[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Bratislava"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Munizaba, Slobodan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SVK"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 d6 4. Nf3 e6 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. d3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Qe1
a6 9. a4 Qc7 10. Bd2 Rd8 11. e5 dxe5 12. fxe5 Nd5 13. Qg3 Nd4 14. Nxd4 Nxc3 15.
bxc3 cxd4 16. cxd4 Rxd4 17. Qf2 Bf8 18. Ba5 Qd7 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. Qxd4 Bd7 21.
Bb4 Bxb4 22. Qxb4 Bc6 23. Qf4 Rc8 24. c4 Qg6 25. Qg3 Qe6 26. Rf6 Qe7 27. Raf1
Qc5+ 28. Kh1 Be8 29. e6 fxe6 30. Qg5 Qb4 31. Qa5 Qa3 32. Rf8+ Qxf8 33. Rxf8+
Kxf8 34. Qb4+ Kg8 35. Qxb7 Rd8 36. Qb6 Rxd3 37. Qxe6+ Kf8 38. Qf5+ 1-0

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Bratislava"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Ngo, Ngoc Quang"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D79"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SVK"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 5. Nc3 c6 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Nf3 O-O 8. O-O
Nc6 9. b3 Ne4 10. Bb2 Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. exf3 Nxc3 13. Bxc3 Qb6 14. Rc1 Nxd4
15. Qd3 e6 16. Rfd1 Nf5 17. f4 Rac8 18. g4 Nd6 19. Be5 f5 20. Qe2 Ne4 21. gxf5
Bxe5 22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23. Bxe4 Bxf4 24. fxe6 dxe4 25. Qxe4 Bg5 26. e7 Qc6 27. Qg4
Bxe7 28. Rd7 Rc7 29. Rd3 Qc1+ 30. Kh2 Qe1 31. Rg3 Bd6 32. h4 0-1

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Bratislava"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hamrakulova, Yulduz"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D01"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SVK"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 Nbd7 4. f3 h6 5. Bh4 e6 6. e4 Be7 7. e5 Nh5 8. Bxe7
Qxe7 9. Nge2 g5 10. Qd3 Nb6 11. g4 Ng7 12. Ng3 h5 13. Be2 Bd7 14. Qe3 hxg4 15.
fxg4 O-O-O 16. O-O Rh4 17. b3 Rdh8 18. Rf2 Be8 19. a4 Nd7 20. Raf1 Nf8 21. Bf3
Ng6 22. Nce2 R8h7 23. c4 Qd8 24. Qd2 Kb8 25. Rc1 Bc6 26. Nf1 Rh3 27. Nfg3 Qh8
28. Nf1 Nh4 29. Bh1 Rxb3 30. cxd5 exd5 31. Qc2 Rb6 32. Bxd5 Ne6 33. Bxe6 fxe6
34. Qxh7 1-0

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Bratislava"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Boldyrev, Anton"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B20"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SVK"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Ne2 d6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. c3 Bg4 6. h3 Bxe2 7. Qxe2 Nc6 8. O-O
Nf6 9. d3 O-O 10. Be3 Rc8 11. Nd2 Nd7 12. f4 b5 13. Nf3 b4 14. c4 e6 15. Rad1
Qc7 16. g4 Rce8 17. Qf2 e5 18. Qh4 exf4 19. Bxf4 Nd4 20. Bh6 Ne5 21. Nxd4 cxd4
22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. g5 h5 24. gxh6+ Kh7 25. Qf6 Rg8 26. Qf2 Qc5 27. Kh1 Re7 28.
Qh4 Re6 29. Qg5 Qc7 30. h4 Qe7 31. Bh3 f6 32. Qf4 f5 33. exf5 Rf6 34. fxg6+
Rgxg6 35. Qe4 Kxh6 36. Bf5 Rxf5 37. Rxf5 Rg4 38. Qe1 Rxh4+ 39. Kg2 Qg7+ 40. Qg3
Rg4 41. Rh1+ Kg6 42. Rhh5 Rxg3+ 43. Kxg3 Qe7 44. c5 Nxd3 45. Rhg5+ Kh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Bratislava"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Das, Neves"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D01"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SVK"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 Bf5 4. f3 Nbd7 5. Nxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 h6 7. Bh4 N7b6 8.
exf5 Ne3 9. Qd3 Qxd4 10. Bg3 Qxb2 11. Qb5+ Qxb5 12. Bxb5+ c6 13. Bd3 O-O-O 14.
Rb1 Na4 15. Bf2 Nxg2+ 16. Kd2 Nf4 17. Bxa7 c5 18. Rb5 c4 19. Ra5 b5 20. Rxb5
cxd3 21. Rb4 dxc2+ 22. Kxc2 e5 23. Rxa4 Kb7 24. Be3 Nd5 25. Bd2 Rc8+ 26. Kb3
Be7 27. Ne2 Nb6 28. Rg4 Rhd8 29. Bc3 Bf6 30. Kc2 Ra8 31. Kb1 Nd5 32. Bb2 Ra6
33. Re4 Rb6 34. Rd1 Ka7 35. Ka1 Rbd6 36. Ra4+ Kb7 37. Rc1 Nb4 38. Ra3 Rb8 39.
Rb3 Rd2 40. Nc3 Ka8 41. Na4 Rxh2 42. Ra3 Na6 43. f4 Be7 44. Nc5 Rbxb2 45. Rxa6+
Kb8 46. Nd3 Rb5 47. Nxe5 Bc5 48. Ra4 f6 49. Nc6+ Kb7 50. Rac4 Kxc6 51. a4 Ra5
52. R1c2 Rxc2 53. Rxc2 Rxa4+ 54. Kb1 Rxf4 55. Rg2 Bf8 56. Rc2+ Kd5 57. Rc8 Bd6
58. Rg8 Rg4 0-1

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Bratislava"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kozlenkov, D."]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C63"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SVK"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d3 fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. Qe2 Nd4 8.
Nxd4 exd4 9. a3 Ba5 10. b4 c6 11. Bd3 Bc7 12. Nd1 O-O 13. O-O d5 14. e5 Ng4 15.
f4 Qe7 16. c4 dxc3 17. Nxc3 a5 18. Rb1 axb4 19. axb4 Bb6+ 20. Kh1 Nxh2 21. Qh5
Ng4 22. Bxh7+ Kh8 23. Bg6+ Nh6 24. f5 Kg8 25. Bxh6 gxh6 26. f6 Qc7 27. Qxh6 Be6
28. f7+ Rxf7 29. Bxf7+ Bxf7 30. e6 Rf8 31. Qxf8+ Kxf8 32. Rxf7+ Qxf7 33. exf7
Kxf7 34. g4 d4 35. Ne4 Ke6 36. Nc5+ Kd5 37. g5 Bd8 38. g6 Bf6 39. Nxb7 d3 40.
Kg2 Kc4 41. Nc5 Bh8 42. Ne4 1-0

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Bratislava"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sitnick, Maxim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C55"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SVK"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. Nc3 O-O 6. a3 d6 7. h3 Be6 8. O-O
Nxe4 9. Nxe4 d5 10. Bb5 dxe4 11. dxe4 Nd4 12. Bd3 Bd6 13. Ng5 Bd7 14. Bc4 h6
15. c3 hxg5 16. cxd4 exd4 17. Qxd4 b5 18. Bd5 Bxh3 19. Qe3 Be6 20. Bxa8 Qxa8
21. e5 Be7 22. Qg3 g4 23. Be3 Qe4 24. Rfe1 Qc2 25. b4 Qd3 26. Bxa7 Qg6 27. Bc5
Bxc5 28. bxc5 Rd8 29. Rad1 Rxd1 30. Rxd1 Qc2 31. Rd8+ Kh7 32. Qd3+ Qxd3 33.
Rxd3 c6 34. Rd6 Kg6 35. Rxc6 Kf5 36. Rb6 Ke4 37. Rxb5 Kd5 38. Kh2 Kc6 39. Rb6+
Kxc5 40. Rxe6 fxe6 41. Kg3 1-0

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Bratislava"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nur, Nawrose Farh"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B72"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SVK"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Bc4 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8.
Bb3 Ng4 9. Qd2 Nxe3 10. fxe3 Nc6 11. O-O-O Bd7 12. Rdf1 Ne5 13. h3 Rc8 14. g4
h6 15. Qe2 Kh8 16. Rhg1 e6 17. Rf2 Qa5 18. Kb1 a6 19. Rgf1 b5 20. Qd2 Kg8 21.
Nde2 Qb6 22. Nd1 a5 23. a3 b4 24. axb4 axb4 25. Qd4 Qa5 26. Qxd6 Ra8 27. c3 Bb5
28. Nf4 Bxf1 29. Rxf1 bxc3 30. bxc3 Rfb8 31. Rf2 Rxb3+ 32. Rb2 Rxb2+ 33. Nxb2
Qa1+ 34. Kc2 Qxb2+ 0-1

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Bratislava"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zabojlovich, A."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SVK"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 e6 4. Nf3 d6 5. Bc4 Be7 6. d3 Nf6 7. O-O b6 8. Qe1 a6
9. a4 Nd7 10. Be3 Bb7 11. Rd1 Qc7 12. f5 exf5 13. Nd5 Qd8 14. exf5 Nce5 15.
Nxe5 dxe5 16. Qg3 Kf8 17. Nxe7 Qxe7 18. Rde1 f6 19. c3 Qd6 20. d4 Re8 21. dxc5
Nxc5 22. Rd1 Qc7 23. Bd5 Bxd5 24. Rxd5 Kf7 25. a5 Nd7 26. Rfd1 Rd8 27. Qg4 bxa5
28. Kh1 Nb8 29. Rxd8 Rxd8 30. Rxd8 Qxd8 31. Qc4+ Ke8 32. Qg8+ Kd7 33. Qe6+ Kc7
34. Bb6+ 1-0

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Bratislava"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Shaposhnikov, Evgeny"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B55"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SVK"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. f3 e5 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7 8.
Nf5 d5 9. Bg5 dxe4 10. Bxf6 Qxd1+ 11. Kxd1 gxf6 12. fxe4 Nc6 13. c3 O-O-O+ 14.
Ke2 Ne7 15. Nxe7+ Bxe7 16. Nd2 Rhg8 17. g3 Rg4 18. Rad1 h5 19. Rhg1 Bc5 20. Rg2
h4 21. Kf3 Rg6 22. g4 h3 23. Rg3 Rd3+ 24. Ke2 Rxg3 25. hxg3 Rxg4 26. Kf3 Rg8
27. Rh1 Rh8 28. Kg4 Rd8 29. Nb3 Bb6 30. Kxh3 a5 31. a4 Rd3 32. Rf1 Bd8 33. Re1
b6 34. Kg2 Kd7 35. Kf2 Kc6 36. Rg1 b5 37. Ke2 Rd6 38. axb5+ Kxb5 39. Rd1 Rxd1
40. Kxd1 a4 41. Nd2 Bb6 42. Kc2 Be3 43. g4 Bxd2 44. Kxd2 Kc4 45. Kc2 Kb5 46. b3
axb3+ 47. Kxb3 Kc5 48. c4 Kd4 49. Kb4 Kxe4 50. c5 f5 51. gxf5 Kxf5 52. Kb5 e4
53. c6 Ke6 54. Kb6 f5 55. c7 Ke5 56. c8=Q e3 57. Kc5 Ke4 58. Qe6+ Kf4 59. Kd4
e2 60. Qe3+ 1-0

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Bratislava"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Horvath, Adam"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B78"]
[WhiteElo "2110"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SVK"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Bc4
Nc6 9. Qd2 Bd7 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. Bb3 Ne5 12. Bg5 Nc4 13. Bxc4 Rxc4 14. e5 dxe5
15. Nb3 Rc7 16. Nb5 Bf5 17. Nxc7 Qxc7 18. g4 Be6 19. Bxf6 exf6 20. Kb1 e4 21.
Qe2 exf3 22. Qxf3 Rc8 23. c3 Qc4 24. Rd4 Qc7 25. Rd3 f5 26. h3 Bd7 27. Na5 Be8
28. Qxb7 Qxb7 29. Nxb7 Bc6 30. Nd6 Bxh1 31. Nxc8 Be4 32. Kc2 Be5 33. gxf5 Bf4
34. fxg6 hxg6 35. Ne7+ Kg7 36. Nd5 Bg5 37. c4 Bc1 38. b4 Kf8 39. c5 Bxd3+ 40.
Kxd3 Ke8 41. a4 Kd7 42. b5 Bg5 43. a5 Bd8 44. a6 Kc8 45. Kd4 f6 46. Nb4 f5 47.
Kd5 f4 48. Ke4 Be7 49. Nd3 g5 50. Kd5 Kc7 51. Ne5 Bf6 52. b6+ axb6 53. c6 Kb8
54. Nd7+ Ka7 55. c7 Kxa6 56. c8=Q+ 1-0

[Event "EU-ch U12"]
[Site "Herculane"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Khalilov, E."]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A08"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. d3 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. Nbd2 c5 7. e4 Nc6 8. Re1
b6 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nc4 Qc7 11. Rb1 Bb7 12. Ne3 Nf6 13. Nc4 Nd5 14. Ne3 Nxe3
15. Bxe3 Nd4 16. Bf4 Qc6 17. Nh4 Qd7 18. Nf3 Rfe8 19. c3 Nxf3+ 20. Bxf3 e5 21.
Bc1 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 Rad8 23. Bg5 f6 24. Be3 Qxd3 25. Qb7 Rd7 26. Qc6 Qd5 27. Qa4
Red8 28. Rbd1 Qe6 29. a3 h5 30. Rxd7 Qxd7 31. Qc2 Kf7 32. Qb3+ Ke7 33. Qc2 Qd3
0-1

[Event "EU-ch U12"]
[Site "Herculane"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mastrovasilis, Dimitrios"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B80"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 a6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. g3 Qc7 7. Bg2 Nf6 8. O-O
d6 9. Bf4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 e5 11. Qa4+ Bd7 12. Qb3 exf4 13. gxf4 Be6 14. Qa4+ Qd7
15. Qd4 Bh3 16. e5 Qg4 0-1

[Event "EU-ch U12"]
[Site "Herculane"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kobylkin, Y."]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D86"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 O-O 8.
Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 e5 10. Rc1 Qe7 11. f3 Rd8 12. d5 Na5 13. Bd3 c6 14. Qa4 b6 15.
Qb4 Qh4+ 16. Bf2 Qg5 17. O-O Bf8 18. Qa4 cxd5 19. exd5 Rxd5 20. Rcd1 Bd7 21.
Qc2 Rd8 22. Ng3 Qf4 23. Ne4 Bc6 24. Bg3 Qf5 25. Bh4 Rxd3 26. Bxd8 Bxe4 27. fxe4
Rxd1 28. Rxd1 Qf4 29. Qd3 Qg4 30. Rf1 Qe6 31. Qd5 Bc5+ 32. Kh1 Qxd5 33. exd5
Nc4 34. Bc7 f5 35. Rd1 Nd6 36. Bxd6 Bxd6 37. Kg1 Kf7 38. Kf2 Bc5+ 39. Ke2 Ke7
40. c4 Kd6 41. h3 e4 42. g3 g5 43. h4 gxh4 44. gxh4 f4 45. h5 f3+ 46. Ke1 e3
47. Rb1 a5 48. a3 Bxa3 49. Rxb6+ Kc5 0-1

[Event "EU-ch U12"]
[Site "Herculane"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hrusciov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D01"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 c6 4. Qd2 h6 5. Bh4 Bf5 6. f3 Bh7 7. O-O-O Nbd7 8.
Qe1 b5 9. e4 b4 10. Nb1 dxe4 11. Qxb4 Nd5 12. Qe1 f5 13. g4 g5 14. gxf5 gxh4
15. fxe4 N5b6 {[#]} 16. Qxh4 Qc7 17. Qh5+ Kd8 18. e5 Nd5 19. Bh3 Qa5 20. Ne2
Nb4 21. Nbc3 Nxa2+ 22. Nxa2 Qxa2 23. Nc3 Rb8 24. Nxa2 1-0

[Event "EU-ch U12"]
[Site "Herculane"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Shinkevich, Vitaly"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A05"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. b3 Bg7 4. Bb2 O-O 5. Bg2 c5 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nc6 8.
O-O d5 9. Nd2 Qb6 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. c4 Rd8 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Nf3 Bf5 14. Nd4
Be4 15. Rc1 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Rdc8 17. e3 Qa6 18. Qe2 Qxe2 19. Nxe2 Ne4 20. Bxg7
Kxg7 21. f3 Nd6 22. Kf2 Kf6 23. Rfd1 e6 24. Ke1 h5 25. Kd2 g5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch U12"]
[Site "Herculane"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shavtvaladze, Nikoloz"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B52"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. a4 a6 5. Bxd7+ Qxd7 6. O-O Nf6 7. Re1 Nc6 8.
Na3 e6 9. Nc4 Qc7 10. a5 Be7 11. c3 O-O 12. d4 cxd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. Nb6 Rad8
15. e5 Nd7 16. Nxd7 Rxd7 17. Bd2 Rc8 18. Qa4 Qd8 19. Rec1 Rdc7 20. Qd1 Na7 21.
h4 Nb5 22. g3 Rc4 23. b3 R4c6 24. Kg2 Nc3 25. Qe1 Ne4 26. Rxc6 Rxc6 27. Bb4 Rc2
28. Bxe7 Qxe7 29. Rc1 Qc7 30. Rxc2 Qxc2 31. Qe3 Qa2 {[#]} 32. Ng5 Qxa5 33. Qc1
Qc3 34. Qf4 Nxg5 35. Qxg5 h6 36. Qd8+ Kh7 37. Qb6 Qc6 38. Qd8 Qc2 39. Qb6 Qe4+
40. Kg1 Qe1+ 41. Kg2 Qe4+ {[70]} 0-1

[Event "EU-ch U12"]
[Site "Herculane"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Szabo, Gergely Andras"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2030"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Nf3 cxd4 6. cxd4 Bg4 7. Be3 d5 8. e5
Nd7 9. O-O e6 10. h3 Bh5 11. Nc3 Be7 12. Rc1 O-O 13. g4 Bg6 14. Bxg6 fxg6 15.
Nh2 g5 16. Qd2 Rf7 17. f4 gxf4 18. Bxf4 Nxd4 19. Nxd5 Bc5 20. Be3 Rxf1+ 21.
Rxf1 Nxe5 22. b4 Qxd5 23. bxc5 Nef3+ 24. Nxf3 Nxf3+ 25. Rxf3 Qxf3 26. Kh2 Rf8
27. a4 a5 28. Qe1 Qe4 29. Qc3 Rf3 0-1

[Event "EU-ch U12"]
[Site "Herculane"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Raceanu, Valentin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D76"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Nc6 8.
Nc3 Nb6 9. d5 Na5 10. Qc2 c6 11. dxc6 Nxc6 12. Rd1 Qc7 13. Nb5 Qb8 14. Bf4 e5
15. Be3 Bf5 16. Qc5 Rc8 17. Nd6 Bf8 18. Ng5 Rc7 19. Qb5 Bc2 20. Bxb6 axb6 21.
Rd2 Nd4 22. Qxe5 Bg7 23. Qd5 Ra5 24. Rxd4 Rxd5 25. Rxd5 Bxb2 26. Rf1 Ba4 27.
Ndxf7 Rxf7 28. Nxf7 Kxf7 29. Rb1 Qc7 30. Rd2 Ba3 31. Bd5+ Kf6 32. Bb3 Bxb3 33.
axb3 Qc3 34. Rdd1 Qc2 35. e3 Kg5 36. Kf1 Bc5 37. Kg2 Qe4+ 38. Kg1 Kg4 39. h4
Kh3 40. Kf1 Qf3 41. Re1 Bxe3 42. Rb2 Qg2+ 43. Ke2 Qxf2+ 0-1

[Event "EU-ch U12"]
[Site "Herculane"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Geanta, Horia"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C18"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Ba5 6. b4 cxb4 7. Nb5 Nc6 8. Qg4
Kf8 9. Bd2 f5 10. Qg3 Nge7 11. Qb3 Bb6 12. Nf3 a6 13. axb4 Rb8 14. Nd6 Nxd4 15.
Nxd4 Bxd4 16. Bc3 Qb6 17. O-O-O Bxc3 18. Qxc3 Bd7 19. g4 Nc8 20. gxf5 Nxd6 21.
exd6 Qxd6 22. fxe6 Bxe6 23. Rg1 Rg8 24. Qf3+ Bf7 25. Bc4 Qf6 26. Bxd5 Qxf3 27.
Bxf3 Be6 28. Rge1 Kf7 29. Rd6 Rge8 30. Rb6 Re7 31. Rexe6 Rxe6 32. Bd5 Rbe8 33.
Rxb7+ Kf6 34. Bxe6 Rxe6 35. Kd2 Rc6 36. Kd3 h5 37. c4 g6 38. c5 Ke6 39. Kc4 Ke5
40. h3 Rf6 41. Re7+ Kf4 1-0

[Event "EU-ch U12 Disney"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "De Bortoli, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D01"]
[WhiteElo "1995"]
[BlackElo "1995"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 Bf5 4. f3 e6 5. e4 dxe4 6. fxe4 Bb4 7. exf5 O-O 8.
Nf3 exf5 9. Be2 h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. O-O Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nd7 13. Rb1 b6 14. Bd3
f4 15. Qd2 g5 16. Rbe1 Qg7 17. h4 g4 18. Qxf4 gxf3 19. Rxf3 Kh8 20. Rg3 Qf6 21.
Qe4 1-0

[Event "EU-ch U12 Disney"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Mamedov, Chingiz"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B78"]
[WhiteElo "1995"]
[BlackElo "1995"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2
Nc6 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. Bb3 Ne5 12. h4 h5 13. Bh6 Nc4 14. Bxc4 Rxc4
15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. g4 hxg4 17. h5 Rh8 18. hxg6 fxg6 19. f4 e5 20. fxe5 dxe5 21.
Nb3 Qe8 22. Rxh8 Qxh8 23. Qd3 b5 24. Nd5 Be6 25. Nxf6 Kxf6 26. Qd6 Qh6+ 27. Kb1
Qf4 28. Nc5 Rxc5 29. Qxc5 g3 30. Qf8+ Kg5 31. Qe7+ Qf6 32. Qxf6+ Kxf6 33. Rg1
g5 34. Rxg3 g4 35. Kc1 Kg5 36. Kd2 Kf4 37. Rg1 g3 38. Ke2 Bg4+ 39. Ke1 Bf3 40.
b3 b4 41. Kd2 g2 42. Kd3 Bxe4+ 43. Ke2 Kg3 44. Ke3 Bxc2 45. Rc1 Bf5 0-1

[Event "EU-ch U12 Disney"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kondarevich, O."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C16"]
[WhiteElo "1995"]
[BlackElo "1995"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 b6 7. Qg4 Ng6 8. h4
h5 9. Qg3 Ba6 10. Bxa6 Nxa6 11. Ne2 c5 12. Nf4 Nxf4 13. Bxf4 Qc7 14. Qxg7 O-O-O
15. Qg3 Rdg8 16. Qd3 c4 17. Qf3 Rg4 18. g3 Rg7 19. Kd2 Nb8 20. Bg5 Nd7 21. a4
a5 22. Rab1 Rgh7 23. Qf4 Rf8 24. Be7 Rg8 25. f3 Kb7 26. Bg5 Rg6 27. Rbe1 Qc6
28. Ra1 f6 29. exf6 Rf7 30. Rae1 Nxf6 31. Qe5 Nh7 32. Bf4 Qe8 33. Qxh5 Rxf4 34.
Qxh7+ Qf7 35. Qxf7+ Rxf7 36. Rhf1 Rxg3 37. Rxe6 Rh3 38. Ke3 Rxh4 39. Rb1 Rh3
40. Rbxb6+ Kc7 41. Rf6 Re7+ 42. Rbe6 Reh7 43. Ra6 Re7+ 44. Rfe6 Rf7 45. Ra7+
Kd8 46. Rxf7 Rh2 47. Ra6 Ke8 48. Rb7 1-0

[Event "EU-ch U12 Disney"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sibenik, Matej"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D01"]
[WhiteElo "1995"]
[BlackElo "1995"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 c5 4. Bxf6 gxf6 5. e3 cxd4 6. exd4 Nc6 7. Qh5 e6 8.
O-O-O Bd7 9. f4 Bb4 10. Nge2 Qe7 11. f5 O-O-O 12. g3 Na5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch U12 Disney"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Langheinrich, Ferenc"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2
Nc6 9. O-O-O Nd7 10. h4 Nb6 11. Nd5 Be6 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Nxb6 axb6 14. Bc4 Qc8
15. Bb3 Na5 16. Qb4 Kh8 17. Bxb6 Nc6 18. Qd2 Ra6 19. Qe3 Qa8 20. a3 h5 21. Bxe6
Kh7 22. g3 Rf6 23. Bh3 Bh6 24. f4 e5 25. Rhf1 Qf8 26. Kb1 exf4 27. gxf4 Bxf4
28. Qg1 Be5 29. Be3 Qg7 30. c3 1-0

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Szeged"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adnani, Moklis"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B23"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. d3 Rb8 6. Be3 b5 7. Qd2 b4 8. Nd1
Qb6 9. Be2 d6 10. h3 f5 11. g4 e6 12. Rg1 Nge7 13. Nh4 O-O 14. gxf5 exf5 15.
exf5 Nxf5 16. Nxf5 Bxf5 17. Bg4 Rbe8 18. Kf2 Qd8 19. Kg3 Ne5 20. Bxf5 Rxf5 21.
fxe5 Bxe5+ 22. Kg2 Qa8# 0-1

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Szeged"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mont Reynaud, Jordy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D01"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 Bf5 4. f3 Nbd7 5. Qd2 h6 6. Bh4 e6 7. O-O-O Bb4 8.
a3 Ba5 9. Re1 g5 10. Bf2 Nb6 11. e3 Qe7 12. b4 Bxb4 13. axb4 a5 14. e4 axb4 15.
exf5 bxc3 16. Qxc3 O-O 17. Qc5 Qd8 18. fxe6 fxe6 19. Qc3 Qd7 20. Bd3 Ra2 21.
Nh3 Rfa8 22. Kd2 R8a3 23. Qb4 Ra4 24. Qb5 Nc4+ 25. Bxc4 c6 26. Bxd5 Nxd5 27.
Qd3 Qf7 28. Rc1 g4 29. fxg4 R2a3 30. c3 Nb4 31. Qe4 Ra2+ 32. Ke1 Ra1 33. Be3
Na2 34. Rf1 Qe8 35. Rxa1 Nxc3 36. Rf8+ Kxf8 37. Qf4+ Ke7 38. Rxa4 Nxa4 39. Qc7+
Kf6 40. Qe5+ Ke7 41. Bxh6 Nb2 42. Qc7+ Qd7 43. Bf8+ Ke8 44. Qxd7+ Kxd7 45. Nf4
Ke8 46. Bc5 Kf7 47. g5 b5 48. g6+ Kg7 49. d5 e5 50. dxc6 exf4 51. Bd4+ Kxg6 52.
Bxb2 1-0

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Szeged"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Geanta, Horia"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C63"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d3 fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 6. O-O Bc5 7. Nc3 O-O 8.
Be3 Bxe3 9. fxe3 d6 10. Bc4+ Kh8 11. Ng5 Bg4 12. Qe1 Qe8 13. h3 Bh5 14. Nb5 Qe7
15. Nc3 Na5 16. Bd3 Nc6 17. a3 Nd8 18. Qh4 h6 19. Nd5 Qe8 20. Nxf6 gxf6 21. Nf3
Kg7 22. Rf2 Ne6 23. c3 Bg6 24. Nd2 Nc5 25. Bc2 Qe7 26. Nf1 Kh7 27. Ng3 Qg7 28.
Raf1 Nd7 29. Bd1 Nc5 30. b4 Ne6 31. Rxf6 Ng5 32. Nf5 Bxf5 33. R6xf5 Rxf5 34.
exf5 Rf8 35. Bc2 Rf6 36. g4 e4 37. Qg3 Rf8 38. h4 Nf3+ 39. Rxf3 Qxc3 40. Bxe4
Re8 41. f6+ Rxe4 42. f7 1-0

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Szeged"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ovezov, C."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C62"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bb5 Bd7 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8.
Qf3 Be7 9. e5 dxe5 10. Nxc6 Bxc6 11. Qxc6+ Nd7 12. Be3 O-O 13. O-O-O Bd6 14.
Nb5 Nb6 15. c4 Qf6 16. c5 Bxc5 17. Qxc5 e4 18. Kb1 Na4 19. Qd4 Qc6 20. Qxa4
Rab8 21. Rc1 Qxb5 22. Qxb5 Rxb5 23. Rxc7 Rfb8 24. b3 a5 25. Rc5 1-0

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Szeged"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kirjak, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. f3 Nc6 5. Be3 Qb6 6. Qd2 e6 7. Ne2 d5 8. e5 Nd7
9. f4 f6 10. g4 cxd4 11. cxd4 Bb4 12. Nbc3 O-O 13. Rc1 fxe5 14. dxe5 Bc5 15.
Bxc5 Nxc5 16. b3 Nb4 17. Nd4 Rxf4 18. Na4 Re4+ 0-1

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Szeged"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bokros, Albert"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D01"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 Nbd7 4. f3 c5 5. dxc5 e6 6. e4 d4 7. Qxd4 Bxc5 8.
Qd2 a6 9. O-O-O Qc7 10. Qf4 e5 11. Qg3 O-O 12. Kb1 Qc6 13. Bd3 h6 14. Bc1 b5
15. Nge2 b4 16. Nd5 a5 17. f4 Nh5 18. Qf3 Nxf4 19. Nexf4 exf4 20. Bxf4 Bb7 21.
Nc7 Nf6 22. Nxa8 Rxa8 23. Rhe1 a4 24. e5 Qb6 25. Qh3 Nd5 26. Bc1 b3 27. e6
bxa2+ 28. Ka1 a3 29. exf7+ Kf8 30. Qd7 Nf6 31. Re8+ Rxe8 32. fxe8=Q+ Nxe8 33.
Rf1+ Nf6 34. Rxf6+ Qxf6 35. Qxb7 Bd4 36. Qa8+ Kf7 37. Qxa3 1-0

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Szeged"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B53"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 a6 5. c4 Nc6 6. Qd2 g6 7. b3 Bg7 8. Nc3
Nf6 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Be2 Qa5 11. Nd5 Qxd2+ 12. Nxd2 Nxd5 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. cxd5
Nd4 15. Rc1 Bd7 16. Rc7 Bb5 17. Bc4 Bxc4 18. Rxc4 Rac8 19. Rf1 Rxc4 20. Nxc4 f5
21. exf5 Rxf5 22. Ne3 Re5 23. Kd2 Nf5 24. Nxf5+ gxf5 25. f4 Rxd5+ 26. Ke3 Kf6
27. h3 h5 28. Rf2 Ke6 29. Rb2 Rc5 30. Kd4 Rc1 31. Re2+ Kd7 32. Kd3 Rd1+ 33. Ke3
b5 34. Rc2 a5 35. Ke2 Ra1 36. Kf3 Ke6 37. Rd2 Rf1+ 38. Ke3 Kf6 39. Rd5 Ra1 40.
Rxb5 Rxa2 41. Kf3 e5 42. fxe5+ dxe5 43. g3 e4+ 44. Ke3 Rg2 45. Rb6+ Kg5 46. h4+
Kg4 47. Rg6+ Kh3 48. Rg5 Rxg3+ 49. Ke2 f4 50. Rxa5 Kxh4 51. Ra4 Rxb3 52. Rxe4
Re3+ 53. Rxe3 fxe3 54. Kxe3 Kg3 55. Ke2 Kg2 0-1

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Szeged"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2255"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. d5 Bxf3 7. gxf3 Ne5 8. Be2
Ned7 9. c4 g6 10. Nc3 Bg7 11. Be3 O-O 12. Qd2 Re8 13. f4 a6 14. O-O Qa5 15. a4
e6 16. dxe6 Rxe6 17. f5 gxf5 18. exf5 Re5 19. Qxd6 Rxf5 20. Kh1 Ne5 21. Nd5 Ng6
22. Qxc5 Qxc5 23. Bxc5 Nxd5 24. cxd5 Rxd5 25. Ba3 Ne5 26. Rad1 Rad8 27. Rxd5
Rxd5 28. b3 Rd2 29. Rd1 Rxd1+ 30. Bxd1 Bf8 31. Bc1 Bc5 32. Be3 Bxe3 33. fxe3
Kg7 34. b4 Nd3 35. Bf3 b6 36. b5 a5 37. Bd5 Nc5 38. Kg2 Nxa4 39. Kf2 Nc3 40.
Bc4 a4 0-1

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Szeged"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bunzmann, Dimitrij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 e6 4. Nf3 d6 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O Nf6 7. d3 O-O 8. Qe1
Rb8 9. e5 Ne8 10. Qg3 a6 11. a3 d5 12. Ba2 f5 13. exf6 Nxf6 14. Bd2 Qc7 15. f5
Qxg3 16. hxg3 Kh8 17. Bf4 Ra8 18. Rae1 d4 19. Na4 exf5 20. Nb6 Ra7 21. Rxe7
Nxe7 22. Bd6 Nd7 23. Bxe7 Re8 24. Nxc8 Rxc8 25. Ng5 1-0

[Event "Bucharest"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Khachiyan, Melikset"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2400"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "20"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "6"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8.
exd5 cxd5 9. O-O O-O 10. Bg5 c6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Badea, Bela"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2490"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "6"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 Qe7 8.
Qe2 Nd5 9. Qe4 Nf6 10. Qe2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tomescu, Vlad"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B89"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2395"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "6"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Be3 Be7 8.
Qe2 a6 9. Bb3 Qc7 10. O-O-O Na5 11. g4 b5 12. g5 Nxb3+ 13. axb3 Nd7 14. f4 b4
15. Na4 Bb7 16. Bd2 Nc5 17. f5 e5 18. Nxc5 Qxc5 19. Nf3 a5 20. f6 gxf6 21. gxf6
Bxf6 22. Bg5 Be7 23. Bxe7 Kxe7 24. Nh4 Ra6 25. Nf5+ Kd7 26. Rhf1 Kc7 27. Ng7 a4
28. Rxf7+ Kb8 29. Ne6 Qc6 30. Rd5 Rc8 31. Rb5 Rb6 32. Rxb6 Qxb6 33. bxa4 Qc6
34. Qd3 Ka8 35. b3 Qxe4 36. Nc7+ Ka7 37. Qxd6 Qe1+ 38. Kb2 Qc3+ 39. Kb1 Qe1+
40. Ka2 Qe2 41. Kb2 Qe1 42. Qc5+ Kb8 43. Ka2 Qd2 44. a5 Qd4 45. Qb6 Qe4 46. Kb2
Qd4+ 47. Qxd4 exd4 48. Nb5 d3 49. cxd3 Ba6 50. Rf6 Bxb5 51. Rb6+ Ka7 52. Rxb5
Ka6 53. Rxb4 Kxa5 54. Rb7 h6 55. Re7 Rc6 56. Re5+ Kb4 57. Re4+ Kb5 58. Rc4 Rg6
59. Kc3 Rg1 60. Rh4 Rc1+ 61. Kd4 Rc6 62. Kd5 Rc3 63. d4 Rxb3 64. Rxh6 Ra3 65.
Rh8 Kb6 66. Kd6 Kb5 67. d5 Ra6+ 68. Ke5 Ra2 69. Rb8+ Kc5 70. Rc8+ Kb6 71. h4
Rb2 72. d6 Re2+ 73. Kf6 Rd2 74. Ke7 Re2+ 75. Kd8 1-0

[Event "Bucharest"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Doroshenko, Maxim"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "6"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. Bg5 Ne4 6. cxd5 Nxg5 7. Nxg5 e6 8.
Nf3 exd5 9. e3 c6 10. Be2 Qe7 11. a3 a5 12. Rc1 O-O 13. Na4 Be6 14. O-O Nd7 15.
Ne1 Bf5 16. Nc5 Nxc5 17. Rxc5 Rfe8 18. Bd3 Qd7 19. Qa4 Bxd3 20. Nxd3 Qc7 21.
Qc2 Qd8 22. b4 axb4 23. axb4 Bf8 24. Rc3 Qb6 25. Rb1 Qb5 26. Nc5 Ra7 27. g3
Rea8 28. Rcb3 Ra1 29. Qd1 R1a2 30. Qd3 Qxd3 31. Nxd3 R8a3 32. Ne5 Bd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vajda, Albert"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2325"]
[PlyCount "161"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "6"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nc3 c5 6. Nxe5 Qg5 7. Nf3 Qxg2 8.
Rg1 Qh3 9. Nd5 Qd7 10. Ne5 Qd8 11. d3 c6 12. Qh5 Be6 13. Nf4 Qf6 14. Nxe6 Qxe6
15. Nc4 b5 16. Na5 Nf6 17. Qh4 c4 18. Bd2 Rd8 19. Rg3 cxd3 20. cxd3 c5 21. Kf1
Be7 22. Re1 c4 23. e5 Nd5 24. Qe4 cxd3 25. Rxg7 Nb6 26. b3 Rd5 27. f4 Qh3+ 28.
Kg1 Bc5+ 29. Kh1 Bf2 30. Rc1 Qh5 31. e6 Qe2 32. exf7+ Kf8 33. Qg2 Rc5 34. Rf1
Bd4 35. Bb4 Qxg2+ 36. Rxg2 Nd5 37. Nb7 Nxb4 38. Nxc5 Bxc5 39. Rd1 Kxf7 40. a3
Nc2 41. Rxd3 Ne1 42. Rd7+ Ke6 43. Rgg7 Rf8 44. Rd1 Bf2 45. Rg1 Rxf4 46. Rf1 Kf5
47. a4 bxa4 48. bxa4 Ke4 49. Rd6 Kf3 50. Re6 Nd3 51. Rxa6 Ke2 52. Rb1 Be1 53.
Re6+ Kf1 54. h3 Rf3 55. Kh2 Rf2+ 56. Kh1 Ra2 57. Rf6+ Nf2+ 58. Kh2 Ra3 59. Rh6
Ne4 60. Rxe1+ Kxe1 61. Rxh7 Ra2+ 62. Kg1 Ke2 63. Rf7 Ke3 64. h4 Rxa4 65. Kg2
Ra8 66. Rg7 Ra2+ 67. Kh3 Nf2+ 68. Kg3 Ne4+ 69. Kh3 Ra1 70. Re7 Kf4 71. Rf7+ Ke5
72. Re7+ Kf5 73. Rf7+ Nf6 74. Rb7 Ra3+ 75. Kg2 Nh5 76. Kf2 Kg4 77. Rb4+ Nf4 78.
h5 Rh3 79. h6 Rxh6 80. Ke3 Re6+ 81. Re4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Berechet, Otiliu"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2415"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "6"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
a3 O-O 9. b4 Re8 10. d3 Bf8 11. Ng5 Nd4 12. Be3 c6 13. Nge4 Bg4 14. Re1 Qc7 15.
Rb1 Rad8 16. Qc1 Qb8 17. Nc5 Nd7 18. h3 Bh5 19. g4 Bg6 20. N3e4 Nxc5 21. bxc5
Qc7 22. f4 Bxe4 23. Bxe4 exf4 24. Bxf4 Qa5 25. Rxb7 Bxc5 26. Kh1 Bb6 27. Qc4
Ne6 28. Bxc6 Rd4 29. Bxe8 Rxf4 30. Qxf4 Nxf4 31. Bxf7+ Kf8 32. Rc1 Bc5 33. Bb3
Qd2 34. Rb8+ Ke7 35. Rb7+ Kd6 0-1

[Event "Bucharest"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Babici, Roman"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2280"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "6"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7 5. Nf3 Bc6 6. Bd3 Nd7 7. c4 Ngf6 8.
Nc3 Be7 9. O-O Bxf3 10. Qxf3 c6 11. Re1 O-O 12. b3 Re8 13. Bb2 Qa5 14. Rad1 Ba3
15. Ba1 Rad8 16. Re2 Bb4 17. a3 Bf8 18. Bb2 Qh5 19. Qxh5 Nxh5 20. g3 Nhf6 21.
Red2 Rc8 22. Bf1 Nb6 23. Ne2 Be7 24. Nf4 Nbd7 25. Bg2 b5 26. d5 cxd5 27. cxd5
exd5 28. Nxd5 Nxd5 29. Bxd5 Nb6 30. Bf3 Bg5 31. Rd6 h6 32. h4 Be7 33. R1d2 Kf8
34. Kf1 Rb8 35. Bc6 1-0

[Event "Bucharest"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Grigore, George Gabriel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D93"]
[WhiteElo "2445"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "6"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Qa5 8. Rc1
dxc4 9. Bxc4 Qxc5 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. O-O Qa5 12. h3 Bf5 13. Qe2 Rad8 14. e4 e5 15.
Bd2 Rxd2 16. Nxd2 Be6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Qc4 Kf7 19. Nb3 Qd8 20. Rcd1 Qb8 21.
Nc5 Re8 22. Nb5 Bf8 23. Nd7 Nxd7 24. Rxd7+ Re7 25. Rfd1 Kf6 26. Qb3 a6 27. Nc7
Qc8 28. Qf3+ Kg7 29. Nxe6+ Kg8 1-0

[Event "Bucharest"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Musat, Adrian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D01"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2380"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "6"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 c5 4. Bxf6 gxf6 5. e3 Nc6 6. Qh5 e6 7. O-O-O cxd4 8.
exd4 f5 9. f4 Bd7 10. h3 Qf6 11. Nge2 O-O-O 12. g4 Qg6 13. Qh4 Bd6 14. Bg2 h5
15. g5 Ne7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Vajda, Levente"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2320"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "6"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Be3 cxd4 7. cxd4 d5 8. e5
Nd7 9. Nc3 e6 10. a3 Rc8 11. O-O Be7 12. h3 Bh5 13. Ne2 Bxf3 14. gxf3 O-O 15.
Qb1 f5 16. Nf4 Qe8 17. Kh2 Qf7 18. Rg1 Kh8 19. Bb5 g5 20. Bxc6 bxc6 21. Nd3 f4
22. Bd2 c5 23. dxc5 Nxc5 24. Nxc5 Bxc5 25. Bb4 Bxf2 26. Bxf8 Bxg1+ 27. Qxg1
Rxf8 28. Rc1 Qg7 29. Qd4 h5 30. Qb4 Rg8 31. Qd6 g4 32. fxg4 hxg4 33. Qxe6 g3+
34. Kg1 f3 35. Rc8 f2+ 36. Kg2 Rf8 37. Qf5 Rxc8 38. Qxc8+ Kh7 39. Qe8 Kh6 40.
h4 d4 41. Qc6+ Kh5 42. Qf3+ Kxh4 43. Qf4+ Kh5 44. Qf5+ Qg5 45. Qh7+ Kg4 46.
Qd7+ Kf4 47. Qxd4+ Kf5 48. Qxa7 f1=Q+ 49. Kxf1 Qc1+ 50. Kg2 Qxb2+ 51. Kxg3
Qxe5+ 52. Kf3 Qc3+ 53. Ke2 Qc2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dumitran, Octavian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2380"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "6"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. f4 d5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bb5 Nf6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d3 Nd7 8.
O-O Bd6 9. e5 Be7 10. Bd2 O-O 11. Be1 c4 12. d4 f6 13. Ne2 a5 14. Bc3 fxe5 15.
fxe5 a4 16. a3 Rb8 17. Qe1 Rf7 18. Qg3 Nf8 19. Nf4 Bd7 20. h4 Be8 21. Qg4 Qc8
22. h5 Rxf4 23. Qxf4 Bxh5 24. Rf2 Qe8 25. Raf1 h6 26. Qe3 Nh7 27. Bb4 Ng5 28.
Nxg5 Bxg5 29. Qe1 Qg6 30. Rf8+ Rxf8 31. Rxf8+ Kh7 32. Bd2 Be7 33. Ra8 Qxc2 34.
Ra7 Bg5 35. Bxg5 hxg5 36. Qc3 1-0

[Event "Bucharest"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Manolache, Marius"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2375"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "6"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 Ne4 6. cxd5 Nxg5 7. Nxg5 e6 8.
Qd2 exd5 9. Qe3+ Kf8 10. Qf4 Bf6 11. h4 h6 12. Nf3 Kg7 13. O-O-O Be6 14. e4
dxe4 15. Ne5 Nc6 16. Nxe4 Nb4 17. a3 Nd5 18. Qg3 b6 19. Bc4 c6 20. Rd3 Be7 21.
Rf3 Qc7 22. Kb1 Rac8 23. Rc1 c5 24. Bb5 Nf6 25. Bd3 Nh5 26. Qh2 Rhd8 27. g4 Nf6
28. g5 Nxe4 29. gxh6+ Kh8 30. Bxe4 Rxd4 31. Re1 Bd6 32. Bc2 Rd5 33. Rfe3 Rxe5
34. Rxe5 Bxe5 35. Qxe5+ Qxe5 36. Rxe5 Re8 37. Kc1 Kh7 38. h5 Kxh6 39. hxg6 fxg6
40. Ba4 Re7 41. Bb3 c4 42. Bxc4 Rc7 43. Rxe6 Rxc4+ 44. Kd2 Rd4+ 45. Ke2 Rc4 46.
Kd3 Rf4 47. Ke3 Rc4 48. f4 Kh5 49. Re5+ Kh6 50. Re6 Kh5 51. Re7 Rc2 52. Kf3 Kh6
53. Rxa7 Rxb2 54. Ke4 b5 55. Ra6 Kg7 56. Ke5 b4 57. Ra7+ Kh6 58. a4 Kh5 59. Rb7
b3 60. Kd4 Ra2 61. Rxb3 Rxa4+ 62. Ke3 Kg4 63. Rb6 Ra3+ 64. Ke4 Ra4+ 65. Ke3
Ra3+ 66. Ke4 Ra4+ 67. Ke3 Ra3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Popescu, Daniel Dorin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B15"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "6"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 g6 4. e5 h5 5. f4 Nh6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Be3 Nf5 8. Bf2 Na6
9. Bxa6 bxa6 10. Qd3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 e6 12. O-O Be7 13. Na4 O-O 14. b3 Rb8 15. g3
Qa5 16. c3 Kg7 17. h3 Rh8 18. Kh2 Rh7 19. Rh1 Rbh8 20. Qd3 Qb5 21. Qc2 Qb7 22.
Nb2 c5 23. dxc5 d4 24. Kg1 Bxc5 25. Na4 Bb6 26. Nxb6 Qxb6 27. cxd4 Qb7 28. Qd3
Rc8 29. Kh2 Rhh8 30. Rac1 Rhd8 31. Rhd1 Ne7 32. Rc4 Nd5 33. Qf3 Qd7 34. Rdc1
Nb6 35. Rc5 a5 36. a4 Nd5 37. f5 gxf5 38. Qxh5 Rxc5 39. Qg5+ Kf8 40. dxc5 Rb8
41. Qh6+ Kg8 42. c6 Qc7 43. Qg5+ Kh7 44. Rc4 f4 45. gxf4 Rxb3 46. Rc1 Rb2 47.
Rg1 1-0

[Event "Bucharest Dreptatea"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dumitran, Octavian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2380"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "5"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Bf5 3. f3 e6 4. e4 Bg6 5. Nge2 Nc6 6. Be3 dxe4 7. fxe4 Nf6 8.
e5 Nd5 9. Nxd5 Qxd5 10. c3 O-O-O 11. Nf4 Qe4 12. Qf3 Qxf3 13. gxf3 Ne7 14. Bd3
Nd5 15. Nxg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Dreptatea"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Iankowski, Roman"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D71"]
[WhiteElo "2230"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "5"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 d5 4. c4 Bg7 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qa4+ Nfd7 7. Nf3 Nc6 8.
Qxc4 Nb6 9. Qc5 Nxd4 10. O-O Ne6 11. Qb4 O-O 12. Rd1 Bxc3 13. Qb3 Bd4 14. e3
Nc5 15. Qb5 Bd7 16. Qb4 Bf6 17. Qxc5 Qc8 18. e4 Rd8 19. e5 Bc6 20. Bf4 Rxd1+
21. Rxd1 Qf5 22. Rc1 Bxf3 23. exf6 Qxc5 24. Rxc5 Bxg2 25. Kxg2 c6 26. fxe7 Re8
27. Ra5 a6 28. Bc7 Nd5 29. Bd6 f6 30. Ra4 Kf7 31. Rh4 h5 32. g4 hxg4 33. Rxg4
Ke6 34. Ba3 Kf5 35. Kf3 b6 36. Re4 a5 37. Bd6 c5 38. h4 Nb4 39. Bc7 b5 40. Bxa5
Nc6 41. Bb6 Nd4+ 42. Rxd4 cxd4 43. Bc5 Ke6 44. Ke4 Rh8 45. Kxd4 Rxh4+ 46. Kd3
Kd7 47. b3 Rh5 48. Bb4 Rf5 49. Ke3 g5 50. f3 Rf4 51. Bd6 Rh4 52. a3 f5 53. Bc5
Rh2 54. Kd4 Re2 55. Kd3 Rb2 56. Kc3 Rb1 57. Kd4 Rxb3 58. Ke5 g4 59. Kf6 Ke8 60.
Kxf5 gxf3 61. Kf4 Rxa3 62. Kg3 Rc3 63. Bb4 Rc4 64. Bd6 b4 65. Kxf3 b3 66. Ba3
Ra4 67. Bb2 Ra2 0-1

[Event "Bucharest Dreptatea"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grigore, George Gabriel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D01"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2445"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "5"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 Nbd7 4. f3 e6 5. e4 h6 6. Bh4 dxe4 7. fxe4 Bb4 8.
Qd3 c5 9. O-O-O cxd4 10. Qxd4 Qb6 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Nb5 Qxd4 13. Rxd4 Bc5 14.
Nd6+ Ke7 15. Nxc8+ Raxc8 16. Rd1 Be3+ 17. Kb1 Nc5 18. Bd3 Rhg8 19. g3 Bxg1 20.
Rhxg1 Rg4 21. Rgf1 h5 22. Be2 Rxe4 23. Bxh5 Rh8 24. Bf3 Re3 25. Rd2 f5 26. Kc1
b6 27. Bc6 Rc8 28. Bb5 Re5 29. Rfd1 Kf6 30. Bf1 Rh8 31. Rg2 Re4 32. Rf2 Rg4 33.
Be2 Rg6 34. Bf3 Rgh6 35. Rdd2 Ke7 36. Rde2 Nd7 37. Bb7 Nf6 38. Rxf5 Rxh2 39.
Rxh2 Rxh2 40. Rf3 Nd7 41. b4 a5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Dreptatea"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Breahna, Radu"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2355"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "160"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "5"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 Ne4 6. cxd5 Nxg5 7. Nxg5 e6 8.
Qd2 exd5 9. Qe3+ Kf8 10. g3 h6 11. Nh3 c5 12. dxc5 d4 13. Qd2 Qe8 14. Nd1 Nd7
15. Nf4 Nxc5 16. Bg2 Be5 17. O-O Kg7 18. Nd5 Qd8 19. Rc1 Na6 20. b3 Re8 21. Nb2
Nc7 22. Nf4 Ne6 23. Nfd3 Bf6 24. Nc4 Ng5 25. Nc5 Qe7 26. Qb4 Bg4 27. h4 Ne6 28.
Nxe6+ Qxe6 29. Qxb7 Rad8 30. f3 Bh3 31. Rc2 g5 32. h5 Rd7 33. Qb5 Rde7 34. g4
Bxg2 35. Kxg2 Qc8 36. Na3 Qd8 37. Rd2 Qd6 38. Nc4 Rxe2+ 39. Rf2 Rxf2+ 40. Rxf2
Qe6 41. Nd6 Rd8 42. Nf5+ Kh8 43. Re2 Qc8 44. Qd3 Qc3 45. Qxc3 dxc3 46. Kf2 Rd1
47. Rc2 Kh7 48. Ke2 Rh1 49. Nd6 Rh2+ 50. Kd3 Rh3 51. Ke3 Be5 52. Nb5 f5 53.
gxf5 g4 54. Ke4 Rh2 55. Rc1 Re2+ 56. Kd3 gxf3 57. Nxc3 Bxc3 58. Rxc3 Rxa2 59.
Ke4 f2 60. Rf3 Kg7 61. Ke5 Re2+ 62. Kd6 Kf6 63. b4 Rb2 64. Kc5 a6 65. Kc4 Ra2
66. Kb3 Re2 67. Kc4 Rd2 68. Kc5 Rb2 69. Kc4 Rc2+ 70. Kd3 Ra2 71. Kd4 Rb2 72.
Kc3 Ra2 73. Kd4 Ra4 74. Kc5 a5 75. b5 Ra2 76. b6 Rb2 77. Kc6 a4 78. b7 Rc2+ 79.
Kd7 Rb2 80. Kc7 Rc2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Dreptatea"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Popescu, Daniel Dorin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2425"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "5"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 O-O 8. Bd3
Nbc6 9. Nf3 f5 10. exf6 Rxf6 11. Bg5 Rf7 12. Qh5 g6 13. Qh4 Qc7 14. Qg3 Qa5
1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Dreptatea"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Milu, Romeo Sorin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2415"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "5"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. g3 Nc6 7. Bg2 Nxd4 8.
Qxd4 Bg7 9. a4 O-O 10. a5 Be6 11. Qb4 Qc7 12. O-O Nd7 13. Bg5 Bxc3 14. bxc3 f6
15. Be3 Rfc8 16. Rfb1 Qxc3 17. Qxc3 Rxc3 18. Rxb7 a6 19. e5 Rac8 20. exd6 exd6
21. Ra7 Nc5 22. Rd1 Ra3 23. h4 d5 24. Bxc5 Rxc5 25. Re1 1-0

[Event "Bucharest Dreptatea"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Munteanu, Alexandru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B34"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2285"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "5"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Nb3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 Nf6
8. Bd3 d5 9. exd5 Qxd5 10. O-O Bf5 11. c4 Qd6 12. Bg5 Ng4 13. g3 Nge5 14. Bxf5
Qxd1 15. Raxd1 gxf5 16. Kg2 Nxc4 17. Rfe1 Rd8 18. Nd4 N6e5 19. Nxf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Dreptatea"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Ionescu, Doru Alexandru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2335"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "5"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 Ne4 6. cxd5 Nxg5 7. Nxg5 e6 8.
Qd2 exd5 9. Qe3+ Kf8 10. Qf4 Bf6 11. h4 c6 12. e4 h6 13. Nf3 Kg7 14. e5 Be7 15.
Bd3 Be6 16. O-O-O Nd7 17. Qg3 b5 18. Ne2 Rg8 19. Nf4 Nf8 20. Nh5+ Kh8 21. Qf4
Nh7 22. Ng3 Qf8 23. Kb1 Rb8 24. Nh2 b4 25. Ng4 b3 26. a3 h5 27. Nf6 Bxf6 28.
exf6 Rb7 29. Rhe1 Qc8 30. Re5 Rc7 31. Rde1 a5 32. Nxh5 c5 33. dxc5 Rxc5 34. Ng3
Qd8 35. Rxe6 fxe6 36. f7 Rg7 37. Rxe6 Rc8 38. Re8+ Qxe8 39. fxe8=Q+ 1-0

[Event "Bucharest Dreptatea"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vajda, Albert"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2325"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "5"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 d6 7. O-O c5 8.
Qd3 Ne7 9. b3 Ng6 10. Bb2 Be7 11. Re1 O-O 12. Nbd2 Be6 13. Qc3 Ne5 14. Nxe5
dxe5 15. Rad1 f6 16. Nf1 Qe8 17. Ne3 Qb5 18. Nd5 Bd6 19. a4 Qc6 20. Qc4 Kh8 21.
Ba3 f5 22. exf5 Rxf5 23. f3 Raf8 24. Re4 Rh5 25. Re2 e4 26. fxe4 Bxh2+ 27. Kh1
Bg3+ 28. Kg1 Bxd5 29. Qxc5 Rh1+ 0-1

[Event "Bucharest Dreptatea"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Popescu, Cristian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2285"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "5"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bd3 Bb4 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. a3
Ba5 9. O-O dxe4 10. Nxe4 Qd8 11. c4 f5 12. Ng3 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Qxd4 14. b4 Bb6
15. c5 Bxc5 16. bxc5 Qxc5 17. Qh5+ Kf8 18. Rac1 Qb6 19. Bc4 Bd7 20. Qg6 f4 21.
Nh5 Qb2 22. Nxf4 Qf6 23. Qxf6+ gxf6 24. Ng6+ Kg7 25. Nxh8 Rxh8 26. Rfe1 e5 1-0

[Event "Bucharest Dreptatea"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Tomescu, Vlad"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2395"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "5"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bb4 5. Nf3 d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Bxc3 8.
bxc3 O-O 9. Bd2 Bg4 10. h3 Bh5 11. g4 Bg6 12. Re1 f6 13. Rb1 Bf7 14. Bb3 Qd7
15. Nh4 b6 16. Qf3 Nde7 17. Re4 Rad8 18. Kh1 Nc8 19. Rg1 Nd6 20. Ree1 Ne7 21.
Qg2 g5 22. Nf3 c5 23. Bxf7+ Nxf7 24. d4 Ng6 25. dxe5 Nfxe5 26. Nxe5 Qxd2 27.
Nxg6 hxg6 28. Re7 Rf7 29. Rge1 Rxe7 30. Rxe7 Qd1+ 31. Qg1 Qf3+ 32. Qg2 Qd1+ 33.
Qg1 Qxc2 34. Qg3 Qxa2 35. Qe3 Qd5+ 36. Kg1 Qd1+ 37. Kg2 Qd5+ 38. Kg1 Qc6 39.
Qe2 a5 40. Re6 Rd1+ 41. Qxd1 Qxe6 42. Qd8+ Kg7 43. Qc7+ Kh8 44. Qd8+ Kh7 45.
Qc7+ Kg8 46. Qd8+ Kf7 47. Qc7+ Ke8 48. Qb8+ Kd7 49. Qb7+ Kd8 50. Qb8+ Ke7 51.
Qc7+ Qd7 52. Qxb6 Qd1+ 53. Kg2 Qd5+ 54. Kg1 c4 55. Qc7+ Ke6 56. Qc8+ Ke5 57.
Qe8+ Kf4 58. Qe3# 1-0

[Event "Bucharest Dreptatea"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Khachiyan, Melikset"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2400"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "5"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nc4 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Ne3 Be7 7. Be2 O-O 8.
O-O 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Verdun"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Lundberg, Mads"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B09"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1997"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. e4 d6 4. f4 e6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. Bd3 Nbd7 7. e5 dxe5 8. fxe5
Nd5 9. Bg5 Ne7 10. Ne4 O-O 11. Nf6+ Bxf6 12. exf6 Nd5 13. O-O Re8 14. Qe1 c5
15. Qh4 h5 16. Bxg6 1-0

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Verdun"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Virostko, Petr"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B73"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1997"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. Be2 Nc6 8.
O-O O-O 9. Kh1 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Bf3 Qa5 13. Nb3 Qc7 14. c3
Be6 15. Bxc6 Qxc6 16. Nd4 Qa6 17. Nxe6 Qxe6 18. Re1 Qf5 19. Qb3 b6 20. a4 Rfd8
21. Qb4 e6 22. Red1 Bf8 23. Qb3 h5 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. a5 bxa5 26. Bxa7 h4 27. h3
Bd6 28. Qb6 Rd7 29. Bb8 Bc5 30. Qxa5 Qxf2 31. b4 Bb6 32. Qg5 Bd8 33. Qb5 Rd5
34. Qf1 Qb2 35. c4 Rf5 36. Qe1 Rg5 37. Qf1 Qxb4 38. Rb1 Qe7 39. Qd1 Bc7 40.
Bxc7 Qxc7 41. Qd4 Qg3 42. Qe4 Re5 43. Qd4 Re2 44. Rg1 g5 45. c5 Rc2 46. Qd8+
Kh7 47. Qd7 Rf2 48. Qd1 Kg7 49. c6 Ra2 50. Qd8 Rc2 51. Qd4+ Kg8 52. Qd8+ Kh7
53. Qd7 Qf4 54. Qd3+ Qf5 55. Qd7 Kg6 56. Qc8 Kg7 57. Qd7 Qf4 58. Qc8 g4 59. Qd8
g3 60. Qb6 e5 61. c7 Qf5 62. Qd6 Qxh3+ 0-1

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Verdun"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D01"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2135"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1997"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 Nbd7 4. f3 c6 5. Qd2 h6 6. Bh4 e5 7. dxe5 Nxe5 8.
O-O-O Nc4 9. Qd4 Qa5 10. Bxf6 Bc5 11. Qh4 Be3+ 12. Kb1 gxf6 13. Qxf6 Rg8 14.
Ka1 Be6 15. Nb1 d4 16. b3 Nd2 17. Kb2 Rd8 18. Nh3 Bxh3 19. gxh3 Bg5 20. Qxg5
Rxg5 21. Rxd2 Qe5 22. Rd3 Ke7 23. Nd2 Rdg8 24. Ne4 Rg1 25. Rxg1 Rxg1 26. Ng3 c5
27. e3 Rxg3 0-1

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Verdun"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Babaev, Rashad"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B35"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1997"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. Bc4 Nc6 8. h3
O-O 9. Bb3 Qa5 10. O-O Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Be6 12. Re1 Rfd8 13. Nd5 Bxd5 14. exd5 Re8
15. c3 Nd7 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Qd4+ Kg8 18. Re2 b5 19. Bc2 Nf6 20. a3 Rac8 21.
Bd3 a6 22. Rae1 Qc7 23. a4 Qb7 24. axb5 axb5 25. Be4 Rc4 26. Qd2 e5 27. g3 b4
28. Bd3 bxc3 29. bxc3 Ra4 30. Rb1 Qxd5 31. Bb5 Rb8 32. Qb2 Re4 33. c4 Rxc4 34.
Rd2 Qc5 35. Qb3 Rc1+ 36. Rxc1 Qxc1+ 37. Rd1 Rxb5 38. Qf3 e4 0-1

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Verdun"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hersvik, Daniel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1997"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. O-O Nc6 8.
Nb3 O-O 9. Re1 Be6 10. Bf1 a6 11. Bg5 b5 12. Nd5 Bxd5 13. exd5 Ne5 14. c3 Qd7
15. Nd4 Rfc8 16. a4 bxa4 17. f4 Neg4 18. h3 Nh6 19. g4 Nxd5 20. Bg2 Rc5 21.
Bxd5 Rxd5 22. Rxe7 Qc8 23. Qxa4 Nxg4 24. hxg4 Qxg4+ 25. Kf2 h6 26. Re8+ Kh7 27.
Rxa8 hxg5 28. Rh1+ Bh6 29. Qd1 Qxf4+ 30. Qf3 Rxd4 31. cxd4 Qxd4+ 32. Kg2 Qxb2+
33. Qf2 Qb7+ 34. Kg1 Qb1+ 35. Kh2 Qb3 36. Re8 g4 37. Kg1 g3 38. Rxh6+ Kxh6 39.
Qe3+ Qxe3+ 40. Rxe3 Kg5 41. Rd3 f5 42. Rxd6 f4 43. Kg2 Kh5 44. Rxa6 g5 45. Kf3
g4+ 46. Kxf4 g2 47. Ra1 Kh4 48. Ra8 Kh5 49. Rh8+ 1-0

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Verdun"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zakharov, Alexander S"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2305"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1997"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 Kf8 8. h4
Qa5 9. Bd2 Qa4 10. Ra2 b6 11. h5 h6 12. Qf4 Ba6 13. Bxa6 Qxa6 14. g4 Nbc6 15.
Nf3 Ke8 16. Ra1 Qc4 17. dxc5 Qxc5 18. O-O Qc4 19. Qxc4 dxc4 20. Rfe1 Nd5 21.
Re4 Na5 22. Nd4 a6 23. f4 Nb7 24. Ne2 b5 25. f5 Nc5 26. Rd4 Ra7 27. Rd1 Rd7 28.
Be1 Kd8 29. Bf2 Na4 30. fxe6 fxe6 31. Nf4 Naxc3 32. Nxe6+ Kc8 33. R1d2 Re7 34.
Nc5 Rxe5 35. Nxa6 Nf6 36. Rd6 Ncd5 37. Nc5 Nc7 38. Rc6 Rd8 39. Rxd8+ Kxd8 40.
Bg3 Re7 41. Bxc7+ Rxc7 42. Ne6+ Kd7 43. Rxc7+ Kxe6 44. Rxg7 Nd5 45. g5 hxg5 46.
h6 Kf6 47. Rg8 1-0

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Verdun"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Fedorchuk, Sergey A"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2365"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1997"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Nb6 8.
Nc3 Nc6 9. d5 Na5 10. e4 c6 11. dxc6 Nxc6 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bf4 Bg4 14. h3 Be6 15.
Qc1 Kh7 16. Rd1 Qc8 17. g4 Rd8 18. Qe3 Nc4 19. Qe2 N4e5 20. Nxe5 Nxe5 21. Nd5
Qc4 22. Qe3 Nc6 23. b3 Qc2 24. Rd2 Qxd2 25. Qxd2 Bxa1 26. Bxh6 Bg7 27. Bg5 Rd7
28. Qe3 f6 29. Bf4 Bf7 30. g5 f5 31. exf5 Bxd5 32. fxg6+ Kh8 33. h4 Rf8 34. h5
Nd4 35. h6 Rxf4 36. hxg7+ Kg8 37. Qh3 Ne2+ 38. Kh2 Kxg7 39. Qh6+ Kg8 40. Bxd5+
1-0

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Verdun"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Shinkevich, Vitaly"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C41"]
[WhiteElo "2435"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1997"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nc3 Nf6 2. e4 d6 3. d4 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. a4 c6 8. h3
Qe8 9. Re1 Bd8 10. b3 Ba5 11. Bb2 Bb4 12. Bf1 Qe7 13. a5 Qd8 14. a6 b5 15. Re3
Qc7 16. Ne2 exd4 17. Nfxd4 Re8 18. Ng3 Ne5 19. Ngf5 Bc5 20. Rg3 Ng6 21. Nxg7
Kxg7 22. Nf5+ Bxf5 23. exf5 Re4 24. Qd2 d5 25. Qg5 Bd4 26. Bxd4 Rxd4 27. fxg6
fxg6 28. Bd3 Qf4 29. Qxf4 Rxf4 30. Re1 Ng8 31. Re6 Rf6 32. Rge3 Kf7 33. R6e5
Rd6 34. g4 Rd7 35. Rf3+ Kg7 36. h4 Re7 37. Rfe3 Rae8 38. f4 Rxe5 39. fxe5 Nh6
40. g5 Ng4 41. Rf3 Rf8 42. Kg2 Rxf3 43. Kxf3 Nxe5+ 44. Kf4 Nxd3+ 45. cxd3 Kf7
46. d4 b4 47. Kg4 Ke6 48. h5 Kd6 49. hxg6 hxg6 50. Kf4 c5 51. dxc5+ Kxc5 52.
Ke3 Kc6 53. Kd3 Kd6 54. Kd4 Ke6 55. Kc5 Ke5 56. Kc6 d4 57. Kb7 d3 58. Kxa7 d2
0-1

[Event "Moscow7"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Annakov, Babakuli"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "3"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 c5 3. e4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qxd5 Bd7 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. Qd1 e5 8.
Bd3 Bb4 9. Bd2 O-O 10. h3 Re8 11. Ne2 Bxd2+ 12. Qxd2 Qb6 13. c3 Rad8 14. Qc2
Rc8 15. Qb3 Qa5 16. O-O Be6 17. Qc2 b5 18. Ng5 Bc4 19. Nf3 Rcd8 20. Bxc4 bxc4
21. b4 cxb3 22. axb3 Qb6 23. Ra4 a6 24. Nd2 Qc5 25. Nc4 a5 26. Rfa1 Ra8 27. Nc1
Red8 28. Ne3 Qd6 29. b4 Rac8 30. bxa5 Nd4 31. Qb2 Rb8 32. Qa2 Ne6 33. Nb3 Qd3
34. a6 Qxc3 35. a7 Rxb3 36. Rc4 1-0

[Event "Moscow7"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Belozerov, Andrei"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C13"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2325"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "3"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 e6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 gxf6 7. g4 Bd7 8.
Bd3 Bc6 9. Nf3 h5 10. gxh5 Qd5 11. Rg1 Nd7 12. Ned2 Qxh5 13. Be4 Bxe4 14. Nxe4
O-O-O 15. Qe2 Qa5+ 16. c3 Rhg8 17. Rxg8 Rxg8 18. Ned2 Nb6 19. a4 a6 20. Ne4 Qd5
21. Ng3 Rg4 22. Nd2 f5 23. a5 Nd7 24. Qf3 Qb5 25. b4 Bg5 26. h3 Bxd2+ 27. Kxd2
Rh4 28. Re1 Kb8 29. Qg2 Nf6 30. f3 Qc4 31. Rc1 Nd5 32. Ne2 Qa2+ 33. Ke1 Qb2 34.
Qg3 Nf4 35. Qh2 Nd3+ 0-1

[Event "Moscow7"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dragomarezkij, Evgeni"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2465"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "3"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Bf5 3. f3 Bg6 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bh4 c6 6. e4 Qa5 7. e5 e6 8. a3 c5
9. Bb5+ Nc6 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Nge2 Qc7 12. f4 Nge7 13. Na4 Nf5 14. Nxc5 Ne3 15.
Qd2 Nxg2+ 16. Kf2 Nxh4 17. Nd4 O-O 18. Bxc6 bxc6 19. Rhg1 Kh7 20. Rg4 Nf5 21.
Rag1 Nxd4 22. Qxd4 Qe7 23. b4 Rg8 24. c3 Bf5 25. R4g3 a5 26. Kg2 Qh4 27. Kh1
Qh5 28. a4 Qe2 29. Re3 Qc4 30. Qxc4 dxc4 31. Rd1 axb4 32. cxb4 Rgb8 33. Rd7 Kg8
34. Rd4 Rxb4 35. Rc3 Rb1+ 36. Kg2 Bd3 37. Nxd3 cxd3 38. Rcxd3 Ra1 39. Rd8+ Rxd8
40. Rxd8+ Kh7 41. Ra8 g5 42. fxg5 hxg5 43. Kf3 Re1 44. Rc8 Rxe5 45. Rxc6 Ra5
46. Rc4 f5 47. Rb4 Kg6 48. h3 Ra6 49. Rc4 e5 50. Rb4 e4+ 51. Ke3 Kh5 52. Rb5
Rxa4 53. Rxf5 Ra3+ 54. Kxe4 Rxh3 55. Rf8 Kh4 56. Rh8+ Kg3 57. Ra8 g4 58. Ra1
Rh2 59. Ke3 Rb2 60. Ra4 Kh3 0-1

[Event "Moscow7"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanov, V."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2445"]
[PlyCount "20"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "3"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 Nd7 4. O-O e6 5. d3 Bd6 6. Nbd2 Ne7 7. c4 c6 8. b3
O-O 9. Bb2 a5 10. a3 Qb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow7"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Koniushkov, Igor"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2265"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "3"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. b3 Nbd7 6. Bb2 e6 7. d3 Bd6 8. Nbd2
O-O 9. h3 Bh5 10. e4 dxe4 11. dxe4 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Be5 13. Bxe5 Nxe5 14. Qe3 Ng6
15. Rad1 Qc7 16. Nc4 Rfd8 17. f4 b5 18. Nb2 e5 19. f5 Nf8 20. Nd3 N8d7 21. g4
Qb6 22. Kf2 h6 23. Rd2 Nc5 24. Nxc5 Rxd2+ 25. Qxd2 Qxc5+ 26. Ke2 a5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow7"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bondarenko, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D75"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "3"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Nc3 Nxc3 8.
bxc3 c5 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Qc7 11. Qb3 Nc6 12. Ba3 Nxd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow7"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Grigoriants, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B76"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "3"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2
O-O 9. O-O-O d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bd4 Bxd4 13. Qxd4 Qb6 14. Na4
Qa5 15. b3 Be6 16. Qc5 Qc7 17. Kb1 Rab8 18. g3 Qe5 19. f4 Qe4 20. Bc4 Nxf4 21.
Rhe1 Qxc4 22. Qxc4 Bxc4 23. gxf4 e6 24. Rd7 a6 25. Nc5 Bd5 26. Nxa6 Rb5 27. a4
Ra5 28. Nb4 Rb8 29. Nxd5 cxd5 30. Kc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow7"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Hasangatin, Ramil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B53"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "3"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 a6 5. Bg5 Nc6 6. Qd2 h6 7. Bf4 e5 8. Bg3
Nf6 9. Bd3 Qb6 10. c4 Bg4 11. Nh4 Nb4 12. O-O Nxd3 13. Qxd3 Qxb2 14. Nc3 Qb6
15. Nf5 Qc6 16. Ne3 Be6 17. Ncd5 Bxd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. cxd5 Qd7 20. f4 f6 21.
Qf3 h5 22. Rac1 Be7 23. fxe5 dxe5 24. d6 Bxd6 25. Qb3 Ke7 26. Rcd1 Qc6 27. Rd5
Rhd8 28. Bf2 b5 29. Qf3 Qe8 30. Rfd1 Rac8 31. Bb6 Rd7 32. Qe3 Rc6 33. Kh1 Qc8
34. Ba5 Rc4 35. a3 Rd4 36. R5xd4 exd4 37. Rxd4 Qc2 38. g3 h4 39. e5 Qc6+ 40.
Kg1 Bxe5 41. Bb4+ Ke8 42. Rxh4 Rd1+ 43. Kf2 Qh1 44. Be1 Rb1 45. Rh5 Kf7 46. Rh4
Rb2+ 47. Bd2 Qd1 48. Qa7+ Kg6 0-1

[Event "Moscow7"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Ivanets, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A04"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "3"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. b4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bb2 Nf6 5. e3 O-O 6. Ne2 Nbd7 7. Ng3 Re8 8. c4
e5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Qb3 N7b6 11. a4 a5 12. bxa5 Rxa5 13. Bb5 c6 14. Be2 Be6 15.
Qd1 Qc7 16. Ng5 Bd7 17. e4 h6 18. exd5 hxg5 19. Bc3 Rxd5 20. a5 Nc8 21. Ne4 Nd6
22. Nxg5 e4 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24. h4 f6 25. Nh3 e3 26. fxe3 Ne4 27. Nf4 Rxd2 28.
Qb3 Qe5 29. O-O Ng3 30. Rfd1 Nxe2+ 31. Nxe2 Rxe2 32. Rxd7+ Kh6 33. Ra2 Re1+ 34.
Kf2 Rxe3 0-1

[Event "Moscow7"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Loskutov, Oleg"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2305"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "3"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2
O-O 9. O-O-O d5 10. Qe1 e5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Bc4 Be6 14. Ne4 Qc7
15. Bc5 Rfd8 16. g4 Nf4 17. Qc3 Rd5 18. Kb1 Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 Rd8 20. Rxd8+ Qxd8
21. Qd2 Bd5 22. Bb3 a6 23. g5 h6 24. h4 hxg5 25. hxg5 Qd7 26. a4 Qh3 27. Qe3
Qf1+ 28. Ka2 Ne2 29. Bxd5 cxd5 30. Nf6+ Bxf6 31. gxf6 Nc1+ 32. Ka3 Qc4 33. Qc3
Qa2+ 34. Kb4 d4 35. Qc4 d3 36. cxd3 Qxb2+ 37. Ka5 Qd2+ 38. Bb4 Qxd3 39. Qxd3
Nxd3 40. Ba3 g5 41. Kxa6 g4 42. fxg4 e4 43. Kb5 e3 44. Bd6 Kh7 45. a5 Kg6 46.
Bg3 Kg5 47. Kc4 Nb2+ 48. Kd4 Kxg4 49. Be1 Na4 50. a6 Nb6 51. a7 Kf5 52. Kc5 Na8
53. Kc6 Ke6 54. Bc3 e2 1-0

[Event "Moscow7"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zhidkov, Valery S"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2315"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "3"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. d4 Nb6 8.
Nc3 Nc6 9. e3 Re8 10. Re1 e5 11. d5 Na5 12. e4 c6 13. a4 cxd5 14. exd5 Nac4 15.
a5 Nd7 16. Ne4 f5 17. Neg5 Nf8 18. d6 Nxd6 19. Qd5+ Ne6 20. Nxe5 Ne4 21. Nxe4
Qxd5 22. Nf6+ Bxf6 23. Bxd5 Kg7 24. Nf3 Rb8 25. Ra3 Bd7 26. Rae3 Nc5 27. b4 Na6
28. Rxe8 Rxe8 29. Rxe8 Bxe8 30. Bxb7 Nxb4 31. Bd2 Be7 32. Nd4 Kf7 33. Be3 a6
34. Nf3 Ke6 35. Bb6 Ba4 36. h4 Bf6 37. Bc5 Nc6 38. Bxa6 Nxa5 39. Bb4 Bc6 40.
Ng5+ Bxg5 41. hxg5 Nb7 42. Be2 Nd6 43. f3 Nf7 44. Bd2 Ne5 45. Kf2 Bd5 46. Bf4
Bc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U14 Disney"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Eynon, David"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B78"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Bc4
O-O 9. Qd2 Bd7 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. Bb3 Ne5 12. g4 Rc4 13. Rdf1 Bxg4 14. fxg4
Nfxg4 15. Bg1 Bh6 16. Qxh6 Nxh6 17. Bxc4 Nxc4 18. h3 e5 19. Nb3 f5 20. Nd2 Qg5
21. Rh2 fxe4 22. Rxf8+ Kxf8 23. Bxa7 b6 24. Re2 Nf5 0-1

[Event "Wch U14 Disney"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gaprindashvili, Valerian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. e4 Bg7 3. d4 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nc3 Qd8 6. Be3 Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8.
Qxf3 c6 9. Bc4 Nf6 10. O-O O-O 11. a4 Nbd7 12. a5 e6 13. a6 b5 14. Bd3 Nd5 15.
Nxd5 exd5 16. b3 Qb6 17. Qf4 Nb8 18. c4 Nxa6 19. Qd6 Nc7 20. Rfc1 Rfd8 21. Qa3
Bxd4 22. c5 Bxc5 23. Rxc5 1-0

[Event "Wch U14 Disney"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kujovic, Michal"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B23"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. e4 c5 4. Bc4 Nc6 5. O-O e6 6. Nc3 Nge7 7. e5 d5 8. Be2
f6 9. exf6 Bxf6 10. b3 O-O 11. g3 a6 12. Bb2 b5 13. Qc1 Bb7 14. Nd1 d4 15. Nf2
e5 16. Ng4 exf4 17. gxf4 Nd5 18. d3 Qe7 19. Nfe5 Nxe5 20. fxe5 Bg5 21. Qe1 h5
22. Nf6+ Bxf6 23. exf6 Qe3+ 0-1

[Event "Wch U14 Disney"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zhao, Minjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. b3 Bg7 4. Bb2 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. c4 c6 7. O-O Na6 8. d3
dxc4 9. bxc4 Bg4 10. Nbd2 Qc8 11. Rb1 Rd8 12. Ba3 Qc7 13. Qb3 Rab8 14. d4 Bf5
15. Rfd1 Ne4 16. Nxe4 Bxe4 17. Qe3 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 e6 19. Rd3 Rd7 20. Rbd1 b5 21.
c5 Rbd8 22. Qe4 Nb8 23. Bc1 e5 24. dxe5 Rxd3 25. Rxd3 Rxd3 26. exd3 Qxe5 27.
Bf4 Qxe4 28. Bxe4 Na6 29. Bxc6 Nxc5 30. Bxb5 Ne6 31. Bb8 Bd4 32. Bc4 Kg7 33.
Kg2 Kf6 34. h4 Nd8 35. Bf4 Nc6 36. Bg5+ Kg7 37. Kf3 1-0

[Event "Wch U14 Disney"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kundin, S."]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B70"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Nc6 7. O-O Bg7 8.
Nb3 O-O 9. Bg5 Be6 10. f4 Na5 11. f5 Bc4 12. Bd3 b5 13. Kh1 Rc8 14. Qe2 b4 15.
Nd1 Bxd3 16. cxd3 e6 17. fxe6 fxe6 18. Ne3 Qb6 19. Rad1 Qb5 20. e5 dxe5 21.
Nxa5 Qxa5 22. Nc4 Qd5 23. Nxe5 Nd7 24. Nxd7 Qxd7 25. Rxf8+ Rxf8 26. b3 Qd5 27.
Bh4 a5 28. Qe4 Qxe4 29. dxe4 Rf4 30. Bd8 Rxe4 31. Bxa5 Bf8 32. h3 Re5 33. Bb6
Re2 34. Rd8 Kg7 35. Rd7+ Kh6 36. Rd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U14 Disney"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Einarsson, Bergsteinn"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[BlackElo "2140"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e5 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. c4 Bb4+ 8.
Bd2 Bxd2+ 9. Qxd2 Ne7 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Nc3 Be6 12. O-O O-O 13. e3 Rb8 14. Na4
Qd6 15. b3 Rfc8 16. Rac1 g6 17. Qa5 a6 18. Nc3 Rc6 19. Rfd1 Rbc8 20. Bf1 Bg4
21. Ne4 Qe6 22. Rxc6 Nxc6 23. Qxd5 Bxd1 24. Qxd1 Rd8 25. Qf3 f5 26. Bc4 Qxc4
27. Nf6+ 1-0

[Event "Wch U14 Disney"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Vajda, Levente"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2320"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 Nxe4 7. d5 Qa5+ 8.
Nc3 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Nd8 10. O-O e5 11. Qb3 Bd7 12. a4 Rc8 13. Bd2 Be7 14. Bb5 Qc7
15. Rfe1 O-O 16. Bxd7 Qxd7 17. a5 f5 18. Be3 e4 19. Nd2 Qc7 20. c4 Qb8 21. Bd4
Nf7 22. f4 Rc7 23. Qg3 g6 24. Qe3 Rc5 25. g4 Nh6 26. g5 Nf7 27. Bc3 Rfc8 28.
Qd4 Bf8 29. h4 b5 30. axb6 Qxb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U14 Disney"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Christenson, Flemming"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8.
Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 Bg7 11. c3 Ne7 12. Nc2 Nxd5 13. Qxd5 Be6 14. Qc6+
Ke7 15. Ne3 Qc8 16. Nd5+ Bxd5 17. Qxd5 Qe6 18. Qd3 Rhd8 19. Qg3 Kf8 20. Bd3 d5
21. O-O Rac8 22. exd5 Rxd5 23. Qf3 Rcd8 24. Bf5 Qb6 25. Bxh7 Rd2 26. b4 Qd6 27.
a4 Qd5 28. Be4 Qc4 29. axb5 axb5 30. g3 R2d6 31. Ra7 Rc8 32. Bg6 Rc7 33. Qa8+
Ke7 34. Rxc7+ Qxc7 35. Ra1 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Akopian, Vladimir Eduardovic"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D01"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2620"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 Nbd7 4. Nf3 h6 5. Bh4 c6 6. Qd3 Qa5 7. Nd2 g6 8. f3
e6 9. e4 Bg7 10. e5 Nh5 11. Nb3 Qc7 12. Qd2 a6 13. Bf2 Bf8 14. f4 Ng7 15. Nd1
c5 16. dxc5 Nxc5 17. Nxc5 Bxc5 18. Bxc5 Qxc5 19. Nf2 h5 20. O-O-O Qc7 21. g3
Bd7 22. Kb1 Bb5 23. Nd3 O-O-O 24. Ne1 Bxf1 25. Rxf1 Nf5 26. Rf3 d4 27. Rb3 h4
28. Nf3 hxg3 29. hxg3 Kb8 30. Ng5 Rd7 31. Rc1 Qc6 32. Qd3 Rh1 33. Ne4 Rxc1+ 34.
Kxc1 Rd8 35. Rc3 Qd5 36. Rc4 Qa5 37. Nd2 Rh8 38. Qf3 Rh2 39. c3 Qxa2 40. cxd4
Qa1+ 41. Kc2 Qe1 0-1

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Minasian, Ara"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2425"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. a3 g6 5. e3 Bg7 6. d4 exd4 7. exd4 O-O 8. d5
Qe7+ 9. Be2 Ne5 10. O-O Nxf3+ 11. Bxf3 d6 12. Re1 Qd8 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3 Nd7
15. Qd2 Ne5 16. Be2 g5 17. f4 gxf4 18. Bxf4 Qf6 19. Ne4 Qg6 20. Ng3 Bg4 21.
Bxe5 Bxe5 22. Bxg4 Qxg4 23. Qxh6 Bxb2 24. Rab1 Rae8 25. Rf1 Bd4+ 26. Kh1 Be3
27. Nf5 Qg6 28. Qh3 Bg5 29. Rxb7 Re5 30. Rxc7 Rfe8 31. Ng3 f5 32. Rf3 Re1+ 33.
Nf1 Rb8 34. Rxf5 Bh6 35. Rf3 Bf8 36. Qg3 Qxg3 37. Rxg3+ Kh8 38. Rf7 Be7 39. h3
Rbb1 40. Rgf3 Kg8 41. R7f5 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Movsesian, Sergei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D01"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2580"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 c6 4. Qd3 e6 5. e4 Qb6 6. O-O-O Nxe4 7. Nxe4 dxe4 8.
Qg3 Qa5 9. Bc4 Nd7 10. Ne2 Bd6 11. Bf4 Bxf4+ 12. Nxf4 O-O 13. Rhe1 Nf6 14. f3
exf3 15. Re5 Qb4 16. Bd3 f2 17. c3 Qe7 18. Rf1 g6 19. Rxf2 Nd5 20. Nxd5 cxd5
21. Rh5 f5 22. Rg5 Bd7 23. h4 Be8 24. h5 Qf6 25. hxg6 hxg6 26. Qf4 Kf7 27. g4
Bd7 28. gxf5 exf5 29. Rfg2 Rg8 30. Be2 Rac8 31. Bf3 Be6 32. Rxg6 Rxg6 33. Bh5
Rcg8 34. Qc7+ Kf8 35. Qb8+ Ke7 36. Qc7+ Bd7 37. Re2+ Qe6 38. Qc5+ Kd8 39. Rxe6
Rxe6 40. Qxd5 Rh8 41. Bd1 Kc7 42. Bf3 Bc8 43. Qc5+ Kb8 44. d5 Rg6 45. d6 Rh7
46. Qe5 Re6 47. Qf4 Bd7 48. Qc4 Bc8 49. Qd5 Re8 50. c4 Re3 51. Qg8 Rd7 52. Qg3
b6 53. Qf4 Re6 54. b4 Bb7 55. c5 bxc5 56. bxc5 Bxf3 57. Qxf3 Re8 58. c6 Rc8 59.
c7+ Rcxc7+ 60. dxc7+ Rxc7+ 61. Kd2 Rc5 62. Kd3 Kc7 63. Kd4 Ra5 64. Qc3+ Kb6 65.
Qc4 Rb5 66. a4 Ra5 67. Qb4+ Ka6 68. Kc4 f4 69. Qd6+ Kb7 70. Kb4 Ra6 71. Qd7+
Kb8 72. a5 Rh6 73. Qd8+ Kb7 74. Qe7+ Ka6 75. Qd7 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Minasian, Artashes"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B20"]
[WhiteElo "2580"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. d3 Nc6 3. g3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Bg2 Nd4 7. Nbd2 Qe6+ 8.
Kf1 Nxf3 9. Nxf3 Bh3 10. c4 Bxg2+ 11. Kxg2 Qc6 12. d4 cxd4 13. Qxd4 e6 14. Rd1
Nf6 15. Bh6 Rc8 16. Rac1 Qe4 17. Qc3 Qf5 18. Nd4 Qxf2+ 19. Kxf2 Ne4+ 20. Ke2
Nxc3+ 21. Rxc3 gxh6 22. Rb3 b6 23. Nb5 Rxc4 24. Nxa7 Bc5 25. Nc8 O-O 26. Nxb6
Bxb6 27. Rxb6 Ra8 28. a3 Ra5 29. Rd3 Rc2+ 30. Rd2 Rc1 31. Rb3 Rh5 32. Kf3 Rf5+
33. Kg2 Rff1 34. Re3 Rg1+ 35. Kf3 Rb1 36. b4 Rgf1+ 37. Ke4 Kg7 38. Ke5 Rfc1 39.
Kd6 Rc8 40. Ke7 e5 41. Rxe5 Rb3 42. Kd7 Rc4 43. Rc5 Re4 44. b5 Rxa3 45. Rb2
Rd3+ 46. Kc6 Re6+ 47. Kb7 h5 48. b6 Ra3 49. Kc7 Re7+ 50. Kc6 Re6+ 51. Kd5 Rd3+
52. Kc4 Rd8 53. b7 Re4+ 54. Kb5 Ree8 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anastasian, Ashot"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D01"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2520"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 Bf5 4. Bxf6 gxf6 5. e3 e6 6. Bd3 Bg6 7. Nf3 c5 8.
dxc5 Bxc5 9. O-O Nc6 10. Ne2 Qb6 11. Rb1 Rd8 12. c3 Kf8 13. Qc2 Kg7 14. Nf4 Ne5
15. Nxe5 fxe5 16. Nxg6 hxg6 17. Rfe1 e4 18. Bf1 f5 19. h3 a5 20. a3 Be7 21. b4
axb4 22. axb4 Bf6 23. c4 d4 24. c5 Qc7 25. exd4 Bxd4 26. Rb3 Qc6 27. Ra3 Ra8
28. Qa2 b6 29. Rd1 bxc5 30. bxc5 Rxa3 31. Qxa3 Qxc5 32. Qxc5 Bxc5 33. Rc1 Bd4
34. g3 Rb8 35. Rc2 Kf6 36. h4 e3 37. fxe3 Bxe3+ 38. Kg2 Rb3 39. Bc4 Ra3 40. Re2
Rc3 41. Bxe6 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Mirumian, Vigen"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2425"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O Nb6 8.
Nc3 Nc6 9. d5 Na5 10. Qc2 c6 11. dxc6 Nxc6 12. Rd1 Qc7 13. Nb5 Qb8 14. Bf4 e5
15. Be3 Bf5 16. Qc5 Rc8 17. Nd6 Bf8 18. Ng5 Rc7 19. Qb5 Bc2 20. Bxb6 axb6 21.
Rd2 Nd4 22. Qxe5 Bg7 23. Qf4 Ra4 24. Nde4 Bxe4 25. Bxe4 Bh6 26. Rad1 Qd8 27.
Rxd4 Rxd4 28. Rxd4 Qxd4 29. Qxc7 Bxg5 30. Qc2 Bf6 31. b3 Qd7 32. Qd3 Qe7 33.
Qf3 b5 34. Bxb7 b4 35. Bd5 Kg7 36. Bc4 Bd4 37. e3 Bc3 38. Qd5 Kf6 39. Kf1 Kg7
40. Ke2 Qa7 41. Kd3 Bb2 42. g4 Qc7 43. h4 Bf6 44. h5 Qd8 45. Qxd8 Bxd8 46. a4
bxa3 47. b4 gxh5 48. gxh5 f5 49. Kc3 Bh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Khachiyan, Melikset"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C69"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2440"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O f6 6. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 c5 8.
Nb3 Qxd1 9. Rxd1 Bg4 10. f3 Be6 11. Nc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Petrosian, Arshak B"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D72"]
[WhiteElo "2465"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nb4 7. a3 N4c6 8. d5
Nd4 9. Ne2 c5 10. O-O O-O 11. Nxd4 cxd4 12. Nd2 Na6 13. b4 Nc7 14. Bb2 Nb5 15.
Nb3 e5 16. f4 f5 17. fxe5 Bxe5 18. exf5 Bxf5 19. Qe2 Qe8 20. Rae1 Bg7 21. Qc4
Qd7 22. Nc5 Nd6 23. Qa2 Qc7 24. Rd1 Bg4 25. Ne6 Qc4 26. Qxc4 Nxc4 27. Bxd4 Bxd1
28. Rxd1 Bxd4+ 29. Rxd4 Nd6 30. Nxf8 Kxf8 31. Bh3 Ke7 32. Kf2 a5 33. a4 axb4
34. Rxb4 Ra5 35. Be6 b5 36. axb5 Rxb5 37. Ra4 Rb2+ 38. Kg1 h5 39. h4 Kf6 40.
Rf4+ Ke5 41. Rf2 Rxf2 42. Kxf2 g5 43. g4 Ne4+ 44. Kg2 gxh4 45. gxh5 Nf6 46. h6
Nxd5 47. Bxd5 Kf6 48. Be4 Kf7 49. Bh7 Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yegiazarian, Arsen"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Bf5 3. Bg5 f6 4. Bh4 Nc6 5. e3 Qd7 6. Bd3 O-O-O 7. Nge2 Nh6 8.
f3 e5 9. Bb5 e4 10. fxe4 Bxe4 11. Nxe4 dxe4 12. O-O Bd6 13. Qd2 Qg4 14. Bg3 Ne7
15. Bc4 Kb8 16. Bxd6 cxd6 17. d5 Nf7 18. Nf4 f5 19. Be2 Qh4 20. Ne6 Rc8 21. c4
Ng5 22. Nd4 Rhf8 23. Rf4 Qh6 24. Raf1 g6 25. Nb5 Nf7 26. Qd4 b6 27. Qf6 Ng8 28.
Qc3 Qg5 29. Nd4 Ne5 30. Ne6 Qe7 31. Nxf8 Rxf8 32. b4 Rc8 33. Qd4 Nf6 34. Rc1
Nfd7 35. Rff1 Ka8 36. Rc3 h5 37. a4 h4 38. a5 bxa5 39. Ra1 h3 40. Rxa5 Rc7 41.
Rca3 Nb8 42. b5 a6 43. Qb6 Ra7 44. bxa6 Nbd7 45. Qb2 hxg2 46. Rb5 Qd8 47. Rab3
Qc8 48. Rb7 g5 49. c5 dxc5 50. Rxa7+ Kxa7 51. Rb7+ Ka8 52. d6 f4 53. Bg4 Nxg4
54. Qb5 Nge5 55. Rc7 Qb8 56. Rb7 Qc8 57. Rc7 Qb8 58. Rb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Lputian, Smbat G"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D97"]
[WhiteElo "2580"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Na6 8.
Be2 c5 9. d5 e6 10. O-O exd5 11. exd5 b5 12. Nxb5 Qxd5 13. Bf4 Be6 14. Qa4 Qe4
15. Qxe4 Nxe4 16. Be5 Rfd8 17. Rfc1 Bh6 18. Nc3 Nxc3 19. Rxc3 Nb4 20. a3 Nc6
21. Rxc5 Nxe5 22. Nxe5 Rd2 23. Bf3 Rc8 24. Rxc8+ Bxc8 25. Nc6 Bd7 26. Nb8 Bg7
27. Rd1 Rxd1+ 28. Bxd1 Bb5 29. a4 Be5 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nalbandian, Tigran"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D01"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2475"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 Nbd7 4. Nf3 h6 5. Bh4 e6 6. e4 g5 7. Bg3 Nxe4 8.
Nxe4 dxe4 9. Ne5 h5 10. h4 g4 11. Qe2 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Bh6 13. Rd1 Qe7 14. Qxe4
Rb8 15. Bb5+ Kf8 16. Qd4 a6 17. Qa7 axb5 18. Qxb8 Qb4+ 19. c3 Qe4+ 20. Kf1 Qc4+
21. Kg1 Kg7 22. Kh2 Qc5 23. Rd4 Qb6 24. Qa8 Kh7 25. Rhd1 Bd7 26. Qa3 Bf8 27.
Qb3 Bc6 28. Qc2+ Kg7 29. Qd2 Be7 30. Bf4 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Asrian, Karen"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1998"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2
O-O 9. g4 Be6 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. h4 Ne5 12. Kb1 Qa5 13. Nd5 Qxd2 14. Nxe7+ Kh8
15. Bxd2 Rce8 16. g5 Nxe4 17. fxe4 Rxe7 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. Bb4 Nf7 20. Bh3 Be5
21. Rd3 Rc8 22. b3 b5 23. Rf1 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Decin op"]
[Site "Decin"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zugaj, Fjodor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2190"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 053 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5
Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bd2 Qc7 12. Qe2 Ngf6 13. O-O-O Bd6 14. Nf5 Bf4
15. Bxf4 Qxf4+ 16. Ne3 Nd5 17. Rh4 Qc7 18. Nxd5 cxd5 19. Rg4 Rg8 20. Ne5 Nxe5
21. dxe5 O-O-O 22. Rd3 Qe7 23. Rdg3 Qf8 24. Qe3 Kb8 25. Qa3 f6 26. Qxf8 Rdxf8
27. Rxg7 Rxg7 28. Rxg7 fxe5 29. f3 Rf5 30. g4 Rf6 31. Kd2 a5 32. Ke3 d4+ 33.
Ke2 e4 34. fxe4 e5 35. g5 hxg5 36. Rxg5 Rc6 37. Kd3 Re6 38. Rg6 Re7 39. h6 Ka7
40. Rg7 Re6 41. h7 Rh6 42. Kc4 Rh5 43. Kb5 Rh2 44. Kxa5 Rxc2 45. h8=Q d3 46.
Qf8 1-0

[Event "Decin op"]
[Site "Decin"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Jirovsky, Pavel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2325"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 053 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. h4 c6 4. Nd2 Qa5 5. Ngf3 d5 6. c3 h6 7. Bf4 Bf5 8. e3
e6 9. Nxe4 Bxe4 10. Ne5 Qb6 11. f3 Bh7 12. Qd2 f6 13. Ng4 Nd7 14. h5 O-O-O 15.
a4 Re8 16. a5 Qd8 17. Kf2 e5 18. Bg3 a6 19. c4 dxc4 20. Bxc4 f5 21. Nh2 Nf6 22.
Nf1 f4 23. exf4 exd4 24. f5 Bd6 25. Be6+ Kb8 26. Rd1 d3 27. Qc3 Rhf8 28. Rxd3
Rxe6 29. Rxd6 Rxd6 30. Qb4 Ne8 31. Ne3 Ka8 32. Nc4 c5 33. Qxc5 Rxf5 34. Nb6+
Rxb6 35. Qxb6 Qd2+ 0-1

[Event "Decin op"]
[Site "Decin"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Raudive, Aivars"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C13"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2365"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 053 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 e6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8.
c3 O-O 9. Bd3 b6 10. Qe2 Bb7 11. O-O-O Be7 12. Ne5 c5 13. Bb5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Qb8
15. Rd7 a6 16. Bd3 Bd8 17. Rd1 Bc6 18. Rd6 Bd5 19. c4 Bb7 20. Nf6+ Bxf6 21.
exf6 g6 22. Qe3 Kh8 23. Rd7 1-0

[Event "Decin op"]
[Site "Decin"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Shcherbakov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2555"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 053 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8.
Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 Nc6 10. d5 Ne5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Qd2 b6 13. f4 Bg7 14. c4 e6 15.
Bb2 Bxb2 16. Rxb2 e5 17. O-O f6 18. fxe5 fxe5 19. Rbb1 Rxf1+ 20. Rxf1 Qh4 21.
Qc3 Qxe4 22. Bf3 Qf4 23. g3 Qf5 24. Bg2 Qd7 25. d6 Bb7 26. Bxb7 Qxb7 27. Qxe5
1-0

[Event "Decin op"]
[Site "Decin"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Chernyshov, Konstantin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A44"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2470"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 053 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 c5 2. d5 e5 3. e4 d6 4. Nc3 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. Nd2 Nd7 7. Nc4 Nb6 8. Nxb6
Qxb6 9. Bb5+ Ke7 10. a4 a6 11. a5 Qc7 12. Bd3 Nf6 13. O-O Re8 14. f3 Kf8 15.
Be3 Kg8 16. Qe1 Nh5 17. Na4 Bd7 18. Nb6 Rad8 19. b4 Nf4 20. bxc5 dxc5 21. Ra3
Bf8 22. Rc3 Bb5 23. g3 Nxd3 24. cxd3 c4 25. dxc4 Bb4 26. Qa1 Bxc3 27. Qxc3 f6
28. Rd1 Bd7 29. c5 Bb5 30. Rb1 Kg7 31. Nc4 g5 32. Na3 g4 33. Nxb5 axb5 34. fxg4
Qd7 35. g5 f5 36. d6 fxe4 37. Qc2 Qg4 38. Rxb5 Rd7 39. Rb4 Rf7 40. Rxe4 Qf5 41.
Qg2 Ref8 42. h4 Kg8 43. Kh2 Ra8 44. Ra4 Qd3 45. Bg1 Raf8 46. Re4 Qc3 47. Qa2
Ra8 48. Re3 Qxa5 49. Qxa5 Rxa5 50. Rxe5 Kf8 51. Re6 Ra2+ 52. Kh3 Rd2 53. Be3
Rd3 54. Kg4 Rc3 55. Kh5 Rc4 56. Kh6 Rg4 57. Rf6 Rxf6+ 58. gxf6 Ke8 59. Bf4 Rg6+
60. Kxh7 Rxf6 61. Kg7 Rf5 62. Kg6 Rxc5 63. h5 Kf8 64. h6 Kg8 65. h7+ Kh8 66.
Bh6 1-0

[Event "Decin op"]
[Site "Decin"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Hasangatin, Ramil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2380"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 053 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 f6
8. Bc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Decin op"]
[Site "Decin"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kholmov, Ratmir D"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2435"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 053 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 e6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nbd7 6. Nf3 Be7 7. Nxf6+ Nxf6
8. Bd3 c5 9. O-O cxd4 10. Nxd4 O-O 11. c3 Bd7 12. Re1 Nd5 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Qh5
g6 15. Qh6 Nc6 16. Nf3 Qf6 17. Ng5 Qg7 18. Qh4 Rad8 19. Ne4 Bc8 20. Bc4 Kh8 21.
Rad1 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Qe5 23. Ng5 Qg7 24. Ne4 f6 25. Qg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Decin op"]
[Site "Decin"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Cherevatenko, Roman"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D01"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2415"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 053 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 c6 4. Qd3 Qa5 5. Bd2 Na6 6. Nd1 Qb6 7. Nf3 Ne4 8. e3
Nb4 9. Bxb4 Qxb4+ 10. c3 Qb6 11. Qc2 g6 12. Bd3 Nd6 13. O-O Bg7 14. Nd2 c5 15.
dxc5 Qxc5 16. e4 dxe4 17. Nxe4 Nxe4 18. Bxe4 O-O 19. Ne3 Rb8 20. Rad1 b5 21.
Qb3 a5 22. Rd5 Qb6 23. c4 bxc4 24. Qxb6 Rxb6 25. Rxa5 Rxb2 26. Nxc4 Rb4 27. Bd3
Be6 28. Ne3 Rd8 29. Be2 h5 30. a4 Rb2 31. Bf3 Rdd2 32. Ra8+ Kh7 33. a5 Bd4 34.
a6 Rxf2 35. Re1 Rfd2 36. h4 Ra2 37. Kh2 Ra3 38. Nf1 Rda2 39. Bb7 Bf2 40. Rd1
Bxh4 41. Rad8 Bf6 42. R8d2 Bc4 43. Rxa2 Rxa2 44. Kg1 Kg7 45. Ne3 Bxa6 46. Bd5
Ra1 0-1

[Event "Decin op"]
[Site "Decin"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Khachiyan, Melikset"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2480"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 053 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d6 3. Bg2 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c4 c6 6. Nc3 O-O 7. d4 Qa5 8. e4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Menorca"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Cawdery, Daniel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B23"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Juniors"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bc4 e6 6. d3 Nge7 7. O-O d5 8. Bb3
O-O 9. Qe1 Nd4 10. Qh4 Nec6 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Bd2 c4 13. Ba4 dxe4 14. Bxc6 bxc6
15. Nxe4 Nxc2 16. Rac1 cxd3 17. Ne5 Nd4 18. Kh1 g5 19. Ng4 f5 20. Ngf6+ Kf7 21.
Ba5 fxe4 22. Bxd8 d2 23. Rcd1 Ba6 24. Nxe4 Bxf1 25. Bxg5 Bd3 26. Nd6+ Kg6 27.
Rxd2 Ba6 28. g4 h6 29. Be7 Bf1 30. h4 h5 31. gxh5+ Kxh5 32. Rd1 Be2 33. Rg1
Bf3+ 34. Kh2 Bg4 35. Kh1 Bf8 36. Bxf8 Rxf8 0-1

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Menorca"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Perez Candelario, Manuel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2095"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Juniors"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bd3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c3 Nbd7 7. Re1 e5 8. Nbd2
c6 9. a4 Qc7 10. b3 Re8 11. Ba3 Nh5 12. Nc4 Bf8 13. Bf1 c5 14. b4 b6 15. bxc5
bxc5 16. d5 Ng7 17. Nfd2 f5 18. exf5 gxf5 19. f4 Bb7 20. fxe5 dxe5 21. d6 Bxd6
22. Nxd6 Qxd6 23. Nc4 Qxd1 24. Raxd1 Bc6 25. Rd6 Rac8 26. Rh6 Bxa4 27. Rh4 Bb3
28. Nd6 Rcd8 29. Nxe8 Rxe8 30. Rb1 Bf7 31. Rd1 Nf6 32. Rh3 Rb8 33. Rhd3 Rb3 34.
Bc1 Be6 35. Rd6 Nfe8 36. Rc6 Bf7 37. Rxc5 Bg6 {42-move} 1-0

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Menorca"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Siegel, Noah J"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D95"]
[WhiteElo "2240"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Juniors"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. e3 O-O 6. Qb3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8.
Be2 Ne8 9. O-O e5 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Rd1 Nd6 12. Bd2 Be6 13. Qc2 Nxf3+ 14. Bxf3
Qf6 15. Rac1 Nc4 16. b3 Nxd2 17. Rxd2 Qxc3 18. Qxc3 Bxc3 19. Rxc3 c6 20. Kf1
Rfd8 21. Rcd3 Rxd3 22. Rxd3 a5 23. a4 Ra6 24. Ke1 Rb6 25. Bd1 Kf8 26. Kd2 Ke7
27. Kc3 Rb4 28. Rd4 c5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Menorca"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Lurie, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2070"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Juniors"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 dxe5 5. Nxe5 g6 6. Bc4 c6 7. O-O Bg7 8. Re1
O-O 9. c3 Nd7 10. Nf3 N7b6 11. Bb3 a5 12. a4 h6 13. Nbd2 Bg4 14. h3 Bxf3 15.
Nxf3 Nd7 16. Bd2 e6 17. Bc2 Qc7 18. Qc1 Kh7 19. Re4 h5 20. Rh4 Kg8 21. Bh6 N7f6
22. Ne5 Nd7 23. Rxh5 Nxe5 24. Bxg7 Nf3+ 25. gxf3 Kxg7 26. Qh6+ Kf6 27. Re1 Rh8
28. Qg5+ Kg7 29. Bxg6 Qf4 30. Bc2+ Qxg5+ 31. Rxg5+ Kf6 32. Rg3 Rh4 33. Bd3 Rah8
34. Bf1 Nf4 35. Kh2 R4h5 36. Re4 Ng6 37. Bd3 b5 38. axb5 cxb5 39. Reg4 R8h6 40.
f4 a4 41. Bxg6 Rxg6 42. Rxg6+ fxg6 43. Rg5 1-0

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Menorca"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ho, Andrew"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D85"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Juniors"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8.
Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 Nc6 10. d5 Ne5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Qd2 b6 13. O-O e6 14. f4 Bg7
15. c4 exd5 16. cxd5 Bd4+ 17. Kh1 f5 18. e5 Qxd5 19. Bb2 Qxa2 20. Rfd1 Be6 21.
Bxd4 Qxd2 22. Rxd2 cxd4 23. Rxd4 Rac8 24. h3 Rc2 25. Bd1 Rc7 26. Kh2 Kf7 27.
Ra4 Rd8 28. Be2 Rd2 29. Bf3 Ra2 30. Rab4 Rc3 31. Bb7 Ke7 32. Rd1 Rc7 33. Bf3
Rc4 34. Rxc4 Bxc4 35. Rd6 Rc2 36. Kg3 Be6 37. h4 b5 38. Rd4 a5 39. Bd5 Bd7 40.
h5 gxh5 41. Kh4 a4 42. Rd3 b4 43. e6 Bc6 44. Kg5 Bxd5 45. Rxd5 Kxe6 46. Ra5
Rxg2+ 47. Kxh5 a3 48. Kh4 Rg4+ 49. Kh3 Rxf4 50. Kg3 Rf1 51. Kg2 Ra1 52. Kf2 h5
53. Ke2 b3 54. Kd2 h4 55. Rb5 b2 56. Kc2 b1=Q+ 0-1

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Menorca"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2470"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Juniors"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. h3 Nc6 5. Bd3 d5 6. e5 Nd7 7. Bb5 e6 8. O-O Qc7
9. d4 Be7 10. a3 Nb6 11. Bd3 Bd7 12. Re1 h6 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. Be3 Be7 15. Nbd2
Rc8 16. Nd4 Nxe5 17. Bf4 Bd6 18. Qh5 g6 19. Qxe5 Bxe5 20. Bxe5 Qd8 21. Bxh8 Kf8
22. Be5 f6 23. Bh2 e5 24. Nc2 Kf7 25. Ne3 Be6 26. Rad1 Na4 27. Bc2 Qa5 28. Bxa4
Qxa4 29. Nf3 Rd8 30. Rd2 g5 31. Nc2 g4 32. hxg4 Bxg4 33. Nh4 Be6 34. Bg3 h5 35.
Ne3 d4 36. cxd4 Rxd4 37. Rc2 Rxh4 38. Rc7+ Kg6 39. Bxh4 Qxh4 40. Rxb7 Qa4 41.
Rc1 f5 42. Rb4 Qd7 43. g3 Kf6 44. Rd1 Qc6 45. Re1 a5 46. Rh4 Qf3 47. Rc1 f4 48.
gxf4 exf4 49. Ng2 Bg4 50. Rc4 Qd1+ 51. Kh2 f3 52. Ne3 Qd6+ 53. Kg1 Kg5 54.
Rhxg4+ hxg4 55. Rxg4+ Kh5 56. Rg3 Qc6 57. Nf1 Qd5 58. Ne3 Qe4 59. Nf1 a4 60.
Ne3 Qb1+ 61. Nf1 Qd1 62. Rg7 Kh6 63. Rg4 Kh5 64. Rg7 Kh6 65. Rg8 Kh7 66. Rg5
Qd4 67. Rg3 Qd1 68. Rg4 Qb3 69. Rg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Menorca"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Shinkevich, Vitaly"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A47"]
[WhiteElo "2400"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Juniors"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. b3 Bg7 4. Bb2 O-O 5. Bg2 b6 6. O-O Bb7 7. d4 c5 8. dxc5
bxc5 9. c4 d6 10. Nc3 Nbd7 11. Qc2 Rb8 12. Rfe1 Ne4 13. Nd1 Ndf6 14. Nd2 Qa5
15. Nf3 Ng5 16. Bc3 Nxf3+ 17. Bxf3 Qb6 18. Bxb7 Qxb7 19. Ne3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Menorca"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bunzmann, Dimitrij"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2275"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Juniors"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. c3 a6 6. Be2 d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. d4
Be7 9. c4 Nf6 10. dxc5 Qxd1 11. Rxd1 Bxc5 12. Nc3 Bd7 13. Bf4 h6 14. a3 Ba7 15.
b4 Bb8 16. Be3 Ne7 17. Ra2 Bc7 18. h4 {43-move} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Menorca"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C12"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Juniors"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. e4 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4
Kf8 9. h4 c5 10. Bd3 Nxd2 11. Kxd2 Nc6 12. Rh3 c4 13. Bf1 b5 14. a3 a5 15. Ne2
Rg8 16. Nf4 Ra7 17. Rf3 Qd7 18. Rb1 Rb7 19. Be2 Ne7 20. Qh5 Ke8 21. Qg4 Nf5 22.
Nh5 Kf8 23. Ra1 Qe7 24. Rh3 Rb8 25. Ng3 g6 26. Qf4 Kg7 27. Nf1 Kh7 28. g4 Nxh4
29. Ng3 g5 30. Qe3 Ng2 31. Qf3 Nf4 32. Rh2 b4 33. Nh5 Nxh5 34. Rxh5 bxa3 35.
Qe3 Rg6 36. f4 gxf4 37. Qxf4 Bd7 38. Rxa3 a4 39. Ra1 Kg7 40. g5 Rh8 41. Rah1
Rg8 42. Rxh6 Rxg5 43. Rf6 Kf8 {65-move} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Menorca"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Kobylkin, Evgeni"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2365"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Juniors"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 dxc4 7. O-O c6 8. e3
Nbd7 9. a4 Ne8 10. Qe2 e5 11. Rd1 exd4 12. Nxd4 Qc7 13. Qxc4 Nd6 14. Qe2 Nc5
15. Rb1 Re8 16. e4 Qe7 17. f3 f5 18. Bf4 Nf7 19. Qf2 fxe4 20. fxe4 Ne5 21. Qf1
Rf8 22. Nf3 Bg4 23. Nxe5 Bxe5 24. Qc4+ Be6 25. Bg5 Qxg5 26. Qxc5 Rfd8 27. Kh1
Bf6 28. Rxd8+ Bxd8 29. Qd6 Qe7 30. Rd1 Qxd6 31. Rxd6 Kf7 32. Ne2 Bc7 33. Rd1
Rd8 34. Rf1+ Ke7 35. Nf4 Bb3 36. Bh3 Be5 0-1

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Menorca"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Khamrakulov, Ibragim S"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "Juniors"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qb6 5. Nb3 Qc7 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. O-O d5 8.
Nc3 dxe4 9. Nxe4 Nbd7 10. Qf3 Nxe4 11. Qxe4 Bd6 12. h3 Nf6 13. Qh4 Bd7 14. Bg5
Be5 15. c3 Nd5 16. Rfe1 h6 17. Rad1 g6 18. Bc1 Bf6 19. Qc4 O-O-O 20. Qxc7+ Nxc7
21. Be4 Bb5 22. Be3 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 b6 24. Nd4 Rd8 25. Bc2 Bc4 26. Bxh6 Bxa2 27.
Nf3 Bd5 28. Ng5 Rd7 29. g4 a5 30. f4 Be7 31. Kf2 f6 32. Nf3 f5 33. Ne5 Bc5+ 34.
Kg3 Rh7 35. g5 Ne8 36. Nxg6 Kc7 37. b4 axb4 38. cxb4 Bxb4 39. Bxf5 Nd6 40. Bb1
Ne4+ 41. Kh2 Rf7 42. Rd4 Bd6 43. Bxe4 Bxf4+ 44. Nxf4 Rxf4 45. g6 Rxe4 46. g7
Re2+ 47. Kg3 Rg2+ 48. Kh4 1-0

[Event "Yerevan op"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Santrian, Ararat"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 052 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nb3 Bg7 6. Be2 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8.
O-O d6 9. Re1 Be6 10. Bg5 Rc8 11. Bf1 a6 12. Nd5 Bxd5 13. exd5 Ne5 14. c3 Re8
15. Qd4 Ned7 16. g3 Nb6 17. Bg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan op"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Lobzhanidze, Davit"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2280"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 052 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2
O-O 9. O-O-O d5 10. Qe1 e5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Bc4 Be6 14. Ne4 Qc7
15. Bc5 Rfd8 16. Qh4 h6 17. g4 Rab8 18. g5 h5 19. Qf2 Qb7 20. b3 Rd7 21. a4
Rbd8 22. Ba3 Qb6 23. Bc5 Qa5 24. Qe1 Qc7 25. Bf2 Bf5 26. Bg3 Nf4 27. Qe3 h4 28.
Bxh4 Ng2 29. Qf2 Nxh4 30. Qxh4 Bxe4 31. Rxd7 Qxd7 32. fxe4 Qd4 33. Kb1 Rb8 34.
Ka2 Qd2 35. Bd3 Bf8 36. Rf1 Rxb3 37. Kxb3 Qb4+ 38. Ka2 Qxa4+ 39. Kb1 Ba3 40.
Bc4 Qxc4 41. Rf3 Bb4 42. Rh3 Kf8 43. Qh8+ Ke7 44. Qxe5+ Qe6 45. Qc7+ Qd7 46.
Qxd7+ Kxd7 47. Rf3 Ke7 48. Kb2 Bd2 49. Rf6 c5 50. Rc6 Be3 51. Kc3 Kd7 52. Ra6
Bxg5 53. Kc4 Be3 54. Kd5 f5 55. Rxa7+ Kd8 56. exf5 gxf5 57. Rf7 f4 58. Ke4 1-0

[Event "Yerevan op"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Lobzhanidze, Nikoloz"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 052 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. b3 Nf6 5. Bb2 Nbd7 6. O-O e6 7. d3 Bc5 8. Nbd2
O-O 9. e4 dxe4 10. dxe4 e5 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 b5 13. Qe2 Qe7 14. a3 Rfd8 15.
b4 Bb6 16. c4 c5 17. Bc3 cxb4 18. Bxb4 Bc5 19. Bxc5 Nxc5 20. cxb5 Rd4 21. Rfc1
Rad8 22. Ra2 g6 23. Qe3 Qe6 24. Rac2 Nd3 25. Rd1 Nd7 26. Nf3 Nxf2 27. Rxd4
Nxh3+ 28. Bxh3 exd4 29. Bxe6 dxe3 30. Bd5 Nf6 31. Rc5 Ng4 32. Kf1 Kg7 33. Rc7
Nh6 34. Ke2 1-0

[Event "Yerevan op"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Pogosian, Tigran"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D77"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 052 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. c4 dxc4 7. Ne5 Ne8 8. Na3
c5 9. e3 cxd4 10. exd4 Nd6 11. Be3 Nc6 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Qa4 Bd7 14. Bxc6 Bxc6
15. Qxc6 Qb6 16. Qxb6 axb6 17. Nc2 b5 18. a3 Rfd8 19. Rad1 Bf6 20. Bd2 e6 21.
Bb4 Nf5 22. Bc5 Rd7 23. f3 Rad8 24. Bb6 Rb8 25. Bc5 e5 26. d5 Rc8 27. Bb4 Nd4
28. Ne3 Bg5 29. f4 exf4 30. gxf4 Ne2+ 31. Kh1 Bf6 32. Ng4 Bg7 33. Ne5 Bxe5 34.
fxe5 Re8 35. Rf2 Rxe5 36. Re1 Rde7 37. d6 Re8 38. Rexe2 1-0

[Event "Yerevan op"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Martsvalashvili, Ruzvelt"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C86"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 052 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Qe2 Be7 6. O-O d6 7. c3 b5 8. Bc2
Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. Rd1 O-O 11. d3 Nd7 12. Nbd2 Bf6 13. Nf1 h6 14. Ng3 Bxf3 15.
Qxf3 Bg5 16. d4 Bxc1 17. Raxc1 Qg5 18. Nf5 Ne7 19. Ne3 Rad8 20. Rd2 exd4 21.
cxd4 c5 22. Rcd1 Nc6 23. dxc5 Nde5 24. Qf5 dxc5 25. Rd5 Rxd5 26. exd5 Qxf5 27.
Nxf5 Nb4 28. Bb1 Rd8 29. a3 Nbc6 30. Rc1 Rxd5 31. Be4 Rd2 32. Rxc5 g6 33. Ne3
Rd6 34. f4 Nd3 35. Rxc6 Rxc6 36. Bxc6 Nxb2 37. Bb7 a5 38. Ba6 b4 39. axb4 a4
40. Nc2 Kf8 41. Kf2 Nd1+ 42. Ke2 Nc3+ 43. Kd3 Nd5 44. Ke4 Nf6+ 45. Kd4 Ke7 46.
Bb5 Kd6 47. Bxa4 Nh5 48. Ke4 f5+ 49. Kf3 Nf6 50. Ne3 Ne4 51. Be8 1-0

[Event "Yerevan op"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Matikozian, Andranik"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2295"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 052 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 g6 6. Bc4 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Re1 Nc6 9. Bb3 Qa5 10. Nde2 Bd7 11. Nf4 Rfe8 12. Nfd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 Be6 14. Bd2
Qd8 15. c3 Na5 16. Bg5 Nxb3 17. axb3 Qd7 18. Qd2 Bxd5 19. exd5 e5 20. dxe6 Rxe6
21. Be3 a6 22. Red1 Rae8 23. Ra5 Qe7 24. h3 Be5 25. Rd5 Qc7 26. b4 Qc4 27. Qd3
Qa2 28. Rb1 Qa4 29. Ra5 Qc6 30. b5 axb5 31. Rxb5 Ra8 32. Rb6 Qc7 33. Qb5 Re7
34. Bg5 Rd7 35. Re1 Re8 36. Kf1 Re6 37. Qb3 Kg7 38. Rb5 h6 39. Be3 Rde7 40. Ra1
Rf6 41. Kg1 Bf4 42. Bd4 Be5 43. Be3 Bf4 44. Bd4 Be5 45. Bb6 Qd7 46. Rd1 Rf5 47.
c4 Qe6 48. Qd3 Rf4 49. b3 Re4 50. Be3 Bf4 51. Bxf4 Rxf4 52. Rd5 Qe2 53. Qxe2
Rxe2 54. f3 Rb2 55. Rb5 Rf6 56. Re1 Rf5 57. Rxb7 Rg5 58. g4 Ra5 59. Rbe7 Raa2
60. R7e3 Rg2+ 61. Kh1 Rh2+ 62. Kg1 Rhg2+ 63. Kh1 Rh2+ 64. Kg1 Rag2+ 65. Kf1
Rf2+ 66. Kg1 Rhg2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan op"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zschischang, Marine"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2085"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 052 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5
Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Qc7 11. Bd2 e6 12. Qe2 Ngf6 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Ne5
Nb6 15. Ba5 Rd5 16. Bxb6 axb6 17. f4 b5 18. Nf1 Rd8 19. Ne3 Bd6 20. Kb1 Rhe8
21. Rh3 Re7 22. Rg3 Ne8 23. Qg4 Bxe5 24. fxe5 Kb8 25. Qe2 Red7 26. c3 Qb6 27.
Nc2 Kc8 28. Rf1 Qc7 29. Rgf3 Re7 30. Nb4 Rdd7 31. Nd3 b6 32. Nf2 b4 33. Qe4 f5
34. Qf4 Kb7 35. cxb4 Qd8 36. Rd3 Nc7 37. Rc1 Nb5 38. Rc4 Rd5 39. a4 Na7 40. Nd1
b5 41. axb5 cxb5 42. Rc5 Nc6 43. Nc3 Nxb4 44. Nxd5 Nxd3 45. Rxb5+ Kc6 46. Qf3
1-0

[Event "Yerevan op"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Voskanyan, Vahagn"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2410"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 052 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. d4 Nc6 8. e4
Nb6 9. d5 Na5 10. Nc3 c6 11. dxc6 Nxc6 12. Nd5 Bg4 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 e6 15.
Nxb6 Qxb6 16. Rb1 Qa6 17. Qa3 Qxa3 18. bxa3 b6 19. Rd1 Nd4 20. Bf1 Rfd8 21. Kg2
Nc2 22. Be2 Rxd1 23. Bxd1 Rc8 24. a4 {[#]} Bf8 25. Bd2 Na3 26. Rc1 Rxc1 27.
Bxc1 Nb1 28. Kf3 Nc3 29. Bb3 Bc5 30. Be3 Bb4 31. Bd4 b5 32. axb5 Nxb5 33. Bf6
Bc5 34. Ba4 Nd6 35. Bc6 Kf8 36. Ke2 Ne8 37. Bd8 e5 38. f4 exf4 39. gxf4 Ng7 40.
Bd7 Ne6 41. Bxe6 fxe6 42. Kd3 Ke8 43. Bf6 Kd7 44. Bd4 Bxd4 45. Kxd4 Kd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan op"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Lempert, Igor"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C14"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2505"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 052 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. Nb5 Nb6 8.
a4 a6 9. a5 Nc4 10. Bxc4 dxc4 11. Nc3 O-O 12. Nf3 Rd8 13. Ne4 b5 14. axb6 cxb6
15. Nd6 {[#]} Rxd6 16. exd6 Qxd6 17. O-O Bb7 18. Nd2 Qd5 19. Qf3 Qxf3 20. Nxf3
Bxf3 21. gxf3 Nc6 22. c3 Kf8 23. Rfd1 Ne7 24. b3 cxb3 25. Rdb1 Nd5 26. c4 Nf4
27. Rxb3 Ne2+ 28. Kg2 Rc8 29. Ra4 Nf4+ 30. Kg3 Ne2+ 31. Kh3 b5 32. cxb5 axb5
33. Rxb5 h5 34. Rb7 g5 35. Rb2 Nf4+ 36. Kg3 Kg7 37. h4 f6 38. Ra5 Kg6 39. Rbb5
Ne2+ 40. Kh3 Nf4+ 41. Kg3 Ne2+ 42. Kh3 gxh4 43. Rxh5 Nf4+ 44. Kg4 Nxh5 45. Rxh5
f5+ 46. Kxh4 Rd8 47. Rg5+ Kf6 48. Rh5 Rxd4+ 49. Kg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan op"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Tsomaia, Sergo"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B74"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 052 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Nc6 7. Nb3 Bg7 8.
O-O O-O 9. Be3 Be6 10. f3 Na5 11. Nd5 Nd7 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. Nxa5 Bxb2 14. Rb1
Bc3 15. Nc4 b6 16. Bd4 Bxd4+ 17. Qxd4 d5 18. exd5 Bxd5 19. Ne3 Bxa2 20. Ng4 f6
21. Bc4+ Bxc4 22. Qxc4+ Kg7 23. Kh1 Rac8 24. Qa2 Nc5 25. Rfe1 Qf7 26. Qa1 Rfe8
27. Rbd1 h5 28. Ne3 Rcd8 29. Rxd8 Rxd8 30. c4 Nd3 31. Re2 Rc8 32. h3 b5 33. Ra2
Rc7 34. Qd4 bxc4 35. Ra6 Nb4 36. Rd6 Qe7 37. Rd8 Nc6 38. Rg8+ Kxg8 39. Qxc4+
Qf7 40. Qxf7+ 0-1

[Event "Yerevan op"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Mchedlishvili, Mikheil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2275"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 052 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 f6
8. Be3 e5 9. Nd2 Nd7 10. Nb3 h5 11. f3 Bd6 12. Kc2 b6 13. Rd1 Bb7 14. Bb5 O-O-O
15. Nd2 Nc5 16. Bc4 Rh7 17. b4 Nd7 18. Bb3 Be7 19. a4 Kb8 20. Rhe1 Nf8 21. a5
b5 22. Ba2 Rh8 23. Nb3 Ne6 24. a6 Bxa6 25. Na5 Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Nd8 27. Rd7 Bd6
28. Rxd8+ Rxd8 29. Nc6+ Kc8 30. Nxd8 Kxd8 31. Bf7 g5 32. Bxh5 Bc8 33. Bxa7 Be6
34. Kd2 f5 35. exf5 Bxf5 36. Bc5 Ke7 37. Bxd6+ cxd6 38. Ke3 Be6 39. Bg6 Bc4 40.
g3 Kf6 41. Bc2 d5 42. h3 Kg7 43. Kf2 Kh6 44. g4 Kg7 45. Bd1 Kf6 46. Kg3 Ke6 47.
h4 gxh4+ 48. Kxh4 e4 49. fxe4 dxe4 50. Kg3 Ke5 51. g5 Kf5 52. Bc2 Bf7 53. Kf2
Kf4 54. Bd1 e3+ 55. Ke1 Kxg5 56. Be2 Be8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Cannes op"]
[Site "Cannes"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Hebert, Jean"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2435"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "1996.02.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 051 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nc3 Nb6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. d3 Be7 8. a3
O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. b4 Bf8 11. Bb2 Bg4 12. Re1 a5 13. b5 Nd4 14. Nxd4 exd4 15.
Na4 Bxe2 16. Rxe2 Rxe2 17. Qxe2 Nxa4 18. Bxb7 Rb8 19. Bc6 Qd6 20. Ra2 Nc3 21.
Bxc3 dxc3 22. Rc2 Qxa3 23. Qe5 Bb4 24. Qxc7 Rf8 25. Bd5 Qa4 26. Ra2 Qxb5 27.
Bc4 Qh5 28. Bb3 Qf5 29. Qc4 Re8 30. Kg2 h5 31. h3 Re1 32. Rc2 Qd7 33. Qa6 Kh7
34. Ra2 Rb1 35. Bc4 Re1 36. Qa8 Qf5 37. Qb7 Re7 38. Qa6 h4 39. g4 Qf4 40. Qb5
g6 41. Qd5 Bd6 42. Qf3 Qh2+ 43. Kf1 Bf4 44. Bd5 Bd2 45. Be4 Qc7 46. Rc2 a4 47.
Qf6 a3 48. Qa6 Qh2 0-1

[Event "Cannes op"]
[Site "Cannes"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nikcevic, Nebojsa"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C70"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2485"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "1996.02.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 051 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 b5 5. Bb3 Na5 6. O-O d6 7. d4 f6 8. h3 Ne7
9. Qe2 Nxb3 10. axb3 Ng6 11. Be3 Be7 12. Rd1 O-O 13. Nc3 Bb7 14. dxe5 fxe5 15.
Nd5 Qd7 16. c4 Bd8 17. c5 Qe6 18. Rac1 h6 19. cxd6 cxd6 20. Rc3 Ne7 21. Nb6
Bxb6 22. Bxb6 Ng6 23. Rc7 Nf4 24. Qe3 Bc8 25. Ne1 d5 26. Nd3 d4 27. Nxf4 Qxb6
28. Qc1 exf4 29. Rc6 Qd8 30. Qc5 Qg5 31. Qxg5 hxg5 32. Rxd4 Ra7 33. Rc5 g4 34.
hxg4 Bxg4 35. f3 Be6 36. b4 Bc4 37. Kh2 Rf6 38. e5 Rf5 39. g4 fxg3+ 40. Kxg3
Raf7 41. f4 g5 42. Rdxc4 bxc4 43. e6 R7f6 0-1

[Event "Cannes op"]
[Site "Cannes"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Summerscale, Aaron"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2465"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "1996.02.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 051 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. Bf4 d5 4. f3 Nf6 5. Nc3 c5 6. e4 e6 7. Nb5 Na6 8. e5
Nd7 9. c3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Nb4 11. Be3 Nc6 12. f4 f5 13. Nf3 a6 14. Nc3 Be7 15.
Bd3 Nf8 16. O-O Bd7 17. g4 fxg4 18. Nd2 h5 19. f5 Bg5 20. Qe2 Bxe3+ 21. Qxe3
exf5 22. e6 Nxe6 23. Bxf5 Qg5 24. Qxg5 Nxg5 25. Nxd5 Bxf5 26. Rae1+ Be6 27.
Nc7+ Kd7 28. Nxe6 Nxe6 29. d5 Rae8 30. Rf7+ Re7 31. dxe6+ Ke8 32. Nc4 Rxf7 33.
Nd6+ Kf8 34. exf7 Ne7 35. Nc8 Ng6 36. Nd6 Ne7 37. Nc8 Ng6 38. Nd6 Ne7 39. Nc8
1/2-1/2

[Event "Cannes op"]
[Site "Cannes"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Collas, Didier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2380"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "1996.02.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 051 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd8 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 c6 8.
Be3 e6 9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. O-O Be7 11. Rad1 Qa5 12. Qg3 O-O 13. Qh4 Qh5 14. Qxh5
Nxh5 15. Ne4 Nhf6 16. c3 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Nf6 18. Bf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Cannes op"]
[Site "Cannes"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Bauer, Christian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2430"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "1996.02.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 051 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. O-O Nc6 8.
Nb3 O-O 9. Re1 Be6 10. Bf1 d5 11. Nc5 d4 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Nb1 Ne5 14. h3 Qb6
15. Bd3 Nh5 16. Nd2 Nf4 17. Nc4 Nxc4 18. Bxc4 d3 19. Be3 Qxb2 20. cxd3 Qxa1 21.
Qxa1 Bxa1 22. Rxa1 Kg7 23. Kf1 e5 24. g3 Nh5 25. Ke2 b6 26. Rb1 Nf6 27. Rb5 Nd7
28. Rd5 Rad8 29. Bb5 Nc5 30. Rxe5 Kf6 31. d4 Ne6 32. Kd3 Rd6 33. Bc4 Rfd8 34.
Bd5 R8d7 35. h4 b5 36. g4 Ra6 37. g5+ Kf7 38. Bb3 Rdd6 39. Rxb5 Rab6 40. Ra5
Ra6 41. Rc5 Ke8 42. Rc3 Nxd4 43. Bxd4 e5 44. Bd5 exd4 45. Rc7 Ra3+ 46. Kxd4 Rd7
47. Rc8+ Rd8 48. Rc2 Kd7 49. Rb2 Ke7 50. Ke5 Kf8 51. f4 Re8+ 52. Be6 Re3 53.
Rb4 Kg7 54. h5 gxh5 55. f5 h4 56. Rb7+ Kh8 57. Kf4 Re1 58. f6 Rf1+ 59. Kg4 Rg1+
60. Kh5 h3 61. Kh6 1-0

[Event "Cannes op"]
[Site "Cannes"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karr, Jean Philippe"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B05"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1996.02.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 051 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 Bg4 5. Be2 c6 6. O-O Bxf3 7. Bxf3 dxe5 8.
dxe5 e6 9. Nd2 Nd7 10. Re1 Qc7 11. Nc4 N7b6 12. Qe2 Nxc4 13. Qxc4 O-O-O 14. a3
Be7 15. b4 Rd7 16. Qb3 Rhd8 17. c4 Nb6 18. Be3 h6 19. Be4 Kb8 20. a4 Nc8 21. a5
Bf8 22. g3 g5 23. Qa4 c5 24. b5 b6 25. Qc2 bxa5 26. Ra3 Qxe5 27. Bc6 Rc7 28.
Bd2 Rxd2 29. Qxd2 Qd4 30. Qxa5 Bd6 31. Rb1 Qxc4 32. b6 Rxc6 33. bxa7+ Ka8 34.
Rab3 Nxa7 35. Qd8+ Nc8 36. Qxc8+ 1-0

[Event "Cannes op"]
[Site "Cannes"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Piankov, Evgenij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D03"]
[WhiteElo "2410"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "1996.02.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 051 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. Nbd2 d5 5. e3 O-O 6. Be2 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. c3
Qb6 9. Qb3 cxd4 10. Qxb6 axb6 11. exd4 Bf5 12. Rfe1 Ne4 13. Bf4 Nxd2 14. Nxd2
Rfc8 15. Nf1 Bd7 16. Ne3 e6 17. g4 f6 18. Bg3 Na5 19. f4 b5 20. f5 Bh6 21. Bf3
Nb3 22. axb3 Bxe3+ 23. Kg2 Rxa1 24. Rxa1 b4 25. c4 gxf5 26. gxf5 Bxd4 27. Rd1
Bxb2 28. fxe6 Bxe6 29. Bxd5 Re8 30. Bxe6+ Rxe6 31. Rd7 b6 32. Bf2 Re2 33. Kf3
Rc2 34. Rd3 Be5 35. Bxb6 Rxh2 36. Ke4 Kf7 37. Ba5 Ke6 38. Bxb4 h5 39. Re3 h4
40. Bc3 h3 41. Bxe5 fxe5 42. b4 Rd2 43. Rxh3 Rd4+ 44. Ke3 Rxc4 45. Rh6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Cannes op"]
[Site "Cannes"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Haik, Aldo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2440"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "1996.02.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 051 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nb3 Bg7 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Be2 O-O 8.
O-O d6 9. Re1 Be6 10. Bg5 a6 11. Bf1 b5 12. Nd5 Nd7 13. c3 Re8 14. Qc2 Nb6 15.
Rad1 Rc8 16. f4 Nc4 17. Qf2 f6 18. Bh4 Bf7 19. h3 Rb8 20. Nc1 e6 21. Ne3 Nxe3
22. Rxe3 Qc7 23. Red3 d5 24. exd5 exd5 25. Nb3 f5 26. Be2 d4 27. cxd4 Bc4 28.
R3d2 Qd6 29. d5 Nb4 30. Bf3 Bxb3 31. axb3 Rbc8 32. Re2 Kf8 33. Rde1 Nd3 34.
Rxe8+ Rxe8 35. Rxe8+ Kxe8 36. Qe3+ Kd7 37. Qxd3 Qxf4 38. Bf2 Qc1+ 39. Kh2 Qxb2
40. Qe3 Qe5+ 41. Kg1 Qxe3 42. Bxe3 h5 43. Kf2 Be5 44. Bc5 Bf4 45. Ke2 Bc1 46.
b4 Bf4 47. d6 1-0

[Event "Cannes op"]
[Site "Cannes"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Touzane, Olivier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A31"]
[WhiteElo "2500"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "1996.02.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 051 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 c5 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. Be2 Nc6 8.
O-O Nxe4 9. Nxc6 Nxc3 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. bxc3 Bxc3 12. Rb1 d6 13. Rb3 Be5 14.
Ba3 Rd8 15. f4 Bf6 16. Bf3 Qc7 17. Bd5 Qa5 18. f5 Kg7 19. fxg6 hxg6 20. Rxf6
Kxf6 21. Rf3+ Bf5 22. g4 Re8 23. Bb2+ Ke7 24. gxf5 gxf5 25. Rxf5 Rg8+ 26. Kh1
Raf8 1-0

[Event "Cappelle op 12th"]
[Site "Cappelle la Grande"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kholmov, Ratmir D"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C86"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2495"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "1996.02.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 051 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Qe2 Be7 6. O-O d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Rd1
Bd7 9. d3 Re8 10. Bc2 Bf8 11. Nbd2 g6 12. Nf1 Bg7 13. Ng3 h6 14. h3 d5 15. Be3
Qe7 16. b4 d4 17. cxd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 Nxb4 19. Bb3 c5 20. Nc2 Nc6 21. Qd2 Kh7
22. Rac1 b6 23. d4 cxd4 24. Nxd4 Na5 25. e5 Ng8 26. f4 Rac8 27. Ne4 Rxc1 28.
Rxc1 Rc8 29. Bd5 Rd8 30. Nd6 f6 31. f5 gxf5 32. N4xf5 Bxf5 33. Nxf5 Qxe5 34.
Bxg8+ Rxg8 35. Qd3 Rb8 36. Nxh6+ f5 37. Nxf5 1-0

[Event "Cappelle op 12th"]
[Site "Cappelle la Grande"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sulava, Nenad"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2480"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "1996.02.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 051 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Qb6 6. Nb3 Qc7 7. Nc3 Nf6 8.
O-O d6 9. f4 Nbd7 10. Qf3 Be7 11. Be3 b5 12. g4 h6 13. Qh3 g6 14. g5 Nh5 15.
gxh6 Ndf6 16. f5 gxf5 17. exf5 b4 18. Ne4 e5 19. Kf2 Bb7 20. Nxf6+ Nxf6 21. Rg1
Nd5 22. Bd2 a5 23. Bb5+ Kd8 24. Ba4 Qb6+ 25. Kf1 Ba6+ 26. Kg2 Kc7 27. h7 Nf6
28. Qe3 Qb7+ 29. Kf2 Ne4+ 30. Ke1 Bh4+ 0-1

[Event "Pardubice KB op"]
[Site "Pardubice"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sikorova, Olga"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2150"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "1996.07.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Bb5+ Nbd7 4. Nc3 a6 5. Bxd7+ Qxd7 6. Qf3 g6 7. Nge2 Bg7
8. O-O O-O 9. d3 Rd8 10. Nf4 Rb8 11. Re1 Bf8 12. Be3 b5 13. Ba7 Ra8 14. Bd4 Bb7
15. Bxf6 exf6 16. Ne4 Be7 17. c4 f5 18. Nc3 b4 19. Na4 Bd6 20. b3 Rab8 21. d4
c6 22. c5 Bxf4 23. Qxf4 Qxd5 24. Nb6 Qxd4 25. Re8+ 1-0

[Event "Pardubice KB op"]
[Site "Pardubice"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Turner, Jan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2215"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "1996.07.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bf4 e5 8.
Bg5 a6 9. Na3 b5 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Nd5 f5 12. c3 Bg7 13. exf5 Bxf5 14. Nc2 O-O
15. Nce3 Be6 16. g3 f5 17. Bg2 Ra7 18. f4 Ne7 19. O-O e4 20. Rf2 Nxd5 21. Nxd5
a5 22. a3 Rb7 23. Rd2 b4 24. axb4 axb4 25. Nxb4 Rxb4 26. Rxd6 Bd4+ 27. Rxd4
Rxd4 28. Qxd4 Qxd4+ 29. cxd4 Rb8 30. Rb1 Rb4 31. Bf1 Kf7 32. Kf2 Ba2 33. Rc1
Rxb2+ 34. Be2 Ke6 35. Ke3 Rb3+ 36. Kd2 Rb2+ 37. Ke3 Rb3+ 38. Kf2 Rb2 39. Rc3
Kd6 40. Ke3 Be6 41. h3 Rb1 42. Ra3 Rh1 43. Ra6+ Kd5 44. Ra5+ Kd6 45. d5 Bxd5
46. Kd4 Bc6 47. Rxf5 Rxh3 48. Rf6+ Kc7 49. Rf7+ Kd6 50. Rg7 Rh2 51. Ke3 Rh6 52.
Rg8 Rg6 53. Bc4 Rxg8 54. Bxg8 h6 55. Bh7 Ke6 56. Bxe4 Bd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Pardubice KB op"]
[Site "Pardubice"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Cherkasov, Nikolai"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2295"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "1996.07.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bc4 e6 6. O-O Nge7 7. Qe1 O-O 8. d3
d5 9. Bb3 Nd4 10. Nxd4 cxd4 11. Ne2 dxe4 12. dxe4 b5 13. Bd2 a5 14. a4 bxa4 15.
Bxa4 Qb6 16. Qf2 Ba6 17. Kh1 Rfb8 18. Rfb1 d3 19. Be3 Qb7 20. Ng3 Rc8 21. c3 h5
22. Bd1 h4 23. Nf1 h3 24. Nd2 Bb5 25. Bf3 hxg2+ 26. Qxg2 Ra6 27. Nb3 Qc7 28.
Rg1 Be8 29. h4 a4 30. Nc5 Ra5 31. Nxd3 a3 32. b4 Qxc3 33. bxa5 Qxd3 34. Qd2 Rc3
35. Qxd3 Rxd3 36. Bc5 Bxa1 37. Rxa1 Rxf3 38. Bxe7 Rxf4 39. Rxa3 Rxe4 40. a6 Bc6
41. Kg1 Ra4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Pardubice KB op"]
[Site "Pardubice"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mudelsee, Manfred"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B00"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2250"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "1996.07.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. e4 Nf6 4. e5 Ng8 5. f4 h5 6. Be2 Bf5 7. Be3 e6 8. a3 Bg4
9. Nf3 Nh6 10. Bf2 Be7 11. Qd2 Nf5 12. O-O-O Qd7 13. Qd3 Na5 14. Nd2 Bxe2 15.
Nxe2 Qc6 16. g3 Nc4 17. h3 Qb5 18. Nxc4 Qxc4 19. Qxc4 dxc4 20. d5 O-O-O 21.
dxe6 fxe6 22. Rxd8+ Bxd8 23. Kd2 Be7 24. Rd1 Rd8+ 25. Ke1 Rxd1+ 26. Kxd1 Kd7
27. Nc3 g5 28. fxg5 Bxg5 29. Ne4 Be7 30. Ke2 Nh6 31. Kf3 Nf7 32. Kf4 c3 33. b4
Bf8 34. g4 hxg4 35. hxg4 Bg7 36. Nf6+ Kc6 37. g5 Nh8 38. Kg4 Ng6 39. Bd4 Kb5
40. Bxc3 Ka4 41. Bb2 Kb5 42. Kf3 c5 43. bxc5 Kxc5 44. Ke4 a5 45. Ne8 Bh8 46.
Nd6 b5 47. Bc3 b4 48. Bd4+ Kc6 49. a4 1-0

[Event "Pardubice KB op"]
[Site "Pardubice"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Sulskis, Sarunas"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2515"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "1996.07.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. d4 Nb6 8.
Nbd2 Nc6 9. e3 a5 10. Ne4 a4 11. Bd2 Nc4 12. Bc3 a3 13. bxa3 Rxa3 14. Qc1 Ra7
15. d5 N6a5 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Qc3+ Kg8 18. Rfd1 Nd6 19. Nc5 b6 20. Nd3 Bd7 21.
Nd4 Nb5 22. Nxb5 Bxb5 23. Nb4 Qe8 24. Rac1 Qd7 25. e4 Rd8 26. h3 Nb7 27. Qxc7
Ra4 28. a3 Qxc7 29. Rxc7 Rd7 30. Rxd7 Bxd7 31. Nc6 Kf8 32. Rb1 Nc5 33. e5 Rxa3
34. Rxb6 Rb3 35. Rxb3 Nxb3 36. f4 f6 37. e6 Be8 38. Kf2 Nc5 39. Na5 Na4 40. Ke3
Nb6 41. Kd4 Nc8 42. Kc5 Nd6 43. Nc4 Nb7+ 44. Kb6 Nd6 45. Nxd6 exd6 46. Ka5 f5
47. Bf1 1-0

[Event "Pardubice KB op"]
[Site "Pardubice"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kacirek, Petr"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C14"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2260"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1996.07.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 e6 4. e4 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 a6 7. Qg4 f5 8. Qh5+
g6 9. Qh6 Bxg5 10. hxg5 Qe7 11. Nge2 Nf8 12. Nf4 c6 13. Bd3 Rg8 14. a3 Nbd7 15.
Kf1 b6 16. Nce2 Bb7 17. c3 O-O-O 18. f3 Kb8 19. Kf2 Rc8 20. b4 Ka7 21. a4 Qg7
22. c4 c5 23. cxd5 cxd4 24. Qxg7 Rxg7 25. dxe6 Nxe5 26. Nxd4 Rd8 27. Ke3 Re7
28. Rad1 Nf7 29. Bc4 Rc8 30. Nd5 Bxd5 31. Bxd5 Nxe6 32. Bxe6 Nxg5 33. Kf2 Nxe6
34. Rhe1 1-0

[Event "Pardubice KB op"]
[Site "Pardubice"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Vorisek, Jaroslav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D77"]
[WhiteElo "2220"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "1996.07.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.01.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. c4 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. O-O dxc4 7. Na3 c3 8. bxc3
c5 9. e3 Nc6 10. Qe2 Be6 11. Bb2 Bd5 12. Rfd1 cxd4 13. exd4 e6 14. c4 Bxf3 15.
Bxf3 Re8 16. Nc2 Qb6 17. Ne3 Rad8 18. Rab1 Qa6 19. Bc3 Nd7 20. Qc2 e5 21. Bxc6
Qxc6 22. d5 Qa6 23. Bb4 Rc8 24. Rd3 Qf6 25. d6 Qe6 26. Nd5 e4 27. Re3 Qxd5 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-32"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.09.18"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Olafsson, Helgi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2500"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "1996.09.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia II"]
[BlackTeam "Iceland"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISL"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4
g5 9. Bg3 Bg7 10. Qd2 Nc6 11. Nb3 b5 12. f3 Nge5 13. Bf2 Na5 14. Nxa5 Qxa5 15.
Nd5 Qxd2+ 16. Kxd2 Rb8 17. c3 Bb7 18. a4 Bxd5 19. exd5 O-O 20. Be2 Rfc8 21.
axb5 axb5 22. Ba7 Rb7 23. Ra5 Nc4+ 24. Bxc4 bxc4 25. Be3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-32"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.09.19"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dydyshko, Viacheslav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B82"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2545"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "1996.09.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia II"]
[BlackTeam "Belarus"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "BLR"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3
b5 9. Bd3 Bb7 10. g4 Nfd7 11. O-O-O Nc5 12. Kb1 Nbd7 13. g5 b4 14. Nce2 g6 15.
h4 Bg7 16. h5 Rg8 17. Nb3 O-O-O 18. hxg6 hxg6 19. Ng3 Na4 20. Bc1 Ndc5 21. Rh7
Kb8 22. Qf2 Qb6 23. Qe1 Rc8 24. Bf1 Rc7 25. e5 dxe5 26. fxe5 Bd5 27. Be3 Qb7
28. Rd4 Ka8 29. Rxb4 Qc8 30. Nxc5 Nxc5 31. Rb6 Bb7 32. Qe2 Bxe5 33. Bxc5 Bxg3
34. Bg2 Rc6 35. Bxc6 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-32"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.09.20"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "O'Shaughnessy, Conor"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2260"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "1996.09.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Ireland"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia II"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IRL"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. d5 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 Ne5 8.
Bb5+ Nfd7 9. Qe2 a6 10. Bxd7+ Nxd7 11. a4 g6 12. O-O b6 13. Bg5 Bg7 14. Nd2 O-O
15. Qe3 Nf6 16. h3 Re8 17. Bh6 Bh8 18. f4 b5 19. Nf3 bxa4 20. Rxa4 Qb8 21. Rf2
Ra7 22. f5 Rb7 23. Ra2 Rb5 24. Qf4 Qb6 25. Qh4 Ra5 26. Rxa5 Qxa5 27. e5 dxe5
28. Nxe5 Qa1+ 29. Rf1 Qxb2 30. Qg3 a5 31. Nc6 Nxd5 32. Qf3 Nf6 33. Re1 e6 34.
fxe6 fxe6 35. Ne5 Qb3 36. g4 Qd5 37. Qf4 Qb7 38. g5 Nd5 39. Qf3 Bxe5 40. Rxe5
Qb1+ 41. Kh2 Qb8 42. Qg3 c4 43. Re2 Qxg3+ 44. Kxg3 Nxc3 45. Rc2 Rd8 46. Kf4 Nb5
47. Rxc4 Rd4+ 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-32"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.09.21"]
[Round "6.4"]
[White "Borgo, Giulio"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B55"]
[WhiteElo "2375"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1996.09.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Italy"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia II"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ITA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. f3 e5 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7 8.
Nf5 d5 9. Bg5 dxe4 10. Bxf6 Qxd1+ 11. Kxd1 gxf6 12. fxe4 Nc6 13. c3 Rg8 14. g3
Rd8+ 15. Nd2 Ne7 16. Kc2 Kd7 17. Rad1 Ke6 18. Nb3 Nc6 19. Rxd8 Nxd8 20. Rd1 Nc6
21. Rd3 Rg4 22. Nd2 Bc5 23. a3 a5 24. Kb3 Rg8 25. Kc4 Rc8 26. Kb5 Bf8 27. Kb6
Rd8 28. Rxd8 Nxd8 29. Kc7 Nc6 30. a4 Ne7 31. Nxe7 Bxe7 32. g4 h5 33. h3 hxg4
34. hxg4 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-32"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.09.25"]
[Round "9.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Urban, Klaudiusz"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2470"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[EventDate "1996.09.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia II"]
[BlackTeam "Poland"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "POL"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c3 d5 4. e5 c5 5. f4 cxd4 6. cxd4 Nc6 7. Nc3 Nh6 8. Be2
O-O 9. Be3 f6 10. g4 Nf7 11. Bf3 fxe5 12. fxe5 e6 13. h4 Qb6 14. Bf2 Qxb2 15.
Rc1 Nb4 16. Bg2 Bh6 17. g5 Nxg5 18. hxg5 Bxg5 19. Rb1 Nc2+ 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-32"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.09.28"]
[Round "12.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Amonatov, Farrukh"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B82"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2110"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[EventDate "1996.09.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia II"]
[BlackTeam "Tajikistan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "TJK"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3
b5 9. Bd3 Bb7 10. g4 Nc6 11. g5 Nd7 12. O-O-O O-O-O 13. Kb1 Kb8 14. h4 Nc5 15.
h5 Be7 16. Rhe1 Rc8 17. Nb3 Nb4 18. Nxc5 dxc5 19. Bf1 Nc6 20. Qf2 Nd4 21. Bg2
Rhd8 22. Ne2 Nxe2 23. Qxe2 Qc6 24. Qf2 f6 25. h6 Rxd1+ 26. Rxd1 gxh6 27. gxf6
Bxf6 28. Bh1 Qc7 29. e5 Be7 30. f5 Rd8 31. Rxd8+ Qxd8 32. f6 Bxh1 33. fxe7 Qxe7
34. Bxc5 Qg7 35. Qf6 Qd7 36. Bd6+ Kb7 37. Qf8 Be4 38. Qb8+ Kc6 39. a4 Qb7 40.
Qg8 Kd5 41. Qg1 Kc6 42. a5 h5 43. Qg8 Kd5 44. Qd8 Bg6 45. Bb4+ Ke4 46. Qh4+ Kf5
47. Qf6+ Ke4 48. Qxe6 Qd5 49. Qxa6 Qd1+ 50. Ka2 Qxc2 51. e6 Qc4+ 52. Ka3 Kf3
53. Qa8+ Kg3 54. Qb8+ Kg4 55. Qe5 Qf1 56. Qd4+ Kh3 57. b3 Qe2 58. e7 Qe6 59.
Bc5 Qc6 60. Qd6 b4+ 61. Kxb4 Qe4+ 62. Qd4 Qb7+ 63. Ka3 Qb5 64. Qc3+ Kg2 65. Qb4
Qe2 66. Qb7+ Kh2 67. Qc7+ Kg2 68. Qc6+ Kg3 69. a6 Qe1 70. Qc7+ Kg2 71. a7 Qa1+
72. Kb4 Qe1+ 73. Kb5 Be8+ 74. Kb6 Qe6+ 75. Qd6 Qxb3+ 76. Kc7 Qf3 77. Qd2+ Kh1
78. Qe1+ Kg2 79. Qf2+ 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-32"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1996.09.30"]
[Round "13.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sandler, Leonid"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B82"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2345"]
[Annotator "Rogers,I"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "1996.09.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 055"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia II"]
[BlackTeam "Australia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AUS"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. f4 {
13-year-old Aronian is well prepared; Sandler has in the past struggled
against this aggressive system.} b5 8. Qf3 Bb7 9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. g4 b4 {Far from
obligatory} (10... Nc5 {is a serious alternative.}) 11. Nce2 Nc5 12. Ng3 d5 13.
e5 Nfe4 14. O-O $5 ({White usually chooses} 14. O-O-O {in this variation - in
the long run White's king often suffers from exposure on the kingside.}) 14...
Be7 15. f5 O-O 16. Bxe4 ({White should probably have preferred 15. or} 16. Rad1
) 16... Nxe4 17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Qf4 Qc7 $1 19. f6 $6 gxf6 20. Qh6 $1 Rfd8 $1 {
The start of a remarkable counter-attack.} ({White was hoping for} 20... Qxe5
$2 21. Nf5 $1 exf5 22. Rxf5 Qxb2 23. Rh5 Qxa1+ 24. Kg2 {with checkmate to
follow.}) 21. exf6 Bf8 22. Qh4 Rxd4 $1 23. Bxd4 e3 $1 24. Bxe3 Qxc2 25. Qh3 Rd8
26. Rae1 Qc6 {Black has only a long diagonal in compensation for his material
but Sandler has judged that White's king will be permanently weak and the main
question is whether Black can decisively increase the pressure.} 27. Re2 Rd3
28. Kf2 Bc5 29. Rfe1 Qe4 30. Kg1 Bd4 31. g5 Qd5 32. Qg3 $6 Be5 $1 33. Qg2 ({
After} 33. Qh3 Bf4 {White is totally tied up, but the text move leads to a
hopeless endgame.}) 33... Qxg2+ 34. Rxg2 Bxg2 35. Kxg2 Bxb2 36. Kf2 a5 37. Ke2
Rd5 38. h4 a4 39. Rb1 Bc3 40. h5 h6 41. g6 Rxh5 42. gxf7+ Kxf7 43. Kd3 Rh3 44.
Ke4 b3 45. axb3 Rxe3+ 46. Kxe3 a3 0-1

[Event "RUS-Cup2"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gutov, Andrey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B17"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "1996.11.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 056 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. c3 Qc7
8. Nf3 Bf5 9. O-O e6 10. Re1 Bd6 11. Bg5 O-O 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. g3 Bg4 14. Qd3
Bxf3 15. Qxf3 f5 16. Rad1 Kh8 17. Bb3 Rfe8 18. Kh1 b5 19. Bc2 Rad8 20. g4 f6
21. gxf5 e5 22. Bb3 exd4 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. cxd4 Bxh2 25. Qh5 Qe7 26. Kxh2 Qe4
27. Rg1 Rd8 28. Qg4 Qxg4 29. Rxg4 h5 30. Rg6 Rxd4 31. Rxf6 c5 32. Rh6+ Kg7 33.
Rg6+ Kh7 34. Bg8+ Kh8 35. f6 c4 36. Be6 Kh7 37. f7 1-0

[Event "RUS-Cup2"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Izmukhambetov, Salauat"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2530"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "1996.11.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 056 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. Nf3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 O-O 7. Bb3 a6 8. Nbd2
Ba7 9. Re1 Ng4 10. Re2 Kh8 11. h3 Nh6 12. g4 Nxg4 13. hxg4 Bxg4 14. Nh2 Qh4 15.
Nxg4 Qxg4+ 16. Kf1 f5 17. exf5 Rxf5 18. Ne4 Raf8 19. Ke1 Bxf2+ 20. Kd2 Rf3 21.
Kc2 Qg6 22. Nxf2 Rxf2 23. Be3 R2f3 24. Bd5 Rh3 25. Qg1 Qh5 26. Qg2 Rg3 27. Qxg3
Qxe2+ 28. Bd2 Ne7 29. Re1 Qh5 30. Rh1 Nf5 31. Rxh5 Nxg3 32. Rh3 Nf1 33. Rf3
Rxf3 34. Bxf3 b6 35. Kd1 h6 36. Be1 Ne3+ 37. Ke2 Nf5 38. Bg4 Ne7 39. Bh4 g5 40.
Bf2 Kg7 41. Bh5 Nd5 42. Bf3 Nf4+ 43. Ke3 Kf6 44. Bb7 a5 45. b4 h5 46. bxa5 bxa5
47. c4 h4 48. Be1 a4 49. a3 Ke6 50. Bc6 d5 51. Bxa4 dxc4 52. dxc4 Ng2+ 53. Kf2
Nxe1 54. Kxe1 Kd6 55. Bd1 Kc5 56. Be2 g4 57. Kf2 e4 58. Bf1 g3+ 59. Kg2 Kb6
1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-Cup2"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vorotnikov, Vladislav V"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A41"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2510"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "1996.11.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 056 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 Bg4 3. Nbd2 Nd7 4. h3 Bh5 5. e4 c6 6. c3 Ngf6 7. Bd3 e5 8. O-O
Be7 9. Re1 O-O 10. Nf1 Bg6 11. Ng3 Re8 12. Nh4 Nf8 13. Nhf5 Ne6 14. Bc2 Bf8 15.
Be3 Nf4 16. Qf3 Bxf5 17. Nxf5 g6 18. Nxd6 Bxd6 19. dxe5 Nxh3+ 20. Qxh3 Rxe5 21.
Rad1 Rh5 22. Qf3 Qe7 23. Bb3 a5 24. a4 Re8 25. g4 Re5 26. Bf4 h5 27. g5 Rxe4
28. Rxe4 Nxe4 29. Bxd6 Qxg5+ 30. Kf1 Nxd6 31. Rxd6 Re7 32. Qf6 Qxf6 33. Rxf6
Kg7 34. Rd6 Kh6 35. Rd8 f5 36. Ra8 Re5 37. Ra7 b6 38. Ra6 b5 39. Rxc6 h4 40.
Rd6 bxa4 41. Bxa4 Kg5 42. Bc6 h3 43. Rd3 Kh4 44. Rd4+ Kh5 45. Bf3+ Kg5 46. Rd5
Re7 47. Rxa5 Kf4 48. Bd5 g5 49. b4 g4 50. b5 1-0

[Event "RUS-Cup2"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Volkov, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2485"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "1996.11.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 056 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 Ne4 6. cxd5 Nxg5 7. Nxg5 e6 8.
Qd2 exd5 9. Qe3+ Kf8 10. Nf3 c5 11. dxc5 d4 12. Qd2 Nc6 13. Nb5 b6 14. cxb6
Qxb6 15. e3 dxe3 16. fxe3 Ba6 17. Nbd4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Bb7 19. O-O-O Bf6 20. Kb1
Kg7 21. Bc4 Rhd8 22. Rhf1 Rac8 23. Bb3 Be4+ 24. Ka1 Rc6 25. Qf2 Rcd6 26. Rd2 a5
27. Qf4 a4 28. Bxf7 Rxd4 29. exd4 Rxd4 30. Rxd4 Qxd4 31. Qxf6+ Qxf6 32. Rxf6
Kxf6 33. Be8 a3 34. g3 axb2+ 35. Kxb2 Ke7 36. Ba4 Kd6 37. Bc2 Bc6 38. Kc3 Kc5
39. a4 g5 40. a5 h5 41. a6 h4 42. g4 Kb6 43. Kd4 Kxa6 44. Be4 Ba4 45. Ke5 Kb6
46. Kf6 Kc7 47. Kxg5 Kd8 48. Kxh4 Ke7 49. Kg5 Kf7 50. Kh6 Kg8 51. g5 Be8 52. h4
Kh8 53. h5 Bf7 54. g6 Bxg6 55. hxg6 1-0

[Event "RUS-Cup2"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kiriakov, Petr"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2515"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1996.11.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 056 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. b3 d5 4. Bb2 Be7 5. cxd5 exd5 6. e3 O-O 7. Be2 Bg4 8.
O-O Nbd7 9. d3 Re8 10. Nbd2 a5 11. a3 c6 12. Bc3 Bd6 13. Re1 Qe7 14. Qc1 c5 15.
a4 b6 16. Qb2 Rac8 17. Rac1 d4 18. exd4 cxd4 19. Bxd4 Ba3 20. Rxc8 Bxb2 21.
Rxe8+ Qxe8 22. Bxb2 Nd5 23. Bf1 Qd8 24. Nd4 N7f6 25. Nc4 h6 26. g3 Nb4 27. Ne5
Bd7 28. Bg2 Be8 29. Nf5 h5 30. g4 Nxg4 31. Nxg7 Nxe5 32. Rxe5 Bd7 33. Nxh5 Be6
34. Re3 Qc7 35. h4 Kf8 36. Be5 Qc1+ 37. Kh2 Ke7 38. Nf4 Nc2 39. Re4 Kd7 40. h5
f5 41. h6 Bg8 42. Rc4 1-0

[Event "RUS-Cup2"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nikolenko, Oleg"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B20"]
[WhiteElo "2480"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "1996.11.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 056 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Ne2 d6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. c3 Nc6 6. d4 cxd4 7. cxd4 Nf6 8. Nbc3
O-O 9. O-O e5 10. h3 exd4 11. Nxd4 Nxe4 12. Nxc6 Nxc3 13. Nxd8 Nxd1 14. Nxb7
Bxb7 15. Bxb7 Rab8 16. Rxd1 Rxb7 17. Rb1 Rb6 18. b3 Ra6 19. a4 Rb8 20. Be3 h5
21. Kg2 Kh7 22. g4 Bh6 23. g5 Bg7 24. Rd5 Rxa4 25. bxa4 Rxb1 26. Ra5 Ra1 27.
Rxa7 d5 28. Bb6 d4 29. Kf3 Ra3+ 30. Ke4 d3 31. Be3 Kg8 32. Ra8+ Kh7 33. Ra7 Kg8
34. a5 Bc3 35. Kxd3 Bxa5+ 36. Kc4 Rc3+ 37. Kb5 Bc7 38. Bd4 Bb8 39. Ra8 Rc8 40.
Be5 Bxe5 41. Rxc8+ Kg7 42. Kc4 Bf4 43. Rc5 f6 44. gxf6+ Kxf6 45. Kd3 Bh2 46.
Ke4 Kg7 47. f4 Bg3 48. Rb5 Kf6 49. Rb3 Bf2 50. Rc3 Be1 51. Rc6+ Kg7 52. Ke5 Bg3
53. Rc3 Bh4 54. Ke6 Bd8 55. Rc2 Bh4 56. Rg2 Bf6 57. f5 g5 58. Rc2 Bd4 59. Rc7+
Kh6 60. f6 g4 61. hxg4 hxg4 62. Rc4 Bxf6 63. Kxf6 Kh5 64. Kf5 1-0

[Event "RUS-Cup2"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mukhametov, Eldar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2485"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "1996.11.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 056 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. d4 exd4 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4 Bd7
8. Nc3 O-O-O 9. Be3 Nh6 10. h3 Re8 11. O-O-O f5 12. f3 Nf7 13. Rhe1 Bd6 14.
Nde2 g5 15. Bd4 Rhg8 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Bf2 h5 18. Ng3 Rxe1 19. Rxe1 Bf4+ 20.
Kb1 Bg6 21. Nge4 Rd8 22. Be3 Bxe4 23. fxe4 Bxe3 24. Rxe3 Ne5 25. Rg3 g4 26.
hxg4 hxg4 27. Kc1 Rf8 28. Kd2 b5 29. b3 Kd7 30. Ke2 Rf4 31. Nd1 Rxe4+ 32. Re3
Rxe3+ 33. Nxe3 Ke6 34. Kf2 Kf6 35. Kg3 Kg5 36. b4 a6 37. c3 Nd3 38. Nxg4 Nc1
39. Ne5 c5 40. a3 c4 41. Nf3+ Kf5 42. Nd4+ Ke4 43. Ne6 Kd3 44. Nxc7 Kxc3 45.
Kf4 Kd2 46. Nd5 c3 47. Nxc3 Kxc3 48. g4 Kd4 49. g5 Nd3+ 50. Kf5 Ne5 51. Ke6 Ke4
52. Kf6 Kd5 53. Kg7 Nf3 54. g6 Nh4 55. Kf6 Nxg6 56. Kxg6 Kc4 0-1

[Event "RUS-Cup2"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Labunskiy, Dmitry"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2255"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "1996.11.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 056 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 Ne4 6. cxd5 Nxg5 7. Nxg5 e6 8.
Nf3 exd5 9. b4 O-O 10. e3 c6 11. Be2 a6 12. O-O Re8 13. Qb3 Be6 14. Ne1 Bf8 15.
Nd3 Nd7 16. a4 Bd6 17. Bf3 b5 18. a5 h5 19. Rfe1 h4 20. Qb2 f5 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-Cup2"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Granovski, Aleksandar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A25"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2250"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "1996.11.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 056 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 f5 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. e3 g6 6. d3 Bg7 7. Rb1 a5 8. a3 Qe7
9. Nge2 O-O 10. O-O b6 11. Nd5 Qd8 12. b4 axb4 13. axb4 Bb7 14. Qb3 Kh8 15. Bd2
d6 16. Ndc3 Qd7 17. Ra1 Rfb8 18. Rae1 Ne7 19. e4 fxe4 20. dxe4 Bc6 21. b5 Bb7
22. Nd5 Rf8 23. Nec3 Nexd5 24. cxd5 Qe8 25. Qc4 Qd8 26. Bh3 Nd7 27. Bg5 Bf6 28.
Bxd7 Bxg5 29. Be6 Bc8 30. Ra1 Rxa1 31. Rxa1 Bd2 32. Nd1 Bxe6 33. dxe6 Qe7 34.
Ra7 Rc8 35. Nb2 Kg7 36. Qd5 Bc3 37. Nc4 Bd4 38. Qxd6 1-0

[Event "RUS-Cup3"]
[Site "Omsk"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Korneev, Oleg"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2565"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[Annotator "Gershon,A"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "1996.12.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 057"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Schulz,A} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3
Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bd4 Bxd4 {Schulz:
Diese Variante galt früher als minderwertig, aber Ian Rogers konnte damit 1992
einen Überraschungssieg landen und danach tauchte sie hin und wieder einmal
auf.} 13. Qxd4 Qb6 (13... Be6 $6 14. Ne4 Qa5 15. a3 Rab8 16. Qc5 Qb6 17. Qxb6
Rxb6 18. Nc5 Rfb8 19. Na4 R6b7 20. Ba6 Rc7 21. Nc5 Rb6 22. Rhe1 Bc8 23. Bxc8
Rxc8 24. c4 $16 {Raach,V-Gutheil,M/RL-op Trier ;GER 1991 (1:0)}) (13... Qc7 $6
14. Bc4 Nb6 15. Be2 c5 16. Nb5 Qc6 17. Qe5 Ba6 18. Nc3 Bxe2 19. Qxe2 Rab8 20.
Qxe7 Nc4 21. b3 Rfe8 22. Nd5 Kg7 23. Qc7 Qxc7 24. Nxc7 Rec8 25. Nd5 Ne5 26.
Rhe1 $16 {Brodsky,M-Hodgson,J/Isle of Man op/1996 (1-0)}) 14. Na4 (14. Nxd5 $6
cxd5 15. Qxb6 (15. Qxd5 $2 {Allows black to develope a very strong innitiative!
} Be6 16. Qb5 $146 (16. Qd4 Qa5 17. a3 Rfd8 18. Qb4 Qg5+ 19. Rd2 a5 20. Qc3
Rac8 21. h4 Qf4 22. Kd1 Bd5 23. Qxa5 Bxf3+ 24. Kc1 Be4 25. c4 Bxg2 26. Bxg2
Rxc4+ 27. Kd1 Rxd2+ {0-1 Gurevich,I-Rogers,I/London Lloyds ;EXP 31 1992}) 16...
Qc7 17. Qa4 Rab8 18. Ba6 Rb6 19. Kb1 Rfb8 20. b3 Qc3 21. Rd3 Qc6 $1 $19 22. Qf4
(22. Qxc6 $4 Rxc6 $19 {[%csl Ga6]}) 22... Re8 $142 $19 {[%csl Ga6]} (22... Rb4
23. Rd4 Bxb3 24. axb3 Rxb3+ 25. Kc1 Qc3 26. Kd1 Qa1+ 27. Kd2 Qa5+ 28. Ke2 Qxa6+
29. Kf2 Rb2 $17 {1/2-1/2 Xie Jun-Lalic,B/Hastings/1997 (37)})) 15... axb6 16.
a3 Rd8 17. c3 Bb7 18. Bd3 Bc6 19. Rhe1 Re8 20. Re5 e6 21. Bc2 f6 22. Ree1 Kf7
$13 {Stabolewski,A-Werner,C/Badenweiler op 1994/0-1 (54)}) (14. Bc4 Ne3 15. Rd2
Nxc4 16. Qxc4 Be6 17. Qf4 Rab8 18. b3 Qa5 19. Kb2 Rb4 20. Qe3 Rfb8 21. h4 Qc7
22. Ne2 $14 {Sutovskij,E-Kudrin,S/Philadelphia World op/1993 (30)/1-0}) (14.
Qxb6 {Schulz,A} axb6 15. Nxd5 cxd5 $11) 14... Qa5 15. b3 Be6 (15... Bf5 16. Qc5
(16. g4 $5 {Schulz,A} Nb4 17. Qc5 $1 (17. gxf5 Nxa2+ 18. Kb1 Rad8) 17... Qxc5
18. Nxc5 $16 Bxc2 $140 $2 19. Rd4) 16... Qxc5 17. Nxc5 Nc3 18. Re1 Nxa2+ 19.
Kb2 Nb4 20. Rxe7 Rfe8 (20... Bxc2 21. Bc4 {[%cal Gc5d7]} (21. Rb7 a5 22. Rxb4
axb4 23. Kxc2 Ra1 24. Nd3 Re8 25. Kb2 Rd1 $13 {Once white gets his pieces out
he'll probably win this game,but right now that moment seems pretty far away.})
21... Bf5 22. g4 Bc8 23. Rd1 $14 {White has at least enough compensation for
the pawn (which, by the way, he is going to win back in few moves.)}) 21. Rxe8+
Rxe8 22. c3 Nd5 23. Ba6 Re3 24. Rc1 Nf4 25. g3 Ne2 26. Re1 Nxc3 27. Rxe3 Nd1+
28. Ka2 Nxe3 29. Bb7 $10 {With an equality - Korneev,O-Summerscale,A
Groningen1995/EXP 50}) 16. Qd2 (16. Qc5 {Schulz,A} Qc7 17. Z0 Rab8 $140 $132)
16... Qc7 (16... Qxd2+ 17. Rxd2 $16 {[%csl Gc6][%cal Ga4c5] White's position
is better due to the weaknesses on the queen's side.}) 17. Nc5 Qd6 18. Nxe6
Qxe6 19. Bc4 Rfd8 (19... Qf6 $5 {Schulz,A} 20. Qd4 (20. Kb1 $2 Nc3+) 20... Rfd8
21. Qxf6 Nxf6 $11) 20. Bxd5 (20. Rhe1 Qf6 21. Qd4 Qg5+ 22. Qd2 Qf6 $10) 20...
cxd5 (20... Rxd5 21. Qc3 Rad8 22. Rxd5 cxd5 23. Re1 $10) 21. h4 {Tries to
complicate the position,although it is not easy with so little matirial left
on the board.} Qf6 {Schulz: Die Eröffnung war in Ordnung, aber Schwarz
vergeigt später das Turmendspiel.} 22. Kb1 e6 (22... h5 $5 {Schulz,A}) 23. h5
g5 24. h6 {[%cal Gh1h5]} Kh8 $6 (24... Qg6 $142 {Although it's temping to keep
the queen on the long diagonal we  think that Qg6 is better than the text
because the text move takes the king out of the game (and, as we'll see, it
will be a major factor in the endgame.)}) 25. Qd4 $1 {Korneev, after his
opponent put his king away from the center offers to exchange queens and try
to exploit the weakness of black's king in the endgame.} Qxd4 (25... e5 $142
26. Qc5 d4 27. Rhe1 Re8 28. Re4 Rac8 29. Qxa7 Re7 30. Qa5 Qc6 31. Re2 (31. Rd2
$4 Ra8 32. Qb4 Rb7 $19) 31... f6 {With a compensatin for the sacrifised pawn.})
26. Rxd4 e5 $2 (26... f6 $142 {[%cal Gh8g8,Gg8f7,Gf7g6] Black has to get his
king involved.}) 27. Rb4 Rd6 (27... Rd7 {Schulz,A}) 28. Rb7 f6 29. Rc1 {
Willing to create a pair of passed pawns.} d4 30. c4 f5 (30... dxc3 31. Rxc3 f5
32. Rxa7 $16 {Exploiting the fact that black's king is on h8.}) 31. Re7 e4 32.
fxe4 fxe4 33. Rxe4 d3 34. c5 Rxh6 35. Rd4 {Now the game is lost.The
continuation is just a matter of technique.} Rc6 (35... Rh2 36. c6 $18) 36.
Rxd3 a5 37. Kb2 Kg7 38. a3 Rb8 39. Rc4 h5 40. b4 axb4 41. axb4 Kf6 42. Kc3 h4
43. Rcd4 Kf5 44. Kc4 g4 45. b5 Rh6 46. Rd5+ Kf4 47. R3d4+ Kg3 48. Rg5 Kxg2 49.
Rgxg4+ Kh3 50. b6 Re8 51. b7 Rb8 52. Rxh4+ {The simplest.} Rxh4 53. Rxh4+ Kxh4
54. c6 Kg5 55. Kc5 {Korneev doesn't want to test himself in a
queen-against-rook ending when he can get a two queens-against-rook ending,
which is simplier.} Kf6 56. Kb6 1-0

[Event "RUS-Cup3"]
[Site "Omsk"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Usatchev, Sergei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2030"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "1996.12.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 057"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 Bb4 4. e5 Nd5 5. Qg4 g6 6. a3 f5 7. Qg3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3
c5 9. h4 Qa5 10. Bd2 Nc6 11. c4 Ndb4 12. Rc1 Nxd4 13. axb4 cxb4 14. h5 Rg8 15.
hxg6 Rxg6 16. Qe3 Nc6 17. Nf3 b6 18. Rxh7 Kd8 19. Nd4 Nxd4 20. Qxd4 Kc7 1-0

[Event "RUS-Cup3"]
[Site "Omsk"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Fedorov, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2555"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[Annotator "Schulz,Andre"]
[PlyCount "141"]
[EventDate "1996.12.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 057"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Nc6 7. Nb3 Bg7 8.
O-O O-O 9. Re1 {Diese Idee ist seit 1990 populär geworden.} Be6 10. Bf1 {
Schwarz kann hier alles mögliche spielen. Der Zug d6-d5 ist die prinzpiellste
Fortsetzung, denn in Sizilianisch strebt der Schwarze (angeblich) danach sich
mit d6-d6 zu befreien.} d5 (10... Rc8) (10... a5) (10... a6) 11. Nc5 d4 (11...
Bg4 12. f3 d4 {1-0 Orlov,V-Fedorov,A/St.Petersburg op2 1994 (55)}) 12. Ne2 (12.
Nxe6 fxe6 13. Nb1 Ne5 14. h3 Qb6 {Bauer,C-Aronian,L/Candas op 1996/1-0 (61)})
12... Bc8 13. Ng3 b6 14. Nd3 e5 {Nun ist ein für Sizilianisch ganz untypischer
Stellungstyp entstanden.} 15. Bd2 Bb7 16. c4 a5 17. b3 Re8 18. a3 Nd7 19. b4
Qh4 20. Nh1 Nd8 21. g3 Qe7 22. f3 f6 23. Nhf2 Nf7 24. Qb3 Bc6 25. Bh3 Nf8 26.
Reb1 a4 27. Qa2 f5 28. b5 Bd7 29. Nb4 Rac8 30. Nd5 Qd8 31. Rb4 Kh8 32. Rxa4 Nd6
33. Bf1 Ne6 34. Re1 Nc5 35. Ra7 Be6 36. a4 fxe4 37. Nxe4 Bxd5 38. cxd5 Ndxe4
39. fxe4 Ra8 40. Rxa8 Qxa8 41. a5 bxa5 42. Qxa5 Qxa5 43. Bxa5 d3 44. d6 Bf8 45.
Bc7 Re6 46. Bh3 Bxd6 47. Bxe6 Bxc7 48. Bd5 Ba5 49. Ra1 Bc3 50. Ra8+ Kg7 51. Kf1
d2 52. Ke2 Nd3 53. Ra3 Nf2 54. Bb3 Bd4 55. Kxd2 Nxe4+ 56. Kd3 Nd6 57. Bc4 Bg1
58. Ra6 e4+ 59. Kc3 Nc8 60. Bd5 Bxh2 61. b6 Bxg3 62. b7 Ne7 63. Bxe4 Ng8 64.
Ra8 Nf6 65. Bc6 Be5+ 66. Kc4 h5 67. b8=Q Bxb8 68. Rxb8 h4 69. Kd4 g5 70. Ke5
Ng8 71. Be4 1-0

[Event "RUS-Cup3"]
[Site "Omsk"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tikzhanov, Erlam"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C16"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2265"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "1996.12.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 057"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 b6 7. Qg4 Kf8 8. h4
Ba6 9. Bxa6 Nxa6 10. h5 h6 11. Rh3 c5 12. Ne2 Rc8 13. Rf3 Kg8 14. Rf6 Kf8 15.
Rf4 Kg8 16. Qf3 Qe8 17. Bd2 Nc6 18. Rg4 Qf8 19. Qd3 c4 20. Qf3 Kh7 21. Be3 Qe7
22. Kd2 Rcf8 23. Rf4 Nab8 24. Qg4 Nd7 25. Qh4 f6 26. exf6 Nxf6 27. Ng3 b5 28.
Qh1 Rb8 29. Rf3 Rhf8 30. Qe1 a5 31. Rb1 Rb6 32. Qc1 b4 33. axb4 axb4 34. cxb4
c3+ 35. Kxc3 Nxb4 36. Kd2 Rc8 37. c3 Ne4+ 38. Nxe4 dxe4 39. Rg3 Nd3 40. Qc2
Rcb8 41. Rxb6 Rxb6 42. Qa4 Rb2+ 43. Kd1 Qb7 44. Bd2 Nxf2+ 45. Ke2 e3 46. Kxe3
Qe4+ 47. Kxf2 Qf4+ 48. Kg1 Qxg3 49. Qd1 Qd3 50. Qe1 Rxd2 51. Qxe6 Rc2 52. d5
Qd1+ 0-1

[Event "RUS-Cup3"]
[Site "Omsk"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kuchatova, Natalia"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A25"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2100"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "1996.12.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 057"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Rb1 a5 6. a3 d6 7. b4 axb4 8. axb4
f5 9. b5 Nce7 10. d3 Nf6 11. e3 O-O 12. Nge2 Kh8 13. Qb3 g5 14. f4 exf4 15.
exf4 g4 16. Be3 Ng6 17. O-O h5 18. Bf2 h4 19. Rfe1 h3 20. Bh1 Ne7 21. Nd4 Rb8
22. Ra1 Bd7 23. Ra7 c5 24. bxc6 bxc6 25. Rb7 Rxb7 26. Qxb7 d5 27. c5 Nfg8 28.
Na4 Qa5 29. Qxd7 Qxa4 30. Ne6 Rf7 31. Bxd5 Qc2 32. Bc4 Bc3 33. Rf1 Qe2 34. Nd4
Bxd4 35. Qxd4+ Rg7 36. Qe3 Qb2 37. Re1 1-0

[Event "RUS-Cup3"]
[Site "Omsk"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Minasian, Ara"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2425"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[Annotator "Hecht,H"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "1996.12.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 057"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. b3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Bb2 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bb5 Bd7 7. exd6 e6 8. O-O
Bxd6 9. d4 O-O 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Nbd2 Be7 12. Ne4 Nc7 13. Be2 f6 14. Nd6 Ne8
15. Nxe8 Bxe8 16. Bc4 Bf7 17. Qe2 Qc8 18. Rfe1 e5 19. Rad1 Qg4 20. Bxf7+ Rxf7
21. h3 Qe6 22. Nd4 Nxd4 23. Rxd4 Rff8 24. Qe4 Rac8 25. c4 Bc5 26. Qd5 Qxd5 27.
Rxd5 Rfd8 28. Red1 Rxd5 29. Rxd5 Rc7 30. Kf1 Kf7 31. Ke2 Ke6 32. Rd8 Rd7 33.
Rxd7 Kxd7 {[#] Gehemmte bzw. teilblockierte Mehrheiten auf den Flügeln.  Weiß
erhält einen entfernten Freibauern auf Kosten eines schlechten Läufers.
Schwawrze Bauernsperre im Zentzrum  ==> Remis} 34. f3 Bd6 35. Bc3 h5 36. b4 b6
37. Kd3 f5 38. a4 g6 39. Bd2 a6 40. Kc3 Kc6 41. Be3 b5 42. cxb5+ axb5 43. a5
Be7 44. a6 Bh4 45. Bc5 Be1+ 46. Kd3 Bg3 47. Ke2 Bf4 48. Kf2 Bg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-Cup3"]
[Site "Omsk"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Khasin, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2530"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "1996.12.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 057"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. e3 d6 6. Nge2 Nf6 7. d4 O-O 8. O-O
Bf5 9. d5 Na5 10. e4 Bd7 11. Qd3 a6 12. b3 b5 13. Rb1 Rb8 14. cxb5 axb5 15. b4
Nb7 16. a3 c4 17. Qc2 e6 18. dxe6 fxe6 19. h3 Qc7 20. Be3 Nd8 21. Rfd1 Nf7 22.
a4 bxa4 23. Nxa4 Ne5 24. Nac3 Nd3 25. b5 e5 26. Nc1 Nc5 27. Qd2 Rb6 28. Bxc5
dxc5 29. Qa2 Be6 30. Qa5 Rc8 31. N1e2 Nd7 32. Rxd7 1-0

[Event "RUS-Cup3"]
[Site "Omsk"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Volkov, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2485"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "1996.12.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 057"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 Ne4 6. cxd5 Nxg5 7. Nxg5 e6 8.
Qd2 exd5 9. Qe3+ Kf8 10. Qf4 Bf6 11. Nf3 (11. h4) 11... Kg7 12. e3 (12. O-O-O
Be6 13. e4 c6 14. h4 h6 15. Bd3 Na6 16. e5 Be7 17. h5 g5 18. Qg3 Nb4 19. Bb1
Kf8 20. Nh2 Qc8 21. a3 Na6 22. Bc2 b5 23. Ne2 b4 {0-1 Chiaudano,A-Neven,K/
Philadelphia World op (06)/1991 (41)}) 12... Be6 13. Bd3 Nd7 14. Rc1 (14. O-O-O
c5 $132) 14... c6 15. O-O Qb8 $1 16. Qxb8 (16. Qg3 Qxg3 17. hxg3 Rhe8 $10)
16... Rhxb8 17. b4 a6 (17... a5 18. b5 c5 19. dxc5 Nxc5 20. Be2 Rc8 21. Nd4 $14
) 18. Nd2 Be7 19. Rb1 a5 20. bxa5 (20. b5 c5 21. dxc5 Nxc5 22. Be2 Bf6 23. Rbc1
Rc8 24. Rfd1 d4 25. exd4 Bxd4 $15) 20... Rxa5 21. a4 Ra7 (21... c5 $5 22. Bb5
cxd4 23. exd4 Nf6 24. Rfc1 Rc8 $10) 22. Rb2 Rc8 $5 23. Rfb1 c5 24. Rxb7 (24.
dxc5 $2 Bf6 25. Nb5 Rxa4 26. Nd6 Bxb2 27. Nxc8 Nxc5 $17) 24... Rxb7 25. Rxb7
cxd4 26. Nxd5 {Black needs a good tactical line to benefit from his bishops
pair. Schwarz bräuchte eine Variante, in der er sein Läuferpaar zur Geltung
bringen kann.} Nc5 $2 (26... Rc1+ $1 27. Bf1 Bxd5 28. Rxd7 dxe3 29. fxe3 Bc5 $1
30. Kf2 (30. Rxd5 Bxe3+ 31. Kh1 Bxd2 32. g3 Rxf1+ 33. Kg2 Rd1 34. Kf3 f5 35.
Ke2 Ra1 36. Rxd2 Rxa4 37. Kf3 $15) 30... Bc6 31. Rc7 Bxa4 32. Bc4 Rc2 $10) 27.
Nxe7 dxe3 28. fxe3 (28. Nxc8 exd2 29. Rb1 Nxd3 30. Rd1 Bxc8 31. Rxd2 Ba6 $13)
28... Ra8 (28... Nxb7 29. Nxc8 Bxc8 30. Ba6 $18) 29. Rb5 Nxd3 30. a5 Ra7 (30...
Bd7 $2 31. Rd5) 31. Nd5 Bd7 (31... h5 32. Nf4 Bd7 33. Rd5 Nxf4 34. exf4 $16)
32. Rb3 Nc5 33. Ra3 Nb7 (33... Ra6 34. Nb4 Ra7 35. Nf3 $16) 34. Nc4 Be6 (34...
Bb5 35. Ndb6 Kf6 36. Kf2 Ke6 37. e4 f6 38. Ke3 $16) 35. Ndb6 Kf6 (35... f5 36.
Kf2 Kf6 37. Ke2 Ke7 38. Kd3 Kd8 39. Kd4 $16) 36. Kf2 Ke7 37. e4 Kd8 38. Ke3 Kc7
39. Nd5+ (39. Kd4 Bxc4 (39... Nxa5 $2 40. Nd5+ Bxd5 41. exd5 Nc6+ 42. dxc6 $18)
40. Nxc4 Nd8 41. Kd5 $16) 39... Kc6 40. Kd4 f5 (40... Bxd5 41. exd5+ Kc7 (41...
Kb5 $2 42. Rb3+ Ka4 43. Kc3 $1 Nxa5 44. Rb4#) 42. a6 $18) 41. Nc3 $2 $138 (41.
Rb3 $1 Bxd5 (41... Nxa5 42. Ne5+ Kd6 43. Rb6+ Nc6+ 44. Rxc6#) 42. exd5+ Kc7 43.
Rb5 $18) 41... fxe4 $2 (41... Bxc4 42. Kxc4 Rxa5 $10) 42. Ne5+ Kd6 43. Nb5+ 1-0

[Event "RUS-Cup3"]
[Site "Omsk"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Salnikov, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "1996.12.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 057"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. e3 d6 6. Nge2 Nf6 7. d4 O-O 8. O-O
Bf5 9. d5 Na5 10. e4 Bd7 11. Qd3 a6 12. Rb1 b5 13. b3 bxc4 14. bxc4 Rb8 15.
Rxb8 Qxb8 16. Ba3 Qc7 17. h3 Rb8 18. Nd1 Be8 19. Ne3 Nd7 20. Qd2 Nb7 21. Rb1
Qa5 22. Qxa5 Nxa5 23. Rxb8 Nxb8 24. Bc1 Nd7 25. Bd2 Nb7 26. Nc1 Bd4 27. Bf1
1/2-1/2

[Event "Fajr op 06th"]
[Site "Iran"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ghane Gardeh, Shojaat"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2205"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IRI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e3 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Be2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. c4 b6 6. Nc3 Bb7 7. Qc2 c5 8. b3
Nc6 9. Bb2 Re8 10. Rad1 e5 11. Qb1 d5 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 Qxd5 14. Bc4 Qd8
15. Qa1 Na5 16. Be2 Qc7 17. Bc3 Nc6 18. Bc4 Qe7 19. Ne1 Bh6 20. f4 exf4 21. Nd3
b5 22. Bd5 Nd4 23. exd4 Bxd5 24. dxc5 f3 25. gxf3 Qg5+ 26. Kh1 Re2 27. Ne1 Qh5
28. Be5 Bg7 29. Bg3 Bxa1 30. Rxa1 Rae8 31. b4 Rxh2+ 32. Bxh2 Re2 33. Ng2 0-1

[Event "Fajr op 06th"]
[Site "Iran"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sobhani, Farshid"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C13"]
[WhiteElo "2420"]
[BlackElo "2235"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IRI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Bg5 Be7 7. Bxf6 gxf6
8. Qd2 f5 9. Ng3 Nf6 10. O-O-O Bd7 11. Ne5 h5 12. Bc4 Ne4 13. Nxe4 fxe4 14. Qe2
Bg5+ 15. Kb1 Qe7 16. Qxe4 O-O-O 17. Ba6 Qb4 18. Nxf7 Bf6 19. Nxd8 Rxd8 20. c3
Qb6 21. Bc4 Kb8 22. Rhe1 a5 23. Ka1 a4 24. a3 Qa5 25. Bxe6 Re8 26. Qd5 Bb5 27.
Qxh5 Qb6 28. Qc5 Rxe6 29. Rxe6 Qxe6 30. Qxb5 c6 31. Qxa4 Qe2 32. d5 b5 33. Qf4+
Be5 34. Qf8+ Ka7 35. Qc5+ Kb8 36. Qb6+ Ka8 37. Qxc6+ Ka7 38. Qc5+ Ka6 39. Rb1
1-0

[Event "Fajr op 06th"]
[Site "Iran"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Shafiei, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2200"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "156"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IRI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8.
Bb5+ Nc6 9. O-O cxd4 10. cxd4 O-O 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Ba3 Bg4 13. Bc5 Re8 14. Rc1
Qd7 15. Rc4 Qe6 16. d5 cxd5 17. exd5 Qd7 18. h3 Qb5 19. Qb3 Bd7 20. Re1 Rac8
21. Qxb5 Bxb5 22. Rcc1 Bb2 23. Rc2 Ba3 24. Nd4 Rxc5 25. Rxc5 Bxc5 26. Nxb5 Rc8
27. Rd1 Bb6 28. Rd2 Rc5 29. Na3 Rc3 30. Nc2 Kf8 31. Kf1 Ba5 32. Re2 Rc5 33. g3
Rxd5 34. Ne3 Rd4 35. Rc2 e6 36. h4 Ke7 37. Nc4 Bc7 38. Ke2 Kd7 39. Na3 Rd5 40.
Nc4 Rc5 41. Kd3 Kc6 42. Rb2 Rd5+ 43. Ke2 Rb5 44. Rc2 Rc5 45. Kd3 e5 46. h5 Rd5+
47. Ke2 Kd7 48. hxg6 hxg6 49. g4 Rb5 50. Kd3 Rb4 51. Re2 Rb5 52. Rc2 Rd5+ 53.
Ke2 Rd4 54. Ke3 Rd5 55. Rb2 Rc5 56. Kd3 Kc8 57. Rb1 Rc6 58. Re1 Re6 59. Ke4 Rf6
60. Re3 Rf4+ 61. Kd5 Rd4+ 62. Kc5 Rd1 63. Ra3 Kb7 64. Rb3+ Kc8 65. Ra3 Bb8 66.
Ra6 Kd7 67. Rf6 Ke7 68. Rc6 Kd7 69. Rf6 Ke7 70. Rc6 Kd7 71. Rf6 Ke7 72. Rc6 Kd8
73. Rf6 Rd7 74. Ra6 Rd3 75. Ra3 Bd6+ 76. Nxd6 Rxa3 77. Nxf7+ Ke7 78. Nxe5 Kf6
0-1

[Event "Fajr op 06th"]
[Site "Iran"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Yurtaev, Leonid"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2495"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IRI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Nc6 7. Nb3 Bg7 8.
O-O O-O 9. Bg5 a6 10. f4 b5 11. a3 Bb7 12. Bf3 Nd7 13. Qe1 Re8 14. Rd1 Nb6 15.
Nc5 Nc4 16. Nxb7 Qb6+ 17. Kh1 Qxb7 18. b3 Nb6 19. e5 f6 20. Bh4 fxe5 21. Qe4
Rac8 22. f5 Nd8 23. Qxb7 Nxb7 24. Nd5 e4 25. Bxe4 Nc5 26. Bf3 Nxd5 27. Bxd5+
Kh8 28. Bf7 Rf8 29. fxg6 Rc7 30. gxh7 Kxh7 31. Bd5 Rxf1+ 32. Rxf1 e6 33. Bf3 d5
34. g4 Bb2 35. Bg3 Rc8 36. g5 Bxa3 37. h4 Bb2 38. Be1 Ne4 39. Bg4 Rc6 40. b4
Be5 41. Rf7+ Kh8 42. g6 Rxc2 43. Rh7+ Kg8 44. Bxe6+ Kf8 45. Rf7+ Ke8 46. g7
Bxg7 47. Rxg7 d4 48. h5 Rc1 49. Rg1 d3 50. h6 Nf6 51. Bd2 Rc6 52. Bf5 1-0

[Event "Fajr op 06th"]
[Site "Iran"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bagheri, Amir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2420"]
[BlackElo "2215"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IRI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5
Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Qc7 11. Bd2 Ngf6 12. Qe2 e6 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Ne5
Nb6 15. Ba5 Rd5 16. Bxb6 axb6 17. f4 Bd6 18. Kb1 c5 19. c3 Rd8 20. Rc1 Kb8 21.
Rhd1 Qe7 22. Nf1 cxd4 23. cxd4 Bc7 24. Ne3 Ra5 25. N3c4 Rad5 26. Na3 Qe8 27.
Rd3 Bd6 28. Nac4 Bc7 29. Qc2 Qe7 30. Rb3 b5 31. Na3 b4 32. Qe2 Bxe5 33. dxe5
bxa3 34. exf6 Qxf6 35. Rxa3 Qxf4 36. Rf3 Qg4 37. Qc2 R5d7 38. Qc5 Qg5 39. Qb6
Rc8 40. Rxc8+ Kxc8 41. Rc3+ Kb8 42. Qf2 Rd1+ 43. Kc2 Rc1+ 44. Kb3 Qd5+ 45. Ka3
Ra1 46. b4 e5 47. Qc2 Qe6 48. Rd3 Qa6+ 49. Kb3 Qe6+ 50. Ka3 Rxa2+ 51. Qxa2 Qa6+
52. Kb2 Qxd3 53. Qxf7 Qd4+ 54. Kb3 e4 55. Qe8+ Kc7 56. Qe7+ Kb6 57. Qe6+ Ka7
58. Kc2 e3 59. Qa2+ Kb8 60. Qg8+ Kc7 61. Qf7+ Kb6 62. Qe7 Ka6 63. Qe8 Qd2+ 64.
Kb3 Qd3+ 65. Ka4 b5+ 0-1

[Event "Fajr op 06th"]
[Site "Iran"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vahidi, R."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B18"]
[WhiteElo "2420"]
[BlackElo "2235"]
[PlyCount "156"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IRI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Nc5 b6 6. Nb3 Nf6 7. Nf3 e6 8. g3
Nbd7 9. Bg2 Rc8 10. O-O Be7 11. Qe2 O-O 12. Ne5 Nd5 13. a3 Bf6 14. Rd1 Qc7 15.
c4 Ne7 16. f4 Rfd8 17. Be3 Nb8 18. Nf3 Bg4 19. h3 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 a5 21. Be4 Na6
22. c5 b5 23. Rac1 a4 24. Na1 Qd7 25. Nc2 Nc7 26. Rd3 Nf5 27. Bf2 g6 28. Rcd1
Nd5 29. Bg2 Qb7 30. Be1 Rd7 31. Qe4 Qb8 32. Qf3 Rb7 33. Qe2 Rd7 34. Be4 Rb7 35.
Qf3 Kh8 36. Bxd5 exd5 37. g4 Ne7 38. f5 gxf5 39. Bg3 Qa8 40. Ne3 Bg7 41. Nxf5
Nxf5 42. Qxf5 Re8 43. Bh4 Re6 44. Qf2 Qe8 45. Re1 Rxe1+ 46. Qxe1 Qxe1+ 47. Bxe1
Re7 48. Kf2 Re4 49. Bc3 Bh6 50. Rd1 Bg5 51. Kf1 Bh4 52. Rd3 Kg7 53. Bd2 Kg6 54.
Bc3 h5 55. gxh5+ Kxh5 56. Rd2 Re1+ 57. Kg2 f5 58. Kf3 Bg5 59. Rf2 Re4 60. Kg2
Kg6 61. Rf1 Bf6 62. Rd1 f4 63. Kf3 Kf5 64. Rd3 Bh4 65. Ba5 Bf6 66. Bc3 Bg7 67.
Kf2 Bf6 68. Kf3 Re8 69. Kf2 Rg8 70. Rd2 Bh4+ 71. Ke2 Rg2+ 72. Kf1 Rg3 73. Rh2
Rf3+ 74. Kg1 Rd3 75. Re2 f3 76. Rd2 f2+ 77. Kg2 Rg3+ 78. Kxf2 Rxc3+ 0-1

[Event "Fajr op 06th"]
[Site "Iran"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Fekri, Farzad"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2145"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IRI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. c4 d5 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 Nfd7 8.
Qxc4 Nb6 9. Qc2 Nc6 10. Rd1 Bf5 11. Qc5 e5 12. Bg5 Qd7 13. d5 h6 14. Nc3 Nd4
15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. Bxh6 Qd6 17. Bxf8 Rxf8 18. Qxd6 cxd6 19. Rac1 Rc8 20. e3 Rxc3
21. bxc3 Ne2+ 22. Kf1 Nxc1 23. Rxc1 Bd3+ 24. Ke1 Bc4 25. e4 Bxa2 26. Kd2 a5 27.
Bf1 Na4 28. Bd3 g5 29. f3 Nc5 30. Bc2 a4 31. Rf1 Bc4 32. Rg1 b5 33. f4 Bg7 34.
Re1 gxf4 35. gxf4 Bh6 36. Ke3 a3 37. h4 a2 38. Ra1 Bg7 39. Rg1 Kf8 40. Kd2 b4
41. cxb4 Nb3+ 42. Bxb3 Bxb3 43. b5 a1=Q 44. Rxa1 Bxa1 45. Kd3 Bf6 46. h5 Bd8
47. h6 Kg8 48. Kc3 Ba4 49. Kb4 Bc2 50. e5 Bf5 51. b6 Bxb6 52. Kb5 Be3 53. Kc6
Bxf4 54. exd6 Bxh6 55. d7 Bg5 0-1

[Event "Fajr op 06th"]
[Site "Iran"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bajarani, Ilgar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A19"]
[WhiteElo "2420"]
[BlackElo "2405"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IRI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 c5 4. f4 Nc6 5. Nf3 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. e5 Ne4 8. d3
Nxc3 9. bxc3 Be7 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O f6 12. Be3 d4 13. cxd4 cxd4 14. Bf2 fxe5
15. Qb3+ Kh8 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. fxe5 b6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Fajr op 06th"]
[Site "Iran"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Peyrou Olya, M."]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D85"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IRI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8.
Rc1 O-O 9. d5 Nd7 10. Qd2 Nf6 11. f3 b6 12. c4 e5 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3 Ne8 15. h4
h5 16. g3 Nd6 17. Nh3 Qe8 18. Ng5 f6 19. Nh3 Qa4 20. Bd3 Ba6 21. Qc2 Qxc2 22.
Rxc2 Bc8 23. a4 Nb7 24. Kd2 Kh7 25. f4 Re8 26. fxe5 Rxe5 27. Bf4 Re8 28. Nf2
Bd7 29. Ra2 Na5 30. Kc2 Kg8 31. Re1 Bc8 32. Kc3 g5 33. Bc7 Bd7 34. Be2 f5+ 35.
e5 g4 36. Nd3 Rac8 37. Bd6 Nb7 38. Kc2 Nxd6 39. exd6 Re3 40. Nf4 Rce8 41. a5
Bc3 42. axb6 Bxe1 43. bxa7 Ra8 0-1

[Event "Kasparov Cup"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Akobian, Varuzhan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2240"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2000"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Be2 c5 7. O-O cxd4 8. exd4
Nc6 9. h3 b6 10. Ne5 Bb7 11. Bf3 Na5 12. c5 bxc5 13. dxc5 Ne4 14. Bxe4 dxe4 15.
Bf4 f6 16. Ng4 f5 17. Ne3 Rc8 18. Na4 e5 19. Qxd8 Rfxd8 20. Bg5 Rd4 21. b3 f4
22. Nc2 Rd2 23. Nb4 e3 24. Rac1 h6 25. Be7 Kf7 26. Bd6 exf2+ 27. Kh2 Bf6 28.
Nc3 Bh4 29. Rcd1 Bg3+ 30. Kh1 f3 31. Nbd5 Ba6 0-1

[Event "Kasparov Cup"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Batsanin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B28"]
[WhiteElo "2420"]
[BlackElo "2300"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2000"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Nf3 a6 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Ne2 Nf6 6. Nbc3 Bc5 7. Ng3 O-O 8.
Bc4 d6 9. Bg5 Be6 10. Bb3 h6 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. O-O Nc6 13. Nd5 Qh4 14. c3 Kh8
15. Nc7 Bg4 16. Qd3 Rac8 17. Nd5 g6 18. Kh1 Rce8 19. Ba4 Bd7 20. b4 Ba7 21. Bb3
f5 22. exf5 gxf5 23. f4 e4 24. Qe2 Ne7 25. Rad1 Ng8 26. c4 Kh7 27. Ne3 Rf6 28.
c5 Bb5 29. Bc4 Bxc4 30. Qxc4 Ref8 31. Nexf5 Rxf5 32. Nxf5 Rxf5 33. Qxe4 1-0

[Event "Kasparov Cup"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C26"]
[WhiteElo "2420"]
[BlackElo "2340"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2000"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. g3 Bc5 5. Bg2 d6 6. d3 Bb6 7. O-O O-O 8. h3
Be6 9. Ng5 Bd7 10. Kh2 h6 11. Nf3 Be6 12. Na4 d5 13. Nxb6 axb6 14. Qe2 Re8 15.
b3 b5 16. Bb2 Qd6 17. Rfd1 b4 18. d4 Nxe4 19. dxe5 Qc5 20. Nd4 Nxd4 21. Bxd4
Qc6 22. Qe3 Ra3 23. c4 bxc3 24. f3 c2 25. Rdc1 Ng5 26. h4 Nh7 27. Qd2 Rd8 28.
Rxc2 Qd7 29. Rac1 c6 30. Bc5 Ra5 31. a4 Bf5 32. Rc3 Nf8 33. Bb4 Ra7 34. Bc5 Ra5
35. Bf1 Re8 36. Bxf8 Rxf8 37. Rxc6 bxc6 38. Qxa5 f6 39. exf6 Rxf6 40. Qb6 d4
41. a5 d3 42. a6 d2 43. Rd1 Bc2 44. Qb7 Qd4 45. a7 Rf8 46. a8=Q Rxa8 47. Qxa8+
Kh7 48. Ra1 Qxa1 49. Qxa1 d1=Q 50. Qxd1 Bxd1 51. Bd3+ Kh8 52. b4 Bxf3 53. Kg1
Kg8 54. Kf2 Bh1 55. Ke3 Kf7 56. Kd4 Ke6 57. Kc5 Kd7 58. Kb6 Bf3 59. Ba6 Bd1 60.
Bf1 Kd6 61. Ba6 g5 62. hxg5 hxg5 63. Bb7 Ba4 64. Ba8 Bb5 65. Kb7 Ba4 66. Kb6
Bb5 67. Bb7 Ba4 68. Ba6 Bd1 69. Kb7 c5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Kasparov Cup"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kunin, Vitaly L"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2420"]
[BlackElo "2040"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2000"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 Bb4 4. Bg2 Bxc3 5. bxc3 d6 6. d3 c5 7. e4 Nc6 8. Ne2
Bd7 9. O-O Qc8 10. f4 Bh3 11. f5 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 h6 13. h3 Qc7 14. g4 O-O-O 15.
Ng3 Rh7 16. Bd2 Nd7 17. h4 Kb8 18. Rh1 Rdh8 19. Qa4 Qa5 20. Qb5 Ka8 21. Rab1
Rb8 22. Qxa5 Nxa5 23. g5 hxg5 24. hxg5 Rhh8 25. Nh5 Rhg8 26. Ng3 Rh8 27. Rh5
Rxh5 28. Nxh5 Rg8 29. Rh1 a6 30. Nxg7 Rxg7 31. Rh8+ Ka7 32. Kh3 Nc6 33. Kh4 f6
34. g6 Ne7 35. Rh7 Nxg6+ 36. fxg6 Rxh7+ 37. gxh7 Nf8 38. h8=N Kb6 39. Kg4 Ka5
40. Kf5 Ka4 41. Kxf6 Ka3 42. Ke7 Kxa2 43. Kxf8 Kb3 44. Nf7 a5 45. Nxd6 a4 46.
Nb5 Kc2 47. d4 cxd4 48. cxd4 exd4 49. Ba5 Kd3 50. e5 Kxc4 51. Nxd4 Kxd4 52. e6
a3 53. Bd8 Kd5 54. Kf7 b5 55. Bf6 b4 56. e7 1-0

[Event "Kasparov Cup"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zakharov, Alexander S"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2420"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2000"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O Be7 6. b3 O-O 7. Bb2 c5 8. Nc3
d6 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bxg2 11. Kxg2 a6 12. e4 Qc7 13. Qe2 Nbd7 14. Rad1 Rac8
15. Rfe1 Rfe8 16. f4 g6 17. Nf3 Qb7 18. e5 dxe5 19. fxe5 Nh5 20. Qe3 b5 21. g4
Ng7 22. Qe4 Qa7 23. Qd4 Nb6 24. Ne4 bxc4 25. Nf6+ Bxf6 26. exf6 e5 27. Qe3 Ne6
28. Rd6 Nf4+ 29. Kg3 c3 30. Bxc3 Qc7 31. Rxb6 Nd5 32. Qh6 Nxf6 33. Rxf6 Qxc3
34. Qe3 Qa5 35. Qa7 Rc7 36. Qxa6 Qc3 37. Qa4 Rd8 38. Rxe5 Rd3 39. Qe4 Rcd7 40.
Rf4 Qc1 41. Re8+ Kg7 42. Qe5+ 1-0

[Event "Kasparov Cup"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gratka, Krzysztof"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2275"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2000"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
d3 O-O 9. a3 Re8 10. b4 Bf8 11. Be3 Bg4 12. Nd2 Qc8 13. Re1 Nd4 14. Nb3 Nxb3
15. Qxb3 c6 16. Rec1 Qd7 17. Bxb6 axb6 18. b5 cxb5 19. Nxb5 Bc5 20. e3 Be6 21.
Qb2 Red8 22. d4 exd4 23. exd4 Ra5 24. dxc5 Rxb5 25. Qe5 h6 26. h4 Qd2 27. Rab1
bxc5 28. Rxb5 Qxc1+ 29. Kh2 c4 30. Rxb7 Qxa3 31. Rc7 Qd6 32. Qxd6 Rxd6 33. Bh3
f5 34. Rc5 Kf8 35. Bxf5 Rd5 36. Rxd5 Bxd5 37. Kg1 c3 38. Bc2 Bf3 39. Kf1 Ke7
40. Ke1 Kd6 41. Bf5 Kc5 42. Bc2 Kb4 0-1

[Event "Kasparov Cup"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Ibrahimov, Rasul"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2000"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Ne2 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. h3 O-O 8. Be3 b6
9. Nd2 Bb7 10. a3 e5 11. d5 Ne7 12. b4 Nexd5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. bxc5 Nxe3 15.
fxe3 Qg5 16. Rf2 Qxe3 17. Nb3 dxc5 18. Bc4 Rad8 19. Qf1 Bd5 20. Bxd5 Rxd5 21.
Re1 Qd3 22. Nbc1 Qc4 23. Kh1 f5 24. g3 Rfd8 25. Kh2 Rd2 26. Kg2 Bh6 27. Kh2 Qd5
28. Ng1 e4 29. Rxd2 Qxd2+ 30. Nce2 Rd3 31. Rb1 Be3 32. a4 Qc2 33. Re1 Rxc3 34.
h4 Rd3 35. Kg2 c4 36. Nh3 Bd2 37. Ra1 Be3 38. g4 f4 0-1

[Event "Kasparov Cup"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Miton, Kamil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D90"]
[WhiteElo "2280"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "26"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2000"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bd2 Bg7 6. e4 Nb6 7. Be3 O-O 8.
Nf3 f5 9. Qb3+ Kh8 10. exf5 Bxf5 11. Be2 Nc6 12. d5 Ne5 13. Nd4 a5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Kasparov Cup"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Stoljarov, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B26"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2000"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 Rb8 6. Be3 b5 7. Qd2 b4 8. Nd1 d6
9. f4 Qb6 10. Nf3 e6 11. O-O Nge7 12. Qf2 O-O 13. Nh4 a5 14. g4 f5 15. gxf5
exf5 16. Nf3 fxe4 17. dxe4 Bg4 18. Qh4 Bh5 19. Bh3 Bf6 20. Qg3 Kh8 21. Bg4 Bxg4
22. Qxg4 Qa6 23. Qe6 Rbd8 24. Rf2 Qc8 25. Qxc8 Nxc8 26. Rc1 Rfe8 27. Nd2 d5 28.
Bxc5 dxe4 29. Nc4 Rd5 30. Be3 N8e7 31. Nb6 Rdd8 32. Nc4 Nf5 33. Bb6 Rb8 34. c3
bxc3 35. bxc3 e3 36. Bxe3 Re4 37. Nd2 Rxe3 38. Nxe3 Nxe3 39. Re2 Nd5 40. Re6
Rc8 41. Rf1 Bxc3 42. Ne4 Nd4 43. Rd6 Ne2+ 44. Kh1 Nexf4 45. Rc1 Re8 46. Ng5 Re7
47. Rf1 Kg7 48. Rc6 Bb4 49. Ra6 Bc3 50. Rc6 Bf6 51. Nf3 Re2 52. a4 Re4 53. Rd6
Rxa4 54. Rd7+ Kh6 55. h3 Ne3 56. Re1 Nf5 57. Nh2 Ng3+ 58. Kg1 Bd4+ 0-1

[Event "Pasanauri op"]
[Site "Pasanauri"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Chipashvili, Mikheil"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A25"]
[WhiteElo "2420"]
[BlackElo "2320"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. g3 e5 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. Rb1 a5 6. a3 d6 7. b4 axb4 8. axb4
Nge7 9. d3 O-O 10. e3 Be6 11. Nge2 Qd7 12. Nd5 Bxd5 13. cxd5 Na7 14. O-O Nb5
15. Qb3 Ra6 16. Bb2 c6 17. Nc3 Nxc3 18. Bxc3 Rb6 19. Ra1 Nxd5 20. Bxd5 cxd5 21.
Qxd5 Rc8 22. Bd2 Qb5 23. Qxb5 Rxb5 24. Rfc1 Rxc1+ 25. Rxc1 Bf8 26. Ra1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Pasanauri op"]
[Site "Pasanauri"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Manukian, Lernik"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C13"]
[WhiteElo "2420"]
[BlackElo "2290"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. Nf3 b6 8.
Bd3 Bb7 9. Qe2 Nd7 10. O-O-O Qe7 11. h4 O-O-O 12. Ba6 Nb8 13. Bxb7+ Kxb7 14. g4
Nc6 15. c3 Qd7 16. g5 Be7 17. c4 Bd6 18. Kb1 Rhe8 19. h5 Qe7 20. h6 f5 21. Nc3
g6 22. Rhe1 Qf8 23. c5 Bf4 24. Qc4 Na5 25. Qa4 Kb8 26. b4 Nb7 27. c6 a5 28. a3
axb4 29. axb4 Bd6 30. Qa6 1-0

[Event "Pasanauri op"]
[Site "Pasanauri"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Matikozian, Andranik"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2305"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bc4 g6 5. O-O Bg7 6. Re1 Nf6 7. d4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 O-O 9. Bb3 Bd7 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 Nxd4 12. Qxd4 g5 13. Bg3 Nh5 14. Qd2 Bc6
15. Rad1 Rc8 16. f4 Kh8 17. fxg5 Nxg3 18. hxg3 Be5 19. g6 Kg7 20. gxf7 Bd7 21.
Ne2 e6 22. Rf1 Qe7 23. Nd4 Bxg3 24. Rf3 Bh4 25. Ne2 Rc6 26. e5 d5 27. Rdf1 Bg5
28. Qd3 Qc5+ 29. Kh1 Rb6 30. Ng3 Rb4 31. Nh5+ Kh8 32. Qg6 Rh4+ 33. Rh3 Rxh5 34.
Rxh5 Qe3 35. c3 Qe4 36. Rxh6+ Bxh6 37. Qxh6+ Qh7 38. Qxh7+ Kxh7 39. Bd1 Kg7 40.
Bh5 Rc8 41. g4 Kf8 42. g5 Bc6 43. Kh2 d4 44. cxd4 Be4 45. Kg3 Rc2 46. g6 Rg2+
47. Kh3 Rg5 48. Kh4 Rg2 49. Rf6 Bd5 50. Bg4 Rh2+ 51. Kg5 1-0

[Event "Pasanauri op"]
[Site "Pasanauri"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Qveliashvili, Tinatin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B26"]
[WhiteElo "2210"]
[BlackElo "2420"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 Rb8 6. Be3 b5 7. Qd2 b4 8. Nd1 d6
9. Ne2 e6 10. O-O Nd4 11. Nf4 Ne7 12. c3 bxc3 13. bxc3 O-O 14. Qc1 Ndc6 15. Nb2
Ba6 16. Qc2 Qa5 17. Rfc1 Qxc3 18. Qxc3 Bxc3 19. Rxc3 Rxb2 20. Bf1 Rfb8 21. Rb3
e5 22. Ng2 R8xb3 23. axb3 Nb4 24. d4 Bxf1 25. Kxf1 cxd4 26. Bc1 Rc2 27. Ne1 Rc7
28. Bd2 Nbc6 29. Nd3 f6 30. b4 Rb7 31. Ra4 Kf7 32. Ke2 Ke6 33. f3 Kd7 34. Kd1
Kc7 35. Kc2 Rb6 36. Nb2 d5 37. Kd3 a5 38. exd5 Nxd5 39. Nc4 Ndxb4+ 40. Ke2 Rb5
41. Nxa5 Rxa5 42. Rxa5 Nxa5 43. Bxb4 Nc6 0-1

[Event "Wch U16"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1997.09.21"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Esplana, Christian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2435"]
[BlackElo "2055"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "1997.09.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2008"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 1-0

[Event "Wch U16"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1997.09.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Pert, Nicholas"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2240"]
[BlackElo "2435"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "1997.09.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2008"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U16"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1997.09.23"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ghaem Maghami, Ehsan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2435"]
[BlackElo "2235"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "1997.09.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2008"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 b6 3. Bg2 Bb7 4. O-O e6 5. d4 c5 6. c4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Bxg2 8.
Kxg2 d6 9. Nc3 Be7 10. b3 O-O 11. e4 Qd7 12. f4 Nc6 13. Nf3 Rfd8 14. Qe2 Rac8
15. Bb2 Qb7 16. Rad1 a6 17. Rfe1 Na7 18. a4 Nc6 19. Nd5 exd5 20. exd5 Na5 21.
Qxe7 Qxe7 22. Rxe7 Nxb3 23. Bxf6 gxf6 24. Rb1 Nc5 25. Rxb6 Kf8 26. Ra7 Nxa4 27.
Rbb7 1-0

[Event "Wch U16"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1997.09.24"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Toth, Andras"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B75"]
[WhiteElo "2280"]
[BlackElo "2435"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "1997.09.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2008"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2
Bd7 9. g4 Rc8 10. O-O-O h5 11. g5 Nh7 12. Kb1 O-O 13. f4 Re8 14. Be2 Nf8 15.
Rhf1 Qa5 16. f5 Be5 17. fxg6 fxg6 18. Bc4+ Kh8 19. Bf7 Red8 20. Qf2 Nxd4 21.
Bxd4 Bh3 22. Rfe1 Be6 23. Nd5 Bxf7 24. Qxf7 Qa4 25. Nxe7 Qxc2+ 26. Ka1 Qc4 27.
Qxc4 Rxc4 28. Bxe5+ 1-0

[Event "Wch U16"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1997.09.25"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rusev, Rosen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2435"]
[BlackElo "2155"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "1997.09.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2008"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 1-0

[Event "Wch U16"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1997.09.26"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Gaprindashvili, Valerian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D72"]
[WhiteElo "2285"]
[BlackElo "2435"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "1997.09.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2008"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nb6 7. Ne2 O-O 8. O-O
c6 9. Nbc3 e5 10. d5 cxd5 11. exd5 Bf5 12. b3 Nc8 13. Ba3 Nd6 14. Qd2 Na6 15.
Rac1 Re8 16. Qe3 h5 17. f4 exf4 18. Qxf4 Be5 19. Qf2 Qb6 20. Rfd1 Bg4 21. h3
Bxe2 22. Nxe2 Nb5 23. Bc5 Nxc5 24. Qxc5 Qa6 25. a4 Nd6 26. Qf2 Nf5 27. Rc4 h4
28. Rd3 hxg3 29. Nxg3 Nxg3 30. Rxg3 Bxg3 31. Qxg3 Rac8 32. Rg4 Rc1+ 33. Kh2 Qb6
34. Bf3 Rc2+ 35. Bg2 Qf6 36. Rf4 Qb2 37. Kg1 Qc1+ 38. Rf1 Qe3+ 39. Kh2 Qxg3+
40. Kxg3 Re3+ 41. Kf4 Rxb3 42. Bf3 Rc4+ 43. Ke5 Kf8 44. Bd1 Rd3 45. Kd6 Rc6+
46. Ke5 Rc1 47. Be2 Re3+ 48. Kd6 Rxf1 49. Bxf1 Re7 50. Bb5 f5 51. h4 f4 52. Bd3
f3 53. a5 f2 54. a6 bxa6 55. Kc6 Re1 0-1

[Event "Wch U16"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1997.09.28"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Szelag, Marcin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A24"]
[WhiteElo "2435"]
[BlackElo "2290"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1997.09.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2008"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 g6 2. Bg2 Bg7 3. c4 Nf6 4. Nc3 d6 5. d3 e5 6. b4 O-O 7. Rb1 c6 8. Qb3 Re8
9. b5 Qc7 10. Ba3 c5 11. Bc1 Be6 12. Nf3 h6 13. O-O Nbd7 14. Nd2 Rab8 15. Qa4
Nb6 16. Qb3 Rbd8 17. a4 Qd7 18. a5 Nc8 19. a6 Bh3 20. axb7 Ne7 21. Bxh3 Qxh3
22. f3 Qd7 23. Qa4 Qxb7 24. Ra1 Rd7 25. e4 h5 26. Nb3 Nh7 27. Na5 Qa8 28. b6
Nf6 29. b7 Rxb7 30. Nxb7 Qxb7 31. Qxa7 Qb3 32. Qa3 Qb8 33. Bg5 Nc6 34. Rfb1 Nb4
35. Bxf6 Bxf6 36. Nd5 Bg5 37. Nxb4 cxb4 38. Qxb4 Qc8 39. Kg2 Qc5 40. Qxc5 dxc5
41. Kf2 Rd8 42. Ke2 1-0

[Event "Wch U16"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1997.09.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Kundin, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2305"]
[BlackElo "2435"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "1997.09.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2008"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2
O-O 9. g4 Be6 10. O-O-O Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Qa5 12. a3 Rab8 13. h4 b5 14. Nd5 Qxd2+
15. Rxd2 Bxd5 16. exd5 Rfc8 17. Bxa7 Ra8 18. Bd4 b4 19. Kb1 bxa3 20. b3 a2+ 21.
Ka1 Ne4 22. Rd1 Nf2 23. Bxg7 Nxd1 24. Bh6 Nf2 25. Rh2 Rxc2 26. Bc4 Rb2 0-1

[Event "Wch U16"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1997.09.30"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vajda, Levente"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2435"]
[BlackElo "2445"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "1997.09.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2008"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 g6 2. Bg2 Bg7 3. c4 Nf6 4. Nc3 d6 5. b4 c6 6. Bb2 Be6 7. Qb3 Nbd7 8. d3
O-O 9. Nf3 Nb6 10. Nd4 Bc8 11. O-O e5 12. Nf3 h6 13. a4 Be6 14. a5 Nbd7 15. Nd2
a6 16. e3 Ne8 17. e4 h5 18. Ne2 Ndf6 19. Rae1 Qd7 20. f4 Bh3 21. Nf3 Bxg2 22.
Kxg2 Ng4 23. d4 exd4 24. Bxd4 Bxd4 25. Nexd4 c5 26. bxc5 dxc5 27. Ne2 Ng7 28.
h3 Nf6 29. Nc3 Qc7 30. e5 Nh7 31. Nd5 Qxa5 32. Ra1 Qd8 33. Rfd1 Qe8 34. Nc7 Qe7
35. Nxa8 Rxa8 36. Rdb1 Rd8 37. Qxb7 Qe6 38. Qb6 Qc8 39. Rd1 Rxd1 40. Rxd1 Nf8
41. Ng5 Qf5 42. Qb1 Qc8 43. Qd3 Nge6 44. Ne4 h4 45. Nf6+ Kg7 46. Nd5 hxg3 47.
f5 Nd4 48. f6+ Kh8 49. Qe4 Nh7 50. Ne7 1-0

[Event "Wch U16"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1997.10.01"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Bunzmann, Dimitrij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D77"]
[WhiteElo "2370"]
[BlackElo "2435"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "1997.09.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2008"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 dxc4 7. Na3 Ne4 8.
Nxc4 Nd6 9. Nce5 Nd7 10. Nd3 c6 11. e3 Nf6 12. Qe2 Be6 13. Nd2 Bg4 14. f3 Bc8
15. Rd1 a5 16. Nf1 Nd7 17. Bd2 e5 18. dxe5 Nxe5 19. Bc3 Qe7 20. Nxe5 Bxe5 21.
Bxe5 Qxe5 22. f4 Qe7 23. e4 f6 24. Re1 Nf7 25. Ne3 Be6 26. Qc2 Kg7 27. Nf5+
Bxf5 28. exf5 Qb4 29. fxg6 hxg6 30. Re4 Qb6+ 31. Kh1 Rfe8 32. Rd1 Rad8 33. Rxe8
Rxe8 34. Bf3 Qe3 35. Kg2 Rd8 36. Rxd8 Nxd8 37. Qd1 Qe7 38. h4 Nf7 39. h5 Qd6
40. Qc2 gxh5 41. Qf5 Qd2+ 42. Kh3 Nh6 43. Qxh5 Qd3 44. Kh2 {1.55-1.28} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U16"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1997.10.02"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bruzon Batista, Lazaro"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2435"]
[BlackElo "2345"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "1997.09.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2008"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Bc5 5. a3 a6 6. e3 O-O 7. Nge2 d6 8. O-O
Ba7 9. b4 Ne7 10. Bb2 c6 11. d4 Be6 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. c5 Qxd1 14. Rfxd1 Rad8
15. Kf1 Bb8 16. Rxd8 Rxd8 17. Rd1 Rxd1+ 18. Nxd1 Kf8 19. Ke1 Ke8 20. Nc1 Nd7
21. Nd3 f6 22. Kd2 Bc7 23. e4 Kf7 24. Bc3 Nc8 25. Ne3 Ne7 26. Bf1 Kf8 27. Nb2
Kf7 28. Nbc4 Kf8 29. Be2 Kf7 30. Bd1 g6 31. Nb2 Kf8 32. Nec4 Nc8 33. f3 Ne7 34.
Kd3 Nc8 35. Bd2 Ne7 36. Be3 Nc8 37. Bb3 Kf7 38. Nd2 Ke7 39. Nbc4 Kf7 40. Bd1
Ne7 41. Nb3 Bxc4+ 42. Kxc4 f5 43. Kd3 f4 44. Bf2 g5 45. g4 Ng6 46. Nd2 Ke7 47.
Bb3 Bb8 48. Bc4 Ngf8 49. h4 h6 50. Nb3 Bc7 51. h5 Ne6 52. Kc2 Kd8 53. a4 Nf6
54. Kc3 Kd7 55. Kd3 Ke7 56. Be1 Kd7 57. Bc3 Ke7 58. Kc2 Nd7 59. Be2 Nf6 60. Kd3
Nd7 61. Kc4 Nd8 62. Bd1 b5+ 63. Kd3 Ne6 64. Na1 Bd8 65. Bb3 Bc7 66. Bxe6 Kxe6
67. axb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "WUCC op U16"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kovchan, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2350"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2007"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bg5 d6 7. e3 h6 8. Bh4 Na6
9. Be2 Nc7 10. O-O Rb8 11. h3 a6 12. a4 b5 13. Nd2 Bd7 14. Qc2 bxc4 15. e4 e6
16. Nxc4 exd5 17. exd5 Bf5 18. Qd2 Re8 19. Ne3 Be4 20. f3 Bxd5 21. Nexd5 Ncxd5
22. Bxa6 Nc7 23. Be2 d5 24. Nb5 c4 25. Bxc4 dxc4 26. Qxd8 Rexd8 27. Nxc7 Rxb2
28. a5 Rdd2 29. Bf2 Ne8 30. Nxe8 Bd4 31. Nf6+ Bxf6 32. Rad1 Rxd1 33. Rxd1 Ra2
34. Bd4 Bxd4+ 35. Rxd4 c3 36. Rc4 c2 37. Kh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "WUCC op U16"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rachela, Milan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2075"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2007"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bf5 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 e6 7. Qe1 Bc5 8. e4
Bg6 9. e5 Ng8 10. Kh1 Qc7 11. b3 Ne7 12. Bb2 Nf5 13. a3 h5 14. h3 a5 15. d4 Be7
16. c4 O-O 17. Ng1 Rfd8 18. Ne2 a4 19. b4 Bg5 20. Nf3 Be7 21. c5 b6 22. Nf4
bxc5 23. dxc5 Nb8 24. Qd1 Qb7 25. Bc1 Na6 26. g4 hxg4 27. hxg4 Nh6 28. Nxg6
fxg6 29. Bxh6 gxh6 30. Nd4 Nc7 31. f4 Bf8 32. Qd3 Kh7 33. f5 gxf5 34. gxf5 exf5
35. Rxf5 Kh8 36. Rf7 1-0

[Event "WUCC op U16"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Riazantsev, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A10"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2290"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2007"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 e6 2. Bg2 f5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. O-O d5 5. d3 Be7 6. c4 c6 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. Qc2
Na6 9. b3 Bd7 10. Bb2 Be8 11. Bc3 Bh5 12. Rab1 c5 13. a3 d4 14. Ba1 Bd6 15.
Rfe1 Qd7 16. e3 e5 17. exd4 exd4 18. b4 cxb4 19. Bxd4 bxa3 20. Ne5 Bxe5 21.
Bxe5 Nc5 22. d4 Nce4 23. h3 Rac8 24. Nxe4 fxe4 25. c5 b6 26. Qb3+ Qd5 27. cxb6
axb6 28. Qxa3 Rc6 29. g4 Bg6 30. Qe3 Qf7 31. Qf4 Qd7 32. Qd2 Nd5 33. Rbc1 Rxc1
34. Rxc1 Rc8 35. Rxc8+ Qxc8 36. Qa2 Qb7 37. h4 b5 38. h5 Bf7 39. Qd2 Nf6 40.
Qg5 h6 41. Qf5 Qd5 42. g5 Qd7 43. Bxe4 Qxf5 44. Bxf5 hxg5 45. h6 b4 46. Kf1 b3
47. Ke1 b2 48. Bb1 Nd5 49. h7+ Kh8 50. Kd2 Nf6 51. Kc3 Nxh7 52. Kxb2 Nf6 53.
Kc3 Kg8 54. Kb4 Kf8 55. Kc5 Ke7 56. Bd6+ Kd8 57. Be5 Ke7 58. Bd6+ Kd8 59. Bf5
Bd5 60. Be5 Bf7 61. Kc6 Be8+ 62. Kd6 Bf7 63. Kc5 Ke7 64. Bd6+ Kd8 65. Bd3 Nd7+
66. Kc6 Nf6 67. Bf8 g6 68. Kd6 Ne8+ 69. Ke5 g4 70. d5 g5 71. d6 Nxd6 72. Bxd6
Bb3 73. Bf5 Ke8 74. Kf6 Bc4 75. Kxg5 Kf7 76. Bxg4 Bd5 77. f4 1-0

[Event "WUCC op U16"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Roiz, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2370"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2007"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 Nf6 2. Bg2 d5 3. Nf3 g6 4. b3 Bg7 5. Bb2 c5 6. c4 d4 7. b4 O-O 8. O-O a5
9. bxc5 Nc6 10. Na3 Nd7 11. Nb5 Nxc5 12. Ba3 Nb4 13. d3 e5 14. Nd2 Re8 15. Nb3
Bf8 16. Qd2 Nxb3 17. axb3 Ra6 18. Rae1 Bc5 19. e3 Rae6 20. Bd5 R6e7 21. exd4
exd4 22. Rxe7 Qxe7 23. Bxb4 axb4 24. h4 Bf5 25. Kg2 Qe2 26. Rd1 b6 27. Na7 Qxd2
28. Rxd2 Re1 29. Nc6 Rb1 30. Ne5 Be6 31. Bxe6 fxe6 32. Ra2 Rxb3 33. Ra8+ Kg7
34. Ra7+ Kg8 35. Ra8+ Kg7 36. Ra7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "WUCC op U16"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Geanta, Horia"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2205"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2007"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2
O-O 9. O-O-O d5 10. Qe1 e5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Bc5 Bh6+ 14. Kb1
Nxc3+ 15. bxc3 Rb8+ 16. Ka1 Qa5 17. Bxf8 Be6 18. c4 Qxe1 19. Rxe1 Bd2 20. a4
Bxe1 21. Ba3 Bc3+ 22. Ka2 f5 23. Be2 Kf7 24. Rb1 Rxb1 25. Kxb1 Bc8 26. Bc5 Bd4
27. Bxd4 exd4 28. c3 dxc3 29. Kc2 c5 30. f4 Bd7 31. a5 Bc6 32. g3 Ke6 33. Kxc3
Kd6 34. Kb3 Kc7 35. Ka3 Kb7 36. Bd1 Be8 37. Bf3+ Ka6 38. Bd5 Kxa5 39. Bg8 h6
40. h4 Kb6 41. Kb3 Kc7 42. Bh7 h5 43. Bg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "WUCC op U16"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Ghaem Maghami, Ehsan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2280"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2007"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. dxc5 Nc6 5. f3 d5 6. Nd2 e6 7. exd5 Qxd5 8. Nb3
Be7 9. Qxd5 Nxd5 10. Bb5 O-O 11. f4 Nc7 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Nf3 f6 14. O-O a5 15.
Kh1 a4 16. Nbd4 Ra6 17. Bd2 Bxc5 18. c4 Rd8 19. Bc3 Bd6 20. Nd2 Bc5 21. Nc2 Be7
22. Rfd1 c5 23. Ne4 Re8 24. Re1 Bb7 25. Rad1 Bc6 26. Kg1 Rb8 27. Re2 Raa8 28.
h3 h6 29. Ne1 Rd8 30. Nd3 Kf7 31. Rdd2 Na6 32. Kf1 Ra7 33. Ndf2 Rad7 34. Rxd7
Rxd7 35. g3 f5 36. Nd2 Nb4 37. a3 Na2 38. Nb1 Nxc3 39. Nxc3 g5 40. Nfd1 gxf4
41. gxf4 Bf3 42. Nf2 Bxe2+ 43. Kxe2 Rd4 44. Nd3 Kf6 45. Nxa4 Rxc4 46. Nc3 Bd6
47. Ke3 e5 48. fxe5+ Bxe5 49. Nd5+ Ke6 50. Nb6 Rc2 51. b3 Bd4+ 0-1

[Event "WUCC op U16"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2195"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2007"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bg2 Nb6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8.
a3 O-O 9. d3 Re8 10. b4 Bf8 11. Bb2 Bg4 12. Ne4 Nd4 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. h3 Bh5
15. Re1 c6 16. Rc1 a5 17. Nc5 axb4 18. axb4 Nd5 19. b5 Qa5 20. Bxd4 Qb4 21.
bxc6 Qxd4 22. Rc4 Qb2 23. Bxd5 b5 24. Rc1 Qd4 25. Be4 Bxc5 26. e3 Qe5 27. g4
Ba3 28. gxh5 Bxc1 29. Qxc1 Qxh5 30. Bg2 Qf5 31. Qb1 Rad8 32. d4 Qg5 33. Rc1 Rc8
34. Rc5 Qh6 35. Rxb5 Rxc6 36. Bxc6 Qxc6 37. Rb8 h5 38. d5 Qd7 39. Qb5 Qxb5 40.
Rxb5 g5 41. d6 f6 42. f4 gxf4 43. exf4 Kf7 44. f5 Re3 45. Kg2 Rd3 46. Rb7+ Kf8
47. Rb8+ Kf7 48. Rb7+ Kf8 49. Rd7 Ke8 50. Re7+ Kf8 51. Re6 Kf7 52. Re7+ Kf8 53.
Rd7 Ke8 54. Rh7 Rxd6 55. Rxh5 Kf7 56. Rh7+ Kg8 57. Rh6 Rd5 58. Rxf6 Kg7 59.
Rg6+ Kf7 60. Rg5 Kf6 61. h4 Rxf5 62. Rxf5+ Kxf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "WUCC op U16"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Petuchovskis, Edgaras"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2110"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "18"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2007"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Ne2 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. dxc5 dxc5 8. Be3
b6 9. Nd2 Qxd3 0-1

[Event "WUCC op U16"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Shavtvaladze, Nikoloz"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B39"]
[WhiteElo "2160"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2007"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Ng4 8.
Qxg4 Nxd4 9. Qd1 Ne6 10. Rc1 Qa5 11. Qd2 b6 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. Bb1 g5 14. O-O h5
15. Rfd1 d6 16. f3 h4 17. Qf2 Qe5 18. b4 Nf4 19. Bd4 Qe6 20. Bxg7 Rg8 21. Nd5
Bxd5 22. exd5 Qd7 23. Ba1 g4 24. fxg4 Qxg4 25. Kh1 Nxg2 26. Rg1 h3 27. Bf5 Qh5
28. Bxh3 1-0

[Event "Linares Anibal op 05th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1998.01.22"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Lalic, Bogdan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "1998.01.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 062 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Bc4 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Re1 Nc6 9. h3 Bd7 10. Bb3 Rc8 11. Bg5 h6 12. Be3 Na5 13. Qd3 a6 14. f4 e5 15.
Nf3 Nxb3 16. axb3 Qe7 17. Ra5 Qd8 18. Rea1 exf4 19. Bxf4 Rc6 20. Be3 Re8 21.
Bd4 Rc8 22. Nd2 Bc6 23. b4 Re6 24. Nd5 Bxd5 25. exd5 Re8 26. Rf1 Nd7 27. Bxg7
Kxg7 28. Qd4+ Kg8 29. c4 Re2 30. Rf2 Re1+ 31. Rf1 Re2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares Anibal op 05th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1998.01.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Zhu, Chen"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2490"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "1998.01.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 062 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. e3 O-O 6. b4 c6 7. Bb2 dxc4 8. Bxc4
b5 9. Bb3 a5 10. bxa5 Qxa5 11. O-O b4 12. Na4 Ba6 13. Re1 Bb5 14. Nc5 Nbd7 15.
Qc2 e6 16. Rac1 Nxc5 17. Qxc5 Nd7 18. Qe7 Bf6 19. Qd6 Rfd8 20. Qf4 c5 21. e4 c4
22. Bxc4 Bxc4 23. Rxc4 Qb5 24. Rc2 Rxa2 25. e5 b3 26. Rd2 Bg7 27. d5 Nc5 28.
Ng5 Rf8 29. Qf3 Bh6 30. h4 Qb4 31. Qe3 exd5 32. Red1 Ne6 33. Qg3 Rc8 34. Rxd5
Bxg5 0-1

[Event "Linares Anibal op 05th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1998.01.26"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kruppa, Yuri"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D80"]
[WhiteElo "2540"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "1998.01.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 062 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. h4 c6 5. e3 Bg7 6. Bd2 O-O 7. Rc1 Nbd7 8. cxd5
cxd5 9. Nf3 a6 10. Qb3 e6 11. a4 Re8 12. Be2 Nb8 13. Ne5 Nc6 14. f4 Nd7 15. Nf3
Na5 16. Qc2 Nf6 17. Ne5 Nd7 18. Nf3 Nf6 19. O-O Bd7 20. Ne5 Rc8 21. b4 Nc6 22.
Qb1 Qe7 23. Nxc6 Rxc6 24. b5 axb5 25. axb5 Rcc8 26. g3 Bf8 27. Rc2 Ra8 28. Ra2
Rec8 29. Rc1 Ne8 30. Rxa8 Rxa8 31. Nd1 Nd6 32. Bb4 Qe8 33. Nc3 Qd8 34. Bd3 Rc8
35. Kf2 Qe8 36. Bc5 Qd8 37. Na4 Be8 38. Nb6 Rc7 39. Rc2 Qb8 40. Ra2 Qd8 41. Ra8
Nc8 42. Qb4 Bxc5 43. dxc5 Kg7 44. Rb8 Bd7 45. Na8 1-0

[Event "Linares Anibal op 05th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1998.01.27"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Del Rio de Angelis, Salvador Gabriel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2395"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1998.01.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 062 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 e5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nc3 Nb6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8.
d3 O-O 9. Be3 f5 10. Rc1 Be6 11. a3 f4 12. Bd2 g5 13. Ne4 Nd7 14. Rxc6 bxc6 15.
Bc3 Bd5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. Bxe5 Bxe4 18. Bxe4 Bf6 19. gxf4 Bxe5 20. fxe5 Qd4 21.
Qb3+ Kh8 22. Bxc6 Rab8 23. Qc3 Qg4+ 24. Kh1 Qxe2 25. e6+ Kg8 26. Re1 Qxf2 27.
e7 Rf6 28. e8=Q+ Rxe8 29. Rxe8+ Kf7 30. Qc4+ Kg7 31. Rg8+ Kh6 32. Qc1 Qh4 33.
Re8 Rf2 34. Re6+ 1-0

[Event "Linares Anibal op 05th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1998.01.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Xu, Jun"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E01"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2520"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1998.01.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 062 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 d5 2. Nf3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. d4 e6 5. O-O cxd4 6. Nxd4 Bc5 7. Nb3 Bb6 8. c4
Nge7 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Na3 O-O 11. Nc4 Bc7 12. Ne3 Nce7 13. Qc2 Bd7 14. Rd1 Rc8
15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Qd2 Bb6 17. Nd4 Nc6 18. Nf3 Qe7 19. b4 Nxb4 20. Ba3 a5 21.
Qxd5 Bc6 22. Qe5 Qxe5 23. Nxe5 Bxg2 24. Nd7 Ba7 25. Nxf8 Bh3 26. Nd7 f6 27. Rd6
Rc6 28. Rad1 Kf7 29. Rxc6 bxc6 30. Rd6 Ke7 31. Bxb4 axb4 32. Rxc6 Bxd7 33. Rc4
b3 34. axb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ubeda op 3rd"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1998.01.21"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Christensen, Esben"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B73"]
[WhiteElo "2115"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[EventDate "1998.01.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 062 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8.
O-O Nc6 9. f4 Qb6 10. Qd3 Qxb2 11. Bf3 Qa3 12. Rab1 Qa5 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. h3
Ba6 0-1

[Event "Ubeda op 3rd"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1998.01.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Khurtsidze, Nino"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "1998.01.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 062 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Nb6 8.
Nc3 Nc6 9. e3 Re8 10. h3 h6 11. Kh2 e5 12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Qc2 c6
15. e4 h5 16. f4 Bg7 17. b3 a5 18. Be3 Nd7 19. Rad1 Qe7 20. Na4 Bh6 21. h4 f5
22. Bd4 fxe4 23. f5 Nf6 24. fxg6 Ng4+ 25. Kh1 Qc7 26. Bxe4 Qxg3 27. Rf3 Qxh4+
28. Kg1 Qh2+ 29. Qxh2 Nxh2 30. Kxh2 Rxe4 31. Nc5 Rh4+ 32. Kg2 Bg4 33. Nd7 Bxd7
0-1

[Event "Ubeda op 3rd"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1998.01.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vera Gonzalez Quevedo, Reynaldo"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2535"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "1998.01.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 062 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 d5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 Bf5 4. Bg2 Nb4 5. Na3 e6 6. O-O Be7 7. Ne5 Nf6 8. c3
Na6 9. Qa4+ c6 10. Bf4 Qb6 11. b4 O-O 12. Rac1 Rfc8 13. f3 h6 14. Rfe1 Nc7 15.
e4 Bh7 16. Rb1 Nb5 17. Nxb5 cxb5 18. Qb3 Bd6 19. Kh1 dxe4 20. fxe4 Bxe5 21.
Bxe5 Ng4 22. Bf4 e5 23. Bxe5 Nf2+ 24. Kg1 Nd3 25. Kh1 Nxe5 26. dxe5 Re8 27. a4
bxa4 28. Qxa4 Rxe5 29. c4 Qe6 30. Qc2 Rd8 31. c5 Rd4 32. Rbd1 Bxe4 33. Bxe4
Rexe4 34. Rxe4 Rxd1+ 35. Kg2 Qd5 36. Qc4 Rd2+ 37. Kf3 Qd7 38. b5 Rxh2 39. c6
bxc6 40. bxc6 Qd1+ 41. Kf4 Rf2+ 42. Ke5 Rf6 43. Rd4 Qh5+ 0-1

[Event "Ubeda op 3rd"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1998.01.26"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Piankov, Evgenij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2385"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1998.01.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 062 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 g6 4. h3 Bg7 5. Ngf3 Nh6 6. Bd3 O-O 7. O-O dxe4 8.
Nxe4 Nf5 9. c3 Qc7 10. Re1 Nd7 11. Bg5 Nf6 12. Nxf6+ exf6 13. Bd2 Be6 14. Bc2
Rfe8 15. Bb3 Bd5 16. Rxe8+ Rxe8 17. Bxd5 cxd5 18. Qa4 Ra8 19. Re1 Bf8 20. Re8
Rxe8 21. Qxe8 a6 22. Nh2 h5 23. Nf1 g5 24. Qe2 h4 25. Qg4 Nh6 26. Qf3 Qb6 27.
b4 Qc6 28. Ne3 Kg7 29. Qxd5 Qxd5 30. Nxd5 Nf5 31. Ne3 Nxe3 32. Bxe3 Kg6 33. d5
Be7 34. Bb6 Bd6 35. Bc5 Bc7 36. Be7 1-0

[Event "Ubeda op 3rd"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1998.01.27"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Kuzmin, Gennadi P"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2580"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "1998.01.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 062 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Re1 Nc6 9. Nf3 a6 10. Bf1 b5 11. h3 Bb7 12. Bf4 Nd7 13. Qd2 Re8 14. Bh6 Bh8 15.
a4 b4 16. Nd5 Bxb2 17. Rab1 Bh8 18. Nxb4 Nxb4 19. Rxb4 Nc5 20. Qe3 Qc7 21. e5
Bxf3 22. Qxf3 dxe5 23. Reb1 Rac8 24. Rc4 Qa5 25. h4 Bf6 26. h5 e4 27. Qh3 Rcd8
28. g4 Rd5 29. Rcb4 Red8 30. hxg6 hxg6 31. Be3 Nxa4 32. Rb8 Nc3 33. R1b3 Qa1
34. Kg2 Be5 35. Rxd8+ Rxd8 36. Qh4 Qd1 37. Qh3 Qxc2 38. Rb7 Nd5 39. Bg5 Bf6 0-1

[Event "Ubeda op 3rd"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1998.01.28"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giorgadze, Giorgi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "1998.01.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 062 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. O-O Ne7 6. d4 Nbc6 7. e3 O-O 8. Nc3
a5 9. Re1 b6 10. cxd5 exd5 11. a3 Bb7 12. Rb1 Nb8 13. b4 axb4 14. axb4 c6 15.
b5 c5 16. Qb3 Nd7 17. Ba3 Re8 18. Red1 c4 19. Qb2 Nf5 20. Nd2 Rc8 21. Nxd5 Bxd5
22. Bxd5 Ne5 23. dxe5 Qxd5 24. e4 Qa8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ionescu, Constantin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B39"]
[WhiteElo "2495"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[Annotator "Tsesarsky,I"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "1998.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 c5 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nc6 7. Be3 Ng4 8.
Qxg4 Nxd4 9. Qd1 Ne6 10. Qd2 Qa5 11. Rc1 b6 12. Be2 Bb7 13. f3 g5 (13... h5 14.
O-O g5 15. a3 Qe5 16. Rfd1 d6 17. Bf1 h4 18. b4 Kf8 19. Qf2 Rc8 20. Nb5 $16 {
1-0 Arnason-Pares Vives/Murcia rc/SW,25,5 1990 (25)}) 14. O-O h5 15. Rfd1 $14
Rd8 (15... Bc6 16. a3 Qe5 (16... d6 17. Qc2 (17. Nd5 Qxd2 18. Rxd2 h4 19. b4
Be5 20. c5 dxc5 21. bxc5 bxc5 22. Bxc5 Bxd5 23. Rxd5 Bf4 24. Rc3 Nxc5 25. Rdxc5
Kf8 {1/2-1/2 Petit,R-Beck,T/Genf op sp 1996 (29)}) 17... Qe5 18. Rd5 $1 Bxd5 (
18... Qf6 $1 $14) 19. cxd5 Nd4 (19... Nf4 20. g3 Nh3+ 21. Kg2 g4 22. Qa4+ Kf8
23. f4 Qf6 24. Bxb6 $16) 20. Qa4+ Kf8 21. Bf1 $1 (21. Qd7 $2 Bf6 22. Bd1 Kg7
23. g3 Rhd8 $15 (23... Nxf3+ $2 24. Bxf3 $16 {1-0 Mate,G-Monus,Z/
Hajduboszormeny op 1995 (30)})) 21... Qf6 22. Rd1 $16) 17. b4 d6 18. Nd5 h4 19.
Bd3 $14 (19. Qc3 $6 Rc8 20. Qxe5 Bxe5 $11 {0-1 Backstrom,M-Sjodahl,P/Rilton
Cup 1990 (58)})) (15... d6 16. Nd5 Qxd2 17. Rxd2 Rc8 18. b4 Be5 19. a4 (19. Bd1
Rg8 20. Ba4+ Kf8 21. Bb3 Rg6 {1/2-1/2 Ionov,S-Savon,V/RUS-chT Podolsk 1992})
19... h4 20. Bf1 f6 21. Ra2 Bd4 22. Kf2 Kf7 23. a5 Bxd5 24. exd5 Bxe3+ 25. Kxe3
Nf4 $14 {1/2-1/2 Karpov,A-Larsen,B/Brussels SWIFT 1987 (47)}) 16. Nb5 (16. b3
$14) (16. c5 $6 Nxc5 (16... bxc5 17. Bc4 (17. Bxg5 Nxg5 18. Qxg5 Bh6 $17) 17...
g4 18. f4 d6 (18... Bxc3 19. Rxc3 Bxe4 20. Bxe6 fxe6 (20... dxe6 21. Qxd8+ Qxd8
22. Rxd8+ Kxd8 23. Ra3 $11) 21. Rxc5 Qxd2 22. Rxd2 $44) 19. Qd3 $44) 17. Bxg5
$14) 16... Qxd2 (16... Qxa2 17. Nd4 $1 (17. Ra1 Qxb2 18. Qxb2 Bxb2 19. Rxa7 Bc6
20. Bxb6 Rb8 21. Nc7+ Nxc7 22. Bxc7 Ra8 $11) 17... Qa5 (17... Nxd4 18. Bxd4
Bxd4+ 19. Qxd4 f6 20. Ra1 Qb3 21. Rxa7 Bc6 22. Qd2 $16) 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. b4 (
19. Qxa5 bxa5 20. Ra1 $14) 19... Qe5 20. Bxg5 $16) 17. Rxd2 Ra8 18. Nd4 $5 (18.
c5 $5 a6 (18... bxc5 19. Bc4 Bc6 20. Bxe6 Bxb5 21. Rxc5 dxe6 22. Rxb5 $16) (
18... Bc6 19. cxb6 axb6 20. Bc4 $14) 19. Nd4 Nxc5 20. b4 Ne6 21. Nxe6 fxe6 22.
b5 $1 $14 (22. Bxb6 $14)) 18... Nxd4 19. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 20. Rxd4 d6 21. b4 O-O 22.
c5 $6 (22. e5 $5 dxe5 (22... Rfe8 23. exd6 exd6 24. Kf2 $14) 23. Rd7 Bc6 24.
Rxe7 Rfe8 25. Rxe8+ Rxe8 26. c5 $14) 22... Rfc8 $1 $11 23. Rdd1 bxc5 24. bxc5
Rxc5 25. Rxc5 dxc5 26. Rd7 Bc8 27. Rd5 (27. Rxe7 Be6 28. Rc7 Rc8 29. Rxa7 c4
30. Bd1 Rd8 $44) 27... f6 28. Rd8+ $11 (28. Rxc5 Be6 29. Ra5 h4 30. Kf2 Kf7 31.
Ke3 Bd7 32. Bc4+ e6 33. Kd4 Ke7 34. e5 f5 35. g3 Bc8 36. Rc5 Bd7 37. Rc7 a5 38.
f4 hxg3 39. hxg3 gxf4 40. gxf4 Rb8 41. Kc5 (41. a4 Ke8 42. Kc5 Bxa4 43. Bxe6
Rb5+ 44. Kd4 Rb4+ 45. Rc4 Rxc4+ 46. Kxc4 Bc2 47. Kb5 Ke7 48. Bc4 a4 49. Kb4 Bd1
50. Bb5 Bc2 51. Bxa4 Bd3 52. Kc3 Ba6 53. Kd4 Bc8 (53... Be2 54. Ke3 Ba6 55. Kf2
Kf7 56. Bb3+ Kg6 57. Ke3 Kg7 58. Kd4 Kf8 59. Be6 $18) 54. Ke3 Kf8 55. Kd4 (55.
Kf2 Kg7 56. Kg3 Kh6 57. Kh4) 55... Ke7 56. Kc5 Be6 57. Bb5 Bc8 58. Kb6 Be6 59.
Kc7 (59. Bd3 Bd7 $11) 59... Bd5 60. Bc6 Be6 61. Bb7 Bc4 (61... Bd7 62. Bc8 $18)
62. Bc8 Bd3 63. Kc6 Be4+ 64. Kc5 Bd3 65. Kd4 Be4 66. Ke3 Kf7 67. Kf2 Bc2 68.
Kg3 Kg6 69. Kh4 Bb3 (69... Kh6 70. Bd7 Kg6 71. Be8+ Kh6 72. e6 Kg7 73. Kg5 $18)
70. Bd7 Bd5 71. Be8+ Kh6 72. Kg3 Kg7 73. Bd7 Kg6 (73... Be4 74. Kh4 $18) 74.
Kf2 Be4 75. Be6 Kg7 76. Ke3 Kf8 77. Kd4 Ke7 78. Bd5 Bc2 79. Bc4 Ba4 (79... Bd1
80. Bd3 Bg4 81. Ke3 $18) 80. Kd5 Bd7 81. Ba6 $11) 41... a4 42. Ra7 Rb2 43. a3
Rc2 $11) 28... Kg7 29. Bc4 Rb8 30. Rg8+ Kh6 31. Rh8+ Kg7 32. Rg8+ Kh6 33. Bb3
a5 34. Rh8+ Kg6 35. Rg8+ Kh6 36. Rh8+ Kg6 37. Rg8+ Kh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nevednichy, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2550"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[Annotator "Schulz,Andre"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "1998.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Bc4
O-O 9. Bb3 Bd7 10. Nde2 {Nevednichi hat früher ausschließlich Varianten mit 3.
Bb5 gegen Sizilianisch gespielt und ist erst in jüngster Zeit dazu
übergegangen 3.d4 zu spielen. Den Zug 10.Sde2 sieht man an dieser Stelle
höchstselten. Es geht einfach darum möglichst schnell die Theoriepfade zu
verlassen.} (10. Qd2 {führt zu bekannten Bildern, wenn Schwarz mit Rc8, Ne5
oder Qa5 fortsetzt. Falls Weiß wie hier früh den B nach b3 zieht, gibt es die
Zusatzoption} Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5) 10... Rc8 (10... Rb8 {0-1 Bologan,V-Georgiev,K/
EU-chT 1992/EU-chT/[Blatny,P] (48)}) 11. Nf4 Ne5 12. Qe2 Qa5 13. O-O (13. O-O-O
b5) 13... Rfe8 {Prophylaxe gegen das zu erwartende Nd5. Das Feld e7 wird
überdeckt und Schwarz könnte mit e7-e6 antworten.} (13... b5) 14. Rad1 b5 15.
Qf2 b4 16. Ncd5 Bb5 17. Rfe1 Nfd7 18. Qh4 {[%cal Rh4e7]} ({Nach} 18. Bxa7 e6 {
stehen sich die weißen Figuren gegenseitig im Weg, z.B.:} 19. Nb6 Qxa7 20. Nxc8
Qxf2+ 21. Kxf2 Rxc8 {Schwarz hat zwei Leichtfiguren für einen Turm.}) 18... Nc6
19. Nh3 {[%cal Rh3g5] Räumt nicht nur f4 für den anderen Springer, sondern
droht auch etwas.} e6 20. Ndf4 Qc7 21. Ng5 {[%csl Re6,Rh7][%cal Yb3g8] Neben
Qxh7 ist die Hauptdrohung ein Springereinschlag auf e6.} Nf8 22. Qg3 Bxb2 23.
h4 a5 {[%csl Rb3][%cal Ya5a4]} (23... Bg7 $5) (23... Be5 $5) 24. c4 bxc3 25. h5
a4 26. Nxh7 $1 Kxh7 27. hxg6+ fxg6 28. Qh3+ Kg8 29. Nxe6 {Neben den direkten
Drohungen hat weiß vor allem die Angriffszüge Rd5 und Kf2 (/\ Rh1) zur
Verfügung.} axb3 $2 (29... Rxe6 $2 30. Bxe6+ Nxe6 31. Qxe6+ Kh8 (31... Kg7 32.
Rxd6 $18) 32. Kf2 $18) (29... Qe7 $142) 30. Nxc7 Rxc7 31. axb3 Ba3 $2 (31...
Nb4 $142) 32. Rd5 $18 Re5 33. Ra1 Rh7 34. Qg3 Bb2 35. Ra8 Rg7 36. Rxd6 c2 37.
Qf4 Nb8 38. Rxb8 Be8 39. Bc1 Ba1 40. Rdd8 1-0

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rogozenco, Dorian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2495"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "1998.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 g6 (3... d5 4. b3 Qb6 {Das ist Kortschnojs Idee.
Ribli.} 5. Qc2 (5. Bg2 e5 $5 6. O-O (6. Nxe5 $2 Qd4 $17 {[%cal Rd4a1,Rd4e5]})
6... e4 7. Ne1 h5 $13)) 4. b4 {Dieser Zug ist zweischneidiger als 4.b3. Weiß
gewinnt Raum am Damenflügel, schwächt sich aber.} Bg7 (4... Qb6 5. a3 a5 6. c5
$13 (6. Bb2 axb4 7. c5 Qb5 (7... Qxc5 $2 8. axb4 $18 {[%cal Ra1a8,Rb4c5]}) 8.
e3 Qa4 9. axb4 Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1 Rxa1 11. Bxa1 Bg7 $11)) 5. Bb2 d5 (5... O-O $5) (
5... d6 $5) 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Bg2 Qb6 {[#] Nach meiner Meinung ist dieser Zug zu
aggressiv. Es wäre besser, zuerst die Entwicklung zu beenden.} (7... O-O $5) 8.
Nc3 {Weiß strebt nach schneller Entwicklung und opfert einen Bauern.} (8. a3
Ne4 {[%cal Rb6f2,Rg7b2]} 9. d4 O-O $11 {[%csl Rb2,Rc4] Der Läufer b2 ist
eingeschlossen und das Feld c4 schwach.}) 8... O-O $11 {Schwarz besitzt eine
bequeme Stellung ohne Entwicklungsprobleme.} (8... Qxb4 9. Nxd5 Qxb2 (9... Nxd5
10. Bxg7 $14) 10. Nc7+ Kd8 11. Nxa8 b6 12. Rb1 Qa3 (12... Qxa2 13. Ra1 Qb2 14.
Rxa7 $16) 13. Qc2 $16) 9. a3 (9. Qb3 $5) 9... Ne4 (9... Nc6) 10. e3 (10. O-O
Nxc3 11. dxc3 {[%csl Rb2,Gg7][%cal Gg7a1]} (11. Bxc3 d4 12. Bb2 Nc6 $36)) 10...
Nxc3 11. Bxc3 Bf5 (11... Bxc3 12. dxc3 Rd8 13. O-O Nc6 $11) 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13.
Qb3 Be4 (13... Rd8) 14. d3 Qf6 {[%cal Rf6a1,Re4f3,Rf6f3]} 15. Ke2 Bxf3+ 16.
Bxf3 e6 {Weiß hat Läufer gegen Springer, kann aber leider seinen Läufer wegen
des schwarzen Bollwerks e6/d5 nicht aktivieren.} 17. Rac1 Nc6 18. Qc3 d4 $6 {
Dieser Zug ist scheinbar aktiv, aber aus prizipiellem Grund nicht gut. Schwarz
öffnet dem weißen Läufer die lange Diagonale.} (18... Qxc3 19. Rxc3 Rac8 $11)
19. Qa1 e5 {[%csl Gf3][%cal Gf3a8]} (19... Ne5 $2 20. Bxb7 $16) 20. Rc5 $14 {
[%csl Gc5,Gf3] Weiß hat einen kleinen Vorteil. Sein Läufer steht aktiv und er
kann durch Turmverdoppelung in der c-Linie seine Stellung verbessern.} Rfd8 21.
Qc1 Rd6 {[%csl Gd3][%cal Ga8d8,Gd8d3]} 22. e4 {Nach diesem Zug ist die
Diagonale des Läufers geschlossen, aber Schwarz erlangt kein Spiel in der
d-Linie.} Qe7 23. h4 $36 a6 (23... h5 24. Bg2 $5 {[%cal Gg2h3,Gh3c8] und Weiß
kann mit späterem f2-f4 die Stellung öffnen.} (24. g4 $6 hxg4 25. Bxg4 Rh8 26.
h5 $13)) 24. h5 {[%csl Rg7,Gh5] Die drohende Öffnung der h-Linie ist
unangenehm für Schwarz.} g5 25. Bg4 {[%csl Gg4][%cal Gg4c8] Der Läufer steht
wieder gut.} h6 {[%csl Yf5] Schwarz hat eine geschwächte Bauernstellung,
insbesondere das schwache Feld f5.} 26. Bf5 {[%csl Gf5]} Qd8 27. Qd2 Qb6 28.
Rhc1 Re8 29. Kf1 {Ein guter prophylaktischer Zug. Weiß verbessert seine
Königsstellung, während Schwarz nur abwarten kann.} Re7 30. Kg2 Rd8 31. Qc2 Rd6
32. Rd5 Na7 {[%csl Yc3][%cal Ga7b5,Gb5c3]} (32... Rxd5 33. exd5 Na7 34. a4 {
Und mit Zugumstellung haben wir die Partiefortsetzung.}) 33. a4 $5 {Durch das
Bauernopfer verhindert Weiß das mögliche Springermanöver 33...Nb5 und 34...Nc3.
} Rxd5 $6 (33... Qxb4 34. Qc5 (34. Rb1 Rc6 $15) 34... Qxc5 35. Rcxc5 $44) 34.
exd5 {[%csl Gd5,Gf5]} Qxb4 35. Qc5 Qxc5 36. Rxc5 $44 {Schwarz hat einen
Mehrbauern, aber der weiße d-Bauer, unterstützt vom Läufer, ist gefährlich.}
Kf6 (36... b6 37. d6 Rb7 (37... Re8 38. Rc7 {[%csl Ra7][%cal Rc7a7]} Kf6 39. g4
$18) (37... bxc5 38. dxe7 $18 {[%cal Re7e8] mit Verwandlung.}) 38. Rc7 Rxc7 39.
dxc7 $18 {[%cal Rc7c8]}) 37. g4 {[%csl Ra7,Gc5,Gd5,Gf5]} e4 {Schwarz gibt
seinen Mehrbauern zurück, möchte 38...Ke5 spielen.} 38. d6 {[%cal Gc5h5]} (38.
dxe4 $6 Ke5 {[%csl Ge5]}) (38. Bxe4 $6 Ke5 {[%csl Ge5]}) 38... Re8 39. Bxe4 Rd8
40. Bxb7 (40. Rc7 Nc8 {[%cal Rc8d6]} 41. Bxb7 Nxd6 42. Bxa6 $16) 40... Rxd6 41.
Rc7 {[%csl Ra7,Gb7,Gc7] Schwarz hat Schwerigkeiten mit dem Springer.} Re6 42.
Kf3 $22 a5 (42... Kg7 43. Bd5 {[%csl Ra7,Gc7,Gd5][%cal Rc7a7,Rc7f7,Rd5f7]} Rf6+
44. Ke4 $18) (42... Rd6 43. Ba8 {[%csl Ra7]}) 43. Bd5 Re7 44. Rc5 $1 {[%csl
Ra5,Ra7,Gc5,Gd5]} (44. Rxe7 Kxe7 45. Ke4 $16 {[%csl Rd4]}) 44... Re5 45. Rxa5
$16 Nc8 (45... Nc6 46. Ra6 Rxd5 47. Rxc6+ Kg7 48. Ke4 Ra5 49. Rc4 $18) 46. Ra6+
Ke7 (46... Kg7 47. Bc4 {[%csl Ga4][%cal Ga4a5,Ga5a6,Ga6a7,Ga7a8]}) 47. Bb3 (47.
Bc4 Nd6) 47... f5 48. Rxh6 {Weiß hat bereits zwei Bauern mehr und eine aktive
Stellung.} f4 49. Rh7+ Kd6 50. Rf7 {[%csl Ga4,Gh5] Weiß besitzt zwei
gefährliche entfernte Freibauern.} Ne7 51. Rf6+ Kd7 (51... Kc5 52. Re6 Rxe6 53.
Bxe6 $18) 52. Bf7 (52. h6 $18) 52... Ra5 53. h6 $18 Ra8 (53... Rxa4 54. h7 Ra8
55. Bg8 Rxg8 (55... Nxg8 56. h8=Q $18) 56. hxg8=Q Nxg8 57. Rg6 $18 {[%csl Rf4,
Rg5][%cal Rg6g8,Rg6g5]}) 54. a5 Nc6 55. Rf5 (55. Rxc6 Kxc6 56. h7 Rh8 57. Bg8
$18 {[%csl Rh8]}) 55... Kd6 56. h7 Rh8 57. Rd5+ Ke7 58. Bg8 {[%csl Rh8] Und
Schwarz gab in verlorener Stellung auf. Ribli.} 1-0

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Iordachescu, Viorel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2520"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "1998.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. Bxc6+ bxc6 5. O-O e5 6. c3 g5 7. d3 g4 8.
Nfd2 Ne7 9. Nc4 Ng6 10. d4 Ba6 11. Qa4 Qc7 12. dxc5 dxc5 13. Be3 Be7 14. Qa5
Qb7 15. Nba3 Bxc4 16. Nxc4 Qb5 17. b3 Qxa5 18. Nxa5 Kd7 19. Nc4 f6 20. Rfd1+
Kc7 21. Kf1 Nf8 22. Rd3 Ne6 23. Rad1 Rad8 24. Rxd8 Nxd8 25. Ke2 Ne6 26. Rh1 Rg8
27. g3 h5 28. h3 gxh3 29. Rxh3 Rh8 30. Rh4 Nf8 31. Bc1 Kd7 32. Ne3 Ng6 33. Nf5
Bf8 34. Kd3 Ne7 35. Be3 Ke6 36. g4 Rg8 37. Nxe7 1-0

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Milu, Romeo Sorin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2395"]
[Annotator "Schulz,Andre"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1998.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nb3 Nf6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be2 O-O 8.
O-O d6 9. Re1 {Die Idee von Weiß besteht darin, mit Bg5 und Nd5 auf den
schwarzen Nf6 Druck auszuüben, damit dieser auf d5 tauscht. Der Re1 ermöglicht
nach folgendem Bf1 den Zug Nd5 weil er den Be4 deckt. Außerdem steht der R
nach Tausch auf d5 nach exd5 schon auf der dann halboffenen Linie.} Be6 10. Bg5
(10. Bf1) 10... h6 (10... d5 $5) 11. Bh4 g5 12. Bg3 d5 13. Nc5 d4 14. Nb5 Bc8
15. e5 Nd7 16. Nxd7 Bxd7 17. Bc4 Qb6 18. e6 Bxe6 19. Rxe6 fxe6 20. Nc7 {
Bis hierhin folgten beide Spieler der Partie Romero Holmes-Leko 1993} Ne5 (
20... Rac8 $1 21. Bxe6+ Kh8 22. Bxc8 Rxc8 23. Ne6 Qxb2 24. Nxg7 Kxg7 $15 {
0-1 Romero Holmes,A-Leko,P/Leon 1993/CBM 36/(44)}) 21. Nxa8 Rxa8 22. Bb3 Nd7
$11 23. Qh5 Nc5 24. Qg6 {[%cal Rg3e5]} Kh8 25. Re1 e5 26. Bf7 Qxg6 27. Bxg6 Nd7
28. f3 Bf6 29. Be4 Rb8 30. Bf5 Rd8 31. Rc1 Nc5 32. Re1 Nd7 33. Kf1 Kg7 34. Ke2
Kf7 35. Kd2 e6 36. Be4 Nc5 37. Bd3 Nxd3 38. cxd3 Rd5 39. Rc1 Ke7 40. Rc8 Rd8
41. Rc7+ Rd7 42. Rc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Marin, Mihail"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D77"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "1998.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. d4 dxc4 7. Na3 Ne8 8.
Nxc4 Nd6 9. Nce5 Nd7 10. Nd3 c6 11. Qc2 a5 12. a4 Qb6 13. e3 Nf6 14. b3 Nd5 15.
Ba3 Bf5 16. Nd2 Nb4 17. Bxb4 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 Qxb4 19. Rac1 Rfd8 20. Qc3 Qxc3 21.
Rxc3 e6 22. Rfc1 Ra6 23. Kf1 Rb6 24. Ke2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kiselev, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2510"]
[Annotator "Horn,Pe"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "1998.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 Nf6 2. Bg2 d5 3. Nf3 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. b3 Nbd7 6. Bb2 e6 7. d3 Be7 8. Nbd2
O-O 9. h3 Bh5 10. e4 a5 11. a3 b5 12. Kh1 Qb6 13. Qe1 Bxf3 (13... a4 14. b4 (
14. e5 Ne8 15. b4 Nc7 16. Bd4 Qb7 17. Qe3 Rae8 18. Ng1 f6 19. f4 fxe5 20. fxe5
h6 21. Ndf3 Na6 $132 {Petran-Vasiukov, Stary Smokovec 1988}) 14... c5 15. exd5
Nxd5 16. c4 N5f6 17. bxc5 Nxc5 18. Ne5 Rac8 19. d4 Nd3 $1 20. Qb1 Nxe5 $11 {
Van Wely,L-Lukacs,P/Kecskemet Szechenyi/1991}) (13... Bc5 14. Nh2 dxe4 15. dxe4
e5 16. Nhf3 Rfe8 17. Nh4 Rad8 18. Ndf3 a4 19. b4 Bf8 20. Rd1 c5 21. Rd3 cxb4
22. axb4 Qc7 $17 {Espig,L-Kraut,R/BL/1995}) 14. Nxf3 Rfc8 15. Nd2 dxe4 16. dxe4
e5 17. a4 {Damit unterbindet Weiß das weitere schwarze Vorgehen am Q-flügel 
(a5-a4, und dann auf b3-b4 c6-c5).} (17. f4 $5 {Das war die Alternative.})
17... Bb4 18. Qe2 Re8 {richtet sich gegen f2-f4. Auf c8 leistet der R jetzt eh
nichts mehr.} 19. Rfd1 {Weiß gibt jetzt (zunächst) die Idee f2-f4 auf und
verlegt sein Spiel auf den anderen Flügel.} (19. Ra2) 19... Rab8 20. Ra2 Bc5
21. Kg1 Qc7 22. Rda1 Bb6 23. Kh2 (23. Bc3 Bd4 (23... b4 $6 24. Bb2 $14 {
[%csl Gc4][%cal Yd2c4,Ya1d1,Ya2a1]}) 24. Bxd4 exd4 25. Qd3 $14) (23. axb5 cxb5
24. Qxb5 $4 Bxf2+ $19) 23... Ra8 24. axb5 $5 (24. f3) 24... cxb5 25. Qxb5 (25.
c4 $6 b4 $132 {[%cal Yd7c5]}) 25... Bxf2 26. Qe2 (26. b4 $5 {Der direkte
Versuch, die Fesselungsstellung in der a-Linie auszunutzen.} Ba7 (26... Reb8
27. Qe2 $16) (26... Nh5 27. Nf1 $16) 27. bxa5 (27. Rxa5 Qxc2) 27... Qxc2 28.
Qe2 $14 {[%cal Rb2e5] Der Freibauer Pa5 ist zwar zuverlässig blockiert; er
schränkt aber die schwarzen Möglichkeiten zu aktivem Spiel ein.} (28. Bxe5 $2
Rxe5 $19)) 26... Bd4 27. c3 Bb6 28. b4 (28. Nc4 $14) 28... Rab8 29. Nc4 (29.
bxa5 Bxa5 30. Nc4 Bb6 31. Nxb6 Nxb6 $132) 29... axb4 30. cxb4 h5 (30... Bd4 $5
31. Rc1 (31. Bxd4 Rxb4 $1 $11 (31... exd4 $2 32. Ra7 $16)) 31... Bxb2 32. Rxb2
Nb6 33. Rcc2 $14) 31. Rc1 (31. Ra6 $5 Bd4 $140 32. Nd6 Re6 33. Rc1 $14) (31.
Nxb6 {Offensichtlich sind sich beide Spieler einig, daß das B-Paar (gegen das
N-Paar) hier nicht zu fürchten ist.} Qxb6 32. Bc3 Rec8 33. Ra3 $13 {Die B
wirken in der Tat momentan wenig bedrohlich.}) 31... Bd4 32. Ba3 {[%cal Yb4b5]}
Re6 33. Rac2 (33. Na5 {bei dieser Zugreihenfolge entfällt die Möglichkeit Qa7}
Qb6 34. Rac2) 33... Qa7 34. Na5 Bb6 35. Nc4 Rc6 (35... Bd4 36. Qd3 $5 (36. Na5
Bb6 $11)) 36. Qd3 Bd4 37. b5 $1 Rcc8 (37... Rxb5 38. Nd6 Rbc5 $1 39. Nf5 $1 (
39. Bxc5 $2 Nxc5 $17) 39... Rxc2 40. Ne7+ Kh7 41. Nxc6 $16) 38. Bd6 (38. Nd6
Rxc2 39. Rxc2 Nc5 $11) (38. b6 $142 Bxb6 (38... Qa6 $4 39. Nxe5 $18) (38...
Nxb6 39. Bd6 Ra8 40. Nxe5) 39. Bd6 Ra8 40. Nxe5) 38... Ra8 (38... Rxb5 39. Na3
Rxc2 40. Nxb5 Rxc1 41. Nxa7 Bg1+ 42. Kh1 Bxa7+ 43. Kh2 $11) 39. b6 (39. Rb1)
39... Qa6 {Diese Möglichkeit hätte Schwarz nicht gehabt, wenn Weiß sofort (38.)
b6 gespielt hätte.} (39... Bxb6 40. Nxe5 Rxc2 41. Qxc2 Nxe5 42. Bxe5 $14) (
39... Nxb6 40. Nxe5 Rxc2 41. Rxc2 $14) 40. Nxe5 Rxc2 41. Qxa6 $2 (41. Rxc2 Bxe5
42. Qxa6 Rxa6 43. Bxe5 Nxe5 44. b7 $11 {->Partie}) 41... Rxa6 $2 (41... Rxg2+
42. Kxg2 Rxa6 $19) 42. Rxc2 Bxe5 43. Bxe5 Nxe5 44. b7 Nfd7 45. b8=N Nxb8 46.
Rc8+ Kh7 47. Rxb8 Ra2 48. Rb3 $11 f6 49. Rc3 Kg6 50. Kg1 Kg5 51. Rc7 g6 52. Rc3
h4 53. gxh4+ Kxh4 54. Re3 Kg5 55. Rb3 Rc2 56. Kh2 Kf4 57. Ra3 Rd2 58. Rb3 Nd3
59. Kg1 Kg5 60. Bf1 Ne5 61. Bg2 Kf4 62. Kh2 Re2 63. Rc3 Rb2 64. Kg1 g5 65. Kh2
Rd2 66. Rb3 Ng6 67. Kg1 Ke5 68. Rb5+ Kd4 69. Rd5+ Ke3 70. Rxd2 Kxd2 71. Kf2 Kd3
72. Kg3 Nh4 73. Bh1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Vajda, Levente"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2440"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[Annotator "Har Zvi,R"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "1998.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. d5 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 Ne5 8.
Bb5+ Nfd7 9. Qe2 (9. Qh3 c4 10. Na3 Rc8 11. f4 Nd3+ 12. Ke2 N3c5 13. Kf3 (13.
Qf3 $5) 13... g6 14. Be3 Bg7 15. Bxc5 Rxc5 16. Rhe1 a6 17. Bxd7+ Qxd7 18. Qxd7+
Kxd7 19. Rad1 e6 $13 {Seitaj,I-Mirumian,V/Ankra zt 1995}) 9... a6 10. Ba4 (10.
Bxd7+ Nxd7 11. O-O g6 12. Bg5 Bg7 13. Nd2 O-O 14. Nc4 b5 15. Ne3 c4 16. f4 h6
17. Bh4 Nc5 18. Ng4 f5 19. exf5 gxf5 $132 {Jakubiec,A-Novik,M/CSR-chT 1992})
10... c4 (10... b5 11. Bc2 Nb6 (11... g6 12. a4 $16) 12. O-O Qd7 13. h3 g6 14.
a4 bxa4 (14... Nxa4 $4 15. f4 {[%csl Re5]} Nc4 16. Bxa4) 15. Nd2 $1 Qb5 16. c4
Qb4 (16... Nexc4 $4 17. Bd3) 17. f4 Nexc4 18. Nxc4 Qxc4 19. Bxa4+ Kd8 20. Qe1
$1 $16 {Smagin,S-Kofidis,A/Iraklion 1993/59/168 [Smagin]}) 11. O-O b5 12. Bd1
$6 {quite a strange move,since I can nt explain nr understand what's the
bishop is doing on "d1"? I believe 12.Bc2 is the right move} (12. Bc2 Nc5 13.
b4 Ncd3 (13... cxb3 $2 14. axb3 h5 15. Nd2 Qc8 16. f4 Ng4 17. b4 Nb7 $2 18.
Rxa6 $18 {Grabher,H-Vombek,D/AUT-chT 95/96 1996/EXP52}) 14. Be3 {[%cal Gf2f4]}
g5 $8 15. Bxg5 Rg8 16. Be3 (16. f4 $5) 16... Qd7 17. f4 $6 (17. Nd2 Qh3 18. f3
Bh6 19. Kh1 $1 $16 {according to Rausis,but I what about Rxg2 here??} Rxg2 20.
Qxg2 Qxg2+ 21. Kxg2 Bxe3 $44 {when black has nice compensation for the material
}) 17... Bh6 18. Nd2 (18. fxe5 Qg4 19. Rf3 Ne1 20. Kh1 (20. Bxh6 Qxg2+ 21. Qxg2
Rxg2+ 22. Kf1 Nxf3 23. Bd1 $1 $18) 20... Nxf3 21. gxf3 Qg6 22. Bd4 dxe5 23. Bc5
Qg5 {with compensation according to Rausis well I can not see it after a4 for
example} 24. a4 Qc1+ 25. Qd1) 18... Qg4 19. Bxd3 Nxd3 20. Qxg4 Rxg4 21. a4 $1 (
21. g3 Bg7) 21... Bxf4 {Rausis,I-Barczay,L/Paris 1994/60/143 [Rausis,I]} 22.
Rxf4 Nxf4 23. axb5 Nxg2 24. Bd4 $16 {Rausis}) 12... g6 13. a4 Bg7 14. b4 (14.
axb5 $5 axb5 15. Rxa8 Qxa8 16. Na3 Qb7 (16... Nd3 $5 17. Bc2 (17. Bg5 Qa5)
17... Nxc1 18. Rxc1 Qa6 $15) 17. b3 O-O 18. bxc4 Nxc4 19. Nxc4 bxc4 20. Qxc4
Rc8 $11) 14... cxb3 (14... O-O 15. Bc2 a5 16. axb5 axb4 17. Rxa8 Qxa8 18. cxb4
$16) 15. axb5 axb5 (15... Nc5 16. bxa6 O-O 17. Ra3 $16) 16. Rxa8 Qxa8 17. Qxb5
O-O $44 18. f4 $4 {a very very big mistake mainly beacuse of tw reasoons,the
first ne is very simple this mve is bad after 18...Rb8 19.Qe2 Qa2! white gets
a very bad position,but there is also another reason a very important one,
"f4" seems to win immediately since the knight has noo place to go! so white
shoould think again and again before playing 18.f4 since if black really has
noothing then the game is over!!! these are white's 2 mistake which cost him
this game} (18. Qxb3 $142 $44 f5 (18... Rc8 19. Be2 (19. Qc2 $5 {black has for
sure sme compensation here,but fr sure nt mre than the pawn he shuld hope for
a draw this was quite a slid good line for white}) 19... Nc5 20. Qc2 Qa4 21.
Qxa4 Nxa4 22. f4 Nd7 23. Bb5 (23. Bg4 Rc7 $44) 23... Ndc5 24. Bd2 Rb8 25. Bxa4
Nxa4 $44) 19. exf5 gxf5 20. Ba3 Rb8) 18... Rb8 19. Qe2 Qa2 $1 $17 20. fxe5 (20.
Nd2 b2 21. Bxb2 Rxb2 $19) 20... Qxb1 21. e6 (21. Bg5 Nxe5 22. Bxe7 Qa2 $1 $19 {
back too "a2" and finish the game!}) 21... Qxc1 22. exd7 Qxc3 $19 23. Qb5 (23.
Qf3 Bd4+ 24. Kh1 Qxf3 25. gxf3 b2 26. Bc2 Be3 $1 {and black wins immediately
the threat now is Rd8 and after Ba4 Bc1,and if Rb1 now then Bc1 wins
immediately}) 23... Qc7 $1 (23... Rxb5 $4 24. d8=Q+ Bf8 25. Qe8 Qc5+ 26. Kh1 f6
27. Bg4 {when white is even better,that means black did something very very
very wrong!!}) 24. Qc6 (24. Qa4 b2 25. Bc2 Rd8) 24... Qd8 25. Be2 (25. Bg4 Bd4+
26. Kh1 b2 27. Qc8 (27. Rb1 Ra8 28. Qc8 Ra1 $1 {winning}) 27... b1=Q 28. Qxd8+
Kg7 $19) 25... Bd4+ 26. Kh1 b2 27. Bd3 Ra8 {black threat now is Ra7 and after
Bb5 Rc7 folloowed by Rc1} 28. e5 (28. g3 Ra7 29. Bb5 Rc7 30. Qa6 Rc1) (28. Rb1
Ra7 29. Bb5 Rc7 $19) 28... Bxe5 29. Qb7 Rb8 30. Qc6 Ra8 31. Qb7 Bd4 32. Qb4 Qb6
33. Qd2 Rd8 {the rest is really no big deal see for your self} 34. Qf4 Bf6 35.
g4 Qd4 36. Qf3 h6 37. Bb5 Qb4 38. Qd3 Qxg4 39. Qc2 Rxd7 40. Bxd7 Qxd7 41. Rg1
Qh3 42. Qf2 Qd3 0-1

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A37"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "1998.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 {Petursson} c5 2. Bg2 Nc6 3. Nf3 (3. e4 $5 {Das wäre die Sizilianische
Verteidigung. In der direkten Zugfolge 1.e4 c5 2.g3 kann Schwarz aber mit 2...
d5 fortsetzen statt mit 2...Nc6 3.Bg2 - was zu unserer Partiestellung führt.
Ribli.}) 3... e5 (3... d5 4. d4 $14 {Und Weiß spielt eigentlich die
Grünfeld-Indische Verteidigung mit einem Mehrtempo.}) 4. c4 g6 5. O-O Bg7 6.
Nc3 d6 7. a3 Nge7 {Schwarz hat starke Kontrolle über das Feld d4, aber der
Punkt d5 ist ein positionelles Loch. Die schwarze Figurenstellung ist
elastisch, sein Ne7 hält den Weg für den Vorstoß f7-f5 frei.} 8. Rb1 (8. b4 $5
e4 9. Ne1 f5 $13) (8. b4 $5 {Petursson}) 8... Be6 9. d3 (9. b4 cxb4 (9... Bxc4
10. bxc5 dxc5 11. Rxb7 $14) 10. axb4 Bxc4 11. b5 Nb8 12. Ba3 $44) 9... h6 10.
b4 Rb8 $5 (10... Qd7 11. Be3 (11. Na4 cxb4 12. axb4 O-O 13. b5 Nd8 14. Bb2 Rc8
15. Ra1 b6 16. Qd2 f6 17. Qb4 Rc7 18. Rfc1 Nb7 19. Nc3 Nd8 20. Na4 Nb7 21. Nc3
Nd8 {1/2-1/2 Brzozka,S-Ujtelky,M/Rubinstein mem 1965}) 11... cxb4 12. axb4 O-O
13. b5 Nd4 14. Qc1 Kh7 15. Bxd4 exd4 16. Ne4 b6 17. Qa3 d5 18. Ned2 Rac8 19.
Rfc1 dxc4 20. Nxc4 Rc5 21. Nfd2 f5 22. Ra1 Nc8 23. Nb2 Rxc1+ 24. Rxc1 Qxb5 {
Poley,V-Botvinnik,I/BLR-ch 1994/0-1 (45)}) 11. Bd2 $14 {Weiß hat Raumvorteil
am Damenflügel, und der Punkt d5 ist eine ewige Schwäche.} (11. Ne1 O-O 12. Nd5
cxb4 13. axb4 b5 $1 14. Nc2 Kh7 15. f4 bxc4 16. dxc4 Bxd5 17. cxd5 Nxb4 $5 18.
Nxb4 a5 19. f5 gxf5 20. Nc6 Nxc6 21. Rxb8 Nxb8 22. Bh3 Nd7 23. Bxf5+ Kg8 24.
Be3 Nc5 25. Bb1 Qd7 26. Qd2 f5 27. Bxh6 f4 28. Bxg7 Qxg7 29. Qxa5 e4 {0-1
Reshevsky,S-Evans,L/Buenos Aires 1960 (38)}) 11... O-O 12. b5 $6 {Dieser Zug
gefällt mir nicht. Nach der Partiefortsetzung bekommt Weiß kein Spiel am
geschlossenen Damenflügel, und Schwarz kann seinerseits Aktivitäten am
Königsflügel entwickeln.} (12. Qa4 $14) (12. e3 $14) 12... Nd4 $11 13. Ne1 (13.
e3 Nxf3+ 14. Qxf3 Qd7 15. Qe2 $11) (13. Nxd4 $6 exd4 (13... cxd4 14. Na4 (14.
Ne4 $2 f5 $19) 14... f5 $15) 14. Ne4 $2 {[%csl Re4]} f5 $19) 13... Bg4 {
Dieser Zug ist eine Provokation für die weiße Königsstellung.} 14. h3 Bd7 15.
e3 Ne6 $13 16. a4 (16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. Bxd5 Ng5 18. h4 Ne6 $11) (16. Nc2 $5) 16...
h5 $36 17. h4 (17. Nf3 f5 $15 {[%csl Rf3]}) 17... Nf5 {Die Schwächung des
Punktes d5 spielt (noch) keine gewichtige Rolle, und Schwarz verfügt über
Initiative am Königsflügel.} 18. Nf3 (18. Nd5 Nh6 19. Nc2 f5 20. d4 f4 $36 (
20... e4 {[%csl Rg2]})) 18... Nh6 19. Ne4 f5 $1 {Jetzt hat Schwarz nicht nur
ein Loch auf d5, sondern auch auf g5. Aber das fällt gegenüber der schwarzen
Initiative gar nicht ins Gewicht.} 20. Neg5 Nf7 $5 $15 (20... Nxg5 21. Nxg5 $14
{[%csl Rd5,Gg2,Gg5]} Nf7 $2 22. Bd5 $16 {[%cal Rd5g8]}) 21. Nh3 {Weiß kann zu
seinem Bedauern nicht mit seinem N auf g5 verharren.} (21. Nxe6 Bxe6 22. Qe2
$15 {Das verschafft Schwarz freie Hand am Königsflügel.}) 21... Bf6 {Schwarz
hat noch keine konkreten Drohungen, aber sein Plan ist klar: Kg7, Qe8 und
möglicherweise g6-g5.} 22. e4 f4 $1 $40 {Mit diesem Zug gewinnt Schwarz Raum
am Königsflügel und übernimmt das Kommando. Das Bauernopfer ist nur
vorübergehend, weil er das Material später zurückgewinnen kann.} 23. gxf4 (23.
Kh2 Nh6 {[%csl Rh2][%cal Rh6g4,Rg4h2]}) 23... exf4 24. Nxf4 Nxf4 25. Bxf4 Bg4
$1 {[%csl Rg1,Gg4,Rh4]} (25... Bxh4 26. Nxh4 Qxh4 27. Bg3 {Und im Folgenden
möchte Weiß 28.f4 ziehen, mit etwa ausgeglichenen Chancen.} (27. Qd2 Ne5 28.
Bg3 Qg4 29. Bxe5 dxe5 $15) (27. Be3 Ne5 28. f3 $15) 27... Qg5 {[%cal Rh5h4]}
28. Qc1 $11) 26. Qd2 Bxf3 27. Bxf3 Ne5 (27... Bxh4 $15) 28. Be2 (28. Bxe5 Bxe5
29. Kg2 Qxh4 30. Rh1 Qf6 $15 {[%csl Ge5,Gf6,Rg2] Wir haben jetzt eine typische
Stellung, in der die ungleichfarbigen Läufer dem Angreifer zugute kommen.
Schwarz besitzt überzeugende Initiative auf den schwarzen Feldern.}) 28... Bxh4
29. Bh6 $6 (29. Kg2 {Weiß möchte Rh1,Be3,f4 spielen.} Qf6 (29... Rf7 30. Be3)
30. Be3 Nf3 31. Qd1 Nd4) {[#]} 29... Rf3 $1 $17 {Mit diesem sogenannten
passiven Opfer - "passiv", weil die Annahme des Opfers nicht erzwungen ist -
kommt Schwarz zu entscheidendem Angriff.} (29... Nf3+ {Petursson} 30. Bxf3 Rxf3
31. Kg2 Rf7 $13 (31... Qf6 $2 32. Qe2 $18)) 30. Bf4 (30. Bxf3 $4 Nxf3+ $19 {
[%cal Rf3g1,Rf3d2]}) (30. Kg2 Qf6 (30... Qd7 $2 31. Bxf3 Nxf3 32. Kxf3 Qg4+ 33.
Ke3 $18) 31. Bxf3 Qxf3+ 32. Kg1 (32. Kh2 {Petursson} Ng4+ 33. Kg1 Nxh6 34. Qxh6
Qg4+ 35. Kh1 Rf8 $19) 32... Qg4+ $19 {[%csl Rg1]}) 30... Qd7 {[%csl Rg1][%cal
Rd7g4]} 31. Bxe5 Qg4+ $19 32. Kh1 (32. Bg3 Rxg3+ 33. fxg3 Qxg3+ 34. Kh1 Bg5 35.
Qd1 Qh3+ 36. Kg1 Be3+ 37. Rf2 Rf8 $19) 32... Bg5 33. Qd1 (33. Qxg5 Rh3+ 34. Bh2
Qxg5 $19) 33... Rh3+ 34. Bh2 Rxh2+ {Weiß gab auf, weil das Matt nicht
abzuwenden ist.} (34... Qh4 $19) (34... Rxh2+ 35. Kxh2 Bf4+ 36. Kh1 Qh3+ 37.
Kg1 Qh2#) 0-1

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Badea, Bela"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "1998.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. g3 Bg7 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. O-O O-O 5. b3 d5 6. Bb2 c5 7. c4 Nc6 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Bxg7 Kxg7 10. Qc1 Qd6 11. Nc3 Nxc3 12. Qxc3+ f6 13. Rac1 b6 14. d4 Nxd4
15. Nxd4 cxd4 16. Qc7 Rb8 17. Qxa7 (17. Qxd6 exd6 18. Rfd1 Ba6 $132) 17... Bg4
18. Rc7 Rfe8 19. Bf3 Bxf3 20. exf3 Ra8 21. Qb7 Rxa2 $15 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Florean, Andrei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "1998.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. f3
Be6 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. O-O-O O-O 11. g4 b5 12. g5 b4 13. Na4 Ne8 14. h4 Qb8 15.
Na5 Bd8 16. Nc6 Qb7 17. Nxb4 Ba5 18. a3 Nc7 19. Qxd6 Bxb4 20. Qxb4 Nb5 21. Nc5
Nxc5 22. Bxc5 Rfc8 23. a4 1-0

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Yegiazarian, Arsen"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[EventDate "1998.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Na4 $5 {Interesting attempt to
refute the Gruenfeld indian as we know it.} e5 $1 (5... Bg7 6. e4 (6. Nf3 O-O (
6... Bg4 7. Ne5 $14) (6... Bf5 7. Nc5 b6 8. e4 $1 bxc5 9. exf5 cxd4 10. Nxd4
O-O $14) 7. e4 Nb6 (7... Nf6 8. Bd3 Bg4 9. e5 Nd5 10. Be4 $1 Nc6 11. Nc3 $14)
8. Be3 (8. Be2 Bg4 (8... Nxa4 9. Qxa4 b6 10. Be3 Bb7 11. Qc2 Nd7 12. Rd1 e6 13.
O-O h6 14. Bb5 c6 15. Bxc6 Rc8 16. d5 Nb8 17. Qc1 exd5 18. exd5 Nxc6 19. dxc6
Qf6 20. Bxh6 Bxc6 {1/2-1/2 Nadanian,A-Pelletier,Y/Cannes op18th 1997 (24)}) (
8... Nc6 9. d5 Ne5 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. O-O e6 12. dxe6 Bxe6 13. Nc5 Bc4 14. Bxc4
Nxc4 15. Qc2 Nd6 16. Be3 $14 {Nadanian,A-Yegiazarian,A/Armenia/1997/}) 9. Be3
Nc6 (9... Nxa4 10. Qxa4 c5 $1 11. Rd1 cxd4 12. Bxd4 (12. Nxd4 $5) 12... Bxd4
13. Rxd4 $5 (13. Nxd4 Bxe2 14. Kxe2 Qb6 $11) 13... Qb6 14. Rb4 Qc7 15. Qb3 $2 (
15. O-O Nc6 $11) 15... Nc6 $3 (15... b6 $6 16. O-O $14) 16. Qc3 $8 (16. Rxb7 $2
Qc8 $1 {/\ Na5-+} 17. Rb5 Bxf3 {/\ Nd4-+}) 16... Rac8 17. Rc4 Qb6 18. O-O Rfd8
$1 $17 {0-1 Nadanian,A-Malisauskas,V/Minsk/1997/ (32)}) 10. Nxb6 axb6 11. d5
Bxf3 12. Bxf3 Nb4 (12... Ne5 13. Be2 $14) 13. Qb3 Bxb2 14. Rd1 (14. Rb1 Ra3 $19
) 14... Ba3 15. O-O $44 {Nadanian,A-Belov,V/Minsk/1997/}) 8... Nxa4 9. Qxa4 c5
10. Rd1 (10. Rb1 Bd7 11. Qb3 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Qa5+ 13. Qc3 Qxa2 14. Rc1 Nc6 15.
Bc4 Qa5 16. Qxa5 Nxa5 17. Bd5 e6 18. Ba2 Nc6 19. Rd1 Rfd8 20. Rd2 Nxd4 21. Bxd4
Bxd4 22. Rxd4 Bc6 {0-1 Grote,D-Kreiman,B/Wichern op 1997 (40)}) 10... Qb6 (
10... Bd7 11. Bb5 cxd4 12. Bxd4 Bxd4 13. Nxd4 Bxb5 14. Qxb5 Qc7 15. O-O a6 16.
Qg5 Nc6 17. Rc1 Qe5 18. Qxe5 Nxe5 19. Rc7 Rfd8 20. Nb3 Rd7 21. Rxd7 Nxd7 22.
Rc1 {Kharlov,A-Vakhidov,T/Anibal op4th 1997/1-0 (40)}) 11. Rd2 Bd7 12. Qa3 cxd4
13. Nxd4 Rc8 14. Be2 Qc5 15. Qb3 Qb6 16. Qa3 Qc5 17. Qxc5 Rxc5 18. O-O Rc8 19.
Nb3 Be8 20. Bg4 e6 21. Nc5 {1-0 Jelen,I-Kos,T/SLO-ch 1997/ (35)}) 6... Nb6 (
6... Nf6 7. f3 (7. Bd3 O-O 8. Ne2 Nc6 9. e5 Nd5 10. O-O Nb6 11. Be3 Nxa4 12.
Qxa4 Nxe5 13. Be4 Ng4 14. h3 Nxe3 15. fxe3 c6 16. Nc3 Qb6 17. Qb3 Qxb3 18. axb3
f5 19. Bc2 Be6 20. b4 Bc4 21. b3 Bxf1 {0-1 Groeppel,P-Schirm,F/Wichern op 1997}
) 7... O-O 8. Be3 Nbd7 9. Rc1 c6 10. Bd3 e5 11. Ne2 exd4 12. Bxd4 Re8 13. O-O
Ne5 14. Bb1 Qc7 15. a3 Be6 16. Nc5 Rad8 17. Nxe6 Rxe6 18. Ba2 Re7 19. Qa4 b5
20. Qc2 Neg4 21. fxg4 Nxg4 22. e5 {1-0 Vark,L-Lelumees,B/Tallinn op 1997 (28)})
7. Nxb6 (7. Be3 O-O 8. Nf3 (8. Rc1 Nc6 9. d5 Nxa4 10. Qxa4 Ne5 11. h3 c6 12. f4
Nd7 13. dxc6 bxc6 14. e5 Nb6 15. Qxc6 Be6 16. Rd1 Nd5 17. Qa4 Rb8 18. b3 Qc8
19. Rc1 Qb7 20. Bd2 Rfc8 {0-1 Kharlov,A-Krasenkow,M/Polish TV k.o. 1997 (25)})
(8. Nc5 f5 $1) 8... Nxa4 (8... Nc6 9. Nc5 (9. h3 $5 Qd6 10. Nc5 Rd8 11. d5 Ne5
{/\ 12...Nec4, 12...c6}) 9... Bg4 $1 10. d5 (10. Nxb7 Qb8 11. Ba6 Nb4 12. Nc5
Bxf3 13. gxf3 Rd8 14. Rc1 Bxd4 $1 15. Bxd4 e5 16. Qb3 Rxd4 17. Bb7 Nd7 $1 18.
Nxd7 Qxb7 $17 {/\ Re4!}) 10... Ne5 11. Rc1 (11. Nxb7 Qb8 12. Ba6 f5 $1 $17)
11... e6 $1 12. Nxb7 Qf6 13. Be2 exd5 14. exd5 Nxf3+ 15. Bxf3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3
Qxf3 17. gxf3 Nxd5 $17 {Kinsman,A-Roos,D/France/1997/}) (8... Bg4 9. Nc5 N6d7
10. Nxb7 Qc8 11. Na5 c5 12. Rc1 Nc6 13. Nxc6 Qxc6 14. Qc2 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Qf6 16.
dxc5 Ne5 17. Be2 Nxf3+ 18. Kf1 Nd4 {Zaja,I-Balinov,I/Solin 1997/0-1 (47)}) 9.
Qxa4 c5 10. Rd1 Bd7 11. Bb5 cxd4 12. Bxd4 Bxd4 13. Nxd4 Bxb5 14. Qxb5 Qc7 15.
O-O a6 16. Qg5 Nc6 17. Rc1 Qe5 18. Qxe5 Nxe5 19. Rc7 Rfd8 20. Nb3 Rd7 21. Rxd7
Nxd7 22. Rc1 {1-0 Kharlov,A-Vakhidov,T/Anibal op4th 1997/ (39)}) 7... axb6 8.
Be3 O-O 9. Qd2 c5 10. Nf3 cxd4 11. Bxd4 Bxd4 12. Nxd4 Ra4 13. b4 Qd6 14. a3 Qe5
15. Bb5 Qxe4+ 16. Qe3 Qxg2 17. Qf3 Qxf3 18. Nxf3 Ra8 {0-1 Kallio,H-Holmsten,A/
Tampere Elo Taraus op 1997/Fat/ GJ 9607 (34)}) (5... Nc6 6. e4 Ndb4 $6 (6...
Nb6 7. Be3 Bg7 8. d5 Ne5 9. Nc5 c6 10. dxc6 Qxd1+ 11. Rxd1 Nxc6 12. Rd2 $14) 7.
a3 Qxd4 8. axb4 Qxe4+ 9. Be2 $1 Nxb4 10. Nc3 $1 Qf5 (10... Nc2+ $2 11. Kf1 Qf5
12. Bd3 $18) (10... Qc2 $2 11. Qd4 $18) (10... Qd4 $5 11. Nb5 Qc5 12. Kf1 $16)
11. Qa4+ Nc6 12. Nb5 $16 {Nadanian,A-Arakelian,A/Armenia/1997/}) (5... Bf5 6.
Nc5 b6 7. e4 $1) (5... Nf6 6. f3 (6. Bf4 Bg7 7. Rc1 c6 8. e3 $14) 6... Nc6 7.
e3 e5 8. Bb5 exd4 9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. Qxd4 Ba6 11. Ne2 Qxd4 12. Nxd4 c5 13. Nb3
Nd7 14. Bd2 Bd6 15. Bc3 O-O 16. Nd2 f5 17. Kf2 Rfe8 18. b3 Nb6 19. Rhe1 Nxa4
20. bxa4 Bd3 {1/2-1/2 Tyrtania,M-Lang,J/BL2-N9697 1997/BL2-N (31)}) (5... e6 6.
e4 Nb6 7. Nf3 $14) 6. dxe5 (6. e4 $6 Nf6 7. Bg5 exd4 $1 8. e5 Bb4+ 9. Nc3 Qd7
$1 $17) (6. a3 e4 7. e3 Bd6 8. Qc2 Qe7 9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Nd7 $13) 6... Bb4+
7. Bd2 Ne3 $5 8. fxe3 (8. Qc1 $6 Bxd2+ 9. Qxd2 Qxd2+ 10. Kxd2 Nc4+ $11) 8...
Bxd2+ (8... Qh4+ $2 9. g3 Bxd2+ 10. Kxd2 Qb4+ 11. Kc1 $18) 9. Kf2 {With
tripple pawn on e file white can not hope to make much progress if he gives up
the bishop.} (9. Qxd2 Qh4+ 10. g3 Qxa4 11. Qd4 (11. Bg2 $5) 11... Qa5+ (11...
Qd7 $2 12. e6 $1 Qxd4 13. exf7+ Kxf7 14. exd4 $18) (11... Qc6 $5 12. Nf3 O-O
13. Bg2 $14) 12. b4 Qa3 $1 (12... Qb6 13. Bg2 $1 (13. Rb1 $5 Nc6 14. Qc3 Bf5
15. Rb2 Be4 16. Nf3 O-O 17. Bh3 $1 Rae8 18. Kf2 $1 Bxf3 19. exf3 Rxe5 20. f4
$14) 13... O-O (13... Na6 $6 14. a3 c5 15. bxc5 Qa5+ 16. Kf2 Nxc5 17. Rc1 $1
Nb3 18. Qc3 Qxc3 19. Rxc3 Na5 20. Rc5 $1 Nb3 21. Rb5 Nd2 22. Bd5 $18) (13...
Nc6 $5 14. Bxc6+ Qxc6 15. Nf3 Bh3 16. Kf2 Qe6 17. Ng5 Qf5+ 18. Qf4 {/\ e4} h6
19. Ne4 O-O-O 20. Rac1 $16) 14. Rc1 $1 Be6 $1 15. a4 $1 (15. Qxb6 $6 axb6 16.
Rxc7 Na6 $1 17. Rxb7 Nxb4 18. Rxb6 Nc2+ 19. Kf2 Ra3 $3 $11) 15... c6 $6 (15...
Nd7 $16) (15... Na6 16. b5 Qa5+ 17. Kf2 Nb4 18. Nf3 Rad8 (18... Qxa4 $2 19. Rb1
Bb3 20. Qc3 $18) 19. Qh4 $1 $16 {Nadanian,A-Salimov/corr/1996/}) 16. Nf3 Rd8 (
16... Nd7 17. Ng5 $16 {->}) 17. Qf4 $16 {->>>} Na6 18. Rb1 (18. Qh6 $2 Qxb4+
19. Kf2 Qf8) 18... c5 19. b5 (19. Qh6 $5 Nxb4 20. O-O f6 $8 21. exf6 Rd7 22.
Ne5 Rf7 $8 {+/-->}) 19... Nb4 $2 $138 (19... Kg7 20. O-O $16 {->}) 20. Qh6 $18
{1-0 Nadanian,A-Akopian,V/Armenia 67/538 1996/[Nadanian,A] (25)}) (12... Qa6
13. Bg2 $1 $14) 13. e6 O-O 14. exf7+ Rxf7 15. Bg2 (15. Qd8+ Kg7 16. Qd4+ Kg8
$11) 15... Be6 $1 16. Nh3 $8 (16. Bxb7 c5 17. Qd8+ Kg7 $19) (16. Be4 c5 17.
Qxc5 Na6 18. Qd4 Rc8 19. Nf3 Rc4 $19) (16. Rb1 Bxa2 17. Ra1 Rd7 18. Bd5+ Rxd5
19. Qxd5+ Bxd5 20. Rxa3 Bxh1 $19) (16. Nf3 Nc6 $17) 16... Bxh3 17. Qd8+ Kg7 18.
Qd4+ Kg8 (18... Rf6 $2 19. Rf1 Bf5 20. g4) 19. Qd8+ {1/2-1/2 Kharlov,A-Herrera,
I/Ubeda/1997/}) 9... Nc6 10. Nf3 Bb4 11. a3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Istratescu, Andrei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "1998.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 g6 2. Bg2 Bg7 3. c4 Nf6 4. Nc3 O-O 5. e3 e5 6. b4 Nc6 7. Qb3 a5 8. b5 Nb4
9. Ba3 d5 10. cxd5 e4 11. Nge2 Nd3+ 12. Kf1 Re8 13. Rd1 a4 14. Qc2 Bf5 15. h3
h5 16. b6 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Qxd5 18. bxc7 b5 19. Nf4 Nxf4 20. gxf4 b4 21. Bxb4 Qb5+
22. d3 Qxb4 23. Bxe4 Bxe4 24. dxe4 Rac8 25. Kg2 Qe7 26. Qxa4 Rxc7 27. e5 Ra7
28. Qc6 Rea8 29. a4 Ra6 30. Qd7 Qxd7 31. Rxd7 Rxa4 32. Rb1 R4a7 33. Rxa7 Rxa7
34. Rb8+ Bf8 35. Kf3 Kg7 36. Kg2 Be7 37. Kg3 Rd7 38. Rb6 Rd1 39. Rb7 Kf8 40.
Rb8+ Rd8 41. Rxd8+ Bxd8 42. f5 Kg7 43. fxg6 Kxg6 44. e4 Be7 45. f4 Kh6 46. Kf3
Bh4 47. f5 Bd8 48. e6 f6 49. Kf4 Kg7 50. Kg3 Ba5 51. Kh4 Kh6 52. Kg3 Bb4 53.
Kf4 Bd6+ 54. Ke3 Kg5 55. h4+ $1 $11 Kh6 56. e5 fxe5 57. f6 Kg6 58. e7 Kf7 59.
Ke4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Minsk Zepter op"]
[Site "Minsk"]
[Date "1998.04.27"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Voitsekhovsky, Stanislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B37"]
[WhiteElo "2540"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "1998.04.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BLR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.07.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.07.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Bg7 6. Nc2 Nh6 7. Bd2 f5 8.
exf5 Nxf5 9. Bc3 Qb6 10. Qd2 Bh6 11. Qd5 Bg7 12. Bxg7 Nxg7 13. b3 Nf5 14. Nc3
d6 15. Bd3 Nfd4 16. Nxd4 Qxd4 17. Qxd4 Nxd4 18. O-O-O Nc6 19. Rhe1 O-O 20. f3
Bf5 21. Be4 Bxe4 22. Nxe4 Rf5 23. Kb2 Re5 24. f4 Rh5 25. Rh1 Rf8 26. g3 a5 27.
a3 Rhf5 28. Rd2 Nb8 29. Re1 b5 30. Nc3 bxc4 31. Rxe7 g5 32. fxg5 Nc6 33. Rc7
Rf2 34. Ne4 Rxd2+ 35. Nxd2 Rf2 36. Rxc6 Rxd2+ 37. Kc3 Rxh2 38. Kxc4 Rg2 39.
Rxd6 Rxg3 40. Rd5 a4 41. bxa4 Kf7 42. Re5 Rxa3 43. a5 Ra1 44. Kb5 Rb1+ 45. Kc6
1-0

[Event "Minsk Zepter op"]
[Site "Minsk"]
[Date "1998.04.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kasparov, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2335"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "1998.04.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BLR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.07.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.07.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Be2 c5 7. dxc5 dxc4 8.
Bxc4 Qxd1+ 9. Kxd1 Nbd7 10. c6 bxc6 11. Ke2 Nb6 12. Bd3 Nfd5 13. Bd2 Nb4 14. a3
Nxd3 15. Kxd3 Ba6+ 16. Kc2 Rfd8 17. Rad1 Bd3+ 18. Kc1 Nc4 19. Nd4 c5 20. Nc6
Rd6 21. Be1 Kf8 22. Na4 Nb6 23. Nc3 Nc4 24. Na4 Be4 25. Rxd6 exd6 26. Na5 Bxg2
27. Rg1 Bd5 28. Nxc4 Bxc4 29. Bc3 Bb3 30. Bxg7+ Kxg7 31. Nc3 a6 32. Ne4 Rd8 33.
Nd2 Be6 34. Kc2 f5 35. h4 Kf6 36. Kc3 d5 37. Nf3 a5 38. b4 cxb4+ 39. axb4 Rc8+
40. Kd2 axb4 41. Nd4 Ra8 42. Rb1 Ra2+ 43. Ke1 Ra4 44. f4 Bd7 45. Rb2 Kg7 46.
Kf2 Kf6 47. Kg3 Be6 48. Kf3 Bf7 49. Kf2 h6 50. Kf3 Be6 51. Kg3 Bd7 52. Nc2 g5
53. hxg5+ hxg5 54. fxg5+ Kxg5 55. Rxb4 Ra2 56. Nd4 Kf6 57. Rb7 Bc8 58. Rc7 Ba6
59. Rc6+ Kf7 60. Nxf5 Bd3 61. Nd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Minsk Zepter op"]
[Site "Minsk"]
[Date "1998.04.30"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Borisenko, Andrei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A25"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2350"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1998.04.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BLR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.07.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.07.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nc3 d6 6. a3 a5 7. e3 O-O 8. Nge2
Bf5 9. h3 Rb8 10. g4 Bd7 11. Ng3 Ne7 12. O-O Bc6 13. d4 Bb6 14. c5 exd4 15.
exd4 dxc5 16. dxc5 Qxd1 17. Rxd1 Bxc5 18. Bg5 Rfd8 19. Bxc6 Nxc6 20. Bxf6 gxf6
21. Kg2 Bd4 22. Nh5 Kf8 23. Rab1 Ne7 24. Nb5 Be5 25. f4 Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Bxb2 27.
Rb1 c6 28. Rxb2 cxb5 29. Nxf6 Rc8 30. Rxb5 Rc2+ 31. Kf1 Ng6 32. f5 Nf4 33.
Nxh7+ Kg7 34. Ng5 Rc3 35. Rxb7 Nxh3 36. Rxf7+ Kg8 37. Rf6 Nxg5 38. Rg6+ Kf7 39.
Rxg5 Rxa3 40. Rg6 a4 41. Ra6 Ra2 42. g5 1-0

[Event "Minsk Zepter op"]
[Site "Minsk"]
[Date "1998.05.01"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kharlov, Andrei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2560"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "1998.04.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BLR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.07.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.07.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. O-O Nb6 7. d3 Be7 8. a3
O-O 9. Nbd2 Re8 10. b4 a5 11. Bb2 axb4 12. axb4 Rxa1 13. Qxa1 Bxb4 14. Ne4 Qe7
15. Rd1 Bf5 16. Nh4 Bg4 17. f3 Bh5 18. Nf5 Qf8 19. Rc1 Bg6 20. Bh3 Ra8 21. Qb1
Ra5 22. Nh4 f5 23. Nf2 Bd2 24. Rd1 Bg5 25. Ng2 Qb4 26. e4 Bf7 27. f4 exf4 28.
gxf4 Be7 29. Qc1 Ra2 30. Bc3 Qb3 31. Be1 Ba3 32. Qc3 Qxc3 33. Bxc3 Na4 34. Be5
Nxe5 35. fxe5 Bc5 36. d4 Nc3 37. dxc5 Nxd1 38. Nxd1 Ra1 39. Nge3 f4 40. Kf2
Ra2+ 41. Kf3 fxe3 42. Nxe3 Rb2 43. Bc8 Bh5+ 44. Kg3 Re2 45. Nd5 Rxe4 46. Bxb7
Rxe5 47. Kf4 Rxd5 48. Bxd5+ Kf8 49. Ke5 Ke7 50. Be4 Bg6 51. Bd5 Bc2 52. Bf3 g5
53. Be2 Bg6 54. Bf3 h5 55. Bb7 Bd3 0-1

[Event "Minsk Zepter op"]
[Site "Minsk"]
[Date "1998.05.02"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Volkov, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2545"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "1998.04.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BLR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.07.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.07.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 d5 2. Nf3 Bg4 3. Bg2 c6 4. b3 Nf6 5. Bb2 e6 6. O-O Be7 7. d3 a5 8. a3 O-O
9. Nbd2 Nbd7 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Nxf3 Qb6 12. a4 Rad8 13. e3 Rfe8 14. Qe2 Qa6 15.
g4 Bf8 16. Rfe1 h6 17. Nd4 e5 18. Nf5 e4 19. Bc3 exd3 20. cxd3 g6 21. Nd4 Nc5
22. Nc2 Ncd7 23. Qd2 Bg7 24. Bxa5 Nc5 25. Bxd8 Nxb3 26. Qc3 Nxa1 27. Nb4 Nd7
28. d4 Qc4 29. Qxa1 Qxb4 30. Rb1 Qd6 31. Bh4 b6 32. Bg3 Qe6 33. Qa2 Ra8 34. Qc2
Ra5 35. Qb3 b5 36. axb5 Rxb5 37. Qd3 Rxb1+ 38. Qxb1 Nf6 39. Be5 Ne4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Minsk Zepter op"]
[Site "Minsk"]
[Date "1998.05.03"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Fominyh, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2530"]
[BlackElo "2455"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "1998.04.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BLR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.07.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.07.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 5. O-O O-O 6. Be3 Nc6 7. h3 h6 8. Qc1
Kh7 9. Rd1 Ne4 10. c4 dxc4 11. Qxc4 Nd6 12. Qc1 Nf5 13. Nc3 Nxe3 14. Qxe3 Nb4
15. Rac1 c6 16. a3 Nd5 17. Nxd5 cxd5 18. Qb3 Qd6 19. Rc5 b6 20. Rc3 Ba6 21. Ne5
Bxe2 22. Re1 Bc4 23. Nxc4 dxc4 24. Rxc4 Rad8 25. d5 Rc8 26. Rc6 Rxc6 27. dxc6
Bd4 28. Re2 Kg7 29. Qc4 b5 30. Qb3 a6 31. Rc2 Rc8 32. a4 Qe5 33. axb5 axb5 34.
Kh2 h5 35. h4 e6 36. Rd2 Bb6 37. Qf3 Rd8 38. Rc2 Rd4 39. Kh3 Bc7 40. Bf1 b4 41.
b3 Qe1 42. Kg2 Qb1 43. Rc4 Rd1 44. Rxb4 Rxf1 45. Rb7 Rh1 46. Qc3+ e5 47. Rxc7
Qe4+ 48. f3 Qe2+ 49. Kxh1 Qf1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ubeda op 4th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1999.01.21"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Gaprindashvili, Valerian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A55"]
[WhiteElo "2405"]
[BlackElo "2485"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1999.01.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 068 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. Nf3 c6 5. e4 e5 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. h3
a6 9. d5 cxd5 10. cxd5 b5 11. a3 Nb6 12. Be3 Qc7 13. Nd2 Bd7 14. Qb3 Na4 15.
Rfc1 Rfc8 16. Bf1 Nxc3 17. Rxc3 Qd8 18. Rac1 Rxc3 19. Rxc3 Rc8 20. Qb4 Rxc3 21.
bxc3 h6 22. c4 Qa8 23. f3 Kh7 24. cxb5 axb5 25. Nb1 Ne8 26. Bxb5 Bxb5 27. Qxb5
Bg5 28. Bf2 Qc8 29. Qc6 Qb8 30. Qc2 Bd8 31. Kh2 Nf6 32. Nd2 Nd7 33. Nc4 h5 34.
Qa4 Qc7 35. h4 Be7 36. Qc6 Qd8 37. g3 Nc5 38. Bxc5 dxc5 39. Qb7 Bxh4 40. Qxf7
Bxg3+ 41. Kxg3 Qg5+ 42. Kh3 1-0

[Event "Ubeda op 4th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1999.01.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Watson, John L"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A55"]
[WhiteElo "2365"]
[BlackElo "2485"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "1999.01.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 068 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. e4 e5 5. Nf3 c6 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Rb1
Re8 9. d5 a6 10. Nd2 Qc7 11. b4 cxd5 12. Nxd5 Nxd5 13. cxd5 a5 14. b5 b6 15.
Ba3 Bg5 16. Rc1 Nc5 17. Bxc5 dxc5 18. Rc3 Bxd2 19. Qxd2 Qd6 20. a4 f5 21. exf5
Bxf5 22. f3 Rad8 23. Bc4 Bg6 24. Re3 Rf8 25. g3 Bf7 26. Qc3 Rfe8 27. Rfe1 Qg6
28. Rxe5 Rxe5 29. Rxe5 Qb1+ 30. Re1 Qb4 31. Qxb4 cxb4 32. Kf2 Kf8 33. Rd1 Rc8
34. Bb3 Ke8 35. Ke3 Rc3+ 36. Rd3 Bg6 37. Rxc3 bxc3 38. g4 Kd7 39. f4 Bb1 40. f5
Kd6 41. Ke2 Ke5 42. Ke3 h5 43. h3 h4 44. Ke2 Be4 45. Ke3 Bg2 46. g5 Bxh3 47. f6
gxf6 48. g6 Bf5 49. g7 Bh7 50. Kf2 f5 51. Kf3 f4 52. Kg4 h3 53. Kxh3 Kf6 54. d6
Kxg7 55. Kg4 Kf6 0-1

[Event "Ubeda op 4th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1999.01.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Minasian, Artashes"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A94"]
[WhiteElo "2485"]
[BlackElo "2620"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "1999.01.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 068 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Nd7 4. d4 e6 5. O-O Bd6 6. c4 f5 7. b3 Ngf6 8. Ba3
Bxa3 9. Nxa3 O-O 10. Nc2 Ne4 11. Nce1 dxc4 12. bxc4 c5 13. e3 b6 14. Nd3 Bb7
15. Qb3 g5 16. Rad1 Qc7 17. Qb2 g4 18. Nh4 cxd4 19. exd4 Qxc4 20. Nf4 Bd5 21.
Ra1 Rac8 22. Rfc1 Qa6 23. Bxe4 fxe4 24. Nxd5 exd5 25. Qd2 Nf6 26. Qg5+ Kh8 27.
Qh6 Rf7 28. Ng6+ Kg8 29. Ne5 Rff8 30. Qg5+ Kh8 31. Qh4 Kg8 32. Qg5+ Kh8 33.
Rxc8 Qxc8 34. Rc1 Qb7 35. Rc6 Qg7 36. Qf5 e3 37. fxe3 Qh6 38. Qf4 Qg7 39. Rc7
Qxc7 40. Ng6+ hxg6 41. Qxc7 b5 42. Qxa7 Rc8 43. Qf7 Ne4 44. Qxg6 Rc1+ 45. Kg2
Rc2+ 46. Kf1 Rc1+ 47. Ke2 Rc2+ 48. Kd1 Rxh2 49. Kc1 b4 50. Qe8+ Kg7 51. Qd7+
Kf6 52. Qc6+ Kg7 53. Qxd5 Nc3 54. Qb7+ Kf6 55. Qc6+ Kg5 56. a3 Na2+ 57. Kd1
Nc3+ 58. Ke1 bxa3 59. Qc5+ Kg6 60. Qxa3 Re2+ 61. Kf1 Rxe3 62. Qd6+ Kh5 63. Qc7
Ne4 64. Qf7+ 1-0

[Event "Ubeda op 4th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1999.01.25"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Hamdouchi, Hicham"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2555"]
[BlackElo "2485"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "1999.01.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 068 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 Nbd7 5. d3 c4 6. d4 Nxe4 7. Bxc4 e6 8. O-O
Be7 9. Bd3 Nef6 10. c4 O-O 11. Nc3 b6 12. Re1 Bb7 13. Bf4 a6 14. h3 d5 15. b3
Bb4 16. Bd2 dxc4 17. bxc4 Nc5 18. dxc5 Qxd3 19. Ne5 Qd4 20. c6 Bc8 21. Re3 Bd6
22. Ne2 Qc5 23. Bc3 Bxe5 24. Bxe5 Ne8 25. Qa4 Nd6 26. Bxd6 Qxd6 27. Rd1 Qc7 28.
Nc3 Rb8 29. Red3 b5 30. cxb5 axb5 31. Qb4 h6 32. Rd6 Ba6 33. Ne4 Rb6 34. R1d3
Rbb8 35. Qd4 Qe7 36. Rd7 Qh4 37. Rg3 g5 38. Rg4 1-0

[Event "Ubeda op 4th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1999.01.26"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Asrian, Karen"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2485"]
[BlackElo "2600"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "1999.01.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 068 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Qe1 e5 7. e4 dxe4 8.
dxe4 Be7 9. Nbd2 Qc7 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 O-O 12. a4 Nc5 13. Nc4 Rfd8 14. Qa5
Qb8 15. Qc3 Ncxe4 16. Qe1 Rd4 17. Qe2 Nc5 18. Nxe5 Qc7 19. Re1 Re8 20. Be3 Rdd8
21. Ng4 Ne6 22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 23. c3 Nc5 24. Qc2 Nd3 25. Re2 c5 26. a5 g6 27. Qb3
Re7 28. Qb5 a6 29. Qb3 Rde8 30. Kg2 c4 31. Qb6 Qxb6 32. axb6 Bg5 33. Bd5 Nxf2
34. Rxf2 Bxe3 35. Rf6 Bg5 36. Rf2 Kg7 37. Bxc4 Be3 38. Re2 Bxb6 39. Rae1 Rxe2+
40. Rxe2 Rc8 41. Bd5 Rc7 42. Re8 Rd7 43. c4 Ba7 44. Re2 Bc5 45. b3 Rd6 46. Rd2
b5 47. cxb5 axb5 48. g4 f5 49. Rd1 Ra6 50. Rd2 Kf6 51. gxf5 gxf5 52. Rc2 Bd6
53. Bc6 b4 54. Kf3 Ra1 55. Kf2 Ke5 56. Bb5 Rb1 57. Bc4 Ke4 58. Re2+ Kf4 59. Re1
Rb2+ 60. Re2 Bc5+ 61. Kf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ubeda op 4th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1999.01.27"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Maharramzade, Javad"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2440"]
[BlackElo "2485"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[EventDate "1999.01.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 068 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Nb6 8.
Nc3 Nc6 9. e3 Re8 10. Re1 h6 11. b3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ubeda op 4th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1999.01.28"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Herrera, Irisberto"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2485"]
[BlackElo "2425"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1999.01.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 068 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. c4 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Nc3 Nb6 8.
d3 Nc6 9. Be3 Nb4 10. Qc1 Re8 11. Bh6 Bh8 12. d4 N4d5 13. Ne4 Nf6 14. Nc5 Nbd7
15. Nd3 c6 16. Qf4 Nh5 17. Qh4 Bf6 18. Qe4 Bg7 19. Bxg7 Nxg7 20. Qf4 Ne6 21.
Qc1 Nf6 22. e3 a5 23. Rd1 Qb6 24. Nfe5 Rd8 25. Qc3 Ng7 26. Qb3 Qxb3 27. axb3
Nf5 28. Nc4 Nd6 29. Nxa5 Bf5 30. Nc5 b6 31. Nxc6 Rxa1 32. Rxa1 Re8 33. Na4 b5
34. Nc5 Nfe4 35. g4 Nxc5 36. dxc5 1-0

