(1) Zhang Zhong (2639) - Anand,V (2766) [A05]
GMA Wijk aan Zee NED (7), 18.01.2004



1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d3
Avoiding the open lines with 3.d4 in favor or a king's indian type approach

3...b5
A sharp reaction. Black accepts the closed character of the position, but immediately begins operations on the queenside.

4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 d6
Covering the e5-square in anticipation of Nf6

6.0-0 Nf6 7.Ng5
Preparing f2-f4

7...h6 8.Nh3 Nc6
Making sure that white cannot now play d4

9.f4 Be7 10.Be3 h5!
The threat is Ng4 and, in some lines h4. But the real point is to take the sting out any white kingside attack since g4 will now open the h-file for Black's Rook.

11.Nf2
Guarding g4

11...d5
Inviting e5 but threatening c4

12.e5 Nd7 13.c4
The usual positional counter against three pawns across.

13...bxc4 14.dxc4 Nb6
dxc4 weakens black's pawn structure

15.Na3 Rb8
Taking the open file and preparing the exchange of the light squared Bishops

16.Nd3
Forcing black to advance the d-pawn

16...d4 17.Bd2 g6
Solidifying he pawn structure, but what to do with the Black king?

18.b3 Kf8
Safe for the moment

19.Nc2 Nd7 20.Qe2 Qc7 21.h3 Nd8 22.Nce1 Bxg2 23.Nxg2 Ke8
Anticipating white's kingside expansion, and preparing to safeguard the Black king on the queenside and to transfer the Rb8 to g8

24.g4 hxg4 25.hxg4 Qc6
Black has gained fantastic control over the key h-file and the long diagonal

26.Rf3
Preventing Rh3

26...Qa6
Aiming at the a3 square but more importantly stopping the b3-b4 attemptt to undermine the Black pawn structure.

27.Qd1 Nc6
By taking full control over b4, Anand eliinates any counterplay

28.Qc2 Kd8
Safeguardiung the king on the queenside as a prelude to Rbg8

29.Re1 Kc7 30.f5
This only helps black, but white had no desire to wait for Black to consolidate and attack

30...gxf5 31.gxf5 Rbg8
Taking the g-file too!

32.fxe6
[32.f6 Bf8 ]

32...fxe6 33.Rf7
Taking the entry square

33...Kc8
Prudently taking he king off the rank

34.Bf4 Bf8
The threat is Nd8 trapping the Rf7

35.Qf2?
[35.Bh2 ]

35...Nd8 36.Rxd7 Kxd7 37.b4 Ke8
[37...Qxc4 ]

38.bxc5
Diagram

38...Rh3
Taking the entry square

39.Qc2
[39.Qxd4 Qc6 ]

39...Qc6 40.Re2 Bxc5
[40...Qf3 41.Rd2 Qe4-+ ; 40...Bxc5 41.Nxc5 Qxc5 With the horific threat d3+] 0-1