d6 7. Na4 Bb6 8. a3 O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. b4 Ne7 11. c3 Ng6 12. Bb3 Be6 13. Bc2 Qd7 14. Kh2 Rad8 15. Nxb6 axb6 16. d4 Bc4 17. Re1 b5 18. a4 bxa4 19. Bxa4 c6 20. Bc2 Qc7 21. Kg1 d5 22. exd5 e4 23. d6 Qxd6 24. Nd2 Bd3 25. Bxd3 exd3 26. Rxe8+ Rxe8 27. Nf3 Nd5 28. Qxd3 b5 29. g3 Qe6 30. Kg2 Nf6 31. Bd2 Qd5 32. Re1 Ne4 33. Kg1 Re6 34. Re3 f5 35. Re1 Kh7 36. h4 Nf6 37. Rxe6 Qxe6 38. Ne1 Ne7 39. Ng2 Ned5 40. f3 Kg8 41. Kf2 Nh5 42. Bf4 Nhxf4 43. Nxf4 Nxf4 44. gxf4 Kf7 45. Qe3 Qa2+ 46. Qe2 Qb3 47. Qe5 Qc2+ 48. Kg3 Qb1 49. Qe3 Qd1 50. Qf2 Qb3 51. Qd2 Qb1 52. Kg2 Qb3 53. Qd3 Qd5 54. Kg3 Qe6 55. Qd2 Kg6 56. Kh3 Kh5 57. Qf2 Qc4 58. Qe3 Qf1+ 59. Kg3 g6 60. Kh2 Kxh4 61. Qe7+ Kh5 62. Qe3 Kh4 63. Qe7+ Kh5 64. Qe3 Kh4 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.22”] [White “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Black “So, Wesley”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2760”] [BlackElo “2770”] [ECO “D02”] [Opening “Queen’s bishop game”] [WhiteFideId “623539”] [BlackFideId “5202213”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nc3 Bg4 6. Be2 e6 7. Ne5 Bxe2 8. Nxe2 Rc8 9. c3 Bd6 10. Nd3 c4 11. Ndc1 Bxf4 12. Nxf4 b5 13. b4 a5 14. a4 Qb6 15. axb5 Qxb5 16. bxa5 O-O 17. O-O Ra8 18. Nce2 Rxa5 19. Rb1 Qa6 20. Ng3 Ra3 21. Nfh5 Nxh5 22. Nxh5 Ne7 23. Qc2 Qa4 24. Qc1 Qa5 25. Rb4 Nc6 26. e4 Nxb4 27. Qg5 g6 28. Nf6+ Kg7 29. Qe5 Ra8 30. Nxd5+ Kg8 31. cxb4 Qd8 32. Nf6+ Kg7 33. Ne8+ Kf8 34. Nc7 Rc8 35. Nb5 Ra6 36. d5 Kg8 37. Nc3 Qd6 38. Qd4 e5 39. Qd2 Qxb4 40. Rb1 Qc5 41. h4 Qd4 42. Qe1 h5 43. Kh2 Qc5 44. Qd2 Qd4 45. Qe1 Rca8 46. Nb5 Qc5 47. Nc3 Rb6 48. Rc1 Qe7 49. g3 Qc5 50. Nd1 Rc8 51. Nc3 Rb3 52. Rc2 Rcb8 53. Qd2 Qd4 54. Qe1 Rb2 55. Qc1 Rxc2 56. Qxc2 Rb3 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.22”] [White “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2736”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “B51”] [Opening “Sicilian”] [Variation “Canal-Sokolsky (Nimzovich-Rossolimo, Moscow) attack”] [WhiteFideId “2016192”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O a6 6. c4 e6 7. Nc3 Be7 8. d4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 O-O 10. Qe2 Qc7 11. Bb3 b6 12. Be3 Bb7 13. f3 Rac8 14. Rac1 Rfe8 15. Rfd1 Qb8 16. Ba4 Rc7 17. b4 Rec8 18. Bb3 b5 19. Ncxb5 axb5 20. Nxb5 h5 21. a4 h4 22. a5 h3 23. Ra1 hxg2 24. Nxc7 Qxc7 25. b5 Ba8 26. Rdb1 d5 27. b6 Qe5 28. f4 Qc3 29. Qe1 Qd3 30. Ba4 Nc5 31. a6 Nxa6 32. b7 Bxb7 33. Rxb7 Bc5 34. Rb3 Qxc4 35. Bxc5 Nxc5 36. Rb4 Qf1+ 37. Qxf1 gxf1=Q+ 38. Kxf1 Nd3 39. Rd4 dxe4 40. f5 exf5 41. Bd7 Nxd7 42. Rxd7 Rc2 43. Ra8+ Kh7 44. Re8 Kg6 45. Ree7 Kg5 46. Rxf7 g6 47. Rd6 Rxh2 48. Rg7 Nf4 49. Re7 0-1 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.22”] [White “Giri, Anish”] [Black “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2780”] [BlackElo “2765”] [ECO “C65”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence”] [WhiteFideId “24116068”] [BlackFideId “13400924”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Nd7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Ne2 Re8 9. Be3 Bd6 10. Nd2 Nf8 11. Ng3 Ng6 12. Qf3 Be6 13. Nf5 Qd7 14. g4 c5 15. b3 f6 16. Kh1 Nf4 17. Rg1 g6 18. h4 Kh8 19. Nxd6 Qxd6 20. Nc4 Bxc4 21. dxc4 g5 22. Rad1 Qe7 23. Bxf4 exf4 24. hxg5 fxg5 25. Kg2 Rad8 26. Qc3+ Kg8 27. f3 c6 28. a4 b6 29. a5 Rd6 30. axb6 axb6 31. Rd3 Rxd3 32. cxd3 Rd8 33. Ra1 Qg7 34. Qxg7+ Kxg7 35. Ra6 Rb8 36. Ra7+ Kf6 37. Kf2 Ke5 38. Ke2 b5 39. Kd2 bxc4 40. bxc4 h6 41. Kc3 Rf8 42. Re7+ Kd6 43. Rh7 Rf6 44. Rh8 Ke5 45. Re8+ Re6 46. Rxe6+ Kxe6 47. d4 cxd4+ 48. Kxd4 c5+ 49. Kxc5 h5 50. gxh5 g4 51. h6 Kf7 52. e5 gxf3 53. h7 Kg7 54. e6 f2 55. e7 f1=Q 56. h8=Q+ Kxh8 57. e8=Q+ Kg7 58. Qe5+ Kg6 59. Qe4+ Kg5 60. Qe5+ Kg4 61. Qe6+ Kg5 62. Qe5+ Kg4 63. Qe6+ Kg5 64. Qe5+ 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.23”] [White “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2820”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “A48”] [Opening “King’s Indian”] [Variation “East Indian defence”] [WhiteFideId “2020009”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. e3 Bg7 4. Be2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. b4 a5 7. b5 c5 8. bxc6 Nxc6 9. a4 Ne4 10. Bb2 Bf5 11. Na3 Rc8 12. Nb5 Re8 13. Rc1 Nd6 14. c3 Nc4 15. Bxc4 dxc4 16. Re1 Bd3 17. e4 Qb6 18. Qd2 Na7 19. Nxa7 Qxa7 20. Ba3 Qb6 21. Ne5 Bxe5 22. dxe5 Qc6 23. Qg5 Rc7 24. e6 Qxe6 25. Qxa5 Qc6 26. f3 Rcc8 27. Qg5 e5 28. a5 b6 29. axb6 Qxb6+ 30. Kh1 Kg7 31. Ra1 f6 32. Qh4 Ra8 33. h3 h5 34. Bb4 Ra7 35. Rxa7+ Qxa7 36. f4 Qb6 37. f5 Rh8 38. fxg6 Rh6 39. Qg3 Rxg6 40. Qf3 Qa7 41. Qf5 Qf7 42. Bc5 Rg5 43. Qf3 Qb7 44. Bb4 Kg6 45. Kh2 Kg7 46. Re3 Qf7 47. Re1 Qg6 48. Bc5 Qe8 49. Be3 Rg6 50. Ra1 Kg8 51. Qf5 Rg7 52. Bh6 Rb7 53. Qxf6 Kh7 54. Be3 Qg6 55. Qxe5 Bxe4 56. Rg1 Qf5 57. Qd6 Qg6 58. Qf4 Rb2 59. Bf2 Qf5 60. Qc7+ Kg6 61. Bd4 Qf7 62. Qg3+ Kh7 63. Qe5 Re2 64. Qg3 Bd5 65. Qb8 Be4 66. Qe5 Kg6 67. Qg3+ Kh7 68. Rf1 Qd7 69. Rf2 Rxf2 70. Qxf2 Qd6+ 71. Kg1 Qg6 72. Qa2 Qc6 73. Qf2 Qg6 74. Be5 Bb7 75. Kh2 Bd5 76. Qa7+ Qf7 77. Qd4 Qg8 78. Bg3 Qe6 79. Qd2 Qe4 80. Qf2 Kg6 81. Bf4 Kf7 82. Be3+ Ke6 83. Bd4 Kd7 84. Qg3 Kc6 85. Qf2 Kd7 86. Qg3 Kc6 87. Qf2 Kd7 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.23”] [White “So, Wesley”] [Black “Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2770”] [BlackElo “2760”] [ECO “E10”] [Opening “Queen’s pawn game”] [WhiteFideId “5202213”] [BlackFideId “623539”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Nbd2 d6 6. a3 Bxd2+ 7. Qxd2 Qe7 8. Bg2 e5 9. O-O O-O 10. b4 Bf5 11. Bb2 Be4 12. Rfe1 Rfe8 13. b5 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 exd4 15. f3 Bg6 16. Qxd4 Qe3+ 17. Qxe3 Rxe3 18. Bd4 Rb3 19. e4 Nd7 20. f4 f6 21. e5 fxe5 22. fxe5 dxe5 23. Bxe5 Nxe5 24. Rxe5 Bf7 25. Rc5 c6 26. bxc6 bxc6 27. Rxc6 Rd8 28. Rc7 h5 29. Rxa7 Bxc4 30. Ra8 Rxa8 31. Bxa8 g5 32. Rc1 Bf7 33. Rd1 Rxa3 34. Bd5 h4 35. Bxf7+ Kxf7 36. gxh4 gxh4 37. Rd4 h3 38. Rg4 Kf6 39. Rg3 Rxg3+ 40. hxg3 Kg5 41. Kh1 Kh5 42. Kg1 Kg5 43. Kh1 Kh5 44. Kg1 Kg5 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.23”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2736”] [ECO “A00”] [Opening “Polish (Sokolsky) opening”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “2016192”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 Bxb4 3. Bxe5 Nf6 4. c3 Be7 5. e3 c5 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. g3 b6 8. Bg2 Nc6 9. d4 Ba6 10. Ne2 O-O 11. O-O Re8 12. Re1 Rc8 13. a3 Bxe2 14. Rxe2 cxd4 15. cxd4 Nxd4 16. exd4 Rxe2 17. Qxe2 Bxd4 18. Ra2 Rc1+ 19. Bf1 Rxb1 20. Qd3 Rb2 21. Rxb2 Bxb2 22. Qd6 g6 23. a4 Qe8 24. Qd2 Ba3 25. Bb5 Bc5 26. Bxd7 Qe4 27. Bb5 h5 28. Qe2 Qf5 29. Kg2 h4 30. gxh4 Qf4 31. h5 gxh5 32. Qf3 Qxf3+ 33. Kxf3 a5 34. Kg2 h4 35. h3 f6 36. f3 Kg7 37. Bc6 Kg6 38. Bb5 f5 39. Bc6 f4 40. Bb5 Kf6 41. Bc6 Ke5 42. Bb5 Kd4 43. Bc6 Ke3 44. Bb5 Bb4 45. Bc6 Bc5 46. Bb5 Bb4 47. Bc6 Bc5 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.23”] [White “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Black “Giri, Anish”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2765”] [BlackElo “2780”] [ECO “D85”] [Opening “Gruenfeld”] [Variation “exchange variation”] [WhiteFideId “13400924”] [BlackFideId “24116068”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8. Nf3 Qa5 9. Nd2 O-O 10. Nb3 Qxc3+ 11. Bd2 Qb2 12. Bc1 Qc3+ 13. Bd2 Qb2 14. Bc1 Qc3+ 15. Bd2 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.24”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2820”] [ECO “C47”] [Opening “Four knights”] [Variation “Scotch, 4…exd4”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “2020009”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 O-O 9. O-O Bg4 10. f3 Bh5 11. Bg5 Qd6 12. Qe1 Nxd5 13. Ne4 Bxe1 14. Nxd6 Bb4 15. Nc4 Rfe8 16. Rad1 f6 17. Bd2 a5 18. a3 Bxd2 19. Rxd2 Bg6 20. Kf2 Nf4 21. Bxg6 hxg6 22. a4 g5 23. Re1 Rxe1 24. Kxe1 Nd5 25. b3 Kf7 26. Kf2 Ke6 27. Rd4 Nb6 28. Ne3 Nd5 29. Re4+ Kd7 30. Nc4 Nb6 31. Nd2 Rh8 32. h3 c5 33. f4 gxf4 34. Rxf4 Rh5 35. Rg4 Rf5+ 36. Ke2 g5 37. g3 Nd5 38. Nc4 Nb4 39. Ne3 Re5 40. Kd2 Nc6 41. h4 Nd4 42. Kd3 Nf3 43. hxg5 fxg5 44. Nc4 Re1 45. Re4 Rg1 46. g4 Nh2 47. Ne3 Nf3 48. Nc4 Nh2 49. Ne5+ Kd6 50. Kc4 Rg2 51. c3 Rg3 52. Nf7+ Kc6 53. Ne5+ Kd6 54. Nf7+ Kc6 55. Ne5+ Kd6 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.24”] [White “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2736”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “C65”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence”] [WhiteFideId “2016192”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O Nd4 6. Be3 Nxf3+ 7. Qxf3 Bxe3 8. Qxe3 c6 9. Bc4 O-O 10. Bb3 d6 11. Nd2 Qe7 12. f4 Be6 13. Rae1 exf4 14. Rxf4 Bxb3 15. Nxb3 Rae8 16. Qf2 d5 17. e5 Nd7 18. d4 Qe6 19. Nc1 f6 20. Nd3 fxe5 21. Nxe5 Rxf4 22. Qxf4 Nxe5 23. Rxe5 Qg6 24. Rxe8+ Qxe8 25. Kf2 h6 26. c3 Qg6 27. Qb8+ Kh7 28. Qe5 Qc2+ 29. Qe2 Qf5+ 30. Qf3 Qb1 31. Kg3 Qxb2 32. Qf5+ Kg8 33. Qc8+ Kh7 34. Qf5+ Kg8 35. Qc8+ Kh7 36. Qf5+ 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.24”] [White “Giri, Anish”] [Black “Radjabov, Teimour”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2780”] [BlackElo “2765”] [ECO “C65”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence”] [WhiteFideId “24116068”] [BlackFideId “13400924”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Bd6 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 Be6 9. d4 Be7 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. dxe5 Qxd1 12. Rxd1 fxe5 13. Nxe5 Bf6 14. Nd3 O-O-O 15. Nc3 Bc4 16. g3 Rhe8 17. f3 a5 18. Kg2 b6 19. a3 Bd4 20. Nf4 Rd7 21. Nfd5 c5 22. Rab1 f5 23. b3 Ba6 24. exf5 Bb7 25. Rd3 Bxd5 26. Nxd5 Rxd5 27. c3 Re2+ 28. Kh3 Rxf5 29. cxd4 cxd4 30. Rxd4 Rxf3 31. Rh4 Rf6 32. b4 axb4 33. axb4 Kb7 34. b5 c6 35. bxc6+ Rxc6 36. Rhb4 Rd6 37. Rf1 Rdd2 38. Rh1 Rb2 39. Rh4 Re6 40. Rh5 b5 41. Kh4 Kb6 42. h3 Rb4+ 43. g4 Rb3 44. Rd1 Rc6 45. Ra1 Rbc3 46. Rf5 b4 47. Ra8 Kb7 48. Rff8 b3 49. Rab8+ Ka7 50. Rb4 Rb6 51. Ra4+ Kb7 52. Raa8 Rcc6 53. Rfb8+ Kc7 54. Rxb6 Rxb6 55. Ra1 b2 56. Rb1 Rb5 57. Kg3 Kd6 58. h4 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.31”] [White “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2792”] [BlackElo “2820”] [ECO “A20”] [Opening “English opening”] [WhiteFideId “4168119”] [BlackFideId “2020009”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. Nf3 e4 5. Nd4 d5 6. cxd5 Qxd5 7. Nc2 Bc5 8. Nc3 Qe5 9. O-O O-O 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. d4 Qe7 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. Ne3 Be6 14. b3 a5 15. Qc2 Nba6 16. Bb2 f6 17. Qc3 Nb4 18. Rfc1 b6 19. Nc4 Nd7 20. Qe3 Rab8 21. a3 Nd5 22. Qd2 Nc5 23. Qc2 Bf7 24. e4 Nc7 25. Bd4 Nxb3 26. Qxb3 b5 27. Qe3 Bxc4 28. Bc5 Qe5 29. Bxf8 Rxf8 30. a4 Ra8 31. axb5 Bxb5 32. f4 Qe7 33. e5 fxe5 34. Bxc6 Bxc6 35. Rxc6 Qd7 36. Rac1 exf4 37. Qb3+ Qd5 38. Qb6 Ne8 39. gxf4 Nf6 40. Qc5 Qxc5+ 41. R1xc5 a4 42. Rc8+ Rxc8 43. Rxc8+ Kf7 44. Kg2 Nd5 45. Kf3 Ne7 46. Ra8 Kf6 47. Ra6+ Kf5 48. Rxa4 Kf6 49. Ke4 g6 50. Ra6+ Kg7 51. Ra7 Kf6 52. h3 Ke6 53. Ra6+ Kf7 54. Ke5 Kf8 55. Ra8+ Kf7 56. Ra7 Kf8 57. Ke6 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.31”] [White “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Black “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Result “1-0”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2847”] [BlackElo “2736”] [ECO “D37”] [Opening “QGD”] [Variation “classical variation (5.Bf4)”] [WhiteFideId “1503014”] [BlackFideId “2016192”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Be2 dxc4 8. O-O Nb6 9. a4 a5 10. e4 c5 11. Nb5 Ne8 12. dxc5 Nd7 13. Bxc4 Bxc5 14. Qc2 Qe7 15. e5 h6 16. Rad1 Nb6 17. Ba2 Nd5 18. Bb1 f5 19. exf6 Nexf6 20. Be5 Bd7 21. Bxf6 gxf6 22. Rfe1 Qg7 23. Qxc5 1-0 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.32”] [White “Caruana, Fabiano”] [Black “Nepomniachtchi, Ian”] [Result “1/2-1/2”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2820”] [BlackElo “2792”] [ECO “C02”] [Opening “French”] [Variation “advance, Euwe variation”] [WhiteFideId “2020009”] [BlackFideId “4168119”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bd7 6. Be2 Nge7 7. O-O Ng6 8. Bd3 Qb6 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. b4 Be7 11. Re1 Qc7 12. Qe2 O-O 13. Na3 a6 14. Nc2 f6 15. Bxg6 hxg6 16. Bf4 fxe5 17. Bxe5 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Bf6 19. Rad1 Bxe5 20. Qxe5 Qxe5 21. Rxe5 Ba4 22. Rd2 Bxc2 23. Rxc2 Kf7 24. Rce2 Rac8 25. Rxe6 Rxc3 26. h4 Rc7 27. Rd6 Kg8 28. g3 Rf5 29. Rxg6 Rd7 30. Kg2 d4 31. Rd2 a5 32. Rg4 d3 33. bxa5 Rxa5 34. Kf3 Rad5 35. Ke3 R5d6 36. Re4 Kh7 37. h5 Kh6 38. Re5 Rd8 39. g4 R6d7 40. f4 Rd6 41. Kf3 R8d7 42. Kg3 Rd8 43. Kh4 Rd4 44. Re6+ Kh7 45. Kg3 Rc8 46. Re3 Rcc4 47. Rf3 Rc3 48. g5 b5 49. Kg4 b4 50. Kg3 b3 51. axb3 Rxb3 52. Kf2 Ra3 53. Kg3 Rb3 54. Kh4 Rbb4 55. Kg4 Rb3 56. Kg3 Ra3 57. Kf2 Raa4 58. f5 Rg4 59. f6 gxf6 60. gxf6 Rgf4 61. Rxd3 Rxf3+ 62. Kxf3 Ra6 63. Rd7+ Kh6 64. f7 Rf6+ 65. Ke4 Kg7 66. h6+ Rxh6 67. Ke5 Ra6 68. Rd6 Rxd6 69. Kxd6 Kxf7 1/2-1/2 [Event “FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021”] [Site “chess24.com INT”] [Date “2021.05.27”] [Round “1.32”] [White “Nakamura, Hikaru”] [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”] [Result “0-1”] [WhiteTitle “GM”] [BlackTitle “GM”] [WhiteElo “2736”] [BlackElo “2847”] [ECO “C65”] [Opening “Ruy Lopez”] [Variation “Berlin defence”] [WhiteFideId “2016192”] [BlackFideId “1503014”] [EventDate “2021.05.26”] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Re1 a6 8. Ba4 Ba7 9. h3 Ne7 10. Nbd2 Ng6 11. Nf1 d5 12. Qe2 c6 13. Bd2 Re8 14. Rad1 h6 15. Ng3 Be6 16. Qf1 b5 17. Bb3 Qc7 18. exd5 cxd5 19. d4 e4 20. Nh2 Bb8 21. Qe2 Nf4 22. Bxf4 Qxf4 23. Nhf1 Qg5 24. Kh1 Bd6 25. Qd2 Bf4 26. Qc2 Rac8 27. Ne2 Bb8 28. Qd2 Qh4 29. Kg1 Nh5 30. a4 f5 31. axb5 axb5 32. Ra1 f4 33. Ra6 Rcd8 34. f3 e3 35. Qd1 Bxh3 36. Rg6 Bf5 37. Bc2 Bxc2 0-1 [/pgn]

    The Quarter Finals began on May 26th and lasted for two days. Carlsen and Nakamura traded blows back and forth but it was ultimately Magnus that will advance to the Semifinals, which begin later today.

    You can watch the games with commentary on ChessTV or the official broadcast on Chess24.

  • We Will Be Back

    We Will Be Back

    Attention, Campers!

    Campfire Chess has been dormant since the summer, but fear not! It is not dead. I am prepared to return to regular chess blogging shortly after the new year, so check back in January 2019 for updates!

    In the meantime, congratulations to GM Magnus Carlsen for retaining his World Chess Champion title. I was rooting for Fabiano (USA, USA), but alas, we will get it next time!

    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

  • US vs. Norway in Chess Championship!

    US vs. Norway in Chess Championship!

    GM Fabiano Caruana, who is currently ranked #3 in the world, won the 2018 Candidates Tournament in Berlin against GM Alexander Grischuk in the 14th round. Caruana held the lead for most of the tournament but found himself fighting back against victories by GMs Sergey Karjakin and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. Fortunately, the young American held off and emerged victorious in the final round. Caruana will go on to face GM Magnus Carlsen in November in London for the World Chess Championship title.

    #### 2018 Candidates Tournament Games

    [pgn]
    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.10”]
    [Round “1”]
    [White “Caruana, Fabiano”]
    [Black “So, Wesley”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “E00”]
    [WhiteElo “2784”]
    [BlackElo “2799”]
    [Annotator “Bojkov, Dejan”]
    [PlyCount “71”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 {The first move came a surprise to So as “Fabiano played only 1.e4 at
    the previous Candidates.”} Nf6 ({The two relevant game to the game opening are
    Caruana-Short (played five years ago) and Ding-So (from 2011) with the
    following move order:} 1… e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 Bb4+ {They both saw} 4. Nbd2 {
    Caruana,F (2782)-Short,N (2683) London 2013: Ding,L (2654)-So,W (2658)
    Khanty-Mansiysk 2011}) 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ {A surprise for the surprise. So
    usually chooses the QGD with 3…d5 or the Queen’s Indian with 3…b6.} 4. Bd2
    {This is a completely new position for both players, at least according to the
    Megabase.} Be7 5. Bg2 {Back into the Catalan type of positions.} d5 6. Nf3 O-O
    7. O-O c6 8. Qb3 Nbd7 9. Bf4 a5 10. Rd1 ({Another option was} 10. Rc1 Ne4 11.
    Nc3 g5 12. Be3 Nd6 13. c5 Nc4 {as in Matsenko,S (2546)-Swiercz,D (2649)
    Columbus 2017}) 10… Nh5 $146 {A novelty in comparison to:} (10… b5 11. c5
    Ba6 12. Qc2 b4 13. Bf1 Ne4 14. Nbd2 f5 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 Nxd2 17. Qxd2 Bg5
    {which Black held comfortably in Mamedyarov,S (2775) -Kovalenko,I (2644) Riga
    2013}) 11. Bc1 Nhf6 {The idea itself is very standard. Black kicks the bishop
    away from the active position under the threat of a threefold repetition.} 12.
    Nbd2 ({The more natural} 12. Nc3 {would be strongly met with} a4 13. Qc2 (13.
    Nxa4 dxc4 14. Qc2 b5 {leads to the same.}) 13… dxc4 14. Nxa4 b5 {with
    comfortable position for Black. leads to the same.}) {However now there is:}
    12… b5 {When Black gets some space to operate on the queenside.} 13. c5 ({
    The pawn is not worth it:} 13. cxb5 cxb5 14. Qxb5 Ba6 {as the central one on
    e2 will suffer in return.}) 13… b4 {Frees the bishop.} 14. Qc2 {Caruana was
    not happy with his play at this stage of the game.} ({He suggested instead} 14.
    a3 {and this may lead to wild complications after} Ba6 15. e3 e5 $5 16. axb4 ({
    Or} 16. dxe5 Nxc5 17. exf6 Nxb3 18. fxe7 Qxe7 19. Nxb3) 16… axb4 17. Qxb4 e4
    {with compensation for a pawn.}) (14. e4 $5 {might have been an option too. Say
    } dxe4 15. Ne5 (15. Ng5 e3 $1 16. fxe3 Nd5) 15… a4 16. Qc2 Qc7 17. Nxe4 {
    and White seems better.}) 14… a4 {So is consistently looking for queenside
    action.} 15. Re1 {Preparing e2-e4.} ({Both} 15. b3 $5) ({And} 15. e3 $5 {
    were interesting alternatives according to Caruana.}) 15… e5 $1 {“Maybe this
    is not the best” So. Black went wrong later.The move in the game frees his
    pieces and even fights for the initiative.} ({A slow move like} 15… Qc7 {
    would have allowed} 16. e4 {with all the conveniences after} dxe4 17. Nxe4 Nxe4
    18. Qxe4 Nf6 19. Bf4 {with advantage for White.}) 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Nd7
    18. Nf3 Bxc5 19. Ng5 {Played after ong thought. The position requires rapid
    action.} ({Slow moves like} 19. Bf4 Qb6) ({or} 19. e4 Qb6 {are good for Black.}
    ) 19… g6 20. Bf4 Qb6 21. e4 {The most energetic move.} ({Both players
    considered} 21. e3 {Now} h6 {is wrong to} ({Where Caruana was afraid of} 21…
    b3 $1 22. axb3 ({Or} 22. Qb1 Bb4 23. Rf1 Nc5 {“followed by Bc8-f5 and can get
    quickly into strategically lost position” (Caruana)}) 22… axb3 23. Qe2 Ra2 {
    Let’s continue the line a bit with} 24. Bh3 h6 25. Nxf7 Rxf7 26. e6 Rxf4 27.
    exd7 Bxd7 28. exf4 Bxh3 29. Qe8+ Kg7 30. Re7+ Bxe7 31. Qxe7+ Kg8 32. Qe8+ {
    and it all ends with perpetual check.}) 22. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 (22… Rxf7 23. e6)
    23. e6+ Kxe6 24. Qxg6+ Ke7 25. Qxh6 {with crushing attack.}) 21… b3 {So is
    also in a hurry to open up the queenside and deflect the opponent’s pieces fom
    his king.} 22. axb3 axb3 23. Qe2 {The critical moment of the game.} Ba6 $2 {
    After this White’s attack continues unhindered.} ({Correct was:} 23… Ra2 $1 {
    (Caruana) when White intended} 24. Rab1 ({Or} 24. exd5 Ba6 25. Qf3 Rxb2 26. Ne4
    cxd5 27. Nxc5 Nxc5 28. Be3 Bc4 29. Bd4 {“with a mess. The b-pawn might be very,
    very dangerous” (Caruana)}) 24… Ba6 25. Qf3 {At the very last moment Caruana
    saw the resource} Bd3 $5 26. Qxd3 Bxf2+ 27. Kh1 Bxe1 28. Rxe1 Rxb2 {and did
    not like it too much for White. Then indeed} 29. exd5 Qf2 30. Qf1 Nc5 $5 {
    should be OK for Black.} (30… Qxf1+ 31. Rxf1 Ra2 32. dxc6 b2 33. Be4 Ra1) (
    30… cxd5)) 24. Qf3 Bc4 25. Rxa8 Rxa8 {Black managed to trade a pair of rooks,
    but had to abandon the kingside. The punishment is swift:} 26. e6 $1 dxe4 ({
    Since} 26… fxe6 27. Bc7 $1 {loses on the spot.}) 27. exf7+ Bxf7 28. Nxe4 Bd4
    {Makes things even worse, although Black’s position is obviously suspicious,
    to say the least.} (28… Re8 {“was still putting up a good fight”(Caruana).
    The thing is that the light-squared bishop does enormous defensive work after}
    29. Rd1 Bd5 30. Qg4 Be6 31. Qe2 Bd5) 29. Nd6 Bd5 30. Qe2 {Without the
    light-squared bishop Black cannot hold the kingside.} Nf8 ({Or mate after}
    30… Bxg2 31. Qe6+ Kh8 32. Nf7+ Kg8 33. Nd8+ Kg7 34. Qxd7+) 31. Bxd5+ cxd5 32.
    Qf3 Qa5 {There is no defense against the mating attack. For example} 33. Re7
    Qc5 34. Bh6 Qxd6 35. Qf7+ Kh8 36. Bg7+ 1-0

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.10”]
    [Round “1”]
    [White “Aronian, Levon”]
    [Black “Ding, Liren”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “A18”]
    [WhiteElo “2794”]
    [BlackElo “2769”]
    [PlyCount “43”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. d4 b6 8. h4
    (8. Be2 Bb7 9. Bf3 Bxf3 10. Nxf3 Bd6 11. Qa4+ c6 12. O-O O-O 13. Rb1 Bc7 14.
    Re1 Rc8 15. Kh1 Qf5 {Svidler,P (2763)-Ding,L (2774) Palma de Mallorca 2017})
    8… Bb7 9. Bg5 Qf5 10. Bd3 $146 (10. Rh3 h6 11. Bd3 Qa5 12. Bd2 Nd7 13. Nf3
    O-O-O 14. Kf1 Be7 15. h5 Nc5 16. Ne5 Nxd3 17. Rxd3 Rhf8 {Budczies,J-Vogt,L
    (2500) Bochum 1990}) 10… Qa5 11. Kf1 Nc6 12. Rb1 f6 13. Bd2 O-O-O 14. a4 e5
    15. c5 ({Aronian also looked at} 15. Rh3 {but wasn’t sure about} exd4 16. cxd4
    Bb4) 15… Bxc5 16. Rb5 Qa6 17. Rh3 (17. Bf5+ Kb8 18. dxc5 Ne7 19. Bc2 c6 20.
    c4 cxb5 21. cxb5 Qa5 22. Bxa5 Rxd1+ 23. Bxd1 bxa5 {with a decent position for
    Black (Aronian).}) 17… Bxd4 $1 {“Somehow I felt this shouldn’t be a good
    move. I don’t know why.” (Aronian)} (17… exd4 18. Rxc5 bxc5 19. Qg4+ Rd7 20.
    Bxa6 Bxa6+ 21. Ke1 Re8+ 22. Kd1 Ne5 {looked unclear to Aronian. “I would say I
    was a bit worried about this.”}) 18. Be2 Rd6 $1 (18… Kb8 19. Rg3 $5 {Aronian}
    ) 19. Rb1 (19. Rb2 Qa5 20. cxd4 Qd5 21. dxe5 Nxe5 {Aronian wasn’t sure about
    this. “Then I felt, short of time, if something goes wrong it goes really
    wrong.”} 22. Nf3 $5 Rhd8 {looked dangerous to him, but engines like it for
    White.}) 19… Qa5 20. Rb5 (20. cxd4 Qd5 21. Nf3 (21. Rb5 Qa2) 21… Nxd4)
    20… Qa6 (20… Bxc3 21. Rd3 Rxd3 22. Bxd3 Ba6 23. Bxc3 Qxc3 24. Ne2 Qa3 25.
    Rb3 Qxa4 26. Bf5+ Kb8 27. Rxb6+ cxb6 28. Qxa4 Bxe2+ 29. Kxe2 Nd4+ 30. Kd3 Nxf5
    31. Qd7) 21. Rb1 Qa5 22. Rb5 (22. c4 $2 Bc5 {is asking for trouble.}) 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.10”]
    [Round “1”]
    [White “Kramnik, Vladimir”]
    [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “A48”]
    [WhiteElo “2800”]
    [BlackElo “2767”]
    [PlyCount “95”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. b3 $5 {A rare move that has been played by the likes of
    Smyslov, Kortchnoi and Portisch. “Just another way to reach the normal setup.”
    (Kramnik)} c5 $5 {Played after six moves.} (3… Bg7) 4. dxc5 Qa5+ 5. Nbd2 Qxc5
    6. Bb2 Bg7 7. e3 O-O 8. c4 b6 $146 (8… d6 9. Be2 Nbd7 10. O-O b6 11. Rc1 Bb7
    12. Nb1 Ne4 13. Bd4 Qf5 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Nbd2 Ndf6 {Grachev,B (2655)
    -Chatalbashev,B (2552) Astana 2017}) 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Qc7 11. Rc1 d6 12. Nb1
    Nbd7 13. Nc3 Rac8 14. Rc2 Qb8 15. Qa1 a6 16. Rd2 Rfe8 17. Rfd1 Ba8 (17… Nc5)
    18. Ng5 $5 (18. h3) 18… Rc5 (18… b5 19. cxb5 Rc5 20. Nf3 (20. Nxf7 Kxf7 21.
    bxa6 {Grischuk}) 20… axb5 21. b4 Rh5 22. h3 {Kramnik}) 19. Nh3 (19. Nd5 b5)
    19… b5 20. Nf4 (20. cxb5 axb5 21. b4 Rf5) 20… bxc4 21. Bxc4 (21. bxc4)
    21… Rg5 (21… Ne5 22. Be2 (22. Bxa6 $2 Bxg2 $1 23. Kxg2 Qa8+)) 22. Ncd5 Ne5
    23. Be2 Ne4 $6 {Kramnik didn’t like this move.} (23… e6 24. Nxf6+ Bxf6 25. h4
    Rf5 (25… Rxg2+ 26. Nxg2 Qb7 27. f3) 26. Rxd6) (23… Ned7) 24. Rd4 ({
    Grischuk had seen} 24. Rc2 e6 25. Nc7 Rc8 26. Nxa6 Rxc2 27. Nxb8 Rxe2 28. Nxe2
    Nf3+ 29. Kf1 Nxh2+ 30. Ke1 Rxg2) 24… Nc5 25. h4 Rf5 26. e4 ({Kramnik also
    considered} 26. g4 {which might be better.}) 26… Rxf4 27. Nxf4 Nxe4 28. Nd5
    Nc5 29. Rb4 Qa7 30. Ne3 {Setting a trap in his opponent’s time trouble…} a5 {
    …which Grischuk falls for.} 31. Rb5 Ne6 ({The point was} 31… Bc6 32. Rxc5
    Qxc5 33. Bd4 Qb4 34. f4 {Kramnik}) 32. Rxe5 dxe5 33. Bxe5 Qc5 34. Bxg7 Nxg7 35.
    Qd4 Qxd4 36. Rxd4 Bc6 37. Rd2 Rb8 $6 ({After} 37… Ne6 {White’s advantage is
    not so big.}) 38. Rc2 Be8 39. Rc7 Kf8 40. Ra7 a4 41. bxa4 Rb1+ 42. Kh2 Rb4 ({
    Kramnik suggested} 42… Rb2 43. Bc4 Rxf2 44. a5 Rf4 {but it’s still pretty
    bad for Black after} 45. Rc7 $1 Rxh4+ 46. Kg1) 43. a5 Rxh4+ 44. Kg1 $1 {
    Grischuk had missed this.} Ra4 45. Bc4 Bc6 46. Rc7 Be8 47. a6 Nh5 48. Nd5 1-0