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.04"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Marjanovic, Slavoljub"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E69"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2451"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. c4 c6 6. d4 d6 7. Nc3 Qa5 8. e4 e5
9. h3 Nbd7 10. Re1 exd4 11. Nxd4 Ne5 12. Bf1 Re8 13. Be3 Be6 14. Nxe6 Rxe6 15.
a3 $4 Nxe4 16. Bd4 Ng5 17. Kg2 Nef3 0-1

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Florean, Andrei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A55"]
[WhiteElo "2459"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. e4 e5 6. d5 Be7 7. Be2 a6 8. O-O
cxd5 9. exd5 O-O 10. b4 a5 11. Ba3 axb4 12. Bxb4 Ne8 13. Nb5 f5 14. Ne1 Nc5 15.
a4 e4 16. f4 Bd7 17. a5 Bf6 18. Ra3 b6 19. Qd2 Na6 20. Bc3 Bxc3 21. Qxc3 bxa5
22. Rxa5 Qb6+ 23. Nd4 Nf6 24. Nec2 Nc5 25. Rxa8 Rxa8 26. Ra1 Rxa1+ 27. Qxa1 Ba4
28. Kf1 Bxc2 29. Nxc2 Nd3 (29... Ng4 30. Bxg4 Nd3 31. Nd4 fxg4 32. g3) (29...
Qb3 30. Nd4 Qe3 31. g3) 30. Nd4 Nxf4 31. Nxf5 Kf7 32. g3 Nxe2 33. Kxe2 Qb3 $4 (
33... Qb4 $15) 34. Nxd6+ Kg6 35. Qd4 Qa2+ 36. Kd1 Qxh2 37. Qe3 Qb2 38. Nb5 Qb1+
39. Kd2 Ng4 40. Qb6+ Kh5 41. Kc3 e3 (41... Qe1+ 42. Kb3 (42. Kb2 Qb4+) (42. Kd4
Qg1+) 42... Qxg3+) 42. Qe6 Qe1+ 43. Kb3 Qd1+ 44. Kb4 e2 45. Qf5+ Kh6 46. Qf4+
Kh5 47. Qf5+ g5 48. Qf7+ Kh6 49. Qf8+ Kg6 50. Qg8+ Kh5 (50... Kf6 51. Qe6+) 51.
Qf7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vajda, Levente"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E68"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2484"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "144"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. c4 d6 6. d4 Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. h3
Re8 9. e4 exd4 10. Nxd4 a6 11. Be3 (11. Re1 Rb8 12. Rb1 Ne5 13. b3 c5 14. Nc2
b5 15. f4 Ned7 16. Qxd6 Nh5 (16... b4 $2 17. Na4 Nh5 18. g4 Bf8 19. Qd3 Ng7 20.
Be3 Qc7 21. Rbd1 Ne6 22. Qd2 h6 23. f5 Ng5 24. h4 Rxe4 25. hxg5 Rxg4 26. fxg6
Bb7 27. Qxd7 Rxg2+ 28. Kf1 Rc8 29. Qxc7 Rxc7 30. Bf4 Rc8 31. gxf7+ Kh7 32. Ne3
{Hjartarson,J-Hillarp Persson,T/Reykjavik/1997/}) 17. Re3 bxc4 18. e5 $5 $14)
11... Rb8 12. Re1 {One of White's main tries against the Gallagher line.} Ne5 (
{The other main move is also quite playable and often transposes into our game,
if Black plays Ne5 on his next move.} 12... c5 13. Nc2 (13. Nb3 $6 Ne5 14. Bf1
Be6 15. Nd2 Nc6 16. Kh2 Nd4 17. Nb3 b5 18. Bxd4 bxc4 19. Bxc5 dxc5 20. Nxc5
Rxb2 21. Nxe6 fxe6 22. Qxd8 Rxd8 23. Bxc4 Rxf2+ 24. Kg1 Rf3 25. Bxe6+ Kh8 26.
Rad1 Re8 27. e5 Nh5 28. Bd7 Rxg3+ 29. Kh2 Rxe5 $15 {Ippolito,D-Manion,J/USA/
1994/}) (13. Nde2 Ne5 (13... b5 14. Qxd6 b4 15. Na4 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 Rxe4 17. Nxc5
Bf8 18. Qxb8 Nxb8 19. Nxe4 Qe7 20. Nd2 Bxh3 21. Nf4 Be6 22. Nxe6 Qxe6 23. Bf4
Qc8 24. Ne4 Nc6 25. Rad1 $16 {Vadasz,L-Anka,E/Bucharest/1993/}) 14. b3 b5 15.
f4 Ned7 16. Qxd6 b4 17. e5 bxc3 18. Nxc3 (18. exf6 Rxe3 19. fxg7 Rb6 {/\Rbe6|^}
) 18... Nh5 19. Kh2 g5 20. Qd2 gxf4 21. gxf4 Nxe5 22. fxe5 Bxe5+ 23. Kg1 Bf5
24. Qxd8 Rbxd8 25. Rac1 Nf4 26. Bxf4 Bxf4 27. Rxe8+ Rxe8 28. Rf1 Bd2 29. Nd5
Bd3 $11 {Timar,Z-Jansson,A/Szeged/1993/}) 13... Ne5 (13... b5 14. Qxd6 (14.
cxb5 axb5 15. Qxd6 (15. b4 Bb7 16. Rb1 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 Bxe4 18. Bxe4 Rxe4 19.
Qxd6 Re6 20. Qd5 Re5 21. Qd2 Qc8 22. Red1 Nf6 23. Bf4 {1/2,Sherwin,J-Luboshitz,
A/WchS/1996/} Rd5 $15) 15... b4 16. Na4 Bf8 17. Qd2 Bb7 18. Bg5 Qa5 19. b3 Bxe4
20. Rxe4 Rxe4 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Bxe4 Nxe4 23. Qf4 Qa8 $36 {Shirazi,K-Benjamin,
J/USA-ch/1985/}) 14... bxc4 (14... b4 15. Na4 Bf8 16. Qd3 Qa5 17. b3 Bb7 18.
Bg5 Bg7 19. Rad1 Rbd8 20. Qf1 Qc7 21. Ne3 $16 {Schulze,U-Ilic,Z/Bern op/1989/})
15. Na3 Rxb2 16. Nxc4 Rc2 $1 17. Qd3 $8 Rxc3 $1 18. Qxc3 Nd5 (18... Nxe4 19.
Qc2 Bxa1 20. Rxa1 Ndf6 21. Rd1 $44) 19. Qd2 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 Bd4 21. Qf4 (21. Qd2
$5) 21... Ne5 $1 22. Nxe5 Bxe5 23. Qc1 Bxa1 24. Qxa1 Be6 25. Rc1 {1/2,Ippolito,
D-Bates,R/London/1998/}) 14. b3 (14. Bf1 Be6 15. b3 Qd7 (15... b5 16. cxb5 axb5
17. Bxb5 Bxh3 18. f4 Bg4 19. Be2 Bxe2 20. Qxe2 Neg4 21. Rad1 Qe7 22. Bf2 h5 $36
{Minnebo,A-Barbier,W/BEL-chT/1997/}) 16. f4 Nc6 17. Kh2 b5 18. cxb5 axb5 19.
Bc1 Na5 20. e5 dxe5 21. fxe5 Nd5 22. Bb2 Nxc3 23. Bxc3 Qc7 24. Qf3 Nc6 $17 {
Vegh,J-Gallagher,J/Geneva/1996/}) (14. Qe2 Be6 (14... b5 15. cxb5 axb5 16. Nxb5
Ba6 17. a4 Qd7 18. Nca3 Qe6 19. Qd1 Bxb5 20. Nxb5 Red8 21. b3 Nc6 22. Rb1 Nb4
23. Re2 Rd7 24. Bd2 Nc6 25. Bc3 $16 {Uribe,M-Bekker Jensen,S/Menorca WchJ/1996/
}) 15. b3 (15. Na3 Qa5 16. f4 Nc6 17. Qf2 Nd7 18. Rac1 Nd4 19. Ne2 Nxe2+ 20.
Qxe2 b5 21. cxb5 axb5 22. e5 dxe5 23. Bxc5 Nxc5 24. Rxc5 exf4 25. Rxb5 Rxb5 26.
Nxb5 fxg3 $19 {Markos,J-Borge,N/Copenhagen/1997/}) 15... b5 16. cxb5 Qa5 17.
Bd2 axb5 18. f4 $13 {1/2,Cosma,I-Dumitrache,D/Odorheiu Secuiesc/1993/}) 14...
b5 15. f4 (15. cxb5 axb5 16. f4 Ned7 17. Qxd6 b4 18. e5 Rb6 19. Qd1 bxc3 20.
exf6 Bxf6 21. Qd5 Bb7 22. Qc4 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 Rd6 24. Re2 Qc8 25. Qb5 Bd4 $17 {
Miralles,G-Gallagher,J/Bern/1991/}) 15... Ned7 16. Bf2 $5 (16. Qd3 b4 17. Na4
Bb7 (17... Qe7 18. Rad1 Bf8 19. Qf1 Nxe4 20. Bxe4 Qxe4 21. Bf2 Qxc2 22. Rxe8
Qxa2 23. Rxd6 Qxb3 24. Rxd7 Bxd7 25. Rxb8 Qxa4 26. Bxc5 $18 {Moskalenko,
V-Bakhmatov,E/Yalta/1995/}) 18. e5 (18. Bf2 Qe7 $36) 18... Bxg2 19. Kxg2 dxe5
20. fxe5 Rxe5 21. Bf4 Rxe1 22. Nxe1 {Rapoport,I-Karner,C/Ceske Budejovice/1996/
} Rc8 $15) 16... b4 (16... Nh5 $5) 17. Na4 Bb7 18. e5 dxe5 19. Bxb7 Rxb7 20.
fxe5 Nxe5 21. Nxc5 Rbe7 22. Qxd8 Rxd8 23. Red1 Nf3+ 24. Kg2 Nd2 25. Nxb4 Nfe4
26. Nc6 Bxa1 27. Nxe7+ {1-0,Krogius,N-Thiede,L/Berlin/1997/}) 13. Bf1 c5 (13...
Bd7 $143 14. f4 Nc6 15. Bg2 Qc8 16. Kh2 h5 17. Bg1 Bh6 18. Nf3 Bg7 19. c5 dxc5
20. Bxc5 Be6 21. Qe2 Nd7 22. Bf2 Nb6 23. Bxb6 cxb6 24. e5 $14 {1/2,Vitaljic,
N-Istvandi,L/Budapest/1996/}) 14. Nf3 b5 (14... Nfd7 $142 $5 15. Nd2 Nc6 16. f4
Nf8 17. Bf2 Ne6 18. Nf3 Ned4 19. Nxd4 Nxd4 20. Bg2 b5 21. cxb5 axb5 22. Ne2 Ne6
23. Qd2 b4 24. Rad1 Qa5 25. f5 Nf8 26. Qxd6 Nd7 $44 {|^,Ilic,O-Jusic,Z/Zagreb/
1998/}) 15. Nxe5 (15. cxb5 axb5 16. Bxb5 (16. Nxb5 Nxf3+ 17. Qxf3 Nxe4 18. Bf4
Bb7 $36) 16... Bxh3 $5 (16... Rxb5 17. Nxb5 Nxf3+ 18. Qxf3 Nxe4 $14 {<=>}) 17.
Bxe8 Bg4 18. Nxe5 Bxd1 19. Bxf7+ Kh8 20. Nc6 Qc8 21. Raxd1 (21. Nxb8 $2 Bf3 $40
) 21... Qxc6 $13) 15... Rxe5 16. Bf4 Re6 17. cxb5 axb5 18. Nxb5 (18. Bxb5 Nh5 (
18... Nxe4 19. Rxe4 Rxe4 20. Nxe4 Rxb5 21. Qxd6 $16) 19. Bc4 Nxf4 20. gxf4 Rxb2
21. Bxe6 Bxe6 $44) 18... Nxe4 (18... Rxe4 19. Qxd6 Qxd6 20. Nxd6 $16) 19. Bc4
Rxb5 $5 {A practical decision.} (19... Re8 $143 20. Bxd6 $16 (20. Nxd6 Nxd6 21.
Qxd6 Rxb2 $132) (20. Qd5 $5 Re6 21. Rxe4 Bb7 22. Qxe6 $5 fxe6 23. Bxe6+ Kh8 24.
Nxd6 $40)) 20. Bxe6 Bxe6 21. Rxe4 c4 (21... d5 $142 $5 22. Be5 (22. Re2 Bxh3
$132 (22... Rxb2 23. Rxb2 Bxb2 24. Rb1 $36)) 22... Bxe5 (22... Qg5 23. Bxg7
dxe4 24. h4 Qe7 25. Bc3 $14) 23. Rxe5 Rxb2 $14 {<=>}) 22. Qe1 $1 {/\Re6} Qc8 (
22... Bxb2 23. Rd1 (23. Rxe6 $5 fxe6 24. Qxe6+ Kg7 25. Rd1 $40 (25. Qxc4 $2 Rc5
26. Qf1 Bxa1 27. Qxa1+ Qf6 $11)) 23... d5 24. Rxe6 (24. Rxc4 $16) 24... fxe6
25. Qxe6+ Kg7 26. Qc6 Rb6 27. Qc5 $1 $40) 23. a4 Rxb2 24. Bxd6 c3 (24... Rb6
25. Be5 Bf5 26. Re3 $18) 25. Rc1 c2 26. Kh2 Ra2 (26... Bh6 27. Bf4 Bxf4 28.
Rxf4 Bxh3 29. Qe7 $36) 27. Qe3 h5 (27... Bb2 $2 28. Rxe6 $1 fxe6 (28... Qxe6
29. Qxe6 fxe6 30. Rxc2 $18) (28... Bxc1 29. Re8+ Kg7 30. Bf8+ $18) 29. Rxc2 $1
$18 {/\} Qxc2 30. Qxe6+ Kg7 31. Qe7+ Kh6 (31... Kg8 32. Qf8#) 32. Bf4+ Kh5 33.
Qh4#) 28. Be5 Bxe5 (28... Bf8 29. Qg5 $40) 29. Rxe5 Rxa4 30. Rc5 Qd8 31. R5xc2
$16 Qf6 32. Qh6 $6 (32. Qc3 $16 {/+- White's position is very close to winning.
After safeguarding his K he will gradually improve the position of his pieces
and force advantageous exchanges.Instead, White gets tangled up.}) 32... Rc4 $1
33. Qe3 $2 {[%mdl 8192] Overlooks the saving tactic.} (33. Rxc4 $4 Qxf2+ 34.
Kh1 Bd5+ $19) (33. Qd2 $142 Rxc2 34. Rxc2 $1 (34. Qxc2 Qf3 $14 (34... h4 $5 $14
)) 34... Qf5 (34... h4 35. g4 $16) 35. h4 $16) 33... Rxc2 34. Rxc2 Bxh3 $1 $11
{This trick saves the day for Black, with one pawn for the exchange and pawns
only on one flank he only has to pay elementary attention not to lose.} 35. Rd2
(35. Kxh3 $2 Qf5+ $15) 35... Be6 36. Qh6 Bd5 $5 {/\Qf3} 37. Re2 (37. Rxd5 Qxf2+
38. Kh3 Qf1+ 39. Kh2 (39. Kh4 Qh1+ 40. Kg5 Qc1+ $19) 39... Qe2+ 40. Kg1 $8 $11
(40. Kh3 $2 Qe6+) (40. Kh1 $2 Qe4+)) 37... Bc6 38. Rd2 Bd5 39. Rc2 Bb7 40. Re2
Bc6 (40... Qc6 41. f3 Qd7 $11) 41. Rd2 Bd5 {Perhaps due to (+) Black didn't
claim a draw immediately.} 42. Rc2 Bb7 43. Re2 Bc6 44. Qe3 Qf3 45. Qxf3 Bxf3 {
The _|_ is an easy draw, as White has no way to force Black's K from g7 and
the B from the a2-f7/^.} 46. Re7 Kg7 47. Kg1 Kf6 48. Rd7 Bg4 49. Ra7 Bf3 50.
Kf1 Kg7 51. Ke1 Bg4 52. Kd2 Be6 53. Ke3 Bd5 54. Kd4 Be6 55. Ke5 Bf5 (55... Bb3
56. f4 Bc2 $11) 56. Kd6 Be6 57. Re7 Bf5 (57... g5 $5 58. Ke5 h4 $11) 58. Re5
Bg4 59. Ke7 Bh3 60. Re4 Bf5 61. Re3 Bg4 62. Kd6 Bf5 63. Ra3 Be6 64. Ke5 Bg4 65.
Ra6 Bf5 66. Rf6 Bh3 (66... Be6 67. Rxe6 fxe6 68. Kxe6 g5 $11) 67. Rf4 Be6 68.
Rd4 Bf5 69. Kf4 Be6 70. Kg5 Bf5 71. Kf4 Be6 72. Rd6 Bf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.07"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Conquest, Stuart"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2488"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Be7 5. a3 O-O 6. Qc2 Re8 7. Bd3 Bf8 8. Ng5
g6 9. h4 Bg7 10. Kf1 d6 11. b3 Ne7 12. Bb2 c6 13. Ne2 Nd7 14. Ng3 h6 15. N5e4
Qc7 16. h5 g5 17. Nc3 Nf6 18. Nce2 a5 19. Rb1 Qd7 20. Kg1 a4 21. b4 b5 22. cxb5
cxb5 23. Rc1 Ba6 24. Nf5 Rac8 25. Nc3 Bf8 26. Nxe7+ Qxe7 27. Qd1 Qe6 28. Nxa4
Qd5 29. Bf1 Qa2 30. Ra1 Qe6 31. Nc3 d5 32. Nxb5 Qd7 33. Nc3 Bxf1 34. Qxf1 d4
35. exd4 exd4 36. Nb5 Re4 37. Rh3 Rc2 38. Rb1 Rxd2 39. Bc1 Rde2 40. Kh2 Qxb5
1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.08"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Badea, Bela"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2479"]
[Annotator "Tsesarsky,I"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 560]} 1. e4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. d4 d6 4. Bd3 Nf6 5. O-O O-O 6. c3 Nc6 7.
Nbd2 e5 8. Re1 Nd7 9. Nb3 (9. d5 Ne7 10. c4 f5 11. b4 $132 {[%csl Gd2]}) 9...
Qe7 (9... a5 10. a4 (10. Bg5 f6 11. Be3 Qe8 12. Qc2 Kh8 13. a3 Ne7 14. dxe5
fxe5 15. Nbd2 Nf6 $11 {0-1 Heissler,J-Lorenz,S/BL2N 1990 (45)}) 10... exd4 (
10... Nb6 11. Bg5 Qe8 12. Qd2 Bg4 13. Be2 exd4 14. Nfxd4 Nxd4 15. Nxd4 Bxe2 16.
Qxe2 {1/2-1/2 Urban,J-Vadasz,L/Budapest "Expressz" 1993 (16)}) 11. cxd4 (11.
Nfxd4 Nce5 12. Bc2 c5 13. Nb5 c4 14. N3d4 Nc5 15. Qe2 Ned3 16. Bxd3 Nxd3 17.
Rd1 Re8 $132 {0-1 Binkert,O-Jurlina,R/Heidelberg U20 ,GER 1989 (67)}) 11... Nb4
12. Bb1 Nb6 13. Bd2 Bd7 14. Nxa5 Rxa5 15. Bxb4 Rxa4 16. Rxa4 Bxa4 $132 {
1/2-1/2 Ionov,S-McNab,C/op, Cappelle La Grande 1996 (24)}) (9... exd4 10. cxd4
a5 11. Bg5 (11. a4 Nb4 12. Bb1 Nb6 {Like in the game Ionov-McNab.}) 11... Bf6
12. Bh6 Re8 13. a4 Nb4 14. Bf1 Nb6 15. h3 Bd7 16. Nbd2 Bg7 17. Bg5 Qc8 18. Nc4
Nxc4 19. Bxc4 c6 20. Rc1 $14 {1-0 Aseev,K-Hickl,J/Munchen 1991/Inf 54/(51)}) (
9... h6 10. Bb5 Ne7 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Be3 a6 13. Bf1 Nc6 14. Qc2 Qe7 15. Rad1
Nd8 16. Nfd2 a5 17. a4 Ne6 $132 {0-1 Frois,A-McNab Colin A/Cappelle la Grande
1993 (50)}) (9... Kh8 10. Qc2 a5 11. a4 exd4 12. Nbxd4 Nce5 13. Bf1 Nc5 14. Be3
Ng4 15. Bf4 $11) 10. Bg5 f6 (10... Bf6 11. Be3 (11. Bh6 Bg7 $11) 11... Bg7 $11)
11. Bh4 (11. Be3 Nd8 12. Qd2 Nf7 13. c4 $14 {1-0 Votava,J-Kveinys,A/Prague (5)
1993/[Stohl] (69)}) 11... Nd8 12. Nbd2 Ne6 13. Bg3 Bh6 14. Nc4 Nb6 15. Ne3 Nf4
16. Bc2 Nh5 17. Bh4 Kh8 18. a4 a5 19. b4 Bxe3 20. fxe3 (20. Rxe3 g5 (20... axb4
21. cxb4 g5 22. a5 (22. Bg3 Nxg3 23. hxg3 Bg4 24. a5 $14) (22. Nd2 exd4 23.
Rea3 Qe8 $15) 22... Nd7 (22... gxh4 23. axb6 Rxa1 24. Qxa1 h3 (24... cxb6 25.
Nxh4 $16) 25. g3 (25. bxc7 hxg2 26. Rc3 Nf4 $17) 25... cxb6 26. Ra3 $14) 23.
Bg3 Nxg3 24. hxg3 $14) 21. Nd2 gxh4 22. Qxh5 axb4 23. cxb4 exd4 24. Rea3 $1 f5
25. a5 $1 (25. exf5 Nd5 $132) 25... Nd7 26. exf5 Ne5 27. Re1 Qf6 28. Rh3 Bxf5
29. Bxf5 Qxf5 30. Qxh4 $132) 20... Ng7 (20... Be6 $132) 21. Rf1 g5 (21... Be6
$132) 22. Be1 (22. Bg3 Be6 23. b5 Bc4 24. Re1 Rad8 {[%cal Gd6d5]} 25. Nd2 f5 $1
26. Nxc4 Nxc4 27. Qd3 Nxe3 28. Rxe3 f4 29. Rf3 fxg3 30. Rxf8+ Rxf8 31. Qxg3
$132) 22... Bg4 (22... Be6 $132) 23. Qd3 Be6 24. Nd2 Qf7 (24... axb4 25. cxb4
f5 $132) 25. Bg3 Nd7 26. d5 (26. b5 Qg6 27. c4 f5 $132) 26... Bg4 27. Nb3 (27.
h3 Bh5 28. Nc4 axb4 29. cxb4 Bg6 30. a5 Qe7 $11 (30... f5 31. exf5 $18)) 27...
axb4 (27... Qh5 28. Qb5 Nb6 29. bxa5 Be2 30. Bd3 Bxf1 31. Rxf1 Nc8 32. Qxb7 $16
) 28. cxb4 Qe7 $6 $14 (28... Qh5 29. Rf2 f5 $132) 29. Na5 (29. h3 Bh5 30. a5
Bg6 $11 {[%cal Gf6f5]}) 29... Rab8 30. Bb3 (30. h3 Bh5 31. Rac1 Bg6 (31... Nb6
32. Nc4 Nxc4 33. Qxc4 Bg6 34. Bd3 c6 35. dxc6 bxc6 36. Be1 Rfc8 37. b5 $16) 32.
Bb3 Nb6 33. Nc4 Nxc4 34. Qxc4 Rbc8 35. a5 f5 $132) 30... f5 31. exf5 (31. h3
fxe4 32. Qxe4 Bf5 33. Qc4 Nb6 $11) 31... Bxf5 32. e4 Bg6 33. Rxf8+ Qxf8 34. Qe3
(34. Rf1 Qe7 $11 {[%cal Gg7h5,Gh5f4]}) 34... Qd8 35. Rc1 Ne8 36. Nc4 h6 37. a5
Ra8 38. Ba4 (38. Bc2 $14) 38... Ndf6 39. Bxe5 $6 $132 (39. Nxe5 $2 dxe5 40.
Bxe5 Kh7 $15) (39. Bc2 Qd7 40. Bd3 (40. Nd2 Qh7 41. Qd3 Nh5 42. Bf2 Nf4 43. Qb5
Rd8 44. Re1 $14 (44. Qxb7 Ne2+ $19)) 40... Qh7 41. Nd2 Nxd5 $17) 39... dxe5 40.
Nxe5 Bh5 (40... Kg7 41. Nxg6 Kxg6 42. e5 Nxd5 (42... Qxd5 43. exf6 Nxf6 44.
Rxc7 $18) 43. Bxe8+ Qxe8 44. Qe4+ Kg7 45. Qxd5 $18) 41. g4 (41. h4 Nd6 42. hxg5
Nfxe4 43. gxh6 Qf6 $132) 41... Nxg4 (41... Qe7 42. Qc3 Bf7 43. Rf1 $18) 42.
Nxg4 Bxg4 43. Bxe8 Qxe8 44. Qd4+ Kg8 45. Rxc7 Bd7 (45... Qg6 46. Rxb7 Rf8 {
[%cal Gg4h3]} 47. Qc3 Bf3 48. d6 Bxe4 49. Qc4+ Kh8 50. Qc3+ Kg8 51. Qc4+ $11)
46. d6 $4 $19 {[%csl Ge6]} (46. e5 $1 Rc8 47. Qb6 (47. Rxc8 Qxc8 48. e6 Bb5 49.
Qf2 Qc7 50. Qf6 (50. Qc5 Qxc5+ 51. bxc5 Kf8 52. d6 h5 53. Kf2 Bc4 54. e7+ Kf7
55. Ke3 Bb5 56. Ke4 Ke6 57. Kd4 g4 58. Ke4 Bc6+ 59. Kd4 Kf5 $19) 50... Qc1+ 51.
Kg2 Qd2+ 52. Kg3 Qe3+ 53. Kg2 $11) 47... Rxc7 48. Qxc7 Bh3 49. e6 Qf8 50. Qc4
Qf3 51. Qc8+ Kg7 52. Qxb7+ Kg6 53. Qf7+ Qxf7 54. exf7 Kxf7 55. a6 Bc8 56. b5
Ke7 $19) 46... Rc8 $4 (46... Qe6 47. e5 (47. Rxb7 Qg4+ 48. Kh1 Rf8 $19) 47...
Rf8 48. Qc4 Qxc4 49. Rxc4 Bh3 50. Rc1 Kf7 51. Kf2 Ke6+ $19) 47. Qd5+ Kh8 48.
Qxb7 Qe6 49. Rxc8+ Bxc8 50. Qc6 (50. Qd5 Qg4+ 51. Kf2 Qf4+ 52. Ke2 Qxh2+ 53.
Kd3 Kg7 $132) 50... Bd7 51. Qc3+ Kg8 52. Qd3 Qg4+ 53. Kf1 Qf4+ 54. Kg2 Kh7 55.
b5 Qg4+ (55... Qg4+ 56. Kf2 Qf4+ 57. Kg2 (57. Ke1 $2 Qc1+ 58. Ke2 (58. Kf2 Qc5+
59. Kf3 Bxb5 $17) 58... Qb2+ 59. Ke3 Bxb5 60. Qd2 Qa3+ 61. Kf2 Qh3 $19) 57...
Qg4+ $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.09"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Vukovic, Zdravko"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2480"]
[BlackElo "2500"]
[Annotator "Hansen,Cu"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2
O-O 9. g4 Be6 $6 {This move - controlling the important square c4 but allowing
white to take on e6 - has been considered quite playable in this and similar
positions.} 10. Nxe6 fxe6 11. O-O-O Ne5 {The general opinion has been that
black had pretty good compensation for the doubled e-Ps because of active
posibilities in the open c and f-<-> and the fact that his e6-P controls the
important d5-square. This game however casts doubts on blacks setup} 12. Be2
Rc8 13. Nb5 Qd7 14. Nd4 Nc4 15. Bxc4 Rxc4 16. Kb1 Rfc8 17. c3 b5 18. h4 a5 19.
h5 {Slowly but surely it becomes clear that f7xe6 does not cause black
problems because of the doubled e-Ps but because blacks Ks-position has been
seriously weakened.} b4 20. cxb4 Rxb4 21. Rc1 {Black is more or less attacking
with only two Rs against a white K-position that has no weakneses.} Rxc1+ (
21... Rcb8 22. Rc2 $16) 22. Rxc1 {Now black is not going to get mated, but his
own counterchances have also become less dangerous. The more pieces that get
exchanged the more important does whites better P-structure become. Endings
are rather bad for black} Qb7 23. a3 (23. hxg6 hxg6 24. Rc2 Nxg4 25. fxg4 Qxe4
$44) 23... Nxe4 (23... Rb6 24. hxg6 hxg6 25. Rc2 $16 {[%csl Ra5,Re6][%cal
Rd2a5,Rd4e6,Gd2b2]}) 24. fxe4 Qxe4+ 25. Qc2 $1 Rxd4 26. Bxd4 Qxd4 27. hxg6 hxg6
28. g5 $1 $18 {Blacks is clearly lost and again for at combination of tactical
and positional reasons. All endgames are hopeless because white will create a
passed P in the b-<-> very fast. If black keeps the Qs on the board the open f
and h-<-> will cause his own K serious problems.} Qf4 (28... a4 29. Rf1 {
[%cal Rc2c8]}) 29. Qxg6 Qf5+ 30. Qxf5 exf5 31. b4 axb4 32. axb4 Kf7 33. b5 d5
34. b6 Be5 35. b7 f4 36. Rc8 Kg6 37. Rg8+ Kh5 38. g6 f3 39. b8=Q Bxb8 40. Rxb8
{It seems black has problems to solve in this line} 1-0

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.10"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Milu, Romeo Sorin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A37"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2395"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 2112]} 1. g3 c5 2. Bg2 Nc6 3. Nf3 (3. e4 $5 {Kortschnoj spielte diesen
starken Zug gegen Karpov in Baguio 1978 (11.Partie). Wir haben eigentlich eine
Sizilianische Verteidigung, aber dort kann Schwarz nach 1.e4 c5 2.g3 d5!
spielen. Ribli.}) 3... g6 4. c4 Bg7 5. Nc3 e6 6. d4 $5 {Ein interessantes
zeitweiliges Bauernopfer.} cxd4 (6... Nxd4 7. Nxd4 cxd4 8. Nb5 $1 $44 {Chernin,
A-Wolff,P/New York-op/1989/CBM12/}) 7. Nb5 d5 8. cxd5 exd5 {Das ist die
einfache Antwort. Die Alternative führt zu unklaren Komplikationen.} (8... Qa5+
9. Nd2 $1 (9. Qd2 Qxb5 10. dxc6 Ne7 $1 11. Nxd4 Qb6 12. cxb7 Bxb7 13. Bxb7 Qxb7
14. Nf3 $8 O-O 15. O-O Rfd8 16. Qa5 (16. Qc2 Rac8 17. Qb3 Rd7 18. Qxb7 Rxb7 19.
Rd1 Nd5 20. Nd4 Rc4 21. Nb3 Rb5 22. Rd3 {1/2-1/2 Soppe,G-Slipak,S/Pena City
1996/CBM 55 ext (22)}) 16... Nc6 17. Qa4 Rd5 18. Rb1 a5 19. Be3 Rb5 20. Rfc1
Rb8 21. b3 Ne7 22. Rc2 Nd5 {0-1 Foisor,O-Ungureanu,E/Tusnad 1997/EXT 99 (35)})
9... exd5 10. a4 (10. Nd6+ Ke7 11. Nxc8+ Rxc8 12. O-O Nf6 13. b4 Nxb4 14. Nb3
Qa6 15. Nxd4 Ne4 16. Bxe4 dxe4 17. Bg5+ Kf8 18. Rc1 Rxc1 19. Ne6+ fxe6 20. Qd8+
Kf7 21. Qe7+ Kg8 22. Rxc1 Nc6 23. Qe8+ Bf8 24. Bh6 Qa3 25. Qxe6# {1-0 McNab,
C-Coleman,D/Eastbourne 1990/EXT 97 (25)}) 10... Nf6 11. Nd6+ Ke7 12. b4 $3 Nxb4
13. Ba3 Qc5 14. Nb5 Kd8 15. Nb3 Qe7 16. Qd2 a5 17. Nxa5 Bf8 18. O-O Rxa5 19.
Qxd4 Ra6 20. Rac1 Bd7 21. Qf4 {1-0 McNab,C-Markowski,T/Koszalin 1997/CBM 59
ext (21)}) 9. O-O Nge7 10. Nbxd4 O-O {Schwarz hat einen isolierten Bauern,
aber er kontrolliert stark das Feld d4 und sein Läufer g7 steht aktiv.} 11. Bg5
$6 {Dieser Zug ist scheinbar aktiv, aber es wäre wichtiger, das Feld d4 zu
sichern.} (11. Be3 Re8 12. Rc1 $5 (12. Re1 Bg4 (12... Nf5 13. Nxf5 Bxf5 14. Nd4
Be4 15. Rc1 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Qd7 $11) 13. Qd2 (13. Qa4 Qd7 14. Nxc6 Nxc6 15. Qb5
d4 16. Rad1 Rad8 17. Bg5 Rc8 {0-1 Foisor,O-Lesiege,A/Hyeres 1992/TD (55)})
13... Bxf3 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Bxf3 Nf5 16. Bc5 Qf6 17. Rab1 Nd6 18. Bxd6 Qxd6 {
1/2-1/2 Vaulin,A-Ulibin,M/Nizhnij Tagil 1998/EXT 99 (71)}) (12. Qd2 Nf5 13.
Nxc6 bxc6 14. Bf4 Nd6 15. Bxd6 Qxd6 16. Rac1 a5 17. e3 Bd7 18. Nd4 a4 19. Rfd1
Rab8 20. Qc2 Rb6 21. b3 Reb8 22. e4 Qb4 23. Ne2 axb3 24. axb3 d4 25. Qd2 Qxd2
26. Rxd2 Rxb3 27. Nxd4 Rb1 28. Ne2 Bg4 29. f3 Bh6 30. Rd8+ Rxd8 31. Rxb1 Be3+
32. Kf1 Be6 33. Ke1 c5 34. Nf4 Bd2+ 35. Kf2 Bxf4 36. gxf4 Rd2+ 37. Kg3 c4 38.
Rc1 Rb2 39. Bh3 Bxh3 40. Kxh3 Rb4 41. Kg3 Kf8 42. Kf2 Ke7 43. Ke3 Rb3+ 44. Ke2
Rb2+ 45. Ke3 Rxh2 46. Rxc4 h5 47. Rc7+ Kf8 48. Rc5 h4 {1/2-1/2 Ledger,A-Ward,C/
ENG 1992/CBM 30 ext (48)}) 12... Nf5 13. Nxf5 Bxf5 14. Qd2 (14. Rc5 d4 15. Nxd4
Bxd4 16. Rxc6 Bxe3 17. Rd6 Qe7 {1/2-1/2 Nogueiras,J-Barbero,G/Thessaloniki
1984/EXT 97-B (33)}) 14... d4 (14... Be4 $5) 15. Bh6 Bh8 16. Ng5 Ne5 17. h3 Qb6
18. g4 Be6 19. b3 Rad8 20. Nxe6 Rxe6 21. Rfd1 Nc6 {1-0 Adianto-Gheorghiu/Biel
op, SW 1998 (45)}) 11... Qb6 $1 12. Nxc6 $6 (12. Bxe7 Nxe7 13. Qd2 Bg4 $11)
12... Nxc6 13. Qxd5 Qxb2 $15 {[%csl Gb2][%cal Gg7a1] Wir haben eine Stellung,
die für die Grünfeld-Indische Verteidigung typisch ist. Dank seines Läufers
auf g7 hat Schwarz die Initiative.} 14. Qc4 (14. Rab1 Qxe2 15. Rfe1 Qa6 16. Bf1
$15) 14... Be6 15. Qh4 (15. Qa4 Qxe2 16. Rfe1 Qc4 17. Qxc4 Bxc4 18. Rab1 Ba6
$17) 15... Qxe2 (15... Bxa2 16. Bh6 $44) 16. Rfe1 Qc4 17. Re4 (17. Qxc4 Bxc4
18. Rab1 Ba6 $17) 17... Qxe4 $5 {Weiß gibt die Dame für zwei Türme.} (17... Qd3
18. Rae1 Bxa2 19. Bf6 Bxf6 20. Qxf6 Qd8 $17) 18. Qxe4 Bxa1 19. Qb1 {[%cal
Rb1a1,Rb1b7]} Bg7 20. Qxb7 Nd4 (20... Rfc8 $17 {Die Stellung ist materiell
gleich, aber die zwei Türme sind hier wertvoller als die Dame.}) 21. Nxd4 Bxd4
22. Qe4 (22. Qxa8 Rxa8 23. Bxa8 Bxa2 $19 {[%csl Ga7] Und Schwarz muß mit dem
a-Freibauern gewinnen.}) 22... Rab8 23. h4 (23. Qxd4 Rb1+ 24. Bf1 Bh3 $19 {
[%csl Rf1,Rg1]}) 23... Rb4 {[%cal Rd4f2,Rb4e4]} 24. Kh2 {[%cal Rg5e7,Rf8b4,
Re7f8]} Bc5 (24... Bxa2 $5 25. Bd2 (25. Be7 Re8 $19 (25... Bc5 26. Qe5 Bxe7 27.
Qxe7 a5 $17)) 25... Bc3 26. Qc2 Bxd2 27. Qxa2 Rd4 28. Qxa7 Rfd8 $17 {Schwarz
hat den einfachen Plan, den weißen Bauern f2 anzugreifen. Weiß ist ohne
Gegenspiel.}) 25. Qe5 Rc8 (25... Bxf2 $2 26. Bh6 Bd4 27. Qd6 {[%cal Rd6b4,
Rd6f8]} Rfb8 28. a3 $18 {[%csl Rb4]}) 26. Bd2 Bd4 (26... Ra4 27. Bc3 Kf8 28.
Bb7 $18) 27. Qf4 Bc3 28. Qe3 Bxd2 29. Qxd2 Ra4 {Die weiße Stellung wirkt
kritisch. Der bauer a2 hängt und ohne Läufer wäre das Endspiel auch schwierig.}
30. Bd5 Bxd5 (30... Rd8 31. Qc2) 31. Qxd5 {Schwarz steht in diesem Endspiel
etwas besser, denn seine theoretische Drohung ist, z.B. einen Bauern zweimal
angreifen und wenn die Dame und der König ihn dann verteidigen, nimmt Schwarz
trotzdem und erreicht ein gewonnenes Bauernendspiel.  Aber die
Remiswahrscheinlichkeit ist trotdem sehr hoch. Ein ähnliches Endspiel war in
der Schnellpartie Karpov - Polgar,J, Budapest RapidWettkampf 3.Partie (Weiß:
Kg1,Rb1,Rc1,Pa2,Pf2,Pg2,Ph3; Schwarz: Kg8,Qe4,Pa7,Pf7,Pg6,Ph7). Letzlich
konnte Karpov eine Gewinnstellung erreichen, aber überschritt die Zeit.} h5 (
31... Rac4 32. h5 $5 R4c5 33. Qb7 Rxh5+ 34. Kg2 Rc2 35. Qxa7 Rf5 36. a4 $11)
32. Qd7 $1 $11 {[%csl Gd7] Die Dame steht aktiv. Schwarz kann daher nicht
gleichzeitig den a7-Bauern verteidigen,die Türme verbinden und das Dauerschach
verhindern.} Rcc4 33. Qe8+ Kg7 34. Qe5+ Kf8 35. Qh8+ {Schwarz hat kein
Schlupfloch, Weiß gibt Dauerschach.} Ke7 36. Qe5+ Kd8 37. Qd5+ {[%cal Rd5f7,
Rd5d8]} Ke7 38. Qe5+ Kf8 39. Qh8+ Ke7 40. Qe5+ Kf8 41. Qb8+ (41. Qh8+ $11)
41... Kg7 42. Qe5+ Kh7 43. Qe8 Kg7 44. Qe5+ Kh7 45. Qe8 Kg7 {Und endlich wurde
Remis gegeben.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.11"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Itkis, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "2462"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. Nbd2 O-O 5. c3 d6 6. e4 c5 7. dxc5 dxc5 8.
Bc4 Nc6 9. O-O Qc7 10. Re1 h6 11. Bh4 Nh5 12. Nb3 Bg4 13. Bg3 Qb6 (13... Nxg3
$142 14. hxg3 Ne5 $15) 14. Qd3 Nxg3 15. hxg3 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Ne5 17. Qe2 g5 $1
18. Kg2 Rad8 19. Rad1 a6 20. a4 Qc7 21. Na1 e6 22. Nc2 Qc6 23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24.
Ra1 Nxc4 25. Qxc4 Rd2 26. Rc1 Qb6 27. b3 Qd6 28. Ne3 $2 Rxf2+ 29. Kxf2 Qd2+ 30.
Qe2 Qxc1 31. Qc2 Qxc2+ 32. Nxc2 Bxc3 $19 33. Na3 Be5 34. Nc4 Bc7 35. g4 Kf8 (
35... Kg7 {/\Kg6,h5}) 36. Ke2 Ke7 37. Kd3 Kf6 38. Ke3 Kg6 39. Kd3 h5 40. gxh5+
Kxh5 41. e5 b5 42. axb5 axb5 43. Nd6 f5 44. Ke3 Kg6 45. Nb7 Bb6 46. Kd3 c4+ $1
0-1

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.12"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rogozenco, Dorian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2557"]
[Annotator "Hecht,H"]
[PlyCount "160"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. O-O Be7 7. Nc3 Nb6 8.
d3 O-O 9. Be3 Bg4 10. Rc1 Re8 11. a3 Bf8 12. Nd2 Qd7 13. Re1 Rad8 14. b4 Nd4
15. Nb3 c6 16. Na5 h6 17. Qd2 Qe7 18. Qb2 Bc8 19. Ne4 Na4 20. Qb1 Kh8 21. Nd2
f5 22. Nf3 Qf6 23. Nxd4 exd4 24. Bd2 Qf7 25. e4 dxe3 26. Bxe3 Nb6 27. Nc4 Nxc4
28. dxc4 a6 29. Qb2 Be7 30. Bd4 Kg8 31. Be5 Bf8 32. a4 Be6 33. b5 cxb5 34. cxb5
Bd5 35. Bf1 a5 36. Rc7 Qh5 37. Be2 $6 (37. Bg2) 37... Qh3 38. Bf1 Qg4 39. Bg2
Bxg2 40. Kxg2 Qxa4 41. Re3 b6 42. Bxg7 Rxe3 43. Bxf8 Qe4+ 44. Kh3 Qe5 45. Qc1
f4 46. fxe3 Qh5+ 47. Kg2 Qe2+ 48. Kh3 Qh5+ 49. Kg2 f3+ 50. Kh1 f2 51. Qc4+ Qd5+
52. Qxd5+ Rxd5 53. Kg2 Rf5 54. Kf1 Kxf8 55. Ra7 Rxb5 56. Kxf2 Rb2+ 57. Kf3 Rxh2
{[#] Freibauern} 58. e4 Ra2 59. Ra6 Rb2 $6 (59... b5 $5 60. Rxh6 a4 61. Rb6 Rb2
62. Ra6 Rb3+ 63. Kf4 a3 64. g4 (64. e5 b4 65. g4 Rb2 66. g5 a2 67. g6 b3 68. e6
Rb1 69. Ra8+ Kg7 70. e7 Re1 $19) 64... b4 65. g5 Rb2 66. Kf5 a2 67. e5 b3 68.
Ra8+ Ke7 69. Ra7+ Kd8 70. g6 Rg2 71. Kf6 b2 72. Rxa2 b1=Q 73. Rxg2 Qf1+ $19)
60. Kf4 Ke7 61. Kf5 Kd6 62. e5+ Kc6 63. Ra7 Rf2+ 64. Ke4 h5 65. e6 Kd6 66. Rb7
Re2+ 67. Kd3 Re1 68. Kd2 Re5 69. Rxb6+ Kc5 70. Ra6 Kb5 71. Rd6 Kc5 72. Ra6 Kb5
73. Rd6 Kc4 74. Rc6+ Kb5 75. Rd6 Kc5 76. Ra6 Kb5 77. Rd6 Kc5 78. Ra6 Kb5 79.
Rd6 Kc5 80. Ra6 Kb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.13"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Ionescu, Constantin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A55"]
[WhiteElo "2482"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. e4 e5 5. Nf3 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Re1
Qc7 9. Rb1 Re8 10. b4 exd4 11. Nxd4 Bf8 12. Bf1 a5 13. a3 axb4 14. axb4 Ne5 15.
f3 h6 16. Be3 Bd7 17. Qc2 Ra3 18. Qb2 Raa8 19. Kh1 Ng6 20. Qf2 Ra3 21. Rbc1 Qb8
22. Qb2 Ra8 23. Qb3 Qd8 24. Qc2 $6 (24. c5 $5) 24... d5 $1 $132 25. exd5 Bxb4
26. dxc6 bxc6 27. Nb3 Bd6 28. Bc5 Bxc5 29. Nxc5 Qa5 30. Nxd7 Nxd7 31. Rxe8+
Rxe8 32. Ne4 Nc5 33. Qc3 Qxc3 34. Nxc3 Nf4 $15 35. Kg1 g6 36. Rd1 Re3 37. Rd8+
Kg7 38. Nd1 Re1 39. Nb2 Rb1 40. Rd2 Nb3 41. Rc2 Nd4 42. Rd2 Nh3+ $1 0-1

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.14"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vasilescu, Lucian Mihail"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2381"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. e3 Nf6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Be2 cxd4 7. exd4 d5 8. O-O
Nc6 9. h3 Bf5 10. Re1 Rc8 11. Nh4 dxc4 12. Nxf5 gxf5 13. Bxc4 Nxd4 14. Bd3 e6
15. Re3 Kh8 16. Rg3 Qd6 17. Bf1 Rfd8 18. Rd3 Ne4 19. Be3 e5 20. Nb5 Qb6 21. Rc1
Rxc1 22. Qxc1 a6 23. Nxd4 exd4 24. Bf4 Nc5 25. Rd1 Ne6 26. Bd3 Qa5 27. a3 Re8
28. Re1 Qa4 29. Be5 f4 30. Bxg7+ Kxg7 31. Re5 Qb3 32. Qd2 Qb6 33. Qe2 Rc8 34.
Qe4 Rc1+ 35. Kh2 f3 36. Qxh7+ Kf8 37. Qh6+ Ke7 38. Qxc1 Qd6 39. Qf4 f6 40.
Rxe6+ Qxe6 41. Qe4 1-0

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.15"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Iordachescu, Viorel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2539"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. Bxc6+ bxc6 5. O-O e5 6. c3 Nf6 7. Re1 Be7 8.
d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 exd4 10. Nxd4 Bd7 11. Nc3 O-O 12. Bf4 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5
cxd5 15. Qf3 Bf6 16. Be5 $1 $14 Bxe5 17. Rxe5 Qb6 18. Qc3 Rac8 19. Qd2 Qd6 20.
Rae1 h6 21. h3 Rfe8 22. Rxe8+ Rxe8 23. Rxe8+ Bxe8 24. b3 Qa3 25. Kh2 Bd7 26. f4
Qe7 27. Qe2 Qxe2 28. Nxe2 Kf8 29. Nd4 Ke7 30. h4 a5 31. a3 Kd6 32. b4 axb4 33.
axb4 Bc8 34. Kg3 Bd7 35. Kf3 Kc7 36. Ke3 Kb6 37. g3 Kb7 38. Ne2 Bb5 39. Nc3 Bc4
40. Kd4 Kc6 41. Ke5 h5 42. Kd4 Bb3 43. Kd3 Bc4+ 44. Ke3 Bf1 45. Kd4 Bg2 46. Nd1
Be4 47. Ne3 f6 48. Nd1 Bg2 49. Nc3 Bf3 50. Kd3 Bg2 51. Ke3 Bh1 52. Kd3 Bg2 53.
Kd4 Bf3 54. b5+ Kb6 55. Nxd5+ Kxb5 56. Nc7+ Kc6 57. Ne8 g6 58. Ke3 Kd7 59.
Nxf6+ Ke6 60. Ne4 Bg2 61. Nc3 Bh3 62. Nb5 Kd5 63. Nd4 Bf5 64. Nf3 Bb1 65. Nd2
Bf5 66. Kf2 Kd4 67. Nf1 Kd3 68. Ne3 Ke4 69. Nc4 Kd5 70. Ne5 Ke6 71. Kf3 Kd5 72.
Ke3 Kc5 73. Nd3+ Kc4 74. Ne5+ Kd5 75. Nf7 Ke6 76. Ng5+ Kd5 77. Nf3 Kc5 78. Nd4
Kc4 79. Nf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.16"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Marin, Mihail"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2527"]
[PlyCount "20"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 b6 3. Bg2 Bb7 4. O-O g6 5. b3 Bg7 6. Bb2 O-O 7. c4 c5 8. d4
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bxg2 10. Kxg2 Qc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Vidmar Memorial 13th"]
[Site "Portoroz"]
[Date "1999.06.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Beliavsky, Alexander G"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2650"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "1999.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SLO"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. c4 e6 5. cxd5 Bxf3 6. Bxf3 cxd5 7. O-O Nf6 8.
Nc3 Nc6 9. d3 Be7 10. a3 O-O 11. Bg2 Qd7 12. Bd2 Rab8 13. Rc1 b5 14. Bf4 Bd6
15. Bg5 b4 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. axb4 Nxb4 18. e4 dxe4 19. Nxe4 Be7 20. d4 Rfd8 21.
Qg4+ Kh8 22. Qh4 Qxd4 23. Qh5 Kg7 24. Rc7 Nd5 25. Rd1 Qe5 26. Qg4+ Kf8 27. Rxa7
f5 28. Qh5 Qg7 29. Nd2 Bc5 30. Raa1 Bxf2+ 31. Kxf2 Qd4+ 32. Ke2 Rxb2 33. Qh6+
Ke8 34. Ra3 Nc3+ 35. Rxc3 Qxc3 36. Qg5 Rd6 37. Qe3 Qc4+ 38. Ke1 Qb4 39. Bf1 Ke7
40. Qg5+ Kd7 41. Qe3 Rd5 42. Bd3 h6 43. Rc1 Re5 0-1

[Event "Vidmar Memorial 13th"]
[Site "Portoroz"]
[Date "1999.06.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kozul, Zdenko"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A55"]
[WhiteElo "2585"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "1999.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SLO"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 72]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d6 3. c4 Nbd7 4. Nc3 c6 5. e4 e5 6. Be2 Be7 {
Das ist die Grundstellung in der sogenannten Altindischen Verteidigung. Weiss
hat Raumvorteil im Zentrum und freies Figurenspiel, während die schwarze
Stellung etwas passiv, aber fest ist. Ribli.} 7. O-O O-O 8. Be3 {Meines
Erachtens ist das eine chancenreiche Fortsetzung für Weiss. Zwei andere Pläne
wären: 8.Re1, 9.Bf1 und 8.Qc2, 9.Rd1.} a6 (8... Ng4 9. Bd2 $14) 9. d5 cxd5 10.
cxd5 {Weiss hat Raumvorteil und die offene c-Linie. Schwarz kämpft mit
Entwicklungsproblemen seines Damenläufers.} b5 {Früher oder später muss
Schwarz so spielen. Er schwächt sich damit aber das Fled c6.} (10... Ng4 11.
Bd2 b5 12. Ne1 Ngf6 13. Nc2 Nb6 $6 14. Nb4 $1 $146 Bd7 15. Rc1 Rc8 16. b3 $1 {
Shipov,S-Margolin,B/Rethymnon 1995/Inf 65/[Shipov,S] (20)}) 11. Nd2 {Der
Springer strebt zum Damenflügel.} Qc7 {Ein natürlicher Entwicklungszug, aber
in Wirklichkeit steht die Dame nicht gut in der c-Linie. Ich denke,11...Nb6
ist die beste Möglichkeit für Schwarz, aber auch dann bieten sich Weiss die
besseren Chancen.} (11... Nb6 12. a4 $1 bxa4 13. Nxa4 Nxa4 14. Rxa4 Bd7 $1 15.
Ra3 $5 $14 {Yakovich,Y-Kremenietsky,A/Russia 1996/Inf 68/[Yakovich,Y] (21)})
12. Qb1 $5 {[%cal Gf1c1,Gc1c7] Eine auf ersten Blick sonderbare Fortsetzung.
Weiss bringt alle Figuren zum Damenflügel und vorbereitet Rc1, b4, a4 vor.
Seine Schwerfiguren stehen dann ausgezeichnet.} (12. Rc1 Qb7 (12... Qb8 13. b4
Nb6 14. Nb3 (14. a4 Nxa4 15. Nxa4 bxa4 16. Qxa4 Bd7 17. Qb3 h6 18. Qb1 Bb5 19.
Bxb5 Qxb5 20. Nc4 Rab8 21. Na5 Bd8 22. Nc6 {1-0 Levin,F-Zaid,L/Kiev 1986/EXT
97 (42)}) 14... Bd7 15. Na5 Rc8 16. Qd2 Ra7 17. Rc2 Rac7 18. Rfc1 h6 19. g3 Nh7
20. h4 {1-0 Stohl,I-Grosse Kloenne,E/Pardubice 1994/EXT 97 (29)}) 13. f3 (13.
a4 b4 14. Ncb1 Bd8 15. Nc4 Qb8 16. Nbd2 a5 17. Bd3 Nb6 18. Nxb6 Bxb6 19. Bxb6
Qxb6 20. Rc6 Qb8 21. Nc4 Rd8 22. Nb6 Ra7 {1/2-1/2 Van der Sterren,P-Hickl,J/
San Bernardino 1992/TD (29)}) 13... Bd8 14. b4 Bb6 15. Bf2 Ne8 16. g4 g6 17.
Bd3 Bxf2+ 18. Rxf2 Nb6 19. Qe2 Bd7 20. Nb3 Rc8 21. Na5 Qb8 22. Qe3 Ng7 23. Rfc2
Rc7 24. Nd1 Rfc8 25. Qf2 Rxc2 26. Rxc2 Rxc2 27. Qxc2 Qc8 28. Qxc8+ Bxc8 29. Nc3
{1-0 Esposito,L-Aranovitch,E/Celle Ligure 1995/EXT 99 (65)}) 12... Qb8 13. b4 {
[%cal Gd2b3,Gb3a5,Ga5c6] Weiss befestigt die Stellung am Damenflügel und
bereitet entweder das Springermanöver Nd2-b3-a5 oder den Bauernvorstoss a2-a4
vor.} Nb6 14. Nb3 $14 {Weiß hat eine aktive Stellung und den gegebenen Plan.
Dem Schwarzen mangelt es hingegen am Gegenspiel.} Bd7 (14... Ng4 15. Bxg4 Bxg4
16. Na5 $14) (14... Nc4 $6 15. Bxc4 bxc4 16. Na5 $16) 15. Na5 {[%csl Yc6]} Rc8
16. Rc1 Ra7 {[%cal Ga7c7,Gc8c1]} 17. a4 {Eine aggressive Fortsetzung, die in
unserer Partie erfolgreich ist, aber ich bin nicht überzeugt, dass die Idee
ganz korrekt ist.} Rac7 (17... bxa4 $5 18. Nc6 (18. Bd1 Rac7 19. Nxa4 Rxc1 20.
Bxc1 Nc4 $15) 18... Bxc6 19. dxc6 Rxc6 20. b5 (20. Nxa4 Rxc1+ 21. Qxc1 Rc7 $17)
20... axb5 21. Bxb5 Rc8 22. Bxa4 $13) {[#]} 18. axb5 $5 {Weiss opfert eine
Figur.} Rxc3 (18... axb5 19. Bd2 $14 (19. Nc6 Bxc6 20. dxc6 Rxc6 21. Nxb5 Rxc1+
22. Bxc1 d5 $11) (19. Nxb5 Rxc1+ 20. Bxc1 Nbxd5 $13)) 19. Nc6 {[%cal Rc6b8,
Rc6e7]} Rxc1+ 20. Qxc1 Bxc6 21. bxc6 $44 {Weiss hat nur einen Bauern für die
Figur, aber die Bauernkette e4-d5-c6 ist sehr gefährlich und der a6-Bauer
nicht verteidigungsfähig.} Qc7 $2 (21... Bd8 $5 {Auf diese Weise bringt
Schwarz den Läufer ins Spiel und kann in einigen Varianten eine
Blockadestellung errichten.} 22. Bxa6 Rc7 (22... Nxe4 23. Bxc8 Nxc8 24. Qc4 $14
) 23. Bb7 Nfd7 24. Qf1 Rxb7 25. cxb7 Qxb7 26. Qb5 $14) (21... Nxe4 $2 22. Bxa6
Rc7 23. Bb7 Rxb7 $8 24. cxb7 Qxb7 25. Qc6 Qxc6 26. dxc6 Nd5 27. Ra8+ Bf8 28. b5
{[%csl Gb5,Gc6] Die verbundenen Freibauern entscheiden die Partie.} Nc5 29.
Bxc5 dxc5 30. Rd8 Nb6 31. c7 $18) 22. Rxa6 Nbxd5 {Schwarz hat nichts besseres.
Er muss die Figur zurückgeben.} (22... Rb8 23. Bxb6 Rxb6 24. Rxb6 Qxb6 25. c7
$18) 23. exd5 Nxd5 24. Bg4 Rf8 (24... Nxe3 25. Bxc8 Qxc8 26. c7 $18 {Und die
tödliche weisse Drohung ist 27.Ra8 und 29.c8Q.}) 25. Ra7 Qb8 26. c7 $18 Nxc7
27. Rxc7 Qxb4 28. Bf3 {Schwarz hat zwei Bauern für die Figur, aber mit aktivem
Figurenspiel und dem Läuferpaar steht Weiss auf Gewinn.} Bd8 29. Rb7 Qa4 30.
Bd5 $18 {[%csl Gb7,Gd5][%cal Gd5g8,Gb7f7]} 1-0

[Event "Vidmar Memorial 13th"]
[Site "Portoroz"]
[Date "1999.06.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Stohl, Igor"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2573"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "1999.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SLO"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 2112]} 1. g3 g6 2. Bg2 Bg7 3. c4 c5 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. a3 e6 {Schwarz ist
nicht zufrieden mit völliger Symmetrie und strebt kompliziertes Spiel an.
Meines Erachtens reicht die Alternative 5...a6 aus, das Gleichgewicht zu
wahren. Ribli.} (5... a6 6. Rb1 Rb8 7. b4 cxb4 8. axb4 b5 $11) 6. e4 {[%csl
Yd4] Weiss schwächt das Feld d4, um Kontrolle über d5 zu erlangen. Die
Alternativen 6.Rb1 oder 6.b4!? erscheinen mir logischer.} Nge7 7. Nge2 d6 8.
O-O O-O 9. Rb1 {[%cal Gb2b4]} b6 (9... Nd4 10. b4 b6 11. e5 $5 d5 12. f4 Nxe2+
13. Qxe2 Ba6 14. d3 {1/2-1/2 Glek,I-Rustemov,A/Russia (ch) 1995/Inf 65/[Glek,I]
(56)}) (9... a5 10. b3 $11) 10. d3 Bb7 11. b4 Qd7 {Schwarz hat keine
Eröffnungsprobleme. Er ist harmonisch entwickelt.} (11... Nd4 12. Be3 Qd7 13.
Qd2 Rad8 14. Nf4 Nec6 15. h3 Rde8 16. Nfe2 f5 {1/2-1/2 Chantsev,C-Folc,Y/
Vladivostok 1990/EXT 97 (41)}) 12. h4 $6 {In einigen Varianten möchte Weiss
h4-h5 ziehen, aber die Partiefortsetzung schwächt die weisse Königsstellung.
Es wäre besser, mit 12.Be3 die Entwicklung zu beenden.} (12. Be3 Nd4 13. Qd2
Rfd8 14. f4 f5 15. Bf2 Rac8 16. Rfc1 Ba8 17. Qa2 Kh8 18. Nxd4 cxd4 19. Ne2 e5
20. Be1 fxe4 21. dxe4 Ng8 22. Qb3 Nf6 23. Qd3 Re8 {0-1 Kopal,J-Akesson,R/
Aaland-Stockholm 1997/EXT 98 (37)}) 12... h6 13. Bd2 (13. h5 g5 $13 (13... gxh5
$5)) 13... Rad8 14. b5 Ne5 {[%csl Rd3][%cal Re5d3]} (14... Na5 15. Nf4 $11 {
[%csl Ra5][%cal Gc3e2] Weiss hat keinen Vorteil, aber der Springer steht
unglücklich auf a5.}) 15. Nf4 f5 $15 {[%csl Yd4][%cal Gb7g2,Gg7c3] Schwarz hat
eine elastische Stellung. Seine Läufer stehen gut in den langen Diagonalen und
er hat die Initiative am Königsflügel.} 16. exf5 $6 {Dieser Zug hilft nur dem
Gegner.} (16. Qe2 Rf7 $15 {[%cal Gd8f8,Gf8f1]}) 16... Nxf5 {[%csl Yd4][%cal
Gf5d4]} 17. Ne4 (17. Nxe6 $2 Bxg2 18. Nxf8 Qb7 19. Ne6 Nf3+ 20. Kxg2 N3xh4+ 21.
Kh3 Qg2+ $19 22. Kg4 h5+ 23. Kf4 Nxg3 24. fxg3 Bh6+ 25. Ng5 Rf8+ 26. Ke3 Bxg5+
27. Rf4 Nf5#) 17... d5 {Jetzt ist der schwarze Vorteil klar.} 18. cxd5 exd5 {
Schwarz steht ausgezeichnet im Zentrum und entfaltet besseres Figurenspiel,
während die weisse Stellung viele Schwächen aufweist.} 19. Nc3 {[%cal Rc3d5,
Rf4d5,Rg2d5]} Qf7 {[%cal Gf7d5]} 20. Kh1 (20. Re1 Nd4 $17 {[%cal Gg6g5,Gf8f2]})
20... g5 {Nach diesem Zug muss der f4-Springer weichen.} 21. Nh3 (21. hxg5 hxg5
22. Nh3 g4 $17) (21. Nh5 Nxd3 $17) 21... g4 {Positionell gespielt. Schwarz
beschäftigt sich nicht mit dem Bauerngewinn, sondern spielt auf das Feld f3.} (
21... gxh4 22. g4 Nd4 $17) 22. Nf4 Nd4 $17 {[%csl Yf3][%cal Gd4f3,Ge5f3]
Schwarz kontrolliert stark das Feld f3, während es dem Weissen an Gegenspiel
mangelt.} 23. Re1 Nef3 {[%csl Gf3]} 24. Re3 Nxh4 (24... Nxd2 $5 25. Qxd2 Nf5
26. Re2 Nxh4 $19) 25. Qxg4 $8 (25. gxh4 Qxf4 26. Re7 Qf6 {[%cal Rf6e7,Rf6h4]}
27. Rxb7 Qxh4+ 28. Kg1 Qxf2+ 29. Kh1 Qh4+ 30. Kg1 Nf3+ 31. Bxf3 Bd4+ $19) 25...
Nxg2 {Mit diesem Zug bekommt Schwarz das Läuferpaar und kann seinen Angriff
fortsetzen..} 26. Kxg2 Nf5 $6 {Nach dem Textzug hat Schwarz auch gute Chancen,
aber mit 26...Nb3 wäre die Partie sofort entscheiden.} (26... Nb3 $5 27. Rxb3 (
27. Re2 Nxd2 28. Rxd2 Bc8 29. Qg6 Qxg6 30. Nxg6 Bxc3 $19) 27... d4+ {[%cal
Rd4e3,Rd4c3,Rf7b3,Rb7g2]} 28. Ne4 dxe3 $19) 27. Ree1 Kh7 {[%cal Gf8g8,Gg8g2]}
28. Kg1 {Weiss meidet die lange Diagonale.} Rg8 {[%cal Gg8g1]} 29. Qh5 {
Weiss möchte die Damen tauschen.} (29. Qh3 Nd4 $17) 29... Qxh5 30. Nxh5 Bd4 {
[%csl Rg1][%cal Rf5g3]} (30... Nh4 $5 {[%csl Gh4][%cal Rh4f3,Rf3e1,Rf3d2,Rf3g1,
Gg8g1]} 31. Re7 (31. gxh4 Bxc3+ $19) 31... Nf3+ 32. Kg2 Nxd2 33. Rxb7 Nxb1 $19)
31. Ne2 Bh8 32. Nef4 $15 {Die weisse Stellung ist nicht schön, aber besser als
vorher. Er hat viele positionelle Schwächen, aber es gibt keine konkreten
Gefahren.} Rge8 33. Ne6 Rc8 34. Kf1 (34. Nhf4 $15) 34... c4 {[%cal Gc4c3,Gc3c2]
} 35. g4 Nh4 (35... Nd6 36. Bf4 $13) 36. Nf8+ $5 Kg8 (36... Rxf8 37. Re7+ {
[%cal Re7b7,Re7h7]} Kg6 38. Rxb7 Nf3 39. Bb4 Rf7 $15) 37. Nd7 {[%cal Rh5f6,
Rd7f6,Rf6g8,Rf6e8]} Nf3 $17 38. Rxe8+ Rxe8 39. Rd1 (39. Nhf6+ Kf7 40. Bc3 Rc8
$19 {[%csl Rc3,Rd7,Rf6][%cal Gf3d2,Gd2e1,Gd2b1,Rc4d3,Rc8c3] Die weissen
Leichtfiguren sind überlastet.}) 39... c3 $2 $138 (39... Rd8 40. Ndf6+ (40.
Nhf6+ Kf7 $19 {[%csl Rd7,Rf6]}) 40... Kf7 41. g5 hxg5 42. Ng4 c3 $19) 40. Ndf6+
{[%cal Rf6e8,Rf6g8]} Bxf6 (40... Kf7 41. Bxc3) 41. Nxf6+ Kf7 42. Bxc3 {Endlich
hat Weiss einen Bauern gewonnen, aber die schwarze Stellung ist aktiv genug,
um das zu kompensieren.} Re6 {Und hier wurde Remis gegeben. Schwarz kann den
Bauern mit ungefähr gleicher Stellung zurückgewinnen.} (42... Re6 43. Nh5 (43.
Rc1 $2 d4 $19 (43... Rxf6 44. Bxf6 Kxf6 45. Rc7 $18)) 43... Nh2+ (43... Rg6 $5
{[%csl Rg4][%cal Rg6g4]}) 44. Kg2 Nxg4 45. Bd4 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Vidmar Memorial 13th"]
[Site "Portoroz"]
[Date "1999.06.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Pavasovic, Dusko"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "1999.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SLO"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Na3 Nc6 7. Nb5 Qd8 8.
dxc5 Bxc5 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. Bf4 a6 11. Nbd4 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 Ke7 13. Nb3 Bd6 14.
Bxd6+ Kxd6 15. Be2 Kc7 16. O-O-O Bd7 17. Bf3 Bc6 18. Bxc6 Kxc6 19. Na5+ Kc7 20.
Nc4 Rhe8 21. Ne5 Re7 22. Rhe1 Rd8 23. Rxd8 Kxd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Vidmar Memorial 13th"]
[Site "Portoroz"]
[Date "1999.06.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zvjaginsev, Vadim"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A04"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2658"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "1999.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SLO"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Nb3 Nf6 7. O-O O-O 8.
Nc3 d6 9. h3 Nd7 10. Re1 Nb6 11. Rb1 Be6 12. e3 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Qd7 14. Kh2 Rac8
15. Bb2 Na4 16. Ba1 b6 17. e4 Rc7 18. f4 f6 19. Re3 Rfc8 20. Qe1 Na5 21. Rd1
Nc4 22. Re2 Qe8 23. g4 Bf7 24. Qh4 Qf8 25. Nd4 Qg7 26. Nf3 e5 27. g5 fxg5 28.
Qxg5 h6 29. Qh4 Rf8 30. Bh1 exf4 31. Qxf4 b5 32. Rg1 Nab6 33. Nd4 Qe5 34. Qxe5
dxe5 35. Nxb5 Rc5 36. Nd4 exd4 37. cxd4 Ra5 38. e5 Bd5 39. Rxg6+ Kh7 40. Bxd5
Kxg6 41. Be4+ Kf7 42. Bc3 Rb5 43. Bc6 Rb1 44. d5 Rd8 45. Rf2+ Ke7 46. d6+ Nxd6
47. exd6+ Rxd6 48. Be4 Nd5 49. Bg7 Nf6 50. Bd3 h5 51. Bc4 Re1 52. Kg2 Rc6
1/2-1/2

[Event "Vidmar Memorial 13th"]
[Site "Portoroz"]
[Date "1999.06.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Beliavsky, Alexander G"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E00"]
[WhiteElo "2650"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1999.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SLO"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 36]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 {Belivsky spielt gern die Katalanische
Eröffnung, die er nach 3...d5 4.Bg2 erreichen würde. Ribli.} Bb4+ {Schwarz
spielt die sogenannte Bogoindische Verteidigung. Er bekommt eine sehr feste
Stellung, aber Weiss erzielt Raumvorteil und eine kleine, aber dauerhafte
Initiative.} 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. e3 e5 7. d5 Bxd2+ (7... Nb8 8. Ne2 (8.
Nc3 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 d6 10. Qc2 O-O 11. Ne2 c6 12. O-O cxd5 13. cxd5 a5 14. Rfc1 b6
15. a3 Ba6 16. b4 Nbd7 17. Be1 Rfc8 18. Qb2 Bc4 {1/2-1/2 Steckner,J-Dizdar,G/
Hamburg 1992/EXT 97 (18)}) 8... Bxd2+ 9. Qxd2 a5 10. d6 Qxd6 11. Qxd6 cxd6 12.
Nbc3 Na6 13. O-O Ke7 14. Rfd1 Rb8 15. Nb5 {1/2-1/2 Nikolaidis,I-Loginov,V/
Budapest 1994/CBM 41 ext (25)}) 8. Qxd2 Nb8 9. Nc3 (9. d6 Qxd6 10. Qxd6 cxd6
11. Nc3 {Weiss hat klare Kompensation und Spiel gegen den Doppelbauern, aber
Schwarz kann seine Stellung halten.} Ke7 12. Nge2 Na6 13. O-O Nc7 14. Rac1 a6 (
14... Rb8 15. Nb5 Nxb5 16. cxb5 b6 17. Rc7 a6 18. Nc3 axb5 19. Nd5+ Nxd5 20.
Bxd5 b4 21. Ra7 b5 22. Rc1 Rd8 23. f3 Rb6 24. Kf2 Ba6 25. Rcc7 Ke8 26. e4 $44 {
1/2-1/2 Urban,K-Ovetchkin,R/Koszalin 1996/EXT 99 (53)}) 15. Na4 Rb8 16. Nb6 Na8
17. Nxa8 Rxa8 18. Nc3 {1/2-1/2 Dyachkov,S-Razuvaev,Y/Elista 1995/CBM 50 (27)})
9... d6 10. Nge2 $5 (10. h3 a5 11. Nge2 Na6 12. g4 Nd7 13. Ng3 Nb6 14. b3 g6
15. O-O-O Nc5 16. f4 a4 17. Kb2 Bd7 18. Nge4 Nxe4 19. Nxe4 f5 20. gxf5 Bxf5 21.
Nc3 O-O 22. Rhf1 exf4 23. Rxf4 g5 24. Rf2 Bg6 $15 {1/2-1/2 Flear,G-Adams,M/
Hastings9697 1997 (60)}) (10. e4 $5) 10... O-O (10... a5 11. Nb5 O-O 12. O-O
Ne8 13. f4 Nd7 14. f5 Nc5 15. Nbc3 Bd7 16. Ne4 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Qg5 18. Nc3 Nf6
19. Rf2 {0-1 Shneider,A-Zubarev,A/Donetsk 1998/CBM 68_07 (59)}) 11. O-O $5 {
Beliavsky verbessert sein eigenes Spiel. Gegen Gipslis spielte er einen
agressiven Plan mit h3-g4. Die Partiefortsetzung führt zu ruhigem Spiel mit
traditionellem weissen Raumvorteil.} (11. h3 Ne8 $6 (11... c5 12. g4 Na6 {
/\ Nc7, a6}) 12. f4 exf4 $6 13. exf4 a5 14. O-O Na6 15. Nd4 Qd8 16. Rae1 Nf6
17. g4 $16 {1-0 Beliavsky,A-Gipslis,A/Parnu 1997/Inf 71/[Beliavsky,A] (31)})
11... a5 {Das ist eine typischer Zug in dieser Eröffnung. Schwarz bereitet das
Manöver ...Na6-c5 vor.} 12. f4 $14 {Weiss hat Raumvorteil und Initiative am
Königsflügel. Die schwarze Stellung ist zwar fest, aber Chancen auf aktives
Gegenspiel bieten sich dem Nachziehenden wenig.} Na6 13. h3 {[%cal Gg3g4]} h5
$5 {Schwarz hat keine Angst von der Schwächung seines Königsflügels. Meines
Erachtens ist der Partiezug gut und rechtzeitig, sonst kommt Weiss mit 14.g4.}
14. Rae1 {[%cal Ge1e7]} Nc5 {[%csl Gc5]} 15. Nc1 {[%cal Gc1d3,Gd3c5] Weiss
möchte den starken schwarzen c5-Springer tauschen.} (15. f5 Bd7 {Weiss hat
Raumvorteil, aber eine ähnliche Stellung haben wir auch in der Partie.}) 15...
Bd7 (15... e4 $13) 16. Nd3 (16. b3 $5 {Das ist ein anderer möglicher Plan.
Weiss möchte 17.a3, 18.b4 spielen und den c5-Springer vertreiben.}) (16. a3 $6
a4 $11 {[%csl Yb3,Gc5]}) 16... Nxd3 17. Qxd3 Rfe8 (17... e4 18. Qc2 Bf5 $11)
18. Qd1 Rab8 {Schwarz möchte 19...b5 mit Gegenspiel am Damenflügel spielen.} (
18... e4 $11) 19. a4 c5 $1 20. f5 {Der Damenflügel ist geschlossen und Weiss
hat so freie Hand am Königsflügel. Im folgenden plant er g3-g4 mit Raumgewinn
und Angriff am Königsflügel.} (20. dxc6 $6 bxc6 $13 {[%csl Gb8][%cal Rb8b2]
Der schwarze Turm steht ausgezeichnet auf b8.}) 20... g6 21. e4 (21. g4 hxg4
22. hxg4 g5 23. Kf2 Kg7 24. Rh1 Rh8 $11) 21... Kh7 (21... gxf5 $2 22. exf5 $16
{[%csl Rg8][%cal Rg3g4,Rd1d2,Rd2g5]}) 22. Bf3 Rh8 23. Re2 {[%cal Ge2g2]} (23.
g4 $6 Rbg8 $132) 23... Rbg8 (23... gxf5 24. exf5 Rbg8 25. Kh2 Bxf5 26. Be4 Bg6
$13) 24. Kh2 (24. Rg2 gxf5 25. exf5 Bxf5 {[%cal Rf5h3,Rh3f1]} 26. Be4 Bxe4 27.
Nxe4 Nxe4 28. Qd3 $13) 24... g5 $11 {[%cal Gg5g4] Die Stellung ist geschlossen
und Weiss kann trotz seines Raumvorteils nicht durchbrechen.} 25. Bg2 Qd8 {
Eine guter Verteidigungszug. Schwarz verhindert das Manöver Qb3-b6.} (25... g4
26. h4 $11) 26. Qb3 Qc7 27. Nb1 (27. Nb5 Bxb5 28. axb5 b6 $11 {Es ist schwer
vorstellbar, dass einer der Spieler in dieser geschlossenen Stellung noch
Fortschritte erzielen kann.}) 27... Kg7 {[%cal Gg7f8,Gf8e7]} 28. Nd2 Kf8 29.
Ra1 Ke7 {[%csl Ge7] Der schwarze König steht sicher auf e7.} 30. Ra3 g4 (30...
h4 31. g4 $11) 31. h4 Ra8 32. Qc3 Rhb8 33. Nb3 Rh8 (33... b6 $11) 34. Nc1 Ra6
35. Nd3 {[%csl Gd3][%cal Gd3e5]} Ne8 {Das ist ein typischer Manöverkampf. Es
gibt keine konkreten Varianten, beide Spieler verbessern ihre Figurenstellung.}
36. Ra1 f6 {Jetzt ist der Punkt e5 völlig abgesichert.} 37. Bf1 Ra8 38. Rf2 Kf7
39. Be2 {[%cal Ge2g4]} Qd8 40. Qb3 b6 41. Qd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Vidmar Memorial 13th"]
[Site "Portoroz"]
[Date "1999.06.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Stohl, Igor"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2573"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "1999.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SLO"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 cxd4 7. Nxd4 d5 8.
cxd5 Nxd5 9. Bd2 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Be7 11. Rb1 Qd7 12. Bf4 Bf6 13. Nb5 a6 14. Qxd7
Nxd7 15. Nd6 Bxc3+ 16. Kf1 Bf6 17. Nxb7 a5 18. Nd6 Rb8 19. Rxb8 Nxb8 20. Nc4 a4
21. Bf3 Ba6 22. Nb6 Bd4 23. Be3 Bxb6 24. Bxb6 Nd7 25. Bd4 Rc8 26. Kg2 Rc2 27.
Rb1 a3 28. Rb4 Rc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Vidmar Memorial 13th"]
[Site "Portoroz"]
[Date "1999.06.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kozul, Zdenko"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2585"]
[Annotator "Tsesarsky,I"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "1999.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SLO"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 8224]} 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nc6 3. d4 Bf5 4. Bg2 e6 5. a3 (5. c3 Be7 (5...
Nf6 6. Nbd2 h6 7. O-O Be7 8. a4 a5 9. Qb3 O-O 10. Re1 (10. Qxb7 Rb8 11. Qxc6
Rb6 12. Qb5 Rxb5 13. axb5 Bd6 $132) 10... Bh7 11. Nf1 (11. Qxb7 Rb8 12. Qxc6
Rb6 $132) 11... Rb8 12. Bf4 Ne4 $11 {1/2-1/2 Bratchenko Alexandr-Tjuchanov/RUS
1996/Inf 01 (21)}) 6. Nbd2 Nf6 7. a4 a5 8. Qb3 Ra6 9. Nh4 Rb6 10. Qa2 Bg4 11.
h3 Bh5 12. g4 Nd7 13. Nf5 exf5 14. gxh5 Nf6 15. Rg1 (15. Nf1 Nb8 16. Ne3 c6 17.
Nxf5 Nxh5 18. Rg1 g6 19. Nxe7 Qxe7 $14) 15... O-O 16. Nf1 Qd7 17. Bf3 Kh8 18.
Ne3 (18. Bf4 Ne4 19. Ne3 Rd8 20. Rd1 (20. Nxf5 Qxf5 21. Bxc7 Ra6 22. Bxd8 Nxd8
23. Qb3 Bh4 24. Rf1 Re6 $15) 20... Bh4 21. Rg2 Ne7 $132 {0-1 Fernandez Madrid,
C-Narciso,M/Catalunya ch 1995 (31)}) 18... Rd8 19. Rg5 g6 20. hxg6 hxg6 21. Rg1
Ne4 22. Ng2 $14) (5. O-O {Main line}) 5... Be7 6. O-O (6. Nbd2 Nf6 7. O-O O-O
8. c4 Ne4 $11) 6... Nf6 7. c4 Ne4 (7... dxc4 8. Qa4 Qd7 9. Qxc4 O-O 10. Nc3
Rfd8 11. Rd1 Nd5 12. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Qc6 (13... c6 14. e4 $18) 14. Qb3 (
14. Qxc6 bxc6 15. Bd2 (15. e4 Nxc3 16. Rxd8+ Rxd8 17. bxc3 Rd1+ 18. Bf1 Bxe4
$19) (15. Ne4 Rab8 $132) 15... Rab8 16. e4 Nxc3 17. Bxc3 Bg6 (17... Bg4 18. f3
Bh5 19. h4 Bg6 20. Kf2 Kf8 21. Bf1 Ke8 22. Ba6 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Rd8 24. Rxd8+ Kxd8
25. Ke3 $14 {[%csl Rc6,Rc7,Rg6]}) 18. Kf1 (18. f4 Bh5 19. Rxd8+ Rxd8 20. Kf1
Bc5 21. h3 Bd1 (21... Be3 22. g4 $18) 22. Ke1 Bb3 $132) 18... Kf8 19. Ke2 Ke8
20. f3 $14 {[%csl Rc6,Rc7]}) 14... Qb6 15. Qxb6 Nxb6 16. Bxb7 (16. Rxd8+ Rxd8
17. Bxb7 Nc4 18. f4 (18. e4 Bh3 19. f4 Nxb2 $1 20. Bxb2 Bc5+ 21. Kh1 Rd2 $19)
18... Nxb2 19. Bxb2 Rb8 20. Be4 Rxb2 21. Bxf5 exf5 22. Nd5 Bf8 23. Kf2 c6 24.
Nb4 c5 25. Nd5 c4 $15) 16... Rxd1+ 17. Nxd1 Rb8 18. Ba6 $14) 8. e3 O-O (8...
dxc4 9. Qa4 Qd7 (9... Nd6 10. Ne5 O-O 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bxc6 Rb8 13. Qxa7 $16)
10. Qxc4 O-O 11. b4 a6 12. Bb2 Nd6 13. Qe2 $14) 9. Qe2 Re8 (9... dxc4 10. Qxc4
Nd6 11. Qe2 a5 12. Nc3 a4 13. e4 Bg4 14. Rd1 Na5 15. e5 Ndc4 16. h3 Bf5 17. g4
Bg6 18. d5 $14) 10. Nfd2 a6 (10... Na5 11. b4 Nxd2 12. Nxd2 Nxc4 13. Nxc4 dxc4
14. Qxc4 c6 15. e4 Bg6 16. f4 Qd7 17. Bb2 a5 $11) 11. b4 Nxd2 12. Bxd2 (12.
Nxd2 Bf6 13. Bb2 Ne7 (13... Qd7 14. Rac1 Rad8 15. Nb3 $14) 14. Rac1 c6 15. Rfd1
(15. e4 dxe4 16. Nxe4 Bxd4 $15) 15... Qd7 16. e4 dxe4 17. Nxe4 Bxe4 18. Bxe4
Nf5 19. Bxf5 (19. Qd3 Rad8 20. g4 Nxd4 21. Bxh7+ Kh8 22. Bxd4 Qxd4 23. Qh3 Qf4
24. Bc2+ Kg8 25. c5 $11 (25. Qh7+ Kf8 $17)) 19... exf5 20. Qc2 b5 21. cxb5 cxb5
22. d5 Rac8 23. Qd2 Rxc1 24. Bxc1 h6 $14 {[%csl Gd5]}) 12... Na7 13. Nc3 c6 14.
c5 (14. f4 Qd7 15. Na4 (15. g4 Bc2 $132) 15... Nc8 16. Nc5 Qc7 17. g4 Bc2 18.
Bc3 Bxc5 (18... Bg6 19. f5 $16) 19. bxc5 Bb3 20. cxd5 exd5 21. Rfb1 Bc4 22. Qd2
Qe7 23. Re1 Qh4 $132) 14... Qd7 $6 $14 (14... Nb5 15. Na4 Bf6 16. Nb6 Rb8 17.
a4 Nd6 $1 18. Bc3 Nc8 $11) 15. a4 e5 (15... Bf6 16. f4 h6 $14) 16. dxe5 a5 17.
Na2 axb4 18. Bxb4 Nc8 (18... Bh3 19. f4 Nc8 20. Bxh3 Qxh3 21. Nc1 Nb6 22. cxb6
Bxb4 23. Nd3 Bc3 24. Rac1 Ba5 25. Nc5 Bxb6 26. Nxb7 Qd7 27. Nd6 Reb8 $132) 19.
a5 Bd8 (19... Bh3 20. f4 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Bd8 22. e4 Bc7 23. Nc3 Ne7 $14) 20. Qb2
(20. f4 Bh3 21. Nc3 $14) 20... Ne7 21. Nc3 Ng6 (21... Bh3 22. f4 Bc7 23. Rfd1
Bxg2 24. Qxg2 Qe6 (24... Nf5 25. Qf3 $16) 25. e4 Rad8 26. exd5 Nxd5 27. Nxd5
Rxd5 28. Rxd5 cxd5 29. Rd1 Rd8 30. Rd4 $16) 22. f4 Bg4 $2 $16 {Interestingly
that the young talent changes skilled grandmaster in positional struggle.} (
22... Bh3 23. Rfd1 Bxg2 24. Qxg2 f6 25. exf6 Bxf6 26. e4 Bxc3 27. Bxc3 Qe7 28.
e5 Qxc5+ 29. Bd4 $14) 23. Qd2 f6 $2 {Black miss the latent tactical impact.} (
23... Bc7 24. Na4 $16 (24. Rfb1 $16)) {[%tqu "En","?","","","c3d5","",10]} 24.
Nxd5 $1 $18 Rb8 (24... cxd5 25. Qxd5+ Qxd5 26. Bxd5+ Be6 27. Bxb7 $18) 25. Nb6
Qxd2 26. Bxd2 Be7 27. h3 Be2 28. Rfe1 Ba6 29. exf6 gxf6 30. Bb4 Rbd8 31. Rad1
Nf8 32. f5 Bd3 33. Bd5+ cxd5 34. Rxd3 Nd7 35. Rxd5 Ne5 36. Red1 Nc6 37. Rxd8
Bxd8 38. Be1 Re5 39. Nd5 Kf7 40. Nb4 Nxb4 41. Rxd8 Nc2 42. Rd7+ Ke8 43. Rxb7
1-0

[Event "Vidmar Memorial 13th"]
[Site "Portoroz"]
[Date "1999.06.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Pavasovic, Dusko"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "1999.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SLO"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 c6 4. c4 e6 5. cxd5 Bxf3 6. Bxf3 cxd5 7. O-O Nc6 8.
Nc3 Nf6 9. d3 Be7 10. a3 O-O 11. Bg2 Rc8 12. Bd2 Nd7 13. Rc1 Bg5 14. e3 a6 15.
b4 Qe7 16. Rc2 Rfd8 17. Qb1 d4 18. Ne4 dxe3 19. fxe3 Bh6 20. Nf2 Nb6 21. Ng4
Bg5 22. h4 f5 23. hxg5 fxg4 24. g6 hxg6 25. d4 Nd5 26. Rc5 Kh7 27. Be4 Qg5 28.
Rf2 Qe7 29. Bxg6+ Kh8 30. Qe4 Nf6 31. Qh1+ Kg8 32. Rh5 1-0

[Event "Vidmar Memorial 13th"]
[Site "Portoroz"]
[Date "1999.06.23"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Zvjaginsev, Vadim"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B55"]
[WhiteElo "2658"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "1999.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SLO"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. f3 Nc6 6. c4 e6 7. Nc3 Be7 8. Nc2
O-O 9. Be2 a6 10. O-O b6 11. Be3 Ne5 12. Qd4 Ned7 13. Qd2 Bb7 14. Nd4 Qc7 15.
Rfc1 Rfe8 16. a4 Rab8 17. b4 Ba8 18. Nb3 Bf8 19. a5 bxa5 20. b5 axb5 21. Nxb5
Qd8 22. Qxa5 Qe7 23. Qb4 Ne5 24. Ra7 Rb7 25. Rca1 Nc6 26. Rxb7 Qxb7 27. Qd2 d5
28. exd5 exd5 29. c5 Qe7 30. Bf4 Qxe2 31. Qxe2 Rxe2 32. Rxa8 Re8 33. Rxe8
1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Las Vegas"]
[Date "1999.07.31"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rozentalis, Eduardas"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2586"]
[Annotator "Pein,M"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "1999.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 {Horn,Pe} d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Nd7 5. d3 Ngf6 6. Nbd2 e5 7. e4
dxe4 8. dxe4 Bc5 9. h3 Bxf3 {This seems to give White a fairly free hand.
Black often plays 9...Bh5 when White often feels he has to play 10.Qe1 to
break the pin. So I prefer 9...Bh5} 10. Bxf3 O-O 11. a4 a5 12. Nc4 Qe7 {
Horn,Pe: 'Meistens landet die Q in diesem Stellungstyp auf c7, was mir auch
sinnvoller erscheint: Pe5 ist gedeckt und man kann leichter den Nd7 nach e6
bringen. '} (12... Qc7 {Horn,Pe}) (12... Re8 {Horn,Pe}) 13. Kg2 Rfd8 14. Qe2
Nf8 (14... Nb6 {Horn,Pe} 15. Ne3 $14) 15. c3 h6 $6 {This makes it harder to
play ...g6 later} (15... Ne8 $5) 16. h4 {Although Black looks solid enough its
hard to find a plan and White has Ne3-f5. Perhaps Ne8-d6} Qc7 {Horn,Pe: 'Das
ist ein klares Indiz, daß Rozentalis nicht mehr glücklich mit den
vorangegangenen Zügen war.'} 17. Ne3 Qb6 (17... Ne6 {Horn,Pe} 18. Nf5) 18. Nc4
Qc7 (18... Qb3 {Horn,Pe} 19. Nxe5 $16) 19. Ne3 Qb6 20. Qc4 $1 {Horn,Pe:
'Angesichts der unentschlossenen schwarzen Spielführung ist Aronian nicht mit
einem Remis zufrieden. Weiß übernimmt jetzt die Initiative auf den weißen
Felder; gelegentlich könnte auch der Bf3 auf der Diagonale a2-f7 auftauchen.'}
Ne6 21. Ng4 {Freeing White's play} Nxg4 {Horn,Pe: 'Ein wenig verdächtig, da es
die weißen Figuren entwickelt.'} ({Sonst kam noch} 21... Nd7 {Horn,Pe in
Betracht, vielleicht am besten:} 22. Be2 ({Die Radikallösung scheint nicht zu
klappen:} 22. Bxh6 $2 gxh6 23. Nxh6+ Kg7 24. Nf5+ Kf8 $17)) 22. Bxg4 Rd6 (22...
Re8 {Horn,Pe} 23. b3 {[%cal Yf2f4]}) 23. b3 Rad8 {'?' Horn,Pe. Horn,Pe:
'Schwarz kann es sich bei der angespannten Situation nicht leisten, noch einen
Larifarizug zu machen. Er mußte konkret auf die Drohungen in der f-Linie
reagieren. '} (23... Rf8 {Horn,Pe Deckt f7; jedenfalls reicht danach die
Vorgehensweise aus der Partie nicht zum Gewinn:} 24. f4 exf4 25. Bxf4 Nxf4+ 26.
Rxf4 Rd2+ 27. Kh3 Bd6 28. Rf3 Qd8 $1 29. Raf1 Kh8 30. Rxf7 $140 $4 Rh2+ 31.
Kxh2 Qxh4+ $19) 24. f4 $3 {Apart from Kotsurs shattering Qxe4! against
Dolmatov I rate this the move of the day. White looks passive but he has
spotted a weakness on f7 and he goes for it. Perhaps 23...Re8 was safer but
its easy to say that afterwards, this is a real shocker.} exf4 {'?' Horn,Pe.} (
24... Re8 {Horn,Pe Bauernverlust war nicht mehr zu vermeiden; so sollte
Schwarz wenigstens das Beste draus machen.}) 25. Bxf4 Nxf4+ 26. Rxf4 {Amazing
stuff, Raf1 and Bh5 are coming and f7 is just dropping off but of course there
is still a lot of work to do} Rd2+ (26... Rf8 {Horn,Pe} 27. Raf1 $18) 27. Kh3
Bd6 (27... Rf8 28. Raf1 Rf2 29. Bh5 Rxf1 30. Bxf7+ $1 (30. Bxf7+ {Horn,Pe} Kh8
31. Rxf1 {und Schwarz hat einen Bauern weniger.})) 28. Rxf7 Kh8 29. e5 $1 {
Of course the white square attack is more important than a pawn. This
undermines the defence of f8 and introduces a possible Qe4+ '+-!' Horn,Pe.
Horn,Pe: 'Leitet den Schlußangriff ein: Qe4 wird möglich.'} (29. Raf1 {Horn,Pe}
) 29... Bxe5 {Horn,Pe: 'Alles andere rettet auch nicht.'} 30. Raf1 Bd6 (30...
R2d5 31. Rf8+ Rxf8 32. Rxf8+ Kh7 33. Qe4+ g6 34. Bh5 {and my little German
friend tells me its mate in 5. Which is all very clever but would it give up a
pawn on e5 I wonder ?}) 31. Rxg7 Qe3 (31... Kxg7 32. Rf7+ Kh8 33. Qe4 {Is a
lovely illustration of the merits of 29.e5! '+-' Horn,Pe.}) (31... Rf2 {Horn,Pe
} 32. Rg6 Qe3 33. Be6 Rxf1 34. Qxf1 Rf8 35. Rg8+ Rxg8 36. Qf6+ Rg7 37. Qd8+ Kh7
38. Bf5+ Rg6 39. Qxd6 $18) 32. Bh5 $1 ({Einfacher war} 32. Rh7+ {Horn,Pe} Kxh7
33. Qf7+ Kh8 34. Qf6+ $18) 32... Rf2 (32... Kxg7 33. Qf7+ Kh8 34. Qf6+ Kg8 35.
Qxd8+ {'+-' Horn,Pe.}) (32... Be5 {Horn,Pe wäre nur ein Schreckschuß:} 33. Rg6
$1 $18) 33. Rxf2 Qxf2 34. Rg6 Qf5+ 35. Kg2 $1 Qxh5 36. Qd4+ Qe5 37. Rxd6 $1 (
37. Rxh6+ Kg8 38. Qg4+ Kf8 39. Rh5 Qxc3 40. Qf5+ Ke8 41. Qe6+ Be7 42. Rg5 Rd2+
43. Kh3 Kd8 {and Black does a runner}) 37... Qxd4 38. Rxd4 Re8 39. Rd6 {
It looks like an early resignation but on closer examination its hard to see
how to avoid losing a second pawn} 1-0

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Las Vegas"]
[Date "1999.08.01"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Rozentalis, Eduardas"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E14"]
[WhiteElo "2586"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "1999.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. O-O Be7 6. c4 O-O 7. Nc3 d5 8. cxd5
exd5 9. b3 a6 10. Bb2 Bd6 11. a3 Nbd7 12. b4 Ne4 13. Qb3 Ndf6 14. a4 c6 15. a5
b5 16. Rad1 Qe7 17. Na2 Bc7 18. Nc1 Bd6 19. Ba3 Bc8 20. Be2 Bg4 21. Qb2 Rfc8
22. Nd3 Bb8 23. Qc2 Nd6 24. Rfe1 Nc4 25. Bc1 Bf5 26. Qb3 Bxd3 27. Bxd3 Bd6 28.
e4 dxe4 29. Bg5 Qd7 30. Bxe4 Nxe4 31. Rxe4 Re8 32. Rh4 Qf5 33. d5 c5 34. bxc5
Bxc5 35. Rf4 Qg6 36. Rxc4 bxc4 37. Qxc4 Rac8 38. Qf1 h6 39. Bf4 Bd6 40. Be3 Rc2
41. Bb6 Rb2 42. Nd2 Qh5 43. Nf3 Rb5 44. Qd3 Qg6 45. Qf1 Qe4 46. Nd2 Qe5 47. Nf3
Qe2 48. Qxe2 Rxe2 49. g3 Re8 50. Rd2 Rc8 51. Kg2 Kf8 52. Rd3 Rc4 53. Nd2 Rcb4
54. Bd4 f6 55. Bb6 Ke7 56. Nf3 Kd7 57. Nh4 Bc5 58. Nf5 Bxb6 59. axb6 g6 60.
Nxh6 Rxb6 0-1

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Las Vegas"]
[Date "1999.08.03"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Timman, Jan H"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2650"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[Annotator "Mikhalevski,V"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "1999.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 e5 $6 {A dubious attempt to avoid King's
Indian.If we take statistics of this line,we'll find out that black lost
almost all the games.Maybe 4...e5 is not as bad as statistics shows,but
definitely it can't be recommended.} 5. Nxe5 $1 ({In case of} 5. d4 {Black's
idea can start working:} exd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. Be2 c6 8. O-O d5) 5... Nxe4 6.
Nxe4 Bxe5 7. d4 Bg7 8. Bg5 f6 9. Be3 O-O 10. Nc3 $1 (10. Be2 d6 (10... d5 $5)
11. Qd2 Re8 12. Nc3 Nc6 13. d5 Ne5 14. O-O f5 15. Rad1 a6 16. h3 Qe7 17. Rfe1
Qf8 18. Qc1 h6 19. Bf1 Re7 20. c5 Rf7 21. Ne2 g5 22. f4 Ng6 23. g3 Bd7 24. c6
bxc6 25. dxc6 Bc8 26. fxg5 hxg5 27. Bxg5 Rb8 28. b3 Rb4 29. Nf4 Nxf4 30. gxf4
Bd4+ 31. Kg2 d5 32. a3 {1-0 Summerscale,A-Berry,N/Aberdeen 1998/EXT 99 (32)})
10... Nc6 $146 (10... d6 11. g3 (11. Be2 Nc6 12. d5 Ne7 13. O-O Nf5 14. Bf4 Bd7
15. Bg4 a6 16. a4 h5 17. Bxf5 Bxf5 18. Re1 Qd7 19. Qb3 Rab8 20. c5 g5 21. Be3
Rfe8 22. a5 Bf8 23. Qc4 dxc5 24. Bxc5 Bxc5 25. Qxc5 Rxe1+ {Sanguinetti,
R-Garcia Palermo,C/Caseros 1974/EXT 98/1/2-1/2 (47)}) 11... Bd7 12. Bg2 Qc8 13.
Nd5 Nc6 14. O-O Rf7 15. Rc1 Ne7 16. Nxe7+ Rxe7 17. Qb3 c6 18. Bf4 $16 {Keene,
R-Miles,A/Hastings 1973/EXT 98/1-0 (49)}) 11. d5 Ne7 12. Bd3 d6 13. O-O Nf5 14.
Bf4 $14 {The same position with the white's bishop on e2 instead of d3 has
occured in the game Sanguinetti,R-Garcia Palermo,C/Caseros 1974/EXT 98/1/2-1/2
(47) see above.} Nh6 15. Rc1 f5 16. Qd2 Nf7 {[%cal Gg6g5]} 17. Be3 Bd7 $6 {
Too slowly.Black should try to create counterplay by means of 17..g5.} (17...
g5 $5 18. f4 gxf4 19. Bxf4 Ne5 $14 {[%cal Gd8f6]}) 18. f4 $1 {[%mdl 32] Now
Black men are lack of space and White can strengthen his position with no
obstacles from the opponent's side.} Re8 19. Bf2 a6 20. Ne2 $1 {[%cal Ge2d4,
Gd4f3]} Qf6 (20... b5 $6 {[%csl Rc7][%cal Gc1c7] is senceless as opening of
the c-file is in the White's favour.}) 21. b3 b6 22. Nd4 Bh6 23. Bb1 {White
has all time in the world for his manoeuvres.} Bf8 24. Nf3 Qh8 25. h3 Qf6 26.
Bd4 Qd8 27. Qc3 $1 {Step by step White took all the space and makes Black to
create new weaknesses in his position as he can't wait anymore.} c5 {Sad
necessity.} 28. dxc6 Bxc6 29. Rce1 $14 {[%csl Rd6,Rf7,Rf8]} (29. Bf6 Be7 $1 (
29... Qc7 $6 30. Nd4 {[%csl Rg8][%cal Gd4c6,Gd4f5]})) 29... Qc7 30. Bf6 {
[%cal Gf3d4,Gd4f5]} Qb7 31. Nh4 $5 {[%cal Gc3g3,Rh4f5]} Nh6 $8 (31... Rxe1 $2
32. Rxe1 Re8 {doesn't bring relief as after} 33. Rxe8 Bxe8 {White wins a pawn.}
34. Nxf5 (34. Bxf5 $5)) 32. Bc2 (32. Bd3 $5) 32... b5 33. Bd3 bxc4 (33... Rxe1
$5 34. Rxe1 Re8 {trying to make his life easier with the aid of exchanges}) 34.
Rxe8 Bxe8 $5 (34... Rxe8 35. Qxc4+ {[%cal Rc4g8,Rc4a6]} d5 36. Qxa6 Qxa6 37.
Bxa6 Ra8 38. Bd3 Rxa2 39. Rc1 Be8 40. Nf3 $14) 35. Qxc4+ Bf7 (35... Nf7 $5 {
[%cal Gd6d5,Gf7d6,Gd6e4,Ge8b5]}) (35... d5 $142 $5 36. Qd4 Rc8) 36. Qd4 Re8 37.
Nf3 a5 {[%cal Gb7b4]} 38. Rd1 (38. Rc1 $5 Bd5 $140 39. Ba6 $1 Qa8 40. Bc4 $1
Bxc4 41. Qxc4+ $14 {[%csl Ra5,Rd6]}) 38... Qb4 39. Qxb4 (39. Rc1 $5 $14) 39...
axb4 40. Ng5 Bg7 $2 {[%mdl 8192] loses a pawn by force.} (40... Ra8 {[%csl Ra2]
was necessary with worse,but playable position.} 41. Rd2 Bg7 42. Bxg7 Kxg7 43.
Kf2 $14 {[%csl Rb4,Rd6]}) 41. Bxg7 Kxg7 42. Bf1 $1 $16 {[%csl Rb4,Rd6]} (42.
Ba6 $5) 42... d5 {At least annoying knight on g5 will be exchanged.} (42... Ra8
43. Rxd6 Rxa2 44. Rd7 $1 $18 {Now Black's knight is in trouble.It can find a
rest only on h8:} Ra1 45. Kf2 Ra2+ 46. Kf3 Kf6 47. Nxf7 $1 Nxf7 48. Bc4 Nh8 49.
Rxh7 Ra8 50. Rb7 $18) (42... Rd8 43. Rd4 Ra8 44. Rxd6 {see 42...Ra8}) 43. Nxf7
Nxf7 44. Rxd5 Kf6 45. Bc4 $1 {[%cal Gd5d7]} Rd8 {Black signs capitulation,but
a good advice is already very expensive.} 46. Rxd8 Nxd8 47. Bd5 $1 {[%csl Rd8]}
g5 (47... Ke7 48. Kf2 Kd6 (48... h5 49. Ke3 Kd6 50. Kd4 $18) 49. Bg8 Ke7 50.
Ke3 Nc6 51. Kd3 $18) 48. fxg5+ Kxg5 49. Kf2 Kf4 50. Ke2 Ke5 51. Bg8 Ne6 {
Last chance.Black obtain some chances in the pawn ending after 52.B:e6,but...}
(51... h6 52. Kd3 Nc6 53. Kc4 Kd6 54. Bh7 f4 55. Be4 $18) 52. Bxh7 {Most
simple.} (52. Bxe6 {Black could look for a draw in the following variations:}
Kxe6 53. Kd3 Kd5 $1 (53... Ke5 54. Kc4 Kf4 55. Kxb4 Kg3 56. a4 Kxg2 57. a5 f4
58. a6 f3 59. a7 f2 60. a8=Q+ $18) 54. Kc2 (54. g3 h6) 54... f4 55. Kb2 (55.
Kb1 Kd4 $1 (55... Ke4 56. a4 $1 bxa3 57. b4 $1 $18) 56. a4 bxa3 57. Ka2 (57. b4
$4 Kc4) 57... Ke3 58. b4 Kf2 59. b5 Kxg2 60. b6 f3 61. b7 f2 62. b8=Q f1=Q 63.
Qg8+ $11) 55... Ke4 56. a4 bxa3+ 57. Kxa3 Ke3 58. b4 Kf2 59. b5 Kxg2 60. b6 f3
61. b7 f2 62. b8=Q f1=Q $11) 52... Nf4+ 53. Kf3 Nd5 54. h4 Nc3 55. Bg8 Kf6 (
55... Nxa2 56. h5 Kf6 57. h6 (57. Kf4 $5 Nc3 58. Bc4) 57... Nc3 58. h7 Kg7 59.
Kf4 Nd1 60. g3 $18) 56. g3 Nxa2 57. Kf4 Nc3 58. Bc4 $1 {(.)} Ne4 (58... Kg6 59.
Ke5 Ne4 60. g4 $18) 59. g4 Nd6 60. g5+ 1-0

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Las Vegas"]
[Date "1999.08.04"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Timman, Jan H"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2650"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "1999.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. O-O e5 5. c4 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Nc3 Be6 8.
Ng5 Qxg5 9. Nxd5 Qd8 10. Ne3 Qd7 11. d3 Be7 12. Qa4 Rc8 13. Bd2 b6 14. f4 exf4
15. gxf4 f5 16. Kh1 Bf6 17. Bc3 Nd4 18. Qd1 O-O 19. Nc2 Rfd8 20. Ne1 Qe7 21. e3
Nc6 22. Qf3 Bxc3 23. bxc3 Qf6 24. d4 cxd4 25. cxd4 Nb4 26. Qf2 Bd5 27. Bxd5+
Nxd5 28. Nf3 Qc6 29. Rg1 Re8 30. Qg2 Qf6 31. Ne5 Nxe3 32. Qb7 Ng4 33. Rac1 Rb8
34. Qxa7 Ra8 35. Qb7 Nf2+ 36. Kg2 Ne4 37. Kh1 Nf2+ 38. Kg2 Ne4 39. Kf1 Rab8 40.
Qd5+ Qe6 41. Qxe6+ Rxe6 42. Rg2 Nf6 43. Rgc2 Rd8 44. Rc8 Ree8 45. Rxd8 Rxd8 46.
Nc6 Ra8 47. Nb4 Rd8 48. Nc6 Ra8 49. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.09.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Budnikov, Oleg"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2331"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "1999.09.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 e6 7. e4 Bd6 8. h3
Bh5 9. Qe1 Qc7 10. Nh2 O-O-O 11. f4 g5 12. e5 Bc5+ 13. Kh1 gxf4 14. exf6 fxg3
15. Nhf3 Rhg8 16. Nb3 Bf2 17. Rxf2 gxf2 18. Qxf2 Rg6 19. Nh4 Rxf6 20. Qxa7 Qg3
21. Na5 Qe1+ 22. Kh2 Qe5+ 23. Kh1 Qe1+ 24. Kh2 Qe5+ 25. Kh1 Qe1+ 26. Kh2
1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.09.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sundararajan, Kidambi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E38"]
[WhiteElo "2334"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "1999.09.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Qc7 6. Nf3 Bxc5 7. Bg5 a6 8. e3
Be7 9. Bd3 d6 10. O-O Nbd7 11. a3 b6 12. b4 Bb7 13. e4 Rc8 14. Rac1 O-O 15.
Rfe1 Rfe8 16. Qe2 Qb8 17. Bb1 Nf8 18. Be3 Ba8 19. Nd2 Ng6 20. f4 Bd8 21. h3 Nd7
22. Rf1 Bf6 23. Qd3 e5 24. g3 exf4 25. gxf4 Bd8 26. Nd5 Nf6 27. Ba2 Nh5 28.
Rcd1 Qb7 29. Kh2 Qd7 30. Qe2 Bxd5 31. cxd5 Rc3 32. Qxh5 Rxe3 33. Rf3 Re2+ 34.
Kh1 Qa4 35. Bb3 Qxa3 36. Bc4 Re3 37. Nb1 Rxf3 38. Nxa3 Rxa3 39. Qf5 Bf6 40. Rc1
Nh4 41. Qg4 h5 42. Qd7 Rd8 43. Qc7 Rxh3+ 44. Kg1 Bd4+ 45. Kf1 Re8 46. Qd7 Rf3+
47. Ke2 Rxe4+ 48. Kd1 Bf6 49. Qxd6 Nf5 50. Qxb6 Rd4+ 0-1

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.09.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Halkias, Stelios"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D34"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2406"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "1999.09.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. d4 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O
O-O 9. b3 Ne4 10. Bb2 Bf6 11. Na4 Re8 12. Rc1 b6 13. dxc5 Bxb2 14. Nxb2 Nxc5
15. Nd3 Ba6 16. Nf4 g5 17. Nd3 Nxd3 18. Rxc6 Nb4 19. Rh6 Kg7 20. Rh5 h6 21. Nd4
Qf6 22. f4 Nd3 23. Qa1 Kg8 24. fxg5 Qg6 25. Nf5 Ne5 26. Nxh6+ 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.09.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Jenni, Florian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2399"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "1999.09.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3
Be7 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. g4 h6 11. O-O-O b5 12. h4 Nb6 13. Qf2 Nfd7 14. Kb1 Qc7 15.
Nd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 Nc4 17. Bc1 Qb6 18. Qe1 a5 19. Na1 Qc5 20. Bd3 b4 21. Qe4
Ncb6 22. Be3 Qc7 23. Bb5 O-O 24. g5 h5 25. f4 exf4 26. Bxb6 Nxb6 27. Bc6 Rab8
28. Rde1 Bd8 29. Qxf4 Nd7 30. Nb3 Ne5 31. Nd4 Be7 32. Rhf1 g6 33. Qe4 Rbc8 34.
Ba4 Bd8 35. Nc6 Ng4 36. Qf4 Ra8 37. Bb5 Ne5 38. Nxe5 dxe5 39. Qxe5 Qxe5 40.
Rxe5 Bc7 41. Re4 Rad8 42. Bc6 Rd6 43. c4 bxc3 44. bxc3 f6 45. c4 Bb6 46. Re6
Rxe6 47. dxe6 Bd8 48. Rd1 fxg5 49. hxg5 h4 50. Be4 Bxg5 51. Rg1 Rf4 52. Bxg6
Be7 53. Bd3+ Kf8 54. Rf1 Rxf1+ 55. Bxf1 Ke8 56. Kc2 Kd8 57. Kd3 Kc7 58. Ke4 Kd6
59. Kf5 Bd8 60. Bg2 Be7 61. Bd5 h3 62. Kg6 h2 63. Kf7 Bh4 64. Bf3 Bd8 65. c5+
1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.09.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Pinski, Jan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2444"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "1999.09.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. g3 Bf5 4. Bg2 e6 5. O-O Nb4 6. Na3 Be7 7. c3 Na6 8. Qb3
Qc8 9. c4 c6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxe7 Nxe7 12. Nd2 O-O 13. e4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Rd8 15.
Rad1 Qc7 16. Qc3 Rac8 17. Nc2 Nb8 18. Qa3 b6 19. Ne3 Bh7 20. Nc3 Nf5 21. Nxf5
Bxf5 22. Rfe1 a6 23. h3 Rd7 24. d5 exd5 25. cxd5 c5 26. d6 Qa7 27. Qa4 c4 28.
Nd5 b5 29. Ne7+ 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.09.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Zhang, Pengxiang"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2462"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "1999.09.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 Nc6 7. g4 Nxd4 8.
Qxd4 e5 9. Qd1 h6 10. g5 hxg5 11. Bxg5 Be6 12. h4 Rc8 13. Bh3 Qb6 14. Bxe6 fxe6
15. Rh3 Rxc3 16. bxc3 Nxe4 17. Be3 Qc7 18. Kf1 Nf6 19. Bg5 d5 20. Bxf6 gxf6 21.
Qg4 f5 22. Qg6+ Qf7 23. Qxf7+ Kxf7 24. a4 Bc5 25. a5 Kf6 26. Rb1 Rh7 27. h5 e4
28. h6 e5 29. Rxb7 Rxb7 30. h7 Rb1+ 31. Ke2 Rb8 32. h8=Q+ Rxh8 33. Rxh8 f4 34.
Rc8 f3+ 35. Kf1 Be7 36. Rc6+ Kf5 37. Rxa6 d4 38. Ra7 Ba3 39. a6 Ke6 40. Rc7 d3
41. cxd3 exd3 42. Ke1 e4 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.09.24"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Chibukhchian, Artur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2413"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "1999.09.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 e5 4. O-O Nf6 5. c4 Be7 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Nc3 Nb6 8.
Rb1 a5 9. b3 O-O 10. Bb2 Re8 11. d3 Bf8 12. Nd2 Be6 13. Rc1 f6 14. a3 Qd7 15.
Re1 Nd5 16. Na4 Rad8 17. Ne4 b6 18. e3 Nde7 19. Bf1 Qd5 20. Nd2 Qd7 21. Qc2 Kh8
22. Nc3 Bh3 23. Be2 Bg4 24. Nf3 Qf5 25. Nh4 Qd7 26. Bf1 Bh3 27. Ng2 Bf5 28. Ne4
Qd5 29. Nh4 Be6 30. Nd2 Qd7 31. Red1 Bg4 32. Nhf3 Qf5 33. Be2 Qh5 34. Qc4 Rd6
35. Qa4 Red8 36. Re1 f5 37. e4 f4 38. h4 fxg3 39. fxg3 Rxd3 40. Bxd3 Rxd3 41.
Qb5 Rxf3 42. Nxf3 Bxf3 43. Rxc6 Qg4 44. Bxe5 Qh3 45. Rc2 Qh1+ 46. Kf2 Qg2+ 47.
Ke3 Qxc2 48. Kxf3 Nc6 49. Ba1 h6 50. Qc4 Qd2 51. Qe2 Qd7 52. Kg2 Bxa3 53. Qh5
Qe6 54. Kh2 Bd6 55. Qd5 Qxd5 56. exd5 Ne7 57. Be5 Nxd5 58. Bxd6 cxd6 59. Re6 b5
60. Rxd6 Nc3 61. Rc6 b4 62. Ra6 a4 63. bxa4 b3 64. a5 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.09.25"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Asrian, Karen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "1999.09.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 e5 7. e4 dxe4 8.
dxe4 Bc5 9. h3 Bh5 10. Qe1 O-O 11. Nc4 Re8 12. a4 Qc7 13. Nh4 Rad8 14. Bg5 Bg6
15. Nxg6 hxg6 16. c3 a5 17. h4 b6 18. Bh3 Be7 19. b4 axb4 20. cxb4 b5 21. axb5
cxb5 22. Na5 Nb6 23. Qe2 Nc4 24. Rfc1 Rd4 25. Be3 Rxe4 26. Bg2 Rg4 27. Bc6 Rb8
28. Nxc4 Rxc4 29. Rxc4 bxc4 30. b5 c3 31. Qc4 c2 32. Rc1 e4 33. Qe2 Bd6 34. Kg2
Qa5 35. Rxc2 Bc7 36. Qd2 Ng4 37. Bd4 Qxd2 38. Rxd2 e3 39. fxe3 Ne5 40. Rc2 Nxc6
41. Rxc6 Ba5 42. b6 Kf8 43. Kf3 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.09.26"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Galkin, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C87"]
[WhiteElo "2535"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[EventDate "1999.09.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 d6 7. d4 b5 8. dxe5
Nxe5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. Qxd8+ Bxd8 11. Bb3 Bb7 12. a4 c5 13. axb5 axb5 14. Rxa8
Bxa8 15. c4 Ba5 16. Bd2 b4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.09.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2603"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "1999.09.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. e4 Bg7 3. d4 d6 4. c3 Nf6 5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O c5 7. Nbd2 cxd4 8.
cxd4 Nc6 9. h3 e5 10. d5 Ne7 11. a4 Nh5 12. Nc4 Nf6 13. Re1 Ne8 14. b3 h6 15.
Ba3 f5 16. Qd2 fxe4 17. Bxe4 Bf5 18. Rad1 Rf7 19. Qb4 Nc8 20. Ne3 Qd7 21. Nxf5
gxf5 22. Bb1 Ne7 23. Nh2 Rd8 24. Nf1 f4 25. Nd2 Nxd5 26. Qa5 Nef6 27. Bf5 Qxf5
28. Qxd8+ Kh7 29. Nf3 e4 30. Nd4 Qg6 31. Qc8 e3 32. f3 Ne4 33. Ne2 Nd2 34. Qg4
Be5 35. Qxg6+ Kxg6 36. Bc1 Nc3 37. Nxc3 Bxc3 38. Bxd2 Bxd2 39. Rxd2 exd2 40.
Rd1 Kf5 41. Rxd2 Ke5 42. Kf2 d5 43. g3 fxg3+ 44. Kxg3 d4 45. Re2+ Kd5 46. Re8
Rd7 47. Rc8 d3 48. Kf2 Ke5 49. Rc5+ Kf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.09.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Iljushin, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E46"]
[WhiteElo "2527"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "1999.09.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nge2 d5 6. a3 Be7 7. cxd5 exd5 8. g3
Re8 9. Bg2 Bf8 10. O-O c6 11. f3 c5 12. g4 h6 13. Nf4 cxd4 14. exd4 Nc6 15. b4
b5 16. Rb1 Rb8 17. Nce2 a5 18. Nd3 axb4 19. axb4 Nd7 20. Nc5 Nxc5 21. bxc5 b4
22. Rf2 Ba6 23. Bf1 g6 24. Ng3 Bc4 25. Kg2 Bg7 26. Bb2 Na5 27. Bc1 Qf6 28. Qa4
Nc6 29. Bxc4 dxc4 30. d5 Ne5 31. Rxb4 Ra8 32. Qc2 Nd3 33. Qxc4 Nxf2 34. Kxf2
Ra1 35. c6 Qc3 36. Qxc3 Bxc3 37. Rc4 Rxc1 38. Kg2 Bb2 39. Rxc1 Bxc1 40. d6 Bf4
41. d7 Rd8 42. Ne2 Bb8 43. Nc3 f6 44. Nd5 Kf7 45. h4 Ke6 46. c7 Bxc7 47. Nxc7+
Kd6 48. Nb5+ Ke5 49. Nc3 Rxd7 50. Kg3 Rd4 51. Ne2 Rc4 52. Kf2 Rc2 53. Ke3 Rxe2+
54. Kxe2 Kf4 55. Kf2 h5 56. gxh5 gxh5 57. Kg2 Ke3 0-1

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.09.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Naumann, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2478"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "1999.09.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Be3 cxd4 7. cxd4 Nc6 8.
Nc3 Qd6 9. a3 Be7 10. Bd3 O-O 11. Qc2 g6 12. Rd1 b6 13. O-O Bb7 14. Qe2 Rad8
15. Bg5 Qb8 16. Bb1 Ng4 17. Bxe7 Nxd4 18. Rxd4 Bxf3 19. Rxg4 Bxe2 20. Nxe2 Rd2
21. Ng3 Qe5 22. Ne4 f5 23. Nxd2 fxg4 24. Bxf8 Kxf8 25. Nc4 Qd4 26. Ne3 Qxb2 27.
a4 Qb4 28. Bc2 Ke7 29. Rb1 Qc3 30. Kf1 Qc7 31. Kg1 Qc3 32. Rd1 Qb4 33. Kf1 Qf4
34. g3 Qf3 35. Kg1 a6 36. Rd4 h5 37. Rf4 Qc6 38. Rc4 Qd6 39. Bxg6 b5 40. axb5
axb5 41. Rc1 b4 42. Rb1 Qc5 43. Nc2 b3 44. Rxb3 Qd5 45. Re3 Kf6 46. Bd3 Qa5 47.
Bc4 e5 48. Bf1 Qc5 49. Na3 e4 50. Nb5 Kg7 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.09.30"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Blehm, Pawel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E66"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2479"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "1999.09.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d4 d6 6. c4 Nc6 7. Nc3 a6 8. d5
Na5 9. Nd2 c5 10. Rb1 Rb8 11. Qc2 b5 12. b3 Bf5 13. e4 Bd7 14. Bb2 bxc4 15.
bxc4 Qc7 16. Nd1 e5 17. Ne3 Bh6 18. Bc3 Rxb1 19. Rxb1 Bxe3 20. fxe3 Ng4 21. Re1
Nb7 22. h3 Nf6 23. Rb1 Nh5 24. Kh2 Bc8 25. Nf3 Qe7 26. Rb6 a5 27. Qd1 Ng7 28.
Qe1 f5 29. exf5 Nxf5 30. g4 Ng7 31. Qh4 Qe8 32. Ng5 h5 33. Ne4 Qd8 34. Qxd8
Rxd8 35. Bf3 Kf7 36. Bd1 Ke7 37. Ba4 Rh8 38. Rc6 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.10.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nalbandian, Tigran"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2445"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[Annotator "Alterman,B"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "1999.10.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 64]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 b5 4. a4 b4 5. Bg2 (5. Nbd2 d5 6. Bg2 c5
7. O-O Nc6 8. c4 bxc3 9. bxc3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Bb4 11. Ba3 Rb8 12. Qc2 Bd7 $11 {
1/2-1/2 Rashkovsky,N-Makarichev,S/Minsk ch-SU 1979 (22)}) (5. c4 c5 (5... bxc3
6. bxc3 d5 7. Bg2 Nbd7 8. O-O Ba6 $11 {1-0 Barbero Gerardo F-Bednarski Jacek B/
Naestved DEN 1988 (35)}) 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. Bg2 Bb7 8. O-O O-O 9. Bf4 a5 10. Nbd2
Na6 11. Nb3 Be7 12. Bd6 Bxd6 13. Qxd6 Ne4 14. Qd4 d6 $11 {0-1 Pelts,P-Gurevich,
D/Midwest Masters Inv. 1987 (62)}) (5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Bg2 Bb7 8. Nbd2
c5 $11 {1-0 Nikolaev,N-Zvereva,M/Petrov mem, St Petersburg RUS 1998 (41)}) 5...
Be7 (5... a5 6. c4 Bb7 7. O-O c5 (7... Be7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Qc2 c5 $11 (9... d5
10. cxd5 exd5 11. Ne5 Bd6 12. Nb3 Re8 13. Nd3 $14 {[%csl Rc5] 0-1 Meissner,
C-Cladouras,P/Open, Dresden GER 1998 (76)})) 8. Bf4 d5 $11 (8... Qb6 9. Nbd2
cxd4 10. Nb3 Nc6 (10... d6 11. Qxd4 Nbd7 12. Rfd1 Nc5 13. Be3 Be7 14. Qf4 O-O
$14 {1-0 Rosanov Lev I-Olenin Nikolay/Cup Russia (open) Moscow (Russia) (5)
1996 (43)}) 11. Nfxd4 Nxd4 12. Qxd4 Qxd4 13. Nxd4 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 Rc8 15. Rac1
Ne4 $11)) (5... d5 6. O-O Be7 7. c4 bxc3 8. Nxc3 O-O 9. Ne5 Bb7 10. Qb3 Qc8 {
1-0 Haves,R-Schlaugat,M/BL2W 1987 (10)}) (5... Bb7 6. c4 (6. Nbd2 c5 7. c3 Be7
8. Nc4 Bd5 9. Qd3 bxc3 10. Qxc3 cxd4 11. Qxd4 Nc6 $15 {1/2-1/2 Haines,B-Chow,A/
Illinois Open 1990 (15)}) (6. a5 c5 7. O-O Be7 8. c4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bxg2 10. Kxg2
O-O 11. Nd2 Qc7 12. e4 Nc6 $11 {1-0 Shirazi,K-Goldin,A/Issy FRA Op 1994 (50)})
6... Be7 (6... bxc3 7. Nxc3 (7. bxc3 c5 8. Ba3 (8. O-O Be7 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Ba3
Na6 11. Ne5 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Qc7 $11 {1-0 Simic,R-de Firmian,N/Stara Pazova 1983/
Inf 36 (49)}) 8... Na6 9. Qd3 Rc8 10. Nbd2 Be7 (10... cxd4 11. Bxf8 Rxf8 12.
Qxd4 Nc5 13. O-O Ke7 14. Rfd1 d5 15. Qe3 Qa5 16. Nd4 Rfd8 17. Nf5+ Kf8 18. Nxg7
$16 {1-0 Kozlov,O-Restas,P/Harkany 1994 (31)}) 11. Rb1 Qc7 $11) 7... Na6 (7...
a5 8. O-O Na6 9. Re1 d5 10. Ne5 c5 11. Bg5 cxd4 12. Qxd4 Be7 $11 {1/2-1/2
Trichkov,V-Chloupek,S/Czech tt(4) 1993 (23)}) 8. O-O Be7 9. Bg5 O-O (9... d5
10. Qb1 O-O 11. Rc1 c5 $11 {0-1 Young,A-Burnett,R/Marshall-2 1995 (37)}) 10.
Rc1 Rb8 11. Nb5 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 c6 13. Nxa7 Qb6 14. Nxc6 dxc6 15. Rxc6 Qa5 16.
Bd2 Nb4 $44 {1/2-1/2 Ardiansyah,H-Andersson,U/Thessaloniki olm 1988 (42)}) (
6... c5 7. d5 exd5 8. Nh4 g6 9. cxd5 Bg7 10. Nd2 O-O (10... Bxd5 11. Bxd5 Nxd5
12. Ne4 Nc7 13. Nxc5 $14) 11. Nc4 d6 12. O-O Ba6 13. Qc2 Re8 14. Re1 Bxc4 15.
Qxc4 Nbd7 16. a5 Ne5 17. Qc2 Qe7 18. Bd2 Rab8 19. h3 Nh5 $15 {0-1
Chiburdanidze,M-Goldin,A/Palma de Majorca ESP 1989 (36)}) 7. O-O (7. a5 O-O 8.
O-O Na6 9. Bf4 d6 10. Nbd2 c5 $11 {1/2-1/2 Hellborg,T-Backe,P/Hallsberg 1990 
(56)}) 7... O-O 8. Nbd2 c5 9. dxc5 Na6 10. c6 Bxc6 11. Nb3 Nc5 12. Nbd4 Be4 $11
{1-0 Ostenstad,B-Carlier,B/Gausdal TM ,EXT 1988 (49)}) 6. c4 bxc3 7. bxc3 (7.
Nxc3 Bb7 8. Qb3 Qc8 (8... Nc6 9. Bf4 (9. Qxb7 Rb8 10. Qa6 Nb4 11. Qxa7 Nc2+ 12.
Kd1 Nxa1 $15) 9... Rb8 10. Qd1 $132) 9. O-O O-O $11) 7... Ba6 $5 8. Ne5 (8.
Nbd2 d5 9. Ba3 $11) 8... d5 9. c4 (9. Ba3 $11) 9... c6 $1 {[%cal Gg2d5]} ({
The openning of a position by a way} 9... c5 $5 {is premature} 10. Nc3 cxd4 (
10... Qa5 11. Bd2 Qc7 12. cxd5 cxd4 13. Nb5 Bxb5 14. Nxf7 $1 O-O $1 (14... Kxf7
15. dxe6+ Kxe6 16. axb5 $18 {[%csl Ra8,Re6]}) 15. d6 $1 (15. Ng5 Qd6 (15...
exd5 16. axb5 $16) (15... Ba6 16. Nxe6 Qd6 17. Nxf8 Bxf8 18. O-O $14) 16. axb5
Nxd5 17. O-O $14) 15... Bxd6 16. axb5 (16. Bxa8 Bc6 17. Nxd6 Bxa8 18. Nb5 Qd7
19. O-O $16 (19. f3 $16)) 16... Nd5 17. Ng5 Qd7 18. Qc2 g6 19. Qe4 Nc7 20. Rc1
$18) 11. Qxd4 Qb6 12. Qxb6 axb6 13. Rb1 $1 (13. cxd5 Bb4 14. Bd2 Bxc3 15. Bxc3
Nxd5 16. Bd4 f6 17. Nd3 Bxd3 18. exd3 Ra5 $14) 13... Bc5 14. Be3 $1 $16) 10. c5
(10. cxd5 cxd5 $11) 10... Nfd7 11. f4 (11. Nxd7 Nxd7 12. O-O e5 $15) 11... Nxe5
12. fxe5 O-O 13. e4 $5 {[%csl Re1][%cal Ga6f1] To complete development first
was better.} (13. O-O Nd7 14. Nd2 (14. Nc3 f6 15. exf6 Bxf6 16. Rb1 Rb8 (16...
e5 17. Nxd5 cxd5 18. dxe5 Nxe5 19. Qxd5+ Qxd5 20. Bxd5+ Nf7 (20... Kh8 21. Bxa8
Rxa8 22. Bb2 Bxe2 23. Rf2 Bg4 24. Bxe5 Bxe5 25. Rb4 h5 $44) 21. Bxa8 Rxa8 $44)
17. Rxb8 Qxb8 18. Bh3 Qe8 19. Bf4 Rf7 20. Rf3 $1 e5 $1 21. Bxd7 Rxd7 22. dxe5
Bd8 (22... Bxe5 23. Re3 Re7 24. Nxd5 $1 $18) 23. Qd4 Ba5 $44) 14... f6 15. exf6
Bxf6 16. Nf3 e5 $15) 13... Nd7 $5 (13... f6 $6 14. exf6 Bxf6 15. e5 Be7 16. Nc3
Qe8 (16... Bc4 17. Qg4 Rf5 18. Rb1 Na6 19. Bh6 (19. Rb7 Nxc5 $1 20. dxc5 Ba6
21. Bh6 g6 22. Rb3 Rxe5+ 23. Kd1 Bxc5 24. Bf4 Rf5 25. Re1 Qf6 $17 {[%csl Rd1]})
19... g6 20. Bf1 Bxf1 21. Rxf1 Qa5 22. Bd2 Nb4 23. Rxf5 exf5 24. Qd1 Nd3+ 25.
Kf1 Qa6 26. Kg2 $11) 17. Ne2 Qh5 18. Nf4 Qf5 19. Be3 $11) 14. Nc3 f6 $1 15.
exd5 (15. exf6 Bxf6 16. Qd2 (16. Be3 $2 Nxc5 $17) (16. e5 $2 Bxe5 $1 17. dxe5
Nxe5 $19) 16... e5 $1 17. exd5 exd4 18. Ne4 (18. dxc6 Nxc5 $17) 18... Re8 19.
Kd1 Bc4 $17) 15... cxd5 (15... exd5 $6 16. e6 Nb8 17. Kf2 f5 18. Re1 f4 19. Kg1
$14) 16. Qg4 $1 (16. Nxd5 $2 exd5 17. Bxd5+ Kh8 18. e6 (18. Bxa8 Qxa8 $19)
18... Nxc5 19. dxc5 Bxc5 $17 (19... Rc8 $17)) 16... f5 17. Qf3 (17. Qf4 Nb8 18.
Nb5 Nc6 19. Qd2 (19. O-O Rb8 $15) 19... Rb8 20. Rb1 $132) 17... Qc7 18. Bd2 (
18. Bf4 g5 19. Bd2 $132) 18... Kh8 19. Rb1 $2 (19. Nb5 Bxb5 20. axb5 Nxe5 21.
Qe2 Nc4 22. Bf4 Qd7 23. O-O $44) 19... Bxc5 $3 {The young talent demonstrates
magnificent tactical vision!} 20. dxc5 Nxe5 21. Qe3 d4 $1 {The position of
white collapses as the card house} 22. Qxd4 Rad8 23. Nd5 (23. Qg1 Qd7 24. Bg5
Nd3+ 25. Kd2 Nf4+ 26. Bd5 Nxd5 27. Bxd8 Nb4+ 28. Kc1 Qd3 $19) (23. Qe3 Nc4 $19)
23... exd5 24. Bf4 (24. Kd1 Nd3 $19) 24... Rfe8 25. Kd1 Rb8 26. Kc2 Bd3+ 27.
Qxd3 Qxc5+ 28. Kd2 Qf2+ 0-1

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.10.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Khachiyan, Melikset"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2480"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1999.10.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. Bg5 Be6 8.
Bxf6 exf6 9. c5 Bg7 10. Bb5 O-O 11. h3 f5 12. O-O g5 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Ne5 Bxe5
15. dxe5 d4 16. Ne2 d3 17. Nc3 d2 18. Qh5 Rb8 19. b3 Rb4 20. Rad1 Rd4 21. Qe2
Qd7 22. Qh5 Qe7 23. Ne2 Rd5 24. f4 Rfd8 25. Qh6 Rd3 26. Kh2 Kh8 27. fxg5 Bc8
28. Nf4 Qxe5 29. Kh1 R3d4 30. Nh5 f4 31. Rf2 Rg8 32. Rfxd2 Rxd2 33. Rxd2 Bxh3
34. Qf6+ Qxf6 35. Nxf6 Rxg5 36. gxh3 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.10.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Minasian, Ara"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2483"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "1999.10.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. g3 c6 4. Nf3 d6 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. d3 Nbd7 8. e4
Re8 9. h3 Bf8 10. Rb1 a6 11. b4 b6 12. Ne1 b5 13. a4 bxc4 14. dxc4 Nb6 15. b5
Nxc4 16. bxc6 Na5 17. Be3 Nxc6 18. Bb6 Qd7 19. Nc2 a5 20. Qd2 Ba6 21. Rfd1 Rec8
22. Ne3 Rab8 23. Ncd5 Nxd5 24. Nxd5 Nb4 25. Nxb4 axb4 26. a5 Rc3 27. Rxb4 Rd3
28. Qxd3 Bxd3 29. Rxd3 Qc8 30. Rd5 h5 31. Bf1 h4 32. Rc4 Qe8 33. g4 Be7 34. Rd1
Ra8 35. Ra1 Bd8 36. Bxd8 Qxd8 37. a6 Qb8 38. Rc6 Ra7 39. Rd1 Rd7 40. Rdc1 Kh7
41. Ra1 Ra7 42. Rcc1 Qa8 43. Ra3 Kh6 44. Ra4 Kg5 45. Rca1 Qb8 46. Bc4 Kf4 47.
Bd5 f6 48. Kg2 Qb6 49. R4a3 Qb2 50. R1a2 Qd4 51. Rf3+ Kg5 52. Rb3 Rc7 53. Rbb2
Qd1 54. Rd2 Qe1 55. Rac2 Ra7 56. Re2 Qd1 57. Bb7 Kf4 58. Rcd2 Qb3 59. Re3 Qb6
60. Rf3+ Kg5 61. Rfd3 Rxa6 62. Bxa6 Qxa6 63. Rxd6 Qc4 64. f3 Kf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.10.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yegiazarian, Arsen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A37"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2504"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "1999.10.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 4096]} 1. g3 c5 2. Bg2 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. a3 {Weiss möchte am
Damenflügel mit Rb1-b4 aktiv spielen, aber diese Fortsetzung ist theoretisch
nicht gefährlich, da Schwarz symmetrisch spielen kann.} a6 (5... b6) 6. Rb1 Rb8
7. b4 cxb4 8. axb4 b5 9. cxb5 (9. c5 a5 $11) 9... axb5 10. Nf3 d5 (10... d6 11.
d4 Bg4 12. Be3 Nh6 13. Nh4 Bd7 14. h3 O-O 15. O-O Na7 16. Qd2 Nf5 17. Nxf5 Bxf5
18. Ra1 Nc8 19. Bh6 Nb6 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. d5 {1-0 Adorjan,A-Horvath,G/HUN-chT
1992/TD (47)}) 11. d4 Bf5 {Nach meiner persöhnlichen Meinung ist die
Alternative 11...e6 sicherer. Früher oder später muss Schwarz e7-e6 ziehen und
der f5B kann bei der Verteidigung des Damenflügels fehlen.} (11... e6 12. Bf4
Rb6 13. e4 {[#]} (13. h4 Nge7 14. h5 Nf5 15. e3 f6 16. hxg6 hxg6 17. Rxh8+ Bxh8
18. g4 Nfe7 19. g5 e5 20. gxf6 exf4 21. fxe7 Qd6 22. exf4 {1/2-1/2 Ribli,
Z-Ftacnik,L/Thessaloniki 1988/TD (22)}) 13... Nf6 (13... Nge7 $5) 14. e5 Ne4
15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Nd2 O-O 17. Be3 f5 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. Nxe4 Bxd4 20. O-O e5 21.
Bg5 (21. Bh6 $14) 21... Ne7 {1/2-1/2 Kasparov,G-Kramnik,V/New York 1995/CBM 47
ext/}) (11... Bg4 12. O-O Bxf3 13. Bxf3 e6 14. e3 Nge7 15. Qd3 Qb6 16. Bd2 Nf5
17. Ne2 Nd6 18. Nc1 O-O 19. Nb3 Nc4 20. Bc3 Rfd8 21. Nc5 Ra8 {1/2-1/2 Vadasz,
L-Horvath,G/HUN-chT 1994/TD (21)}) 12. Rb3 Nf6 (12... Be4 13. e3 (13. Bf4 Rb6
14. e3 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 e6 16. Be2 g5 17. Bxg5 Qxg5 18. Bxb5 Nge7 19. Bxc6+ Rxc6
20. b5 Rc4 21. O-O O-O 22. b6 Rb8 23. Qa1 {1-0 Van Wely,L-Lautier,J/Monte
Carlo 1997/CBM 57 ext (61)}) 13... Bxf3 (13... Nf6 14. O-O O-O 15. Ne5 Qd6 16.
f3 Bf5 17. g4 Be6 18. Nd3 Ne8 19. Nc5 Bc8 20. Bd2 e5 21. dxe5 Nxe5 22. Be1 Nc7
23. Bg3 Qd8 {0-1 Sorensen-Sorensen,J/Norresundby 1992/EXT 99 (44)}) 14. Bxf3 e6
15. Be2 Na7 16. Ra3 Qd7 17. e4 Ne7 18. Bf4 Rb7 19. exd5 exd5 20. O-O O-O 21.
Be5 {1/2-1/2 Kosten,A-Syre,C/Slough 1997/CBM 62 (49)}) 13. Ne5 (13. Bf4 Rb6 14.
Ne5 O-O 15. O-O Qc8 16. Qd2 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Ne4 18. Qd4 Qc4 19. Qxb6 Qxb3 20.
Nxe4 dxe4 21. Qxb5 h6 22. Qb7 g5 23. Be3 Bxe5 24. Bxe4 Bh3 25. Bd5 Qb2 26. Qxe7
Bf6 27. Qe4 Bxf1 28. Kxf1 {1-0 Damaso,R-Silva,F/POR-ch 1995/EXT 97 (67)}) 13...
Rc8 {Schwarz verteidigt den c6N, aber der b5P bleibt ohne Unterstützung.} (
13... Qb6 $13 {[%csl Rd4][%cal Rc6d4]}) 14. Nxc6 (14. Bb2) (14. Nxb5 Nxe5 15.
dxe5 Bc2 {[%cal Rc2b3,Rc2d1]} 16. exf6 Bxf6 $17) 14... Rxc6 15. O-O (15. Nxb5
$4 Bc2 $19 {[%cal Rc2b3,Rc2d1]}) 15... Ne4 {Schwarz kann zufrieden sein mit
dem Ergebnis der Eröffnung - bei symmetrischer Bauernstellung steht er sehr
bequem. Er muss noch rochieren, aber sein Turm auf c6 steht aktiver als der
weisse Turm auf b3.} (15... O-O $11) 16. Bb2 (16. Nxb5 $6 Qb6 $36) 16... O-O (
16... Nxc3 17. Rxc3 Rxc3 18. Bxc3 O-O $11) 17. e3 Rc4 (17... Nxc3 18. Rxc3 Rc4
(18... Rxc3 $11) 19. Qd2 $11 Rxb4 20. Rc5 $132) 18. Qe2 (18. Nxb5 $2 Nxg3 $1
$17 {[%cal Rf5c2,Rc2b3,Rc2d1]}) 18... Nxc3 (18... Qd7 $11) 19. Rxc3 Rxc3 (19...
Rxb4 20. Rc5 $11) 20. Bxc3 Qd7 {Es ist schwer vorzustellen, dass Schwarz diese
Partie verliert.} 21. Rc1 Ra8 {Schwarz spielt auf Gewinn, aber der einfache
Turmzug nach c8 scheint logischer zu sein.} (21... Rc8 $11) 22. Bb2 $1 {
[%cal Rc1c5,Rc5b5,Rc5d5]} h5 $6 {Schwarz moechte e7-e6 ziehen hat aber Angst
von g3-g4, so sichert er die f5-Läuferstellung.} (22... Rb8 23. Rc5 e6 24. g4
Be4 25. f3 Bb1 $11) 23. Rc5 $14 {[%csl Rb5,Rd5][%cal Rc5b5,Rb5d5]} e6 24. Rxb5
(24. Qxb5 Qxb5 25. Rxb5 Ra2 $132) 24... Bf8 25. Bf1 Qc7 26. Qd2 Ra2 {[#]} 27.
Rc5 $1 $16 {[%mdl 512] Tigran Petrosian wäre zufrieden! Weiss opfert die
Qualität und es scheint, dass der weisse dunkelfarbige Läufer viel wertvoller
ist als der schwarze Turm.} Bxc5 (27... Qb7 28. Qc3 $16) 28. dxc5 {[%cal Rd2d4,
Rd2c3,Rb2h8]} Qe5 (28... e5 29. Bxe5 Rxd2 30. Bxc7 $16 {[%csl Gb4,Gc5]}) 29.
Bxe5 Rxd2 30. c6 {[%csl Gb4,Gc6]} Rc2 31. c7 Rc1 (31... f6 32. b5 fxe5 (32...
Rc1 33. b6 Bh3 34. c8=Q+ Rxc8 35. b7 $18 (35. Bc7 $18 {[%csl Gb6][%cal Rb6b7]})
(35. Bxh3 Rc1+ (35... fxe5 36. Bxe6+ {[%cal Re6c8,Re6g8]}) 36. Kg2 fxe5 37. b7
Rb1 38. Bxe6+ Kg7 39. Bxd5 $16)) 33. b6 $18) 32. b5 {Die weissen verbundenen
Freibauern sind sehr stark. Das schwarze Hauptproblem bestet darin, dass der
f5B ausser Spiel ist.} d4 {[%cal Gf5e4,Ge4b7]} (32... Bd3 33. c8=Q+ Rxc8 34.
Bxd3 $18) 33. exd4 Be4 34. Bf4 {Der Turm muss entweder die c-Linie oder die
Grundreihe verlassen.} Rc2 35. Bg2 Bd3 (35... Bxg2 36. Kxg2 $18) 36. Bb7 $18 {
[%csl Gc7]} (36. b6 $18) 36... e5 37. c8=Q+ Rxc8 38. Bxc8 exf4 39. b6 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.10.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Asrian, Karen"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C87"]
[WhiteElo "2575"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "1999.10.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 d6 7. c3 Bg4 8. d3
O-O 9. Nbd2 Re8 10. Nf1 Bf8 11. Ng3 g6 12. h3 Bd7 13. Nh2 h5 14. f4 exf4 15.
Bxf4 h4 16. Ngf1 d5 17. Bg5 dxe4 18. d4 Be7 19. Bxh4 Nh5 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. Ng4
b5 22. Bb3 Kh7 23. Qd2 Qf8 24. a4 f5 25. axb5 axb5 26. Rxa8 Rxa8 27. Ne5 Nxe5
28. dxe5 Bc6 29. e6 Re8 30. g4 Ng7 31. gxf5 gxf5 32. Qf4 Rxe6 33. Bxe6 Nxe6 34.
Qh4+ Qh6 35. Qe7+ Qg7+ 36. Qxg7+ Kxg7 37. Ng3 Kf6 38. h4 Ke5 39. h5 f4 40. h6
Ng5 41. Nf1 Kf5 42. Kf2 Kg6 43. Ra1 Bd5 44. Ra6+ Ne6 45. Ke2 Bc4+ 46. Ke1 e3
47. Nh2 Kxh6 48. Nf3 Kg7 49. Ne5 Kf6 50. Nxc4 bxc4 51. Ke2 Ke5 52. Ra4 Kd5 53.
Kf3 Nc5 54. Ra8 Nd3 55. Rd8+ Kc5 56. Re8 Kb5 57. Re4 Kb6 58. Ke2 Kc5 59. Kf3
Kb5 60. Ke2 c5 61. b3 f3+ 62. Kxe3 f2 63. bxc4+ Ka4 64. Ke2 Kb3 65. Re3 Kxc4
66. Rg3 f1=Q+ 67. Kxf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.10.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Matikozian, Andranik"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2427"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1999.10.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. c4 d6 6. d4 c6 7. Nc3 Qa5 8. e4 e5
9. h3 exd4 10. Nxd4 Qc5 11. Nb3 Qb4 12. Bf4 Ne8 13. Re1 Be6 14. e5 dxe5 15.
Bxe5 Nd7 16. Bf4 Nc5 17. Be3 Nxb3 18. axb3 Nc7 19. Bg5 h6 20. Ra4 Qc5 21. Ne4
Qd4 22. Qxd4 Bxd4 23. Bxh6 Rfe8 24. Nd6 Reb8 25. Be3 Bxe3 26. Rxe3 Ne8 27. Ne4
Rd8 28. Ra1 Kf8 29. Rae1 Nd6 30. Nc5 Bc8 31. Rd1 Bf5 32. g4 Bc2 33. Rc1 b6 34.
Na6 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.10.22"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Akobian, Varuzhan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E46"]
[WhiteElo "2387"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1999.10.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nge2 d5 6. a3 Be7 7. cxd5 exd5 8. b4
c6 9. Ng3 Re8 10. Bd3 Nbd7 11. O-O a5 12. b5 c5 13. Qf3 Nb6 14. Nf5 Bf8 15.
dxc5 Bxc5 16. Bb2 g6 17. Nd4 Bg4 18. Qg3 Bd6 19. f4 Rc8 20. h3 Bd7 21. Qf3 Qe7
22. Rfe1 Rc7 23. Qd1 Qf8 24. Na4 Nc4 25. Bxc4 dxc4 26. Nf3 Ne4 27. Qd4 f6 28.
Nc3 Bf5 29. Qd5+ Kh8 30. b6 Rc6 31. Qxa5 Ra8 32. Qd5 Nxc3 33. Bxc3 Bd3 34. Bd4
h6 35. a4 Kh7 36. a5 Ra6 37. Rec1 Qe7 38. Nd2 c3 39. Rxc3 Rxc3 40. Bxc3 Qxe3+
41. Kh1 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.10.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Sargissian, Gabriel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A54"]
[WhiteElo "2470"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "1999.10.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 4128]} 1. Nf3 {Meulders} Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 d6 {Der andere Zug mit dem
d-Bauern führt zur Slawischen Verteidigung.} 4. g3 {Die prinzipielle Antwort
wäre 4.d4 und dann 5.e4, aber diese Variante ist auch gut.} e5 5. Bg2 Be7 6.
O-O O-O 7. d4 {Das ist der Grundstellung der Altindischen Verteidigung, in der
Schwarz eine feste, aber etwas passive Stellung hat.} Nbd7 8. Qc2 {Das ist ein
angenehmer Platz für die Dame, wonach Weiss eventuell Rd1 ziehen kann.} Qc7 9.
b3 Re8 10. Bb2 Bf8 11. e3 {Mit diesem Zug sichert Weiss seine Zentrumstellung
und nach eventuellem exd4 kann er auch exd4 antworten.} (11. Rac1 b6 (11... a6
12. Rfd1 Qb8 (12... Qa5 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. Ng5 h6 15. Nge4 Qc7 16. Qd2 Nxe4 17.
Nxe4 Nc5 18. Nd6 Bxd6 19. Qxd6 Qxd6 20. Rxd6 {1-0 Onischuk,A-Meyer,C/BL2-N
1993/GER-chT2 (76)}) 13. d5 cxd5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. cxd5 Nf6 16. Ng5 Qa7 17. Ne4
{1-0 Steudtmann,C-Espig,L/Chemnitz 1997/EXT 99 (38)}) (11... h6 12. e3 a6 13.
Rfd1 exd4 $6 (13... Qb8 $5) 14. Nxd4 (14. exd4 $14) 14... g6 $6 15. h3 (15. Ne4
$5) 15... Bg7 16. Qb1 $5 {1/2-1/2 Adorjan,A-Tukmakov,V/Wijk aan Zee 1984/MCL/
[Bulletin] (39)}) 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Ng5 Bb7 14. Rcd1 Rad8 15. Nce4 h6 16. Nxf6+
Nxf6 17. Ne4 {1/2-1/2 Borne,N-Bezold,M/ch-FRA (team), 1999 (51)}) (11. Rfd1 $14
) 11... a6 12. Rac1 {[%cal Gc1c7]} (12. a4 b6 13. Rac1 Bb7 14. Rfd1 Rad8 15. d5
cxd5 16. cxd5 Rc8 17. Qe2 Qd8 18. Nd2 a5 19. e4 {1/2-1/2 Sunye Neto,J-Padevsky,
N/Moscow 1989/TD (47) '+/=' Meulders. Meulders: '1/2-1/2 Sunye Neto,J-Padevsky,
N/Moscow 1989/TD (47)'}) 12... Qb8 $6 {Schwarz vermeidet die
Unannehmlichkeiten auf der c-Linie, aber dieser Zug scheint mir zu gekünstelt
zu sein.} (12... Rb8 13. Rfd1 g6 14. h3 Bg7 15. Ba3 Bf8 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Bxf8
Nxf8 18. c5 Ne6 19. Ne4 Nxe4 20. Qxe4 Nf8 21. Rd6 Bf5 22. Qh4 Qe7 23. Qb4 Red8
24. Rcd1 Rxd6 25. Rxd6 {1/2-1/2 Steckner,J-Ptaschinski,D/Dortmund 1992/TD (72)}
) (12... b5 $2 13. cxb5 axb5 (13... cxb5 14. Nxe5) 14. Nxb5) (12... b6 {
Meulders} 13. Rfd1 Bb7 14. Rd2 $14 exd4 $6 (14... e4 15. Ng5 d5 16. cxd5 cxd5
17. Qd1 $14 (17. Ncxe4 $6 Qxc2 18. Nxf6+ gxf6 19. Rdxc2 fxg5 20. Rc7 Bc8 21.
Bxd5 $44)) 15. Nxd4 $36 {><d6,()} b5 $6 16. cxb5 c5 17. Nf3 Ne4 18. bxa6 $1
Rxa6 19. Rdd1 $16 Nxc3 20. Bxc3 Be4 21. Qe2 Qa7 22. Rd2 d5 23. Bf1 (23. Nh4 $16
) 23... Rd6 24. Qd1 $16 {0-1 Portisch,L-Vaganian,R/Montpellier 1985/Candidates/
[ChessBase] (68)}) 13. Nd2 {[%cal Gg2a8] Weiss öffnet die Diagonale des
g2-Läufers und vermeidet den Zug 13...b5.} g6 {[%cal Gf8g7] Schwarz muss die
Entwicklung des Damenflügels lösen und bereitet den Plan g6-Bg7-Nf8 vor,
wonach er endlich den c8B entwickeln kann.} 14. Rfd1 $14 {[%cal Gd1d7]} exd4 $6
{Mit diesem Zug gibt Schwarz gibt das Zentrum von selbst auf.} (14... Bg7 15.
d5 $14 (15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Nde4 $14)) ({Es war m.E. nicht nötig das Zentrum
aufzugeben, also besser} 14... Bg7 {Meulders}) 15. exd4 Bg7 16. Re1 {[%csl Ra8,
Rb8,Rc8][%cal Ge1e8] Mit diesem Zug kämpft Weiss um die e-Linie, während die
schwarzen Figuren passiv am Damenflügel stehen.} Nf8 17. Rxe8 (17. d5 $6 Bf5
$11) 17... Nxe8 {Meulders: 'Wie oft in der Altindischen Verteidigung ist die
schwarze Stellung ziemlich solide aber passiv.'} 18. d5 $1 {[%csl Gd5][%cal
Gb2g7,Gg2a8] Weiss hat fühlbaren positionellen Druck und freie Hand im Zentrum.
Meulders: 'Cf. die Anmerkung beim 14ten Zug. Falls Schwarz nicht auf d4
getauscht hätte, wäre die a1-h8 Diagonale noch geschlossen; falls Weiss selbst
nach 14...Bg7 15.dxe5 gespielt hätte, so könnte er nicht mehr d5 spielen!'} Bf5
19. Be4 Bd7 {'?!' Meulders. Meulders: 'Schwarz hat sich entschlossen diese
Partie zu erleiden.'} (19... Bxe4 20. Ncxe4 $14 {Weiss möchte den
schwarzfarbigen Läufer tauschen, wonach er Angriffschancen am Königsflügel
bekommt.} (20. Ndxe4 $14) (20. Ndxe4 {Meulders} f5 21. Ng5 Bh6 22. h4 Qd8 $132)
) {[#]} 20. c5 $1 {'!?' Meulders. Weiss opfert zeitweilig einen Bauern, aber
die schwarze Bauernstruktur am Damenflügel wird geschwächt.} dxc5 21. dxc6 bxc6
(21... Bxc6 22. Bxc6 bxc6 23. Na4 $14 {[%csl Rc5,Rc6][%cal Ra4c5]} (23. Nce4
$14 {[%csl Rc5,Rc6][%cal Re4c5]}) (23. Nce4 {Meulders} Bxb2 24. Qxb2 Ne6 25.
Nxc5 Nxc5 26. Rxc5 Qd6 27. Ne4 $16 {[%csl Rc6]})) 22. Na4 {[%csl Rc5] Weiss
gewinnt den Bauern zurück - mit Positionsvorteil, da beide c-Bauern schwach
sind.} Ne6 (22... Bxb2 23. Qxb2 Ne6 24. Nxc5 Nxc5 25. Rxc5 {[%csl Rc6]}) 23.
Bxg7 N8xg7 24. Nxc5 Nxc5 25. Qxc5 {[%csl Rc6] Weiss hat freie Hand - die
dunkelfarbigen Felder sind schwach in der schwarzen Stellung und der c6P ist
eine ewig angreifbarer Zielpunkt.} Ne6 26. Qe3 (26. Qc3 $14) 26... Qa7 {
'?!' Meulders. Meulders: 'Schwarz tauscht jetzt die einzige Figur die es ihm
ermöglicht die schwachen schwarzen Felder zu schützen. '} (26... Qd6 {Meulders}
27. Nc4 $14) 27. Nc4 $1 {[%cal Rc4e5,Re5c6]} Qxe3 28. fxe3 $5 {'!' Meulders.
Weiss hat keine Angst von der Schwächung des e3-Bauers, da Schwarz ihn nicht
angreifen kann, aber der c6P ist schwer zu verteidigen.} (28. Nxe3 $14) 28...
Ra7 {[%cal Ga7c7] Schwarz geht aus der Diagonale und vermeidet das Motiv Nb6.}
29. Ne5 {[%csl Rc6][%cal Re5c6,Re4c6,Rc1c6]} c5 30. Bd5 {[%csl Rc5][%cal Rd5e6]
} Rc7 31. Nd3 {[%csl Rc5][%cal Rd3c5]} Bb5 {Schwarz hat immer nur eine einzige
mögliche Verteidigung.} 32. Nf4 $1 (32. Bc4 $14) 32... Nxf4 $6 (32... Nf8 $5
$14) 33. gxf4 Kf8 34. e4 {[%csl Gd5,Ge4,Gf4] Weiss hat einen schönen Läufer
auf d5 und die bessere Bauernstruktur.} Ke7 35. Kf2 Bd7 $2 {Meulders:
'Verliert ohne Kompensation einen Bauern.'} (35... f6 36. Ke3 $14) (35... a5 {
Meulders} 36. e5 Bd7 $14) 36. b4 $16 {Mit diesem Zug gewinnt Weiss einen
wichtigen Bauern.} c4 {Schwarz hat nichts anderes - er muss den Bauern geben.}
(36... Kd6 37. bxc5+ Rxc5 38. Rxc5 Kxc5 39. Bxf7 $16 (39. Bxf7 {Meulders} Kd4
40. e5 $18)) 37. Rxc4 Rxc4 38. Bxc4 {[%csl Ra6][%cal Rc4a6]} Bb5 39. Bb3 $5 {
Vor der Zeitkontrolle ist es nicht leicht zu entscheiden - gewinnt das
Bauernendspiel oder nicht, so ist der Textzug eine sichere und gute
Entscheidung.} (39. Bxb5 axb5 40. Ke3 $18) 39... f6 40. Ke3 Be8 $6 (40... g5
41. fxg5 fxg5 42. Kd4) 41. Kd4 g5 42. fxg5 fxg5 43. Bc4 $18 {[%csl Ra6]} h5 (
43... Bb5 44. Bxb5 axb5 45. Ke5 $18 (45. Kc5 h5 46. Kxb5 g4 47. Kc4 h4 48. Kd3
g3 49. hxg3 h3 $19)) 44. Ke5 (44. Bxa6 $18) 44... Bd7 45. Bxa6 {Mit zwei
Bauern mehr steht Weiss auf Gewinn.} h4 46. Bf1 g4 47. Kf4 g3 {Und Schwarz gab
gleichzeitig in verlorener Stellung auf.} 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.10.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Minasian, Artashes"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A06"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2600"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1999.10.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 c5 3. b3 Nc6 4. Bb2 d5 5. Bg2 e6 6. O-O g6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4
Bg7 9. c4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Nh5 11. Qd2 dxc4 12. Bxg7 Nxg7 13. Qc3 O-O 14. Qxc4 Rb8
15. Qf4 Bd7 16. Rd1 Nh5 17. Qe3 b6 18. Nc3 Nf6 19. Nb5 Ng4 20. Qf3 Qe7 21. Nxa7
Qa3 22. Qxg4 Qxa7 23. a4 Rbc8 24. Rd6 Rc7 25. Qd4 Rb8 26. h4 h5 27. Be4 Be8 28.
Rd1 Qa5 29. Kg2 b5 30. Qe5 Qa7 31. a5 Qxa5 32. Rd8 Qa7 33. R1d7 Rxd7 34. Rxb8
Re7 35. Bc6 f6 36. Qxb5 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.10.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Nadanian, Ashot S"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E55"]
[WhiteElo "2410"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1999.10.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nc3 c5 5. e3 O-O 6. Bd3 d5 7. O-O dxc4 8.
Bxc4 Nbd7 9. Qe2 a6 10. a3 Ba5 11. b4 cxb4 12. Na2 bxa3 13. Bxa3 Re8 14. e4 b5
15. Bd3 Bb7 16. e5 Nd5 17. Qe4 g6 18. Bc1 f5 19. exf6 Qxf6 20. Rd1 Nc5 21. dxc5
Qxa1 22. c6 Qxa2 23. cxb7 Rab8 24. Bh6 Rxb7 25. Qg4 Qa4 26. Nd4 Nf6 27. Qf3 Rf7
28. Bc2 Qc4 29. Bb3 Qc8 30. Qe2 Nd5 31. Rc1 Qd7 32. Rc6 Nc3 33. Rxc3 Bxc3 34.
Nxe6 Kh8 35. h4 b4 36. h5 Rf6 37. hxg6 Rexe6 38. g7+ Kg8 39. Qh5 Rxh6 40. Qxh6
Qd1+ 0-1

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1999.10.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Lputian, Smbat G"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[EventDate "1999.10.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. c4 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Nc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 12th"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "1999.11.29"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ahn, Martin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2331"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "1999.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Belgium"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "BEL"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. c4 d6 6. d4 c6 7. Nc3 Qa5 8. e4
Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Nfd7 11. Rb1 Qb4 12. Be2 Qb6 13. Be3 a5 14. h4 h5 15.
Kg2 Na6 16. Rh1 Qc7 17. g4 hxg4 18. h5 f5 19. hxg6 e6 20. c5 d5 21. e5 Naxc5
22. Qg1 Bxe5 23. dxe5 Qxe5 24. f4 gxf3+ 25. Kxf3 Qd6 26. Rh8+ Kxh8 27. Qh1+ Kg7
28. Qh6+ Kf6 29. Bg5+ 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 12th"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "1999.11.30"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Kempinski, Robert"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E14"]
[WhiteElo "2549"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "1999.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Poland"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "POL"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 b6 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 Bb7 7. b4 O-O 8.
Bb2 d6 9. e3 Nbd7 10. Be2 Ne4 11. Qd3 f5 12. O-O Rf6 13. d5 Rg6 14. Rad1 Qe7
15. Ne1 a5 16. f3 Ng5 17. Nc2 exd5 18. cxd5 Ba6 19. b5 Nc5 20. Qd2 Bb7 21. Nd4
Rf8 22. Bc4 Rh6 23. Rde1 Qf7 24. e4 Qh5 25. Nxf5 Qxh2+ 26. Kf2 Rxf5 27. exf5
Qh4+ 28. g3 Nge4+ 29. Rxe4 Nxe4+ 30. fxe4 Qxe4 31. Be2 Bxd5 32. Ke1 Rh2 33. Rf2
Rh1+ 34. Rf1 Rh2 35. Rf2 Rh1+ 36. Rf1 Rxf1+ 37. Kxf1 Qg2+ 38. Ke1 Qxg3+ 39. Kd1
Bb3+ 40. Kc1 Qg1+ 41. Bd1 Bxd1 42. Qd5+ Kf8 43. Qxd1 Qg5+ 44. Qd2 Qg1+ 45. Qd1
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 12th"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "1999.12.01"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nevednichy, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E66"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2537"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "1999.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Romania"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ROU"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d4 d6 6. c4 Nc6 7. Nc3 Rb8 $5 {
Balogh,T (2425)-Istratescu,A (2540) Krynica zt 1998 (1) 0-1 An interesting
idea from Romanian chess circles. Black wants to save time for a6, in some
situations he can get in the desired b5 advance without playing this move at
all, (especially after e6 and exd5) thus saving a valuable tempo. See also} 8.
d5 (8. b3 a6 {-E63}) (8. h3 Bd7 9. e4 e5 10. d5 Ne7 11. Ne1 Nh5 12. Nd3 Qe8 13.
Rb1 f5 14. exf5 gxf5 15. Bg5 Nf6 16. f4 e4 17. Ne1 b5 $1 18. Nc2 bxc4 19. Ne3
Rb4 20. a3 Rb7 21. Rf2 Qf7 22. Bf1 Rfb8 23. Qd2 h6 24. Bh4 Ng6 $17 {Istrate,
B-Florescu,C/Calimanesti/1997/}) 8... Na5 9. Nd2 c5 10. Rb1 e6 (10... a6 {
leads to normal E66 positions.}) 11. b3 (11. a3 $5 b5 (11... exd5 12. cxd5 $14)
12. dxe6 bxc4 13. exf7+ Rxf7 14. b4 cxb3 15. Nxb3 Nxb3 16. Rxb3 Be6 17. Rxb8
Qxb8 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Qe8 20. Be3 {Bunzmann,D-De Gleria,F/Halle-J/1996/}
Rf5 $5 $11) 11... exd5 {But now it was perhaps already more sensible not to
insist and return to the well-trodden path with} (11... a6 12. Bb2 b5 13. Ba1
b4 14. Na4 Bd7 15. Nb2 Ne8 16. Nd3 Bxa1 17. Rxa1 exd5 18. cxd5 Bb5 (18... Nc7
$142 {[%cal Rc7b5] /\Nb5<=>}) 19. Qc2 Qf6 20. Rac1 Ng7 21. Rfe1 Nf5 22. e3 Rfe8
23. Ne4 Qd8 24. Nf4 Re5 25. Nd3 Re8 26. Red1 $36 {[%csl Ra5,Gd3,Gd5,Ge3,Ge4] 
[+],פa5,Brunner,L-Nikolaidis,I/Moscow olm/1994/}) 12. Nxd5 $5 Nxd5 (12... Nc6
13. Nxf6+ Bxf6 14. Ne4 $16) 13. Bxd5 (13. cxd5 $5 b5 14. Bb2 Bxb2 15. Rxb2 Qf6
$132) 13... Kh8 $6 (13... Nc6 $142 $1 14. Bb2 (14. Ne4 Nb4 15. Nxd6 (15. Bb2
Bf5 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. a3 Nxd5 18. Qxd5 Qe7 $15) 15... Bh3 $1 (15... Qxd6 $4 16.
Bxf7+ $18) 16. Bg2 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Nxa2 18. Bb2 $11) (14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. Bb2 Bh3
$36 {[%csl Rg1,Rg2] Compared to the game the Bc8 is not locked in and Black
has attacking chances.}) 14... Nb4 $132) 14. Ne4 f5 15. Ng5 Qe7 16. Qd2 $1 (16.
Bf4 h6 17. Nf3 g5 18. Qd2 b6 (18... gxf4 19. Qxa5 fxg3 20. fxg3 $36) 19. Be3
Bb7 $13) 16... Nc6 (16... b6 17. Bb2 $16) 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. f4 $1 h6 19. Nf3
Be6 20. Bb2 $14 {[%csl Ra7,Rc6,Rd6] The Be6 doesn't have a free diagonal at
it's disposal and Black's pawns are a mess. But on the other hand White
himself must be careful about opening the game prematurely and activating
Black's B.} Rfe8 21. Bxg7+ Kxg7 22. Rbd1 Rbd8 23. Qc3+ Qf6 24. Qa5 (24. Qxf6+
$6 Kxf6 $11 {In the _|_ White's edge dissipates.}) 24... Qe7 25. h4 Bf7 26.
Rfe1 Qe3+ 27. Kg2 Rd7 28. Rd3 Qe4 29. Qc3+ Kg8 30. Kf2 Qe7 31. Qd2 Red8 32. Rd1
Be6 33. Qa5 {White has no direct way to strengthen his position, so he
continues maneuvring.} Rc8 34. Qe1 Rcd8 35. Qd2 Kh7 $6 (35... Qf6 36. Qc2 $5
$14 {[%cal Yf3d2,Yd2b1,Yb1c3,Ye2e4] /\Nd2-b1-c3,e4 White can continue to
gradually prepare an opening of the position, but the game is far from decided.
} (36. Re3 Bf7)) 36. Re3 Qf6 $2 {[%mdl 8192] Overlooks a decisive tactical
shot.} (36... Qf7 37. Rh1 $1 Kg8 38. Qc3 Re7 $14) 37. Ng5+ $1 $18 hxg5 38. hxg5
Qf7 (38... Qe7 39. Qc3 $18 {is the same.}) 39. Rh1+ Kg8 40. Qc3 Qg7 (40... Kf8
41. Rxe6 $1 (41. Rh8+ Ke7 42. Rxe6+ {is the same, as} Kxe6 $2 43. Qe3#) 41...
Qxe6 42. Rh8+ Kf7 43. Rh7+ Kf8 44. Qh8+ Qg8 45. Qf6+ Ke8 46. Rh8 Qxh8 47. Qxh8+
Kf7 48. Qf6+ {[%cal Rf6g6] /\Qg6+-}) 41. Qxg7+ Rxg7 42. Rxe6 {Not only has
Black lost a pawn, but White's R has penetrated decisively and further losses
are unavoidable.} Kf7 43. Rf6+ Ke7 (43... Kg8 44. Rh6 $18) 44. e4 $1 fxe4 45.
Re1 (45. Re1 Kd7 (45... d5 46. Rxc6 dxc4 47. Rxe4+ Kd7 48. Ra6 $18) 46. Rxe4 {
/\Ree6} Re8 47. Rxd6+ $18) 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 12th"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "1999.12.02"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Chernin, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E00"]
[WhiteElo "2619"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1999.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hungary"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "HUN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. e3 Bxd2+ 7. Qxd2 e5 8.
d5 Nb8 9. Nc3 d6 10. Nge2 a5 11. h3 h5 12. O-O-O Na6 13. g4 Nd7 14. Ne4 Nac5
15. N2c3 b6 16. f4 Ba6 17. b3 Rb8 18. g5 b5 19. cxb5 Bxb5 20. Qc2 Ba6 21. f5 a4
22. bxa4 Rb4 23. Bf1 Bxf1 24. Rhxf1 Qd8 25. Kd2 Nb6 26. Nxc5 Rb2 27. Qxb2 Nc4+
28. Kc1 Nxb2 29. Kxb2 dxc5 30. h4 Qa8 31. Kc2 Qa6 32. Rb1 Qc4 33. e4 Kd7 34.
Rfd1 Ra8 35. Rb3 Rxa4 36. a3 Qa6 37. d6 Rd4 38. dxc7 Rxd1 39. Nxd1 Qe2+ 40. Kc1
c4 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 12th"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "1999.12.03"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Georgiev, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A42"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2519"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "1999.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Bulgaria"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "BUL"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Be3 Bg4 7. dxc5 dxc5 8.
Qxd8+ Rxd8 9. Bxc5 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Nf6 11. Nd4 Nxe4 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Bxa7 Nxc3
14. a4 O-O 15. f3 Bf5 16. a5 e5 17. Bb6 Rd7 18. g4 Bb1 19. Ra3 Rd1+ 20. Kf2 Rc1
21. a6 e4 22. a7 Ra8 23. Bd4 Nd1+ 24. Kg3 c5 25. Rb3 cxd4 26. Rb8+ Kg7 27. Rxa8
exf3 28. Rg8+ Kxg8 29. a8=Q+ Kg7 30. Qd5 f2 31. Qxd4+ Kg8 32. Kf4 f6 33. Qxf6
Nc3 34. Qd8+ Kf7 35. Qd7+ Kf8 36. Qd2 g5+ 37. Ke3 Rc2 38. Qd8+ Kf7 39. Bd3 Ra2
1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 12th"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "1999.12.04"]
[Round "6.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Chandler, Murray G"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E01"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2505"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "1999.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "England"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ENG"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. d4 e6 5. O-O cxd4 6. Nxd4 Bc5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. c4
Nf6 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. e4 Ndb4 11. Qe2 Qd3 12. Qg4 g6 13. e5 h5 14. Qe4 Qxe4 15.
Bxe4 Nxe5 16. Nc3 f5 17. Bg2 Kf7 18. Na5 Nec6 19. a3 Nxa5 20. axb4 Nb3 21. Ra4
Nxc1 22. Rxc1 Rd8 23. b5 Rd2 24. Rc4 Rb8 25. Ra1 Bd8 26. Na4 Bd7 27. Rb4 Be7
28. Rb3 Rd4 29. Kf1 e5 30. Bf3 e4 31. Be2 Rc8 32. Rc3 Rb4 33. Rxc8 Bxc8 34. Nc3
Bc5 35. Nd5 Rxb2 36. Rc1 b6 37. Ra1 g5 38. Rxa7+ Ke6 39. Rc7 Kxd5 40. Rxc8 Rb1+
41. Kg2 Rb2 42. Rd8+ Ke6 43. Kf1 f4 44. Re8+ Kf5 45. Bxh5 f3 46. Ke1 Bxf2+ 47.
Kd1 Bc5 48. h3 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 12th"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "1999.12.05"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Reinderman, Dimitri"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B39"]
[WhiteElo "2525"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[Annotator "Alterman,B"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "1999.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Netherlands"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Ng4 8.
Qxg4 Nxd4 9. Qd1 Ne6 10. Rc1 Qa5 11. Be2 (11. a3 $5 b6 12. Bd3 g5 (12... Bb7
13. O-O O-O (13... h5 14. f4 Rc8 15. e5 g5 16. b4 Qxa3 17. Nb5 Qxb4 18. Rb1 Qa5
19. Ra1 Qb4 20. Ra4 Qb2 21. Rf2 $18 {Dautov,R-Becker,M/Halle-B 1987/1-0 (49)})
14. Rc2 f5 15. Nd5 Rae8 16. f4 $14 {1-0 Dolmatov,S-Sriram,J/Calcutta op 1996 
(44)}) 13. O-O Bb7 14. Rc2 Bxc3 (14... Qe5 15. Nd5 $14) 15. Rxc3 Qe5 16. Re1 h5
(16... Bxe4 17. Bd2 Nc5 18. f3 Nxd3 19. Rxd3 $18) 17. Bd2 Rh6 (17... Nc5 18. b4
$1 Nxd3 19. Rxd3 $16 {[%csl Rd7,Rg5][%cal Gd2c3]}) 18. b4 $5 $14 (18. h4 $6
$132 {1-0 Leko,P-Piket,J/Tilburg 1997/CBM 61/ (30)})) 11... b6 12. Qd5 Rb8 (
12... Qxd5 13. exd5 (13. cxd5 Nc5 (13... Nd4 14. Bc4 (14. Bd3 Bb7 15. Kd2 $14)
14... Bb7 15. Kd2 (15. O-O Rc8 16. b3 (16. b3 e6 17. dxe6 dxe6 18. Rfd1 Nc6 19.
Nb5 Be5 20. f4 (20. Bh6 a6 21. Nd6+ Bxd6 22. Rxd6 b5 23. Be2 $14 {1/2-1/2
Janssen,R-Kalod,R/Calicut IND 1998 (67)}) 20... Bb8 21. Nd6+ Bxd6 22. Rxd6 Ke7
23. e5 Rhd8 24. Rxd8 $14)) 15... e6 (15... Rc8 16. Kd3 e5 17. Bxd4 exd4 18. Nb5
$16) 16. Kd3 (16. Rhd1 Rc8 $132 {0-1 Ribli,Z-Rogers,I/Deutschland 1995/Inf 64/
[Rogers,I] (40)}) 16... exd5 17. Nxd5 (17. Bxd5 Nc6 18. Kc2 Nb4+ 19. Kb1 Nxd5
$11) 17... Ne6 18. Kc2 Rc8 19. Kb1 Nc5 20. f3 Na4 21. Bb5 $14) 14. f3 (14. O-O
Bxc3 15. Rxc3 Nxe4 16. Rc7 f6 17. Rfc1 Kf7 18. Kf1 $14) 14... a5 15. d6 e6 16.
O-O O-O 17. Rfd1 f5 18. exf5 Rxf5 19. Bb5 $14 {1/2-1/2 Dur,A-Plachetka,J/
OST-BL 1991/Inf 90 (42)}) 13... Nd4 14. Bd3 Bb7 15. O-O O-O 16. Rfd1 Nf5 17.
Bg5 $14 {0-1 Uhlmann,W-Sievers,S/BL 1990 (59)}) 13. O-O (13. Qxa5 bxa5 14. b3
Bd4 15. Bxd4 Nxd4 (15... Nxd4 {1/2-1/2 Hergott,D-Donaldson,J/Hertogenbosch NED
1999 (15)}) 16. e5 Rf8 17. Bd3 f6 18. exf6 Rxf6 19. O-O $14 {1/2-1/2 Nijboer,
F-Reinderman,D/Rotterdam 1999/CBM 72/ (67)}) 13... Nc5 14. f3 $6 (14. Rfd1 $5
d6 15. Qd2 (15. Bd4 O-O 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Rb1 Nb7 18. b4 Qxd5 19. cxd5 (19.
Nxd5 Re8 20. Rd2 $14) 19... Bd7 20. Bb5 Rfc8 (20... Bxb5 21. Nxb5 a5 22. a3 (
22. bxa5 Nxa5 23. Rdc1 $14) 22... axb4 23. axb4 Rfc8 24. Rdc1 Kf6 25. f4 g5 26.
g3 gxf4 27. gxf4 e5 28. f5 Rg8+ 29. Kf2 Rg4 30. Rc6 Rxe4 31. Rxb6 Rh4 32. Nxd6
$16) 21. Bxd7 Rxc3 22. Rdc1 Rxc1+ 23. Rxc1 a5 24. a3 axb4 25. axb4 Ra8 26. Bc6
Ra7 27. f4 Nd8 28. Bb5 $14) 15... Bb7 (15... Bxc3 16. Rxc3 Nxe4 17. Qd4 Qe5 (
17... Nf6 18. Ra3 Qc5 19. Rxa7 $14) 18. Qxe5 dxe5 19. Ra3 $14) 16. f3 $14)
14... d6 15. Qd2 Na4 $1 {After NN change the attacking potential white is
reduced.} 16. Nxa4 Qxa4 17. b3 Qc6 18. Bd3 (18. Rfd1 O-O 19. b4 Bd7 (19... Bb7
20. c5 dxc5 21. bxc5 bxc5 (21... b5 22. Qd7 $16 {[%csl Rb5,Re7]}) 22. Bxc5 Qf6
23. Bxa7 Ra8 24. Bc5 $16) 20. c5 (20. Bd3 Rfc8 21. f4 Qb7 22. Rf1 Bc6 $11)
20... bxc5 21. bxc5 Rb2 22. Qe1 dxc5 23. Bxc5 Rc8 24. Bxa7 Qb7 25. Rxc8+ Qxc8
26. a3 Bc3 27. Qf2 (27. Qf1 Ra2 28. Rb1 Qc7 29. Bb6 Qd6 30. Bc4 Rxa3 $11) 27...
Bb5 28. Bxb5 Rxf2 29. Bxf2 $14) 18... Bb7 19. a4 O-O 20. a5 (20. f4 $5 {
[%cal Gf4f5]}) 20... Bc8 21. b4 (21. axb6 axb6 22. Rfd1 Bd7 (22... Ra8 $2 23.
e5 $1 d5 24. Bd4 $16) 23. b4 Rfc8 24. Qf2 $14) 21... bxa5 22. b5 Qc7 23. Rc2 (
23. c5 dxc5 24. Rxc5 Qd6 25. Rd1 Bd4 26. Rc6 Qb4 27. Bxd4 Qxd4+ 28. Qf2 (28.
Kh1 Bd7 $15) 28... Qxf2+ 29. Kxf2 Rd8 $15) 23... e6 (23... Be6 24. Rfc1 Rfc8
25. c5 (25. Ra2 Rxb5 $1 $19) 25... dxc5 26. Rxc5 Qd6 27. Rxc8+ Rxc8 28. Rxc8+
Bxc8 29. Bxa7 Bd4+ 30. Bxd4 Qxd4+ 31. Kf1 a4 32. Qc2 Bd7 33. Ke2 a3 (33... Qg1
34. Qxa4 Qxg2+ 35. Ke3 Qg1+ 36. Ke2 Qxh2+ 37. Ke3 Qg1+ 38. Ke2 Bh3 (38... Qb6
39. Qa6 $44) 39. Qd1 Qb6 40. Qc1 h5 41. Qe3 $44) 34. Bc4 e5 (34... Qg1 35. Kd3
Qxh2 36. Kc3 Qe5+ 37. Kb4 Qb2+ 38. Qxb2 axb2 39. Ba2 $11) 35. Qb3 Qb2+ 36. Qxb2
axb2 37. Ba2 Bxb5+ 38. Kd2 Bf1 39. g3 Bg2 40. Kc3 Bxf3 41. Bb1 Kg7 (41... Kf8
42. Kxb2 Ke7 43. Kc3 Kd6 44. Kd3 Kc5 45. Ke3 Bg4 46. Bd3 Kb4 47. Kd2 Be6 48.
Ba6 f6 49. Be2 Bc4 50. Bd1 $44) 42. Kxb2 Kh6 43. Kc3 Kg5 44. Kd2 Kg4 45. Ke3
Bg2 46. Kf2 Kh3 47. Kg1 f6 48. Bc2 $11) 24. Ra2 d5 $2 $16 {Terrible move.White
receive advantage in several ways.} (24... a6 $1 25. Rc1 (25. b6 Rxb6 26. Bxb6
Qxb6+ 27. Kh1 Qb4 28. Rb1 Qxd2 29. Rxd2 Bc3 $44) 25... axb5 26. cxb5 Qd8 27.
Rxa5 f5 $14) 25. Qxa5 (25. exd5 exd5 26. cxd5 Bc3 27. Qf2 Rd8 28. Bxa7 Rb7 29.
Be3 (29. Bd4 Bxd4 30. Qxd4 Rxd5 $1 31. Qxd5 Be6 32. Qc6 Bxa2 33. Be4 Qxc6 34.
bxc6 Rc7 35. Ra1 Be6 36. f4 (36. Rxa5 f5 $11) 36... Ra7 37. Kf2 Kf8 38. Ke3 Ke7
$11) 29... Rb8 (29... Rxd5 30. b6 Qd6 31. Be4 Rh5 32. g4 $18) 30. b6 Qe5 31.
Rc1 Rxd5 32. Be4 Rd8 33. Rac2 Bb4 34. g3 $16) 25... Qxa5 26. Rxa5 a6 $5 (26...
dxc4 27. Bxc4 $16) (26... dxe4 27. Bxe4 $16) 27. bxa6 $2 $44 {Not noticing a
following move of black...} (27. cxd5 axb5 28. Rxb5 $16) (27. exd5 axb5 28.
cxb5 exd5 29. Rb1 Re8 30. Kf2 Be5 31. b6 $16) 27... Bxa6 $1 (27... Rb3 28. a7
Bb7 29. Rb1 Rxb1+ 30. Bxb1 dxc4 31. Rc5 $16) 28. Rxa6 Rb3 29. Rd1 (29. Bc5 Rc8
30. Ra3 Rxd3 31. Rxd3 dxc4 32. Rd7 Rxc5 33. Rd8+ Bf8 $44) 29... dxc4 30. Bc5
cxd3 31. Bxf8 Bd4+ 32. Kh1 (32. Kf1 Kxf8 33. Rd6 e5 34. f4 Rb2 (34... Ke7 35.
fxe5 Bxe5 36. R6xd3 Rb4 (36... Rxd3 37. Rxd3 Bxh2 38. g3 $18) 37. Re1 Bxh2 38.
Rh3 Be5 39. Rxh7 $14) 35. Rxd3 (35. Rxd4 exd4 36. Rxd3 Rb4 $11) 35... Rf2+ 36.
Ke1 Rxf4 $11) 32... Kxf8 33. f4 (33. Rd6 e5 $11) 33... Ke7 34. g3 h5 (34... f6
35. Ra2 Be3 36. Kg2 g5 $44) 35. Ra2 Be3 36. Kg2 g5 $2 $16 {[%csl Rh5] Black
takes "a revenge"} (36... e5 $142 37. fxe5 Ke6 38. Kf3 d2 39. Ke2 Kxe5 40. Rf1
Bh6 $44) 37. fxg5 Bxg5 38. Ra5 Bf6 (38... Kf6 39. h4 Bh6 40. Rxh5 $16) 39. Rxh5
Bd4 40. Kf3 (40. h4 $16) 40... Kf6 41. Ra5 Kg6 (41... d2+ 42. Ke2 Be3 43. h4
$16) 42. Ra8 (42. e5 d2+ 43. Ke2 Bc3 44. Rc5 Bd4 45. Rc6 Bc3 46. Rf1 $16) 42...
Bg7 43. Rg8 (43. h4 d2+ 44. Kf2 Bd4+ 45. Kg2 (45. Ke2 Rxg3 46. Rg8+ Bg7 47.
Rxd2 Rh3 48. Rd1 Kh7 49. Rgd8 Rxh4 $11) 45... Rd3 46. g4 $16) 43... Kh7 44. Rd8
d2+ 45. Ke2 Bh6 46. Rf1 Kg6 47. Rd7 (47. Rf3 $2 Rb4 $44) 47... Rb4 (47... f6
48. Rd6 Kf7 49. e5 (49. Rf3 Rb4 $44) 49... f5 50. Rd7+ (50. g4 Rb5 (50... Rh3
51. gxf5 Rxh2+ 52. Kd3 exf5 53. Rf6+ Ke7 54. R6xf5 Ke6 55. Rf6+ $16) 51. gxf5
Rxe5+ 52. Kd1 Rc5 53. fxe6+ Ke7 54. Rd3 Kxe6 $14) 50... Kg6 51. Re7 Re3+ (51...
Rb6 52. g4 fxg4 53. Rf6+ Kh5 54. Rh7 $18) 52. Kxd2 Rxe5+ $16) 48. Kd3 Rb5 49.
g4 $2 $44 {[%csl Rf4,Rg5,Rh4] As such can come in a head ?} (49. h4 $1 Rb3+ 50.
Kc2 Rxg3 51. Rdxf7 Kh5 (51... Rg4 52. R1f6+ Kh5 53. Rxe6 Rg1 54. Rf5+ $18) 52.
R7f6 Rg4 53. Rxe6 Rxh4 54. Kd1 $16) 49... Bg5 50. h4 Bxh4 51. Kxd2 Bf6 $1 52.
Ke3 Rb3+ 53. Rd3 Rb5 54. Kf3 Bg7 55. Rc1 Bf6 56. Rc7 Be5 57. Ra7 Rb1 58. Rdd7
Rf1+ 59. Ke2 Rf4 60. Ke3 Rf1 61. Ra2 Rg1 62. Rf2 f6 63. Re2 Rg3+ 64. Kf2 Kg5 (
64... Rxg4 65. Re7 Kg5 66. Rxe6 Kf4 67. Re8 Rh4 $11) 65. Re7 Kf4 66. Rxe6 Rxg4
67. Ra6 Rg3 68. Ra4 Rf3+ 69. Ke1 Re3 70. Kd2 Rxe2+ 71. Kxe2 f5 72. exf5+
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 12th"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "1999.12.06"]
[Round "8.4"]
[White "Malaniuk, Vladimir P"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2525"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[EventDate "1999.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Ukraine"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "UKR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 c6 5. h3 Bg7 6. e3 O-O 7. Be2 Nbd7 8. O-O
b6 9. a4 a5 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. Bxe5 Re8 12. Bf3 e6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 12th"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "1999.12.07"]
[Round "9.4"]
[White "Gabriel, Christian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2578"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "1999.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Germany"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 a6 4. Bg2 b5 5. b3 Bb7 6. Nc3 c6 7. O-O Be7 8. d4 O-O
9. c5 d6 10. cxd6 Bxd6 11. Ne5 Qb6 12. Be3 Rd8 13. Nd3 Nbd7 14. Qc2 Nd5 15. Ne4
Be7 16. Rac1 e5 17. Qb2 f5 18. Nec5 Nxe3 19. fxe3 Bg5 20. Nxb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares Anibal op 07th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2000.01.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jorge Bort, Emilio"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A04"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2233"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2000.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. d3 O-O 6. e4 fxe4 7. dxe4 d6 8. e5
Ng4 9. e6 Nc6 10. Ng5 Nxf2 11. Rxf2 Bd4 12. Bf4 Bxf2+ 13. Kxf2 Rf6 14. Nc3 h6
15. Nge4 Rxf4+ 16. gxf4 Bxe6 17. Qd2 Qf8 18. Re1 Bf7 19. Kg1 Qg7 20. Nd5 Bxd5
21. Qxd5+ Kh7 22. Qb3 Rf8 23. Qxb7 Nd4 24. c3 Ne6 25. Ng5+ Nxg5 26. fxg5 e5 27.
Qxa7 hxg5 28. a4 Rf4 29. a5 Qf6 30. a6 Kh6 31. Qb8 Rf2 32. a7 Rd2 33. Rf1 1-0

[Event "Linares Anibal op 07th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2000.01.08"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kristensen, Leif"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2375"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2000.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Be3 cxd4 7. cxd4 Nc6 8.
Nc3 Qd6 9. Bd3 Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. Qe2 b6 12. Rad1 Nb4 13. Nb5 Qd8 14. Bb1 Bb7
15. Bg5 Nh5 16. Bc1 g6 17. Rfe1 Nd5 18. Nc3 Rc8 19. Nxd5 Qxd5 20. Qd2 Nf6 21.
Qh6 Rfd8 22. h3 Qh5 23. Qxh5 Nxh5 24. Be4 Bxe4 25. Rxe4 Rc2 26. Ne1 Rc4 27. b3
Rc7 28. Re2 Nf6 29. Bg5 Kg7 30. Kf1 Rdc8 31. Bf4 Rd7 32. Be5 Bd6 33. Bxd6 Rxd6
34. Rc2 Rxc2 35. Nxc2 Nd5 36. Ne3 Nc3 37. Rd2 b5 38. Rc2 b4 39. a3 Ra6 40. a4
Rd6 41. Rd2 Rc6 42. Rc2 f5 43. Nd1 Rd6 44. Nxc3 bxc3 45. Rxc3 Rxd4 46. Rc7+ Kf6
47. Rxa7 Rb4 48. Rxh7 Rxb3 49. g3 e5 50. a5 Rb1+ 51. Kg2 Ra1 52. Ra7 e4 53. Ra8
g5 54. a6 Kg7 55. a7 Ra2 56. Kf1 Ra1+ 57. Ke2 Ra3 58. h4 gxh4 59. gxh4 Ra4 60.
Ke3 Ra2 61. Kd4 Ra5 62. h5 Ra4+ 63. Ke5 Ra2 64. h6+ Kh7 65. Kf6 f4 66. Re8 Rxa7
67. Rxe4 Kxh6 68. Rxf4 Ra6+ 69. Kf5 Kg7 70. Kg4 Rg6+ 71. Kf3 Re6 72. Ra4 Kf6
73. Kg4 Rb6 74. f4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares Anibal op 07th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2000.01.09"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yandemirov, Valeri"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A15"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2481"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2000.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 c6 3. Nf3 g6 4. b4 Bg7 5. Bb2 O-O 6. Bg2 d5 7. Na3 Qb6 8. Qb3
Na6 9. Rb1 Bf5 10. c5 Qxb4 11. Qxb4 Nxb4 12. Bxf6 Bxb1 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. Nxb1
Nxa2 15. Ne5 Nb4 16. f4 b6 17. Nc3 f6 18. Nd3 Nxd3+ 19. exd3 bxc5 20. Na4 Rfb8
21. Ke2 Rb4 22. Nxc5 a5 23. Ra1 a4 24. Ra3 Kf7 25. Bh3 Ra5 26. Ne6 Ra8 27. Nc5
e5 28. fxe5 fxe5 29. Bd7 Ra5 30. d4 Rxd4 31. Nd3 Re4+ 32. Kd1 c5 33. Nb2 Ke7
34. Bxa4 Rb4 35. Kc2 Kd6 36. d3 e4 37. dxe4 Rxe4 38. Ra1 Re2+ 39. Kb3 Re3+ 40.
Kc2 Re4 41. Ra2 h5 42. Kd2 Rb4 43. Kc1 h4 44. Ra3 hxg3 45. Rxg3 Raxa4 46. Rxg6+
Ke5 47. Nxa4 Rxa4 48. Rg5+ Ke6 49. Rg6+ Kf5 50. Rc6 c4 51. h4 Ra2 52. h5 Rh2
53. h6 Ke4 54. Rg6 Kd4 55. Rd6 Kc5 56. Rf6 0-1

[Event "Linares Anibal op 07th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2000.01.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Hagesaether, Halvard"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B87"]
[WhiteElo "2222"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2000.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 b5 8. Bg5
Be7 9. Qf3 Qb6 10. O-O Qb7 11. Rae1 b4 12. Ba4+ Bd7 13. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 14. Nd1 O-O
15. e5 Qxf3 16. Nxf3 Nxe5 17. Nxe5 dxe5 18. Rxe5 h6 19. Bc1 Rac8 20. Re2 Rfd8
21. Ne3 Bc5 22. g3 Rd7 23. Kg2 Rdc7 24. Rd1 Bxe3 25. Bxe3 Rxc2 26. Rxc2 Rxc2
27. Rd2 Rc6 28. Rd8+ Kh7 29. Rb8 Nd5 30. Kf3 Rc2 31. Ra8 Rxb2 32. Rxa6 Nc3 33.
Ra7 f6 34. a3 Nb5 35. Ra6 Nxa3 36. Rxe6 Nc4 37. Re7 Ne5+ 38. Kg2 b3 39. Rb7 Nc4
40. Bd4 Na5 41. Rb5 Ra2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares Anibal op 07th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2000.01.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Delgado Crespo, Mairelys"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2295"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2000.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bf5 5. d3 h6 6. Nbd2 e6 7. Qe1 Be7 8. e4
Bh7 9. Ne5 O-O 10. f4 Nbd7 11. Nxd7 Nxd7 12. Kh1 dxe4 13. dxe4 a5 14. g4 f5 15.
gxf5 exf5 16. e5 Nc5 17. Nf3 Ne6 18. Be3 Qe8 19. Rg1 Qh5 20. Rd1 Rfd8 21. Rxd8+
Bxd8 22. Nd4 Qf7 23. Qc3 Nxd4 24. Bxd4 Qe6 25. Bf1 b5 26. Bg2 Rc8 27. Rd1 Bg6
28. Bg1 Be7 29. Qxa5 Kh7 30. b3 Be8 31. h3 g5 32. Qa6 gxf4 33. Bd5 Qxe5 34.
Qxc8 cxd5 35. Bf2 Bh5 36. Re1 Bf3+ 37. Kh2 Be4 38. Rg1 f3+ 39. Kh1 Bg5 40. h4
Qf6 41. Qd7+ Kg6 42. Qe8+ Kg7 43. c3 b4 44. hxg5 hxg5 45. Bd4 f2+ 46. Kh2 1-0

[Event "Linares Anibal op 07th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2000.01.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Paragua, Mark"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2268"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2000.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d3 c5 6. e4 Nc6 7. Nbd2 h6 8. c3
e5 9. Nc4 d6 10. a4 Be6 11. Nfd2 Re8 12. Ne3 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Ne4 b6 15.
Nc4 Re7 16. Re1 Rd7 17. Qe2 Nde7 18. Bxh6 Bxc4 19. dxc4 Bxh6 20. Nf6+ Kf8 21.
Nxd7+ Qxd7 22. b4 cxb4 23. cxb4 Rc8 24. b5 Na5 25. Qxe5 Nxc4 26. Qh8+ Ng8 27.
Rad1 Qf5 28. Qd4 Bg5 29. Bc6 Qc5 30. Qg4 Rb8 31. Rd5 Qb4 32. Red1 Bf6 33. Rc1
Bc3 34. Qf4 Rc8 35. Rd3 g5 36. Qf5 Ne7 37. Qh7 Bg7 38. Qe4 Qxa4 39. Rxc4 Qa1+
40. Kg2 a5 41. bxa6 1-0

[Event "Linares Anibal op 07th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2000.01.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Calzetta Ruiz, Monica"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2194"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2000.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 g6 3. e3 Bg7 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Be2 cxd4 7. exd4 d5 8. O-O
Nc6 9. h3 h6 10. Be3 Be6 11. c5 Ne4 12. Qc1 Kh7 13. a3 Nxc5 14. dxc5 d4 15. Bd2
dxc3 16. Bxc3 Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qc7 18. b4 Rad8 19. Rad1 Bd5 20. b5 Nb8 21. Qe3 Be6
22. b6 axb6 23. cxb6 Qc8 24. Rc1 Nc6 25. Ne5 Rd6 26. Bf3 Qa8 27. Nxc6 bxc6 28.
Rb1 Qa6 29. Rfc1 Rd3 30. Qf4 Qxa3 31. b7 Rb3 32. Rxb3 Qxb3 33. Rxc6 Rd8 34. Qc7
1-0

[Event "Linares Anibal op 07th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2000.01.14"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Holmsten, Aleksei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2380"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2000.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. a4 g6 7. Be2 Nc6 8. O-O
Bg7 9. Be3 O-O 10. Qd2 Bd7 11. f4 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Bc6 13. Rad1 e5 14. fxe5 dxe5
15. Bxe5 Nxe4 16. Qxd8 Raxd8 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. c3 Bc2 20. Rxd8
Rxd8 21. a5 Be4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares Anibal op 07th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2000.01.15"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Fernandez Romero, Ernesto"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2214"]
[Annotator "Alterman,B"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2000.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 b5 3. Bg2 Bb7 4. O-O e6 5. d4 c5 6. Na3 a6 ({RR} 6... b4 7.
Nc4 cxd4 8. Qxd4 d5 9. Nce5 Be7 10. c4 O-O 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. cxd5
Qxd5 14. Qxb4 Na6 15. Qf4 Rad8 16. Nd3 Nc5 17. Nxc5 Qxc5 18. Rac1 Qa5 19. Qc7
Qa6 20. Nh4 Bxg2 21. Nxg2 Rc8 22. Qd7 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Rd8 24. Qc7 Qxe2 {0-1
Andersson,U-Nikolic,P/Monte Carlo 1997/CBM 57 ext (32)}) 7. c4 b4 8. Nc2 Qb6 ({
RR} 8... cxd4 9. Ncxd4 Be7 10. Bf4 O-O 11. Rc1 d6 12. Bd2 a5 13. Nb5 h6 14. Bf4
e5 15. Be3 Nc6 16. Nd2 Ng4 17. Ne4 Nxe3 18. fxe3 Qb6 19. Nbxd6 Qxe3+ 20. Kh1
Bxd6 21. Nxd6 Rad8 22. c5 Ba8 23. Qd3 {Ellers,H-Koehn,P/Germany 1998/GER-chT/1/
2-1/2 (85)}) 9. b3 $146 ({RR} 9. Bg5 cxd4 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Qxd4 Qxd4 12. Nfxd4
Bxg2 13. Kxg2 f5 14. a3 bxa3 15. b4 Ra7 16. Rxa3 Rb7 17. Rb1 Be7 18. Re3 d6 19.
b5 O-O 20. Rbb3 axb5 21. cxb5 Rc8 22. Rec3 Rxc3 23. Rxc3 Bf6 {Veingold,
A-Illescas Cordoba,M/Linares 1991/EXT 2000/1/2-1/2 (40)}) 9... d6 10. Ne3 cxd4
11. Qxd4 Nbd7 12. a3 d5 13. axb4 Bxb4 14. Qxb6 Nxb6 15. Ne1 O-O (15... Bc3 16.
Ra2 O-O 17. Rc2 Bxe1 18. Rxe1 $16) 16. Nd3 a5 $2 {[%mdl 8192]} (16... Bc3 17.
Ra2 Nbd7 18. Rc2 Bd4 19. cxd5 Bxe3 20. Bxe3 Bxd5 $14) 17. Nxb4 axb4 18. Bd2 $18
Rfc8 19. Bxb4 Bc6 20. Bc5 Nfd7 21. Rxa8 Bxa8 22. Bd4 f6 23. Bh3 f5 24. Ra1 dxc4
25. bxc4 g5 26. Ra7 g4 27. Bg2 Bxg2 28. Kxg2 h5 29. Rb7 1-0

[Event "Linares Anibal op 07th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2000.01.16"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Salmensuu, Olli"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2418"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2000.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3
Be7 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. g4 h6 11. O-O-O b5 12. Kb1 Nb6 13. h4 b4 14. Bxb6 Qxb6 15.
Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 Bd7 17. Bd3 a5 18. Be4 O-O 19. Nc1 Rac8 20. Ne2 a4 21. Ng3 a3
22. b3 Qc5 23. Nf5 Bxf5 24. gxf5 Bf6 25. Rh2 Rfd8 26. Qe1 Rd7 27. Qd2 Rdc7 28.
Qe1 Kf8 29. Qd2 Qb6 30. Qe1 Rc3 31. Re2 Qc5 32. Kc1 Rxb3 33. axb3 Bxh4 34. Qxh4
a2 35. c3 a1=Q+ 36. Bb1 Qcxc3+ 0-1

[Event "Ubeda op 5th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "2000.01.19"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Bjerring, Kai"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B25"]
[WhiteElo "2276"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2000.01.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. f4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. g3 Rb8 6. Bg2 b5 7. O-O d6 8. d3 b4
9. Ne2 Qb6 10. Kh1 e6 11. a3 a5 12. axb4 axb4 13. c3 Nge7 14. Be3 O-O 15. Qc2
Ba6 16. Rfd1 Ra8 17. Bg1 Rfb8 18. g4 Bb5 19. c4 Ba4 20. Rxa4 b3 21. Qc1 Rxa4
22. f5 Ra2 23. Nc3 Qa5 24. e5 Nxe5 0-1

[Event "Ubeda op 5th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "2000.01.20"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zakharov, Alexander S"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2587"]
[BlackElo "2426"]
[Annotator "Horn,Pe"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2000.01.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 Nd7 4. c4 e6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Bxf3 c6 8.
O-O Ngf6 9. d3 Bc5 {Aktiver als} (9... Be7 {, was schon häufig gespielt wurde.}
) 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Qc2 Re8 12. Rd1 $146 {[%cal Ye2e4]} (12. e4 dxe4 13. dxe4 Ne5
14. Be2 Qe7 15. Kg2 Ned7 16. Bd3 Bd4 17. Bg5 Nc5 18. Rfe1 Rad8 19. Rad1 h6 20.
Bxf6 Qxf6 $132 {Ninov,K-Savchenko,S/Cap d'Agde 1994}) 12... Qe7 {Das ist ein
sehr ansehnliches Feld für die Q, sodaß man über die Einschaltung von 12.Rd1
geteilter Meinung sein kann.} 13. e4 dxe4 14. dxe4 Rad8 {Weiß hat einige
statische Punkte gesammelt: Er hat eine Majorität im Zentrum und er hat das
Läuferpaar erobert. Dafür hat Schwarz dynamische Vorteile: er hat
Entwicklungsvorsprung und seine Figuren sind aktiver als die des Gegners. Das
alles verspricht einen spannenden Kampf.} 15. Kg2 {Weiß hebt die Fesselung des
Pf2 auf; dafür verwehrt er dem Bf3 den Rückzug nach g2.} (15. Bf4 Ne5 16. Be2
Bd4 17. Kg2 Ng6 $132) (15. Bg2 Ne5 16. Bd2 (16. Bg5 h6) (16. Bf4 Ng6) 16... Nd3
$132) ({Leider klappt} 15. Kh2 $2 {taktisch nicht:} Ne5 16. Bg2 Bxf2 $1 $19)
15... h6 (15... Ne5 16. Be2) 16. a3 (16. Bf4 Ne5 17. Rxd8 (17. Be2 Ng6 $15)
17... Rxd8 18. Bxe5 Qxe5 19. Rd1 Rxd1 20. Bxd1 $11) 16... Nf8 (16... Ne5 17.
Be2 (17. Rxd8 Rxd8 18. Be2 Qd7 19. Bf4 (19. b4 $2 Bxf2 $1 20. Kxf2 Qxh3 $19)
19... Ng6 20. Rd1 Nxf4+ 21. gxf4 $11)) 17. Rxd8 Rxd8 18. b4 (18. Bd2 $142 Ne6
19. Ne2) 18... Bb6 {Das Feld d4 wird dem Nf8 offengehalten.} ({Weniger
raffiniert wäre} 18... Bd4) 19. Bb2 $2 {Weiß unterschätzt den folgenden Zug;
der Bc1 durfte die Diagonale c1-h6 nicht verlassen.} (19. Na4 Ne6 20. Nxb6 Nd4
$1 (20... axb6 21. Be3 Nd4 22. Bxd4 Rxd4 $11) 21. Qc5 Qxc5 22. bxc5 axb6 (22...
Nc2 $5) 23. Rb1 b5 $17) (19. Bd2 $142 Ne6 20. Ne2 {und die Stellung ist fast
ausgeglichen.}) 19... Ne6 $17 {[%csl Re4][%cal Re6g5,Re6d4] Hier ist klar, daß
die schwarze Strategie des Figurenspiels gegen das weiße Zentrum gesiegt hat.
Weiß muß um das Überleben kämpfen.} 20. e5 {Aronian tritt die Flucht nach
vorne an.} ({Bei defensivem Verhalten bleibt Weiß in der Hinterhand:} 20. Na4
Ng5 21. Nxb6 axb6 22. Re1 (22. Qb3 Nfxe4 $17) 22... Qe6 23. g4 Nxf3 24. Kxf3 h5
25. Bxf6 Qxf6+ $17) (20. h4 Nd4 21. Qd1 Nxf3 22. Qxf3 Rd2 $19) (20. Re1 Ng5 21.
Bd1 Qd7 $17 (21... Qe6 22. g4 Bc7 $17)) 20... Nd7 {[%csl Re5]} 21. Re1 (21. Ne2
Bc7 {und der Pe5 fällt.}) 21... a5 $1 {Aufmerksam.} ({Nach dem naheliegenden} 
21... Nd4 22. Qe4 Nxf3 23. Qxf3 Nxe5 24. Na4 $1 $132 {verflüchtigt sich der
schwarze Vorteil.}) 22. Ne4 ({Vielleicht wäre} 22. Na2 $5 {besser gewesen:} Nd4
({oder} 22... Ng5 23. Bg4 Nf6 (23... h5 24. Bf5 g6 25. e6 $1 $13) 24. Bf5 Nd5
$36) 23. Bxd4 Bxd4 $15) 22... axb4 23. axb4 Bd4 {Konsequent: der Pe5 ist nicht
mehr zu verteidigen.} ({Spielbar, wenn auch weniger klar, ist} 23... Qxb4) 24.
Be2 Nxe5 {Schwarz hat den strategisch wichtigsten weißen Bauern kassiert, ohne
daß Weiß irgendeine Art von Kompensation vorweisen könnte.} 25. Bc3 Bxc3 26.
Qxc3 Rd4 (26... Nd4 27. Rd1 Nxe2 28. Rxd8+ Qxd8 29. Qxe5) 27. Nc5 Qd6 28. Nxe6
$2 (28. Nxb7 $142 {gibt Schwarz die Auswahl zwischen 2 Endspielen mit einem
glatten Mehr(frei)bauern.} Qd5+ ({oder} 28... Qxb4 29. Qxb4 Rxb4 $17) 29. Bf3 (
29. f3 Rd3 $1 $19) (29. Kh2 Rd3 $1 $19) 29... Nxf3 30. Qxf3 Qxf3+ 31. Kxf3 Rxb4
{und die Stellung ist äußerst gewinnträchtig.}) 28... fxe6 {Angesichts der
wunderbar zentralisierten schwarzen Figuren kann man den Pe6 nicht als
ernsthaft schwach betrachten.} 29. Rd1 {Führt zu einem verlorenen
Bauernendspiel} ({Die Alternative} 29. Bh5 {versprach auch keine Rettung:} Qd5+
30. Kg1 Nd3 31. Rxe6 (31. Ra1 Nxb4 $19) 31... Rc4 $1 $19) 29... Rxd1 30. Bxd1
Qxd1 31. Qxe5 Qd5+ 32. Qxd5 exd5 $19 33. f4 Kf7 34. Kf3 h5 35. f5 b6 36. Kf4 c5
37. bxc5 bxc5 38. g4 hxg4 39. hxg4 g6 0-1

[Event "Ubeda op 5th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "2000.01.22"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Guerra Bastida, Diego"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2313"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[Annotator "Alterman,B"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2000.01.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 d6 4. d4 Nbd7 5. Nbd2 e5 6. e4 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. a4
$146 (8. b3 Re8 9. Re1 b5 10. a4 Bb7 11. Bb2 Bf8 12. c3 a6 13. Qc2 Qc7 14. Re2
g6 15. Ne1 Bh6 16. Nf1 c5 17. d5 Nb6 18. a5 Nc8 19. Bc1 Bxc1 20. Qxc1 Nh5 21.
Bf3 Ng7 22. Ne3 Rf8 {Budde,V-Fehrig,A/Germany 1982/GER-chT/1/2-1/2 (51)}) 8...
a5 9. b3 exd4 10. Nxd4 d5 $6 {It's dubious to open position before finishing
of the developing.Better was 10..b6} 11. exd5 Nxd5 (11... cxd5 {[%csl Gb5]} 12.
Bb2) 12. Bb2 Nc5 13. Nc4 (13. Re1 $1 Re8 14. Qe2 {Was very unpleasant.}) 13...
Bf6 14. Ne3 $6 Nxe3 15. fxe3 Re8 16. Qh5 Nd7 $2 {[%mdl 8192]} (16... Qe7 17.
Rae1 Ne4 $1 {With a good position for black.} (17... Bd7 18. Nf5 Bxf5 19. Bxf6
Qxf6 20. Rxf5 $18)) 17. Rad1 g6 18. Qf3 Qe7 19. Nxc6 bxc6 20. Bxf6 Nxf6 21.
Qxf6 Qxe3+ 22. Qf2 (22. Rf2 $6 Bf5 23. Bxc6 Re6 24. Rd8+ Rxd8 25. Qxd8+ Kg7 26.
Bg2 Bxc2) 22... Bg4 $2 (22... Bg4 23. Rd4 $1 {[%mdl 12288]} (23. Rd6 $5) 23...
Qxf2+ 24. Rxf2 Bf5 25. Bxc6 Re1+ 26. Rf1 Rxf1+ 27. Kxf1 Rc8 28. Rc4 $18) (22...
Qxf2+ 23. Rxf2 Ra6 24. Rd6 c5 $14 {Much better for black ,than position after
22...Bg4?}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ubeda op 5th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "2000.01.22"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bick, John D"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2587"]
[BlackElo "2266"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2000.01.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Bg2 d5 4. O-O Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. c4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
c5 9. dxc5 Nc6 10. Na3 Bxc5 11. Nxc4 Qe7 12. b3 Nd5 13. Bb2 Rd8 14. Rac1 Ndb4
15. Qc3 Nd4 16. Nxd4 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Rxd4 18. Bxd4 Nc6 19. Be3 e5 20. Nb6 Rb8 21.
Bc5 Qf6 22. Nd5 Qd8 23. Rfd1 Bd7 24. Nb6 Nd4 25. Nxd7 Qxd7 26. e3 Ne2+ 27. Kf1
Qg4 28. h3 Nxg3+ 29. fxg3 Qxg3 30. Rd7 h5 31. Ba7 Re8 32. Rxb7 Rd8 33. h4 g5
34. Rb8 Rxb8 35. Bxb8 gxh4 36. Rc8+ Kg7 37. Re8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ubeda op 5th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "2000.01.23"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Lomineishvili, Maia"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A55"]
[WhiteElo "2290"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2000.01.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 d6 4. d4 Nbd7 5. e4 e5 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. h3
a6 9. Be3 Qc7 10. Qc2 b5 11. cxb5 cxb5 12. Rac1 Qb8 13. d5 Nb6 14. Nd2 Bd7 15.
b4 Rc8 16. Qb1 Ra7 17. Rc2 Rac7 18. Rfc1 Bd8 19. Kh2 h6 20. g3 Nh7 21. Bd3 Nf8
22. Ne2 Na4 23. f4 Rxc2 24. Rxc2 exf4 25. gxf4 Ng6 26. Nd4 Bf6 27. N2b3 Nh4 28.
Qc1 Re8 29. Bf2 Ng6 30. Be3 Nh4 31. Bf2 Ng6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ubeda op 5th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "2000.01.24"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Timon Piote, Silvia"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B37"]
[WhiteElo "2587"]
[BlackElo "2255"]
[Annotator "Alterman,B"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2000.01.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 g6 3. e4 Bg7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Nc2 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8.
Be2 b6 9. O-O Bb7 10. Bg5 (10. Rb1 Ne8 11. Qd2 Nd6 12. f3 f5 13. Nb5 fxe4 14.
Nxd6 exd6 15. Qxd6 Ne5 16. f4 Nd3 17. Bxd3 exd3 18. Qxd3 Re8 19. Bd2 Be4 20.
Qb3 Qh4 21. Rbe1 Qg4 22. c5+ Kh8 23. Ne3 {0-1 Tseshkovsky,V-Gufeld,E/Vilnius
1975/MCL (38)}) (10. f3 d6 11. Rb1 Qb8 12. Qd2 Rd8 13. Ne3 e6 14. Rd1 Rd7 15.
f4 Qf8 16. Bf3 Rad8 17. b3 Bh6 18. g3 e5 19. Ned5 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 {Loret,S-Baume,
C/Paris 1999/EXT 2000/1-0 (47)}) 10... h6 $146 (10... Rc8 11. f3 (11. Ne3 Ne8
12. Ned5 h6 13. Bh4 g5 14. Bg3 e6 15. Ne3 Ne5 16. Qd2 Qe7 17. Rad1 Bc6 18. Kh1
Ng6 19. Nb5 Bxb5 20. cxb5 Nf4 21. Rfe1 Nf6 22. Bf3 Qc5 23. e5 N6h5 24. Qxd7
Nxg3+ 25. hxg3 Ng6 {Zelcic,R-Chatalbashev,B/Star Dojran 1996/EXT 99/0-1 (41)})
11... Ne8 12. Qd2 Nc7 13. Rad1 d6 14. Kh1 Ne6 15. Be3 f5 16. exf5 gxf5 17. f4
Kh8 18. Rfe1 Qd7 19. b3 Ncd8 20. Bf1 Nc5 21. Bd4 Rg8 22. Ne3 e6 23. b4 {
Schlosser,P-Becerra Rivero,J/Cienfuegos 1997/CBM 59/1/2-1/2 (58)}) 11. Be3 Rc8
12. b3 d6 13. Qd2 Kh7 14. Rac1 Ne5 15. f3 Qd7 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17. Nd5 {Black
played very passive and gets a difficult position after the opening.White's
key idea to move his knight to important square d5, after that black has
difficult choice : to play e6 in some moment - after which black's pawn on d6
will be always weak,or exchange this unpleasant knight and after "ed" white
pressure under the file "e" will be very strong,and blacks pieces with the
limited space for the maneure will feel a discomfort..} Nxd5 18. exd5 Qe8 19.
f4 $6 (19. Nd4 Qf8 20. Re1 $16 {[%cal Ge1e7] Was much logical.}) 19... Nd7 20.
Nd4 Nc5 21. f5 e5 22. fxg6+ fxg6 23. Nb5 a6 24. Nc3 a5 25. Bd3 Rc7 26. Ne4 Rf7
27. Rf1 Bc8 28. Qc2 Nxd3 29. Qxd3 Rb7 30. a4 Bf5 31. h3 Qe7 32. Rf3 Qh4 $2 {
[%mdl 16384] Last chance} (32... Rf8 $1 33. Rcf1 Qh4 34. g4 Bxe4 35. Qxe4 Rxf3
36. Qxf3 e4 37. Qg2 $1 (37. Qxe4 Qg3+) 37... Bc3 $14 {[%cal Gc3b4,Gb4c5]}) 33.
g4 Bxe4 34. Qxe4 Rf8 35. Kg2 Rxf3 36. Qxf3 Rb8 37. Rf1 Rf8 38. Qe2 Rxf1 39.
Qxf1 $18 {[%csl Ra5,Rb6]} e4 40. Qf2 Qe7 41. Qf4 g5 42. Qf5+ Kh8 43. Qc8+ Kh7
44. Bxb6 h5 45. Qe6 Qb7 46. Qxe4+ Kh6 47. gxh5 1-0

[Event "Ubeda op 5th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "2000.01.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Mateo, Ramon"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2408"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2000.01.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Nb3 Nf6 7. Be2 O-O 8.
O-O d6 9. Bg5 a6 10. f4 b5 11. Bf3 Bb7 12. Kh1 Nd7 13. Qe1 a5 14. e5 dxe5 15.
Rd1 Qc8 16. Nxb5 a4 17. Nc1 Nc5 18. Bd5 Nd4 19. Nc3 Nce6 20. fxe5 Nxc2 21. Qh4
Nxg5 22. Qxg5 e6 23. Bxb7 Qxb7 24. Nd3 a3 25. bxa3 Rxa3 26. Nc5 Qc7 27. N3e4
Ne3 28. Nd7 Nxf1 29. Nef6+ Kh8 30. Nxf8 Ne3 31. Qh4 h6 32. Qb4 Rd3 33. Rb1 Rc3
34. h4 Qc6 35. Rb2 Bxf6 36. Nxg6+ fxg6 37. exf6 Rc1+ 38. Kh2 Qc7+ 39. g3 Nf1+
40. Kh1 Qc6+ 0-1

[Event "Ubeda op 5th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "2000.01.26"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gerstner, Wolfgang"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2587"]
[BlackElo "2402"]
[Annotator "Horn,Pe"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2000.01.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 Bf5 4. c4 c6 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Qb3 Qc8 7. Nc3 e6 8. d3
Be7 9. Bf4 O-O 10. Rc1 Nc6 11. O-O Qd7 (11... Bg6 12. Ne5 Nd7 $8 13. Nxg6 hxg6
14. h4 $1 $14 {Kortschnoj,V-Karpov,A/Moscow 1974/Candidates}) 12. h3 {Ein
Nebenweg: Weiß unterbindet eine gelegentliches Ng4 oder Bg4 und bereitet so
die prinzipiellen Vorgehensweisen Pe2-e4 und Nf3-e5 vor.} ({Auch mit den
häufig gespielten Alternativen hat Schwarz so seine Schwierigkeiten:} 12. Ne5
Nxe5 13. Bxe5 Ng4 (13... Rfc8 $6 14. e4 Bg6 15. exd5 exd5 16. Nxd5 $16 {
Kirov,N-Kovacs,L/Copenhagen/1981}) (13... Bg6 14. e4 Ng4 (14... Rad8 15. exd5
exd5 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nxd5 Be5 18. d4 Bb8 (18... Bxd4 19. Rfd1 Be5 20. Nf6+)
19. Rfe1 Rfe8 20. Rxe8+ Rxe8 21. Ne3 Qxd4 22. Qxb7 $16 {Smyslov-Bronstein/
URS-ch/1974}) (14... dxe4 15. dxe4 Rad8 16. Rfd1 $14) 15. Bf4 d4 $1 (15... e5
$2 16. Nxd5 $1 Bd6 (16... exf4 17. Rc7 $18) 17. Bd2 $18 {Doda,Z-Kruszynski,W/
Gdynia 1973}) (15... dxe4 16. dxe4 e5 17. Nd5 Rfc8 18. Bh3 Bd6 19. f3 h5 20.
Be3 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Rc8 22. Rd1 $16 {Pigusov-Maximenko/Riga/1988}) 16. Ne2 e5 17.
Bd2 Kh8 18. Bh3 f5 19. exf5 Bxf5 20. f3 Ne3 21. Bxf5 Nxf5 22. a4 {1/2:1/2/
Ibrahimov,R-Starostits,A/Oropesa del Mar/1999}) 14. Bd4 (14. Bf4 d4 15. Na4 e5
16. Bd2 Rab8 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. Rxc5 Be6 19. Qc2 b6 20. Rc7 Rfc8 21. Rc1 Rxc7 22.
Qxc7 Rc8 23. Qxc8+ Qxc8 24. Rxc8+ Bxc8 25. Bb4 $14 {Neckar,L-Mozny,M/Prague/
1988}) 14... Bd6 15. Nb5 Bb8 16. e4 a6 17. Bc5 Rc8 18. Nd4 dxe4 19. dxe4 $16 {
Kirov-G.Agzamov/Potsdam/1985}) (12. e4 Bg6 (12... Bg4 13. Ne5 $1 (13. exd5 Bxf3
14. Bxf3 Nd4 15. Qd1 Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 exd5 17. Be5 $14 {Doda,Z-Rogoff,K/Polanica
Zdroj 1974}) 13... Nxe5 14. Bxe5 dxe4 (14... Rfd8 $2 15. h3 Bh5 16. exd5 Nxd5
17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Rc7 $18 {Franke-Dahl/corr/1971}) 15. dxe4 {[%cal Yh2h3]} Rfd8
16. h3 Bh5 17. g4 Bg6 18. Rfd1 Qe8 19. Qxb7 $18 {Kaid,A-Reiter,H/GER 1998}) (
12... dxe4 13. dxe4 Nxe4 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. Bxe4 Nc6 (16... Bf6 17.
Rfd1 Qe7 18. Qb5 a6 19. Qa5 Nc6 20. Bxc6 bxc6 21. Bd6 $16 {Dizdar-Haba/Halle/
1987}) 17. Rfd1 $44 Qc8 18. Qa4 Rd8 19. Rxd8+ Qxd8 (19... Bxd8) 20. Bxc6 bxc6
21. Qxc6 $14 {Barcza-Smyslov/Moskau ol/1956}) 13. exd5 (13. Nh4 d4 (13... Nd4
$11) 14. Nxg6 hxg6 15. Nb1 e5 16. Bd2 Rab8 17. h3 Nh7 18. f4 $14 {Velickovic,
Z-Kaunzinger,A/Nuremberg 1989}) 13... exd5 (13... Nxd5 14. Nxd5 exd5 15. Ne5
Nxe5 16. Bxe5 $16) 14. d4 (14. Rfd1 $143 Na5 (14... Bh5 $14) 15. Qc2 Bd6 $2 (
15... Nc6 $14) 16. Bg5 $16 {Forintos,G-Sallay,R/Budapest 1958}) 14... Na5 (
14... Be4 15. Ne5 $16) (14... Bd3 15. Rfd1 Bc4 16. Qc2) 15. Qd1 Ne4 16. Ne5 Qe6
17. Nb5 $18 {Brunner,L-Masserey,Y/Biel 1994}) (12. Rfe1 d4 (12... Bb4 13. Ne5
Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Bxc3 15. Qxc3 Rfc8 16. Qd4 $16 {Vaulin,A-Trombik,K/Policka 1995})
13. Nb1 Rac8 14. Na3 Nh5 $2 (14... Bxa3 $5 $11) 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 f6 $2 17.
Rxc8 Rxc8 18. Qxb7 $1 $16 {Pejko,O-Dancs,Z/Sarospatak 1995}) 12... Rac8 ({
Alternativen sind} 12... d4) ({und} 12... Bg6) 13. e4 $1 $146 {Technisch mag
dies zwar eine Neuerung sein, da dies aber bereits einen Zug vorher gespielt
wurde, kommt der Zug hier sicher nicht überraschend.} ({Weniger überzeugen kann
} 13. Nb5 a6 14. Nbd4 Nxd4 15. Nxd4 Bg6 16. Nf3 Rxc1 17. Rxc1 {1/2-1/2 Sandor,
B-Stahlberg,G/Bucharest 1954}) 13... Bg6 (13... dxe4 14. dxe4 Nxe4 (14... Bxe4
15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Rcd1 $1 Qe8 (16... Nd6 $2 17. Bxd6 Bxd6 18. Qd3 Rfd8 19. Ng5
f5 20. Nxe6 $18) 17. Qxb7 $16) 15. Rcd1 Qe8 16. Qxb7 $14) 14. exd5 exd5 15. d4
$16 {[%csl Rd5] Weiß bestimmt hier ganz klar das Geschehen: der Pd5 ist
schwächer als sein Gegenspieler auf d4.} Na5 16. Qd1 Nc4 $2 {Damit vergrößern
sich die schwarzen Probleme, da der N hier auf wackeligen Beinen steht.} (16...
Bb4 {adressiert das Problem des schwachen Pd5.} 17. Ne5 Qe6 18. Re1 Bxc3 19.
Rxc3 Qb6 $16 (19... Rxc3 $2 20. Nxg6 $18)) 17. Ne5 Qf5 18. Qb3 (18. Nxc4 dxc4
19. Qa4 $16 (19. Bxb7 $16)) ({Zu wenig ergibt} 18. Nxd5 $2 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Nxe5
20. Bxe5 Rxc1 21. Qxc1 Rc8 $132) 18... b6 (18... Nb6 19. a4 (19. Rfe1) (19. Nb5
) 19... Rfe8 20. a5 Nc4 21. Qxb7 Rb8 (21... Nxa5 22. Qxa7 $18) 22. Qxa7 Ra8 23.
Qb7 Rab8 24. Qc6 (24. Qxb8 $5) 24... Rbc8 25. Qb5 Rb8 26. Qa4 $18) (18... Na5
19. Nxd5 $18) 19. Rfe1 Rfe8 20. Ng4 Na5 (20... Nxg4 21. hxg4 Qd7 (21... Qxg4
22. Nxd5 $18 {[%csl Rc4,Re7]}) 22. Nxd5 $18) 21. Qb5 (21. Nxf6+ Bxf6 22. Rxe8+
Rxe8 23. Qb5 $18) 21... Kf8 22. Nxf6 Qxf6 (22... Bxf6 23. Bd6+ Be7 24. Rxe7
Rxe7 25. Re1 $18) 23. Nxd5 Rxc1 24. Qxe8+ (24. Qxe8+ Kxe8 25. Nxf6+ gxf6 26.
Rxc1 $18) 1-0

[Event "Ubeda op 5th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "2000.01.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Halkias, Stelios"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2482"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[PlyCount "14"]
[EventDate "2000.01.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. d4 d6 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 c6 7. Nc3 Qa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ubeda op 5th"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "2000.01.28"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yandemirov, Valeri"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2587"]
[BlackElo "2472"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2000.01.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 075"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Be2 c6 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4
Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Nbd7 11. Rd1 e5 12. d5 e4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. dxc6 Ne5
15. Qe2 Qb6 16. cxb7 Rad8 17. Bd5 Nf6 18. Bb3 Rxd1+ 19. Qxd1 Rd8 20. Qe2 Ne4
21. Bc2 Qxb7 22. a4 Qb4 23. Kh2 Nd3 24. f4 Nxc1 0-1

[Event "Yerevan zt 1.5"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.06.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanisevic, Ivan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E69"]
[WhiteElo "2587"]
[BlackElo "2460"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[EventDate "2000.06.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d4 c6 6. c4 d6 7. Nc3 Nbd7 8. e4
e5 9. h3 exd4 10. Nxd4 Qb6 11. Nde2 Ne8 12. Qc2 Nc5 13. Rd1 f5 14. Be3 Qb4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan zt 1.5"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.06.08"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sendur, Adnan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2335"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2000.06.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. c3 Nf6 6. Re1 a6 7. Ba4 b5 8. Bc2
Bg4 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 Bxf3 11. gxf3 e5 12. d5 Nd4 13. Be3 Nd7 14. a4 b4 15.
a5 Be7 16. Ba4 O-O 17. Bxd7 Qxd7 18. Nd2 Rac8 19. Bxd4 exd4 20. Nb3 Bg5 21. Kg2
Rfe8 22. Qd3 Bf6 23. Rac1 Be5 24. Rxc8 Qxc8 25. Rc1 Qd8 26. Qxa6 f5 27. Rg1
fxe4 28. fxe4 Qh4 29. Qd3 Rf8 30. f3 Bxh2 31. Rf1 Qg3+ 32. Kh1 Qh3 0-1

[Event "Yerevan zt 1.5"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.06.09"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vaganian, Rafael A"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2587"]
[BlackElo "2618"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2000.06.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 b6 3. Bg2 Bb7 4. O-O c5 5. c4 g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. e3 O-O 8. d4
Ne4 9. Na4 d5 10. dxc5 Nxc5 11. Nxc5 bxc5 12. Qb3 Bc6 13. cxd5 Bxd5 14. Qc2 Qb6
15. e4 Bc6 16. Bg5 Na6 17. Nd2 Qxb2 18. Qxb2 Bxb2 19. Rab1 Bf6 20. Bh6 Rfb8 21.
Nb3 Rb4 22. Rfe1 Be5 23. Be3 Ra4 24. Nxc5 Nxc5 25. Rec1 Bxe4 26. Rxc5 Bxb1 27.
Bxa8 Bd6 28. Rc1 Bxa2 29. Bc6 Ra5 30. Ra1 Be5 31. Re1 Be6 32. Kg2 Bd6 33. Rb1
a6 34. Rb7 Bd5+ 35. Bxd5 Rxd5 36. h4 f6 37. Kf3 Kf7 38. Ke4 Re5+ 39. Kf3 Rf5+
40. Ke2 Ra5 41. Ra7 Ra2+ 42. Kf3 a5 43. g4 h5 44. gxh5 gxh5 45. Ra8 a4 46. Rh8
Rc2 47. Rxh5 Be5 48. Rh7+ 0-1

[Event "Yerevan zt 1.5"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.06.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Antic, Dejan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A55"]
[WhiteElo "2491"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[Annotator "Meulders,R"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2000.06.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 d6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. e4 e5 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O (7...
a6 8. d5 (8. Be3 b5 $5 9. a3 (9. Nd2 exd4 10. Bxd4 b4 11. Na4 c5 12. Be3 O-O
13. f4 Bb7 14. Bf3 Qc7 $13) 9... Bb7 10. b4 O-O 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. c5 $14 {
[%csl Rb7]})) 8. Be3 a6 (8... Qc7 9. d5 c5 10. Nd2 Ne8 11. Rb1 g6 12. b4 cxb4
13. Rxb4 Nc5 14. Nb3 Bd7 15. Bh6 $1 Ng7 16. Nxc5 dxc5 17. Rb2 Rfd8 18. d6 $1
Qxd6 19. Qxd6 Bxd6 20. Bg5 $16 {Danailov,S-Roth,P Wien op 1990 CBM/21}) (8...
Ng4 $5) (8... Ng4 9. Bd2 $14) 9. d5 cxd5 10. cxd5 b5 {Eine wichtige
Entscheidung. Es ist nicht klar ob die Alternativen 10...Ng4 oder 10...Ne8
besser seien.} 11. Nd2 $1 {Verhindert ...Ng4 un dirigiert den Springer zum
Damenflügel.} Qc7 {Dieses Feld ist für die Dame oft nur ein Zwischenstation,
weil sie auf c7 gefährdet ist vom kommenden Rc1.} (11... Nb6 12. a4 $1 $14 bxa4
(12... b4 13. a5 $1 bxc3 14. Bxb6 Qe8 15. bxc3 $16) (12... Nxa4 13. Nxa4 bxa4
14. Qxa4 Bd7 $11) 13. Nxa4 Nxa4 14. Rxa4 Bd7 15. Ra3 {Yakovich,Y-Kremenietsky,
A/Russia 1996/Inf 68/[Yakovich,Y] (21)} (15. Ra2 Qb8 16. f3 Bb5 17. Bxb5 Qxb5
18. Qb3 $14 {Polgar,Zsu-Lobron,E Deutschland Cup 1989 CBM/16}) (15. Rxa6 Rxa6
16. Bxa6 Ng4 {Ribli: 'Weiß hat jetzt einen Bauern mehr, aber Schwarz kann auf
e3 nehmen, wonach er die Herrschaft über die schwarzen Felder erlangt. Das
Läuferpaar bietet ihm jetzt trotz des Minusbauern eine verteidigungsfähige
Stellung.'} 17. Nc4 Nxe3 18. Nxe3 Qa5 19. Qe2 Rb8 $44) 15... a5 (15... Qb8 16.
Rb3 (16. Qb1 Bb5) (16. Qc2 Rc8) (16. Qa1 {[%csl Ra6]} Bb5) 16... Qe8 (16... Bb5
17. Bxb5 axb5 18. Qe2 {[%csl Rb5]} Ra5 19. Rc1 $14 (19. f3) (19. Nc4 $6 {
[%cal Rc4a5]} Ra4 $11 {[%cal Ra4e4]})) (16... Qc8 17. Qb1 $5 (17. Rc3 Qb7 18.
Qc2 Rfb8 19. b3 Bd8 20. Nc4 Qb4 21. f3 $14 {1/2-1/2 Lukacs,P-Anic,D/Budapest
1990 (36)}) 17... Ba4 18. Rc1 Qd7 19. Rbc3 $14 {[%cal Gc1c8,Ge2a6,Ge3a7]} Rfb8
20. b3 {[%cal Gb8b1]} Qe8 (20... Bb5 21. Rc7 (21. Nc4 $14) 21... Qe8 22. Bxb5
axb5 23. Qd3 $14 {[%csl Rb5,Rc6]}) 21. Qc2 {[%csl Ra4][%cal Gc1c8]} Bd7 22. Nc4
$16 {[%csl Ya8,Yc6,Yd7][%cal Gc4a5,Ga5c6,Gc4b6,Gb6d7,Gb6a8] 1-0 Ivanov,
S-Dmitriev,I/Maikop 1998/CBM 66/[Ribli] (61)}) 17. Rb6 Rb8 (17... Qd8 18. Rxa6
(18. Bxa6 Ng4 $5) 18... Rxa6 19. Bxa6 Ng4 $44) 18. f3 Rxb6 19. Bxb6 Qb8 $11 20.
Nc4 Bb5 $6 (20... Rc8 $5 $11) (20... Bd8 $5 $11 {Der schlechte Läufer möchte
seine Lage verbessern.}) 21. Bf2 Bxc4 $2 (21... Nd7 22. Na5 {[%csl Yc6][%cal
Ga5c6]}) (21... Bd8 $5) 22. Bxc4 Qxb2 23. Qa1 $14 {[%csl Ra6] 1-0 Ivanov,
S-Shchukin,D/St Petersburg 1998/CBM 65/[Ribli] (58)}) (15... Bb5 16. f3 Nh5 $6
(16... Qb8 $5 {/\...Bd8,...Bb6; ....Nd7}) 17. Bxb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Qxa8 19. Qb3
Rb8 20. Rc1 Nf4 21. Kf1 h5 22. g3 Ng6 23. Qa3 $14 {1-0 Yakovich,Y-Kremenietsky,
A/Moscow-ch 1996 (51)}) 16. Qb1 Ng4 17. Bxg4 Bxg4 18. Rc1 Bd7 19. Nc4 a4 20.
Nb6 $14 {1-0 Arkhipov,S-Hickl,J/Lippstadt 1992/CBM 31/[Ribli] (44)}) (11... b4
$6 12. Na4 {[%csl Rb4,Yb6]}) 12. Rc1 (12. Qb1 $5 {[%cal Gf1c1,Gc1c7]} Qb8 13.
b4 {[%cal Gd2b3,Gb3a5,Ga5c6,Ga2a4]} Nb6 14. Nb3 $14 {[%csl Ra5,Rc6]} Bd7 (14...
Ng4 15. Bxg4 Bxg4 16. Na5 $14) (14... Nc4 $6 15. Bxc4 bxc4 16. Na5 $16) 15. Na5
Rc8 16. Rc1 Ra7 {[%cal Ga7c7,Gc8c1]} 17. a4 $6 Rac7 (17... bxa4 $1 18. Nc6 Bxc6
19. dxc6 Rxc6 20. b5 axb5 21. Bxb5 Rc8 22. Bxa4 $13 Rb7 $17) {[#]} 18. axb5 $5
Rxc3 (18... axb5 19. Bd2 $14 (19. Nc6 Bxc6 20. dxc6 Rxc6 21. Nxb5 Rxc1+ 22.
Bxc1 d5 $11) (19. Nxb5 Rxc1+ 20. Bxc1 Nbxd5 $13)) 19. Nc6 Rxc1+ 20. Qxc1 Bxc6
21. bxc6 $44 Qc7 $2 (21... Bd8 $5 22. Bxa6 Rc7 (22... Nxe4 23. Bxc8 Nxc8 24.
Qc4 $14) 23. Bb7 Nfd7 24. Qf1 Rxb7 25. cxb7 Qxb7 26. Qb5 $14) (21... Nxe4 $2
22. Bxa6 Nxd5 23. Bxc8 Qxc8 24. Qc4 Nef6 25. b5 Bd8 26. Ra7 $1 $16) 22. Rxa6
Nbxd5 (22... Rb8 23. Bxb6 Rxb6 24. Rxb6 Qxb6 25. c7 $18) 23. exd5 Nxd5 24. Bg4
$18 {1-0 Kozul,Z-Aronian,L/Portoroz 1999/CBM 72/[Ribli] (30)}) 12... Qb8 (12...
Qb7 13. f3 (13. a4 b4 14. Ncb1 Bd8 15. Nc4 Qb8 (15... Ne8) 16. Nbd2 a5 (16...
Nb6 $5 17. Na5 (17. Qb3 $16) 17... Nbxd5 $17) 17. Bd3 Nb6 18. Nxb6 (18. b3 $5)
18... Bxb6 19. Bxb6 Qxb6 20. Rc6 Qb8 21. Nc4 Rd8 22. Nb6 Ra7 $14 {1/2-1/2 Van
der Sterren,P-Hickl,J/San Bernardino 1992/TD (29)}) 13... Bd8 14. b4 Bb6 15.
Bf2 Ne8 16. g4 g6 $11 {1-0 Esposito,L-Aranovitch,E/Celle Ligure 1995/EXT 99 
(65)}) 13. b4 Nb6 14. Nb3 (14. a4 Nxa4 15. Nxa4 bxa4 16. Qxa4 Bd7 (16... Bd8)
17. Qb3 h6 (17... Ng4 $5) 18. Qb1 Bb5 19. Bxb5 Qxb5 20. Nc4 Rab8 21. Na5 $1 Bd8
(21... Qxb4 $2 22. Nc6 Qb7 23. Nxb8 $18) 22. Nc6 $16 {1-0 Levin,F-Zaid,L/Kiev
1986/EXT 97 (42)}) 14... Bd7 15. Na5 $14 Rc8 16. Qd2 Bd8 (16... Ra7 17. Rc2
Rac7 18. Rfc1 h6 19. g3 Nh7 (19... Nc4 20. Nxc4 bxc4 21. a3) 20. h4 $14 {
1-0 Stohl,I-Grosse Kloenne,E/Pardubice 1994/EXT 97 (29)}) 17. f3 $14 h6 18. Nb1
$5 {[%csl Rc6][%cal Ga5c6] Weiss steht eigentlich ideal, aber die schwarze
Stellung ist fest und wie soll Weiss weiterkommen? Der typische Sprengungszug
a4 ist nicht möglich, weil Schwarz Punkt a4 gut kontrolliert. Feld c6 ist ein
Traumort für Na5, aber solange Schwarz den weissfeldrigen Laüfer hat und auf
c6 tauschen kann, muss Weiss sehr vorsichtig sein damit er den Befreiungszug ..
.d5 nicht zulässt.} Ra7 19. Rxc8 (19. Nc6 $6 Bxc6 20. Rxc6 Rxc6 21. dxc6 d5 $1
22. exd5 Nfxd5 23. Rd1 Be7 $1 24. Bc5 Rc7 $15) 19... Qxc8 20. Rc1 Rc7 21. Nc3
$1 {Weiss vermeidet weitere Taüsche, weil die schwarze Figuren doch ziemlich
verkrampft dabei stehen.} Qb8 22. Nd1 (22. f4 $5 Ng4 $5 23. Bxg4 Bxg4 24. fxe5
(24. Nc6 $2 Rxc6 25. dxc6 Nc4 26. Qf2 Nxe3 $19 (26... Nxe3 27. Qxe3 Bb6)) (24.
f5 Bh5 25. h3 f6 26. Kh2 Nc4 27. Nxc4 Rxc4 28. a3 a5 $15) 24... Nc4 25. Nxc4
Rxc4 26. h3 Bd7 27. exd6 Qxd6 28. a3 Qg6 $44) (22. h3 {/\f4}) 22... Na4 $6 23.
Nc3 (23. Nc6 $1 Qc8 24. Nxd8 Qxd8 25. Bd3 $14) 23... Nb6 24. g3 Rc8 25. Bf1 Nh7
$1 $11 26. h4 Nf8 27. Kh2 Ng6 28. Nd1 Ne7 29. Bf2 (29. Nf2 Na4 30. Nb3 Nb6 31.
Na5 $11) 29... Na4 30. Nb2 Nxb2 31. Qxb2 Rxc1 (31... Bxa5 32. bxa5 f5 33. a4
Rxc1 34. Qxc1 bxa4 35. Bxa6 Qa8 36. Qf1 a3 37. Bb6 a2 38. Bc4 Nc8 39. Qa1 Nxb6
40. axb6 Qb7 41. Qxa2 Qxb6 $11 {/=+}) 32. Qxc1 Bb6 {Endlich wird Schwarz
seinen schlechten Laüfer los.} 33. Bxb6 (33. Qd2 Qa7) 33... Qxb6 $15 34. Qd2
Kf8 {Ein schlauer Zug: Schwarz hat die Stellung ausgeglichen, aber er
unternimmt nichts aktives. Es scheint so als warte er auf einen Fehler des
Gegners.} (34... f5 35. Bh3 Qc7 36. Kg2 fxe4 37. fxe4 Bxh3+ 38. Kxh3 Qc8+ 39.
Kh2 Qg4 40. Nc6 Ng6 41. Qd3) 35. f4 $6 {Ein typisches Verfahren in 
(aufkommenden) Zeitnot: Weiss hat nichts wesentliches erreicht aber fühlt sich
plötzlich gerufen aktiv zu werden, möglicherweise wegen des weissen
Abwartezuges. Er schwächt damit nur seinen Königsflugel und statt an zu
greifen muss er bald für die Verteidigung alle Segel aufziehen.} exf4 36. gxf4
Ng6 $1 37. h5 Nh4 $1 {[%csl Yd2,Yh2][%cal Gh4f3,Gf3h2,Gf3d2]} 38. Bg2 Qd8 $1
39. Nc6 Qf6 40. Bh1 (40. e5 $6 Qf5 $1 {[%csl Rh5]}) 40... g5 (40... Bg4 $5 41.
e5 $5 Qf5 $1 (41... dxe5 $2 42. Nxe5 $1 (42. fxe5 Qf1 $17 (42... Nf3+ $5))
42... Qf5 43. d6 Qxh5 44. Kg1 $18) 42. exd6 Qxh5 43. Kg1 Ng6 $1 $15) 41. Kg3 $1
gxf4+ 42. Qxf4 $11 Qc3+ 43. Kf2 (43. Kxh4 $4 Qh3#) 43... Qb2+ 44. Kg3 Qc3+
1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan zt 1.5"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.06.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nalbandian, Tigran"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2587"]
[BlackElo "2448"]
[Annotator "Finkel,A"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2000.06.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 c6 5. Be2 dxe5 6. Nxe5 Nd7 7. Nf3 g6 8. c4
Nc7 9. Nc3 Bg7 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 {On my opinion white's set up is definitly
not the best to meet Alekhin,and the move in the game doesn't change the
eveluation of the position:black gets an equality without particular efforts.}
(11. Be3 c5 12. d5 e6 13. dxe6 Nxe6 14. Rc1 f5 15. Qd6 Qb6 16. Qxb6 Nxb6 $11 {
Joanovits,M-Dubois,M/FRA-chW 1995}) (11. Bg5 Ne6 12. Be3 Qc7 (12... Nf6 13. h3
Qc7 14. Qd2 Rd8 15. Rfe1 Nh5 16. Bf1 b6 17. Rad1 Bb7 18. Qc1 Rac8 $132 {
Zarnicki,P-Miles,A/Oviedo rapid 1993}) 13. Qc1 (13. Qd2 Rd8 14. Rad1 Ne5 15. d5
Ng4 16. Rfe1 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 Nf4 $13 {Ekstroem,R-Zelcic,R/Mitropa Cup 1995})
13... Nf6 14. h3 Rd8 15. Rd1 b6 16. Rd2 Bb7 17. Qd1 Rac8 18. Bf1 Qb8 $132 {
Milos,G-Nicoara Etchegaray,M/Elgoibar 1993}) (11. h3 c5 12. d5 b5 13. cxb5 Nb6
14. Ne4 a6 15. bxa6 Nxa6 16. Bb5 Bb7 17. Re1 Qxd5 $13 {Kuzmin,G-Miles,A/Agios
Nikolaos op 1995}) 11... c5 12. dxc5 (12. d5 e5 $1 13. Rb1 (13. Ne4 Ne8 14. a3
f5 15. Bg5 Qb6 $132) 13... Ne8 14. b4 Nd6 $132) 12... Nxc5 13. Bg5 (13. Be3 b6
14. Qxd8 Rxd8 15. Rad1 Rxd1 16. Rxd1 Bxc3 17. bxc3 N7e6 $132) 13... Qxd1 14.
Nxd1 {White prefered to take with the knight because he probably wasn't sure
of the consequances of 14...Bxc3,but also after the continution in the game
black gets very good counterchanses.} (14. Raxd1 Bxc3 15. bxc3 f6 16. Be3 b6
17. Nd4 Bb7 $13) 14... Re8 15. Rc1 Bg4 $1 $11 16. Be3 (16. Nc3 Rad8 17. Be3 b6
18. b4 Bxf3 19. gxf3 (19. bxc5 $6 Bxc3 $1 (19... Bxe2 20. Nxe2 bxc5 21. Bxc5
Rd2 $11) 20. Rxc3 Bxe2 21. cxb6 Ne6 22. b7 Rd7 23. c5 Bb5 $15) 19... Nd3 20.
Bxd3 Rxd3 21. Nb5 Nxb5 22. cxb5 Red8 $15) 16... N7e6 17. b4 Bxf3 18. gxf3 Na6
19. a3 Nd4 20. Nc3 (20. c5 Nxe2+ 21. Rxe2 Nc7 22. c6 bxc6 23. Rxc6 Nd5 24. Bc5
$13) 20... Nxe2+ 21. Rxe2 Nc7 22. Nb5 $6 {So far both sides made the most
logical moves,but now white for some reason deviates from natural} (22. a4 $1
a6 23. Bb6 Rac8 {[%cal Gc7a8]} 24. a5 (24. Rd2 $2 Na8 $1 25. Bc5 b6 $19 {
[%csl Rc4]}) 24... e6 (24... Bxc3 $6 25. Rxc3 Nd5 26. cxd5 Rxc3 27. d6 Rc1+ 28.
Kg2 Rd1 29. Rxe7 $1 $14) 25. Na4 Nd5 26. Bc5 Nf6 $13 {,however with unclear,
but full of life position.Now the game very quickly ends up a draw.}) 22...
Nxb5 23. cxb5 Be5 24. Bxa7 (24. f4 Bd6 25. Rec2 a6 26. b6 Rad8 27. Kg2 h5 28.
Kf3 $11) 24... Bxh2+ $5 (24... Rxa7 25. Rxe5 Rxa3 26. Rc7 b6 27. Rexe7 Rxe7 28.
Rxe7 Rxf3 29. Rb7 Rf4 30. Rxb6 Rxb4 $11) 25. Kxh2 Rxa7 26. Rc7 Rxa3 27. Kg2 Rb3
28. Re4 (28. Rexe7 Rxe7 29. Rxe7 Rxb4 30. Rxb7 $11) 28... b6 29. Rb7 Kg7 30.
Rxb6 Rd8 31. Rb7 ({The last chanse for the game to be decided was} 31. Rxe7 Rd5
$1 32. Re4 Rb2 (32... Rf5 33. f4) 33. Rb8 Rdd2 34. Kg3 Kf6 $13) 31... e5 32.
Rxe5 Rxb4 33. Re4 Rdd4 $1 34. Rxd4 Rxd4 $11 35. Kg3 Rb4 36. Kg2 h5 37. Kg3 g5
38. Rb6 f6 39. Rb8 Kg6 40. b6 h4+ 41. Kg2 Kf5 42. b7 Rb2 43. Kh3 Rb4 44. Kh2
Rb2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan zt 1.5"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.06.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Dervishi, Erald"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C87"]
[WhiteElo "2478"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[PlyCount "175"]
[EventDate "2000.06.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 d6 7. c3 Bg4 8. d3
O-O 9. h3 Bd7 10. Nbd2 Re8 11. Nf1 Bf8 12. Ng3 g6 13. d4 Bg7 14. Bc2 a5 15. Bg5
h6 16. Be3 Qe7 17. Qd2 Qf8 18. Rad1 Rad8 19. Qc1 Bc8 20. a3 Nd7 21. Nh2 Nb6 22.
d5 Ne7 23. Bxb6 cxb6 24. Qe3 f5 25. Qxb6 f4 26. Ngf1 Qf6 27. Qxa5 h5 28. Rd3
Kh8 29. Bd1 Rg8 30. c4 Nf5 31. exf5 gxf5 32. f3 e4 33. fxe4 fxe4 34. Rxe4 Qg6
35. Bf3 Bf5 36. Qe1 Rde8 37. Nd2 Rxe4 38. Nxe4 Re8 39. Qf2 Bxe4 40. Bxe4 Rxe4
41. b3 Qe8 42. Rd1 Bf6 43. Nf3 Re3 44. Qc2 Re2 45. Qd3 Ra2 46. Re1 Qg8 47. Re2
Ra1+ 48. Re1 Ra2 49. Re2 Ra1+ 50. Ne1 Qg5 51. Kf1 Rc1 52. Rc2 Ra1 53. Re2 Rc1
54. b4 f3 55. Qxf3 Rxc4 56. Rf2 Kg7 57. Qf5 Rc1 58. Qd7+ Kh8 59. Qe8+ Kg7 60.
Qd7+ Kg6 61. Qe8+ Kg7 62. Qe6 Qg6 63. Rf3 b5 64. Qe3 Bg5 65. Qd4+ Kg8 66. Rg3
Kh7 67. Qd3 h4 68. Rf3 Qxd3+ 69. Rxd3 Bf4 70. Ke2 Bg3 71. Nf3 Kg6 72. Nd4 Rg1
73. Kf3 Rf1+ 74. Ke3 Rg1 75. Rd2 Kf6 76. Re2 Ra1 77. Nxb5 Ke5 78. Kd3+ Kxd5 79.
Nc3+ Kc6 80. Ra2 Re1 81. a4 d5 82. a5 Re8 83. a6 Bc7 84. a7 Ra8 85. b5+ Kc5 86.
Ra6 Bb6 87. Na4+ Kxb5 88. Nxb6 1-0

[Event "Yerevan zt 1.5"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.06.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tosic, Miroslav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A09"]
[WhiteElo "2587"]
[BlackElo "2503"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2000.06.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 e5 4. O-O Nf6 5. c4 d4 6. d3 a5 7. Na3 Be7 8. Nc2
O-O 9. b3 Re8 10. a3 h6 11. Nd2 Bf5 12. Rb1 Qd7 13. Re1 Bf8 14. b4 Rab8 15. b5
Nd8 16. a4 Ne6 17. Nb3 Nc5 18. Nxc5 Bxc5 19. Bd2 Bb6 20. Na1 e4 21. Nb3 e3 22.
fxe3 dxe3 23. Bc3 Ng4 24. c5 Nf2 25. Qc2 Nh3+ 26. Kh1 Nf2+ 27. Kg1 Nh3+ 28. Kh1
1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan zt 1.5"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.06.14"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Sturua, Zurab"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2595"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2000.06.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O Nc6 8.
Nc3 Nb6 9. e3 Re8 10. d5 Na5 11. Nd4 Bd7 12. b4 Nac4 13. a4 a5 14. b5 Qc8 15.
Re1 e6 $5 {[%mdl 4] The opening line is a bit difficult for black due to the
cramped queenside, but with good play he should get enough counterplay.} 16.
Ra2 exd5 (16... e5 17. Nb3 c6 18. dxc6 bxc6 19. Nc5 Ra7 $11) 17. Nxd5 Bg4 (
17... Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Nb6 19. Bf3 c5 20. bxc6 bxc6 $13) 18. Nxb6 Nxb6 (18... cxb6
19. Qd3 Ne5 20. Qb1 Qd7 $13) 19. Qd3 Be6 (19... Bh3 20. Bh1) 20. Nxe6 $1 (20.
Ra1 Bd5 $15) 20... Qxe6 (20... Rxe6 21. Qc2 $14) 21. Rc2 Rad8 (21... Nxa4 22.
Rxc7 Re7 23. Bxb7 Rxc7 24. Bxa8 $14) 22. Qa3 Rd7 $2 {Aronian believes, that
the strong pressure along the d file will give him enough compensation for the
sacrificed pawn. With 22...Bf8 he could have reached simple equality.} (22...
Bf8 23. Qa2 Qxa2 24. Rxa2 Bb4 25. Rf1 Nd5 $11) 23. Bxb7 Red8 24. Kg2 (24. Bg2
Qg4 25. f4 Rd1 26. Rf1 R8d7 $13) 24... h5 $6 (24... Rd3 25. Qa2 Bc3 $14) 25.
Qa2 Qxa2 26. Rxa2 Rd1 27. Rxd1 Rxd1 28. Rc2 $1 (28. Bd2 $2 Nc4 $17) 28... Nxa4
29. Bd2 (29. Rxc7 $2 Nc3 $11) 29... Rb1 (29... Be5 30. Bxa5 Rd7 31. f4 $16) 30.
Bc6 Bf8 (30... Nb6 31. Bxa5 Ra1 32. Bxb6 cxb6 33. Rd2 Bc3 34. Rd7 $18) 31. Bxa5
{Black has lost the war, Sturua enjoys two bishops and a spare pawn.} Nb6 (
31... Bd6 32. Ra2 Nb6 33. Bc3 $18) 32. Be8 Bd6 33. Bxb6 cxb6 34. Rc6 Bc5 35.
Rc7 Rb2 (35... f6 36. Bxg6 Rxb5 37. Bxh5 $18) 36. Bxf7+ Kg7 (36... Kf8 37. Kf3
$18) 37. Kf3 Rd2 38. Be8+ Kh6 39. Rc6 Rd6 40. Ke4 Kg7 (40... Rxc6 41. bxc6 Bd6
42. Kd5 $18) 41. f4 Kf6 (41... Kf6 42. Bxg6 $1 Kxg6 43. Ke5 Rxc6 44. bxc6 $18)
1-0

[Event "Yerevan zt 1.5"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.06.15"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gurcan, Selim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B81"]
[WhiteElo "2587"]
[BlackElo "2307"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2000.06.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. g4 h6 7. h3 Nc6 8. Be3
Bd7 9. f4 Be7 10. Qf3 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Bc6 12. O-O-O Qa5 (12... g5 $2 13. Bb5 $16)
13. Kb1 Rc8 (13... e5 14. Be3 exf4 (14... Nxe4 15. Nxe4 d5 16. Nf2 d4 17. Bd2
Qxa2+ 18. Kxa2 Bxf3 19. fxe5 $16) 15. Bxf4 O-O 16. h4 $1 $40) 14. Rg1 b5 (14...
e5 $5 15. Be3 exf4 16. Bxf4 Qb4 17. Bd3 Nd7 $13) 15. g5 hxg5 16. Rxg5 e5 $6 {
Black's plan is too ambitious, white has control of the 5th row and better
coordination of the pieces.} (16... Nxe4 $6 17. Nxe4 Bxe4 (17... Bxg5 18. Nxd6+
Ke7 19. Qe3 Rcd8 20. Bc5 $18) 18. Qxe4 Bxg5 19. fxg5 $18) (16... Rb8 $5 17. Bd3
g6 18. Qe3 a6 $13) 17. fxe5 b4 (17... Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 (18... Bxg5 19. Nxd6+
Kd8 20. Qf5 $18) 19. Qxe4 Bxg5 20. Qf5 $18) 18. Qf5 (18. exf6 $5 Qxg5 19. fxg7
Rg8 20. Bc4 Rxg7 (20... bxc3 21. Qxf7+ Kd7 22. Be6+ Kc7 23. Bxc8 Rxc8 24. Rg1
Qh4 25. Bxc3 $18) 21. Bxg7 Qxg7 22. Nd5 $16) (18. Rxg7 dxe5 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20.
exd5 exd4 $15) 18... Bd7 (18... Rb8 19. exf6 Qxf5 20. fxg7 Rg8 21. Rxf5 bxc3
22. Bxc3 $18) 19. Bb5 $1 {[%mdl 128] Excellent shot, that throw the spanner in
the black's works. All white pieces are participating in the attack while
black king still sits on e8.} bxc3 (19... g6 20. Bxd7+ (20. Qf2 bxc3 21. exf6
Bxb5 22. fxe7 Qb4 23. Bxc3 $1 Rxc3 24. Qxa7 Rc8 (24... Rxc2 25. Qb8+ Kxe7 26.
Qxh8 $18) 25. Qb7 $18) 20... Nxd7 21. Qxd7+ Kxd7 22. e6+ Kxe6 23. Rxa5 bxc3 24.
Bxh8 Rxh8 25. Rd3 $16) (19... Qxb5 20. Nxb5 Bxf5 21. exf6 (21. Rxf5 Nxe4 22.
exd6 Nxd6 23. Nxd6+ Bxd6 24. Rf3 $16 (24. Bxg7 Rxh3 25. Re1+ Kd8 26. Rxf7 $14))
21... Bxe4 22. Re1 gxf6 23. Rxe4 fxg5 24. Bxh8 Kd7 25. Bg7 Rg8 26. Bd4 $18) 20.
exf6 Qxb5 $8 21. Qxb5 Bxb5 22. fxg7 (22. fxe7 Bc6 23. Bxg7 Rxh3 24. Bf6 $18)
22... Rg8 23. Rxb5 cxb2 24. Rb7 f6 25. Rg1 a5 (25... Kf7 26. Rxa7 Rce8 27. a4
Rxg7 28. Rxg7+ Kxg7 29. Kxb2 $18) 26. Rg6 (26. Rg6 a4 (26... Kf7 27. Rxf6+) 27.
Kxb2 Rc4 28. c3 $18) 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.08.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Minasian, Artashes"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C16"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2595"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2000.08.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 079"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 b6 5. Nh3 Qd7 6. Nf4 Ba6 7. Bxa6 Nxa6 8. a4
c6 9. O-O Nc7 10. Nh5 f5 11. Nf4 a5 12. Nce2 Bf8 13. Qd3 g5 14. Nh5 Qf7 15. g4
f4 16. Qb3 Ra6 17. Bd2 Bg7 18. Kg2 Ne7 19. Ng1 Qg6 20. Nf3 Rg8 21. Rfe1 Bh8 22.
Qa3 Nc8 23. Rac1 Kd7 24. c4 Ra7 25. Qb3 Qf7 26. Nf6+ Bxf6 27. exf6 Qxf6 28.
Ne5+ Ke8 29. Nxc6 Ra8 30. cxd5 h5 31. Ne5 Rg7 32. dxe6 hxg4 33. Nxg4 Qf5 34.
Qf3 Ra7 35. Re5 Qf8 36. d5 Nd6 37. Qd3 Na6 38. Rc6 Nc5 39. Qh3 Rh7 40. e7 f3+
41. Qxf3 Qxf3+ 42. Kxf3 Rf7+ 43. Kg2 Nce4 44. Bxg5 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.08.31"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sargissian, Gabriel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A17"]
[WhiteElo "2474"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2000.08.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 079"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. a3 Bxc3 6. Qxc3 O-O 7. g3 b6 8. Bg2
Bb7 9. O-O d5 10. d3 a5 11. b3 Nc6 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qxf6 gxf6 15.
cxd5 exd5 16. e3 Rac8 17. d4 cxd4 18. exd4 Rc7 19. Rac1 Ba6 20. Rfe1 Bc8 21.
Re3 Bd7 22. Bf1 Ra7 23. Bb5 Rc8 24. Rec3 Ne7 25. Bxd7 Rxc3 26. Rxc3 Rxd7 27.
Kf1 Kf8 28. Ke2 Ke8 29. Nh4 Rd6 30. Ng2 Re6+ 31. Kd3 Kd7 32. Ne3 Re4 33. Rc1 f5
34. f3 Re6 35. Ng2 Ng6 36. b4 Re8 37. bxa5 Ra8 38. axb6 Rxa3+ 39. Ke2 Ra2+ 40.
Kf1 Rb2 41. Rc7+ Ke6 42. Rc6+ Kd7 43. Rf6 Rb1+ 44. Kf2 Rb2+ 45. Kf1 Rb1+ 46.
Ne1 f4 47. Rxf7+ Ke6 48. Rh7 fxg3 49. hxg3 Rxb6 50. Rxh6 Kf7 51. Nd3 Kg7 52.
Rh5 Ne7 53. Ke2 Ra6 54. Nc5 Ra3 55. Kf2 Kg6 56. g4 Ra2+ 57. Ke3 Ra1 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.01"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nalbandian, Tigran"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B05"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2465"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2000.08.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 079"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 Bg4 5. Be2 e6 6. O-O Be7 7. h3 Bh5 8. c4
Nb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 d5 11. c5 Bxf3 12. gxf3 Nc8 13. f4 f5 14. Kh2 Kh8 15.
Rg1 Rg8 16. b4 Bh4 17. b5 Ne7 18. Bd3 Qe8 19. a4 Nd7 20. a5 Nf8 21. b6 axb6 22.
cxb6 c6 23. Qd2 h6 24. Na4 Nd7 25. Be2 Qf7 26. Nc5 Nxc5 27. dxc5 g5 28. fxg5 f4
29. Bxf4 Raf8 30. Bg3 Bxg3+ 31. fxg3 Qf2+ 32. Rg2 Qxc5 33. Bg4 Nf5 34. Bxf5
Rxf5 35. Rc1 Qa3 36. gxh6 Rf3 37. Qe1 Re3 38. Qg1 d4 39. Rf1 Qxa5 40. Rf7 Qxe5
41. Rxb7 d3 42. Rd7 Rgxg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.02"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Lputian, Smbat G"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D86"]
[WhiteElo "2598"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2000.08.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 079"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 O-O 8.
Ne2 Nc6 9. O-O e5 {This plan is the most important alternative to ...c7-c5. If
White now pushes d4-d5 then Black can attack the pawn with ...c7-c6 and
sometimes make use of the c5 square.} 10. Ba3 (10. Be3 {and}) (10. d5 {are the
alternatives for White.}) 10... Re8 11. d5 $6 {This doesn't work very well
after 10.Ba3, as the present game shows. The most principled reply for White
is the temporary piece sacrifice, after which it is not easy for Black to
reach full equality:} (11. Bxf7+ Kxf7 12. Qb3+ {and now:} Kf6 $5 {The attempt
to keep the piece looks quite risky for Black but is not directly refuted and
needs further investigation. In the stem game Black did quite well:} (12... Be6
13. d5 Na5 14. dxe6+ Rxe6 15. Qa4 c6 16. Rad1 Qc7 (16... Qb6 $6 17. Rd7+ Kg8
18. Ng3 Rae8 19. Nf5 $1 Bf8 20. Bb4 Qb5 21. Qd1 c5 22. Bxa5 gxf5 23. exf5 $18 {
1-0 Kraai,J-Hasangatin,R/Komercni Banka op 1997 (30)}) 17. c4 $1 {The best
move preventing ...b5 and ...Nc4.} (17. f4 $6 b5 18. Qc2 Nc4 19. f5 Rf6 20. Bc5
Bf8 21. Bf2 Kg8 22. Nc1 Bh6 23. Nb3 Kh8 24. Kh1 Be3 25. Nc5 Qg7 {Ftacnik,
L-Vaganian,R/Moskva 1985/0-1 (36)}) (17. Rd3 $5 {[%cal Yf1d1]} Kg8 $1 18. c4 $1
(18. Rfd1 b5 19. Qc2 Qb6 $1 {[%csl Rf2][%cal Ya5c4,Ye6f6,Ya8f8] Tukmakov,V} (
19... Bf8 $143 20. Bxf8 Rxf8 21. f3 Nc4 22. Qc1 Rd6 23. Rxd6 Nxd6 24. Qg5 Nf7
25. Qf6 Rd8 26. Rxd8+ Nxd8 $14 {1/2-1/2 Haik,A-Ristic,N/Rilton Cup 1987 (38)}))
18... Bf8 19. Rfd1 Rf6 $1 {[%cal Yc7b6]} 20. f3 $1 Bxa3 21. Rxa3 b6 22. Qb4 Rd8
23. Rad3 Rff8 24. Nc1 c5 25. Qb5 Nc6 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Rxd8+ Nxd8 28. Qe8+ Kg7
29. Nd3 Nf7 $11 {1/2-1/2 Volke,K-Tukmakov,V/Groningen op 1990 (45)}) 17... Kg8
(17... Bf8 18. Bb2 Bc5 19. Bc3 b6 20. Nc1 $5 {Tukmakov,V} Nb7 21. Nd3 $14) (
17... Rd8 $5 {Tukmakov,V}) (17... b6 18. Rd3 Rd8 19. Rfd1 Rxd3 20. Rxd3 {
[%cal Ya4d1]} a6 21. Nc3 Bf6 22. Bb4 Nxc4 (22... Be7 $5) 23. Qxa6 b5 24. g3 Be7
25. Bxe7 Kxe7 26. a4 Nb2 27. Rd2 Nxa4 28. Nxa4 bxa4 29. Qxa4 $14 {1-0 Illescas
Cordoba,M-Sion Castro,M/ESP-chT 1995 (34)}) 18. Nc1 $1 Bf8 19. Bxf8 Rxf8 20.
Nb3 Nxb3 21. axb3 b6 22. Rd2 Qe7 23. b4 Rf7 (23... Rd6 $1 24. Rfd1 Rfd8 25. Qa2
Rxd2 26. Rxd2 Rxd2 27. Qxd2 c5 28. b5 g5 $14 {Tukmakov,V}) 24. Rfd1 Ref6 25.
Qb3 Rf4 26. Re2 g5 27. Qc3 $14 {1/2-1/2 Campos Moreno,J-Tukmakov,V/Osuna 1991 
(36)}) 13. f4 Bh6 14. fxe5+ (14. d5 $5 Na5 15. fxe5+ Kg7 16. Qa4 Bg4 $1 $13 {
Vaganian,R}) 14... Kg7 15. Rf6 $6 (15. e6 $5 {Tukmakov,V}) (15. h3 $5 {Ftacnik,
L}) 15... Bg4 $1 16. Rf7+ Kh8 17. Qxb7 Nxe5 $1 18. Rxc7 $1 Nd7 19. Bd6 Rc8 20.
Ng3 Rxc7 21. Bxc7 Qg5 22. h3 Qe3+ 23. Kh2 Qxc3 24. Rf1 Be6 {0-1 Topalov,
V-Tukmakov,V/Palma de Mallorca 1992 (33)}) 11... Na5 12. Bd3 Bf8 $5 {A healthy
idea: to swap the dark-squared bishops and then make use of the dark squares.
The alternatives are:} (12... c6 $6 13. c4 b5 {(sometimes this break works but
not in this position)} 14. cxb5 cxd5 15. Qa4 $1 a6 16. b6 $1 Nc4 17. Bxc4 Bd7
18. Qa5 dxc4 19. Rfd1 Qc8 20. Nc3 Bc6 21. Nd5 $16 {1-0 Murrey,J-Sokolowski,S/
Paris-ch 1990 (35)}) (12... b6 $5 {[%csl Yc5,Yd6][%cal Ya5b7] This has brought
Black good results so far.} 13. c4 (13. Bb4 Nb7 14. Bb5 Bd7 15. c4 Bf8 16. Bxf8
Rxf8 17. f4 Bxb5 18. cxb5 Nc5 19. Nc3 exf4 20. e5 Qg5 {Razuvaev,Y-Smejkal,J/
BL9091 1991/0-1 (43)}) 13... Nb7 {[%cal Yg7f8]} 14. c5 $5 Nxc5 15. Bxc5 bxc5
16. Bb5 Bd7 17. Qa4 Bxb5 18. Qxb5 Bf8 19. Rab1 Rb8 20. Qa6 Rb4 $1 {Bock,
J-Hasangatin,R/Budapest FS03 IM-A 1997/0-1 (83)}) 13. Bb4 {This logical
attempt to fight for the dark squares brings Black a pair of bishops.} c5 $1
14. Bxa5 (14. Ba3 $4 c4) 14... Qxa5 15. a4 Bd6 16. Qc2 Rf8 17. Kh1 f5 $6 {
This is certainly premature. With his development advantage, White can
blockade the black pawns. However, if Black quietly develops his pieces (Bd7,
Rae8), White will be able to swap his "bad" bishop with Bb5 (...a6, weakening
the b6 square and the b7 pawn, looks dubious). For instance,} (17... Qc7 18.
Bc4 Bd7 19. Bb5 $5 $13) 18. exf5 gxf5 19. f4 $1 e4 20. Bc4 {If White's knight
now stood on e3, his position would be excellent. Black must urgently create
counterplay along the g- and h-files to prevent such a transfer.} Rf6 21. Ng3
Rh6 22. Rf2 {[%cal Yg3f1,Yf1e3]} a6 {[%cal Rb7b5]} 23. Ra2 Bd7 24. Nf1 Kh8 25.
g3 {To comfortably play Ne3, White must first secure the f4 pawn. If} (25. Ne3
{then after} Rg8 {[%csl Rf4][%cal Yh6h4,Ya5c7,Rh4f4,Rd6f4] it is very
difficult for him to protect it.}) 25... Rg8 26. Rg2 Rh3 27. Qb3 {This attempt
to penetrate to b6 doesn't quite succeed.} (27. Ne3 $5 {as} Bxf4 $2 28. gxf4
Rxe3 29. Rxg8+ Kxg8 30. Ra1 {[%cal Ya1g1,Yc2g2,Rg1g8,Yd5d6] lead to a strong
attack for White.}) 27... Bc8 28. Rab2 Rg6 29. Qb6 Qxc3 30. Qd8+ Rg8 31. Qxd6
Qxc4 {Of course, White has a good compensation for the pawn (a strong knight,
the d-pawn, Black's weak c5 pawn etc.) but he fails to prove that it gives him
more than a draw. The black queen is quite active and guarantees sufficient
counterplay. White can't easily win the c5 pawn.} 32. Rgf2 Re8 33. Ne3 Qd4 34.
Kg2 Rh5 35. Rfe2 Rg8 36. Rbc2 Qg7 {[%cal Rh5h2,Yc8d7]} 37. Kf1 Bd7 38. Rxc5
Bxa4 39. Rc7 Rh6 $1 40. Rxg7 Rxd6 41. Rxg8+ Kxg8 42. Nxf5 Rf6 43. Nd4 (43. Ne7+
$6 Kf7 44. Rxe4 Bd7 {[%csl Re7]}) 43... Rd6 44. Nf5 Rf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.03"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anastasian, Ashot"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B05"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2000.08.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 079"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 Bg4 5. Be2 e6 6. h3 Bh5 7. O-O Be7 8. c4
Nb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Nc6 11. exd6 cxd6 12. d5 exd5 13. Nxd5 Nxd5 14. Qxd5 Bg6
15. Qd2 Bf6 16. Rad1 Re8 17. b3 a5 18. a3 Qc8 19. Ne1 Ne5 20. a4 Be4 21. f3 Bg6
22. Bf2 Nd7 23. Bd3 Nc5 24. Bxg6 hxg6 25. Qa2 Qf5 26. Rd5 Re5 27. Nc2 Rae8 28.
Rd2 Bg5 29. Nd4 Qf6 30. Rdd1 Bf4 31. Qc2 R5e7 32. Kh1 b6 33. Qb1 Be3 34. b4
Bxf2 35. Rxf2 Ne4 36. Rc2 Ng3+ 37. Kg1 axb4 38. Qxb4 Qh4 39. Qd2 Re3 40. Qf2
Qf4 41. Qd2 Kh7 42. Rb2 f5 43. Qf2 Rc3 44. Ne2 Nxe2+ 45. Rxe2 Rxe2 46. Qxe2
Rxc4 47. Qd2 Qh4 48. Qxd6 Rc2 49. Kh1 Qxa4 50. Qxb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.05"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Asrian, Karen"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2566"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2000.08.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 079"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2
O-O 9. g4 Be6 10. O-O-O Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Qa5 12. a3 Rab8 13. h4 b5 14. Nd5 Qxd2+
15. Rxd2 Bxd5 16. exd5 Nd7 17. f4 Nc5 18. Rh3 b4 19. Bxc5 dxc5 20. a4 e5 21.
fxe5 Bxe5 22. Rf3 Rbd8 23. Bb5 Kg7 24. Bc6 Bf6 25. g5 Be5 26. Re2 f6 27. b3 Bd6
28. gxf6+ Rxf6 29. Rxf6 Kxf6 30. Kd2 g5 31. Re6+ Kf5 32. hxg5 Kxg5 33. Ke3 h5
34. Kf3 Rf8+ 35. Kg2 Rf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.06"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yegiazarian, Arsen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B42"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2527"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2000.08.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 079"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. O-O d6 7. c4 b6 8. Nc3
Bb7 9. Qe2 Be7 10. Rd1 Qc7 11. a4 O-O 12. b3 Nfd7 13. Bc2 Ne5 14. Qh5 Nbc6 15.
Nxc6 Qxc6 16. Be3 g6 17. Qh3 Bf6 18. Bd4 Nd7 19. Bxf6 Nxf6 20. Qh4 Kg7 21. Re1
Qc5 22. Rad1 Bc6 23. Qf4 Rfd8 24. Qe3 Qxe3 25. Rxe3 Kf8 26. f3 Ke7 27. a5 bxa5
28. Ra1 Nd7 29. Rxa5 Rdb8 30. f4 f6 31. Rh3 Nf8 32. Kf2 Be8 33. g4 Rc8 34. g5
fxg5 35. fxg5 Bc6 36. Ke1 Kf7 37. Kd2 Rd8 38. Bd1 Kg7 39. Rd3 h6 40. gxh6+ Kxh6
41. e5 dxe5 42. Rxd8 Rxd8+ 43. Ke3 Bb7 44. Bc2 Nd7 45. Ne4 Nb8 46. Nc5 Bc8 47.
Be4 Kg7 48. Nd3 Nd7 49. Bc6 e4 50. Nf2 Nf6 51. Bxe4 Rh8 52. Rc5 Bd7 53. Rc7 Kf7
54. c5 Rc8 55. Rxc8 Bxc8 56. Kd4 g5 57. b4 Ke7 58. Ba8 Ne8 59. Ne4 Nc7 60. Bc6
g4 61. Nf2 Bd7 62. Bxd7 g3 63. hxg3 Kxd7 64. g4 Nd5 65. Nd3 Ke7 66. g5 Kf7 67.
c6 Nc7 68. Ke5 Ke7 69. Nf4 Nb5 70. Nxe6 Na3 71. Kd5 Nc2 72. Kc5 Kxe6 73. c7 Kd7
74. c8=R Ne3 75. Rf8 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.07"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Minasian, Ara"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2466"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2000.08.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 079"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e5 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nc3 Nb6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. a3 Be7 8. b4
O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. b5 Nd4 11. Nxe5 Bf6 12. f4 Bxe5 13. fxe5 Rxe5 14. Rf4 Nxb5
15. Bb2 Nd6 16. Ne4 Re7 17. Qc2 f5 18. Nxd6 cxd6 19. e4 fxe4 20. Bxe4 h6 21.
Bh7+ Kh8 22. Qg6 Nd5 23. Qxh6 Re5 24. Qh4 Bd7 25. Rf8+ 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.08"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Danielian, Elina"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2389"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2000.08.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 079"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. Be2 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 a6 10. Ne5 b5 11. Qf3 Ra7 12. Bb3 Bb7 13. Qh3 Nc6 14. Be3 Ra8 15.
a3 Na5 16. Ba2 Rc8 17. Bxf7+ Rxf7 18. Qe6 Qe8 19. Nxf7 Qxf7 20. Qb6 Rxc3 21.
Qd8+ Qf8 22. Qxf8+ Bxf8 23. bxc3 Bc6 24. Ra2 Nd5 25. a4 bxa4 26. Rfa1 Nb3 27.
Rxa4 Nxa1 28. Rxa6 Bb5 29. Rxa1 Nxc3 30. Ra3 Ne4 31. Rb3 Bc4 32. Rb4 Nd6 33.
Bf4 Bd5 34. Ra4 Bg7 35. Ra5 Be4 36. Ra7 Nf5 37. Be5 Bxe5 38. dxe5 Kf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Felgaer, Ruben Alejandro"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2000.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. c3 Nf6 6. Re1 a6 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8.
d4 Bxe4 9. Bg5 Bd5 10. c4 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 cxd4 12. Qxb7 Qc8 13. Qf3 e6 14. Bxf6
gxf6 15. Qxf6 Rg8 16. Nd2 Bg7 17. Qh4 h6 18. Ne4 Qc7 19. Rad1 Qe7 20. Qg3 e5
21. Rxd4 O-O-O 22. Qh3+ Kc7 23. Rd5 Qd7 24. Qa3 Qc6 25. Red1 Bf8 26. Qa5+ Qb6
27. Qxb6+ Kxb6 28. Nxd6 Bxd6 29. Rxd6+ Rxd6 30. Rxd6+ Kc5 31. Rxa6 Rd8 32. Kf1
Kxc4 33. Rxh6 Rd2 34. Rb6 f5 35. Ke1 Rd5 36. Ke2 f4 37. g3 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Goldenberg, Danny"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2310"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2000.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nf3 c6 6. d4 d5 7. Qb3 dxc4 8. Qxc4
Nbd7 9. O-O Nb6 10. Qd3 Be6 11. Rd1 Qc8 12. b3 Bh3 13. Bh1 Qf5 14. e4 Qh5 15.
Ne2 Bg4 16. a4 e5 17. dxe5 Nfd7 18. Ra2 Nxe5 19. Nxe5 Bxe5 20. f3 Be6 21. Rc2
Nd7 22. Qe3 Rad8 23. Ba3 Nc5 24. Rcd2 Rxd2 25. Rxd2 Nxb3 26. Rd3 Bc7 27. Bxf8
Bb6 28. Qxb6 axb6 29. Rd8 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Senff, Martin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2354"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2000.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 b5 5. O-O Nbd7 6. Ne5 c5 7. Bg5 h6 8. Nxd7
Bxd7 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 10. e4 dxe4 11. c3 Bc6 12. Nd2 Qf5 13. Re1 Be7 14. a4 cxd4
15. Nb3 Bf6 16. Nxd4 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 O-O 18. Bxe4 Bxe4 19. Qxe4 Qc5 20. b4 Qxc3
21. axb5 Rac8 22. Rxa7 Rc4 23. Qe3 Qxb4 24. Rb7 Rd8 25. Ra1 Qb2 26. Rf1 Rdc8
27. Qf3 R8c7 28. Rb8+ Rc8 29. Rb7 R8c7 30. Rxc7 Rxc7 31. Qd3 Rc3 32. Rb1 Rxd3
33. Rxb2 Kf8 34. b6 Rd8 35. Kg2 Ke7 36. Kf3 Rb8 37. b7 Kd6 38. Kf4 f6 39. Kg4
Ke7 40. Rb6 Kf7 41. f4 g5 42. Kf3 Ke7 43. Ke4 gxf4 44. gxf4 Kd7 45. h4 h5 46.
Kd3 Kc7 47. Rxe6 Kxb7 48. Rxf6 Kc7 49. Ke4 Kd7 50. Kf5 Ke7 51. Ra6 Rf8+ 52. Kg5
Rg8+ 53. Rg6 Rh8 54. Rg7+ Ke8 55. f5 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.22"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Lopez Martinez, Josep Manuel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2477"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2000.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bd2 cxd4 8.
Nxd5 Bxd2+ 9. Qxd2 Qxd5 10. Qxd4 Qxd4 11. Nxd4 Bd7 12. Bg2 Nc6 13. Nxc6 Bxc6
14. Bxc6+ bxc6 15. Rc1 Kd7 16. Kd2 Rhd8 17. e4 Kc7+ 18. Ke3 Rab8 19. b3 Rb6 20.
Rc2 Ra6 21. Rhc1 Rd7 22. Rb2 Ra3 23. f3 Kb6 24. Rc4 Kb7 25. Rbc2 Rd6 26. Rc5
Ra6 27. Rg5 g6 28. Rgc5 Rd1 29. Re2 Ra3 30. Rcc2 Kc7 31. Rcd2 Ra1 32. Kd4 Ra5
33. Kc4 Rc1+ 34. Kd3 Rac5 35. Rc2 Kd6 36. Rxc1 Rxc1 37. Rd2 a5 38. Ke3+ Ke7 39.
f4 Re1+ 40. Kf3 Rf1+ 41. Ke3 Re1+ 42. Kf3 Rf1+ 43. Kg4 h6 44. e5 Rc1 45. Rd4
Rc5 46. Ra4 Kd7 47. h4 f5+ 48. exf6 Ke8 49. Rc4 Rd5 50. Rxc6 Kf7 51. Rb6 Kxf6
52. a4 h5+ 53. Kh3 Rd2 54. Rb5 Rb2 55. g4 hxg4+ 56. Kxg4 Rb1 57. h5 gxh5+ 58.
Kxh5 Ke7 59. Kg4 Kd6 60. Kf3 Kc6 61. Ke4 Kd6 62. f5 exf5+ 63. Kxf5 Kc6 64. Ke4
Re1+ 65. Kd3 Rd1+ 66. Kc2 Rd5 67. Rxd5 Kxd5 68. Kd3 Kc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.23"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svetushkin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2472"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2000.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 Bf5 4. c4 c6 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Qb3 Qc8 7. Nc3 e6 8. d3
Nc6 9. Bf4 Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. Rac1 Qd7 12. h3 h6 13. Rfd1 Bh7 14. e4 Na5 15.
Qc2 Rfc8 16. Ne5 Qd8 17. Qe2 Nc6 18. exd5 exd5 19. d4 Bf5 20. Be3 Bb4 21. Qb5
Bxc3 22. bxc3 Na5 23. c4 a6 24. Qb4 Nxc4 25. Nxc4 dxc4 26. Rxc4 Rxc4 27. Qxc4
Be4 28. Bxe4 Nxe4 29. d5 Nd6 30. Qg4 Qc8 31. Qb4 Nc4 32. d6 Nxe3 33. d7 Qc7 34.
Qf4 Qb6 35. Rc1 Rd8 36. Rc8 Nd1 37. Qd2 Kf8 38. Rxd8+ Qxd8 39. Qd6+ Kg8 40.
Qxd1 b6 41. Qd5 Kf8 42. Qd6+ Kg8 43. Kf1 f6 44. f4 Kf7 45. f5 b5 46. Ke2 Qe7+
47. Qe6+ Kf8 48. Kd3 a5 49. Kd4 Qb4+ 50. Kd5 Qc4+ 51. Kd6 Qd4+ 52. Kc6 Qc3+ 53.
Kb6 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.24"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Miton, Kamil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A55"]
[WhiteElo "2443"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2000.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. d4 d6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. e4 e5 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Rb1
Re8 9. b4 exd4 10. Nxd4 Bf8 11. f3 Ne5 12. b5 Qc7 13. bxc6 bxc6 14. Qa4 Bd7 15.
Bg5 Be7 16. Qa6 Bc8 17. Qa4 Bd7 18. Qa6 Bc8 19. Qa4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Solak, Dragan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2490"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2000.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. b3 b6 3. Bb2 Bb7 4. Nc3 e6 5. Nf3 a6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Qc7 8. f3
Nf6 9. Qd2 Bb4 10. a3 Be7 11. g4 O-O 12. O-O-O Nc6 13. Nce2 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 d5
15. g5 Nh5 16. e5 Qxe5 17. Nc6 Qxg5 18. f4 Qh4 19. Nxe7+ Qxe7 20. Rg1 f5 21.
Qd4 b5 22. Re1 Rf7 23. Rg5 Nf6 24. Rxf5 exf5 25. Rxe7 Rxe7 26. Bd3 Ne4 27. Qb6
Rc8 28. h4 Kf7 29. Qg1 Kg8 30. Be5 Rc6 31. Kb2 Bc8 32. h5 h6 33. Qd4 Be6 34. a4
bxa4 35. Qxa4 Rc8 36. Bxa6 Ra8 37. Qc6 Rd8 38. Qb6 Ra8 39. Qc6 Rd8 40. b4 Nd2
41. Qc5 Kf7 42. Qg1 Kf8 43. Qd4 Ne4 44. Bd3 Nd6 45. Bxg7+ 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.26"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Bruzon Batista, Lazaro"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C87"]
[WhiteElo "2534"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2000.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 d6 7. c3 Bg4 8. d3
O-O 9. Nbd2 Re8 10. Nf1 Bf8 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4 g6 13. Ne3 Bd7 14. h3 Bg7 15.
Nh2 Ne7 16. Bb3 Nh7 17. Nd5 Ng5 18. Bxg5 hxg5 19. Qf3 Be6 20. Nf6+ Bxf6 21.
Bxe6 Kg7 22. Ng4 Ng8 23. Bb3 a5 24. d4 a4 25. dxe5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.28"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sasikiran, Krishnan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2573"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2000.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 e6 7. h3 Bh5 8. e4
Be7 9. b3 O-O 10. Bb2 dxe4 11. dxe4 Qc7 12. Qe2 Rfd8 13. a3 a5 14. Rfd1 b5 15.
g4 Bg6 16. Ne1 Nc5 17. Nd3 Nfd7 18. Qe3 e5 19. Nf3 f6 20. Nh4 Ne6 21. Nf5 Bf8
22. h4 c5 23. Nc1 Rac8 24. Ne2 Nb6 25. Rd2 a4 26. Bf1 axb3 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28.
Qxb3 Bf7 29. Qxb5 g6 30. Nfg3 Nc8 31. Qa6 Rd6 32. Qa4 Nb6 33. Qa5 Qd7 34. a4
Be8 35. Qb5 Nxa4 36. Qxd7 Bxd7 37. Ba3 Rd2 38. Rc1 c4 39. Bxf8 Kxf8 40. c3 Nec5
41. g5 fxg5 42. hxg5 Nb3 43. Re1 Nac5 44. Nc1 Rc2 45. Nce2 Nd3 46. Rd1 Bg4 47.
Kg2 Nd2 48. Ra1 Nf4+ 49. Nxf4 exf4 50. Ra8+ Ke7 51. Ra7+ Kd8 52. Ra8+ Kc7 53.
Ra7+ Kb6 54. Rxh7 Bf3+ 55. Kh2 0-1

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2498"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2000.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O
O-O 9. Kh1 b6 10. Be3 Bb7 11. f3 Nbd7 12. a4 Qc7 13. Rf2 h6 14. Bf1 Rfc8 15.
Nc1 Qd8 16. N1a2 Ne8 17. Nb4 Bg5 18. Nbd5 Rc6 19. Rd2 Nc5 20. Qe1 Ne6 21. Qf2
Bxe3 22. Nxe3 Nd4 23. Ne2 Ne6 24. Nc3 Nd4 25. Bc4 b5 26. Bd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.09.30"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Ghaem Maghami, Ehsan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A55"]
[WhiteElo "2488"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[EventDate "2000.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. e4 e5 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 Nd7 5. Nc3 Ngf6 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1
a6 9. Bf1 Qc7 10. h3 b5 11. cxb5 cxb5 12. Bd2 Qb8 13. b4 Bd8 14. a4 bxa4 15.
Rxa4 Bb6 16. Be3 Bb7 17. d5 Rc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.10.01"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2480"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2000.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4
g5 9. Bg3 Bg7 10. Qd2 Nc6 11. Nb3 b5 12. f3 Nge5 13. Bf2 Rb8 14. Nd5 f5 15.
exf5 Bxf5 16. Nd4 O-O 17. h4 e6 18. Nc3 Nxd4 19. Bxd4 gxh4 20. f4 Ng6 21. Bxg7
Kxg7 22. O-O-O Rc8 23. Bd3 Bxd3 24. Qxd3 Rxf4 25. Kb1 d5 26. g4 hxg3 27. Qxg3
Qg5 28. Qe3 Qe5 29. Qb6 b4 30. Ne2 Qxe2 31. Qb7+ Ne7 32. Qxe7+ Kg6 33. Rdg1+
Kf5 34. Qf7+ Ke5 35. Re1 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2000.10.02"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Gershon, Alik"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E14"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[Annotator "Gershon,A"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2000.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 O-O 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 d6 7. e3 b6 8.
Be2 Nbd7 9. O-O Bb7 10. b4 Ne4 11. Qd3 f5 12. Bb2 Rf6 (12... Qf6 13. Nd2 Qg6 (
13... Rae8 14. f3 Ng5 15. a4 Qg6 16. Qc2 c5 17. bxc5 bxc5 18. Kh1 Qh6 19. a5
Nf6 20. dxc5 Nh5 21. Kg1 dxc5 22. f4 Ne4 23. Bf3 $14 {1-0 Gelfand,B-Ionov,S/
Klaipeda 1988/CBM 11 (40)}) 14. f3 Nef6 15. Rae1 a5 16. Bd1 axb4 17. axb4 e5
18. dxe5 dxe5 19. Qc3 e4 20. f4 c5 21. Nb3 Bc6 22. Rf2 Qf7 23. Rd2 Qe7 24. bxc5
Nxc5 25. Qb4 $14 {1-0 Georgiev,K-Rogers,I/Germany 1998/GER-chT (43)}) (12... a5
13. d5 e5 14. Nd2 $14) (12... Qe7 13. Nd2 (13. Rad1 Ndf6 (13... Rf6 $6 14. d5
e5 15. Nh4 $1 g6 16. f3 Ng5 17. f4 Nf7 (17... Ne4 18. g4 $1 Rf7 19. gxf5 Qxh4
20. fxg6) 18. e4 $1 fxe4 19. Qxe4 Re8 20. Bd3 Qd8 21. f5 g5 22. Ng6 $1 Nh6 23.
Bc1 hxg6 24. Bxg5 {1/2-1/2 Browne,W-Zlochevskij,A/Philadelphia/1991/ (40)}) 14.
Nd2 Rae8 (14... Rae8 15. f3 Ng5 16. Rde1 h5 17. Bd1 h4 18. e4 h3 19. g3 fxe4
20. fxe4 Nfh7 21. Qe3 Rxf1+ 22. Rxf1 Rf8 23. Rf4 e5 24. dxe5 dxe5 25. Rxf8+
Nxf8 26. Bg4 {1/2-1/2 Browne,W-Rohde,M/USA-op (08)/1987/ (38)})) 13... e5 (
13... Nxd2 14. Qxd2 Rf6 (14... e5 $10) 15. f3 Rh6 16. Rf2 Qh4 (16... Rf8 17. a4
e5 18. a5 f4 19. exf4 exf4 20. axb6 axb6 21. Ra7 Qh4 22. h3 Bc8 23. Rxc7 Qg3
24. c5 Rxh3 {0-1 Yakovich,Y-Izeta,F/Sevilla op (05)/1994/ (31)}) 17. g3 Qe7 18.
Rc1 a5 19. c5 Bd5 20. cxb6 cxb6 21. bxa5 bxa5 22. Bc3 Qd8 23. Bd3 Rf6 24. Rcf1
Qb6 25. e4 Bb3 {Petrosian,A-Reshevsky,S/Palma de Mallorca GMA (05)/1989/1/2-1/
2 (65)}) 14. d5 Nxd2 15. Qxd2 f4 16. exf4 Rxf4 17. g3 Rff8 18. Bg4 $16 {
1/2-1/2 Browne,W-Larsen,B/Naestved (03)/1985/ (33)}) (12... Ng5 13. Nxg5 Qxg5
14. d5 Rae8 15. f4 Qe7 16. Bh5 Rd8 17. Bf3 Nf6 18. Rae1 Rfe8 19. e4 fxe4 20.
Bxe4 Nxe4 21. Rxe4 Qf7 22. Rxe6 Rxe6 23. dxe6 Qxe6 24. f5 Qf7 25. Rf4 {1/2-1/2
Haritakis,T-Tzoumbas,A/GRE-ch94 Glyfada (08)/1995/ (42)}) 13. d5 Rh6 $146 {
Black is trying to improve over his game against Kempinski.} (13... Rg6 14.
Rad1 (14. dxe6 $6 Nf8 15. c5 (15. Ne1 Nxe6 16. f3 Qg5 $1 17. f4 Qh4 18. Qc2 Rh6
19. Nf3 Qh5 20. c5 bxc5 21. Rad1 g5 22. h3 g4 23. Nh2 Qh4 $19 {Twardon,
M-Nikolenko,O/Katowice op 1993}) 15... Nxe6 16. cxd6 cxd6 17. Rad1 Kh8 18. Ne1
$4 (18. Qb5 $1 f4 $1 $132) 18... N6g5 $19 {/\Nh3} 19. Kh1 Nh3 $1 {0-1 Gelfand,
B-Illescas Cordoba,M/Madrid 1996/CBM 53/[Dautov] (19)}) (14. Ne1 $5 Qh4 15. f4
$13) 14... Qe7 15. Ne1 a5 16. f3 Ng5 17. Nc2 exd5 18. cxd5 Ba6 $1 19. b5 Nc5
20. Qd2 Bb7 21. Nd4 Rf8 22. Bc4 Rh6 23. Rde1 $14 {1/2-1/2 Kempinski,R-Aronian,
L/Batumi 1999/CBM 74 (45)}) (13... e5 $2 14. Nh4 $1 {/\Nxf5} g6 15. f3 Ng5 16.
f4 Ne4 17. Nf3 Qe7 18. Nd2 Nxd2 19. Qxd2 Rf7 20. e4 $1 fxe4 (20... exf4 21.
exf5 Rxf5 22. Bg4 $18) 21. Bg4 Nf8 22. fxe5 Rxf1+ 23. Rxf1 dxe5 24. Re1 $1 (24.
Qe3 $6 $16 {Miles,A-Mascarinas,R/Lugano 1986}) 24... Bc8 25. Bd1 $1 Bf5 26. g4
{/\ Re4 +-}) 14. dxe6 $1 {The point is that with the R on h6 black has no
pressure on g2, which allows white to move his N realtively safely, this
explains his last move: now the 'f5' pawn is weakened and becomes a clear
target for the N.} Nf8 (14... Rxe6 15. Nd4 $16) 15. Nd4 Qh4 16. h3 Qg5 $2 {
Unbelievably this natural move is a bad mistake! However, it's difficult to
play a move such as 16...g6 cutting the R off the game} (16... g6 $142 17. Bf3
Re8 18. c5 $1 dxc5 (18... Nxe6 19. Nxe6 Rxe6 20. Qd4 $16) 19. bxc5 Nxc5 20. Qc3
$40 Na4 $140 21. Qxc7 Re7 22. Qb8 {and the absense of the R on h6 is felt}) (
16... Rg6 17. Nxf5 Rxg2+ (17... Qxh3 $4 18. Ne7+ Kh8 19. Nxg6+ $18) (17... Nc5
18. Nxh4 Nxd3 19. Nxg6 $18) 18. Kxg2 Nxf2+ 19. Bf3 Bxf3+ (19... Qxh3+ 20. Kxf2
Qxf3+ 21. Ke1 $18) 20. Kxf3 Nxd3 21. Nxh4 Nxb2 22. e7 $18) 17. f4 $1 {This 
(and mainly the next move) is what black has probably missed in his home
preparation.} Qg6 18. Nxf5 $1 Qxf5 19. Bg4 Qg6 20. e7 {Simply recapturing the
N, and keeping an extra pawn. However, black has some counterplay based on the
'b7' B} Rh4 21. f5 Qg5 22. f6 $1 ({trying to keep the extra pawn would be
dangerous} 22. exf8=Q+ Rxf8 $44 {/\ h7-h5 xg2}) 22... gxf6 $6 ({I was mainly
calculating:} 22... Nxf6 {leading to an endgame after a fantastic variation}
23. Rf5 Qg6 24. Raf1 $1 N8d7 (24... Rxg4 25. exf8=Q+ Rxf8 26. hxg4 Qxg4 27.
R5f2 {and the extra exchange will decide}) 25. Rxf6 $1 Nxf6 (25... Qxd3 26.
Be6+ Kh8 27. Rf8+ $18) (25... gxf6 26. Be6+ Kh8 27. Qxg6 hxg6 28. Bxd7 $18) 26.
Be6+ Kh8 27. Qxg6 hxg6 28. Rxf6 $1 gxf6 29. Bxf6+ Kh7 30. Bxh4 Kg7 $8 {White
was threatenning Bf6 cutting the K off the game} 31. Bg5 {/\ g2-g4, h3-h4-h5
with big advantage. However this was the best choice of black's}) 23. exf8=Q+
Rxf8 24. Rf4 {forcing the N away from e4 thus considerably weakenning the
a1-h8 /^} Ng3 (24... h5 25. Be6+ Kh8 26. Rxh4 (26. Bd5 $5 Bxd5 27. cxd5 Rxf4
28. exf4 Qxf4 29. Rf1 Qd2 $8 (29... Qh4 30. Qe3 $1 $18) 30. Qxe4 Qxb2 31. Qg6
$18 {/\ Rf5}) 26... Qxh4 27. Rf1 $16) 25. Kh2 $2 {could have led to serious
difficulties to realize the advantage.} (25. Bf3 Bxf3 26. Rxf3 {with huge
advantage for white.}) 25... Nh5 26. Be6+ Kg7 27. Rg4 Rxg4 28. Bxg4 Re8 $2 (
28... Qh4 $142 $1 29. Qe2 (29. e4 Qf2 $1 $132) 29... Kg6 30. e4 (30. Qe1 Qxe1
31. Rxe1 Be4 $1 $11) 30... Qg3+ 31. Kh1 Nf4 32. Qf3 Qxf3 33. gxf3 $16) 29. Qf1
$1 {A very precise move, underlining all the problems of black's position 
(weakness of the K, the cut-off N, white's strong bishops.)} Ng3 $2 {a bluder
in a lost position} (29... Rf8 {was the only move that would still allow black
to hold} 30. Qe2 Kg6 31. Rf1 $16 {/+-}) 30. Kxg3 h5 31. Qf5 h4+ 32. Kf2 (32.
Kh2 Qxf5 33. Bxf5 Rxe3 34. Rc1 Re2 35. Rc2 $18) 32... Qxe3+ 33. Kf1 Qe7 34.
Qg5+ Kf8 (34... Kf8 35. Qxf6+ $18 (35. Bxf6 $18)) 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0001"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2000.10.14"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Bischoff, Klaus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2556"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2000.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Koenig Plauen"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8.
Be3 Nc6 9. Qd2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Bg4 11. Bb5 O-O 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Ne5 Bxe5 14.
dxe5 Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2 Rfd8+ 16. Kc3 Rd7 17. h3 Be6 18. Rhd1 Rb7 19. Rdb1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0001"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2000.10.15"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Khenkin, Igor"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2000.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Tegernsee"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 Nd7 4. c4 e6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. O-O c6 7. d3 Bd6 8. a3
Ne7 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. h3 Bh5 11. b3 Qb6 12. Kh1 Ne5 13. Bb2 Nxf3 14. Nxf3 Bxf3
15. Bxf3 Rfe8 16. e3 Nf5 17. Bc1 g6 18. Rg1 Qc7 19. Ra2 Rad8 20. Bg4 Nh6 21.
Bf3 Nf5 22. Bg4 Nh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0001"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2000.12.09"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Schlindwein, Rolf"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2441"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2000.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Baiertal/Schatthausen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 Qe7 6. O-O O-O 7. d4 Bb6 8. a4
a5 9. Re1 d6 10. Bg5 Bg4 11. d5 Nb8 12. h3 Bc8 13. Na3 c6 14. Bf1 h6 15. Bc1
cxd5 16. exd5 Na6 17. Nc4 Bc5 18. Nxa5 Nc7 19. b4 Rxa5 20. bxa5 Nfxd5 21. c4
Nb4 22. Be3 Nca6 23. Qd2 Nc6 24. Bxc5 Nxc5 25. Rad1 Rd8 26. Nd4 Ne6 27. Nxc6
bxc6 28. a6 Qa7 29. c5 Qxc5 30. Rb1 Qa7 31. Qa5 Rd7 32. Rb6 Rc7 33. Reb1 Nc5
34. Rb7 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0001"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2000.12.10"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Balcerak, Jakob"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C87"]
[WhiteElo "2413"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2000.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Schott Mainz"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 d6 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8.
d4 exd4 9. Qxd4 O-O 10. Nc3 Bg4 11. Qe3 Re8 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Nd7 14. b3 Bf6
15. Bb2 Be5 16. Na4 Re6 17. Bxe5 Nxe5 18. Qf4 Ng6 19. Qf3 Qg5 20. g3 Rae8 21.
Re3 Rf6 22. Qg4 Qe5 23. Rf1 Nf8 24. Qe2 Qb5 25. Re1 Rfe6 26. Nb2 Nd7 27. Nd3
Qa5 28. a4 Qb6 29. Qd2 Ne5 30. Nxe5 Rxe5 31. Kg2 c5 32. f4 R5e6 33. e5 Qc6+ 34.
Kh2 dxe5 35. Rxe5 Rxe5 36. Rxe5 Kf8 37. Rxe8+ Kxe8 38. Qc3 Qd5 39. Kg1 Kd7 40.
Kf2 Kd6 41. Ke3 f6 42. Qd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0001"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2001.01.07"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Van der Sterren, Paul"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2569"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2000.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Castrop Rauxel"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 a6 7. Qc2 Rb8 8.
O-O b5 9. a4 Be7 10. axb5 axb5 11. Nc3 b4 12. Nd4 Ne5 13. Ncb5 c5 14. f4 cxd4
15. Nc7+ Kf8 16. fxe5 d3 17. exd3 Qd4+ 18. Kh1 Qxe5 19. d4 Qe2 20. Kg1 Qg4 21.
Qc4 b3 22. Ra8 Rxa8 23. Nxa8 e5 24. d3 Qxd4+ 25. Qxd4 exd4 26. Bf4 Ng4 27. Rc1
Bf5 28. Be4 Be6 29. Nc7 g5 30. Nxe6+ fxe6 31. Bd2 h5 32. Rc7 h4 33. gxh4 gxh4
34. h3 Ne3 35. Rc8+ Kg7 36. Rxh8 Kxh8 37. Bxe3 dxe3 38. Kf1 Bf6 39. Bc6 Bxb2
40. Ba4 Kg7 41. Bxb3 Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0001"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2001.01.27"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Feygin, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2482"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2000.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Gelsenkirchen Koenigsspringer"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Na3 e6 6. Nb5 Qd8 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8.
Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Bf4 a6 10. Rd1+ Nbd7 11. Nd6 Ke7 12. Nf3 Nh5 13. Bg5+ f6 14.
Nxc8+ Raxc8 15. Bc1 f5 16. g3 Rhd8 17. Bg2 Ndf6 18. Rxd8 Rxd8 19. Ne5 Ne4 20.
Bxe4 fxe4 21. Ke2 Nf6 22. Nc4 Rd5 23. Be3 Nd7 24. Rd1 Rxd1 25. Kxd1 Bxe3 26.
fxe3 Nf6 27. a4 Ng4 28. Ke2 Nxh2 29. Nd2 Kd6 30. Nxe4+ Kd5 31. Kd3 b5 32. axb5
axb5 33. Ng5 Nf1 34. Nxh7 Nxg3 35. Ng5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0001"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2001.01.28"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E66"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2000.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Solingen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d4 d6 6. c4 Nc6 7. Nc3 a6 8. d5
Na5 9. Nd2 c5 10. Rb1 Rb8 11. b3 b5 12. Bb2 e5 13. Qc2 h5 14. Nce4 Nxe4 15.
Nxe4 Bf5 16. Bc3 h4 17. Qd2 Nb7 18. Rbe1 Re8 19. Ng5 hxg3 20. hxg3 e4 21. Bxg7
Kxg7 22. g4 Bxg4 23. Nxe4 Qe7 24. f4 f6 25. Nf2 Bd7 26. e4 Nd8 27. e5 fxe5 28.
fxe5 dxe5 29. Ne4 Nf7 30. Rf6 Bf5 31. d6 Qd8 32. Rf1 bxc4 33. Rxf7+ Kxf7 34.
Qh6 Rg8 35. Ng5+ Kf6 36. Ne4+ 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0001"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2001.02.17"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Lutz, Christopher"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2595"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2000.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Porz"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. c4 e6 5. cxd5 Bxf3 6. Bxf3 cxd5 7. Nc3 Nc6 8.
O-O Nf6 9. d3 Be7 10. Bd2 O-O 11. a3 a6 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. Bg2 b5 14. b4 Qd7 15.
Qb3 h6 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17. Be1 Qa7 18. e3 Qb6 19. Ne2 a5 20. bxa5 Nxa5 21. Qb2
Nc6 22. Rc3 Ne8 23. Rb3 Rb8 24. Rb1 Qa6 25. Bc3 Ra8 26. Rxb5 Qxa3 27. Qd2 Bf6
28. Rc1 Bxc3 29. Rxc3 Qa6 30. Rbc5 Ne7 31. Bh3 Rdc8 32. Nd4 Qa1+ 33. Kg2 Rxc5
34. Rxc5 Ra2 35. Rc2 Rxc2 36. Qxc2 Qa7 37. Nf3 Qc7 38. Qa4 Qc6 39. Qa7 Qc7 40.
Qa8 Qc8 41. Qa5 Qc7 42. Qa4 Qc6 43. Qb4 Qd6 44. Qb5 Qc6 45. Qb3 Qd6 46. Nd4 Kh7
47. Qb7 Qc7 48. Qb2 Nc6 49. Ne2 Nf6 50. Qc2 Qd6 51. Kg1 Kg8 52. Bf1 Ne5 53. Nd4
Qb8 54. Kg2 Qb7 55. Be2 Kh7 56. Qc3 Qb8 57. Bd1 Kg8 58. h3 Kh7 59. Bc2 Kg8 60.
Kf1 Kh8 61. Ke2 Kg8 62. Qa3 Kh8 63. Qc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0001"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2001.02.18"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Dautov, Rustem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2606"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[Annotator "Dautov,R"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2000.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Godesberg"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. g3 Nc6 6. Nc3 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Ne4 8.
Qc2 {8.Rc1 ist anspruchsvoller.} Nxc3 9. Qxc3 O-O (9... Qb4 10. Qxb4 Nxb4 11.
Kd2 {führt zu einem für Weiß leicht vorteilhaften Endspiel.}) 10. Bg2 d6 11. d5
Nd8 ({Nach} 11... Nb8 12. dxe6 fxe6 13. O-O {bekommt Weiß ein angenehmes
Druckspiel im Zentrum, z.B:} a5 (13... Nd7 14. Nd4 Kh8 15. Rad1 e5 16. Nb5 Nc5
17. Qe3 a5 18. b3 Ne6 19. Nc3 Qe8 20. Nd5 $14 {Eingorn,V-Gershon,A/Graz 1998})
14. Nd4 e5 15. Nb3 $1 a4 16. Nd2 Nc6 17. e3 Be6 18. b4 axb3 19. axb3 $14 {
Shipov,S-Drasko,M/Belgrade 1994}) 12. O-O e5 13. e4 (13. c5 f5 14. Rac1 Nf7 15.
cxd6 cxd6 16. Qc7 Qf6 $132 {stellt für den Nachziehenden keine Gefahr dar, da
Weiß aus seiner offenen c-Linie kein Kapital schlagen kann.}) 13... c5 $1 {
Schwarz schließt korrekterweise die Stellung.} (13... f5 $2 {wäre ein Fehler,
da Weiß das Zentrum öffnen kann.} 14. exf5 Bxf5 15. Rae1 Bd7 (15... Nf7 16. Nh4
Bd7 17. f4 $14) 16. Nd2 Qf6 17. f4 exf4 18. Qxf6 Rxf6 19. gxf4 Nf7 20. Re7 Rd8
21. Ne4 Rg6 22. f5 Rh6 23. c5 Kf8 24. Re6 $1 $16 {Tal,M-Ivanovic,B/Luzern 1982}
) 14. Ne1 $146 {Ein neuer Versuch, der die generelle Einschätzung der Stellung
nicht ändern wird. Schwarz baut eine Festung auf, die kaum einzunehmen ist.} (
14. dxc6 Nxc6 15. h3 Be6 $11) (14. a3 f6 15. b4 Nf7 16. Ne1 b6 17. Nd3 f5 $132
{Gagarin,V-Khasin,A/Maikop 1998}) (14. Nd2 Bd7 (14... a5 15. f4 f6 16. b3 b6
17. Rf2 Nf7 18. Raf1 Bd7 19. a4 g5 20. f5 Kg7 21. Bf3 Rh8 22. Bh5 Rag8 23. Rg2
Kf8 24. h3 Be8 25. Kf2 Nd8 $11 {Khalifman,A-Wahls,M/Germany 1996}) 15. a3 b6
16. f4 f6 17. Rf2 Nf7 18. Raf1 a5 19. b3 Ra7 20. a4 g6 21. h3 Kg7 22. f5 Rh8
23. Qf3 g5 $11 {Khalifman,A-Nielsen,P/Aarhus 1997}) 14... Bd7 15. a4 a5 16. f4
f6 17. Nd3 b6 18. b3 Nf7 $11 19. Rae1 Nh6 $6 {Ein unnötiger Tempoverlust,
besser war sofort 19..g6 oder 19..g5.} (19... g5 20. Kh1 Kh8 21. Re2 gxf4 22.
gxf4 Rg8 $11) (19... g6 $11) 20. Qd2 Nf7 21. Nf2 $1 {Der Läufertausch ist für
Weiß günstig.} (21. f5 g6 22. g4 g5 $11) 21... g6 22. Bh3 Kg7 23. Bxd7 Qxd7 24.
Nd1 (24. Nd3 Rae8 $11) 24... Rae8 25. f5 {Der einzige Versuch, auf Gewinn zu
spielen.} Rh8 26. Qe2 Reg8 $2 {Damit erschwert Schwarz seine Aufgabe. Er
sollte seine Strategie des "Zubetonierens" fortsetzen.} (26... g5 $1 27. Qh5
Nh6 $1 (27... Nd8 28. h4 Qf7 29. Qf3 h6 30. Ne3 $14 {/\Re2-h2, Kg2, Rfh1}) 28.
Ne3 Qf7 29. Qf3 (29. Qh3 Ng8 $11) 29... Reg8 30. h4 g4 $1 31. Nxg4 Nxg4 32.
Qxg4+ Kf8 33. Qf3 h5 $11) 27. fxg6 $1 hxg6 28. Qf3 Qd8 29. h4 (29. Ne3 Ng5 30.
Qg4 Nh3+ 31. Kg2 Qc8 32. Qe6 Qd8 $11) (29. Nf2 Ng5 30. Qg2 Rf8 31. h4 Nf7 32.
Ng4 Nh6 33. Ne3 f5 $11) 29... g5 $1 (29... Nh6 30. Ne3 Rf8 31. g4 f5 $1 (31...
Qd7 32. Qg3 $14) 32. g5 Nf7 33. Ng2 f4 $11) 30. h5 (30. Kf2 $2 gxh4 31. gxh4 f5
32. Ne3 f4 $1 (32... Qxh4+ $2 33. Ke2 $16) 33. Nf5+ Kf8 34. Rg1 Nh6 $15) 30...
Nh6 31. Ne3 Rf8 {Die von Schwarz endlich errichtete Festung ist zwar nicht
ohne Mängel, genügt aber trotzdem fürs Unentschieden.} 32. Re2 Qd7 33. Rh2 Rf7
34. Qe2 Kf8 (34... f5 $4 35. exf5 Nxf5 36. Qg4 $18) 35. Nf5 {Um Fortschritt zu
machen muß Weiß früher oder später die Springer tauschen.} Nxf5 36. Rxf5 Rh6
37. Rhf2 Kg7 38. Qf3 Kf8 39. Qg4 Kg8 (39... Kg7 $4 40. Rxf6 $1 Qxg4 (40...
Rhxf6 41. Qxg5+ $18) 41. Rxf7+ Kg8 42. Rf8+ Kg7 43. R2f7#) 40. Qf3 Kf8 41. Kg2
Kg8 42. Qg4 Kh8 $4 {Nach dem Erreichen der Zeitkontrolle (ich war in leichter
Zeitnot) wartet Aronian mit einem großzügigen Geschenk auf. Ich kann es nur
damit erklären, daß er nach einem möglichen Turmopfer Ausschau gehalten hat
und dabei vollkommen vergaß, daß Weiß auch seine Dame opfern kann.} (42... Rg7
$11) (42... Qd8 43. R5f3 Kg7 $11) 43. Qxg5 $1 $18 fxg5 44. Rxf7 Qxf7 45. Rxf7
g4 46. Rb7 {Der Rest ist einfach.} Rf6 47. Rxb6 Kh7 48. Ra6 Rf3 49. Rxd6 Rxb3
50. Rc6 Rb2+ 51. Kf1 Rb1+ 52. Ke2 Rb2+ 53. Kd1 Rb3 54. Rxc5 Rxg3 55. Ke2 Rg2+
56. Kf1 Rd2 57. Rc6 Ra2 58. d6 g3 59. c5 Rf2+ 60. Kg1 Rd2 61. Rc8 Kg7 62. Re8
Kf6 63. c6 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0001"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2001.03.10"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Onischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2627"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[EventDate "2000.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Magdeburg USC"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Bg2 a6 6. Ne5 c5 7. Be3 Nd5 8. dxc5
Nd7 9. Nxc4 Nxe3 10. Nxe3 Bxc5 11. Nc4 O-O 12. O-O Rb8 13. Nc3 b5 14. Nd6 Nf6
15. Nxc8 Qxd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0001"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2001.03.11"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hracek, Zbynek"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2612"]
[Annotator "Horn,Pe"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2000.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Qe1 e5 7. e4 dxe4 8.
dxe4 Bc5 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. h3 Bh5 11. Nc4 Re8 12. a4 Qc7 13. Nh4 Rad8 14. Bg5 (
14. Bd2) 14... h6 $5 $146 ({Gute Erfahrungen machte Aronian mit} 14... Bg6 $2
15. Nxg6 hxg6 16. c3 a5 17. h4 b6 18. Bh3 Be7 19. b4 $16 {Aronian,L-Asrian,K/
Yerevan 1999}) 15. Bd2 Nh7 {[%cal Yh7g5,Yg5e6] Dieses Manöver habe ich in
diesem Stellungstyp noch nicht gesehen. Es sieht aber vernünftig aus. Den N
hat man nicht gern auf f6, da die Stützung des Zentrums mit Pf7-f6 nicht
möglich ist. Üblicherweise entfernt sich der Nf6 in Richtung Zentrum (d7).
Recht gut wäre der N auf e6 postiert.} 16. Kh1 {[%cal Yf2f4] Bereitet Pf2-f4
vor.} Nb6 {Dagegen ist diese Befragung des dominierenden Nc4 ein übliches
Mittel.} ({Übereilt wäre} 16... Ng5 17. f4 $1 exf4 18. Bxf4 $36) 17. Ne3 (17.
Ba5 Ng5 {und der Öffnung des Spiels mit} 18. f4 (18. g4 $6 {[%csl Rf4]} Bg6 19.
b4 Be7 20. Bxb6 axb6 21. Nxg6 fxg6 22. Qc3 Nf7 $132 (22... Bf6 $132)) 18...
exf4 19. gxf4 Ne6 20. Nf5 Nd4 $132 {kann Schwarz gelassen entgegensehen.} ({
Aber besser nicht} 20... Nxf4 $2 21. Qg3 Ne6 22. Nxh6+ $14)) 17... Ng5 18. Ba5
({Auch nach} 18. a5 Nc8 19. Nc4 ({Kaum gefährlich wäre} 19. g4 Bg6 {, da die
geschwächten schwarzen Felder dem Schwarzen ein gutes Gegenspiel verheißen.})
19... Nd6 {kann der Nc4 sich nicht behaupten.}) 18... Ne6 19. b4 (19. g4 Bg6
20. Nxg6 fxg6 $15) (19. Nhf5) 19... Bxe3 $1 {Am sichersten.} (19... Be7 20.
Nhf5 (20. c4 Bxh4 21. gxh4 c5 22. Nd5 Qc6 {sieht ok aus für Schwarz.}) 20...
Nd4 21. c4 $36) 20. Qxe3 (20. fxe3 f6 21. Nf5 Rd7 22. Qf2 Red8 23. Nxh6+ gxh6
24. Qxf6 Ng7 25. Qxh6 Rd2) 20... Nc4 {Damit vereinfacht sich das Spiel.} ({
Ansonsten war noch} 20... Nd4 $5 {zu überlegen, z.B.} 21. Bxb6 axb6 22. Rac1)
21. Bxc7 Nxe3 22. fxe3 Nxc7 $11 23. g4 Bg6 24. Nxg6 fxg6 25. Rfd1 Kf7 26. Bf1
Rxd1 27. Rxd1 Ke7 28. Kg2 Rd8 29. Bd3 Ne8 30. Kf3 Nd6 31. Ke2 Rc8 32. c3 b6 33.
a5 b5 34. Bb1 g5 35. Bd3 Ke6 36. Bb1 Ke7 37. Bd3 g6 38. Rc1 Rb8 39. Kf3 Rf8+
40. Ke2 Rb8 41. Kf3 h5 42. Rg1 Kf6 43. Rc1 Ke7 44. Rg1 Rg8 45. Rc1 Rf8+ 46. Kg2
Rd8 47. Kf3 Rf8+ 48. Kg2 Rd8 49. Kf3 Ne8 50. Be2 Nf6 51. c4 bxc4 52. Rxc4 Kd6
53. Bd1 Rf8 54. Ba4 Nd5+ 55. Ke2 Ne7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hastings 0001 76th"]
[Site "Hastings"]
[Date "2000.12.29"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ftacnik, Lubomir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2608"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2000.12.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. d4 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 c5 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 cxd4 7. Nxd4 O-O
8. e3 d5 9. b4 a5 10. b5 e5 11. Nf3 e4 12. Nd4 dxc4 13. Bb2 Nbd7 14. Bxc4 Ng4
15. Ne6 fxe6 16. Bxe6+ Kh8 17. Bxg4 Nc5 18. Qxd8 Rxd8 19. Be2 Be6 20. Rc1 Rac8
21. f4 Nd3+ 22. Bxd3 Rxc1+ 23. Bxc1 Rxd3 24. Rf1 Bb3 25. b6 a4 26. f5 Rd6 27.
Bb2 Rd1+ 28. Ke2 Bc4+ 29. Kxd1 Bxf1 30. g3 Kg8 31. Kd2 Bh3 32. Kc3 Bxf5 33. Kd4
Kf7 34. Ke5 g6 35. Kd6 Be6 36. h4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hastings 0001 76th"]
[Site "Hastings"]
[Date "2000.12.30"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Beshukov, Sergei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2428"]
[Annotator "Gershon,A"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2000.12.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. O-O Ne7 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. Ne2 a6 8.
Ba4 Nc6 (8... b5 9. Bb3 Nc6 10. d3 Be7 11. f4 O-O 12. f5 Na5 13. Nf4 Nxb3 14.
axb3 exf5 15. exf5 Bb7 16. Nh5 f6 17. Qg4 Rf7 18. Qxd4 $16 {1-0 Yudasin,
L-Moiseenko,A/Krynica 1997/CBM 62 (57)}) 9. d3 g6 (9... b5 10. Bb3 Bc5 11. Ng3
(11. f4 Qh4 12. Ng3 Bb7 13. Qh5 Be7 14. f5 g6 15. Qxh4 Bxh4 16. Bh6 Bxg3 17.
hxg3 gxf5 18. exf5 Rg8 19. fxe6 dxe6 20. Bf4 $11 {1/2-1/2 Westerinen,H-Gausel,
E/Gentofte 1999/CBM 73 no vc (24)}) 11... h5 $5 12. Bd2 Bb7 13. h3 g6 14. a3 f5
15. exf5 gxf5 16. Re1 Qf6 17. Nxh5 Qh4 18. Ng7+ Kf8 19. Nxf5 exf5 20. Qf3 $44 {
1/2-1/2 Sadvakasov,D-Perunovic,M/Subotica YUG 2000/The Week in Chess 321 (28)})
(9... Bc5 10. Ng3 h5 11. Bxc6 dxc6 12. e5 g6 13. Ne4 Be7 14. Qf3 Rh7 15. b4 h4
16. g4 $1 h3 17. Qf4 b6 18. Nd6+ Bxd6 19. exd6 $16 {1/2-1/2 Ovetchkin,R-Ivanov,
V/St Petersburg 1999/CBM 74 (53)}) 10. Bxc6 $5 {An interesting decision.
Usually white tries to do the opposite, close the position. Personally, I
would wait with this capture.} (10. f4 b5 11. Bb3 $14) 10... dxc6 11. Bd2 Bg7
12. c3 dxc3 $2 {Playing to white's hands. The idea behind white's 10th move
was to try and expoit the weakenned black squares.} (12... e5 $142 13. f4 (13.
cxd4 exd4 14. Bb4 b6 $15) 13... Bg4 14. fxe5 Bxe5 $11) (12... c5 $5) 13. Bxc3
e5 14. f4 {Now white gets the center, and development advantage which promises
his good initiative.} Qe7 (14... f6 15. fxe5 fxe5 16. Qb3 Qe7 17. Qb6 $14) 15.
fxe5 Bxe5 16. d4 Bg7 17. Qd2 $1 {Preventing black from castling. This plan is
what black probably missed while taking on 'c3'. White does not defend the
pawn, but is playing for the initiative.} Qxe4 {"If you are bound to suffer,
at least do it for a pawn"} (17... O-O 18. Bb4 $16) 18. Rae1 O-O (18... Qe7 19.
Nf4 Be6 20. Bb4 ({but not} 20. d5 $2 Qc5+ 21. Kh1 Bxc3 22. bxc3 O-O-O $17)
20... Qd7 21. Nxe6 fxe6 22. Rxe6+ Qxe6 23. Re1 $18) 19. Nf4 Qf5 20. d5 $1 {
Of course! weaken the K.A typical Aronian style!} ({After} 20. Ne6 Bxe6 21.
Rxf5 Bxf5 {Black would be the one playing for the advantage.}) 20... Bxc3 (
20... cxd5 21. Nxd5 {[%csl Rf5][%cal Gd5e7]} Qh5 22. Ne7+ Kh8 23. Rxf7 $3 $18 {
[%cal Gd2d8]}) 21. Qxc3 Qg5 22. dxc6 bxc6 23. Qxc6 {Winning back the pawn with
a continuing attack. Black's dark squares are the most important factor in the
position} Bf5 $2 {The B should be placed on the long /^} (23... Rb8 24. Re8 (
24. Nd5 Bb7 25. Nf6+ Kg7 26. Qc2 Rbc8 $132) 24... Bf5 25. Rxf8+ Rxf8 26. Qxa6
$16) 24. Nd5 Rac8 25. Qd6 (25. Ne7+ $4 Qxe7 26. Rxe7 (26. Qxc8 Qa7+ $19) 26...
Rxc6 $19) 25... Rc2 $4 {A blunder in a bad position} (25... Kg7 26. Ne7 Rc2 27.
Nxf5+ gxf5 28. Rf2 {with huge advantage}) 26. Nf6+ Kg7 27. Qxf8+ $1 Kxf8 (27...
Kxf8 28. Nxh7+ Kg7 29. Nxg5 $18) 1-0

[Event "Hastings 0001 76th"]
[Site "Hastings"]
[Date "2000.12.31"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Bischoff, Klaus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A17"]
[WhiteElo "2556"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2000.12.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. a3 Bxc3 6. Qxc3 O-O 7. b4 b6 8. Bb2
d6 9. e3 a5 10. bxc5 bxc5 11. Be2 Nbd7 12. O-O Bb7 13. d3 Bc6 14. Nd2 Nb6 15.
Rab1 Na4 16. Qc2 Nxb2 17. Rxb2 Nd7 18. Bf3 Bxf3 19. Nxf3 Ne5 20. Nd2 d5 21. Rb5
Rc8 22. cxd5 Qxd5 23. Nc4 Rb8 24. Rxb8 Rxb8 25. Rd1 Nxc4 26. dxc4 Qb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hastings 0001 76th"]
[Site "Hastings"]
[Date "2000.12.02"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Conquest, Stuart"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2529"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2000.12.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Be2 e6 7. h3 Bh5 8. O-O
Nc6 9. a3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Be7 11. Nc3 Qd6 12. Nb5 Qb8 13. Ne5 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 a6
15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Nc3 O-O 17. Bg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hastings 0001 76th"]
[Site "Hastings"]
[Date "2001.01.02"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Turner, Matthew"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2491"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2000.12.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7 5. Nf3 Bc6 6. Neg5 Bd6 7. Bc4 h6 8.
Nxe6 fxe6 9. Bxe6 Qf6 10. d5 Bd7 11. Nd4 Qe5+ 12. Be3 Nf6 13. Qd3 Nxd5 14. Qg6+
Kd8 15. O-O-O Nxe3 16. fxe3 Be8 17. Bf7 Bxf7 18. Qxf7 Nc6 19. Nf5 Kc8 20. Rhf1
Rd8 21. Nxg7 Ba3 22. Qb3 Qxg7 23. Qxa3 a5 24. Qb3 Ra6 25. Qe6+ Kb8 26. g4 a4
27. Rxd8+ Nxd8 28. Qe8 Qg5 29. a3 Rd6 30. Kb1 Qxg4 31. e4 Qe2 32. Rc1 Rd4 33.
e5 b6 34. Qh8 Kb7 35. Qxh6 Qxe5 36. h4 Nf7 37. Qg6 Nd6 38. h5 Nc4 39. Qg2+ Ka7
40. Qc6 Rh4 41. Qxa4+ Kb7 42. Qb4 Qxh5 43. b3 c5 44. Qe1 Nxa3+ 45. Kb2 Nb5 46.
Qe7+ Nc7 47. Rg1 Rd4 48. Rg7 Qh2 49. Rh7 Qd6 50. Qf7 Rf4 51. Qg8 Qe5+ 52. Ka2
Rf2 53. Qg6 Qf5 54. Qxf5 Rxf5 55. c4 Rf2+ 56. Ka3 b5 57. cxb5 Kb6 58. Rh6+ Ka5
0-1

