(1) Akopian,V (2693) - Svidler,P (2747) [C88]
GMA Wijk aan Zee NED (10), 22.01.2004



1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4
An unusual plan in the Ruy Lopex. More usual is c3 which permits the Marshall Gambit with ...d5

8...b4 9.d3 d6 10.a5
fixing the b4-weakness and, as a condequence, fixing the Nc6 to defend it.

10...Be6 11.Nbd2 Qc8 12.Bc4
My database says that this is the new move. The idea is simple enough. On Bxc4, white plays Nxc4-e3-d5, and white meanwhile can play b2 and Bb2 with the idea of d3-d4

12...h6 13.h3 Re8 14.b3 Bf8 15.Bb2 Qd7 16.Qe2 Bxc4 17.Nxc4 g6 18.Nh2
The knight is headed towards e3 via g4 or f1

18...Bg7 19.Ng4 Nh7
[ 19...Nxg4 20.Qxg4 Qxg4 21.hxg4 gives white all the chances owing to the bad Bg7 and the active Nc4]

20.Nge3 f5 21.Nd5 f4
This just seals in the Bg7

22.d4 Ng5 23.Qg4 Qf7 24.dxe5 dxe5
The Nc6 is needed for the defense of b4

25.Rad1
Having pried open the d-file, white will double, and perhaps triple there

25...Ne6 26.Rd3 Rab8
Trying to free up the Nc6-d4

27.Qd1 Red8
[ 27...Ncd4 28.Nxe5 Bxe5 29.Bxd4 Nxd4 30.Rxd4 Bxd4 31.Qxd4 ]

28.f3 Qf8 29.Kh1 Kh7 30.Rd2 Qc5 31.Qa1 Ncd4 32.Bxd4 exd4 33.Qd1 Rf8 34.Qe2 Rbe8 35.Qf1 Rf7 36.Ra1
With the idea of Ra4-b4

36...d3 37.Rxd3 c6
Diagram [ 37...Bxa1 38.Qxa1 Qf8 39.Ne5+- ]

38.Nd6
The knights are in

38...cxd5 39.Rxd5 Qc3 40.Rad1 Ree7
[ 40...Rfe7 41.Nxe8 Rxe8 42.Qd3 ]

41.Nxf7 Rxf7 42.Qxa6 Nd4
[ 42...Nc7 43.Qb7 Nxd5 44.Qxf7 Ne3 45.Rg1 Qxc2 46.a6+- ]

43.Qd3
Seeking simplification

43...Nxc2 44.Rc1! Rc7 45.Qxc3
Clear path to a win

45...Rxc3
[ 45...bxc3 46.Rxc2 ]

46.a6 Ne3 47.Rxc3 bxc3
[ 47...Nxd5 48.Rc6+- ]

48.Rc5
dominating the Ne3, preventing the advance of the c-pawn. And the a-pawn will queen 1-0