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.10”]
    [Round “1”]
    [White “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Black “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”]
    [Result “0-1”]
    [ECO “C60”]
    [WhiteElo “2763”]
    [BlackElo “2809”]
    [PlyCount “142”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. c3 a6 (4… d6 5. d4 Bd7 6. O-O Bg7 7. Be3 Nf6
    8. dxe5 dxe5 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Re1 Re8 11. h3 h6 {Tari,A (2597)-Kamsky,G (2677)
    Moscow 2018}) 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 Bg4 8. Qb3 Bxf3 9. gxf3 Bg7 10.
    Be3 $146 (10. Nc3 Ne7 11. Ne2 O-O 12. h4 c5 13. dxc5 a5 14. a4 Nc6 15. Bg5 Bf6
    16. Rd1 Qe7 {Tobler,P (2154)-Egner,M (2188) corr. 2016}) 10… Ne7 11. Nc3 Bxd4
    12. Bxd4 (12. O-O-O $5 c5 13. Ne2 Nc6 14. Qxb7 Na5 15. Qd5 Qxd5 16. exd5 Bxe3+
    17. fxe3 O-O-O) 12… Qxd4 13. Qxb7 O-O 14. Qxc7 Rab8 {[Here] “I can play for
    some advantage.” *Mamedyarov} ({Interesting was} 14… Nd5 15. Nxd5 (15. exd5
    Qd3 16. Nd1 Rfe8+) 15… cxd5 16. Qc3 {Mamedyarov}) 15. O-O Rxb2 16. Qxe7 Qxc3
    17. Kg2 Rc2 18. Rad1 Rxa2 19. Rc1 Rc2 20. Rxc2 Qxc2 21. Ra1 Qc4 22. Qb7 Qb5 23.
    Qxa6 Qg5+ 24. Kf1 Qf6 25. Kg2 Rb8 26. Ra5 $6 {An unfortunate square.} (26. Qa3
    Rb5 27. Rd1) 26… Rb3 27. Qc8+ $6 {Also not the best.} (27. Qe2) 27… Kg7 28.
    Qg4 Rb5 $1 {Now White has to take and Black gets a passer.} 29. Rxb5 cxb5 30.
    Qd7 Qg5+ 31. Kf1 Qe5 32. h4 b4 33. Qb7 Qc3 34. e5 b3 35. Kg2 Qc4 36. Qb6 h6 37.
    Kg3 Qd5 38. f4 Kh7 39. Qb8 Qc4 40. f3 Qc3 41. Qf8 Qc4 42. Qb8 Kg7 43. Qb6 Qd5
    44. Qb8 Qd1 45. Qb7 Qg1+ 46. Kh3 Qe3 47. Kg2 Qe2+ 48. Kg3 Qe1+ 49. Kg2 Qe3 50.
    Qb4 g5 51. hxg5 hxg5 52. fxg5 Qe2+ 53. Kg3 Qxe5+ $2 ({Winning was} 53… b2 54.
    e6 Qe5+ 55. Kg2 fxe6) 54. Kf2 Qh2+ 55. Ke3 Qg1+ 56. Kf4 Qc1+ 57. Kg4 Qe3 58.
    Kg3 $2 {Karjakin saw ghosts here.} (58. f4 Qg1+ 59. Kh4 Qf2+ 60. Kg4 Qe2+ 61.
    Kg3 b2 62. Qc3+ Kh7 63. Qb3 $1 {is a draw.}) 58… Qxg5+ 59. Kf2 Qd5 60. Ke3
    Kg6 61. Ke2 Kf6 62. Ke3 Ke6 63. Qb6+ Kd7 64. Qa7+ Kc6 65. Qa6+ Kc5 66. Qa4 Qc4
    67. Qa5+ Kc6 68. Qa1 Kb5 69. Qb2 Kb4 70. Kd2 Qf4+ 71. Ke1 Qh4+ 0-1

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.11”]
    [Round “2”]
    [White “Grischuk, Alexander”]
    [Black “So, Wesley”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “C84”]
    [WhiteElo “2767”]
    [BlackElo “2799”]
    [Annotator “Bojkov, Dejan”]
    [PlyCount “91”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {More and more
    people are choosing this modest move in order to avoid, above all, the
    Marshall Attack.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 ({The other way to play it is:}
    9. Re1 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 Re8 12. Nf1 Nc6 13. Ne3 Bf8 14. a4 b4 15. Nd5 h6
    {Here Carlsen went for an interesting pawn sacrifice} 16. a5 Nxd5 17. exd5 Nxa5
    18. Ba4 {Carlsen,M (2837)-Ding,L (2774) Saint Louis 2017}) 9… Bb7 10. Nbd2
    Re8 11. Ng5 {Often this is preparation for the f2-f4 advance, but in this case
    it is Grischuk getting closer to move forty.} Rf8 12. Re1 (12. f4 {is not good
    due to} h6 13. Ngf3 exf4) 12… d5 $146 {Most likely, an over-the-board
    novelty. “This looks strange as he is losing lots of tempos.” (Grischuk)} ({
    There is nothing wrong with chasing the knight back at once:} 12… h6 13. Ngf3
    Re8 {as in the predecessor, which saw further} 14. Nf1 Bf8 15. Ng3 g6 16. Nh4
    d5 {Vu,P (2090)-Nguyen,V (2195) Hue 2012}) 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Ndf3 {Grischuk
    criticized this move as he felt he did not get much out of the situation.
    “Tactics did not work after this.”} Qd7 {For the time being So ignores the
    annoying knight.} (14… h6 15. Ne4 {would have transposed to the line from
    above.} Qd7 16. a4 {although Black seems quite solid after say} Rfe8) 15. d4 {
    White needs to hurry before his opponent consolidates.} ({The pawn is poisoned
    } 15. Nxe5 $2 Nxe5 16. Rxe5 f6) 15… exd4 (15… h6 $2 {fails to} 16. dxe5 $1)
    16. cxd4 (16. Nxd4 {avoids the isolani, but yields White nothing after} Nxd4
    17. Qxd4 h6) 16… h6 17. Ne4 {So far everything was more or less normal and
    both sides have something to play for. White is hoping that his extra space
    and more active pieces will help him launch a successful kingside attack.
    Black, on his turn, hopes to trade as many pieces as possible and get to the
    isolated d-pawn in the endgame.} Rfe8 $2 {If there is a move to critice So for,
    this is the one. The rook occupies the open file, but weakens the f7 spot, on
    a moment at which the Spanish bishop is viciously looking at it.} ({Good was}
    17… Rad8 $5 18. Bd2 Nf6 {with decent play for Black.}) ({But if he wanted to
    occupy the open file no matter what, So should have used the other rook:} 17…
    Rae8 $5) 18. Bd2 Nf6 ({Now} 18… Rad8 {comes a bit late and White seizes the
    initiative with} 19. Rc1 Bf8 20. Nc5 Bxc5 21. Rxc5 Rxe1+ 22. Qxe1 Nf6 23. d5)
    19. Rc1 (19. d5 {“was tempting, but after”} Nxd5 20. Bxh6 gxh6 21. Bxd5 Rad8 {
    “Black trades the queens and has nothing to worry about.” (Grischuk)}) 19…
    Nxe4 ({The central pawn is poisoned:} 19… Nxd4 20. Bxf7+ (20. Ne5 {at once
    would also do}) 20… Kxf7 21. Ne5+ {(Grischuk)}) 20. Rxe4 Bf6 21. Rg4 $1 {
    Apparently, So underestimated the rook lift. Black’s position becomes critical
    at once.} Kh8 ({After} 21… h5 {White planned} 22. Rf4 Rad8 23. Ng5 {
    (Grischuk)}) ({The obvious capture} 21… Nxd4 {is bad due to} 22. Nxd4 Bxd4
    23. Bc3 c5 24. Bxd4 cxd4 25. Rxd4 Qe7 (25… Re1+ 26. Qxe1 Qxd4 27. Rc7 {
    is large advantage for White as well. The f7 pawn is too vulnerable.}) 26. Rd7
    Rad8 27. Rcc7 {(Grischuk)} ({In the post mortem both GMs missed the immediate
    finish with} 27. Bxf7+ $1)) 22. Rc5 {“Here I did’t really calculate anything.
    I said to myself, OK, I have all pieces in attack, and Black defends with one
    bishop. If there is no mate, I just quit chess.”} Rad8 23. Qc1 {Just bringing
    more and more pieces into the attack. Bd2xh6 cannot be stopped.} ({White also
    considered the direct} 23. Bxh6 gxh6 24. Rh5 Bg7 25. Qc1 {but decided it does
    not work after (or more likely decided it is not worth the risk)} Qd6 {As a
    matter of fact White’s attack is crushing after} 26. Ng5 Rd7 27. Nxf7+ Rxf7 28.
    Bxf7 Rf8 29. Rg6 {and the queen should be sacrificed in order to avoid mate:}
    Qxd4 30. Qxh6+ Bxh6 31. Rhxh6#) 23… Nxd4 ({Or} 23… Kh7 24. Bxh6 gxh6 25.
    Bc2+) 24. Nxd4 Re4 {The last desperate try.} ({In case of} 24… Bxd4 {
    Grischuk planned the following} 25. Bxh6 Re2 (25… Bxc5 26. Bxg7+ Kg8 27. Qh6
    {is also inevitable mate.}) 26. Bxg7+ Bxg7 27. Rh5+ Kg8 28. Rxg7+ Kxg7 29. Qh6+
    Kg8 30. Qh8#) 25. Rxc7 Qxd4 26. Be3 (26. Bc3 {would also do. For example} Rxg4
    27. hxg4 Qe4 28. f3 Bd4+ 29. Kh1 {(Grischuk, So)}) 26… Rxg4 27. hxg4 Qe4 28.
    f3 {The long diagonal is too short for the black pieces.} Qb4 29. Rxb7 {
    The rest would most likely not have been played if Grischuk had some extra
    time on the clock. But as usual, he was playing on increment and So tried some
    swindles.} Bxb2 30. Qf1 (30. Qxb2 $2 Qe1+ 31. Kh2 Qh4+ {is perpetual instead.})
    30… f6 31. Qf2 Be5 32. f4 Bd6 33. g5 Qe4 34. Qf3 {Safe play in the time
    trouble.} (34. gxf6 Qxb7 35. fxg7+ Kxg7 36. Qg3+ {would have been mate.}) 34…
    Qb1+ 35. Qf1 Qe4 36. Qf3 Qb1+ 37. Kf2 Bb4 {White missed this, but likely for
    him it was not important.} 38. Qe2 Qe4 39. Qf3 Qb1 40. Kg3 fxg5 41. Kh2 ({
    Avoiding any king weakening} 41. fxg5) 41… Qf5 ({“The last beautiful line
    was”} 41… Bd6 42. Rd7 Rxd7 43. Qa8+ Kh7 44. Bg8+ Kg6 45. Qe8+ Kf5 46. Qe6# {
    (Grischuk)}) 42. Rf7 Qg6 43. fxg5 Bd6+ {Black resigned because of} 44. Kh3 hxg5
    45. Bxg5 Qxg5 46. Rf5 1-0

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.11”]
    [Round “2”]
    [White “Ding, Liren”]
    [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “E05”]
    [WhiteElo “2769”]
    [BlackElo “2784”]
    [PlyCount “91”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 b6 ({
    Normal is} 7… a6 {e.g.} 8. a4 Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12.
    Nc3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Qxd4 14. Qxc7 Nc6 15. Qxb7 Na5 16. Qc7 Qd8 17. Qf4 Rb8 {
    Mamedyarov,S (2804)-Wei,Y (2743) Wijk aan Zee 2018}) 8. Ne5 Qxd4 9. Bxa8 Qxe5
    10. Bf3 Nd5 11. Qxc4 Ba6 12. Qb3 $146 ({The normal move is} 12. Qa4 {e.g.} c5
    13. Re1 b5 14. Qe4 Nc6 15. Nc3 Rd8 16. Rd1 Qxe4 17. Bxe4 Nd4 {Aronian,L (2799)
    -Hou,Y (2652) Tbilisi 2017}) 12… Nc6 {Caruana remembered this was the move
    to play, but said he “didn’t remember the details.”} 13. Qa4 Bb7 14. Nc3 Nd4
    15. Bxd5 exd5 16. Bf4 (16. Qxa7 Ba8 17. Bf4 Qh5 18. Qxc7 Nf3+ 19. exf3 d4 {
    “and it becomes a mess.” (Caruana)}) 16… Qf6 17. Rad1 (17. Qxa7 Qc6 $1 {
    Caruana}) 17… c5 18. Be3 Nf3+ (18… Nxe2+ 19. Nxe2 d4 20. Bf4 (20. Nf4 dxe3
    (20… g5 21. Qd7 Bc8 22. Qxa7 gxf4 23. Bxf4 Bh3 24. Rfe1 Qc6 25. f3 Qxf3 26.
    Rd2 {Ding}) 21. Nd5 {Ding}) 20… g5 21. f3 gxf4 22. Nxf4 Bd6 23. Qxa7 {Caruana
    }) 19. exf3 d4 20. f4 ({Caruana expected} 20. Bf4 dxc3 21. Rfe1 cxb2 22. Qd7
    Bxf3 23. Rb1 g5 24. Qxe7 Qxe7 25. Rxe7 gxf4 26. Rxb2 Rd8 27. Rb1) 20… dxc3 (
    20… Bf3 21. Bxd4 Qf5 {doesn’t work because of} 22. Nd5 $1 Qxd5 23. Bc3 Bxd1
    24. Rxd1 {Caruana}) 21. bxc3 Bf3 ({Ding was afraid of} 21… Qe6 22. Bc1 {
    but now Caruana’s} c4 (22… Qe2 $6) {can be replied by} 23. Rde1 $1 Qd5 24. f3
    {and White is better.}) 22. Rd3 Bc6 23. Qb3 Qf5 24. c4 Be4 25. Rd2 Qh5 (25…
    Qg4 26. Bd4 $1 cxd4 27. f3 {Caruana}) 26. f3 Bxf3 27. f5 $6 {“This gives me a
    chance to consolidate.” (Caruana)} (27. Bd4 $5) 27… Bc6 28. Qd1 Qh3 29. Rff2
    h6 30. Qf1 Qg4 31. Rf4 Qg5 32. Rd3 Qf6 33. Bd2 Ba8 34. h4 Qc6 35. Kh2 {“I
    started to feel I was getting outplayed.” (Caruana)} Bd6 36. Rf2 Be5 37. Bc3
    Bxc3 38. Rxc3 Re8 39. f6 g6 40. Rcc2 (40. Rd3) 40… Re4 41. Rfe2 Qe6 42. Rxe4
    Bxe4 43. Rf2 (43. Rd2 $5 Bf5 44. Qf4 Qxf6 45. Qxh6 Be6 46. h5 Bxc4 47. hxg6
    fxg6 {Caruana}) 43… Bf5 44. Qc1 Kh7 45. Qc3 h5 46. a3 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.11”]
    [Round “2”]
    [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”]
    [Black “Aronian, Levon”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “E32”]
    [WhiteElo “2809”]
    [BlackElo “2794”]
    [PlyCount “48”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. Bg5 h6 8.
    Bxf6 Qxf6 9. Nf3 c6 10. g3 $146 (10. e3 Nd7 11. Be2 dxc4 12. Qxc4 e5 13. O-O
    exd4 14. Qxd4 Qxd4 15. Nxd4 Nf6 {Yu,Y (2751)-Ding,L (2777) Riadh 2017}) 10…
    Nd7 11. Bh3 {“It is for me a new idea. It is just to play.” (Mamedyarov)} b6 {
    Afterward Aronian felt this was perhaps a bit risky.} (11… Qd8 12. O-O b6 {
    Aronian}) 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Qc6 Rb8 {The critical moment of the game.} 14. O-O
    ({“I need to play} 14. Rc1 {and it must be not so easy for Black.” (Mamedyarov)
    } Rd8 (14… g5 $5 15. O-O (15. Qd6 $5) 15… Qg7 {“It it works, it will work
    wonderfully!” (Aronian)}) 15. Qa4 a5 16. Rc7 Rb7 (16… Qe7 17. Ne5 Nc5 18. Qc6
    Bd7 19. dxc5) 17. Qc6) 14… Rd8 15. Rfc1 Ba6 16. Bf1 Bc4 $1 {Mamedyarov had
    missed this.} 17. Qa4 (17. Rc3 a5 {Aronian}) 17… a5 18. b3 b5 19. Qxa5 Bxb3
    20. Rc7 ({After} 20. Rc6 Bc4 21. Qc7 {Black is absolutely fine with e.g.} g5)
    20… Bc4 21. Qa7 Ra8 22. Qb7 Rab8 23. Qa7 Ra8 24. Qb7 Rab8 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.11”]
    [Round “2”]
    [White “Kramnik, Vladimir”]
    [Black “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “C67”]
    [WhiteElo “2800”]
    [BlackElo “2763”]
    [PlyCount “109”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
    8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 (9. Nc3 a5 (9… h6 10. Rd1+ Ke8 11. h3 Ne7 12. Be3 Ng6 13.
    a3 Be7 14. Rd2 a6 15. Re1 Nh4 16. Nxh4 Bxh4 17. Ne2 Be7 18. Nf4 h5 19. e6 Bd6
    20. e7 Kxe7 21. c4 Bxf4 22. Bxf4+ Be6 23. Bg5+ Kf8 24. b3 Kg8 {½-½ Kramnik,V
    (2754)-Anand,V (2786) Monte Carlo MNC 2005}) (9… Ne7 10. h3 Ng6 11. Ne4 Be7
    12. b3 h5 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Nd4 Bd7 15. Ng5 Bxg5 16. Bxg5+ Ke8 17. e6 fxe6 18.
    Nxe6 Bc8 {1-0 (18) Kramnik,V (2729)-Aleksandrov,A (2634) Turin ITA 2006}) 10.
    h3 a4 11. Rd1+ Ke8 12. a3 h6 13. Bf4 Be6 14. Ne4 Ra5 15. g4 Bd5 16. Re1 Ne7 17.
    e6 Bxe4 18. exf7+ Kxf7 19. Rxe4 Ng6 20. Bxc7 Rb5 21. Ne5+ Nxe5 22. Bxe5 Bc5 23.
    Bc3 Ra8 24. Rd1 Bf8 25. Rd7+ Kg8 26. Kg2 {1-0 Kramnik,V (2777)-Ivanchuk,V
    (2716) Monte Carlo MNC 2004}) 9… Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Bf4 (11. Rd1 Be7 12. Ne2
    Be6 13. Nf4 Bc8 14. Ne2 Be6 15. b3 a5 16. a4 Rd8 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2793)
    -Nakamura,H (2781) Caleta 2018}) (11. Ne2 b6 12. Rd1 Ba6 13. Nf4 Bb7 14. a4 Be7
    15. e6 Bd6 16. exf7+ Kxf7 17. Ng5+ Kf6 18. Ne4+ Kf7 19. a5 c5 {Kramnik,V (2811)
    -Malakhov,V (2712) Sochi RUS 2017}) 11… Be7 12. Rad1 Be6 13. Ng5 Rh6 14. Rfe1
    Bb4 15. a3 ({The main move is} 15. g4 {played six times by Vachier-Lagrave and
    also once by Karjakin.}) 15… Bxc3 16. bxc3 Ne7 17. Nf3 Rh8 18. Bg5 $146 (18.
    Nd4 a6 19. Bg5 c5 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. c4 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Kxd8 23. a4 b6 {Yu,Y
    (2724)-Malakhov,V (2706) China 2015}) 18… c5 19. Nd2 {Kramnik’s preparation
    was roughly until here.} Kf8 20. Nf1 Nf5 (20… Nd5 21. f4 {is dangerous
    (Karjakin).}) 21. g3 {With the idea f3, Kg2 and push the pawns but…} (21. Re4
    $5) 21… Ne7 $1 {Kramnik missed that Black can just go back.} 22. Kg2 {
    “Black is holding by tempi. If I manage my knight on e3 here it’s almost over.
    ” (Kramnik)} (22. Ne3 Bxh3 23. Bxe7+ Kxe7 24. Nd5+ Kf8 25. Nxc7 Rc8 26. e6 fxe6
    27. Nxe6+ Bxe6 28. Rxe6 Re8 {should be a draw (Kramnik).}) 22… Nd5 23. c4 Nb6
    24. Ne3 Nxc4 25. Nxc4 (25. Nd5 Nb2 26. Nxc7 Nxd1 27. Nxa8 Nb2 ({After} 27…
    Nc3 28. Nc7 {Kramnik mentioned} Kg8 {but that doesn’t seem to work tactically:}
    29. Nxe6 fxe6 30. Re3 Nd5 31. Rb3 b6 32. c4 Nc7 33. Rd3) 28. Nc7) 25… Bxc4
    26. g4 hxg4 27. hxg4 Bb5 28. Kg3 Re8 29. f4 {Here Kramnik thought his position
    was close to winning.} b6 (29… Ba4 {Karjakin}) 30. f5 ({Karjakin was a bit
    worried about} 30. Bd8) 30… Ba4 31. Rc1 (31. Rh1 Rxh1 32. Rxh1 Kg8 33. Kf4
    Bxc2 34. f6 Rd8 {Karjakin/Kramnik}) (31. Kf4 Kg8) 31… Kg8 32. c4 Bc6 33. Rcd1
    Ba4 34. Rc1 Bc6 35. Bh4 Ba4 36. Rc3 Bc6 37. Rce3 Rh6 38. Bg5 (38. Rd3 f6 39. e6
    g5 $1 {Kramnik} 40. fxg6 Kg7) 38… Rh7 ({One journalist suggested} 38… Rh1
    39. Rxh1 Bxh1 {but that’s very dangerous:} 40. Kf4 Bc6 41. Rh3 $1 {followed by
    42.f6.}) 39. R3e2 (39. Bf4 Rd8 40. e6 fxe6 41. fxe6 {Kramnik} Rd2 $1 42. R1e2
    Rd1) 39… Ba4 40. Re3 Rh8 41. Bh4 (41. e6 fxe6 42. Rxe6 Rxe6 43. Rxe6 Rh1 {
    Kramnik}) (41. Rd3 f6 42. Bf4 fxe5 43. Bxe5 Kf7) 41… Rh6 42. e6 fxe6 43. g5
    Rh8 44. Rxe6 (44. g6 Rh5) 44… Rf8 $1 45. R6e5 $6 ({It looks like Kramnik
    missed a big chance here. He had seen} 45. Kg4 $1 Bd7 46. g6 $3 Bxe6 47. fxe6
    Rh6 48. Kg5 Rf6 {“Here I stopped [calculating], but maybe I shouldn’t have
    stopped.” (Kramnik)} 49. e7 Rhxg6+ 50. Kh5 Re6 51. e8=Q+ Rxe8 52. Rxe8+ Kh7 53.
    Re7 {with winning chances.}) 45… Bc2 46. f6 gxf6 47. gxf6 Rh7 48. Rg5+ Kh8
    49. Re7 Rg8 50. Rxh7+ Kxh7 51. Rxg8 Kxg8 52. Kf2 Bb3 53. Bg3 Bxc4 54. Bxc7 Bd5
    55. Bb8 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.12”]
    [Round “3.4”]
    [White “Aronian, Levon”]
    [Black “Kramnik, Vladimir”]
    [Result “0-1”]
    [ECO “C65”]
    [WhiteElo “2794”]
    [BlackElo “2800”]
    [Annotator “Bojkov,Dejan”]
    [PlyCount “54”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 {If Aronian only knew what this surprise would lead to….} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
    3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O ({The other way to develop is} 6. Nbd2
    Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8. Nf1 Nd7 9. Ng3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 g6 11. Be3 Qe7 12. O-O (12. O-O-O
    O-O-O 13. Ne2 Rhe8 14. Kb1 b6 15. h4 Kb7 {½-½ Anand,V (2775)-Carlsen,M (2870)
    Chennai IND 2013}) 12… Bd6 13. a4 c5 14. c3 O-O-O 15. Rfb1 Kb8 16. a5 a6 17.
    Nf1 Qe6 18. Qd1 f5 19. f3 Be7 20. Qa4 Nf6 {1/2-1/2 Jakovenko,D (2710)-Almasi,Z
    (2707) Germany 2018}) 6… Qe7 7. h3 {Kramnik: “The thing is, Black wants …
    Bg4 after Nbd2. I always considered 7.h3 as a very serious move and I actually
    spent a lot of time analyzing it, and it was not so easy. But then, a couple
    of years ago, I found this very strong resource:} Rg8 $1 {“g7-g5-g4 is a big
    threat” (Kramnik). Apparently, White is not capable of opening the center,
    otherwise this whole concept will fail. Ironically, it is the pawn on h3 which
    makes this idea so strong. The weakened kingside and the fast long-ranged
    black pieces put White in a huge danger.} 8. Kh1 {Both players could not find
    anything better. Here are some lines to convince that Black’s attack is not a
    joke:} ({The attempt to get a better version of the game continuation with} 8.
    c3 {would be met with} g5 9. d4 ({The pawn is immune due to} 9. Bxg5 Bxh3 {
    this is a frequently occurring theme in the attack.}) 9… exd4 $1 ({If now
    Black continues as in the game} 9… Bd6 10. dxe5 Bxe5 11. Nxe5 Qxe5 12. Qd4 {
    White would be indeed OK.}) 10. cxd4 Bb6 {when the white center is about to
    crumble at any moment and the captures on g5 are always bad.} 11. Bxg5 ({Or}
    11. Nxg5 h6 12. Nf3 Bxh3) 11… Bxh3 $1 {with huge advantage for Black.}) (8.
    Be3 {trades the good bishop but doe snot slow down the attack-} Bxe3 9. fxe3 g5
    ) ({If} 8. Nc3 g5 9. Bxg5 Bxh3 $1 10. gxh3 h6 {is similar to the first line
    above and excellent for Black.}) 8… Nh5 $146 {Technically speaking this is
    the novelty.} ({As this all has been seen previously in a correspondence game,
    which Black won after:} 8… h6 9. Nbd2 g5 10. Nc4 Bd6 11. d4 Nxe4 12. dxe5 Bc5
    13. Qe2 f5 {etc., Kazoks,A (2345)-Calio,M (2334) corr. 2015}) 9. c3 {Obviously
    White needs to do something and do it fast. This move is aiming for a quick
    central counter-blow.} ({Aronian “Maybe I should have gone for”} 9. Nc3 {
    “It will be like the game” said Kramnik and suggested} g5 10. Nxe5 g4 11. d4
    Bd6 ({The other suggestion of the former world champion is not as good-} 11…
    gxh3 12. g3 ({Or even} 12. g4 $1) 12… Nf6 13. dxc5 Qxe5 14. Bf4 Qxc5 15. Bxc7
    {and here it might be White who is better.})) 9… g5 10. Nxe5 ({If} 10. d4 {
    Black can always go for} exd4 ({Or even} 10… g4 11. dxc5 gxf3 12. Qxf3 Qh4 {
    “with dangerous threats” (Kramnik)}) 11. cxd4 Bb6 12. Nh2 Nf6 13. e5 Nd5 {
    with clear advantage as the kingside attack proceeds without any problems
    after Bc8-e6 and 0-0-0.}) 10… g4 ({Of course not:} 10… Qxe5 11. d4 Qe7 12.
    Qxh5) 11. d4 ({The captures on g4 lead to mate after} 11. Nxg4 Bxg4 12. hxg4
    Qh4+ 13. Kg1 Ng3) 11… Bd6 ({Wrong is} 11… gxh3 12. g3 $1) 12. g3 ({Another
    mating picture occurs after} 12. Nxg4 Bxg4 13. hxg4 Qh4+ 14. Kg1 Qh2#) 12…
    Bxe5 13. dxe5 Qxe5 14. Qd4 Qe7 $1 {Kramnik wants mate!} ({Aronian was hoping
    for a slightly worse endgame after} 14… Qxd4 15. cxd4 gxh3) 15. h4 c5 16. Qc4
    {“A terrible blunder; I forgot that Black is threatening …f5.” (Aronian)} ({
    The best chance according to Kramnik was} 16. Qd3 Bd7 17. c4 O-O-O 18. Nc3 Bc6
    19. Nd5 Qe5 {when Black is better but the game goes on.}) 16… Be6 17. Qb5+ c6
    18. Qa4 (18. Qe2 {will be met as well with} f5 $1) ({White’s best was still}
    18. Qd3 Rd8 19. Qe3 {although Black is clearly better here after}) 18… f5 $1
    19. Bg5 ({“The main point was”} 19. exf5 Nxg3+ $1 {which lead to mate after}
    20. fxg3 Bd5+ 21. Kg1 Qe2 22. Rf2 Qe1+ 23. Rf1 Qxg3# {(Kramnik)}) 19… Rxg5 $1
    {Not slowing down at all. White’s position is in ruins, Kramnik accurately
    finishes the game.} 20. hxg5 f4 21. Qd1 ({Or} 21. gxf4 Nxf4 22. Qc2 Qxg5) ({And
    } 21. Kg2 Qxg5 {with decisive attack in both cases.}) 21… Rd8 22. Qc1 fxg3
    23. Na3 Rd3 24. Rd1 Bd5 25. f3 ({Or mate after} 25. Rxd3 Qxe4+) 25… gxf3 26.
    exd5 ({“The main idea was to win with”} 26. Rxd3 Qxe4 27. Re3 f2+ 28. Rxe4+
    Bxe4# {(Kramnik)}) 26… Qe2 27. Re1 g2+ ({Aronian resigned because of} 27…
    g2+ 28. Kh2 g1=Q+ 29. Kxg1 f2+ 30. Kg2 fxe1=Q#) 0-1