[Event "Hastings 0001 76th"]
[Site "Hastings"]
[Date "2001.01.03"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Gormally, Daniel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E38"]
[WhiteElo "2499"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2000.12.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Qc7 6. Nf3 Bxc5 7. e3 a6 8. a3
Be7 9. Bd3 d6 10. O-O Nbd7 11. b4 b6 12. Bb2 Bb7 13. Ne4 Rc8 14. Rac1 Bxe4 15.
Bxe4 Nxe4 16. Qxe4 Bf6 17. Bxf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hastings 0001 76th"]
[Site "Hastings"]
[Date "2001.01.04"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sasikiran, Krishnan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2573"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2000.12.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 b6 3. Bg2 Bb7 4. O-O c5 5. c4 e6 6. Nc3 Be7 7. Re1 a6 8. e4 d6
9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Qc7 11. Be3 Nbd7 12. f4 Rc8 13. Rc1 Qb8 14. Qe2 (14. g4 g6
15. g5 Nh5 16. f5 $6 e5 17. f6 exd4 18. Bxd4 Bd8 19. Bh3 Nf4 20. Bg4 h5 21.
gxh6 Ne5 22. Rf1 Nxg4 23. Qxg4 Rxc4 24. Rcd1 Nh5 25. Nd5 b5 26. Rfe1 Qc8 27.
Qg5 Qe6 28. Bc3 O-O 29. Rd3 Rxe4 {0-1,Wells,P-Adorjan,A/BL 8889/1989/}) ({
Too speculative is} 14. Nd5 $6 exd5 15. exd5 Kf8 16. Nc6 Bxc6 17. dxc6 Nc5 18.
b4 Ne6 19. f5 Nc7 20. Bf4 Nfe8 21. Rc3 Bf6 22. Rd3 h6 23. h4 Kg8 24. Qh5 Rd8
25. Kh2 Be5 26. Bxe5 dxe5 27. Rxd8 Qxd8 28. Rd1 Qf6 29. Rd7 g6 30. Qg4 {
Vaganian,R-Wojtkiewicz,A/Eupen rapid op/1996/} Qxf5 $19) (14. b3 Qa8 15. Bf2
O-O 16. g4 g6 17. g5 Nh5 18. Qg4 Rce8 19. Rcd1 Qc8 20. Nde2 Bc6 21. Ng3 Nxg3
22. hxg3 b5 23. cxb5 axb5 24. Rc1 Qa8 25. Qh3 Nc5 26. Bxc5 dxc5 27. e5 Bxg2 28.
Qxg2 Qxg2+ 29. Kxg2 Ra8 $132 {Hjartarson,J-Wahls,M/New York op/1994/}) 14...
Qa8 ({White can quietly improve his position after} 14... Nc5 $143 15. Bf2 Qa8
16. g4 h6 17. h3 $5 g6 18. Bg3 Kf8 19. Rcd1 Rc7 20. Kh2 Ncd7 21. e5 dxe5 22.
fxe5 Nh7 23. Rf1 Kg7 24. Nd5 $1 exd5 25. e6 Qd8 26. Rxf7+ Kg8 27. Rxe7 Qxe7 28.
Bxc7 Ndf6 29. Be5 dxc4 30. Bxb7 Qxb7 31. Qxc4 {1-0,Sakaev,K-Ionescu,C/
Pardubice op/1997/}) 15. Bf2 O-O 16. g4 (16. f5 {releases the tension early
and Black can defend well after} exf5 17. Nxf5 Rfe8 18. Nd5 Bf8 19. Qd2 Nxd5
20. cxd5 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Qd8 22. Bd4 Nc5 23. Re1 Bc8 24. b4 Nd7 25. Rf1 b5 26.
Qf2 f6 27. Rc1 g6 28. Ne3 Ne5 29. Rc3 Bg7 30. Kh1 Bd7 $11 {Lastin,A-Fominyh,A/
Samara/2000/}) 16... g6 17. f5 $146 {This novelty can't endanger Black's
position, he gets suficient <=> in the [+].} (17. g5 Nh5 18. Be3 $5 (18. Qg4
Rce8 {leads to the same position as above in the line 14.b3, only White is a
tempo down.} (18... Nc5 $6 19. Re3 Ng7 20. f5 exf5 21. exf5 gxf5 22. Bxb7 fxg4
23. Bxa8 Bxg5 24. Bd5 Bxe3 25. Bxe3 Rfe8 26. Bh6 $16 {Bosboom,M-Middelburg,T/
Vlissingen/1998/}) (18... Rfd8 $2 19. Nxe6 Ndf6 20. gxf6 Nxf6 21. Qh3 fxe6 22.
Qxe6+ Kf8 {1-0,Kovacs,M-Johansson,M/Salgotarjan/1967/})) 18... Rfe8 19. f5 e5
20. Nf3 Bxe4 21. f6 Bf8 22. Nxe4 Qxe4 23. Nd2 Qf5 24. Bb7 Nf4 25. Bxf4 exf4 26.
Qg2 $44 {Ruck,R-Dvoirys,S/Oberwart op/2000/}) 17... exf5 18. gxf5 Rfe8 {
[%cal Ge8e1] <=><->e} 19. Nd5 Bf8 20. Qf3 Bg7 21. Qh3 Qb8 22. b3 (22. Qh4 Nxd5
23. exd5 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 Bf6 $1 (24... Rxc4 $2 25. Nc6 Bxc6 26. Qxc4 $16) 25.
Qh3 Ne5 $13) 22... Nc5 23. Qh4 $1 {[%mdl 64] Starts a complicated tactical
sequence. But other alternatives were not too attractive, as e4 was under
attack.} (23. Nxb6 Rcd8 24. Nd5 Nfxe4 25. Bxe4 Nxe4 26. Be3 Nf6 $15) 23... Nxd5
(23... Bxd5 24. exd5 Nd3 25. Nc6 Qc7 (25... Rxc6 26. dxc6 Nxc1 27. Rxc1 $36 {
[%csl Gc6] o^c6}) 26. Rxe8+ Rxe8 27. Rf1 Nxf2 28. Qxf2 g5 $11) 24. exd5 Nd3 25.
f6 $5 (25. Rxe8+ Rxe8 26. Rf1 Nxf2 27. Qxf2 Bxd4 (27... Qc7 28. f6 Bh6 29. Ne6
$1 Qc8 30. Qxb6 $16) 28. Qxd4 Qc7 $11) 25... Rxe1+ (25... Nxc1 26. Rxc1 Bf8 27.
Ne6 $5 fxe6 (27... h5 $2 28. Nxf8 Rxf8 29. Qg5 Kh7 30. Be3 $18) 28. f7+ Kh8 (
28... Kxf7 29. Qxh7+ Bg7 30. Rf1 $18 {->}) 29. fxe8=Q Rxe8 30. Qd4+ e5 31. Qxb6
$14) 26. Rxe1 Nxe1 27. Nf5 $1 (27. fxg7 Nxg2 28. Kxg2 b5 29. Nf3 Qc7 $19) (27.
Bxe1 Bf8 28. Nf5 Qc7 $5 29. Nh6+ Kh8 $17) 27... Rc7 (27... gxf5 $4 28. Qg5 $18)
(27... Nd3 28. Ne7+ Kf8 29. fxg7+ Kxg7 30. Be3 h5 31. Nxc8 $16) (27... Bxf6 $2
28. Qxf6 gxf5 29. Be3 $1 Kf8 30. Bg5 $1 $18 {[%cal Rf6h8] /\Qh8#}) 28. Be4 $5 (
28. Nh6+ $6 Bxh6 29. Qxh6 Qf8 $17) (28. Bxe1 Bf8 29. Bb4 Qd8 $17) 28... Bf8 (
28... gxf5 $2 29. Qg5 (29. Bxf5 $4 Nf3+) 29... Nf3+ (29... Qf8 30. Qxf5 Nf3+
31. Kh1 Ng5 32. Qxg5 {[%cal Rg5f5] /\Qf5} Bc8 33. fxg7 Qe8 34. Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7
35. Qh5+ Kxg7 36. Bd4+ Kf8 37. Qh8+ Ke7 38. Bf6+ Kd7 39. Qh3+ $18) 30. Bxf3 Qf8
31. Bxb6 Rc8 32. Bd4 Re8 33. b4 $5 $16 {White is still a R down, but Black can
hardly move.}) 29. Bxb6 Bc8 (29... gxf5 $2 30. Qg5+ Kh8 31. Qxf5 Nf3+ 32. Kh1
Ng5 33. Qxg5 Bc8 34. Qh4 h6 35. Be3 $18) (29... Rd7 $5 30. Nh6+ $5 (30. Ne3 Bc8
31. Ba5 Qa7 32. Kf2 Qd4 33. Bxe1 Rd8 $17) (30. Ne7+ Bxe7 31. fxe7 Qe8 32. Bd4 (
32. Bd8 f5 $19) 32... Qxe7 33. Bf6 Nf3+ 34. Bxf3 Qe3+ $17) 30... Kh8 (30...
Bxh6 31. Qxh6 Qf8 32. Qh4 $44) 31. Bf2 Qe8 32. Bxe1 Qe5 33. Bf2 $13) 30. Bxc7 (
30. Nh6+ Kh8 31. Bxc7 Qxc7 32. Kf1 Qa7 33. Qf4 $1 (33. Kxe1 $2 Qe3+) 33... Qd4
34. Nxf7+ (34. Kxe1 Bxh6 35. Qxh6 Qxe4+ 36. Kf2 Qd4+ 37. Kg2 Qb2+ 38. Kg3 Qc3+
$11) 34... Kg8 35. Nh6+ $11 Bxh6 $2 36. f7+ Kf8 37. Qxh6+ Qg7 38. Qxg7+ Kxg7
39. Kxe1 $18) 30... Qa7+ $1 (30... Qxc7 $143 31. Ne7+ Kh8 (31... Bxe7 32. fxe7
Qd7 33. Kf2 $16) 32. Kf1 $1 $16) 31. Kf1 Bxf5 32. Bxf5 Nf3 (32... Qxc7 33. Be4
$5 {Black's N is trapped and White doesn't have to hurry capturing it.} (33.
Kxe1 gxf5 34. Qg5+ Kh8 35. Qxf5 Qa5+ 36. Kf1 Qxa2 37. Qc8 Qb1+ 38. Kf2 Kg8 39.
Qg4+ Qg6 $19) 33... Qa5 34. Qf2 $1 (34. Qxe1 Qxa2 $15) 34... Bh6 35. Qe2 $11 {
/\} Bd2 $2 36. Bxg6 $1 $18) 33. Qf2 Qxc7 $8 34. Qxf3 gxf5 35. Qxf5 $44 {
[%csl Rf8] The complications are over and although White is a piece down, the
Bf8 has very limited scope. If Black's Q leaves the back rank, White has
repetition Qg4-c8.} a5 (35... Bh6 36. Qh3 {forces the B back.}) 36. Ke2 Qb8 37.
Kd3 a4 (37... Qb4 38. Qg4+ Kh8 39. Qc8 $11) 38. Kc3 axb3 39. axb3 Qa7 40. Qf4
Qa5+ 41. Kb2 Qe1 42. Ka3 Qa5+ (42... h6 43. Ka4 $11 {/\Kb5,c5}) 43. Kb2 Qe1 44.
Ka3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hastings 0001 76th"]
[Site "Hastings"]
[Date "2001.01.05"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Speelman, Jonathan S"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A17"]
[WhiteElo "2623"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2000.12.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Be2 b6 6. O-O d5 7. a3 Bxc3 8. bxc3
Ba6 9. cxd5 Bxe2 10. Qxe2 exd5 11. c4 c5 12. Bb2 dxc4 13. Rfc1 Qd3 14. Kf1 Ne4
15. Rxc4 Qxe2+ 16. Kxe2 Nd6 17. Rc2 Rc8 18. Rac1 Nd7 19. Ne5 Nxe5 20. Bxe5 Nb7
21. a4 Na5 22. Rb1 Nc6 23. Bc3 Rab8 24. Rcb2 Ne7 25. a5 Nd5 26. axb6 axb6 27.
Ba5 Rc6 28. Rb5 h6 29. R1b2 Re6 30. g3 Rd6 31. f3 f5 32. f4 Kh7 33. Bc3 Nxc3+
34. dxc3 Rc6 35. h3 h5 36. Kf3 Rd8 37. Rxb6 Rxb6 38. Rxb6 Rd3 39. c4 Rc3 40.
Rc6 Rxc4 41. g4 fxg4+ 42. hxg4 h4 43. g5 h3 44. Kg3 Re4 45. Kxh3 Rxe3+ 46. Kg4
g6 47. Rxc5 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hastings 0001 76th"]
[Site "Hastings"]
[Date "2001.01.06"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Plaskett, H James"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2525"]
[Annotator "Horn,Pe"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2000.12.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bf5 5. d3 e6 6. Nbd2 Be7 7. Qe1 h6 8. e4
Bh7 9. Ne5 {Eine Spezialität von Vaganian.} ({Die meistgespielten Züge sind
hier} 9. Qe2) ({und} 9. b3) 9... c5 $146 ({Üblich ist} 9... Nbd7 10. Nxd7 {
Der Tausch kostet zwar Zeit, aber Weiß muß eh Zeit verlieren, um den Pf2 in
Gang zu setzen.} Nxd7 11. f4 O-O (11... dxe4 12. dxe4 O-O 13. Kh1 Nc5 (13... a5
14. g4 f5 15. gxf5 exf5 16. e5 Nc5 17. Nf3 Ne6 18. Be3 Qe8 19. Rg1 $14 {
Aronian,L-Delgado Crespo,M/Linares 2000}) 14. Qe2 (14. g4 $5) 14... a5 15. Nc4
b5 16. Ne5 Qc7 17. Nd3 Nxd3 18. cxd3 c5 19. Be3 Rac8 $11 {Vaganian,R-Karpov,A/
Moscow 1993}) 12. Kh1 {[%cal Yg3g4] Weiß schützt den K vor Belästigungen auf
der Diagonale und bereitet Aktionen auf der g-Linie vor (Start mit g3-g4).
Mitunter wird der Rf1 auf g1 landen.} (12. Qe2 a5 13. Kh1 a4 14. f5 dxe4 15.
dxe4 exf5 16. exf5 Re8 $132 {Nasir Ali,S-Hartston,W/Delhi 1982}) 12... a5 (
12... Bc5 13. g4 a5 14. a4 Re8 15. Qg3 dxe4 16. Nxe4 Bxe4 17. Bxe4 Nf6 18. Bg2
$14 {Vaganian,R-Short,N/Luzern 1985}) (12... Kh8 13. g4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 f5 15.
Ng3 Bg8 16. Qe2 fxg4 17. Qxg4 Nf6 18. Qh3 Nd5 19. Bd2 Bd6 20. Nh5 $13 {
Vaganian,R-Thorhallsson,T/New York 1997}) 13. g4 a4 14. f5 (14. a3 Bh4 15. Qe2
dxe4 16. dxe4 Nc5 17. Nc4 b5 18. Ne5 Qc7 19. g5 Bxg5 20. fxg5 Qxe5 21. Bf4 Qxb2
22. Bd6 Qc3 23. gxh6 $40 {Vaganian,R-Comp Centaur/The Hague 1996}) 14... a3 15.
b3 Re8 16. Rb1 exf5 17. gxf5 Qa5 18. exd5 cxd5 19. Qg3 Bb4 20. Nf3 Kh8 21. f6
$40 {Vaganian,R-Sveshnikov,E/Sochi 1980}) (9... O-O {kommt den Absichten des
Weißen nur entgegen:} 10. f4 $14) 10. f4 Nc6 11. Nxc6 bxc6 {Die Unterschiede
zu 9..Nbd7: Die schwarze Bauernstruktur am Damenflügel ist radikal anders und
Weiß muß etwas Zeit verlieren, um Pg4 durchzusetzen. Am wichtigsten ist
vielleicht, daß Schwarz noch nicht rochiert hat.} 12. Kh1 {Der Standardzug ist
in jedem Fall nützlich.} a5 13. Qe2 {[%cal Yg3g4] Damit kommt der
Bauernvorstoß doch wieder ins Spiel.} a4 {[%cal Ya4a3]} 14. a3 Qc7 15. g4 {
Aronian bleibt auch hier seinem Standard treu, obwohl hier größere Risiken
vorhanden sind als mit einem Kg8.} h5 $6 {Eine radikale Entscheidung: Plaskett
versucht die Gegenüberstellung von Rh8 und Kh1 zu nutzen. Es bleibt aber die
Frage, ob er nicht zuviel von der Stellung verlangt.} 16. g5 $8 Ng4 ({
Halbherzig wäre} 16... Nd7 17. Qxh5 $16) 17. Nf3 {Nimmt dem schwarzen
Gegenspiel den Wind aus den Segeln.} ({Das direkte} 17. h3 $2 {wäre Plaskett
recht gewesen:} Bxg5 18. exd5 (18. hxg4 hxg4 $17) 18... Bxf4 $1 19. dxe6 Bxd2
$40) 17... f6 18. exd5 ({Hier kam} 18. h3 {schon eher in Betracht; es ist mir
nicht klar, was Plaskett beabsichtigt hatte.} fxg5 ({bei einem passiven Zug wie
} 18... Rb8 {kann schon} 19. hxg4 hxg4 20. Nh2 $1 {folgen, z.B.:} (20. Ne1 $2
Bxe4+ 21. Kg1 Bf5 $44) 20... g3 21. Qh5+ Kd7 22. g6 Bxg6 23. Qxg6 Rxh2+ 24. Kg1
) 19. fxg5 ({Selbst} 19. hxg4 hxg4 20. Ne5 gxf4 21. Nxg4 {sieht gar nicht so
schlecht aus.}) 19... Bg6 (19... dxe4 20. dxe4 Bd6 21. e5 $1) (19... c4 20.
hxg4 hxg4 21. Nh2) 20. exd5 exd5 21. Kg1 {und Weiß hat (wie in der
Partiefortsetzung) alle Chancen.}) 18... exd5 19. Re1 (19. h3 {s.o.}) 19... Kd8
(19... fxg5 20. Nxg5 $40 Bf5 21. Ne6 Bxe6 22. Qxe6) 20. h3 fxg5 21. Kg1 (21.
fxg5 Bd6 22. Qe6 $16 {[%cal Rg5g6] gefällt mir (auch) sehr gut, z.B.:} Bxd3 23.
cxd3 Nf2+ 24. Kg1 Nxd3 25. Re2) (21. hxg4 $2 {kommt dagegen garnicht in Frage:}
hxg4 $17) 21... Nh6 (21... Nf6 22. fxg5 Ne8 23. g6 $1 Bg8 24. Bf4 $16) 22. fxg5
Nf5 23. Qe6 (23. Ne5 Bd6 24. Bf4 $16) 23... Qd6 (23... Rf8 24. Ne5 $16) 24. g6
$5 {Aronian liebt das effektvolle Spiel} ({Einfach und stark war dagegen} 24.
Bf4 $142 $1 Qxe6 (24... Qxf4 $2 25. Ne5 $18) 25. Rxe6 Kd7 26. Rae1 $16 {
und Weiß behält vielfältige Drohungen.} Rhe8 {Auch die Liquidation in der
e-Linie kann den Druck nicht vollständig abschütteln:} 27. R6e2 (27. g6 $6 Bg8
28. R6e2 Bf6 $14) 27... Bd6 28. Rxe8 Rxe8 29. Rxe8 Kxe8 30. Bxd6 Nxd6 31. Ne5
$16) 24... Bxg6 25. Bg5 Bxg5 $2 ({Aufmerksamer war} 25... Qxe6 26. Rxe6 Be8 {
[%cal Ye8d7]} 27. Re5 $44) 26. Nxg5 Re8 27. Qxd6+ Nxd6 28. Ne6+ Kc8 29. Nxc5
$16 {[%csl Gc5] Gegen einen solchen Idealspringer fällt das Spiel schwer.} Ra5
30. Rxe8+ Nxe8 31. d4 Bxc2 ({Auch} 31... Rb5 {kann nicht alle Probleme lösen:}
32. b4 $1 Bxc2 33. Rc1 (33. Re1) 33... Bb3 34. Nxb3 axb3 35. Rxc6+ Nc7 36. Rc3
$16) 32. Rc1 Bf5 (32... Bb3 33. Nxb3 axb3 34. Rxc6+ $16) 33. Bxd5 Kc7 (33...
cxd5 34. Nb3+ $18) 34. Bxc6 $1 $18 Nd6 (34... Kxc6 35. Nb3+ $18) 35. Bxa4 Kd8
36. Rc3 g5 37. Bc2 Bxc2 38. Rxc2 Ra7 39. Ne6+ Ke7 40. Nxg5 Kf6 41. Nf3 Kf5 42.
Kf2 Kf4 43. Nd2 Ra4 44. Nb3 Ra8 45. Nc5 1-0

[Event "Cappelle op 17th"]
[Site "Cappelle la Grande"]
[Date "2001.02.25"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Hanley, Craig"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2276"]
[BlackElo "2522"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2001.02.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 080 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. O-O a6 7. Qxc4 b5 8.
Qc2 Bb7 9. d3 Be7 10. a4 O-O 11. Nd4 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Nc5 13. e3 Qd5+ 14. f3 Nxa4
15. b3 Nc5 16. Nc3 Qd7 17. Ba3 e5 18. Nde2 Rfd8 19. Rfd1 Ne6 20. Ne4 Nd5 21.
Kf2 b4 22. Bb2 f5 23. Ra5 Bf8 24. Nd2 f4 25. exf4 exf4 26. gxf4 Qe7 27. Qc4 Nb6
28. Qc6 Nc5 29. Ne4 Rd5 30. Kg2 Rad8 31. Kh1 Nxe4 0-1

[Event "Cappelle op 17th"]
[Site "Cappelle la Grande"]
[Date "2001.02.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sulskis, Sarunas"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2501"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2001.02.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 080 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. O-O h5 5. d3 h4 6. Nxh4 e5 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. Nbd2
Ngf6 9. e4 dxe4 10. dxe4 Bc5 11. Qe1 Qe7 12. a4 O-O-O 13. Ng5 Nh5 14. Nb3 f6
15. Nxc5 Nxc5 16. f3 Bd7 17. Nh3 Ne6 18. b4 g5 19. Qf2 Kb8 20. Be3 a6 21. b5
cxb5 22. axb5 Bxb5 23. Rfb1 Nd4 24. Bf1 Qe6 25. c3 Bxf1 26. Qxf1 Nxg3 27. hxg3
Rxh3 28. cxd4 Rdh8 29. Kf2 exd4 30. Bxd4 Qd6 31. Ke3 Rxg3 32. Qf2 Rhh3 33. Rf1
Rxf3+ 34. Qxf3 Qf4+ 35. Ke2 Rxf3 36. Rxf3 Qxe4+ 37. Be3 f5 38. Rg1 f4 39. Rxg5
Qc4+ 40. Kd2 Qb4+ 41. Kd3 Qb3+ 42. Kd2 fxe3+ 43. Rxe3 Qb4+ 44. Kc2 Qc4+ 45. Rc3
Qe4+ 46. Kb2 Ka7 47. Rg7 Qd4 48. Rgc7 a5 49. R7c4 Qf6 50. Rc5 Ka6 51. Rc7 b6
52. Ka3 Qd6+ 53. Kb3 Kb5 54. Ka2 a4 55. Rc1 Qd5+ 56. Ka1 Ka5 57. R7c2 b5 58.
Rc5 Qd4+ 59. Ka2 Kb4 60. R5c2 a3 61. Re2 Ka4 62. Rh1 0-1

[Event "Cappelle op 17th"]
[Site "Cappelle la Grande"]
[Date "2001.03.01"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hansen, Torbjorn Ringdal"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2178"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2001.02.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 080 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. d3 d6 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Bg4 7. h3 Be6 8. a3
Ba5 9. b4 Bb6 10. Na4 h6 11. Bb2 O-O 12. O-O Qd7 13. Kh2 Nd4 14. Nxd4 Qxa4 15.
Nxe6 fxe6 16. f4 Bd4 17. Bxd4 exd4 18. e5 dxe5 19. fxe5 Nd5 20. Bxd5 exd5 21.
Qe2 Rxf1 22. Rxf1 Re8 23. e6 Qc6 24. Re1 Qd6 25. h4 Re7 26. Qg4 a6 27. Re2 b6
28. Qf5 c6 29. Kh3 a5 30. Re1 a4 31. h5 b5 32. Kg4 Qd8 33. Kf3 Qe8 34. g4 Qb8
35. g5 hxg5 36. Qxg5 Qf8+ 37. Qf4 Qe8 38. Qf5 Rc7 39. Qe5 Qf8+ 40. Qf4 Qe7 41.
Qxc7 1-0

[Event "Cappelle op 17th"]
[Site "Cappelle la Grande"]
[Date "2001.03.02"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Landa, Konstantin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2522"]
[PlyCount "168"]
[EventDate "2001.02.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 080 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Qc7 8. a4
Be7 9. a5 O-O 10. Be2 Nbd7 11. O-O b5 12. axb6 Nxb6 13. Nd2 Bb7 14. Bxb6 Qxb6
15. Nc4 Qc5 16. Ra5 Qc7 17. Qd3 Rfd8 18. Bf3 Rac8 19. b3 Nd7 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21.
Qxd5 Nb6 22. Nxb6 Qxb6 23. Be2 Rc5 24. Rxc5 dxc5 25. Qxe5 Bf6 26. Qf4 a5 27.
Bc4 Qb8 28. Qe3 Qe5 29. Bd5 Qc3 30. Qxc3 Bxc3 31. Rd1 Kf8 32. Kf1 Ke7 33. Ke2
Bd4 34. Kd3 f5 35. Kc4 fxe4 36. Bxe4 Bxf2 37. Rxd8 Kxd8 38. Bxh7 Ke7 39. Kb5
Kd6 40. Kxa5 g5 41. Kb5 Bg1 42. h3 Bf2 43. Be4 Bg1 44. Bb7 Bf2 45. Kc4 Ke5 46.
Kd3 Kf4 47. Ke2 Bg1 48. Bc6 Kg3 49. Be4 Kf4 50. Ba8 Kg3 51. Bd5 Kf4 52. Bf3 Kg3
53. Kd3 Kf4 54. Kc4 Ke5 55. Kb5 Kd6 56. Kb6 c4+ 57. Kb7 cxb3 58. cxb3 Bc5 59.
Kc8 Ke6 60. Kc7 Bf8 61. Kc6 Ke5 62. Kd7 Kf6 63. Be2 Be7 64. Bf1 Bf8 65. Ba6 Be7
66. Bf1 Bf8 67. Kc6 Ke5 68. Kb5 Kd4 69. g4 Be7 70. Bg2 Bf8 71. Ka5 Kc3 72. Bd5
Be7 73. Be6 Bf8 74. Bf7 Be7 75. Ka4 Bf8 76. Bg8 Be7 77. Be6 Bf8 78. Bd5 Kd4 79.
Bg2 Kc3 80. h4 gxh4 81. g5 Kd4 82. b4 Ke5 83. Bh3 Be7 84. b5 Bxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Dos Hermanas Internet KO"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2001.04.06"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Finkel, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2490"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2001.04.06"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. g3 Bg7 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bg2 d5 5. O-O O-O 6. Be3 c6 7. Qc1 Re8 8. Rd1
Nbd7 9. c4 Ne4 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Nc3 Nxc3 12. Qxc3 Nf6 13. Rac1 Bf5 14. Qb3 b6
15. Ne5 e6 16. Rc6 h5 17. Rdc1 Ng4 18. Bf4 g5 19. Nxg4 hxg4 20. Be5 Bxe5 21.
dxe5 Kg7 22. Qa3 Qe7 23. Qe3 Kg6 24. Bxd5 Qb4 25. R6c4 Qxb2 26. Bxa8 Rxa8 27.
h4 gxh3 28. g4 Bb1 29. Qxh3 Kg7 30. Rc8 Rxc8 31. Rxc8 Bh7 32. Qe3 Qb1+ 33. Kg2
Qg6 34. Rc7 a5 35. Qf3 a4 36. a3 b5 37. Rb7 1-0

[Event "Dos Hermanas Internet KO"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2001.04.06"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Finkel, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B25"]
[WhiteElo "2490"]
[BlackElo "2522"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2001.04.06"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 Rb8 6. f4 b5 7. Nf3 b4 8. Ne2 d6
9. O-O Qb6 10. h3 e6 11. g4 f5 12. gxf5 exf5 13. exf5 Bxf5 14. Ng3 Nge7 15.
Nxf5 Nxf5 16. Qe1+ Kd7 17. Kh2 Rhe8 18. Qf2 Ncd4 19. Nxd4 Nxd4 20. c3 Re2 21.
Qh4 Rxg2+ 22. Kxg2 Qc6+ 23. Kg3 Nf5+ 0-1

[Event "Dos Hermanas Internet KO"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2001.04.06"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2659"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2001.04.06"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. c4 dxc4 5. Ne5 Be6 6. Na3 g6 7. Naxc4 Bg7 8.
O-O Nf6 9. d3 O-O 10. Qc2 Nd5 11. a3 b5 12. e4 Nc7 13. Rd1 bxc4 14. dxc4 Qc8
15. Nd3 Rd8 16. Bg5 Re8 17. Rac1 Nd7 18. b3 a5 19. Bf4 a4 20. b4 Nb6 21. e5
Bxc4 22. Be3 Bb3 23. Qxc6 Nbd5 24. Re1 Ra6 25. Qc5 Qb8 26. Qd4 Ne6 27. Qb2 Nxe3
28. Rxe3 Rd8 29. Nc5 Nxc5 30. bxc5 e6 31. h4 Qc7 32. Kh2 Ra5 33. Qc3 Rc8 34. c6
Rxe5 35. Rxe5 Bxe5 36. Qb4 Qd6 37. Qb7 Rc7 38. Qb8+ Kg7 39. Qb4 h5 40. Qe4 Bb2
41. Re1 Bxa3 42. Re3 Bc5 43. Rd3 Bd5 44. Qxa4 Qxc6 45. Qa1+ Kh7 46. Qf6 Bf8 47.
Bxd5 exd5 48. Qd8 Bg7 49. Rxd5 Qb6 50. Rd2 Qa7 51. Qd5 Qb7 52. Qa2 Rc1 0-1

[Event "Dos Hermanas Internet KO"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2001.04.06"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A43"]
[WhiteElo "2659"]
[BlackElo "2522"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2001.04.06"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 exd5 4. cxd5 d6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. e4 Bf6 7. Nf3 Ne7 8. Be2
O-O 9. O-O Ng6 10. h3 Re8 11. Qc2 Na6 12. a3 Nc7 13. Be3 a6 14. Nd2 Bd7 15. Nc4
Nb5 16. Rfd1 Nd4 17. Qd3 Bb5 18. Bxd4 Bxd4 19. Qc2 Nf4 20. e5 Qg5 21. g3 Qxg3+
0-1

[Event "Dos Hermanas Internet KO"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2001.04.06"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2659"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2001.04.06"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. c4 dxc4 5. Na3 Nf6 6. Nxc4 g6 7. b3 Bg7 8. Bb2
O-O 9. O-O Qc8 10. Re1 Rd8 11. Rc1 Na6 12. Qc2 Qf5 13. Qxf5 Bxf5 14. Na5 Rd7
15. Ne5 Rc7 16. Nxb7 Rxb7 17. Rxc6 Nb4 18. Rc4 Rab8 19. Bxb7 Rxb7 20. Rec1 Nxa2
21. Ra1 Nb4 22. Ra4 Nbd5 23. Nc6 Rxb3 24. Bd4 Ne4 25. Rxa7 Bxd4 26. Nxd4 Nxd2
27. Ra8+ Kg7 28. Nxf5+ gxf5 29. Rd4 Nb6 30. Rb8 Ne4 31. Rb7 Kf6 32. Kg2 Rb2 33.
h4 Nd6 34. Rb8 Nbc4 35. Rxb2 Nxb2 36. Rb4 Nbc4 37. Rb8 Ne5 38. Rh8 Kg7 39. Ra8
h5 40. f3 Kf6 41. Kf2 Ng6 42. Ra4 e6 43. e3 Ke7 44. Ke2 Kf6 45. Ra6 Nc4 46. Rc6
Nce5 47. Rc5 Ne7 48. Ra5 Nd5 49. Rc5 Ne7 50. Rc7 Nd5 51. Rc8 Kg6 52. Rg8+ Kh7
53. Rc8 Kg6 54. Rc5 Kf6 55. Rc8 Ne7 56. Rh8 Kg6 57. Ra8 Nd5 58. Rg8+ Kf6 59.
Rg5 Nc3+ 60. Kf2 Nd1+ 61. Ke2 Nc3+ 62. Kf2 Nd1+ 63. Ke1 Nxf3+ 0-1

[Event "Lausanne YM 3rd"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2001.05.20"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jenni, Florian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2471"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2001.05.20"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Qe1 e5 7. e4 dxe4 8.
dxe4 Bc5 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. h3 Bh5 11. Nc4 Qe7 12. Nh4 Bg6 13. a4 Nb6 14. Nd2 a5
15. Nb3 Bb4 16. Qe2 Qe6 17. Be3 Qc4 18. Bf3 Qxe2 19. Bxe2 Nc8 20. f3 Bd6 21.
Rfd1 Bc7 22. c4 Nb6 23. Nc5 Rab8 24. b4 axb4 25. a5 Nc8 26. Rdb1 Bd6 27. Nd3
Ra8 28. Nxb4 Be7 29. a6 bxa6 30. Nxc6 Re8 31. Rb7 Bd6 32. Nxg6 hxg6 33. c5 Ne7
34. Bc4 Nxc6 35. Bxf7+ Kh7 36. Bxe8 Nd8 37. cxd6 Nxb7 38. Bc6 1-0

[Event "Lausanne YM 3rd"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2001.05.21"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Jenni, Florian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2471"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2001.05.20"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2008"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3
Nbd7 9. Qd2 b5 10. a4 b4 11. Nd5 Bxd5 12. exd5 Nb6 13. Bxb6 Qxb6 14. a5 Qb7 15.
Bc4 Be7 16. Ra4 Rb8 17. Nc1 Bd8 18. Nd3 Bxa5 19. Rxa5 Qc7 20. Rxa6 Qxc4 21.
Rxd6 O-O 22. Nf2 Ra8 23. Rc6 Ra1+ 24. Nd1 Qb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 3rd"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2001.05.22"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A49"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2627"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2001.05.20"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c5 4. O-O g6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Bg7 7. Nc3 O-O 8.
Nb3 e6 9. e4 Nc6 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Bd2 Nxc3 12. Bxc3 Bxc3 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14.
bxc3 Rb8 15. Rab1 Ne5 16. Rfe1 Nd7 17. Na5 Kf8 18. Bxb7 Bxb7 19. Nxb7 Rdc8 20.
Nd6 Rxc3 21. Rxb8+ Nxb8 22. Rb1 Nc6 23. Rb7 f5 24. Rxh7 Rxc2 25. h4 Rd2 26. Nb7
Rxa2 27. Nc5 e5 28. Ne6+ Ke8 29. Nc7+ Kf8 30. Ne6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 3rd"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2001.05.23"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2627"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2001.05.20"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. d4 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. g3 Nc6 6. Nc3 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Ne4 8.
Rc1 d6 9. d5 Nxc3 10. Rxc3 Nb8 11. dxe6 fxe6 12. Bg2 O-O 13. O-O c6 14. Qd2 Nd7
15. e4 e5 16. Ne1 Nc5 17. Nc2 Be6 18. Ne3 a5 19. b3 Rf6 20. Rcc1 Qc7 21. Rcd1
1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 3rd"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2001.05.23"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2627"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2001.05.20"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. d4 Nf6 5. O-O c6 6. Be3 O-O 7. Qc1 Bg4 8. Rd1
Nbd7 9. c4 Rc8 10. Nbd2 b5 11. c5 Re8 12. a4 b4 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Nxf3 e5 15.
dxe5 Nxe5 16. Bd4 Ned7 17. e3 Ne4 18. Nd2 f5 19. a5 Qe7 20. Nb3 h5 21. h4 g5
22. hxg5 Qxg5 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24. Nd4 Ne5 25. f4 Qg6 26. fxe5 Nxg3 27. Kh2 Rxe5
28. Rg1 h4 29. Bh3 Rce8 30. Qd2 Kh8 31. Rae1 Qf6 32. Qxb4 f4 33. Nxc6 Qxc6 34.
Qxf4 Re4 35. Qd6 Qb7 36. Qh6+ Kg8 37. Bf5 Qxb2+ 38. Kh3 Rc4 39. Bh7+ Kf7 40.
Ref1+ 1-0

[Event "Lausanne YM 3rd"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2001.05.23"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A55"]
[WhiteElo "2627"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2001.05.20"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. d4 Nbd7 4. Nc3 c6 5. e4 e5 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2
a6 9. Rd1 Qc7 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 Re8 12. Rac1 Nh5 13. Bxe7 Rxe7 14. Nxe5 Nxe5
15. dxe5 Rxe5 16. Qd2 Rg5 17. Bxh5 Rxh5 18. Qxd6 Qxd6 19. Rxd6 Be6 20. b3 b5
21. Rxc6 bxc4 22. bxc4 Ra5 23. f4 g6 24. Rc2 Rb8 25. Nd5 Rb1+ 26. Kf2 Ra1 27.
Nc3 Rh1 28. Ne2 Rxh2 29. Nd4 Bd7 30. Rc7 Ba4 31. Rd2 g5 32. Ne6 gxf4 33. Rd8+
Kh7 34. Rxf7+ Kg6 35. Rxf4 Re5 36. Rg8+ Kh5 37. Rf5+ Rxf5+ 38. exf5 Bd7 39. Kg3
Bxe6 40. fxe6 1-0

[Event "Lausanne YM 3rd"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2001.05.23"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2627"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2001.05.20"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O Nf6 5. d4 c6 6. Be3 O-O 7. Nbd2 Bg4 8. Qc1
Nbd7 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Nxf3 Re8 11. Bf4 Rc8 12. Rd1 b5 13. a4 b4 14. c3 bxc3 15.
Qxc3 c5 16. dxc5 Nxc5 17. Qa3 Nfe4 18. Be3 e6 19. Rac1 Qa5 20. Ng5 Qxa4 21.
Qxa4 Nxa4 22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23. Bxe4 dxe4 24. Rd7 f5 25. b3 Nc3 26. Nxe6 Bf6 27.
Kf1 a5 28. h4 Rb8 29. h5 gxh5 30. Nc5 h4 31. gxh4 Rc8 32. Nb7 a4 33. bxa4 Nxa4
34. Nd6 Rb8 35. Nxf5 Nc3 36. Nh6+ Kh8 37. Bg5 Bg7 38. Nf5 Be5 39. Re7 Rb1+ 40.
Kg2 1-0

[Event "Lausanne YM 3rd"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2001.05.24"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2504"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "141"]
[EventDate "2001.05.20"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 c5 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Bxd2 d6 7. e3 O-O 8.
Bd3 cxd4 9. Nxd4 a6 10. O-O b6 11. Qf3 Qc7 12. Bc3 Bb7 13. Qg3 Nbd7 14. Rad1
Rac8 15. Bb1 Rfe8 16. Rfe1 Qb8 17. Bb4 Nc5 18. f3 Red8 19. Bc3 d5 20. Qxb8 Rxb8
21. cxd5 Nxd5 22. Bd2 Ne7 23. Bb4 g6 24. Nb3 Rdc8 25. Nxc5 bxc5 26. Bc3 Bd5 27.
e4 Bb3 28. Rd6 Nc6 29. Bd3 Rd8 30. Rxc6 Rxd3 31. Rxc5 Rd1 32. Rxd1 Bxd1 33. b4
Kf8 34. Bf6 Ke8 35. Rc7 Ba4 36. Kf2 Bd7 37. Ke3 Rc8 38. Ra7 Bb5 39. Kd4 Rc2 40.
a4 Bxa4 41. Rxa6 Bc6 42. Ke5 Kd7 43. Ra7+ Kc8 44. Rxf7 Rxg2 45. Rxh7 Rf2 46.
Kf4 Ba4 47. Kg3 Rf1 48. Be5 Rg1+ 49. Kf2 Rb1 50. Re7 Rxb4 51. Rxe6 Rb5 52. Bf4
Bd1 53. Rd6 Rb2+ 54. Kg3 Be2 55. Be3 Bf1 56. Bf2 g5 57. Rg6 Rb5 58. Be3 Rb2 59.
Rxg5 Rg2+ 60. Kf4 Rxh2 61. Rg7 Rg2 62. Rh7 Bb5 63. Bd4 Rg6 64. Ke5 Rg8 65. Kd5
Rf8 66. Rh3 Be2 67. f4 Rxf4 68. Be5 Rf7 69. Kc6 Rd7 70. Ra3 Kd8 71. Bf6+ 1-0

[Event "Lausanne YM 3rd"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2001.05.25"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2504"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2001.05.20"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8.
Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 f5 11. c3 Bg7 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Nc2 O-O 14. Nce3
Be6 15. Bd3 f5 16. O-O Ne7 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Bxf5 Bf7 19. Qd3 h6 20. Be4 Rad8
21. Bd5 Kh8 22. Bxf7 Qxf7 23. Nd5 Rc8 24. f4 b4 25. cxb4 Rce8 26. Rae1 exf4 27.
Rxe8 Rxe8 28. b3 Be5 29. g3 Qa7+ 30. Kg2 fxg3 31. Qg6 Rg8 32. Qxh6+ Qh7 33.
Qxh7+ Kxh7 34. Nf6+ Bxf6 35. Rxf6 gxh2+ 36. Kxh2 Rd8 37. Kg3 Kg7 38. Rf4 Rb8
39. Kf3 Kg6 40. Ke3 Kg5 41. Rd4 Rb6 42. a4 Kf6 43. a5 Rc6 44. Rc4 1-0

[Event "Lausanne YM 3rd"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2001.05.25"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2504"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2001.05.20"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 Bxd2+ 5. Bxd2 c5 6. a3 d6 7. dxc5 dxc5
8. Bf4 Nbd7 9. g3 b6 10. Bg2 Bb7 11. O-O O-O 12. Qc2 Qe7 13. Rfd1 Rfd8 14. Bc7
Rdc8 15. Bd6 Qe8 16. Ng5 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Rd8 18. Bc7 Rdc8 19. Bf4 h6 20. Ne4 Nxe4
21. Qxe4 e5 22. Be3 Nf6 23. Qf5 Rd8 24. Kg1 Qa4 25. Rdc1 Qd7 26. Qxd7 Rxd7 27.
h3 Ne4 28. Rd1 Rad8 29. Rxd7 Rxd7 30. Kg2 Kf8 31. b4 Rc7 32. Rc1 Ke7 33. f3 Nd6
34. bxc5 bxc5 35. Bf2 Nc8 36. a4 Nd6 37. g4 Nb7 38. Rb1 Kd7 39. Rb5 Kc8 40. h4
Rc6 41. Rb1 Ra6 42. Ra1 Kc7 43. h5 Kc6 44. e4 Nd6 45. a5 Nxc4 46. Rc1 Kb5 47.
Rb1+ Kc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 3rd"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2001.05.25"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2504"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2001.05.20"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Bf5 4. c4 e6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. d3 h6 7. O-O Be7 8. Nc3
c6 9. Nd4 Bh7 10. e4 dxe4 11. dxe4 O-O 12. e5 Nd5 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. e6 f6 15.
Be3 Nc6 16. Rc1 Ne5 17. Qb3 Nc4 18. Qxb7 Rb8 19. Qxd5 Nxe3 20. Qxd8 Bxd8 21.
fxe3 Bb6 22. Kh1 Rfe8 23. Nc6 Rb7 24. Rfd1 Rc7 25. e7 Bg6 26. Rc3 Kh7 27. h4 h5
28. Kh2 Rh8 29. a4 a5 30. Rd8 Re8 31. Be4 Rcxe7 32. Bxg6+ Kxg6 33. Nxe7+ Rxe7
34. Rdd3 Re4 35. b3 Ba7 36. Kg2 Bb8 37. Rc4 Re5 38. e4 Re7 39. Rd5 Bc7 40. Kf3
Bb6 41. e5 Kf7 42. Rc6 Ke8 1-0

[Event "Lausanne YM 3rd"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2001.05.26"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C87"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2001.05.20"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 d6 7. c3 Bg4 8. d3
O-O 9. Nbd2 Re8 10. h3 Bd7 11. Nf1 Bf8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 g6 14. Bc2 Bg7 15.
Qd2 Qe7 16. d4 Qf8 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. Qc1 Bc8 19. a3 Bd7 20. b4 b5 21. dxe5 Nxe5
22. Nxe5 dxe5 23. Bb3 Qe7 24. f4 Be6 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Bc2 Bc8 27. Nh2 Re8 28.
Nf3 Qe6 29. Nxe5 Nh5 30. Nf3 Qc4 31. g4 Qxc3 32. Re3 Nxf4 33. Rxc3 Ne2+ 34. Kf2
Nxc1 35. e5 Be6 36. Be4 Nb3 37. Rxc7 g5 38. Bg3 Bf8 39. Ke3 a5 40. Be1 Bc4 41.
Rd7 axb4 42. axb4 Nc1 43. Rd1 Ne2 44. h4 Nf4 45. Bc3 Ng2+ 46. Kf2 Nxh4 47. Nxh4
gxh4 48. Kf3 Rc8 49. Rh1 Bb3 50. Bd2 Rd8 51. Be3 Bd1+ 52. Kf2 Bxg4 53. Rxh4 h5
54. Bf3 Be7 55. Rh1 Rc8 56. Bxg4 hxg4 57. Kg3 Rc3 58. Kf4 Bxb4 59. Rg1 Kf8 60.
Rxg4 Rc4+ 61. Kf5 Rxg4 62. Kxg4 Ke8 63. Kf5 Kd7 64. Kf6 Bc3 65. Kxf7 Bxe5 66.
Bd2 Kd6 67. Ke8 Bf6 68. Bb4+ Kd5 69. Kd7 Kc4 70. Bf8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 3rd"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2001.05.27"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E66"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2673"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2001.05.20"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 Nf6 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 a6 8. d5
Na5 9. Nd2 c5 10. Rb1 Rb8 11. b3 b5 12. Bb2 bxc4 13. bxc4 Bh6 14. Ba1 Bf5 15.
Rxb8 Qxb8 16. h3 Qb4 17. e4 Bd7 18. Qe2 Bxd2 19. Qxd2 Nxc4 20. Qe2 Rb8 21. Kh2
Nb2 22. Bxb2 Qxb2 23. Rb1 Qxc3 24. Rxb8+ Kg7 25. Qb2 Qe1 26. Rb7 Kh6 27. Qc2 g5
28. Rb1 Qa5 29. f4 gxf4 30. gxf4 Nh5 31. Qf2 Bb5 32. Rg1 f6 33. Bf3 Qc3 34.
Bxh5 Kxh5 35. Rg4 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 2nd"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2001.06.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2673"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2001.06.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 084"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bd3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. Re1 Nc6 7. d5 Nb4 8. Bf1
Bg4 9. Na3 a5 10. h3 Bd7 11. c3 Na6 12. Nc4 e6 13. dxe6 Bxe6 14. e5 dxe5 15.
Ncxe5 Qxd1 16. Rxd1 Nd5 17. Nd3 c6 18. Ng5 Bf5 19. Nf4 Nxf4 20. Bxf4 h6 21. Nf3
Rfe8 22. Nd2 Nc5 23. Nc4 Be6 24. Nb6 Rad8 25. Be3 Ne4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 2nd"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2001.06.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Polgar, Judit"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C87"]
[WhiteElo "2678"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[Annotator "Hecht,H"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2001.06.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 084"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 d6 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8.
d4 exd4 9. Nxd4 Bd7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Bf4 g6 12. h3 Nh5 13. Bh2 Ng7 14. Qd2 Ne6
15. Rad1 Bg5 16. f4 Bh4 17. Rf1 Nxd4 18. Qxd4 c5 19. Qd2 Bb5 20. Rf3 f5 21.
Qd5+ Kh8 22. Nxb5 axb5 23. e5 Qe8 24. Bg3 Bxg3 25. Rxg3 Rd8 26. Re1 c6 27. Qf3
dxe5 28. Rxe5 Qd7 29. Kh2 c4 30. b3 cxb3 31. cxb3 Rfe8 32. Rxe8+ Rxe8 33. Qc3+
Kg8 {[#] Leicht vorteilhafte Stellung für Weiß wegen der offenen schwarzen
Königsstellung und der Möglichkeit, mittels a4 einen entfernten Freibauern zu
bilden.} 34. Qd3 Qe6 (34... Qxd3 35. Rxd3 b4 $11) 35. a4 bxa4 36. bxa4 Qc8 {
Zu passiv} (36... c5 $142) 37. a5 Qc7 $2 38. Qd2 (38. Qxf5 $16) 38... Re7 39.
a6 Kg7 40. Rb3 $1 $18 Qa7 41. Qb2+ Kh6 42. Rb7 Qe3 43. Rxe7 Qxe7 44. Qb8 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 2nd"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2001.06.03"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Stanojoski, Zvonko"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2435"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2001.06.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 084"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. Be3 Qb6 7. Na4 Qa5+ 8.
c3 b6 9. a3 Be6 10. b4 Qa6 11. Ne2 Rd8 12. Nb2 Nf6 13. f3 Nd7 14. Qc2 Ne5 15.
Nf4 cxb4 16. cxb4 Nxd3+ 17. Nfxd3 Rxd3 18. Nxd3 Bxa1 19. Qxc6+ Bd7 20. Qa8+ Bc8
21. b5 Qb7 22. Qxb7 Bxb7 23. Ke2 Bf6 24. Rc1 Kd7 25. Rd1 Ba8 26. e5 Bg7 27. e6+
Ke8 28. Rc1 fxe6 29. Rc7 Kf7 30. a4 Bd5 31. Rxa7 e5 32. Bxb6 e4 33. Nb4 exf3+
34. Kf2 Ba8 35. gxf3 Rc8 36. Rc7 Rxc7 37. Bxc7 Bc3 38. Nd3 Bd4+ 39. Ke2 Ke6 40.
a5 Kd7 41. Be5 Bg1 42. Bg3 Bd5 43. Ne5+ Kc8 44. Kd3 Kb7 45. Kc3 g5 46. Kb4 h5
47. a6+ Ka7 48. Nd7 Bxf3 49. Bb8+ Ka8 50. Bc7 Be2 51. Nb6+ Bxb6 52. Bxb6 g4 53.
Bf2 Kb8 54. Ka5 e5 55. b6 Bf3 56. Bg3 Kc8 57. Kb5 Bg2 58. Kc5 Bf3 59. b7+ 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 2nd"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2001.06.04"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Minasian, Ara"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B37"]
[WhiteElo "2478"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2001.06.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 084"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 c5 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nc6 7. Nc2 O-O 8.
Be2 b6 9. O-O Bb7 10. f3 Ne8 11. Be3 Nd6 12. Nb5 Bxb2 13. Rb1 Be5 14. f4 Bg7
15. Nxd6 exd6 16. Qxd6 Re8 17. Qd3 Na5 18. Bf3 Rc8 19. c5 bxc5 20. e5 c4 21.
Qd1 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 c3 23. Bxa7 Nc4 24. Qxc3 Nxe5 25. Qd2 Ng4 26. Bb6 Qh4 27. h3
Nf6 28. Ne1 Ne4 29. Qxd7 Nc3 30. Nf3 Qf6 31. Rb4 Bf8 32. Rb3 Ne2+ 33. Kf2 Nxf4
34. Re1 Rc2+ 35. Kf1 Rxe1+ 36. Nxe1 Nd3+ 37. Kg1 Nxe1 0-1

[Event "EU-ch 2nd"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2001.06.05"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Akopian, Vladimir Eduardovic"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2001.06.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 084"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. d3 Nf6 7. Bg5 Qxe2+ 8.
Bxe2 Be7 9. Nc3 h6 10. Bh4 Nbd7 11. Nd4 Nb6 12. a4 a6 13. a5 Nbd5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5
15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16. Bf3 c5 17. Ne2 Nc6 18. Bxc6+ bxc6 19. O-O-O Bg4 20. f3 Be6
21. d4 cxd4 22. Rxd4 Ke7 23. Rhd1 Rhd8 24. Nf4 Rab8 25. b4 Rb5 26. Nd3 Rdb8 27.
c4 Rxb4 28. Nxb4 Rxb4 29. h4 g5 30. hxg5 hxg5 31. Rxd6 Rxc4+ 32. Kb2 Rc5 33.
R6d3 Rb5+ 34. Kc3 Rxa5 35. Kd4 Kd6 36. Ke3+ Ke5 37. Rh1 c5 38. Rh5 Kf6 39. Rh6+
Kg7 40. Rh1 c4 41. Rc3 Ra2 42. Rhc1 Rxg2 43. Ra1 g4 44. fxg4 Rg3+ 45. Kd2 Rxg4
46. Rxa6 Kf6 47. Ra5 Rg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 2nd"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2001.06.06"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Fedorov, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2590"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2001.06.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 084"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3
Nbd7 9. g4 b5 10. g5 b4 11. Ne2 Nh5 12. Qd2 h6 13. f4 hxg5 14. fxg5 g6 15. Bg2
Bg4 16. Nbc1 a5 17. O-O Be7 18. a3 Nb6 19. b3 bxa3 20. Rxa3 a4 21. Ra1 Rc8 22.
Rf2 axb3 23. cxb3 Nd7 24. Nd3 Nc5 25. Ra7 O-O 26. Nxc5 dxc5 27. Nc3 Be6 28. Nd5
Bxd5 29. Qxd5 Nf4 30. Qxe5 Bd6 31. Qf6 Qxf6 32. gxf6 Nxg2 33. Kxg2 Rfe8 34. Bf4
Bxf4 35. Rxf4 c4 36. bxc4 Rxc4 37. Kf3 Rc3+ 38. Kg4 Rc5 39. Rd7 g5 40. Rf5
Rxe4+ 41. Kxg5 Rxf5+ 42. Kxf5 Re2 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 2nd"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2001.06.07"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Galkin, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B17"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2001.06.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 084"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Ned2 g6 7. g3 Bg7 8.
Bg2 Nb6 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 a5 11. a4 Nbd5 12. h3 Qc7 13. Nc4 Bf5 14. Nh4 Bd7
15. Ne5 Rad8 16. Nxd7 Rxd7 17. Qe2 Re8 18. c3 Rdd8 19. Nf3 Nd7 20. Qc2 e5
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 2nd"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2001.06.09"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nielsen, Peter Heine"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2585"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2001.06.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 084"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8.
Qd2 cxd4 9. cxd4 Nc6 10. Rd1 Bg4 11. Be2 Bxe2 12. Nxe2 Na5 {This line was
discussed in detail in CBM69 and CBM75.} 13. Rc1 $1 {[%mdl 8] An important
improvement, comparing to the following game:} (13. Qb4 O-O 14. O-O b6 15. d5
Qd6 16. Qb5 Qe5 17. Rd4 Qb8 18. Ra4 Rc8 19. Nd4 Rc5 20. Qd7 Rc7 21. Qb5 Qc8 22.
h3 Rc5 23. Qb1 Qd7 24. Rb4 Rac8 25. Nc6 Nxc6 26. Bxc5 Nxb4 27. Bxb4 Bc3 28. Rc1
Bxb4 29. Rxc8+ Qxc8 30. Qxb4 Qc1+ {1/2-1/2 Lputian,S-Kasparov,G/Wijk aan Zee
2000/CBM 75 (30)}) 13... b5 14. Qb4 a6 15. a4 Nc4 16. axb5 Nxe3 17. fxe3 Rb8
18. Qc3 axb5 {Black has restored the material balance, at the price of
strengthening the white centre (f2xe3).} 19. Qc6+ Qd7 20. Kd2 Qxc6 21. Rxc6 O-O
$6 {Removing the king from the centre.} (21... Kd7 {looks more logical, e.g.}
22. Rhc1 Rb7 23. Nf4 Rhb8 24. Nd5 (24. Nd3 e6 (24... b4 $5 25. Ra6 Kd8) 25. Ra6
Bf8 {firmly defending.}) 24... e6 25. Nb4 Ra8 {[%cal Yg7f8]}) 22. Rb1 Rfd8 23.
Kd3 e6 (23... Rb7 $5) 24. Rc7 b4 25. Rf1 Rf8 26. Ra1 Ra8 27. Rca7 {After the
exchange of one pair of rooks the white king can take more active part in the
struggle.} Rxa7 28. Rxa7 Rb8 29. Ra1 Bf8 30. e5 b3 $2 {Black doesn't want to
defend passively but this pawn will be much weaker on b3 or b2 than on b4. He
should rather keep the pawn on b4 and rook on c8 (if Rc1 then ...Ra8 with
counterplay), although White maintained winning chances anyway.} 31. Rb1 Ba3
32. Nc3 h5 33. Ne4 b2 34. Nd2 h4 {Black desperately tries to create
counterplay. In vain...} 35. h3 g5 36. Nc4 g4 $2 {Now Black will be two pawns
down in a rook endgame. However, after} (36... Kg7 37. Kc3 Be7 (37... Bb4+ 38.
Kc2) 38. Rxb2 {, with minor pieces on the board, White should win, too.}) 37.
hxg4 ({Black probably hoped for} 37. Kc3 gxh3 38. gxh3 Be7 39. Rxb2 Ra8 {
then attacking the h3 pawn.}) 37... Ra8 38. Ke4 Kg7 39. Nxa3 Rxa3 40. Rxb2 Ra1
41. Rf2 Rg1 42. g5 h3 43. gxh3 Rxg5 44. Rh2 Rg1 45. h4 Rg3 46. h5 Rg1 47. h6+
Kg8 48. h7+ Kh8 49. Kd3 Rg3 50. Rh4 Rf3 51. Ke2 Rg3 52. Kd3 Rf3 53. Rf4 Rh3 54.
d5 {Of course, not} (54. Rxf7 $4 Rxe3+ $1) 54... exd5 55. Rxf7 Rh6 56. Kd4 Ra6
57. Re7 Ra7 58. Re8+ Kxh7 59. e6 Kg7 60. Ke5 Ra3 61. Kd6 Rxe3 {[%mdl 4096]
Black defends very tenatively but his position is lost anyway. It is
interesting that his own pawn safely protects the white king from checks.} 62.
e7 d4 63. Rf8 d3 64. Rf2 Re4 65. Rg2+ Kf7 66. Rf2+ Kg7 {Now White should pass
the turn to move to the opponent.} 67. Kd7 $1 Rd4+ 68. Kc6 Re4 69. Kd6 {
Zugzwang!} Kg6 (69... Kg8 70. Kd7 Rd4+ 71. Ke6 Re4+ 72. Kf6 Re1 73. Rg2+ Kh7
74. Rd2 $18) 70. Kd7 Rd4+ 71. Kc6 Re4 72. Kd7 Rd4+ 73. Ke8 $1 Rh4 (73... d2 74.
Kf8 $18) (73... Kg7 74. Rg2+ Kh7 75. Kf7 Rf4+ 76. Ke6 Re4+ 77. Kf6 $1 Rf4+ (
77... Kh8 78. Rd2 $18) 78. Ke5 Rf1 79. Kd6 $18) 74. Rf3 $1 Re4 (74... d2 75.
Rd3) 75. Rxd3 Kf6 76. Kf8 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 2nd"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2001.06.10"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Korobov, Anton"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2401"]
[Annotator "Horn,Pe"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2001.06.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 084"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Qe1 e5 7. e4 dxe4 8.
dxe4 Bc5 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. h3 Bh5 11. Nc4 Re8 12. a4 Qc7 13. Nh4 b5 14. Na5 Bb6
$146 (14... Nb6 $2 15. Qc3 $1 $16 {Minasian,A-Jonkman,H/Linares 2000}) 15. Nb3
a6 16. Bg5 c5 (16... h6 17. Bd2) 17. a5 Ba7 18. c4 {Das sieht zunächst nicht
schlecht aus: der Ba7 wird eingemauert.} h6 (18... bxc4 19. Nd2 $14) 19. Be3
Rab8 20. Nd2 Nf8 21. g4 (21. f3 Red8 22. Qf2) 21... Bg6 22. f4 (22. Nxg6 $2
Nxg6 $15) 22... exf4 23. Bxf4 Qd7 24. e5 $6 {Aronian gibt lieber selber die
Qualität anstatt sie zu nehmen.} (24. Bxb8 Bxb8 $44 {Angesichts der
schwarzfeldrigen Dominanz kann Schwarz zufrieden sein: der Bb8 scheint nicht
schlechter als der Ra1.}) 24... Bd3 25. Qf2 Bxf1 26. Rxf1 N6h7 27. Nf5 ({
Absurd wäre es, die Qualität wiederzuholen:} 27. e6 Nxe6 28. Bxb8 Rxb8 $19)
27... Ng6 (27... Ne6 28. Bxh6 gxh6 29. Nxh6+ Kg7 30. Qxf7+ Qxf7 31. Rxf7+ Kxh6
32. Rxa7) 28. Nd6 (28. Bxh6 gxh6 29. Nxh6+ Kg7 30. Qxf7+ Qxf7 31. Rxf7+ Kxh6
32. Rxa7) 28... Rxe5 $1 {Jetzt gibt Schwarz einfach die Qualität zurück und
verbleibt mit einem Mehrbauern. Zudem ist mittelfristig mit dem kräftigen
Eingreifen des Ba7 zu rechnen.} (28... Nxf4 29. Qxf4 Rf8) 29. Bxe5 Nxe5 30.
N2e4 bxc4 31. Qe2 Ng5 32. Rd1 Ne6 33. Nf2 Ng6 34. Qxc4 Rxb2 35. Qc1 (35. Qxa6
$2 c4 $19) 35... Ra2 36. Qb1 Qa4 ({Er konnte ruhig einen zweiten P verspeisen:
} 36... Rxa5 37. Nc4 Rb5) 37. Nc8 Rxf2 $1 {Wieder mal ein Qualitätsopfer: hier
hat Schwarz zu der schwarzfeldrigen Dominanz schon jetzt 2 P eingesammelt.} 38.
Kxf2 Qf4+ 39. Kg1 Bb8 40. Qe4 (40. Rd7 Nh4 $19 41. Ne7+ Kh8 42. Qe4 Nxg2 43.
Qxg2 Qe3+ 44. Qf2 Qxh3) 40... Qh2+ 41. Kf1 Nef4 ({Vielleicht war mit} 41... Bc7
{mehr zu erreichen.}) 42. Ne7+ Kh7 43. Nxg6 fxg6 44. Rd8 (44. Rd7 Be5 45. Qxe5
Qxg2+ 46. Ke1 Qg1+ 47. Kd2 Qg2+ 48. Kd1 (48. Ke3 Nh5 $3 $17) (48. Kc3 Qxh3+)
48... Qf1+ $11) 44... Bc7 45. Rf8 Nxh3 46. Bxh3 Qxh3+ 47. Ke2 Qh2+ (47... Qb3
48. Qe8 $11) 48. Kf1 Qh3+ 49. Ke2 Bxa5 50. Rf6 Qh2+ 51. Kf1 gxf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 2nd"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2001.06.11"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Gunnarsson, Jon Viktor"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2366"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2001.06.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 084"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3
Nbd7 9. g4 b5 10. g5 b4 11. Ne2 Nh5 12. Qd2 h6 13. gxh6 g6 14. h4 Rc8 15. O-O-O
Nb6 16. Ned4 Bd7 17. Bxa6 Ra8 18. Nb5 d5 19. Nc5 Rxa6 20. Nb7 Qb8 21. Bc5 Rxa2
22. Qxb4 Nc4 23. N5d6+ Bxd6 24. Nxd6+ Qxd6 25. Qxc4 dxc4 26. Bxd6 f6 27. Kd2
Ra6 28. Kc3 Nf4 29. Ra1 Rxd6 30. Ra8+ Bc8 31. Rxc8+ Rd8 32. Rc6 O-O 33. Ra1 Rd7
34. Kxc4 Kh7 35. b4 Kxh6 36. b5 f5 37. b6 fxe4 38. fxe4 Rd2 39. c3 Rb2 40. Ra5
Rb8 41. Rb5 Ra2 42. Rxe5 Ra4+ 43. Kb3 Rba8 44. Rb5 Ra3+ 45. Kc4 R8a6 46. Rf6
Ne2 47. b7 R6a4+ 48. Kc5 Nxc3 49. Re6 Nxb5 50. b8=Q Rc3+ 51. Kb6 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 2nd"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2001.06.12"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Podgaets, Mikhail"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2477"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2001.06.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 084"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 e5 4. Ngf3 Bd6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Re8 8. Nh4
Na6 9. Nb1 dxe4 10. dxe4 Nc5 11. Qe2 g6 12. a4 b6 13. Nd2 Ba6 14. Nc4 Bf8 15.
Re1 Qd4 16. Bf1 Ncxe4 17. Be3 Qd5 18. a5 Qe6 19. axb6 axb6 20. Bxb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 2nd"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2001.06.13"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Djuric, Stefan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2483"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "20"]
[EventDate "2001.06.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 084"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. c3 a6 7. Bf1 Bg4 8. h3
Bxf3 9. Qxf3 g6 10. Na3 Bh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 2nd"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2001.06.14"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gausel, Einar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2480"]
[Annotator "Finkel,A"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2001.06.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 084"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nbd7 6. Nf3 h6 7. Nxf6+ Nxf6
8. Be3 Nd5 9. Bd3 (9. Qd2 Bd6 (9... Nxe3 10. fxe3 c5 11. Bd3 Be7 12. O-O O-O
13. c3 b6 14. Rad1 Bb7 15. Qc2 $14 {Horn,P-Plesec,D/Geneve 1994/TD}) 10. O-O-O
Bd7 11. Ne5 Bxe5 12. dxe5 Qe7 13. Be2 Bc6 14. f4 O-O-O $11 {Polgar,J-Speelman,
J/Hastings 1992/CBM 33}) (9. Bd2 c5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Qe2 Bxb5 12. Qxb5+ Qd7 13.
Qe2 O-O-O 14. c4 Nf6 15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. O-O Qd3 $11 {Perunovic,M-Kosic,D/Herzeg
Novi 1999/EXT 2001}) 9... c5 (9... Nxe3 10. fxe3 Bd6 11. O-O O-O 12. c3 Qe7 13.
Bc4 e5 14. dxe5 $5 Bc5 15. Qb3 Bxe3+ 16. Kh1 Bb6 17. Nd4 $14 {Arencibia,
W-Rahal,M/Barbera 1996/EXT 97}) 10. O-O Be7 $6 (10... Bd6 11. Bb5+ Bd7 12.
Bxd7+ Qxd7 13. dxc5 Nxe3 14. fxe3 Bxc5 15. Qxd7+ Kxd7 16. Ne5+ Ke8 $15 {
Bagirov,R-Kacheishvili,G/Baku 1997/EXT 2000}) 11. Bb5+ Bd7 12. Bxd7+ Qxd7 13.
Ne5 {Taking advantage of the fact that bishop is not on d6.} Qc7 (13... Qd6 $2
14. c4 Nb6 (14... cxd4 $6 15. Bxd4 Nf4 16. Qa4+ Kf8 17. Nd7+ Kg8 18. Bc5 $1 $18
) 15. Qh5 $1 {[%csl Ge5][%cal Gd4c5]} g6 16. Nxg6 fxg6 17. Qxg6+ $18) 14. c4
Nb6 $8 {[%csl Rb6]} (14... Nxe3 $2 15. Qa4+ Kf8 16. fxe3 $18 {[%cal Gf1f7]})
15. Bf4 Bd6 16. Re1 (16. dxc5 $6 Bxe5 $8 17. Bxe5 Qxe5 18. cxb6 axb6 19. Qb3
Qc7 $14) 16... Rd8 (16... cxd4 17. Qxd4 Nxc4 $2 18. Rac1 b5 19. b3 Bc5 20. Qe4
$18) 17. Qe2 cxd4 18. Rad1 O-O (18... Bxe5 19. Bxe5 Qxc4 20. Qg4 $1 d3 21. Qxg7
Rf8 22. Qxh6 $16 {[%cal Gh2h5]}) 19. Rxd4 f6 $5 (19... Nc8 $5 $14) 20. Nc6 $2 (
{Black has probably counted only on} 20. Ng6 $6 e5 $1 21. Nxf8 Kxf8 22. Re4 Bb4
$1 $132 {with playable position}) 20... e5 $1 {Now black is suddenly winning!}
(20... Bxf4 21. Qxe6+ Kh8 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Nxd8 Qxd8 24. c5 $1 Na4 25. Qc4 $1
$18) 21. Nxd8 Rxd8 (21... Qxd8 22. Rdd1 exf4 23. Qe6+ $18) 22. Rd3 exf4 23.
Red1 $5 Qxc4 $4 {After this move white wins on the spot,while after correct} (
23... Nxc4 $1 24. Qe6+ (24. Rc3 b5 25. b3 f3 26. Qxf3 Bxh2+ 27. Kh1 Rxd1+ 28.
Qxd1 Be5 29. Rc1 (29. Rc2 Qd6 $19) 29... Bf4 $1 30. Qd5+ Qf7 31. Qa8+ Qf8 32.
Qd5+ Kh8 $19) (24. Rc1 $5 b5 25. b3 f3 26. Rxf3 Bxh2+ 27. Kh1 Bf4 28. Rc2 Qe5
29. Rxf4 Qxf4 30. bxc4 $17) 24... Kh8 25. Rc1 (25. b3 Nb2 26. Rxd6 Nxd1 $19)
25... b5 26. b3 Ba3 $19 {black seems to be wining in all variations}) 24. b3
$18 f3 25. gxf3 Qb5 (25... Bxh2+ 26. Kg2 $18) 26. Qe6+ Kh7 27. Rxd6 Re8 28. Qg4
Re5 29. f4 h5 30. Qf3 Rf5 31. Qe4 Kg6 32. Qg2+ Kh7 33. Qe4 Kg6 34. Kh1 Qc5 35.
Rg1+ Kf7 (35... Kh7 36. Qe7 $18) 36. Qe6+ 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Athens"]
[Date "2001.08.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Franco Alonso, Alejandro"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2332"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2001.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8.
Be3 Nc6 9. Qd2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Bg4 11. Rd1 Bxf3 12. gxf3 O-O 13. Be2 e6 14. d5
exd5 15. exd5 Ne7 16. O-O Nf5 17. d6 Qh4 18. Qd5 Bf6 19. d7 Bd8 20. Qxb7 Nxe3
21. fxe3 Bb6 22. Qe4 Qg5+ 23. Kh1 Qxe3 24. Qxe3 Bxe3 25. Bc4 Bf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Athens"]
[Date "2001.08.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Guidarelli, Laurent"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2323"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2001.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 d5 3. Bxf6 exf6 4. e3 Be6 5. Nf3 c6 6. Nbd2 Nd7 7. c4 Bd6 8.
Qb3 Rb8 9. cxd5 cxd5 10. g3 O-O 11. Bd3 f5 12. Nh4 g6 13. Ng2 Nf6 14. f3 Qa5
15. Qb5 Qxb5 16. Bxb5 Rbc8 17. Bd3 Rc7 18. Nf4 Rcc8 19. a3 Bd7 20. Ne2 Kg7 21.
Kf2 h5 22. h4 a6 23. Nc3 Bc6 24. Nb3 Nd7 25. Na5 Nb6 26. Nxc6 Rxc6 27. Rhb1 Be7
28. Ne2 Bd6 29. Nc3 Be7 30. Bf1 Kf6 31. Re1 Rd8 32. Rac1 Rdc8 33. Ra1 Rd8 34.
Rac1 Rdc8 35. Rb1 Rd8 36. Rec1 Rdc8 37. Rd1 Kg7 38. Bd3 Rd8 39. Rdc1 Rdc8 40.
Ke2 Bd6 41. Rg1 Re8 42. f4 Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Athens"]
[Date "2001.08.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Palliser, Richard"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A60"]
[WhiteElo "2337"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2001.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 Bd6 6. Nc3 Bc7 7. g4 d6 8. g5
Nh5 9. e4 O-O 10. Ne5 g6 11. Nc4 Re8 12. Be3 b5 13. Nxb5 Rxe4 14. Nxc7 Qxc7 15.
Qc2 Re8 16. Qa4 Ng7 17. O-O-O a5 18. Qb3 Bg4 19. Qb6 Qxb6 20. Nxb6 Bxd1 21.
Nxa8 Bf3 22. Rg1 Nf5 23. Bd2 Nd4 24. Nb6 Re2 25. h4 Na6 26. Rg3 Rxf2 27. Bxa6
Be2 28. Be1 Rh2 29. Bc4 Bxc4 30. Nxc4 Rc2+ 31. Kd1 Rxc4 32. Re3 Kf8 33. Re4 Nc2
34. Rxc4 Ne3+ 35. Ke2 Nxc4 36. b3 Nb6 37. Bxa5 Nxd5 38. Kf3 Ke8 39. Ke4 Ne7 40.
Be1 Kd7 41. b4 Kc6 42. a4 cxb4 43. Bxb4 Nd5 44. Be1 f6 45. gxf6 Nxf6+ 46. Kd4
Ne8 47. Ke4 Kc5 48. Kf4 h6 49. Bd2 Nf6 50. Kf3 g5 51. hxg5 hxg5 52. Bxg5 Nd5
53. Bh6 Kb4 54. Bf8 Kxa4 55. Bxd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Athens"]
[Date "2001.08.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Papp, Gabor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B41"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2291"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2001.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Nc6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Be2 a6 6. O-O Qc7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4
Bb4 9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. Be3 O-O 11. Qc2 e5 12. Na4 Be7 13. Nb6 Rb8 14. Nxc8 Rbxc8
15. c5 h6 16. g3 Rcd8 17. b4 Rfe8 18. h4 Nd7 19. Bc4 Nf8 20. f4 exf4 21. Bxf4
Qc8 22. Bd6 Ne6 23. e5 Bxd6 24. exd6 b6 25. Rxf7 Kxf7 26. Qh7 Rxd6 27. cxd6 Kf6
28. Rf1+ Ke5 29. d7 Qxd7 30. Qf5+ 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Athens"]
[Date "2001.08.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kristjansson, Stefan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2380"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2001.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3
Nbd7 9. g4 b5 10. Qd2 Nb6 11. g5 Nfd7 12. Nd5 Bxd5 13. exd5 Qc7 14. O-O-O Rc8
15. Kb1 Be7 16. Qd3 Nc4 17. Bc1 a5 18. h4 a4 19. Nd2 Ne3 20. Ne4 Nxd1 21. Qxd1
Rb8 22. h5 b4 23. Bh3 Nc5 24. g6 fxg6 25. hxg6 hxg6 26. Nxc5 Qxc5 27. Qd3 Kd8
28. Be3 Qc8 29. Qf1 Qb7 30. Rh2 Qb5 31. Qd1 b3 32. cxb3 axb3 33. a3 Rh4 34. Bf2
Rh5 35. Bf1 Qd7 36. Rxh5 gxh5 37. Bd3 h4 38. Qg1 Bf6 39. Qg6 Qh3 40. Kc1 Qxf3
41. Ba7 Rb7 42. Bg1 Qg3 0-1

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Athens"]
[Date "2001.08.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Izoria, Zviad"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B18"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2486"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2001.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Bc4 e6 7. N1e2 Bd6 8.
h4 h6 9. Nf4 Bxf4 10. Bxf4 Nf6 11. Qe2 O-O 12. h5 Bh7 13. O-O-O b5 14. Bd3 Bxd3
15. Rxd3 Qd5 16. Kb1 Nbd7 17. f3 c5 18. dxc5 Qc6 19. Qd2 Rfc8 20. b4 a5 21.
Bxh6 gxh6 22. Qxh6 axb4 23. Ne4 Qa6 24. a3 e5 25. Nd6 Rxc5 26. Nf5 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Athens"]
[Date "2001.08.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Sargissian, Gabriel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2514"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[EventDate "2001.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 Be6 11. b3 Bb4 12. Bb2 Bxc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Athens"]
[Date "2001.08.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2553"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2001.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Qe1 e5 7. e4 dxe4 8.
dxe4 Bc5 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. h3 Bh5 11. Nc4 Re8 12. a4 Qc7 13. Nh4 b5 14. Na5 Bb6
15. Nb3 a6 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bd2 c5 18. c4 bxc4 19. Na5 c3 20. Bxc3 c4 21. g4 Bg6
22. Nxg6 fxg6 23. Bb4 Rab8 24. Rc1 Bxa5 25. Bxa5 Qc6 26. b4 Qxa4 27. Rxc4 Qb3
28. Qc3 Qxc3 29. Rxc3 Nf8 30. Re1 Rec8 31. Rec1 Rxc3 32. Rxc3 Ne6 33. f3 Kf7
34. Bf1 Ra8 35. Rc6 Nd4 36. Rc7+ Ke6 37. Bc4+ Kd6 38. Rxg7 Rc8 39. Rxg6 Rxc4
40. Rxf6+ Ke7 41. Rxa6 Rc2 42. Bb6 Nxf3+ 43. Kf1 Ng5 44. Bc5+ Kf7 45. Rxh6 Nxe4
46. Ke1 Rh2 47. h4 Kg7 48. g5 Ng3 49. Bd6 Re2+ 50. Kd1 Re4 51. Bc5 Nf5 52. Rf6
Nxh4 53. b5 Rc4 54. Rc6 Nf5 55. b6 Ne3+ 56. Kd2 1-0

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Athens"]
[Date "2001.08.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Gagunashvili, Merab"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D86"]
[WhiteElo "2444"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2001.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 O-O 8.
Ne2 Nc6 9. O-O e5 10. d5 Na5 11. Bd3 c6 12. Ba3 Re8 13. c4 b6 14. Bb4 Bf8 15.
Bc3 Nb7 16. Nc1 Nc5 17. Re1 Ba6 18. Bf1 cxd5 19. exd5 Qc7 20. Nd3 Nxd3 21. Qxd3
Rac8 22. Qg3 Bd6 23. c5 Qxc5 24. Bxa6 Qxc3 25. Bxc8 Qxc8 26. Rac1 Bc5 27. Kh1
Qf5 28. Re2 h5 29. h3 f6 30. Rd1 Rd8 31. d6 Rxd6 32. Qb3+ Kg7 33. Rxd6 Bxd6 34.
Qa4 Bc5 35. Kg1 Kh6 36. Qd1 Qf4 37. Qd2 Kg5 38. Kf1 Qxd2 39. Rxd2 Bd4 40. Rc2
Bc5 41. Ke2 Kf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Athens"]
[Date "2001.08.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Acs, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2514"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2001.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d3 e6 6. Qe1 Be7 7. e4 O-O 8. Ne5
Bh5 9. h3 Nbd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. g4 Bg6 12. f4 dxe4 13. dxe4 f5 14. Nc3 fxg4
15. hxg4 e5 16. f5 Bf7 17. Be3 h6 18. Rd1 Qc7 19. Kh1 Rad8 20. Bf3 Nb6 21. Be2
Nc4 22. Bxc4 Bxc4 23. Rg1 Rxd1 24. Nxd1 Qd6 25. Nf2 b6 26. b3 Ba6 27. Kh2 c5
28. g5 hxg5 29. c4 Bb7 30. Qe2 Qh6+ 31. Kg2 Rxf5 32. Qg4 Qe6 33. Kf1 Rf6 34.
Bxg5 Qxg4 35. Rxg4 Re6 36. Ke2 Bf8 37. Bd2 g6 38. a4 Bc8 39. Rh4 Re7 40. Rh1
Rh7 41. Rxh7 Kxh7 42. Kf3 Kg7 43. Ng4 Bd6 44. Bc3 Bxg4+ 45. Kxg4 Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Athens"]
[Date "2001.08.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B91"]
[WhiteElo "2491"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2001.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. g3 e5 7. Nde2 b5 8. a3
Nbd7 9. Bg2 Bb7 10. h3 Be7 11. g4 Nc5 12. Ng3 h6 13. O-O g6 14. f4 exf4 15.
Bxf4 Ne6 16. e5 Qb6+ 17. Kh2 Bxg2 18. exf6 Bxf1 19. Qxf1 Bxf6 20. Nd5 Qd8 21.
Ne4 Be5 22. Bxe5 dxe5 23. Rd1 Kf8 24. c3 Qh4 25. Nc7 Nxc7 26. Rd7 Rh7 27. Rxc7
Qd8 28. Nc5 Qd2+ 29. Kg1 Qd6 30. b4 Rd8 31. Ra7 Kg8 32. Rxa6 Qd2 33. Kh1 Qc2
34. Ra7 f5 35. Ra6 Rd1 0-1

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Athens"]
[Date "2001.08.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Ni, Hua"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2568"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2001.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3
Nbd7 9. g4 b5 10. g5 b4 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Bf5 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 Be7 15.
h4 O-O 16. O-O-O a5 17. Nd2 f5 18. gxf6 Nxf6 19. h5 a4 20. Nc4 Qe8 21. h6 g6
22. f4 b3 23. cxb3 axb3 24. Qxb3 Ng4 25. Kb1 exf4 26. Bd4 f3 27. Qd3 Rf4 28.
Rdf1 Qf7 29. Ne3 Bf6 30. Bxf6 Nxf6 31. Rh3 Ne4 32. a3 Rf8 33. Rh2 g5 34. Rc2 g4
35. Rfc1 Nc5 36. Qf1 Qg6 37. Ka2 Qxh6 38. b4 Ne4 39. b5 Nc5 40. b6 g3 41. Qb5
R4f7 42. Nc4 f2 0-1

[Event "Wch U20"]
[Site "Athens"]
[Date "2001.08.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Miton, Kamil"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A89"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2516"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2001.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c4 O-O 6. Nc3 d6 7. d4 Nc6 8. d5
Ne5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. a4 h6 11. a5 a6 12. c5 g5 13. c6 bxc6 14. dxc6 Be6 15.
Qxd8 Rfxd8 16. Be3 e4 17. Bc5 Rd2 18. b4 Nd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Rad1 Rxd1 21.
Rxd1 e6 22. f3 Bxc6 23. fxe4 fxe4 24. Kf2 e3+ 25. Kg1 Bxg2 26. Kxg2 Bf8 27. Kf3
Bxc5 28. bxc5 Rf8+ 29. Kxe3 Rf5 30. Rd8+ Rf8 31. Rd3 Rf5 32. Kd4 Rd5+ 33. Kc4
Rxd3 34. exd3 Kf7 35. Kd4 Kf6 36. Ke4 c6 37. g4 e5 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2001.09.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Hachatrian, Vahagn"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2411"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[EventDate "2001.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 086"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. c3 a6 7. Bf1 Bg4 8. d3
e6 9. Nbd2 d5 10. h3 Bh5 11. g4 Bg6 12. Nh4 dxe4 13. dxe4 Qc7 14. Nxg6 hxg6 15.
Nf3 Bd6 16. Qe2 Ne5 17. Ng5 c4 18. Bf4 Nfd7 19. Red1 Nd3 20. Bxd6 Qxd6 21. Qe3
Qc5 22. Qxc5 N7xc5 23. b4 Na4 24. Bxd3 cxd3 25. Rxd3 Rc8 26. Rc1 Ke7 27. e5 Rc4
28. Rcd1 Rc7 29. Rf3 Rf8 30. Ne4 Nb2 31. Rd4 Nc4 32. Nc5 Nxe5 33. Re3 Nc6 34.
Rd2 Nb8 35. Kf1 b6 36. Na4 Nd7 37. c4 Rb8 38. Rc3 g5 39. Ke2 Ne5 40. c5 bxc5
41. bxc5 Rb5 42. Rd4 Nc6 43. Re4 Rd7 44. f4 gxf4 45. Rxf4 e5 46. Rfc4 Ke6 47.
Ke3 Rd4 48. Rc2 Nb4 49. Rc1 Nxa2 50. R1c2 Nb4 51. Rc1 Nd5+ 52. Kf2 Rxc4 53.
Rxc4 Rb4 54. Rxb4 Nxb4 55. Ke3 Kd5 56. h4 Nc2+ 57. Kd3 Nd4 58. h5 Ne6 59. Ke3
a5 60. Nc3+ Kxc5 61. Ne4+ Kd5 62. g5 Nf4 63. h6 gxh6 64. gxh6 f5 65. Nf6+ Ke6
66. Nh5 Ng6 67. Ng7+ Kf6 0-1

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2001.09.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Lputian, Smbat G"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C11"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2608"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2001.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 086"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. d4 c5 6. dxc5 Nc6 7. Bf4 Nxc5 8. a3
Be7 9. b4 Nd7 10. Nb5 O-O 11. c4 a5 12. bxa5 Qxa5+ 13. Bd2 Qa4 14. cxd5 exd5
15. Nc7 Qe4+ 16. Be3 Rxa3 17. Rxa3 Bxa3 18. Bd3 Qb4+ 19. Bd2 Qb2 20. e6 Nde5
21. exf7+ Rxf7 22. Bxh7+ Kxh7 23. Ng5+ Kg8 24. Nxf7 Nxf7 25. O-O Qe5 26. Nb5
Bc5 27. Qc2 d4 28. Re1 Qf5 29. Qc4 Kh7 30. f4 Bd7 31. Kh1 Nd6 32. Nxd6 Bxd6 33.
h3 b5 34. Qb3 Ne7 35. Kg1 Qd5 36. Qb1+ Kg8 37. Qd1 b4 38. h4 b3 39. h5 Bc6 40.
Qg4 Qf5 41. Qg3 b2 42. Qb3+ Qd5 43. Qh3 Nf5 44. Rb1 Qb5 45. Rxb2 Qxb2 46. Qxf5
Qb8 47. Qe6+ Kh7 48. Qg6+ Kh8 49. h6 Qf8 50. f5 Qf6 51. Qh5 Kg8 52. hxg7 Qxg7
53. g4 d3 54. Kf1 Qa1+ 55. Be1 Qe5 56. Qg5+ Kf7 57. Qh5+ Kf8 58. g5 Qxf5+ 59.
Bf2 d2 60. Qh6+ Ke7 61. Qg7+ Qf7 62. Qd4 Qf4 63. Qg7+ Kd8 64. Qg8+ Bf8 65. Qb3
Bb5+ 0-1

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2001.09.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Sargissian, Gabriel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E03"]
[WhiteElo "2514"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2001.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 086"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. d4 dxc4 5. Qa4+ {Heutzutage wird dieses Schach
selten gespielt - 5.Bg2 bietet Weiß mehr Chancen auf Eröffnungsvorteil.} Nbd7
6. Bg2 a6 7. Qxc4 b5 8. Qc2 {Dieser Zug ist natürlicher, aber der andere
Damenzug ist auch möglich. Der Nachteil des Systems 5.Qa4+ ist, dass Weiß zu
viel Zeit mit der Dame verliert.} (8. Qc6 Rb8 (8... Ra7 9. Be3 Nd5 10. Qc1 c5
11. Nc3 Nxe3 12. Qxe3 cxd4 $14) 9. Bf4 Nd5 10. Bg5 Be7 11. Bxe7 Qxe7 12. Nc3
Qb4 13. O-O Nxc3 14. bxc3 Qd6 $11) 8... Bb7 9. Bg5 (9. O-O c5 10. a4 Rc8 11.
axb5 axb5 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Qd3 Qb6 14. Nc3 Bc6 $11) 9... c5 {In solchen
Stellungen muss Schwarz c7-c5 spielen. Er hat eine bequeme Stellung und gute
Entwicklung.} 10. O-O (10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. O-O Rc8 12. Qb3 Qb6 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14.
Nc3 Ng4 15. e3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Nxe3 17. Kh1 Nxf1 18. Rxf1 O-O {0-1 Donchenko,
A-Rustemov,A/Moscow 1999/EXT 2001 (33)}) 10... cxd4 (10... Rc8 11. Qd2 Be7 12.
Nc3 b4 13. Na4 c4 14. a3 a5 15. Rfd1 O-O 16. Qe1 Be4 {0-1 Beaumont,C-Jonkman,H/
England 2000/CBM 75 ext (26)}) 11. Nxd4 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Rc8 $11 {Schwarz hat
eine sehr bequeme Stellung und er hat schon die gefährlichste weiße Figur, den
g2-Läufer, getauscht.} 13. Qd1 h6 (13... Bc5 14. Nb3 O-O 15. Nc3 Be7 16. Rc1
Qb6 17. e3 Qb7+ 18. Qf3 Qxf3+ 19. Kxf3 Ne5+ 20. Ke2 Nc4 21. Nd1 h6 22. Bxf6
Bxf6 23. Nd4 Rfd8 {0-1 Zunker,D-Serper,G/Moscow 1990/EXT 2000 (45)}) 14. Bd2 (
14. Bxf6 Qxf6 $5 (14... Nxf6 $11) 15. Nc3 Bc5 $15 (15... Bb4 16. Ne4 Qe5 17.
Qd3 f5 $36)) 14... Qb6 {Die Dame steht sehr gut auf b6 - jetzt hängt der d4N
und im folgenden kann Schwarz die wichtige große Diagonale benutzen.} 15. Nf3
Qb7 $15 {[%csl Gb7][%cal Gb7g2]} 16. Ba5 {Weiss spielt diesen sonderbaren Zug,
um sich mit Nbd2 zu entwickeln.} (16. Nc3 b4 17. Na4 Ne5 $15) 16... e5 (16...
Be7 17. Nbd2 O-O $15) 17. e3 (17. Nc3 $2 b4 {Nach diesem Zug ist der a5B
eingeschlossen.} 18. Qb3 (18. Na4 Qb5 $19) 18... Qb8 19. Na4 Qb5 $19 {[%csl
Ra5]}) 17... Nb8 $1 {[%mdl 32] Originelles Spiel - Schwarz verliert zwei Tempi,
aber der Springer gelangt nach c6, wo er ausgezeichnet steht.} 18. Nbd2 Be7 (
18... Nc6 19. Nb3 $15) 19. Nb3 O-O 20. Qe2 (20. Kg1 Nc6 $15) 20... Qe4 21. Bc3
(21. Nbd2 $5 Qg4 (21... Qa4 22. Bc3) 22. e4 Nc6 23. Bb6 $15) 21... Nc6 22. Rac1
$6 (22. Nbd2 Qg4 $15) 22... b4 23. Bd2 {[#]} Nd4 $1 $36 {[%mdl 64]} 24. Nbxd4 (
24. Qd1 Nxb3 (24... Rxc1 25. Nxc1 Nxf3 26. Qxf3 Qxf3+ 27. Kxf3 Rc8 $15) 25.
axb3 (25. Qxb3 g5 26. h3 h5 $19) 25... Rxc1 26. Bxc1 Rc8 $17) 24... exd4 25.
Qxa6 $2 (25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Qxa6 {Auf diese Weise hat Weiß ein Tempo mehr, da
der Tum auf c8 hängt.} dxe3 (26... Rc2 27. exd4 Rxd2 28. Re1 $16) (26... Ra8
27. Qb6 d3 $44 (27... Rxa2 28. exd4 Nd5 29. Qb8+ Kh7 30. Re1)) 27. Bxe3 Ra8 28.
Qb6 Rxa2 $15) 25... Rxc1 26. Rxc1 g5 $1 {[%csl Rf3,Rg2] Nach diesem (für Weiß
sicher überraschenden) Zug droht der brutale Zug g5-g4 mit Figurengewinn.} 27.
h3 h5 28. Qb5 Nd5 {Nach diesem Zug kann Weiß nicht die Drohung g5-g4
verhindern, so verliert er eine Figur.} (28... g4 29. Qg5+ Kh8 30. hxg4 hxg4
31. Rh1+ Nh7 32. Qe5+ $18) 29. Rc4 g4 30. hxg4 hxg4 31. Rxd4 gxf3+ 32. Kh3 (32.
Kh2 Qh7+ 33. Kg1 Qh3 34. Qf1 Qxf1+ 35. Kxf1 Rd8 $19) (32. Kg1 Qb1+ $19) 32...
Qf5+ (32... Qh7+ $2 33. Kg4 $132) 33. g4 (33. Kh2 Qh5+ (33... Nxe3 $2 34. Qxf5
Nxf5 35. Rg4+ Kh8 36. Rf4 Rd8 37. Bxb4 Bxb4 38. Rxf5 $15) 34. Kg1 Qh3 $19)
33... Nf4+ {[%cal Rf4h3,Rf5b5]} (33... Qf6 34. Kg3 Bd6+ $19) 0-1

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2001.09.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Minasian, Artashes"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[PlyCount "27"]
[EventDate "2001.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 086"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nbd7 6. Nf3 h6 7. Nxf6+ Nxf6
8. Bh4 c5 9. c3 a6 10. Be2 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Bd6 12. Qd3 Bf4 13. Bg3 Qc7 14. Rd1
1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2001.09.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nalbandian, Tigran"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A55"]
[WhiteElo "2458"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[Annotator "Meulders,R"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2001.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 086"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d6 3. d4 Nbd7 4. c4 e5 5. Nc3 c6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. e4
a6 9. a4 a5 {[%csl Rb4][%cal Gd7b8,Gb8a6,Ga6b4]} 10. h3 Re8 11. Be3 exd4 {
Verhindert d5 und schafft sich eine Zielscheibe (Pe4).} 12. Nxd4 Bf8 {[%cal
Ge8e4]} 13. Qc2 Nc5 14. Rad1 Qc7 (14... Qe7 15. Rfe1 Nfxe4 $2 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17.
Bf4 d5 18. f3 $18) 15. Rfe1 g6 {[%csl Rd6,Gf5] Die Chancen sind gleich. Mit
dem Textzug hat Schwarz dem weissen Springer das Feld f5 genommen und
eventuell wird der B nach g7 gespielt. Die einzige Schäche im schwarzen Lager
ist Pd6 aber die ist leicht zu schützen.} (15... Bd7 $6 16. Bg5 (16. f4 Rad8
17. Bf2 Bc8 18. g4 h6 19. Nf5 Ne6 20. Be3 $14 {0-1 Ionescu,V-Kalinina,V/
Bucharest 1998/EXT 2000 (30)}) 16... Be7 17. Bc1 g6 18. f4 Bf8 19. Kh2 Bg7 20.
b3 $14 {1-0 Grabuzova,T-Juergens,V/Krefeld 1995/EXT 98/[Bulletin] (53)}) (15...
Nfd7 $132 {/\ Nb8-a6-b4; /\ Na6-b4, Nc5}) (15... b6 16. Nxc6 Bb7 17. Nd4 Ncxe4
18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. Bxe4 Rxe4 20. Bg5 Rae8 $11 {1/2-1/2 Konopka,M-Vulevic,V/
Thessaloniki 1996/EXT 98 (35)}) (15... Be6 16. b3 Rad8 17. Nxe6 Rxe6 {1-0
Szabolcsi,J-Miltner,A/Budapest 1996/CBM 54 ext (31)}) 16. f4 (16. Nb3 Na6 17.
f4 Nd7 18. Qf2 Bg7 19. Bd4 $14 {1-0 Hlinka,M-Krnan,T/SVK 2000/EXT 2002 (54)})
16... Nfd7 17. Bf2 (17. Kh2 Bg7 18. Rd2 Na6 19. Qd1 Bf8 20. Kh1 $11 {1-0
Eckhardt,C-Tydecks,H/Germany 2000/EXT 2002 (38)}) 17... Na6 {[%cal Ga6b4]} 18.
Rd2 Nb4 19. Qd1 Nc5 20. Nf3 f5 $6 (20... Be6 21. b3 Rad8) 21. Bxc5 $2 {Es gab
keinen Grund den schönen B zu tauschen für den N. Besser erscheint} (21. e5
dxe5 22. Rxe5 Rxe5 23. Nxe5 Be6 24. Be3 Be7 {und Schwarz muss aufpassen. Eine
Möglichkeit ist:} 25. Nd5 $5 cxd5 26. cxd5 Nxd5 27. Bxd5 Bxd5 28. Rxd5 b6 29.
Bxc5 Bxc5+ 30. Kh2 $18 {[%csl Gb3,Rc5,Rd7,Ge5][%cal Gd1b3,Gb3g8]}) 21... dxc5
22. e5 $11 Be7 {[%cal Ge7g5,Rf3g5]} (22... Be6 23. Ng5 Bc8 (23... Bxc4 $2 24.
Rd7 $16)) 23. Qe2 Be6 $11 24. Red1 Rad8 25. h4 Rxd2 26. Rxd2 Rd8 27. Rxd8+ Qxd8
28. Bf1 h5 29. Qd2 Qxd2 30. Nxd2 Nc2 31. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2001.09.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yegiazarian, Arsen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[Annotator "Atlas,V"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2001.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 086"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 d6 4. h3 Nf6 5. d3 e6 6. Bb3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. c3
Bd7 9. Re1 Ne5 10. d4 Nxf3+ 11. Qxf3 e5 12. dxc5 dxc5 13. a4 Bc6 14. Nd2 Qc7
15. Nc4 Rae8 16. g4 Nd7 17. h4 Kh8 18. Ne3 g6 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. Bxd5 Kg7 21. a5
Bxh4 22. Kg2 Nf6 23. Bb3 h5 24. Rh1 Nxg4 25. Rxh4 f5 26. Bg5 c4 27. Bc2 fxe4
28. Qxe4 Rxf2+ 29. Kg3 Rf5 {[%tqu "En","Three pawns might be a sufficient
compensation for a piece, but Black has other problems. Can you see which?",
"Target the enemy king!","Try to destroy the pawn shield around Black's king.",
"h4h5","Opening the h-file allows White to develop an irresistible attack.",7]}
30. Rxh5 $1 {[%csl Rf5,Rg4,Rg6][%cal Ga1h1,Ge4h1,Gh1h7]} Ref8 $1 ({Making his
previous move, Aronian needed to consider also Black's knight thrust} 30... Nf2
{.This seemingly unpleasant move is elegantly refuted by} 31. Bh6+ Kh8 (31...
Kh7 {fails to} 32. Be3+ (32. Qxf5 {is winning as well)}) 32... Kg7 33. Bxf2)
32. Qxf5 gxf5 33. Kxf2 {, and Black is defenseless against manifold threats:}
Re7 (33... Kg8 34. Rg1+ $18) 34. Bxf5 Rh7 35. Bg7+ {The text move might appear
very unpleasant for White, but he has an efficient response, allowing him to
neutralize Black's initiative.}) {[%tqu "En","Black's pieces appear very
active, but you have a possibility to decide the game in your favor. Do you
see the winning move?","Ignore Black's Troyan knight - try to neutralize
Black's pressure on the f-file.","Bring your a1-rook into play!","a1f1",
"Excellent! This strong move spells the quick end for Black.",9]} 31. Rf1 $3 {
[%csl Rf5,Rg4,Rg6,Rg7][%cal Gf1f8]} ({Black's knight is invulnerable:} 31. Kxg4
{loses after} Rf4+ $1 32. Bxf4 Rxf4+ 33. Qxf4 gxh5+ $1) (31. Qxg4 {fails to}
e4+ 32. Kg2 gxh5 33. Qxh5 Rh8 {winning. As one can see, it is not very easy to
avoid Black's traps in this position!}) 31... Qf7 (31... gxh5 32. Rxf5 Rxf5 33.
Qxf5 {is certainly hopeless for Black.}) 32. Qh1 $1 (32. Kxg4 $1 {was winning
as well:} gxh5+ 33. Kh4 {, and Black loses in view of} Rxf1 34. Qh7#) 32...
gxh5 33. Rxf5 Qc7 34. Qxh5 1-0

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2001.09.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Anastasian, Ashot"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2588"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2001.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 086"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 d5 7. Nc3 O-O 8.
e3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. O-O b6 11. Qe2 cxd4 12. exd4 Nc6 13. Rad1 Bb7 14. Rfe1
Rfe8 15. Ne5 Kf8 16. Qf1 Qc7 17. Bb5 Rec8 18. Qe2 Ne7 19. Bc4 Ned5 20. Bxd5
Nxd5 21. Ne4 f6 22. Nd3 Kg8 23. Nb4 Nf4 24. Qe3 a5 25. Nd3 Nd5 26. Qh3 Qd7 27.
Qg3 Kh8 28. Nd6 Rc6 29. Nxb7 Qxb7 30. h3 Rd8 31. Qg4 Qd7 32. Rc1 Rxc1 33. Rxc1
Ne7 34. Nf4 Nf5 35. d5 exd5 36. Re1 g6 37. Qe2 d4 38. Qa6 Qc6 39. Qd3 Re8 0-1

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2001.09.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Minasian, Ara"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2480"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2001.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 086"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. d5 Na5 11. Ba2 Rb8 12. Nbd2 c6 13. dxc6 Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15.
Qe2 Qb6 16. Nc4 Nxc4 17. Qxc4 d5 18. exd5 exd5 19. Qb3 e4 20. Ne5 Bc5 21. Be3
Bxe3 22. Rxe3 Qd4 23. c7 Rb6 24. f4 exf3 25. Nxf3 Qc5 26. Rd1 Ng4 27. Rxd5
Qxe3+ 28. Qxe3 Nxe3 29. Rd8 Rc6 30. Nd4 Rxc7 31. Rxf8+ Kxf8 32. Ne6+ Ke7 33.
Nxc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2001.09.21"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Haroutjunian, Gevorg"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2346"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2001.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 086"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3
Nbd7 9. g4 b5 10. g5 b4 11. Ne2 Nh5 12. Qd2 g6 13. Bg2 a5 14. f4 Nb6 15. Bxb6
Qxb6 16. f5 Bc4 17. Nbc1 d5 18. Nd3 Bd6 19. Ng3 Nf4 20. exd5 Bxd3 21. cxd3 b3
22. Kf1 Rc8 23. axb3 Bb4 24. Qd1 O-O 25. Be4 f6 26. h4 Qe3 27. Bf3 fxg5 28.
hxg5 Rc2 0-1

[Event "ARM-ch"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2001.09.23"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Asrian, Karen"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B14"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2604"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2001.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 086"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nf3 Bb4 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Qc2 Nc6 9. a3 Ba5 10. Bd3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 Qxd4 13. Bb5+ Bd7 14. O-O
Qd5 15. c4 Qf5 16. Bxd7+ Kxd7 17. Qb2 b6 18. c5 Ke7 19. cxb6 axb6 20. Be3 Rhd8
21. Rad1 Kf8 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2001.10.06"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Beliavsky, Alexander G"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B38"]
[WhiteElo "2659"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Koenig Plauen"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 g6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Bg7 5. e4 Nc6 6. Be3 Nh6 7. Be2 d6 8. Nc3
O-O 9. O-O f5 10. exf5 Bxd4 11. Bxh6 Rxf5 12. Qd2 Qb6 13. Bd3 Rf7 14. Rab1 a5
15. Nb5 Bc5 16. Rbe1 Ne5 17. Be3 Bd7 18. Nc3 Bc6 19. b3 Raf8 20. Be4 Ng4 21.
Bd5 Bxd5 22. Nxd5 Nxe3 23. Nxb6 Nxf1 24. Rxf1 Bxb6 25. Qd5 Kg7 26. Qxb7 Bxf2+
27. Kh1 h5 28. g3 Bc5 29. Rxf7+ Rxf7 30. Qe4 e5 31. Qe1 g5 32. h3 Rf2 33. Qc1
Kf6 34. h4 g4 35. Qh6+ Ke7 36. Qxh5 Rf1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2001.10.07"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Luther, Thomas"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C14"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2604"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Erfurt SK"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5 8.
Nh3 Qe7 9. Nf4 Nc6 10. Qg4 Nxd4 11. O-O-O Nf5 12. Nfxd5 exd5 13. Nxd5 Qxe5 14.
Bb5 O-O 15. Bxd7 Bxd7 16. Qh5 h6 17. Rhe1 Qd6 18. Ne7+ Nxe7 19. Rxd6 cxd6 20.
Rxe7 Bc6 21. f3 Rae8 22. Qh4 d5 23. Kd2 Rxe7 24. Qxe7 Re8 25. Qc7 a6 26. a4 Re6
27. b3 Rg6 28. g4 Re6 29. b4 g5 30. Qa5 d4 31. b5 axb5 32. axb5 Re5 33. Qa8+
Re8 34. Qa4 Bxf3 35. Qxd4 Re4 36. Qd3 Rf4 37. c4 Bxg4 38. c5 Bf3 39. Ke3 Kg7
40. Qc3+ Kg8 41. c6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2001.11.25"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Stohl, Igor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B17"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2533"]
[Annotator "Hecht,H"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Neukoelln"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 Ngf6 6. Bd3 e6 7. N1f3 Bd6 8.
Qe2 h6 9. Ne4 Nxe4 10. Qxe4 Qc7 11. Qg4 Kf8 12. O-O c5 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Be3
Nxd3 15. cxd3 Bd7 16. Rac1 Bc6 17. Nd4 Bxh2+ 18. Kh1 Be5 19. b4 h5 20. Nxe6+
fxe6 21. Qxe6 Qf7 22. Qxe5 Re8 23. Qd6+ Kg8 24. b5 Bxb5 25. Rc7 Qe6 26. Qxe6+
Rxe6 27. Rxb7 a6 28. Rc1 Rc6 29. Rxc6 Bxc6 30. Rc7 Bb5 31. d4 {[#] Verwerten
eines zentralen Mehrbauern mit Königseinsatz - Baukastenspiel. Man beachte den
möglichen Endspielübergang im 50.Zug.} Kh7 32. Rc5 Kg6 33. Kh2 h4 34. d5 Rh5
35. f4 Rf5 36. Kh3 Kh5 37. g4+ hxg3 38. Kxg3 Kg6 39. Kf3 Kf7 40. Ke4 g6 41.
Rc7+ Ke8 42. Bd4 Rh5 43. Bf6 Rh2 44. Ke5 Bd7 45. Kd6 Bf5 46. a3 Ra2 47. Rc3 Rd2
48. a4 Kf7 49. Bg5 Rc2 50. Rc6 Bd3 (50... Rxc6+ 51. dxc6 Ke8 52. Kc7 Be4 53.
Kb6 Bf3 54. a5 Bg2 55. Bf6 Bf3 56. Be5 Kd8 (56... Be2 57. Ka7 $18) 57. c7+ Kc8
58. Kxa6 Be4 59. Kb6 Bf3 60. a6 Bg2 61. a7 Bf3 62. Bd6 $18 {[%csl Rg6][%cal
Yb6c5,Yc5d4,Yd4e5,Ye5f6,Ya7a8]}) 51. a5 Ra2 52. Kc7 Bb5 53. Rc5 Rd2 54. d6 Ba4
55. Re5 Rc2+ 56. Kd8 Rd2 57. Re7+ Kf8 58. d7 Rc2 59. Re4 Bb5 60. Bh6+ Kf7 61.
Re7+ Kg8 62. Re5 Kf7 63. Rd5 Ba4 64. Rd4 Bb5 65. Rd6 Rc3 66. Bg5 {[%cal Yd6f6,
Yd8e7,Yd7d8]} 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2001.10.05"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Georgiev, Kiril"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[Annotator "Georgiev,Ki/Kostakiev,D"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Castrop Rauxel"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 Bb4+ {introduced by Noa,J 1883} 4. Nbd2 ({The first
games was met by:} 4. Bd2 $5 {According to Kasparov that is better than text
move.} Bxd2+ 5. Nbxd2 O-O (5... c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. g3 Qxc5 8. Bg2 Nc6 9. a3 Qe7
10. O-O O-O {1-0 Bogoljubow,E-Selezniev,A/Gothenburg 1920/HCL (62)}) 6. e3 Nc6
({Nowadays the abcensent Bf8 is covered by putting the PP on darck squares:} 
6... d6 7. Bd3 Nc6 8. a3 (8. O-O e5 9. a3 Bg4 {1/2-1/2 Vajda,A-Prokes,L/
Budapest 1926/EXT 99 (23)}) 8... e5 9. d5 Ne7 10. Qc2 Bg4 {1/2-1/2 Cruz,
J-Robbiano Taboada,C/Lima 2000/EXT 2001 (10)}) 7. Bd3 d5 (7... d6) 8. Rc1 Bd7 {
1-0 Mackenzie,G-Noa,J/London 1883/HCL (52)}) 4... c5 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 cxd4
7. Qxd4 $1 Nc6 8. Qd3 $146 (8. Qd1 d5 9. cxd5 Qxd5 10. Bg5 (10. Qxd5 $5 {text})
10... Bd7 11. Bxf6 Qxd1+ 12. Rxd1 {1/2-1/2 Khodos,G-Barcza,G/URS 1968/MCD (64)}
) (8. Qh4 d5 9. cxd5 Qxd5 10. e3 O-O 11. Bc4 Qf5 12. O-O e5 {0-1 Mollov,
E-Eingorn,V/Metz 1991/EXT 2002 (24)}) 8... d5 9. cxd5 Qxd5 10. Qxd5 $146 Nxd5 (
10... exd5 $5 {/\ 2N X Pd5 X 2B}) 11. e4 $14 {[/\ BBN > NNB]} Nf6 12. Bd3 O-O (
12... e5 $5) 13. b4 Rd8 14. Ke2 Ng4 $6 (14... b6 $142 15. Bb2 Rxd3 16. Kxd3
Ba6+ 17. Kd2 Rd8+ 18. Ke1 Nxe4 19. Rc1 Bb5 20. h3 f6 $44) 15. Bc2 b6 16. b5 $14
Na5 (16... Nce5 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. Bb2 Nc4 19. Bc3 $14) 17. h3 Nf6 18. Bf4 a6 $6
(18... Bb7 $142) 19. a4 axb5 20. axb5 Bb7 21. Nd2 Rac8 22. Rhc1 Nc4 (22... Rd7
23. Bd3 Rcd8 24. Ra3 e5 25. Bxe5 Nxe4 26. Nxe4 Re8 27. Rc7 Rxc7 28. Bxc7 Bxe4
29. Bxe4 Rxe4+ 30. Kd3 Re6 31. Bxb6 $16) 23. f3 Nh5 $16 (23... Na5 $142 24. Ba4
$14) 24. Bg5 f6 (24... Rd4 25. Nxc4 $16) 25. Nxc4 fxg5 (25... Rxc4 26. Be3 $18)
26. Nxb6 $18 Nf4+ 27. Kf1 Rc3 28. Ba4 Rcd3 29. Rc7 Rd2 30. Rxb7 Rxg2 31. Rd1
Rxd1+ 32. Bxd1 h5 33. Nc4 Rh2 34. Rd7 g4 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2002.02.02"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dautov, Rustem"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2630"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Godesberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb3 Bd6 6. Nc3 dxe4 7. Ng5 O-O 8.
Ncxe4 Nxe4 9. Nxe4 Bf5 10. Qf3 Bxe4 11. dxe4 Nd7 12. O-O Nc5 13. Rd1 Qe7 14.
Qg4 Nxb3 15. axb3 Rfd8 16. Bg5 f6 17. Be3 Bc5 18. Bxc5 Qxc5 19. c3 Qb6 20. b4
Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Rd8 22. Rd7 Rxd7 23. Qxd7 h6 24. h4 a5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Lutz, Christopher"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2643"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Porz"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 Nd4 5. exf5 c6 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. Nxe5 Bd6 8.
Nc4 Bc7 9. O-O O-O 10. b3 d5 11. Ne3 Ne4 12. Bxe4 dxe4 13. Nxe4 Bxf5 14. Ng3
Bg6 15. c3 Ne6 16. d4 Nf4 17. Nc4 Nd3 18. Be3 Qd7 19. Qd2 h5 20. f3 b5 21. Nb2
Nxb2 22. Qxb2 Rae8 23. Qd2 h4 24. Ne4 Bxe4 25. fxe4 Rxf1+ 26. Rxf1 Rxe4 27. Bf4
Bxf4 28. Rxf4 Qe6 29. Rxe4 Qxe4 30. c4 bxc4 31. bxc4 Qb1+ 32. Kf2 Qf5+ 33. Ke3
Qe6+ 34. Kd3 Qf5+ 35. Ke3 Qg5+ 36. Kd3 Qf5+ 37. Kc3 Qa5+ 38. Kd3 Qf5+ 39. Kc3
1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2002.02.23"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Lamprecht, Frank"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E14"]
[WhiteElo "2399"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hamburg Koenigsspringer"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. e3 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Qa4+ Nbd7 8.
Ne5 a6 9. Nxd7 Qxd7 10. Qxd7+ Kxd7 11. g3 Bd6 12. Bg2 h5 13. h4 Ne4 14. Nxe4
dxe4 15. Bd2 Bd5 16. a3 a5 17. Rc1 f5 18. Bf1 c6 19. Bc4 b5 20. Bxd5 cxd5 21.
Ke2 Rhb8 22. Rc2 b4 23. axb4 axb4 24. b3 Ra3 25. Rb1 Rg8 26. Bc1 Raa8 27. Rbb2
g5 28. hxg5 Rxg5 29. Ra2 Rgg8 30. Rxa8 Rxa8 31. Bb2 Ra2 32. Kd1 Be7 33. Kc1 h4
34. gxh4 Bxh4 35. Kd1 Be7 36. Re2 Bd6 37. Bc1 Ra1 38. Kc2 Ke6 39. f4 exf3 40.
Rf2 Ra2+ 41. Bb2 Kf6 42. Rxf3 Kg5 43. Rf1 Kg4 44. Kb1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2002.02.24"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hracek, Zbynek"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Nc6 5. c3 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. h3 O-O 8. Bb3 b6
9. Re1 Bb7 10. d4 e6 11. Nbd2 Rc8 12. e5 Ne8 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. exd6 Nxd6 15.
Nc4 Nxc4 16. Bxc4 Qc7 17. Qa4 Ne7 18. Be2 Bc6 19. Qa3 Bd5 20. Bg5 h6 21. Bd2
Nf5 22. Rad1 Rb8 23. b3 Rfd8 24. c4 Bxf3 25. Bxf3 Rxd2 26. Rxd2 Bc3 27. Qc1
Bxd2 28. Qxd2 Rd8 29. Qc1 Kg7 30. g3 a5 31. h4 Nd4 32. Bg2 Qd6 33. Qc3 Qb6 34.
Qe3 Qc7 35. Kh1 Kh7 36. Be4 Kg7 37. Kg2 Qd6 38. f4 h5 39. Bb7 Rb8 40. Bf3 a4
41. Bd1 Kf8 42. Qc3 Qb6 43. Re5 Ke7 44. Kh3 axb3 45. Bxb3 Qb7 46. Re1 Qf3 47.
Qxf3 Nxf3 48. Re3 Nd4 49. Kg2 Kd6 50. Kf2 f6 51. Kg2 Rb7 52. Kf2 e5 53. fxe5+
fxe5 54. Kg2 Ke6 55. Kf2 Kf5 56. Ke1 e4 57. Kd2 Ke5 58. Kc3 Rf7 59. Bd1 Rf1 60.
Ba4 Rf2 61. Be8 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2002.03.16"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Khenkin, Igor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2579"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Tegernsee"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 g6 4. Ngf3 Bg7 5. g3 e5 6. Bg2 Ne7 7. O-O O-O 8. b4
Na6 9. a3 Nc7 10. Bb2 f6 11. Re1 (11. Nb3 b6 12. Re1 Be6 13. exd5 cxd5 14. Nfd2
Qd7 15. c4 {1/2-1/2 Kasimdzhanov,R-Khenkin,I/Moscow 2001}) 11... b6 12. d4 dxe4
13. Rxe4 f5 14. Rxe5 $1 Bxe5 15. Nxe5 Bb7 16. c4 Rb8 17. Qb3 Ne8 18. c5+ Nd5
19. b5 Nef6 20. bxc6 Ba8 21. Qa2 Kg7 22. Ndc4 Qc7 23. Rc1 bxc5 24. dxc5 Kh6 25.
Nd6 Ne7 26. Nef7+ 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2002.03.17"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Golubev, Mikhail"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B86"]
[WhiteElo "2526"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Stuttgart"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 Be7 8. f4
Nbd7 9. O-O b5 10. Be3 Qc7 11. f5 Nc5 (11... e5 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. Nxb5 axb5 14.
Qxd5 Bb7 15. Qxf7+ Kd8 16. Qxg7 Rf8) 12. fxe6 $2 {Golubev} fxe6 13. a3 Nxb3 14.
cxb3 O-O 15. Qf3 Qb7 16. Qh3 Nxe4 17. Rxf8+ Bxf8 18. Rf1 Nxc3 19. bxc3 Bd7 20.
Qh5 g6 21. Qh4 e5 22. Ne2 Qd5 23. Ng3 Bc6 24. Rf2 Qxb3 25. Bh6 Qxc3 26. Qg5
Qa1+ 27. Rf1 Qd4+ 28. Rf2 Bxh6 29. Qxh6 Re8 30. Nf1 a5 31. Ne3 b4 32. axb4 axb4
33. h4 b3 34. Kh2 b2 35. Nf5 gxf5 36. Qg5+ Kf7 37. Rxf5+ Ke6 38. Qg7 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2002.04.13"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Ftacnik, Lubomir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A17"]
[WhiteElo "2580"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hamburger SK"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qb3 c5 5. a3 Bxc3 6. Qxc3 O-O 7. b4 b6 8. Bb2
d6 9. g3 Bb7 10. Bg2 Nc6 11. O-O e5 12. e3 e4 13. Ng5 Ne5 14. d3 b5 15. Nxe4
Bxe4 16. Bxe4 bxc4 17. bxc5 Re8 18. Rad1 dxc5 19. Bg2 Rb8 20. dxc4 Qc8 21. Qc2
Qa6 22. Bxe5 Rxe5 23. Rd3 h5 24. Rfd1 Rbe8 25. Qb3 Qc8 26. h3 Ne4 27. Rd7 a5
28. Qb7 Qxb7 29. Rxb7 g5 30. Rdd7 Rf5 31. Rd5 Rxd5 32. cxd5 Nd6 33. Rd7 Nc4 34.
Rc7 Nxa3 35. Rxc5 Ra8 36. d6 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2002.04.14"]
[Round "13.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Speelman, Jonathan S"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2603"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Luebeck"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 c6 2. d3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 e5 8. h3 Re8
9. c4 Nbd7 10. Nc3 a6 11. Rb1 b5 12. b4 Bf8 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3 Kh7 15. a4 bxc4
16. dxc4 a5 17. b5 c5 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. cxd5 Nb6 20. Nd2 h5 21. f4 Bh6 22. Nf3
exf4 23. gxf4 Rxe4 24. Ng5+ Bxg5 25. Bxe4 Bh6 26. Qe2 Qh4 27. Qf3 Nc4 28. Bd3
Nxe3 29. Rxe3 c4 30. Bxc4 Bf5 31. Rf1 Bg7 32. Qg3 Qd8 33. Bd3 Bd4 34. Bxf5 Qb6
35. Rfe1 Re8 36. Be6 fxe6 37. Kh2 e5 38. f5 Rg8 39. Rf3 Qc7 40. Qh4 Qc2+ 41.
Kh1 Kh6 42. f6 Rf8 43. f7 Qxa4 44. Qe7 Kg7 45. Qf6+ Kh7 46. Qxd6 Kg7 47. Rc1
1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2002.04.27"]
[Round "14.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nikolic, Predrag"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Solingen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bd3 e5 4. c3 Be7 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 c6 8. Nbd2
Re8 9. Bc2 Qc7 10. Bb3 h6 11. Nf1 Nf8 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Nh4 Bg4 14. Qd3 Qd7 15.
Qc2 Rad8 16. h3 Be6 17. Be3 b6 18. Ng3 c5 19. Nhf5 Qc6 20. Bxe6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0102"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2002.04.28"]
[Round "15.1"]
[White "Van Mil, Johan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B74"]
[WhiteElo "2416"]
[BlackElo "2562"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2001.10.06"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Heiligenhaus"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nb3 O-O 8.
Be2 d6 9. O-O Be6 10. f4 Na5 11. Nxa5 Qxa5 12. a3 Rac8 13. Bf3 Nd7 14. Bd4
Bxd4+ 15. Qxd4 Qb6 16. Qxb6 Nxb6 17. Rf2 Rc5 18. Nd1 d5 19. e5 Nc4 20. c3 Rd8
21. b3 Nb6 22. Rd2 Nd7 23. Kf2 Rcc8 24. b4 f6 25. exf6 Nxf6 26. Rd4 Bg4 27. Rc1
b5 28. Bxg4 Nxg4+ 29. Kf3 Nf6 30. Nf2 Rd6 31. g4 e6 32. Rd3 Rdc6 33. g5 Nh5 34.
Ng4 Rc4 35. Nf6+ Nxf6 36. gxf6 Kf7 0-1

[Event "Morso"]
[Site "Morso"]
[Date "2002.02.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Prusikin, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A32"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2519"]
[PlyCount "250"]
[EventDate "2002.02.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 e6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. g3 Qc7 7. Bg2 Qxc4 8.
O-O Nc6 9. Nb3 d5 10. a3 Be7 11. Bf4 O-O 12. Rc1 Rd8 13. Bc7 Rd7 14. Bb6 Qg4
15. Nc5 Bxc5 16. Bxc5 b5 17. e4 Qg6 18. Qe1 Bb7 19. e5 Ng4 20. f4 h5 21. Rd1
Ne7 22. h3 Nh6 23. Bf2 Rc7 24. Qd2 Rac8 25. Qd3 Qxd3 26. Rxd3 Rc4 27. Be1 Nhf5
28. Bf3 g6 29. Ne2 Nc6 30. b3 Rc2 31. g4 Ng7 32. Bh4 b4 33. axb4 Nxb4 34. Rdd1
Rb2 35. gxh5 Nxh5 36. f5 exf5 37. Bxh5 gxh5 38. Nd4 Rc3 39. Rxf5 Rxh3 40. e6
fxe6 41. Rg5+ Kh7 42. Nxe6 d4 43. Rg7+ Kh8 44. Rxb7 Rxh4 45. Rxb4 Rg4+ 46. Kf1
Rh4 47. Rb8+ Kh7 48. Ng5+ Kg6 49. Rg8+ Kf6 50. Nf3 Rh1+ 51. Rg1 Rxg1+ 52. Kxg1
Rxb3 53. Nxd4 Rb2 54. Ra1 Ke5 55. Nf3+ Ke4 56. Ng5+ Kf5 57. Nh3 Rb6 58. Ra5+
Ke4 59. Rxh5 Rb5 60. Nf2+ Kd4 61. Rh3 a5 62. Kf1 Kc4 63. Nd1 Rg5 64. Ke1 Kb4
65. Kd2 Rg2+ 66. Kc1 a4 67. Ne3 Rg8 68. Kb2 Kc5 69. Ka3 Kd4 70. Nd1 Rg1 71. Nc3
Kc4 72. Na2 Rg2 73. Rh4+ Kd5 74. Nc3+ Ke5 75. Rxa4 Rg3 76. Kb3 Rh3 77. Re4+ Kf5
78. Re2 Rh4 79. Nb5 Kf6 80. Kc3 Kf5 81. Re3 Rh1 82. Kd2 Kf4 83. Nc3 Rh8 84.
Ne2+ Kf5 85. Kd3 Kf6 86. Nd4 Rh4 87. Re6+ Kf7 88. Ra6 Rh1 89. Nf3 Ke7 90. Ke4
Kd7 91. Ne5+ Kc7 92. Rc6+ Kb7 93. Rg6 Rd1 94. Nd3 Kc7 95. Ra6 Rd2 96. Ne5 Re2+
97. Kf5 Kb7 98. Rd6 Kc7 99. Ke6 Re1 100. Rd4 Kb6 101. Kd5 Rb1 102. Rh4 Rd1+
103. Ke6 Kc5 104. Nd7+ Kb5 105. Ke7 Re1+ 106. Kd6 Rd1+ 107. Ke6 Re1+ 108. Ne5
Kc5 109. Rc4+ Kb5 110. Rc8 Kb4 111. Kd5 Rd1+ 112. Ke4 Re1+ 113. Kd4 Rd1+ 114.
Nd3+ Kb5 115. Rc3 Rh1 116. Kd5 Rh5+ 117. Ne5 Kb4 118. Rf3 Ka4 119. Rc3 Kb4 120.
Rd3 Rh1 121. Nc6+ Ka4 122. Nd4 Kb4 123. Rb3+ Ka4 124. Rb2 Ka3 125. Rb8 Ka2
1/2-1/2

[Event "Morso"]
[Site "Morso"]
[Date "2002.02.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Rustemov, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2607"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2002.02.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. O-O Nc6 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Nc3 Nb6 9. e3 Re8 10. b3 e5 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Qxd1 13. Rxd1 Bxe5 14. Bb2
c6 15. Rd2 Bf5 16. Rad1 Bf6 17. h3 h5 18. Kf1 Rad8 19. Ke2 Rxd2+ 20. Rxd2 Nd7
21. Na4 Be7 22. Nc3 Nc5 23. b4 Nd7 24. b5 Ne5 25. bxc6 bxc6 26. Nd5 cxd5 27.
Bxe5 Bb4 28. Rb2 a5 29. Bd4 Rd8 30. Bf6 Rc8 31. Bxd5 Bxh3 32. e4 Kf8 33. Ke3
Be6 34. Bxe6 fxe6 35. Bd4 Kf7 36. Rb3 Rb8 37. e5 Rc8 38. Ke4 Rc4 39. Kd3 Rc7
40. f4 Be1 41. Ke4 Bb4 42. Be3 Rc2 43. a3 Rc3 44. Rxc3 Bxc3 45. a4 Ke8 46. Kf3
Kd7 47. Bf2 Kc6 48. g4 Kd5 49. Bh4 Bd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morso"]
[Site "Morso"]
[Date "2002.02.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Pedersen, Erik"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B00"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2400"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2002.02.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5 Nxe5 4. f4 Nc6 5. Bc4 Bb4+ 6. c3 Ba5 7. Nf3 Bb6 8.
Qe2 Qe7 9. Nbd2 d6 10. Bd3 Nf6 11. Nc4 d5 12. Nxb6 axb6 13. e5 Ng4 14. h3 Nh6
15. g4 f6 16. exf6 Qxe2+ 17. Kxe2 gxf6 18. Kf2 O-O 19. Rg1 Kh8 20. b4 Nf7 21.
b5 Na5 22. Be3 Nd6 23. Bd4 Kg8 24. g5 f5 25. g6 h6 26. g7 Re8 27. Rg6 Nb3 28.
axb3 Rxa1 29. Rxh6 1-0

[Event "Morso"]
[Site "Morso"]
[Date "2002.02.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Sokolovs, Andrei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A10"]
[WhiteElo "2512"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2002.02.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. e4 e5 {Das ist eine prinzipielle Entscheidung - nach 3..
.c5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 kommen wir in die Maroczy - Variante der Sizilianischen
Verteidigung, in der Weiß leichten aber dauerhaften Vorteil behält.} 4. d4 exd4
5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bd3 (6. Nc3 O-O 7. Be2 Re8 8. f3 c6 {[%cal Gd7d5] Dieser Zug
ist die Pointe des schwarzen Spiels - er möchte direkt und ohne Zeitverlust
d7-d5 durchsetzen.}) 6... O-O 7. O-O c6 (7... d5 $5 8. cxd5 c6) 8. Nc3 d5 9.
cxd5 (9. exd5 cxd5 10. Bg5 (10. cxd5 Nxd5 11. Be4 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Qa5 13. Rb1
Qxa2 14. Be3 Qc4 {1/2-1/2 Vokac,M-Gross,S/Bratislava 1991/EXT 97 (23)}) 10...
dxc4 11. Bxc4 h6 12. Bh4 a6 13. Bb3 Nbd7 14. Qc2 Nc5 15. Rad1 Qb6 16. Bc4 Bg4
17. Rd2 g5 18. Bg3 {1-0 Uhlmann,W-Jansa,V/Linz 2000/EXT 2001 (37)}) 9... Nxd5
$146 {[%mdl 4] Das Schlagen des Bauern mit dem Springer kommt etwas
überraschend, ist jedoch nicht schlecht. Der bislang übliche Zug 9...cxd5 ist
aber auch gut spielbar.} (9... cxd5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Be4 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Qa5 13.
Qb3 Nd7 14. Qa3 Qxa3 15. Bxa3 Re8 16. Rfe1 Bf8 17. Bxf8 Kxf8 18. Bf3 Rxe1+ 19.
Rxe1 Nc5 20. Re5 Ne6 21. h4 Rb8 22. Nb5 a6 23. Nd6 b6 24. Be2 {1/2-1/2
Petrosian,T-Adorjan,A/Sochi 1977/EXT 99 (24)}) 10. exd5 Bxd4 11. Be4 {Weiß hat
Entwicklungsvorsprung und etwas Initiative. Die schwarz Stellung weist jedoch
keine Schwächen auf.} Be5 (11... Bg7 12. Bf4 $14 (12. Qf3 $14)) 12. Be3 (12. f4
) 12... Re8 13. Bd4 Bd6 (13... Bxd4 14. Qxd4 $14 {[%csl Rf6][%cal Gd4h8]}) 14.
dxc6 Nxc6 15. Bxc6 bxc6 $11 {Weiß hat die bessere Bauernstruktur, denn der Pc6
ist theoretisch schwach. Andererseits besitzt Schwarz das Läuferpaar -
insofern befindet sich diese Stellung in einem dynamischen Gleichgewicht.} 16.
Re1 (16. Qd2 Qh4 17. g3 (17. f4 Bf5 $15) 17... Qh5 $15 {[%csl Gh5]}) 16...
Rxe1+ 17. Qxe1 Bxh2+ $1 {[%mdl 64] Mit dieser kleinen Kombination gewinnt
Schwarz einen Bauern.} (17... Bf5 $11) 18. Kxh2 Qxd4 19. Qe8+ Kg7 20. Rd1 $1 {
Die Aktivität der weißen Figuren (und das Eindringen des Turms auf d8) ist
wichtiger als die Eroberung des Bauern auf c6.} (20. Qxc6 Rb8 $15) 20... Qxf2
21. Rd8 {[%csl Rc8][%cal Re8a8]} Qf4+ (21... Qf5 {Dieser Zug wäre zu riskant -
Schwarz hätte zwar zwei Mehrbauern, aber Weiß bekäme zu starken Angriff.} 22.
Qf8+ Kf6 23. Rd4 {[%cal Rc3e4,Re4f6]} Qe5+ 24. g3 Bb7 (24... Qxd4 25. Qh8+ $18)
25. Rd6+ Kg5 26. Qxf7 $40) 22. Kg1 Qc1+ 23. Kh2 Qf4+ {Und Remis durch
Dauerschach.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morso"]
[Site "Morso"]
[Date "2002.02.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Berg, Klaus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B18"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2418"]
[Annotator "Hecht,H"]
[PlyCount "156"]
[EventDate "2002.02.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Bc4 e6 7. N1e2 Nf6 8.
O-O Bd6 9. f4 Bf5 10. Nxf5 exf5 11. Ng3 g6 12. Re1+ Kf8 13. Bb3 Kg7 14. c4 h5
15. Bc2 Nbd7 16. Nh1 b5 17. b3 bxc4 18. bxc4 Qa5 19. Bd2 Bb4 20. Bxb4 Qxb4 21.
Ba4 Rae8 22. Rxe8 Rxe8 23. Bxc6 Qxc4 24. Bxd7 Nxd7 25. Nf2 Nf6 26. g3 Rd8 27.
Rc1 Qxa2 28. Ra1 Qb2 29. Rxa7 Rc8 30. Ra1 Rc2 31. Rb1 Qa2 32. Ra1 Qc4 33. Qe1
Qxd4 34. Rc1 Rxc1 35. Qxc1 Ng4 36. Qe1 h4 37. Kg2 Nxf2 38. Qxf2 h3+ 39. Kg1
Qa1+ 40. Qf1 Qxf1+ 41. Kxf1 {Schlechte schwarze Bauernstruktur; Bh3 ist eher
als Schwäche einzustufen. Allerdings verfügt Schwarz durch den
Doppelmehrbauern über Tempozüge.} Kf6 (41... Kh6 42. Ke2 Kh5 43. Kf3 f6 44. Ke3
Kg4 45. Ke2 g5 46. Ke3 Kh5 47. Kd4 $11) 42. Kf2 Ke6 43. Ke2 Kd5 44. Kd3 f6 {
Tempozug} 45. Ke3 Kc4 46. Ke2 Kc3 (46... Kd4 47. Kd2 Ke4 48. Ke2 g5 49. fxg5
fxg5 50. Kf2 f4 51. gxf4 gxf4 $11 {Diese Stellung ist nur für Schwarz gewonnen,
wenn sein Randbauer noch auf h7 steht (Grigorieff - siehe CBM#73 zum Endspiel
Eingorn-Slobodjan). Beachten Sie auch die weiteren Anmerkungen in CBM#88 und
die ergänzende Studie von I. Maiselis, 1955.}) 47. Ke3 Kc2 48. Ke2 g5 49. g4 $1
$11 fxg4 (49... gxf4 50. gxf5 Kc3 51. Kf3 Kd4 52. Kxf4 Kd5 53. Kg4 Ke4 54. Kxh3
Kxf5 55. Kg3 $11) 50. fxg5 g3 {noch am besten} (50... fxg5 51. Kf2 Kd3 52. Kg3
Ke3 53. Kxg4 Kf2 54. Kxh3 Kf3 {patt}) (50... f5 $6 51. Kf2 f4 52. g6 g3+ 53.
hxg3 (53. Kg1 f3 54. hxg3 h2+ 55. Kxh2 Kd2 56. g7 f2 57. g8=Q f1=Q $11) 53...
h2 54. Kg2 f3+ 55. Kxh2 Kd2 $11) 51. gxf6 gxh2 52. f7 h1=Q 53. f8=Q $11 {
Der weiße König steht dicht genug am Freibauern.} Qd1+ (53... Qg2+ 54. Qf2 $11)
54. Kf2 Qd2+ 55. Kf1 Qg2+ 56. Ke1 Qd2+ 57. Kf1 Qg2+ 58. Ke1 h2 {Dieser letzte
Gewinnversuch scheitert am Dauerschach.} 59. Qc5+ Kb1 60. Qb4+ Ka1 61. Qd4+ Kb1
62. Qb4+ Qb2 63. Qe4+ Qc2 64. Qb4+ Ka2 65. Qa5+ Kb3 66. Qb5+ Ka3 67. Qa5+ Qa4
68. Qc3+ Qb3 69. Qa5+ Kb2 70. Qd2+ Qc2 71. Qb4+ Ka1 72. Qd4+ Ka2 73. Qd5+ Ka3
74. Qa5+ Kb2 75. Qb4+ Ka1 76. Qd4+ Qb2 77. Qa4+ Kb1 78. Qe4+ Ka2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morso"]
[Site "Morso"]
[Date "2002.02.14"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Pedersen, Jan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C25"]
[WhiteElo "2413"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2002.02.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 h5 4. h3 Bc5 5. d3 h4 6. g4 Nge7 7. Bg2 Nd4 8. Nge2
Nxe2 9. Nxe2 Bb6 10. f4 d6 11. d4 Be6 12. Qd3 exd4 13. Nxd4 Nc6 14. Nxc6 bxc6
15. Bd2 f6 16. e5 dxe5 17. Bxc6+ Kf8 18. f5 Bf7 19. Bxa8 Qxa8 20. O-O-O Kg8 21.
g5 e4 22. Qc3 Bh5 23. g6 Qd5 24. Bf4 Bxd1 25. Rxd1 1-0

[Event "Morso"]
[Site "Morso"]
[Date "2002.02.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2531"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2002.02.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Nc6 7. f3 e6 8. Qd2
Be7 9. O-O-O O-O 10. g4 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. Kb1 Rb8 13. h4 b4 14. Ne2 Qc7 15.
g5 Nd7 16. h5 Ne5 17. Ng1 f5 18. gxf6 Bxf6 19. h6 g6 20. b3 Qe7 21. f4 Ng4 22.
Bc4 Bb7 23. Qe2 Bxd4 24. Rxd4 Nf6 25. Nf3 Kh8 26. Rhd1 e5 27. Rxd6 Nxe4 28. Rd7
Qf6 29. Qxe4 Bxe4 30. Ng5 Qxg5 31. fxg5 Bf5 32. Re7 Rfe8 33. Rxe8+ Rxe8 34.
Bxa6 Kg8 35. Rd6 Kf8 36. Bb5 Ke7 37. Bxe8 Kxd6 38. Kc1 Kd5 39. Kd2 Ke4 40. c3
bxc3+ 41. Kxc3 Kf4 42. a4 e4 43. a5 e3 44. a6 Be4 45. b4 Kxg5 46. b5 Kf4 47. b6
1-0

[Event "Morso"]
[Site "Morso"]
[Date "2002.02.16"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Miezis, Normunds"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2498"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2002.02.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 b5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. Bg5 Na6 7. Nc3 Nc7 8. e4
b4 9. Na4 Bxe4 10. Nxc5 Bd5 11. Re1 Be7 12. a3 bxa3 13. b3 d6 14. Nd3 h6 15.
Bc1 O-O 16. c4 Be4 17. Bxa3 a5 18. Bb2 Ra6 19. Bf1 Qa8 20. Nd2 Bb7 21. d5 Bd8
22. Nf4 Re8 23. Nh5 Nxh5 24. Qxh5 e5 25. c5 Nxd5 26. cxd6 Rxd6 27. Rxe5 Rde6
28. Nc4 Nf6 29. Qd1 Bf3 30. Qd4 Bd5 31. Rae1 Rxe5 32. Rxe5 Rxe5 33. Qxe5 Qb7
34. Qe3 Qc6 35. Qd3 Bc7 36. Bxf6 Bxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morso"]
[Site "Morso"]
[Date "2002.02.17"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Pedersen, Steffen"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2440"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2002.02.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Bg2 a6 6. O-O Nc6 7. a4 Na5 8. Nbd2
b5 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nxc4 bxc4 11. Ne5 Nd5 12. Bd2 c5 13. Qe1 Bd6 14. Bxa5 Qe7
15. Nxc4 cxd4 16. Nxd6+ Qxd6 17. Qd2 O-O 18. Qxd4 Ba6 19. Rfe1 Qb8 20. e4 Nf6
21. Bc3 Rd8 22. Qe5 Qxe5 23. Bxe5 Bc4 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. Rc1 Bd3 26. f3 h5 27.
Rc3 Ra1+ 28. Kf2 Rd1 29. Bf4 Bb5 30. Rc8+ Kh7 31. Rc5 Ba6 32. Rc1 Rd4 33. Rc2
Rd1 34. Rc1 Rd4 35. Bf1 Bxf1 36. Kxf1 Rb4 37. Rc2 Nd7 38. Rc7 Nf6 39. Be5 Kg6
40. Bc3 Ra4 41. h4 Ra1+ 42. Kf2 Rc1 43. Ke2 Ne8 44. Rd7 Rg1 45. Be1 f5 46. e5
1-0

[Event "Neckar op-A 6th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2002.03.28"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Wallrabenstein, Udo"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A37"]
[WhiteElo "2142"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2002.03.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.05.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.08.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. O-O Nge7 7. a3 O-O 8. Rb1
d5 9. cxd5 exd5 10. d3 b6 11. Bd2 a5 12. Ne1 Be6 13. Nc2 d4 14. Ne4 a4 15. Bg5
f6 16. Bc1 Ba2 17. Ra1 Bd5 18. Nd2 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 f5 20. Kg1 Nd5 21. e4 dxe3 22.
fxe3 b5 23. g4 Qg5 24. Qe2 Rae8 25. e4 Nf4 26. Qd1 fxg4 27. Ne1 Nd4 28. Kh1 Nh3
29. Kg2 Qh4 30. Rxf8+ Rxf8 0-1

[Event "Neckar op-A 6th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2002.03.29"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Seel, Christian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2239"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2002.03.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.05.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.08.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. d3 c6 6. Qe2 Bf5 7. h3 e6 8. Bd2
Bb4 9. Nf3 Nd5 10. Bxd5 cxd5 11. Nd4 Bg6 12. h4 Qb6 13. h5 Bxh5 14. Rxh5 Qxd4
15. Rxd5 Qb6 16. Rb5 Qd6 17. Ne4 Bxd2+ 18. Qxd2 Qc6 19. Rc5 Qd7 20. Rc8+ Qxc8
21. Nd6+ Kd7 22. Nxc8 Rxc8 23. Qf4 Ke8 24. Qe4 Nc6 25. Qxh7 Nb4 26. Rc1 g6 27.
Kd2 Nxa2 28. Ra1 Nb4 29. Qh8+ 1-0

[Event "Neckar op-A 6th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2002.03.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Reuss, Andreas"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "2352"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2002.03.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.05.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.08.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. c3 Bg7 4. Bg5 O-O 5. Nbd2 d6 6. e3 Qe8 7. Bd3 e5 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. Qc2 h6 10. Bh4 Nh5 11. g4 Nhf6 12. h3 d5 13. e4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Nxe4 15.
Bxe4 f5 16. gxf5 gxf5 17. Bxf5 Nc5 18. Bxc8 Qxc8 19. Nxe5 Qxh3 20. Ng6 Ne6 21.
Ne7+ Kh8 22. Ng6+ Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Neckar op-A 6th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2002.03.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gasthofer, Viktor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C17"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2332"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2002.03.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.05.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.08.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. dxc5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Nge7 7. Bd3 Ng6 8. O-O
Bxc5 9. Bg5 Be7 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. Qe2 Nf4 12. Qe3 Nxd3 13. cxd3 O-O 14. a3 Bd7
15. Rac1 Rfc8 16. Nd4 Nxd4 17. Qxd4 Qc5 18. Ne2 Qxd4 19. Nxd4 Kf8 20. f4 Ke7
21. Kf2 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 Rc8 23. Re1 h5 24. Ke3 f6 25. Kd2 Kf7 26. h3 f5 27. Ke3
Kg6 28. Rb1 Kh6 29. a4 Kg6 30. a5 Kf7 31. b4 Ke7 32. Kd2 Be8 33. b5 Rc5 34. Rc1
Rxc1 35. Kxc1 b6 36. a6 Bd7 37. Kd2 h4 38. Kc3 1-0

[Event "Neckar op-A 6th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2002.03.30"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Hesse, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A55"]
[WhiteElo "2314"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2002.03.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.05.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.08.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 d6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. e4 e5 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1
a6 9. Bf1 Qc7 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 Re8 12. Rc1 Nh7 13. Bxe7 Rxe7 14. Qd2 Nhf6 15.
Rcd1 b6 16. Nh4 Nf8 17. h3 Re8 18. f4 Ne6 19. fxe5 dxe5 20. d5 Nd4 21. Qf2 c5
22. Bd3 Nh5 23. Ne2 g6 24. Nf3 Ra7 25. Rc1 Qe7 26. a3 a5 27. Rf1 Rd7 28. Kh2
Rd6 29. Nexd4 cxd4 30. c5 bxc5 31. Rxc5 a4 32. Rfc1 Bd7 33. Bf1 Qf6 34. Qh4 Rb6
35. R1c2 Qd6 36. Rc7 Kg7 37. Qe1 Reb8 38. Qc1 R6b7 39. Rxb7 Rxb7 40. Qd2 f5 41.
Bd3 Nf6 0-1

[Event "Neckar op-A 6th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2002.03.31"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gustafsson, Jan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A32"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2513"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[EventDate "2002.03.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.05.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.08.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c5 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Ndb5 d5 7. cxd5 exd5 8.
Bg5 O-O 9. e3 Nc6 10. Be2 a6 11. Nd4 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Qa5 13. f3 Qxc3+ 14. Kf2
Nxd4 15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. Rc1 Qb2 17. Qxd4 Qxd4 18. exd4 Bd7 19. Rc5 Rac8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Neckar op-A 6th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2002.03.31"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Schlosser, Philipp"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E38"]
[WhiteElo "2472"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2002.03.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.05.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.08.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Qc7 6. Nf3 a6 7. g3 Qxc5 8. a3
Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 d5 10. Bg2 b5 11. cxd5 Qxc3+ 12. bxc3 Nxd5 13. Nd2 Nc6 14. c4
Nde7 15. Bb2 O-O 16. Rc1 Bd7 17. O-O Rfd8 18. Rfd1 Rab8 19. cxb5 axb5 20. Nb3
Be8 21. Nc5 Na5 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Nb7 Nxb7 24. Bxb7 Rd2 25. Bc3 Rd7 26. Be4 Rc7
27. Bd2 Rxc1+ 28. Bxc1 Nd5 29. Bd2 Bc6 30. f3 g6 31. Kf2 f5 32. Bd3 Kf7 33. h3
Nb6 34. Bc3 Ke7 35. e4 fxe4 36. fxe4 Nc4 37. a4 Nd6 38. Bb4 Kd7 39. Bxd6 Kxd6
40. axb5 Bb7 41. e5+ Kxe5 42. Ke3 Kd6 43. Be4 Bc8 44. b6 Bd7 45. b7 Kc7 46. h4
e5 47. Kf3 Ba4 48. Bd5 Bc2 49. Ke3 h6 50. Be4 Bd1 51. Kd2 Bg4 52. Kc3 g5 53.
hxg5 hxg5 54. Kc4 Be2+ 55. Kd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Neckar op-A 6th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2002.04.01"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kritz, Leonid"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2453"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2002.03.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.05.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.08.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Bd5 11. Qd3 c5 12. dxc5 Nbd7 13. Nc3 Nxc5 14. Qe3 Ncd7
15. Rfd1 Re8 16. a5 h6 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. Nxd5 exd5 19. Qb3 Qc7 20. e3 Rac8 21.
Nd4 Red8 22. Nf5 g6 23. Rac1 Qxc1 24. Nxe7+ Kg7 25. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 26. Bf1 Rd7 27.
Qb4 Rcc7 28. Nxg6 fxg6 29. Bd3 Re7 30. Kg2 Re6 31. Qd4 Rd7 32. g4 Kf7 33. h4 h5
34. g5 Ng8 35. f4 Ne7 36. f5 Nxf5 37. Bxf5 gxf5 38. Qh8 Rde7 39. Kf2 Rxe3 40.
Qxh5+ Kg7 41. Qh6+ Kg8 42. Qg6+ Kh8 43. Qf6+ Kg8 44. Qd4 R3e5 45. Kf3 Re8 46.
Qb6 Re1 47. Qg6+ Kh8 48. Qf6+ Kg8 49. g6 R8e7 50. h5 R1e4 51. Qd6 Kg7 52. Qxd5
Kf6 53. Qd2 R7e5 54. Qh6 Rd5 55. g7+ Kf7 56. Qg5 Kg8 57. h6 Re8 58. h7+ Kxh7
59. Qh5+ Kxg7 60. Qxe8 Rb5 61. Qe6 f4 62. Kxf4 Kf8 63. Ke4 1-0

[Event "Neckar op-A 6th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2002.04.01"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Dautov, Rustem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2636"]
[BlackElo "2584"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2002.03.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.05.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.08.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 c6 8. e4 d5
9. e5 Ne4 10. Bd3 Nxc3 11. Bxc3 c5 12. dxc5 bxc5 13. Qe2 Bb7 14. O-O d4 15. Bd2
Qc8 16. Be4 a5 17. a4 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 Qc6 19. Qd3 Nd7 20. Rfe1 Qb7 21. h4 h5 22.
Rab1 Nb8 23. Kf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Matnadze, Ana"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E14"]
[WhiteElo "2571"]
[BlackElo "2365"]
[Annotator "Hecht,H"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. e3 Bb7 5. Bd3 Bb4+ 6. Nbd2 Ne4 7. O-O Bxd2 8.
Nxd2 Nxd2 9. Bxd2 Qe7 10. b4 d6 11. Qa4+ Qd7 12. Qc2 Nc6 13. Be4 f5 14. Bf3 O-O
15. c5 a5 16. Rac1 Nxb4 17. c6 Nxc2 18. cxd7 Bxf3 19. gxf3 Nb4 20. Bxb4 axb4
21. Rxc7 b3 22. axb3 Rfd8 23. Rfc1 Kf7 24. R1c6 Ke7 25. Rxb6 g5 26. Kg2 h5 27.
Rbb7 Ra2 28. Rc8 f4 29. Rxd8 Kxd8 30. e4 Rd2 31. Rb5 Rxd4 32. Rxg5 Kxd7 33.
Rg7+ Kc6 34. Rf7 e5 35. Rh7 Rb4 36. h4 Rxb3 37. Rxh5 {[#] 4-3 Bauern auf einer
Seite bei einem weißen Freibauern. Besondere Merkmale: der schwarze Turm kann
den h-Bauern nicht von hinten kontrollieren, der weiße König hat aber sehr
wohl Vorwärtsdrang.} Kd7 38. Rg5 Ke7 39. h5 Rb8 40. Rg7+ Kf6 41. Rg6+ Kf7 (
41... Ke7 42. Kh3 Rb1 43. h6 Rh1+ 44. Kg4 Rh2 45. Kg5 Rg2+ 46. Kf5 Rxf2 47. h7
Rh2 48. Rg7+ $18) 42. Rxd6 Rg8+ 43. Kh3 Rg5 44. h6 Rg1 45. Rd7+ Kg8 (45... Kf6
46. h7 Rh1+ 47. Kg2 Rh5 48. Kf1 Kg6 49. Ke2 Rh3 50. Kd3 Rxf3+ 51. Kc4 Rh3 52.
Kd5 Kf6 53. f3 Rh1 54. Rd6+ Kg5 55. Kxe5 Rxh7 56. Rd8 Re7+ 57. Kd6 Ra7 58. Rg8+
Kf6 59. Rf8+ Kg5 60. Rf5+ $18) 46. Re7 {[%csl Re5,Rf4]} Rh1+ 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Godena, Michele"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2481"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. dxc5 Nc6 5. Qc2 d5 6. Nd2 e6 7. exd5 exd5 8. Nb3
Be7 9. Nf3 O-O 10. Be2 Ne4 11. Be3 Bf5 12. Bd3 a5 13. a4 Bg6 14. O-O Qc7 15.
Rad1 Rad8 16. Rfe1 Qc8 17. Qc1 Rfe8 18. Bb5 Bh5 19. Be2 Bf8 20. Qc2 h6 21. Nfd4
Bg6 22. Qc1 Nxc5 23. Nxc5 Bxc5 24. Bb5 Be7 25. Bd3 Nxd4 26. Bxd4 Bg5 27. Qb1
Qc6 28. Bxg6 fxg6 29. Qc2 Kh7 30. g3 Re4 31. h4 Be7 32. Rxe4 dxe4 33. Be3 Re8
34. Qb3 Qc8 35. Qf7 Bxh4 36. Rd6 Bxg3 37. Rxg6 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Arutinian, David"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2571"]
[BlackElo "2427"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 b5 6. e5 Nd5 7. a4 e6 8. Ng5 h6
9. Nge4 b4 10. Nb1 Ba6 11. Nbd2 Nf4 12. Qg4 Nd3+ 13. Bxd3 cxd3 14. O-O h5 15.
Qf4 Be7 16. Nf3 d2 17. Bxd2 Bxf1 18. Rxf1 Na6 19. Nd6+ Bxd6 20. exd6 f6 21. Re1
Qd7 22. Qe4 O-O-O 23. Qg6 Qxd6 24. Qxg7 Nc7 25. Qxf6 Rhf8 26. Qg6 Rxf3 27. gxf3
Qxd4 28. Bg5 Rd5 29. Bf6 Qf4 30. Qg8+ Kb7 31. Qg7 Qd2 32. Kf1 Rd7 33. Qg8 Qf4
34. Be5 Qxf3 35. Qg3 Qh1+ 36. Ke2 Qe4+ 37. Kf1 Qc4+ 38. Kg2 h4 39. Qf3 Nd5 40.
h3 Qc2 41. Re4 Rh7 42. a5 Ka6 43. Rg4 Rh5 44. Bd4 Rf5 45. Qe4 Qxe4+ 46. Rxe4
Rf4 47. f3 Kxa5 48. Bxa7 Rxe4 49. fxe4 Nf4+ 50. Kf3 Nd3 51. Ke2 Nxb2 52. Bf2
Nc4 53. Bxh4 b3 54. Kd3 Kb4 55. Be1+ Ka3 56. Bc3 Nd6 57. h4 c5 58. Be5 Ka2 59.
h5 c4+ 0-1

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Yilmaz, Turhan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2303"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3 e6 4. Be3 Nf6 5. e5 Nfd7 6. c3 Qb6 7. Qd2 c5 8. f4 Qc6
9. Nf3 b6 10. Na3 Ba6 11. Bxa6 Nxa6 12. O-O Nc7 13. Nc2 Be7 14. Nce1 a5 15. Nd3
c4 16. Nf2 b5 17. a3 b4 18. axb4 axb4 19. g4 O-O 20. f5 Rxa1 21. Rxa1 Ra8 22.
Rxa8+ Qxa8 23. Bg5 bxc3 24. bxc3 Qa1+ 25. Kg2 Bf8 26. f6 g6 27. Bh6 Ba3 28. Qd1
Bb2 29. Qxa1 Bxa1 30. Nd1 Nb6 31. Ng1 Na4 32. Ne2 Nb5 33. Bd2 Kf8 34. g5 Ke8
35. h4 Kd7 36. h5 Na3 37. hxg6 hxg6 38. Kf3 Nb1 39. Be1 Nb2 40. Nxb2 Bxb2 41.
Ke3 Kc6 42. Bd2 Kb5 43. Nf4 Ka4 44. Nxd5 exd5 45. Be1 Ba3 46. e6 fxe6 47. f7
Kb5 48. Bg3 Kc6 49. Kf4 Bd6+ 50. Ke3 Bf8 51. Kf4 Kd6 0-1

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.16"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bagaturov, Giorgi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E18"]
[WhiteElo "2571"]
[BlackElo "2434"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Bd2
f5 9. Rc1 Bf6 10. d5 Na6 11. a3 c6 12. dxc6 dxc6 13. b4 (13. Qc2 c5 (13... Nxd2
14. Nxd2 Qe7 15. e4 Rad8 16. Rfe1 Qc5 17. Nb3 Qd6 18. Rcd1 Qc7 19. f4 e5 20.
fxe5 Bxe5 21. exf5 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Qf7 23. Nd4 Qxc4 24. Ne6 Re8 25. Qe4 Qxe4 26.
Bxe4 {1-0 Mortensen,H-Gabrielsen,S/Copenhagen 1999/ (56)}) 14. Rfd1 (14. Nxe4
Bxe4 15. Qa4 Nb8 {1/2-1/2 Ovsejevitsch,S-Brodsky,M/Donetsk/1998/ (15)}) 14...
Qe7 15. Ne1 (15. Nxe4 Bxe4 16. Qa4 Nb8 17. Bc3 (17. b4 Nc6 18. b5 Nd8 19. Bc3
Bxc3 20. Rxc3 Nf7 21. Ne1 Rad8 {1/2-1/2 Beliavsky,A-Brodsky,M/Koszalin/1998/ 
(27)}) 17... Bxc3 18. Rxc3 Nc6 19. Rcc1 {1/2-1/2 Heyken,E-Pliester,L/Groningen
1988/ (19)}) 15... Nd6 (15... Nxd2 16. Bxb7 Qxb7 17. Qxd2 Rad8 18. Qe3 Qe7 19.
Qf3 Nb8 20. Nd3 Bxc3 21. bxc3 e5 22. e4 Nc6 23. Ne1 fxe4 24. Qxe4 Qf7 25. Qe2
Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Na5 27. Ng2 Nxc4 {0-1 Hansen,C-Kortschnoj,V/Malmo 1996/ (50)})
16. Bf4 Nf7 17. Nb5 Rad8 18. Rb1 Bxg2 19. Nxg2 Nb8 20. Rxd8 Rxd8 21. Bxb8 Rxb8
22. Rd1 a6 23. Nc3 b5 24. cxb5 axb5 25. a4 Bxc3 {1/2-1/2 Stangl,M-Levitt,J/
Augsburg 1988/ (25)}) 13... c5 (13... Nxd2 14. Nxd2 Qe7 15. Qc2 c5 16. Bxb7
Qxb7 17. b5 Nc7 18. Rcd1 Rfd8 19. Nb3 Ne8 20. Rxd8 Rxd8 21. Rd1 Nd6 {0-1 Cech,
P-Novikov,Y/Frydek Mistek 1995/ (43)}) 14. Nxe4 (14. b5 Nc7 15. Nxe4 Bxe4 16.
Bc3 Bxc3 17. Rxc3 Qf6 18. Rc1 Rfd8 19. Qb3 Rd7 20. Rfd1 {1/2-1/2 De Lange,
D-Levitt,J/Hamar 1983/ (20)}) 14... fxe4 (14... Bxe4 15. Qa4 Qc8 16. Qb3 e5 (
16... Rd8 17. Bc3 Bxc3 18. Qxc3 Nb8 $11) 17. Rfd1 Rd8 $11) 15. Ne1 cxb4 (15...
Qd7 16. Qc2 Rad8 17. Bc3 Bxc3 18. Qxc3 Qd2 19. b5 Nc7 20. f3 $11) (15... Qd6
16. b5 Rad8 17. bxa6 Bc6 18. Rc2 (18. Bh3 e5 19. Nc2 Qxd2 20. Qxd2 Rxd2 21.
Be6+ Kh8 22. Rfd1 $11) 18... Ba4 19. Bxe4 Bxc2 20. Qxc2 Qxd2 21. Bxh7+ Kh8 22.
Nf3 Qxc2 23. Bxc2 g5 $15) 16. axb4 Rc8 {Black can rely on this solid line to
bring him equality, but he has to play good moves. Due to the doubled pawn on
e file his actions should be rather forceful.} (16... Qd6 17. b5 (17. Nc2 Rad8
18. Be3 Qc7 19. Qe1 Qxc4 $17) 17... Nc5 18. Bf4 Qxd1 19. Rxd1 a6 20. Bc7 (20.
Rd6 Bd8 $15) 20... axb5 21. cxb5 Ra5 22. Bxb6 Rxb5 $11) 17. Bh3 Qe7 (17... Qd6
18. Bf4 Qxd1 19. Bxe6+ Kh8 20. Rxd1 $16) (17... Rc6 18. Qc2 Rd6 19. Bc3 Bxc3
20. Qxc3 Qg5 21. Ra1 $11) 18. Ng2 Rcd8 19. Qe1 Be5 (19... Bd4 $5 20. Rc2 (20.
Rb1 Rc8 21. Nf4 Nc7 22. Bc3 Rcd8 23. Ra1 a6 24. Bxd4 Rxd4 25. Qc3 $11) 20...
Nc7 21. Ne3 a6 $11) 20. Rb1 Rc8 (20... Qf6 21. Ne3 Bd4 22. Bg2 $11) 21. Bc3 Qf6
$6 (21... Bd6 22. Ne3 Rcd8 $11) 22. Bxe5 Qxe5 23. Ne3 Nb8 (23... Nc7 24. Qd2
Rfd8 25. Qa2 $14) 24. Qd2 Rfe8 25. c5 $1 {[%mdl 32] Excellent strategical
solution, Aronian fights for the domination on the dark squares. Black has his
hands full with defense of all weaknesses on the white squares.} bxc5 (25...
Rc6 26. Rfc1 bxc5 27. bxc5 Ba6 28. Rb4 $16) (25... Red8 26. Qb2 Qxb2 27. Bxe6+
Kf8 28. Rxb2 $16) 26. bxc5 Bc6 (26... Ba8 27. Qd6 (27. Rfc1 Rxc5 28. Bxe6+ Kh8
29. Rxc5 Qxc5 30. Bf5 $14) 27... Nc6 28. Nc4 Qf6 29. Qd2 $16) 27. Qd6 $1 Qxd6 (
27... Nd7 28. Ra1 Rc7 29. Rfb1 $16) 28. cxd6 a5 (28... Rcd8 29. Rfd1 a5 30. Nc4
$16) 29. Rfc1 Nd7 (29... Bd7 30. Bg2 Rxc1+ 31. Rxc1 Bc6 32. Nc4 $16) 30. Rc3
Kf7 31. Rbc1 Ne5 32. Bg2 $1 (32. Rc5 Bd7 33. Bg2 a4 34. Bxe4 $18) 32... Bd7 (
32... Red8 33. Bxe4 Rxd6 34. f4 $18) 33. Bxe4 {White's pieces are controlling
the center and many squares on the queenside.} Rxc3 34. Rxc3 Rc8 (34... a4 35.
f4 Ng6 36. Rc7 Rd8 37. Bc6 Ke8 38. Rxd7 Rxd7 39. Bxa4 Kd8 40. Bxd7 Kxd7 41. Nc4
$18) 35. Rxc8 Bxc8 36. f4 Nd7 (36... Ng6 37. Nc4 a4 38. Kf2 Ba6 39. Bxg6+ hxg6
40. Ne5+ Ke8 41. d7+ Kd8 42. Nc6+ Kxd7 43. Nb8+ Kd6 44. Nxa6 $18) 37. Nc4 Ba6 (
37... a4 38. Bc6 Ba6 39. Bxd7 Bxc4 40. Bxa4 $18) 38. Nxa5 Bxe2 39. Kf2 Bg4 (
39... Bb5 40. Ke3 e5 41. fxe5 Nxe5 42. Kd4 $18) 40. Nc4 Kf6 $6 (40... Bf5 41.
Bc6 Bd3 42. Bxd7 Bxc4 43. Ke3 $18) 41. Ne5 $1 (41. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 42. fxe5+ Kf7
43. Bxh7 $18) 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.17"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Minasian, Ara"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2473"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. c3 a6 7. Ba4 c4 8. d4
cxd3 9. Bg5 b5 10. Bb3 Ne5 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. Qxd3 e6 13. Nd2 h6 14. Bh4 Bc6 15.
Qxd8+ Rxd8 16. Nf3 Bd6 17. a4 Rc8 18. axb5 axb5 19. Bg3 Nd7 20. Nd4 Ke7 21.
Nxc6+ Rxc6 22. Ra7 Bc5 23. Rb7 Rb6 24. Rxb6 Bxb6 25. Bc2 h5 26. h4 Ra8 27. Bd3
Ra2 28. b4 Nf6 29. Bxb5 Rc2 30. Be2 Nxe4 31. Bd3 Rxc3 32. Bxe4 Rxg3 33. Bf3 Rg6
34. Rxe5 Rf6 35. Rxh5 Rf5 36. Rxf5 exf5 37. h5 Kf6 38. Bd5 g6 39. h6 g5 40. Kf1
Kg6 41. h7 Kxh7 42. Bxf7 Kg7 43. Be6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.18"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2571"]
[BlackElo "2470"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. e3 d5 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Bxc4 a6 7. O-O b5 8. Bb3
Bb7 9. Re1 Nc6 10. d5 exd5 11. e4 dxe4 12. Bg5 Be7 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nxe4 O-O
15. Nxc5 Na5 16. Nxb7 Nxb7 17. Bd5 Qb6 18. Qe2 Rad8 19. Rad1 Nd6 20. h4 g6 21.
h5 Nf5 22. hxg6 hxg6 23. g4 Nd4 24. Qe4 Nxf3+ 25. Qxf3 Kg7 26. Kg2 Bd4 27. Qe4
Bxb2 28. g5 Qc5 29. Rh1 Rfe8 30. Qf4 Re7 31. Qf3 Bd4 32. Bb3 Qxg5+ 33. Kf1 Qe5
34. Kg2 Rd6 35. Rde1 Qg5+ 36. Qg3 Qxg3+ 37. fxg3 Be5 38. Re2 Rd3 39. Rh3 Bd6
40. Rxe7 Bxe7 41. g4 Rxh3 42. Kxh3 Bd6 43. Kg2 a5 44. Bd5 f5 45. gxf5 gxf5 46.
Kf3 Kf6 47. Bc6 b4 48. Ke3 Ke5 49. Kd3 Kf4 50. Bd7 Be5 51. Ke2 Ke4 52. Bc6+ Kd4
53. Kd2 f4 54. Kc2 Ke3 55. Bb5 f3 56. Kd1 f2 57. Bf1 a4 58. Kc1 b3 59. Kb1
bxa2+ 60. Kxa2 Bd6 61. Bb5 Kd2 0-1

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Jirovsky, Milos"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2446"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Bg2 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ c6 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qc2 Bb7 8.
O-O a6 9. b3 Be7 10. Bb2 O-O 11. Ne5 Qb6 12. d3 c5 13. Nd2 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 Nd5
15. a3 Qb7 16. Kg1 Nd7 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18. Nf3 Rac8 19. Rac1 f6 20. Qd2 e5 21.
Rc2 Rcd8 22. Rb1 Qg4 23. Rcc1 h5 24. Kh1 g5 25. Qd1 e4 26. Ng1 Qe6 27. Qf1 e3
28. Qh3 Qg4 29. Rf1 Rd6 30. Qxg4 hxg4 31. f3 f5 32. fxg4 fxg4 33. Kg2 Bf6 34.
h3 Bxb2 35. Rxf8+ Kxf8 36. Rxb2 Rf6 37. hxg4 Rf2+ 38. Kh1 Nc3 39. b4 c4 40. Rc2
Nxe2 41. Nxe2 cxd3 42. Rc8+ Ke7 43. Nc3 e2 44. Nxe2 dxe2 0-1

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.21"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Potkin, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C16"]
[WhiteElo "2571"]
[BlackElo "2493"]
[Annotator "Finkel,A"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 b6 7. Qg4 Ng6 (7...
Kf8 8. Nh3 Ba6 9. Bxa6 Nxa6 10. Nf4 $14) (7... Nf5 $6 8. Bd3 h5 9. Qh3 g5 10.
g4 {[%cal Gh3h8]} Nh4 11. gxh5 f5 12. exf6 Qxf6 13. Qg4 Rg8 14. f4 $16 {
[%csl Rh4]}) 8. h4 h5 9. Qf3 {Modern theory recommends} (9. Qd1 $5 Ba6 (9...
Nxh4 $2 10. g3 $1 Ng6 11. Rxh5 Rxh5 (11... Kd7 12. Bd3 $16) 12. Qxh5 Ba6 13.
Bg5 $16) 10. Bg5 Qd7 (10... Ne7 11. Bxa6 Nxa6 12. Ne2 Nb8 13. Nf4 g6 14. Bf6
Rg8 15. g4 $16 hxg4 16. Qxg4 Nd7 17. Nxe6 $6 $13 {Zuidema-Matanovic Belgrade
1964}) 11. Bxa6 Nxa6 12. Ne2 Qc6 (12... Qa4 13. Rh3 $1) 13. O-O $14 {in both
cases with better play for white; Portisch,L-Ivkov,B/Zagreb 1965}) 9... Nxh4 (
9... Ba6 $6 10. Bxa6 Nxa6 11. Bg5 Qd7 12. a4 Qc6 $6 (12... Nb8 13. Ne2 c5 14.
O-O cxd4 15. cxd4 Nc6 16. Rfd1 Rc8 17. Ng3 Na5 18. Nxh5 $16 {Minic-Bukic
Yugoslavia 1962}) 13. Ne2 Qc4 14. O-O c5 15. Rfd1 $16 {Ivkov,B-Byrne,R/La
Habana 1966}) 10. Qh3 Ng6 (10... Nf5 11. g4 Ne7 (11... Nh6 12. gxh5 Ba6 13.
Bxa6 Nxa6 14. Qg4 Qd7 15. Qxg7 O-O-O $44 {Velimirovic,D-Matulovic,M/Belgrade
1963}) 12. Bg5 (12. gxh5 Ba6 13. Bxa6 Nxa6 14. Bg5 Qd7 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. Qd3
Nb8 $15 {Parma,B-Ivkov,B/Zenica 1963}) 12... Ba6 13. Bxa6 Nxa6 14. Qd3 Nb8 15.
Rxh5 Rxh5 16. gxh5 Nbc6 17. Ne2 Kd7 $13 {Minic,D-Susic,I/Titograd 1965}) 11.
Be2 {[%cal Ge2h5] White's idea is to take on h5 with the bishop, but this plan
sems to be too slow an black manages to get sufficient counterchances in the
center.} (11. Bd3 Qd7 12. Qg3 Nc6 13. Bxg6 fxg6 14. Qxg6+ Qf7 15. Qxf7+ Kxf7
16. g4 $1 $16 {Parma,B-Ivkov,B/Bled 1961}) (11. Be3 $5) 11... c5 12. Bxh5 Qc7
13. Qg3 (13. Ne2 Nc6 14. Be3 Ba6 15. Qf3 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 cxd4 17. cxd4 Ncxe5 $1
$13) 13... Nc6 14. Rh2 $6 {Preparing retreat of the bishop.} Rxh5 $5 (14...
cxd4 $5 15. Bxg6 Rxh2 16. Qxh2 fxg6 17. Qh8+ Kd7 18. Qxg7+ Ne7 {[%cal Gc7c3]}
19. Ne2 Ba6 20. Bg5 Re8 $15) 15. Rxh5 cxd4 16. Nf3 Ba6 {All black piieces are
very well placed, which permits black to put a pressure on white pawns in the
center combining it with threats against white king.} (16... dxc3 17. Be3 Ba6
18. Rh7 $14) 17. Bg5 (17. cxd4 $2 Nb4 $1 {[%cal Gc7c3]} 18. axb4 Qc3+ 19. Nd2 (
19. Kd1 Rc8 $1 20. Ra2 Qc4 $1 $17) 19... Qxa1 20. Qa3 Qxa3 21. Bxa3 Rc8 $15) (
17. Bd2 $5) 17... Kd7 18. Rd1 (18. cxd4 $2 Nb4 $1 19. Rc1 Qc3+ 20. Kd1 Qc4 {
[%csl Ge2]}) 18... dxc3 19. Rxd5+ $5 {Forcing a draw.} (19. Rxd5+ exd5 20. Qh3+
Ke8 21. Rh8+ Nxh8 22. Qxh8+ Kd7 23. Qh3+ $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.22"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Mamedov, Nidjat"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2463"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2
O-O 9. O-O-O d5 10. Kb1 Nxd4 11. e5 Nf5 12. exf6 Bxf6 13. Nxd5 Qxd5 14. Qxd5
Nxe3 15. Qd2 Nxd1 16. Qxd1 Bf5 17. Bc4 b5 18. Bb3 a5 19. g4 Bc8 20. Qe2 Rb8 21.
Rd1 e6 22. Qd2 Ra8 23. Qf4 Bg7 24. a4 bxa4 25. Qxa4 Bb7 26. Rd3 Rfc8 27. Rd6
Bxf3 28. Qf4 Bc6 29. Ba4 g5 30. Qc4 Be8 31. Qe4 Rab8 32. b3 Rb4 33. Qd3 Rxg4
34. Qd1 h5 35. Bxe8 Rxe8 36. Rd8 Rxd8 37. Qxd8+ Kh7 38. c4 Be5 39. c5 Bxh2 40.
c6 Rg1+ 41. Kc2 Bf4 42. Qf6 Kg8 43. Qd8+ Kh7 44. Qf6 Kg8 45. Qxf4 gxf4 46. c7
Rg2+ 47. Kd3 Rg3+ 48. Kc4 Rg5 49. c8=Q+ Kg7 50. Kd4 Rf5 51. Qc2 f3 52. Qf2 Kf8
53. Ke3 h4 54. Kd2 h3 55. Ke1 Ke8 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.23"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bagirov, Rufat"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2571"]
[BlackElo "2516"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 Nbd7 {Dieser Springerzug ist
die eigentliche Hauptvariante in der Ragozin-Variante.} 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Qc2 {
Dieser Zug wurde von Kramnik selbst in die Turnierpraxis eingeführt (in der
Partie Kramnik,V-Serper,G/Dortmund 1993). Die Idee des Zuges ist, dass Weiß
spielt nicht 7.e3 (was waere die alte Variante), so dass er im Falle von 7...
c5 den g5B auf d2 zurückziehen kann.} O-O (7... c5 8. dxc5 Qa5 9. Bd2 $14) (
7... h6 8. Bh4 c5 9. e3 Qa5 10. Bd3 O-O 11. O-O c4 12. Bf5 $14 {Diese Variante
ist die andere Pointe des Zugs 7.Qc2 - ohne h6 - Bh4 das waere eine
Grundstellung der Variante 7.e3 (statt 7.Qc2), wo Schwarz kann g7 - g6 spielen.
Jetzt g7 - g6 ist nicht moeglich.}) 8. a3 Bxc3+ (8... Be7 9. e3 b6 10. Bd3 Bb7
11. O-O c5 12. Rad1 $14) 9. Qxc3 h6 (9... c6 10. e3 (10. Nd2 $5) 10... Qe8 11.
Qc2 (11. Nd2 Ne4 12. Nxe4 {1/2-1/2 Garcia Ilundain,D-Giorgadze,G/Barcelona
2000/CBM 77 ext (12)}) 11... Ne4 12. Bf4 Ndf6 13. h3 Nh5 14. Be5 f6 15. Bh2 f5
16. Bd3 f4 17. O-O fxe3 18. fxe3 Nhf6 19. Ne5 Be6 {1/2-1/2 Beliavsky,A-Delchev,
A/Moscow 2001/CBM 86/[Kostakiev,D] (33)}) 10. Bh4 c6 (10... c5 11. dxc5 g5 12.
Bg3 Ne4 13. Qc2 Ndxc5 14. e3 Bd7 15. Nd4 Ba4 16. Qe2 Ne6 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. f3
Nc5 19. Be5 Rc8 20. Bc3 Qe8 21. h4 g4 22. h5 e5 {0-1 Postny,E-Milov,V/Moscow
RUS 2002/(46)}) 11. Nd2 $5 (11. e3 Qe8 12. Nd2 (12. Bd3 Ne4 13. Qc2 Nb6 14. O-O
Bf5 15. a4 Qe6 16. Nd2 Nd6 17. Nb3 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 Nf5 19. Nc5 Qg6 20. Bg3 Nxg3
21. hxg3 Qxd3 22. Nxd3 Nc4 {1/2-1/2 Markos,J-Luther,T/Istanbul TUR 2000/(40)})
12... Ne4 13. Qc2 Nb6 14. Bd3 Bf5 15. Bg3 Qe6 16. O-O Rac8 17. Rfc1 Bg6 {
0-1 Ruck,R-Milov,V/Ohrid 2001/CBM 84 (79)}) 11... Qe8 {Auf diese Weise
vermeidet Schwarz die Fesselung des f6-Springers und er kann seine Dame auf e6
platzieren.} (11... g5 12. Bg3 Ne4 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. h4 Nb6 15. hxg5 Nd5 16.
Qc5 (16. Qc2 Qa5+ 17. Qd2 $1 (17. Kd1 $6 e3 $1 $13) 17... Qxd2+ 18. Kxd2 hxg5
19. e3 $14) 16... hxg5 17. e3 Re8 18. Bc4 Be6 19. Kd2 f6 20. Rh6 Kg7 21. Rah1 {
1-0 Schlosser,P-Wirthensohn,H/Baden 2001/EXT 2002 (70)}) 12. f3 Qe6 13. e3 b6
$146 {[%cal Gc8b7,Gc6c5]} (13... Nb6 14. Bf2 (14. O-O-O) 14... Nh5 15. g4 Nf4
16. O-O-O $14 Ng6 17. Bd3 Bd7 18. Kb1 Na4 19. Qc2 c5 $5 20. dxc5 Rac8 21. e4 $1
{[%cal Gf2c5] 1/2-1/2 Karpov,A-Milov,V/Buenos Aires 2000/CBM 80/[Ribli] (38)})
(13... Re8 14. Bf2) 14. Be2 Re8 15. Bf2 c5 (15... a5 $5 {[%cal Gc8a6,Ga6e2]}
16. O-O Ba6 $11 {Nach diesem Zug kann Schwarz mindestens den weißfeldrigen
Läufer tauschen.}) 16. O-O $14 {Weiß hat das Läuferpaar und - ich glaube - Dr.
Tarrasch würde hier auch sagen: "es ist nicht wichtig, dass zwei Läufer mehr
oder weniger wirken, wichtig ist, dass sie sich auf dem Brett befinden!" Jetzt
steht der f2B nicht besonders aktiv, aber später wird er ins Spiel komemn.
Diese Stellung erinnert mich an eine Stellung der Nimzoindischen Verteidigung,
4.Qc2 0-0 5.a3 Variante.} Bb7 (16... c4 $6 17. e4 $36) 17. b3 {Mit diesem
prophyilaktischen Zug verhindert Weiß c5-c4.} Rac8 18. Rfe1 {Weiß verteidigt
den e2-Läufer und bereitet das Springermanöver Nf1-g3 vor.} cxd4 (18... a6 {
[%cal Gb6b5]}) 19. Qxd4 {[%csl Gd4] Die weiße Dame steht aktiv auf d4 und
Schwarz kann sie nicht verjagen.} Qc6 {[%cal Gc8c1]} 20. Nf1 {[%cal Gf1g3,
Gg3f5][%mdl 32] Der Springer zielt nach f5, und er kann von f5 nach d4
zurückkommen.} Qc3 21. Rab1 (21. Qxc3 Rxc3 $11) 21... Nf8 (21... Qxd4 22. exd4
Nf8 $14) (21... Ne5 $5) 22. Qxc3 Rxc3 23. Ng3 {[%cal Gg3f5,Gf5d4]} g6 $6 {
Auf diese Weise verteidigt sich Schwarz gegen 24.Nf5, aber der Bauernzug
schwächt die schwarze Königsstellung.} (23... Ne6 $14) 24. Bb5 Rec8 (24... Bc6
25. Ne2 Rc5 26. Bd3 $14) 25. Ne2 R3c5 26. a4 Ne6 27. Bg3 {[%csl Gb5,Gg3][%cal
Gg3d6,Gd6c5] Endlich kommt der dunkelfarbige Läufer ins Spiel.} (27. e4 R5c7
28. e5 Nd7 29. Nd4 $14) 27... a6 28. Bd3 a5 29. h4 (29. b4 axb4 30. Rxb4 Nd7
31. Nd4 $14) 29... Nd7 $6 (29... h5 $14) 30. h5 g5 (30... gxh5 $5) 31. Nd4 {
[%csl Yf5][%cal Gd4b5,Gb5d6,Gd4f5]} Nxd4 32. exd4 Rc3 33. Bf5 Rd8 {[%csl Gf5,
Gg3]} 34. Rbc1 $16 {Weiß hat das Läuferpaar und er kontrolliert die c-Linie.
Schwarz hat kein Gegenspiel.} Rxc1 35. Rxc1 {[%csl Gc7][%cal Rc1c7][%mdl 4096]}
Nf6 (35... Rc8 $2 36. Bc7 $18) 36. Bc7 (36. Rc7 Nxh5 37. Be5 $16) 36... Re8 37.
g4 {Weiß muss sich nicht beeilen mit dem Zug Bxb6.} (37. Bxb6) 37... Bc8 38.
Bd3 Re3 39. Be5 Be6 (39... Rxd3 $2 40. Rxc8+ Kg7 41. Rc6 Rxf3 42. Rxb6 (42. Kg2
$18)) 40. Bf5 $1 Ne8 (40... Bxf5 41. gxf5 $18 Nxh5 42. Rc8+ Kh7 43. Rh8#) 41.
Bxe6 fxe6 42. Rc6 {[%cal Rc6b6,Rc6h6]} Kf7 (42... Rxb3 43. Rxe6 Kf7 44. Rxh6
Rxf3 45. Rxb6 $18 {[%csl Gh5]}) 43. Rxb6 Rxf3 44. Kg2 Rc3 45. Rb5 {Es hängt
der a5P und der e8N kann nicht wirken.} Ke7 (45... Nf6 $2 46. Rb7+ $18) 46.
Rxa5 Rxb3 47. Ra7+ Kf8 48. a5 $18 {[%csl Ga5,Ge5,Re8] Der weiße a-Freibauer
entscheidet die Partie. Die Stellung ist materiell gleich, aber wir sehen
einen ganz großen Unterschied zwischen den weißen und schwarzen Figuren.} Rb2+
49. Kf3 Ra2 50. Ke3 Ra3+ 51. Kd2 Rf3 52. a6 Ra3 53. Kc2 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.24"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Markowski, Tomasz"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2538"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 Nf6 2. Bg2 d5 3. Nf3 g6 4. c4 Bg7 5. cxd5 O-O 6. O-O Nxd5 7. Nc3 Nc6 8.
d4 Nb6 9. d5 Na5 10. Qc2 c6 11. dxc6 Nxc6 12. Rd1 Bf5 13. e4 Bd7 14. Qe2 Qc8
15. Be3 Bg4 16. Rac1 Qe6 17. h3 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Rfd8 20. Bg2 Qc4
21. Qb2 Qa4 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 23. Bxb6 axb6 24. Qxb6 Qxa2 25. Qxb7 Qd2 26. Qb1 g5
27. Qc2 Ne5 28. Qxd2 Rxd2 29. Bf1 Nd7 30. Rb1 Ne5 31. Kg2 Kg7 32. Rc1 g4 33. h4
Nd7 34. Rb1 Ne5 35. Rc1 Nd7 36. Rb1 Ne5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.26"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2571"]
[BlackElo "2557"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 c5 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Nc6 {An unusual
sideline, Black usually decides later, how to develop his Nb8.} 7. Re1 ({
Allowing simplification and therefore innocuous is} 7. d4 Nxd4 8. Nxd4 Bxg2 9.
Kxg2 (9. Nxe6 fxe6 $5 (9... dxe6 10. Kxg2 $11) 10. Kxg2 Be7 11. e4 d6 12. e5
dxe5 13. Qe2 Qc7 14. Re1 Qc6+ 15. Kg1 Nd7 16. Bg5 Bxg5 17. Qh5+ g6 18. Qxg5 O-O
19. Rad1 Rf5 20. Qe7 Rf7 21. Qh4 $44 {Bayram,Y-Morchiashvili,B/EU-ch Batumi/
2002/}) 9... cxd4 10. Qxd4 Be7 (10... Bc5 11. Qd3 d5 12. cxd5 (12. Bg5 $142 $5
$36) 12... Nxd5 13. Qb5+ Qd7 14. Qxd7+ Kxd7 15. Rd1 Kc6 16. Nxd5 exd5 17. Bf4
Rhe8 18. Kf3 Re4 19. Rac1 f6 20. Be3 a5 21. Rc2 Rae8 22. Bd4 Kd6 23. Bxc5+ $11
{1/2,Chekhov,V-Mochalov,E/Minsk/1981/}) 11. Rd1 O-O 12. b3 Qc7 13. Qd3 a6 14.
Qf3 Rac8 15. Bb2 Rfd8 16. Rac1 Qb8 17. a4 d6 18. Kg1 h6 19. Ba3 Nd7 20. Ne4 Nc5
$11 {Engqvist,T-De Firmian,N/Stockholm/1998/}) (7. b3 Be7 8. Bb2 O-O 9. e3 {
can lead to positions from the A15 index.}) ({An ambitious continuation is the
immediate} 7. e4 {White wants to spare a tempo for Re1 and aims for the
following setup:} d6 8. d4 cxd4 ({It's more difficult to prove any advantage
after} 8... e5 $142 $5 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Qa4 Bd6 11. Nd5 O-O 12. Bg5 Be7 13.
Rad1 Nd4 $132 {Fridman,D-Totsky,L/Pardubice op/2001/}) 9. Nxd4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4
Be7 11. b3 O-O 12. Ba3 $1 Qb8 13. Rfd1 Rd8 14. Rac1 Bc6 15. h3 a6 16. Bb4 Qb7
17. Qe3 b5 18. cxb5 axb5 19. Rc2 Bf8 20. Rcd2 d5 21. Bxf8 Rxf8 22. exd5 Nxd5
23. Nxd5 Bxd5 24. Bxd5 exd5 25. Qf3 $14 {/+/-,Vaganian,R-Hellers,F/New York/
1990/}) 7... Be7 (7... Qc8 $143 8. e4 Nd4 9. e5 {[+]|^} Ng8 10. Nxd4 cxd4 11.
Bxb7 Qxb7 12. Nb5 d3 13. Re3 a6 14. Nc3 Qc7 15. Qa4 Bc5 16. Rxd3 Qxe5 17. Qxd7+
Kf8 18. Rf3 Nf6 19. Qd3 h5 20. Qe2 Qd4 21. d3 h4 22. Be3 $16 {Seppanen,
A-Boikij,I/Turku/1998/}) ({Black can give the position a totally different
character with} 7... d5 $142 $5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nxd5 Qxd5 (9... exd5 10. d4 Be7
11. dxc5 bxc5 12. Nh4 Bxh4 13. gxh4 Nd4 14. Bg5 Qd7 15. b4 Ne6 16. bxc5 Nxc5
17. Qd4 Ne6 18. Qb4 f6 19. Bd2 Kf7 20. Rab1 Bc6 21. h5 Rac8 22. Rec1 Rhe8 23.
Rb3 d4 $132 {Stern,R-Thinius,M/BL2N 9899/1999/}) 10. Qa4 Qd7 11. d3 Rd8 12. Bd2
Be7 13. Bc3 O-O 14. Qg4 f6 15. Bh3 Bc8 16. a4 e5 17. Qc4+ Qd5 18. Qxd5+ Rxd5
19. Bg2 Rdd8 20. Rec1 Be6 21. Ng5 Bd5 22. Ne6 Bxe6 23. Bxc6 a5 24. Kg2 $11 {
Stangl,M-Anastasian,A/Baden-Baden/1996/}) 8. e4 d6 (8... e5 9. d3 d6 10. Nh4
$14 {|^>>}) 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Rc8 ({Even after the more usual immediate
exchange White can retain a pull in a similar manner as in the above Vaganian
game:} 10... Nxd4 11. Qxd4 O-O 12. b3 Qc7 13. Ba3 $5 (13. Bb2 Rfd8 14. Rad1
Rac8 15. h3 Bc6 16. Kh2 a6 17. Qe3 Ba8 18. Rd2 Nd7 19. Red1 h6 20. f4 Nc5 21.
h4 Rb8 22. Rc1 Nd7 23. Bf3 Rbc8 24. Rcd1 Rb8 25. Rc1 Rbc8 26. Kg2 Qb8 27. Qe2
Bc6 28. Rdc2 Bf6 29. Nd1 b5 $11 {<=>,Kamsky,G-De Firmian,N/Amsterdam/1996/})
13... Rfd8 14. Rad1 Qc6 15. Qe3 Bf8 16. Nb5 Ne8 17. Rd2 a6 18. Nc3 Nf6 19. Red1
Rab8 20. h3 Ba8 21. Bb4 Rd7 22. a4 Qc7 23. Kh2 h6 24. f4 Re8 25. Rd3 $36 {
(),Chuchelov,V-Makarov,M/Berlin/1996/}) 11. b3 (11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bf4 Qd7 13.
Qe2 O-O 14. Rad1 Rfd8 15. e5 Ne8 16. Bxc6 Qxc6 17. Nb5 Rd7 18. exd6 Nxd6 19.
Bxd6 Bxd6 20. Rxd6 {1/2,Illescas Cordoba,M-Campora,D/ESP -chT Oropesa del Mar/
1996/} Rxd6 21. Nxa7 Qxc4 $11) 11... O-O 12. Ba3 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] We have
already indicated above that from a3 the B exerts unpleasant pressure on
Black's setup (><d6), as it prevents Black's N from getting to c5.} (12. Bb2
Qc7 13. Rc1 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Qb8 15. Re2 Rfd8 16. Rd1 Bf8 17. h3 Bc6 18. Qe3 Nd7
19. Nb5 a6 20. Nd4 Ba8 21. a4 Re8 22. Rde1 Nc5 23. Kh2 Bb7 24. f4 Rcd8 25. f5
g6 $5 $13 {Hernandez Montalvo,I-Esplana,C/Lima/2000/}) (12. Be3 a6 13. Rc1 Nxd4
14. Bxd4 Nd7 15. Qd2 Qc7 16. Red1 $11 {1/2,Vekshenkov,N-Poluljahov,A/URS-ch sf
Voronezh/1991/}) 12... Qd7 {Black wants to avoid any tactical surprises.} (
12... a6 13. e5 $5 (13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14. Qd2 {[%cal Ya3b4,Ya1d1] /\Rad1,Bb4+/=
etc.}) 13... Ne8 (13... dxe5 $2 14. Nxc6 Bxc6 15. Qxd8 $18) 14. Na4 $36) 13.
Nxc6 Qxc6 14. Nb5 (14. Qd3 a6 15. Bb4 Nd7 $5 {/\Nc5=}) 14... Ra8 15. Qe2 Rfd8
16. Rad1 Ne8 17. Nd4 (17. Rd2 a6 18. Nc3 Bf6 19. Bb2 Nc7 20. f4 Qc5+ 21. Qf2
Rab8 $132) 17... Qc7 18. Nb5 Qc6 19. Nc3 Bf6 20. Rd3 Nc7 21. Nd1 $1 (21. f4 $2
Bxc3 22. Rxc3 Nb5 $1 $17) 21... b5 22. Ne3 $14 {[%cal Re4e5] /\e5 White has
redeployed his N to protect c4 and g2.} bxc4 (22... Qa6 23. Bxd6 (23. Bb4 bxc4
24. Nxc4 d5 $132) 23... Rxd6 24. cxb5 Nxb5 25. Rxd6 Nxd6 26. Qxa6 Bxa6 27. e5
Rd8 28. exf6 gxf6 29. Rd1 $14) 23. Nxc4 d5 24. e5 (24. Na5 Qb6 25. Nxb7 Qxb7
26. exd5 Nxd5 $14 {/= In the game White wants more and tries to profit from
his d6-outpost.}) 24... Bg5 25. Qh5 Bh6 26. Nd6 {[%csl Gd6]} Rd7 27. Rd4 Qc3 $5
(27... Nb5 28. Rc4 $1 Qb6 29. Rg4 Nxd6 (29... Bd2 30. Rd1 Nxd6 (30... Be3 31.
Ne4 $1 Kh8 32. Rxg7 $1 Kxg7 33. Nf6 $18) 31. Rxd2 Nf5 32. Be4 $36) 30. exd6 (
30. Bxd6 Bd2 $13) 30... Kf8 (30... Kh8 $2 31. Qxh6 $1 $16) 31. Bc1 $1 f5 32.
Qxh6 $1 fxg4 (32... gxh6 33. Bxh6+ Ke8 34. Rg8+ Kf7 35. Rg7+ Kf6 36. Rxd7 $18)
33. Qxe6 $40) 28. Red1 Ba6 29. Bb4 Qc2 {[%cal Ra6e2] /\Be2} 30. Bf3 Nb5 (30...
Qg6 31. Qxg6 hxg6 32. Bg4 $16 {/\} Nb5 $2 33. Rxd5 $1) 31. Rg4 Nxd6 32. exd6 (
32. Bxd6 Kh8 $13) 32... Kh8 (32... Kf8 33. Qe5 {[%cal Rb4d2] /\Bd2!}) (32...
Bc1 $5 {/\Bb2~~}) 33. Qe5 {[%csl Rg7] ><g7} Re8 $6 (33... Qxa2 34. Ra1 (34. Bc3
Qxb3 $11) 34... Qxb3 35. Bc3 Bc4 36. Bd1 Qb8 37. Rxg7 (37. Qxg7+ Bxg7 38. Bxg7+
Kg8 39. Bh6+ $11) 37... f6 38. Qxe6 Rxg7 39. Qxf6 Qe8 40. Qxh6 d4 $13) 34. Bd2
$1 f5 (34... f6 35. Qh5 {[%csl Re8][%cal Rd2h6] /\Bh6+/-}) (34... Qf5 35. Qxf5
exf5 36. Rd4 $16 (36. Ra4 $16)) 35. Rd4 $16 {[%csl Re5,Re6] ><e5,e6 White
forced an advance of the Pf7, which crucially weakened Black's [+].} Bxd2 36.
R4xd2 Qc8 $8 (36... Qc6 37. Rxd5) 37. Re1 {[%cal Rd2d5,Rf3d5] /\Rd5,Bd5} Qd8 (
37... Rdd8 $2 38. Bh5 $1 $18) (37... Red8 38. Qxe6 Rxd6 39. Qxc8 Bxc8 40. Rxd5
$1 $16 {/+-}) 38. Rxd5 $6 {Premature, the exchange of B eases Black's defence.}
(38. Bh5 $142 $1 Rf8 39. Qxe6 Rxd6 40. Qe7 $36) (38. Rdd1 Bb7 $5 (38... Rxd6
39. Rxd5 $16) 39. Bxd5 Rxd6 40. Bf3 Rxd1 $132 {/\} 41. Rxd1 $2 Bxf3 $1 42. Rxd8
Rxd8 $19) (38. Bxd5 Rxd6 39. Rdd1 Qb8 $1 $132) 38... Bb7 39. Rd3 Bxf3 40. Rxf3
Rxd6 41. Qc5 Rd1 (41... Qb8 42. Rfe3 Rc8 $14) 42. Rfe3 Qd2 (42... f4 $142 $5
43. gxf4 Rxe1+ 44. Rxe1 Qd2 $132) 43. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 44. Kg2 $14 Qd7 $6 {Passive
defence enables White to penetrate decisively.} (44... f4 $5 45. gxf4 Qg4+ 46.
Rg3 Qxf4 47. Qxa7 $14) 45. Rc3 h6 (45... e5 $5) 46. Qc6 Qe7 $2 (46... Qxc6+ 47.
Rxc6 Re7 $16) 47. Rd3 Qf8 48. Rd7 e5 (48... a5 49. Ra7 $18) 49. Rxa7 e4 (49...
Kh7 50. Qd5 $18) 50. Qg6 $18 {[%cal Ra7f7,Rf7g7] /\Rf7,Rg7} f4 51. Rxg7 f3+ 52.
Kh3 (52. Kh3 Qxg7 53. Qxe8+ Kh7 54. Qxe4+ $18) 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0203"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2002.11.16"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Movsesian, Sergei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A24"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2651"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2002.10.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Neukoelln"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c6 3. e4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. g3 Bg7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O e5 8. h3
Nbd7 9. d3 Ne8 10. Bg5 f6 11. Be3 f5 12. Qd2 Qf6 13. exf5 gxf5 14. Ne2 Nc7 15.
d4 e4 16. Nh4 d5 17. Bg5 Qe6 18. Bf4 Ne8 19. cxd5 cxd5 20. Rac1 Nb6 21. b3 Bd7
22. a4 Bc6 23. f3 Nf6 24. Be5 Nh5 25. g4 fxg4 26. hxg4 Bh6 27. Qe1 Ng7 28. Rc3
exf3 29. Rcxf3 Rxf3 30. Rxf3 Nd7 31. Bxg7 Bxg7 32. Nf5 Re8 33. Re3 Qxe3+ 34.
Nxe3 Rxe3 35. Qf2 Rxb3 36. Qf5 Re3 37. Bxd5+ Bxd5 38. Qxd5+ Kf8 39. Qxd7 Rxe2
40. Qf5+ Ke7 41. Qxh7 Kf8 42. Qf5+ Kg8 43. d5 Bd4+ 44. Kf1 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0203"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2002.11.17"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Almasi, Zoltan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2672"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2002.10.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 Be7 11. Bf4 Be6 12. a3 Rd8 13. Rad1 h6 14. g4
Nh4 15. Rxd8+ Bxd8 16. Nd4 Bd7 17. Ne4 b6 18. c4 h5 19. f3 Ng6 20. Bg3 Nf8 21.
Rd1 Ne6 22. Ne2 Ng5 23. Nxg5 Bxg5 24. Kf2 Be7 25. Nf4 g6 26. Kg2 Bg5 27. Ne2
Be7 28. a4 Rg8 29. b3 Kd8 30. Bf4 Kc8 31. Ng3 Bh4 32. Kh2 c5 33. Ne4 Bc6 34. g5
Rd8 35. Rxd8+ Kxd8 36. Kg2 Kd7 37. e6+ Kxe6 38. Bxc7 Bxe4 39. fxe4 Bxg5 40. Bb8
Bd8 41. Kf3 a5 42. Bg3 g5 43. Bh2 f5 44. exf5+ Kxf5 45. Bd6 g4+ 46. hxg4+ hxg4+
47. Ke2 Ke4 48. Bg3 Kd4 49. Kd2 Bg5+ 50. Kc2 Ke4 51. Bc7 Be3 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 0203"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2003.01.11"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Lautier, Joel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[Annotator "Lautier,J"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2002.10.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Luebeck"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 {Wedberg} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7.
dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 a5 10. h3 a4 $6 11. a3 Be6 {'?!' Wedberg.
Wedberg: 'This move means taking some risk for Black since White can win time
by hitting the B.'} (11... h6 {Wedberg}) 12. g4 $1 {Wedberg: 'Excellent, Black
has some retreating to do now. The R is perfectly placed on f1 to support a P
storm. Lautiers plan is one of the most dangerous that Black has to counter in
the Berlin defence.'} (12. Ng5 Ke8 13. Nxe6 fxe6 {/\ Nd4} 14. Ne4 Nd4 15. c3
Nb3 16. Rb1 Nc5 17. Nxc5 Bxc5 $11) (12. Re1 {Wedberg} Kc8 13. g4 Ne7 14. Ng5
Nd5 15. Nce4 h6 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Be3 Be7 18. c4 Nxe3 19. Rxe3 Ra5 {Konguvel,
P-Aleksandrov,A/Goodricke 2002/0-1 (45)}) 12... Ne7 13. Ng5 $1 (13. Nd4 Bd7 14.
f4 h5 (14... Nd5 15. Nxd5 cxd5 16. f5 Bc5 17. Be3 Bb6 $14) 15. f5 hxg4 16. hxg4
Rh4 (16... g6 17. e6 $16) 17. Rf4 Nd5 18. Nxd5 cxd5 19. Nf3 Bc5+ 20. Kg2 Rh8
21. Bd2 $14) 13... Bc4 {'?!' Wedberg.} (13... Nd5 14. Nce4 h5 15. f4 $1 Ke8 (
15... hxg4 $2 16. f5 $18) 16. f5 Bc8 17. Kg2 $16) (13... h5 $5 {(Wedberg)
Trying to get some counterplay going before White has completely taken over
with f4-f5.} 14. Nxe6+ fxe6 15. Ne4 hxg4 16. hxg4 Nd5 17. c4 (17. Kg2 {Wedberg}
b5) 17... Nb6 18. Ng5 Ke7 19. Bd2 c5 20. Rac1 Nd7 21. Nf3 $14) 14. Re1 Ke8 (
14... h6 15. Nge4 $1 (15. Re4 {'!' Wedberg.} Bd5 $1 (15... b5 16. Rxc4 hxg5 17.
Rd4+ Ke8 18. Bxg5 Rxh3 19. Rad1 $16) (15... hxg5 16. Rxc4 Rxh3 (16... f6 {
Wedberg} 17. Kg2 $16) 17. Bxg5 $16) 16. Nxd5 cxd5 17. Nxf7+ (17. Rxa4 $2 Rxa4
18. Nxf7+ Ke8 19. Nxh8 g5 20. e6 Re4 $17) 17... Ke8 18. Rf4 Rh7 19. Rf3 (19. e6
Ra6) (19. g5 Ng6 20. Rf5 Ra6 $132 {/\ Nh4-g6} (20... Nh4 21. Rf4 (21. e6 $2
Nxf5 22. g6 Rh8 23. Nxh8 Ra6 $17) 21... Ng6 $11)) 19... Ng6 {/\ Nh4} 20. e6 Ra6
21. Re3 Nf4 22. Re1 Nxe6 23. Ne5 g5 $11) 15... Nd5 (15... Ng6 16. f4 Nh4 17.
Kf2 $16) (15... h5 16. Bg5 $16) 16. f4 (16. Bd2 g5) 16... h5 (16... Nxc3 17.
Nxc3 Bc5+ 18. Be3 Bxe3+ 19. Rxe3 $16) 17. f5 hxg4 18. hxg4 Be7 {/\ Rh4} 19. Kg2
Rh4 20. Kg3 Rh8 21. Bg5 $16) 15. f4 $1 {Wedberg: 'White is ready to storm. The
P:s are rolling and the pieces can mass behind them. Black must look for the
panic brake.'} (15. e6 f6 16. Nf7 Rg8 17. Bf4 Bxe6 18. Rxe6 Kxf7 19. Re2 Nd5
20. Nxd5 cxd5 21. Bxc7 Bc5 22. Rd1 Rac8 23. Bg3 d4 $11 (23... Rgd8 24. Red2 d4
(24... Ke6) 25. c3 Rd5 26. cxd4 Rcd8 $11)) (15. b3 axb3 16. cxb3 Be6 (16...
Bxb3 17. Rb1 Bc4 18. Rxb7 $36) 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Ne4 Nd5 $13) (15. Bf4 h6 (
15... Ng6 16. Bg3 Be7 17. Nge4 Nh4 $2 18. Nf6+ $16) 16. Nge4 Nd5 17. Bg3 Nxc3
18. Nxc3 Bc5 19. Rad1 Be6 20. Kg2 (20. Ne4 Bb6) 20... h5 $11) 15... h5 (15...
h6 16. Nf3 Nd5 17. Ne4 $16) (15... f6 16. exf6 (16. Nf3 $6 f5 $1) 16... gxf6
17. Ne6 Bxe6 18. Rxe6 Kf7 19. f5 h5 20. Ne4 Bg7 21. Kg2 (21. Bd2 hxg4 22. hxg4
Rh4 23. Nf2 Rd8 $132) 21... hxg4 22. hxg4 Rh4 23. Kg3 Rah8 (23... Rh1 24. Nf2
$1 $16) 24. Nf2 Bf8 (24... Nd5 {/\ Bf8-d6} 25. c4 Nb6 26. Bf4 Nxc4 27. Bxc7 $16
) 25. c4 (25. Bf4 Nd5) 25... Nc8 26. Bf4 Bc5 27. Ne4 Bd4 28. Rd1 c5 29. Rxd4
$16) 16. Nf3 $5 (16. b3 $6 axb3 17. cxb3 Bxb3 18. Rb1 Bd5 19. Rxb7 hxg4 20.
Nxd5 Nxd5 21. hxg4 Rh4 $132) (16. Kg2 $6 hxg4 17. hxg4 f6 $1 (17... Nd5 18.
Nce4 $16) 18. exf6 gxf6 19. Ne6 (19. Nge4 Kf7 $13) 19... Bxe6 20. Rxe6 f5 (
20... Kf7 21. f5 Nd5 22. Ne4 $36) 21. gxf5 Kd7 22. Ne4 (22. Re5 $2 Bg7) 22...
Nxf5 23. Re5 Nh4+ 24. Kf2 Bd6 25. Nf6+ Kd8 26. Re4 (26. Re6 Nf5 27. Be3 Rf8
$132) 26... Be7 27. Ng4 Rg8 28. Ne3 Bc5 $132) (16. f5 $1 hxg4 17. hxg4 Nd5 (
17... Rh4 18. Re4 Bd5 19. Nxd5 cxd5 20. Rf4 Nc6 21. Nf3 Bc5+ 22. Kg2 Rh8 23.
Bd2 $16 {/\ Re1}) (17... g6 18. f6 Nd5 19. Nce4 Nb6 (19... Rh4 20. Kg2 $1 $16)
20. Kg2 Ra5 21. Kg3 Nd7 22. Bf4 $16) 18. Nce4 (18. e6 $6 f6 19. Nf7 Rh4 20. Re4
b5 $132) 18... Be7 (18... Rh4 19. Kg2 $1 Rxg4+ (19... Be7 20. Kg3 $16) 20. Kh3
$16) 19. Kg2 $16) 16... hxg4 17. hxg4 f5 {Wedberg: 'A bid for freedom, but
Black has the tactics stacked against him here.'} (17... Nd5 18. Ne4 $16) 18.
exf6 gxf6 19. Ne4 Kf7 (19... Bg7 20. f5 Rg8 (20... Kf7 21. Bf4 Nd5 22. Bxc7 $16
) 21. Kf2 (21. g5 $6 Ra5 $1 {/\ Rf5}) 21... Kf7 22. Bf4 Nd5 23. Bg3 (23. Bxc7
Bf8) 23... Bh6 24. g5 Bxg5 25. Nexg5+ Rxg5 26. Nxg5+ fxg5 27. Re4 $16) 20. g5
$1 Bg7 $6 {'?' Wedberg.} (20... Bd5 $142 21. gxf6 (21. Bd2 $36 {[%cal Yd2c3]
Wedberg}) 21... Bxe4 22. Rxe4 Kxf6 23. Bd2 Nd5 24. c4 Bc5+ 25. Kg2 Rag8+ (25...
Rhg8+ 26. Ng5 Nxf4+ 27. Bxf4 Bd6 28. Be3 Rxg5+ 29. Bxg5+ Kxg5 30. c5 Kf5 31.
Rae1 Bf4 32. Kf3 $18) 26. Ng5 Nxf4+ 27. Bxf4 Bd6 28. Be3 Rh2+ 29. Kf3 Rxg5 30.
Bxg5+ Kxg5 31. c5 Rh3+ 32. Kg2 Rh2+ 33. Kg1 Rh4 34. Rxh4 Bxc5+ 35. Kg2 Kxh4 36.
Re1 Kg4 (36... b5 $2 37. Re4+ Kg5 38. Re5+ $18) 37. Re4+ Kf5 38. Rxa4 $16) 21.
gxf6 Bxf6 22. Nxf6 Kxf6 23. b3 $1 {Wedberg: 'White wins material. Both black
minor pieces are targets.'} Rhg8+ (23... Bd5 $142 24. Bb2+ Kf5 25. Nd4+ (25.
Bxh8 Rxh8 26. Rxe7 Bxf3 27. Kf2 Bd5 28. c4 Bg8 29. bxa4 Bxc4 30. Rb1 Rh2+ 31.
Kg3 Ra2 32. Re5+ Kf6 33. Re3 b6 $16) 25... Kxf4 26. Bc1+ Kg3 27. Re3+ Kg4 28.
Rxe7 Rh1+ 29. Kf2 Rf8+ 30. Ke2 Rff1 31. Rg7+ Kh3 32. Rh7+ Kg4 33. Rxh1 Rxh1 34.
b4 b6 35. Kd3 c5 36. bxc5 bxc5 37. Ne2 $18) 24. Kf2 $1 (24. Ng5 axb3 25. cxb3
Bxb3 26. Bb2+ Kf5 27. Rxe7 Kxf4 28. Bc1+ Kf5 29. Rxc7 Rxg5+ 30. Bxg5 Kxg5 31.
Rxb7 Bd5 $16) 24... Bd5 (24... axb3 25. Bb2+ Kf7 26. Ne5+ $18) 25. Ng5 $1 $18 (
25. Bb2+ Kf7 26. Ng5+ Rxg5 27. fxg5 axb3 28. cxb3 Bxb3 $16) 25... Rxg5 (25...
Nf5 26. Bb2+ Kg6 27. c4 Bf7 28. Re5 $1 (28. Rg1 Nh6 $1 $16) 28... Rad8 (28...
Rae8 29. Nxf7 $18) 29. Nf3 axb3 30. Rg1+ Kh7 31. Rh1+ Nh6 (31... Kg6 32. Nh4+
$18) 32. Ng5+ Kg6 33. Rxh6+ $18) (25... Ng6 26. c4 axb3 27. cxd5 cxd5 28. Rb1
Ra4 29. Rxb3 Nxf4 30. Bb2+ Kg6 31. Ne6 $18) (25... Rae8 {Wedberg} 26. c4 Bf7
27. Bb2+ Kg6 28. Nf3 $40 {[%csl Rg6]}) 26. fxg5+ Kf7 27. c4 Be6 28. Ra2 $1 Bf5
(28... Ng6 29. Kg3 $18) 29. Kg3 Ng8 (29... axb3 30. Rf2 Ra5 31. Bd2 $18) 30.
Rf2 Kg6 31. Re5 (31. b4 Rd8) 31... Bd7 32. b4 b5 33. cxb5 cxb5 34. Rc2 Rc8 35.
Bf4 Kf7 36. Rd5 Ke6 37. Re5+ Kf7 38. Rd5 Ke6 39. Rd1 Be8 40. Re1+ Kf7 41. Bd6
$1 {>< e7, >< Ng8} Bd7 42. Bc5 Kg6 43. Rd2 Bf5 44. Kf4 Ra8 45. Rd5 Bh3 (45...
Bh3 46. Re3 Bg2 (46... Bc8 {Wedberg} 47. Rd8 $18) 47. Rd7) 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0203"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2003.01.12"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ftacnik, Lubomir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D40"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2602"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2002.10.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Hamburger SK"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4. e3 Nc6 5. a3 d5 6. d4 a6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. b4
Ba7 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Qc2 Qe7 11. Rd1 Rd8 12. Be2 d4 13. exd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4
15. O-O e5 16. Na4 Bg4 17. Bxg4 Nxg4 18. Bxd4 Rxd4 19. Nb6 Rad8 20. Nd5 Qd6 21.
h3 Nf6 22. Rxd4 exd4 23. Rd1 Qe5 24. f4 Qe6 25. Qd2 b5 26. Qxd4 Kh8 27. f5 Qe2
28. Rc1 bxc4 29. Qe3 Qd3 30. Qxd3 cxd3 31. Nxf6 gxf6 32. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0203"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2003.02.08"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Prusikin, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2504"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2002.10.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 094"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Forchheim"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 a6 {Diese Zugfolge ist eine Seltenheit. 
(Die andere Moeglichkeit ist ein Fehler in der Partienotation). In der Mega
Database 2003 habe ich nur 21 Partien gefunden, wo Schwarz so spielte - unter
anderem gute Großmeister, wie Suetin, Krasenkov, Lautier usw.} 5. Bg2 (5. Nbd2)
(5. Qc2) 5... dxc4 6. O-O Nc6 {Heutzutage ist diese Variante sehr popular -
frueher spielte Schwarz lieber 6...b5. Ich muss bemerken, dass Großmeister
Aronian die Katalanische Eroeffnung auch mit Weiß spielt.} 7. Nc3 (7. e3 Bd7 8.
Qe2 (8. Nc3)) 7... Rb8 8. e4 Be7 9. Qe2 {Dieser Zug wird heutzutage weniger
gespielt. Weiß moechte im folgenden 10.Rd1 ziehen.} (9. d5 exd5 10. exd5 Nb4
11. Ne5 Bf5 12. a3 Nd3 13. Nxc4 O-O 14. b4 Nxc1 15. Rxc1 Ne8 16. Qf3 g6 17. Ne4
Bxe4 18. Qxe4 Nd6 {1/2-1/2 Bareev,E-Adams,M/Dortmund 2002/CBM 90 (25)}) 9...
Nxd4 {Das ist die prinzipielle, aber riskante Fortsetzung - danach bekommt
Weiß einige Initiative.} (9... b5 10. Rd1 Nb4 11. Ne5 (11. Ne1) 11... Nd7 $5
$13 (11... Bb7 12. a3 Nd3 13. Nxd3 cxd3 14. Rxd3 O-O 15. g4 Nd7 16. b4 Re8 17.
f4 {1-0 Ivanisevic,I-Abramovic,B/Vrnjacka Banja 1999/EXT 2000 (39)}) 12. b3
Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd3 14. Be3 O-O 15. f4 {0-1 Lalic,B-Chandler,M/Hastings 2000/CBM
75/[Ribli] (41)}) 10. Nxd4 Qxd4 11. Rd1 Qc5 12. Be3 (12. e5 Nd7 13. Ne4 Qxe5
14. Bf4 Qa5 15. Qxc4 e5 16. Bd2 Qb6 17. Be3 c5 18. Nc3 Nf6 {0-1 Klinger,
J-Boensch,U/Lugano 1989/TD (41)}) 12... Qa5 $5 {Dieser Damezug scheint mir
logischer, als die frueher gespielte Alternative 12...Qb4.} (12... Qb4 13. a3
Qb3 14. Bf4 Qb6 15. Rd2 Qc5 16. Be3 Qa5 17. Qxc4 c5 18. Bf4 Ra8 19. Qe2 Nd7 20.
Rad1 e5 21. Bh3 Nf6 22. Bxc8 Rxc8 23. Bxe5 O-O 24. Nd5 Nxd5 25. exd5 Rce8 26.
Qg4 f6 27. Qe6+ Kh8 28. Bc3 {1/2-1/2 Ovcina,D-Wegener,O/Yerevan 2000/CBM 78
ext (42)}) 13. Qxc4 e5 {[%mdl 4] Mit diesem Zug schwaecht Schwarz das d5-Feld,
aber er muss praktisch so spielen, weil der Gegner sonst 14.e5 ziehen kann,
mit gefährlicher Initiative am Königsflügel.} (13... O-O 14. e5 Qxe5 (14... Nd7
15. f4 $44) 15. Bf4 Qc5 16. Qxc5 Bxc5 17. Bxc7 Ra8 18. Rac1 $44) 14. a3 {
[%cal Gb2b4]} Be6 (14... c6 $6 15. b4 Qc7 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 $36) 15. Nd5
Bd6 (15... Bxd5 16. exd5 Bd6 17. b4 Qb5 18. Qxb5+ axb5 19. Bf1 $11) 16. b4 (16.
Nxf6+ gxf6 17. Qc2 $15) 16... Bxd5 17. Rxd5 (17. exd5 Qa4 $15) 17... Qa4 {
[%cal Ga4d7]} 18. Ra5 {Dieser Zug kommt mit Tempo, aber der Turm steht weniger
gut auf a5.} Qd7 {Schwarz hat einen Bauern mehr und ich sehe keine
Kompensation fuer Weiß. Eine andere Frage ist, ob Schwarz den Materialvorteil
verwerten kann.} 19. Bg5 Qe6 (19... Qe7 $15) 20. Qf1 (20. Qxe6+ fxe6 $15 {
[%csl Ra5]}) 20... h6 21. Bh3 (21. Be3 O-O $15) 21... Qe7 22. Bxf6 Qxf6 23. Rd5
h5 $1 {[%cal Gh5h4] Mit diesem Zug gewinnt Schwarz Raum am Koenigsfluegel und
moechte spaeter h5-h4 ziehen.} (23... O-O $15) 24. Qe2 g6 (24... h4 $15) 25.
Rad1 Kf8 {[%cal Gf8g7]} 26. R1d3 Kg7 {[%csl Gg7][%cal Gh5h4] Der schwarze
Koenig steht in voller Sicherheit auf g7 und im folgenden kann Schwarz mit
h5-h4 aktiv spielen.} 27. Bf1 (27. Rf3 Qe7 $15) 27... h4 (27... Qe6 28. h4 $15)
28. Qg4 Qe6 29. Be2 Rbf8 {[%cal Gf7f5] Mit dem Turmzug bereitet Schwarz 30...
f5 vor, mit Angriffchancen am Koenigsfluegel.} 30. Qxe6 fxe6 31. Ra5 {Der
weiße Turm muss wieder nach a5 gehen.} Ra8 {Nach diesem Zug muss Weiß immer
mit b6 oder mit b5 rechnen, wonach der a5R vom Spiel ausgeschlossen wird.} 32.
Rb3 c6 {[%cal Gd6c7,Gc7a5]} 33. a4 Bc7 34. Rc5 Bb6 35. Rc2 (35. Rxe5 Kf6 $19 {
[%csl Re5]}) 35... Rad8 $17 {[%cal Gd8d1]} 36. Rd3 (36. Kg2 $142 $17) 36...
Rxd3 37. Bxd3 {[%mdl 4096]} Rd8 38. Be2 Rd4 {[%csl Gb6,Gd4][%cal Rd4b4,Rd4e4]
Es gibt ungleichfarbige Läufer auf dem Brett, aber das hilft nur Schwarz - er
hat starke Kontrolle ueber die dunklen Felder.} 39. b5 cxb5 40. axb5 a5 {
[%csl Ga5]} 41. Kg2 (41. Rc4 Rd2 42. Kf1 Ra2 $19 {[%cal Ga5a4]}) 41... a4 42.
f3 Rb4 43. gxh4 Bd4 $19 {[%csl Gb4,Gd4][%cal Ga4a3]} 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 0203"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2003.02.09"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Khenkin, Igor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2603"]
[Annotator "Lutz,C"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2002.10.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 094"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Tegernsee"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qd3 Nbd7 8. e4
b4 9. Na4 Bb7 (9... Qa5 10. b3 c5 11. Bg5 Bb7 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Be2 (13. d5 $6
O-O-O $1 14. Be2 f5 15. exf5 Nb6 16. Nxb6+ Qxb6 17. O-O $6 Rxd5 18. Qe3 Rxf5
19. Ne5 $2 Rg8 20. g3 $2 Bg7 {0-1 Kortschnoj,V-Ivanchuk,V/Lvov 2000}) 13...
O-O-O 14. O-O Kb8 15. d5 Nb6 16. Nxb6 Qxb6 17. Rad1 Bh6 18. Qc4 Rd6 19. dxe6
Rxe6 20. Rd5 $1 Rhe8 21. Bd3 Rd8 22. Rd1 Red6 23. Be2 Bxd5 24. exd5 Qb7 25. Qh4
Bf8 26. Bc4 $44 {1-0 Karpov,A-Gelfand,B/Linares 1993 (45)}) 10. e5 Nd5 11. Bd2
(11. Ng5 $5 h6 12. Ne4 Qa5 13. b3 N5b6 14. Nac5 Nxc5 15. dxc5 Nd7 16. Qg3 Nxc5
17. Nd2 $6 Qd8 $1 18. Nc4 Qd4 19. Bb2 Qe4+ 20. Qe3 Qxe3+ 21. fxe3 a5 $17 {
0-1 Krasenkow,M-Kortschnoj,V/Halkidiki 2002/[Kortschnoj]}) 11... Qa5 12. b3 Be7
(12... c5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. Qb5 Qxb5 15. Bxb5 Be7 16. Rc1 a6 17. Bc6 Bxc6 18.
Rxc6 O-O 19. O-O g5 20. h3 Rfd8 21. Re1 h6 22. Kf1 Bf8 23. Rc4 Rdc8 24. Rec1
Rxc4 25. bxc4 N5b6 26. Nxb6 Nxb6 27. c5 Nd5 28. Ne1 a5 29. Nd3 Be7 30. Rc4 Kf8
31. a3 bxa3 32. Ra4 Ke8 33. Rxa3 a4 34. Bc1 Kd7 35. Ra1 Kc6 36. Ba3 Rb8 37. Ke1
{1/2-1/2 Portisch,L-Kuczynski,R/Budapest zt 1993}) 13. Nb2 N5b6 14. Qe4 Qd5 15.
Qg4 g6 16. Nd3 h5 17. Qf4 a5 18. Rc1 Rc8 19. Nc5 Nxc5 20. dxc5 Bxc5 21. Ng5 Rc7
22. Ne4 Be7 23. Be3 Nd7 24. Rd1 g5 25. Nxg5 Bxg5 26. Qxg5 Qxe5 27. h4 {Weiß
hat in der Eröffnungsphase einen Bauern gewonnen, für den er etwas
Kompensation (schwarzfeldrigen Läufer, rückständiger c-Bauer bei Schwarz) hat.
Die eigentlichen Komplikationen der Partie beginnen aber erst jetzt.} (27. Rxd7
Qxg5 28. Rxc7 Qe5 29. Rxb7 Qa1+ 30. Ke2 Qxa2+ 31. Kf3 Qxb3 $13) 27... c5 $6 {
Es wäre ungerecht, diesen Zug zu tadeln, denn das folgende Opfer war nur
schwer vorauszusehen.} ({Hätte Khenkin geahnt, was ihn erwartet, hätte er wohl
den Übergang ins Endspiel gewählt:} 27... Qxg5 28. hxg5 c5 29. Rh4 Ke7 {
Weiß hat dank des Läuferpaares Kompensation für den Bauern, aber nicht mehr.})
28. Rxd7 $1 {Ein verblüffendes Konzept. Aronian gibt die Dame im Tausch gegen
Turm, Läufer und Angriffchancen gegen den schwarzen König. Unabhängig davon,
dass der Überraschungseffekt natürlich für Aronian spricht, ist dieses Opfer
aber auch objektiv spielbar, denn in Verlustgefahr gerät Weiß wohl nicht.} Qxg5
29. Rxc7 Qd5 (29... Qe5 $5 30. Rxb7 Qa1+ 31. Ke2 Qxa2+ 32. Kf3 Qxb3 33. Rb8+
Ke7 34. Rxh8 Qd5+ 35. Kg3 Qe5+ 36. Kh3 Qxh8 37. Bxc5+ Kf6 $13) 30. Bb5+ Kd8 (
30... Kf8 31. Rh3 $40 {mit der Idee Rg3 oder Rf3}) 31. Rxc5 Qe4 32. Ke2 {
Ein wichtiger Umstand ist, dass der weiße König dank des starken Be3
schwarzfeldrig geschützt ist. Die schwarze Dame kann so zwar vereinzelte
Schachs geben, aber keinen richtigen Angriff inszenieren.} Qg4+ 33. Kd2 Rg8 $2
(33... f6 {ist der richtige Zug, um die Felder g5 und e5 unter Kontrolle zu
nehmen. Nach} 34. Rhc1 Qxg2 {erscheint mir die Lage nicht klar, z.B.} 35. Bd3 (
35. Rc7 $2 Qd5+ 36. Bd3 Ba6) 35... Ke7 36. Rc7+ Kd6 37. Rf7 Rc8 38. Bf4+ e5 39.
Rxf6+ Ke7 40. Bg5 Rxc1 41. Kxc1 Kd7 {und wahrscheinlich sollte die Partie mit
einem Unentschieden enden.}) 34. Rhc1 $18 {Jetzt ist die Partie um, denn es
droht sowohl 35.Rc7 als auch 35.Rg5.} Qe4 (34... f6 35. Rc7 $18) 35. Rg5 Ke7 (
35... Rg6 36. Rc4 Qb1 37. Rxg6 Qxg6 38. Bb6+ Ke7 39. Rc7+ Kf8 40. Rxb7 Qxg2 41.
Rb8+ $18) 36. Rxg8 Qd5+ 37. Bd3 Ba6 38. Bg5+ f6 39. Rc7+ Kd6 40. Bf4+ e5 41.
Rd8+ 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0203"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2003.03.09"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Breder, Dennis"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2440"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2002.10.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 094"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Godesberg"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8.
exd5 cxd5 9. O-O O-O 10. Bg5 c6 11. Qf3 Be7 12. h3 ({Another ways of play are:
} 12. Rfe1 h6 ({safer would be} 12... Re8) 13. Bxh6 gxh6 14. Qe3 {- see the
commented game Berg,E-Sokolov,I/Malmo 2001/CBM 84 [Postny]}) ({or} 12. Rae1 Be6
13. Ne2) 12... h6 (12... Rb8 13. Na4 Be6 14. Rad1 h6 15. Be3 Qa5 16. b3 Rbd8
$11 {0-1 Florean,A-Zhang Zhong/Calicut 1998/CBM 67 ext (36)}) 13. Bd2 {A rare
move, which looks a bit passive.} (13. Bf4 Nh7 14. Rfe1 Ng5 {appeared in the
game Pavasovic,D-Beliavsky,A/Vidmar mem 1999/CBM 72 [Mikhalevski,V]}) (13. Bh4
Rb8 14. b3 Rb4 15. Bg3 Bd6 16. Ne2 c5 17. c3 Rb6 18. Bxd6 Rxd6 19. Ng3 Re8 20.
Rfe1 Rde6 21. Rxe6 Rxe6 22. Bf5 Re5 23. Rd1 Bxf5 24. Nxf5 Qb6 $11 {0-1
Shtyrenkov,V-Tkachiev,V/Cappelle la Grande 1995/EXT 97 (43)}) 13... Nh7 $5 {
Interesting manoeuvre. Black is intending to find better pastures for his
knight and harass the opponent's queen by the way. Natural alternatives could
be 13...Be6 or 13...Re8.} 14. Rad1 $146 (14. Rfe1 Ng5 15. Qh5 Bd6 $6 (15... Rb8
$5) 16. Ne2 $14 {1-0 Costagliola,M-Guigonis,D/France 2000/EXT 2001 (21)}) 14...
Ng5 15. Qh5 Rb8 {[%csl Rb2]} 16. b3 Rb4 17. f4 ({After} 17. Ne2 $4 {[%tqu "En",
"Find the winning move for black.","","","b4h4","",10]} Rh4 $1 18. Qxh4 Nf3+ {
white loses his queen.}) 17... Nh7 18. Ne2 ({No good for white is} 18. Nxd5 $2
cxd5 19. Bxh7+ Kxh7 20. Bxb4 Bxb4 21. Qxd5 Qb6+ {Here the pair of bishops is
stronger, than rook + two pawns.}) (18. Na4 {looks more to the point.}) 18...
Nf6 19. Qf3 Rb8 20. Ng3 {This is a logical continuation of 18.Ne2, however
this move seems to me as inaccuracy.} (20. c4 {would be more to the point.})
20... c5 21. c4 d4 22. Nf5 ({Deserved serious attention} 22. Nh5 {intending to
eliminate the Nf6, the main defender of black's kingside position.}) 22... Re8
(22... Bxf5 $6 23. Bxf5 Re8 24. g4 $1 $36) 23. Qg3 $6 {A pointless move, since
black intended to take on f5 anyway.} (23. Nxe7+ Rxe7 24. f5 $13) 23... Bxf5
24. Bxf5 Bd6 25. Qf3 Bc7 $1 {[%cal Yc7a5]} 26. Rfe1 ({Comes into consideration
} 26. g4 {[%cal Gg4g5]} Qd6 27. Rf2) 26... Qd6 27. g3 $6 {This move
unnecessary weakens the position near the white monarch.} ({Possible was} 27.
Bb1) 27... Qa6 $1 {Attacking the Pa2 and preparing Bc7-a5 manoeuvre as well.}
28. Bb1 Ba5 {The exchange of dark-squared bishops is definitely in black's
favour.} 29. Re5 Nd7 30. Rd5 $6 ({More accurate would be} 30. Re2) 30... Bxd2 (
{Very interesting is} 30... Nb6 31. Re5 (31. Rxc5 $2 Bxd2 32. Rxd2 Re1+ $19 {
[%csl Rb1]}) (31. Qd3 $2 Nxd5 32. Qh7+ Kf8 $19) 31... Bxd2 32. Rxd2 Nxc4 33.
Qd3 $1 (33. Rxe8+ Rxe8 34. bxc4 Re1+ 35. Kh2 Rxb1 36. Qa8+ Kh7 37. Qe4+ Qg6 $19
) 33... Qg6 34. Qxg6 fxg6 35. Rxe8+ Rxe8 36. Bxg6 {and white should survive.})
31. Rxd7 Qe6 32. Qd5 $2 {The decisive mistake.} (32. Rd5 Qe3+ (32... Qxh3 $4
33. Bf5 $18) 33. Kg2 Bb4 34. Bd3 $15) 32... Qe3+ 33. Kh1 Qxg3 34. Qg2 (34.
Qxf7+ Kh8 $19 {Probably white overlooked, that the Pg7 is protected, before
playing 32.Qd5.}) 34... Re1+ 35. Rxe1 Qxe1+ 36. Qg1 Re8 {The rest of the game
is a desperation.} 37. Bf5 g6 38. Bd3 Qe6 39. Qg4 f5 40. Bxf5 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 0203"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2003.03.15"]
[Round "13.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Lutz, Christopher"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2002.10.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 094"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Porz"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 {Das ist die natuerliche Antwort, aber bei dieser
Zugfolge sind auch 3...c5, oder 3...b5 interessant.} 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6.
c4 dxc4 {Das ist die sogenannte Klassische Variante - Schwarz nimmt den
c4-Bauern und waehrend Weiß den Bauern zurueckgewinnt, kann er die Entwicklung
beenden.} 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4 {Heutzutage dieser Zug ist in der Mode, aber die
traditionelle Fortsetzung 8.Qc4 ist auch spielbar.} Bd7 {Ribli: Winants: 'La
méthode consacrée : Les Noirs y projettent de contrecarrer l'action du Bg2
puis d'éliminer le pion central via c5.'} 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 {Die weiße
Strategie ist - den Bg5 gegen den Nf6 zu tauschen und nach Nc3, e4 eine starke
Zentrumsstellung aufzubauen. Schwarz hat dagegen zwei gewoehnliche
strategische Ideen - 1. den weißfarbigen Laufer gegen den f3-Springer zu
tauschen und mit a5, c6- Na6 -Nb4 eine feste Stellung aufzubauen. 2. den
weißfarbigen Läufer nicht zu tauschen und stattdessen mit 10...Bd5 und 11...
Be4 im Zentrum aktiv zu spielen.} Bd5 11. Qc2 Be4 12. Qd1 (12. Qc1 $5) 12... c5
{Ribli: Winants: 'Tout cela figure dans les manuels théoriques. Les Noirs ont
pratiquement égalisé.'} 13. dxc5 {Die andere Möglichkeit für Weiß wäre 12.Nbd2,
aber der Textzug scheint mir chancenreicher.} Bxc5 14. Nbd2 {Dieser
Springerzug erscheint mir besser, als 14.Nc3 - der Springer kann von d2 nach
b3 gehen und spaeter eventuell weiter nach a5; im im Falle von 14.Nc3 hat Weiß
demgegenüber keinen aktiven Spielplan mit dem Springer zur Verfügung.} Bc6 15.
Nb3 Be7 (15... Ba7 16. Qxd8 Rxd8 17. Na5 Bd5 18. Ne1 Nc6 19. Bxd5 Nxa5 20. Bg2
{1-0 Davies,N-Shabtai,R/Tel Aviv 1989/EXT 97 (50)}) (15... Bb4 $5) 16. Qxd8 {
Gewoenlich ist es unlogisch von selbst zu tauschen und den gegnerischen Turm
auf die Linie zu bringen, aber mit dem Textzug kann Weiß - als strategische
Pointe - 17.Na5 ziehen.} Rxd8 17. Na5 {[%csl Ga5][%cal Ga5c6,Gg2a8] Der a5N
verhindert die Entwicklung des schwarzen Damenfluegels.} Bd5 18. Ne5 Bxg2 19.
Kxg2 Nbd7 20. Nd3 {[%csl Ga5,Gd3] Das d3-Feld ist ein Schluesselfeld fuer den
Springer in vielen Varianten der Katalanischen Eroeffnung. Jetzt kontrolliert
der d3N die wichtigsten Zentrumsfelder und verteidigt den b2-Bauern. Jetzt
droht 21.Nxb7 und Schwarz kann den Bauern nicht mit Rdb8 zurueckgewinnen.} e5
$146 {[%cal Ge5e4] Dieser Zug ist eine theoretische Neuerung. Die Idee des
Zugs ist - mit e5-e4 den d3-Springer zu verjagen.} (20... h6 $5 21. Bf4 (21.
Bxf6 Bxf6 22. Nxb7 Rdb8 23. Na5 Bxb2 $11) 21... g5 22. Nxb7 (22. Be3 $5 Rdb8 (
22... Nd5 23. Nxb7 Rdb8 24. Na5 $16) 23. Rfc1 Nd5 $13) 22... gxf4 23. Nxd8 Rxd8
24. gxf4 a5 $1 {1/2-1/2 Ribli,Z-Donev,I/Austria 1996/CBM 57 ext/[Donev] (53)} (
24... Nc5 25. Ne5 Rd2 26. b4 $1)) (20... Rdc8 21. Nxb7 Rab8 22. Na5 Bd8 23. b4
Bxa5 24. bxa5 $16) (20... b6 21. Nc6 Re8 22. Nxe7+ Rxe7 23. Rfc1 $14) 21. Bxf6
Nxf6 (21... Bxf6 $2 22. Nxb7 Rdb8 (22... e4 23. Nxd8 exd3 24. Nc6 dxe2 25. Rfe1
Re8 26. Rac1 Bxb2 27. Rc2 $18) 23. Nd6 $16) 22. Nxe5 $1 (22. Nxb7 Rdb8 (22...
Rd7 23. Na5 (23. Nbc5 Rd5 24. b4 e4 25. Nf4 Rd4 $36) 23... e4 24. Ne5 Rd2 25.
Nac6 $16) 23. Ndc5 (23. Na5 e4 24. Ne5 Rxb2 25. Nac6 Kf8 26. Nc4 Rc2 (26...
Rxe2 $2 27. Nd4 $16 {[%csl Re2]}) 27. Rfc1 $11) 23... Ra7 24. Rac1 h6 (24...
Raxb7 25. Nxb7 Rxb7 26. Rc8+ Bf8 27. Rd1 $36) 25. Na5 Rxb2 $11) 22... Rd2 23.
Nd3 b6 (23... Rxe2 24. Rfe1 Rxe1 25. Rxe1 Kf8 26. Nxb7 $16) 24. Nc4 {[%cal
Rc4b6,Rc4d2]} Rxe2 25. Nxb6 $16 {[%mdl 1024] Weiß hat einen Bauern mehr und
ich sehe keine besondere Kompensation fuer Schwarz.} Rd8 (25... Rb8 26. Rae1
Rxe1 27. Rxe1 Kf8 28. Nc4 $16) 26. Rae1 Rc2 (26... Rxe1 27. Rxe1 $16) 27. Rxe7
Rxd3 28. Rfe1 $1 (28. Ra7 h5 29. Rxa6 Ng4 30. Kg1 Rdd2 $132) 28... h5 29. R7e2
Rc6 (29... Rxe2 30. Rxe2 $16) 30. a5 Rc5 (30... Rb3 $16) 31. Re5 (31. b4 Rb5
$132) 31... Rxe5 {Ich glaube, der Turmtausch hilft Weiß. Es waere besser, die
Tuerme auf dem Brett zu behalten.} (31... Rc2 $142) 32. Rxe5 Rd2 {[%mdl 4096]}
33. Nc4 Rc2 34. b3 Ng4 {[%cal Rc2f2,Rg4f2,Rg4e5]} 35. Rf5 g6 36. Rf4 f5 37. h3
{Nach diesem Zug muss der Stolz der schwarzen Stellung, der g4N, weichen.} Nf6
38. Ne5 Kg7 39. Rc4 {[%csl Gc4][%cal Gc4c7,Gc7g7]} Ra2 (39... Rxc4 40. bxc4 $16
) 40. Rc7+ Kg8 41. b4 g5 (41... Ne4 42. Rc6 (42. Nd3 Rd2) 42... Rxf2+ 43. Kg1
$16) 42. Nd3 Ne4 (42... Rd2 43. Nc5 $18) 43. Kf3 Ra3 44. Ke3 Nc3 (44... Nxf2
45. Kxf2 Rxd3 46. b5 axb5 47. a6 $18) 45. Rc5 $18 {[%cal Rc5h5]} 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0203"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2003.03.29"]
[Round "14.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Casper, Thomas"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2391"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2002.10.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 095"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.07.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.07.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Erfurt"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. Qg4 O-O 8. Bd3
f5 9. exf6 Rxf6 10. Bg5 Rf7 11. Qh4 h6 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Qxe7 Rxe7 14. f4 Bd7
15. Kd2 Be8 16. Re1 cxd4 17. cxd4 Nc6 18. Ne2 Rc8 19. f5 exf5 20. Bxf5 Rcc7 21.
Nf4 Rxe1 22. Rxe1 Bf7 23. c3 Re7 24. Rxe7 Nxe7 25. Bg4 g5 26. Nd3 Kg7 27. Ne5
Be8 28. Bf3 b6 29. Be2 Kf6 30. Ng4+ Kg7 31. Ba6 h5 32. Nf2 Kf6 33. c4 Bc6 34.
g3 Nf5 35. Kd3 Nd6 36. c5 Nb5 37. cxb6 axb6 38. Bxb5 Bxb5+ 39. Ke3 Kf5 40. Kf3
Ba4 41. Nd3 Bd1+ 42. Ke3 h4 43. gxh4 gxh4 44. h3 Bc2 45. Nf2 Kg5 46. Ng4 Bf5
47. Nf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0203"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2003.03.30"]
[Round "15.1"]
[White "Beliavsky, Alexander G"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E38"]
[WhiteElo "2650"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[Annotator "Golod,V"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2002.10.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 095"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.07.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.07.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Plauen"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Qc7 6. Bg5 {Rare and not so
successful continuation.On this line in database there are only four games.} ({
The most basic continuation:} 6. Nf3 $5 {You can see comments to Sargissian,
G-Anastasian,A/Batumi,2002/CBM 90(1-0)(Golod,V)(42)}) 6... Bxc5 ({Also it
deserves attention:} 6... Qxc5 7. Bxf6 gxf6 8. a3 Qa5 {[%csl Ra1][%cal Gb4c3]}
9. Rc1 Bxc3+ 10. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 11. Rxc3 b6 12. Nh3 Bb7 13. Nf4 Ke7 14. e3 Nc6 15.
f3 Rac8 $11 {See comments to Georgiev,K-Gurevich,M/Reggio Emilia,1988(1/2-1/2)
(19)}) 7. Bxf6 $146 {The position has become simpler, and now it will be much
more difficult for White to get the positional advantage.} ({Also were checked
in the preceding game:} 7. Nf3 Be7 $6 (7... a6 $5) 8. e4 $14 {Vera,R-Yudasin,L/
Leningrad,1989(0-1)(29)}) 7... gxf6 {After this move White has two possible
plans:} 8. e3 {With the idea: Nge2-f4,Be2 and usual arrangement of pieces:} (8.
Nf3 {/\e3,Be2 and 0-0.}) 8... a6 {[%csl Ya6][%cal Ya6b5] Black takes the b5
square under control.} 9. Nge2 Nc6 ({Is a possible continuation of the play:} 
9... Be7 $5 {/\b6,Bb7}) 10. Nf4 Be7 11. Be2 ({Hardly is better:} 11. Rd1 Ne5
12. Qb3 d6 $11 13. Na4 $140 Qa5+ {[%csl Ra4]}) 11... Ne5 12. O-O b6 $11 {
The game of Black corresponds to the requirements of a position.} (12... Nxc4
$2 {is refuted by:} 13. Ncd5 $16 (13. Nd1 $143 {[%csl Rc4,Rc7]} d5 14. b3 b5
15. bxc4 bxc4 {+/=/+/-}) 13... exd5 14. Nxd5 Qc5 15. Bxc4 $16) 13. Rac1 Bb7 14.
Ne4 $6 ({Can it was necessary to decide on the less active continuation:} 14.
Rfd1 Rc8 {but,it is absolutely not clear what to do further...}) 14... f5 15.
Ng3 Rg8 {[%csl Ga8,Gb7,Gc7,Ge5,Ge7,Gg8][%cal Ga8c8] All Black's pieces are
located ideally.} 16. Rfd1 Ng6 17. Nfh5 ({Leads to favourable complications
for Black:} 17. Ngh5 $2 Nxf4 {[%csl Rg2]} 18. Nxf4 Bd6 {[%csl Rg2][%cal Yf4g2,
Gd6f4]} 19. g3 $140 Bxf4 20. exf4 Qxf4 21. Qd3 Bc6 {=/+/-/+}) 17... f4 $1 {
[%csl Gb7,Ge7,Gg8] Black wants to open all diagonals and verticals for the his
pieces.} ({Leads to quieter game:} 17... d6 18. Qd2 {[%csl Yd2][%cal Yd2f4]})
18. exf4 Nxf4 19. Nxf4 ({Impossibly:} 19. Qxh7 $2 {in view of:} Nxe2+ 20. Nxe2
Rxg2+ 21. Kf1 Qe5 $17 {[%cal Ge7c5]}) 19... Qxf4 20. Rd3 {[%cal Ye2f3]} ({
Again very dangerously:} 20. Qxh7 O-O-O {[%csl Rg1][%cal Ge7c5,Gg8h8] with
strong initiative.}) 20... Qg5 {[%csl Rc2,Rd3,Rg2][%cal Gb7e4]} (20... Rc8 $143
21. Bf3 d5 22. Rc3 $36 {[%csl Rb7,Rc8][%cal Gc4d5]}) 21. Bf3 $6 ({Can be
recommended:} 21. Qd1 $5 {[%cal Ye2f3]}) 21... Bxf3 22. Rxf3 h5 $1 $15 23. Rd1
$2 {The strange decision,probably connected to the tactical miscalculation.} ({
It was necessary:} 23. h4 $1 Qxh4 24. Qh7 {[%csl Rf7,Rh5]} O-O-O 25. Qxh5 (25.
Qxf7 $4 Qg5 $19 {[%csl Rc1,Rg2][%cal Gh5h4]}) (25. Nxh5 $4 Rh8 {[%csl Rh5]} 26.
Qxf7 Rdf8 $1 27. Qg7 Rxh5 28. Rxf8+ Bxf8 29. Qxf8+ Kc7 $19 {[%csl Rc1,Rg1]
[%cal Gh4h1]}) 25... f5 $15) 23... h4 {/\Rg6 and hxg3(קg2).} 24. Qe4 ({
Loses right away:} 24. Rfd3 Rg6 {[%csl Rg2]} 25. Rxd7 hxg3 26. hxg3 Qc5 $19)
24... Rd8 25. Rfd3 f5 (25... hxg3 $4 26. Rxg3 {[%csl Rg5,Rg8]}) 26. Qb7 {
It is sole chance for continuation of struggle.} (26. Qe2 $2 Qg6 $19) {[%tqu
"En","Please enter a best move for black.","It is necessary to use a weakness
of the White's king!","","h4g3","",10]} 26... hxg3 $1 27. Rxg3 $140 Qh5 $1 {
[%csl Rd1] Looks nearly winning.} 28. Rxg8+ Kf7 {[%csl Rd1,Rg8]} 29. f3 (29.
Re1 Rxg8 (29... Kxg8 30. Qxb6) 30. Qxd7 Rg6 {-/+/-+}) 29... Bc5+ $1 {This move
is better,than:} (29... Rxg8 30. Rxd7) ({or} 29... Kxg8 30. Qxb6) 30. Kh1 ({
Badly:} 30. Kf1 $2 {because of:} Qh4 $1 {[%csl Rf1][%cal Gh4f2,Gh4c4]} 31.
Rxd7+ (31. g3 Qxc4+) 31... Kxg8 32. Rxd8+ (32. Rg7+ Kh8) 32... Qxd8 {[%csl Rd1,
Rd3][%cal Gd8d3,Gd8d1]} 33. Ke2 Bb4 $19 {[%csl Rd2][%cal Gd8d2]}) 30... Rxg8
31. Qxd7+ (31. Rxd7+ $143 Kf6 {And white can not create threats to the Black's
king.}) 31... Kf6 32. Re1 Re8 33. Qd2 a5 34. Qc3+ Kf7 $19 {The rest is the
matter of technics.} 35. Rd1 Qh4 {[%cal Ge8h8]} 36. g3 Qh3 37. Qd2 Be7 {
[%cal Ge8d8] <->d} 38. Qe2 Rd8 39. Re1 Qh6 {[%cal Gd8d2]} 40. Rd1 ({After:} 40.
f4 $2 {very strongly:} e5 $1 {[%csl Rh1][%cal Gh6c6,Ge7c5,Gd8d2]}) 40... Rxd1+
41. Qxd1 Qh3 {[%csl Rh1] Black perfectly use weakness of the white king.} 42.
f4 a4 43. b3 a3 {[%csl Ra2]} 44. Qf3 Qh8 45. Kg2 Qb2+ 46. Kh3 Qxa2 47. Qh5+ Kg7
48. Qe8 Bc5 $6 (48... Bf6 $142 49. Qd7+ (49. Qxe6 Qb1 {[%csl Rh3][%cal Gb1f1]})
49... Kh6 50. Qxe6 Qb2 $19 {[%cal Ga3a2]}) 49. Qd7+ $2 ({After:} 49. Qxe6 {
[%csl Rg7][%cal Ge6d7,Ge6e5] Black should still work.}) 49... Kf6 $19 (49...
Kf6 50. Qd8+ Kf7 {[%cal Yc5e7]}) 0-1

[Event "Bayern-chI Bank Hofmann 6th"]
[Site "Bad Wiessee"]
[Date "2002.10.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Solger, Bernhard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2075"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2002.10.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Bb5 Nge7 5. O-O g6 6. Bxc6 Nxc6 7. d4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Bg7 9. Ndb5 O-O 10. Nd6 f5 11. exf5 gxf5 12. Re1 b6 13. Re3 Ba6 14. Rg3
Kh8 15. Qh5 Qe7 16. Bg5 Bf6 {[#]} 17. Nxf5 Qf7 18. Qxf7 Rxf7 19. Nd6 Rff8 20.
Bxf6+ Rxf6 21. Nce4 Rf4 22. Re1 Raf8 23. Ra3 Bc8 24. f3 a5 25. g3 R4f5 26. Nxf5
exf5 27. Nd6 Nd4 28. Rd1 1-0

[Event "Bayern-chI Bank Hofmann 6th"]
[Site "Bad Wiessee"]
[Date "2002.10.27"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Rau, Juergen"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2205"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[Annotator "Teske,H"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2002.10.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 dxc4 5. Bg5 Bb4 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 Qd5 $5
8. Bxf6 gxf6 9. Nd2 Nd7 10. e4 Qa5 {[#]} 11. Qf3 $2 (11. Qc1 {führt zum
Rückgewinn des Bc4, wonach der Favorit es schwer gehabt hätte.} b5 $140 $6 12.
a4 $14) 11... b5 12. e5 Rb8 {Nun sieht man den gewaltigen Unterschied. Schwarz
hat den Gegner nun weit in der Entwicklung überflügelt.} 13. exf6 Bb7 14. Qg3
Nxf6 15. Qe5 Qxc3 16. Rd1 Ke7 17. Qc5+ Kd7 18. Qxb5+ Bc6 19. Qxc4 Qxa3 20. Rc1
Qd6 21. Qc2 Rhg8 22. f3 Bd5 23. Qa4+ Bc6 24. Qxa7 Rb2 25. Qc5 Qxc5 26. Rxc5 Bd5
27. Rb5 Ra2 28. Rb1 Ke7 29. g3 Rga8 30. Bc4 Rc2 31. Bd3 Rc3 32. Ke2 Raa3 33.
Be4 Re3+ 34. Kf2 Bxe4 35. fxe4 Ng4+ 36. Kf1 Red3 37. Ke2 Rxd4 38. Rhc1 Re3+ 0-1

[Event "Bayern-chI Bank Hofmann 6th"]
[Site "Bad Wiessee"]
[Date "2002.10.28"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hermann, Manfred"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2338"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2002.10.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 dxc4 5. e4 b5 6. e5 Nd5 7. a4 e6 8. Ng5 h6
9. Nge4 b4 10. Nb1 Ba6 11. Nbd2 Nf4 12. Qg4 c3 13. Nc4 Bxc4 14. Bxc4 cxb2 15.
Bxb2 Nd5 16. a5 h5 17. Qg3 Nd7 18. O-O g6 19. Rfc1 Bh6 20. Nd6+ Kf8 21. Qf3 Qe7
22. Rc2 Kg7 23. Bb3 Nb8 24. Bxd5 cxd5 25. Bc1 Bxc1 26. Raxc1 Nd7 27. Rc7 Rhd8
28. Nb7 Re8 29. R1c6 Rab8 30. Qe3 b3 31. Qxb3 Red8 32. h3 Qh4 33. Qe3 1-0

[Event "Bayern-chI Bank Hofmann 6th"]
[Site "Bad Wiessee"]
[Date "2002.10.29"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Szabo, Zsolt Jozsef"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2453"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2002.10.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Rxe8+ Nxe8 12. c3 a5 13. Bd3 d5 14. Bf4
c6 15. Nd2 Nd6 16. Qc2 g6 17. a4 Bf5 18. Bxd6 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 Qxd6 20. Re1 Qc7
21. g3 Qd7 22. Kg2 h5 23. h4 Kg7 24. Qc2 b6 25. Nf3 Rb8 26. Qb3 Qc7 27. Re2 Qb7
28. Re3 Qc8 29. Ne5 Rb7 30. Nd3 Rb8 31. Ne5 Qc7 32. Nf3 Qd6 33. Re2 Bd8 34. Ne5
Bc7 35. Re3 Re8 36. Qc2 Re6 37. Rf3 Rf6 38. Qd3 Rxf3 39. Nxf3 Qe6 40. Qa6 Qe4
41. Qc8 Bd6 42. Qd7 Bb8 43. Qc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bayern-chI Bank Hofmann 6th"]
[Site "Bad Wiessee"]
[Date "2002.10.30"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Siegel, Georg"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2443"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2002.10.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Ba4 e6 5. Nf3 Ne7 6. O-O Nec6 7. Bxc6 Nxc6 8.
d4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Be7 10. Ndb5 O-O 11. Bf4 e5 12. Be3 b6 13. Qd2 Bc5 14. Rfd1 a6
15. Bxc5 bxc5 16. Nd6 Nd4 17. Nd5 Rb8 18. c3 Ne6 19. b3 Bb7 20. Qe2 Ba8 21. Qg4
Qg5 22. Qxg5 Nxg5 23. f3 f6 24. Nc7 Ne6 25. Nxe6 dxe6 26. Nc4 Rfd8 27. Nb2 Kf7
28. Na4 c4 29. Nc5 Rbc8 30. b4 a5 31. Rxd8 Rxd8 32. bxa5 Rc8 33. Na4 Rc7 34.
Nb6 Bb7 35. Rb1 Ba6 36. Na4 Ra7 37. Nc5 Ke7 38. Rb6 Bc8 39. a6 Rc7 40. Rb7 1-0

[Event "Bayern-chI Bank Hofmann 6th"]
[Site "Bad Wiessee"]
[Date "2002.10.31"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Schmaltz, Roland"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2529"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[Annotator "Teske,H"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2002.10.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Re1 Nc6 9. Nb3 a6 10. Bf1 b5 11. Bg5 Nd7 {[#]} 12. Qd2 (12. a3 {hätte auf
Kosten eines Tempos die nun folgende Schwächung des weißen Damenflügels
verhindert. Aber Weiß setzt lieber auf Aktivität.}) 12... b4 13. Nd5 Bxb2 14.
Rab1 Bg7 15. Nxb4 Nxb4 16. Qxb4 Re8 17. Be3 Qc7 18. c4 Rb8 19. Qa5 Rb7 20. Qa4
Rf8 21. f3 $6 {Eine unscheunbare Ungenauigkeit. Hätte Weiß den Braten gerochen,
hätte Weiß sicher zuerst Tc1-e1 gespielt.} Bc3 $1 22. Rec1 Bb4 {Plötzlich
leidet die Dame unter Platzmangel. Der für Schwarz günstige Abtausch mehrerer
Leichtfiguren ist nicht mehr zu verhindern.} 23. Kh1 Nc5 24. Nxc5 Bxc5 25. Rxb7
Bxb7 26. Bxc5 dxc5 $17 {Der Lb7 ist klar besser als sein Widersacher.  Das
Hauptproblem ist aber, daß Weiß im Mittelspiel den Lb7 mit seinen
weißfeldrigen Bauern abblocken muß. Im Läuferendspiel gehören die Bauern dann
aber auf die andere Farbe, um nicht den Angriffen des gegnerischen Läufers
ausgesetzt zu sein.  Ein Chamäleon könnte einen solchen Farbenwechsel sicher
leicht bewältigen.} 27. Rd1 Rd8 28. a3 Kg7 29. Qb3 Rxd1 30. Qxd1 Qe5 31. Kg1
Qb2 32. Qd3 e5 33. Qe3 Qd4 34. Kf2 f5 {Nun steht Weiß vor einer sehr
schwierigen Entscheidung. Der Damentausch löst Schwarz die Bauerninsel auf und
gibt ihm einen gedeckten Freibauern. Mit Lf1-d3 kann man die Entscheidung auf
den Gegner abwälzen, ob er mit fxe4 oder f5-f4 fortsetzen will oder das
Entscheidungsrecht zurückgibt. e4xf5 verlängert die Wirkungslinie des Lb7,
verpaßt dem Schwarzen aber eine Bauerinsel. In jedem Falle hat Schwarz
exzellente Gewinnchancen.} 35. Qxd4 cxd4 36. c5 fxe4 37. fxe4 Kf6 $1 38. Kf3 g5
39. g4 Ke7 40. Bc4 Kd8 41. Bd5 Bc8 $1 $19 {Schwarz hat den richtigen
Gewinnplan gefunden. Die weißen Figuren sind der sicherung des Bc5,
Verteidigung des Königsflügels und Aufhalten des Bd4 überfordert.} 42. h3 Bd7
43. Kf2 Kc7 44. Ke1 Be8 45. Kf2 a5 46. Ke1 h5 47. gxh5 Bxh5 48. Kf2 Be8 49. Kg3
Ba4 50. Kf2 Bd7 51. Kg3 d3 52. Kf2 Bxh3 53. Ke3 Bf1 54. Kf2 d2 55. Bb3 Bc4 56.
Bd1 Kc6 0-1

[Event "Bayern-chI Bank Hofmann 6th"]
[Site "Bad Wiessee"]
[Date "2002.11.01"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Oratovsky, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A24"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2567"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2002.10.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 d6 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O c6 7. e4 e5 8. h3
Nbd7 9. d3 a6 10. Rb1 Re8 11. b4 {[#]} d5 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. exd5 Nb6 14. Bg5
Nbxd5 15. Nxd5 Qxd5 16. Re1 Qd6 17. d4 e4 18. Nd2 Qxd4 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Nxe4
Bf5 21. Nxf6+ Qxf6 22. Rc1 Qb6 23. Qa4 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 Be6 25. Qa5 Qxa5 26. bxa5
Rc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bayern-chI Bank Hofmann 6th"]
[Site "Bad Wiessee"]
[Date "2002.11.02"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Hertneck, Gerald"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2502"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2002.10.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e3 a6 6. a4 c5 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. O-O
Be7 9. Qe2 cxd4 10. Rd1 e5 11. exd4 exd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Qe5 Qd6 14. Qxd4
Qxd4 15. Rxd4 Bc5 16. Rd1 O-O 17. Bg5 Bg4 18. Rd2 Rad8 19. Bd5 Rd7 20. Bxf6
gxf6 21. Ne4 Be7 22. f3 Bf5 23. Rad1 Rfd8 24. Bxb7 Rxd2 25. Rxd2 Bxe4 26. Rxd8+
Bxd8 27. fxe4 a5 28. b4 axb4 29. Bd5 Bc7 30. Kf2 Kf8 31. h3 Ke7 32. Ke3 Bb6+
33. Kd3 Kd6 34. Kc4 b3 35. Kxb3 f5 36. Bxf7 fxe4 37. Kc4 Ke5 38. Kc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bayern-chI Bank Hofmann 6th"]
[Site "Bad Wiessee"]
[Date "2002.11.03"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mainka, Romuald"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2411"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2002.10.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 Ne7 11. Nd4 Ng6 12. f4 Bc5 13. Be3 Ne7 14. Ne4
Bxd4 15. Bxd4 Bf5 16. Nf2 h5 17. g4 Bxc2 18. Rac1 Ba4 19. e6 hxg4 20. hxg4 fxe6
21. Bxg7 Rg8 22. Be5 Rd8 23. g5 Kf7 24. Ng4 Nf5 25. Bxc7 Rd2 26. b3 Rc8 27. Ba5
Rd5 28. Rfd1 Bb5 29. Ne5+ Rxe5 30. fxe5 b6 31. a4 Be2 32. Rd7+ Kg6 33. Rc2 Bf3
34. Bc3 a6 35. a5 bxa5 36. Bxa5 Bd5 37. b4 Kxg5 38. Bd8+ Kf4 39. Kf2 Kxe5 40.
Re2+ Kd4 41. Rxe6 Kc4 42. Re1 Kd4 43. Rc1 1-0

[Event "Wch U20 41st"]
[Site "Goa"]
[Date "2002.12.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sharma, R Preetham"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2311"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2002.12.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 091 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Ba4 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. O-O a6 7. Nxd4 cxd4 8.
Ne2 b5 9. Bb3 Bb7 10. d3 d5 11. Ng3 h5 12. exd5 Nf6 13. f4 Bxd5 14. f5 O-O 15.
Bg5 Bxb3 16. axb3 Nd5 17. Qe2 Qd6 18. Rae1 Rac8 19. Ne4 Qc6 20. Rf2 Bf6 21. Qd2
Rc7 22. Bxf6 Nxf6 23. fxg6 fxg6 24. Qh6 Nh7 25. Rxf8+ Nxf8 26. Rf1 Qe8 27. Ng5
e5 28. Rxf8+ 1-0

[Event "Wch U20 41st"]
[Site "Goa"]
[Date "2002.12.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sundararajan, Kidambi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2408"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2002.12.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 091 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e3 a6 6. a4 c5 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. O-O
Be7 9. Qe2 cxd4 10. Rd1 O-O 11. exd4 Nb4 12. Bg5 Bd7 13. d5 exd5 14. Nxd5 Nbxd5
15. Bxd5 Nxd5 16. Rxd5 Bxg5 17. Nxg5 h6 18. Rad1 Re8 19. Qd2 hxg5 20. Rxd7 Qf6
21. Rxb7 Red8 22. Rd7 Rxd7 23. Qxd7 Qxb2 24. h3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20 41st"]
[Site "Goa"]
[Date "2002.12.10"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Roy Chowdhury, Saptarshi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2376"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2002.12.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 091 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. Bxc6+ bxc6 5. d3 Nf6 6. f4 e6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8.
O-O Be7 9. Qe1 O-O 10. b3 Ba6 11. Nd1 Qc7 12. c4 Bf6 13. Rb1 Bd4+ 14. Be3 Bxe3+
15. Qxe3 Rae8 16. Nc3 Qa5 17. Rbc1 d5 18. Na4 d4 19. Qf2 f6 20. h4 Bc8 21. h5
Nb6 22. h6 Nxa4 23. bxa4 Qxa4 24. e5 f5 25. Rb1 gxh6 26. Qg3+ Kh8 27. Qh4 Kg7
28. Rf2 Rf7 29. Rb3 Rg8 30. Kh2 Qa5 31. Rb8 Rgf8 32. Rfb2 Qc3 33. R2b3 Qc1 34.
Ra8 Rc7 35. Rbb8 Kg6 36. Rxc8 1-0

[Event "Wch U20 41st"]
[Site "Goa"]
[Date "2002.12.11"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Azarov, Sergei Nikolaevich"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2520"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2002.12.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 091 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. c3 Bd7 6. Ba4 g6 7. Nbd2 Bg7 8. O-O
O-O 9. Re1 Qe8 10. Nf1 Nh5 11. Ne3 Kh8 12. Nd5 Rc8 13. Bc2 Ne7 14. d4 exd4 15.
Nxd4 Nxd5 16. exd5 Qd8 17. Be3 Re8 18. a4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20 41st"]
[Site "Goa"]
[Date "2002.12.12"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sadykov, Rustem"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2400"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2002.12.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 091 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. cxd5 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nxd5 6. Nf3 Nxc3 7. bxc3 g6
8. d4 Bg7 9. Bd3 O-O 10. O-O Nc6 11. Re1 Re8 12. h3 e5 13. Bg5 f6 14. Bh4 exd4
15. cxd4 Rxe1+ 16. Qxe1 Ne7 17. Qe4 Bf5 18. Bc4+ Kh8 19. Qxb7 Rc8 20. Re1 Bd7
21. Bb3 Rc7 22. Qa6 Nf5 23. Ne5 Be8 24. Qe6 Nh6 25. d5 g5 26. Bg3 fxe5 27. Bxe5
Bg6 28. Bxc7 Qxc7 29. d6 Qc3 30. d7 Bf6 31. Qe8+ 1-0

[Event "Wch U20 41st"]
[Site "Goa"]
[Date "2002.12.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "McShane, Luke J"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2546"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2002.12.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Before this round I was half a point behind my opponent who started the
tournament very well and i wanted to get a safe, slight advantage and try to
win without taking big risks .} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2
d6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 Rb8 {This rare move did not come as a surprise to me
because we already played many blitz games in this line over the internet .} 8.
d5 Na5 9. b3 {I like this move more than the trivial 9.Nd2.} c6 {As is easy to
see, Black cannot exploit the momentary weakness of the c3 and a1 pieces,
because of the badly-placed a5 knight.} 10. dxc6 {On 10.Bb2 Black has the
sharp move ...b5, and playing complicated variations was not my in plans.} Nxc6
({On} 10... bxc6 {I wanted to answer with the modest} 11. Bd2 {with the idea
Qc1 (Bh6), Rd1 .}) ({Here Black has the very entertaining computer line} 10...
Ne4 11. Nxe4 (11. c7 Qxc7 12. Nd5 {is also not bad}) 11... Bxa1 12. Bf4 $1 {
and as my computer says, White is better after} Bg7 13. c7 Qxc7 14. Nxd6 $1 Rd8
15. Nb5 {and White is winning something big.}) 11. Bb2 {Thus we have reached
an English-like position. I think White's chances are better.} Qa5 12. Qc1 Bg4
{This I didn't expect!} ({I thought Black was going to play} 12... Qh5 {
and I was planning to defend my queen against ...Bh6 in some lines and go to a
safe and maybe plesant engame after} 13. Qg5 ({Only after the game my opponent
told me about the existence  of} 13. h4 {which is more ambitious, because
after that Black's main idea ...Bh6 is no longer good because of Ng5.
Strangely this easy move did not enter my head.})) 13. Rd1 $14 {So now White
is taking control of the center I don't really know but I think that Black has
to find something better somewhere earlier .} Rfc8 {A strange move, but it is
not clear what Black can do .} 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. Bxg7 {This move has a small
psychological context. 15.Rd5 comes to the same, but I wanted to bring the
black king to g7 and give Black the opportunity to choose between f6 or Kg8,
which I thought could make him lose some time.} Kxg7 16. Rxd5 Qc7 17. Qb2+ f6 {
As I remember Luke answered quite fast, so I did not got full satisfaction
from my ''cleverness''.} 18. Rc1 {Exchanges did not made Black's life easier ,
and step by step white is getting room for maneuvre.} b6 19. Rc3 {So now I was
really enjoying my position and was just waiting for my oponent's time-trouble
.} Qd7 20. Re3 Kg8 {It's easy to understand Black's wish to remove the king
from the nasty pin , but now he falls into other problems.} 21. Nd4 {This was
too tempting to be good. 21.h4 puts even more pressure on Black's position.}
Nxd4 22. Rxd4 Re8 {Very solid. 22...Bf5 is an alternative.} 23. b4 {Somewhere
here I felt that if I do not win soon, my oponent will get too solid.} Qc8 {
The same stuff.} 24. h4 {On 24.Qa3 Black has 24...a5.} Bd7 25. h5 {Still not
bad. 25.Bd5+ and h5 was also possible .} Bc6 26. Bf1 {This is too slow! After
losing too much time in the search for a forced win on moves 23-26, I finally
gave up. As always happens in such cases here was the moment where I could
transform my advantage into a full point.} ({After} 26. hxg6 hxg6 27. Qc2 $1 {
Back had nothing to do against White's heavy pieces attack.} f5 {was losing
because of the beautifull} ({and after} 27... Kg7 28. Bxc6 Qxc6 29. Rg4 g5 30.
Qf5 $1 {and mostly in all lines White is geting a winning endgame after the
Rg5 sacrifice. And now Black has some air.}) ({on} 27... Kf7 {White can get
the same position as after 27...Kg7 by playing} 28. Rh4 Kg7 29. Bxc6 Qxc6 30.
Rg4) 28. Bxc6 Qxc6 29. Rg4 Kf7 30. Rxg6 $1 Kxg6 31. Re6+ Kg7 32. Qxf5 {with
mate coming.}) 26... Qf5 {This move is bad , because as can easily be
understood, it is hat I was counting on when I played 26.Bf1. However, it's
hard to give any good advice to Black. Maybe he had to make some neutral move
like 26...Bb7.} 27. Rh4 gxh5 28. Bh3 Qg6 29. b5 Ba8 30. Bd7 Kf8 ({During the
game I was afraid of} 30... e5 31. Bxe8 Rxe8 {but after I found} 32. Rd3 e4 33.
Re3 {with a nice rook blockade.} (33. Rxd6 {should win easily, but during time
trouble I was looking for safe lines})) 31. Bxe8 Kxe8 32. Qb3 {Very safe. Also
there's a little trap 32...Kd7? 33.c5.} Rc8 33. Qd3 Rc7 34. Kh2 {One more trap
.} Kd7 {And he falls for it! 34...Kd8 was the move.} 35. g4 Rc5 ({If} 35...
hxg4 {then} 36. Qxg6 hxg6 37. Rh7 {and Black can not defend both the e7 pawn
and the a8 bishop.}) 36. Qxg6 hxg6 37. gxh5 gxh5 38. Ra3 {After the exchange
of queens, the black pawns become vulnerable .} a5 39. bxa6 Rg5 40. f3 Kc7 41.
Rh3 Re5 42. e4 Kb8 43. a7+ Kc7 44. Rg3 Rg5 45. f4 h4 46. Rxg5 fxg5 47. fxg5 1-0

[Event "Wch U20 41st"]
[Site "Goa"]
[Date "2002.12.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Ni, Hua"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B58"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[EventDate "2002.12.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 091 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. Be2 Be7 8.
O-O 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20 41st"]
[Site "Goa"]
[Date "2002.12.15"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2601"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2002.12.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 091 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Nbd7 11. Bxf6 Qxc3+ 12. Kf1 gxf6 13. h4 a6 14.
Rh3 Qa5 15. Be2 Nc5 16. Nb3 Nxb3 17. Qxb3 b6 18. Rd1 Bd7 19. Qb2 Qe5 20. Qxb6
Bb5 21. Kg1 O-O 22. Qe3 Bxe2 23. Qxe2 Kh8 24. Rg3 Rg8 25. Rxg8+ Rxg8 26. Rd7
Rb8 27. g3 f5 28. Rxf7 Rb1+ 29. Kg2 Rb2 30. Qf3 Qxe4 31. Re7 Qxf3+ 32. Kxf3
Rxa2 33. Ke3 Ra4 34. f3 h5 35. Rxe6 Kg7 36. Rd6 a5 37. Rc6 Rb4 38. Rc5 Kf6 39.
Rxa5 Rb3+ 40. Kf2 Rb2+ 41. Kf1 Rb1+ 42. Kg2 Rb2+ 43. Kh3 Rf2 44. f4 Rc2 45. Ra8
Kg7 46. Rb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20 41st"]
[Site "Goa"]
[Date "2002.12.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Timofeev, Artyom"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E65"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2558"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2002.12.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 091 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Nc3 O-O 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nc6 8.
O-O d6 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Bxc6 Rb8 11. Bg2 Qa5 12. Qa4 Qxa4 13. Nxa4 Bd7 14. Nc3
Ng4 15. Nd5 Bxb2 16. Rb1 Bxc1 17. Rfxc1 Kg7 18. Bh3 h5 19. Rb3 Rxb3 20. axb3
Rb8 21. Rc3 Kf8 22. f4 Bc6 23. Bxg4 hxg4 24. Kf2 Bxd5 25. cxd5 f5 26. Kg2 Rb5
27. Rd3 Rc5 28. h3 gxh3+ 29. Kxh3 Rc2 30. e3 a5 31. g4 Ra2 32. Kg3 Ra3 33. Kf3
a4 34. Rd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20 41st"]
[Site "Goa"]
[Date "2002.12.17"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Berkes, Ferenc"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2002.12.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 091 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 a6 5. Nf3 dxc4 6. O-O Nc6 7. e3 Bd7 8. Nc3
Nd5 9. Nd2 Nxc3 10. bxc3 b5 11. a4 Rb8 12. axb5 axb5 13. Qg4 g6 14. Qe2 Bd6 15.
Ne4 O-O 16. Ba3 Qe7 17. Qf3 Kg7 18. Nxd6 cxd6 19. d5 Nd8 20. dxe6 fxe6 21. Qd1
Nf7 22. Bb4 Bc8 23. f4 Rd8 24. Qd4+ Kg8 25. Rfd1 Rd7 26. Ra5 Qd8 27. Bc6 e5 28.
Qd2 exf4 29. Bxd7 Qxd7 30. exf4 Bb7 31. Ra7 Qc6 32. Rxb7 Qxb7 33. Re1 Ra8 34.
Qg2 Qxg2+ 35. Kxg2 Ra2+ 36. Kg1 h5 37. Re8+ Kg7 38. Rb8 Nh6 39. Bxd6 Ng4 40. h3
Ne3 41. f5 Nxf5 42. Be5+ Kf7 43. Rxb5 Ke6 44. g4 hxg4 45. hxg4 Nh4 46. Kf1 Nf3
47. Bf4 Rc2 48. Rb6+ Kf7 49. g5 Rxc3 50. Rf6+ Kg7 51. Kf2 Rd3 52. Rc6 Kf7 53.
Rxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch U20 41st"]
[Site "Goa"]
[Date "2002.12.18"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Poobesh Anand, Selvaraj"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E16"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2351"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2002.12.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 091 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. c4 Bb4+ 6. Nbd2 Ne4 7. O-O Nxd2 8.
Bxd2 Bxd2 9. Qxd2 O-O 10. Qc2 Nc6 11. a3 d5 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Rac1 Re8 14. b4
a6 15. Rfd1 Qe7 16. e3 Rad8 17. Rd3 Rd6 18. Rc3 f6 19. Bf1 Rc8 20. Qa4 Ra8 21.
Qc2 Qd8 22. b5 axb5 23. Bxb5 Na7 24. Bd3 h6 25. Rxc7 Bc6 26. Bh7+ Kf8 27. Rxg7
Kxg7 28. Qg6+ Kh8 29. Qxh6 Qf8 30. Qh5 Qg7 31. Bg6+ Kg8 32. Nh4 Rd7 33. Nf5 Qh8
34. Qg4 Kf8 35. h4 Rg7 36. Nxg7 Qxg7 37. h5 Be8 38. Qf5 Rd8 39. Bxe8 Kxe8 40.
Qe6+ Qe7 41. Qxe7+ 1-0

[Event "Wch U20 41st"]
[Site "Goa"]
[Date "2002.12.19"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2002.12.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 091 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c6 7. e4 dxe4 8. Qc2
c5 9. fxe4 cxd4 10. Nf3 Nc6 11. cxd4 Nxd4 12. Qc3 e5 13. Bd3 O-O 14. Bb2 Ng4
15. O-O Ne6 16. c5 Nxc5 17. Qxc5 Qxd3 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. Bxe5 b6 20. Qe7 f6 21.
Bb2 Qd7 22. Qxd7 Bxd7 23. e5 f5 24. Rac1 Rac8 25. Rfd1 Be6 26. Kf2 Kf7 27. Ke3
g5 28. g3 Rg8 29. Bc3 Rc4 30. Bb4 Rgc8 31. Rxc4 Rxc4 32. Rd8 Re4+ 33. Kf2 Rxe5
34. Ra8 a5 35. Bd2 h6 36. h4 Rd5 37. Be3 f4 38. Bxb6 Rb5 39. hxg5 Rxb6 40. gxh6
Rb2+ 41. Ke1 f3 42. Ra7+ Kf6 43. Ra6 Ke5 0-1

[Event "Wch U20 41st"]
[Site "Goa"]
[Date "2002.12.20"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D40"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2002.12.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Like the previous year, when I missed it, I again had the chance to honour my
secret "agreement" with Dima, under which I promised to beat everybody else
and lose to him in the last round...Before the game, I was not too worried.} 1.
c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. e3 {In our previous game (Batumi 2002) I played
4.g3 , but now I was afraid of an improvement.} d5 5. d4 Nc6 6. a3 {I have
seen this line in the game of Ari Minasiana , although it is true that he
reached it via 1.a3!} a6 7. dxc5 {7.b3 is also not bad.} Bxc5 8. b4 Ba7 {
Here my knowledge of theory ended. Mind you, I don't think my opponent's
knowldege went much deeper.} 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Qc2 Qe7 11. Rc1 {After 5 minutes'
thought.} Rd8 12. Be2 {After a few minutes' thought, the intended 12.Qb1
seemed a bit too artificial, so I decided to stop trying to be clever.} h6 $2 {
But this is unnecessary. It was time to take on c4, after which I intended to
set up the battery Bb1-Qc2, although I doubt that I have much there, apart
from a few crude threats.} 13. O-O {Around here (or after 13...dxc4 14.Nxc4)
my opponent had a long think, and I of course noticed that after 13...dxc4 14.
Nxc4 b5, as well as the reasonable idea Na2-Nb1, there is also the possible
knight sacrifice.} dxc4 ({Maybe he should have decided on} 13... d4 14. exd4
Nxd4 (14... Bxd4 15. b5 $1) 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 {, although after} 16. Nd5 {White
has a clear advantage.}) 14. Bxc4 b5 ({After} 14... e5 {I found} 15. Nh4 Be6
16. Nf5 Qe8 17. Ne4 $1 {and was very satisfied with my position. 14...b5 came
as a surprise, as I expected 14...Nd7 .}) 15. Nxb5 axb5 16. Bxb5 Nxb4 ({On} 
16... Nb8 {there is the winning line} 17. Qxc8 Rxc8 18. Rxc8+ Kh7 19. Bd3+ g6
20. Be4 {and White wins too much material.}) 17. axb4 Rb8 ({As my opponent
pointed out after the game} 17... Qxb4 {loses after} 18. Bc6 Ba6 (18... Rb8 19.
Be5) 19. Bxa8 Bxf1 20. Bxf6 gxf6 21. Kxf1 Rxa8 22. Ra1 {with a deadly pin.})
18. Ne5 Bb7 19. Qa4 ({During the game, I did not like} 19. Qc7 {because of}
Qxc7 20. Rxc7 Rd2 {with some activity, although Fritz completely disagrees
with my assessment (as do I myself now, incidentally).}) 19... Be4 {And here I
really had a good think. The threat is Nd5 and it is not clear to defend
against Qg5. It is just as well that I found the strengthening move} 20. Rc4 {
It turns out that Black has no adequate moves and he was also very short of
time. What follows is agony.} Bd5 21. Nc6 Bxc6 22. Bxc6 Nd5 23. Rg4 {A good
move, played only because I was moving at blitz speed and did not notice that
after} (23. b5 Nb6 {there is} 24. Qb4) 23... e5 24. b5 f5 25. Rc4 Nb6 26. Qb4
Qe6 27. Rcc1 Rf8 28. Qc3 Nd7 29. Rfd1 {Here my opponent stopped the clocks and
I understand that I had won the tournament!} 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2003.02.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Galkin, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2568"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[EventDate "2003.02.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 094"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 b5 6. O-O Bb7 7. Nc3 Nd7 8. Ne5
Qc8 9. a4 Ngf6 10. a5 a6 11. b3 cxb3 12. Qxb3 c5 13. Bxb7 Qxb7 14. Nxd7 Qxd7
15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Bg5 Be7 17. Rac1 O-O 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Ne4 Rac8 20. Qb2 Kg7
21. g4 Qd5 22. Ng3 Qe5 23. Qd2 Qg5 24. f4 Bc5+ 25. Kh1 Qxg4 26. Qd7 Kh8 27. Qb7
h5 28. f5 h4 29. Ne4 Rb8 30. Nxf6 Qxe2 31. Qe4 Qxe4+ 32. Nxe4 Ba3 33. Rc3 exf5
34. Rxf5 Be7 35. Rc1 f6 36. Rh5+ Kg7 37. Rg1+ Kf7 38. Rh7+ Ke6 39. Re1 Bb4 40.
Re2 Rh8 41. Ra7 Ra8 42. Rb7 Bxa5 43. Ra2 Bb4 44. Rf2 Rhb8 45. Rh7 f5 46. Ng5+
Kf6 47. Rf7+ Kg6 48. R7xf5 Be7 49. Nf7 Rg8 50. Re5 Ra7 51. Re6+ Kh7 52. Rh6+
Kg7 53. Rh5 Bf6 54. Nd6 Rd7 55. Nf5+ Kf8 56. Rf1 Ke8 57. Ne3 Bd4 58. Nd5 Rdg7
59. h3 Kd7 60. Nb4 Rg1+ 61. Rxg1 Rxg1+ 62. Kh2 Rg6 63. Nxa6 Rxa6 64. Rxb5 Ra2+
65. Kh1 Ke6 66. Rg5 Be5 67. Rg6+ Kd5 68. Rg2 Ra3 69. Rd2+ Ke6 70. Rd1 Rxh3+ 71.
Kg1 Kf5 72. Kg2 Kg4 73. Re1 Rh2+ 74. Kg1 Bg3 75. Rb1 Kh3 76. Rb3 Ra2 77. Rb1
Rg2+ 78. Kh1 Rh2+ 79. Kg1 0-1

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2003.02.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nataf, Igor Alexandre"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2003.02.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 094"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nxc6 Qf6 6. Qd2 dxc6 7. Nc3 Bd4
8. Bc4 Nh6 9. h3 Be6 10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. Nd1 O-O-O 12. Qe2 g5 13. c3 Bb6 14. Be3
Nf7 15. Bxb6 axb6 16. Ne3 h5 17. Rd1 Rxd1+ 18. Kxd1 Qf4 19. Nc4 b5 20. Nd2 Ne5
21. Kc2 h4 22. f3 Rd8 23. Rd1 b6 24. Nf1 Rxd1 25. Kxd1 Kd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Internet Section 14-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Basallo, Nirio"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2003.03.14"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nb3 Bb6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nd5 h6 8. a4
Na5 9. Nd2 Rh7 10. b4 Nc6 11. c3 a5 12. Nxb6 cxb6 13. Nc4 axb4 14. cxb4 Be6 15.
Nxd6+ Kf8 16. b5 Na5 17. Ba3 1-0

[Event "Internet Section 14-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Freile Martin, Javier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A00"]
[WhiteElo "2215"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2003.03.14"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c3 Nf6 2. d3 g6 3. e4 Bg7 4. Be2 O-O 5. h4 Nc6 6. h5 d5 7. Nd2 dxe4 8. dxe4
Ne5 9. hxg6 hxg6 10. Qc2 Qd6 11. Ngf3 Rd8 12. Ng5 Bg4 13. f3 Bh5 14. Nf1 e6 15.
Be3 Qe7 16. g4 Bxg4 17. fxg4 Nfxg4 18. Bxg4 Nxg4 19. Qe2 Ne5 20. Rd1 Rxd1+ 21.
Kxd1 Rd8+ 22. Kc2 Qd7 23. Nd2 Qa4+ 24. Kb1 Rd6 25. b3 Qd7 26. Bd4 Rxd4 27. cxd4
Qxd4 28. Qb5 Nc6 29. Kc2 Qc3+ 30. Kd1 Qa1+ 31. Ke2 Qxh1 32. Qxb7 Qg2+ 33. Kd3
Ne5+ 34. Kc2 Qxg5 0-1

[Event "Internet Section 14-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2478"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2003.03.14"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Ba4 a6 5. Bb3 e6 6. Nf3 Nxb3 7. axb3 d6 8.
O-O Nf6 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Be7 11. Re1 O-O 12. Re3 Bd7 13. Rg3 Kh8 14. Qf3 Rc8
15. Bg5 Ne8 16. Be3 Nf6 17. Nde2 Bc6 18. Nf4 d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Ncxd5 Bxd5
21. Qg4 Bf6 22. c4 Bc6 23. Nh5 Rg8 24. Rh3 Bxb2 25. Rd1 Qe7 26. Bg5 f6 27. Nf4
g6 28. Qe2 Be5 29. Qxe5 fxe5 30. Bxe7 exf4 31. Bf6+ Rg7 32. Rhd3 Kg8 33. Rd8+
Rxd8 34. Rxd8+ Kf7 35. Bxg7 Kxg7 36. h4 Kf6 37. b4 Ke5 38. f3 Ba4 39. Kf2 h6
40. Rh8 h5 41. Rg8 Kf6 42. Rf8+ Ke5 43. Ke2 Bb3 44. Kd3 Ba4 45. Rf7 Bc6 46. Kc3
1-0

[Event "Internet Section 14-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ramirez Alvarez, Alejandro"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E38"]
[WhiteElo "2413"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2003.03.14"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. Nf3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nc6 7. e3 O-O 8.
Bd3 Ne5 9. Be2 a6 10. O-O Qc7 11. a3 Be7 12. b3 b6 13. f4 Ng6 14. Bb2 Bb7 15.
Bf3 Rac8 16. Kh1 Qb8 17. Rad1 b5 18. cxb5 axb5 19. Qe2 b4 20. axb4 Bxb4 21. Na4
Ne7 22. Nc2 Bxf3 23. Rxf3 Rfd8 24. Bxf6 gxf6 25. Rg3+ Ng6 26. h4 Kh8 27. h5 Ne7
28. Nxb4 Nf5 29. Rh3 Qxb4 30. e4 Nh6 31. Qb2 Ng4 32. Rg3 Rg8 33. Qe2 Qa5 34. e5
f5 35. Rgd3 Qa7 36. R3d2 Rc7 37. Nb2 Rc3 38. Nc4 Qa8 39. Rd3 Rxd3 40. Rxd3 Qa1+
41. Rd1 Qxd1+ 0-1

[Event "Internet Section 14-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.14"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanisevic, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2555"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2003.03.14"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Ba4 Qa5 5. Nf3 b5 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. Nxb5 Qxa4
8. Nc7+ Kd8 9. Nxa8 Qc6 10. d3 f5 11. O-O Bb7 12. f3 Bxa8 13. Bd2 Nf6 14. c3
Qb6 15. Kh1 g6 16. cxd4 Qxd4 17. Rc1 Bc6 18. Qb3 Ke8 19. Rc4 Qd6 20. Rb4 e6 21.
e5 Qxe5 22. Bc3 Qe2 23. Re1 Qf2 24. Rxe6+ Kf7 25. Rxc6+ Kg7 26. Bxf6+ Kh6 27.
Rh4+ 1-0

[Event "Internet Section 14-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.14"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Rustemov, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D48"]
[WhiteElo "2604"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2003.03.14"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e3 a6 6. Bxc4 b5 7. Bd3 c5 8. a4 b4
9. Ne4 Nbd7 10. Nxf6+ Nxf6 11. O-O Bb7 12. b3 Qd5 13. Bb2 Be7 14. Qe2 O-O 15.
dxc5 Rfd8 16. Bc4 Qxc5 17. Rfd1 a5 18. Rac1 Rxd1+ 19. Qxd1 Rd8 20. Qe2 Qh5 21.
Bd4 Nd7 22. Bb5 Bd6 23. h3 h6 24. Rd1 Nc5 25. Bc4 Bf8 26. Bxc5 Rxd1+ 27. Qxd1
Bxf3 28. Qxf3 Qxf3 29. gxf3 Bxc5 30. f4 Kf8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Internet Section 14-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zarnicki, Pablo Adrian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2536"]
[PlyCount "226"]
[EventDate "2003.03.14"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Bd5 11. Qc2 Nc6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. e4 Ba2 14. Rxa2 Nb4
15. Qb3 Nxa2 16. e5 Be7 17. Qxa2 Qd7 18. Nc3 Rfd8 19. Rd1 c6 20. h4 h6 21. Qb1
Bb4 22. Bf1 c5 23. Ne4 Qxa4 24. Nd6 Qd7 25. d5 exd5 26. Rxd5 b5 27. b3 Qe6 28.
Rd1 Bc3 29. Qe4 Qxb3 30. Rd3 c4 31. Qd5 Ra7 32. e6 Re7 33. exf7+ Kf8 34. Nd4
Bxd4 35. Rxb3 cxb3 36. Qxd4 Red7 37. Qb4 Rxd6 38. Qxb3 R8d7 39. Bh3 Rxf7 40.
Qc3 Rff6 41. Qc8+ Kf7 42. Qc7+ Kf8 43. Bf5 g6 44. Be4 Rd1+ 45. Kg2 Rd2 46. Bf3
Rdd6 47. g4 Rfe6 48. g5 hxg5 49. hxg5 Rd4 50. Qc5+ Red6 51. Be4 Kg7 52. Qe5+
Kf7 53. f4 b4 54. f5 gxf5 55. Qxf5+ Ke7 56. Qe5+ Kd7 57. g6 Rxg6+ 58. Bxg6 Rg4+
59. Kf3 Rxg6 60. Qd4+ Kc7 61. Qa7+ Kc8 62. Qc5+ Kd7 63. Qxb4 Re6 64. Qb7+ Kd8
65. Kf4 Rd6 66. Ke5 Rh6 67. Qb8+ Kd7 68. Qa7+ Kc8 69. Qf7 Rc6 70. Kd5 Rc7 71.
Qf8+ Kb7 72. Qb4+ Ka7 73. Kd6 Rb7 74. Qd4+ Kb8 75. Kc6 Rb5 76. Qh8+ Ka7 77. Qd8
Rb7 78. Qd4+ Ka8 79. Qe3 Rb5 80. Qe4 Ka7 81. Qd4+ Ka8 82. Qh8+ Ka7 83. Qg7+ Ka8
84. Qf8+ Ka7 85. Qd8 Rb7 86. Qd4+ Ka8 87. Qd6 Ka7 88. Qc5+ Ka8 89. Kd6 Kb8 90.
Qg1 Ka8 91. Qa1 Ka7 92. Qd4+ Ka8 93. Kc6 Rb5 94. Qd7 Kb8 95. Qe7 Ka8 96. Qc7
Rb8 97. Qa5 Ka7 98. Qc5+ Ka8 99. Qa3 Ka7 100. Qe3+ Ka8 101. Qg3 Rb5 102. Qc7
Rb8 103. Qd7 Rb5 104. Qe6 Ka7 105. Qe3+ Ka8 106. Qd4 Rb8 107. Qe5 Rb5 108. Qf4
Ka7 109. Kc7 Rc5+ 110. Kd7 Rd5+ 111. Kc6 Rb5 112. Kc7 Rb7+ 113. Kc8 Rb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Internet Section 14-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.14"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Stryjecki, Marek"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A15"]
[WhiteElo "2438"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2003.03.14"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 Nf6 2. Bg2 d5 3. Nf3 g6 4. c4 Bg7 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. cxd5 O-O 7. Nc3 Nb6 8.
Qc2 Nbxd5 9. Nxd5 Nxd5 10. a3 Bd7 11. O-O Rc8 12. d3 c5 13. Bd2 b6 14. Rfc1 Bc6
15. Rab1 Qd7 16. b4 Ba4 17. Qa2 cxb4 18. axb4 Nc3 19. Bxc3 Bxc3 20. d4 b5 21.
e3 Qd6 22. Ne5 e6 23. Nd3 a5 24. bxa5 Bxa5 25. Nc5 Qc7 26. Bf1 Qe7 27. Bxb5
Bxb5 28. Rxb5 Bc7 29. Rb7 Rb8 30. Ra7 Rbc8 31. Rc4 Qd8 32. Rb7 Qd5 33. Rc2 Qf3
34. Qb1 Bd6 35. Rd7 Rb8 36. Qf1 Rb6 37. Rc1 Rfb8 38. Nd3 h5 39. Qd1 Qe4 40. Nc5
Qa8 41. Qd3 Bf8 42. Rc7 Qa2 43. Nd7 Rb3 44. Qe4 Bd6 45. Nxb8 Bxc7 46. Nd7 Rc3
47. Rxc3 Qa1+ 48. Kg2 Qxc3 49. Qb7 Kg7 50. Nc5 Bd6 51. Ne4 Qa3 52. Qd7 Be7 53.
h4 Qa8 54. f3 Kf8 55. Nd6 Qa2+ 56. Kh3 Bxd6 57. Qxd6+ Kg8 58. Qf4 Qf2 59. g4
Qf1+ 60. Kg3 Qg1+ 61. Kh3 Qh1+ 62. Kg3 Qg1+ 63. Kh3 Qh1+ 64. Kg3 Qg1+ 65. Kh3
Qh1+ 66. Kg3 Qg1+ 67. Kh3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Internet Section 14-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shipov, Sergei"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C17"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2604"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2003.03.14"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. dxc5 Ne7 6. Nf3 Nbc6 7. Bd3 Ng6 8. O-O
Ngxe5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. Bf4 Qf6 11. Bxe5 Qxe5 12. Re1 Qg5 13. Bb5+ Kf8 14. Qd4
Ba5 15. b4 Bd8 16. Nxd5 h5 17. f4 Qg6 18. Rad1 Kg8 19. Bd3 Qh6 20. Be4 f5 21.
Bxf5 exf5 22. Ne7+ Kh7 23. Qc4 Bc7 24. Rd4 Rf8 25. g3 h4 26. Re3 b6 27. Nxc8
Raxc8 28. Rd7 bxc5 29. Ree7 Bb6 30. b5 Rcd8 31. Rxg7+ Qxg7 32. Rxg7+ Kxg7 33.
gxh4 Rd4 34. Qe6 c4 35. Kg2 Re4 36. Qd6 Rf6 37. Qd7+ Rf7 38. Qd5 Kf8 39. Qd6+
Kg8 40. h5 Rg7+ 0-1

[Event "Internet Section 17-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anvarov, Ildar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2003.03.17"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nb3 Bb6 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. a4 a6 8.
Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 d6 11. h4 Rg8 12. hxg5 hxg5 13. Bc4 Be6 14. Bd5 Qd7
15. a5 Ba7 16. Rh6 Rg6 17. Rh8+ Ng8 18. Qd3 O-O-O 19. O-O-O Nf6 20. Bxc6 Qxc6
21. Rxd8+ Kxd8 22. e5 Bxb3 23. cxb3 Ne8 24. Kb1 Kc8 25. Nd5 Qd7 26. Rc1 dxe5
27. Bxe5 c6 28. Bh2 f5 29. Ka2 Bxf2 30. Ne7+ Qxe7 31. Qxf5+ Qe6 32. Qxf2 Rf6
33. Qa7 Nc7 34. Rd1 Rf8 35. Bd6 Qe2 36. Rh1 Rf7 37. Rh8+ Kd7 38. Bxc7 Kxc7 39.
Qb8+ Kd7 40. Qd8+ Ke6 41. Re8+ 1-0

[Event "Internet Section 17-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Tiomkin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B56"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2003.03.17"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 Nf6 8.
O-O Be7 9. Kh1 O-O 10. f4 Rb8 11. b3 exf4 12. Bxf4 Ng4 13. Ne2 Bf6 14. Rb1 Be5
15. Qe1 Be6 16. Qg3 Qa5 17. h3 Nf6 18. Bxe5 Qxe5 19. Qxe5 dxe5 20. Rbd1 Rfd8
21. Ng3 Kf8 22. Kg1 Ne8 23. Kf2 g6 24. Ke3 Ke7 25. Rd2 h5 26. Rfd1 h4 27. Ne2
Ng7 28. Ng1 g5 29. Nf3 f6 30. Ng1 Nh5 31. Ne2 Rd6 32. Ba6 Rxd2 33. Rxd2 Rg8 34.
Bb7 Bd7 35. Kf2 g4 36. hxg4 Rxg4 37. a4 Rxe4 38. Rd3 Rxe2+ 39. Kxe2 Nf4+ 40.
Kf3 Nxd3 41. cxd3 Kd6 42. b4 Be6 43. Ba6 f5 44. Ke3 Kc7 45. a5 Bd5 46. Kf2 f4
47. Kg1 f3 48. gxf3 Bxf3 49. Kh2 Be2 50. Kh3 e4 51. b5 exd3 52. bxc6 Bf1+ 0-1

[Event "Internet Section 17-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Braylovsky, Gregory"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2327"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2003.03.17"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. Bxc6+ bxc6 5. d3 g6 6. f4 Bg7 7. Nf3 Bg4 8.
O-O Nf6 9. Qe1 Bxf3 10. Rxf3 O-O 11. f5 Nd7 12. Bg5 c4 13. Kh1 cxd3 14. cxd3 h6
15. Bh4 g5 16. Bf2 c5 17. Rc1 Rb8 18. Qe2 Be5 19. b3 e6 20. Nd1 g4 21. Re3 Qg5
22. Rc4 Bf4 23. h3 Bxe3 24. Bxe3 Qg7 25. Bf4 gxh3 26. gxh3 Ne5 27. Rc1 exf5 28.
Ne3 Ng6 29. Bxd6 fxe4 30. dxe4 Rbe8 31. Nf5 Qf6 32. Bxf8 Qxf5 33. exf5 Rxe2 34.
Bxc5 Nh4 35. Rf1 f6 36. Rf4 Re1+ 37. Bg1 Nxf5 38. Rxf5 Kg7 39. Ra5 Kg6 40. Rxa7
f5 41. Kg2 f4 42. Bf2 Rc1 43. Ra5 Rc3 44. b4 h5 45. b5 Kf5 46. b6+ Ke4 47. b7
f3+ 48. Kg3 h4+ 49. Kg4 1-0

[Event "Internet Section 17-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Rychagov, Andrey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E38"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2003.03.17"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Qc7 6. a3 Bxc5 7. Nf3 a6 8. e3
b6 9. b4 Be7 10. Bb2 Bb7 11. Bd3 d6 12. e4 Nbd7 13. h3 Rc8 14. Rc1 Qb8 15. Qe2
O-O 16. O-O Nh5 17. Qe3 Qc7 18. Rfd1 h6 19. Rc2 Rfd8 20. Ne2 Qb8 21. Rcd2 Qc7
22. Rc2 Ba8 23. Nc3 Qb8 24. Ne2 Rc7 25. Nf4 Nxf4 26. Qxf4 Rdc8 27. Bf1 b5 28.
Qg3 e5 29. c5 Nf6 30. cxd6 Rxc2 31. Bxe5 Bd8 32. d7 R8c7 33. Nd4 Qb6 34. Nxc2
Rxc2 35. Rd6 Rc6 36. Bxf6 Bxf6 37. Rxc6 Bxc6 38. e5 Bd8 39. e6 fxe6 40. Qd6 Bd5
41. Qe5 Qc7 42. Qd4 Qxd7 43. Be2 Qc6 44. f3 Bb6 0-1

[Event "Internet Section 17-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Solak, Dragan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2510"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2003.03.17"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Nc6 4. Nc3 Nd4 5. Be2 Ne7 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. Nb1 Nc6 8.
d3 d5 9. exd5 exd5 10. cxd5 Qxd5 11. O-O Be6 12. Nd2 Be7 13. f4 O-O 14. Bf3 Qd7
15. Nc4 Bxc4 16. dxc4 d3 17. Be3 Bf6 18. Qd2 Rfe8 19. Bf2 a5 20. Rad1 Rad8 21.
Kh1 Qf5 22. b3 h5 23. a3 h4 24. Bd5 h3 25. Qxd3 hxg2+ 26. Kxg2 Qxf4 27. Bb6
Qg4+ 28. Kh1 Rd7 29. Rxf6 Ne5 30. Qc2 Nxc4 31. bxc4 Re2 32. Rf4 Rxh2+ 33. Qxh2
Qxd1+ 34. Bg1 Rxd5 35. cxd5 Qxd5+ 36. Qg2 Qh5+ 37. Bh2 Qd1+ 38. Rf1 Qd7 39. Be5
g6 40. Qf3 Qe6 41. Qc3 b5 42. Rd1 Kh7 43. Rd8 f6 44. Qc7+ Kh6 45. Rh8+ Kg5 46.
Qc1+ Kf5 47. Qf4# 1-0

[Event "Internet Section 17-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.17"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2520"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2003.03.17"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8.
Bxc4 cxd4 9. Qxd4 Qxd4 10. Nxd4 a6 11. Rc1 Bd7 12. Ke2 Nc6 13. Nf3 Ke7 14. e5
Ba5 15. Ne4 Bc7 16. Bd3 Rhd8 17. a3 Be8 18. Nc5 Ra7 19. Be4 a5 20. Nd3 a4 21.
Rc4 Ra5 22. Rhc1 Bb8 23. Nc5 Rb5 24. R1c2 Nxe5 25. Nxe5 Bxe5 26. Nd3 Bd6 27.
Rxa4 f5 28. Bf3 e5 29. g4 e4 30. Bxe4 fxe4 31. Rxe4+ Kf8 32. Rd4 Bg6 33. f4
Re8+ 34. Kf3 Bc5 35. Rxc5 Bxd3 36. Rxb5 Bxb5 37. a4 Bc6+ 38. Kf2 Re4 39. Rxe4
Bxe4 40. Ke3 Bc2 41. a5 Ke7 42. b4 Ba4 43. Kd4 Kd6 44. f5 h6 45. h4 Bd7 46. Ke4
Bc6+ 47. Kf4 Kd5 48. g5 hxg5+ 49. hxg5 Bd7 50. f6 gxf6 51. gxf6 Kd6 52. Ke4 Be8
53. Kd4 Kc6 54. a6 bxa6 55. Kc3 Bf7 56. Kb2 Kd5 57. Kb1 Ke5 58. Kb2 Kxf6 59.
Ka1 Ke5 60. Kb2 Kd4 61. Ka1 Kc3 62. Kb1 Bg6+ 63. Ka1 Bd3 64. Ka2 Bc2 65. Ka1
1/2-1/2

[Event "Internet Section 17-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanisevic, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E69"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2555"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2003.03.17"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O c6 7. Nc3 Qa5 8. e4 e5
9. h3 Nbd7 10. Be3 Nb6 11. Qe2 exd4 12. Nxd4 Qb4 13. Rfd1 Nfd7 14. Bf1 Ne5 15.
a3 Qxc4 16. Qc2 Qxd4 17. Bxd4 Nf3+ 18. Kg2 Nxd4 19. Rxd4 Bxd4 20. Rd1 Bxc3 21.
bxc3 d5 22. exd5 Nxd5 23. c4 Nc7 24. Qb2 Ne6 25. h4 h5 26. Be2 c5 27. Qf6 Nd4
28. Bxh5 gxh5 29. Qg5+ Kh7 30. Qxh5+ Kg7 31. Qg5+ Kh7 32. Qxc5 Ne6 33. Qh5+ Kg7
34. Qg4+ Kh7 35. Rd5 Ng7 36. Qe4+ Kg8 37. h5 Re8 38. Qh4 Kh7 39. h6 Nf5 40. Qf6
Rg8 41. Qxf7+ Kxh6 42. Qxg8 Ne3+ 43. Kg1 1-0

[Event "Internet Section 17-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.17"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "De la Paz Perdomo, Frank"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2441"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2003.03.17"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nb3 Bb6 6. Nc3 Nge7 7. h4 d6 8.
h5 h6 9. Qe2 Be6 10. Be3 Qd7 11. O-O-O O-O-O 12. f3 f5 13. Qf2 Rhf8 14. Bb5
fxe4 15. Nxe4 Bxb3 16. axb3 Nf5 17. Bxb6 axb6 18. Kb1 Qf7 19. Rhe1 d5 20. Ng3
d4 21. Bc4 1-0

[Event "Internet Section 17-A"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "2003.03.17"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2712"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "190"]
[EventDate "2003.03.17"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 Bd7 11. Rd1 Rd8 12. Bf4 Bb4 13. Ne4 Ba5 14. g4
Ne7 15. Bh6 Kf8 16. Nc5 gxh6 17. Nxb7 Rb8 18. Nxa5 Ke8 19. Nb3 h5 20. Nc5 Bc8
21. Rd4 Rxb2 22. Rad1 Kf8 23. c4 hxg4 24. hxg4 Rg8 25. Rd8+ Kg7 26. Rxg8+ Nxg8
27. g5 Bg4 28. Kg2 Ne7 29. Rd3 Ng6 30. Re3 Rc2 31. Re4 Bf5 32. Rd4 Rxa2 33. Nh4
Nxh4+ 34. Rxh4 Ra5 35. Rf4 Rxc5 36. Rxf5 a5 37. f4 a4 38. e6 Rxf5 39. e7 Rxf4
40. e8=Q Rxc4 41. Qe5+ Kg8 42. Qe8+ Kg7 43. Qe5+ Kg8 44. Qxc7 Re4 45. Qb8+ Kg7
46. Qb2+ Kg8 47. Kf3 Re6 48. Qb8+ Kg7 49. Qb2+ Kg8 50. Qb4 Rg6 51. Kf4 h6 52.
gxh6 Rxh6 53. Qxa4 Rg6 54. Qa8+ Kg7 55. Qe8 c5 56. Qe5+ Kg8 57. Qxc5 Re6 58.
Qf5 Rg6 59. Ke5 Kg7 60. Kd5 Re6 61. Qg5+ Rg6 62. Qe7 Re6 63. Qd7 Rg6 64. Ke5
Re6+ 65. Kf4 Rf6+ 66. Ke4 Re6+ 67. Kd3 Rg6 68. Qe7 Re6 69. Qg5+ Rg6 70. Qd8 Re6
71. Kc3 Rg6 72. Kd4 Re6 73. Kd5 Rg6 74. Qa8 Re6 75. Qa1+ Kg8 76. Qg1+ Rg6 77.
Qd4 Re6 78. Kc5 Rg6 79. Kb5 Re6 80. Qg4+ Rg6 81. Qc8+ Kg7 82. Qc3+ Kg8 83. Ka5
Re6 84. Qd4 Rg6 85. Qe5 Re6 86. Qg5+ Rg6 87. Qe7 Re6 88. Qd7 Rg6 89. Qe8+ Kg7
90. Kb5 Re6 91. Qd8 Rg6 92. Kc5 Re6 93. Kd5 Rg6 94. Ke5 Re6+ 95. Kf5 Rg6
1/2-1/2

[Event "Dos Hermanas Internet f 4th"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2003.03.21"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Soppe, Guillermo"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2478"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2003.03.21"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bxf6 Qxc3+ 11. Kf1 gxf6 12. Rc1 Qa5 13. Bb5+ Ke7 14.
e5 fxe5 15. Qh5 Nd7 16. Qg5+ Kd6 17. Be2 a6 18. h4 f6 19. Qg7 exd4 20. Qxh8 d3
21. Bf3 Qb5 22. Kg1 d2 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. Qxc8 Qa4 25. Qxb7 Ne5 26. Qb6+ Kd7 27.
Qb7+ Kd6 28. Qb6+ Kd7 29. Qb7+ Kd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Dos Hermanas Internet f 4th"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2003.03.21"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Soppe, Guillermo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2478"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2003.03.21"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. cxd5 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nxd5 6. Nf3 Nxc3 7. bxc3 g6
8. d4 Bg7 9. Bd3 O-O 10. O-O Nc6 11. Re1 b6 12. Bg5 Re8 13. Qd2 Bb7 14. Qf4 Qd6
15. Rxe7 Qxf4 16. Rxe8+ Rxe8 17. Bxf4 Na5 18. Re1 Rc8 19. Bb1 f6 20. Rc1 Bf8
21. Bd3 Bd5 22. Rc2 Nc4 23. Bc1 b5 24. Kf1 Kf7 25. Nd2 a6 26. Nxc4 Bxc4 27.
Bxc4+ Rxc4 28. Ke2 Ke6 29. Kd3 Kd5 30. Re2 Ra4 31. g4 Bd6 32. h4 h5 33. g5 fxg5
34. Bxg5 Ra3 35. Bc1 Ra4 36. f3 Rc4 37. Rg2 Ra4 38. Rg5+ Kc6 39. Rxg6 Kd7 40.
Rg2 Be7 41. Bg5 Bd6 42. Re2 b4 43. c4 Ra3+ 44. Ke4 a5 45. c5 Bf8 46. Kd5 Rc3
47. Re6 Rxf3 48. c6+ Kc7 49. Bf6 a4 50. Be5+ Kd8 51. c7+ Kd7 52. Re8 1-0

[Event "Dos Hermanas Internet f 4th"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2003.03.21"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "McShane, Luke J"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2568"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2003.03.21"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bd3 O-O 8.
Nc3 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 c6 10. Qf3 Bf6 11. Re3 Bd4 12. Re4 Bxc3 13. dxc3 Nxe4 14. Qxe4
f5 15. Qd4 Qf6 16. Qf4 d5 17. Be3 Qh6 18. Qxh6 gxh6 19. Bxh6 Re8 20. Be3 Bd7
21. Bd4 Kf7 22. f4 Rg8 23. Kf2 a6 24. a4 Rae8 25. a5 Bc8 26. g3 Rg6 27. Be2 Rh6
28. Rh1 Kg8 29. Be5 Be6 30. Bd3 Kf7 31. b4 Rg8 32. Be2 Ke8 33. Bf3 Kd7 34. Ke3
Bf7 35. Bg2 Bh5 36. Kd4 Bg4 37. c4 dxc4 38. Kxc4 Kc8 39. Kc5 Rd8 40. h3 Be2 41.
Bd4 Rg6 42. Re1 Bb5 43. Re3 h5 44. c4 Ba4 45. Bc3 Bc2 46. Bf1 Be4 47. Be2 Rdg8
48. Be1 Rh6 49. g4 hxg4 50. hxg4 Rh1 51. Bc3 Rh4 52. Be5 Rh7 53. g5 Rg6 54. Bd3
Bxd3 55. Rxd3 Re6 56. Bf6 Re8 57. Rd6 Rd7 58. g6 Kc7 59. Be5 Rxd6 60. Bxd6+ Kd7
61. g7 Ke6 62. Bf8 Kf7 63. Kb6 Re4 64. Kxb7 Rxf4 65. Kxa6 Rxc4 66. Kb7 f4 67.
a6 f3 68. Bc5 f2 69. a7 f1=Q 70. a8=Q Kxg7 71. Qe8 Qf7+ 72. Qxf7+ Kxf7 73. Kxc6
Rxb4 74. Bxb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Dos Hermanas Internet f 4th"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2003.03.21"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "McShane, Luke J"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2568"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2003.03.21"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 Rb8 8. d5
Na5 9. b3 c6 10. dxc6 bxc6 11. Bd2 c5 12. Qc1 Re8 13. Rd1 Nc6 14. Bh6 Bh8 15.
h3 Bb7 16. Qg5 Qa5 17. Rac1 Nb4 18. Rd2 Ne4 19. Nxe4 Bxe4 20. Qf4 Bxf3 21. Bxf3
Be5 22. Qh4 Nxa2 23. Rcc2 Nb4 24. Rc1 Qa3 25. Rcd1 Qxb3 26. Bg5 f6 27. Bh6 a5
28. Bg4 Qxc4 29. f4 Bc3 30. Rd5 Nxd5 31. Be6+ Kh8 32. Bxd5 Bd4+ 0-1

[Event "Neckar op-A 7th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2003.04.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rebitzer, Winfried"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2148"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2003.04.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8.
Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 f5 11. c3 Bg7 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Nc2 O-O 14. Nce3
Be6 15. Bd3 f5 16. O-O f4 17. Qh5 h6 18. Qg6 Re8 19. Nf5 Bxf5 20. Bxf5 Rb8 21.
Bd7 1-0

[Event "Neckar op-A 7th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2003.04.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Balduan, Markus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2268"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2003.04.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. d4 dxc4 5. e3 a6 6. Bxc4 b5 7. Bb3 Bb7 8. O-O
c5 9. dxc5 Nbd7 10. Qe2 Bxc5 11. e4 b4 12. e5 Bxf3 13. gxf3 bxc3 14. exf6 Qxf6
15. Ba4 Ke7 16. Bxd7 Kxd7 17. bxc3 Rhd8 18. Be3 Bd6 19. Rfd1 Ke8 20. Rd4 Qg6+
21. Rg4 Qh5 22. h4 Qe5 23. Qc4 g6 24. Bf4 Qc5 25. Bxd6 Qxc4 26. Rxc4 Rxd6 27.
Rb1 Ra7 28. h5 gxh5 29. Rb8+ Rd8 30. Rcc8 Rxc8 31. Rxc8+ Ke7 32. Kg2 Kd6 33.
Kg3 f5 34. Rc4 Rg7+ 35. Kh4 Ke5 36. Ra4 Rg2 37. f4+ Kf6 38. Rxa6 Rg4+ 39. Kh3
Rxf4 40. Kg3 Rc4 41. Ra3 h4+ 42. Kh3 Rf4 43. Rb3 Rxf2 44. a4 Ra2 45. Rb4 Ra3
46. Rc4 Kg5 47. Rc6 e5 48. Rc5 e4 49. Rc7 Rxa4 50. Rxh7 Rc4 51. Rg7+ Kf4 0-1

[Event "Neckar op-A 7th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2003.04.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Reuss, Andreas"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2383"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2003.04.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. exd5 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nxd5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Bc4 Nb6 8.
Bb3 Bf5 9. d4 e6 10. O-O Be7 11. a4 Na5 12. Ba2 O-O 13. Qe2 Rc8 14. Rd1 Nd5 15.
Nxd5 exd5 16. Bd2 Nc4 17. Bc3 Re8 18. Ne5 Bd6 19. Qf3 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Be4 21. Qf4
Rxc3 22. exd6 g5 23. Qg4 h5 24. Qxh5 Bg6 25. Qxg6+ fxg6 26. bxc3 Kg7 27. Rxd5
Qf6 28. d7 Rd8 29. Rd4 Qc6 30. Rad1 Qxc3 31. Bb1 Qc6 32. g3 b6 33. Be4 Qe6 34.
Bf3 a6 35. Bg4 Qc6 36. h3 b5 37. axb5 Qxb5 38. Rd5 Qb6 39. Rxg5 Kf6 40. h4 a5
41. Ra1 1-0

[Event "Neckar op-A 7th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2003.04.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kasparov, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2435"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2003.04.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 h6 10. h3 Bd7 11. b3 Ke8 12. Bb2 Rd8 13. Rad1 Ne7 14. Rd2
Ng6 15. Rfd1 Be7 16. Kh2 Nf4 17. g3 Ne6 18. Ne4 Ng5 19. Nfxg5 hxg5 20. e6 Bxe6
21. Rxd8+ Bxd8 22. Bxg7 Rxh3+ 23. Kg2 g4 24. c4 f5 25. Rxd8+ Kxd8 26. Ng5 Bxc4
27. Nxh3 Bd5+ 28. Kh2 gxh3 29. Kxh3 Bf3 30. Kh4 c5 31. Kg5 Be4 32. f3 Bb1 33.
a3 a5 34. Bc3 b6 35. Kf4 Kd7 36. Ke3 Ba2 37. b4 cxb4 38. axb4 axb4 39. Bxb4 c5
40. Be1 Kc6 41. g4 Be6 42. gxf5 Bxf5 43. Kd2 b5 44. Kc3 b4+ 45. Kb2 Kb5 46. Bf2
Kc4 47. Bd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Neckar op-A 7th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2003.04.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kanep, Meelis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2445"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2003.04.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Nc6 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 e6 6. Bb3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1
b6 9. Nbd2 Ba6 10. Nf1 Rc8 11. Ng3 d5 12. e5 Nd7 13. Bc2 Qc7 14. Bf4 d4 15. Qc1
Rfd8 16. Nh5 Kh8 17. h4 Rg8 18. Bg3 Rcf8 19. a3 Bb7 20. Nf4 b5 21. Qd1 Qd8 22.
h5 g5 23. hxg6 hxg6 24. c4 a6 25. Bb3 Na5 26. Ba2 Rg7 27. Nh2 g5 28. Nh5 Rh7
29. cxb5 axb5 30. Rc1 Rg8 31. Nf6 Nxf6 32. exf6 Bd6 33. Ng4 c4 34. dxc4 Bxg3
35. fxg3 bxc4 36. Bxc4 Nxc4 37. Rxc4 Bxg2 38. Qxd4 Bd5 39. Rc2 Qb8 40. Qe3 Ba8
41. Nf2 Qf8 42. Qe5 Qh6 43. g4 Qg6 44. Rec1 Rh6 45. Rc8 Kh7 46. Rxg8 Qxg8 47.
Ne4 Rh4 48. Nxg5+ Kh6 49. Nxf7+ Qxf7 50. g5+ Kh5 51. Rc8 Rg4+ 52. Kf2 Rxg5 0-1

[Event "Neckar op-A 7th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2003.04.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Schenk, Andreas"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2478"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "20"]
[EventDate "2003.04.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Bd2
cxd4 9. Nxd5 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 Qxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Neckar op-A 7th"]
[Site "Deizisau"]
[Date "2003.04.21"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Balogh, Csaba"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2448"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2003.04.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bf4 a5 12. Qc1 Na6 13. Nc3 Nb4 14. Rd1 Nbd5 15.
Nb5 Nxf4 16. gxf4 Bxf3 17. Bxf3 c6 18. Nc3 Nd5 19. e3 f5 20. Kh1 Bd6 21. Rg1
Qh4 22. Qf1 Kf7 23. Rg3 Ne7 24. Qg2 Qf6 25. e4 Bxf4 26. e5 Qh4 27. Rxg7+ Ke8
28. Ne2 Bg5 29. Qg3 Kd7 30. Bg2 Qxg3 31. hxg3 Bd2 32. Rd1 Bb4 33. Nf4 Rg8 34.
Rh7 Rh8 35. Rf7 Rhf8 36. Rxf8 Rxf8 37. Bf3 Rb8 38. Kg2 Nd5 39. Nd3 Bf8 40. Be2
b6 41. Rh1 Nb4 42. Nf4 Nd5 43. Nxd5 cxd5 44. Bb5+ Kd8 45. f4 Rb7 46. Kf3 Rg7
47. Bd3 Kc8 48. Rh2 Kd8 49. Bb5 Rc7 50. g4 fxg4+ 51. Kxg4 Rc1 52. Kf3 Ke7 53.
Bd3 Kf7 54. Rg2 Bb4 55. Rg6 Rf1+ 56. Ke3 Re1+ 57. Kf2 Rd1 58. Rf6+ Ke7 59. Ke3
Re1+ 60. Be2 Rh1 61. Bg4 1-0

[Event "Lausanne op"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2003.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Paladini, Jean Michel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2186"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2003.05.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 Ne4 5. Qc2 Nc6 6. Nxe4 Nb4 7. Qb1 dxe4 8. a3
Nd3+ 9. Bxd3 exd3 10. Nf3 b6 11. O-O Bb7 12. Ne1 Be4 13. b4 h5 14. a4 h4 15.
Ba3 Qd4 16. c5 Qxe5 17. cxb6 Bd6 18. f4 Qd4+ 19. Kh1 h3 20. Qb2 hxg2+ 21. Nxg2
Bxg2+ 22. Kxg2 Qe4+ 23. Kg1 Bxf4 24. Rf2 Be5 0-1

[Event "Lausanne op"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2003.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedjarova, Zeinab"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2293"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2003.05.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qf6 5. Nb5 Bc5 6. Qe2 Bb6 7. N1c3 Nge7
8. Nd5 Nxd5 9. exd5+ Ne7 10. d6 cxd6 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Qxe3 O-O 13. O-O-O d5 14.
Bd3 d4 15. Qxd4 Qxd4 16. Nxd4 d5 17. Rhe1 Nc6 18. Nb5 Be6 19. Nd6 Rab8 20. Bf5
g6 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. f3 Rf6 23. c4 d4 24. Ne4 Rf5 25. Nd6 Rf6 26. a3 e5 27. Ne4
Re6 28. Nc5 Re7 29. Nd3 Kf7 30. Re4 Rbe8 31. Rde1 Kf6 32. b4 g5 33. g3 Re6 34.
h4 h6 35. Kc2 Nd8 36. Kb2 Nf7 37. c5 b6 38. Ka2 bxc5 39. bxc5 Kf5 40. h5 Nd8
41. Nb4 Rg8 42. Nd5 g4 43. f4 Nc6 44. fxe5 Rd8 45. Rf4+ Kg5 46. Ref1 Kxh5 47.
Nf6+ Kg6 48. Rxg4+ Kf7 49. Nd5+ Ke8 50. Rg8+ Kd7 51. Rf7+ 1-0

[Event "Lausanne op"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2003.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Gallagher, Joseph G"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2526"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2003.05.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Ba4 Bc5 6. O-O O-O 7. d3 d6 8. h3
Ne8 9. Nxd4 Bxd4 10. Qh5 f5 11. Ne2 Bb6 12. Bg5 Nf6 13. Bb3+ Kh8 14. Qh4 Qe8
15. exf5 Bxf5 16. Kh1 h6 17. Be3 Nh7 18. Ng3 Bd7 19. Rae1 Qd8 20. Qxd8 Raxd8
21. Ne2 Bxe3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne op"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2003.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Starostits, Ilmars"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2442"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2003.05.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Bb5 Bg7 5. O-O e5 6. d3 Nge7 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bxe7
Nxe7 9. Bc4 O-O 10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. Bxd5 d6 12. c3 Kh7 13. Nd2 Rb8 14. a4 h5 15.
Rb1 Bg4 16. Qc2 Bh6 17. b4 cxb4 18. Rxb4 b6 19. Nc4 Rc8 20. a5 bxa5 21. Rb7 Rc7
22. Rfb1 Bc8 23. Rxc7 Qxc7 24. Ra1 h4 25. Qa4 Ba6 26. Qxa5 Qxa5 27. Rxa5 Bxc4
28. dxc4 Bd2 29. Ra3 Rb8 30. g3 hxg3 31. hxg3 Rb2 32. Rxa7 Bxc3 33. Rxf7+ Kh6
34. Kh1 Bd4 35. f3 Bc5 36. Be6 Kg5 37. Bh3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne op"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2003.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Rainfray, Arnaud"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2392"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[EventDate "2003.05.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. d5 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 Ne5 8.
Bb5+ Nfd7 9. Qd1 c4 10. Na3 Rc8 11. Qe2 Qc7 12. O-O a6 13. Bxd7+ Nxd7 14. Be3
e5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne op"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2003.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jacot, Laurent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2216"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[EventDate "2003.05.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Ba4 a6 5. Bb3 e6 6. Nf3 Nxb3 7. axb3 Ne7 8.
d4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nc6 10. Ndb5 d6 11. Bf4 e5 12. Nd5 axb5 13. Rxa8 exf4 14. Qd3
Be7 15. Qxb5 O-O 16. Rxc8 Qxc8 17. Qxc6 Qe6 18. Qxb7 Qxe4+ 19. Kf1 Kh8 1-0

