1.e4
c5
2.Nf3
d6
3.d4
cxd4
4.Nxd4
Nf6
5.Nc3
a6
Here's the Najdorf Sicilian again, but this time, Akopian has black!
6.Be3
Nc6
7.f3
Preserving the Be3 against the possibility of Ng4... and supporting the g2-g4 advance
7...e6
8.g4
Be7
9.Qd2
0-0
10.0-0-0
All standard fare in this "English attack." White wants to continue with h4-h5, g5 and g6
10...Nxd4
Removing the Nd4 and its pressure on e6... and permitting b7-b5 (if b5 first, Nxc6)
11.Bxd4
b5
12.g5
Nd7
Not Nh5 when Be2 and f4 are very strong
13.h4
The g-pawn was twice attacked
13...Qc7
Black will normally attack with Bb7, Rfc8 and b4
14.Kb1
A useful precaution in many Sicilian lines, taking the king off the c-file.
14...b4
15.Na4
All played quickly, part of their preparation
15...Bb7
16.Qxb4
Can it be this easy. White just grabs the pawn, making black prove that the open b-file is compensation for the lost pawn.
16...Bc6
Preparing Rfb8
17.Nc3
Rfb8
18.Qc4
Ne5
19.Qe2
Not Bxe5 dxe5 activating the Be7
19...Qa5
With many ideas, including Qa3
20.f4!
Nicely played. 20...Qa3 21.Nd5!
20...Ng6
[20...Qa3
21.Nd5
exd5
22.fxe5
]
21.Qf3
e5
22.Bf2
Qb4
23.b3
Nxf4
I thought that Akopian had the better of it here. How will Anand stop a6-a5-a4 and check out that strong Nf4!
24.Be1
Threatening Nd5
24...Qc5
But perhaps a5 was better [24...a5!?
25.Nd5
Qb7
26.Bc4
(26.Nxe7+
Qxe7
27.Bd2
a4
28.Bxf4
axb3
29.cxb3
Ra4-/+
) 26...a4
]
25.Bg3
a5
26.Bxf4
exf4
27.Nd5
Bd8
28.Qxf4
a4
29.Rh2
Wonderful defense. The rook holds the fort from the side
29...Bxd5
30.exd5
Ba5
[30...axb3
31.cxb3
Qa3
32.Rc1
Rb4
33.Rc4+/=
]
31.Qd4
up material, white seeks the exchange of Qs
31...Qa3
[31...Qc7!?
]
32.h5
Bb6
33.Qc3
Ba5
34.Qd4
Bb6
35.Qd3
Re8
36.g6
Black's attack has stalled, but white's comes crashing through
36...fxg6
37.hxg6
h6
Tring to lock up the pawns, but weakening the back rank
38.Bh3
Developing for the first time, with a bang. The idea is Be6
38...Bd8
Diagram [38...axb3
39.cxb3
Re3
40.Be6+
Kh8
41.Qb5+-
Bd4
42.Qb7
]
39.Be6+
Rxe6
[39...Kh8
40.Rxh6+
gxh6
41.Qd4+
Bf6
42.Qxf6#
; 39...Kf8
40.Rf1+
Bf6
41.Rxf6+
gxf6
42.g7+
Ke7
(42...Kxg7
43.Qg3+
Kf8
44.Qg8+
Ke7
45.Qf7+
Kd8
46.Qd7#
) 43.g8Q
Rxg8
44.Qh7++-
]
40.dxe6
Bf6
41.c3!
[41.c4
axb3
42.Qxb3
Qxb3+
43.axb3
Ra1+
44.Kc2
Ra2+-+
]
41...axb3
42.Qc4!
e7+
42...Qa5
43.e7+
Kh8
44.Re1
Be5
45.Qc6
Rf2 also wins quickly 1-0