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.12”]
    [Round “3.1”]
    [White “Caruana, Fabiano”]
    [Black “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “B90”]
    [WhiteElo “2784”]
    [BlackElo “2809”]
    [PlyCount “98”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3
    Be7 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. g4 O-O 11. g5 Nh5 12. O-O-O b5 13. Nd5 Bxd5 14. exd5 f6 15.
    gxf6 Bxf6 16. Kb1 (16. Na5 Qc7 17. Nc6 Nf4 18. c4 bxc4 19. Bxc4 a5 20. a3 Nb6 {
    Hracek,Z (2613)-Dziuba,M (2584) Czech Republic 2017}) 16… Nf4 17. Rg1 Kh8 18.
    Bd3 Bg5 19. Na5 Bh6 20. Nc6 $146 (20. Be4 Qh4 21. Nb7 Qe7 22. Rge1 Nf6 23. Na5
    Qe8 24. Bxf4 Nxe4 25. fxe4 Rxf4 26. Qb4 Qd7 {Karg,H (2183)-Kuosa,N (2568) corr.
    2009}) 20… Qh4 21. Qb4 Rf6 22. a4 Qxh2 23. Be4 Qe2 24. Bxf4 Bxf4 25. Qa5 Nc5
    26. Qc7 Bh6 27. Nd8 Nxe4 ({Initially Mamedyarov was planning} 27… bxa4 28.
    Nf7+ Rxf7 29. Qxf7 Qb5 {with a possibly winning attack, but then he suddenly
    noticed}) (27… bxa4 28. Qe7 $1 Qb5 29. Qxf6 $1 {and Black can resign.}) ({
    Besides,} 27… Rf8 28. Nf7+ Rxf7 29. Qxf7 Nxe4 {wasn’t a good move order
    because of} 30. Qb7 $1 {preventing …Rc8.}) 28. fxe4 Rf8 29. Nf7+ ({Strong was
    } 29. Rde1 $1 Qh5 (29… Qc4 30. Nf7+ {is the same as in the game but with an
    extra pawn for White}) {but somehow both players misevaluated} 30. Ne6 {
    which according to engines is close to winning.}) 29… Rxf7 30. Qxf7 Rc8 31.
    Rc1 Qxe4 32. Rgf1 ({Engines don’t agree with Caruana that Black is better, and
    go} 32. Rg3 $5 {e.g.} bxa4 33. Qe6) 32… Bf4 33. Rg1 Bh6 34. Rgf1 Rg8 35. Rcd1
    bxa4 36. Qe7 Qg6 37. Rf8 Bg5 38. Rxg8+ Kxg8 39. Qd7 h5 40. Rg1 e4 41. Qxa4 e3
    42. Qxa6 Qf5 43. Qa8+ Kh7 44. Qe8 Bf4 45. Qe6 g6 ({The players had seen that}
    45… Qxe6 46. dxe6 Kg8 47. e7 Kf7 48. Rxg7+ Ke8 49. Rg1 h4 50. c3 Bg3 51. Kc2
    e2 52. Kd2 e1=Q+ 53. Rxe1 Bxe1+ 54. Kxe1 Kxe7 55. Ke2 {is a draw.}) 46. Rf1 Kg7
    $6 ({Caruana was worried about} 46… Kh6 {when he has to play} 47. b4 {
    which is also risky in timetrouble.}) {But now White has} 47. Qxf5 $1 gxf5 48.
    c4 Bg3 (48… h4 $2 49. Kc2) 49. Rg1 h4 ({The players agreed to a draw due to
    the following line:} 49… h4 50. Kc2 e2 51. Kd2 e1=Q+ 52. Rxe1 Bxe1+ 53. Kxe1
    h3 54. Kf2 f4 55. b4 Kf6 56. c5 dxc5 57. bxc5 Ke5 58. d6 Ke6 59. Kf3 Kd7 60.
    Kf2) 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.12”]
    [Round “3.2”]
    [White “So, Wesley”]
    [Black “Ding, Liren”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “C89”]
    [WhiteElo “2799”]
    [BlackElo “2769”]
    [PlyCount “73”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
    d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. Re1 Bd6 13. d3 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
    15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 Bxd3 17. Nd2 Qf5 18. Bd4 Rfd8 $5 (18… Rfe8 19. a4 h6 20.
    Qxf5 (20. h4 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 Rd8 22. Qxf5 Bxf5 23. axb5 axb5 24. Bxd5 cxd5 {
    Saric,I (2662)-Aronian,L (2801) Hersonissos GRE 2017}) 20… Bxf5 21. Nf3 Be6
    22. Be5 Bc5 {Caruana,F (2811) -Svidler,P (2768) Wijk aan Zee 2018}) 19. a4 h6
    20. h4 $146 (20. Kg2 Bf8 21. Re5 Qxf3+ 22. Kxf3 b4 23. Rd1 bxc3 24. bxc3 Rab8 {
    Alekseenko,K (2609)-Matlakov,M (2709) Moscow 2018}) 20… Rac8 ({Ding didn’t
    like} 20… Bf8 21. Re5 Qxf3 22. Nxf3) 21. axb5 axb5 22. Bxd5 (22. Qxf5 Bxf5
    23. Ne4 c5 $5 24. Nxd6 (24. Bxg7 Bxe4 25. Rxe4 c4) 24… Rxd6 25. Be5 Rd7 {Ding
    }) (22. Ra7 Ra8 23. Rea1 Rxa7 24. Rxa7 Re8 25. Qxf5 Bxf5 26. Ra6 Ne7) 22…
    cxd5 23. Qxf5 Bxf5 24. Ra5 b4 25. Rxd5 Be6 26. Ra5 (26. Rb5 Ra8 {So}) 26…
    bxc3 27. Bxc3 Rb8 28. Nf1 Bb4 29. Raa1 Bc5 (29… Bxc3 30. bxc3 Rb2 {is
    another way to draw. “I was not sure about my calculation so I decided to play
    it simple.” (Ding)}) 30. Ne3 Rd3 31. Red1 Rbd8 32. Rxd3 Rxd3 33. Rd1 Rxd1+ 34.
    Nxd1 Bb3 35. Ne3 Bxe3 36. fxe3 Kf8 37. Kf2 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.12”]
    [Round “3.3”]
    [White “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “C50”]
    [WhiteElo “2763”]
    [BlackElo “2767”]
    [PlyCount “60”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nc3 h6 6. h3 d6 7. Na4 Bb6 8. a3
    Ne7 (8… O-O 9. O-O Be6 10. Re1 Bxc4 11. dxc4 Nd4 12. Nh4 Nd7 13. g3 Qf6 {
    Artemiev,V (2691)-Mamedyarov,S (2799) Huaian 2017}) 9. b4 $146 (9. Nxb6 axb6
    10. O-O O-O 11. Nh4 g5 12. Qf3 Kg7 13. Nf5+ Bxf5 14. exf5 Qd7 15. g4 Qc6 {
    Neiksans,A (2503)-Ivanchuk,V (2764) Warsaw 2010}) 9… Ng6 10. O-O O-O 11. c3
    c6 12. Nxb6 axb6 13. Bb3 Re8 14. Re1 Be6 15. Bc2 d5 16. exd5 ({“I could have
    played} 16. Be3 {but I felt it is also dangerous for White. I didn’t like my
    position very much.” (Karjakin)}) 16… Nxd5 17. Bd2 Bf5 18. d4 Bxc2 (18… e4
    $6 19. Nh2 Nf6 20. Nf1 {Grischuk/Karjakin}) 19. Qxc2 exd4 20. Rxe8+ Qxe8 21.
    Nxd4 b5 22. a4 bxa4 23. Rxa4 Rxa4 24. Qxa4 Ngf4 25. Qd1 (25. c4 Qe4 26. Qa8+
    Kh7 27. Nf3 {is also OK for White.}) 25… Qe4 26. Qf1 Ne6 (26… Nxb4 $2 {
    fails to} 27. Bxf4 Qxf4 28. Ne2) 27. f3 Qg6 28. Nxe6 Qxe6 29. Qd3 b5 30. c4
    bxc4 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.14”]
    [Round “4”]
    [White “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Black “Aronian, Levon”]
    [Result “0-1”]
    [ECO “D39”]
    [WhiteElo “2763”]
    [BlackElo “2794”]
    [PlyCount “136”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8.
    Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Nbd7 11. Bxf6 Qxc3+ 12. Kf1 gxf6 13. h4 Qb4 14.
    Rb1 $6 ({Karjakin mixed up the line. White should play} 14. Rh3 {first:} a6 15.
    Be2 Ne5 16. Rb1 Qd6 17. Rc3 O-O 18. h5 Rd8 19. Qb3 Bd7 {Giri,A (2769)
    -Harikrishna,P (2758) Shenzhen 2017}) 14… Qd6 15. Rh3 a6 16. Be2 Nc5 $1 $146
    {This moves makes things different. Black threatens 17…e5 and is much better.
    } (16… Ne5 17. h5 b5 18. Rc3 Bd7 19. Nb3 Qxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Ke7 21. f4 Nc4 22.
    Nc5 Bc6 23. Bxc4 bxc4 24. a4 Rhc8 25. Rd4 {½-½ Lalith,B (2502)-Bindrich,F
    (2522) Chotowa 2010}) 17. Rc3 Nxe4 18. Rd3 O-O 19. Qc1 Qe5 20. Bf3 f5 21. Qh6
    Qf6 22. Qxf6 Nxf6 23. Bxb7 Bxb7 24. Rxb7 Rac8 25. Rg3+ Kh8 26. Rgb3 Ne4 27. Rb2
    Rfd8 28. Nb3 Rd1+ 29. Ke2 Nc3+ 30. Ke3 Kg7 31. g3 Kf6 32. Ra7 Rc6 33. Kf3 Nb5
    34. Ra8 e5 35. Kg2 e4 36. a4 Na3 37. Rd2 Rxd2 38. Nxd2 e3 39. Nf3 Rc2 40. Rxa6+
    Kg7 41. Nd4 Rxf2+ 42. Kg1 Nc2 43. Nxc2 Rxc2 44. Kf1 Rf2+ 45. Ke1 Rg2 46. Rb6
    Rxg3 47. Rb4 Rg2 48. Rf4 Kg6 49. Rf3 Rg4 50. Rxe3 Rxa4 51. Kf2 Rxh4 52. Re8 Rg4
    53. Kf3 Kg7 54. Re5 Kf6 55. Re8 h5 56. Rh8 Kg6 57. Kf2 Rg5 58. Kf3 Kg7 59. Ra8
    h4 60. Kf2 h3 61. Ra3 Rh5 62. Kg1 Kg6 63. Kh2 f4 64. Ra7 f3 65. Ra1 f2 66. Rf1
    Rf5 67. Kxh3 Kg5 68. Kg3 Rf4 0-1

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.14”]
    [Round “4”]
    [White “Grischuk, Alexander”]
    [Black “Ding, Liren”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “D43”]
    [WhiteElo “2767”]
    [BlackElo “2769”]
    [PlyCount “102”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
    9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7 (11… a6 12. f4 gxf4 13. Bxf4 Bg7 14. Nxf7
    Kxf7 15. e5 Rf8 16. exf6 Nxf6 {Grischuk,A (2737)-Korobov,A (2692) Doha 2016})
    12. Nxf7 Kxf7 13. e5 Nd5 14. Ne4 Qb6 15. Nd6+ Ke7 16. a4 $146 (16. Bg4 h5 (
    16… Raf8 17. Qc2 Qxd4 18. Qg6 Qxg4 19. Qxg7+ Kd8 20. Nxb7+ Kc8 21. a4 b4 {
    Topalov,V (2780)-Kramnik,V (2799) Wijk aan Zee NED 2008}) 17. Bxh5 Raf8 18. Qg4
    Bh6 19. h4 Rhg8 20. hxg5 Bxg5 21. Ne4 Ne3 22. Qxg5+ Rxg5 23. Bh4 Kd8 {Shirov,A
    (2740)-Karjakin,S (2732) Foros 2008}) 16… Raf8 17. Bf3 a6 18. Bxd5 cxd5 19.
    axb5 axb5 20. Kh1 Bc6 ({“Black should play} 20… Ba6 21. f4 b4 {and in fact
    White doesn’t have threats.} 22. Qc2 gxf4 23. Bh4+ Bf6 {and Black is OK.”
    (Grischuk)}) 21. f4 gxf4 22. Rxf4 ({Winning was} 22. Bh4+ $1 Bf6 23. Qg4 $1
    Rhg8 24. exf6+ Kxd6 25. Qxf4+ e5 26. dxe5+) 22… Rxf4 23. Bxf4 Kd8 (23… Ra8
    24. Rxa8 Bxa8 25. Nc8+ {Grischuk}) 24. Qg4 Rf8 25. Bd2 (25. h3 Qxd4 26. Bg5+
    hxg5 27. Qxd4 Bxe5 {Grischuk} 28. Qg4 Bxd6 29. Qxe6 Rf6 {and “probably Black
    is winning even.” (Grischuk)}) 25… Kc7 26. h3 (26. Ne8+ Rxe8 27. Ba5 Qxa5 28.
    Rxa5 Kb6 {is highly unclear.}) 26… b4 27. Qxg7 Qxd4 28. Bxb4 Qxb2 29. Ba5+
    Kb8 30. Rg1 c3 {“I was just not too afraid of this pawn somehow. I thought I
    will block it.” (Grischuk)} ({After} 30… d4 {(Grischuk) White has to find}
    31. Qe7 $1 (31. Nxc4 Qb3) (31. Qg4 Qa2 $1 32. Be1 c3)) 31. Qe7 c2 32. Bd2 Qxe5
    33. Bxh6 Rg8 34. Nf7 Qc3 35. Qd6+ Kb7 36. Qxe6 d4 37. Nd6+ Kb6 38. Ne4 (38. Bd2
    c1=Q 39. Rxc1 Bxg2+ 40. Kg1 Bd5+ 41. Qxg8 Qxc1+ 42. Bxc1 Bxg8 {“and draw”
    (Grischuk)}) 38… Nc5 39. Qxg8 ({Grischuk said he was “very stupid” that he
    didn’t go for} 39. Qxc6+ Kxc6 40. Nxc3 dxc3 41. Rc1 {“but I just misjudged
    [the game continuation]. I think I barely survived.”}) 39… Nxe4 40. Kh2 d3
    41. Be3+ Kb5 42. Qb8+ Kc4 43. Qc7 Qf6 44. Rf1 Qd6+ 45. Qxd6 Nxd6 46. Rf6 Kd5
    47. Rxd6+ Kxd6 48. Kg3 Kd5 49. Kf2 Kc4 50. Bd2 Kb3 51. Ke3 Bxg2 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.14”]
    [Round “4”]
    [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”]
    [Black “So, Wesley”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “E37”]
    [WhiteElo “2809”]
    [BlackElo “2799”]
    [PlyCount “62”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 7. Qc2 c5 8.
    dxc5 Nc6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Nf3 (10. e3 Qf6 11. f3 Qh4+ 12. g3 Nxg3 13. Qf2 Nf5
    14. Qxh4 Nxh4 15. b4 a5 {Morozevich,A (2675)-Harikrishna,P (2737) Biel 2017})
    10… Qf6 11. e3 Bg4 12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O Rfe8 14. Bd2 d4 15. Rad1 Nxd2 16. Rxd2
    $146 (16. Qxd2 Rad8 17. Qc1 d3 18. Rxd3 Rxd3 19. Bxd3 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Ne5 21. Be4
    Nxf3+ 22. Bxf3 Qxf3 23. Qd1 Qf5 {Bareev,E (2683)-Ivanchuk,V (2741) Havana 2006}
    ) 16… dxe3 17. Rd6 Re6 18. fxe3 Rxd6 19. cxd6 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 Qxd6 21. Qb3 Qe7
    22. Bd5 Nd8 23. Rc1 Qd7 24. Qc4 Ne6 25. Bxe6 fxe6 26. Qd4 Qxd4 27. exd4 Rf8 28.
    Rc7 Rf7 29. Rc8+ Rf8 30. Rc7 Rf7 31. Rc8+ Rf8 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.14”]
    [Round “4”]
    [White “Kramnik, Vladimir”]
    [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”]
    [Result “0-1”]
    [ECO “C42”]
    [WhiteElo “2800”]
    [BlackElo “2784”]
    [Annotator “Bojkov, Dejan”]
    [PlyCount “132”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 {A pet line of Boris Spassky.
    He tried it twice against Tigran Petrosian in their second world championship
    match in 1969. Both games were easily held by Black.} Qe7 6. Nc3 ({Carlsen
    opted for the more conventional} 6. d3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Qxe2+ 8. Bxe2 g6 9. Nd4 a6
    10. Bf4 Bg7 11. h3 Bd7 12. Bf3 Nc6 {but did not get much in Carlsen,M (2834)
    -Caruana,F (2811) Wijk aan Zee 2018}) 6… Nxc3 7. dxc3 Qxe2+ 8. Bxe2 Nc6 9.
    Be3 Be7 10. O-O-O O-O 11. Rhe1 ({Another recent top game saw} 11. Rhg1 a6 12.
    g4 Re8 13. h4 Be6 14. Ng5 Bd7 15. Kb1 Ne5 {with an eventual draw, Artemiev,V
    (2697)-Khalifman,A (2614) Moscow 2018}) 11… Bf6 $146 {A logical novelty in
    comparison to an earlier correspondence game.} ({The predecessor saw:} 11…
    Bd7 12. Nd4 Bf6 13. f4 Rfe8 14. Bf3 a6 15. Bf2 g6 16. g4 {with some pressure
    for White, Lehtinen,P (2180)-Halme,O (2316) corr. 2005}) 12. Nd2 {At first
    sight it seems that Black should not worry at all. The position is symmetrical
    and not much is going on.} Re8 13. Bf3 Ne5 14. Bf4 {However, the slight lead
    in the development for White forces Caruana to play carefully. 15.Nd2-c4 is a
    threat now.} Kf8 15. Bd5 ({The timid} 15. Be2 Ng6 16. Bg3 Bd7 {is already a
    bit more equal for Black.}) 15… c6 16. Bb3 Bf5 ({Black cannot close the
    bishop with} 16… d5 17. c4 d4 $2 {due to} 18. Ne4) 17. h3 g5 {Energetic play
    by Black. He intends to find counter-play on the kingside.} 18. Bh2 Kg7 19. c4
    (19. f4 {was safer, with approximate equality.}) 19… g4 $1 20. Ne4 $1 {
    Kramnik is ready to enter the huge complications which materialize seemingly
    out of thin air.} ({After} 20. hxg4 Nxg4 21. Bg3 Bg5 {Black’s active pieces
    compensate him for the slight structural weaknesses.}) 20… Bxe4 21. Rxe4 Bg5+
    22. Kb1 gxh3 23. c5 $1 {Another exclam, for the courage. “I’ve noticed this,
    but I thought it was very risky for White.” (Caruana) Kramnik undermines the
    central knight but at a very high price. Not only is he losing a couple of is
    kingside pawns, but the survivor on g2 is just a step closer to becoming a
    queen.} ({The American GM expected instead something like} 23. gxh3 f5 24. Re2
    ({Or} 24. Ree1 Nf3 25. Rxe8 Rxe8 26. Bxd6 Nd2+ 27. Ka1 Ne4 28. Bb4 (28. Bg3 $2
    f4) 28… Nxf2 {when Black is better.}) 24… Nf3 25. Rxe8 Rxe8 26. Bxd6 Re2 {
    where indeed Black is doing great.}) 23… f5 ({Also good for Black was} 23…
    hxg2 24. cxd6 Nf3 25. Rg4 Re2 26. Rxg2 h6 {but apparently Caruana wants more.})
    24. Rb4 hxg2 25. Rxb7+ Kh8 {Best.} (25… Kf8 $2 {gets on the road of the
    white pieces and White is clearly better after} 26. Bxe5 Rxe5 27. cxd6 ({
    Or the preliminary check} 27. Rf7+ Ke8 28. cxd6)) ({“Perhaps I can just go”}
    25… Re7 {suggested Caruana after the game. Then the most likely outcome is a
    draw after} 26. Rxe7+ Bxe7 27. Rg1 {although it is White who needs to prove it.
    }) 26. cxd6 Nf3 27. Ba4 ({Kramnik’s original plan} 27. Bg1 {fails to} Re2 {
    For example} 28. d7 Rd2 29. Rxd2 (29. Rc1 Rd6 {traps the rook.}) 29… Nxd2+
    30. Ka1 Nf3) 27… Nxh2 28. Bxc6 {For a moment it seems as Kramnik outsmarted
    his opponent. The g2 pawn is stopped and the one on d6 has everyone around it
    for support.} Rad8 $3 {A fantastic resource. All black pieces are now into the
    game and help each other.} ({Indeed, bad was} 28… Red8 29. Bxg2 {when White
    has all the fun.}) ({However, besides the text move the where a couple of very
    interesting alternatives. Caruana spent his last three minutes trying to make
    the move:} 28… Re4 {work. It does indeed in case of:} 29. Bxe4 ({But he
    could not find anything after} 29. Rg1 $1 Rae8 ({Maybe the simple} 29… Re6 {
    when Black is much better is a good idea though.}) 30. Bxe4) 29… fxe4 30. Rg1
    e3 31. fxe3 Rf8 {(Caruana)}) (28… Nf1 $5 {was the other idea, with advantage
    for Black after} 29. Bxg2 Nd2+ 30. Ka1 Rad8) 29. d7 {The only move, as tactics
    works well for Black.} ({After both} 29. Bxg2 Rxd6 $1) ({and} 29. Bxe8 Rxd6 $1
    30. Rd7 Rxd1+ 31. Rxd1 Nf1 {and Black wins.}) 29… Re2 30. Bxg2 Rxf2 31. Bc6 {
    Caruana preserved the extra piece and even kept two dangerous passers on the
    kingside. But it ain’t over yet, moreover because Black is in serious time
    trouble.} Ng4 ({Another idea was to send the knight to the queenside after}
    31… Nf1 32. Rxa7 Nd2+ 33. Ka1 Nc4 {with serious winning chances for Black.})
    ({Both players considered the forcing} 31… f4 32. Rxa7 f3 33. Ra3 Rd2 34.
    Rxd2 Bxd2 35. Bxf3 Nxf3 36. Rxf3 Rxd7 {when Black is better, but Kramnik
    believed he should hold.}) 32. Rxa7 Ne3 {“A nice knight, but it cost me a lot
    of time to get there.” (Caruana)} 33. Rg1 h6 {In order to bring the king into
    the play. But as Kramnik summarized it, Black has no time to waste.} ({Caruana
    was not sure what to do after} 33… Rxc2 $1 34. Rc7 (34. Ba4 {is better
    although Black is once again close to winning after} Rf2) {and apparently both
    missed the strong} 34… Bf6 $1 {which wins for Black.}) 34. Rc7 Kg7 35. a4 {
    All of a sudden the white pawns started to run too fast and it is not clear
    who is better at all.} Kf7 ({Instead} 35… Rxc2 {could have led to a curious
    draw after} 36. Rc8 Rxc6 37. Rxd8 Rd6 38. Re8 Ng4 (38… Rxd7 $2 39. Rxe3) 39.
    Rf1 Ne3 (39… Kg6 40. Rg8+ Kh7 41. Re8) 40. Rg1) 36. Bb5 Ke7 37. a5 Rf4 38. c3
    $1 ({Correctly avoiding the counterplay after} 38. a6 Rb4 39. Rb7 ({Or} 39. Bc6
    Bf6) 39… Bf6) 38… Kd6 39. Rb7 ({Kramnik thought that} 39. Rc6+ Ke7 40. Rb6
    {leads to a win, but this might not be the case after} ({However} 40. a6 $1 {
    is clear edge for White.}) 40… Re4 41. a6 Nc4) 39… Rg4 40. Re1 (40. Rh1 {
    “finishes it immediately” (Kramnik)}) 40… f4 41. a6 {Finally, the time
    trouble is over. However, the position remains enormously complicated with
    loads of nuances and this determined the following drama.} h5 42. a7 Ra8 43. b4
    {A first step in the wrong direction. Once again Kramnik decides to deprive
    his opponent of any counterplay, but this time it turns out to be wrong.} ({
    Correct was:} 43. c4 $1 {with the idea:} h4 ({Caruana was planning the
    desperate} 43… Kc5 44. b4+ Kd4 {although here too, White should win after}
    45. Bc6 Bd8 (45… Kc3 46. Rc7) 46. Rc7 $1 Bxc7 47. Bxa8 Rg8 48. Bb7) 44. c5+
    Kxc5 45. Rc1+ Kd6 46. Rc8 {and White wins.}) ({The straightforward} 43. Rb8
    Rxa7 44. d8=Q+ Bxd8 45. Rxd8+ Ke5 {leads only to a draw.}) 43… h4 44. c4 {
    Going for another forcing line. Things are not that clear anymore.} ({For
    example} 44. Re2 h3 {(Caruana)}) ({Or} 44. Be2 Rg3 45. b5 h3 46. b6 h2 47. Rb8
    Rg1 {and here Kramnik mentioned only} 48. Bf3 $3 {which leads to an utterly
    fantastic position after} Rxe1+ 49. Ka2 Ng2 $1 {Then} 50. Bxg2 Re2+ 51. Kb3
    Rxg2 52. d8=Q+ ({Not} 52. Rxa8 Bd8 $3 53. Rxd8 h1=Q 54. a8=Q Qb1+ {and Black
    mates….}) 52… Bxd8 53. Rxa8 Rg8 $1 (53… Bxb6 {is a draw after} 54. Rd8+
    $1 Bxd8 55. a8=Q h1=Q 56. Qxd8+ {with perpetual…}) 54. b7 h1=Q 55. b8=Q+ Ke6
    {leads to a position where Black fights for the win.}) ({Therefore, for
    practical purposes most likely best was to (somewhat) clarify matters with} 44.
    d8=Q+ Bxd8 (44… Rxd8 $2 45. Rb8) 45. Rd7+ Ke6 46. Bc6 Rxa7 47. Rxa7 {with
    winning chances for White.}) 44… h3 45. c5+ Ke5 46. Rb8 (46. c6 h2 47. c7 Rg1
    {is a draw according to the computer. Say} 48. Bc6 Rxe1+ 49. Ka2 Re2+ 50. Kb3
    Nd5 51. Bxd5 Kxd5 52. c8=Q Re3+ 53. Kc2 (53. Ka4 h1=Q 54. Qc5+ Ke6 55. Rb6+
    Kxd7 56. Qd6+ {and perpetual.}) 53… Re2+ 54. Kd3 Re3+) ({Nothing is clear
    after} 46. Bc6 h2) 46… Rxa7 47. Rg8 {“And I thought it just finishes the
    game” (Kramnik). However…} Bf6 $3 {A second shocker for the former world
    champion.} 48. d8=Q {The only move.} ({It transpires that the rook is
    invinsible due to the sudden discovery} 48. Rxg4 $2 Kf5 {and the threat of Ra1
    mate wins for Black.}) (48. Rxe3+ $2 {is bad as well after} fxe3 49. Rxg4 h2)
    48… Bxd8 49. Rxg4 Bf6 50. Rg6 Rb7 {Caruana became ambitious. It was Kramnik
    who was low on time now.} ({The American GM rejected the possible draw after}
    50… Kf5 51. Bd3+ Ke6 52. Rxf6+ Kxf6 53. b5) 51. Be2 Rxb4+ 52. Ka2 {“All of a
    sudden I am better again.” (Kramnik) “I completely underestimated how fast is
    the c-pawn” (Caruana)} Nc2 ({Actually, it is still most likely a draw after}
    52… Be7 {say} 53. c6 Ra4+ 54. Kb3 Rb4+ 55. Kc3 Nd5+ 56. Kd2 Bh4 57. Rc1 Rd4+
    58. Bd3 h2) 53. Rc1 (53. Rb1 Re4 $1 {holds for Black (Caruana)}) 53… Nd4 54.
    Bd3 (54. Bg4 $5) 54… Ra4+ 55. Kb1 {In time trouble Kramnik decided to repeat
    the moves.} ({His original intention} 55. Kb2 {would have probably led to a
    draw after} Ke6 56. c6 (56. Rh1 Rb4+ 57. Kc3 Nc6+ 58. Rxf6+ Kxf6 59. Rxh3 Kg5 {
    (Caruana, Kramnik)}) 56… Nxc6+ 57. Rxf6+ Kxf6 58. Rxc6+ Kg5 {(Caruana,
    Kramnik)}) 55… Nb3 $1 {Black is taking his chance! The king hunt creates a
    myriad of tactical opportunities, even in the endgame.} 56. Re1+ ({Like the
    one after} 56. Rd1 $2 Ra1+ 57. Kc2 Nd4+ $1 {An important maneuver.} 58. Kd2
    Nf3+ 59. Ke2 Rxd1 60. Kxd1 h2 61. Rh6 Nh4 {and all of a sudden the h-pawn
    queens!}) ({Safe was} 56. Rc2 Ke6 57. Rh2 Ra1+ 58. Kc2 Ra2+ 59. Kxb3 Rxh2 60.
    c6 {with a draw.}) 56… Kd5 57. Kc2 ({Kramnik suggested another “draw line”}
    57. Rxf6 Ra1+ 58. Kb2 Rxe1 59. Kxb3 h2 60. Bb5 $2 {but there is a nasty little
    spoiler} (60. Bc4+ Kxc5 61. Rf5+ {instead is a draw.}) 60… f3 $3 {
    interference theme that wins for Black!}) 57… Nd4+ 58. Kb1 (58. Kc1 $1 {
    would have still shared the point.}) 58… Nf3 59. Rd1 $4 {With two seconds
    left on his clock Kramnik blunders!} ({He could have still saved the game with
    } 59. Rxf6 Nxe1 60. Bf1 h2 61. Rh6 Kxc5 62. Rxh2) ({At the very last moment
    the former world champion saw} 59. Rf1 Nd2+ 60. Kc2 Ra2+ $1 {which wins for
    Black.} (60… Nxf1 61. Bxf1 Ra2+)) 59… Ra1+ 60. Kc2 Rxd1 {An echo from the
    line from above (see the line on move 56). Now Caruana wins this hugely
    dramatic game.} 61. Ba6 ({Since} 61. Kxd1 h2 62. Rh6 Bh4 {promotes the pawn.})
    61… Rd2+ 62. Kc1 Bb2+ 63. Kb1 Kxc5 64. Bb7 Ne5 65. Rf6 f3 66. Rf5 f2 0-1