[Event "Lausanne op"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2003.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Palac, Mladen"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2591"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2003.05.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. Qe2 Qd4 13. Nd2 Bb7 14. Kh1 a5 15.
f3 Rfd8 16. Nc4 Ba6 17. Be3 Bxc4 18. Bxc4 Qd7 19. Red1 Qe8 20. Bb5 c6 21. Bc4
Nd7 22. Qf2 Qf8 23. Qg3 Kh8 24. Rd2 Bc5 25. Bxc5 Nxc5 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Qxe5
Nxa4 28. b3 Nb6 29. Bd3 f6 30. Qc7 Nd7 31. Qxc6 Ne5 32. Qb5 Qd6 33. Rxa5 h6 34.
Qb7 Nxd3 35. Rd5 Qf4 36. Rxd8+ Kh7 37. h3 Qc1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 4th"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2003.05.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Cherniaev, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2501"]
[BlackElo "2606"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2003.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Qe2 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d3 Re8 7. Bg5 Bf8 8.
Nbd2 h6 9. Bh4 d6 10. Ba4 Rb8 11. a3 b5 12. Bb3 Be7 13. Nf1 Nd7 14. Bg3 a5 15.
Ne3 a4 16. Ba2 Nf6 17. Nh4 Be6 18. Nhf5 d5 19. O-O d4 20. cxd4 Nxd4 21. Nxd4
exd4 22. Bxe6 fxe6 23. Ng4 Rc8 24. f4 c5 25. f5 c4 26. fxe6 cxd3 27. Nxf6+ Bxf6
28. Qxd3 Qb6 29. e5 Bg5 30. Bf4 Qxe6 31. Bxg5 hxg5 32. Qxd4 Qxe5 33. Qxe5 Rxe5
34. Rf2 Rf8 35. Raf1 Rfe8 36. g3 Kh7 37. Kg2 Kg6 38. g4 Re4 39. h3 b4 40. axb4
Rxb4 41. Rc2 Re3 42. Rf3 Rxf3 43. Kxf3 Rb3+ 44. Ke4 Rxh3 45. Rc6+ Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 4th"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2003.05.31"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "De Vreugt, Dennis"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2606"]
[BlackElo "2503"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2003.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d6 9. d3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 Re8 12. Nf1 Nc6 13. Ng3 Bf8 14. h3 g6 15. Be3
h6 16. d4 Bd7 17. Qd2 Kh7 18. d5 Ne7 19. Nh2 g5 20. Bd1 Bg7 21. Ng4 Neg8 22.
Bf3 Qc8 23. Qe2 Rf8 24. Bd2 Nxg4 25. hxg4 Nf6 26. Nf5 Bxf5 27. gxf5 Qb7 28. g3
Nd7 29. Kg2 Bf6 30. Rh1 Kg7 31. Rh3 Rh8 32. Rah1 Rh7 33. Bh5 Rah8 34. Qg4 Rg8
35. Bxf7 Kxf7 36. Rxh6 Rxh6 37. Rxh6 Nf8 38. f4 exf4 39. gxf4 Qe7 40. e5 gxf4
41. e6+ Nxe6 42. fxe6+ Kf8 43. Rg6 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 4th"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2003.06.01"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Goloshchapov, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2558"]
[BlackElo "2606"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2003.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ne7 10. Rd1+ Ke8 11. h3 Ng6 12. b3 Bd7 13. Bb2 Rd8 14. Rd2
Nf4 15. Rad1 Be7 16. Ne2 Nxe2+ 17. Rxe2 c5 18. c4 h5 19. Bc1 Bc6 20. Rxd8+ Kxd8
21. Ng5 Bxg5 22. Bxg5+ Kd7 23. Rd2+ Ke6 24. Bd8 Kxe5 25. f3 Ke6 26. h4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 4th"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2003.06.02"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Guliev, Sarhan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2606"]
[BlackElo "2524"]
[PlyCount "26"]
[EventDate "2003.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8.
h4 d6 9. c4 Nb6 10. exd6 Qxe2+ 11. Bxe2 Bxd6 12. Nd2 O-O 13. Nf3 Re8 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 4th"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2003.06.03"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Belov, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2549"]
[BlackElo "2606"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2003.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Nf3 Bb7 8.
e3 a5 9. b3 d6 10. Be2 Nbd7 11. O-O Ne4 12. Qd3 f5 13. Nd2 Qh4 14. f3 Ng5 15.
f4 Ne4 16. Nf3 Qe7 17. Bb2 Ndf6 18. Rfc1 c5 19. b4 axb4 20. axb4 h6 21. b5 Rfd8
22. Bf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 4th"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2003.06.05"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svetushkin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2606"]
[BlackElo "2543"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2003.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 {This move was a big surprise. Usually Dmitry plays 1...c6.} 2. Nf3 e6
3. c4 Nc6 4. Nc3 Nge7 {Although this was the first time I had seen the text
move, the next few moves did not cost me much time, because they are
practically forced.} ({After the game, one of my friends drew my attention to
the move} 4... g5 {It would be interesting to test in practice the fascinating
position reached after} 5. d4 g4 6. d5 gxf3 ({or the intermediary} 6... exd5 7.
cxd5) 7. dxc6 fxg2 8. Bxg2) 5. d4 Nxd4 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. Qxd4 Nc6 8. Qe3 b6 9.
Bd3 Bc5 10. Qg3 Qf6 11. Bf4 {I don't know if this is new or not, but I could
not find it in my database, although it looks very logical.} Qg6 {Played by
analogy with the variation 11.0-0.} ({I am not sure if Black has something
better, but it should be pointed out that} 11... Bd4 {is dangerous on account
of} 12. Nb5) ({, whilst} 11... Nb4 {has no sense because after} 12. Bb1 e5 13.
Bd2 {it is not clear what Black has achieved.}) 12. Nb5 Qxg3 {My opponent
naturally wishes to fight for the centre squares.} ({After} 12... O-O {White
has a wide choice of continuations.} {But maybe} 13. e5 ({I think the simple} 
13. Qxg6 hxg6 ({on} 13... fxg6 {there is the simple} 14. Bg3 {with a small
plus for White.}) 14. Bd6 Rd8 15. f4 {gives White a small advantage.}) 13...
Qxg3 14. hxg3 {(and e4 next move) is even stronger.}) 13. hxg3 Ke7 {The point
of the previous move. Now in the event of quiet play by White, Black occupies
the dark squares by d6, e5 and a5 and obtains a strong and comfortable
position. I avoided simple moves because I did not want to allow a dark-square
blockade, and so I had three moves to consider: 14.e5 , 14.a3 and the slightly
artificial 14.Rh5.} 14. a3 $2 (14. e5 {I avoided because of the "clear
refutation"} a6 15. Nd6 ({after} 15. Nc3 Bd4 16. Be4 Rb8 17. Bg5+ f6 18. exf6+
gxf6 {Black has reasonable play}) {Probably Black would have to go for the
position after} 15... f6 (15... Nxe5 16. Nxc8+ ({I somehow missed that after} 
16. Bxe5 Bxd6 {the pawn g7 is hanging}) 16... Kf6) 16. Be4 ({deserving of
attention is} 16. exf6+ gxf6 17. Ne4 Bb4+ 18. Kf1 f5 19. Ng5 {with advantage})
16... fxe5 17. Bxc6 dxc6 18. Nxc8+ Kf6 19. Nxb6 Bxb6 20. Bd2 Bd4 21. Rb1 {
with advantage, on account of White's superior pawn structure.  After
calculating the line, and also noticing that 14.Rh5 can be met simply by 14...
d6, I noticed 15. b4 (after 14.a3) and chose a third line.}) (14. Rh5 d6 ({
the position after} 14... a6 15. Rxc5 bxc5 16. Bd6+ Kd8 17. Nc3 {I liked}))
14... a6 {On 14... a5I would certainly have played 15. e5} 15. b4 {I don't
think many players would like 15.Nc3 Bd4.} axb5 ({After} 15... e5 {White can
simply transpose into the game by} 16. bxc5 ({or enter complications by} 16.
Nc7 Bd4 17. Bg5+ f6 18. Nxa8 fxg5 (18... Bxa1 19. Be3 {with an advantage}) 19.
Rb1 {(with the idea of c5 or b5 at some point), in which White should also be
better.}) 16... axb5 17. cxb5 {which is OK.}) 16. bxc5 {From this position,
there is a foorest of variations in which Black has excellent chances of
equalizing...} e5 {After long thought, Black chooses the most principled
continuation. As my opponent admitted after the game, he did not notice my
next idea. Just like me at first. Instead of 16... e5 Black had two other
continuations 16...bxc5 and 16...bxc4.} ({Now after} 16... bxc5 {everything is
more or less clear: White plays} 17. cxb5 Nd4 18. a4 {and having prevented the
formation of the pawn chain c5-d6-e5 (18...d6 19.e5 d5 20.Be3 Nb3 21.Ra3 c4 22.
Bc2) White obtains an excellent position.}) ({But} 16... bxc4 {on the other
hand is very strong, since after} 17. Bd6+ {Black replies with the rather
computer-like move} Ke8 ({I only considered} 17... Kf6 18. Bxc4 Ba6 19. Bxa6
Rxa6 20. cxb6 Rxb6 21. O-O {and White is a little better because of the d7
pawn, whilst 17... Kd8 is also possible}) 18. Bxc4 Na5 {and after Nb7 Black
seems to have no problems.}) 17. cxb5 ({17.Be3 or} 17. Bg5+ f6 18. Be3 {
give Black excellent prospects after} bxc4 19. Bxc4 bxc5 20. Bxc5+ d6 {
followed by Be6.  .}) 17... Nb4 18. Bc4 Nc2+ ({Here it was possible to play} 
18... exf4 19. Kd2 Na6 (19... fxg3 20. axb4 Rxa1 21. Rxa1 gxf2 22. Ra7 {
with a virtually winning position} (22. Ke3 $5)) (19... d5 20. cxd6+ Kxd6 21.
gxf4 Bb7 22. f3 Rhc8 23. Bb3) 20. bxa6 fxg3 21. cxb6 Bxa6 22. Bd5 {both 22...
Rab8 and 22...gxf2 lead to a drawn endgame.}) 19. Kd2 Nxa1 20. Bxe5 bxc5 $6 ({
After} 20... Ra4 $1 21. Bd5 Bb7 22. Bd6+ Kd8 23. Rxa1 Bxd5 24. exd5 Rd4+ (24...
bxc5 25. Kc3 Rd4 26. Bxc5 Rxd5 27. Kc4 Rd2 28. a4 {with advantage}) 25. Kc3
Rxd5 26. Kc4 Rd2 27. Re1 {White still has the better chances, but the position
remains double-edged.}) ({On} 20... Rxa3 {White has the simple 21.Ba1,} {
Things work out differently after} 21. Bxa1 ({and also the sharp} 21. Bd6+ Kf6
(21... Ke8 22. cxb6 Ra4 23. Kc3 {with the idea of 23...Bb7 24.Bd5}) (21... Kd8
22. cxb6 Ra4 23. Bc7+ Ke7 24. Bd5 {and again White dominates}) 22. e5+ (22.
cxb6 Nb3+ 23. Kc3 Nc5+ 24. Kd4 Nb3+ {draw}) 22... Kg6 (22... Kf5 $6 23. cxb6 {
gives White extra attacking chances}) 23. cxb6 Ra4 (23... Ra5 24. Bd3+ f5 25.
g4) 24. Rh4 (24. Bd3+ $6 f5 25. g4 Nb3+ 26. Kc3 Na5) 24... Rxc4 25. Rxc4 Nb3+
26. Kd3 Na5 (26... h5 $2 27. Ra4) 27. Rg4+ Kf5 (27... Kh6 28. Bb4) 28. Rxg7 Ke6
29. Bb4 Nb7 {and by advancing d6 Black draws.}) 21... bxc5 ({Taking on c5 is
forced, since} 21... f6 {fails to} 22. e5 f5 23. e6 {after which the black
king comes under a strong attack, e.g.} d5 (23... dxe6 24. c6 $1) 24. cxd6+
Kxd6 25. Bxg7 Re8 26. e7 Kxe7 27. Rh6 {and White is better} {(} Ra4 28. Bd5 {)}
) 22. Bxg7 Rg8 23. Rxh7 Ra4 {and a later d6 and Be6 Black has reasonable
chances of a draw. Of course, one must admit that all these variations are not
so easy to see during the game, especially at a relatively fast time limit.})
21. Rxa1 ({It is natural that White wishes to kep his a-pawn, specially as
after} 21. Bxg7 Rg8 22. Rxh7 {I did not like} d6 23. Bxa1 Be6) 21... f6 ({On} 
21... Bb7 {there follows the simple} 22. f3 {and the powerful pawns should
decide the game.}) 22. Bc3 $2 {I cannot explain why I did not play the strong
and natural move Bc7, after which White stands better. Having regained the
material, I started playing quietly, thinking I was winning easily.} Ra4 {
An excellent move that I had underestimated, although in fact not played with
the right idea.} 23. Bb3 {Necessary, since Black threatened to devlop by Bb7
and Rha8.} Rxe4 24. f3 Re6 $2 ({Of course, it was bad to play} 24... c4 {
because of} 25. Ba2 Re6 26. Bxc4 d5 27. Bd3 {and the further march of the
pawns.}) ({, but after} 24... Re5 {it is quite unclear how White can achieve
anything of substance. During the game, It seemed to me that} 25. Bxe5 fxe5 26.
Re1 (26. a4 d5 $1) 26... d6 27. f4 {was convincing, but there is the by no
means bad move} Be6 {and now White does not manage to destroy Black's pawns} {(
} 28. Bxe6 Kxe6 29. fxe5 d5 {) Maybe White has some way to get a decent
advantage after 24...Re5, but I do not see it. Now everything is simple,
however.}) 25. Bxe6 dxe6 {Surprising.} ({Black deprives himself of a passed
pawn because of his faith in the opposite coloured bishops!} 25... Kxe6 26.
Re1+ Kf7 27. a4 {was also far from nice.}) 26. Kd3 e5 27. a4 Kd6 ({It is easy
to see that} 27... Rd8+ 28. Kc4 Be6+ {loses, since after} 29. Kxc5 Rc8+ 30. Kb4
Rc4+ 31. Kb3 Rg4+ 32. Ka3 Rxg3 33. a5 {the white pawns promote, and after
everything else, (27...Be6, 27...Bf5 + 28.Kc4 Rc8) White has the universal
move Ba5.}) 28. Ba5 Bd7 29. Kc4 Be6+ 30. Kc3 {A dredful blunder. Now after 30..
.Bd5 Black could still fight on.} Rb8 $2 31. Rd1+ Ke7 (31... Bd5 32. Bc7+ Kxc7
33. Rxd5 Kb6 34. Rd6+ $18) 32. Bc7 Ra8 33. a5 Ra7 34. b6 {Aesthetes might
prefer 34.Bb6.} Rxa5 35. b7 Ra3+ 36. Kd2 Ra2+ 37. Ke1 Bc4 38. Rb1 {A game
filled with mistakes, but even so, I like the little combination.} 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 4th"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2003.06.06"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Mchedlishvili, Mikheil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2560"]
[BlackElo "2606"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[EventDate "2003.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e3 a6 6. a4 c5 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. O-O
Be7 9. Qe2 cxd4 10. Rd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 4th"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2003.06.07"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Glek, Igor Vladimirovich"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C14"]
[WhiteElo "2606"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[Annotator "Finkel,A"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2003.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Ne4 $6 {Dubious continuation
promising white stable opening advantage.} 6. Nxe4 Bxg5 7. Nxg5 Qxg5 8. c3 c5
9. Nf3 Qe7 10. dxc5 (10. Bd3 Nc6 (10... cxd4 11. cxd4 (11. Nxd4 Nc6 12. f4 O-O
13. O-O f6 14. Qc2 h6 15. Rae1 Bd7 16. Nf3 $14 {Savon,V-Glek,I/Odessa 1989})
11... Qb4+ 12. Qd2 Nc6 (12... Qxd2+ 13. Nxd2 Nc6 14. Nb3 Ke7 15. O-O Bd7 16.
Rac1 $14 {Dubrovin,Y-Tyulin,A/Novosibirsk 2002}) 13. Rc1 Bd7 14. Qxb4 Nxb4 15.
Bb1 f6 16. Kd2 Nc6 17. Rhe1 O-O $13 {Teske,H-Glek,I/Erfurt 1989}) 11. dxc5 Qxc5
12. O-O Bd7 13. Rc1 Rc8 14. Re1 Qb6 15. Qe2 $14 {Levy,D-Hall,R/Bath 1963})
10... Qxc5 11. Bd3 Bd7 (11... b6 12. Qe2 a5 13. Nd4 Ba6 14. Nb5 O-O 15. a4 Nc6
16. O-O Rad8 17. Rac1 $14 {Dragasevic Georgieva,A-Medjedovic,J/Arandjelovac
1990}) (11... Nc6 12. O-O O-O 13. Re1 Qe7 {[#]} 14. Qc2 h6 15. Qd2 Rb8 16. Bc2
$16 {Tischbierek,R-Timmer,R/Biel 1993}) 12. Qe2 {It's important to prevent Bb5,
which would've solved black's opening problems.} (12. O-O Bb5 13. Bxb5+ Qxb5
14. Nd4 Qb6 15. Qe2 O-O $11 {Asztalos,L-Vukovic,V/Gyor 1924}) 12... Nc6 13. O-O
h6 (13... Rc8 14. Rad1 a6 15. Rfe1 Qe7 16. Bb1 b5 17. a3 Na5 18. Nd4 $14 {
Ivkov,B-Djaja,D/Skopje 1956}) (13... O-O 14. Rad1 (14. Qc2 h6 15. Rfe1 Rac8 16.
Qd2 f5 17. exf6 Rxf6 18. Ne5 Nxe5 19. Rxe5 Rcf8 20. Rf1 Bb5 21. Qe3 Qxe3 {
1/2-1/2 Vehi Bach,V-Mellado Trivino,J/Ampuriabrava 1997/CBM 62 (21)}) 14... f5
15. exf6 Rxf6 16. Ne5 Nxe5 17. Qxe5 {1/2-1/2 Ivkov,B-Geller,E/Leningrad 1957/
MCL (17)}) 14. a3 a6 15. Rac1 Qb6 16. b4 Na7 17. Nd4 (17. c4 dxc4 18. Rxc4 Bb5
19. Rg4 O-O 20. Nd4 $36) 17... Nb5 18. Qg4 O-O 19. Rfe1 {[%cal Ge1e3,Ge3g3]
With idea to bring the rook to g3.} (19. a4 Nxd4 20. a5 Nf3+ 21. Qxf3 Qc7 22.
Rfe1 Bb5 23. Bb1 b6 $13) 19... Rfc8 20. Bxb5 axb5 $8 (20... Bxb5 21. Re3 $16)
21. Re3 Qd8 $8 22. Rg3 Qg5 {Arising endgame is slightly better for white, but
black should hold it, that's why I think this move is more accurate than 22...
Qf8} (22... Qf8 23. Ra1 Ra6 24. Qf4 Kh7 $14) 23. Qxg5 hxg5 24. Rxg5 Rxa3 25.
Rg3 Ra4 (25... Rca8 26. Re3 Ra1 27. Ree1 R1a2 28. Kf1 $16) 26. Nb3 b6 27. Rb1
Ra2 28. Nd4 Ra3 29. Ne2 Rc4 30. Re3 Re4 (30... f5) 31. Rxe4 dxe4 32. h4 $1 {
Securing square f4 for the knight.} Bc6 33. Rd1 Bd5 34. Nf4 Rxc3 $2 {Very
strange decision to put it mild. Rook endgame is completly hopeless for black,
meanwhile after correct 34...Bc4 black seems to be doing fine.} (34... Bc4 35.
Rd8+ (35. Rc1 f6 36. g4 Kf7 37. exf6 gxf6 $13) 35... Kh7 36. Rf8 Rxc3 37. Rxf7
e3 38. fxe3 Rxe3 39. Kf2 Rxe5 40. g4 Re4 41. Kf3 Bd5 $11) 35. Nxd5 exd5 36.
Rxd5 Rc1+ 37. Kh2 Rc2 38. Kg3 Rc3+ 39. Kf4 e3 40. Rd8+ (40. fxe3) 40... Kh7 41.
fxe3 Rc4+ 42. Rd4 Rc2 43. g4 Rb2 44. h5 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 4th"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2003.06.08"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Iordachescu, Viorel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2550"]
[BlackElo "2606"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2003.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nc3 Nc6 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Qc7 15. c3
Nb8 16. Bxb7 Qxb7 17. d4 Nc6 18. Be3 Rfd8 19. Qe2 Na5 20. Nd2 cxd4 21. cxd4
Rac8 22. Rac1 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Rc8 24. Qd1 Nc4 25. Nxc4 Rxc4 26. Rxc4 bxc4 27. Qc2
exd4 28. Bxd4 d5 29. Qa4 Kf8 30. exd5 Qxd5 31. Bc3 Qe6 32. Qd1 Bf6 33. Bxf6
Qxf6 34. Qd5 g6 35. Qxc4 Qxb2 36. Qxa6 Qc1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 4th"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2003.06.10"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Filippov, Valerij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2606"]
[BlackElo "2627"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2003.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 {Ftacnik} e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 d4 {Dieser Bauernzug (der zu
einem scharfen Kampf mit beiderseitigen Chancen führt) wird selten gespielt.
Die gewöhnlichen Züge sind 4...dxc4 und 4...Be7.} 5. O-O c5 6. e3 Nc6 7. exd4
cxd4 8. d3 {Wir haben nun eigentlich eine Stellung, die typisch für die
Benoni-Verteidigung ist. Schwarz hat die Bauernmehrheit im Zentrum und am
Königsflügel, während Weiß die Mehrheit und Initiative am Damenflügel hat.} Bd6
9. Re1 O-O {Dieser Zug scheint mir ein wenig schablonenhaft - Weiß kann nun
Bg5 spielen und den f6-Springer tauschen und der schwarze dunkelfarbige Läufer
bekommt keine Aktivität. Nach meiner Meinung wäre es vorsichtiger, mit dem
prophylaktischen 9...h6!? fortzusetzen und so die Möglichkeit Bg5 zu
verhindern.} (9... h6 $5 10. Na3 O-O (10... a5 11. Nc2 Qb6 12. Rb1 O-O 13. a3
a4 14. Bd2 Rd8 15. h3 Nd7 16. Re2 e5 17. Bb4 Bxb4 18. axb4 Nxb4 19. Nxe5 Nc5 {
1/2-1/2 Hartoch,R-Kritz,L/Dieren 2002/CBM 89 ext (61)}) 11. Nc2 Re8 12. Rb1 e5
13. b4 a6 14. a4 Bf5 (14... Bg4 15. h3 Bh5 16. c5 Nd5 17. Bd2 Bb8 18. b5 axb5
19. axb5 Na5 20. Ra1 Nc3 21. Bxc3 dxc3 22. Ra3 Qd7 {0-1 Kostin,M-Shur,M/Moscow
1997/EXT 2000 (35)}) 15. c5 Nd5 16. Nfxd4 Nxd4 17. Bxd5 Bxc5 18. Nxd4 Bxd4 19.
Qf3 Re7 20. Bxb7 Bxd3 21. Bxa8 Bxb1 22. Bxh6 e4 23. Qg4 Bd3 {0-1 Rotstein,
A-Serper,G/Wisla 1992/TD (58)}) 10. a3 a5 11. Bg5 $5 {[%mdl 4] Ftacnik: 'The
world junior champion U20 Aronian rarely combines strategic talent with an
excellent tactical abilities, we shall hear much more about him in the future.
' Das ist eine gute strategische Idee von Weiß. Er tauscht seinen
dunkelfarbigen Läufer gegen den Springer und seine Springer - mit der
Unterstützung des g2-Läufers - bekommen große Aktivität.} h6 (11... e5 12. Nbd2
$14) 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Nbd2 {[%cal Gd2e4,Ge4d6,Ge4f6]} Qd8 (13... Be7 {Ftacnik}
14. Qa4 Qf5 (14... Ra6 15. Qb5 $36) 15. b4 Qxd3 16. b5 Nb8 17. Ne4 Nd7 18. Nfd2
Nc5 19. Nxc5 Qxd2 20. Nxb7 $14) (13... Qe7 {Ftacnik} 14. Nb3) 14. Rc1 {[%cal
Gc4c5] Weiß bereitet den Plan 15.c5, 16.Nc4 vor und Schwarz hat keine gute
Abwehr.} Re8 (14... b6 $4 15. Nxd4 Nxd4 16. Bxa8 $18) (14... Qb6 15. Ne4 $14)
15. c5 $14 Bc7 (15... Bf8 {Ftacnik} 16. Qa4 Rb8 17. Ne5 (17. b4 axb4 18. axb4
b5 19. cxb6 Nxb4 20. Ne5 f6 21. Qa7 Bb7 22. Bxb7 fxe5 23. Be4 Qxb6 $11) 17...
Nxe5 18. Rxe5 f6 19. Ree1 e5 20. Nb3 $14) 16. Nc4 {[%csl Gc4,Gc5]} Bd7 17. Nfd2
{[%csl Gc4,Gd2,Gg2]} Rb8 18. Nd6 {Ftacnik: 'The jump of the second knight into
the center of the action 19.Ne4 might have promised more chances.' Weiß
verliert keine Zeit und spielt diesen Springerzug sofort. Die Alternative
kommt auch stark in Betracht.} (18. Ne4 $5 $14 b5 {Ftacnik} 19. cxb6 Bxb6 20.
b3 $14) 18... Bxd6 (18... Rf8 19. N2c4 $36) 19. cxd6 Na7 (19... e5 $5 $132) 20.
Qh5 {[%csl Gh5][%cal Gh5a5][%mdl 2048] Die weiße Dame kommt ins Spiel auf der
fünften Reihe. Weiß hat aktives Figurenspiel.} Bc6 21. Bxc6 bxc6 (21... Nxc6
22. Ne4 $14 (22. Qc5 {Ftacnik} a4 23. Ne4 Ra8 24. Qb5 Ra7 25. Rc4 Qa8 26. Nc5
Rd8 27. d7 $14)) 22. Qc5 Qb6 {'?' Ftacnik. Ftacnik: 'Filippov incorrectly
guessed his chances in the inferior ending, he probably underestimated 25.a4!'}
(22... Rxb2 23. Nc4 (23. Qxa7 Rxd2 24. Qxd4 Qd7 $11) 23... Rb7 24. Qxa5 (24.
Nxa5 Rb5 25. Qxa7 Rxa5 26. Qxd4 Rd5 $11) (24. Qxd4 {Ftacnik} a4 25. Qc5 $14)
24... Qxa5 25. Nxa5 Rd7 26. Nxc6 Nxc6 27. Rxc6 Red8 28. Ra1 Rxd6 29. Rxd6 Rxd6
30. a4 $14) 23. Qxb6 Rxb6 24. Nc4 {[%csl Gc4]} Ra6 25. a4 $1 $16 {[%csl Ra5]
Mit diesem Zug legt Weiß den Bauern auf a5 fest, der jetzt eine ewige
Schwächung in der schwarzen Stellung ist.} Rd8 26. Re5 {[%csl Gc1,Gc4,Ge5]
[%cal Re5a5] Alle weißen Figuren stehen sehr aktiv, während Schwarz große
Probleme mit der Figurenkoordination hat.} Kf8 (26... Nc8 27. Rxa5 Rxa5 28.
Nxa5 $18) 27. Nxa5 (27. Rxa5 Rxa5 28. Nxa5 Rxd6 29. Nb7 Rd7 30. Nc5 $16 {
[%csl Ga4,Gb2]}) 27... Rxd6 (27... Rb8 $142 $5 28. Rc4 Ke8 $14) 28. Nb7 Rd5 (
28... Rd7 $4 29. Nc5 $18 {[%cal Rc5a6,Rc5d7]}) 29. Rxd5 cxd5 (29... exd5 30.
Nc5 Ra5 (30... Rb6 31. Nd7+ $18) 31. b4 $18) 30. Nc5 Rd6 (30... Rc6 31. b4 $16)
31. b4 {[%csl Ga4,Gb4] Ftacnik: 'White has obviously got maximum out of the
position, the endgame is won.'  Mit zwei verbundenen Freibauern und aktivem
c5-Springer muss Weiß gewinnen.} Ke7 32. b5 e5 33. Nb7 Rd7 (33... Rb6 34. Rc7+
Kf6 35. Nd8 Nxb5 36. axb5 Rxb5 37. Rxf7+ $18) 34. Na5 e4 35. b6 $18 {[%csl Ra7]
} Kd6 36. Kf1 (36. bxa7 Rxa7 37. Rc6+ Kd7 38. Rc5 Kd6 39. Rb5 $18) (36. dxe4
dxe4 37. Rc4 Ke5 38. Rxd4 $1 $18) 36... g5 (36... exd3 37. Ke1 $18) 37. dxe4
dxe4 38. Rc4 Ke5 39. Rxd4 $3 {Ftacnik: 'Simple, ingenious and very impressive
small combination.'  Das ist der schönste Weg zum Sieg. Weiß opfert den Turm,
aber schlussendlich gewinnt er die Figur.} Kxd4 (39... Rxd4 40. bxa7 Rd8 41.
Nc6+ $18) 40. bxa7 Rxa7 41. Nc6+ {[%cal Rc6a7,Rc6d4]} Kc5 42. Nxa7 f5 43. Nb5
f4 44. Nc3 Kd4 45. Nxe4 (45. a5 $18) 45... Kxe4 46. gxf4 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 4th"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2003.06.11"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Georgiev, Kiril"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2647"]
[BlackElo "2606"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2003.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. d3 dxe4 10. dxe4 Qxd1 11. Bxd1 Rd8 12. Bc2 Bg4 13. Nbd2 Nd7 14. h3 Be6
15. Nf1 Nc5 16. Be3 Nd3 17. Reb1 Nf4 18. Kh2 f6 19. Ne1 Na5 20. Nd2 c5 21. Rd1
g5 22. Nb3 Nb7 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Rd1 Rxd1 25. Bxd1 c4 26. Nc1 Nc5 27. Bc2 Bd7
28. f3 Kf7 29. Kg1 h5 30. Kf1 h4 31. Ne2 Nfe6 32. Kf2 Nb7 33. Bb1 Bc5 34. Bxc5
Nbxc5 35. Bc2 a5 36. a3 Ke7 37. Ke3 Ng7 38. Nc1 Nh5 39. b4 cxb3 40. Nxb3 Nxb3
41. Bxb3 Nf4 42. Bc2 Kd6 43. Bd3 Kc6 44. Bf1 Be6 45. Kf2 Bb3 46. Nd3 Ne6 47.
Nb2 Bc2 48. Ke3 Nc5 49. Be2 Bb3 50. Kd2 Be6 51. Ke3 Kb6 52. Kd2 Nb7 53. Bf1 Nd6
54. Be2 Kc5 55. Nd3+ Kc6 56. Nb2 Bb3 57. Ke3 Kc5 58. Nd3+ Kb6 59. Nb2 Nb7 60.
Kd2 Nc5 61. Bf1 Ne6 62. Ke3 Nf4 63. Kd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 4th"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2003.06.12"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sakaev, Konstantin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2606"]
[BlackElo "2664"]
[PlyCount "27"]
[EventDate "2003.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. e3 a6 5. Qc2 Bg4 6. Nbd2 e6 7. b3 Nbd7 8. Bb2
Bf5 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Be7 11. O-O O-O 12. Bc3 a5 13. Rfd1 Qc7 14. Rac1
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 4th"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2003.06.13"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Sutovsky, Emil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B87"]
[WhiteElo "2652"]
[BlackElo "2606"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2003.05.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 a6 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 b5 8. O-O
Be7 9. Qf3 Qc7 10. Re1 Nc6 11. Nxc6 Qxc6 12. Bg5 O-O 13. Nd5 exd5 14. Bxd5 Nxd5
15. exd5 Qxc2 16. Bxe7 Re8 17. Bxd6 Bb7 18. Be7 Qc7 19. d6 Qxe7 20. Rxe7 Bxf3
21. Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. gxf3 f6 23. Rc1 Rd8 24. Rc6 a5 25. Rb6 b4 26. Kf1 Kf7 27.
Ra6 Ke6 28. Rxa5 Rxd6 29. Ra4 b3 30. Re4+ Kf5 31. axb3 Rd2 32. b4 Rxb2 33. h4
h5 34. Kg2 g5 35. Rc4 Rb3 36. Rc5+ Kf4 37. Rc4+ Kf5 38. Rc5+ Kf4 39. hxg5 fxg5
40. Rb5 Rb1 41. Rb8 Kf5 42. b5 Kg6 43. b6 Kg7 44. Rb7+ Kg6 45. Rb8 Kg7 46. Kh3
Rb3 47. Kg3 Kh7 48. Kg2 Rb1 49. Kg3 Rb3 50. b7 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Ordix op"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2003.08.17"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Iordachescu, Viorel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2606"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2003.08.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 095 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. Re1 Bd6 13. g3 Bf5 14. d4 Qd7 15.
Be3 Rae8 16. Nd2 Bg4 17. Qb1 Bf5 18. Qd1 Bg4 19. Qb1 Bf5 20. Qc1 Bd3 21. Nf3
Qf5 22. Qd1 h6 23. Nh4 Qh7 24. Bd2 g5 25. Ng2 Qg6 26. a4 Nc7 27. axb5 axb5 28.
Re3 Kh8 29. Ne1 Be4 30. f3 Bf5 31. Ng2 Bd3 32. Be1 Rxe3 33. Nxe3 Re8 34. Bf2
Bf4 35. Ng4 Be2 36. Qb1 f5 37. Ne5 Bxe5 38. dxe5 Bxf3 39. Ra7 Ne6 40. Qd3 Bd5
41. Bxd5 cxd5 42. Ra6 Qh5 43. Qxd5 Nc7 44. Qd6 Nxa6 45. e6 Qg6 46. Qxa6 Qxe6
47. Qxb5 f4 48. Qb7 Re7 49. Qa8+ Kh7 50. Qf3 Qe2 51. Qd5 Qc2 52. Kg2 Re2 53.
Qf7+ Kh8 54. Qf8+ Kh7 55. Qf7+ Kh8 56. Qd5 Re7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hoogeveen Essent Crown"]
[Site "Hoogeveen"]
[Date "2003.10.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2003.10.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. e5 h6 8. Bd2
Bxc3 9. bxc3 Ne4 10. Bxc4 Bd7 11. d5 O-O 12. O-O exd5 13. Bxd5 Bc6 14. Bxe4
Bxe4 15. Be3 Nc6 16. Nd2 Bd3 17. Re1 Nxe5 18. Bxc5 Re8 19. Nf3 Qd5 20. Rxe5
Rxe5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hoogeveen Essent Crown"]
[Site "Hoogeveen"]
[Date "2003.10.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Polgar, Judit"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2722"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "2003.10.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Bg5 Bb7 8.
f3 d6 9. Nh3 h6 10. Bh4 Nbd7 11. e3 Rc8 12. Bd3 c5 13. O-O Ba6 14. dxc5 Nxc5
15. Be2 d5 16. Rfd1 Bxc4 17. Bxc4 Ncd7 18. b3 b5 19. Bxf6 Nxf6 20. Qd4 bxc4 21.
bxc4 Qa5 22. Rdc1 dxc4 23. Rxc4 e5 24. Qd3 e4 25. fxe4 Rxc4 26. Qxc4 Ng4 27.
Nf4 Nxe3 28. Qe2 Qc5 29. Kh1 Re8 30. Qf3 Qd4 31. Re1 Rxe4 32. g3 Qd2 33. Ng2 f5
34. Rxe3 Qc1+ 35. Re1 Rxe1+ 36. Nxe1 Qxe1+ 37. Kg2 Qd2+ 38. Kh3 Qd7 39. Kg2 Kh7
40. h4 a5 41. h5 a4 42. Kh3 Qf7 43. Qe2 Qb7 44. Kh2 Qc6 45. Qd3 Qe4 46. Qb5 f4
47. gxf4 Qxf4+ 48. Kh3 Qe4 49. Qc5 Qe6+ 50. Kg3 Kg8 51. Qa5 Qe3+ 52. Kg4 Qd4+
53. Kg3 Qd3+ 54. Kh4 Qc4+ 55. Kg3 Qd4 56. Qa8+ Kf7 57. Qb7+ Ke6 58. Qc8+ Ke7
59. Qc7+ Qd7 60. Qe5+ Kf8 61. Qf4+ Kg8 62. Qb8+ Kf7 63. Qf4+ Ke8 64. Qe4+ Kd8
65. Qa8+ Ke7 66. Qe4+ Kf6 67. Qf4+ Ke7 68. Qe4+ Kf8 69. Qf4+ Ke8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hoogeveen Essent Crown"]
[Site "Hoogeveen"]
[Date "2003.10.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Karpov, Anatoly"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2003.10.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 {Der junge armenische Großmeister
spielt die sogenannte Wiener Variante des Damengambits, was zu lebhaftem
Figurenspiel führt, mit scharfem taktischem Kampf.} 5. e4 {Das ist die
prinzipielle Fortsetzung, aber 5.e3 ist auch möglich. Mit Übergang zum
angenommenen Damengambit.} Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5
10. Nb5 {Das ist des Ex-Weltmeisters Lieblingsvariante. Die Alternativen sind
10.Bxf6 und hauptsächlich 10.Bb5+.} Nxe4 11. Bf4 {Der Läuferzug ist die
prinzipielle Fortsetzung für Weiß, aber 10 Jahre früher spielte Karpov 1.Qd4,
was zu interessantem taktischem Kampf führte, aber Weiß keinen Vorteil brachte.
} (11. Qd4 O-O $1 12. Qxe4 a6 13. Be7 axb5 14. Bb4 Qc7 15. Bxb5 Bd7 16. Bd3 g6
17. O-O Re8 18. Qe3 Nc6 19. Bc5 Ne7 20. Be4 Nf5 21. Bxf5 exf5 22. Qd4 Re4 {
1/2-1/2 Karpov,A-Timman,J/NED/INA 1993/CBM 36/[Ftacnik] (28)}) 11... O-O 12.
O-O {Weiss hat einen Bauern weniger, aber er hat positionellen Druck am
Damenflügel und das Läuferpaar.} Bd7 {Dieser Läuferzug ist eine gute
Ausgleichmöglichkeit für Schwarz, aber die Springerzüge - 12...Nd7 und
besonders 12...Nc6 kommen auch stark in Betracht.} (12... Nd7 13. Re1 $1 $44 {
Karpov} (13. Nc7 $6 e5 14. Nxa8 exf4 $17 {1-0 Karpov,A-Timman,J/NED/INA 1993/
CBM 36/[Ftacnik] (53)}) 13... Ndf6 14. a4 (14. Bc7 b6 15. Qd4 Ba6 16. a4 Bxb5
17. Bxb5 Qxc3 18. Qxc3 Nxc3 19. Ba6 Ncd5 {0-1 Pert,N-Wells,P/British Rapidplay,
Halifax ENG 2003 (59)}) 14... b6 15. f3 Nc5 16. Be5 a6 17. Nd6 Ncd7 18. Bd4 Qh5
19. Rb1 $44 {1/2-1/2 Karpov,A-Piket,J/Monte Carlo 1999/CBM 70/[Ribli] (45)}) (
12... Nc6 13. Qf3 (13. Bc7 b6 14. Qf3 (14. a4 {1/2-1/2 Khenkin,I-Schenk,A/
France 2003/CBM 94(14)}) 14... f5 15. Rfe1 a6 {1/2-1/2 Epishin,V-Maksimenko,A/
Graz 1998/EXT 99 (15)}) 13... e5 14. Qxe4 exf4 15. Rfe1 $5 $36 Be6 16. Bxe6
Qxb5 17. Bd5 {1/2-1/2 Shchekachev,A-Schenk,A/France 2003/CBM 95/[Ribli] (57)})
13. a4 (13. Bc7 b6 14. a4 a6 15. Ra2 axb5 16. axb5 Qxc3 17. Rxa8 Qxc4 18. Bd6 (
18. Bxb8 Bxb5 19. Re1 Bc6 $19) 18... Nxd6 19. Qxd6 Qd5 {0-1 Epishin,V-Richter,
M/Nova Gorica 2000/CBM 74 ext (41)}) (13. Nc7 e5 14. Nxa8 exf4 15. Qd5 Nc5 $17)
13... Bc6 (13... Bxb5 14. axb5 Qxc3 15. Qe2 $44) 14. Bc7 $44 {Das ist Karpovs
Verbesserung. Gegen Lautier war er erfolgreich mit 14.Qg4, aber ich glaube -
er hatte Angst vor der möglichen häuslichen Verbesserung des Gegner, so weicht
er von seiner eigenen Partie ab.} (14. Qg4 Nf6 15. Qe2 a6 16. Nc7 Ra7 17. Qe3
b6 18. Nxe6 $1 Nd5 19. Qg3 fxe6 20. Bxb8 $14 {1-0 Karpov,A-Lautier,J/Biel 1997/
CBM 60/[Ribli] (40)}) (14. f3 Bxb5 15. axb5 Qb6+ 16. Qd4 Qxd4+ 17. cxd4 Nf6 {
1/2-1/2 Nikolic,P-Gelfand,B/Monte Carlo 1999/CBM 69 ext (26)}) (14. Qd4 Na6 $13
{[%cal Ga8d8,Gd8d4]}) (14. Be5 Nd7 15. Bc7 b6 $13) 14... b6 15. Bd6 $1 {
[%csl Ra5][%cal Gd6f8,Rd6b4,Rb4a5]} Nxd6 16. Qxd6 {[%csl Ra5,Gb5,Gd6]} a6 17.
Nc7 Qg5 (17... Ra7 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. Bxe6+ Raf7 20. Rab1 $36) 18. Qg3 (18. g3
$2 Qf6 {[%cal Rf6f3,Rc5h1]} 19. f3 Ra7 $17) 18... Qxg3 19. fxg3 Ra7 20. Nxe6 $1
$14 {[%mdl 512] Das ist die Pointe des weiße Spiels. Mit diesem Springeropfer
bekommt er die Initiative.} Rc8 (20... fxe6 21. Bxe6+ Raf7 (21... Rff7 $2 22.
Rad1 $18) 22. Rad1 (22. Rxf7 Rxf7 23. Rf1 Be8 24. Bxf7+ Bxf7 25. Rd1 Nc6 26.
Rb1 b5 27. axb5 Bg6 28. Rb3 axb5 29. Rxb5 $14) 22... Nd7 23. a5 bxa5 24. Rd6
Ba4 (24... Bb5 25. c4 Ba4 26. Rxa6 $14) 25. Rxa6 $14) 21. Ng5 Be8 22. Rae1 {
[%csl Gc4,Gg5][%cal Ge1e8,Gc4f7]} h6 {[#]} 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Rxf7 (24. Bxf7+
Rxf7 25. Nxf7 Re3 (25... Re6 26. Nd8 Rd6 27. Nf7 Re6 $11 (27... Rc6 28. Ne5
Rxc3 29. Rb1 $14)) 26. c4 Nd7 27. Nd6 Nc5 $132) 24... Rxf7 25. Bxf7+ Kf8 26.
Bxe8 Kxe8 27. Ne6 {[%mdl 4096] Im Springerendspiel Weiss hat einen Bauern mehr,
aber das Material ist reduziert, so Schwarz hat gute Remischancen.} (27. Nf3 $2
Nd7 $15 {[%csl Ra4][%cal Gd7c5,Gc5a4]}) (27. Ne4 Nd7 28. Kf2 Ke7 29. Ke3 Ke6
$14) 27... Kf7 28. Nc7 a5 {[%cal Gb8d7,Gd7c5,Gc5a4] Mit diesem Zug Schwarz
vorbereitet die Moeglichkeit 29...Nd7 - er moechte endlich seinen Springer
entwickeln.} 29. Kf2 Nd7 30. Ke3 Nc5 31. Kd4 Nxa4 32. Nd5 b5 $5 {Mit diesem
Zug Schwarz moechte die Stellung vereinfachen und das Remis erzielen.} (32...
Ke6 33. c4 Kd6 34. g4 Nc5 (34... Kc6 35. Ne7+ Kd7 36. Nf5 Nc5 37. Nxg7 Ne6+ 38.
Nxe6 Kxe6 39. h4 $18) 35. Nxb6 a4 36. Nd5 a3 37. Nb4 $14) 33. Nc7 b4 34. cxb4
axb4 35. Kc4 Nc3 36. Kxb4 Ne4 $11 {Wegen seinen Doppelbauern auf der g-Linie
Weiss kann nicht seinen Materialsvorteil entwerten. Anderseits N+3P gegen N+2P
in einem fluegel waere gewoenlich auch Remis.} 37. Nb5 Nd2 38. Nd4 Nf1 39. Nf3
Kf6 {[%cal Gf6f5,Gf5g4]} 40. Kc4 (40. g4 Ne3 $11) 40... Kf5 41. Kd3 Kg4 (41...
Kg4 42. Ke2 Nxh2 43. Nxh2+ Kxg3 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hoogeveen Essent Crown"]
[Site "Hoogeveen"]
[Date "2003.10.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2003.10.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nf3 Re8 6. O-O e4 7. Ng5 Bxc3 8.
bxc3 h6 9. Nh3 Nc6 10. Nf4 d6 11. Nd5 Bf5 12. f3 Nxd5 13. cxd5 exf3 14. Rxf3
Ne7 15. d3 Bd7 16. Rf2 Ng6 17. Rb1 b5 18. d4 Rc8 19. Bd2 a6 20. Qb3 Bg4 21. e3
Qd7 22. c4 Bh3 23. Bxh3 Qxh3 24. cxb5 Rb8 25. Qc2 Qd7 26. Rbf1 Nh8 27. Qc6 Qxc6
28. bxc6 Rb5 29. Rf5 f6 30. a4 Rb3 31. Ba5 Rc8 32. e4 Nf7 33. R5f3 Rb2 34. h4
Ra2 35. Rb3 Rxa4 36. Bxc7 Rxc7 37. Rfb1 Re7 38. e5 Rxd4 39. Rb8+ Kh7 40. exf6
gxf6 41. R8b7 Re2 42. Rxf7+ Kg6 43. Rf8 Rdd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hoogeveen Essent Crown"]
[Site "Hoogeveen"]
[Date "2003.10.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karpov, Anatoly"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E39"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2003.10.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Bxc5 $6 {Usually black is
waiting for a move a2-a3, that's why the move in the text may lead to a loss
of tempo.} ({The main line goes with} 5... O-O) 6. Nf3 O-O 7. Bg5 Be7 8. Rd1 (
8. e4 d6 9. Rd1 Nbd7 10. Be2 a6 11. O-O Qc7 12. Bd3 h6 13. Bh4 b6 14. Nd2 Bb7
$11 {0-1 Dao Thien Hai-Annageldyev,O/Istanbul 2000/EXT 2001 (45)}) 8... h6 9.
Bh4 b6 (9... Nc6 10. e4 Nh5 11. Bxe7 Qxe7 12. Qd2 $14 {1-0 Servat,R-Najdorf,M/
Argentina 1989/EXT 97 (40)}) (9... d6 $5 10. e4 Nbd7) 10. e4 Bb7 11. Be2 a6 12.
O-O Ne8 $6 $146 (12... Nc6 13. Qd2 Bc8 14. e5 Ne8 15. Bg3 f5 16. exf6 Nxf6 17.
Ne5 Nxe5 18. Bxe5 Bb7 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Qxd7 $16 {1-0 Kalesis,N-Serrat,I/Berga
1995/EXT 97 (33)}) 13. Bg3 ({Objectively stronger was} 13. Bxe7 $1 Qxe7 14. Qb3
Qd8 15. c5 b5 16. a4 $16) 13... d6 14. e5 Qc7 15. exd6 Nxd6 $8 (15... Bxd6 $2
16. Rxd6 Nxd6 17. Rd1 Rd8 18. Qd2 $18 {[%csl Rd6]}) 16. Rd4 (16. Ne4 Bxe4 17.
Qxe4 Nxe4 18. Bxc7 b5 $14) 16... Qc6 $2 {It's easy to understand Karpov's
desire to avoid the unpleasant pin as quick as possible, but this move
obstructs the development of black's queenside.} (16... Nc6 17. Rd2 Rad8 18.
Rfd1 Rd7 {and it's not easy for white to make use of the pin along the
diagonal h2-b8.}) 17. Bd3 Ne8 (17... Nd7 $2 18. Bxd6 Bxd6 19. Be4 $18) 18. Bh7+
{Useful intermediate check. The Pf7 will be undefended, which may become
important in the near future.} Kh8 19. Be4 Qc8 20. Na4 $1 Bc5 21. Nxc5 bxc5 22.
Bxb7 Qxb7 23. Rd2 {Despite the material balance, black's position is very
tough. White controls important "d" file, while black has numerous weaknesses
in his camp and his pieces are badly placed.} Nf6 24. Rfd1 Qc8 (24... Nbd7 25.
Ne5 Nxe5 26. Bxe5 {and white is dominating.}) 25. Bd6 Re8 26. Ne5 Kg8 {[%tqu
"En","Find the best move for white.","","","d6e7","",5]} 27. Be7 $1 $18 Qc7 28.
Bxf6 gxf6 29. Qe4 {White's attack is irresistible.} Ra7 30. Ng4 Kg7 31. Qe3 Rh8
32. Rd8 $1 {[%mdl 2048] This nice move crowns the excellent game of Levon
Aronian.} (32. Rd8 Rh7 33. Qf3 f5 34. Qc3+ $18) 1-0

[Event "Hoogeveen Essent Crown"]
[Site "Hoogeveen"]
[Date "2003.10.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Polgar, Judit"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2722"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2003.10.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 2]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3
O-O 8. d3 {Avoiding the Marschall attack. Fewer and fewer seems to want to
enter that complicated line with White these days.} d6 9. c3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11.
Nbd2 Nc6 12. Nf1 Re8 13. a4 Be6 (13... Bb7 14. Ne3 g6 15. h3 Bf8 16. Nh2 Bg7 {
is another setup tried in 1/2-1/2 Matanovic,A-O'Kelly de Galway,A/Zagreb 1955/
MCD (38)}) 14. Ne3 h6 15. d4 $1 {Even though White started with d3, d4 was
still the plan. White seems to have a slight pull here.} exd4 16. cxd4 Nxd4 17.
Nxd4 cxd4 18. Qxd4 Nd7 19. axb5 axb5 20. Bd2 Bf6 (20... Qb6 $5) 21. Qxd6 Rxa1
22. Rxa1 Bxb2 23. Rb1 Be5 24. Qd3 Qc7 25. Nd5 Bxd5 (25... Bxh2+ 26. Kh1 Bxd5
27. exd5 Bd6 28. Qh7+ Kf8 29. Bd3 Re5 30. Qh8+ Ke7 31. Qxg7 $14) 26. exd5 Nf6
27. g3 Rc8 $6 (27... Rb8) 28. Bd1 Qc4 $4 29. Rc1 $1 $18 {[%mdl 64] Judit never
misses shots like this one.} Qxc1 (29... Qxd3 30. Rxc8+ Kh7 31. Bc2 $18) 30.
Bxc1 Rxc1 31. d6 Nd7 32. Kg2 Bf6 33. Bc2 g6 34. Bb3 Kg7 35. Qd5 1-0

[Event "Corsica Masters op"]
[Site "Bastia"]
[Date "2003.10.29"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Godderidge, Ludovic"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2003.10.29"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. c3 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. a4 O-O 8. a5 a6
9. Nbd2 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Ne4 Nce7 12. Re1 Kh7 13. Ng3 Qd6 14. Qe2 Bg4 15.
Ng5+ hxg5 16. Qxg4 Nf4 17. Ne4 Qc6 18. Nxg5+ Kg8 19. Bxf4 Rfe8 20. Bc1 1-0

[Event "Corsica Masters op"]
[Site "Bastia"]
[Date "2003.10.29"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Skripchenko, Almira"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2460"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2003.10.29"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. e5 dxc3 7. exf6 Qxf6
8. dxc3 c6 9. Qe2+ Qe6 10. Bd3 Bc5 11. O-O Qxe2 12. Bxe2 d5 13. Re1 O-O 14. c4
Bf5 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. Bd2 Rfe8 17. Bd3 Bxd3 18. cxd3 Bd4 19. Rac1 Bxb2 20. Rb1
Bd4 21. Rb3 b6 22. Rxb6 h6 23. Rb7 Red8 24. Rd7 Rdb8 25. Rd8+ Rxd8 26. Be3 Bxe3
27. Rxe3 Rab8 28. g3 Kf8 29. d4 a5 30. Re5 a4 31. Kg2 Rd6 32. h4 f6 33. Kf3 Rc6
34. Re3 Rc4 35. Ra3 Ke7 36. Ke3 Kd6 37. Kd3 Rbb4 38. Rc3 Rb2 39. h5 Rb1 40. Ra3
Rbb4 41. Rc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corsica Masters op"]
[Site "Bastia"]
[Date "2003.10.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Hamdouchi, Hicham"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2588"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2003.10.29"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Nbd2 a6 7. Bb3 Ba7 8. Nf1
Be6 9. Ng3 h6 10. O-O O-O 11. h3 Qd7 12. Nh2 Ne7 13. d4 Ng6 14. Kh1 Rae8 15.
Bc2 d5 16. dxe5 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Be3 Bxe3 19. fxe3 Nxe5 20. Bxe4 Qb5 21.
b3 Rd8 22. Qh5 c6 23. c4 Qa5 24. b4 Qc7 25. c5 Rd2 26. a4 Rfd8 27. Qh4 Bc4 28.
Rfe1 Bd5 29. Bxd5 R8xd5 30. Qg3 Qe7 31. Nf3 Nxf3 32. Qxf3 Qe6 33. Qf4 Rf5 34.
Qg4 h5 35. Qg3 Rff2 36. Rg1 Kh7 37. Raf1 Rfe2 38. Qf3 Kg6 39. Qg3+ Kh7 40. Qf3
Qg6 41. Qxf7 Rxg2 42. Qxg6+ Rxg6 43. Rf7 Ra2 44. a5 Re2 45. Rxb7 Rxe3 46. Rxg6
Kxg6 47. Kg2 Rb3 48. Rb6 Kf5 49. Rxa6 Rxb4 50. Rxc6 Rb5 51. a6 Ra5 52. Rc7 Rxa6
53. Rxg7 Ra2+ 54. Kg3 Kf6 55. Rh7 Kg6 56. Re7 Ra3+ 57. Kg2 Kf6 58. Rh7 Kg6 59.
Rd7 Rc3 60. Rd5 h4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corsica Masters op"]
[Site "Bastia"]
[Date "2003.10.30"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Guyot, Philippe"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A43"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2295"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2003.10.29"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 Nf6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. e5 Ng4 7. Ng5 f6 8. Nxh7
Nxf2 9. Kxf2 Kxh7 10. Bd3 f5 11. Qe2 e6 12. h4 Rh8 13. Bc4 exd5 14. Nxd5 Nc6
15. Bg5 Qf8 16. Nf6+ Bxf6 17. Bxf6 d6 18. h5 g5 19. Qd2 Nxe5 20. Bxe5 dxe5 21.
Qxg5 Qg7 22. Qg6+ Qxg6 23. hxg6+ Kg7 24. Rxh8 Kxh8 25. Rd1 Kg7 26. Bf7 b6 27.
Rd8 Kf6 28. Bd5 Rb8 29. Rg8 Bb7 30. Rxb8 Bxd5 31. a4 b5 32. Rxb5 1-0

[Event "Corsica Masters op"]
[Site "Bastia"]
[Date "2003.10.30"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2634"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2003.10.29"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3
Nbd7 9. g4 b5 10. g5 b4 11. Ne2 Nh5 12. Qd2 a5 13. Ng3 Nxg3 14. hxg3 a4 15. Nc1
Qa5 16. f4 g6 17. Nd3 a3 18. b3 exf4 19. gxf4 Bg7 20. O-O-O Rc8 21. Kb1 Rc3 22.
Qf2 O-O 23. Bd4 Bxd4 24. Qxd4 Rfc8 25. Rd2 Qb6 26. Qxb6 Nxb6 27. Nxb4 Rb8 28.
Rxd6 Na4 29. Nc6 Rb7 30. Bd3 Rc5 31. Kc1 Nc3 32. Kd2 Rc7 33. Nd4 Bd7 1-0

[Event "Corsica Masters op"]
[Site "Bastia"]
[Date "2003.10.31"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Cebalo, Miso"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2486"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[EventDate "2003.10.29"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Qb3 Bxb5 13. Nxb5 O-O 14.
O-O Nc6 15. c4 Rad8 16. Qg3+ Kh8 17. Qh4 Kg7 18. Rad1 Rh8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corsica Masters op"]
[Site "Bastia"]
[Date "2003.10.31"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Guidarelli, Laurent"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2422"]
[PlyCount "176"]
[EventDate "2003.10.29"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 a6 3. f4 b5 4. Nf3 Bb7 5. Qe2 Nc6 6. d3 d6 7. Be3 e6 8. g4 Nf6
9. g5 Nd7 10. Bh3 Nb6 11. f5 e5 12. Qg2 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 Qxd5 15. O-O
f6 16. Nd2 Nb4 17. Ne4 O-O-O 18. Rfe1 c4 19. a3 cxd3 20. axb4 Qxe4 21. Qxe4
Bxe4 22. cxd3 Rxd3 23. Rxa6 Bxb4 24. Rc1+ Kd7 25. Ra7+ Kd6 26. Kf2 Ra8 27. Bf1
Rxe3 28. Kxe3 Rxa7 29. Kxe4 Bc5 30. Bxb5 Rb7 31. Bc4 Rxb2 32. gxf6 gxf6 33. Ra1
Bb6 34. h3 Rc2 35. Bb5 Rf2 36. Rf1 Rb2 37. Bc4 Kc5 38. Bd3 Rb4+ 39. Kf3 Kd4 40.
Rd1 Kc3 41. Be4 Bd4 42. Rd3+ Kc4 43. Ra3 Rb2 44. Bd3+ Kb4 45. Ra6 Rf2+ 46. Ke4
Kc5 47. Ra5+ Kc6 48. Bb1 Rf4+ 49. Kd3 Rf3+ 50. Ke2 Re3+ 51. Kd2 Rxh3 52. Be4+
Kb6 53. Rd5 Bc5 54. Rd7 Be3+ 55. Ke2 Bg5 56. Kf2 Re3 57. Bf3 h6 58. Rb7+ Kc5
59. Rc7+ Kd6 60. Rc6+ Kd7 61. Rc4 Ra3 62. Bc6+ Kd6 63. Bf3 Ra2+ 64. Kf1 Rd2 65.
Rc6+ Kd7 66. Ra6 Rd4 67. Kg2 e4 68. Be2 Rd2 69. Kf2 e3+ 70. Kf3 Rd4 71. Bb5+
Kc7 72. Be2 h5 73. Re6 h4 74. Re4 Rxe4 75. Kxe4 Kd6 76. Bf1 Kc5 77. Kf3 Kd4 78.
Kg2 Ke4 79. Be2 Kxf5 80. Kf3 Ke5 81. Bf1 Kd4 82. Ke2 Ke4 83. Bg2+ Kf4 84. Bh3
Kg3 85. Bf5 h3 86. Be4 Kh2 87. Kf1 e2+ 88. Kf2 e1=Q+ 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 0304"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2003.11.22"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "McShane, Luke J"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E63"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2619"]
[PlyCount "26"]
[EventDate "2003.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. c4 d6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 Rb8 8. Ne1
a6 9. Nc2 Bd7 10. b3 e6 11. a4 e5 12. Bb2 exd4 13. Nxd4 Re8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0304"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2003.11.23"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Sakaev, Konstantin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2657"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2003.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Bremer SG"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. e5 h6 8. exf6
hxg5 9. fxg7 Rg8 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Nc6 13. Bxc4 Nxd4 14. cxd4
Qa5+ 15. Kf1 Bd7 16. h4 gxh4 17. Rxh4 Qg5 18. Qg4 Qxg4 19. Rxg4 Rc8 20. Be2 Ke7
21. Bf3 Bc6 22. Bxc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0304"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2003.12.13"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Hickl, Joerg"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2003.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hofheim"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 b5 3. Bg2 e6 4. Nd4 c6 5. O-O h5 6. Nf3 c5 7. d3 Bb7 8. e4 d6
9. c3 Nbd7 10. Bg5 g6 11. Re1 Qb8 12. a4 a6 13. Na3 Bc6 14. axb5 axb5 15. e5
dxe5 16. Nxe5 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Bg7 18. Bf4 Nd5 19. Nxg6 Qb7 20. Qf3 fxg6 21. Bd6
O-O-O 22. Rxe6 Nf8 23. Bxf8 Rhxf8 24. Qe4 Rf6 25. Rxf6 Nxf6 26. Qxb7+ Kxb7 27.
Nxb5 Kb6 28. Na3 Rxd3 29. Nc4+ Kb5 30. Ne5 Rd2 31. Ra7 Bh6 32. Rb7+ Ka6 33. Rb8
Ng4 34. Nxg4 hxg4 35. Kf1 Bg7 36. Rg8 Rd7 37. Rc8 Kb6 38. Ke2 Be5 39. Re8 Bd6
40. Kf1 Re7 41. Rh8 Kc6 42. Rh4 Re4 43. h3 c4 44. hxg4 Kb5 45. Rh7 Rxg4 46. Rg7
Rg5 47. Ke2 Ka4 48. Kd1 Bc5 49. Rf7 Rd5+ 50. Kc1 Rd6 51. Rc7 Kb5 52. Rf7 Re6
53. Kb1 Kc6 54. f4 Kd5 55. g4 Re1+ 56. Ka2 Re7 57. Rf6 Rg7 58. f5 g5 59. Kb1
Re7 60. Rg6 Be3 61. Kc2 Re4 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 0304"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2003.12.14"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bauer, Christian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A90"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2602"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2003.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "St Ingbert"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 f5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Nf3 d6 7. O-O O-O 8. Nc3
c6 9. b4 Ne4 10. b5 Nd7 11. bxc6 bxc6 12. Qc2 d5 13. c5 Ba6 14. Rfd1 Bf6 15.
Be1 Qc7 16. e3 g5 17. Qa4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0304"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2003.12.12"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nikolic, Predrag"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A80"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2647"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2003.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Solingen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 f5 2. Bg5 g6 3. Nd2 Bg7 4. e4 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Ng3 $5 {[%csl Rf5][%cal
Yg3f5] That looks slighty passive, but actually that is the most comfortable
spot for the knight - there it controls the important central squares e4 and
f5. Another important fact is that black cannot transfer his Ng8 to the
comfortable spot on f7.} (6. Nc5 b6 7. Nb3 Nh6 $1 {[%cal Gh6f7]} (7... Nf6 8.
Nf3 O-O 9. Be2 Ne4 10. Be3 Nc6 11. O-O Qd6 12. c4 Ba6 13. Rc1 Bxc4 14. Bxc4
dxc4 15. Rxc4 b5 16. Rc1 Nb4 $11 {1/2-1/2 Hodgson,J-Onischuk,A/France 1999/EXT
2000 (53)}) 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Qd2 Nf7 10. Bf4 c5 11. c3 c4 12. Nc1 Nc6 13. Be2 Bf5
14. O-O Qd7 15. Bd1 e5 $15 {1/2-1/2 Lerner,K-Malaniuk,V/Koszalin 1999/CBM 73 
(73)}) 6... c5 $1 {That is the best reaction on white's last move - black
shows that Ng3 is far away from centre.} (6... Nc6 7. Nf3 (7. Bb5 $14) 7... Bg4
8. Bb5 Qd6 9. O-O h6 10. Be3 Nf6 11. Qd3 Nd7 12. Nh4 $36 {.../60/. 1-0 Piesina,
G-Gazik,I/Szekszard 1989/TD (25)}) (6... Nh6 $2 {(that's the point of Ng3!)} 7.
Nh5 $1 gxh5 8. Bxh6 Bg4 9. Qd2 $16) 7. Nf3 (7. dxc5 Bxb2 8. Rb1 Bg7 (8... Bc3+
9. Bd2 Qa5) 9. Bb5+ Nc6 10. Nf3 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qc7 12. O-O a6 13. Ba4 Nf6 14. Bc3
e6 15. Be5 $36 {1-0 Bakic,R-Grunberg,S/Timisoara 1994/EXT 97 (36)}) 7... Nc6 (
7... cxd4 8. Nxd4 Nc6 9. Bb5 Bd7 (9... Qb6 10. Be3 Qc7 11. O-O Nf6 12. c4 O-O
13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Bc4 Rd8 15. Nb5 $36) (9... Qc7 10. O-O Nf6 11. c4 $36) 10.
Bxc6 bxc6 11. O-O Nf6 12. Re1 O-O 13. Qd2 $14) ({interesting is} 7... Qb6 $5 8.
c4 $1 ({after} 8. dxc5 $6 Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qc3+ 10. Bd2 Qxc5 11. Bd3 Nc6 12. O-O Nf6
{white has no sufficient compensation for the pawn.}) 8... dxc4 (8... cxd4 9.
cxd5 Qa5+ (9... Qxb2 10. Rb1 $1 (10. Rc1 Bg4 11. Ne5 Bxe5 12. Qxg4 Nd7 $13)
10... Qxa2 11. Bb5+ Nd7 12. O-O $40) 10. Qd2 Qxd5 11. Rc1 $36) 9. Rc1 $1 cxd4
10. Bxc4 Nc6 11. O-O $44) 8. dxc5 Bxb2 9. Rb1 Bc3+ (9... Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Qxa2 11.
c3 (11. Bd3 $2 Bg7 12. O-O Nf6 $17) (11. c4 $2 dxc4 12. Qc2 c3 $17) 11... d4
12. cxd4 Nxd4 13. Bd3 $44) 10. Bd2 Qa5 11. Bb5 $1 {It is very important to
occupy the square central spot on e5. That move seems to be the most logical.}
(11. Be2 Nf6 12. O-O Bxd2 13. Qxd2 Qxd2 14. Nxd2 e5 15. f4 O-O 16. fxe5 Nxe5
$11 {1-0 Atalik,S-Mozes,E/Herculane 1996/CBM 56/[Atalik] (53)}) 11... Nf6 $146
{The most natural continuation - black wants to castle as soon as possible. On
the other hand, now white gets an opportunity of blockade.} (11... Bg4 $5 12.
Bxc3 Qxc3+ 13. Qd2 Qxd2+ (13... Qxc5 14. Be2 (14. Ne5 Nf6) 14... Rb8 15. Rb5
Qa3 $13) 14. Nxd2 O-O-O 15. O-O Nd4 16. Bd3 Nf6 17. Rfe1 Rhe8 $13 {1-0
Yewdokimov,O-Kristensen,B/Gistrup 1990/EXT 97 (40)}) 12. O-O Bxd2 (12... O-O
13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Bxc3 Qxc3 15. Qd4 Qxd4 16. Nxd4 Bd7 17. Rfe1 $14) 13. Nxd2 $6
{The queen on a5 is quite unpleasant for white and he should change it.} (13.
Qxd2 $142 Qxd2 (13... Qc7 14. Rfe1 O-O 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Qe3 $14) 14. Nxd2 Bd7
(14... O-O 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Rfe1 Re8 17. Nf3 Nd7 18. Nd4 Nxc5 19. Nxc6 Bb7 20.
Ne5 $14) 15. Rfe1 $14) 13... O-O {[%csl Ga5,Rc5][%cal Ga7a6] Black has
successfully completed development and white must play very energetically -
otherwise his position may be very hard due to the weaknesses of his pawn
structure.} 14. c4 $1 (14. Re1 Nd4 $1 15. a4 (15. Nb3 Nxb3 16. Rxb3 a6 {
[%csl Rc5]}) 15... a6 16. Nc4 Qc3 17. Re3 (17. Nb6 axb5 18. Nxa8 Bg4) 17...
Nxb5 $1 (17... Qxc2 $2 18. Nb6 axb5 (18... Rb8 19. Qxd4 Qxb1+ 20. Bf1 $44) 19.
Nxa8 bxa4 20. Nb6 a3 (20... Bg4 21. Qxc2 Nxc2 22. Rc3 Nd4 23. Ra3 $16) 21. Rxa3
Qxc5 22. Qc1 $16) 18. Ne5 Qxc5 19. axb5 axb5 $17) 14... a6 ({white must be
very careful after the correct:} 14... Nd4 $142 $1 15. Re1 $1 (15. Nb3 Nxb3 16.
axb3 (16. Qxb3 a6 17. Ba4 Qxc5 $17) 16... a6 17. Ra1 Qc7 (17... Qb4 18. Qd4 {
[%csl Rb4]}) 18. cxd5 Qxc5 $15 {[%csl Rd5]}) 15... a6 16. Ba4 (16. Ndf1 $2 Nf5
$1 $17) 16... Qxc5 (16... Bg4 $5 17. f3 Bc8 $13 (17... Bf5 $6 18. Rxb7 Qxc5 19.
Kh1 $36)) 17. cxd5 {[%cal Gd2e4]} Bg4 (17... Kh8 18. Nb3 Nxb3 19. Bxb3 $11) 18.
Nde4 Bxd1 (18... Nxe4 19. Nxe4 Bxd1 20. Nxc5 Bxa4 21. Nxa4 b5 22. Nc5 $11) 19.
Nxc5 Bxa4 20. Nxa4 b5 {[%csl Rd5]} 21. Red1 (21. Rbd1 Nc2 22. Re2 Nb4 $15)
21... Nf5 22. Nc5 Rfd8 $15) 15. Bxc6 (15. Nb3 Qc7 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. cxd5 Nxd5
18. Qd2 $11) 15... bxc6 16. cxd5 cxd5 (16... Nxd5 $6 17. Qc2 Qc3 18. Qxc3 Nxc3
19. Rb6 $14) 17. Qc2 (17. Nb3 Qxa2 $1 (17... Qc7 $6 18. f4 $14) 18. Re1 Ra7 $15
) 17... Bd7 $1 {Preventing c5-c6.} ({after} 17... e5 $6 18. c6 Ra7 19. Nf3 {
black has some problems with development of Bc8.}) 18. Rfe1 Rfe8 (18... Ba4 $6
19. Nb3 Qc7 20. Qc3 $14) 19. Nf3 (19. Re5 Ba4 20. Nb3 Rac8 21. Qe2 (21. Rc1
Bxb3 22. axb3 Rc6 $11) 21... Bxb3 22. axb3 Rxc5 23. Rxe7 Rxe7 24. Qxe7 Qb6 $11)
19... Rac8 20. Rbc1 Ba4 (20... Rc7 $5 21. Ne5 $140 $6 Rec8 22. Nxd7 Nxd7 23.
Qd1 Rxc5 24. Rxc5 Qxc5 25. Qg4 Qd6 26. Nf5 Qe5 $1 $17) 21. Qe2 Rxc5 22. Rxc5
Qxc5 23. Qxa6 {[%cal Ga6e6]} Bd7 24. h3 (24. Ne5 Qc3 $1 {[%csl Gc3,Re1]} 25.
Re3 Qc1+ 26. Qf1 Qxf1+ 27. Nxf1 $11) 24... Rb8 ({after} 24... Rb8 25. Qe2 Qc3
$1 {(it's important to activate the queen)} 26. Qe5 Qxe5 27. Nxe5 Kf8 28. f3
Ra8 (28... Rb2 29. Re2 $11) 29. Re2 {black has a symbolic advantage, but the
draw is unavoidable.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0304"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2004.04.24"]
[Round "14.1"]
[White "Khenkin, Igor"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2627"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2003.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tegernsee"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e3 a6 6. a4 c5 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. O-O
Be7 9. Qe2 cxd4 10. Rd1 e5 11. exd4 exd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Qe5 Qd6 14. Qxd4
Qxd4 15. Rxd4 Bc5 16. Rd1 O-O 17. Bg5 Bg4 18. Rd3 Bf5 19. Rf3 Bg6 20. Bxf6 gxf6
21. h4 Bd4 22. Rd1 Be5 23. g4 h5 24. g5 Rad8 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Nd5 Kh8 27. Nxf6
Bxb2 28. a5 Be5 29. Re3 Bxf6 30. gxf6 Rd4 31. Bb3 Rg4+ 32. Kf1 Rb4 33. Bd5 Rb5
34. Bf3 Rxa5 35. Bxb7 Ra1+ 36. Kg2 a5 37. Re5 Kh7 38. Bf3 Kh6 39. Rc5 a4 40.
Ra5 a3 41. Bd5 Rd1 42. f3 Rd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0304"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2004.04.25"]
[Round "15.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kindermann, Stefan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2542"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2003.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Plauen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 b5 6. b3 Bf5 7. Ne5 e6 8. g4 Bg6
9. h4 Ne4 10. Nxe4 Bxe4 11. f3 f6 12. Nxc6 Nxc6 13. fxe4 dxe4 14. Bd2 Qb8 15.
Rh3 f5 16. cxb5 axb5 17. gxf5 exf5 18. a4 bxa4 19. bxa4 Kd8 20. Bb5 Na5 21. Rc1
Bd6 22. Rc5 Bxc5 23. dxc5 Ke7 24. Bc3 Qd8 25. Qa1 Rg8 26. Bxg7 Kf7 27. Rg3 Qe7
28. Qd1 Rad8 29. Qh5+ Ke6 30. Rg6+ 1-0

[Event "Corsica Masters rap 07th"]
[Site "Bastia"]
[Date "2003.11.01"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2703"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2003.11.01"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 Bb4 5. Bd2 O-O 6. g3 Re8 7. e4 d6 8. h3 a6
9. Bg2 Bc5 10. O-O Nd4 11. Nxd4 Bxd4 12. Rc1 c6 13. b3 Nd7 14. Ne2 Ba7 15. Kh1
Nf8 16. Bc3 f5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. d4 Ng6 19. Qd2 e4 20. d5 e3 21. Qb2 Qd7 22.
dxc6 bxc6 23. Kh2 exf2 24. Nd4 Be4 25. Qxf2 Bxd4 26. Bxd4 Re6 27. Rce1 Rae8 28.
Bxe4 Rxe4 29. Rxe4 Rxe4 30. Re1 Qe6 31. Rxe4 Qxe4 32. Qe3 Qc2+ 33. Kg1 Qb1+ 34.
Kf2 Qxa2+ 35. Kf3 Ne5+ 36. Bxe5 dxe5 37. Ke4 Qb2 38. Kf5 h6 39. Qxe5 Qxb3 40.
Qe8+ Kh7 41. Qg6+ Kh8 42. Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corsica Masters rap 07th"]
[Site "Bastia"]
[Date "2003.11.01"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2003.11.01"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Nb6 8.
Nc3 Nc6 9. e3 Re8 10. d5 Na5 11. Nd4 Bd7 12. Nb3 Nxb3 13. Qxb3 e6 14. e4 exd5
15. exd5 a5 16. a3 a4 17. Qb4 Qe7 18. Qxe7 Rxe7 19. Bg5 Ree8 20. Rac1 Rac8 21.
h4 Nc4 22. Ne4 Rxe4 23. Bxe4 Nd6 24. Bd3 Bxb2 25. Rc2 Bxa3 26. Rb1 b5 27. Bd2
Nc4 28. Bxc4 Bf5 29. Ra2 Bxb1 30. Rxa3 bxc4 31. Rxa4 Bd3 32. Ra5 Rb8 33. f3 Kf8
34. Rc5 Rd8 35. Bf4 Ke8 36. Bxc7 Rc8 37. Kf2 Kd7 38. Bd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corsica Masters rap 07th"]
[Site "Bastia"]
[Date "2003.11.01"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2003.11.01"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. d4 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 a6 6. Ne5 c5 7. Na3 cxd4 8.
Naxc4 Bc5 9. O-O O-O 10. Bd2 Nd5 11. Rc1 Qf6 12. Nd3 Be7 13. e4 Nc7 14. Bf4 Nb5
15. e5 Qf5 16. Nb6 Nc6 17. Nxa8 Bd8 18. g4 Qg6 19. Bg3 Kh8 20. a4 Nba7 21. b4
f5 22. Qb3 Qxg4 23. b5 axb5 24. axb5 Ne7 25. Qa4 Bd7 26. Qxa7 Bxb5 27. Nf4 Bxf1
28. Rxf1 Nc6 29. Qxb7 Nxe5 30. h3 1-0

[Event "Corsica Masters rap 07th"]
[Site "Bastia"]
[Date "2003.11.01"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2703"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2003.11.01"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 Bb4 5. Bd2 O-O 6. a3 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Qe7 8.
Qb3 Rd8 9. e3 d5 10. cxd5 Nxd5 11. Be2 Nb6 12. O-O Bf5 13. Rfd1 Rd6 14. Rd2
Rad8 15. Rad1 Rh6 16. Qc2 Rhd6 17. b4 Nc4 18. b5 Nxd2 19. Rxd2 e4 20. bxc6 exd3
21. Bxd3 Bxd3 22. Qb2 Rxc6 23. Bb4 Qe8 24. h4 Be4 25. Nd4 Rc4 26. Bc3 c5 27.
Nb5 Rxd2 28. Qxd2 Rxc3 29. Nxc3 Bc6 30. Qd6 b6 31. Qc7 Qa8 32. e4 h5 33. f3 b5
34. Qd6 c4 35. Nd5 Bxd5 36. exd5 c3 37. Qc5 c2 38. d6 Qd8 39. Qxc2 Qxd6 40.
Qc8+ Qf8 41. a4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Warsaw AIG Life rapid 3rd"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2003.12.21"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Aleksandrov, Aleksej"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2664"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2003.12.21"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Nxe5 7. Rxe5+ Be7
8. Bf1 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Nf5 11. c3 d5 12. Nd2 b6 13. Nf3 c5 14. Bf4 cxd4
15. cxd4 Nd6 16. Rc1 Bg4 17. h3 Bh5 18. g4 Bg6 19. Ne5 Bh4 20. Nc6 Qd7 21. Ne5
Qd8 22. Nc6 Qf6 23. Ne7+ Kh8 24. Nxd5 Qd8 25. Bg2 f5 26. Nc7 Ne4 27. Bxe4 fxe4
28. Ne6 Qf6 29. Nxf8 Rxf8 30. Qd2 h5 31. Bg3 Bg5 32. Qe2 Bxc1 33. Rxc1 Qxd4 34.
gxh5 Bf5 35. h6 gxh6 36. Rc6 Rf6 37. Rxf6 Qxf6 38. Kh2 Qe6 39. Qh5 e3 40. fxe3
Qf6 41. Qe8+ Kh7 42. Be5 Qe6 43. Qxe6 Bxe6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Warsaw AIG Life rapid sf"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2003.12.21"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2003.12.21"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 Ne4 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. d4 Bb4 7. Qc2 f6 8. exf6
Qxf6 9. a3 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 O-O 11. Bd3 Na5 12. O-O b6 13. Ne5 Qh4 14. a4 Ba6 15.
Ba3 Rfe8 16. Rae1 Nd6 17. Bxd6 cxd6 18. cxd5 Bxd3 19. Nxd3 exd5 20. Nb4 Qh5 21.
Re3 Rxe3 22. fxe3 Nc4 23. Qd3 Re8 24. Rf3 a5 25. Rh3 Qg6 26. Qxg6 hxg6 27. Nxd5
b5 28. axb5 a4 29. Rf3 a3 30. Rf1 Rb8 31. Rb1 Nd2 32. Ra1 Rxb5 33. Nb4 Ra5 34.
Nc2 Nc4 35. e4 Kf7 36. Ra2 Rb5 37. Nxa3 1-0

[Event "Warsaw AIG Life rapid sf"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2003.12.21"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D12"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2003.12.21"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Nxg6 hxg6 8. Qb3
Qb6 9. h3 Nbd7 10. Bd2 a6 11. Bd3 Be7 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. Qxb6 Nxb6 14. c5 Nbd7 15.
f4 Nh5 16. O-O f5 17. b4 g5 18. Ne2 gxf4 19. exf4 Ndf6 20. a4 Ne4 21. Be3 Kd7
22. Rb1 g5 23. Bxe4 gxf4 24. Bxd5 fxe3 25. Bf3 Bg5 26. b5 axb5 27. axb5 Rc7 28.
Ra1 cxb5 29. Rfb1 Nf4 30. Nxf4 Bxf4 31. Rxb5 Ke7 32. Kf1 Rd8 33. Ra4 Bg5 34.
Ke2 Rcd7 35. Rxb7 Rxb7 36. Bxb7 Rb8 37. Ra7 Kf6 38. g3 Bh6 39. c6 Rd8 40. c7
Rxd4 41. c8=Q Rd2+ 42. Ke1 1-0

[Event "FRA-chT Gp-A"]
[Site "France"]
[Date "2004.01.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nijboer, Friso"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E63"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2586"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2004.01.30"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.10"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Mulhouse"]
[BlackTeam "Nancy"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 Rb8 8. h3
a6 9. Bg5 h6 10. Be3 e6 11. Qc1 Kh7 12. Rd1 Ne7 13. a4 Nd7 14. Bd2 e5 15. dxe5
dxe5 16. Rb1 Qe8 17. e4 Nc5 18. Be3 Ne6 19. b4 f5 20. b5 f4 21. Bd2 axb5 22.
cxb5 c6 23. Ne2 fxg3 24. fxg3 Bd7 25. Bc3 Rxf3 26. Bxf3 Ng5 27. Bg2 Bxh3 28.
Bxh3 Nxh3+ 29. Kg2 Qc8 30. Ng1 Nxg1 31. Kxg1 Ra8 32. a5 cxb5 33. Qe3 Nc6 34.
Rxb5 Nd4 35. Bxd4 exd4 36. Qb3 Qg4 37. Rxb7 Rf8 38. Rxd4 Rf3 39. Rxg7+ Kxg7 40.
Rd7+ Qxd7 41. Qxf3 Qa7+ 42. Qf2 Qxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FRA-chT Gp-A"]
[Site "France"]
[Date "2004.01.31"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Doettling, Fabian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2532"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2004.01.30"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.10"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Mulhouse"]
[BlackTeam "Orange"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1. c4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. O-O a6 7. e3 Rb8 8. Qe2
b5 9. Rd1 Bd7 10. a4 Bd6 11. axb5 axb5 12. b3 cxb3 13. Nbd2 e5 14. e4 O-O 15.
d5 Ne7 16. Nxb3 Ng6 17. Qc2 Qe7 18. Na5 Ra8 19. Nd2 Ne8 20. Ra2 Bc5 21. Ndb3
Bb6 22. Be3 Nd6 23. Bc5 Rfc8 24. Rda1 Qe8 25. Qc3 f6 26. Qb4 Bxc5 27. Nxc5 Nf8
28. Nxd7 Qxd7 29. h4 Ng6 30. Kh2 Ne7 31. Bh3 f5 32. h5 Qe8 33. h6 1/2-1/2

[Event "FRA-chT Gp-A"]
[Site "France"]
[Date "2004.02.01"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Galdunts, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2506"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2004.01.30"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.10"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Bischwiller"]
[BlackTeam "Mulhouse"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Bb3 a6 7. Nbd2 Ba7 8. O-O
O-O 9. h3 Be6 10. Re1 Bxb3 11. axb3 d5 12. exd5 Qxd5 13. Ne4 Qe6 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6
15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Rxe3 Rfe8 17. Qe2 Re6 18. b4 Rae8 19. Nd2 Qd8 20. Nb3 Qc8 21.
Nc5 R6e7 22. Qg4 Qxg4 23. hxg4 Nd8 24. Rae1 f6 25. d4 Ne6 26. Nxb7 exd4 27.
cxd4 Kf8 28. Nc5 Nxd4 29. Nxa6 c6 30. Nc7 Rxe3 31. Rxe3 Rxe3 32. fxe3 Nc2 33.
b5 cxb5 34. Kf2 b4 35. Ne6+ Kf7 36. Nf4 Na3 37. b3 Nc2 38. Nd3 Ke6 39. Ke2 Na1
40. Nc1 Ke5 41. Kd3 g6 42. g3 h6 43. e4 f5 44. gxf5 gxf5 45. exf5 Kxf5 46. Ke3
Kg4 47. Kf2 h5 48. Nd3 Nxb3 49. Nxb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.02.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Sandipan, Chanda"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2004.02.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ne7 10. Be3 Ke8 11. h3 Nd5 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Rad1 c6 14.
Nd4 Bd7 15. c3 g6 16. f4 Bc5 17. Rde1 Rg8 18. Kh2 Bxd4 19. Bxd4 Bf5 20. g4 Be4
21. Rf2 Kd7 22. Rd2 Ke6 23. c4 h5 24. Kg3 hxg4 25. hxg4 Rh8 26. Bc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.02.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Iljushin, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A37"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2526"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2004.02.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O d6 7. Ne1 Be6 8. d3
Nge7 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. Nc2 O-O 12. Rb1 Rac8 13. Nd5 Qd7 14. b4 Bxd5
15. Bxd5 Ne7 16. Ne3 b6 17. a4 h5 18. Bg2 Bh6 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. Bxd5 Kg7 21.
bxc5 Rxc5 22. Rb5 Qg4 23. Bf3 Qg5 24. Qa1 Rfc8 25. e3 h4 26. Rfb1 Qf5 27. Be4
Qg4 28. Bg2 Bg5 29. Re1 Bf6 30. Qb1 Qd7 31. Qd1 Bd8 32. Qf3 hxg3 33. hxg3 d5
34. Rd1 d4 35. exd4 Qxd4 36. Qe2 Qd6 37. Bb7 R8c7 38. Bd5 a6 39. Rxc5 Rxc5 40.
Kg2 Bf6 41. Rh1 Qd7 42. Qe3 Kg8 43. a5 Qd6 44. axb6 Qxb6 45. d4 Rc7 46. Qe4
exd4 47. Qe8+ 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.02.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Stefansson, Hannes"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2572"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2004.02.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Bg5 Bb7 8.
e3 d6 9. f3 Nbd7 10. Bd3 Rc8 11. Ne2 c5 12. Qd2 cxd4 13. exd4 Ba6 14. Rc1 d5
15. cxd5 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Rxc1+ 17. Nxc1 h6 18. Bxf6 Nxf6 19. dxe6 Re8 20. Kf2
Rxe6 21. Re1 Rxe1 22. Kxe1 Qc7 23. Qc3 Qxh2 24. Kf2 g5 25. Ne2 Qh4+ 26. Kg1
Qh2+ 27. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.02.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2566"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2004.02.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. b3 Bg4 7. Be2 e6 8. O-O Nbd7
9. h3 Bf5 10. Bd3 Bg6 11. Bxg6 hxg6 12. Qd3 Be7 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. a4 b4 15. Ne2
O-O 16. Bd2 Qb6 17. Rfc1 Rfc8 18. Rc2 Ne4 19. Rac1 Qb7 20. Be1 Bd6 21. h4 Rab8
22. Nf4 Rc7 23. Rxc7 Bxc7 24. Qc2 Bd8 25. Nd3 a5 26. g3 Nd6 27. Nc5 Nxc5 28.
Qxc5 Ne4 29. Qc6 Qxc6 30. Rxc6 Ra8 31. Ne5 Kf8 32. f3 Nf6 33. g4 Ke8 34. Bg3
Nd7 35. Nd3 Nb6 36. Rc5 Nd7 37. Rc6 Nb6 38. Bc7 Nd7 39. Bxd8 Kxd8 40. Kf2 Rc8
41. Rd6 Ke7 42. Ra6 Rc3 43. Ke2 Rc2+ 44. Kd1 Rc3 45. Ke2 Rc2+ 46. Ke1 Rc3 47.
Kd2 Rxb3 48. Ra7 Ke8 49. Ra8+ Ke7 50. Ra7 Ke8 51. Ra8+ Ke7 52. Rxa5 Nb6 53.
Ra7+ Ke8 54. a5 Nc4+ 55. Ke2 Ra3 56. Ra8+ Kd7 57. Ra7+ Ke8 58. Nxb4 Rxa5 59.
Rxa5 Nxa5 60. e4 dxe4 61. fxe4 Nc4 62. Nd3 Ke7 63. Kf3 f6 64. Kf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.02.21"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Korobov, Anton"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D86"]
[WhiteElo "2552"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2004.02.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 O-O 8.
Ne2 Nc6 9. O-O e5 10. Be3 {Other possibilities:} (10. d5) (10. Ba3) 10... Qe7 (
10... exd4 11. cxd4 Na5 12. Bb3 {needs more tests} (12. Bd3 c5)) 11. d5 (11. f3
$5 Rd8 12. d5 Na5 13. Bd3 b6 14. c4 Nb7 15. Nc1 Bd7 16. Nb3 Ba4 17. Bc2 Bxb3
18. axb3 a5 19. Qe2 Re8 20. g3 Qf8 21. Rae1 Nc5 22. Qf2 Bh6 23. f4 exf4 24.
Bxf4 $14 {Dokhoian,Y-Akopian,V/Erevan/1988/}) (11. Qb1 b6 12. Rd1 Bb7 13. d5
Na5 14. Bd3 c5 15. c4 Bc8 16. Bd2 Nb7 17. a4 Nd6 18. a5 Ba6 19. axb6 axb6 20.
Qb3 Rfb8 21. Nc3 Qc7 22. Ra4 Bc8 23. Nb5 Nxb5 24. cxb5 Rxa4 25. Qxa4 Bf8 26.
Ra1 Bd6 27. Bc4 Rb7 28. Bc3 Qe7 29. Qc2 Ra7 30. Rxa7 Qxa7 31. Qa2 Qxa2 32. Bxa2
{1/2-1/2 Belozerov,A-Tseitlin,M/Halkidiki 2002/CBM 92 (32)}) (11. Qc2 Na5 (
11... b6 $5 12. f4 $6 exd4 13. cxd4 Nb4 14. Qb1 c5 15. e5 Bf5 16. Qb3 b5 $1 17.
Bxb5 Rab8 $17 {0-1 Pichel Jallas,J-De la Villa Garcia,J/Mondariz 1997/EXT 99 
(28)}) 12. Bd3 b6 $5 (12... c5 13. dxc5 Be6 14. f4 Nc4 15. Bf2 f6 (15... Rad8
$14 {K.Sakaev}) 16. f5 Bf7 17. Ng3 Rfd8 18. Rfd1 Rd7 19. Qe2 Rad8 20. Bxc4
Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 22. Qxd1 Bxc4 23. a3 a6 24. h4 Bf7 25. fxg6 hxg6 26. h5
$16 {1-0 Sakaev,K-Hracek,Z/Jugoslavija 82/416 2001/[Sakaev,K] (43)}) 13. f4 $6
c5 $1 14. dxc5 bxc5 15. Qa4 Rd8 16. Rad1 c4 17. Bb1 Bg4 $36 {Gagunashvili,
M-Pashikian,A/Batumi (open) 2001}) 11... Na5 12. Bd3 b6 (12... c5 $5 13. f4
exf4 14. Bxf4 Bd7 15. Qd2 b5 16. Rab1 a6 17. Qe3 Nb7 18. Qg3 Rae8 19. a4 c4 20.
Bc2 f5 $13 {0-1 Graf,A-Ayapbergenov,A/Bishkek 1993/CBM 35/[Ftacnik] (36)}) 13.
f3 (13. Nc1 $6 c6 14. c4 c5 15. Nb3 Nb7 16. Rb1 Bd7 17. Bc2 f5 18. exf5 gxf5
19. f4 e4 20. Qe2 Rf6 21. Nd2 Rg6 $36 {0-1 Baron Rodriguez,J-De la Villa
Garcia,J/Benasque 1999/EXT 2001 (39)}) (13. Qd2 Bd7 14. Rac1 Nb7 15. f4 Bh6 16.
Rce1 Nc5 17. fxe5 Bxe3+ 18. Qxe3 Qxe5 19. Nd4 Rae8 20. Qd2 f6 21. Bc2 Qd6 22.
Nf3 Bg4 23. Nd4 Bd7 24. Nf3 Bg4 25. Nd4 a6 $15 {1/2-1/2 Tisdall,J-Stohl,I/
Gausdal 1991/TD (42)}) 13... Nb7 {This move allows the exchange of
light-squared bishops, which is favorable for White.} (13... c6 $5 14. c4 c5 {
[%cal Ya5b7,Yb7d6,Yf7f5]}) 14. Ba6 Nd6 15. Bxc8 Rfxc8 {Black gives up the
f7-f5 idea and starts a plan of queenside play (with c7-c6). However, the
white d5 pawn gains in importance.} (15... Raxc8 {[%cal Yc7c5,Yf7f5]} 16. Qd3
c5 17. c4 f5 18. a4 $14) 16. Qd3 c6 17. c4 Qb7 18. Rfd1 cxd5 19. cxd5 Nc4 20.
Rab1 Nxe3 21. Qxe3 Bf8 22. Qd3 a6 {A careless move.} (22... Bd6 $142 $13) 23.
f4 $5 {White starts an aggressive plan of pushing his d-pawn.} exf4 (23... Bc5+
24. Kh1 exf4 25. d6 Be3 26. Rf1 $36) (23... Bd6 24. fxe5 Bxe5 25. Nd4 $36) 24.
d6 Re8 25. d7 Re5 $2 {[%mdl 512] This rook sacrifice proves to be incorrect.} (
25... Red8 {allowed Black to eliminate the d7 pawn:} 26. Nxf4 {[%cal Yf4d5]}
Bg7 27. Nd5 (27. a4 Qc6 $5) (27. Kh1 Ra7) 27... Rxd7 28. Nf6+ Bxf6 29. Qxd7
Qxe4 $11 30. Qd6 Be5 31. Qd5 Qxd5 32. Rxd5 Bf4 33. Kf2 b5 {-the draw is not
far away.}) (25... Rxe4 {was inferior as the d7 pawn remained alive:} 26. Qf3
$1 (26. d8=Q $2 Rxd8 27. Qxd8 Rxe2) 26... Bc5+ 27. Kh1 Rd8 28. Nc3 f5 29. Nxe4
Qxe4 30. Qb3+ Kg7 31. Rd3 $16) 26. d8=Q Rxd8 27. Qxd8 Qxe4 28. Rb2 Qe3+ (28...
f3 29. gxf3 Qxf3 30. Rf1 Qe3+ 31. Kg2 Qe4+ 32. Rf3 Rf5 33. Qd3 $18) 29. Kf1 f3
30. Ng3 (30. Nd4 fxg2+ 31. Rxg2 {was equally strong.}) 30... h5 31. Qd3 fxg2+
32. Rxg2 Qc5 33. Rf2 Qe7 34. Qd7 Re1+ 35. Kg2 Rxd1 36. Qxd1 h4 37. Ne2 Qe4+ 38.
Kf1 b5 39. Qb3 Qb7 40. Qf3 Qd7 41. Nf4 Bg7 42. Qd5 Qg4 43. Ng2 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.02.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bluvshtein, Mark"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2453"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2004.02.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. e4 c5 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 d5 8. e5
Ne4 9. Bd3 cxd4 10. cxd4 f6 11. exf6 Qa5+ 12. Kf1 Rxf6 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Ne2
Bd7 15. Be3 Bc6 16. h4 Nd7 17. Kg1 Rc8 18. Ng3 Rff8 19. h5 h6 20. Qb2 Nf6 21.
Rh4 Qd8 22. a4 Ne8 23. Rf4 Nd6 24. Qe2 Qd7 25. Rg4 Kh7 26. a5 b5 27. axb6 axb6
28. c5 bxc5 29. dxc5 Nb5 30. Rc1 Qd3 31. Qb2 Rc7 32. Qe5 Re7 33. Rg6 Qd5 34.
Qxd5 Bxd5 35. Rg4 Na3 36. Nxe4 Nc4 37. Bd4 e5 38. Bc3 Rc7 39. Rd1 Be6 40. Rh4
Rff7 41. Bb4 Rf8 42. Be1 Rfc8 43. g4 Nb2 44. Rd6 Rc6 45. g5 Kg8 46. g6 Kf8 47.
Bc3 Nc4 48. Rd3 Ke8 49. Rd1 Rd8 50. Rxd8+ Kxd8 51. f4 Bd5 52. fxe5 Kd7 53. Nf6+
gxf6 54. exf6 Nd6 55. cxd6 Rxc3 56. Rf4 Bf7 57. gxf7 Rc8 58. Re4 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.02.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Bocharov, Dmitry"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E63"]
[WhiteElo "2565"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2004.02.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 Rb8 8. h3
a6 9. e4 b5 10. e5 dxe5 11. dxe5 Qxd1 12. Rxd1 Nd7 13. cxb5 axb5 14. Be3 Nb6
15. Nd4 Nxe5 16. Bf4 b4 17. Bxe5 Bxe5 18. Nc6 bxc3 19. bxc3 Nd7 20. Nxe7+ Kg7
21. Nxc8 Rfxc8 22. Rxd7 Rd8 23. Rad1 Rxd7 24. Rxd7 Rb1+ 25. Bf1 Rc1 26. a4 Rxc3
27. a5 Bd6 28. Kg2 Rc2 29. Bd3 Rc3 30. Be2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.02.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vorobiov, Evgeny E"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B37"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2544"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2004.02.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc2 Bg7 6. e4 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8.
Be2 d6 9. O-O Nd7 10. Bd2 Nc5 11. b4 Ne6 12. Rc1 Ned4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Be3
Nxe2+ 15. Qxe2 b6 16. Rfd1 Bb7 17. Bd4 Bxd4 18. Rxd4 Qc7 19. h4 Rac8 20. h5 a6
21. Nd5 Bxd5 22. exd5 Rfe8 23. Re4 Qd7 24. Re1 b5 25. cxb5 axb5 26. h6 Kf8 27.
Qb2 f6 28. Rxe7 Qxe7 29. Rxe7 Kxe7 30. Qe2+ Kf7 31. Qxb5 Rc1+ 32. Kh2 Rc2 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.02.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Timoshenko, Georgy"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2564"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2004.02.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nbd2 Bc8 13. c3 Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. d4
Nc6 16. dxc5 dxc5 17. a4 Qd7 18. Qe2 Rab8 19. Nf1 Qc8 20. N1h2 Nd7 21. axb5
axb5 22. Be3 c4 23. Nd2 Bc5 24. Nhf3 Qc7 25. b3 Bxe3 26. Qxe3 Na5 27. bxc4 bxc4
28. Ra2 Rb7 29. Qg5 Nb3 30. Ra4 Nbc5 31. Rxc4 Nb6 32. Rxc5 Qxc5 33. Qxe5 Qxe5
34. Nxe5 Nd7 35. Nxd7 Rxd7 36. Nf3 Rc8 37. Re3 Rd1+ 38. Kh2 Rf1 39. Kg3 Rc1 40.
Nd4 R1xc3 41. Rxc3 Rxc3+ 42. f3 Kf7 43. h4 Kf6 44. Ne2 Ra3 45. Nf4 Ke5 46. Nh3
Ra6 47. Ng5 h6 48. Nh3 Kd4 49. Nf4 Ke3 50. Ng6 Kd4 51. Nf4 Ke5 52. Ng6+ Kf6 53.
Nf4 Ra2 54. Nh5+ Kf7 55. Nf4 Kf6 56. Nh5+ Kf7 57. Nf4 Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bischoff, Klaus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2561"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qb3 Bb7 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. Qd1 Bb4 8. Qd3
O-O 9. Bg2 d5 10. O-O Ne7 11. Bg5 Ng6 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Ne5 Be7 14. Rac1 c6 15.
Rfd1 Nd7 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Nxg6 hxg6 18. e4 dxe4 19. Qxe4 Qd6 20. Qh4 Nf6 21.
a3 Rad8 22. b4 Bc8 23. Ne4 Nxe4 24. Qxe4 Bd7 25. d5 c5 26. bxc5 bxc5 27. Rd2
Rb8 28. Qe3 Rfc8 29. Rdc2 Rb5 30. h4 Bf5 31. Rc3 Kf8 32. Qd2 a5 33. Qe2 Bd7 34.
Qe3 a4 35. Rc4 Rb3 36. R4c3 c4 37. Qd4 Rxa3 38. Rxa3 Qxa3 39. Rxc4 Rxc4 40.
Qxc4 Qd6 41. Qc3 a3 42. Qa5 Kg8 43. Be4 Bf5 44. Bxf5 gxf5 45. Kg2 g6 46. Qa8+
Kg7 47. Qa5 Qe7 48. Qc3+ Kh7 49. Qa5 Qe4+ 50. Kh2 Qc2 51. Qa7 Kg7 52. d6 Qd2
53. d7 a2 54. d8=Q Qxd8 55. Qxa2 Qd4 56. Qe2 Qe4 57. Qd2 Qe5 58. Qd3 Qe4 59.
Qd2 Qc4 60. Qe3 Qd5 61. Qg5 Qf3 62. Qd2 Qe4 63. Qb2+ Kg8 64. Qc3 Qe2 65. Qd4
1/2-1/2

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2576"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 O-O 7. a4 a6 8. Bxc6
bxc6 9. Be3 Bb6 10. Nbd2 Rb8 11. Bxb6 cxb6 12. h3 Be6 13. d4 Qc7 14. Ng5 Rfe8
15. f4 h6 16. Nxe6 Rxe6 17. Qf3 Rbe8 18. Rae1 b5 19. axb5 axb5 20. g4 Qa7 21.
Qd3 exf4 22. Rxf4 d5 23. e5 Rxe5 24. Rxe5 Rxe5 25. Nf3 Qa1+ 26. Qf1 Qxf1+ 27.
Kxf1 Re6 28. Ne5 g5 29. Rf5 Ne4 30. Kg2 f6 31. Nd7 Kf7 32. Rf1 Ke7 33. Nb8 Kd6
34. Na6 Re8 35. Nb4 Ra8 36. Rd1 Kc7 37. Rf1 Kb7 38. Re1 Rf8 39. Rf1 Rh8 40. h4
gxh4 41. Rf5 Rg8 42. Kh3 Rg5 43. Kxh4 Rxf5 44. gxf5 Nd6 45. Kh5 Nxf5 46. Kg6
Ne3 47. Kxh6 Kb6 48. Kg6 f5 49. Kg5 c5 50. dxc5+ Kxc5 51. Kf4 d4 52. Nd3+ Kd5
53. cxd4 Kxd4 54. Nb4 Kc4 55. Nc6 Kd3 56. Na7 b4 57. Nc6 b3 58. Na5 Nc4 59.
Nxb3 Nxb2 60. Kxf5 Kc2 61. Ke6 1/2-1/2

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zaragatski, Ilja"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D07"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2303"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. Nc3 e6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bf4 Bd6 7. Bg3 Nf6 8.
e3 O-O 9. Rc1 Ne7 10. Qb3 Bxf3 11. gxf3 c6 12. Qxb7 Rb8 13. Qxa7 Rxb2 14. Bd3
Bb4 15. O-O Qa8 16. Qxa8 Rxa8 17. Bb1 Ne8 18. e4 Nd6 19. Nd1 Rd2 20. Ne3 Nb5
21. Nc2 Bc3 22. Rcd1 Nxd4 23. Nxd4 Rxd4 24. Bd6 Ng6 25. Rc1 Bb4 26. Bg3 dxe4
27. fxe4 c5 28. Kh1 h5 29. f4 Bd2 30. Rxc5 Bxf4 31. Rd5 Rb4 32. Rxh5 Bxg3 33.
hxg3 f6 34. e5 Nxe5 35. Bh7+ Kf7 36. Rxe5 Rh8 37. Rh5 g6 38. Bxg6+ Kg7 39. Rxh8
Kxh8 40. Bc2 Kg7 41. Bb3 Rd4 42. Kg2 Rd2+ 43. Rf2 Rb2 44. Rxb2 1-0

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mutschnik, Illya"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2410"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Ba4 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. O-O Nxf3+ 7. Qxf3 e6 8.
d4 cxd4 9. Nb5 Qb6 10. c3 Ne7 11. Nxd4 O-O 12. Rd1 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Bb3 Rd8
15. Bg5 f6 16. Be3 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 Re8 18. Re1 Kf7 19. Re2 f5 20. Rae1 Bxd4 21.
cxd4 Qd6 22. d5 e5 23. Qg3 Bd7 24. Rxe5 Rxe5 25. Rxe5 Kg7 26. h4 Re8 27. f4 Rc8
28. Qe3 Rf8 29. Qxa7 b6 30. Qa3 Qxa3 31. bxa3 Re8 32. Rxe8 Bxe8 33. Kf2 Kf6 34.
d6 Bc6 35. g3 h6 36. Ke3 g5 37. hxg5+ hxg5 38. fxg5+ Kxg5 39. Be6 Kf6 40. d7
Ke7 41. Bxf5 Bxd7 42. Bxd7 Kxd7 43. Kd4 Ke6 44. Kc4 1-0

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Huebner, Robert"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2604"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 b5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. a4 b4 8. c3
O-O 9. Nbd2 bxc3 10. bxc3 Na6 11. Nb3 Rc8 12. Nxc5 Nxc5 13. Ba3 Qc7 14. Qd4
Rfd8 15. Rfb1 Be4 16. Rb5 d6 17. Bxc5 dxc5 18. Qe5 Qe7 19. Ne1 Rd5 20. Qf4 Bxg2
21. Nxg2 h6 22. Rab1 Qd8 23. Ne3 Rd2 24. Rb8 Kh7 25. Rxc8 Qxc8 26. Ng4 Qd8 27.
Nxf6+ gxf6 28. Qe4+ f5 29. Qe5 Rd1+ 30. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 31. Kg2 Qxa4 32. Qxc5 Qe4+
33. Kg1 a6 34. e3 Kg6 35. c4 Qb1+ 36. Kg2 Qe4+ 37. Kg1 Qb1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gustafsson, Jan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2572"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bh5 6. Nc3 e6 7. g4 Bg6 8. Ne5
Nbd7 9. h4 dxc4 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. g5 Nd5 12. Bxc4 Be7 13. Qf3 Qc7 14. Bb3 N5b6
15. e4 Rf8 16. Bf4 Bd6 17. Be3 e5 18. Rc1 exd4 19. Nb5 Bb4+ 20. Kf1 Qe5 21.
Nxd4 Bc5 22. Rd1 O-O-O 23. Qg4 Qe7 24. h5 gxh5 25. Rxh5 Kb8 26. Nf5 Qe8 27.
Nxg7 Qe7 28. Nf5 Qe8 29. Nd6 Qe7 30. Nf5 Qe8 31. Bf4+ Ka8 32. Qe2 Rh8 33. Rxh8
Qxh8 34. Qf3 Rf8 35. Rd2 a6 36. Kg2 Ne5 37. Qc3 Ng6 38. Bg3 Qxc3 39. bxc3 a5
40. Bd6 Bxd6 41. Rxd6 a4 42. Bxf7 Nf4+ 43. Kf3 Nh3 44. g6 Ng5+ 45. Kf4 Nxf7 46.
Rf6 Kb8 47. g7 Rg8 48. Rxf7 Kc8 49. Rf8+ 1-0

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Richter, Christian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D29"]
[WhiteElo "2331"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. d4 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e3 a6 6. Bxc4 b5 7. Bb3 Bb7 8. O-O
c5 9. Qe2 Nbd7 10. Rd1 Be7 11. dxc5 Qc7 12. Bd2 Nxc5 13. Bc2 O-O 14. Rac1 Rac8
15. Bb1 Qb8 16. Nd4 b4 0-1

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kalinitschew, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2519"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bd3 Nbd7 6. O-O b6 7. Nc3 Bb7 8. e4
dxe4 9. Nxe4 Nxe4 10. Bxe4 Bd6 11. Re1 O-O 12. Qc2 h6 13. Be3 Nf6 14. c5 Bc7
15. Bd3 Nd5 16. a3 a5 17. Qe2 Qf6 18. Rac1 Rfd8 19. Bb1 bxc5 20. Rxc5 Bb6 21.
Rcc1 Nxe3 22. fxe3 Rac8 23. Ne5 Qg5 24. Qc2 c5 25. Qh7+ Kf8 26. Ng6+ fxg6 27.
Rf1+ Ke8 28. Bxg6+ Kd7 29. Qxg7+ Kd6 30. Qxb7 Rb8 31. dxc5+ Bxc5 32. Rcd1+ 1-0

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Renner, Christoph"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2401"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 g6 7. d4 Qe7 8. Nbd2
Bg7 9. Re1 O-O 10. h3 Kh8 11. Nf1 Nh5 12. Ne3 Bd7 13. Nd5 Qd8 14. Be3 Ne7 15.
dxe5 Nxd5 16. Bxd5 c6 17. Bc4 dxe5 18. Bc5 Bc8 19. Bxf8 Qxf8 20. Qb3 Kg8 21. a4
Nf4 22. Rad1 Bf6 23. Rd2 g5 24. Nh2 h5 25. Red1 g4 26. hxg4 hxg4 27. g3 Nh3+
28. Kg2 Ng5 29. Rd7 Bxd7 30. Rxd7 Qh6 31. Bxf7+ Kh8 32. Qd1 Rf8 33. Bc4 Qh3+
34. Kg1 Bg7 35. Bf1 Qh5 36. Bg2 Nh7 37. Qxg4 Qh6 38. Rd1 Nf6 39. Qe2 a5 40. Nf3
Ng4 41. Nh4 Qg5 42. Bh3 Nxf2 43. Nf5 Nxh3+ 44. Kh2 Nf4 45. gxf4 exf4 46. Rh1
Rxf5 47. exf5 Qg3# 0-1

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Schmaltz, Roland"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2527"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qb3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bb7 7. e4 Be7 8. Bg2
O-O 9. O-O d6 10. d5 Ne5 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. Qc2 exd5 13. exd5 Qd7 14. b3 c6 15.
dxc6 Bxc6 16. Ne4 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 f5 18. Bxc6 Qxc6 19. Bb2 e4 20. Rad1 Rae8 21.
Rd5 Bc5 22. Qc3 Qg6 23. b4 Be7 24. c5 bxc5 25. bxc5 Rc8 26. Qe5 Rf7 27. Bc1 h6
28. Be3 f4 29. Bxf4 Bxc5 30. Rxc5 Rxc5 31. Qxc5 Rxf4 32. Qxa7 Rf6 33. a4 Ra6
34. Qd4 Qc6 35. a5 Qa8 36. Re1 Rxa5 37. Rxe4 Ra1+ 38. Kg2 Ra2 39. h4 Kh8 40.
Kg1 Ra1+ 41. Kh2 Ra2 42. Re6 Ra6 43. Re7 Rf6 44. Qe3 Rf8 45. Rd7 Qf3 46. Rd2
Qf6 47. f4 Rd8 48. Re2 Rf8 49. Qe5 Qf7 50. Rc2 Re8 51. Qd6 Qf5 52. Qd2 Qf7 53.
Qf2 Qg6 54. Re2 Rxe2 55. Qxe2 Qf6 56. h5 Qf7 57. Kg2 Kg8 58. Qf3 Qa2+ 59. Kh3
Qe6+ 60. g4 Kh8 61. Kg3 Qd6 62. Qe4 Qa3+ 63. Kh4 Qf8 64. g5 hxg5+ 65. fxg5 Qf2+
66. Kg4 Qg1+ 67. Kf5 Qh2 68. Qe8+ 1-0

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Rabiega, Robert"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2527"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 g6 7. Re1 Bg7 8. Nbd2
O-O 9. Nf1 Kh8 10. Ng3 Qe8 11. Bb3 Nd7 12. d4 a5 13. h3 Nb6 14. a3 Bd7 15. Be3
Ne7 16. Qd2 Kh7 17. dxe5 dxe5 18. Bc5 Na4 19. Be3 Nc8 20. h4 Nd6 21. h5 Be6 22.
Qc2 Bxb3 23. Qxb3 Qb5 24. Qc2 Nc5 25. Rad1 Qb3 26. Qe2 Ne6 27. Rd5 Nf4 28. Bxf4
exf4 29. Nf1 Rae8 30. hxg6+ fxg6 31. Qd3 Qxb2 32. e5 Nf5 33. Rxa5 Qb6 34. Rd5
Re7 35. c4 Qe6 36. Qe4 c6 37. Rdd1 g5 38. N1d2 Qg6 39. Nb3 g4 40. Nfd4 Rxe5 41.
Qd3 Rxe1+ 42. Rxe1 Nxd4 0-1

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Bischoff, Klaus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2561"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 Bb4 5. Bd2 O-O 6. e3 Re8 7. Be2 Bxc3 8.
Bxc3 d5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Rc1 Qd6 11. O-O Bg4 12. Qb3 Nb6 13. a3 Rad8 14. Rfd1
Qg6 15. Qc2 Nd5 16. b4 a6 17. Bb2 Rd6 18. Nh4 Qh5 19. Bxg4 Qxg4 20. Nf3 Rg6 21.
Ne1 Rd8 22. Qc4 Qh5 23. Qe4 Rh6 24. h3 Rg6 25. Qf3 Qg5 26. Rc4 Rdd6 27. Rg4 Qd8
28. Rxg6 Rxg6 29. Rc1 Rf6 30. Qe4 Re6 31. Nf3 Nf6 32. Qc4 Qd6 33. Kf1 Re8 34.
Ke2 Rd8 35. Ne1 Nd5 36. Qe4 Nb6 37. Kf1 Qe6 38. Qf3 Qb3 39. Qe2 Na4 40. Ba1
Qxa3 41. Qc2 Qxb4 42. Rb1 Qa3 43. Rxb7 Nc5 44. Rxc7 Ne6 45. Rxc6 Qxa1 46. Qc4
a5 47. Ra6 h6 48. Qb5 Rc8 49. Qxa5 Qd1 50. Ra8 Rxa8 51. Qxa8+ Nf8 52. Qf3 Qa1
53. g3 Ne6 54. Qe2 Ng5 55. Kg2 Qa8+ 56. Nf3 Nxf3 57. Qxf3 Qd8 58. Qe4 Qd6 59.
d4 exd4 60. exd4 Qd7 61. h4 g6 62. Qe5 h5 63. d5 Kf8 64. d6 Kg8 65. Qe7 Qc6+
66. Kh2 Qf3 67. Qe8+ Kg7 68. Qe5+ Qf6 69. f4 Qxe5 70. fxe5 Kf8 71. Kg2 Ke8 72.
Kf3 Kd7 73. Ke4 Ke6 74. Kf4 f6 75. exf6 Kxf6 76. d7 1-0

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2576"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qb3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 d5 7. Qa4 Bb7 8. Bg2
Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. Rd1 Qd7 11. Qc2 Nb4 12. Qb1 c5 13. cxd5 exd5 14. b3 Rac8 15.
dxc5 bxc5 16. a3 Nc6 17. Bb2 d4 18. Nc4 Bb8 19. e3 Qe7 20. exd4 Nxd4 21. Nxd4
cxd4 22. Bxb7 Qxb7 23. Bxd4 Ne4 24. h4 Rfe8 25. Qd3 h6 26. Qf3 Qb5 27. Re1 Qd5
28. Rad1 Qe6 29. Be5 Rxc4 30. Bxb8 Nd2 31. Qd3 Re4 32. Rxe4 Nxe4 33. Bxa7 Qf6
34. Qd7 Re7 35. Qd8+ Kh7 36. Qd3 Qg6 37. Bd4 f5 38. Qf3 Rd7 39. Be5 Re7 40. Bf4
Rb7 41. a4 Qe6 42. Rd3 Rb6 43. a5 Rc6 44. b4 Rc1+ 45. Bxc1 1-0

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Zaragatski, Ilja"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2303"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ne7 10. b3 Bg4 11. Ng5 Ke8 12. h3 Bf5 13. e6 fxe6 14. Re1
Nd5 15. Nxd5 cxd5 16. Nxe6 Bxe6 17. Rxe6+ Kf7 18. Re2 Bb4 19. Bd2 Bd6 20. Rae1
a5 21. a4 Rhb8 22. Bc3 b5 23. Be5 Bb4 24. c3 Bf8 25. Bxc7 Rc8 26. Be5 bxa4 27.
bxa4 Rc4 28. Rd2 Rxa4 29. Rxd5 Rc4 30. Ra1 a4 31. Rd4 Rxd4 32. Bxd4 Ke6 33. c4
a3 34. Kf1 Rd8 35. Re1+ Kf7 36. Be3 Bb4 37. Ra1 Rc8 38. c5 Ke6 39. Ke2 Kd5 40.
Kd3 Ra8 41. Kc2 Kc4 42. c6 Bc3 43. Ra2 Bb2 44. c7 Rc8 45. Bf4 Kd5 46. Rxb2 axb2
47. Kxb2 Ke4 48. Bg3 Kd3 49. Kb3 Ke2 50. Kc4 h5 51. h4 Kf1 52. Kd5 Kxg2 53. Ke6
Kf3 54. Kd7 Ra8 55. c8=Q Rxc8 56. Kxc8 Kg4 57. Kd7 g5 58. hxg5 Kxg5 59. Ke6 Kg4
60. f4 Kxg3 61. f5 h4 62. f6 h3 63. f7 h2 64. f8=Q h1=Q 65. Qg7+ Kf2 66. Qf6+
Qf3 67. Qxf3+ Kxf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Mutschnik, Illya"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2410"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Bb6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Qd2 Nge7 8.
O-O-O O-O 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Be2 Rb8 11. f4 Kh8 12. g4 Ng8 13. h4 Nf6 14. g5 Ng4
15. Bxb6 Rxb6 16. Rdg1 h5 17. gxh6 Nxh6 18. f5 Qf6 19. Rg5 Bd7 20. Rhg1 Rfb8
21. b3 Rg8 22. Rh5 Kh7 23. e5 Qxe5 24. f6 Qxf6 25. Bd3+ Kh8 26. Rg6 1-0

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Huebner, Robert"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2604"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 Bxd2+ 7. Qxd2 d5 8.
O-O dxc4 9. Na3 c5 10. dxc5 Qxc5 11. Rac1 Nc6 12. Nxc4 Rd8 13. Qg5 Qxg5 14.
Nxg5 Nd4 15. Rfe1 h6 16. Nf3 Nxf3+ 17. Bxf3 Rb8 18. Na5 Nd5 19. Red1 Bd7 20.
Bxd5 exd5 21. Rxd5 b6 22. Nb3 Be6 23. Rdd1 Rbc8 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Rc2 Rd1+ 26.
Kg2 g5 27. f3 a5 28. Nc1 Kg7 29. a3 Bd5 30. Nd3 Bb7 31. Rc1 Rd2 32. Kf2 1-0

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Gustafsson, Jan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D24"]
[WhiteElo "2572"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bxc4 Nxe4 7. O-O Nf6 8.
Qa4+ Nc6 9. Ne5 Be7 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Qxc6+ Bd7 12. Qf3 Rb8 13. Bb3 O-O 14. Bf4
Bd6 15. Rfd1 Qe8 16. Be5 Bc6 17. Qg3 Qe7 18. Rac1 Rfd8 19. h3 h6 20. Bxd6 Rxd6
21. Qe5 Nd7 22. Qa5 Nb6 23. Qxa7 Ra8 0-1

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Richter, Christian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2331"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. d3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 Nc6 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Ng3 Bf8 14. h3 h6 15. Be3
d5 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Ne4 Nxe3 18. Rxe3 Bb7 19. Qe2 Qc7 20. Nh4 Ne7 21. Rg3 Kh8
22. Re1 Rad8 23. d4 cxd4 24. Ng5 Ng8 25. Nxf7+ Qxf7 26. Ng6+ Qxg6 27. Bxg6 Re7
28. Be4 Bc8 29. Rg6 Nf6 30. Rxf6 gxf6 31. Qf3 Bg7 32. g4 Be6 33. a3 Kg8 34.
cxd4 Rxd4 35. Rc1 Bc4 36. b3 Be6 37. Bf5 Bd5 38. Qc3 Bf8 39. Qc8 Kg7 40. Rc7
Bf7 41. Rxe7 Bxe7 42. Be6 Bxe6 43. Qxe6 Kf8 44. Qxa6 b4 45. a4 Rd1+ 46. Kg2 Rb1
47. a5 Rxb3 48. Qc8+ Kg7 49. Qe6 1-0

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "19"]
[White "Kalinitschew, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2519"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e3 a6 6. Bxc4 b5 7. Bb3 Bb7 8. O-O
c5 9. dxc5 Nbd7 10. Qe2 Bxc5 11. a4 b4 12. Nb1 O-O 13. Nbd2 Be7 14. a5 Nc5 15.
Bc4 Ne8 16. Nb3 Ne4 17. Rd1 N8d6 18. Bd3 Bd5 19. Nbd4 Nc5 20. Bc2 Qb8 21. Bd2
Qb7 22. Be1 Rfc8 23. Rac1 Bf6 24. Bb1 Rc7 25. Qd2 Rb8 26. h4 h6 27. Qc2 Be4 28.
Qe2 Bd5 29. Qc2 Nde4 30. Qe2 Rbc8 31. Bxe4 Bxe4 32. Rc4 b3 33. Rb4 Qa8 34. Rb6
e5 35. Nxb3 Nxb3 36. Rxb3 Bc2 37. Rc3 Bxd1 38. Qxd1 e4 39. Nd4 Qd5 40. Qg4 Bxd4
41. exd4 Rxc3 42. Bxc3 Re8 43. Qe2 Re6 44. Qe3 Kh7 45. Qe2 Qf5 46. Qe3 Rg6 47.
Kf1 Qb5+ 48. Kg1 Qd3 49. Qf4 Qf3 50. Qxf3 exf3 51. g3 Re6 52. g4 Re4 53. d5
Rxg4+ 54. Kf1 Rxh4 55. Ke1 Rh5 56. d6 Rd5 57. Bb4 h5 0-1

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "20"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Renner, Christoph"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C15"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2401"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd3 dxe4 5. Bxe4 Nf6 6. Bf3 O-O 7. Nge2 Nbd7 8.
O-O Rb8 9. Bf4 Bd6 10. a4 Bxf4 11. Nxf4 Nb6 12. Re1 Nbd5 13. Nd3 Nxc3 14. bxc3
Qd6 15. Qd2 Rd8 16. Qg5 h6 17. Qh4 Bd7 18. Re3 Bc6 19. Bxc6 Qxc6 20. Ne5 Qe8
21. Rg3 Kf8 22. Rf3 Qe7 23. Re1 Rd5 24. Re4 Rbd8 25. h3 c5 26. Ref4 cxd4 27.
cxd4 Ke8 28. Rxf6 gxf6 29. Ng4 Rc8 30. Nxf6+ Kd8 31. Qxh6 Rxd4 32. Qh8+ Kc7 33.
Rc3+ Kb6 34. Qxc8 1-0

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "21"]
[White "Schmaltz, Roland"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2527"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. Bb3 d6 6. c3 g6 7. O-O Bg7 8. Re1
O-O 9. h3 Qe8 10. Nbd2 Kh8 11. Nf1 Nh5 12. d4 f5 13. exf5 gxf5 14. dxe5 dxe5
15. Ba4 e4 16. Nd4 Qg6 17. Nxc6 bxc6 18. Bc2 Be5 19. Qd2 Kh7 20. Qe2 Rg8 21. f3
Ba6 22. Qf2 Bxf1 23. Rxf1 Nf4 24. Bxf4 Bxf4 25. fxe4 Be3 0-1

[Event "GER-ch Internet g/5'"]
[Site "Playchess.com INT"]
[Date "2004.02.29"]
[Round "22"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rabiega, Robert"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2527"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2004.02.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "22"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bc4 O-O 5. d3 c6 6. O-O d6 7. a3 Ba5 8. Ba2
Be6 9. Ne2 Nbd7 10. Ng3 Re8 11. Nh4 d5 12. Nhf5 Nf8 13. Qf3 dxe4 14. dxe4 Bxa2
15. Rxa2 Ne6 16. c3 Qc7 17. Nxg7 Nxg7 18. Qxf6 Re6 19. Qf3 Rd8 20. Nf5 Qd7 21.
b4 Bb6 22. Rd2 Qe8 23. Rxd8 Bxd8 24. Rd1 Bc7 25. Bg5 f6 26. Nh6+ Kh8 27. Bxf6
1-0

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Thorfinnsson, Bjorn"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2340"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 c6 7. e3 Nbd7 8.
Bd3 Nf8 9. Nge2 Ng6 10. O-O Bd6 11. f3 Be6 12. Kh1 c5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. Bxf6
gxf6 15. f4 Ne7 16. f5 Bc8 17. e4 b6 18. exd5 Bb7 19. Rae1 O-O 20. Qc1 Nxd5 21.
Be4 Be3 22. Qc2 Re8 23. Bxd5 Bxd5 24. Rd1 Rc8 25. Qb1 Bd2 26. Nf4 Bxf4 27. Rxf4
Re5 28. Qd3 Rc5 29. Rd4 Qe7 30. Qg3+ 1-0

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.08"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Olafsson, Helgi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2504"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Qb3 Bxb5 13. Nxb5 O-O 14.
O-O Nc6 15. c4 Rad8 16. Qg3+ Kh8 17. Qh4 Kg7 18. Qg3+ Kh8 19. Qh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.09"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Krush, Irina"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A25"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2465"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Rb1 a5 6. a3 d6 7. d3 Be6 8. b4 axb4
9. axb4 Qd7 10. b5 Nd8 11. Nd5 Ne7 12. b6 Bxd5 13. cxd5 c6 14. dxc6 Ndxc6 15.
h4 Qg4 16. Nf3 h5 17. O-O O-O 18. Nd2 Qd7 19. Ne4 Ra6 20. Nc3 Ra5 21. Bg5 Rfa8
22. Bxe7 Nxe7 23. Qb3 d5 24. Nb5 Qc6 25. Nc7 Rd8 26. Rfc1 Qd6 27. Qc3 Ra2 28.
Rc2 Rxc2 29. Qxc2 f5 30. Rb5 e4 31. e3 Kh7 32. d4 f4 33. gxf4 Qf6 34. Qa2 Qxh4
35. Ne6 Rc8 36. Ng5+ Kh6 37. Rc5 Qg4 38. Rc7 Bf6 39. Qa3 Re8 40. Nf7+ Kg7 41.
Nd6 Rh8 42. Nxb7 h4 43. Kh2 h3 44. Bf1 Qh4 45. Qb2 g5 46. Nc5 gxf4 47. Ne6+ Kh6
48. Nxf4 Rg8 49. Qe2 Nf5 50. Rf7 Nxd4 51. Qh5+ Qxh5 52. Rxf6+ Kg5 53. Nxh5 Nf3+
54. Rxf3 exf3 55. Nf4 1-0

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Pavlovic, Milos"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2548"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. b3 b6 4. g3 c5 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. Bb2 O-O 8. Nc3
d5 9. e3 dxc4 10. bxc4 Ne4 11. Ne2 Nc6 12. d3 Bf6 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. Nc3 Nb4 15.
Ne5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Nd7 17. Nf3 Qb8 18. Qe2 Rd8 19. a3 Nc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Luther, Thomas"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2572"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Qc2 c5 8.
dxc5 Nxc5 9. a3 Bxc3+ 10. Qxc3 Nce4 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. Qxf6 Nxf6 13. e3 Bd7 14.
Nd4 Rc8 15. Bd3 Ke7 16. f3 h5 17. h4 g6 18. Ne2 Ba4 19. Kd2 Rhd8 20. Nd4 Bd7
21. Ne2 Be6 22. Rhc1 Ne4+ 23. Ke1 Nd6 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Kd2 Bf5 26. Nf4 Bxd3
27. Nxd5+ Ke6 28. Nf4+ Kf5 29. Kxd3 Nc4 30. b4 Nxe3 31. Kxe3 Re8+ 32. Kf2 Kxf4
33. Rc1 Rd8 34. Rc4+ Ke5 35. Rc7 Rd2+ 36. Kg3 Ra2 37. Rxf7 Rxa3 38. Rxb7 Ra2
39. Rb5+ Kf6 40. Ra5 Rb2 41. b5 Ke6 42. Kf4 Rxg2 43. Rxa7 Rb2 44. Ra6+ Kf7 45.
b6 Kf6 46. Ke4 Ke6 47. Kd4 Kd7 48. Ke5 Rh2 49. b7 Kc7 50. Rb6 Kb8 51. Rb4 Rh3
52. Kf6 Rg3 53. Rb5 Rg1 54. Rg5 Rh1 55. Kxg6 Kxb7 56. Kxh5 Kc7 57. Rd5 1-0

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Timman, Jan H"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2578"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ne7 10. Re1 h6 11. Bd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Krasenkow, Michal"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2609"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 h6 8. Bd2
Qe7 9. h3 e5 10. O-O-O e4 11. Nh4 g6 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Nb5 O-O 14. Nxd6 Qxd6
15. Kb1 Nb6 16. Qc5 Rd8 17. Bb4 Qe6 18. Ng2 g5 19. Be2 Bd7 20. b3 a5 21. Ba3 a4
22. Qe7 Re8 23. Qxe6 Rxe6 24. Bc5 Nc8 25. Ne1 b6 26. Bb4 axb3 27. axb3 Na7 28.
Kb2 Bb5 29. Bxb5 Nxb5 30. Nc2 Ne8 31. Rdf1 Ra7 32. f4 exf3 33. Rxf3 Nf6 34. Rf5
Rd7 35. Ra1 Kg7 36. Ra8 Kg6 37. Re5 Rb7 38. Rh8 Kg7 39. Rc8 Na7 40. Rd8 Nc6 41.
Rxe6 Nxd8 42. Rd6 Ne6 43. Ba3 Nc7 44. Bb4 Ne4 45. Rd8 Nf2 46. Bf8+ Kh7 47. Rd7
Nd3+ 48. Kb1 Ra7 49. Nb4 Nxb4 50. Bxb4 Kg7 51. Kb2 Kg8 52. Be1 Kf8 53. Bb4+ Kg8
54. e4 dxe4 55. d5 Nb5 56. Rxa7 Nxa7 57. d6 Nc6 58. d7 f5 59. Be7 f4 60. d8=Q+
Nxd8 61. Bxd8 b5 62. Kc3 Kf7 63. Kd4 e3 64. Ke4 Ke6 65. Bb6 Kd6 66. Bd4 Ke6 67.
Kf3 Kf7 68. Bxe3 fxe3 69. Kxe3 1-0

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.15"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Dreev, Alexey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2682"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Bg5 Ba6 8.
e3 d6 9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. Ne2 h6 11. Bh4 c5 12. Qc2 Rc8 13. Qa4 cxd4 14. exd4 Nb8
15. Rd1 d5 16. cxd5 Bxd3 17. Rxd3 g5 18. Bg3 Qxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sutovsky, Emil"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2666"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Qa4+ Bd7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 Nc6 7. d4 Bg7 8.
e4 O-O 9. e5 Be6 10. exf6 Bxc4 11. fxg7 Kxg7 12. Bxc4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Qxd4 14.
Be2 Qb4 15. a3 Qb3 16. Bd1 Qc4 17. Be2 Qb3 18. Bd1 Qc4 19. Be2 Qb3 20. Bd1
1/2-1/2

[Event "Reykjavik Blitz"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Petursson, Margeir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E34"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2540"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2004.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 Qxd5 6. Nf3 Qf5 7. Qd1 c5 8. e3
Nc6 9. Bd3 Qh5 10. O-O O-O 11. Ne2 cxd4 12. exd4 Bd6 13. a3 b6 14. Bf4 Bxf4 15.
Nxf4 Qh6 16. Ne2 Bb7 17. Qa4 Rfd8 18. Ba6 Bxa6 19. Qxa6 Ne7 20. Rac1 Ned5 21.
Rc2 Nh5 22. Rfc1 Nhf4 23. g3 Qh5 24. Ne5 Ng6 25. Rc8 Raxc8 26. Rxc8 1-0

[Event "Reykjavik Blitz"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nataf, Igor Alexandre"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2569"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2004.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nxc6 Qf6 6. Qd2 dxc6 7. Nc3 Bd4
8. Bd3 Ne7 9. O-O Ng6 10. Kh1 Ne5 11. f4 Nxd3 12. Qxd3 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Bd7 14.
Be3 O-O-O 15. Bxa7 Qe7 16. Qe3 f5 17. exf5 Qxe3 18. Bxe3 Bxf5 19. Bd4 Rhg8 20.
Rae1 g6 21. Re7 Rge8 22. Rfe1 Rxe7 23. Rxe7 Rd7 24. Re8+ Rd8 25. Re7 Rd7 26.
Re8+ Rd8 27. Re7 Rd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Reykjavik Blitz"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Olafsson, Helgi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2504"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2004.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 e5 8. Bd3
Nc6 9. Ne2 Nd7 10. O-O b6 11. f4 Na5 12. Rf3 Ba6 13. c5 Bxd3 14. Rxd3 Qe7 15.
Ng3 g6 16. fxe5 dxe5 17. Bh6 Rfd8 18. Nf5 Qe8 19. cxb6 axb6 20. Rad1 exd4 21.
Rxd4 Nc5 22. Bg5 Rxd4 23. Ne7+ Qxe7 24. Bxe7 Rxd1+ 25. Qxd1 Nab7 26. Qd5 Re8
27. Bf6 Rxe4 28. Bd4 Re1+ 29. Kf2 Re8 30. Qc6 Re7 31. Kf1 h5 32. Qf6 1-0

[Event "Reykjavik Blitz"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dreev, Alexey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D12"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2682"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2004.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Qb3 Qc7 8. h3
Nbd7 9. Bd2 Be7 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Be2 Nb6 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Rc1 a5 14. Bd3 a4
15. Qd1 O-O 16. a3 Qd7 17. O-O Ne8 18. Qg4 Qxg4 19. hxg4 Nd6 20. Rce1 Nbc4 21.
Bc1 Rfe8 22. g3 b5 23. Kg2 g5 24. f3 Bf6 25. Na2 Re6 26. Nb4 Rc8 27. Kf2 g6 28.
Rh1 Bg7 29. Re2 Bf6 30. Rhe1 Kg7 31. Kg2 Ree8 32. Nc2 Rb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Reykjavik Blitz"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.17"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Stefansson, Hannes"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A43"]
[WhiteElo "2572"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "177"]
[EventDate "2004.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 exd5 4. cxd5 d6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. e4 Bf6 7. h3 Ne7 8. Nf3
Ng6 9. Bd3 a6 10. a4 O-O 11. O-O Nd7 12. Nh2 Re8 13. Be3 Rb8 14. Qd2 Bd4 15.
Bxd4 cxd4 16. Ne2 Nc5 17. Nxd4 Nxe4 18. Bxe4 Rxe4 19. Rfe1 Rxe1+ 20. Rxe1 Bd7
21. b3 Qb6 22. Rc1 Ne7 23. a5 Qd8 24. Ne2 b6 25. axb6 Qxb6 26. Rc3 Rc8 27. Nf4
h6 28. Nf1 Rc5 29. Ne3 Qb5 30. Nc4 Qb8 31. Ne3 Qc7 32. Rxc5 Qxc5 33. b4 Qc7 34.
Qd4 Nf5 35. Nxf5 Bxf5 36. g4 Bd7 37. Nh5 f6 38. Qe4 Qd8 39. Nf4 f5 40. gxf5
Qg5+ 41. Kh2 Bxf5 42. Qe3 Kh7 43. Qg3 Qe7 44. Ne6 g5 45. Qe3 Qf6 46. Nd4 Bd7
47. Nc6 h5 48. Kg2 Kh6 49. Kh2 Qf5 50. Ne7 Qf4+ 51. Qxf4 gxf4 52. Nc6 Kg5 53.
Nd4 Kf6 54. Nf3 Bf5 55. Nd4 Bd3 56. Nc6 Bc4 57. Nd4 Bxd5 58. b5 a5 59. b6 a4
60. Nb5 Ke5 61. Nc3 Bc6 62. Nxa4 Kd4 63. Kg1 Kc4 64. Kf1 Kb3 65. b7 Bxb7 66.
Nb6 Kc3 67. Ke2 d5 68. Nd7 d4 69. Nc5 d3+ 70. Nxd3 Ba6 71. Kf3 Kxd3 72. Kxf4
Kd4 73. Kg5 Be2 74. f4 Kd5 75. h4 Ke6 76. Kg6 Ke7 77. Kg7 Bg4 78. Kg6 Kf8 79.
Kf6 Bd7 80. Kg6 Be8+ 81. Kf6 Kg8 82. Kf5 Kg7 83. Kg5 Bg6 84. f5 Bf7 85. f6+ Kh7
86. Kf5 Kh6 87. Kf4 Kg6 88. Ke5 Bg8 89. Kd4 0-1

[Event "Reykjavik Blitz"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.17"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D61"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2004.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Nf3 O-O 7. Qc2 h6 8. Bh4
b6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Qa4 Bb7 11. Ba6 Bxa6 12. Qxa6 c6 13. O-O Qc8 14. Qa4 Re8
15. Rac1 Qb7 16. Qc2 a5 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. e4 dxe4 19. Nxe4 c5 20. Nxf6+ Bxf6
21. dxc5 bxc5 22. b3 a4 23. Qxc5 axb3 24. axb3 Qxb3 25. Qc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Reykjavik Blitz"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.17"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hjartarson, Johann"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E38"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2640"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[EventDate "2004.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Qc7 6. Nf3 Bxc5 7. g3 a6 8. Bf4
Qb6 9. O-O-O Nc6 10. Na4 Qa5 11. Nxc5 Qxc5 12. Bd6 Qxf2 13. Kb1 b5 14. cxb5
axb5 15. Bc5 1-0

[Event "Reykjavik rapid"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.18"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Olafsson, Helgi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2504"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2004.03.18"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bc5 7. e3 O-O 8.
O-O d6 9. a3 Bb6 10. d4 c6 11. d5 Bh3 12. Re1 Rc8 13. Qd3 Qd7 14. Na4 Bc7 15.
Nc3 Ng4 16. dxc6 bxc6 17. c5 d5 18. e4 d4 19. Nd1 f5 20. b4 Kh8 21. Ra2 Nf6 22.
exf5 Bxf5 23. Qa6 Bb8 24. Bg2 Bh3 25. Bxh3 Qxh3 26. f3 e4 27. Nf2 Qe6 28. Rc2
e3 29. Nd3 Nh5 30. Qc4 Qg6 31. Rg2 Rcd8 32. Bb2 Rd5 33. b5 Rfd8 34. bxc6 Qxc6
35. f4 Nf6 36. Rc2 a5 37. a4 h5 38. Qb5 Qe6 39. c6 Rxb5 40. axb5 Qb3 0-1

[Event "Reykjavik rapid"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.18"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Olafsson, Helgi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E38"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2504"]
[Annotator "Golod,V"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2004.03.18"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Qc7 6. Nf3 Bxc5 7. g3 a6 8. Bf4
Qb6 $5 {Comments to this part of the game(6-8 moves) and also:} (8... d6 {
You can find in my annotations to game: Sargissian,G-Anastasian,A/Batumi,2002/
CBM 90(1-0)(42)}) 9. O-O-O $5 {[%csl Rd6][%cal Gf4b8] This rare move appeared
only three times in the whole database. The idea behind this move very simple
- White sacrifices pawn "f2" in order to get a full control over the black
squares,and especially over "d6" square.} (9. e3 $5 Be7 (9... d5 $2 {Chuchelov,
V} 10. O-O-O $16) 10. e4 d6 11. Bg2 Nbd7 12. O-O Qc7 13. Qe2 {+/=/= Chernin,
A-Chuchelov,V/Cappelle la Grande,1994/Inf 60/509 (0-1)(Chuchelov,V)(55)}) 9...
Qa7 $146 {Trying to escape a exchange from Black's bishop.} ({The games,which
have reached this position were continued as follows:} 9... Bxf2 $6 10. Kb1 Be3
$4 (10... Nc6 $5 11. e4 $1 {[%csl Rf2][%cal Gc3a4,Gc4c5]} Bc5 (11... Nb4 12.
Qe2 {[%cal Ge4e5]}) 12. Na4 Qa7 13. Nxc5 Qxc5 14. Bd6 $36) 11. Na4 (11. c5 $1 {
[%csl Rb6,Re3]} Qxc5 (11... Bxc5 12. Na4 $18 {[%csl Rb6,Rc5]}) 12. Bxe3 Qxe3
13. Nd5 $18 {[%csl Rc8,Re8,Rh8][%cal Gc2c8]}) 11... Qa7 12. c5 $36 {Dao Thien
Hai-Csom,I/Budapest,1994(1-0)(20)}) (9... Nc6 10. Na4 Qa5 11. Nxc5 Qxc5 12. Bd6
Qxf2 13. Kb1 b5 $4 (13... b6 $142 14. Rg1 {[%cal Yg1g2]} Qe3 (14... Bb7 $2 15.
Qc3 {[%csl Rf2][%cal Gg1g2,Yc3e3]} Ne4 $140 16. Qxg7 O-O-O 17. Rg2 Qe3 18. Rd3
$18 {[%csl Re3]}) 15. Rd3 Qh6 16. Bg2 $36) 14. cxb5 axb5 15. Bc5 {[%csl Rf2]
1-0 Aronian,L-Hjartarson,J/Reykjavik,2004(15)}) (9... d6 10. Na4 Qa5 11. Nxc5 (
11. Bxd6 Bxf2 12. Bg2 $14) 11... dxc5 12. Qd2 Qxd2+ 13. Nxd2 $14) 10. e3 Be7 $6
{Too passive move. After it White has a clear advantage because of the attack
on the king side.} (10... b5 $142 $5 11. cxb5 Bb7 12. Be2 (12. Bg2 O-O 13. Be5
$13) 12... O-O 13. Be5 Rc8 $13 {For a pawn,Black has an excellent counterplay
on the queen side.}) 11. g4 $1 {Typical move to this kind of positions.} Nc6 $6
({Black still had to try:} 11... b5 $5 12. g5 $1 Nh5 13. Be5 Bb7 (13... Nc6
$143 14. cxb5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Bxg5 (15... axb5 16. Nxb5 Qxa2 17. Nc7+ Kf8 18.
Nxa8 Qa1+ 19. Qb1 Qxa8 20. Be2 $16 {[%csl Rh5]}) 16. b6 $1 Qxb6 17. Nc4 Qb8 (
17... Qc7 $2 18. Nb5 {[%csl Gc2,Rc7][%cal Gc4d6,Gd6f7]} Qb8 $140 19. Nc7+ $1
$18) 18. Nd6+ Kf8 19. Be2 $16 {[%csl Gd6,Rh5][%cal Gf2f4,Gh1g1]}) (13... bxc4
14. Bxc4 {[%cal Ge5d6]} Nc6 (14... Qc5 $2 15. Na4 Qa7 16. Bxe6 $18 {[%csl Rc8]}
) (14... d5 $2 15. Nxd5 $1 exd5 16. Bxd5 $18 {[%csl Ya7,Ra8,Gd5,Ye5][%cal
Ye5d4,Gd4a7,Ya7a8]}) 15. Bd6 Bb7 $14) 14. Bd4 (14. Be2 $5 bxc4 (14... Nc6 15.
Bd6 Bxd6 16. Rxd6 $11) 15. Ne4 Nc6 (15... d5 $140 $4 16. Bd4 $18 {[%csl Ra7,
Gd4][%cal Gd4a7]}) 16. Nd6+ Bxd6 17. Bxd6 $16 {[%csl Rc4,Gd6,Re8,Rh5]}) 14...
Bc5 15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16. Ne4 Bxe4 17. Qxe4 Nc6 18. Kb1 $14 {[%csl Rh5] Even here
white has small advantage because the knight on "h5" is completely out.}) 12.
g5 Nh5 13. Bd6 b6 (13... Bxd6 14. Rxd6 b5 $6 15. Be2 bxc4 16. Rhd1 $1 {[%csl
Rc4,Ge2,Rh5][%cal Yf3e1,Yd6d1,Yd1d6,Ge2c4,Ge2h5]} (16. Ne1 $5 Qc7 17. Qd1 g6
18. Bxh5 gxh5 19. Ne4 $14) 16... Nb4 17. Qe4 Nd3+ 18. Bxd3 cxd3 19. R1xd3 $16 {
White is dominating all over the board.}) 14. Ne4 ({Another way to increase
the advantage is:} 14. Qd2 $5 $16 O-O 15. Be2 Bb7 16. Ne1 g6 17. Bxh5 gxh5 18.
Rg1 {[%csl Gg1,Rg8,Rh5]}) 14... O-O ({Hardly it was better:} 14... f5 15. gxf6
Nxf6 16. Bd3 Bb7 17. Bxe7 Kxe7 18. Qb3 $16 {[%csl Re7][%cal Gb3a3]}) 15. Ng3
$16 g6 16. Qe4 $2 (16. Nxh5 $142 gxh5 17. Bd3 Bxd6 (17... Kh8 18. Qc3+ Kg8 19.
Bc2 $18 {[%csl Gc2,Gc3,Rg8,Rh7][%cal Gc3d3,Gd3h7]}) 18. Bxh7+ Kh8 19. Rxd6 Nb4
20. Qc3+ Kxh7 21. Qxb4 Qb7 22. Rdd1 $1 {[%csl Rf8] Excellent move,maybe it was
missed by Levon Aronian.} Kg8 23. Ne5 $18) 16... Nxg3 $2 {Black did not use
discrepancy of the contender.} (16... Bxd6 $142 17. Rxd6 Qc7 18. Rd2 f5 $1 19.
Qd3 Ng7 $14 {White still has an advantage,however it is very difficult to
increase it.}) 17. hxg3 {[%csl Rh7][%cal Ge4h4,Gh1h7]} Bxd6 18. Rxd6 Qc7 19.
Qh4 {[%csl Rg8,Gh1,Gh4,Rh7]} h5 20. gxh6 f6 21. Qf4 Ne7 22. Rd2 $5 ({Also good
enough:} 22. h7+ $5 Kh8 $140 23. Ne5 $1 {[%csl Rc7,Ge5,Gf4,Rh8][%cal Gd6d7] /
\24.Rxd7 Bxd7 25.Nxg6+ (ףc7)} Qc5 24. Qh6 Bb7 25. Nxg6+ Nxg6 26. Rxd7 {
[%csl Rb7,Rh8][%cal Gh6g7,Gd7b7]} Ne7 27. Rxb7 Nf5 28. Qh3 $16) 22... e5 23.
Qh4 d5 24. Bh3 $6 ({Can be recommended:} 24. Rc2 Bf5 25. Rc3 Qd6 26. Be2 $16)
24... Bxh3 25. Qxh3 Nf5 $2 {Black had missed his best chance in this game:} (
25... Qc6 $1 {[%csl Re6][%cal Yc6e6,Gd5c4]} 26. g4 (26. Rhd1 b5 $1 27. c5 Qxc5+
28. Kb1 Qb6 $14) 26... dxc4 (26... Qxc4+ $143 27. Kb1 Rac8 28. g5 Rc7 (28...
Nf5 29. gxf6 Qe4+ 30. Ka1 Rxf6 31. Ng5 Qc4 32. Kb1 $16) 29. gxf6 $16) 27. g5 c3
28. Rc2 Nd5 {[%cal Yd5b4]} 29. Kb1 Rac8 $14) 26. Qg4 {[%csl Rd5,Rg6][%cal
Gd2d5,Yg4c4]} Qxc4+ (26... Ne7 27. Qe6+ Kh8 28. Rc2 $16) 27. Qxc4 dxc4 28. g4
Ne7 29. Rd7 Rae8 30. Rhd1 {Black can not find protection against numerous
threats.} e4 (30... Kh7 31. g5 b5 32. R1d6 {[%csl Ra6,Rf6]} fxg5 (32... e4 33.
Nh2 $18 {[%csl Ra6,Rf6][%cal Gd6a6,Gh2g4]}) 33. Nxe5 Rxf2 34. Re6 {[%csl Re7,
Re8,Rh7]} Rf1+ 35. Kd2 Kxh6 36. Rexe7 Rxe7 37. Rxe7 $18) 31. Nd2 f5 32. Nxc4
$18 Rc8 33. Rxe7 Rxc4+ 34. Kb1 fxg4 $2 (34... Rfc8 35. Rg7+ Kh8 36. Rxg6 fxg4
37. Rxg4 $18) 35. Rg7+ {[%csl Gd1,Gg7,Rg8][%cal Gd1d7]} (35. Rg7+ {After this
move Black resigns,because of next variant:} Kh8 36. Rdd7 Rfc8 37. Rh7+ Kg8 38.
Rdg7+ Kf8 39. Rh8#) 1-0

[Event "Reykjavik rapid"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.19"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Short, Nigel D"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2004.03.18"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nc3 d6 6. Na4 Bb6 7. Nxb6 axb6 8.
c3 Bd7 9. Ba4 O-O 10. Bc2 Ne7 11. Bg5 Ng6 12. h4 h6 13. h5 Nf4 14. Bxf4 exf4
15. Qd2 Ra5 16. Qxf4 Rxh5 17. O-O-O Rxh1 18. Rxh1 Ng4 19. Qg3 f5 20. exf5 Bxf5
21. Rh4 Qc8 22. Nd4 Bd7 23. f3 c5 24. Nb5 Qe8 25. a4 Qe3+ 26. Kb1 Bxb5 27. Rxg4
Bxd3 28. Rxg7+ Kh8 29. Rxb7 Bxc2+ 30. Kxc2 Qe2+ 31. Kb3 Qd1+ 32. Ka3 Qa1+ 33.
Kb3 Qd1+ 34. Ka3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Reykjavik rapid"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.19"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Short, Nigel D"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2004.03.18"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. Bf4 d5 4. e3 c5 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. dxc5 Nc6 7. Bb5 e6 8. b4
a5 9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. c3 Ba6 11. Ne2 Nd7 12. Nd2 e5 13. Bg3 h5 14. Nf3 Qf6 15.
h4 Be7 16. O-O Qf5 17. Re1 O-O 18. a4 Rfc8 19. b5 Bb7 20. Ned4 exd4 21. exd4
Bf6 22. Qd2 Nf8 23. Be5 Ng6 24. Bxf6 Qxf6 25. Re3 Re8 26. Rae1 Rxe3 27. Rxe3
Nxh4 28. Nxh4 Qxh4 29. Re5 Rf8 30. Qe2 g6 31. Re7 Bc8 32. bxc6 Qf6 33. Rc7 Bf5
34. Qb5 Qg5 35. Rb7 h4 36. Rb8 Qc1+ 0-1

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Klinova, Masha"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2436"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. c4 e5 3. Nf3 e4 4. Ng5 f5 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Nh3 Nf6 7. Nf4 c6 8. h4 Na6
9. e3 O-O 10. Be2 Nc7 11. Qb3 Rb8 12. a4 Bd7 13. Bd2 Be8 14. Qc2 Bf7 15. b4 Ne6
16. Nh3 d5 17. g3 h6 18. c5 Bh5 19. Bxh5 Nxh5 20. Ne2 Qd7 21. Nhf4 Nhxf4 22.
Nxf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Mamedjarova, Zeinab"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E14"]
[WhiteElo "2343"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. e3 Bb7 5. Bd3 d5 6. O-O a6 $5 {An interesting
alternative to the main lines with 6...Bd6 or 6...Be7. Black wants to get a
Queen's Gambit Accepted type of positions, which is not bad at all, as white
has already spent a tempo for developing his bishop. On the other hand, a7-a6
is always a useful move in that system anyway - it prevents a possible
exchange of Bb7 by Bd3-a6 and takes an important square b5 under control.} 7.
Qe2 (7. b3 Bd6 8. Bb2 O-O 9. Nc3 Nbd7 {leads to one of the most popular lines
of E14.}) 7... Nbd7 ({Here black had an opportunity of getting a common line
by:} 7... dxc4 8. Bxc4 Nbd7 {with a very complicated play.} ({or} 8... c5 $5))
8. b3 {That move leads finally to one of the main lines.} Bd6 9. Bb2 O-O 10.
Ne5 {This move is probably not dangerous - the exchanges are favourable for
black.} (10. Nbd2 Ne4 11. Rad1 (11. Rfd1 f5 12. Ne5 Nxd2 13. Rxd2 dxc4 14. Bxc4
Qe8 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. f3 b5 $11 {1-0 Holm,S-Kavalek,L/Germany 1980/EXT 97-B 
(55)}) 11... Qe7 12. Nb1 dxc4 13. bxc4 e5 14. Qc2 exd4 15. exd4 Ng5 16. Nxg5
Qxg5 $11 {0-1 Huebner,R-Dzindzichashvili,R/Wijk aan Zee 1979/MCD (57)}) (10.
Nc3 {seems to be the most energetical and quite the best.}) 10... c5 {A
standard reaction on white's last move. Now it's not easy for white to
stabilize the placement of Ne5.} (10... Qe7 11. f4 Ne4 12. Bxe4 dxe4 13. Nxd7
Qxd7 14. Nc3 Rad8 15. Rad1 Qe7 16. Qc2 f5 17. Ne2 h6 18. Rd2 $14 {1-0
Doettling,F-Kabatianski,A/Germany 1998/EXT 99 (51)}) 11. Nxd7 $146 {After that
move black doesn't faces any difficulties, as white has actually spent 2 moves
for an exchange, which is favourable for black.} (11. f4 Ne4 12. Nd2 Nxd2 13.
Qxd2 f5 14. Rac1 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Be7 16. Qe2 Qc8 17. h3 dxc4 18. bxc4 Qc6 $11 {
1/2-1/2 Kovacevic,V-Matanovic,A/Belgrade 1978/EXT 99 (40)}) 11... Nxd7 $11 12.
cxd5 ({Another possibility was:} 12. Nd2 cxd4 13. exd4 Nf6 14. Nf3 $11) 12...
exd5 13. dxc5 $2 {That is already a clear strategical mistake. The pawn
structure is stable,and white can always play dxc5 in order to put pressure on
black's central pawns. On the other hand,now black gets an excellent attacking
possibilities, as white hasn't completed development yet.} (13. Nd2 $142 Re8
14. Rac1 Qe7 15. Nf3 $11) 13... bxc5 {[%csl Gb7,Gd6][%cal Gd5d4]} 14. Bf5 (14.
Nd2 Re8 15. Qh5 (15. Nf3 d4 16. Rad1 Qf6 $36) 15... g6 16. Qh6 Be5 (16... Ne5
$5 17. Be2 Bf8 18. Qf4 Bg7 $15) 17. Bxe5 Nxe5 18. Bc2 d4 $36) 14... Re8 {
All black's pieces are into the game, so d5-d4 seems to be very strong.} 15.
Rd1 {White is playing with a fire! His monarch is in a great danger, as there
is no defenders at all. That's why it was necessary to bring Nb1 to defend on
Kg1.} ({Black is ahead in the development,so any combinations like} 15. Bxg7
Kxg7 16. Qg4+ Kh8 17. Bxd7 Rg8 18. Qh3 Be5 $17 {are dangerous only for white.})
({but after} 15. Nd2 Ne5 16. Rad1 Qg5 (16... d4 $6 17. Be4) (16... Qh4 17. g3
Qg5 18. Bh3 $15 {[%cal Gh3g2]}) 17. Bc2 $15 {white has chanses for a
successful defence.}) 15... d4 16. Na3 $2 {Now the knight is too far from the
kingside.} ({There was a last chance for 16.Nd2:} 16. Nd2 Qh4 (16... Ne5 $6 17.
Ne4 $1 $132) 17. g3 Qe7 18. Nc4 Ne5 19. Nxe5 Qxe5 20. Qg4 g6 21. Bd3 h5 22. Qh4
$15 {and white has a defensible position.}) 16... Ne5 17. Bh3 $2 {Missing a
last opportunity of decreasing black's attacking potential.} ({The only way of
play was:} 17. Nc4 Nxc4 18. bxc4 Qe7 $17 {although black's advantage is very
serious.}) 17... Qh4 $19 {Black's attack is already decisive.} 18. Nc4 (18. Qf1
Re6 $19 {[%cal Ge6g6]}) 18... Nf3+ 19. Kh1 ({After} 19. Kf1 Bc7 $19 {white is
also completely hopeless.}) 19... Bxh2 20. Nd2 Ng1 $1 {An elegant final blow.}
21. Qg4 (21. Rxg1 Qxh3 22. e4 Qh6 $19) 21... Qxh3 22. Qxh3 Nxh3 23. Kxh2 Nxf2
0-1

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Stefansson, Hannes"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2567"]
[Annotator "Lutz,C"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {Ftacnik} d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4
Nxg4 8. Rg1 f5 {Diese Variante ist sehr solide für Schwarz. Es entsteht eine
Stonewall-ähnliche Stellung, in der schon die g-Bauern getauscht sind. Beide
Spieler werden daher lang rochieren.} 9. h3 Ngf6 10. Rxg7 Ne4 11. Bd2 Qf6 12.
Rg2 Nf8 13. O-O-O Ng6 (13... Bd7 14. Ne5 Nxd2 (14... Bxe5 $2 15. dxe5 Qxe5 16.
f4 {nebst Nxe4 und Bc3.}) 15. Nxd7 Nxd7 16. Rxd2 a6 17. f4 Bb4 18. cxd5 cxd5
19. Qb3 Qe7 20. Rc2 Nf6 21. Ne2 Kf7 22. Ng1 Rhc8 23. Nf3 Bd6 24. Kb1 Ne4 $11 {
1/2-1/2 Kasparov,G-Nielsen,P/Reykjavik 2004/CBM 100/[Lutz] (36)}) 14. Qb3 $5
$146 {Ftacnik: 'Stefansson is presenting his opponent with a tough nut to
crack. Black is enjoying a good control of the center and if he manages to
develop the last pieces his chances will be promissing.'  Ein neuer Zug, aber
nicht unlogisch: Schwarz plant ...Bd7 nebst ...0-0-0, warum dies nicht
verhindern? Weiß hatte bislang verschiedene andere Züge probiert, aber ohne
durchschlagenden Erfolg.} (14. Bd3 Bd7 15. Rdg1 Bc7 (15... O-O-O 16. cxd5 Nxc3
17. Bxc3 exd5 18. Rg5 Rdf8 19. h4 Rhg8 20. Qa4 Kb8 21. Bb4 Ne7 22. Ne5 Bc8 23.
Bxd6+ Qxd6 24. Qd1 Qh6 25. f4 $14 {1/2-1/2 Dorfman,J-Fressinet,L/Vichy 2000/
CBM 79/[Lutz] (87)}) (15... Nxd2 16. Nxd2 O-O 17. c5 Bc7 18. f4 Kh8 19. Nf3 Rg8
20. Qf2 b6 21. Na4 Raf8 22. Be2 {1/2-1/2 Agrest,E-Thorhallsson,T/Reykjavik
2000/CBM 79 (22)}) 16. Be1 O-O-O 17. Kb1 Kb8 18. Na4 e5 $6 (18... dxc4 $5 19.
Qxc4 e5) 19. dxe5 Nxe5 $2 (19... Bxe5) 20. Nxe5 Bxe5 (20... Qxe5 21. f3 dxc4
22. Bxe4 fxe4 23. Bc3 Qh5 24. Bxh8 Rxh8 25. f4 $16) 21. f4 Bd6 22. Bxe4 fxe4
23. Bc3 Qe6 24. Bxh8 Rxh8 25. cxd5 cxd5 26. Nc5 Bxc5 27. Qxc5 $18 {1-0
Kasparov,G-Nielsen,P/Reykjavik 2004/CBM 100/[Lutz] (41)}) (14. Be2 Bd7 15. Rdg1
O-O-O 16. Be1 (16. cxd5 $5 Nxc3 17. Bxc3 exd5 18. Bd3 $36) 16... Kb8 17. Kb1
Ka8 (17... Rhe8 18. Ng5 $2 Nh4 $1 19. Nxh7 Qh6 20. Rg7 Re7 21. Rg8 Rxg8 22.
Rxg8+ Re8 23. Rxe8+ Bxe8 24. f4 Qxh7 25. Bd1 {0-1 Bykhovsky,A-Tyomkin,D/
Gevataim 1996}) 18. Ka1 Qe7 (18... Be8 19. Bd3 Rf8 20. a3 Qe7 21. h4 Nxc3 22.
Bxc3 Nxh4 23. Nxh4 Qxh4 24. Ba5 Rb8 25. c5 b6 26. Bxb6 Be7 27. Qa4 Rb7 28. Rg7
Kb8 29. Ba5 Qxf2 30. R1g2 Qxe3 31. Ba6 Rb3 32. Rxe7 Rb5 33. Bxb5 cxb5 34. Rxe8+
{1-0 Wells,P-Delemarre,J/Antwerp 1996/EXT 99 (34)}) 19. c5 $6 Bc7 20. h4 e5 21.
h5 exd4 22. Nxd4 Ne5 23. Na4 Ng4 24. Nxf5 Bxf5 25. Bxg4 Bxg4 26. Rxg4 Rhf8 $44
{0-1 Soffer,R-Wells,P/Budapest 1994/CBM 41 ext (77)}) (14. Kb1 Bd7 15. Ka1 a6
$2 (15... O-O-O $5 {Tyomkin,D} 16. cxd5 Nxc3 17. Bxc3 exd5 18. Bd3 Rhg8) 16.
Na4 $1 b5 17. Nb6 Rb8 18. c5 Nxd2 19. Qxd2 Bc7 20. Be2 $16 {1/2-1/2 Rowson,
J-Tyomkin,D/Tallinn 1997/CBM 59 ext/[Tyomkin,D] (39)}) 14... b6 (14... Rf8 $5 {
Ftacnik} 15. Kb1 (15. c5 Bc7 16. Qa4 Bd7 $11) 15... Nh4 16. Nxh4 Qxh4 17. f4
$13) 15. Kb1 Bd7 (15... Bb7 $5 {/\ ...0-0-0}) 16. Be1 Ke7 {Schwarz beschließt,
mit dem König im Zentrum zu bleiben, aber dort ist der schwarze Monarch nun
dauerhaften Bedrohungen ausgesetzt.} (16... Rd8 {Ftacnik} 17. Qa4 Nxc3+ 18.
Bxc3 f4 $132) 17. cxd5 exd5 (17... cxd5 {Ftacnik} 18. Ba6 (18. Nb5 Bxb5 19.
Bxb5 f4 $13) 18... Rhg8 19. Rc1 Nh4 $13) 18. Ne2 a5 {Schwarz will am
Damenflügel angreifen.} (18... f4 $5 {Ftacnik} 19. Rg1 fxe3 20. Qxe3 Rae8 $15)
19. Nf4 $5 {Ftacnik: 'Aronian is a very gifted player that feels the need to
unbalance black with a bit provocative solution.' Mit einem Bauernopfer kämpft
Aronian um die Initative.} (19. Qxb6 $2 Rhb8) 19... a4 (19... Bxf4 {Ftacnik}
20. exf4 Nxf4 21. Rg1 Ne6 22. Qd3 $13) (19... Nxf4 {Ftacnik} 20. exf4 Bxf4 21.
Ne5 $13) 20. Qc2 Rhg8 (20... Nxf4 21. exf4 Bxf4 22. Ne5 Rhc8 (22... Bxe5 23.
dxe5 Qxe5 $2 24. f3 {/\ Bc3}) (22... a3 {Ftacnik} 23. f3 Ng5 24. b3 $13) 23. f3
Nd6 24. Re2 $44 {und Weiß hat dank seines Ne5 und des unsicheren schwarzen
Königs Kompensation für den Bauern.} (24. Bb4 $5)) 21. a3 Kf7 $2 {Mit diesem
Zug wird deutlich, dass Schwarz den Faden verloren hat. Er hätte spätestens
jetzt auf f4 nehmen sollen.} (21... Nxf4 22. Rxg8 Rxg8 23. exf4 {mit den Ideen
Qxa4 und Ne5.} Bxf4 {Ftacnik} 24. Qxa4 c5 25. Bb5 $13) 22. Nd3 $16 {'!'
Ftacnik.} Ke7 $2 (22... f4 {Ftacnik} 23. exf4 Bxf4 24. h4 $1 (24. Nxf4 Qxf4 25.
Ng1 Nh4 26. Ne2 Qf5 $13) 24... Bd6 25. Be2 $36) 23. Bb4 {'!' Ftacnik. So kann
Weiß das Feld e5 freikämpfen und muss noch nicht einmal einen Bauern dafür
geben.} Bxb4 24. Nxb4 Kd6 25. Ka1 f4 26. Bd3 Rae8 27. Ne5 fxe3 (27... Nxe5 $2
28. dxe5+ Qxe5 29. Rxg8 Rxg8 30. Bxe4 $18) 28. fxe3 Qf5 29. Rg5 $5 $18 {
Aronian lässt sich keinen taktischen Witz entgehen.} (29. Nbxc6 $5) 29... Qxh3
(29... Qxg5 30. Nf7+) 30. Bxe4 dxe4 31. Nexc6 (31. Nbxc6 $5) 31... Qxe3 32.
Rd5+ Ke6 33. Rxd7 $5 {Eine kleine Königshatz zum Abschluss...} (33. Qh2 $5 Nf4
34. Qxh7 Nxd5 35. Ne5 $18) 33... Kxd7 34. Ne5+ Nxe5 35. dxe5+ Ke6 36. Qc6+ Kxe5
37. Qd6+ Kf5 38. Nd5 Qg3 39. Rf1+ Kg4 40. Qd7+ 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Andersson, Ulf"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E01"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. d4 a6 5. Qc2 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qb3 Bb7 8. Bg2
c5 9. dxc5 Nbd7 10. Be3 Nxc5 11. Bxc5 Bxc5 12. O-O O-O 13. Ne5 Bxg2 14. Kxg2
Qc7 15. Nd3 Qb7+ 16. Kg1 Bb6 17. Nd2 e5 18. Nxe5 Rae8 19. Qf3 Qe7 20. Nd3 Qxe2
21. Rad1 Qe6 22. a3 Rd8 23. Rfe1 Qh3 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Miroshnichenko, Evgenij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2599"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. e3
O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. d5 Na5 11. Nd4 Bd7 12. e4 c6 13. Re1 Rc8 14. Rb1 {Very
modest move, that tries to sidestep all possible problems along the a1-h8
diagonal.} (14. Bf4 cxd5 15. exd5 Nac4 (15... Nbc4 16. b3 Nb2 17. Qd2 Nac4 18.
bxc4 Nxc4 19. Qd3 Nb2 20. Qd2 (20. Qe3 $1 Nc4 21. Qe4 f5 22. Qd3 Nb2 23. Qd2
Nc4 24. Qd1 Nb2 25. Qb3 Bxd4 26. d6+ e6 27. Nd5 $5 (27. Nb5 Bxb5 28. Qxb5 Rc5
29. Qb3 Qd7 $13) 27... Ba4 28. Qxb7 Rb8 (28... Nd3 29. Ne7+ Rxe7 30. dxe7 Qe8)
29. Ne7+ Kf7 30. Qf3 $16) 20... Nc4 21. Qd3 Nb2 22. Qd2 {1/2-1/2 Banusz,
T-Boros,D/Budapest 2003/(22)}) 16. b3 Nd6 (16... Bg4 17. Qxg4 Bxd4 18. Rac1 Nd6
19. Bd2 Bf6 20. h4 Qd7 21. Qb4 Nf5 22. Ne4 Nxd5 23. Nxf6+ Nxf6 24. Rxc8 Rxc8
25. Bg5 b6 (25... Nd5 $5 26. Qa5 b5 $11) 26. g4 Nd4 27. Qxe7 Qxe7 28. Rxe7 $16
{1-0 Miton,K-Bobras,P/Lubniewice 2003/ (46)}) 17. Qd2 Na8 (17... Bf5 18. a4 a6
19. Rac1 Qd7 20. h4 Bh3 21. Bh1 h5 22. Kh2 Bg4 23. Bg2 Nf5 24. Nxf5 Bxf5 25. d6
exd6 26. Rxe8+ Rxe8 27. a5 Nc8 28. Nd5 Kf8 29. Bh6 {1-0 Miton,K-Kempinski,R/
Warsaw 2003/ (36)}) (17... Nf5 18. Nde2 e5 19. dxe6 Bxe6 20. Qxd8 Rexd8 21.
Rac1 Rd7 22. Ne4 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Nd4 24. Nxd4 Bxd4 25. Bb8 a5 26. Ba7 {1-0
Filippov,V-Nedev,T/Istanbul 2003/ (54)}) 18. Rad1 (18. Be5 Bxe5 19. Rxe5 Qa5
20. Re3 Nc7 21. a4 Na6 22. Rae1 Qb4 {0-1 Tkachiev,V-Ye Jiangchuan/Shanghai
2001/ (48)}) 18... Qa5 19. Ne4 Qxd2 20. Rxd2 Nc7 21. Bxd6 exd6 22. Rf1 Bb5 23.
Nxd6 Bxf1 24. Bxf1 Nxd5 25. Nxc8 Rxc8 26. Nf5 gxf5 27. Rxd5 {1-0 Rogozenko,
D-Ftacnik,L/Hamburg 2004/ (62)}) 14... cxd5 15. exd5 Nac4 16. b3 Nd6 (16... Na3
17. Bxa3 Rxc3 18. Bb2 Rc8 19. Rc1 $14) 17. Bb2 Na8 (17... Nf5 18. Nxf5 Bxf5 19.
Rc1 Bh6 20. f4 Bg7 $11) 18. Nce2 Qa5 19. a4 Nc7 (19... Nb6 $6 20. Bc3 $1 Qc5 (
20... Rxc3 21. b4 Qxa4 22. Nxc3 Qxd1 23. Rexd1 Rc8 24. Nce2 $14) 21. Rc1 Bg4
22. Qd2 Bxe2 23. Rxe2 Bxd4 24. Bb2 Bxb2 25. Rxc5 Rxc5 26. Qxb2 $16) 20. Bc3 Qb6
21. Qd2 Nf5 {Black can not fully equalize with advance of the e pawn, since
white bishop on g2 would become too strong.} (21... e5 22. dxe6 Nxe6 23. a5 Qd8
24. Nxe6 Bxc3 (24... Bxe6 25. Bxg7 Kxg7 26. Nd4 $14) 25. Nxc3 Bxe6 26. Nd5 $14)
22. Nxf5 Bxf5 23. Bxg7 (23. Rbc1 Bxc3 (23... Qxb3 $2 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. Nd4 Qxa4
26. Nxf5+ gxf5 27. d6 exd6 28. Rxe8 Qxe8 29. Bxb7 $18) 24. Rxc3 Rcd8 $11) 23...
Kxg7 $6 {Aronian was conciously taking a big risk, since tempting 23...Bxb1!?
looks like a good move.} (23... Bxb1 $5 24. Be5 (24. Bb2 Bf5 25. a5 Qd6 26. Qd4
f6 27. Qxa7 Qb4 $17) 24... Bf5 (24... Qxb3 25. Nd4 Qd3 26. Qh6 f6 27. Bf1 Qa3
28. Bxc7 $18) 25. Nd4 Bd7 26. a5 Qa6 $15) 24. Rbc1 Na6 $2 (24... Qxb3 $2 25.
Nd4 $18) (24... e5 25. d6 Red8 26. a5 Qa6 27. Qe3 Qxd6 28. Qxa7 $14) 25. Nd4
Bd7 26. Rxc8 Bxc8 (26... Rxc8 27. Rxe7 Qd6 28. Qe3 Nb4 29. Ne6+ Kg8 30. Nf4 $16
) 27. d6 $3 {[%mdl 64] A true bold from the blue, black pieces are passive and
badly coordinated.} Qd8 (27... Qxd6 28. Nf5+ Bxf5 29. Qxd6 exd6 30. Rxe8 $16) (
27... e5 28. Nb5 Bd7 29. Qe3 $1 Qxe3 30. Rxe3 $16) 28. Nb5 f6 (28... Kg8 29. b4
exd6 30. Rxe8+ Qxe8 31. Nxd6 Qd8 32. Bd5 Be6 33. Bxb7 $16) 29. Nxa7 exd6 30.
Nxc8 Qxc8 (30... Rxe1+ 31. Qxe1 Qxc8 32. Qe7+ Kh6 33. Bxb7 Qc1+ 34. Kg2 $18)
31. Rxe8 Qxe8 32. Qxd6 {White is winning, since extra pawn and misserable
location of the knight a6 give him massive advantage.} Qe1+ 33. Bf1 Qb4 (33...
Nb4 34. Qd7+ Kh6 35. Qxb7 $18) 34. Qd7+ Kh6 (34... Kh8 35. Qf7 Qd6 36. Bc4 Qd8
37. Qxb7 $18) 35. Qf7 f5 (35... Qb6 36. Qf8+ Kh5 37. Qg7 $18) 36. h4 Nb8 37.
Qc4 Nc6 (37... Qxc4 38. Bxc4 g5 39. hxg5+ Kxg5 40. Bd5 b6 41. b4 $18) 38. Qxb4
Nxb4 39. a5 Nc6 (39... Kg7 40. Bg2 $18) 40. b4 $1 {Fine small combination in
the endgame. Black will be left with position that is impossible to hold.} (40.
a6 bxa6 41. Bxa6 Kg7 42. Bc4 $16) 40... Nxb4 41. Bg2 b6 (41... Nc6 $2 42. Bxc6
bxc6 43. a6 $18) 42. axb6 Kg7 43. Bf1 Nc6 (43... Kf6 $2 44. Bb5 Ke7 45. b7 $18)
44. Bb5 Nd8 45. Bc4 Nc6 (45... Kf6 46. Bd5 Ke5 47. b7 $18) 46. f4 Kf6 47. b7 h6
48. Kf2 g5 49. Bb5 Nb8 50. hxg5+ hxg5 51. Ke3 gxf4+ 52. Kxf4 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nyback, Tomi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2545"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4
d6 9. Rd1 Nbd7 10. Be3 Rc8 11. Rac1 a6 12. b3 O-O 13. Qh4 Rc7 14. g4 h6 15. h3
g5 16. Qg3 b5 17. h4 bxc4 18. hxg5 hxg5 19. Nxg5 cxb3 20. axb3 Bxg2 21. Qxg2
Qb8 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. Qxd5 Nf6 24. Qd3 Rfc8 25. Rxc7 Rxc7 26. Nxf7 Kxf7 27. g5
Qb5 28. Qxb5 axb5 29. gxf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.22"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E46"]
[WhiteElo "2657"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nge2 d5 6. a3 Be7 7. Ng3 c5 8. dxc5
dxc4 9. Bxc4 Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1 Bxc5 11. Ke2 a6 12. Rd1 b5 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. Nge4
Bb7 15. b4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A84"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. e3 f5 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. O-O Bd6 7. b3 {[%csl Gd6]
[%cal Gc1a3] In this opening line white is intending to exchange dark-squared
bishops via a3.} Qe7 8. Bb2 O-O 9. Qc1 Ne4 (9... Bd7 10. Ba3 Be8 11. Bxd6 Qxd6
12. Qa3 Qxa3 13. Nxa3 Bh5 14. Ng5 Re8 15. f3 Nbd7 16. Nh3 Bf7 17. Rfe1 a6 18.
Rac1 $14 {1/2-1/2 Balashov,Y-Iljushin,A/Elista 2001/CBM 83 (44)}) ({The most
popular continuation is:} 9... b6 10. Ba3 Bb7 (10... c5 11. cxd5 Nxd5 12. dxc5
bxc5 {1/2-1/2 Aleksandrov,A-Malakhov,V/Istanbul 2003/CBM 96 [Roiz,M] (40)}) (
10... Bxa3 11. Qxa3 Qxa3 12. Nxa3 Ba6 13. Rfc1 Nbd7 14. b4 Rfc8 15. b5 cxb5 16.
cxd5 Nxd5 17. Nxb5 Nc3 18. a4 Bxb5 19. axb5 Rc7 20. Kf1 $14 {1-0 Malakhov,
V-Gleizerov,E/Krasnoyarsk 2003/CBM 98 no vc (59)}) 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 12. Qa3 c5 13.
cxd5 Nxd5 14. dxc5 bxc5 {0-1 Yakovich,Y-Kharlov,A/Elista 2001/CBM 83 [Tyomkin,
D] (60)}) 10. Ba3 Nd7 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 12. Qa3 {If white succeeds to exchange
queens, the dark squares in black's camp will become vulnerable.} c5 $1 ({After
} 12... Qxa3 $6 13. Nxa3 {white has small, but stable advantage.}) 13. dxc5
$146 (13. cxd5 exd5 14. dxc5 Ndxc5 15. Be2 f4 16. exf4 Qxf4 17. b4 Qf6 18. Nbd2
Qc3 19. Qxc3 Nxc3 20. Rfe1 N5a4 $11 {0-1 Bareev,E-Jussupow,A/Prague 2002/CBM
89 (48)}) 13... Ndxc5 14. Rd1 b6 15. Be2 Bb7 {It can be concluded that black
has solved his opening problems.} 16. b4 Nd7 17. cxd5 exd5 $1 {Correct
decision.} ({After} 17... Bxd5 $6 18. Nc3 {white has some pressure.}) 18. Nd4
$6 {This is too solid. White should better try to put pressure on d5 pawn and
not close the "d" file for his rook.} (18. Nc3 $6 a5 {[%csl Ra3][%cal Gd6a3]})
({Comes to consideration} 18. Qb3 f4 19. Nbd2) 18... f4 $36 19. Nc3 Ng5 $1 {
The knight from g5 may cause troubles to white's king. White should be very
careful now.} (19... Nxc3 20. Qxc3 fxe3 21. Qxe3 (21. fxe3 $11) 21... Qxb4 22.
Qe6+ Rf7 23. Bh5 g6 24. Bxg6 $6 hxg6 25. Qxg6+ Rg7 26. Qe6+ Kh8 27. Rd3 (27.
Nf5 {[%tqu "En","Please enter a move for black.","","","g7g2","",10]} Rxg2+ $1
28. Kxg2 Qg4+ 29. Kf1 (29. Kh1 d4+ $19 {[%cal Rb7h1]}) 29... Ba6+ $19) 27...
Rh7 {and black can defend successfully.}) 20. Ncb5 ({Too risky for white is} 
20. e4 $6 Ne5 (20... dxe4 $2 21. Bc4+ Kh8 22. Ne6)) ({Also bad is} 20. Nf3 $2
Nxf3+ 21. Bxf3 fxe3 22. fxe3 Rxf3 $1 23. gxf3 Ne5 $40) 20... Qg6 21. Qd3 $5 (
21. Bd3 Qh5 $1 (21... Nh3+ $2 22. Kf1 Qh5 23. Be2 Qh4 24. gxh3) 22. Bf5 (22.
Nd6 f3 $40) 22... Rxf5 23. Nxf5 Nh3+ 24. gxh3 Qxf5 $44 {[%csl Rg1]}) 21... fxe3
22. Qxg6 $5 {Aronian decided to exchange queens even at the price of two pawns!
} (22. Qxe3 Rae8 {looks dangerous for white.}) 22... exf2+ 23. Kf1 hxg6 24. Nd6
Rab8 25. Rac1 {White has obvious positional compensation for the lack of two
pawns, but objectively speaking white is fighting for a draw here.} Nf6 26. b5
Nge4 27. Nxe4 dxe4 $6 {Radjabov wants to make his bishop active, but it looks
like 27...Nxe4 was objectively stronger not giving the Pf2 so fast...} (27...
Nxe4 $142) 28. Kxf2 Bd5 29. a4 Rbe8 30. Kg1 (30. Ke3 $6 Bf7 {[%csl Re3][%cal
Gf6d5]}) 30... Nh5 ({Comes to consideration} 30... Rf7 {covering the 7th rank.}
) 31. g3 e3 $6 {[%cal Gf8f2] This looks too hastily. Black is trying to create
threats to the opponent's king, but the pawn on e3 is now vulnerable.} (31...
Rf7 $5) (31... Nf6 $5) 32. Rf1 Nf6 33. Rc3 Rf7 34. Nc2 {[%csl Re3]} Rfe7 {
Black's pieces are now tied to defend the Pe3.} 35. Rd1 Re4 36. Rd4 Rxd4 37.
Nxd4 Re4 38. Nc2 Rxa4 39. Nxe3 Ra1+ 40. Bf1 Be4 {Black still has some chances,
but it's already very close to draw. Black can not organize a passed pawn on
the queenside.} 41. Kf2 g5 42. h3 Bg6 43. Rc8+ Kh7 44. Bc4 Be4 45. Ng4 Kg6 46.
Rc7 Nxg4+ ({Black could still continue the fight:} 46... Nxg4+ 47. hxg4 Ra3 {
though his winning chances are very low.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C52"]
[WhiteElo "2616"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[Annotator "Lukacs,P"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. Qb3 Qe7 (6... Qf6 $5 {
/\ Nge7 deserves attention as well.}) 7. d4 (7. Ba3 {is met by} Qf6 $1) 7...
Nf6 $1 {[%mdl 8] This brave developing move allows Bxf7!} (7... Nxd4 $6 {
is not so good:} 8. Nxd4 exd4 9. O-O (9. Ba3 Qxe4+ 10. Kf1 $1 $44) 9... Bb6 10.
e5 $1 {White has to open up lines against the K in the middle.} d6 (10... Qxe5
{helps only for White's plans.} 11. Bxf7+ Kf8 12. Nd2 Nf6 13. Ba3+ d6 14. Nf3
Qe7 15. Bc4 $44 {Wills-Jones, corr 1969}) 11. exd6 cxd6 12. Bd2 Be6 {
(Wills-Bramwell, Essex ch 1971)} 13. Re1 $44) (7... exd4 8. O-O (8. Ba3 d6 9.
O-O Bb6 {- 8.0-0 Bb6}) 8... Bb6 {We have reached a critical position.} 9. cxd4
(9. Bg5 {is certainly answered by} Nf6 $1 $15) (9. Ba3 {is the other main
continuation.} d6 (9... Na5 $6 {is premature:} 10. Qa4 Qd8 (10... Qf6 11. e5
Qf4 12. Nbd2 Nxc4 13. Nxc4 Qh6 14. Nxb6 $16 {and only the black Q has
developed yet, Sveshnikov-Orel, Bled op 1997.}) 11. Ne5 $5 (11. cxd4 Nxc4 12.
Qxc4 d6) 11... Nxc4 (11... Nh6 12. cxd4 $44) 12. Nxc4 $1 $44) (9... Qf6 $5) 10.
cxd4 {is the logical plan.} (10. e5 $6 {is too aggressive.} Na5 11. Qa4+ Bd7
12. Bb5 Bxb5 13. Qxb5+ Qd7 $17) (10. Bb5 $6 {loses the pace of the ->.} Nf6 $5
(10... Be6 11. Qa4 Bd7 12. cxd4 a6 13. Nc3 $44 {Cafferty-Corbyn, Birmingham
1963}) 11. cxd4 (11. Nxd4 Bd7) 11... O-O 12. Bxc6 (12. e5 $2 Nxd4 $1 13. exf6 (
13. Nxd4 Bxd4 14. exf6 Qxf6 $19) 13... Qxf6 14. Bb2 Nxb3 $19) 12... bxc6 13. e5
Nd5 $15) 10... Nxd4 11. Nxd4 Bxd4 12. Nc3 Nf6 (12... Bxc3 $6 13. Qxc3 Qe5 14.
Qb3 Nh6 15. Bb2 Qg5 16. f4 Qc5+ 17. Kh1 $44 {Eilmes-Harding, cr 1988}) 13. Rad1
{bringing the last undeveloped piece into action is more to the point.} (13.
Bxf7+ $6 {wins back one P, but helps for Black to finish his development} Qxf7
14. Qa4+ Bd7 15. Qxd4 O-O 16. f4 Bc6 {White has no real compensation for the
sacrificed P, as the following lines show:} 17. Rf3 (17. Rab1 Rfd8 (17... Rfe8
18. e5 Qg6 19. Rb2 dxe5 20. fxe5 Rad8 21. Qc4+ Nd5 $17) 18. Bb2 Rd7 19. Rbe1 a6
20. Qf2 Qg6 21. e5 {(Albano-Bonnick, corr 1987)} dxe5 22. fxe5 Ng4 $17) (17.
Rae1 Rfe8 18. Re3 (18. e5 Qg6 19. g3 Ng4) 18... Rad8 19. Bb2 Qh5 20. f5 a6 21.
Rf4 Re5 22. Rh3 Qf7 23. g4 (23. Rfh4 Rde8 24. Qd3 Bxe4 $19 {Harding-Oren, corr
1988-89}) 23... Rde8 24. Re3 d5 $17) 17... Rae8 18. Re1 a5 19. Bc1 b5 20. a3
Qc4 21. Qxc4+ bxc4 22. Rfe3 Nd7 $17 {Lobigas-Balinas, Manila 1968}) 13... Bxc3
14. Qxc3 Qe5 $1 {stops White's -> for a moment.} (14... O-O 15. Rfe1 Ng4 16.
Qg3 $1 Ne5 17. Bd5 $44 {^^}) (14... Nxe4 {allows the devastating} 15. Qxg7 Qf6
16. Bxf7+ Ke7 17. Qxf6+ (17. Bb2 Qxg7 18. Bxg7 Rd8 19. Bd5 Nc5 20. Rfe1+ $44)
17... Nxf6 18. Bc4 $44) 15. Qc1 (15. Qb3 O-O) (15. Qxe5+ {The _|_ can only be
better for Black.} dxe5 16. Bb2 (16. f4 Be6 $1) 16... Be6 $1 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18.
Bxe5 O-O 19. Bxc7 Nxe4 $15) 15... O-O 16. Bb2 Qe7 17. e5 Ne8 18. Rfe1 Be6 19.
exd6 Nxd6 20. Qc3 Qf6 21. Qc1 Qe7 22. Qc3 Qf6 {1/2:1/2 Plachetka-Rolletschek,
AUT-chT Austria 1994}) 9... Nxd4 $142 (9... Bxd4 $6 {gives up the ^^ in an
open position.} 10. Nxd4 Nxd4 11. Qd3 $1 Ne6 12. Ba3 $44) (9... Na5 $6 {
Now White's strong P [+] remains intact.} 10. Qa4 Nxc4 11. Qxc4 d6 12. a4 $5 ({
The natural} 12. Nc3 {was also worthy of attention:} Nf6 (12... c6 13. d5 $44)
13. Bg5 (13. e5 dxe5 14. dxe5 Ng4 15. Nd5 Be6 16. Qa4+ Qd7) 13... Be6 14. Nd5
Bxd5 15. exd5 O-O 16. Rfe1 Qd8 17. Re3 h6 18. Bh4 Rc8 (18... g5 $2 19. Nxg5
hxg5 20. Bxg5) 19. Rae1 $44 {and the pin on the h4-d8 /^ is rather annoying.})
12... c6 (12... a5 {was the other defence against a4-a5.} 13. e5 (13. Nc3 $5
Nf6 (13... Be6 14. Nd5 Qd7) 14. e5 (14. Bg5 Be6 15. Qb5+ Bd7 16. Qb3 Bc6) 14...
dxe5 15. dxe5 (15. Nxe5 Be6 16. Qb5+ Nd7 17. d5 Bf5 18. Ba3 $44) 15... Ng4 16.
Ba3 (16. Nd5 Be6) 16... Be6 17. Qe4 $44) 13... dxe5 14. Re1 {(Raudive-Kislov,
MK Cafe-B 1999)} Nf6 $1 (14... e4 15. Ba3 $40) 15. Nxe5 O-O $1 {Black
sacrifices the exchange in order to liquidate to a promising _|_.} (15... Be6
16. Qb5+ Kd8 17. Ba3 $44) 16. Ba3 Qe6 17. Bxf8 Qxc4 18. Nxc4 Bxd4 19. Ra2 Kxf8
20. Rd2 c5 21. Nb6 Rb8 $11) 13. Nc3 (13. a5 $5 {gains even more space.} Bc7 14.
d5 c5 15. Bg5 Nf6 16. Qb5+ $44) 13... Qd8 $5 (13... Nf6 14. a5 Bc7 15. d5 $44 {
and it is no doubt, that White has a good positional compensation for the P.})
14. a5 $1 {This is the beginning of a manoeuvre hindering Black's castle.} (14.
Ng5 Nh6) 14... Bxa5 15. Bg5 $44 {Sutovsky-Smagin, Essen 2001 CBM 83}) 10. Nxd4
Bxd4 11. Nc3 (11. Ba3 Qf6 $5 12. e5 $1 {White has to open the e <->.} Bxe5 13.
Nc3 Bxc3 14. Rae1+ Bxe1 15. Rxe1+ Kd8 {White has sacrificed already a R and 3
pawns!} 16. Bb2 Qh6 17. Qf3 Ne7 18. Qxf7 Re8 19. Bxg7 Qg6 20. Bf6 Qxf7 21. Bxf7
h6 22. Bxe8 Kxe8 23. Rxe7+ Kf8 24. Rh7 b6 25. Be5 c5 26. h4 d5 27. Rxh6 Ke7 28.
h5 $11 {Seger-Andersson, Sweden corr 1983}) 11... Nf6 (11... c6 $2 {is
certainly too slow in an open gambit position.} 12. Rd1 $1 Be5 (12... Bc5 13.
Na4 d6 14. Nxc5 dxc5 15. Bxf7+ $1 {This is the decisive blow!} Qxf7 16. Rd8+
Ke7 17. Bg5+ Nf6 18. Rxh8 $18 {Pfleger-Mendes, Lourenco Marques 1973}) 13. Ba3
d6 14. f4 $1 Bxc3 15. Qxc3 Qf6 16. e5 {opening up the lines and the diagonals
against the enemy K.} dxe5 17. fxe5 Qg5 18. Rf1 Nh6 19. Bc1 Qg6 20. Bxh6 Qxh6
21. Bxf7+ $18 {Fiorito-Gysi, corr 1992-94}) 12. Rd1 (12. Ba3 d6 {- 8.Ba3})
12... Bxc3 13. Qxc3 O-O (13... d6 $2 {runs into the typical blow} 14. e5 $1
dxe5 15. Ba3 c5 16. Bxc5 $1 $18) 14. e5 {other tries are clearly worse:} (14.
Ba3 d6 $17) (14. f3 d6 15. Bb2 Be6 $17) 14... Ne4 15. Qd4 Nc5 16. Ba3 b6 $15) (
7... Bb6 8. Nxe5 (8. Bg5 $6 f6 $1 9. Bxg8 Na5 $15) (8. dxe5 $2 {is met by the
standard} Na5 {exhanging White's excellent B.} 9. Qb5 a6 10. Qa4 (10. Qd5 c6
11. Qd3 Qc5 $17) 10... Qc5 $17) 8... Nxe5 9. dxe5 d6 $1 {Development first!}
10. O-O {Other tries are inferior:} (10. Ba3 Qxe5 11. Bxf7+ Kf8 $17) (10. exd6
$2 Qxe4+ 11. Kd1 Bg4+ $19) 10... dxe5 11. Ba3 Qf6 12. Nd2 Ne7 $142 {/\ 0-0} (
12... Bd7 {This looks rather useless, the development of the >> has the
priority.} 13. Bd5 Ne7 (13... Bc6 14. Nc4 $16) 14. c4 Bd4 15. Qxb7 Rc8 16. Rab1
O-O 17. Nf3 Rfe8 18. Nxd4 exd4 19. f4 Nxd5 20. e5 Qg6 (20... Bc6 21. Qxc8 $1
$16) 21. cxd5 Bf5 22. Rb2 Be4 23. Qxa7 Bxd5 24. Qxd4 $14 {Wills-Hopewell, corr
1969-70}) 13. Nf3 O-O {This is the safest option.} (13... Bg4 $5 14. Bxf7+ (14.
Bxe7 Kxe7) 14... Kf8 $1 15. Bc4 (15. Bxe7+ Kxe7) 15... Bxf3 16. gxf3 g6 (16...
Qxf3 17. Be6 $1) 17. Rad1 $44) (13... Nc6 14. Rad1 Bg4 15. Rd3 $44) 14. Qb5 Be6
15. Bxe6 fxe6 $11) 8. dxe5 (8. Ba3 d6 9. d5 (9. O-O O-O $17) (9. dxe5 Nxe5 10.
Nxe5 Qxe5 11. Bxf7+ Ke7 12. O-O Rf8 $17) 9... Nd4 $1 10. Nxd4 exd4 11. Qb5+ Kf8
12. Qxa5 Qxe4+ 13. Kf1 (13. Kd1 Bf5 $19) 13... Bh3 $19) 8... Nxe5 9. Nxe5 Qxe5
10. Bxf7+ Ke7 $1 {/\ Rf8} (10... Kf8 {ruins Black's development.} 11. O-O (11.
f3 Bb6) 11... Nxe4 (11... Qxe4 12. Nd2 $44) 12. Be3 (12. Bd5 Nf6 13. c4 d6 14.
Bb2 Qf4) 12... Bb6 13. Nd2 $44) 11. O-O Rf8 12. Bd5 $5 (12. f4 $143 Qxe4 13.
Bc4 (13. Bd2 Bb6+ 14. Kh1 Ng4) 13... Re8 {/\ Kf8 and the black K reaches
safety.} 14. Qa3+ d6 $17) (12. Bc4 $143 Ng4 $1 {Black's counterattack is
successful.} 13. f4 Qc5+ 14. Kh1 Nf2+ 15. Rxf2 Qxf2 16. Qd1 Re8 $17) 12... Bb6
13. h3 $2 (13. Nd2 $2 {loses to} Ng4 $1 $19) (13. Kh1 Nxd5 14. exd5 Rxf2 $15 {
was also not rosy, but still preferable than the game continuation.}) 13... d6
$1 {/\ Bh3 and suddenly Black's -> becomes very dangerous despite of his K in
the middle!} 14. Na3 (14. Nd2 Bxh3 $1 $19) (14. Kh1 c6 15. Bc4 Nxe4 $19) (14.
a4 Bxh3 15. a5 Qg3 $19) 14... Bxh3 $1 $19 {White's K is in clear and present
danger.} 15. c4 (15. Bxb7 Ng4 $19) (15. gxh3 Qg3+ 16. Kh1 Qxh3+ 17. Kg1 Ng4 $19
) 15... Bd7 (15... Ng4 16. Qxh3 Rxf2 $19 {was also enough for a win.}) 16. c5 (
16. Bb2 Qh5 {/\ Ng4}) 16... Bxc5 $1 (16... Ng4 17. Qh3 Bxc5 $44) 17. Nc4 Qh5
$19 {and White has no -> at all.} 18. Qg3 Qg4 19. Qd3 c6 20. e5 Nxd5 21. exd6+
Kd8 {The K is safe, White is a clear piece down.} 22. Qb3 b5 23. Ne5 Qh4 24.
Qc2 Bxd6 25. g3 Qa4 26. Qb2 Qb4 27. Nxc6+ Bxc6 28. Qxg7 Qe4 29. Bg5+ Ne7 30. f3
Rxf3 31. Bxe7+ Qxe7 0-1

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2602"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qa4 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Rc8 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. Nb3 Be4 14. Qc3 Nd5
15. Qc1 Nb4 16. Qc3 Nd5 17. Qd2 Bb4 18. Qd1 c5 19. a3 c4 20. axb4 cxb3 21. Qxb3
Qd6 22. Ne5 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 Nxb4 24. e3 f6 25. Nd3 Nxd3 26. Qxd3 Rc6 27. Rfc1 Qc7
28. Rc5 Rxc5 29. dxc5 Qc6+ 30. Kg1 Qxc5 31. Rxa6 Qc1+ 32. Kg2 Qxb2 33. Rxe6 Qa2
34. Rb6 Qa8+ 35. Kg1 Rc8 36. Qb1 Rb8 37. Rxb5 Rxb5 38. Qxb5 Qa1+ 39. Qf1 Qc3
40. Qd1 Qc6 41. Qb3+ Kf8 42. Qd3 g6 43. e4 Kg7 44. Kg2 h5 45. Qd5 Qc7 46. Qe6
Qb7 47. f4 f5 48. Qe5+ Kh7 49. Qd5 Qb2+ 50. Kh3 fxe4 51. Qxe4 Qg7 52. Qe6 Qf8
53. Kg2 Qa8+ 54. Kf2 Qh1 55. Qh3 Qd1 56. Qf1 Qd4+ 57. Kf3 Qc3+ 58. Ke4 Qc2+
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Istratescu, Andrei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E45"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 b6 5. Nge2 Ba6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Nxc3 d5 8.
Qf3 O-O 9. g4 $5 {With bishops pair white can even afford to start such an
original attack, the main condition is to develop own pieces in time.} Bb7 10.
g5 Ne4 11. Nxe4 dxe4 12. Qg3 f5 13. Bd2 {Aronian is improving the game from
the start of the europena championship. White will open up the position in a
suitable moment.} (13. gxf6 Rxf6 14. Bd2 Rg6 15. Qf4 Nd7 16. Bc3 e5 $1 17. Qf5
(17. dxe5 Qe7 18. h4 Rf8 19. Qh2 Rf5 $11) 17... exd4 18. Bxd4 Qe7 19. Bh3 Nc5
20. Bxc5 bxc5 21. Qd7 Qe5 {0-1 Mamedyarov,S-Istratescu,A/Antalya 2004/ (44)})
13... a5 14. h4 Qd6 (14... f4 $5 15. Qg4 Qd6 16. O-O-O Nc6 17. Bc3 Ne7 18. Bh3
$14) 15. Be2 Nd7 (15... f4 16. Qg4 (16. exf4 e3 17. Bxe3 Bxh1 18. f3 Nc6 19.
O-O-O Ne7 $17) 16... f3 17. Bf1 Nd7 18. O-O-O $14) 16. O-O-O Rae8 (16... f4 17.
exf4 e3 18. fxe3 Bxh1 19. Rxh1 c5 20. g6 h6 21. Bc3 $14) 17. h5 (17. Qxd6 cxd6
18. h5 Rc8 19. b3 d5 20. Kb2 $14) 17... Qxg3 18. fxg3 e5 (18... c5 19. Bc3 Rd8
20. h6 $1 g6 21. d5 $16) 19. Rhf1 {[%mdl 32] In the following phase Istratescu
will make few half baked moves and land in a very difficult position.} (19. Bc3
f4 20. dxe5 f3 21. Rxd7 fxe2 22. Re1 Rf7 23. Rxf7 Kxf7 24. Rxe2 Ke6 $14) (19.
d5 $5 Nc5 20. Kc2 a4 21. Bb4 f4 22. gxf4 exf4 23. exf4 Rxf4 24. Bxc5 bxc5 25.
Rdf1 $16) 19... Rf7 (19... exd4 $1 20. exd4 e3 21. Bc3 Be4 22. b3 Rf7 $13) 20.
Bc3 (20. d5 a4 21. Kc2 $16) 20... exd4 21. exd4 Nf8 $6 (21... e3 22. d5 $14)
22. d5 $1 Ba6 (22... a4 $1 23. Kd2 Nd7 24. Ke3 $14) 23. b4 axb4 24. axb4 g6 25.
Kc2 Bc8 26. Ra1 h6 $6 {The exaemplary case of positional desperation, black
realized the hopelessnes of his situation.} (26... gxh5 27. Bxh5 Ng6 28. Ra8
Kf8 29. Bf6 Bd7 30. Ra7 Rc8 31. Kd2 $18) 27. hxg6 (27. gxh6 g5 28. Ra7 Kh7 29.
Bd4 Ree7 30. c5 bxc5 31. Bxc5 Rd7 32. Ra8 Rd8 33. Bg4 $18) 27... Nxg6 28. Rh1
f4 (28... hxg5 29. Rh6 Ne5 30. Rah1 Kf8 31. Rh8+ Ke7 32. Bxe5 $18) (28... Rh7
29. gxh6 Kf7 30. Ra7 Re7 31. Bd4 $18) 29. Rxh6 f3 (29... Bf5 30. g4 Ne5 31.
gxf5 Rxf5 32. Rah1 $18) 30. Rxg6+ Kf8 (30... Kh7 $2 31. Rh6+ Kg8 32. Rh8#) 31.
b5 $1 {The defender will get no rest in this game, white's bishops are the
heroes of the position.} Rh7 (31... fxe2 32. Bb4+ Ree7 33. Ra8 $18) 32. Rf6+
Kg8 (32... Ke7 33. Bf1 Rh2+ 34. Kb3 $18) 33. Bxf3 exf3 34. Rxf3 Bg4 35. Rf4 Bh5
36. Kb3 Bg6 37. Rh4 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[PlyCount "162"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Nc6 8. e3
O-O 9. Nc3 Re8 10. d5 Na5 11. Nd4 Bd7 12. b4 Nac4 13. a4 a5 14. b5 Qc8 15. Re1
e5 16. Nb3 c6 17. dxc6 bxc6 18. Ra2 cxb5 19. axb5 Ra7 20. Nd2 Nxd2 21. Bxd2 Be6
22. Rc2 Bb3 23. Bc6 Rd8 24. e4 Rc7 25. Nd5 Nxd5 26. exd5 Bxc2 27. Qxc2 Rxd5 28.
Qa2 Rc5 29. Be3 R5xc6 30. bxc6 Rxc6 31. Qxa5 h5 32. h4 Bf6 33. Qd5 Qe6 34. Qxe6
Rxe6 35. Kg2 Be7 36. Rc1 Ra6 37. Rc8+ Kg7 38. Bc5 Bf6 39. Bf8+ Kh7 40. Rc7 Re6
41. Bb4 Kg7 42. Bc3 Re8 43. Rc6 Re6 44. Rxe6 fxe6 45. Kf1 e4 46. Bxf6+ Kxf6 47.
Ke2 Ke5 48. Ke3 Kd5 49. Kf4 Kd4 50. g4 e5+ 51. Kg5 hxg4 52. Kxg4 Kd3 53. Kg5
Ke2 54. Kxg6 Kxf2 55. h5 e3 56. h6 e2 57. h7 e1=Q 58. h8=Q Qe4+ 59. Kf6 Qf3+
60. Ke6 e4 61. Qb2+ Kg3 62. Qe5+ Qf4 63. Qa1 Kf2 64. Qd4+ Kg2 65. Qg7+ Kf3 66.
Qa1 Qh6+ 67. Kd5 Qd2+ 68. Ke5 Qh2+ 69. Kf5 Qh3+ 70. Kg5 e3 71. Qf6+ Kg3 72.
Qe5+ Kf2 73. Qd4 Qf3 74. Kh4 Qh1+ 75. Kg4 Qg2+ 76. Kh5 Qg3 77. Qc5 Qf4 78. Qb6
Kg3 79. Qg6+ Kh3 80. Qd3 Qe5+ 81. Kh6 Kg3 0-1

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Macieja, Bartlomiej"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2633"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Ne7 11. O-O c6 12. Bd3 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Bf5 14. Nh4 Bxd3
15. Qxd3 Qd7 16. f4 Qg4 17. g3 f6 18. Rab1 Rf7 19. a4 Raf8 20. a5 Bxa5 21. Rxb7
Bb6 22. exf6 gxf6 23. Rxe7 Rxe7 24. Nf5 Rxe3 25. Nxe3 Qg6 26. f5 Qe8 27. Re1
Rf7 28. Kf2 Re7 29. Ng4 Kf7 30. Re6 Rxe6 31. fxe6+ Qxe6 32. Qxh7+ Ke8 33. Qg6+
Ke7 34. Nh6 c5 35. Nf5+ Kd7 36. h4 Ba5 37. g4 Bxc3 38. Qg7+ Kc6 39. Qxa7 Qe1+
40. Kg2 Qe2+ 41. Kh3 Qf1+ 42. Kh2 Qf2+ 43. Kh3 Qf1+ 44. Kh2 Qf2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch playoff Bronze 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Miroshnichenko, Evgenij"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D73"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2599"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2004.05.30"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. g3 c6 6. Bg2 d5 7. Qb3 dxc4 8. Qxc4
Bg4 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Rd1 Nb6 11. Qd3 Qc8 12. e4 Rd8 13. Qc2 e5 14. dxe5 Rxd1+
15. Nxd1 Nfd7 16. Ne3 Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Bxe5 18. Bd2 Bh3 19. Bxh3 Qxh3 20. Bc3 Bxc3
21. Qxc3 Qe6 22. Qd4 Re8 23. f3 Qe5 24. Qd2 h5 25. Rd1 Qc5 26. Rc1 Qe7 27. Qa5
Qf6 28. Qxa7 Qxb2 29. Rd1 Ra8 0-1

[Event "EU-ch playoff Bronze 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Istratescu, Andrei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D29"]
[WhiteElo "2587"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2004.05.30"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e3 a6 6. Bxc4 b5 7. Bb3 Bb7 8. O-O
c5 9. Qe2 Nbd7 10. Rd1 Qb8 11. d5 c4 12. dxe6 fxe6 13. Bc2 Bd6 14. a4 O-O 15.
axb5 axb5 16. Rxa8 Bxa8 17. Nxb5 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Bxh2+ 19. Kh1 Ne5 20. Qh3 Neg4
21. Bxh7+ Kf7 22. Rd7+ Ke8 23. Rd2 Qxb5 24. f3 c3 25. Bd3 Qb3 26. bxc3 Qxc3 27.
Bc2 Bd6 28. fxg4 Ne4 29. Qh5+ Ke7 30. Qh4+ g5 31. Qh7+ Rf7 0-1

[Event "EU-ch playoff Bronze 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.30"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Istratescu, Andrei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E45"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2004.05.30"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 b6 5. Nge2 Ba6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Nxc3 d5 8.
Qf3 Bb7 9. g4 c5 10. dxc5 Nbd7 11. cxd5 exd5 12. Bb5 O-O 13. c6 Ne5 14. Qf4
Nxc6 15. O-O d4 16. Bxc6 Bxc6 17. exd4 h5 18. gxh5 Nxh5 19. Qg5 Nf6 20. Bf4
Qxd4 21. Rad1 Qc4 22. Be5 Qg4+ 23. Qxg4 Nxg4 24. Bf4 Rfe8 25. h3 Ne5 26. Bxe5
Rxe5 27. Kh2 Rae8 28. Rd6 Ba8 29. Rfd1 Rg5 30. Rd8 Kf8 31. Rxe8+ Kxe8 32. Rg1
Rxg1 33. Kxg1 Kd7 34. f4 Kd6 35. Nb5+ Kc5 36. Nxa7 Bb7 37. b4+ Kc4 38. Kf2 Kb3
39. Nb5 Ka4 40. Nd6 Bd5 41. Nc8 Kxa3 42. Nxb6 Be6 43. Ke3 Kxb4 44. Kd4 Kb5 45.
Nd5 Bxh3 46. Nc7+ Kc6 47. Ne8 g6 48. Ke4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch playoff Bronze 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.30"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Miroshnichenko, Evgenij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2599"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2004.05.30"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. O-O Rb8 7. d3 a6 8. Rb1
b5 9. cxb5 axb5 10. b4 Ne8 11. Qd2 Nd6 12. a3 Bb7 13. Bb2 Nd4 14. Nxd4 Bxg2 15.
Kxg2 Bxd4 16. Ne4 Bxb2 17. Qxb2 Ra8 18. Rbc1 Ra7 19. Nc5 Nc8 20. h4 Nb6 21. Ra1
Qa8+ 22. Kh2 Qc6 23. Rfc1 Rfa8 24. Nb3 Qe6 25. Na5 Nd5 26. Qb3 c6 27. e4 Nc7
28. Qc3 Qd6 29. Rd1 Rf8 30. d4 f5 31. d5 cxd5 32. exd5 f4 33. Ra2 Ne8 34. Re2
Nf6 35. Qd4 fxg3+ 36. fxg3 Rc7 37. Kg2 Rfc8 38. Rd3 Rc2 39. Red2 R8c7 40. Kh3
e5 41. Qe3 e4 42. Rxc2 Rxc2 43. Rc3 Nxd5 0-1

[Event "EU-ch playoff Bronze 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.30"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Miroshnichenko, Evgenij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2599"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2004.05.30"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. c4 a6 4. Bg2 b5 5. b3 c5 6. O-O Bb7 7. Nc3 Qb6 8. d3 Be7
9. e4 d6 10. Be3 O-O 11. b4 bxc4 12. bxc5 dxc5 13. Rb1 Qa7 14. d4 Rd8 15. Qc2
Nc6 16. dxc5 Ng4 17. Bg5 Bxg5 18. Nxg5 Nd4 19. Qa4 Bc6 20. Qa5 Ne5 21. f4 Nd7
22. Rb6 Nxb6 23. cxb6 Qe7 24. Rb1 Nb5 25. a4 Qa3 26. Nxb5 Qc5+ 27. Kh1 axb5 28.
Qc3 Rxa4 29. h4 h6 30. Nh3 Qxb6 31. Qc2 Qe3 32. Rd1 Rxd1+ 33. Qxd1 Bxe4 0-1

[Event "EU-ch playoff Bronze 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Miroshnichenko, Evgenij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E65"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2599"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2004.05.30"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. g3 c5 6. Bg2 cxd4 7. Nxd4 d6 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. b3 Nc5 10. Bb2 Bd7 11. Qd2 a5 12. Rfd1 Qc8 13. Rac1 Bh3 14. Qe3 Bxg2
15. Kxg2 Re8 16. Qf3 Nfd7 17. e3 Ne5 18. Qe2 Nc6 19. Nd5 Qd8 20. Nb5 Ne6 21.
Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Qb2+ f6 23. c5 Nxc5 24. Nbc7 Rc8 25. Rxc5 Rxc7 26. Nxc7 Qxc7 27.
Rcc1 Qb6 28. Qe2 h5 29. Rd5 a4 30. bxa4 Ra8 31. Rb5 Qa6 32. Qb2 Ra7 33. Qb3 Kf8
34. Rc4 Ra8 35. Qb1 Ne5 36. Rc7 Qxa4 37. Rbxb7 Re8 38. Rb8 Rxb8 39. Qxb8+ Kf7
40. Qb3+ Qxb3 41. axb3 1-0

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.19"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2552"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[Annotator "Golod,V"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. e4 d5 6. e5 ({After:} 6. cxd5 exd5
7. e5 Ne4 8. Bd3 c5 {with rearrangement of moves we receive a position from a
game.}) 6... Ne4 7. Bd3 {In my opinion this line is better,than:} (7. Nf3) ({or
} 7. a3) 7... c5 8. cxd5 $5 {Besides,White has several alternatives:} (8. Nge2
$5 {You can see my annotations to Hillarp Persson,T-Polgar,J/Sigeman & Co,2000/
CBM 77(1/2-1/2)(29)}) (8. a3) ({and} 8. dxc5) 8... exd5 9. Nge2 cxd4 10. Nxd4
Nd7 11. f4 Qh4+ 12. g3 Qh3 ({Unexpectedly at once loses a game:} 12... Nxg3 $4
{because of:} 13. Qf2 {[%csl Gf2,Rg3,Rh4]} Nc5 14. Bc2 Nce4 15. Bxe4 dxe4 16.
Qxg3 $18) 13. Bd2 $5 ({On:} 13. Bf1 $5 {You can find ten games in Mega
DataBase 2004. For an example you can see my comments to Ahlander,B-Wedberg,T/
Stockholm,1999/CBM 73(1-0)(43)}) ({It was badly:} 13. Bxe4 $2 dxe4 14. Qxe4 Nc5
{with strong initiative behind pawn.}) 13... Nxd2 ({Also in this position were
checked the following moves:} 13... Bxc3) ({and} 13... Nxg3 $5) 14. Qxd2 Nc5
15. Bf1 (15. a3 $6 Bxc3 16. Qxc3 (16. bxc3 $142) 16... Qg2 17. O-O-O Bg4 18.
Rdg1 Qf2 19. Bc2 (19. Kb1 $5 $15) 19... Rac8 20. Kb1 (20. Qd2 $4 Qxd4 21. Qxd4
Nb3+) 20... Ne4 21. Qd3 Rc4 22. Rd1 Rfc8 23. Rhf1 Rxd4 $1 24. Rxf2 Rxd3 $19 {
Cramling,P-Xu Yuhua/Shenyang,2000(0-1)(35)}) 15... Qh6 $5 $146 {The queen
passes to more convenient position.} ({The game,which have reached this
position were continued as follows:} 15... Qh5 $5 16. Bg2 Ne4 17. Qe3 Bh3 18.
O-O Bxc3 19. bxc3 Rfc8 20. Rac1 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Rc4 22. f5 $132 {Cramling,P-Xu
Yuhua/Shenyang,2000(1-0)(77)}) 16. Bg2 ({A little prematurely:} 16. a3 $6 {
in view of:} Ne4 $1 (16... Bxc3 $143 17. Qxc3 Ne4 18. Qb3 $13 (18. Qe3 $143 Re8
{[%csl Re3,Gh6][%cal Ge8e5]})) 17. Qd3 (17. Qe3 $143 Bxc3+ 18. bxc3 Re8 {
[%csl Re3,Gh6][%cal Ge8e5]}) 17... Bxc3+ (17... Ba5 $143 18. Bg2 {/\0-0}) 18.
bxc3 Bh3 $15) 16... Qa6 $1 {/^a6-f1; ><d3,Ke1} 17. Qe2 ({It was weakly:} 17.
Rd1 $2 {because of:} Bg4 18. Bf3 Bxf3 19. Nxf3 Ne4 $17) 17... b6 {This move is
the "harbinger" of active actions in this game.} ({Leads to benefit of the
contender:} 17... Nd3+ $6 18. Kd2 $140 Nxb2 19. Qxa6 bxa6 20. Kc2 $1 (20. Bxd5
$6 Rd8 (20... Rb8 $2 21. Nc6 $16) 21. Bxa8 Rxd4+ 22. Kc2 Nc4 $44 23. Rac1 $140
Bf5+ 24. Kb3 Na5+ 25. Kb2 Rd2+ 26. Ka1 Ba3 $13) 20... Bxc3 (20... Nc4 $6 21.
Nxd5 $16) 21. Kxc3 Na4+ 22. Kd2 {+/=/+/-}) 18. Bxd5 $6 {After this inaccurate
move White will have to fight for equality.} ({It deserves serious attention:} 
18. Qxa6 $1 Bxa6 $140 19. Nc6 Bxc3+ (19... Nd3+ $143 20. Kd2 {+/=/+/-}) 20.
bxc3 $14) 18... Nd3+ $36 19. Kf1 $5 ({Leads to favourable complications for
Black:} 19. Kd2 $6 Rd8 $1 20. Bxa8 (20. Bxf7+ $143 Kxf7 21. Qxd3 Bc5 $36) 20...
Rxd4 21. Ke3 Bc5 $36 22. Kf3 $140 {[%tqu "En","Please enter the best move for
Black.","","","d3e5","",10]} Nxe5+ $1 23. Kg2 (23. Qxe5 $4 Rd3+ 24. Kg2 Rd2+
25. Kf3 Qd3+) (23. fxe5 $4 Bg4+) 23... Bb7+ 24. Bxb7 Qxb7+ 25. Kh3 Qd7+ 26. f5
(26. g4 $2 Ng6 $19) 26... Qxf5+ 27. Kg2 Qf6 $1 (27... Rd2 $143 28. Qxd2 Qf3+
29. Kh3 Qg4+ 30. Kg2 Qf3+ $11) 28. Rhd1 $140 Qc6+ 29. Kh3 Nd3 $1 $40 {[%csl
Yc6,Yd7,Rh3][%cal Yc6d7]}) 19... Bh3+ 20. Bg2 Bxg2+ {For Black it's certainly
favourable to exchange these bishops.} 21. Kxg2 $8 Rfd8 (21... Bxc3 $5 22. bxc3
Rac8 23. Qd2 Qb7+ $44 {/\Nc5}) 22. Ncb5 {Magnus Carlsen has chosen the
necessary knight for a jump on a point "b5".} (22. Ndb5 $6 Rac8 23. a4 (23.
Rhd1 $2 Rxc3 $1 (23... Bxc3 $143 24. Rxd3 $8 (24. Nxc3 $4 Rxc3 25. bxc3 $140
Nxf4+) 24... Rxd3 25. Qxd3 Bxb2 26. Rd1 $13) 24. Nxc3 (24. bxc3 $2 Qxb5 {
[%csl Gb5,Re2,Rg2][%cal Gd3f4]}) 24... Bxc3 $17 25. Rxd3 $140 $2 Rxd3 {[%csl
Ga6,Re2,Gg2][%cal Gd3g3]}) 23... Bxc3 24. bxc3 Qb7+ 25. Kg1 (25. Qf3 $4 Ne1+
26. Rhxe1 Rd2+) 25... Qd5 $36) {[%tqu "En","Find the best continuation for
Black?","","","d8d4","",10,"b4c5","",0]} 22... Rxd4 $1 (22... Bc5 $6 23. Rad1
Qb7+ (23... Bxd4 $143 24. Qxd3 Qb7+ 25. Qf3 $1 (25. Kh3 Qc8+ 26. Kh4 $14) 25...
Qxf3+ 26. Kxf3 Bxb2 27. Nxa7 {[%csl Rg8]} h5 28. Rxd8+ Rxd8 29. Rb1 $16) 24.
Nf3 Nf2 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8 26. Re1 Ng4 27. Qe4 Qd7 28. Nc3 {+/=/+/-}) 23. Nxd4 $140
Rd8 {[%csl Ga6,Gd3,Yd4,Gd8,Re2,Rg2][%cal Gd8d4,Yd4e2,Gd3f4]} 24. Qe4 {White
had no other worthy alternative:} (24. e6 $2 Rxd4 25. exf7+ (25. e7 $4 Nxf4+)
25... Kxf7 26. Qh5+ Kg8 27. Qe8+ Bf8 28. Qe6+ Kh8 $17) 24... Qc4 25. b3 Qxd4 (
25... Rxd4 $4 {is refuted by:} 26. Qa8+ Bf8 27. bxc4) 26. Qxd4 Rxd4 27. Rad1 {
/\Kf3-e2} Bd2 $5 {Levon Aronian uses a beautiful tactical dodge.} (27... Bc5 $5
28. Kf3 Kf8 (28... a5 $143 29. Ke2 Nb4 30. Rxd4 Bxd4 31. Rd1 Nc6 32. Kd3 $14)
29. Ke2 Nb4 30. Rxd4 Bxd4 31. Rd1 Bc5 $11) 28. Rhf1 (28. Rxd2 $2 Nxf4+ 29. gxf4
Rxd2+ 30. Kf3 Rxa2 31. Rc1 h5 32. Rc8+ Kh7 $15) 28... g5 $1 {Black provokes a
movements of pawn "f4" with the purpose to create of weakness in camp of the
contender.} (28... Nb4 $6 29. Rf2 Be3 30. Rxd4 Bxd4 31. Rd2 Nc6 32. Kf3 {
/\Ke4 +/=}) 29. Kf3 ({Also leads to equality:} 29. Rxd2 Nxf4+ 30. gxf4 Rxd2+
31. Rf2 $11) 29... Nb2 (29... gxf4 $2 30. Rxd2 Nxe5+ 31. Ke2 Re4+ 32. Kd1 f3
$16) 30. Rb1 Nd3 $11 31. Rbd1 {Drawn game is inevitable.} (31. Rfd1 $143 Nc5
32. fxg5 Ne4 {[%csl Rb1,Rd1,Rg5][%cal Ge4c3] =/=/+}) 31... Nb2 {This game was
very interesting and important for the theory of this variation.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.20"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2552"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. cxd5 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nxd5 6. Nf3 Nxc3 7. bxc3 g6
8. d4 Bg7 9. Bd3 O-O 10. O-O Nc6 11. Re1 Bg4 12. Be4 e5 13. dxe5 Qxd1 14. Rxd1
Bxe5 15. Rb1 Bxc3 16. Rxb7 Rad8 17. Rf1 Nd4 18. Bg5 Rd7 19. Rxd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.20"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B14"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2552"]
[Annotator "Dautov,R"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Qb3 Bg7 7. cxd5 O-O 8.
Be2 Nbd7 9. Bf3 Nb6 10. a4 a5 11. Nge2 Bf5 12. Qd1 $2 $146 {Eine merkwürdige
Neuerung, Aronian gibt seinen Mehrbauern kampflos ab und landet in einer
leicht schlechteren Stellung. Um die Variante beurteilen zu können, sollte man
die Komplikationen nach dem logischen 12.0-0 Bd3 13.d6 untersuchen.} (12. O-O
Bd3 13. d6 exd6 14. Bxb7 Rb8 15. Bc6 $1 (15. Bf3 Nbd5 $1 (15... Nbd7 16. Nb5 $1
Bxb5 17. axb5 Qb6 18. Qa4 Qxb5 19. Qxa5 $14) 16. Nb5 Nb4 17. Bd2 Re8 18. Bxb4
Bxb5 19. axb5 Rxb5 {Bezdan,T-Kiss,L/Hungary 1993} 20. Bxa5 Qxa5 21. Qc2 Qb6 $11
) 15... Nbd5 16. Qd1 (16. Bb5 $2 Nxc3 17. Qxc3 Bxb5 18. axb5 Rxb5 $11) 16...
Nb4 17. Bb5 Bc2 18. Qd2 Ne4 19. Nxe4 Bxe4 20. Ra3 Qb6 21. Qf4 Qb7 22. Rg3 Bc6
23. Nc3 $16 {Rogulj,B-Markotic,G/Porec 1994}) 12... Nbxd5 $15 13. O-O Qd7 14.
Ng3 Be6 15. Nge4 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 b6 17. Ng5 Rad8 {Mehr versprach Schwarz 18...
Bf5!.} (17... Bf5 $1 18. g4 (18. Qb3 Rad8 $15) 18... Be6 19. Re1 Rad8 20. Nxe6
fxe6 $15) 18. Nxe6 Qxe6 19. Re1 Qd6 20. Bg5 Bf6 $1 (20... h6 21. Bh4 Rfe8 22.
Bxd5 Qxd5 23. Bxe7 Rd7 24. Bb4 Rxe1+ 25. Bxe1 Bxd4 26. Qe2 $11) 21. Qd2 Bxg5
22. Qxg5 Nb4 $6 {Das folgende Springermanöver bringt Schwarz nicht mehr als
ein ausgeglichenes Endspiel. Mit 22...e6 könnte Carlsen seinen leichten
Vorteil (der schwache Isolani d4!) sichern.} (22... e6 $1 23. Qe5 Nb4 $15) 23.
Rad1 Nc2 $2 (23... e6 $1) 24. Re4 $1 Qf6 (24... f5 25. Rxe7 Nxd4 26. Rde1 Nxf3+
27. gxf3 $11) 25. Qxf6 exf6 26. g4 $11 Rd6 27. Rd2 Nb4 28. Re7 Rfd8 29. Rb7
Rxd4 30. Rxd4 Rxd4 31. Rxb6 Nd3 32. b3 Nf4 (32... Ne5 $6 33. Kg2 Rd3 34. Be2
Rd2 35. Kf1 $14) 33. h4 Kg7 34. Rb5 Rd3 35. Be4 Rc3 36. Rxa5 Rxb3 37. Rb5 $6
Ra3 38. a5 Ne2+ 39. Kg2 Nc3 40. Rb4 Nxe4 41. Rxe4 Rxa5 42. Rb4 h5 43. gxh5 Rxh5
44. Kg3 Rd5 45. f3 Rd7 46. Ra4 Kh6 47. Rb4 f5 48. Rc4 Re7 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.20"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2552"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "164"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6 3. e4 h6 4. Bxf6 Qxf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Qd2 d6 7. Nge2 Nc6 8.
a3 Bxc3 9. Qxc3 O-O 10. f4 e5 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. f5 g6 13. g4 h5 14. h3 Rd8 15.
Qe3 b6 16. g5 Qd6 17. Nc3 Qd4 18. Qxd4 Nxd4 19. O-O-O gxf5 20. Bc4 Kg7 21. exf5
Bxf5 22. Rhf1 Rf8 23. h4 c6 24. Ne2 Nxe2+ 25. Bxe2 Bg6 26. Rd7 Rad8 27. Rxa7
Rd4 28. Rh1 Rfd8 29. Re7 R8d5 30. Bd3 Bxd3 31. cxd3 Rf4 32. Kd2 e4 33. Ke3 Rf3+
34. Ke2 Rdxd3 35. Rxe4 Rb3 36. a4 c5 37. Re7 Rf4 38. Rb7 Rxb2+ 39. Ke3 Rbb4 40.
Rg1 Rbe4+ 41. Kd3 Rd4+ 42. Ke3 Rde4+ 43. Kd3 Rg4 44. Rf1 Rgf4 45. Rxf4 Rxf4 46.
Rxb6 Rxa4 47. Rc6 Rxh4 48. Rxc5 Rg4 49. Ke3 Kg6 50. Kf3 Rxg5 51. Rc6+ f6 52.
Rc4 Rg1 53. Rc8 Rg4 54. Rg8+ Kf5 55. Rh8 Rg5 56. Rh6 Ke5 57. Rh8 Rf5+ 58. Ke3
Kd5 59. Ra8 Ke6 60. Ra7 Rb5 61. Kf4 Rb4+ 62. Kf3 Kf5 63. Ra5+ Kg6 64. Ra8 h4
65. Ra5 Rb3+ 66. Kg4 h3 67. Rg5+ Kf7 68. Rh5 Ke6 69. Rh8 Rc3 70. Kf4 Kf7 71.
Kg4 Kg6 72. Kf4 Rc2 73. Kg3 h2 74. Kf3 Kf5 75. Rh5+ Ke6 76. Rh8 Ke5 77. Re8+
Kd4 78. Rd8+ Kc3 79. Rh8 Rd2 80. Kg3 Kd3 81. Kf3 Kc2 82. Kg3 Kd1 0-1

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.21"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Guseinov, Gadir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2548"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 c6 6. Nc3 d5 7. Qb3 Qb6 8. O-O
Na6 9. Qxb6 axb6 10. Na4 (10. cxd5 cxd5 (10... Nxd5 11. Nxd5 cxd5 12. Bd2 e6
13. Ne5 f6 14. Nd3 Bd7 15. Bc3 Kf7 16. Rfe1 Rfe8 17. h4 Bf8 18. e3 Bc6 {
1/2-1/2 Vojinovic,G-Grujic,L/Niska Banja 1996/ (43)}) 11. Bg5 e6 12. Na4 Nb4
13. Nxb6 Rxa2 14. Rxa2 Nxa2 15. Ra1 Nb4 16. Ra8 {1-0 Jukic,M-Lindemann,S/
Vienna 1991/ (16)}) 10... Nd7 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Bd2 $1 $146 {[%mdl 8] Very
natural move, that proves distinct white's advantage. Black has no
compensation for the inferior pawn structure.} (12. Nc3 Nf6 13. Bg5 Be6 14.
Rfc1 Nb4 15. a3 Nc6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. e3 Rfd8 18. Nd2 Bg7 19. b3 Ra5 20. Na4 b5
21. Nc5 Bc8 22. b4 Ra7 23. Nf3 {1-0 Goldin,A-Daniliuk,S/St Petersburg 1993/ 
(43)}) 12... Nab8 (12... b5 13. Nc3 Nb6 14. Nxb5 Nc4 15. Bc1 Bd7 16. Nc3 $16)
13. b3 Nc6 14. e3 e5 (14... Ra6 15. Rfc1 Rd8 16. Bf1 $14) 15. Nxe5 (15. dxe5 b5
16. Nc3 Ndxe5 $14) 15... Ncxe5 (15... Ndxe5 16. dxe5 Bxe5 17. Bc3 (17. Nxb6 Ra6
18. Nxd5 Bxa1 19. Rxa1 Be6 20. Nc7 $16) 17... b5 18. Bxe5 bxa4 19. Bf6 $16) 16.
dxe5 b5 (16... Bxe5 17. Bc3 b5 18. Bxe5 bxa4 19. Bd4 $16) 17. Nc3 Bxe5 18. f4
Bg7 (18... Bxc3 $2 19. Bxc3 Re8 20. Bd4 $18) 19. Nxd5 $1 {Excellent solution,
white gets a pawn and marvelous piece play. Guseinov will suffer terribly due
to lack of squares for his pieces.} Bxa1 20. Rxa1 Rd8 (20... Ra7 21. Bb4 Re8
22. a3 b6 23. Rc1 Bb7 24. Rc7 Bxd5 25. Rxa7 Nf6 26. Bc3 Bxg2 27. Kxg2 Nd5 28.
Bd4 Nxe3+ 29. Kh3 $16) 21. Bb4 Kg7 (21... Ra7 22. Rd1 Rxa2 23. Nb6 h5 24. e4
$16) 22. Bc3+ Kf8 (22... f6 23. Nc7 $18) 23. Nc7 Rb8 (23... Ra7 24. Bb4+ Kg7
25. Nxb5 Ra6 26. Nd6 $18) 24. Rd1 {Aronian has managed to completely paralyse
forces of his opponent.} b6 (24... Ke7 25. Bb4+ Kf6 26. Bh3 b6 27. e4 Rb7 28.
Nxb5 $18) 25. Bf6 Nxf6 26. Rxd8+ Ke7 27. Rh8 (27. Rh8 Nd7 (27... h5 28. Na6
Bxa6 29. Rxb8 $18) 28. Re8+ Kd6 29. Nxb5+ Kc5 30. Na7 Ba6 31. b4+ Kd6 32. Rxb8
Nxb8 33. b5 $18) 1-0

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.22"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Guseinov, Gadir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2548"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O Nd4 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. c3 Bb6 8.
Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 c6 10. Ba4 d6 11. d4 g5 12. Bg3 Nxe4 13. Nd2 Nxg3 14. fxg3 Be6
15. Bb3 d5 16. Kh1 g4 17. dxe5 Qg5 18. c4 Rd8 19. cxd5 cxd5 0-1

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.23"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Smirnov, Pavel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2601"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nc7 7. O-O e5 {
Das ist die Maroczy-Variante der Sizilianische Verteidigung, aber mit
umgekehrten Farben. Weiß hat eine schnelle Entwicklung, aber die schwarze
Zentrumsstellung ist fest und er kontrolliert sehr stark das Feld d4.} 8. d3
Be7 9. Nd2 Bd7 10. Nc4 f6 (10... O-O 11. Bxc6 Bxc6 12. Nxe5 Be8 $44 {Schwarz
hat in diesem Fall einige Kompensation für den Bauern (denn er hat das
Läuferpaar und die weißen Felder am weißen Königsflügel sind schwach), aber
ich bin gar nicht sicher, ob das ausreichend ist.}) 11. f4 b5 12. Ne3 Rc8 13.
a4 b4 14. Nb5 exf4 15. Bxc6 fxe3 (15... Bxc6 $5 16. Nxa7 Bb7 17. Nxc8 fxe3 18.
Nb6 (18. Nxe7 Qxe7 $44 {[%csl Gb7][%cal Gb7h1]}) 18... h5 $44 {[%cal Gh5h4]}
19. Bxe3 h4 $44 {1/2-1/2 Lputian,S-Perunovic,M/Neum 2002/CBM 90/[Ribli] (82)})
16. Be4 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Ge4h7] Der weißfeldrige Läufer soll nicht getauscht
werden.} (16. Bxd7+ Qxd7 17. Nxc7+ (17. Bxe3 $2 Nd5 $19 {[%csl Rb5][%cal Ra7a6,
Ra6b5,Rd5e3]}) 17... Rxc7 18. Bxe3 Qe6 $11) 16... Nxb5 17. axb5 Bxb5 18. Rxa7
O-O (18... Qd4 $2 19. Bf5 $16 {[%cal Rf1f4,Rf4d4]}) 19. Bxe3 $11 {Nach den
Vereinfachungen haben wir eine ausgeglichene Stellung - Weiß hat aktives
Figurenspiel, aber es gibt keine Schwächen in der schwarzen Stellung.} Kh8 20.
Qa1 {[%cal Ga1a5,Ga5d8] Die weiße positionelle Drohung ist 21.Qa5.} (20. Rf5
Bc6 21. Bxc6 Rxc6 22. Qb3 Rc7 $11) 20... Bd6 21. Rf5 (21. Qa5 Qe8 $11) 21...
Bd7 {[#]} 22. Qf1 $1 $36 {[%mdl 2048] Eine große Überraschung - Weiß bringt
die Dame am Königsflügel ins Spiel.} Qe8 (22... Bxf5 $2 23. Qxf5 g6 24. Rxh7+
$18) (22... Bc6 23. Bxc6 Rxc6 24. Qf3 Rc7 $11) 23. Rd5 f5 $1 {Schwarz muss
sich präzise verteidigen, sonst bekommt Weiß überlegenen Angriff.} (23... Qe6
24. Bf4 Bxf4 25. Qxf4 $16) 24. Qh3 {[%cal Gh3d7]} fxe4 (24... Bc6 $2 25. Rxd6
fxe4 26. Qg4 Rg8 27. Qh4 $18 {[%csl Rh8][%cal Rh4h7] Die weiße Drohung ist 28.
Qxh7+ und 29.Rh6#.}) 25. Qxd7 Qxd7 26. Rxd7 exd3 27. exd3 (27. Rxd3 Be5 $11)
27... Rce8 28. Bg5 (28. Bxc5 Bxc5+ 29. Rxc5 Re1+ 30. Kg2 Re2+ 31. Kh3 Rxb2 $11)
28... Be5 29. Be7 Rxe7 $1 {Dieses Qualitätsopfer bietet Schwarz vollwertiges
Spiel.} (29... Bd4+ 30. Rxd4 Rxe7 31. Rxe7 cxd4 32. Rb7 $16) 30. Rxe7 Bxb2 31.
Rf7 (31. Rxc5 $4 Bd4+ $19) 31... Re8 (31... Kg8 32. Rxf8+ Kxf8 $11) 32. Rfd7
Bd4+ 33. Kg2 b3 34. Rd8 Rg8 35. R5d7 (35. Rxg8+ Kxg8 36. Rd8+ Kf7 37. Rb8 b2
38. Kf3 Bc3 39. Rb3 {ist Zugumstellung zur Partie - siehe 39.Kf3.}) 35... b2
36. Rxg8+ Kxg8 37. Rb7 {[%mdl 4096] Schwarz hat nur einen Bauern für die
Qualität, aber der Bd4 und besonders der Pb2 sind sehr stark, so kann Weiß
seinen Materialvorteil nicht verwerten.} Bc3 {[%cal Rc3b4] Die schwarze
Drohung ist 38...Bb4 mit sofortigem Gewinn.} 38. Rb3 $8 Kf7 {[%csl Gf7][%cal
Gf7e6,Ge6e5] Nun komm der schwarze König ins Spiel.} 39. Kf3 Kf6 40. Ke2 {
[%cal Ge2d1,Gd1c2] Der weiße König strebt nach c2, er möchte den Turm befreien.
} (40. Ke4 Ke6 $11) 40... Kf5 {[%cal Gf5g4]} 41. h3 g5 42. Kd1 (42. Kf3 h5 $11
(42... g4+ 43. hxg4+ Kg5 $11)) 42... g4 43. hxg4+ Kxg4 44. Kc2 Bd4 45. Rb6 h5 (
45... Kxg3 46. Rh6 $11) 46. Rg6+ Kf5 47. Rg8 Be5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.24"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Smirnov, Pavel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C87"]
[WhiteElo "2601"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 d6 7. c3 Bg4 8. h3
Bh5 9. d3 Qd7 10. Nbd2 g5 11. Nf1 g4 12. hxg4 Bxg4 13. Ne3 Rg8 14. Kf1 h5 15.
d4 b5 16. Bc2 h4 17. dxe5 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Nxe5 19. Qf5 Nfg4 20. Nxg4 Nxg4 21. Bb3
Ne5 22. Bf4 Nc4 23. a4 Qxf5 24. exf5 Kd7 25. Re4 Rgb8 26. axb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.24"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Smirnov, Pavel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2601"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. b3 Bg4 7. Be2 Nbd7 8. O-O e6
9. h3 Bf5 10. Bd3 Bb4 11. Bb2 Bxd3 12. Qxd3 O-O 13. Rfc1 bxc4 14. bxc4 Qe7 15.
Rc2 dxc4 16. Qxc4 c5 17. Rac1 cxd4 18. Nxd4 Ne5 19. Qe2 Ba3 20. f4 Ng6 21. Nc6
Qd6 22. Rd2 Qxc6 23. Bxa3 Rfc8 24. Kh2 Qb7 25. Rdc2 h6 26. g3 Rc7 27. Ne4 Rxc2
28. Nxf6+ gxf6 29. Rxc2 Rd8 30. Bb2 f5 31. Bf6 Rc8 32. Rxc8+ Qxc8 33. h4 h5 34.
Qxh5 Qc2+ 35. Kh3 Qf2 36. Qd1 Qxe3 37. Qd8+ Kh7 38. Qc7 Kh6 39. Bg5+ Kg7 40. h5
Qf3 41. h6+ Kg8 42. h7+ Kg7 43. Bf6+ Kh6 44. Bg5+ Kh5 45. Qc2 e5 46. Qg2 Qxg2+
47. Kxg2 f6 48. fxe5 fxe5 49. Bf6 f4 50. Bxe5 fxg3 51. Kxg3 Kh6 52. h8=Q+ Nxh8
53. Bxh8 Kg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.24"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Smirnov, Pavel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C87"]
[WhiteElo "2601"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 d6 7. c3 Bg4 8. d3
Nd7 9. h3 Bh5 10. Be3 h6 11. Nbd2 Bg5 12. Qe2 Bxe3 13. Qxe3 b5 14. Bc2 O-O 15.
d4 Bg6 16. Rac1 Rb8 17. a3 Kh8 18. b4 Re8 19. Bb3 f5 20. exf5 Bxf5 21. c4 Nxd4
22. Nxd4 exd4 23. Qxd4 Ne5 24. cxb5 axb5 25. f4 Qh4 26. Re3 c5 27. bxc5 Nd3 28.
Rxd3 dxc5 29. Rxc5 Bxd3 30. Qxd3 Rbd8 31. Rd5 Rxd5 32. Bxd5 Qxf4 33. Nf1 Rd8
34. Qe3 Qxe3+ 35. Nxe3 Rc8 36. Nf5 Rc3 37. Ne7 g5 38. Nf5 h5 39. Bf3 Rxa3 40.
Bxh5 b4 41. Nd4 Rd3 42. Nf3 Kg7 43. Be8 b3 44. Ba4 b2 45. Bc2 Rc3 46. Be4 Rc4
47. Bd3 Rc3 48. Be4 Rc4 49. Bd3 Rc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.24"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Smirnov, Pavel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2601"]
[Annotator "Lutz,C"]
[PlyCount "184"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 dxc4 8. Bxc4
e5 $5 9. g5 Nd5 10. Bd2 exd4 11. Nxd4 O-O 12. Bxd5 $6 {Nachdem sich Weiß
direkt von seinem Läufer trennt, werden die weißfeldrigen Schwächen in seinem
Lager natürlich besonders deutlich.} (12. Nxd5 {0-1 Radjabov,T-Shirov,A/Leon
2004/CBM 102/[Lutz] (47)}) 12... cxd5 13. O-O-O Ne5 14. f4 Nc4 15. Nxd5 Bg4 16.
Bc3 {Konsequent gespielt, aber Schwarz findet einen Weg, das weiße
Figurenknäuel im Zentrum aufzulösen.} (16. Rdg1 Rc8) 16... Bxd1 17. Rxd1 Nxe3
$1 18. Nxe3 Bxf4 19. Ndf5 Qxg5 20. Kb1 (20. Re1 Rfe8 21. h4 Rxe3 22. Nxe3 Bxe3+
23. Kb1 Qf4 $17) 20... Bxe3 21. h4 Qf4 $17 22. Nxg7 {Weiß hat scheinbar noch
Angriff, aber Smirnov kann durch genaue Züge die weißen Hoffnungen zerschlagen.
} Rfd8 23. Nh5 Rxd1+ 24. Qxd1 Qf5+ 25. Ka1 Bc5 26. a3 Be7 27. Ng3 Qg6 28. Qd4
f6 29. Qd5+ Kf8 30. Nf5 Rd8 31. Qf3 Qg1+ 32. Ka2 Qd1 33. Qf4 Qd5+ 34. Ka1 Qh1+
35. Ka2 Qd5+ 36. Kb1 Qb3 37. Nd4 Qc4 38. Qe4 Rd6 39. h5 Rb6 40. Kc2 Bc5 41. b3
Qf7 42. Qf3 Bxd4 43. Bxd4 Rc6+ 44. Kb2 Qd7 45. Qf4 Qe6 46. a4 Kf7 47. Qf3 Qd6
48. Qe4 Qh2+ 49. Ka3 Qxh5 50. Qd3 Rd6 51. Qe4 Rd7 52. Bxa7 Qh3 53. Bc5 Qd3 54.
Qh4 Rd5 55. Qb4 Kg6 56. Bf8 Qb1 57. Qxb7 Qa1+ 58. Kb4 Rd4+ 59. Ka5 Qe1+ 60. b4
Qe5+ 61. Bc5 h5 62. Qc8 Re4 63. b5 h4 64. Qg8+ Kf5 65. Qc8+ Kg5 66. Qg8+ Kf4
67. Qf8 Qc3+ 68. Kb6 Rxa4 69. Qd6+ Kg5 70. Qd5+ Qe5 71. Be3+ Kg6 72. Qg8+ Kf5
73. Qh7+ Kg4 74. Qg6+ Kf3 75. Bc5 Qe6+ 76. Kc7 Qe5+ 77. Kb6 Re4 78. Qg1 Qe6+
79. Ka5 Qa2+ 80. Kb6 Re6+ 81. Kc7 Qe2 82. Qh1+ Kg4 83. Qg1+ Kh5 84. b6 Qe5+ 85.
Kb7 Qe4+ 86. Ka7 Qa4+ 87. Kb7 Re8 88. Kc7 Qf4+ 89. Kd7 Qe4 90. Qd1+ Kg6 91. Qd6
Rg8 92. Qd2 Qb7+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.24"]
[Round "3.6"]
[White "Smirnov, Pavel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2601"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 d6 5. c4 Nb6 6. e6 fxe6 7. Nc3 g6 8. Be3
Bg7 9. h4 O-O 10. h5 gxh5 11. Rxh5 Qe8 12. Rh1 e5 13. d5 Na5 14. Bd3 Bf5 15.
Bxf5 Rxf5 16. Qd3 Rh5 17. O-O-O Naxc4 18. Bg5 Rxh1 19. Rxh1 Qg6 20. Ne4 Rf8 21.
b3 Na5 22. g4 Rxf3 23. Qxf3 Nxd5 24. Bd2 Nc6 25. Ng3 e6 26. Nf5 Nd4 27. Nxd4
exd4 28. Re1 c6 29. g5 Ne7 30. Qh3 Nf5 31. Qd3 d5 32. Bf4 Kf7 33. b4 Ne7 34.
Qg3 Bf8 35. Bb8 a6 36. a3 Nf5 37. Qc7+ Be7 38. f4 Ne3 39. Rxe3 dxe3 40. Qd7 e2
41. Kd2 Qe4 42. Ke1 Qd3 0-1

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.24"]
[Round "3.7"]
[White "Smirnov, Pavel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2601"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ne7 10. h3 h6 11. Be3 Ke8 12. Rad1 Bd7 13. Rfe1 Rd8 14.
Ne4 Bf5 15. Nc5 b6 16. Na6 Nd5 17. c4 Nxe3 18. Nxc7+ Ke7 19. fxe3 Rd7 20. Na6
Bc2 21. Rxd7+ Kxd7 22. Nb8+ Kc7 23. Nxc6 Kxc6 24. Nd4+ Kc5 25. Nxc2 Kxc4 26.
Rd1 Bc5 27. Rd7 Re8 28. Rxf7 Kd3 29. Ne1+ Kxe3 30. Nf3 Re7 31. e6 Rxe6 32. Rxg7
a5 33. Rd7 Ke2+ 34. Kh2 Re4 35. b3 a4 36. Rd2+ Ke3 37. Rd1 axb3 38. axb3 Rb4
39. Re1+ Kd3 40. Ne5+ Kc3 41. Ng4 h5 42. Nf6 h4 43. Nd5+ Kxb3 44. Nxb4 Bxb4 45.
Re4 Bd6+ 46. Kg1 Bg3 47. Kf1 b5 48. Ke2 Kc3 49. Re3+ Kc4 50. Kd1 Kd4 51. Rb3
Kc4 52. Rf3 b4 53. Kc2 Be5 54. Re3 Bg3 55. Re4+ Kc5 56. Kb3 Kd5 57. Rxb4 Be1
58. Rg4 Ke5 59. Kc2 Kf5 60. Kd3 Bg3 61. Rxg3 hxg3 62. Ke3 1-0

[Event "NED-chT 0405"]
[Site "Netherlands"]
[Date "2005.01.06"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Okkes, Menno"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2353"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "2004.09.18"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Amstelveen"]
[BlackTeam "Breda"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NED"]

 0-1

[Event "NED-chT 0405"]
[Site "Netherlands"]
[Date "2005.03.19"]
[Round "8.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Stellwagen, Daniel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2512"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "2004.09.18"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Breda"]
[BlackTeam "Hilversum HSG"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NED"]

 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Iuldachev, Saidali"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2550"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Uzbekistan"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "UZB"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {That move has gained some popularity nowdays. The
main advantage of it compared to 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 is a stay of white's
kside knight on g1 - white may use that, advancing his Pf2 and seizing a space
on the kside after 3...e6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.f4 or 3...g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.Be3 b6 6.
Qd2 and f2-f4 later.} Nd4 {Ofcourse, this is the most principal answer.} 4. Bc4
(4. Ba4 $5 {--> is another interesting option, which was tested by GM Sergei
Tiviakov.}) 4... e6 5. Nf3 Nf6 ({Another popular continuations here are:} 5...
a6) ({and} 5... Ne7) 6. O-O ({Nothing promises:} 6. e5 d5 7. Nxd4 cxd4 8. Bb5+
Nd7 9. Ne2 Qg5 10. f4 $2 (10. Nxd4 Qxe5+ 11. Ne2 $11) 10... Qxg2 11. Ng3 Qh3
12. b3 Bc5 13. Bb2 O-O 14. Qe2 Qh4 $17 {0-1 Sedlak,N-Ermenkov,E/Subotica 2002/
CBM 87 ext (41)}) 6... a6 ({Immediate} 6... d5 $2 {is not possible because of}
7. exd5 exd5 8. Nxd5 $1 ({not} 8. Nxd4 dxc4 9. Re1+ Be7 10. Nf3 Nd5 11. d4 cxd3
12. Qxd3 Nxc3 13. Qxc3 O-O 14. Bf4 {1/2-1/2 Natter,S-Veselovsky,S/Wattens 1996/
EXT 2000 (14)}) 8... Nxd5 9. Nxd4 cxd4 10. Qh5 {with strong attack. For
example,} Ne7 (10... Be6 11. Re1 $16 {->}) (10... g5 11. Re1+ Be7 12. d3 $16 {
->} (12. Re5 $5) (12. Qxg5 $5)) 11. Qxf7+ Kd7 12. Re1 $16 {->}) (6... b5 7.
Nxb5 Nxb5 8. Bxb5 Nxe4 9. d4 $14 {0-1 Longson,A-Rowson,J/Port Erin 1999/CBM 74
no vc (34)}) 7. d3 {In my opinion, white can hardly fight for advantage with
such a quiet move.} ({More pretentious is:} 7. e5 d5 8. exf6 dxc4 9. fxg7 Bxg7
10. d3 cxd3 11. Qxd3 (11. cxd3 Bd7 12. Nxd4 Bxd4 13. Ne4 Bc6 14. Bg5 Qd5 15.
Rc1 Rg8 16. Bf6 Rg6 17. Bxd4 cxd4 $15 {0-1 Minasian,A-Parligras,M/Bled 2002/
EXT 2003 (56)}) 11... Bd7 12. Nxd4 Bxd4 13. Be3 Bc6 {--> 1-0 Tiviakov,
S-Fedorov,A/Wijk aan Zee 2001/CBM 81/[Tiviakov] (36) leads to a very
complicated struggle.}) (7. a4 d5 $1 (7... Qc7 8. h3 d6 9. d3 b6 10. Nxd4 cxd4
11. Ne2 Nxe4 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. dxe4 e5 14. c3 Bb7 15. cxd4 Bxe4 16. Nc3 $16 {
1-0 Tiviakov,S-Heberla,B/Warsaw 2002/CBM 92 ext (21)}) 8. exd5 exd5 9. Re1+ Be7
10. Nxd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd4 cxd4 12. Qh5 Be6 13. Rxe6 Nf4 14. Rxe7+ Qxe7 15. Qd1 O-O
$17 {0-1 Wang Yu-Harika,D/Calicut 2003/CBM 95 ext (46)}) (7. Re1 b5 8. Bf1 Bb7
9. d3 Nxf3+ 10. Qxf3 d6 11. Qg3 g6 12. Qh4 Nd7 13. Bg5 Be7 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15.
Qh6 Qf8 $11 {1/2-1/2 Heberla,B-Dziuba,M/Lubniewice 2002/CBM 91 ext (22)}) 7...
b5 {The most natural way of development-black exchanging white's bishop, while
Bb7 will be very powerful without an opponent.} (7... d5 8. exd5 (8. Bb3 Be7 9.
exd5 Nxb3 10. axb3 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Re1 O-O 13. Re5 Qc6 14. Rh5 f6 $15 {
0-1 Rausis,I-Benjamin,J/Luzern 1993/CBM 38 (40)}) 8... b5 9. Bb3 Nxb3 10. axb3
b4 11. Na4 Nxd5 12. Ng5 Bb7 13. Re1 Nf6 14. Qe2 Be7 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. dxe4 O-O
17. Bf4 Bc6 18. Red1 Qa5 19. Be3 $14 {0-1 Iuldachev,S-Mallahi,A/Tehran IRI
2004/The Week in Chess 515 (73)}) 8. Bb3 Nxb3 9. axb3 Bb7 10. e5 (10. Bg5 h6
11. Bh4 d6 12. Nd2 Be7 13. Bg3 d5 14. e5 Nd7 15. f4 g6 16. Nf3 d4 17. Ne4 Nb6
18. Qe1 Nd5 $15 {0-1 Tan,D-Fernandez Romero,E/Oropesa del Mar 2000/EXT 2001 
(61)}) 10... b4 $1 {The best answer on white's last move-black is fighting for
the central squares.} (10... Nd5 $143 11. Ne4 f5 (11... Qc7 $5) 12. exf6 Nxf6
13. Nfg5 $1 h6 14. Qf3 Bc6 15. Qh3 Bxe4 16. dxe4 Bd6 17. Re1 O-O 18. Nf3 Bc7
19. c4 $14 {1-0 Hamdouchi,H-Calistri,T/Bastia FRA 2004/The Week in Chess 495 
(27)}) 11. exf6 $2 $146 {[%mdl 16384] A dubious decision from strategical
point of view: the position becomes open, so black could exploit the power of
his bishops. At the same time, black's monarch will feel quite well in the
centre.} ({I would prefer:} 11. Nb1 Nd5 12. Nbd2 Be7 (12... d6 $5 13. Nc4 dxe5
14. Nfxe5 Be7 $11) 13. Nc4 (13. Ne4 O-O 14. Bg5 f6 15. exf6 gxf6 16. Bh6 Rf7
$15) 13... O-O 14. Nfd2 (14. Na5 Bc8 15. Qe2 f6 16. Bd2 Qc7 17. Rfe1 Rb8 $132 {
0-1 Shavtvaladze,N-Vouldis,A/Athens GRE 2004 (45)}) 14... f5 (14... f6 $142
$132) 15. Na5 Bc8 16. Ndc4 f4 17. Qf3 $14 {[%csl Rc8] 1-0 Gharamian,T-Wirig,A/
Clichy FRA 2004/The Week in Chess 482 (47)}) 11... bxc3 12. fxg7 ({After} 12.
bxc3 Qxf6 13. Bb2 Be7 14. Re1 Qg6 15. c4 O-O $17 {[%csl Gb7] black has a great
advantage, as white cannot neutralize the pressure of Bb7.}) 12... Bxg7 13.
bxc3 (13. d4 cxb2 14. Bxb2 Rg8 $17) 13... Bxc3 14. Ra4 {An original method of
activating the rook. Unfortunatelry for white, it doesn't change the valuation
of this position.} Rg8 $36 {[%csl Gb7,Rf3,Rg2,Gg8] Now it's clear,that Ke8 is
safer than Kg1!} 15. Bf4 $1 {White is trying to neutralize black's pressure on
Pg2 by putting his bishop on g3.} ({The alternative was:} 15. Rf4 d6 (15... Qe7
$5 16. Qe2 d6) 16. Qe2 {with the idea to meet} Be5 $140 {with a sacrifice:} 17.
Re4 $1 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 {with some counterplay, although black is still much
better.} Bf6 $17) (15. Be3 Qf6 16. Rf4 Qg7 17. g3 d6 $17) 15... Qf6 16. Bg3
Bxf3 {A transformation of black's advantage-now white's pawn structure on the
kside is ugly, so any endgame will be very hard.} (16... d6 17. Nd2 $15 {
[%cal Gd2e4]}) 17. gxf3 ({it's very important that after} 17. Qxf3 Qxf3 18.
gxf3 d5 $17 {[%csl Ra1,Gc3,Rf3,Rg3][%cal Yc3a1] white cannot attack the Pa6 as
''a1'' spot is under control of black. This means, that white has no plan and
is forced to wait.}) 17... h5 18. Kh1 Bd4 $6 {Cutting white's rook. Now white
is forced to weaken even more,as h5-h4 is a very unpleasant threat. At the
same time, that natural move seems to be inaccurate, as it allows white to get
some counterplay, which connected with b3-b4.} ({It was better to improve the
position by:} 18... d5 19. Qe2 Kd7 20. Rf4 Qg7 $17 {and white has no
counterplay at all.}) 19. h4 {[%cal Gb3b4] Now white has a plan of counterplay,
while black's pieces are not coordinated well (the Ra8 is still out of play).}
Ke7 {Connecting the rooks. But now black's king is not completely safe.} (19...
Qf5 20. Kh2 f6 21. Qe2 $15 {[%cal Gb3b4]}) ({Deserved attention a retreat:} 
19... Bc3 20. Rc4 Rc8 $15) 20. Qe2 {White has consolidated his position. Now
b3-b4 is practically unavoidable.} (20. b4 cxb4 21. Rxb4 a5 22. Ra4 Bc3 $15)
20... Rg6 21. Rg1 Rag8 {That sacrifice doesn't promise any advantage, but it's
hard to see any other reasonable idea.} ({Now} 21... Bc3 {fails to:} 22. Rf4
Qg7 23. Rf5 $1 $132) 22. Rxa6 {[%cal Gg3d6]} ({Only not} 22. b4 $2 Be5 $1 23.
bxc5 (23. Qe3 $1 Rxg3 $1 (23... Bxg3 24. fxg3 Rxg3 25. Qxc5+ Kd8 26. Qb6+ Ke8
27. Qb8+ Ke7 28. Qxg3 Rxg3 29. Rxg3 Qxh4+ 30. Kg2 $17) 24. fxg3 Bd4 25. Qe1
Bxg1 26. Qxg1 Qxf3+ 27. Kh2 cxb4 28. Rxb4 Rc8 $19) 23... Bxg3 24. fxg3 Rxg3 25.
Rxg3 Rxg3 $19) 22... Kf8 {That move forced in view of 23.Bd6+.} 23. Ra4 {
A good idea! After b3-b4 black couldn't keep his bishop on d4 for a long time.}
({White could also equalize after:} 23. Ra8+ Kg7 24. Rxg8+ Kxg8 25. Qe4 $1 {
(it's important to acticate the queen)} d5 26. Qf4 Qxf4 27. Bxf4 Bxf2 28. Rxg6+
fxg6 29. Bg5 Kf7 30. Kg2 Bd4 31. Bd2 $11 {the endgame should ended into a draw.
}) 23... Kg7 24. b4 cxb4 25. Rxb4 Kh7 {[%cal Gf6g7,Gf7f5] Black is intending
to advance his ''f'' pawn.} 26. Rg2 (26. Qe4 $5 Bc3 27. Rbb1 d5 28. Qf4 $11)
26... Qg7 ({White is out of danger after:} 26... d5 27. c4 Qf5 28. Kh2 $11 {
[%csl Gb4] because all his pieces are defending well.}) 27. Rb5 $2 {Missing
the last opportunity of activating the queen.} (27. Qe4 $142 $1 Bxf2 (27... Bc3
28. Rb8 d5 29. Rxg8 Kxg8 30. Qf4 $11) 28. Be5 $1 Qh6 (28... f5 29. Bxg7 fxe4
30. Rxf2 e3 31. Re2 R8xg7 32. Re4 Rg3 33. R4xe3 $11) 29. Bf4 (29. Rxf2 $4 Qc1+
30. Kh2 Qg1+ $19) 29... Qg7 $11) 27... f5 {[%csl Re4,Rh4][%cal Yf5e4] Now
white is in troubles again - he is practically unable to avoid the loss of Ph4.
} 28. Rg1 ({Maybe better was:} 28. c4 Bf6 29. Qe1 Qh6 (29... Bxh4 $143 30. Rh2
Bxg3 31. fxg3 Rh6 32. Rb7 $15) 30. f4 Qf8 $17 {[%csl Rg3,Rh4][%cal Gg6g4,Gf8d8]
although white's position is very hard.}) 28... e5 (28... Bxf2 $2 {leads only
to a draw:} 29. Qxf2 Rxg3 30. Qxg3 Qxg3 31. Rxg3 Rxg3 32. Rb7 $11) 29. f4 $2 {
That move leads to an immediate disaster.} ({More resistant was:} 29. Rbb1 Qf6
30. Rbe1 f4 31. Bh2 Qxh4 32. Rxg6 Rxg6 33. Rg1 Rxg1+ 34. Kxg1 Qg5+ 35. Kf1 Qf5
$17 {[%csl Rh2] although black's position seems to be winning anyway,as he is
practically a piece up!}) 29... Rg4 $19 {Now white cannot avoid a serious loss
of material.} 30. fxe5 (30. Rxe5 Bxe5 31. Qxe5 Rxh4+ 32. Kg2 Qxe5 33. fxe5 f4
$19) 30... f4 31. e6 {That allows an ellegant final blow, but white's position
was completely hopeless anyway.} (31. Qe4+ Kh8 $19) 31... Rxh4+ $1 32. Kg2
Qxg3+ $1 (32... Qxg3+ 33. fxg3 Rxg3+ 34. Kf1 Rxg1#) 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ehlvest, Jaan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2631"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Estonia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "EST"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 h6 7. Bd2 b6 8. cxd5
exd5 9. e4 dxe4 10. Ne5 Bb7 11. Bc4 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Qd4 13. Bxf7+ Kxf7 14. exf6
Ba6 15. O-O-O Bd3 16. Qb3+ Qc4 17. Qxc4+ Bxc4 18. Nxe4 Bxa2 19. Bc3 Bd5 20.
fxg7 Bxg7 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Nc3 Rad8 23. Nxd5 Rxd5 24. Rxd5 cxd5 25. Rd1 Rc8+
26. Kb1 Rc5 27. g4 Kf6 28. f4 Rc4 29. Rxd5 Rxf4 30. h3 Rf3 31. h4 Rf4 32. Rd6+
Ke5 33. Rxh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Dizdarevic, Emir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2538"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Bosnia&Herzegovina"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "BIH"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Bf5 4. c4 c6 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Qb3 Qb6 7. Qxb6 axb6 8.
Nc3 Nc6 9. d3 e5 10. O-O h6 11. Nb5 Kd7 12. d4 e4 13. Ne5+ Nxe5 14. dxe5 Ng4
15. h3 Nxe5 16. Rd1 Be6 17. Bxe4 Kc6 18. Nd4+ Kd7 19. Nf3 Nxf3+ 20. Bxf3 Bc5
21. Bd2 f6 22. Bc3 Kc7 23. Kg2 Rhd8 24. Rac1 Kb8 25. a3 Ka7 26. e3 Rac8 27. Rd2
Rd7 28. Rcd1 Rcd8 29. h4 Be7 30. h5 Bc5 31. Bd4 Rc7 32. Bc3 Rcd7 33. Bd4 Rc7
34. Bc3 Rcd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E46"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nge2 d5 6. a3 Be7 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Bd2 Nxc3 9. Bxc3 b6 10. Ng3 Bb7 11. Bd3 Nd7 12. Qc2 h6 13. O-O Nf6 14. e4 c5
15. dxc5 bxc5 16. Bc4 Nd7 17. f4 Nb6 18. Be2 Bf6 19. Rad1 Bd4+ 20. Bxd4 cxd4
21. Qd2 Rc8 22. Qxd4 Qxd4+ 23. Rxd4 Rc2 24. Rb1 Rfc8 25. a4 a5 26. Bf1 Nc4 27.
Bd3 Rxb2 28. Rc1 Ba6 29. Rdxc4 Bxc4 30. Rxc4 Rd8 31. Bf1 Rb4 32. f5 Rd1 33.
Rc8+ Kh7 34. Rc7 exf5 35. exf5 Rxa4 36. Rxf7 Rf4 37. Ra7 a4 38. f6 Rxf6 39.
Rxa4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Charbonneau, Pascal"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2490"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Canada"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CAN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Qd7 11. Nc3 Nd8 12. Be3 c5 13. Ne2 Ne6 14. Ng3 g6 15. c3
Rfe8 16. Bc2 Bf8 17. b4 cxb4 18. cxb4 Rac8 19. Rc1 Rc3 20. Bb3 Rxc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.22"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Sutovsky, Emil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2697"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Israel"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ISR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4 e4 7. Re1 Be7 8.
Ne5 O-O 9. Nc3 f6 10. Nxc6 dxc6 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Rxe4 f5 13. Re1 f4 14. c3 Bd6
15. Qh5 Bf5 16. c4 Kh8 17. Bd2 Bc5 18. Bxf4 Bxd4 19. Rad1 Bg6 20. Qg4 Qf6 21.
g3 Bc5 22. Re2 Rae8 23. Rdd2 Qf7 24. Bc2 Bh5 25. Qh3 h6 26. Rd7 Bxe2 27. Rxf7
Rxf7 28. Kg2 Bxc4 29. Qh5 Re2 30. Qg6 Rxf2+ 31. Kh3 Bf1+ 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D73"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c6 5. Bg2 d5 6. Qb3 a5 7. Bf4 a4 8. Qb4
dxc4 9. Qxc4 O-O 10. O-O Qb6 11. Qc1 Bg4 12. e3 Nd5 13. Nc3 Nd7 14. h3 Bf5 15.
a3 Qa5 16. Re1 Nxc3 17. Qxc3 Qxc3 18. bxc3 e5 19. e4 Be6 20. Be3 Rfd8 21. Reb1
b5 22. Nd2 Rab8 23. d5 cxd5 24. exd5 Bf5 25. Rb2 Nf6 26. c4 Bd3 27. Rc1 Bf8 28.
Rxb5 Rxb5 29. cxb5 Bxb5 30. Bg5 Be7 31. Rb1 Be8 32. Rb7 Nxd5 33. Bxe7 Nxe7 34.
Rxe7 Kf8 35. Rxe5 Rxd2 36. Re3 Rd1+ 37. Kh2 h5 38. h4 Bd7 39. Be4 Bb5 40. Rc3
Ke7 41. Rc7+ Bd7 42. Kg2 Kd6 43. Rc3 Bb5 44. Kf3 f5 45. Bc2 Rd2 46. Ke3 Re2+
47. Kf3 Rd2 48. Ke3 Re2+ 49. Kf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Mikhalchishin, Adrian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2512"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Slovenia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SLO"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. d4 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. Qc2 c5 8.
dxc5 h6 9. Bd2 Bxc5 10. e3 O-O 11. Bd3 a6 12. O-O Bd6 13. Rfd1 Nc5 14. Bf5 Be6
15. Be1 Rc8 16. Nd4 Qd7 17. Rac1 Be5 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. Bh3 Qf7 20. Nxd5 Nxd5
21. Rxd5 exd5 22. Bxc8 Rxc8 23. b4 b6 24. Qe2 Qb7 25. bxc5 bxc5 26. g3 Kh8 27.
Qc2 c4 28. Bc3 Bxc3 29. Qxc3 Rc6 30. Qd4 Rb6 31. Kg2 Rb5 32. Rc2 Rb4 33. Kh3 c3
34. Qe5 Rc4 35. Qe6 Rc8 36. Qf5 Qa8 37. Qd3 Rc4 38. Qf5 Rc8 39. Qd7 a5 40. a3
a4 41. Qe6 Qb7 42. Qf5 Qc6 43. g4 Rb8 44. Kg3 Rb3 45. Qf8+ Kh7 46. Qf5+ Kg8 47.
f4 Rxa3 48. Qe5 Rb3 49. h4 a3 50. h5 d4 51. Qxd4 Rb2 52. Qd3 Rxc2 53. Qxc2 Qc4
54. Qg6 a2 55. Qe8+ Kh7 56. g5 Qg8 57. Qa4 Kh8 58. gxh6 c2 59. Qa3 Kh7 60. Qc3
g6 61. Kf2 Kxh6 62. hxg6 Qg7 63. Qc5 Qf6 64. g7 Kxg7 65. Qc7+ Kh6 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Pelletier, Yannick"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E46"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2589"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Switzerland"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "SUI"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nge2 d5 6. a3 Bd6 7. Ng3 c5 8. dxc5
Bxc5 9. b4 Be7 10. Bb2 a5 11. b5 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Nbd7 13. Be2 Nb6 14. Qb3 e5 15.
O-O Be6 16. Qc2 Re8 17. Rfd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Shabalov, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2608"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "US of America"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. Re1 Bd6 13. g3 Bf5 14. d4 Qd7 15.
Be3 Rae8 16. Nd2 Bg4 17. Qb1 Bf5 18. Qc1 Re6 19. Nf3 Bg4 20. Ng5 Rg6 21. f3
Bxf3 22. Nxf3 Bxg3 23. hxg3 Rxg3+ 24. Kf2 Qh3 25. Ke2 Qg2+ 26. Kd3 Qxf3 27.
Bxd5 cxd5 28. Kc2 Re8 29. Bd2 Qd3+ 30. Kb3 Rb8 31. a3 Rg2 32. Rd1 Re8 33. Qb1
Qc4+ 34. Kc2 Ree2 35. b3 Qc8 36. Qb2 h5 37. a4 h4 38. axb5 axb5 39. Qa3 Qf5+
40. Kc1 h3 41. Qa8+ Kh7 42. Qd8 h2 43. Ra8 Rg1 44. Qh8+ Kg6 45. Ra6+ f6 46. Ra7
Rxd1+ 47. Kxd1 h1=Q+ 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nataf, Igor Alexandre"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E60"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2565"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "France"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c5 5. Bg2 cxd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. Nc3 Qc7 8. b3
d5 9. Ndb5 Qa5 10. Bd2 dxc4 11. bxc4 Qd8 12. O-O a6 13. Na3 Bf5 14. Nc2 Nc6 15.
Ne3 Qd4 16. Rc1 Be4 17. Nxe4 Nxe4 18. Be1 Nc5 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Qxd4 Bxd4 21.
Nc2 Bf6 22. Ba5 Rab8 23. Rb1 Rb7 24. Rxb7 Nxb7 25. Bb6 c5 26. Ne3 Bd4 27. Nd5
e6 28. e3 Be5 29. Ne7+ Kg7 30. Rd1 Bd6 31. Nc6 Rc8 32. Nd8 Nxd8 33. Rxd6 Rc6
34. Rxc6 Nxc6 35. Bxc5 Kf6 36. Bb6 Ke5 37. f3 Kd6 38. f4 Nb4 39. a4 Nd3 40. Bd4
Nc5 41. Kf2 Nxa4 42. e4 Nc5 43. Ke3 f5 44. exf5 exf5 45. Bc3 Ne6 46. Kd3 Nc5+
47. Ke3 Ne6 48. Kd3 Kc5 49. Ba5 h5 50. Bd2 Kc6 51. Be3 Kd6 52. Bd2 Nc5+ 53. Ke3
Kc6 54. Ba5 Ne6 55. Bd2 Nc5 56. Ba5 Ne6 57. Bd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.29"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2614"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Georgia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GEO"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. g3 Nc6 6. Nc3 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Ne4 8.
Qc2 Nxc3 9. Qxc3 O-O 10. Bg2 d6 11. d5 Nd8 12. O-O e5 13. e4 c5 14. Ne1 Bd7 15.
a4 a5 16. f4 f6 17. Nd3 Nf7 18. b3 b6 19. Rae1 g5 20. Kh1 Kh8 21. Re2 gxf4 22.
gxf4 Rg8 23. Qe1 exf4 24. Nxf4 Ne5 25. Qh4 Bg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2004.11.13"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Kuczynski, Robert"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2475"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "150"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Erfurt"]
[BlackTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O a6 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Re1
Ba7 9. h3 Be6 10. Nbd2 Bxb3 11. Qxb3 Rb8 12. Nf1 h6 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Nxe3 Qd7
15. a4 Rfe8 16. a5 Ne7 17. c4 Ng6 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. cxd5 Nf4 20. d4 f6 21. Kh2
Qf7 22. g3 Ng6 23. Qd3 Rf8 24. Kg2 Qd7 25. Rac1 Rf7 26. Rc3 Rbf8 27. Rec1 Qd8
28. R1c2 f5 29. dxe5 dxe5 30. exf5 Rxf5 31. Qe4 Qf6 32. Rd2 Ne7 33. Qe3 c6 34.
dxc6 bxc6 35. Nh4 Nd5 36. Qc5 Nf4+ 37. gxf4 Qxh4 38. Qxc6 Kh8 39. Rf3 Rxf4 40.
Rg3 R4f6 41. Qb7 R6f7 42. Qd5 e4 43. Qd4 Qf4 44. Re2 Qf3+ 45. Rxf3 exf3+ 46.
Kf1 fxe2+ 47. Kxe2 Rf4 48. Qb6 R8f6 49. Qc5 R6f5 50. Qb6 Rb5 51. Qd8+ Kh7 52.
Qd3+ Kh8 53. Qd8+ Kh7 54. Qd3+ Kg8 55. b3 Rf8 56. Qc4+ Kh8 57. b4 Rfb8 58. Kf1
Rxb4 59. Qxa6 Ra4 60. Kg2 Rf8 61. Kf1 Ra2 62. Qa7 Kh7 63. h4 Rf5 64. a6 Rf6 65.
Qc5 Ra1+ 66. Ke2 Re6+ 67. Kf3 Raxa6 68. Qc2+ Kg8 69. Qc8+ Kf7 70. Qb7+ Kf6 71.
Qb2+ Re5 72. Kg3 g5 73. hxg5+ hxg5 74. f4 gxf4+ 75. Kxf4 Ra4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2004.11.14"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Babula, Vlastimil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E42"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[BlackTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5 5. Nge2 d5 6. a3 Ba5 7. dxc5 dxc4 8.
Qxd8+ Bxd8 9. Nd4 Nbd7 10. Bxc4 Nxc5 11. f3 a6 12. b4 Ncd7 13. e4 Ne5 14. Be2
Bd7 15. Bf4 Bc7 16. g3 Rc8 17. Rc1 O-O 18. Nb3 Rfd8 19. Kf2 Bb6+ 20. Be3 Bxe3+
21. Kxe3 Nc4+ 22. Bxc4 Rxc4 23. Na5 Rc7 24. Ne2 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 b6 26. Nc6 Bxc6
27. Rxc6 Nd7 28. f4 Kf8 29. Nd4 e5 30. Nf5 a5 31. b5 g6 32. Nd6 exf4+ 33. gxf4
g5 34. Rc7 gxf4+ 35. Kxf4 Ke7 36. Nc8+ Kf8 37. Kf5 Kg7 38. Nd6 Kf8 39. Nb7 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2004.11.27"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Reuss, Andreas"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2356"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[BlackTeam "Stuttgart"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Qb3 Qb6 7. Nxd5 Qxb3 8.
Nxf6+ exf6 9. axb3 Nc6 10. Bb5 Bd7 11. Bd2 Nb4 12. Bxd7+ Kxd7 13. Ke2 a6 14.
Nh3 Bd6 15. Bxb4 Bxb4 16. Nf4 Bd6 17. Nd5 Kc6 18. e4 b5 19. Rhc1+ Kb7 20. Rc3
Rhe8 21. Kf3 Rad8 22. g4 Bb8 23. Rac1 h5 24. h3 hxg4+ 25. hxg4 Rh8 26. Rc6 Rd6
27. Rxd6 Bxd6 28. Ne3 Rh3+ 29. Ke2 Bf4 30. Rc3 Rh1 31. Nf5 g6 32. Ne3 Bxe3 33.
Kxe3 Rg1 34. d5 Rxg4 35. d6 Rh4 36. Rc7+ Kb8 37. Rxf7 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2004.11.28"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Ribli, Zoltan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2603"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tegernsee"]
[BlackTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bxf6 Qxc3+ 11. Kf1 gxf6 12. Rc1 Qa5 13. Bb5+ Ke7 14.
e5 fxe5 15. Qh5 Nd7 16. Qg5+ Kf8 17. Rxc8+ Rxc8 18. Bxd7 Qd8 19. Nxe6+ fxe6 20.
Qh6+ Ke7 21. Qxe6+ Kf8 22. Qh6+ Kf7 23. Qe6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2004.12.11"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Medvegy, Zoltan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E45"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2467"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[BlackTeam "Eppingen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 b6 5. Nge2 Ba6 6. a3 Be7 7. Nf4 d5 8. cxd5
Bxf1 9. dxe6 Ba6 10. exf7+ Kxf7 11. e4 c5 12. e5 Re8 13. Be3 Nc6 14. Qb3+ c4
15. Qa4 Na5 16. exf6 Bxf6 17. O-O Qd6 18. Nfd5 Bb7 19. Nxf6 Qxf6 20. d5 Rad8
21. Rad1 Bc8 22. Rd4 Kg8 23. Rf4 Qg6 24. Rf3 Bd7 25. Qb4 Qc2 26. h3 Bc8 27. Kh2
Qb3 28. Bg5 Rd7 29. Re1 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2004.12.12"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Movsesian, Sergei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2629"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden Oos"]
[BlackTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Qd7 11. Nc3 Nd8 12. d4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Re8 14. Nf5 Ne6 15.
Nxe7+ Rxe7 16. f3 Rd8 17. Be3 d5 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2004.11.12"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Polzin, Rainer"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C91"]
[WhiteElo "2517"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Neukoelln"]
[BlackTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4
d6 9. c3 Bg4 10. Be3 Bd7 11. a4 exd4 12. Bxd4 Qc8 13. Nbd2 Qb7 14. axb5 axb5
15. Rxa8 Rxa8 16. e5 Nxd4 17. cxd4 dxe5 18. Nxe5 Be6 19. Nxf7 Bxb3 20. Qxb3 Qd5
21. Ne5 Bd6 22. Qxd5+ Nxd5 23. Nb3 Ra2 24. Rb1 Nf4 25. Nc1 Ra4 26. Nf3 Rc4 27.
Kf1 g5 28. g3 Ne6 29. Ne2 g4 30. Nd2 Rb4 31. d5 Nd4 32. Nc3 Nf3 33. Nxf3 gxf3
34. Ke1 Bc5 35. b3 Kg7 36. Kd2 Rd4+ 37. Kc2 b4 38. Nd1 Rxd5 39. Ra1 Bd4 40. Ra6
c5 41. Re6 Rd7 42. Ne3 Bc3 43. Nf5+ Kf7 44. Rd6 Ra7 45. Kd3 Ra2 46. Ke3 Ra3 47.
Ke4 Rxb3 48. Rd7+ Ke8 49. Rxh7 Rb2 50. Nd6+ Kf8 51. Rf7+ Kg8 52. Rxf3 Rc2 53.
Kf5 Kh7 54. Ne4 c4 55. g4 Bd4 56. Ng5+ Kg8 57. Ne6 b3 58. Nxd4 b2 59. Nxc2 b1=Q
60. Ke4 Qxc2+ 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2005.02.12"]
[Round "10.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E46"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2681"]
[Annotator "Gavrikov,V"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[BlackTeam "Porz"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nge2 d5 6. a3 Be7 7. cxd5 exd5 8. b4
Re8 9. Ng3 c6 10. Bd3 a5 ({More common is the continuation} 10... Nbd7 11. O-O
Nb6 {and Black can meet} 12. b5 (12. Rb1 Bd6 13. a4 Bxg3 $5 14. hxg3 Ne4 15.
Bxe4 dxe4 16. b5 Be6 $1 {1/2-1/2 Gurevich,D-Onischuk,A/Chicago 2002/CBM 086
ext (47)}) {with} 12... c5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. Na4 Nxa4 15. Qxa4 d4 $1 {e.g.} 16.
Qc2 (16. Rd1 $6 Bg4 $1 (16... dxe3 17. Bxh7+ Nxh7 18. Rxd8 exf2+ 19. Kf1 Rxd8
$13) 17. Be2 Bxe2 18. Nxe2 Ng4 $1 $40) (16. e4 Ng4 17. Bf4 Nxh2 $5 (17... Qf6)
18. Rfc1 b6 19. f3 Qh4 20. Ne2 Nxf3+ 21. gxf3 Re6 $13 {1/2-1/2 Bu
Xiangzhi-Chuchelov,V/Moscow 2003/CBM 094 (42)}) 16... dxe3 17. Bxh7+ Nxh7 18.
Qxc5 b6 19. Qc2 Qd5 $1 20. fxe3 Qxb5 21. Qf2 f6 $11 {0-1 Goh Koong Jong,
J-Dorfman,J/Mallorca 2004/CBM 104 no vc (66)}) 11. b5 c5 12. O-O Bg4 $6 ({
An unfortunate novelty instead of the known} 12... Nbd7 13. dxc5 ({or} 13. Nf5
Bf8 14. dxc5 Nxc5 15. Nd4 Bg4 16. Be2 Bxe2 17. Ncxe2 Nce4 $132 {0-1 Tolk,
P-Chuchelov,V/Antwerp 1999/EXT 2000 (36)}) 13... Nxc5 14. Bb2 Be6 15. Na4 {
0-1 Van Beek,L-Jens,J/Belgium 2003/EXT 2004 (48)} {and now Black could have
obtained enough counterplay with} Nxd3 16. Qxd3 Rc8 {.}) 13. f3 Be6 14. f4 $1 {
Preventing Nbd7.} Bg4 15. Qd2 Bc8 {Otherwise Black cannot complete his
development.} 16. Qa2 $5 cxd4 ({Perhaps Black should have tried} 16... c4 17.
Be2 Nbd7 18. e4 dxe4 19. Bxc4 Rf8 20. Ncxe4 Nb6 21. Bb2 Nxc4 22. Qxc4 Be6 {
with some play for the pawn.}) 17. exd4 Qb6 18. Nge2 Bg4 19. Na4 $1 ({Stronger
than} 19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. Qxd5 Bxe2 21. Bxe2 Bf6 22. Ra2 Bxd4+ 23. Kh1 Rd8 {
followed by Nd7.}) 19... Qd6 20. Nec3 {Forcing the new retreat of black bishop.
} Bc8 21. b6 $6 {Looks tempting but in reality it allows Black to develop his
queenside.} ({In the spirit of White´s previous strategy was} 21. f5 b6 22. Bf4
Qd8 23. Be2 Bb7 24. Bf3 Ne4 25. Rad1 $16) 21... Bd7 $1 {Black neutralizes the
threat of Nb5 by moving this bishop again.} 22. f5 Bxa4 23. Nxa4 Nc6 24. Bf4
Qd7 25. Bb5 Ne4 26. Rad1 ({Not dangerous for Black is} 26. Rac1 Rac8 27. Bc7
Bd6 {.}) 26... Rac8 27. g4 h5 $5 28. Qg2 h4 ({After} 28... hxg4 29. Qxg4 {
Black has to reckon with the manoeuvre Rd3-h3.}) 29. Rd3 Bg5 30. Nc5 Qd8 $5 (
30... Nxc5 31. dxc5 Bxf4 32. Rxf4 Re1+ 33. Rf1 Rxf1+ 34. Kxf1 (34. Qxf1 d4)
34... Qe7 35. Rxd5 (35. Qxd5 $6 Re8) (35. Bxc6 bxc6 36. Qf2 Qe4 37. Qd4 Qh1+
38. Qg1 Qe4 39. Qd4 $11) 35... Qe3 $44) 31. Bc7 Rxc7 32. bxc7 Qxc7 $44 33. Re1
Nxd4 $1 34. Nxe4 $2 {Probably a time-trouble mistake.} ({Correct was} 34. Bxe8
Qxc5 35. Kh1 Nc2 36. Rxd5 $1 (36. Re2 $2 Ne3 37. Qg1 d4 $19) (36. Rxe4 $6 dxe4
37. Rd7 (37. Qxe4 $2 Ne3 38. Rxe3 Bxe3 39. Qxb7 $140 Qc4 40. Qf3 h3 $1 $19)
37... Ne3 38. Bxf7+ Kh7 39. Qb2 Bf6 40. Qf2 Qxa3 $17) 36... Nf2+ 37. Kg1 Nh3+
38. Kh1 Nf2+ {with a draw.}) 34... Rxe4 35. Rxe4 dxe4 36. Qxe4 (36. Rxd4 $142
Be3+ 37. Kh1 Qc1+ 38. Qf1 Qxf1+ 39. Bxf1 Bxd4 40. Kg2) 36... Qc1+ 37. Kg2 Qb2+
38. Kh3 ({If} 38. Kf1 Nxb5 39. Qe8+ Kh7 40. Qxf7 {then} Qb1+ 41. Kf2 Qc2+ 42.
Kg1 (42. Ke1 Nc7 43. Qg6+ Kg8 $19) 42... Qe2 43. Qg6+ Kg8 (43... Kh8 $2 44.
Qxg5 Qxd3 45. Qh5+ Kg8 46. Qe8+ $11) 44. Qe6+ Qxe6 45. fxe6 Nd4 $1 {winning.})
38... Ne2 $2 ({Missing} 38... Nxb5 $1 39. Qe8+ (39. Qxb7 Qe2 40. Qa8+ Kh7 41.
Qf3 Nd4 $1 42. Qxe2 Nxe2) 39... Kh7 40. Qxf7 Qe2 41. Qg6+ Kh8 42. Qxg5 Qxd3+
43. Kxh4 Qe2 $19) 39. Qxe2 $1 Qxe2 40. Rd8+ Bxd8 41. Bxe2 g5 42. a4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2005.02.13"]
[Round "11.2"]
[White "Hickl, Joerg"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2530"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hofheim"]
[BlackTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. g3 Nf6 2. Bg2 d5 3. Nf3 g6 4. c4 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Nc3 Nc6 8.
Nxd5 Qxd5 9. d3 Qb5 10. Rb1 a5 11. Bf4 e5 12. Be3 Be6 13. b3 Bd5 14. Rc1 Rfd8
15. Rc5 Qb4 16. Nd2 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Bf8 18. Rc4 Qb5 19. Kg1 f5 20. Qb1 Ba3 21.
Nf3 Qd5 22. Bc1 Bd6 23. Bb2 Rf8 24. a3 Rae8 25. Qc2 Nd8 26. e4 fxe4 27. dxe4
Qf7 28. Rc3 Qe7 29. b4 axb4 30. axb4 Rf7 31. b5 Ref8 32. Kg2 Ne6 33. Rd3 Nc5
34. Re3 b6 35. Qc4 h6 36. Ne1 Kh7 37. Nd3 Qg5 38. Bc1 Qh5 39. f3 Nd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2005.03.12"]
[Round "12.3"]
[White "Gabriel, Christian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2556"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Solingen"]
[BlackTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Rd1 a5 13. Nc3 Bxf3 14. Bxf3 c6
15. b4 axb4 16. Qxb4 Ra7 17. Qc5 Ra5 18. Qc4 Nd7 19. Rab1 Ra7 20. e3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2005.03.13"]
[Round "13.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Handke, Florian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A75"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2467"]
[Annotator "Kapengut"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nf3 g6 7. Bf4 a6 8. a4
Bg7 9. e4 Bg4 10. Be2 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 {By exchanging on f3 and developing his
knight to d7, Black has secured the control of several dark squares in the
centre (the most important ones are e5 and d4) and tries to avoid for the
moment the dangerous breakthrough e4-e5.} O-O 12. O-O Qe7 13. e5 $5 dxe5 14.
Bg5 $5 $146 (14. Re1 $6 Ne8 15. d6 Nxd6 16. Qd5 Nc6 17. Qxc5 Nf5 18. Qb6 Nfd4
19. Bxc6 Nxc6 20. Rad1 f5 $15 {Ruhrberg,M-Koehler,R/Hessen qual 1992}) ({
Usually, White prefers} 14. d6 Qe6 (14... Qd7 15. Bxe5 Nc6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17.
Ne4 Qf5 (17... Be5 $2 18. Nxc5 $18) 18. Re1 Bd4 19. Bg4 Qe5 20. Rc1 f5 21. Nxc5
Qxd6 22. Nxb7 Qf4 (22... Bxf2+ 23. Kxf2 fxg4+ 24. Kg1 Qxd1 25. Rexd1 Rab8 26.
Rd7 Nd4 27. Rxd4 Rxb7 28. b4 $14 {Kononenko,T-Stiri,A/EIWCC 2003}) 23. Bf3 (23.
Rf1 $6 fxg4 24. Rxc6 g3 $1 25. Nc5 Bxf2+ 26. Kh1 Qc4 27. Qd3 Qxd3 28. Nxd3 Rad8
$15) 23... Ne5 24. Rxe5 Bxe5 25. g3 Qd4 26. Qxd4 Bxd4 27. b4 $44) 15. Re1 (15.
Bg5 Nc6 $6 (15... Nbd7 {see 14.Bg5}) (15... Rd8 $6 16. Ne4 Nbd7 17. Qe2 $1 Nxe4
$5 (17... Rab8 $140 $2 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Bg4 $18) 18. Bxe4 $1 Rdb8 19. Rfd1 Bf8
20. Ra3 $1 Kg7 21. Rh3 Ra7 22. Bd5 Qe8 23. Qf3 $1 b5 24. Bxf7 e4 25. Rxh7+ Kxh7
26. Qh3+ Kg7 27. Bd5 $1 {1-0 McCambridge(USA-B)_Lau}) 16. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 17. Bxc6
$1 (17. Ne4 $16) 17... bxc6 18. Ne4 Rfd8 (18... Bg7 $142 {Alburt,L}) 19. Qe2
$14 (19. Qg4 $2 Rxd6 $1) 19... a5 20. Rfd1 Bg7 21. Nxc5 Qe8 22. Rac1 Rab8 23.
Qa6 e4 $1 $132 24. d7 Qe7 25. Qxc6 e3 $5 26. fxe3 Rxb2 $1 27. Nb7 $1 Be5 {
Alburt,L-Kudrin,S/USA (ch) 1983} 28. Qc8 $1 $16) 15... Nbd7 16. Bxb7 (16. Qd2
Rab8 17. Rad1 b5 18. axb5 axb5 19. Bg5 b4 20. Nd5 e4 21. Nc7 (21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22.
Ne7+ Kh8 23. Qc2 $132) 21... Qe5 (21... Qf5 22. Be2 Rfd8 23. h3 Ne5 24. Nd5 Kf8
25. Bxf6 Bxf6 26. Bg4 Nxg4 27. hxg4 Qe5 $14) 22. Be2 b3 23. Bf4 Qf5 24. h3 h5
25. Bh2 Nb6 26. Bb5 Rfd8 $132 {Bilsel,S-Maiorov,O/IECC 2002}) 16... Ra7 $5 (
16... Rab8 17. Bxa6 Rxb2 18. Bb5 $1 (18. Nb5 $6 Qf5 19. Bg3 e4 20. Na3 Ng4 21.
Be2 e3 $1 $36 {Schneider,A-Szalanczy,E/Balatonbereny 1981}) (18. Qd3 Rb4 19.
Bg3 Rfb8 (19... Rd4 20. Qf1 $1 Qxd6 21. Bc4 $36) (19... Nh5 $5) 20. Bb5 e4 21.
Qc2 Nh5 22. Rad1 Nxg3 23. hxg3 f5 $132 24. Nd5 R4xb5 25. axb5 Qxd6 26. Qb3 Bd4
27. Re2 $44 {Ftacnik,L-Kudrin,S/Hastings 1983}) (18. Bf1 Ne8 $6 (18... Rfb8 19.
Be3 e4 20. Bb5 Ng4 21. Bxd7 Qxd7 22. Nxe4 Nxe3 23. Rxe3 $14) 19. Nb5 Qf6 20.
Be3 e4 21. Rc1 (21. a5 $1 $16) 21... h5 22. Qd5 Qh4 23. Qg5 Qxg5 24. Bxg5 Nef6
25. Bxf6 Bxf6 26. Rxe4 $16 {Wichmann,C-Huizer,M/Dresden 2002}) 18... Rd8 (18...
Ng4 $6 19. Bg3 $1 (19. Qd5 $2 Qxd5 20. Nxd5 exf4 21. Bxd7 Bd4 $17) (19. Be3 e4
$5) 19... Rd8 (19... Ngf6 20. a5 Ra8 21. a6 $16) 20. Ne4 $16) (18... Qf5 $6 19.
Be3 e4 (19... Ng4 $2 20. Nd5 (20. Bxd7 $1 Nxe3 21. Bxf5 Nxd1 22. Nxd1 $18)
20... Kh8 21. Bxd7 Qxd7 22. Bxc5 Rc8 23. Nb6 Rxb6 24. Bxb6 Rc6 25. a5 Rxd6 26.
a6 {1-0 Bonin,J-Abramson,D/New York Summer Fut 1991}) 20. Rb1 $1 Rxb1 (20...
Rb4 $2 21. Rxb4 cxb4 22. Na2 Ng4 23. Nxb4 Bc3 24. Nd5 $18) 21. Qxb1 Ne5 (21...
Qe5 22. Bxd7 $1 Nxd7 23. Nxe4 f5 24. Qb3+ Kh8 25. Qb7 $1 Qxe4 26. Qxd7 $16) 22.
f3 $1 exf3 (22... Nd3 23. fxe4 Nxe4 24. Bxd3 Nxc3 25. Bxf5 $16) 23. Qxf5 gxf5
24. Bxc5 Ned7 25. Bb4 $16 {Browne,W-Chase,C/New York 1984}) (18... Rb4 $5 19.
Be3 e4 20. Rc1 Rd8 21. Qd2 Qe5 22. Bf4 Qf5 23. Ne2 $140 h6 24. Bxh6 Bxh6 25.
Qxh6 Qxf2+ $5 26. Kxf2 Ng4+ 27. Kf1 Nxh6 28. Nc3 Nf6 $14) (18... Rb8 19. Bg3 (
19. Qd3 $6 Rb4 20. Be3 e4 21. Qd2 Ng4 22. Bf4 Rd4 23. Qc2 e3 24. fxe3 Rxf4 $1
25. exf4 Bd4+ (25... Qxd6 $142 $5 26. g3 Qd4+ 27. Kh1 Qxc3 28. Qxc3 Bxc3 29.
Bxd7 Bxa1 30. Rxa1 Ne3 31. Bb5 $14) 26. Kh1 Qxd6 27. Rf1 Ne3 28. Qd2 (28. Qd3
Nxf1 29. Ne4 Ng3+ 30. Qxg3 Qc7 31. Rc1 Nf6 $11) 28... Nxf1 29. Rxf1 Nf6 30. Ne2
Ng4 31. Nxd4 cxd4 32. Re1 Rd8 $15 {Garcia Martinez,S-Ljubojevic,L/Madrid 1973})
19... Rb4 20. f3 $5 (20. Bxd7 Nxd7 21. Nb5 e4 22. Rc1 Qa2 23. Nc3 Bxc3 24. Rxc3
Rd4 25. Qg4 Qxa4 26. Rce3 f5 $17 {Drazkowski,K-Szafraniec,T/1/2 Finalu 1994})
20... Rd4 21. Qe2 Qxd6 22. Bf2 Bh6 23. Red1 Qc7 24. Ne4 Nxe4 25. fxe4 $14) 19.
Rc1 (19. Be3 $6 Bf8 20. Qc1 Rb4 21. Na2 Rh4 $132) (19. Bg5 $6 Qf5 $1 20. Be3 (
20. Bh4 Qf4 $1 21. Bg3 Qd4 $13 {Stoica,V}) 20... e4 $5 (20... Ng4 $1 21. Bxd7
$5 (21. Qf3 $5) 21... Rxd7 22. Bxc5 Nxf2 (22... Rb4 $2 {! Stoica,V} 23. f3 (23.
Na2 $2 Rd4 $1) 23... Rc4 24. fxg4 Rxg4 25. Qd5 $18) 23. Qd5 $1 e4 $1 24. Qa8+
Bf8 25. Nd5 $1 Nh3+ $1 26. Kh1 Qg5 $5 (26... Nf2+ 27. Bxf2 Qxf2 28. Rg1 Kg7 29.
Raf1 Qh4 30. Nf6 Rxd6 31. Ne8+ Kh6 {=Stoica,V} 32. Qa7 $1 $18) 27. g3 Qd2 28.
Nf6+ Kg7 29. Ne8+ Kg8 $1 (29... Kh8 $2 30. Re2 $1 Qxe2 31. Bd4+ $18) 30. Nf6+
Kg7 $11) 21. Qc1 Rb4 $1 (21... Rb3 $6 22. Qc2 $1 Rxc3 $2 (22... Rb4 $5 23. Na2
Rd4 $5) 23. Qxc3 Nd5 24. Qa5 $1 (24. Qd2 $2 Bc3 $1 $13 25. Qc2 Qe5 $1 $138 26.
Rad1 Bxe1 27. Rxe1 {Van der Sterren,P-Stoica,V/Albena 1983} Nxe3 $1 28. fxe3
Nf6 $1 29. d7 Nxd7 $1 30. Rd1 Qc7 $1 31. Qxe4 $1 Nb6 32. Rxd8+ Qxd8 33. Qc2 $14
) 24... Rc8 25. Rac1 Ne5 $1 26. d7 $1 Nxd7 27. Bxd7 Qxd7 28. Red1 $18 {Stoica,V
}) (21... Nd5 $5 22. Bxd7 (22. Nxd5 Qxd5 23. Rd1 Qe6 24. Bc4 Qf5 25. a5 Rb4 26.
Ra2 Ne5 27. Bf1 c4 28. Bg5 Rdb8 $132) 22... Rxd7 23. Nxd5 Qxd5 24. Rd1 (24.
Bxc5 Bd4 $11) 24... Qe6 (24... Qc6 25. Qxc5 Qxc5 26. Bxc5 Rc2 27. Rac1 Ra2 28.
Rc4 f5 29. f3 $16) 25. Bxc5 Rb8 26. Rb1 Ra8 27. Rb4 Rc8 28. Qe3 f5 29. f4 Bf8
30. a5 Bxd6 $11) 22. Na2 Rb3 23. Qc2 Ra3 24. Rad1 (24. Rab1 Nd5 25. Bxd7 Qxd7
26. Qxc5 Nxe3 $1 27. Qxa3 Nc2 $11) (24. h3 Nd5 25. Bxd7 Nxe3 $1 26. Rxe3 Qxd7
27. Rxa3 Bxa1 $11) 24... Ne5 25. Nc3 Qg4 26. Kh1 Nf3 $1 $11) 19... Qf5 (19...
Bf8 $5) 20. Be3 e4 (20... Bh6 $6 21. Re2 $1 Bxe3 22. Rxb2 Bxc1 23. Qxc1 $14) (
20... Ng4 $5) 21. Bxd7 $1 Rxd7 22. h3 c4 23. Re2 $14 Rb3 24. Nb5 Rd3 25. Qc2 c3
(25... Ne8 26. Qxc4 Nxd6 27. Nxd6 R7xd6 28. Qc8+ Qxc8 29. Rxc8+ Rd8 30. Rec2
$14) 26. Nxc3 R7xd6 27. Nb5 Rd8 28. Bb6 $14 {Hjartarson,J-De Firmian,N/
Reykjavik 1984}) 17. Bc6 $5 (17. Bf3 Rb8 $1 18. Nd5 (18. Qd2 $6 Bf8 (18... Rb4
$5 19. Be3 e4 20. Be2 Ne8 $132) 19. Rad1 Rb6 20. Be3 Rxd6 21. Qc2 Rc7 {1/2-1/2
Molnar,L-Hardicsay,P/HUN 1999} 22. Rxd6 Bxd6 23. Rd1 Bf8 24. a5 c4 25. Nd5 Rc8
26. Nb6 Nxb6 27. axb6 Rb8 $44 {Pacheco,D-Glavina,P/ARG-chJ Neuquen 1986}) (18.
a5 Ne8 19. Na4 Nxd6 20. Be3 Rc7 21. Bd5 Qf6 22. Rc1 Nf5 $15 23. Nxc5 Nxe3 24.
Nxd7 Qxf2+ $1 25. Kxf2 Nxd1+ 26. Rexd1 Rxb2+ 27. Kg3 Rxd7 $17 {Costantino,
G-Nasman,P/IECG Email 1997}) 18... Qxd6 19. Bg5 $1 Nxd5 (19... Qe6 20. Ra3 (20.
b4 $6 Nxd5 $1 21. Bxd5 Qf5 $17) 20... e4 $5 21. Rd3 $5 (21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Nxf6+
Qxf6 23. Rxe4 Qxb2 $17) 21... Rxb2 22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 23. Rxe4 Ne5 $132) 20. Bxd5
Qf8 21. Qc2 Nb6 22. Ba2 $1 (22. Rad1 $6 Nxd5 23. Rxd5 Rab7 $17) 22... Rab7 23.
Rab1 (23. a5 $2 Na8 $1) 23... Qe8 $1 24. Bb3 $1 (24. a5 Qa4 $1) 24... Qc8 (
24... Qc6 25. Be3 Rc8 26. Rec1) 25. a5 Na8 26. Bc4 (26. Red1 $2 Qg4 $1 $19)
26... Nc7 27. Red1 {Browne,W-Gurevich,D/New York 1984} Ne6 28. Bxe6 Qxe6 $15 {
Browne,W}) 17... Rb8 (17... Rc8 18. Nd5 Nxd5 (18... Qxd6 $6 19. Nxf6+ Qxf6 20.
Bxd7 Rd8 21. Bxe5 Qb6 22. a5 $1 Qb7 23. Qc1 $16) 19. Bxd5 Qf6 20. Bg3 (20. Be3
Bf8 $1 {Browne,W}) 20... Bf8 21. Ra3 Qxd6 22. Rd3 Qe7 23. Bc4 (23. Rf3 Nf6 24.
Rxe5 Qd8 25. Bh4 Bg7 $11) 23... e4 24. Bd6 Qe8 25. Bxf8 Kxf8 26. Rd6 Qe7 27.
Bxa6 Rb8 28. Bb5 $16 {Granberg,N-Hyldkrog,L/DEN-ch corr 1984}) 18. Qd2 (18.
Bxe5 $2 Nxe5 19. f4 Nxc6 $1 20. Rxe6 fxe6 21. Qe2 Nd4 $19 {Vermiash-Pinchuk,S/
corr 1997}) (18. Bxd7 $6 Nxd7 19. Qd2 Rab7 20. Rab1 Rb6 21. Bg3 Rxd6 $17 {
Schwarzmeier,J-Ihlenfeld,E/corr 1986}) (18. a5 Rb4 $5 19. Be3 Bf8 $13) (18. Bg3
Rb4 $1 (18... Rxb2 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. Bxd5 Qf5 21. Ra3 Qc2 22. Bxf7+ $5 Kxf7 23.
Qd5+ Kf8 24. Rf3+ Bf6 25. Qe6 Rb1 $11) 19. Nd5 Rd4 20. Ne7+ Kf8 21. Nc8 $1 Rxd1
22. Raxd1 Qb3 23. Nxa7 Qb6 24. Bxd7 Nxd7 25. Nc8 Qc6 26. Ne7 Qxa4 27. Nd5 Qb3
28. Nc7 f5 $17 {Huss,A-Kindermann,S/Beersheba 1985}) 18... Rb6 (18... Rb4 19.
Be3 Rb6 20. Nd5 Nxd5 21. Bxd5 Qe8 (21... Qf6 $140 $2 22. b4 $1 Rxb4 23. Bxc5 $1
Nxc5 24. Qxb4 Qxf2+ 25. Kxf2 Nd3+ 26. Kf3 Nxb4 27. Rad1 $16) 22. b4 $1 Rxb4 23.
Bxc5 Nxc5 24. Qxb4 Nd3 25. Qd4 $18 {Netsurfer-Leop/ICC 1996}) 19. Nd5 (19. Bf3
Rxd6 20. Qc2 Rc7 21. Be3 c4 22. Rad1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Bf8 24. Nd5 Rc8 25. g3 e4
$17 {Kerkvliet,K-Herbst,B/Chessfriend.com 2004}) 19... Nxd5 20. Bxd5 Qe8 (20...
Qxd6 $2 21. a5 $1) 21. Be3 Qb8 22. Rab1 a5 23. Rbc1 Qxd6 24. Red1 Bf8 25. Bc4
Qf6 26. Bb5 Rd6 $132 {Hansen,C-Gruenfeld,Y/Thessaloniki (ol) 1984}) 14... Nbd7
15. d6 Qe6 16. Bxb7 Ra7 {With a different move-order this position has
occurred after 14.d6.} (16... Rab8 17. Bd5 $6 (17. Bxa6 $5 Rxb2 18. Bb5 Rb4 $14
) 17... Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Rxb2 19. Be7 Rc8 $1 20. Nc7 Qc4 $1 $132 21. a5 $5 (21.
Rc1 Qd4 22. Nxa6 c4 $15) 21... e4 22. Rc1 (22. Ra4 Qd3) 22... Qd4 (22... Qd3
23. Qa4) 23. Nd5 $1 Rcb8 $1 {-} (23... Rd2 $2 24. Nb6 $1 {-} Rxd1 25. Rfxd1 $16
) 24. Nb6 Rb7 25. Nxd7 Rxd7 26. Rb1 $1 Qxd1 27. Rfxd1 c4 $1 $17 {Fedorowicz,
J-Psakhis,L/Chicago 1983}) 17. Bc6 (17. Bd5 {Stetsko,O} Nxd5 18. Nxd5 e4 $5 $15
) (17. Bf3 Rb8 (17... h6 18. Be3 Rb8 19. Qd2 Rb6 20. Rfd1 Bf8 21. Bd5 Nxd5 (
21... Qxd6 $6 22. a5 Rb8 23. Bxh6 $36) 22. Nxd5 Rxd6 23. b4 $5 Nb6 (23... Nf6
24. Nxf6+ Qxf6 25. Qc2 $14) 24. bxc5 Rxd5 25. cxb6 $8 Rxd2 26. bxa7 Rxd1+ 27.
Rxd1 $44 {Nogueiras,J-Foisor,O/Tbilisi 1983}) 18. Nd5 (18. Qd2 $13) 18... Nxd5
(18... e4 $5) 19. Bxd5 Qf5 $15 20. Be3 Rxb2 21. Ra2 $6 (21. Rb1 $1 $13) (21.
Rc1 Bf8 $1 22. Bxc5 Nxc5 23. Rxc5 Bxd6 24. Bxf7+ Rxf7 25. Qxd6 Rxf2 $19) 21...
Rb4 $1 22. Qc1 (22. Rc2 Rd4 $1 23. Bxd4 exd4 24. Bf3 Be5 $17) 22... e4 23. Rd2
(23. Bxc5 Qxd5 24. Bxa7 Qxa2 25. Qc8+ Bf8 $1 (25... Nf8 $2 26. d7 $18) 26. Qxd7
Qd5 $1 $17) 23... Bd4 $1 24. Bxd4 cxd4 (24... Rxd4 $6 25. Rxd4 cxd4 26. Qc4 $13
) 25. Qc6 Ne5 $1 $17 {Littlewood,P-Povah,N/Ramsgate 1984}) 17... Rd8 18. Qf3 (
18. Bd5 Qf5 19. Qd2 Rb8 20. f3 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 Bf8 22. Be7 Bg7 23. Bh4 Bf8 24.
Ne7+ Bxe7 25. dxe7 Re8 26. b4 cxb4 27. Qxb4 Qf4 28. Qxf4 exf4 29. Rfd1 f6 $11)
18... Rb8 (18... Qxd6 $5 19. Rad1 Qe6 20. Nd5 Rb8 21. b4 $5 (21. Be3 Ng4 22.
Ne7+ Qxe7 23. Qxg4 Nf6 24. Qe2 Bf8 $44) 21... Nxd5 22. Qxd5 Qxd5 23. Rxd5 Nf6
24. Rxc5 Rxb4 $11) 19. Rad1 Rb4 (19... Rxb2 $5 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. Qxf6 Bxf6 22.
Ne4 Bg7 23. Bxd7 Rxd7 24. Nxc5 Rd8 25. Nxa6 Bf8 26. d7 Rb7 $11) 20. Bxf6 (20.
a5 $5 Rd4 21. Be3 Rxd6 22. Rxd6 Qxd6 23. b4 $1 Rc7 24. Bxd7 Qxd7 25. Rd1 Qc8
26. bxc5 $16) 20... Nxf6 21. Qh3 $1 (21. Qe3 $6 Rd4 22. Ne2 Qxd6 $5 23. Nxd4
cxd4 24. Qf3 Rc7 $44) (21. Nd5 $5 Rd4 22. Rxd4 exd4 23. Nb6 $1 $14) 21... Qxh3
22. gxh3 Rd4 23. Ne2 Bf8 24. Nxd4 exd4 25. b4 Bxd6 26. bxc5 Bxc5 27. Bf3 $5 (
27. Rd2 Rc7 28. Bg2 Ba7 29. a5 Kg7 30. Rb1 Rc5 31. Rxd4 Rxa5 32. Rd2 $44) 27...
a5 (27... Rd7 28. Rd3 Nd5 29. Bxd5 Rxd5 30. Rb1 Kg7 31. Rb7 h5 32. Rf3 $16) 28.
Rd3 Re7 29. Kg2 Re5 $6 (29... Kg7 30. Rc1 Nd7 31. h4 h5 32. Bd5 Re2 33. h3 Re5
34. Bc4 Nb6 35. Bb5 Rf5 36. Rc2 Kf8 37. Rf3 Rd5 $14) (29... Re6 30. Rc1 Nd7 31.
Bb7 Rf6 32. h4 Kg7 33. h5 Bb6 34. Rc6 $14) (29... Rd7 $5 30. h4 Bb4 31. h5 Bc3
32. Rb1 Rc7 33. hxg6 hxg6 34. Rb7 Rxb7 35. Bxb7 Nd7 $44) 30. Rb1 Nd7 31. Rb5
Bb6 32. Rxe5 Nxe5 33. Rb3 Bc7 34. Rb5 $16 Nd3 (34... f6 35. Rd5 Bb6 36. Be2 g5
37. Rd6 Bc5 38. Rxf6 d3 39. Bd1 $16) 35. Kf1 Kg7 (35... Nf4 36. Rb7 Bd6 37. Rd7
Bc5 38. Bd5 $16) (35... Kf8 36. Be2 Nf4 37. Rb7 Be5 38. Bc4 $16) 36. Rb7 (36.
Bd5 Kf6 (36... Nf4 37. Bb3 Kf6 38. Rb7 Bd6 39. Rxf7+ Ke5 40. Rxh7 d3 41. Ke1
Bb4+ 42. Kd1 $16) 37. Bxf7 Nf4 38. Bc4 Ke7 39. h4 h6 40. h5 Nxh5 41. Ke2 Bxh2
42. Rxa5 $16) 36... Bf4 (36... Bd6 37. Bd5 Kf6 38. Rxf7+ Ke5 39. Bc4 Nf4 40.
Rxh7 Bb4 41. h4 d3 42. h5 gxh5 43. Bf7 Kd4 44. Bxh5 Kc3 45. Bg4 $18) 37. Rd7
1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2005.04.09"]
[Round "14.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ftacnik, Lubomir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2533"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[BlackTeam "Hamburger SK"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. e3
O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. d5 Na5 11. Nd4 Bd7 12. e4 Rc8 13. Nb3 {An attempt to make
use of Black's delay of ...c6. The normal lines are:} (13. Re1) (13. Bf4) 13...
Nxb3 (13... Nac4 14. Nc5) (13... Nbc4 $5) 14. axb3 {[%cal Ra1a7]} (14. Qxb3 c6)
14... a6 15. Be3 e6 (15... c6 $2 {now leads to material losses due to} 16. dxc6
Rxc6 $8 17. e5 $16) 16. Re1 (16. f4 exd5 17. Bxb6 cxb6 18. e5 Be6 19. Nxd5 Rc5
$132) 16... Rb8 {[%cal Yb6c8,Yc8d6] Planning the evacuation of the knight.} (
16... exd5 17. exd5 Bf5 $5 18. d6 c6) 17. Bxb6 {White changes the character of
the position.} cxb6 18. e5 exd5 19. f4 Be6 20. Bxd5 $11 {Black's bishop pair 
(and later B vs N in an asymmetric position) is compensated by White's space
advantage.} b5 21. Bxe6 Qb6+ 22. Kg2 Qxe6 23. Qd5 Rbd8 24. Qxe6 Rxe6 25. Rad1
Rxd1 26. Rxd1 f6 {Opening up the game for his bishop is vital for Black, even
though the white pieces become very active. The draw soon becomes inevitable.}
27. Rd8+ Bf8 28. exf6 Rxf6 29. Nd5 Rf7 30. Kf3 Kg7 31. g4 Be7 32. Rc8 Bf6 {
[%csl Rb2]} 33. Rc2 Rd7 34. Ke4 Kf7 35. b4 h6 36. b3 Kg7 37. Rc5 Kf7 38. h3 Be7
39. Nxe7 Rxe7+ 40. Re5 Rxe5+ 41. Kxe5 b6 42. Kd5 a5 43. bxa5 bxa5 44. Kc5 a4
45. bxa4 bxa4 46. Kb4 Ke6 47. Kxa4 Kd5 48. Kb3 Ke4 49. f5 gxf5 50. gxf5 Kxf5
51. Kc3 Kg5 52. Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2005.04.10"]
[Round "15.3"]
[White "Scheerer, Christoph"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D01"]
[WhiteElo "2392"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Preetz"]
[BlackTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bg5 Nbd7 4. e3 e6 5. Qf3 Bb4 6. Nge2 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8.
O-O-O c6 9. a3 Bd6 10. e4 Qxf3 11. gxf3 Be7 12. Bg2 Bh4 13. Rhf1 b6 14. f4 g6
15. f5 gxf5 16. exf5 exf5 17. Rd3 Rg8 18. Bh3 Nf6 19. f3 Be6 20. Nd1 f4 0-1

[Event "Petrosian Memorial Internet"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2004.12.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A41"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2004.12.18"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 Bg4 3. c4 Bxf3 4. exf3 c6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. Qd2 e6 8. d5
exd5 9. cxd5 Ne7 10. Bh6 Bxh6 11. Qxh6 Nf5 12. Qf4 Qe7+ 13. Kd2 O-O 14. Re1 Qc7
15. Bd3 Ne7 16. h4 Nxd5 17. Qh6 Nxc3 18. bxc3 Nd7 19. h5 Ne5 20. Be2 f5 21.
hxg6 Nxg6 22. Bd3 Rf6 23. Rh5 Raf8 24. Reh1 R8f7 25. Qe3 Qa5 26. Bb1 Re7 27.
Qd4 Re5 28. Qb4 Rf7 29. Qxa5 Rxa5 30. Kc1 Rc5 31. Kb2 Re5 32. Ka1 Nf4 33. Rg5+
Rg7 34. Rxg7+ Kxg7 35. g4 Re2 36. Bxf5 h6 37. Rd1 Rxf2 38. Rxd6 Nd5 39. Rg6+
Kf7 40. Rxh6 Nxc3 41. Be6+ Kg7 42. Rh3 b5 43. f4 Rf1+ 44. Kb2 Na4+ 45. Ka3 Rxf4
46. Bd7 Rc4 47. Be6 Rc1 48. Kb4 Nc5 49. Bb3 Nb7 50. Re3 a5+ 51. Ka3 Nc5 52. Kb2
Nxb3 53. axb3 Rc5 54. Re6 b4 55. g5 Rc3 56. Re5 c5 57. Re7+ Kg6 58. Ra7 Kxg5
59. Rxa5 Kf4 60. Ra8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Petrosian Memorial Internet"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2004.12.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Lautier, Joel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E54"]
[WhiteElo "2682"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2004.12.18"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4
cxd4 9. exd4 b6 10. Bg5 Bxc3 11. bxc3 Bb7 12. Ne5 Nbd7 13. Qe2 Qc7 14. Nxd7
Nxd7 15. Rac1 Qc6 16. f3 Rac8 17. Bb5 Qd6 18. Bh4 Nf6 19. Rfd1 Qa3 20. Qd2 Nd5
21. c4 Qe3+ 22. Qf2 Qh6 23. Qg3 f6 24. Bd7 Nf4 25. Qe1 Rcd8 26. Bxe6+ Kh8 27.
d5 Qg6 28. Qf1 Rfe8 29. Re1 Qd3 30. Re4 Qxf1+ 31. Rxf1 Nxe6 32. Rxe6 Rxe6 33.
dxe6 Ba6 34. e7 Re8 35. Rd1 Kg8 36. Rd7 Kf7 37. Rxa7 Bxc4 38. Bf2 Rxe7 39.
Rxe7+ Kxe7 40. Bxb6 Bxa2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Petrosian Memorial Internet"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2004.12.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2615"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2004.12.18"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. c5 g6 7. Bd2 Bg7 8. b4 Bg4
9. h3 Bxf3 10. gxf3 Nbd7 11. f4 O-O 12. a4 Ne8 13. Bd3 e6 14. Ne2 f5 15. Ng1
Ndf6 16. Nf3 Ne4 17. O-O Nc7 18. Qe2 Kh8 19. Kh2 Bf6 20. Rg1 Rg8 21. Be1 g5 22.
axb5 cxb5 23. fxg5 Nxg5 24. Nxg5 Bxg5 25. f3 Qf6 26. Bf2 Bh4 27. Qe1 Bxf2 28.
Qxf2 Qh6 29. h4 f4 30. Rae1 fxe3 31. Rxe3 Qf4+ 32. Kh3 Rxg1 33. Qxg1 Rg8 34.
Qf2 Rf8 35. Qe2 Qxd4 36. Re5 Qf4 37. Re3 Rg8 38. Qf2 e5 39. c6 Ne6 40. Re1 Nd4
41. c7 Nxf3 42. Rf1 Qg4# 0-1

[Event "Petrosian Memorial Internet"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2004.12.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2004.12.18"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Bg5 Kf8 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Bd5 Bb7
15. Nbd2 Na5 16. Bxb7 Nxb7 17. b3 Nd6 18. Kf1 Rab8 19. Re3 Rb6 20. Rd3 Rc6 21.
Rc1 Ke8 22. g4 Rc3 23. Ke2 c5 24. Nb1 Rxd3 25. cxd3 c4 26. Rxc4 Nxc4 27. dxc4
Bf8 28. Nbd2 Bh6 29. Nf1 Bf4 30. Nh4 Kd7 31. Nf5 a5 32. h4 Rg8 33. Kf3 Rd8 34.
h5 Rg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Petrosian Memorial Internet"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2004.12.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E35"]
[WhiteElo "2615"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "173"]
[EventDate "2004.12.18"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8.
e3 O-O 9. a3 Bxc3+ 10. Qxc3 c6 11. Nf3 Re8 12. Rc1 Nd7 13. Bd3 Nb6 14. O-O Bf5
15. Bxf5 Qxf5 16. Qb4 Qc8 17. a4 Nd7 18. Rc2 a5 19. Qa3 Nb6 20. Nd2 Re6 21. Qb3
Ra6 22. Re1 Rg6 23. e4 Qe6 24. g3 dxe4 25. Rxe4 Qxb3 26. Re8+ Kh7 27. Nxb3 Nxa4
28. Re7 Rg5 29. Nd2 Rf5 30. b3 Nb6 31. Rxb7 Nd5 32. Nc4 a4 33. bxa4 Rxa4 34.
Kg2 Rf6 35. h4 Rb4 36. Ra7 Nb6 37. Ne5 Rxd4 38. Rb7 Re4 39. f4 Nd5 40. Ra2
Nxf4+ 41. gxf4 Rfxf4 42. Rxf7 Rxf7 43. Nxf7 Rxh4 44. Ne5 c5 45. Rc2 Rh5 46. Nd3
Rg5+ 47. Kf3 Rg6 48. Rxc5 Rf6+ 49. Ke4 Re6+ 50. Ne5 Rf6 51. Rc8 Ra6 52. Nc6 Ra1
53. Nd4 Re1+ 54. Kf4 Rf1+ 55. Nf3 Ra1 56. Rc6 Ra4+ 57. Kf5 Ra1 58. Ke6 Rf1 59.
Rc3 Rf2 60. Nd4 Rf4 61. Nf5 Re4+ 62. Kd5 Rg4 63. Ke5 Rg1 64. Rc7 Re1+ 65. Kf4
Rf1+ 66. Kg4 Rg1+ 67. Ng3 Kg6 68. Kh3 Ra1 69. Rc4 Ra5 70. Kg4 Ra7 71. Nf5 Rf7
72. Rc6+ Rf6 73. Rc5 Ra6 74. Kf4 Rf6 75. Ra5 Rf8 76. Kg4 Rf6 77. Nh4+ Kh7 78.
Ra7 Rb6 79. Nf5 Rg6+ 80. Kf4 Rg1 81. Ke5 Re1+ 82. Kd6 Rg1 83. Ke7 Rg6 84. Ke8
Re6+ 85. Kd8 Rg6 86. Rf7 Rf6 87. Rxf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Petrosian Memorial Internet"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2004.12.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Lautier, Joel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2682"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2004.12.18"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Qc2 c5 8.
dxc5 h6 9. Bd2 O-O 10. a3 Bxc5 11. e3 a6 12. Be2 Bd6 13. O-O Ne5 14. Rfd1 Be6
15. Rac1 Rc8 16. Qb1 Nc4 17. Nd4 Be5 18. Be1 Qe7 19. Bf3 Nd6 20. g3 Rfd8 21. a4
Bxd4 22. exd4 Qd7 23. b3 Bg4 24. Bxg4 Qxg4 25. Qd3 Re8 26. f3 Qh3 27. Qf1 Qe6
28. Bf2 Nh7 29. h4 h5 30. Qd3 Nf6 31. Re1 Qf5 32. Qxf5 Nxf5 33. Kf1 Kf8 34.
Rxe8+ Kxe8 35. Ke2 Kd7 36. Kd3 Ne7 37. Be1 Ne8 38. Bd2 Nc7 39. Re1 Nc6 40. Nd1
Ne6 41. Bc3 g6 42. Ne3 Kd6 43. Nc2 Kd7 44. Ne3 Kd6 45. Bb2 Nb4+ 46. Kd2 a5
1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2005.01.25"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kristjansson, Stefan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2438"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2005.01.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Nb6 8.
Nc3 Nc6 9. e3 Re8 10. d5 Na5 11. Nd4 Bd7 12. e4 c5 13. Nf3 e6 14. Bg5 Qc8 15.
Rc1 exd5 16. exd5 Bg4 17. b3 Qf5 18. Qc2 Qxc2 19. Rxc2 Bf5 20. Rcc1 c4 21. Nd2
cxb3 22. axb3 Bd3 23. Rfd1 Rac8 24. Nce4 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Bxe4 26. Nxe4 Nxb3 27.
Rb1 Nd4 28. d6 Ne6 29. Be7 f5 30. Ng5 Nxg5 31. Bxg5 h6 32. Be7 Kf7 33. Bxb7 Bf6
34. Re1 a5 35. Bc6 Rxe7 36. dxe7 Bxe7 37. h4 f4 38. gxf4 Bxh4 39. Re5 a4 40.
Ra5 Bf6 41. Bxa4 Bd4 42. Bc2 Kf6 43. Kg2 h5 44. Rg5 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2005.01.26"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Erenburg, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2551"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2005.01.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ne7 10. Bg5 h6 11. Rad1+ Ke8 12. Bxe7 Bxe7 13. Nd4 Bc5 14.
Ne4 Bxd4 15. Rxd4 Ke7 16. Rfd1 Re8 17. f4 b6 18. h3 Kf8 19. Kf2 Bf5 20. Kf3 f6
21. exf6 c5 22. fxg7+ Kxg7 23. Rd7+ Bxd7 24. Rxd7+ Kf8 25. Ng3 Rad8 26. Rh7 Rd2
27. f5 0-1