    [Event “FIDE Berlin Candidates”]
    [Site “?”]
    [Date “2018.03.15”]
    [Round “5.1”]
    [White “Aronian, Levon”]
    [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “A65”]
    [WhiteElo “2794”]
    [BlackElo “2767”]
    [Annotator “Bojkov, Dejan”]
    [PlyCount “83”]
    [EventDate “2018.??.??”]
    [WhiteClock “1:11:37”]
    [BlackClock “0:09:25”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. e4 e6 6. Nc3 exd5 7. cxd5 Bg7 8. Nge2 {
    Let’s quickly skip the opening phase, the interesting is still to come.
    Apparently both players were happy with sharp and complex opening.} Nbd7 ({
    Aronian had also tried the alternative} 8… a6 9. a4 Nbd7 10. Ng3 Nh5 11. Nxh5
    gxh5 12. Bd3 O-O 13. O-O f5 14. exf5 Ne5 15. Bc2 Bxf5 16. Bxf5 Rxf5 17. Ne4 {
    and Black held the draw in Aronian,L (2801)-Svidler,P (2763) Palma de Mallorca
    2017}) 9. Ng3 h5 10. Be2 Nh7 11. Bf4 $146 ({Aronian improves on a game of his
    own:} 11. Be3 h4 12. Nf1 O-O 13. Qd2 Re8 14. Bh6 {which later ended in a draw,
    Aronian,L (2809)-Li,C (2735) Geneva 2017}) 11… Qe7 (11… h4 12. Nf1 Qe7 13.
    Qd2 {would transpose into the game.}) 12. Qd2 (12. O-O Bd4+ 13. Kh1 Bxc3 $1 (
    13… h4 14. Nb5 {is less clear.}) 14. bxc3 h4 {would be embarrasing for the
    knight.}) 12… h4 {Otherwise White will castle and transfer the g3-knight to
    the optimal f2 square.} 13. Nf1 g5 {In order to cause confusion into White’s
    camp.} (13… O-O {would allow the regroupment} 14. Ne3 {As} (14. Bh6 $5 {also
    looks good for White.}) 14… g5 $2 {comes short to} 15. Nf5) 14. Be3 Ne5 {
    However now White has a chance to expand on the kingside, which he takes at
    once.} 15. g3 Bd7 ({Grischuk disliked} 15… f5 {due to} 16. f4 $1 ({Aronian’s
    line} 16. gxh4 {is not convincing due to} f4 $1 ({Rather than} 16… gxh4 17.
    f4) ({Nor} 16… g4 17. f4) 17. Bf2 gxh4) 16… Ng4 17. e5 {with strong
    initiative for White.}) ({Instead of the text move, Aronian considered} 15…
    Bh3 {to be best, with the idea} 16. gxh4 g4 17. f4 Nf3+ 18. Bxf3 gxf3 {where
    Black looks OK.}) ({One more option was} 15… Ng6 {in order to keep the
    blockade as much as possible.}) 16. gxh4 gxh4 $6 ({It was not too late for}
    16… g4 17. f4 Nf3+ 18. Bxf3 gxf3 19. Rg1 {and now say} f5 $5 {with unclear
    play.}) ({At the post mortem both players analyzed} 16… Qf6 17. hxg5 ({
    However here} 17. O-O-O {looks strong with the idea} Nxf3 18. Bxf3 Qxf3 19. Ng3
    gxh4 (19… Bh3 20. hxg5 Be5 {looks like Black’s best chance although White
    should be better here too.}) 20. Rdf1 Qg4 21. Rhg1 $1 {with big advantage for
    White.}) 17… Nxf3+ 18. Bxf3 Qxf3) 17. Rg1 f5 ({Here} 17… Rg8 {is not
    convincing due to} 18. f4 Ng6 19. e5 $1 {and “this is worse than in the game”
    (Grischuk)}) 18. f4 Ng4 19. e5 $1 {You do not need to ask Aronian twice to
    start an attack. Nor Grischuk.} dxe5 (19… Nxe3 {simply brings more white
    pieces into the game} 20. Nxe3) 20. d6 Qe6 $5 {“Setting a trap” (Aronian)} ({Or
    } 20… Qf7 21. Nd5 {with large advantage for White.}) 21. Nb5 ({Black’s idea
    is revealed in the line} 21. h3 exf4 22. Bxf4 Bd4 {“when Black is back in
    business” (Aronian)}) 21… Rc8 ({After} 21… Bxb5 22. Bxb5+ Kf7 23. Rc1 {
    “the black king has no good square” (Aronian)}) 22. Nc7+ Rxc7 23. dxc7 exf4 {
    At this point Grischuk was already very low on time, while his opponent had
    almost an hour on his clock.} 24. Rd1 {It is hard to call this a mistake, but
    according to the computer it is.} (24. Bxf4 {allows Black time to cement the
    position with} Bd4) ({However, the computer suggestion:} 24. O-O-O {would most
    likely have won after} fxe3 25. Nxe3 $3 ({Rather than} 25. Qxd7+ $2 Qxd7 26.
    Bb5 Bxb2+ 27. Kc2 Qxb5 28. c8=Q+ Ke7 29. Qc7+ Kf6 30. Rd6+ Kg5 {where it is
    even Black who wins and which was seen by both the opponents.}) 25… Bh6 ({
    Aronian was not sure about} 25… Bd4 26. Nxg4 ({Apparently he missed the
    killing blow} 26. Nxf5 $1 {and Black’s position collapses} Bxg1 27. Ng7+) 26…
    Qxa2 {this is indeed unclear, but there was a win before that.}) ({The
    captures lose quickly} 25… Qxe3 26. Qxe3+ Nxe3 27. Rxg7) ({Or} 25… Nxe3 26.
    c8=Q+ Bxc8 27. Qd8+ Kf7 28. Bh5+ {and mate.}) 26. Bb5 $1 Bxe3 27. c8=Q+ Kf7 28.
    Qxh8 {and White wins.}) 24… Ng5 $1 {With seconds on the clock Grischuk finds
    the best defense.} ({Instead} 24… fxe3 {loses to} 25. c8=Q+ Bxc8 26. Qd8+ Kf7
    27. Qc7+ Kg6 28. Rd6 {(Aronian)}) ({Similar is} 24… b6 25. c8=Q+ Bxc8 26.
    Qd8+ Kf7 27. Qc7+ Kg6 28. Rd6) 25. c8=Q+ Bxc8 26. Qd8+ Kf7 27. Qc7+ (27. Qxg5 {
    leads only to a draw after say this peculiar line} fxe3 28. Rxg4 fxg4 29. Qf4+
    Qf6 30. Bc4+ Ke8 31. Bb5+ Kf7 32. Qc7+ Kg6 33. Rd6 Be6 34. Bd3+ Kh6 35. Rxe6
    Qxe6 36. Qf4+ Kh5 37. Bf5 Qf6 38. Ng3+ hxg3 39. Qxg4+ Kh6 40. Qh3+ Kg5 41. Qg4+
    ) 27… Kg8 {Now Black loses.} ({Both players missed the resource} 27… Qe7
    28. Bc4+ Kf6 29. Qxf4 (29. Qxe7+ Kxe7 30. Bxc5+ {would most likely be a draw.})
    29… Nh3 30. Rd6+ Be6 31. Bd4+ ({White should likely survive after} 31. Qxg4
    fxg4 32. Rxe6+ Qxe6 33. Bxe6 Kxe6 34. Rxg4 Bxb2 35. Bxc5) 31… cxd4 32. Qxd4+
    Kf7 33. Bxe6+ Qxe6+ 34. Rxe6 Bxd4 {and it is Black who wins here.}) 28. Rd6 ({
    Aronian saw a similar winning line} 28. Rxg4 $1 fxg4 29. Rd6 {with the main
    idea} Qf5 (29… Qf7 30. Qxc8+ {“and the g4 pawn is hanging” (Aronian) is also
    curtains.}) 30. Bd3 Ne4 31. Rd8+ Kh7 32. Qe7 (32. Qxc8 {wins as well.}) 32…
    Be6 33. Nd2 fxe3 34. Nxe4 $1 {and it is over. Apparently, the nerves played
    huge role in this game!}) 28… Qf7 {Now comes the strangest move of the event
    so far.} 29. Qd8+ {Aronian refuses to capture the bishop with a check and to
    win! Unbelievable…} ({The explanation lies in the line:} 29. Qxc8+ Kh7 30.
    Qxc5 ({Also winning for White is the line that Grischuk calculated-} 30. Qd7
    Qxd7 ({Or} 30… fxe3 31. Rxg4 fxg4 32. Bd3+ Kg8 33. Qc8+ Bf8 34. Rg6+ {and
    Black has to part with his queen.}) 31. Rxd7 fxe3 32. Nxe3 $1 {(Grischuk)})
    30… Ne4 {It seems as Black is even taking over the initiative, but} 31. Rxg4
    $3 {clarifies matters. White wins almost the whole chess-set after} Nxc5 32.
    Rxh4+ Kg8 33. Rd8+ Bf8 34. Rxh8+ Kxh8 35. Bxc5) 29… Qf8 30. Bxf4 Ne6 31. Bc4
    Qxd8 32. Rxd8+ Kh7 33. Rxh8+ Bxh8 {Now the worst is over for Grischuk and he
    is the only one to play for the win. One can only imagine the enormous
    pressure that all the candidates are facing. Yesterday Grischuk missed a
    relatively simple tactical win, today Aronian. Huge attacking players like
    them will never allow such “clicks” in usual tournaments, but here it is
    different.} 34. Bd6 {In Grischuk’s time-trouble both players place their
    pieces optimally.} Ng5 35. Rg2 Ne4 36. Bb8 Bd4 37. h3 (37. Bxa7 Ne5 $1) 37…
    Ne5 38. Bd5 Nd3+ {The position is still extremely complicated.} ({Check this
    line for example} 38… Bxb2 $5 39. Nd2 Bc3 40. Bxe4 fxe4 41. Kd1 Bxh3 42. Rh2
    Ng4 43. Rxh3 Nf2+ 44. Kc2 Nxh3 45. Kxc3 {when it should be a draw somehow…})
    39. Ke2 Nc1+ ({Or} 39… Nxb2 40. Ne3 Nc3+ 41. Kd2 Nxd5 42. Nxd5 Be6 43. Nf4
    Nc4+ 44. Ke1 Bf7 45. Re2 {when again, nothing is clear but Black is playing
    for a win.}) 40. Kd1 Nd3 41. Nd2 Nf6 ({Grischuk spent a lot of time checking
    the line} 41… Nef2+ 42. Ke2 Nc1+ 43. Kf3 Nfd3 44. Rg8 Ne1+ 45. Kf4 Ncd3+ 46.
    Kg5 Be3+ 47. Kf6 {but realized in time that it will not end well for him.}) 42.
    Bf3 {They agreed to a draw due to the line:} (42. Bf3 Nf2+ ({Instead} 42…
    Nxb2+ 43. Kc2 f4 44. Rg5 Bxh3 {is risky for Black after} 45. Bxf4 ({Or} 45. Nb3
    $5)) 43. Kc1 (43. Ke1) 43… Nxh3 44. Rh2 Ng5 45. Rxh4+) 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.15”]
    [Round “5.2”]
    [White “Caruana, Fabiano”]
    [Black “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “D30”]
    [WhiteElo “2784”]
    [BlackElo “2763”]
    [PlyCount “61”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Qb3 c6 7. O-O dxc4 {
    Karjakin played this since he knew the position would be the same as in lines
    with Qc2.} 8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 {Generally Black’s big goal is to get in …
    c5 to remove both his backward pawn and the outpost on c5.} 10. Nbd2 (10. Rd1 {
    at least hopes to prevent the freeing move}) 10… c5 $1 {Well, that was easy!
    Caruana wanted to get a “grip on the position by piling up on c5 with moves
    like Nb3, but Black couldn’t let that happen. Black will recover the pawn
    without issue.} 11. dxc5 Na6 12. Nb3 Be4 13. Qc3 Rc8 14. Be3 Nd5 15. Qd2 Bxf3
    16. Bxf3 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 Nxc5 {All of this was known exactly to Karjakin.} 18.
    Nxc5 (18. Nd4 Bg5 {–Karjakin}) 18… Bxc5 19. Qb3 Qb6 20. e3 Be7 21. Rfd1 Rc7
    22. Rac1 Rfc8 23. Rxc7 Rxc7 24. Kg2 g6 25. Rd2 Kg7 26. Rc2 Rxc2 27. Qxc2 Qc5
    28. Qxc5 Bxc5 29. b3 f5 30. a4 bxa4 31. bxa4 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.15”]
    [Round “5.3”]
    [White “So, Wesley”]
    [Black “Kramnik, Vladimir”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “D41”]
    [WhiteElo “2799”]
    [BlackElo “2800”]
    [PlyCount “114”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8.
    cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. Bc4 Nd7 12. O-O b6 13. Rad1 Bb7 14.
    Rfe1 Rc8 15. Bb3 Re8 16. h3 (16. Re3 Nf6 17. Qd3 b5 18. d5 exd5 19. e5 Ne4 20.
    Qxb5 Qb6 21. Qxb6 axb6 {So,W (2788)-Dominguez Perez,L (2739) Saint Louis 2017})
    16… Nf6 17. Qf4 Nh5 $146 (17… Qc7 18. Qh4 h6 19. Re3 b5 20. Ne5 a5 21. a4
    bxa4 22. Bxa4 Red8 23. f3 Ba8 {Epishin,V (2574)-Del Rio de Angelis,S (2489)
    Calvia 2005}) 18. Qe5 Nf6 19. Qf4 Nh5 20. Qh2 {Kramnik was still in his
    preparation here.} h6 21. d5 exd5 22. exd5 (22. e5 g6 23. Nd4 Qd7 {Kramnik})
    22… Rxe1+ 23. Nxe1 Qf6 24. Nd3 Ba6 {“The pawn looks dangerous but I’m in
    time.” (Kramnik)} 25. Qe5 {“The best try.” (Kramnik)} (25. Nb4 Be2) (25. d6
    Bxd3 26. d7 Rd8 27. Rxd3 Nf4 {Kramnik}) 25… Bxd3 26. Qxh5 Bc2 27. Rc1 Bf5 28.
    Rxc8+ Bxc8 29. d6 {“Important.” (Kramnik)} (29. Qd1 Qd6) 29… g5 {Stopping
    Qd5.} 30. Qd1 (30. h4 gxh4) (30. Qe2 Qxd6 31. Qe8+ Qf8 32. Bxf7+ Kg7 {Kramnik})
    30… Bd7 31. Qd5 Kg7 ({Kramnik wanted both …a5 and …Kg7 “and at least I
    can try.”} 31… a5 32. Bd1 Qa1 33. Kh2 Qc1 34. Bg4 Qf4+ 35. Kg1 Qc1+ {Kramnik}
    ) 32. Qb7 Qa1+ 33. Kh2 Qe5+ 34. Kg1 Qxd6 35. Qxa7 h5 36. Qb7 h4 37. Qf3 Qe7 38.
    Qc3+ f6 39. Qc4 Qe8 40. Qb4 b5 41. a3 Qe5 42. Bd1 Bc6 43. Bf3 Be8 44. Kf1 Bf7
    45. Be2 Be8 46. Bf3 f5 47. Kg1 Bf7 48. Qd2 Kg6 49. Qc1 Be6 50. Qc6 Kf6 51. Qe8
    Qa1+ 52. Kh2 Qxa3 53. Qd8+ Qe7 54. Qh8+ Qg7 55. Qd8+ Kg6 56. Qe8+ Qf7 57. Qxb5
    Qc7+ 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.15”]
    [Round “5.4”]
    [White “Ding, Liren”]
    [Black “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “E05”]
    [WhiteElo “2769”]
    [BlackElo “2809”]
    [PlyCount “61”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
    Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Bg5 Nbd7 12. Nc3 h6 13. Bc1 {An uncommon move,
    as you might expect. The idea is to spend the extra tempos to reroute the
    bishop to b3 rather than have it get in the way on, say, d2.} a5 (13… e5 14.
    e4 {Was Ding’s idea. “I didn’t expect [Mamedyarov] to play this line.”}) 14. b3
    Qe7 15. Bb2 Rfd8 16. Rac1 {Mildly criticized by Mamedyarov as passive, as it
    also allows Black, who is a little short on space, to exchange bishops despite
    weakening c7.} Ba3 17. Bxa3 Qxa3 18. Nb5 Qe7 $1 19. Qc2 (19. Nxc7 Nb6 20. Qc2
    Rac8 {was the line that Black thought White has missed, but in face Ding
    admitted that he didn’t see the …Ba3 idea at all.}) 19… Bxf3 20. Bxf3 c6
    21. Nc3 Nb6 22. e3 e5 23. dxe5 Qxe5 24. Rfd1 g6 25. Rd2 Rd7 26. Rxd7 Nbxd7 27.
    Rd1 h5 28. Rd4 (28. h4 {was Ding’s preference after the game, as you’ll
    understand below.}) 28… Nc5 29. h4 (29. Nd5 $2 Ne6 $1 30. Nxf6+ Qxf6 {and
    Black wins due to the twin threats [Mamedyarov]. Ding again admitted that he
    didn’t see this, otherwise he would have played 28. h4 instead.}) 29… Kg7 30.
    Kg2 Ne6 31. Rd1 {Mamedyarov joked that if the game continued he would have
    played 31…Rh8 and “fake” playing …g5. But an homage to Kramnik this was
    not; he would have simply toggled the rook on the next move! Why not trading
    rooks with 31…Rd8? Mamedyarov thought White would swap, then play the exotic
    maneuver Nc3-b1-d2-c4, targeting the weak queenside pawns.} 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.16”]
    [Round “6”]
    [White “So, Wesley”]
    [Black “Aronian, Levon”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “C88”]
    [WhiteElo “2799”]
    [BlackElo “2794”]
    [PlyCount “155”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
    b4 9. a5 d6 10. d3 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nbd2 Rb8 {This line was heavily
    discussed last year in St. Louis.} 13. Nb3 ({Carlsen chose instead} 13. c3 Qe8
    14. Nc4 Qg6 15. h3 Nd7 16. Be3 d5 17. Ncd2 bxc3 18. bxc3 Nc5 19. Bxc5 Bxc5 20.
    Qa4 {and went on to win later, Carlsen,M (2822)-Aronian,L (2809) Saint Louis
    2017. However, there remained a lot of questions about White’s chances in this
    game.}) 13… Qc8 14. h3 $146 {So improves on another St. Louis game.} ({In
    that one the world champion defended the black color after} 14. Qe2 Nd8 15. d4
    exd4 16. Nbxd4 c5 17. Nb3 e5 18. Nbd2 Ne6 {Caruana,F (2807) -Carlsen,M (2822)
    Saint Louis 2017}) 14… Nd8 15. Be3 c5 16. Nbd2 Nc6 17. c3 Rb5 18. d4 ({White
    can of course keep the pawn with either} 18. Nc4) ({Or} 18. Nb3 {but Black
    would have no problems at all in these lines.}) 18… exd4 {An ambitious move.}
    ({Aronian saw that he can equalize with:} 18… bxc3 19. bxc3 exd4 20. cxd4 c4
    ({Probably also good is} 20… cxd4 21. Nxd4 Nxd4 22. Bxd4 Nd7) ({Maybe even}
    20… Nxa5 21. dxc5 dxc5 22. Qa4 {is a better version of the game continuation
    for Black. Although with so many weaknesses White still has decent
    compensation for a pawn.}) 21. Nxc4 Nxe4 {“should be around equal” (Aronian)})
    (18… Nxa5 $2 {should be avoided though as it drops a piece after} 19. dxe5
    dxe5 (19… bxc3 20. bxc3 dxe5 21. c4) 20. c4) 19. cxd4 Nxa5 20. dxc5 dxc5 {In
    return for the pawn White has active pieces and can exploit the many
    weaknesses in the opponent’s camp.} 21. Ra2 {“I kind of prepared this line”
    (So). He later revealed that he considered the position equal.} Qb7 ({Here and
    on the next moves Aronian avoids} 21… Nc6 {in order to keep the c4 square
    under control and not to let the white queen there.}) ({The American GM
    expected} 21… Nd7 {with the idea Nd7-b8-c6.}) 22. b3 ({If} 22. Qa1 Bd8) 22…
    Kh8 {“I was a little surprised by this, but it is probably a good move.” (So)}
    ({Aronian disliked the position after:} 22… Nxe4 23. Nxe4 Qxe4 24. Bg5 Qb7
    25. Qe2 Bxg5 26. Nxg5 {“maybe it holds somehow but it was not the position I
    wanted to get” (Aronian)} Qd5 27. Nxe6) ({Black also disliked} 22… Nd7 23.
    Qe2 {as he felt he should keep the knight on f6.}) 23. Qc2 {So is combining
    threats against the weaknesses on the queenside with threats on the opposite
    wing. Now e4-e5 followed by Nf3-g5 is always a threat.} Nd7 ({If} 23… Nc6 {
    to centralize this knight, then either} 24. Nc4 ({Or} 24. Ng5)) 24. Rea1 Bd8
    25. Nc4 ({Aronian saw the excellent reply to} 25. e5 c4 26. Nxc4 Nxc4 27. Qxc4
    Rxf3 $1 {with a fantastic counter-attack.}) 25… Nxc4 26. Qxc4 Bf6 ({After}
    26… a5 27. Rd1 $1 {is strong.} ({Rather than} 27. Qxe6 Rb6 28. Qc4 Rd6 {
    although here too, White is better.})) 27. Rd1 Qc6 28. Rad2 {Little by little
    the white pieces occupied commanding positions.} Nb6 (28… Ne5 {is unpleasant
    for Black after} 29. Nxe5 Bxe5 30. Rd8 {(Aronian, So)}) 29. Qc2 Qc7 {After
    this move Black’s position becomes too loose.} ({Black rejected} 29… Qc8 $1 {
    on the account of} 30. e5 Bd8 31. Bg5 {But this seems way better than the game
    continuation after} (31. Bxc5 $2 Rxc5 32. Rxd8 Rxc2 {wins for Black.}) 31…
    Nd5 $1 {This was probably Black’s best chance.}) ({After} 29… e5 30. Bg5 $1 {
    is strong for White (Aronian)}) 30. e5 $1 {So breaks open the position for his
    active pieces. The rook on b5 and the knight on b6 are out of the game and So
    attacks practically with an extra rook.} ({Also quite unpleasant for the
    second player was the resource} 30. Bg5 $5 {(Aronian) with the threat e4-e5
    and if} c4 31. Bxf6 gxf6 32. Nd4 Re5 33. f4 {wins material for White.}) 30…
    Be7 (30… Bxe5 $2 {drops material heavily after} 31. Ng5 g6 32. Nxe6) ({Here}
    30… Bd8 {does not work (see the line from the previous comment) due to} 31.
    Bxc5 $1 Rxc5 32. Rxd8 Rxc2 33. Rxf8#) 31. Nd4 Rc8 ({Perhaps the last chance
    was the eventual endgame after} 31… Qxe5 32. Nxb5 axb5 33. Re2 Qc3) 32. Nxe6
    $1 {White keeps playing for the attack.} ({“It does not make any sense to take
    the exchange”} 32. Nxb5 axb5 33. f4 Nd5 {“as Black is at least equal” (Aronian,
    So). The black connected passers are perfectly supported by all his pieces.})
    32… Qxe5 33. Nf4 {Aronian did not expect this and “relaxed too soon” after
    seeing it. He later called the move “excellent practical chance.”} ({Aronian
    spend almost all his remaining time on the sharp and beautiful lines:} 33. Rd6
    $1 {with the threat Be3-f4! (So did not see this) If} Kg8 ({The main tactical
    point of the move is that} 33… Bxd6 $1 34. Ng5 {is a nasty double attack.}) (
    {Probably} 33… Re8 {leaves defensive chances to Black.}) 34. Bf4 Qf6 35. Ng5
    {wins for White.}) ({Black was also afraid of} 33. Nd8 {when after} Kg8 34. Rd7
    c4 ({Aronian intended} 34… Qf6 {but this loses to} 35. Bg5 $3 Qxg5 36. Qe2 $1
    ) (34… h6) 35. Bd4 Qf5 $2 ({However} 35… Nxd7 $1 36. Bxe5 Nxe5 {provides
    Black drawing chances.}) 36. Rxe7 Rxd8 (36… Qxc2 37. Re8#) 37. Rxg7+ {and
    White should win.}) 33… Rf8 {This is “bad” (So); “a terrible move.” (Aronian)
    } (33… Kg8 $1 {was mandatory} 34. Re2 Bf8 {when Black can cement his
    position.}) 34. Re2 $1 {Now the black pieces are once again loose.} Qc3 ({Last
    chance was} 34… Bf6 $5) ({Aronian’s initial plan was} 34… Qf5 35. Qxf5 Rxf5
    {but then he spotted} 36. Bc1 $1 {“and Black can resign”(Aronian). For example}
    Bf8 37. Rd8 Kg8 38. Ree8 c4 39. g4 Rf6 40. Ne6) 35. Qb1 $1 (35. Qa2 {with the
    same idea was also very strong as indicated by the Armenian GM.}) 35… Qf6 ({
    Or} 35… Nc8 36. Bd2 Qf6 37. Ne6 Rg8 38. Bg5 Qf7 39. Bxe7 Nxe7 (39… Qxe7 40.
    Nd4) 40. Ng5 Qg6 41. Qxg6 Nxg6 42. Nf7#) 36. Bc1 $1 {“Here the game is already
    finished. It is just (white) pieces coming.” (Aronian)} c4 ({A curious line is
    } 36… Qf7 37. Bb2 Bf6 38. Bxf6 Qxf6 39. Ne6 Rg8 40. Nc7 Ra5 41. Ne8 Qg5 42.
    Nd6) 37. bxc4 Nxc4 ({Alas,} 37… Rg5 {does not work due to} 38. Re6 $1 {
    (Aronian)} ({But not} 38. Ne6 $2 Rxg2+ $1 39. Kxg2 Qf3+)) 38. Re6 Qg5 {
    Sacrifices the queen in the vain hope of a fortress.} ({Or else Black will
    lose material on the pin} 38… Qf7 39. Rd7 Re8 40. Qe4) 39. Ng6+ ({There was
    an alternative win} 39. Rd7 Bf6 40. Rf7 $1 Rbb8 (40… Rg8 41. Rexf6) 41. Rxf8+
    Rxf8 42. Qxb4 Rc8 43. Qxc4 $1) 39… Qxg6 40. Rxg6 hxg6 41. Qe4 {This is the
    problem. More material is lost.} Bf6 42. Qxc4 b3 43. Ba3 Rfb8 ({If} 43… b2
    44. Bxf8 b1=Q 45. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 46. Kh2) 44. Rb1 b2 45. h4 {The rest is good
    technique by So.} (45. Qa4 $5 a5 46. h4) 45… Ra5 (45… a5 46. Bd6 R8b7 47.
    g4 Rb3 48. Kg2 {(Aronian, So)}) 46. Qd3 Rd8 (46… Bxh4 47. Rxb2) 47. Qb3 Rc8
    48. Qb7 Rd8 49. Qb3 Rc8 50. Qb4 Rb5 51. Qg4 Rc3 (51… Rcb8 52. Qxg6) 52. Bxb2
    Rxb2 53. Rxb2 Rc1+ 54. Kh2 Bxb2 55. Qxg6 Ra1 56. g4 a5 57. Qh5+ Kg8 58. Qb5 Ba3
    ({The utility of the kingside pawns is revealed after} 58… Bf6 59. Qe8+ Kh7
    60. g5 Bc3 (60… Bb2 61. Qe4+ Kg8 62. g6 Kf8 63. Qe6) 61. Qh5+ Kg8 62. g6 Kf8
    63. Qc5+) 59. Qe5 Rd1 60. Qe6+ Kh7 61. Qe4+ Kh8 62. Qa8+ Kh7 63. Qxa5 Bd6+ 64.
    Kg2 Rd4 65. Qf5+ Kh8 66. Qh5+ Kg8 67. g5 Kf8 68. Qg6 Be7 69. Qf5+ Ke8 70. Kh3
    Rd6 71. Qh7 Kf7 72. f4 Rd4 73. Qf5+ Ke8 74. Qe5 Rb4 75. Kg4 Kf8 76. Qf5+ Ke8
    77. Qe6 Rd4 (77… Kf8 78. Qc8+ Kf7 79. g6+ Kxg6 80. Qf5+ Kh6 81. Qh5#) 78. Qe5
    1-0

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.16”]
    [Round “6”]
    [White “Ding, Liren”]
    [Black “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “D73”]
    [WhiteElo “2769”]
    [BlackElo “2763”]
    [PlyCount “35”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. c4 dxc4 6. O-O O-O 7. Na3 c5 8. dxc5
    c3 9. Nb5 Na6 10. Nxc3 Nxc5 11. Nd4 $146 {“White is not objectively better but
    at least the game gets more complicated than in the main line.” (Karjakin)} ({
    Karjakin wasn’t afraid of} 11. Be3 Nfe4 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Bd4 Bxd4 14. Qxd4
    Qxd4 15. Nxd4 Nd6 {Kramnik,V (2787)-Wei,Y (2743) Wijk aan Zee 2018}) 11… Qb6
    12. Be3 Qxb2 {“A typical manever.” (Karjakin)} 13. Ncb5 (13. Ndb5 Nce4) 13…
    Ne6 ({Karjakin wasn’t sure about} 13… Ng4 14. Rb1 Nxe3 15. fxe3 Qxa2 16. Qc1)
    14. Rb1 Qxa2 15. Ra1 Qb2 (15… Qc4 16. Ra4) 16. Rb1 (16. Qd3 Bd7 {Karjakin})
    16… Qa2 17. Ra1 Qb2 18. Rb1 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.16”]
    [Round “6”]
    [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”]
    [Black “Kramnik, Vladimir”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “D35”]
    [WhiteElo “2809”]
    [BlackElo “2800”]
    [PlyCount “127”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 c5 7. Rb1 Be7 8.
    Bb5+ (8. Nf3 O-O 9. Bc4 Qc7 10. Qe2 a6 11. O-O b5 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. a4 bxa4 14.
    Bf4 Qc8 {Carlsen,M (2832)-So,W (2815) Chess.com Speed Chess Ch 2017}) 8… Bd7
    9. Bd3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Nc6 11. Be2 $146 (11. Nf3 Nb4 12. O-O Bc6 13. Bc4 b5 14.
    Ne5 bxc4 15. Rxb4 Bxe4 16. Qa4+ Kf8 {Naroditsky,D (2626)-Shimanov,A (2646)
    Saint Louis 2017}) 11… Rc8 12. Nf3 Qa5+ 13. Bd2 Bb4 14. Rb2 Bxd2+ 15. Qxd2
    Qxd2+ 16. Kxd2 Na5 {Kramnik considered the endgame equal.} 17. Rbb1 Ke7 18.
    Rhc1 f6 19. h4 Rhd8 20. Bd3 a6 21. Ke3 b5 22. g4 Be8 23. Ng1 Nc6 24. Ne2 Rd6 {
    And here Kramnik thought he was better.} 25. Rd1 (25. a4 bxa4 26. Bxa6 Ra8 27.
    Bb7 Ra7) 25… Rcd8 26. Bc2 Na5 27. Bd3 Nc6 28. Bc2 h5 29. g5 fxg5 30. e5 R6d7
    31. hxg5 h4 32. g6 Na5 (32… h3 33. f4 Na5) 33. Rbc1 Rc7 34. Bd3 Rdc8 $2 {A
    blunder based on a strange oversight. As Kramnik pointed out, he had many
    alternatives.} (34… Bc6 35. Nf4 Rdc8) (34… Rxc1 35. Rxc1 Bc6 (35… h3 $5)
    36. Nf4 Rh8 37. Bf1 Nc4+) (34… Nc4+ 35. Bxc4 Rxc4 36. Rxc4 bxc4 37. Rh1 Bxg6
    38. Rxh4 {Mamedyarov}) 35. Rxc7+ Rxc7 36. Rh1 Nc4+ 37. Kf4 {In his earlier
    calculations, Kramnik “had a hallicunation,” thinking his rook was on c8
    instead of c7. Therefore he had planned 37…Bc6 38.Rxh4 Rf8+ here, winning
    back the pawn.} Nb2 38. Be4 b4 39. Rxh4 Nd1 40. f3 (40. Rh7 $1) 40… Nc3 41.
    Nxc3 bxc3 42. Rh2 (42. Rh7 Kd8 43. Bc2 Rb7 44. Rh8 Ke7 45. Ke3 Rb2 46. Be4 Rg2)
    42… Rc8 43. Ke3 Bb5 44. f4 Bc4 45. Rh7 Rg8 46. a3 a5 (46… Bb3 47. Kd3) 47.
    Bc2 (47. d5 $1 exd5 48. Bc2 Ke6 49. Kd4 Rf8 50. f5+ Rxf5 51. Bxf5+ Kxf5 52.
    Kxc3 Kxg6 53. Rh2) 47… Kd7 48. d5 Bxd5 49. Kd4 Ba2 (49… Kc6 50. f5) (49…
    Bf3 50. Kxc3 Bg4 51. Kd4 Bf5 52. Bxf5 exf5 53. Kd5) 50. Kxc3 Kc6 51. Rh2 Kc5
    52. Rd2 Rh8 (52… Rf8 53. Rd7 Rxf4 54. Rxg7 Rg4 55. Rd7) 53. Rd7 Rh3+ 54. Kb2
    Bd5 55. Rxg7 Kd4 (55… Rg3 56. Ra7) 56. Rh7 Rg3 57. Rh5 Rg2 58. Rg5 Rf2 59. g7
    Be4 60. g8=Q Rxc2+ 61. Kb3 Rc3+ 62. Ka4 Rc5 63. Rg2 $1 ({More aaccurate than}
    63. Rg3 Bc2+ 64. Rb3 Rc4+ 65. Kxa5 Bxb3 66. f5) 63… Bf3 64. Qd8+ 1-0

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.16”]
    [Round “6”]
    [White “Caruana, Fabiano”]
    [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “E60”]
    [WhiteElo “2784”]
    [BlackElo “2767”]
    [PlyCount “71”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. e3 O-O 5. Be2 c5 (5… d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. e4
    Nb6 8. O-O Bg4 9. Nbd2 $1 {was one of Grischuk’s ideas when he played this
    system as White.}) 6. d5 e6 7. Nc3 exd5 (7… b6 8. O-O exd5 9. cxd5 Re8 10.
    Nd2 Ba6 11. Re1 d6 12. e4 Qc8 13. a4 c4 {Nakamura,H (2787)-Nepomniachtchi,I
    (2751) Moscow 2018}) 8. cxd5 d6 9. Nd2 Na6 10. O-O Nc7 11. e4 Re8 12. a4 Rb8
    13. f3 a6 14. a5 Bd7 15. Nc4 Bb5 16. Bg5 {“A very nice move” (Grischuk) which
    prevents …Nd7.} Bxc4 17. Bxc4 b5 18. axb6 Rxb6 19. Na4 $146 (19. Qc2 h6 20.
    Bh4 g5 21. Bf2 Nd7 22. Ra2 Qf6 23. Be2 Reb8 24. Be3 Ne5 {Hamitevici,V (2430)
    -Jumabayev,R (2599) London 2015}) ({Also interesting was} 19. f4 Rxb2 20. e5
    dxe5 21. f5 e4 (21… Rb4 $5) 22. d6 Nb5 23. fxg6 hxg6 24. Nd5 Re6 25. Nxf6+
    Rxf6 {and here the players missed the killer move} 26. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 27. Qd5+
    Kf8 28. Rxf6+ Bxf6 29. Bh6+ Ke8 30. Qe6+ Be7 31. d7+ Qxd7 32. Qg8+) 19… Rb4 (
    {Grischuk didn’t like} 19… Rb7 20. Qd3 Qb8 21. Rae1) 20. b3 Qc8 (20… Qb8
    21. Bf4) 21. Bf4 ({Grischuk also suggested} 21. Nxc5 dxc5 22. d6 Nb5 (22… Rd8
    23. e5) 23. Bxf6 Bxf6 24. d7 Bd4+ 25. Qxd4 Nxd4 26. dxc8=Q Rxc8 27. Ra3 Rcb8 (
    27… Rd8) (27… Nc2) 28. Rxa6 Nxb3 29. Bd5 {Grischuk}) (21. Ra2 Nd7 22. Nb2
    Ne5 23. Nd3 Nxc4 24. Nxb4 Nb2 25. Rxb2 Bxb2 26. Nc6 Qd7 {Caruana}) 21… Qd7 (
    21… Nh5 $5 22. Bxd6 Nb5 23. Nb6 Qb7 24. Bxc5 Nc3 25. Qd2 Rxb6 26. Kh1 {
    Caruana}) 22. Ra2 Nh5 23. Be3 Rbb8 24. Qd2 Nb5 25. g4 ({Also here Grischuk
    seriously considered} 25. Nxc5 dxc5 26. Bxc5 {(“This looks so desparate.” –
    Caruana)}) 25… Nf6 26. Nb2 Qc8 (26… Nxe4 27. fxe4 Nc3 {“and the computer
    is showing zeros,” said FIDE’s Nastja Karlovich. Caruana: “If the computer is
    showing zeros it’s probably winning for Back.”}) 27. Bf4 Nd7 (27… Rb6 28. Bd3
    (28. Na4)) 28. Bxb5 axb5 29. Bxd6 Rb6 30. Bg3 c4 31. bxc4 (31. Qc2 $5 Ra6 32.
    Rxa6 Qxa6 33. bxc4 bxc4 {Grischuk: “I thought at least practically it’s very
    nice. Against computer you are going to lose any position so it also doesn’t
    matter.”}) 31… bxc4 {Grischuk thought he had great compensation here but he
    had missed…} 32. Qe2 $1 {when…} Rb4 {was the only move, he thought.} (32…
    c3 33. Nc4 Rb4 {Caruana}) 33. Bd6 ({If White wants to continue (which he
    should, according to engines) it’s with} 33. Rc1 c3 34. Nd3 (34. Nd1 f5 {
    didn’t look appealing to Caruana in time trouble}) 34… Rc4 {when Caruana
    didn’t see a move.}) 33… Rb6 34. Bg3 Rb4 35. Bd6 Rb6 36. Bg3 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.18”]
    [Round “7.3”]
    [White “Grischuk, Alexander”]
    [Black “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “D38”]
    [WhiteElo “2767”]
    [BlackElo “2809”]
    [PlyCount “31”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 {Mamedyarov said he played
    this for the first time.} 6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 Ne4 8. Qc2 h5 9. h3 Nc6 (9… c6 10.
    e3 Qa5 11. Nd2 Nxg3 12. fxg3 Qc7 13. O-O-O Qxg3 14. e4 Nd7 {Matlakov,M (2691)
    -Yu,Y (2737) Moscow 2016}) 10. e3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Nxg3 12. fxg3 Qd6 13. Qf2 $146
    (13. Kf2 h4 14. g4 Bd7 15. Bd3 Qg3+ 16. Kf1 dxc4 17. Bxc4 Rg8 {Azmaiparashvili,
    Z (2650)-Nikolaidis,I (2565) Pula 1997}) 13… Qa3 14. Qc2 Qd6 15. Qf2 Qa3 16.
    Qc2 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.18”]
    [Round “7.1”]
    [White “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Black “So, Wesley”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “E51”]
    [WhiteElo “2763”]
    [BlackElo “2799”]
    [PlyCount “80”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6. Bd2 c5 7. a3 cxd4 {
    Karjakin was surprised by this.} (7… Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Ne4 9. Rc1 Nxc3 10. Rxc3
    cxd4 11. Nxd4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Bd7 13. O-O Nc6 {Riazantsev,A (2671)-Inarkiev,E
    (2709) Doha 2016}) 8. axb4 dxc3 9. Bxc3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Qxd1+ 11. Kxd1 $146 (11.
    Rxd1 Bd7 12. Ne5 Rc8 13. Be2 Ba4 14. Ra1 Be8 15. Nc4 Nbd7 16. Nd6 Rcb8 {
    Sandipan,C (2569)-Visakh,N (2389) Kolkata 2015}) 11… Bd7 12. Ke2 Rc8 13. Bd3
    Nd5 14. Ne5 Be8 {“I realized I don’t have anything.” (Karjakin)} 15. Bd2 f6 16.
    Nc4 Rd8 17. Rhc1 Nc6 18. Be4 Ndxb4 (18… a6 19. b5 $5 {Karjakin}) 19. Bxb4
    Nxb4 20. Bxb7 Rab8 21. Rxa7 Rd7 22. Na5 Nd3 23. Rd1 Nxb2 24. Rxd7 Bxd7 25. Bc6
    Bxc6 26. Nxc6 Re8 (26… Rb6 27. Nd4 Nc4 {seemed easier to Karjakin.}) 27. e4
    Nc4 28. Kd3 Nd6 29. f4 Kf8 30. e5 fxe5 31. fxe5 Nf5 (31… Nf7 32. Kc4 Nd8 33.
    Nd4 Nf7 {Karjakin}) 32. g4 Nh4 33. Kc4 Nf3 34. Ra2 Rc8 35. Kb5 Ke8 $4 ({As
    Karjakin pointed out, the way to draw was} 35… Rc7 $1 36. Kb6 (36. Rf2 Rf7)
    36… Rd7 37. Rf2 Rd3) 36. Kb6 $1 g5 37. h3 Nxe5 38. Nxe5 Rc3 39. Rh2 Ke7 40.
    Kb5 Re3 {So lost on time here but according to Karjakin it was a technical win
    for White.} 1-0