[Event "Gibraltar Masters"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2005.01.27"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Spraggett, Kevin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A62"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2589"]
[Annotator "Kapengut"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2005.01.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. Bg2 Bg7 8. Nf3
O-O 9. O-O Na6 {Less popular than the reflex Benoni plan of Nbd7, Re8 and a6,
though it is also very respectable.} 10. Nd2 Nc7 11. Nc4 Nfe8 {It is the basic
continuation.} (11... b5) (11... b6) (11... Rb8) (11... Re8) (11... Nh5) 12.
Bf4 (12. a3 $6 {This is too passive and White will be justly punished for it.
jhebert: 'ist zu passiv, und Weiß ereilt die gerechte Strafe dafür.'}) (12. e4
b5 $5) ({The main alternative is the quiet positional} 12. a4 b6) 12... b5 {
Those longing for wild complications have an outlet here, and one that might
even be objectively the best continuation. 'jhebert: 'Für diejenigen, die
wilde Komplikationen mögen, gibt es hier eine Alternative, die sogar
eventuelle die beste Fortsetzung darstellt:''} (12... b6 13. Ne4 $5 (13. Rc1
Ba6 14. b3 Qd7 15. Re1 Bxc4 16. bxc4 a6 17. a4 b5 18. axb5 axb5 19. Nxb5 Nxb5
20. cxb5 Qxb5 21. e4 {1/2-1/2 Molnar,B-Horvath,T/Hungary 2003}) 13... Ba6 $8
14. Ncxd6 Bxb2 15. Rb1 (15. Nxe8 Rxe8 16. Bg5 Qd7 17. Qd2 Bxa1 18. Rxa1 Rxe4
19. Bxe4 Re8 20. Bf3 $14) 15... Bd4 16. Nxe8 Rxe8 17. Bg5 f6 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19.
d6 Bd4 $1 20. dxc7 Qxc7 21. e3 Bxf1 22. Qxf1 Bg7 23. Ng5 h6 24. Bd5+ Kh8 25.
Qh3 Red8 (25... Qe7 $5 26. Bxa8 Rxa8 27. Ne6 Qd7 28. Qg2 Re8 29. Nxg7 Kxg7 $15)
26. Nf7+ Kh7 27. Ng5+ Kh8 28. Nf7+ Kh7 29. Ng5+ {1/2-1/2 Delchev,A-Vezzosi,P/
Reggio Emilia 2002/EXT 2003}) ({A possible, albeit risky (׻) improvement for
Black might be} 12... g5 13. Be3 ({Proposed by Blees} 13. Bd2 $5 {seems to be
even stronger} f5 14. Qc1 $5 (14. f4 g4 15. e4 b5 $15) 14... h6 15. e4 $6 (15.
a4 $142 {-12...f5 13.a4}) 15... b5 16. Ne3 (16. Na5 b4 17. Nd1 fxe4 18. Bxe4
Nf6 $15 {><d5}) 16... f4 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 Rxf5 19. gxf4 gxf4 20. Bxf4 Qf6
$36) 13... f5 14. Qd2 (14. f4 gxf4 15. Bxf4 b6 16. Rc1 Ba6 17. b3 Qf6 18. Qd2
b5 19. Ne3 Qd4 $5 20. Qc2 Be5 (20... b4 $5 21. Ncd1 Nb5 22. a4 $5 bxa3 23. Kh1
Qf6 24. Nc4 Rb8 25. Qa2 Nec7 26. e4 $13) 21. Ncd1 Ng7 22. Kh1 Rae8 23. Bh6 Bc8
24. Qd3 Qxd3 25. exd3 $132 {Granero Roca,A-Suba,M/Villa de Albox 2002}) 14...
h6 15. f4 {Limiting mobility of king side pawns and preparing advance e2-e4.} (
{In case of} 15. a4 {Black has time for} Nf6 {[%cal Gf6g4] /\Ng4}) {It was
better to play} 15... g4 {first and only after} (15... gxf4 $6 16. Bxf4 Qf6 17.
a4 Bd7 18. Kh1 Qg6 19. e4 Bxc3 20. bxc3 fxe4 21. Rae1 h5 22. Bxe4 Bf5 23. Bxf5
Rxf5 24. Ne3 Rf7 25. c4 $16 {Komljenovic,D-Suba,M/Mallorca 2004}) (15... b5 16.
Na5 {Now} b4 $5 {was necessary as it will not be allowed anymore.} (16... g4 $6
17. Nc6 Qd7 18. a3 $1 {First of all prophylaxis. White prevents b5-b4 and
prepares e2-e4.} Bb7 $5 ({In case of} 18... a5 $5 {White shouldn't worry about
b4 as it will be met by Na4/\Nb6} 19. Bf2 (19. b4 Bxc3 $1 20. Qxc3 Nf6 21. Qd2
cxb4 22. axb4 a4 $13 {[%csl Re4]}) 19... Nf6 20. b4 $5 {Now it's stronger than
on the previous move.} axb4 21. axb4 Rxa1 22. Rxa1 Ne4 23. Bxe4 fxe4 24. Ra7 $1
{[%cal Gc3b5,Gb4c5,Ra7d7] and tactics} Bxc3 25. Qxc3 Nxd5 {is met by} 26. Rxd7
Nxc3 27. Ne7+ {and there is no good retreat.For example} Kh8 28. Rc7 $1 {
[%csl Rf8,Rh8][%cal Re7c8,Re7g6]} Bf5 $8 29. bxc5 $16 {[%csl Rc3,Rf8,Rh8][%cal
Rf2d4] ><c3,h8}) 19. b4 $6 {Played carelessly.} ({First} 19. Na5 $1 Bc8 {
and then} 20. b4 {is much stronger.}) 19... Nf6 $6 {Black doesn't use his
chance.} (19... Bxc3 $1 {allowed to equalize.} 20. Qxc3 Nf6 {[%csl Rc6,Rd5]}
21. Qd3 Ncxd5 (21... Kh7) 22. Bxd5+ Nxd5 23. Qxd5+ Rf7 {[%csl Rc6][%cal Gb7d5]}
24. bxc5 Bxc6 25. Qxd6 Re8 $1 26. Bf2 $11) 20. Na5 $1 ({Worse is an attempt to
win a pawn by means of} 20. bxc5 dxc5 21. Ne7+ (21. Bxc5 $6 Bxc6 22. Bxf8 Rxf8)
(21. Ne5 Qd6) (21. Rad1 $5) 21... Kh7 (21... Qxe7 22. d6) 22. Bxc5 {as it can
be met with} Na6 {and White must sacrifice a piece with unclear consequences.}
23. Nxf5 $1 Nxc5 24. Nxg7 Kxg7 25. Rab1 $1 $44 {[%cal Ge2e4] /\e4}) 20... Na6
21. Rab1 $1 {[%csl Rb5][%cal Gb4c5]} (21. bxc5 $5 {was also interesting} Nxc5
22. Bxc5 dxc5 23. Nxb7 Qxb7 24. d6 {[%cal Rg2a8]} Ne4 25. Nxe4 fxe4 26. Rad1
$14 {[%csl Rc5,Gd6,Re4,Rg8][%cal Ge2e3,Gd2c2,Gd2d5] ><e4,c5,g8;Pd6}) 21... Rae8
{Blees decides to sacrifice a pawn in order to get counterplay.} (21... c4 $5)
22. Nxb7 (22. Nxb5 $5 {[%mdl 64] deserved serious attention.} Ba8 (22... Qxb5
23. bxc5 {[%csl Rb7][%cal Rb1b7]}) (22... cxb4 23. Nxb7 {[%csl Rd6]}) (22...
Rxe3 23. Qxe3 Qxb5 24. Nxb7 Qxb7 25. bxc5 $16) 23. bxc5 (23. Nc3 $5 $16) 23...
Nxc5 24. Bxc5 dxc5 25. Nc3 $16) 22... Qxb7 23. bxc5 Nxc5 (23... Qe7 24. Bf2
Nxc5 25. Bxc5 dxc5 26. Rxb5 $16) {Another inaccuracy.} 24. Rxb5 $6 ({After
simple} 24. Nxb5 $16 {Black has no sufficient compensation for a pawn.}) 24...
Qa6 {[%csl Ra3,Rb5,Rc3] Now White's rook is hanging and he has to be very
careful.} 25. Bxc5 dxc5 {Mikhalevski,V-Blees,A/Antwerp 1999} 26. Rxc5 $5 $16 {
[Mikhalevski,V]}) 17. Na4 g4 18. Nc6 (18. a3 {leads to interesting
complications:} bxa3 19. Rxa3 (19. Nc6 axb2 $1) 19... Nb5 20. Nc6 Qf6 (20...
Nxa3 21. Nxd8 Nc4 22. Qd3 Nxe3 $44) 21. Rb3 (21. Raa1 $13) 21... Nec7 22. Nc3
Ba6 23. Ra1 Rfe8 (23... Nxc3 $142 $1 24. bxc3 Rfe8) 24. Rxa6 Nxc3 25. Ra5 Ne4
26. Bxe4 Rxe4 27. Rb7 Ne8 28. Rbxa7 Rxa7 29. Rxa7 $16 Qxb2 $140 30. Ne7+) 18...
Qf6 19. Nxc5 (19. Rac1 $13) 19... Qxb2 (19... dxc5 20. Bxc5 Nd6 21. Bd4 Qf7 22.
Bxg7 Qxg7 23. Qxb4 $13) 20. Ne6 $1 Qxd2 21. Bxd2 Bxa1 22. Nxf8 (22. Rxa1 $5 $44
) 22... Bc3 23. Bxc3 bxc3 24. Ne6 $14 {[Mikhalevski,V]}) 16. a4 (16. Bf2 b5 17.
Na5 b4 {[%csl Re4][%cal Ge8f6]}) 16... Bd7 (16... b6 {/\Ba6;><e4}) 17. Bf2 b5
18. axb5 Nxb5 19. Na5 Nxc3 20. bxc3 Nf6 21. Rfb1 Rb8 (21... Ne4 22. Bxe4 fxe4
23. Rb7 $132) 22. Nc6 Rxb1+ 23. Rxb1 Qc7 24. Qd3 Re8 (24... Ne4 $2 25. Ne7+ Kf7
26. Nxf5 Bxf5 27. Bxe4 $18 {Gagarin,V-Zvara,P/Pardubice 2001}) 25. Qa6 Bc8 26.
Qxa7 Qxa7 27. Nxa7 Bd7 28. Kf1 Ra8 29. Rb7 $14) ({Apart from the logical text
move Black has tried to gain more influence in the [+] and prevent Ne4 by} 
12... f5 {is another option.} 13. Qd2 $5 (13. a4 b6 (13... g5 14. Bd2 b6 15.
Qc1 (15. Rc1 h6 16. e4 Ba6 17. b3 Bxc4 18. bxc4 f4 19. f3 Be5 20. Ne2 Ng7 21.
Bh3 Rf6 22. Kh1 Nh5 23. Bg4 Qe8 24. Qe1 Qf7 25. Bxh5 Qxh5 26. gxf4 gxf4 27. Qf2
Kh7 28. Rg1 $14 {Cosma,I-Ionescu,C/ROM 1992}) 15... h6 16. e4 {This more or
less abandons the dark squares so jhebert: 'jhebert: 'Dies gibt mehr oder
weniger die schwarzen Felder auf.''} (16. f4 {has to be considered. ist zu
überlegen.}) 16... Ba6 17. b3 f4 18. gxf4 gxf4 19. f3 Qh4 {A Modern Benoni
player has to be satisfied with such a position. jhebert: 'jhebert: 'Ein
MB-Spieler muss mit einer solchen Stellung zufrieden sein.''} 20. Ra2 Bxc4 21.
bxc4 Be5 22. Ne2 Ng7 23. Qe1 Qh5 24. Nc1 Rf6 25. Nd3 Kh7 26. a5 Rg8 27. Nxe5
dxe5 28. axb6 axb6 29. Bc3 Nge8 $13 {Cosma,I-Suba,M/ROM-chT/1992/}) 14. Re1 (
14. Rc1 Ba6 15. b3 b5 16. axb5 Nxb5 17. Nxb5 Bxb5 18. e4 (18. Qd2 a5 $132)
18... fxe4 19. Bxe4 a5 20. Re1 a4 21. bxa4 Rxa4 22. Bd3 Bd4 23. Re2 Ng7 24. Be3
Bxc4 25. Bxc4 Bxe3 26. Rxe3 Qf6 $132 {Kaidanov,G-Shabalov,A/USA-ch Parsippany/
1996}) 14... Ba6 15. Na3 Qd7 {[%cal Gb6b5]} 16. Qb3 h6 17. Rad1 Kh7 18. Bh3 $6
(18. Nab5 Nxb5 19. axb5 Bb7 20. Ra1 Nc7 $132) 18... g5 19. Bd2 (19. Bc1 $5)
19... Qf7 {[%csl Rd5]} 20. Qc2 Kh8 21. Nab5 Bb7 $15 {Loifenfeld,J-Blaskowski,J/
Germany 2001}) 13... b6 (13... b5 14. Na5 b4 15. Na4 Nb5 16. Nc6 Qd7 17. Rac1
$1 Nf6 18. Qd3 $142 $1 (18. Rxc5 dxc5 19. Nxc5 Qe8 20. Qxb4 (20. d6 $5 Ne4 21.
Qd5+ Kh8 22. d7 Bxd7 23. Nxd7 Nd4 $1 24. Nxf8 $142 (24. Nxd4 Rd8 25. Ne6 Rxd7
26. Qb3 Nd2 $1 (26... Rff7 $6 27. Nxg7 Rxg7 28. Qxb4 $14) 27. Bxd2 (27. Nxg7
Kxg7 28. Bxd2 Rxd2 29. Qxb4 $44) 27... Rxd2 28. Nxf8 Qxf8 $11) 24... Nxe2+ (
24... Qxc6 25. Qxc6 Nxc6 26. Ne6 Bxb2 27. Bxe4 fxe4 28. Rd1 $14) 25. Kh1 Nxf4
26. gxf4 Qxf8 27. Ne5 $5 $14 (27. Bxe4 $5 fxe4 28. Ne5) 27... Rb8 $140 28. Bxe4
fxe4 29. f5 $1 $40) 20... a6 (20... g5 $5) 21. d6 Ne4 22. Nxe4 fxe4 23. a4 $5 (
23. Bxe4 Kh8 24. Ne7 Bd7 {Mikhalevski,V-Sakaev,K/Beersheva/1998} 25. Rd1 $1 $14
{[Mikhalevski,V]}) 23... Qxc6 (23... Na7 24. Ne7+ Kh8 25. Qxe4 Rb8 (25... Bd7
26. Be5 $1 Qf7 27. Qd4 $1 Bxe5 28. Qxe5+ Qg7 29. Qe3 $1 $16) 26. Be5 $1 {
[%csl Ra7]} Qf7 (26... Rf7 27. Nxg6+ $1) 27. Bxg7+ Qxg7 28. Qe3 $16) (23...
Rxf4 24. gxf4 Qxc6 25. Bxe4 Qxd6 26. Qxd6 Nxd6 27. Bxa8 Bxb2 $14) 24. Bxe4 Qe8
25. Bxa8 Nd4 $1 (25... Bh3 $2 26. Bd5+) 26. e3 Ne2+ 27. Kh1 Nxf4 28. exf4 $14 {
/\Re1 [Mikhalevski,V]}) 18... Qb7 $8 (18... Ba6 $6 19. Rxc5 $1 Nc7 $1 20. Qd2
dxc5 21. Nxc5 Qf7 22. d6 $5 $16) 19. a3 $5 $36 {Probably the best as suggested
by Mikhalevski, gives White a dangerous initiative, he can sacrifice on c5
with greater effect later on.} (19. Rxc5 dxc5 20. Nxc5 Qb6 $11) 19... bxa3 (
19... a5 20. Nxc5 dxc5 21. Rxc5 Na7 22. Ne7+ Kh8 (22... Qxe7 23. d6 $16) 23. d6
Ne4 (23... Qb6 24. Bxa8 Ba6 (24... Qxc5 25. Be3 $16) 25. Qe3 Rxa8 (25... Ng4
26. Nd5 $18) 26. Rfc1 $16) 24. Rc7 Qb5 (24... Qa6 25. Bh6 $3 Bxh6 26. Qd4+ Nf6
27. Qh4 $1 Nh5 28. Bxa8 Nb5 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 30. Nxc8 Qxc8 31. Rd1 $16) 25. Bh6 $3
Bd7 (25... Rf7 26. Bxg7+ Rxg7 27. Rxa7 $1 Qxd3 28. Rxa8 $1 $18) 26. Qxb5 Bxb5
27. Nxg6+ hxg6 28. Bxg7+ Kg8 29. Bxf8 Kxf8 30. axb4 $18) 20. bxa3 Qa6 (20...
Nh5 21. Nxc5 $5 dxc5 22. d6 Nxf4 23. gxf4 Qb6 (23... Qa6 24. Rxc5 $1 Nxd6 25.
Qxd6 Kh8 26. Rb1 $1 $18) 24. Ne7+ Kh8 25. Bxa8 Ba6 26. Nxg6+ (26. Bd5 $5 Qxd6
$8 27. Bc4 Qxe7 28. Bxb5 Rd8 29. Qc4 Bb7 30. Qxc5 Qe4 31. Bc6 $16) 26... hxg6
27. Qh3+ Kg8 28. Bd5+ Rf7 29. d7 $5 $18 {/\Qe3}) 21. Nxc5 dxc5 22. Rxc5 Nxa3
23. Ne7+ Kh8 (23... Kf7 24. Nxc8 Qxd3 25. Nd6+ $18) 24. Rxc8 Qxd3 25. Rxf8+
Bxf8 26. exd3 Bxe7 $140 27. d6 Re8 28. dxe7 Rxe7 $2 29. Bd6 $18 {[Mikhalevski,
V]}) 14. Rac1 Ba6 $1 (14... Bb7 15. a3 Qd7 16. Bf3 Rd8 17. h4 Ba6 18. b3 Nb5
19. Nxb5 Bxb5 20. h5 Bxc4 21. Rxc4 (21. bxc4 Nf6 22. hxg6 hxg6 23. Kg2 Ne4 24.
Qc2 g5 25. Be3 Nxg3 26. fxg3 g4 27. Bxg4 fxg4 28. Rf4 Rxf4 29. Bxf4 Re8 30. Rh1
$14) 21... b5 22. Rc2 gxh5 23. Bxh5 Nf6 24. Bf3 Rc8 25. Qd3 a5 26. Kg2 $14 {
Pogorelov,R-Suba,M/Collado Villalba 2000}) 15. b3 b5 $1 16. Na5 b4 17. Na4 Nb5
$2 (17... Qd7 $5 $132) (17... Bb5 $1 18. Nb7 $1 (18. Nc6 $6 Qd7) 18... Qf6 $1 (
18... Qe7 $2 19. Nbxc5) (18... Qd7 $6 19. Nbxc5 $1 dxc5 20. d6) 19. Bg5 Qe5 20.
Bf4 Qf6 $11) 18. Nc6 Qd7 $8 (18... Qf6 19. Bg5) 19. Rxc5 $1 $16 Nc3 $8 (19...
dxc5 20. Nxc5 Qf7 21. Nxa6 $18 (21. d6 $5)) 20. Nxc3 $1 (20. Rxc3 bxc3 21. Nxc3
$16) 20... bxc3 (20... dxc5 21. Na4 $18) 21. Rxc3 Bxc3 22. Qxc3 Nf6 23. Re1 Bb7
(23... Rae8 $142) 24. b4 $1 a6 25. a4 Nh5 26. Bc1 $1 $16 {Gleizerov,E-Suba,M/
Mondariz Balneario 2000}) 13. Na5 f5 $146 (13... Bd7 $2 {loses a pawn after}
14. Nb7 Qe7 15. Nxc5 $1 b4 16. Nxd7 Qxd7 17. Qa4 $1 Qxa4 18. Nxa4 Nb5 19. Rac1
$18 {Mikhalevski,V-Anastasian,A/Yerevan 1997}) (13... Qd7 14. Qd2 Nf6 15. a3 c4
16. Rab1 Nh5 17. Be3 Ne8 18. b3 cxb3 19. Rxb3 a6 20. Nc6 Nc7 21. Bd4 (21. a4 $5
) 21... Nf6 22. e4 Bb7 23. Na5 Rab8 24. Rfb1 Ba8 25. a4 Qe8 {Zamfir,I-Ionescu,
C/Tusnad 2000} 26. Nc4 $1 Qe7 27. e5 $1 Nfe8 28. Qe3 $16) (13... b4 14. Ne4 $5
(14. Nc6 $6 Qd7 15. Na4 Ba6 $1 $36 16. Rc1 (16. Nxc5 $140 $2 dxc5 17. d6 Ne6 $1
18. Ne7+ Kh8 19. Bxa8 Nxf4 20. gxf4 Nxd6 $19) 16... Bb5 17. b3 Nf6 $15) 14...
Bxb2 {The critical move which leads to the big complications.} (14... Ba6 $5
15. Nc6 Qd7 16. Qd2 Bb5 17. a4 $1 bxa3 18. Rxa3 Bc4 (18... Nxd5 19. Nxc5 $1
dxc5 (19... Qxc6 $2 20. Bxd5 Qxc5 21. Bxa8) 20. Qxd5 Qxd5 (20... Qxc6 $2 21.
Qb3 $1) 21. Bxd5 (21. Ne7+ $5 Kh8 22. Bxd5) 21... Bxc6 22. Bxc6 $16) 19. Nc3 a6
$2 (19... Nb5 $142) 20. Na4 Nb5 21. Re3 Qb7 22. b3 Na3 23. Qa2 {1-0 Kinsman,
A-Schulte,O/Lloyds Bank op London 1985}) (14... Nb5 {Looks natural,but falls
to unexpected White's idea.} 15. Nc6 Qd7 16. a3 $1 {Mikhalevski,V: 'The point
of White's play. I was very happy to find this idea during the game. White
opens the position and obtains a positional advantage as all his pieces are
much more active than of his opponents.  Stohl: 'White sacrifices an exchange
to break up Black's << pawn chain. His pieces are very active and he will have
more than sufficient compensation.''} (16. Qd2 Nf6 17. Nxf6+ Bxf6 18. e4 Bb7
19. Na5 (19. e5 $6 dxe5 20. Nxe5 Bxe5 21. Bxe5 f6 22. Bf4 Nd4 $15 {[%csl Rd5]
Fuglsang,F-Hamann,S/Copenhagen 1981}) 19... Qc7 20. Nc4 Rad8 21. a3 $132) 16...
bxa3 (16... Bxb2 17. axb4 cxb4 (17... Bxa1 18. Qxa1 {/\Bh6,bc5+/-}) 18. Rb1 Nc3
19. Nxc3 Bxc3 $142 (19... bxc3 20. Qd4 $5 $16 (20. Bc1 $36)) 20. Nxb4 a5 21.
Nc6 a4 $14) 17. bxa3 Nf6 {Accepting of an exchange looks at least dangerous.
Black's king remains alone and White gets more than enough compensation.} (
17... Bxa1 18. Qxa1 $40 {עg8}) 18. a4 $1 (18. Nxf6+ $5 Bxf6 19. a4 $1 Nd4 $5 {
[%cal Gc8a6] /\ Ba6} (19... Bxa1 20. Qxa1 Nd4 21. Nxd4 cxd4 22. Qxd4 $44) (
19... Nc3 20. Qd3 $1 (20. Qc2 Ba6) 20... a5 (20... Re8 21. e4 $1 {[%cal Ge4e5,
Gf4d2]}) 21. Bd2 $1 Ba6 22. Bxc3 $1 Bxd3 23. Bxf6 {[%cal Gc6e7,Ge2d3]} Rfe8 (
23... Bxe2 24. Ne7+ Qxe7 25. Bxe7 Bxf1 26. Kxf1 $18 (26. Bxf8 $2 Bxg2 $11)) 24.
exd3 $16) 20. e3 Nf5 21. Rc1 $14) 18... Nxe4 19. axb5 $1 {[%csl Ra7] Now the
position of knight on c6 is even more reliable, the a-file is open for White's
pieces, the a7-pawn requires permanent control. The only compensation is an
extra exchange which is absolutely not essential in the current circumstances.}
({Certainly not} 19. Bxe4 $2 Nc3 $17) 19... Re8 $1 {[%cal Ge4c3] Black is
threatening 20...Nc3 and White has to leave his rook on a1 for one more move.}
({It is worse the immediate} 19... Bxa1) 20. Qd3 $1 {White finally forces his
opponent to accept the sacrifice.} (20. Bxe4 Rxe4 $1 $13) 20... Bxa1 {If Black
doesn't accept the sacrifice now the question "What is he suffering for?" can
be asked.} (20... f5 21. Ra3 $16) 21. Rxa1 f5 $8 {Otherwise White's pawns come
to the motion.} 22. f3 Nf6 23. Bc1 $1 {[%cal Gc1b2] Another strong idea.
White's bishop is not useful on f4 and he brings it to the big diagonal using
the fact that its colleage has gone.} Bb7 24. Bb2 Rf8 25. f4 $1 {[%cal Gg2f3,
Gh2h3,Gg3g4,Gg4g5] White opens his bishop and preparing an attack on king side
by Bf3, Kg2, h3 and finally g4. It's very difficult for Black to oppose
something to this plan.} (25. e4 $5) 25... h5 {[%csl Rg6] Black is trying to
prevent g4, but in fact he is weakening the king side even more. Black has
practically no useful moves. The Ra8 must protect קa7, the Q can't stray too
far from the >>, Nf6 must cover the terribly weakened /^ a1-h8. White has
enough time to prepare a >> attack and dismember Black's compromised posirtion.
} 26. h3 Kh7 (26... Bxc6 27. dxc6 Qc7 28. g4 $1 $18 {->}) 27. Bf3 Rf7 28. Kg2 {
[%cal Gg3g4] /\g4 Mikhalevski,V-Solozhenkin,E/Belgrade 1999} Qc8 29. Rh1 $5 {
/\ g4} a6 30. b6 $1 {[%cal Gg3g4] [Mikhalevski,V]}) 15. Nc6 (15. Nxc5 dxc5 (
15... Bxa1 16. Nc6 Qf6 17. Ne4 $36) 16. d6 Ne6 17. Nc6 Qd7 18. Be5 f6 (18...
Bxe5 $5 19. Nxe5 Qxd6 20. Qxd6 Nxd6 21. Bxa8 Nd4 $44) 19. Bxb2 Bb7 20. Ne7+ Kf7
21. Nd5 c4 (21... Qxd6 $6 22. Qb3 Bxd5 23. Bxd5 Rd8 24. Bc4 N8c7 25. a3 $14)
22. a3 c3 23. Bc1 Nxd6 24. axb4 Rfd8 25. Qd3 Nb5 26. e4 $14 {Salcedo Mederos,
P-Bulgarini,M/ICCF 2001}) 15... Qd7 16. Rb1 $5 (16. Nxc5 $5 dxc5 17. d6 $36 {/\
} Bxa1 18. Qxa1 Nxd6 19. Qf6 $1 Re8 $8 20. Bxd6 Qe6 21. Ne7+ Rxe7 22. Qxe7 Qxe7
23. Bxe7 Rb8 24. Bd6 $16) 16... Bg7 17. Nxc5 $1 dxc5 18. d6 Ne6 19. Ne7+ Kh8
20. Bc6 (20. Bxa8 $5 Nxf4 21. Nxc8 Nh3+ 22. Kg2 Qxc8 23. Bf3 Qd7 $19 (23... Nf6
24. d7 Nxd7 25. Kxh3 Ne5+ $44)) 20... Qd8 21. Bxa8 Nxf4 22. gxf4 Bh3 23. Bg2
Bxg2 24. Kxg2 Nxd6 {Black has excellent play for the exchange. jhebert:
'Schwarz hat vorzügliches Spiel für die Qualität.'} 25. Nc6 Qf6 26. e3 Qe6 27.
Nxa7 {Alburt,L-Gurevich,D/New York 1986} (27. Na5 Qxa2 (27... Nf5 28. Nb3 {
/\ Nd2}) 28. Qxd6 Qxa5 29. Rfc1 Rc8 30. Qd7 $13) 27... Ra8 28. Nc6 Ne4 $17) 14.
Nc6 Qd7 $6 (14... Qf6 15. Qd2 {[%cal Gf4g5]} b4 16. Nd1 Qf7 (16... h6 $6 17.
Bxh6 Bxh6 18. Qxh6 g5 19. Qxf6 Nxf6 20. Ne3 Re8 21. Rfe1 $16) 17. Rc1 (17. a3
a5 18. Ne3 Ba6 19. Rfc1 Qf6 $14) 17... Ba6 18. a3 bxa3 19. bxa3 Qd7 20. Nb2 Nf6
21. Nc4 Rfe8 22. Rfe1 Bxc4 23. Rxc4 Re4 $5 $44 {[%csl Rd5]}) 15. e4 $1 (15. Rc1
b4 $140 $6 (15... Nf6 $5 16. b4 cxb4 17. Nxb4 a5 18. Nc6 Bb7 19. Qd3 b4 20. Na4
Ra6 21. Rc4 Re8 $132) 16. Na4 Bf6 (16... Ba6 $6 17. Rxc5 $5 (17. Nxc5 $5 dxc5
18. d6 Ne6 19. Qa4 Nxd6 20. Bxd6 Qxd6 21. Qxa6 Rae8 22. Rfd1 Qc7 23. Nxb4 Bxb2
24. Rc2 Bg7 25. Nd5 $16) 17... dxc5 18. Nxc5 Qf7 19. d6 Bb5 20. dxc7 Nxc7 21.
Bxc7 Qxc7 22. Ne6 Qb6 23. Qb3 $16) 17. Nxc5 $5 dxc5 18. d6 g5 19. dxc7 (19. Be3
$6 Qxd6 20. Qxd6 Nxd6 21. Bxc5 Ne4 $15) 19... Qxd1 20. Rfxd1 gxf4 21. Nxb4 Nxc7
22. Bxa8 Nxa8 23. Nd5 Bxb2 24. Rxc5 $14) 15... b4 16. e5 $1 bxc3 (16... dxe5 $6
17. Nxe5 Bxe5 18. Bxe5 Ba6 (18... bxc3 19. d6 cxb2 20. Rb1 Nxd6 (20... Qe6 21.
Re1 Bb7 22. Bxb7 Rd8 23. Bxb2 Rxd6 24. Qa4 Qf7 25. Be5 $16) 21. Qxd6 (21. Bxa8
Nf7 22. Qxd7 Bxd7 23. Bxc7 Rxa8 24. Rxb2 $16) 21... Qxd6 22. Bxd6 Ba6 23. Bxc7
Bxf1 24. Bxa8 Rxa8 25. Kxf1 Rc8 26. Bf4 $18) 19. d6 (19. Re1 bxc3 20. d6 Nxd6
21. Bxa8 Rxa8 22. Qxd6 Qxd6 23. Bxd6 cxb2 24. Rab1 Nb5 25. Be5 Nd4 26. Bxd4
cxd4 27. Rxb2 $16) 19... Bxf1 20. Kxf1 Qe6 21. Qb3 bxc3 22. Qxe6+ Nxe6 23. Bxa8
cxb2 24. Rb1 $16) 17. e6 {[#]} Qxc6 $8 18. dxc6 cxb2 19. Rb1 Bxe6 20. Bd2 (20.
Qa4 $6 c4 21. Rfe1 c3 22. Bf1 Bf7 23. Bc4 Nd5 $5 $15) (20. Re1 $142 $5 Bxa2 21.
Rxb2 $1 Bxb2 22. Qc2 Rb8 23. Bc1 Bd5 24. Bxd5+ $5 (24. Bxb2 Bxg2 25. Kxg2 Rb6
26. Re7 (26. Ba1 Rxc6 27. Qa4 Ra6 28. Qc4+ d5 29. Qxc5 $44) 26... Rf7 27. Qc4
d5 28. Qc3 Rxe7 29. Qh8+ Kf7 30. Qxh7+ $11) 24... Nxd5 25. Bxb2 Nec7 26. Rd1
Rf7 27. Ba1 Kf8 28. Qc4 (28. Rxd5 Nxd5 29. Qd3 Ne7 30. Qxd6 Rb1+ 31. Kg2 Rxa1
32. Qb8+ Kg7 33. Qe5+ Kg8 34. Qxa1 Nxc6 $11) (28. Qa2 Nb4 29. Qc4 Ne8 30. Rxd6
Nxd6 31. Qxc5 Nxc6 32. Qxd6+ Kg8 33. Qxc6 Rb1+ 34. Kg2 Rxa1 35. Qc8+ Rf8 36.
Qe6+ Rf7 $11) 28... Rb4 29. Qa2 Ke7 30. Qxa7 Ke6 31. Re1+ Re4 32. Rxe4+ fxe4
$16) 20... Bxa2 21. Qc2 (21. Rxb2 $5 Bxb2 22. Qc2 Rb8 23. Bc1 $1 f4 24. Bxb2 f3
25. Qc3 fxg2 26. Qh8+ Kf7 27. Qxh7+ Ke6 28. Re1+ Kd5 29. Qe7 Kxc6 30. Qxf8 Rxb2
31. Rxe8 $16) 21... Bxb1 22. Rxb1 Rb8 23. Bc3 Bxc3 24. Qxc3 Rf7 25. Rxb2 Rxb2 (
25... Rb6 26. Ra2 (26. Kf1 Nf6 27. Rxb6 axb6 28. Qd2 d5 29. Qb2 b5 30. Qc3 c4
31. f4 Ne4 32. Bxe4 dxe4 $44) 26... a6 (26... Nb5 27. Qc4 Nec7 28. h4 a6 29.
Re2 Kg7 30. Qf4 Nd4 31. Re3 Rb1+ 32. Kh2 Rd1 33. h5 Nce6 34. h6+ Kf6 35. Qh4+
g5 36. Qh5 Rd2 37. Kg1 f4 38. gxf4 Nxf4 39. Qxf7+ Kxf7 40. c7 Nf5 41. Re8 $1
$18) 27. Ra1 Re7 28. Rd1 Re6 29. Qa5 Rb5 30. Qa2 Kf8 31. Bf1 Rb6 32. Bc4 Re7
33. Qa1 Rg7 34. Qa4 Rb4 35. Qa2 a5 36. Qc2 h5 37. Ra1 Nb5 38. Bxb5 Rxb5 39. Qd3
Rb6 40. Qd5 $16) 26. Qxb2 $14 {This unusual position seems better for White,
than it is actually. Black wants to construct a fortress. White can win pawn
a6, but after that the opponent sometimes can intercept the initiative.} a6 27.
Qd2 Re7 (27... Kf8 28. h4 (28. Qh6+ $6 Ke7 29. Qe3+ Ne6 30. Bd5 N8c7 31. Bxe6
Nxe6 32. Qb3 Nc7 33. Qb8 Ke6 34. Qc8+ Ke5 35. Qh8+ Ke4 36. Qg8 Re7 37. Qd8 Nd5
38. Qxd6 Kd4 39. f4 Kc4 $15) (28. Kf1 Re7 (28... Ke7 29. Qe1+ Kd8 30. Qa5 f4
31. Bd5 Rf5 32. Bc4 Re5 33. gxf4 Re4 34. Bxa6 Rxf4 $14) 29. Bd5 Nxd5 30. Qxd5
a5 31. Qd3 Rc7 32. Qb5 Ke7 33. Ke2 g5 34. Kd3 Nf6 35. Kc4 Ne8 36. Qb6 Rc8 37.
Qb7+ Rc7 38. Kb5 $1 $14) (28. Qa5 Re7 (28... Ng7 29. Bf1 Nge6 30. Bxa6 Nxa6 31.
Qxa6 Rc7 32. Qb6 Ke7 33. Kg2 d5 $17) 29. Bf1 (29. h4 Kf7 30. Bf1 Ng7 31. Bxa6
Nge6 32. Bc8 Nd4 33. Bd7 Ndb5 $11) 29... Ne6 30. Qxa6 (30. Bxa6 Nd4 31. Qb6 Kg7
32. Bc4 Nc7 33. f4 h6 34. Kf2 g5 35. h4 gxh4 36. gxh4 Ne8 37. h5 $14) 30...
N8c7 31. Qa1 Kf7 32. Bg2 Re8 33. Kf1 Ra8 34. Qb2 Nd4 35. Bd5+ Ke8 36. Bc4 g5
37. h4 h6 38. hxg5 hxg5 39. f3 f4 (39... Nxc6 40. Qf6 $16) 40. gxf4 gxf4 41.
Kf2 $14) 28... Nb5 (28... Re7 29. Bf1 Nb5 30. h5 Nd4 31. Qh6+ Rg7 32. hxg6 hxg6
33. Bxa6 Nc7 34. Qh8+ Kf7 35. Bc4+ d5 36. Qd8 $5 Ke6 37. Qf8 Re7 38. Qg8+ Ke5
$11) (28... Rg7 29. Kf1 Nb5 30. h5 Nd4 31. Qg5 Ne6 32. Qe3 N6c7 33. Bf3 Nb5 34.
Bd5 Nd4 35. Qh6 Ke7 36. Qg5+ Kf8 37. g4 fxg4 38. hxg6 hxg6 39. Qxg4 $14) 29.
Bd5 Rg7 30. g4 fxg4 31. Qf4+ Ke7 32. Qg5+ Nf6 33. h5 $1 h6 34. Qe3+ Kf8 35. Bc4
gxh5 36. Qxh6 Ne8 37. Qh8+ Ke7 38. Bxb5 axb5 39. c7 $1 Kd7 40. Qxe8+ $1 Kxc7
41. Qxb5 $16) 28. h4 h5 29. f3 $1 Kf7 (29... Kf8 $142 $5 30. g4 fxg4 31. fxg4
hxg4 32. Qf4+ Rf7 $5 (32... Kg7 {see29...Kf7}) 33. Qxg4 Rg7 34. Bf1 a5 35. Bd3
Kf7 36. Qf4+ Ke7 37. Qg5+ Nf6 38. Qe3+ Kd8 39. Qd2 a4 40. Qf4 Ke7 41. Qxa4 $14)
30. g4 fxg4 31. fxg4 hxg4 32. Qf4+ Kg7 33. Qxg4 Nf6 34. Qg3 Re5 35. Bf1 Ne4 36.
Qg4 Nf6 37. Qc8 Nfe8 38. Bd3 Re3 (38... d5 39. Qg4 $16) 39. Bc2 Re1+ 40. Kf2
Re6 41. Bb3 Rf6+ 42. Kg3 Kh6 $2 (42... Kf8 43. Qd7 a5 44. Qh7 d5 (44... a4 45.
Bxa4 Rf7 46. Qh6+ Rg7 47. Bb3 d5 48. Qg5 c4 49. Bc2 Kf7 50. Qe5 Kg8 51. Bd1 Rf7
52. Bg4 Rf6 53. Kh3 Kf8 54. Bd7 Rd6 55. h5 gxh5 56. Bxe8 Nxe8 57. c7 Rc6 58.
c8=Q Rxc8 59. Qf5+ $18) 45. Bc2 Rxc6 46. Bxg6 Rf6 47. h5 a4 48. h6 a3 49. Qh8+
Ke7 50. Bxe8 Nxe8 51. h7 a2 52. Qxe8+ Kxe8 53. h8=Q+ Ke7 54. Qg7+ Ke6 55. Qa7
Ke5 56. Qxa2 $18) 43. Qd7 {[%cal Gb3g8]} d5 44. Bxd5 g5 45. Be4 gxh4+ 46. Kg4
1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2005.01.28"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Sargissian, Gabriel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2602"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[EventDate "2005.01.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Na4 e5 6. dxe5 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Ne3 8.
fxe3 Bxd2+ 9. Kf2 Nc6 10. Nf3 Bb4 11. a3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2005.01.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Georgiev, Kiril"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2005.01.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Bg5 Bb7 8.
Nf3 d6 9. Nd2 h6 10. Bh4 c5 11. dxc5 bxc5 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Qxf6 gxf6 14. O-O-O
Rd8 15. Rg1 Nd7 16. g4 Kf8 17. f4 Ke7 18. e3 Rab8 19. Bd3 Nb6 20. Rg3 a5 21.
Rh3 Rh8 22. Rh5 a4 23. e4 Ba6 24. Rg1 Rbg8 25. Kc2 e5 26. f5 Rg5 27. Rh4 Rgg8
28. Rh5 Kf8 29. Kc3 Kg7 30. Rh3 Bb7 31. Bc2 Bc6 32. Rgg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2005.01.30"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2613"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2005.01.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Nd2 Rae8 17. Ne4 Bg4 18. Qg2 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 f5 20. h3 Bh5 21.
Bf4 Bxf4 22. gxf4 fxe4 23. dxe4 Bf3+ 24. Kxf3 Rxf4+ 25. Kg3 Rfxe4 26. Rxe4 Rxe4
27. f3 Re2 28. c4 bxc4 29. Bxc4 Rxb2 30. Bxa6 g5 31. a4 Kg7 32. a5 Nf4 33. Bf1
Kg6 34. h4 Kf5 35. a6 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2005.01.31"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kotronias, Vasilios"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A24"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2585"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2005.01.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d6 6. Nc3 e5 7. h3 c6 8. e4
Nbd7 9. d3 a6 10. Rb1 Re8 11. Be3 b5 12. b4 Bb7 13. Nd2 Rc8 14. a4 Bf8 15. axb5
cxb5 16. Qb3 Bc6 17. Ra1 Ra8 18. Ra3 Nb6 19. Qc2 Bd7 20. Qb2 Na4 21. Nxa4 bxa4
22. Nb1 Rb8 23. Bd2 Qb6 24. Nc3 Qxb4 25. Qxb4 Rxb4 26. Bg5 d5 27. Bxf6 dxc4 28.
Nd5 Rb3 29. Ra2 cxd3 30. Bg5 Bg7 31. Bf3 h6 32. Be3 Reb8 33. Kg2 Bb5 34. Rc1
Bf8 35. Bd1 Kg7 36. Rca1 a5 37. Bxb3 axb3 38. Rxa5 d2 39. Rxb5 Rxb5 40. Bxd2 b2
41. Rb1 Bc5 42. Nc3 Rb3 43. Nd1 Bd4 44. Be3 Rb4 45. Kf3 f5 46. exf5 gxf5 47.
Bxd4 Rxd4 48. Ne3 Rd2 49. Nxf5+ 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2005.02.01"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Sutovsky, Emil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2669"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2005.01.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Be3 Qe7 7. Bxc5 Qxc5
8. Nc3 Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 O-O 11. O-O-O a5 12. Qf5 Rfd8 13. Rhf1 a4 14. a3
b5 15. f4 Nd7 16. Na2 g6 17. Qg5 f6 18. Qg4 Qd6 19. f5 Kh8 20. fxg6 Rg8 21. Nb4
Rxg6 22. Qf3 c5 23. Nd5 b4 24. g4 Nb6 25. Nxf6 Rf8 26. g5 Nd7 27. Qe3 Nxf6 28.
gxf6 Rgxf6 29. Rxf6 Rxf6 30. Rg1 Qf8 31. Qg3 Rf4 32. Kb1 Rf1+ 33. Rxf1 Qxf1+
34. Ka2 Qf7+ 35. b3 axb3+ 36. cxb3 Qf4 37. Qg2 bxa3 38. Kxa3 Qf8 39. Ka2 Qd6
40. Qg3 Qd4 41. h4 Qc3 42. Qg5 Qc2+ 43. Ka3 Qc3 44. Ka2 Qc2+ 45. Ka3 Qc3 46.
Ka2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2005.02.02"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gormally, Daniel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2472"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2005.01.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 dxc4 8. Bxc4
e5 9. g5 Nd5 10. Ne4 Bb4+ 11. Bd2 Bxd2+ 12. Qxd2 Qe7 13. O-O-O N7b6 14. Bb3 Bg4
15. Qe2 O-O-O 16. dxe5 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qxe5 18. Rd4 f5 19. gxf6 Nxf6 20. Rxd8+
Rxd8 21. Nxf6 gxf6 22. Qh3+ f5 23. Qxh7 Nc4 24. Bxc4 Qe4 25. Rg1 Qxc4+ 26. Kb1
Qd3+ 27. Kc1 Qd2+ 28. Kb1 Qd3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2005.02.03"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Rogers, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2594"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2005.01.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Nxc6 dxc6
8. Bf1 Nf5 9. d3 O-O 10. a4 Be6 11. c3 a5 12. Nd2 Re8 13. Nc4 Bd5 14. Bf4 Nd6
15. Ne3 Qd7 16. d4 Be4 17. Bd3 Bf8 18. Be5 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 c5 20. Nc4 cxd4 21.
Bxd6 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 dxc3 23. bxc3 Bxd6 24. Qe4 Bc5 25. Qxb7 Re8 26. Rxe8+ Qxe8
27. Ne3 Qxa4 28. g3 Qe8 29. Qxc7 Bxe3 30. fxe3 Qxe3+ 31. Kf1 Qf3+ 32. Ke1 Qe3+
33. Kf1 Qf3+ 34. Ke1 Qa8 35. Kd2 h5 36. Kc1 h4 37. gxh4 a4 38. Kb2 Qg2+ 0-1

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2005.02.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Galkin, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2593"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2005.02.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Qd7 11. Nc3 Nd8 12. d4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Re8 14. Nf5 Ne6 15.
Nxe7+ Rxe7 16. f3 Rd8 17. Be3 d5 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Qxd5 Qxd5 21.
Bxd5 Rxd5 22. Kf2 h5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2005.02.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Solak, Dragan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A54"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2596"]
[Annotator "Meulders,R"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2005.02.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 Nbd7 4. Nc3 e5 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 exd4 7. Nxd4 Be7 8.
Nf5 g5 (8... O-O 9. Qd4 c5 10. Qf4 $16) 9. Bg3 Nc5 10. Nxe7 Qxe7 11. Qd4 Bf5 $5
{RR: Eine nette Falle in bedrängter Lage.} 12. O-O-O $1 {RR: Weiß steht besser
und hat es nicht nötig, sich auf Risiken einzulassen.} (12. Nd5 $2 Nxd5 $1 13.
Qxh8+ Kd7 14. Qxa8 {RR: In einer praktischen Partie wird der Weiße solche
Stellungen nach Möglichkeit vermeiden.} Qf6 $1 (14... Nb4 15. Rd1 Ne4 16. Rd5
$3 {/\} Qf6 17. Be5) 15. cxd5 Qxb2 16. f3 Nd3+ $1 17. exd3 Qxa1+ 18. Kf2 Qd4+
$11) 12... O-O-O 13. f3 Kb8 14. e4 Bc8 15. h4 Nh5 $2 (15... g4 16. Bf2 b6 17.
Kb1 $16) 16. Nd5 Qd7 17. Bf2 {[%csl Ra7][%cal Gf2a7]} Qa4 (17... b6 18. hxg5
hxg5 19. Rxh5 Rxh5 20. Nf6 $18) 18. Nc3 Qa5 19. hxg5 hxg5 20. g4 {[%csl Rh8]}
Ne6 21. Qd5 $1 {[%csl Ra5]} Qxd5 22. exd5 {[%csl Re6,Rh5]} 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2005.02.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Filippov, Valerij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2621"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[Annotator "Dautov,R"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2005.02.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Bb4 4. a3 {Die prinzipiellste Antwort. Weiß möchte
mit Zugumstellung eine für ihn günstige Variante des Nimzoindisch erreichen.}
Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 b6 $5 {Ein sehr seltener Zug. Aronian plant mit Ba6 den
sofortigen Angriff auf den Bauern c4.} ({Nach} 5... Nf6 6. e3 O-O 7. cxd5 exd5
8. Bd3 c5 9. Ne2 b6 10. O-O $14 {hat Weiß eine leicht bessere Stellung aus dem
Nimzoindisch und damit sein Ziel erreicht.}) ({Sehr verbreitet ist die
Entwicklung} 5... Ne7 6. e3 O-O 7. Bd3 c5 8. Nf3 {, z.B.} h6 9. O-O Qc7 10. Qe2
Nd7 11. a4 Re8 12. e4 dxe4 13. Qxe4 Ng6 14. Re1 $14 {Khenkin,I-Godena,M/Ischia
1996}) 6. cxd5 (6. e3 Ba6 $11) (6. Nf3 Ba6 (6... Nf6 $5) 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bg5
$14) 6... exd5 7. c4 $5 {Ein zweischneidiges Bauernopfer. Zu seinem Läuferpaar
bekommt Weiß ein mobiles Bauernzentrum.} (7. e3 $5) 7... dxc4 8. e4 $5 ({
Sicherer, aber ungefährlicher für Schwarz ist} 8. Qa4+ c6 9. Qxc4 Ba6 10. Qc3
Nf6 {, und Schwarz wird dank seinem Entwicklungsvorsprung keine Sorgen haben,
z.B.,} 11. Nf3 O-O 12. Bg5 Ne4 13. Bxd8 Nxc3 $11) 8... Ba6 {Besser war m.E.
das konsequente Halten des Mehrbauern mittels 8...b5.} (8... b5 9. a4 c6 10.
Nf3 (10. axb5 cxb5 11. Qh5 Qxd4 12. Qxb5+ Bd7 $15) 10... Nf6 $13) 9. Nf3 Nf6
10. Qc2 c5 $2 {[%mdl 512] Auch hier war 10...b5 angezeigt. Mit dem Textzug
plant Aronian ein Figurenopfer, das sich als unzureichend erweisen wird.} (
10... b5 $1 11. a4 c6 12. axb5 (12. Be2 O-O 13. e5 Nd5 14. Ng5 g6 $13) 12...
cxb5 13. Ba3 Qa5+ 14. Nd2 Nc6 (14... b4 $2 15. Bb2 $16) 15. Bb2 Qb6 $13) 11. e5
cxd4 $2 (11... Nd5 $142 12. Bxc4 Bxc4 13. Qxc4 cxd4 14. Nxd4 O-O 15. O-O Qd7
$14) 12. exf6 O-O 13. Bxc4 Re8+ 14. Kd1 Qxf6 15. Qa4 $16 {Schwarz hat
eindeutig nicht genug für das geopferte Material, zumal seine Figuren nicht
einmal besser entwickelt sind. Der weiße König fühlt sich recht sicher auf d1.}
Rc8 (15... b5 16. Bxb5 Bxb5 17. Qxb5 Nc6 18. Ra2 Rab8 19. Qd3 $16) 16. Re1 b5
17. Bxb5 Bb7 18. Bb2 Nd7 $6 (18... Bxf3+ 19. gxf3 Qxf3+ 20. Be2 Qf5 (20... Qxf2
21. Qxd4 $18) 21. Rc1 $16) 19. Bxd4 (19. Qxd4 Bxf3+ 20. gxf3 Qxf3+ 21. Kd2 Nf6
22. Bd3 $18) 19... Bxf3+ 20. gxf3 Qxf3+ 21. Be2 $18 Qd5 22. Rg1 Ne5 23. Ke1 g6
24. Rd1 Qe4 25. Qb3 Re8 26. Kf1 Red8 27. Qe3 Qxe3 28. Bxe3 Rxd1+ 29. Bxd1 Nc4
30. Bc1 Rd8 31. Be2 Rc8 32. Rg3 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2005.02.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Popov, Valerij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2588"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2005.02.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nf3 b5 6. c5 g6 7. Qb3 a5 8. Ne5 Bg7
9. Nxb5 cxb5 10. Bxb5+ Kf8 11. O-O Ba6 12. a4 Ne4 13. Nd3 Bb7 14. f3 Nf6 15.
Ne5 Qc7 16. Bd2 h5 17. c6 Bc8 18. e4 Qb6 19. Be3 Be6 20. Rac1 Na6 21. f4 Nc7
22. f5 gxf5 23. exf5 Bc8 24. Rc5 Ba6 25. Bg5 Bc8 26. Kh1 Ne4 27. Bxe7+ Kxe7 28.
Rxd5 Nxd5 29. Qxd5 Ng5 30. Ng6+ fxg6 31. Re1+ Be6 32. Rxe6+ Kf8 33. Qd6+ Kg8
34. Bc4 Kh7 35. Re7 gxf5 36. Qf6 Rhg8 37. Qxg5 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2005.02.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Berkes, Ferenc"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E25"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2005.02.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
dxc5 Qa5 9. e4 Ne7 10. Be3 e5 11. Qb3 Qc7 12. Bb5+ Nd7 13. Ne2 O-O 14. Bxd7
Bxd7 15. c4 f5 16. Nc3 fxe4 17. Nxe4 Nf5 18. O-O Bc6 19. Nd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2005.02.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2607"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2005.02.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. c5 g6 7. Qb3 a5 8. Ne5 Bg7
9. Nxb5 a4 10. Qb4 cxb5 11. Bxb5+ Kf8 12. O-O Na6 13. Qa3 Nc7 14. Bc6 Ra6 15.
Bxa4 Ne4 16. c6 Ra8 17. f3 Qd6 18. Nd7+ Bxd7 19. cxd7 Nf6 20. b3 Bh6 21. Qxd6
exd6 22. e4 Kg7 23. g4 Rxa4 24. bxa4 Ne6 25. f4 Nxg4 26. exd5 Nc7 27. Rb1 Rd8
28. Rb7 Rxd7 29. a5 Nf6 30. f5 Bxc1 31. Rxc1 Nfxd5 32. a6 Re7 33. a7 Re2 34.
fxg6 Kxg6 35. a4 Ra2 36. Rc6 Rxa4 37. Rxd6+ Kg5 38. Rd7 f5 39. Rbxc7 Nxc7 40.
Rxc7 Kf4 41. d5 Ke5 42. Rd7 Ra2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2005.02.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Efimenko, Zahar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2601"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2005.02.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Qd7 11. Nc3 Nd8 12. d4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Re8 14. Nf5 Ne6 15.
Nxe7+ Rxe7 16. f3 Rd8 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. e5 dxe5 19. Qxd7 Rdxd7 20. Rxe5 h6 21.
Be3 Re8 22. Re1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2005.02.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Postny, Evgeny"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E16"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2557"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2005.02.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Bxd2+ 7. Qxd2 O-O 8.
Nc3 Ne4 9. Qc2 Nxc3 10. Ng5 Qxg5 11. Bxb7 Nxe2 12. Qxe2 Nc6 13. Bxa8 Rxa8 14.
Rd1 Qa5+ 15. Kf1 Qxa2 16. d5 Na5 17. Kg2 $146 {Surprizing novelty in the
offbeat variation. Aronian has probably realized, that black might have
problems to bring his knight back into the game.} (17. dxe6 dxe6 18. c5 Qc4 19.
Qxc4 Nxc4 20. b3 Na5 21. Rd3 bxc5 22. Rc3 Nb7 23. Ke2 a5 24. Rd1 Kf8 25. f4 Ra6
{1/2-1/2 Benjamin,J-Azmaiparashvili,Z/New York 1997/ (44)}) 17... Qxc4 $6 (
17... Nxc4 $5 18. dxe6 dxe6 19. Qe4 (19. Rd7 c6 20. Rc1 b5 21. Rc2 $11) 19...
Rf8 20. Ra1 Qb3 21. Rxa7 c5 22. Ra8 g6 23. Rha1 Na5 24. Ra6 Qxb2 25. Rb1 $11)
18. Qf3 Rc8 (18... exd5 19. Rxd5 Qc6 20. Rxd7 Qxf3+ 21. Kxf3 $14) (18... Rf8
19. Rc1 Qxd5 20. Qxd5 exd5 21. Rxc7 $16) (18... c6 $5 19. dxe6 dxe6 20. Rd7 Rf8
21. Rhd1 Qc5 22. Rxa7 Nc4 $11) 19. dxe6 dxe6 (19... Qxe6 20. Rhe1 Qc6 21. Qxc6
Nxc6 22. Rxd7 Kf8 23. h3 $14) 20. Rd7 Rf8 (20... f5 21. Rhd1 Qc6 22. Qxc6 Nxc6
23. Rc1 Ne5 24. Rdxc7 Rxc7 25. Rxc7 $14) 21. Rhd1 {Due to the sorry location
of the black knight Postny's position is rather unpleasant.} g6 (21... Qc5 22.
Rd8 c6 23. Qf4 e5 24. Qh4 f6 25. b4 $18) 22. h4 h5 23. Re7 Qc6 (23... Qb3 24.
Qxb3 Nxb3 25. Rxc7 $16) 24. Qxc6 Nxc6 25. Rxc7 Nb4 26. Rxa7 Nd5 27. Rda1 $1 {
[%mdl 4096] Aronian doesn't fear the technical problems in the position with
extra exchange. Coordinated attack of rook and king will be very unpleasant
for black.} Kg7 (27... b5 28. Ra8 b4 29. Kf3 $16) 28. Ra8 Rxa8 29. Rxa8 Kf6 30.
Kf3 Kf5 31. Ke2 f6 (31... b5 32. Kd3 Ke5 33. Rf8 $16) 32. Kd3 g5 33. Ra4 $1 Ke5
(33... b5 34. Re4 e5 35. f3 $16) 34. Re4+ Kf5 35. f3 e5 36. Rc4 Ke6 37. hxg5 $1
{Very easily white was able to get the winning position, the defender will not
be able to hold all the pawns.} (37. Rc6+ Kd7 38. Rc1 gxh4 39. Ke4 Ne7 40. gxh4
Kd6 41. Rd1+ Ke6 $14) 37... fxg5 38. Rc6+ Kf5 (38... Kd7 39. Rh6 $18) 39. Rd6
$1 (39. Rh6 Nf6) 39... Ne7 40. Rxb6 h4 (40... g4 41. Rh6 gxf3 42. Rxh5+ Kg4 43.
Rxe5 Nc6 44. Re8 $18) 41. gxh4 gxh4 42. Ke2 Nd5 (42... Kf4 43. Rb4+ Kg3 44.
Rg4+ Kh3 45. Re4 $18) 43. Rh6 {The game is over as the black h pawn will not
run very far.} Nf4+ (43... Kg5 44. Rh8 Nf4+ 45. Ke3 $18) 44. Ke3 h3 45. b3 Kg5
46. Rh8 Kf5 47. Kf2 Ke6 48. Rd8 Ke7 49. Rd1 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2005.02.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Ni, Hua"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[EventDate "2005.02.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Be3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FRA-chT Top 16 GpA"]
[Site "Noyon"]
[Date "2005.03.31"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D75"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2005.03.31"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c5 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O cxd4 7. Nxd4 d5 8.
cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Qc7 11. Rb1 Qxc3 12. Nb5 Qa5 13. Bd2 Qd8 14. Be3
Qa5 15. Qe1 Nc6 16. Qxa5 Nxa5 17. Nc7 Bf5 18. Nxa8 Bxb1 19. Rxb1 Rxa8 20. Bxb7
Rd8 21. Bf3 Bd4 22. Rd1 e5 23. Kg2 Nc4 24. Bg5 Re8 25. e3 Bb2 26. Rd7 e4 27.
Bd1 a5 28. Rc7 Nd6 29. Bb3 Kg7 30. Rd7 Be5 31. Bd8 1-0

[Event "FRA-chT Top 16 GpA"]
[Site "Noyon"]
[Date "2005.04.01"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Schlosser, Philipp"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2005.03.31"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. e5 dxc3 7. exf6 Qxf6
8. dxc3 c6 9. Bd3 d5 10. O-O Bc5 11. Qh5 g6 12. Qh6 Bf8 13. Qe3+ Be6 14. Qg3
Be7 15. Qc7 O-O 16. Be3 Bc8 17. Bd4 Qd6 18. Qxd6 Bxd6 19. c4 dxc4 20. Bxc4 Bf5
21. c3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FRA-chT Top 16 GpA"]
[Site "Noyon"]
[Date "2005.04.02"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rowson, Jonathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2572"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2005.03.31"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. e3
O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. d5 Na5 11. Nd4 Bd7 12. e4 c6 13. Rb1 Rc8 14. Re1 cxd5 15.
exd5 Nac4 16. b3 Nd6 17. Bb2 Na8 18. a4 Qb6 19. Nce2 Nc7 20. Nf4 Nf5 21. Nxf5
Bxf5 22. Bxg7 Bxb1 23. Ba1 Bf5 24. g4 Qb4 25. gxf5 Qxf4 26. fxg6 hxg6 27. Re4
Qh6 28. Bb2 Rcd8 29. Rd4 Qh5 30. Qd2 e5 31. Rd3 Qf5 32. Bh3 Qf4 33. Qxf4 exf4
34. d6 Re1+ 35. Kg2 f3+ 36. Kg3 Ne6 37. Bf6 Nc5 38. Bxd8 Nxd3 39. Bf6 Nc5 40.
d7 Nxd7 41. Bxd7 Rb1 42. Kxf3 Rxb3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "FRA-chT Top 16 GpA"]
[Site "Noyon"]
[Date "2005.04.03"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Georgiev, Kiril"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2654"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[EventDate "2005.03.31"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.05.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.05.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. d4 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Ne5 Bc6 10. Nxc6 Nxc6 11. e3 Na5 12. Nd2 c5 13. dxc5 Rc8 14. b4 cxb3 15.
Nxb3 Nxb3 16. Qxb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-chT 12th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2005.04.20"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Volkov, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2634"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2005.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[BlackTeam "Saransk TPS"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 b5 6. c5 g6 7. Bd3 Bg7 8. b4 Bg4
9. Bb2 Nbd7 10. Ne2 Qc7 11. a4 O-O 12. Ra2 Ra7 13. h3 Bxf3 14. gxf3 Rfa8 15. f4
e6 16. O-O Ne8 17. Qc2 Qb7 18. Rfa1 Bf6 19. Qb3 Bd8 20. Qa3 Nc7 21. Bc3 bxa4
22. Qxa4 Nb5 23. Bd2 Bc7 24. Kh1 Nf6 25. Qc2 Nh5 26. Ng1 Qc8 27. Qd1 Bb8 28.
Qg4 f5 29. Qg2 Rg7 30. Nf3 Raa7 31. Rg1 Nf6 32. Ne5 Ne4 33. Be1 Nf6 34. Ra1 Qe8
35. h4 Kh8 36. Qh3 Bc7 37. Rg2 Bd8 38. Be2 Kg8 39. h5 Nxh5 40. Bxh5 gxh5 41.
Rxg7+ Rxg7 42. Rxa6 Bf6 43. Nxc6 h6 44. Rb6 Kh7 45. Rxb5 Qxc6 46. Ra5 Qe8 47.
b5 h4 48. f3 Qh5 49. Ra1 Qe8 50. Ra5 Bd8 51. b6 Bf6 52. Bf2 Bd8 53. Ra1 Bf6 54.
Rg1 Rb7 55. e4 dxe4 56. fxe4 Qa8 57. d5 Rg7 58. Qf3 Rxg1+ 59. Bxg1 exd5 60. Qh5
fxe4 61. Qf7+ 1-0

[Event "RUS-chT 12th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2005.04.21"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Akopian, Vladimir Eduardovic"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2005.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Sverdlovsk Ural region"]
[BlackTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Bg5 Qe7 8. Nbd2
Nd8 9. d4 Bb6 10. Bh4 c6 11. Ba4 h6 12. Bb3 Bc7 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. Nc4 a5 15. a4
b6 16. Qc2 Be6 17. Ne3 Nb7 18. Nf5 Bxf5 19. exf5 Nd6 20. Rad1 Rac8 21. Rfe1 e4
22. Nd2 Rfe8 23. g3 Qe5 24. Bxf6 Qxf6 25. Nxe4 Qxf5 26. Nxd6 Rxe1+ 27. Rxe1
Qxc2 28. Bxc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-chT 12th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2005.04.22"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yandemirov, Valeri"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C72"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2503"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2005.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[BlackTeam "Kazan Ladya"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 h5 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. d4
Bxf3 9. Qxf3 exd4 10. Rd1 Qf6 11. Qb3 Ne7 12. Qb7 Rc8 13. c3 Qe5 14. Qxa6 Qxe4
15. cxd4 Qf5 16. Nc3 g6 17. Re1 Kd7 18. Re3 Bg7 19. Rf3 Qe6 20. Bd2 f5 21. Re1
Qf7 22. Bg5 Rhe8 23. Rfe3 Bf6 24. Bxf6 Qxf6 25. Qc4 d5 26. Qe2 Ra8 27. b3 f4
28. Re6 f3 29. Qe3 Qh4 30. g3 Qxh3 31. Rxe7+ Rxe7 32. Qxe7+ Kc8 33. Qf8+ Kb7
34. Qxf3 h4 35. Re7 Rc8 36. Na4 hxg3 37. Nc5+ Kb6 38. Qxg3 Qh5 39. Qc3 1-0

[Event "RUS-chT 12th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2005.04.24"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Iljushin, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E56"]
[WhiteElo "2543"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[Annotator "Gavrikov,V"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2005.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Saratov Ekonomist SGSEU"]
[BlackTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. a3
Ba5 {A rare continuation nowadays.} 9. dxc5 {This reply is not dangerous for
Black.} ({The alternatives are:} 9. h3 Re8 (9... Qe7 10. Qc2 dxc4 11. Bxc4 cxd4
12. exd4 Rd8 13. Rd1 Bb6 14. Be3 Nd5 15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Ba2 $14 {1/2-1/2 Graf,
A-Pelletier,Y/Mallorca 2004/CBM 104 no vc (31)}) 10. cxd5 exd5 11. dxc5 Bxc3
12. bxc3 Qa5 13. Qc2 (13. Qb3 $142 $5 Qxc5 14. c4 Be6 15. Qb5 Qe7 16. cxd5 Bxd5
17. Bb2 Rad8 18. Rad1 $14 {1-0 Mikhalchishin,A-Lukez,F/Cappelle la Grande 1989/
TD (40)}) 13... Qxc5 14. Bb2 Be6 15. Rac1 Rac8 16. Ng5 h6 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. c4
d4 19. exd4 Nxd4 20. Qb1 e5 21. Rce1 b6 22. Re3 e4 $1 (22... Rcd8 23. Rfe1) 23.
Bxe4 Nxe4 24. Rxe4 Ne2+ 25. Kh2 Rxe4 26. Qxe4 Qxc4 27. Qg6 Qf7 {1/2-1/2
Grigoriants,S-Landa,K/Sochi 2005/CBM 107_01 (27)}) (9. Na4 cxd4 10. exd4 dxc4
11. Bxc4 h6 12. Qd3 Bc7 13. Nc3 b6 (13... e5 $5 14. d5 Ne7 15. Rd1 Bd6 $13 {
0-1 Brinck Claussen,B-Fries Nielsen,N/Vejle 1982/MCD (42)}) 14. Rd1 Bb7 15. b4
Rc8 16. Bb2 Bb8 $11 {1-0 Portisch,L-Browne,W/Amsterdam 1971/MCL (39)}) (9. Ne2
cxd4 (9... dxc4 10. Bxc4 Bb6 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. b4 Qxd1 13. Rxd1 Be7 14. Bb2 Bd7
15. Rac1 Rfd8 16. Ned4 Nxd4 17. Nxd4 a6 $11 18. Bb3 Rac8 19. Rxc8 Bxc8 20. Nf3
Rxd1+ 21. Bxd1 {1/2-1/2 Jurka,M-Lechtynsky,J/Ceske Budejovice 1995/EXT 97 (21)}
) 10. exd4 dxc4 11. Bxc4 h6 12. Bf4 (12. Be3 Ne7 13. Qd3 a6 14. Rad1 b5 15. Ba2
Bb7 $15 {0-1 Gerhold,M-Schroll,G/Hartberg 2004/CBM 101 ext (45)}) 12... Bc7 13.
Bg3 Bxg3 14. hxg3 Qd6 15. Qd3 b6 16. Rad1 Bb7 17. Nf4 Ne7 18. Ne5 Ned5 $132 {
1/2-1/2 Spassky,B-Kozma,J/Varna 1958/EXT 2001 (41)}) (9. cxd5 {(the critical
line)} exd5 10. dxc5 (10. Ne2 c4 11. Bc2 Bc7 12. b3 b5 $5 13. a4 $2 b4 $17 {
1/2-1/2 Buehl,W-Snyder,R/Palo Alto 1981/EXT 2000 (26)}) 10... Bxc3 11. bxc3 Bg4
(11... Qa5 12. Qc2 (12. a4 $5 $146 Qxc3 13. Ba3 Bg4 14. Qb1 $14) 12... Qxc5 13.
a4 Re8 14. Ba3 Qa5 15. Rab1 Qc7 16. c4 dxc4 17. Bxc4 Be6 18. Bxe6 Rxe6 19. Rfd1
$14 {1/2-1/2 Timman,J-Kaplan,J/Amsterdam 1974/MCL (27)}) 12. c4 $1 (12. Rb1 Qc8
13. h3 Bh5 14. Be2 Rd8 15. Bb2 Ne4 $132 {0-1 Panno,O-Averbakh,Y/Buenos Aires
1954/MCL/[ChessBase] (49)}) 12... Ne5 (12... d4 13. Be2 $5 {1-0 Vaganian,
R-Shabanov,Y/Daugavpils 1971/EXT 2001 (21)} dxe3 14. Bxe3 $14) 13. cxd5 ({
perhaps more promising than} 13. Bb2 Nxf3+ 14. gxf3 Bh3 15. cxd5 (15. Re1 Ne4
16. Be5 Qg5+ 17. Bg3 Nxg3 18. hxg3 dxc4 19. Bxc4 Qxc5 20. Qd5 Qc8 $11 {1/2-1/2
Krogius,N-Taimanov,M/Budapest 1965/EXT 2001 (30)}) 15... Qxd5 (15... Bxf1 16.
Bxf6 Qxf6 17. Bxf1 $44) 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Kh1 Rfd8 18. Rg1+ Kh8 19. Be2 Qxc5
20. Qa4 Bf5 21. Qh4 Qe7 22. e4 Bg6 23. Bc4 Rac8 24. Bd5 Rc3 25. Rg3 Rdc8 $13 {
1/2-1/2 Agrest,E-Milov,V/Antalya 2004/CBM 101 (38)}) 13... Bxf3 (13... Nxf3+
14. gxf3 Bh3 15. e4 Nd7 $1 16. Kh1 Bxf1 17. Bxf1 Nxc5 18. e5 Qh4 19. Be3 b6 20.
f4 $13 {1-0 Donner,J-Pietzsch,W/Havana 1965/MCD (28)}) 14. gxf3 Qxd5 15. Be2
Qxc5 16. Bb2 Rad8 17. Bd4 Qc8 18. Qb1 Rfe8 19. f4 Rxd4 20. exd4 Nc6 21. Bf3
Nxd4 22. Qxb7 Qf5 23. Rae1 Rf8 24. Bg2 Qxf4 25. Qe7 $16 {1-0 Shchekachev,
A-Dizdar,G/Paris 1996/EXT 97 (36)}) 9... Bxc3 10. bxc3 e5 ({More precise is to
win back the pawn by} 10... dxc4 11. Bxc4 Qa5 12. Qc2 Qxc5 13. Bd3 b6 14. a4
Rd8 $132 {0-1 Ban Aly,A-Ahmed,E/Sanaa 2002/CBM 090 ext (33)}) 11. cxd5 ({
Interesting is} 11. Nd2 $5 Bg4 12. Qa4 d4 {1/2-1/2 Rivas Pastor,M-Nogueiras,J/
Havana 1983/MCD (34)} (12... dxc4 $5 13. Bxc4 e4) 13. cxd4 exd4 14. Ne4 $5 dxe3
15. Nxf6+ Qxf6 (15... gxf6 $6 16. Qc2 Nd4 17. Qb2) 16. Bxe3 $14) 11... Qxd5 12.
c4 Qxc5 13. Qc2 Rd8 $5 ({Black can also play} 13... h6 14. Bb2 Be6 15. Rac1
Rad8 16. Bf5 Rfe8 17. h3 {1-0 Bykov,V-Cherepkov,A/Leningrad 1957/MCD (73)} Bxf5
18. Qxf5 Rd6 $132) 14. Be2 ({Not} 14. Bb2 $2 Rxd3 15. Qxd3 e4 $17) 14... Bg4
15. h3 Bh5 16. Bb2 Rac8 {Black has a very comfortable position in view of
better pawn structure.} ({Less good is} 16... e4 17. Nd4 Bxe2 18. Nxe2 Ne5 19.
Ng3 {because allows White to exchange his weakness on c4.}) 17. Rfd1 Re8 $5 (
17... e4 $143 18. Bxf6 exf3 (18... Rxd1+ 19. Qxd1 $1 exf3 $140 $6 (19... gxf6
20. Nd2 Bg6) 20. Bxf3 Bxf3 21. Qxf3 Qxc4 (21... gxf6 $4 22. Qg4+) 22. Qg3 g6
23. Qg5 Qe6 24. Rd1 $14) 19. Bxd8 fxe2 20. Rd5 Rxd8 21. Rxc5 Rd1+ 22. Rxd1
exd1=Q+ 23. Qxd1 Bxd1 24. Rd5 Ba4 $11) 18. Rac1 Rc7 19. Ne1 ({It was probably
better to play} 19. Nh4 Bxe2 20. Qxe2 Na5 21. Nf3 Rcc8 (21... b6 22. Bc3 Nc6
23. Qb2) 22. Qc2 $5 {with roughly equal chances} {(} Nxc4 $140 23. Bxe5 Rxe5
24. Qxc4 Qxc4 25. Rxc4 {).}) 19... Bg6 20. Qb3 Qe7 21. a4 {A disputable
decision because here the pawn can be vulnerable.} Ne4 22. Nf3 $6 (22. Nd3 $142
{preventing Nc5.}) 22... Nc5 23. Qa3 b6 24. Nd2 $2 {The planned manoeuvre
Nb1-c3 is mistaken in this situation.} ({Instead White should have tried to
exchange his a-pawn by} 24. Bc3 Bh5 25. Rd5 f6 26. a5) 24... Rd8 25. Nb1 Rcd7
26. Rxd7 Rxd7 27. Bc3 ({A sad necessity since after} 27. Nc3 $2 Rd2 28. Rd1
Rxd1+ 29. Nxd1 ({or} 29. Bxd1 Qh4) 29... Qd6 {(/\ Qd2)} 30. Bc1 (30. Bc3 Bd3)
30... Na5 31. Qa2 Bd3 {White is unable to defend c4.}) 27... Bd3 28. Bxd3 Rxd3
29. Qa2 Qd8 30. Nd2 h6 31. Qc2 Qd7 32. Nf3 Qe6 33. Nd2 Rd8 $1 {Prepares the
queen penetration on d3.} 34. Rb1 Qd6 35. Nf3 f6 36. Ne1 Qe6 37. Bb4 ({Avoiding
} 37. Qa2 $2 Ne4 38. Qb3 Nd6) 37... Nxb4 38. Rxb4 Qd7 {Now White cannot
prevent Qd1.} 39. Kf1 Qd1 40. a5 Qxc2 41. Nxc2 bxa5 42. Rb5 Ne4 43. Kg1 $2 (43.
Rxa5 Rd2 (43... Rd1+ 44. Ne1) 44. Nb4 Rxf2+ 45. Kg1 Rb2 46. Nd5 Rb1+ 47. Kh2
Nd2 48. g4 {would be a tougher nut to crack.}) 43... Rd1+ 44. Kh2 h5 45. h4 ({
Also loses} 45. f3 Nd2 46. Rd5 Nf1+ 47. Kg1 Nxe3+ 48. Rxd1 Nxd1 $19) 45... Rc1
46. Na3 Nxf2 47. Rxa5 Ng4+ 48. Kh3 Nxe3 $19 49. Rxa7 Nxc4 50. Nxc4 Rxc4 51. Ra2
Kf7 52. g3 Ke6 53. Kg2 Kf5 54. Ra7 Rc2+ 55. Kf3 g6 56. Ra5 Rc3+ 57. Kg2 Rd3 58.
Kh3 Rd6 59. Rb5 Ke4 60. Rb4+ Ke3 61. Rb3+ Rd3 62. Rb6 f5 63. Rxg6 Kf2 64. Rg5
Rf3 65. Rxh5 Kg1 {And the threat of Rf2 decides.} 0-1

[Event "RUS-chT 12th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2005.04.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Raetsky, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2440"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2005.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Voronezh Red October"]
[BlackTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qb3
b6 9. Bb4 c5 10. dxc5 Na6 11. cxd5 Nxd5 12. Ba3 Nxc5 13. Bxc5 Bxc5 14. Rd1 Qe7
15. Nbd2 Nf6 16. Ne5 Bb7 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. Qf3 Qc7 19. Nd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-chT 12th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2005.04.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tseshkovsky, Vitaly"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D73"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2589"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2005.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[BlackTeam "Vladivostok Debiut-DVGU"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 c6 6. Nc3 d5 7. Qb3 dxc4 8. Qxc4
Bg4 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Rd1 Qc8 11. Qb3 Nb6 12. Bf4 Be6 13. Qc2 Nbd5 14. Be5 Bf5
15. Qb3 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Be4 17. a4 c5 18. Ne1 Bxg2 19. Nxg2 cxd4 20. cxd4 Qd7 21.
d5 Rac8 22. Qb2 Ne8 23. Bxg7 Nxg7 24. Ne3 Nf5 25. Nxf5 gxf5 26. Qd2 f6 27. Qe3
b6 28. Rd4 Rf7 29. Rad1 Rg7 30. Qe6+ Qxe6 31. dxe6 Rg4 32. Rd8+ Rxd8 33. Rxd8+
Kg7 34. f4 1-0

[Event "RUS-chT 12th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2005.04.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kobalia, Mihail"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2644"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2005.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[BlackTeam "Moscow Youth of"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Qc2 {Before the game, I did not know
what to play against Misha's favourite line with a6, and after Nc3, e6.
Fortunately, over lunch, my teammate Viorel (Bologan) recommended this move,
which was new to me, and showed me some of the main lines.} Bg4 {here, after
e6, White develops the knight to d2, where it stands better than on c3,
especially if Black plays c5.} 6. Ne5 Bh5 7. Qb3 {When Viorel showed me these
moves, I was a bit shocked. Such a waste of tempi...It is like some sort of
theatrical performance, where the queen does not where to head.} Qc7 {Both 7...
Qc8 and 7...Ra7 were also possible (7...b5 does not look very good, since
after the simple 8.cxd5 it is hard to believe that Black will survive).
Unfortunately, these moves have been played in very few games, so it is hard
to draw any reliable conclusions.} 8. Nc3 e6 9. Bd2 dxc4 {If my memory does
not decisve me, this move was played fairly quickly. Illescas Cordoba played 9.
..Bd6 here against Azmaiparashvili.} 10. Bxc4 Bd6 {Despite being behind in
development, Black's position is quite solid. After quite a long think, I
decided on a pawn sacrifice, since I did not see an advantage in any other
lines.} 11. g4 ({Here I also looked at} 11. Be2 {(I did not like any of the
lines connected with the advance f4, since I was afraid that after c5, Black
would take over the initiative)} Bxe2 12. Kxe2 {It is unlikely that White has
anything here.} ({after} 12. Nxe2 {I did not like} Bxe5 13. dxe5 Ne4)) ({
There was also the amsuing idea} 11. h3 b5 12. Bf1 {but this looked rather
artificial to me.}) 11... Nxg4 12. Be2 (12. Nxg4 Bxg4 13. Rg1 {was interesting,
but during the game, it seemed to me that after} h5 (13... Bh5 {also looks
reasonable. In my view, Black should be OK.}) 14. h3 Bxh3 15. Rxg7 Nd7 {
Black has an excellent position. Now I am not so sure about this, since White
has various tactical possibilities connected with the move Ne4.} ({Maybe Black
should play} 15... Bf8 16. Rg3 Bg4)) 12... Nf6 ({During the game, I doubted
that I was any better after the piece sacrifice} 12... Bxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 {
I think that after} 14. h3 Nxf2 ({if} 14... Nc5 {then} 15. Qc4 Nxf2 16. Kxf2
Qxe5 17. Qf4 {and after the queen exchange White is better.}) 15. Kxf2 Bxe2 {
followed by long castling a double-edged position arises.}) 13. Bxh5 Nxh5 14.
Ne4 ({At first I thought that both} 14. Nc4 {and the move in the game gave
White the advantage, but then these illusions were dispelled, since after} Be7
15. Nb6 Ra7 {although the knight on b6 stands well, White has no advantage.})
14... Be7 15. Bb4 {Here White had the choice between three continuations.} (15.
Nc4 b5 16. Qd1 {deserved consideration. The idea is to go Ba5 after the knight
leaves h5, but I overlooked this, and thought only of the move 16.Na5, which
also leads to an unclear position with compensation for the sacrificed pawn.
The ideas of exchanging bishops appealed to me more. Black should probably play
} bxc4 (16... Nf6 17. Ba5 Bb4+ 18. Bxb4 Nxe4 19. Qc2 {and White is better.})
17. Qxh5 Nd7 18. Bc3 Nf6 {and equality is not far off.}) 15... O-O {Here Black
has the alternative moves 15...Qb6 and 15...Nf6. I expected only 15...Qb6,
considering 15...0-0 and 15...Nf6 secondrate moves.} ({After} 15... Qb6 {
I was intending} 16. a3 {and after} O-O ({Instead of castling Black has the
aggressive move} 16... Nf6 {Here there are many possibilities. A sample
variation is} 17. Nc4 Bxb4+ 18. Kd1 Qd8 19. Nxf6+ Qxf6 20. Qxb4 b5 21. Nd6+ Kd7
22. Rg1 {and in this wild position I will allow myself to end the variation.} (
22. Ke2)) 17. Rg1 {I thought that I had good chances of attack.}) ({On} 15...
Nf6 {during the game I was ready to play} 16. Nxf6+ gxf6 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 ({
stronger is} 17... Kxe7 18. Qa3+ c5 19. Rc1 Nd7 20. Nxd7 Kxd7 {and White is
just slightly better.}) 18. Nc4 {with advantage to White.}) 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17.
Nc5 b5 {For some reason, during the game I considered this position to be
almost lost for Black. As a result, I played my next move immediately. Later
on, having lost my advanatge, I cursed myself for it. But things are not so
simple. Despite his passivity, Black's position is solid and he has many
possibilities of freeing his position by sacrificing the c6-pawn.} 18. O-O-O {
Maybe Rc1 and a later Rg1 is stronger, but I didn't think there was any need
to hurry.} Nf6 {Here I realised to my horror that after the planned 19.Kb1 my
opponent had prepared 19...Nbd7 and after 20.Nxc6 Qd6 21.Nxd7 Nxd7 the black
pieces come to life. After spending 20 minutes on dubious thoughts such as
"will he really give up this pawn, for which he has already suffered so much?",
I decided not to worry any more and played...} 19. Qa3 {...temporarily
preventing ...Nbd7. I was also pleased that there is a trap here, albeit a
fairky elementary one: 19...Qc7 20.Rhg1 Nbd7 21.Nxe6! (amusingly, I did not
notice 21.Ncxd7 Nxd7 22.Qe7 winning a piece because of the threat Rxg7+) fxe6
22.Qe7 winning, even prettily in some cases.} a5 {A natural and not bad move.
Black wanst to free his position by ...Na6.} 20. Kb1 {Goodness knows why I
spent 9 minutes on the next two moves, gradually edging myself closer to
time-trouble.} b4 {More of an emotional move than a chess one. Probably around
here, my opponent decided to sharpen the play, because he had more time on the
clock.} ({On} 20... Na6 {I intended} 21. Rc1 Rfc8 22. Rhg1 {All the same,
White retains pressure, although Black has no great problems.}) 21. Qa4 Rc8 {
I think that, having decided to play for three results, my opponent abandoned
the idea of giving back the pawn.} ({was not bad. If White wants any advantage,
he probably has to play} 21... Nfd7 22. Ncxd7 (22. Rc1 Nxe5 23. dxe5 Nd7 24.
Nxd7 Qxd7 {and by avoiding the exchange of queens Black achieves good play,
since his queen can harass the weak white kingside pawns.}) 22... Nxd7 23. Nxc6
Qh4 24. f3 {I think the position is unclear. Around here, our game was the
only one still going on in the match. Such responsibility cannot fail to have
its effect, and gradually my opponent started taking linger over his moves.})
22. Rc1 Nd5 {22...Nbd7 was possible and led to similar variations as after 21..
.Nbd7. Including the moves Rc1 Rc8 helps White and so he is probably a bit
better. Even so, I prefer the move in the game, and the large-scale manoeuvres
associated with it.} 23. Rhg1 Ra7 24. Rg3 {This is all fairly natural. White
tries to give mate, whilst Black defends.} f6 {This weakening move is
unavoidable, but now Black's slumbering knight wakes up.} 25. Ned3 {Having 9
minutes to reach move 40 (not counting the 30 second increments) I decided to
play solidly. After 25.Nc4 e5 the position becomes double-edged.} Nd7 26. e4 {
I played this move so as to regain the pawn in the line 26...Nc5 ...} N5b6 {
Now a series of virtually forced moves ensues.} (26... Nxc5 27. dxc5 Nc7 28.
Qxc6 {although here I could not really assess the position after} ({White also
has another chance that I did not see, namely} 28. Nxb4 {After the best reply}
Qe8 29. Nd3 {we again reach a confusing position, but here more favourable to
White.}) 28... Qe8 29. Qxe8+ Nxe8 {At first glance White is better, but it is
hard for him to untangle his pieces. Maybe it is a case of dynamic equality.})
27. Qb3 Nxc5 28. Nxc5 Re8 29. Rcg1 Qd6 30. Qe3 Qf8 {It looks strange, this is
actually a good move. Black prepares for the possible trick Qh6 and Rh3.} 31.
Nd3 {Seeing that my attack was petering out, I decided to transfer the knight
elsewhere, especially as I was in time-trouble (which as far as I recall, was
not yet mutual). I had 3 minutes left at this point and wanted to clarify
things.} Nc4 {Moving the knight bto the centre of the action. Tricks like 31...
b3 should not be good because of 32.axb3 a4 33.Nc5 and it is not apparent what
benefit comes from the return sacrifice.} 32. Qc1 {I thought that I had at
last found a plan of attack, and after...} Nd6 33. f3 Nb5 34. Qe3 {... the
terrible knight would arrive on h5 with previously invisible threats. Not for
noting is it called time trouble! The normal continuation would be 32.Qe2 with
a position full of possibilities (on 32...Rd7 the reply 33.Nc5 Rd4 34.Nb3 is
good). It should be pointed out that after 32.Qc1 Nd6 White would have had the
chance to rethink and take the c6-pawn after which Black seems to have nothing
better than a draw by repetition (33...Rc8 34.Qb6 Rb7 35.Qa6 Ra8).} e5 {
An interesting idea, and probably a good move. Black wants to seize the
initiative at once.} ({Also possible is} 34... a4 {with the idea of a3, after
which Black is better, eg.} 35. Nf4 Rf7 {and the king is safe, despite the
heavy pieces in its vicinity, since} 36. Nh5 {is met by the simple} Ree7 {.})
35. dxe5 fxe5 36. Rg5 {Naturally, 36.Qh6 runs up against 36...g6 .} Rae7 {
A blunder.} ({After} 36... Qd6 {I would have had to seek counterplay by} 37. f4
{, although after} exf4 38. Nxf4 Qd4 {White has problems, since} 39. Qg3 {
does not work after} Rf7 {. Evidently, the protracted defence had worn my
opponent out and he miscalculated.}) 37. Rf5 Rf7 38. Rxe5 Nd6 ({Probably when
playing his 36th move, my opponent had overlooked that} 38... Rxf3 {loses to}
39. Qxf3 {39. Qf3 and a knight fork on e5.}) ({Now he makes a further mistake,
after which the advantage swings round to me. After} 38... Rd8 39. Reg5 Rfd7
40. Ne5 (40. Rf5 Qe8 41. Ne5 Rd1+ 42. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 43. Kc2 Rd6 {and only White
can have problems.}) 40... Rd1+ 41. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 42. Kc2 Rh1 {it seems that
Black has enough counterplay to draw.}) 39. Rxe8 {Having seen 40.Qc5 I did not
even look at other moves.} Qxe8 40. Qc5 Qe6 {The last move of the time-trouble
phase. The other move 40...Nb7 was too passive, and I did not even consider it.
41.Qg5 with the idea of putting the knight on e5 does not look bad.} 41. Qxc6 {
On seeing that 41.Ne5 is met by 41...Nb7 and calculated some variations and
decided on the text. The computer move 41.Qxa5 may also be good.} Rxf3 42. Nc5
({Also tempting was} 42. Rd1 Rf6 43. Nc5 Qe7 44. Qd5+ Qf7 45. Qa8+ {and Qxa5.
Quite honestly, I expected to win quickly and therefore did not look seriously
for other moves after seeing that 42.Nc5 was so strong.}) 42... Qf6 (42... Qe5
{loses to} 43. Rd1 Ne8 44. Ne6 Nf6 45. Ng5 $1 {It is surprising, but 45.Ng5 is
the only winning move. It is less surprising that I did not actually see it,
but I think I would have found it is Misha had played 42...Qe5.}) 43. Qa8+ {
Played quickly, as I was looking forward to winning the queenside pawns.} Qf8 (
{The ending after} 43... Kf7 44. Qd5+ Ke8 (44... Ke7 45. Rxg7+ Qxg7 46. Qe6+
Kd8 47. Qxd6+ Kc8 48. Qa6+ Kb8 49. Qb5+ Ka7 50. Qxa5+ Kb8 51. Qb5+ Ka7 52. Qa4+
Kb8 53. Nd7+ {and White then picks up the b4 pawn with further checks, whilst
at the same time driving the king to the kingside. Advancing the queenside
pawns then gives good winning chances.}) 45. Qg8+ Qf8 46. Qe6+ Qe7 47. Qxe7+
Kxe7 48. Rxg7+ Rf7 49. Rxf7+ Nxf7 50. Kc2 {is also bad, although it probably
offers more chances of a draw than the game.}) 44. Rxg7+ Kh8 45. Qxf8+ Rxf8 46.
Rd7 Nc4 ({Maybe Black should take the rook ending after} 46... Rc8 {. There
things are not so easy, but objectively after} 47. Rxd6 Rxc5 48. Rd5 Rc4 49.
Rxa5 Rxe4 50. Rd5 {White has excellent winning chances.}) 47. Ne6 Rc8 {Cutting
off the king. Now with 6 minutes for 12 moves, I panicked.} 48. Rd5 Re8 {
Probably my opponent thought that the knight ending gave him drawing chances.}
({Black could have played} 48... Kg8 {and} 49. Rc5 Re8 {. True, even here after
} 50. Nd4 Nd2+ 51. Kc2 Nxe4 (51... Rxe4 52. Kd3 {and the black pieces are tied
up.}) 52. Rxa5 {White has excellent winning chances.}) 49. Rd8 {49.Nc5 was
possible, but I was regretting not exchanging the previous move, so I did not
waste much time doing so now.} Rxd8 50. Nxd8 Kg7 {There is little sense in
taking the e4 pawn, since the knight would be further away from its main
target on h2. I do not have any great desire to analyse this ending, which I
consider rather a tedious task, so I will just add that whilst I believe the
ending is winning, I don't think my opponent defended in the best possible way.
} 51. Nc6 h5 52. Kc2 Kf6 {52...h4 was the last chance. Now it is simple.} 53.
b3 {The point now is that after all attacks on the h2-pawn, White has the
universal remedy h4.} Ne3+ 54. Kd3 Nd1 55. Nxa5 {The knight cannot come to c3
because of the simple a4.} h4 56. Nc6 h3 57. Nxb4 Nf2+ 58. Ke3 Ng4+ 59. Kf4
Nxh2 60. Nd5+ Ke6 61. Ne3 1-0

[Event "RUS-chT 12th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2005.04.28"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Yakovich, Yuri"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E12"]
[WhiteElo "2565"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2005.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Samara Yunilain"]
[BlackTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. d4 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. a3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Qc2 Nxc3 8.
bxc3 Be7 9. e4 O-O 10. Bd3 c5 11. O-O Qc7 12. Qe2 Nd7 13. Bd2 Rac8 14. a4 Rfd8
15. h3 Nb8 16. Rfe1 cxd4 17. cxd4 Nc6 18. Rac1 Ba3 19. Rc4 Qe7 20. Bg5 f6 21.
Be3 Nb4 22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23. Bb1 Ba6 24. Qd1 Bc4 25. Nd2 Bd3 26. Qb3 Nc2 27. Ba2
Nxe1 28. Qxe6+ Qxe6 29. Bxe6+ Kf8 30. Bxc8 Nc2 31. Be6 Bb2 32. Bc4 Bxc4 33.
Nxc4 Bxd4 34. Bd2 Bc5 35. Kf1 Nd4 36. f3 Ke7 37. Ke1 Kd7 38. Bc3 Ne6 39. h4 Bf8
40. Kd2 Nc5 41. Nb2 h5 42. Ke3 Ke6 43. Kd4 g6 44. Kc4 a6 45. g4 Bd6 46. gxh5
gxh5 47. Be1 Be5 48. Nd3 Nxa4 49. Bf2 Bd6 50. f4 b5+ 51. Kb3 f5 52. e5 Be7 53.
Nb4 Bxb4 54. Kxb4 Nb2 55. Ka5 b4 0-1

[Event "RUS-chT 12th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2005.04.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Khalifman, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2658"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2005.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[BlackTeam "Samara Termosteps"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
Rb1 f6 9. d3 Be6 10. a3 O-O 11. b4 a5 12. b5 Nd4 13. Nd2 Bd5 14. Nde4 Bf7 15.
e3 Ne6 16. f4 f5 17. Nf2 exf4 18. gxf4 Rb8 19. Kh1 c5 20. bxc6 bxc6 21. Qc2 c5
22. Bd2 Bh4 23. Ne2 a4 24. Ng3 g6 25. Ba5 Bf6 26. Rg1 Bg7 27. Nd1 Qd6 28. Nc3
Nd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "NED-chT 0405 playoff"]
[Site "Enschede"]
[Date "2005.05.05"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Saltaev, Mihail"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2485"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2005.05.05"]
[EventType "team-k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2006"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Calder HMC"]
[BlackTeam "ZZICT Breda"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NED"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. a4 b4 8. Bd5
Nxd5 9. exd5 Nd4 10. Nxe5 O-O 11. c3 d6 12. Nf3 Nxf3+ 13. Qxf3 Bg5 14. Be3 bxc3
15. bxc3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Qh4+ 17. Qg3 Qh5 18. e4 f5 19. O-O fxe4 20. Rxf8+ Kxf8
21. Nd2 exd3 22. Qxd3 Kg8 23. Re1 Bf5 24. Qc4 Re8 25. Rxe8+ Qxe8 26. Kf2 Qf7
27. Nf3 h6 28. a5 Kh7 29. h3 c5 30. Qb3 Bd3 31. c4 Qf5 32. Qc3 Qe4 33. Nd2 Qe2+
34. Kg1 Kg6 35. Kh2 Qe3 36. Qb2 Bxc4 37. Nxc4 Qf4+ 38. Kh1 Qxc4 39. Qb6 Qxd5
40. Qxa6 c4 41. Qc8 Qxa5 42. Qe6+ Kg5 43. Qe7+ Kf4 44. Qxd6+ Qe5 45. Qd2+ Ke4
46. Qe1+ Kf5 47. Qf2+ Qf4 48. Qb6 Qe4 49. Kh2 Qe6 50. Qb1+ Kf6 51. h4 Qd6+ 52.
Kh1 Qd3 53. Qb6+ Kf7 54. Kh2 c3 55. Qc7+ Kg6 56. h5+ Kh7 57. Qc8 c2 58. Qc6 Qe2
59. Qc5 Qe4 60. Kh3 Kg8 61. Qc8+ Kf7 62. Qd7+ Kf6 63. Qd8+ Ke5 64. Qc7+ Kd4 65.
Qxg7+ Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "NED-chT 0405 playoff"]
[Site "Enschede"]
[Date "2005.05.06"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "L'Ami, Erwin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D71"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2515"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2005.05.05"]
[EventType "team-k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2006"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "ZZICT Breda"]
[BlackTeam "Hilversum HSG"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NED"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. e3
e5 9. d5 Nb4 10. e4 c6 11. O-O cxd5 12. Qb3 Na6 13. exd5 O-O 14. Bg5 Qc7 15.
Rac1 f6 16. Be3 Qc4 17. Qd1 Rd8 18. a3 Bg4 19. h3 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 Kh8 21. b4 f5
22. Bxb6 axb6 23. Na4 Qb5 24. Be2 Qe8 25. Nxb6 Ra7 26. d6 Qe6 27. Qa4 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Portisch, Lajos"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2525"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Nbd7 {Diese Variante wird
heutzutage selten gespielt. Die üblichen Fortsetzungen sind 5...c5, 5...a6 und
5...Nc6.} 6. O-O {Dieser Zug ist eigentlich ein Bauernopfer. Stattdessen kann
Weiß mit 6.Qa4 fortsetzen, und mit Zugumstellung zur Variante 5.Qa4+ Nbd7
überleiten.} c6 (6... c5 7. Na3 Nb6 8. Nxc4 Nxc4 9. Qa4+ $14) 7. a4 a5 (7... b5
8. axb5 cxb5 9. Nc3 Qb6 10. b3 Bb4 11. Na2 Be7 12. bxc4 bxc4 13. Nd2 Nd5 14.
Nxc4) 8. Nc3 (8. Na3 Bxa3 9. bxa3 b5 (9... b6)) 8... Bb4 9. e4 (9. Qc2 O-O 10.
Rd1 (10. Na2 Bd6 11. Qxc4 e5 12. Nc3 exd4 13. Qxd4 Nc5 14. Bf4 Bxf4 15. Qxf4
Qb6 {0-1 Miton,K-Dreev,A/Moscow 2002/ (52)}) (10. e4 $5) 10... Qe7 11. Ne5 (11.
e4 e5 12. h3 Re8 13. d5 Nc5 14. Be3 Nb3 15. Rab1 Bc5 16. Qe2 Bxe3 17. Qxe3 cxd5
18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Rxd5 f6 20. Bf1 {1-0 Podzielny,K-Gheng,J/Schwaebisch Gmuend
1997/EXT 98 (54)}) 11... Nb6 $1 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Ne4 (14. e3 $1 Qe7
15. Qe2 $14) 14... Qe7 15. Nxc4 Nxc4 16. Qxc4 e5 $1 17. d5 cxd5 18. Qxd5 Bg4 $1
19. Nc3 $1 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Rac8 $1 $11 {1/2-1/2 Atalik,S-Zhu Chen/Beijing 1996/
CBM 54 ext (33)}) 9... O-O (9... Bxc3 10. bxc3 Nxe4 11. Qc2 Nd6 12. Ba3 Nf6 13.
Ne5 $44 {1-0 Mihajlovic,V-Kajganovic,M/JUG-cht2 Vrnjacka Banja 1996 (36)}) 10.
Qc2 {Weiß hat einen Bauern weniger, aber eine sehr starke Zentrumstellung.
Hingegen hat Schwarz Probleme mit der Entwicklung des c8-Läufers.} Re8 (10...
h6 11. Rd1 Re8 12. Na2 b5 13. axb5 Bb7 14. bxc6 Bxc6 15. e5 Nd5 16. Qxc4 Rc8
17. Nxb4 Nxb4 18. Qe2 {1-0 Poluljahov,A-Hagurov,N/Krasnodar 1997/EXT 2000 (31)}
) 11. Rd1 Qe7 12. e5 (12. Na2 e5 13. dxe5 Ng4 $11) 12... Nd5 13. Nd2 (13. Ne4
b5) 13... N7b6 14. Nce4 Qc7 (14... f5 $6 15. exf6 gxf6 16. Nxc4 $14) 15. Nxc4
Nxc4 16. Qxc4 $14 {[%csl Rc8,Gd5,Yd6,Ge5] Weiß hat Raumvorteil im Zentrum und
kontrolliert das Feld d6. Anderseits ist der Nd5 sehr stark positioniert, aber
mit der Entwicklung seines Läufers auf c8 hat Schwarz weiterhin große Probleme.
} b6 17. Qc2 {[%cal Ge4g5,Gc2h7,Gc2e2,Ge2h5][%mdl 32] Die Dame stand nicht so
gut auf c4. Aus diesem Grund plant Weiß die Überführung der Dame zum
Königsflügel.} Be7 18. Bg5 (18. Ng5 Bxg5 19. Bxg5 Bb7 $11) 18... Bf8 {Schwarz
muss seinen schwarzfeldrigen Läufer auf dem Brett halten.} (18... Bxg5 $2 19.
Nxg5 $16) 19. Rac1 Bb7 20. Qe2 {[%cal Ge2g4,Gg4g8,Gg4h5] Schwarz muss nun mit
Qh5 oder Qg4 rechnen.} Qd7 21. Qg4 Kh8 22. Qh4 Rac8 23. Nf6 $1 $16 {[%mdl 64]}
Nxf6 (23... gxf6 $142 24. exf6 {[%csl Rh7][%cal Rg2e4,Re4h7]} Ne7 25. fxe7 Bxe7
26. Bf6+ Bxf6 27. Qxf6+ Kg8 28. Qg5+ Kh8 29. Qe5+ Kg8 30. Re1 $16) 24. exf6 c5
{Schwarz möchte endlich seinen b7-Laufer aktivieren, aber es ist zu spät.} (
24... gxf6 25. Bxf6+ Bg7 26. Be4 $18) (24... g6 25. g4 {[%csl Rh8][%cal Gc1c3,
Gc3h3,Gh3h8]}) 25. dxc5 Bd5 26. cxb6 $18 {Weiß hat zwei Bauern mehr und
Angriffschancen am Königsflügel - die schwarze Stellung ist hoffnungslos.} (26.
fxg7+ Bxg7 27. Bf6 Rxc5 28. Rxc5 bxc5 29. Be4 $18) 26... Rxc1 27. Bxc1 {
[%cal Gd1d7]} (27. Rxc1 $6 Bxg2 28. Kxg2 Qb7+ $16) 27... Qc6 28. Bxd5 exd5 29.
Be3 gxf6 (29... Qxf6 30. Qxf6 gxf6 31. Bf4 Re7 32. Bd6 Re8 33. Bc7 $18) 30. Qh5
{[%csl Gb6,Rd5]} Qxa4 31. Qxd5 Re5 32. Qd8 Re8 33. b7 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Popov, Valerij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2568"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Nf3 Bb7 8.
e3 a5 9. b3 d6 10. Bd3 Nbd7 11. O-O c5 12. Bb2 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kornev, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2565"]
[Annotator "Lutz,C"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 a6 6. b3 Bb4 7. Bd2 O-O 8. Bd3
Nbd7 9. O-O Qe7 10. Qe1 $5 $146 {Eine Neuerung, die interessanterweise im
gleichen Turnier in der gleichen Runde noch in einer anderen Partie angewandt
wurde. Normal ist 10.Qc2, aber auch 10.Re1 wurde schon häufiger gespielt.} (10.
Qc2 e5 (10... dxc4 11. bxc4 e5 12. Bf5 (12. Nh4 g6 13. f4 $2 Ng4 14. Nf3 Bxc3
15. Qxc3 e4 16. Bc2 exf3 17. gxf3 Ngf6 18. e4 Nh5 $17 {1/2-1/2 Ehlvest,
J-Stripunsky,A/New York 2004/CBM 103 ext (44)}) (12. Ne4 Bxd2 13. Nfxd2 Nxe4
14. Nxe4 f5 15. Nd2 e4 16. Be2 c5 17. d5 Ne5 18. Rab1 Rf6 19. Qc3 b6 20. h3 Bd7
$132 {1-0 Mohr,S-Clara,H/Germany 1990/GER-chT (69)}) 12... Re8 13. Rab1 a5 14.
Ne2 exd4 15. Nexd4 g6 16. Bh3 Ne4 17. Bc1 Ndf6 {1/2-1/2 Korotylev,A-Georgiev,V/
Wijk aan Zee 2005/CBM 105 (17)}) (10... h6 $5 11. h3 Re8 12. Rad1 e5 13. dxe5
dxc4 14. bxc4 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Qxe5 16. Na4 Bxd2 17. Rxd2 b5 $1 18. Nb6 Rb8 19.
Nxc8 Rbxc8 20. Rc1 Ne4 $11 {1/2-1/2 Akopian,V-Riazantsev,A/Moscow 2005/CBM 106/
[Lutz] (40)}) 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Ne2 Bd6 (14... Bxd2
{Lutz} 15. Qxd2 Bd7 16. Qb4 $14) 15. Ng3 Qg5 (15... Qe7 16. Bc3 h6 17. Qb2 Re8
18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Qxf6 gxf6 20. Rac1 Kf8 21. Rfd1 Bg4 22. Be2 $16 {1-0
Ivanchuk,V-Riazantsev,A/Moscow 2005/CBM 106/[Lutz] (40)}) 16. Bc3 (16. f4 $1
Qh4 17. Rf3 g6 18. Be1 $1 Qh6 19. Bc3 $16 {0-1 Pinter,J-Gurevich,M/France 2004/
CBM 100/[Gurevich,M] (65)}) 16... Ng4 17. Be2 Bxg3 18. hxg3 Qh5 19. Bxg4 Bxg4
20. f3 Be6 21. g4 Qg6 22. Qxg6 hxg6 23. g5 $14 {1/2-1/2 Dreev,A-Riazantsev,A/
Sochi 2005/CBM 107/[Lutz] (59)}) (10. Re1) 10... a5 {In Verbindung mit ...dxc4
ist dieser Zug zweischneidig, da er Schwächen auf der b-Linie hinterläßt. 10...
dxc4 wurde in der anderen Partie gespielt und erscheint mir natürlicher.} (
10... dxc4 {1/2-1/2 Sargissian,G-Gagunashvili,M/Warsaw 2005/CBM 108(28)/[Lutz]}
) 11. Bc2 dxc4 12. bxc4 e5 13. a3 Bd6 14. Nh4 $5 {Aronian wählt ein
interessantes Konzept, das ein Bauernopfer enthält.} (14. Qb1 {war auch
möglich, um das Feld e4 unter Kontrolle zu nehmen und auf der b-Linie zu
spielen.} Re8 15. h3 $5 $13) 14... g6 15. f4 exd4 (15... e4 $6 {wäre nun
problematisch, da Weiß mit f2-f4 seine Struktur am Königsflügel gestärkt hat.}
16. c5 Bc7 17. Qg3 $5 Nh5 (17... Kh8 18. Qg5 Bd8 19. Rab1) 18. Qg5 Bd8 19. Qxe7
Bxe7 20. g4 $5 Bxh4 21. gxh5 f5 22. hxg6 hxg6 23. Rab1 {mit Druck auf der
b-Linie.}) 16. exd4 Bxa3 {Schwarz nimmt das Opfer an, da er sonst strategisch
schlechter stehen würde.} 17. Qg3 {Weiß setzt im Gegenzug auf taktische
Möglichkeiten am Königsflügel.} Nh5 18. Qf2 Ndf6 19. Rfe1 Qd8 20. Rxa3 Ng4 21.
Qf3 Qxh4 {Durch diesen indirekten Tausch hat Weiß den schwarzfeldrigen Läufer
erobert. Aber momentan hat Schwarz genügend Figuren am Königsflügel, so dass
sich die geschwächten Felder f6, g7 und h6 nicht auswirken.} 22. h3 Ngf6 23.
Rf1 (23. Rea1 Re8 24. Rxa5 Rxa5 25. Rxa5 Nxf4 $1 26. Qxf4 $2 Re1+ 27. Kh2 Ng4+
$19) 23... Qg3 24. f5 {Weiß stezt weiterhin auf Angriff, aber Schwarz hält
dagegen.} Qd6 25. Ne2 Bxf5 26. Bxf5 gxf5 {Die schwarzen Springer verteidigen
die geschwächte Königstruktur und außerdem hat Schwarz momentan noch zwei
Mehrbauern.} 27. c5 $6 {Mit Optimismus gespielt, der aber belohnt wird. Weiß
gibt das Feld d5 und verschmäht den Rückgewinn des a-Bauern, weil er sich
etwas von den Drohungen am Königsflügel verspricht.} (27. Rxa5 {ist etwa
ausgeglichen.} Rxa5 28. Bxa5 Re8 $132) 27... Qd5 28. Bh6 Qxf3 29. Raxf3 Rfe8
30. Ng3 Re6 $2 {Der entscheidende Fehler.} (30... f4 $1 {war der richtige Zug,
um den weißen Angriff gehörig ins Stocken zu bringen.} 31. Bxf4 (31. Nxh5 Nxh5
32. g4 Ng3) (31. Nf5 Nd5) 31... Nxf4 32. Rxf4 Nd5 33. Rxf7 (33. Rg4+ Kh8 34.
Rxf7 Re7) 33... Re7 $15 {, und Schwarz kann dank seines gefährlichen a-Bauern
frohgemut in die Zukunft blicken.}) 31. Rxf5 $18 {Nun machen die schwarzen
Springer eine unglückliche Figur.} Ng4 32. Rg5+ Rg6 (32... Kh8 33. hxg4 Nxg3
34. Bg7+ Kg8 35. Be5+ Rg6 36. Rxg6+ fxg6 37. Bxg3 $18) 33. Nf5 Rxg5 34. Ne7+
Kh8 35. Bxg5 {Der Ng4 hat kein Rückzugsfeld mehr.} Ng3 36. hxg4 h6 37. Bf6+ Kh7
38. Re1 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2597"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[Annotator "Erenburg,S"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 {Nowadays 12.d3 is more
popular. Other theoretical lines are:} (12. Re1 Bd6 13. g3 Bf5 14. d4 Qd7 15.
Be3 Rae8 {0-1 Leko,P-Anand,V/Cap d'Agde 2003/CBM 098/[Atlas,V] (45)}) (12. d3
Bd6 13. Re1 {0-1 Polgar,J-Adams,M/Dos Hermanas 1999/CBM 071/[Stohl] (45)})
12... Bd6 13. Re1 {Another possibility is:} (13. Re2 Qh4 14. g3 Qh5 15. Nd2 Bh3
16. f3 Bc7 17. a4 b4 18. c4 {0-1 Short,N-Nunn,J/Brussels 1986/CBM 001/[Nunn,J]
(39)}) 13... Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15. Be3 Bg4 ({The alternative line is} 15... Re8 {
1-0 Anand,V-Kamsky,G/Sanghi Nagar 1994/CBM 042/[Anand] (60)}) 16. Qd3 Rae8 17.
Nd2 {completing the development, and, at the same time, covering the f3 square.
} Re6 18. Bg5 $146 {Very rare continuation. The idea of this move is to open
the third rank for the queen and the "e" file for the rook. The main line is} (
18. a4 Qh5 $1 19. axb5 axb5 20. Ne4 Bc7 (20... Bf5 $1 21. Bd2 Rxe4 22. Rxe4 Nf6
23. f3 Qg6 $1 {[%cal Rf6e4,Rd6g3]} 24. Qf1 Nxe4 25. fxe4 Bxe4 $11 {1/2,Svidler,
P-Kamsky,G/Groningen/1995/ (31)}) 21. Bd2 Rfe8 {1/2-1/2 Anand,V-Kamsky,G/
Sanghi Nagar 1994/CBM 042/[Anand] (43)}) 18... Rfe8 $1 (18... Rg6 19. Ne4 Bf5
20. Bd2 $14) 19. Rxe6 Rxe6 20. Ne4 $8 ({Logical} 20. a4 {leads to lost
position:} Be2 $1 (20... Re2 {[%cal Ye2f2,Gh3h2]} 21. Bxd5 cxd5 22. Nf3 Re8 (
22... Rxb2 23. Bc1 $16) 23. Re1 Rxe1+ 24. Nxe1 Bd7 $14) (20... h6 21. Bxd5 (21.
Be3 Bxg3 22. hxg3 Nxe3 23. fxe3 Qxg3+ $19) 21... cxd5 22. Be3 Bf5 23. Qe2 Bg4
24. Qf1 $14) 21. Qc2 h6 22. Bxd5 (22. Bd8 Nf4 $19) 22... cxd5 23. Be3 Re4 $3
$19 {[%cal Ye4h4]}) 20... Bf5 21. f3 (21. Re1 {is met by} Qg4 $17) 21... Bxg3
$1 ({Worse is} 21... Rg6 22. Qf1 Qxf1+ 23. Kxf1 Bxe4 24. fxe4 Rxg5 25. exd5
cxd5 26. a4 b4 27. cxb4 Bxb4 28. Rc1 $14) 22. hxg3 Bxe4 23. fxe4 Rg6 24. Qf3 {
preparing Kf2 with following Rh1. Other moves are worse:} (24. Qf1 Qxg3+ 25.
Qg2 Qxg5 26. Qxg5 Rxg5+ $15) (24. Bxd5 Rxg5 25. Bxf7+ Kh8 $1 $19) (24. exd5
Rxg5 25. Kf2 Qh2+ $19) 24... Rxg5 25. Kf2 Nf6 $1 {transfering the knight to g4.
} (25... Rg6 26. Rh1 Qd7 27. Kg2 $14) (25... Qh2+ 26. Qg2 $16) 26. Rg1 {
[%cal Gf2e2]} (26. Rh1 Qxg3+ $17) (26. Re1 h5 $36) 26... Qh2+ 27. Rg2 Qh1 28.
e5 {White has no other useful moves:} (28. Rg1 Nxe4+ $17) (28. Bd1 h5 $17 {
[%cal Yh5h4]}) (28. Ke2 Qb1 29. Qf4 h6 $17) 28... Ng4+ {Interesting, that this
position has been played in the game (Zimmerman,B-Schwetlick,T/GER-chT corr
1997) and here the opponents agreed for a draw... But, Aronian decides to play
on.} 29. Ke2 {[%tqu "En","Please find the best move for black.","","","g5f5",
"",10]} Rf5 $1 30. Qxf5 ({White cannot play} 30. Qxc6 {in view of} g6 $3 $19 {
[%cal Gf5f2]} (30... Rf2+ $6 31. Rxf2 (31. Kd3 Qb1+ 32. Bc2 Qxc2#) 31... Qxc6
32. Rxf7 Qe4+ 33. Kd2 Qe3+ 34. Kd1 Qd3+ $11)) 30... Qxg2+ 31. Ke1 Qg1+ 32. Ke2
(32. Kd2 {loses on the spot:} Qe3+ 33. Kc2 Qe2+ 34. Kc1 Qe1+ 35. Bd1 Qxd1+ $19)
32... Qg2+ (32... Qe3+ {isn't better, than the move in the game:} 33. Kf1 Qc1+
34. Ke2 Qxb2+ $2 (34... Qe3+ $11) 35. Kf3 Nh2+ 36. Ke3 Qxc3+ 37. Kf2 Qd2+ 38.
Kg1 Nf3+ 39. Qxf3 Qxd4+ 40. Kf1 $14) 33. Ke1 Qxg3+ 34. Ke2 Qe3+ 35. Kf1 (35.
Kd1 Nf2+ 36. Kc2 Qe2+ 37. Kc1 Qe1+ 38. Kc2 Qd1#) 35... Qc1+ {Black decided to
force a draw, while, in my opinion, Levon could go for the following variation
without any risk:} (35... Nh2+ 36. Kg2 Qe2+ 37. Qf2 (37. Kh1 Qf3+) (37. Kh3
Qf3+) 37... Qxf2+ 38. Kxf2 Ng4+ 39. Kf3 h5 $15 {For example:} 40. Bc2 {[%cal
Gc2f5,Yf5c8,Yc2e4]} (40. Kf4 Kf8 41. Bd1 {[%cal Gd1g4,Yd1f3]} Ke7 42. Bxg4 hxg4
43. Kxg4 Ke6) (40. a4 Kf8 41. a5 Ke7 42. Kf4 f6 43. exf6+ Kxf6 44. d5 g5+ 45.
Ke4 c5 $19) (40. e6 Kf8 $17) 40... f6 (40... Nh6 41. Be4) (40... g5 41. Bf5 $11
) 41. Be4 (41. e6 Kf8 42. Be4 Ke7 43. Bxc6 f5 (43... Kxe6 44. Be8 $11) 44. Bb7
(44. Kf4 Kf6 $17) 44... a5 45. Bc6 g5 46. Bxb5 Kxe6 47. Bc4+ Kd6 48. b4 axb4
49. cxb4 h4 50. a4 h3 51. a5 Ne3 $19) (41. Bg6 fxe5 42. Bxh5 Nf6 43. Bg6 exd4
44. cxd4 Kf8 $17) 41... fxe5 42. Bxc6 exd4 43. cxd4 b4 $17) 36. Ke2 Qe3+ 37.
Kf1 Qh3+ 38. Ke2 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Huzman, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2577"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 {Interestingly, before the game I was going to play
3.g3, but then changed my mind for some reason (possibly the speed of my
opponent's play worried me) and I decided to play a popular line which I had
looked at before the tournament.} b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 O-O
8. Rc1 {After this move, my opponent thought for 20 minutes, which could not
but please me. But once he started playing at blitz speed again, I realised
that this was just a matter of choosing which variation to play, and not the
confusion for which I had hoped.} d5 {In this quite fresh position, Black has
played the move 8...c6, which seems dubious to me, and also the exotic 8...Ba3
9.Rc2 Nc6!? which is hardly likely to find many followers as bold as its
inventor. Another option is 8...Bb7.} 9. cxd5 exd5 {If my database is to be
believed, this move is a novelty. Admittedly, thanks to my stereotyped play,
the game soon reaches almost a standard position from the line with 7.Bg2 d5} (
{After} 9... Nxd5 {an interesting position can arise if White follows in the
footsteps of the main inspiration for this variation Topalov:} 10. Nxd5 exd5
11. Bg2 Re8 12. Rc2 Bd6 13. Bg5 Bb4+ 14. Kf1 {When analysing the position, I
came to the conclusion that if the Black player does not know it, it would be
hard to find the best reply. However, some people have been put off this whole
variation for White precisely by the move 11...Re8. Mind you, I am not sure
that the quiet 10.Bg2 can bring very much. Van Wely tried the original 11.Bh3,
and maybe that is where White should seek something?}) 10. Bg2 {Surprised by
my opponent's previous move, I spent 7 minutes in this obvious reply.} Bb7 {
Not being familiar with the subtleties of these positions, I thought my
opponent wanted to advance c5, and therefore refrained from 10.Bh3 in order to
keep the d5-pawn under observation. But whether the bishop is better on h3 or
g2 is a question that is difficult to answer.} 11. O-O Nbd7 {Here I thought
for 10 minutes. I somehow wanted to put my knight on e5, but I did not like
the simple 11...Re8 12.Bf4 Nf8, Furthermore, at the back of my mind was a game
of Botvinnik against Lundin, in which the Patriarch won as Black precisely
because in a similar position, his opponent started jumping forward with his
pieces, and was gradually driven back. Then I decided to play e4 at some point
and as a preliminary, to put the rooks on e1 and d1.} 12. Qc2 {I did not play
12.Nh4 because I did not see what to do after 12..g6.} Re8 13. Bf4 {I do not
know how to explain this move. The bishop is no better here than on d2.} ({
I did not like} 13. Rfe1 {because of} Nf8 14. Ne5 Ne6 {and the need to play e3
did not fit in with my aggressive plans. I look at various ideas to meet Nf8
by Nh4, but in all lines, things are complicated by the dark-square weaknesses
on the queenside. Overall, given that I cannot suggest anything for White in
this position, one must conclude hat Black has no problems.}) 13... c6 14. Rcd1
{After 8 minutes thought, I decided on this move after calculating the
variation 14...Nf8 15.e4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 dxe4 17.Qxe4 Bb4 18.Qf5 and thanks to
the threat of Ne5, Black does not get to take the rook on f1. Only after
playing my move did I notice that after 14...Bb4 White probably has nothing
better than 15.Bd2, since the alternative 15.Rfe1 looks very dubious. Even so,
one can only marvel at the solidity of White's position in these closed
openings! Even after a series of second-rate moves, he is still OK.} Nh5 {
A standard move in this type of position, although with the pawn on b3, I
believe Black has other better options.} (14... Nf8 15. e4 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 dxe4
17. Qxe4 Bb4 18. Qf5) (14... Bb4 15. Bd2 (15. Rfe1)) 15. Kh1 ({After} 15. Bc1 {
I thought} Bb4 {would follow, and then for example} 16. e3 Nhf6 {. In the game,
I wanted to avoid such positions, where Black has easy play, and so after 12
minutes' thought, I decided on the strange, even rather stupid-looking text,
with the idea of sharpening the game.}) 15... Bb4 {Testing the seriousness of
my intentions.} 16. e3 {Now I did not want to consider other moves and decided
to place the bishop in its trap. In the game, this dubious idea prevailed.} Qe7
({A solid move, which does not spoil the picture, but it would be better to
increase the tension with} 16... h6 {White would have to play very accurately
in order not to fall into a difficult position. I thought about} 17. Ne2 {
and if} g5 {then} 18. g4 {with a sharp position in all variations. For example}
Nxf4 ({On} 18... Nhf6 19. Bg3 Nxg4 20. h3 Ngf6 21. Ne5 {with the idea of f4
gives White compensation}) ({, or} 18... gxf4 19. gxh5 fxe3 20. Bh3) 19. exf4
Ba6 20. Ng3 Bxf1 21. Bxf1 gxf4 22. Nf5 {and despite the material deficit, I
like White's position. So it may be that there is no direct refutation of the
idea with e3.}) 17. Ne2 h6 {The main cause of all Black's troubles.} ({Better
was} 17... Ba6 {which after what I thought was the forced line} 18. Rg1 Qe4 19.
Qb2 {gives Black a comfortable position after} Qe6 ({the trick} 19... Bxe2 20.
Qxe2 Nxf4 21. gxf4 Qxf4 {does not do Black any favours after} 22. Ne5 Rxe5 23.
dxe5 Qxe5 24. Bxd5 cxd5 25. Qg4 {. After} Bd6 26. Qg2 {we reach a surprising
position in which despite Black's apparent advantage, he is actually on the
verge of defeat, because of the problem in repulsing White's threats.}) 20. Ne5
Nhf6 {. Now finally the poorly-placed White pieces begin to tell.}) 18. Ne5
Nxe5 {Maybe the cautious move 18...Qe6 was better, since hunting down the
bishop is interesting, but brings Black to the edge of defeat.} 19. dxe5 {
Opening a route for the knight.} g5 (19... f6 {does not bring any relief.
White has the resource} 20. Bf3 Nxf4 21. exf6 Qxf6 22. gxf4 {and probably
White's play on the g-file, and the associated attack, gives him the advantage.
}) 20. Nd4 gxf4 {But this is unnecessary. There was no need to hurry with this
capture. He should immediately employ the same idea as in the game.} ({After} 
20... Ng7 {Black has a reasonable position, since after the relatively best}
21. Nxc6 Qc5 22. Qxc5 Bxc5 23. Bxd5 a5 {Black has his trumps and
counterchances.}) 21. gxf4 {Now I think White's attack is worth more than the
piece.} Ng7 {An attempt to buy White off with the c6-pawn, but it is already
too late. The attack develops unstoppably.} 22. Rg1 Kh8 23. Bf3 ({Here I
avoided the tempting, but incorrect} 23. Bxd5 {I did not like} cxd5 24. Rxg7
Kxg7 25. Nf5+ Kh8 26. Nxe7 Rxe7 {and Black suddenly has attacking chances
himself.}) 23... Rg8 24. Rg3 Ne6 (24... Qd7 {does not help the defence,
because after} 25. Rdg1 {Black does have the move} Ne6 {in view of} 26. Qf5
Rxg3 27. Rxg3 Qe7 28. Rh3 {and Black is in a bad way.}) 25. Rh3 {This is the
correct move-order,} ({since after} 25. Nf5 {Black has the chance to bale out
with} Rxg3 26. Nxe7 Rxf3 {, although here too, Black only just survives after
the computer move} 27. Ng6+ {.}) 25... Rg6 26. Nf5 ({Here too, grabbing
material by} 26. f5 {would give Black some hope after} Ng5 27. Rh4 c5 28. fxg6
cxd4 {.}) ({Admittedly, those more inclined towards the technical phase of the
game would prefer} 26. Nxe6 Rxe6 27. f5 {but it seemed to me that mate was not
far off.}) 26... Qf8 (26... Qc5 {is not very effective, since after} 27. Qb1 {
all the old problems with the king remain.}) 27. Bh5 {Here I started to relax,
thinking that the game was over, and I almost regretted it.} Kh7 28. Nxh6 {
The computer move 28.Nh4, with the idea of f5, is very strong. I was not yet
thinking of such fanciful measures.} Qxh6 29. Rg1 {Here many roads lead to
Rome, and it seemed to me that I had chosen the most effective. I had
calculated that after 29.Rg1 Rg8 20.Qf5 Black would have to resign. But my
opponent replied...} Kh8 {...which came as rather a shock. It is terrible to
have to admit it, but the move Kh8 had escaped my attention altogether, and I
was very lucky that I still have...} 30. Rxg6 fxg6 31. Bg4 {after which all is
well.} Qxh3 32. Bxh3 Nf8 33. f5 {Black is now killed by the bad position of
his king.} Re8 34. f4 gxf5 ({Here I looked at the attempt to break out by} 
34... c5 {but after the simple} 35. fxg6 Kg7 (35... d4+ 36. Bg2 Bxg2+ 37. Qxg2
{and the threat on g7 does not give Black any breathing space.}) 36. Qf5 {
the queen breaks into the black position with deadly effect.}) 35. Qxf5 Nh7 36.
Qd7 ({Although I was obsessed by ideas of pushing the pawns after} 36. Qh5 Re7
37. Bf5 c5 38. Bxh7 Rxh7 39. Qe8+ Kg7 40. f5 {(I missed the idea of going
after the bishop with 40.Qb8), I decided to remove the bishop from the board.})
36... Re7 37. Qd8+ Kg7 38. Bc8 Bxc8 (38... Bc5 {was possibly more stubborn,
although also losing after} 39. Bxb7 Rxb7 40. Qc8 Rf7 41. Qxc6 Bxe3 42. e6 Rxf4
43. Qd7+) 39. Qxc8 Bc5 ({Equally hopeless is} 39... c5 40. Qc6 d4 41. Qd6) 40.
Qxc6 Bxe3 41. Qd6 {Maybe 41.f5 is simpler, but I was secretely hoping for 41...
Rf7 42.e6 with a triumphal march of the pawns.} Bc5 42. Qxd5 Nf8 {Hoping to
reach Q v R+B, which is not easy to win.} 43. f5 Nd7 44. b4 {This little
refinement decides things. Now taking on b4 loses the bishop after f6, whilst
44...Re5 after 45.Qd7+ Be7 46.Qa7 is also hopeless.} Nxe5 45. bxc5 bxc5 46.
Qxc5 {The rest is easy and requires little more than care, which I managed.}
Kf6 47. Qd6+ Kf7 48. h4 Nd7 49. Qg6+ Kf8 50. Qh6+ Kf7 51. Qg6+ Kf8 52. h5 Rf7
53. Qd6+ Kg8 54. Qg6+ Rg7 55. Qe6+ Rf7 56. h6 Kf8 57. Qd6+ Ke8 58. Kg2 Nf8 59.
f6 Rd7 60. Qc6 Kf7 61. Qxd7+ 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Volkov, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E25"]
[WhiteElo "2634"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
dxc5 Qa5 9. e4 Nc7 10. Be3 e5 11. Kf2 O-O 12. Rb1 Qxa3 13. Bc4 Be6 14. Bxe6
Nxe6 15. Ra1 Qb2+ 16. Ne2 Qb5 17. Rb1 Qc6 18. Qd5 Nd7 19. Rxb7 Qxd5 20. exd5
Nexc5 21. Rc7 Nd3+ 22. Kg3 Nf6 23. c4 Rac8 24. d6 Rcd8 25. Rxa7 Rxd6 26. Rd1 e4
27. Nf4 Rc6 28. Nxd3 exd3 29. Ra4 Rd8 30. Rxd3 Rdc8 31. c5 h6 32. Ra7 Kf8 33.
Kf2 Ne8 34. Rdd7 R8c7 35. Ke2 Rxd7 36. Rxd7 Nc7 37. Kd3 Ke8 38. Rd4 Ne6 39. Rc4
Kd7 40. g4 Rc7 41. f4 Kc6 42. f5 Rd7+ 43. Ke4 Nc7 44. Bf4 Re7+ 45. Kf3 Nd5 46.
Bd6 Re3+ 47. Kf2 h5 48. Ra4 Rb3 49. gxh5 Rh3 50. Ra7 f6 51. Rxg7 Rxh5 52. Kg3
Rxf5 53. h4 Rf1 54. Rf7 Ne3 55. Bf8 Nf5+ 56. Kg4 Ne3+ 57. Kh5 Ng2 58. Be7 Rf5+
59. Kg4 Ne3+ 60. Kg3 Rf1 61. Bf8 Nf5+ 62. Kg4 Ne3+ 63. Kh5 Ng2 64. Bd6 Rf5+ 65.
Kh6 Nxh4 66. Rc7+ Kd5 67. Kg7 Nf3 68. Be7 Ne5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Beliavsky, Alexander G"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2630"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qb3
b6 9. Bf4 Ba6 10. Nbd2 Nbd7 11. Rfd1 c5 12. Rac1 Qe8 13. Qa4 Bb7 14. Ne5 Nxe5
15. Qxe8 Nf3+ 16. Bxf3 Rfxe8 17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. Nb3 Be7 19. Bg5 h6 20. Bxf6 Bxf6
21. cxd5 Bxd5 22. Bxd5 exd5 23. Rc2 Rac8 24. Rcd2 Re4 25. e3 Rb4 26. Re2 Rd8
27. Kf1 a5 28. Rdd2 d4 29. Nxd4 Bxd4 30. exd4 Rdxd4 31. Rxd4 Rxd4 32. Re8+ Kh7
33. Ke2 Rb4 34. b3 a4 35. Re3 axb3 36. axb3 Rb5 37. Rc3 g5 38. h3 h5 39. Kd3
Rf5 40. Ke3 Rb5 41. Kd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.26"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Milov, Vadim"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2653"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[Annotator "Gavrikov,V"]
[PlyCount "165"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Ne4 7. Qd3 Bxc3+ 8.
bxc3 Nc5 9. Qf3 ({The main alternative is} 9. Qe3 b6 10. Bg2 Bb7 11. Bxb7 Nxb7
12. Qe4 (12. Ba3 $6 Nc6 13. Rd1 Nca5 14. Nf5 Qf6 15. Qd3 Rd8 16. Nd6+ Nxd6 17.
Bxd6 Nb7 18. Bc7 Nc5 19. Qe3 Rc8 20. Bd6 {1-0 Vera,R-Brittner,S/Bled 2002/EXT
2003 (41)} Nb7 21. Be5 Qg6 $15) 12... Nc6 $1 13. Nxc6 dxc6 14. Qxc6+ Qd7 15.
Qxd7+ Kxd7 16. Ba3 Rhc8 17. O-O-O+ Ke8 18. Rd4 Rc7 19. Kc2 Rac8 20. Rhd1 {
1-0 Potapov,A-Dezelin,M/Ikaros 2001/EXT 2002 (77)} Rxc4 21. Rxc4 Rxc4 22. Rd4
Rc7 {with an approximately equal ending.}) 9... d6 ({Another possible reaction
is} 9... Nc6 {, for example:} 10. Bf4 O-O 11. Bg2 b6 12. Nxc6 dxc6 13. Rd1 Qf6
14. Bd6 Qxf3 15. Bxf3 Rd8 16. Bxc5 (16. Bxc6 Bb7 17. Bxb7 Nxb7 18. Bb4 Rxd1+
19. Kxd1 Rc8) 16... Rxd1+ 17. Kxd1 bxc5 18. Kc2 Ba6 19. Bxc6 Rd8 20. Bb5 Bb7
21. f3 Kf8 $44 {1/2-1/2 Bacrot,E-Kulaots,K/Bled 2002/EXT 2003 (37)}) 10. Bg2
Nbd7 11. O-O Ne5 12. Qf4 Bd7 ({A known mistake is} 12... Nxc4 $2 13. Nb3 $1 Nb6
14. Nxc5 dxc5 15. Qe5 O-O 16. Qxc5 $16 {1-0 Kumaran,D-Ruban,V/Hastings 1991/
CBM 026 ext (33)}) 13. Nb5 {The most logical continuation, which allows White
to improve his pawn structure. However the weakened c-file gives Black
sufficient counterplay.} ({Worse is} 13. Nb3 Qc7 14. Ba3 f6 15. Rfd1 O-O-O 16.
Qd4 Ba4 17. Rab1 b6 $15 {1/2-1/2 Horvath,P-Gyimesi,Z/Balatonlelle 2002/CBM 090
(62)}) 13... Bxb5 14. cxb5 O-O 15. Rd1 Rc8 16. Qb4 {A harmless innovation.} ({
Previous practice has seen:} 16. Be3 Qe7 (16... f6 $5 {/\ d5}) 17. Qd4 Rfd8 18.
h3 f6 19. f4 Nf7 20. Qb4 {1-0 Shishkin,V-Gyimesi,Z/Koszalin 1999/CBM 073 (49)}
{and now correct was} b6 21. a4 Nb7 $132) (16. Qd4 Qa5 17. Qb4 Qb6 (17... Qc7
$5) 18. a4 a5 19. Qd4 (19. bxa6 $142 $5 Qxa6 20. Be3) 19... Qc7 20. Ba3 $6 (20.
Rb1 b6 $132) 20... Nb3 $1 21. Qxd6 Nxa1 22. Qxc7 Rxc7 23. Bxf8 Kxf8 24. Rxa1 b6
25. f4 Nd7 26. Bc6 (26. Ra3 Rc4) 26... Nb8 27. Kf2 Nxc6 28. bxc6 Rxc6 29. Ra3
Ke7 $15 {0-1 Flumbort,A-Almasi,Z/Budapest 2004/CBM 103 (60)}) 16... d5 {
Securing the c4-square for the knight.} 17. Bf4 Qf6 {Before playing Nc4 is
necessary to remove the queen from the opposition with white rook.} (17... Nc4
$2 18. e4) 18. Be3 b6 19. Bd4 Qf5 20. f3 h5 $5 {Preventing g3-g4.} ({To a
dynamic balance leads} 20... Nc4 21. e4 Qh5 22. exd5 exd5 23. Bf2 Rfd8 24. f4
Qf5 25. Qb1 (25. Bxd5 $6 Rxd5 26. Qxc4 Nd3 27. Qa4 Rxb5) (25. Rd4 Ne6 26. Rdd1
Nc5 $11) 25... Ne4 26. Bd4 Re8) 21. Qb1 Qxb1 22. Raxb1 Nc4 23. Rb4 Na3 $5 (
23... f5 {also looked tempting.}) 24. Rc1 Nb7 {[%cal Gb7d6]} (24... Rfe8 {
/\ e5 came into consideration.}) 25. e4 {Forced because of the threat Nd6.}
dxe4 26. fxe4 Nd6 27. Bf1 Rfd8 ({Avoiding the trap} 27... Nxe4 $2 28. c4 Nd2
29. Bb2 Nab1 30. Bd3 Nf3+ 31. Kf2 Nbd2 32. Ke3 Rfd8 33. Bc3) 28. Bf2 Ndc4 29.
Ra4 Rd2 ({Perhaps Black should have preferred} 29... Rc7 $5 {first.}) 30. e5 $2
{This decision is hard to explain.} ({White should have played} 30. Bxc4 Nxc4
31. Rxa7 Ne5 32. Bxb6 (32. Rf1 $6 Nf3+ 33. Kg2 Rxc3 {/\ Ng5}) 32... Nf3+ 33.
Kf1 Nxh2+ 34. Ke1 Nf3+ {with perpetual check.}) 30... Rc7 31. Re1 Rb2 $5 {
Going for the b-pawn.} ({Black could try} 31... Rxa2 {when White has to find
the saving path:} 32. Re4 $5 (32. Bxc4 $6 Rxc4 33. Rxa7 Rxc3 34. Rd1 (34. Bxb6
Rcc2 35. Ra5 Rcb2 $17) 34... Re2 35. Rd8+ $140 $2 (35. Bxb6 Nxb5 36. Rd8+ Kh7
37. Rxf7 Kg6 38. Rdd7 Rc1+ 39. Rf1 Rxf1+ 40. Kxf1 Rxe5 $17) 35... Kh7 36. Rxf7
Nc4 37. Rdd7 Rc1+ 38. Kg2 Nxe5 39. Rxg7+ Kh6 40. Rh7+ Kg6 41. Rdg7+ Kf6 42. Rg8
Rcc2 43. Rf8+ Kg6 44. Re7 Ng4 45. Ref7 Ne3+ $1 46. Kh3 Nf5 47. Bg1 Rc1 48. Bxb6
Rh1 49. Rf6+ Kg5 50. Rxf5+ exf5 51. Bd8+ Kg6 52. Rf6+ Kg7 53. Kh4 Rd1 $19) (32.
Re2 Ra1 33. Re1 Rxe1 34. Bxe1 f6 35. exf6 gxf6 $15) 32... Nd2 33. Re2 Rxc3 34.
Be1 Nf3+ 35. Kf2 Rxe2+ 36. Bxe2 Nxe1 37. Kxe1 Re3 (37... Rb3 38. Bd1 Rd3 39.
Rxa7) 38. Kd2 Rb3 39. Bd1 Rb2+ 40. Kc3 Rb1 41. Rxa3 Rxd1 42. Rxa7 Rd5 43. Kb4
Rxe5 44. Rb7 Re2 45. Rxb6 Rxh2 46. Rb8+ Kh7 47. b6 Rb2+ 48. Kc5 g5 49. Rd8 h4
50. gxh4 g4 51. Rd7 Kg6 (51... Kg7 52. b7 g3 53. Kc6 $11) 52. h5+ $1 (52. b7 $2
f5 53. Kc6 f4 54. Rd8 g3 55. b8=Q Rxb8 56. Rxb8 Kf7 $1 $19) 52... Kxh5 53. Rxf7
g3 54. Kc6 Kg4 55. b7 g2 56. Rg7+ Kf3 57. Rf7+ {with draw.}) 32. Bd3 Rxb5 $6 ({
Stronger was} 32... Rxa2 33. Re4 (33. Bxc4 Rxc4 {transposes to the variation a)
from the comment above.}) 33... Nb2 34. Red4 Nxd3 $1 (34... f5 35. Ra6 Rxc3 36.
Bf1 Ra1 37. Kg2 Nd1 $140 38. Rd8+ Kh7 39. Rxa7 Nxf2 40. Kxf2 Rc2+ 41. Kg1 Rcc1
42. Rdd7 Rxf1+ 43. Kg2 Rg1+ (43... Kh6 44. Rxg7 f4 45. Rgf7) 44. Kh3 Nxb5 45.
Rxg7+ Kh8 46. Rh7+ Kg8 47. Rag7+ Kf8 48. Rb7 Kg8 $11) 35. Rxd3 Ra1+ 36. Kg2 Nc2
37. Rxa1 Nxa1 38. c4 Nc2 (38... Rxc4 39. Ra3 Nc2 40. Rxa7 Rb4 41. Ra2 Nd4 42.
Bxd4 Rxd4 43. Ra6 Rd5 44. Rxb6 Rxe5 45. Rb8+ Kh7 46. Kf3) 39. Rc3 Nb4 40. Kf3
Nd5 41. Rc1 Kf8 $15) 33. Re4 Nb2 ({Not dangerous for White is} 33... Rxe5 34.
Raxc4 Nxc4 35. Rxc4 Rxc4 36. Bxc4) 34. Bxb5 Nxb5 35. Rab4 (35. Bxb6 $5 Rc6 $1 (
35... axb6 $6 36. Ra8+ Kh7 37. Rb4) 36. Rab4 Nxc3 37. Rxb2 Nxe4 38. Bxa7 $11)
35... Nxc3 36. Rh4 Nd3 37. Rbc4 {The exchange of the rooks permits White to
maintain the equality.} Rxc4 38. Rxc4 Nxa2 39. Bd4 $5 (39. Ra4 Nc3 40. Rxa7
Nxe5 41. Bxb6 Nd5 $11) 39... Nab4 40. Rc3 Ne1 41. Kf1 Nec2 42. Bf2 Kh7 43. Ke2
({Another adequate possibility is} 43. Rc7 a5 44. Bxb6 (44. Rxf7 Nd5 45. Ke2 a4
) 44... a4 45. Bc5 Nd5 46. Rxf7 (46. Ra7 Nc3) 46... a3 47. Ra7 Nc3 48. Bxa3 Nb5
49. Ra6 Ncxa3 50. Rxe6 Nc4 51. Rc6 (51. Kf2 Nd4 52. Re8 Kg6 53. e6 $140 Nd6 54.
Rd8 Ne4+ 55. Ke3 Nxe6 56. Re8 N4c5) 51... Ne3+ 52. Kf2 Ng4+ 53. Kg2 Nd4 54. Rc5
Kg6 $11) 43... Kg6 44. Kd2 a5 45. Bxb6 a4 46. Bc5 a3 47. Rxc2 Nxc2 48. Kxc2 a2
49. Kb2 Kf5 50. Bf8 g6 51. Kxa2 Kg4 (51... Kxe5 52. Kb2 Kf5 53. h3 Ke4 54. h4
e5 55. Bg7 f5 56. Kc3 f4 57. gxf4 exf4 58. Kd2 Kf3 59. Ke1 $11) 52. h4 {
The simplest way to the draw.} Kxg3 53. Be7 Kf4 54. Bf6 g5 55. Bxg5+ Kxe5 56.
Kb3 f5 57. Kc3 Ke4 58. Kd2 Kf3 59. Bf6 f4 60. Be5 Ke4 61. Bc7 e5 62. Ke2 Kf5
63. Bd6 e4 64. Kf2 Kg4 65. Bc7 f3 66. Bd6 ({Easier was} 66. Bd8 e3+ 67. Kxe3
Kg3 68. Bb6 $1 $11) 66... Kxh4 67. Bc7 Kg4 68. Bd6 Kf5 69. Bg3 Ke6 70. Ke3 Kd5
71. Bh4 Ke5 72. Bg3+ Kf5 73. Kf2 Kg4 74. Bd6 h4 75. Bc7 h3 76. Bb8 Kf5 77. Ke3
Ke6 78. Bc7 Kd5 79. Bb8 Kc4 80. Bc7 Kc3 81. Bd6 Kc2 82. Be5 Kd1 83. Bg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E46"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2608"]
[PlyCount "211"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nge2 d5 6. a3 Bd6 7. c5 Be7 8. b4 c6
9. Nf4 b6 10. Nd3 a5 11. Bd2 Nbd7 12. Be2 Qc7 13. O-O axb4 14. axb4 Ba6 15. Qc2
Bc4 16. f4 Qb7 17. Rae1 Ra3 18. f5 bxc5 19. bxc5 Qb3 20. Qxb3 Rxb3 21. fxe6
fxe6 22. Ra1 Rfb8 23. Ra7 R3b7 24. Rfa1 Ne4 25. Nxe4 dxe4 26. Nb4 Bxe2 27. Nxc6
Kf7 28. Nxb8 Rxa7 29. Rxa7 Nxb8 30. Rb7 Nc6 31. Rb6 Na7 32. c6 h5 33. h4 g6 34.
Be1 Bd3 35. Bd2 Be2 36. g3 Bc4 37. Bb4 Bxb4 38. Rb7+ Ke8 39. Rb8+ Ke7 40. Rb7+
Kd6 41. Rxa7 Kxc6 42. Kf2 Bb3 43. Rg7 Bd1 44. Rxg6 Kd5 45. Rg5+ Kc4 46. Re5 Bg4
47. Rxe4 Bd6 48. d5+ Kxd5 49. Rd4+ Ke5 50. Rc4 Kf5 51. Rc6 Be5 52. Rc4 Bd1 53.
Rb4 Kf6 54. Rc4 Ke7 55. Rc1 Bg4 56. Rc6 Kf6 57. Ra6 Bd1 58. Rb6 Kf5 59. Rb4 Bf6
60. Rf4+ Ke5 61. Rd4 Bg4 62. Rf4 Be7 63. Rd4 Bc5 64. Rd3 Ke4 65. Rc3 Be7 66.
Rc4+ Kd3 67. Rd4+ Kc3 68. Rd7 Bf6 69. Rc7+ Kd3 70. Rd7+ Kc2 71. Rc7+ Bc3 72.
Rd7 Bd2 73. Rc7+ Kd1 74. Rd7 Be2 75. Rd6 Bg4 76. Rd7 e5 77. Rd5 e4 78. Rd4 Bf3
79. g4 Bxg4 80. Rxe4 Be1+ 81. Kf1 Bh3+ 82. Kg1 Ke2 83. Re8 Bxh4 84. e4 Kf3 85.
e5 Ke4 86. e6 Ke5 87. Kh2 Bg4 88. Kg2 Kd6 89. Ra8 Kxe6 90. Ra6+ Kf5 91. Ra5+
Kg6 92. Ra6+ Bf6 93. Kg3 Bd7 94. Rd6 h4+ 95. Kf4 Bf5 96. Ra6 h3 97. Kg3 Bg4 98.
Ra5 Bc8 99. Rc5 Bd7 100. Rd5 Be6 101. Rc5 Bd7 102. Rd5 Bc8 103. Rc5 Be6 104.
Ra5 Bd7 105. Rd5 Bc6 106. Rd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.28"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Efimenko, Zahar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2620"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 c5 5. d5 O-O 6. e4 d6 7. Bd2 exd5 8. cxd5
Nh5 9. g4 Qh4+ 10. Ke2 Ng3+ 11. hxg3 Qxh1 12. Kf2 Nd7 13. Bg2 Qh2 14. a3 Bxc3
15. Bxc3 Qh6 16. f4 Qg6 17. Bf3 Re8 18. Kg2 f6 19. Qc2 b5 20. Nh3 Nb6 21. f5
Qf7 22. b3 Nd7 23. Nf4 Ne5 24. Rh1 h6 25. Ne6 Bxe6 26. dxe6 Qc7 27. Rd1 Nxf3
28. Kxf3 a5 29. Bd2 Ra6 30. Rh1 d5 31. exd5 Qb7 32. Qe4 Rd8 33. Re1 Qxd5 34.
Qxd5 Rxd5 35. e7 Ra8 36. e8=R+ Rxe8 37. Rxe8+ Kf7 38. Re2 Rd3+ 39. Be3 Rxb3 40.
Rc2 Rxa3 41. Rxc5 Rb3 42. Rc8 a4 43. Ke4 a3 44. Ra8 Rb4+ 45. Bd4 Ra4 46. Rxa4
bxa4 47. Kd3 a2 48. Kc2 Ke7 49. Bc5+ 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Tiviakov, Sergei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2631"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "22"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bb4+ 5. c3 Be7 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bc4 Nf6
8. e5 Ne4 9. O-O O-O 10. Nd2 Nxd2 11. Bxd2 d6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.30"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Fedorov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2602"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 a6 8. d5
Na5 9. Nd2 c5 10. Rb1 Bf5 $5 (10... Rb8 {is by far the most usual continuation,
but Fedorov has had some success with the text - Black doesn't always have to
play on the << in the Yugoslav.}) 11. e4 Bd7 {The reasoning behind Black's
manoeuvre is that now after e5 he doesn't have to worry about dxe6 and Nde4
and one invested tempo will not play a major role in a position with a closed 
[+].} 12. b3 e5 (12... b5 {leads to more usual lines after} 13. Qc2 (13. Bb2
Rb8 14. Ba1 e6 15. cxb5 exd5 16. Nxd5 axb5 17. b4 Nb7 18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 19. Bxf6
Qxf6 20. e5 Qxe5 21. Re1 Qd4 22. Re4 Qf6 23. Rf4 Qg7 24. Bxb7 Rxb7 25. Ne4 Bf5
26. Qxd6 Bxe4 27. Rxe4 c4 28. a4 {Maciejewski,M-Ciemniak,R/Lubniewice/1993/}
bxa4 $132) 13... Rb8 14. Bb2 (14. h3 e5 15. dxe6 Bxe6 16. Nd5 Nc6 17. Qd1 Bxd5
18. cxd5 Nb4 19. a3 Nd3 20. Qc2 Nxc1 21. Rfxc1 Nd7 $15 {Goczo,M-Werner,D/
Budapest/2004/}) 14... e5 ({premature is} 14... bxc4 $6 15. bxc4 e5 16. Ne2 Bh6
17. Bc3 Nb7 18. Rb2 Nh5 19. Rfb1 Qc7 20. a4 f5 21. Rb6 $16 {[%cal Gb1b8] <->b,
Arsovic,G-Milovic,J/YUG-chT Budva/2002/}) 15. Ne2 {We have reached the
position from Nielsen-Bologan by transposition.} Nb7 $5 (15... h5 16. Bc3 h4
17. Qd3 Nb7 18. f4 h3 $6 (18... hxg3 $142 19. hxg3 Ng4 $14) 19. Bf3 Ng4 20. f5
Nh6 21. g4 Qh4 22. Kh1 Nd8 23. Rg1 f6 24. Rg3 Ndf7 25. Rf1 Ng5 26. Ng1 gxf5 27.
gxf5 Be8 28. Be2 Bh5 29. Bxh5 Qxh5 30. Ndf3 Nhf7 31. Nxg5 Nxg5 32. Nxh3 $18 {
Nielsen,P-Bologan,V/Skanderborg/2003/}) (15... Nh5 16. f4 $36) 16. h3 (16. Qd3
$5) (16. Rbe1 $142 $14) 16... Nh5 17. f4 f5 {[%csl Rg3] ><g3<=>} 18. fxe5 dxe5
19. exf5 gxf5 20. Nf3 Qe7 21. Nh4 e4 22. Bxg7 Qxg7 23. Nxf5 Bxf5 24. g4 Bd7 25.
gxh5 Bxh3 26. Nf4 Bf5 $13 {Kozak,L-Wisniewski,A/Oropesa del Mar/2000/}) 13. Qc2
$5 $146 {Once Black has closed the [+], it's more sensible for the Bc1 to
remain on the /^c1-h6, White will try to connect his R by preparing Bd2.} (13.
Bb2 $143 h5 14. a3 (14. Qc2 $142) 14... b6 $5 15. b4 Nb7 16. Qe2 h4 17. Nd1 $6
cxb4 $1 18. axb4 a5 $36 19. Ba3 axb4 20. Bxb4 Nc5 21. Nc3 Bh6 22. Nb5 Qe7 23.
Nb3 Bg4 24. Qc2 h3 25. Bh1 Nh5 26. Nxc5 bxc5 27. Bd2 Bxd2 28. Qxd2 Ra4 $17 {
Minasian,A-Fedorov,A/Moscow Aeroflot/2004/}) 13... h5 (13... Ng4 $5 14. h3 Nh6
15. Ne2 $13) 14. h3 h4 (14... Bh6 15. f4 h4 16. Nf3 $1 $36) ({Perhaps Black
could have waited with the text-move, the immediate} 14... b5 $142 {seems
better.}) 15. g4 Nh7 (15... Bh6 16. Ne2 $5 (16. Nf3 Bxc1 17. Qxc1 {[%csl Rh4]
><h4} b5 $132) 16... b5 17. f4 $14) 16. Nd1 b5 17. Ne3 Bh6 18. Nf3 $1 Rb8 (
18... Bf4 19. Ne1 Nb7 20. a3 $5 Ng5 21. Nd3 Qf6 22. Kh1 $14) 19. Bd2 $1 {
[%mdl 32] Sound strategy, White gradually starts moving his pieces to their
best squares.} Nb7 20. Ne1 (20. a3 $5) 20... b4 $5 21. Nd3 a5 (21... Bf4 $5 22.
a3 a5 $14 {/\} 23. Nxf4 exf4 24. Nd1 Qf6 $13) 22. a3 bxa3 $2 {Disrupts Black's
P-structure and gives White's pieces (both B and N) the important c3-square.} (
22... Bf4 $142 {Black should try to keep the position closed.}) (22... Qe7 $6
23. Nf5 $1 $16) 23. Ra1 Bg5 {Black manoeuvres without a concrete plan and
gradually gets outplayed.} 24. Rxa3 Qb6 25. Kh1 Rbe8 26. Bc3 Bc8 (26... Bxe3
27. fxe3 $36 {[%csl Ra5,Rh4] ><h4,a5}) 27. Raa1 Bd8 28. f4 $1 $36 exf4 29. Nxf4
Bg5 30. Rae1 Re7 31. Nd3 Rfe8 32. Ba1 a4 {Black desperately tries to get some
<=>.} (32... Bd7 33. Qc3 f6 34. Nf4 Nf8 35. Ne6 $1 $40) 33. bxa4 Na5 34. Qc3 f6
35. Nf4 (35. Rb1 $5 Qa6 36. Nf4 Nf8 (36... Rxe4 37. Bxe4 Rxe4 38. Qd3 $5 f5 39.
Neg2 $18) 37. Rb5 $16) 35... Qb4 (35... Nf8 36. Ne6 $5 (36. Rb1 {-35.Rb1})
36... Nxe6 37. dxe6 Rxe6 38. Nd5 Qd8 39. Rb1 $36 {/\} Ba6 40. Rb6 Bxc4 41. Qxa5
Bxf1 42. Bxf1 Rxe4 43. Bc3 $18 {White's K is safe, as the R have no entry pint
on the <->e.}) 36. Nxg6 Rb7 37. Qc2 Qb3 (37... Bxe3 38. Rxe3 Nxc4 39. Ree1 $16
{/+-,->}) 38. Qf2 {It's only natural White wants to play for the ->.} (38. Qxb3
Rxb3 39. Nf5 Nxc4 40. Nge7+ Kf8 $16) 38... Nxc4 39. Nxc4 Qxc4 40. Nxh4 Qxa4 41.
Ng6 Qa5 (41... Rg7 $5 42. Nf4 $16) 42. Qg3 (42. Nf4 $5) 42... Bd2 43. Re2 c4 (
43... Rg7 $142 44. Rd1 $16) 44. Qxd6 c3 45. Qc6 (45. e5 $5 $40 {+-}) 45... Qb5
46. Ne7+ (46. e5 $2 Bd7 $1 $13) 46... Rexe7 47. Qxc8+ Re8 48. Qc6 Qxc6 (48...
Rb6 $5 49. Qxb5 Rxb5 $16) 49. dxc6 Rc7 50. e5 fxe5 (50... Rxe5 $2 51. Rxd2 cxd2
52. Bxe5 fxe5 53. Rd1 $18) 51. h4 ({Resignation does seem premature, although
Black is in trouble after, e.g.,} 51. h4 Kg7 (51... Rd8 52. Rxe5 c2 53. Bd5+
Rxd5 54. Re8+ $18) 52. g5 $16 {[%csl Ga1,Gg2,Gg5,Gh4][%cal Yf1d1,Yd1d2] /+-
White can always play Rd1xd2 at a suitable moment and the o^, supported by the
^^ should net the full point.}) 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.07.01"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Asrian, Karen"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2611"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 O-O 8.
d4 Nf5 9. c3 Nxe5 10. Rxe5 d6 11. Re1 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th playoff"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.07.02"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Moiseenko, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E00"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2665"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2005.07.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 c5 5. Bxb4 cxb4 6. Bg2 O-O 7. e4 d6 8. Ne2
e5 9. Qd2 Qb6 10. a3 Nc6 11. axb4 Qxb4 12. d5 Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 Nb4 14. Na3 Bd7
15. Nc3 a5 16. f3 Rfc8 17. Bf1 Kf8 18. Be2 Ke7 19. Bd1 b6 20. Ba4 Bxa4 21. Nxa4
Nd7 22. Rab1 Rf8 23. f4 f5 24. Rbe1 Rab8 25. Nb5 g6 26. Re3 Rf6 27. Rhe1 Rbf8
28. exf5 gxf5 29. Nd4 Rc8 30. b3 Kf7 31. Nb5 e4 32. g4 Nd3 33. Rxd3 exd3 34. g5
Rg6 35. h4 h5 36. Nd4 Nc5 37. Nxc5 bxc5 38. Nxf5 Rb8 39. Ne7 Rxb3 40. f5 Rg7
41. f6 Rg6 42. Nxg6 Kxg6 43. Re7 Rb8 44. Kxd3 Kf5 45. Ra7 Rb3+ 46. Kc2 Rf3 47.
Rxa5 Rf4 48. Kb3 Kg4 49. Ra8 Rf3+ 50. Ka4 Rf1 51. Kb5 Kxh4 52. g6 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 6th playoff"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.07.02"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Moiseenko, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2665"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "239"]
[EventDate "2005.07.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. e3 c5 8.
Bd3 Qa5 9. Qc2 O-O 10. O-O c4 11. Bf5 g6 12. Bh3 Re8 13. Bh4 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Ne4
15. Rfc1 Nb6 16. Bxc8 Raxc8 17. a4 Kg7 18. Ng5 Rc6 19. Nxe4 dxe4 20. Rcb1 Nd5
21. Rxb7 Qxc3 22. Qxc3 Nxc3 23. Kf1 a6 24. Be7 Nd5 25. Bc5 Kf6 26. Rc1 c3 27.
Ke2 Rd8 28. f3 Re8 29. Rf1 exf3+ 30. Rxf3+ Kg5 31. Rbxf7 Rce6 32. Rg3+ Kh6 33.
Bf8+ Rxf8 34. Rxf8 Rc6 35. Rf1 Nb4 36. e4 Na2 37. d5 Rc8 38. d6 c2 39. Kd2
c1=Q+ 40. Rxc1 Nxc1 41. e5 Kg7 42. d7 Rd8 43. Kxc1 Rxd7 44. Rb3 Rd4 45. Rb7+
Kh6 46. e6 Rxa4 47. e7 Re4 48. Kd2 Kg5 49. Kd3 Re6 50. Ra7 Kf6 51. Rxa6 Kxe7
52. Ra7+ Kf6 53. Rxh7 Ra6 54. Ke4 Ra4+ 55. Kf3 Ra3+ 56. Kg4 Ra4+ 57. Kh3 Ra3+
58. g3 Ra2 59. Kg4 Ra4+ 60. Kf3 Ra3+ 61. Kg2 Ra2+ 62. Kh3 Kg5 63. Rb7 Kh6 64.
Rb5 Rc2 65. Re5 Ra2 66. g4 Ra3+ 67. Kh4 Ra4 68. Re3 Rb4 69. Kg3 Rb6 70. h4 Ra6
71. Kf4 g5+ 72. hxg5+ Kg6 73. Re4 Rb6 74. Ra4 Rc6 75. Rb4 Ra6 76. Rc4 Rb6 77.
Rc5 Rb4+ 78. Kg3 Rb1 79. Rf5 Ra1 80. Rc5 Rb1 81. Ra5 Rc1 82. Rd5 Ra1 83. Re5
Rb1 84. Re8 Kxg5 85. Re5+ Kg6 86. Re3 Kg5 87. Re5+ Kg6 88. Rd5 Ra1 89. Kf4 Ra4+
90. Kf3 Ra3+ 91. Kf4 Ra4+ 92. Kg3 Ra1 93. Rb5 Rc1 94. Re5 Ra1 95. Kf4 Rf1+ 96.
Kg3 Ra1 97. Re8 Kg5 98. Rg8+ Kf6 99. Rf8+ Kg5 100. Rf5+ Kg6 101. Rf2 Rb1 102.
Re2 Ra1 103. Kf4 Rf1+ 104. Kg3 Ra1 105. Re3 Rb1 106. Kf4 Rf1+ 107. Rf3 Rxf3+
108. Kxf3 Kg5 109. Kg3 Kg6 110. Kf4 Kf6 111. g5+ Kg6 112. Kg4 Kg7 113. Kf5 Kf7
114. g6+ Kg7 115. Kg5 Kg8 116. Kh5 Kg7 117. Kg5 Kg8 118. Kf6 Kf8 119. g7+ Kg8
120. Kg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th playoff"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.07.02"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A32"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2005.07.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 c5 4. Nf3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Qc7 6. Nc3 a6 7. b3 d5 8. Bg2
Bb4 9. Bd2 dxc4 10. O-O Bc5 11. Bg5 Nbd7 12. Rc1 Nb6 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Ne4 Ke7
15. e3 Rd8 16. Nxc5 Qxc5 17. bxc4 Rb8 18. Qc2 Bd7 19. Qxh7 Nxc4 20. Nb3 Qc7 21.
Qh4 b5 22. Nd2 Rbc8 23. Ne4 Qe5 24. f4 Qb2 25. Rc3 Bc6 26. Qxf6+ Kf8 27. f5
exf5 28. Qh8+ Ke7 29. Qf6+ Kf8 30. Rxf5 Rd1+ 31. Bf1 Rc7 32. Qh6+ Ke7 33. Qf6+
Kf8 34. Qh8+ Ke7 35. Re5+ Nxe5 36. Qxe5+ Kf8 37. Qh8+ Ke7 38. Qe5+ Kf8 39. Qxc7
Rxf1+ 40. Kxf1 Qb1+ 41. Ke2 Bxe4 42. Qd8+ Kg7 43. Qd4+ f6 44. Rb3 Qh1 45. Kd2
Qxh2+ 46. Kc3 Qc2+ 47. Kb4 Qxa2 48. Ra3 Qe6 49. Rc3 Bd5 50. Rc5 Be4 51. g4 Qxg4
52. Rc6 Bf3 53. Rxa6 Qf5 54. Rb6 Qb1+ 55. Kc5 Qf5+ 56. Kd6 Kf7 57. Kc7 Qc2+ 58.
Kd8 Qf5 59. Qd6 Qd5 60. Qxd5+ Bxd5 61. Rxb5 Ke6 62. Rb6+ Ke5 63. Rb4 Ke6 64.
Ke8 Kf5 65. Ke7 Kg6 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 6th playoff"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.07.02"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C86"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2005.07.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Qe2 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. d3 O-O 11. Nbd2 Qd7 12. Re1 Nd8 13. Nf1 Ne6 14. Ng3 g6 15.
Bh6 Rfe8 16. Qe3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 c5 18. Rad1 Kh8 19. h4 Ng8 20. Qxf7 c4 21. dxc4
Nxh6 22. Qf3 Bxh4 23. cxb5 axb5 24. Qd3 Nc5 25. Qxd6 Qxd6 26. Rxd6 Bxg3 27.
fxg3 Nxb3 28. axb3 Ng4 29. b4 Red8 30. Rd5 Rxd5 31. exd5 Rd8 32. Rd1 Ne3 33.
Re1 Ng4 34. Rd1 Ne3 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th playoff"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.07.02"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2635"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2005.07.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 a6 6. O-O c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8.
Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Ne5 Ke7 10. Be2 Bd7 11. Bf3 Nc6 12. Nxd7 Nxd7 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14.
Bd2 Bd6 15. Rc1 Rab8 16. Bc3 Be5 17. b3 a5 18. Nd2 a4 19. bxa4 Ra8 20. Bxe5
Nxe5 21. Rc5 Rhd8 22. Nc4 Nxc4 23. Rxc4 Rd2 24. h4 Rb8 25. Rxc6 Rbb2 26. Rc7+
Kf6 27. Rf1 Rb4 28. a5 g6 29. a6 Rxa2 30. Rd1 Rxa6 31. g3 Ra8 32. Rdd7 Rf8 33.
Kg2 h5 34. f4 Rbb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th playoff"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.07.02"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2005.07.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Qd7 11. Nbd2 Rae8 12. a4 Na5 13. Ba2 b4 14. Nf1 Bd8 15. Ng3
Kh8 16. c3 bxc3 17. bxc3 c5 18. Bg5 Bc6 19. Qc1 Ng8 20. Bxd8 Rxd8 21. d4 Qc7
22. Qa3 Ba8 23. Rad1 Nf6 24. Rd2 Rde8 25. dxc5 dxc5 26. Nh2 Rd8 27. Rxd8 Rxd8
28. Ng4 Nxg4 29. hxg4 g6 30. Qc1 c4 31. Bb1 Qd6 32. Bc2 Qd2 33. Qb1 Qxc3 34.
Ne2 Qa3 35. Qb6 Nc6 36. Qxa6 Qc5 37. Rd1 Rxd1+ 38. Bxd1 Qa5 39. Qxa5 Nxa5 40.
f3 Kg7 41. Kf2 Kf6 42. Ke3 Ke7 43. f4 Kd6 44. Nc3 f6 45. Nb5+ Kc5 46. g5 fxg5
47. fxe5 Nc6 48. Nc7 Bb7 49. Ne6+ Kb4 50. Nxg5 Nxe5 51. Nxh7 c3 52. Nf6 Kc5 53.
a5 Ba6 54. Bc2 Bf1 55. g3 Bh3 56. a6 Nc6 57. Kd3 Bf1+ 58. Kxc3 Bxa6 59. Ng4 Bc8
60. Ne3 Ne5 61. Nd5 Be6 62. Nf4 Bc4 63. Bd3 g5 64. Bxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th playoff"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.07.02"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C87"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2005.07.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 d6 7. c3 Bg4 8. d3
O-O 9. Be3 Re8 10. Nbd2 Bf8 11. h3 Bd7 12. Nf1 g6 13. Ng3 Bg7 14. Qd2 Qe7 15.
Rad1 Nd4 16. cxd4 Bxa4 17. dxe5 dxe5 18. b3 Bc6 19. Qc3 Rad8 20. Nd2 Bb5 21.
Nc4 Bxc4 22. dxc4 Nd7 23. b4 Nf8 24. c5 Ne6 25. a4 c6 26. Qc4 Rxd1 27. Rxd1 Rd8
28. Rd3 Bf8 29. a5 Rd7 30. Nf1 Qd8 31. Rxd7 Qxd7 32. Nd2 Be7 33. Qc3 Bg5 34.
Kh2 Bxe3 35. Qxe3 Qd4 36. Qxd4 Nxd4 37. Nc4 f6 38. Nd6 Nc2 39. Nxb7 Nxb4 40.
Kg3 Kf7 41. Kf3 Ke7 42. Ke3 Nc2+ 43. Kd3 Nd4 44. Nd6 h5 45. Kc4 h4 46. Nc8+ Kd7
47. Nb6+ Kc7 48. Na4 Ne6 49. g3 g5 50. Nc3 g4 51. gxh4 gxh3 52. Ne2 h2 53. Ng3
Nf4 54. Nh1 Kd7 55. Kc3 Ke7 56. Kd2 Kf7 57. Ke3 Ne6 58. Kf3 Nxc5 59. Kg3 Nxe4+
60. Kg2 c5 61. f3 Nd2 62. Kxh2 c4 63. Kg3 Nb3 0-1

[Event "EU-ch 6th playoff"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.07.02"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2635"]
[Annotator "Lutz,C"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2005.07.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 Bb4 8. Bd2
Qe7 9. Bd3 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 b5 12. g5 $146 {Karjakin hatte in drei
Partien bereits Erfahrung mit 12.Bd3 bzw. 12.Be2 gemacht.} (12. Bd3 Bb7 13. e4
Nxe4 $1 (13... a6 {1-0 Radjabov,T-Karjakin,S/Benidorm 2003/CBM 99 (81)/[Lutz]})
14. Bxe4 f5 15. Bd3 c5 16. Be2 (16. Qe2 c4 17. Bc2 fxg4) 16... cxd4 17. Bxd4 (
17. Nxd4 $5 Bxh1 18. gxf5 $44) 17... Rc8 18. Qd2 fxg4 19. Rg1 e5 20. Bc3 Bxf3
21. Bxb5 $13 {0-1 Mamedyarov,S-Karjakin,S/Benidorm 2003/CBM 99/[Lutz] (54)}) (
12. Be2 Bb7 13. b4 (13. g5 Nd5 14. Bd2 O-O 15. e4 Nb4 $1 16. Qc3 c5 17. dxc5 a5
18. a3 Nxc5 $1 19. axb4 Nxe4 20. Qe3 Nxd2 21. Qxd2 Rfd8 22. Qe3 Qxb4+ 23. Qc3
Qxc3+ 24. bxc3 Rac8 $17 {1-0 Bareev,E-Fressinet,L/Enghien les Bains 2003/CBM
96/[Lutz] (65)}) 13... Nd5 14. Rb1 O-O 15. g5 f6 16. gxf6 Rxf6 17. Rg1 Nxc3 18.
Qxc3 Raf8 19. Rg3 c5 20. bxc5 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Rxf3 22. Rxf3 Rxf3 $17 {0-1 Dobrov,
V-Karjakin,S/bereg.ru Int 2003/CBM 97 ext (55)}) 12... Nd5 $5 (12... bxc4 13.
gxf6 Nxf6 (13... Qxf6 14. Qe4 Bb7 15. Rg1 $44) 14. Rg1 O-O 15. O-O-O {und Weiß
hat Kompensation, da immer Drohungen gegen g7 in der Luft hängen.}) 13. Bxd5
exd5 $13 {Stände der weiße g-Bauer noch auf g2, hätte Weiß angesichts des
rückständigen c-Bauers deutlichen Vorteil. So aber ist die Lage unklar, da
Weiß auf den weißen Feldern schwach ist.} 14. Ba5 {Verhindert ...a7-a5.} Bb7
15. a3 Qe6 16. Bb4 O-O-O $2 {Danach gerät Schwarz dauerhaft in Nachteil.} (
16... a5 {war kritisch.} 17. Bc5 Qg4 {und Schwarz gewinnt den g-Bauern.} 18.
Ne5 (18. Ke2 $2 b4) (18. Qe2 Nxc5 19. dxc5 Qe4 20. Rd1 b4) 18... Nxe5 19. dxe5
Qxg5 20. O-O-O Qg6 $13 {Weiß hat natürlich Kompensation für den Bauern, aber
mehr auch nicht. Schwarz kann im Zweifelsfall mit ...b5-b4 Gegenspiel suchen.})
17. O-O-O Kb8 18. Kb1 Qg4 19. Ne5 (19. Bd6+ Ka8 20. Ne5 $16) 19... Qe6 (19...
Nxe5 20. dxe5 Qxg5 21. Bd6+ Ka8 22. Rhg1 Qh6 23. f4 $44 {Hier ist die weiße
Kompensation wesentlich, da er z.B. die Idee Qc2-c3-a5 nebst Bd6-c5 hat.}) 20.
Nxd7+ Rxd7 21. Ka1 $16 {Weiß hat wegen seines besseren Läufers deutlichen
Vorteil. In der Folge spielt Aronian nicht mehr optimal, da ihm ein Remis in
diesem Stichkampf zum Gesamtsieg genügte.} f6 22. Rdg1 g6 23. h4 Re8 24. h5 f5
25. hxg6 hxg6 26. Rh6 Bc8 27. Rg3 Kb7 28. f4 Rg7 29. Rgh3 Qf7 30. Qh2 Qc7 31.
Rh7 Reg8 32. Rxg7 Rxg7 33. Qd2 Kb8 34. Rh6 Qd7 35. Rh8 $6 (35. Bf8 Rg8 36. Qb4
$16) 35... Rh7 36. Bd6+ Kb7 37. Rxh7 Qxh7 38. Qa5 Be6 39. Qd8 Qd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 15th"]
[Site "Gothenburg"]
[Date "2005.07.30"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rozentalis, Eduardas"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2567"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2005.07.30"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Lithuania"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "LTU"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 {Die Mikenas-Variante wird relativ selten gespielt,
jedoch führt sie zu interessantem, oftmals scharfen Spiel.} d5 {3...c5 ist die
beachtenswerte Alternative, wonach Weiß entweder 4.e5 Ng8 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.d4 cxd4
7.Nxd4 Nxe5 8.Ndb5 ziehen kann, mit Kompensation, oder einfach 4.Nf3, was in
letzter Zeit sehr populär ist.} 4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. Nf3 e5 8.
d4 {Die traditionelle und populäre Fortsetzung. Die Alternative 8.Bd3!? kommt
ebenfalls in Betracht; Weiß strebt damit einen Entwicklungsvorsprung an und
unterlässt in vielen Varianten den Zug d2-d4.} (8. Bd3 $5) 8... exd4 9. Bg5 $1
(9. cxd4 Bb4+ $11) 9... Qe6+ 10. Be2 Be7 11. cxd4 Bxg5 12. Nxg5 Qe7 (12... Qg6
$6 13. f4 O-O 14. O-O Nc6 15. d5 Ne7 16. Qd2 $14 {1-0 Lerner,K-Gyimesi,Z/
Koszalin 1999/CBM 073/[Ribli] (51)}) 13. Qd2 O-O (13... Nc6 14. d5 Ne5 15. O-O
O-O 16. Rfe1 Bf5 17. Qf4 (17. Rac1 b6 18. Qf4 f6 19. Nf3 Bd7 20. Nxe5 fxe5 21.
Qe3 {1-0 Rasmussen,K-Rozentalis,E/Linares open 2002/(50)}) 17... Qf6 18. Nf3
Rfe8 19. Nh4 $5 Ng6 20. Qxf5 Qxh4 21. Bf1 $14 {[%csl Gc4,Gd5,Gf5] 1-0 Ivanchuk,
V-Nielsen,P/Skanderborg 2003/CBM 98/[Ribli Zoltan ] (40)}) 14. f4 $146 {
[%mdl 4] Mit diesem Zug gewinnt Weiß Raum im Zentrum, aber nach meiner Meinung
ist die Fortsetzung 14.0-0 natürlicher und wahrscheinlich stärker.} (14. O-O h6
15. Nf3 c5 16. d5 Qd6 17. Rfe1 $14 {[%csl Ge1][%cal Ge1e8]} (17. Rab1 $5 b6 18.
Rb3 {[%csl Gc4,Gd5][%cal Gb3e3,Ge3e8]} Nd7 19. Re3 Bb7 20. Re1 {1/2-1/2
Zvjaginsev,V-Sargissian,G/Istanbul 2003/CBM 96/[Ribli] (70)}) 17... Nd7 (17...
Bf5 $5) 18. Rab1 (18. Bd3 Nf6 19. Rab1 b6 20. Ne5 Re8 21. f4 {0-1 Overeem,
M-Peek,M/Vlissingen 2004/CBM 101 ext (52)}) 18... Re8 19. Bd3 Rxe1+ 20. Qxe1 {
[%cal Ge1e8]} (20. Rxe1 $14) 20... Nf6 21. Nd2 (21. Ne5 $14) 21... g6 {1-0
Timman,J-Naiditsch,A/Dortmund 2002/CBM 91[Ribli Zoltan] (47)}) 14... Bg4 {
Dieser Zug führt zu Vereinfachungen und gleicher Stellung.} (14... h6 15. Nf3
c5 16. d5 $14) (14... f6 15. Nf3 Re8 16. Kf2 $14) 15. Kf2 Qxe2+ 16. Qxe2 Bxe2
17. Kxe2 Nd7 $11 {Weiß besitzt Raumvorteil, jedoch ist die schwarze Stellung
als sicher und ohne Schwächungen einzuschätzen.} 18. Rab1 Rfe8+ 19. Kd3 h6 20.
Ne4 (20. Nf3 Rad8 $11 21. Rxb7 $4 Nc5+ $19) 20... Rad8 {[%cal Gd8d3,Ge8e4] Die
schwarzen Türme stehen stark auf der d- und e-Linie, wonach 21...f5, gefolgt
von 22...Nc5+ droht.} 21. g4 {Auf diese Weise verteidigt sich Weiß gegen 21...
f5; nun ist der Bauer b7 angegriffen.} (21. Rxb7 $2 f5) 21... b6 22. Rhe1 Nf8 {
[%cal Gf8e6,Ge6d4,Ge6f4] Die schwarze Stellung ist nur scheinbar passiv, denn
er besitzt bpw. die Drohung, 23...Ne6.} (22... Nc5+ 23. Nxc5 Rxe1 24. Rxe1 bxc5
25. Re4 $14 (25. d5 c6 26. Re7 cxd5 27. Rxa7 dxc4+ 28. Kxc4 Rd4+ 29. Kxc5 Rxf4
30. h3 h5 (30... f5))) 23. f5 Nd7 (23... c5 24. d5 Nd7 25. h3 Ne5+ 26. Kc3 $14)
24. Kc3 (24. h3 $2 Ne5+ 25. Kc3 Nf3 26. Re3 Nxd4 27. Nf6+ gxf6 28. Rxe8+ Rxe8
29. Kxd4 Re2 $17) 24... Kf8 25. h3 Re7 {[%cal Gd8e8,Ge8e1] Interessant zu
sehen, wie Schwarz auf der 7. und 8. Reihe agiert.} 26. Ng3 (26. f6 {Dieses
Bauernopfer verschlechtert die schwarze Bauernstruktur, aber Weiß erhält
keinen Vorteil für das Bauernopfer.} Nxf6 27. Nxf6 Rxe1 (27... gxf6 28. Rxe7
Kxe7 29. Re1+ $11) 28. Rxe1 gxf6 29. Rf1 Rd6 30. Rf5 $11) 26... Rde8 27. Rxe7
Rxe7 {[%mdl 4096]} 28. Kd3 c5 $1 29. f6 $5 {[%csl Yf5][%cal Gg3f5] Weiß opfert
einen Bauern und bekommt aktives Figurenspiel.} (29. d5 $2 Ne5+ 30. Kc3 Nxg4 $1
{[%cal Re7e3,Re3c3,Re3g3]}) (29. Ne4 cxd4 30. Kxd4 Ne5 $11) 29... Nxf6 (29...
gxf6 $2 30. Nf5) 30. dxc5 bxc5 31. Nf5 $44 {[%csl Gb1,Gd3,Gf5] Weiß hat
ausreichende Kompensation für den Bauern: alle seine Figuren stehen aktiv.} (
31. Rb8+ Re8 32. Rb7 Re7 $11) 31... Rd7+ 32. Kc2 Kg8 33. Re1 (33. Rb5 $2 Ne4)
33... Rc7 34. a4 Kh7 35. a5 g6 36. Nd6 Rd7 37. Rd1 (37. Ne4 Nxe4 (37... Kg7 $2
38. Nxc5 Rc7 39. Re5) 38. Rxe4 Kg7 39. Re5 Rc7 $15) 37... a6 38. Rd3 {Weiß
droht 39.Ne4 (oder 39.Ne8) Rxd3 40.Nxf6+ Rg7 41.Ne8+ Kf8 42.Kxd3 Kxe8 43.Ke4
und 44.Kd5.} Re7 39. Rb3 Re2+ 40. Kc1 (40. Kd3 $2 Rh2) 40... Ne4 (40... Re7 41.
Rb6 (41. Kc2 $11) 41... Ne4 $11) 41. Nxf7 Kg7 42. Ne5 Nd6 (42... Kf6 43. Nf3)
43. Rb6 Rxe5 44. Rxd6 Re4 45. Rxa6 Rxc4+ $11 {Nach Vereinfachungen ist eine
Remisstellung erreicht. Auch wenn Weiß über einen entfernten Freibauern
verfügt, so bleibt er doch bedeutungslos.} 46. Kb2 Rb4+ 47. Ka3 Rb1 48. h4 (48.
Rc6 $2 Ra1+ 49. Kb3 Rxa5) 48... Kf7 49. Ra8 h5 50. g5 Ke6 51. a6 Kf5 52. Ka4
Kg4 53. Rg8 Kxh4 54. Rxg6 c4 55. Ka5 (55. Rc6 Kxg5 56. Rxc4 h4 $11) 55... c3
56. Rc6 Ra1+ 57. Kb6 Kxg5 (57... Kxg5 58. Rxc3 Rb1+ $11 (58... h4 $11)) 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 15th"]
[Site "Gothenburg"]
[Date "2005.08.01"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2621"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2005.07.30"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Georgia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GEO"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. e5 {Diese
Fortsetzung ist nicht so populär, wie die Hauptvariante 7.Bxc4.} h6 8. exf6
hxg5 9. fxg7 Rg8 10. dxc5 {Dieser Zug führt zu Vereinfachungen, wonach Schwarz
bequemes und ausgeglichenes Spiel erhält. Die Alternative 10.Qc2 führt zu
spannendem Kampf.} Qxd1+ 11. Rxd1 (11. Kxd1 Rxg7 12. Ne4 Nd7 13. a3 (13. Nexg5
Bxc5 14. h4 b5 $17) 13... Bxc5 14. Nxc5 Nxc5 15. Bxc4 $11) 11... Rxg7 12. Bxc4
Nc6 13. Ke2 (13. O-O Bxc5 14. Ne4 Be7 15. g4 Bd7 16. Nd6+ Bxd6 17. Rxd6 Ke7 18.
Rfd1 Be8 {1/2-1/2 Goldin,A-Nielsen,P/Moscow 2001/CBM 86/[Heine Nielsen] (35)})
13... Bxc5 14. Ne4 Be7 $11 {Schwarz hat das Läuferpaar und keine Schwächen;
Weiß hingegen hat Entwicklungs- und Raumvorteil.} 15. h4 $2 {[%mdl 16384] Das
ist ein gewönlicher Zug in solchen Stellungen, aber hier weniger günstig, da
Schwarz seinen g7-Turm aktivieren kann.} (15. Bb5 Bd7 16. Nd6+ Bxd6 17. Rxd6 g4
$15) (15. g4 f5 16. gxf5 exf5 17. Nd6+ Bxd6 18. Rxd6 $11) (15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16.
Rxd6 g4 17. Ne1 $11 (17. Nd4 Ne5 18. b3 Ke7 19. Rd1 Nxc4 20. bxc4 Kxd6 21. Nf5+
Kc5 22. Nxg7 b6 $17)) (15. h3 $5 $11) 15... gxh4 {[%cal Gg7g2]} 16. Bb5 (16.
Nxh4 $4 Rg4 $19 {[%cal Rg4h4,Rg4e4]}) 16... Bd7 (16... Rxg2 $5 17. Ne5 Kf8 18.
Nxc6 (18. Bxc6 bxc6 19. Nxc6 Bb7 20. Nxe7 Bxe4 21. Rxh4 f5 22. Rd7 (22. Rh7 f4
$19) 22... Ke8 23. Rc7 Kd8 24. Rxe4 fxe4 25. Rb7 $17) 18... bxc6 19. Bxc6 Rb8
$17) 17. Kf1 O-O-O $17 {Endlich steht der schwarze König in Sicherheit und er
hat einen Bauern mehr.} 18. Be2 (18. Nxh4 Rg4 {[%cal Rg4h4,Rg4e4]} (18... f5)
19. Nd6+ Kc7 20. Nxf7 Rxh4 21. Rxh4 Bxh4 22. Nxd8 Bxd8 $17) 18... Nb4 {[%cal
Gd7c6]} 19. Nxh4 (19. a3 Bc6) 19... Rh7 (19... Bc6 $5 {Bei materiellem
Gleichgewicht hat Schwarz eine sehr aktive Stellung.}) 20. a3 (20. g3 Bc6 21.
Rxd8+ Kxd8 22. Bf3 Nxa2) 20... Bc6 (20... Rxh4 21. Rxh4 Bxh4 22. axb4 Be7 $17)
21. Rxd8+ Kxd8 22. Ng3 (22. f3 Nd5) 22... Rxh4 23. Rxh4 Bxh4 24. axb4 Bf6 {
[%mdl 4096]} (24... Bxg3 25. fxg3 Ke7 $15) 25. b3 (25. b5 Bd5 26. b4 Bc3 $17)
25... b5 $1 {[%csl Rb3,Rb4] Auf diese Weise blockiert Schwarz die weißen
Bauern auf der b-Linie.} 26. Bd3 (26. Bh5 Ke7 $17) 26... Be7 27. Ne2 a6 (27...
Bxb4 28. Nd4) 28. Nd4 Bd5 29. g4 Bxb4 30. Nc2 Bc3 (30... Be7) 31. b4 Bf3 (31...
Bb3) 32. g5 Ke7 33. Ne1 Bd5 34. Nc2 Bd2 35. g6 f5 $19 {[%csl Rg6]} 36. Ke2 Bc3
37. Ne3 Bb3 38. Bc2 Ba2 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 15th"]
[Site "Gothenburg"]
[Date "2005.08.02"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2691"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2005.07.30"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Netherlands"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NED"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. d4 b5 6. c5 Nbd7 7. b4 a5 8. bxa5
Qxa5 9. Bd2 b4 10. Nb1 Ne4 11. a3 Rb8 12. Ra2 Nxd2 13. Qxd2 Ra8 14. Be2 e5 15.
O-O Be7 16. Rb2 bxa3 17. Qxa5 Rxa5 18. Ra2 Ba6 19. Bxa6 Rxa6 20. Rxa3 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 15th"]
[Site "Gothenburg"]
[Date "2005.08.03"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Markus, Robert"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2591"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2005.07.30"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Serbia & Montenegro"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "YUG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Ra7 11. a4 b4 12. Rc1 Be4 13. Qd1 Nbd7 14. Bg5 c5 15.
Nbd2 Bd5 16. Qc2 h6 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. dxc5 Rc7 19. Nb3 Qa8 20. Ne1 Bxg2 21.
Nxg2 Rfc8 22. Qd2 Nxc5 23. Nxc5 Rxc5 24. Rxc5 Rxc5 25. Ne3 Qe4 26. Rc1 Qd4 27.
Rc2 Rxc2 28. Qxc2 Qxb2 29. Qxb2 Bxb2 30. Nc4 Bc3 31. Na5 f5 32. Kg2 Kf7 33. Kf3
Kf6 34. Ke3 g5 35. Nb3 Ke5 36. f3 Be1 37. g4 Bc3 38. h3 Be1 39. Na5 h5 40. gxh5
Kf6 41. Nb3 Kg7 42. Nd4 Kh6 43. Nxe6 Kxh5 44. Nd4 f4+ 45. Kd3 Kh4 46. Nb3 Bf2
47. Kc4 Kxh3 48. Kxb4 g4 49. fxg4 Kxg4 50. Kc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 15th"]
[Site "Gothenburg"]
[Date "2005.08.04"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Istratescu, Andrei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E35"]
[WhiteElo "2624"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Golod,V"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2005.07.30"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Romania"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ROU"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 c5 7. e3 cxd4 8.
exd4 Nc6 9. Bb5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 $5 {A very sharp move.} ({A main alternative to
this move is:} 10... O-O $5 {See my comments to Kozul,Z-Adams,M/Mallorca,2004/
CBM 104(0-1)(39)}) ({Also was tested:} 10... a6 $6) 11. Bg3 Qb6 $1 $146 {
[%csl Rb5,Rd4,Re1][%cal Gb6b5,Gb6d4]} ({Previously} 11... Ne4 $143 {was
checked:} 12. Nge2 Bf5 13. Qa4 O-O 14. O-O Bxc3 15. Nxc3 Nxc3 (15... Nxg3 $5)
16. bxc3 Na5 17. Rfe1 a6 18. Bf1 b5 19. Qb4 $16 {Priehoda,V-Plachetka,J/Prague,
1992(1/2-1/2)(35)}) 12. Bxc6+ (12. Be5 $143 Qxb5 13. Bxf6 O-O $15 {[%csl Re1]
[%cal Gf8e8]}) 12... Qxc6 (12... bxc6 $6 13. Be5 Be7 14. Nge2 O-O 15. O-O $14)
13. Nge2 Ne4 14. O-O Bf5 {Besides this move Black could choose between:} (14...
Be6 $5) ({and} 14... O-O $5) 15. Qb3 Bxc3 16. Nxc3 (16. Rfc1 $5 O-O 17. Nxc3
Rac8 $13) (16. bxc3 $4 Nd2 $17 {[%csl Rb3,Gd2,Rf1]}) 16... Nxc3 17. bxc3 O-O {
+/=/= In the arising position with bishops of opposite colors, White has a
little advantage and a draw is not far away.} 18. Rfe1 Rfe8 19. h4 ({Also
after:} 19. Re5 Rxe5 20. dxe5 (20. Bxe5 f6 21. Bg3 Re8 $11) 20... Rc8 {White
hasn't something special.}) 19... f6 20. hxg5 hxg5 $11 {It's clear that the
position is absolutely equal and the next moves are for formality only.} 21. f3
Kf7 22. Rxe8 Rxe8 23. Re1 Rxe1+ 24. Bxe1 Bd3 25. Bg3 Qd7 26. Qa3 g4 27. Qd6 {
White even doesn't try to take the pawn:} (27. Qxa7 $5 gxf3 28. gxf3 Qh3 29.
Qxb7+ Kg6 30. Qb8 Qf1+ 31. Kh2 Qe2+ 32. Kh3 (32. Kg1 Qf1+ $11) 32... Bf5+ 33.
Kh4 Qxf3 34. Qg8+ Kh6 35. Qh8+ Kg6 36. Qg8+ $11) 27... Qxd6 28. Bxd6 Bc4 29. a3
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 15th"]
[Site "Gothenburg"]
[Date "2005.08.05"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dorfman, Josif D"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E94"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2592"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2005.07.30"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "France"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. h3 c6 7. Be2 Na6 8. Be3 e5
9. O-O exd4 10. Nxd4 Re8 11. Bf3 Nc5 12. Qc2 Qe7 13. Rfe1 a5 14. Rad1 a4 15.
Bg5 Be6 16. b3 axb3 17. axb3 Qc7 18. Bf4 Ncd7 19. g4 h5 20. g5 Nh7 21. Bg2 Qa5
22. h4 Ne5 23. f3 Nf8 24. Kh1 Nfd7 25. Bd2 Qc7 26. Be3 Nc5 27. Bg1 Qa5 28. f4
Ng4 29. f5 Bc8 30. f6 Bf8 31. Nce2 Nd7 32. Qc3 Qc7 33. Ra1 Rxa1 34. Rxa1 Nde5
35. Nf3 Nd7 36. Nh2 Nc5 37. Nxg4 Bxg4 38. Ng3 Ne6 39. Qa5 Qc8 40. Qd2 Nc5 41.
Qc3 Bh3 42. Bf3 Bg4 43. Kg2 Bxf3+ 44. Qxf3 Nd7 45. Bd4 Ne5 46. Bxe5 dxe5 47.
Nf5 Rd8 48. Ne7+ Bxe7 49. fxe7 Re8 50. Rd1 Rxe7 51. Rd6 Re8 52. Qd1 Qc7 53. b4
Qb6 54. Qb3 Kg7 55. Rd7 c5 56. Qf3 Qe6 57. Rxb7 cxb4 58. Rxb4 Rc8 59. Qh3 Qc6
60. Qd3 Qe6 61. Qh3 Qc6 62. Qd3 Qe6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 15th"]
[Site "Gothenburg"]
[Date "2005.08.06"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Palac, Mladen"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E37"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2566"]
[Annotator "Golod,V"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2005.07.30"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Croatia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CRO"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 7. Qc2 c5 8.
dxc5 Nc6 9. Nf3 Qa5+ 10. Nd2 Nd4 11. Qd1 Bd7 ({The next continuation deserves
attention:} 11... Nxc5 $5 12. b4 Qa4 13. Ra2 Qxd1+ 14. Kxd1 Na4 15. Bb2 {
1/2-1/2 Kiriakov,P-Balashov,Y/Omsk/Perm,1998(15)}) 12. b4 Qa4 13. Nxe4 Nc2+ 14.
Kd2 Nxa1 15. Nd6+ Ke7 {For further information about the opening part of the
game you can see my annotations to the game Ivanov,S-Yemelin,V/St.Petersburg,
1998/CBM 065(1-0)(42). There I recommended to play 15...Kf8 as best option for
Black, but now I checked my analysis again and think that 15...Ke7 is also a
possible move.} 16. Bb2 $2 $146 {Not the best choice.} ({Previously was played:
} 16. Qxa4 $5 {Ivanov,S-Yemelin,V/St.Petersburg,1998}) ({According to my
analyses and analyses of Sergey Ivanov and Vasily Yemelin in Chess Informator
good enough is:} 16. cxd5 $5 {with next variants:} Nb3+ (16... Qxd1+ $2 {
Ivanov,Se.} 17. Kxd1 Ba4+ 18. Ke1 exd5 19. Bb2 Nc2+ 20. Kd2 $16) (16... exd5 $2
17. Bb2 (17. Qxa4 $143 {Ivanov,Se.} Bxa4 18. Bb2 Nb3+ 19. Kd3 $14) 17... Qxd1+
(17... Nb3+ 18. Ke1 $16) 18. Kxd1 Nb3 19. Bxg7 $16) (16... Qb3 $2 17. e4 (17.
Qxb3 $143 {Se.Ivanov} Nxb3+ 18. Kc2 $14) 17... exd5 18. exd5 Qxd5+ 19. Ke1 $16)
(16... b6 $5) 17. Ke1 Nxc1 18. Qxc1 a5 $1 $132 19. b5 f6 (19... Bxb5 $2 20. Qb2
$16 {[%csl Rb7,Rg7][%cal Gb2b7,Gb2g7]}) 20. dxe6 (20. e4 $2 {Yemelin,V} Qd4 21.
dxe6 Bxe6 22. b6 Rhc8 $17) 20... Bxe6 $13) 16... Nb3+ $1 {Black wanted to use
white's position of the king in the center and the undeveloped kingside.
Therefore he avoided exchanging the queens and chose a more active
continuation.} (16... Qxd1+ $2 17. Kxd1 Ba4+ 18. Ke1 Nc2+ ({or} 18... Nb3 19.
cxd5 b6 20. dxe6 bxc5 21. Nf5+ Kxe6 22. Nxg7+ Kd7 $13) 19. Kd2 a5 20. cxd5 axb4
21. axb4 Nxb4 22. Bxg7 Rhg8 23. Be5 exd5 $13) 17. Ke1 a5 $1 $17 {[%csl Rb4,Re1]
[%cal Ga5b4] A very strong move, that emphasized white's underdevelopment and
in fact, finished the game.} 18. e4 {The attempt to decide current problems by
tactical way, does not bring success. Frankly speaking, it's not an easy task
to advise something good for White in this position.} (18. e3 axb4 {leads to
the same positions that occured during the game}) (18. Bc3 $2 Qxa3 $19) 18...
axb4 19. Qh5 Nxc5 20. Be5 f6 $1 21. Qf7+ Kd8 22. Qxg7 fxe5 $19 {After a series
of forced moves, Levon Aronian found himself without material and without any
compensation.} 23. Qxh8+ Ke7 24. Nf5+ (24. Qxe5 bxa3 25. Nf5+ Kd8 26. Qh8+ Kc7
27. Qe5+ Kb6 $19 {[%csl Ga3,Re1][%cal Ga3a2]}) 24... exf5 25. Qxe5+ Kd8 26.
Qf6+ Kc7 (26... Ke8 $2 27. Be2 $132 {[%csl Ge2,Re8,Gf6][%cal Ge2h5]}) 27. e5 (
27. Qe5+ Kb6 28. Qd6+ Bc6 29. cxd5 Qxa3 $19 {[%csl Ga3,Ga8][%cal Ga3c3]}) 27...
Ne4 {An uncommon opening disaster for such a strong player like Levon Aronian.}
0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 15th"]
[Site "Gothenburg"]
[Date "2005.08.07"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Kanep, Meelis"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2491"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "150"]
[EventDate "2005.07.30"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Estonia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "EST"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6 3. e4 h6 4. Bxf6 Qxf6 5. c3 b6 6. Bd3 Bb7 7. Ne2 d6 8. O-O
Nd7 9. f4 g6 10. Nd2 Qe7 11. a4 a6 12. e5 Bg7 13. Qe1 h5 14. Be4 d5 15. Bd3 c5
16. Qb1 cxd4 17. cxd4 Nb8 18. b4 Nc6 19. b5 axb5 20. Bxb5 O-O 21. Rc1 Rfc8 22.
Bxc6 Bxc6 23. Qxb6 Qd7 24. Qb3 Rcb8 25. Qd3 Bxa4 26. Nc3 Bc6 27. Rxa8 Rxa8 28.
Nb3 Bf8 29. Nc5 Bxc5 30. dxc5 d4 31. Ne4 Qb7 32. Nf6+ Kg7 33. Rb1 Qa7 34. Qxd4
Qa2 35. Qb2 Qc4 36. Qb4 Qd3 37. Qb2 h4 38. h3 Ra4 39. Re1 Qg3 40. Qf2 Rc4 41.
Rf1 Rc3 42. Rd1 Rc4 43. Rf1 Rxc5 44. Rb1 Rc4 45. Rf1 Rc3 46. Rd1 Ba4 47. Ne4
Qxf2+ 48. Kxf2 Rc4 49. Re1 Bc6 50. Nf6 Rxf4+ 51. Kg1 Rf5 52. Ng4 g5 53. Re2 Kg6
54. Re1 Rf4 55. Rc1 Bb7 56. Rc7 Rb4 57. Rc2 Bd5 58. Rf2 Ra4 59. Ne3 Be4 60. Ng4
Ra1+ 61. Kh2 Re1 62. Ra2 Bf5 63. Ra5 Bxg4 64. hxg4 Kg7 65. Rb5 Re3 66. Rc5 Kf8
67. Rb5 Rg3 68. Rb4 Ke7 69. Rb7+ Ke8 70. Rb4 Kd7 71. Rc4 Kd8 72. Re4 Kc7 73.
Rc4+ Kb6 74. Rd4 Kc5 75. Rd7 Rxg4 0-1

[Event "Mainz Ordix op"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2005.08.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Schricker, Jochen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A57"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2134"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2005.08.13"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. e3 g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 O-O 8. a4 Bb7
9. e4 Qa5 10. Bd2 Qb4 11. Bd3 c4 12. Bc2 d6 13. a5 axb5 14. Na4 c3 15. Bxc3 Qc4
16. Nb6 Qc7 17. Nxa8 Bxa8 18. O-O Na6 19. Qe2 Nc5 20. Rfc1 Qd7 21. b4 Na6 22.
Bd3 Rb8 23. Nd4 Ne8 24. Bxb5 1-0

[Event "Mainz Ordix op"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2005.08.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Iwaniuk, Dorota"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2259"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2005.08.13"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3
Nbd7 9. Qd2 b5 10. g4 Nb6 11. Qf2 Nfd7 12. O-O-O Rc8 13. Kb1 Rxc3 14. bxc3 Na4
15. Bd2 Qc7 16. Qe3 Ndb6 17. Ka1 d5 18. f4 d4 19. cxd4 Qxc2 20. Rb1 Ba3 21. Bc1
Nc3 22. Bxb5+ axb5 23. Bb2 Nxb1 24. Rxb1 Bxb3 0-1

[Event "Mainz Ordix op"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2005.08.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kachiani Gersinska, Ketino"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2416"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2005.08.13"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nf3 b5 6. c5 g6 7. Qb3 Bb7 8. a4 Nbd7
9. axb5 axb5 10. Rxa8 Qxa8 11. Qa2 e5 12. Qxa8+ Bxa8 13. b4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Bg7
15. Bb2 O-O 16. Be2 Ne5 17. Kd2 Nfg4 18. f3 Nf6 19. Ra1 Bb7 20. Ra7 Rb8 21. Nb3
Nc4+ 22. Bxc4 dxc4 23. Na5 Ba8 24. Kc2 Rc8 25. e4 Nh5 26. Ne2 Bh6 27. Be5 f5
28. g4 fxg4 29. fxg4 Bg7 30. Bxg7 Nxg7 31. Nd4 h5 32. h3 hxg4 33. hxg4 Kf8 34.
e5 Re8 35. e6 g5 36. e7+ Kf7 37. Naxc6 Bxc6 1-0

[Event "Mainz Ordix op"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2005.08.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ovsejevitsch, Sergei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2525"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2005.08.13"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 dxc4 5. e3 a6 6. a4 c5 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. O-O
Be7 9. Qe2 cxd4 10. Rd1 e5 11. exd4 exd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Qe5 Qd6 14. Qxd6
Bxd6 15. Rxd4 Bc5 16. Rd1 O-O 17. Bf4 Bg4 18. Re1 Rad8 19. h3 Rd4 20. Be3 Rxc4
21. Bxc5 Rxc5 22. hxg4 Nxg4 23. Re7 Rb8 24. Rd1 h5 25. Rdd7 Re5 26. f3 Rxe7 27.
Rxe7 Nf6 28. Kf2 g6 29. Rc7 Kg7 30. b4 h4 31. b5 axb5 32. axb5 b6 33. Rc6 g5
34. Ne4 Nxe4+ 35. fxe4 Re8 36. Kf3 Re6 37. Kg4 Rxe4+ 38. Kxg5 h3 39. gxh3 Re5+
40. Kg4 Rxb5 41. h4 Rb4+ 42. Kg5 Rb1 43. h5 Rg1+ 44. Kf5 b5 45. Rb6 Rb1 46. h6+
Kh7 47. Ke4 b4 48. Kd3 Re1 49. Rb7 Kg6 50. h7 Re8 51. Rxb4 Kxh7 52. Rg4 Kh6 53.
Rg1 f5 54. Rh1+ Kg5 55. Rg1+ Kf6 56. Rf1 Re4 57. Rg1 Ke5 58. Rf1 Kf6 0-1

[Event "Mainz Ordix op"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2005.08.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tregubov, Pavel V"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A84"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2607"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2005.08.13"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bd3 f5 6. O-O Nf6 7. b3 Qe7 8. Bb2 O-O
9. Qc1 b6 10. Ne5 Bb7 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Ba3 Rc8 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. Qb2 Nfd7 15.
Nd2 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Qe7 17. Rac1 Nc6 18. a3 Rc7 19. f4 Rac8 20. Nf3 d4 21. exd4
Na5 22. Nd2 Qd7 23. Rxc7 Qxc7 24. Bc4 Nxc4 25. bxc4 Rd8 26. Rc1 Qc6 27. Nf3 Qd7
28. Rd1 Qa4 29. Rc1 Qd7 30. d5 exd5 31. Rd1 Qe7 32. Qb4 Qc5+ 33. Qxc5 bxc5 34.
cxd5 Rxd5 35. Rxd5 Bxd5 36. Kf2 h6 37. g3 Kf7 38. Nd2 Ke6 39. Nb1 Bb7 40. Nc3
Ba6 41. Ke3 g5 42. h4 gxh4 43. gxh4 Bf1 44. Kd2 Ba6 45. Kc2 Bf1 46. Nd1 Ba6 47.
Ne3 Bb5 48. Kc3 Ba6 49. Nc4 Kd5 50. Nd6 Ke6 51. Ne8 Kf7 52. Nf6 Bb5 53. Kb3 Ke6
54. Ng8 Kd5 55. Nxh6 Ke4 56. Nf7 Kd3 57. Kb2 Kd2 58. Nd6 Bd3 59. h5 c4 60.
Nxc4+ Bxc4 61. h6 Bg8 62. e6 1-0

[Event "Mainz Ordix op"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2005.08.14"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2682"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2005.08.13"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Qa5 9. Bd2 Qc5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Nb3 Qe7 12. Bd3 Nc6 13. Qe2 e5 14. O-O Be6
15. Bg5 Bxc3 16. bxc3 h6 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Rfd1 O-O-O 19. Qe3 b6 20. Bb5 Kc7
21. Rdc1 h5 22. Rab1 f5 23. Nd4 exd4 24. cxd4 Bd7 25. d5 Qxe4 26. Qa3 Rhg8 27.
g3 Qxd5 28. Qxa7+ Kd6 29. Bxc6 Bxc6 30. Rd1 Ke6 31. Rxd5 Bxd5 32. Qxb6+ Ke7 33.
Qc5+ Kf6 34. a4 Rge8 35. h4 Be4 36. Qc3+ Kg6 37. Ra1 Rd3 38. Qc1 f6 39. a5 Bf3
40. Qc4 Red8 41. Kh2 Rd2 42. Ra2 Rd1 43. g4 hxg4 44. Kg3 f4+ 45. Kxf4 R8d4+ 46.
Qxd4 Rxd4+ 47. Kg3 f5 48. Ra1 f4+ 49. Kh2 Rd2 0-1

[Event "Mainz Ordix op"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2005.08.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2612"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2005.08.13"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
Rb1 Be6 9. b4 e4 10. Nxe4 Bxa2 11. Ra1 Nxb4 12. Bb2 f5 13. Bxg7 fxe4 14. Bxh8
exf3 15. Bxf3 Bd5 16. e4 Bf7 17. d4 c6 18. Bh5 Qd6 19. Ra5 Bxh5 20. Qxh5+ Qg6
21. Qh3 Nc4 22. Rf5 a5 23. d5 a4 24. Bc3 a3 25. Rh5 a2 26. Rxh7 Nc2 27. Rg7 Qd6
28. dxc6 bxc6 29. Qh5+ Kd7 30. Qe2 Nd2 31. Qg4+ Kc7 32. Bxd2 Qxd2 33. Rxe7+ Kb6
34. Rd7 Qc3 35. Rdd1 a1=Q 36. Rb1+ Nb4 37. Rxa1 Rxa1 38. Rxa1 Qxa1+ 39. Kg2 Qd4
40. h4 c5 41. h5 c4 42. h6 Nd3 43. Qe6+ Kc5 44. Qf5+ Kb4 45. h7 Qh8 46. Qf7 c3
47. Qg8 Qf6 48. h8=Q Qxf2+ 49. Kh3 Qf1+ 50. Kh4 Qh1+ 51. Kg5 Qxh8 52. Qxh8 c2
53. Qd4+ 1-0

[Event "Mainz Ordix op"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2005.08.14"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2005.08.13"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Bg5 Bb6 8. Nbd2
Nb8 9. d4 c6 10. Bd3 Nbd7 11. a4 Bc7 12. Re1 Re8 13. h3 h6 14. Be3 Nf8 15. Qc2
Ng6 16. b4 Nh5 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Bf1 Bb6 19. Nd4 a6 20. Rad1 Qf6 21. g3 Qg6 22.
Bg2 a5 23. b5 cxb5 24. Nxb5 Bxe3 25. Rxe3 Rd8 26. Nc7 Rb8 27. Nd5 Re8 28. f4
Nc6 29. Kh2 Ne7 30. Nc4 Nxd5 31. Rxd5 Nf6 32. Rxd6 b5 33. axb5 Rxb5 34. Qa4 Qh5
35. Rxf6 Bxh3 36. Bxh3 gxf6 37. e5 Rbb8 38. Qc2 Rbd8 39. g4 Qh4 40. Rg3 fxe5
41. Nxe5 Rd6 42. Qf5 Qf6 43. Qe4 Rd2+ 44. Bg2 Rf2 45. g5 Qe6 46. gxh6+ Kf8 47.
h7 Ke7 48. Qb7+ 1-0

[Event "Mainz Ordix op"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2005.08.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Krasenkow, Michal"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D73"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2005.08.13"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c6 5. Nc3 d5 6. Qb3 O-O 7. Bg2 a5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. O-O Na6 10. e4 Nb6 11. Be3 Bd7 12. Rfd1 Rc8 13. Ne5 Be8 14. f4 Kh8 15.
Bh3 Rb8 16. Rac1 f6 17. Nf3 Bf7 18. d5 c5 19. Be6 Be8 20. Bf2 a4 21. Qc2 Ra8
22. Qe2 Bd7 23. a3 Qe8 24. h4 Bxe6 25. dxe6 Bh6 26. f5 Rd8 27. Rb1 Qc6 28. Rxd8
Rxd8 29. Rd1 Rd6 30. Rxd6 Qxd6 31. Qb5 Qc6 32. Qd3 Kg8 33. g4 Nc7 34. g5 fxg5
35. hxg5 Bf8 36. Ne5 Qd6 37. Qxd6 exd6 1-0

[Event "Mainz Ordix op"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2005.08.14"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Dreev, Alexey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2698"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[EventDate "2005.08.13"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. e5 h6 8. Bd2
Bxc3 9. bxc3 Ne4 10. Bxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Ordix op"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2005.08.14"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2705"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2005.08.13"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nf3 b5 6. c5 g6 7. Qb3 a5 8. Ne5 a4 9.
Qd1 Bg7 10. f4 Ne4 11. Bd3 f6 12. Nf3 f5 13. Ne5 Qc7 14. g4 Nxc3 15. bxc3 fxg4
16. e4 dxe4 17. Bxe4 O-O 18. O-O Bf5 19. Bg2 h5 20. Qe2 e6 21. Bd2 Bxe5 22.
fxe5 Na6 23. Qe3 Qd7 24. Qg5 Nc7 25. Rf4 Nd5 26. Rxf5 Rxf5 27. Qxg6+ Kh8 28.
Qh6+ Kg8 29. Qg6+ Kh8 30. Be4 Raf8 31. Qh6+ Kg8 32. Qg6+ Kh8 33. Qh6+ Kg8 34.
Qg6+ Kh8 35. Bxf5 Rxf5 36. Rf1 Qh7 37. Qe8+ Kg7 38. Qd7+ Kh8 39. Qe8+ Kg7
1/2-1/2

[Event "ESP-chT Honor Gp1 49th"]
[Site "Merida"]
[Date "2005.08.24"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bologan, Viktor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2005.08.24"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. e3
e5 9. d5 Ne7 {This knight retreat is considered a bit too passive.} 10. e4 Bg4
11. O-O c6 12. h3 (12. Qb3 $6 cxd5 13. Nxd5 Nbxd5 14. exd5 Qxd5 15. Qxd5 Nxd5
16. Nxe5 Be6 17. Nd3 Rc8 18. Bd2 O-O 19. Rac1 b6 20. b3 Nc3 21. Bxc3 Rxc3 22.
Rxc3 Bxc3 {1/2-1/2 Kharitonov,A-Polovodin,I/Irkutsk 1983/MCD}) 12... Bxf3 13.
Qxf3 {This capture in such positions is more precise than Bxf3 as it
contributes to development. Therefore it is more favorable for Black to play ..
.Bc8-g4 after White has already played Qd1-e2 (gaining a tempo in case of h3
Bxf3 Qxf3)} (13. Bxf3 O-O 14. Qb3 cxd5 15. Nxd5 Nbxd5 16. exd5 Nf5 (16... Qd7
$5) 17. Qxb7 Nd4 $44 18. d6 Rb8 19. Qe4 f5 20. Qd5+ Kh8 21. Rd1 Qf6 22. Be3 Rb5
23. Rxd4 exd4 24. Bxd4 Rxd5 25. Bxf6 Rxd6 26. Be7 Rd2 27. Bxf8 Bxf8 28. Rc1
Rxb2 $11 {1/2-1/2 Filippov,V-Bologan,V/Izmir 2004/CBM 104 no vc (45)}) 13...
cxd5 (13... O-O {- D 76}) 14. exd5 (14. Nxd5 Nc6 (14... Nbxd5 15. exd5 Nf5 16.
Qa3 $1 $16 {Blees,A-Mikhalchishin,A/Lillafuehred 1989/Inf 48}) 15. Qa3 Bf8 16.
Qd3 Bg7 17. Be3 O-O 18. Rfd1 Nd4 $11 {1/2-1/2 Blees,A-Mikhalchishin,A/
Lillafured 1989/TD (24)}) 14... Nf5 15. d6 $5 {Fighting for initiative before
Black has castled.} Rb8 {Black correctly evaluates that White can't keep his
d6 pawn in a long term. Capturing it at once was risky:} (15... Nxd6 16. Rd1
Qc7 (16... Qe7 17. Nd5 (17. Be3 Ndc4) 17... Nxd5 18. Qxd5 Rd8 19. Be3 b6 20.
Bd2 $1 a5 (20... Nf5 $2 21. Qb5+) 21. Be3) 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. Qxd5 Rd8 19. Bg5 f6
20. Be3 $16 {The bishops are really terrible in this line.}) (15... Qxd6 16.
Qxb7 O-O 17. Qa6 Rad8 18. Ne4 {and White keeps initiative.}) 16. Rd1 (16. Be3
O-O 17. Rad1 {didn't change much:} Nd4 18. Bxd4 exd4 19. Nb5 Nc4 20. Qd5 Nxb2
21. Rxd4 a6 $1 22. Nc7 b5 23. Re1 {- see annotation to move 21.}) 16... O-O 17.
Be3 (17. Ne4) 17... Nd4 18. Bxd4 exd4 19. Nb5 Nc4 20. Qd5 $5 {A courageous
attempt to keep advantage.} (20. Rab1 Nxd6 21. Nxd4 $11) 20... Nxb2 21. Rxd4 $5
{[%mdl 512] This exchange sac is practically forced - otherwise White just
loses his passed pawn, e.g.} (21. Rd2 Na4 22. Nxd4 Nb6 23. Qc5 Rc8) 21... Bxd4
{It would be less stressing not to take this exchange:} (21... a6 22. Nc7 b5 {
[%cal Og7d4,Cc7a6,Yb8b6]} (22... Na4 $143 23. Re1 $44 {e.g.} Nb6 24. Qe4 Nc8
25. Red1 Bxd4 26. Qxd4 b5 27. Bc6 $1) 23. Re1 Nc4 $1 (23... Bxd4 $143 24. Qxd4
Nc4 25. Nd5 f6 26. Re6 Ne5 27. Qh4 $16) {and White has apparently nothing
better than} 24. Rdd1 Rb6 $1 25. Qc5 Rxd6 26. Rxd6 Qxd6 27. Qxd6 Nxd6 28. Nxa6
$11) 22. Qxd4 Qb6 $8 23. Qxb6 axb6 24. Rc1 $44 {White's passed pawn is very
strong but it can only guarantee him a draw.} Nd3 {It was possible to activate
the rook first:} (24... Ra8 $5 25. d7 (25. Bd5 Ra5) (25. Rc7 Rxa2 26. Bd5 Ra1+
27. Kg2 Nd3 $132) (25. Rc2 Nd3 26. Bxb7 Ra5 $1 $132) (25. a3 Ra5 (25... Nd3 26.
Rc7 Ra5 27. d7 Nc5 28. Nd6 $36) 26. d7 Nc4 27. Rxc4 Rxb5 28. Kf1 Rc5) 25... Nd3
26. Rc7 Nc5 27. Nd6 Rfd8 28. Bxb7 Rab8 29. Bc6 Kf8 $11) 25. Rc7 Nc5 26. Bd5 {
With the white pawn on d6 (instead of d7) Black should be more careful as his
f7 pawn is under attack. Still, he has not too much to worry about yet.} Kg7
27. Kg2 Kf6 28. a3 Ra8 29. h4 h6 {Black starts playing for a win. A risky
decision!} (29... Ra5 30. Bc4 Ra4 31. Bd5 $11) 30. Ba2 g5 31. h5 g4 32. Bd5 Ra5
33. Bc4 Kg5 34. Re7 Kxh5 35. Bxf7+ Kg5 $2 {It was still possible to play it
back:} (35... Rxf7 36. Rxf7 Kg6 37. d7 Nxd7 38. Rxd7 Rxb5 39. Rxb7 $11) 36. Be8
$1 {The d-pawn now becomes very formidable as one of the black rooks is cut
off and his king is unsafe.} Kf6 (36... Rxe8 37. Rxe8 Rxb5 38. Re5+ Kf6 39. d7
$18 {was probably overlookes by Black when playing 35...Kg5.}) 37. Nc7 Na6 (
37... Rxa3 38. Nd5+ Kg5 39. d7 (39. Ne3 h5 40. d7 Ra8 41. Re5+ Kf6 42. Rf5+ Kg7
43. Rxh5 Rd8 44. Rg5+ Kh7 45. Rd5 $16) 39... Ra8 40. Nxb6 Rd8 41. Nd5 $16) 38.
Re6+ Kf5 39. d7 Nxc7 40. d8=Q Nxe6 {Formally, Black has enough material for
the queen but his king is under attack.} 41. Qxb6 Rd5 (41... Re5 42. Bd7 Kg5 $1
43. Qb2 $36) 42. Bh5 (42. Qxb7 Rd4 43. Qh7+ Ke5 44. Qxh6 $16) 42... Rd4 43.
Qxb7 Rf6 $2 {This leads to an immediate collapse.} (43... Kg5 $1 44. Bf7 $140 (
44. Qb5+ Rf5 45. Qe8 Rf6 46. Bf7 Rd8 47. Qb5+ Rf5) 44... Kf6 45. Bxe6 Kxe6 46.
Qc6+ Kf7 47. Qxh6 Ra8 $11 {/\Raa4}) 44. Qb5+ Ke4 45. Bxg4 Ng5 46. f3+ 1-0

[Event "ESP-chT Honor Gp1 49th"]
[Site "Merida"]
[Date "2005.08.25"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2691"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2005.08.24"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. e5 {Sokolov
wählt gerne diese Variante.} h6 8. exf6 hxg5 9. fxg7 Rg8 10. Qc2 {Mit diesem
Zug möchte Weiß die Damen auf dem Brett halten. Die weiße Idee ist 11.Qh7.} Qf6
{Die Textfortsetzung führt zu kompliziertem Spiel, auch die Alternative 10...
cxd4 kommt in Betracht.} (10... g4 $6 11. Qh7 Ke7 12. Qh4+ Ke8 13. Qxg4 $16) (
10... Nc6 11. O-O-O Bxc3 (11... cxd4 12. Qh7 Ke7 13. Ne4 d3 14. Qh6 $18) 12.
Qxc3 $16) (10... Rxg7 11. dxc5 (11. O-O-O Qa5 (11... g4 12. dxc5 $14) 12. dxc5
(12. Bxc4 g4) 12... Bxc3 13. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 14. bxc3 Nd7 15. h4 g4 $13) 11... Nc6
12. Bxc4 g4 (12... Bxc5) 13. Rd1 Qa5 (13... Qc7) 14. Nd2 Qxc5 15. O-O $1 $14) (
10... cxd4 11. Qh7 Ke7 12. Rd1 $5 (12. O-O-O Bxc3 13. bxc3 Qa5 14. Qxg8 Qxc3+
15. Kb1 Qb4+ 16. Kc2 Qc3+ {1/2-1/2 Van Wely,L-Naiditsch,A/Bundesliga 2004-05/
(16)}) 12... Nc6 $5 (12... d3 13. Bxd3 $1 Bxc3+ $6 14. bxc3 cxd3 15. Rxd3 Qe8
$6 16. Nxg5 f6 17. Ne4 {1-0 Halkias,S-Georgiev,K/Greece 2004/(34)}) 13. Bxc4
Bd7 $5 (13... g4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. O-O $1 $16 Bc5 (15... e5 16. Nd5+ $18) 16.
Nb5 Nf3+ 17. gxf3 Bd7 18. Qh4+ $18) 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Rxd4 Qb6 $5 16. Qe4 Bc6
$11 {1/2-1/2 Khurtsidze,N-Zaiatz,E/Chisinau 2005/(19)}) 11. dxc5 (11. O-O-O
Bxc3 12. Qxc3 cxd4 13. Nxd4 Bd7 14. Bxc4 Nc6 15. Nb5 Qxc3+ 16. bxc3 Ke7 17.
Rhe1 Rac8 (17... Na5 $1 18. Nd6 Nxc4 19. Nxc4 $11) 18. Nd6 Rc7 19. Nxf7 {
1-0 Taylor,T-Van Buskirk,C/Los Angeles 2004/[Ribli] (29)}) (11. a3) 11... Nd7 (
11... Rxg7 12. O-O-O $14) (11... g4 12. Nd2 $14) 12. Bxc4 Bxc3+ {Auf diese
Weise verschlechtert Schwarz die weiße Bauernstruktur.} 13. bxc3 (13. Qxc3
Qxc3+ 14. bxc3 g4 15. Nd4 Nxc5 $11 {1/2-1/2 Giorgadze,G-De la Villa G/Benasque
1997/EXT 97/(33)}) 13... Nxc5 14. O-O g4 $5 {[%mdl 4] Eine interessante
Eröffnungsidee von Schwarz. Nach 14...Rxg7 15.Rfe1 oder 14...Bd7 15.Qe2 strebt
der weiße Springer nach e5, wo er eine aktive Stellung besitzt. Mit der
Partiefortsetzung verjagt Schwarz den Springer von f3, sodass Ne5 wird nicht
möglich ist.} (14... Rxg7 15. Rfe1 Bd7 16. Rab1 Kf8 17. Ne5 Be8 18. Bb5 b6 19.
a4 Qf5 20. Qd1 $14 {1-0 Huebner,R-Hinks Edwards,T/Cannes 2005/CBM 105 ext (28)}
) 15. Nd2 Qf5 (15... Rxg7 16. Ne4 $14 (16. Bb5+ $14)) 16. Qxf5 (16. Qb2 Bd7 $11
) 16... exf5 17. Rfe1+ Be6 {Stufenweise strebt Schwarz die Beendigung seiner
Entwicklung an.} 18. Re5 $14 {[%csl Ge5][%cal Ge5c5]} b6 (18... Nd7 19. Re3 $14
) 19. Nb3 (19. Bxe6 fxe6 (19... Nxe6 20. Rxf5 O-O-O 21. Ne4 Rxg7 $16) 20. Nb3
Nxb3 21. axb3 Kf7 $11) 19... O-O-O 20. Bxe6+ (20. Nxc5 Bxc4 21. Rxf5 Rxg7 $11)
20... Nxe6 21. Rxf5 Rxg7 {Schwarz hat einen Bauern weniger, aber er hat eine
aktive Stellung und der Pc3 ist schwach.} 22. f3 gxf3 (22... Rd3 23. fxg4 Rxc3
24. Raf1 $16) 23. Rxf3 a5 24. a4 (24. Rc1 a4 25. Nd4 Nxd4 26. cxd4+ Kb7 27. Rc4
b5 28. Rb4 Rd5 $14) 24... Rd7 {[%mdl 256] Schwarz verteidigt vorher den
f7-Bauern und möchte den g7-Turm befreien.} 25. h3 Rh7 $1 {[%csl Gh7][%cal
Gh7h4,Gh4a4] Schwarz möchte seinen Turm über h4 ins Spiel bringen.} 26. Rb1 (
26. Raf1 Rh4 27. Rxf7 Rxa4 $132) 26... Rh4 27. Nd4 {Der Nb3 war nicht der
Stolz der weißen Stellung, so dass Weiß den Bauern zurück gibt.} Nxd4 28. cxd4
Rhxd4 29. Rxb6 Kd8 (29... Rxa4 $11) 30. Rbf6 Ke8 31. R3f4 Rb4 32. Kh2 (32. Rxb4
axb4 33. Rb6 Rd4 34. Kh2 b3 35. Rxb3 Rxa4 $14) 32... Rdb7 33. h4 Kf8 34. R6f5 (
34. h5 Rxf4 35. Rxf4 Rb4 36. Kg3 Kg7) 34... Rxf4 35. Rxf4 Rb3 36. g3 (36. Rf5
Rb4 37. Rxa5 Rxh4+ $14) 36... Rb4 $1 37. Kh3 Rxf4 38. gxf4 f5 $11 39. Kg3 Kg7
40. h5 Kh7 (40... Kh6 $4 41. Kh4 $18) 41. Kh3 (41. Kh4 Kh6 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "ESP-chT Honor Gp1 49th"]
[Site "Merida"]
[Date "2005.08.27"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E46"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Gavrikov,V"]
[PlyCount "195"]
[EventDate "2005.08.24"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nge2 d5 6. a3 Be7 7. cxd5 Nxd5 ({
This reply became popular in last time instead of the more solid} 7... exd5) 8.
Bd2 Nd7 9. g3 ({White has also tried} 9. Qc2 Nxc3 $6 (9... N5f6 $142 $5 {/\ e5}
) 10. Bxc3 $5 b6 11. Ng3 Bb7 12. Rd1 Re8 13. e4 Nf8 14. Bc4 $14 {1-0 Epishin,
V-Solozhenkin,E/Marseille 2004/EXT 2005 (29)}) 9... N5f6 {Planning e6-e5.} ({
Another way of development is} 9... b6 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. Bg2 Nf6 12. O-O Bb7 {
e.g.} (12... Bf5 $5) 13. Rc1 Qd7 14. Qc2 Bd6 (14... c5 $143 15. dxc5 bxc5 16.
Bc3) 15. Bb4 Bxb4 16. axb4 c6 17. Nf4 a6 18. Qc3 Qd6 19. f3 Rfe8 20. Rfe1 Rad8
21. Rcd1 Nd7 $1 22. e4 dxe4 23. fxe4 Nf8 24. e5 Qd7 {0-1 Janssen,R-Tiviakov,S/
Dieren 2004/CBM 101 ext (44) and Black´s chances are not worse.}) 10. Bg2 e5 (
10... c5 $143 11. O-O cxd4 {1/2-1/2 Kovacevic,B-Palac,M/Nova Gorica 2002/ (16)}
12. Nxd4 $14) 11. O-O exd4 {A suggestion of Ftacnik.} ({After} 11... c6 12. Qc2
exd4 13. Nxd4 Nb6 14. Rad1 {1-0 Malakhov,V-Nielsen,P/Istanbul 2003/CBM 096/ 
(26) White can hope for the slight advantage due to his pawn majority in the
centre.}) 12. Nxd4 Ne5 13. Qc2 ({It seems to me that more promising
continuation was} 13. b4 c5 14. bxc5 Bxc5 15. Nce2 Bg4 $5 (15... Qe7 16. Qb3)
16. Bb4 $1 (16. Bxb7 Rb8 17. Bg2 Bxd4 18. exd4 Nf3+ 19. Bxf3 Bxf3 $44) 16...
Bxb4 17. axb4 $36 {[%cal Gg2b7]}) (13. Qc2 c5 14. Nf3 Qd3 15. Rac1 $11) (13.
Ne4 c5 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6 15. Nb5 Bg4 16. f3 Be6 $17) 13... c5 14. Nf5 {An
unexpected pawn sacrifice.} ({To the equality leads} 14. Nf3 Qd3 15. Rac1 Bf5
16. Qb3 $1 Nxf3+ 17. Bxf3 Rab8 (17... Ne4 18. Be1 Ng5 19. Bg2 $13) 18. Rfd1 Be6
19. Qa4 a6) 14... Bxf5 15. Qxf5 Qxd2 16. Qxe5 Bd6 17. Qf5 Qxb2 18. Rfc1 Rad8
19. a4 {[%cal Ga1b1]} c4 $2 {Allows White to win back the pawn and makes it
difficult for Black to defend his queenside.} ({Correct was} 19... b6 $1 20.
Rab1 Qd2 21. Rc2 g6 22. Rxd2 gxf5 23. Rbd1 Bc7 24. Nd5 Nxd5 25. Bxd5 {with
drawing ending.}) 20. Rab1 Qa3 21. Qc2 ({Also good was the immediate} 21. Bxb7)
21... Be5 (21... b6 $143 $6 22. Nb5 Qc5 23. Nxa7) 22. Nb5 Qc5 23. Qe2 a6 ({Or} 
23... c3 24. f4) 24. Rxc4 Qe7 25. Nc3 Rd7 ({An alternative is} 25... Bxc3 26.
Rxc3 Ne4 {but it is understandable that Black prefers to keep the
opposite-coloured bishops.}) 26. Ne4 Rfd8 27. h4 ({Deserved attention} 27. Nc5
$5 Rd2 28. Qf3 b5 29. axb5 axb5 30. Rxb5 Rd1+ 31. Bf1 $16) 27... g6 28. Qf3 (
28. Nxf6+ $142 Bxf6 29. Qf3) 28... Nxe4 ({Stronger looks} 28... Nd5) 29. Qxe4
b5 $5 ({It the event of} 29... Rd1+ 30. Kh2 Rxb1 31. Qxb1 Rd7 {unpleasant is}
32. f4 Bf6 33. e4) 30. axb5 Rd1+ 31. Kh2 Rxb1 32. Qxb1 axb5 33. Qxb5 {In
resulted endgame is not easy for White to realize his extra pawn and the most
probable outcome is draw.} Bf6 34. Qa5 Qe5 35. Qe1 Kg7 36. Bf3 h5 37. Kg2 Rd7
38. Qe2 Rc7 39. Rd4 Qc5 40. Rd2 Ra7 41. Kh2 Qc7 42. Rc2 Qe5 43. Qc4 Rd7 44. Qa4
Qe7 45. Qb5 Rc7 46. Rd2 Qe5 47. Qe2 Qc5 48. Bd5 Bc3 49. Rd1 Qb6 50. Kg2 Qb2 51.
Qf3 Bf6 52. e4 Be5 ({Similar is} 52... Rc3 53. Qf4 Rc2 54. Rd3 Qe5 55. Qf3 Rc7)
53. Rd3 Qb6 54. Rb3 Qd4 55. g4 hxg4 56. Qxg4 Qd2 (56... f5 $142 $5) 57. Rf3 Qh6
58. Rf5 f6 59. Rf3 Qh5 60. Qxh5 ({If} 60. Qe6 {then} Kh6) 60... gxh5 61. Rb3
Re7 62. Rb6 f5 $6 (62... Rc7 $142) 63. f4 $6 ({White wants to avoid the
blockade of f-pawn, however better is} 63. exf5 Bf6 64. Kg3 $16) 63... Bxf4 $2
({Necessary was} 63... Bc7 $1 64. Rc6 fxe4 65. f5 Rd7 $1 66. f6+ (66. Bxe4 Bd6)
66... Kf8 67. Bxe4 $140 Kf7 68. Bf3 Bd6 {with draw.}) 64. exf5 Be5 $2 {A
blunder.} ({The only defence was} 64... Rd7 $1 65. Rg6+ Kf8 66. Kf3 Bc1 67.
Rg8+ Ke7 68. Ke4 Bb2 {with the idea} 69. Rg5 Ra7 70. Rxh5 Ra4+ 71. Kf3 Bf6 $1
72. Kg3 Be5+ 73. Kh3 Kf6 $1 74. Be6 Ra3+ 75. Kg2 Rg3+ 76. Kf2 Kg7 $1 $11) 65.
Rg6+ Kh7 66. f6 $1 Rd7 67. f7 $2 ({Missing a winning possibility} 67. Be4 $1
Rd4 (67... Kh8 68. Kf3 Rd4 (68... Bc3 69. Rh6+ Kg8 70. Bf5 $1 $18) 69. f7 Bg7
70. Rg5 Rd6 71. Kg3 $1) 68. Bf5 $1 Rf4 69. Bc2 Rc4 70. Bd3 Rd4 71. f7 Bg7 72.
Rd6+ Rxd3 73. Rxd3 Kg6 74. Rf3 Bf8 75. Rf4) 67... Bg7 68. Rg5 Kh6 69. Kf3 Rd6
70. Rf5 Kg6 71. Ke4 Rf6 72. Rg5+ Kh6 73. Ke3 Bf8 74. Rg8 Bg7 75. Kd3 Rf4 76.
Ke3 Rf6 77. Bc4 Kg6 78. Ra8 Bh6+ 79. Ke2 Rf4 80. Bd5 Bg7 81. Ra6+ Rf6 82. Ra4
Bh6 83. Ra1 Rf4 84. Kd3 Bf8 85. Rh1 Rg4 86. Kc3 Kg7 87. Be6 Re4 88. Bc4 Be7 89.
Rg1+ Rg4 90. Rf1 Bf8 91. Rh1 Be7 92. Be6 Rxh4 93. Rg1+ Kf6 94. Bd5 Bf8 95. Rg8
Ke7 96. Rg6 Rf4 97. Re6+ Kd7 98. Re4 1/2-1/2

[Event "ESP-chT Honor Gp1 49th"]
[Site "Merida"]
[Date "2005.08.28"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Macieja, Bartlomiej"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E37"]
[WhiteElo "2592"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "166"]
[EventDate "2005.08.24"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 7. Qc2 c5 8.
dxc5 Nc6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Nf3 O-O 11. b4 Bf5 12. Bb2 Re8 13. Rd1 b6 14. e3 bxc5
15. Bb5 Re6 16. Qb3 Ne7 17. Be2 Bg4 18. h3 Bh5 19. O-O Rb8 20. Ba1 Qf8 21. Qa4
Rg6 22. Rfe1 Bxf3 23. Bxf3 Ng5 24. Bg4 h5 25. Bxh5 Nxh3+ 26. Kf1 Rh6 27. Bf3
Ng5 28. Bxd5 cxb4 29. axb4 Rh1+ 30. Ke2 Rh4 31. f4 Nxd5 32. Rxd5 Ne4 33. b5 Re8
34. Kf3 f6 35. Rd4 Nc5 36. Qxa7 Ne6 37. Rdd1 Qb4 38. Bd4 Qxb5 39. Qa2 Qf5 40.
Kf2 Rc8 41. Rc1 Rxc1 42. Rxc1 Kh7 43. Qc2 Nxd4 44. exd4 Rxf4+ 45. Ke3 Kg6 46.
Qxf5+ Rxf5 47. Rc2 Ra5 48. Ke4 f5+ 49. Kf4 Rd5 50. Rc6+ Kh5 51. Rc5 Rxd4+ 52.
Kxf5 Rg4 53. Rc8 g6+ 54. Kf6 Rf4+ 55. Kg7 g5 56. Rc3 Ra4 57. Kf6 Kg4 58. Re3
Ra2 59. Re5 Ra6+ 60. Re6 Ra8 61. Re5 Rf8+ 62. Kg7 Ra8 63. Kf6 Rg8 64. Kf7 Rh8
65. Kg6 Rg8+ 66. Kf7 Ra8 67. Kf6 Rf8+ 68. Kg7 Rb8 69. Kf6 Rb6+ 70. Re6 Rb3 71.
Re4+ Kh5 72. Re2 Kh4 73. Kf5 g4 74. Kf4 Rb4+ 75. Kf5 Kg3 76. Ra2 Rb5+ 77. Ke4
Rb8 78. Kf5 Kh4 79. Ra3 Rf8+ 80. Ke4 Rf2 81. g3+ Kh3 82. Rb3 Kg2 83. Ra3 Rf3
0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 21st"]
[Site "Saint Vincent"]
[Date "2005.09.18"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Middelburg, Tom"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B91"]
[WhiteElo "2416"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2005.09.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Leerdams"]
[BlackTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. g3 e5 7. Nde2 Nbd7 8.
Bg2 b5 9. h3 Bb7 10. g4 Nc5 11. Ng3 Ne6 12. Nd5 g6 13. Be3 Bg7 14. Nb6 Rb8 15.
Qd2 Bc6 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 Nf4 18. Bxf4 exf4 19. Qxf4 Qe7+ 20. Kf1 O-O 21.
c3 Nd7 22. Re1 Ne5 23. h4 Qc7 24. Re4 Nxg4 25. Qxg4 f5 26. Qe2 fxe4 27. Bh3 Qc4
28. Be6+ Kh8 29. Nxe4 Rf4 30. Nxd6 Qxe2+ 31. Kxe2 Rbf8 32. f3 Rxf3 33. Ne4 Bh6
34. Rh3 R3f4 35. Kd3 Rd8 36. b3 Rf1 37. c4 Rd1+ 38. Kc3 bxc4 39. bxc4 Rb8 40.
c5 Rbb1 41. c6 Re1 42. Ng5 Bf8 43. Rd3 h6 44. Nf7+ Kg7 45. Nd8 Rec1+ 46. Kd2
Bb4+ 47. Ke3 Re1+ 48. Kd4 Bd6 49. Rf3 h5 50. Rf7+ Kh6 51. Rd7 Red1+ 52. Ke4
Re1+ 53. Kd3 Rbd1+ 54. Kc2 Rc1+ 55. Kd3 Red1+ 56. Ke2 Re1+ 57. Kd3 Red1+ 58.
Ke2 Re1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 21st"]
[Site "Saint Vincent"]
[Date "2005.09.19"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shchekachev, Andrei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[Annotator "Finkel,A"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2005.09.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[BlackTeam "Schwarzach"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AUT"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 g6 3. e4 Nf6 4. Bd3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c3 c5 7. h3 d5 $6 {
Despite of the fact that this move was used by such a strong players as
Morozevich and Tkachiev I find it hard to believe Black can fight for equality
by losing a tempo in the opening!} 8. e5 Ne4 9. Re1 cxd4 {Appearantly Black
wanted to avoid 10.dxc5, which seems to be very promising for White, but after
a preliminary capture on d4 White may develop a knight to c3.} (9... Bf5 10.
dxc5 (10. Nh4 cxd4 (10... Be6 11. f3 Ng3 12. Kh2 Nf5 13. Nxf5 Bxf5 14. Bxf5
gxf5 15. dxc5 Qc7 16. f4 Qxc5 17. Be3 Qc6 18. Nd2 $14 {Karjakin,S-Kuzubov,Y/
Kramatorsk 2002}) 11. Nxf5 gxf5 12. cxd4 Qb6 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Nc3 Nc6 15. Qh5
Nxd4 16. Be3 $44 {De la Riva Aguado,O-Morozevich,A/Pamplona 1998}) 10... Nd7
11. Bf4 Ndxc5 12. Bf1 Qb6 13. Re2 Rad8 14. Na3 Bd7 15. Be3 Ba4 16. Qc1 Qc7 17.
Re1 $14 {Adams,M-Tkachiev,V/Cannes 2001}) 10. cxd4 Bf5 11. Nc3 (11. Qb3 Nc6 12.
Qxb7 Nxd4 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Nxd4 Qxd4 15. Qxe7 Rfe8 16. Qh4 h6 $132 {Rychagov,
A-Fedorov,A/Vilnius 1997}) 11... Nc6 $2 ({White's chances are clearly better
after} 11... Nxc3 12. bxc3 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Nc6 14. h4 $14 {[%cal Gh4h5,Gf3g5,
Gd3h3,Gh5g6] as he's got a clear plan to attack on the kingside while Black's
prospects on the queenside are less obvious, but there was no reason to give
up a central pawn.}) 12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. Bxe4 Bxe4 14. Rxe4 Qd5 15. Qe2 $16 f6 (
15... f5 16. Rh4 {[%cal Gc1h6,Gf3g5]}) 16. b3 $1 {Of course White refuses to
take on f6.} fxe5 17. dxe5 Rad8 18. Bb2 Rf5 19. b4 {[%cal Gb4b5,Ge4d4] White
is just a pawn up, so for a player of Aronian's caliber the rest is a matter
of technique.} a6 20. a4 Qd3 {Black is forced to initiate a trade of queens as
white was threatening to play 21.b5 followed by Rd4.} (20... b5 21. axb5 axb5
22. Rc1 $18) 21. Qxd3 Rxd3 22. b5 Nd8 23. bxa6 bxa6 24. Rc1 {[%csl Ra6,Re7]}
Rf8 25. Rc7 Rb3 26. Bc1 Rb1 (26... Rb7 27. Rxb7 Nxb7 28. Ba3 Re8 29. Rc4 $18)
27. Kh2 Re8 28. Rc8 Rf8 29. Be3 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 21st"]
[Site "Saint Vincent"]
[Date "2005.09.20"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Gurevich, Mikhail"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E12"]
[WhiteElo "2669"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Gurevich,M"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[EventDate "2005.09.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Eynatten"]
[BlackTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "BEL"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. Bg5 Be7 7. e3 (7. Qa4+ c6 (
7... Qd7 8. Qc2 dxc4 9. e3 Bxf3 10. gxf3 Nd5 11. Bxe7 Qxe7 12. Bxc4 Nxc3 13.
Qxc3 O-O 14. Rc1 Nd7 15. Bb5 c5 16. Bxd7 Qxd7 17. dxc5 bxc5 18. Rg1 g6 19. Rg4
Rab8 20. Rc4 Qb7 $132 {1/2-1/2 Cebalo,M-Van der Wiel,J/Hoogeveen 2005/Mega2006
(32)}) 8. cxd5 exd5 9. e3 O-O 10. Bd3 Nbd7 11. Ne5 Qc7 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13. O-O h6
14. Bh4 Rfd8 15. Rfc1 c5 16. Qxd7 Rxd7 17. dxc5 bxc5 18. Ne2 g5 19. Bg3 Ne4 20.
Be5 f6 21. Bb5 Rdd8 22. Bc7 Rdc8 23. Ba5 Kf7 $13 {1/2-1/2 Jobava,B-Beliavsky,A/
Khanty Mansyisk RUS 2005/The Week in Chess 577 (62)}) (7. Bxf6 Bxf6 8. cxd5
exd5 9. g3 O-O 10. Bg2 Qe7 11. O-O Rd8 12. Qd2 c5 13. Rfd1 Nc6 14. e3 cxd4 15.
Nxd4 Nxd4 16. exd4 Rac8 17. Re1 Qd7 18. Qf4 $36 {1-0 Anastasian,A-Macieja,B/
Stepanakert 2005/Mega2006 (55)}) 7... O-O (7... Nbd7 8. Rc1 O-O 9. cxd5 exd5
10. Be2 Ne4 11. Bxe7 Qxe7 12. O-O c6 13. b4 Nxc3 14. Rxc3 b5 15. Ne1 a5 16. Nd3
Nb6 17. Nc5 axb4 18. axb4 Nc4 19. Rc1 {1/2-1/2 Khalifman,A-Motylev,A/Moscow
RUS 2005/The Week in Chess 581 (19)}) 8. Rc1 c5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11.
Nxd5 Bxd5 (11... exd5 12. Be2 Nd7 13. dxc5 $6 bxc5 14. O-O Nf6 15. Qc2 Rac8 16.
Rfd1 Ne4 17. Nd2 f5 18. Nxe4 fxe4 19. Bg4 Rc7 20. b4 c4 21. Qc3 Kh8 22. Rd2 Qg5
$132 {0-1 Drozdovskij,Y-Ponomariov,R/Odessa 2005/Mega2006 (47)}) 12. dxc5 bxc5
13. Bc4 Bc6 (13... Rd8 14. Bxd5 exd5 15. O-O Na6 16. Qa4 Nc7 17. b4 c4 18. Nd4
Qf6 19. Rfd1 Qb6 20. g3 g6 21. h4 h5 22. Rd2 Rd6 23. Qd1 Rad8 24. Rb1 Ne8 {
1/2-1/2 Stanec,N-Dautov,R/Dresden 1998/PowerBook2005 (24)}) 14. Qe2 {TN [/\16.
Bb5]} (14. O-O Nd7 15. Qe2 Rab8 16. b3 Rfd8 17. Rfd1 h6 18. e4 Nf6 19. e5 Rxd1+
20. Rxd1 Nd5 21. Qd2 Qc7 $13 {0-1 Knudsen,J-Fuhrwerk,K/ICCF Email 2001/ICCF
Telechess (35)}) 14... Nd7 15. Bb5 Bxb5 16. Qxb5 Rab8 17. Qe2 Qf6 (17... Qf6
18. Rc2 Ne5 19. Nxe5 Qxe5 20. O-O Rfd8 21. Rfc1 c4 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 21st"]
[Site "Saint Vincent"]
[Date "2005.09.21"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "169"]
[EventDate "2005.09.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[BlackTeam "Paris NAO"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O g6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Qxd4 Bg7 8. Nc3
d6 9. Rd1 Nbd7 10. Be3 Rc8 11. Rac1 O-O 12. Qh4 a6 13. b3 Rc7 14. Bh3 Qb8 15.
g4 e6 {Taking the d5-square under control is Black's best option, the P-d6 is
indirectly defended.} (15... Nc5 $6 16. g5 Nfe4 17. Nxe4 Bxe4 18. Bxc5 Bxf3 19.
Bxd6 exd6 20. exf3 $16 {Filippov,V-Van Wely,L/FIDE WCh Tripoli/2004/}) (15...
b5 $6 16. g5 Nh5 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. cxd5 Nc5 (18... Bb2 $142 $16) 19. Bg4 b4 20.
Bxh5 gxh5 21. Rc4 a5 22. Qxh5 $18 {Fancsy,I-Anka,E/HUN-chT 0203/2003/}) (15...
Qa8 16. g5 Ne4 17. Nxe4 Bxe4 18. Nd2 Bc6 19. Bxd7 Rxd7 20. Bxb6 $14 {Pogorelov,
R-Colovic,A/Balaguer/2003/}) 16. g5 (16. Rxd6 Rxc4 17. Rdd1 Rc7 $11) 16... Ne8
{[%cal Yb6b5] /\b5<=>} (16... Nh5 17. Bg4 b5 18. Bxh5 gxh5 19. Ne4 $5 $36 (19.
Qxh5 bxc4 {Van Wely,L-Grischuk,A/Internet blitz/2004/} 20. b4 $5 $13 {Magomedov
})) 17. Bg2 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (17. Ne4 b5 18. cxb5 (18. Bg2 {-17.Bg2}) 18... axb5
19. Bd4 Rxc1 20. Rxc1 Qa8 21. Bxg7 {Sorokin,M-Sadvakasov,D/Moscow Aeroflot
2005/} Nxg7 $1 $13 {/=/+}) (17. Nd4 Ba8 18. Qg3 Qc8 19. Bxe6 $2 (19. Nxe6 fxe6
20. Bxe6+ Kh8 21. Bxb6 Qb7 22. Bd5 Qxb6 23. Bxa8 Be5 $13) 19... Bxd4 20. Bxd7
Qb7 21. Nd5 Bxe3 22. Qxe3 Rxd7 23. Qxb6 f6 $17 {Tratar,M-Babula,V/AUT-chT 0506/
2006/}) (17. Bd4 {White wants to prevent b5, the extra benefit of this move in
comparison with the other alternatives is it limits the Bg7.} b5 (17... Bxf3
18. exf3 Be5 $5 $132) 18. Bxg7 Nxg7 19. cxb5 Rfc8 20. Qb4 Rc5 (20... Bxf3 $142
21. exf3 Rc5 $13) 21. bxa6 Bxf3 22. Qxb8 Nxb8 23. exf3 Nxa6 24. Ne2 Rxg5+ 25.
Ng3 Rxc1 26. Rxc1 $14 {[%csl Ga2,Gb3] o^a,b, Rotstein,A-Estremera Panos,S/
Verona op/2006/}) 17... b5 18. Ne4 bxc4 19. bxc4 d5 $5 {[%mdl 64] Kramnik
chooses a radical solution of his problems with the passive Ne8. In the
following tactical complications Black can hold his own.} (19... Bxe4 20. Qxe4
Nc5 21. Qc2 $14 {[%csl Rd6,Re8] ><d6,Ne8}) 20. cxd5 Bxd5 21. Nc5 Nxc5 (21...
Qc8 $5 22. Nxd7 (22. Qb4 Nxc5 23. Bxc5 Nd6 $132) 22... Qxd7 (22... Rxc1 23.
Bxc1 Qxd7 24. Ba3 $16 (24. e4 $2 Qa4 $36)) 23. Bc5 (23. Rxc7 Nxc7 24. Bc5 Rc8
$11 {/\} 25. e4 Qa4) 23... Nd6 24. e4 Rfc8 25. exd5 Rxc5 $11) 22. Bxc5 Nd6 (
22... Bb2 $5 23. Rc2 (23. Qh6 Nd6 24. Rc2 Bg7 $11 (24... Nf5 25. Rxb2 Nxh6 26.
Rxb8 Rxb8 27. Bd6 $18)) 23... Qc8 (23... Qb5 $143 24. Nd4) 24. Rxb2 Rxc5 $132)
(22... Qc8 23. Ba3 $1 $16) 23. Rb1 (23. Qf4 Rfc8 $1 (23... Rc6 24. Bxd6 Qxd6
25. Qxd6 Rxd6 26. e4 Bb2 27. Rc2 Bxe4 28. Rxd6 Bxc2 29. Rd2 Rc8 30. Ne1 $18) (
23... Ne4 24. Bxf8 Rxc1 25. Qxc1 Nc3 26. Rd2 Qxf8 $14) 24. Qxd6 (24. Bxd6 $2
Rxc1 25. Bxb8 Rxd1+ 26. Bf1 Rc4 27. Qe3 Rcc1 $17) 24... Bf8 $11) 23... Qxb1 $1
{[%mdl 512] This sacrifice is forced, but Black's pieces are well coordinated
to hold the balance.} (23... Qd8 $2 24. Bb6 $16) 24. Rxb1 Rxc5 $44 25. Qa4 Ne4
26. Qxa6 Rc2 27. Qd3 (27. a4 Nc3 28. Re1 Ra8 29. Qd3 Be4 $44) 27... Rxa2 28.
Rc1 {Now the initiative even passes to Black, White should have probably
sought immediate activity.} (28. Ne5 $5 $11) 28... Rfa8 29. Ne1 (29. h4 Ra1 {
forces an unpleasant pin, so Aronian prefers to return the Q.}) 29... Rd2 30.
Bxe4 (30. Qh3 Rxe2 $36) (30. Qf3 Nc3 $15) 30... Rxd3 31. Bxd3 Ra4 32. h3 Bf8
33. Nf3 Kg7 34. Bb5 Ra5 {Black wins a P, but this won't be enough, as all the
P are on the >>.} (34... Ra2 $5 $15) 35. Bc6 Bxf3 36. exf3 $1 {[%csl Gf2,Gf3,
Gh3] A strong move. Although White's P are crippled, they are ideally placed
to prevent Black from creating a o^. Even in a R_|_ with 3P against 4P this is
the ideal structure for the defender.} Rxg5+ 37. Kf1 Ra5 38. Be4 Bc5 39. Bd3 e5
40. Rc4 f5 41. Rc2 {Aronian has to be patient and must sit tight.} Kf6 42. Bc4
Bd4 43. Kg2 Kg5 44. Bg8 h5 45. Bf7 Ra6 46. Kg3 Rb6 47. Kg2 Rb7 48. Be8 Re7 49.
Rc8 Rb7 50. Rc2 Rb8 51. Bf7 Kf6 52. Ba2 Ra8 53. Kg3 Ra3 54. Kg2 Kg5 55. Bf7 Ra7
56. Be8 Re7 57. Rc8 Re6 58. Kg3 h4+ 59. Kg2 Kf4 60. Bf7 Rf6 61. Rc7 Bb6 62.
Rc4+ Bd4 63. Bd5 Rb6 64. Rc2 g5 65. Re2 Ra6 66. Bb7 Rb6 67. Bd5 Ra6 68. Bb7 Ra3
69. Bd5 Rc3 70. Bb7 Bc5 71. Bd5 Rd3 72. Bc6 Rd6 73. Bb7 Bd4 74. Ba8 Bb6 75. Bb7
Rd4 76. Bc6 e4 {Without this Black can't make any progress, but White is
prepared for the break and his position remains impregnable.} 77. fxe4 fxe4 78.
Bb7 Rb4 79. Bc8 Ke5 80. Bg4 Rc4 81. Bh5 Kf4 82. Bg6 g4 {The last try...} 83.
Rxe4+ $1 {This ends Black's attempts, as his B doesn't control h1.} (83. hxg4
h3+ 84. Kxh3 Kf3 {would probably mean another round of torture in a R / R+B
_|_, as} 85. Rxe4 $4 Rc1 $1 {surprisingly costs White a whole R, or leads to
mate after} 86. Kh4 Bd8+ 87. g5 Rh1#) 83... Rxe4 84. Bxe4 Kxe4 85. hxg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 21st"]
[Site "Saint Vincent"]
[Date "2005.09.22"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Yandemirov, Valeri"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2515"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "25"]
[EventDate "2005.09.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kazan Ladya"]
[BlackTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. d3 Ne7 6. Bd2 Rb8 7. b3 Ng6 8. h4
h5 9. e5 f6 10. Qe2 Be7 11. Na3 d6 12. exd6 Qxd6 13. Qd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 21st"]
[Site "Saint Vincent"]
[Date "2005.09.23"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Azmaiparashvili, Zurab"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E12"]
[WhiteElo "2672"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2005.09.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tbilisi"]
[BlackTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GEO"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 Be7 7. e3 c5 8. Bd3
cxd4 9. exd4 O-O 10. Bc2 {White is planning the attack along tha b1-h7
diagonal, but black is well equiped to cope with such simple idea.} (10. O-O d6
(10... Nc6 11. Re1 d5 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. cxd5 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 15. dxe6 fxe6
16. Re2 Qf6 17. Qe1 Bxg2 18. Be4 Bxe4 19. Nxe4 Qg6+ 20. Kh1 Rf4 {0-1 Gouret,
T-Marin,M/Badalona 1995/ (30)}) 11. Re1 (11. Rc1 Nbd7 12. Re1 Re8 13. b4 Rc8
14. h3 Nh5 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. d5 Nf4 17. Bf1 Ne5 18. Nxe5 dxe5 19. d6 Qg5 20.
Qg4 {1-0 Raicevic,V-Condie,M/Troon 1984/ (47)}) 11... Nbd7 12. a3 Re8 13. Rc1
Rc8 14. Bf1 d5 15. Ne5 dxc4 16. Nxc4 a6 {1/2-1/2 Lautier,J-Polugaevsky,L/Biel
1990/}) 10... d5 11. cxd5 (11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. cxd5 Bxd5 (12... exd5 13. O-O Nc6
14. Re1 Qd6 15. Qd3 g6 $13) 13. Qd3 g6 14. Nxd5 Qxd5 15. Qe3 Qa5+ 16. Qc3 Nc6
17. Be4 Rac8 $15) 11... Nxd5 12. Qd3 (12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. O-O Nd7 14. Nxd5 Bxd5
15. Qd3 Nf6 16. Ne5 Rfd8 17. Ng4 g6 18. Ne5 $11) 12... g6 (12... f5 13. Bxe7
Qxe7 14. Qd2 Nd7 15. O-O $11) 13. Nxd5 $6 {It is well known, that exchange of
the pieces in the position with isolated pawn is usually a dubious strategy.} (
13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Qd2 Kh7 15. Be4 Nd7 16. O-O N7f6 $11) 13... Bxd5 14. Bxe7
Qxe7 15. Bb3 (15. O-O Nc6 16. Bd1 (16. Qe3 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Rad8 18. Rad1 Qf6 $17)
16... Rad8 $17) 15... Qb4+ 16. Qc3 (16. Qd2 Qxd2+ 17. Kxd2 Bxf3 18. gxf3 Nc6
$15) 16... Qxc3+ 17. bxc3 Bxf3 $1 {This is the idea, that Azmaiparashvili
might have underestimated from afar. Black will play the middlegame without
queens against white's numerous pawn weaknesses.} 18. gxf3 Nc6 19. Kd2 (19. h4
h5 20. O-O-O Rac8 21. Kb2 Rfd8 $15) 19... Rfd8 20. Rhd1 Rac8 21. Rac1 Na5 22.
Kd3 Rc5 $1 23. Ke3 (23. Rg1 b5 $15) 23... Rh5 24. c4 (24. Rh1 b5 $15) 24... Kg7
(24... Rxh2 25. c5 bxc5 26. dxc5 Rxd1 27. Rxd1 Rh5 28. Rc1 Nc6 $15) 25. Ba4 (
25. Rh1 e5 26. d5 Rh4 $15) 25... Rxh2 (25... e5 26. d5 Rxh2 27. c5 bxc5 28.
Rxc5 Nb7 29. Rc7 Nd6 30. Rxa7 Nf5+ $17) 26. c5 Rh5 (26... bxc5 27. dxc5 Rxd1
28. Bxd1 Rh1 29. Kd2 Nc6 $17) 27. c6 {Fortunatelly for black he can fully
neutralize this dangerous passed pawn and the white h pawn will keep missing.}
(27. cxb6 axb6 28. Rb1 Nc4+ 29. Kd3 b5 $1 $19) 27... Rhd5 28. Rc3 (28. c7 Rc8
29. Bc6 Nxc6 30. Rxc6 Kf6 31. Rdc1 Ke7 $17) 28... Rc8 29. c7 b5 $1 30. Bb3 Rd7
31. Rc5 (31. Rdc1 Nc4+ 32. Bxc4 Rdxc7 $19) 31... Rcxc7 32. Rxb5 Nxb3 (32... Nb7
33. Ba4 Rd8 34. Ke2 h5 $17) 33. axb3 (33. Rxb3 Rc2 $17) 33... Rb7 34. Rxb7 Rxb7
{[%mdl 4096] The rook endgame is very promissing for black, all white pawns
are isolated.} 35. Rd3 g5 36. f4 g4 37. f5 (37. Ke2 Kg6 38. Kf1 Kf5 $19) 37...
exf5 38. Kf4 Rb5 (38... Kf6 39. Rc3 h5 40. Rc6+ Kg7 41. Rc3 Rb4 42. Kg5 Rxd4
43. Kxh5 Rf4 $19) 39. d5 Kf6 40. d6 Rb4+ 41. Kg3 (41. Ke3 f4+ 42. Ke2 Rb8 43.
d7 Rd8 44. Rd6+ Ke5 45. Rxh6 Rxd7 $19) 41... Rb8 42. Kf4 (42. d7 Rd8 43. Kf4
Ke6 44. Re3+ Kxd7 45. Kxf5 h5 46. Kg5 Rh8 $19) 42... h5 43. d7 Ke7 44. Kxf5 (
44. Rd5 h4 (44... a6 45. Rxf5 Rxb3 46. Rxh5 Rb4+ 47. Kg3 Kxd7 48. Ra5 Rb6 49.
Kxg4 Kc7 $17) 45. Rxf5 g3 46. fxg3 hxg3 47. d8=Q+ Rxd8 48. Ra5 Rd3 49. Rxa7+
Kf6 50. Ra8 Rxb3 51. Ra2 Kg6 $19) 44... Rb5+ 45. Kf4 Kd8 {Aronian has managed
to blockade the passed pawns and his rook will try to inflict the maximal
demage.} 46. f3 (46. Kg3 Rb7 47. Kh4 Rxd7 48. Rc3 Rd5 $17) 46... Rb4+ 47. Kg3
f5 48. Kh4 (48. Rd5 Rxb3 $19) (48. fxg4 hxg4 49. Kh4 Rf4 $1 $19) 48... Rf4 (
48... gxf3+ 49. Kg3 h4+ 50. Kxf3 a6 $19) 49. fxg4 hxg4 50. Rd1 Rf3 51. b4 g3
52. Kh3 f4 53. Kg2 Rf2+ 54. Kg1 Rb2 55. Rd3 (55. Rd4 f3 $19) 55... Rxb4 56. Kg2
Rb2+ 57. Kg1 a5 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 21st"]
[Site "Saint Vincent"]
[Date "2005.09.24"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2005.09.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[BlackTeam "Warsaw Polonia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "POL"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bb4 7. Qb3 Bc5 8.
d3 c6 9. g4 d6 10. g5 Nd7 11. Ne4 O-O 12. Rg1 Bb6 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. fxe3 f5 15.
gxf6 Nxf6 16. O-O-O Kh8 17. d4 Qe7 18. Qc3 Nxe4 19. Bxe4 Bf5 20. Qd3 Bxe4 21.
Qxe4 Rae8 22. dxe5 dxe5 23. Qg4 Rd8 24. Rd3 h6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Stepanakert-A"]
[Site "Stepanakert"]
[Date "2005.10.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Bologan, Viktor"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2682"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Bologan,V"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2005.10.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
{One of the possible ways to avoid the Marshall. Normally after this white has
a slight positional advantage.} Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Qd7 11. Nc3 Nd8 {Before
the game I already new that Aronian is playing this maneuvre and considered it
good for white.} 12. Ne2 Ne6 13. Ng3 g6 14. c3 $1 $146 {Better than exchanging
the bishops as it was in Gelfand -Shirov, Rethymnon (Greece) 2003} (14. Bh6
Rfe8 15. Ng5 Bf8 16. Bxf8 Rxf8 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Qd2 c5 19. f4 exf4 20. Qxf4 d5
21. Qe5 c4 22. Ba2 Qc6 23. exd5 exd5 24. Qe6+ Qxe6 25. Rxe6 Rae8 $15 {Gelfand,
B-Shirov,A/Rethymnon 2003}) 14... c5 15. d4 c4 16. Bc2 Qc7 17. Be3 (17. a4 $5
Rfd8 18. Be3 d5 19. Nxe5 Nxe4 20. Qg4 Nxg3 21. Qxg3 Bd6 22. f4 f6 23. Ng4 Rf8
24. axb5 axb5 25. Rxa8 Bxa8 26. Qh4 f5 27. Nf6+ Kg7 28. Nxh7 Qd8 29. Ng5 Nxg5
30. fxg5 Rh8 31. Qf2 Qc7 32. Qf3 $14) 17... a5 $1 {Levon tries to close the
queenside.} 18. Qd2 (18. a4 b4) 18... a4 19. Ng5 (19. d5 Nc5 20. Bh6 Rfe8 21.
Nh2 Bf8 22. Bxf8 Rxf8 23. f4 exf4 24. Qxf4 Nfd7 25. Nf3 f6 {=}) 19... Ne8 20.
Nxe6 (20. h4 $5) 20... fxe6 21. Bh6 (21. dxe5 dxe5 22. Qe2 Nf6 23. Rad1 $14)
21... Rf7 22. Ne2 Nf6 23. Qe3 Nh5 24. g4 $2 {Weakening the king without
necessaty is always bad. I should stick a regular} (24. Rad1 Bf8 25. Bxf8 Raxf8
26. f3 $14 {with a steady edge for white}) 24... Nf6 (24... Nf4 25. Nxf4 exf4
26. Bxf4 Raf8 27. Bg3 Rf3 28. Qh6 Qd8 29. h4 e5 $17) 25. f3 (25. Rf1 Bf8 26.
Bxf8 Raxf8 27. f4 exf4 28. Nxf4 e5 29. dxe5 dxe5 30. Ne6 Nxg4 31. Qa7 Rxf1+ 32.
Rxf1 Rxf1+ 33. Kxf1 Qf7+ 34. Ke2 $13) 25... d5 $1 {The white king is already
in danger. I thought this is not possible but missed the simple intermediate
taking on f3.} 26. dxe5 (26. Rf1 exd4 27. cxd4 e5) 26... dxe4 $1 {The
temporary sacrifice permits black to discover white's king position completely.
} 27. fxe4 (27. exf6 {which I was hoping on is simply loosing} Bc5 28. Nd4 Qg3+
29. Kf1 exf3 30. Qf2 Qxh3+ 31. Kg1 Bd6 $19) (27. f4 Nd5 28. Qg3 Bf8 29. Bxf8
Raxf8 30. Bxe4 Nxf4 31. Nxf4 Rxf4 32. Bxb7 Qxb7 33. Rf1 Qb6+ 34. Kg2 Qc6+ $19)
27... Nd7 {More presize than} (27... Qxe5 28. Nd4 Bd6 29. Re2 $13) 28. Nd4 Nxe5
29. Rf1 Rxf1+ 30. Rxf1 Nf7 {Now loosing the bishop white will serious problems
in controlling all weak squares.} 31. Kg2 (31. e5 $5 {was sugested after the
game by Aronian.} Nxh6 32. Bxg6 hxg6 33. Qxh6 {but I think in our post-mortem
analysis we both didn't see the simple} Be4 34. Qf4 Bd5 35. Qf7+ Kh8 36. Qxg6
Qxe5 $19) 31... Nxh6 32. Qxh6 Qe5 33. Nf3 Bxe4 34. Bxe4 {Here the practical
chance for me was to go for a different coloured bishop ending.} (34. Qe3 Bxf3+
35. Rxf3 Qxe3 36. Rxe3 Kf7 $17) 34... Qxe4 35. Re1 Qc2+ 36. Qd2 Qxd2+ 37. Nxd2
Kf7 38. Rf1+ {When going for this position I very much hoped on} (38. Re5 {
but it leads to a lost anyway} Rd8 39. Nf3 Rd5 40. Rxd5 exd5 41. Nd4 Bg5 42.
Nxb5 Bc1 43. Kf3 Kf6 44. Ke2 Kg5 45. Kd1 Bf4 $19) 38... Ke8 39. Kf3 Rd8 40. Ke2
Rd3 41. Rf3 Rd5 42. Ne4 Re5 43. Re3 Kd7 44. Kf3 Kc6 $19 {White can simply
resign.} 45. Re2 Rd5 46. g5 Rf5+ 47. Kg4 Kd5 48. h4 e5 49. Kg3 Rf4 50. Nf2 Bd6
51. Rd2+ Ke6 52. Ng4 Bc7 53. Rf2 Rf5 54. Re2 e4+ 55. Kg2 Rf4 56. Nf2 Rxh4 0-1

[Event "Stepanakert-A"]
[Site "Stepanakert"]
[Date "2005.10.03"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2696"]
[Annotator "Lutz,C"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2005.10.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Qb3 Nbd7 {Schwarz wählt in der Folge
einen Aufbau, der an den geschlossenen Katalanen erinnert. Mit 5...dxc4 konnte
Schwarz eher im Geiste des Semi-Slawisch fortsetzen.} 6. g3 b6 $146 {Dieser
Zug schein neu zu sein, aber im geschlossenen Katalanisch ist es natürlich
normal, den Läufer nach a6 oder b7 zu entwickeln.} 7. Bf4 (7. Bg2 Ba6 8. cxd5
cxd5 {ist die Idee des Schwarzen, da Weiß dann die Spannung im Zentrum
aufgelöst hätte und der Ba6 besser als der Bg2 wäre.}) 7... Be7 (7... Ba6 8.
cxd5 cxd5 9. Nb5 {, und Schwarz müsste sich von seinem Läufer trennen.}) 8.
cxd5 Nxd5 9. Bg2 Nxf4 10. gxf4 {Auch dies Art von Strukturen ist aus dem
Katalanen bekannt: Weiß gibt das Läuferpaar ab, erhält dafür aber eine bessere
Zentrumskontrolle. In dieer Partie gibt es aber noch die besonderheit, dass
Weiß lang rocherien kann.} Bb7 11. O-O-O O-O 12. Rhg1 $14 {Mir persönlich
gefällt die weiße Stellung etwas besser, aber Schwarz steht solide.} Qc7 13. e3
Rad8 $6 {Dieser Zug ist nicht unbedingt nötig. Besser scheint mir sofortiges ..
.a7-a6, nebst ...b6-b5 und ...c6-c5.} (13... a6 14. Kb1 b5 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16.
fxe5 c5 $132) 14. Kb1 a6 15. Ne5 b5 {Schwarz bereitet langsam ...c6-c5 vor,
allerdings ist nun das Feld c5 geschwächt.} (15... c5 16. Bxb7 Qxb7 17. d5 Nxe5
18. fxe5 $40 {Mit dem schwarzen Bauern auf b5 könnte Schwarz nun ...c5-c4
spielen.}) 16. Qc2 Nxe5 (16... c5 17. Ne4) 17. fxe5 c5 {Schwarz entschliesst
sich jetzt zu diesem Zug, da ansonsten Ne4 folgen würde.} 18. Ne4 Kh8 19. f4
Rd7 {Schwarz opfert einen Bauern.} (19... c4 {würde den Bauernverlust
vermeiden, überlässt Weiß jedoch freie Hand im Zentrum.}) 20. Nxc5 Bxc5 21.
Bxb7 Qxb7 22. dxc5 Rc7 $16 {Weiß hat nun einen Mehrbauern, für den Schwarz nur
ein nebulöses Gegenspiel entlang der Felder e4 und f3 besitzt.} 23. Rd6 Qf3 24.
Qc3 a5 25. Rc1 g6 26. a3 Rfc8 27. Qd4 Kg7 28. Rd8 b4 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 {Weiß hat
nach wie vor einen Mehrbauern, kommt aber angesichts seiner Schwächen nicht so
leicht weiter.} 30. axb4 axb4 31. Qxb4 Qxe3 32. Qc4 Qf2 33. c6 Qxh2 34. c7 {
Nun hat Weiß seinen Freibauern weit vorgerückt, aber der schwarze h-Bauer
steht ebenfalls schon bereit.} Qd2 35. Rc3 (35. Qa6 Qd7 36. Qc6) 35... Qd1+ 36.
Ka2 h5 37. Qa6 Qd7 38. Qb7 h4 39. Kb1 h3 40. Rxh3 Qd1+ 41. Ka2 Qa4+ 42. Kb1
Qd1+ {Man hat den Eindruck, dass Weiß seine Chancen nicht optimal verwertet
hat.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Stepanakert-A"]
[Site "Stepanakert"]
[Date "2005.10.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Erenburg,S"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2005.10.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 2048]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 d6 {transforming
to the Anti-Berlin variation with the moves a6 Ba4 already played . Black is
threatening to eliminate White's light-squared bishop by b7-b5 with the
following Na5.} (5... b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2 d5 9. O-O Bb7 10. Re1
dxe4 11. dxe4 Bc5 12. h3 (12. Qe2 Ng4 13. Rf1 Nf6 14. Bc2 Qd7 15. b4 Bb6 16. a4
$14 {1-0 Novik,M-Zavlin,K/St Petersburg 1992/ (44)}) 12... Nh5 $6 {Bacrot has
been carried away by optimism, that his position already allows active
operations. It was better to finish the development with balanced chances.} (
12... Qe7 13. Qe2 b4 14. Bc2 a5 15. Qb5 Rfb8 16. Nb3 Bd6 17. Bg5 a4 18. Nbd2 a3
19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. bxa3 bxc3 21. Nb3 Bxa3 22. Nc5 Ra5 {0-1 Nielsen,P-Rorvik,J/
Copenhagen 2003/ (22)}) 13. Bd5 Qf6 (13... Nf6 14. Bxc6 (14. Nb3 Bd6 15. Bg5 h6
16. Bh4 Qe7 $14) 14... Bxc6 15. Nxe5 Bxe4 (15... Bb7 16. Qc2 Re8 17. Nef3 $14)
16. Nxe4 Qxd1 17. Nxf6+ gxf6 18. Rxd1 fxe5 19. Rd5 Bd6 20. Be3 Rad8 21. Rad1
$14) 14. a4 $1 Nf4 (14... Bb6 15. Nb3 Nf4 16. Bxf4 Qxf4 17. axb5 axb5 18. Qd3
$14) 15. Nb3 Bb6 (15... Nxd5 $2 16. Nxc5 $18) 16. Bxf4 $14 {1-0 Morozevich,
A-Bacrot,E/Biel 2004/CBM 102/[Ftacnik] (30)}) 6. c3 {preparing the square c2
for the light-squared bishop, as well as adding the option d3-d4.} Bd7 (6... g6
{A normal plan for Black in the Ruy Lopez is Be7-Re8-Bf8-g6-Bg7, so Akopian
decides to do it right away.} 7. Nbd2 Bg7 8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 b5 (9... Nd7 {
is another common plan, trying to force the bishop to commit itself, without
weakening the queenside pawn structure.} 10. Nf1 Nc5 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. d4 $14 {
was the continuation in many games, and White has an edge.}) 10. Bc2 d5 11. a4
{hitting the queenside pawn structure, a very common theme in the Ruy Lopez.
Despite the fact that at a first glance Black controls more space and has a
freer game, the truth is that it is White who is fighting for the advantage.
White has easier play on the queenside, and his pieces are coordinated better.}
Rb8 12. b4 {Clinching more space on the queenside. White has a nice edge here.}
dxe4 (12... Be6 {was perhaps more natural though.} 13. Nb3 {[%csl Rc5][%cal
Gb3c5]} d4 14. axb5 axb5 15. Bb2 $14) 13. dxe4 Nh5 {Black's trying to create
some type of counterplay on the other wing, but it seems quite unsuccessful.
On the other hand it is not quite clear what he can do about his weaknesses on
the queenside. At least now he is trying to open the a1-h8 diagonal for his
bishop, by trying to force White to exchange on f4.} 14. Nb3 {Logical, the N
is screaming to get to c5.} Nf4 15. Be3 {White decides that it is not
important to exchange the knight for now, and leaves it alone.} Qf6 16. Bxf4 $1
{A very nice switch. Black would prefer to take back with the e-pawn, but this
basically leads him to a strategically lost game right now.} exf4 $6 (16...
Qxf4 {This was forced and Black is still not much worse.} 17. Nc5 Rd8 18. Qe2
Bf8 19. Nd3 $14 {and White still has some initiative.}) 17. e5 $1 {the "weak"
e-pawn will take care of shutting the bishop out of play.} Qe7 18. Nbd4 Nxd4
19. Nxd4 {White will keep his e-pawn alive by pure tactical means, but it
proves to be sufficient!} Bb7 20. axb5 axb5 21. Ra7 $1 {The rook is very
strong here, Morozevich must have foreseen the following sequence.} Rfe8 22.
Bb3 $1 {Very energetic! White is willing to sacrifice an exchange to open up
the opponents king, and cut off his coordination.} Bxe5 $6 {This basically
loses by force, but the alternative was also rather gloomy.} (22... Qg5 $2 23.
Rxb7 $1 Rxb7 24. e6 {And it transpires that Black has no defence! An
incredible position.} f5 (24... fxe6 25. Nxe6 {Is quite obviously lost for
black.}) (24... Kh8 25. exf7 Rf8 26. Ne6 {Is of course winning.}) 25. e7+ Kh8
26. Nc6 $1 $18 {Domination. Black has no adequate defense against all of
whites threats (Qd8, Qd7, Bf7, Nd8 just to name a few)}) (22... Kh8 {Oh such a
sad move, but what else was there?} 23. e6 fxe6 24. Rxe6 $16 {With a clear
white advantage.}) 23. Rxb7 $1 Rxb7 24. Nc6 Qd6 25. Qd5 $1 $18 {1-0 Morozevich,
A-Akopian,V/Mallorca 2004/CBM 104/[Ramirez Alvarez] (42) The key move, Black
has no way to save his bishop on e5, and is forced into a lost endgame.}) 7.
Nbd2 {looks more flexible, than an immediate castle. White will bring the
queenside knight to g3 via f1 with following castle. The point is that White
can save the Re1 tempo.} (7. O-O g6 8. Re1 Bg7 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Nf1 Re8 11. Bg5
h6 12. Bh4 Qc8 13. Ne3 Nd8 14. Bc2 Ne6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nd5 Bg7 17. d4 Qd8 18.
dxe5 dxe5 19. Qd2 c6 20. Ne3 Nf4 21. Rad1 Be6 $11 {1/2-1/2 Asrian,K-Beliavsky,
A/Warsaw POL 2005/The Week in Chess 556 (41)}) 7... g6 8. Nf1 Bg7 {continuing
with normal development.} (8... Nh5 $5 {[%cal Yf7f5,Yh5f4] An interesting idea
championed by Mihai Marin. Black starts actions on the K-side in the early
opening phase. The motivation is that it's the last chance to play Nh5 before
White gets to play Ng3. Long term Black wants to attack with f5.} 9. Bg5 (9.
Ng3 Nf4 10. O-O (10. Bxf4 $6 {Taking takes White nowhere.} exf4 11. Ne2 Bh6 (
11... g5 12. d4 b5 13. Bc2 g4 14. Nd2 Bh6 15. Bd3 Qf6 $36 {0-1 Maka,M-Liwak,P/
Rowy 1998/EXT 2000 (49)}) 12. d4 Qe7 13. Bc2 O-O 14. O-O Kh8 15. Re1 g5 $40 {
0-1 Saltaev,M-Volzhin,A/Volgograd 1994/CBM 41 (35)}) 10... Bg7 11. d4 (11. Ne2
Nxe2+ 12. Qxe2 O-O 13. Bg5 Qe8 14. Qd2 f5 $15 {0-1 Stoma,P-Pinski,J/Kazimierz
Dolny 2001/CBM 81 ext (46)}) (11. Be3 O-O 12. d4 (12. Qd2 Qf6 13. d4 Rad8 14.
Ne1 h5 15. Nd3 Bh6 $15 {0-1 Stefanov,P-Marin,M/Predeal 1988/EXT 97 (47)}) 12...
b5 13. Bc2 h5 14. d5 Na5 15. b3 Qf6 16. Ne1 c5 $15 {0-1 Reyes,J-Marin,M/
Thessaloniki 1988/TD (27)}) 11... b5 12. Bb3 O-O 13. Be3 Qf6 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15.
Nxe5 Qxe5 16. Qd2 $13 {1-0 Lopez Martinez,J-Marin,M/Andorra 2001/CBM 83 ext 
(29)}) (9. d4 Bg7 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Ne3 Nf4 12. O-O O-O 13. Nd5 Ne6 14. b4 f5
15. Bb3 Kh8 16. Qe2 f4 $40 {0-1 Simon,E-Marin,M/Manresa 1993/EXT 97 (31)}) 9...
f6 10. Be3 Nf4 11. Bxf4 {White gets the centre, but I think Black's P's on the
K-side are more valuable.} exf4 12. g3 $6 {A strategical mistake softening
White where he should be defending.} (12. d4 $142 {[%cal Yf3d4,Gd4d5] if
allowed White can proceed with d5 and Nd4.} b5 13. Bc2 $13) 12... Bh6 $1 {
[%csl Rf3]} (12... fxg3 $6 13. hxg3 $14 {[%cal Yf1e3]}) 13. gxf4 (13. Qd2 Ne5
$1 $17) (13. d4 $142) 13... Bxf4 14. Nd4 O-O 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Qf3 Bh6 17. Ne3
f5 $36 {0-1 Gallagher,J-Sasikiran,K/Hastings 2002/CBM 087/[Wedberg] (39) White
is already defending.}) 9. Ng3 O-O 10. O-O Re8 11. Re1 {strengthening the
centre, thus, preparing to carry out d3-d4.} ({The development of dark-squared
bishop to e3 is one of the options, but it robs White the possibility to play
d3-d4.} 11. h3 h6 12. Be3 d5 13. b4 Na7 14. Bb3 Bc6 15. Qc2 Nb5 16. Rad1 Nd6
17. c4 d4 18. Bc1 Bd7 19. a4 c5 20. bxc5 Nc8 21. c6 Bxc6 22. c5 Bd7 23. Nd2 Qc7
24. Ba3 Be6 25. Rb1 $14 {0-1 Hort,V-Torre,E/La Valetta 1980/EXT 2000 (49)})
11... Qe7 12. h3 {covering the square g4, preventing a pin along the h5-d1
diagonal.} Qf8 $146 {The idea of this move is to change the dark-squared
bishops with Bg7-h6, as well as it liberates the e7 square for the queenside
knight, in case of white's d4-d5. It should be noted, that Black's queen has
liberated the e-file for the rook, thus, making the pressure on White's pawn
on e4 more effective.} ({In the preceding game Black continued} 12... Na5 13.
d4 exd4 14. cxd4 Bxa4 15. Qxa4 Nc6 16. Bd2 Nd7 17. Qc4 Nb6 18. Qd3 Qf8 19. d5 (
19. Rac1 $14) 19... Ne5 20. Nxe5 Bxe5 21. Rac1 $14 {1-0 Cherniaev,A-Flear,G/
Port Erin 2001/CBM 084 ext (47)}) 13. d4 Rad8 {centralizing all the pieces.} (
13... Bh6 14. d5 Ne7 15. c4 $14) 14. Bd2 {preparing to add the queen's rook to
the game from the square c1.} Kh8 {A prophylactic move. One of Black's
possible plans in this position should be carrying out the breakthrough f7-f5.
That's why Black liberates the square g8 for the king's knight.} (14... Bh6 $5
15. Rc1 (15. d5 Nb8 {[%cal Yb8d7]} 16. Rc1 Bxd2 17. Nxd2 Qh6) 15... Bxd2 16.
Qxd2 $14 Nxd4 $141 $2 17. cxd4 Bxa4 18. Rxc7 Rd7 19. Rcc1 $16 {[%cal Rd2a5,
Gb2b3,Ya2a4]}) 15. Rc1 $14 {White is slightly better, thanks to space
advantage. His plan should be connected with advance of queenside pawns.} b5 $6
{This move weakens black's queenside too much.} (15... Ng8 16. d5 Nb8 17. c4 f5
18. exf5 gxf5 19. Bxd7 (19. Ng5 c6 20. Bc2 $14) 19... Nxd7 20. Ng5 $16) ({
I would recommend} 15... Bh6 $14 {trading the dark-squared bishops.}) 16. Bc2 {
transfering the bishop to d3.} Na5 17. Bd3 {covering the spot c4.} Nb7 (17...
c5 {is met by} 18. b4 c4 19. bxa5 cxd3 20. Bg5 $16) 18. b4 $1 $16 {White's
advantage is obvious here, due to Black's passive knight on b7.} a5 {Levon
decides to open the a-file for the rooks.} (18... c6 19. a4 $16) 19. c4 $1 {
attacking Black's pawns on the queenside, thus, winning a pawn.} bxc4 (19...
axb4 20. cxb5 Rc8 21. Bxb4 $18) 20. Rxc4 c6 (20... Bb5 {doesn't change the
evaluation of the position.} 21. Rxc7 Bxd3 22. Rxb7 $16) 21. bxa5 Ra8 (21...
exd4 22. Rxd4 Ra8 23. Bc4 $1 Be6 (23... Nxa5 24. Bxa5 Rxa5 25. Rxd6 $18) 24.
Bxe6 Rxe6 25. Qc2 Nxa5 26. Ra4 $16) 22. dxe5 dxe5 23. Qc2 $1 {[%cal Ye1b1]
liberating the first rank for the other rook.} Nxa5 24. Bb4 $1 {forcing
Black's queen to move to very passive position.} Qg8 (24... c5 25. Bxc5 (25.
Rxc5 Nc6 26. Bd2 Rxa2 27. Qxa2 Qxc5 28. Ng5 $16) 25... Qg8 26. Rc3 $16) 25. Rc5
{attacking the knight and Black's central pawn e5 at the same time.} Nb7 26.
Rxe5 c5 27. Bc3 ({Maybe} 27. Rxe8 {was simplier:} Qxe8 28. Bd2 $16 {/+-}) 27...
Be6 28. Bb5 Rec8 $6 ({The best chance was} 28... Red8 29. a4 Nd7 30. Rxe6 (30.
Bxd7 Rxd7 $13) 30... fxe6 31. e5 $16 {[%cal Yg3e4]}) 29. a4 $18 {White is a
pawn up and his pieces are located much better. Therefore, Black's position is
lost.} Nd6 (29... Nd7 30. Rxe6 $18) 30. Bf1 Nfe8 31. Rxc5 Nb7 (31... Rxc5 {
leads to a lost position as well:} 32. Bxg7+ Kxg7 (32... Qxg7 33. Qxc5 Rxa4 34.
e5 Nf5 35. Qc6 $18) 33. Qxc5 Rxa4 34. Ng5 $18) 32. Rxc8 Rxc8 33. Re3 {Now
White has already two extra pawns.} (33. e5 $18 {wins as well.}) 33... Ned6 34.
Qb2 Na5 35. Ng5 Ndb7 (35... Nac4 {doesn't change anything:} 36. Bxg7+ Qxg7 37.
Qxg7+ Kxg7 38. Rd3 $18) 36. Nxe6 fxe6 37. e5 {getiing the square e4 for the
knight.} Qd8 38. Ne4 Qd1 39. Nd6 Rc7 (39... Rb8 40. Bxa5 $18) (39... Rf8 40.
Rd3 (40. Nxb7 Nc4) 40... Qxa4 41. Nxb7 $18) 40. Bxa5 1-0

[Event "Stepanakert-A"]
[Site "Stepanakert"]
[Date "2005.10.05"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2637"]
[Annotator "Mueller,Karsten"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2005.10.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Qc7 8.
g3 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 11. Bg2 g5 12. Bxe5 Nxe5 13. Qd4 f6 14. O-O-O
Be7 15. Ne3 Be6 16. Qe4 Bb3 17. Rd2 O-O 18. h4 Bc5 19. hxg5 fxg5 20. Bh3 Kh8
21. Bf5 Bxe3 22. fxe3 Bg8 23. Qc2 Rad8 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. Ne4 Qg7 26. Rh5 h6 27.
Nxg5 Nc4 28. Bd3 Nxe3 29. Qd2 Rd5 30. Qxe3 Rxg5 31. Rh4 Bf7 32. Rd4 Bd5 33. Rf4
Qe5 34. Qf2 Bg8 35. Kb1 a5 36. g4 Kg7 37. Re4 Qd6 38. Qb6 Qd7 39. Rd4 Rd5 40.
Bf5 Be6 41. Bxe6 Qxe6 42. Qxb7+ Kf6 43. Rd3 Kg5 44. Qb3 Qe4 45. Ka2 Rxd3 46.
exd3 Qd4 47. Qg8+ Kf4 48. Qf7+ Kg3 49. Qc4 Qd6 50. d4 Qf4 51. b4 axb4 52. a5
Kxg4 53. a6 Qe3 54. d5+ Kf5 55. Qc2+ Ke5 56. Qb2+ Kf5 57. dxc6 Qb6 58. Qc2+ Ke6
59. Qa4 Qa7 60. c7 Qxc7 61. a7 Qh2+ 62. Kb3 Qg3+ 63. Kxb4 {[%tqu "De","Wie
kann Schwarz Dauerschach geben?","","","g3f4","",0,"g3d6","",2]} Qf4+ $2 {
[%mdl 4096]} (63... Qd6+ 64. Kc3 {auf} (64. Kb5 {folgt das berühmte
Sternschach:} Qd7+ 65. Kb4 Qd4+ 66. Kb3 Qd1+ 67. Ka3 Qa1+ $11) 64... Qg3+ 65.
Kb2 Qf2+ 66. Ka1 Qg1+ $11) 64. Kb5 Qe5+ 65. Kb6 Qb2+ 66. Ka6 Qg2 67. Qe8+ Kd6
68. Qd8+ Kc5 69. Qf8+ 1-0

[Event "Stepanakert-A"]
[Site "Stepanakert"]
[Date "2005.10.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Dreev, Alexey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E12"]
[WhiteElo "2694"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2005.10.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. a3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bd2 Be7 8. Qc2
O-O 9. e4 Nxc3 10. Bxc3 c5 11. dxc5 bxc5 12. Rd1 Qc7 13. Bd3 Nd7 14. O-O Rfd8
15. Qe2 Rab8 16. Bb5 Bd6 17. Qd2 Bf4 18. Ba5 Nb6 19. Qc2 Qe7 20. Rfe1 f5 21.
Nd2 Bxd2 22. Rxd2 Bxe4 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Qe2 Qd6 25. f3 Bd5 26. Qe3 h6 27. Bc3
Nd7 28. Rd1 Nb8 29. Qf2 Nc6 30. Qh4 Rc8 31. Ba4 Qe7 32. Qf2 Rc7 33. Qg3 Nd4 34.
Bxd4 cxd4 35. Qe5 Rc4 36. b4 Qg5 37. Bb3 Rc1 38. Qe1 Rxd1 39. Bxd1 Qc1 40. Kf2
Qxa3 0-1

[Event "Stepanakert-A"]
[Site "Stepanakert"]
[Date "2005.10.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Macieja, Bartlomiej"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2592"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Psakhis,L"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2005.10.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. c3 a6 7. Bf1 Bg4 8. d3
({White could play immediately} 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 d5 10. e5 Ng8 $5 11. e6 $5
Bxe6 12. Qb3 Bc8 13. Nc3 Nf6 14. Bg5 Na5 15. Qa4+ Bd7 (15... b5 $2 {was losing
to} 16. Bxb5+ $1) 16. Qd1 Bg4 $132 (16... Bg4 17. h3 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 e6 19. Bxf6
Qxf6 20. Qxd5 Bb4 21. Qe4 O-O {and Black has completed his development without
serious concessions, Kornev - Kharlov, RUS-ch Qualifier Tomsk 2004.})) 8... e6
(8... g6 {In modern practice Black meets troubles after} 9. Nbd2 Bg7 (9... Bh6
10. h3 Bxf3 11. Nxf3 Bxc1 12. Qxc1 e5 13. Qh6 Nd7 14. Nd2 $146 {/\
Sd2-c4-e3-d5, f2-f4-f5} Qe7 (14... b5 15. a4) 15. Nc4 {Although the position
is more or less balanced, White seems to have the easier play.} b5 16. Ne3 Qf8
17. Qh4 Qe7 18. Qg3 O-O 19. Be2 Kh8 20. f4 $14 {1-0 Bologan,V (2630)-Halkias,S
(2520)/Moscow Aeroflot-op 2003/ [Psakhis] (46)}) 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Nxf3 O-O 12.
Bg5 Nd7 13. Qd2 Nde5 14. Nh2 $1 b5 15. Rad1 Qb6 16. Kh1 Nd7 17. Bh6 $1 Bxh6 18.
Qxh6 b4 19. Nf3 Rfc8 20. d4 bxc3 21. bxc3 cxd4 22. cxd4 $16 {1-0 Glek,I (2551)
-Mamedyarov,S (2607)/Silivri 88/169 2003//[Glek,I] (42)}) 9. h3 Bh5 {As
practice has sufficiently shown, Black doesn't experience any serious problems
in this line.} 10. g4 {Sometimes White delay this move - but not for a long
time!} (10. Nbd2 Be7 11. g4 Bg6 12. Nh4 Nd7 13. Nxg6 hxg6 14. f4 {and now
black has choice between at least three interesting moves:} ({Chances are
equal in the case of} 14. Nf3 Nde5 15. Nxe5 dxe5 16. Be3 O-O 17. a3 b6 18. Qd2
Qc7 19. b4 Rad8 20. Qa2 Rd7 21. Rab1 Rc8 22. bxc5 Bxc5 23. Bxc5 bxc5 $11 {
[%csl Rf1] 0-1 Miljutin,O-Ovsijevitsch,S/Alushta op 2000 (35)}) 14... Bh4 (
14... e5 15. f5 Bg5 16. Nc4 Bxc1 17. Rxc1 Nb6 18. Ne3 gxf5 ({I would prefer} 
18... g5 $5 {keeping position close.}) 19. exf5 d5 20. Bg2 Kf8 $13 {1-0
Zvjaginsev,V-Xu Jun/RUS-CHN m Moscow 2004/CBM 103/[Psakhis] (30)}) (14... g5 $5
15. f5 Nde5 16. Nf3 Bf6 17. Be3 b5 18. a3 Rc8 19. Rc1 O-O 20. Nh2 Re8 21. b3
Nd7 22. Nf3 d5 23. fxe6 fxe6 24. exd5 exd5 25. d4 $14 {1/2-1/2 Lipka,
J-Shaposhnikov,E/Pardubice KB op 2003/ (45)}) 15. Re2 g5 {The best way is
actually} 16. f5 $5 {keeping the position more closed but leaving Black with
his bishop on h4} Nde5 (16... Bg3 {could be met by} 17. fxe6 fxe6 18. Qb3 Rh6
19. Nf3 {with a good play for White '+/=' Ftacnik. 'with a good play for White'
}) 17. Re3 O-O 18. Bg2 b5 19. Nf3 Nxf3+ 20. Rxf3 b4 21. Be3 $15 {1/2-1/2
Potkin,V-Timoshenko,G/Ismailia 2nd Misr Closed 2004/(35) 0-1}) 10... Bg6 11.
Nh4 Qc7 $5 $146 {This is an interesting way to solve the opening problems!} ({
White couldn't get real advantage and after} 11... Nd7 12. Nxg6 (12. Ng2 e5 13.
Na3 Be7 14. Nc4 h5 15. Nce3 hxg4 16. hxg4 Bg5 17. Nd5 Bxc1 18. Rxc1 Kf8 19. Qf3
Qg5 20. Nge3 Ne7 21. Nxe7 {1/2-1/2 Rublevsky,S (2649)-Khalifman,A (2669)/ECC
t-ch Izmir 2004/The Week in Chess 518}) 12... hxg6 13. d4 cxd4 14. cxd4 e5 15.
d5 Nd4 16. Be3 Be7 17. Bxd4 exd4 18. Qxd4 g5 19. Nd2 Ne5 20. Re3 Rc8 21. Qb4
Qd7 22. Rc3 O-O 23. Rac1 Bf6 24. Kg2 Ng6 25. Rc4 Rxc4 26. Rxc4 {Maljutin,
E-Timoshenko,G/Oberwart op 1994/ChessBase/0-1 (58)}) ({Worth considering and
sharp} 11... d5 $1 {but this move needs further investigations} 12. g5 Bh5 13.
Qb3 c4 (13... Na5 14. Qa4+ b5 15. Qc2 $18) 14. dxc4 Nxe4 $146 ({White failed
to get any advantage and after} 14... dxc4 $5 {for example:} 15. Qxc4 (15. Bxc4
$2 Na5 16. Qc2 Nxc4 17. gxf6 Qxf6 $17) 15... Nd7 16. Qd3 h6 $1 (16... Be7 17.
f4 h6 18. Qg3 hxg5 19. fxg5 Nde5 $44) 17. Qg3 Nde5 (17... Be7 $5) 18. f4 hxg5
19. fxg5 Bd6 (19... Bg4 $5 20. hxg4 $140 Rxh4 $36) 20. Bf4 Qb6+ (20... Qc7 $15)
21. Kh1 Qxb2 (21... Bc5 22. Be3 (22. Bxe5 Bf2 $19) 22... Bxe3 (22... Qxb2 23.
Bxc5 Qxa1 24. Qf2 $13) 23. Qxe3 Qxe3 (23... Qxb2 24. Nd2) 24. Rxe3 Bg4 $1 $17)
22. Nd2 Qb6 $17 {0-1 Sutovsky,E (2652)-Rechlis,G (2501)/Israel 2003}) 15. cxd5
(15. Qxb7 $4 Na5 $19) 15... Nc5 16. Qc2 Qxd5 17. b4 (17. Bg2 Qd3 $1) 17... Nd7
18. Bg2 Qd6 19. Qe4 $1 (19. Nf5 Qc7 {[%cal Gh5g6]}) 19... Qe5 (19... Qc7 20.
Bf4 Qd8 21. Nd2 Be7 22. Ndf3 O-O 23. Rad1 $14) (19... Be7 $6 20. Bf4 $16) 20.
Bf4 Qxe4 21. Bxe4 h6 $1 $11 {1/2-1/2 Iordachescu,V (2634)-Movsesian,S (2639)/
Bermuda 2004/[Iordachescu,Psakhis] (29)}) 12. f4 O-O-O {[%mdl 2112]} 13. Nd2 {
Trying to avoid the complications arising after} (13. f5 d5 $8 14. Ng2 (14.
exd5 Qg3+ 15. Bg2 (15. Ng2 Nxd5 16. fxg6 $140 hxg6 {[%cal Gf8d6,Rh8h3]} 17. c4
Nd4 $1 18. cxd5 Nf3+ 19. Qxf3 Qxf3 20. dxe6 fxe6 $19) 15... Nxd5 16. fxg6 hxg6
17. Nf3 Rxh3 $132) 14... dxe4 15. fxg6 hxg6 16. g5 Rxh3 (16... Nd5 17. dxe4
Rxh3 {[%csl Rg1]}) 17. Bf4 (17. gxf6 Qh2+ 18. Kf2 Rf3+ $19) (17. Nf4 Rg3+)
17... Bd6 18. gxf6 Bxf4 19. Nxf4 Rh4 20. Rxe4 gxf6 $5 $40) 13... d5 $5 14. e5
Nd7 15. Ndf3 (15. f5 $2 exf5 16. gxf5 Be7 $1 $40) 15... Be7 {A critical
position of the variation, since it is the end of series of more or less
forced moves.} 16. Bg2 (16. Qe2 $5) 16... Kb8 (16... c4 $140 $5 {[%csl Gg6]})
17. Be3 f6 $1 {White has got nothing from the opening: Black's pieces are well
developed and coordinated.} 18. Nxg6 (18. f5 exf5 19. exf6 gxf6 (19... Bxf6 $5
20. Nxf5 h5 {[%csl Rg1]}) 20. Nxf5 Bxf5 21. gxf5 Rhg8 22. Kh1 Qg3 $40) 18...
hxg6 19. d4 cxd4 20. cxd4 (20. Nxd4 $5) 20... f5 21. g5 Rc8 $13 22. Re2 Na5 23.
Rc1 (23. Bd2 Qb6) 23... Qb6 24. Rxc8+ (24. Rec2 $142 Nc4 $140 25. Qe2) 24...
Rxc8 25. Rc2 Nc4 26. Bc1 Rc6 {The position is about equal, but white fails to
find a correct plan and is being outplayed move by move.} 27. Bf1 Na5 28. Kf2 (
28. Rxc6 Nxc6 29. a3 Na5 30. Bd3 $11) 28... Bd8 29. Be3 Nc4 30. Bxc4 (30. Bc1
Na5 $11) 30... Rxc4 31. Rxc4 dxc4 32. d5 $2 {A serious error that ruins the
game.} (32. b3 $1 cxb3 33. Qxb3 Qxb3 34. axb3 Kc7 35. Bd2 {[%cal Rf3h4]} Be7 $8
$11) 32... Qxb2+ 33. Kg3 Bb6 $1 {After this move there is no doubt about
Black's overwhelming advantage.} 34. Bxb6 ({The lesser evil for White was} 34.
Qg1 Bxe3 35. Qxe3 Qb6 36. Qxb6 Nxb6 37. dxe6 Nd5 $17) (34. Bd4 c3 $5 (34...
Bxd4 35. Qxd4 Qxd4 36. Nxd4 exd5 37. e6 Nc5 38. e7 Ne4+ 39. Kf3 Nd6 $19) 35.
dxe6 Nc5 $1 {[%cal Rc5e4]} (35... c2 36. Qe2 Bxd4 37. exd7 Bb6 (37... Kc7 38.
Qc4+) 38. e6 c1=Q 39. e7 Qxe2 40. e8=Q+ Qxe8 41. dxe8=Q+ Ka7 $19) 36. Kh4 Nxe6
37. Bxb6 Qxb6 $19) 34... Qxb6 35. Qa4 ({There wasn't a rescue in} 35. dxe6 Nc5
$5 36. Qd4 Ne4+ 37. Kg2 Qxe6 38. Qd8+ Qc8 $19) 35... Nc5 $1 0-1

[Event "Stepanakert-A"]
[Site "Stepanakert"]
[Date "2005.10.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Asrian, Karen"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "170"]
[EventDate "2005.10.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Be4 11. Qc1 Qc8 12. Bg5 c5 13. Nbd2 Bb7 14. dxc5 Qxc5 15.
Nb3 Qb6 16. Rd1 Bd5 17. Be3 Qd8 18. Nfd4 Nbd7 19. Nc6 Qe8 20. Nxe7+ Qxe7 21.
Bc5 Nxc5 22. Qxc5 Qxc5 23. Nxc5 Bxg2 24. Kxg2 Rfc8 25. Rac1 Kf8 26. Nd3 Nd7 27.
Kf3 Ke7 28. e4 a5 29. Ke3 e5 30. f4 f6 31. h4 h5 32. Kf3 g6 33. b3 b4 34. g4
hxg4+ 35. Kxg4 exf4 36. Nxf4 Ne5+ 37. Kg3 Rxc1 38. Rxc1 Ra7 39. Rc5 Kd6 40.
Rd5+ Kc6 41. h5 gxh5 42. Nxh5 Nd7 43. Rd4 a4 44. Rxb4 axb3 45. axb3 Ra3 46. Kf4
Nc5 47. Rc4 Rxb3 48. Nxf6 Kb5 49. Rc2 Nxe4 50. Kxe4 Rh3 51. Kd4 Rh4+ 52. Kd5
Kb4 53. Nd7 Rh5+ 54. Ne5 Kb3 55. Rg2 Kb4 56. Rg3 Ka4 57. Kd4 Kb4 58. Rg4 Kb5
59. Rg8 Rh4+ 60. Kd5 Kb4 61. Rb8+ Kc3 62. Rc8+ Kb3 63. Nf3 Rh5+ 64. Kd4 Kb4 65.
Rb8+ Rb5 66. Rh8 Rf5 67. Nd2 Kb5 68. Nc4 Rf4+ 69. Kd5 Kb4 70. Nd6 Rf1 71. Rh4+
Kb3 72. Ne4 Rd1+ 73. Kc5 Rd8 74. Nd6 Rg8 75. Rh3+ Kc2 76. Kd4 Rd8 77. Rc3+ Kd2
78. Rd3+ Ke2 79. Ke4 Rh8 80. Re3+ Kd2 81. Kd4 Rd8 82. Re6 Rd7 83. Rh6 Ke2 84.
Rf6 Rd8 85. Ke4 Ra8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Stepanakert-A"]
[Site "Stepanakert"]
[Date "2005.10.10"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Anastasian, Ashot"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E35"]
[WhiteElo "2596"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[EventDate "2005.10.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 c5 7. e3 cxd4 8.
exd4 Nc6 9. Bb5 O-O 10. Nge2 Qb6 11. Bxc6 Qxc6 12. O-O Ne4 13. Be3 Bf5 14. Qb3
Bxc3 15. Rac1 Qc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Stepanakert-A"]
[Site "Stepanakert"]
[Date "2005.10.11"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2662"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[EventDate "2005.10.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3
d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Rc8 13. e4 b5 14. Re1 dxe4 15.
Nxe4 bxc4 16. Bf1 Nb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0506"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2005.10.22"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Landa, Konstantin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E35"]
[WhiteElo "2600"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Golod,V"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2005.10.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Muelheim Nord"]
[BlackTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 c5 7. dxc5 h6 8.
Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 10. e3 Qa5 11. Nge2 Nc6 12. O-O-O $6 {A rare move.} ({
Previously was checked:} 12. a3 $5) ({and} 12. f3) 12... Bf5 13. Nxe4 ({
Too risky for White:} 13. Be5 $2 O-O $1 14. Nxd5 $140 Nxe5 15. Ne7+ Kh8 16.
Nxf5 Nxf2 17. Rd6 f6 18. Rg1 Rac8 19. Kb1 Rxc5 $19) 13... Bxe4 14. Qb3 Qxc5+
15. Nc3 O-O (15... Rc8 $5 {could be recommended:} 16. a3 (16. f3 $143 Qxe3+ 17.
Rd2 Bf5 $15) 16... Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Na5 18. Kd2 (18. Qxc5 $4 Nb3#) 18... Qxc3+ 19.
bxc3 Ke7 20. f3 Bg6 21. Bd3 Bxd3 22. Kxd3 Nc4 {=/=/+}) 16. Bd6 $1 $146 (16.
Rxd5 $2 Bxd5 17. Qxd5 Qxd5 18. Nxd5 Rfd8 19. e4 Rac8 {=/+/-/+ Nicoara,
M-Bogoevski,J/Moscow,1994(1-0)(78)}) 16... Qxd6 17. Nxe4 Qg6 $11 {It's clear
that Black successfully solved all of his opening problems. The weakness of
the "d5" pawn opens the position of White's king.} (17... Qe7 $143 18. Ng3 $14
{[%csl Rd5]}) 18. Nc3 (18. Ng3 $2 {is now bad and refuted by:} Rac8 $19 {
[%csl Rc1,Gc8][%cal Yg6b1]}) 18... Rac8 ({Also possible:} 18... Bxc3 $5 19.
Qxc3 (19. bxc3 $143 Qf6 $1 $36) 19... Rac8 20. Bd3 Qe6 21. Kb1 Rfd8 $11) 19.
Bd3 Qg7 $5 {By this move Levon Aronian prepares a trap for his opponent.} (
19... Qe6 $143 20. Kb1 d4 21. Nd5 (21. Bc4 $6 Qf5+ 22. Bd3 Qe6 23. Bc4 Qf5+ $11
) (21. Qxe6 $6 fxe6 22. Ne4 dxe3 23. fxe3 Ne5 24. Bc2 $11) 21... Bd6 22. e4 $14
) 20. Kb1 ({After:} 20. Bf5 $2 Bxc3 $1 21. Bxc8 $140 Rxc8 22. bxc3 (22. Qxc3 $4
Ne7 $19) 22... Na5 23. Qb4 (23. Qb2 $2 Rxc3+ 24. Kb1 Nc4 $19) {[%tqu "En",
"Find the best continuation for Black?","","","c8c4","",10]} 23... Rc4 $1 (
23... Rxc3+ $5 24. Kb1 Nc4 25. Rd4 Qg6+ 26. Ka1 Qc2 $40 {[%csl Ra1][%cal Cd4d5,
Gc3a3]}) 24. Qxa5 $140 b6 25. Qb5 Qxc3+ 26. Kb1 Rb4+ 27. Qxb4 Qxb4+ $17 {
Black's advantage is obvious thanks to the active queen and the weak position
of White's king.}) (20. Bc2 $5 Bxc3 21. Qxc3 Qxc3 22. bxc3 Ne7 23. Kd2 f5 $11 {
[%cal Yg8f7,Yf7e6]}) 20... Bxc3 21. Qxc3 Qxc3 22. bxc3 $11 {In the arisen
endgame, the chances of both players are equal. The pawns "c3" and "d5" are
mutually weak and Black's knight is not worse than White's bishop.} Ne5 23. Be2
{קd5 It's important to prevent the knight from jumping to "c4".} (23. Bf5 $143
Rc5 {[%cal Ge5c4,Yc5d5]}) 23... Rfd8 24. Kb2 Nc4+ 25. Bxc4 Rxc4 {In this rook
ending, both sides have no chances of improving their position. Therefore, the
opponents agreed to a draw.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0506"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2005.10.23"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2666"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2005.10.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[BlackTeam "Katernberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. a3 Be7 7. g3 {Diese
Variante wird selten gespielt, die Alternative 8.e4 ist populärer. Nach 7.g3
bekommen wir eine ähnliche Stellungen, wie nach 6.g3, aber der Zug 6.a3 ist
hier wohl ein Tempoverlust. Nach meiner Meinung ist diese Variante mit 6.a3
und 7.a3 nicht gefährlich für Schwarz.} Qb6 8. Nf3 (8. e3 d5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10.
Nxd5 exd5 11. Qb3 O-O 12. Qxb6 axb6 13. Bg2 {1/2-1/2 Vallejo Pons,F-Leko,P/
Linares 2005/(13)}) (8. Ndb5 Ne5 9. Bg2 a6 $5 10. Qa4 (10. Na4 Qa5+ $1 11. b4
Qd8 12. Nd6+ Bxd6 13. Qxd6 Nxc4 14. Qd4 d5 15. O-O O-O $15 {1/2-1/2 Illescas
Cordoba,M-Karjakin,S/Dos Hermanas 2004/}) 10... Rb8 11. Be3 Bc5 12. Qb4 Bxe3
13. Nd6+ Kd8 14. fxe3 Qxb4 15. axb4 Ke7 16. c5 b6 {1/2-1/2 McDonald,N-Papp,G/
Budapest 2003/(56)}) 8... O-O (8... Ng4 $5 9. e3 O-O 10. Bg2 Nge5 11. Nxe5 Nxe5
12. b3 Bf6 {[%cal Gf6a1]} 13. Ra2 $5 d5 $1 14. cxd5 Qa6 {[%csl Re1][%cal Re5d3,
Rd3e1]} 15. Bf1 Nf3+ 16. Qxf3 Bxc3+ 17. Bd2 {1/2-1/2 Tkachiev,V-Gelfand,B/
Shenyang 2000/CBM 79/[Ribli] (17)}) 9. Bg2 Rd8 {[%cal Gd7d5] Schwarz bereitet
d7-d5 vor.} (9... d5 10. Be3 (10. cxd5 exd5 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. Qxd5 Be6 $44)
10... Qd8 11. cxd5 exd5 12. O-O Bg4 13. Nd4 Qd7 14. Qa4 Rfd8 15. Rad1 Bh3 16.
Rfe1 {1-0 Tomashevsky,E-Belov,V/Kazan 2005/(53)}) 10. O-O (10. Be3 Qa6 {
[%cal Ga6c4,Gd7d5]} (10... Qxb2 $4 11. Na4 $18 {Ein bekanntes Motiv.})) 10...
d5 11. cxd5 Nxd5 {Schwarz hat eine bequeme Stellung und keine Probleme.} (11...
exd5 $5) 12. Qc2 Nxc3 13. bxc3 (13. Qxc3 Bf6) 13... h6 {Mit diesem
prophylaktischen Zug sichert Schwarz seine Königsstellung und verhindert 14.
Ng5.} (13... e5 14. Ng5 Bxg5 15. Bxg5 f6 16. Be3 $14) 14. g4 $6 (14. Be3 Qc7 (
14... Qa5)) (14. Rb1) 14... Qa5 $1 $15 {Schwarz hat eine gesunde Stellung,
während die weiße Bauernstruktur schwach ist.} (14... e5 15. g5) 15. Rb1 e5 16.
Qe4 $1 {[%mdl 256] Weiß zentralisiert seine Dame und beschäftigt sich nicht
mit der Verteidigung des c3-Bauern.} (16. g5 e4) (16. h3) 16... Qxc3 (16... Rb8
17. g5 $132) 17. Bb2 Qa5 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. Qxe5 Qxe5 20. Bxe5 {[%csl Ra3,Gb1,
Rb7,Ge5,Gg2,Rg4] Weiß hat einen Bauern weniger und seine a3- und g4-Bauern
sind schwach, aber alle seine Figuren stehen aktiv.} Bxa3 21. Bxb7 Bxb7 22.
Rxb7 Re8 23. Bd4 a5 {[%csl Ga5]} 24. Ra1 Bf8 25. Ra4 $1 {Weiß opfert den
e2-Bauern, aber was noch noch wichtiger ist, er blockiert den a5-Bauern.} (25.
e3 a4) 25... Rxe2 26. Be3 {[%csl Ga4,Gb7][%mdl 4096] Weiß hat einen Bauern
weniger, aber eine feste Verteidigungstellung.} Bd6 27. Kg2 Rc2 28. Bf4 (28. h3
) 28... Bc5 (28... Bxf4 29. Rxf4 f6 (29... Rf8 30. Rf5 a4 31. Ra7 $11) 30. Rd4
Rc5 31. Rdd7 Rg5 32. h3) 29. Bg3 Be3 30. Ra3 Bd4 (30... Bd2 {[%cal Yd2b4]} 31.
Ra4 (31. Rf3 f6 32. Rd3 Bb4 33. Rdd7 Bf8 34. Ra7 (34. Bd6 Rd2 35. Bxf8 Rxd7 36.
Rxd7 Kxf8) 34... Rxa7 35. Rxa7 Ra2 36. h4 a4 37. h5 a3) 31... Bb4 $4 32. Rbxb4
$18) 31. Ra4 Rb2 32. Rc7 (32. Rxb2 Bxb2 33. Kf3 Bc3 34. Ke4) 32... Bb6 33. Rb7
Bd4 34. Rc7 Bf6 35. h4 $1 {[%cal Gh4h5] Weiß mobilisiert seine Reserven und
möchte am Königsflügel Raum gewinnen.} Rb3 36. h5 Bc3 37. Rac4 Bb2 (37... Bb4)
38. Ra4 Ra3 39. Re4 a4 40. Be5 Rb3 41. Bxb2 Rxb2 42. Ree7 Rb4 (42... Rf8 43.
Rc4 Ra8 (43... a3 44. Ra7 a2 45. Rca4 $11) 44. Rcc7) (42... Rb4 43. f3 Rf8 44.
Ra7 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0506"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2005.10.21"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Miroshnichenko, Evgenij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E70"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2634"]
[Annotator "Hazai,L"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2005.10.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[BlackTeam "Neukoelln"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. Bd3 d6 6. Nge2 Na6 7. O-O e5 8. d5
Nc5 9. Bc2 a5 {Black's setup is natural from the classical point of view.
However White's main idea with Bd3 is to prepare against this, the e4 P is
well-protected and f5 will be answered by exf5 in most of the cases.} 10. Rb1 {
White wants to prepare b4.} (10. f3 {may lead to Samish type of positions.})
10... Bd7 {fighting against a3-b4.} (10... Nh5 {/\ f5} 11. Be3 f5 (11... Bd7 {
can already be met by} 12. a3 $14) 12. exf5 gxf5 13. f4 {fixing the target f5
White has to blockade f4. The e5 and f4 squares are very important, if Black
cannot hold the tension, he has to close the position by e4. In this case it
is not easy for him to organize a counterplay.} e4 {It's better now than later.
} (13... Qe7 14. Qd2 e4 (14... Bd7 {If Black wants to keep the tension, a
tactical blow will come on the d <->!} 15. fxe5 (15. Rbe1 {is not a necessary
preparatory move.} e4 (15... Rae8 16. fxe5 $1 (16. Nb5 Bxb5 17. cxb5 exf4 18.
Nxf4 Nxf4 19. Bxf4 {(Letelier-Garcia Martinez, Havana 1964)} Qf6 $13) 16...
Bxe5 (16... dxe5 {is strongly met by} 17. d6 $1 cxd6 (17... Qxd6 18. Qxd6 cxd6
19. Rd1 $16) 18. Rd1 $16 {and the threats on the d <-> are not easy to parry.})
17. Nf4 Nxf4 18. Bxf4 $14 {firmly controlling >< f4.}) 16. Bd4 $14 {exchanging
the vital fianchettoed B. Later White has to blockade the e3 square with his N,
the d7 B remains passive.}) 15... dxe5 16. d6 $1 {This motif is the point!}
cxd6 (16... Qxd6 17. Qxd6 cxd6 18. Rbd1 $16) 17. Rbd1 $16) 15. Bd4 $14) 14. Bd4
$14 {taking control over >< d4 and e3.}) (10... c6 11. a3 {following the
original plan of Rb1.} (11. Bg5 $6 {is rather useless here.} h6 12. Bd2 cxd5
13. cxd5 Bd7 {/\ b5} 14. b4 (14. f3 b5) 14... axb4 15. Rxb4 b5 {Black has
enough counterplay on the <<, the N on c5 remains strong.} 16. Rb2 Qc7 17. Qb1
Rfb8 18. Rc1 Qa7 19. Nd1 Ne8 20. Nec3 {Bratanov-Claverie, Le Touquet 2004})
11... cxd5 12. cxd5 Bd7 13. b4 axb4 14. axb4 Na6 {If the N has to go back,
Black's strategy has failed.} 15. Ba4 $14 {exchanging Black's important
light-squared B.}) 11. b3 $1 (11. a3 {can be met by} a4 12. Be3 Ra5 13. f3 (13.
Bxc5 dxc5) 13... Qa8 {holding the blockading P a4.}) 11... Nh5 (11... c6 12. a3
(12. dxc6 $6 Bxc6 $13 {allows Black to organize counterplay on the dark
squares.}) 12... cxd5 13. cxd5 b5 14. b4 axb4 15. axb4 $14 {and the N has to
retreat.}) 12. Be3 (12. a3 {is the other consequent try.} f5 (12... b6 $6 {
is completely senseless.} 13. b4 axb4 14. axb4 Nb7 {The N is pathetic here.}
15. Ba4 {weakening the light squares.} Bxa4 16. Nxa4 $16 {
Krysztofiak-Strejczek, Leba 2004}) 13. exf5 (13. b4 axb4 14. axb4 Nxe4 15. Nxe4
fxe4 16. Bxe4 {White has not enough control over the central squares.} Qh4 $132
) 13... gxf5 14. b4 axb4 15. axb4 Na6 16. f4 $14 {is the ideal set-up for
White.}) 12... Nf4 (12... f5 {deserved attention, as usual.} 13. exf5 gxf5 14.
Qd2 $5 (14. f3 {looks a bit passive.} Kh8 15. Qd2 Rg8 {1/2-1/2
Matamoros-Rodriguez Talavera, Coria del Rio 1995})) 13. Qd2 (13. Nb5 f5 $1 $132
(13... Qg5 14. g3 $16) (13... Bxb5 14. cxb5 $16) (13... Re8 14. a3 $14)) 13...
Qh4 14. Ng3 (14. f3 f5) 14... h5 $5 (14... f5 $1 15. f3 Na6 16. exf5 (16. a3 $2
Nh3+ 17. gxh3 f4 $40) 16... gxf5 17. Nge2 Nxe2+ 18. Qxe2 Nb4 $36) 15. a3 {/\ b4
} Qf6 $6 {Black is not consequent, 14...h5 had a tactical idea of} (15... Nxg2
$5 16. Kxg2 Qh3+ 17. Kh1 h4 {although White is not depressed after} 18. Rg1
hxg3 19. Rxg3 Qh4 20. b4 axb4 21. axb4 Na6 22. c5 $14) 16. b4 axb4 17. axb4 Na6
{Black had to retreat with his active pieces.} 18. Nge2 Nxe2+ (18... Qh4 19.
Kh1) 19. Qxe2 {The last active piece has been exchanged.} Qe7 20. Kh1 (20. Ba4
{wants to exchange the important light-squared B.} Bc8) 20... Rfe8 $6 {Why?} (
20... h4) 21. Bd3 (21. Ba4 $16 {and the B cannot escape!}) 21... f5 22. c5 dxc5
(22... f4 $2 {is strongly countered by} 23. c6 $1 bxc6 (23... fxe3 24. cxb7
Rab8 25. Bxa6 exf2 26. Rxf2 $18) 24. dxc6 Be6 25. Bd2 $18) 23. Bxa6 bxa6 (23...
Rxa6 24. bxc5 Bc8 (24... f4 $2 25. Rxb7 $18) 25. f3 $16) 24. Bxc5 $6 {Now
White's advantage is not so big anymore.} (24. bxc5 $1 f4 25. c6 Bc8 26. Bc1
$16 {looked more promising.}) 24... Qf6 25. exf5 $2 {giving up the [+] only
opens up the position for the ^^.} (25. Ra1 $1) 25... e4 $1 {This is the
typical positional P sacrifice, now both bishops work well.} (25... Bxf5 $2 26.
Ne4 $16 {loses the control over the vital blockading square e4.}) (25... gxf5
$5) 26. Nxe4 (26. Rfc1 $5 Bxf5) 26... Qxf5 (26... Qh4 $5 27. f3 gxf5 28. Qf2
Qxf2 29. Nxf2 Bb5 30. Rfe1 $14 {leads to an _|_, where the black ^^ wants to
compensate the P.}) 27. Rfe1 Bb5 28. Qe3 Qxd5 29. Rbd1 Qe6 (29... Qf7 30. Bd4
$14) 30. Qd2 Bc6 31. f3 Bxe4 {Black gives up the ^^, but this is still not so
terrible.} (31... Qf7 $5 $14) 32. fxe4 Be5 (32... Rad8 $6 33. Qxd8 Rxd8 34.
Rxd8+ Kh7 35. h3 $14) 33. h3 Qc6 (33... Kh7) 34. Rf1 a5 35. Qg5 Qe6 (35... axb4
) 36. Bd4 axb4 $4 {This is the final blunder, probably already in a big time
trouble.} (36... Bxd4 37. Rxd4 axb4 38. Rxb4 Rf8 {was still playable.}) 37.
Bxe5 Qxe5 38. Qxg6+ $18 Qg7 39. Qxh5 Rad8 40. Rd5 1-0

[Event "WchT 6th"]
[Site "Beersheba"]
[Date "2005.11.01"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[Annotator "Huebner,R"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2005.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Israel"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISR"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Qc7 8.
Bg5 {Hin und wieder wird dieser Zug gespielt; er kann sich aber in Popularität
in keiner Weise mit 8.g3 messen. Dafür gibt es keinen zwingenden Grund.} e5 {
Hier sind viele andere Züge versucht worden, doch ist diese Fortsetzung am
energischsten.} 9. e3 (9. Bxf6 {sieht plausibler aus, doch hat Weiß keinen
nennenswerten Vorteil nach} gxf6 10. e3 exd4 11. exd4 Rg8 12. Qf3 Be6 13. h3
O-O-O {1/2-1/2 Hillarp Persson,T-Hector,J/Copenhagen 2002/CBM 089 ext (59). 
(58)}) (9. Bh4 Bb4 10. dxe5 Ne4 11. Qb3 a5 12. Rc1 O-O 13. f3 Nec5 14. Qd1 {
ist offenbar unerfreulich für Weiß:} Nxe5 $17 {0-1 Stahlberg,G-Maroczy,G/
Dresden 1936/HCL (28). (28)}) 9... Be7 {Dies ist ein neuer, wenn auch sehr
plausibler Zug. Nach} (9... Rd8 10. Bxf6 gxf6 {kann Schwarz nicht mehr lang
rochieren, so daß Weiß auf einen kleinen Vorteil hoffen kann:} 11. Bd3 {
Die bisher gespielten Züge ergeben nichts:} (11. Qf3 Be6 12. Rd1 Be7 13. Qg3
Nb6 14. Nd2 Kf8 $13 {1/2-1/2 Kempinski,R-Sundararajan,K/Biel 2000/CBM 077 ext 
(27). (26)}) (11. Be2 Nc5 12. O-O Be7 13. Re1 Ne6 14. d5 $2 (14. Bg4 $11) 14...
cxd5 15. Nxd5 Qc5 16. Nxe7 Rxd1 17. Nxf5 Rxe1+ 18. Rxe1 O-O $19 {0-1 Buckley,
G-Hector,J/London 1999/CBM 070 ext (33). (33)}) 11... Be6 12. Qe2 {usw.}) (9...
Ne4 {verdient Untersuchung.}) 10. Bd3 (10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Bf4 Nfd7 {ergibt
einen bekannten Stellungstyp in bequemer Form für Schwarz.}) 10... Be6 (10...
Bxd3 11. Qxd3 Rd8 {ist ebenfalls befriedigend für Schwarz.}) 11. a5 O-O 12. O-O
b5 (12... exd4 13. Bf4 Qd8 14. exd4 Nd5 {genügt ebenfalls zum Ausgleich.}) 13.
axb6 (13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Qxe5 15. Bf4 Qh5 {bringt dem Weißen auch nichts
ein.}) 13... axb6 14. Qc2 h6 15. Bh4 Rxa1 16. Rxa1 exd4 17. Bg3 Qd8 18. exd4
Nh5 19. Rd1 Nxg3 $11 20. hxg3 Qc7 21. Ne2 (21. Ne3 Nf6 $11) 21... Rd8 (21...
Bg5 $5) 22. Nf4 Nf8 23. Ne5 Rxd4 24. Nxc6 Rd6 25. Nxe7+ Qxe7 26. Re1 Qd8 27.
Kh2 Qc8 28. Qe2 Qc5 29. Ra1 Qd4 30. Qf3 $5 (30. Ra8 Rd8 {führt zum Remis.})
30... g5 (30... Qxb2 31. Ra8 Qd4 32. Ng6 Qxd3 33. Qxd3 Rxd3 34. Nxf8 Bd5 35.
Rd8 g5 36. Nd7+ Kg7 37. Nxb6 {führt ebenfalls zum Remis.}) 31. Nxe6 Qxd3 32.
Ra8 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 6th"]
[Site "Beersheba"]
[Date "2005.11.02"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Azmaiparashvili, Zurab"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E12"]
[WhiteElo "2658"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2005.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Georgia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GEO"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 Be7 7. e3 c5 8. Bd3
cxd4 9. Nxd4 a6 10. O-O Nc6 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Rc1 Qb8 13. Qe2 Qe5 14. Bg3 Qh5
15. Qxh5 Nxh5 16. Bc7 Bd8 17. Bxd8 Kxd8 18. b4 Nf6 19. e4 d6 20. Rfe1 Nd7 21.
Rc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 6th"]
[Site "Beersheba"]
[Date "2005.11.03"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E67"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2005.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Ukraine"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "UKR"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. h3 (
8. e4 {leads to lines E68-9. The text-move often only transposes, but Ivanchuk
wants to go a different way.}) 8... exd4 9. Nxd4 ({Black must also reckon with
the rare} 9. Qxd4 $5 h6 10. Be3 Nc5 11. Qd2 Nfe4 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Qc1 Kh7 14.
Rd1 Bd7 (14... Qe7 $142) 15. Bd4 Nf6 16. b3 (16. c5 $142 $1 $36) 16... Re8 17.
Qb2 Bc6 18. Re1 Be4 19. Rad1 Qe7 20. Bc3 a6 21. Rd4 Bh8 22. a4 c5 23. Rdd1 {
Bauer,C-Nataf,I/FRA-ch Vichy/2000/} Rab8 $132) 9... Nb6 $5 (9... Re8 10. e4 {
-E68}) (9... Nc5 10. e4 {-E68}) 10. b3 (10. Qc2 Nxc4 11. Ncb5 a6 12. Qxc4 axb5
$11 {[%csl Gc6,Gd5][%cal Yc7c6,Yd6d5] /=/+,/\c6,d5[+] allows Black to
neutralize the Bg2 and gives him equality at the very least.}) (10. Qd3 Nfd7
11. b3 Nc5 12. Qd1 a5 13. e4 a4 14. Rb1 axb3 15. axb3 c6 16. Be3 Re8 17. Qc2 {
Bukal,V-Sebenik,M/AUT-chT2M/2005/} (17. Re1 $5) 17... f5 $1 $132) 10... d5 {
The modern trend.} (10... c5 11. Nc2 Be6 {has been somewhat discredited due to}
12. e4 $1 Qd7 13. Kh2 Ng4+ 14. hxg4 Bxc3 15. Bh6 Bxg4 (15... Rfe8 16. Ne3 $1
$36) 16. f3 Be6 17. Bxf8 Bxa1 18. Bxd6 Rd8 19. Qxa1 Qxd6 20. Ne3 Qd4 21. Qc1
$14 {/\Nd5, Khalifman,A-Sutovskij,E/Jerusalem/1997/}) 11. c5 (11. Ba3 {
prevents the following move:} Re8 ({White probably doesn't have to worry too
much about} 11... dxc4 12. Bxf8 Qxf8 13. bxc4 $14) 12. c5 Ne4 (12... Nbd7 $142
13. c6 Ne5 {-11.c5 Nbd7}) 13. Rc1 Nd7 14. c6 $36) 11... Ne4 $5 {Until now
Black played mostly} (11... Nbd7 12. c6 Ne5 13. cxb7 Bxb7 14. Ba3 Re8 15. Rc1
Rc8 (15... a6 {is directed against Ncb5} 16. Na4 Ne4 17. e3 $5 (17. Nc5 Nxc5
18. Bxc5 Nd7 19. e3 (19. Ba3 c5 $1 20. Nc2 (20. Bxc5 $6 Nxc5 21. Rxc5 Qb6 22.
b4 Qxb4 23. Nb3 d4 $11 {/=/+}) 20... Qg5 21. h4 Qh5 22. Bf3 Qe5 $1 (22... Qf5
23. Qd2 Qe6 24. Rfd1 Rad8 25. Bxd5 Bxd5 26. Qxd5 Qxe2 27. Re1 {Illescas
Cordoba,M-Moreno Ruiz,J/ESP-ch Burgos/2003/} Qb5 $5 $132) 23. Ne3 Rad8 $13 {
V.Mikhalevski,/\} 24. Nxd5 Nf6 25. Nxf6+ Qxf6 26. Qc2 Bxf3 27. exf3 Qxf3 {
[%csl Rg1] עg1}) 19... Nxc5 20. Rxc5 Bf8 21. Rc2 c5 22. Ne2 Qd7 23. Nf4 Rad8
24. Rd2 d4 25. Bxb7 Qxb7 26. exd4 Qb4 27. Re2 Qxd4 28. Qxd4 cxd4 29. Rxe8 Rxe8
30. Rd1 g5 31. Nh5 Re2 $11 {Vaganian,R-Volokitin,A/EU-ch Silivri/2003/}) 17...
h5 18. Nc5 Nxc5 19. Bxc5 h4 20. g4 Nd7 21. Qc2 Be5 22. Ba3 $14) 16. Na4 Ne4 {
Possibly White shouldn't hurry with Nc5 so much:} 17. Rc2 $5 ({here} 17. e3 $2
{allows} Ba6 $17) (17. Nc5 Nxc5 18. Bxc5 Nd7 19. e3 $5 (19. b4 Nxc5 20. Rxc5 c6
21. a3 Bf8 22. Rc3 c5 (22... a5 $5) 23. bxc5 Bxc5 24. e3 Ba6 25. Re1 Qa5 26.
Rc1 Bc4 27. Nb3 Qxa3 {Paschall,W-Nagle,S/Budapest/2004/} 28. Bxd5 $11) (19. Qc2
Nxc5 20. Qxc5 Qd7 21. Rc2 c6 22. b4 {Khurtsidze,N-Ivanchuk,V/Yerevan/2004/} a5
$1 $132) 19... Nxc5 20. Rxc5 Bf8 21. Rc2 c6 22. Qc1 Qb6 23. Rd1 {Akopian,
V-Avrukh,B/Amsterdam/2005/} a5 $5 {[%cal Ya5a4] /\a4<=>}) 17... c5 $2 (17...
Qf6 18. Qc1 $13) 18. Nxc5 (18. Bxc5 $16) 18... Nxc5 19. Bxc5 Nd7 20. b4 Nxc5
21. bxc5 Ba6 22. Nb3 Bc4 23. Rd2 Bc3 24. Rxd5 Bxd5 25. Bxd5 Qd7 26. Qd3 Bg7 27.
Qc4 Re5 28. Bf3 Qe7 29. c6 $16 {Stean,M-Heinicke,H/Hamburg/1977/}) 12. Bb2 $146
{[%mdl 8]} (12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. Bb2 Nd5 14. c6 Qd6 $5 (14... e3 $13) (14... Re8
$5) 15. Rc1 bxc6 16. Rxc6 Qd7 17. Rc5 Bb7 18. Qc1 f5 19. Rd1 Rad8 20. e3 Rf7
21. Bf1 $36 {Ravi,L-Vijayalakshmi,S/Calcutta/1999/}) 12... Nxc5 (12... Nd7 $6
13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. c6 $36) (12... Nxc3 13. Bxc3 Nd7 14. c6 $14) 13. Ba3 Ne6 $5 {
[%mdl 512] An interesting exchange sacrifice.} (13... Qe7 $6 14. Rc1 $16) (
13... Bxd4 14. Qxd4 Ne6 15. Qd3 Re8 16. Nxd5 $14) ({The less enterprising} 
13... Nbd7 14. Nxd5 c6 15. Nf4 Re8 $132 {[%cal Yc5e4,Yd7f6] was perhaps also
playable, Black's intention is for example Ne4,Ndf6 etc.}) 14. Nxe6 Bxe6 15.
Bxf8 Qxf8 16. Rc1 c6 $44 {[%csl Gc6,Gd5] Black has a P for the exchange and a
solid [+].} 17. e4 $5 {Left to his own devices, Black could gradually improve
his position. Aronian decides to lash out and gives back a P to open the
position for his R.} (17. e3 Rd8 18. Ne2 Nc8 $5 $44) 17... Bxc3 {Black
sensibly takes the P.} (17... d4 18. Ne2 {[%cal Ye2f4] /\Nf4+/=}) 18. exd5 (18.
Rxc3 dxe4 19. Bxe4 Bxh3 20. Re1 Be6 $11) 18... Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Bxh3 (19... Bb2
$143 20. Rc2 (20. Bxe6 Bxc1 21. Bxf7+ $11) 20... Bxh3 21. Bg2 $14 {/\} Rd8 22.
Rd2) 20. Bg2 Rd8 21. Qf3 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Bd2 23. Rc2 Rd4 24. Rd1 Qd6 25. Rc4 Rd5
$11 {Black has mobilized his forces and equlized the material balance, but
White's major pieces are suffciently active. In the following phase Ivanchuk
probably started playing for a win, but only gets into trouble.} 26. Re4 Kg7
27. b4 Bg5 28. Rxd5 Qxd5 29. Re2 Qd7 (29... Qxf3+ $142 30. Kxf3 Kf8 31. g4 Be7
$11) 30. Qc3+ Bf6 31. Qd2 Qc7 (31... Qxd2 32. Rxd2 Bc3 33. Rd7 Bxb4 34. Rxb7 a5
35. Rc7 c5 36. g4 $36 {[%csl Rb4] ץb4}) (31... Qc8 $5 32. Qd6 h5 $11 {still
seems safe enough.}) 32. Re8 $5 {It's White's time to show some ambition,
Aronian is not afraid of the o^c.} c5 {[%cal Rc7c6] /\Qc6} 33. b5 a6 (33... c4
$5 34. Qb4 g5 $13) 34. a4 axb5 35. axb5 h5 (35... c4 $142) 36. Qd5 Qb6 $2 ({
This was the last chance to play} 36... c4 {, although White has} 37. Re4 c3
38. Rc4 $14) 37. Qd7 {[%cal Re8b8] /\Rb8+/-} Bd4 38. Rb8 Qf6 39. f4 (39. f3 $5
$16 {/\} Qe5 40. Re8 Qg5 41. f4) 39... b6 40. Qd8 $1 {White wins a pawn and
transposes into a technical _|_.} Qxd8 41. Rxd8 Be3 (41... Bc3 42. Ra8 {
[%cal Ra8a6] /\Ra6+-}) 42. Kf3 Bg1 43. Rc8 ({Aronian saves a tempo in
comparison with} 43. Rb8 c4 44. Rc8) 43... c4 44. Rxc4 $18 Kf6 45. Rc1 Bd4 46.
Ke4 Bf2 47. Rc2 Bg1 (47... Bxg3 48. Rc6+ Ke7 49. Rxb6 $18 {[%csl Gb5] o^b}) 48.
Rc6+ Ke7 49. f5 gxf5+ (49... g5 50. Rh6 $18) 50. Kxf5 Bf2 51. Kf4 {[%cal Rc6h6]
/\Rh6+-} h4 52. gxh4 Bxh4 53. Rxb6 Bf2 54. Rc6 Kd7 55. Ke5 {[%cal Re5d5,Rb5b7]
/\Kd5,b6-b7} 1-0