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.18”]
    [Round “7.2”]
    [White “Aronian, Levon”]
    [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”]
    [Result “0-1”]
    [ECO “D37”]
    [WhiteElo “2794”]
    [BlackElo “2784”]
    [PlyCount “74”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8.
    Bxc4 c5 9. O-O cxd4 10. e5 Qd8 11. Ne4 O-O 12. Qe2 Be7 13. Rad1 ({White can
    also place the other rook on d1, as in this fascinating game:} 13. Rfd1 Qa5 14.
    Ng3 Rd8 15. Qe4 Nd7 16. Bd3 Nf8 17. Nh5 Bd7 18. Qg4 g6 19. Nf4 Bc6 20. Bxg6
    fxg6 21. Nxg6 Bxf3 22. Nxe7+ Kf7 23. Qxf3+ Kxe7 24. Qf6+ Ke8 25. Rd3 Rd7 26.
    Rf3 Qc5 27. Qxh6 Rc8 28. Qh5+ Kd8 29. Qg5+ Ke8 30. Qh5+ Kd8 31. Qg5+ {1/2-1/2
    (31) Grandelius,N (2653)-Bluebaum,M (2643) Germany 2018}) 13… Qc7 14. Bd3
    $146 {A novelty, which is backed up by deep opening preparation.} ({White did
    not get much in this game:} 14. Ng3 Rd8 15. Nh5 g6 16. Nf4 Nc6 17. Qe4 Bf8 18.
    h4 Bg7 19. Rfe1 Bd7 20. Bd3 Be8 {Moiseenko,A (2671)-Meier,G (2644) Jerusalem
    2017}) 14… Nd7 15. Rc1 Qa5 16. g4 {“A complete surprise” (Caruana). Albeit
    typical, Aronian’s idea is nevertheless very impressive. It is very obvious
    that White needs to attack on the kingside. But as we have seen in the games
    from above the pure piece attack with the heavy pieces lifts leads White
    nowhere. Aronian wants to clear the road for them. This is risky for two
    reasons: it gives Caruana time to finish his development and opens the white
    king as well. And of course, it drops another pawn.} Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 18. f4
    Qa5 $1 {The best square for the queen.} (18… Qd5 {“does not work” (Caruana,
    Aronian) due to the beautiful idea} 19. g5 Bd7 20. gxh6 gxh6 21. Rc5 $1 {
    “always an annoying resource” (Caruana)} Bxc5 22. Nf6+) 19. g5 Qd8 ({Both
    players agreed that the other defensive set up} 19… g6 20. h4 h5 {is not
    good for Black after} 21. Ng3 {with the f4-f5 ideas in the air as well as the
    knight sacrifice on h5.}) 20. h4 ({Later on Aronian regretted that he did not
    lift the rook:} 20. Rf3 {[%cal Gf3g3]} Bd7 21. Rg3 Bc6 22. gxh6 g6 {which
    would have helped him to establish a strong attacking knight on g5.} 23. Ng5 {
    “I wanted to place the knight like that later” (Aronian)} Qd5 24. Kf2 {[%cal
    Gh2h4,Gh4h5] Intending h2-h4-h5. It is not clear how strong White’s attack is
    but it is definitely dangerous.}) 20… Bd7 21. gxh6 g6 {Missed by White.} ({
    He expected} 21… f5 {instead when after} 22. Ng5 Bxg5 23. hxg7 {both} Kxg7 ({
    As well as the exchange sacrifice} 23… Bh6 24. gxf8=Q+ Kxf8 25. Rf3 {which
    is also unclear.}) 24. hxg5 Qb8 25. Bb5 {lead to unclear game which Aronian
    considered favorable for him.}) 22. h5 {The most straightforward way to
    continue the attack.} ({Although} 22. Ng5 $5 {deserved attention as well, to
    which Caruana intended the prophylactic move} Kh8) 22… Kh8 {Another useful
    prophylactic move.} 23. Kh2 {Aronian did not like his choice right after the
    game. The move clears the road for the heavy pieces on the g-file, but is slow.
    } ({The obvious continuation} 23. hxg6 fxg6 24. Qg4 ({Instead} 24. Nc5 Bxc5 25.
    Rxc5 Bc6 26. Rg5 {is approximately equal.}) {was not to Aronian’s liking as
    his opponent can start bugging him on the other side with} 24… Rc8) 23… Bc6
    24. Rf3 {Perhaps this is the real mistake.} ({Caruana expected the following:}
    24. hxg6 fxg6 25. Qg4 Qd5 (25… Bxe4 26. Bxe4 Bd6 {might be interesting as
    well, albeit risky.}) 26. Rc5 $1 ({Here they both saw the brilliancy} 26. Rxc6
    bxc6 27. Qxg6 Rg8 28. Qf7 Raf8 29. Ng5 $1 {seems like mate-} Rxf7 ({Until one
    discovers the counter-brilliancy} 29… Qg2+ $3 30. Kxg2 Rxf7 {and the king is
    pinned (Aronian, Caruana)}) 30. Nxf7#) 26… Bxc5 27. Qxg6 Qd7 28. Nxc5 Qe7 29.
    Qg7+ $1 Qxg7 30. hxg7+ Kxg7 31. Nxe6+ {with a draw. Objectively, this was the
    best that White could do.}) 24… Bd6 ({Caruana discarded} 24… Qd5 {since
    after} 25. Rg3 Qxh5+ 26. Qxh5 gxh5 27. Rg7 {“White has enough for the pawn.”
    Still} f5 $1 {seems promising for the second player. For example} 28. Rxe7 fxe4
    29. Rxc6 bxc6 30. Bxe4 Rxf4 {when the compensation should not be enough.}) 25.
    Qf2 Bc7 $1 {Caruana liked the bishop here.} 26. Kh3 Qe7 {A strong resource,
    missed by Aronian.} (26… Qd5 27. Rc5 $1) 27. Ng5 {Finally, the knight lands
    on g5, but it is a bit late.} ({Maybe} 27. Rg1 Rg8 28. Rfg3 {was White’s best
    hope.}) 27… e5 $1 {Central powerplay.} ({But not} 27… Bxf3 28. Qxf3 Bd6 29.
    Qe4 {when White gets all then light squares.}) 28. Rxc6 $1 {Not even thinking
    about a retreat.} bxc6 29. Nxf7+ Rxf7 30. hxg6 {White is down a rook but his
    pawns look scary!} Rf6 {Surprisingly, this should have led to a draw.} ({
    Aronian felt too pessimistic at this stage of the game and believed that Black
    is winning after} 30… Rxf4 $1 31. Rxf4 exf4 {but things are not that simple
    and White can escape after} 32. Qxd4+ (32. Qc2 Qe6+ {wins for Black after} 33.
    Kg2 f3+ $1 34. Kxf3 Rf8+ {and mate.}) 32… Qe5 33. g7+ Kg8 {and now} 34. Bc4+
    ({Not} 34. Qd7 Qh5+ 35. Kg2 Qd5+ {(Aronian)}) 34… Kh7 35. Qd3+ Kxh6 36. g8=Q
    Rxg8 37. Bxg8 {with likely draw.}) 31. g7+ Kg8 32. Bc4+ ({The drawing line was
    } 32. Qh4 $1 e4 33. h7+ ({Not} 33. Bxe4 $2 Qxe4) 33… Kxg7 34. Rg3+ Kh8 35.
    Rg8+ $1 Rxg8 36. hxg8=Q+ Kxg8 37. Bc4+ Kg7 38. Qg5+ {when Black cannot escape
    the perpetual-} Kh7 (38… Kf8 $4 39. Qg8#) 39. Qg8+ Kh6 40. Qg5+) 32… Kh7 {
    Now Black wins.} 33. Qh4 e4 34. Rg3 Bxf4 35. g8=Q+ (35. Rb3 {loses to} Rxh6)
    35… Rxg8 36. Bxg8+ Kh8 37. Rg7 Qf8 $1 ({Avoiding the last trap:} 37… Qd6
    38. Rh7+ Kxg8 39. Qg4+ Rg6 40. Rg7+ $1 {and Black gets checkmated.}) 0-1

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.18”]
    [Round “7.4”]
    [White “Kramnik, Vladimir”]
    [Black “Ding, Liren”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “A28”]
    [WhiteElo “2800”]
    [BlackElo “2769”]
    [PlyCount “147”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 g6 5. g3 Bg7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O d6 8. b3 (
    8. Rb1 a5 9. a3 Re8 10. Nd2 Be6 11. Nd5 Qd7 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. Ne4 Bg7 14. Bh6
    Bh3 {Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2650)-Mamedyarov,S (2804) chess.com INT 2018}) 8…
    Nd4 9. Nd2 c6 10. e3 Ne6 11. Bb2 $146 ({Voorganger (4):} 11. Ba3 Re8 12. Nde4
    Nxe4 13. dxe4 Qa5 14. Bb2 Qc7 15. Qd2 Nc5 {Malakhov,V (2694)-Ding,L (2710)
    China 2014}) 11… Nc5 12. Qc2 a5 13. Rae1 Re8 14. h3 Bf5 15. e4 Bd7 16. Ne2 b5
    17. d4 exd4 18. Nxd4 (18. Bxd4 bxc4 19. Bxc5 cxb3 20. Nxb3 dxc5 21. Nxc5 Bc8)
    18… Rc8 19. N4f3 $2 {“A blunder.” (Kramnik)} ({Kramnik though he had a good
    version of a King’s Indian but Ding wasn’t so sure after e.g.} 19. Re3 d5)
    19… d5 $1 {Missed by Kramnik.} 20. exd5 Rxe1 21. Rxe1 cxd5 (21… Bf5 22. Qd1
    Nd3 {was also interesting.}) 22. cxb5 Bf5 23. Qd1 Nd3 24. Bd4 Rc1 (24… Nxe1)
    (24… Ne4 $5) 25. Qxc1 Nxc1 26. Rxc1 Ne4 27. Nf1 {A move Ding missed. Also
    here Kramnik thought he was better and Ding did not agree.} Bxd4 28. Nxd4 Qb6 (
    28… Bd7 $5 {Ding} 29. Bxe4 dxe4 30. Ne3 Qb6 31. Rc4) 29. Bxe4 dxe4 (29…
    Bxh3 $5 30. Bxd5 Qxd4) ({Kramnik was also very optimistic after} 29… Bxe4 30.
    Rd1 {but Ding played like the computer does:} a4 31. bxa4 (31. b4 a3 32. Ne3
    Qd6) 31… Qa7) 30. Nxf5 gxf5 31. a4 Qe6 32. Ne3 $6 (32. Rc3 h5 33. h4 {Kramnik
    }) 32… Qxb3 33. Rc4 (33. Nxf5 h5 34. Rc7 Kh7) 33… h5 34. h4 Kh7 35. Kg2 f6
    36. Rd4 Kg6 37. Rc4 Kf7 38. Kh2 Kg6 39. Kg1 Qb1+ 40. Kg2 Qb3 41. Rd4 Kf7 42.
    Rd5 Qxa4 43. Rxf5 Kg6 44. b6 (44. g4 hxg4 45. h5+ Kh7 46. Rc5 (46. Nxg4 e3)
    46… Qb3) 44… Qb3 45. Rxa5 Qxb6 46. Rd5 Qb2 47. Rf5 Qa2 48. Rc5 Qe2 49. Rc4
    Qa2 50. Rb4 Qa5 51. Rb8 Qa2 52. Rd8 Qa5 53. Rd5 Qa2 54. Rf5 Qe6 55. Rd5 Qa6 56.
    g4 hxg4 57. h5+ Kf7 58. Rd7+ Ke6 59. Rg7 Qe2 60. h6 Qf3+ 61. Kg1 g3 62. Rxg3
    Qh5 63. Rg7 f5 64. h7 f4 65. Ng4 Qh3 66. Rg6+ Kf5 67. Rg7 Ke6 68. Rg6+ Kf5 69.
    Nh6+ Kxg6 70. h8=Q Qxh6 71. Qe8+ Kf5 72. Qb5+ Kg4 73. Qe2+ Kf5 74. Qb5+ 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.19”]
    [Round “8”]
    [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”]
    [Black “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “E06”]
    [WhiteElo “2809”]
    [BlackElo “2763”]
    [PlyCount “60”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 c6 {Here
    Mamedyarov’s prep ended.} (7… a6 8. a4 Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6
    Bxf6 12. Nc3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Qxd4 14. Qxc7 Nc6 {Mamedyarov,S (2804)-Wei,Y (2743)
    Wijk aan Zee 2018}) 8. a4 b6 9. Nbd2 Bb7 10. Nxc4 c5 $146 (10… Nbd7 11. Rd1
    Rc8 12. Nfe5 Nd5 13. Qb3 Ba6 14. e4 N5f6 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bxf6 Nxf6 17. Rac1 Qc7
    {Poulopoulos,I (2212)-Erenberg,A (2359) Pardubice 2016}) 11. Rd1 Nbd7 12. b3 {
    The first small surprise for Karjakin.} Rc8 (12… Be4 13. Qb2 cxd4 14. Nxd4
    Bxg2 15. Kxg2) 13. dxc5 ({Karjakin expected} 13. Bf4 cxd4 14. Qb2 (14. Nxd4 $2
    Bxg2 15. Kxg2 e5)) 13… Bxc5 14. Nfe5 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Qc7 16. Nxd7 Nxd7 (16…
    Qb7+ 17. f3 Nxd7 18. e4) 17. Qe4 Nf6 18. Qf3 Qc6 19. Qxc6 Rxc6 20. f3 (20. Rd3
    $5 Rfc8 21. Bb2 Kf8 22. Rad1 {Mamedyarov}) 20… Rfc8 21. e4 Kf8 22. Bf4 Be7
    23. Rd3 Rd8 24. Rxd8+ Bxd8 25. Rd1 Be7 26. Ne5 Rc2+ 27. Rd2 Rc3 28. Rd3 Rc2+
    29. Rd2 Rc3 30. Rd3 Rc2+ 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.19”]
    [Round “8”]
    [White “Ding, Liren”]
    [Black “Aronian, Levon”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “A13”]
    [WhiteElo “2769”]
    [BlackElo “2794”]
    [PlyCount “81”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Bg2 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qxc4 c5 7. d4 Bc6 8.
    dxc5 Nbd7 9. Be3 Bd5 10. Qc2 Be4 11. Qc1 Ng4 $146 (11… Bxc5 12. Bxc5 Rc8 13.
    b4 b6 14. Nc3 bxc5 15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Qc4 Nef6 {Zhou,J (2566)-Adams,M (2729)
    Khanty-Mansiysk 2007}) 12. b4 {“This came as a surprise. I thought this
    shouldn’t work.” (Aronian)} (12. O-O Bxf3 (12… Nxe3 13. Qxe3 Bxb1 14. c6) 13.
    Bg5 Bxg2 14. Bxd8 Bxf1 15. Ba5) 12… a5 13. Bg5 {“Good move.” (Aronian)} f6
    14. Bd2 (14. Nbd2 $5 Bc6 (14… Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Nge5 16. Bxb7 fxg5 17. c6) 15.
    Qc4 Nxf2 16. O-O) (14. Qc4 Nxf2 15. Kxf2 Bd5 {Ding}) 14… axb4 15. Bxb4 Nxc5
    16. Bxc5 Rc8 {“I felt this position should be good for Black.” (Aronian)} ({
    Aronian wasn’t sure about} 16… Qa5+ 17. Nbd2 Bxc5 18. O-O Nxf2 19. Rxf2) 17.
    Qc4 (17. Qf4 Bxc5 18. Qxg4 f5 19. Qxg7 Bf8 20. Qb2 Bg7 {Aronian}) 17… Bxc5
    18. Qxe6+ Kf8 {Aronian thought this was OK for Black. “I promised my team to
    play solid today!”} 19. Qxg4 Bb4+ 20. Nbd2 Bxd2+ 21. Nxd2 Bxg2 22. Rg1 Bd5 (
    22… Bc6 {Aronian}) 23. Rd1 Qc7 24. Ne4 $1 {Missed by Aronian.} Rd8 (24…
    Bxa2 $5) 25. f3 Qe5 (25… Kf7 $6 26. Ng5+ $1) 26. Qf4 Qxf4 27. gxf4 Kf7 28.
    Nc3 Bc4 29. a4 (29. Rb1 b5 30. Nxb5 Rhe8 31. Nc3 Re3 32. Rc1 Rde8) 29… Rxd1+
    30. Kxd1 Rd8+ 31. Kc2 Rc8 32. Kd2 Ba6 33. Ne4 Kf8 34. f5 Rd8+ 35. Ke3 Rd5 36.
    Rc1 (36. Ng3 Ra5 37. Rc1 Rxa4 38. Rc8+ Kf7 39. Rc7+ Kf8 40. Nh5 Ra2 41. Nf4 Kg8
    {“If I don’t get mated I will make a draw.” (Aronian)}) 36… Rxf5 37. Rc8+ Ke7
    38. Rc7+ Kf8 39. Rc8+ Ke7 40. Rc7+ Kf8 41. Rc8+ 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.19”]
    [Round “8”]
    [White “So, Wesley”]
    [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “C42”]
    [WhiteElo “2799”]
    [BlackElo “2784”]
    [PlyCount “129”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. d3 (6. Nc3 Nxc3 7.
    dxc3 Qxe2+ 8. Bxe2 Nc6 9. Be3 Be7 10. O-O-O O-O 11. Rhe1 Bf6 12. Nd2 Re8 {
    Kramnik,V (2800)-Caruana,F (2784) Berlin GER 2018}) 6… Nf6 7. Nc3 Qxe2+ 8.
    Bxe2 g6 9. Bg5 (9. Nd4 a6 10. Bf4 Bg7 11. h3 Bd7 12. Bf3 Nc6 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14.
    Bxc6+ bxc6 {Carlsen,M (2834)-Caruana,F (2811) Wijk aan Zee 2018}) 9… Bg7 10.
    O-O-O O-O $146 (10… h6 11. Bd2 Bd7 12. Rde1 O-O 13. Bd1 a6 14. Ne4 Nxe4 15.
    Rxe4 Nc6 {Foisor,C (2427)-Foisor,M (2217) Warsaw 2011}) 11. Rhe1 h6 12. Bh4 {
    So regretted this as the bishop will be badly placed. “I should play better
    earlier on.”} (12. Be3 Ng4) 12… Nc6 {Caruana Black was aleady more
    comfortable here.} 13. d4 a6 14. a3 Bd7 15. d5 Na7 (15… Ne7 16. Bxa6) 16. Nd4
    Nc8 17. Nb3 (17. f3 Re8 18. Bf2) 17… g5 (17… Re8 18. f3) 18. Bg3 Re8 19.
    Na5 (19. f3 Nh5 20. Bf2 Nf4 21. Bf1 Nb6) 19… b5 {“Principled.” (Caruana)} ({
    Caruana was surprised about Na5 until he saw} 19… b6 20. Nc4 Ne7 21. Ne3 {
    and the knight is well placed on e3.}) 20. f3 Nh5 21. Bf2 Nf4 22. Bf1 Nb6 (
    22… Rxe1 23. Bxe1 Nb6 24. g3 Bxc3 25. Bxc3 Nfxd5 26. Bd4 {with enough
    compesation.}) 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Bxb6 cxb6 25. Nb7 {“Very critical but also
    risky for White.” (Caruana)} Be5 (25… Bxc3 $5 26. bxc3 Re5 27. Nxd6 (27. c4
    bxc4 28. Bxc4 Nxg2 29. Nxd6) 27… Nxd5 28. Ne4 Bc6 29. c4) 26. Ne4 Rb8 27.
    Nexd6 Ng6 28. g3 Ne7 29. a4 Nf5 (29… Nc8 30. Nxc8 Rxc8 31. axb5 axb5 32. d6
    Rb8 33. Bg2 {Caruana}) 30. Nxf5 Bxf5 31. Re1 f6 32. Rxe5 fxe5 33. Nd6 Bd7 34.
    axb5 axb5 (34… a5 $5 35. Bd3 Kg7 36. Kd2 Kf6 {is also OK for White.}) 35.
    Bxb5 Bxb5 36. Nxb5 Rf8 37. Kd2 Rxf3 38. Ke2 g4 39. Nd6 h5 40. Nc4 b5 41. Nxe5
    Rf5 42. Ng6 Kf7 43. Nf4 h4 {This knight move, which reminds of Karpov’s famous
    Ng2 against Kasparov, “completely shocked” Caruana.} 44. Ng2 $5 (44. Ke3 Re5+ (
    44… h3 $5) 45. Kd4 (45. Kd2) 45… Re1 46. gxh4 Rh1 {Caruana}) 44… hxg3 45.
    hxg3 Rf3 (45… Rxd5 46. Ne3) 46. Ne3 Rxg3 47. c4 bxc4 48. d6 (48. Nxc4 Kf6 49.
    d6 Rh3 50. d7 Rh8 {Caruana}) 48… Ke6 49. Nxc4 Rf3 50. d7 {With some accurate
    moves So is going for a rather clear draw.} Rf8 51. Ne3 g3 52. d8=Q Rxd8 53.
    Kf3 Rd3 54. Kf4 Rb3 55. Ng2 Kd5 56. Nh4 Kc4 57. Kg4 Rd3 58. b4 Rb3 59. b5 Kd5
    60. b6 Ke4 61. b7 Rxb7 62. Kxg3 Rg7+ 63. Kf2 Rg4 64. Ng2 Rxg2+ 65. Kxg2 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.19”]
    [Round “8.2”]
    [White “Grischuk, Alexander”]
    [Black “Kramnik, Vladimir”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “D40”]
    [WhiteElo “2767”]
    [BlackElo “2800”]
    [PlyCount “181”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nf3 c5 5. e3 dxc4 6. Bxc4 a6 7. Bb3 ({Instead,
    the world champion chose:} 7. O-O b5 8. Be2 Bb7 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.
    Nd2 {against Wesley So and later won, Carlsen,M (2832)-So,W (2815) chess.com
    INT 2017}) 7… b5 8. e4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bb7 {The opening that Kramnik chose is
    somewhat provocative as he is lagging in development. Grischuk has every right
    to play aggressively.} 10. e5 $146 ({Therapeutic measures do not yield White
    anything:} 10. O-O Nc6 11. Be3 Bd6 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Bd4 Qc7 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15.
    Qh5 O-O {with equality in the predecessor Maljush,A (2344)-Kupreichik, V (2464)
    Minsk 2004}) 10… Ne4 {The alternatives were:} (10… Bxg2 $2 {which drops a
    piece after} 11. Rg1) (10… Nd5 {which gives full control to White after} 11.
    Nxd5 Bxd5 12. O-O Bxb3 13. axb3) ({And} 10… Nfd7 {which allows the dangerous
    sacrifice} 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nxe6 Qc8 13. O-O) 11. O-O ({Safer and easier seems
    } 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. O-O {with the idea to exploit the position of the black
    bishop for further tempo-gainers, such as Qd1-g4 at the proper moment. If} Nc6
    13. Nxc6 Bxc6 ({Better is} 13… Qxd1 14. Rxd1 Bxc6 15. Be3 {although White is
    a bit better in the endgame as well.}) 14. Qg4 {with advantage for White.})
    11… Nxc3 12. bxc3 Nc6 13. a4 ({Also interesting is} 13. Qf3 Rc8 {with the
    idea} 14. Nxc6 Bxc6 ({The cunning} 14… Qh4 $5 {to deprive White of the
    Qf3-g3 maneuver is answered by the even more cunning} 15. Bd5 $5 exd5 16. Nd4 {
    when White is better.}) 15. Qg3) 13… Bc5 $1 {Kramnik catches up with the
    development as quickly as he can.} 14. axb5 axb5 ({Weaker is} 14… Nxd4 15.
    cxd4 Bxd4 16. Ra4 Bxe5 17. Qh5 {when White gets everything that he wants.}) 15.
    Rxa8 Bxa8 16. Nxb5 O-O {Just sacking the pawn.} ({White wins a pawn after}
    16… Qxd1 17. Rxd1 Nxe5 18. Nc7+ Ke7 19. Bg5+ f6 20. Nxe6 fxg5 21. Nxc5 Rc8
    22. Na4) ({However} 16… Nxe5 {looks solid enough. For example:} 17. Qe2 ({
    White has nothing in case of:} 17. Qxd8+ Kxd8 18. Rd1+ (18. Bg5+ f6) 18… Ke7)
    17… Nd7 18. Rd1 O-O) 17. Qxd8 Rxd8 18. Bf4 h6 19. h4 Ne7 {For the pawn Black
    has more active pieces and the c3 pawn is far from dangerous.} 20. Rd1 Rb8 $1 {
    The black rook is more valuable than his counterpart.} ({Surely not} 20…
    Rxd1+ 21. Bxd1) 21. Bc4 ({After} 21. c4 Bc6 22. Ba4 Nf5 {Black gets strong
    counter-play on the kingside. Say:} 23. h5 Nh4 24. g3 Nf3+ 25. Kf1 Nh2+ 26. Kg1
    Ng4 $1) 21… Bc6 22. Nd4 Be4 (22… Bxd4 23. cxd4 Nf5 {should be easy to draw
    for Black (Svidler).}) 23. h5 (23. Re1 $5 Bg6 24. Be3 {might be better.}) 23…
    Nd5 24. Bxd5 ({In the coming time-trouble Grischuk wants to keep the black
    rook away from the second rank:} 24. Bd2 Rb2 25. Bxd5 Bxd5 26. Be3) 24… Bxd5
    {With the gain of the bishop pair Black’s compensation became more obvious.
    Experienced players know that the power of the pair often compensates for a
    pawn.} 25. Be3 Rc8 ({If} 25… Rb2 26. Ra1 $1) 26. Re1 Bc4 27. Nf3 Ba3 28. Bd4
    Bd3 29. Nd2 Bb2 30. Nf1 Rc4 ({Or} 30… Kf8 31. Re3 Bh7) 31. Re3 Bf5 ({Kramnik
    rejected} 31… Bxc3 32. Bxc3 Rxc3 {because he could not see a way to break
    the pin after} 33. f3 {However, there is no progress either as White cannot
    win without the king but whenever he tries to activate it , say like this-} g6
    34. hxg6 fxg6 35. Kh2 {then the rook escapes-} Rc1 {with a draw.}) 32. Ng3 Bh7
    33. Kh2 $1 {Now the king enters the battle in a slightly unusual way and Black
    has to fight for his life.} Bc1 34. Re2 Bf4 35. Kh3 Ra4 (35… Bg5 $5 {was
    interesting with the idea to generate counterplay after} 36. Kg4 Bd3 37. Ra2 f6
    ) 36. Kg4 Bc1 37. Kf3 Bd3 38. Re1 Bb2 39. Ke3 Bc2 40. Kd2 Bb3 $6 {Kramnik
    believed this was wrong and suggested to keep the bishop on the b1-h7 diagonal.
    } (40… Bh7 41. Ne4) 41. Rb1 {The first time control is finally reached and
    Grischuk starts improving everything that he can.} Ra2 42. Kd3 Ba4 43. Ne4 Ba3
    44. Ke3 Bc2 45. Re1 Bb3 46. g4 Bd5 47. Kd3 Be7 48. Rb1 Ra8 49. f4 Bh4 50. Rh1
    Bd8 51. Rb1 Bc7 52. Ke3 Kh7 53. Nd6 Kg8 ({The opposite-colored bishop endgame
    after} 53… Bxd6 $2 54. exd6 Rd8 55. Rb6 {is lost for Black.}) 54. Rb5 Bc6 55.
    Rb4 Bd8 56. Bb6 Bh4 57. Bd4 Bg2 58. Rb2 Bc6 59. Rb6 Bg2 60. Rb2 Bc6 61. Rb3 Bg3
    {So far so good, but here White hurried to push the pawn.} 62. c4 $6 ({Instead
    he should have prepared it for one more move-} 62. Ne4 Bh4 ({Here} 62… Bh2 {
    is just bad due to} 63. Rb2 Bg1+ 64. Kd3 Bxd4 65. Kxd4) 63. c4 {with decent
    winning chances.}) 62… Bh2 $1 {Now Black is back in business.} 63. f5 ({
    White has nothing more than repetition in the line} 63. c5 Bd5 64. Rc3 Bc6)
    63… exf5 64. Nxf5 ({According to Kramnik, Grischuk should have gone for} 64.
    gxf5 f6 65. Rb6) 64… Kh7 65. Bb2 {Once again the players entered the
    low-time phase.} Re8 (65… Ra2 $5) 66. Nd6 Re7 67. Rb8 f6 68. Rc8 Bh1 $6 {
    Getting overly ambitious again.} ({Instead} 68… Bxe5 69. Bxe5 Rxe5+ 70. Kf4
    Bd7 {“should be a draw” (Kramnik) although it is evident that Black needs to
    suffer for it.}) ({However Kramnik’s second idea} 68… Bd7 $1 {was strong
    when after} 69. Rc7 fxe5 70. c5 e4 $1 {would be the correct move order. Here
    Black is perfectly fine.} ({Rather than} 70… Bf4+ {which allows the
    interesting resource:} 71. Ke4 (71. Kf2 e4) 71… Bf5+ 72. gxf5 Rxc7 73. Kd5))
    69. Nf5 Rb7 70. exf6 ({Even stronger was:} 70. e6 $1 Rb3+ 71. Bc3) 70… Rb3+ {
    This was the position that Black evaluated in his favor, but..} 71. Bc3 $1 {
    Kramnik completely missed this study-like idea.} ({Instead} 71. Kd4 Bg1+ 72.
    Ke5 {is perpetual after} gxf6+ 73. Kxf6 Rxb2 74. Rc7+) ({While} 71. Kf2 {drops
    the bishop} Rxb2+) 71… gxf6 (71… Rxc3+ 72. Kd4 {wins for White.}) 72. Kd2
    Bf4+ 73. Kc2 {Grischuk kept the extra pawn but what’s more important has nasty
    threats in the time-trouble.} Rb8 74. Rxb8 Bxb8 75. Ne7 $1 {“Very strong
    practical chance.” (Kramnik)} (75. Bxf6 {is a draw after} Bf3 76. Ne3 Ba7 77.
    Kd3 Bxe3 78. Kxe3 Bxg4) 75… Be4+ ({Kramnik’s suggestion} 75… Ba7 {does not
    seem convincing here:} 76. Kd3 Bf3 77. Nd5) ({Best seems to be} 75… Bf3 76.
    Nd5 Be5 77. Bxe5 fxe5 78. Ne3 Kg7 {when Black has chances to hold.}) 76. Kd2
    Bf4+ {White soon won second pawn and the game.} 77. Ke2 Kg7 (77… Bg5 78. c5)
    78. Nf5+ Kf7 79. Bd2 Be5 80. Bxh6 Ke6 81. Be3 Bxf5 82. gxf5+ Kxf5 83. h6 Kg6 ({
    Or} 83… Ke4 84. h7 f5 85. c5 Kd5 86. Kd3) 84. c5 f5 85. Kf3 Kf7 86. Bf4 Bd4
    87. c6 Ke7 88. c7 Kd7 89. h7 Kc8 90. Ke2 Kd7 91. Kd3 1-0