[Event "WchT 6th"]
[Site "Beersheba"]
[Date "2005.11.04"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Onischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2640"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2005.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "US of America"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3
d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Rb8 13. Bb2 Nf6 14. e4 c5 15.
exd5 exd5 16. Re1 dxc4 17. Nxc4 Bxc4 18. bxc4 cxd4 19. Qxd4 Bb4 20. Red1
1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 6th"]
[Site "Beersheba"]
[Date "2005.11.07"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2005.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c6 5. Nc3 d5 6. Qb3 O-O 7. Bg2 Qb6 8. O-O {
In this position either side refrains from exchanging queens on b3(b6), which
would open the a-file for the opponent.} Rd8 {A useful move preparing ...dxc4,
after which d8 will be an appropriate place for the rook.} 9. c5 {A logical
reaction. Other options:} (9. Qa3 $5 {needs more tests. In the only game Black
failed to equalize:} Re8 $6 (9... Bf8 $5 10. c5 Qa6) 10. cxd5 (10. Qa4 dxc4 11.
Qxc4 Be6 12. Qa4 Qa6 13. Qc2 Nd5 14. Bd2 Nd7 15. Ng5 Nxc3 16. Bxc3 Bd5 17. e4
Bc4 18. Rfd1 $14 {1-0 Fedorowicz,J-Zavadsky,P/Berkeley USA 2005/The Week in
Chess 581 (25)}) 10... cxd5 11. Bg5 Be6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. e3 Nc6 14. Nd2 Rad8
15. Rfc1 Rd6 16. Nb3 $14 {1-0 Yuferov,S-Sygulski,B/Warsaw 1989/EXT 97 (32)}) (
9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Bg5 Qxb3 11. axb3 Kf8 12. Rfc1 (12. Rfd1 {1/2-1/2 Greenfeld,
A-Nataf,I/Albufeira Algarve 1999/EXT 2000}) 12... Be6 13. Bd2 h6 14. e3 Nd7 15.
Ne1 Nxc3 16. Rxc3 g5 17. Nd3 Bf5 18. Nc5 Nxc5 19. Rxc5 Bg6 20. Bc3 e6 21. b4 a6
22. Rca5 {1/2-1/2 Nielsen,P-Radjabov,T/Tripoli 2004/CBM 102}) (9. Rd1 Bf5 {
Threatening 10...Qxb3 11.axb3 Bc2} (9... Qxb3 10. axb3 Bf5 11. Ne1 (11. cxd5
Bc2 12. Rd2 Bxb3 13. dxc6 Nxc6 14. Ra3 Be6 15. Ne5 Nd5 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. Bxd5
Rxd5 18. Nxc6 bxc6 19. e3 e5 20. dxe5 Rxd2 21. Bxd2 Bxe5 22. b4 Rd8 $11 {
1/2-1/2 Lalic,B-Hugentobler,P/Zuerich 1989/EXT 97 (29)}) 11... Na6 (11... Be6
$5) 12. Ra4 h6 13. Bf4 Ne4 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. f3 Nxc3 16. bxc3 g5 17. Bd2 e5 18.
e3 $14 {Portisch,L-Hort,V/Tilburg 1979/Inf 28}) 10. Qxb6 (10. Ne1 Be6 $1 11. c5
Qxb3 12. axb3 Nbd7 (12... Na6 $5 $11 {(Murey,Y)}) 13. b4 a6 14. h3 h6 $11 15.
Ra3 Ne8 16. g4 Nc7 17. Be3 g5 18. f4 gxf4 19. Bxf4 Nb5 20. Nxb5 axb5 $11 {
1/2-1/2 Anic,D-Nataf,I/Vichy 2000/CBM 079 (47)}) 10... axb6 11. cxd5 Nxd5 12.
Nxd5 cxd5 (12... Rxd5 $5) 13. Bf4 Rc8 14. Ne5 e6 15. f3 Nc6 $6 (15... f6 $1 $11
) 16. Nxc6 bxc6 17. Rd2 $14 {[%csl Rf5] 1-0 Jankovic,A-Muslic,E/Pula 2001/EXT
2002 (30)}) (9. h3 Bf5 (9... Qxb3 10. axb3 Na6 11. Be3 Ne4 12. Rfc1 Nxc3 $6 13.
bxc3 $14 {1/2-1/2 Lingnau,C-Schaefer,M/Germany 1994/GER-chT (43)}) 10. cxd5
Qxb3 11. axb3 Nxd5 12. Bg5 Na6 13. e4 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Bxe4 15. Rfe1 Bxf3 16. Bxf3
f6 17. Bf4 e5 18. dxe5 Nc5 $11 {1/2-1/2 Loginov,V-Balashov,Y/Elista 2001/CBM
083 (22)}) (9. Bf4 dxc4 10. Qxc4 Be6 11. Qd3 Na6 12. Qc2 Nb4 13. Qc1 {1/2-1/2
Greenfeld,A-Smirin,I/Haifa 1993/EXT 2000} (13. Qa4 Nbd5 14. Qa3 Nxf4 15. gxf4
Bd5 16. e3 e6 17. b3 Ne4 $15 {[%csl Ra3] 1/2-1/2 Sargissian,G-Guseinov,G/Dubai
UAE 2005/The Week in Chess 545 (41)})) (9. Qxb6 axb6 10. cxd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5
Rxd5 12. Rd1 (12. e3 Rd8 13. Bd2 c5 14. Bc3 Nc6 15. Ne5 Nxd4 16. exd4 cxd4 17.
Bb4 Bxe5 18. Bxe7 Re8 19. Bb4 Be6 20. Rfe1 Bf6 {1/2-1/2 Kavalek,L-Ogaard,L/
Manila 1975/EXT 99}) 12... Rb5 $6 (12... Bf5 $5) 13. e4 Be6 14. a3 Bb3 15. Re1
Ra4 16. Bf1 Rba5 17. Bd2 Ra8 18. Bc3 $14 {0-1 Rogozenko,D-Donchev,D/Debrecen
1992/EU-chT (57)}) 9... Qxb3 10. axb3 Na6 (10... Ne4 $5 11. e3 (11. b4 Na6 12.
Ra4 b5 $1) (11. Bf4 $5) 11... Na6 12. Rd1 e5 13. Ne1 Nc7 14. f3 exd4 15. exd4
Nf6 $11 {1-0 Sapis,W-Svenn,G/Gothenburg 1989/EXT 97 (74)}) 11. Bf4 (11. h3 Nd7
12. Bf4 Nf8 13. Ra4 Bf5 14. Rfa1 Ne6 15. e3 Be4 16. g4 Nxf4 17. exf4 Bxf3 18.
Bxf3 Nc7 19. f5 {1/2-1/2 Tregubov,P-Vorobiov,E/Moscow 2004/CBM 100}) 11... Nd7
{To prepare ...e7-e5} (11... Bf5 12. Ra4 Ne4 13. Rfa1 Naxc5 $6 {failed to} 14.
dxc5 Bxc3 15. bxc3 Nxc3 16. Rxa7 Nxe2+ 17. Kf1 $18 {1-0 Roiz,M-Grebionkin,V/
Internet 2004/EXT 2005 (32)}) 12. Rfd1 (12. Ra3 Re8 13. Bh3 f5 14. Rc1 e5 15.
Nxe5 Nxe5 16. dxe5 h6 17. Be3 Rxe5 18. Bd4 Re8 19. e3 Bf8 20. Bf1 Nc7 21. b4
Bd7 22. f4 {1/2-1/2 Petrosian,A-Lamprecht,F/Germany 1994/EXT 99}) 12... e5 $6 {
Premature!} (12... Re8 $142 {The only way to prevent ...e7-e5 is} 13. e4 dxe4
14. Nxe4 {but Black obtains an excellent position after} Nb4 15. Nc3 Nf6 16.
Be5 Be6 17. Nd2 Red8 18. Nc4 Nbd5 19. Ra3 h5 20. Rda1 a6 $11 {0-1 Bocharov,
D-Kamsky,G/Khanty Mansyisk RUS 2005/The Week in Chess 578 (46)}) 13. Nxe5 Nxe5
14. Bxe5 Bxe5 15. dxe5 Bf5 (15... Nxc5 16. b4 $1 Ne6 17. b5 $14) 16. Ra5 (16.
e4 $5 dxe4 17. Rxd8+ Rxd8 18. Bxe4 {[%cal Ca6c5,Re4c6]} Nxc5 (18... Bxe4 19.
Nxe4 Rd4 20. Ra4 $1) 19. Bxf5 gxf5 20. Rxa7 Rd4 $132) 16... Bc2 17. Rd4 Bxb3
18. f4 $14 {Black has recaptured the pawn but his pieces are placed poorly.}
Bc4 19. e4 Nb4 $6 {A risky move! Black's minor pieces are now dangerously
hanging.} (19... Nc7 $14) 20. exd5 cxd5 21. Rd2 {A bit passive but what else
to do?} (21. Nxd5 {is inefficient due to} Nxd5 $1 (21... Bxd5 $143 22. Rxb4)
22. Rxc4 Ne3 23. Rc3 (23. Rb4 Rd1+ 24. Kf2 Ng4+ 25. Ke2 Rad8 $1) 23... Nxg2 24.
Kxg2 Rd2+ $11) (21. Rxc4 $5 dxc4 22. Bxb7 Rab8 23. c6 (23. Rb5 $6 Nd5 24. c6
Nc7 25. Rb4 Rd2 $1 26. Ne4 Re2 27. Rxc4 Rd8 $132) 23... Nxc6 24. Bxc6 Rxb2 25.
Bd5 Rc2 26. Ne4 Rb8 $44) (21. Bxd5 $5 Bxd5 (21... Nxd5 22. Rxc4 Nxc3 23. bxc3
$1 Rd1+ 24. Kg2 Rad8 25. Rxa7 R8d2+ 26. Kf3 $1 $16) 22. Rxb4 Bc6 23. Nb5 $5
Rd1+ 24. Kf2 Rd2+ 25. Ke3 Rxh2 26. Rxa7 {was probably a worthy alternative to
the game move.}) 21... a6 (21... b6 22. cxb6 axb6 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. Nxd5 $16)
22. Ra4 $6 {Losing an important tempo.} (22. Ra3 $142 $1 Kg7 $140 23. b3 d4 24.
Ne4 Bd5 25. Nd6 Bxg2 26. Kxg2 d3 27. Ra4 a5 28. Nxb7 $18) 22... a5 23. Ra3 Kg7
{A useful prophylactics.} 24. Na4 (24. b3 d4 $1 (24... Bd3 25. Nxd5 $1) 25. Ne4
(25. bxc4 dxc3 26. Rxd8 c2 $1) (25. Na2 $1 Nxa2 26. bxc4 $1 (26. Bxb7 Nc3 $1
27. bxc4 Nb1 28. Bxa8 Rxa8 29. Rdd3 Nxa3 30. Rxa3 f6 $1 $11) 26... Nc3 27. Rd3
Ra7 $1 28. Kf2 (28. Raxc3 $2 dxc3 29. Rxd8 c2 {- another merit of 23...Kg7})
28... a4 29. Bd5 (29. Ke1 Nb1 $1 30. Ra1 Nc3) 29... Nxd5 30. Rxd4 Ra5 31. cxd5
Rxc5 32. d6 b5 {and Black should survive.}) 25... Bd5 {that's why 23...Kg7!}
26. Nd6 Bxg2 27. Kxg2 d3 28. Nxb7 (28. Kf3 $14) 28... Rd5 $14 {[%csl Gd3]})
24... Rac8 25. Nb6 Rxc5 26. Rc3 {It looks like Black is in trouble but...} Nc6
27. b3 {What else?} (27. h3 f6 $5) 27... Rb5 28. Nxc4 (28. bxc4 Rb1+ $1 (28...
Rxb6 29. cxd5 $16) 29. Kf2 d4 $1 $11 {- the point of Black's idea!}) 28... Rc5
29. Rcd3 (29. Rxd5 $5 Rcxd5 30. Bxd5 Rxd5 31. Nd6 {wins a pawn but} Rd2 $1 (
31... Nd4 $143 $6 32. Rc7 Nb5 33. Rxf7+ (33. Ne8+ Kf8 34. Rc8 Na7 $1 (34... Ke7
35. Nf6 Rd8 36. Rc5 $16) 35. Ra8 Nc6 $14) 33... Kg8 34. Rd7 $1 Nxd6 35. exd6 b5
36. Ra7 $1 a4 (36... Rxd6 37. Rxa5 $16) 37. bxa4 bxa4 38. d7 $1 Kf8 39. d8=Q+
Rxd8 40. Rxh7 $16) 32. Nxb7 Nd4 {gives Black a good counterplay.}) 29... dxc4
30. Rxd8 Nxd8 31. bxc4 ({After} 31. Rxd8 cxb3 {the black pawns are too strong.}
) 31... Ne6 32. Bd5 Nc7 33. Bxb7 Rxc4 34. Ra2 a4 35. Kf2 f6 {A nightmare draw
- because of the inaccurate 12...e5?!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 6th"]
[Site "Beersheba"]
[Date "2005.11.08"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Zhao, Xue"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A56"]
[WhiteElo "2478"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2005.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "China (W)"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CHN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 Be7 6. Bd3 Nbd7 7. Nge2 h5 $5 {
A provocative idea, Black doesn't commit his K yet, but prefers to gain some ()
on the >> first.} 8. f3 (8. h4 a6 (8... g6 9. g3 Kf8 10. f3 Kg7 11. Be3 Ne8 12.
Qd2 Nc7 13. Kf1 Nf6 14. Kg2 Bd7 15. Rab1 Qe8 16. b4 cxb4 {1/2, Hecht,H-Van den
Berg,A/Arvier/2004/} 17. Rxb4 $14) 9. a3 Nf8 10. f3 N6d7 11. g3 g5 12. hxg5
Bxg5 13. Bxg5 Qxg5 14. Qd2 Qf6 15. Qe3 h4 16. O-O-O Ng6 17. f4 hxg3 18. Rxh8+
Qxh8 19. f5 Nf4 $5 20. Nxf4 exf4 21. Qxf4 Ne5 22. Qxg3 Bd7 $44 {Skembris,
S-Miladinovic,I/Karditsa/1996/}) 8... h4 9. Be3 g6 $146 ({The Nd7 is important
for the defence of the <<,} 9... Nf8 {is slow and rather clumsy:} 10. Qd2 Ng6 (
10... a6 11. b4 $1 b6 12. Rb1 N6d7 13. Na4 g5 14. bxc5 bxc5 15. Kd1 Ng6 16. Kc2
Kf8 17. g3 Rb8 18. Rxb8 Nxb8 19. Rb1 Nd7 20. Nc1 $16 {Atalik,S-Trikaliotis,G/
GRE-chT Athens/1996/}) 11. O-O-O Bd7 12. a3 a6 13. Kc2 Nh7 14. g3 Bg5 15. f4
Bf6 16. Rhg1 Kf8 17. Rdf1 Rb8 18. a4 Rc8 19. b3 hxg3 20. hxg3 Bg4 21. Nc1 Kg8
22. Be2 Bxe2 23. N1xe2 Qe7 24. Rh1 $16 {Quinteros,M-Gheorghiu,F/Lone Pine/1980/
}) (9... Nh5 10. Qd2 g5 $2 11. g3 Bf6 12. Bc2 Nf8 13. Ba4+ Bd7 14. Bxd7+ Nxd7
15. Nd1 Rg8 16. Nf2 Qe7 17. Ng4 Rg6 18. Bf2 Nb6 19. b3 O-O-O 20. Nc3 Kb8 21.
Nd1 Rh8 22. Nde3 Qd8 23. O-O-O $16 {Doubleday,W-Coudari,C/Calgary/1975/}) 10.
Qd2 Kf8 11. a3 Kg7 12. b4 a6 13. Na4 b6 14. Rb1 Nh7 15. bxc5 bxc5 16. O-O Bg5
17. f4 $6 {A committal decision, which gives Black the central dark squares.
White's c4- and e4-pawns will be vulnerable and the play on the f-file won't
be a sufficient compensating factor. After other moves Black excahnges his
dark-squared B, but White has more space and a very solid position.} (17. Rb3 {
[%cal Gb1b8] ()<->b} Bxe3+ 18. Qxe3 Qg5 $14 {/<=>}) 17... exf4 18. Nxf4 Re8 19.
Bc2 Kg8 20. h3 Ne5 $15 21. Nb2 Nf6 {Now Black's pieces get into a bit of a
tangle.} (21... Bd7 $15) 22. Rf2 Rb8 23. Qc3 Nfd7 (23... Ned7 24. Ne6 $5 fxe6
25. Bxg5 Nxe4 26. Bxe4 Qxg5 27. dxe6 $13) 24. Ba4 Qf6 25. Qc2 Qe7 26. Bd2 Bf6
27. Bc3 Bg7 28. Rbf1 Qg5 $5 {Aronian is ambitious and targets White's >>.} ({
A solid alternative was} 28... Rf8 $11 {/=/+}) 29. Kh1 Re7 30. Nfd3 (30. Nbd3
$5 $132) 30... Qg3 31. Bxd7 Bxd7 32. Bd2 (32. Rf4 Bxh3 33. gxh3 (33. Be1 Qxg2+
34. Qxg2 Bxg2+ 35. Kxg2 g5 36. Rf5 Rb3 $1 $17) 33... Qxh3+ 34. Kg1 Bh6 $1 {/\}
35. Bxe5 (35. Nxe5 Bxf4 36. Rxf4 Qg3+ 37. Qg2 Qxf4 38. Nc6 Qe3+) 35... Rxe5 $40
) (32. Nxe5 Bxe5 33. Bxe5 Qxe5 34. Re2 $15) 32... g5 $1 33. Be1 $6 (33. Bc3
Bxh3 (33... g4 $13) 34. Nxe5 Bxe5 35. Bxe5 Rxe5 36. gxh3 Qxh3+ 37. Kg1 Rb3 $44)
33... Bxh3 $1 {[%mdl 512] Now this sacrifice is strong and White is in trouble.
} 34. gxh3 $6 (34. Rf5 $142 Qxg2+ $5 (34... Nxd3 35. Nxd3 (35. Bxg3 Rxb2 36.
Qxd3 Bxg2+ 37. Kg1 Bxe4 $19) 35... Bxg2+ 36. Qxg2 Qxd3 37. Rxg5 $132) 35. Qxg2
Bxg2+ 36. Kxg2 Rb3 $17) (34. Re2 Bxg2+ 35. Rxg2 Qh3+ 36. Kg1 Nf3+ 37. Rxf3 Qxf3
$17) 34... Qxh3+ 35. Kg1 Ng4 $40 {[%cal Rg7d4,Rg4e3] /\Ne3,Bd4-+} 36. e5 Nxf2
37. Qxf2 (37. Nxf2 Qg3+ 38. Kh1 Bxe5 $19) 37... Rxb2 $1 38. Nxb2 (38. Qxb2 Qxd3
$19) 38... Bxe5 39. Qd2 (39. Qg2 Qxg2+ 40. Kxg2 Bxb2 $19) 39... Bd4+ 40. Rf2 (
40. Bf2 Re3 $1 $19 {is similar}) 40... Re3 0-1

[Event "WchT 6th"]
[Site "Beersheba"]
[Date "2005.11.09"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D16"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2637"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2005.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "China"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CHN"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bg4 6. Ne5 Bh5 7. f3 e6 8. e4
Bb4 9. Be2 b5 10. Be3 Nfd7 11. g4 Bg6 12. h4 Nxe5 13. dxe5 h5 14. Qxd8+ Kxd8
15. g5 Nd7 16. axb5 cxb5 17. Bd2 Nc5 18. Nxb5 Bxd2+ 19. Kxd2 Nb3+ 20. Kc3 Nxa1
21. Rxa1 a5 22. Nd6 Ke7 23. Nxc4 Rhc8 24. Kd4 f6 25. Ke3 Rcb8 26. gxf6+ gxf6
27. Rg1 Bf7 28. Rg7 Rh8 29. f4 Rag8 30. exf6+ Kxf6 31. Rg5 Rxg5 32. fxg5+ Kg7
33. Nxa5 Rb8 34. Nc4 Rb3+ 35. Kf4 Be8 36. Bd1 Rd3 37. Be2 Rb3 38. Bd1 Rd3
1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 6th"]
[Site "Beersheba"]
[Date "2005.11.10"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2005.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Cuba"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CUB"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4
Nxd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. c3 d3 12. Qxd3 Bb7 13. Nd2 d6 14. e6 fxe6 15.
Rxe6 Kh8 16. Bc2 g6 17. Nb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.11.27"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Frhat, Ali"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2306"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. Be2 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Nc6 12. Rd1 Nd7 13. Be3 Nb6 14. Bb3 Na5
15. d5 Nxb3 16. axb3 Nc8 17. h4 Nd6 18. h5 Qd7 19. Bxa7 Rfc8 20. Bb6 Rxa1 21.
Rxa1 Nb5 22. Na4 Nd6 23. Re1 Re8 24. Bc5 Nf5 25. Nc3 Qc7 26. Ba3 Nd4 27. Qd1
Qd7 28. Bc5 Nf5 29. b4 Rb8 30. Na4 Qc7 31. Bxe7 Qf4 32. Nc5 Be5 33. Rxe5 Qxe5
34. d6 Nd4 35. Nd7 Ne2+ 36. Kf1 Ng3+ 37. fxg3 Qf5+ 38. Kg1 Qxd7 39. h6 Qe6 40.
Qd4 f6 41. Bxf6 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.11.28"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Frhat, Ali"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2306"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4 {This rare
continuation appeared for the first time far back in 1897! Nowadays, it has
been realived and appeares from time to time on high level as well.} ({The
main line leads to a so popular nowadays "Berlin endgame":} 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7.
dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8) 6... e4 {The safest continuation.} (6... exd4 7. c3 d3
8. Qxd3 Be7 9. Bc2 g6 10. Bh6 Nf5 11. Qd2 d6 12. Re1 Be6 13. Ba4 Nxh6 14. Qxh6
Bf8 15. Qe3 Bg7 16. Ng5 Qd7 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Qxe6+ Qxe6 19. Rxe6+ $11 {
1/2-1/2 Ganguly,S (2596)-Ivanchuk,V (2752)/Edmonton 2005/The Week in Chess 558}
) 7. Re1 Be7 8. Ne5 O-O 9. Nc3 f6 (9... Bf6 10. Bf4 Nf5 11. Rxe4 Nfxd4 12. Ng4
Ne6 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. Nd5 Qd8 15. Qh5 $44 {0-1 Showalter,J-Pillsbury,H/New
York 1897/EXT 99 (28)}) 10. Nxc6 (10. Ng4 f5 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nf7 13. Bb3
Kh8 14. Bxf7 Rxf7 15. Bf4 d6 16. Qd5 Rf8 17. exd6 Bxd6 18. Rad1 Bd7 19. Bxd6
Bc6 20. Qe5 cxd6 21. Rxd6 Qh4 $11 {1/2-1/2 Kotronias,V (2599)-Georgiev,K (2625)
/Mallorca 2004/CBM 104 no vc (31)}) 10... dxc6 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Rxe4 f5 13.
Re1 f4 {Aronian already played this line successfully last year.} 14. Qf3 $146
(14. c3 Bd6 15. Qh5 Bf5 16. c4 Kh8 17. Bd2 Bc5 18. Bxf4 Bxd4 19. Rad1 Bg6 20.
Qg4 Qf6 21. g3 Bc5 $17 {0-1 Sutovsky,E (2697)-Aronian,L (2675)/Mallorca 2004/
CBM 104 no vc (31)}) (14. Qh5 Bd6 15. Bb3+ Kh8 16. c4 g6 (16... Bf5 $142) 17.
Qf3 Qh4 18. c5 Bg4 19. Qc3 Be7 20. g3 fxg3 21. hxg3 Qf6 22. Bf4 $18 {1-0
Ganguly,S (2583)-Roktim,B (2389)/Dhaka 2005/The Week in Chess 544 (26)}) 14...
Kh8 15. Bd2 a5 16. Bb3 Bd6 17. Be6 {After the exchange of light-squared
bishops white's position becomes completely safe.} Bxe6 18. Rxe6 Qd7 19. Rae1
Rae8 20. R6e4 Rxe4 21. Rxe4 {The position looks deadly equal. Therefore, it's
instructive to follow how Aronian managed to create problems to his opponent.}
h6 22. a4 (22. Bxa5 $6 Ra8 {and black's rook penetrates to 2nd rank.}) (22.
Bxf4 Bxf4 23. Rxf4 Rxf4 24. Qxf4 Qe6 25. h3 Qxa2 $11) 22... b5 {Opening files
on the queenside.} 23. b3 bxa4 24. bxa4 Qf7 25. Bxa5 Ra8 26. Bd2 (26. Bc3 Rxa4
27. h3 Ra3 {and the pin across the 3rd rank is unpleasant for white.}) 26...
Rxa4 27. h3 Ra3 28. c3 Ra1+ 29. Kh2 g5 30. Re1 Ra2 31. Qd3 Qh7 32. Re4 ({After
} 32. Qxh7+ Kxh7 33. Rd1 Kg6 {black is slightly better thanks to his active
rook.}) 32... g4 $1 {Objectively speaking, this move does not bring black any
advantage, but it's a nice practical chance which fully paid off in the game.}
33. hxg4 h5 34. g5 f3+ 35. Kh3 $2 {White didn't manage to calculate the
variations precisely and cracked under pressure. The move in the text loses a
piece.} (35. g3 $1 h4 (35... Rxd2 $4 36. Re8+ Kg7 37. Qxd2 h4 38. Re5 hxg3+ 39.
Kxg3 Qh1 40. Qe3 Qg2+ 41. Kf4 $18) 36. Kh3 (36. Bf4 Rxf2+ 37. Kg1 Re2 38. g6
Qxg6 39. Be5+ Bxe5 40. Rxh4+ Kg7 41. Qxg6+ Kxg6 42. dxe5 $11) (36. Re8+ Kg7 37.
Qxh7+ Kxh7 38. Bf4 Rxf2+ 39. Kh3 Re2 40. Be5 f2 41. g6+ Kxg6 42. Re6+ Kh7 43.
Rf6 hxg3 44. Bxd6 Re1 45. Kxg3 f1=Q 46. Rxf1 Rxf1 47. Bxc7 {The endgame is
drawish.}) (36. Qxf3 $2 hxg3+ 37. Kg2 Qh2+ 38. Kf1 g2+ 39. Qxg2 Qxg2+ 40. Kxg2
Rxd2 $19) 36... hxg3+ (36... Rxd2 37. Re8+ Kg7 38. Qxd2 hxg3+ 39. Kg4 g2 40.
Re1 g1=Q+ 41. Rxg1 Qe4+ 42. Kh3 Qh7+ 43. Kg4 Qe4+ {and black gives a perpetual
check.}) 37. Rh4 Qxh4+ 38. Kxh4 g2 39. Qxf3 g1=Q 40. Qf6+ {and white gives a
perpetual check.}) {[%tqu "En","How can Black win a piece?","","","a2d2","",5]}
35... Rxd2 $1 36. Qxf3 ({The variation} 36. Re8+ Kg7 37. Qxd2 Qf5+ 38. Kh4 Qg4#
{shows the main drawback of 35.Kh3.}) 36... Qg6 {Black's extra bishop gives
him an easy win.} 37. g3 Rxf2 38. Qxf2 Qxe4 39. Qf6+ Kg8 40. Qd8+ Bf8 {No
chance for a perpetual check for white.} 41. Kh2 Qe2+ 42. Kg1 Qe7 43. Qc8 Qxg5
44. Qxc7 Qe3+ 45. Kg2 Qxc3 46. Qe5 Qc2+ 47. Kh3 Qg6 48. Qe3 Bd6 49. Qb3+ Kg7
50. Qf3 Qxg3+ {The simplest.} 51. Qxg3+ Bxg3 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.11.30"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Sadvakasov, Darmen"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2612"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ne7 10. Ne4 h6 ({Other popular continuations are:} 10...
Ng6 11. Re1 h6) ({and} 10... Ke8) 11. h3 Bf5 12. Re1 b6 {[%cal Yd8c8,Yc8b7]
Covering c5 square and preparing a shelter for black's king.} (12... Nd5 13.
Nd4 Bg6 14. Bd2 c5 15. Nb5 a6 16. Na3 Kc8 17. Rad1 Nb4 18. Bxb4 cxb4 19. Nc4 a5
20. Rd5 b6 21. Ned6+ $36 {0-1 Shirov,A-Almasi,Z/Monte Carlo 2003/CBM 93 ext 
(30)}) 13. g4 Bh7 $6 $146 {In the Berlin defense it's unusual to see black's
bishop hiding on h7. I think that the previously played 13...Bd7 is preferable.
} (13... Bd7 14. Bf4 (14. Ng3 c5 15. Nh4 Nc6 16. c3 Be7 17. Ng2 Re8 18. f4 Kc8
19. Be3 $14 {1-0 De Firmian,N (2549)-Hess,R (2278)/Minneapolis 2005/CBM 107 
(53)}) 14... Kc8 (14... h5 $6 15. Neg5 Ke8 16. Nxf7 Kxf7 17. e6+ Bxe6 18. Ng5+
Kg8 19. Nxe6 $16 {Wedberg}) 15. Rad1 a5 16. Bg3 c5 17. Nh4 a4 18. Ng2 (18. f4
$5 {[%cal Yf4f5] Wedberg}) 18... a3 19. b3 $14 {0-1 Bologan,V (2679)
-Aleksandrov,A (2679)/Poikovsky 2004/CBM 100/[Wedberg] (57)}) 14. Bf4 $1 {
It's important for white to solve the problem of his dark-squared bishop.
Sadvakasov trasfering the bishop to g3, where it will support white's central
Pe5 and at the same time won't obstruct white's other pieces.} Kc8 15. Bg3 c5
16. c3 Nc6 17. Nfd2 Kb7 18. f4 {White is clearly better now, as he succeeded
to roll forward his kingside pawn majority, while black didn't achieve any
real counterplay yet. Moreover, black's light-squared is in danger to be
locked after f4-f5, emphasizing the drawback of 13...Bh7.} Rd8 19. Nf3 c4 20.
Kg2 Rd5 21. Rac1 {This move is somewhat misterious.} ({It was possible to move
forward right now:} 21. f5) 21... Nb8 $6 {This move is even more misterious
and also a provocative one.} ({What was wrong with} 21... Be7 {?}) 22. f5 Ra5
23. a3 g6 24. f6 (24. Nf6 $2 gxf5 25. Nxh7 fxg4 {and black is okay.}) 24... g5
$8 {Otherwise white would play g4-g5 locking the Bh7 forever.} 25. e6 $2 {
White had several attractive continuations, but this one is definitely not the
best choice.} (25. Nexg5 $2 hxg5 26. Nxg5 Bg6 27. Nxf7 Bxf7 28. e6 Bg6 29. h4
Bh6 30. Rcd1 Rb5 $17) ({Good enough was} 25. Ned2 {[%csl Rc4]} Bd3 {and only
now} 26. e6 $1 fxe6 27. Ne5 $16 {[%csl Rc4]}) ({Also possible} 25. Rcd1 Rb5 26.
Rd2 {not forcing the matters at the moment.}) 25... fxe6 26. Ne5 Rd5 27. Nf2 (
27. Nxc4 Nd7 $132) 27... Bc5 28. Ne4 Bf8 (28... Bxe4+ $2 29. Rxe4 Rd2+ 30. Kh1
Rxb2 31. f7 $16 {[%csl Gf7]}) 29. Nxc4 $5 {Sadvakasov decided not to repeat
moves, but his advantage has gone already...} Nd7 30. Re2 Bg6 31. Rce1 Rg8 32.
Rf2 Bf7 {Aronian has managed to block white's passed pawn and consolidate his
position. White's position gradually deteriorates.} 33. Ne3 Rd3 34. Rfe2 {
White's pieces are placed seemingly active, but he has no concrete plan.
Black's position is much better in the long run.} e5 {Opening the diagonal for
the light-squared bishop.} 35. Nf5 Rg6 36. Nf2 Bd5+ 37. Kh2 Rf3 38. Rd2 Bc6 39.
f7 (39. Bxe5 Nxe5 40. Rxe5 Rxf6 41. Ne4 Rf7 $15) 39... Rf6 40. Ne4 $2 {This
looks like a nervous move, typical for time-trouble..} (40. Bxe5 {was
necessary.}) 40... Rxf7 41. Rde2 a5 42. Re3 Rxe3 43. Rxe3 a4 44. c4 Nc5 45.
Nxc5+ Bxc5 46. Rxe5 {White captured this pawn anyway, but now it's too late...}
Rd7 {The following penetration of black's rook is decisive. Black's bishops
control the whole board and the white king is in a mating net.} 47. Re2 Bf3 48.
Rc2 Rd1 49. Be5 Be4 50. Re2 Bg1+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.01"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sadvakasov, Darmen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2612"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2 Bxf3 7. exf3 O-O 8. a3
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 d5 10. c5 bxc5 11. dxc5 a5 12. b4 d4 13. Bd2 axb4 14. axb4 Rxa1
15. Qxa1 Qd5 16. Bg2 Qe5+ 17. Be3 Nd5 18. O-O Nc6 19. f4 Qf6 20. Bd2 Rb8 21. b5
Nce7 22. Qa7 Rd8 23. Ba5 Ng6 24. Bxc7 Qe7 25. Bxd5 exd5 26. b6 Re8 27. Qa4 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.03"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Areshchenko, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2653"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 (4... O-O 5. d4 d6 {leads to the
King's Indian defence.}) 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nc3 Nb6 7. d3 Nc6 8. Be3 O-O 9. Qd2 {
Another option is 9.Qc1, keeping the d2 square available for a knight transfer.
} (9. Qc1 e5 10. Bh6 Re8 11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. O-O a5 13. b3 Nd4 14. Re1 c6 15. Qb2
f6 16. Nd2 Nd5 $11 {1-0 Gurevich,M (2694)-Ye Jiangchuan (2671)/Cannes 2001/CBM
082 (48)}) 9... e5 (9... Re8 $6 10. Bh6 Bh8 11. h4 Bg4 12. h5 $1 $36 {1/2-1/2
Serper,G (2420)-Shmuter,L/Pula 1990/EXT 2000 (42)}) 10. h4 {Aronian does not
hurry with castling, while trying to harass black's kingside at the first
place.} (10. Bh6 Nd4 11. Bxg7 Nxf3+ 12. Bxf3 Kxg7 13. h4 h6 14. b4 c6 15. Qb2
Qd4 $11 {1/2-1/2 Ribli,Z (2625)-Pribyl,J (2405)/Germany 1989/GER-chT (31)})
10... h5 11. Bg5 $146 {Provoking some concession on black's kingside.} (11. Ng5
Nd4 12. Nge4 c6 13. Qd1 Qe7 14. Bg5 f6 15. Bd2 Bg4 16. O-O Rad8 $11 {1/2-1/2
Bukal,V (2400)-Leko,P (2255)/Dortmund 1991/CBM 022 ext (37)}) 11... f6 {
Black should play this ugly-looking move, as there is no really good square to
put the queen.} 12. Be3 Be6 ({Another possible continuation is:} 12... Bg4 13.
O-O Nd4 14. Bxd4 exd4 15. Nb5 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 c6 17. Na3 f5 $11) 13. Ne4 {
[%cal Ge4c5]} Bd5 14. O-O Bxe4 $6 {This decision is quite controversial. Black
exchanges his good bishop, but spoiles white's pawn structure. In my opinion,
black should refrain from this exchange, since the light squares in his camp
will become vulnerable, while his pawns majority on the queenside won't give
black any real benefits.} (14... Nc4 $2 15. Nxf6+ $1 Qxf6 16. dxc4 Bxc4 17. Qc2
$16) (14... Ne7 {[%cal Ge7f5] was playable.}) 15. dxe4 Qxd2 16. Bxd2 $1 (16.
Nxd2 Kh7 {[%cal Gg7h6] If black manages to exchange his passive bishop, his
position won't be worse.}) 16... Nc4 17. Rfc1 (17. Bc3 Nd6 {[%cal Gd6b5,Gd6e4]}
18. Nd2 Nb5 19. Rfc1 Rfd8 20. Nb3 {is similar to the continuation in the game.}
) 17... Nxd2 (17... Nxb2 $4 18. Rab1 $18 {[%cal Gb1b7]}) (17... Nd6 18. Ne1 $14
{[%cal Ge1d3,Gd3c5]}) 18. Nxd2 Rfd8 (18... Bh6 $6 19. e3) 19. Nb3 Bf8 20. Bh3
$6 {It was possible to play 20.e3 immediatly transfering the bishop to a
better pastures. The move in the text is a waste of tempo.} (20. e3 $142 {
[%cal Gg2f1]}) 20... Kf7 21. e3 a5 {Areshchenko is striving for active
counterplay, but probably he overestimated his chances a bit.} ({Possible was} 
21... Bd6 22. Bf1 Ne7 {keeping solid position.}) 22. Bf1 (22. a4 $2 {[%csl Rb4]
would have been strategically bad.}) 22... a4 23. Nc5 Bxc5 24. Rxc5 Rd2 25. Rb5
(25. Rd5 $2 Rxb2 26. Rd7+ Ke8 27. Rxc7 Rd8 $15 {[%cal Gd8d2]}) 25... Nd8 (25...
Ra7 26. Rd5 Rxb2 27. Rd7+ Ne7 28. Rxc7 $14) 26. Rd5 $1 Rxd5 {Black is forced
to exchange white's active rook, even if it repairs white's pawn structure.} (
26... Rxb2 $2 27. Rd7+ Ke8 28. Rh7 $1 {[%cal Oh7c7,Ga1d1,Gd1d7]} (28. Rxc7 $2
Ne6 29. Rh7 Rc8 30. Bh3 (30. Rd1 Rc7 $1 $15) 30... Rc6 31. Rd1 Nf8 32. Bd7+
Nxd7 33. Rdxd7 Rc1+ 34. Kg2 Rcc2 $11) 28... Rc2 (28... b5 29. Rd1 Nf7 30. Bh3
Rd8 31. Rc1 c5 32. Rxc5 Rd1+ 33. Kg2 Rdd2 34. Rc8+ Nd8 35. Rcc7 Rxf2+ 36. Kg1
$18) 29. Rh8+ (29. Rd1 $2 Nf7 30. Bh3 Rd8 31. Rxd8+ Nxd8 32. Bd7+ Kf8 33. Bxa4
Rxa2 34. Rh8+ Kg7 35. Rxd8 Rxa4 36. Rd7+ Kh6 37. Rxc7 $11) 29... Ke7 30. Rd1 g5
(30... Rxa2 31. Bh3 $18) 31. hxg5 fxg5 32. Rd5 (32. Rxh5 $6 Nf7) 32... Rxa2 33.
Rxe5+ Kf6 34. Ree8 $18) 27. exd5 {[%csl Rd8]} a3 (27... Ke7 $6 28. Bd3 f5 (
28... g5 29. Bg6 $16 {[%csl Rh5]}) 29. e4 $16) 28. bxa3 Rxa3 29. Rc1 c6 30.
dxc6 Nxc6 $2 {Surprisingly enough, but this is probably the decisive mistake.}
({It was necessary to recapture with the pawn:} 30... bxc6 {Black's knight
remains passive on d8 for a while, but black will be able to consolidate his
forces soon. For example:} 31. Bc4+ Ke7 32. Bb3 Ra5 {followed by c6-c5,
Nd8-f7-d6 and black is only slightly worse.}) 31. Rb1 {[%csl Rb7] Now black is
forced to put his rook or knight into a total passivity.} Na5 $6 (31... Ra7 32.
Bc4+ Ke7 33. Bd5 {Black is nearly in zugzwang. Still, this seems to me better
than the move in the text.}) 32. Bg2 Kg7 33. Bd5 $18 {[%csl Ra5,Gd5] A classic
example of a bishop's domination over a knight.} f5 34. e4 $1 {Breaking
black's pawn chain on the kingside.} fxe4 35. Bxe4 Ra4 (35... Rxa2 36. Rb6 Re2
37. Bxg6 Nc4 38. Re6 $18) 36. Bd5 (36. f3 $6 Rxa2 37. Rb6 Nc4 38. Rxg6+ Kf7 39.
Rg5 (39. Rh6 Ne3 40. Bxb7 Rg2+ 41. Kh1 Rxg3 42. Rxh5 $14) 39... b5 {and black
might survive.}) 36... Rd4 37. Bg2 $1 {Aronian is playing for a maximum.} (37.
Bxb7 $2 Nxb7 38. Rxb7+ Kf6 {would be selling position short for white.}) 37...
Rd2 $6 ({It was better for black to keep the e4 square under control by} 37...
Ra4 {.} {Still, after} 38. Rb2 {followed by Bg2-d5, f2-f3 and Bd5-e4 gives
white good winning chances.}) 38. a3 Rd3 39. Be4 $1 Rxa3 (39... Rd4 40. f3 {
followed by 41.Rb6 should win for white.}) 40. Rb6 $18 {[%csl Rg6]} Ra4 41.
Rxg6+ Kf7 42. Bf5 b5 (42... Nc6 43. Rg5 Nd4 44. Rxh5 b5 (44... Nxf5 45. Rxf5+
Ke6 46. Rf8 $18) 45. Kg2 b4 46. Be4 $18) 43. Rb6 Ra1+ $2 {After this check
black is not able to protect his Pb5.} ({Black's last practical chance is
connected with the passed "b" pawn:} 43... b4 44. Bg6+ Kg7 45. Bxh5 b3) 44. Kg2
Nc4 45. Rxb5 Ra2 46. Bd3 {[%mdl 4096]} 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.04"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Areshchenko, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2653"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1
d6 9. c3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 Nc6 12. Nf1 Re8 13. h3 h6 14. Ng3 Be6 15. d4
cxd4 16. cxd4 exd4 17. Ne2 d3 18. Bxd3 Nd7 19. Nf4 Bf6 20. Nxe6 Rxe6 21. a4
bxa4 22. Bc4 Re7 23. Rxa4 Nc5 24. Ra3 Qd7 25. Nh2 Ne5 26. Bd5 Rb8 27. f4 Ng6
28. Qh5 Bxb2 29. Ng4 Kh7 30. Bxb2 Nxf4 31. Nf6+ gxf6 32. Qh4 Rxb2 33. Qxf4 Re5
34. Qxf6 Qe7 35. Qf1 Rg5 36. Rf3 f6 37. e5 Rgxg2+ 38. Qxg2 Rxg2+ 39. Kxg2 dxe5
40. Ref1 Ne6 41. Bxe6 Qxe6 42. Rxf6 Qd5+ 43. Kh2 e4 44. Rxa6 e3 45. Rg1 Qe5+
46. Rg3 Qd5 47. Ra7+ Kh8 48. Re7 Qd2+ 49. Kh1 Qc1+ 50. Kh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.06"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2674"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. g3 Bb4 {Eine gute positionelle Fortsetzung, die
heutzutage weniger gespielt wird, als die Alternative 3...d5.} 4. Bg2 O-O 5. e4
Bxc3 $5 {Schwarz nimmt auf c3, sonst sichert sich Weiß mit 6.Nge2 den Springer
auf c3.} 6. bxc3 c6 7. d4 (7. Ne2 d5 8. cxd5 cxd5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. O-O Nc6 11.
Rb1 Rb8 12. c4 Nb6 13. d3 Bf5 14. Rb3 Qd7 15. Be3 Rfd8 16. Bxb6 axb6 17. Bd5
Ne7 18. Nc3 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Be6 20. Nxb6 Qc6 $44 {1/2-1/2 Teske,H-Meins,G/BL
0304 TV Tegernsee - SV Werder Bremen 2004 (25)}) (7. Qb3 Na6 8. Ba3 Re8 9. Ne2
b6 10. O-O Bb7 11. c5 Nxc5 $1 12. Bxc5 Ba6 13. Bxb6 axb6 14. c4 d6 15. a4 Qc7 {
0-1 Steindorsson,S-Timman,J/Reykjavik 2000/CBM 75 ext (34)}) (7. Ba3 Re8 8. Bd6
Re6 9. c5 b6 10. Ne2 bxc5 11. Bxc5 Ba6 12. d3 d5 13. exd5 cxd5 14. O-O Nbd7 {
0-1 Serafimov,T-Shchekachev,A/Paris 2005/(54)}) 7... exd4 (7... d6 8. Ne2 Re8
$5 (8... c5 $6 9. d5 Ne8 10. h3 $14 {Weiß verfügt über eine schlechte
Bauernstruktur wegen des Doppelbauern auf der c-Linie. Anderseits hat er das
Läuferpaar und mit f2-f4 kann er die Initiative gewinnen.} g6 11. Bh6 {[%csl
Gh6]} Ng7 12. g4 Nd7 (12... f5 13. gxf5 gxf5 14. Rg1 $36 {[%cal Gg1g8]}) 13.
Ng3 {[%csl Gg3]} f6 14. Bf1 $1 Qa5 15. Qd2 Nb6 16. Bd3 Bd7 17. O-O {1-0
Sorokin,M-Motylev,A/Calcutta 2002/CBM 88/[Ribli Zoltan] (58)}) 9. f3 Qa5 10.
O-O Nbd7 11. Qd3 Nb6 12. Bg5 Nfd7 13. f4 h6 14. Bh4 Qa6 15. g4 Qxc4 16. Qf3 $40
{1/2-1/2 Troia,E-Baklanov,V/ICCF Email 2003/ICCF Telechess CBM 105 (53)}) 8.
Qxd4 $146 (8. cxd4 Nxe4 $1 $17) (8. e5 Re8 9. cxd4 d6 10. f4 Be6 (10... dxe5
11. fxe5 c5 12. Ne2) 11. Qd3 Nbd7 12. Qc3 dxe5 13. fxe5 c5 14. d5 Bf5 15. Nf3
Ne4 16. Qa3 Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Rxe5 18. O-O Qd7 19. Bb2 $36 {1/2-1/2 Troia,
E-Horvath,A/ICCF Email 2003/ICCF Telechess CBM 105 (49)}) 8... Re8 9. Ne2 (9.
Bg5 c5 10. Bxf6 Qb6 11. Qd3 Qxf6 12. Ne2 Nc6) 9... d5 $1 {[%mdl 4] Schwarz
opfert einen Bauern, um die Initiative zu erlangen.} 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. exd5 Bf5
$44 {[%cal Ge8e1] Schwarz hat aktives Figurenspiel, Weiß einige Probleme,
seinen König in Sicherheit zu bringen.} 12. Qd1 (12. Be3 Be4) (12. Bg5 Nbd7 13.
Qd2 Qe7) 12... Bg4 13. f3 Bf5 $1 14. c4 $2 {Weiß verteidigt seinen Plusbauern,
aber Schwarz erhält dauerhafte Initiative.} (14. O-O Nxd5) (14. Bg5 Qxd5 15.
Qxd5 Nxd5 16. Kf2 $11) 14... Nbd7 {Dieser Zug ist nicht schlecht, aber 14...
Qa5+ scheint mir stärker.} (14... Qa5+ $1 15. Bd2 (15. Qd2 Qc5 16. Bb2 Nbd7 (
16... Qxc4 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Kf2) 17. Rc1 (17. Qd4 Qxd4 18. Bxd4 Bd3 $19) 17...
Ne5 18. Bxe5 Rxe5 19. Kf1 Rae8 20. Nd4 Bd7 $44) 15... Qc5 16. Qb3 (16. Rc1 Bd3)
16... Qe7 $1 17. Bf1 Na6) 15. O-O Ne5 {[%csl Ge5,Gf5][%cal Gd8b6,Gb6g1]
Schwarz hat aktives Figurenspiel.} 16. g4 (16. Qd4 Nxc4 $1 17. Qxc4 Rc8 18. Qb5
a6) 16... Qb6+ 17. c5 $5 {[%mdl 256] Weiß gibt den Bauern zurück und möchte
seine Figurenstellung verbessern.} (17. Qd4 Bd3 $1) (17. Kh1 Nd3 18. gxf5 Nf2+
19. Rxf2 Qxf2 20. Bf1 Qxf3+ 21. Kg1 Ng4) 17... Qxc5+ 18. Qd4 Qc2 $1 19. Qd1 $1
Nc4 {Schwarz ist mit einer Zugwiederholung nicht zufrieden.} (19... Qc5+ 20.
Qd4) 20. Nd4 (20. Qxc2 Bxc2 21. Nc3 Rac8) 20... Qxd1 $6 (20... Qc3 $5 21. Nxf5
Qxa1 22. Qb3 (22. Nxg7 Ne3 $1 23. Bxe3 Qxd1 24. Rxd1 Rxe3 25. Nf5 Re2) 22... b5
(22... Rac8 23. Bf4 Qb2 24. d6)) 21. Rxd1 Bd7 22. d6 $6 (22. Nb3 $5 $14) 22...
Nxd6 $1 23. Nb3 {[%cal Gd1d7] Es scheint, dass Schwarz nach diesem Zug große
Schwerigkeiten auf der d-Linie bekommt, aber Schwarz kann alle Drohungen
parieren.} Nb5 24. g5 Nc3 $1 25. Rd6 (25. Rd2 Nfd5) 25... Re1+ 26. Bf1 $6 {
Weiß riskiert viel; in dieser Stellung sollte er sich mit Zugwiederholung
zufrieden geben.} (26. Kf2 Re2+ 27. Kg1 (27. Kf1 Bb5) 27... Re1+ $11) 26... Bh3
27. Bb2 Rxf1+ 28. Rxf1 {[#]} Ne8 $1 {[%csl Rd6,Rf1][%cal Re8d6,Rh3f1] Das ist
die Pointe des schwarzen Spiels. Weiß hat zwar eine Qualität mehr, aber seine
beiden Türmen sind angegriffen.} 29. Bxc3 Nxd6 30. Rd1 Nb5 {Schwarz hat einen
Bauern mehr und die weiße Bauernstruktur ist schlecht.} 31. Be5 Re8 32. Rd5 (
32. f4 Be6) 32... Na3 33. Nd2 Nc2 {[%cal Gc2b4,Gb4d5,Gb4a2]} (33... a6 $5) 34.
f4 Nb4 (34... Be6 35. Ra5 a6) (34... b6 $5) 35. Rb5 Nd3 (35... Nxa2 36. Rxb7
Ra8 37. Nb3 a5 $2 38. Nxa5) 36. Rxb7 Nxe5 37. fxe5 $11 {Nach Vereinfachungen
ist die Stellung materiell ausgeglichen.} h6 (37... g6 $2 38. Nc4 $16) 38. gxh6
Rxe5 (38... gxh6 39. Nc4 Rc8 $11) 39. Rxa7 (39. Kf2 Ra5 40. Rb8+ Kh7 41. hxg7
Kxg7 42. Rb2) 39... Re2 40. Ra8+ Kh7 41. hxg7 Kxg7 42. Ra3 (42. Nf3 $2 Rg2+ 43.
Kh1 Rf2 44. Ng1 Bg2#) 42... Rg2+ 43. Kh1 Rxd2 44. Rxh3 Rxa2 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.07"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2674"]
[Annotator "Lutz,C"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 h6 8. Bd2
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rg1 Rc8 12. a3 c5 13. Nxb5 Bb8 14. Qd1 cxd4 15.
exd4 Nc5 16. Be2 Bxf3 17. Bxf3 Nd3+ 18. Ke2 Nxb2 19. Qb3 Nc4 20. Bb4 Qd7 21.
Nc3 Bxh2 22. g5 hxg5 23. Rxg5 Nd2 24. Qa4 Nxf3 25. Qxd7+ Kxd7 26. Kxf3 Bd6 27.
Nb5 Rh3+ 28. Kg2 Rh2+ 29. Kf3 Rh3+ 30. Kg2 Rh2+ 31. Kf3 Rc2 32. Nxd6 Rcxf2+ 33.
Ke3 Nd5+ 34. Kd3 {[%tqu "De","Wie konnte Schwarz gewinnen ?","","","a7a6",
"Vallejo spielte diesen Zug und ging damit an einer grossen Chance vorbei.",0,
"h2h3","Dies ist einer von zwei Gewinnmöglichkeiten.",10,"f2f3","Dies ist
einer von zwei Gewinnmöglichkeiten.",10]} a6 $4 {Vallejo geht an einer großen
Möglichkeit vorbei. Stattdessen konnte der Spanier auf zwei Arten den Gewinn
erzielen.} (34... Rf3+ 35. Kc4 Kc6 $19) (34... Rh3+ 35. Kc4 Kc6 $19) 35. Rg3
Rb2 36. Ne4 Rb3+ 37. Kc4 Rxg3 38. Nxg3 f5 39. Rg1 g5 40. Nxf5 Nb6+ 41. Kd3 exf5
42. Rxg5 Rh3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.08"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2674"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c5 8.
dxc5 O-O 9. a3 Bxc3+ 10. Rxc3 h6 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. Qd4 Ne4 13. Rc1 Qa5+ 14. Qb4
Qxb4+ 15. axb4 a5 16. b5 Bd7 17. Nd4 Rfc8 18. c6 bxc6 19. bxc6 Ng5 20. e3 Ne6
21. Nxe6 fxe6 22. Bb5 Rab8 23. Rc5 Kf7 24. Kd2 Bxc6 25. Rxc6 Rxc6 26. Bxc6
Rxb2+ 27. Kd3 Rxf2 28. e4 Ke7 29. e5 Rxg2 30. Rb1 Rg4 31. Rb7+ Kf8 32. Rb8+ Kf7
33. Rd8 Kg6 34. Rd6 Kf5 35. Bd7 Kxe5 36. Rxe6+ Kf4 37. Ra6 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.08"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2674"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 a6 7. b3 Bd6 8. Bb2 e5
9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. O-O-O Qe7 11. cxd5 O-O 12. Nxe5 Bxe5 13. dxc6 Be6 14. Be2 Rac8
15. Bf3 bxc6 16. Ne4 Bxb2+ 17. Kxb2 Nxe4 18. Bxe4 h6 19. Ka1 a5 20. Bh7+ Kh8
21. Bd3 Rb8 22. Qc3 Bxb3 23. Rb1 a4 24. g3 Rbd8 25. Rhc1 Be6 26. Bc2 a3 27. Rb4
c5 28. Rh4 Kg8 29. Ra4 Rd2 30. Bh7+ Kxh7 31. Qxd2 c4 32. Qb4 Qf6+ 33. Qc3 Qf3
34. Rxa3 Rd8 35. Qc2+ Bf5 36. Qxc4 Rd2 37. Qxf7 Qe4 38. Qc4 Qe7 39. Qc5 Qe4 40.
Rb3 Rxf2 41. Rb2 Rf3 42. Rb4 Qe6 43. Rf4 Rxf4 44. gxf4 Bg6 45. Qe5 Qh3 46. a4
Qxh2 47. Rc7 Qg1+ 48. Kb2 Bd3 49. f5 Qg5 50. Kc3 Bb1 51. a5 Qg1 52. Kb2 Bd3 53.
f6 Qg2+ 54. Ka3 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.09"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gurevich, Mikhail"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[Annotator "Gurevich,M"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qd3 Nbd7 8. e4
b4 9. Na4 Bb7 10. Be3 $5 (10. e5 Nd5 11. Bd2 N5b6 12. Nxb6 (12. Qc2 Nxa4 13.
Qxa4 a5 14. Rc1 Be7 15. Bd3 Nc5 16. Rxc5 Bxc5 17. Be4 Be7 18. Bxc6+ Bxc6 19.
Qxc6+ Kf8 $15 {0-1 Tregubov,P-Yakovich,Y/Kazan 2005/CBM 109 (48)}) 12... Qxb6
13. Be3 c5 14. Rc1 Rc8 15. Be2 Be7 16. Nd2 O-O 17. Nc4 Qc6 18. Bf3 Qa6 19. Bxb7
Qxb7 20. O-O Rfd8 21. Nd6 Bxd6 22. exd6 Qd5 $132 {1/2-1/2 Tregubov,P-Yakovich,
Y/Paris FRA 2005/The Week in Chess 559 (38)}) 10... Qa5 (10... Be7 11. Nd2 O-O
12. Nb3 a5 13. f3 Ba6 14. Qc2 Bb5 15. Nbc5 Nxc5 16. Nxc5 Nd7 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18.
Be2 Rac8 19. Rd1 Rfd8 20. Kf2 $14 {1/2-1/2 Dreev,A-Van Wely,L/Khanty Mansyisk
RUS 2005 (53)}) 11. b3 Be7 12. Nd2 $5 {TN [/\13.f3,14.Nc4]} (12. Rc1 O-O 13.
Be2 Rfd8 14. e5 Nd5 15. O-O c5 16. dxc5 Rac8 17. Rfd1 Nxe3 18. Qxe3 Bc6 19. Nd4
Bxa4 20. c6 Nb6 21. bxa4 Nd5 22. Qf3 Nc3 $17 {0-1 Romanishin,O-Sveshnikov,E/
Sochi 1983/MCL (28)}) 12... O-O 13. f3 c5 14. Nxc5 Nxc5 15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Nc4
Qc7 17. Bxc5 Qxc5 18. Qd6 $5 Rfc8 (18... Qh5 $5 19. Qe5 (19. Be2 a5 $132 20.
O-O $2 Nxe4) (19. Qxb4 Bxe4 20. fxe4 Qh4+ $40) 19... Qg6 20. Qg3 Qh5 $132) 19.
Be2 Ne8 20. Qxc5 Rxc5 21. Kf2 $6 (21. a3 $1 bxa3 22. Rxa3 $36) 21... Ba6 $5 {
[/\22...Bxc4,23...Nd6]} 22. a3 (22. Rhd1 Kf8 23. a3 bxa3 24. Rxa3 Bxc4 25. Bxc4
Ke7 $14) 22... bxa3 23. Rxa3 Bxc4 24. Bxc4 Nd6 25. Bd3 e5 $11 (25... Rc7 26. e5
$36) 26. Rha1 Kf8 27. Ra6 (27. Rxa7 Rxa7 28. Rxa7 Rc3 $11) 27... Rd8 28. R6a5 (
28. Rxa7 Rc3 $11) (28. R1a5 Nb7 29. Rb5 Rxd3 30. Rxb7 Rc2+ 31. Kg3 Rdd2 $132)
28... Rc3 29. Rd5 (29. Be2 f6 30. b4 Rb3 31. b5 Rb8 $11) 29... Rxb3 30. Rxa7 f6
31. Bc4 Rb7 $1 32. Rxd6 Rb2+ 33. Kg3 Rxd6 34. Rf7+ Ke8 35. Rxg7 Rd7 36. Rxd7 (
36. Rg8+ Ke7 37. Kh3 (37. Bd5 Kd6 38. Kh3 Kc5 $132) 37... Rdd2 $15) 36... Kxd7
37. Bg8 h6 38. Bh7 $11 {[/\Bh7-f5-h3,Kg3-g4<=>]} Ke7 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.10"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Gurevich, Mikhail"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2652"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Finkel,A"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Nf3 Bb7 8.
Bg5 d6 9. Nd2 c5 10. dxc5 bxc5 11. e3 Nbd7 12. f3 (12. Bd3 h6 13. Bh4 Qb6 14.
O-O d5 {after} 15. f3 (15. cxd5 $5 exd5 16. Bf5 d4 17. exd4 cxd4 18. Qh3 Ne5
19. Bg3 $6 Qb5 $1 $15 {Roiz,M-Efimenko,Z/Rethymnon 2003}) 15... a5 (15... d4 $6
16. exd4 cxd4 17. Qc2 a5 18. b4 $1 $36) (15... e5 16. Qc2 d4 17. exd4 exd4 18.
b4 a5 19. bxc5 Nxc5 20. Rab1 Qc6 21. Nb3 Nxb3 22. Qxb3 Ba6 23. Rfc1 Rfe8 24.
Bf2 $14 {Erdos,V-Farago,I/1st GM, Nagykanizsa HUN 2003}) 16. Bf2 a4 17. Rfe1
Rfe8 18. Rab1 Ba6 19. Qc2 Ne5 20. Bf1 $14 {Kramnik,V-Anand,V/Linares 1998})
12... Re8 $5 (12... Qb6 13. Bd3 a5 14. O-O a4 (14... d5 15. Rac1 d4 16. Qc2
dxe3 17. Bxe3 Ne5 18. Be2 a4 19. Rb1 Qc7 $13 {Erdos,V-Akesson,R/Paks 2005}) 15.
Qc2 Bc6 16. Rfe1 h6 17. Bh4 d5 18. Rab1 d4 19. Bf2 e5 20. Bf5 Rfe8 21. h3 g6
22. Bd3 Kg7 $132 {Sasikiran,K-Almasi,Z/Bastia 2005}) 13. Bd3 Qb6 14. Bh4 {
The bishop is coming to f2 to deal with d5-d4 ideas.} d5 15. Bf2 a5 16. b3 $6 {
Usually White doesn't react on Black's threat to fix White's pawn on b2 by the
means of a4. After the move in the game Black gets a very comfortable position.
} a4 $1 17. b4 e5 18. O-O e4 $1 ({Nothing promised} 18... d4 $6 19. exd4 exd4
20. Qc2 Ne5 21. Rab1 $14) 19. fxe4 ({May be White should've prefered} 19. Be2
exf3 (19... cxb4 20. Qxb4 Qxb4 21. axb4 dxc4 22. Nxc4 $11) 20. Bxf3 Ne5 {
even though Black keeps a dangerous initiative after} 21. bxc5 Qxc5 22. e4
Nxf3+ 23. gxf3 Qc8 24. Bd4 dxe4 25. Bxf6 e3 26. Bxg7 Ra6 $1 $36) 19... dxc4 $5
{[%csl Re4] Aronian isn't satisfied with equality after} (19... cxb4 20. Qxb4
Qxb4 21. axb4 dxc4 22. Nxc4 Bxe4 23. Be2 $11) 20. Nxc4 Qe6 21. Bg3 $2 {This
move leads to an extremely unpleasant endgame with a pawn down, so better was}
(21. b5 Nxe4 22. Qc2 $132) 21... Nxe4 22. Bxe4 (22. Qe1 Bd5 23. Rc1 cxb4 24.
axb4 Rec8 25. Na3 Rxc1 26. Qxc1 Nxg3 27. hxg3 Nf6 $17) 22... Qxe4 23. Rf2 cxb4
24. Qxb4 Bd5 $1 {Forcing a transposition to the above-mentioned endgame with
an extra pawn.} 25. Rd1 (25. Nd6 $143 Qxb4 26. axb4 Rxe3 $17) 25... Qxc4 26.
Qxc4 Bxc4 27. Rxd7 Rxe3 $17 {It's very difficult to win this endgame with
Black, but it's even more difficult to hold this position as White!} 28. Rfd2
h6 29. Rd8+ {May be White shouldn't hurry with this trade, but it's not too
important since at some point Black would force it anyway.} Rxd8 30. Rxd8+ Kh7
31. Rd4 Bb5 32. Bd6 Re1+ 33. Kf2 Re2+ 34. Kf3 Rc2 $1 {Forcing White to put his
g-pawn on the light square.} 35. g4 (35. h4 $2 Bc6+ $19) 35... g5 36. Ke3 (36.
Rb4 Rc3+ 37. Ke4 Rb3 38. Rxb3 $140 axb3 39. Be5 Bd7 40. h3 Bc6+ 41. Kd3 Bg2 $19
) 36... Kg6 37. Rd5 Bd7 38. Rd4 h5 39. gxh5+ Kxh5 40. Bb4 Bc6 41. Rd2 Rc4 42.
Rd4 Rc1 43. Rd8 Bg2 $1 $19 {Not allowing White to trade his h-pawn for the
black pawn on g5.} (43... f5 $5 44. Rh8+ Kg4 45. h3+ Kg3 46. Rg8 f4+ 47. Kd2
Rb1 48. Rxg5+ Kxh3 $19) 44. Rd2 Bh3 45. Rd8 f5 46. Rh8+ Kg4 47. Ra8 f4+ 48. Kd2
Rh1 49. Rxa4 Rxh2+ 50. Kc3 Re2 51. Bd6 Bg2 52. Rd4 Be4 53. Rd1 Bc6 54. Rd4 Kf5
55. Rc4 Be4 56. Rc5+ Kg4 57. Be7 Bf5 {Excellent technique by the World Cup
winner!} 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.12"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Be3 Bxd3 18. Qxd5 Rad8 19. Qf3 Bc4 20. Nd2 Be6 21.
Bd4 Bb8 22. Ne4 Bd5 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24. Qf6+ Kg8 25. Qg5+ Kh8 26. Qf6+ Kg8
1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.13"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2725"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. a4 e6 6. g3 dxc4 7. Bg2 c5 8. dxc5
Qxd1+ 9. Nxd1 Nc6 10. Be3 Nd5 11. O-O {Aronian is hinting, that he would be
happy even with a small advantage in a style of Catalan opening. The defender
must be careful when choosing the transposition from middlegame into pure
endgame.} (11. Rc1 c3 12. O-O Bd7 13. Bf4 Bxc5 14. Nxc3 Nxf4 15. gxf4 Bb4 16.
Ne4 Ke7 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. Rxc5 Rac8 19. Rfc1 Nb4 {1/2-1/2 Hertneck,G-Kindermann,
S/Germany 2001/ (23)}) 11... Nxe3 (11... Bd7 12. Nd2 Na5 (12... Rc8 $5 13. Nxc4
Nxe3 14. Ndxe3 Bxc5 15. Rfd1 Ke7 $11) 13. Bd4 f6 14. Ne3 Nxe3 15. Bxe3 Rc8 16.
Rac1 Bxa4 17. Ra1 Bxc5 18. Bxc5 Rxc5 19. Rxa4 Ke7 20. Rfa1 (20. Rc1 Rhc8 21. e3
$18) 20... b6 21. Rb4 Rd8 22. Ne4 $16 {1/2-1/2 Bui Vinh-Le Quang,L/Hue 2005/ 
(53)}) 12. Nxe3 Bxc5 13. Nxc4 Ke7 14. Rac1 Bd7 $6 {Bacrot was feeling
endangered and is ready to accept distinct disadvantage. The analyses has
proven, that the logical move 14...Rd8!? was keeping balance.} (14... Rd8 $5
15. Nce5 Nxe5 16. Rxc5 Nxf3+ 17. Bxf3 Rb8 18. Rc7+ (18. Rfc1 Bd7 19. Rc7 Rdc8
$11) 18... Rd7 19. Rfc1 Kd8 20. R7c2 b6 $11) 15. Nfe5 $1 Nxe5 (15... Rac8 $2
16. Nxd7 Kxd7 17. Bxc6+ Kxc6 18. Ne5+ Kd5 19. Nxf7 Rhf8 20. Rfd1+ Ke4 21. Rxc5
$1 Rxc5 22. Nd6+ Ke5 23. f4+ Kf6 24. Ne4+ $18) 16. Nxe5 Bd6 17. Nxd7 Kxd7 18.
Bxb7 Ra7 19. Bc6+ Ke7 20. b3 {The advantage of a pawn in the endgame with
bishop's of opposite colour is minimal, but the presence of the rooks is
radically altering the evaluation. The defender has to suffer before he can
reach the coveted drawish port.} Rb8 21. Rb1 f5 22. e3 Rc7 23. Bf3 Rc3 24. Be2
Rcxb3 (24... a5 25. Bc4 $14) 25. Rxb3 Rxb3 26. Bxa6 Ra3 27. Bb5 Be5 $1 28. Kg2
Ra1 29. Rxa1 Bxa1 30. a5 $1 Be5 31. a6 Bb8 32. h4 Ba7 $6 {[%mdl 4096] Bacrot
is not paying enough attention and radically complicates his task. Aronian
would have much bigger problems to prove his chances after the best defense 32.
..Kf6.} (32... Kf6 33. Kf3 g6 34. g4 h6 $1 $14) 33. Kf3 Kf6 34. g4 $1 h6 (34...
g6 $2 35. g5+ $1 Ke7 36. Bd3 Kd6 37. e4 Bb6 38. exf5 exf5 39. Bc4 Ke7 40. Bg8
Kf8 41. Bxh7 Kg7 42. Bxg6 Kxg6 43. Ke2 Kh5 44. f3 $18) (34... Bb6 35. gxf5 exf5
$16) 35. h5 $1 g5 $2 {The thorough analyses of this fascinating endgame have
proben, that only this move is pushing black over the edge. In the positions
with bishops of the opposite colour the weaker side is usually trying to swap
many pawns, but our game is an exception to the rule. The normal moves are
losing and the draw could have been had only with 35...Ke5!} (35... Bb6 36. Be8
Ba7 37. Bg6 Bb6 38. gxf5 exf5 39. Ke2 Ke5 40. f3 Ba7 41. Kd3 Bb6 42. e4 fxe4+
43. fxe4 Bf2 44. Kc4 Kd6 45. Kb5 Be3 46. e5+ Kxe5 47. Kc6 Ke6 48. Kb7 Ke7 49.
a7 Bxa7 50. Kxa7 $18) (35... fxg4+ 36. Kxg4 Bb8 37. Bd3 Ba7 38. Bg6 Bb6 39. Kf4
Ba7 40. Ke4 Ke7 41. f4 Kd6 42. Kd3 Bb6 43. e4 Ba7 44. Kc4 Bf2 45. e5+ Ke7 (
45... Kc6 46. f5 Kb6 47. fxe6 Bh4 48. Kd5 Bg5 49. a7 Kxa7 50. Kc6 $18) 46. Kb5
Kd7 47. Be4 Kc7 48. Bf3 Be3 49. Bg2 Bf2 50. Bh3 Be3 51. Bxe6 Bxf4 52. a7 Kb7
53. Bd5+ Kxa7 54. e6 Bg5 55. Kc6 Kb8 56. Kd7 $18) (35... Ke5 $1 36. Be8 (36.
gxf5 exf5 37. Ke2 f4 $11) 36... Bb6 37. Bg6 Ba7 38. gxf5 exf5 39. Ke2 f4 $1 40.
e4 (40. Kf3 Bb6 41. exf4+ Kd6 42. Ke4 Kc7 43. Kd5 Kb8 44. Ke6 Bd4 $11) 40...
Bb6 41. f3 Ba7 42. Kd3 Bg1 43. Kc4 Bf2 44. Kb5 Kd6 45. e5+ (45. Bf5 Bg1 46. Bg4
Bf2 47. e5+ Kxe5 48. Kc6 Kf6 49. Kb7 g6 $1 50. a7 Bxa7 51. Kxa7 gxh5 52. Bxh5
Kg5 53. Bf7 Kh4 54. Kb6 Kg3 55. Bh5 Kh4 56. Be8 Kg3 $11) 45... Kxe5 46. Kc6 Kf6
47. Kb7 Kg5 48. a7 Bxa7 49. Kxa7 Kh4 $1 50. Kb6 Kg3 51. Be4 Kh4 52. Bg6 Kg3 $11
) 36. hxg6 Kxg6 37. gxf5+ exf5 38. Bf1 $1 Kg5 39. Kg3 {Aronian had a clear way
to win with a strcuture of white pawns e3-f4 and bishop on h3.} (39. Bh3 h5 40.
Ke2 f4 (40... h4 41. f4+ Kf6 42. Kf3 $18) 41. e4 Kf6 42. f3 Ke5 43. Kd3 h4 44.
Ke2 $1 Bb6 45. Kf1 Bc5 46. Kg2 Bb6 47. Bc8 Bc5 48. Kh3 Bf2 49. Kg4 $22 $18)
39... Kf6 40. Bg2 Bb6 41. Kh4 $6 {It was not too late to return with a king to
f3 and realize the main idea.} (41. Kf3 $18) 41... Kg6 42. Bc6 Bd8+ 43. Kg3 Bb6
44. e4 $2 Kf6 45. f4 fxe4 46. Bxe4 Ke6 47. Kg4 Kf6 48. Bg2 Ba7 49. Bh3 Bc5 50.
f5 $2 {Unprecise move, since the best chances for win were promised by the
transfer of the king to e4 or by temo of the bishop 50.Bf1.} (50. Kf3 Ke7 51.
Ke4 Kd6 52. Kf5 (52. f5 Kc7 53. f6 Kb6 54. Bf1 Bf8 55. Kf5 Ka7 56. Kg6 Kb6)
52... Kc7 53. Kg6 Kb6 54. Bf1 Bf8 55. f5 (55. Kf7 Bd6 56. f5 h5) 55... Ka7 56.
f6 Kb6 57. f7 Ka7 58. Kh7 h5 59. Kg8 Bc5 60. f8=Q Bxf8 61. Kxf8 h4 62. Ke7 h3
$11) (50. Bf1 h5+ 51. Kf3 (51. Kg3 Ba7 52. Be2 (52. Kf3 h4 53. Ke4 Ke7 54. Kd5
Kd7 55. Bh3+ Kc7) 52... Kg6 53. Bd3+ Kg7 $1 (53... Kf6 $2 54. Kh4 $18) 54. Kf3
h4 55. Kg4 Bf2 56. Kf5 Kf7 57. Bc4+ Ke7 58. Kg6 h3 59. f5 Kf8) 51... h4 $1 52.
Bh3 (52. Kg4 Bf2 53. Bg2 Ke7 54. Kg5 Kd8 55. f5 Kc7 56. f6 Kb6 57. f7 Bc5 58.
Bf1 h3 $11) 52... Ke7 53. Kg4 (53. Ke4 Kd6 54. Kf5 Kc7 55. Kg4 Kb6 56. Bf1 Be7)
53... Bf2 54. f5 Kf6 $1 55. Kf3 Ba7 56. Ke4 Ke7 57. Kd5 Kd7 $1 $11) 50... Ba7 {
Bacrot has played the worst move in the game since together with a bishop move
he resigned- most probably in the drawish position! Chess is a very
complicated game even for the guys with 2700 ratings.} (50... Ba7 51. Kf4 h5
52. Ke4 Ke7 53. Kd5 Kd7 $1 54. f6+ Ke8 55. Be6 h4 56. Kc6 h3 57. Kb7 h2 58. Bd5
Bd4 59. a7 Bxa7 60. Kxa7 h1=Q 61. Bxh1 Kf7 $11) 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.15"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2704"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nbd2 Nc6 13. Nf1 Bc8 14. c3 Be6 15. Bxe6
fxe6 16. b4 Qd7 17. Qb3 Rfb8 18. Bd2 a5 19. Ng5 axb4 20. axb4 cxb4 21. Nxe6 d5
22. Ng5 bxc3 23. Bxc3 b4 24. Bb2 Na5 25. Qd1 dxe4 26. Bxe5 Rb5 27. d4 b3 28.
Qe2 Rc8 29. Ne3 Nd5 30. Nxd5 Bxg5 31. Rxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.16"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D58"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[Annotator "Dautov,R"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 b6 8. Bd3
dxc4 {Eine solide Entwicklungsart. Unter anderem geht Schwarz allen Varianten
mit Bxf6, cxd5 aus dem Weg.} 9. Bxc4 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Qe2 Ne4 12. Nxe4 Bxe4
13. Bg3 Bd6 14. Bb5 $5 {Ein vielseitiger Zug. Weiß verhindert den
Befreiungsvorstoß c7-c5 und will sich mittels Rc1, Bc6 auf dem Punkt c6
einnisten.} (14. Rfd1 Bxg3 15. hxg3 Qe7 16. Rac1 Rfd8 17. Bb5 c5 18. a3 Rac8
19. Ba6 Rc7 $11 {Khalifman,A (2690)-Short,N (2682)/Moscow 2002}) (14. Rac1 Bxg3
15. hxg3 c5 16. Rfd1 Qe7 17. Bb5 Rfd8 $11) 14... Bxg3 15. hxg3 c6 $1 {Die
beste Antwort. Der weiße Läufer wird zurückgeworfen, womit sich Schwarz das
spätere Durchsetzen von c6-c5 erleichtert.} (15... c5 $2 16. Rfd1 Qe7 17. Bxd7
Qxd7 18. dxc5 $16) (15... Qe7 16. Rac1 Qd6 17. Rfd1 $14) 16. Ba4 b5 {
Vorzuziehen war m.E. 16...Rc8 nebst 17...Qe7, aber der Textzug reicht
ebenfalls zum Ausgleich.} (16... Rc8 17. Rfd1 Qe7 18. Rac1 Qb4 $1 19. Bb3 Rfd8
20. Qa6 Rc7 21. Nd2 Bg6 22. Qa4 Qxa4 23. Bxa4 Rdc8 $11 {Berkes,F (2614)
-Portisch,L (2543)/Hungary 2005}) 17. Bc2 Bxc2 18. Qxc2 Qb6 (18... Rc8 $6 19.
b4 Qe7 20. a3 e5 21. Rac1 $14) 19. Rac1 Rfc8 20. g4 $1 {Aronian will eine
zweite Front am Königsflügel eröffnen. Das sture Festlegen des Bauern c6
bringt ihm nichts.} (20. b4 a5 21. a3 axb4 22. axb4 Ra4 $11) 20... Qd8 ({Nach} 
20... c5 21. g5 cxd4 22. Qxc8+ Rxc8 23. Rxc8+ Kh7 24. exd4 hxg5 25. Nxg5+ Kg6
26. Nf3 $14 {wären die weißen Türme stärker als die schwarze Dame.}) 21. Qd3 a6
22. Rfd1 Qe7 23. Rc3 Rc7 $2 {Dies führt Schwarz in Schwierigkeiten, während
ihm 23...c5 einen problemlosen Ausgleich ermöglichte.} (23... c5 24. dxc5 Nxc5
25. Qc2 b4 $1 {Ein wichtiger Zwischenzug.} 26. Rc4 Rc7 27. Rc1 Rac8 $11) 24. a3
Nf6 25. Rdc1 $2 {Stärker war 25.g5!} (25. g5 $1 hxg5 (25... Nd5 26. Rc5 hxg5
27. e4 Nf4 28. Qc2 $16) 26. Rdc1 Rac8 27. Nxg5 e5 (27... c5 28. Rxc5 Rxc5 29.
Rxc5 Rxc5 30. dxc5 Qxc5 31. Qd8+ Qf8 32. Qc7 $16) 28. b4 exd4 29. Qxd4 $14)
25... Nxg4 26. Rxc6 Rac8 27. Rxc7 Rxc7 28. Rc3 Qd6 29. Qc2 Rxc3 30. Qxc3 Qd5 $6
{Schwarz hat noch nicht ausgeglichen, denn die weiße Dame ist aktiver und der
Zenrumsbauer d4 ist mehr Wert als der Randbauer h6. Am besten war es wohl, den
König mit 30...g6 oder 30...g5 abzusichern.} 31. Ne1 $1 {Tapfer gespielt! Die
Drohung f3 und e4 zwingt Schwarz regelrecht zu einer Invasion auf dem
Königsflügel. Aronian hat jedoch deren Folgen ganz genau eingeschätzt.} Qd6 32.
Kf1 Qh2 33. Qc6 $1 g5 34. Qxa6 Qh1+ 35. Ke2 Nh2 36. Qa8+ Kg7 37. Qe4 $2 {
Aronian gewann einen Bauern und konnte hier mit 37.Nd3! seinen Vorteil perfekt
machen. Der naheliegende Textzug gibt Schwarz eine Chance zum Ausgleich.} h5 $2
(37... Qf1+ $1 38. Kd1 Kg8 $1 $11 (38... Qxf2 $4 39. Qe5+)) 38. Kd2 $18 Nf1+
39. Kd1 $6 (39. Kc2 $18) 39... Qg1 40. Qf3 $2 (40. Ke2 Nh2 41. Nd3 $18) 40...
g4 41. Qf4 g3 42. Ke2 h4 43. Nd3 gxf2 $2 {Erneut geht Ponomariov an seiner
Remischance vorbei.} (43... Nh2 $1 44. Qxh4 Qf1+ 45. Kd2 Nf3+ $1 46. gxf3 g2
47. Qg5+ $11) 44. Qxh4 Nxe3 45. Qxf2 Qxf2+ 46. Kxf2 Nf5 47. d5 $1 exd5 48. Nb4
{Das entstandene Springerendspiel ist sehr unangenehm für Schwarz.} d4 $2 (
48... Kf6 $1 49. Nxd5+ Ke5 50. Nc7 Nd6 {, und Schwarz hat gute
Überlebenschancen (Ponomariov).}) 49. Kf3 $16 Nd6 50. b3 f5 51. Nc6 Kf6 52.
Nxd4 Ke5 53. Ke3 f4+ 54. Kd3 Kd5 55. Ne2 Ke5 56. Nc3 (56. Kc3 $1 Ke4 57. Kb4
Ke3 58. Nc3 Kf2 59. Nd5 $18) 56... Nf5 57. Nxb5 Nh4 {[%mdl 256]} 58. a4 Nxg2
59. Nd4 Ne1+ 60. Ke2 Ng2 61. a5 Ne3 62. Kd3 Kd6 63. b4 Ng4 64. Kc4 Ne3+ 65. Kb5
Nd5 66. Nf3 Nc7+ 67. Kc4 Nd5 68. b5 $2 (68. Nd2 Ne3+ 69. Kb5 Nd5 70. Nc4+ Kc7
71. Kc5 $18) 68... Ne3+ $11 69. Kd4 Nf5+ 70. Kc4 Ne3+ 71. Kd3 Kc5 72. b6 Nd5
73. b7 Nb4+ 74. Ke4 Na6 75. Nd4 f3 76. Ne6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.17"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D60"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[Annotator "Babula,V"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 b6 {The
Tartakower is one of the most solid defences against the Queen's Gambit.} 8.
Bd3 Nbd7 ({It is more logical to develop the bishop at first} 8... Bb7) 9. cxd5
$5 {White immediately strives to exploit that fact.} (9. O-O Bb7 {leads to the
main lines.}) 9... Nxd5 ({Possible is also} 9... exd5 10. O-O Bb7 {but Black
stays with the closed Bb7. Usually in the Tartakower it is suitable for Black
to capture on d5 with a piece to keep the diagonal h1-a8 open for his bishop.
And when Black is forced to capture on d5 with a pawn, then he strives to
develop his bishop on e6. But in the game Black can't manage things this way,
it is a drawback of his move 8.}) 10. Nxd5 exd5 ({An interesting alternative is
} 10... Bxh4 {White maybe wanted to continue} 11. Nc3 $5 (11. Nxh4 exd5 12. Nf5
Nf6 13. Rc1 g6 14. Ng3 Qe7 15. Qc2 Bd7 16. O-O c6 17. Rfe1 Rfe8 18. a3 h5 $11 {
1/2-1/2 Pinter,J-Short,N/Rotterdam 1988/CBM 009 (41)})) 11. Bg3 $5 {Keeping
the bishops on the board gives White more chances for an opening advantage.} (
11. Bxe7 Qxe7 12. O-O c5 13. Rc1 Bb7 $14 {1/2-1/2 Matras,O-Cechura,P/Plzen
1993/EXT 2004 (61)}) 11... Bb4+ {White doesn't mind this check.} 12. Ke2 {
The king is here in safety.} c5 $2 {A serious oversight, which can happen in
rapid game very easily.} 13. a3 Ba5 $6 ({If Black foresaw White's reply, he
would surely continue} 13... c4 $142 14. axb4 cxd3+ 15. Qxd3 $16) 14. b4 $3 {
[%mdl 64]} cxb4 15. Qb3 $1 $18 {[%csl Rb4,Rd5] The point of White's idea.
Black can't avoid decisive material losses.} Nc5 (15... bxa3 16. Qxd5 {[%csl
Ra8]}) (15... Qe7 16. Qxd5 Nf6 17. Qxa8 Bb7 18. Bd6 $1) 16. dxc5 bxc5 17. axb4
c4 $6 ({After} 17... Bxb4 $142 18. Rhd1 a5 $18 {Black can fight yet.}) 18. Bh7+
$1 Kh8 19. Qc3 {The further resistance is futile, Black continues to play just
because it is a rapid game.} Bxb4 20. Qxb4 Kxh7 21. Qd6 Bf5 22. Qxd8 Rfxd8 23.
Nd4 Bg6 24. Kd2 a5 25. Ra4 Ra6 26. Rha1 Rda8 27. Nb5 Rb6 28. Rxa5 c3+ 29. Nxc3
Rb2+ 30. Ke1 Rc8 31. R5a2 Rxa2 32. Nxa2 d4 33. exd4 Ra8 34. d5 Bf5 35. d6 Bd7
36. Bf4 Kg6 37. Bd2 Ra6 38. Bc3 Rxd6 39. Nb4 Bb5 40. Nc2 Rd3 41. Ra3 f6 42. Bd4
Rxa3 43. Nxa3 Bc6 44. f3 Kf7 45. Nc4 Ke6 46. Ne3 Bb7 47. Bc5 Bc6 48. Kf2 Bb7
49. f4 Be4 50. g3 h5 51. Ke2 g5 52. Kd2 h4 53. Kc3 hxg3 54. hxg3 gxf4 55. gxf4
Bb1 56. Kd4 Bg6 57. Bb6 Bb1 58. Bd8 f5 59. Kc5 Be4 60. Bg5 Bb1 61. Nd5 Be4 62.
Nb4 Kd7 63. Na2 Ke6 64. Nc3 Bf3 65. Nb5 Be4 66. Nd4+ Kd7 67. Bf6 Kc7 68. Ne6+
Kd7 69. Ng7 Kc7 70. Be7 Kd7 71. Bf8 Kc7 72. Kd4 Kd7 73. Ke5 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.17"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2704"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Mueller,Karsten"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a3
d6 9. c3 Be6 10. d4 Bxb3 11. Qxb3 Re8 12. Qc2 Bf8 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bh4 g5 15. Bg3
g4 16. Nh4 exd4 17. Nd2 dxc3 18. Qxc3 Ne5 19. Nf5 Nh5 20. Nf1 Nxg3 21. N1xg3
Re6 22. Rad1 Rc8 23. Ne2 Qg5 24. Ned4 Rf6 25. h4 gxh3 26. Qxh3 Qg4 27. Qxg4+
Nxg4 28. Nc6 Re6 29. f3 Ne5 30. Nfd4 Ree8 31. Re2 d5 32. exd5 Nxc6 33. dxc6 Bg7
34. Rxe8+ Rxe8 35. Nf5 Bxb2 36. Rd7 Re6 37. Rxc7 Bxa3 38. Kf1 Bc5 39. Ng3 b4
40. Rc8+ Kh7 41. Ne4 b3 42. c7 Rc6 43. Nf6+ $2 (43. Rb8 Rxc7 44. Nxc5 Rxc5 45.
Rxb3 {bot nicht zu unterschätzende Remischancen.}) 43... Kg6 44. Rg8+ $2 (44.
Ne4 {war die letzte Chance, den Kampf fortzusetzen, z.B.} b2 (44... Kg7 $5) 45.
Nd2 Kf5 (45... Bb4 46. Rg8+ Kf5 47. c8=Q+ Rxc8 48. Rxc8 Bxd2 49. Rb8 $17) 46.
Rb8 Rxc7 47. Rxb2 $17) 44... Kxf6 45. c8=Q Rxc8 46. Rxc8 {[%tqu "De","Wie
sicherte Aronjan ab, dass seine Bauern den Tag entscheiden?","","","c5b4","und
die schwarzen Freibauern laufen durch:",3]} Bb4 $1 {[%mdl 4096] und die
schwarzen Freibauern laufen durch:} 47. Rc1 a5 48. Ke2 a4 49. Rc6+ (49. Rc4 a3
50. Rxb4 a2 51. Ra4 b2 $19) 49... Kg7 50. Kd3 a3 51. Ra6 a2 {[%cal Gb3b1]} 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c6 5. Nc3 d5 6. Qb3 O-O 7. Bg2 Qb6 8. O-O
Rd8 9. h3 {A rare, harmless move, instead of the main theoretical line} (9. c5
{or}) (9. Qa3 $5) 9... Be6 (9... Qxb3 10. axb3 Na6 11. Be3 Ne4 12. Rfc1 Nxc3
13. bxc3 Nc7 14. g4 Ne8 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. Ne5 Nc7 17. Bf4 Ne6 18. Bg3 $14 {
1/2-1/2 Lingnau,C-Schaefer,M/Germany 1994/GER-chT (43)}) (9... Bf5 $5 10. cxd5
Qxb3 11. axb3 Nxd5 12. Bg5 Na6 13. e4 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Bxe4 15. Rfe1 Bxf3 16. Bxf3
f6 17. Bf4 e5 18. dxe5 Nc5 19. exf6 Bxf6 20. Be5 Bxe5 21. Rxe5 Nxb3 22. Ra2 Re8
23. Rxa7 {1/2-1/2 Loginov,V-Balashov,Y/Elista 2001/CBM 083}) 10. Ng5 $2 {
Starting a wrong operation, which leads to a poor position for White.} (10. c5
$5) 10... Bf5 11. Qxb6 axb6 12. cxd5 Nxd5 $1 13. e4 (13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. g4 Bc2)
13... Nxc3 14. bxc3 Bd7 $17 {[%mdl 32] White has obtained a strong pawn centre
but it doesn't matter at all! The decisive factor of the position is White's
weak a-pawn on the open file. It is really amazing that all White's attempts
of counterplay prove absolutely vain!} 15. f4 Na6 {[%cal Ya6c7,Yc7b5,Yb5d6,
Yd6c4] No move on the k-side! It could only weaken Black's position:} (15... h6
16. Nf3 f5 17. Ne5 $1) (15... f5 16. exf5 {[%cal Cd7f5,Yf1e1]}) 16. g4 (16. a4
c5 $1 17. Be3 (17. e5 h6 18. Ne4 cxd4 19. cxd4 Bc6 20. Be3 Nb4 $17) 17... cxd4
18. cxd4 Nb4 $36 {<<}) 16... Nc7 {Even prefering this to} (16... c5) 17. f5 (
17. a4 c5 $1) 17... Nb5 18. Bb2 Bh6 (18... gxf5 $5 19. gxf5 Nd6 20. e5 $140
Nxf5 21. Be4 f6 $1) 19. h4 (19. Nf3 $142 Nd6 $140 20. Ne5) 19... f6 20. Nf3
gxf5 21. exf5 Nd6 22. Rfe1 Kf7 23. Bh3 Rg8 24. Kf2 Bf4 25. Ne5+ {Desperation.}
(25. Re2 h5 $5 {[%csl Rf5]}) 25... fxe5 26. dxe5 Nc4 27. e6+ Kf8 28. exd7 Nxb2
$19 29. Re4 Bd6 30. Ke3 b5 31. Rb1 Nc4+ 32. Rxc4 bxc4 33. Rxb7 Kg7 34. Bg2 Kf6
35. g5+ Kxf5 36. Bxc6 Rab8 37. Kd4 Kg4 38. a4 Kxh4 39. a5 Rxb7 40. Bxb7 Kxg5
41. a6 Bb8 42. Kxc4 Kf6 43. Kb5 e5 44. Kb6 Ke7 45. Bc8 Rg2 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Finkel,A"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
{One of the most popular ways to avoid the Marshall Attack.} Bb7 9. d3 d6 10.
a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nbd2 Nc6 13. Nf1 Bc8 14. Ne3 Be6 15. Bd5 {This move was
introduced by Sutovsky less than a year ago. It seems that Black experiences
certain problems in this line.} (15. Nd5 Nb8 (15... Bxd5 16. exd5 Nd4 17. Nd2
Nf5 18. Ne4 Nd7 19. b4 Rc8 20. Bd2 c4 $13 {Anand,V-Shirov,A/Cap d'Agde 2003 
(56)}) 16. Nxe7+ Qxe7 17. Bb1 Nc6 18. Ng5 Bd7 19. f4 exf4 20. Bxf4 Rae8 21. c3
Ne5 22. Bc2 Bc6 $11 {Anand,V-Grischuk,A/Cap d'Agde 2003}) 15... Bd7 {A couple
of rounds later Navara opted for 15...Bxd5 and managed to equalize, but
Aronian's choice appears to be quite reasonable.} (15... Rc8 16. c3 Bxd5 17.
exd5 Nb8 18. a4 Qd7 19. axb5 axb5 20. c4 Rfe8 21. Nd2 Rc7 22. cxb5 Qxb5 23.
Ndc4 $14 {Sutovsky,E-Beliavsky,A/Gothenburg 2005}) (15... Bxd5 $5 16. exd5 Nb8
17. b4 (17. a4 $5) 17... Nbd7 18. bxc5 Nxc5 19. d4 exd4 20. Nxd4 Nfe4 21. Nc6
Qd7 22. Nxe7+ Qxe7 23. Qd4 Rfe8 $132 {Almasi,Z-Navara,D/Wijk aan Zee 2006}) 16.
Bb3 Be6 17. c3 {Once the bishop is on b3 White doesn't mind to trade it as his
queen takes the bishop's place on the diagonal a2-g8.} Bxb3 18. Qxb3 g6 19. Qa2
{[%cal Gb2b4]} a5 $5 {Preventing b4, which would've been played otherwise.
It's a rather risky decision from the strategical point of view as White gets
a great square for the knight on c4, but the alternative was hardly better.} (
19... Qd7 20. b4 a5 (20... cxb4 21. axb4 a5 22. Bd2 Qb7 23. bxa5 Rxa5 24. Qb3
$14) 21. bxc5 dxc5 22. Nd5 $14) 20. a4 b4 21. Bd2 Qc7 22. Nh2 {[%csl Gd5][%cal
Gh2g4] Starting a fight for the light squares in the center.} Rfd8 (22... h5 $6
23. Nf3 $14 {[%csl Rg5]}) 23. Nhg4 Nxg4 24. Nxg4 Bf8 25. Re3 ({Serious
attention deserved} 25. f4 $5 exf4 26. Nf6+ Kg7 27. Nd5 Qb7 28. Bxf4 $14 {
followed by Ref1, Rf3, Raf1.}) 25... Bg7 26. Rf3 {[%cal Gd2g5]} Qe7 27. Qd5
Rac8 28. Rd1 Rd7 $6 {A dubious decision after which Black has to work very
hard to keep the balance.} ({It was necessary to play} 28... Qe6 $1 {and it's
not so clear how White can benefit from penetrating to f6:} 29. Bg5 (29. Ne3
Bh6 {[%cal Gh6d2]}) 29... Rd7 30. Ne3 (30. Nf6+ Bxf6 31. Qxe6 fxe6 32. Rxf6 Re8
$11) 30... h6 31. Bh4 g5 32. Bg3 Qxd5 33. Nxd5 Rb8 $132) 29. Ne3 Qe6 30. Nc4 $1
{[%csl Ra5][%cal Gc4b6]} Rcc7 31. Bg5 h6 32. Bf6 $1 {Keeping an eye on e7.}
Qxd5 33. exd5 Ne7 34. Bxe7 Rxe7 35. Nxa5 $1 ({Less convincing is} 35. Re3 $143
$6 Ra7 36. Nxd6 Rad7 (36... Red7 37. Nb5 Ra8 38. d6 f5 39. cxb4 cxb4 40. Rc1
Kf7 41. b3 $16 {[%cal Ge3e2,Ge2c2,Gc2c6,Gc6b6]}) 37. Nc4 Rxd5 38. Nxa5 bxc3 39.
bxc3 e4 $14 {and Black should survive.}) 35... bxc3 36. bxc3 e4 37. Re3 exd3
38. Rdxd3 ({Also after} 38. Rexd3 Re4 39. Ra1 Ra7 (39... c4 40. Rf3 Rc5 41. Nc6
Rxd5 42. a5 Rc5 43. a6 Re8 44. a7 Ra8 45. Ra6 $16) 40. f3 Rh4 41. g3 Rxh3 42.
Kg2 Rh5 43. Nc6 Rb7 $132 {[%csl Rg2][%cal Gb7b2] Black has serious
counterchances due to the exposed position of the white king.}) 38... c4 39.
Nxc4 Rxe3 40. Nxe3 Ra7 41. g3 Rxa4 42. Kg2 Bf6 43. Kf3 Bd8 (43... Kg7) 44. Rd4
$1 Ra3 45. Rb4 $6 ({I guess Anand wasn't sure if} 45. Rc4 Bb6 46. Rc8+ Kg7 47.
Nc4 Rxc3+ 48. Ke2 Bd4 49. Nxd6 $16 {is winning for White so he decided to keep
the pressure, but it looks like he missed his best chance to fight for a win
at this point.}) 45... Bf6 46. Rb6 Be5 47. c4 Kg7 48. g4 Ra1 49. Ke4 (49. Rc6
Rc1 50. Ke4 Bh2 51. f4 Bg1 52. Kd3 Rb1 53. Kc2 Re1 54. Nd1 Re4 $14) 49... Bh2
50. Kf3 (50. Rc6 Ra2 51. Nd1 (51. Kf3 Bg1 52. Rxd6 Rxf2+ 53. Kg3 Re2 54. Nf1
Rf2 $11) 51... Rd2 52. Nc3 Rxf2 53. Ke3 Rf1 54. Nb5 Rf6 $14) 50... Ra2 51. Rb1
Be5 52. Rd1 Bc3 $1 $11 {[%csl Rf2][%cal Gc3b4,Gb4c5] Black's bishos comes to
the diagonal a7-g1 to put pressure on f2.} 53. Rc1 Bd4 54. Rc2 Ra3 55. Kg2 Bxe3
56. fxe3 Rxe3 57. c5 dxc5 58. Rxc5 Rd3 59. h4 Kf6 60. Rc6+ Ke5 61. g5 hxg5 62.
hxg5 Rxd5 63. Rf6 Ke4 64. Rxf7 Rxg5+ 65. Kh3 Rf5 66. Ra7 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qa4 Bb7 6. Bg2 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. O-O
O-O 9. Nc3 Be7 10. Rd1 Na6 11. Bf4 Nc5 12. Qc2 Qc8 13. Rd4 d5 14. cxd5 Nxd5 15.
Bg5 Bxg5 16. Nxg5 Nf6 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. b4 h6 19. Nf3 Ncd7 20. Nb5 Rfc8 21. Qd2
Rc6 22. Rd1 a6 23. Nd6 Qc7 24. e4 e5 25. Rd3 Rc2 26. Qe1 a5 27. Ra3 Ng4 28. Rd2
Rc1 29. Rd1 Rc2 30. Rd2 Rc1 31. Rd1 Rc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C85"]
[WhiteElo "2686"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "144"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. d3 Bd6 8.
Nbd2 Be6 9. b3 Nd7 10. Bb2 c5 11. g3 O-O 12. Nh4 Re8 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. exf5 Qg5
15. f6 Nxf6 16. Ne4 Qf5 17. Nxf6+ Qxf6 18. f4 Qh6 19. f5 e4 20. Re1 Rad8 21.
Qg4 exd3 22. cxd3 Bf8 23. Rxe8 Rxe8 24. Rd1 Qe3+ 25. Kf1 g6 26. Bc1 Qe5 27.
fxg6 hxg6 28. Qf3 Qa1 29. Qf2 Bg7 30. Kg2 Qe5 31. Rf1 Qe7 32. Bg5 Qd7 33. Qf3
Bd4 34. g4 c6 35. h4 Re6 36. Kh3 b5 37. Bd2 Rf6 38. Qg2 Rd6 39. Bf4 Rd5 40. Rf3
Qe6 41. Bg3 Bg7 42. Qf1 Rd8 43. Bf2 Qd5 44. Qe2 Bf8 45. Kg2 Rd6 46. Kg1 Re6 47.
Re3 Rxe3 48. Bxe3 Qe5 49. Kf1 Qg3 50. h5 Qh3+ 51. Kg1 Bd6 52. hxg6 fxg6 53. Bf4
Bf8 54. Qe6+ Kh7 55. Qd7+ Bg7 56. Kf2 Qh4+ 57. Ke2 Qf6 58. Ke3 Qa1 59. g5 Qe1+
60. Kf3 Qf1+ 61. Ke3 c4 62. dxc4 bxc4 63. bxc4 Qc1+ 64. Kf3 Qxc4 65. Qh3+ Kg8
66. Qc8+ Bf8 67. Qe8 Qd3+ 68. Be3 c5 69. Qc6 Qf1+ 70. Kg3 Qe1+ 71. Kf4 Qh4+ 72.
Ke5 Qh8+ 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E46"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2707"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nge2 d5 6. a3 Be7 7. cxd5 exd5 8. b4
Bf5 9. f3 h6 10. Ng3 Bg6 11. Bd3 Bd6 12. Nf5 Nc6 13. Qc2 Bxf5 14. Bxf5 a5 15.
b5 Ne7 16. Bh3 Nh7 17. g3 c5 18. bxc6 bxc6 19. O-O c5 20. dxc5 Bxc5 21. Kh1 Ng5
22. Bg2 Rc8 23. f4 Ne4 24. Bxe4 dxe4 25. Rd1 Qe8 26. Qxe4 Rc6 27. Qf3 Qa8 28.
Rd3 Rd8 29. Rxd8+ Qxd8 30. Rb1 Bxa3 31. Bxa3 Rxc3 32. Rd1 Qe8 33. Bxe7 Qxe7 34.
Qa8+ Kh7 35. e4 Re3 36. e5 Qb4 37. Qd5 a4 38. f5 Re1+ (38... Qg4) (38... Re2 $1
39. f6 Qb2 40. Kg1 Rxh2 41. Qf3 Re2 $1 42. fxg7 Qxe5) 39. Rxe1 Qxe1+ 40. Kg2
Qe2+ 41. Kg1 Qe1+ 42. Kg2 Qe2+ 43. Kg1 a3 44. Qxf7 Qe1+ 45. Kg2 Qxe5 46. Qa7
Qb2+ 47. Kh3 Kg8 48. Qe3 Kf8 49. Qc5+ Ke8 50. Qc8+ Ke7 51. Qc7+ Kf6 52. Qd6+
Kxf5 53. Qd5+ Kf6 54. Qd6+ Kf7 55. Qd7+ Kg6 56. Qd3+ Kf7 57. Qd7+ Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8.
e3 O-O 9. Rc1 Qg6 10. Qc2 Qxc2 11. Rxc2 Rd8 12. a3 Bf8 13. Nb5 Rd7 14. cxd5
exd5 15. Bd3 a6 16. Nc3 Rd8 17. O-O Nb8 18. Rb1 a5 19. h3 c6 20. e4 dxe4 21.
Nxe4 Be6 22. Bc4 Bxc4 23. Rxc4 Nd7 24. Rc3 Be7 25. b4 axb4 26. axb4 Nf6 27.
Nxf6+ Bxf6 28. b5 cxb5 29. Rcb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2647"]
[Annotator "Lutz,C"]
[PlyCount "172"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bd3 Nbd7 6. O-O Bd6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. e4
dxc4 9. Bxc4 e5 10. Be3 {Ein eher seltener Zug. Nach 10...Qe7 ist es schwer
für Weiß, einen Vorteil nachzuweisen.} b5 $5 (10... Qe7 11. Bb3 exd4 12. Bxd4
Ne5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Bxe5 Qxe5 15. f4 Qc5+ 16. Kh1 Be6 17. e5 (17. Bxe6 fxe6
18. Qb3 Rae8 19. e5 Ng4 $5 20. g3 Re7 21. Rae1 Qb6 22. Qa3 Rd7 23. Ne4 Rd4 24.
Qe7 c5 $132 {1/2-1/2 Ivanchuk,V-Shirov,A/Montecatini Terme 2000/CBM 79/[Lutz] 
(42)}) 17... Rad8 18. Qf3 Bxb3 19. axb3 Nd5 20. Ne4 Qb6 21. Rae1 f6 22. e6 Ne7
23. f5 Rd5 24. Ng3 Qd4 25. Re2 Rfd8 $13 {1-0 Lautier,J-Akopian,V/Mallorca 2004/
CBM 104/[Lutz] (47)}) 11. Bb3 (11. Bd3 a6 12. a4 b4 13. Ne2 c5 $6 14. dxe5 Bxe5
15. Qc2 Ng4 16. Bf4 Qc7 $6 17. Nxe5 Ngxe5 18. Rac1 Qb6 19. Rfd1 Re8 20. Bxe5
Nxe5 21. Qxc5 Qg6 22. Ng3 h5 23. Nf5 $1 $16 {1-0 Mikhalchishin,A-Kupreichik,V/
Ashkhabad 1978/MCL/[Bulletin] (48)}) 11... Bb7 (11... a6 12. a4 b4 13. Ne2 Nxe4
14. Qc2 exd4 15. Nexd4 Ndc5 16. Nxc6 Qf6 17. Bd4 Qh6 18. Bd5 b3 19. Qc1 Qh5 20.
Be5 Bxe5 21. Nfxe5 Bb7 22. Qc4 Bxc6 23. Nxc6 Rae8 24. Rae1 Nd2 25. Qxc5 Nxf1
26. Rxf1 Re2 27. Qd6 Qg5 28. Bxb3 Rfe8 29. g3 Qf5 30. Nd4 Qe5 31. Qxe5 R2xe5
32. Nf3 Re2 33. Ng5 R8e7 34. Bc4 Rxb2 35. Bxa6 h6 36. Nf3 g5 37. Nd4 {1-0
Norwood,D-Murshed,N/London 1984/MCL (37)}) 12. Nh4 g6 13. Bh6 exd4 {Van Wely
wählt eine sehr zweischneidige Möglichkeit und hat damit ungeahnten Erfolg.} (
13... Re8 $5 {war auch möglich.}) 14. Bxf8 Nxf8 15. e5 {Weiß muss ohnehin
einen zweiten Bauern geben. Mit dem Textzug kann er zumindest den
schwarzfeldrigen Läufer einheimsen.} Bxe5 16. Nf3 Qd6 (16... Bxh2+ 17. Nxh2
dxc3 18. bxc3 $13) 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 {Schwarz hat zwei Bauern für die Qualität,
wenn er noch zu ...c6-c5 käme, hätte er eine sehr gute Stellung. Jedoch
schafft es Aronian zunächst, Schwarz an diesem Vorstoß zu hindern und die
Stellung unter Kontrolle zu halten.} 18. Re1 Qd6 19. Qd3 Rd8 20. Ne4 Nxe4 21.
Qxe4 Rd7 22. Qe5 Qb4 $6 (22... Qxe5 23. Rxe5 Kg7 24. Rd1 $14 {, und Weiß steht
besser, da er ...c6-c5 weiterhin verhindert.}) (22... c5 23. Qxd6 Rxd6 24. Re7
Bd5 25. Bxd5 Rxd5 26. Rxa7 $16 {, und Weiß hat einen der schwarzen Bauern
zurückgeholt.}) 23. Qf6 d3 24. Re8 d2 {Weiß ist auf der 8. Reihe eingedrungen,
aber Schwarz hat immerhin einen Freibauern auf der vorletzten Reihe...} 25. Rf1
$4 {[%mdl 8192] ... der nun eine ungeahnte Karriere macht.} (25. h4 a5 26. Rd8
Qe7 27. Qxe7 Rxe7 28. Rxd2 $16) 25... Qxb3 $1 26. axb3 d1=Q 27. Rb8 (27. Rxd1
Rxd1+ 28. Re1 Rxe1#) 27... Qe2 $19 {Mit zwei Figuren und Bauer gegen einen
Turm steht Schwarz nun auf Gewinn.} 28. h4 Qe7 29. Qc3 Rd8 30. Re1 Qc7 31. Rxd8
Qxd8 32. Qc5 a6 33. h5 gxh5 34. Qxh5 Bc8 35. Qc5 Qd5 36. Qc1 Be6 37. Rd1 Qxb3
38. Rd6 Kg7 39. Rxc6 a5 40. Rc5 Ng6 41. Rh5 Kg8 42. Qd2 f6 43. Rc5 a4 44. Qd6
Nf8 45. Qd4 Kg7 46. Kh2 Bd7 47. Rg5+ Kf7 48. Rd5 Be6 49. Rc5 Nd7 50. Rh5 Kg7
51. Qe4 f5 52. Qd4+ Nf6 53. Rg5+ Kf7 54. Qa7+ Nd7 55. Qd4 Nf6 56. Qa7+ Nd7 57.
Qd4 Qd5 58. Qg7+ Ke8 59. Qh8+ Ke7 60. Qxh7+ Kd6 61. Qh4 Qe5+ 62. Rg3 Qxb2 63.
Rd3+ Bd5 64. Qh6+ Qf6 65. Qd2 Qe5+ 66. Kg1 Nc5 67. Rh3 Qe4 68. f3 Qc4 69. Qa5
Ne6 70. Kh2 Bc6 71. Rh7 b4 72. Qa7 b3 73. Qe7+ Kd5 74. Rh4 Qc5 75. Qf7 Qf8 76.
Qa7 Qd6+ 77. Kh1 Qc5 78. Qf7 Kd6 79. Qf6 Qe5 80. Qh6 f4 81. Qh7 b2 82. Qd3+ Kc5
83. Kh2 Bb5 84. Qa3+ Kc4 85. Qa2+ Kc3 86. Rh7 Bc4 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Rc1
d5 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bh3 c5 11. O-O Nc6 12. Be3 Re8 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. Na4 d4 15.
Bf4 Nb4 16. a3 Nbd5 17. Bd2 Ne4 18. Re1 Bb5 19. Bf5 Nxd2 20. Qxd2 Bxa4 21. bxa4
Nc3 22. Rxc3 dxc3 23. Qxc3 c4 24. Qxc4 Bxa3 25. h4 Qe7 26. Bd3 Rac8 27. Qg4 Qb4
28. Qh5 g6 29. Qh6 Qc3 30. Qf4 Bc1 31. Qg4 Rcd8 32. Qc4 Qxc4 33. Bxc4 Bh6 34.
a5 Re4 35. Bb5 Rc8 36. a6 Rb4 37. Bd3 Rc1 38. Rxc1 Bxc1 39. Ne5 Rb6 40. Kg2 Kg7
41. Bc4 Bb2 42. Nf3 Bf6 43. Bd3 Kf8 44. Nd2 Ke7 45. Ne4 Kd7 46. f4 Ke7 47. Kf3
h5 48. Nd2 Bc3 49. Nf1 Bd4 50. g4 hxg4+ 51. Kxg4 Rc6 52. Nd2 Be3 53. Nc4 Bc1
54. Ne5 Rf6 55. Bb5 Rxf4+ 56. Kg3 Kd6 57. Nc6 Kc5 58. Nxa7 Kb6 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tiviakov, Sergei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E09"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2669"]
[Annotator "Tiviakov,S"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 c6 $5 6. O-O Be7 7. Nbd2 d5 8.
Qc2 Nbd7 9. e4 O-O 10. Re1 $6 (10. e5 $142) 10... dxe4 11. Nxe4 c5 12. Nxf6+ (
12. Nc3 cxd4 13. Nxd4 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 Rc8 15. b3 Bc5 16. Nf3 Qc7 17. Bb2 Qb7 18.
Ne4 Be7 19. Rad1 Nxe4 20. Qxe4 Qxe4 21. Rxe4 Nf6 22. Ree1 Rfd8 23. Ne5 Rd6 24.
Rxd6 Bxd6 25. Rd1 Ne8 26. f4 g6 27. Rd2 Kf8 28. Kf1 Ke7 29. Ke2 f5 30. Nf3 Bb4
31. Rd1 Rc7 32. Ng5 h5 33. Nf3 Bd6 34. Nd4 a6 35. Rd3 Bc5 36. Nf3 Bd6 37. Kd1
Rc8 38. Re3 Nf6 39. Ng5 Ne4 40. Nxe4 fxe4 41. Rxe4 Bc5 42. a3 Rd8+ 43. Kc2 a5
44. Re2 Rd7 45. Re4 Rd8 46. Kc3 Bg1 47. h3 Bf2 48. g4 hxg4 49. hxg4 Rf8 50. b4
axb4+ 51. axb4 Kd6 52. Kd3 Bg3 53. Be5+ Ke7 54. Ke2 Ra8 55. Bd4 Re8 56. Kf3 {
1-0 Caoili,A-Safarian,A/Canberra 2003/CBM 093 ext (56)}) 12... Bxf6 $146 (12...
Nxf6 13. dxc5 (13. b4 $2 cxd4 14. a3 d3 15. Qa2 Qc7 16. Bf4 Bd6 17. Bxd6 Qxd6
18. Rad1 Rac8 19. Ne5 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Rfd8 21. Rxd3 Qc7 22. Qd2 Rxd3 23. Qxd3 Rd8
24. Qe2 Qd6 25. Kf1 h6 26. Qe3 Nd7 27. c5 bxc5 28. Nxd7 Rxd7 29. Qxc5 Qxc5 {
1/2-1/2 Luetzen,P-Reinert,J/Passau 1999/EXT 2000 (29)}) 13... Bxc5 $11 (13...
bxc5 $5) 14. Be3 (14. Bg5 Be7 15. Rad1 {1/2-1/2 Gacso,T-Timar,Z/Aggtelek 1999/
EXT 2001 (15)}) 14... Be4 (14... Qc7 15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16. Qe2 Rac8 17. Ne5 Bxg2
18. Kxg2 Rfd8 19. Rad1 Qc7 20. b3 Nd7 21. Nxd7 Rxd7 22. Rxd7 Qxd7 23. Rd1 Qc6+
24. Qf3 Kf8 25. Qxc6 Rxc6 26. Rd7 a6 27. Rb7 e5 28. Kf3 Rf6+ 29. Ke3 e4 30. h4
g6 31. Kxe4 Rxf2 32. a4 Re2+ 33. Kd5 Re3 34. Rxb6 Rxg3 35. c5 f5 36. c6 Ke7 37.
Rb7+ Kd8 38. Kc5 Rc3+ 39. Kd5 f4 40. b4 f3 41. Rf7 Ke8 42. Rf4 h6 43. b5 axb5
44. axb5 g5 45. hxg5 hxg5 46. Rf5 g4 47. b6 Kd8 48. Rf8+ Ke7 49. b7 Kxf8 50.
b8=Q+ Kf7 51. Qf4+ {1-0 Fillon,D-Cwiek,L/Condom FRA 2005/The Week in Chess 558
(51)}) 15. Qc3 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 Qc7 17. b3 Rad8 18. Red1 Rd6 19. Rxd6 Qxd6 20. Qd4
Qxd4 21. Nxd4 Rd8 22. Bxe4 Nxe4 23. Nf3 g5 24. h3 h5 25. Re1 f5 26. Re2 Kg7 27.
Rc2 Kf6 28. h4 g4 29. Ne1 e5 30. Re2 Rd1 31. Kg2 Nd2 {0-1 De Vita,
C-Wolfsteiner,H/Seefeld 2003/CBM 097 ext (31)}) 13. Ng5 (13. dxc5 Nxc5 $15)
13... Bxg5 14. Bxb7 Rb8 15. Be4 $6 (15. Bxg5 $142 Qxg5 16. Bc6 Rbd8 $11 (16...
Rfd8 $5)) 15... Bxc1 16. Bxh7+ (16. Raxc1 Nf6 17. dxc5 bxc5 $15) 16... Kh8 17.
Raxc1 Nf6 18. Be4 Qxd4 $15 {[ץe4, d4]} 19. Rcd1 Qe5 20. Bf3 Qc7 21. Rd3 Rbd8
22. Red1 Kg8 (22... g6 $5 {/\Kg7}) (22... Rfe8 $5 {/\Rd3, Re7-d7}) 23. Kg2 g6
24. h4 Rfe8 {[/\Rd3, Re7-d7]} 25. g4 $5 Rxd3 26. Qxd3 Qf4 (26... Re7 27. Qd8+
Qxd8 28. Rxd8+ Kg7 $11) 27. Qe2 (27. g5 $2 Ng4 $17) (27. Qe3 $142 $5 Qxe3 (
27... Qxc4 $140 28. h5 $44) 28. fxe3 Re7 29. g5 Nd7 $13) 27... g5 28. Qd2 (28.
Qe3 Qxe3 29. fxe3 gxh4 30. Kh3 Re7 $15) 28... Qxd2 29. Rxd2 gxh4 30. Kh3 Re7
31. Rd8+ (31. Kxh4 Rd7 32. Rxd7 Nxd7 $15) 31... Kg7 32. Rd1 Nd7 (32... Rd7 $4
33. g5 $18) 33. Kxh4 Ne5 34. Be2 Nc6 (34... Rd7 35. Rxd7 Nxd7 $15 {/ =}) 35.
Rd6 Rc7 (35... Nd4 36. Bd3 Kf6 37. f4 Rc7 38. Rd8 Ke7 39. Ra8 $13) 36. g5 (36.
Kg5 $5) 36... Kf8 37. Bg4 Ke7 38. Rd1 Rd7 $6 (38... Rc8 $142 39. Kg3 Rh8 $15 {
/\Nd4, a6, b5}) (38... Nd4 $6 39. Kg3 Rc8 $140 40. Rh1 $132) 39. Rxd7+ Kxd7 40.
f4 Ke7 41. Be2 Nd4 42. Bd3 Kf8 43. Kg4 Kg7 44. Kh4 f5 (44... f6 $5 {/\e5}) 45.
Kh5 $11 Nc6 46. Kh4 Nb4 (46... Ne7 47. Bc2 Ng6+ (47... Kg6 48. Ba4 {/\Be8}) 48.
Kg3) 47. Bb1 Kg6 48. a3 Nc6 49. Bc2 Nd4 50. Bd1 Kg7 51. Kg3 Kg6 52. Kh4 Kg7
1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Gershon,A"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 1]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2
c6 8. Bc3 (8. Nc3 {is gaining some popularity in recent years, mainly due to
the fact that main lines (one of which we will see here) don't seem to promise
White much. Well, Topalov's defenitely intending to change that.}) 8... d5 9.
Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Nf6 ({In a recent world
championships (San Luis 2005), Anand continued} 12... Rc8 13. e4 c5 14. exd5
exd5 15. dxc5 dxc4 16. c6 cxb3 17. Re1 b2 {- it's all theory so far -} 18. Bxb2
Nc5 19. Nc4 Bxc4 20. Qg4 Bg5 21. Qxc4 Nd3 22. Ba3 Nxe1 23. Rxe1 {actually, it
is still theory} Re8 24. Rxe8+ {and only this was Topalov's novelty.} Qxe8 25.
Bd5 {with definitely sufficient compensation, but perhaps not more.}) 13. e4 b5
{One of the most critical positions in the Queen's Indian, and about one year
ago it was considered to give Black a rock solid equality.} 14. exd5 (14. Re1 {
used to be almost automatic for many years, but Black learned to equalize:}
dxe4 15. Qc2 Rc8 16. Rad1 Nd5 $1 {and now accepting the sac gives Black a
strong initiative on the queenside.} 17. cxd5 cxd5 {with a very impressive
pawn mass in the center - Black has nothing to worry about.}) 14... exd5 {
This move got many headlines after Anand beat Adams with it, utilizing a...
strong positional exchange sacrifice:} (14... cxd5 15. c5 $1 b4 16. Bxb4 Bxf1
17. Bxf1 e5 18. Bc3 a5 19. a3 Ne4 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. b4 {1-0 Anand,V (2786)
-Adams,M (2741)/Wijk aan Zee 2005/CBM 105/ [Tyomkin,D]}) 15. Re1 Rb8 16. c5 ({
in Bologan - Sadvakasov, Pojkovsky 2005 White continued} 16. a3 {but after} Re8
17. c5 Bc8 18. b4 Qc7 19. a4 a6 20. axb5 axb5 21. Nb3 Bf5 {he had no advantage.
}) 16... Bc8 {The bishop has no longer anything to do on the queenside.} 17.
Nf3 Ne4 18. Rxe4 $1 {Out of the blue... Actually, Levon was an innocent victim
of a bomb designed for somebody else. Topalov later admitted this idea to be
prepared for San Luis. But note an interesting tendency: all the noisy
novelties lately are somehow connected with exchange sacrifices, maybe we
should re-evaluate the relative strengths of knight/bishop and a rook?} ({
Until now White played} 18. Ne5 $5 {and this looks like a gun shot towards a
bunker} Nxc3 19. Qd3 Qc7 20. Qxc3 Re8 21. a4 b4 22. Qf3 Bf8 {and White failed
to get anything in the two encounters between Kramnik (White) and Leko in
Dortmund 2004.}) 18... dxe4 19. Ne5 {White's idea is very logical (like all
strong ideas, once executed - they all look so natural and easy).. The pawn on
d5 was a key defender of the h1-a8 diagonal, and now all Black's queenside is
compromised, along with the center, of course.} Qd5 $1 {A good reaction by
Aronian, especially given that he had to face a strong novelty over the board.}
({A passive defence, like} 19... Qc7 {will not do it:} 20. Bxe4 b4 21. Bd2 Bd7
(21... Bxc5 22. Nxc6) (21... f5 22. Bg2 Bb7 23. Qe2 Bf6 24. Qc4+ Kh8 25. Bf4 {
is bad for Black.}) 22. Bf4 Qb7 23. Qd3 {it's hard to see why the rook on b8
is stronger than a knight on e5, but even if one manages to see the 'why', he
can win the exchange back with Nxd7.}) 20. Qe1 $1 {Continuing the analysis.} ({
Bad is} 20. Qc2 {as now,} f5 {cannot be met with} 21. f3 $2 {due to} Bxc5 $1
22. dxc5 Qxc5+ 23. Kh1 b4 {and Black even wins because of the unfortunate
position of White's queen.}) 20... Bf5 ({But now} 20... f5 21. f3 {is already
very strong - Black's light bishop will have to protect c6 for the rest of the
game.}) 21. g4 $1 {A strong idea, which was suggested by Cheparinov (according
to Topalov, at least).} Bg6 22. f3 {Here Topalov was still within his home
preparation whereas Aronian had to carefully weigh each move.} ({it's still
too early to snatch material:} 22. Nxg6 hxg6 23. Qxe4 Qxe4 24. Bxe4 b4 25. Bb2
Rfc8 {followed by Bf6, with a good position for Black, perhaps even better.})
22... b4 $2 {A mistake, allowing White to control the center, which will in
the end decide the game.} (22... Bxc5 $1 23. dxc5 Qxc5+ 24. Kh1 b4 25. Bb2 Qc2
26. Qc1 Qe2 {was better, as the white king's is in a somewhat exposed position
which promises Black counterplay.}) 23. fxe4 Qe6 24. Bb2 Bf6 ({Perhaps Aronian
was planning on} 24... f6 {but after} 25. Nxg6 hxg6 26. Qg3 {with a lethal
Bf1-c4 reansfer, Black has every reason to get depressed.}) 25. Nxc6 $1 {
Another great move by Topalov, giving him two strong passered in the center.} (
{a slighly worse version (with a 180 degree difference in the eventual
evaluation) arises after:} 25. d5 Qe8 26. Nxg6 Bxb2 27. Nxf8 Bxa1 28. Qxa1 cxd5
29. exd5 Qe3+ 30. Kh1 Kxf8 $19 {and Black's threats to white king will be much
stronger than the white runners.}) 25... Qxc6 26. e5 Qa6 27. exf6 Rfe8 {
Intenting to invade along the e-file, and get counterplay on the 2nd rank.} ({
After} 27... Qxf6 28. Qf2 $1 Qg5 29. d5 Qxg4 30. Qd4 Qxd4+ 31. Bxd4 {Black's
position is totally hopeless.}) 28. Qf1 $1 {Another strong move, depriving
Black of any counterplay.} ({If white snoozes with} 28. Qf2 Re2 29. Qg3 Rbe8
30. Bf1 Qc8 31. Bxe2 Rxe2 {,he suddenly finds himself in danger of losing.}) (
28. Qg3 Qxf6) 28... Qe2 $1 29. Qf2 $1 {We're used to see kings performing all
kinds of gracious triangles, but queens?! In any case, the World Champion's
last maneuver didn't allow Black to enter the second rank, and with this all
hopes for counterplay are gone.} (29. Qxe2 Rxe2 30. Bc1 Re1+ 31. Kf2 Rbe8 $132)
29... Qxg4 ({After} 29... Qd3 30. Bf1 Qe4 31. h3 {Black will have another
headache on a kingside.}) 30. h3 $1 {When you know what you want, everything
is so clear... even simple.} Qg5 (30... Qh5 31. Re1 {That's it. Preparational
moves are over, and once White starts moving his pawns - it's won't be a nice
sight.}) 31. Bc1 $1 {Transfrering the bishop to a better position, after which
it will be virtually imposible for Black to cope with White's passed pawns.} (
31. d5 {would have been too early due to} Be4) 31... Qh5 ({Perhaps} 31... Qxf6
{was better:} 32. Qxf6 gxf6 33. Bf4 Rbc8 34. Bb7 Rcd8 35. d5 Be4 36. Re1 {
and Black is still holding on, although it should be for long.}) 32. Bf4 Rbd8 (
32... Re2 33. Qg3 {Followed by Bf3.}) 33. c6 {Now it's showtime.} Be4 (33...
Re2 34. c7 Rc8 35. Qf3 Qxf3 36. Bxf3 Rc2 {Black loses because of the 8th rank
weakness.} 37. Re1 gxf6 38. Re7 {with a triumphant d-pawn march.}) 34. c7 Rc8
35. Re1 Qg6 {#} (35... Bxg2 {loses nicely to} 36. Rxe8+ Rxe8 37. Qxg2 Qd1+ 38.
Kh2 g6 39. Qe4 $1 {(Black doesn't even have a check)} Rc8 40. d5 {and Black
can resign.}) 36. Rxe4 $1 {Another exchange sacrifice, and again on e4. Two
white pawns are worth two black rooks.} Rxe4 37. d5 Rce8 38. d6 Re1+ 39. Kh2 {
Black could have resigned already now.} Qf5 40. Qg3 g6 41. Qg5 {The most
precise. Without the queens Black is hopeless.} Qxg5 42. Bxg5 Rd1 43. Bc6 Re2+
(43... Rc8 44. Bf4) 44. Kg3 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Qc7 8.
g3 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 11. Bg2 f6 12. O-O Nc5 13. Ne3 Bg6 14. b4 Ne6
15. a5 a6 16. Qa4 Bd6 17. Ned5 Qf7 18. Bxe5 fxe5 19. Ne4 Rd8 20. Ndc3 O-O 21.
e3 Be7 22. Qa3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2660"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d3 d6 10. a5 Be6 11. Nbd2 Qc8 12. Nc4 h6 13. h3 Rb8 14. Be3 Rd8 15. Qe2
Bf8 16. Nfd2 Ne7 17. d4 Ng6 18. d5 Bd7 19. Rec1 Re8 20. c3 Nf4 21. Qd1 Qd8 22.
Ba4 Qe7 23. b3 g6 24. Nb2 Rec8 25. Bxd7 Qxd7 26. c4 Qe8 27. Qf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2689"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "240+2"]

{Usually, when a tournament has not gone especially well, the last round is
approached without great enthusiasm. But before this game, my friend and
second found a real bomb, so I came to the game with unusual ardour.} 1. d4 d5
2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 {This I was pleased to see. On the morning of
the game, I thought that Ivan would choose the line that he had already played
at Wijk aan Zee against Gelfand: 4...e6 5.e3 a6. It seems that this bears the
name of Godena. To lovers of novelties in internet blitz, I can recommend 4...
Qb6.} 5. a4 Bf5 {Cunning. In Beersheva, Bu played 5...Bg4 against me, and came
close to winning, but now that Sergey Ivanov has given me his analysis, I am
better armed.} 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Qc7 ({My opponent has contributed much to
the development of the variation} 7... Nb6 8. Ne5 {and has played it regularly.
As is well known, however, players like to widen their repertoire now and then.
}) 8. g3 {Another sensible move is 8.Bg5, which I have played before, but I
have yet to try the interesting 8.Qd2.} e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 11. Bg2 f6
{As anticipated (but not by me) in our preparations, my opponent follows in
the footsteps of Gelfand, who did not have any problems in this variation, in
his game with me. In an attempt to refute the line, my friend and second
Gabriel Sargissian looked at many possibilities, before finding one in which
he was fully convinced. I did not treat his discovery all that seriously, not
believing that my opponent would go into this exact variation.} 12. O-O Nc5 13.
Ne3 Bg6 {13...Rd8 has also been played, leading in several variations to very
sharp play.} 14. b4 Ne6 15. Qb3 {This is it! The standard move 15.b5 did not
seem to us to offer anything huge, and my attempt to obtain an advantage by
means of 15.a5 against Gelfand did noit bring the desired result. Now if Black
plays quietly, White will be better, because the enemy dark-squared bishop is
passive (and not on c5, as in the line with 15.b5). Consequently, Black's next
few moves are practically forced.} Bf7 {On 15...Qf7 I think both 16.Be5 and 16.
b5 are strong.} 16. Qb1 {This was always thought to be incorrect because of my
opponent's reply, but in modern-day concrete-computerised chess, many such
canons have to give way before specific moves.} Nxf4 17. gxf4 Ng6 18. b5 {
It looks as though White is falling apart. In general, in this variation the
pawn on c6 plays a huge role, restraining the white knight and bishop.
Therefore White is even prepare dto give up his bishop for the black knight,
in order to achieve maximum activity for his own knight.} Qxf4 {After long
thought, my opponent chooses the most active move.} ({If} 18... Nxf4 {I
planned to play} 19. bxc6 Nxg2 20. Qe4+ {and as far as I recall, the main
variation runs} Qe5 21. Qxg2 Rc8 22. cxb7 Rxc3 23. Qg4 {White is not risking
much in what follows, and we decided not to analyze any further, since even if
the game reached this position, my opponent was guaranteed to be in time
trouble and in my practice, this is usually one of the signs of success. Of
course, one cannot rule out the possibility that in one of the various lines,
Black will have a defence that negates all of our analysis.}) 19. Rd1 {Even
now, when looking at this move and the ideas associated with it, it is hard to
believe it all, so I do not blame myself for looking for other moves, after
Gabriel had shown me the main line.} ({However, the uninspired} 19. bxc6 {
gives Black good play after} Bd6 20. Qe4+ Be5) 19... Bd6 {I was not afraid of
the alternative 19...Bc5, since with material equality, it is much easier to
bale out if something goes wrong. Consequently, when gabriel showed me the
various tricks, I just nodded my head. Maybe other more enquiring minds will
be found? It is a pity that so much good stuff should be wasted.} 20. Rxd6 Qxd6
21. bxc6 O-O {Played quickly.} ({Probably my opponent did not fancy defending
the position after} 21... bxc6 22. Nb5 Qd7 (22... cxb5 $2 23. Qe4+) 23. Qb4 {
in time trouble. In the resulting position, despite being an exchange and pawn
down, White has good compensation, since Black will not be able to connect his
rooks any time soon. Admittedly, it seems to me that in positiosn with a white
pawn on b7, Black has few prospects, so maybe 0-0 should be considered a
mistake.}) 22. Nb5 Qc5 ({After Black's other option} 22... Qf4 {I had planned
a nice trap. After} 23. cxb7 Rae8 {White plays} 24. Qf5 {and after the
exchanging combination} Rxe3 25. Qxf4 Nxf4 26. fxe3 Nxg2 {there follows the
unexpected quiet move} 27. a5 {and it turns out bthat Black is helpless
against the white passed pawns.}) 23. cxb7 Rab8 {Other moves do not help much.
The black position is already very hard to defend.} 24. Qf5 {A strong
manoeuvre, which cuts the enemy queen off from the kingside. It was made all
the stronger by being played immediately, like all the preceding moves.} Ne5 {
A mistake in impending time trouble.} ({The best chance looks to be} 24... Qb6
{which after} 25. a5 Qa6 26. Qc5 Rxb7 27. Bxb7 Qxb7 28. a6 Qe4 29. Qd4 {
leads to an inferior, but still defensible position.}) 25. Qc2 Qb6 {The final
mistake, after which Black loses all chances.} ({It ws probably necessary to
try} 25... Qb4 {although even then, after} 26. Rb1 Qa5 27. Nd6 {the position
is not pleasant.}) 26. Qc7 {As Vovi Malakhova likes to say, ''the main thing
is to play your aces''. Here this is very appropriate. Incidentally, here I
had already forgotten our analysis, and this was the first move of the game on
which I spent any time - a full 9 minutes, three times more than on all the
previous moves put together.} Rfd8 {It can be said that not much hangs on what
Black plays now.} 27. Rc1 {Threatening to take on b8. The rest is very simple,
White either queens or wins too much material. Rather than gloating, I will
not add any more commentary.} Qa6 28. Nf5 Qb6 29. Qxb8 Rxb8 30. Rc8+ Qd8 31.
Nxa7 Be8 32. Rxd8 Rxd8 33. Bd5+ Bf7 34. Ne7+ Kf8 35. Nec6 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.02.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E93"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[Annotator "Mikhalevski,V"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. Be3 Ng4 8. Bg5
f6 9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 Nh6 11. d5 Nd7 12. Nd2 f5 13. exf5 (13. f3 {can be found
in the current magazine. See Huzman,A-Bologan,V, Aeroflot Open 2006/ CBM112
[Mikhalevski,V].}) 13... Nf6 14. Nde4 Nxe4 15. Nxe4 Bxf5 (15... Nxf5 {is a
less popular alternative.}) 16. Bd3 {This is clearly better than Donner's 16.
f3.} (16. f3 $6 {allowed} g4 $1 {in the game Donner,JH-Gligoric,S, Eersel 1968,
in which Black obtained an advantage easily after} 17. Bf2 gxf3 18. gxf3 Ng4
19. Bd3 Nxf2 20. Nxf2 Qh4 $17) 16... g4 17. O-O {The last word of the theory
in this line. White keeps the king in a safe place on the kingside and hopes
to create some threats on the other side of the board.} (17. Qe2 {is the main
alternative.} Kh8 (17... Qe8 {[%cal Ge8g6] planning Qg6 which occured in a
recent game.} 18. O-O-O Qe7 19. h3 gxh3 20. gxh3 a6 21. Kb1 Kh8 22. f3 b5 23.
h4 bxc4 24. Bxc4 a5 25. Ka1 Bd7 26. Bf2 Nf5 $11 {with an approximately equal
position in Brodsky,M-Nijboer,F Essent 2005.}) 18. O-O-O Qe8 19. Kb1 Qg6 20. h3
gxh3 21. gxh3 Ng8 $1 22. Bh4 Bxe4 $1 23. Bxe4 Qh6 24. Bg3 Nf6 {with a good
position for Black in the game Dorfman,J-Nataf,I, Mondariz zt 2000/CBM79
[Huzman].}) 17... Qe8 {This move is new in this particular position, but as
you could see above, the idea of bringing the queen to g6 is far from being
new.} ({Aronian's preparation for the game was definitely based on the
following.} 17... Kh8 18. Re1 Ng8 19. f3 gxf3 20. Qxf3 Nh6 21. Qe2 Bg6 22. Bf2
Nf5 23. Rf1 {1/2-1/2 Onischuk,A-Radjabov,T/Calvia ESP 2004. Probably Levon
found an improvement upon Onischuk's play and Radjabov decided not to check it
over the board.}) (17... Bxe4 $6 {This looks wrong, even if it worked well in
the following game.} 18. Bxe4 Qg5 19. Qc1 (19. Qb3 $5 Rab8 20. c5 $1 Nf5 21.
Qa3 $14) 19... Qh5 20. c5 Rf7 21. cxd6 cxd6 22. Qc2 Bf6 23. Rad1 Raf8 24. Qa4
Nf5 25. Qxa7 Nd4 26. Qb6 $4 ({It wasn't late to protect the bishop on g3 by
means of} 26. Qa3 $14) 26... Bd8 {and it turned out that White can't stop Ne2+
followed by Nxg3 with huge material losses for White and so he resigned. 0-1
Vanheste,J-Piket,J/Amsterdam 1988.}) 18. c5 $1 {[%csl Rd6] White is trying to
create a weakness on d6.} Qg6 19. Re1 Nf7 {[%cal Gf7g5]} 20. Bh4 $5 {White
prevents Ng5.} ({The immediate} 20. Rc1 {also looks good with the idea} Bh6 (
20... Ng5 21. Nxg5 Qxg5 22. Bxf5 Qxf5 23. Qb3 b6 24. cxd6 cxd6 25. Rc6 $14 {
[%csl Rd6]}) 21. Rc4 Ng5 ({or} 21... Bf4 22. Bh4 $14) 22. Bb1 $14) 20... Rae8 {
A brave decision. Black leaves his queenside pawns without protection and
prepares the following exchange operation.} ({I wonder whether Levon prepared
to meet} 20... Qh6 $5 {with} 21. g3 {closing his bishop on h4 or just was
checking Teymour and intended to repeat the position.} (21. Bg3 Qg6)) 21. Rc1
$1 {The most logical. White is ready to penetrate to the seventh rank.} ({
The computer's} 21. Qa4 $5 dxc5 (21... a6 22. c6) 22. Bb5 $1 {looks strong,
but with great defense Black can obtain counterplay.} Ra8 $1 (22... Bxe4 $2 23.
Bxe8 Bxd5 24. Be7 $1 {[%csl Rf8]}) 23. Be7 $1 Bxe4 $1 24. Rxe4 (24. Bxf8 $2 Bc2
$1 $19) 24... g3 $3 25. hxg3 Nd6 $1 26. Rg4 Qf5 {[%csl Rf2]} 27. Bxf8 Rxf8 28.
f3 e4 $1 $44 {with certain compensation for the sacrificed exchange.}) 21...
dxc5 $1 22. Rxc5 Nd6 {[%csl Re4] Black is trying to unblock the e-pawn
exchanging White's strong knight.} 23. Qa4 $1 {[%cal Gc5c7] White protects the
knight and creates the threat Rxc7.} Bxe4 (23... Rc8 $5 {Maintaing the tension
in the centre was worth trying.}) 24. Bxe4 Qh6 $6 {I think Black had to
continue unblocking the e5-pawn, which he started with 21...dxc5. The move in
the game leaves Black with weaknesses in a passive position.} ({Teymour had to
accept the fact that he's slightly worse.} 24... Nxe4 $1 25. Qxe4 (25. Rxe4 $2
{is bad in view of} Rf4 $1 26. Rcc4 a6 $1 $17 {[%cal Gb7b5] and Black takes
the initiative.}) 25... Qxe4 26. Rxe4 Rf4 $1 27. Rec4 Rd4 $1 28. Kf1 b5 $1 29.
Rc3 (29. Rxd4 exd4 30. Rxb5 d3 31. Bg5 a6 $1 $132 {[%csl Rb2,Rd5,Rg5][%cal
Ge8e5] and if the rook leaves the fifth rank Black plays Re5 and wins the
d5-pawn.}) 29... a6 $1 $14) 25. Bg3 Qd2 26. Rcc1 $6 {This allows to keep the
c7-pawn.} (26. Rd1 $1 {winning a tempo looks stronger.} Qe2 (26... Qg5 {
allows to stabilize White's advantage.} 27. Qc2 $1 Nxe4 28. Qxe4 h5 29. h4 $1
gxh3 30. Rxc7 $16) 27. Bd3 Qxb2 28. Rxc7 e4 29. Bc2 $16 {and the knight on d6
has lost its fulcrum.}) 26... Re7 27. h4 $1 {[%csl Gg1] A beautiful
prophylactic move, which is very hard to find. Now the white king gets some
fresh air and White shouldn't worry about him anymore.} ({It looks simplier to
protect the b2-pawn by means of} 27. Qa3 {however then Black plays} h5 {
with the idea of Bf6 followed by h4.} (27... Qg5 $6 {[%cal Gh7h5,Gh5h4] ,
which prepares the advance of the h-pawn to h4 is strongly met by} 28. Qb4 $1 {
with the idea} h5 29. h4 $1 gxh3 $2 (29... Qf6 {is better.} 30. Qa5 $16) 30.
Bh4 $1 {[%csl Re7,Rg5,Rg8]} Qxh4 $2 (30... Qf4 31. Bh7+ $1 Kxh7 32. Qxf4 Rxf4
33. Bxe7 $18) 31. Bh7+ $18 {[%csl Rh4]})) 27... Qxb2 $1 {Black needs something
to suffer for.} (27... gxh3 {is dangerous.} 28. Bxh7+ Kh8 29. Qg4 $1 hxg2 30.
Bb1 Kg8 31. Rcd1 Qxb2 32. Kxg2 $36 {[%cal Ge1h1] with a strong initative.}) 28.
Qd1 $1 {[%csl Rg4] Attacking the g4-pawn and taking away the d2-square from
the black queen, which can't return home anymore.} Qxa2 $1 {The same strategy
as a move before.} (28... h5 $6 {[%csl Rg6] weakens the g6-square and so it's
dangerous, although it's not easy to prove it concretely.} 29. Rc2 $5) 29. h5
$1 {White is playing for initiative while the g4-pawn is anyway doomed.} (29.
Qxg4 Kh8) 29... Nxe4 (29... Kh8 $5) 30. Rxe4 Qa6 $1 {Black brings the queen
back in defense.} 31. Qb3 $6 {[%csl Rb7] Nailing the queen to b7-pawn, but
moving the queen away from the g4-pawn. Probably somewhere here White loses
part of his advantage.} (31. Rb1 $1 {[%csl Rb7] with a similar idea deserved
serious attention.}) 31... Kh8 32. Rce1 Qb6 $6 (32... Rf5 $1 {looks strong and
now} 33. h6 Qxh6 34. Qxb7 Re8 35. Qb5 Ref8 {[%cal Gf5h5] preparing Rh5.}) 33.
Rb4 Qc5 $6 {After this move the black pawns start to fall one after another.} (
33... Qa5 $5 {[%csl Re1] Preventing Rxb7 was possible.} 34. h6 (34. Rd1 $1 {
sets some problems.}) 34... Bxh6 35. Rxe5 Qa1+ 36. Qb1 Qxb1+ 37. Rxb1 Rxe5 38.
Bxe5+ Kg8 39. Rxb7 (39. Bxc7 Rf5 $1 40. Rd1 Rf7 41. d6 Rd7) 39... Rf5 40. Bxc7
Rxd5 41. Rxa7 $11 {with equality.}) (33... Qh6 $5) 34. Rxb7 $14 Ref7 35. Rb5 {
Simple and strong.} (35. h6 $5 {was interesting.} Bxh6 36. Rb5 Qe7 {The only
square to save the queen.} 37. Rxe5 Qf6 38. Rb4 $1 $14 {[%csl Rg4] and White
wins also the g4-pawn.}) 35... Qd6 36. Qc4 {[%csl Rg4] Now White wins the
g4-pawn and resets material equality.} Rf5 $1 37. Qxg4 Qh6 {[%csl Rh5] The
h5-pawn seems to be doomed, but} 38. Rb8 $1 {[%csl Rf5] Distracting black
pieces from the h5-pawn.} Rxf2 $1 (38... Qxh5 {leads to a dangerous endgame a
pawn down.} 39. Qxh5 Rxh5 40. Rxf8+ Bxf8 41. Rxe5 Rh6 (41... Rxe5 42. Bxe5+ Kg8
43. Bxc7 {should be lost for Black.}) 42. Re8 Kg7 43. Bxc7 $16) 39. Rxf8+ $1
Rxf8 40. Rxe5 $1 $16 {[%csl Rc7] White needs the bishops to exploit Black's
weaknesses.} Qd6 (40... Bxe5 $2 {loses instantly.} 41. Bxe5+ Rf6 42. Qe6 $18 {
[%csl Rf6]}) (40... c6 $2 41. Re6 $1 Qc1+ 42. Kh2 cxd5 43. h6 $1 Ba1 44. Qh5 $1
$18 {[%csl Rh8][%cal Gg3e5] with Be5 to follow.}) 41. Rf5 Qe7 42. Rxf8+ Bxf8
43. Bf2 $5 (43. Qc8 $5) 43... h6 $1 {[%csl Gh7]} ({White's idea can be seen
after} 43... a5 $4 44. Bd4+ Bg7 45. Qc8+ {[%csl Rh8] and mate in the next move.
}) 44. Qd4+ $1 Kg8 $1 45. Qc4 $1 Qf7 $1 46. Bxa7 $1 $16 {Finally White won a
pawn and as you can see the technical part was also on the high level.} Bg7 (
46... c6 47. Qg4+ Bg7 48. Be3 $1 Qxd5 49. Bxh6 Qd4+ 50. Qxd4 Bxd4+ 51. Kf1 $18)
47. Be3 $1 Kh8 48. Bd4 $1 Bxd4+ 49. Qxd4+ Kh7 50. Qe5 $1 Qg7 $1 51. Qf5+ Kh8
52. Kh2 Qe7 53. Kh3 Qd6 54. Qf7 Qe5 55. g3 Qe4 (55... c6 $5) 56. Qf1 Kh7 57.
Qd1 Qe5 58. Qf3 Kg7 59. Qg4+ Kh8 60. Qg6 {[%csl Rh6]} Qxd5 61. Qxh6+ $18 {
With two connected extra pawns and weak black king White is winning.} Kg8 62.
Qg6+ Kh8 63. Qf6+ Kh7 64. Kh4 Qe4+ 65. g4 Qe1+ 66. Kg5 Qd2+ 67. Qf4 Qd8+ 68.
Kf5 Qf8+ 69. Ke4 Qb4+ 70. Kf3 Qc3+ 71. Qe3 Qf6+ 72. Kg3 Qd6+ 73. Kh4 c5 74. g5
Qh2+ 75. Kg4 Qg2+ 76. Kf5 Qd5+ 77. Kf6 Qd6+ 78. Qe6 Qd4+ 79. Ke7 $1 {[%csl Rh7]
Both young players showed a very high level of play, but this time Levon was
better and deservedly won. The opening line requires further tests although, I
believe, White maintains a slight edge.} (79. Ke7 $1 {and Black resigned not
waiting for} Qg7+ 80. Qf7 $1 c4 81. h6 $1 Qxf7+ 82. Kxf7 c3 83. g6+ Kxh6 84. g7
c2 85. g8=Q c1=Q 86. Qg6#) 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.02.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 Bb7 4. Bg2 c5 5. O-O g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4
d6 9. Be3 Nbd7 10. Rac1 Rc8 11. b3 a6 12. Rfd1 O-O 13. Qd2 {White keeps his Q
centralized and temporarily abandons his >> ambitions by refraining from the
currently more topical line} (13. Qh4 Rc7 14. g4 h6 15. Bxh6 $5 $146 Bxh6 16.
Qxh6 Nxg4 17. Qh4 Ngf6 18. Qh6 Ng4 19. Qh4 Ngf6 20. Nd5 (20. Qh6 {1/2,Vallejo
Pons,F-Aronian,L/Morelia/Linares 2006/}) 20... Nxd5 21. cxd5 Nf6 22. e4 a5 (
22... Kg7 $5 23. Nd4 Rh8 24. Qg3 $14 {()}) 23. Qh6 Ng4 24. Qh4 Nf6 25. Qh6 Ng4
26. Qg5 Nf6 27. Nd4 $36 Rc5 $2 28. Rxc5 bxc5 29. Ne6 $1 {1-0,Bu
Xiangzhi-Shchekachev,A/Moscow Aeroflot/2006/}) 13... Ne4 $146 {This
simplifying manoeuvre doesn't seem ideal, as it furthers White's plans of
fighting for the d5-square. Black should try to improve his pieces and prepare
the typical Hedgehog move e6, a good example of this is Chuchelov-Nikolic
below:} (13... Re8 14. Bh3 Qc7 $5 (14... Rc7 15. Ne1 (15. Bh6 Rc5 16. Bxg7 Kxg7
17. Qd4 Qc7 (17... Kg8 18. e4 Rh5 $6 19. Bg2 Qa8 20. Nd5 Nxd5 21. cxd5 {
[%csl Rh5] צh5} e5 22. Qd2 f5 23. Nh4 fxe4 24. Bxe4 Rf8 25. Nxg6 Rf7 26. Nh4
Nc5 27. f3 $16 {Maric,A-Muresan,M/Thessaloniki olw/1988/}) 18. e4 Kg8 19. Qe3
Qb8 20. Nd5 b5 $1 21. cxb5 axb5 22. Nxf6+ Nxf6 23. Rxc5 dxc5 24. Qxc5 Nxe4 25.
Qe3 Rd8 26. Rd4 Qa8 $11 {1/2,Gulko,B-Grischuk,A/WChT Beersheba/2005/}) 15...
Qb8 16. Nc2 Ba8 (16... Bf8 $142 $5 {/\e6<=>}) 17. Nb4 Qb7 18. f3 e6 19. Bf4
Rcc8 20. Bxd6 b5 21. cxb5 axb5 22. e4 Red8 23. Qe3 Nf8 {Shchekachev,A-Lautier,
J/Dordrecht 5'/2001/} 24. Rd3 Ne8 25. Bc5 $16) 15. Ne1 Qb8 16. Nc2 Red8 17. Nb4
e6 $1 18. Bf4 Ne5 19. Qe3 Ba8 20. f3 Nc6 21. Nxc6 Rxc6 22. a4 Qb7 23. Rd3 d5
$132 {Chuchelov,V-Nikolic,P/EU-ch Ohrid/2001/}) (13... Nc5 14. Bh3 Rb8 15. Nd4
Nce4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Qe1 Qc7 18. b4 h6 19. f3 Ng5 20. Bg2 $14 e5 $6 21. Nb3
f5 22. c5 dxc5 23. bxc5 b5 24. Qa5 Rbc8 25. Rd6 f4 26. Qxc7 Rxc7 27. gxf4 exf4
28. Bd2 Nf7 29. Bxf4 $16 {Shchekachev,A-Cabrilo,G/Ulcinj/1997/}) 14. Nxe4 Bxe4
15. Ne1 (15. Bh3 $5 Rb8 16. Ne1 $14 {/\} b5 $2 17. c5 Nxc5 18. Bxc5 dxc5 19.
Qf4 $18) 15... Nf6 $6 (15... Bxg2 $142 16. Nxg2 Nf6 $11 (16... b5 17. cxb5 axb5
18. Qb4 Ra8 19. Rd2 Qa5 20. Qxa5 Rxa5 21. Rc7 Rd8 22. Rdc2 $14)) 16. Bh3 $1 Rb8
17. Nd3 Ba8 (17... Bb7 {[%csl Rb6] takes the sting out of a future Nb4, but
leaves the ><b6 vulnerable.}) 18. f3 $1 $14 {[%mdl 32] An excellent strategic
move, which limits 2 black minor pieces simultaneously - the Nf6 and the Ba8.}
e6 19. Bf2 {Useful prophylaxis. It's still too early for the concrete} (19. Nb4
a5 20. Na6 Rb7 $1 21. c5 (21. Qxd6 $3 Rd7 $19) 21... Ra7 22. Qd3 Nd5 $15) 19...
Re8 $2 (19... d5 20. c5 (20. cxd5 {[%cal Ye2e4] /\e4()[+]}) 20... bxc5 21. Nxc5
$36) (19... Qc7 $2 20. Nb4 $18 {wins a P for nothing, but better and probably
even necessary was}) (19... Bb7 $142 $14 {[%cal Yd8c7] /\Qc7}) 20. Nb4 $1 {
[%mdl 64]} ({Instead of the sedate} 20. e4 $14 {Ivanchuk plays a concrete line,
as the tactics work out in his favour.}) 20... a5 21. Na6 Rc8 (21... Rb7 22. c5
Ra7 (22... bxc5 23. Nxc5 Rb6 24. Qxa5 $16) 23. Qd3 $36 bxc5 (23... Bb7 24. Nc7
$1 $18) 24. Nxc5 $16) 22. Qxd6 Qxd6 23. Rxd6 $16 {/+-} Nd5 24. Rd1 $6 {This
allows Black to gain an important tempo and confuse the issue.} (24. Re1 $142
Be5 25. Rd7 Bc6 26. Ra7 Nb4 (26... Nc3 27. Bxb6 Nxa2 28. Nc7 Re7 29. Nb5 $1 $18
{Korotylev}) 27. Nxb4 axb4 28. Bxb6 Ra8 29. Rd1 $5 $16 {/+- Ivanchuk}) 24...
Nc3 25. R1d2 b5 26. Rd7 (26. cxb5 $5 Nxb5 27. Rb6 $16) 26... Be5 (26... bxc4
$142 27. Nc7 Rf8 28. Bc5 cxb3 29. axb3 Bh6 $14) 27. cxb5 Nxb5 28. Bf1 Bc6 29.
R7d3 Na3 30. f4 Bf6 31. Nc5 Be7 32. Rd1 Nb5 33. Na4 $138 (33. Rc1 $142 $16)
33... Be4 34. Rd7 Bb4 (34... Bc6 $142 $1 35. R7d2 Bb4 36. Rc2 Be4 $14 {<=>})
35. Bg2 $5 {Exchanges the active B and allows Ivanchuk to coordinate his R.}
Bxg2 36. Kxg2 Rc2 37. Rb7 Na3 38. Rdd7 Rf8 39. Kf3 Nb1 (39... Rxa2 40. Nc5 Nb1
(40... Rb2 41. Nxe6 Rxb3+ 42. Kg2 Re8 43. Nd4 $18) 41. Nxe6 $1 $16) 40. Be3
Rxa2 41. Bc5 (41. Nc5 Nd2+ 42. Bxd2 Bxc5 $14) 41... Nd2+ 42. Kg2 Bxc5 43. Nxc5
e5 $2 ({Although White has improved his position, the game is still not
decided after} 43... Nb1 $142 $8 44. Kf3 Nd2+ 45. Kf2 Rc8 $1 46. Nd3 Rf8 $16)
44. Ne6 $1 exf4 (44... Re8 45. Re7 $1 $18) 45. Rxf7 $1 (45. Rxf7 Rxf7 46. Rb8+
Rf8 47. Rxf8#) 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.02.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E55"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "246"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 c5 6. Nf3 d5 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4
Nbd7 9. a3 cxd4 10. axb4 dxc3 11. bxc3 Qc7 12. Be2 Nd5 13. Bd3 Qxc3 14. Ra3 Qf6
15. Qc2 h6 16. b5 Nb4 17. Bh7+ Kh8 18. Qb1 a5 19. Be4 Nc5 20. Bd2 Bd7 21. Bxb4
axb4 22. Qxb4 Rxa3 {#One important facet of Topalov's style of play is the
ease with which he can sacrifice the exchange, for the most varied purposes,
be them of defensive or aggressive nature. He did that quite frequently in San
Luis and none less than twice in his previous game against Aronian in Wijk aan
Zee earlier this year. In this game we shall see the players changing parts:
it will be Aronian who will give up both his rooks for Topalov's minor pieces.
Besides the natural desire to take a bit of revenge on this territory, this
might look like a tribute payed to the greatest expert of exchange sacrifice
from chess history, Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian, who was Armenian, too.
Aronian's decision in the diagrammed position must have been dictated by the
unwillingness of leaving Black with a strong knight on c5, but is not likely
to offer an objective advantage.} 23. Qxc5 Rfa8 24. Ne5 (24. Bxb7 {would have
ed to more interesting play. After the game continuation it will be only Black
who can play for an advantage.}) 24... b6 ({Obviously playing for a win. Black
would have no chances of breaking White's fortress after} 24... Bxb5 25. Qxb5
R3a5 26. Nxf7+ Qxf7 27. Qxb7) 25. Qc7 Bxb5 {Topalov needed only three moves to
get the score even. White has to capture the a8-rook, of course.} 26. Bxa8 Rxa8
27. Rd1 {This was not a good moment for leaving the rook en prise, since this
would have weakened the back rank in a decisive way. Aronian will have to wait
for 10 more moves until he will be given an opportunity to trade his rook for
Black's remaining minor piece. Otherwise, Black is much better now. White's
king is relatively unsafe, while his pieces lack stability. The extra-pawn is
more or less doomed, but the time spent by White on eliminating itwill allow
Black start a dangerous attack.} Ba4 28. Rd4 Be8 29. g3 ({White needs to keep
his rook on an active square, in order to threaten the f7-pawn. In case of} 29.
Rd1 {Black could consolidate his pawn already with} b5) 29... Kh7 30. Kg2 ({
The point behind Black's previous move is that after} 30. Rf4 Qd8 31. Qxd8 Rxd8
{White captures on f7 without check,} 32. Nxf7 {allowing} Rd1+ 33. Kg2 g5 34.
Rf6 Kg7 {trapping the knight.}) 30... Ra5 31. Nc4 Ra2 32. Rf4 Qc3 33. Qxb6 Ra1
34. Qb7 Qc1 35. Kh3 {#} f6 $2 ({The correct idea carried out in a bad form.
Topalov prepares the activation of his bishop through g6, in order to give
even more force to his attack. In doing so, he might have missed White's next
move (since 37.Rxg6 should be just too natural for him). Before weakening the
seventh rank, he should have played} 35... Rb1 {when the queen would have been
forced to abandon the seventh rank, in order to maintain the g2-square under
observation. After that, Black could have safely played 36...f6, or, in some
cases, even 36...f5 as, for instance, after} 36. Qe4+ {, in order to play ...
g5 next. Lowering of concentration in practically won positions tend to occur
from times to times in Topalov's practice, especially when the opponent puts
up resistance in slightly irrational positions. Two recent examples are
Topalov-Leko Linares 2005 and Topalov-Anand San Luis 2005. The main difference
is that in the previous games he never got into danger of losing, which cannot
be said about the present game.}) 36. Rg4 Bg6 37. Rxg6 $1 {The score stands
2-1 for Aronian now and, what is even more important, the black king starts
feeling very unsafe.} Kxg6 38. Qe4+ Kf7 39. Nd6+ Ke7 40. Nf5+ Kd7 ({This is
not playing for a win already. In case of} 40... Kf7 $2 {, apart from giving
perpetual check, White can mate with} 41. Qb7+) 41. Nxg7 Qf1+ 42. Kh4 Qxf2 43.
Qxe6+ Kc7 44. Qc4+ Kb7 {Sad necessity. The king has to exile himself far from
his few remaining pawns, since crossing the d-file back would lose the rook to
Qd4.} 45. Qe4+ Kb8 46. Qf4+ Qxf4+ 47. exf4 {The endgame looks very dangerous
for Black, whose king is quite far from the main theatre of events.} Ra2 48. h3
Kc8 49. Kh5 Ra3 50. Nf5 Kd7 51. Kxh6 Ke6 52. Kg6 Ra5 53. Ng7+ Ke7 54. h4 Ra6
55. Nh5 ({White does not find the best regroupment.} 55. Nf5+ Kf8 56. g4 {
would have posed more problems, for instance} Ra4 ({passive strategy would
fail after} 56... Rb6 57. Ng3 Ra6 58. Nh5 Ke7 59. f5 {followed by Kg7 and g5.})
57. Ng7 f5 $5 {Same trick as in the game, but in a worse situation.} 58. Ne6+
Ke7 59. gxf5 {and White might be winning already.}) 55... Ra8 56. Ng7 Ra6 57.
g4 {#} f5+ $3 {The saving move. Black needs open ranks in order to harrass the
enemy king. White will soon have to give up one of his pawns, leading to a
drawn position according to the Nalimov Tablebases. Topalov defended
accurately for more than 60 moves, even though in some cases he had to play
only moves.} 58. Kxf5 Kf7 59. Nh5 Ra5+ 60. Ke4 Ra3 61. g5 Rh3 62. Kf5 Rxh4 63.
g6+ Kg8 64. Kg5 Rh1 65. Nf6+ Kf8 66. Nh5 Rg1+ 67. Kh6 Rh1 68. f5 Kg8 69. Kg5
Rg1+ 70. Kf6 Rg4 71. Ng7 Ra4 72. Ne6 Ra5 73. Nc7 Kf8 74. Ke6 Ra7 75. Nb5 Re7+
76. Kf6 Rd7 77. Nc3 Rd6+ 78. Kg5 Kg7 79. Nb5 Rd5 80. Nc7 Re5 81. Ne6+ Kg8 82.
Kf6 Ra5 83. Nc7 Rc5 84. Ne8 Rc1 85. Nd6 Kf8 86. Ne4 Rc6+ 87. Kg5 Rc4 88. Ng3
Rc3 89. Ne4 Rc4 90. Nf6 Rc1 91. Nd7+ Kg8 92. f6 {#} Rf1 $1 {Once the pawns
have advanced to the sixth rank, this is the correct defensive method: the
rook has to watch the events "from behind".} 93. Ne5 Rg1+ 94. Kf5 Rf1+ 95. Ke6
Re1 96. Kd6 Re2 97. Nc6 Rg2 98. Ke6 Re2+ 99. Kd7 Kf8 100. Kd6 Rg2 101. Ne5 Rd2+
102. Ke6 Re2 103. Kf5 Rf2+ 104. Kg5 Rg2+ 105. Kh4 Rf2 106. Ng4 Rg2 107. Ne5 Rf2
108. Kg5 Rg2+ 109. Kf4 Rf2+ 110. Nf3 Rf1 111. Ke3 Kg8 112. Kf4 Kf8 113. Ke4 Kg8
114. Ke3 Ra1 115. Kf4 Rf1 116. Kg4 Rf2 117. Kg3 Rf1 118. Kf4 Rf2 119. Ke4 Rf1
120. Ke3 Ra1 121. Kd4 Rf1 122. Ke4 Rf2 123. g7 Rg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.02.22"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2650"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4
d6 {Without fearing any ghosts, Aronian repeats the variation that led him to
defeat against Ivanchuk.} 9. Be3 Nbd7 10. Rac1 Rc8 11. b3 a6 12. Rfd1 O-O 13.
Qh4 Rc7 {#} 14. g4 ({White usually advances the g-pawn only after
over-defending the g4-square:} 14. Bh3 Qb8 15. g4) 14... h6 $1 {Now, this calm
moves puts a stop to White's king side activity.} 15. Bxh6 Bxh6 16. Qxh6 Nxg4
17. Qh4 Ngf6 18. Qh6 {The threat Rd4-h4 forces Black to agree to a draw by
repetition.} Ng4 19. Qh4 Ngf6 20. Qh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.02.23"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D80"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Ne4 5. Bh4 c5 6. cxd5 Nxc3 7. bxc3 Qxd5 8.
e3 cxd4 9. Qxd4 Qxd4 10. cxd4 e6 11. Rb1 Be7 12. Bxe7 {The simplest course for
White in this system. He hopes to make use of his "better" bishop and pawn
advantage in the centre.} Kxe7 {[%mdl 4096]} 13. Bd3 (13. Nf3 Nc6 14. Bb5 Bd7
15. Kd2 Rhc8 16. Rhc1 f6 17. e4 Na5 18. Bxd7 {1/2-1/2 Ogaard,L-Spiridonov,N/
Pernik 1976/EXT 99}) (13. g3 $5 {is an interesting plan introduced by GM Igor
Khenkin back in the 80s. The white bishop is quite strong on the long diagonal
and Black must defend accurately:} Nd7 (13... Nc6 14. Bg2 Kd6 15. Nf3 h6 16.
Ke2 Rb8 17. Rhc1 b6 $4 (17... Bd7 18. Nd2 $1) 18. Rxc6+ Kxc6 19. Ne5+ Kd6 20.
Nxf7+ Kd7 21. Nxh8 Ba6+ 22. Ke1 Rxh8 23. Rc1 g5 24. Rc3 Bc8 25. d5 Kd6 26. Rc6+
Ke7 27. Bh3 {1-0 De Vries,S-Jacquet,I/Dieren 1991/EXT 2000}) 14. Bg2 Rb8 15.
Rc1 (15. Ne2 b6 16. Kd2 Ba6 17. Rhc1 Rbc8 18. f4 f5 19. Rxc8 Rxc8 20. Nc3 Nf6
$11 {1/2-1/2 Serper,G-Semeniuk,A/Novosibirsk 1989/TD (41)}) 15... Nf6 (15... a5
$6 16. Kd2 Rd8 17. Ne2 b6 18. Rc7 Ba6 19. Nc3 Kf8 20. f4 Nf6 21. Rb1 b5 22. Ra7
Rd6 23. Rc1 $16 {1-0 Khenkin,I-Yuferov,S/Belgorod 1989/TD (59)}) 16. Nf3 Bd7
17. Ne5 Rhc8 18. Kd2 b6 19. Bc6 Ke8 20. Nxd7 Nxd7 21. h4 Ke7 22. h5 Nf6 23.
hxg6 hxg6 24. Bf3 Kd7 {1/2-1/2 Thiele,M-Olthof,R/Netherlands 1995/EXT 99})
13... Nc6 (13... Nd7 $142 {. That position of the knight may look passive but,
as we'll see, it will have even less prospects on c6 and badly disturb the
other black pieces. For 13...Nd7 here are some examples:} 14. Nf3 b6 15. Be4 (
15. Ke2 Bb7 16. Rhc1 Rac8 17. g3 Rxc1 18. Rxc1 Rc8 19. Rxc8 Bxc8 20. g4 h6 21.
h4 Bb7 22. g5 hxg5 23. hxg5 Bd5 24. a3 Bc6 $11 {1/2-1/2 Rustemov,A-Yuferov,S/
Moscow RUS 2006/The Week in Chess 596 (61)}) 15... Rb8 16. Kd2 Ba6 17. Rhc1
Rbc8 18. h3 Rxc1 19. Rxc1 Rc8 20. Rxc8 Bxc8 21. g4 h6 22. Bc6 g5 23. e4 Kd6 24.
Bb5 Bb7 25. Ke3 f6 26. h4 a6 $11 {1-0 Klimov,S-Rutman,A/St Petersburg 1998/EXT
99 (51)}) 14. Nf3 b6 15. Ke2 Bb7 16. Rhc1 Rhc8 17. g4 h6 18. h4 {White has
started active play on the k-side; meanwhile, what can Black do with his c6
knight?} Na5 (18... Rc7 {would not change much:} 19. Rc2 Rac8 20. Rbc1 Kd6 21.
a3 {depriving the knight of the b4 square.}) 19. g5 hxg5 20. hxg5 Rxc1 (20...
Bxf3+ 21. Kxf3 Kd6 {was another option. Black should hold on.}) 21. Rxc1 Rc8
22. Rxc8 Bxc8 23. Ne5 Bb7 24. a3 Nc6 25. Ng4 Nb8 26. Kd2 Bc6 27. Kc3 Nd7 {
At last, this knight has taken the right square.} 28. f4 a5 29. e4 b5 (29... f5
{was apparently enough for a draw.} 30. gxf6+ (30. exf5 exf5 31. Ne5 Nxe5 32.
dxe5 Ke6 33. Bc4+ Ke7 34. Kd4 Bd7 {-cf.game}) 30... Nxf6 31. Nxf6 Kxf6 {
No breakthrough is possible here.}) 30. Bc2 f5 $6 {Black aims for a "clearly
drawn" position, which turns out to be lost. A typical psychological mistake
in defense!} 31. exf5 $1 exf5 $2 (31... gxf5 {, giving White a protected
passed pawn, doesn't look attractive but may allow Black to survive:} 32. Ne5
Be4 $1 (32... Nxe5 $2 33. dxe5 b4+ 34. axb4 axb4+ 35. Kxb4 Be8 {loses to the
following plan: K-h4,B-h5 (providing the advance of the g-pawn), then K back
to c5, then in a position like Kc5,Bh5-Ke7,Bb3 (pawns like now) there follows
1.g6 Kf8 2.Be2 and 3.Bc4 winning the e6 pawn or transposing into a winning
pawn ending.}) 33. Bxe4 (33. Bb3 Nb6 {[%cal Ye4d5]}) 33... fxe4 34. Nc6+ Kf7
35. Nxa5 Nb6) 32. Ne5 Nxe5 33. dxe5 b4+ {This will be forced anyway.} 34. axb4
axb4+ 35. Kxb4 Bd7 36. Bb3 Bc6 37. Kc5 Be8 $4 {A blunder leading to an
immediate end of the game but Black was doomed anyway:} (37... Bf3 38. Bg8 Be2
(38... Kf8 39. Bd5 $18) 39. e6 Bf3 40. Bf7 Be4 41. Bxg6 Kxe6 42. Bh5 Bg2 43.
Be2 Kf7 44. Kd4 Kg6 45. Bd3 Bf3 (45... Bc6 46. Ke5 Bd7 47. Bc2 Bc8 48. Ba4 $22
Kg7 49. Bb3 Kg6 50. Be6 $18) 46. Ke5 Bg4 47. Bc2 Bh3 48. Ba4 Bg4 49. Bd7 $22
Bh3 50. Be8+ Kg7 51. Bh5 $18) 38. e6 $22 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.02.25"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3
d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Rc8 {#} 13. Re1 ({A
relatively rare move compared to the highly topical} 13. e4 {. By delaying
concrete action in the centre, White aims for a quiet course of events.}) 13...
c5 ({Black immediately takes advantage of the fact that he was practically
been given a free tempo for action in the centre. Compared with the main line,
starting with 13.e4,} 13... b5 $6 {makes little sense now, because of} 14. c5 {
blocking the position and leaving the a6-bishop terribly misplaced, since
there would be no target on the f1-a6 in connection with the thematic ...b4})
14. cxd5 exd5 15. Rc1 Nf6 16. e3 Bb7 17. Rc2 {#Not wishing to wait until his
hanging pawns will be submitted to strong pressure, Leko prefers to switch to
a isolani-structure. The fact that the white knight is far from the d4-square
certainly favours Black. Besides, the exchange of one pair of rooks is
inevitable, which is always a relief for the side having an isolated pawn.}
cxd4 $5 18. Bxd4 Qd7 19. Rxc8 Rxc8 20. Qb1 h5 21. Rd1 Qe6 22. Rc1 g6 23. h3
Rxc1+ 24. Qxc1 Qc6 25. Qb1 Ne4 26. Nf3 Ba3 27. Be5 Qc1+ 28. Qxc1 Bxc1 29. a4
Ba3 30. Bb8 a6 31. Ne5 Be7 32. Bc7 b5 33. axb5 axb5 34. Ba5 Bd6 35. Nd3 Kf8 36.
Bb4 Ke7 37. Bxd6+ Kxd6 {White has achieved the generally desirable exchange of
the dark-squared bishops, but in the meanwhile Black has activated his king.}
38. b4 {Creating a barrier in front of the king, but weakening the b-pawn.} Bc8
39. Ne1 Nc3 40. Nc2 Na2 41. Bf1 Bf5 42. Nd4 {#Finally, the knight hass
occupied this optimal square, but this is more of a warranty for maintaining
equality than a chance for advantage.} Bd7 43. Nxb5+ Bxb5 44. Bxb5 Nxb4 45. Kg2
Na2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.02.26"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Gavrikov,V"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 1]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 Ne4 6. Qd3 Qa5 ({
This queen sortie is more popular after} 6... cxd4 7. Nxd4 {-} Qa5 {although
is also good without exchange on d4 and allows Black even easier to solve
opening problems.}) 7. Qxe4 Bxc3+ 8. Bd2 Bxd2+ 9. Nxd2 Nc6 10. dxc5 ({Earlier
Bacrot continued} 10. d5 Nd4 11. Kd1 (11. Bg2 $142 Nb3 $1 12. Rd1 Qxa2 13. O-O
Qxb2 14. Nxb3 Qxb3 15. dxe6 dxe6 16. Qe5 O-O 17. Qxc5 e5 18. Rb1 Qa2 $11 {
1/2-1/2 Tisdall,J-Fossan,E/Gausdal 1992/CBM 028 ext (27)}) 11... Nf5 12. e3 Qc7
$1 13. Bd3 Ne7 14. dxe6 dxe6 15. Kc2 e5 {but could not be satisfied with
resulting position, 1/2-1/2 Bacrot,E-Bogdanovski,V/Chalkidiki 2002/CBM 092 (30)
}) 10... b6 $5 ({Sufficient for equality is} 10... Qxc5 11. Bg2 b6 12. O-O Bb7
13. Nb3 Qe7 14. Qf4 O-O {1/2-1/2 Van Wely,L-Van der Wiel,J/Rotterdam 1990/EXT
2002 (50)}) 11. Bg2 (11. cxb6 Bb7 12. f3 Qxb6 $44) 11... Bb7 12. Qf4 bxc5 $6 ({
Better is} 12... Qxc5 13. a3 O-O 14. Ne4 Qd4 15. Nc3 Qxf4 16. gxf4 Na5 17. Bxb7
Nxb7 18. O-O-O Rfd8 $11 {1/2-1/2 Lautier,J-Guyot,P/Rouen 1987/EXT 97 (40)}) 13.
Qd6 ({In my opinion more unpleasant for Black is the continuation} 13. O-O $1
Nd4 14. Qg5 Nxe2+ 15. Kh1 Bxg2+ 16. Kxg2 O-O 17. Nb3 Qb4 18. Qxc5 Qxc5 19. Nxc5
Rfc8 20. Nb3 Rxc4 21. Rfd1 Rc2 22. Rab1 e5 23. Kf3 $5 {[%cal Gb3a1]} (23. Rxd7
h6 24. Kf1 Nd4 25. Nxd4 exd4 26. Rxd4 {1/2-1/2 Bacrot,E-Sokolov,A/Germany 2004/
CBM 100 (47)} Re8 $11) 23... Rb8 24. Rxd7 f5 {and now deserves attention} 25.
Rxa7 $5 ({not} 25. Re1 $6 g5 $1 $132 {1/2-1/2 Bacrot,E-Volokitin,A/Moscow 2004/
CBM 100 (52)} 26. Rxe2 $140 $2 e4+ 27. Ke3 f4+) 25... e4+ 26. Kg2 {with the
idea Rd1-Rdd7.}) 13... Qb6 ({Simpler was to neutralize the pressure along
diagonal h1-a8 by} 13... Nd8 14. O-O Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Nb7 16. Qd3 Qc7 17. Rad1 O-O
18. Ne4 d6 19. Ng5 g6 {with equal play, 1/2-1/2 Christensen,N-Lechtynsky,J/
Bayern 1998/EXT 2000 (34)}) 14. Ne4 (14. O-O-O Na5 15. Qxb6 axb6 16. Bxb7 Nxb7
$11) 14... Nd4 $5 $146 {An interesting tactical idea.} ({The text is an
improvement in comparison with} 14... Qb4+ $6 {because of} 15. Kf1 $1 (15. Qd2
$6 Ke7 $11 {1/2-1/2 Priehoda,V-Hiebel,J/Germany 1994/GER (23)}) 15... Qxb2 16.
Re1 Ne5 ({worse is} 16... Ne7 $6 17. Nxc5 Bc6 18. Bxc6 dxc6 19. Rd1 Qb8 20.
Qd7+ Kf8 21. Kg2) 17. Qxc5 Bxe4 18. Bxe4 d6 $8 (18... Rd8 $4 19. Rb1 Qc3 20.
Rb3 Qa1+ 21. Kg2 Qxa2 22. Ra3 Qb2 23. Rb1 $18) 19. Qxd6 Rd8 20. Bc6+ Nxc6 21.
Qxc6+ Rd7 22. Kg2 $16) 15. Qxb6 axb6 16. Nd6+ Ke7 17. Bxb7 ({White has no real
winning chances in case of} 17. Nxb7 Nc2+ 18. Kd2 Nxa1 19. Rxa1 Ra7 20. a4 Rc8
$1 (20... Rb8 $143 21. a5 Rbxb7 22. Bxb7 Rxb7 23. a6 Ra7 24. Kc3 {[%cal Gb2b4]}
) 21. a5 bxa5 22. Rxa5 (22. Nxa5 Ke8 23. Kc3 Rb8) 22... Rxa5 23. Nxa5 Rb8)
17... Nc2+ 18. Kd2 Nxa1 19. Nxf7 $1 Rxa2 $1 {The best.} (19... Kxf7 20. Bxa8
Rxa8 21. Rxa1 $16) 20. Nxh8 Rxb2+ 21. Kd3 Rb3+ 22. Ke4 {[%csl Rh8]} ({Black
has sufficient compensation for the piece because White´s knight on h8 is
trapped. Therefore was more reasonable to accept the perpetual check after} 22.
Kd2 Rb2+ 23. Kd3 Rb3+ {.}) 22... Nc2 23. e3 {Preventing Nd4.} (23. Rc1 Na3 (
23... Nd4 $5) 24. Ba6 {allows to win back the pice by} b5 $1 25. cxb5 Nxb5 26.
Rxc5 Nd6+ 27. Kd4 Rb8 $11) ({and if} 23. Rd1 {then} Rc3 $1 ({not} 23... b5 $2
24. Bc8 d6 25. Nf7 $1 Kxf7 26. Rxd6 Rb2 27. cxb5 $1 $16) 24. Ba6 (24. Rc1 $6
Kf6 $1) 24... Nb4 25. Ra1 (25. Bb5 $6 d5+ 26. Ke5 Ra3 {[%cal Ga3a8]}) 25...
Nxa6 26. Rxa6 Rxc4+ 27. Kd3 b5 {with adequate counterplay.}) 23... b5 $5 {
[%cal Gb3b7,Gb7b8,Gb8h8]} ({Also possible was} 23... Na3 24. Ba6 b5 25. cxb5
Nxb5 26. Rc1 $140 (26. Bxb5 $143 Rxb5 27. Rc1 Kf6 $5 {[%csl Rh8]}) 26... Nd6+
27. Kf3 Rb8 28. Rxc5 Rxh8 $11) 24. Kf4 {Planning Be4.} ({In Black´s favour is} 
24. cxb5 Rxb5 25. Rc1 Nb4 26. Bc8 Nc6) 24... bxc4 ({Stronger looks} 24... Rb4
$1 25. Be4 Rxc4 26. Kf3 g6 27. Bd3 $140 $2 Rc3 28. Bxb5 $4 Nd4+) 25. Be4 Nb4
26. Bxh7 Nd3+ 27. Kg5 $5 ({To the draw leads} 27. Bxd3 cxd3 28. h4 Kf6 (28...
c4 $2 29. Ng6+ Kf6 30. Ne5 $16) 29. e4 (29. h5 $143 $6 c4) 29... e5+ 30. Ke3
Rb8 31. Kxd3 Rxh8 32. Kc4 Ke6 $1 (32... d6 $143 33. Kd5) 33. Kxc5 Rc8+ 34. Kb4
Rc2 35. Rf1 g6 $1 36. Kb3 Re2 37. f3 Rg2 38. g4 Rh2) 27... Nxf2 28. Rf1 Rb2 29.
h4 (29. Ng6+ Kd6 30. Nf4 Ke5 $132) 29... d5 30. Ra1 Kd7 $2 {A waste of
important time.} ({Correct was the immediate} 30... c3 $1 {with perpetual
check after} 31. Ng6+ Kd6 32. Ra6+ Kd7 33. Ne5+ Ke7 34. Ra7+ (34. Kf4 c4 $1 $44
) 34... Kd6 35. Nf7+ Kc6 36. Nd8+ Kd6 37. Nf7+) 31. Nf7 c3 32. Kg6 {Intending
to create a passed pawn which will cost Black another piece.} Ng4 $6 (32... Re2
$142 33. Kxg7 Rxe3 34. h5 (34. Rg1 $6 d4) 34... Rxg3+ 35. Bg6 Ng4 36. h6 Nxh6
37. Kxh6 $16) 33. Rg1 $5 {Played against possible Rg2.} (33. Kxg7 Rg2 34. h5
Rxg3 35. Bg6 $16) 33... Re2 ({Worse is} 33... Rd2 34. Kxg7 c2 (34... Nxe3 35.
h5 c2 36. Bxc2 Rxc2 37. g4 $1 Ke7 38. h6 Rh2 39. Ne5) 35. Rc1 Nxe3 36. h5 Rd1
37. Rxc2 Nxc2 38. Bxc2 Rg1 39. h6 Rxg3+ 40. Bg6 Rh3 41. h7 Rxh7+ 42. Bxh7 $18)
({or} 33... Rh2 34. Kxg7 Nxe3 35. Bg6 c2 36. h5) 34. Kxg7 Rxe3 35. h5 d4 36. h6
c4 $2 ({The only possibility to continue the fight was} 36... Nxh6 37. Nxh6 Kd6
(37... c4 $2 38. Ng4 Re2 39. Rd1 e5 40. Kf6 Kd6 41. Nxe5 $18)) 37. Bc2 $2 ({
Missing an easy win} 37. Rd1 $1 Rxg3 (37... d3 38. Bxd3 cxd3 39. h7 c2 40. Ra1
Rxg3 41. h8=Q Ne5+ 42. Kf6 Ng4+ 43. Kg5 Ne5+ 44. Kf4 Ng6+ 45. Kxg3 Nxh8 46.
Ne5+ Kd6 47. Nxd3 $18) 38. Rxd4+ Kc6 39. Rxc4+ Kd5 40. Ra4) 37... Nxh6 {
Now Black is out of danger.} 38. Nxh6 ({In case of} 38. Ba4+ {was possible} Kc7
$5 39. Nxh6 d3 40. g4 Kb6 41. g5 Ka5 42. Ra1 Kb4 43. g6 c2 {threatening Re1!})
38... d3 39. Ba4+ Kd6 40. g4 Kc5 {[%cal Gc5b4]} 41. g5 ({Wrong is} 41. Kf6 $2
Kb4 42. Ra1 c2 43. Bxc2 (43. g5 Re1 $1 44. Rxe1 d2 $19) 43... dxc2 44. g5 Kb3
45. g6 Kb2 46. Rf1 c1=Q $1 (46... Rf3+ $2 47. Rxf3 c1=Q 48. Nf7 $132) 47. Rxc1
Kxc1 48. Ng4 (48. Nf7 Rf3+ 49. Kxe6 c3 $19) 48... Rg3 $1 49. Kg5 Ra3 $1 50. g7
Ra8 51. Kf6 c3 52. Ne3 Kd2 53. Nc4+ Kd3 54. Na3 Rg8 $1 55. Kf7 Rxg7+ 56. Kxg7
e5 {winning.}) 41... Kb4 42. Ng4 $1 Re4 ({White saves himself after both} 42...
Rf3 43. Ra1 Rg3 (43... c2 44. g6 $132) 44. Ne5 Rxg5+ 45. Kf6 Rh5 46. Kxe6 c2
47. Bxc2 dxc2 48. Rc1 Rh2 (48... Kc3 49. Nxc4 $11) 49. Nf3 Rg2 (49... Rf2 50.
Nd4 Kc3 51. Kd5 $11) 50. Kd5 Kc3 51. Ne1 Rd2+ 52. Kc5 Kb3 53. Nxc2 (53. Rxc2 c3
) 53... Kb2 54. Nd4 Kxc1 55. Kxc4 $11) ({and} 42... Re2 43. Ra1 c2 {[%cal
Ge2e1]} 44. Bxc2 Rxc2 45. g6 d2 46. Rb1+ Ka4 (46... Ka3 47. Ne3 Rc1 48. Nxc4+
Rxc4 49. Rd1 Rd4 50. Kf6 $11) (46... Kc3 47. Nf2 Rc1 48. Ne4+ Kc2 49. Nxd2 Rxb1
50. Nxb1 Kxb1 51. Kf6 $11) 47. Ne3 Rc1 48. Nxc4 d1=Q 49. Nb2+ Kb4 50. Nxd1+
Rxb1 51. Ne3 Kc3 52. Kf7 Rg1 53. g7 Kd3 54. Nd1 $11) 43. Nf6 $2 {The decisive
mistake.} ({Instead} 43. g6 $1 Kxa4 44. Kf7 d2 ({or} 44... c2 45. g7 d2 46.
g8=Q c1=Q 47. Qa8+ Kb4 48. Qb7+ Ka5 49. Qa7+ $11) 45. g7 d1=Q 46. g8=Q $1 ({not
} 46. Rxd1 $2 Rxg4 $19) 46... Qxg1 47. Qa8+ Kb3 48. Qb7+ Ka3 49. Qa8+ Kb2 50.
Qb7+ Kc1 51. Qxe4 c2 52. Ne3 {(that is why was necessary to keep the knight on
g4)} Qf2+ 53. Kxe6 Qe2 54. Ke5 {allowed to neutralize opponent´s passed pawns
with draw e.g.} Kb1 55. Qb7+ Ka2 56. Qa7+ Kb2 57. Qd4+ Kb1 58. Qb6+ Kc1 59. Qd4
$11) 43... Re5 44. Bd1 ({To the lost queen ending leads} 44. g6 Kxa4 45. Kf7
Rb5 $1 46. Ne4 (46. Ra1+ Kb4 47. g7 Rb7+ 48. Kf8 Rxg7 49. Kxg7 c2 50. Ne4 c3
$19) 46... c2 47. Nc3+ (47. g7 Rb7+ 48. Kf6 Rb8 49. Kxe6 Kb3 50. Kf7 Kb2 51.
Nd6 c3 52. Nc4+ Ka2 $1 $19) 47... Kb4 48. Nxb5 d2 49. g7 d1=Q 50. g8=Q c1=Q 51.
Rxd1 Qxd1 52. Kxe6 Kxb5) 44... d2 $1 {[%cal Ge5e1]} 45. g6 Re1 46. Kf7 Rxg1 47.
g7 Ka3 48. Bg4 Rxg4 $1 49. Nxg4 d1=Q 50. g8=Q Qd7+ ({Simpler wins} 50... Qf3+
51. Nf6 (51. Ke7 c2 52. Qg5 Ka4 53. Kxe6 Qa3 $19) 51... c2 52. Qg5 (52. Qg1 Kb2
53. Qd4+ Kb1 $19) 52... Qc3 53. Qc5+ Ka2 54. Qa7+ Qa3 55. Qf2 Kb1 $19) 51. Kf6
Qd4+ 52. Kxe6 c2 53. Qa8+ Kb2 54. Qb8+ (54. Qb7+ Kc3 55. Qf3+ Qd3 56. Qf6+ Kb3
57. Qf4 Qc3 58. Qc1 Qb2 59. Qe3+ Ka2 60. Qa7+ Qa3 61. Qf2 Qa6+ $1 62. Kf7 (62.
Kd5 Kb1 $19) 62... Qb7+ $1 63. Kg8 Qb2 64. Qa7+ Kb1 $19) 54... Kc1 {[%cal
Gc1d1,Gd4g4]} 55. Qg8 Kd1 0-1

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.03.03"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2700"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 {Eine kleine Überraschung für Weiß -
Aronian spielt selten die sogenannte Ragozin-Variante.} 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5
Nbd7 7. e3 c5 8. Bd3 (8. dxc5 Qa5 9. Nd2 (9. Rc1 Ne4 10. Qxd5 Nxc3 11. bxc3
Bxc3+ 12. Kd1) 9... Ne4 10. Ndxe4 dxe4 11. Qd4 O-O 12. a3 Bxc3+ 13. Qxc3 Qxc3+
14. bxc3 Re8 15. Bb5 Re5 $11) 8... Qa5 (8... c4 9. Bc2 Qa5 10. O-O Bxc3 11.
bxc3 Qxc3 $5 (11... Ne4 12. Bh4 Qxc3 (12... Ndf6 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. Qc1 O-O 15.
a4 Bd7 16. Ne5 Bc6 17. Qb2 Rab8 18. Rfb1 Rfe8 19. Nxc6 {1-0 Cvitan,O-Becker,M/
St.Ingbert op 1995/EXT 95op (19)}) 13. Rc1 Qa3 14. Bxe4 dxe4 15. Nd2 O-O 16.
Nxe4 $1 {1-0 Gelfand,B-Lautier,J/Belgrade 1991/CBM 27/ 27}) 12. Rc1 {[%cal
Gc1c3]} Qa3 (12... Qa5 13. Ne5 O-O 14. f4 $1 Re8 15. Nxd7 $1 Nxd7 16. Qh5 {
1-0 Moreno,A-Vilela,J/La Habana (m/5) 1997 (24)}) 13. Ne5 b5 14. Nxd7 Bxd7 (
14... Nxd7 15. e4 h6 16. Bh4 Nb6 17. Re1 O-O 18. e5 Na4 19. Re3 Qxa2 20. Rg3
Qb2 21. Qd2 $40 {1-0 Pafnutieff,V-Bisguier,A/Hollywood 1954/EXT 99 (39)}) 15.
Qf3 (15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. Qf3 {[%cal Rf3f6,Rf3d5]} (16. e4 $13) 16... Qd6 17. e4
$44) 15... Qd6 {[%csl Gd6] 0-1 Khenkin,I-Milov,V/Polanica Zdroj 1999/CBM 073/
[Ribli] (40)}) 9. O-O c4 10. Bf5 Bxc3 11. bxc3 Ne4 (11... Qxc3 12. Rc1 (12.
Bxf6 Nxf6 (12... gxf6 13. Qa4) 13. Qa4+ Bd7 (13... Ke7 $5 14. Rfc1 b5 15. Qxb5
Qa3) 14. Bxd7+ Nxd7 15. Ne5 Rd8 16. Rfe1 Qb2 17. Rab1 b5 18. Qxa7) 12... Qa3 (
12... Qa5) 13. e4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 dxe4 15. Nd2 Nb6 16. Nxe4 Nd5 17. Rxc4 O-O 18.
Rc5 Be6 19. Qd2 f6 20. Bh4 Rfd8 {1/2-1/2 Gurevich,M-Milov,V/Cannes 2005/CBM
105 ext (43)}) 12. Qc2 Ndf6 (12... Qxc3 $4 13. Bxe4 $18) (12... Nxc3 $2 13. e4
$36 (13. Rac1)) 13. Bxc8 Rxc8 14. Bxf6 Nxf6 15. Rfb1 (15. Nd2 O-O 16. Rfb1 Qc7
(16... b6) 17. e4 dxe4 18. Nxe4 Nxe4 19. Qxe4 Rfe8 20. Qf3 Re7 21. Re1 Rce8 22.
Rxe7 Qxe7 23. g3 b6 24. Kg2 g6 25. Rd1 Qe2 26. d5 $36 {1-0 Kavalenia,
L-Kolmakov,P/Dubna 2000/EXT 2002 (39)}) (15. Rab1 b5 (15... b6) 16. Rb4 O-O 17.
Rfb1 Ne4 18. Nd2 Nd6 19. a4 a6 20. e4 dxe4 21. Nxe4 Nxe4 22. Qxe4 Rfe8 23. Qc2
Rcd8 24. g3 {1-0 Nowak,I-Bozek,A/Poznan 1987/TD 87\06 (51)}) 15... b6 {Diese
natürliche Fortsetzung ist eine theoretische Neuerung. Schwarz muss den
b-Bauern verteidigen.} (15... Rc7 16. a4 (16. Rb4 b6 17. a4 O-O 18. Rb5 (18.
Rab1) 18... Qa6 19. Ne5 Rb8 20. Qf5 $6 (20. Rab1) 20... Qb7 21. f3 Ne8 $1 {
0-1 Tarjan,J-Lein,A/Greenville 1983/MCL/66)}) 16... Ne4 17. Rb4 O-O 18. Nd2 Nd6
19. Qd1 Re8 20. Qf3 Re6 21. g3 Rce7 22. Rab1 Rf6 23. Qg2 h5 {1/2-1/2 Krallmann,
M-Kalka,A/Germany 2004/EXT 2005 (40)}) 16. Rb4 Qa6 17. Nd2 {[%cal Gf2f3,Ge3e4]
Weiß geht weg mit dem Springer von f3 und bereitet die traditionelle Besetzung
des Zentrums mit f3-e4 vor.} O-O 18. f3 Nh5 $1 {[%mdl 32] Ein origineller Plan
- nach 19.e4 möchte Schwarz 19...Nf4 ziehen.} 19. g3 (19. a4 $1 {Auf diese
Weise kann Weiß das mögliche schwarze Gegenspiel mit b6-b5 verhindern.}) 19...
Rce8 20. e4 (20. Re1 f5 $1 $132 {[%cal Gf5f4]}) 20... b5 $1 $132 {[%cal Ga6g6]
Weiß hat eine starke Zentrumsstellung, Schwarz muss etwas Gegenspiel finden.
Mit dem Textzug kann die Dame auf das g6-Feld zielen.} 21. Re1 Qg6 {[%cal
Gg6g1,Gh5g3]} 22. Rxb5 (22. Kf2 a6 23. a4 dxe4 24. fxe4 f5 25. e5 Qg5 $1 (25...
Qg4 26. Qd1 Qh3 27. Nf3 f4 28. g4 $1 $36) 26. Nf3 Qg4 {[%cal Gf5f4]}) 22...
dxe4 23. fxe4 Nxg3 {[%mdl 128] Mit diesem Springeropfer kann Schwarz das Remis
erreichen.} 24. hxg3 Qxg3+ 25. Kf1 Qf4+ 26. Ke2 Qg4+ 27. Kf2 (27. Nf3 $4 Qg2+)
27... Qh4+ 28. Ke2 Qg4+ 29. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.03.04"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[Annotator "Avrukh,B"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 ({More
popular is} 7. Bc3) 7... O-O 8. Rc1 d5 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bg2 Bb7 11. O-O Na6 12.
Bf4 Re8 13. Ne5 h6 (13... c6 14. e4 Nc7 15. exd5 cxd5 16. a4 Ne6 17. Be3 Bb4
18. Qd3 a6 19. Bh3 h6 20. f4 $14 {0-1 Schandorff,L-Hansen,S/Koege 2005 (59)})
14. Nb5 $5 {An interesting try to fight for an opening advantage, but it seems
that Black has an excellent counterplay in all of the lines.} (14. Nd3 Bf8 15.
Rc2 c6 16. Qa1 Nb4 17. Nxb4 Bxb4 18. a3 Bf8 19. Rd1 Qd7 20. Qb2 Qf5 {1/2-1/2
Vescovi,G-Spraggett,K/Buenos Aires 2005}) 14... c5 ({Black couldn't play} 14...
c6 $2 {because White gets a huge adavantage after an exchange sacrifice on f6.}
15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Rxc6 Qd7 17. Rxf6 (17. Qc1 Nb4 18. Rxf6 Rec8) 17... Bxf6 18.
Nc3 (18. Nd6 Rf8 19. Bxd5 Rad8 20. Bc4 Nc7 21. Qd3 $14) 18... Nb4 19. a3 Rac8
20. Qd2 Nc6 (20... Nc2 21. Nxd5 Qe6 22. e3 $16) 21. Nxd5 Bd8 22. Rc1 $16) 15.
Nc4 Bc6 $1 {A well calculated move. Another reasonable try was} (15... Ne4 16.
Bxe4 dxe4 17. Nbd6 Bxd6 18. Nxd6 Re7 19. dxc5 Nxc5 20. Qd2 Rd7 21. Rfd1 Ne6 $11
{with a balanced position.}) 16. Ncd6 Rf8 17. dxc5 bxc5 18. Nd4 {[%csl Rc6]}
cxd4 $1 {Starting a forced play which eventually leads to equality.} (18...
Bxd6 $2 19. Nxc6 Qd7 20. Bxd6 Qxd6 21. Bxd5 Nxd5 22. Qxd5 $18) 19. Rxc6 Nb4 20.
Nb7 Qe8 {[%cal Ge8b5]} 21. Rc7 (21. Rc1 Nxa2) 21... Na6 22. Rc1 {There is no
other square for the rook.} (22. Rc2 $2 Qb5 23. Nd6 Qd7 24. Qd3 Nb4 $19) 22...
Qb5 23. Nd6 Qd7 24. Qd3 $1 {White's knight is trapped on d6, but fortunately
White has this move which keeps material balance.} Bxd6 25. Qxa6 Bxf4 26. gxf4
Qg4 27. Qd3 $1 {White wins back a pawn on d4.} (27. e3 $6 Rae8 28. Qd3 dxe3 29.
fxe3 Re6 $15 {[%csl Re3][%cal Gf8e8,Gg4h4,Gf6g4]}) 27... Qxf4 28. Rcd1 Rfe8 29.
Rfe1 Rac8 (29... Ng4 $6 30. Qg3 Qxg3 31. hxg3 $14) 30. Qxd4 Qxd4 31. Rxd4 Rc2
32. a4 Rexe2 33. Rxe2 Rxe2 34. Bxd5 Nxd5 35. Rxd5 Rb2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.03.05"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Gavrikov,V"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 {Black has a few reliable
possibilities to equalize in this line.} cxd4 6. Nxd4 O-O ({The main
alternative to the text is} 6... Ne4) 7. Bg2 d5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Qb3 Qb6 ({
Some players prefer the position after} 9... Nc6 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. O-O Qa5) 10.
Bxd5 exd5 11. Be3 Bh3 12. Rc1 ({This continuation is not so investigated as} 
12. g4 {after which Black´s simplest way to equality is} Nc6 13. Nxc6 Qxc6 {
[%cal Gd5d4]} 14. Rg1 Bxc3+ 15. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 16. bxc3 f5 17. Rd1 (17. f3 fxg4 18.
fxg4 a6 19. Kd2 Rae8 20. Rg3 Bf1 $11) 17... Bxg4 18. Rxd5 Rae8 {1/2-1/2 Bezold,
M-Horvath,C/Budapest 1994/CBM 045 ext (23)}) 12... Nc6 $146 ({Previous
practice has seen} 12... Rd8 13. a3 Ba5 14. Qxb6 Bxb6 15. Rg1 (15. Na4 Bxd4 16.
Bxd4 Nc6 17. Rd1 Rac8 18. Nc3 f6 $11) 15... h5 16. Rd1 Nc6 $11 {1/2-1/2 Atalik,
S-Pieniazek,A/Cappelle la Grande 1995/EXT 97 (30)}) 13. Nxc6 ({Favourable for
Black is} 13. Qxd5 $6 Bc5 $1 14. Nc2 Bxe3 15. Nxe3 Qxb2) 13... Qxc6 14. f3 Qc4
$6 ({More logical was to keep queens and choose} 14... Rfe8 15. Qxb4 (15. Kf2
Rxe3 $1 16. Kxe3 $140 $2 Qh6+ 17. f4 (17. Kd3 Bf5+ 18. e4 dxe4+ 19. fxe4 Bxc3
20. Qxc3 Rd8+ 21. Ke2 Bxe4 $40) 17... Re8+ 18. Kd2 Qb6 19. Rc2 d4 $17) 15...
Rxe3 16. Kf2 Rae8 17. Rhe1 R3e5 {when Black´s activity compensates the
weakness on d5.}) 15. Kf2 Be6 16. Qxc4 dxc4 17. Rhd1 {[%cal Gc3d5]} Bxc3 ({
White also maintains initiative after} 17... Ba5 18. Nb5 a6 19. Nd4 b5 20. Nxe6
fxe6 21. Rd6 Rfe8 22. Rcd1 Bc7 23. Rc6 Be5 24. Bc1) 18. bxc3 b6 19. Rd4 {
In this situation White´s pawn majority on the kingside is more important than
Black´s on the queenside.} Rfd8 20. g4 Rd5 $6 {An inaccuracy.} ({Better looks} 
20... f6 {followed by Kf7}) 21. g5 $1 {[%mdl 4096]} Rad8 22. h4 Kf8 23. Rb1 Ke7
24. Rb2 R8d6 25. Rxd5 ({After} 25. Rxc4 $6 Ra5 26. Re4 Rc6 27. a4 Rc4 {Black
restores the material balance.}) 25... Rxd5 26. Bd4 f6 27. e4 Ra5 28. f4 Bd7
29. Ke3 {White needs to open a file on the kingside for activate his rook.} Rb5
30. Rg2 Kf7 31. h5 $1 {[%cal Gg5f6,Gh5h6]} fxg5 32. fxg5 g6 ({Bad is} 32... Kg8
$2 {because of} 33. h6 $1 g6 34. Rf2 $1 Be8 35. Bg7 Bf7 36. e5 {[%csl Rg8]
[%cal Ge5e6]}) 33. Rf2+ Ke8 34. hxg6 hxg6 35. Bf6 Rb1 36. Kd4 Rd1+ ({Another
defensive idea was} 36... Re1 37. Kd5 (37. Rh2 Bc6) 37... Re3 38. Rh2 $140 Rh3)
37. Kxc4 Be6+ 38. Kb5 Ra1 39. Rh2 Rxa2 40. Rh7 $1 {[%csl Re8] Finally the rook
penetrates in Black´s camp.} (40. Rh8+ $143 Kd7 41. Rh7+ Kd6) 40... Bd7+ 41.
Kc4 Rd2 $2 {This seems to be a decisive mistake.} ({Necessary was} 41... Be6+
$1 42. Kd3 (42. Kd4 $140 Rd2+ 43. Ke5 Rd7 $1 44. Rh8+ Kf7) 42... Kf8 43. Re7
Bg4 44. Rg7 Bh5 45. e5 $140 Bg4) 42. Bd4 {Threatening Kd5-d6.} Be6+ 43. Kb5 {
[%cal Gb5c6]} Bd7+ 44. Ka6 Bc6 ({Or} 44... Ra2+ 45. Kb7 Bb5 46. Kc7 Bc4 47. Kd6
{and e-pawn becomes very dangerous.}) 45. Kxa7 Bxe4 46. Kxb6 {The resulted
position should be lost for Black.} Rb2+ 47. Kc5 Rb7 48. Rh4 Rc7+ 49. Kb4 Rb7+
50. Kc4 Bf5 (50... Rc7+ $142 51. Bc5 Bf5 52. Kd5 Kd7) 51. Kc5 Rc7+ $6 ({
More tenacious was again} 51... Kd7) 52. Kd6 Rd7+ 53. Kc6 Re7 54. Bf6 Re4 55.
Rh8+ Kf7 56. Rh7+ Kg8 57. Rg7+ Kf8 58. Kb5 {Preparing the advance of c-pawn.}
Re8 (58... Re1 59. c4 Rb1+ 60. Kc5 Rc1 61. Rc7 Be6 62. Kd4 $18) 59. c4 Rb8+ 60.
Ka5 Ra8+ 61. Kb4 Rb8+ 62. Kc3 Rc8 63. Ra7 $1 {Planning Be7+ and c5.} Be6 64.
Be7+ Kg8 65. c5 Bd5 66. Kd4 Bg2 67. Ke5 Ra8 68. Rc7 ({Also wins} 68. Rxa8+ Bxa8
69. Kf6 Be4 (69... Kh7 70. Ke6 Kg7 71. Bf6+ Kf8 72. Kd7) 70. Bd6 Kh7 71. Ke7
Kg8 72. Bf4 Bg2 73. Kd7 Bh3+ 74. Kc7 Kf7 75. c6 Ke8 76. Kb8) 68... Ra1 69. Kf6
Be4 70. Rc8+ Kh7 71. Rd8 {[%cal Gf6f7]} Ra6+ (71... Rf1+ 72. Ke6 $18) 72. Kf7
Bf5 (72... Bf3 73. Rd4 Bh5 74. Rh4 Rc6 75. Bd6 $1 {[%cal Gh4h5]}) 73. Rd4 Be6+
74. Kf8 Ra8+ 75. Bd8 Bg4 76. c6 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.03.07"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2650"]
[Annotator "Dautov,R"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 e5 10. Nf3 Bg4 11. O-O O-O-O 12. Bd3 {Das entstehende
Endspiel gilt als ungefährlich für Schwarz, deswegen versucht Weiß in der
jüngsten Zeit einen unmittelbaren Königsangriff 12.b4!?} (12. b4 $5 Nf6 13. Re1
Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Qxc4 15. Rxe5 Nxb4 16. Re7 Nbd5 17. Rc1 $40 {Riazantsev,A (2593)
-Galkin,A (2618)/Sochi 2006}) 12... Qf4 13. Bxe5 Qxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxd1 15. Bf5+ (
15. Raxd1 Nh6 16. Bc2 g6 17. Nf3 Rhe8 $11 {Grachev,B (2510)-Vitiugov,N (2573)/
Cheboksary 2006}) 15... Kc7 16. Nxf7 Bh5 $6 {Es sieht so aus, daß Paco auf
diese Variante nicht vorbereitet war. Der Textzug ist kein ernsthafter Fehler,
aber die schwarze Verteidigung wird danach auf mehreren einzigen Zügen fußen
müssen. Einfacher kann die Stellung mit 16...Nh6! ausgeglichen gehalten werden.
} (16... Ne7 $2 17. Bxh7 $1 Bg4 18. Nxh8 Rxh8 19. Rfe1 Nc8 20. Bc2 Nb4 21. Be4
$16 {Tal,M (2625)-Dorfman,J (2550)/Tbilisi 1978/URS-ch}) (16... Nh6 $1 17. Nxh6
(17. Nxd8 Rxd8 18. Bxh7 Be2 19. Rfc1 Rd2 $15) (17. Nxh8 Nxf5 18. Nf7 Rd7 19.
Ne5 Be2 20. Nxd7 Bxf1 $11) 17... Bh5 (17... Be2 18. Rfe1 Rd2 19. Bg4 Re8 $11)
18. Bg4 Bxg4 19. Nxg4 Rd2 20. Rab1 Re8 21. Rfd1 (21. Ne3 Nb4 22. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 23.
Rxd1 Nxa2 $11) 21... Rxd1+ 22. Rxd1 Re2 23. Rb1 Nb4 $11 {Bacrot,E (2729)
-Tregubov,P (2607)/Corsica 2005}) 17. Nxd8 $1 (17. Nxh8 Nh6 18. Bxh7 Rxh8 19.
Be4 Be2 20. Rfc1 Rd8 $132) 17... Kxd8 18. g4 $1 {Aronian nimmt gleich das Feld
d7 ins Visier.} Nh6 (18... Bg6 19. Rad1+ Kc7 20. Rd7+ Kb6 21. Bxg6 hxg6 22.
Rxg7 $18) 19. Rad1+ Kc7 20. Rd7+ Kb6 21. Rxg7 Nxf5 22. gxf5 Rf8 23. Re1 Nc5 $2
{Dieser normal aussehende Zug ist bereits der entscheidende Fehler. Es war
allerdings nicht leicht, das folgende geometrische Gewinnmotiv zu finden. Die
Balance hielt die Aktivierung aller schwarzen Kräfte mit 23...Rxf5!} (23...
Rxf5 $1 24. Ree7 Bg6 25. Rxb7+ Kc5 26. Rxa7 Nb4 27. b3 Kd4 $1 $44 (27... Rg5+
28. Kf1 Bd3+ 29. Ke1 Rxg7 30. Rxg7 Nxa2 31. Kd2 Bg6 32. h4 $14)) 24. b4 $1 Nd3
25. Ree7 $18 Nxb4 26. Rxb7+ Kc5 27. Rg5 $1 Bf3 28. f6+ Kxc4 29. Rf5 $1 {
Wahrscheinlich hat Paco diesen Zug übersehen. Schwarz verliert eine Figur.} Bd5
30. Rf4+ Kc3 31. Rbxb4 Bxa2 32. Ra4 Bf7 33. Rxa7 c5 34. f3 c4 35. Kf2 Kb3 36.
Rb7+ 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.03.08"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 (8... Bb7 {Leko-Ivanchuk, Morelia 4 2006}) 9. d3 d6 10. a5 ({A logical move.
Once the e5-pawn has been defended, Black threatens to place his queen's
knight on a5, putting certain pressure against the white queen side. For
instance,} 10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Ba2 Be6 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 Rb8 {
with good play for Black, Adams-Leko, Linares 2005}) 10... Be6 11. Nbd2 Qc8 12.
Nc4 h6 {#} 13. h3 ({Svidler had reached this position before, but with
opposite colours.} 13. c3 Rb8 (13... bxc3 14. bxc3 Rb8 {has been recommended,
although this gives White the additional possibility} 15. Ba3) 14. d4 Bg4 15.
Ba4 Qb7 16. d5 Na7 17. Ne3 {with advantage of space for White, Leko-Svidler,
San Luis 2005. We can suppose that Svidler deviated from this variation
because he had found an improvement for Black. Or maybe he was just tird after
the complicated game from yesterday and did not feel like opening the position
at such an early stage?!}) 13... Rb8 14. Be3 Rd8 15. Qe2 Bf8 16. Nfd2 Qb7 ({
An interesting novelty. In the ame Adams-Anand, San Luis 2005 Black initiated
the generally desirable transfer of the queen's knight to g6 with} 16... Ne7 $5
{but after} 17. d4 $1 {White obtained some pressure in the centre. Aronian
decided to keep his knight on c6 untill the danger of d3-d4 dissapears.}) 17.
Qf3 Kh7 18. Nf1 Ne7 {Now that the e4-pawn is insufficiently defended, Black
finally transfers the knight to the king side.} 19. Ng3 Ng6 20. Nh5 {#With all
the pieces on board, there is a lot of play left, of course, but the opponents
seem to have decided to preserve their forces for the decisive rounds.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.03.10"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D20"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 {Aronian seems to have built up an aggressive
repertoire with White especially for this tournament. Previously, he had never
played this move, just as he had not played the Slav Gambit until the game
against Vallejo.} e5 {This is a new guest in Bacrot's games, too.} 4. Nf3 Bb4+
5. Bd2 Bxd2+ 6. Nbxd2 exd4 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. O-O Qf6 9. b4 Nge7 10. b5 Ne5 ({
This is a novelty. A slightly older game between two experts continued} 10...
Nd8 11. e5 Qg6 12. Nxd4 Ne6 13. N2b3 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Bg4 15. Qb3 Rd8 {and Black
had sufficient counterplay, Dreev-Rublevsky, St Petersburg 1999}) 11. Nxe5 Qxe5
12. f4 Qd6 13. f5 Bd7 14. Nf3 f6 15. Qxd4 Qxd4+ 16. Nxd4 O-O-O 17. Be6 {
#It is interesting to follow the way in which White will maintain the
occupation of this square for a very long time, in spite of the radical
modification of the structure.} Kb8 18. Bxd7 Rxd7 19. Ne6 Nc8 20. e5 fxe5 21.
Rae1 Nd6 22. Rxe5 Re7 23. g4 h5 {#} 24. g5 ({This unnecessarily weakens the
f5-square.} 24. h3 {looks like a better way to maintain the domination.}) 24...
Rhe8 {Now, the threat ...Nxf5 forces White to extreme measures.} 25. f6 gxf6
26. Rxf6 Nxb5 27. Rxb5 Rxe6 28. Rxe6 Rxe6 29. Kg2 {#In spite of his extra-pawn,
it is Black who has to be carefull. White's piece activity and the dangerous
passed pawn offer him at least adequate compensation.} Kc8 30. Kg3 Re4 31. h3
Kd7 32. Rxb7 Ra4 33. a3 Ke6 34. Rb4 Rxa3+ 35. Kh4 Kf7 36. Rc4 a5 37. Rxc7+ Kg6
38. Rc6+ Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 23rd"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2006.03.11"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Knaak,R"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2006.02.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 2] Dramatisches Finale FIDE-Weltmeister Topalov musste einen
katastrophalen Start ausbügeln und schlug in der vorletzten Runde den
enteilten Leko. Doch damit war der Bulgare letztlich nur der Steigbügelhalter
für Levon Aronian, der den Ungarn in der Schlussrunde ebenfalls schlug und
sich so den alleinigen Turniersieg sicherte.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4.
Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d3 d6 10. a5 Be6 11. Nbd2
Qc8 12. Nc4 Rb8 13. Bg5 Kh8 $1 {Es ist bemerkenswert, dass Schwarz weder hier
noch einen Zug zuvor h6 spielt - wie sich zeigen wird, hat er ganz andere
Ideen.} 14. h3 Ng8 $1 {Aronian will f5 spielen, und außerdem soll der Springer
über e7 und g6 nach f4 gehen.} 15. c3 $6 ({Nach} 15. Be3 {(oder 15.Bd2) wäre
der Ng8 erstmal gestrandet.}) 15... bxc3 16. bxc3 f5 17. Ba4 $2 {Das ist ein
erstaunlicher Fehler Lekos.} ({Notwendig war} 17. exf5 Rxf5 18. Be3 {und
Schwarz hat die angenehmere Stellung, aber nicht viel mehr.}) 17... fxe4 18.
Bxc6 ({Nach} 18. dxe4 Bxc4 19. Bxc6 Rxf3 20. Qxf3 Bxg5 {hätte Schwarz zwei
Figuren für einen Turm gewonnen.}) 18... exf3 19. Bxe7 Nxe7 20. Bxf3 {Schwarz
ist nun hervorragend aufgestellt, die Türme stehen auf den halboffenen Linien,
der Läufer zielt auf zwei Diagonalen ins gegnerische Lager und der Springer
kann auf seinem Weg nach f4 nicht gebremst werden. Kein Wunder, dass Weiß
schnell zusammenbricht.} Ng6 $1 21. Bg4 Nf4 22. Ra2 $6 {Es war nicht Lekos Tag.
..} (22. Ne3 Rb2 23. d4 Bxg4 24. hxg4 Qb7 {sollte aber letztlich das gleiche
Resultat ergeben.}) 22... Qb7 $1 {Ästhetisch macht das einen starken Eindruck:
die Dame zielt nach g2 und b3.} 23. Bf3 Qb3 {Materialverlust ist nicht mehr zu
vermeiden.} 24. Rc2 Nxd3 $1 25. Qxd3 Qxc4 26. Qxc4 Bxc4 27. Bc6 Rb3 28. g3 g5
29. Re3 Ra3 30. Be4 Rxa5 31. g4 Bd5 32. f3 Bxe4 33. fxe4 Ra1+ 34. Kg2 Rff1 35.
Ree2 Rg1+ 36. Kh2 Rh1+ 37. Kg3 Rag1+ 38. Rg2 Re1 39. Rgf2 Re3+ 40. Kg2 Rexh3
0-1

[Event "Amber-blindfold 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A41"]
[WhiteElo "2647"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. e4 Bg4 5. Be2 Nc6 6. Be3 Bxf3 7. Bxf3 e5 8. d5
Nd4 9. Bxd4 exd4 10. O-O Ne7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. Be2 Nc8 13. Bd3 Nb6 14. f4 Nd7 15.
Nf3 c6 16. Rf2 Re8 17. Qd2 Nc5 18. Re1 Rc8 19. g4 b5 20. dxc6 Nxd3 21. Qxd3
bxc4 22. Qxc4 Rxe4 23. Rxe4 d5 24. Rxd4 dxc4 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8 26. Rc2 c3 27. bxc3
Rc8 28. Nd4 Kf8 29. Kf2 Ke7 30. Ke3 Kd6 31. Kd3 a6 32. Rb2 Bxd4 33. cxd4 Rxc6
34. Rb7 Ke6 35. Ra7 h6 36. h3 Rb6 37. Kc4 Rc6+ 38. Kd3 Rb6 39. a4 f5 40. a5 Rb4
41. Kc3 Ra4 42. Rxa6+ Kd5 43. gxf5 gxf5 44. Ra8 Kc6 45. a6 Ra5 46. Kb4 Ra1 47.
d5+ Kb6 48. Kc4 Ra4+ 49. Kc3 Kc7 50. a7 Kb7 51. Rf8 Kxa7 52. d6 Ra3+ 53. Kc4
1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A03"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 c6 5. O-O Bg4 6. Ne5 h5 7. h3 Be6 8. d3 Nh6
9. Qe1 Nd7 10. Nf3 Qb6+ 11. Kh1 d4 12. Nbd2 Nf5 13. Ne4 Bd5 14. c4 dxc3 15.
bxc3 Nc5 16. Nh4 Nxh4 17. gxh4 Nxe4 18. dxe4 Bc4 19. Ba3 Qa5 20. Bb4 Qc7 21.
Bc5 b6 22. Be3 c5 23. a4 O-O 24. Rg1 e6 25. Bf3 Bh6 26. Qf2 Kh7 27. f5 exf5 28.
Bxh6 Kxh6 29. exf5 Qf4 30. Raf1 Rae8 31. fxg6 fxg6 32. Qg2 Qd6 33. Bxh5 Rxf1
34. Rxf1 Re5 35. Qg3 Bd5+ 36. Kg1 Be4 37. Rf7 Qd1+ 38. Kf2 Rf5+ 39. Rxf5 Bxf5
40. Qg5+ Kh7 41. Qe7+ Kh6 42. Bg4 Qd2 43. Qe5 Qd8 44. Qf4+ Kh7 45. Bxf5 gxf5
46. Qxf5+ Kh6 47. Qg5+ Qxg5 48. hxg5+ Kxg5 49. Kf3 Kf5 50. h4 c4 51. Ke3 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d3 fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 6. O-O Bc5 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8.
Nxe5 O-O 9. Nd3 Nxe4 10. Nxc5 Nxc5 11. Be3 Ne4 12. Nd2 Nxd2 13. Qxd2 d6 14. b4
Be6 15. a3 Qf6 16. f3 Bd5 17. Qd3 Qf7 18. Rfe1 a5 19. Bd4 axb4 20. axb4 Rae8
21. Bc3 Qf4 22. Rxe8 Rxe8 23. Re1 Rxe1+ 24. Bxe1 Bc4 25. Qc3 Bb5 26. h3 Qc4 27.
Qxc4+ Bxc4 28. Bh4 Be2 29. Bd8 c5 30. bxc5 dxc5 31. Bxc7 Bd1 32. c3 c4 33. Kf2
Bc2 34. Ke3 Kf7 35. Be5 g6 36. Kf4 Bd3 37. Bd4 Bf1 38. g4 Bxh3 39. Kg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nielsen, Peter Heine"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A04"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2644"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 c5 2. Bg2 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. O-O Nc6 5. c3 e5 6. d3 Nge7 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. a3
a5 9. Qa4 Rb8 10. Qh4 d5 11. e4 d4 12. cxd4 cxd4 13. b4 axb4 14. axb4 Nxb4 15.
Ba3 Nec6 16. Rfb1 Bf6 17. Qh6 Bg7 18. Qh4 Bf6 19. Qh6 Bg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.23"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C41"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O Re8 8.
Re1 c5 9. Nf3 Nc6 10. Bf4 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Bc4 a6 13. a4 Qc8 14. Be2 Bf8 15.
Nd2 Bxe2 16. Rxe2 Nd4 17. Re3 b5 18. Bg5 Nd7 19. Nd5 Qb7 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rxa8
Rxa8 22. Nf3 Ne6 23. Be7 Nb6 24. Nxb6 Qxb6 25. Bxf8 Kxf8 26. Rd3 Ke7 27. Qd2
Ra6 28. c3 b4 29. e5 bxc3 30. Qxc3 Qb4 31. Qxb4 cxb4 32. Rd5 Nf4 33. Rb5 Nd3
34. Rb7+ Ke8 35. Rb8+ Ke7 36. Rb7+ Ke8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.24"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E07"]
[WhiteElo "2650"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b6 3. g3 Bb7 4. c4 e6 5. Bg2 c6 6. O-O Be7 7. b3 O-O 8. Bb2 d5
9. Nc3 Nbd7 10. Rc1 Rc8 11. Re1 Rc7 12. e4 Nxe4 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Rxe4 c5 15.
Re2 Bf6 16. d5 exd5 17. cxd5 Re8 18. Rxe8+ Qxe8 19. d6 Rc8 20. Qc2 Rd8 21. Rd1
Be4 22. Qd2 Qf8 23. Nh4 Bxg2 24. Kxg2 Bxb2 25. Qxb2 Qe8 26. Qc3 Qe6 27. Qf3 Nf6
28. Nf5 g6 29. Ne3 Rxd6 30. Rxd6 Qxd6 31. Qa8+ Kg7 32. Qxa7 Qc6+ 33. Kg1 Nd7
34. Qa4 Qxa4 35. bxa4 Kf6 36. f4 Ke6 37. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B20"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2721"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. b3 d6 3. Bb2 Nf6 4. Bb5+ Bd7 5. Bxd7+ Qxd7 6. d3 g6 7. f4 Bg7 8.
Nf3 O-O 9. O-O Nc6 10. Qe1 Rac8 11. Nbd2 Nb4 12. Qc1 b5 13. a3 Nc6 14. Kh1 d5
15. e5 Ng4 16. Qe1 f6 17. h3 Nh6 18. g4 Nd8 19. Qg3 f5 20. g5 Nhf7 21. h4 Ne6
22. Rf2 c4 23. bxc4 dxc4 24. dxc4 bxc4 25. Bc3 Nd6 26. h5 Ne4 27. Nxe4 fxe4 28.
Nh2 Nd4 29. Rd1 Nf5 30. Rxd7 Nxg3+ 31. Kg2 Nxh5 32. Bd2 Rcd8 33. Rxe7 Rxd2 34.
Rxd2 Nxf4+ 35. Kh1 e3 36. Rdd7 Ne6 37. Rd1 e2 38. Re1 Nd4 39. e6 h5 40. Rxa7
Be5 41. e7 Re8 42. c3 Bg3 43. Nf3 Bxe1 44. Nxe1 Nb5 45. Ra6 Kg7 46. Re6 Nxc3
47. Kg2 Nd5 48. Re5 Nxe7 49. Rxe2 Kf7 50. Nf3 Nf5 51. Rxe8 Kxe8 52. Kf2 h4 53.
a4 Kd8 54. Ke2 h3 55. Kd2 Nd6 56. Kc3 Ne4+ 57. Kd4 c3 58. Kd3 Nxg5 59. Nh2 Ne4
60. a5 Kc7 0-1

[Event "Amber-blindfold 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.26"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. f3 c6 4. c4 d5 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Nc3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 Nb6 8. Bb3
Na6 9. Nge2 Nc7 10. O-O Be6 11. Bxe6 Nxe6 12. f4 Qd7 13. f5 Ng7 14. e6 fxe6 15.
fxg6 O-O-O 16. Bf4 hxg6 17. Be5 Rh7 18. Qc2 Nf5 19. Nb5 Nd6 20. Qxg6 Rh6 21.
Qg8 Qe8 22. Nbc3 Rg6 23. Qh7 Bh6 24. Bxd6 exd6 25. Rf7 Rd7 26. Raf1 Rg7 27.
Rxd7 Be3+ 28. Kh1 Rxd7 29. Qh3 Bg5 30. Ne4 Bd8 31. Nf4 d5 32. Nc5 Rf7 33. g3
Nc4 34. Re1 Kb8 35. b3 Nb6 36. Qxe6 Qxe6 37. Ncxe6 Bf6 38. Kg2 Nd7 39. h4 Re7
40. Re2 Re8 41. h5 Nf8 42. g4 Nh7 43. Nc5 Rxe2+ 44. Nxe2 b6 45. Nd7+ Kc7 46.
Nxf6 Nxf6 47. Kf3 Kd6 48. Kf4 Ke6 49. b4 a5 50. bxa5 bxa5 51. Ng3 Nd7 52. g5 c5
53. dxc5 Nxc5 54. h6 Nd3+ 55. Ke3 Ne5 56. h7 Ng6 57. Nh5 Kf5 58. Nf4 Nh8 59. g6
Kf6 60. Kd4 Kg7 61. Kxd5 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.28"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B88"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 Be7 8.
Qe2 O-O 9. O-O-O Bd7 10. Bb3 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. e5 dxe5 13. Qxe5 b4 14. Ne4
Bc6 15. Nc5 Qb8 16. Qe3 Bd6 17. Na6 Bf4 18. Nxb8 Bxe3+ 19. Bxe3 Rfxb8 20. f3
Nd5 21. Bf2 a5 22. Bc4 Rc8 23. Rd2 Bb7 24. Bd3 a4 25. Rhd1 a3 26. b3 Nc3 27.
Bd4 Nxd1 28. Rxd1 f6 29. Bc4 Bd5 30. Bxd5 exd5 31. Bf2 Ra5 32. Rd3 Kf7 33. Kd2
Ra6 34. Kd1 Rac6 35. Rd2 h5 36. Bd4 g5 37. h3 g4 38. fxg4 hxg4 39. h4 g3 40.
Be3 Rh8 41. Rd4 Re6 42. Ke2 Rhe8 43. Re4 Rxe4 0-1

[Event "Amber-blindfold 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C41"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. g3 d5 7. e5 Ng4 8. Bg2
Nxe5 9. Qe2 Nbc6 10. Nxc6 Nxc6 11. Nxd5 Be6 12. O-O O-O 13. Rd1 Bd6 14. Bf4 Re8
15. Ne3 Qe7 16. Bxd6 cxd6 17. Rd2 Rad8 18. Rad1 Qc7 19. c4 Qb6 20. b3 Qb4 21.
Qd3 Qc5 22. Qb1 Rd7 23. Qb2 a5 24. h3 h6 25. Nd5 Ne5 26. Nf4 Bf5 27. Rd5 Qc7
28. Rb5 Qd8 29. Qd4 Bc2 30. Rc1 Nc6 31. Qb6 Qxb6 32. Rxb6 Be4 33. Re1 Rde7 34.
Rxe4 Rxe4 35. Bxe4 Rxe4 36. Rxb7 Nb4 37. Rb5 Nxa2 38. Rxa5 Nc1 39. Rb5 g5 40.
Ng2 Re2 41. Ne3 Nd3 42. Ng4 Kg7 43. Rd5 Nc5 44. Rxd6 Ne4 45. Rd5 h5 46. Ne3 Kg6
47. Nd1 g4 48. hxg4 hxg4 49. Kf1 Rc2 50. Ke1 Rc1 51. Ke2 Rb1 52. Kd3 f5 53. Kc2
Ra1 54. Kb2 Ra7 55. b4 Rf7 56. b5 f4 57. gxf4 Rxf4 58. Rd4 Kf5 59. Ka3 Ke5 60.
Rd5+ Ke6 61. Kb4 Nd6 62. Rc5 Rf3 63. Rc6 Kd7 64. Nc3 Rf4 65. Nd5 Rxf2 66. Nb6+
Ke7 67. Nc8+ Nxc8 68. Rxc8 Kf7 69. Rd8 g3 70. Rd3 g2 71. Rg3 Re2 72. c5 Ke6 73.
Ka5 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.30"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A00"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nc3 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. g3 Qc7 6. Bg2 Nf6 7. O-O Be7 8. a4
Nc6 9. Nb3 b6 10. a5 b5 11. Bf4 d6 12. Nd4 Nxd4 13. Bxa8 Nc6 14. Qd3 O-O 15.
Rfd1 Rd8 16. Nxb5 axb5 17. Qxb5 Nd4 18. Rxd4 Qa7 19. Qb6 Qxa8 20. Bxd6 e5 21.
Rdd1 Bh3 22. f3 Bf8 23. Bxf8 Rxf8 24. a6 Rb8 25. Qb7 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B20"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2647"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. b3 e6 3. Bb2 d5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Qe2+ Qe7 7. Nc3 Qxe2+
8. Bxe2 d4 9. Nb5 Kd8 10. c3 a6 11. Na3 dxc3 12. dxc3 Nc6 13. Nc4 Kc7 14. Bc1
b5 15. Bf4+ Kb7 16. O-O-O Nf6 17. Ne3 Be7 18. Bf3 Rhd8 19. Ne2 Be6 20. g4 Rxd1+
21. Rxd1 Rd8 22. Rxd8 Bxd8 23. g5 Nd7 24. h4 f6 25. Be4 g6 26. Kd2 fxg5 27.
hxg5 Bc7 28. Nd5 Bxf4+ 29. Nexf4 Bf7 30. Ne7 Nde5 31. Nd3 Kb6 32. Nxc6 Nxc6 33.
Bxc6 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A04"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 b6 2. g3 Bb7 3. Bg2 e5 4. c4 g6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Nf6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. O-O
Nc6 9. Qe3+ Qe7 10. Qxe7+ Kxe7 11. Bg5 Na5 12. Nd2 Bxg2 13. Kxg2 Ke6 14. Rac1
h6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nd5 Bxb2 17. Nxc7+ Kd6 18. Nxa8 Bxc1 19. c5+ Ke7 20. Rxc1
Rxa8 21. cxb6 axb6 22. Rc3 Nc6 23. a3 b5 24. Re3+ Kf8 25. Rb3 Nd4 26. Rd3 Nxe2
27. Kf3 Nc1 28. Rc3 Na2 29. Rb3 Ra4 30. Ne4 b4 31. axb4 Rxb4 32. Ra3 Nc1 33.
Nf6 Rb3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Nc6 5. c3 g6 6. h3 Bg7 7. Bb3 O-O 8. O-O b5
9. Re1 b4 10. d4 bxc3 11. bxc3 cxd4 12. cxd4 d5 13. e5 Ne4 14. Ng5 Nxg5 15.
Bxg5 Na5 16. Nc3 Be6 17. Na4 Bf5 18. Nc5 h6 19. Bd2 Nc4 20. Bc3 Rc8 21. f4 Nb6
22. Ba5 Qe8 23. Qe2 Qc6 24. Rac1 Nc4 25. Ba4 Qa8 26. Bc3 Nb6 27. Bb5 Rc7 28. g4
Bd7 29. Nxd7 Nxd7 30. Bb4 Rxc1 31. Rxc1 Qd8 32. Qb2 a5 33. Ba3 f5 34. Qg2 Nb6
35. Rc6 Nc4 36. Rxg6 Ne3 37. Qg3 Qb8 38. Bd3 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nielsen, Peter Heine"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A31"]
[WhiteElo "2644"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 b6 5. Nc3 Bb7 6. f3 e6 7. e4 d6 8. Be3
a6 9. Be2 Nbd7 10. O-O Be7 11. a4 Rb8 12. a5 bxa5 13. Nb3 Ba8 14. Ra2 O-O 15.
Nxa5 Qc7 16. Qd2 d5 17. cxd5 exd5 18. exd5 Bd6 19. Nc4 Bxh2+ 20. Kh1 Bg3 21.
Rxa6 Qd8 22. Kg1 Nxd5 23. Nxd5 Qh4 24. Rd1 Rfe8 25. Qd4 Qh2+ 26. Kf1 Bxd5 27.
Bg1 Qh1 28. Qxd5 Rxe2 29. Kxe2 Qxg2+ 30. Kd3 Rb3+ 31. Kd4 Bf2+ 32. Ne3 Rxe3 33.
Kc4 h6 34. Ra8+ Nf8 35. Rxf8+ Kxf8 36. Qc5+ Kg8 37. Rd8+ Kh7 38. Qf5+ Qg6 39.
Qxg6+ Kxg6 40. Bxf2 Rxf3 41. Bd4 h5 42. b4 h4 43. Rh8 Kg5 44. b5 Rf1 45. b6 Rb1
46. Bc5 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.23"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. f4 a6 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. d3 d5 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O
9. Ne5 Nd4 10. g4 dxe4 11. dxe4 b5 12. g5 Nd7 13. Nf3 Bb7 14. Kh1 b4 15. Nxd4
cxd4 16. Ne2 Nc5 17. Ng3 Rc8 18. b3 d3 19. cxd3 Qd4 20. Bd2 Nxd3 21. Qf3 Bc5
22. f5 a5 23. Bf4 e5 24. f6 g6 25. Rad1 Ba6 26. Nf5 gxf5 27. Bg3 f4 28. Bh4 Qe3
29. Qh5 Rfd8 30. Rf3 Qe2 31. Rdf1 Bb7 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.24"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2650"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Bc4 e6 5. Nge2 Nf6 6. O-O a6 7. d3 b5 8. Bb3
Nxb3 9. axb3 Bb7 10. Bg5 d6 11. f4 Be7 12. f5 Nxe4 13. Bxe7 Nxc3 14. Bxd8 Nxd1
15. Bg5 Nxb2 16. Bc1 Nxd3 17. cxd3 e5 18. f6 g6 19. Bh6 Kd7 20. Nc3 Ke6 21. Ra5
Rhb8 22. Be3 b4 23. Ne4 Bxe4 24. dxe4 Rb5 25. Ra4 h5 26. Bg5 a5 27. Kf2 Rc8 28.
Rc1 d5 29. exd5+ Kxd5 30. Rc4 Rd8 31. Be3 Ke6 32. Rxc5 Rxc5 33. Bxc5 Rd3 34.
Rxa5 Rxb3 35. Rb5 Rb2+ 36. Kf3 b3 37. Rb6+ Kf5 38. h3 h4 39. Rb5 Kxf6 40. Bd6
e4+ 41. Kxe4 Rxg2 42. Be5+ Kg5 43. Kf3 Rc2 44. Bf4+ Kf6 45. Bg5+ Kg7 46. Rxb3
Rc4 47. Ra3 Rb4 48. Be7 Rc4 49. Ra6 f5 50. Re6 Kh6 51. Bd8 Rc3+ 52. Kf4 Rc4+
53. Ke5 Rc3 54. Kf4 Rc4+ 55. Kf3 Rc3+ 56. Kg2 Rc2+ 57. Kf3 Rc3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2721"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "144"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Nf6 6. Qe2 d5 7. Nxf6+ gxf6
8. d4 Bg7 9. c4 Bg4 10. cxd5 Qxd5 11. dxe5 O-O-O 12. Bxc6 Qxc6 13. Be3 Qe4 14.
Rc1 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Qb4+ 16. Kf1 fxe5 17. h3 Qxb2 18. Qg4+ Rd7 19. Kg1 h5 20. Qe6
Qb5 21. Kh2 Qd5 22. Qg6 Rg8 23. Qxh5 Bh6 24. Rhg1 Rdg7 25. Qf5+ Kb8 26. Qf3
Qxf3 27. gxf3 Rxg1 28. Rxg1 Rxg1 29. Kxg1 Bg7 30. h4 Kc8 31. h5 Kd7 32. Kg2 Ke6
33. Bxa7 b6 34. Kg3 Bf8 35. Kg4 Kf6 36. f4 exf4 37. Kxf4 Bc5 38. Bb8 Bd6+ 39.
Ke4 Kg5 40. Kd5 Kxh5 41. Kc6 Bc5 42. f3 Kg5 43. Bxc7 Ba3 44. Kxb6 Kf5 45. Kc6
Ke6 46. Bg3 Ke7 47. Bf2 Kd8 48. Bc5 Bb2 49. a4 Bc3 50. Bb6+ Kc8 51. a5 Kb8 52.
a6 Bd2 53. Kd5 Bf4 54. Ke4 Bd6 55. Bd4 Ka8 56. Be5 Be7 57. Bd4 Bd6 58. Kf5 Bc7
59. Be5 Ba5 60. Ke4 Ka7 61. f4 Kxa6 62. Kd5 Kb7 63. f5 Bd8 64. Ke6 Kc6 65. Bf6
Ba5 66. Bh4 Bc3 67. Bg3 Bg7 68. Be5 Bf8 69. f6 Bh6 70. f7 Bf8 71. Bf6 Bh6 72.
Be7 Bg7 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.26"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bd3 Nf6 4. h3 Nc6 5. c3 d5 6. e5 Nd7 7. Bb5 e6 8. O-O Be7
9. d4 a6 10. Bd3 b5 11. a3 c4 12. Bc2 a5 13. Re1 Bb7 14. Qd2 b4 15. Qf4 g6 16.
Nbd2 bxc3 17. bxc3 a4 18. Rb1 Bc8 19. Nf1 Qa5 20. Bd2 Ra7 21. N1h2 h5 22. Ng5
Nd8 23. Nhf3 Nb6 24. Ra1 Rb7 25. Re3 Na8 26. Nxf7 Nxf7 27. Bxg6 Rf8 28. Ng5
Bxg5 29. Qxg5 Kd7 30. Qxh5 Kc6 31. Rf3 Rh8 32. Qg4 Rg8 33. Rf6 Nd8 34. h4 Qb5
35. h5 Qb2 36. Qd1 Nb6 37. Bc2 Kc7 38. h6 Nd7 39. Rg6 Rh8 40. Rg7 Rb3 41. h7
Rxc3 42. Bxc3 Qxc3 43. Rg3 Qa5 44. Rg8 Nf7 45. Qf3 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.28"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A56"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 Be7 6. g3 Nbd7 7. Bg2 O-O 8. Nge2
Ne8 9. O-O g6 10. Be3 Ng7 11. Kh1 Kh8 12. Qd2 Nf6 13. f4 exf4 14. gxf4 Re8 15.
Bg1 Ngh5 16. e5 dxe5 17. fxe5 Ng4 18. Ne4 Nxe5 19. d6 Bf8 20. Bxc5 Bg7 21. Rac1
b6 22. Bg1 Bb7 23. c5 bxc5 24. Nxc5 Bxg2+ 25. Kxg2 Qc8 26. Nd4 Qg4+ 27. Kh1
Rad8 28. Nb7 Rd7 29. Rc7 Qh3 30. Qg2 Ng3+ 31. Qxg3 Qxf1 32. Qg2 Qa6 33. Nc5
Qxd6 34. Nb5 Qxc7 35. Nxc7 Rxc7 36. Qd5 Rcc8 37. Nb7 Rc1 38. Nd6 Rd8 39. Kg2
Rc2+ 40. Kg3 Kg8 41. Kh3 h5 42. Bxa7 Rxb2 43. Bc5 Kh7 44. Bd4 Rd2 45. Qa5 Rd3+
0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Bc5 4. f4 d5 5. exd5 Ng4 6. d4 Bxd4 7. Nf3 Bf2+ 8.
Kf1 Bb6 9. fxe5 Nf2 10. Qe1 O-O 11. Bg5 f6 12. d6+ Kh8 13. exf6 gxf6 14. dxc7
Bxc7 15. Kxf2 fxg5 16. Qc3+ Qf6 17. Qxf6+ Rxf6 18. Re1 Bb6+ 19. Kg3 Bc7+ 20.
Kf2 Bb6+ 21. Kg3 Bc7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 15th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2006.03.30"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C04"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 d5 4. Nbd2 Nf6 5. e5 Ng4 6. Nb3 Bd7 7. c3 f6 8. Nh4
f5 9. Nf3 Nh6 10. c4 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Nf7 12. O-O Qe7 13. Nc5 Ncxe5 14. Nxe5 Nxe5
15. Bb3 O-O-O 16. Qe2 Ng6 17. Nxd7 Rxd7 18. Bxe6 Kb8 19. Bg5 Qxg5 20. Bxd7 Bd6
21. g3 Rd8 22. Qb5 Ne7 23. Be6 h5 24. f4 Qf6 25. Qc4 h4 26. g4 g5 27. gxf5 Nxf5
28. Qd5 Nxd4 29. Bg4 gxf4 30. Rad1 Nc2 31. Bf3 c6 32. Qb3 Ne3 33. Bxc6 Qg7+ 34.
Kh1 Nxf1 35. Rxf1 Bc5 36. Bg2 Rd2 37. Qf3 Be3 38. Qe4 a6 39. b4 h3 40. Bf3 Rxa2
0-1

[Event "RUS-chT 13th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2006.04.21"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2006.04.20"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Saransk TPS"]
[BlackTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. Qf3 Bb7 13. Nd2 Bc5 14. Nf1 Qc8 15.
h3 Kh8 16. Ng3 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 f5 18. Nxc5 Bxf3 19. gxf3 f4 20. Kh2 Qf5 21. Bd2
Rf6 22. Rg1 Rh6 23. Rg4 a5 24. Re1 Rf8 25. Ne4 Qh5 26. h4 Rg6 27. Rxg6 Qxg6 28.
c3 c5 29. Nxc5 Rd8 30. Ne4 Qb6 31. Rd1 Rd3 32. Bc4 Rxf3 33. Be1 g5 34. hxg5 Kg7
35. Rd7+ Kf8 36. Rf7+ Ke8 37. Rf6 1-0

[Event "RUS-chT 13th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2006.04.22"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tiviakov, Sergei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2669"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2006.04.20"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[BlackTeam "Sankt Petersburg FINEK"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nc3 Nb6 6. d3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O 8.
Rc1 Nc6 9. Nf3 Be6 10. O-O Nd5 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. Qa4 a6 13. a3 Bd6 14. Rc3 Ne7
15. Qh4 f6 16. Nd2 c6 17. Nc4 Bc7 18. Be4 Ng6 19. Qh3 Rf7 20. Nd2 Nf8 21. Nb3
Bxe4 22. dxe4 Qd7 23. Qxd7 Nxd7 24. Rd1 Kf8 25. Rcd3 Ke8 26. Nd2 Kd8 27. Nc4
Kc8 28. Rc3 a5 29. a4 Re7 30. h4 b6 31. Rcd3 Rb8 32. h5 h6 33. Kg2 b5 34. axb5
Rxb5 35. Rc3 Kb7 36. b3 Rb4 37. Ra1 Rb5 38. Rd1 Rb4 39. Bc1 c5 40. Rcd3 Kc6 41.
Bd2 Rb5 42. Ra1 f5 43. exf5 e4 44. Rc3 Be5 45. Nxa5+ Kc7 46. Bf4 Bxf4 47. gxf4
Nf6 48. e3 Nxh5 49. b4 Rxb4 50. Rxc5+ Kb6 51. Rc6+ Kb5 52. Rc8 1-0

[Event "RUS-chT 13th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2006.04.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2006.04.20"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Samara Yunilain"]
[BlackTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nc3 Nc6 13. Nh2 Nd4 14. Bg5 Nd7 15. Bxe7
Qxe7 16. Nd5 Qg5 17. c3 Ne6 18. Nf3 Qd8 19. a4 Nf6 20. Ne3 Qd7 21. Bxe6 Qxe6
22. b3 g6 23. axb5 axb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-chT 13th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2006.04.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E42"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2640"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2006.04.20"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[BlackTeam "Togliatti Lada"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5 5. Nge2 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8.
Nxc3 Nc6 9. c5 O-O 10. Bf4 Ne4 11. Bd3 Qf6 12. Be3 Nxc3 13. bxc3 e5 14. Rb1 Rb8
15. O-O Bf5 16. Bxf5 Qxf5 17. dxe5 Qxe5 18. Qd2 Qf5 19. Bf4 Ne5 20. Bg3 Rfd8
21. Rfe1 f6 22. Rb4 Rbc8 23. Rxb7 Rxc5 24. Rxa7 Nc6 25. Rc7 Rc4 26. Qb2 Re4 27.
Rxe4 Qxe4 28. h3 Ne7 29. f3 Qe6 30. Bf2 h5 31. a4 Nf5 32. g4 Nd6 33. a5 Nf7 34.
Qb7 f5 35. gxh5 f4 36. a6 d4 37. cxd4 Rd5 38. Qc8+ 1-0

[Event "RUS-chT 13th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2006.04.26"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D36"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2006.04.20"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[BlackTeam "Samara Termosteps"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 c6 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. cxd5 exd5 7. e3 Be7 8.
Qc2 O-O 9. Bd3 Re8 10. O-O Nf8 11. Rae1 Ne4 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Nd2
f5 15. f3 exf3 16. Nxf3 Be6 17. e4 fxe4 18. Rxe4 h6 19. Re3 Qd7 20. Rfe1 Bf7
21. Ne4 Ng6 22. Nc5 Qd5 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Rxe8+ Bxe8 25. Nxb7 Nh4 26. Nxh4
Qxd4+ 27. Qf2 Qd1+ 28. Qf1 Qd4+ 29. Qf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-chT 13th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2006.04.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[EventDate "2006.04.20"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kazan Ladya"]
[BlackTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bd6 6. d4 exd4 7. Qxd4 f6 8.
Be3 Ne7 9. Nbd2 Be6 10. Qc3 Qd7 11. Nd4 O-O-O 12. Nxe6 Qxe6 13. Qb3 Qxb3 14.
axb3 f5 15. Rad1 b5 16. exf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-chT 13th"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2006.04.30"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shomoev, Anton"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E58"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2492"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2006.04.20"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tomsk 400"]
[BlackTeam "Meriya Moscow - Ulan-Ude"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 c5 6. Nf3 d5 7. O-O Nc6 8. a3
Bxc3 9. bxc3 Qc7 10. Bb2 Na5 11. cxd5 exd5 12. Ne5 c4 13. Bc2 Ne4 14. f3 Nd6
15. a4 Bf5 16. e4 dxe4 17. Ba3 f6 18. fxe4 fxe5 19. exf5 exd4 20. Qxd4 Rfd8 21.
f6 Nc6 22. Bxh7+ Kxh7 23. Qh4+ Kg8 24. Bxd6 Qxd6 25. f7+ Kf8 26. Qh8+ Ke7 27.
Rae1+ Kd7 28. f8=Q 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.05.23"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nielsen, Peter Heine"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Denmark"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "DEN"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Ne4 7. Qd3 Bxc3+ 8.
bxc3 Nc5 9. Qf3 d6 10. Bg2 e5 11. Nb3 Nba6 12. Ba3 Qc7 13. Rd1 Be6 14. Bxc5
Nxc5 15. Nxc5 dxc5 16. O-O Rb8 17. Qh5 O-O 18. Bd5 Rfe8 19. Bxe6 Rxe6 20. Rd5
Re7 21. Rfd1 Rbe8 22. Qg5 b6 23. Rd6 e4 24. R1d5 e3 25. f3 h6 26. Qg4 Qc8 27.
Qxc8 Rxc8 28. g4 f6 29. Kg2 Rce8 30. h4 Kf7 31. h5 Rb8 32. Rd7 b5 33. Rxe7+
Kxe7 34. Rxc5 bxc4 35. f4 Rb2 36. Kf3 Rxa2 37. Rc7+ Kf8 38. Kxe3 a5 39. Rxc4 a4
40. Rc8+ Ke7 41. Rc7+ Kf8 42. Ra7 a3 43. c4 Ra1 44. Ke4 Kg8 45. Ra8+ Kh7 46.
Kd5 a2 47. Kc5 Rf1 48. Rxa2 Rxf4 49. Kd5 f5 50. c5 fxg4 51. c6 g3 52. e4 Rf2
53. Ra3 Rd2+ 54. Ke6 g2 55. Rg3 Rc2 56. Kd7 Rd2+ 57. Ke7 Rc2 58. e5 Rxc6 59.
Rxg2 Ra6 60. e6 Ra5 61. Kd6 Ra6+ 62. Kd7 Ra7+ 63. Ke8 Ra5 64. e7 Rxh5 65. Kd7
Re5 66. e8=Q Rxe8 67. Kxe8 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.05.24"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Johannessen, Leif Erlend"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E13"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2559"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 {A new move for me. At the Olympiad, it
brought me 2/2, the same as my teammate and friend, Gabriel!} b6 {However, my
opponent replied confidently and made the next few moves quickly. Evidently,
he had noticed that I also played 4.Nf3 in the previous round.} 5. Bg5 Bb7 6.
Nd2 {A currently popular move. The resulting positions suit players with a
liking for dynamic play.} h6 7. Bh4 Nc6 8. e3 Bxc3 9. bxc3 Qe7 {Here,
surprised by my opponent's quick play in a position that by rights should be
little-known to him (he usually plays Slav-type set-ups), I thought for a
while. Since Gabriel had told me that in such positions one should play f3, I
checked that after e5 White has the solid reply Be2, and then I got on with it.
} 10. f3 e5 11. d5 {Here it dawned on me that I could reach the first round
game Sargissian-Soto, and I decided to transpose into it.} ({After the correct
} 11. Be2 {if Black wishes to try to refute White's set-up, the following
variation is possible:} exd4 12. exd4 O-O-O 13. d5 {where, despite the
weakening of his pawn structure, White's position is preferable, since his
strong dark-squared bishop compensates for these other weaknesses.}) 11... Nb8
12. Bd3 Na6 {Of course! There is no need at all to spend a tempo on the move
12...d6, especially as after 13.Bf5 it would transpose into the game I was
familiar with.} 13. O-O {As usual in these positions, the move Ne4 runs into
the reply g5 and the exchange of knights, which favour Black - quite a common
occurrence in cramped positions.} g5 {I have to admit that this move came as a
shock. I expected something like 13...Nc5 with the idea after any retreat of
the bishop (I still didn't like 14.Ne4 because of 14...g5) of castling short.
I have the troublesome suspicion that Black would have somewhat the better
prospects after this.} 14. Bg3 {Only here. Now White has the break f4.} Nc5 ({
The idiotic computer wants to fight against f3-f4 by means of} 14... c6 {
, but this is a typical case of playing with fire, since after} 15. f4 exf4 16.
exf4 Qe3+ 17. Bf2 Qxd3 18. Bd4 {Black is helpless, despite his extra bishop.})
15. Bc2 (15. Bf5 {does not make much sense, because after} Nh5 {there is
scarecely anything better than} 16. Bf2 {and in this case the bishop will be
hit when the knight retreats to g7, granting Black a valuable tempo for the
defence.}) 15... O-O-O {Now White activates his position markedly.} ({It does
not look great, but it was possible to play} 15... Nh5 16. Bf2 Nf6 ({he cannot
create a defensive line by} 16... Ng7 17. f4 e4 {because of} 18. Nb3 {and
after the further exchange on g5, the bishop comes to g3 and Black cannot
consolidate.}) 17. f4 d6 ({after} 17... e4 18. Nb3 {and the further Bg3, White
controls the game.}) 18. fxe5 dxe5 19. a4 {and it is very difficult for Black
to create counterplay.}) 16. f4 exf4 ({After the resource} 16... Nfe4 {(which
I had not seen) there is the tactical blow} 17. Bxe4 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 exf4 19.
Nxg5 {. After} hxg5 20. exf4 Qe3+ 21. Rf2 {White retains the advantage.}) 17.
exf4 Nce4 {I thought this was the only move.} ({Probably my opponent was also
feeling pessemistic, about the move} 17... Qe3+ {. I thought that after} 18.
Bf2 Qxc3 19. fxg5 hxg5 20. Nb3 {Black was in a bad way, but now I see that
after} ({Probably stronger is} 20. Rb1 {(with the possible idea of taking on
c5 and playing Rb3, trying to create threats along the b-file). The activity
of White's pieces guarantees him a prolonged initiative.}) 20... Nfe4 {the
Black pieces are coming to life.}) 18. Nxe4 Nxe4 19. Re1 {Having a great
choice in this position, I was still afraid of settling for too little, and
finally decided not to allow opposite-coloured bishops.} ({I did not like the
fact that after} 19. Bxe4 Qxe4 20. Qd4 Qxd4+ 21. cxd4 {Black at various
moments has the breakout move b5. Even so, one must accept that with
opposite-coloured bishops, Wite has excellent chances of an advantage.}) 19...
Qc5+ ({It is understandable that my opponent did not fancy the position after} 
19... f5 20. Bxe4 fxe4 21. Qd4 {Sooner or later, White will pick up the e4
pawn.}) 20. Qd4 Qxd4+ (20... Nxg3 21. Qxc5 bxc5 22. hxg3 Rde8 {was also
possible, and despite his bad bishop, Black has chances of a draw. Whatever he
plays, Black has a tough fight to save half a point.}) 21. cxd4 Nxg3 22. hxg3 {
Despite White's obvious advantage in the centre, his winning chances are not
great, thanks to the lack of weaknesses in Black's position. Now I very much
wanted to bury the black bishop by means of d6 cxd6; d5, but I could not make
it work.} Rde8 ({The attempt to liberate the bishop by} 22... b5 {deserved
attention. I was planning to play} 23. Bb3 {, although admittedly after} bxc4
24. Bxc4 gxf4 25. gxf4 Rhg8 {the idea of Rg6 allows Black to hold the balance.}
) (22... b5 {It seems that White should play} 23. cxb5 Bxd5 24. Re5 Be6 25.
Rae1 {retaining some pressure.}) 23. Re5 {Until I played this move, it seemed
to me that all my teammates were looking at me a bit puzzled. I think that by
activating this rook, I restored a bit of faith amongst them.} f6 {Now after
b5 it will be possible calmly to reply 24.Bb3.} ({After} 23... Kd8 {I was
going to play somply} 24. Kf2 {. Passive defence did not suit my opponent, and
he decided to activate his rook.}) 24. Rf5 Re2 (24... Rhf8 {is bad because of}
25. Kf2 {and the weakness of h6 makes itself felt.}) 25. Bb3 Rf8 (25... gxf4 {
was unattractive because after} 26. Rxf4 {Black can no longer attack the pawn
on d4.}) 26. fxg5 hxg5 27. Raf1 Kd8 {At this moment, my opponent was running
short of time, and this was the main cause of this mistake. Black's best
chance was to try to undermine the white bishop's post by a queenside pawn
advance.} ({After} 27... a5 28. Rxf6 (28. Rxg5 a4 29. Bxa4 Rxa2 {and the
hanging position of the white rook does not give him time to defend his pawns.}
) 28... Rxf6 29. Rxf6 Ba6 {Black equalizes the game.}) 28. Rxg5 {The correct
choice.} ({After} 28. Rxf6 Rxf6 29. Rxf6 Re4 {Black is OK once again.}) 28...
Ke7 {The decisive mistake.} ({There were still chances to resist after} 28...
Rd2 29. Rg7 Rxd4 {It seemed to me that in this case} {Maybe I have to play
simply} 30. Rf4 (30. g4 {should decide the game, but the soulless silicon
beast maintains the balance by means of} Ba6 (30... c6) 31. g5 f5 {without
fearing my passed pawn.}) 30... Rxf4 31. gxf4 {with advantage to White, on
account of the active rook.}) 29. Rg7+ Rf7 30. Rg8 Re4 ({I expected} 30... Rf8
{after which I would have replied} 31. Rg6 {retaining the pressure. The text
move loses immediately.}) 31. c5 {31.Bc2 was also possible but I decided to
save this option for later. Now m opponent made as if to play 31...Rh7, but
after picking up the rook on f7, he resigned immediately, presumably having
noticed 32.Bc2. This could be played at once or after first 32.Rb8, which also
wins. The move ...d6, now or after the preliminary exchange on c5, does not
help, because of Bc2.} 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.05.25"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O g6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Qxd4 Bg7 8. Nc3
d6 9. Rd1 Nbd7 10. Be3 Rc8 11. Rac1 a6 12. b3 O-O 13. Qh4 Rc7 14. Bh3 Qb8 15.
Bg5 Bxf3 16. exf3 b5 17. Bxd7 Rxd7 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. cxd5 Rc7 20. Rc6 Rxc6 21.
dxc6 Rc8 22. Rc1 e6 23. Bd2 Qc7 24. a4 d5 25. axb5 axb5 26. Qb4 Rb8 27. Qa3 Bd4
28. Qa6 Be5 29. f4 Bd6 30. Ba5 Qc8 31. Qa7 Ra8 32. Qb6 Rb8 33. Qd4 b4 34. c7
Ra8 35. Qb6 Bf8 36. Bxb4 Bxb4 37. Qxb4 Qe8 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.05.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2673"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Uzbekistan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "UZB"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Bd5 11. Qd3 c5 12. Nc3 Bc6 13. Rfd1 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Bxg2
15. Kxg2 Qa5 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Ne4 Bxd4 18. Qxd4 Nc6 19. Qc5 Rac8 20. Qxa5 Nxa5
21. Rac1 h6 22. h4 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 f5 24. Nd2 Rd8 25. Nf3 Nc6 26. Kf1 Kf7 27. e3
1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.05.28"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E35"]
[WhiteElo "2676"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Netherlands"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 c5 7. dxc5 h6 8.
Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 10. Bxb8 Qf6 11. Bg3 Nxc3 12. a3 Bf5 13. Qd2 Ba5 14. b4 Ne4
15. Qc1 Rc8 16. Ra2 Rxc5 17. Qa1 Qc6 18. Qe5+ Kd8 19. Qxh8+ Kd7 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.05.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Bruzon Batista, Lazaro"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2652"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Cuba"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CUB"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nbd2 Nc6 13. Nf1 Bc8 14. Bg5 Ne8 15. Bd2
Be6 16. Ne3 Bxa2 17. Rxa2 Nc7 18. b3 g6 19. c4 Rb8 20. Bc3 Qd7 21. Nd5 Nxd5 22.
exd5 Nd4 23. Nd2 Qf5 24. Nf1 bxc4 25. bxc4 Qd7 26. Nd2 Bd8 27. Bxd4 cxd4 28. c5
dxc5 29. Rxe5 Bc7 30. Re2 Qd6 31. g3 Qxd5 32. Nc4 Qd7 33. h4 Rb5 34. Re1 Ba5
35. Rf1 Bd8 36. Qf3 Rb3 37. Nd2 Rb6 38. Rc2 Rf6 39. Qd1 Rf5 40. Nc4 Bc7 41. Re1
Qc6 42. Rb2 Kg7 43. Re4 Re8 44. Rxe8 Qxe8 45. Qe2 Qc6 46. f4 Rf6 47. Qg2 Qa4
48. Qf3 Re6 49. Re2 Qd1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.05.30"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Ukraine"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "UKR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bb4 7. d3 O-O 8.
O-O Re8 9. Qb3 Bf8 10. Rd1 c6 11. d4 e4 12. Bg2 h6 13. d5 d6 14. dxc6 bxc6 15.
Bf4 Bf5 16. Rac1 Rb8 17. Qc2 Qa5 18. Qd2 Qb6 19. c5 Qxb2 20. Qxb2 Rxb2 21. cxd6
Rb4 22. h3 g5 23. Be3 a6 24. g4 Bg6 25. Rd4 a5 26. Na4 Rc8 27. Rxb4 axb4 28.
Nb6 Rd8 29. d7 Be7 30. Rxc6 Nxd7 31. Nd5 Bf8 32. Rc2 Ra8 33. Rd2 Ra6 34. Nxb4
Bxb4 35. Rxd7 Rxa2 36. Rd8+ Kg7 37. Bd4+ f6 38. Rd7+ Kf8 39. e3 Be1 40. Rd6
Bxf2+ 41. Kf1 Ke7 42. Rxf6 Bxe3 43. Rxg6 Bxd4 44. Bxe4 Rf2+ 45. Ke1 Rf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.05.31"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2640"]
[PlyCount "198"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "China"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CHN"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 a6 5. c5 Bf5 6. Bf4 Nbd7 7. e3 e6 8. Nd2
Be7 9. Be2 Bg6 10. g4 h6 11. h4 b6 12. b4 Ne4 13. Ncxe4 Bxe4 14. Nxe4 dxe4 15.
Qc2 bxc5 16. bxc5 e5 17. Bxe5 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Qd5 19. Qc3 O-O 20. Rd1 Qxc5 21.
Qxc5 Bxc5 22. Rc1 Ba3 23. Rxc6 Rfc8 24. Rxc8+ Rxc8 25. O-O Rc2 26. Bxa6 Be7 27.
h5 Rxa2 28. Bc4 Rc2 29. Bd5 Rd2 30. Bxe4 Bh4 31. Bf5 Kf8 32. e6 fxe6 33. Bxe6
Ke7 34. Bc4 Rc2 35. Bd3 Rd2 36. Bf5 Kd6 37. Kg2 Kc5 38. Kf3 Kd6 39. Bh7 Kc5 40.
Bg8 Kb4 41. Be6 Rc2 42. Bf5 Rd2 43. Bc8 Ra2 44. Bb7 Kc5 45. Kg2 Rb2 46. Bf3 Kd6
47. Be4 Kc5 48. Bf5 Ra2 49. Be6 Rb2 50. Kf3 Kb4 51. Bd5 Kc5 52. Be6 Kb4 53. Kg2
Rd2 54. Bc8 Rc2 55. Bf5 Rd2 56. e4 Kc5 57. e5 Kd5 58. e6 Kd6 59. Kf3 Ke7 60.
Ke3 Ra2 61. f4 Ra3+ 62. Ke4 Ra4+ 63. Kf3 Ra3+ 64. Kg2 Rg3+ 65. Kh2 Re3 66. Ra1
Bg3+ 67. Kg2 Bxf4 68. Ra7+ Kf6 69. Kf2 Re5 70. Kf3 Bd2 71. Rd7 Bc1 72. Rf7+ Kg5
73. Rxg7+ Kh4 74. Rd7 Re3+ 75. Kf2 Re5 76. Rd1 Ba3 77. Kf3 Kg5 78. Rd7 Bc1 79.
Rd3 Kf6 80. Rc3 Bd2 81. Rc2 Bb4 82. Rc8 Bd2 83. Rg8 Bc1 84. Rf8+ Kg5 85. Rc8
Bd2 86. Rc2 Bf4 87. Rc3 Bd2 88. Rc4 Re3+ 89. Kf2 Re5 90. Rc6 Bf4 91. Rc3 Bd2
92. Rd3 Bf4 93. Rf3 Bd2 94. Kg3 Kf6 95. g5+ Kxg5 96. Bg4 Bb4 97. Kh3 Bc5 98.
Rd3 Be7 99. Kg3 Ra5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.06.02"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E17"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2658"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Czech Republic"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CZE"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. Nc3 Ne4 7. Bd2 f5 8. Qc2
Bf6 9. Ne5 d5 10. cxd5 Nxc3 11. Nf7 Qd7 12. Bxc3 Bxd5 13. Bxd5 Qxd5 14. e4 fxe4
15. Nxh8 Nc6 16. O-O Ke7 17. Rae1 Rxh8 18. Rxe4 Rd8 19. Rfe1 Rd6 20. Rf4 g6 21.
h4 Rd7 22. h5 Bxd4 23. hxg6 hxg6 24. Qxg6 Ne5 25. Qf6+ 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.06.03"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "France"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nbd2 Nc6 13. Nf1 Bc8 14. c3 Be6 15. Bxe6
fxe6 16. b4 Qd7 17. Ng3 a5 18. bxc5 dxc5 19. Qb3 Rab8 20. a4 b4 21. Rd1 bxc3
22. Qxc3 Nd4 23. Nxd4 exd4 24. Qc2 Bd6 25. Bd2 Qc7 26. Nf1 c4 27. dxc4 Rbc8 28.
Rab1 Qxc4 29. Qxc4 Rxc4 30. Re1 Nd7 31. Bxa5 Rxa4 32. Ra1 Rxa1 33. Rxa1 Nc5 34.
Bb6 Rb8 35. Bxc5 Bxc5 36. Rc1 Be7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.06.04"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Almasi, Zoltan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E12"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2657"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Hungary"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "HUN"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 Be7 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7
Qxe7 9. Qc2 Nxc3 10. Qxc3 O-O 11. Be2 d6 12. O-O Nd7 13. Nd2 Nf6 14. Rad1 c5
15. Qa3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 34th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2006.07.29"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C91"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2006.07.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4
{Players seem to start looking for other deviations from the Marshall Attack
than just the Anti-Marshall systems.} d6 9. c3 {This variation, which is
usually reached via the 7...d6 8.c3 0-0 9.d4 move order has become quite
popular lately.} Bg4 10. d5 {Although this move might look like a premature
release of the tension in the centre and seems less consistent than 10.Be3, it
can lead to interesting fight where an unaware opponent could easily go wrong.}
Na5 11. Bc2 c6 12. h3 Bc8 ({At the beginning of the XX-th century, Black was
relatively successful with the more straightforward} 12... Bxf3 13. Qxf3 cxd5
14. exd5 {. However, towards the end of the century it became clear that by a
well timed a4 White could put the queen side under serious pressure. Therefore,
Black started being more circumspect about giving up the ligh-squared bishop,
a potential reliable defender of the b5-pawn.}) 13. dxc6 Qc7 {Since the pawn
structure is relatively immobile, the best routes for the pieces can be easily
established. The knight has nothing to do back on c6. It would not only fail
to control the relatively weak d5-square but would also be restricted in his
actions by the c3-pawn and his own e5-pawn. Therefore, the queen is better
suited for winning the pawn back, while the knight can dream of being recycled
via c4-b6.} 14. Nbd2 Qxc6 15. Nf1 Nc4 {Black has an active position and needs
just one tempo to complete his development. However, his queen's knight has
not reached complete stability yet which is likely to cause further losses of
time.} 16. a4 {In the Ruy Lopez, this move can be quite unpleasant even if it
doesn't always lead to the occupation of the a-file. The weakness of the
b5-pawn (after the predictable exchange axb5, axb5) could easily become more
annoying than might seem at first sight.} Re8 {A generally useful move,
clearing the f8-square for the bishop in order to prepare the thematic break ..
.d5.} 17. Ng3 {Black finds himself at crossroads now: where should he (re-)
develop his light squared bishop?} Be6 {From aesthetic point of view, this
move looks the most natural. The bishop doesn't interfere with the queen,
which is also placed on a light square and puts the enemy queen side (the
b3-square in first line) under pressure. However, the move has a major
drawback: the bishop can eventually be chased away with Ng5. This will most
likely provoke a further ...h6, which slightly weakens the king's position,
offering White additional ideas for an attack.} ({It is hard to give a
definitive evaluation to the pros and cons, so let's also investigate the main
alternative, consisting of} 17... Bb7 {. This move might look more active,
since it puts the enemy king under some potential threat. However, if White
will manage to maintain sufficient obstacles in the way of the otherwise
terrible battery formed by the queen and bishop, the slightly one-sided
character of Black's strategy would become noticeable.} 18. Bd3 Bf8 19. Qe2 {
Given the placement of the black pieces, the b5-pawn is not easy to defend,
which makes White's last 2 moves easy to understand.} d5 {In order to maintain
the balance even, Black must react in the centre, increasing the scope of his
pieces along the a8-h1 diagonal and clearing the d6-square for the knight in
order to defend the b5-pawn after a further b3. However, this is a double
edged decision since now the b1-h7 diagonal will be open and the e4-square
will be cleared for White's pieces.} 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rxa8 Bxa8 22. exd5 Nxd5
{Thus we reach a critical position.} (22... Qxd5 {can be strongly met by} 23.
Bg5 $1) 23. Nf5 {White immediately takes advantage of the bishop's departure
from the h3-c8 diagonal. The immediate threat is N5d4, winning the b5-pawn.} (
23. Bxc4 $6 bxc4 24. Nxe5 $6 {loses material to} Qc7 $1) (23. Qf1 f6 24. Nf5 {
is slightly less resolute than the immediate knight jump to f5, but is
playable, too. White's pressure against the enemy kingside is rather annoying,
be it only for psychological reasons. Driving away the knight with ...g6 is
always questionable because of the weaknesses induced. In any case, Black
could not find a satisfactory plan in 1-0 Schneider,L (2445)-Barkhagen,J (2340)
/Helsingborg 1991/TD}) (23. Qe4 $5 {provoking the weakening of the black
kingside comes into consideration as well.}) ({The immediate jump with the
other knight to d4} 23. Nd4 {allows Black put his battery to work with} Nxc3)
23... e4 $5 {Using tactical means, Black denies the e4-square to the white
pieces and hopes to provoke their discoordination.} 24. N3d4 {This looks like
the critical test for the whole line starting with 17...Bb7. The black queen
has a wide but far from easy choice of squares for retreat. What is the best
way of keeping the b5-, c4- and e4- squares defended, by direct or indirect
means?} (24. Bxe4 {allows drawish simplifications after} Nxc3 25. bxc3 Rxe4 26.
Qxe4 $10 Qxe4 27. Rxe4 Bxe4 28. N5d4 b4 29. Nd2 Nxd2 30. Bxd2 bxc3 31. Bxc3 {
1/2-1/2 Timman,J (2625)-Spassky,B (2640)/Montreal 1979/MCL/[ChessBase]}) 24...
Qg6 (24... Qa6 25. Qf1 Nc7 (25... exd3 $2 26. Rxe8 d2 27. Bxd2 Nxd2 28. Qe1 Nc4
29. Qe7 $1 $18) 26. Be2 $14) (24... Qc8 25. Nxb5 Qxf5 26. Bxc4 $14 (26. Nd4 Qe5
27. Bxc4 Bd6 28. g3 Bc5 $44)) 25. Ng3 Nde3 26. Bxc4 Nxc4 27. b3 Nd6 (27... Ne5
28. Qxb5 f6) 28. Bf4 (28. Nxb5 e3) 28... Rc8 29. Qe3 Bd5 30. Bxd6 Bxd6 31. Nxb5
Bc5 32. Nd4 $14) 18. Ng5 {Before driving away the active black knight with b3,
White forces his opponent to occupy the d7-square with the bishop in order to
inhibit the generally desirable retreat to b6 when after a5 the knight would
have no natural squares at his disposal.} ({Quite logical, but the immediate} 
18. b3 {has also been played.} Nb6 {Now that the knight has committed himself
to this retreat, White would gladly play 19.Ng5, but unfortunately the c3-pawn
is hanging. Therefore, the variation has independent value.} 19. a5 Nbd7 20.
Bd2 {The more popular way to develop the bishop. Since Black will have to
prevent Ng5 by playing ...h6, it looks quite logical to keep the bishop on
this diagonal. (However,)} (20. Bb2 {is not without poison either. White
intends to provoke his opponent to advance his central and kingside pawns and
then take advantage of the vulnerability of the long diagonal with a
well-timed c4.} h6 21. Nh4 Rad8 22. Nhf5 Bf8 23. Qf3 d5 24. Rac1 Qc7 25. b4 g6
26. Ne3 dxe4 27. Nxe4 Nxe4 28. Bxe4 f5 29. Bd5 e4 30. Qe2 Ne5 31. c4 $1 $13 {
1-0 Gabrielian, A (2481)-Pokazanjev, N(2380)/Sochi (Russia) 2005}) 20... h6 21.
Rc1 $5 {A useful half-waiting move. In principle, White has to improve the
position of his f3-knight via either h2-g4 or h4-f5. However, inviting Black
to define his intentions before chosing the knight's trayectory is a good idea.
} (21. Nh4 Rad8 22. Nhf5 Bf8 23. Qf3 d5 $132 {1-0 Harandi,K (2410)-Bajarany,I 
(2235)/Teheran 1992/EXT 99}) 21... Rac8 22. b4 {Same policy again. The queen
side structure seems to greatly favour Black, but the situation is not that
simple because a transfer of a knight to the c4-square is hard to imagine.
Therefore, the pawn break c4 can be extremely dangerous, especially in case of
mass simplifications.} Bf8 $6 {Black had enough of this wait-and-see game and
decided to prepare the opening of the centre by over-defending the e5-pawn.
However, this early commitment of the bishop's position will simplify White's
choice for a further plan. (Black still had useful moves at her disposal, for
instance)} (22... Bc4 23. Nh4 Bf8 24. Nhf5 d5 $132) 23. Nh2 $1 d5 24. Ng4 Nxg4
25. hxg4 {By this exchange, White has increased his pressure on light squares.
The only drawback of such a plan is that it opens the h4-d8 diagonal for the
enemy bishop, but after the retreat to f8 this is of less relevance.} Be7 26.
Nf5 Bg5 $6 {By aiming to correct the problem, Black loses too much time.} 27.
Bxg5 hxg5 28. Qd2 $1 $36 Qxc3 29. Qxc3 Rxc3 30. exd5 Bxf5 (30... Bxd5 {loses
material to} 31. Ne3 {threatening Bh7+}) 31. Bxf5 Rxc1 32. Rxc1 Rd8 33. Rc6 $16
{1-0 Nijboer,F (2580)-Kachiani Gersinska,K (2435)/Germany 1998/GER-chT}) 18...
Bd7 19. b3 {The most popular move, in spite of the fact that by exposing the
b-pawn to the pressure of the enemy minor pieces it doesn't lead to one-sided
consequences.} ({A blitz game at high level continued} 19. Qe2 h6 20. Nf3 Bf8
21. Nh2 g6 22. Qf3 Bg7 23. b3 Na5 24. Bd2 Be6 25. c4 Nb7 26. Bxh6 Bxh6 27. Qxf6
Bg7 28. Qf3 bxc4 $132 {1/2-1/2 Khalifman,A (2669)-Sargissian,G (2611)/ICC INT
2004/CBM 105 (49)}) 19... Na5 ({Actually, the retreat to b6 is not completely
unplayable:} 19... Nb6 20. a5 Nc8 21. Bd2 h6 22. Nf3 Bf8 23. Nh2 Ne7 {Finally,
the knight has reached a decent square.} 24. Ng4 Nxg4 25. hxg4 Rad8 26. Qf3 d5
{0-1 Conquest,S (2515)-Hebden,M (2520)/Hastings 1990/TD with reasonable
counterplay for Black.}) 20. Bd2 {White defends the c3-pawn and threatens to
harass the knight with c4 at the same time.} Bd8 $146 {This was probably
intended as a multi-purpose move. Black defends the knight and enables the
further activation of the bishop via b6.} ({Generally, Black refrains from} 
20... h6 {at this stage of the game, because this would actually drive the
knight back to the right path after having achieved his partial aim:} 21. Nf3
Qc7 22. axb5 axb5 23. Nh4 $14) ({Previously, Black defended the knight with} 
20... Qc7 {. After} 21. axb5 axb5 22. Qe2 h6 23. Nf3 {Black should immediately
use his main trump and put the b3-pawn under pressure with} Be6 {(The neutral)}
(23... Bf8 {not only fails to justify the previous move but allows White to
drive the a5-knight back on an unfavourable square after} 24. Ra2 Nb7 25. Rxa8
Rxa8 26. b4 $14 Re8 27. Bb3 Bc6 28. Nh2 Qd7 29. Ng4 Nxg4 30. hxg4 d5 31. Rd1 d4
32. cxd4 Qxd4 33. Qf3 Nd6 34. Bxh6 Qa7 35. Bxg7 {1-0 Svidler,P (2640)
-Stefansson,H (2555)/Torshavn 1997/CBM 056 ext}) 24. Reb1 Reb8 {By
concentrating his major pieces on the queen side, Black declares his
intentions to put up resistance on the a-file if necessary, by means of ...Qd8.
} 25. Nh2 {(White would have retained better chances for an advantage by
combining play on both wings, with, for instance,)} (25. Ra2 Qd8 26. Nf5) 25...
Qb7 26. Ng4 (26. c4 {is inoffensive because of the calm} Qc7) 26... Nc6 27. b4
Nxg4 28. hxg4 Rxa1 29. Rxa1 Qc8 30. Bd1 d5 $132 {Becerra Rivero,J (2556)
-Kamsky,G (2686)/San Diego USA 2006 (38)}) 21. Nh5 $5 {White correctly adopts
a change of plans.} ({If he had continued as in the game Becerra-Kamsky with} 
21. axb5 axb5 22. Qe2 h6 23. Nf3 Be6 24. Reb1 {then after} Bb6 $1 {the bishop
would not only put some pressure on the enemy kingside but also contributed in
active way to the fight for the a-file, by enabling ...Ra7.} 25. Ra2 (25. Ra3
$6 b4 $1) (25. Bd3 Nxb3 26. Bxb5 Qc7 27. Bxe8 Nxa1 $15) 25... Ra7 26. Bd3 Rb8
$1 $11) 21... h6 22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 23. Nf3 Qc7 {It might seem that Black has just
lost a tempo, but this is hardly relevant, since after the exchange of the
knights the bishop has obtained better possibilities of being activated on the
kingside, too. Among others, by defending the e5-pawn, it enables the central
break ...d5.} 24. axb5 axb5 25. Bd3 Be6 26. Ra3 Qb7 27. Nh2 {White starts
improving the placement of his knight and tries to inhibit ...d5 at the same
time, in view of the threat Ng4.} Bg5 ({This move was not necessary yet. Black
could have played some useful move such as} 27... Rec8 {and only after} 28. Ng4
Be7 29. Ne3 {activate the bishop.} Bg5) 28. Bxg5 hxg5 29. b4 Nc4 $5 {Probably
the safest way to a draw.} ({Black prefers to lose a pawn than retreat the
knight to a passive square with} 29... Nc6 $14) 30. Rxa8 Qxa8 31. Bxc4 Bxc4 32.
Qxd6 Qd8 33. Rd1 Qxd6 34. Rxd6 Ra8 35. Ng4 f6 36. Ne3 Ra3 37. Nd5 Ra1+ 38. Kh2
Ra2 39. Kg3 Rc2 {White has nothing better than transpose to a rook ending
where his extra-pawn will not suffice for a win in case of Black's careful
defence.} 40. Rd7 Bxd5 41. Rxd5 Rxc3+ 42. f3 Rb3 43. Rxb5 Kf7 44. Rb7+ Ke6 45.
b5 Rb2 46. b6 Kd6 47. Rb8 Kc6 48. Rg8 Rxb6 49. Rxg7 Kd6 50. Kg4 Rb2 51. Kf5
Rxg2 52. Rf7 Rg3 53. Rxf6+ Ke7 54. Re6+ Kf7 55. Rxe5 Rxf3+ 56. Kg4 Re3 57. Rf5+
Ke6 58. Rxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 34th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2006.07.30"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D20"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2006.07.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 exd4 5. Bxc4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Bxd2+ 7. Nbxd2 Qf6
8. O-O Ne7 9. e5 Qg6 10. Nxd4 Nbc6 11. Nxc6 Nxc6 12. f4 O-O 13. Nf3 Bg4 14. Bd3
Qh6 15. Qa4 Rad8 16. Be4 Bxf3 17. Rxf3 Rd4 18. Qc2 Nb4 19. Qe2 Qb6 20. Kh1 Rfd8
21. Raf1 Rd2 22. Qe1 Qd4 23. e6 Rd1 24. Qxd1 Qxd1 25. e7 Qxf1+ 26. Rxf1 Re8 27.
Rd1 f5 28. Bxf5 Rxe7 29. g3 g6 30. Bb1 c6 31. a3 Nd5 32. Bd3 Kg7 33. Kg1 Ne3
34. Re1 Kf6 35. h3 Nf5 36. Rxe7 Nxe7 37. Kf2 h6 38. Ke3 b6 39. b4 Nf5+ 40. Bxf5
Kxf5 41. g4+ Ke6 42. Kd4 h5 43. a4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 34th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2006.08.01"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2651"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2006.07.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bb4 7. d4 Bxc3+
8. bxc3 e4 9. Bg2 h6 10. Qc2 O-O 11. Bxe4 Nxe4 12. Qxe4 Re8 13. Qf3 Qe7 14. Be3
Rb8 15. a4 b6 16. a5 Ba6 17. axb6 Rxb6 18. O-O Bxc4 19. Rxa7 Rf6 20. Qg4 Rg6
21. Qf3 Rf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 34th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2006.08.02"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2664"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2006.07.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 {This "hybrid" of Nimzo-Indian
and Catalan opening is very fashionable nowadays. Aronian employs this system
with both colours.} O-O ({A wild and uncompromising game by Aronian as Black
is worth to be mentioned:} 5... Ne4 6. Qd3 Qa5 7. Qxe4 Bxc3+ 8. Bd2 Bxd2+ 9.
Nxd2 Nc6 10. dxc5 b6 11. Bg2 Bb7 12. Qf4 bxc5 13. Qd6 Qb6 14. Ne4 Nd4 15. Qxb6
axb6 16. Nd6+ Ke7 17. Bxb7 Nc2+ 18. Kd2 Nxa1 19. Nxf7 Rxa2 20. Nxh8 Rxb2+ $44 {
0-1 Bacrot,E (2717)-Aronian,L (2752)/Morelia/Linares MEX/ESP 2006/The Week in
Chess 590 (55)}) 6. Bg2 cxd4 (6... Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 d6 8. O-O Qe7 9. Bg5 Nbd7 10.
Qd3 h6 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. Rfd1 Bd7 13. dxc5 dxc5 14. Ne5 Ba4 $11 {1/2-1/2
Georgiev,K (2677)-Anand,V (2803)/Turin ITA 2006/The Week in Chess 604 (21)}) 7.
Nxd4 d5 8. cxd5 (8. O-O dxc4 9. Qa4 Na6 10. Ndb5 Nd5 11. Rd1 Qe8 12. Nxd5 exd5
13. Bxd5 Bd7 14. Bxc4 Bc6 15. Qb3 Bxb5 16. Bxb5 Qxb5 17. a3 Qxe2 18. axb4 Nxb4
19. Bf4 a5 {1/2-1/2 Moiseenko,A (2664)-Naiditsch,A (2612)/Sant Lluis ESP 2005/
The Week in Chess 565}) 8... Nxd5 9. Qb3 Qb6 10. Bxd5 {The exchange of this
key bishop is obviously risky, but in this case it's the only way to fight for
an opening advantage. White will try to take advantage of black's isolated d5
pawn and a vulnerable position of black's queen.} (10. e3 $6 Nc6 11. Nxc6 bxc6
12. Bd2 Qa6 $15 {0-1 Hort,V (2545)-Kindermann,S (2480)/Dortmund 1985/MCL (33)})
10... exd5 11. Be3 Bh3 {Trying to prevent white's smooth development.} 12. g4
$1 {The idea of this move is to trap the black bishop by Rh1-g1-g3. It's
nearly always bad for Black to take on g4, since White might get a strong
attack along the "g" file.} (12. Rc1 Nc6 13. Nxc6 Qxc6 14. f3 Qc4 $6 15. Kf2
Be6 16. Qxc4 dxc4 17. Rhd1 Bxc3 18. bxc3 b6 19. Rd4 Rfd8 20. g4 $14 {1-0
Topalov,V (2801)-Aronian,L (2752)/Morelia/Linares MEX/ESP 2006/The Week in
Chess 591 (76)}) 12... Na6 {The knight is heading to e4.} (12... Bg2 $6 13. Rg1
Be4 14. a3 Bxc3+ 15. Qxc3 $14) (12... Bxg4 $2 13. Rg1 $18) (12... Nc6 13. Nxc6
Qxc6 14. Rg1 (14. Qxb4 $2 d4 {[%csl Rh1]}) 14... Bxc3+ 15. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 16. bxc3
f5 17. Rd1 Bxg4 18. Rxd5 Rae8 19. Kd2 a6 20. f3 Bh5 21. Bd4 $14 {1/2-1/2
Bezold,M (2475)-Horvath,C (2540)/Budapest 1994/CBM 045 ext (23)}) 13. a3 $1
$146 {[%mdl 8] An important novelty, which probably refutes the line with 12...
Na6. Obviously, Aronian studied the previous Naiditsch game and found an
improvement.} (13. Nf5 Qa5 14. Bd4 Nc5 15. Qxd5 Rfd8 16. Qf3 Rxd4 17. Qxh3
Bxc3+ 18. bxc3 Nd3+ 19. Kf1 Qxc3 20. Rd1 Nf4 21. Qxc3 Rxd1+ 22. Qe1 Rxe1+ 23.
Kxe1 Ne6 $15 {[%csl Ra2,Ga7,Gb7] 0-1 L'Ami,E (2550)-Naiditsch,A (2657)/Wijk
aan Zee NED 2006/The Week in Chess 586 (48)}) 13... Qa5 (13... Bxc3+ 14. Qxc3
Rfc8 (14... Bxg4 $2 15. Nf5 {[%csl Rb6,Rg7]} (15. Rg1 $40) 15... d4 16. Ne7+
Kh8 17. Bxd4 Qh6 18. Rg1 $18) 15. Qd2 Qf6 16. Rg1 Nc5 17. f3 $18 {[%csl Rh3]})
14. Rc1 Bxc3+ (14... Bc5 15. Rg1 $18 {[%csl Rh3] trapping the light-squared
bishop.}) 15. Rxc3 (15. Qxc3 $6 Qxc3+ 16. Rxc3 Bxg4 17. Rg1 h5 18. f3 Be6 19.
Rg5 $44) 15... Nc5 ({Again, it's bad to capture the Pg4:} 15... Bxg4 16. Rg1 h5
17. h3 Bxh3 18. Bd2 Bg4 19. Rc6 $1 Qd8 20. Qxb7 $18 {[%csl Ra6]}) 16. Qb4 $1
Qxb4 17. axb4 Na4 (17... Ne4 18. Rd3 f5 19. Ne6 (19. f3 $2 f4) 19... Rf7 (19...
Rf6 20. Nc7 $16) 20. g5 $16 {[%csl Rh3]}) 18. Ra3 Nxb2 (18... Nb6 19. Rg1 {
[%csl Rh3][%cal Gg1g3]} h5 20. gxh5 {and White is simply a pawn up, keeping a
promising initiative as well.}) 19. Bc1 {[%csl Rb2,Rh3]} Bg2 20. Rg1 Nc4 {
Black is not able to save a piece, and is lucky to get a rook for two light
pieces.} 21. Rxg2 Nxa3 22. Bxa3 $16 {This position arised nearly by force
after the opening! The position is materially balanced, but, obviously White
got a big advantage in this case. The knight is great on d4, while Black's
rooks does not have enough space for any activity.} Rfc8 23. Rg3 g6 24. g5 Rc4
25. Rd3 a6 26. Kd2 Rac8 27. e3 h6 28. gxh6 $6 {This is rather unnatural. Now
Black is getting counterplay.} (28. h4 $16 {keeping the pawn structure
complete.}) 28... Kh7 29. Rb3 Kxh6 30. Bb2 Kh5 $1 {White's Ph2 is doomed.
White needs to be in a hurry to reorganise his forces.} 31. Bc3 (31. b5 $2 a5
$132 {[%csl Ga5]}) 31... Kg4 32. Kd3 Kh3 33. Ne2 Kxh2 34. Rb1 {Black has to be
careful, since his king is in danger.} g5 $2 {Too optimistic, but in the game
it worked fine.} (34... R8c6 $5 35. Be5+ Kg2 36. Rg1+ Kxf2 37. Bg3+ Kf3 38. Be1
Rg4 39. Nd4+ Rxd4+ 40. Kxd4 Rc1 {with good chances for a draw.}) 35. f4 $2 {
Spoiling everything...} (35. Be5+ $1 Kh3 (35... Kg2 36. Rg1+ Kxf2 37. Rxg5 $18
{The drawback of 34...g5 is now clear.}) 36. Rh1+ Kg4 (36... Kg2 37. Rg1+ Kxf2
38. Rxg5 $18) 37. Nd4 Rc3+ 38. Kd2 $18 {[%cal Rf2f3]}) 35... g4 36. Be1 Kg2 37.
Bg3 {Probably, Aronian was counting on a mating net, but with the next move
Naiditsch frustrates his plans.} Rc1 $1 (37... Rh8 $5 {was sufficient for a
draw as well.} 38. Rg1+ Kf3 39. Be1 (39. Nd4+ $2 Rxd4+ 40. Kxd4 Rh3 41. Be1 g3
42. Rxg3+ Rxg3 43. Bxg3 Kxg3 44. Kxd5 b6 $19 {[%cal Ga6a5]}) 39... Rh3 40. f5
Re4 41. Nd4+ Rxd4+ 42. Kxd4 g3 43. Rxg3+ Rxg3 44. Bxg3 Kxg3 45. Kxd5 b6 46. e4
Kf4 47. f6 a5 48. bxa5 bxa5 49. e5 Kf5 50. Kd6 a4 51. e6 a3 52. exf7 a2 53.
f8=Q a1=Q $11) 38. Nxc1 (38. Rxc1 $2 Rxc1 39. Nxc1 Kxg3 {White has problems to
stop the "g" pawn.}) 38... Kxg3 39. Ne2+ Kf2 40. Rb2 g3 {Black's passed pawn
compensates the lack of a piece.} 41. f5 Re8 42. Nd4+ Kf1 43. Nf3 g2 44. Nh2+
Kg1 45. Nf3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 34th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2006.08.04"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2006.07.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 {The Exchange Variation has never been
too popular at top level. True, in a famous game played at Sankt Petersburg in
1914, Lasker used it to defeat his direct rival Capablanca, while in the late
'60s Fischer obtained a couple of fine wins with it, but in principle the
early capture on c6 has basically remained a mere surprise weapon. With the
Marshall Attack so hard to deal with, the revival of such an early deviation
from the well-trotten paths is not something completely unexpected.} dxc6 5.
O-O Be7 $5 {A relatively rare move.} ({The most common answer is} 5... f6 {
but after} 6. d4 {exd4, which is considered to be the main line, one would
wonder what did the advance of the f-pawn serve for apart from slightly
weakening the e6-square. Personally, I believe that in fact} Bg4 {not only
gives sense to ...f6, but also offers Black entirely adequate play, but
current fashion thinks slightly differently. From this point of view, the text
move is easy to understand: Black defends the e5-pawn by indirect means,
making a more useful developing move than 5...f6. However, the ultimate
consequences of this approach are not that one-sided as it might seem at first
sight.}) 6. d3 ({Having defended the e-file with the bishop, Black is ready to
meet} 6. Nxe5 {with} Qd4 {followed by ...Qxe4. Practice has shown that the
lively play that follows tends to lead to approximate equality. Leko's move is
quite a logical reaction to Black's variation, as can be infered from the next
comment.}) 6... Bf6 {We can see now the main drawback behind defining the
bishop's intentions at such an early stage. In the cases when White refrains
from an early opening of the centre (in the lines based on 6.Bxc6 mainly), the
most desirable way of defending the e5-pawn is ...f6. The bishop belongs to
the a3-f8 diagonal, defending the c-pawn (after a predictable ...c5) and
keeping the enemy queen side under observation. After castling, Black
frequently plays ...Re8 and ...Bf8. On f6, the bishop is both passive and
slightly exposed, preventing the natural connection between the king side
pawns. Of course, 6...f6 would make no sense at all now, because it would
leave Black with problems developing his remaining knight.} 7. Nbd2 {The plan
introduced by this move is the most logical: White concentrates his forces
against the e5-pawn.} (7. Be3 {has also been played, but generally speaking it
makes less sense because it is mainly aimed to sustain the opening of the
centre with d4, for which Black is well prepared.} Ne7 8. Nbd2 ({The immediate
} 8. d4 {offered Black strong counterplay after} Bg4 9. c3 Bxf3 10. gxf3 Ng6
11. Na3 exd4 12. cxd4 Bg5 13. Qc1 Nh4 {All these moves, taking advantage of
the kingside weaknesses are rather instructive.} 14. f4 Bf6 15. Kh1 Bxd4 $15 {
0-1 Zelcic,R (2540)-Krstic,U (2265)/Pula 1998/EXT 2000 (57)}) (8. h3 Ng6 9. Nc3
O-O 10. Qd2 Re8 11. Ne2 Be6 12. Ng3 Qd7 {was seen in the game 1/2-1/2
Georgadze,T-Novopashin,A/USSR 1975 (23). Now, Georgadze gives} 13. d4 exd4 14.
Bxd4 Rad8 15. Rfd1 {as clearly better for White but after} Nh4 $15 {it is only
Black who can claim an advantage.}) 8... Ng6 9. Nc4 (9. Nb3 {is less indicated
because the knight has little to do here. After} O-O 10. h3 Re8 11. Re1 a5 12.
a4 b6 {White initiated a regroupment similar to that from our main game, but
with considerable loss of time:} 13. Nbd2 c5 14. Nc4 Be6 15. b3 Qe7 16. Bd2
Rad8 17. Bc3 Bxc4 18. bxc4 Nf4 19. Nh2 g6 20. Ng4 Bg7 21. Ne3 Qd6 22. Qb1 Ne6
23. Qd1 Nd4 {Taking advantage of the few available extra-tempi, Black has
managed to activate his position and has nothing to fear, 1/2-1/2 Zahariev,Z 
(2365)-Djuric,S (2535)/Iraklion 1992/EXT 99' (63)}) 9... Be6 10. b3 b6 11. a4
a5 12. Bd2 Bxc4 13. bxc4 Be7 {A well-timed regroupment. T he bishop abandons
the relatively unfavorable f6-square before the pressure against the e5-pawn
becomes too strong.} 14. Bc3 (14. Rb1 {would prevent the placement of the
bishop on b4, but would allow} Bc5 15. Bc3 Qe7 {instead.}) 14... Bb4 15. Bxb4 (
15. Bxe5 $2 Nxe5 16. Nxe5 Bc3 $17) (15. Bb2 Qe7 16. c3 Bd6 17. d4 {would
manage to create a strong centre of pawns, but the passivity of the bishop and
the weakness of the c4-pawn are too high a price to pay, leaving Black with a
good position after a calm move such as} O-O) 15... axb4 16. c5 Qe7 17. cxb6
cxb6 18. Nd2 O-O 19. Nc4 Ra6 20. Qd2 Rfa8 21. Rab1 c5 {with at least equal
play for Black, 1/2-1/2 Brynell,S (2485)-Grivas,E (2440)/Leningrad 1989/CBM
014 (30)}) 7... Ne7 8. Nc4 Ng6 9. b3 $146 {Technically speaking, this is a
novelty but it could just lead to move transposition.} (9. Bd2 Be6 (9... O-O
10. Bc3 Re8 {is rather similar with the main game. White might play b3 later
anyway in order to increase his control on light squares.}) 10. Ne3 {White
should not retreat with his knight from this active position.} (10. b3 O-O 11.
Bc3 {looks more to the point.}) 10... c5 11. Bc3 Qd7 12. a4 O-O 13. b3 b5 14.
Nd2 Be7 15. Ra2 f6 16. Kh1 Bd6 $15 {Black has considerably restricted the
activity of the enemy minor pieces and regrouped his own in optimal way. His
position is very enjoyable now, 1/2-1/2 Brynell,S (2485)-Grivas,E (2440)/
Leningrad 1989/CBM 014 (30)}) 9... O-O 10. Bb2 Re8 11. h3 a5 {In principle,
the side interested in giving the position a blocked character is White, who
has two knights. From this point of view, Black's last move is slightly
cooperative.} ({He should have aimed for the same type of structure as in the
aforementioned game Brynell-Grivas, by preserving the possibility of driving
the c4-knight away with ...b5, with, for instance,} 11... c5 12. a4 b6) ({
In fact, the immediate} 11... b5 {also comes into account, although weakening
the queen side before having completed the development might be not to
everybody's taste.}) 12. a4 c5 13. Kh1 {A slightly mystersterious
prophylactical move, aiming to enable the thematic opening of the king side by
means of f4.} b6 14. Bc3 Be6 {Black cannot stand the irritating pressure
against e5 anymore and decides to exchange one of White's key pieces.} 15. Nh2
{The e5-pawn is poisoned.} (15. Nfxe5 $2 Bxc4) (15. Ncxe5 Bxb3 16. Nc6 Qd6 17.
e5 Qxc6 18. exf6 Bd5 19. fxg7 Nf4 $40) (15. Bxe5 Nxe5 16. Nfxe5 (16. Ncxe5 Qd6)
16... Bxc4 17. Nxc4 Bxa1 18. Qxa1 $44) 15... Bxc4 16. bxc4 {This is the first
of the series of occasions when White will have the opportunity to capture
with a pawn towards the centre, which will give him unquestionable superiority
in this area of the board.} Qd7 17. Qg4 Qc6 18. g3 Nf8 19. f4 exf4 {Black, on
the contrary, is forced to capture away from the centre, just as he did on the
4th move.} 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. gxf4 Qg6 22. f5 Qxg4 23. hxg4 f6 $14 {White has
an obvious advantage, but converting it into something more concrete is
anything but easy. The main factor that restricts his active possibilities is
the relative weakness of the c4-pawn, which makes the desirable opening of the
centre by means of d4 not easy to carry out. Leko's strategy during the next
30 moves is in accordance with the general recommendations of the good old
Soviet School regarding the conversion of minimal but stable advantage, when
the opponent hardly has any counterplay. He will maneuver with his pieces in
such a way that it creates small illusory threats, others than the main plan.
Only when the opponent will be tired and somewhat confused about which the
true intentions could be, will he go for the opening of the centre with d4.}
24. Nf3 Rad8 25. Kg2 Rd6 26. Kg3 Nd7 27. Kf4 h6 28. Ke3 Kf7 29. Rad1 Rc6 30.
Rg1 Re7 31. Rd2 Rd6 32. Rdd1 Rc6 33. Rde1 Rd6 34. Rg2 Rc6 35. Rb1 Rd6 36. Ng1
Ne5 37. Ne2 Re8 38. Nc3 Rd4 39. Kf4 Rd7 40. Nd5 Nc6 41. Ke3 Ne5 42. Nc3 Rd6 43.
Ne2 Rd7 44. Kf4 Red8 45. Ng1 Rd6 46. Nf3 Nd7 47. Re1 Re8 48. Rge2 Re7 49. Ke3
Re8 50. Rd1 Rd8 51. Red2 Ke7 52. Kf4 Re8 53. Ke3 Rd8 54. c3 {Finally a pawn
move, preparing d4.} Ne5 {The most rational way of fighting against White's
advantage of space consists of exchanging pieces. Besides, Black's first
capture towards the centre is enabled now.} (54... Rc6 {would only temporarily
prevent d4. After} 55. Rc1 Ne5 56. Nxe5 fxe5 57. d4 {would more or less force
Black to transpose to the game continuation with} Rcd6 ({The immediate} 57...
Kf6 $4 {loses a crucial pawn to} 58. dxe5+)) 55. Nxe5 fxe5 56. d4 Kf6 57. dxe5+
$2 {This move will lead unexpectedly quickly to a win, but is hardly the
strongest in this position. Its main drawbacks are that it allows the strong
centralization of the enemy king and the exchange of one pair of rooks, which
should make White's huge advantage of space bearable for Black.} ({White would
have consolidated his advantage with} 57. d5 {for instance:} Kg5 (57... g5 58.
fxg6 Kxg6 59. Rf2 Rf6 60. Rf5 $16) 58. Rh1 Rf8 59. Rg2 {followed by Rh5(+) and
g5(+). Once a rook will be installed on e6, Black's position would become
hopeless.}) 57... Kxe5 58. Rd5+ Rxd5 59. cxd5 ({Exchanging the remaining rooks
would be pretty dangerous:} 59. Rxd5+ Rxd5 60. exd5 (60. cxd5 {leaves White in
zugzwang after} c4 $19) 60... h5 $1 {although he can probably still save the
day with} 61. gxh5 (61. Kf3 $2 h4 $19) 61... Kxf5 62. Kf3 Kg5 63. Ke4 Kxh5 64.
Ke5 g5 65. Ke6 g4 66. Kd7 g3 67. Kxc7 g2 68. d6 g1=Q 69. d7 {when the
unavailibility of checks along the c-file prevents Black from pushing the
enemy king in front of the pawn. Of course, no player would consider 59.Rxd5+
seriously. I mentioned this obvious mistake here just in order to illustrate
how relative the notion of advantage of space can be. White let good part of
his advantage slip away with the exchange of one pair of rooks and could
almost have turned tables around with a second exchange.}) 59... b5 $4 {
But this is just panic. It seems like if Leko's series of 30 neutral moves
finally produced their psychological effect over Aronian. Otherwise, how could
be explained the fact that just in the moment when he had somewhat relieved
his position he launches himself into a desperate counterattack, involving the
loss of a pawn and completely ruining his queen side structure? In case of a
neutral strategy from Black's part, White could not have continued playing
cat-and-mouse anymore, but would have been forced to embark in double-edged
variations, allowing powerful black counterplay, in order to search for
winning chances.} ({Let's now have a more concrete look at the position. Which
neutral move should Black choose? He cannot move his king because this would
enable Kf4 followed by e5 with a crushing position. The rook cannot leave the
d-file undefended because after, say} 59... Re8 $2 {White would obtain
excellent winning chances with} 60. d6 $1) ({Therefore, we are left with moves
along the d-file. We shall take} 59... Rd6 {as a reference point. Let's see
first what would happen if White intends to carry out the same plan as that
mentioned in the comment to the 57th move:} 60. c4 Rd8 61. Rh1 Rd7 62. Rh5 Rd8
({The only trick Black has to avoid is} 62... Rd6 $4 63. f6+ $1 Kxf6 64. e5+
$18) 63. g5 hxg5 64. Rxg5 Rh8 {Here we can see two significant differences
compared with the comment from the 57th move. First of all, with just one pair
of rooks on board, White cannot carry out the thematic king side break without
giving up the control of the h-file. Secondly, the black king is very actively
placed now. These aspects are sufficient to maintain the balance even.} 65.
Rxg7 Rh3+ 66. Kd2 Kxe4 67. Rxc7 Kxf5 {with a most likely draw, for instance}
68. Re7 Rh2+ 69. Re2 Rh4 70. Kd3 Rh3+ 71. Re3 Rh4 72. Kc3 Rh1 {and the d-pawn
is not dangerous.}) ({Against} 59... Rd6 {White can also try a different plan,
based on the transfer of the king to the queen side, using the c4-square:} 60.
Kd3 Rd8 61. Re1 Re8 62. Kc4 Kd6 {This looks like the safest defensive method.}
(62... Kf4 {might be playable but more risky.}) 63. Kb5 Re5 $1 {Black has to
maintain the e-pawn safely blocked. Otherwise, he would face the permanent
danger of a well-timed e5+, distracting the king from the defence of the
c7-pawn.} 64. c4 Kd7 65. Ka6 Kd6 66. Kb7 Kd7 {White has reached a maximum of
activity, but he seems to have no way to increase his pressure. For instance}
67. d6 (67. g5 hxg5 68. Rg1 Rxe4 69. Rxg5 Rxc4 $11) 67... Kxd6 68. Rd1+ Ke7 69.
Kxc7 Rxe4 $11) 60. axb5 $18 {The rest is easy.} a4 61. Kd3 Kd6 62. Ra1 Ra8 63.
Ra3 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 34th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2006.08.05"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D80"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2006.07.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Ne4 5. Bh4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 dxc4 7. e3 Be6 8.
Qb1 Qd5 {This bizarre move was examined in CBM 101, annotations to
Atalik-Predojevic. In the current game GM Peter Svidler links it to another
plan.} 9. Nf3 Nd7 $5 (9... Qa5 10. Qb2 (10. Qc2 $5 Nd7 (10... Bf5 11. Qb2) 11.
Nd2 Nb6 12. Be2 Na4 13. O-O b5 14. Bf3 Rd8 15. Rfc1 f6 16. Rab1 Kf7 17. Bc6 a6
18. Rb4 $44 {1-0 Javakhishvili,L-Przezdziecka,M/Turin ITA 2006/The Week in
Chess 604 (44)}) 10... Nd7 11. Be2 Nb6 12. O-O Bg7 $5 {probably more solid than
} (12... Na4 13. Qxb7 Bd5 14. Qb1 Nxc3 15. Qe1 Bg7 16. e4 $1 Nxe2+ 17. Qxe2 $44
{1/2-1/2 Atalik,S-Predojevic,B/Sarajevo 2004/CBM 101/[Atalik] (31)}) 13. Nd2 c5
14. Nb3 Qb5 15. Qa3 Qa4 16. Qxa4+ Nxa4 17. Nxc5 Nxc5 18. dxc5 Bxc3 19. Rab1 b6
20. cxb6 axb6 21. Rxb6 O-O 22. Rxe6 fxe6 23. Bxc4 Kf7 24. Bb3 $11 {1/2-1/2
Sargissian,G-Vachier Lagrave,M/Turin ITA 2006/The Week in Chess 604 (37)}) (
9... Bf5 10. Qb2 Nd7 {had been already played in the following game:} 11. Nd2
Nb6 12. a4 a5 13. f3 Bd3 14. Bxd3 cxd3 15. O-O Bh6 16. f4 Qd7 17. c4 O-O 18.
Qa3 Bg7 19. Ra2 Rfe8 20. Qxd3 Nxa4 21. f5 Nb6 22. Ne4 $44 {1/2-1/2
Lomineishvili,M-Khotenashvili,B/Kusadasi TUR 2006/The Week in Chess 596 (102)
After big complications and an exciting ending the game was drawn.}) 10. Be2
Bf5 11. Qb2 Bg7 12. O-O e5 13. Qb4 {White has wasted a tempo (Qb1-b2-b4) but
the black bishop is not so great on g7.} c5 14. Qxc4 Qxc4 15. Bxc4 Rc8 16. Bd5
Bd3 17. Rfd1 Ba6 18. Rab1 b6 19. Bg3 (19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Bxe5 21. c4 O-O
22. f4 Bg7 23. e4 Bd4+ 24. Bf2 Bxf2+ 25. Kxf2 {was a better chance but Black
should hold on anyway.}) 19... cxd4 20. exd4 $2 {After this Black takes over
the initiative - and White fails to focus back on stubborn defence.} (20. cxd4
{is standard for such positions although after} Nf6 (20... exd4 21. Nxd4 {
[%cal Rd4c6]}) 21. dxe5 (21. Bxe5 $2 Nxd5 22. Bxg7 Rg8 23. Be5 Nc3) (21. Bb3 $5
Ne4 (21... exd4 22. Ba4+ b5 23. Bxb5+ Bxb5 24. Rxb5) 22. Nxe5 O-O {is somewhat
similar to 21.dxe5}) 21... Nxd5 22. Rxd5 Bc4 23. Rd2 O-O {White's extra pawn
should not be enough to win.}) 20... Nf6 21. Bb3 $2 (21. Bxe5 Nxd5 22. Bxg7 Rg8
23. Re1+ Kd8 24. Bh6 Rxc3 25. Ng5 $132) 21... Ne4 22. Re1 Nxc3 23. Rb2 (23.
Bxe5 O-O 24. Rb2 Rfe8 25. Re3 Bh6 26. Re1 Bc4 $17) 23... e4 24. Ng5 Bc4 $1 (
24... O-O $5 25. Bd6 Bd3 26. Bxf8 Rxf8 $36 {was totally unnecessary.}) 25. Nxe4
Nxe4 26. Rxe4+ Kd8 {Black has a clear advantage in the endgame due to his
potential outside passed pawn and centralized king.} 27. Bf4 Bxb3 28. Rxb3 Re8
29. Rxe8+ Kxe8 30. d5 Rc4 31. g3 Ra4 32. Re3+ Kd7 33. Re2 Bf8 34. Kf1 Bd6 35.
Be3 Bc5 36. Bf4 {The rook endgame is hopeless but now White just loses his d5
pawn.} (36. Bxc5 bxc5 37. Rb2 Rb4 $1) 36... Rd4 37. Rc2 Rxd5 38. Ke2 b5 39. g4
Kc6 40. Be3 Kb6 41. Rd2 Rxd2+ 42. Bxd2 b4 43. f3 Kb5 44. Kd3 Bd6 45. h3 Be5 46.
Be3 a5 47. Bd2 a4 0-1

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 34th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2006.08.06"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "Gelfand,B"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2006.07.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Since last August it was my 6th encounter with Levon Aronian. In the first 5
I had the black pieces. So, it was my first chance to try my luck with the
white colour. This game was already analysed in some sites and the best one
was done by Maxim Notkin in www.chesstoday.net. I have used some of his ideas
in these comments. Seit letztem August war dies meine sechste Begegnung mit
Levon Aronian. In den ersten 5 hatte ich die schwarzen Figuren. Dies war also
meine erste Chance, mein Glück mit den weißen Figuren zu versuchen. Diese
Partie wurde bereits auf einigen Internetseiten analysiert, und die beste
Analyse war von Maxim Notkin auf www.chesstoday.net. Ich habe einige seiner
Ideen in den Kommentaren verwendet.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5.
Qc2 {For some reasons this move was least popular out of all the logical
options to protect c4 pawn (5.b3, 5.Nbd2, 5.Qa4, 5.Qb3). However, when in
January Shakhriyar Mamedyarov used it against me in Wijk aan Zee, I felt that
there is a potential in this line and started analyzing it together with
Alexander Khuzman Aus irgendwelchen Gründen war dieser Zug von allen logischen
Möglichkeiten zur Deckung des Bauern c4 (5.b3, 5.Nbd2, 5.Qa4, 5.Qb3) am
wenigsten populär. Als jedoch im Januar Shakhriyar Mamedyarov dies gegen mich
in Wijk aan Zee anwendete, spürte ich, dass es in diesem Abspiel ein Potential
gibt und fing an, es gemeinsam mit Alexander Khuzman zu analysieren.} Bb7 ({
I played Ich spielte} 5... c5 6. d5 exd5 7. cxd5 Bb7 8. e4 (8. Bg2 {transposes
to the game führt zur Partie.}) 8... Qe7 9. Bd3 Nxd5 10. a3 Nc6 11. O-O Nc7 12.
Nc3 Ne6 13. Be3 Qd8 14. Rad1 Be7 15. Bc4 O-O 16. e5 Ncd4 17. Nxd4 cxd4 18. Bxd4
Qc8 19. Qe2 d6 20. exd6 Bxd6 $14 {1/2-1/2 Mamedyarov,S-Gelfand,B/Wijk aan Zee
NED 2006 (35)}) 6. Bg2 c5 7. d5 $5 {This is the most principled continuation.
Dies ist die prinzipiellste Fortsetzung.} ({Harmless is Harmlos ist} 7. dxc5
Bxc5 8. O-O Be7 9. Nc3 Qc8 10. b3 O-O 11. Bb2 Na6 12. Rac1 Nc5 13. Rfd1 Nce4
14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. Qd2 Rd8 16. Qf4 Qb7 {0-1 Ristic,N-Gligoric,S/Kladovo 1991/TD
(61)}) 7... exd5 8. cxd5 $5 {This is the idea. It was first introduced into
top level by Vallejo in his game vs Macieja in the Turin Olympiad. It looks
like that White is giving up a pawn for nothing, but he has a certain lead in
development and he is pinning his hopes to build up an initiative along the
central lines. Das ist die Idee. Auf Topebene eingeführt wurde sie von Vallejo
in seiner Partie gegen Macieja bei der Olympiade in Turin. Es scheint, als
gibt Weiß einen Bauern für nichts, aber er hat gewissen Entwicklungsvorsprung
und setzt seine Hoffnungen darauf, entlang den Zentrumslinien eine Initiative
zu entfalten.development and he is pinning his hopes to build up an initiative
along the central lines.} (8. Nh4 {was played before, but without much success.
wurde vorher gespielt, allerdings ohne großen Erfolg.}) 8... Bxd5 ({The
capture Das Schlagen} 8... Nxd5 {is waiting for a pioneer, as Maxim Notkin
wrote in Chess today. wartet noch auf einen Pionier, wie Maxim Notkin auf
Chess today schrieb.}) 9. Nc3 Bc6 ({Probably the most principled is Am
prinzipiellsten ist wahrscheinlich} 9... Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Nc6 {even though White
had won the game in a complicated struggle. , wenngleich Weiß die Partie nach
kompliziertem Kampf gewann.} 11. Qa4 Rc8 12. Bf4 Be7 13. O-O-O O-O 14. Kb1 Nd4
$6 15. Bb7 b5 16. Qxa7 b4 17. Na4 Rc7 18. e3 Ne6 19. Bxc7 Qxc7 20. Qb6 Qe5 21.
Qa6 d5 22. f4 Qxe3 23. Rhe1 Qf3 24. Qd3 Qh5 25. Re5 Qh3 26. Bxd5 {1-0 Vallejo
Pons,F-Macieja,B/Turin ITA 2006 (42)}) (9... Bb7 10. e4 Nc6 11. O-O Be7 12. e5
Nb4 13. Qf5 g6 14. Qb1 Ng4 15. Re1 c4 16. Re4 f5 17. exf6 Nxf6 18. Rxc4 $16 {
1-0 Kostic,V-Nikolac,J/Bayern 2001/EXT 2002 (24)}) 10. e4 {I had a short look
at 9...Bc6 at home and decided that White has full compensation after short
castle. However, over the board I realized that castling long is even more
ambitious. Ich hatte mir 9...Bc6 zuhause kurz angesehen und beschlossen, dass
Weiß nach der Rochade volle Kompensation hat. Am Brett aber wurde mir klar,
dass die lange Rochade sogar noch ehrgeiziger ist.} (10. O-O Be7 11. Rd1 d6 12.
e4 Qc7 13. Nh4 g6 14. b4 Nbd7 (14... cxb4 $2 {Maxim Notkin (www.chesstoday.net)
} 15. Nd5) 15. Bb2 O-O 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 Rfe8 $44 {1/2-1/2 Alexandrova,
O-Bojkovic,N/Belgrade 2001/CBM 84 ext (31)}) 10... Be7 (10... d6 11. Bf4) (
10... Nxe4 11. Nxe4 Qe7 12. Nfd2 d5 13. O-O dxe4 14. Nxe4 $18) 11. Bf4 O-O 12.
O-O-O Na6 13. Qe2 ({Probably, more precise was Genauer war womöglich} 13. a3 {
as in the game Black had the reasonable alternative 13...Nc7. However, during
the game it's not easy to choose between such subleties and you instinctively
are afraid to allow the b5-b4 advance somewhere. , denn in der Partie hatte
Schwarz die ordentliche Alternative 13...Nc7. Aber während der Partie ist es
nciht so leicht, zwischen solchen Feinheiten zu wählen, und instinktiv hat man
Angst, irgendwo den Vorstoß b5-b4 zuzulassen.} Nb4 (13... Nc7 14. e5 Nfd5 15.
Nxd5 Nxd5 16. Ne1 Nxf4 17. Bxc6) (13... b5 14. Ne5) (13... Qc8 14. e5) 14. Qe2)
13... Nb4 (13... Qc8 14. Ne5 (14. e5 Ne8)) ({White has full compensation after
Weiß hat volle Kompensation nach} 13... Nc7 $5 {but probably not more, for
example , aber wahrscheinlich nicht mehr, zum Beispiel} 14. Ne5 Qc8 (14... Bb7
15. Nc4 Ne6 16. Nd6 Nd4 17. Rxd4 cxd4 18. Nxb7 Qc8 19. e5 Ne8 20. Kb1 (20. Nd6
Bxd6 21. Bxa8 Qxa8 22. Qe4 Qxe4 23. Nxe4 Bb8) 20... dxc3 21. Rc1 $44) 15. Rhe1
(15. Nc4 b5 16. Nd5 (16. Nd6 Bxd6 17. Bxd6 Re8) 16... Bxd5 17. exd5 Re8) (15.
Nxc6 $5 dxc6 16. Bxc7 Qxc7 17. e5 Nd7 18. Rhe1 $44) 15... Bb7 (15... Ne6 16.
Nxc6 dxc6 17. e5 Nd7 18. Qe4 Nd4 19. Ne2 $16) 16. Nc4 (16. Kb1 Re8 17. Qc4 Ne6
18. Bh3 Bf8) (16. Ng4 Nxg4 17. Qxg4 Ne6 18. Be5 $44 (18. Bh6 $5)) 16... Ne6 17.
Bd6 Nd4 18. Qf1 Qd8 19. e5 Bxg2 20. Qxg2 Bxd6 21. Nxd6 Ne8 22. Ndb5 $44) 14. a3
Qc8 (14... a5 15. Kb1) 15. Kb1 a5 {Black's concept is clear - he invites White
to take a piece on b4, when he will have a strong counterplay on the a-line.
Das Konzept von Schwarz ist klar - er lädt Weiß ein, auf b4 eine Figur zu
schlagen, wonach er starkes Gegenspiel auf der a-Linie haben wird.} (15... Qa6
{(Maxim Notkin (www.chesstoday.net))  is somewhat faint-hearted. Black admits
that his attacking resources are inadequate and forces the queen exchange but
after ist etwas kläglich. Schwarz räumt ein, dass seine Angriffsressourcen
nicht ausreichen und forciert den Damentausch, aber nach} 16. Rhe1 $1 (16. axb4
$2 Bxe4+ $1) 16... Qxe2 17. Rxe2 {the knight should finally retreat - sollte
der Springer endlich zurückgehen -} Na6 18. Ne5 Rfd8 19. Red2 $16) 16. Ne5 (16.
axb4 $2 axb4 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 Re8 {and Black would always have
counterplay, due to the weakened position of the white K. I didn't even
consider the idea to give the initiative to such a brilliant attacking player
as Levon. und Schwarz hätte immer Gegenspiel aufgrund der geschwächten
Stellung des weißen Königs. Ich kam nicht mal auf die Idee, einem so
brillanten Angriffspieler wie Levon die Initiative zu überlassen.}) 16... Re8
$2 {A natural looking move, but urgent measures were called for: Ein natürlich
wirkender Zug, aber es waren Notmaßnahmen erforderlich:} (16... d6 17. Nxc6
Qxc6 (17... Nxc6 18. Nd5 $16 (18. Nb5 $16)) 18. Rhg1 $1 (18. g4 {is not so
clear: ist nicht so klar:} c4 19. g5 Nd7 20. axb4 axb4 21. Nd5 Rfe8 22. e5 Kh8
{and the white K is the target of an attack. und der weiße K ist ein
Angriffsziel.}) 18... Qc8 19. g4 $16) ({The critical line goes Das kritische
Abspiel verläuft mit} 16... b5 $1 {Maxim Notkin} 17. g4 (17. Nxb5 Bxb5 18. Qxb5
d6 19. Nc4 Rb8) (17. Nxc6 dxc6 18. e5 Nfd5 $11) 17... c4 18. g5 Ne8 {with a
complicated game, where both sides have their chances. mit kompliziertem Spiel,
wo beide Seiten ihre Chancen haben.} 19. Bh3 $6 (19. h4 $5) 19... Bd6 $1 20.
Rxd6 Nxd6 21. Rd1 Nd3 22. Nxd3 cxd3 23. Qxd3 Nc4 $15) 17. Rhe1 {Centralisation
above all! Zentralisierung über alles!} (17. g4 $5 d6 18. Nxc6 ({The following
lines, indicated by Maxim Notkin, show that things are not clear after Die
folgenden Abspiele, angegeben von Maxim Notkin, zeigen, dass die Dinge nicht
klar sind nach} 18. Nc4 Qa6 (18... Qxg4 {Maxim Notkin} 19. Qxg4 Nxg4 20. Bg3) {
better is besser ist} 19. Bxd6 {Maxim Notkin (www.chesstoday.net)} (19. g5 Nxe4
20. Bxe4 Bxe4+ 21. Qxe4 (21. Nxe4 {Maxim Notkin (www.chesstoday.net)} d5) 21...
Bf8) 19... b5 20. Bxe7 Rxe7 21. Nd6 $13) 18... Nxc6 19. g5 Nd7 20. Nd5 Nd4 21.
Qg4 $16) 17... Bf8 (17... d6 18. Nxc6 (18. Nc4 $5) 18... Nxc6 19. Nb5) 18. g4
$1 ({Again weak is the impatient Schwach ist wieder das ungeduldige} 18. Qc4 $6
d5 (18... Re6 $140 19. Bh3) 19. exd5 b5 $1 20. Qe2 Bd7 21. axb4 axb4 22. Ne4
Qa6) 18... g6 ({If Falls} 18... d6 {, so} 19. Nc4 {with a double attack on b6
and d6 mit Doppelangriff auf b6 und d6} (19. Nxc6 {Maxim Notkin} Nxc6 20. g5
Nd4 $1 {is less convincing. ist weniger überzeugend.}) 19... Qxg4 20. Qxg4 Nxg4
21. Bg3 $16 (21. axb4 axb4 22. Nd5 Nxf2 23. Rd2 $16 {Notkin,Maxim})) ({After
the slow and passive Nach dem langsamen und passiven} 18... Re7 19. g5 Ne8 {
(Maxim Notkin )} {and let's say , und nun z.B.} 20. h4 {the white attack is
developing without much problems. entwickelt sich der weiße Angriff ohne große
Probleme.}) 19. Bg3 $1 {/\ Qf3 White is bulding up pressure to force his
opponent to conceed d7-d6, when he'll be able to take on c6, followed by Nb5.
Weiß verstärkt den Druck, um seinen Gegner zu dem Zugeständnis d7-d6 zu
zwingen, wonach auf c6 nehmen kann, gefolgt von Nb5.} (19. Qc4 Re6 20. axb4
axb4 21. Nb5 Qa6 22. Bf1 d5 $19) ({It's not so strong to take on c6, while
Black's pawn is still on d7. Es ist nicht so stark, auf c6 zu nehmen, solange
der schwarze Bauer noch auf d7 ist.} 19. Nxc6 dxc6 20. e5 Nfd5) 19... Re6 (
19... Bg7 20. Nc4) (19... d6 20. Nc4) 20. f4 $1 d6 {There is no defence
against further advance, so Black allows the exchange on c6 in favourable
circumstances. Das weitere Vorrücken ist nicht aufzuhalten, daher erlaubt
Schwarz den Abtausch auf c6 unter günstigen Umständen.} (20... Re7 21. Bh4 (21.
f5 $1) 21... Bg7 22. Nxc6 dxc6 23. e5) (20... Bg7 21. f5 Re8 22. Qc4) 21. Nxc6
Nxc6 22. Nb5 {Now it's clear that White's strategy succeeded. Black's position
is hopeless. Jetzt ist klar, dass die weiße Strategie aufgegangen ist. Die
schwarze Stellung ist hoffnungslos.} Ne8 ({Or Oder} 22... Nd4 23. Nxd4 cxd4 24.
Rxd4) 23. e5 ({I also considered Ich erwog auch} 23. f5 Re7 (23... Re5 {
" with a faint hope for blockade" (Maxim Notkin) " mit schwacher Hoffnung auf
Blockade" (Maxim Notkin)} 24. g5) 24. e5 Nxe5 (24... dxe5 25. Qe4 Qa6 26. Bh4)
25. Bxa8 Qxa8 26. Nc3) 23... dxe5 24. Bd5 ({Also strong was Stark war auch} 24.
fxe5 Nc7 25. Bxc6 $1 (25. Nd6 Bxd6 26. Rxd6 (26. Bxc6 Bxe5 27. Bd7 Bxg3 $13 {
Maxim Notkin}) 26... Nd4 27. Qf2 Ra7) (25. Nxc7 Qxc7 26. Bd5 Rae8 $14) 25...
Rxc6 26. Nd6 Qd7 $8 (26... Qe6 27. Qf3) 27. Qg2 Ne6 28. Nxf7 Qc7 29. Nd6) 24...
a4 $2 {Black fails to put any resistance. Schwarz versäumt es, Widerstand zu
leisten.} ({I was worried about Sorgen machte mir} 24... Nd4 $1 25. Nxd4 exd4
26. Bxe6 Qxe6 27. Qxe6 (27. Qf3 $5) 27... fxe6 28. Rxe6 Nc7 (28... Nd6 29. f5)
29. Rxb6 Nd5 30. Rb7 Ne3 31. Rg1 $16 {and White still has to show technique.
und Weiß muss noch Technik zeigen.}) (24... exf4 25. Bxe6 Qxe6 26. Qxe6 fxe6
27. Bxf4 {is hopeless. ist hoffnungslos.}) (24... Re7 25. fxe5) 25. fxe5 (25.
f5 gxf5 26. gxf5 Rh6 27. Qg2 $1 {was also convincing. war ebenfalls
überzeugend.}) 25... Ng7 26. Qf3 Rb8 27. Nd6 {Winning in spectacular way.
Gewinnt auf spektakuläre Weise.} (27. Rf1 Nd8 28. Bh4 $1 Be7 29. Bxe6 Qxe6 30.
Nc7 {was even simpler. war sogar noch einfacher.}) 27... Bxd6 28. exd6 Nd4 29.
Rxd4 $1 {A not so difficult, but nice combination. Keine sehr schwierige, aber
eine hübsche Kombination.} Rxe1+ (29... cxd4 30. Bxe6 Nxe6 31. d7) 30. Bxe1
cxd4 31. Qxf7+ Kh8 32. d7 Qc5 (32... Qf8 33. Qxf8+ Rxf8 34. Bh4) 33. Bb4 1-0

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2006.08.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nbbrnkrq/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NBBRNKRQ w GDgd - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2006.08.17"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Rxd4 Be5 4. Rd1 O-O 5. Nf3 Bf6 6. Nc2 g6 7. b3 Nac7 8.
Ne3 Bb2 9. O-O Bxc1 10. Rxc1 Nf6 11. h3 b6 12. Qh2 d6 13. Qg3 Qg7 14. Qh4 Bb7
15. Rfd1 Rc8 16. Nd4 Rfd8 17. Rc3 e6 18. Nef5 exf5 19. Nxf5 g5 20. Qg3 Nh5 21.
Qe3 Qf6 22. Ne7+ Kf8 23. Nxc8 Rxc8 24. Qd2 Nf4 25. Rg3 Rd8 26. Bxh7 Nce6 27. e3
Nh5 28. Rg4 Qh6 29. Bf5 Neg7 30. Qc2 Qf6 31. Be4 Bc8 32. Bf3 Qe5 33. Re4 Bf5
34. Rxe5 Bxc2 35. Rd2 Bg6 36. Bxh5 Nxh5 37. Rxg5 Nf6 38. f3 Ke7 39. e4 Nh7 40.
Rgd5 f6 41. f4 1-0

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2006.08.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "bqnrkbrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BQNRKBRN w GDgd - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2006.08.17"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Ng6 2. e3 e6 3. f4 b6 4. b3 d5 5. cxd5 Bxd5 6. Ng3 Nd6 7. Bd3 Qa8 8. e4
Bc6 9. Nce2 Nb5 10. Qc2 Bc5 11. Bxb5 Bxb5 12. d4 Bb4+ 13. Kf2 O-O 14. f5 exf5
15. Nxf5 Ne7 16. Neg3 Nxf5 17. Nxf5 Bd7 18. g4 Rde8 19. Kf3 f6 20. d5 Rf7 21.
h4 Bf8 22. h5 c6 23. d6 c5 24. Rge1 g6 25. hxg6 hxg6 26. Nh4 f5 27. gxf5 gxf5
28. Rg1+ Kh7 29. Ng6 Bh6 30. Ne5 Rxe5 31. Bxe5 fxe4+ 32. Ke2 Rf5 33. Qc4 Qe8
34. Bg3 Bb5 35. d7 Bxc4+ 36. bxc4 Qh5+ 37. Ke1 Qf3 0-1

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2006.08.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "bnrkrbnq/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BNRKRBNQ w ECec - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2006.08.17"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 b6 2. e4 e5 3. Nf3 f6 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. Qf1 Ne7 6. O-O-O Nbc6 7. Ba6 Rb8 8.
Bc4 Qf8 9. Nc3 Nd4 10. Nxd4 Bxd4 11. Kb1 Nc8 12. f4 Nd6 13. Bd3 b5 14. Nxb5
Nxb5 15. Bxb5 Bxa1 16. Kxa1 exf4 17. Qd3 Qd6 18. Qxd6 cxd6 19. Bd3 f5 20. exf5
Bxg2 21. Rg1 f3 22. Bf1 O-O 23. Bxg2 fxg2 24. Rxg2 Rxf5 25. Rg4 Kf7 26. Kb2 g5
27. Rd4 Rb6 28. h4 h6 29. hxg5 hxg5 30. Rh1 Kg7 31. c4 d5 32. c5 Rc6 33. b4 d6
34. cxd6 Rxd6 35. a4 a6 36. Kc3 Rb6 37. b5 axb5 38. a5 Rc6+ 39. Kb4 Rc4+ 40.
Rxc4 bxc4 41. a6 Rf8 42. Kc5 Kg6 43. a7 g4 44. Kxd5 Ra8 45. Ra1 g3 46. Kc6 Kf5
47. Kb7 Rxa7+ 48. Rxa7 Ke4 49. Ra3 Kf4 50. Rc3 1-0

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2006.08.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "bbqrknrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BBQRKNRN w GDgd - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2006.08.17"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. b3 b6 3. Nhg3 Nhg6 4. Ne3 Ne6 5. Nd5 Nef4 6. Nxf4 Bxf4 7. e3 Bb8 8.
d4 cxd4 9. Bxd4 O-O 10. e4 d5 11. exd5 e6 12. O-O exd5 13. c5 bxc5 14. Qxc5 Nf4
15. Nf5 Qxc5 16. Bxc5 Rfe8 17. Nd4 Ne6 18. Ba3 Nxd4 19. Rxd4 Bc6 20. Bd3 Be5
21. Rh4 g6 22. Bc1 Rc8 23. Ba6 Rcd8 24. Rh3 d4 25. f4 Bc7 26. Bd3 Re3 27. Rg3
Bb6 28. Bd2 f5 29. Kf2 Be4 30. Bc4+ Kg7 31. Rd1 Rc3 32. Rc1 Rc2 33. Ke2 Rxa2
34. Kd1 d3 35. b4 Rc2 36. Rxc2 dxc2+ 37. Kc1 Bc7 0-1

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2006.08.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "bnqrnbkr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BNQRNBKR w HDhd - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2006.08.17"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. b3 b6 3. Nf3 e6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. g3
Nf6 9. Bg2 Nb4 10. O-O d5 11. a3 Na6 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. b4 Nxc3 14. Bxc3 Rxd1
15. Rxd1 Rd8 16. Rxd8+ Bxd8 17. Qb2 f6 18. Bh3 Nc7 19. Nd4 Qd7 20. Bg4 f5 21.
Bf3 Nd5 22. Qb3 Nxc3 23. Qxc3 Bf6 24. Bxa8 Bxd4 25. Qd3 Qd8 26. Bb7 Kf7 27. Ba6
Bf6 28. Qb3 Ke7 29. Bc4 Qd6 30. Qf3 Be5 31. Bb3 Kf6 32. h4 Bb2 33. g4 Bxa3 34.
Qc3+ Kg6 35. h5+ Kh6 36. g5+ Kxh5 37. Qxg7 Kg4 38. g6 h5 39. Qc3 1-0

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2006.08.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "qnrkbrnb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/QNRKBRNB w FCfc - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2006.08.17"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 g6 2. Nf3 c5 3. d5 d6 4. a4 Na6 5. c4 Bd7 6. Bc3 Nf6 7. b3 O-O-O 8. O-O
Ne4 9. Bxh8 Rxh8 10. g3 Qb8 11. Ne1 Nf6 12. Nd3 h5 13. b4 h4 14. b5 Nc7 15. Nd2
Rh6 16. Nf3 hxg3 17. fxg3 Rdh8 18. Ng5 Rxh2 19. Bg2 R8h5 20. Nxf7 Ng4 21. Nf4
Ne3 22. Rf3 Nxg2 23. Nxh5 Rxh5 24. Kxg2 Bh3+ 25. Kg1 Ne8 26. a5 Bf5 27. Re3 e5
28. dxe6 Qc7 29. e7 Rh7 30. Ng5 Rxe7 31. b6 1-0

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2006.08.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rbbqnknr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RBBQNKNR w HAha - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2006.08.17"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Ngf3 d5 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. d4 Ngf6 5. O-O O-O 6. Nd3 Bf5 7. Nh4 Be4 8.
f3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 Qb6 10. b3 Nd6 11. Kh1 Rc8 12. g3 a6 13. Bd2 Qd8 14. Bc2 Bc7
15. Rac1 Ba5 16. b4 Bb6 17. Bg5 g6 18. Bb3 Rxc1 19. Rxc1 Rc8 20. g4 Nb5 21.
Rxc8 Qxc8 22. Be3 Qc3 23. g5 Qe1+ 24. Kg2 Nh5 25. Kh3 e6 26. a4 Nc3 27. Ng2
Qxe2 28. Qxe2 Nxe2 29. Bd1 Nc3 30. Bc2 Na2 31. b5 axb5 32. axb5 Nc3 33. Bd3 Nd1
34. Bg1 Kf8 35. Kg4 Ke7 36. f4 Ng7 37. Ne1 Nf5 38. Nc2 Nc3 39. h4 Bc7 40. Bf2
h5+ 41. gxh6 Nxh6+ 42. Kg5 Nf5 43. h5 gxh5 44. Kxh5 Ne4 0-1

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2006.08.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "bqrknbrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BQRKNBRN w GCgc - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "25"]
[EventDate "2006.08.17"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Ng6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Ng5 Ke8 4. e3 c5 5. f4 b6 6. b3 e6 7. Bd3 Nxf4 8. exf4
Qxf4 9. Nf3 Bd6 10. O-O-O Bxf3 11. gxf3 g6 12. Ng3 Be5 13. Ne2 1-0

[Event "ESP-chT Honor Gp2"]
[Site "San Sebastian"]
[Date "2006.09.16"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Arizmendi Martinez, Julen Luis"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2542"]
[Annotator "Arizmendi,J"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2006.09.13"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 115"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 {A year ago I heard a very strong
grandmaster declare that "after 4...a6 white has nothing". The truth is I did
not pay much attention to these words, for I do not play 1.d4, nor was the
Chebanenko part of my repertoire back then. Some time later, in February this
year, in Gibraltar, I was paired against Akopian in the second round and was
unsure as to what I should play. My roommate, Pelletier, offered then to give
me a "quick course" on this opening, and I obtained a solid draw. Of course,
once I got back home I took a more seriouse look into the line and added it to
my usual repertoire. Ok, to say that white has nothing after 4...a6 might be a
little exaggerated, but Black is certainly doing well these days.} 5. c5 {
Aronian has tried several possibilities at this point, but in the last year he
has started to show predilection for the most critical line. After 5.c5, the
vulnerability of the dark squares in Black´s camp is apparent, while the h2-b8
diagonal becomes especially sensitive. On the other hand, once the pressure on
d5 is gone, preparing the ...e5 break is a much easier goal for Black.} Nbd7 {
The most popuar move, but some Chinese players have shown that 5...Bf5 is a
viable option too. At the Turin Olympiad, Wang Yue was especially succesful
with this line, scoring easy draws against Bareev and Harikrishna and beating
Gagunashvili.} 6. Bf4 Nh5 {The key to Black´s system. The bishop is too good
on the h2-b8 and should not be allowed to stay there unless White is forced to
incur in some kind of concession.} 7. Bd2 {In my opinion, the most natural
move. White is now ready for e4, so Black´s best move is to go back to f6. So,
with this manoeuvre White manages to develop his bishop for free, admittedly
not to the most brilliant square, but at least better than c1.} ({The
alternative is to allow Black to exchange the bishop and take back with the
e-pawn, making the ...e5 break very difficult to achieve. Nonetheless, Black
seems to be doing alright here:} 7. e3 Nxf4 8. exf4 b6 9. b4 {Lately, this has
been the most popular choice.} ({Not long ago,} 9. cxb6 {was the preferred
move, until Black discovered that taking back inmmediately was not forced.} e6
$1 10. Bd3 Bd6 11. g3 (11. f5 Nxb6 12. Qc2 exf5 13. Bxf5 Qe7+ 14. Kf1 Bxf5 15.
Qxf5 g6 16. Qd3 O-O {gave White nothing in Gyimesi-Dautov,Goteborg 2005}) 11...
c5 $1 {, and Black gets rid of his backward pawn. After} 12. f5 Nxb6 13. dxc5
Bxc5 14. O-O O-O {Nikolic-Malakhov,Khanty Mansyisk 2005, I would say Black
already enjoys the more confortable position.}) 9... g6 {One of the
inconveniences of taking on f4 with the e-pawn is that the g7-bishop can
create some annoying pressure on d4 in the long run.} 10. Bd3 Bg7 11. Rc1 O-O
12. O-O a5 $1 13. b5 {Best. White should not allow the queenside to open
completely.} (13. a3 axb4 14. axb4 bxc5 15. bxc5 Ra3 $1 16. Nb1 Ra7 17. Nc3 Qc7
18. g3 Ba6 19. Bxa6 Rxa6 20. Re1 e6 21. Qc2 Rfa8 {and Black stands better
already, Iljushin-Dobrov,Chessassistantclub.com 2004}) 13... Bb7 14. Na4 bxc5
15. Nxc5 Nxc5 16. Rxc5 cxb5 17. Bxb5 Rc8 18. Rxc8 Bxc8 19. Qd2 Qb6 {and Black
had no problems whatsoever in Johannessen-Carlsen,Molde 2004.}) 7... Nhf6 8.
Qc2 {In this position White has mainly tried three moves, although the basic
idea behind all of them is the same: since the bishop cannot go to f4 without
it being harassed, White wants to find the most useful move, one that opposes
Black´s plans and at the same time leaves the Bf4 option open. The moves that
meet these requirements are 8.h3, 8.Qc2 and 8.Rc1. Aronian´s choice was based
on my probable lack of knowledge on 8.Qc2, since this had been very popular in
2005, but almost completely taken over by 8.Rc1 in 2006. It worked, because
during the game I could hardly remember anything concrete against 8.Qc2.
Luckily, the ideas are very similar in all these lines.} Qc7 {The most active
continuation, preparing ...e5. The alternative, 8...g6, has been doing quite
well of late:} (8... g6 9. e4 dxe4 (9... Nxe4 {might be a little more precise})
10. Nxe4 (10. Ng5 Bg7 11. Bc4 O-O 12. Bxf7+ {otherwise Black will get ...e5
and with it an excellent position..} Rxf7 13. Ne6 Qe8 14. Nc7 Qf8 15. Ne6 $11 (
15. Nxa8 {is too dangerous due to} e5 $1)) 10... Nxe4 11. Qxe4 Nf6 12. Qc2 Be6
13. Be2 Bg7 14. O-O O-O 15. Rad1 Bd5 $1 {Threatening to take on f3, a very
desirable exchange for Black in these positions.} 16. Ne5 Nd7 17. f4 b6 {
, with good play for Black in Krasenkow-Bacrot, France 2006.}) 9. Bg5 {
Strictly speaking, a novelty, although the idea is taken from the 8.h3
variation. White simply forgets about e4 for the time being and gets ready to
meet ...e5 with e3, protecting his cener, but leaving the bishop outside the
pawn-chain.} ({During the game, my calculations were focused on the more direct
} 9. e4 e5 $5 {which is what I had in mind. After the game though, I found out
that 9...Nxe4 seems to be equalizing without much difficulty.} (9... Nxe4 10.
Nxe4 dxe4 11. Qxe4 Nf6 12. Qc2 (12. Qe5 Nd5 13. Bc4 Qxe5+ 14. dxe5 Bg4 {
is alright for Black.}) 12... Be6 13. Be2 Bd5 14. O-O Bxf3 $1 {An important
exchange in this structure. White did not have time to move the knight out of
the way due to the hanging pawn on g2, and Black quickly reaches a
satisfactory position.} 15. Bxf3 e6 16. b4 Be7 17. a4 O-O {
Krasenkow-Grabarczyk, Polonia 2005}) ({On the other hand,} 9... dxe4 $6 {
is inaccurate:} 10. Ng5 $1 h6 11. Ngxe4 Nxe4 12. Nxe4 Nf6 13. Nxf6+ exf6 14.
Bc4 $14 Be6 15. O-O-O O-O-O 16. Rhe1 Bxc4 17. Qxc4 g6 18. Bc3 Bg7 19. d5 {
Lautier-Jakovenko, Internet 2004}) 10. exd5 cxd5 11. O-O-O {Najer-Savchenko,
Moscow 2006} (11. Bg5 exd4 12. Qe2+ Ne5 $3 (12... Be7 13. Qxe7+ Kxe7 14. Nxd5+
Kd8 15. Nxc7 Kxc7 16. Bf4+ $16) (12... Kd8 $5 13. Nxd5 Qxc5) 13. Bxf6 (13. Nxe5
dxc3) 13... gxf6 14. Nxd5 Qxc5 15. Nxe5 Qxd5 16. Ng6+ Be6 17. Nxh8 Bb4+ 18. Kd1
Ke7 $44 {(Alexei Kuzmin)}) {At this point, Fritz believes} 11... exd4 $1 12.
Re1+ Be7 13. Nxd4 Nxc5 {is great for Black, and I find no reason to disagree.})
9... e5 10. Bxf6 {Aronian kept playing very fast, but it turns out that this
move gives White absolutely nothing. During the postmortem, the Armenian
player confessed the he had forgotten his analysis. So, these guys are human
after all...} ({Natural here is} 10. e3 {, and after} Be7 11. Be2 O-O 12. O-O {
there is no doubt that the queen on c2 is doing better in this position than a
pawn on h3 or a rook on c1 (8.h3 and 8.Rc1), but I am not sure this is enough
to give White anything tangible.} Re8) 10... gxf6 $6 ({As Aronian pointed out
after the game,} 10... Nxf6 $1 {leads to equality:} 11. Nxe5 Bxc5 12. Nxd5 (12.
Nxf7 Qxf7 13. dxc5 O-O $44) 12... Qa5+ 13. Qc3 Qxc3+ 14. bxc3 cxd5 15. dxc5 Ne4
$11) 11. e3 f5 $5 ({I did not like the looks of} 11... e4 12. Nh4 f5 13. g3 (
13. Nxf5 Nxc5) 13... Nf6 14. Na4 {and the defects to Black´s fourth move are
already haunting him.} (14. O-O-O b6) 14... Qa5+ 15. Kd1 f4 16. gxf4 (16. Nb6
$5 Bg4+ 17. Be2 Bxe2+ 18. Kxe2 f3+ 19. Nxf3 $1 exf3+ 20. Kxf3 Rd8 21. Rhb1 Qb5
22. b4 a5 23. a4 Qa6 24. Qf5 Be7 25. b5 cxb5 26. axb5 Qa7 27. Ra2 $16 {That is
why I decided to give up a pawn and try to activate my bishops. I sincerely
believe this was my best practical chance, but I would have never thought it
would work out so well.})) 12. g3 $6 {My opponent played this pretty quickly
as well. I had already used up a lot of time at this point, and I think
Aronian simply wanted to keep the position under control. However, he probably
missed my next move.} ({It was necessary to accept the sacrifice, and after} 
12. Qxf5 Bg7 13. Qc2 ({Better than} 13. Qg5 O-O 14. Be2 f5 15. O-O-O f4) 13...
O-O 14. Be2 f5 15. O-O-O exd4 16. exd4 b6 {Black has active play, but
obviously not enough to compensate a pawn.}) 12... f4 $1 {Now everything is in
order again.} 13. exf4 (13. gxf4 exd4) 13... exd4 14. Qe2+ $6 ({It was better
to play} 14. Nxd4 Bxc5 (14... Nxc5 15. O-O-O Bg7 16. Re1+ Kf8) 15. O-O-O O-O
$13) 14... Be7 15. Nxd4 Nxc5 16. O-O-O O-O 17. Qh5 Bf6 {Despite the absence of
a g-pawn, my dark-squared bishop does an excellent job at defending and
attacking along the h8-a1 diagonal.} 18. Be2 $1 {A great defensive move! You
can imagine my surprise when my opponent told me that the idea was Rd2-Bd1-Bc2
in order to attack h7. Aronian thought his position was almost lost, while I
thought I was simply better. During the analysis it bacame apparent that Black
has the upper hand, but the position is still quite complicated.} b5 $1 {
The best move, but I must admit that during the game, right after I played the
move, I thought it would have been better to prepare this advance a little
more.} (18... Qb6 19. Nf3 {is the key to White´s defence. The knight on e5 is
an important blockader.}) ({The natural} 18... Bd7 {, preparing ...b5 or ...
Rae8, allows White to carry out his idea.} 19. Rd2 $3 Rfe8 20. Bd1 Qb6 (20...
Ne4 21. Nxe4 Rxe4 22. Nf3 $1) 21. Nf3 {, with a complex battle ahead.}) 19. Qh6
Qd6 20. b4 $1 {The only move. Anything else will be met by ...b4, with a clear
advantage for Black.} (20. Bf3 b4 21. Nce2 Re8 22. Rhe1 Ne4 $17) ({Sacrificing
on c6 seems attractive, but Black can easily repel the attack.} 20. Nxc6 Qxc6
21. Rxd5 Bb7 22. Rhd1 (22. Rxc5 Qxh1+ 23. Bd1 Rfc8 24. Rxc8+ Rxc8 25. Qxf6 b4
26. Qg5+ Kf8 27. Qh6+ Ke8 $19) 22... Ne4 23. Rh5 Rfc8 $19) 20... Ne4 {It is
necessary to block the b1-h7 diagonal.} 21. Nxe4 dxe4 22. Nf5 (22. a3 Qe7 $1
23. Nxc6 $4 Qe6 24. Nd4 Qb6 $19) 22... Bb2+ $6 {This leads to a draw.} ({
A much better try is} 22... Qxb4 23. Qxf6 Qc5+ 24. Bc4 $3 (24. Kb2 Qxf5 25.
Qxc6 Be6 {leaves Black clearly on top due to the exposed white king.}) 24...
Qxc4+ (24... Qxf5 $4 25. Bxf7+ $18) (24... Bxf5 25. Qg5+ $11) 25. Kb1 Qb4+ 26.
Ka1 Bxf5 27. Qxf5 Qc3+ 28. Kb1 Rae8 29. Rd7 {, when Black is better, although
White´s activity should be enough to save the game.}) 23. Kxb2 Qxb4+ 24. Ka1
Qc3+ 25. Kb1 Qb4+ 26. Ka1 Qc3+ 27. Kb1 Qb4+ {At this point I only had a minute
and a half (plus the thirty second increment) to reach move forty, so I
decided to take the draw. Many people told me after the game that there was no
risk in continuing, and they were absolutely right. Nevertheless, the result
of the game would have been the same after} (27... Bxf5 28. g4 $1 (28. Qg5+ Bg6
29. f5 Qc5 30. g4 f6 31. Qc1 Qb4+ 32. Ka1 Bf7 33. g5 Qa5 34. Qb2 Rad8) 28...
Bc8 (28... Be6 29. f5 {, planning f6} Bxa2+ $11) 29. Rd8 (29. Rhg1) 29... Qb4+
30. Ka1 Qe7 31. Rxf8+ Qxf8 32. Qxc6 Be6 (32... Rb8 33. Rd1 Bb7 34. Qc7 Ba8 35.
Qd6) 33. f5 Bc4 34. Bxc4 bxc4 35. Rd1) 1/2-1/2

[Event "ESP-chT Honor Gp2"]
[Site "San Sebastian"]
[Date "2006.09.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tiviakov, Sergei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2668"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2006.09.13"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 115"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. Bg2 d5 8.
cxd5 Nxd5 9. Qb3 Na6 10. O-O Nxc3 11. bxc3 Be7 12. Rd1 Nc5 13. Qc4 Qa5 14. Be3
e5 15. Nb3 Qa4 16. Qd5 Ne6 17. Rd2 Bf6 18. Rad1 Re8 19. c4 h6 20. Qb5 Qxb5 21.
cxb5 Bg5 22. Na5 Bxe3 23. fxe3 Rb8 24. Rc1 Kf8 25. Nc4 Rd8 26. Rb2 f6 27. b6
axb6 28. Rxb6 Nc5 29. Na5 Na4 30. Rb4 Bd7 31. Bxb7 Be8 32. Rc2 Rd5 33. Bxd5
Rxb4 34. Bb3 Rb5 35. Nc4 Ke7 36. Na3 Rb7 37. Rc4 Ra7 38. Nc2 Bb5 39. Rc8 Bxe2
40. Nb4 Bf3 41. Kf2 Ba8 42. g4 Kd6 43. Nd3 Be4 44. Rd8+ Ke7 45. Rg8 Kd6 46.
Rd8+ Ke7 1/2-1/2

[Event "ESP-chT Honor Gp2"]
[Site "San Sebastian"]
[Date "2006.09.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2722"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2006.09.13"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 115"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Qa4+ Bd7 9. Qxc4 cxd4 10. cxd4 O-O 11. e3 Nc6 12. Qc5 Rc8 13. Bd3 Re8 14. Bxf6
Qxf6 15. Qd6 Rcd8 16. O-O e5 17. Qxf6 gxf6 18. d5 Ne7 19. e4 Nxd5 20. exd5 e4
21. Be2 exf3 22. Bxf3 Kf8 23. Rfc1 Rc8 24. d6 Rxc1+ 25. Rxc1 Re6 26. h3 Rxd6
27. Rc7 Be6 28. Bxb7 Rd3 29. a4 Ra3 30. Bc8 Bb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "ESP-chT Honor Gp2"]
[Site "San Sebastian"]
[Date "2006.09.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2006.09.13"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 115"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. e3 c5 7. Bd3 cxd4 8.
exd4 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Qc7 10. Qd3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 b6 12. Bh4 Bb7 13. Bg3 Qc8 14. O-O
O-O 15. Rac1 a6 16. Bb3 Nh5 17. c4 Rd8 18. Qe3 Nxg3 19. fxg3 Qc6 20. Rf2 Nf6
21. Ne5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0607"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2006.10.28"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E55"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2006.10.28"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2007"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Remagen"]
[BlackTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. e3 O-O 6. Bd3 c5 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4
Nbd7 9. Qb3 a6 10. a4 Qe7 11. Rd1 Rb8 12. Qc2 b6 13. Qe2 Ra8 14. Na2 Bb7 15.
Nxb4 cxb4 16. Bd3 Ne4 17. Nd2 f5 18. Nc4 Rac8 19. f3 Nd6 20. Nxd6 Qxd6 21. Bxa6
Bxa6 22. Qxa6 e5 23. Bd2 exd4 24. Qb5 Qe6 25. exd4 Rc2 26. Qxb4 Nf6 27. Re1 Qc4
28. Qxc4+ Rxc4 29. Re5 Rd8 30. Rxf5 Rc2 31. Bc3 Nd5 32. Re1 g6 33. Rfe5 Nf4 34.
g3 Nh3+ 35. Kh1 Nf2+ 36. Kg2 Ne4+ 37. Kh3 Nxc3 38. bxc3 Rxc3 39. f4 Rxd4 40.
Re8+ Kf7 41. R1e7+ Kf6 42. Rxh7 Rxa4 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0607"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2006.10.29"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vaganian, Rafael A"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2598"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2006.10.28"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2007"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[BlackTeam "Porz"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 c5 6. O-O Nc6 7. dxc5 Qxd1 8.
Rxd1 Bxc5 9. Nbd2 c3 10. bxc3 O-O 11. Nb3 Be7 12. Nfd4 Bd7 13. Bg5 Rfc8 14.
Rab1 Nd8 15. Na5 Ba4 16. Rd3 e5 17. Nf5 Bf8 18. Rb2 Rab8 19. Nh6+ gxh6 20. Bxf6
Nc6 21. Bxc6 bxc6 22. Rxb8 Rxb8 23. Rd7 a6 24. Bxe5 Re8 25. Bf6 Re6 26. Rd4 Bc2
27. Rd2 Bf5 28. Bd4 Bh3 29. Nb7 Re8 30. c4 Bb4 31. Rd1 Rxe2 32. Nd8 c5 33. Bf6
Be1 34. Nc6 Bxf2+ 35. Kh1 Re8 36. Rd8 Rxd8 37. Bxd8 Bf1 38. Ne5 Kg7 39. Be7 Bd4
40. Nc6 Be3 41. Na5 Kg6 42. h4 Kf5 43. Nb7 Kg4 44. Kh2 f5 45. Nxc5 Bxc4 46. a3
f4 47. gxf4 Bxf4+ 48. Kg2 Bc1 49. Nd7 Be6 50. Ne5+ Kf5 51. Nd3 Bd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0607"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2007.02.03"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "McShane, Luke J"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2614"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[EventDate "2006.10.28"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[BlackTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nbd2 Nc6 13. Nf1 Bc8 14. Bg5 Be6 15.
Bxe6 fxe6 16. c3 Nd7 17. Bd2 Qe8 18. a4 b4 19. a5 Qg6 20. Ng3 Rab8 21. Qa4 Rfc8
22. cxb4 cxb4 23. Be3 Rb5 24. Rec1 Qe8 25. Qb3 Bf8 26. Rc2 Nc5 27. Bxc5 dxc5
28. Rcc1 Rd8 29. Nf1 Qd7 30. Rd1 Bd6 31. Ne3 Rf8 32. Nd2 Nd4 33. Qc4 Ne2+ 34.
Kf1 Qf7 35. f3 Nf4 36. h4 Qg6 37. Kf2 Nh5 38. Rh1 Qh6 39. Ndf1 Be7 40. b3 Rd8
41. g3 Rd4 42. Qc2 Rb8 43. Nc4 Rf8 44. Re1 Qf6 45. Qe2 Bd8 46. Rh3 Bc7 47. Rd1
Qd8 48. Nfe3 Bxa5 49. Nc2 Rd7 50. Nxe5 Rb7 51. f4 Nf6 52. Ne3 Bc7 53. Nf3 a5
54. Ra1 Ra7 55. Qc2 Bb8 56. Rhh1 h6 57. Nc4 Ng4+ 58. Ke2 Nf6 59. Rhg1 Nd7 60.
Ne3 Bd6 61. Ra2 Qe8 62. Raa1 Nb6 63. Nc4 Nxc4 64. Qxc4 Qg6 65. Ra4 Qg4 66. Qc1
e5 67. f5 c4 68. bxc4 Bc5 69. Rg2 Rxf5 70. exf5 e4 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.11.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Knaak,R"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2006.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The first round often sets the scene for a successful or unsuccessful
tournament. This was the case in the Tal Memorial in Moscow. Alexander
Morozevich, the hero of the Europa Cup lost his opening game and finished last.
His opponent, the Armenian Levon Aronian, who lives in Berlin, made good use
of his full point and had a successful tournament - going on to share victory
with Leko and Ponomariov.  Oft stellt die erste Runde die Weichen für ein
erfolgreiches oder auch missratenes Turnier, so auch beim Tal-Memorial in
Moskau. Alexander Morozevich, beim Europa-Pokal noch der Held, verlor die
Auftaktbegegnung und wurde schließlich Letzter. Sein Gegner, der in Berlin
lebende Armenier Levon Aronian, nutzte den vollen Punkt für ein erfolgreiches
Turnier - er teilte am Ende mit Leko und Ponomariov den Sieg.} 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3
e6 3. c4 dxc4 4. e3 a6 5. a4 Nf6 6. Bxc4 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. Qe2 Be7 (8... cxd4 9.
Rd1 Be7 10. exd4 {is the main line. ist die Hauptvariante.}) 9. Rd1 Qc7 10.
dxc5 O-O 11. b3 e5 12. h3 e4 13. Nd4 Ne5 14. b4 {And Aronian is the first to
deviate. Behind his move there was a deeply laid plan, I thought. Then I read
Aronian's own comments (in NIC Magazine 8/2006) in which the winner of the
game claime he did not know what theory had to say after move 8. Damit weicht
Aronian vom Vorgänger ab. Dahinter steckt eine tief durchdachte Konzeption,
dachte ich. Dann sah ich die Kommentare von Aronian selbst (in NIC Magazine 8/
2006), in denen der Sieger dieser Partie behauptet, ab dem 8. Zug die Theorie
nicht mehr zu kennen.} (14. Bb2 Bxc5 15. Nd2 Qe7 16. Nf1 Bd7 17. Ng3 g6 18. Qc2
Rac8 19. a5 Rfe8 20. Nde2 Bc6 21. Nc3 Ned7 22. Nce2 Ne5 23. Nc3 {1/2-1/2 Milov,
V (2653)-Karjakin,S (2635)/Warsaw 2005/CBM 108}) 14... b6 {Of course White
cannot hang on to the extra pawn.  Den Mehrbauern kann Weiß natürlich nicht
behaupten.} 15. Nd2 bxc5 16. bxc5 Bxc5 17. Ba3 Bxa3 18. Rxa3 {The position
which was apparently being aimed at. Black has a problem: his Bc8 does not
have a good square, e.g. it is doomed to passivity on b7. Possibly a move like
18...Bd7 is okay, but Morozevich prefers active play. The Bc8 is attacking h3,
so... Das ist die vermeintlich angestrebte Stellung. Schwarz hat ein Problem:
der Bc8 besitzt kein gutes Feld, z.B. ist er auf b7 zu reiner Passivität
verdammt. Mag sein, dass ein Zug wie 18...Bd7 okay ist, aber Morozevich agiert
lieber aktiv. Der Bc8 greift h3 an, also...} Ng6 $5 {[%cal Rc8h3]} 19. Nf1 Qc5
20. Rc3 Qg5 21. Ng3 h5 {All this does not look bad, but the black rooks are
not in the game.  Das sieht alles nicht schlecht aus, aber die schwarzen Türme
spielen nicht mit.} 22. Kh1 Nh4 ({After Nach} 22... h4 23. Nf1 Ne5 {Black does
not make progress at first, but it was somewhat better. kommt Schwarz vorerst
nicht weiter, dies war aber gleichwohl etwas besser.}) 23. Qc2 $1 {White is
preparing, e.g., Bf1, after which Black's attack would be completely beaten
off. Weiß bereitet u.a. Bf1 vor, wonach der schwarze Angriff völlig
abgeschlagen wäre.} Nxg2 $1 24. Kxg2 {According to computer analysis there was
a better move: Laut Computeranalyse gab es einen besseren Zug:} (24. Nxe4 $1
Nxe4 25. Qxe4 Bxh3 26. Bd3 f5 27. Qb7 {but this and the further analyses are
inhuman. According to the way they played, the contestants did not think of
that at all. aber dies und die weiteren Analysen sind unmenschlich. Dem
Vernehmen nach verschwendeten die Kontrahenten keinen Gedanken daran.}) 24...
h4 25. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 26. Rc5 Bxh3+ {Once again the only move.  Wieder der
einzige Zug.} 27. Kxh3 Qg4+ 28. Kg2 hxg3 $2 {Black should have waited before
playing this; but in any case he has the problem with the Kf7. Even if he
reaches an endgame he is somewhat worse off, Schwarz hätte damit warten sollen,
das Problem mit dem Kf7 hat er aber auf jeden Fall. Selbst, wenn er ein
Endspiel erreicht, steht er etwas schlechter.} (28... Rfc8 29. Rc1 Rxc5 30.
Qxc5 hxg3 31. Qc7+ Kg6 32. Qxg3 Qxg3+ 33. Kxg3 $14 {/+/-}) 29. f3 $1 {All
White's pieces are taking part in the attack. Alle weißen Figuren beteiligen
sich nun am Angriff.} exf3+ 30. Nxf3 Kg8 31. Qa2+ Kh8 32. Rc4 $1 ({Not Nicht} 
32. Rh1+ Nh7 {and Black still survives. und Schwarz lebt noch.}) 32... Qf5 $1 {
Aronian is forced into some precise play, but brilliantly carries out his task.
Aronian wird zu präsisem Spiel gezwungen, meistert diese Aufgabe aber glänzend.
} 33. Rf4 $1 (33. Rh1+ $2 Nh5 34. Rf4 Qa5 $13) 33... Qh7 34. Rh4 Nh5 35. Rd5
Rf5 ({Now Jetzt reicht} 35... g6 {is not sufficient because of nicht wegen} 36.
Rhxh5 gxh5 37. Qb2+ Qg7 38. Rxh5+ Kg8 39. Rg5 {winning. mit Gewinn.}) 36. e4
Nf4+ 37. Kxg3 Rh5 38. Rxf4 Rh3+ 39. Kg4 Re8 40. Rdf5 Rg8 41. Qxg8+ Qxg8 42. Rf8
1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.11.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2006.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. cxd5 exd5 7. e3 {
This old reaction to the Westphalian variation is now less popular than
Kramnik's} (7. Qc2) 7... c5 8. Bd3 Qa5 9. Qc2 c4 10. Bf5 O-O 11. O-O Re8 12.
Nd2 g6 13. Bxd7 Nxd7 14. f3 Nb6 15. Bf4 {[%cal Ye3e4]} ({Surprisingly,} 15. e4
$5 {has not been tried so far although I don't see any direct refutation, e.g.}
Bxc3 (15... Bd7 {and}) (15... Bf8 {are possible, of course}) (15... dxe4 $6 16.
Ndxe4) 16. Qxc3 (16. bxc3 $6 dxe4 17. Nxe4 Rxe4 18. fxe4 Qxg5) 16... Qxc3 17.
bxc3 Na4 $6 18. Rfc1 Be6 19. Rab1) (15. Rae1) (15. Bh6) (15. h4) {After the
text move Black consequently prevents e3-e4.} 15... Bxc3 16. bxc3 Qa4 17. Qc1 (
17. Qb2 Bf5 18. Rfe1 (18. Rf2 Qa5 19. Rc1 Na4 20. Qa3 b5 21. Nf1 Bd3 22. h4 Qd8
23. g3 Qe7 24. Qxe7 Rxe7 25. Nh2 f6 $17 {0-1 Hebden,M-Greenfeld,A/Rishon Le
Ziyyon 1992/CBM 033 ext (49)}) 18... Bd3 19. e4 Qc6 20. e5 Na4 21. Qc1 b5 22.
Nf1 Bxf1 (22... a5 $5 $13) 23. Kxf1 f5 (23... b4 $5 24. cxb4 c3) 24. exf6 Qxf6
25. Be5 Qf5 $13 {1-0 Gofshtein,L-Inkiov,V/Arco 2000/EXT 2001 (34)}) (17. Qb1 $5
{[%cal Ye3e4] D.Jakovenko}) 17... Bf5 {In this system, if Black manages to
contain White's attack, his queenside pawn advantage and the weakness of
White's c3 pawn will become decisive factors.} 18. Re1 (18. Qe1 Bd3 19. Rf2 Re6
20. Nf1 f6 21. h4 Rae8 22. g4 Qa3 23. Ng3 Na4 24. Rc1 b5 $36 {1/2-1/2
Coursaget,N-Pijuan,M/Banyoles 2005/CBM 108 ext (39)}) 18... Qc6 (18... Bd3 $5 {
is probably more accurate:} 19. h4 (19. e4 $5 Qc6 20. e5 f5 {[%cal Yb6d7,Yd7f8,
Yf8e6] G.Giorgadze}) (19. Nf1 Re6 20. Ng3 Rae8) 19... Re6 20. Nf1 Qd7 21. g4 f5
(21... Na4 $5 $15 {G.Giorgadze}) 22. g5 Na4 23. Ng3 Rb6 24. Rd1 Rb2 25. Rd2 Qb5
26. Rxb2 Qxb2 27. Qxb2 Nxb2 28. a4 $13 {1/2-1/2 Kiselev,S-Giorgadze,G/Podolsk
1992/CBM 033 (60)}) 19. Nf1 Bd3 20. Ng3 Re6 (20... f6 21. h4 Re7 22. Qd2 Rae8
23. Nh1 h5 24. Nf2 Bf5 25. Re2 Nc8 26. Rae1 Nd6 27. Bxd6 Qxd6 28. e4 Bd7 29.
exd5 Rxe2 30. Rxe2 Rxe2 31. Qxe2 Qxd5 32. Qe7 Qe6 33. Qd8+ Kg7 34. Ne4 Bc6 $11
{1/2-1/2 Van der Sterren,P-Giorgadze,G/Manila 1992/TD (48)}) 21. Nh1 {As White
can't push e3-e4, he tries to oust the black bishop from d3.} f6 22. h4 Rae8
23. Nf2 Qa4 {It turns out that 18...Qc6 was a loss of time but Black has no
real problems anyway.} 24. Rd1 $6 (24. Qd2 $142 {If Black allows the capture
on d3 then White will have his queen there and not his rook.}) 24... Kg7 $1 {
[%cal Yh7h6,Yg6g5][%mdl 512] Black sacrifices a pawn to obtain a strong c4
square for his knight.} 25. Qb2 (25. Qd2 {is too late due to} h6) 25... R8e7
26. Nxd3 cxd3 27. Rxd3 Nc4 $44 {[%csl Gc4,Rd3]} 28. Qf2 Rb6 29. Qg3 Rb2 30. e4
$5 {White gives up a pawn to obtain counterplay.} dxe4 $6 {It was not
obligatory to open files for White.} (30... Rxa2 $142 $1 {[%csl Ga7]
exchanging a pair of rooks:} 31. Re1 Ra1 $15) 31. fxe4 (31. Re1 $6 e3 $1 32.
Bxe3 Kf7 $15) 31... Rxe4 32. Rf1 Qd7 (32... Qc6 33. d5 (33. h5 Ree2 34. d5 Qe8)
33... Qb6+ 34. Kh2 (34. Kh1 Rb1 35. Rdd1 $11) 34... Ree2 35. Re1 (35. d6 $143
Qc6) 35... Rxg2+ 36. Qxg2 Rxg2+ 37. Kxg2 {and White should not lose.}) 33. Rdf3
$2 (33. h5 $1 {lead to an almost forced draw:} Ree2 (33... Rxa2 $2 34. hxg6
hxg6 35. Qh2 g5 36. Rh3) (33... Qd5 $6 34. Bc1 {[%cal Yh5h6,Yg3c7]}) 34. Bh6+
$1 Kf7 (34... Kxh6 $2 35. Qf4+ Kg7 36. Qxf6+ Kh6 37. Qf4+ g5 38. Qf6+ Kxh5 39.
Rh3+ Qxh3 40. Qf7+ $18) 35. hxg6+ hxg6 36. Rxf6+ Kxf6 37. Rf3+ Ke6 38. Qxg6+
Kd5 39. Qg8+ (39. Rf5+ Ne5) 39... Ke4 $1 40. Qg6+ Kd5 $11) 33... Ree2 $1 34.
R3f2 {There is nothing better.} (34. Bh6+ $2 Kxh6 35. Qf4+ Kh5) 34... Qe7 (
34... Rxa2 $2 35. Bh6+ Kxh6 36. Qf4+ Kh5 37. Qxf6 Qg4 38. Rf5+ gxf5 39. Rxf5+
Qxf5 40. Qxf5+ Kxh4 41. Qf4+ $11 {D.Jakovenko}) 35. Rxe2 Rxe2 (35... Qxe2 $4
36. Re1) 36. a4 (36. Qd3 Qe4 $17) 36... Ne3 37. Bxe3 Rxe3 38. Rf3 Rxf3 39. Qxf3
Qe1+ 40. Kh2 Qxh4+ 41. Kg1 Qe1+ 42. Kh2 Qe7 $17 {[%mdl 4096] This endgame is
better for Black but not easy to win. He should push his kingside pawns but
the white king is on the road.} 43. c4 h5 44. c5 h4 45. Kh3 g5 46. Kg4 {
Was it better to wait passively? Hard to say.} (46. Qd5) 46... a5 47. Kh5 $6
Qe8+ 48. Kg4 Qc8+ 49. Kh5 Qe8+ 50. Kg4 Qf7 51. Qf5 Qe7 52. Qf3 Kh6 53. Qd5 Qc7
54. Kf5 Kg7 (54... Qf4+ 55. Ke6 g4 {was recommended by GM Jakovenko, but I
don't see a win after} 56. Qxb7 (56. Qd6 $143 Qe4+ $1 57. Kxf6 Qg6+ 58. Ke7 h3
59. gxh3 $140 g3 $19) 56... h3 57. gxh3 gxh3 58. Kf7 $1 Qg4 $1 (58... h2 59.
Qg2) 59. c6 Qg7+ (59... Qg2 60. Qb8 Qd5+ 61. Ke7 $1) 60. Ke6 Qg2 $1 61. Qa8 $1
Qe4+ 62. Kxf6 Qxd4+ 63. Ke6 Qe4+ 64. Kd6) 55. Kg4 Qc8+ 56. Kf3 h3 {This pawn
exchange is probably premature.} (56... Kg6 $5 57. Ke2 Qe8+ 58. Kf2 Qf7 $17)
57. gxh3 Qxh3+ 58. Kf2 Qh2+ 59. Kf1 Qf4+ 60. Kg2 Qd2+ 61. Kg3 Qe3+ 62. Kg2 Qe2+
63. Kg3 Qe7 64. Kg4 Qc7 65. Qe4 Kf8 66. Qf5 Qc6 67. d5 $1 Qxc5 (67... Qxa4+ $6
68. Kh5 Qe8+ 69. Kh6) 68. Qxf6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.11.08"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D80"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2006.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Ne4 5. Bh4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 dxc4 7. e3 Be6 8.
Qb1 Qd5 {About this line - see CBM 114, game of the same opponents from
Dortmund.} 9. Nf3 Nd7 10. Be2 Bf5 11. Qb2 Bg7 12. O-O Nb6 $146 {This is not a
big improvement but it leads to positions of a different type comparing to} (
12... e5 13. Qb4 c5 14. Qxc4 Qxc4 15. Bxc4 Rc8 16. Bd5 Bd3 17. Rfd1 Ba6 18.
Rab1 b6 19. Bg3 cxd4 20. exd4 $2 (20. cxd4 $11) 20... Nf6 21. Bb3 Ne4 $17 {
0-1 Aronian,L-Svidler,P/Dortmund 2006/CBM 114 (47)}) 13. a4 $1 a5 14. Nd2 Bd3
15. Bxd3 (15. Bf3 $6 Qd7) 15... cxd3 {This pawn guarantees Black sufficient
counterchances. To recapture it, White must spend precious time.} 16. Rfb1 (16.
Qb1 $5 Qc6 17. Qxd3 Nxa4 {Emelin}) (16. c4 $6 Nxc4 17. Nxc4 Qxc4 18. Qxb7 O-O
19. Bxe7 Rfb8 20. Qe4 d2 {Jakovenko}) 16... Qc6 (16... e5 $5 {Jakovenko}) (
16... e6 $5 {[%cal Ye8g8]} 17. Bg3 O-O 18. Bxc7 Nc4 $132) 17. Qa3 (17. Qb5 Qxb5
(17... e5 18. Qxd3 O-O 19. Rb5 $14 {Jakovenko}) 18. Rxb5 Kd7 $1 19. c4 Rhe8 {
[%cal Ye7e5]} 20. Bg3 Kc8 21. Ra3 Ra6 22. Rxd3 e5 $132 23. c5 Nd7) 17... O-O
18. c4 $2 {An unnecessary pawn sacrifice.} (18. Bxe7 Rfe8 19. Bc5 (19. Bh4 Nd5
20. Rb3 f5 $13 {Jakovenko}) 19... Nd7 20. Rb5 (20. Be7 $11) {leads to an
unclear position, in which Black's d3 pawn brings him sufficient counterplay:}
20... b6 21. Be7 Qe6 22. Bh4 c6 23. Rb2 c5 $13) 18... Nxc4 19. Nxc4 Qxc4 20.
Bxe7 Rfe8 21. Rd1 Rac8 (21... f6 $5 {[%csl Re7][%cal Rc4f7]} 22. d5 (22. Rac1
Qf7 23. Rxc7 Bf8 $19) 22... Qxd5 23. Rxd3 Qf7 24. Bc5 $17) 22. Bg5 $6 (22. Rac1
Qd5 (22... Qe6 23. Bg5) 23. Rxd3 b6 24. Bh4 c5 25. dxc5 Qe4 $17 26. Bg3 Bb2 27.
Qxb2 Qxd3 28. Qxb6 Qa3 $17 {Jakovenko}) 22... c5 23. Qxd3 cxd4 24. exd4 $4 {
[%mdl 8192] A blunder but otherwise White is a pawn down.} Re1+ 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.11.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2006.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
{Well, somebody has to try fighting the Marshall Attack openly. Some day, a
playable variation should be found.} d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6
12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15. Re4 g5 16. Qf1 Qh5 17. Nd2 Bf5 18. f3 {
All this is theory, of course. White's setup is quite ambitious: if Black
accepts the sacrifice immediately, after fxe4 White would get excellent
compensation, in view of his strong centre, active pair of bishops and Black's
weaknesses along the f-file. However, if Black delays the capture on e4, White
canot continue his development easily, because the knight which stands in the
way of the bishop has no squares at its disposal.} Nf6 19. a4 {Shirov's
favourite move.} ({A recent game at the highest possible level went} 19. Re1 {
(After the retreatment of the rook, White's whole concept loses coherence. Why
did he weaken his position with f3 for?)} Rae8 20. Rxe8 Rxe8 21. a4 $5 Qg6 $1
22. axb5 Bd3 23. Qf2 $2 (23. Qd1 Be2 24. Qe1 Bd3 25. Qd1 $11) 23... Re2 $19 {
Kramnik,V (2770)-Leko,P (2741)/Brissago 2004/CBM 103/[Knaak] (0-1, 32). This
opening catastrophe was caused by the fact that the computer needs some time
to change its evaluation from +/- to -+. Apparently Kramnik did not allocate
that amount of time to this position when preparing for the game.}) 19... Nxe4
20. Nxe4 ({The generally desirable} 20. fxe4 {would leave White slightly
behind in development.} Be6 (20... Bg6 21. Bd1 g4 22. Qf6 $14) 21. Bd1 (21. Qf6
Qg6) 21... Qg6 22. e5 Be7 23. Bf3 f6 $132) 20... Qg6 (20... Bxe4 $6 {would be
an obvious positional concession.} 21. fxe4 Kg7 22. Bd2 f6 23. Qf5 Qe2 24. Bc2
Rf7 25. e5 Qxd2 26. exd6 $5 (26. Qxh7+ Kf8 27. Qh8+ Ke7 28. exd6+ Kxd6 29. Qxa8
Qe3+ 30. Kh1 Qf3+ 31. Kg1 {1/2-1/2 Kurnosov,I (2517)-Azarov,S (2581)/Kusadasi
TUR 2006/TWIC 597}) 26... Rh8 (26... Kf8 27. axb5 cxb5 28. Rf1 $16 {[%cal
Yc2b3]}) 27. axb5 axb5 28. Qe4 $1 $16 {[%cal Ya1d1] /\Rd1 , and Black has to
weaken his king's position with either ...g4 or ...f5 in order to save Her
Majesty from the trap.}) 21. Nxd6 {It is not an easy decision to exchange the
active knight for this bishop.} ({The alternative was} 21. Nxg5 {but Black
seems to have sufficient play in this case, too.} Rae8 22. Ne4 Bxe4 (22... Bc7
23. Bc2 {would allow White consolidate.}) 23. fxe4 Rxe4 (23... Qxe4 $6 24. Bh6)
24. Bc2 f5 25. Bxe4 fxe4 $44 {White's king's position is quite weak.}) 21...
Qxd6 22. Bxg5 {From a material point of view, White is doing quite well.
However, his king's position has been seriously weakened during the previous
phase of the game, which makes the position rather-double edged. With his f-
and g-pawns on their initial squares he would probably be better, mainly
because he could annyhilate Black's pressure with Be3 or Bh4-g3. The way it is,
he has no reliable outposts for his bishops along the e-file.} Qg6 $146 {
Deviating from Shirov's game from the previous round. In such positions with
an unclear verdict, it is a good idea to be the first to produce an opening
surprise. With his last move, Black increases his control of the b1-h7
diagonal, which will serve him well during the fight for the e-file.} (22...
Rfe8 23. Re1 ({A possible plan would be the transfer of the bishop to e5 with} 
23. Bf4 Qg6 24. Qf2 h5 25. Be5 {. If Black will play ...f6 at some moment, the
bishop would maintain its stability with Bf4, while the black king's position
will have been weakened, too.}) 23... Qg6 24. Be7 Ra7 25. Bc5 Raa8 26. Be7 Ra7
27. Bc5 {1/2-1/2 Shirov,A (2720)-Leko,P (2741)/Moscow 2006.}) 23. Qc1 ({
White is not in time to exceute the plan suggested in the previous comment,
because after} 23. Bf4 {Black has} Bc2 {or 23...Be6, when the fact that White
does not control the c2-file with his queen comes into account.}) 23... Bd3 24.
axb5 {The exchange of one pair of rooks will leave White's back ranks
insufficiently defended.} ({Completing the development with} 24. Qd2 $5 Rae8
25. Rd1 {certainly deserved attention.} ({After} 25. Be3 Re7 26. Re1 Rfe8 27.
Kg2 h5 {White's position looks rather passive. The hidden dangers awaiting for
him are illustrated by the line} 28. axb5 axb5 29. Bd1 h4 30. g4 h3+ $5 31.
Kxh3 $2 Rxe3 32. Rxe3 Qh6+ $19) 25... Re2 $5 {Otherwise, Black would lose
stability on the dark squares.} (25... Bf5) 26. Qxd3 Rxb2 27. Qxg6+ hxg6 {
[%csl Gb3]} 28. axb5 axb5 29. d5 Rxb3 30. d6 (30. Bf6 {fails to create serious
threats and is in fact dangerous for White.} cxd5 31. Rd4 g5 32. Rxd5 Rb2 33.
Rxg5+ Kh7 34. c4 Rc2 35. Rxb5 Ra8 $36 {[%csl Gg1]}) 30... f6 31. Bxf6 Rxf6 32.
d7 Rf8 33. d8=Q Rxd8 34. Rxd8+ Kf7 35. Rd3 b4 36. Kf2 {with a most likely draw.
In several moments of this analysis, the weakness of the second rank and of
the f3-square make themselves felt.}) 24... axb5 25. Rxa8 Rxa8 26. Kf2 Bc4 27.
Bxc4 {The exchange of bishops leaves White without any counterplay, but Shirov
might have feared the rook's infiltration to e2.} bxc4 28. g4 Re8 29. Bf4 Qd3
30. Kg3 Qe2 31. Qb1 Qe1+ 32. Qxe1 Rxe1 {[%mdl 4096]} 33. Bd6 Rg1+ 34. Kf2 Rb1
35. Ba3 {The position has cleared. White faces a difficult psychological task.
All he can do is sit and wait, while Black can activate his position gradually.
} Kg7 36. Kg3 Kg6 37. h3 h5 38. Kh4 $2 {Shirov probably wanted to play
actively, but failed to foresee the problems raised by the king's plaement on
the edge of the board. Since there is no obvious improvement for White on the
way to his defeat, his last move might be the decisive mistake.} Rg1 $1 {
The best practical chance. The king will not be given a chance to return to
the centre.} 39. Bc5 Rg2 40. Ba3 f6 41. gxh5+ Kf5 42. f4 Rg8 {/\... Kxf4.} (
42... Kxf4 $6 {leads to an immediate draw because after} 43. h6 Rg8 44. Kh5 {
Black has nothing else left than force a perpetual with} Rg5+ $1 45. Kh4 Rg8
$11) 43. Bd6 Ke6 {The king returns to block the h-pawn. His white colleague
remains passive on the h-file.} 44. h6 $6 {Shirov probably missed Aronian's
brilliant plan.} ({However,} 44. Ba3 Kf7 45. Bd6 Rg2 46. Ba3 Kg7 {leads tu
zugzwang, costing White a pawn.} 47. Bb4 Rxb2 {[%cal Yb2b4,Rc4c1]} 48. Ba5 Rb5
49. Bd8 Rb8 50. Bc7 (50. Ba5 Kh6) 50... Rb3 51. Ba5 Kh6 52. Kg4 f5+ 53. Kh4 Rb2
{[%csl Gc3,Gf4,Gh5][%cal Yb2f2,Yf2f3] and it looks like White cannot resist
for too long.}) 44... Kxd6 45. Kh5 {Optically speaking, White's counterplay
seems sufficient for a draw.} f5 46. h7 Rh8 47. Kg6 Ke7 48. Kg7 Ke8 {Black's
plan is revealed now. He intends to force White capture on h8, when after ...
Kf7 he will get into zugzang soon.} 49. Kg6 Kf8 50. h4 Ke7 51. Kg7 Ke8 52. Kg6
Kf8 53. h5 Ke7 54. Kg7 Ke8 55. Kg6 Kf8 56. h6 Ke8 57. Kf6 (57. Kg7 Ke7 58. Kg6
Kf8 $18) 57... Rxh7 58. Kg6 Rf7 (58... Rf7 59. h7 Rf8 60. Kg7 Rh8 61. Kxh8 (61.
Kg6 Kf8) 61... Kf8 62. b4 cxb3 $19) 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.11.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2006.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 c5 6. d5 exd5 7. cxd5 Bb7 8. Bg2
Nxd5 9. O-O Be7 10. Rd1 Nc6 11. Qf5 Nf6 12. e4 g6 13. Qf4 O-O 14. e5 Nh5 15.
Qh6 Nd4 16. Nxd4 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 cxd4 18. g4 Rc8 19. Rxd4 Ng7 20. Nc3 f5 21. Qd2
Bc5 22. Rxd7 Qh4 23. Nd5 Qxg4+ 24. Kf1 Qh3+ 25. Kg1 Qg4+ 26. Kf1 Qh3+ 27. Kg1
Qg4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.11.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2698"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2006.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Nc6 6. Nbd2 d5 7. cxd5 Qxd5 8. e4
Nb4 9. Qa4+ Qd7 10. Qxd7+ Nxd7 11. Bxa6 Nxa6 12. O-O Nf6 13. a3 c5 14. Re1 Be7
15. Ne5 Rc8 16. b4 cxd4 17. Ndf3 Nb8 18. Nxd4 Nfd7 19. Nef3 O-O 20. Bf4 Nc6 21.
Rac1 Nxd4 22. Nxd4 g5 23. Nc6 Rxc6 24. Rxc6 gxf4 25. Rc7 Ne5 26. Rxe7 Nf3+ 27.
Kf1 Nxe1 28. Kxe1 a5 29. Rb7 axb4 30. axb4 Rd8 31. f3 Rd3 32. Ke2 Rb3 33. Rxb6
Rb2+ 34. Kd3 Rxh2 35. gxf4 h5 36. Rb5 h4 37. Rh5 h3 38. Kd4 Kf8 39. Ke5 Ke7 40.
f5 exf5 41. Kxf5 Rb2 42. Rxh3 Rxb4 43. f4 Rb5+ 44. e5 Kf8 45. Rd3 Rb4 46. Kg5
Kg7 47. Rd7 Rb5 48. Kg4 Kf8 49. Kf5 Kg7 50. Ke4 Rb4+ 51. Rd4 Rb1 52. Rd7 Re1+
53. Kd5 Rd1+ 54. Kc6 Rf1 55. Rd4 Kf8 56. Kd7 Rf2 57. Kd6 Rf1 58. Kd5 Ke7 59.
Ra4 f6 60. Ra7+ Kf8 61. Kd6 fxe5 62. Ra8+ Kf7 63. Ra7+ Kf8 64. fxe5 Rd1+ 65.
Ke6 Re1 66. Rf7+ Ke8 67. Rh7 Kf8 68. Rh8+ Kg7 69. Rd8 Ra1 70. Ke7 Ra5 71. e6
Ra7+ 72. Rd7 Ra8 73. Rd6 {[%mdl 4096]} Ra7+ $2 {[%mdl 8192]} (73... Kg6 $11)
74. Ke8 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.11.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2006.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. a5 d5 {Although White has not weakened the d3-square, Aronian plays in
the spirit of the Marshall attack. The ground for such a daring action is that
White has remained far behind in development by advancing his a-pawn.} ({
In fact, the more restrained} 9... d6 {is entirely playable as well.} 10. d4 (
10. h3 Be6 11. d4 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Qxd4 c5 14. Qd3 d5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16.
Nd2 Nc7 17. Qg3 Bh4 18. Qf3 Nb5 $11 {Hjartarson,J (2430)-Smyslov,V (2600)/
Copenhagen 1985/MCD (1/2-1/2, 32)}) 10... Nxd4 (10... Bg4 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12.
Nbd2 Nfd7 13. h3 Bh5 14. g4 Bg6 15. Nxe5 dxe5 16. Bd5 Rb8 17. Nc4 Bc5 $11 {
Nunn,J (2575)-Kortschnoj,V (2635)/Zuerich 1984/MCD (1/2-1/2, 35)}) 11. Nxd4
exd4 12. Qxd4 Rb8 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bh4 Ng4 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. Nd2 Be6 $11 {
Klinger,J-Hort,V/Biel 1986.}) 10. exd5 e4 $5 {This is a deviation from the
typical Marshall Attack scenario.} ({In case of} 10... Nxd5 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12.
Rxe5 c6 13. d3 Bd6 14. Re1 {the fact that the d3-square is securely defended
might help White repell the attack.}) 11. dxc6 exf3 12. d3 $146 {The safest
continuation. White has to continue his development at any cost.} ({After} 12.
Qxf3 Bg4 {White has a hard time finding an adequate square for the prematurely
queen.} 13. Qd3 (13. Qe3 Re8) (13. Qf4 Bd6) 13... Qxd3 14. cxd3 Bc5 $15 {
Baramidze,D (2550)-Graf,A (2637)/Altenkirchen 2005/CBM 106 (0-1, 24)}) ({
Copmared to the game continuation,} 12. d4 {exposes the d-pawn too early,
restricting the active possibilities of the own queen.} fxg2 13. Bg5 Nd5 14.
Bxe7 Nxe7 15. d5 Ng6 16. Nd2 Nf4 17. Re3 (17. Qf3 Nh3+ 18. Kxg2 Qg5+ $19 {
Suetin}) 17... Qg5 18. Rg3 Qe5 $36 {Suetin,A-Zaitsev,I/USSR 1983 (1-0, 25)})
12... fxg2 13. Qf3 {Now that the g2-square has become available and the d-pawn
is not hanging, this move is playable.} Rb8 {[%cal Yb8b5]} 14. Bc4 Ne8 15. Bf4
Bf6 16. Nd2 {Usually, time ismore important than pawns in such position.} (16.
Ra2 Nd6 $44 {[%csl Gc4]}) 16... Bxb2 (16... Nd6 $6 {is bad now because of} 17.
Bxd6 Qxd6 18. Ne4 $16) 17. Rab1 Bc3 {White has completed his development and
avoided immediate dangers. Now, he starts active operations already.} 18. Bg5
$5 Bf6 (18... Qxg5 $2 19. Qxf7+ $1 $18) 19. Rxe8 Rxe8 20. Ne4 {White's
pressure becomes annoying...} Rxe4 $1 {Wisely liquidating to an equal endgame.}
(20... Bxg5 $2 21. Nxg5 $36 {[%csl Yf7,Yh7]}) 21. Bxf6 Qxf6 22. Qxf6 gxf6 23.
dxe4 Kf8 24. Kxg2 Ke7 25. Rd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.11.15"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E17"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[EventDate "2006.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Qc2 c5 8. dxc5
bxc5 9. O-O d6 10. Rd1 Qb6 11. Be3 Nc6 12. Rab1 Rab8 13. a3 Na5 14. b3 h6 15.
h3 Rfd8 16. g4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.11.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[EventDate "2006.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Bf4
b6 9. Nc3 Bb7 10. Nd2 Nh5 11. Be5 Nd7 12. e4 Nxe5 13. dxe5 dxc4 14. Bf3 g6 15.
Bxh5 gxh5 16. Nxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2705"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "qnbbnrkr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/QNBBNRKR w HFhf - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2009"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. b3 e6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bf6 6. Bb2 b6 7. Nf3 Bxb2 8.
Qxb2 Nf6 9. Nc3 d5 10. cxd5 exd5 11. e3 Rd8 12. Nb5 Bg4 13. Nbd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4
Bxd1 15. Rxd1 O-O 16. O-O Qb7 17. Rd3 Rc8 18. Rfd1 Rc5 19. Nf5 Kh8 20. b4 Rc7
21. Rxd5 Qc8 22. h3 Rc2 23. Qa1 Rg8 24. Nh6 Qe6 25. Rd6 1-0

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2682"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nrkrnqbb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NRKRNQBB w DBdb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2009"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 Nb6 2. f5 f6 3. Nb3 e5 4. fxe6 dxe6 5. g3 Nd6 6. Nd3 Qe7 7. Ndc5 Bf7 8.
Na5 O-O 9. Ncxb7 Be8 10. Nc5 f5 11. Qf3 Nbc4 12. Nc6 Bxc6 13. Qxc6 g6 14. c3
Ne5 15. Qa4 c6 16. Nd3 Rb7 17. Bc5 Rc8 18. Nxe5 Bxe5 19. d4 Bg7 20. O-O Qd7 21.
Bxd6 Qxd6 22. e4 fxe4 23. Bxe4 e5 24. Qc4+ Kh8 25. d5 c5 26. b4 Rbc7 27. b5 Rd8
28. a4 Qb6 29. Kg2 Rd6 30. a5 Qxa5 31. Ra1 1-0

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "qnnbrkbr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/QNNBRKBR w HEhe - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2009"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 f5 2. b3 e5 3. d4 Bf6 4. dxe5 Bxe5 5. Nc3 Nd6 6. f3 b5 7. Nd3 Bf6 8. Qc1
bxc4 9. Nc5 Bf7 10. Bf2 O-O 11. O-O Nb7 12. Nb5 Nxc5 13. Bxc5 d6 14. Bf2 Qc6
15. bxc4 Bxc4 16. Qxc4+ Qxc4 17. Bb3 Qxb3 18. axb3 Na6 19. Nxa7 Rb8 20. Rc1 Nc5
21. Nc6 Nxb3 22. Rb1 Rb7 23. Rfd1 Ra8 24. e4 fxe4 25. fxe4 Na5 26. Rxb7 Nxb7
27. Bg3 Re8 28. e5 dxe5 29. Rd7 Nc5 30. Rxc7 Ne4 31. Kf1 h5 32. Rb7 h4 33. Be1
Kh7 34. Rb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2705"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rknqbrnb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RKNQBRNB w FAfa - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2009"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Nb6 4. Nge2 g6 5. Nd3 Nfxd5 6. b3 Bd7 7. c4 Nf6 8.
Bc3 Bf5 9. Ng3 Ne4 10. Nxe4 Bxe4 11. f3 Bxd3+ 12. Qxd3 e6 13. g3 Qe7 14. f4 O-O
15. O-O c5 16. d5 Bxc3 17. Qxc3 exd5 18. cxd5 c4 19. Rae1 Qc5+ 20. Qe3 Qa5 21.
f5 Nxd5 22. Qd4 Rad8 23. Re5 Qb6 24. Qxb6 Nxb6 25. Bxb7 Rd2 26. Rc1 Rb8 27. Bg2
cxb3 28. axb3 Nd7 29. Rd5 Rxd5 30. Bxd5 Nf6 31. Bc4 gxf5 32. Rf1 Ne4 33. Rxf5
Nd6 34. Rg5+ Kf8 35. Ra5 Nxc4 36. bxc4 Rb1+ 37. Kg2 Rc1 38. c5 a6 39. h4 h5 40.
Kf3 Rc3+ 41. Kf4 Ke7 42. Rxa6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2682"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "qrnbbkrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/QRNBBKRN w GBgb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2009"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b4 d5 2. d3 Nd6 3. Ng3 Ng6 4. Bc3 b6 5. Nb3 f6 6. e3 e5 7. a4 O-O 8. Bh5 Nh4
9. Bxe8 Rxe8 10. Nd2 Kh8 11. b5 c5 12. e4 d4 13. Bb2 a6 14. O-O axb5 15. axb5
Nxb5 16. Nc4 Bc7 17. Qxa8 Rxa8 18. f4 Ng6 19. fxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Rxe5 21. Ne2
Ree8 22. Bc1 Nc3 23. Nxc3 dxc3 24. Rb3 Be5 25. Be3 Ra2 26. Rxb6 Rxc2 27. Bxc5
Rd2 28. d4 Rxd4 0-1

[Event "Wch Chess960"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "qrknbrnb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/QRKNBRNB w FBfb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2009"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 d6 2. f4 Bc6 3. Nf3 g6 4. d3 f5 5. Bc3 Bf6 6. b4 a6 7. Nf2 Qa7 8. O-O Qe3
9. Rbe1 Bxc3 10. Qxc3 Ne6 11. Nh4 Kd7 12. Ng2 Bxg2 13. Bxg2 h5 14. Kh1 h4 15.
Nd1 Qd4 16. e3 Qxc3 17. Nxc3 Nf6 18. Kg1 hxg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Chess960 fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnnqbbkr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNNQBBKR w HAha - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2009"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bc6 5. Ng3 a5 6. c4 Nd7 7. Nd3 Nd6 8. Qc2
Qh4 9. Ne2 h5 10. Rd1 Qg5 11. h4 Qf5 12. Qc1 Be7 13. Ng3 Qg4 14. Bc3 Bxh4 15.
Be2 Qg5 16. Qxg5 Bxg5 17. Nxh5 Nxc4 18. Nxg7 Rxh1+ 19. Kxh1 Nf6 20. Nh5 Ne4 21.
Be1 Rd8 22. b3 Ncd6 23. Ne5 Bb5 24. Bf3 a4 25. Kg1 axb3 26. axb3 Ra8 27. Nc4
Ra2 28. d5 Bxc4 1-0

[Event "Wch Chess960 fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rkrbbnqn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RKRBBNQN w CAca - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2009"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Ne3 Ne6 3. Ng3 d6 4. c3 Ng6 5. d3 Ngf4 6. Bc2 g6 7. Rd1 Qg7 8. Ngf1
Nc5 9. g3 Nfe6 10. Nd2 Bg5 11. f3 f5 12. Ndc4 fxe4 13. fxe4 h5 14. h4 Bh6 15.
d4 Nd7 16. d5 Nd8 17. Bd2 Nf6 18. Rf1 Bb5 19. Rf3 Ng4 20. Qg2 Nf7 21. a4 Nxe3
22. Nxe3 Bd7 23. O-O-O O-O 24. Rdf1 Rae8 25. b3 Nd8 26. Bd3 Rxf3 27. Rxf3 Rf8
28. Rxf8+ Qxf8 29. a5 b6 30. a6 Nf7 31. Qf1 Qe7 32. Nc2 Bxd2+ 33. Kxd2 Qe8 34.
Qf6 Nh6 35. Be2 Kh7 36. Nb4 Ng8 37. Qg5 Qf8 38. Ke1 Qe7 39. Qxe7+ Nxe7 40. Nc2
Kh6 41. Na3 g5 42. Bb5 Bc8 43. Kf2 Ng6 44. Nc2 gxh4 45. gxh4 Ne7 46. Nb4 Kg7
47. Be8 Bg4 48. Na2 Bc8 49. Bb5 Ng8 50. Nb4 Ne7 51. Be2 Kg6 52. Nc2 Ng8 53. b4
Nf6 54. Ke3 Kf7 55. Bb5 Ke7 56. Bd3 Bd7 57. b5 Kf7 58. c4 Kg6 59. Nb4 Ng8 60.
Bf1 Ne7 61. Be2 Kh6 62. Kf2 Kg6 63. Kg3 Kh6 64. Nc2 Kg6 65. Ne3 Ng8 66. Bf3 Nf6
67. Nc2 Be8 68. Bg2 Kg7 69. Kf2 Bd7 70. Kg3 Be8 71. Kf2 Bd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Chess960 fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rkbnrbnq/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RKBNRBNQ w EAea - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2009"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. e3 d6 4. Nc3 e5 5. dxe5 dxe5 6. e4 f6 7. Bc4 Be6 8. Qf1
Ne7 9. Be3 Qg8 10. Bb3 Bxb3 11. axb3 Qe6 12. Rd1 Nf7 13. Na4 Qc6 14. Nc5 Nd6
15. Nd2 O-O 16. Nc4 b6 17. Nxd6 cxd6 18. Qc4+ Rf7 19. Na4 Rc8 20. Qxc6 Rxc6 21.
Nc3 Nc8 22. Nd5 f5 23. f3 fxe4 24. fxe4 Rd7 25. Ra6 Ne7 26. Nc3 h6 27. Nb5 Nc8
28. c4 Bf6 29. Kc2 Bg5 30. Bg1 Rf7 31. Kd3 h5 32. Ke2 Rf4 33. Nc3 Rf7 34. Nd5
Kg7 35. Rf1 Rxf1 36. Kxf1 Bc1 37. Ra2 Kf8 38. Ke2 b5 39. Kd1 Bg5 40. Bxa7 Ne7
41. h4 Bh6 42. Bf2 Nxd5 43. Ra8+ Kf7 44. exd5 Rc7 45. Bb6 Rb7 46. Ra6 Bf4 47.
Kc2 Bg3 48. Bd8 e4 49. Bg5 Be5 50. Rc6 bxc4 51. Rxc4 Rb5 52. Rxe4 Rxd5 53. b4
Ke6 54. Kb3 Rd3+ 55. Kc4 Rg3 56. Re2 Kd7 57. b5 Rg4+ 58. Kb3 Kc7 59. Be3 Rxh4
60. Rc2+ Kb7 61. Rf2 Bd4 62. Bxd4 Rxd4 63. Rf6 Rg4 64. Rxd6 Rxg2 65. Ka4 h4 66.
Ka5 Kc7 67. Rd4 h3 68. b6+ Kc6 69. Rc4+ Kb7 70. Rc7+ Kb8 71. Rh7 Rg5+ 72. Ka6
Rh5 73. Rb7+ Ka8 74. Ra7+ Kb8 75. Rb7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Chess960 fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbkqnrb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBKQNRB w GAga - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2009"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. d3 d5 3. cxd5 Qa4+ 4. Kd2 c6 5. Nc3 Qa5 6. e4 Nfd7 7. Ne3 b5 8. Ke2
Ba6 9. Ncd1 Qc7 10. g3 b4 11. f4 cxd5 12. Nxd5 Qc2+ 13. Qd2 Bxd3+ 14. Ke1 a5
15. e5 Ra6 16. Rg2 Qxd2+ 17. Rxd2 Bb5 18. a3 e6 19. axb4 axb4 20. Rxa6 Nxa6 21.
Nb6 Ke7 22. Nxd7 Rc8 23. Nb6 Rxc1 24. Bb7 Nc5 25. Nc8+ Kf8 26. Rd8+ Kg7 27. Bf3
Rc2 28. Nf2 Rxb2 29. Nd6 Rb1+ 30. Nd1 Ba4 31. Kd2 Rb3 32. Be2 Ra3 33. Bc4 Ra1
34. Nb2 Bc6 35. Rc8 Ne4+ 36. Kc2 Bd5 37. Bxd5 exd5 38. Rc7 Ra3 39. Rxf7+ Kg8
40. Rd7 b3+ 41. Kb1 Nc3+ 42. Kc1 Ra2 43. Rc7 d4 44. Ndc4 Bg7 45. Rc8+ Bf8 46.
Rb8 Kg7 47. Rxb3 Nd5 48. Rb5 Ne3 49. Kb1 Ra4 50. Nxa4 Nxc4 51. Rb7+ Kh6 52. Kc2
Na5 53. Rb5 1-0

[Event "Wch Chess960 fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rkbqnnrb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RKBQNNRB w GAga - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2009"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 d6 3. g3 f5 4. exf5 gxf5 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Qe2 Ng6 7. N1d2 e5 8.
dxe5 dxe5 9. Rd1 Qe7 10. Nc4 Re8 11. Bg2 a5 12. a4 Ra6 13. Nfd2 e4 14. Nb3 f4
15. Ncxa5 f3 16. Qxa6 fxg2 17. Qb5 Qe6 18. Rg1 e3 19. Bxe3 Qd5 20. Qxd5 Nxd5
21. Rxg2 Bf5 22. O-O-O Nb4 23. Rd2 Ne5 24. Nd4 Be4 25. Rg1 b6 26. Nab3 c5 27.
Bf4 cxd4 28. Rxd4 1-0

[Event "Wch Chess960 fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "bbnqrkrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BBNQRKRN w GEge - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2009"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Ng3 Ng6 2. e3 c5 3. O-O b6 4. b3 O-O 5. f4 e6 6. Nh5 f6 7. Qg4 Rf7 8. c4 f5
9. Qh3 Qh4 10. Qxh4 Nxh4 11. Re2 Ne7 12. d4 d6 13. dxc5 dxc5 14. Nd3 Nhg6 15.
Nf2 Nf8 16. Rd1 Nc6 17. e4 Ree7 18. e5 Rd7 19. Red2 Rxd2 20. Rxd2 Rd7 21. Bc3
Rxd2 22. Bxd2 Nd7 23. h4 Bc7 24. Ng3 Bd8 25. h5 g6 26. hxg6 hxg6 27. Ne2 g5 28.
g3 Kf7 29. Kf1 Ne7 30. Nh3 Ng6 31. Nxg5+ Bxg5 32. fxg5 Ndxe5 33. Nc3 Bc6 34. a4
Nf3 35. Be3 Nge5 36. Bf4 Kg6 37. Ba2 Nd7 38. a5 e5 39. Be3 bxa5 40. Bb1 Nxg5
41. g4 e4 42. gxf5+ Kxf5 43. Bxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2719"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 8.
e3 Qa5 9. Bd3 Qxa2 10. O-O Qa5 11. Ne5 O-O 12. Qf3 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Ng4 14. Qg3
Nxe5 15. Qxe5 f6 16. Bxf6 Rxf6 17. Qe8+ Rf8 18. Qh5 h6 19. Qg6 Rf6 20. Qe8+ Rf8
21. Qg6 Rf6 22. Qe8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 d6 5. Qc2 Nbd7 6. g3 c5 $6 {About this
dubious system - see CBM 91, annotations by GM V.Golod to Hillarp Persson -
Agrest.} 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O a6 (8... Qe7 9. Rd1 a6 10. a3 Bxc3 11. Qxc3 Re8 12.
b4 e5 13. dxc5 dxc5 14. Bb2 Rb8 15. b5 Qe6 16. a4 $14 {1/2-1/2 Soppe,G-Giaccio,
A/Cordoba 1998/EXT 1999 (73)}) 9. Rd1 (9. a3 $5 Bxc3 10. Qxc3 {[%csl Gc1,Gg2]
V.Golod}) 9... cxd4 $146 (9... Qc7 10. a3 Bxc3 11. Qxc3 Re8 12. b3 b6 13. Bb2
Bb7 14. Rac1 Rac8 15. b4 $5 cxb4 16. axb4 Qb8 17. Qa3 $14 {0-1 Hillarp Persson,
T-Agrest,E/Skara 2002/CBM 091/[Golod,V] (50)}) 10. Nxd4 Qc7 11. b3 (11. a3 {
deserved attention here, too, although Black could now play} Bc5) 11... d5 $6 {
It's not easy for Black to develop his queenside. Still, it was probably
better to keep the position closed:} (11... Nc5 {[%cal Yc8d7]}) 12. Na4 $1 {
[%cal Rc4d5]} dxc4 13. Qxc4 Qxc4 14. bxc4 $16 {[%csl Gg2][%cal Gd1d8,Gg2a8]
Any Catalan player would be glad to get such a position from the opening!} Re8
15. Rb1 Bf8 16. Bd2 e5 17. Nb3 e4 {Shutting up the terrible bishop. However,
White's other pieces are strong enough to keep the black pieces down.} 18. c5
Nd5 19. Be1 N7f6 20. Na5 {[%csl Rb7]} Ra7 {[%csl Ra7]} 21. e3 Bd7 22. Nc3 Bc6
23. Nxc6 bxc6 24. Nxd5 Nxd5 25. Ba5 {[%csl Ra6,Rc6,Re4] Finally, White has got
a strong bishop pair. Black can capture the c5 pawn but he has many more weak
pawns (a6,c6,e4).} g6 26. Bf1 Raa8 27. Rbc1 Bh6 28. Rc2 Rab8 29. Bc4 Nb4 30.
Bxb4 {It is well-known that one of the advantages of the bishop pair is that
one of the bishops can be traded at an appropriate moment.} Rxb4 31. Rd7 Rf8
32. Bxa6 {Despite the opposite-coloured bishops, Black's position is hopeless.
His pawns are on light squares and he can hardly protect them. And don't
forget about White's passed a-pawn!} Rfb8 33. Bc4 R4b7 34. Bxf7+ Kf8 35. Be6
Bg5 36. Rd4 Re7 37. Bb3 Bf6 38. Rd6 Kg7 39. Rxc6 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15.
Re4 g5 16. Qf1 Qh5 17. Nd2 Bf5 18. f3 Nf6 19. Qg2 Qg6 20. Re3 Rae8 21. Ne4 Nxe4
22. g4 Ng3 23. hxg3 Bb1 24. Qe2 Rxe3 25. Qxe3 h6 26. Qe1 Bc2 27. Bxc2 Qxc2 28.
Qe4 Qd1+ 29. Kg2 Kg7 30. Qe3 Bxg3 31. Kxg3 Re8 32. Qxe8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C87"]
[WhiteElo "2647"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 d6 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8.
d4 exd4 9. Nxd4 Bd7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Bf4 g6 12. h3 Nh5 13. Bh2 Ng7 14. Qd3 Qb8
15. b3 Qb4 16. a3 Qb7 17. Rad1 Rfe8 18. Bf4 Bf8 19. Bh6 Re5 20. Bf4 Ree8 21.
Bh6 Re5 22. Bf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. Bg2 c5 7. d5 exd5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. O-O Be7 10. Rd1 Qc8 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bxe7 Nxe7 13. e4 O-O 14. Nc3 Nbc6
15. Rd2 Ba6 16. Bh3 Ng6 17. Bxd7 Qb7 18. Bh3 Rad8 19. Rad1 Qb8 20. Bg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a4 Na5 11. Ba2 b4 12. Nbd2 c5 13. c3 Rc8 14. cxb4 cxb4 15. Nf1
d5 16. exd5 b3 17. Bxb3 Nxb3 18. Qxb3 Qxd5 19. Qxd5 Nxd5 20. Nxe5 Nb4 21. Ng6
hxg6 22. Rxe7 Bc6 23. b3 Rfd8 24. Ra7 Rd7 25. Be3 Bb7 26. Nd2 Nc6 27. Rxb7 Rxb7
28. Rc1 Rbb8 29. Ne4 Nd8 30. Rxc8 Rxc8 31. Nc5 a5 32. d4 Kf8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,D"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 e6 7. f3 c5 8. e4 Bg6
{Kramnik sticks to his preferences. Just like in the World Championship
Matches he goes for a slightly inferior, but very solid endgame, which he
analyzed and feels very well.} 9. Be3 (9. Bxc4 cxd4 10. Bb5+ Nfd7 $1 11. Qxd4
a6 $11) (9. d5 $13 {will probably become more popular in the future}) 9... cxd4
10. Qxd4 Qxd4 11. Bxd4 Nfd7 (11... Nc6 12. Nxc6 bxc6 $14) (11... Nbd7 12. Nxc4
Bc5 13. Bxc5 Nxc5 14. b4 $14) 12. Nxd7 (12. Nxc4 Nc6 13. Be3 Bc5 14. Kf2 Ke7
$11 {1/2-1/2 Nielsen,P (2646)-Hracek,Z (2581)/Germany 2006 (45)}) 12... Nxd7
13. Bxc4 a6 ({The viability of these endgames was demonstrated by the late
Smyslov on more than one occasion.} 13... Rc8 14. Ba2 a6 15. Ke2 Nb8 16. Rhd1
Nc6 17. Bb6 Bb4 18. Rd2 Ke7 19. Rad1 Nb8 20. Bf2 f6 21. Bg3 Be8 22. Rd4 a5 23.
Bd6+ Bxd6 24. Rxd6 Bd7 25. Ke3 Rc6 26. R6d4 Rhc8 $11 {1/2-1/2 Cramling,P (2504)
-Smyslov,V (2485)/Marbella 1999 (60)}) 14. h4 $146 (14. Ke2 Rg8 15. Rhd1 (15.
h4 h5 16. Rhd1 Rc8 17. Bb3 Bb4 18. Rac1 Ke7 19. Na2 Bc5 {1/2-1/2 Ruck,R (2526)
-Gustafsson,J (2584)/Austria 2006}) 15... Rc8 16. b3 Bc5 17. a5 Ke7 18. Na4 Bb4
19. Nb6 Nxb6 20. Bxb6 f6 21. Rd3 Rc6 22. h4 Rgc8 23. g4 Bc5 $11 {1/2-1/2
Topalov,V (2813)-Kramnik,V (2743)/Elista 2006 (31)}) 14... Rc8 15. Ba2 h6 {
It is interesting that Kramnik is ready to place the bishop on h7 rather than
play 15...h5 and keep it on g6, where apparently the bishop is better placed
due to the fact that it can later enter into play easier via f7 or e8.} (15...
h5 {The drawback of such pawn formation for Black is that in many situations
White's plan to bring the knight to f4 will be unpleasant for the second
player.}) 16. Rc1 (16. Rd1 Rg8 {followed by ...Bc5 and ...Ke7 and it looks
like Black has little to worry about.} (16... Bc5 $2 17. Bxg7 Rh7 18. Bd4 $18))
16... Bc5 (16... Nb8 $5) 17. Ne2 $1 {Forcing Black to castle. With the king on
e7 the position would be completely equal.} (17. Bxg7 Rh7 18. h5 Rxg7 19. hxg6
Rxg6 $132) (17. Bxc5 Rxc5 18. Ke2 Ke7 $11) 17... O-O ({After} 17... Rg8 {
White can use the pin on the c-file:} 18. Nf4 $1 Bh7 19. Nd3 b6 20. Ke2 Ke7 21.
Nxc5 bxc5 (21... Nxc5 22. a5 $18) 22. Bc3 {with advantage.}) 18. O-O (18. Kf2
Bxd4+ 19. Nxd4 Nc5 $132 {[%csl Ra4,Rd3]}) 18... Bd6 $5 {A somewhat unexpected,
but healthy decision. With the king on g8 instead of e7 Black keeps his bishop
for defending weak dark squares.} ({A more complicated alternative was} 18...
Bxd4+ 19. Nxd4 Nc5 20. a5 $5 (20. Rc4 b6 21. Rfc1 Rcd8 {[%cal Gc5d3]} 22. Bb1
a5 $11) 20... Nd3 21. Rxc8 Rxc8 22. Nxe6 $13) 19. Be3 Ne5 20. Nf4 {Notice that
with the black pawn on h5 White would have an advantage now (see the comments
after 15...h6), since he could always remain with the bishop pair versus the
knight and bishop.} Rxc1 {Another interesting moment. Kramnik has a complete
faith in Black's position and prefers to give up the open file rather than go
for unclear complications.} (20... Bh7 21. Rxc8 Rxc8 22. Nxe6 Rc2 23. Nd8 Rxb2
24. Bd5 $13) 21. Rxc1 Bh7 {In spite of apparent advantage (control over the
c-file, passive bishop on h7 and problems to centralize the king from g8),
White can achieve nothing concrete. Black controls all important squares in
the center and White has no targets for attack.} 22. Kf1 (22. Ne2 Re8 {[%cal
Gg8f8,Gf8e7]} 23. Bc5 Bb8 (23... Bxc5+ 24. Rxc5 Nd3 25. Rc7 Nxb2 26. a5 Rb8 27.
Nf4 $44 {[%csl Rb2,Rb8,Rg8,Rh7]}) 24. Rd1 Bc7 25. h5 (25. Kf2 Rd8 26. Rxd8+
Bxd8 $132 {[%csl Rh4][%cal Ge5d3]}) 25... Rd8 26. Rxd8+ Bxd8 27. Ba3 Bb6+ 28.
Kf1 Nd3 $11) 22... Rb8 23. Ke2 Kf8 24. g4 Ke7 ({With his bishop on h7 Black
doesn't need to create any new battlefield with} 24... b5 25. a5 $14) 25. Ng2 (
25. Nh5 g6 26. Nf4 g5 27. hxg5 hxg5 28. Nd3 Nxd3 29. Kxd3 f6 30. Rh1 Bg6 31.
Rh6 Rg8 $11) 25... f6 {Finally. The king protects e6 and White's edge will
become microscopic as soon as the bishop will be transferred to f7.} 26. h5 Bg8
27. Ba7 Ra8 28. Bb6 Bf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. e3 c5 8.
Be2 {A modest move, comparing to the normal} (8. Bd3) 8... Qa5 9. O-O O-O 10.
Qc2 (10. dxc5 {is equally harmless}) 10... Bxc3 (10... Re8 $6 11. Nxd5 $1 Nxd5
12. a3 $14) (10... c4 $5 11. Nd2 Re8 12. Bh4 b5 13. Rfb1 (13. a4 $142) 13...
Bf8 14. Bf3 Bb7 15. e4 dxe4 16. Ndxe4 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 Qb6 $15 {0-1
Brenninkmeijer,J-Sosonko,G/Netherlands 1992/CBM 030 (41)}) 11. bxc3 Ne4 (11...
b6 $5 12. Nd2 cxd4 13. cxd4 Ba6 14. Nb3 Qa4 15. Bxa6 Qxa6 16. f3 h6 17. Bh4
Rac8 $11 {1/2-1/2 Brenninkmeijer,J-Gulko,B/Groningen 1990/CBM 021 (38)}) 12. c4
{The only attempt to get something.} cxd4 13. cxd5 (13. exd4 $5 Nxg5 14. Nxg5
Nf6 15. c5 Bd7 16. Bd3 g6 17. Nf3 Ba4 18. Qb2 b6 19. Rac1 Rac8 20. Qa3 $14 {
0-1 Gil Capape,J-Campora,D/Zaragoza 1992/TD (30)}) 13... Re8 {Black has a
comfortable position. White's pair of passive bishops has no importance,
especially as White can't keep it.} 14. Rad1 {This loses a pawn, as well as} (
14. Bf4 $6 dxe3 15. Bxe3 Ndf6) (14. exd4 $5 Nb6 15. Bd3 Bf5 {followed by ...
Qxd5, leads to a material balance, and White must hold the position, despite
his isolated pawn.}) 14... h6 15. Bh4 $6 (15. Bf4 $142 $5 dxe3 16. Bxe3 Nc3 17.
Rc1 Nxe2+ (17... Nxd5 18. Bd2) 18. Qxe2 Qxd5 19. Rfd1 $44 {White's development
advantage compensates Black's extra pawn, and a draw is quite probable.}) 15...
dxe3 16. fxe3 Nc3 17. Be1 $6 {A passive move but White had not enough
compensation for the pawn anyway, e.g.} (17. Rd4 Nxd5 $1 (17... Rxe3 $6 18. Bd3
) 18. Be1 Qc7 $1 $17) 17... Rxe3 18. Bd3 Qc5 $1 19. Qxc3 Rxe1+ 20. Qxc5 Rxf1+
21. Bxf1 Nxc5 $19 {White is a pawn down with no compensation whatsoever 
(moreover, his d5 pawn is rather weak). The rest is a matter of technique.} 22.
Ne5 Nd7 23. Nc4 Nf6 24. Be2 Bd7 25. Bf3 Rd8 26. Ne5 Bf5 27. d6 Nd7 28. Nc4 b6
29. a3 Kf8 30. Kf2 Rc8 31. Ne3 Be6 32. Nd5 Rc2+ 33. Kg3 Ne5 34. Nc7 Bd7 35. Na6
Ke8 36. Re1 f6 37. Re3 Kd8 38. Bd5 Rd2 39. Nc7 Bf5 40. Kf4 g6 41. Rc3 Kd7 42.
Ke3 Rd3+ 43. Rxd3 Bxd3 44. Be4 Bxe4 45. Kxe4 Kxd6 46. Nb5+ Kc5 47. Nxa7 Nc4 48.
a4 Nd6+ 49. Kd3 Kb4 50. Kd4 Nf5+ 51. Kd5 Ne3+ 52. Ke6 f5 53. Nc8 Nxg2 54. Nxb6
f4 55. Nd5+ Kxa4 56. Kf6 f3 57. Nc3+ Kb4 58. Ne4 Nh4 59. Kg7 h5 60. Kh6 Kc4 61.
Kg5 Kd3 $1 62. Ng3 Nf5 63. Nh1 Ne7 64. Kf6 Ke2 65. h4 (65. Kxe7 f2 66. Ng3+ (
66. Nxf2 Kxf2 67. Kf6 h4 68. Kxg6 Kg2 $19) 66... Kf3 67. Kf6 h4 68. Nf1 Ke2 $19
) 65... Kf1 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
Rb1 $5 {White intends to start the thematic counterattack based on b4-b5 as
soon as possible.} a5 {A radical way to cross White's plans.} (8... f6 {
overdefends the e5-pawn, preventing b4, but weakens the a2-g8 diagonal, which
makes} 9. d4 $5 {a dangerous break, as in Khalifman,A (2635)-Tiviakov,S (2625)/
Linares 1995/CBM 046/[Ribli] (1-0, 74).}) ({Anothar radical move is} 8... g5 {
, designed by Kortschnoj.}) 9. d3 {White gives up his initial intentions of
giving play a dynamic character. Instead, he aims for a reversed Dragon, where
his extra-tempo (Rb1) might be not too relevant, as the rook usually goes to
c1 anyway. Sometimes, he could still save a tempo by refraining from a3, but
this is a double edged issue as I had the occasion to convince myself (see
below).} (9. b3 {was repeatedly played, but White could not really prove an
advantage.}) 9... Be6 ({If we reverse colours, after} 9... Bg4 10. Be3 O-O 11.
Rc1 f5 12. Na4 Nxa4 13. Qxa4 Bd6 14. Rfe1 Qe7 15. Qb5 $14 {we would get the
position of the game Anand-Topalov Linares 1994, where a genuine Dragon was
played and Topalov eventually won.}) 10. Be3 O-O (10... Nd5 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12.
Qa4 O-O 13. Rbc1 (13. Rfc1 $5 Bd6 14. a3) 13... Bd6 14. Rfd1 $2 ({Here,} 14. a3
{would have been necessary, transposing to a genuine reversed Dragon.}) 14...
Nb4 $1 15. Nd2 c6 $15 16. d4 $4 b5 17. Qa3 Nxa2 $19 {Marin,M (2601)-Sarwat,W 
(2356)/Cairo 2001/CBM 082 ext (0-1, 26)}) 11. Bxb6 $5 {In the Dragon, this
exchange is considered to be questionable. Here, White's extra-tempo might
count.} cxb6 12. e3 $146 {White declares his intentions to put his central
pawns into motion as soon as possible.} (12. Qa4 f5 (12... f6 13. Rfd1 Qe8 14.
e3 Qf7 {Here we can see that it has been useful for White to refrain from a3,
because the b3-square is protected.} 15. d4 exd4 16. exd4 Nb4 17. d5 $1 $14 {
Kasparov,G (2830)-Faulks,N (2041)/London simul 2003/EXT 2004 (1-0, 40)}) 13.
Rfd1 Bf6 14. e3 Qe7 15. d4 e4 16. Nd2 Nb4 17. Bf1 {While here, the occupation
of the b4-square by the black knight is not dangerous for White.} Rac8 18. a3
Nd5 19. Rdc1 Rfd8 20. Bc4 Qf7 21. Nxd5 Bxd5 22. Qb5 Rc6 23. Rc3 $14 {
Stefansson,H (2500)-Bjornsson,T (2290)/Island 1993/TD (1-0, 33)}) (12. Nd2 {
Gabriel,C (2475)-Georgiev,K (2605)/Altensteig 1995/CBM 049/[Ribli] (0-1, 20)})
12... b5 $5 {This seems to be an entirely adequate reaction against Topalov's
novelty. By getting rid of his double pawns, Black gets a comfortable position.
} 13. Nxb5 Bxa2 14. Rc1 a4 15. Nc3 Bb3 16. Qe2 Be6 17. Ra1 a3 18. bxa3 Rxa3 19.
Rxa3 Bxa3 20. Nb5 Be7 21. d4 Bg4 $11 {Soon, the position will simplify to an
obvious draw.} 22. h3 Bxf3 23. Bxf3 exd4 24. exd4 Bf6 25. Rd1 Qb6 26. Qc4 Rd8
27. Kg2 Nxd4 28. Nxd4 Rxd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2683"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Qc2 c5 8.
a3 Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 h6 10. Qe3+ {Van Wely decided against testing the dangerous
opponent in the position after exchange of the bishop on f6, even though white
seems to keep the initiative there.} (10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. e3 O-O 12. Bb5 (12. Be2
b6 13. Rc1 Bb7 14. O-O Rfc8 15. Rfd1 Qe7 16. dxc5 bxc5 17. b4 d4 18. Qd2 Nf6
19. bxc5 dxe3 20. Qxe3 Qxe3 21. fxe3 Ne4 22. Ne5 Nxc5 23. Bc4 {1-0 Kazhgaleyev,
M (2606)-Hanley,C (2419)/Port Erin 2006 (63)}) 12... cxd4 13. Qxd4 Qxd4 14.
Nxd4 Nb6 15. Rc1 a6 16. Be2 Bd7 17. Rc7 Rab8 18. Kd2 Rfd8 19. Rhc1 Kf8 20. b3 {
1/2 Malaniuk,V (2635)-Blatny,P (2510)/Brno 1993 (46)}) 10... Qe7 11. Qxe7+ Kxe7
12. Bf4 (12. Bxf6+ Kxf6 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Nd4 Bd7 15. e3 Rac8 16. Be2 Rc7 17.
f3 Ne6 18. Kd2 Rhc8 19. Rac1 Nxd4 20. exd4 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Rxc1 22. Kxc1 a5 23.
Kd2 {1/2 Alavkin,A (2492)-Landa,K (2584)/Tomsk 2006}) 12... b6 13. dxc5 bxc5
14. b4 a5 {Aronian is the first to deviate from the continuation, that his
opponent already played against another strong GM from Armenia.} (14... Ne4 15.
e3 a5 16. b5 Bb7 17. a4 g5 18. Bg3 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Nb6 20. Bd3 Rad8 21. Ke2 Kf6
22. Rhc1 g4 23. Nh4 c4 24. Bc2 d4 25. exd4 Rxd4 {1/2 Van Wely,L (2675)
-Sargissian,G (2667)/Germany 2006 (45)}) 15. bxc5 (15. b5 g5 16. Bg3 Ne4 17. e3
Nxg3 18. hxg3 g4 19. Nh4 Ne5 $13) 15... Nxc5 16. Nd4 Bd7 17. f3 Rhc8 18. g4 {
White could aspire for advantage, if only his forces could become more
coordinated. Two bishops and opponent's isolated central pawn are strong
arguments, but black has lots of time to improve his pieces.} (18. Rb1 Nh5 19.
Bd2 Nf6 $13) 18... Ne8 19. h4 Nd6 20. Rd1 Na4 $5 (20... Ne6 21. Nxe6 fxe6 22.
Be5 g6 23. e4 Nf7 $11) 21. e3 Rab8 22. Rh2 Nb2 (22... Nc3 23. Rc1 Nb1 24. Rxc8
Rxc8 $11) 23. Ra1 Rb6 (23... Nbc4 24. Rc2 f6 25. e4 g5 26. hxg5 hxg5 27. Bh2
Ne5 28. Rxc8 Rxc8 29. exd5 Rc5 $11) 24. Rd2 Nbc4 25. Rc2 Nb5 {The knight on d4
was too strong an enemy and was onstructing further activisation of the
counterplay.} (25... f5 26. gxf5 Nxf5 27. Nxf5+ Bxf5 28. e4 Be6 29. Rac1 Rbc6
30. Be2 $14) 26. Nxb5 Rxb5 27. e4 Rb3 28. Be2 (28. exd5 Rxf3 29. Rf2 Bxg4 $15)
28... Nxa3 $2 {Aronian is an exceptional player, but at the same time a
fallable mortal. With the help of excellent play he managed to hold equal
chances, but shortly before the gates of draw he is chosing to soldier on.} (
28... Rxa3 $1 29. Rxa3 Nxa3 30. Rxc8 Bxc8 31. exd5 Bb7 32. Bc7 Bxd5 33. Bxa5
Nc2+ 34. Kf2 Nd4 $11) 29. Rxc8 Bxc8 30. Bd1 Rxf3 $2 $138 {Serious mistake in
time trouble, the whole attention obviously went into calculating the saving
manouver of the knight possibly stranded on a1.} (30... Rd3 31. exd5 Bb7 32.
d6+ Kd8 33. Kf2 $14) 31. Bc1 $1 (31. Bxf3 Nc2+ 32. Kd2 Nxa1 33. exd5 Nb3+ 34.
Kc3 a4 35. d6+ Kd7 36. Kb4 Nd4 $11) 31... Rh3 32. Bxa3+ Ke6 33. exd5+ Kxd5 34.
Bf8 Rxh4 35. Rxa5+ Ke6 (35... Kc6 36. Rc5+ Kd7 37. Ba4+ $18) 36. Bxg7 Rh1+ 37.
Kd2 f6 38. Rh5 $4 {[%mdl 8192] A textbook example of a hasty problem solution.
Van Wely had a completely winning position, since even after the exchange of
all pawn rook and bishops would be unable to withstand the coordinated attack
of the white forces.} (38. Bf3 Rh3 39. Be2 Rg3 40. Bxh6 Kf7 41. Ra4 $18) 38...
Rxd1+ $1 39. Kxd1 Kf7 40. Rxh6 Bxg4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2678"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 {before the game, Gabriel Sargissian and I recalled
the words of the trainer of our Olympiad team, Arshak Petrosian. He urged me
to briden my opening repertoire, despite my lack of knowledge of other
variations. For this reason, I decided to try the Catalan, which I have rarely
played lately.} d5 {Real Catalan-haters play 3...c5} 4. Nf3 Be7 {Sergey has
played this before, and I began to suspect that our game would see what is
today the main variation. I myself used to like to play 4...dxc4 and then a6,
Nc6, or 4...a6, which usually leads to the same variation.} 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O
dxc4 7. Qc2 {There is no need to play 7.Qa4, because the attempt to hang onto
the c4-pawn by means of 7...b5 leads to unpleasant consequences after 8.a4,
and if 8...c6 then 9.axb5 cxb5 10.Ng5.} a6 8. Qxc4 {The alternative 8.a4 is
not so popular as it once was. All White's searches for an advantage are
concentrated around the strange development of the bishop on d2.} b5 9. Qc2 Bb7
10. Bd2 {The main position. Black has a wide choice, although many strong GMs
prefer the mysterious rook move. There is also another interesting and
rarely-played move: 10...Be4 11.Qc1 Bb7!} Ra7 11. Rc1 {Having seen before this
gamethe encounter Kramnik-Anand, which gives confidence to anyone playing this
line as White, I decided to go in for the line my opponent likes to play.} Be4
12. Qb3 Nc6 13. e3 Qa8 14. Qd1 Nb8 15. Ba5 Bd6 {Thus reaching the structure
mentioned. Since Anand did not manage to get in c5 by means of Rc8 in the
above-mentioned game, Seryozha tries another idea.} 16. a3 {Played by analogy,
although I can admit that copying the moves of the world champion cannot be
such a shameful thing.} Nbd7 {Naturally, Black tries to exchange off his
backward pawn. Not seeing how I could stop this, I decided to carry on
developing my pieces.} 17. Nbd2 Bd5 18. Qf1 {A useful move in this position.
The bishop on g2 needs to be defended, in the event of an attempt to break in
the centre by e5.} c5 {My computer, free of all complexes, recommends 18...e5.
Nevertheless, to a human player, it is more natural to think about the harmony
of his pieces. Probably for this reason, Black prefers not to leave his rook
blocked in on a7.} 19. dxc5 Bxc5 20. Rc2 {White seizes the c-file, while the
enemy rooks are out of play. One must conclude that getting rid of the c7-pawn
has not brought Black full relief, and White retains the advantage.} Qb7 {
A good move. Black tries to activate his queen.} 21. Rac1 Bb6 ({I flatly
refuse to believe in the viability of Black's position after the highly
"inhuman"} 21... Bd6 22. Qd3 Be7) 22. Bxb6 {The bishop on b6 is ideally placed,
which makes its exchange attractive to White.} Qxb6 23. Nd4 Ne5 24. Bxd5 Nxd5
25. N4f3 ({When playing 22.Bb6 I intended} 25. Nc6 {now, but after a short
think, I realised that the rook stands badly on c6 after} Nxc6 26. Rxc6 Qb8 {
and gives Black a tempo for ...Ne7, which he has to play anyway.}) ({So as not
to have to calculate the variations after} 25. N2f3 Nc4 {I chose the more
modest text, since I felt that the retreat f the knight to d7 did not change
that much.}) ({Of course, it was possible not to hurry with the exchange, and
to play} 25. Qe2 {slightly improving the position of the white queen.}) 25...
Nxf3+ ({After} 25... Nd7 {White can continue with either} 26. Qd3 {or 26.Ne4,
which leads to positions similar to the game.}) ({On} 25... Qb8 {I intended}
26. Qe2 {with the idea of playing Nb3 at the appropriate time.}) 26. Nxf3 Rd8 {
Black sets up a barrier. It looks as though the worst is behind him, but the
wakness of the queenside is still noticeable, and the knight will have to
guard c6.} 27. Qd3 {With the disappearance of the minor pieces, the white
queen finds gainful employment.} Ne7 ({Becoming active by} 27... Rad7 {doesn't
work. After} 28. Ne5 Rd6 29. Qe4 Nf6 30. Qf3 {the white rooks dominate.}) 28.
Qe4 Rad7 29. Kg2 {I did not think over this move at all, as I felt that the
move Ne5 would not run away.} ({This is justified by the line} 29. Ne5 Rd1+ 30.
Rxd1 Rxd1+ 31. Kg2 Rd5 {when Black's position has improved.}) 29... f6 {
But I had not reckoned on this move. Now I understand that I would not be able
patiently to improve my position, so I decided to make something happen.} 30.
h4 {Even though Black's position has eased, White still has easy play. And is
there any better feling in chess than torturing an opponent in a position
where you are taking no risk? Well, maybe the feeling of gaining a totally
undeserved voictory...} e5 31. h5 {The march of the h-pawn is the most
unpleasant thing in the position for Black. he does not want to play h6,
because the white knight may get to g6, which would be very unpleasant.} Qb7 {
In analysis, one can of course recommend any neutral move, such as 31...Qd6
and further waiting. White's initiative is long-lasting, even though no direct
danger to Black is apparent.} 32. Qg4 Kf7 {Of course, playing 32...f5 is very
risky. The weakness of e5 would force Black to push the pawn on to e4, which
would create new weaknesses.} 33. Rc5 Rc8 {Practically the decisive mistake.} (
{It was necessary to defend passively with} 33... Qb6 {Then the rook sacrifice}
34. Rxe5 {does not work because after} fxe5 35. Nxe5+ Kg8 36. Nxd7 Qb7+ {
Black wins back the knight. Including the moves h6 and g6 does not make a
great deal of difference.}) (33... Qb6 {Probably I would have continued} 34.
Qb4 {retaining threats.}) 34. Rxc8 Nxc8 35. Qf5 g6 36. Qg4 ({Also possible was
} 36. Qh3 Ne7 37. hxg6+ hxg6 38. Qh8 {and later Rh1.}) 36... Ne7 37. hxg6+ hxg6
38. Rh1 f5 {This loses by force.} ({After the moves} 38... Kg7 39. Qh3 Qc8 40.
Qh7+ Kf8 41. e4 {Black's position is hardly a bed of roses, but this would
have been the best course. Now it is easy.}) 39. Rh7+ Ke6 40. Qg5 Qe4 41. Qh6
f4 42. Qf8 Nc6 {I refrain from the natural wish to highlight every winning
move, out of sympathy for Sergey.} 43. Qc8 Ne7 44. Qe8 Kd6 45. Qf8 Qd5 46. e4
Qe6 ({Black could have choose an ending two pawns down by} 46... Qg8 47. Qxg8
Nxg8 48. Rxd7+ Kxd7 49. Nxe5+) 47. Ng5 {Black must lose material.} 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2715"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nc3 Nc6 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Qc7 15. c3
Nb8 16. Bxb7 Qxb7 17. Nh2 Nd7 18. Ng4 Nf6 19. Ne3 g6 20. b3 Rab8 21. Bb2 Rfd8
22. Qf3 d5 23. exd5 Nxd5 24. d4 Nf4 25. Qg3 Nd3 26. Ng4 e4 27. d5 Qxd5 28. c4
Qe6 29. Be5 Bd6 30. Bxd6 Qxd6 31. Nh6+ Kf8 32. Rxe4 Qxg3 33. fxg3 bxc4 34. bxc4
Rd4 35. Rxd4 cxd4 36. Ng4 h5 37. Nf2 Ne5 38. c5 Rb3 39. g4 Ke7 40. gxh5 gxh5
41. Ne4 Re3 42. Nd6 Ke6 43. Ne8 a5 44. Nc7+ Kf5 45. Nb5 Ke4 46. Rd1 Nc6 47. Kf2
a4 48. Nd6+ Kd5 49. Rxd4+ Kxd4 50. Nf5+ Kxc5 51. Kxe3 Ne5 52. g4 hxg4 53. h4
Kc4 54. h5 Kb3 55. Kd4 Nf3+ 56. Kd3 Kxa3 57. Kc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tiviakov, Sergei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2667"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O c6 7. Nc3 d5 {
Tiviakov frequently employs this transposition from the Queen's Indian to the
Catalan.} 8. Nd2 O-O 9. e4 dxc4 10. Nxc4 Ba6 {Black's entire approach looks a
bit over-ambitious. He moves again with this bishop for the mere sake of
winning a pawn, while the rest of the queenside is undeveloped.} 11. b3 b5 12.
Ne3 b4 13. Ne2 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Qxd4 15. Bb2 Qb6 16. Nc4 {A logical move,
installing the knight on a stable square and preparing the advance of the
e-pawn.} ({Here is an entirely different approach, based on refraining to give
up the pair of bishops and the control of the d5-square:} 16. g4 $5 Rd8 17. g5
Ne8 18. h4 Nd7 19. Rfd1 Nf8 20. Nc4 Qa6 21. Bf1 Rxd1 22. Qxd1 Rd8 23. Qf3 Qb7
24. Rc1 c5 25. Ne5 Nd6 26. Bg2 Ng6 27. Nxg6 hxg6 28. h5 gxh5 29. Qxh5 Nb5 30.
g6 $16 {Kortschnoj,V (2635)-Godena,M (2420)/Switzerland 1995/CBM 049 ext (1-0,
48)}) 16... Qb5 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 (17... gxf6 18. Rad1 a5 19. Rfe1 a4 20. e5 Ra7
21. Qf3 (21. Rd4 $5 f5 22. g4 $1) 21... f5 22. g4 fxg4 23. Qxg4+ Kh8 24. Kh1
$44 {Smyslov,V-Guimard,C/Groningen 1946/MCL/[ChessBase] (1/2-1/2, 39)}) 18. e5
Be7 {For some reasons, in the game Brodsky-Tiviakov, Monarch Assurance 2005 a
draw was agreed in this position. Generally speaking, Black should not be
offered such an easy exit before completing his development in some way.} 19.
Rad1 a5 20. Be4 {White's kingside attack is not easy to carry out.} ({
Therefore, it seems more logical to just preserve the advance in development
for as long as possible.} 20. Rd2 $5 Ra7 (20... Rd8 21. Rxd8+ Bxd8 22. Rd1 Be7
23. Qe3 Na6 24. Rd7 Bc5 25. Qf4 Rf8 26. h4 Nb8 27. Rc7 $16 Bb6 $2 28. Nd6 $18)
21. Rfd1 c5 22. Qe4 $14 {and only after restricting the b8-knight White can
safely consider advancing his h-pawn as in the game, building up a slow but
powerful attack. Besides, Black has to permanently take into account a knight
jump to d6.}) 20... Ra7 21. h4 Nd7 22. h5 Nxe5 $5 (22... a4 $5) 23. Qe3 Ng4 (
23... Bc5 24. Bxh7+ Kxh7 25. Qe4+ Kg8 26. Nxe5 $44) 24. Qxa7 Qxh5 25. Kg2 Bc5
26. Qxa5 Qh2+ 27. Kf3 Bxf2 $2 (27... Nxf2 $5 28. Qxc5 Nxd1 29. Bxh7+ Kxh7 $1 (
29... Qxh7 30. Rxd1 $16) 30. Rxd1 (30. Qxf8 $2 Qh5+ 31. Kg2 Qe2+ 32. Kg1 Ne3
33. Nxe3 Qxe3+ $11) 30... Ra8 31. Qxc6 Qh5+ 32. Kf2 Rxa2+ 33. Rd2 $14) 28. Rd8
Qxg3+ 29. Ke2 Bc5 30. Rxf8+ Bxf8 31. Qa7 $14 {/+/- Four unadvanced pawns are
not a worthy match for the rook, especially that check are not easy to deliver
to the white king.} Qh2+ 32. Kd1 f6 33. Qd7 Nf2+ 34. Ke1 Nxe4 35. Qxe6+ Kh8 36.
Qxe4 Qxa2 37. Qe8 Kg8 38. Rf3 Qb1+ 39. Kf2 c5 40. Qe6+ Kh8 41. Ne5 h6 42. Nd7
Qc2+ 43. Qe2 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.02.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
{A specialist of the Marshall Attack himself, Svidler decides to take the bull
by the horns.} d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4
14. g3 Qh3 15. Re4 g5 16. Qf1 Qh5 17. Nd2 Bf5 18. f3 Nf6 19. Qg2 Qg6 20. Re3
Rae8 21. Ne4 Nxe4 22. g4 Ng3 23. hxg3 Bd3 $146 ({Aronian decides to deviate
from his recent game against Anand, possibly fearing his opponent's speciffic
preparation. After} 23... Bb1 24. Qe2 Rxe3 25. Qxe3 h6 26. Qe1 Bc2 27. Bxc2
Qxc2 28. Qe4 Qd1+ 29. Kg2 Kg7 30. Qe3 Bxg3 31. Kxg3 Re8 32. Qxe8 {a draw was
agreed in Anand-Aronian, Wijk aan Zee 2007. In spite of his huge material
disadvantage, Black will give perpetual.}) 24. Bd2 Rxe3 25. Bxe3 Re8 26. Re1 c5
27. dxc5 Bxc5 28. Qd2 Bxe3+ 29. Rxe3 {White has managed to emerge out of the
opening with what might seem like a sound extra-pawn. However, some subtle
tactical nuances will allow Black achieve a draw more or less by force.} Qb6
30. Kf2 Rd8 {This is it. White has no way to free himself from Black's
domination.} 31. Qe1 Re8 32. Qd2 Rd8 33. Bc2 Bg6 34. Qe2 Re8 35. Bxg6 hxg6 36.
Qd2 Rd8 37. Qe2 Re8 38. Qd2 Rd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.02.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 {Such important events as the World Championship
match from Elista usually determine changes in the fashion. Aronian has
included the Catalan in his repertoire recently; in Wijk aan Zee he obtained
two important wins with it.} d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Bg2 a6 6. O-O Nc6 7. e3 Bd7 8.
Qe2 b5 9. Rd1 Be7 10. Nc3 O-O {A courageous novelty. Black decides to ignore
the pin along the Catalan diagonal.} 11. Ne5 Qe8 {Black has managed to prevent
the immediate threats, but his coordination is rather poor, at least
temporarily.} 12. b3 ({White decides to undermine Black's advantage of space
on the queenside. A more natural continuation was} 12. e4 {, aiming to
continue the development, for instance} Rd8 13. Be3 Bc8 14. f4) 12... Nd5 ({
Black considered the opening of the a-file with} 12... cxb3 13. axb3 {to be
too dangerous. Instead, he prefers to return his small material advantage in
order to activate his play.}) 13. Bxd5 {Giving up the Catalan bishop in order
to install a second active knight in the centre.} exd5 14. Nxd5 Nxe5 15. dxe5
Ra7 16. bxc4 {White is a pawn up already, but the weakness of the light
squares offer Black good compensation.} c6 17. Nf4 Qc8 18. Bb2 g5 19. e4 $5 {
An interesting decision. White could not find a stable square for his knight
too easily and decides to sacrifice it in the hope of obtaining a direct
attack against the king. The plan is logical from asbtract point of view, but
probably unsound practically.} gxf4 20. gxf4 f5 21. Qe3 Rb7 22. Qg3+ Kf7 23.
Qh3 Ke8 24. Qh5+ Rf7 25. Kh1 fxe4 26. Rg1 Bf5 27. Rad1 Rd7 ({Probably missing
White's answer. After} 27... Bg6 {, the attack would have been difficult to
carry out.}) 28. e6 $1 Bxe6 29. Rg8+ Bf8 30. Rxf8+ $1 {A draw by perpetual is
inevitable now.} Kxf8 31. Qh6+ Ke7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.02.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. e3 c5 8.
Be2 Qa5 9. O-O O-O 10. Nd2 $5 {A new move. Of course, Morozevich does not
allow such details as the loss of a pawn to distract him from his plans.} ({
Aronian had recent pleasant memories after the more common continuation} 10.
Qc2 Bxc3 11. bxc3 Ne4 12. c4 cxd4 13. cxd5 Re8 14. Rad1 h6 15. Bh4 dxe3 16.
fxe3 Nc3 17. Be1 Rxe3 18. Bd3 Qc5 19. Qxc3 Rxe1+ 20. Qxc5 Rxf1+ 21. Bxf1 Nxc5
22. Ne5 Nd7 {and White did not obtain sufficient compensation for the pawn.
Given the fact that the position is simplified, the d-pawn is not too
dangerous. Radjabov,T (2729)-Aronian,L (2744)/Wijk aan Zee 2007/ (0-1, 65)})
10... Bxc3 {Psychologically, it is hard to refuse such a gift. It would mean
that Black's previous play, based on the concentration of forces on the
queenside was somewhat pointless. Besides, the threat Nb3 was rather annoying.}
({The alternate way to parry Nb3 was} 10... c4 {, renewing the threat of ...
Bxc3. However, releasing the tension so easily would have allowed White obtain
the initiative in the centre with} 11. Qc2 Re8 12. Bf3 {preparing e4. We can
see that the bishop is better placed than on f5 (as happens in the lines based
on Bd3), because it puts pressure on the long diagonal and does not face the
danger of being exchanged for the relatively passive c8-bishop.}) 11. bxc3 ({
The intermediate} 11. Nb3 $2 {does not work because of} Qa4 {(A nice
stablesquare for Her Majesty)} 12. bxc3 Ne4 $17) 11... Qxc3 12. Rc1 Qa3 13.
dxc5 {This is the kind of position White has aimed for: he has the better
development, a strong pair of bishops and a firm control over the dark squares.
} Qxa2 {The least Black can do is win a pawn to compensate for the strategic
drawbacks of his position.} 14. Bf4 $5 {The bishop has done its job on g5. By
retreating to f4, it avoids being attacked by an eventual ...Ne4 and takes
another important diagonal under control. The generally desirable developing
move ...Ne5 is prevented and in certain cases the bishop could go to d6.} Re8 {
A multi purpose move and, possibly, the only reasonable continuation. Black
enables both ...Ne5 and ...Nf8, in order to prepare the development of the
queenside.} ({He is not prepared to undermine the c5-pawn with} 14... b6 {
because of} 15. c6 Nc5 16. Be5 {with strong pressure. The immediate threat is
Ra1, trapping the enemy queen.}) ({As pointed out by Shipov, the attempt to
transfer the queen's knight to c6 with} 14... Nb8 {would be strongly met by}
15. Be5 $1) 15. Nf3 {Not only preparing the transfer of the knight to d4, but
also preventing Black's planned ...Ne5.} (15. Nb3 {allows Black complete his
development with} Ne5 (15... Ne4 16. f3 Nef6 17. Bb5 a6 18. Ra1 Qb2 19. Qd3 $16
) 16. Nd4 Bd7) 15... Ne4 16. Bb5 {The best way to defend the c5-pawn.} a6 $5 {
The importance of this move will become clear soon.} 17. Ba4 $1 ({Very
ambitious.} 17. Bxd7 {would have led to approximate equality after} Bxd7 18.
Ra1 Qb2 (18... Qc4 $6 {would lose the exchange after} 19. Ne5) 19. Qxd5 $11)
17... Nexc5 $5 {The final consequences of the tactical operation initiated by
this move are hard to evaluate, but Black had no other way to complete his
development.} 18. Rxc5 Nxc5 19. Bxe8 Be6 {Now we can see Aronian's point. It
suddenly appears that White's extra-bishop is trapped. The control over the
b5-square is essential for the net surrounding the bishop. However, White has
not exhausted his resources yet.} 20. Be5 $3 {The enthusiastic evaluation of
this move has an elevated degree of subjectivism, based on the admiration of
its unexpected and original character.} ({White would have retained strong
compensation with the more natural} 20. Bxf7+ Bxf7 21. Be5 $1 {, but
Morozevich has more ambitious plans: he wants to eliminate the g7-pawn, in
order to leave the enemy king with chronic problems of safety.}) 20... Rxe8 21.
Bxg7 $1 Kxg7 {After the weakening of the kingside dark squares, Black should
not allow this bishop remain on board.} (21... Qa4 {would not change anything
because of} 22. Qd2 {and if} Kxg7 {then} 23. Qc3+ {with similar play as in the
game. It should be mentioned that} d4 $2 {, aiming to unblock the d4-square,
is bad because of} 24. Nxd4 {when White will retrieve all the sacirficed
material, retaining all his other trumps.}) 22. Qd4+ Kg8 23. Qxc5 Qc4 24. Qd6 {
In spite of the radical structural modifications and some simplifications, the
evaluation of the position remains the same: the weakness of the dark squares
offers White sufficient compensation. The knight is much stronger than the
bishop, but the queenside pawns should not be underestimated. Just remember
the second game from the Elista match...} Rc8 25. h3 {This move not only
ensures White against back rank problems, but also prevents ...Bg4.} Qc7 {
In the next phase of the game, Aronian will constantly harrass the enemy queen,
in order to prevent White from regrouping properly for a kingside attack.
However, this approach will fail, because once in a while White will make some
small progress, while Black will practically remain immobile.} 26. Qb4 a5 27.
Qh4 Qc2 28. Nd4 Qe4 29. Qe7 b6 ({In his annotations for Chess Today, Maxim
Notkin recommends} 29... Kh8 {with the idea of ...Rg8, aiming to use the
g-file for counter-attack. However, this can be easily prevented with} 30. Qf6+
Kg8 31. Kh2 Qg6 (31... Re8 32. f4 Qg6 33. Qh4 {forces Black to play} f5 {
which is hardly appealing.}) 32. Qe7 Kh8 33. Qxb7 ({Notkin only analises} 33.
f4 Bxh3 $1 $11 {withperpetual in all lines}) 33... Rg8 34. g3 {Black is still
far from reaching a draw. The material situation is equal, but White's
strategic advantage persists even in case of further simplifications.} Qh6 35.
Nxe6 $5 (35. h4 Qf6 (35... Rg4 36. Qe7 $16 {defends the kingside and prepares
the activation of the rook.}) 36. Qa6 Rg4 37. Qxa5 Rxh4+ 38. Kg1 Rg4 39. Rb1 h5
$14) 35... fxe6 36. Qa6 $16) 30. Kh2 Bf5 {The transfer of the bishop to g6
does not seem like a good idea, as it will provide White with a simple
attacking plan. However, Black's position is not easy to handle. The most
difficult thing is to discern between real threats and imaginary ones.} (30...
Kh8 31. Qf6+ Kg8 32. f4 Qg6 33. Qe7 $18 {[%csl Ge6][%cal Rf4f5]}) 31. Qf6 Bg6
32. f4 {Suddenly, Black is in great trouble.} Qxe3 33. Rf3 Qc1 34. Rg3 Qa1 35.
f5 ({This is winning, of course, but slightly more precise would have been} 35.
h4 {, threatening h5-h6 followed by Qg7 mate. In case of} h5 {, the move} 36.
f5 {is even stronger than in the game, because the g6-square has been weakened.
I would allow myself a small digression. I am currently involved in our
national championship (which partly explains why my comments are more
superficial than usual). In the same day when the current game was played, I
obtained a similar attacking position against GM Grigore, but failed to
convert it into a win because I did not play h4 at the right moment... However,
the coincidence is only relative, as Morozevich should still win after the
game move, although by less obvious means...}) 35... Rc1 36. Re3 Rh1+ 37. Kg3
Re1 38. Rf3 ({White had a fantastic attacking continuation:} 38. Qd8+ Kg7 39.
f6+ Kh6 40. Kh4 $3 {. Taking over the g5- and h5-squares to the enemy king and
threatening mate in one on f8.} Qxd4+ ({If} 40... Be4 {then} 41. Qf8+ Kg6 42.
Qg7# {and the f5=square is taken away from the enemy king by the knight}) 41.
g4 {and it is all over. Again,} Bc2 {does not help because fater} 42. Qf8+ Kg6
43. Qg7# {the g4-pawn has replaced the knight for the job of controlling the
f5-square.}) 38... Rf1 39. fxg6 $2 ({Finally allowing Black to escape dry out
of the deepest water.} 39. Qd8+ {would have still won, in similar way as in
the rpevious variation.}) 39... Rxf3+ 40. Qxf3 Qe1+ 41. Kf4 hxg6 42. Qxd5 Qf2+
43. Nf3 {After 43...Qxg2 White will not have sufficient pawns left to retain
winning chances.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.02.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Bf4
b6 9. Nc3 Bb7 10. Rc1 $5 {A relatively rare setup. White aims for rapid piece
development, in the hope of occupying the c-file.} Nh5 11. Bxb8 Qxb8 12. Ne5
Nf6 13. e3 Rd8 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. f4 Qd6 ({A novelty. Black activates his queen,
in order to put the enemy queenside under pressure. After} 15... g6 16. g4 Nd7
17. Qe1 {a draw was agreed in Khalifman-Adams, Cesme 2004, but White seems to
have a promissing attacking position.}) 16. Nb5 Qb4 17. Rc7 Ba6 18. a4 Bxb5 19.
axb5 Bd6 20. Rxf7 $5 {An interesting and almost forced attacking continuation,
which, however, fails to endanger Black's king.} Bxe5 21. fxe5 Kxf7 22. Qh5+
Kg8 23. exf6 gxf6 24. Qg4+ Kh8 ({Reaching absolute safety.} 24... Kf7 $6 25.
Qh4 {would leave White with the initiative.}) 25. Qxe6 Rf8 26. Qxd5 Rae8 {
White's initiative has been extinguished and he faces some problems now. With
a better structure (a pawn on f2 instead of h2, for instance) he would most
likely be better, but the e3-pawn is weak now and the king slightly exposed.}
27. Rf3 Qe1+ 28. Bf1 Rxe3 29. Qd6 Ree8 30. Rxf6 Kg7 31. Rxf8 Rxf8 {Apparently,
White is in big trouble.} 32. Qe5+ {The saving move. After the exchange of
queens, White will build a reliable fortress, something that is not easy to
foresee.} Qxe5 33. dxe5 Re8 34. Bc4 Rxe5 35. Kf2 Kf6 36. b3 Re4 37. Bd3 Re7 38.
Kf3 h6 39. Kg4 Re5 40. Bc4 Rc5 41. Kf4 Rf5+ 42. Ke4 Rf2 43. h4 Rd2 44. Ke3 Rd8
45. Ke4 Rd1 46. Bd5 {If Black transfers his king to the queenside, White will
simply crate a passed pawn on the other wing.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.02.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D23"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4 Bf5 6. g3 Nbd7 7. Nc3 e6 8.
Bg2 Be7 9. O-O O-O {A relatively peacefull variation has been played. Each
side plays its own opening. Black developed like in a normal Slav, while White
adopted a Catalan setup.} 10. Re1 Ne4 11. Qb3 Qb6 12. Nh4 $5 {In spite of the
fact that this move has been played several times along the past decades, it
might have come as a surprise for Anand. You do not see such abrupt changes in
the character of the position at top level.} Bxh4 ({The attempt to maintain
the tension in the centre with} 12... Qxb3 13. axb3 Bb4 {allowed White retain
an advantage with the slightly surprising simplifying manoeuvre} 14. Nxf5 $5
exf5 15. Bxe4 $5 fxe4 16. Bd2 Rfe8 (16... Bxc3 17. bxc3 $14 {would just
improve White's structure.}) 17. Nxe4 $1 Rxe4 18. Bxb4 Rxd4 19. Bc3 {The
bishop is more active than the knight and White's mobile centre is likely to
become threatening soon.} Re4 20. f3 Re7 21. e4 f6 22. Red1 Kf7 23. Kf2 Ke8 24.
g4 Ne5 25. Kg3 Nf7 26. h4 $14 {Grabarczyk,M (2509)-Giesen,D (2209)/Germany
2004/EXT 2005 (1-0, 51)}) 13. gxh4 Nef6 14. e4 (14. Qxb6 $5 axb6 15. Bf4 {
leads to similar play as in the game, for instance} b5 16. Bd6 Rfd8 17. e4 Bg6
18. f3 Nf8 {Black refrains from preparing ...e5, but this will leave White
with more freedom of action.} 19. Bc5 Bh5 20. a4 bxa4 21. Nxa4 Ng6 22. Nb6 Rab8
23. Re3 Nxh4 24. Rb3 h6 25. Bh1 Kh7 26. Kf2 Rg8 27. Ra7 $16 {Landa,K (2584)
-Najer,E (2677)/Tomsk RUS 2006/The Week in Chess 618 (1-0, 48)}) 14... Bg6 ({
Generally speaking, it is recomendable not to release the tension with} 14...
Qxb3 15. axb3 Bg6 {because this would leave the c5-square not sufficiently
well defended.} 16. Bf4 Rfe8 17. Bd6 a6 18. d5 $6 ({Probably premature.} 18.
Na4 $5 Rad8 19. f3 h6 20. Rad1 {planning b4 and Nc5 would have been more
consequent.}) 18... cxd5 19. exd5 e5 $13 {Kludacz,M (2203)-Kononenko,T (2361)/
Warsaw 2001/CBM 082 ext (0-1, 46)}) 15. Qxb6 axb6 16. Bf4 Rfe8 17. Rad1 {
White's pair of bishops and his advantage of space compensate for the double
pawns.} b5 ({A novelty over} 17... e5 {which was played in the most recent
example with this line, Georgiev-Smeets, Wijk aan Zee 2007.} 18. dxe5 Nxe5 19.
f3 Bh5 20. Bxe5 (20. Kf2 $5 $14) 20... Rxe5 21. a4 Re7 22. Rd4 Kf8 23. Ne2 Bg6
24. Red1 Nh5 25. Ng3 c5 26. Rd8+ Rxd8 27. Rxd8+ Re8 28. Rxe8+ Kxe8 29. Kf2 Nxg3
30. hxg3 f6 31. Ke3 $14 {White certainly has reasons to play for a win,
because he is a pawn up on the kingside, while on the other wing Black cannot
create a passed pawn, Georgiev,V (2525)-Smeets,J (2538)/Wijk aan Zee 2007/The
Week in Chess 638 (1-0, 68)}) 18. Bd6 {Quite an irritating bishop. Black
cannot easily question its stability on this active square.} e5 19. d5 Nh5 20.
Bf1 f6 21. b3 Nf4 {Black hurries to take advantage of the bishop's departure
from the kingside, but the knight will not enjoy the desired stability on this
square.} 22. a4 bxa4 23. bxa4 Bf7 24. Rb1 Ra7 25. Red1 Rc8 $6 {Probably
underestimating White's next move.} ({Maybe he should have played} 25... cxd5
$5 {, forcing White to take a concrete decision in the centre.} 26. Nxd5 (26.
exd5 Rc8 {and the knight cannot go to e2 already, because the d5-pawn is
hanging.}) 26... Bxd5 27. exd5 Rc8 {and the active and stable f4-knight offers
Black good counterplay.}) 26. Ne2 $1 $16 Nxe2+ 27. Bxe2 cxd5 28. exd5 Nf8 29.
Bb5 Raa8 30. Be7 Ng6 31. d6 {White's activity looks threatening. The next
phase of the game will be played by Aronian in the best spyrit of romantic
chess.} Nxe7 32. Bd7 $3 {The pawn is more dangerous on the d-file, because it
cannot be stopped by the bishop too easily.} ({Black would have had all the
chances to defend his position after} 32. dxe7 Be8) 32... Nc6 ({Black has to
accept the sacrifice. If} 32... Rcb8 $2 {(the only square along the back rank
where the rook will not be attacked after White's next move) then} 33. dxe7 Be8
34. Be6+ Bf7 35. Rxb7 $3 $16) 33. Rxb7 Nd4 34. Bxc8 Rxc8 35. Rdb1 {Threatening
to exchange Black's remaining rook, when the passed pawns would be impossible
to stop.} Rf8 36. Rb8 Be8 37. a5 Nf3+ 38. Kf1 Nd2+ 39. Ke1 Nxb1 40. a6 Bc6 41.
a7 {An incredible position. Black is lost in spite of being two whole pieces up
} Kf7 42. d7 Ke7 43. Rxf8 Kxd7 44. a8=Q Bxa8 45. Rxa8 h5 46. Ra7+ Ke6 47. Rxg7
Kf5 $2 ({This move shortens Black's suffering. After} 47... Nc3 48. Rh7 {
the h-pawn would have decided the game.}) 48. Rg3 {The knight is trapped now.
There is no defence against Rb3.} 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.02.24"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D23"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4 Bf5 6. g3 e6 7. Bg2 Nbd7 8.
O-O Be7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Re1 {After his game against Anand, Aronian had no
special reasons to refrain from this variation.} Bg6 $5 {Instead of preventing
the advance of the e-pawn, Black takes preventive measures against it.} 11. h3
({The only game where Black retreated the bishop to g6 before 
(Wojtkiewicz-Kalbermatter, Bern 1991) continued with} 11. e4 {. Black reacted
passively, allowing White consolidate his advantage of space. However, after
the more resolute} b5 $5 {followed by ...b4, the white centre would have been
in some danger. Aronian's play in the next phase of the game suggests that he
did not find a viable plan to meet the opening surprize.}) 11... h6 12. Bf4 Nd5
13. Bd2 Nb4 14. Rac1 Nc2 15. Red1 Nb6 16. Qb3 Nxd4 17. Nxd4 Qxd4 18. Bxh6 Qc4
19. Be3 Qxb3 20. axb3 Nd5 21. Nxd5 cxd5 22. Rc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.02.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 Nbd7 {In spite of the dangers
he had passed through in his earlier game against Morozevich, Aronian did not
lose faith in this variation.} 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Qc2 {Ivanchuk chooses a quiet
system of development, which is not without poison as we shall see.} c5 8. a3
Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 h6 10. Bxf6 ({Consequent to his linear strategy.} 10. Qe3+ {
was played in Van Wely-Sargissian, Bundesliga 2006 and Van Wely-Aronian, Wijk
aan Zee 2007, which might be a hint that this line is an Armenian specialty.})
10... Qxf6 11. e3 O-O 12. Be2 b6 13. O-O Bb7 {The position is characteristic
for the Tartakower-Makagonov-Bondarevsky variation of the Queen's Gambit
declined. The main differences are that in the QGD the queens find themselves
in opposition on the a3-e7 diagonal and that the black bishop is developed
slightly more actively on e6.} (13... a6 $5 14. Rac1 c4 15. Ne5 b5 16. f4 Qd6
17. Bf3 Bb7 18. g4 Rfe8 19. Rce1 Nf8 20. g5 {Taking advantage by the fact that
Black has released the tension in the centre, White has built up a dangerous
kingside attack.} hxg5 21. fxg5 Rxe5 $5 {This sacrifice does not prevent
White's long-term attack.} 22. dxe5 Qe7 23. h4 Ng6 24. Qd4 Nxe5 25. Bg2 Re8 26.
Re2 Qe6 27. Ref2 Re7 28. Rf5 Nd3 29. h5 Ne5 30. h6 $18 {Yakovich,Y (2577)
-Sargissian,G (2658)/Moscow RUS 2007/TWIC 641 (1-0, 49)}) 14. Rfc1 {A novelty.
White usually developes the other rook on c1.} (14. b4 $5 c4 15. b5 a6 16. a4 {
led to an interesting structure, where each side has his trumps. Black relies
on his passed pawn, while White will try to setup pressure against the d5-pawn.
} Qe7 17. Nd2 Ra7 18. Bf3 Nf6 19. Rfb1 a5 20. Re1 Ba8 21. Rab1 Qd6 22. Bd1 Re8
23. Bc2 Rc7 24. f3 Rd8 25. Nf1 Bb7 26. Ng3 g6 27. Nh1 Re7 $13 {Goldin,A (2590)
-Voitsekhovsky,S (2475)/Novgorod 1997/CBM 060 (1/2-1/2, 75)}) (14. Rac1 Rfc8
15. Rfd1 Qe7 (15... a5 $5) 16. dxc5 bxc5 17. b4 $14 d4 $5 18. Qd2 Re8 $5 (18...
Nf6 $2 19. bxc5 dxe3 20. Qxe3 Qxe3 21. fxe3 Ne4 22. Ne5 Nxc5 23. Bc4 $16 {
Kazhgaleyev,M (2606)-Hanley,C (2419)/Port Erin IOM 2006/TWIC 621 (1-0, 63)})
19. bxc5 dxe3 20. Qxe3 (20. Qxd7 $2 exf2+ 21. Kh1 $8 Qxd7 22. Rxd7 Bxf3 $1 23.
gxf3 $8 Rxe2 $15) (20. fxe3 Nxc5 $15) 20... Qf8 $1 {[%csl Yc5,Ye2]} 21. Qf4
Nxc5 22. Bc4 $14 {[%csl Yc1,Yc4,Yd1,Gf7]}) 14... Rac8 15. dxc5 Qxc3 16. Rxc3
Rxc5 ({Black cannot maintain the compactness of his structure with} 16... bxc5
{because of} 17. b4 {, ensuring White the control of the d4-square. The point
behind Ivanchuk's novelty is revealed after} cxb4 18. Rxc8 Rxc8 19. axb4 {
when the queen's rook is optimally placed on its initial square.}) 17. Rcc1 $5
({A paradoxical move. White is not sufficiently well prepared to fight for the
control of the c-file with} 17. Rac1 {because of} Rfc8 {when} 18. Rxc5 bxc5 19.
b4 cxb4 {leads to simplification and a probable draw, in spite of Black's
isolated pawn. One general rule states that the side playing against the
isolani should keep as many major pieces on board and try to provoke the
exchange of minor pieces, in order to successfully attack the relative
weakness of the central pawn. From this perspective, Ivanchuk's willing
retreat is easy to understand.}) 17... Rfc8 $6 ({Obviously missing White's
idea. Safer would have been} 17... Rxc1+ 18. Rxc1 Rc8 {with a
defensibleposition for Black.}) 18. Rd1 $1 {Of course. Black's activity along
the c-file will have a temporary character, while the pressure against the
d5-pawn will be permanent.} Rc2 19. Bb5 Nf8 20. Rab1 R2c7 21. Ba4 Ne6 22. Bb3
Kf8 23. h3 Rc5 24. Kh2 Ke7 25. Rd2 Rb5 26. Ba2 Rbc5 27. Ne1 a5 28. Rbd1 Rd8 29.
Kg3 Rb5 30. f3 {White has a pleasant position, but there is a long way till
achieving something more concrete still.} Rc8 $2 ({Rather careless. Black
should have brought the other rook into safety with} 30... Rc5) 31. Nd3 $1 {
Suddenly, the rook is trapped. The threat a4 is hard to prevent in adequate
way.} d4 ({Other moves also lose this pawn, for instance} 31... a4 32. Nb4 Nc7
33. e4 {when} dxe4 34. Rd7+ {leads to a devastating attack}) ({or} 31... Nc5
32. Nf4 Na4 33. Bxd5 Bxd5 34. Nxd5+ {when the central knight compensates for
the presure against the b2-pawn.}) 32. Bxe6 Kxe6 33. Nf4+ Ke7 34. Rxd4 Rc7 35.
R1d2 {White is basically winning now, but Aronian went down rather quickly,
possibly demoralized by the unexpected course of events.} Rbc5 36. e4 Rc4 37.
Rd6 R4c6 38. e5 Rc2 39. Rxc2 Rxc2 40. Rxb6 Bc6 41. b4 g5 42. Nh5 axb4 43. axb4
Bd5 44. Ng7 Re2 45. Nf5+ Ke8 46. Nxh6 Be6 47. Rb5 Rb2 48. Rb8+ Kd7 49. Rg8 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.03.02"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 ({Aronian tried} 4. Bg5 {twice in recent
games against Svidler. Although White obtained promissing positions each time,
he lost both games, which explains Aronian's desire to change the background.})
4... Bg7 5. e3 c6 6. b4 {The old Makogonow system. Instead of embarking long
forced variations, White aims for a positional fight, hoping that his
queenside advantage of space will count in the long run. One important element
is that Black is deprived of the possibility of an early ...c5, which is
Black's main source of counterplay in the Grünfeld.} O-O 7. Bb2 a5 8. b5 a4 9.
Rc1 Qa5 10. Bd3 Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 e5 13. cxd5 exd4 14. exd4 Re8+ 15. Kf1
cxd5 16. g3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.03.03"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3
d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Rc8 13. e4 c5 14. exd5 exd5
15. dxc5 dxc4 16. c6 cxb3 17. Re1 b2 18. Bxb2 Nc5 19. Nb3 Nd3 20. Re2 Nxb2 21.
Rxb2 Qxd1+ 22. Rxd1 Rfd8 23. Rbd2 Rxd2 24. Rxd2 Rd8 25. Rxd8+ Bxd8 26. Nd4 Bc4
27. Bf1 ({Not really creative. In the game Topalov-Leko, played just days
earlier in Morelia, White chose} 27. a4 Kf8 28. Nb5 {which left White with
"the symbolically better side of a dead drawn position". Carlsen is not that
ambitious and forces an immediate repetition of moves.}) 27... Bd5 ({Not} 27...
Bxa2 $2 {because of} 28. Nb5 {winning a piece after 29.c7.}) 28. Bg2 Bc4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.03.04"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 {Aronian
always meets the Meran setup with this sharp line. We can assume that this
partly justifies Morozevich' choice of an opening that had occured only once
in his previous games.} Nxg4 8. Rg1 Qf6 9. Rxg4 Qxf3 10. Rxg7 Nf6 11. h3 h6 ({
An interesting novelty. The reason why Black spends a whole tempo to take the
g5-square under control can be seen after} 11... e5 12. dxe5 Bxe5 13. Rg5 Nd7
14. cxd5 cxd5 15. Rf5 {with very active play for White in Tisdall-Sidselrud,
Norway 2002.}) 12. Bd2 e5 13. Rg3 Qh5 14. cxd5 exd4 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Qxe4+ Qe5
17. Qxe5+ Bxe5 18. Rf3 cxd5 19. Bb5+ Ke7 20. exd4 Bd6 (20... Bxd4 $2 {would
have left the black king in big danger after} 21. Bb4+ Ke6 22. O-O-O) 21. Kf1
Be6 {After a short tactical sequence, the game has calmed down completely. The
position is symmetrical, which makes a draw highly probable.} 22. Re1 Rac8 23.
Bd3 Rc6 24. Rf5 Rb6 25. b3 Bb4 26. Bxb4+ Rxb4 27. Rxd5 Kf6 28. Rd6 Ke7 29. Rd5
Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.03.06"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A32"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 c5 4. Nf3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 ({Maintaining the
game within Catalan paths.} 6. Nc3 {would have transposed to a Nimzo Indian.})
6... Bc5 ({The alternative is} 6... Be7 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O d5 {, when the
bishop is not optimally placed on d2.}) 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Bg2 Nc6 9. Nc3 b6 10. Bf4
(10. Nd5 $5 Ba6 (10... exd5 11. cxd5 Bb7 12. dxc6 dxc6 13. O-O $14) 11. Nxe7
Qxe7 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. c5 $14 {Gelfand,B (2729)-Navara,D (2719)/Prague 2006/TWIC
614 (0-1, 84)}) 10... O-O 11. O-O Bb7 12. e4 d6 $146 {Finally, we have reached
a Hedgehog type of position. The main drawback of Black's development is the
presence of the queen's knight on c6 rather than on d7. This leaves the c5-
and b6-squares insufficiently defended.} (12... Rc8 13. Nb5 $14 {Boesveld,M 
(2240)-Van Doorn,R/Netherlands 1995/EXT 99 (1-0, 31)}) 13. Qe2 Qc7 {An
ambitious continuation. Black does not wish to spend a tempo on the
prophylctical ...a6.} (13... a6 14. Rac1 ({Black seems to be OK after} 14. e5
dxe5 15. Bxe5 Qc8 {, too.}) 14... Ne5 (14... Qc7 $2 15. Nd5 $16) (14... Qb8 15.
c5 $14) 15. c5 bxc5 16. Nxc5 Bc6 17. Rfd1 Qb6 $13) (13... Ne5 14. c5 bxc5 15.
Nxc5 Bc6 16. Rfd1 Qc7 17. Nb3 Rac8 18. Rac1 Qb8 19. Na5 Ba8 $13) 14. Nb5 (14.
Rac1 Ne5 15. Nb5 Qb8 16. Rfd1 a6 17. N5d4 Qc7 {looks very much OK for Black.
The placement of White's knights fails to impress.}) 14... Qb8 15. Rad1 (15. c5
$6 bxc5 16. Nxc5 Bc8 $1 {[%cal Ye6e5]} 17. e5 $6 dxe5 18. Bxc6 exf4 19. Bxa8
Bxc5 $1 20. Rac1 (20. Bg2 fxg3 21. hxg3 Qxg3 $17) 20... fxg3 21. Rxc5 gxh2+ 22.
Kh1 Qxa8+ $44) 15... Rd8 $6 (15... Ne5 $5 $132 {[%cal Ya7a6,Yf8c8]}) 16. c5 $1
$14 {Taking advantage of the aforementioned negative aspect regarding the
arangement of Black's pieces.} bxc5 (16... e5 17. cxd6 Bxd6 18. Bg5 Be7 19. Nc3
$5 $14) 17. Nxc5 e5 (17... Bc8 {is less efficient now:} 18. e5 dxe5 19. Rxd8+
Bxd8 {This is the difference. The bishop has been forced to occupy a more
passive position, failing to bother the enemy king.} 20. Bxc6 exf4 21. Bxa8
Qxa8 22. Rd1 Be7 23. Nd6 $14) 18. Nxb7 Qxb7 19. Bc1 $5 {[%cal Yb2b3,Yc1a3]
White's pair of bishops is not too active yet, while the black centre invites
to permanent surveillance. Chances are approximately equal.} Qa6 20. b3 Rab8
21. Nd4 Qxe2 22. Nxe2 Nb4 23. Nc3 $6 (23. Rd2 $5 $14 {[%cal Yc1a3,Yf1d1]})
23... Rdc8 24. Bb2 $2 ({White obviously underestimated Black's dynamic
potential.} 24. Bd2 {was imperative, although Black would have retained a
comfortable position with} Bd8 {followed by ...Bb6.}) 24... Nxa2 $1 25. Nxa2
Rc2 26. Bxe5 dxe5 27. Nc1 {White has managed to maintain the material equality,
but his position has become very passive.} Bc5 ({This move allows White obtain
certain counterplay. A policy of calmly strengthening his position starting
with, say,} 27... a5 $5 {followed by ...h5 might have been more promissing.})
28. Nd3 Bd4 29. Ne1 Re2 30. Nf3 Rxe4 31. Nd2 Rg4 32. Bh3 Rg6 33. Nf3 Rh6 34.
Bg2 Rh5 35. h3 Rf5 36. Nxd4 exd4 37. Rxd4 Rfb5 38. Ra1 a5 39. Bf1 Rxb3 40. Rxa5
R3b7 41. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.03.07"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nbd2 Nc6 13. Nf1 Bc8 {A peaceful
variation, showing that Anand is not completely unhappy with his tournament
situation.} 14. Bg5 Ne8 15. Bd2 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. b4 a5 18. c3 axb4 19.
axb4 Rxa1 20. Qxa1 Nc7 21. Ne3 Qd7 22. Qb2 Ra8 23. Ra1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.03.09"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E17"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. d5 $5 ({
This move was introduced in top level games by Polugajevsky during his
Candidate's match against Kortschnoj, back in 1981. Polugajevsky was probably
exasperated by the fact that he could not get an advantage in the "normal" line
} 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Qc2 Nxc3 9. Qxc3 f5 {(in fact, he even lost one game with it
in that match, as he had done 3 years earlier against the same opponent and
same kind of event.) Later, the young Kasparov included this interesting pawn
sacrifice into his repertoire. However, Black gradually discovered ways to
stand the first way of White's assault.}) 7... exd5 8. Nh4 ({This is
Polugajevsky's novelty. He came up with it in the last game of the match, when
he desperately needed to win in order to even the score. Previously, he tried
the known} 8. Nd4 {in two games of the match.}) 8... c6 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Nf5
Nc7 11. Re1 d5 12. e4 d4 $5 {A rare move and a pragmatic decision. Black
returns the pawn for the sake of rapid development.} 13. Nxd4 (13. Qg4 g6 14.
e5 Bc8 $6 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Qxd4 {led to an advantage for White in
Mamedyarov-Palo, Chalkidiki 2001. Black should probbaly prefer 14...Ne6,
defending his extra-pawn. If one is going to suffer, he should have some
consolation at least.}) 13... c5 14. Nf5 Nc6 15. Nc3 ({A novelty over} 15. e5 {
when after} Qxd1 16. Rxd1 Rfd8 17. Bd2 Bf8 18. Nc3 Ne6 {the control of the
d4-square and the stability of the e6-knight offered Black a reasonable
position in Piket-Almasi, Monaco 2002.}) 15... Nd4 {Now that this knight is
not pinned anymore, it can jump on this active square.} 16. Bf4 {It might look
tempting to capture on e7, but this would just eliminate White's most active
piece and help Black complete his development.} Bf6 ({Black should also avoid
releasing the tension. After} 16... Nxf5 17. exf5 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 {it would be
hard to improve the position of the c7-knight and retain some chances for the
control of at least one of the central files. For instance,} Ne8 19. Qf3 {
with dangerous initiative for White.}) ({The main alternative to the text move
was} 16... Nce6 {, consolidating the d4-knight.}) 17. e5 $5 {An interesting
exchange of tactical blows starts now.} Bxg2 18. exf6 Bf3 19. Ne7+ Kh8 20. Bxc7
Qxc7 21. Nb5 Bxd1 22. Nxc7 Bc2 23. Nxa8 Nf3+ 24. Kg2 Nxe1+ 25. Rxe1 Rxa8 26.
Nd5 gxf6 27. Nxf6 Kg7 28. Nh5+ Kf8 29. g4 {The position has calmed down and is
about equal.} Rd8 30. Nf6 h6 31. Kg3 Kg7 32. Nh5+ Kf8 33. Nf6 Ba4 34. Ne4 Bc6
35. Nc3 Rd2 36. Re2 Rd4 37. Re1 Bd7 38. f3 Be6 39. a3 Rd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.03.10"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3
d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Rc8 13. e4 c5 14. exd5 exd5
15. dxc5 dxc4 16. cxb6 Nxb6 17. Re1 cxb3 18. Qxb3 Nd7 19. Ne4 Nc5 20. Nxc5 {
A surprisingly short draw, if we consider who is playing with the white pieces.
Topalov was probably too dissapointed by his general result to continue the
fight in accordance with the Sofia rule.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2679"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 Nxg4 8. Rg1
Qf6 9. Be2 Nxh2 10. Nxh2 Bxh2 11. Rg2 Bd6 12. Bd2 h5 13. O-O-O h4 14. f4 h3 15.
Rg5 g6 16. Rh1 b6 17. Rg3 Bb7 18. Rf3 h2 19. e4 dxe4 20. Nxe4 Qe7 21. c5 Bc7
22. Qa4 Rh4 23. Qa3 Nf6 24. Nd6+ Bxd6 25. cxd6 Qd7 26. f5 Ne4 27. fxg6 fxg6 28.
Bf4 c5 29. Rxh2 Rxh2 30. Bxh2 cxd4 31. Kd1 Rc8 32. Rf1 Rc5 33. Qh3 Rh5 34. Bxh5
Nf2+ 35. Rxf2 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A32"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 c5 4. Nf3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Bc5 7. Nb3 Be7 8.
Bg2 Nc6 9. Nc3 b6 10. Bf4 O-O 11. O-O Bb7 12. Qd2 Rc8 13. Rfd1 Ba6 14. Nb5 d5
15. Rac1 dxc4 16. Bxc6 Bxb5 17. Qxd8 Rfxd8 18. Rxd8+ Rxd8 19. Bxb5 cxb3 20.
axb3 Nd5 21. Bd2 h6 22. Kg2 Bb4 23. Bxb4 Nxb4 24. Rc4 a5 25. Rc7 Kf8 26. Rb7
Rd2 27. Rxb6 Rxb2 28. Bc4 Nc2 29. Ra6 Na3 30. Bd3 Rxb3 31. Rxa5 Rc3 32. Ra4 Rb3
33. Ra5 Nb1 34. Bc2 Rb4 35. Rc5 Nd2 36. Rc8+ Ke7 37. Rc7+ Kf8 38. Rd7 Ne4 39.
Bxe4 Rxe4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Bf4
b6 9. Nc3 Bb7 10. Rc1 Nh5 11. Be5 Nd7 12. cxd5 exd5 13. e4 f6 14. exd5 cxd5 15.
Bc7 Qxc7 16. Nh4 Nf4 17. gxf4 Rf7 18. Nxd5 Qb8 19. Nxe7+ Rxe7 20. Nf5 Re8 21.
Qb3+ Kh8 22. Bxb7 Qxb7 23. Nd6 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 e6 6. g3 Qb6 7. Nf3 Bc5 8. e3
O-O 9. Bg2 Qa6 10. Qa4 Qxa4 11. Nxa4 Be7 12. O-O b6 13. b3 Bb7 14. Nc3 Na5 15.
Ne5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Nc6 17. Nf3 Rfd8 18. Rd1 a6 19. Bb2 Rab8 20. Rac1 b5 21. Ne2
Kf8 22. Ned4 Nxd4 23. Nxd4 Rdc8 24. cxb5 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 axb5 26. a3 Ne8 27. e4
f6 28. f4 Nd6 29. Kf3 Nb7 30. Rc2 Kf7 31. Bc1 Nc5 32. b4 e5 33. Nf5 Ne6 34. Bb2
exf4 35. gxf4 Bf8 36. Ne3 Ra8 37. h4 Bd6 38. f5 Nd8 39. Rd2 Ra6 40. Rd5 Rb6 41.
Bd4 Ra6 42. Bb2 Rb6 43. h5 h6 44. Ng4 Ke7 45. e5 fxe5 46. Nxe5 Bxe5 47. Bxe5
Kf8 48. Rxd7 Nf7 49. Bb2 Rd6 50. Rxd6 Nxd6 51. Kf4 Kf7 52. Bc3 Nc4 53. Ke4 Nxa3
54. Kd5 Nc4 55. Bd4 Na3 56. Kc5 Nc2 57. Bb2 Ne3 58. Kxb5 Nxf5 59. Kc6 Ne7+ 60.
Kd6 g6 61. hxg6+ Nxg6 62. b5 Ne7 63. Bc1 h5 64. Bg5 Nf5+ 65. Kc7 Ke6 66. b6 Nd6
67. Bf4 Nb5+ 68. Kc8 Kd5 69. b7 Na7+ 70. Kc7 Nc6 71. Bg3 Kc5 72. Bd6+ Kd5 73.
Be7 h4 74. Bxh4 Nb4 75. Kb6 Nc6 76. Bg3 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d6 9. Nbd2 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Re1 Nc6 12. Nf1 Re8 13. h3 h6 14. Ng3 Be6 15. d4
exd4 16. cxd4 cxd4 17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Rc8 19. Bb3 d5 20. e5 Nd7 21. Nh5 Nc5
22. Bc2 Nd7 23. Bb3 Nc5 24. Be3 Nxb3 25. axb3 Bc5 26. Qd2 Bxe3 27. Rxe3 Qh4 28.
Ng3 d4 29. Rd3 Rc5 30. Rxd4 Qg5 31. Qxg5 hxg5 32. b4 Rxe5 33. Rxa6 f5 34. Ra7
Kf8 35. h4 gxh4 36. Rxh4 Re7 37. Ra8+ Kf7 38. Rb8 Rc7 39. Rhh8 Rc4 40. f3 g6
41. Rh6 Kg7 42. Rhh8 Bf7 43. Rhc8 Rxb4 44. Rc7 Kf6 45. Rb6+ Re6 46. Rbb7 Be8
47. Rc2 Re1+ 48. Nf1 Rb1 49. Rc8 Rc4 50. Rxe8 Rcc1 51. Rxb5 Rxf1+ 52. Kh2 Kg5
53. Kg3 Rbc1 54. Rb4 Rc6 55. Rf8 Rf6 56. Rxf6 Kxf6 57. Rb6+ Kg5 58. f4+ Kh6 59.
b4 Rb1 60. Rb8 Rb3+ 61. Kh4 Rb2 62. Kh3 Rb3+ 63. g3 g5 64. fxg5+ Kxg5 65. Kg2
Kg4 66. Rg8+ Kh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O e6 6. Nc3 Be7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4
O-O 9. Rd1 d6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nb5 d5 12. cxd5 Bxd5 13. Nc3 Bc6 14. Qc4 Qc8 15.
e4 h6 16. Bf4 Bb7 17. Qxc8 Raxc8 18. e5 Nd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Ne1 Rfd8 21. Bxd5
exd5 22. Rxd5 Nc5 23. Rad1 Rxd5 24. Rxd5 Kf8 25. Be3 Ke8 26. Bxc5 Bxc5 27. Kf1
Ke7 28. Nd3 Ke6 29. Nf4+ Ke7 30. Rd2 g5 31. Nd3 Bd4 32. Kg2 Ke6 33. Re2 Kf5 34.
g4+ Kg6 35. f4 f5 36. exf6 gxf4 37. Nxf4+ Kxf6 38. h4 Be5 39. Nd5+ Ke6 40. Ne3
Bf4 41. Nf5+ Kf6 42. Rf2 Rc4 43. Ne3 Rd4 44. Rxf4+ Rxf4 45. Nd5+ Ke5 46. Nxf4
Kxf4 47. Kh3 a6 48. a4 b5 49. axb5 axb5 50. b4 Ke5 51. Kg3 Ke4 52. g5 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.24"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E65"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. dxc5
dxc5 9. Be3 Ng4 10. Qxd8 Rxd8 11. Bxc5 Be6 12. Nd5 Bxd5 13. cxd5 Rxd5 14. Ba3
Rad8 15. Rac1 e6 16. Rc4 Nf6 17. Bc5 Nd7 18. Be3 Nb6 19. Rc2 Rd1 20. Bd2 Rxf1+
21. Kxf1 h6 22. e3 Nd5 23. a3 f5 24. b4 Kf7 25. b5 Nce7 26. Ne1 Rc8 27. e4 Rxc2
28. Nxc2 fxe4 29. Bxe4 b6 30. Nb4 Nxb4 31. Bxb4 Nf5 32. a4 Bf8 33. Bd2 Nd6 34.
Bd3 Nb7 35. Ke2 Nc5 36. Bc2 h5 37. Bf4 Nd7 38. f3 Bg7 39. Be3 Be5 40. Kf2 Nf6
41. Ke2 Nd5 42. Bg5 Bf6 43. Bc1 h4 44. f4 hxg3 45. hxg3 Bd4 46. Kf3 Kf6 47. g4
Ba1 48. Ba3 Ne7 49. Bd6 Nc8 50. Bc7 Bc3 51. Bd8+ Kf7 52. Bb3 Bb4 53. Bh4 Nd6
54. Bf2 Bc3 55. Be3 Kf6 56. Ke2 e5 57. g5+ Kf5 58. fxe5 Kxe5 59. Kf3 Nf5 60.
Bf4+ Kd4 61. Be6 Kc5 62. Ke4 Ne7 63. Bb8 Bd2 64. Ke5 Bc3+ 65. Kf4 Bd2+ 66. Kg4
Be3 67. Bxa7 Kb4 68. Bb8 Kxa4 69. Bd7 Kb4 70. Bd6+ Bc5 71. Be5 Kc4 72. Kf3 Kd5
73. Be8 Kxe5 74. Bd7 Bb4 75. Be8 Bd2 76. Kg4 Ke6 0-1

[Event "Amber-blindfold 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.25"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2683"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Rc1
d5 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bg2 c6 11. O-O Nbd7 12. Qc2 Re8 13. Rfe1 Bb7 14. Bf4 Bb4
15. Bd2 g6 16. Bg5 Kg7 17. Rcd1 h6 18. Bc1 Qe7 19. Bb2 Ne4 20. Rc1 f5 21. Red1
Bd6 22. e3 g5 23. Ne2 Ba6 24. Ne5 Rac8 25. f4 Qe6 26. Nc3 Nxe5 27. dxe5 Bc5 28.
Nxe4 fxe4 29. Bf1 Bxe3+ 30. Kh1 Bxf1 31. Rxf1 Bxc1 32. Qxc1 gxf4 33. gxf4 Rf8
34. Rg1+ Kh7 0-1

[Event "Amber-blindfold 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D12"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Nxg6 hxg6 8. g3
Nbd7 9. Bg2 dxc4 10. Qe2 Be7 11. Qxc4 e5 12. Ne2 exd4 13. Nxd4 Ne5 14. Qc2 Bb4+
15. Bd2 Bxd2+ 16. Qxd2 O-O 17. Rc1 Qe7 18. O-O c5 19. Nf3 Rfd8 20. Qc2 Nd3 21.
Rcd1 Nb4 22. Qb3 Rac8 23. a3 Nbd5 24. Qc4 Nb6 25. Qc2 Nbd7 26. Rfe1 b5 27. e4
Nf8 28. Bh3 Rxd1 29. Rxd1 Rc7 30. e5 N6d7 31. Qe4 c4 32. Rd6 Nc5 33. Qa8 Nd3
34. Rd8 Qc5 35. e6 Nxf2 36. exf7+ Kxf7 37. Rxf8+ Qxf8 38. Ne5+ 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.28"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3
d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Rc8 13. e4 c5 14. exd5 exd5
15. dxc5 dxc4 16. c6 cxb3 17. Re1 b2 18. Bxb2 Nc5 19. Nc4 Bxc4 20. Qg4 Bg5 21.
Qxc4 Nd3 22. Be5 Nxe1 23. Rxe1 Bf6 24. Bxf6 Qxf6 25. c7 Qd6 26. Rc1 b5 27. Qc2
g6 28. Bb7 a5 29. Qc5 Qxc5 30. Rxc5 b4 31. Kf1 Rfe8 32. Bxc8 Rxc8 33. Ke2 Kf8
34. Kd3 a4 35. Rc4 b3 36. a3 Ke7 37. Kc3 g5 38. Rxa4 Rxc7+ 39. Kxb3 Rc1 40.
Re4+ Kd6 41. Rd4+ Kc5 42. Rd7 Rh1 43. Rxf7 Rxh2 44. Kc3 h5 45. a4 Kb6 46. Rf5
g4 47. Kd3 Kc6 48. Ke3 Kd6 49. a5 Kc6 50. a6 Kb6 51. Ra5 Ka7 52. Ra1 Rh3 53.
Kf4 Rh2 54. Kg5 Rh3 55. Ra5 Rh1 56. Kg6 Rh2 57. Rxh5 Rxf2 58. Kg5 Kxa6 59. Kxg4
Kb6 60. Rf5 Rg2 61. Kh4 Kc6 62. g4 Kd6 63. Kh5 Ke6 64. Rf1 Ke7 65. g5 Ke8 66.
Kh6 Ke7 67. g6 Rg3 68. g7 Rg4 69. Rf8 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qa4 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Be4 11. Qc1 Bb7 12. Bf4 Nd5 13. Nc3 Nxf4 14. Qxf4 Nd7 15.
Rfd1 Bd6 16. Qh4 Nf6 17. a3 Qb8 18. g4 Rd8 19. Rac1 Be7 20. g5 Nd7 21. d5 Nf8
22. Ne5 Bd6 23. dxe6 Bxg2 24. Qf4 Bb7 25. e7 Re8 26. exf8=Q+ Rxf8 27. Rxd6 cxd6
28. Nd7 Qd8 29. Nxf8 Qxf8 30. Rd1 Rd8 31. f3 Qe7 32. Kf2 Bc6 33. Rd2 Rd7 34.
Rd3 g6 35. Re3 Qd8 36. Qd4 Re7 37. Qf6 Rd7 38. Qxd8+ Rxd8 39. Re7 d5 40. Rc7 d4
41. Rxc6 dxc3 42. bxc3 Rd1 43. Ke3 a5 44. c4 Rb1 45. Rb6 Rb3+ 46. Kd2 b4 47.
axb4 axb4 48. Rb8+ Kg7 49. h4 h6 50. e3 hxg5 51. hxg5 Kh7 52. f4 Kg7 53. Ke2 f5
54. gxf6+ Kxf6 55. Rb6+ Kf7 56. Kf3 Rb1 57. Ke4 b3 58. Ke5 Kg7 59. e4 b2 60. c5
Rc1 61. Rxb2 Rxc5+ 62. Kd6 Rc4 63. Rb7+ Kf8 64. Ke5 Ra4 65. Kf6 Ke8 66. Re7+
Kf8 67. Re6 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2679"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "174"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nc3 fxe4 6. Nxe4 Nf6 7. Qe2 Bg4
8. h3 Bh5 9. d3 Qd5 10. g4 Bf7 11. Nc3 Bb4 12. O-O Bxc3 13. bxc3 e4 14. dxe4
Qxe4 15. Qxe4+ Nxe4 16. Re1 O-O 17. Rxe4 Bd5 18. Nd2 Bxe4 19. Nxe4 Rae8 20. Nc5
Re1+ 21. Kg2 Rd8 22. Nd3 Rd1 23. Nb2 Re1 24. Nd3 Rd1 25. a4 a5 26. Nb2 Re1 27.
Nd3 Rd1 28. Kf3 b6 29. Ke2 Rg1 30. Bb2 Re8+ 31. Kf3 Rf8+ 32. Ke2 Re8+ 33. Kf3
Rf8+ 34. Ke3 Re8+ 35. Kd2 Rxa1 36. Bxa1 Re4 37. Nb2 b5 38. f3 Re6 39. c4 bxa4
40. Nxa4 Rh6 41. Be5 Rxh3 42. f4 Rg3 43. g5 h5 44. gxh6 gxh6 45. Nc3 h5 46. Ne4
Rg2+ 47. Ke3 h4 48. Kf3 Rg1 49. Kf2 Rd1 50. f5 a4 51. Ke2 Rd8 52. Bxc7 Rf8 53.
f6 a3 54. Kf3 a2 55. Be5 Kf7 56. Kg4 Kg6 57. Bc3 Ra8 58. Kxh4 a1=Q 59. Bxa1
Rxa1 60. Kg4 Rf1 61. c3 Rf5 62. Kg3 Kh5 63. c5 Kg6 64. Kg4 Rf1 65. Kg3 Kf5 66.
Nd2 Rg1+ 67. Kf2 Rg6 68. Nf3 Rxf6 69. Ke3 Rh6 70. Nd4+ Ke5 71. c4 Rh3+ 72. Nf3+
Ke6 73. Ke4 Rh5 74. Nd4+ Kd7 75. Nf5 Kc7 76. Nd4 Kb7 77. Ne6 Ka6 78. Kd4 Ka5
79. Nd8 Rh6 80. Kc3 Ka4 81. Nf7 Rh5 82. Kd4 Kb4 83. Nd6 Rh4+ 84. Ne4 Rxe4+ 85.
Kxe4 Kxc4 86. Ke3 Kxc5 87. Kd3 Kb4 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Bf4
b6 9. Nc3 Bb7 10. Rc1 Nh5 11. Bxb8 Qxb8 12. Ne5 Nf6 13. e3 Rc8 14. g4 dxc4 15.
g5 Ne8 16. Qh5 g6 17. Qh4 c5 18. Qf4 Nd6 19. Ne4 Bxe4 20. Bxe4 Bxg5 21. Qxg5
Nxe4 22. Qf4 f5 23. Rfd1 cxd4 24. exd4 c3 25. f3 cxb2 26. Rxc8+ Qxc8 27. fxe4
Qc2 28. Qf1 Rc8 29. Nd3 fxe4 30. Nxb2 Qxb2 31. Qf6 Rf8 32. Qxe6+ Kg7 33. Qe5+
Kh6 34. Rf1 Rxf1+ 35. Kxf1 Qc1+ 36. Ke2 Qc2+ 37. Ke1 Qc3+ 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 h5 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13. Be5 Rh6 14. Qc1 c5 15.
dxc5 b4 16. Qxg5 Rg6 17. Qf4 Ng4 18. Rad1 Qc6 19. Nd5 exd5 20. exd5 Qxc5 21.
Rfe1 Bh6 22. Qf5 Bc8 23. Bd4 Bxf5 24. Bxc5 Kd8 25. Bxc4 Bd7 26. h3 Nf6 27. Bd3
Ng8 28. Bxg6 fxg6 29. Bxb4 a5 30. Bc3 Ra6 31. d6 Bf8 32. Re5 a4 33. Ra5 Rxd6
34. Ra8+ Bc8 35. Rc1 Ne7 36. Bb4 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Nd2 O-O 6. Ngf3 dxc4 7. Qc2 Nc6 8.
Qxc4 Qd5 9. O-O Bxd2 10. Qxd5 exd5 11. Bxd2 Re8 12. Rfe1 Nd8 13. Ne5 c6 14. f3
Nd7 15. Nd3 Ne6 16. Bc3 f5 17. Kf2 Nf6 18. h4 Nh5 19. e3 Nd8 20. Bf1 Nf7 21. a4
a6 22. Ba5 Re7 23. b4 Nd6 24. b5 Nc4 25. Bb4 Rc7 26. Ne5 Nxe5 27. dxe5 c5 28.
Rec1 c4 29. Bd6 Rf7 30. bxa6 Rxa6 31. a5 g6 32. Rcb1 Ng7 33. Rb5 Be6 34. Rab1
Ne8 35. Bc5 Nc7 36. Rxb7 Rxa5 37. Bd4 Na6 38. R7b6 Re7 39. Be2 Nc5 40. R6b5
Rxb5 41. Rxb5 Nb3 42. Bc3 Nc1 43. Rb8+ Kf7 44. Rb1 Nxe2 45. Kxe2 Ra7 46. Bd4
Rc7 47. Kd2 Bd7 48. Rb8 Rc8 49. Rb7 Ke6 50. Kc3 h5 51. Bb6 Rc6 52. f4 Rc8 53.
Ba5 Rc6 54. Kd4 Rc8 55. Bc3 Rc6 56. Rb5 Rc7 57. Rxd5 Kf7 58. Ba5 Rb7 59. Rd6
Be6 60. Rc6 Rd7+ 61. Kc5 Rd3 62. Bb4 Rd8 63. Rc7+ Rd7 64. Rc6 Rd8 65. Rb6 Rd3
66. Rb7+ Rd7 67. Rb8 Rd3 68. Rb7+ Rd7 69. Rxd7+ Bxd7 70. Kxc4 Ke6 71. Kd4 Bc6
72. Kc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E94"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. d4 d6 6. Be2 e5 7. Be3 Na6 8. O-O
Ng4 9. Bg5 Qe8 10. h3 h6 11. Bh4 Nf6 12. c5 exd4 13. Bxf6 dxc3 14. Bxg7 Kxg7
15. Qd4+ Kh7 16. Bxa6 bxa6 17. bxc3 Bb7 18. Rfe1 Qc6 19. cxd6 cxd6 20. Re3 Rae8
21. Rae1 Qb6 22. Qd2 Re7 23. Nd4 Rfe8 24. f3 a5 25. Kh1 Qc5 26. Qe2 Re5 27. Rb1
Bc8 28. Qf2 Qc4 29. Ree1 a4 30. Red1 d5 31. Nb5 dxe4 32. Nd6 e3 33. Nxc4 exf2
34. Nxe5 Rxe5 35. Rf1 Re2 36. g4 Be6 37. Kg2 Bxa2 38. Rb7 Bb3 39. Rxf2 Re3 40.
Rxa7 Rxc3 41. Kg3 g5 42. h4 Kg7 43. Ra5 Kg6 44. hxg5 hxg5 45. Rd2 Kf6 46. Rd4
Ke6 47. Kf2 Rc6 48. Re4+ Kd6 49. Rxg5 a3 50. Ra5 a2 51. Rb4 Be6 52. Ra7 Rc3 53.
Rba4 Bd5 54. f4 Rf3+ 55. Ke2 a1=Q 56. Rxa1 Rxf4 57. R1a4 Bc4+ 58. Ke3 Rxg4 59.
Kf3 f5 60. Kf2 Rf4+ 61. Ke3 Re4+ 62. Kd2 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[PlyCount "154"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. e4 b5 6. e5 Nd5 7. a4 e6 8. Ng5 Be7
9. Nge4 b4 10. Nb1 f5 11. exf6 Nxf6 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. Bxc4 Qxd4 14. Qh5+ g6
15. Qe2 Qe5 16. Qxe5 Bxe5 17. O-O O-O 18. Nd2 Na6 19. Re1 Bg7 20. a5 Nc5 21. a6
Rf4 22. Ra5 Bd4 23. Re2 Bd7 24. b3 Rf5 25. Nf3 Bc3 26. Raa2 Be8 27. Ng5 Rd8 28.
g4 Rf6 29. Be3 Rd1+ 30. Kg2 Bd4 31. Rad2 Bxe3 32. Rxd1 Bxg5 33. Re5 Bh4 34.
Rxc5 Rxf2+ 35. Kh3 Bf6 36. Kg3 Ra2 37. g5 Bc3 38. Bxe6+ Kf8 39. Bc4 Ke7 40. h4
Ra3 41. Bg8 Rxa6 42. Rc4 Ra5 43. Re4+ Re5 44. Kf4 Rxe4+ 45. Kxe4 a5 46. Kd3 Kf8
47. Be6 Ke7 48. Bg8 Kf8 49. Bc4 Bd7 50. Rf1+ Bf5+ 51. Ke3 Kg7 52. h5 h6 53.
gxh6+ Kxh6 54. hxg6 Bxg6 55. Rf8 c5 56. Ra8 Kg5 57. Rxa5 Bd4+ 58. Kf3 Bc2 59.
Ke2 Kf4 60. Ra8 Bg6 61. Rf8+ Ke5 62. Bd3 Bh5+ 63. Kd2 Bc3+ 64. Kc2 Bg4 65. Re8+
Kd6 66. Rg8 Be6 67. Rg6 Ke5 68. Rg5+ Kd6 69. Rh5 Bd4 70. Rh4 Bd5 71. Rh6+ Ke5
72. Bc4 Bxc4 73. bxc4 Ke4 74. Rh3 Bf6 75. Kb3 Bd4 76. Rh5 Kd3 77. Rd5 Kd2
1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.24"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qb3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Na5 7. Qc3 c5 8. dxc5
bxc5 9. e4 Bb7 10. e5 Ne4 11. Qe3 Nxd2 12. Bxd2 Nc6 13. Bg2 Nd4 14. O-O Bxf3
15. Bxf3 Rb8 16. Rab1 Qc7 17. Bc3 Qxe5 18. Bxd4 Qxd4 19. Qa3 Qxc4 20. Qxa7 Rd8
21. a4 Qb4 22. Rfd1 Be7 23. Rxd7 Rxd7 24. Bc6 O-O 25. Qxd7 Bf6 26. b3 h5 27.
Qd3 Rb8 28. Bb5 Rd8 29. Qf3 h4 30. Bc4 Qd2 31. Kg2 Rd4 32. Rf1 Rd8 33. Qe3 Qa5
34. Qf3 Qd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.25"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. b3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Bb4+ 7. Nbd2 e5 8. dxe5
Bc3 9. exf6 Bxa1 10. fxg7 Bxg7 11. cxd5 Nc5 12. Bb1 Qxd5 13. Qc2 b6 14. b4 Ne6
15. Bb2 Ba6 16. Bxg7 Nxg7 17. a4 Rd8 18. Ne4 Bd3 19. Nf6+ Kf8 20. Nxd5 Bxc2 21.
Bxc2 Rxd5 22. Ke2 Ne6 23. Rc1 Rd6 24. Nh4 c5 25. b5 Nc7 26. Nf5 Rd7 27. h4 Nd5
28. Bb3 Ne7 29. Nh6 Ng8 30. Nf5 h6 31. g4 Ne7 32. Ng3 Kg7 33. Nh5+ Kf8 34. Nf6
Rd6 35. Ne4 Rd8 36. f4 Kg7 37. Ng3 Rhf8 38. Nh5+ Kh8 39. Nf6 Ng8 40. Nd5 Kg7
41. g5 Rfe8 42. Kf3 hxg5 43. hxg5 Ne7 44. e4 Nxd5 45. Bxd5 Rh8 46. Kg4 Rh2 47.
Kf5 Rf2 48. Rh1 Rd6 49. Ke5 Rg6 50. Rg1 Kf8 51. Rh1 Kg7 52. Rg1 Kf8 53. Rh1 Kg7
1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15.
Re4 g5 16. Qf1 Qh5 17. Nd2 Bf5 18. f3 Nf6 19. Qg2 Qg6 20. Re3 Rae8 21. Ne4 Nd5
22. Bxd5 cxd5 23. Nxd6 Qxd6 24. Rxe8 Rxe8 25. Bxg5 Qe6 26. g4 Bd3 27. Rd1 Qe1+
28. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 29. Kf2 Re2+ 30. Kg3 Rxg2+ 31. Kxg2 Kg7 32. Bd8 f6 33. Kg3 Kf7
34. Kf4 Ke6 35. Ke3 Bb1 36. a4 Bc2 37. a5 Bd1 38. Kf4 Bc2 39. Kg3 Bd1 40. h3
Be2 41. f4 f5 42. Kh4 Bf1 43. b4 Bg2 44. Kh5 Bf3 45. Bc7 Kf6 46. Bd8+ Ke6 47.
Kg5 h6+ 48. Kg6 fxg4 49. f5+ Kd7 50. hxg4 Bxg4 51. f6 Be6 52. f7 Bxf7+ 53. Kxf7
Kxd8 54. Ke6 Ke8 55. Kxd5 Kf7 56. c4 bxc4 57. Kxc4 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.28"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 d5 3. e3 c6 4. Bd3 Bg4 5. Ne2 Nbd7 6. c4 dxc4 7. Bxc4 Qa5+ 8.
Nbc3 Bxe2 9. Kxe2 Qxg5 10. Qb3 e6 11. Qxb7 Rb8 12. Qxc6 Rxb2+ 13. Kf1 Be7 14.
Bb3 Qf5 15. Nd1 Rd2 16. Qa8+ Bd8 17. Qf3 Qd3+ 18. Kg1 Re2 19. h3 h5 20. Qc6
Re1+ 21. Kh2 Ng4+ 22. hxg4 hxg4+ 23. Kg3 Rexh1 24. Bc2 Bh4+ 25. Kf4 g5+ 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 16th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2007.03.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3
d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Rc8 13. e4 c5 14. exd5 exd5
15. dxc5 dxc4 16. c6 cxb3 17. Re1 b2 18. Bxb2 Nc5 19. Nc4 Bxc4 20. Qg4 Bg5 21.
Qxc4 Nd3 22. Be5 Nxe1 23. Rxe1 Bf6 24. Bxf6 Qxf6 25. c7 Qd6 26. Rc1 b5 27. Qc2
g6 28. Bb7 b4 29. h4 h5 30. Kf1 a5 31. Qc5 Qxc5 32. Rxc5 a4 33. Ke2 b3 34. axb3
axb3 35. Kd3 Rfe8 36. Kc3 Kf8 37. Kxb3 Ke7 38. Kc4 Kd6 39. Bxc8 Rxc8 40. f4
Rxc7 41. Rxc7 Kxc7 42. Kd5 Kd7 43. f5 Ke7 44. Ke5 f6+ 45. Kf4 gxf5 46. Kxf5 Kf7
1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan m"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2007.05.04"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2007.05.04"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
{At top level, the Marshall Attack is mainly allowed in games between Marshall
specialists. Although, one could also say that quite many of the top players
have this sharp line in their repertoire, which makes the previous statement
relatively irelevant. From the specator'spoint of view, it is refreshing to
see that there is more after 7...0-0 than just the dull Anti-Marshall systems..
.} d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3
15. Be3 {This is the old main line, which was considered to offer White an
advantage before the real boom of the Marshall Attack.} ({The reader probably
remembers Kramnik's previous experience as White against the Marshall Attack.
Tragicomically, he blindly followed the computer's suggestion, reaching a...
lost position.} 15. Re4 g5 16. Qf1 $5 Qh5 17. Nd2 Bf5 18. f3 Nf6 19. Re1 Rae8
20. Rxe8 Rxe8 21. a4 $5 Qg6 $1 22. axb5 Bd3 23. Qf2 $2 (23. Qd1 $8 Be2 24. Qe1
Bd3 25. Qd1 $11) 23... Re2 24. Qxe2 Bxe2 25. bxa6 {This is the position
Kramnik had been aiming for. The computer needs several minutes before
switching from a cathegoric "+-" to a more realistic "-+", but Leko managed to
find the winning attacking moves starting with} Qd3 $3 {despite his relative
time trouble, Kramnik,V (2770)-Leko,P (2741)/Brissago 2004/CBM 103/[Knaak] 
(0-1, 32).}) 15... Bg4 16. Qd3 Rae8 17. Nd2 Re6 18. Qf1 $5 {This move has
never been too popular, but over the past decades it has been even more rarely
played than before.} ({Kramnik had some nice recent memories against} 18. a4
Qh5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Qf1 Bh3 21. Bd1 Qf5 22. Qe2 c5 23. Nf3 Bf4 24. Bc2 ({
Improving over} 24. Qd2 {, played just days earlier:} Nxe3 25. fxe3 Bh6 26. Qf2
Rfe8 27. Ne5 Qxf2+ 28. Kxf2 f6 29. Bg4 Rxe5 30. Bxh3 Bxe3+ 31. Kf3 cxd4 32.
Rad1 dxc3 33. bxc3 Bb6 34. Rxe5 Rxe5 35. Rd5 Re3+ 36. Kg2 Rxc3 37. Rxb5 Rc2+
38. Kh1 Bc7 {and White found it quite difficult to hold this ending, Leko,P 
(2749)-Kramnik,V (2766)/Monte Carlo 2007/TWIC 646 (0-1, 54)}) 24... Qg4 25. Qd3
g6 26. Ne5 Bxe5 27. dxe5 Qf3 28. Qe4 Qxe4 29. Bxe4 Nxe3 30. Rxe3 Rxe5 {Svidler,
P (2728)-Kramnik,V (2766)/Monte Carlo 2007/TWIC 647 (1/2-1/2, 37). and Black
is not worse.}) 18... Qh5 19. f3 {This surprising move is almost a novelty.} ({
Here are two of the very few relevant games that reached this position over
the past decade:} 19. a4 f5 (19... bxa4 20. Bxd5 cxd5 21. Rxa4 f5 22. f4 $2 (
22. Rxa6 $5) 22... Qe8 $1 $17 {[%csl Ya4,Ye3] Alqudaimi,B (2237)-Kuzmin,A 
(2568)/Doha 2002/CBM 087 ext (0-1, 30)}) 20. f4 bxa4 21. Bxd5 cxd5 22. Qg2 Rfe8
23. Qxd5 Qf7 24. Nc4 $1 (24. Nf1 g5 $40 {Berelovich,A (2468)-Van den Doel,E 
(2528)/Hoogeveen 1999/EXT 2000 (1/2-1/2, 43)}) 24... Bxf4 $5 25. gxf4 Be2 $3 {
[%csl Gd5][%cal Ye6g6]} 26. Kh1 $1 (26. Kf2 Bxc4 27. Qxc4 Qh5 $132) 26... Bxc4
27. Qxc4 Rxe3 28. Qxf7+ Kxf7 29. Rxe3 Rxe3 30. Rxa4 $16) 19... Nxe3 $146 ({
The game where 19.f3 was tried for the first time continued} 19... Rf6 20. Bd1
Re8 21. Bf4 Rxe1 22. Qxe1 Re6 23. Be5 Bxe5 $6 (23... Bf5 $5) 24. dxe5 Bf5 25.
f4 {White has managed to consolidate his position and is a clear pawn up.} Qg6
26. Qf2 f6 27. c4 $1 bxc4 28. Nxc4 Bd3 29. Bb3 $16 {Segovia Becker,M-Henao,L/
IECG email 1995/E-Mail 2000 (1-0, 37)}) (19... Rxe3 $5) (19... Bf5 $5) 20. Qf2
Nd5 21. fxg4 Qxg4 {Abstractly speaking, this is the way to fight against the
Marshall Attack: return the pawn for the sake of completing the development.
Apart from the small material advantage, White has another important
achievement (something that might be currently underestimated), namely the
advantage of space in the centre. The pawn structure after the recent
modifications resembles that arising from a line of... the King's Gambit (1.e4
e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Nf3 d5 4.exd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nxd5 Qxd5 7.d4, if Black allows
Bxf4). More concretely, Black still seems to maintain the better development
and White needs some acurate moves to neutralise it.} 22. Qf3 $5 {The black
queen was optimally placed on g4 and Black has to take an important decision
now.} Qg5 $6 {Black allows his pawn structure to be spoilt, without getting
sufficient dynamic compensation. This is hardly advisable when facing a player
with such good technique as Kramnik.} (22... Qxf3 23. Nxf3 Rfe8 {, maintaining
the control of the e-file, was an important alternative. However, after} 24.
Rxe6 Rxe6 {White would play the thematic} 25. a4 $1 {, facing Black with
micro-problems.} b4 $1 (25... h6 $2 26. axb5 axb5 27. Ra8+ Kh7 28. Rc8 $16) (
25... Re2 $2 26. axb5 axb5 27. Ra8+ Bf8 28. Ne5 $18) 26. c4 (26. cxb4 Rf6 $1 {
Unpinning the knight.} 27. Ne5 Nxb4 $11) 26... Re3 27. cxd5 Rxf3 (27... Rxb3
28. Nd2 Rd3 {The only square to avoid a fork.} 29. Nc4 $16) 28. Bc4 (28. Bd1
Rd3 29. dxc6 Rxd4 30. Bb3 Kf8 31. Rc1 Bc7 $11 {and the c-pawn is easier to
maintain blocked than the a-pawn in the main line.}) 28... cxd5 29. Kg2 Re3 30.
Bxa6 $14 {The a-pawn might become dangerous soon.}) ({To me, the safest
continuation seems to be} 22... Qg6 {, protecting the e6-square, for instance}
23. Rxe6 (23. Bxd5 cxd5 24. Qxd5 {does not work because of} Bxg3 25. Rxe6 $8
fxe6 $1 {with strong initiative.}) 23... Qxe6 24. Qe4 Re8 $1 25. Re1 Qxe4 26.
Nxe4 Kf8 {and Black should be entitled to hope for a draw in this just
symbolically worse position.}) 23. Rxe6 fxe6 24. Ne4 $1 {Installing the knight
on this superb square is White's highest priority, higher than removing the
queen from the attacked square...} Qg6 (24... Rxf3 $2 25. Nxg5 $16 {[%csl Ge6]}
Re3 $2 (25... Rf6 $2 26. Ne4 $18) 26. Kf2 $18) 25. Qe2 $14 {White's better
structure offers him a stable advantage. Aronian's attempts to build up an
attack will fail in a spectacular way.} Nf4 $6 (25... Be7 26. Re1 $14) (25...
Bf4 $5) 26. Qc2 Nh3+ $6 27. Kg2 $16 {Now, Black's pieces are exposed and
poorly coordinated.} Qg4 (27... Rf2+ $2 {does not work because the c2-queen is
defended, which allows the simple} 28. Nxf2 $18) 28. Bxe6+ $1 {And this is the
best way to take advantage of it!} (28. Nxd6 {was playable but less clear:}
Nf4+ 29. Kf2 $8 (29. Kg1 $2 Ne2+ $19) (29. Kf1 $2 Qf3+ $19) 29... Ne2+ 30. Nf5
$5 (30. Ke1 Nxg3 $1 $40) 30... Rxf5+ 31. Ke1 Nf4 $5 (31... Nxg3 $2 32. Bxe6+ $1
$16) 32. Qe4 {and White seems to repell the attack, but why not simplify to a
winning ending?...}) 28... Qxe6 29. Qb3 $1 {The point. Both minor pieces are
under attack and White will emerge from the complications with an extra-pawn.}
Nf4+ 30. gxf4 Qxb3 31. axb3 {Finally, the white rook is developed.} Bxf4 32.
Rxa6 $18 Rc8 (32... Re8 33. Rxc6 Bxh2 (33... Rxe4 34. Kf3 $18) 34. Kf3 $18 {
[%cal Yd4d5,Yc3c4]}) 33. Nc5 Kf7 34. Nd3 g5 35. Nxf4 gxf4 36. Kf3 Ke6 37. Kxf4
Kd6 38. c4 Rf8+ 39. Ke3 Kc7 40. Ra7+ Kb6 41. Rxh7 Rf1 42. Rh6 Kb7 43. Rh5 Rb1
44. Kd3 bxc4+ 45. Kc2 $1 {This type of intermediate move was overlooked by
Boleslavsky in a rook ending against Botvinnik, on the ocasion of the
match-tournament for the absolute title of USSR champion, back in 1941. In
that game, too, 49.Ke2! caused Black's immediate resignation. The difference
is that here such elegance was not really necessary, because the simple
capture on c4 would have also sufficed for a win.} 1-0

[Event "Yerevan m"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2007.05.04"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2007.05.04"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 e6 7. f3 c5 8. e4 Bg6
9. Be3 cxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd4 11. Bxd4 Nfd7 12. Nxd7 Nxd7 13. Bxc4 a6 14. h4 Rc8
15. Ba2 h6 16. Rc1 Rg8 17. Ke2 Bc5 18. Bxc5 Rxc5 19. Nb1 Ke7 20. Rxc5 Nxc5 21.
h5 Bh7 22. Rc1 Nd7 23. Nd2 g6 24. hxg6 Rxg6 25. Kf2 Rg5 26. Rc7 b5 27. a5 Rc5
28. Rxc5 Nxc5 29. Ke3 Kd6 30. b4 Nd7 31. Nb3 e5 32. Nc1 f5 33. Nd3 fxe4 34.
fxe4 Nf6 35. Nc5 Bg6 36. Bb3 Ng4+ 37. Kd2 Nf6 38. Bc2 Kc6 39. Bd3 Nd7 40. Nxa6
Bf7 41. Be2 h5 42. g3 Bg6 43. Ke3 Bf7 44. Kd2 Bg6 45. Bd3 Bf7 46. Bf1 Be6 47.
Kc3 Bg4 48. Bd3 Bf3 49. Bc2 Kd6 50. Kd3 Kc6 51. Bb3 Kb7 52. Be6 Nf6 53. Nc5+
Kc6 54. Ke3 Bg4 55. Bf7 Bc8 56. Bb3 Bh3 57. Bd1 Bg4 58. Bc2 Bc8 59. Bd3 Ng4+
60. Ke2 Nf6 61. Nb3 Be6 62. Nd2 Ne8 63. Nb1 Nc7 64. Nc3 Bd7 65. Kd2 Be8 66. Be2
Bf7 67. Nd5 Bxd5 68. exd5+ Kd6 69. Bxh5 e4 70. Bf7 Na6 71. Kc3 e3 72. Bh5 Kxd5
73. Be2 Nc7 74. Bf3+ Ke5 75. Bb7 Kf5 76. Kd3 1-0

[Event "Yerevan m"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2007.05.05"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "154"]
[EventDate "2007.05.04"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O e6 {Deviating from two previous
encounters between the same players.} ({Generally,} 5... g6 {is by far more
popular at a high level than the Hedgehog setup, chosen by Aronian in our main
game. Personally, I see no real reason for that, because in the Hedgehog
Black's position is more flexible and offers him better chances for
counter-attack in view of his better control over the central squares. Anyway,
the aforementioned games continued} 6. d4 cxd4 7. Qxd4 Bg7 8. Nc3 d6 9. Rd1
Nbd7 10. Be3 Rc8 11. Rac1 a6 12. b3 O-O 13. Qh4 Rc7 14. Bh3 Qb8 {This is a
topical position and here the games took a different course.} 15. Bg5 $5 ({
When having this position with the white pieces, Aronian preferred the
fashionable} 15. g4 {but ran into his opponent's excellent preparation} e6 16.
g5 Ne8 17. Bg2 b5 18. Ne4 bxc4 19. bxc4 d5 20. cxd5 Bxd5 21. Nc5 Nxc5 22. Bxc5
Nd6 23. Rb1 Qxb1 24. Rxb1 Rxc5 $44 {and White drew not without difficulty,
Aronian,L (2724)-Kramnik,V (2744)/Saint Vincent 2005/CBM 110/[Stohl] (1/2-1/2,
85).}) 15... Bxf3 16. exf3 b5 17. Bxd7 Rxd7 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. cxd5 Rc7 20. Rc6 {
Kramnik,V (2729)-Aronian,L (2756)/Turin 2006/CBM 113 (1-0, 37). and White's
queenside advantage proved sufficient for a win.}) 6. Nc3 Be7 7. d4 cxd4 8.
Qxd4 d6 9. Bg5 a6 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. Qf4 {This variation is supposed to offer
White a slightly more pleasant position with almost no risk at all. In
practice, things are not always that simple.} O-O 12. Rfd1 Be7 13. Ne4 Bxe4 14.
Qxe4 Ra7 15. Nd4 {This is one of the main tabyias of the variation involving
an early exchange on f6. I believe that a close examination of the position
will help us understand the whole magic behind the Hedgehog system. The first
thought that comes up to mind is that White is doing just great. He not only
has more space and a superior development, but has managed to eliminate the
main opponent of his g2-bishop, the black queen's bishop, having an
authoritarian control of the long diagonal. In most of the fianchetto systems 
(such as the Catalan Opening) these aspects would ensure White an almost
decisive advantage, but if we look at it from Black's point of view, we can
see that this is hardly the case here. The exchange of two pairs of minor
pieces has solved Black's problems of space to considerable extent. Although
his knight will not be easy to develop because it is supposed to guard the
c6-square, all the other pieces can get coordinated without stepping into
each-other's way.  After the elimination of White's dark-squared bishop the
d6-pawn is almost invulnerable and White will need a lot of effort to prove an
active plan. Obviously, he should aim for play on light squares. One of the
possible ideas would be to play b4-b5 and install his knight (or bishop) on c6.
However, this would weaken the c5-square and the c4-pawn at the same time.
Sometimes, a brutal sacrifice on e6 could cause Black problems. Finally, there
exists the possibility of a slow advance of the kingside pawns, but this is
also not without risk, because Black has an extra-pawn in the range between
the d- and h-files. Concluding, I can agree that White has very little risk,
but things can really change if he becomes "ambitious".} Qc8 {Black's general
strategy should rely on the control of the dark squares. One important
decision is whether to place the queen or the queen's rook on c5. Black's last
move prepares ...Qc5.} ({The main alternative is} 15... Rc7 16. b3 Bf6 (16...
Rc5 {[%cal Yb6b5] Threatening b5.} 17. a4 Qc7 18. Qb1 Rc8 19. Ra2 Bf8 20. e3
Qe7 21. Rc2 g6 22. Qa2 {[%csl Yc4,Yc6][%cal Yb3b4,Yb4b5] A smart regroupment,
preparing the advance of the b-pawn.} Qg5 23. h4 Qf6 24. b4 R5c7 25. b5 a5 26.
Nc6 Nd7 27. Rcd2 Nc5 28. Qc2 Qg7 29. f4 $14 {Once the queenside action has
been crowned with success, White prepares active operations on the other wing,
Andersson,U (2635)-Seirawan,Y (2575)/London 1982/MCD (1-0, 52)}) 17. e3 Nd7 (
17... Re8) 18. Rac1 Qc8 19. Rb1 Rc5 $2 {Very carelessly played.} (19... Re8)
20. Nxe6 fxe6 (20... Re5 21. Nxf8 Rxe4 22. Nxd7 Re6 23. Nxb6 $16) 21. Qxe6+ Kh8
22. Bh3 Rd8 23. Rxd6 Ne5 24. Qxc8 Rcxc8 25. Rxb6 $16 {and White's pawns
eventually prevailed over Black's piece, Malakhov,V (2670)-Nisipeanu,L (2707)/
Benidorm 2005/CBM 109 ext (1-0, 34). From these games we can infer that
keeping the black queen passive on the back rank allows White to carry out his
general plan more freely.}) 16. b3 Re8 ({There is nothing wrong with the
immediate} 16... Qc5 {, but we know from the previous comment that leaving the
e6-pawn unattended is risky.}) 17. a4 Qc5 18. Ra2 Qh5 $146 {At first sight, it
is hard to see any concrete purpose to this move. Black seems to be just
inviting his opponent to define his intentions. However, there is a certain
logic in Aronian's play over the next phase of the game. First, he will drive
the enemy queen away from the centre. When the b1-h7 diagonal becoms available,
he will place his queen on g6, in order to keep the enemy queenside under
pressure and hinder White's active operations.} ({A very interesting, and
possibly revolutionary plan was displayed in the next game:} 18... Rd7 19. Qb1
a5 $5 {This has generally been considered bad because it weakens the b5-square.
However, apart from the obvious aim of preventing b4-b5, Black has another
idea in his mind.} 20. Rad2 Bf8 21. Qd3 Red8 22. Nb5 Na6 {This is it. By
transferring the knight to b4, Black will sustain the freeing move ...d5.} 23.
Be4 g6 24. Qf3 Nb4 25. Qf4 d5 $1 26. cxd5 Nxd5 $11 {Magalashvili,D (2459)
-Azarov,S (2579)/Istanbul 2006/TWIC 617 (1/2-1/2, 45)}) ({A famous game
continued} 18... Bf6 19. Rad2 Rc7 20. Qb1 Be7 21. b4 Qh5 22. Rc2 (22. b5 $5 {
Kasparov,G} Rxc4 $2 23. bxa6 $16) 22... Rec8 $10 23. b5 $2 axb5 24. axb5 (24.
Nxb5 Rd7 $1 $17 {>< Pa4, Pc4 '=/+' Kasparov,G.}) 24... Rxc4 $1 25. Rxc4 (25.
Nc6 Rxc2 26. Nxe7+ Kh8 $1 27. Bf3 $1 Qe5 $1 28. Nxc8 Rxc8 $17 {Kasparov}) 25...
Rxc4 26. Qa2 Qc5 $15 {Karpov,A (2690)-Kasparov,G (2625)/Moscow 1981/MCL/
[ChessBase] (1/2-1/2, 41)}) 19. Bf3 (19. b4 $5) 19... Qe5 20. e3 (20. Qxe5 dxe5
21. Nc2 a5 $1 $11 {[%cal Yb8a6] and the white knight has no acess to b5.} 22.
Na3 $6 Bxa3 23. Rxa3 Na6 $15) 20... Rc8 21. Qb1 Rac7 22. Rc2 Qf6 23. Bg2 Nd7
24. Qa2 Qg6 {Black has completed his intended regroupment.} 25. Rcd2 (25. Rdc1
Nc5 26. b4 $6 Nd3 $132) 25... Nc5 26. Ne2 Nd7 27. a5 $5 {White seems to have
spotted the drawback of Black's plan: the queen is far away, allowing this
generally favourable pawn break. However, Black has sufficient defensive
resources at his disposal.} bxa5 28. Qxa5 Nc5 29. Nc1 {The b3-pawn is not easy
to defend, but retreating with the knight to such a passive square looks
hardly impressive.} h5 {The queen is useful for putting some pressure on the
white king, but...} 30. Rd4 (30. b4 Ne4 $132 {[%csl Gc4] Just another point
behind Black's strategy: the knight has this square at his disposal.}) 30...
Qc2 $1 {... it can cause mini-problems on the opposite wing as well.} 31. b4 $2
{Probably missing Black's answer.} (31. R4d2 Qg6 $11) 31... Qa4 $1 $17 {
White cannot defend his queenside pawns in a proper way.} 32. Qxa4 Nxa4 33. Ne2
Nb2 34. Ra1 Bf6 35. Rxd6 Nxc4 36. Rdxa6 Bxa1 37. Rxa1 Rb8 38. Rb1 Na3 39. Rb3
Nb5 40. Bf3 g6 41. h4 Rc4 42. Nf4 Rc3 43. Rb2 Na3 44. Be2 Rc2 45. Rb3 e5 46.
Nd5 Rxe2 47. Rxa3 Kg7 48. Rb3 Rd2 49. Nc7 Rc2 50. Nd5 Ra8 51. Nc3 Rc8 52. Ne4
R8c4 53. Nd6 R4c3 54. Rxc3 Rxc3 55. b5 Rd3 56. Nc4 f6 57. Kf1 Rb3 58. Nd6 Kf8
59. Ke2 Ke7 60. Nc8+ Kd7 61. Na7 Rb2+ 62. Kf3 Ke6 63. e4 Kd6 64. Nc8+ Ke6 65.
Na7 f5 66. exf5+ Kxf5 67. Ke3 Rb3+ 68. Kd2 Ke4 69. Kc2 Rf3 70. Nc6 Rxf2+ 71.
Kc3 Rf1 72. Kb4 Rc1 73. Ne7 Kf3 74. Nxg6 e4 75. b6 e3 76. Ne5+ Kxg3 77. Nd3 e2
0-1

[Event "Yerevan m"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2007.05.05"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2007.05.04"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 dxc4 8. Bxc4
Nd5 9. Ne4 Be7 10. Bd2 b6 11. Ng3 O-O 12. e4 Nb4 13. Qb3 c5 14. Bxb4 cxb4 15.
O-O a6 16. Qe3 b5 17. Bd3 Bb7 18. g5 Rc8 19. Rad1 Qb6 20. Bb1 Rfd8 21. h4 Nf8
22. h5 Rc7 23. Qf4 Bd6 24. e5 Be7 25. Be4 Bc8 26. Bb1 Bb7 27. Be4 Bc8 28. Kh2
Rcd7 29. Bb1 Bb7 30. Ne4 Bxe4 31. Bxe4 g6 32. hxg6 Nxg6 33. Qe3 Bf8 34. Kg2 Bg7
35. Rh1 Qb8 36. Rc1 Qa7 37. Rh3 Rxd4 38. Rd1 Nf4+ 39. Kh2 Ne2 40. Rd2 Bxe5+ 41.
Nxe5 Qc7 42. Bxh7+ Kf8 43. Rxe2 1-0

[Event "Yerevan m"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2007.05.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A60"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2007.05.04"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 b5 6. Nd2 Nxd5 7. Bg2 Nc7 8.
Bxa8 Nxa8 9. b4 c4 10. a4 Bxb4 11. Qc2 Bb7 12. Ngf3 a6 13. axb5 axb5 14. Qb2
Qf6 15. Qxb4 Qxa1 16. O-O Qa6 17. Bb2 f6 18. Ba3 d6 19. Nd4 Nc7 20. Rb1 O-O 21.
Nxc4 bxc4 22. Qxb7 Qxa3 23. Qxc7 Qc5 24. Rb7 Qxc7 25. Rxc7 d5 26. Nf5 Na6 27.
Rxg7+ Kh8 28. Ra7 Nb4 29. Rc7 h5 30. Kg2 Re8 31. e3 Nd3 32. f4 Ra8 33. Kh3 Ra5
34. Kh4 Rc5 35. Rd7 Kg8 36. Kxh5 Kf8 37. Nd6 c3 38. Kg6 Rc6 39. Kxf6 Kg8 40.
Kg6 Kf8 41. Kf6 Kg8 42. g4 Nc5 43. Rd8+ Kh7 44. Kf7 Rc7+ 45. Kf6 Rc6 46. Kf7
Rc7+ 47. Kf6 Rc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan m"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2007.05.06"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D12"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2007.05.04"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Nxg6 hxg6 8. g3
Nbd7 9. Bg2 dxc4 10. Qe2 Nb6 11. O-O Bb4 12. Bd2 O-O 13. Ne4 Qe7 14. Bxb4 Qxb4
15. Nc5 Rab8 16. Rfc1 Rfd8 17. Qc2 Nfd7 18. Ne4 e5 19. a3 Qe7 20. Re1 Nf6 21.
Ng5 exd4 22. exd4 Qd6 23. Nf3 Re8 24. Re5 Nfd7 25. Ra5 a6 26. Rd1 Rbd8 27. Bf1
Re7 28. Rg5 Qf6 29. Kg2 Rde8 30. h4 Qe6 31. a4 Qe4 32. Qc1 f6 33. Ra5 Qe6 34.
Qc2 Qe4 35. Qc1 Kh8 36. Re1 Qg4 37. Rxe7 Rxe7 38. Bxc4 Nxc4 39. Qxc4 Qe4 40.
Qb3 c5 41. dxc5 Qc6 42. Qc3 Re2 43. b4 Ne5 44. b5 Qe4 45. c6 Nd3 46. Qxd3 Qxd3
47. cxb7 Re8 48. bxa6 Qb3 49. Rc5 Kh7 50. Rc8 Rg8 51. Nd4 Qb6 52. Rxg8 Kxg8 53.
Kg1 Kh7 54. Nc6 Qb1+ 55. Kg2 Qe4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.05.27"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,M} e5 {To give the reader a general picture of my matches 
(assuming of cours ethat he is interseted), I would say that my opponents
surprised me in the opening, by playing lines they had not used before. I
should add that I did not go in for such refinements myself.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 {When I began playing the Marshall, I would usually
hold my breat in this position, and only after seeing the move 6.Re1 would I
quickly play 6...b5 7.Bb3 0-0, practically thinking that the matter was
settled. It would be interesting to know if other devotees of this variation
have experienced similar feelings of euphoria.} 6. d3 {Whereas this is the
very move I used to be afraid of.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 {Here I thought for a long tim,
as I wanted to surprise my opponent with something new.} 8. a4 Rb8 {When
playing 7...d6, I had planned to continue 8...Bd7 now, but then I changed my
mind, in view of 9. c3 0-0 10.Bc2. Probably without good reason, but that is
another story. I played 8...Rb8 because I remembered that some very strong
player had played the same way in a similar position.} 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nc3 {
The knight is needed on c3, to meet the freeing Be6 with Nd5.} O-O 11. h3 {
A useful move. Marin,M: 'Compared to the normal Anti-Marshall systems, White's
early defining of the structure in the centre has allowed Black refrain from ..
.Bb7, which places the bishop on a relatively unfavourable square. First of
all, it hits into the well defended e4-pawn, secondly, it does not contribute
to the annihilation of the white Spanish bishop.'} ({It is probably also
possible to seek some advantage after} 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Nd4 13. Nxd4 exd4
{, although in view of the symmetriacl nature of the position, I believe Black
should be able gradually to equalize.}) 11... Nb4 $5 $146 {I decided on this
move after rejecting Marin,M: 'Aronian spent a considerable amount of time on
this new move. Before playing the planned ...Be6, Black takes the d5-square
under firm control.'} (11... Be6 {because of} 12. Nd5 $1 (12. Bxe6 {Marin,M}
fxe6 13. d4 $6 exd4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Qxd4 c5 16. Qd3 d5 $11 {Tarrasch,
S-Leonhardt,P/San Sebastian 1912/HCL (1-0, 59)}) 12... Bxd5 (12... Qd7 $6 {
Marin,M} 13. c3) (12... Nd4 {Marin,M} 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Bd2 $5 Nxd5 15. exd5
Bd7 16. Ra5 Ra8 17. Qa1 $14 {|^<->a Romanishin. The position is almost
symmetrical, but White's position is more active and Black still has to fight
for complete equality.}) 13. exd5 Nb4 14. g4 {This is hardly all that
terrifying, but I preferred not to go in for forcing variations, since Magnus
had been moving fairly quickly.} (14. d4 {Marin,M} e4 15. Ng5 c5 {/\ 16.dc6 d5!
} 16. c3 Nbxd5 17. dxc5 dxc5 18. Nxe4 c4 19. Bc2 b4 20. Qf3 Ra8 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 {
Romanishin,O (2595)-Nunn,J (2615)/Debrecen 1992/EU-chT/[Bulletin] (1-0, 73)}
22. Nxf6+ Nxf6 23. Qe2 $16 {Romanishin})) (11... Nd4 {Marin,M} 12. Nxd4 exd4
13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 (14. Bxd5 Be6) 14... Bd7 {Ljubicic,F (2407)-Plenkovic,Z 
(2302)/Split 2005/CBM 106 ext (1-0, 72)} 15. Bd2 $14) 12. Ne2 {This typical
Spanish knight manoeuvre is even more natural here, in view of the unwanted
guest on b4. Marin,M: 'Obviously, White will not tolerate the knight on b4 for
too long. It is also noteworthy that the transfer of the knight to g3 is
carried out without the necessity of spending a tempo on Re1 at an early stage.
'} c5 13. Ng3 ({On} 13. c3 {I was considering} Nxd3 14. Qxd3 c4 15. Bxc4 bxc4
16. Qxc4 Be6 17. Qd3 Qc7 {with well-known compensation for Black, although 13..
. Nc6 is in no way worse.}) 13... Be6 14. Bxe6 {Marin,M: 'This exchange
improves Black's control in the centre, but it was not easy to deal with the
tension in the position anyway.'} (14. Bd2 $5 {Marin,M} Nc6 $1 (14... Bxb3 15.
cxb3 Nc6 16. b4 {offers White some initiative, while 15...Nxd3 is impossible
because of 16.Ba5!.}) 15. Bxe6 (15. c3 c4 16. Bc2 d5 $36) 15... fxe6 $11) 14...
fxe6 15. c3 Nc6 {The position reached is very similar to various lines of the
Anti-Marshall. I was happy to reach a middlegame in which I was familiar with
the typical plans and ideas of both sides.} 16. Re1 {This move very much
surprised me, since I had assumed that my opponent had decided to do without
it. Marin,M: 'Finally, White plays this generally useful move anyway. The
short term purpose of the development of this rook is to inhibit ...d5.'} Qd7
$11 {A normal consolidating move in this type of position. Marin,M: 'Black's
novelty has been crowned with success. With his massive pawn centre he has
little to fear. '} 17. d4 $6 {An ambitious decision. Magnus probably did not
imagine that by giving up the centre, Black could get the better chances. I
think he should have preferred some sort of developing move, such as 17.Bd2
Marin,M: 'But this over-optimistic opening of the centre will leave Black with
a dangerous queenside majority.'} exd4 18. cxd4 c4 $1 {Since Black has active
ideas connected with Nb4, giving up the centre is not dangerous for him.} 19.
Bg5 h6 20. d5 {The attempt to ease the problems by exchanges does not bring
the desired result. After the correct Bd2, White is only a tad worse.} exd5 21.
Bxf6 ({After} 21. exd5 Nb4 {Black's initiative is too strong.}) 21... Bxf6 22.
Qxd5+ Rf7 {Marin,M: 'White has managed to weaken some of the central light
squares in Black's camp, but his knights are not well placed for taking
advantage of this relative achievement. Besides, Black's pressure against the
enemy queenside is quite strong. Apart from the obvious ...Bxb2, ...Nb4-d3 is
a strong threat. '} 23. Qd2 ({Unfortunately for White} 23. Nf5 {is refuted by}
Nb4 24. Qxd6 Qxd6 25. Nxd6 Rd7 26. e5 Nc2) 23... Ne5 ({Of course not} 23... b4
{on account of} 24. Rec1 c3 25. bxc3 bxc3 26. Rxc3 Bxc3 27. Qxc3 {and White is
not worse.}) 24. Nxe5 Bxe5 25. Ne2 {After the game, of corse, it is easy to
recommend other moves, but at the time, I also thought that this was the best
move in the position.} Rbf8 26. Rf1 {White only requires a couple of moves in
order to consolidate, but now Black turns out to have a strong resource
available.} Rf3 $3 {It is always nice to be able to make such an impudent move
with impunity. Marin,M: 'A very elegant rook sacrifice, taking advantage of
Black's perfect coordination. Apart from the brutal threat of continuing the
attack with ...Rxh3, Black enables the transfer of the rook to d3 or b3. '} 27.
Ra3 {After this, White is lost.} ({Naturally} 27. gxf3 {is bad because of} Rxf3
{and White is defenceless.}) ({The only way to attempt to cast doubt on
Black's idea was by} 27. Qd5+ Kh7 28. Rad1 {, although after the strong} Qc8 {
Black still has a very strong position. For example, after} 29. Qxb5 {there
follows} Rxh3 30. f4 Rb3 31. Qd5 Bxb2 32. Qxd6 Ba3 {and Black is practically
winning.}) 27... Rxa3 28. bxa3 Qc6 29. Nd4 {More stubborn is 29.Qe3 although
it also looks fairly dismal.} Bxd4 {Since I saw that it was very hard for
White to defend the pawns on a3 and e4, I spared myself the effort of looking
for other moves.} 30. Qxd4 Ra8 31. Ra1 {31.Qb2 was the last chance to muddy
the waters.} c3 32. Qb4 Qc5 33. Qb3+ Kh8 34. Ra2 Ra4 35. Re2 Rxa3 36. Qd1 Ra8
0-1

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.05.28"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A58"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bxa6 7. g3 d6 8. Bg2
Bg7 9. Nf3 Nbd7 10. Rb1 Qa5 11. O-O Nb6 12. a3 Nc4 13. b4 Qc7 14. Qa4+ Nd7 15.
Nb5 Qb8 16. bxc5 Bxb5 17. Qxb5 Qxb5 18. Rxb5 Nxc5 19. Nd2 Nxa3 20. Bxa3 Rxa3
21. Ne4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.05.29"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O e6 ({After his recent success
in the rapid match against Kramnik, Aronian seems to like the Hedgehog more
than his previous weapon - the double fianchetto:} 5... g6) 6. Nc3 Be7 7. Re1
d5 {However, this is a clear deviation from the Hedgehog structure.} ({A true
Hedgehog adherent would always play} 7... d6 8. e4 a6 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Qc7 {
and, although Black is under strong pressure, his counterchances are not to be
neglected.}) 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. d4 $5 {A rare move.} ({The main continuation is
considerd to be} 9. e4 Nb4 (9... Nxc3 10. bxc3 O-O 11. d4 {transposes to a
relatively unpleasant (for Black) variation of the Queen's Indian, strongly
advocated by Kramnik some 10 years ago. Among his "scalps" we can find such
outstanding names as Anatoly Karpov (twice!)}) 10. d4 cxd4 11. Nxd4 N8c6 12.
Nxc6 Qxd1 13. Rxd1 Bxc6 {and Black has managed to somewhat simplify the
position, with good chances to maintain the balance even.}) 9... Nxc3 (9...
cxd4 {is the main alternative.} 10. Qxd4 Nxc3 $6 {A premature release of the
tension, helping White consolidate his advantage of development.} (10... O-O $1
) 11. Qxc3 O-O 12. Bf4 $14 Bf6 13. Be5 Bxe5 $6 {Same comment.} (13... Nd7) 14.
Nxe5 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Qd5+ 16. Qf3 $1 Rd8 17. Red1 Qxf3+ 18. Kxf3 Na6 19. Nc6 $16
{Erdelyi,T (2365)-Delanoy,A (2210)/Kecskemet 1991/TD (1-0, 37). A typical
Catalan ending. Major simplifications have only consolidated White's advantage.
He has a wonderful knight on c6 and the more active king.}) 10. bxc3 Be4 $6 ({
This is the only way to prevent the transposition to the aforementioned
variation after} 10... O-O 11. e4 {. However, moving around with the bishop
while several other pieces find themselves on their initial squares still will
leave Black with big problems of development.}) 11. Ne5 $1 {It might seem that
this exchange favours Black, who las less space, but White's initiative will
soon become very threatening.} Bxg2 12. Kxg2 O-O 13. e4 Qc8 $146 (13... Qc7 14.
Bf4 Bd6 15. Qf3 Nc6 {1/2-1/2 Dementiev,O (2490)-Gofshtein,L (2415)/Yerevan
1981/MCD. Slightly premature decision.} 16. Nxc6 Bxf4 (16... Qxc6 17. d5 exd5
18. e5 $1 Be7 19. c4 $16) 17. d5 $14) 14. Qg4 Bf6 15. Nf3 {/\e5, Bh6.} Kh8 16.
h4 Nc6 (16... h6 {only weakens the kingside and does not prevent} 17. Bg5 $5 {
in any way.}) 17. Bg5 $16 cxd4 {Black has to accept the deterioration of his
kingside structure.} ({In the event of} 17... Bxg5 18. hxg5 {followed by Rh1,
the black king would be in great danger. We can see here that the move Kxg2
can be considered a developing move in a more general sense, casting
additional doubt over Aronian's 10...Be4.}) 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. cxd4 e5 20. Qxc8
Raxc8 21. d5 Na5 {Black has managed to exchange queens and enjoys the
perspective of installing the knight on the excellent blockading d6-square.
Besides, he has occupied the only open file already. Aronian probably hoped
that all these aspects would compensate for the chronic weakness of his
kingside, but Carlsen's subtle play will prove the contrary.} 22. h5 {Clearing
the way for the knight towards f5.} Nc4 23. Nh4 Nd6 {Black's knight has
succeded in occupying the optimal square first, but that is not the endof the
story yet...} 24. h6 {This is Carslen's only debatable move in a generally
marvellously played game. His desire to put the enemy king under the permanent
threat of aback rank mate is understandable, but the c-file also deserved some
attention.} (24. Rac1 $5 {/\h6 would have maintained his advantage intact.}
Rxc1 (24... h6 25. Kf3 $16) 25. Rxc1 Nxe4 26. Rc7 $16) 24... Rc3 25. Rac1 Rfc8
$6 {Not sensing the danger.} ({He should have grabbed his chance to complicate
matters with} 25... Nxe4 $5 26. Nf5 Rd8 (26... Rfc8 $2 27. Rxc3 Nxc3 28. Rc1 b5
29. Ne7 Rc4 30. d6 b4 31. a3 a5 32. axb4 axb4 33. d7 Rd4 34. Ra1 $18) 27. Rxc3
Nxc3 28. d6 b5 {and Black's achievements on the queenside seem to be a
reasonable match for White's advantage on the other wing. However, the
difference between the kings' activity can make itself felt after} 29. f4 e4
30. Kf2 $14 {when despite his extra-pawn Black is struggling.}) 26. Rxc3 Rxc3 {
Black has obtained an active placement of his pieces and "only" needs to
centralize his king in order to obtain an entirely viable position. Can White
really prevent this?} 27. Nf5 $3 {A fantastic move, proving a very deep
understanding of the position. White gives up the plan of installing a piece
on f5 and provokes a radical modification of the structure. In doing so, he
destroys Black's apparent stability in the centre and clears the e4-square for
his own rook.} Nxf5 28. exf5 Kg8 (28... Rc7 29. Kf3 $16) (28... b5 29. Rb1 a6
30. a4 $16) 29. Re4 Kf8 (29... Rc7 30. Rg4+ Kh8 31. d6 Rd7 32. Rc4 Rd8 33. d7
$18) 30. Rg4 Rc7 31. Rg7 b5 32. Rxh7 Kg8 (32... b4 33. Rh8+ Ke7 34. h7 $18) 33.
Rg7+ Kh8 {The king has been forced to the corner anyway. The fact that the
threat of a back rank mate has been removed is a feeble consolation.} (33...
Kf8 34. Rg4 Rc4 35. Rxc4 bxc4 36. d6 $18) 34. d6 Rd7 35. Kf3 $18 b4 36. Ke4 {
[%cal Ye4c6]} Rxd6 37. Rxf7 Ra6 38. g4 Kg8 39. h7+ (39. Rg7+ Kh8 40. Rg6 {
is also winning, but Carslen's method is more elegant.}) 39... Kh8 40. g5 fxg5
41. f6 {[%cal Ye4g6]} 1-0

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.05.31"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E14"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 b6 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 Bb7 7. e3 O-O 8.
b4 d5 $6 {Quite illogical. Black opens up the position against White's bishop
pair...} (8... d6 {is common.}) 9. Bb2 Nbd7 10. Bd3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 c5 12. O-O
Rc8 13. Qe2 Qe7 (13... Rc7 14. dxc5 bxc5 15. b5 Qe7 16. Rfd1 e5 17. Nd2 e4 18.
Nf1 (18. Nb3 $5) 18... Ne5 19. Ng3 g6 20. Rd2 h5 21. h3 h4 22. Nf1 $14 {
1/2-1/2 Huss,A-Karlsson,P/Graz 1972/MCD (42)}) 14. Rfc1 cxd4 15. Nxd4 h6 16.
Ba6 {[%mdl 32] Trading one of the bishops but weakening light squares in
Black's camp.} Bxa6 17. Qxa6 Rxc1+ 18. Rxc1 Nb8 19. Qc4 {[%csl Rb8][%cal Gc1c8]
} Rd8 20. h3 Ne8 21. b5 Rd5 22. Qe2 Rc5 23. Rd1 Rc8 24. Qf3 Rd8 25. Rc1 Nd6 26.
a4 e5 $6 {Black can't stand the pressure and tries to break through. As often
happens, it leads to new weaknesses.} 27. Nf5 (27. Nc6 Nxc6 28. bxc6 Ne8 29.
Qe4 f6 30. f4 $1 $16 {is another attractive option.}) 27... Nxf5 28. Qxf5 f6
29. Qe4 {Black can't defend all his weaknesses, from the a7 pawn to his weak
kingside. White needn't hurry, his only concern is to prevent Black's b8
knight entering the game.} Qf7 30. Ba3 Kh8 31. Kh2 Kg8 32. Bd6 $1 Qd7 33. Bc7
Rf8 34. Rc2 (34. Qb7 $5) (34. Qa8 $5) 34... Re8 35. Rc4 (35. Qa8 $18) 35... Qf7
36. Bd6 Rd8 $6 (36... Qd7 $8 $16) 37. Rc7 Nd7 38. Qc6 Qe6 39. Rxa7 Kf7 40. Qxb6
{An instructive game!} 1-0

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.01"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E12"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Carlsen,M"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{After losing the 4th game in a terrible way I was essentially in a must-win
situation in this game.  Nachdem ich die 4. Partie auf schreckliche Weise
verloren hatte, war ich in dieser Partie im Grunde zum Siegen verdonnert.} 1.
d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Qc2 Be7 8. e4
Nxc3 9. bxc3 {Since I fared so well with this structure in the 3rd game I felt
that it might be an idea to try and get the same structure again. Da ich mit
dieser Struktur in der 3. Partie so gut gefahren war, hatte ich das Gefühl, es
wäre vielleicht eine Idee zu versuchen, selbige noch einmal zu bekommen.} O-O
10. Bd3 c5 11. O-O Qc7 (11... Qc8 {intending Ba6 is a more solid alternative.
mit der Absicht Ba6 ist eine solidere Alternative.}) 12. Qe2 Nd7 13. Bb2 (13.
e5 {is the main alternative and was played in Gelfand-Carlsen, Biel 05, but
white didn't get much of an advantage there. ist die Hauptalternative und
wurde in Gelfand-Carlsen, Biel 05, gespielt, allerdings holte Weiß dort keinen
besonderen Vorteil heraus.}) 13... c4 14. Bc2 b5 15. Bc1 {I hadn't devoted so
much time to c4 during my preparation, and this move was found over the board.
The idea is however very logical. Der Fortsetzung ...c4 hatte ich während
meiner Vorbereitung nicht so viel Zeit gewidmet, und dieser Zug wurde am Brett
gefunden. Die Idee ist allerdings sehr logisch.} a5 16. Rb1 Ba6 $6 (16... b4 $1
{was the logical follow-up. After war die logische Folge. Nach} 17. axb4 axb4
18. cxb4 Ra2 {Black has very reasonable compensation. White should probably
play hat Schwarz sehr ordentliche Kompensation. Weiß sollte wahrscheinlich} 19.
Bg5 {with a double-edged game. ziehen mit zweischneidigem Spiel.}) 17. e5 b4 $2
{This has to be considered a mistake, but even after e.g. Dies muss man als
Fehler sehen, doch auch nach z.B.} (17... Rfe8 18. Ng5 Nf8 19. Qh5 Bxg5 20.
Bxg5 {White is better, as Black has little counterplay. steht Weiß besser, da
Schwarz wenig Gegenspiel hat.}) (17... Rfb8 18. d5 $5 $40) 18. axb4 axb4 19.
Bg5 $6 (19. Rxb4 $1 {winning a clear pawn was better. , was einen klaren
Bauern gewinnt, war besser.} Bxb4 20. Bxh7+ Kxh7 (20... Kh8 {is better but
insufficient: ist besser, aber unzureichend:} 21. Ng5 g6 22. Qf3 $1 Kg7 23.
Bxg6 $1 $18) 21. Ng5+ Kg8 (21... Kg6 22. Qe4+ f5 23. exf6+ Kxf6 (23... Kh5 24.
Qh7+ Kg4 25. h3#) 24. Qxe6#) 22. Qh5 Rfe8 23. Qxf7+ {I saw this far, but after
considering moves like cxb4 for a short while, I decided that there was no
more than a perpetual. But White has the simple yet elegant So weit hatte ich
gesehen, doch nach dem kurzen Erwägen von Zügen wie cxb4 beschloss ich, dass
es nicht mehr als Dauerschach gibt. Doch Weiß hat das einfache, aber elegante}
Kh8 24. Re1 $1 {when there is no other defence against Re3-h3 than Nf8 or Nxe5,
giving up the queen and leaving White with a completely winning position.
wonach gegen Re3-h3 keine andere Verteidigung vorhanden ist als Nf8 oder Nxe5,
was die Dame gibt und Weiß eine komplette Gewinnstellung überlässt.}) 19... Nb6
20. Qe4 g6 21. Qh4 Ra7 {This is the kind of position where White must have
something, but after considering moves like Rxb4 for a while, I got so
confused that I decided to play it safe. Dies ist die Art von Stellung, wo
Weiß etwas haben muss, doch nachdem ich eine Zeit lang an Zügen wie Rxb4
überlegt hatte, wurde ich so verwirrt, dass ich beschloss, auf Nummer sicher
zu gehen.} 22. Bf6 $6 (22. Rxb4 Bxb4 (22... Nd5 {I thought that Black could
probably defend here, but now I cannot really imagine how... Ich dachte, dass
Schwarz sich hier wahrscheinlich verteidigen könnte, jetzt aber kann ich mir
nicht wirklich vorstellen wie...} 23. Ra4 $16) 23. Bf6 Rb8 24. cxb4 {with a
decisive-looking attack. mit entscheidend wirkendem Angriff.} (24. Ng5 h5 25.
Bxg6 fxg6 26. Qe4 Qf7 27. Nxf7 Kxf7 28. cxb4 Nd5 {is less clear. ist weniger
klar.})) 22... Bxf6 23. exf6 Nd5 24. Be4 Qf4 25. Bxd5 Qxh4 26. Nxh4 exd5 27.
Rxb4 {Luckily, my advantage is still very big, and I was convinced that I
would be able to convert it in the end. Zum Glück ist mein Vorteil noch immer
sehr groß, und ich war überzeugt, ihn am Ende verwerten zu können.} Bc8 28. Rb6
{This move is nessecary in order to prevent Ra6. Dieser Zug ist nötig, um Ra6
zu verhindern.} Ra3 29. Rc1 Be6 30. Nf3 Rfa8 31. h4 h6 32. Ne5 Ra1 {The only
chance. Die einzige Chance.} 33. Rxa1 $1 {I calculated for a while and came to
the conclusion that White is winning, but my calculation wasn't entirely
accurate. Ich rechnete eine Weile und kam zu dem Schluss, dass Weiß gewinnt,
allerdings war meine Berechnung nicht ganz genau.} (33. Rbb1 {is a move I
considered for a while, but I was a bit worried about ist ein Zug, an dem ich
eine Weile überlegte, aber ich machte mir ein bisschen Sorgen wegen} R1a3 $1 (
33... Rxb1 34. Rxb1 Ra3 35. Rc1 {is worse - White protects c3 and will have
all the time in the world to improve his position. ist schlechter - Weiß deckt
c3 und wird alle Zeit der Welt haben, seine Stellung zu verbessern.})) 33...
Rxa1+ 34. Kh2 Ra3 35. Rb8+ Kh7 36. f4 $1 {A not very obvious move, but the
only winning one. Nicht sehr offensichtlich, aber der einzige Gewinnzug.} (36.
Rf8 {This obvious move doesn't give White a winning advantage: Dieser
offensichtliche Zug gibt Weiß keinen Gewinnvorteil:} Rxc3 37. Nxf7 Bxf7 38.
Rxf7+ Kg8 39. Rg7+ (39. Rd7 Rd3 40. Rxd5 Kf7 $14) 39... Kf8 40. Rxg6 Rd3 {
is not better for White anymore. ist nicht mehr besser für Weiß.}) 36... Rxc3
37. h5 gxh5 38. Rf8 {Now the point of f4 is clear. White will get a passed
pawn on f6, which is supported by a very strong knight and will lead to a
decisive gain of material. Nun ist die Pointe von f4 klar. Weiß wird einen
Freibauern auf f6 erhalten, der von einem bärenstarken Springer gestützt ist
und zu entscheidendem Materialgewinn führen wird.} Ra3 39. f5 Bxf5 40. Rxf7+
Kg8 {I had seen this far when I went for Rxa1, but I had to stop and think
here, as White at first doesn't seem to have anything better than perpetual
check. However, I quickly found the winning idea.  So weit hatte ich bei 32.
Rxa1 gesehen, doch hier musste ich einhalten und überlegen, da Weiß auf den
ersten Blick nicht mehr als Dauerschach zu haben scheint. Doch schnell fand
ich die Gewinnidee.} 41. Rg7+ Kf8 42. Rb7 Ra8 43. Kg3 $1 {The king is included
in the game with lethal effect. The poor black bishop is forced away from f5,
which is the only square where it protects the crucial squares d7 and g6. Der
König wird mit tödlicher Wirkung ins Spiel eingeschaltet. Der arme schwarze
Läufer wird von f5 vertrieben, welches das einzige Feld ist, wo er die
kritischen Felder d7 und g6 schützt.} Rd8 (43... c3 {is one move too late:
kommt einen Zug zu spät:} 44. Kf4 c2 45. Kxf5 c1=Q 46. Ng6+ Ke8 (46... Kg8 47.
Rg7#) 47. f7+ Kd8 48. f8=Q#) 44. Kf4 Be4 45. g3 {The simplest for a human
being. Für einen Menschen am einfachsten.} (45. Nf7 $1 {followed by Nxh6 and
Rg7-g8 is better, but the text is much simpler. nebst Nxh6 und Rg7-g8 ist
besser, doch der Text ist viel simpler.}) 45... c3 46. Rf7+ Kg8 47. Rg7+ Kf8
48. Nd7+ Rxd7 49. Rxd7 {The c-pawn is stopped and there is no stopping the
f6-pawn. This was obviously a very important win for me, and actually achieved
quite smoothly. It has to be said, however, that this wasn't Levon's best day.
Der c-Bauer wird gestoppt, und der f6-Bauer ist nicht aufzuhalten. Dies war
offensichtlich ein sehr wichtiger Sieg für mich, und er wurde eigentlich recht
glatt errrungen. Allerdings muss gesagt werden, dass Levon nicht seinen besten
Tag hatte.} 1-0

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.02"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,D"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Nb6 8.
Ne5 a5 ({Exchanging a pair of knights is one of the main strategical ideas for
Black in this system. However, trying to do so immediately is a mistake:} 8...
Nfd7 9. e4 Nxe5 (9... Bg6 10. a5 (10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. a5 Nc8 12. Qb3 $16) 10...
Nxe5 (10... Nc8 11. a6 $18) 11. axb6 Nd7 12. Rxa7 Nxb6 13. Rxb7 e6 14. Be3 $16)
10. exf5 Ned7 (10... Nec4 11. a5 $18) 11. a5 $16 Nc8 (11... Nd5 $142 12. Nxd5
cxd5 13. Qb3 $5 $16) 12. a6 $1 b6 (12... bxa6 $142 13. Bxa6 $16 {/+-}) 13. d5
$1 $18 {1-0 Fridman,D (2562)-Maze,S (2525)/Marseille 2006 (24)}) ({Also bad is
} 8... Nbd7 $6 9. Qb3 Nxe5 10. dxe5 Ng4 11. Qxb7 Nxe5 12. f4 (12. Bf4 Rb8 13.
Qxa7 Rxb2 14. Rd1 Nd7 15. e4 e5 16. Bc1 $1 Rc2 17. exf5 Rxc3 18. Qb7 $16) 12...
Ng6 (12... Ng4 13. Qxc6+ Bd7 14. Qf3 $16) 13. e4 Bd7 $2 (13... Qc8 $8 14. Qxc8+
(14. Ba6 Bd7 15. a5 e5 $1 16. f5 Qxb7 17. Bxb7 Rb8 18. a6 Nf4 $132 {[%cal
Gf4d3,Gf4g2,Gf8c5]}) 14... Bxc8 15. Be3 e6 (15... e5 16. f5 $14) 16. O-O-O $14)
14. f5 Ne5 15. Bf4 f6 16. Bxe5 fxe5 17. Rd1 $18 {1-0 Kasparov,G (2805)-Timman,
J (2635)/Riga 1995 (22)}) 9. g3 ({Alternatives are} 9. f3) ({and lately the
fashionable} 9. Bg5) 9... Nfd7 (9... e6 10. Bg2 Bb4 11. O-O O-O 12. e3 h6 13.
Qe2 Bh7 14. Rd1 Nfd7 $14 {/=}) 10. Nxd7 (10. Nd3 e5 $5 (10... Bxd3 11. Qxd3 e6
(11... e5 $5) 12. Bg2 Be7 13. O-O O-O 14. Rd1 $14 {1-0 Cech,P (2404)-Holemar,D
(2380)/Brno 2004 (30)}) (10... Nd5 11. Bg2 Nb4 12. e4 Bg4 13. f3 $16 {1-0
Blagojevic,D (2450)-Kirov,N (2435)/Cetinje 1996 (40)}) 11. dxe5 Nc5 12. e4 (12.
Nxc5 Qxd1+ 13. Nxd1 Bxc5 $44) 12... Be6 13. Nxc5 Bxc5 14. Qxd8+ Rxd8 $44) (10.
Nf3 e6 11. Bg2 Bb4 12. O-O O-O 13. e4 Bg4 $11 {1/2-1/2 Komarov,D (2566)-Berkes,
F (2602)/France 2004 (22)}) 10... Qxd7 (10... Nxd7 11. Bg2 e6 12. O-O Bb4 13.
e4 Bg6 14. f4 $5 h6 15. f5 $36 {1-0 Gyimesi,Z (2553)-Shaw,J (2465)/Cappelle la
Grande 2004 (53)}) 11. e4 (11. h3 e6 (11... e5 $5) 12. e4 Bg6 13. Bg2 Bb4 14.
O-O O-O $11) 11... Bh3 ({Worse is} 11... Bg4 12. f3 Bh3 13. Bxh3 Qxh3 14. Qb3
Ra6 (14... Qg2 15. Rf1 Ra6 16. d5 e5 17. dxe6 $18) 15. Be3 Qg2 $2 (15... e6 16.
Kf2 $16) 16. O-O-O Qxf3 17. Rhe1 $18 {1-0 Nielsen,P (2636)-Timman,J (2616)/
Malmo 2002 (23)}) 12. Bxh3 ({After} 12. Be2 {Black achieved excellent play in
the game in which 11...Bh3 was played for the first time:} e6 13. Be3 Qc7 (
13... Bb4 14. d5 Nc8 15. dxc6 Qxd1+ 16. Rxd1 bxc6 $11) 14. d5 exd5 15. Qd4 Nc4
16. exd5 (16. Bxc4 dxc4 17. Qxc4 O-O-O $17) 16... Nxe3 17. Qxe3+ Be7 {1/2-1/2
Bu Xiangzhi (2640)-Sokolov,I (2676)/Turin 2006 (48)}) 12... Qxh3 13. Qb3 Ra6 {
This relatively new; the theoretical position is considered to offer Black
reasonable chances. Aronian's next novelty is a good attempt to improve, but
the position remains rather double-edged anyway.} 14. Bf4 $1 $146 ({Previously
} 14. Be3 {was played:} e6 15. d5 Bb4 16. dxe6 Qxe6 17. Qxe6+ fxe6 18. Bxb6
Rxb6 19. O-O-O Bc5 20. f4 Ke7 {0-1 Gyimesi,Z (2611)-Bu Xiangzhi (2644)/
Bundesliga 2007 (82), with an edge for Black.}) 14... e6 15. Be5 $5 {Before
playing Bc7 White would like to provoke some weaknesses in opponent's pawn
formation.} (15. Bc7 {brings nothing in view of} Bb4) 15... Bb4 ({After} 15...
f6 16. Bc7 Bb4 17. O-O-O O-O {strong is} 18. Ne2 $1 {pointing out drawbacks of
15...f6.} (18. Kb1 Rf7) (18. Na2 c5 19. Nxb4 c4 $5 20. Qa3 axb4 21. Qxb4 Nxa4
$132 {[%csl Rc1]}) (18. d5 cxd5 19. exd5 Nxd5 (19... Nd7 $5) 20. Nxd5 exd5 21.
Qxd5+ Qe6 $11 (21... Kh8 22. Kb1 $13))) 16. Bxg7 Rg8 17. Be5 Qg2 18. O-O-O Bxc3
19. Qxc3 (19. bxc3 Qxe4 20. c4 Qe2 $11) 19... Qxe4 20. Rhe1 Qd5 ({In case of} 
20... Qf5 {White can consider} 21. d5 $5 {with initiative:} cxd5 (21... Nxd5
22. Rxd5 exd5 (22... cxd5 23. Qc8+ Ke7 24. Qxb7+ $18) 23. Qc5 $1 {and White
wins}) 22. Qc7 (22. Rxd5 $5 Nxd5 (22... exd5 $2 23. Bd6+ $18) 23. Qc8+ Ke7 24.
Qxb7+ Kf8 25. Qxa6 Qxf2 26. Qd6+ Ke8 27. Rd1 $13) 22... Qg5+ 23. Kb1 Qe7 (23...
Qd8 24. Qc2 $44 {[%csl Rh7][%cal Gf2f4,Gf4f5]}) 24. Qb8+ Qd8 25. Qxb7 Qc8 26.
Qxc8+ Nxc8 27. Rc1 $14) 21. b3 Qd7 22. Qc2 Qe7 {Continuing the same courageous
strategy started with 15...Bb4. Carlsen sacrifices the pawn on h7.} ({More to
the point looks to me} 22... Rg6 23. h4 h5 {with a complicated position:} 24.
Qe2 (24. Kb2 $14 {/~~}) 24... Qe7 25. Kb2 Qb4 {[%cal Gb6a4]} 26. Ra1 Rg4 $13)
23. Qxh7 Rg6 (23... Qa3+ 24. Kd2 Rg6 (24... Qa2+ 25. Qc2 $16) 25. Re3 $1 Qb2+
$140 26. Ke1 $16) 24. Re3 $5 {It turns out that White can defend conveniently
even with his queen on h7.} (24. Kb2 Qb4 $132) ({Aronian must have came to the
conclusion that in spite of his extra pawn White's winning chances are not so
high after} 24. Qh8+ Qf8 (24... Kd7 25. d5 $1 cxd5 ({or} 25... Nxd5 26. Qb8 $40
) 26. Qb8 $40) 25. Qxf8+ Kxf8) 24... Nd5 (24... Qa3+ 25. Kb1 $16) 25. Rf3 Qf8
26. h4 ({Interesting was the unexpected blow} 26. Bd6 {although it is not
clear if this is better than the game:} Rg7 (26... Qxd6 $2 27. Qxf7+ Kd8 28.
Qxg6 $18) (26... Rh6 27. Rxf7 $1 Qxf7 28. Qxh6 Qf3 29. Qxe6+ Kd8 30. Qg6 Qxb3
31. Bc5 $16) 27. Qh6 (27. Bxf8 Rxh7 {[%csl Rf8,Rh2]}) 27... Qg8 {[%cal Gg7h7]}
28. h4 $14) 26... Rh6 (26... Rb6 27. Kb2 $14) 27. Qc2 Ra8 {So White won a pawn,
but making progress is extremely difficult. Black has a powerful knight on d5
and always keeps counterplay possibilities against White's king. In my opinion
the position is objectively just slightly better for White. In practice it
might be even easier to play with Black, who must fight against White's ideas,
whereas White still must search for those ideas.} 28. Qd2 Rh5 29. Kb2 Qg8 30.
Re1 Qg6 31. Bd6 Rd8 32. Ba3 Qg4 {Both sides are maneuvering, trying to improve.
Essentially there are no changes in the position.} 33. Rd3 Rf5 34. Re5 Kd7 35.
Qe2 Rg8 {These moves must have been made when both opponents where short of
time. It is not easy to figure out who will benefit from the exchange of
queens.} 36. Qe1 {Aronian is trying to exploit his opponent's pawn on a5, but
Carlsen succeeds in keeping counterplay without making the move ...b6.} ({
Apparently more logical is to play the endgame after} 36. Qxg4 Rxg4 {but how
to make progress still remains an open question. On the other hand here White
at least won't have to worry about a possible attack against his king.} 37.
Rxf5 exf5 $44 {[%cal Gf5f4]}) 36... Rg6 37. Re2 Rf3 38. Rxf3 Qxf3 39. Rc2 Qf6
40. Qxa5 Qxd4+ 41. Ka2 Rf6 42. f4 {[%csl Rg3] Unlike his opponent, Aronian
doesn't have any problems advancing his pawns. But f2-f4 weakens the g3-pawn
and this factor is immediately exploited by Carlsen.} ({Some chances for
advantage were kept by} 42. Bc5 Qe4 43. Rd2 Rf3 44. Qa7 Kc7 45. Be3 $1 $14 {
[%cal Ga7d4] and bad is} Nxe3 $4 46. Qa5+ b6 47. Qa7+ Kc8 48. Qa8+ Kc7 49. Qd8+
Kb7 50. Rd7+ Ka6 51. Qa8#) (42. Qa8 Nc3+ $11) 42... Rg6 $11 (42... Qd3 {
also not bad, but the game continuation is convincing enough}) 43. Qa8 Nb4+ 44.
Bxb4 Qxb4 45. Rg2 (45. Rc4 Qd2+ 46. Ka3 Kc7 $1 47. Qf8 Rxg3 48. Qxf7+ Qd7 49.
Qxd7+ Kxd7 $11) 45... Rxg3 46. Rxg3 Qd2+ 47. Ka3 Qc1+ (47... Qc1+ 48. Kb4 Qxf4+
49. Kc5 Qf2+ $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.03"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A62"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. g3 Bg7 8. Bg2
O-O 9. O-O a6 10. a4 Re8 11. Bf4 Ne4 {I had this early knight move in my
opening notebook (paper notebook, I mean) about 20 years ago. I remember that
I was attracted by the activity displayed by the black rook along the 4th rank,
but did not bother about remaining underdeveloped. Nowadays I would think
twice before playing this line.} 12. Nxe4 Rxe4 13. Nd2 Rb4 14. b3 $5 {A rare
move. According to my old notebook, it was first suggested by Bozidar Ivanovic.
} ({The main line continues} 14. Ne4 {Apparently threatening to win a crucial
pawn.} h6 $1 {Black's whole play is based on this modest looking move.} 15. Ra2
$1 {Suddenly, it becomes clear that capturing the d6 pawn would lose material
to echo variations:} (15. Nxd6 Rxf4 16. Nxc8 Rd4 {or}) (15. Bxd6 Rxe4 16. Bxb8
Rd4) ({These lines are a good illustration of the fourth rank activity of the
black rook. My initial preparation relied on an older game by Tal:} 15. Bd2
Rxb2 16. Qc1 Rxd2 17. Qxd2 f5 18. Nc3 {and now I wanted to improve over
Savon-Tal USSR 1970, where Black saved himself by a miracle, with the
developing move} Nd7 {Black has a dangerous queenside majority and a strong
bishop to compensate for the exchange; besides, White's rook don't have too
many active possibilities yet. 15.Ra2 was the novelty prepared for use against
me by Adorjan.}) 15... f5 16. Nc3 Qf6 {I only once repeated the line in recent
times. The game went:} 17. Qc1 {Before retreating the bishop to d2 in order to
bother the rook, White defends the b2 pawn without loss of tempo, causing at
the same time a further weakening of the black kingside.} (17. e4 Nd7 18. exf5
gxf5 19. Bd2 Qf7 20. b3 Nf6 {I put maximum pressure on the central pawn, in
order to prepare the spectacular escape of the rook.} 21. Ne2 Re4 $1 22. Bc3 ({
After} 22. Bxe4 fxe4 {Black would get a strong centre after eliminating the
d5-pawn, as well as excellent attacking chances on the weakened light squares
around the white king.}) 22... Re7 23. Nf4 {White has regrouped his minor
pieces in an optimal way, but he will still have to lose some time in order to
nullify the pressure along the e-file, thus allowing Black to maintain the
balance.} Bd7 24. Re1 Rae8 25. Rxe7 {and White offered a draw in the game
Adorjan-Marin, Szirak Izt 1987/CBM 003. A logical continuation would have been}
Rxe7 26. Re2 Rxe2 27. Qxe2 Nh5 {A key move, exchanging White's active knight.}
28. Bd2 Nxf4 29. Bxf4 Qf6 30. a5 {with even chances. When annotating the game
for the New in Chess Yearbook 8, I became less convinced that Adorjan's 17.e4
was the best move. 17.Qc1, as played by Akesson, seemed much more dangerous,
but in my notes I gave an apparently promising continuation for Black...})
17... g5 18. Bd2 {The only thing I remembered during the game was that this
was the critical continuation and that I had written something about it. White
intends to retreat the knight to d1 and win the exchange in a reasonable form.}
Bd7 $5 {One of the most paradoxical move I've ever played. As if it wasn't
enough that Black is undeveloped, he seemed to volunturily block the access of
the knight and rook to life. How can a player ever consider such a move? I had,
of course, started with the natural continuations.} ({I saw rather quickly that
} 18... b5 $2 {loses to} 19. Nxb5 $1 {because of the pin along the c-file. (I
was rather confused when I found out that in 1987 I had missed this tactical
blow and recommended 18...b5 as the best move with the continuation}) (18...
Nd7 {looks like the most natural continuation, but after} 19. Nd1 {the main
problem is that White will capture on b4 only after the black knight will move
away from d7, thus failing to occupy the c5-square, made available by ...cxb4.
At the same time, maintaining the knight on d7 would leave the rest of the
queen side undeveloped. We shall soon see that the move actually played in the
game is a much better way of coordinating the pieces.}) 19. Qc2 {One obvious
aim of Black's last move was to delay Nd1 for a moment because of the hanging
a4-pawn. However, the idea is much deeper than that, as will become clear
after the next move.} a5 $1 {After having taken the b5 square under control,
Black can safely play this move, preparing to develop the knight to a6.} 20.
Nd1 ({My opponent avoids a small trap:} 20. Nb5 $6 Bxb5 21. Bxb4 $2 axb4 $1 {
when Black wins material.}) 20... Na6 21. Bc3 Qf7 22. Ra1 {White has made all
the preparatory moves and seems to be ready to capture the rook. On the other
hand, Black has completed his development and is ready to recapture on b4 with
the c-pawn, clearing the c5 square for the knight, an improved version of the
idea behind the natural 18...Nd7 (instead of 18...Bd7). I considered my
position to be slightly better already.} f4 {It is important to deny the
access of the white knight to c4 via e3. For the first time in the game, my
opponent sank into a prolonged thought. He gradually understood that "winning"
the exchange wouldn't favor him and played the strong} 23. Be4 {taking under
control the weakened light diagonal and preventing the annoying ...Bf5.} ({
I had hoped for a variation such as} 23. Bxb4 cxb4 24. Rc1 Nc5 25. b3 Bf5 26.
Qa2 Re8 {when White is completely paralyzed. For instance,} 27. Re1 $2 {
with the idea of defending the e2 pawn and preparing Nb2-c4, would lose
instantly to} Nd3 $1) 23... Rf8 24. Bg6 Qe7 25. Re1 Be5 $36 {Black prepares to
drive the enemy bishop back with Kg7, Rf6, thus preparing a massive kingside
attack, Akesson,J (2333)-Marin,M (2531)/Gothenburg 2004/CBM 099 (1/2-1/2, 93)})
14... Rxf4 $146 {This move has never been played before, but was part of my
preparation, too.} (14... Nd7 15. Ra2 (15. Bxd6 $1 $14) 15... Ne5 16. Bxe5 Bxe5
17. Nc4 Qe7 18. a5 Bd7 19. Qc2 Bb5 $11 {Hausner,I (2435)-Sikora Lerch,J (2415)/
Frenstat 1982/MCD (1-0, 56)}) 15. gxf4 Bxa1 16. Qxa1 {Black has managed to
somewhat simplify the position, but this does not solve the problem of his
delay in development. Just look at the position! All his pieces (except for
the king) find themselves on their initial squares, while White has brought
all his pieces into play already (well, maybe with the exception of his rook).
However, if Black manages to develop somehow, he would get a good position,
mainly because of his more flexible pawn structure.} Nd7 17. Ne4 $1 {It is
important to prevent Black from placing his knight on f6.} ({My old analysis
goes} 17. Nc4 Nf6 18. a5 Qe7 {with a reasonable position for Black. My main
argument was that a massive pawn attack in the centre, which generally is a
logical consequence of installing a knight on c4, is not without risk because
it would weaken the f4-square:} 19. e4 Nh5 $1 $132) 17... Qe7 18. Rc1 {
Systematic improvement of piece placement.} b6 {A safe, but somewhat passive
way to complete the development. The bishop will have nothing to do on b7.} (
18... f5 $6 19. Ng5 Nf6 20. Rc3 $36 {[%csl Ye6]}) 19. Rc3 Nf6 20. Re3 Nxe4 21.
Bxe4 Qd8 22. Rg3 {White concentrates all his forces against the enemy kingside.
However, the g6-square is solidly defended and Black gets some time to
continue his development.} Qh4 $6 {The idea of this move was probably to force
e3 and cut the rook off from the rest of the board.} ({I believe that Black
should have hurried to neutralize White's pressure along the long dark
diagonal with} 22... f5 23. Bd3 Ra7 {[%cal Ya7f7,Gd8f6] This manoeuvre might
make the whole variation playable.}) 23. e3 Qe7 24. Bd3 {The bishop is well
placed here. It inhibits ...b5 and prevents the natural development based on ..
.Bd7 and ...Re8, by keeping the a6-pawn under observation.} Bb7 25. e4 Re8 26.
f5 $14 {White has strong pressure now and it is not easy for Black to free
himself.} Qh4 (26... Qe5 {would have led to similar positions as in the game.})
27. h3 Bc8 28. Qc3 Qf4 29. Qf6 Qe5 30. Qxe5 Rxe5 ({Maybe} 30... dxe5 $14 {
would have offered better chances to avoid being crushed by White's central
pawns.}) 31. f4 Re8 32. f6 $1 $16 {Black is very passive. He cannot do
anything against White's systematic strengthening of his position.} Bd7 33. Re3
b5 34. axb5 axb5 35. e5 Kf8 36. Kf2 Kg8 37. Be2 Kf8 38. h4 Kg8 39. Ke1 Kf8 40.
Kd2 h6 41. Bd3 h5 42. e6 fxe6 43. Bxg6 exd5 44. Bxe8 Bxe8 45. Re6 c4 46. Rxd6
cxb3 47. Kc3 Kf7 48. Kxb3 Kg6 49. Kb4 Kf5 50. Kc5 Bf7 51. Kxb5 Be6 52. Kc5 Kxf6
53. Kd4 Kf5 54. Ke3 Bf7 55. Kf3 Be6 56. Ra6 Bf7 57. Ra8 Kf6 58. Ra6+ Kf5 59.
Ra1 Bg6 60. Rg1 Kf6 61. Ke3 Bf7 62. Rg5 Ke6 63. Kd4 Kf6 64. Kc5 Ke7 65. Rg7 Kf6
66. Rxf7+ 1-0

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.03"]
[Round "1.8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E17"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 e6 6. O-O Be7 7. b3 O-O 8. Bb2
d5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 Bxd5 11. Rc1 Nd7 12. d4 Rc8 13. Qd2 Nf6 14. Rfd1 cxd4
15. Nxd4 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Qd5+ 17. f3 h6 18. e4 Nxe4 19. Qe2 Nf6 20. Nc6 Qxc6 21.
Rxc6 Rxc6 22. Bxf6 Bxf6 23. Qa6 Rc7 24. Kh3 g6 25. Qa4 Rfc8 26. Rd7 Kg7 27. b4
h5 28. Qd1 g5 29. Rxc7 Rxc7 30. Kg2 Rc4 31. a3 a5 32. b5 Rd4 33. Qc2 Rd5 34. a4
Bd4 35. Qe4 Bf6 36. Qc2 Rd4 37. Qc6 Bd8 38. Qc3 e5 39. f4 gxf4 40. gxf4 Bf6 41.
fxe5 Bxe5 42. Qc2 Rg4+ 43. Kh1 Bd4 44. h3 Rg3 45. Qf5 h4 46. Kh2 Rg6 47. Kh1
Bf6 48. Qf2 Bg5 49. Qd4+ Rf6 50. Kg2 Kg6 51. Qe4+ Kh6 52. Qe8 Kg7 53. Qe5 Bf4
54. Qd4 Bg3 55. Kh1 Kg6 56. Qe4+ Kh6 57. Qe3+ Kh7 58. Qe4+ Rg6 59. Qf5 Kg7 60.
Qd5 Rd6 61. Qf5 Kf8 62. Qe4 Re6 63. Qa8+ Kg7 64. Qd5 Kg6 65. Qd3+ f5 66. Qd5
Rd6 67. Qc4 Kf6 68. Qc3+ Be5 69. Qe1 Bg3 70. Qc3+ Ke7 71. Kg2 Kd7 72. Kf3
1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.03"]
[Round "1.9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E01"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 c5 4. g3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 d5 6. Bg2 e5 7. Nf3 d4 8. O-O
Nc6 9. e3 Be7 10. exd4 exd4 11. Bf4 O-O 12. Ne5 Qb6 13. Qb3 Na5 14. Qxb6 axb6
15. Nd2 Nh5 16. Nef3 Nxf4 17. gxf4 Bd6 18. Ne5 Be6 19. b3 f6 20. Nd3 Nc6 21.
Ne4 Bc7 22. c5 Bf5 23. Rfd1 Rad8 24. cxb6 Bxb6 25. Nec5 Nb4 26. Nxb4 Bxc5 27.
Nd3 Bxd3 28. Rxd3 Rf7 29. a3 Rc7 30. b4 Be7 31. Rad1 Ra8 32. Be4 g6 33. f5 g5
34. Kg2 Kf8 35. Rh3 Rd7 36. Rhd3 Rc7 37. Bd5 Kg7 38. h4 h6 39. h5 Ra7 40. Rf3
Rc3 41. Rxd4 Raxa3 42. Rxc3 Rxc3 43. Bxb7 Rb3 44. Rd7 Kf8 45. Rc7 Rxb4 46. Rc8+
Kg7 47. Bd5 Rg4+ 48. Kf1 Rd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.03"]
[Round "1.10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E13"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[PlyCount "167"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 c5 8. Be2
cxd4 9. Nxd4 a6 10. O-O Nc6 11. Nf3 O-O 12. Qd2 Qb8 13. Rfd1 Rd8 14. Rac1 d6
15. Qc2 Qa7 16. a3 Rac8 17. Qb1 Nb8 18. b4 Nbd7 19. Bg3 d5 20. cxd5 Nxd5 21.
Nxd5 Bxd5 22. e4 Bc6 23. Nd4 Ba4 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Rc1 Qa8 26. f3 Bg5 27. f4
Rxc1+ 28. Qxc1 Qxe4 29. fxg5 Qxd4+ 30. Bf2 Qe5 31. Qc8+ Nf8 32. Qxa6 b5 33. Bf1
hxg5 34. Qc8 f5 35. Bc5 Qf6 36. h3 e5 37. Bxf8 Qxf8 38. Qe6+ Qf7 39. Qxe5 Qd7
40. Be2 Kh7 41. Kf2 g6 42. Qe3 Qd8 43. Qe5 Qd2 44. Kg3 Qc1 45. Kh2 Qxa3 46.
Qe7+ Kh6 47. Qf8+ Kh7 48. Qe7+ Kh6 49. Qe5 Kh7 50. Qe7+ Kh6 51. Bxb5 Bxb5 52.
Qe5 Kh7 53. Qxb5 f4 54. Qd7+ Kh6 55. Qe8 Qb2 56. Qf8+ Kh7 57. Qe7+ Kh6 58. h4
f3 59. Qxg5+ Kh7 60. h5 gxh5 61. Qxh5+ Kg7 62. Qg4+ Kh7 63. Qd7+ Kh6 64. Qc6+
Kg7 65. Qc7+ Kh6 66. Qf4+ Kh7 67. Qf7+ Kh6 68. Qxf3 Qxb4 69. Kh3 Qb1 70. Qf6+
Kh7 71. Qf3 Kg7 72. Kh4 Kh7 73. Qf7+ Kh8 74. Qh5+ Kg7 75. Qg4+ Kh7 76. Qh5+ Kg7
77. Qe5+ Kh7 78. Qd5 Kg7 79. Qd4+ Kh7 80. Qd7+ Kh8 81. g4 Qh1+ 82. Kg5 Qc1+ 83.
Kg6 Qb1+ 84. Qf5 1-0

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.03"]
[Round "1.11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A32"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 c5 4. g3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Bc5 7. Nb3 Be7 8.
Bg2 Nc6 9. Nc3 b6 10. Bf4 Bb7 11. O-O O-O 12. Bd6 Na5 13. Nxa5 Bxg2 14. Kxg2
bxa5 15. e4 Rc8 16. b3 Bxd6 17. Qxd6 a4 18. e5 Ne8 19. Qd4 axb3 20. axb3 f6 21.
Rxa7 Rc7 22. Rxc7 Qxc7 23. exf6 Nxf6 24. Nb5 Qc6+ 25. f3 h6 26. Ra1 Nh7 27. Qe4
d5 28. Qe2 dxc4 29. Nd4 Qd5 30. Qxc4 Qxc4 31. bxc4 Rc8 32. Rc1 e5 33. Nf5 Kf8
34. c5 Ng5 35. Nd6 Rc6 36. h4 Ne6 37. Ne4 Ke7 38. h5 Rc7 39. Kh3 Nd4 40. Kg4
Ne6 41. Rc2 Nd4 42. Rc3 Rc6 43. Ra3 Ne6 44. Kf5 Nxc5 45. Rc3 g6+ 46. hxg6 Ne6
47. Rxc6 Nd4+ 48. Kg4 Nxc6 49. Kh5 Kf8 50. Kxh6 Ne7 51. Kh7 1-0

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.03"]
[Round "1.12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E29"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. Bd3 Nc6 8.
Ne2 b6 9. e4 Ne8 10. O-O Ba6 11. f4 f5 12. e5 d6 13. d5 exd5 14. cxd5 Bxd3 15.
Qxd3 dxe5 16. Qd2 Ne7 17. Rd1 Ng6 18. fxe5 Nxe5 19. Nf4 Rf7 20. Qe2 Ng6 21. Ne6
Qd7 22. c4 Nd6 23. Bb2 Re8 24. Qh5 Nf8 25. Ng5 Rfe7 26. Rac1 Re2 27. Bc3 R2e7
28. Rf1 h6 29. Nh3 Re4 30. Nf4 Qf7 31. Qh3 Rxc4 32. Nh5 Ne4 33. Bxg7 Ng5 34.
Qb3 Rxc1 35. Nf6+ Kxg7 36. Nxe8+ Qxe8 37. Qb2+ Kg6 38. Qxc1 Qe5 39. Rd1 Ne4 40.
Qe3 Nd7 41. d6 h5 42. Qb3 c4 43. Qxc4 Qc5+ 44. Qxc5 bxc5 45. Rb1 Kf6 46. Rb7
Ke6 47. Rxa7 Kxd6 48. Kf1 c4 49. Ke2 c3 50. Ra6+ Kd5 51. Kd1 Ne5 52. Ra5+ Kd4
53. Kc2 Nc4 54. Ra8 Ne3+ 55. Kb3 Nc5+ 56. Ka2 c2 57. Rd8+ Kc3 0-1

[Event "Candidates final"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.06"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D20"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2699"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2007.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 exd4 5. Bxc4 Nc6 6. O-O Be6 7. Bxe6 fxe6 8.
Qb3 Qd7 9. Qxb7 Rb8 10. Qa6 Nf6 11. Nbd2 Bd6 12. b3 O-O 13. Bb2 Bf4 {About
this line - see CBM100, annotations by GM A.Huzman to Van Wely-Sasikiran.
Black has a space advantage, strong d-pawn, and open f-file but his pawn
structure is quite weak.} 14. g3 $146 (14. Qd3 Rbd8 (14... e5 15. Rac1 (15. Ba3
Rf7 16. Nc4 $14 {A.Huzman}) 15... Rf7 16. Rc5 Qe8 17. Ba3 Nd8 18. g3 Bxd2 19.
Rxe5 Qc6 20. Nxd2 Ng4 21. Rf5 Qh6 22. Nf3 Rxf5 23. exf5 Nf7 24. Qxd4 Nfe5 25.
Qd5+ Kh8 26. h4 $18 {1-0 Shishkin,V-Solodovnichenko,Y/Krakow POL 2006/The Week
in Chess 635 (31)}) 15. Nc4 Nb4 16. Qxd4 Qe7 17. Qxa7 Ra8 18. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 19.
Qd4 Nc2 20. Qc3 Nxa1 21. Rxa1 c5 22. g3 Bh6 23. Qc2 (23. e5 $5 Bg7 24. Qe3 $14
{A.Huzman}) 23... Qb7 24. h4 f5 25. Re1 Rad8 26. Kg2 Rf6 27. e5 Rg6 28. Nd6 Qb4
29. Rd1 $14 {1/2-1/2 Van Wely,L-Sasikiran,K/Moscow 2004/CBM 100/[Huzman] (53)})
(14. Rac1 $143 Rb6 15. Qd3 Nb4 16. Qxd4 Rd8 $132 {A.Huzman}) 14... Bh6 (14...
Bxd2 15. Nxd2 d3 $5 {needs testing.}) 15. Ba3 $1 Nxe4 {[%mdl 512]} (15... Rf7
16. Nc4 $1 (16. Qd3 Bxd2 17. Nxd2 Ne5) 16... Ng4 17. Ne1 $1 $14 {[%cal Ye1d3]}
(17. h3 $143 Rxf3 18. hxg4 e5) 17... Nce5 $6 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. f4 (19. Qxa7 $5
Nc6 20. Qa4) 19... Nc6 20. Nd3 $16) 16. Bxf8 Nxd2 17. Nxd2 Bxd2 18. Ba3 Qd5 19.
Qc4 Qxc4 20. bxc4 $14 {Thanks to the b-file, White has some chances to bring
home his extra exchange.} Ne5 21. Rab1 Rd8 (21... Rxb1 22. Rxb1 Nxc4 23. Bb4 $1
Bh6 24. f4) 22. c5 (22. Rfd1 $5 Nxc4 23. Bb4) 22... Nc4 23. Bc1 d3 24. Rb7 c6
$6 ({After} 24... Bxc1 25. Rxc1 d2 26. Rd1 c6 ({but not} 26... Rd5 $2 27. c6 $1
Rd6 28. Rxc7) 27. Kf1 Rd5 28. a4 a5 29. Ke2 h6 {I don't see a win for White, e.
g.} 30. f4 e5 (30... Rxc5 $2 31. Kd3) (30... Kh8 $2 31. Re7) 31. h3 e4 $5 32.
Re7 e3 33. Rxe3 Nxe3 34. Kxe3 Rxc5 35. Rxd2 Rc4 36. Rd4 Rc3+ $11) 25. Bxd2 Nxd2
26. Rd1 Ne4 $2 {[%mdl 16384] Even now, a tempo down, it was necessary to play}
(26... Nc4 {. If} 27. Rb4 Rd4 28. f4 {then} a5 $1 29. Rb8+ Kf7 30. Kf2 d2) 27.
f3 $1 Nc3 (27... Nxc5 28. Rxa7) 28. Rd2 {The black knight is now clearly
misplaced.} Nxa2 29. Rb3 Nc1 30. Rb1 Ne2+ 31. Kf2 e5 32. Ra1 Rd5 33. Rxa7 Rxc5
34. Rxd3 {Black's main hope has fallen and his weak pawns deprive him of any
drawing chances.} Nd4 35. Rd2 h6 36. f4 Nb5 37. Ra8+ Kh7 38. f5 Nd4 39. g4 Rc3
40. Rb2 h5 $2 (40... Nb5 41. Re8 h5 42. Rxe5 hxg4 43. Rb4 $18) 41. Rbb8 (41.
Rbb8 Kh6 42. h4 $1 $18) 1-0

[Event "Candidates final"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.07"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2007.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 {This move became popular in the late
70s-early 80s of the 20th century. Nowadays it's played more often, than the
"classical"} (4... Bb7 {, although from a theoretical viewpoint the simple
fianchetto is doing fine. Currently White has tried to revive the aggressive}
5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. d5 $5 {without too much success:} exd5 8. Nh4 c6 9.
cxd5 Nxd5 10. Nf5 Nc7 11. Re1 (11. e4 d5 12. Nc3 Bf6 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5
cxd5 15. Bf4 Nd7 16. Nd6 Ba6 17. Qxd5 Bxf1 18. Kxf1 Rb8 19. Rd1 Nc5 20. Nxf7
Rxf7 21. b4 Qxd5 $1 22. Bxd5 Rd8 $11 {Shirov,A (2699)-Adams,M (2734)/Elista cm/
2007/}) 11... d5 12. e4 d4 $5 ({Blunts White's initiative by returning the P,
more ambitious is the somewhat provocative} 12... Bf6 $13) 13. Nxd4 c5 14. Nf5
Nc6 15. Nc3 Nd4 16. Bf4 Bf6 17. e5 Bxg2 18. exf6 Bf3 19. Ne7+ Kh8 20. Bxc7 Qxc7
21. Nb5 Bxd1 22. Nxc7 Bc2 23. Nxa8 Nf3+ 24. Kg2 Nxe1+ 25. Rxe1 Rxa8 {/=/+,
Aronian,L (2744)-Ivanchuk,V (2750)/Linares/2007/}) 5. Qc2 {This is currently
the most fashionable continuation. Its theory is developing very fast and
especially Aronian has contributed to it by playing the line with both colours.
} (5. b3 {is the most common reaction.}) (5. Qb3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Na5 7. Qc3 c5 8.
dxc5 bxc5 9. e4 Bb7 10. e5 Ne4 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. Bg2 Nc6 13. O-O Rb8 $5 14. Re1
Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Nd4 {This practically introduces a positional pawn sacrifice.}
16. Qe4 Be7 17. Rb1 a5 18. Be3 Qc7 $1 19. Bxd4 cxd4 20. Qxd4 Bc5 21. Qd3 O-O
22. b3 Rfd8 23. Rbd1 {1/2,Svidler,P (2736)-Eljanov,P (2686)/Foros/2007/} d6 $44
{[%csl Gc5][%cal Gc5a3,Gc5f2] Black controls the dark squares and with the ^-
White is unable to convert his << P-majority.}) 5... Bb7 ({White's previous
move was long considered harmless due to} 5... c5 {, but after} 6. d5 $5 (6.
Bg2 Nc6 $1 {and Black forces an exchange in the [+], which gives him good <=>
on the <->c. Even here White can play} 7. d5 $5 {but his compensation seems
less tangible, than in the game.}) 6... exd5 7. cxd5 Bb7 8. Bg2 {we only
transpose into the game position.} (8. e4 Qe7 9. Bd3 Nxd5 {[%cal Rd5b4] /\Nb4}
10. a3 {A similar position can arise from the 4.a3 line, but with an extra
tempo for White. This means he can play 10.0-0 with a powerful initiative for
the P. Here he has at best some compensation after} Nc6 11. O-O Nc7 12. Nc3 Ne6
13. Be3 Qd8 14. Rad1 Be7 15. Bc4 O-O 16. e5 Ncd4 (16... Ned4 17. Nxd4 Nxe5 $5
18. Bd5 Bxd5 19. Nxd5 cxd4 20. Bxd4 Nf3+ 21. Kg2 Nxd4 22. Rxd4 Bf6 23. Rc4 d6
24. Rc1 $44 {Jobava,B (2658)-Shanava,K (2532)/EU-ch Dresden/2007/}) 17. Nxd4
cxd4 18. Bxd4 Qc8 19. Qe2 d6 20. exd6 Bxd6 {Mamedyarov,S (2709)-Gelfand,B 
(2723)/Wijk aan Zee/2006/} 21. Bxg7 Ng5 22. Bd5 Kxg7 23. Bxb7 Qxb7 24. Qg4 Be7
25. Rd7 Qf3 26. Qxf3 Nxf3+ 27. Kg2 Bxa3 28. bxa3 Ne5 $11)) ({Apart from these
two most common moves Black has recently tried other continuations.} 5... b5 {
doesn't seem ideal:} 6. cxb5 Bxb5 7. Bg2 Bb4+ 8. Nc3 O-O 9. O-O Bc6 10. Re1 $1
Bxc3 11. Qxc3 Qc8 12. Bh3 $1 d6 13. Nd2 Qb7 14. Nc4 Bd5 15. f3 Bxc4 16. Qxc4
Nbd7 17. b4 a5 18. b5 a4 19. Bd2 $36 {[%csl Gd2,Gh3] (),^^,Inarkiev,E (2628)
-Tomashevsky,E (2595)/RUS-ch Moscow/2006/}) ({Deserving more attention is} 5...
Nc6 6. Nbd2 (6. Bg2 $5) 6... d5 7. cxd5 Qxd5 8. e4 Nb4 9. Qa4+ Qd7 10. Qxd7+
Nxd7 11. Bxa6 Nxa6 12. O-O Nf6 13. a3 c5 14. Re1 Be7 15. Ne5 Rc8 16. b4 cxd4
17. Ndf3 Nb8 18. Nxd4 Nfd7 19. Nef3 O-O 20. Bf4 Nc6 21. Rac1 Nxd4 22. Nxd4 g5
$1 23. Nc6 Rxc6 24. Rxc6 gxf4 25. Rc7 Ne5 26. Rxe7 Nf3+ 27. Kf1 Nxe1 28. Kxe1
a5 $14 {/=,Aronian,L (2741)-Carlsen,M (2698)/Moscow/2006/}) (5... Bb4+ 6. Bd2
Be7 7. e4 d5 8. Nc3 $5 ({After the simple} 8. cxd5 Bxf1 9. Kxf1 exd5 10. e5 Ne4
11. Nc3 {we get a position, resembling the 5.b3 lines. Here White has the} Nxc3
12. bxc3 {extra option, which gives him more chances for an advantage.}) 8...
Bxc4 9. Bxc4 dxc4 10. O-O-O ({Although queenside castling is not rare in this
line, here it seems very risky. After} 10. Qa4+ $142 $14 {Black must still
fight for equality}) 10... c6 11. Bf4 Na6 (11... O-O $5) 12. a3 $2 {׫} (12.
Ne5 $132 {~~}) 12... b5 13. Ne5 Qc8 14. Bg5 O-O 15. h4 Rb8 16. Qe2 Qb7 17. h5
h6 18. Bf4 c5 19. d5 b4 20. Na4 bxa3 21. Qxc4 exd5 22. exd5 Nb4 {[%csl Rc1]
->עc1,Nisipeanu,L (2693)-Eljanov,P (2686)/Foros/2007/}) 6. Bg2 c5 7. d5 $5 {
[%mdl 512] The key move is this pawn sacrifice, other alternatives are too
soft and give Black a comfortable position.} (7. O-O cxd4 $11) (7. dxc5 Bxc5
$132) 7... exd5 8. cxd5 (8. Nh4 $143 Nc6 $1 $15 {also costs White a P under
worse circumstances.}) 8... Nxd5 ({Black voluntarily enters a potential pin,
but recent practice has shown this is the way to go.} 8... Bxd5 {gives White
an important development tempo with} 9. Nc3 Bc6 (9... Bb7 10. e4 $5 $36 {
is similar, the radical}) (9... Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Nc6 11. Qa4 Rc8 12. Bf4 Be7 13.
O-O-O O-O 14. Kb1 {also doesn't solve Black's problems:} Qe8 (14... Nd4 15. Bb7
$16 {loses material without sufficient compensation.}) 15. g4 $1 d5 16. g5 Ne4
17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Qxe4 Nd4 19. Bg4 Qc6 20. Qxc6 Rxc6 21. e3 Ne6 22. Bxe6 Rxe6
23. Rd7 $16 {Tkachiev,V (2645)-Sokolov,A (2589)/FRA-ch Besancon/2006/}) 10. e4
Be7 ({Fighting for [+] space with} 10... d6 11. Bf4 Nh5 {accentuates Black's
lag in development after} 12. O-O-O $1 $32 Nxf4 13. gxf4 Be7 14. e5 O-O 15. h4
$40 {[%cal Rf3g5] /\Ng5} f6 16. Nd5 $1 fxe5 17. Ng5 Bxg5 18. hxg5 g6 19. Qb3 $1
Kg7 20. Rxh7+ $1 Kxh7 21. Qh3+ Kg8 22. Rh1 Qd7 23. Nf6+ {1-0,Roktim,B (2332)
-Bakre,T (2447)/IND-ch Atul/2006/}) 11. Bf4 O-O 12. O-O-O $1 Na6 13. Qe2 ({
Gelfand recommends} 13. a3 $5 {/\} Nc7 14. e5 Nfd5 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. h4 $1 $36
{[%cal Rf3g5] and again the threat Ng5 gives White a powerful initiative.})
13... Nb4 (13... Nc7 $142 $1 14. Ne5 Qc8 $44 {when White must still prove he
has an advantage.}) 14. a3 Qc8 15. Kb1 a5 16. Ne5 Re8 17. Rhe1 Bf8 18. g4 g6
19. Bg3 Re6 20. f4 d6 21. Nxc6 Nxc6 22. Nb5 Ne8 23. e5 $1 dxe5 24. Bd5 $16 {
/+-,Gelfand,B (2729)-Aronian,L (2761)/Dortmund/2006/ This impressive game
sparked extra interest in the 5.Qc2 line.}) 9. O-O {A logical developing move.}
({Black has found ways to defuse the straightforward tactical} 9. Qb3 {[%cal
Rf3e5] /\Ne5} Nc7 (9... Nf6 10. Ne5 d5 11. Nc3 Nc6 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Bg5 Be7
14. Rd1 O-O 15. O-O Qe8 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nxd5 Ba4 $1 18. Nxf6+ gxf6 19. Qc3
Bxd1 20. Bxa8 Bxe2 21. Qxf6 Qd8 22. Qf5 $1 $11 Bxf1 23. Be4 Re8 24. Qxh7+ Kf8
25. Qh8+ Ke7 26. Qe5+ Kf8 27. Qh8+ {1/2,Wojtaszek,R (2620)-Adams,M (2734)/
FRA-chT Montpellier/2007/}) 10. Ne5 d5 11. Nc3 Be7 (11... Bd6 $6 {runs into
the powerful} 12. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 13. Nxd5 Kf8 14. Bg5 $1 $40) (11... Nd7 12. Bf4
Nxe5 13. Bxe5 Bd6 14. Bxg7 $14 {Harikrishna,P (2673)-Ivanov,A (2577)/Moscow
Aeroflot/2007/}) 12. Bf4 O-O 13. O-O-O c4 14. Nxc4 dxc4 15. Rxd8 Bxd8 $1 16.
Bxb7 (16. Qxc4 Bxg2 17. Rg1 Bc6 $15) 16... cxb3 17. Bxc7 bxa2 18. Nxa2 Bxc7 19.
Bxa8 Nd7 20. Bd5 Nf6 $11 {_|_,Gordon,S (2490)-Miroshnichenko,E (2646)/EU-ch
Dresden/2007/}) 9... Be7 {Black also continues his development, by keeping the
N on d5 he takes away the most natural square from White's Nb1. After} (9...
Nc7 10. Nc3 (10. e4 Be7 $13 {/\0-0}) 10... Be7 (10... d5 11. Rd1 $14 (11. Ne5
$5 $36)) 11. Rd1 Nc6 (11... O-O $2 12. Ng5 $18) 12. Ne5 $1 Qc8 13. Qf5 Nxe5 14.
Qxe5 Ne6 15. Nd5 Bxd5 16. Bxd5 Bf6 17. Qe4 Rb8 18. Bf4 Bxb2 19. Rab1 Bf6 20.
Bd6 Be7 21. Bxb8 Qxb8 22. Bc4 $16 {[%cal Gc4e6,Ge4a8] Pashikian,A (2538)-Van
Wely,L (2674)/EU-ch Dresden/2007/ material is formally equal, but White has
strong pressure on the light squares.}) ({Nobody has yet tested} 9... Nf6 10.
Nc3 $44 (10. e4 $5 $44)) 10. Rd1 Nc6 {Here Black already can't afford to
ignore White's play:} (10... O-O $6 11. Qe4 $16 {/\} f5 12. Qc4) ({The main
alternative is} 10... Qc8 {here it's still not quite clear, what's White's
best reaction:} 11. Qf5 (11. e4 Nb4 (11... Nc7 12. Nc3 $44 {/\e5,Ne4}) 12. Qc3
O-O 13. a3 N4c6 14. Bf4 d6 ({This is a simple solution, but Black can also
consider} 14... Nd8 $5 $13 {[%cal Yb8c6,Yd8e6] /\Ne6,Nbc6}) 15. Bxd6 Bxd6 16.
Rxd6 Qc7 17. Rd1 Nd7 18. Nbd2 Nde5 $6 (18... Rae8 $132) (18... Ba6 $142 $5 $11)
19. b4 $1 $36 Rad8 20. bxc5 Nxf3+ 21. Nxf3 Na5 22. Ne5 bxc5 23. Ng4 c4 24. Ne3
f6 25. Rab1 Ba6 26. Nd5 Qc5 27. Qb4 $16 {Beliavsky,A (2648)-Khalifman,A (2624)/
Bazna/2007/}) ({An ambitious idea is} 11. Nh4 Bxh4 12. Rxd5 $1 Be7 13. Nc3 Nc6
14. Qe4 $5 {White wants to keep Black's K in the [+] at any cost.} (14. Bf4 Nb4
15. Qf5 Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. Bxd5 O-O 18. Rd1 d6 19. Qe4 Re8 20. Qf3 Rf8 21.
Qe4 Re8 22. Qf3 Rf8 23. Qe4 {1/2,Gelfand,B (2733)-Carlsen,M (2690)/Monte Carlo/
2007/}) 14... O-O $6 (14... Nb4 $142 15. Qe5 f6 (15... Kf8 $5 $13) 16. Qh5+ g6
17. Qh6 $13) 15. Rh5 $1 g6 16. Rh3 f5 17. Qc4+ $1 (17. Qe3 Rf7 18. Bd5 {
1/2,Nisipeanu,L (2689)-Baklan,V (2618)/Bundesliga/2007/} Qf8 $13) 17... Kh8 18.
Nd5 $16 {->}) (11. Bg5 {looks good, but gets White nowhere, when Black returns
the P in time:} h6 12. Bxe7 Nxe7 13. e4 O-O 14. Nc3 Nbc6 15. Rd2 Ba6 16. Bh3
Ng6 (16... Qb8 17. Bxd7 Qb7 18. Rad1 Rad8 19. Bh3 Rxd2 20. Rxd2 Rd8 21. Rxd8+
Nxd8 22. Qd1 Ndc6 23. Qd6 Qb8 $11 {Sargissian,G (2658)-Wojtaszek,R (2637)/
Bundesliga/2007/}) 17. Bxd7 Qb7 18. Bh3 Rad8 19. Rad1 Qb8 20. Bg2 $11 {1/2,
Aronian,L (2744)-Carlsen,M (2690)/Wijk aan Zee/2007/}) 11... Nf6 12. Nc3 Nc6 $5
(12... O-O 13. Bg5 d5 (13... d6 14. Qxc8 Rxc8 15. Nb5 Nbd7 16. Nxd6 Bxd6 17.
Rxd6 h6 18. Be3 Nf8 19. Nh4 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Ne8 21. Rd3 Rd8 $11 {/+/=,Gelfand,B 
(2733)-Ivanchuk,V (2729)/RUS-chT Dagomys/2007/}) 14. Nh4 (14. Qxc8 Rxc8 15. Nh4
Nbd7 16. Nf5 Bf8 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Bxd5 19. Rxd5 {1/2,Khalifman,A (2624)
-Khairullin,I (2586)/RUS-chT Dagomys/2007/} Nb8 20. Rad1 $14) 14... Nc6 (14...
Nbd7 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. Bxd5 Nxd5 17. Qxd5 Nf6 18. Qf3 {[%cal Rh4f5] /\Nf5+/=})
15. Qxc8 Rfxc8 16. Nf5 Kf8 17. Nb5 (17. Bxf6 $5 Bxf6 18. Nd6 Bxc3 19. bxc3 $14
{_|_}) 17... Ne8 18. Bf4 g6 19. Nfd6 Nxd6 20. Nxd6 Bxd6 21. Bxd6+ Ne7 22. Bxd5
Bxd5 23. Rxd5 Rd8 24. Rad1 Ke8 25. Re5 Rd7 26. Rd3 f6 $2 {׻} (26... a6 {
[%cal Ya8a7,Yd7d8,Ya7d7] /\Raa7,Rd8,Rad7 and Black should gradually neutralize
White's pressure. Creating an extra weakness will make this very difficult.})
27. Re4 $1 f5 (27... Kf7 $2 28. Bxc5 $1 $16) 28. Re5 a6 29. Rde3 Raa7 30. Re6
Rab7 31. Rf6 $16 {Ivanchuk,V (2729)-Eljanov,P (2686)/Foros/2007/ Black is
running out of constructive moves.}) 13. Bg5 d5 {For the time being Black
doesn't need to castle.} 14. Nh4 (14. Qf4 $5 {/\} d4 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nd5 Bd8
17. e3 $1 $44) 14... Nd4 15. Qxc8+ Rxc8 16. e3 Ne6 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nf5 Rd8
19. Nxd5 Bxd5 (19... Bxb2 $5 20. Rab1 Be5) 20. Bxd5 O-O 21. Rab1 g6 {Gelfand,B
(2733)-Leko,P (2749)/Odessa/2007/} 22. Nh6+ Kg7 23. Ng4 $11) 11. Qa4 $5 $146 {
[%mdl 8] A new try.} (11. Nc3 Nxc3 12. bxc3 d6 $11 {/~~ Although White can
probably regain the P-pawn, simplification only helps the defence.}) ({Until
now White's main continuation has been} 11. Qf5 Nf6 12. e4 {/\e5 , due to the
positional threat e5 Black must act:} g6 $142 ({Interesting, but quite risky is
} 12... d6 13. e5 Qd7 14. Qxd7+ (14. Nh4 {can be well met by} Ng4 $1 15. exd6
Bxh4 $13) 14... Nxd7 15. exd6 Bf6 16. Re1+ Kf8 17. Nc3 Nb4 18. Bg5 (18. Rd1 $14
{seems more circumspect.}) 18... Bxf3 (18... Nc2 $142 $1 19. Re7 $5 (19. Bxf6
Nxf6 20. Re7 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Re8 $1 $11) 19... Bxe7 20. Bxe7+ $44) 19. Bxf3 Rd8
20. Bxf6 Nxf6 21. Re7 Nc2 22. Rd1 Nd4 23. Kg2 g6 24. Rxa7 Rxd6 25. Be2 Kg7 26.
Bc4 Rd7 27. Rxd7 Nxd7 28. Re1 {Bareev,E (2643)-Polgar,J (2727)/Elista cm/2007/}
Nf5 29. Bd3 $5 $14) 13. Qf4 O-O (13... h6 14. e5 Nh5 {Loeffler,S (2448)-Sakaev,
K (2633)/EU-ch Dresden/2007/} 15. Qc4 $5 $44 {|^ Leaving the K in the [+] is
obviously very dangerous for Black.}) 14. e5 Nh5 15. Qc4 (15. Qh6 {Aronian,L 
(2741)-Leko,P (2741)/Moscow/2006/} Re8 $5 {Leko,/\} 16. Ng5 $2 Bxg5 17. Bxg5
Qc7 18. g4 Nxe5 $1 19. gxh5 Ng4 20. Bf4 Re5 $3 21. Qg5 Rxg5 22. Bxc7 Bxg2 23.
h4 Rd5 $19) (15. Qg4 d5 16. exd6 Bxd6 $5 (16... Bf6 17. Nc3 Nd4 18. Nxd4 Bxg2
19. Nf5 Bc6 20. d7 Qc7 21. Nd5 Bxd5 22. Rxd5 Rfd8 23. Be3 Bxb2 24. Nh6+ Kf8 25.
Rad1 Bg7 26. Rxh5 gxh5 27. Qf5 {1-0,Carlsen,M (2690)-Ivanchuk,V (2750)/Monte
Carlo/2007/}) 17. Nc3 Qb8 $13 {gives White some compensation, but nothing
concrete.}) 15... d5 $1 (15... Qc7 16. Bh6 Ng7 17. Nc3 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Bxg2 19.
Bf4 d6 20. Ng4 $1 $36 {Atalik}) 16. exd6 (16. Rxd5 Na5 $11 (16... Qc7 17. Nc3
$1 Na5 18. Qg4 $44)) 16... Bxd6 17. Nc3 Qb8 $13 {Again there seems to be no
obvious way for White to profit from the temporary disharmony of Black's
forces.}) 11... Nf6 (11... Nc7 $143 $2 12. Ne5 $16) 12. Nc3 O-O 13. g4 $1 {
Shirov doesn't shy away from risk, after losing game 1 he wants to equalize
immediately. We have already seen this motif above, White fights for the [+]
by advancing his Pg3.} Nb4 {Black doesn't want to allow the N to d5.} ({After} 
13... h6 14. h4 (14. Nh4 c4 $5 $13 {/\} 15. Qxc4 Ne5) 14... Nb4 15. a3 Nbd5 16.
Nxd5 Bxd5 17. g5 Bc6 {we get a similar position as in the game, but White's Q
doesn't have the h4-square. Nevertheless} 18. Qb3 $13 ({or} 18. Qf4 $5 $44 {
remains tense and unclear, Black can possibly even regret weakening his >>.}))
14. a3 (14. g5 Nfd5 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 $8 16. a3 b5 $1 17. Qxb5 Rb8 18. Qa4 Bc6 $132
{gives back the P for active << play.}) 14... Nbd5 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 $8 (15... Nxd5
$2 16. Ne5 $18) 16. g5 Bc6 17. Qh4 $1 {The only consistent continuation.} (17.
Qxc6 $2 dxc6 18. Rxd8 Raxd8 19. gxf6 Rd1+ 20. Bf1 Bxf6 $17 {/-+ is
unacceptable.}) 17... Ne8 (17... Ne4 $6 18. Ne5 Bxg5 19. Nxc6 Bxh4 20. Nxd8
Nxf2 21. Rd5 $1 Raxd8 22. Rh5 Rde8 23. Kf1 Ne4 24. Rxh4 $14) 18. Ne5 {White
has the initiative, but Aronian fights back.} Bxg2 19. Rxd7 Bb7 $5 {[%mdl 512]
Black sacrifices a Q for active <=>. A brave decision, even more so as it was
not forced. After} (19... Qc8 20. Rxe7 (20. Kxg2 Bd6 {already forces} 21. g6 $1
hxg6 22. Nxg6 fxg6 23. Qc4+ Kh7 24. Qh4+ $11) 20... Bc6 $14 {/<=> White
retains his active R, but Black has reasonable chances to neutralize the
pressure.} (20... Qh3 $143 $6 21. Qg3 $1 $36) (20... Bh3 $5 $13)) 20. Rxd8 Rxd8
21. Be3 {Shirov wants to keep a chance to transfer his Q back to the <<.} ({
The immediate} 21. Qa4 Rd4 $44 {is not ideal and after}) (21. Bf4 {White must
reckon with} h6 $5 $132) 21... Rd5 (21... h6 $2 22. Qa4 $18) 22. Nf3 Nd6 23.
Qa4 b5 $1 {[%mdl 2048] Black's forces are well coordinated and he can defend
his << actively by tactical means.} 24. Qc2 (24. Qxa7 $2 Ra8 25. Qb6 Bd8 $19) (
24. Qb3 $5 $14 {[%cal Ya1d1] /\Rd1 deserves attention, it would help White to
exchange a pair of R without having to split his P as in the game.}) 24... Nf5
25. a4 (25. Bf4 {seems more solid, but} Rfd8 $44 {[%cal Gd8d1] <->d makes it
difficult for White to convert his advantage.}) 25... b4 ({More logical is the
immediate} 25... Nxe3) 26. Rd1 Rxd1+ 27. Qxd1 Nxe3 28. fxe3 Rd8 {Black has
more compact P, no real >< and an active ^^ - White's advantage despite the
extra Q is already mostly formal.} 29. Qc2 g6 30. h4 Bd6 $1 {Prevents the
manoeuvre Ne5-g4, followed by e4-e5.} 31. Kf2 (31. e4 Re8 32. e5 Bf8 33. e4 Bc8
$132) 31... a6 32. Nd2 Bf8 33. Nc4 (33. Ne4 Bxe4 34. Qxe4 Rd6 {[%cal Rd6e6] /
\Re6= shows another defensive motif - Black can build up a fortress.}) 33...
Bc8 34. Qe4 Be6 35. b3 Rd5 $5 (35... Bxc4 36. Qxc4 Rd6 $11 {as indicated above
was also possible, but Shirov was running out of time and Aronian decides
Black doesn't risk much anyway.}) 36. Kg3 h6 {Black's counterattack secures
him a draw.} 37. gxh6 Bxh6 38. Qf3 Kh7 (38... Bg5 $5 {[%cal Rg5h4] /\Bh4 more
or less forces} 39. hxg5 Rxg5+ 40. Kh2 Rh5+ 41. Kg1 Rg5+ $11) 39. e4 Rh5 40.
Nd6 Bg5 41. Nxf7 Bxh4+ 42. Kg2 c4 (42... Kg7 43. Nd6 Rg5+ 44. Kh1 Rg3 $11 {
draws, Aronian still tries to mix things up a bit.}) 43. bxc4 Kg8 (43... Be7
44. Qf4 b3 45. Qc7 b2 46. Qxe7 b1=Q 47. Nd8+ $11 {and this time it's White
giving a perpetual.}) 44. Nd6 Rg5+ 45. Kh1 Rg3 46. Qf4 Rh3+ (46... Rh3+ 47. Kg2
Rg3+ $11 48. Kf1 $4 Bh3+ $19) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates final"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.08"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D20"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2699"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2007.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 exd4 5. Bxc4 Nc6 6. O-O Be6 7. Bb5 Bc5 8.
b4 Bb6 9. a4 {This line was examined in CBM 74, annotations to
Ivanishevic-Sakalauskas.} a6 {Black should get rid of White's strong bishop.} (
9... a5 $6 {is less appropriate, e.g.} 10. bxa5 Rxa5 11. Ng5 (11. Nbd2 $144
Nge7 (11... Ra8 12. Ba3 Nge7 13. Ng5 Qd7 14. Ndf3 O-O 15. Ne5 Qe8 16. Bxc6 Nxc6
17. Nxc6 Qxc6 18. Bxf8 Rxf8 19. a5 Ba7 20. Nxe6 Qxe6 21. Qd3 c5 22. Rfc1 Re8
23. Rab1 $18 {1-0 Schrancz,I-Cottegnie,F/IECG 2004/Telechess 117 (36)}) 12. Ng5
O-O 13. Qh5 h6 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. Nc4 Ra8 16. Bxh6 gxh6 17. Qxh6 Ba7 18. Ra3 d3
19. Nd2 Rf7 20. Rxd3 Qf8 21. Rg3+ Rg7 22. Bc4 Nd4 23. Bxe6+ Nxe6 24. Qxe6+ Qf7
25. Rxg7+ Kxg7 26. Qe5+ Qf6 27. Qxc7 $16 {1-0 Lafarga,D-Kulvietis,M/IECG 2002/
Telechess CBM 99 (35)}) 11... Qd7 12. Nd2 Nge7 13. Nxe6 $1 (13. f4 Bg4 14. Qb3
O-O 15. Nc4 d3+ 16. Kh1 Be2 17. Bb2 h6 18. Nxb6 cxb6 19. Qc3 Qd4 20. Qd2 Qd6
21. f5 Bxf1 22. Rxf1 $44 {1/2-1/2 Ivanisevic,I-Sakalauskas,V/Batumi 1999/CBM
074 (73)}) 13... Qxe6 14. Nc4 $14 O-O $5 (14... Ra8 15. Nxb6 cxb6 16. Qxd4) 15.
Nxa5 Nxa5 16. Ba3 c6 17. Bd3 c5 18. Rb1 Re8 19. Bb5 Rd8 20. Qc2 Rc8 21. Rfc1 c4
22. Qa2 Bd8 23. Bb4 Nec6 24. Bxc4 Nxc4 25. Qxc4 Qxe4 26. Re1 {1-0 Ushenina,
A-Korbut,E/St Petersburg 2004/CBM 101 ext}) 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. a5 (11. Bb2 $5
Nf6 (11... Qd6 12. Qd2 Rd8 13. Na3 Ne7 14. Rac1 O-O 15. Nc4 Bxc4 16. Rxc4 f5
17. e5 Qe6 18. Qd3 Rd5 19. a5 Ba7 20. Bxd4 c5 21. bxc5 Nc6 22. Re1 Rb8 23. Qc3
$14 {1-0 Kordts,W-Sakai,K/Chessfriend.com 2004/Telechess CBM 107 (41)}) 12. a5
$1 (12. Re1 d3 13. Ra3 Qe7 14. Rxd3 O-O 15. Nd4 {1/2-1/2 Schenk,A-Wichmann,C/
Germany 2005/EXT 2007}) 12... Ba7 {-game}) 11... Ba7 12. Bb2 (12. Qd3 Nf6 (
12... c5 $5 {A.Huzman}) 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bh4 g5 15. Bg3 O-O 16. Ne5 Bd7 $6 (16...
c5 $5 17. bxc5 Nd7 $132) 17. f4 c5 18. Nxd7 Nxd7 19. fxg5 hxg5 20. Rf5 Qe7 21.
Nd2 cxb4 22. Kh1 Nc5 23. Qc4 Ne6 24. Raf1 $44 {1-0 Ushenina,A-Kalinina,L/
Alushta 2005/CBM 106 ext (37) ->}) 12... Nf6 $1 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (12... Ne7 $6 {
[%csl Re7]} 13. Bxd4 Bxd4 14. Nxd4 Bc4 15. Re1 Rb8 16. Qd2 Qd6 17. Na3 Qxb4 18.
Qg5 (18. Nxc4 Qxc4 19. Nf5 $1 $16) 18... O-O 19. Ndc2 f6 20. Qg3 Qa4 21. Qxc7
Ng6 22. Ne3 Bf7 23. Nac4 Qb4 24. Nd6 $16 {1-0 Melkumyan,H-Shanmugam,R/Batumi
GEO 2006/The Week in Chess 625 (39)}) 13. Nxd4 Bxd4 14. Bxd4 Nxe4 (14... Rb8 $5
) 15. Bxg7 (15. Re1 Qd5 $6 (15... Nf6 $142 $11) 16. Qd3 c5 17. Rxe4 cxd4 18.
Nc3 Qb3 19. Rxd4 O-O 20. Qd2 c5 21. bxc5 Rab8 22. h3 Qb7 23. Nd5 $16 {1-0
Onischuk,A-Nisipeanu,L/Foros UKR 2007/CBM119 (57)}) 15... Rg8 16. Be5 (16. Qc2
Rxg7 (16... Qd5 $5 17. Rd1 Qc4) 17. Qxe4 Kf8 {[%cal Re6d5,Re6h3]} 18. g3 Rg4
19. f4 Qf6 $132) 16... Bh3 $6 {Black liquidates to an endgame in which he must
be careful to equalize. He had other options like} (16... Bd5 17. Bg3 Qf6 {or})
(16... Rb8) 17. Bg3 Nxg3 18. hxg3 Qxd1 19. Rxd1 Be6 20. Nc3 (20. Ra3 Rb8 (20...
Rg4 21. f4 Rb8 22. Re3 $1) 21. Rc3 Rg4 22. Rxc6 (22. f4 Rxb4 23. Rxc6 Rxg3 24.
Rxa6 Rb2) 22... Rgxb4 23. Nc3 Rc4 24. Rxc4 Bxc4 25. f3 $11) 20... Rg4 21. Rab1
Rb8 22. f4 Bf5 23. Rb2 Rxg3 24. Na4 Kf8 25. Nc5 Ra8 {White's strong knight
compensates for Black's extra pawn but not much more. The position is quite
open and the black bishop is strong.} 26. Kf2 Rc3 27. Rbd2 Rc4 28. Rd4 Rxd4 29.
Rxd4 Ke7 {[%mdl 4096]} 30. Rd1 Be6 31. Re1 Kf6 32. Re5 h6 33. g3 Bc4 34. Nd7+
Kg7 35. Re7 Rd8 $2 (35... Rc8 $1 {[%cal Rc4e6] was a solid and accurate
defense.} 36. f5 (36. Ke3 $140 Be6 37. Kd4 $4 Rd8) 36... h5 37. Ke3 Rg8 {-game}
) 36. Ke3 $2 {Here and later White misses} (36. Ne5 Rd2+ 37. Ke3 Rd1 38. Rxc7
$16) 36... h5 $2 (36... Rc8) 37. f5 $2 (37. Ne5) 37... Rg8 $1 {This
counterplay is now necessary.} 38. Re4 (38. Kd4 Ba2 39. Ke5 (39. Nc5 Kf6 40.
Rxc7 Rg4+) 39... Kh6 $1 40. Kf6 (40. Nc5 Rxg3 41. Rxc7 Bd5 42. Nxa6 h4 43. Rc8
$1 h3 (43... Kh7 $2 44. Nc7 {[%cal Yc7e8,Ye8f6]}) 44. Nc7 $1 Bc4 $1 45. Rh8+
Kg5 46. a6 Ra3 $11) 40... Rd8 $1 (40... Rxg3 41. Re8 Rg7 42. Rh8+ Rh7 43. Rg8
$18 {[%cal Rd7f8]}) 41. Nc5 Rd6+ 42. Ke5 f6+ 43. Ke4 Rd1 44. Rxc7 Bd5+ 45. Ke3
Rg1 $132) 38... Bb5 (38... Bd5 $5 {[%cal Yg7h6]}) 39. Rh4 Rd8 40. Nc5 Kh6 41.
Kf4 Be2 42. Rh2 Bb5 43. Ke5 Kg5 44. Ne4+ Kg4 45. Kf6 Kf3 46. Rh4 Bd3 (46... Rd7
$5) 47. Nc5 Kxg3 48. Rxh5 Bc4 49. Rh1 Rb8 $2 {Succumbing to pressure.} (49...
Kg4 $1 50. Rc1 Rd4 51. Ke5 Rf4 52. Rg1+ Kf3 {and White can't improve his
position.}) 50. Rd1 $1 {[%cal Rd1d4]} Rxb4 51. Rd4 {An extremely dangerous pin.
} Kf3 52. Nxa6 $6 {Obvious but not the best! White misses a nice winning
manoeuvre:} (52. Re4 $22 Ra4 53. Rh4 Kg3 (53... Rb4 54. Nxa6) 54. Rd4 $1 Rb4
55. Ne4+ (55. Nxa6 c5 56. Nxc5 $18) 55... Kf3 56. Nd2+ $18) 52... c5 $1 {
This now gives Black drawing chances.} 53. Nxc5 Ke3 54. Rh4 Kd2 55. Na6 (55.
Ke5 $5 {was very dangerous but Black apparently held on after} Kc3 56. Rh3+ Kc2
(56... Kb2 $2 57. a6 f6+ 58. Kxf6 Rb5 59. Na4+ $18) 57. a6 f6+ $1 58. Kxf6 Rb5
$1 59. a7 (59. Ne6 Rb6 60. a7 Ra6 61. Ke5 Rxa7 62. Kd4 Ba2 63. Nc5 Ra8 64. Rh2+
Kd1 65. Nd3 Rd8+ 66. Kc3 $140 Rxd3+) 59... Ra5 60. Ne4 $1 Bd3 $1 (60... Bd5 61.
Rc3+ Kb2 62. Rc5 $1 Ra6+ 63. Nd6 $3 $18) 61. Rh2+ Kb3 (61... Kc1 62. Nc5 $1 $18
) 62. Nc5+ Kc4 63. Nxd3 Kxd3 64. Kg6 Rxa7 65. Rh7 (65. f6 c5) 65... Ra6+ 66. f6
c5 $11) 55... Ra4 56. Nxc7 Kd3 $1 57. a6 Ra5 $1 {Black's pieces are very
active.} 58. Rf4 Kc3 59. Ke7 Rc5 $2 ({After} 59... Kd3 60. f6 Ra1 {White can
hardly improve his position, e.g.} 61. Rh4 (61. Rxc4 Kxc4 62. Kxf7 Kc5 {
[%cal Yc5b6]}) 61... Kc3 62. Rh8 Kd4 63. Ra8 Ke5 64. Rb8 Kf5 $1 65. Rb6 Kg6 66.
Rc6 Bd3) 60. Kd6 Ra5 61. f6 $2 {Missing a lucky chance:} (61. Kc6 $1 Bxa6 62.
Kb6 Re5 63. Nxa6 Kd3 64. Nb4+ Ke3 65. Rf1 $18 Ke2 $140 66. Re1+ $1) 61... Bxa6
62. Nxa6 Rxa6+ {In the rook endgame Black finds the only but sufficiend way to
a draw.} 63. Ke7 Ra7+ 64. Kf8 Kd3 65. Rh4 Ke3 66. Rh7 Kf4 $1 67. Rxf7 Ra6 68.
Kg7 (68. Kg7 Kg5 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates final"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.10"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "166"]
[EventDate "2007.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nbd2 Nc6 13. Nf1 Bc8 14. c3 Be6 15. Bxe6
fxe6 {Aronian seems to enjoy this structure. Just remember the first game of
his semi-finalmatch against Carlsen.} 16. b4 ({Previously, Shirov had played} 
16. Ng3 {in two games.} Qe8 $5 {[%cal Yf6h5]} (16... Nd7 17. Be3 d5 18. exd5
exd5 {Black has built up an impressive pawn centre, but White will soon submit
it to strong pressure.} 19. b4 Kh8 20. Qb3 c4 21. dxc4 bxc4 22. Qa4 Qc8 23.
Rad1 Nf6 24. Qc2 e4 25. Nd4 Ne5 {If Black gets his knight to d3, his position
will be better. However, having a better coordination of forces, White can
prevent that by sacrificial means.} 26. Ndf5 Bd8 27. Bc5 Rg8 28. Rxd5 $1 Nxd5
29. Qxe4 Qe6 30. Qxe5 Qxe5 31. Rxe5 Nxc3 32. Nd6 h6 33. Nxc4 Bf6 34. Rf5 Rge8
35. Nh5 Bd4 $11 {White has sufficient compensation for the exchange, but
probably not more than that. The exchange of the bishops is an important
element in Black's defensive strategy, Shirov,A (2746)-Onischuk,A (2627)/New
Delhi/Teheran 2000/CBM 080 (1/2-1/2, 49)}) 17. a4 (17. b4 Nh5 18. Qb3 Qg6 19.
Nxh5 Rxf3 $1) 17... Qd7 $5 {Now that the thematic pawn break b2-b4 is not
possible anymore, Black changes his plans.} (17... Nh5 $2 18. axb5 $1 $16) 18.
d4 exd4 19. cxd4 cxd4 20. Nxd4 Nxd4 21. Qxd4 bxa4 22. Rxa4 Rfb8 23. Qc4 (23.
Be3 Rxb2 $11) (23. Re2 $5 {/\Be3 might offer better chances for retaining an
advantage.}) 23... d5 24. exd5 exd5 25. Qa2 Bb4 {The d5-pawn is weak, but
Black's last move in conjunction with ...a5 will leave the a4-rook out of play,
causing White loss of time for the sake of regroupment.} 26. Rd1 Qe6 27. Bg5
Kh8 28. Bxf6 Qxf6 29. Rxd5 a5 30. Qb1 Re8 31. Rd1 Rad8 $44 {and Black's better
coordination offers him certain compensation, although the draw agreement 10
moves later might be slightly premature, Shirov,A (2735)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2680)/
Sarajevo 2003/CBM 096 (1/2-1/2, 41)}) 16... d5 {Aronian deviates from his
previous games with this line, too.} ({He had some previous experience with} 
16... Qd7 17. Ng3 (17. Qb3 Rfb8 18. Bd2 (18. N1h2 $1 {Topalov,V (2788)
-Kasimdzhanov,R (2670)/San Luis 2005/CBM 110/[Gershon] (1-0, 73)}) 18... a5 19.
Ng5 axb4 20. axb4 cxb4 21. Nxe6 d5 22. Ng5 bxc3 23. Bxc3 b4 24. Bb2 Na5 $36 {
Ponomariov,R (2704)-Aronian,L (2724)/Khanty Mansiysk 2005/CBM 111 (1/2-1/2, 31)
}) 17... a5 {This move weakens the b5-square, offering White chances for some
initiative.} ({The more restrained} 17... Rfb8 {is possible.} 18. d4 {But this
might pe premature. White should probably had effectuated some neutral move
such as 18.Bd2.} exd4 19. cxd4 cxd4 20. Nxd4 Nxd4 21. Qxd4 {White seems to
have a pleasant position in the centre, but is slightly underdeveloped.
Besides, his queenside pawns placed on dark squares could cause him problems
in an eventual bishop ending.} Rc8 22. Bb2 Rc2 23. Rad1 Qa7 24. e5 dxe5 25.
Qxa7 Rxa7 26. Bxe5 Rd7 $11 {The activity of the black rook along the second
rank compensates for the minimal structural deffect, Leko,P (2738)-Kramnik,V 
(2772)/Miskolc 2007/CBM 118 (1/2-1/2, 52)}) 18. bxc5 dxc5 19. Qb3 Rab8 20. a4 {
The direct consequence of ...a5. White has chances to establish a blockade on
light squares.} b4 21. Rd1 bxc3 22. Qxc3 Nd4 23. Nxd4 (23. Nxe5 Qc7 24. Nc4 Nh5
$1 {[%csl Ye2]} 25. Qxa5 Qxa5 26. Nxa5 Nxg3 27. fxg3 Ne2+ 28. Kh2 Bf6 $13 {
and White has to sacrifice the exchange by developing his bishop, with unclear
consequences.}) 23... exd4 24. Qc2 Bd6 25. Bd2 $6 {This move does absolutely
nothing for the control of the c4-square.} (25. Nf1 $5 {[%cal Yf1d2,Yd2c4]} Qc7
26. Nd2 {[%cal Yd2c4]} Nh5 $5 27. Nc4 Rxf2 $5 28. Qxf2 Rf8 {White cannot move
the queen because of ...Bh2+ followed by ...Ng3 with mate to follow, but} 29.
Ra2 $14 {[%csl Yc4] leaves him in control.}) 25... Qc7 26. Nf1 c4 $1 $36 {
Bacrot,E (2708)-Aronian,L (2756)/Turin 2006/CBM 113 (1/2-1/2, 36)}) 17. Ng3
$146 {A logical move, strengthening White's control in the centre.} (17. exd5
Qxd5 18. Qe2 Rfd8 19. Nxe5 Qxe5 20. Qxe5 Nxe5 21. Rxe5 Rxd3 22. Rxe6 Kf7 23.
Re3 Rad8 $44 {Black's better development and the weakness of the white
queenside pawns (placed on dark squares!) offers him entirely adequate
compensation for the minimal material defficit, Karjakin,S (2661)-Grischuk,A 
(2719)/Foros 2006 (1/2-1/2, 52). After Shirov's developing move, the threat to
capture on d5 becomes more realistic.}) 17... dxe4 $6 {Optically speaking, a
horrible move. Of course, Aronian was perfectly aware of the strategic
drawbacks of such a decision, but he probably over-estimated his dynamic
compensation.} ({Once again,} 17... a5 {prematurely weakens the b5-square,
allowing White to embark such interesting lines:} 18. exd5 Qxd5 (18... exd5 19.
bxc5 Bxc5 20. d4 exd4 21. cxd4 Bb6 22. Qd3 b4 23. Bg5 $14 h6 $2 24. Bxh6 gxh6
25. Qg6+ Kh8 26. Qxh6+ Kg8 27. Nf5 Ra7 28. Re6 $40) 19. c4 $1 bxc4 20. b5 Nd4
21. dxc4 Qxc4 22. a4 $44 {White's strategic achievements (strong passd pawn on
the queenside, pressure against Black's weakneses along the e-file) are
obvious, but the strong centralized d4-knight keeps Black very much in the
game.}) ({However, the modest developing move} 17... Qc7 {, eventually
followed by ...Rae8, seems to be entirely playable for Black.}) 18. Nxe4 c4 {
Only this move gives some meaning to Black's previous move.} 19. dxc4 Qxd1 ({
The other way to force White allow the activation of a black piece was} 19...
Nxe4 20. Qxd8 Raxd8 {. However, after} 21. cxb5 axb5 22. Rxe4 Rd1+ 23. Re1 {
Black does not seem to have sufficient compensation.}) 20. Nxf6+ Bxf6 21. Rxd1
{Compared to the line from the previous comment, the bishop (and not the
queen's rook) has improved its position. Therefore, the next move is logical.}
e4 (21... bxc4 $6 22. Nd2 $1 Rad8 23. Re1 Rd3 24. Ne4 $16 {leaves White with a
stable advantage.}) 22. cxb5 $6 {This premature release of the tension allows
Black develop his queen's rook without... moving it and is one of the main
causes for the technical problems faced by Shirov in the final part of the
game.} (22. Ng5 Bxc3 23. Ra2 (23. Rb1 bxc4 {is less clear.}) 23... Rad8 24.
Rxd8 Rxd8 25. cxb5 axb5 26. Be3 $16 {[%csl Rb5,Re6][%cal Yg5e4]}) 22... axb5
23. Ng5 Nxb4 $1 {Could Shirov have overlooked the double pin? Hard to believe,
he must have simply underestimated Black's chances in the resulting position.}
(23... Bxc3 24. Rb1 $16) 24. Nxe4 Nd5 25. Rb1 Ra5 $14 {White has won a pawn
and has the more compact kingside structure. However, the situation on the
other wing is less favourable for him, because of Black's advantage fo space.
Although the c3- and a3-pawns can be defended, the stability of the d5-knight
requires from White a lot of effort in order to make further progress.} 26.
Nxf6+ {A paradoxical decision. White gives up the pride of his position, the
well centralized and stable knight. Shirov was probably afraid that after an
eventual bishop retreat to e7 followed by ...Rfa8, Black would provoke mass
simplifications and more or less force a draw in a rook ending with 2 P vs 3P
on the kingside.} gxf6 27. Rb3 Rc8 28. Bd2 Rc4 29. Rdb1 Nc7 {The queenside
position has stabilized and time has come for the players to turn their
attention towards the other wing. The centralization of the kings is an
important element, of course.} 30. Kf1 ({Maybe White should have fought for
space with} 30. g4 $5 Kf7 ({Optically,} 30... h5 {looks disturbing, but after}
31. gxh5 $5 {followed by h6 this pawn could become dangerous, distracting part
of Black's forces away from the queenside.}) 31. Kg2 Kg6 32. f3 $14 {[%cal
Yg2g3,Yh3h4] /+/-}) 30... Kf7 31. Rb4 $6 {Shirov noticed a small drawback of
the presence of the enemy king on the seventh rank and forces the exchange of
a pair of rooks, misjudging the resulting position.} (31. Ke2 Kg6 32. Kd3 $14)
31... Rxb4 ({The tactical point is that} 31... Rxa3 $2 {loses the knight to}
32. Rxc4 bxc4 33. Rb7 $18) 32. axb4 Ra2 33. Be1 Nd5 {White has managed to
consolidate his material advantage, but Black's activity will make the
technical part enormously difficult.} 34. Rd1 h5 {Since White has not cared
about winning space on this wing, Black starts advancing his pawns himself.}
35. Rd3 Ra1 36. g3 f5 37. Ke2 Ra2+ 38. Bd2 Nb6 39. Kf1 Nd5 40. Rd4 Nf6 $6 {
Quite risky. Black should have maintained his knight close to the c4-square,
with a probable draw.} 41. Be1 Rc2 42. Rd8 Ne4 43. Rh8 {Suddenly, White has
some concrete ideas. Black cannot defend both his wings at the same time.} Kf6
$3 ({After a long thought, Aronian finds an excellent practical chance. In
case of} 43... Kg6 44. Rb8 Nd6 45. Rb6 {it wold be all over.}) 44. Rxh5 Ng5 $1
45. f4 ({White has no time to activate his rook with} 45. Rh8 {because of} Nf3
{when he would have to part with the bishop.}) 45... Nf7 46. g4 Kg6 {A highly
pictoresque position. White is two pawns up, but his rook is trapped. The win
remains quite problematic.} 47. Kg1 {Black is in some sort of zugzwang. His
king and knight are busy keeping the rook trapped, while the own rook is
optimally placed on c2, by cutting the king away from the centre and keeping
the bishop passive.} Re2 {Obviously, the lesser evil.} 48. Bf2 Rc2 ({Attacking
the f4-pawn with} 48... Re4 {would lead nowhere because of} 49. Rh4 $1 {, when}
Rxf4 $6 {allows the activation of the previously trapped rook with} 50. gxf5+)
49. Bd4 {A first small achievement. The bishop is quite active now, but has no
possibility of cooperating with the rook.} Re2 50. Rh4 {Taking measures
against Black's next move in advance.} Re4 $6 {Black should have maintained
his rook along the second rank. The maximum what White could have achieved
would have been to transfer his king to c1 and then break the queenside with
c4, fllowed by the advance of the b-pawn. However, with the rook captive on h5
I do not believe that this would have offered any chances for success.} ({
Here is a sample line:} 50... Rc2 51. Kf1 Rd2 52. Ke1 Rc2 53. Kd1 Rh2 54. Kc1
Rg2 55. c4 ({Taking the a2-square under control with} 55. Kb1 {would leave the
d2-square undefended, which after} Rd2 56. Rh5 Re2 57. c4 bxc4 58. b5 {allows}
Rd2 {followed by ...Rd5, when the king is obviously misplaced on b1.}) 55...
bxc4 56. b5 Ra2 57. b6 Ra3 58. Kc2 Rb3 {Again, the rook is optimally placed,
keepng the pawn under control and preventing the activation of the enemy king.
This gives White the idea of playing for zugzwang with} 59. Rh5 {. However,
after} Rd3 60. Bc3 Rd6 61. Ba5 Rd5 62. Bc3 Rb5 63. Bd4 Rb3 {White has made no
progress.}) 51. Kg2 {This move allows Black repair his previous mistake to a
certain extent.} (51. Kf2 $5 {would have prevented the return of the rook into
play, leaving White with reasonable winning chances after} Rxf4+ 52. Kg2 {
followed by gxf5+. The bishop is clearly stonger than the knight and the
extra-pawn could count. For instance, in case of the exhange of rooks, a
well-timed pawn break c4 would leave Black with difficulties stopping the h-
and b-pawns.}) 51... Re2+ 52. Kf3 Rc2 {The rook has returned to the second
rank, but the white king has improved his position. Still, there is no clear
win yet.} 53. Ke3 Rc1 54. Kd3 Ra1 55. Be5 (55. c4 $6 Rd1+ $1) 55... Rd1+ 56.
Kc2 Re1 57. Bd4 (57. c4 Re4 58. cxb5 Rxb4 $11) 57... Re2+ 58. Kd3 Re1 59. Bc5
Re4 60. Be3 {Almost trapping the rook.} Rc4 61. Bd4 Nh6 62. Kd2 Nf7 63. Kc2 Nh6
64. Rh5 Nf7 65. Kb3 Rc8 {With the white rook on h5, the knight cannot move
because of Rg5+, meaning that Black has to retreat with his rook. Aronian's
accurate defence in the next phase of the game deserves the highest praise. At
certain points, he will find the only moves to maintain things under control,
as if reading his opponent's mind.} 66. Bc5 Rd8 67. Kc2 (67. c4 Rd3+ 68. Kc2
bxc4 $11) 67... Ra8 $1 68. Rh4 {By indirectly defending the f4-pawn, Shirov
prepares the long-awaited c4.} ({The immediate} 68. c4 {would have lost the
pawn to} bxc4 69. Kc3 Ra3+ 70. Kxc4 Rf3 {because White has no physical time
for Kb5 and Rh4. Also, gxf5+ is impossible because the rook is hanging.}) 68...
Ra1 $1 (68... Ra3 $2 {would be a typical mistake because of} 69. Kb2 Ra8 70. c4
bxc4 71. Kc3 Ra3+ 72. Kxc4 Rf3 {and White is just in time to play} 73. gxf5+
exf5 74. b5) 69. g5 ({Finally Shirov loses his temper. Blocking the kingside
will offer Black the possibility to more or less force a draw. However it is
not clear whether he had any opportunity to carry out the thematic break c4
under favourable circumstances. For instance, in this position} 69. c4 {
leads to a familiar situation after} bxc4 70. Bd4 {, when the b-pawn could
still cause Black troubles.} (70. Kc3 Rc1+ 71. Kd4 c3 72. Kd3 {allows strong
counterplay after} e5 $1) 70... Ra3 $11) 69... Ra2+ 70. Kd3 e5 $5 71. fxe5
Nxe5+ 72. Ke3 Kxg5 73. Be7+ Kg6 74. Rh8 Kg7 75. Rc8 f4+ 76. Ke4 Re2+ 77. Kf5 f3
78. Bc5 Nd3 79. Bd4+ Kf7 80. Rb8 f2 81. Rb7+ Re7 82. Rxe7+ Kxe7 83. Bxf2 Nxf2
1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates final"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.11"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D89"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2699"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2007.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8.
Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O Bg4 11. f3 Na5 12. Bd3 cxd4 13. cxd4 Be6 14. d5 Bxa1
15. Qxa1 f6 16. Bh6 Re8 17. Qd4 Bf7 18. Bb5 e5 19. Qf2 Re7 20. f4 exf4 21. Qxf4
Qb6+ 22. Kh1 Bxd5 23. exd5 Qxb5 24. Qxf6 Qe8 25. Qd4 {This topical line was
examined in CBM117, annotations to Topalov-Shirov. Alexey lost that game but
now comes up with a powerful improvement:} Rf7 $1 {[%mdl 4] Actually this move
had been introduced a month earlier by Russian IM Alexander Danin. However,
the copyright probably belongs to GM Konstantin Sakaev who suggested it in his
book published last year.} 26. Rxf7 Qxf7 27. Bd2 (27. h3 Rd8 (27... Re8 $5 28.
Ng3 Qe7 29. d6 $140 Nc6 $1) 28. Qc3 b6 29. Ng3 Re8 30. Qd4 g5 $1 (30... Qe7 $2
31. d6) 31. Ne4 $2 (31. Bxg5 Qg7 32. Qg4 h6 33. Nf5 Qa1+ 34. Kh2 hxg5 35. Qxg5+
Kf8 36. Qh6+ Kg8 $11) 31... Qf1+ 32. Kh2 Qf4+ 33. Kh1 Qe5 34. Nf6+ Kf7 $19 {
0-1 Rakhmanov,A-Danin,A/Sochi RUS 2007/The Week in Chess 653 (38)}) 27... Qg7
$1 {This is safer than} (27... Nc4 $5 {suggested by K.Sakaev. After} 28. Bc3
Kf8 29. Qh8+ (29. Nf4 Nb6 30. Ne6+ Ke8) 29... Qg8 30. Bb4+ Kf7 31. Qd4 Nb6 32.
Qf4+ Ke8 33. Qe5+ Kd7 34. Qe7+ Kc8 35. d6 {White keeps a good compensation for
the exchange in a tense position.}) 28. Qe4 ({After} 28. Qxg7+ Kxg7 29. Bxa5
Rc8 30. Kg1 (30. Bb4 Rc2 31. Ng1 Kf6) 30... Rc5 31. Bc3+ Kf7 {Black recaptures
the d5 pawn with an equal endgame, e.g.} 32. d6 $6 (32. Kf2 $142) 32... Ke6 33.
Nf4+ Kd7 {[%cal Rc5c4]}) 28... Qf7 29. Bc3 (29. Bxa5 $2 Re8 30. Qc2 Qf2) 29...
Rc8 30. h3 Nc4 31. Qd4 Kf8 {Compared to Sakaev's line, h2-h3 Ra8-c8 is
included, which is rather good for Black.} 32. Qh8+ (32. d6 Ke8 33. d7+ Qxd7
34. Qh8+ Ke7 35. Qf6+ Ke8 36. Qh8+ Ke7 $11 37. Qxh7+ $6 Kd6 38. Qxg6+ Kc7) (32.
Nf4 Ke8 33. Ne6 b6 {doesn't worry Black too much either.}) 32... Qg8 33. Qd4 (
33. Bb4+ Kf7 34. Qd4 {is now senseless.}) 33... Qf7 34. Qh8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates final"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.06.12"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2007.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3
{In the semifinals, Shirov managed to equalize the score in the very last game.
Now, he finds himself in a similar situation. The most difficult thing is to
choose the "best" opening. "Should I jump over my opponent, or leave him
commit suicide because of the high nervous tension?" Maybe Aronian also drew
some conlcusions after his semifinal match, in which he allowed Carlsen to
equalize in the 5th game, the last where Aronian had Black.} d6 9. c3 Na5 10.
Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 Nc6 {Given the fact that White has committed himself to d3
rather soon, Black can refrain from the generally unfavourable ...Bb7.} 12. Nf1
Re8 13. a3 {From the numerous moves played here (13.Ng3, 13.Ne3, 13.a4, 13.h3),
this is the least popular. Shirov might have counted on the effect of surprise,
but the further course of the game will prove that the first to be surprised
will be himself.} h6 {A useful move before retreating with the bishop to f8.} (
13... Bf8 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 Be7 {Black hopes to compensate the loss of two
tempi by the possibility of exchanging the dark-squared bishops. However,
given so much time, White should be able to maintain some advantage in the
centre.} (15... g5 $6 {[%csl Yf5,Yh5]} 16. Bg3 Nh5 $2 {The last two moves are
difficult to understand, given the level of the player with the black pieces.}
17. Nxe5 dxe5 18. Qxh5 Be6 19. Ne3 f6 20. Ng4 {1-0 Adams,M (2640)-Huebner,R 
(2605)/Garmisch Partenkirchen 1994/CBM 043 ext}) 16. Ne3 Ng4 17. Bxe7 Nxe7 18.
d4 Nxe3 19. Rxe3 Ng6 20. dxc5 $5 dxc5 21. Qd5 {An interesting way of
maintaining the initiative.} Qxd5 22. exd5 Nf4 23. Rxe5 Bb7 24. Rae1 (24. Rd1
$1 Rxe5 25. Nxe5 Bxd5 26. g3 Nh3+ 27. Kf1 Be6 28. Rd6 $14) 24... Rxe5 25. Nxe5
Bxd5 {1/2-1/2 Lutikov,A-Krogius,N/Kiev 1964/URS-ch}) 14. b4 $5 {"Almost" a
novelty.} ({The other games between strong players went} 14. Ne3 Bf8 (14... Be6
15. h3 Bf8 16. Bd2 g6 17. b4 Bg7 18. Bb3 c4 $1 $13 {Bologan,V (2540)-Lalic,B 
(2590)/Linz 1995/Inf 64 (1/2-1/2, 27)}) 15. Bb3 Be6 (15... Rb8 16. h3 Be6 17.
Bxe6 Rxe6 18. Nd5 Re8 19. Nxf6+ Qxf6 20. Nh2 Qe6 21. Ng4 {White has some hopes
to get an initiative on light squares, but Black's advantage of space and
excellent development should keep troubles away from him.} d5 $6 {Just
careless.} 22. exd5 Qxd5 23. Bxh6 $1 {Black has lost a pawn, but the weakness
of the d3-pawn offers him chances to get the material balance even in the near
future.} c4 $2 {and now, in Adams,M (2660)-Van der Sterren,P (2545)/Germany
1995/GER-chT (1-0, 41), White missed a forced (and not too complicated) win
with} 24. Nf6+ $1 gxf6 25. Qg4+ Kh8 26. Bxf8 Rxf8 27. Qh4+ Kg7 28. Qg3+ Kh7 29.
Re4 $18) 16. Nd5 g6 17. h3 Bg7 18. Nh2 Kh7 19. Ba2 Rc8 20. Qf3 Rf8 21. Nf1 Nd7
22. Ng3 Nb6 23. h4 Rb8 24. h5 Qh4 25. b4 $14 {Bologan,V (2585)-David,A (2400)/
Dijon 1994/EXT 2004 (1/2-1/2, 34). White has obtained a maximum of activity on
both wings. However, Black's position remains very solid.}) 14... Be6 $146 (
14... Bf8 15. d4 $6 (15. Ng3) (15. Ne3) 15... cxd4 16. cxd4 Bg4 $15 {Kokkila,
T-Viljava,T (2235)/Finland 1991/EXT 2000 (1-0, 33)}) 15. Ng3 d5 16. exd5 Qxd5 {
The outcome of the opening does not look too encouraging for Shirov. For the
first time in this match when playing with White, he has not managed to put
any kind of pressure on his opponent. It would be interesting to know which
move he did not take into account (or just underestimate) in his home
preparation.} 17. Be3 Rac8 18. Nd2 Nb8 19. Nge4 Nbd7 20. Bb3 $5 Qxd3 $1 {
A brave decision. Aronian correctly estimates that White will not be able to
maintain the blockade on e4, which will make the weakness of the double pawns
less relevant.} 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Qf3 cxb4 23. axb4 Nxe4 24. Nxe4 Nf6 25. Nxf6+
Bxf6 26. Rxa6 Qxc3 27. Rb1 {White has no advantage at all. In fact, Black has
an active position. However Shirov's decision to offer a draw looks slightly
premature. With so many mighty pieces on board, things can still happen,
especially under the psychological pressure.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Classic rap Prelim"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.08.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2007.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. c5 Nbd7 6. Bf4 Nh5 7. Bd2 Nhf6 8. Qc2
g6 9. g3 e5 10. dxe5 Ng4 11. e6 Nxc5 12. exf7+ Kxf7 13. e4 Bg7 14. h3 Nf6 15.
Ng5+ Kg8 16. Be3 Ncxe4 17. Ncxe4 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Bf5 19. Bd3 Bxe4 20. Bxe4 Qe7
21. Bg2 Qb4+ 22. Qd2 1-0