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.20”]
    [Round “9”]
    [White “So, Wesley”]
    [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “C67”]
    [WhiteElo “2799”]
    [BlackElo “2767”]
    [PlyCount “68”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
    8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Bf4 (11. Rxe8+ Nxe8 12. c3 d5 13. Bf4 c6
    14. Nd2 g6 15. Bd3 Ng7 16. h3 Bf5 {Anand,V (2776)-Grischuk,A (2767) Moscow 2018
    }) 11… Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13. c3 d5 14. Bd3 g6 15. Qe2 c6 16. Nd2 Ng7 17. Re1
    Bf5 18. Bxf5 Nxf5 19. Nf3 Ng7 20. Be5 Ne6 (20… Bxe5 21. Nxe5 Qd6) 21. Bxf6
    Qxf6 22. Ne5 Re8 23. g3 $146 (23. Ng4 Qd8 24. Qe5 Ng7 25. Qxe8+ Nxe8 26. Rxe8+
    Qxe8 27. Nf6+ Kf8 28. Nxe8 Kxe8 29. Kf1 (29. f4 f5 30. Kf2 b5 31. b4 Kf7 32. h3
    (32. g3 Kf6 33. Kf3 Ke6 34. Ke3 Kf6 35. Kf3 Ke6 {1/2-1/2 (35) Carlsen,M (2872)
    -Anand,V (2773) Zurich SUI 2014}) 32… h6 33. h4 h5 {1/2-1/2 (33) Carlsen,M
    (2870)-Anand,V (2775) Chennai IND 2013}) 29… Ke7 30. Ke2 Ke6 31. Ke3 Kf5 {
    ½-½ Motylev,A (2658)-Potkin,V (2594) Fufeng 2017}) 23… Ng7 24. Kg2 Re6 25.
    Qd1 Qe7 26. Nd3 Rxe1 27. Qxe1 Qxe1 28. Nxe1 Nf5 29. Nd3 Kf8 30. g4 Nd6 31. h4
    h6 32. f3 Ke7 33. Kf2 g5 34. hxg5 hxg5 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.20”]
    [Round “9”]
    [White “Aronian, Levon”]
    [Black “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “E06”]
    [WhiteElo “2794”]
    [BlackElo “2809”]
    [PlyCount “82”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 b6 {
    Aronian got surprised by this.} 8. Qxc4 Bb7 9. Nc3 c5 10. Rd1 Nbd7 (10… cxd4
    11. Bf4 Qc8 12. Qxc8 Rxc8 13. Nb5 {Mamedyarov}) 11. Ne5 (11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. b4
    Bxf2+ 13. Kxf2 Rc8 14. Qf4 Rxc3 15. Bb2 Rc7 {Bu,X (2710)-Bacrot,E (2715)
    Tbilisi 2017}) 11… Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Qc8 13. Nxd7 Qxd7 14. dxc5 Qc6+ 15. f3 $146
    (15. e4 a6 16. Qe2 Bxc5 17. Bg5 Be7 18. Rac1 Qb7 19. Qf3 h6 20. Bf4 Rfd8 {
    Fridman,D (2607)-Rambaldi,F (2544) Bergamo 2016}) 15… Qxc5 16. Qxc5 Bxc5 17.
    Bf4 Rfd8 18. e4 Ne8 19. Kf1 Kf8 20. Ke2 Ke7 $6 (20… f6 {Mamedyarov}) 21. Nb5
    Rdc8 22. Rac1 a6 23. Nc3 b5 24. a4 (24. e5 $5 {(Dreev)} Bb6 $1 25. Ne4 Rxc1 26.
    Rxc1 Bd4) 24… Bd6 25. Be3 Rab8 (25… Be5 26. axb5 axb5 27. Nxb5 Bxb2 28.
    Bc5+ Kf6) 26. axb5 axb5 27. Ba7 Rb7 28. Bd4 Rc4 29. e5 Bc5 30. Nd5+ exd5 31.
    Bxc5+ Ke6 32. b3 $2 {“Crazy blunder.” (Aronian)} (32. Bd4 Rbc7 33. Ra1 Ra4)
    32… Rxc1 33. Rxc1 Kxe5 34. Kd3 Ke6 35. Bb4 Kd7 36. Kd4 (36. Re1 Nc7 37. Re7+
    Kc6 38. Rxf7 Na6 39. Rf4 (39. Be7 Nc5+) 39… Nxb4+ 40. Rxb4 Rf7) 36… Nc7 37.
    Ba5 Ne6+ 38. Kxd5 Ra7 39. b4 Ra6 40. f4 Rd6+ 41. Ke4 Rd4+ 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.20”]
    [Round “9”]
    [White “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Black “Kramnik, Vladimir”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “D35”]
    [WhiteElo “2763”]
    [BlackElo “2800”]
    [PlyCount “81”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 c5 7. Rb1 Be7 8.
    Nf3 (8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. Bd3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Nc6 11. Be2 Rc8 12. Nf3 Qa5+ 13. Bd2 Bb4
    {Mamedyarov,S (2809)-Kramnik,V (2800) Berlin GER 2018}) 8… O-O 9. h4 $146 {
    “Our preparation. An idea of my second Alexander Riazantsev. It’s also
    important that the computer doesnt really show it.”} (9. Bc4 Qc7 10. Qe2 a6 11.
    O-O b5 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. a4 bxa4 14. Bf4 Qc8 {Carlsen,M (2832)-So,W (2815) chess.
    com INT 2017}) 9… cxd4 10. cxd4 Nc6 11. h5 f5 $5 {“Very hard to expect but I
    don’t really believe it.” (Karjakin)} ({“Of course we expected} 11… h6 {
    to prevent h6.” (Karjakin)}) 12. exf5 ({“I could have played} 12. e5 {as I
    discussed with Alexei Shirov [who visited the tournament today – PD], but I
    didn’t like that he will play} b6 {and gradually block d5, put the bishop on
    b7…” (Karjakin)}) 12… Qa5+ 13. Bd2 Qxf5 14. Bc3 $1 {An important move. Now
    d4 is protected, and Bd3 is threatened.} h6 (14… Qg4 15. Be2 Qxg2 16. Rg1 Qh3
    17. d5 $1 {Karjakin}) (14… b6) 15. Bd3 Qg4 16. Kf1 e5 {“Interesting, but too
    sharp and I think bad, but practically interesting.” (Karjakin)} 17. d5 e4 (
    17… Nd4 18. Nxe5 Qf4 19. Bxd4 Qxd4 20. Bh7+) 18. dxc6 exf3 19. gxf3 Rxf3 ({
    Relatively better was} 19… Qxf3 20. Qxf3 Rxf3 21. Ke2 Rxd3 22. Kxd3 Bf5+ 23.
    Ke2 bxc6 {Karjakin}) 20. Be2 ({“To play} 20. cxb7 Bxb7 21. Qb3+ Kh8 22. Qxb7
    Raf8 23. Qe4 Rxf2+ 24. Ke1 {over the board was a bit too much.” (Karjakin)})
    20… Rxf2+ (20… Rh3 21. Rg1 Qf4 22. Qd5+) 21. Kxf2 Bc5+ 22. Kf1 Qf4+ (22…
    Qg3 23. Qd5+ Be6 24. Qxe6+ Kh8 25. Qxh6+) 23. Bf3 bxc6 {“Somehow it wasn’t so
    easy.” (Karjakin)} 24. Be1 $1 {Good defense.} Be6 25. Bh4 Rf8 26. Kg2 Kh8 {
    “A brilliant move.” (Karjakin)} 27. Rc1 ({Karjakin didn’t like} 27. Bg3 Qg5 {
    because Black threatens to take on f3 but there is the move} 28. Re1 $1 {
    with the idea} Rxf3 29. Qxf3 Bd5 30. Re4) 27… Rf5 $1 {In time trouble
    Kramnik finds another good try.} 28. Rc3 Rd5 (28… Bd4 29. Rxc6 Rg5+ 30. Bxg5
    Qxg5+ 31. Kf1 Bh3+ 32. Ke1 Qg3+ 33. Kd2 Qf4+ 34. Kc2 Bf5+ 35. Kb3 Qe3+ 36. Ka4
    {Karjakin}) (28… Bb6 $5) 29. Bxd5 Bxd5+ 30. Rf3 Qg4+ 31. Bg3 Bd6 32. Rh3 Be7
    33. Qe2 Be4 34. Qf2 a5 35. a4 ({Karjakin played this move because he calculated
    } 35. Rh1 Bc5 36. Rh4 Qxh4 37. Bxh4 Bxf2 38. Kxf2 Bxf3 39. Kxf3 g6 40. Ke4 gxh5
    41. Kd4 Kg7 (41… a4 $5) 42. Kc5 Kg6 (42… a4 $5) 43. Kxc6 Kf5 (43… a4 $5)
    44. Kb5 Kg4 45. Bd8 h4 46. Kxa5 h3 47. Bc7 {and he imaged it would be nice to
    have his pawn on a4!}) (35. Rh1) 35… c5 36. Rh1 Bf6 37. Re1 Bc6 38. Ree3 c4
    39. Qe2 Qxh5 40. Qxc4 Bd7 41. Rd3 {“I didn’t see any draw for him so maybe I
    didn’t play perfectly but I never lost an advantage.” (Karjakin)} 1-0

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.20”]
    [Round “9”]
    [White “Caruana, Fabiano”]
    [Black “Ding, Liren”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “E00”]
    [WhiteElo “2784”]
    [BlackElo “2769”]
    [PlyCount “133”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qb3
    b6 9. Nc3 Ba6 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. Rfc1 ({The alternative is:} 12. Qa4
    a6 13. Qb3 Nfd7 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. Rfc1 {Ortega,M (2443)-Jakubowski,K (2529)
    Figueira da Foz 2017}) 12… Nc6 {Allows a forcing continuation.} ({Ding
    disliked the line:} 12… Nfd7 13. Nd3 {which Caruana considered “playable,
    but probably equal.”}) 13. Nxd5 Nxd4 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Qc4 Bxg2 16. Qxd4 Rfd8
    17. Qf4 $146 ({Both players calculated the line:} 17. Qb4 Qxb4 18. Bxb4 Bb7 19.
    Rc7 Ba6 {which would lead to “the same” (Ding) after:} 20. Rac1 (20. Nxf7 Nd5
    21. Nxd8 Nxc7 22. Nc6 {1/2-1/2 (22) Gleizerov,E (2545)-Farago,I (2515)
    Oberwart 1996}) 20… Nd5 21. Rxf7 $1 Bxe2 $1 ({But not} 21… Nxb4 $4 22. Rcc7
    {with quick mate.})) 17… Bb7 18. Bb4 Qe8 19. Rc7 Nd5 20. Qxf7+ Qxf7 21. Rxf7
    Ba6 22. Ba3 Bxe2 23. Rc1 {Straight from the opening White entered a promising
    endgame where he can play for a win without any risk. A dream situation for
    Caruana and his tournament position!} Bh5 24. Rb7 Be8 25. Kg2 a5 26. h4 Rdb8
    27. Rxb8 Rxb8 28. g4 b5 ({Here strong was} 28… h5 $1 29. g5 b5 30. b3 b4 31.
    Bb2 Ne7 {“followed by Ne7-f5” (Caruana)}) 29. b3 b4 (29… h5 $1) 30. Bb2 a4 {
    Ding: “I played this move too quickly. I did not realize the danger after…}
    31. h5 $1 {…when it is very unpleasant for Black to defend.” “Black cannot
    really clarify the situation and lacks any counterplay” (Caruana)} Ra8 32. Kg3
    {This endgame somehow reminded the experts of the classic Kasparov-Petrosian,
    Niksic 1983. The future world champion managed to win even without the
    queenside pawns, with the same pieces left on the board. Another difference
    was that the e6 pawn stands on d5, which probably favors White. But in any
    case the presence of the opposite-colored bishops is not necessary helping
    Black, but quite the opposite. It provides White extra attacking chances.} Kf8
    33. Nf3 Bd7 34. Rc4 Kg8 35. Ne5 Bb5 36. Rc5 Be8 37. Nc4 Bd7 38. Ne5 Be8 39. Bd4
    Kf8 40. f3 Ke7 41. Kh4 $1 ({At first White wanted to play:} 41. Nd3 g6 (41…
    Kf8 {might be better.}) 42. h6 {but he disliked} g5 43. Nf2 Bg6 {Still, White
    is better after} 44. Ne4 axb3 45. axb3 Ra3 46. Nxg5 Rxb3 47. Rc6) 41… Kf8 42.
    Kg5 {Provoking a weakening.} h6+ 43. Kh4 Kg8 44. Kg3 Kh7 {Here Caruana
    regretted about his provocation as he thought the king is safer on h7. But it
    turned out it is not.} 45. Nd3 Kg8 46. Rc1 axb3 47. axb3 Kh7 48. Nc5 Bf7 49.
    Re1 Ne7 $1 50. Bb2 ({Black’s idea is revealed in the line:} 50. Nxe6 Nc6 51.
    Bc5 Re8 52. Nf8+ Kg8 {with a draw (Caruana)}) 50… Nc6 51. f4 Ra2 52. Nd3 e5
    $1 {Correctly trading pawns.} 53. fxe5 {Ding is within a reach of the draw,
    but now starts to slowly slip.} Bxb3 ({Safer was} 53… Nd8 54. Re4 Bxb3 55.
    Rxb4 Bf7 {(Caruana)}) 54. e6 Ra7 ({White saw the correct defense} 54… Bc4 $1
    55. e7 Nxe7 56. Rxe7 Bxd3 57. Rxg7+ Kh8 58. Bd4 b3 {There are many discovered
    checks, but none of them is lethal:} 59. Rb7+ Kg8 60. Rxb3 Be2 {(Caruana)}) 55.
    Nc5 Bc4 {This loses.} ({Bad was} 55… Bd5 56. Nd7 Ne7 57. Rf1 $1) ({Strangely,
    the only defense was:} 55… Ba2 56. Nd7 Ra8 57. Rf1 Nd8 58. e7 Nf7) 56. Nd7
    Bb5 {“Very good defense” (Caruana). But Black might be lost already.} ({
    They both saw the beautiful line} 56… Ra2 57. e7 Bf7 58. Rf1 $1 ({Not} 58.
    e8=Q Bxe8 59. Rxe8 Rxb2 60. Nf8+ {when the king escapes} Kg8) 58… Kg8 59.
    e8=Q+ Bxe8 60. Rf8+ Kh7 61. Nf6+ $1 gxf6 62. Bxf6 {with study-like mate.}) ({
    Black also loses after} 56… Ne7 57. Re4 Bb5 (57… Bd5 58. Rf4) 58. Rf4 Bxd7
    59. Rf7 $1 {(Caruana)}) (56… Bxe6 $2 57. Nf8+) 57. Nf8+ ({Caruana misses the
    strong idea} 57. Re3 Bc4 58. Rf3 $1 {with unstoppable Rf3-f7!} Bxe6 59. Nf8+)
    57… Kg8 58. Ng6 Ne7 {An oversight, just very close to the draw.} ({Both}
    58… Ra8 $1) ({Or} 58… Bd3 $1 {should have held.}) 59. Ra1 $1 {“I missed
    this move, but I was very lucky that I have…} Nc6 {…and I did not lose
    immediately.” (Ding)} (59… Rxa1 {drops a piece after} 60. Nxe7+ Kf8 61. Ng6+)
    60. Rd1 {Going for the king once more.} (60. e7 {does not even win a pawn but
    definitely draws due to the opposite-colored bishops after} Kf7 61. e8=Q+ Kxe8
    62. Rxa7 Nxa7 63. Bxg7 b3) 60… Kh7 $1 {The most tenacious defense, which
    prevents the maneuver Rd1-d5-f5-f8 (with a check). (Caruana)} 61. Rd5 Ba4 (
    61… Bc4 {loses to} 62. Rc5) ({And} 61… Rb7 {to} 62. Rf5 Bd3 63. Rf7 {
    (Caruana)}) 62. Kf4 ({Caruana missed the study-like win after} 62. Rd2 $3 {
    This takes away the c2 square and preserves the knight on g6. Both players saw
    the move, but not the follow-up:} Bb5 (62… Bb3 63. Rf2 {with the threat
    Rf2-f8-h8 is decisive since} Ra8 {weakens the seventh rank and is equaly bad
    after} 64. Rf7) 63. Rf2 Bd3 64. Nf8+ $1 Kg8 65. Nd7 $3 {This is extremely
    difficult to find. White ruins the mating net, in order to create another one.
    After} Bc4 66. Rf8+ Kh7 67. Re8 $1 {the return of the Jedi to g6 (sorry, the
    knight) will finish the game.}) 62… Bc2 63. Rc5 ({Caruana thought he should
    have tried the endgame after} 63. Ne5 Nxe5 64. Kxe5 {although he considered it
    drawish, but unplesant.}) 63… Ba4 64. g5 hxg5+ ({Correct was the preliminary
    } 64… Ra8 65. Rf5 hxg5+ 66. Kxg5 Nd8 67. e7 Ne6+ 68. Kg4 Kg8 {when Black
    should hold.}) 65. Rxg5 Nd8 {Now a second chance is given to Caruana.} 66. Re5
    {And he misses it!} ({They both got extremely tired and missed the final move
    in the line} 66. Nf8+ Kg8 67. h6 Kxf8 68. h7 $1) 66… Be8 67. e7 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.22”]
    [Round “10”]
    [White “Kramnik, Vladimir”]
    [Black “Aronian, Levon”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “C50”]
    [WhiteElo “2800”]
    [BlackElo “2794”]
    [PlyCount “73”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. Nd5 ({The move:} 6. a3 {
    led to surprisingly sharp game after} h6 7. h3 Qe7 8. Ne2 d6 9. c3 Ba7 10. Ng3
    Bd7 11. b4 O-O-O 12. a4 {Godena,M (2513)-Carlstedt,J (2442) Berlin 2015}) 6…
    Nxd5 7. Bxd5 d6 $146 {This logical move is a novelty.} ({Previously:} 7… O-O
    8. Bg5 Be7 9. h4 d6 10. Qd2 Bg4 11. c3 Qd7 12. O-O-O {has been tested in Benda,
    H (2274)-Kilgus,G (2354) Austria 2007}) 8. Be3 Bxe3 9. fxe3 O-O {Now an
    approximately equal game emerges. White’s plan is clear: to castle, then bring
    the queen on g3, knight on h4 and eventually f5, double the rooks on the
    f-file and eventually mate. Black on his turn has many ways to try and prevent
    this.} 10. O-O Nb8 $5 {A nice maneuver.} ({Safer looks} 10… Ne7 11. Bb3 Ng6
    12. Qe1 Be6 {although then the knight on g6 does not do much.}) 11. b4 {
    An agressive try, which however makes it easier for Black to find counterplay
    on the queenside.} ({After} 11. a3 Nd7 12. Qe1 Nf6 13. Ba2 Be6 {the position
    will be equal.}) 11… Nd7 12. Qd2 (12. Qe1 c6 13. Bb3 a5 14. a3) 12… c6 13.
    Bb3 a5 14. a3 Nf6 15. h3 h6 16. Rab1 b5 17. Qc3 Bd7 {Aronian wants to play for
    more than a draw.} ({Safe was to get rid of the light squared bishops as soon
    as possible with:} 17… Qb6 18. Rbe1 (18. Kh2 Be6 ({Or} 18… Bd7 $5)) 18…
    Be6 {with equality.} ({While} 18… Ra7 $5 {would lead to a sharp game as well
    after} 19. Nh4)) 18. Rf2 {From here on Kramnik is consistently preparing the
    exchange sacrifice on f6.} Qb6 19. Re1 Rfe8 {Preparing c6-c5.} (19… c5 $6 20.
    bxc5 {leaves the central pawn hanging.}) 20. Nh4 c5 21. Ref1 {More preparation
    is needed.} ({This was the first moment in which the exchange sacrifice was a
    serious option:} 21. Rxf6 gxf6 22. Bd5 {would be well met with:} cxb4 $1 ({
    This is better than} 22… Ra7 23. Rf1 cxb4 24. Qe1) 23. axb4 Ra7 {and Black
    should repel the attack.}) 21… cxb4 {“I thought this is awfully dangerous.”
    (Kramnik)} ({Kramnik spent all his time on the idea:} 21… c4 {either at once,
    }) ({or the preliminary} 21… axb4 22. axb4 c4 {For example:} 23. dxc4 bxc4 (
    23… Nxe4 $2 {is bad due} 24. c5 {(Kramnik)}) 24. Qxc4 Be6 25. Qe2 (25. Qd3
    Qxb4 {“is equal” (Kramnik)}) 25… Nxe4 26. Rxf7 $5 {Then the former world
    champion continued with his interesting calculations:} Ng3 $2 {(This actually
    loses)} ({However} 26… d5 $1 {is very strong when Black takes over.}) {Here}
    27. Qf3 $1 {was rejected by Kramnik on the account of} (27. Qd3 e4 (27… Nxf1
    28. Rxg7+ Kf8 $1 {save Black indeed.} ({Rather than} 28… Kxg7 $2 29. Qg6+ Kf8
    30. Qf6+ Kg8 31. Nf5 Ra7 32. Bxe6+ Rxe6 33. Qxe6+ Kh7 34. Qxh6+ Kg8 35. Qg6+
    Kf8 36. Kxf1 {with clear advantage for White.})) 28. Bxe6 exd3 29. Rf8+ Kh7 30.
    Bg8+ Kh8 31. Ng6# {(Kramnik)}) 27… Nxf1 {but there is a mate after} 28. Rf8+
    $1 Rxf8 29. Bxe6+ Kh7 (29… Kh8 30. Ng6+ {loses for Black as well.}) 30. Qe4+
    Kh8 31. Ng6+ Kh7 32. Nxf8+ Kh8 33. Qh7#) 22. Qe1 d5 $1 {It is mandatory to
    bring the queen into the defense.} (22… bxa3 $2 {loses after the forcing:}
    23. Rxf6 gxf6 24. Qg3+ Kh7 ({Or} 24… Kf8 25. Ng6+ $1 fxg6 26. Qxg6 Qxe3+ 27.
    Kh2 Be6 28. Qxf6+ Kg8 29. Bxe6+ Rxe6 30. Qxe6+ {and Black will be mated soon.})
    25. Rxf6 Re7 26. Rxf7+ Rxf7 27. Qg6+ Kh8 28. Qxh6+ Kg8 29. Ng6 {with mate on
    h8 coming.}) 23. axb4 ({After} 23. Bxd5 {Black can sacrifice the exchange with}
    bxa3 ({Or simply take the dangerous bishopat once} 23… Nxd5 24. exd5 f6) 24.
    Bxa8 Rxa8 {with compensation in either case.}) ({Once more} 23. Rxf6 {deserves
    serious investigation, and once more it appears a bit too early for it-} gxf6
    24. Bxd5 bxa3 $1 {(Kramnik)} ({Or} 24… Ra6 25. axb4 a4 {as Aronian intended
    to play.} (25… axb4 $5))) 23… dxe4 24. bxa5 Rxa5 ({On} 24… Qxa5 {Kramnik
    intended} 25. Qd1 $1 {which creates the threat of finally capturing on f6
    followed by Qd1-h5.} ({While Aronian did not like the possibility:} 25. Qxa5
    Rxa5 26. Rxf6 {“with probable draw” (Kramnik, Aronian)})) 25. Ng6 $1 {Both
    sides are walking into a minefield and whoever steps wrong first…} ({Here}
    25. Rxf6 {is plain wrong as the king escapes after} gxf6 26. Qg3+ Kf8 27. Ng6+
    fxg6 28. Qxg6 Ke7) ({Kramnik also considered} 25. d4 {but the line that he
    suggested seems suspect to say at least-} exd4 26. Rxf6 gxf6 27. Ng6 dxe3 28.
    Kh1 {Now} b4 $1 {brings the black rook on the kingside and there is no attack
    whatsoever.}) 25… Be6 {Instinctively, Aronian tries to neutralize the
    pressure on the diagonal.} ({None of the players mentioned the move} 25… exd3
    {which could have led to massive complications after} 26. Rxf6 gxf6 27. Qg3 Be6
    {Here is a possible line:} 28. Rxf6 d2 29. Ne7+ Kf8 30. Nf5 $3 (30. Ng6+ Kg7)
    30… d1=Q+ 31. Kh2 Re7 $1 {The only move.} ({If the rook goes to any other
    square, say} 31… Rd8 {then} 32. Rxf7+ $1 {mates} Bxf7 33. Qg7+ Ke8 34. Qxf7#)
    32. Qg7+ Ke8 33. Bxe6 $1 Qxe6 (33… Kd8 34. Nxe7) 34. Rxe6 Rxe6 35. Qg8+ Kd7
    36. Qxf7+ Kd8 37. Qxe6 {when White can play for a win.}) 26. Nxe5 ({White’s
    initial idea:} 26. Rxf6 {deserves serious attention:} gxf6 27. Bxe6 ({Both
    players thought that} 27. Qg3 $1 {loses to} Bxb3 28. cxb3 ({However here White
    has the fantastic} 28. Nxe5+ $3 Kh8 29. Nd7 Qa7 30. Nxf6 Ra8 31. Qf4 {with
    huge attack.}) 28… Kh7 $1 {(Kramnik, Aronian)}) 27… Rxe6 28. Nh4 Qd8 29.
    Nf5 Kh7 30. Qh4 (30. Qg3 Qf8) 30… Qf8 31. Qxe4 {when it is anyone’s game.})
    26… exd3 ({Not} 26… Bxb3 27. Rxf6 gxf6 28. Nd7 $1 {(Kramnik)}) 27. Rxf6 $1
    {Finally! If this was boxing I do not really want to imagine how they would
    look like at the end…} gxf6 28. Rxf6 d2 $1 ({There is no need to bring the
    white bishop in after} 28… dxc2 $2 29. Qg3+ Kf8 30. Bxc2) 29. Qg3+ ({Not} 29.
    Qxd2 Ra1+ 30. Kf2 (30. Kh2 $2 {loses to} Qc7 31. Qd4 Bxb3 32. Qxa1 Bd5) 30…
    Qa5 {when White’s attack peters out.}) 29… Kf8 (29… Kh7 {is bad due} 30. c4
    $1 {(Kramnik)}) 30. Rf1 $3 {“I thought this just finishes the game.” (Kramnik)}
    ({Instead} 30. Nd7+ Ke7 31. Nxb6 {would see Black playing for a win after} Ra1+
    $1 ({But not the instant:} 31… d1=Q+ 32. Rf1 Qd2 33. Bxe6 fxe6 (33… Kxe6
    34. Qf4) 34. Qc7+) 32. Kh2 Rh1+ $3 33. Kxh1 d1=Q+ 34. Kh2 Kxf6) (30. c4 $5 {
    “might be very interesting here” (Kramnik)} Qd8 (30… Ra1+ 31. Kh2 d1=Q 32.
    Bxd1 Rxd1 33. Rxh6 {(Kramnik) White felt he should be mating here, but it
    seems the king slips away after} Ke7) ({The Russian GM missed the defense}
    30… Ke7 $1 {when Black is doing more than fine.}) 31. Qf4 d1=Q+ 32. Bxd1
    Qxd1+ 33. Kh2 {(Kramnik) This is indeed a win for White.}) 30… Ra7 $1 {
    The only fighting defense.} ({Black loses after} 30… d1=Q 31. Rxd1) ({
    Neither good is} 30… Qd6 31. Ng6+ $1) (30… Rd8 $5 {is harder to refute. In
    fact after} 31. Qf4 d1=Q 32. Qxh6+ Kg8 33. Qg5+ {The draw seems the right
    result, as if Black tries to play for a win with-} Kf8 34. Qh6+ Ke8 35. Qh8+
    Ke7 36. Ng6+ $1 fxg6 37. Qf6+ Ke8 38. Qf8+ Kd7 39. Rxd1+ Bd5 $1 (39… Kc8 40.
    Bxe6+) 40. Rxd5+ Kc8 41. Rc5+ Kb7 42. Qe7+ {he may end up losing.}) 31. Ng6+
    Kg7 32. Nf4+ ({No repetition even considered:} 32. Ne7+ $2 Kh7) 32… Kh8 (
    32… Kf8 $2 {drops the rook after} 33. Nxe6+ Rxe6 34. Bxe6 Qxe6 35. Qb8+) 33.
    Nh5 f6 ({Again the only move as} 33… Rg8 34. Qe5+ Kh7 35. Nf6+ Kh8 36. Nd5+ {
    wins loads of material for White.}) 34. Nxf6 Rf8 (34… Bxb3 $2 35. Nxe8) (
    34… Ree7 {was suggested by Aronian and now rather than} 35. Bxe6 (35. Qg6 $2
    Qxe3+ 36. Kh1 Bxb3 {wins for Black.}) ({White should do} 35. Qf4 $1 Bg8 36.
    Qxh6+ Rh7 37. Qf4 $3 {with strong attack for the exchange.}) 35… Qxe6 36.
    Qb8+ Kg7 37. Nh5+ Kh7 {(Kramnik)}) (34… Rd8 $1 {was also a resource with the
    devilish idea} 35. Qf4 Bf5 $3 36. Nd5 Qg6) 35. Qf4 Rh7 36. Qe5 {The
    culmination of the game.} Qc7 $2 {A blunder which puts an abrupt end of a
    great game.} (36… Rg7 $1 {was the only move. Then after} 37. Bxe6 Qc6 {
    The game should have objectively ended in a draw:} (37… Rg5 {is also OK as
    long as Black goes for} 38. Nd7+ Rxe5 39. Rxf8+ Kh7 40. Rf7+ Kh8 $1 ({And not}
    40… Kg6 41. Nxe5+ Kh5 42. Rf5+ Kh4 43. Ng6+ Kg3 44. Rf3#)) (37… Qc7 38. Qd4
    {is advantage for Black.}) 38. Bg4 (38. Bd5 Rxf6 $1 39. Bxc6 Rxf1+ 40. Kxf1 ({
    But White still has a draw after} 40. Kh2 $1 d1=Q 41. Qe8+ Rg8 42. Qe5+) 40…
    d1=Q+ {wins for Black.}) 38… d1=Q (38… Rxf6 39. Qxf6) 39. Rxd1 Qxf6 40.
    Qxf6 Rxf6 {“should be a draw” (Kramnik, Aronian)}) 37. Ne8+ $1 {Black resigned
    due to:} (37. Ne8+ Qxe5 38. Rxf8+ Bg8 39. Rxg8#) (37. Nh5+ $1 {would also do.})
    1-0

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.22”]
    [Round “10”]
    [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”]
    [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “E04”]
    [WhiteElo “2809”]
    [BlackElo “2784”]
    [PlyCount “115”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. O-O Rb8 7. e3 Be7 (7…
    b5 8. b3 cxb3 9. axb3 Be7 10. Qe2 O-O 11. Bd2 Bb7 12. Rc1 a6 {Radjabov,T (2722)
    -Cheparinov,I (2677) Monzon 2016}) 8. Nfd2 e5 9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. dxe5 Ng4 11.
    Nxc4 Be6 12. Nbd2 $146 (12. Qxd8+ Rxd8 13. Nbd2 Bb4 14. e4 Bxd2 15. Nxd2 Nxe5
    16. f4 Nd3 17. f5 Nxc1 18. Raxc1 Bxf5 19. exf5 Rxd2 20. Rxc6 Kd7 21. Rfc1 {
    ½-½ Van der Stricht,G (2424)-Hausrath,D (2507) Belgium 2008}) 12… h5 (12…
    Rb4 13. b3 h5 14. f3 $6 (14. h3) 14… Nxe3 $1 15. Nxe3 Qd4 {Mamedyarov}) 13.
    f3 (13. h3 Qd3 14. b3 h4 15. hxg4 hxg3 16. Qf3 Qh7 17. Qg2 Bd5 18. e4 Bc5 {
    Caruana}) 13… Qd3 14. fxg4 Bxc4 15. Nxc4 Qxc4 16. gxh5 Qe6 17. Qf3 (17. b3
    Qxe5 18. Qc2 Qxa1 19. Bb2 Qxa2 20. Qxc6+ Kd8 (20… Kf8 21. Rxf7+ $1) 21. Rd1+
    {Mamedyarov}) 17… Rb5 18. Qf5 (18. Bd2 Rxb2 19. Bc3 Rc2 20. Rfc1 {Mamedyarov}
    Rxc1+ 21. Rxc1 O-O 22. Bd4 c5 23. Bxc5 Bxc5 24. Rxc5 Qxa2) 18… Rxe5 19. Qxe6
    Rxe6 (19… fxe6 20. Bd2 Rhxh5 21. Kg2) 20. Rf5 (20. g4 $6 g6 $1) 20… Rd6 (
    20… Rf6 $5) 21. Kg2 Rd1 22. b3 g6 $6 {Mamedyarov thought he had a winning
    position after this.} 23. Re5 (23. hxg6 fxg6 24. Rf2 Rf8) 23… c5 24. hxg6
    fxg6 25. e4 Rh7 26. h4 {Missed by Caruana.} (26. Rd5 Re1 27. Rd2 Bf6 {Caruana/
    Mamedyarov}) 26… Rf7 (26… c6 27. Re6 {Caruana/Mamedyarov}) 27. Kh3 Rff1 (
    27… c6 28. Re6 Kd7 29. Rxg6 Rff1 30. Bg5 Rxa1 31. Rg7 {Caruana/Mamedyarov})
    28. Bg5 Rxa1 29. Rxe7+ Kf8 30. Rxc7 Rxa2 31. Be7+ (31. e5 Re2 32. Bf4 Rf3 33.
    Kg4 Rxb3 34. Kg5 Rb6 35. Rxc5 a6 36. g4 Kf7 {Caruana/Mamedyarov}) 31… Kg8 32.
    Rc8+ (32. e5 Rb2 {Caruana/Mamedyarov}) 32… Kg7 33. Bxc5 Re2 34. e5 (34. Re8
    a5 35. e5 Rc1 $1 36. Bd6 Rc3 {Caruana/Mamedyarov}) 34… Rd1 35. Re8 Rd5 36.
    Bd6 (36. b4 a5 37. e6 g5 $1 38. e7 axb4 39. Rc8 b3 {Caruana/Mamedyarov}) 36…
    Re3 37. Re7+ Kg8 38. Re8+ Kf7 39. Re7+ Kg8 40. b4 Rdd3 41. Kg4 Rxg3+ 42. Kf4
    Rgf3+ 43. Ke4 Rfe3+ 44. Kf4 Rf3+ 45. Kg5 Rf7 46. e6 Rd5+ 47. Kxg6 Rxd6 48. Rxf7
    Rxe6+ 49. Rf6 Re4 50. b5 Rxh4 51. Ra6 Rh7 52. b6 Rg7+ 53. Kh6 Rh7+ 54. Kg5 Rg7+
    55. Kf5 axb6 56. Rxb6 Rf7+ 57. Rf6 Rxf6+ 58. Kxf6 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.22”]
    [Round “10”]
    [White “Ding, Liren”]
    [Black “So, Wesley”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “D37”]
    [WhiteElo “2769”]
    [BlackElo “2799”]
    [PlyCount “61”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 b6 7. cxd5 (7. Bd3)
    7… Nxd5 8. Nxd5 Qxd5 (8… exd5 9. Bd3 c5 10. O-O c4 11. Bb1 Nc6 12. b3 Be6
    13. bxc4 dxc4 14. Qa4 Qd7 {Fedoseev,V (2724)-Friedel,J (2562) chess.com INT
    2018}) 9. Be2 $5 {This confused So.} (9. Bxc7 Bb4+ 10. Nd2 Ba6 11. f3 Bxf1 12.
    Rxf1 Nc6 13. a3 Rac8 {Jorczik,J (2405)-Baramidze,D (2613) Eppingen GER 2014})
    9… Bb7 (9… Bb4+ 10. Nd2 Bxd2+ (10… Qxg2 11. Bf3 Bxd2+ 12. Kxd2 Qxf2+ 13.
    Kc3 {Ding}) 11. Qxd2 Qxg2 12. O-O-O Ba6 13. Rhg1 Qc6+ 14. Kb1) 10. Bxc7 (10.
    O-O Rc8) 10… Qa5+ $146 (10… Bb4+ 11. Kf1 Nc6 12. Qa4 Rfc8 13. Bg3 a6 14. h3
    b5 15. Qd1 Na5 {Injac,T (2277)-Goczo,M (2176) Novi Sad 2017}) 11. Kf1 Nd7 12.
    h4 Rac8 13. Bf4 (13. Bg3 $5 {So} Nf6 14. Ne5 Ne4 {Ding}) 13… Rfd8 (13… Bf6
    14. Bd3 {So}) 14. Kg1 (14. a3 $5 {So}) 14… Bxf3 (14… Bf6 15. a3) 15. Bxf3
    e5 16. Bg5 (16. Bg3 exd4 17. Bb7 Rc4 18. e4 Nf6 19. e5 Nd5) 16… Bxg5 (16…
    f6 17. Qb3+ Kh8 18. Qf7 Qb4 19. Be4 {might be too dangerous (So).}) 17. hxg5
    exd4 18. Qxd4 (18. g6 fxg6 19. Qxd4 Ne5) 18… Qxg5 19. Rh5 Qf6 20. Rd5 Qxd4
    21. Rxd4 Ne5 22. Bd5 (22. Bb7 Rxd4 23. exd4 Rc7 24. Ba6 Ng4 25. d5 Nf6 26. d6 (
    26. Rd1 Ne8) 26… Rd7 27. Rc1 g5 28. Rc7 Rxd6 29. Rxa7 Rd2) 22… Nc6 23. Rdd1
    Kf8 24. Bxc6 (24. Rac1 Ke7) 24… Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Rxc6 26. Rd7 Rc2 27. Rxa7 Rxb2
    28. a4 Ra2 29. Rb7 Ra1+ 30. Kh2 Rxa4 31. Rxb6 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.22”]
    [Round “10”]
    [White “Grischuk, Alexander”]
    [Black “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “E00”]
    [WhiteElo “2767”]
    [BlackElo “2763”]
    [PlyCount “56”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O Nbd7 8.
    Qc2 c6 9. Rc1 (9. a4 a5 10. Rc1) 9… b6 10. a4 (10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Bf4 Bb7 12.
    Qb3 Rc8 13. Rxc8 Qxc8 14. Nc3 Nh5 {Karjakin,S (2753)-Wei,Y (2743) Wijk aan Zee
    2018}) 10… Ne4 $146 (10… Ba6 11. b3 c5 12. a5 Bb7 13. a6 Bc6 14. Ne5 Nxe5
    15. dxe5 Nd7 {Pustovoitova,D (2382)-Gunina,V (2507) Moscow 2018}) 11. Be1 a5
    12. Nbd2 Nxd2 13. Nxd2 Bf6 14. cxd5 (14. Qd3 Ba6) 14… cxd5 15. e4 Bxd4 16.
    Nb3 (16. exd5 Nc5 17. Nb3 Nxb3 18. Qxb3 Ra7) 16… Bf6 17. exd5 exd5 18. Bxd5
    Ra7 19. Bg2 (19. Bc3 Bxc3 20. Qxc3 Nf6 21. Bf3 Rd7 22. Rd1 Nd5) 19… h6 (19…
    Ba6 20. Bc3 Rc7 (20… Ne5) 21. Bxf6 Rxc2 22. Bxd8 Rxc1+ 23. Rxc1 Rxd8 24. Bf1)
    20. Bc3 Rc7 21. Bxf6 Rxc2 22. Bxd8 Rxc1+ 23. Rxc1 Rxd8 24. Rd1 Kf8 25. f4 Ke7
    26. Re1+ Kf8 27. Rd1 Ke7 28. Re1+ Kf8 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.23”]
    [Round “11.1”]
    [White “Ding, Liren”]
    [Black “Grischuk, Alexander”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [WhiteElo “2769”]
    [BlackElo “2767”]
    [Annotator “Bojkov, Dejan”]
    [PlyCount “194”]
    [EventDate “2018.??.??”]
    [WhiteTeam “China”]
    [BlackTeam “Russia”]
    [WhiteTeamCountry “CHN”]
    [BlackTeamCountry “RUS”]
    [WhiteClock “0:01:24”]
    [BlackClock “0:06:07”]

    1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. e3 e6 5. d4 d5 6. a3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 a6 8. O-O
    b5 9. Ba2 Bb7 10. Qe2 Qc7 11. Bd2 Be7 $146 {A novelty in comparison to a very
    fresh game.} ({There Black comfortably held after} 11… Rd8 12. Rfc1 cxd4 13.
    exd4 Be7 14. d5 exd5 15. Bg5 O-O 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nxd5 Qd6 18. Re1 Nd4 19.
    Nxf6+ Qxf6 20. Nxd4 Rxd4 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2751)-Gelfand,B (2695) Moscow 2018}
    ) 12. Rac1 c4 13. e4 Rd8 14. Be3 Ng4 15. e5 Na5 {Perhaps it is here where
    Grischuk messed up with his preparation.} ({The move that he mentioned later
    was possible at once:} 15… f5 $5 {since} 16. exf6 {does not work anyway due
    to} Nxd4 $1 17. Bxd4 Bxf3 {and Black wins.}) 16. Bf4 {“This is supposedly good
    for Black, but I do not know (remember) how.” (Grischuk) See the previous note.
    } ({“I think I had this in preparation. If”} 16. Bb1 f5 $1 {“is good for Black
    as”} 17. exf6 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Qxh2# {(Grischuk)}) 16… Qb6 17. Rcd1 h5 {The
    idea is to secure a square for the black knight, but it “is obviously bad.”
    (Grischuk)} 18. h3 Nh6 19. Bb1 {Now the black king may never castle and White
    is eager to open the center files.} Nb3 (19… Kd7 $2 20. d5 $1) 20. Be3 Qc7 {
    Black saw what will happen next but he thought he may “get lucky.”} ({In
    desperation Grischuk even considered a la Petrosian sacrifices like} 20… Bd5
    21. Nxd5 Rxd5 22. Be4 Nf5 23. Bxd5 exd5 {but realized that “he will slowly
    lose.” Indeed he cannot keep the position blocked forever.}) 21. Rfe1 Kf8 (
    21… O-O 22. Bxh6 gxh6 23. Qe3 Kg7 24. Ne4 {is a crushing attack for White.})
    22. d5 $1 {Thematic and very strong.} exd5 (22… Bxd5 23. Nxd5 exd5 24. e6 {
    would not change anything.}) 23. e6 fxe6 24. Ng5 $1 Qd7 ({From afar Grischuk
    intended to try:} 24… Bc8 {but then realized that} 25. Nxd5 $1 {would be
    nasty enough. For example:} ({Ding saw a safer win:} 25. Qf3+ $1 Kg8 26. Bf4 {
    and if} Qb7 27. Nxe6 Bxe6 28. Rxe6 {where Black is completely hopeless.}) 25…
    exd5 ({However} 25… Rxd5 $1 26. Rxd5 exd5 27. Qf3+ Bf6 28. Qxd5 g6 $1 {
    is not that clear.}) 26. Bb6 {this indeed wins for White.}) ({And if} 24…
    Bxg5 25. Bxg5 Re8 26. Nxd5 $1 {is decisive.}) 25. Bg6 $1 {Both players agreed
    that this was a very strong move.} Bf6 (25… Kg8 26. Bb6 {“and then I
    immediately resign” (Grischuk) Say} Rf8 27. Nxe6 Rf6 28. Nf4 $1 Rxf4 29. Qxe7
    Qxe7 30. Rxe7 {and Black has hardly any moves.}) 26. Bb6 Rc8 {“This move
    totally surprised me” (Ding)} ({The alternative was losing on the spot:} 26…
    Bxg5 27. Bxd8 Bxd8 28. Qxe6 Qxe6 29. Rxe6 Nf7 (29… Be7 30. Nxd5 Bxd5 31. Rxd5
    Nf7 32. Rd7 Nc5 33. Rexe7 Nxd7 34. Rxf7+ {(Ding)}) 30. Rde1 {(Grischuk)}) 27.
    Nxe6+ Kg8 28. Nxd5 ({Missing the beautiful win} 28. Nd8 $1 Bc6 (28… Rxd8 29.
    Bxd8 Qxd8 30. Qe8+ Qxe8 31. Rxe8#) 29. Rxd5 $1 {and Black can resign.}) 28…
    Bxd5 29. Nf4 {This is also winning but it does complicate matters.} ({Once
    again:} 29. Nd8 $1 {“was not only winning, but winning brilliantly.” (Grischuk)
    }) ({Also nice was:} 29. Rxd5 Qxd5 30. Nd8 $1 {with mate.}) 29… Nc1 $3 {
    An excellent practical chance. Now both players levelled on the clock and
    played the next 11 moves practically on increment.} 30. Qxh5 ({“If takes”} 30.
    Rxc1 {“then”} Bf7 {“and there is suddenly no mate” (Grischuk)} 31. Rcd1 Qc6 {
    “this is not so clear” (Ding) However simple move like} 32. Ba5 {leaves Black
    absolutely hopeless as he has no reasonable moves. For example} Bxg6 33. Nxg6
    Rh7 34. Qxh5) 30… Nd3 31. Nxd5 Nf7 32. Qe2 ({Grischuk’s suggestion} 32. Re7
    Bxe7 33. Bxf7+ Kf8 34. Qxh8+ Kxf7 {wins if we continue the line:} 35. Qh5+ g6
    36. Qh7+ Ke6 37. Nf4+ Ke5 38. Nxd3+ cxd3 39. Qg7+ Ke6 40. Re1+ Kd5 41. Qd4+ Kc6
    42. Rc1+ {and it is over.}) ({Also winning is} 32. Nxf6+ gxf6 33. Bxf7+ Qxf7
    34. Qg4+ Kh7 35. Qf5+ Kg7 36. Re4 {with mating threats and healthy extra pawn.}
    ) 32… Nfe5 33. Be4 Rh4 {Now, in timetrouble, more miracles happen.} 34. f4 (
    34. Qe3 $1) 34… Rxf4 $1 35. Nxf4 Nxf4 36. Bh7+ {“This of course shocked me.”
    (Grischuk)} Kh8 (36… Kxh7 {drops the queen after the in-between check} 37.
    Qe4+) 37. Qe4 Qc6 38. Bd4 (38. Be3 $1 Qxe4 39. Bxe4 Ned3 40. Bxf4 Nxf4 41. Rf1
    {would have kept solid advantage for White.}) 38… Nxh3+ {Getting overly
    excited with a few seconds left on his clock.} ({Correct was} 38… Ned3 {
    when Black is not worse at all. Of course} 39. Qxc6 $2 {fails to} Bxd4+) 39.
    Kh2 ({Even} 39. gxh3 Nf3+ 40. Kh1 $1 Nxd4 41. Bg6 {is advantageous for White.})
    39… Ng5 40. Qxc6 Rxc6 41. Bc2 Ngf7 42. Bxe5 $2 {“I do not understand this.”
    (Grischuk) Indeed, why was this trade needed? White can take on e5 in any
    given moment.} (42. Bc3 {“I thought there is almost no hope. White will just
    win slowly.” (Grischuk)}) 42… Nxe5 43. Rd5 Re6 44. Kh3 Kg8 45. b3 ({Black
    was more afraid of} 45. Bf5 Re8 46. Bd7 Re7 47. Bc8 g6 48. g3 {when the pin
    might be indeed more than unpleasant for him.}) 45… Kf7 46. bxc4 Nxc4 47.
    Rd7+ Be7 48. Rxe6 Kxe6 49. Ra7 Nxa3 50. Rxa6+ Kd5 {“This is like my dream.
    Everything is exchanged and I have very good drawing chances.” (Grischuk)} 51.
    Bh7 Nc4 52. Kg4 Bf6 53. Ra7 {As Grischuk explained White will be winning if he
    manages to take away all the pawns from the board. However, this will never
    happen as the b-pawn is too strong.} Kd4 54. Bg8 Nd6 55. Kf3 Kc5 56. Ra8 {
    In the remainder, Ding tried everyhting that he could but the win had slipped
    away.} b4 57. Ke2 Bc3 58. Kd3 Kb6 59. Ke3 Kc6 60. Kf4 Nb7 61. Kf5 Nc5 62. g4
    Kb5 63. g5 b3 64. Kg6 Kb4 65. Bd5 Bd4 66. Kh7 Kc3 67. g6 b2 68. Ba2 Kc2 69. Rb8
    Ne4 70. Rb4 Nc3 71. Be6 Kc1 72. Bf5 Be5 73. Rb7 b1=Q ({Shuffling the bishop
    left and right was the easiest draw as White cannot make progress.} 73… Bf6)
    74. Bxb1 Nxb1 75. Rxg7 Nc3 76. Re7 Bd4 {This is also a draw as the bishop will
    always have enough squares on the diagonals as Grischuk explained.} 77. Rd7 Be5
    78. Kh6 Kc2 79. Kg5 Kb3 80. Kf5 Bh8 81. Rb7+ ({Or} 81. Rh7 Bd4 82. Re7 Bh8)
    81… Kc2 82. Rh7 Bd4 83. Ke6 Kb3 84. Rd7 Bh8 85. Rd8 Bg7 86. Kf7 Be5 87. Re8 (
    87. Rd3 Kc2) 87… Bd4 88. Rb8+ Kc2 89. Rb7 Be5 90. Rb6 Bd4 91. Rf6 Bxf6 92.
    Kxf6 Nd5+ 93. Kf7 Ne3 94. Kf6 Nd5+ 95. Kf7 Ne3 96. g7 Nf5 97. g8=Q Nh6+ 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.23”]
    [Round “11.2”]
    [White “So, Wesley”]
    [Black “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [WhiteElo “2799”]
    [BlackElo “2809”]
    [PlyCount “81”]
    [EventDate “2018.??.??”]
    [WhiteTeam “United States”]
    [BlackTeam “Azerbaijan”]
    [WhiteTeamCountry “USA”]
    [BlackTeamCountry “AZE”]
    [WhiteClock “1:50:10”]
    [BlackClock “1:33:28”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 c6 8. Qxc4
    b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Nc3 (10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 c5 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Rac1 Qb6 {
    Vitiugov,N (2722)-Riazantsev,A (2650) St Petersburg 2017}) 10… Nbd7 11. Rd1
    Qb6 {Mamedyarov: “I prepared this line for white for my game with Karjakin.
    “It was time to play it with black!”} 12. Ne5 (12. e4 c5 13. d5 exd5 (13… c4)
    14. e5 d4 15. exf6 Nxf6 16. Ne2 Be4) 12… Rfd8 13. Be3 $146 (13. Nxd7 Rxd7 14.
    a4 a5 15. e4 b4 16. Ne2 c5 17. d5 exd5 18. e5 Ne8 19. Bh3 Rdd8 {Bazeev,G (2285)
    -Koryakin,E (2369) Peterhof 2009}) (13. Bg5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Ng4 15. Bxe7 Qxf2+
    16. Kh1 c5 17. Rxd8+ Rxd8 18. Ne4 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 Ne3+ 20. Kf2 Nxc2 21. Rc1)
    13… Nd5 {“Black is OK.”} 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15. Rac1 Rac8 16. Qd3 b4 17. Rxc8 Bxc8
    18. Qc2 Nxe5 19. dxe5 d4 20. Bxd4 Rxd4 21. Qxc8+ Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Qxd8 23. Qxd8+
    Bxd8 24. b3 Bc7 25. f4 Bb6+ 26. Kf1 Be3 27. h4 h5 28. Bh3 Kf8 29. Kg2 Ke7 30.
    Kf3 Bd2 31. e3 Be1 {Here Mamedyarov offered a draw. “But spectators might
    wonder why draw, White is up a pawn.” (So)} 32. f5 exf5 33. Bxf5 g6 34. Bd3 Bc3
    35. Kf4 Be1 36. Bc4 Bf2 37. Bd5 Be1 38. g4 hxg4 39. Kxg4 Bc3 40. Kf4 Be1 41.
    Kg4 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.23”]
    [Round “11.3”]
    [White “Caruana, Fabiano”]
    [Black “Kramnik, Vladimir”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [WhiteElo “2784”]
    [BlackElo “2800”]
    [PlyCount “79”]
    [EventDate “2018.??.??”]
    [WhiteTeam “United States”]
    [BlackTeam “Russia”]
    [WhiteTeamCountry “USA”]
    [BlackTeamCountry “RUS”]
    [WhiteClock “0:51:56”]
    [BlackClock “0:04:42”]

    1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 c5 $5 {Virtually a novelty, as
    early as move five.} (5… Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+ 8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 b6
    10. Nf3 Bb7 {Jobava,B (2702)-Lu,S (2627) Doha 2016}) 6. Nxc5 Nc6 $146 (6…
    Bxc5 7. dxc5 Qxd1+ 8. Kxd1 Nf6 9. Be2 Bd7 10. b4 O-O 11. Be3 Rd8 {Hutt,A (2122)
    -Moas,H Villa Carlos Paz 2003}) 7. Nf3 ({Caruana didn’t like} 7. Be3 e5 8. dxe5
    Qa5+ 9. Qd2) (7. Ne2 Nxd4 8. Nxb7 (8. Ne4 $5) 8… Nf3+ 9. gxf3 Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1
    Bxb7 11. Bg2 Ne7 {Kramnik}) 7… Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Qxd4 9. Nxd4 Bxc5 10. Nb5 Ke7 11.
    Bd2 ({Since everyone is using computers these days, Kramnik didn’t see a
    reason to keep it a secret that} 11. Nc7 {gives White an advantage.}) 11… Bd7
    {Here the players agreed that Black is not worse.} 12. b4 Bxb5 13. cxb5 Bd6 ({
    Kramnik didn’t like} 13… Bd4 14. Rc1 Rd8 15. Rc7+ Rd7 16. Rc8 (16. Rxd7+ Kxd7
    17. Be2 Ne7 18. Bf3 Rc8)) 14. g3 Rc8 (14… Nf6 15. Bg2 Nd5 {is equal.}) 15.
    Bg2 b6 16. Ke2 Nh6 (16… h5 17. Rhc1 Rxc1 18. Rxc1 Nf6 19. Bg5 {Kramnik} (19.
    a4 h4 20. a5 hxg3 21. hxg3 Rh5 22. Bc6 {Caruana})) 17. Rac1 Nf5 (17… Rxc1 18.
    Rxc1 Nf5 19. a4 h5 20. Rc4 Be5 (20… Rd8) 21. f4 Bb8 22. Bc3) 18. Bc3 f6 19.
    f4 $6 {Caruana wasn’t happy with this.} (19. Be4 h5 20. h4 Rc7 21. a4 Rhc8 22.
    Bc6 Be5 $5 {Kramnik}) 19… h5 20. Bc6 Rcd8 (20… Rcg8 21. Rcd1 g5 22. fxg5
    Rxg5 23. Rhf1 Rf8 24. Rf4 $5) 21. a4 h4 22. Kf3 (22. g4 Nh6 23. Kf3 Nf7 24.
    Rhe1 (24. a5 g5 25. axb6 axb6 26. Ra1 Bb8) 24… g5 25. Bd5 Bxf4 26. Rxe6+ Kf8)
    22… hxg3 (22… Bb8 23. g4 Nd4+ 24. Ke3 e5 25. f5 h3) 23. hxg3 Rxh1 24. Rxh1
    Bb8 ({Kramnik almost played} 24… Be5 {but then he didn’t like} 25. fxe5 Rd3+
    26. Kf2 Rxc3 27. Rd1) 25. Be4 Kf7 (25… Rc8 26. Bc6 Kf7 27. Rd1 {Caruana}) 26.
    Rc1 Ne7 (26… g5 27. fxg5 fxg5 28. Be1 Rd4 29. g4 Nd6 {(Kramnik) and now} 30.
    Bg3 $1 {is equal too.}) 27. Be1 f5 28. Bb1 Rd4 (28… g5 $5 29. fxg5 Rd4 30. a5
    Bd6 {Kramnik}) 29. Bc3 Rc4 30. Ba2 Rc8 31. Bb2 Rd8 32. Bc4 Rc8 33. Bb3 Rxc1 34.
    Bxc1 Bd6 35. Bd2 Nd5 36. Bxd5 exd5 37. Bc3 Be7 38. a5 Bf6 39. Bxf6 Kxf6 40. Ke3
    1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.23”]
    [Round “11.4”]
    [White “Aronian, Levon”]
    [Black “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Result “0-1”]
    [WhiteElo “2794”]
    [BlackElo “2763”]
    [PlyCount “148”]
    [EventDate “2018.??.??”]
    [WhiteTeam “Armenia”]
    [BlackTeam “Russia”]
    [WhiteTeamCountry “ARM”]
    [BlackTeamCountry “RUS”]
    [WhiteClock “0:29:32”]
    [BlackClock “0:22:12”]

    1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+ c6 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qb3 (7. Qc2
    Bb7 8. a4 a6 9. Nc3 Nbd7 10. O-O Be7 11. d3 O-O 12. e4 h6 {Sargissian,G (2677)
    -Xu,Y (2538) Moscow 2018}) 7… Bb7 8. O-O Be7 9. d4 O-O 10. Rd1 Nbd7 11. Ne5
    Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 13. Bf4 $146 (13. Nc3 Qc7 14. Bf4 Rfd8 15. Qc2 Qb6 16. Ne4 c5
    17. Bg5 Bxg5 18. Nxg5 Nf8 {Sargissian,G (2679)-Houska,J (2372) Douglas 2015})
    13… Qc7 14. Nd2 Rfd8 15. Rac1 a6 16. Qe3 c5 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. Ne4 c4 19. h4
    h6 20. Rd4 Nf8 ({Karjakin mentioned} 20… Nb6 {as an option.}) 21. b3 Rxd4 22.
    Qxd4 Rd8 23. Nd6 Bxd6 24. exd6 f6 {“A totally equal position.” (Karjakin)} 25.
    Be3 e5 26. Qb2 (26. Qg4 $11) 26… Qc6 27. bxc4 bxc4 28. Qb4 (28. Qc2 Rc8 29.
    Rd1) 28… Rc8 $1 {“I already felt Black can play a bit,” said Karjakin.} (
    28… Rxd6 29. Bc5 Rd8 30. Bxf8 Rxf8 31. Rxc4 {is a draw.}) 29. f3 h5 30. Kf2
    Kf7 31. Rd1 Nd7 32. Qb1 g6 33. g4 {Karjakin didn’t like this as the resulting
    structure change is favorable for Black.} Rh8 34. g5 f5 35. Qc2 Rc8 36. Qc3 Ke6
    37. Kg2 Qa4 38. Qd2 Qb5 39. a4 Qc6 40. Qc2 Rb8 41. Bd2 Rb3 42. Bc3 $2 ({
    White didn’t need to give up the a-pawn. Karjakin expected} 42. a5 {but didn’t
    consider} Kxd6 {when} 43. Bb4+ Kc7 44. Be7 {is unclear.}) 42… Qxa4 43. Ra1
    Qc6 44. Ra5 Rb5 45. Qa4 Nb6 46. Qa1 Rxa5 47. Qxa5 Qb5 48. d7 Kxd7 49. Qa3 Nd5
    50. Bxe5 Qc6 {“I realised it’s not easy at all, but I think I didn’t spoil
    anything.” (Karjakin)} 51. Qf8 Qe6 52. Qb8 c3 53. Qb7+ Ke8 54. Qb8+ Kf7 55.
    Qb7+ Ne7 56. Bxc3 Qxe2+ 57. Kh3 Qb5 58. Qc7 Qc6 59. Qe5 Qxf3+ 60. Kh2 Qf2+ 61.
    Kh1 Qxh4+ 62. Kg1 Qxg5+ 63. Kh2 Qh4+ 64. Kg1 Qe4 65. Qg7+ Ke6 66. Bf6 Nd5 67.
    Bb2 f4 68. Kh2 Kf5 69. Qf8+ Kg5 70. Qd8+ Kg4 71. Qc8+ Kh4 72. Bg7 Qe2+ 73. Kh1
    Qf3+ 74. Kh2 Qg3+ 0-1

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.24”]
    [Round “12”]
    [White “Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar”]
    [Black “Ding, Liren”]
    [Result “0-1”]
    [ECO “D41”]
    [WhiteElo “2809”]
    [BlackElo “2769”]
    [PlyCount “86”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8.
    cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. Bc4 Nd7 12. O-O b6 13. Rad1 Bb7 14.
    Rfe1 Rc8 15. Bb3 Re8 16. h3 (16. Re3 Nf6 17. Qd3 b5 18. d5 exd5 19. e5 Ne4 20.
    Qxb5 Qb6 21. Qxb6 axb6 {So,W (2788)-Dominguez Perez,L (2739) Saint Louis 2017})
    16… Nf6 17. Qf4 Nh5 $146 (17… Qc7 18. Qh4 h6 19. Re3 b5 20. Ne5 a5 21. a4
    bxa4 22. Bxa4 Red8 {Epishin,V (2574)-Del Rio de Angelis,S (2489) Calvia 2005})
    18. Qh2 h6 19. Ne5 (19. d5 exd5 20. exd5 Rxe1+ 21. Nxe1 Qf6 22. Nd3 Ba6 23. Qe5
    Bxd3 24. Qxh5 Bc2 {So,W (2799)-Kramnik,V (2800) Berlin GER 2018}) 19… Nf6 20.
    Qf4 b5 21. Re3 (21. Nxf7 Kxf7 22. e5 a5 23. exf6 Qxf6 {is just equal.}) 21…
    Rc7 22. Nd3 Rc3 23. Nc5 Rxe3 24. Qxe3 {After this trade Ding felt quite
    comfortable.} (24. fxe3 Bc6 25. d5 e5 {Ding}) 24… Bc6 25. Rc1 Qb6 26. f3 Rd8
    27. Kf2 a5 28. g4 a4 29. Bc2 (29. Bd1 $5 Qb8 30. Kg2 Qd6 {Mamedyarov} 31. Be2
    $1 Qxd4 32. Qxd4 Rxd4 33. Nxe6) 29… Nd7 {Here Ding thought Black is already
    better.} 30. Bd3 Nxc5 31. Rxc5 b4 32. Bc4 Bd7 33. g5 hxg5 34. Qxg5 Be8 35. Qe7
    b3 $1 36. axb3 a3 $1 {Missed by Mamedyarov.} 37. b4 Ra8 38. d5 {Ding had
    missed this, and said he was lucky he had 43…Qa7+.} a2 39. dxe6 a1=Q 40.
    exf7+ Bxf7 41. Bxf7+ Kh7 42. Qh4+ Qh6 43. Rh5 Qa7+ $1 (43… Qd4+ $2 44. Kg2 {
    is a draw in fact.}) 0-1

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.24”]
    [Round “12”]
    [White “Grischuk, Alexander”]
    [Black “Aronian, Levon”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “C88”]
    [WhiteElo “2767”]
    [BlackElo “2794”]
    [PlyCount “108”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3
    d6 9. Bd2 (9. c3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. h3 Re8 12. d4 Nd7 13. d5 Bf8 {Alekseev,E
    (2616)-Kovalev,V (2639) Tallinn 2018}) 9… Kh8 $146 (9… Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11.
    Qxf3 Nd4 12. Qd1 a5 13. c3 Nxb3 14. axb3 Nd7 {Calzetta Ruiz,M (2317)-Atalik,E
    (2393) Turin 2006}) 10. h3 Nd7 11. Nc3 Na5 12. Nd5 Nxb3 13. axb3 Bb7 14. c4 f5
    15. Ba5 Rc8 16. Rc1 bxc4 17. bxc4 fxe4 18. dxe4 Nc5 {Aronian thought this
    should be “sufficient for equality.”} 19. Bc3 {Grischuk thought this was the
    critical moment, and he felt White is better here.} (19. b4 $5) ({He spent a
    lot of time on} 19. Bb4 $5 Ne6 20. Nxe5 c5 21. Ba5 Qxa5 22. Ng6+ hxg6 23. Nxe7
    Qc7 24. Nxg6+ Kg8 25. Nxf8 Rxf8 {but didn’t like it.}) 19… Qe8 20. b4 Ne6 21.
    Bd2 c6 22. Nxe7 Qxe7 23. Be3 ({After} 23. c5 dxc5 24. bxc5 Rcd8 {Grischuk
    “couldn’t find a way” to continue, which might be} 25. Re3 Nxc5 26. Qe2 Ne6 27.
    Ba5) 23… c5 24. bxc5 Nxc5 25. Bxc5 Rxc5 26. Nd2 Bc8 27. Nf1 Be6 28. Ne3 Rc6
    29. Qa4 Rfc8 30. Rb1 h6 31. Rb8 Rxc4 32. Rxc8+ Rxc8 33. Qxa6 Qc7 34. Rd1 Rd8
    35. Qd3 Qc5 36. Kh2 Qc7 37. Kg1 Qc5 38. Rd2 Qc7 39. Qa3 Qe7 40. Rd1 Kh7 41. Qb4
    Qc7 42. Rd3 Kg8 43. Qd2 Qe7 44. Kh2 Qf8 45. Kg1 Qe7 46. Qd1 Kh7 47. Rd2 Qf8 48.
    Rd3 Qe7 49. Rd2 Qf8 50. Nf1 Rd7 51. Ng3 Qb8 52. Kh2 Qf8 53. Kg1 Qb8 54. Kh2 Qf8
    1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.24”]
    [Round “12”]
    [White “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Black “Caruana, Fabiano”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “C42”]
    [WhiteElo “2763”]
    [BlackElo “2784”]
    [PlyCount “95”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Nc6 7. Be3 Be7
    8. Qd2 Be6 9. O-O-O Qd7 ({In another top game Black decided to castle short
    recently:} 9… a6 10. b3 h6 11. Be2 Qd7 12. Kb1 Bf6 13. Nd4 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Bxd4
    15. Qxd4 O-O 16. c4 Rfe8 17. Bf3 {but Black could not equalize in full, Anand,
    V (2776)-Mamedyarov,S (2809) Moscow 2018}) 10. a3 h6 {A surprise for the first
    player.} ({Karjakin expected} 10… a6) 11. Nd4 $146 {Technically speaking, a
    novelty, although this is the most common move in the line.} ({Notably, the
    predecessor is a game of Caruana’s coach:} 11. Kb1 Rg8 12. Bd3 O-O-O 13. Qe2
    Bf6 14. Bb5 Kb8 15. Rhe1 g5 16. Nd2 {with advantage for White in Kasimdzhanov,
    R (2698)-Li,D (2488) Chengdu 2017}) 11… Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Rg8 ({With the pawn on
    h6 it is not advisable to castle short at all.} 12… O-O {White will quickly
    start pushing the g-pawn and the hook on h6 will give him a chance to quickly
    open files against the opponent’s king. [Karjakin’s second Alexander
    Riazantsev thought this might still have been better than the next move. – PD]}
    ) 13. Be2 ({White did not like} 13. c4 c5 14. Bc3 O-O-O {followed by d6-d5
    with equality.}) 13… c5 {“I am not sure if this is best in this position.”
    (Karjakin)} ({“Maybe I can just play”} 13… a6 {(Caruana)}) ({Or} 13… Qa4 $5
    {(Karjakin)}) 14. Be3 d5 15. f4 O-O-O 16. Bf3 Bg4 {The most obvious and
    logical move, but it has a flaw.} ({Instead Caruana suggested} 16… f5 17. Qf2
    Qc7 18. Rd3 Rd7 19. Rhd1 Rgd8 20. h3 {which both players considered slightly
    better for White.}) 17. Bxd5 $1 {“I think this is very interesting at least
    from a practical point of view.” (Karjakin) “Yeah, I should not have allowed
    this. It becomes very difficult to play.” (Caruana)} ({It is also practically
    forced as if White allows the trade of the bishops with} 17. Qe2 Bxf3 18. Qxf3
    {Black will easily level the chances after say} Qc6) 17… Bxd1 18. Rxd1 Qc7
    19. c4 {For the exchange White has a pawn and the bishop pair. Especially
    valuable is his light-squared bishop. It blocks the black rooks’ way out while
    at he same time exerts strong pressure on the opponent’s position. Furthermore,
    White has the obvious plan of advancing his kingside pawns and improving on
    that part of the board.} Rge8 20. Qf2 b6 21. g4 Bf6 22. Kb1 {A useful,
    prophylactic move which avoids any problems along the c1-h6 diagonal.} Rd7 23.
    Rd3 {Not only defending the bishop in advance but also preparing further
    improvement of the rook itself. It can be both useful for the kingside assault
    or queenside attack after Rd3-b3 and a3-a4-a5.} g5 24. Ka2 $1 {Just in case,
    avoiding the back-rank checks. Karjakin makes the most unpleasant moves for
    his opponent, slowly but steadily improving everything. At the same time,
    Caruana can clearly see he has nothing to do against this slow play.} Ree7 (
    24… Rde7 {drops a pawn after} 25. fxg5 Bxg5 26. Bxg5 hxg5 27. Qf5+ Kb8 28.
    Qxg5 {since} Qxh2 {fails tactically after} 29. Bxf7 $1 Rxf7 30. Rd8+ Rxd8 31.
    Qxd8+ Kb7 32. Qd5+) 25. Qf3 Kd8 26. Bd2 Kc8 27. Qf1 $1 {With the threat Rd3-h3.
    “I was very proud of this idea.” (Karjakin)} Rd6 {Caruana decided to sacrifice
    a second pawn in order to get some air for his pieces.} 28. fxg5 Bxg5 29. Bxg5
    hxg5 30. Qf5+ Rdd7 (30… Qd7 31. Qxg5) 31. Qxg5 Qe5 ({Once more} 31… Qxh2 {
    fails tactically after} 32. Qg8+ Kc7 (32… Rd8 33. Be6+ $1) 33. Qa8 $1 {
    for example} Qxc2 34. Qxa7+ Kc8 35. Qa8+ Kc7 36. Qc6+ Kb8 37. Rh3 {and mate
    follows.}) 32. Qh6 Kd8 ({On} 32… f6 {White intended to mount pressure with
    the simple} 33. h4 {when “it is probably just lost.” (Caruana)}) ({There is a
    constant problem with the black king:} 32… Kc7 33. Qc6+ Kd8 34. Qa8+) 33. g5
    Qd6 34. Qh8+ Re8 35. Qh4 ({Avoiding} 35. Qh3 Qf4 $1 ({Rather than} 35… Qg6 $2
    36. Qxd7+ $1 Kxd7 37. Bxf7+ Qd6 38. Bxe8+) {But} 36. Rf3 {(Caruana) should be
    winning as well.} (36. Bc6 Qxc4+ {(Karjakin)})) 35… Qg6 36. Qg4 {White can
    combine the advance of the kingside pawns with threats against the opponent’s
    king. Caruana’s rooks had a terrible destiny today; it was basically
    outperformed by the gorgeous bishop on d5.} Re5 37. h4 Ke7 38. Rd2 (38. Qg3 Re2
    39. Qb8 {would had won as well.}) 38… b5 {The last try in timetrouble, but
    Karjakin calculated everything till the end.} 39. Bxf7 $1 Qf5 40. Rxd7+ Kxd7 ({
    After} 40… Qxd7 {White has a choice between} 41. Qxd7+ ({And} 41. Qg3)) 41.
    Qxf5+ Rxf5 42. g6 Ke7 43. cxb5 Rh5 44. c4 Rxh4 45. a4 Rg4 46. a5 Kd6 47. a6 {
    With the threat b5-b6.} Kc7 48. Kb3 {Black resigned as the white king’s march
    towards his g-pawn cannot be stopped.} 1-0

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.24”]
    [Round “12”]
    [White “Kramnik, Vladimir”]
    [Black “So, Wesley”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [WhiteElo “2800”]
    [BlackElo “2799”]
    [PlyCount “84”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. e3 Bf5 7. g4 Be6 8. Qb3
    $146 (8. h4 Bxh4 9. Qb3 g5 10. Be5 f6 11. Bh2 Bxg4 12. Qxb7 Qe7 13. Qxe7+ Nxe7
    14. Be2 Bxe2 15. Kxe2 Nd7 {Giri,A (2785)-So,W (2815) chess.com INT 2017}) 8…
    Qb6 9. f3 g5 (9… Qxb3 10. axb3 Nd7 11. h4 {“and White has free play for
    nothing.” (Kramnik)} f5 12. g5) 10. Be5 f6 11. Bg3 Qxb3 12. axb3 h5 13. gxh5
    Rxh5 (13… Nh6 14. Bd3 Nf5) 14. Bd3 Kf7 $6 (14… f5 15. h4 Nd7 {Kramnik}) 15.
    h4 f5 16. Nh3 f4 (16… gxh4 17. Nf4 Rh6 18. Bf2) 17. exf4 Bxh3 (17… gxh4 18.
    Ng5+ Bxg5 19. fxg5) 18. fxg5 Bd7 19. Kf2 Na6 20. Bxa6 (20. Rae1 Nb4 21. Bb1)
    20… bxa6 21. Ne2 Bd8 22. Be5 (22. Nf4 Rh8 23. Nd3) 22… Ne7 23. Nf4 Rh7 24.
    h5 Kg8 25. Rag1 (25. g6 Rh6 26. Rxa6 Bc8) 25… Nf5 26. h6 Be8 27. g6 Rxh6 28.
    Rxh6 Nxh6 29. Rh1 Bg5 30. Ne6 Bxg6 31. Nxg5 Nf7 32. Ne6 (32. Nxf7 Kxf7 33. Ke3)
    32… Nxe5 33. dxe5 Re8 34. Nf4 {Kramnik thought this was practically winning..
    .} Bc2 $1 {…but had completely missed this move.} 35. Rg1+ (35. Rh5 Bxb3 36.
    Nd3 d4) 35… Kf7 36. e6+ Kf6 37. Nh5+ Ke5 38. f4+ Kd6 39. Ng7 Rf8 40. Ke3 d4+
    41. Kf3 Ke7 42. b4 Kf6 ({A possible line is} 42… Kf6 43. Ke2 Rh8 44. f5 Rh2+
    45. Kf3 Rh6 46. Ne8+ Ke7 47. Nc7 Kf6 48. Ne8+) 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.26”]
    [Round “13”]
    [White “Mamedyarov, S.”]
    [Black “Grischuk, A.”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “D77”]
    [WhiteElo “2809”]
    [BlackElo “2767”]
    [PlyCount “77”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. c4 dxc4 7. Na3 c3 8. bxc3
    c5 9. Re1 Nc6 10. Bb2 Nd5 11. Qc2 (11. e4 Nb6 12. Rb1 Bg4 13. d5 Ne5 14. c4 e6
    15. Qb3 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 exd5 17. exd5 Re8 {Meier,G (2647)-Van Wely,L (2656)
    chess.com INT 2018}) 11… cxd4 $146 (11… Nb6 12. Rad1 Bf5 13. e4 Bg4 14. h3
    Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Qc8 16. Bg2 e6 {Dreev,A (2652)-Puranik,A (2509) Bastia 2017}) 12.
    Nxd4 Nf6 $1 {“After this Black is OK but I played a bit stupidly.” (Grischuk)}
    13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. c4 Bf5 15. Qc1 Qc7 16. Nc2 Rab8 17. Bc3 {Grischuk had missed
    that White is threatening 18.Nb4 here.} Bxc2 18. Qxc2 Ne8 19. h4 c5 20. Red1
    Bxc3 21. Qxc3 Nf6 22. Bf3 h5 23. Rab1 Rxb1 24. Rxb1 Rb8 25. Rb5 Ne8 (25… a6
    26. Qa5 {Grischuk}) 26. Qe3 Rxb5 27. cxb5 Nd6 (27… c4 $5 {Grischuk}) 28. a4
    c4 29. Kg2 (29. Qc3 Qc5) 29… c3 30. Bc6 Qa5 (30… a6 31. Qxc3 axb5 32. axb5
    Nxb5 {is an immediate draw, but that was equally valuable as a loss for
    Grischuk.}) 31. Qc5 a6 32. e4 axb5 33. axb5 Kh7 34. e5 Nxb5 $2 (34… Nf5 {
    still draws.} 35. Be4 e6) 35. e6 $1 {Suddenly White is winning in all lines.}
    Qa3 36. Qxb5 c2 37. exf7 Kg7 38. Be4 c1=Q 39. Qe8 1-0

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.26”]
    [Round “13”]
    [White “Ding Liren”]
    [Black “Kramnik, V.”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “A13”]
    [WhiteElo “2769”]
    [BlackElo “2800”]
    [PlyCount “94”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 c5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 b6 5. e4 Bb7 6. d3 d6 7. Bg2 g6 8. O-O Bg7
    9. Re1 O-O (9… e5 10. d4 Nc6 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Nd5 Nd7 13. Bh3 Nf8 14. Qa4
    Ne6 {Cordova,E (2606)-Terry,R (2492) Lima 2018}) 10. d4 cxd4 11. Nxd4 a6 12. b3
    Nbd7 13. Ba3 $146 (13. Bb2 Qc7 14. Re2 Rad8 15. Qe1 Qb8 16. Rd1 Nc5 17. f3 Rfe8
    18. Kh1 {½-½ Portisch,L (2655)-Spassky,B (2615) Mexico City 1980}) 13… Nc5
    14. b4 Ncd7 15. b5 {Kramnik seemed to suggest this was a positional mistake
    (“let’s put it this way, unusual”) He thought he was better here.} Ne8 (15…
    Ne5 16. Qb3 Rc8 {Kramnik} 17. Rad1 Nxc4 18. e5 {Ding}) 16. Rc1 Ne5 17. Qe2 axb5
    18. Ndxb5 g5 {“Totally came as a surprise.” (Ding) “A typical Hedgehog idea”
    (Kramnik) to cement the knight on e5 with g5-g4.} (18… Rc8 19. Red1 Nxc4 20.
    Bb4 {Ding}) 19. h3 $6 (19. Red1 {should give White at least a slight edge.})
    19… f5 {“I thought it was almost gone.” (Kramnik)} 20. exf5 Bxg2 21. Kxg2
    Rxa3 $1 {Ouch. From this point, Ding can only hope for a draw.} 22. Nxa3 Qa8+
    23. Qe4 Qxa3 24. fxe6 Nf6 25. Qe2 Qa8+ 26. f3 h5 27. e7 Re8 28. Ne4 g4 29. hxg4
    hxg4 30. fxg4 Nfxg4 $6 ({Black should won slowly with} 30… Rxe7 31. g5 {
    and now} Nfd7 $1 ({and not} 31… Nxe4 32. Qxe4 {as Kramnik suggested})) 31.
    Qd1 $1 Bh6 32. Rc3 Rxe7 $6 ({And here} 32… Kg7 33. Re2 Rxe7 34. Qd5 Qe8 {
    was stronger.}) 33. Qd5+ Qxd5 34. cxd5 {The worst is over for Ding, who
    manages to avoid any further danger now.} Ra7 35. Re2 Nf7 36. Kh3 Nge5 37. Nxd6
    Nxd6 38. Rxe5 Bg7 39. Rg5 Ne4 40. Rc8+ Kh7 41. Rh5+ Kg6 42. Rh4 Ng5+ 43. Kg2
    Rxa2+ 44. Kf1 Ra1+ 45. Ke2 Ra2+ 46. Kf1 Ra1+ 47. Ke2 Ra2+ 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.26”]
    [Round “13”]
    [White “So, W.”]
    [Black “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “E37”]
    [WhiteElo “2799”]
    [BlackElo “2763”]
    [PlyCount “77”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 7. Qc2 c5 8.
    dxc5 Nc6 9. Nf3 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Qxc5 11. e3 Nxd2 12. Nxd2 dxc4 13. b4 $146 (13.
    Bxc4 O-O 14. b4 Qe7 15. Bd3 h6 16. Qc3 a6 17. O-O Bd7 18. Nc4 Rab8 19. Nb6 Rfd8
    20. Rac1 Be8 21. Be4 Na7 22. a4 Qd6 23. Nc4 Qe7 24. Nb6 Qd6 25. Nc4 Qe7 26. Nb6
    Qd6 {1/2-1/2 (26) Giri,A (2784)-Adams,M (2737) London 2015}) 13… Qf5 14. Qxf5
    exf5 15. Bxc4 Ke7 16. Nf3 Be6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Ke2 Rhc8 19. Rhc1 Nd8 20. Ne5
    Nf7 21. Nxf7 Kxf7 22. e4 Kf6 23. Ke3 g5 24. g3 h5 25. h3 g4 26. hxg4 hxg4 27.
    f3 gxf3 28. Kxf3 Ke5 29. exf5 exf5 30. Re1+ Kf6 31. Rac1 Rxc1 32. Rxc1 Rd8 33.
    Rc7 Rd3+ 34. Kf4 Rxa3 35. Rxb7 Ra4 36. Rb5 a5 37. Rxf5+ Kg7 38. Rg5+ Kf6 39.
    Rf5+ 1/2-1/2

    [Event “FIDE Candidates 2018”]
    [Site “Berlin GER”]
    [Date “2018.03.26”]
    [Round “13”]
    [White “Caruana,F”]
    [Black “Aronian,L”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [WhiteElo “2784”]
    [BlackElo “2794”]
    [EventDate “2018.03.10”]
    [ECO “C88”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3
    {Of course, Anti-Marshall. No computers, please.} d6 9. Bd2 {Caruana borrowed
    this “brilliant” idea from Grischuk, who tried it in the previous round
    against Aronian himself.} ({Other options for White are:} 9. c3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5
    11. h3 Re8 12. d4 {Alekseev,E (2616)-Kovalev,V (2639) Tallinn 2018}) ({Or} 9.
    a4 Bd7 10. c3 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. Nbd2 Re8 13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 Bg4 15. h3 {
    which was discussed by the two players six years back, Caruana,F (2773)
    -Aronian,L (2816) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2012}) 9… Bg4 ({Black deviates from his
    early game at once. That game saw:} 9… Kh8 10. h3 Nd7 11. Nc3 Na5 12. Nd5
    Nxb3 13. axb3 Bb7 14. c4 f5 15. Ba5 {Grischuk,A (2767)-Aronian,L (2794), 2018})
    10. c3 d5 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qe2 $146 {A novelty.} ({Previously} 12. exd5 Nxd5 13.
    g4 {was tested, when White won a pawn, but Black had typical Marshall
    compensation:} Bg6 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Rxe5 Nb6 16. d4 Bd6 {Jackson,S (2185)
    -Littlewood,P (2435) London 1984}) 12… Rb8 13. Bg5 dxe4 (13… d4 $5) 14.
    dxe4 h6 {Asking the bishop where is it going.} (14… Nd7 15. Be3 $5) 15. Bc1
    $1 {There is no better square for this bishop. Up to here Caruana was in his
    preparation.} (15. Bh4 Nd7 {looks good for Black here without the option
    Bg5-e3.}) ({Naturally, White is not happy with the trade of this bishop:} 15.
    Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nbd2 Na5 {with comfortable play for Black.}) 15… Bg6 {The
    bishop leaves the road for the black knight.} ({Black cannot play in
    Chigorin-style} 15… Na5 16. Bc2 {as} c5 {drops the central pawn after} 17. g4
    ) ({But there was this interesting regroupment after} 15… Qc8 $5 16. Nbd2 Rd8
    17. Nf1 Na5 18. Bc2 Qe6) (15… Nh7 {with the idea Be7-g5 can be answered} 16.
    Bd5 {and there is a problem with the e5 pawn:} Na5 17. g4 Bg6 18. Nxe5) 16.
    Nbd2 Nh5 ({On} 16… Bc5 17. a4 {is unpleasant.}) 17. Nf1 Bc5 ({The immediate}
    17… Nf4 {leads to clear advantage for White after} 18. Bxf4 exf4 19. Rad1 Qc8
    20. Qd2) 18. g3 {Sensibly depriving Black of the Nh5-f4 option. The question
    is: can the second player exploit the weakening of the f-file?} (18. a4 $5)
    18… Kh7 19. Kg2 Qe7 ({So far} 19… f5 {does not work due to} 20. exf5 Rxf5
    21. Bc2) 20. Bc2 $1 {Now it is stopped for good.} Rfd8 21. b4 {Once that
    stability was achieved on the kingside Caruana shifts his attention to the
    opposite wing. In particular, towards the weak pair on a6 and b5.} Bb6 22. a4
    Nf6 {Aronian abandoned the ill pawns and decided to bet on the kingside attack.
    } (22… Qe6 {in order to defend the knight in the line} 23. axb5 axb5 {
    would be most likely met with} 24. Be3 $1 {with advantage for White.} (24. Qxb5
    Bxf2 $1)) 23. Nh4 {A very good move.} ({“I did not want to get the game too
    out of control after”} 23. axb5 axb5 24. Qxb5 Bxf2 25. Qxc6 Bxe1 26. Nxe1 {
    “which I managed to do anyway. But maybe it was good.” (Caruana) Indeed, the
    two pieces are more vaulable than the rook here as the endgame is not likely
    going to happen any time soon.}) 23… Qe6 24. Bd3 (24. axb5 axb5 25. Qxb5 $2 {
    is no longer an option as the black knight is defended and he can simply grab
    material} Bxf2) ({However Caruana mentioned the worthy alternative} 24. Nxg6
    fxg6 25. Bd3 Rf8 {and now, say,} 26. f3 {with advantage for White.}) 24… Bh5
    $1 {Now it gets messy.} ({“An important line is:”} 24… Ne7 25. Nxg6 Nxg6 26.
    axb5 axb5 27. Bxb5 Bxf2 28. Bc4 $1 {(Caruana)} ({Black’s idea is} 28. Kxf2 Qb6+
    {(Caruana)})) 25. g4 Bxg4 {This is what the bishop came for at h5.} (25… Bg6
    {“is the worst of the options as after”} 26. Ng3 {” (Black) is losing a pawn
    and I have consolidated my center” (Caruana)}) 26. hxg4 Nxg4 ({White would be
    happy with the endgame after} 26… Qxg4+ 27. Qxg4 Nxg4 28. Be2 Bxf2 29. Rd1
    Bxh4 30. Bxg4 {“the black pawns are not moving and the knight on c6 is still
    bad. White should be technically winning here” (Caruana)}) 27. Nf5 Nxf2 ({
    Caruana expected another attacking idea:} 27… Qg6 28. N1g3 Bxf2 29. Rf1 Bxg3
    30. Nxg3 {but once again the black pawns are not going anywhere, and the
    bishop is worth more than the pawns. Besides, b5 will drop later, explaned the
    winner of the game.}) 28. Bc2 g6 29. N1e3 ({Both players spoted a curious draw
    after} 29. N5e3 Nh3 30. Nd5 Ng1 31. Qd3 Ne7 32. Nfe3 Qh3+ 33. Kxg1 Qg3+) (29.
    Be3 {“would be the most desirable option, but it drops all the pawns”} Nxe4 30.
    Bxe4 gxf5 {(Caruana)}) 29… gxf5 30. exf5 Qf6 31. Qxf2 {All of this was
    basically forced and this position is the critical test of the sacrifice.} (31.
    Kxf2 {suprisingly loses after} Qh4+ 32. Kf1 Nd4 $3 33. cxd4 Rxd4 {with a
    decisive attack for Black.}) 31… e4 $2 {After this Black’s initiative
    quickly evaporates.} ({The critical idea was not spoted by the humans, but by
    the AI:} 31… Nxb4 $1 32. cxb4 Rd4 $3 {to insert the rook into the attack.
    Then anything can happen. For example:} 33. Kh3 ({I especially like this
    artificial line:} 33. Bb2 Qg5+ 34. Qg3 Rd2+ 35. Kf3 Qh5+ 36. Ke4 Rg8 37. Bd1
    Rxd1 38. Qxg8+ Kxg8 39. Raxd1 {Go figure what’s going on at the end…}) 33…
    Rg8 (33… Qg5 $5) 34. Nd5 Rxd5 35. Qf3 Rd4 {with compensation for the piece.})
    (31… Nd4 {might transpose into the same after} 32. cxd4 ({However White has
    extra choice} 32. Be4 $1 {and it is good enough for the advantage.}) 32… Rxd4
    ({Aronian was only considering} 32… exd4 {but it does not work due to} 33.
    Ng4 $1)) ({Also bad for Black is} 31… Rg8+ 32. Kf1 Nd4 33. cxd4 exd4 34. Nd5
    {(Aronian)}) 32. Rh1 {“I do not have any ideas here.” (Aronian) In fact it is
    White who is attacking.} Rd6 ({Maybe Black should have tried} 32… Nxb4 33.
    cxb4 Rg8+ 34. Kf1 Qxa1 35. Ke2) 33. Bxe4 Rg8+ 34. Kf1 Ne5 35. Qf4 {The white
    pices are clearly beter prepared than the opponent’s ones. The end is near.} c6
    36. axb5 ({Aronian suggested a “trivial” win instead:} 36. Rxh6+ $1 Qxh6 37.
    f6+ Rg6 38. Qxh6+ Kxh6 39. Nc4+ $1 ({Somewhat worse, but probably also winning
    is} 39. Nf5+ Kh5 40. Nxd6 Rxf6+ 41. Nf5)) ({The American GM spent some time to
    make this line work:} 36. Nd5 cxd5 ({However he could not find anything after}
    36… Rg1+ $1) 37. Rxh6+ Qxh6 38. f6+ $1) 36… Rg5 (36… axb5 {would have
    forced White to find} 37. Rxh6+ $1 ({Or} 37. Qxh6+)) 37. bxa6 Qd8 38. f6+ Ng6
    39. Rxh6+ $1 {A neat finish of a crucial game!} (39. Rxh6+ Kxh6 40. Qh2+ Rh5
    41. Nf5+ Kh7 42. Qxh5+ Kg8 43. Ne7+ Nxe7 44. Qh7+ Kf8 45. Qh8+ Ng8 46. Qg7+ Ke8
    47. Qxg8+ Kd7 48. Qxf7+ Kc8 49. Qb7#) 1-0
    [/pgn]

    For your reference, this is the first time that an American has played in the [World Chess Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Chess_Championship) since Bobby Fischer beat Petrosian in 1971.

  • Magnus Carlsen Takes on The Simpsons

    The Simpsons is in its 28th season (premiered in 1989) and despite being written off by passing social fads like Family Guy has remained a staple of American culture for longer than many of its fans have been alive. Throughout its run, the show has hosted countless cultural crossovers including KISS, President Donald Trump, and many other celebrities that have brought the show a consistently refreshing take on the state of the world. This past Sunday, the show put chess at its center for the first time in its long history with an episode dedicated to exploring a complex and relatively unknown part of Homer Simpson’s backstory. To help him through the challenges of that backstory was the Norwegian World Champion himself: Magnus Carlsen!

    Image 2

    I will not spoil the entire episode in case you have not seen it, but suffice to say that it is worth taking the time to watch! There are the usual missteps like chess boards being set up incorrectly, but there is also a great deal of attention to detail in the episode such as real-life positions on the boards and enough club-level chess talk to please even the most discriminating chess geek!

    Image 2

    Moe’s Tavern taken by chess fever! (Image Credit: Fox)

    For me, one of the best moments of the night came from the image above where Moe’s Tavern became the social hub dedicated to watching the episode’s final match. The creators truly captured the atmosphere of chess fans following the game in a way that was funny yet reverent in a way that only The Simpsons could achieve. If you have not seen the episode, you might qualify to watch it here depending on your cable provider.

  • Magnus Carlsen Retains World Chess Title

    Magnus Carlsen Retains World Chess Title

    Magnus Carlsen put the final nail in the coffin for the 2016 World Chess Championship with a [spectacular finish](http://theweekinchess.com/chessnews/events/world-chess-championship-2016/magnus-carlsen-retains-world-championship-title-with-a-spectacular-final-move) in the 25 | 10 rapid tiebreaker. Carlsen had been frustrated throughout the event and fell behind before managing to equalize the standings in Game 10. He went on to win the last two games of the rapid event, which finally put an end to his challengers efforts and solidified his place as World Chess Champion for the next two years. As the main portion of the event drew to its conclusion, many in the chess world began taking note of the precarious position Sergey Karjakin could find himself in against one of the strongest rapid and blitz players in the world.

    The first two tiebreaker games were drawn with Karjakin narrowly escaping a loss in the second game but unable to stop the onslaught that ultimately allowed Carlsen to retain his title.


    Carlsen’s incredible finish to the rapid tiebreaker event.

    The position above is stunning and reaffirms why Magnus Carlsen is the best chess player in the world. With **Qh6+**, Magnus brought his opponent’s bid to become the next world champion to his stunning halt. There were moments throughout the event where it seemed that Sergey Karjakin was poised to overtake Carlsen, but never found a way to convert his opportunities into solid wins. Of course, there were moments throughout the event were Magnus seemed to struggle both with his chess abilities and his ability to keep his emotions in check (no pun intended). Magnus took a little bit of criticism on social media for his outburst following his loss in the classical round, but I have to say that him storming out of the press conference is the kind of stuff that chess needs if it wants to become a popular, respectable, and marketable activity in the United States.

    [pgn]
    [Event “WCh Rapid TB 2016”]
    [Site “New York USA”]
    [Date “2016.11.30”]
    [Round “1”]
    [White “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “C84”]
    [WhiteElo “2772”]
    [BlackElo “2853”]
    [PlyCount “74”]
    [EventDate “2016.11.30”]
    [EventType “rapid”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
    O-O 9. Nc3 Nb8 10. Ne2 c5 11. Ng3 Nc6 12. c3 Rb8 13. h3 a5 14. a4 b4 15. Re1
    Be6 16. Bc4 h6 17. Be3 Qc8 18. Qe2 Rd8 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. d4 bxc3 21. bxc3 cxd4
    22. cxd4 exd4 23. Nxd4 Nxd4 24. Bxd4 Rb4 25. Rec1 Qd7 26. Bc3 Rxa4 27. Bxa5
    Rxa1 28. Rxa1 Ra8 29. Bc3 Rxa1+ 30. Bxa1 Qc6 31. Kh2 Kf7 32. Bb2 Qc5 33. f4 Bd8
    34. e5 dxe5 35. Bxe5 Bb6 36. Qd1 Qd5 37. Qxd5 Nxd5 1/2-1/2

    [Event “WCh Rapid TB 2016”]
    [Site “New York USA”]
    [Date “2016.11.30”]
    [Round “2”]
    [White “Carlsen, Magnus”]
    [Black “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Result “1/2-1/2”]
    [ECO “C50”]
    [WhiteElo “2853”]
    [BlackElo “2772”]
    [PlyCount “167”]
    [EventDate “2016.11.30”]
    [EventType “rapid”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. a4 a6 7. c3 d6 8. Re1
    Ba7 9. h3 Ne7 10. d4 Ng6 11. Nbd2 c6 12. Bf1 a5 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. Qc2 Be6 15.
    Nc4 Qc7 16. b4 axb4 17. cxb4 b5 18. Ne3 bxa4 19. Rxa4 Bxe3 20. Bxe3 Rxa4 21.
    Qxa4 Nxe4 22. Rc1 Bd5 23. b5 cxb5 24. Qxe4 Qxc1 25. Qxd5 Qc7 26. Qxb5 Rb8 27.
    Qd5 Rd8 28. Qb3 Rb8 29. Qa2 h6 30. Qd5 Qe7 31. Qe4 Qf6 32. g3 Rc8 33. Bd3 Qc6
    34. Qf5 Re8 35. Be4 Qe6 36. Qh5 Ne7 37. Qxe5 Qxe5 38. Nxe5 Ng6 39. Bxg6 Rxe5
    40. Bd3 f6 41. Kg2 Kh8 42. Kf3 Rd5 43. Bg6 Ra5 44. Ke4 Rb5 45. h4 Re5+ 46. Kd4
    Ra5 47. Kc4 Re5 48. Bd4 Ra5 49. Bc5 Kg8 50. Kd5 Rb5 51. Kd6 Ra5 52. Be3 Re5 53.
    Bf4 Ra5 54. Bd3 Ra7 55. Ke6 Rb7 56. Kf5 Rd7 57. Bc2 Rb7 58. Kg6 Rb2 59. Bf5
    Rxf2 60. Be6+ Kh8 61. Bd6 Re2 62. Bg4 Re8 63. Bf5 Kg8 64. Bc2 Re3 65. Bb1 Kh8
    66. Kf7 Rb3 67. Be4 Re3 68. Bf5 Rc3 69. g4 Rc6 70. Bf8 Rc7+ 71. Kg6 Kg8 72. Bb4
    Rb7 73. Bd6 Kh8 74. Bf8 Kg8 75. Ba3 Kh8 76. Be6 Rb6 77. Kf7 Rb7+ 78. Be7 h5 79.
    gxh5 f5 80. Bxf5 Rxe7+ 81. Kxe7 Kg8 82. Bd3 Kh8 83. Kf8 g5 84. hxg6 1/2-1/2

    [Event “WCh Rapid TB 2016”]
    [Site “New York USA”]
    [Date “2016.11.30”]
    [Round “3”]
    [White “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Black “Carlsen, Magnus”]
    [Result “0-1”]
    [ECO “C84”]
    [WhiteElo “2772”]
    [BlackElo “2853”]
    [PlyCount “76”]
    [EventDate “2016.11.30”]
    [EventType “rapid”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
    O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Nc6 12. Nd5 Nd4 13. Ng5 Bxd5 14. exd5 Nd7 15.
    Ne4 f5 16. Nd2 f4 17. c3 Nf5 18. Ne4 Qe8 19. Bb3 Qg6 20. f3 Bh4 21. a4 Nf6 22.
    Qe2 a5 23. axb5 axb4 24. Bd2 bxc3 25. Bxc3 Ne3 26. Rfc1 Rxa1 27. Rxa1 Qe8 28.
    Bc4 Kh8 29. Nxf6 Bxf6 30. Ra3 e4 31. dxe4 Bxc3 32. Rxc3 Qe5 33. Rc1 Ra8 34. h3
    h6 35. Kh2 Qd4 36. Qe1 Qb2 37. Bf1 Ra2 38. Rxc7 Ra1 0-1

    [Event “WCh Rapid TB 2016”]
    [Site “New York USA”]
    [Date “2016.11.30”]
    [Round “4”]
    [White “Carlsen, Magnus”]
    [Black “Karjakin, Sergey”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “B54”]
    [WhiteElo “2853”]
    [BlackElo “2772”]
    [PlyCount “99”]
    [EventDate “2016.11.30”]
    [EventType “rapid”]

    1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. f3 e5 6. Nb3 Be7 7. c4 a5 8. Be3
    a4 9. Nc1 O-O 10. Nc3 Qa5 11. Qd2 Na6 12. Be2 Nc5 13. O-O Bd7 14. Rb1 Rfc8 15.
    b4 axb3 16. axb3 Qd8 17. Nd3 Ne6 18. Nb4 Bc6 19. Rfd1 h5 20. Bf1 h4 21. Qf2 Nd7
    22. g3 Ra3 23. Bh3 Rca8 24. Nc2 R3a6 25. Nb4 Ra5 26. Nc2 b6 27. Rd2 Qc7 28.
    Rbd1 Bf8 29. gxh4 Nf4 30. Bxf4 exf4 31. Bxd7 Qxd7 32. Nb4 Ra3 33. Nxc6 Qxc6 34.
    Nb5 Rxb3 35. Nd4 Qxc4 36. Nxb3 Qxb3 37. Qe2 Be7 38. Kg2 Qe6 39. h5 Ra3 40. Rd3
    Ra2 41. R3d2 Ra3 42. Rd3 Ra7 43. Rd5 Rc7 44. Qd2 Qf6 45. Rf5 Qh4 46. Rc1 Ra7
    47. Qxf4 Ra2+ 48. Kh1 Qf2 49. Rc8+ Kh7 50. Qh6+ 1-0
    [/pgn]

    #### Viewership Review
    Agon, which has become a *four letter word* In the chess community has refused to release (at least for now) the exact number of people who purchased their premium package for viewing the event, but initial estimates project that less than 10,000 people paid for the premium streaming and commentary package. Personally, I was pleased to be able to follow the games as a premium member of [Chessbase](http://play.chessbase.com), on [ChessBomb](http://www.chessbomb.com), and to watch the exceptional commentary and analysis from some of my favorite people over on [chess24.com](http://www.chess24.com). Still, just a long way to go if it wants to build an American audience to the point where corporations like Pepsi, Red Bull, or other major corporations are willing to sponsor the events. As mentioned in an excellent news [article](http://sports.yahoo.com/news/norwegian-vies-russian-world-chess-championship-231509689–spt.html) published shortly after Carlsen’s victory, chess needs a series of dramatic stories in order to sell itself to the American people. Bobby Fischer made history as the lone genius who challenged the world’s greatest chess power, the Soviet Union, during the Cold War which allowed the American people to relate what was happening on the board to what was happening every day in their news. When professional chess can find a way to bring the drama and excitement of playing the game to people in a way that relates to their everyday struggles and experiences, then it will find itself at a buffet of sponsors and fans. Compelling drama and personal connection sells products, not frivolous litigation.