[Event "Mainz Classic rap Prelim"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.08.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2007.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. O-O d6 8. a3
Be6 9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. c3 O-O 11. Nbd2 d5 12. Qe2 Qd6 13. b4 Rfd8 14. Rd1 dxe4
15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Qxe4 Qd5 17. Bb2 a5 18. Rac1 Qxe4 19. dxe4 Bd6 20. h4 Rf8 21.
c4 axb4 22. axb4 Ra2 23. c5 Be7 24. Bc3 Bf6 25. Ra1 Rc2 26. Rd3 Kf7 27. Rd7+
Kg6 28. Rxc7 Nd4 29. Bxd4 exd4 30. e5 Bd8 31. Rd7 Rxf3 32. gxf3 Bxh4 33. Rf1
Rc4 34. Kg2 Kf5 35. Rh1 Bg5 36. Rxg7 h6 37. Rf7+ Kg6 38. Rd7 Rxb4 39. Rd1 Rc4
40. R1xd4 1-0

[Event "Mainz Classic rap Prelim"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.08.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2007.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 h6 8. Bd2
Qe7 9. h3 e5 10. cxd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 cxd5 12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Bg2 Nc6 14. Bc3 O-O
15. Qd2 Be6 16. Nd4 Rfd8 17. Rd1 Rac8 18. O-O Bc5 19. Qe2 Bxd4 20. Bxd4 f5 21.
Bc3 fxg4 22. hxg4 Qg5 23. f4 Bxg4 24. fxg5 Bxe2 25. Bxd5+ Rxd5 26. Rxd5 Bxf1
27. Rd7 Bd3 28. Rxg7+ Kf8 29. gxh6 Re8 30. h7 Bxh7 31. Rxh7 Rxe3 32. Rxb7 Re7
33. Rb5 Ke8 34. Rd5 Rd7 35. Rc5 Rd6 36. Kf2 Kd7 37. Ke3 Kc8 38. Be1 Re6+ 39.
Kd2 a6 40. Kd1 Kb7 41. Bc3 Na7 42. Rh5 Re7 43. Kc2 Nc6 44. Rh6 Rd7 45. Kb3 Rd5
46. Rh7+ Kb6 47. Ka4 a5 48. Rf7 Rg5 49. Rf4 Rh5 50. Be1 Re5 51. Bf2+ Kb7 52.
Rc4 Re2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Classic rap Prelim"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.08.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2007.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. Nf3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. Bb3 a6 7. O-O O-O 8. h3
Ba7 9. Nbd2 Be6 10. Re1 Bxb3 11. Qxb3 Rb8 12. Nf1 Qd7 13. Ng3 Rfe8 14. Bd2 h6
15. Rad1 Qe6 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 Qxb3 18. axb3 d5 19. Ree1 Rbd8 20. Kf1 a5
21. Nh2 h5 22. Nf3 g6 23. h4 Kg7 24. Ra1 dxe4 25. dxe4 Nd7 26. Rad1 Nc5 27. Rd5
b6 28. Red1 Rc8 29. b4 axb4 30. cxb4 Nxb4 31. Rxe5 Nbd3 32. Rg5 Kf8 33. Rb1
Nxe4 34. Nxe4 Rxe4 35. Rd5 Nf4 36. Rd2 Ne6 37. g3 Rd8 38. Rxd8+ Nxd8 39. Ng5
Rb4 40. Rd1 Ke7 41. Rd2 Ne6 42. Nf3 Kf6 43. Ke2 c5 44. Ke3 Rb3+ 45. Ke4 0-1

[Event "Mainz Classic rap Prelim"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.08.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A60"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2007.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 b5 6. Bg2 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. e4 Bg7
9. O-O O-O 10. e5 dxe5 11. Nxe5 Bb7 12. Nc6 Qd7 13. Nc3 Nxc6 14. dxc6 Bxc6 15.
Qxd7 Bxd7 16. Bxa8 Rxa8 17. Rd1 b4 18. Nd5 Bg4 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. Rd6 Be6 21.
Be3 Bxb2 22. Rb1 Be5 23. Ra6 Bc4 24. Ra5 Bc3 25. Bxc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Classic rap Prelim"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.08.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E37"]
[WhiteElo "2683"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2007.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 7. Qc2 c5 8.
dxc5 Nc6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. e3 Bf5 11. Bd3 Qg5 12. f3 Qh4+ 13. Kf1 Ng3+ 14. hxg3
Bxd3+ 15. Qxd3 Qxh1 16. b4 O-O 17. Bb2 Rfe8 18. Kf2 Qh6 19. Ne2 Ne5 20. Qb3 a5
21. Bxe5 Rxe5 22. Rd1 axb4 23. axb4 Qa6 24. f4 Ree8 25. Rxd5 Rad8 26. Rxd8 Rxd8
27. Nd4 h5 28. b5 Qa5 29. c6 bxc6 30. bxc6 g6 31. Qc2 Re8 32. Nf3 Qd5 33. Ne5
Ra8 34. c7 Rc8 35. g4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Classic rap fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.08.19"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2007.08.19"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nbd2 Na5 10. Ba2 c5 11. Re1 Nc6 12. Nf1 Be6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. c3 Qd7 15.
Ng3 c4 16. b4 cxd3 17. Qxd3 Nd8 18. c4 Nf7 19. Bd2 Rac8 20. cxb5 Qxb5 21. Qb3
Qc4 22. Qxc4 Rxc4 23. Rac1 Rfc8 24. Rxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Classic rap fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.08.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2007.08.19"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Ne4 7. Bd2 Bxc3 8.
bxc3 O-O 9. O-O Na5 10. Bf4 d5 11. cxd5 Nxc3 12. Qd3 cxd4 13. dxe6 Bxe6 14. Ng5
g6 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. e3 Nc6 17. Rae1 Rc8 18. exd4 Nxd4 19. Kh1 Nde2 20. Qxd8
Rcxd8 21. Bh6 Rf7 22. Bh3 Nd4 23. a3 Nf5 24. Bf4 Nd5 25. Be5 Rfd7 26. Rc1 Kf7
27. Rfe1 b5 28. Bf1 Rb7 29. Rc6 b4 30. axb4 Nxb4 31. Rc3 Rbd7 32. Kg2 Nd3 33.
Bxd3 Rxd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Classic rap fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.08.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2007.08.19"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Qd7 11. Nc3 Rfe8 12. Ne2 Nd8 13. Ng3 Ne6 14. Ng5 c5 15.
Bxe6 fxe6 16. Nf3 Rf8 17. Qe2 Rac8 18. Bd2 Qe8 19. b3 Nh5 20. Nxh5 Qxh5 21. Nh2
Qxe2 22. Rxe2 Bc6 23. Nf1 Bd7 24. Ba5 Be8 25. Ne3 Bh5 26. f3 Bg5 27. c4 Rc6 28.
b4 cxb4 29. Bxb4 Rfc8 30. Kf2 Be8 31. cxb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Classic rap fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2007.08.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2007.08.19"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Ra7 11. Rc1 Be4 12. Qb3 Nc6 13. e3 Qa8 14. Qd1 b4 15. Qf1
Rd8 16. Be1 a5 17. a3 Bd6 18. Nfd2 Bxg2 19. Qxg2 Ra6 20. Nc4 Nd5 21. Nbd2 bxa3
22. bxa3 Be7 23. Rab1 a4 24. Qf1 Nb8 25. Ne4 Nd7 26. Nc3 c5 27. dxc5 Nxc3 28.
Bxc3 Nxc5 29. Bb4 Bf8 30. Rd1 Rc8 31. Ne5 Ra7 32. Rbc1 Rac7 33. Qg2 Qxg2+ 34.
Kxg2 f6 35. Nf3 e5 36. Ne1 Kf7 37. Rc4 Nb3 38. Rh4 Bxb4 39. Rxb4 Ra7 40. Kf3
Rc3 41. Nd3 Rc2 42. Rb6 Ra2 43. Nb4 Rxa3 44. Nc6 Rc7 45. Nd8+ Kg6 46. Ne6 Re7
47. g4 Rxe6 48. Rxe6 Nd4+ 49. Rxd4 exd4 50. Re4 dxe3 51. fxe3 Ra1 52. h3 a3 53.
Ra4 a2 54. Kg2 Kf7 55. Ra6 Ke7 56. e4 Kd7 57. h4 h6 58. g5 hxg5 59. hxg5 Kc7
60. Kh2 Kb7 61. Ra3 Kc6 62. gxf6 gxf6 63. Rc3+ Kb5 64. Rc2 Kb4 65. Rf2 Rh1+ 66.
Kxh1 a1=Q+ 67. Kg2 Kc4 68. Kf3 Kd3 0-1

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E12"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 {The so-called Petrosian (or
Petrosian-Kasparov) Variation, played for the first time in the game Sultan
Khan - Capablanca. The mysterious Indian player won in great style, but we
cannot know whether he was aware of the subtle character of his invention,
since he used to play a3 or ...a6 in the opening quite frequently. (This was
how the so called Chebanenko Slav was born, too) Die so genannte Petrosian- 
(oder Petrosian-Kasparov-)Variante, die zum ersten Mal in der Partie Sultan
Khan - Capablanca gespielt wurde. Der mysteriöse Inder gewann in großem Stil,
aber wir können nicht wissen, ob er sich des subtilen Charakters seiner
Erfindung bewusst war, denn er spielte a3 bzw. ...a6 recht häufig in der
Eröffnung (so wurde übrigens auch das so genannte Chebanenko-Slawisch geboren)}
Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. e3 {Morozevich is known as one of the most
creative and original players of the moment. Some 10 years ago, he used to
deviate from the approved paths as soon as possible (for instance, on the
second move; just think of the almost forgotten Chigorin Defence and Albin
Countergambit). Lately, he has changed his attitude a bit, by producing
stunning novelties in well-established openings. Let us see what he has in
mind for today. Morozevich gilt als einer der kreativsten und originellsten
Spieler der Gegenwart. Vor etwa 10 Jahren pflegte er immer so früh wie möglich
von den bewährten Pfaden abzuweichen (beispielsweise im zweiten Zug, man denke
nur an die fast vergessene Tschigorin-Verteidigung und Albins Gegengambit). In
letzter Zeit hat er seine Einstellung ein wenig geändert und produziert
nunmehr verblüffende Neuerungen in etablierten Eröffnungen. Wir wollen sehen,
was er heute im Schilde führt.} g6 {This move, transposing to some sort of
Gruenfeld, came into the limelight after Kortschnoj used it to defeat a young
player named Kasparov in the first game of their Candidates' match in 1983.
Dieser Zug, der zu einer Art Grünfeld überleitet, rückte ins Rampenlicht,
nachdem Kortschnoi damit in der ersten Partie ihres Kandidatenmatches 1983
einen jungen Spieler namens Kasparov besiegte.} 8. h4 {So, this was his idea.
However, this slightly extravagant move is not really new. Among others, it
has been tried by Polugaevsky against Kortschnoj. By advancing his h-pawn,
White does not necessarily hope to mate his opponent. However, the permanent
danger of a direct attack restricts Black's possibilities of counterplay in
the centre. On the other hand, after having spent 2 whole tempi on h4-h5,
White is morally forced to refrain from castling, which in the long run could
cause him problems of coordination. Das war also seine Idee. Dieser leicht
extravagante Zug ist allerdings nicht wirklich neu. Er wurde unter anderem von
Polugaevsky gegen Kortschnoj erprobt. Mit dem Vorstoß seines h-Bauern hofft
Weiß nicht unbedingt darauf, seinen Gegner mattzusetzen. Doch die permanente
Gefahr eines direkten Angriffs beschränkt die schwarzen
Gegenspielmöglichkeiten im Zentrum. Andererseits ist Weiß, nachdem er 2 ganze
Tempi für h4-h5 verwendet hat, moralisch verpflichtet, auf die Rochade zu
verzichten, was ihm langfristig Probleme mit der Koordination eintragen könnte.
} Bg7 9. h5 Nd7 (9... c5 $6 {is probably premature because of ist vermutlich
verfrüht wegen} 10. Bb5+ {Here I would allow myself a small digression. With
both his bishops developed in fianchetto and only a knight left to cover the
slightly weak c6- and f6-squares, Black has to reckon with such intermediate
moves as Bb5+ or Bg5 permanently. We shall see more of this in the comments
below. Hier möchte ich mir eine kleine Abschweifung erlauben. Wenn seine
beiden Läufer fianchettiert sind und nur ein Springer bleibt, um die leicht
schwachen Felder c6 und f6 zu decken, muss Schwarz ständig mit solchen
Zwischenzügen wie Bb5+ oder Bg5 rechnen. Mehr dazu werden wir in den
Kommentaren unten sehen.} Bc6 ({Against Gegen} 10... Nc6 {Polugaevsky gives 11.
Bd3+/-, which does not make any sense. In fact, White can maintain his
initiative with gibt Polugaevsky 11.Bd3+/- an, was keinerlei Sinn ergibt.
Tatsächlich kann Weiß seine Initiative behaupten mit} 11. h6 (11. Ne5 {does
not offer anything concrete because of bietet nichts Konkretes wegen} Bxe5 12.
dxe5 Nxc3 {, for instance , zum Beispiel} 13. Qxd8+ Rxd8 14. bxc3 a6 15. Bxc6+
Bxc6 16. hxg6 fxg6 17. f3 Rd3 18. e4 O-O 19. Bg5 Ba4 {and Black's control over
the only open file compensates for White's slightly better structure. , und
die Kontrolle von Schwarz über die einzige offene Linie kompensiert die leicht
bessere Struktur von Weiß.}) 11... Bf6 12. Ne4 {and if , und falls} a6 {
then maybe , dann vielleicht} 13. dxc5 $5 {[%cal Ye4d6]}) 11. Bd3 Nd7 12. e4
Nxc3 13. bxc3 Qc7 (13... cxd4 14. cxd4 Nc5 15. Bg5 f6 16. h6 $16 {Polugaevsky})
14. Bg5 $1 h6 {Polugaevsky,L (2615)-Kortschnoj,V (2635)/London 1984/MCL (1/2-1/
2, 29)} 15. Be3 $16 {Polugaevsky}) ({In my opinion, In meinen Augen sieht} 9...
O-O $5 {looks like an important alternative to the text move. Decades ago, it
was the choice of two renowned opening experts and I could not find a
convincing way for White to prove an advantage. nach einer wichtigen
Alternative zum Textzug aus. Vor Jahrzehnten war dies die Wahl zweier
bekannter Eröffnungsexperten, und ich konnte keinen überzeugenden Weg für Weiß
finden, einen Vorteil nachzuweisen.} 10. e4 $5 {This was never tried in
practice, although the idea itself can be found in other lines of the Queen's
Indian. Dies wurde nie in der Praxis versucht, obwohl man die Idee selbst auch
in anderen Damenindisch-Abspielen findet.} (10. hxg6 hxg6 11. Qc2 (11. Ne4 Nd7
12. Neg5 N5f6 13. Bc4 Qe7 14. Qc2 c5 15. Nh4 Bd5 $132 {Miles,A (2565)-Adorjan,
A (2580)/Reggio Emilia 1984/MCD (1-0, 47)}) 11... c5 12. Nxd5 Qxd5 13. Bc4 Qc6
14. dxc5 Nd7 15. Bd2 b5 16. Be2 Qxc5 17. Qb3 Bd5 18. Qxb5 Qxb5 19. Bxb5 Ne5 $44
{Cebalo,M (2485)-Timman,J (2650)/Zagreb 1985/MCL (1/2-1/2, 32)}) (10. Nxd5 exd5
11. Bd2 Nd7 12. Bd3 c5 13. Bc3 Re8 14. Kf1 Nf6 15. hxg6 hxg6 16. Ne5 Qc8 17.
Kg1 Qe6 18. Qf3 Rac8 19. Rd1 {White has obtained what could look like a
promising form of the Pilsbury Attack, because of the potential threats along
the h-file. However, Black is better coordinated (Unlike White, he has
connected rooks!) and can obtain adequate queenside counterplay. Weiß hat
erreicht, was man für eine vielversprechende Form des Pilsbury-Angriffs halten
könnte, und zwar aufgrund der potentiellen Drohungen entlang der h-Linie. Doch
Schwarz ist besser koordiniert (im Gegensatz zu Weiß hat er die Türme
verbunden!) und kann ausreichendes Gegenspiel am Damenflügel erlangen.} Ne4 20.
Ng4 Nxc3 21. bxc3 cxd4 22. cxd4 Rc3 $132 {Khenkin,I (2596)-Komarov,D (2565)/
Belfort 2004/EXT 2005 (1/2-1/2, 51)}) (10. Bd3 c5 $1 (10... Nd7 11. e4 Nxc3 12.
bxc3 {transposes below. mit Übergang zur Variante unten.}) 11. e4 Nxc3 (11...
cxd4 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. e5 $44) 12. bxc3 Nc6 {Black has submitted the d4-pawn
to strong pressure. White has to hurry creating dangerous kingside threats.
Schwarz hat den d4-Bauern starkem Druck ausgesetzt. Weiß muss schleunigst
gefährliche Drohungen am Königsflügel aufstellen.} 13. hxg6 hxg6 14. Bg5 Qd7
15. Qc1 cxd4 16. Bh6 Ne5 $5 {The simplest, although maybe not the most
ambitious solution. Die einfachste, wenngleich vielleicht nicht die
ehrgeizigste Lösung.} (16... f5 {might be also playable. The position arising
after könnte ebenfalls spielbar sein. Die Stellung nach} 17. Bc4 Rfe8 18. Ng5 {
is highly irational. ist höchst irrational.}) 17. Nxe5 Bxe5 18. Bxf8 Kxf8 $44 {
Black's strong dark-squared bishop and his better coordination compensates for
the sacrificed exchange. Der starke schwarzfeldrige Läufer des Nachziehenden
und seine bessere Koordination kompensieren die geopferte Qualität.}) 10...
Nxc3 11. bxc3 Bxe4 12. Ng5 Bd5 13. hxg6 hxg6 14. Qg4 $44) 10. Bd3 Nxc3 (10...
O-O $6 {is less advisable now. ist nun weniger ratsam.} 11. e4 Nxc3 12. bxc3
Nc5 {This thematical trick does not solve Black's problems entirely. He will
manage to exchange one of White's bishops, but his king will not feel safer
after that. Dieser thematische Trick vermag die Probleme von Schwarz nicht
gänzlich zu lösen. Er wird zwar einen der weißen Läufer tauschen können, doch
danach wird sich sein König nicht sicherer fühlen.} 13. hxg6 (13. Qc2 Nxd3+ 14.
Qxd3 c5 15. hxg6 hxg6 16. Ne5 $1 $16 Bxe5 $2 17. Qh3 $1 $18) 13... hxg6 14.
dxc5 $2 (14. Qc2 $1) 14... Bxc3+ 15. Ke2 Bxa1 16. Qg1 Qd7 17. Qh2 Rfd8 {
Vokac,M (2475)-Sax,G (2535)/Lazne Bohdanec 1995/CBM 045 (0-1, 29)}) 11. bxc3 e5
$5 $146 {An interesting novelty. A counter-action in the centre is the best
answer to an attack on the wing. White's centre looks solid enough, but his
problems of development will soon be felt. Eine interessante Neuerung. Eine
Gegenaktion im Zentrum ist die beste Antwort auf einen Angriff auf dem Flügel.
Das Zentrum von Weiß wirkt solide genug, aber seine Entwicklungsprobleme
werden sich bald bemerkbar machen.} (11... c5 12. e4 $14 cxd4 13. cxd4 Nc5 $2
14. Bb5+ $1 $18 {[%cal Yc1g5,Gh5h6]}) (11... Rc8 $5 {is too artifical to be
good. Black refrains from weakening the c6-square and the a4-e8 diagonal,
hoping to delay White's central expansion by one tempo. ist zu gekünstelt, um
gut zu sein. Schwarz vermeidet die Schwächung des Feldes c6 und der Diagonalen
a4-a8 in der Hoffnung, die weiße Zentrumsexpansion um ein Tempo zu verzögern.}
12. e4 $1 ({In an earlier game of the same match, Dreev "believed" his
opponent and played In einer früheren Partie desselben Matches "glaubte" Dreev
seinem Gegner und spielte.} 12. Qe2 c5 {. Now, the rook move to c8 justifies
itself. Jetzt rechtfertigt sich der Turmzug nach c8.} 13. Bb2 O-O 14. Rd1 cxd4
15. cxd4 Nf6 16. hxg6 hxg6 17. e4 Qe7 18. Ne5 Rfd8 19. Qe3 a6 20. f3 b5 21. Kf2
Nd7 $11 {Dreev,A (2590)-Sax,G (2565)/Tilburg 1992/CBM 032 (1/2-1/2, 55)}) 12...
Nc5 13. Bg5 $1 (13. hxg6 Nxd3+ 14. Qxd3 hxg6 15. Rxh8+ Bxh8 16. Bf4 Bg7 17. Kd2
c5 $132 {Maksimovic,B (2435)-Groszpeter,A (2510)/Berlin West 1988/TD (0-1, 33)}
) 13... Nxd3+ 14. Qxd3 Qd7 15. h6 Bf8 16. Bf6 Rg8 17. Ng5 $18 {Dreev,A (2590)
-Sax,G (2565)/Tilburg 1992/CBM 032 (1-0, 28)}) 12. Qc2 Qe7 {[%cal Ye5e4]} 13.
Be4 ({Unfortunately, it seems that Bedauerlicherweise scheint} 13. e4 {does
not work here. hier nicht zu funktionieren:} exd4 14. h6 (14. cxd4 Nc5 $1)
14... Bf6 15. cxd4 c5 $132 (15... Nc5 16. e5 $1)) 13... Bxe4 14. Qxe4 O-O 15.
hxg6 hxg6 {Aronian correctly judges that White cannot create dangerous threats
along the h-file. Capturing with the other pawn would have meant a significant
structural concession. White faces now the difficult task of activating his
bishop somehow. Aronian schätzt richtig ein, dass Weiß keine gefährlichen
Drohungen entlang der h-Linie aufstellen kann. Das Schlagen mit dem anderen
Bauern hätte eine bedeutende strukturelle Konzession bedeutet. Nun steht Weiß
vor der schwierigen Aufgabe, irgendwie seinen Läufer zu aktivieren.} 16. a4 c5
17. Ba3 Rfe8 {In one of the two Gruenfelds Aronian lost with White against
Svidler, the structure was almost identical. Now, he shows that he learned
something from the unpleasant experience. White cannot maintain his stability
in the centre for too long. In einem der beiden Grünfeldinder, die Aronian mit
Weiß gegen Svidler verlor, war die Struktur fast identisch. Nun zeigt er, dass
er aus der unangenehmen Erfahrung etwas gelernt hat. Weiß kann seine
Stabilität im Zentrum nicht allzu lange aufrechterhalten.} 18. Rc1 exd4 {
This tempting move will fail to offer Black a concrete advantage. Dieser
verlockende Zug wird Schwarz keinen konkreten Vorteil bieten können.} (18...
Nf6 $6 {is premature because of ist verfrüht wegen} 19. Qh4 $1 ({But not Nicht
aber} 19. Qxe5 $6 Qd7 20. Qf4 Qxa4 $15 {[%csl Ya3]})) ({Maybe he should just
complete the mobilization of his forces with Vielleicht sollte er einfach vor
dem Einleiten irgendwelcher konkreter Aktionen} 18... Rad8 $5 {before starting
any concrete action. die Mobilisierung seiner Kräfte abschließen.}) 19. Qxe7
Rxe7 20. cxd4 Re4 21. Kf1 $5 {A very calm move. White plans to complete his
development without paying attention to the central tension. Ein ganz ruhiger
Zug. Weiß plant, seine Entwicklung abzuschließen, ohne sich um die Spannung im
Zentrum zu kümmern.} (21. Nd2 $6 Rg4 $1 {[%csl Yd4,Yg2]}) (21. O-O $5 {[%cal
Yf1d1] is more natural. Morozevich might have feared ist natürlicher.
Vielleicht fürchtete Morozevich} cxd4 22. exd4 Bxd4 23. Rfd1 Bc5 $1 {
overlooking that after und übersah dabei, dass er nach} 24. Rxd7 Bxa3 25. Rcc7
{he has strong counterplay. starkes Gegenspiel hat.} Rxa4 26. Rxf7 Bb2 {
Black has parried the immediate threats, but it does not look like if he had
any chance to win with such a weak king. Schwarz hat die unmittelbaren
Drohungen pariert, aber es sieht nicht so aus, als ob er bei einem derart
schwachen König irgendeine Gewinnchance hätte.}) 21... cxd4 22. exd4 (22. Nxd4
Bxd4 23. exd4 Nf6 $15 {[%csl Ga3,Gd4][%cal Yf6d5]}) 22... Nf8 (22... Bxd4 $2 {
is impossible now because of ist nun unmöglich wegen} 23. Nxd4 ({Although
allerdings gewinnt} 23. Rd1 {also wins material, because ebenfalls Material, da
} Bc5 $2 {loses to verliert wegen} 24. Bb2) 23... Rxd4 24. Bb2 $18) (22... Nf6
$5 {[%csl Ga3][%cal Yf6d5]} 23. Rc7 {In the line from the note to the 22nd
move, this would allow the simple capture on d4. In dem Abspiel aus der
Anmerkung zum 22. Zug würde dies das einfache Schlagen auf d4 erlauben.} Nd5
24. Rd7 $132) 23. g3 Rd8 (23... Ne6 24. d5 $5 Rxa4 25. dxe6 Rxa3 26. exf7+ Kxf7
{Again, the vulnerability of the black king offers White sufficient
counterplay. Erneute biete die Anfälligkeit des schwarzen Königs Weiß genügend
Gegenspiel.}) 24. Rc7 $11 {A curious situation. White is not fully developed
yet, but the hyper-activity of some of his pieces allows him maintain the
balance even. Eine kuriose Situation. Weiß ist noch nicht voll entwickelt,
doch die Hyperaktivität einiger seiner Figuren erlaubt ihm, die Balance zu
halten.} Ree8 25. Rxa7 Ra8 {After exchanges on a8 anf f8, followed by Kg2 and
Rb1, the game will transpose to a dead drawn rook + 2 pawns vs rook + 2 pawns
ending. For once in this round, the draw agreement looks entirely well timed.
Nach dem Tausch auf a8 und f8, gefolgt von Kg2 und Rb1, wird die Partie in ein
totremises Endspiel Turm + 2 Bauern gegen Turm + 2 Bauern übergehen. Das
einzige Mal in dieser Runde sieht es so aus, als ob die Remisvereinbarung zum
absolut richtigen Zeitpunkt kommt.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
{An excellent way to play for a win with Black, although it should be said
that White's cooperation is needed, too. In case of 6.Bxf6 (as played just one
day earlier by Kramnik against Svidler), play takes a positional course.
However, Aronian is not the kind of player to refrain from a sharp battle,
especially when he has the white pieces. Eine ausgezeichnete Möglichkeit, mit
Schwarz auf Gewinn zu spielen, obwohl gesagt werden sollte, dass dabei auch
die Kooperation von Weiß nötig ist. Im Fall von 6.Bxf6 (wie nur einen Tag
zuvor von Kramnik gegen Svidler gespielt), nimmt die Partie einen
positionellen Verlauf. Doch Aronian ist niemand, der vor einem scharfem Kampf
zurückschreckt, vor allem, wenn er die weißen Figuren hat. Un excelente método
de jugar para ganar con negras, aunque cabe decir que la colaboración de las
blancas es esencial. En caso de 6.Bxf6 (como se había jugado un día antes en
la partida Kramnik - Svidler), el juego entraría por cauces posicionales. Sin
embargo, Aronian no esel tipo de jugador que huya de una lucha aguda,
especialmente cuando tiene blancas.} 9. Ne5 h5 10. h4 g4 {Black is a pawn up,
but White has a strong centre and better prospects of transferring his king to
a safe location. In the next phase of the game, both players have to
permanently take into account the standard pawn moves (White's) d5 or f3 and 
(Black's) ...b4 or ...c5. For a while, however, play continues with natural
developing moves. Schwarz besitzt einen Bauern mehr, doch Weiß hat ein starkes
Zentrum und bessere Aussichten, seinen König an einen sicheren Ort zu
verfrachten. In der nächsten Phase der Partie müssen beide Spieler ständig die
gegnerischen Standardbauernzüge berücksichtigen, d5 oder f3 (Weiß) und ...b4
oder ...c5 (Schwarz). Für eine Weile aber geht es mit natürlichen
Entwicklungszügen weiter. Las negras tienen un peón de ventaja, ero las
blancas disponen de un fuerte centro de peones y de la posibilidad de llevar a
su rey a una residencía mas segura. Durante la sigíente fase de la partida,
ambos jgadores deberán tener permanentemente en cuenta las jugadas típicas de
peones d5 o f3 (de las blancas) y ...b4 o ...c5 (de las negras). Por algún
rato, el juego continúa con jugadas naturales de desarrollo.} 11. Be2 Bb7 12.
O-O Nbd7 13. Qc2 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Bg7 15. Rad1 O-O 16. Bg3 (16. f3 Nh7 {Werle,J 
(2514)-Smeets,J (2537)/Leeuwarden 2005/CBM 110/[Lutz] (1-0, 40)}) 16... Nd7 (
16... Nh7 {Kramnik,V (2770)-Akopian,V (2660)/Dortmund 2000/CBM 078/[Lutz] (1-0,
41)}) 17. f3 {This move is almost unanimously played here. White finally
establishes a centre of pawn tension and aims to open the f-file for his
king's rook. The only (but significant) drawback of this move is that it
weakens the king's residence. Dieser Zug wird an dieser Stelle fast
ausschließlich gespielt. Weiß errichtet endlich ein Zentrum mit Bauernspannung
und möchte die f-Linie für seinen Königsturm öffnen. Der einzige (aber
gewichtige) Nachteil dieses Zuges ist, dass er die Königsresidenz schwächt.
Esta jugada se efectúa casi unanimamente. Por fin, las blancas crean un punto
de tensión de peones, aspirando a abrir la columna de f para su torre. La
única (pero importante) desventaja de esta jugada es que debilita seriamente
la posición del rey blanco.} c5 $5 $146 ({An interesting novelty. Previously,
Aine interessante Neuerung. Bislang galt Una interesante novedad.
Anteriormente,} 17... Qb6 {was considered best. See for instance Onischuk,A 
(2638)-Lastin,A (2590)/Sochi 2005/CBM 107/[Lutz] (0-1, 38), containing also a
small survey on the queen move. Anand decides that the best way of taking
advantage of the vulnerability of the enemy king is to keep the queen on her
initial square. als Bestes, siehe zum Beispiel Onischuk,A (2638)-Lastin,A 
(2590)/Sochi 2005/CBM 107/[Lutz] (0-1, 38), worin auch eine kleine Übersicht
bezüglich des Damenzuges enthalten ist. Anand beschließt, dass sich die
Anfälligkeit des feindlichen Königs am besten ausnutzen lässt, indem die Dame
auf ihrem Ausgangsfeld bleibt. era considerada como la mejor jugada. Anand
decidió que la mejor manera de aprovecharse de la vulnerabilidad del rey
enemigo es mantener la dama en su casilla inicial.}) 18. dxc5 ({The generally
desirable Auf das generell wünschenswerte La generalmente deseable} 18. d5 {
can be strongly met by kann stark puede ser fuertemente contestada por} Be5 $1
{when White is in some sort of trouble: folgen, wonach Weiß in gewissen
Schwierigkeiten steckt: cuando las blancas pasarían por algunos apuros:} 19.
Bxe5 $6 ({After Nach Después de} 19. f4 Bd4+ {the black dark-squared bishop is
much more active than his direct rival. ist der schwarzfeldrige Läufer des
Nachziehenden weit aktiver als sein direkter Rivale. el alfil negrod e
casillas oscuras es mucho mas activo que su rival.}) 19... Nxe5 20. f4 $2 Qxh4
$1 {with decisive attack. mit entscheidendem Angriff. con ataque decisivo.}) ({
Finally, Schließlich findet} 18. Nxb5 {can be strongly met by die starke
Erwiderung} cxd4 {for instance , zum Beispiel} 19. Nxd4 $2 {The most
principled continuation, which, however, loses almost by force. Die
prinzipiellste Fortsetzung, die allerdings fast forciert verliert.} (19. Qxc4 {
looks better from practical point of view, although Black has excellent play
anyway. sieht aus praktischer Sicht besser aus, wenngleich Schwarz auch dann
ausgezeichnetes Spiel hat.} Ne5 20. Qb3 {The knight cannot be captured because
the h4-pawn would remain desperately weak. Der Springer kann nicht geschlagen
werden, weil dann der h4-Bauer hoffnungslos schwach bliebe.} gxf3 21. gxf3 {
. This weakens the king's position, but otherwise the e5-square would remain
under Black's strict control. . Dies schwächt die Königsstellung, doch
andernfalls würde Schwarz das Feld e5 fest im Griff haben.} Ng6 {with a nice,
but possibly not better position for Black. mit schöner, aber möglicherweise
nicht besseren Stellung für Schwarz.}) 19... Qb6 20. Bf2 g3 21. Be3 Qd8 $3 {
Now that the bishop has been driven away from the defence of the h4-pawn, the
queen switches back to the kingside. Nun, da der Läufer von der Verteidigung
des Bauern h4 verdrängt wurde, fährt die Dame wieder zum Königsflügel.} 22. Bg5
{The natural reaction. Die natürliche Reaktion.} (22. f4 Bxd4 {followed by ...
Qxh4 is not much more appealing.}) 22... Bxd4+ 23. Rxd4 Qb6 $3 {Apparently,
the oscilations of the black queen correspond to the high degree of
uncertainty typical to any lady. In fact, each time Her Majesty pursues a very
precise aim. Now, it's a pin again. Das Hin- und Her der schwarzen Königin
gleicht scheinbar jenem hohen Maß an Unbestimmtheit, wie sie für jede Dame
typisch ist. Tatsächlich verfolgt Ihre Majestät jedes mal ein ganz genaues
Ziel. Diesmal ist es wieder eine Fesselung.} 24. Be3 e5 $1 {and und} 25. Rd3 {
does not save the day because of rettet den Tag nicht wegen} cxd3 $1 $19) 18...
Qe7 19. Kh1 $6 {This move is aimed to enable the capture on b5, but the king
is even worse placed here than on g1. Dieser Zug soll das Schlagen auf b5
ermöglichen, doch hier steht der König sogar noch schlechter als auf g1.} (19.
Nxb5 $2 {is impossible because of ist unmöglich wegen} Qxc5+) (19. Bd6 $6 {
is also not entirely adequate: reicht ebenfalls nicht ganz aus:} Qxh4 20. fxg4
Be5 (20... hxg4 $2 21. Rf4 $16) (20... Nxc5 $5 $13 21. Bxc5 $2 Be5 22. Rf3 hxg4
$19) 21. Bxe5 Nxe5 22. gxh5 b4 $132 {[%csl Ye4] and Black has good control in
the centre, and attacking chances on the kingside. For instance, und Schwarz
hat gute Kontrolle im Zentrum und Angriffschancen am Königsflügel. Zum Beispiel
} 23. Nb5 Bxe4 24. Qc1 Bxg2 $1 25. Kxg2 Kh7 $40) (19. Rd6 {[%csl Yb5] is a
better way to put the b5-pawn under pressure, but has the drawback of
obstructing his own bishop. Black can calmly answer with ist ein besserer Weg,
den b5-Bauern unter Druck zu setzen, hat aber den Nachteil, den eigenen Läufer
zu verstellen. Schwarz kann ruhig} a6 $13 {antworten.}) (19. Rf2 {[%csl Yb5]
[%cal Yg3d6] looks logical. White threatens Nxb5 and, in certain cases, Bd6.
However, things are not so rosy for White. sieht logisch aus. Weiß droht Nxb5
und in gewissen Fällen Bd6. Dennoch stehen die Dinge nicht so rosig für Weiß.}
a6 20. fxg4 (20. Bd6 $6 {is premature yet. ist noch verfrüht.} Qxh4 21. g3 Qg5
{With the rook on f2, the infiltration to h3 simply loses the queen to Rh2.
Mit dem Turm auf f2 verliert die Infiltration auf h3 einfach die Dame wegen
Rh2.} 22. f4 Qg6 23. Bxf8 Nxf8 $44 {Black has a pawn for the exchange, the
c5-pawn is weak and the pair of bishops very active. Schwarz hat einen Bauern
für die Qualität, der c5-Bauer ist schwach und das Läuferpaar sehr aktiv.})
20... hxg4 {[%cal Yd7e5]} (20... Ne5 $5 $44) 21. Bd6 Qxh4 $36 {Concluding, I
could not find an entirely adequate continuation for White, which adds a lot
of value to Anand's innovation. Unterm Strich konnte ich keine ganz völlig
ausreichende Fortsetzung für Weiß finden, was Anands Neuerung deutlich
aufwertet.}) 19... a6 20. a4 Bc6 {Black has stabilized the position and
threatens to win the c5-pawn with ...Nxc5. Since 21.Rd6 can be strongly met by
21...Be5!, White is forced to resort to radical measures. Schwarz hat die
Stellung stabilisiert und droht, mit ...Nxc5 den Bauern c5 abzuholen. Da auf
21.Rd6 stark 21...Be5! folgen kann, ist Weiß zu radikalen Maßnahmen gezwungen.
Las negras han conseguído de estabilizar laposición y amenazan ganar el peón
de c5 con ...Nxc5. Dado que 21.Rd6 puede ser fuertemente contestada por 21...
Be5!, las blancas tienen que recurrir a medidas extremas.} 21. Nd5 $6 {Aronian
tries to change the generally unfavourable course of events by radical means.
Aronian versucht, den generell ungünstigen Lauf der Dinge mit radikalen
Mitteln zu ändern.} (21. fxg4 hxg4 22. Bxg4 (22. Nd5 {does not work at all now:
geht jetzt gar nicht:} exd5 23. exd5 Nxc5 $1 24. dxc6 Ne4 $1 25. Be1 g3 26. Rf4
f5 $17 {and the white king is in a very bad situation. und der weiße König ist
in einer ganz schlechten Lage.}) 22... Nxc5 {[%csl Rd3,Ye4,Gh1][%cal Rb5b4,
Ra8d8] leads to a very pleasant position for Black. All his minor pieces are
placed on excellent squares, while the enemy king remains exposed. führt zu
einer höchste angenehmen Stellung für Schwarz. All seine Leichtifiguren stehen
auf ausgezeichneten Feldern, während der feindliche König weiter exponiert
bleibt.}) 21... exd5 22. exd5 {Normally, this kind of operation would yield
White an advantage... Normalerweise würde eine derartige Operation Weiß
Vorteil einbringen... Normalmente, tal operación debería ofrecer a las blancas
ventaja...} Be5 $1 {... but only with a safer king's position! With this
already familiar to us move, Anand forces his opponent to release the kingside
tension and consolidates his advantage. ... aber nur mit einer sichereren
Königsstellung! Mit diesem uns bereits vertrauten Zug zwingt Anand seinen
Gegner, die Spannung am Königsflügel aufzuheben, und konsolidiert so seinen
Vorteil ... pero ¡solo en caso de tener una posición segura de su rey! Con
esta jugada familiar ya, Anand fuerza a su contrincante a abandonar la tensión
del flanco de rey y consolida su ventaja.} ({After Nach} 22... Nxc5 $2 23. dxc6
{the e4-square is not available for the knight, if compared with a similar
line from the previous comment. hat, im Vergleich zu einem ähnlichen Abspiel
im vorangegangenen Kommentar, der Springer nicht das Feld e4.}) 23. f4 Bg7 24.
dxc6 Nxc5 {Both White's bishops are very passive. The c6-pawn in conjunction
with certain rook activity along the d-file will prove insufficient to level
the balance. Beide weißen Läufer sind sehr passiv. Der c6-Bauer in Verbindung
mit gewisser Turmaktivität entlang der d-Linie wird nicht ausreichen, um die
Bilanz auszugleichen. Ambos alfiles blancos están muy pasivos. El peón de c6
en combinación con algo de actividad alargo de la columna d no resultarán
suficientes para mantener la igualdad.} 25. Rd5 Ne4 26. Be1 Qe6 27. Rxh5 f5 {
White has temporarily won a pawn, but his rook is miserably placed. Anand went
on winning convincingly. Weiß hat vorübergehend einen Bauern gewonnen, aber
sein Turm steht miserabel. Anand fährt die Partie überzeugend nach Hause. Las
blancas han ganado un peón de forma temporar, pero su torre queda muy mal
colocada. Anand acabó imponiendose con confianza.} 28. Kh2 Rac8 29. Bb4 Rfe8
30. axb5 axb5 31. Re1 Qf7 32. Rg5 Nxg5 33. fxg5 Rxc6 34. Bf1 Rxe1 35. Bxe1 Re6
36. Bc3 Qc7+ 37. g3 Re3 38. Qg2 Bxc3 39. bxc3 f4 40. Qa8+ Kg7 41. Qa6 fxg3+ 0-1

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 {Nothing really new or thrilling so far... De momento, nada
emocionante o nuevo...} d5 $5 {But this looks quite unexpected! Aronian wants
to play in the spirit of the Marshall Attack irrespective of White's cautious
opening choice. At this level, the move has never been played before. Pero
esta jugada es bastante sorprendente. Aronian quiere jugar en el espiritu del
Ataque Marshall independentemente del prudente juego de las blancas en la
apertura. A este nivel, nadie ha jugado así todavía.} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. c3 $5 {
After the text move, it was Aronian's turn to sink into deep thought. It
appears that play has just transposed to a different variation, where the
moves c3 and d3 are played in reversed order... Después de la jugada del texto,
fue Aronian quíen cayó en una larga reflexión. Resulta que la partida ha
transpuesto a una variante diferente, donde las jugadas c3 y d3 se efectuan en
orden inverso...} ({Grischuk played this move after a long thought. He
probably did not feel ready to check Aronian's analysis. The whole variation
had been successfully employed with Black earlier this year by Ivan Sokolov
and Peter Heine Nielsen. The main point is that after Grischuk efectuó esta
jugada tras un largo pensamiento. Probablemente, no se sintió capaz de
comprobar los analisis caseros de Aronian. Toda la variante había sido
empleada con éxito en 2007 por Ivan Sokolov y Peter Heine Nielsen. La idea
principal es que después de} 11. Nxe5 {Black does not capture on e5 (as he
does in the genuine Marshall Attack), but takes advantage of the fact that the
d4-square is not under white control with las negras no tienen que capturar en
e5 (como se hace en el Ataque Marshall "original"), sino aprovecharse de la
circunstancia que la casilla de d4 no está defendida con} Nd4 $1 {The idea is
not new in fact, previously it was seen in an under 16 girl competition (1996).
.. En realidad, la idea no es nueva, ya que fue jugada en una partidas de
chicas sub-16...} 12. Nc3 {White is best adviced to develop as quickly as
possible.} (12. Nf3 Nxb3 13. axb3 Nb4 14. Nbd2 Re8 15. d4 c5 16. c3 Nd3 17. Re3
Nf4 $44 {Brkic,A (2567)-Ivanisevic,I (2614)/Vogosca 2007/CBM 118 ext (1/2-1/2,
39)}) (12. Qg4 Nxb3 13. axb3 f5 14. Qf3 Rb8 15. Bf4 Bb4 16. Rf1 g5 $36 {
Spoelman,W (2428)-Sokolov,I (2655)/Hilversum 2007/CBM 119 (0-1, 34)}) 12...
Nxb3 13. axb3 Nb4 ({The initial game went} 13... Bf6 14. Bd2 Qd6 15. Nf3 Nxc3
16. Bxc3 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Rae8 {Ushakova,E-Koroleva,V/Kaluga 1996/EXT 2000 (1/2-1/
2, 48). with only light compensation for the pawn.}) 14. Bd2 ({White's setup
after} 14. d4 Re8 15. Be3 Bd6 16. Nd3 Re6 {Quezada,Y (2541)-Nielsen,P (2649)/
Havana 2007/CBM 118 ext (1/2-1/2, 21). looks slightly artificial, while
Black's threats become real.}) 14... f6 15. Ng4 f5 16. Ne5 Bd6 17. d4 ({
An attempt to improve over} 17. Na2 Bxe5 18. Rxe5 Nc6 19. Re1 f4 20. Bc3 f3 $36
{Timofeev,A (2658)-Sokolov,I (2655)/Sarajevo 2007/CBM 118 (0-1, 40). With the
white knight on a2 and in the presence of opposite coloured bishops, Black's
attack is quite strong.}) 17... Qh4 18. Ne2 f4 19. f3 Nd5 20. Nc3 Ne3 $5 21.
Bxe3 fxe3 22. Rxe3 Rad8 $44 {Georgiev,K (2660)-Ivanisevic,I (2614)/Valjevo
2007/CBM 119 (1/2-1/2, 62). Black has sacrificed a second pawn, but his
position is very active, while the dark squares in White's camp are
chronically weak. For White, it is difficult to display any form of activity.})
11... Bf6 ({In the most recent example at high level wher this position
occured (with reversed move order, though), Black prefered En el ejemplo más
reciente a nivel muy alto donde se llegó a esta posición (pero con orden
inverso de jugadas), las negras preferirieron} 11... Qd6 12. Nbd2 Rad8 13. Ne4
Qd7 {, with an acceptable position for Black, although he later went down
abruptly, Kamsky,G (2705)-Bacrot,E (2709)/Elista 2007/CBM 119/[Marin,M] (1-0,
36). conposición aceptable para las negras, aunque más tarde se derrumbaron
rapidamente en Kamsky - Bacrot, Elista (m) 2007.}) ({In my understanding, if
Black was ready to sacrifice a pawn on the previous move, the most consequent
continuation was} 11... Qd7 12. Nxe5 Nxe5 13. Rxe5 Rad8 {as in Zagrebelny,S 
(2480)-Giorgadze,G (2580)/Yerevan 1996/EXT 97 (0-1, 25), which was examined in
the notes to Kamsky- Bacrot. We shall soon see, however, that Giorgadze
himself opted for 11...Bf6 in a more recent game.}) 12. Nbd2 (12. a4 b4 13. a5
Rb8 14. d4 exd4 15. cxd4 Ba8 {(?!) Black is better developed and seems to have
an excellent position. However, the weakness of the queenside light squares
makes the situation far from one-sided.} 16. Bc4 Nde7 17. Bxa6 Nxd4 18. Nxd4
Bxd4 19. Nd2 Qd6 20. Bf1 Rbd8 21. Qg4 Ng6 22. Nb3 $14 {Aagaard,J (2477)
-Giorgadze,G (2610)/Torrelavega 2007/CBM 119 (1/2-1/2, 60). The outside passed
pawn promises White an advantage in any type of endgame.}) 12... Nf4 (12... g6
{is more cautious from the point of view of the kingside structure, but after.
parece más prudente.} 13. Ne4 Bg7 {the c5-square remains at the mercy of
White's minor pieces. One interesting continuation would be} 14. Bg5 f6 15. Nc5
Bc8 16. Nxe5 $5 Nxe5 17. Rxe5 c6 18. Rxd5 cxd5 19. Qf3 {and White will get two
pawns for the exchange and an active position.}) 13. Ne4 Nxd3 {Safely covering
the c5-square.} 14. Nxf6+ gxf6 15. Re4 ({A logical novelty over} 15. Bh6 Nxe1
16. Qxe1 {, as played in Szalanczy,E (2353)-Vajda,S (2387)/Balatonlelle 2002/
EXT 2004 (1-0, 34). White can use his already developed king's rook for
attacking purposes, rather than sacrificing it.}) 15... Nxc1 16. Rg4+ ({
This intermediate check was not really necessary. After the immediate} 16. Qxc1
{Black does not get the additional possibility of} Ne7 17. Rg4+ Ng6 $2 {
because of} 18. Qh6 {[%csl Gg6][%cal Yf3h4,Rb3g8] with decisive attack, for
instance} Bxf3 19. Rxg6+ hxg6 20. Qxg6+ Kh8 21. Qh6+ Kg8 22. gxf3 $18 {[%csl
Gg8][%cal Yg1h2,Ya1g1]}) 16... Kh8 17. Qxc1 {White's compensation for the
sacrificed pawn is beyond any doubt. The chronic weakness of the enemy
kingside offers him excellent atacking chances. Imagine Black's frustration:
he intended to sacrifice a pawn himself, in order to take over the initiative
and all he got is the opposite situation! La compensación de las blancas por
el peón entregado es muy obvía. La debilidad crónica del flanco de rey negro
les ofrece excelentes posibilidades de ataque. Imaginense la frustración de
las negras: intentaron entregar un peón para hacerse con la iniciativa, pero
¡todo salió al revés!} Ne7 18. Bc2 {The start of a massive migration of
White's pieces towards the enemy kingside. El inicio de una migración masiva
de las figuras blancas hacía el flanco de rey enemigo.} ({Now,} 18. Qh6 {
is parried by} Nf5) 18... Rg8 ({Avoiding the trap Evitando la celada} 18...
Bxf3 $4 19. Qh6 Ng6 20. Rh4 $3 {with mate to follow. seguído por mate.}) 19.
Qh6 Ng6 20. Nh4 Qf8 21. Qh5 Qe8 {[%csl Yg6]} (21... Bc6 {provides indirect
defence of the g6-square, but White can continue as in the game with} 22. Re1
$44 ({Black's idea becomes clear after} 22. Nxg6+ $6 fxg6 23. Bxg6 $2 Rxg6 $1
24. Rxg6 Be8 {, pointed out by Shipov.})) 22. Re1 Rd8 23. Bf5 Bc8 {After the
exchange of the bishops White will find outposts for all his pieces, but
Black's desire to to relieve the pressure aginst the g6-knight is
understandable.} (23... Rd2 24. Re3 Rxb2 $6 25. Reg3 $1 $40) 24. Bxc8 Rxc8 25.
Nf5 Qd7 26. Ree4 Rcd8 27. Kh2 $44 {Tempting Black to start his "counterattack.}
Qd1 $2 {Under no circumstances should Black have left the f5-knight unattacked.
White disposes over a more or less forced win now, but, unexpectedely,
Grischuk decides to force a draw. Las blancas han acabado su larga
reagrupación, pero, inesperadamente, Grischuk decidió forzar las tablas.} ({
Black cannot release the kingside tension in any way. For instance} 27... Nf8
$2 28. Rxg8+ Kxg8 29. Nh6+ Kg7 30. Ng4 $18) ({However, after a neutral move
such as} 27... c5 {White would find it difficult to make progress in any way
and a draw by mutual inactivity would have not been out of question. If, for
instance} 28. Rh4 {, Black can somewhat free himself with} Nf8 29. Reg4 Rg6)
28. Nh6 $6 ({Instead, he could have obtained an overwhelming advantage with En
vez de esto, podía haber obtenido una abrumadora ventaja con} 28. Qh6 $1 {
, threatening Rh4, and if ...Nxh4, then Qxf6+ followed by mate on g7. ,
amenazando Rh4, y si ...Nxh4, entonces Qxf6+ seguído por mate en g7.} Qd2 {
The only try. El único recurso defensivo.} 29. f4 $1 Rd6 ({Defending f6. If
Defendiendo f6. Sí} 29... exf4 30. Rh4 {, Black is forced to sacrifice the
queen with , las negras tendrían que entregar la dama con} Qxg2+ 31. Kxg2 Nxh4+
32. Kf2 Nxf5 {, but after , pero después de} 33. Qxf6+ Ng7 34. Rd4 {he is too
passive to count on saving the game. su posición es demasiado pásiva para
permitir salvar la partida.}) 30. fxe5 Qxh6 (30... fxe5 $6 {shortens Black's
suffering because of acortaría el sufrimiento de las negras por} 31. Rg5 $1 {
, with the terrible threat Qxh7+ followed by Rh5+ and mate on h6. , con la
terible amenaza Qxh7+ seguído por Rh5+ y mate en h6.}) 31. Nxh6 Rb6 32. exf6 $5
{The most ambitious continuation, although the g8-rook was not poisoned either.
La continuación más ambiciosa, aunque la torre de g8 tampoco estaba envenenada.
} Rf8 33. Ref4 $1 {White calmly defends his important f6-pawn and Black is
helpless in view of the threat h4-h5. The point is that Las blancas defienden
con calma su peón de f6, dejando a las negras sin esperanzas ante la amenaza
h4-h5. Lo importante es que el caballo no puede mover. Por ejemplo} Nxf4 {
allows mate in 2 with permitiría mate en dos con} 34. Rg8+ $1 Rxg8 35. Nxf7#)
28... Rg7 29. Nf5 Rgg8 30. Nh6 $4 Rg7 31. Nf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. a3 $5 {This move was
popularized by the eternally young Viktor Kortschnoj. White aims for a
Hedgehog structure. The move a3 could prove a loss of time at a later stage,
but the c6-knight is also far from optimally placed for the aforementioned
structure. Esta jugada fue popularizada por el eternamente joven Viktor
Kortschnoj. Las blancas aspiran a obtener una estructura de erizo. Aunque la
jugada a3 puede resultar como una pérdida de tiempo para mas tarde, el caballo
de c6 tampoco está situado do forma óptima para dicha estructura.} Be7 7. e4
O-O 8. Nf3 {Necessary prophylaxis.} ({In case of the normal developing move} 8.
Be2 {, Black equalizes with} d5 $1 $11 {Bagirov,V (2485)-Schlosser,P (2485)/
Brno 1991/CBM 026/[Ribli] (1/2-1/2, 17)}) 8... d6 9. Be2 b6 10. O-O Bb7 11. Bf4
{This move is supposed to cause Black some problems with his regrouping.} Ne5 {
This was suggested by Kortschnoj. However, Black has other ways of
re-arranging his knights.} (11... Ng4 12. Nd2 Nge5 13. Be3 Bf6 14. Rc1 g5 {
This would be a very good plan if the queen's knight were better placed (say,
on g6).} 15. b4 Kh8 (15... Qe7 {[%cal Re5g6,Gf6e5]} 16. c5 $5 $36) 16. Nb3 Ne7
$6 17. Qd2 Rg8 18. Rfd1 $16 {Nester,I (2417)-Nikolaev,Y (2110)/St Petersburg
2006 (1-0, 31)}) (11... Rc8 12. Re1 (12. Rc1 {Cheparinov,I (2572)-Karjakin,S 
(2599)/Wijk aan Zee 2005/CBM 105/[Ribli] (0-1, 43)}) 12... Ng4 $5 (12... a6 {
Kortschnoj,V-Ponomariov,R/Donetsk (m/2) 80/30 2001/[Kortschnoj,V] (1-0, 117)})
13. Nd2 Nge5 14. Be3 Nd7 15. Rc1 Nf6 {Apparently, Black has only lost time
with his knight, but the retreat of White's minor pieces (Nd2, Be3) can hardly
be considered an achievement.} 16. Qa4 a6 17. Red1 Nb8 18. b4 Nbd7 {Finally,
Black's knights stand the way they are supposed to in the Hedgehog.} 19. Qb3
Qc7 20. f3 Rfe8 21. Nf1 Qb8 22. Kh1 Bd8 $13 {Gavrikov,V (2581)-Lazarev,V (2477)
/Switzerland 2002/EXT 2003 (1-0, 44)}) 12. Nd2 Ng6 ({Not a bad square for the
knight, but} 12... Ned7 {should also be considered.} 13. Re1 a6 (13... Nc5 14.
Bf1 d5 15. e5 Nfe4 $13 {was suggested by Kortschnoj.}) 14. Rc1 Rc8 $13 {
[%cal Yd8c7,Yf8e8,Yc7b8] with a normal Hedgehog position.}) 13. Bg3 Rc8 $146 (
13... d5 $6 {is probably premature.} 14. cxd5 (14. exd5 $6 exd5 15. Bf3 Qd7 $11
16. cxd5 Nxd5 17. Nc4 Rfd8 18. Nxd5 {1/2-1/2 Roeder,M (2404)-Ninov,N (2486)/
Cutro 2005/CBM 106 ext}) 14... exd5 15. e5 Ne4 (15... Nd7 16. Nf3 Nc5 17. Nd4
$14) 16. Ncxe4 dxe4 17. Nc4 $14 {[%cal Yc4d6]}) 14. Re1 a6 15. Rc1 Qc7 16. b4 {
Both sides have carried out their plans in a consequent way. Black's queen's
knight occupies a "typical" square for this kind of position, while the
a3-pawn proves useful by sustaining his colleague on b4 for the eventuality of
a central break (...d5). We shall now see a long phase of slow manoeuvring.
Ambas partes han llevado a cabo su plan de forma consecuente. El caballo negro
se encuentra en una casilla "típica" para este tipo de posiciones, mientras
que el peón de a3 resulta útil por defender a su colega de b4 para el caso de
una eventual ruptura central (...d5). A continuación, seguírá una larga fase
de maniobras lentas.} Qb8 17. Bf1 Rfd8 18. Qe2 Nd7 19. Qe3 h6 20. Nf3 {
Overcautious.} (20. f4 {would have shortened the way to the position arising 6
moves later.}) 20... Ba8 21. Red1 Nde5 22. Nd2 Ng4 23. Qe2 N4e5 24. f4 Nd7 25.
Nf3 Bf6 26. Qe3 {White's queen has been constantly avoiding the opposition
with the enemy rooks and the brutal attacks of the minor pieces. This did not
cause any concession on White's part, but also prevented him from making
significant progress. La dama blanca ha evitado constantemente laoposición con
las torres enemigas o los ataques brutales de las figuras menoras enemigas.
Esto no ha causado ningún tipo de concesión por parte de las blancas, pero
tampoco le ha permitido hacer progreso alguno.} Re8 27. Be1 ({For the moment,
De momento no valía} 27. e5 {was not possible because of por} dxe5 $1 28. Rxd7
exf4 {winning back the piece recuperando pieza.}) (27. Bf2 {offers Black the
additional possibility of} Bxc3 $5 (27... Rcd8 {, as recommended after the
game conntinuation, is entirely playable, too.}) 28. Rxc3 Nf6 29. Nd2 b5 $132)
27... Bd8 $2 (27... Bxc3 $2 {is pointless now because of} 28. Bxc3 $16) ({
Playing with fire. Jugando con el fuego.} 27... Rcd8 $13 {would have
maintained the previous stage of the issue. hubiera mantenido el estado
anterior del asunto.}) 28. e5 $1 dxe5 29. Rxd7 exf4 30. Qe2 $16 {It is hard to
say whether Leko overestimated his position, or he simply overlooked that,
after the bishop retreat to e1, e5 had become a serious threat. The latter
looks more plausible, because it is not really his style to gamble this way.}
e5 31. Ne4 Be7 32. c5 $5 bxc5 33. bxc5 Bc6 (33... Bxe4 34. Qxe4 Bxc5+ 35. Kh1
Bxa3 36. Bc4 $18) 34. Rdd1 {Black has no adequate compensation for the
sacrificed piece. Las negras no tienen compensación adecuada por la figura
entregada.} Bb5 35. Qb2 Qa7 36. Bxb5 axb5 37. Bf2 Qa8 38. Nd6 e4 39. Nxe8 Rxe8
40. Nd4 Bf6 41. c6 e3 42. Be1 f3 43. gxf3 Nf4 44. Bg3 Ne6 45. Qb4 1-0

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A60"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 b5 {Aronian had some previous
experience with this slightly exotic continuation, in the spirit of the
Blumenfeld Gambit. In their rapid chess match earlier this year, Kramnik
played the unexpected 6.Nd2 and eventually emerged with a clear advantage
after a complicated sequence of moves. Generally, many players who do not play
the Benoni against other move orders prefer 5...d6 followed by ...g6 here,
because the fianchetto system is supposed to put Black under less pressure
than others. However, Aronian seems to be of a different opinion. In his
semi-final Candidates' match against Carlsen, he obtained one of his victories
with White precisely in the fianchetto Benoni...} 6. Nf3 $5 ({White almost
authomatically develops his bishop with} 6. Bg2 {, but Gelfand believes that
the bishop can be useful on the f1-a6 diagonal still.}) 6... d6 $146 ({This
natural move is a novelty. In the few previous games where White played 6.Nf3,
Black reacted with} 6... Bb7 {. White will most probably lose his d5-pawn, but
this will lead to positions similar to those arising from the 4.g3 Ba6 5.Qc2
Bb7 6.Bg2 c5 7.d5 variation. For the time being, there is no relevant
practical material available.} 7. e4 $5 {(Never played before)} (7. d6 Qb6 8.
Bf4 Nd5 $15 {Raedeker,B (2241)-Happel,H (2213)/Dresden 2007/CBM 117 ext (1/2-1/
2, 13)}) (7. Bg2 Bxd5 8. Nc3 Bc6 9. O-O Be7 10. Bf4 b4 11. Na4 d6 {Garcia
Martinez,F-Llames Prado,R/Asturias 1996/EXT 2001 (1/2-1/2, 27). and White has
no compensation for the pawn.}) 7... Nxe4 8. Bxb5 Qa5+ 9. Nfd2 Bxd5 (9... Nxd2
$2 10. Qe2+ Be7 11. Bxd2 $16) (9... Qxb5 10. Nxe4 $36 {[%cal Gb1c3,Gc1f4,Gd1h5]
}) (9... Nxg3 10. Rg1 $5 Nf5 11. Nc3 $32) 10. O-O Qxb5 11. Nxe4 Qc6 12. Nbc3
$44 Be6 13. f4 $5) 7. e4 $5 a6 {In case of the exchange of pawns, White would
develop very quickly, which would suit Gelfand's enterprising style quite well.
} (7... Nxe4 8. Bxb5+ Bd7 (8... Nd7 $2 9. Qe2 Qe7 10. O-O $18) 9. Bxd7+ Nxd7
10. O-O Be7 11. Re1 Nef6 12. Qe2 $5 Nxd5 13. Nc3 {(Golubev)} N7b6 14. Nxd5 Nxd5
15. Bg5 f6 16. Rad1 $16) 8. a4 b4 $2 {But this is a huge strategic concession.}
({Black should have played} 8... Nxe4 9. axb5 Be7 {in the spirit of one of the
main lines of the Blumenfeld Gambit: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 b5 5.Bg5
exd5 6.cxd5 d6 7.e4 a6 8.a4 Be7, threatening ...Nxe4. (For further details,
see also my survey on this line in CBM 118) In our position, it is hard for
White to justify the move g3.}) 9. Bd3 {Now that the c4-square has been
weakened, the bishop belongs on this diagonal. The relative weakness induced
by the move g3 does not put White in danger, but could restrict his active
possibilities at a later stage.} g6 10. Nbd2 Bg7 {In order to understand
better where we are, I would resort again to a comparison with a well-known
variation, this time from the Benoni: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.
cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bf4 a6 8.e4 b5 9.Qe2 Be7 10.Qc2, followed by a4 (...b4)
Nb1-d2. This line developed mainly by Yakovich, puts Black under serious
pressure. In our position, Black does not need to lose 2 tempi (Bf8-g7) to
activate his bishop, but White saves even more time: the queen's knight's
jumps and the queen's chaotic moves. True, he has lost an additional tempo
with g3, but this still leaves him in a better situation than in the BI.} ({
If Black provokes the strategically desirable exchange of dark-squared bishops
with} 10... Bh6 {, he risks remaining far behind in development after} 11. Nc4
Bxc1 12. Qxc1 {followed by Qf4.}) 11. Nc4 O-O 12. Bf4 Ne8 13. a5 {The further
course of the game suggests that this generally desirable move should have
been delayed until after castling.} ({Gelfand might have disliked that after} 
13. O-O Bg4 {he does not have the possibility of chasing away the bishop with
h3 anymore (one drawback of the move g3).However, after} 14. Re1 {it would not
be easy for Black to complete his development. White could later play Be2 or
simply Qe2-e3 in order to get rid of the pin.}) 13... Bh3 14. Ng5 {The only
way to get castled, but the knight is awkwardly placed here.} Bd7 15. O-O Bb5
16. Qd2 h6 {Probably best. Black drives the enemy minor pieces away, which
helps him complete his development.} (16... Bxc4 $6 17. Bxc4 Nd7 $2 {fails to}
18. Ne6 $1 $16) ({However,} 16... Nd7 {seems to work out well tactically:} 17.
Nxd6 $6 Bxd3 (17... Nxd6 18. Bxd6 Bxd3 19. Bxf8 {leaves Black with an
unpleasant choice regarding which piece to misplace in order to capture the
bishop.}) 18. Qxd3 (18. Nxe8 Bxf1 19. Nxg7 Bb5 20. N7e6 fxe6 21. Nxe6 $44 {
offers White compensation for the sacrificed material, but Black is not
without chances either.}) 18... Nxd6 19. Bxd6 Qxg5 20. Bxf8 (20. f4 Qh5 21.
Bxf8 {is strongly met by the intermediate} Bd4+ $1) 20... Rxf8 21. f4 Qh5 {
[%cal Yg7d4]} (21... Bd4+ $2 22. Qxd4 $1 $18) 22. e5 Nxe5 $1 23. fxe5 Qxe5 $44)
(16... Nd7 {is best answered by} 17. Nf3 $1 {, taking the e5-square under
control and renewing the threat against the d6-pawn by removing the knight
from the vulnerable position. Besides, Black would not be able to drive the
f4-bishop away with h6 and g5.}) 17. Nf3 g5 18. Be3 {At the cost of weakening
his kingside, Black has managed to eliminate the annoying pressure against the
d6-pawn.} Bxc4 19. Bxc4 Qf6 {It is hard to say whether the final consequences
of this queen incursion favour Black or not.} ({The immediate} 19... Nd7 {
deserves attention. White would have no direct way of taking advantage of the
weakness of the enemy kingside, for instance:} 20. h4 $6 g4 21. Nh2 Ne5 22. Be2
Nf6 {and Black has little to complain about.}) 20. Qd1 Nd7 ({Aiming to
complete his development.} 20... Qxb2 {would be risky because of} 21. e5 {
, when chaos would be reigning in Black's army.}) 21. Rb1 Qe7 (21... Qd8 $5)
22. Nd2 {We can see that White's queen retreat to d1 has been useful by
clearing the d2-square for the knight, which casts some doubt over Aronian's ..
.Qf6.} Nef6 23. Re1 Rfe8 (23... Nxe4 $2 24. Nxe4 Qxe4 {[%csl Yc4]} 25. Bd3 $1
Qe7 (25... Qxd5 $2 26. Bh7+ $1 $18) 26. Bxc5 $16) 24. f3 {White has managed to
maintain his blockade on the light squares, but his pawn centre is not easy to
advance. In the meantime, Black has completed his development and could think
about ways to take advantage of the slight weakness of White's kingside.} Qd8
25. Ra1 g4 $5 ({Aronian hurries to give further meaning to the previous
advance of his g-pawn, but, with hindsight, his last move might be premature.
He could also have strengthened his position with} 25... Ne5 26. Be2 Qc8 {
followed by ...Ra7-e7, keeping the threat ...g4 in reserve.} 27. Kg2 Ra7 28. h3
Rae7 29. Nc4 Nxc4 30. Bxc4 Nxe4 31. fxe4 Rxe4 32. Qd3 (32. Qb3 Bxb2 33. Qxb2
Rxe3 34. Rxe3 Rxe3 35. Qf6 Qe8 36. Rf1 Rc3 $44) 32... Bxb2 $44) 26. fxg4 Ne5 $6
{After this move, White will manage to consolidate.} ({It is hard to say why
Aronian refrained from} 26... Nxe4 {, re-establishing the material equality
and maintaining sufficient initiative to compensate for the strategic
drawbacks of his position. White could try to maintain his material advantage
with} 27. Bxh6 $5 Nf2 $1 (27... Bd4+ $6 28. Kg2 Nf2 29. Qf3 $1 Ne5 30. Rxe5 $1
dxe5 (30... Rxe5 31. Rf1 $18) 31. Rf1 e4 32. Nxe4 Rxe4 33. Rxf2 Qe8 34. d6 $5
Bxf2 35. d7 Qe7 36. Bd3 Rd8 37. Bxe4 Bd4 38. Qf5 $40) (27... Bxh6 28. Nxe4 $14)
28. Kxf2 Bxh6 {leaves the white king more exposed than after the immediate
capture on h6, a detail that counts in variations such as} 29. Ne4 Bg7 30. Qd2
Nf6 31. Nxf6+ Qxf6+ {[%csl Yb2,Yf2]}) 27. Be2 Qd7 28. g5 Nfg4 29. Bf4 hxg5 30.
Bxg5 f5 31. Rf1 Rf8 32. exf5 Rxf5 33. Bf4 {White has the pair of bishops, a
safe position of his king and an extra-pawn. The relatively exposed b2-pawn
and Black's queenside majority cause the position to be not entirely clear yet,
but Aronian will fail to obtain adequate counterplay.} Nf6 34. g4 Rxf4 35. Rxf4
Nf7 36. Nc4 Re8 37. Qd3 Qe7 38. Bf3 Ne5 39. Nxe5 Qxe5 40. Rf5 Qxb2 41. Rf1 b3
42. Kh1 Nd7 43. Bd1 c4 44. Qxc4 Nc5 45. Qf4 Ne4 46. Rf7 Bf6 47. Rb7 Qd2 48.
Qxd2 1-0

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Be4 11. Qc1 Qc8 {If asked which line he consideres to be
the safest against the Catalan, Kramnik would probably refuse to answer. The
best way to find out hisopinion is to play this opening against him and here
is what he decided to answer today. Sí le preguntasen a Kramnik cual es la
variante más segura contra la Catalana, lo más probable es que refuse a
contestar. El mejor método para saber su opinión es jugar esta misma apertura
contra él; aquí tenemos su espuesta para hoy.} 12. Bg5 Nbd7 13. Nbd2 Bb7 14.
Nb3 a5 15. Bxf6 ({For instance} 15. Rd1 {and only after} a4 {exchange on f6:}
16. Bxf6 {when the inserton of the moves Rd1 and ...a4 clearly favours White.}
Bxf6 ({Black can deviate from the natural course of the game with} 16... gxf6 {
, keeping the c5-square well defended, but after} 17. Nc5 Nxc5 18. dxc5 Bd5 19.
Qh6 Kh8 20. Rac1 $14 {followed by the exchange of the light-squared bishops I
prefer White anyway.}) 17. Nc5 Bd5 (17... Nxc5 18. Qxc5 Bd5 19. Ne1 $14) 18. e4
$1 $14) ({Fighting for the queenside light squares with} 15. a4 {also makes
sense.} Bd5 16. Nbd2 $14 {/\e4, /\axb5.}) 15... Bxf6 {This looks like the
correct capture.} (15... Nxf6 $6 {Shirov,A (2699)-Onischuk,A (2663)/Foros 2007/
CBM 119/[Marin,M] (1/2-1/2, 42)}) 16. Nc5 Bd5 {White is not sufficiently well
developed to maintain the blockade on c5. After a short phase of
simplifications, the game will end in a draw, hopefully just in time to allow
Kramnik watch his favourite match from the Champion's League. Las blancas no
tienen suficiente desarrollo para mantener el bloqueo en la casilla de c5.
Tras una breve fase de simplificaciones, la partida acabará en tablas. Espero
que esto pasó suficientemente pronto para permitir a Kramnik seguír su partido
favorito de la Liga de Campeones.} 17. e4 $146 {Optically, this move looks
premature. White weakens the dark squares and will not be able to maintain his
advantage of space. The further course of the game will justify this feeling.}
(17. Rd1 Nxc5 18. Qxc5 Qb7 19. Rac1 Rac8 20. Ne1 Rfd8 21. e3 c6 22. b3 (22. Qc2
) 22... Be7 {/\...Ba3, ...c5 1/2-1/2 Sigurjonsson,G (2440)-Speelman,J (2520)/
Brighton 1981/MCD}) 17... Bc4 $1 {A courageous move, based on accurate
calculation (or maybe home preparation?! With Kramnik you never know)} ({
It is easy to see that the bishop had no other favourable squares, while} 17...
Nxc5 {would be bad because of} 18. exd5 $1 $16 {[%cal Yg2a8]}) 18. Nxd7 (18.
Re1 {would fail to put the c4-bishop in danger because of} Nxc5 19. dxc5 e5 $13
) 18... Qxd7 19. Re1 {Trying to retsrict the c4-bishop, but leaving the
d4-pawn undefended.} (19. Rd1 {is not better.} Be2 20. e5 Be7 $1 ({Not falling
for} 20... Bxd1 $2 21. exf6 Bxf3 22. Qg5 $18) 21. Rd2 Bc4 $1 {The bishop is
just in time to block the important d5-square.} 22. Rc2 c6 23. Qf4 Bd5 24. Rac1
a4 {Black is at least not worse.}) 19... Bxd4 20. Rd1 c5 21. Qc2 {[%csl Ge2]
[%cal Gb2b3]} e5 $8 22. Nxe5 {Black's agreement on a peaceful result looks
premature.} (22. Nxe5 Qe6 23. Nxc4 (23. Nf3 Bxa2 24. Nxd4 cxd4 25. Rxd4 Bc4 $15
{The strong queenside majority is a permanent source of worries for White,
whose bishop is not too active.}) 23... Qxc4 24. Qxc4 bxc4 25. Rac1 (25. Rd2 $2
c3 $1) 25... Rab8 26. Rd2 Rb4 $15 {The difference of activity between bishops
and the vulnerability of the f2-square faces White with permanent problems.})
1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C69"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 {An early deviation from the Marshall
Attack. Una desviación temprana del Ataque Marshall.} dxc6 5. O-O f6 6. d4 exd4
7. Nxd4 c5 8. Ne2 Qxd1 9. Rxd1 Bd7 10. Nbc3 O-O-O 11. Be3 {We are following
well-known paths. White is better developed, but Black's kingside structure
and his pair of bishops do not allow the rapid activation of White's forces.}
Re8 {A typical method in the Exchange Spanish. Black abandons the d-file,
which is not so important yet, because White cannot infiltrate through it, for
the sake of avoiding simplifications and putting pressure on the e4-pawn.} 12.
Rd2 Bc6 13. Rad1 b6 14. f3 Bd6 {This might have come as a suprise for Aronian,
since it was played on very rare occasions.} ({The main stream of theory
continues} 14... Ne7 15. Nf4 Ng6 16. Nxg6 hxg6 17. Bf4 Be7 18. Nd5 Bd8 {
White has an active position, but it is not easy to find a concrete way for
making progress.} 19. Ne3 $1 {[%csl Gg4] The best way to maintain the
advantage of space.} (19. c4 g5 20. Bg3 g4 $1 21. Re1 gxf3 22. gxf3 g5 $132 {
Socko,B (2621)-Akopian,V (2713)/Port Erin 2006/CBM 114 ext (1/2-1/2, 29)})
19... g5 20. Bg3 g6 21. Bf2 Rh7 22. g4 c4 23. Kg2 b5 24. c3 {Laznicka,V (2608)
-Georgiev,V (2540)/Dresden 2007/CBM 118 (1-0, 42). The evaluation has not
changed much since the 18th move.}) 15. Bf4 {A logical reaction. White is
happy to deprive his opponent of the pair of bishops.} Bxf4 16. Nxf4 Nh6 $1 {
On the other hand, Black has got this additional way of developing his knight,
without fearing Bxh6 anymore.} 17. Kf2 $146 {Both sides have developed in a
harmonious way. White's advantage is more of an optical nature. His domination
along the d-file is rather sterile, while the kingside majority is not easy to
promote, being submitted to strong pressure by the enemy bishop. On the other
wing, Black's structure is rock solid and provides him with outposts for his
pieces (c6, d4). Ambos bandos han completado su desarrollo. La ventaja delas
blancas es más bien de naturaleza, digamos, óptica. La dominación sobre la
columna de d es bastante esterila, mientras que la mayoría de peones del
flanco de rey no es fácil de avanzar, al ser sometida a fuerte presión por el
alfil enemigo. En el otro flanco, la estructura negra es muy sólida y ofrece a
sus figuras casillas estables como c6 y d4.} ({Previously,} 17. Nh5 {was
played in a couple of games. The knight stands actively here, but it will
eventually be driven away with a later ...g6.} Rhg8 {[%cal Yf6f5] The best way
to defend the pawn.} (17... Re7 $6 18. Nd5 Rf7 19. g4 $14 {[%csl Gh6] Rause,O 
(2565)-Cutillas Ripoll,P (2465)/W-Cup6 fin corr 1994/Corr 2002 (1-0, 44).
leads to some congestion of Black's pieces.}) 18. g4 Nf7 {[%csl Gf3][%cal
Yg7e5]} 19. Kf2 Kb7 (19... Ne5 20. b3 a5 21. h3 Kb7 22. Nd5 {and now, in the
game Kasparov,S (2491)-Maiorov,N (2490)/Minsk 2006/CBM 111 ext (1/2-1/2, 57),
White had no special reason to refrain from} a4 $5 $132) 20. b3 a5 21. a4 Ne5
22. h3 c4 {Getting rid of the doubled pawns. For somebody used to the Berlin
Defence, this is just a great position for Black.} 23. f4 {[%csl Ye4]} Nf7 24.
Re2 cxb3 25. cxb3 Re7 26. Re3 Nd6 27. Rde1 Rf8 28. Ng3 g6 $132 {Zapata,A (2556)
-Sasikiran,K (2670)/Bled 2002/EXT 2003 (0-1, 67). White has an advantage of
space, but his e4-pawn needs permanent care. Besides, making further progress
looks virtually impossible and in the long run Black has chances to take over
the initiative.}) 17... f5 18. exf5 Nxf5 19. Re1 Rxe1 20. Kxe1 g5 {The
position can be evaluated as roughtly equal, but remains quite interesting.
From the spectator's point of view, the abrupt end is slightly frustrating. La
posición ofrece posibilidades aproximadamente iguales, pero en realidad queda
muy interesante. Desde el punto de vista del espectador, el final abrupto es
bastante frustrante.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E17"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. Nc3 Ne4 7. Bd2 f5 8. d5
Bf6 {Despite his defeat in the game against Gelfand, Morozevich seems to
maintain his faith in this variation. A pesar de su derrota en la partida
contra Gelfand, Morozevich parece mantener la confíanza en esta variante.} 9.
Qc2 Na6 ({Deviating from Desvíandose de} 9... Qe7 {, as he played in the
aforementioned game. , como había jugado en dicha partida.}) 10. Nxe4 fxe4 11.
Qxe4 Nc5 ({Against} 11... Bxb2 {White's rook has a choice (see also the
similar situation from the game Gelfand-Morozevich)} 12. Rd1 {Atalik,S (2525)
-Greenfeld,A (2555)/Beijing 1996/CBM 054 ext/[Atalik] (1-0, 55)} (12. Rb1 {
Kiselev,S (2485)-Ionescu,C (2515)/Bucharest 1997/CBM 060/[Hecht] (1-0, 60)}))
12. Qe3 O-O $5 {Instead of retrieving the sacrificed pawn, Morozevich opts for
rapid development. Optically speaking, his compensation looks obvious, but the
absence of significant weaknesses in White's position will allow him
neutralize Black's initiative in the next phase of the game. En vez de
recuperar el peón entregado, Morozevich opta por un desarollo rápido de sus
figuras. Opticamente, su compensación parece obvía, pero la falta de
debilidades en la posición de las blancas les permitirá neutralizar la
iniciativa delas negras en la fase siguíente de la partida.} (12... Bxb2 13.
Rb1 Qf6 {leaves Black hanging somewhat. Here is a perfect illustration of
White's ideas:} 14. O-O O-O 15. Bb4 d6 16. g4 $1 {Suddenly, the a1-h8 diagonal
is not long enough.} g6 17. g5 Qg7 {It became longer now, but also... weaker.}
18. Rxb2 $1 Qxb2 19. Bc3 Qa3 20. Qd4 e5 {Not really a stonewall.} 21. Nxe5 $1
dxe5 22. Qxe5 Kf7 23. Qg7+ Ke8 24. d6 cxd6 25. Bxb7 $18 {Sulava,N (2420)-Drei,
A (2310)/Forli 1995/EXT 2002 (1-0, 48)}) 13. dxe6 $146 {Practically forced,
because White cannot defend his central pawn in a satisfactory way.} (13. Bb4
$6 exd5 $1 14. Bxc5 bxc5 15. cxd5 Bxd5 16. Qxc5 c6 17. O-O Qb6 $15 {Lerner,K 
(2524)-Arlinsky,U (2295)/Givataim 2007/CBM 118 ext (1-0, 44). Black will win
at least one of the queenside pawns, when his active bishops will offer him
excellent play.}) 13... Re8 14. Qa3 Qe7 {Aiming to attack e2 and c4 at the
same time.} (14... Rxe6 15. Be3 {looks OK for White.}) 15. Be3 (15. O-O Qxe6 {
[%csl Yc4,Ye2]}) 15... Qxe6 16. Rc1 Ne4 17. O-O Nd6 {This looks like too much
moving around with the knight to be really good, but I cannot see an effective
way to prove Black's compensation anyway.} 18. Bd4 $5 {Aronian decides to
neutralize Black's pressure along the long diagonal.} (18. b3 Nf5 19. Bf4 $14 {
would have preserved the material advantage, with rather questionable
compensation for Black.} Qxe2 $2 20. Rce1 $1 $16 Qd3 $2 21. Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. Ne1
$1 $18) 18... Be7 {[%cal Ge7a3]} (18... Qxe2 $2 19. Rfe1 $18) (18... Nxc4 19.
Qd3 b5 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. b3 Nb6 22. Rxc7 $16) 19. c5 {Probably too optimistic.}
(19. Qc3 $5) (19. Qd3 $5 Be4 20. Qc3) 19... Ne4 20. Nd2 Nxd2 $2 {This was
Aronian's idea.} (20... bxc5 $1 {would have won the pawn back with an active
central position.}) 21. Bxb7 Rab8 22. Rfd1 Rxb7 23. Rxd2 Reb8 24. Qe3 (24. b3
$1 $16 {would have maintained the extra-pawn without any compensation for
Black. Just look at his rooks, they are doubled on a file where there is
nothing to do!}) 24... bxc5 25. Qxe6+ dxe6 26. Bxc5 {(?!) (?!)} ({It is hard
to refrain from "winning" the pawn again, of course, but the drawish tendency
of rook endings is well known. One important alternative was Por supuesto, es
difícil abstenerse de "ganar" el peón otra vez, pero la tendencía de tablas de
los finales de torres es bien conocida. Una alternativa importante era} 26. Bc3
{, maintaining White's advantage intact, because of his better structure, more
active bishop and the control over the only open file. , manteniendo la
ventaja de las blancas intacta, en vista de su mejor estructura, alfil más
activo y control de la única línea abierta.}) 26... Bxc5 27. Rxc5 Rxb2 28. Rd7
{Threatening to invade the seventh rank. Amenazando con invadir la séptima
línea.} Rc8 29. a4 $6 ({The ending resulting after this move offers White no
winning chances at all. A slightly more promising ending could have been
obtained with El final que resulta después de esta jugada no ofrece a las
blancas ninguna posibilidad de ganar. Un final algo más prometedor se
obtendría con} 29. Re5 Rb6 30. Rg5 $1 {Forcing Black to weaken his seventh
rank. Forzando a las negras a que debiliten la séptima línea.} g6 31. Rc5 Rb2
32. e3 Rxa2 33. Rdxc7 Rxc7 34. Rxc7 {Despite material equality, Black's
position is not easy to defend, because of his numerous weaknesses. In his day,
Akiba Rubinstein was a great expert in this kind of position. A more recent
example where this structure arised is Karpov - Hort, Waddinxveen 1979, in
which White won. A pesar de la igualdad material, la posición de las negras no
es fácil, por las numerosas ebilidades de peones. En sis mejores días, Akiba
Rubinstein era un gran experto en este tipo de posiciones. Un ejemplo mas
reciente es la partida Karpov - Hort, Waddinxveen 1979, ganada porlas blancas.}
) 29... Rxe2 30. Rcxc7 Rxc7 31. Rxc7 a6 32. Ra7 Ra2 33. Rxa6 e5 34. a5 e4 35.
Ra7 h5 36. h4 {The importance of the lack of flexibility induced by this move
will become obvious at a later stage. La importancía de la falta de
flexibilidad causadapor esta jugada resultará clara mas adelante.} Kh7 37. a6
Ra1+ 38. Kg2 Ra2 {There was no need to leave the king escape from g2 yet.} (
38... Kg6) 39. Kf1 Kg6 40. Ra8 Kh7 41. a7 g6 ({The weakening of the seventh
rank will not change the evaluation of the position, but the more prudent} 
41... Kg6 {was also possible.}) 42. Ke1 Kg7 43. Kd1 Ra1+ 44. Kc2 Ra2+ 45. Kb3
Ra1 46. Kc4 Ra2 47. Kd4 Ra1 $1 ({An important moment. Keeping the central pawn
defended with Un momento importante. Mantener el peón central defendido con} 
47... Ra4+ 48. Kd5 Kh7 $2 {would lose after perderíapor} 49. Kc6 $1 {
(Threatening Kb6) (amenazando con Kb6!)} Ra1 50. Rd8 Rxa7 51. Rd7+ Rxd7 52.
Kxd7 {with an easily won pawn ending. con un final de peones facilmente ganado.
}) 48. Kxe4 {As I have mentioned in my comments to the earlier game Anand -
Kramnik, this ending is drawn. The time has come to explain my comment on
White's 36.h4. With the pawn on h3 or h2, White could have created a passed
pawn on the f-file, which would ensure an easy win. However, Black could have
prevented this undesirable outcome by advancing his g-pawn to g4, immediately
after White's 41.a7. Como he mencionado anteriormente, en mis comentaríos de
la partida Anand - Kramnik, este final son tablas. Ha llegado la hora de
explicar mí breve comentarío después de 36.h4. Con su peón en h2 o h3 todavía,
las blancas podían haber creado un peón pasado en la línea de f, lo que les
aseguraría la victoría. Sin embargo, las negras podían haber evitado este
desenlace indeseable con avanzar su peón de g hasta g4, inmediatamente después
de 41.a7.} ({The plan to exchange rooks does not work out if the black king is
well placed (on g7). For instance} 48. Kc5 Ra2 49. Kb6 Rb2+ 50. Kc6 Ra2 (50...
Rc2+ 51. Kd6 Rd2+ 52. Ke6 Ra2 53. Re8 Ra6+ $1 $11 {followed by ...Rxa7.}) 51.
Rd8 Rxa7 52. Rd7+ Rxd7 53. Kxd7 Kf6 54. Kd6 g5 55. hxg5+ Kxg5 56. Ke5 e3 57.
fxe3 Kg4 $11) 48... Ra4+ 49. Kf3 Ra3+ 50. Kg2 Ra2 51. Kh3 Ra3 52. f3 Kh7 53.
Kg2 Ra2+ 54. Kf1 Ra1+ 55. Ke2 Ra2+ 56. Kd3 Kg7 57. Kc4 Ra1 58. Kc5 Rc1+ 59. Kd6
Rd1+ 60. Ke5 Ra1 61. Kf4 Ra4+ 62. Ke5 Ra1 63. f4 Ra2 64. f5 gxf5 65. Kf4 Ra5
66. Re8 Rxa7 67. Kxf5 Rf7+ 68. Ke4 Rf1 69. Re5 Kg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re2 {We can notice
that for each game Anand prepares a different variation against the Marshall.
This might look like a speculative attitude, but maybe there is no other way
to counter such a well-analyzed opening. Podemos observar que Anand elige un
sistema diferente para cada partida en la cual se enfrenta con elAtaque
Marshall. Esta estratégia puede parecer un poco especulativa, pero tal vez es
el mejor método cuando se trata de una apertura tan profundamente analizada.}
Bg4 14. f3 Bf5 15. g3 $146 ({Earlier, White played Anteriormente, las blancas
habían jugado principalmente} 15. Bxd5 {mainly. The idea behind Anand's
novelty remains unclear, especially since the game will end soon. . La idea
detrás de la novedad de Anand quedará en oscuridad, porque la partida acabará
pronto en tablas.} cxd5 16. Nd2 Bd3 (16... b4 17. Nf1 bxc3 18. bxc3 Qc7 19. Re3
Rfc8 20. Bd2 Bg6 $13 {Todorovic,G (2415)-Pavlovic,M (2420)/Vrnjacka Banja 1990/
EXT 97 (0-1, 31)}) 17. Rf2 (17. Re3 Qh4 18. f4 Bf5 $44) 17... Qc7 (17... b4 $5
{Kotronias,V (2550)-Sokolov,I (2625)/Elenite 1992/CBM 032/[ChessBase] (0-1, 56)
}) 18. g3 Rae8 19. Nf1 Bg6 20. Ne3 Qd7 21. Nxd5 Bxg3 22. Nf6+ gxf6 23. hxg3 $16
{Georgiev,K (2595)-Nikolic,P (2630)/Wijk aan Zee 1988/CBM 005 (1-0, 39)}) 15...
Qc7 16. Kf2 {An ingenious move, but if a king move is necessary with the whole
queenside undeveloped, something must be wrong with White's whole plan.} ({
Continuing the development with the natural} 16. Nd2 {would lead to a forced
draw after} Bd3 17. Rf2 $8 (17. Re1 $2 Bxg3 $17 18. hxg3 $6 Qxg3+ 19. Kh1 Nf4
20. Rg1 Qh3#) (17. Rg2 $2 Ne3 $19) 17... Bxg3 18. hxg3 Ne3 19. Qe1 Qxg3+ 20.
Kh1 Qh4+ (20... Rae8 21. Qg1 $1 {[%cal Yf2h2,Gd2e4]}) 21. Kg1 Qg3+ $11 {
[%csl Ge1]}) ({The thematic} 16. a4 {is also insufficient:} Rae8 17. axb5 axb5
18. Nd2 Bxg3 19. hxg3 Qxg3+ 20. Rg2 Re1+ 21. Nf1 Qh4 22. Qd2 Rxf1+ 23. Kxf1
Qh1+ 24. Kf2 Re8 $1 $11 {I do not exclude the possiblity that Black could find
an improvement somewhere, but since a draw is guaranteed, it is OK from the
opening's point of view already.}) 16... Qd7 17. Bxd5 {This exchange is forced
now.} (17. Nd2 $2 {is bad because of} Bd3 18. Re1 Qh3 $40) 17... cxd5 18. Nd2
Bd3 19. Re3 Bg6 {Aronian is confident about his position and rightly so.} ({
He could have forced a draw here with} 19... Qh3 20. Kg1 (20. Rxd3 $2 {leads
to mate after} Qxh2+ 21. Kf1 Qh3+ $5 {although 21...Bxg3 does not look "bad"
either.}) 20... Bxg3 21. hxg3 Qxg3+ 22. Kh1 $11 {Black cannot play for more
than a perpetual with} Rae8 $6 23. Nf1 $8 Bxf1 24. Qxf1 Re6 25. Qg2 $1 $18) 20.
Nf1 a5 21. a3 {Black has the usual compensation, based on his pair of bishops
and more active position. Besides, the white king's position is weaker than in
the normal lines. Las negras tienen su acostumbrada compensación, por su
pareja de alfiles y la posición más activa.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bxf6 Qxf6 6. Nbd2 $5 ({A rare move,
avoiding the topical Moscow variation, which would arise by transposition
after Una jugada poco frecuente, evitando la variante Moscú, a que se llegaría
por transposición después de} 6. Nc3 c6 {. After the game move, play will take
a very original course. . Después de la jugada del texto, el juego tomará un
curso muy original.}) 6... Nd7 (6... c5 $5 7. e4 $5 (7. cxd5 cxd4 $5 8. Rc1 {
is another way to develop White's initiative.}) 7... cxd4 8. cxd5 exd5 ({
Safer would be} 8... e5 {, when after} 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Qb3 $14 {White's
control on the light squares would offer him the more pleasant position.}) 9.
exd5 Nd7 10. Qa4 $6 ({White should have completed his development as soon as
possible with} 10. Bb5 $1 {, when the exposed position of the enemy queen
could tell. In case of} Qe7+ 11. Kf1 $1 {White has the right to castle, but
Black's development is also delayed, while the alignment of the black Royal
pair on the e-file is dangerous.}) 10... Bd6 11. Qxd4 O-O 12. Qxf6 Nxf6 13. Bc4
Re8+ 14. Kf1 a6 15. a4 Bd7 $15 {Steiner,H-Lasker,Ed/New York 1931/HCL (0-1, 35)
. with more than enough compensation for the pawn.}) (6... c6 7. Qb3 Nd7 8. g3
Qd8 9. Bg2 Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. e4 dxc4 12. Nxc4 b6 13. Rfd1 Bb7 {Endzelins,
L-Unzicker,W/Augsburg 1946/EXT 2001 (1/2-1/2, 20)} 14. Na5 $5 $14 {Anyway,
this was a game played long before the Moscow variation became fashionable and
the specialists would remark that not all the moves have been consequent.}) (
6... dxc4 {faces White with a difficult psychological problem: which piece is
best suited to capture on c4? The only thing is that all the 3 possible
answers are correct!!} 7. e3 ({A continuation in the spirit of the Catalan
defence would be} 7. Qa4+ c6 8. Qxc4 Nd7 9. g3 Qe7 10. Bg2 Qb4 11. Qc2 Be7 12.
O-O O-O 13. Rfd1 a5 14. Nc4 Rd8 15. a3 Qb5 16. e4 $14 {Rausis,I (2490)
-Manninen,M (2380)/Jyvaskyla 1996/EXT 98 (1-0, 33)}) 7... g6 {An over-refined
move. White is waiting for ...Bg7 before capturing with the knight.} 8. Rc1 (8.
Bxc4 Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. b4 Qe7 11. Rb1 Nd7 12. Qc2 c6 13. a4 {Nikolic,P (2631)
-Roiz,M (2605)/Valjevo 2007/CBM 119 (1/2-1/2, 86). White has the usual
advantage of space, as in the Moscow Variation. The knight is not so active on
d2, but it can go to b3, while the bishop has captured on c4 without loss of
time.}) 8... Nd7 {Black has good nerves, too.} 9. Nxc4 Bb4+ $6 {Not really
logical after ...g6. The dark squares will remain weak now.} (9... Bg7 10. Bd3
O-O 11. O-O $14 {The knight stands well on c4, because it prevents ...e5.}) 10.
Ncd2 c6 11. a3 Bxd2+ 12. Nxd2 O-O 13. Bc4 b6 14. O-O Bb7 15. b4 $14 {Nikolic,P
(2631)-Pavasovic,D (2567)/Valjevo 2007/CBM 119 (1-0, 35)}) 7. g3 (7. Rc1 {
is aimed to force Black take a decision on the queenside before White proceeds
with his kingside development.} c6 (7... c5 {is entirely possible, but
justifies the delay of the decision on the kingside by allowing} 8. cxd5 exd5
9. e3 b6 10. Bb5 {[%csl Gc5]}) 8. g3 Qe7 9. Bg2 g6 10. O-O Bg7 11. e4 dxe4 12.
Nxe4 Nf6 13. Nc5 O-O 14. b4 Rd8 15. Qb3 Qc7 {Nikolic,P (2626)-Motylev,A (2662)/
Germany 2006/CBM 116 (0-1, 46)}) 7... g5 $5 {A far from one sided move. Black
puts some additional pressure on White's centre and wins space on the kingside,
but weakens the h5-and f5-squares The latter will become important if Black
will have to play ...exd5 at some moment.} (7... g6 {is likely to more or less
transpose to Nikolic-Motylev or Endzelins-Unzicker.}) 8. h3 Bg7 ({One possible
justification for the previous move would be} 8... h5 $5 {.}) 9. Rc1 c5 10. e3
O-O 11. Bg2 b6 (11... cxd4 12. exd4 e5 (12... b6 13. cxd5 exd5 14. O-O $14) 13.
cxd5 exd4 14. O-O Nb6 15. Nb3 Nxd5 16. Nfxd4 $14 {Black will need some effort
to complete his development, while the weakness of the f5-square will always
be there. However, his pair of bishops offers him counter-chances.}) 12. cxd5
exd5 13. O-O Bb7 14. Re1 Rfd8 {Black has achieved an active version of the
hanging pawns, but the evaluation of such positions is far from one-sided.
White's structure is flexible and solid, which entitles him to hope for a
favourable course of the game in the long run. Besides, Black's kingside
contains chronic weaknesses on the light squares. White's main concern for the
time being should be the activation of his queen's knight, which does not put
any kind of pressure on Black's position and stands in the way of his own
pieces at the same time. Las negras lograron una forma bastante activa de los
peones colgados, pero la evaluación de este tipo de posiciones suele ser lejos
de unilateral. La estructura de las blancas es sólida y flexible, lo que les
permite contar con un curso favorable del juego a largo plazo. Además, el
flanco de rey negro contiene debilidades crónicas sobre casillas blancas. En
este momento, la principal taréa de las blancas es encontrar una forma de
activar a su caballo de dama, que no ejerce ningún tipo de presión sobre el
centro enemigo y se encuentra en el camino de sus próprías figuras al mismo
tiempo.} 15. g4 $5 ({A creative solution to the aforementioned task. Aronian
intends to transfer his knight to f5 or, eventually, h5. The standard
manoeuvre would be Una solución creativa al problema anteriormente mencionado.
Aronian quíere trasladar el caballo a f5 o h5.La solución tradicional sería} 
15. Nb1 {followed by Nc3, increasing the pressure against the d5-pawn. seguído
por Nc3, aumentando la presión sobre el peón de d5.}) 15... h5 $5 ({Ambitious
and... risky. Black intends to deny the knight's access to g3 with ...h4.
After the more restrained Ambicioso y... arriesgado. las negras quíeren
denegar el acceso del caballo enemigo a g3. Después de la más prudente} 15...
Qe6 16. Nf1 f5 {White would consolidate his g4-pawn with las blancas
consolidarían el peón de g4 con} 17. N3h2 {, followed by Ng3-f5 anyway.
However, the final evaluation of the resulting position would be uncertain,
because the other knight would remain passive for a while. seguído por Ng3-f5
de toda forma. Sin embargo, la evaluación final de la posición quedaría
incierta, porque el otro caballo estaría algo pásivo.}) 16. gxh5 $1 {The only
way to question the viability of Black's plan. This self-disruption of the
structure might look like a strategic concession, but Aronian correctly
anticipated that his knights will get additional possibilities on the kingside.
Besides, the apparently doomed h-pawn could play an important part in certain
cases. La única forma de cuestionar la correctitud del plan delas negras. La
auto-destrucción de la estructura de las blancas puede parecer como una
concesión estratégica, pero Aronian intuyó muy bien que ahora sus caballos
obtendrán posibilidades adicionales en el flanco de rey. Además, el
aparentemente condenado peón de h podrá jugar un papel importante en ciertos
casos.} Qh6 17. Nh2 Rac8 18. Ndf1 f5 19. Ng3 Qe6 20. Nf3 Qf6 {Black has
managed to stabilize the kingside position, but White will open a new front on
the opposite wing. La negras han estabilizado el flanco de rey, pero las
blancas abrirán un nuevo frente en el centro.} 21. dxc5 bxc5 22. b4 $5 {
Fighting for the d4-square. Luchando por la casilla de d4.} f4 $5 {As you can
see, neither of the players is concerned about the material balance. Pawns are
sacrificed nonchalantly for the sake of achieving certain strategic advantages.
Como pueden ver, ningún de los jugadores no está demasiado preopupado por
mantener el equílibrío material. Ambas partes entregan peones sin más, para
llevar a cabo sus planes en forma óptima.} 23. exf4 gxf4 24. Nf1 c4 (24... cxb4
$5 {looks like a positional concession, but Black's queenside majority could
be dangerous after simplifications.}) 25. N1h2 {Black's achievements in the
centre are impressive, but the white knights exert irritating pressure on the
kingside. One important element is the h5-pawn, which deprives the queen of
the g6-square and is ready to advance to h6 at the most appropriate moment.
Los logros de las negras en el centro son impresionantes, pero los caballos
blancos ejercen una iritante presión en el flanco de rey. En elemento
importante es la presencía del peón en h5, que denega el acceso de la dama en
la casilla de g6 y amenaza con avanzar a h6 en cualquíer momento.} Qf5 $2 ({
Black gives up the control of the d4-square too easily. In order to release
White's pressure over the central pawns, he should have aimed to exchange
rooks, for which Las negras levnatan el control sobre la casilla de d4 sin
necesidad. Para rebajar la presión de las blancas sobre los peones centrales,
sería necesarío el cambío de por lo menos un par de torres. Por esto,} 25...
Re8 {strongly comes into consideration. merece sería atención.} 26. Rxe8+ (26.
Ng4 Qf5) 26... Rxe8 27. Ng4 (27. Qa4 Bc6 $1) 27... Qf5 28. h6 (28. Nd4 Qxh5 $1
29. Nf6+ $2 Nxf6 $19) (28. Qa4 a6 $5) 28... Bh8 29. Nd4 Qf7 (29... Qg6 30. Qa4
$5) 30. Qd2 Ne5 $15) 26. Nd4 Qd3 27. Ne6 Qxd1 28. Rexd1 Ne5 $5 {Interesting,
but not enough. Interesante pero no suficiente.} 29. Nxd8 Rxd8 30. Ng4 Nd3 31.
Rxd3 $1 {Simplest. By returning the exchange, Aronian calms down the position,
depriving Black of his main trump: the two connected passed pawns. Although
there remain certain technical difficulties, White will convert his advantage
quite confidently. Lo más sencillo. Al devolver la calidad, Aronian quita a
las negras el orgullo de su posición: la pareja de peones centrales pasados.
Aunque quedan ciertos detalles técnicos por resolver todavía, Aronian ganó con
bastante confianza.} cxd3 32. Rd1 Bc8 33. Rxd3 d4 34. Be4 Ba6 35. Ra3 Be2 36.
h6 Bh8 37. Rxa7 d3 38. h7+ Kf8 39. Bg6 d2 40. Rf7+ Ke8 41. Nf6+ Bxf6 42. Rg7+
1-0

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.25"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qa4 Bb7 6. Bg2 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. O-O
O-O 9. Nc3 Be7 10. Rd1 {La variante 4.Da4 suele llevar a posiciones del tipo
erizo. Sin embargo, Leko tiene sus proprías vistas sobre este asunto y
prefiere iniciar un juego concreto esde la fase temprana de la partida, lo que
lleva a una especíade Catalana.} d6 11. Bf4 a6 {The 4.Qa4 variation tends to
lead to Hedgehog-type positions. However, Leko has his own views and prefers
to start concrete play from an early stage of the game, giving the position a
Catalan character.} 12. Qb4 {Leko's move.} ({Here are two examples in which
White deviated from the normal course of events in the Hedgehog structure, by
sacrificing a knight on d5.} 12. Rac1 Qc7 13. Qb4 Ne8 14. Bg5 Nf6 (14... Bxg5
15. Nxg5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Nc6 {looks playable, too.}) 15. Bxf6 $5 gxf6 16. Nd5 $5
{Otherwise, the previous exchange would have left Black with a solid position.}
exd5 17. cxd5 Qd8 18. Nd4 $44 Kh8 19. Nc6 Qc7 (19... Bxc6 20. dxc6 Qc7 21. Bd5
a5 22. Qh4 $36 {[%csl Gb8,Yf6,Yf7,Gh8]}) 20. Nd4 Qd8 21. Nc6 Qc7 22. Nd4 {
1/2-1/2 Ivanchuk,V (2731)-Lautier,J (2653)/Moscow 2001/CBM 086}) (12. Rd2 Qc7
13. Rad1 Rd8 14. Qc2 h6 15. e4 Nc6 $5 {Provocative, but probably not bad.} (
15... Nh5 16. Be3 Nd7 {would have led to a normal position.}) 16. Nd5 $5 exd5
17. cxd5 Rac8 18. dxc6 Qxc6 19. Qb3 (19. Qxc6 Bxc6 20. e5 $11) 19... Nxe4 20.
Nd4 Qd7 21. Re2 d5 22. Qxb6 Bc5 23. Qb3 a5 $132 24. Nb5 $6 a4 $1 25. Qxa4 Nxf2
(25... Bc6 $2 26. Rxe4 $1 {Gyimesi,Z (2624)-Zhigalko,S (2490)/Warsaw 2005/CBM
110 ext (1-0, 35)}) 26. Rxf2 Bc6 27. Bf1 g5 28. Bc1 Rb8 $19) 12... Nc6 13. Qa3
d5 14. Qa4 Qc8 15. cxd5 b5 16. Qc2 Nb4 17. Qd2 Nbxd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Rac1 Qe8
20. Nd4 {All these moves had been played in one of the games of Leko'smatch
against Kramnik. Todo esto se había jugado en una de las partidas del
encuentro de Leko conKramnik.} Rc8 $146 {Kramnik placed his queen's rook on d8.
Kramnik habia colocado la torre en d8.} (20... Rd8 {Leko,P (2749)-Kramnik,V 
(2754)/Wijk aan Zee 2005/CBM 105/[Gershon] (1/2-1/2, 28)}) 21. Bxd5 $5 {
The position is almost symmetrical and White has to play actively if he wants
to convert his slight advance in development into something more concrete. La
posición es casi simetrica, por lo que las blancas tienen que jugar activo si
quieren convertir su ligera ventaja de desarrollo en algo más concreto.} Bxd5
22. Nf5 Rd8 (22... exf5 {is not too appealing, because it leaves White free
hands in the centre:} 23. Qxd5 Bf6 (23... Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Bf6 25. Bd6 $1) 24.
Rxc8 (24. Bd6 Qd7 $1) 24... Qxc8 25. Rc1 Qe6 26. Qxe6 fxe6 27. b3 {[%csl Ga6]
[%cal Yc1c6] followed by Rc6. White will maintain a long term advantage
because Black will have to keep his rook passive on a8.}) 23. Bc7 Rd7 24. e4
exf5 {A radical answer, aiming to avoid pawn weaknesses, but leaving White
with a strong passed pawn.} (24... Bc6 $2 {would lose material to} 25. Nxe7+
Qxe7 26. Bd6 Qd8 27. Rxc6 $18) (24... Bf6 25. Nd6 Qe7 26. exd5 Rxc7 27. Rxc7 (
27. dxe6 fxe6 28. Ne4 {is also possible.}) 27... Qxc7 28. Ne4 Be5 (28... exd5
29. Nxf6+ gxf6 30. Qxd5 $14 {White is better centralized, while Black's
kingside is weak. Any rook ending with White's rook on the sixth rank and
Black's on a8 would be very unpleasant, maybe lost for Black.}) 29. dxe6 fxe6
30. Qd3 $14 {[%csl Ge4] /\Ng5}) 25. exd5 Bd6 26. Re1 Qa8 27. Ba5 $16 {White
can be happy with the outcome of the opening. He has a strong passed pawn in
the centre, while the a5-bishop restricts Black's activity, in the same way as
in certain Catalan lines. Las blancas pueden estar contentas con el desenlace
de la apertura. Tienen un peón pasado en el centro y el alfil de a5 restringe
la actividad de las negras igual que en algunaslíneas de una Catalana
"original".} Rb8 28. a3 $6 ({But this overcautious move is hard to understand.
Why not Pero esta jugada es difícil de explicar. ¿Porque no} 28. Rc6 {,
continuing to activate his pieces? , continuando con la activación de su
posición?} Bf8 (28... b4 29. Qc2 g6 (29... f4 30. Qf5) 30. Qc4 Bf8 31. Rd1 Rb5
32. Bc7 $16) 29. Rec1 Re8 30. d6 $16) 28... b4 $1 {A good counterattacking
move. Since Bxb4 would lead to the loss of the d5-pawn, White has to cut his
bishop off from the rest of the board. Besides, the b5-square will become
available for Black's king's rook, making the central pawn feel insecure. Una
fuerte jugada de contraataque. Dado que Bxb4 llevaría a la pérdida del peón
central, las blancas tienen que aislar a su alfil del resto de la posición.
Además, se elibera la casilla de b5 para la torre, dejando al peón de d5 algo
vulnerable.} 29. axb4 Bf8 30. Re5 g6 31. Rc7 Rbd8 32. Rxd7 Rxd7 {White will
soon lose the d5-pawn and with it, any hope for a concrete advantage. Las
blancas perderán el peón de d5 pronto y, con él, toda esperanza de ventaja.}
33. Qe1 Rxd5 34. Re8 Qc6 35. b5 Qd7 (35... axb5 $4 36. Bb4 $18) 36. Kg2 (36.
Bb4 $2 Rd1 $19) 36... Rxb5 37. Bc3 Qd6 38. Qe3 Rb7 39. Qd4 Qxd4 40. Bxd4 f6 41.
Ra8 (41. Bc5 Rf7 42. Ra8 Kg7 43. Bxf8+ Rxf8 44. Rxa6 Rb8 $15) 41... Kf7 42.
Rxa6 Be7 43. Kf3 Rd7 44. Bc3 Bd6 45. Ke2 Be5 46. f4 Bxc3 47. bxc3 g5 48. Ra4
Rb7 49. Rd4 Ke6 50. Rd2 Rb1 51. Ke3 Rc1 52. Kd4 Rf1 53. Re2+ Kd6 54. Ke3 Rc1
55. Kd2 Rf1 56. Ke3 Rc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 {By choosing a Slav move order, Gelfand avoids Aronian's
unusual setup from his earlier game against Grischuk. Al eligir el orden de
jugadas de Eslava, Gelfand evita enfrentarse con el experimento de Aronian en
su partida anterior con Grischuk.} 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6
7. e3 Nd7 8. Bd3 dxc4 ({A curious moment. This early release of the tension in
the centre is only apparently a concession. In the first round game
Kramnik-Svidler, Black played Un momento curioso. Este cambio temprano es solo
aparentemente una concesión. En la partida Kramnik-Svidler de la primera ronda,
las negras jugaron} 8... g6 {, which offered White the additional possibility
of winning space in the centre with , que ofreció a las blancas la posibilidad
adicional de ganar espacío en el centro con} 9. e4 dxc4 10. e5 $1 Qe7 11. Bxc4)
9. Bxc4 g6 10. O-O ({Now, Ahora,} 10. e4 {can always be met by puede siempre
ser contestada con} e5 $1) 10... Bg7 11. Rc1 O-O 12. Ne4 Qe7 13. Bb3 Rd8 (13...
b6 {has been tried in a few games and is considered to offer White chances for
an advantage after} 14. Ba4 {, although practice has not sustained this point
of view.} ({It is possible to justify the retreat of the bishop by employing a
pseudo-attacking plan:} 14. h4 Bb7 15. h5 g5 16. Ng3 Rad8 17. Bc2 c5 18. Qd3 {
However, it is not clear what the queen's rook is doing on c1, while Black's
development is very harmonious..} f5 19. Qa3 a5 $15 {Ragozin,E (2475)-Neverov,
V (2541)/St Petersburg 2000/CBM 076 (1-0, 79)}) 14... c5 (14... Ba6 15. Bxc6
Bxf1 16. Bxa8 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Rxa8 18. Qa4 Nf6 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. Qc6 Rd8 21. Rc4
$14 {Moiseenko,A (2582)-Sedlak,N (2423)/Aviles 2000/CBM 077 ext (1/2-1/2, 30).
White's better control in the centre, his stability on the light squares and
the control of the only open file make the position theoretically better for
him, but Black is solid and in case of a break with ...e5 his bishop could
become active.}) 15. Bc6 Rb8 16. Qa4 Bb7 (16... Nf6 17. Rfd1 cxd4 18. Nxd4 Nxe4
19. Bxe4 Bxd4 20. exd4 Rd8 21. Rc3 a5 22. Qc2 $14 {Moiseenko,A (2573)
-Borovikov,V (2472)/Ordzhonikidze 2000/CBM 078 (1/2-1/2, 56). For once,
White's advantage, though minimal, is real here. He is better developed while
the enemy king is slightly vulnerable.}) 17. Bxb7 Rxb7 18. dxc5 bxc5 19. b3 {
White has conquered the c4-square for his pieces, but Black is well
coordinated.} f5 20. Ned2 g5 {It appears that White's stability on the light
squares is questionable.} 21. Rfd1 g4 $132 {Lutz,C (2550)-Knaak,R (2525)/
Baden-Baden 1992/CBM 033 (1/2-1/2, 44)}) 14. Qc2 {Aronian has chosen a rarely
seen setup, with his knight in front of the e-pawn, which deprives him of the
possibility of winning space in the centre. White's philosophy in the current
position is to prevent Black from completing his development or freeing his
position with the thematic ...c5 or ...e5, rather than starting active
operations himself. Aronian escogió un sistema de desarrollo bastante poco
frecuente, basado en colocar el caballo en frente del peón de e3, impediendo
así una futura conquísta de espacío en el centro. La filosofía de las blancas
en esta posición se basa en primer lugar en impedir el desarrollo de las
negras y la realisación de las rupturas temáticas ...c5 o ...e5 y en menor
medida en mejorar su propría posición de forma rápida.} e5 {Black usually
shies away from this move, preferring to jump with his knight to f6 or b6.
Normalmente, las negras se abstienen de esta jugada, prefiriendo un salto de
caballo a b6 o f6.} (14... Nf6 15. Nc5 $14 {Dautov,R (2620)-Dreev,A (2670)/
Reggio Emilia 1996/CBM 051/[Dautov] (0-1, 60)}) 15. Rfe1 {A subtle move. White
discourages the exchange on d4, which would leave the black queen vulnerable
after exd4. Una jugada sútil. Las blancas quíeren quitar a las negras las
ganas de comer en d4, que, después de exd4, dejaría a la dama negra incómoda
en la misma columna con la torre blanca.} Kh8 {Less subtle, but very strong.
Black threatens the brutal ...f5. Menos sútil, pero muy fuerte. Las negras
crean la brutal amenaza ...f5.} (15... Kh7 $2 {is worse because of} 16. Bxf7)
16. g4 $5 {It is hard to give a final evaluation of this exotic move, since it
almost surely formed part of Aronian's preparation. It also bears strong
similarity with the advance of the g-pawn from his aforementioned game against
Grischuk. I get the feeling that, having been deprived of the possibility of
playing Nbd2!? in the opening, Aronian "transposed" to the familiar territory
with his last move. Anyway, White's main idea is the same: to ensure some
stability for the knights. However, there is a significant difference compared
to the previous game: Black's kingside structure is more flexible because the
g-pawn is on g6 instead of g5. This is clearly in Black's favour, since
White's kingside position remains shaky. Es difícil dar una evaluación
definitiva a esta jugada algo exótica, especialmente que, casi seguramente,
formaba parte de la preparación casera de Aronian. Notamos cierta similitud
con el avance del mismo peón en la partida anterioremnte mencionada contra
Grischuk. me da la sensación que, al no haber tenido la posibilidad de repetir
el experimento con Cbd2!? en la apertura, Aronian "transpuso" a un teritorío
familiar con su última jugada. De toda forma, la idea de las blancas es la
misma: asegurar estabilidad de los caballos en casillas blancas. Sin embargo,
hay una esencíal diferencía con respecto a dicha partida: la estructura de las
negras en el flanco de rey es más flexible, porque el peón de g se encuentra
en g6 en vez de g5. Este detalle favorece a las negras, porque la posición de
las blancas en el centro y en el flanco de rey queda bastante inestable.} ({
Previously,} 16. Ned2 {had been played. I must say, this is not a shattering
move.} Re8 ({Now that there is no danger of a fork on g5, Black can simply
improve his position with} 16... Kh7 $5 {, when it would be difficult for
White to prove an active plan.}) 17. Nc4 e4 18. Nfe5 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Be6 (19...
f5 $5 20. exf6 Qxf6 21. Red1 Bf5 22. Nd6 Re7 $13) 20. Nd6 (20. Qxe4 $1 Bxc4 21.
Qxc4 {[%csl Gf7]}) 20... Bxb3 21. Qxb3 Rf8 22. Qxb7 Qxb7 23. Nxb7 Rab8 24. Na5
Rxb2 $11 {Roiz,M (2507)-Farakhov,R (2317)/Pardubice 2002/CBM 089 ext (1/2-1/2,
40)}) 16... Rf8 $1 {After the radical weakening of White's kingside, the rook
changes plans. From f8, it defends the f7-pawn, enabling ...Nb6, which attacks
the g4-pawn, while also supporting an eventual advance of the f-pawn to f5.
Después de la debilitación del flanco de rey blanco, la torre cambía sus
intenciones. Desde f8, sobredefiende el peón de f7, para habilitar ...Nb6, que
atacaría el peón de g4 y sosteniendo el avance del peón f al mismo tiempo.} 17.
g5 $6 ({This new advance of the g-pawn will fail to stabilize the position.
Maybe it was time to think about safety with Este nuevo avance del peón de g
no conseguírá estabilizar el flanco de rey. tal vez era el momento de jugar
seguro con} 17. Ng3) 17... f5 $1 {I suppose that Aronian underestimated this
move. From structural point of view, it does not seem to make sense, but a
closer look at the position reveals the merits of Gelfand's decision. The
e5-pawn will remain isolated now, but in fact it is not a weak pawn (as would
be the case if the d4-pawn would be on d5 and the c6-pawn on c5). Also, the
e4-knight will not become more stable (refer to the same hypothetical
situation for comparison). Finally, the pressure exerted by the f8-rook
against the white kingside will be very annoying.} ({Aronian might have
expected} 17... hxg5 {when after} 18. Nexg5 {[%cal Yc2e4,Ye4h4]} Bh6 (18... f5
19. Ne6 $1) 19. h4 {White is not without ideas.}) 18. gxf6 Bxf6 ({This looks
slow, but} 18... Nxf6 {would lose a pawn to} 19. Nxe5 {, because the pinning
move} Bf5 {is not dangerous in view of} 20. Qc5 $1) 19. Kg2 Bg7 20. h4 $6 {
Strategically correct, but, with queens on the board, very risky.
Estrategicamente corecto, pero con damas en el tablero - muy arriesgado.} ({
White cannot stabilize the position in the centre with} 20. d5 $2 {because of}
cxd5 21. Bxd5 Nb6 $40 {[%cal Yc8g4,Yf8f3]}) ({Here, too} 20. Ng3 {looks like a
safer choice.}) 20... Nb6 $1 {The turning point in the game. Gelfand was
approaching time trouble, but the investment of time in the previous phase of
the game was fully justified, as Black has the better position already.} 21.
dxe5 $2 ({It seems that after this move White's game cannot be saved anymore.
Parece que después de esta jugada las blancas no pueden salvarse ya.} 21. Nxe5
{would have been a lesser evil. hubiera sido un menor mal.}) 21... Bg4 ({
Not a bad move, but No es una mala jugada, pero parece que} 21... Rxf3 $1 {
seems to have been decisive, too: hubiera ganado, también:} 22. Kxf3 Bf5 23.
Kg2 {The only way to get out of the nasty pin. La única forma de intentar
desclavarse.} Qxh4 24. f4 {and now, Black has y ahora las negras tienen} Nd7 {
, when White's poor coordination prevents him from parrying such a simple
threat as ...Nxe5, when Black's attack will take on decisive proportions. ,
cuando la mala coordinación de las blancas les impide parar la sncilla amenaza
...Nxe5, con ataque ganador.}) 22. Ned2 Nd7 23. e6 ({This makes it easier for
Black, who can win with normal moves. Esta jugada simplifica la taréa de las
negras, que ganarán con jugadas sencillas.} 23. Qxg6 {would have been more
demanding. White threatens Bc2, but Black is the first to deliver decisive
blows: hubiera requierido un juego algo más preciso de las negras. La amenaza
directa es Bc2, pero las negras se adelantan con su ataque:} Nxe5 24. Nxe5
Rxf2+ $1 25. Kxf2 Qxh4+ 26. Kg1 Bxe5 27. Nf1 Rf8 {Threatening ...Qf2+ or ...
Rxf1+, followed by mate. Amenazando ...Qf2+ o ...Rxf1+ con mate.} 28. Rc2 Bf3
29. Rg2 {Apparently, White has defended, but the next move shatters the
illusion. Aparentemente, las blancas se han defendido, pero después de la
siguíente jugada se esfumarán las ilusiones.} Be4 $1 {White has no adequate
way to keep the rook defended. For instance, Las blancas no tienen a
disposición un modo adecuado de mantener a la torre de g2 defendida. Por
ejemplo,} 30. Qg4 {loses the queen to perdería la dama por} Bh2+ $1 31. Kh1 (
31. Nxh2 {leads to mate after llevaría al mate después de} Qxe1+ 32. Nf1 Rxf1+
33. Kh2 Rh1#) 31... Qxg4 $1) 23... Ne5 $1 24. Nh2 (24. Nxe5 Rxf2+ 25. Kxf2
Qxh4+ 26. Kg2 (26. Kg1 Qg3+) 26... Bxe5) 24... Qxh4 {Around this moment,
Gelfand must have felt like in the good old days, when the King's Indian was
his main weapon against 1.d4. White is under decisive attack and he does not
even have a material advantage to offer him some Platonic consolation... [#]
Alrededor de este momento, Gelfand debe de haberse sentido como en los viejos
buenos tiempos, cuando la India de Rey era su principal arma contra 1.d4.} 25.
f4 Bf5 26. Ne4 Qh3+ 27. Kg1 Nf3+ 28. Nxf3 Qxf3 29. Ng5 hxg5 30. Qh2+ Qh5 31.
Qxh5+ gxh5 32. e7 Rfe8 33. Rc5 Bg4 34. Rxg5 Rxe7 35. Kg2 Bf6 36. Rg6 Rf8 37. e4
Bf5 38. Rh6+ Kg7 39. Rxh5 Bxe4+ 40. Kh2 Bd5 0-1

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bc5 5. Nxe5 $5 ({This move made part of
Botvinnik's repertoire. The normal continuation is Esta jugada formaba parte
del repertorío de Botvinnik. La continuación normal es} 5. Bg2) 5... Bxf2+ 6.
Kxf2 Nxe5 7. e4 c5 8. h3 ({An alternate plan is to develop the bishop to e2,
abandoning the initial plan. The g2-square will be occupied by the king.} 8.
Be2 d6 9. h3 O-O 10. d3 a6 {A dynamic approach. Black doesn't lose time to
bring his knights closer to the key square d4, but tries to take advantage of
the slight lead in development at once.} (10... Be6 11. Kg2 Nfd7 ({By leaving
the d6 Pawn undefended, Black practically "invites" his opponent to execute
the thematical central push. More solid would have been} 11... Nc6 {[%cal
Yf6d7,Yd7e5] /\Nd7-e5, for example} 12. Bf4 Qe7 13. Qd2 Nd7 14. Rae1 Nde5 $13)
12. d4 $14 cxd4 13. Qxd4 Qc7 ({The exchange of queens would favour White,
since he would not have to care anymore about the safety of his king.} 13...
Qb6 14. Qxb6 Nxb6 15. b3 $16 {><d6}) 14. b3 Rad8 $6 (14... Nc6 15. Qd2 Nc5 $14)
15. Nb5 Qa5 16. Bd2 (16. Qxd6) (16. Nxd6) (16. Qxa7) 16... Qa6 17. Bg5 Rc8 (
17... f6 18. Nc7 $1 $18) 18. Qxd6 $16 {1-0 Chernin,A (2645)-Groszpeter,A (2505)
/AUT 1998/EXT 2000}) 11. Kg2 b5 12. b3 ({Accepting the sacrifice would have
opened lines on the Queen side and left Black with strong compensation:} 12.
cxb5 axb5 13. Nxb5 Qb6 $5 14. Nc3 Be6 {planning Rfb8 and, eventually, d5.
White has no easy way to complete the development of the Queen side, since
b2-b3 is impossible in view of Bxb3!.}) 12... b4 ({Forcing White to make a
decision about his knight. After} 12... bxc4 13. bxc4 {it is not entirely
clear whether Black can get enough play on the open b-file.}) ({but maybe a
move like} 12... Rb8 {would have come into consideration.}) 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14.
exd5 Re8 15. d4 ({In principle, White would have preffered to delay this move,
which creates a perfect square on c5 for the black Knight. Unfortunately,
because of the lack of development, slow play would lead to problems:} 15. Bb2
Qe7 {(/\Nxc4)} 16. Re1 Qd7 17. g4 h5 $1) 15... cxd4 16. Qxd4 Nd7 17. Bf3 Nc5
18. Bb2 Qg5 ({After this natural move, Black gets into trouble. The Queen is
very exposed on g5. Safer would have been} 18... f6 {and the weakness of the
e6 square is not too relevant, since it is well protected. The Queen could be
sent on the other wing, in order to attack Pa2.}) 19. Rae1 Bf5 20. h4 Qh6 21.
Bc1 Qf6 (21... Qg6 22. h5) 22. Qxf6 gxf6 $16 {Volodin,A (2300)-Savchenko,A/
Voronezh 1999/EXT 2000 (1-0, 30)}) 8... O-O ({One game between two legendary
players went} 8... d6 9. d3 h5 $6 {Black weakens his kingside without getting
any attacking chances on this wing.} (9... O-O 10. Bg2 Nfd7 11. Rf1 Nc6 12. Be3
Nde5 13. a3 $6 {This move weakens the queenside, preventing White from
maintaining the tension under favourable circumstances after Black's ...a6
followed by ...b5.} a6 14. Qd2 b5 15. cxb5 axb5 16. Nxb5 Ba6 17. a4 Rb8 18. Kg1
Bxb5 19. axb5 Rxb5 $15 {[%csl Gb2,Gd3] Wirthensohn,H-Friedgood,D/Caorle 1972/
EXT 2001 (0-1, 31)}) 10. Be2 Nh7 11. Kg2 h4 12. g4 Ng5 13. Be3 Bd7 14. Qd2 Ne6
15. b4 {With his kingside securely defended, White is the first to start
active operations on the opposit wing.} b6 16. Rab1 Bc6 17. Rhf1 Bb7 18. Kg1
Nc6 19. Nd5 Ncd4 20. Bd1 f6 21. Kh2 Bc6 22. a4 a5 23. bxa5 bxa5 {Black has
managed to stabilize the queenside, but the open b-file excludes the
possibility of "parking" the king there. On the opposite wing, things do not
look too safe for His Majesty either.} 24. Qf2 Ra7 25. g5 $16 O-O $4 26. g6 f5
27. Rb8 $1 {1-0 Botvinnik,M-Keres,P/Moscow 1966/EXT 2001. Making full use of
the open b-file.}) 9. d3 a6 10. Bg2 b5 {There have been no games where this
queenside action, in the spirit of the Benkö Gambit, has been carried out at
such an early stage. However, we shall see that further transposition to
previous games are possible still.} 11. Rf1 (11. cxb5 $6 axb5 12. Nxb5 $6 Ba6 {
[%csl Gd3]} 13. d4 Nc6 $5) 11... d6 12. Kg1 h6 ({Black is not prepared to
release the tension either:} 12... bxc4 $6 13. dxc4 Nxc4 $2 14. e5 $1 $18) 13.
b3 ({But this prophylaxis was necessary now:} 13. Be3 $2 bxc4 14. dxc4 Nxc4 $17
{[%csl Ge3]}) 13... Be6 14. Be3 Rb8 $146 (14... Nh7 15. Kh2 Qd7 16. Qd2 {
Black's position is quite solid, White's problem is that he cannot carry out
pawn breaks easily.} f6 17. Ne2 Ng5 18. Nf4 Rfe8 19. Rad1 Bf7 20. Rf2 a5 21.
cxb5 Qxb5 22. Ne2 Qb4 23. d4 Qxd2 24. Rxd2 cxd4 25. Nxd4 a4 $132 {Garcia
Palermo,C (2385)-Dzindzichashvili,R (2550)/Buenos Aires 1978/MCD (1/2-1/2, 41).
In this game, a rather different move order has been employed in the move
range 8-14.}) 15. Ne2 Re8 16. Rc1 Bd7 17. Rc2 {White has the pair of bishops
and some advantage of space in the centre. However, Black's stability on dark
squares ensures him a normal game. Las blancas tienen la pareja de alfiles y
ventaja de espacio en el centro. Sin embargo, la estabilidad en casillas
negras les asegura a las negras un juego normal.} bxc4 ({This looks like a
premature release of the tension.} 17... a5 $5 {[%cal Ya5a4] came into
consideration.}) 18. dxc4 $1 {[%csl Gd6][%cal Yd1d6,Yc2d2]} Bc6 19. Nc3 Rb7 20.
Rcf2 Nh7 21. h4 {I am not sure whether preventing the knight jump to g5 is
worth weakening the g4-square. No estoy seguro de si merece la pena debilitar
la casilla de g4 solo para impedir el salto de caballo a g5.} (21. Rd2 Rd7 22.
Nd5 {would have maintained some pressure, although Black's position remains
solid.}) 21... Rbe7 22. Rd2 ({The activation of the bishop with} 22. Bh3 $5 {
would be a logical sequel of the advance of the h-pawn.}) 22... Qa5 23. Qc2 ({
But now, the g4-square is left entirely to Black's mercy, allowing him
toobtain good counterplay. Pero ahora, la casilla de g4 queda enteramente a
disposición de las negras.} 23. Nd5 {would have maintained some pressure.
hubiera mantenido algo de presión.}) 23... Ng4 24. Bf4 Nhf6 25. Re1 (25. Re2
Qc7) 25... d5 $1 26. e5 (26. cxd5 Nxd5 27. Nxd5 Bxd5 $11) 26... Nxe5 27. Rde2
d4 28. Bxe5 Bxg2 29. Bxf6 Rxe2 30. Rxe2 Rxe2 31. Qxe2 gxf6 {The position looks
spectacular, but it will all end with perpetual. [#]La posición parece
bastante espectacular, pero todo acabará en jaque perpetúo.} 32. Qg4+ Kf8 33.
Qc8+ Ke7 34. Kxg2 dxc3 35. Qb7+ Kd8 36. Qd5+ Kc8 37. Qc6+ Kb8 38. Qe8+ Kb7 39.
Qe4+ (39. Qxf7+ $6 Qc7 $1 $17 {[%csl Gc3]}) 39... Kc8 40. Qc6+ Kb8 41. Qe8+ Kb7
42. Qe4+ Kc8 43. Qc2 $5 Qa3 44. Qxc3 (44. Kf3 Qb2 45. Qf5+ $1 $11) 44... Qxa2+
45. Kf3 Qb1 46. Qe3 {It will be Black now who will start checking. Serán las
negras ahora quienes empezarán a jaquear.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Tournament"]
[Site "Mexico City"]
[Date "2007.09.29"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2007.09.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 ({For the first time in this tournament, Kramnik
refrains from the Catalan. Aronian usually answers Por primera vez en este
torneo, Kramnik evita la Catalana. Después de} 3. g3 {with , Aronian suele
jugar} c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 b5 {and in fact he lost the theoretical duel in
the last two games (against Kramnik himself, in their rapid match earlier this
year and against Gelfand, here in Mexico.) , aunque cabe decir que perdió sus
últimas partidas (contra Kramnik en su encuentro de rápidas, este mismo año y
contra Gelfand en este torneo)}) 3... b6 4. g3 {Still, the bishop goes to g2,
which seems to suit Kramnik's taste these days. Sin embargo, el alfil irá a g2,
lo que parece que le conviene al estilo de Kramnik hoy en día.} Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+
6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3 ({This was the last chance to transpose to a
genuine Catalan with Esta era la última posibilidad de transponer a una
Catalana veritable con} 8. O-O d5 9. Qc2 {, although some might call it a Bogo
Indian. It should be mentioned that some years ago it was precisely Kramnik
who popularized this curious transposition. , aunque algunos la llamarían Bogo
India.}) 8... d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Rc8 13. e4 dxe4
14. Nxe4 b5 15. Re1 bxc4 {There have been some discussion in this line lately,
but theory is far from being settled yet. Ultimamente, hubo ciertas
discusiones en esta variante, pero sin llegar a unas conclusiones definitivas
todavía.} 16. Bf1 ({The main alternative is La principal alternativa es} 16.
Qe2 {See the comments on Radjabov,T (2729)-Karjakin,S (2678)/Wijk aan Zee 2007/
CBM 117/[Krasenkow] (1/2-1/2, 78).}) 16... Nb6 {Aronian had had this position
before, but with the white pieces. IHowever, this previous experience hardly
was useful to him for this game because in Aronian-Nakamura, Armenia 2005, a
draw was agreed right here. Aronian se había enfrentado a esta posición
anteriormente, pero... ¡desde el otro lado del tablero! Sin embargo, no debe
de haberle servido de mucho para esta ocasión, ya que en la partida
Aronian-Nakamura, Armenia 2005, se acordaron tablas aquí mismo.} (16... Nf6 17.
bxc4 (17. Nc5 Nd5 {would transpose to 16...Nb6.}) 17... Nxe4 18. Rxe4 c5 19. d5
$14 {Logothetis,S (2221)-Lobzhanidze,D (2450)/Dresden 2007/CBM 118 (1/2-1/2,
35)}) 17. Rb1 $5 {It is curious that this natural developing move, bringing
the last piece into play (true in a not entirely "normal" position) is a
novelty.} ({Earlier, White mainly tried Es curioso que una jugada tan natural
de desarrollo (trayendola última figura en el juego), es verdad, en una
posición bastante poco natural, sea una novedad. Antes, las blancas habían
probado principalmente} 17. Nc5 {See the comments and theoretical survey in
Sargissian,G (2603)-Efimenko,Z (2666)/Moscow 2006/CBM 112/[Avrukh,B] (1-0, 46).
}) 17... Nd5 $6 {Another merit of Kramnik's novelty, is that this natural and
tempting move, which is an adequate reaction against 17.Nc5, does not work too
well here. From a practical point of view, this is a huge handicap for Black.
Since 16.Rb1 was a mere developing move, I have tried to find ways to answer
with the same method with Black.} ({The first move that came to my mind is} 
17... Re8 $6 {However, it is not clear what this move could be useful for.
Sometimes, the fork on d7 is prevented, enabling ...Qb6, but this is if little
use from practical point of view. I have tried to work out such a (not at all
forced) variation in which the rook would be useful on e8:} 18. Nc5 Bxc5 19.
dxc5 Qxd1 20. Rbxd1 Nd5 21. Ba5 e5 {, but even here White is better after} 22.
bxc4 Nf6 23. Rd6 $14) ({Since there is no pressure on the c6-pawn now,} 17...
Rb8 $6 {also makes some sense. It is not really a developing move, but it aims
to improve the placement of an already developed piece. However, in the next
lines several drawbacks of this move can be seen:} 18. bxc4 Nxc4 (18... Bxc4 {
is impossible because after} 19. Rxb6 $1 Bxf1 {, the white rook has the
opportunity to capture a piece with} 20. Rxb8 $18) 19. Rxb8 Qxb8 20. Nc5 {
Here, too, we can see that after the exchange on b8 a fork is threatened on d7,
practically forcing} Bxc5 21. dxc5 $16 {[%csl Ga6,Gc4,Gg7][%cal Yd1d4,Yd1g4]
when White's pair of bishops is very active, while Black's minor pieces are
hanging.}) ({Just when I started thinking that there might be no adequate
solution to Kramnik's novelty, I remembered the words of my first trainer, IM
Mircea Pavlov: "When you do not know what to do, use Alatortsev's method, by
asking yourself in which stage of the plan (or game) you are!" Here, the most
normal thing to do with Black is connect rooks! Hence,} 17... Qd5 $5 {comes
into consideration. The move looks risky, because the queen is exposed in the
centre, but at the same time the c5-square is taken under control.
Straightforward continuations do not seem to offer White anything concrete:}
18. Bg2 (18. Nc5 Bxc5 19. Re5 Bd6 20. Rxd5 cxd5 $44 {Does White have any
winning chances here?!}) 18... Qf5 19. Nc5 Bxc5 20. Be4 Qg5 21. h4 Qe7 22. dxc5
Qxc5 23. Qg4 g6 24. Qf4 $44 {White has a threatening position, but Black's 2
extra-pawns seem to offer him adequate compensation for the dangers.}) ({After
} 17... Qd5 {, White should probably bring new forces into the fight. I would
suggest} 18. a4 {, aiming to drive the enemy knight away. There is plenty of
play left in the position, but I feel that this is the direction to follow.})
18. Ba1 Bb4 $6 {These last attacking moves win an exchange almost by force,
but leave Black poorly coordinated. Las últimas dos jugadas "de ataque" ganan
calidad de manera casi forzada, pero dejarán a las negras malamente
coordinadas. Tal vez, era necesarío contestar 17.Tb1 con otra jugada de
desarrollo, pero ¿cual? La únicaposibilidad que me pasa por cabeza sería 17...
Te8,pero no es fácil entender de que modo esta jugada sería útil. Tal vez
¿¡por evitar el doble en d7, en caso de la generalmente deseable ...Db6?!} (
18... Rb8 19. bxc4 $14) 19. Nc5 $1 Bxe1 (19... Bxc5 20. dxc5 $14) (19... Qa5
20. bxc4 Bxe1 21. Qxe1 Qxe1 22. Rxe1 Nc7 23. Bc3 $16 {[%csl Ga6,Gc7][%cal
Yc3a5]}) 20. Qxe1 cxb3 ({This move is hard to understand. Black will simply
lose material, without getting any compensation for it. True, after Esta
jugada es difícil de entender. Las negras perderán material sis ningún pizca
de compensación. Es verdad que después de} 20... Nc7 21. bxc4 {, Black's minor
pieces are miserably placed, but then the criticism should be focused on the
17th and, possibly, 18th moves only. las figuras menores de las negras se
encontrarían en una situación deplorable, pero tal vez la critica tendría que
concentrarse en la 17-a y, posiblemente, 18-a jugada.}) 21. Nxa6 bxa2 22. Rb2 {
White has two bishops against rook and 2 pawns (ignoring the doomed a2-pawn).
Materially, this sounds OK for Black, but the a7- and c6-pawns are weak, too
and Black will not be able to create any dangerous passed pawn. The rest is a
matter of technique. [#]El resto es cosa de técnica.} Nc7 23. Rxa2 Nxa6 24.
Rxa6 Qd7 25. Qc3 f6 26. Qc5 Rf7 27. Bc3 Qb7 28. Qc4 Qd7 29. Bg2 Kh8 30. Bxc6
Qb7 31. Kg2 h6 32. d5 Qb8 (32... exd5 33. Bxb7 Rxc4 34. Bxd5 $18) 33. dxe6 Re7
34. Bb4 Rec7 35. e7 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0708"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2007.10.20"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Kotronias, Vasilios"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2602"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2007.10.20"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Trier"]
[BlackTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ne7 10. h3 h6 11. Bf4 Ng6 12. Rad1+ Ke8 13. Bg3 Bb4 14.
Nd4 Bxc3 15. bxc3 Be6 16. f4 Bc4 17. Rf2 Ne7 18. f5 Nd5 19. f6 gxf6 20. exf6
Kf8 21. Nf5 Re8 22. Rd4 b5 23. a3 h5 24. Kh2 c5 25. Rh4 Re6 26. Rd2 Nxf6 27.
Bxc7 Kg8 28. g4 Nd5 29. Bb8 Re2+ 30. Rxe2 Bxe2 31. Ng3 Bd1 32. gxh5 Kh7 33.
Bxa7 Bxc2 34. Bxc5 Rc8 35. Bb4 Nxb4 36. cxb4 Rc3 37. Rf4 Rxa3 38. Rxf7+ Kh6 39.
h4 Rb3 40. Rf6+ Kh7 41. Rf4 Bd3 42. Rd4 Rb2+ 43. Kh3 Bc4 44. Ne4 Rxb4 45. Rd7+
Kh8 46. Ng5 Rb3+ 47. Kg4 Rd3 48. Rh7+ Kg8 49. Rb7 Rd6 50. Rb8+ Kg7 51. Rb7+
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.10.29"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. c5 g6 7. Bd3 Bg7 8. e4 dxe4
9. Nxe4 O-O 10. Nxf6+ Bxf6 11. Be3 Bg4 12. Be4 Qc8 13. h3 Bf5 14. Qc2 Bxe4 15.
Qxe4 Rd8 16. a4 Qb7 17. O-O Rd5 18. Ne5 Nd7 19. axb5 Bxe5 20. bxc6 Qxc6 21.
dxe5 Rxc5 22. Qxc6 Rxc6 23. f4 Rb8 24. Bd4 Rc4 25. Rfd1 Nc5 26. Bxc5 Rxc5 27.
Rxa6 Rxb2 28. Ra3 Rcc2 29. Rg3 e6 30. h4 h5 31. Rd4 Kg7 32. Kh2 Re2 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.10.30"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Ragger, Markus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Austria"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AUT"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 O-O 8.
d4 Nf5 9. c3 Nxe5 10. Rxe5 d6 11. Re1 c6 12. Nd2 d5 13. Nf3 Nh4 14. Nxh4 Bxh4
15. Bd3 Bf6 16. Bf4 Be6 17. Qf3 Qd7 18. Be5 Bxe5 19. Rxe5 f6 20. Re3 Rae8 21.
Rae1 Bf7 22. Qf5 Qxf5 23. Bxf5 Rxe3 24. Rxe3 g6 25. Bd3 Re8 26. Rxe8+ Bxe8
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.10.31"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nielsen, Peter Heine"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B14"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2626"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Denmark"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "DEN"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. Nf3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e3 e6 6. d4 cxd4 7. exd4 Bb4 8.
Qc2 Nc6 9. a3 Be7 10. Bd3 h6 11. O-O O-O 12. Rd1 Bd7 13. Qe2 Re8 14. Bc2 Bf8
15. h4 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Qa5 17. Rb1 Qxc3 18. Rxb7 Rad8 19. Bb2 Qa5 20. Rxd7 Rxd7
21. Qe4 g6 22. Qxc6 Red8 23. Ne5 Rxd4 24. Bxd4 Rxd4 25. Nf3 Rxd1+ 26. Bxd1 Qxa3
27. g3 Qc5 28. Qa4 Qa3 29. Qc2 Qc5 30. Qe2 a5 31. Kg2 Qb4 32. Qa2 Qa3 33. Qc4
Qb4 34. Qc6 Qd6 35. Qa4 Qb4 36. Qe8 Qb7 37. Qd8 Qb4 38. Qe8 Qb7 39. Ba4 Kg7 40.
Qd8 Qb4 41. Be8 Be7 42. Qa8 Bc5 43. Bxf7 Kxf7 44. Ne5+ Kf6 45. f4 Qb2+ 46. Kh3
Qb1 47. Nd7+ Ke7 48. Ne5 Qf1+ 49. Kg4 Qd1+ 50. Kh3 Qf1+ 51. Kg4 Qd1+ 52. Kh3
Qf1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.11.01"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Gurevich, Mikhail"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2627"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Turkey"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "TUR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Be7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. b3 c5 7. Bb2 Nc6 8. cxd5
exd5 9. d4 Bg4 10. Ne5 cxd4 11. Nxg4 Nxg4 12. e3 Nf6 13. exd4 Re8 14. Nc3 Bf8
15. Qd3 Qd7 16. Rae1 Rxe1 17. Rxe1 Rd8 18. Bc1 h6 19. Bf4 Bb4 20. Rd1 Bd6 21.
Be3 Ba3 22. Bf4 Bd6 23. Be3 Ba3 24. Bf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.11.03"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Almasi, Zoltan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2691"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hungary"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "HUN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Bb3 a6 7. h3 Ba7 8. O-O
O-O 9. Re1 Be6 10. Bc2 d5 11. exd5 Qxd5 12. Bg5 Nd7 13. Nbd2 Rfe8 14. Be3 Bxe3
15. Rxe3 h6 16. b4 Nf6 17. Qe1 Qd8 18. Nxe5 Nd5 19. Nxc6 bxc6 20. Re5 Nxc3 21.
Bb3 Nd5 22. Nf3 Nf4 23. Bxe6 Rxe6 24. Rxe6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.11.04"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Beliavsky, Alexander G"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Slovenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "SLO"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Be4 11. Qc1 Bb7 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Nbd2 Nd5 14. Nb3 Nxf4 15.
gxf4 Nd7 16. e3 Rc8 17. Rd1 c5 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Nxc5 Rxc5 20. Qxc5 Bxc5 21.
Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Ne5 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 Kf8 24. a4 Bd6 25. Nc6 Rc8 26. axb5 axb5 27.
Ra6 Be7 28. Kf3 Ke8 29. b3 Bd8 30. h3 Kd7 31. Nd4 Rb8 32. Ra7+ Ke8 33. Ra6 Kd7
34. Ke4 Bb6 35. Nf3 Rb7 36. Ne5+ Ke7 37. Ra8 Bc7 38. Nf3 h6 39. Rg8 Kf6 40. Ra8
b4 41. Ra6 g5 42. fxg5+ hxg5 43. Rc6 Bd8 44. Rc8 Be7 45. Nd4 Kg7 46. Nc6 Bf6
47. Rb8 Rxb8 48. Nxb8 Bc3 49. Nd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.11.05"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 8. Bd3
dxc4 9. Bxc4 g6 10. O-O Bg7 11. Rc1 O-O 12. e4 e5 13. d5 Nb6 14. dxc6 bxc6 15.
Be2 h5 16. Qc2 Rd8 17. Na4 Bg4 18. Rfd1 Bh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.11.06"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sutovsky, Emil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A31"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Israel"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISR"]

{Although this last round game started early, and I was still rather sleepy, I
was also in a determined frame of mind, especially as a win in the match would
earn us the silver medals.} 1. c4 {Here my opponent thought for a while.
Obviously, he too did not want to play the Grunfeld.} c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {Here I
started to worry a bit. Was he going to play the gambit line, which I had not
prepared seriously?} 3. d4 {Despite the fact that I achieved a virtually
winning position against Nielsen with 3.Nc3 d5 4.cd Nd5 5.e3, I did not feel
like playing this type of position again.} cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 {This line suits
Emile's style. Black frequently gets a strong initiative. In my fear, I
remembered a more or less solid line that I had once prepared.} 5. Nb5 d5 6.
cxd5 Bc5 7. N5c3 O-O 8. g3 {8.e3 is more popular. While my opponent was
thinking, I started trying to assess various lines. After 8...e4 White replies
9.Bg2 e3 10.Bxe3 Bxe3 11.fxe3 and once he puts his queen on d4 to defend the
e3 pawn against Ng4, he has the resource Nd1. This cheered me up more than I
can say.} Qb6 (8... e4 9. Bg2 e3 10. Bxe3 Bxe3 11. fxe3) ({The guru of this
variation, Rafael Vahanian, has played} 8... Ng4 {here. In view of the fact
that it is not in my nature to give a pawn so early, I advise the reader to
investigate the subtleties of this approach for himself.}) 9. e3 Bg4 {The old
European custom of saying "Garde" when attacking the opponent's queen has
resulted in her majesty being mistakenly called by this French word in the
parks of Yerevan.} 10. Be2 Bxe2 ({After} 10... Bh3 {the reply} 11. g4 {looks
strong, threatening to win the bishop by Rg1-g3.}) 11. Qxe2 e4 {Allowing the
d5-pawn to be strengthened by e3-e4 is of course out of the question for Black.
} 12. a3 {I played all these moves quite quickly, because I did not see an
alternative.} ({In the event of the immediate} 12. Nd2 {one must take into
account the attempt to disrupt White's plans with} Bb4 {, whilst I did not
consider the move 12.g4, which has been played by Kortschnoj.}) 12... Nbd7 {
More subtle was 12...Re8 with the idea of meeting 13.Nd2 with 13...Qc7,
temporarily preventing b4.} 13. Nd2 Rfe8 14. b4 {Black is less comfortable
with his bishop on f8.} Bf8 15. O-O {After reaching this position, I was very
happy and was looking forward to my first win of the tournament. My optimism
was strengthened by my opponent's lengthy reflections.} Qc7 {Seeing how
nervous Emil looked, I was not so surprised by this strange-looking move. It
bis hard to recommend anything concrete to Black at this point. I can only say
that my computer wants to play Rac8 and then Qd8, which certainly does not
look so bad.} 16. Bb2 Nb6 {Black tries to change the picture. Certainly, White
must now make a choice.} 17. Nb5 {Played after 10 minutes' thought. Of course,
it was possible to play Rad1 and then f3, but this seemed to me rather tame.}
Qd7 18. d6 {After the game, a group of noisy critics roundly condemned me for
this move. Even my dear friend Petya Svidler, who has often acknowledged his
enthusiasm for my play, was among their number. Did I deserve this reaction,
after not taking on f6 and then playing d6? Now, in the cold light of day, I
am prepared to admit my mistake.} ({In self-defence, I can only say that I
underestimated the strength of the move 20.a4 after} 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. d6 Re5)
18... Nfd5 19. Rac1 Bxd6 20. Nxd6 Qxd6 21. Rfd1 {I will let you into a secret.
My main reason for preferring this position amongst the various alternatives,
was the memory of an easy win against Carlsen, in which we had the identical
material.} Qe6 {Trying to get rid of the superfluous knight. Black's main
problem is the lack of comfortable posts for his cavalry.} 22. Nb3 Nf4 ({
After for example} 22... Qf5 23. Nc5 Re7 24. Rd4 {Black has an unpleasant
position. It is not easy to defend against Rad1 with the idea of a4. Black
decides to avoid these unpleasantnesses at the cost of allowing a strong
attack on his king.}) 23. gxf4 ({In case of} 23. exf4 Qxb3 {White will face
problems with ...e3; Black would get some drawing chances.}) 23... Qxb3 24. Kh1
{After noticing the nice 24...Rac8 25.Rxc8 Rxc8 26.Qg4 I did not look at other
moves.} Qe6 {The most logical.} (24... Rac8 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Qg4 {[%cal Rg4g7,
Rg4c8,Rd1d8]}) ({After} 24... Qa2 25. Rg1 g6 26. Ra1 {Black's king is very bad.
}) 25. Rg1 {I did not even look at 25.Rc7, fearing the activity of the black
pieces.} f6 26. Qh5 {Threatening Rxg7+.} Nd5 ({On} 26... Re7 {I have it all my
own way after} 27. Rg3 {.}) 27. Rg3 (27. Rxg7+ Kxg7 28. Rg1+ Kh8 (28... Kf8 {
loses after simply} 29. Qxh7) 29. Qxd5 Re7) 27... Kh8 {Putting the queen on g8
is the only defence against mate.} 28. Rcg1 Re7 29. Rh3 Qg8 {The fragile
structure after 29...h6 can hardly hope to withstand the pressure of three
heavy pieces, but maybe this was the least evil.} 30. Qf5 {Now Black is almost
without moves.} Rf8 31. Bd4 b6 32. Rg4 {Now Black loses material.} Rc7 33. Rh5
{White's manoeuvres with his heavy pieces are rather nice.} Ne7 34. Qxe4 Rf7 {
It is hardly possible to suggest a good move for Black now.} 35. Rg1 g6 {
In the vain hope of creating an outpost for the unfortunate knight.} 36. Re5 {
To rook heads to e6.} Nc6 {A blunder. It was possible to resist further,
albeit not for long, with 36...Qg7.} 37. Re8 (37. Re8 Rf8 38. Bxf6+ {decides.})
1-0

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.11.24"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Hobaica, Juan Pablo"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D36"]
[WhiteElo "2427"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. d4 c6 6. Bg5 Be7 7. Qc2 g6 8. e3
Bf5 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Nbd7 11. O-O O-O 12. Nd2 Re8 13. Rad1 Nf8 14. Bxf6
Bxf6 15. e4 dxe4 16. Ndxe4 Bg7 17. d5 Qc7 18. Qc4 Rab8 19. dxc6 bxc6 20. Rd2
Nd7 21. Nc5 Ne5 22. Qf4 Qe7 23. Nb3 Rb4 24. Qe3 a5 25. Re2 a4 26. Nc1 Rh4 27.
h3 a3 28. b3 Bh6 29. f4 Rxf4 30. Rxf4 Bxf4 31. Qxf4 Qc5+ 32. Kh2 Qxc3 33. Qe4
Qxc1 0-1

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.11.25"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hobaica, Juan Pablo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2427"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. g3 Nxc3 5. bxc3 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. Rb1 Nd7 8.
Nf3 O-O 9. O-O Rb8 10. d3 c5 11. d4 Qc7 12. Bg5 e6 13. Qa4 a6 14. Rfd1 b5 15.
Qa3 Re8 16. Bf4 e5 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Rd5 Bb7 19. Rxc5 Nxf3+ 20. Bxf3 Qe7 21.
Bxb8 Bf8 22. Re5 Qxa3 23. Rxe8 Bxf3 24. exf3 f6 25. Rd1 Kf7 26. Rc8 Bc5 27.
Rc7+ Ke6 28. Rc6+ Ke7 29. Kg2 h5 30. Rd5 Bxf2 31. Bd6+ 1-0

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.11.27"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gustafsson, Jan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2606"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Ne5 h5 10. h4 g4 11. Be2 Bb7 12. O-O Nbd7 13. Qc2 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Bg7 15. Bg3
Qxd4 16. Rad1 Qb6 17. b3 cxb3 18. axb3 a6 19. Rd2 c5 20. Rd6 Qa5 21. e5 Nd7 22.
Rfd1 O-O-O 23. Ne4 Qc7 24. Nf6 Nxe5 25. Bxe5 Rxd6 26. Rxd6 Bxf6 27. Bxf6 Qxd6
28. Bxh8 Qd5 29. Bf1 Kc7 30. Qc3 Kb6 31. b4 c4 32. Qa1 Kc6 33. Qf6 Qd7 34. Qh6
Qd5 35. Qf8 Qf5 36. Qe8+ Kc7 37. Qe7+ 1-0

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.11.28"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Gustafsson, Jan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2606"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7 12. Nxd7 Nxd7 13. Bd6 a6 14. a4 e5 15. d5
c5 16. b4 Qb6 17. bxc5 Nxc5 18. Bxc5 Qxc5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Rxa8+ Bxa8 21. Qa1
O-O 22. Qa5 Rb8 23. Rb1 Bf8 24. Rxb5 Rxb5 25. Qxb5 Qxb5 26. Nxb5 Bb7 27. Bxc4
Ba6 28. Kf1 Bxb5 29. Bxb5 Bc5 30. f3 Kf8 31. g3 Ke7 32. Kg2 Be3 33. Kh3 Bg1 34.
Bc4 Kd6 35. Ba6 Kc7 36. Kg2 Be3 37. h4 gxh4 38. gxh4 Kd6 39. Kg3 Ke7 40. Kg4 f6
1/2-1/2

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.11.30"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2674"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "Inarkiev,E"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This is the first game of our match. The first time in this World Cup I met a
higher rated opponent. I wanted to play solid long game, to "feel" what we can.
} 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 {Levon's main weapon.} 4. g3 {I had doubts,
should I play the Catalan, or not, because Aronian plays it with both colours,
but finally, I decided that the character of the game which is generally
achieved in this opening, is that what I need.} Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7.
Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Be4 11. Qc1 Bb7 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Nbd2 Nd5 {
This came as a surprise for me. There was "only" one game with this move
before. Beliavsky played it with Black against Aronian!} 14. Bxd6 $5 $146 ({
In that game White didn't gain an advatage:} 14. Nb3 Nxf4 15. gxf4 Nd7 16. e3
Rc8 17. Rd1 c5 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Nxc5 Rxc5 20. Qxc5 Bxc5 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 $11 22.
Ne5 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 Kf8 {1/2-1/2, Aronian Levon 2741 - Beliavsky Alexander G
2646 , Crete 4.11.2007 Ch Europe (team)}) 14... cxd6 15. e4 Ne7 {White has a
space advantage, and a more free play. Black has a solid position without
weaknesses. It should be about equal, but White has an easier game.} 16. Qc3
Nd7 17. a4 $5 {Trying to create a weakness. White should hurry, because Black
wants to finish his development with Qb6 and Rfc8.} ({An interesting
alternative is} 17. Rfc1 $5 {(/\Qc7).} Rc8 18. Qb4 Qb6 19. a4 $1) 17... bxa4 {
Both players look on the queenside, but it was a good moment to start action
in the center.} (17... Nf6 $1 {The pawn is hanging and White needs one more
piece to protect it.} {If} 18. Rfe1 {then Black has} d5 $1 19. e5 Ne4 20. Qa3
Nf5 21. Nb3 bxa4 $13) 18. Rxa4 Rc8 $6 ({Still right was} 18... Nf6) 19. Qa3 $2
{After this move Black gets a pleasant game.} ({It was important to protect
the b5 square. The best way is} 19. Qb4 $1 {also attacking d6.} Nb6 20. Ra3 Nc6
21. Qb3 $14 {White holds all pluses of the position.}) 19... d5 $1 ({The
position after} 19... Bc6 20. Rxa6 Bb5 21. Rxd6 $14 {is in White's favour.}) ({
I thought that the best is} 19... Nb6 20. Rb4 Nc6 21. Rb3 {and in comparison
with variation 19.Qb4 White's queen controls the dark squares.}) 20. exd5 {
After a long thought. This is necessary.} ({Of course, normaly, White would
like to play} 20. e5 $2 {but here it's just bad} Bc6 $1 21. Rb4 Bb5 22. Rd1 ({
or} 22. Ra1 Nc6 23. Rb3 Qb6 $17) 22... Nb6 $1 {and White can't save the rook.}
23. Qa1 ({or} 23. Bf1 Nc6 24. Rb3 Ba4 $17) 23... Nc6 24. Rb3 Ba4 25. Rxb6 Bxd1
26. Rxc6 Rxc6 27. Qxd1 Qb6 $17) 20... Nxd5 {Now Black is slightly better,
because of the weakness of the d-pawn.} 21. Ra1 {(/\Bf1).} Nc7 $1 {The knight
is going to b5, now it's difficult to create a threat against the a-pawn.} 22.
Rc4 Nb5 23. Qe3 {The pawn d4 already needs protection.} Rxc4 24. Nxc4 Qa8 $1 {
Here the queen is protecting the a-pawn, pressing along the white diagonal,
and is also placed far enough from White's knights, so Black shouldn't worry
about any tricks.} 25. Na5 $1 {Good defensive manoeuvre. /\Nb3 to protect the
d4-pawn, and then Ne1-d3-c5 to attack pawn a6.} ({Interesting is also} 25. Ncd2
$5 {(/\Bf1).}) 25... Bd5 26. Ne1 $1 Bxg2 27. Nxg2 Rc8 28. Ne1 $1 h6 29. Nb3 ({
Not} 29. Nd3 $2 {becuase of} Qd5 $17 {and White can't protect the pawn.}) 29...
Rd8 {Black is going to attack the d-pawn.} ({Interesting is immediate} 29...
Rc4 $5 30. Nd3 Nf6) 30. Nd3 {Here both of us had about 10 min untill the
control.} Qd5 $2 {This is a blunder.} ({After} 30... Nf6 {the position is
about equal.}) 31. Nb4 $1 Qd6 32. Nxa6 Nf6 ({Black did prepare} 32... Ra8 {
and overlooked, that White shouldn't retreat the knight.} 33. Ra5 $1 {Saving
the pawn.}) 33. Ra4 Qd5 {The position is not easy, White's pawns are weak.} 34.
Nac5 $2 {In time trouble it's very natural to put your pieces so, that they
would protect each other. But here, it os not less important to attack enemy's
pieces.} ({Right is} 34. Qd3 $1 {(/\Ra5; /\Nb4-c2-e3).} Nd6 ({if} 34... Qh5 {
then} 35. Ra5) 35. Nb4 Qh5 36. Nc6 $1 $16) 34... Qh5 {Now Black has
compensation. Here we both had less the 5 minutes.} 35. f3 Nd6 36. Qe2 Qd5 37.
Kg2 $6 {One more "natural" move, but this gives Black a new motiv.} Rb8 38. Qd3
g5 $1 {An unpleasant surprise, now Black has the initiative.} 39. Kf2 $6 {
Losing the pawn.} ({Better is} 39. Kg1 {but Black has a good position. For
example} Kg7 {and then Nf5 and Rd8.}) 39... g4 $1 40. Ra1 gxf3 {We passed the
time control. It's obvious, that White should play very carefully.} 41. Qxf3
Nde4+ 42. Kg2 Nxc5 43. Qxd5 Nxd5 44. Nxc5 Rxb2+ {Previous moves are forced.}
45. Kf3 $1 {The most accurate. Probably, with his king on the first rank White
can count on a successful defence, but it will be defence.} Nc7 $5 {Black
continues to play.} ({After} 45... Rxh2 46. Ra8+ Kg7 47. Ra7 {Black should
agree on a draw, or give back the pawn.} Kg6 (47... Kg8 48. Ra8+ $11) 48. Nd7
$11 f6 $6 49. Nf8+) 46. h4 {Now the draw is the most probable result, but we
were coming in the next time trouble, so we both were trying to catch a chance.
} Nb5 47. Ra8+ Kg7 48. Rd8 Rc2 49. Ne4 ({More accurate is} 49. Nd3 Rc3 50. Ke3
$11) 49... f5 $5 50. Rd7+ Kg6 51. Nf2 ({It was tempting to play} 51. h5+ $2 {
but after} Kxh5 52. Nf6+ Kg6 53. Ne8 {threatening mate,} {Black has} h5 $1 $17)
51... Rc3+ 52. Kg2 $6 {Gives Black the initiative} ({Right is} 52. Kf4 $1 {
it looks dangerous, but Black hasn't more then the repetition of moves.} Nc7
53. Ke5 $1 Re3+ 54. Kf4 $1 Rc3 55. Ke5 $1 $11) 52... Nc7 {The knight is going
to d5.} 53. Re7 $1 {It's important to attack the pawns to prevent further
increase in activity of the Black pieces.} Rc2 54. Kf3 Kf6 55. Rh7 $1 Nb5 56.
Ke3 Nc3 57. Nd3 $1 Kg6 ({Doesn't work} 57... Nd1+ $2 {because of} 58. Kf4 $1 {
with a threat Rh6.} ({Losing} 58. Kf3 $2 {after} Rd2 $1)) 58. Rd7 Nd5+ 59. Kf3
Rc3 60. Ke2 Rc7 {Almost a draw offer.} ({Black could try to make the attack} 
60... Kh5 $5 61. Rd6 ({worse is} 61. Rg7 $2 Rc4 $17) 61... Kg4 62. Rxe6 Rc2+
63. Kd1 Ra2 {Black has good activity, but it's unbelievable that he can build
a mating net.}) 61. Rxc7 Nxc7 62. Nf4+ Kf6 63. Ke3 Nb5 64. Ne2 Nd6 65. Kf4 Nb5
66. Kf3 {Black offered a draw.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.12.01"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2674"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O a6 8. d5
Na5 9. Nd2 c5 10. Rb1 Bf5 11. e4 Bd7 12. b3 e5 13. Qc2 b5 14. Nd1 Bh6 15. Ne3
Bxe3 16. fxe3 b4 17. Nf3 Nb7 18. a4 Qe7 19. Bd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.12.02"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2674"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7 12. Nxd7 Nxd7 13. Bd6 a6 {This system was
examined in CBM 120, annotations to Kramnik-Anand by GM D.Rogozenko.} 14. Re1
$5 $146 {[%mdl 8] An interesting novelty. Here are the most recent examples
illustrating White's main alternatives:} (14. Bh5 Bf8 15. Bxf8 Rxf8 16. e5 Qb6
17. b3 O-O-O $5 18. bxc4 Nxe5 19. c5 Qa5 $1 20. Ne4 Qb4 (20... Nc4 {was played
by Anand a couple of days later:} 21. Be2 f5 22. Bxc4 fxe4 23. Bxe6+ Kb8 24.
Re1 Qc3 25. Rxe4 Qb2 26. f3 Rf4 27. Qc1 Qxc1+ 28. Rxc1 Rxd4 29. Rxf4 gxf4 30.
g4 fxg3 {1/2-1/2 Eljanov,P-Anand,V/Kemer TUR 2007/The Week in Chess 675}) 21.
Nd6+ Rxd6 22. cxd6 Nd7 23. a4 (23. Qd3 $5 {[%cal Gf1d1,Ga1c1,Gd3h7]}) 23...
Qxd6 {1/2-1/2 Kramnik,V-Anand,V/Mexico City 2007/CBM 120/[Rogozenko] (40)}) (
14. b4 Bf8 15. Bxf8 Rxf8 16. e5 f5 17. exf6 Nxf6 18. Bg4 Qd6 19. Re1 Bc8 20.
Bf3 Ra7 21. a4 Rg7 22. d5 cxd5 23. Bxd5 Re7 24. Bf3 Qxd1 25. Rexd1 bxa4 26.
Rxa4 Kf7 27. b5 axb5 28. Nxb5 Kg7 29. Rxc4 {1/2-1/2 Miton,K-Karjakin,S/Crete
GRE 2007/The Week in Chess 679}) (14. e5 c5 (14... Qb6 15. Bh5 c5 16. Qg4 O-O-O
17. dxc5 Nxc5 18. Bxf7 $14 Rxd6 19. exd6 Qxd6 20. Rad1 Qe7 21. Bg6 Rf8 22. Qe2
Bxc3 (22... Qc7) 23. bxc3 Qf6 24. Qe3 Na4 25. Be4 $16 {1-0 Bartholomew,
J-Robson,R/Richardson USA 2007/The Week in Chess 684 (53)}) 15. Bh5 (15. d5 $5)
15... Bf8 16. Bxf8 Nxf8 17. Bf3 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Ng6 19. Ne4 O-O 20. dxc5 Qd3 21.
Nf6+ Kh8 22. Qh5 Kg7 23. Rad1 Qf5 24. Nd7 Rfd8 25. f4 gxf4 26. Qxf5 exf5 27.
Nb6 Rxd1 28. Rxd1 Rb8 $13 {1/2-1/2 Najer,E-Malakhov,V/Krasnoyarsk RUS 2007/The
Week in Chess 670 (62)}) (14. a4 {was played in several games of the World Cup:
} e5 $1 15. d5 (15. Bg4 exd4 16. e5 c5 17. Bf3 Nxe5 $1 ({rather than} 17...
Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Nxe5 19. Qd5 dxc3 20. Rfe1 cxb2 21. Rad1 $1 b1=Q 22. Rxb1 Rc8 23.
axb5 axb5 24. Rbd1 $18 {1-0 Kuljasevic,D-Zhao Jun/Richardson USA 2007/The Week
in Chess 684 (30)}) 18. Bxb7 Qxd6 19. Bxa8 O-O 20. Ne4 Qc7 21. axb5 Rxa8 22. f4
gxf4 23. Qh5 Ra7 24. Rxa6 Rxa6 25. bxa6 Qc6 26. Qf5 Qxa6 27. Rxf4 Qg6 28. Nxc5
d3 $44 {1/2-1/2 DEEP JUNIOR-DEEP FRITZ/Elista RUS 2007/The Week in Chess 657 
(47)}) 15... c5 16. b4 $5 Qb6 $1 (16... cxb4 17. Bxb4 a5 18. Bd6 b4 19. Nb5 Rc8
20. Bxc4 Rxc4 21. Qb3 Rc8 (21... Qc8 22. Bc7 Qxc7 23. Nxc7+ Rxc7 24. Rac1 Nc5
25. Qh3 Bc8 26. Qf3 g4 27. Qe3 Bf8 28. f4 $1 gxf3 29. Qxf3 f5 30. Qg3 {1-0
Gustafsson,J-Rodshtein,M/Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2007/The Week in Chess 681}) 22.
Rac1 Bf8 23. Rxc8 Qxc8 24. Qe3 Nf6 $6 (24... Qc2 25. Rc1 Qb2 {needs checking})
25. Rc1 Qd8 26. Bxe5 Be7 27. d6 O-O 28. dxe7 Qxe7 29. Bd6 $16 {1-0 Zhao
Jun-Harikrishna,P/Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2007/The Week in Chess 681 (77)}) 17.
bxc5 Nxc5 18. Bxc5 Qxc5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Rxa8+ Bxa8 21. Qa1 O-O 22. Qa5 Rb8
23. Rb1 Bf8 24. Nxb5 (24. Rxb5 Rxb5 25. Qxb5 Qxb5 26. Nxb5 Bb7 27. Bxc4 Ba6 28.
Kf1 Bxb5 29. Bxb5 Bc5 $11 {_|_1/2-1/2 Gustafsson,J-Aronian,L/Khanty-Mansiysk
RUS 2007/The Week in Chess 682 (40)}) 24... f5 25. Qa6 Kh8 26. Nc3 Rxb1+ 27.
Nxb1 Qb4 28. Qxa8 Qxb1+ 29. Bf1 Qb4 30. exf5 c3 $132 {1/2-1/2 Alekseev,
E-Bareev,E/Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2007/The Week in Chess 682 (40)}) 14... c5 (
14... e5 15. Bg4 exd4 16. e5 $1 {[%cal Re5e6] is the idea behind 14.Re1.}) (
14... Bf8 $5 {needs further analysis.}) 15. dxc5 Rc8 16. a4 $1 {This is more
dangerous now as the b5 pawn is unprotected.} b4 17. c6 Bxc6 $1 ({After} 17...
Rxc6 18. Bxb4 Qb6 19. Ba3 Bd4 20. Rf1 {Black's uncasted king causes him a lot
of trouble, e.g.} Ne5 21. a5 Qa7 22. Na4 $5) 18. Nd5 $5 ({In case of} 18. Bxb4
Qb6 19. Ba3 Bd4 20. Rf1 Ne5 {Black's pieces are placed better than in the 17...
Rxc6 line but now White has an additional option, i.e. the text move.}) 18...
Ne5 $6 (18... Bxb2 $5 19. Bxb4 $5 {with an extremely complicated position,
which nedds a detailed analysis} (19. Be7 $143 Qxe7 20. Nxe7 Kxe7 $44)) 19. Be7
Qd7 $6 (19... Qa5 $142 20. Bxb4 Qd8 {although White keeps pressure after} 21.
Ne7 Rb8 22. Nxc6 Nxc6 23. Ba3) 20. Nf6+ Kxe7 21. Nxd7 Bxd7 {Black has no
sufficient compensation for the queen although converting it is far from easy.
Eventually Aronian even manages to win this rapid game.} 22. Qd2 a5 23. Rad1
Rhd8 24. Qd6+ Ke8 25. Qb6 Ra8 26. Rd6 $6 (26. h4 $142 $1 {trying to open up
the position.}) 26... Rdb8 27. Qc5 Rc8 28. Qb6 Rcb8 29. Qe3 Rc8 (29... Bxa4 $5
30. Ra1 Bd7) 30. h4 Ke7 31. Rb6 g4 32. f4 $6 {It was not necessary to give up
the a4 pawn now.} (32. Rb7 $142 Ke8 33. Ra1 Bc6 $140 34. Ra7 Bxe4 35. Rxa8 Bxa8
36. Qb6 $16) 32... gxf3 33. gxf3 Bxa4 34. f4 Nd7 35. e5 Nxb6 36. Qxb6 Kf8 37.
Bh5 $6 c3 38. f5 $2 cxb2 39. Qd6+ Kg8 40. Bxf7+ Kh8 41. f6 Rc1 42. fxg7+ Kxg7
43. Qe7 Rxe1+ 44. Kh2 Rh1+ 45. Kg3 Rg1+ 46. Kh2 b1=Q 47. Be8+ Kh8 48. Qf6+ Rg7
0-1

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.12.02"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2674"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 Rb8 8. h3
Bf5 9. g4 Bd7 10. e4 e5 11. Be3 a6 12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 dxe5 14. f4 exf4 15.
Bxf4 Ne8 16. e5 Qe7 17. Nd5 Qe6 18. g5 b5 19. Qd4 bxc4 20. Rad1 Bb5 21. Rfe1
Kh8 22. Nf6 Qe7 23. Bg3 Qb4 24. Qh4 Bxf6 25. gxf6 Bc6 26. Bxc6 Qc5+ 27. Bf2
Qxc6 28. Qh6 Rg8 29. e6 Nd6 30. Rxd6 Qxd6 31. exf7 Qxf6 32. fxg8=Q+ Kxg8 33.
Qc1 Qc6 34. b3 1-0

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.12.03"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D53"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bxe7 Qxe7 8.
Rc1 c6 9. Qc2 Nxc3 10. Qxc3 b6 11. g3 Bb7 12. Bg2 c5 13. O-O Nd7 14. dxc5 Rfc8
15. c6 Rxc6 16. Qxc6 Bxc6 17. Rxc6 h6 18. Rc2 Rd8 19. Rfc1 Qf6 20. b4 Ne5 21.
a3 Nxf3+ 22. Bxf3 g6 23. Kg2 Qe5 24. h4 1/2-1/2

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.12.04"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Bd2 O-O 10. axb5 axb5 11. Nc3 Rxa1 12. Qxa1 Qb8 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. Bxd5
Nd8 15. Be3 c6 16. Bb3 Ne6 17. Qa2 Nc5 18. Bxc5 dxc5 19. h3 g6 20. Ra1 Kg7 21.
Qa7 Qd6 22. Qb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.12.05"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
(8. c3 d5 {leads to the Marshall Attack - a gambit, which offers Black a reach
compensation for the pawn and therefore became extremely popular in the past
years.}) 8... Bb7 9. d3 d5 {Black still sacrifices a pawn, but here White
didn't play c2-c3 and Black's initiative is not as strong as in the classical
Marshall. Nevertheless he achieves a decent compensation.} (9... d6) 10. exd5
Nxd5 11. Nxe5 Nd4 (11... Nxe5 12. Rxe5 $14) 12. Bd2 (12. Nd2 c5 13. a4 Nf4 14.
Nef3 Bxf3 15. Nxf3 Nxb3 16. cxb3 Ne6 17. Be3 Bf6 18. Qc2 Qd5 19. Rec1 h6 {
was good for Black in Karjakin,S (2694)-Bacrot,E (2695)/Khanty-Mansiysk 2007.})
({The usual continuation is} 12. Nc3 {after which Black plays either
immediately 12...Nb4, or after first exchanging on b3.}) 12... c5 ({Perhaps
even here the strange looking} 12... Nb4 $5 {is possible, but in a rapid game
it's not wise to go for such variations without home preparation.} 13. Bxf7+ $5
Rxf7 14. Nxf7 Kxf7 15. Bxb4 Bxb4 16. c3 Nf3+ $1 (16... Qg5 17. Re4 $1) 17. gxf3
Qg5+ 18. Kf1 {with a complete mess} (18. Kh1 Bd6 {and then Qf4})) 13. Nc3 Nxb3
14. axb3 Nb4 15. Rc1 f6 16. Nf3 Qc7 17. Ne4 Rfe8 18. Bxb4 cxb4 19. c4 bxc3 20.
bxc3 Ba3 21. Rc2 Rad8 22. Qa1 Bf8 23. Rce2 $1 ({The immediate} 23. Nd4 $2 {
is bad due to the pin on the c-file} Bxe4 24. dxe4 Rxd4 {and Black wins a piece
}) 23... Re7 (23... Rxd3 $2 24. Nxf6+ gxf6 25. Rxe8 $18) 24. Nd4 {Black's
bishop pair can offer compensation for the pawn only if White won't have
stable squares for his knights.} Rde8 $2 ({Necessary was} 24... b4 {in order
to weaken square d4.}) 25. b4 $1 {Now the knight on d4 secures White advantage
and the question is only if Black will be able to escape. This is a very
difficult task with limited time and the former winner of the World Cup failed
to do so.} Kh8 26. Ng3 g6 27. Rxe7 Rxe7 28. Rxe7 Qxe7 29. Qd1 f5 30. Qe2 Kg8
31. Qxe7 Bxe7 32. f4 h5 33. Nge2 Kf7 34. Kf2 Bf6 35. Nf3 Ke6 36. Ned4+ Kd6 37.
Ne2 Bd5 38. Ke3 Bd8 39. g3 Bb6+ 40. Nfd4 Bg2 $2 {Allowing White to advance the
c-pawn.} ({Better was a move like} 40... Bd8) 41. c4 $1 (41. h4 Bd5) 41... bxc4
42. dxc4 Ba7 43. Nc3 (43. h4 {is possible too, since after} Bf1 44. c5+ Kd5 45.
Nc3+ Kc4 {White has} 46. Nc6 $1 Bxc5+ 47. bxc5 Kxc3 48. Na5 {and Black must
give up his bishop for the c-pawn. However, Jakovenko's choice is the most
precise.}) 43... Kd7 (43... Bxh3 {doesn't help:} 44. c5+ Kd7 45. Nf3 Bb8 46.
Kd4 Bg2 47. Ne5+ ({or} 47. Nh4) 47... Bxe5+ 48. Kxe5 $18) 44. h4 Bf1 45. c5 a5
46. Ncb5 Bxb5 47. Nxb5 Bb8 48. Kd3 axb4 49. Kc4 Ke6 50. Nd4+ Kd7 51. Kxb4 {
The rest is elementary.} Bc7 52. Kb5 Bd8 53. Nf3 Kc7 54. Ne5 Bf6 55. c6 Be7 56.
Nxg6 Ba3 57. Ne5 Bb2 58. Nf7 Bd4 59. Nh6 Bg1 60. Nxf5 Bf2 61. Ng7 Bxg3 62. Nxh5
Bxh4 63. Kc5 Kd8 64. Kd6 Be1 65. Nf6 Bb4+ 66. Ke6 {In the second game Aronian
fought for 114 moves, but Jakovenko always kept good control and achieved a
draw confidently.} 1-0

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.12.05"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[PlyCount "228"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. Nf3 e6 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 d5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. d4 cxd4 10. Qa4+ Nd7 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. Nxd4 Bxg2 13. Kxg2 O-O 14. Nc6
Nc5 15. Qb5 Qd7 16. Be3 Kh8 17. Nd4 Qxb5 18. Nxb5 a6 19. Nd4 Bf6 20. Rac1 Rfd8
21. Rc4 b5 22. Rxc5 Bxd4 23. Bxd4 Rxd4 24. Rec1 g6 25. Rc7 Kg8 26. R1c2 Rad8
27. Ra7 Rc4 28. Rxc4 bxc4 29. Rxa6 Rd2 30. Rb6 Rxe2 31. a4 c3 32. bxc3 Ra2 33.
Rb4 Kf8 34. c4 Ke7 35. c5 h5 36. h4 e5 37. Kf3 Ke6 38. c6 Kd6 39. Rb7 f5 40.
Rg7 Kxc6 41. Rxg6+ Kd5 42. Ra6 e4+ 43. Ke3 Ra3+ 44. Ke2 Ra2+ 45. Kf1 Ra1+ 46.
Kg2 Ra2 47. Ra8 e3 48. Rd8+ Ke6 49. Re8+ Kf6 50. Rxe3 Rxa4 51. Re8 Kg7 52. Kf3
Rb4 53. Rd8 Ra4 54. Ke3 Re4+ 55. Kd3 Ra4 56. Rd4 Ra3+ 57. Ke2 Rb3 58. Rd3 Rb4
59. Rd7+ Kg6 60. Rd6+ Kg7 61. Rd5 Kg6 62. Kd3 Ra4 63. Rc5 f4 64. Rg5+ Kh6 65.
g4 hxg4 66. Rxg4 Kh5 67. f3 Rb4 68. Ke2 Rb2+ 69. Kd3 Rb4 70. Kd2 Ra4 71. Ke1
Ra2 72. Rxf4 Rh2 73. Rf8 Rxh4 74. Kf2 Kg6 75. Rg8+ Kf5 76. Kg3 Ra4 77. Rb8 Kg5
78. f4+ Kf6 79. Rb6+ Kf7 80. Rb5 Ra1 81. Kg4 Kg7 82. Kf5 Rf1 83. Rb7+ Kh6 84.
Rf7 Ra1 85. Re7 Rf1 86. Re4 Kg7 87. Re7+ Kh6 88. Rd7 Rf2 89. Ke5 Kg6 90. Rd6+
Kf7 91. Kf5 Kg7 92. Rd7+ Kh6 93. Rd1 Kg7 94. Ra1 Rf3 95. Ra7+ Kh6 96. Ra4 Kg7
97. Ra7+ Kh6 98. Ra1 Kg7 99. Rg1+ Kf7 100. Kg5 Kg7 101. Ra1 Rg3+ 102. Kf5 Rf3
103. Ra4 Rf1 104. Ra7+ Kh6 105. Rd7 Rf2 106. Rd1 Kg7 107. Rg1+ Kf7 108. Kg5 Kg7
109. Rg3 Rf1 110. Rg2 Rf3 111. Kf5+ Kf7 112. Rb2 Kg7 113. Rb4 Rf1 114. Rb2 Rf3
1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D71"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. Nf3 Nc6 8.
Bf4 O-O 9. e3 h6 10. h4 Bg4 11. Rc1 e5 12. dxe5 Qe7 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. Qxd5 Nb4
15. Qc4 Be6 16. Qxc7 Nd3+ 17. Kd2 Qb4+ 18. Qc3 Qxc3+ 19. Rxc3 Nxf2 20. Nd4 Nxh1
21. Bxh1 Rfd8 22. Rc7 Rac8 23. Rxb7 Bxa2 24. Rxa7 Be6 25. Rb7 Bf5 26. Bf3 Rc2+
27. Ke1 Rc1+ 28. Kf2 Be6 29. g4 Bc8 30. Rb8 Rf8 31. h5 g5 32. Bg3 Ra1 33. Rb6
Re8 34. Be2 Bxe5 35. Bxe5 Rxe5 36. Rxh6 Re4 37. Bf3 Re5 38. Rc6 Be6 39. Nxe6
fxe6 40. Be2 Rb1 41. Rb6 Rd5 42. Bc4 Rd2+ 43. Kf3 Rbxb2 44. Rxe6 Rbc2 45. Rg6+
Kh8 46. Be6 Rc6 47. Ke4 Rd8 48. Kf5 Rc5+ 49. Kf6 Rf8+ 50. Ke7 Rf3 51. Bf5 Re5+
52. Kf7 Rfxf5+ 53. gxf5 Rxf5+ 54. Ke6 Ra5 55. e4 Kh7 56. e5 Ra1 57. Rxg5 Kh6
58. Rg2 Kxh5 59. Kf6 Rf1+ 60. Ke7 Ra1 61. e6 Kh6 62. Kf7 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. c5 Nbd7 7. Bd3 e5 8. Nxe5
Nxe5 9. dxe5 Ng4 10. f4 Bxc5 11. Qf3 Qb6 12. Ke2 Nh6 13. h3 Nf5 14. g4 Ne7 15.
Bd2 O-O 16. Rac1 f6 17. exf6 Rxf6 18. e4 Bd4 19. exd5 cxd5 20. Kd1 Rf7 21. Re1
Bb7 22. Qe2 Ng6 23. Bxg6 hxg6 24. Qe6 Rd8 25. Qxb6 Bxb6 26. Re6 Ba7 27. Ne2 d4
28. Ng3 d3 29. Rxg6 Bf2 30. Ba5 Bxg3 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. Bg2 c5 7. d5 exd5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. O-O Be7 10. Rd1 Qc8 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bd2 Nc6 13. Qa4 Nc7 14. Nc3 O-O 15.
Bf4 Ne6 16. Bd6 Re8 17. Bxe7 Nxe7 18. Qxd7 Qxd7 19. Rxd7 Bc6 20. Rd6 Nd8 21.
Nh4 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Nf7 23. Rd7 Ne5 24. Rc7 N5c6 25. Rd1 Red8 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27.
Nb5 Kf8 28. Nxa7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 b4
9. Nbd2 Na5 10. Ba2 O-O 11. c3 c5 12. cxb4 cxb4 13. Nc4 Rb8 14. Re1 Nc6 15. Ne3
Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nc4 Nd7 18. Ncd2 Nc5 19. Nb3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 Rxf3 21. gxf3
Nd4 22. Qd1 Qf8 23. Kg2 Qf6 24. Be3 Rf8 25. Bxd4 exd4 26. e5 Qg5+ 27. Kh1 d5
28. Rc1 Qf5 29. Rc7 Bg5 30. Rg1 g6 31. f4 Qxf4 32. Qg4 Qxe5 33. Ra7 Rf5 34. a5
Bh6 35. Qg3 Qe2 36. Qc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qc2 dxc4 8. e3
b5 9. a4 Bb7 10. axb5 cxb5 11. Nxb5 Bb4+ 12. Nc3 O-O 13. Be2 Nd7 14. O-O Rfc8
15. Rfc1 a5 16. Nd2 Nb6 17. Bf3 Qe7 18. Bxb7 Qxb7 19. h3 Rc7 20. Qd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "219"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7 12. Nxd7 Nxd7 13. Bd6 a6 {This system is
examined by GM I.Stohl in CBM 118 (annotations to Iljin-Nepomniachtchi), by GM
D.Rogozenko in CBM 120, as well as in annotations to Inarkiev-Aronian in this
issue.} 14. a4 e5 15. Bg4 (15. d5 c5 16. b4 $1 Qb6 $1 17. bxc5 Nxc5 18. Bxc5
Qxc5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Rxa8+ Bxa8 21. Qa1 O-O 22. Qa5 Rb8 23. Rb1 Bf8 24. Nxb5
(24. Rxb5 Rxb5 25. Qxb5 Qxb5 26. Nxb5 Bb7 27. Bxc4 Ba6 28. Kf1 Bxb5 29. Bxb5
Bc5 $11 {1/2-1/2 Gustafsson,J-Aronian,L/Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2007/The Week in
Chess 682 (40)}) 24... f5 25. Qa6 Kh8 26. Nc3 Rxb1+ 27. Nxb1 Qb4 28. Qxa8 Qxb1+
29. Bf1 Qb4 30. exf5 c3 $132 {1/2-1/2 Alekseev,E-Bareev,E/Khanty-Mansiysk RUS
2007/The Week in Chess 682 (40)}) (15. Re1 Qf6 16. Ba3 Bf8 17. Bg4 Rd8 18. Nd5
{1/2-1/2 Kramnik,V-Shirov,A/Moscow 2007/EXT 2008}) 15... exd4 16. e5 c5 $1 {
An active response leading to immense complications.} (16... dxc3 17. e6 Ne5
18. e7 $16 Qb6 $2 19. Bxe5) 17. Re1 (17. axb5 Nxe5 18. Bxe5 Bxe5 19. bxa6 Rxa6
20. Rxa6 Bxa6 21. Re1 Qc7 22. Qe2 f6 23. Nd5 Qd6 $15 {1/2-1/2 Iljin,A-Smirnov,
P/Saratov 2006/EXT 2008 (40)}) (17. Bf3 Nxe5 $1 (17... Bxf3 $2 18. Qxf3 Nxe5
19. Qd5 $1 dxc3 20. Rfe1 (20. Rae1 $18 {[%cal Re1e5,Rd5c6] Stohl}) 20... cxb2
21. Rad1 b1=Q 22. Rxb1 Rc8 23. axb5 axb5 24. Rbd1 $18 {1-0 Kuljasevic,D-Zhao
Jun/Richardson USA 2007/The Week in Chess 684 (30)}) (17... Ra7 $2 18. Bxb7
Rxb7 19. Ne4 $1 Nxe5 20. axb5 axb5 21. f4 $1 gxf4 22. Qh5 Rb6 23. Bxe5 $18 {
1-0 Iljin,A-Nepomniachtchi,I/Dresden 2007/CBM 118/[Stohl] (27)}) 18. Bxb7 Qxd6
19. Bxa8 O-O $1 20. Ne4 Qc7 21. axb5 Rxa8 22. f4 gxf4 23. Qh5 Ra7 24. Rxa6 Rxa6
25. bxa6 Qc6 26. Qf5 Qxa6 27. Rxf4 Qg6 28. Nxc5 d3 $44 {1/2-1/2 DEEP
JUNIOR-DEEP FRITZ/Elista RUS 2007/The Week in Chess 657 (47)}) 17... Nxe5 $1
18. Bxe5 O-O 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Ne2 {Black's pawn avalanche looks powerful but
the position of his king is quite unsafe.} f5 21. Bh5 f4 22. b4 $1 cxb3 (22...
d3 $5 23. bxc5 $1 b4 $1 $13 {was recommended by Vishy Anand. This will
possibly be checked in future.}) 23. Qxb3 Qd5 24. Qh3 Bc8 25. Nc3 $1 $146 {
[%mdl 8] Anand's other suggestion.} (25. Qd3 {was seen in his rapid game vs.
Radjabov:} Bf5 26. Qd2 Qd7 27. Rac1 (27. Bf3 Rac8 28. axb5 axb5 29. h3 $13 {
V.Anand}) 27... Rac8 28. h4 Kh8 $1 29. axb5 axb5 30. Qb2 b4 $13 {0-1 Radjabov,
T-Anand,V/Mainz (m) 2006/Inf 97/[Anand,V] (58)}) 25... dxc3 26. Qxc3+ Qd4 27.
Qf3 $36 {The poor position of Black's king makes him defend carefully.} Ra7 (
27... Rb8 $5 28. Qc6 (28. Re7+ Kh8 29. Rd1 Qf6 30. Rc7 Be6) 28... Kg8 29. Rad1
Qg7 30. axb5 axb5 31. Qd5+ Kh8 32. Qxc5 Bf5) 28. axb5 {This pawn now remains
alive and turns into a powerful "second weakness" (from Black's point of view).
} Qf6 (28... Rf6 $5 29. Rad1 Qc4) 29. Qa3 $1 Qb6 30. Qc3+ Kg8 31. Re5 Qf6 32.
Qxc5 Rd7 33. h4 $1 gxh4 34. Bg4 Rdd8 35. Bxc8 Rxc8 36. Qd5+ Qf7 37. bxa6 Qxd5
38. Rxd5 Rf7 39. a7 Ra8 40. Rda5 {[%mdl 4096] The complication ended in a
seemingly simple endgame. White's a7-pawn is strong but it is not easy to make
use of it with four rooks on the board (needless to say that with one pair of
rooks Black's position would be absolutely hopeless).} Kh7 (40... f3 41. gxf3
Rxf3 $2 {is impossible due to} 42. Rb1 {[%cal Rb1b8] but can White win if
Black doesn't take on f3? I don't think so.}) 41. R1a3 {...f4-f3 must now be
prevented.} (41. f3 Rg7 {is hardly better.}) 41... h3 $5 42. gxh3 f3 43. Kh2
Rg7 44. h4 Rg2+ 45. Kh3 Rg7 46. Ra6 Rf7 47. R3a5 Rg7 48. h5 Rf7 49. Kg4 (49.
Kh2 Rg7 50. Kh1 Rg4) 49... Rg8+ 50. Kh3 Ra8 51. Kg4 Rg8+ 52. Rg6 {There is no
other way to make progress but now White can hardly avoid the drawish endgame
with f- and h- pawns.} Ra8 53. Raa6 Raxa7 54. Rxh6+ Kg8 55. Rag6+ Rg7 56. Kxf3
Rxg6 57. Rxg6+ (57. hxg6 Ra3+ 58. Kg2 Ra6 $11) 57... Kf7 {With the sudden
death time control, it is not easy to hold endgames like this one or, say, R
vs R+B, especially against Kramnik. The drawish endgame I lost to him at Wijk
five years ago was a good example.} 58. Rg4 Ra1 59. Kg3 Rh1 60. Rh4 Ra1 61. Rb4
Kg7 62. Rb6 Rg1+ 63. Kf4 Rh1 64. Kg5 Rg1+ 65. Kf5 Rh1 66. h6+ {In theory, when
this pawn goes to h6, White loses any winning chances...} Kh7 67. Ra6 Rf1 68.
f4 Rb1 69. Re6 Ra1 70. Rf6 Re1 71. Kg4 Ra1 72. f5 Rg1+ 73. Kf4 Rf1+ 74. Ke5
Re1+ 75. Kd6 Rf1 76. Ke7 Rf2 77. Rf8 Re2+ (77... Kxh6 {was already good enough:
} 78. f6 Ra2 79. Rd8 (79. Re8 Ra7+ 80. Ke6 Ra6+ 81. Kf5 Ra5+ 82. Re5 Ra8 $11)
79... Ra7+ ({or} 79... Kg6 80. Rg8+ Kf5 $1 81. f7 Ra7+ 82. Kf8 Kf6) 80. Rd7 Ra8
$11) 78. Kf7 Ra2 79. Rd8 Ra7+ (79... Kxh6 $1 80. f6 (80. Rh8+ Kg5) 80... Ra7+)
80. Kf6 Ra1 81. Rd2 Rb1 82. Ra2 Rb3 83. Rh2 Rb1 84. Rh4 Rb8 85. Kg5 Rg8+ 86.
Kf4 Ra8 87. Kg5 Rg8+ 88. Kf6 Ra8 89. Re4 Ra1 90. Re8 Ra2 91. Re1 Ra3 92. Rh1
Ra2 93. Kg5 Rg2+ 94. Kf4 Rf2+ 95. Ke4 Re2+ 96. Kf3 Ra2 97. Ke4 Re2+ 98. Kd4
Rd2+ 99. Ke3 Ra2 100. f6 Ra7 {Black was probably under severe time pressure as
after} (100... Ra3+ {the white king simply had no place where to hide!}) 101.
Rf1 Kg6 102. Ke4 Ra4+ 103. Kd5 Kf7 $4 {[%mdl 8192] A terrible blunder.} (103...
Ra5+ 104. Kc4 Ra4+ 105. Kb5 Ra8 $11 {[%cal Ya8f8,Og6h6,Yf8f6]}) 104. Rh1 Ra5+
105. Kc4 Ra4+ 106. Kb5 Ra8 107. h7 Rh8 108. Rh6 {Suddenly Black is lost! His
rook is passive and he can do nothing against the approach of the white king!}
Rb8+ 109. Kc6 Rc8+ 110. Kd6 (110. Kd6 Rh8 111. Kd7 $18) 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A62"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 c5 5. d5 O-O 6. Bg2 d6 7. Nf3 e6 8. O-O
exd5 9. cxd5 Re8 10. Nd2 b6 11. Re1 Nbd7 12. h3 Ba6 13. Qa4 Bd3 14. Nf1 b5 15.
Qd1 Bc4 16. Nd2 Nb6 17. Nxc4 Nxc4 18. Nxb5 Qa5 19. a4 Nd7 20. Bf4 Bxb2 21. Rb1
Be5 22. Qc1 a6 23. Qxc4 axb5 24. axb5 Nb6 25. Qc1 c4 26. Bxe5 Rxe5 27. e4 Ree8
28. Re3 Qa2 29. h4 Nd7 30. Rc3 Nb6 31. h5 Re5 32. h6 f5 33. exf5 Rxf5 34. Rc2
Qa3 35. Qd2 Qc5 36. Bh3 Rf3 37. Rc3 Rf6 38. Be6+ Kh8 39. Re3 Raf8 40. Qb2 Na4
41. Qa3 Rxf2 42. Qxc5 dxc5 43. Ra3 Nb6 44. Rd1 R2f6 45. Rda1 g5 46. Ra6 c3 47.
Rxb6 c2 48. Rc6 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D47"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Be2
Bb7 9. O-O Be7 10. Qc2 O-O 11. Rd1 Qc8 12. e4 b4 13. Na4 c5 14. e5 Nd5 15. Bd3
g6 16. Nxc5 Nxc5 17. dxc5 Qxc5 18. Qe2 Qb6 19. h4 Rac8 20. Bg5 Rfd8 21. Bxe7
Nxe7 22. Be4 Bxe4 23. Qxe4 h5 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Rc1 Nf5 26. b3 a5 27. Qc4 Nh6
1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2692"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bb4 7. Qb3 Bc5 8.
d3 O-O 9. O-O h6 10. Na4 Be7 11. Be3 d6 12. Nc3 c6 13. Rad1 Qc7 14. d4 Bh3 15.
Rfe1 Kh8 16. c5 d5 17. dxe5 Nd7 18. Bg2 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Bxc5 20. Qc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.23"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4
Nxd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. c3 dxc3 12. Nxc3 d6 13. Qf3 Be6 14. Nd5 Rc8
15. Bf4 dxe5 16. Nxe7+ Qxe7 17. Bxe5 Nd6 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Qc6 Qe8 20. Rac1 Nc4
21. Qe4 Qf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.25"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2681"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {It is always nice to play Van Wely, because he is very cordial towards
me.} d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 {After Loek told me that, before his game
with Adams, he had prepared for me by mistake, I did not fancy entering gambit
lines. This explains my modest choice of move.} a6 {An invitation to battle.
In recent times, both 4...Bg4 and 4...Bf5 have been popular, but the danger in
both these lines is that the two players will die of boredom.} 5. Nc3 b5 6. c5
{One of my favourite lines. I managed to bring off a beautiful combination in
this line against Popov in 2005.} Nbd7 {Occasional bold spirits play 6...Bg4
here, but most often Black chooses 6...g6. In the recent European
Championships, the well-known Slav expert Peter Svidler played this against me.
} 7. Bd3 {As far as I know, this was first played at elite level by Boris
Gelfand. I once played 7.b4 against Ivan Sokolov and managed to make a draw
with some difficulty, although the variation was not to blame for that, of
course.} e5 {The most principled reply. The modest 7...g6 is also possible,
but in that case, Black does not usually put his knight on d7 so early. More
often than not, the freeing move e5 is Black's plan. Preparing this by the
tyipcal move 7...Qc7 is not good here, because of 8.Qe2, after which Black is
forced back into g6-lines, since 8...e5 is bad on account of 9.e4.} 8. Nxe5 {
It is hard seriously to recommend 8.Bc2. If White does not react to e5 in
these positions, Black is usually fine.} Nxe5 9. dxe5 Ng4 {Besides this move,
Black has another way to regain the pawn.} ({After} 9... Nd7 10. e6 Nxc5 11.
exf7+ Kxf7 12. Bc2 {I prefer White, notwithstanding Black's activity in the
centre. Black will still have to spend a couple of moves evacuating his king. .
}) 10. f4 Bxc5 11. Qf3 Qb6 {Necessary. Now White must reveal his future plans.
Will it be his king in the centre, or a badly-placed knight?} 12. Ke2 {I
prefer this move. The king is defended at present by its own pawns.} Nh6 13. h3
{13.f5 hopelessly weakens the e5 pawn, which immediately becomes clear after
13...Qc7 or 13...Qb8.} Nf5 {Ivan Sokolov against Gelfand did not put the
knight on f5, but I think it is necessary to do so. The attempt to be clever
and bring the knight out later via g8 should not work.} 14. g4 {Having spent a
couple of days analysing this variation, I think White should play very
actively. It is not in his interests to permit Black to castle and break with
f6. It would also be interesting to see 14.a4 tested in practice.} Ne7 15. Rb1
{Here my opponent, who had been moving instantly, stopped to think for the
first time. In the second round of the same event, Gelfand played 15.Bd2
against me, after which I managed to win, by exploiting the sharp position and,
most of all, Boris' chronic time-trouble. 15.Rb1 is one of many interesting
possibilities in the position. Given that Black needs to play 15...a5, White
gets chances to attack the b5-pawn.} a5 16. e4 Bb7 {This struck me as strange
during the game. 16...d4 is dangerous, but 16...0-0 looks stronger.} 17. f5 ({
I did not like} 17. exd5 {because of} cxd5 18. Bxb5+ Nc6 {It is important to
leave the pawn in the way of the Bishop on b7. It seemed to me that my move
prevented castling.}) 17... Bd4 {It looks as though Black must react quickly
to White's advance, but in fact he can afford to continue in slow-looking
fashion.} ({After} 17... O-O {my intended} 18. Rf1 {with the threat of f6,
allows Black more than one (!) satisfactory reply. The most reliable is 17...
Bd4. In all the lengthy variations that can arise, the position remains
dynamically balanced.}) 18. exd5 ({I did not really study the position after} 
18. f6 gxf6 19. exf6 Ng6 20. exd5 O-O {which just looked rather too crude. The
text move is more natural.}) 18... Bxe5 ({Of course not} 18... Nxd5 {because of
} 19. Nxd5 cxd5 20. Bf4 {with an excellent position for White,}) ({nor} 18...
Bxc3 19. bxc3 Nxd5 20. Bd2 {with the same assessment.}) ({Straight after the
game, I noticed the interesting move} 18... O-O {on which strongest is} 19. Re1
{leading after} Bxe5 20. Kf1 Qc7 {to a satisfactory position for Black.}) 19.
Be3 {Developing with tempo is rarely wrong, so I did not spend long on this
move.} Qc7 20. Rbc1 {Too ambitious.} ({I understood that after} 20. dxc6 Bxc6
21. Be4 {White's position is the more pleasant, but an inner voice convinced
me to go for a more adventurous continuation.}) 20... b4 21. dxc6 ({On} 21. d6
{replies} Bxd6 22. Ne4 O-O-O {. This did not appeal to me at all.}) 21... Bxc6
22. Ne4 Rd8 {A bad move, after which the dubious 20.Rbc1 fully justifies
itself.} ({After} 22... O-O {despite the number of white pieces pointing at
the enemy king, he starts to have problems. After my intended 23.Rc5 Black
happily devours b2 and after} 23. f6 Nd5 24. Qf5 {there follows} Rfd8 {which I
had missed. All White's threats turn out to be illusory.}) 23. f6 {Exploiting
the fact that the black king is not about to escape in a hurry.} Nd5 24. Rxc6 {
Now Loek sank into thought. Probably he did not anticipate this turn of events.
} Qxc6 25. Rc1 Qd7 {The best decision.} ({After} 25... Qb7 {(completely bad is
25...Qa4 26.Nd6+ winning quickly)} 26. fxg7 Bxg7 27. Bc5 {the black king is
not long for this world.}) 26. Nd6+ {Having seen that after 33.Qb7, the
f7-pawn falls, I did not bother looking at other continuations.} ({Deserving
of attention was} 26. fxg7 Bxg7 27. Bc5 {After the possible} Nf4+ 28. Qxf4
Qxd3+ 29. Kf2 Bd4+ 30. Kg2 Bxc5 31. Qe5+ Be7 32. Qxh8+ Kd7 33. Qxh7 {White has
good chances of victory.}) 26... Qxd6 {The next few moves are forced.} 27. Bb5+
Kf8 28. Bc5 Nf4+ 29. Ke1 {All the while the bishop controls e8, the king is
safe on e1.} gxf6 ({Stronger is} 29... Qxc5 30. fxg7+ Kxg7 31. Rxc5 Ng6 {
It is easier for Black to coordinate his pieces if he has a second rook.}) 30.
Bxd6+ Rxd6 31. Rc8+ Kg7 32. Rxh8 {Now there is no threat against the white
king.} Kxh8 33. Qb7 Kg7 {An attempt at active defence.} ({There is some sense
in} 33... Rd8 {trying "to build a fortress" after} 34. Qxf7 Bxb2 35. Be8 Ng6 {
Admittedly, White's play can be strengthened by 35.Qc7.}) 34. Be8 Kh6 ({
The position after} 34... Bc3+ 35. bxc3 Re6+ 36. Kf1 Rxe8 37. cxb4 Nd3 ({on} 
37... axb4 {there is} 38. Qxb4 Nxh3 39. a4 Ng5 40. a5 {winning easily.}) 38.
bxa5 Re1+ 39. Kg2 Re2+ 40. Kf3 Rxa2 41. Qb5 {looks winning for White.}) 35.
Qxf7 Ng6 36. Qb3 Nf4 {A mistake in time-trouble. There were more chances of
holding the position after the modest 36...Kg7.} 37. Qg8 {The king is caught
in the net.} Rd4 {The decisive mistake.} ({There was no salvation in} 37... Ne6
{because of the crafty} 38. Ke2 Nf4+ 39. Kf2 {(on 39...Nxh3+ there follows 40.
Ke1 and Black loses the knight) and White plays the decisive h4,}) ({but Black
could resist better with} 37... Rd8 {It turns out that after} 38. h4 Ng6 39.
Ke2 {Black has the move} Bd6 {fter which White has to play very accurately to
win.}) 38. h4 Ng2+ 39. Ke2 Nxh4 40. g5+ fxg5 41. Qe6+ {Black loses a piece,
and with it, his queenside pawns, hence he resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.26"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 e6 4. e3 Nf6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6 7. Bb3 cxd4 8.
exd4 Be7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Re1 Nc6 11. Bg5 b5 12. h4 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. d5 Bxc3
15. bxc3 exd5 16. Bxd5 Bb7 17. a4 Qd7 18. axb5 axb5 19. Rb1 Ra5 20. Rb2 b4 21.
Be4 Rd8 22. Qb1 Rb5 23. cxb4 Nd4 24. Nxd4 Qxd4 25. Bxb7 Rxb7 26. g3 Rb5 27.
Rbe2 g6 28. Re4 Qf6 29. Qc1 h5 30. Qh6 Qc6 31. Qe3 Rbd5 32. Kh2 Rd1 33. Qf4
Rxe1 34. Rxe1 Rd5 35. Rc1 Qb6 36. Rc8+ Kg7 37. Rc5 Rd1 38. Qf3 Rb1 39. Rc6 Qd4
40. Rc7 Qf6 41. Qxf6+ Kxf6 42. Rb7 Ke6 43. b5 Rb2 44. Kg2 Rb3 45. Kf1 Rb2 46.
Ke1 f6 47. Kf1 Kf5 48. b6 Ke6 49. f3 Rb1+ 50. Kf2 Rb3 51. Ke2 g5 52. hxg5 fxg5
53. Rb8 Kf7 54. b7 Kg7 55. f4 h4 56. f5 h3 57. f6+ Kf7 58. Rh8 h2 59. Rxh2 Kxf6
60. Rh7 Kf5 61. Kd2 Kg4 62. Rd7 Kh3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.27"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Polgar, Judit"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Nd2 Rae8 17. Ne4 Bg4 18. Qg2 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 f5 20. h3 Bh5 21.
Bf4 Bxf4 22. gxf4 fxe4 23. dxe4 Bf3+ 24. Kxf3 Rxf4+ 25. Kg3 Rfxe4 26. Rxe4 Rxe4
27. f3 Re5 28. c4 bxc4 29. Bxc4 a5 30. Rc1 Rg5+ 31. Kf2 Kf8 32. Bf1 Ne7 33. Rc4
Rd5 34. Ra4 Ke8 35. Bc4 Rd2+ 36. Ke3 Rxb2 37. Rxa5 Kd7 38. f4 Kd6 39. f5 Rh2
40. Bf1 Nd5+ 41. Kf3 Rc2 42. a4 Rc3+ 43. Kf2 Rc2+ 44. Kf3 Rc3+ 45. Kf2 Ne7 46.
f6 gxf6 47. Rh5 Rc2+ 48. Kf3 Ra2 49. a5 c5 50. a6 Nc6 51. Ke3 Nb4 52. Bc4 Ra3+
53. Ke4 Nxa6 54. Rh6 Ra4 55. Rxf6+ Ke7 56. Rxa6 Rxc4+ 57. Kd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Ne4 7. Qd3 Bxc3+ 8.
bxc3 Nc5 9. Qf3 d6 10. Bg2 {This system was examined in several CBM issues:
108 (several games annotated by GM V.Gavrikov), 115 (Bareev-Nyback), 116 
(Chuchelov-Babula).} e5 ({To} 10... Nbd7 {(previously considered the most
appropriate) White has recently achieved good results by means of} 11. Qg4 {
, e.g.} O-O (11... Qf6 12. Nb5 O-O 13. Bg5 Qg6 14. Qh4 f6 15. Be3 Qc2 16. O-O
Qxe2 17. Rfe1 Qc2 18. Qd4 $16 {1-0 Le Quang Liem-Smirnov,P/Moscow RUS 2008/The
Week in Chess 693 (24)}) 12. Bh6 Qf6 13. Bg5 Qg6 14. Qh4 Nf6 (14... f6 15. Be3
a6 16. O-O Qf7 17. Nb3 Qe7 18. Qd4 Na4 19. Rfd1 Ne5 20. Rab1 Re8 21. Na5 Qc7
22. Nxb7 $16 {1-0 L'Ami,E-Sher,M/Cappelle La Grande FRA 2008/The Week in Chess
694 (53)}) (14... a6 15. O-O Nf6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. Qxf6 gxf6 18. Nb3 Rd8 19.
Nxc5 dxc5 20. Rfd1 Rd7 21. Rxd7 Bxd7 22. Bxb7 Ra7 23. Rb1 $16 {1-0 L'Ami,
E-Gofshtein,L/Hoogeveen 2007/CBM 120 ext (64)}) 15. Nb3 (15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. Rd1
Bd7 17. O-O Ba4 18. Rb1 Rac8 19. Nb3 b6 20. Rfd1 e5 21. Rb2 Rfd8 22. Bd5 Bc6
23. Nxc5 Bxd5 24. cxd5 Rxc5 $11 {1/2-1/2 Moiseenko,A-Kveinys,A/Cappelle La
Grande FRA 2008/The Week in Chess 693 (29)}) (15. O-O Bd7 16. Nb3 Rac8 17. Rfd1
Bc6 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Qxf6 gxf6 20. Nxc5 dxc5 21. Rd6 Rfd8 22. Rad1 Rxd6 23.
Rxd6 Kf8 {1/2-1/2 Nielsen,P-Gyimesi,Z/Crete 2007/CBM 121 (39)}) 15... Nce4 16.
Bxf6 Nxf6 17. Qd4 e5 (17... Rd8 $5) 18. Qxd6 Bg4 19. Rd1 Rae8 20. Bxb7 Qh5 21.
h3 e4 22. Nd4 $16 {1-0 Delchev,A-Kveinys,A/Crete 2007/CBM 121 (63)}) 11. Qe3 $5
$146 {[%mdl 8] After provoking ...e6-e5 White starts regrouping his pieces to
make use of the hole on d5. Earlier practice had seen:} (11. Nb3 Nba6 12. Ba3
Qc7 13. Rd1 (13. Bxc5 Nxc5 14. Nxc5 Qxc5 15. Qd5 Qxd5 16. Bxd5 Rb8 17. Kd2 Be6
$11 {1/2-1/2 Furman,B-Greet,A/Hastings 2007/CBM 116 ext (48)}) 13... Be6 14.
Nxc5 (14. Bxc5 Nxc5 15. Nxc5 dxc5 (15... Qxc5 $142 $1) 16. O-O Rb8 17. Qh5 O-O
18. Bd5 Rfe8 19. Bxe6 Rxe6 20. Rd5 Re7 21. Rfd1 Rbe8 22. Qg5 b6 23. Rd6 $14 {
1-0 Aronian,L-Nielsen,P/Turin 2006/CBM 113 (66)}) 14... Nxc5 15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16.
Qxb7 Rc8 17. O-O (17. Bd5 Bxd5 18. Qxd5 Qxc4 19. Qxd6 Qxc3+ 20. Kf1 Qc7 21. Kg2
Qxd6 22. Rxd6 Ke7 23. Ra6 Rc7 $11 {1/2-1/2 Moiseenko,A-Gyimesi,Z/
Maalot-Tarshiha ISR 2008/The Week in Chess 688 (33)}) 17... Qxc4 18. Rxd6 O-O
19. Qxa7 Qxe2 20. a4 Rxc3 21. a5 Bc4 22. Ra1 Ra3 23. Rdd1 Rxa1 24. Rxa1 Qb2 25.
Rd1 Be2 26. Re1 Qd2 27. Rb1 Bd3 $132 {1/2-1/2 Wang Yue-Meier,G/Yerevan 2006/
CBM 114 ext (36)}) (11. Nf5 $5 Qf6 12. Ne3 Qxf3 13. Bxf3 (13. exf3 Nba6 14. Ba3
Be6 15. O-O-O O-O-O 16. f4 exf4 17. gxf4 f5 18. h4 Rhe8 19. h5 Kc7 $13 {
1/2-1/2 Ivanchuk,V-Asrian,K/Sochi 2007/CBM 118 (62)}) 13... Be6 14. Ba3 Nba6
15. O-O-O Ke7 16. Bg2 Rad8 17. f4 f6 18. Rhf1 b6 19. g4 Nc7 20. h4 g6 21. Kc2
Rhf8 22. Bc6 f5 23. fxe5 dxe5 24. Rxd8 Kxd8 25. gxf5 gxf5 26. Bxc5 bxc5 27. Be4
$14 {1-0 Kramnik,V-Anand,V/Monte Carlo 2007/CBM 117 ext (29)}) 11... O-O (11...
Nba6 $6 {was a later attempt at an improvement, which was brilliantly refuted:}
12. f4 $1 Qe7 (12... O-O 13. fxe5 dxe5 14. Nb3 $16) 13. Nc6 $1 Qd7 14. Nb4 O-O
15. Nxa6 Nxa6 16. fxe5 Re8 17. O-O Rxe5 18. Qd4 Nc5 19. Bd5 Ne6 20. Qf2 Qe7 21.
Rb1 $16 Nd8 22. Bf4 Rxe2 23. Bxd6 Qe8 24. Qxe2 Qxe2 25. Rfe1 Qxe1+ 26. Rxe1 Be6
27. c5 {1-0 Gajewski,G-Macieja,B/Lublin POL 2008/The Week in Chess 694 (41)})
12. Nb3 Qc7 (12... Nba6 13. Ba3 Qc7 14. Nxc5 Nxc5 15. Bxc5 dxc5 {and White
gets a favorable structure as in Aronian-Nielsen (see above)} ({or} 15... Qxc5
16. Qxc5 dxc5 17. O-O-O)) {However, the text move leads to an even better
situation for White as his bishop pair proves really strong.} 13. Nxc5 dxc5 14.
O-O Nd7 15. f4 $5 {[%mdl 32] Making space for the bishops!} exf4 $6 (15... Re8
$142 16. f5 $5 (16. Bd5 $5 Nf6 17. f5)) 16. Rxf4 {Despite his destroyed pawn
structure, White has a clear advantage. In fact, it is difficult for Black to
develop his pieces without losses!} a5 ({It was relatively better for Black to
give up a pawn but complete his development:} 16... Nb6 17. Ba3 Be6 18. Qxc5
Rfc8 19. Qxc7 Rxc7 20. Bd6 Rxc4 21. Bxb7 Rd8 $16) 17. Qe7 (17. Ba3 $5 Ra6 18.
Bd5) 17... Qe5 18. Qxe5 Nxe5 19. Be3 Nd7 (19... Be6 {hardly helps now:} 20.
Bxc5 Rfd8 21. Rd4 $5) 20. Re4 (20. Rd1 $5 {was perhaps more accurate. If} Re8 {
then} 21. Re4 Kf8 22. Rd5 {etc.}) 20... Ra6 (20... Nf6 $1 21. Re7 Be6 $16 {
was the last chance of consolidation.}) 21. Rb1 Rg6 22. Re7 b6 23. Bf4 h5 24.
Be4 Re6 25. Rxe6 fxe6 26. Bd6 Rf6 27. Rd1 {Total domination!} Kf7 28. Bf4 {
[%cal Rf4g5]} Kg8 29. Bc7 Rf7 $6 {Loses material.} (29... e5 $142) 30. Bg6 {
The rest is clear.} a4 31. Bxh5 Nf6 32. Bxf7+ Kxf7 33. Bxb6 Ba6 34. Bxc5 e5 35.
a3 Bxc4 36. Bb4 e4 37. Kf1 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {One round earlier, I had lost to Topalov without much of a fight, so in
this game, I was very keen not to repeat the experience. Eine Runde zuvor
hatte ich gegen Topalov ohne großen Kampf verloren, daher war ich in dieser
Partie sehr darauf erpicht, dieses Erlebnis nicht zu wiederholen.} e5 2. Nf3
Nc6 3. Bb5 {Occasionally I play the Berlin, but lately, I have no reason at
all to depart from my favourite Marshall. Gelegentlich spiele ich auch die
Berliner Verteidigung, aber in letzter Zeit hatte ich keinerlei Anlass, auf
meinen geliebten Marshall zu verzichten.} a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7.
Bb3 O-O {One interesting psychological point that I have noticed is that in
this position, most white players hesitate for the first time in the game,
even though they are well-prepared for the Marshall. Ein interessanter
psychologischer Aspekt, den ich bemerkt habe, ist, dass in dieser Stellung die
meisten Weißspieler zum ersten Mal in der Partie zögern, obwohl sie auf den
Marshall gut vorbereitet sind.} 8. c3 {The moves 8.d4, 8.d3, 8.h3, 8.a3 and 8.
a4 are all played regularly as well. White players are always coming up with
small subtleties on these various lines, so as to give their opponents
something to worry about. Die Züge 8.d4, 8.d3, 8.h3, 8.a3 und 8.a4 kommen
ebenfalls regelmäßig zur Anwendung. Die Weißspieler warten immer mit kleinen
Feinheiten in diesen verschiedenen Abspielen auf, um ihren Gegnern ein wenig
Anlass zur Sorge zu geben.} d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. Re1
Bd6 13. g3 {Quite a rare choice by White. Eine recht seltene Fortsetzung von
Weiß.} Re8 {Previously 13...Bf5 has been played, not without success, but
after seeing that 13...Re8 leads to interesting play, I decided to try it.
Zuvor wurde 13...Bf5 gespielt, nicht ohne Erfolg, aber nachdem ich gesehen
hatte, dass 13...Re8 zu interessantem Spiel führt, beschloss ich, es zu
versuchen.} ({It would also be interesting to try the mischievous Interessant
wäre es auch, das verschmitzte} 13... h5 14. Qxh5 Re8 {zu versuchen.}) 14. d4 (
{After Nach} 14. Rxe8+ Qxe8 15. d4 Ra7 16. Nd2 Re7 17. Nf3 f6 {Black solved
his problems successfully in the game Almasi - Yakovenko. konnte Schwarz in
der Partie Almasi - Yakovenko seine Probleme erfolgreich lösen.}) ({The
attempt Der Versuch} 14. d3 {is not so strong since after ist nicht so stark,
denn nach} Bf5 {it is not easy for White to evelop his pieces harmonously.
fällt es Weiß nicht leicht, seine Figuren harmonisch zu entwickeln.}) 14...
Rxe1+ {Slightly more accurate was 14...Ra7. Einen Tick genauer war 14...Ra7.}
15. Qxe1 Ra7 16. Be3 {In my preparations, I did not consider this interesting
move. Diesen interessanten Zug hatte ich in meiner Vorbereitung nicht
berücksichtigt.} ({A serious alternative was Eine ernste Alternative bildete} 
16. Nd2 Re7 17. Qf1 {after which Black should play very acurately, to obtain
compensation. wonach Schwarz sehr genau spielen muss, um Kompensation zu
erhalten.}) 16... Re7 17. Nd2 Qe8 18. Nf1 {Of course, White could take the
knight on d5, but this is usually rather drawish. Natürlich könnte Weiß den
Springer auf d5 nehmen, aber dies ist meist sehr remislich.} h5 {I was pleased
with this move, after which it is possible to put the wind up White a little.
Von diesem Zug war ich angetan, denn danach wird es möglich, Weiß ein wenig
Gegenwind spüren zu lassen.} ({It would not be good to try to win the pawn
back with Nicht gut wäre der Versuch, mit} 18... Bh3 {because of den Bauern
zurückzugewinnen, wegen} 19. Qe2 {after which White obtains control of the
white squares. I did not wish to determine the position of the bishop just yet.
wonach Weiß die Kontrolle über die weißen Felder erlangt. Ich wollte die
Position des Läufers einfach noch nicht festlegen.}) 19. a4 {The most natural
move. Am natürlichsten.} ({It was also possible to transfer the queen to a
better post by Möglich war auch die Überführung der Dame auf einen besseren
Posten durch} 19. Qd1 Bg4 20. Qd3 {The possible Darauf gibt} g6 {then gives
Black typical compensation for the pawn. Schwarz typische Kompensation für den
Bauern.}) 19... Be6 {An important resource. Before going to its ideal square
on h3, the bishop tries another role. All of a sudden the bishop on b3 finds
it has an insolent opponent. Eine wichtige Ressource. Bevor der Läufer sein
Idealfeld auf h3 bezieht, versucht er sich in einer anderen Rolle. Plötzlich
stellt der Läufer auf f3 fest, dass er einen frechen Antipoden hat.} 20. Bd1 {
An interesting idea, but it seems too artificial to me. Eine interessante Idee,
scheint mir aber zu künstlich.} ({I expected Ich erwartete} 20. Bc2 Bh3 21. Qe2
g6 {with similar play to the variation 19.Qe2. mit ähnlichem Spiel wie in der
Variante 19.Qe2.}) 20... h4 {20...Bg4 is too academic. Understanding that this
was a rare chance to carry out the typical Marshall attack, I decided to take
my courage in my hands.  20...Bg4 ist zu akademisch. Begreifend, dass dies
eine seltene Chance war, den typischen Marshall-Angriff durchzführen,
beschloss ich, mein Herz in die Hand zu nehmen.} 21. axb5 axb5 22. Bf3 {
The central defender returns to his post... Der Zentralverteidiger kehrt auf
seinen Posten zurück...} Bh3 23. Bxd5 {...so as to exchange itself off! At
first, I was surprised by this move, but after some thought, I started to
understand that Black does not have so many pieces left with which to attack,
whilst with the enemy queen passive on e8, White could very well try to nick a
couple of pawns with his queen, and then return the queen to the defence. ...
um sich selbst abzutauschen! Zunächst war ich von dem Zug überrascht, aber
nach einigem Nachdenken begann ich zu verstehen, dass Schwarz nicht mehr so
viele Figuren zum Angriff bleiben, während Weiß mit der feindlichen Dame
passiv auf e8 durchaus versuchen könnte, mit seiner Dame ein paar Bauern
einzuheimsen und diese dann anschließend zur Verteidigung zurückzuführen.} cxd5
24. Qd1 {There is no sense in inviting f5 by playing 24.Qe2, since Black
intends to play the move anyway. Keinen Sinn hat es, mit 24.Qe2 zu dem Zug ...
f5 einzuladen, da Schwarz dies sowieso beabsichtigt.} f5 {It is interesting
that when it first surveys this mess, the computer likes White. Only after
being given some time to realize the seriousness of the threats against the
white king does it change its mind and pronounce the position as likely to end
in a draw. Interessanterweise gefällt dem Computer, wenn er dieses Chaos zum
ersten Mal durchforstet, zunächst Weiß. Erst wenn man ihm etwas Zeit gibt, die
Ernsthaftigkeit der Drohungen gegen den weißen König zu realisieren, schwenkt
er um und verkündet, dass die Position wahrscheinlich in einem Remis enden
wird.} 25. Bg5 ({Possible is Möglich ist} 25. Qb3 {after which I was intending
to play , wonach ich} Qf7 26. Bg5 Re4 {. After beabsichtigte. Nach} 27. Bxh4
Kh7 28. Qd1 {we reach a position similar to the game, in which it is difficult
to say who benefits from the position of the black king on h7, after erreichen
wir eine Stellung ähnlich der Partie, in der es schwer zu sagen ist, wer von
der Position des schwarzen Königs auf h7 nach} Qg6 29. Bd8 {. profitiert.})
25... Re4 26. Bxh4 Qg6 {I very much wanted to lure the bishop to d8. Ich
wollte den Läufer unbedingt nach d8 locken.} 27. Bd8 f4 {Despite being two
pawns down, I very much liked my position. With such a strong bishop on h3,
there will always be a draw, even if the worst comes to the worst. Trotz der
zwei Minusbauern gefiel mir meine Stellung sehr. Mit so einem starken Läufer
auf h3 hat man Remis immer in der Tasche, selbst wenn es zum Schlimmsten kommt.
} 28. Qd3 {It is hard to know what to suggest for White, since many moves
which at first sight seem OK actually lose. Es fällt schwer, etwas für Weiß
vorzuschlagen, da viele Züge, die auf den ersten Blick in Ordnung erscheinen,
tatsächlich verlieren.} ({For example, the stupid Zum Beispiel das dumme} 28.
Bb6 {because of wegen} Re8 29. Bc5 Bc7 {and the bishop on c5 has turned into a
spectator. , und der Läufer auf c5 hat sich in einen Zuschauer verwandelt.}) ({
I think the best decision would have been Ich glaube, die beste Entscheidung
wäre} 28. Bh4 f3 29. Qxf3 Rxh4 30. Qxd5+ Kh7 31. Ra8 Qe4 (31... Qb1 {leads to
perpetual check. führt zu Dauerschach.}) 32. Qxe4+ Rxe4 33. Ne3 {after which
White can hope to draw, thanks to that pawns he has managed to grab. gewesen,
wonach Weiß hoffen kann zu remisieren, dank der Bauern, die er einheimsen
konnte.}) 28... Qh5 29. Nd2 {This loses. Dies verliert.} ({It was essential to
stay put, eg. Weiß musste auf der Stelle treten, z.B.} 29. Bb6 Bb8 30. Bc5 {
Despite the fact that Black's position is very strong, nothing decisive is
apparent. Now it is all easy. Trotz der Tatsache, dass Schwarz eine sehr
starke Stellung hat, ist nichts Entscheidendes in Sicht. Jetzt ist alles
einfach.}) 29... Re2 30. Nf3 ({No better is Nicht besser ist} 30. Bh4 {because
of wegen} Rxd2 31. Ra8+ Bf8 32. Rxf8+ Kxf8 33. Qxd2 Kg8 {The black queen and
bishop easily finish off the enemy king. Dame und Läufer von Schwarz bringen
den feindlichen König leicht zur Strecke.}) 30... Re3 {This simple
pseudo-sacrifice decides the game. Dieses einfache Pseudo-Opfer entscheidet
die Partie.} 31. fxe3 Qxf3 32. Qc2 fxg3 33. hxg3 Qxg3+ 34. Kh1 Bf5 0-1

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E60"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 c5 5. Nf3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. Bg2 Qc7 8. b3
d5 9. O-O dxc4 10. Ncb5 Qd8 11. bxc4 a6 12. Nc3 Ng4 13. e3 Nc6 14. Rb1 Nxe3 15.
Bxe3 Bxd4 16. Bxd4 Qxd4 17. Qxd4 Nxd4 18. Nd5 Kg7 19. Nxe7 Be6 20. Nd5 Rac8 21.
Ne3 b5 22. cxb5 axb5 23. Rb2 Rfd8 24. Rd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,D"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4
{This move can lead to many forced variations, but from the theoretical point
of view it has never been a serious problem for Black.} Nxd4 9. Nxd4 {Ivanchuk
deviates from a second-round game versus Leko.} (9. Bxf7+ Rxf7 10. Nxe5 Rf8 11.
Qxd4 c5 12. Qd1 Qc7 13. Ng4 Nxg4 14. Qxg4 d5 15. Qh5 dxe4 16. Qd5+ Kh8 17. Qxa8
Bb7 18. Qa7 Ra8 19. Bf4 Qc6 20. Qxa8+ Bxa8 21. Be3 {1-0 Ivanchuk,V-Leko,P/
Morelia/Linares 2008 (42). And in this complex middlegame the Ukrainian
managed to score a full point.}) 9... exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. Qxd4 Bb7 12. c4 bxc4
13. Qxc4 d5 14. exd6 Nxd6 15. Qg4 Nb5 16. Nc3 Nxc3 17. bxc3 Bd6 18. Bf4 Qf6 19.
Bxd6 cxd6 20. Rad1 Rad8 {The long opening variation has led to a position
considered equal by theory, but Ivanchuk shows that White can still exert some
pressure.} 21. Qb4 $1 $146 (21. Re3 Rfe8 22. Rde1 Rxe3 23. Rxe3 g6 24. h4 h5
25. Qb4 Rd7 26. Rd3 Re7 27. Qd4 Re1+ 28. Kh2 Qe7 29. Re3 {1/2-1/2 Carlsen,M 
(2693)-Leko,P (2738)/Dortmund 2007}) 21... Ba8 (21... Rd7 22. Re3 {is also a
plus for White, since unlike in the aforementioned game Carlsen-Leko, Black
can't exchange a pair of rooks.}) 22. Re3 {This is a great square for the rook.
It protects pawn c3, can be switched to the kingside if needed and at the same
time White is ready to double on either the d- or the e-file.} g6 ({After} 
22... Rfe8 $2 {White has} 23. Qxd6 $1 ({which is even stronger than} 23. Rxd6
Qg5 24. g3 Rxe3 25. Rxd8+ Qxd8 26. fxe3 $16) 23... Qxd6 24. Rxd6 {and Black
loses one more pawn!}) 23. Qb6 $1 {With simple, but precise moves Ivanchuk
wins a pawn.} Qg5 24. Rg3 Qb5 25. Rxd6 Rxd6 (25... Qxb6 26. Rxb6 Rfe8 27. Re3
$1 Rxe3 28. fxe3 Be4 29. Rb4 ({or} 29. Rxa6 Rd2 30. Ra4 $16) 29... Bc6 30. Rd4
$16) 26. Qxd6 a5 27. Qf4 $16 Bd5 28. Rg5 {White is a pawn up and has the
initiative. Black's only hope is to somehow exploit his opponent's back rank
weakness.} f5 $2 ({The only move which would have left chances to survive was} 
28... Qe8 {when after} 29. Qd2 Bxb3 30. axb3 a4 {White can't keep all the
queenside pawns with} 31. b4 {due to} Qe4 32. h3 Ra8 {with good counterplay
for Black.}) 29. Qe5 Rd8 30. h4 ({Both players missed} 30. Qxf5 $1 Bxb3 31.
Qxb5 Rd1+ 32. Qf1 {winning at once}) 30... a4 31. Bc2 Qb8 32. Qxf5 Bxa2 33.
Bxa4 Bf7 34. h5 Qb6 35. hxg6 hxg6 36. Qf4 Rc8 {With two pawns up White is
completely winning, but in severe timetrouble Ivanchuk blunders.} 37. Rg3 $4 {
This move defends against the threat 37...Rxc3, but Black also had the second
threat.} ({Several moves win, for instance 37.Qd2, or} 37. Qb4 {and if} Qxb4
38. cxb4 Rc4 {then simply} 39. Rb5) 37... Rc4 {An unexpected double attack.
However, even after this White can make a draw.} 38. Qh6 $4 {As often happens,
a bad mistake is followed by a bigger one. White should have prevented the
black queen from coming to f6.} ({After the forced} 38. Qe5 Rxa4 39. Rh3 Ra1+ (
39... Kf8 {loses the rook:} 40. Rh8+ Bg8 41. Rxg8+ Kxg8 42. Qe8+ Kg7 43. Qxa4)
40. Kh2 Kf8 41. Rh8+ Bg8 {White makes a draw:} 42. Rxg8+ ({The computer even
prefers} 42. Qf4+ Kg7 43. Rh3 {with attack for White, but nevertheless that
must be a draw as well}) 42... Kxg8 43. Qe8+ Kg7 44. Qe7+ Kh6 45. Qh4+ {
with a perpetual check}) 38... Rxa4 39. Rh3 Ra1+ 40. Kh2 Qd6+ 41. f4 Qf6 {
Black has defended and kept the extra piece, which Aronian converts into a win.
} 42. Qh7+ Kf8 43. Qh6+ Ke7 44. Re3+ Kd7 45. Kg3 Ra4 46. Rd3+ Kc6 47. Rd4 Ra3
48. Rd3 Bd5 49. Qh3 Qf5 50. Qxf5 gxf5 51. Kh3 Ra1 52. Rd2 Rh1+ 53. Kg3 Rh6 54.
Re2 Re6 55. Rd2 Rg6+ 56. Kh3 Kc5 57. Re2 Kc4 58. Rd2 Be4 59. g4 Kxc3 60. gxf5
Bxf5+ 0-1

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Nd5 Be7 {Is there anything really new on earth? The
first recorded game where this position arose was played in 1872 between
consulting players. However, it took more than 100 years between the variation
was seen again, while the real boom came only in the early '90s.} 4. d4 d6 ({
The aforementioned game went} 4... exd4 $6 5. Bf4 c6 6. Nxe7 Nxe7 7. Qxd4 $16 {
Steinitz/Potter-Kolisch/Meitner/London 1872/EXT 1999/[ChessBase] (1-0, 49).
Judging from the position after the opening, we can understand why this
experiment failed to raise the interest of theoreticians or practicians for
such a long time.}) 5. e4 Nf6 6. Nxe7 Qxe7 7. f3 {White has got the pair of
bishops and an impressive centre. However, none of his remaining pieces is
developed yet! This makes the situation rather double edged. I must confess
that, despite my good results in this line and the considerable amount of time
invested in understanding the resulting positions, I feel confused whenever I
face it again. Indeed, it is not easy to choose the right order of moves and
decide which threats are real and which imaginary.} Nh5 $5 {An early attempt
to break White's centre. Shirov has considerable experience in this whole line,
so that his experiment should be taken with the due seriousness.} 8. Be3 {
It is not easy to decide which piece to develop first; all of them are asking
for it!} ({Facing this position in a blitz game, I went down rather quickly
after} 8. Ne2 O-O $1 9. d5 $6 ({After} 9. Be3 {Black should play} f5 $1 {
, transposing to Lautier,J (2625)-Shirov,A (2705)/Las Palmas 1994/CBM 042/
[Shirov] (1-0, 58) where Black had excellent play out of the opening.}) 9... f5
$1 $36 10. exf5 Bxf5 11. g4 $2 e4 $1 12. gxf5 exf3 $17 {Marin,M-Christiansen,L/
blitz 10', worldchesscetwork.com 2001 (0-1, 37)}) 8... f5 ({But now,} 8... O-O
{is too slow in view of} 9. d5 $1 {, as suggested by Shirov a long time ago.} (
9. Ne2 $6 f5 {was the actual move order played in the aforementioned game
Lautier,J (2625)-Shirov,A (2705)/Las Palmas 1994/CBM 042/[Shirov] (1-0, 58).})
9... Nf4 {This way Black can reach ...f5, but the time spent by this knight
jumping around allows White to complete his development.} (9... f5 10. exf5 Nf4
(10... Bxf5 11. g4 Bxg4 12. fxg4 Qh4+ 13. Kd2 Ng3 14. hxg3 Qxh1 15. Bh3 $1 $16
{/\ g5}) 11. g4 $14 {/\} b5 12. cxb5 Bb7 13. Bc4 $1 Ng2+ 14. Kf2 Nxe3 15. Kxe3
{Shirov}) (9... a5 10. Qd2 $14 {/\ g4 Shirov}) 10. Qd2 f5 11. O-O-O fxe4 12.
fxe4 Bg4 13. Re1 c6 14. g3 Ng6 15. Bg2 cxd5 16. cxd5 Na6 17. Kb1 b5 18. Nh3 Nc5
19. Nf2 Bd7 20. Rc1 Rfc8 21. Rc2 a6 22. Rhc1 $16 {Marin,M (2511)-Ramiro
Ovejero,J (2269)/Solsona 2004 (1-0, 55). White's pair of bishops and his
spatial advantage ensure him the better chances.}) 9. exf5 Nf6 (9... exd4 10.
Qxd4 Nc6 11. Qd2 {was unanimously discarded by commentators because after} Bxf5
12. g4 {Black wins a piece. However, things are not that simple from the
practical point of view. I chanced to be a spectator of the following
interesting rapid game played on the Internet:} O-O-O 13. O-O-O $1 (13. gxf5 $2
Rde8 14. Kf2 (14. Ke2 $2 Nf4+ 15. Kf2 Qh4#) 14... Qh4+ $40) (13. gxh5 d5 $132)
13... d5 14. gxf5 $6 {After this move, Black gets sufficient compensation for
the piece.} ({It would have been useful to clear the e-file with} 14. Bg5 $5
Nf6 {and only now play} 15. gxf5 {. After} dxc4 {White can choose between} 16.
Re1 {and 16.Qe3, winning some time for the development of the kingside.}) 14...
dxc4 15. Qf2 (15. Qc3 $5 Rxd1+ 16. Kxd1 Rd8+ 17. Bd2 $13) 15... Rxd1+ 16. Kxd1
Rd8+ 17. Kc1 c3 $1 $40 {Hutters,T-Christiansen,L/rapid, worldchessnetwork 2001/
(0-1, 30). White's king is very vulnerable.}) 10. Ne2 {Faced by an unexpected
course of events from an early stage, Aronian prefers to develop rather than
stick to his small material advantage.} ({Although the refutation of} 10. g4 $5
{is not obvious, it is probable that it was part of the main course of
Shirov's home analysis.}) 10... exd4 {Black should hurry with this exchange.} (
{After} 10... Bxf5 11. Qd2 exd4 $6 {can already be met by} ({The relatively
best} 11... Nbd7 {looks a bit passive}) ({while} 11... Nc6 $2 {is simply bad
because of} 12. d5 $16 Nd8 13. Ng3 Bg6 14. Bd3 $1) 12. Nxd4 $16) 11. Bxd4 Bxf5
12. Qd2 Nc6 13. O-O-O ({White had no time to preserve the beauty of his
position with} 13. Bc3 {because of} Ne5 {[%cal Ye5d3]}) 13... O-O-O ({Black
should not hurry to eliminate the bishop either:} 13... Nxd4 $2 14. Nxd4 $16 {
[%csl Rf5][%cal Gd1e1]}) 14. g4 {Being incompletely developed, White should
refrain from such weakening of the structure.} ({This looks like a good moment
to preserve the bishop from exchange with} 14. Bc3 $5 {, clearing the
d4-square for the knight at the same time.} d5 (14... Ne4 $2 {, hoping for 15.
fxe4 Qxe4 with an attack does not work out well because of} 15. Qf4 $1 $18 {
and Black's pieces are hanging.}) (14... Rhe8 15. Nd4 $14) 15. Nd4 Nxd4 16.
Bxd4 c5 (16... Rhe8 17. c5 $14) 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. cxd5 $14 {Black has to work
hard to retrieve the sacrificed pawn and his king is also exposed now.}) 14...
Bg6 15. Nf4 ({Now,} 15. Bc3 $2 {would be met by} Ne4 $1 {, because the black
bishop is safely placed on g6.}) 15... Nxd4 16. Qxd4 Kb8 17. h4 Bf7 18. Bd3 {
The position remains complicated but apparently balanced. Here is a possible
forced variation, leading to simplifications:} (18. Bd3 c5 19. Qf2 d5 20. g5
Qc7 (20... dxc4 21. gxf6 Qxf6 22. Qh2 $16 {[%csl Gb8]}) 21. Qh2 dxc4 22. gxf6
cxd3 23. fxg7 Rhg8 24. Nxd3 Qxh2 25. Rxh2 Rxg7 26. Nxc5 Rxd1+ 27. Kxd1 Bxa2 28.
b3 Rg1+ 29. Kd2 Bb1 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. g3 Qb6 {A modern
variation, characterized by very complicated play. Black puts the enemy centre
under pressure immediately, but if White manages to repel this early attack,
the queen might remain exposed and Black in general - underdeveloped.} 7. Ndb5
$5 ({The main alternative is} 7. Nb3) 7... Ne5 {Moving again with an already
developed piece, for the sake of attacking the relatively vulnerable c4-pawn.}
({The developing move} 7... Bc5 {has also been tried frequently. White's best
chance for an advantage is} 8. Bg2 $5 {ignoring the threat against the f2-pawn.
Anticipating a bit, this will be the main theme of White's opening play in the
main game.} ({As I had the occasion to convince myself,} 8. Nd6+ {is fine for
Black after} Ke7 9. Nde4 Nxe4 10. Nxe4 Bb4+ 11. Bd2 {In this variation Black
has problems with the development of his queenside and also especially on the
dark squares. The question is whether his activity can compensate for these
positional disadvantages. In dieser Variante Schwarz hat Probleme mit der
Entwicklung des Damenflügels und besonders auch auf den schwarzen Feldern. Die
Frage ist, ob seine Aktivität diese positionellen Nachteile kompensiert.} d5
12. cxd5 exd5 13. Nc3 Be6 $132 {Marin,M (2545)-Nisipeanu,L (2610)/Bucharest
1998/CBM 064/[Ribli] (1/2-1/2, 22)}) 8... a6 (8... Bxf2+ {leaves Black with
problems of coordination after} 9. Kf1 Ng4 10. Qd6 $44 {Greenfeld,A (2530)
-Yemelin,V (2485)/Beersheba 1998/EXT 99/[Yemelin,V] (1/2-1/2, 27)}) 9. Nd6+ Ke7
10. Nde4 Nxe4 11. Nxe4 Bb4+ 12. Kf1 $5 {ףb6, Bb4. Maybe this move is not
necessary, but after having left the f2-pawn undefended, giving up the right
to castle seems like a minor concession for the sake of leaving the early
developed enemy pieces vulnerable.} (12. Bd2 Bxd2+ 13. Qxd2 Qb4 {left Black
with a passive but solid position in Lautier,J (2645)-Izeta Txabarri,F (2505)/
Madrid 1993/CBM 036/[Ribli] (1/2-1/2, 36)}) 12... d5 $1 {The correct reaction.}
(12... d6 $6 {leaves Black uncoordinated after} 13. Be3 Qd8 14. Qc2 $16 {
Marin,M (2548)-Sion Castro,M (2425)/Benasque 1999/CBM 072/[Marin,M] (1-0, 37)})
13. cxd5 Rd8 14. Be3 Qb5 15. Nc3 Bxc3 16. bxc3 exd5 17. Rb1 (17. h4 $5 {
[%cal Gh4h5,Gh1h4,Yh4a4,Ya4h4]} h5 18. Bf3 $14) 17... Qc4 18. Qd3 Qxd3 19. Bc5+
Kf6 20. exd3 b5 21. Ke2 {1/2-1/2 Marin,M (2551)-Gashimov,V (2664)/Reggio
Emilia 2008/ CBM 122}) 8. Bf4 {A move designed by the inexhaustible Korchnoi.}
Nfg4 9. Qa4 $5 $146 {An interesting novelty, quite similar to 8.Bg2 from the
line above.} ({Korchnoi's initial move} 9. e3 {is best met by} a6 $1 {
introduced into practice by... Leko!} (9... g5 $6 10. Bxg5 $1 {Marin,M (2545)
-Komljenovic,D (2460)/Andorra 1997/CBM 058 ext/[Bulletin] (1-0, 33)}) (9... Qc6
$6 10. h3 $1 {Kortschnoj,V (2635)-Greenfeld,A (2570)/Beersheba 1995/CBM 051/
[Cifuentes] (1-0, 43)}) 10. Nc7+ Qxc7 11. Qxg4 $13 {Anand,V (2725)-Leko,P 
(2625)/Wijk aan Zee 1996/CBM 051/[Ribli] (1-0, 54)}) 9... g5 {Played after 80
minutes of thought. Black accepts to play a hedgehog type of position, where
he will have the pair of bishops to compensate for the early kingside
commitment and the slight delay in development.} ({Over the board, it must not
have been easy to evaluate the consequences of} 9... Qxf2+ 10. Kd2 {and, I
must admit, it is not much easier to do it at the analysis desk.} Qc5 {[%csl
Gc4] might be relatively best.} (10... Nf3+ $6 11. Kc1 {Apparently the best
square, out of the reach of the knights.} Nfxh2 12. Ne4 Qe1+ 13. Kc2 Qxa1 14.
Bg2 $16) (10... Qb6 11. h3 {leaves the knights unstable.} g5 12. Bxg5 f6 13.
Bf4 {Black has given up a pawn for the sake of consolidating the e5-knight.}
Nf2 {Risky, but otherwise Black is just worse.} 14. Rh2 {[%csl Yc7][%cal Gh2f2]
/\Rxf2} Bc5 15. Kc2 $5 (15. b4 Be3+ $1 16. Kc2 Nxc4 17. Rxf2 Bxf2 18. Nc7+ Kf7
19. Nxa8 Qd4 {is not entirely clear, as White's extra-piece does not make
itself felt.}) {But now, the threat of b4 is real and} 15... a5 $6 {is
strongly met by} 16. e3 $1 Bxe3 17. Nc7+ $1 Qxc7 18. Bxe3 $16) 11. Ne4 $1 Qc6 (
11... Nxc4+ $2 12. Kc3 $1 $18) 12. c5 $44 {[%csl Gd6]}) 10. Bxe5 (10. Bxg5 f6
11. Bf4 Nxf2 $1) 10... Nxe5 11. O-O-O {White has to protect the b2-pawn with
his king, but in the long run this will offer Black chances for counterplay.} (
{The attempt to castle short fails to} 11. Bg2 $6 a6 12. O-O $2 Rb8 {[%csl Gb2]
}) 11... a6 12. e3 Rb8 13. Nd4 Qc7 (13... Qb4 14. Qc2 Nxc4 $6 15. a3 Qc5 $2 (
15... Nxa3 $14) 16. Ne4 Qc7 17. Bxc4 d5 18. Bb5+ $1 Kd8 19. Be2 $18) 14. Be2
Be7 15. Kb1 (15. f4 {has been recommended by several commentators, but after
the calm retreat} Nc6 {the position does not differ too much from what we will
see in the game. The early advance of the pawn to f4 leaves White slightly
over-extended.}) 15... Nc6 {The critical position of the game. As an
experienced English Hedgehog player, I do not find Black's position as bad as
it might look at first sight. In fact, if his g-pawn were on its initial
position, I would prefer playing with the black pieces. White's advance in
development is not easy to convert into something concrete because the absence
of his dark-squared bishop would make the position double-edged in the event
of an early attacking operation. Besides, the black king feels safe, being
covered by a strong shield of pawns.} 16. Rc1 {[%cal Gc3d5] /\Nd5. The slow
regrouping initiated by this move will allow Black to improve his kingside
position.} (16. Rd2 {would to a certain extent be similar to Aronian's rook
regrouping from his game against Topalov, in the same tournament.} h5 (16...
Qe5 {is also possible, because after} 17. h4 gxh4 18. Nf3 {Black has} Qf5+ 19.
e4 Qc5 {[%csl Gf2]}) 17. Qd1 h4 (17... g4 18. h3 $14) 18. Nf3 (18. Ne4 Qe5 $1 {
and White has not the time to take on c6 and play Nd6+.}) 18... b6 19. Ne4 g4
20. Nxh4 Bb7 $44 {[%csl Gh4][%cal Gb7h1]} (20... f5 21. Ng6 Rh6 22. Nxe7 Kxe7
23. Nd6 $16)) ({It looks natural to try opening the kingside with} 16. h4 gxh4
17. gxh4 {but this would just weaken the dark squares allowing Black to obtain
powerful counterplay with} Nxd4 $1 18. Rxd4 ({After the previous structural
modifications,} 18. exd4 {weakens the f4-square.} Qf4 $132) 18... Bf6 19. Rg4
h5 20. Rg3 Qc6 21. Qd1 Ke7 $132 {[%cal Gb7b5]}) ({I would prefer} 16. Qc2 $5 {
[%csl Gh7][%cal Gc3d5] , removing the queen from a generally exposed and not
really active square and increasing the control over the centre. In certain
lines, the h7-pawn would be under pressure. Besides, this move also threatens
Nd5. Generally, the move just aims to establish the harmony between White's
pieces, after which he can decide to embark either of the plans mentioned
above, according to the circumstances.} Nxd4 (16... Ne5 17. b3 h5 18. h3 $14 {
[%cal Gf2f4]}) (16... Nb4 17. Qd2 $14) (16... Qe5 17. h4 $5 gxh4 18. gxh4 {
With the own queen obstructing the long diagonal, Black cannot get counterplay
so easily now after} Nxd4 19. Rxd4 b6 20. Rhd1 $14 {[%cal Gc3e4]}) (16... Qa5 {
releases the pressure against the f4-square and can be met by} 17. f4 {, for
instance} Nxd4 18. exd4 b5 19. cxb5 axb5 20. Bxb5 Bb4 21. a4 $14) 17. exd4 b5
$5 18. cxb5 axb5 19. Bxb5 Bb4 (19... O-O 20. Rhe1 Bb4 21. Re3) 20. Rd3 O-O 21.
Rc1 $14) 16... Qe5 17. Rhd1 h5 $1 {After the recent game Kramnik-Carlsen, WaZ
2008, where the ex-World Champion was defeated by means of such a massive
advance of the kingside pawns, we can hardly call Leko's plan "original".
However, for Aronian it might have come as a surprise. Black has excellent
play already, although his queenside is still underdeveloped.} 18. Ka1 g4 19.
Bf1 f5 $6 {Not necessary yet (or maybe at all), but ...f5 was part of
Carlsen's plan, too...} (19... h4 $1 {[%cal Gh4g3,Gh8h2] would have put White
under immediate pressure.}) 20. Bg2 (20. h3 $5 h4 $5 21. hxg4 hxg3 22. gxf5
gxf2 23. fxe6 dxe6 24. Nxc6 bxc6 25. Qxc6+ Kf7 26. Rd2 Qxe3 27. Rcc2 Qe1+ 28.
Nb1 Rh2 29. Qf3+ Bf6 30. Rxf2 Rxf2 31. Rxf2 Qe5 $44 {Black's superior activity
and his pair of bishops entitle him to hope for a draw.}) 20... Kf7 (20... h4
$1) 21. h3 $1 {Now, it will be up to White to decide when to open the h-file.}
Bf6 (21... h4 $6 {does not work out so well now because of} 22. hxg4 hxg3 23.
gxf5 gxf2 24. fxe6+ dxe6 25. Bxc6 $1 $18) 22. Qc2 Ne7 23. Nce2 b5 $5 {A
courageous pawn sacrifice, aiming to exchange White's last remaining central
pawn and open files on the queenside.} ({I do not see any special worries for
Black after the more restrained} 23... b6) 24. cxb5 axb5 25. Nf4 d5 26. Qc5 Rb7
27. Qb4 Bd7 28. Nd3 Qb8 29. Nc5 Qd6 30. Qa5 Rc7 31. Nxd7 Rxd7 (31... Rxc1+ 32.
Rxc1 Qxd7 33. Nxb5 h4 $5 $132) 32. hxg4 (32. Nxb5 $5) 32... hxg4 (32... Bxd4 $5
33. exd4 hxg4 34. Qxb5 $140 Rh2 $132) 33. Bf1 b4 34. Nb5 Qe5 35. Qxb4 Ra8 36.
Rd2 Qb8 37. Kb1 Be5 38. Rdc2 Rda7 39. a3 Ra4 40. Qb3 Qb6 41. Rc5 R4a5 42. Be2
Rb8 43. Qb4 Kf6 44. R1c2 Rh8 45. e4 fxe4 46. Bxg4 Rha8 {Instead of this
mechanical concentration of forces on the queenside, Black could have struck
from the other side, too:} (46... Rh1+ 47. Ka2 (47. Rc1 $2 Rxc1+ 48. Kxc1 Nc6
$19) 47... Bd6 48. Qc3+ Be5 49. Qb3 Rh2 $44) 47. Rc1 (47. f4 $5 {was the last
chance to keep Black under some pressure.}) 47... Ra4 48. Qd2 Rxa3 49. Nxa3
Rxa3 50. Rc6 Nxc6 51. Qh6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,D"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a3
Bc5 9. c3 {The combination of a2-a3 and c2-c3 does not impress much.} d6 10. d4
Bb6 11. h3 Re8 $1 $146 {This new move shows that Black can save time and
manage without ...h7-h6.} (11... h6 12. Be3 Bb7 13. Nbd2 Re8 14. Bc2 Nb8 15.
dxe5 dxe5 16. Bxb6 cxb6 17. a4 bxa4 18. Bxa4 b5 19. Bb3 Nbd7 $11 {1/2-1/2
Svidler,P-Leko,P/Monte Carlo (rapid) 2006 (46)}) 12. Bg5 {Accepting the
challenge. Other moves can't even pretend to fight for an advantage. On the
other hand this is a highly risky decision and objectively Black is doing more
than fine after it.} h6 13. Bh4 exd4 {Black also must go for complications,
otherwise it is not clear why he allowed the pin of his f6-knight.} (13... Bb7
14. Bc2 $14) 14. cxd4 g5 (14... Bb7 15. Nc3 $14) 15. Bg3 g4 ({Taking on e4
loses:} 15... Rxe4 $2 16. Rxe4 Nxe4 17. Bd5 Qe8 18. Qc2 Nxg3 19. Qg6+ $18) (
15... Nxe4 $2 16. Bd5 $18) 16. hxg4 Bxg4 17. Bh4 (17. d5 Nd4 $36) 17... Nxd4
18. Nc3 {The battle has reached its culminant point: Carlsen sacrificed a
central pawn, considering that the pin of the knight f6 is highly unpleasant
for Black. White's main threat is Nc3-d5. Besides, Black must also reckon with
the advance e4-e5 followed by Ne4.} Bxf3 $5 {In this wild position Levon found
an interesting queen sacrifice. Unfortunately for him he will soon miss an
important detail.} ({After the natural and good} 18... c6 {White still must
prove that he has compensation for the pawn, since} 19. e5 dxe5 20. Ne4 {
doesn't work well in view of} Nxe4 21. Bxd8 Raxd8 22. Rxe4 Nxf3+ 23. gxf3 Rxd1+
24. Bxd1 Bf5 {with advantage for Black}) 19. gxf3 Kh8 $2 ({Now} 19... c6 20. e5
dxe5 21. Ne4 {is already not good for Black, but instead of taking on e5 Black
can play 20...Qc8! and bring the queen to h3 with sufficient activity to hold
the balance.}) ({However, the strongest move is} 19... Kh7 {with a similar
idea from the game. The point is that after} 20. Nd5 Rg8+ 21. Kf1 Ng4 $1 {
the move} 22. Qxd4 {is without check and therefore Black can take the bishop}
Qxh4 {Then after} 23. Nxb6 cxb6 24. fxg4 Qh3+ 25. Ke2 Qxb3 26. f3 Rac8 {
White is fighting for a draw.}) 20. Nd5 Rg8+ 21. Kf1 ({Aronian's idea would
have worked well after} 21. Kh1 $2 Ng4 $1 22. Qxd4+ Bxd4 23. Bxd8 Nxf2+ 24. Kh2
Raxd8 {and it is Black who wins}) 21... Ng4 {The bishop on h4 is hanging,
while taking the queen 22.Bxd8 leads to a nice mate with the knight on h2. But
in fact White has a counter queen sacrifice.} 22. Qxd4+ $1 Bxd4 23. Bxd8 Nh2+ {
Before taking the bishop the knight must run away. Nevertheless he won't have
a long life on h2 either.} 24. Ke2 Raxd8 25. Rad1 $1 $18 {The knight is
trapped on h2 and it turns out that White is simply winning.} Bxb2 26. Rh1 {
Black can't save the knight. Several pawns won't be enough for being a piece
down.} c6 ({Other moves don't help either:} 26... Be5 27. f4 c6 28. fxe5 cxd5
29. Rxh2) ({or} 26... Rg2 27. Ne3 Rdg8 28. Bxf7 R8g7 29. Nxg2 Rxg2 30. Rdg1)
27. Nf4 Be5 28. Nd3 Nxf3 29. Kxf3 Bg7 30. Rh5 {In spite of having three pawns
for the knight, Black is lost. His position contains a lot of weaknesses and
White's pieces are active. The rest is an easy task for Carlsen, who played
very precisely until the end.} d5 (30... c5 31. Bxf7 Rgf8 32. Rf5 {is also
hopeless}) 31. exd5 Rd6 32. Rf5 cxd5 33. Rc1 $1 Rf6 34. Rxf6 Bxf6 35. Rc6 Kg7
36. Nf4 Bg5 37. Nh5+ Kh8 38. Rxa6 d4 39. Ke4 Rg6 40. Ra7 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.28"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
a3 O-O 9. b4 Be6 10. Rb1 f6 11. d3 Nd4 ({At some point,} 11... a5 12. b5 Nd4 {
was considered to be more promising, but fashion is an unpredictable lady.})
12. Nd2 c6 13. Nde4 Nd5 $5 {A relatively rare move.} ({The main continuation
is considered to be} 13... Rf7 {(Aiming to activate the rook along the seventh
rank)} 14. e3 Nb5 $1 15. Nxb5 cxb5 {The presence of doubled pawns is
compensated for by the pressure against the white queenside and White's
practical problems with opening play in the centre.} 16. Bb2 Rc8 (16... Na4 $6
{defines the knight's intentions too soon, leaving the c4-square without
sufficient surveillance.} 17. Ba1 Rc8 18. d4 f5 19. Nc5 Nxc5 20. bxc5 Bc4 21.
Bxb7 Rb8 22. Bg2 Bxf1 23. Bxf1 $16 {Bareev,E (2726)-Ponomariov,R (2743)/Moscow
2002/CBM 091 (1/2-1/2, 40). The strong pair of central pawns and the pair of
bishops more than compensate for the sacrificed exchange.}) 17. d4 exd4 18.
Bxd4 Nc4 $1 $132 {Gurevich,M (2634)-Palac,M (2591)/Saint Vincent 2003/CBM 092
ext (1/2-1/2, 37). With such a strong enemy knight on c4, White cannot develop
his initiative easily (although he later did as a result of some carelessness
on Black's part).}) 14. e3 $5 ({White's last word in this line was held to be} 
14. Bb2 Bf7 $6 {This is just a loss of time.} ({After the bishop's development
to b2,} 14... a5 $1 $132 {[%csl Gb4] makes a lot of sense.} 15. Nc5 {can be
answered by} Bg4 $5 {[%csl Ge2]}) 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. Bxd4 exd4 17. Qc2 {White's
play is much easier to carry out, although it might be too early to claim an
objective advantage yet.} Re8 18. Nd2 Bf8 19. Rfe1 Kh8 20. Bxd5 Qxd5 21. Qc4
Qd7 22. Nf3 Rad8 23. Kg2 g6 24. Rbc1 f5 25. Qb3 Bg7 26. Rc5 Bf6 27. b5 $14 {
White opened the queenside and soon switched to the opposite wing in
Tomashevsky,E (2594)-Khismatullin,D (2568)/Tomsk 2006/CBM 114 ext (1-0, 42)})
14... Nxc3 15. Nxc3 Nf5 16. Qc2 $146 {The plan initiated by this move leads to
interesting play, but not necessarily to an advantage for White.} ({It is hard
to say why Aronian refrained from the previously played} 16. b5 cxb5 17. Rxb5
Rc8 18. Bd5 Bxd5 19. Nxd5 Kh8 (19... Rf7 20. Qb3 Nd6 21. Ra5 a6 22. Bd2 $14 {
/\Rb1 Marin, Stoica}) 20. Qf3 Nd6 21. Rb1 Re8 (21... b5 22. Bd2 {/\Bb4} Re8 23.
Rfc1 $14 {Marin, Stoica}) 22. a4 Bf8 23. e4 $14 {Heitmann,M-Bradtke,K/corr
1998/Corr 2002 (1-0, 48). White's stability on the light squares offers him
the better chances.}) 16... Rc8 17. Rd1 Qd7 18. d4 $5 {It was not easy to
strengthen the pressure against the enemy queenside and Aronian decides to win
space in the centre, although this will leave him with an isolated pawn.} (18.
Ne4 Bd5 $11) 18... exd4 19. exd4 Bd6 {In view of the possible pin along the
c-file, the threat d5 was not too real yet, but Black has to permanently be
aware of it.} (19... Nxd4 $2 20. Qe4 c5 (20... Rfd8 $2 21. Rxd4 $1 $18) 21.
bxc5 Bxc5 22. Rxb7 $16) (19... Rcd8 $6 20. d5 $36) (19... Rfd8 $5 {maintains
the opposition of the white queen with one of the black rooks, but leaves the
e-file out of control.} 20. Qe2 $5 Bf8 21. d5 cxd5 22. Nxd5 Qf7 23. Qf3 Qg6 {
[%cal Yg6b1]} 24. Ra1 $14 {Although not fully developed yet, White seems to be
doing fine because of his strong knight and the indirect pressure against the
enemy queenside.}) 20. Ne4 {Temporarily abandoning the plan based on d5, for
which White is not well enough prepared.} (20. d5 cxd5 21. Bxd5 Bxd5 22. Rxd5
$11) (20. Qb2 $6 Rfe8 (20... Ne7 $11) 21. d5 $2 cxd5 22. Nxd5 Be5 $17) 20...
Rcd8 {Indirectly pinning the d-pawn, in order to discourage a knight move to
c5. But why this rook?} (20... Rfd8 $6 21. Bb2 Qf7 22. Nc5 Bxc5 23. dxc5 $14 {
Now,} Bb3 $2 {is impossible because the intermediate capture} 24. Rxd8+ {
is with check.} Rxd8 25. Qxf5 $18) (20... Ne7 $6 {[%cal Ge7d5]} 21. Nc5 Bxc5
22. dxc5 $1 Bd5 (22... Nd5 23. Be4 $14) 23. Bf4 $14 {[%cal Gf4d6]}) 21. Bb2 Qf7
22. Rd2 {The start of an interesting rook regroupment.} Bd5 (22... Ne7 23. Nxd6
Rxd6 24. Qc5 $14 {[%csl Ga7]}) 23. Re1 Bb8 24. Rde2 b6 {Black has managed to
somewhat stabilize the position, but White keeps some pressure.} 25. Nd2 $5 {
Fighting against the blockade.} (25. Nc5 bxc5 26. Qxf5 Bxg2 (26... cxd4 27. Re7
Qg6 28. Bxd5+ Rxd5 29. Qe6+ Kh8 30. Qxc6 $14) 27. Kxg2 cxd4 28. Rd2 Rd5 29. Qc2
Rfd8 30. Qxc6 d3 $132) 25... Bxg2 26. Kxg2 Qd5+ 27. Kg1 b5 $6 {Topalov aims
for a complicated fight, relying on his good control on the light squares.
Hwever, the c6-pawn will remain chronically weak now.} ({Less ambitious but
probably safer would be} 27... Nxd4 28. Bxd4 Qxd4 29. Qxc6 Qd5 {Optically,
White stands better (the position is similar to certain Catalan endings), but
it all depends whether he can improve the position of his knight.
Unfortunately, there is no obvious way to transfer it to c6, which might mean
that the position is equal.}) 28. Nb3 {It looks natural to transfer the knight
to a5 in order to keep the c6-pawn under pressure.} ({However,} 28. Ne4 $5 {
seems to have kept more options for the knight, which is close to the c5- and
d5-squares at the same time.} Rf7 (28... Bd6 29. Nc3 Qf3 30. Ne4 $5 $14 {
[%csl Gc6,Gd5,Gf3] and once the queen has been cut off from the queenside,
Black faces some problems of coordination.}) 29. Rc1 Rc8 30. Qd3 Rd8 (30... Bd6
$2 31. Nc3 $18 {[%csl Gf5]}) 31. Rc5 Qd7 32. Qc2 {After an eventual exchange
of pawns (c6 against d4), the black bishop risks remaining passive.} Bc7 $5 33.
Rxc6 Bb6 34. d5 $1 Qxd5 35. Rd2 Nd4 (35... Bd4 $2 36. Rc5 $18) 36. Bxd4 Bxd4
37. Rc5 Qd7 38. a4 a6 (38... bxa4 39. Rc4 $18) 39. Rc6 $14) 28... Bd6 29. Na5
Rc8 30. Rc1 Rc7 31. Qd3 Rfc8 32. Rec2 g6 {Black is quite stable on the light
squares, because the enemy knight is quite far from the d5-square.} 33. Qf1 $5
{[%csl Rc6,Rd5][%cal Gf1g2]} Kf7 {Anticipating the exchange of queens by
approaching with the king.} 34. Qg2 Ne7 35. Re1 h5 36. h4 f5 $5 {Very
ambitious, again. With the knight far away on the queenside, White's king
starts feeling insecure.} (36... Nf5 $13) 37. Bc1 f4 38. Rxe7+ $5 {A
positional exchange sacrifice in the spirit of Armenia's former World Champion,
Petrosian. It is well-known that Topalov is not indifferent to this method of
changing the course of the game, either.} (38. Bxf4 Bxf4 39. gxf4 Nf5 $44)
38... Bxe7 (38... Rxe7 $2 39. Qxd5+) (38... Kxe7 $2 39. Nxc6+) 39. Bxf4 Qxg2+
$2 {After this premature exchange of queens, Black will lose another pawn and
will be just worse.} ({It is possible that, pressed by time, Topalov did not
notice that} 39... Bd6 {does not lose material.} 40. Bxd6 ({The trick is that
after} 40. Qxd5+ $2 cxd5 $19 {White's pieces are hanging, maintaining the
previous material balance and making further simplifications impossible.})
40... Qxd6 $13 {With the knight on a5, there is not much for the black king to
be worried about and the position would remain uncertain.}) 40. Kxg2 Rd7 41.
Nxc6 $16 {With two pawns for the exchange and excellent centralization, White
has a stable advantage.} Kg7 42. d5 a6 43. Kf3 Bf6 44. Ke4 Re7+ 45. Kd3 Rd7 46.
d6 Re8 47. Nd4 Kf7 48. Nf3 a5 49. Rc5 axb4 50. axb4 Rb7 51. Nd2 Ra8 52. Ne4 Bd8
53. Rd5 Ra3+ 54. Kd4 Rb3 55. Kc5 Ke6 56. Rd2 Rb1 57. Re2 Kd7 58. Kd5 Rd1+ 59.
Rd2 Rxd2+ 60. Bxd2 Ke8 61. Ke6 Rb6 62. Bg5 Rc6 63. Bxd8 Kxd8 64. Ng5 Ke8 65.
Nf7 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.29"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. Bg2 c5 7. d5 exd5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. O-O Be7 10. Qe4 Bc6 $146 {This attempt at improvement leads to a quiet
position, in which White gets the bishop pair as a compensation for Black's
extra pawn.} (10... Na6 {- see Radjabov - Leko in this issue.}) 11. Ne5 Nf6 12.
Nxc6 Nxc6 13. Qa4 O-O 14. Rd1 Nd4 15. Nc3 {It was too risky to take the
exchange:} (15. Bxa8 Qxa8 16. Nc3 b5 $1 17. Qa6 (17. Nxb5 Nxe2+ 18. Kf1 Nxc1
19. Raxc1 Qh1+ 20. Ke2 Qxh2 $17) 17... Rb8 18. Rxd4 Rb6 19. Qa5 cxd4 20. Nxb5
Qe4 $17) 15... b5 $5 16. Qa6 b4 (16... Rb8 $5 17. Bf4 Qb6 (17... Rb6 18. Qxa7 {
[%cal Rf4c7]}) 18. Qxb6 Rxb6 19. Bc7 b4 20. Bxb6 bxc3 21. bxc3 Nxe2+ 22. Kf1
Nxc3 23. Rd3 axb6 24. Rxc3 $11 {_|_}) 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Rb8 19. Bf4 Qb6 20.
Qc4 $44 d6 21. e3 Nb5 {[%csl Rf4]} 22. g4 Nc7 23. Be4 g6 24. Rd2 Rbd8 25. Qe2
$6 (25. Rad1 $44 {was more accurate.}) 25... d5 $1 {Giving back a pawn but
lifting the blockade.} 26. Bxc7 ({After} 26. Bxc7 Qxc7 27. Rxd5 (27. Bxd5 c4)
27... c4 {it is Black who can play for a win but he was satisfied with a draw.}
) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.03.01"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Ne5 h5 10. h4 g4 11. Be2 Bb7 12. O-O Nbd7 13. Qc2 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Bg7 15. Rad1
O-O {This sharp line was examined in several CBM issues, most recently in CBM
120 (Aronian - Anand annotated by GM M.Marin)} 16. Qc1 {[%cal Rc1g5,Yc1f4] A
relatively new plan. Other options:} (16. Bg3) (16. f3) (16. b3) 16... Nh7 (
16... Nd7 $5 {needs checking, e.g.} 17. Bxg7 (17. Bd6 Qxh4 $1) 17... Kxg7 18.
e5 (18. g3 Qf6 $5) 18... f5 $1 (18... Qxh4 $143 19. Ne4 $44)) 17. g3 $146 {
[%mdl 8]} (17. Bxg7 {was played (without success) in the stem correspondence
game:} Kxg7 18. g3 (18. e5 f5 $5) 18... Qb6 19. b3 Rad8 20. Qf4 (20. bxc4 $142
Rxd4 21. cxb5 $11) 20... cxb3 21. axb3 f6 22. e5 c5 23. Nxb5 Qc6 $13 {0-1
Martys,M-Starke,R/IECG 2004/Telechess CBM 115(41)}) 17... f6 18. Bf4 $44 {
The black g7-bishop is now shut in.} a6 19. Rfe1 {It is not clear whether the
rook is better here than on f1 (f2-f3 may be a good plan in some situations).}
(19. b3 $5) 19... Rf7 20. Qc2 Rd7 21. b3 cxb3 22. Qxb3 Nf8 23. Be3 Qe7 24. a4 (
24. f3 $5 {Still! Despite the fact that the rook is on e1.}) 24... Qf7 (24...
b4 25. Nb1 $44 {[%cal Yb1d2,Yd2c4]}) 25. d5 $6 {This break in the centre is
not dangerous.} (25. f3 $142 $5) 25... exd5 26. exd5 f5 $1 {At last the black
bishop says its word!} 27. Bf1 $6 {Too passive.} (27. Bd3 $142 $5 cxd5 (27...
Ng6 $2 28. Bxf5) (27... Rc8 28. Ne2 (28. Bxf5 $2 cxd5 $1 29. Bxd7 Rxc3) 28...
c5 29. axb5 Bxd5 30. Qb1 Ba2 31. Qc1 axb5 32. Bxb5 Rxd1 33. Rxd1 {and Black
can hardly make use of his extra pawn due to his kingside weaknesses.}) 28.
axb5 (28. Ne2 Ng6 $1 $36 (28... bxa4 29. Qxa4 $44)) 28... Bxc3 $1 29. Qxc3 d4
$1 30. Bxd4 Rc8 31. Qd2 (31. Bc5 $143 Rd5 32. Bc4 Rcxc5 33. bxa6 Rxc4 (33...
Bxa6 $143 34. Rxd5 $1 Rxc4 35. Qd2) 34. Qxc4 Rxd1 35. Qxf7+ Kxf7 36. Rxd1 Bxa6
{with winning chances for Black}) 31... Rxd4 32. Qg5+ Qg6 (32... Kh8 33. Bxf5
$44) 33. Qxg6+ Nxg6 34. Bxf5 Rxd1 35. Rxd1 Rc5 $1 36. Bxg6 axb5 37. f4 $1 gxf3
38. Bxh5 $1 {and White should reach a draw.}) 27... Ng6 28. Bg2 Ne7 $2 {
Missing a good chance:} (28... f4 $1 $17) 29. axb5 axb5 30. Bd4 Bxd4 31. Rxd4
Rc8 {Without the dark-squared bishops White has full compensation for the
missing pawn as the dark squares in Black's camp are too weak.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.03.03"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D53"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. Qc2 dxc4 8.
Ne4 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] Another unbelievable novelty at such an early stage of
the game. It looks quite harmless; however, it brings some fresh air to the
position.} (8. O-O-O a6 9. e4 b5 10. e5 Bg5+ 11. Kb1 Bb7 12. h4 Be7 $15 {
0-1 Bradbury,N-Wells,P/London 1985/MCL/[Tsesarsky] (39)}) (8. e3 c5 9. dxc5 (9.
Bxc4 cxd4 10. exd4 Nc6 11. O-O-O O-O 12. Qe4 Qa5 13. Rhe1 Bd7 14. Kb1 Rac8 15.
Bb3 Rfd8 16. Qe3 Be8 $15 {[%csl Rb1] 0-1 Li Shilong-Negi,P/Wijk aan Zee 2008/
CBM 122 (48)}) 9... Qa5 10. Bxc4 Qxc5 11. Ne4 Qb4+ (11... Qa5+ 12. Ke2 Be7 13.
Qc3 $146 (13. g4 Nd7 (13... Bd7 $142 $1) 14. a3 Nf6 (14... O-O $142 $1) 15.
Ned2 (15. b4 $142 $1) 15... Bd7 16. Rhg1 Rc8 17. Qb3 Qb6 18. Qxb6 axb6 19. Ne5
Ba4 $11 {0-1 Bacrot,E-Kortschnoj,V/Albert 1997/CBM 061/[Kortschnoj] (54)})
13... Qxc3 14. Nxc3 a6 15. Rhd1 Nd7 16. Ne4 b5 17. Bb3 Bb7 18. Nd6+ Bxd6 19.
Rxd6 Ke7 $11 {0-1 Vallejo Pons,F-Topalov,V/Linares 2005/CBM 106/[Postny] (38)})
12. Nfd2 (12. Ke2 $6 Qxb2 $1) 12... Nd7 $6 (12... Qxb2 $1 13. Nd6+ Ke7 14. Qxb2
Bxb2 15. Nxc8+ Rxc8 16. Rb1 Bc3 17. Rxb7+ Nd7 18. Ke2 Bxd2 19. Bb5 $11) 13. Bb3
Be7 14. O-O O-O 15. Qc7 $6 (15. Rfd1) (15. Rac1) 15... Bd8 $5 (15... a5 $5 $11)
16. Qf4 Qe7 17. Rac1 $14 {1-0 Najer,E-Kruppa,Y/Elista 2000/CBM 079/[Tsesarsky]
(53)}) 8... b5 $5 9. a4 Bb7 $5 {[%mdl 512] Black wants to develop his pieces
and not to keep his extra pawn by} (9... c6) {In fact, he sacrifices a pawn
himself!} 10. axb5 a6 $5 11. Nxf6+ Qxf6 12. Qxc4 O-O 13. Qxc7 {Development is
a problem for White so he decides to take some material.} axb5 14. Rxa8 Bxa8
15. e3 (15. Ne5 $5 {needs testing although such a move requires nerves of
steel!} Qf5 16. Nd3 Be4 17. Nb4 {etc.}) 15... Bxf3 16. gxf3 Qxf3 17. Rg1 {
[%cal Rc7e5] White has given the pawn back but his rook is now active.} Qf5 $1
(17... Qe4 $143 18. Kd2 Qb1 19. Qc2) 18. Qc3 $6 (18. f4 $5 Qb1+ 19. Kf2 Qxb2+
20. Be2 Na6 21. Qe5 g6 $132 {[%cal Ya6b4]} 22. Qxb5 $11) 18... Qb1+ $6 {Missing
} (18... b4 $1 19. Qd3 (19. Qxb4 Qb1+ 20. Ke2 Nc6 $36) 19... Qa5 {and Black
seizes the initiative.}) 19. Kd2 Nd7 20. Qc2 Qa2 21. Bd3 e5 22. b3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.03.04"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Qxd5 Rad8 18. Qg2 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 Bxd3 20. Be3 Rfe8
21. Nd2 b4 22. Bb6 Rxe1 23. Rxe1 Rb8 24. Ba5 bxc3 25. Bxc3 f6 26. Ne4 Bf8 27.
f3 Rc8 28. Rd1 Bc4 29. a3 Bb5 30. g4 Bc6 31. Rd3 Re8 32. Rd4 Rb8 33. h4 Be7 34.
h5 Rd8 35. Rc4 Bb5 36. Rc7 Rd7 37. Rxd7 Bxd7 38. h6 gxh6 39. Bxf6 Bf8 40. Bd4
Kf7 41. Kf2 Be7 42. Ke3 Bg5+ 43. f4 Bd8 44. Nd6+ Ke6 45. Nb7 Be7 46. f5+ Kf7
47. Kf4 Bg5+ 48. Ke5 Ba4 49. Nd6+ Ke7 50. Ne4 Bd1 51. Bc5+ Kf7 52. b4 Bc1 53.
Nd6+ Kg7 54. f6+ Kg6 55. f7 Bb2+ 56. Ke6 Bxg4+ 57. Ke7 Bf6+ 58. Ke8 Bf3 59.
f8=N+ Kh5 60. Kf7 Bb2 61. Nxh7 Bxa3 62. Nf6+ Kh4 63. Ke6 h5 64. Ke5 Be2 65.
Nde4 Bc1 66. Nd5 Kg4 67. Ne3+ Kf3 68. Ng5+ Kg3 69. Ke4 Bb5 70. Bd6+ Kf2 71.
Nh3+ Ke2 72. Nf4+ Kd2 73. Nxh5 Bd3+ 74. Kd5 Kc3 75. Nd1+ Kb3 76. Nf6 Bd2 77.
Ne4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.03.06"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E17"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Qc2 c5 8. d5
exd5 9. cxd5 Bxd5 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (9... Nxd5 $6 {Compared to the popular line 
(see Radjabov-Leko and Aronian-Anand in this issue), Black has a kind of an
"extra tempo" (his bishop has come to b7 in one go) but that tempo has a
negative value!} 10. Qe4 $1 (10. Ng5 $143 Bxg5 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. Bxd5 Nc6 13.
a3 Bxc1 14. Rxc1 Qe7 15. e3 Qe5 16. Rd1 Rad8 17. O-O Ne7 18. e4 Nc6 19. f4 Nd4
20. Qc4 Qe7 $17 {0-1 Tomovic,V-Pirc,V/Zagreb 1949/EXT 2000 (48)}) 10... Nb4 (
10... Nxc3 11. Qxb7 {- had White already castled, Black would have taken on e2
with check!}) (10... f5 11. Qc4 b5 12. Qb3 c4 13. Qxb5 $16 {Knaak}) 11. Qxb7
N8c6 12. Bf4 Nc2+ 13. Kd2 Nxa1 14. Rxa1 Bf6 15. Rd1 Bxc3+ 16. bxc3 Qf6 17. Bh3
d5 18. Bg5 Qg6 19. Ke1 $16 {1-0 Gajewski,G-Hernandez Carmenates,H/Calvia 2006/
EXT 2007 (32)}) (9... Na6 $5 {but in the following game Black failed to
equalize:} 10. Nh4 d6 11. Nf5 Re8 12. O-O Bf8 13. a3 Bc8 14. Rb1 Nc7 15. b4 $14
Bxf5 16. Qxf5 g6 17. Qc2 Nd7 18. Bf4 $14 {1-0 Tregubov,P-Hernandez Carmenates,
H/Merida MEX 2007/The Week in Chess 685 (60)}) 10. Nxd5 Nxd5 11. Nh4 (11. O-O
$5 {[%cal Yf1d1]}) 11... Nb4 12. Qd2 N8c6 13. Nf5 Nd4 $1 {[%mdl 512] This
exchange sacrifice solves Black's problems. Although he gets doubled pawn with
it, his pieces occupy strong squares in the centre.} 14. Nxd4 cxd4 15. Bxa8
Qxa8 16. O-O Qe4 17. a3 (17. f3 Qg6) 17... Nc2 18. Ra2 Rc8 {[%csl Gc2]} 19. b3
Rc3 20. Bb2 Rc6 21. Rd1 Bf6 22. Qd3 (22. Rc1 $145 $1 {(Aronian according to
Schach 4/2008)}) 22... d5 {[%csl Ge4]} 23. Qf3 (23. Bc1 Rc3 24. Qb5 d3 $1 25.
exd3 Qe6 $44 {[%cal Yc2d4]}) 23... h6 24. h4 g5 25. hxg5 hxg5 26. b4 Kg7 27.
Qd3 b5 28. Bc1 (28. Bc1 Rc3 $1 29. Qxe4 (29. Qxb5 d3 $1 30. Rxc2 (30. exd3 Qf3
31. Rf1 Rc8 $19) 30... dxc2 31. Rxd5 a6 $1 32. Rxg5+ $8 Bxg5 33. Qxg5+ Qg6 $15)
29... dxe4 $44) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.03.07"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3
d6 9. c3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 Nc6 12. Nf1 Re8 13. h3 h6 14. Ng3 Be6 15. d4
cxd4 16. cxd4 exd4 17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Rc8 19. Bb3 Bxb3 20. axb3 d5 21. e5
Bc5 22. Qf4 Ne4 23. Nxe4 dxe4 24. Rxa6 Qd3 25. Qxe4 Bxf2+ 26. Kxf2 Rc2+ 27. Kg1
Qxe4 28. Rxe4 Rxc1+ 29. Kh2 Rd1 30. Ra7 Kf8 31. Rf4 Re7 32. Ra8+ Re8 33. Ra7
Re7 34. Ra8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2681"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Nbd7 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. h4 a6 13. Be2 Nc5 14.
Rh3 Nxe4 15. Re3 f5 16. Bf3 Bd7 17. Rb1 Rc8 18. Bxe4 fxe4 19. Rxb7 Rxc3 20. Kf1
Rxe3 21. fxe3 Qc3 22. Nxe6 Qc4+ 23. Kg1 Qxe6 24. Qd4 Rg8 25. Rb6 Qf5 26. Qd6
Rg6 27. Rb8+ Bc8 28. Qc7 Rxg2+ 29. Kxg2 Qf3+ 30. Kg1 Qd1+ 31. Kf2 Qd2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4
d6 9. Qd3 Qe7 10. Nbd2 Nb8 11. Ba4 Nbd7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nc4 c6 14. Nxb6 axb6
15. a4 Nf8 16. Nd2 Ng6 17. Bg3 Be6 18. f4 exf4 19. Bxf4 b5 20. Bg3 bxa4 21.
Rxa4 Rxa4 22. Bxa4 Ra8 23. Bd1 Ra2 24. Qb1 Ra5 25. Qd3 Nh5 26. Bxh5 Rxh5 27.
Nf3 Ra5 28. h3 Qd7 29. Re1 Kh8 30. Qd2 Rh5 31. Qe2 Qd8 32. c4 d5 33. exd5 cxd5
34. c5 Rf5 35. b4 Nf4 36. Qe3 Qf6 37. Bxf4 Rxf4 38. Qe5 Rxf3 39. gxf3 Qxf3 40.
Qe3 Qf5 41. b5 Qc2 42. b6 Kh7 43. Re2 Qb1+ 44. Re1 Qc2 45. Rf1 Bd7 46. Rf2 Qb1+
47. Rf1 Qc2 48. Rf2 Qb1+ 49. Rf1 Qc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D13"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. Nf3 a6 7. Rc1 Nh5 8.
Bd2 Nf6 9. e3 Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 e6 12. Qg3 Nh5 13. Qf3 Nf6 14. Bd3 Bd6
15. g4 Rc8 16. g5 Nd7 17. Qg2 Nb6 18. f4 Nb4 19. Bb1 Nc4 20. a3 Nc6 21. O-O h6
22. g6 f5 23. Be1 Qf6 24. e4 Ne3 25. e5 Nxg2 26. exf6 Ne3 27. Rf2 Nxd4 28. Bd2
Nc4 29. Nxd5 exd5 30. Bc3 Bc5 31. Kh1 O-O 32. f7+ Kh8 33. Bxd4 Bxd4 34. Re2
Bxb2 35. Rxc4 dxc4 36. Rxb2 c3 37. Re2 b5 38. Bxf5 Rcd8 39. Bc2 a5 40. Kg1 a4
41. Kf1 b4 42. axb4 a3 43. Bb3 Rb8 44. Ke1 Rxb4 45. Re8 Rb8 46. Rxf8+ Rxf8 47.
Kd1 Ra8 48. Bd5 Rd8 49. Kc2 h5 50. Bc6 Rf8 51. Kxc3 a2 52. Kb2 Rb8+ 53. Ka1 h4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "210"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Qc2 c5 7. dxc5 Qa5+ 8.
Nbd2 Nc6 9. a3 dxc4 10. Qxc4 Qxc5 11. O-O Qh5 12. h3 Bd7 13. g4 Qd5 14. g5 Qxc4
15. Nxc4 Nd5 16. e4 Nb6 17. Nxb6 axb6 18. Rd1 Rfd8 19. Be3 Bc5 20. Bf4 Be8 21.
Rxd8 Rxd8 22. b4 Be7 23. Rc1 Rd3 24. b5 Bxa3 25. Ra1 Na7 26. Be3 Nxb5 27. Bf1
Rc3 28. Nd4 Nxd4 29. Bxd4 Rb3 30. Bc4 Rb4 31. Rxa3 Rxc4 32. Ra8 Kf8 33. Bxb6 f6
34. gxf6 gxf6 35. Rb8 Rxe4 36. Rxb7 Bf7 37. f3 Re2 38. Bd4 Kg7 39. Rb2 Re1+ 40.
Kf2 Rd1 41. Be3 Kg6 42. Rb4 h5 43. h4 Ra1 44. Rb6 Ra2+ 45. Kg3 Ra3 46. Bc1 Rd3
47. Ra6 Kf5 48. Ra3 Rd5 49. Be3 e5 50. Rc3 Rd1 51. Rc1 Rd3 52. Kf2 Bd5 53. Rc8
Ra3 54. Rh8 Kg6 55. Rd8 Be6 56. Rd6 Kf7 57. Rd8 Bc4 58. Rd2 Ke6 59. Rc2 Bd5 60.
Re2 Ra1 61. Rb2 Rh1 62. Kg3 Rf1 63. Bf2 Ra1 64. Rb6+ Kf5 65. Be3 Ra2 66. Rb4
Ra3 67. Kf2 Ra2+ 68. Kg3 Rc2 69. Rb6 Bc6 70. Rb1 Re2 71. Bf2 Ke6 72. Re1 Rc2
73. Be3 Bd5 74. Bg1 f5 75. f4 Be4 76. Be3 Rg2+ 77. Kh3 Rg4 78. fxe5 Kxe5 79.
Rg1 f4 80. Bf2 Bf5 81. Re1+ Kd5 82. Kh2 Rg6 83. Rg1 Bg4 84. Re1 Ra6 85. Kg2 Ra2
86. Re8 Bf5 87. Rd8+ Ke6 88. Re8+ Kf7 89. Re1 Kf6 90. Kg1 Bd3 91. Bd4+ Kf5 92.
Re5+ Kg4 93. Rg5+ Kf3 94. Rxh5 Rg2+ 95. Kh1 Be4 96. Rg5 Rd2 97. Bc5 Ke2+ 98.
Kh2 Rc2 99. h5 Rc1 100. Bg1 f3 101. Re5 Kd3 102. Bf2 Rc8 103. Kg3 Rg8+ 104. Kf4
Rf8+ 105. Kg5 Rg8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. Re1 Bd6 13. d3 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 Bxd3 17. Nd2 Qf5 18. Qxf5 Bxf5 19. Bd4 Rfd8 20. a4 Bf8 21.
Ne4 h6 22. h4 Bg6 23. Rad1 Bh5 24. Rc1 Nb4 25. Re3 Nd5 26. Ree1 Nb4 27. Re3
1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. e3 Nf6 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O Re8 8. h3
Bf5 9. g4 Bd7 10. e4 e5 11. d5 Na6 12. Be3 Nc5 13. Nd2 a5 14. g5 Nh5 15. Bxh5
gxh5 16. Qxh5 Nd3 17. Kh2 f5 18. Qe2 f4 19. Qxd3 Qxg5 20. Ba7 Rxa7 21. Nb5 Bxb5
22. cxb5 Kh8 23. Rg1 Qe7 24. Nf3 Bf6 25. Rac1 b6 26. Qc4 a4 27. a3 Qd7 28. Qf1
Raa8 29. Rc6 Rg8 30. Qc4 Rxg1 31. Nxg1 Rg8 32. Rxc7 Qe8 33. Qf1 Qh5 34. Rc3 Qg6
35. Rc4 Qh5 36. Rc3 Qg6 37. f3 Bh4 38. Rc2 Qg7 39. Rg2 Bg3+ 40. Kh1 Rc8 41. Ne2
Qd7 42. Rg1 Rc2 43. Nxg3 fxg3 44. Rxg3 Qc8 45. Qg1 Rxb2 46. f4 Rc2 47. fxe5
dxe5 48. Rf3 Rc1 49. Rf8+ Qxf8 50. Qxc1 Qf3+ 51. Kh2 Qf2+ 52. Kh1 Qf3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.22"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A40"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "167"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. a3 Bb7 4. Nc3 f5 5. d5 Nf6 6. Nh3 Bd6 7. g3 Be5 8. Bd2
exd5 9. Bg2 Ne4 10. cxd5 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Na6 13. O-O O-O 14. Nf4
Qf6 15. Qd4 Nc5 16. h4 Rae8 17. Rad1 Ne4 18. Rc1 Qd6 19. Qb4 a5 20. Qxd6 Nxd6
21. c4 Ne4 22. Bxe4 fxe4 23. c5 b5 24. c6 dxc6 25. dxc6 Bc8 26. Rc5 Rf5 27.
Rxf5 Bxf5 28. Rd1 b4 29. axb4 axb4 30. Rd5 Be6 31. Rb5 b3 32. Nxe6 Rxe6 33.
Rxb3 Rxc6 34. Kg2 Kf7 35. Rb4 Re6 36. Rc4 c6 37. g4 Kf6 38. Rc5 Ke7 39. Kg3 Kd6
40. Ra5 Re7 41. Kf4 c5 42. Ke3 Kd5 43. Ra4 Rb7 44. h5 g5 45. hxg6 hxg6 46. Rxe4
Rb3+ 47. Kf4 Rb4 48. Rxb4 cxb4 49. Ke3 Kc4 50. Kd2 Kb3 51. f4 Ka2 52. f5 gxf5
53. gxf5 b3 54. f6 b2 55. f7 b1=Q 56. f8=Q Qb2+ 57. Ke1 Qa1+ 58. Kf2 Qd4+ 59.
Kg2 Qg4+ 60. Kf1 Qh3+ 61. Ke1 Qc3+ 62. Kf2 Qd4+ 63. e3 Qd2+ 64. Kf3 Qd1+ 65.
Kg2 Qg4+ 66. Kf2 Qh4+ 67. Ke2 Qc4+ 68. Kd2 Qd5+ 69. Ke1 Kb3 70. Qf4 Kc3 71. Ke2
Qg2+ 72. Qf2 Qg6 73. Qe1+ Kc4 74. Qh4+ Kd5 75. Qd4+ Kc6 76. Kf3 Qh5+ 77. Kf4
Qh4+ 78. Ke5 Qh8+ 79. Ke6 Qe8+ 80. Kf6 Qh8+ 81. Ke6 Qe8+ 82. Kf5 Qh5+ 83. Ke4
Qh1+ 84. Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{My decision to annotate this game was driven more by a general interest in
blindfold chess than the game itself. Although interesting, it contains far
too many mistakes.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Bg5 {In recent times, this
attempt to avoid the beaten track has been a rare guest in elite events.} h6 {
After 4...c6 White can try to steer the game into rare lines of the QGD with 5.
e3 or 5.Nbd2. The text move practically forces White to exchange on f6, since
as far as I can see, the gambit 5.Bh4 Bb4 (followed by dxc4) does not give him
any advantage.} 5. Bxf6 Qxf6 6. Nbd2 {Now the natural Slav move 6...c6 is not
so good, because of 7.a3 with the idea of advancing e4 in one move. By
comparison with the normal Moscow Variation, here White does not have to worry
about the pawn on c4, but on the other hand, he has to reckon with the
tempo-gaining advance g5, since the natural square of the Nf3 on d2, is
occupied.} Nd7 7. Rc1 {Against Grischuk in Mexico City I played 7.g3, which is
in principle more logical. This time I decided to try out another plan.} c6 8.
a3 {Trying to advance e4. Of course, it was also possible to play the simple
e3, but that is not why White put his knight on d2.} g5 {Of course! Now White
has to choose between several interesting and cimplicated possibilities,
something which is far from easy without sight of the position.} 9. h3 {
As I came to understand only after the game, the threat of g4 is not so
terrible, since then Ng1 and h3 gives White good play on the kingside. This
being the case, it would be interesting to continue with the straightforward 9.
e4.} ({The other way} 9. e3 {I liked less, since after the simple} Bg7 {
it is not clear why White put the pawn on a3.}) ({A possible continuation after
} 9. e4 {would be} g4 10. e5 Qd8 ({the alternative is} 10... Qf5 {, which after
} 11. Ng1 ({Note that} 11. Nh4 {is bad because of} Qf4 12. Nb3 Be7) 11... c5
12. cxd5 cxd4 13. dxe6 Qxe5+ 14. Qe2 fxe6 {leads to an obscure position.}) 11.
Ng1 Qb6 12. Nb3 a5 ({Bad is} 12... c5 {because of} 13. Bd3 cxd4 14. f4 {
with the initiative, in view of Black's backward development.}) 13. c5 Qd8 14.
Nd2 Rg8 {The resulting position is in the spirit of Morozevich's French
Defences, and is very hard to assess. Black's plan is to play a4 and b6,
breaking up the white centre, whilst White will develop his remaining pieces
quickly and start an attack, utilising the temporary lack of communication
between the black pieces.}) 9... h5 {Logical. After 9...Bg7 10.e4 0-0 1.Bd3
Black has gained no benefit from his kingside expansion and the position must
be assessed as better for White. With the text move, Black continues his plan
to fighting for the centre by means of a flank diversion.} 10. cxd5 ({The
position after} 10. e4 g4 11. e5 Qg7 {followed by c5 at the right moment, is
not too great for White.}) 10... exd5 {There are plenty of reasons not to take
with the c-pawn, one being 11.Qa4, with ideas of e4 or Ne5.} 11. e4 g4 12. e5 {
It is always possible to open the h-file, but the presence of the pawn on h3
changes a lot.} Qg7 13. Nh4 Qg5 {An interesting decision. I expected 13...Nb6.}
14. g3 f6 {This daring break is the whole point of Qg5! It is noteworthy that
after the game, I rather emotionally described it as terrible, whereas Vishy
thought it correct. As usual, the truth probably lies somewhere in between. Of
course, f6 is objectively the strongest move, but in a practical game,
especially a blindfold game, it is harder for Black to play the resulting
irrational position. For his sacrificed pawn White gets maybe not full, but
long-lasting compensation, and many ways to muddy the waters. After 14...Nb6
and a further Bd7 and long castling, Black would be doing well from a
positional point of view.} 15. e6 {The quiet 15.exf6 somehow doesn't look
right, even though it is arguably just as good.} Nb6 16. Rc3 ({The move} 16.
Bd3 {does not bring anything out of the ordinary. Black can simply take on e6
and after 17.Ng6 move the rook to g8. The text move looks right.} Bxe6 17. Ng6
Rg8) 16... Bxe6 17. Re3 Kd7 ({Stronger than the unusual-looking} 17... Qg8 {
After for example} 18. Ng6 Bh6 ({is dangerous because of the unexpected} 18...
Qxg6 19. Bd3 f5 20. hxg4 {with strong threats.}) 19. Nxh8 Bxe3 20. fxe3 Qxh8
21. hxg4 Qg7 22. g5 {White can count on equality.}) 18. Bd3 Re8 (18... Nc4 {
is dangerous because of} 19. Bxc4 dxc4 20. Ne4 Qa5+ 21. Kf1) ({but another
possible choice was} 18... Bd6 {Anand said that he was afraid of} 19. Rxe6 Kxe6
20. Nf5 {which I also thought dangerous during the game, but after the simple}
Kd7 {it is not obvious how White can continue his attack. Probably the
strongest for White is 19.Kf1 with the idea of taking on e6 in more favourable
circumstances. The position would be unclear.}) 19. Ng6 Rg8 {An unfortunate
choice.} ({Black had the option of the tempo-winning} 19... Nc4 {After} 20. h4
{both} Qh6 ({and} 20... Nxe3 21. Qb3 Qh6 22. Qxb7+ Kd6 23. Nxh8) 21. Nxc4 dxc4
22. d5 {lead to intractable complications. For lovers of such assessments, I
can add that the computers thinks Black's position the more pleasant in almost
all lines.}) 20. Nf4 {Now the white pieces achive some harmony.} Bh6 {A
mistake which I failed to exploit, thanks to my love of "long" moves.} ({
He should go over to defence with the accurate} 20... Bf7 21. Rxe8 Kxe8 22.
hxg4 Qxg4 23. Be2 Qd7 24. Bxh5 Bd6) 21. Bh7 {Pure flashiness. 21.Nb3 was much
stronger, after which Black would be in trouble.} Rgf8 ({Bad is} 21... Rg7 {
because of} 22. h4 Qxf4 23. gxf4 Rxh7 24. Nb3 {The presence of the valuable
move Nb3 changes the assessment of the position.}) 22. Nb3 {Around here I
realised that with the move 21.Bh7 is had just created disharmony amongst my
own pieces and that on my planned} (22. Bg6 {Black has the simple} Bf7 {
and after} 23. h4 Qxg6 24. Nxg6 Bxg6 {White has trouble maintaining the
balance. Deciding not to panic, I went for this practically only move.}) 22...
Bf7 {Evidently, my strange play confused not only me, and over the next few
moves, my opponent is also put off by 21.Bh7.} ({After} 22... Kd6 23. Nxe6 Rxe6
24. Rxe6+ Kxe6 {the results of the white pieces' trip to the corner of the
board would be nothing for Black to fear.}) 23. Nc5+ Kc8 ({More accurate is
the aggressive} 23... Kd6 {After} 24. Nxb7+ Kc7 25. Nc5 Qg7 {White would
probably have to force perpatual check by means of} 26. Qd3 ({since} 26. Bf5 {
is not good in view of} Bxf4 27. gxf4 Rxe3+ 28. fxe3 gxh3 29. Qe2 Nc4 {when
Black has the advantage on account of the bad position of the white king.})
26... Bxf4 27. gxf4 gxh3 28. Qa6) 24. Nce6 Bxe6 25. Nxe6 Rxe6 26. Rxe6 Nc4 {
And this is a serious mistake. We both missed the idea of Kd7 in this position.
After Black has kicked the rook back to e2 and shut out the bishop with f5, he
has sufficient counterplay for equality.} 27. hxg4 {A mistake caused by the
aforementioned blindness. A technically winning position could have been
achieved by both Kf1 and h4.} hxg4 28. Rh4 {Here I was happy with myself, and
especially with the coordination of my pieces. As already stated, this could
have been disrupted by Kd7, but in this game, luck was on my side.} Nxb2 29.
Qc2 Nc4 30. Bf5 Kb8 31. Rxg4 {This very important pawn finally disappears from
the board. Admittedly, to get rid of it I for some reason gave away my whole
queenside!} Qc1+ {The final mistake in this rather error-filled game. Neither
of us noticed that the a3-pawn was hanging.} ({After} 31... Nxa3 32. Qd3 Qc1+
33. Qd1 Bd2+ 34. Ke2 Qxd1+ 35. Kxd1 Bc3 {White is in no way better, if indeed
he is not worse.}) 32. Qxc1 Bxc1 33. a4 {Now it is a different matter
altogether.} Bb2 34. Ke2 a5 35. Bc2 {Black loses the f6-pawn and White will
queen.} Na3 {An attempt to divert attention from the pawn on f6, but it does
does not work and the pawn eventually falls.} 36. Bb3 f5 37. Rh4 Rf7 38. Kd3
Bc1 39. Rh1 Bg5 40. Ra1 Nc4 41. Bxc4 dxc4+ 42. Kxc4 {The rest is easy.} f4 43.
g4 f3 44. Re5 Bh4 45. Rh1 Bxf2 46. Rf5 Rd7 47. Rxf3 Bxd4 48. Rd3 c5 49. g5 Rg7
50. Rg3 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. c4 Bg7 5. cxd5 O-O 6. h4 h6 7. Nc3 Nxd5 8. O-O
Nc6 9. d3 Nf6 10. Bd2 Re8 11. Qc1 Kh7 12. Rb1 e5 13. b4 Nd4 14. Re1 c6 15. b5
Bd7 16. Nxd4 exd4 17. Na4 Qc8 18. bxc6 Bxc6 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Kg2 Qe6 21. Qc2
c5 22. Qc4 Qxc4 23. dxc4 Ne4 24. Bf4 Re6 25. Rb7 Ra6 26. Nb2 Rb6 27. Re7 Rxb2
28. Rxe4 Bf8 29. a3 a5 30. Rd1 a4 31. e3 Rc2 32. Rb1 d3 33. Rd1 Rd8 34. Bc7 Rd7
35. Ba5 Ra2 36. Re8 Bg7 37. Rc8 Rxa3 38. Rxc5 Rb3 39. Bd2 Ra7 40. Bc1 a3 41.
Bxa3 Raxa3 42. Rd5 Bb2 43. c5 Rc3 44. c6 Bc1 45. c7 d2 46. Rd7 Kg7 47. e4 Rc6
48. e5 Rac3 49. e6 Rxe6 0-1

[Event "Amber-blindfold 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. Nbd2 Rc8 13. Nb3 c5 14. dxc5 Be4
15. Qc3 Bd5 16. Rac1 Bxb3 17. Qxb3 Bxc5 18. Rc2 Qb6 19. e3 Rc7 20. Rfc1 Rfc8
21. a4 bxa4 22. Qxa4 Bd6 23. Rxc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Qd7 11. Nc3 Rfe8 12. Ne2 Nd8 13. Ng3 Ne6 14. Ng5 c5 15.
Nxe6 fxe6 16. c3 Bd8 17. a4 Bb6 18. Be3 Kh8 19. axb5 axb5 20. Rxa8 Rxa8 21. Nh5
Bd8 22. Nxf6 Bxf6 23. Qg4 Bc8 24. Rd1 Qe7 25. Qe2 Bb7 26. Qg4 Bc8 27. Qe2 Bb7
28. Qg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2681"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. b4 O-O 6. Qb3 c6 7. Nf3 Bg4 8. h3
Bxf3 9. gxf3 a5 10. bxa5 Rxa5 11. Bd2 c5 12. Nxd5 Nxd5 13. cxd5 cxd4 14. e4 Nd7
15. Bb5 d3 16. O-O Bxa1 17. Rxa1 Ra8 18. Qxd3 Ne5 19. Qb3 Qb6 20. Kg2 Nxf3 21.
Bh6 Qf6 22. Rb1 Nh4+ 23. Kf1 Rfc8 24. Qb2 Rc3 25. Bd2 Raa3 26. Bxc3 Rxc3 27.
Rc1 Rc5 28. Qd2 Nf3 29. Qe3 Rxc1+ 30. Qxc1 Qd4 31. Qc8+ Kg7 32. Qxb7 Nd2+ 33.
Ke2 Nxe4 34. Bc6 Qxf2+ 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
a3 O-O 9. b4 Be6 10. Rb1 f6 11. d3 Nd4 12. Nd2 c6 13. Nde4 Rf7 14. Bd2 Nd5 15.
e3 Nxc3 16. Nxc3 Nf5 17. Qc2 Bf8 18. Rfd1 a5 19. Na4 axb4 20. Bxb4 Kh8 21. Bxf8
Qxf8 22. Nc5 Bc8 23. a4 Nd6 24. Rb4 Bf5 25. Qb2 h6 26. h3 Qc8 27. g4 Be6 28. d4
e4 29. Nxe6 Qxe6 30. d5 cxd5 31. Qd2 Ra5 32. Rd4 b6 33. Rxd5 Nb7 34. Rxa5 bxa5
35. Qc2 f5 36. gxf5 Qxf5 37. Bxe4 Qg5+ 38. Bg2 Nd8 39. Rd5 Qf6 40. Rxa5 Rf8 41.
Ra8 Qa1+ 42. Bf1 Qa3 43. Qd2 Nc6 44. Rxf8+ Qxf8 45. Qd5 Qf6 46. Bg2 Qa1+ 47.
Kh2 Ne5 48. Qd4 Qxd4 49. exd4 Nc4 50. Kg3 g5 51. Kg4 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C03"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. Nd2 Be7 4. Bd3 c5 5. dxc5 Nf6 6. Qe2 a5 7. Ngf3 Na6 8.
Bb5+ Bd7 9. Ne5 Nxc5 10. Nxd7 Nfxd7 11. exd5 exd5 12. Qe5 O-O 13. Qxd5 Qb6 14.
a4 Rad8 15. O-O Qg6 16. Nb3 Qxc2 17. Nxa5 Nb6 18. Qf3 Nd5 19. b4 Nxb4 20. Ba3
Ne6 21. Qxb7 Bd6 22. Bxb4 Bxb4 23. Nc6 Qd2 24. Nxd8 Rxd8 25. Bc4 Nf4 26. g3 Ne6
27. Rad1 Qxd1 28. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 29. Kg2 Bf8 30. Bxe6 fxe6 31. a5 Rd5 32. a6 Bc5
33. a7 Bxa7 34. Qxa7 Kf8 35. h4 h5 36. Kf3 Rf5+ 37. Ke3 Re5+ 38. Kf4 Rf5+ 39.
Ke4 Rd5 40. f3 Rf5 41. Qd7 Rf6 42. g4 hxg4 43. fxg4 Rf1 44. h5 Kg8 45. Qxe6+
Kh8 46. Qe8+ Kh7 47. Qg6+ Kh8 48. g5 Rf8 49. Ke5 Ra8 50. h6 gxh6 51. Qxh6+ Kg8
52. Qe6+ Kh8 53. Kf5 Ra7 54. Qe5+ Rg7 55. g6 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Bd7 10. b3 Be7 11. Bb2 Kc8 12. Rad1 h6 13. g4 Nh4 14. Nxh4
Bxh4 15. h3 h5 16. f3 Be7 17. Ne4 Be6 18. Ng3 g6 19. Ne2 a5 20. Nf4 a4 21. Nxe6
fxe6 22. Kg2 b5 23. f4 hxg4 24. hxg4 axb3 25. axb3 Rh4 26. Kg3 Ra2 27. Rb1 Kb7
28. Rf2 Rh8 29. Rh2 Rxh2 30. Kxh2 c5 31. Kg3 Kc6 32. c4 bxc4 33. bxc4 Ra4 34.
Rc1 Rb4 35. Rc2 Rb3+ 36. Bc3 Rb1 37. Bd2 Rg1+ 38. Kf3 Bh4 39. g5 Rg3+ 40. Ke4
Rg2 41. Kd3 Bg3 42. Rc3 Bf2 43. Ra3 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Qc2 dxc4 6. e4 Nc6 7. e5 Nb4 8. Qb1
Nfd5 9. Bxc4 Nb6 10. Bb3 Bd7 11. a3 N4d5 12. O-O Bc6 13. Ne4 Qd7 14. Nc5 Bxc5
15. dxc5 Na4 16. Qc2 b6 17. cxb6 axb6 18. Be3 Nxe3 19. fxe3 Bxf3 20. Rxf3 O-O
21. Rd1 Qb5 22. Rd4 Nc5 23. Bc4 Qa4 24. Qf2 Rfd8 25. Bf1 Qe8 26. h4 Qe7 27. Qg3
Kh8 28. Bb5 f5 29. exf6 gxf6 30. Qf4 f5 31. b4 Rxd4 32. exd4 Ne4 33. Bc6 Rd8
34. Bxe4 fxe4 35. Qxe4 Qg7 36. Rf4 Rg8 37. a4 h6 38. a5 Qg3 39. Qe5+ Rg7 40.
Rf8+ Kh7 41. Qe4+ Qg6 42. Qxg6+ Kxg6 43. a6 c6 44. Rb8 b5 45. Rb7 Rg8 46. a7
Ra8 47. g4 h5 48. g5 Kf5 49. Kf2 Ke4 50. g6 Kxd4 51. g7 Kc3 52. Rb8 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D47"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
Bd6 9. Ng5 Bb7 10. Qf3 h6 11. Nge4 Nxe4 12. Nxe4 Be7 13. O-O O-O 14. Rd1 Qb6
15. Qg3 c5 16. dxc5 Nxc5 17. Nxc5 Bxc5 18. b4 Bd6 19. Bh7+ Kxh7 20. Rxd6 Qxd6
21. Qxd6 Rfd8 22. Qd2 Rxd2 23. Bxd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.22"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 h6 8. Rg1 e5
9. cxd5 cxd5 10. Bd2 e4 11. Nb5 Bb8 12. Nh4 a6 13. Nf5 O-O 14. Nbd6 Bxd6 15.
Nxd6 Nb8 16. Qxc8 Qxd6 17. Qf5 g6 18. Qe5 Qb6 19. Qf4 g5 20. Qf5 Qxb2 21. Rd1
Ne8 22. Qxd5 Nc6 23. Bc4 Nf6 24. Qc5 Kg7 25. Bb3 Nd7 26. Qf5 Rad8 27. h4 Ne7
28. Qxe4 Ng6 29. hxg5 hxg5 30. Qxb7 Nf6 31. Qxa6 Nh4 32. Qa5 Nf3+ 33. Ke2 Nxg1+
34. Rxg1 Nh7 35. Rh1 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Be3 Bxd3 18. Qxd5 Rad8 19. Qf3 Bc4 20. Nd2 Be6 21.
Bd4 Bb8 22. Qg2 Qh5 23. f3 Qg6 24. a3 h5 25. Re2 Rd5 26. Rae1 Rfd8 27. Ne4 Bd6
28. Qf2 Rf5 29. Nxd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. c5 g6 7. Bd3 Bf5 8. Bxf5
gxf5 9. Ne5 e6 10. f3 Rg8 11. O-O Qc7 12. Nd3 a5 13. Bd2 Nbd7 14. Be1 Be7 15.
Bg3 Qb7 16. Rc1 Rg7 17. Rc2 Kf8 18. Bf4 Kg8 19. Ne5 Nxe5 20. Bxe5 Rg6 21. Ne2
Nd7 22. Bd6 Bg5 23. Nf4 Bxf4 24. Bxf4 h6 25. Rcf2 Nf6 26. Kh1 Kh7 27. Be5 Rag8
28. Qc2 Nd7 29. Bd6 f6 30. Re2 Qc8 31. Rfe1 R8g7 32. e4 fxe4 33. fxe4 dxe4 34.
Qxe4 f5 35. Qf3 Nf6 36. Rxe6 Ne4 37. Rxg6 Rxg6 38. h3 Qe6 39. Kh2 Ng5 40. Qf1
Ne4 41. Be5 Rg5 42. Qf3 Nd2 43. Qc3 Ne4 44. Qxa5 Qd5 45. Re2 Kg6 46. b3 Kh5 47.
Qe1 Kg6 48. Qb4 h5 49. Bf4 h4 50. Bxg5 Kxg5 51. a4 bxa4 52. bxa4 Ng3 53. Qd2+
Kg6 54. Re1 Ne4 55. Qf4 Qxd4 56. Rf1 Qxc5 57. Qxh4 Qd5 58. Qf4 c5 59. a5 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3
d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Rc8 13. e4 c5 14. exd5 exd5
15. dxc5 dxc4 16. cxb6 Nxb6 17. Re1 cxb3 18. Qxb3 Nd7 19. Nf3 Nc5 20. Qa3 Ne6
21. Qxa6 Rxc3 22. Qxa7 Bc5 23. Qa4 Qf6 24. Qe4 Ng5 25. Nxg5 Bxf2+ 26. Kh1 Qxg5
27. Rf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 17th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2008.03.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2008.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nc3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 c6 14. Qb3 Qc7
15. Rfd1 a5 16. Rac1 Rd8 17. Ne4 Be7 18. d5 exd5 19. Rxd5 Rxd5 20. Qxd5 Nd7 21.
Qb3 Qb6 22. Qxb6 Nxb6 23. b3 Nd5 24. Nd2 Bg5 25. Bxd5 Bxd2 26. Rd1 Bg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 4th"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2008.05.08"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A32"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2008.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 c5 4. Nf3 ({Remarkably, Aronian refrains from} 4. d5 {
when after} exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. Bg2 O-O 9. O-O {he had
been successful with white, while Topalov had lost with black in recent games.}
Re8 ({This is considered slightly more accurate than} 9... a6 10. a4 Re8 {
when after} 11. Bf4 {Black is more or less confined to embark the slightly
exotic line} Ne4 $5 {Aronian,L (2759)-Carlsen,M (2693)/Elista 2007/CBM 119/
[Marin] (1-0, 66)}) 10. Bf4 Bg4 $5 {Eljanov,P (2692)-Topalov,V (2780)/Wijk aan
Zee 2008/[Marin] (1-0, 46). Aronian's choice may have been dictated by
practical reasoning: once Topalov is ready to play the Benoni again, he must
have found an improvement somewhere, or, who knows, an entire new plan.}) 4...
cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4+ {An open invitation to the fianchetto Nimzoindian.} 6. Bd2 {
The psychological duel continues and, once again, it seems that Topalov
emerges as a moral winner..} ({With reversed, colours, the position after} 6.
Nc3 {(true, via genuine Nimzo Indian move order) had occurred twice between
the same players and Topalov won each time.} O-O (6... Ne4 7. Qd3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3
Nc5 9. Qf3 {Topalov,V (2780)-Aronian,L (2739)/Morelia/Linares 2008 (1-0, 35)})
7. Bg2 d5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Qb3 {Topalov,V (2801)-Aronian,L (2752)/Morelia/
Linares 2006/CBM 112/[Gavrikov] (1-0, 76)}) 6... Be7 {This method is
frequently seen in modern chess, in openings such as the Queen's Indian, the
Catalan and, of course, Bogo Indian. Apparently, Black has lost a tempo, but
White will have difficulties finding a good square for his queen's bishop,
which stands in the way of the own queen.} 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. Bc3 {The bishop's
situation is not that bad now, but usually this is the best square for the
knight, keeping the d5-square under severe control.} O-O 9. O-O d5 {The
logical consequence of Black's previous play. With a white knight on c3, this
move would leave Black with a weak pawn on d5 after cxd5.} 10. Nd2 Bd7 {
A simple developing move, inviting White to define his plans.} ({The main
alternative is} 10... Qb6 11. e3 ({Despite his defeat, Gavrikov repeated the
line in a later rapid game. The player with White did not know the theory of
this variation too well and had to improvise, which he did relatively well:} 
11. cxd5 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 exd5 13. N2b3 Bh3 14. Re1 Rfe8 15. Rc1 Rac8 16. Qd3 Bf8
17. Qb5 {After the exchange of queens, the weakness of the g2-square becomes
less relevant and White can enjoy his stability on the dark squares with
chances for a small, but stable plus.} Qxb5 18. Nxb5 a6 19. N5d4 Ne5 20. f3 Bd7
21. Kf2 Nc4 22. e3 b5 23. a3 g6 24. Na5 Bh6 25. Nxc4 dxc4 {Black has improved
his structure, but White maintains his control in the centre.} 26. Rcd1 Bf8 27.
Nc2 Bc6 28. Nb4 Re6 29. Nxc6 Rexc6 30. Rd7 R6c7 31. Red1 Be7 $14 {Marin,
M-Gavrikov,V/WorldChessNetwork.com 2005 (0-1, 75). White's position is more
active, but Black's queenside majority, as well as the fact that White's pawns
on this wing are situated on dark squares offer Black some counterchances.})
11... Bd7 12. a3 dxc4 13. Nxc4 Qa6 14. Qb3 {It is obvious now that the early
development of Black's queen has helped White win time for the coordination of
his forces.} Nd5 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Bd4 Rfd8 17. Rfc1 Ba4 18. Qa2 b6 19. b3 Be8
20. Qb2 Bf8 21. e4 Ne7 22. a4 $14 {Jussupow,A (2645)-Gavrikov,V (2550)/Minsk
1987/URS-ch (1-0, 42). with domination for White.}) 11. cxd5 {Finally
releasing the tension.} ({The willing retreat} 11. N4b3 $146 {failed to
impress in Huebner,R (2585)-Oral,T (2521)/Baden 1999/CBM 071/[Ribli] (1/2-1/2,
51) White avoids possible simplifications with ...Nxd4 and ...Bc6. He has the
good Catalan bishop on g2, but has problems with piece coordination on the
queenside. Weiß vermeidet mögliche Vereinfachungen mit ...Nxd4 und ...Bc6. Er
besitzt den guten katalanischen Läufer auf g2, hat aber am Damenflügel
Probleme mit der Figurenkoordination.}) ({However,} 11. Rc1 {, which also
continues the development without discarding White's intentions, deserves
serious attention.} Nb4 {Black is incompletly developed yet, which makes this
knight jump look premature.} ({The neutral} 11... Re8 {failed to equalize
completely after} 12. e4 {. Finally a concrete decision.} dxe4 13. Nxe4 Nxd4
14. Qxd4 Bc6 15. Qxd8 Rexd8 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Rfd1
$14 {Romero Holmes,A (2550)-Suba,M (2498)/Almeria 2003/CBM 095 ext (1-0, 46).
and White's rather symbolic advantage eventually was converted into a win.}) ({
The drawback of Suba's move is that the rook is not doing much on e8 and it
caused further loss of time. Therefore,} 11... Rc8 $5 {, consolidating the
c6-square in order to avoid the creation of a weakness on that square, may be
Black's best solution.}) 12. Nc2 a5 (12... Nxa2 {looks risky, but leads to
unclear consequences, for instance} 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Ra1 Qa5 15. cxd5 exd5 16.
Ne3 Bxb2 17. Qc2 Bxa1 18. Rxa1 Nb4 19. Rxa5 Nxc2 20. Nxc2 Rfc8 21. Ra2 Bf5 22.
Nd4 Rc1+ 23. Nf1 $13 {[%cal Gf2f3,Gg1f2,Gf1e3] Black is at least OK from a
material point of view, but his queenside pawns are not dangerous yet. However,
White will need some time to get rid of the back rank pin. Personally, I would
prefer White, but am convinced that the position remains double-edged.}) 13. a3
Nxc2 14. Qxc2 Bc6 15. Rfd1 Qb6 16. cxd5 Bxd5 17. e4 Ng4 18. Rf1 Bc6 19. h3 Nf6
20. Nc4 Qb5 21. Ne5 $14 {Schlosser,P (2560)-Kosten,A (2540)/Austria 2003/CBM
097 ext (1-0, 46). Again, White's position is more active in the presence of
almost symmetrical structure.}) 11... Nxd5 12. Bxd5 {Catalan opening players
know that sometimes it is essential to part with the pride of their position,
in order to achieve certain strategic aims, or avoid strategic problems. Here,
Black will be left with a well-blocked isolani, while otherwise the exchange
on c3 would cause White problems on the dark squares.} exd5 13. Qb3 {White
immediately puts pressure on the b7- and d5-pawns, aiming to cause some
strategic concession from Black's part.} (13. N2f3 Re8 (13... Bh3 $5 14. Re1
Re8 {looks more restrictive.}) 14. Qb3 Bh3 15. Rfd1 $1 {The rook stands better
here than on e1.} Qd7 16. Rd3 Rad8 17. Rad1 Qc8 18. R1d2 $13 {Seirawan,
Y-Benjamin,J/Philadelphia 1986/Inf 42. The position does not essentially
differ from that arising in our main game.}) 13... Bf6 14. N2f3 Bg4 $5 $146 {
A strong novelty.} ({Previously, the tempting} 14... Bh3 {had been played.
Black wins a tempo for the purpose of defending his attacked pawns, but,
generally speaking, the bishop is not doing much on h3, since the attacking
prospects are not too realistic for Black.} 15. Rfd1 Qd7 $6 (15... Rb8 16. Nb5
$14 {would provoke the favourable exchange of the dark-squared bishops.}) 16.
Nxc6 $1 Bxc3 (16... bxc6 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Qc3 $16) 17. Nce5 $1 Bxe5 18. Nxe5
Qe6 19. Rxd5 $16 {Morovic Fernandez,I (2535)-Suba,M (2550)/New York 1988/CBM
008 (1-0, 36)}) 15. Rfd1 ({One of the tactical points is that after} 15. Qxb7 {
Black gets his pawn back with} Nxd4 16. Nxd4 (16. Bxd4 Bxf3 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18.
exf3 Qxf3 {and, with an active queen and a strong passed pawn, Black is not
worse.}) 16... Bxd4 17. Bxd4 Bxe2 $132 {. Both sides have increased their
control on "their" squares (White on dark squares and Black on light squares).
Strategically, White seems to be better, but the vulnerability of his king
invites to caution.}) 15... Rb8 {As frequently happens, the queen is well
developed on the initial square. The f6-bishop is over-protected and the
a5-square is kept under control, enabling an eventual knight move to harrass
the enemy queen. At the same time, the presence of the bishop on g4 is very
useful, because it inhibits the moving away of the other knight. In fact,
Black maintains the dynamic equilibrium by attacking both enemy knights with
his bishops.} 16. Qa4 {Somehow, moving again with the queen does not seem to
be right from an abstract point of view.} ({Now,} 16. Nb5 {is less effective
than in a previous comment, but certain accuracy is required from Black.} Bxc3
$1 (16... Bxf3 $6 17. exf3 $1 d4 (17... Bxc3 18. Rxd5 $1 $16) 18. Kg2 $5 {
It is important to defend the f3-pawn.} (18. Rd2 Qb6 19. Nxd4 Nxd4 20. Qxb6
Nxf3+ 21. Kg2 axb6 22. Kxf3 Bxc3 23. bxc3 $11) 18... Qd7 19. Nxd4 Nxd4 20. Bxd4
Bxd4 21. Rd2 Rfd8 22. Rad1 $16) 17. bxc3 (17. Nxc3 Bxf3 18. exf3 d4 $13) (17.
Rxd5 Qe7 18. Qxc3 Qxe2 19. Rg5 f6 20. Nbd4 Nxd4 21. Nxd4 Qe4 22. Re1 Qxe1+ 23.
Qxe1 fxg5 $13) 17... Qe7 18. Nbd4 Bxf3 $11 {After getting rid of his
potentially "bad" bishop, Black is OK. The weakness of the d5 and c3-pawns 
(and that of the c4 and d4-squares) compensate for eachother.}) ({I would
think that} 16. Rd2 $5 {is the most logical continuation, continuing the
mobilisation of forces and increasing the latent pressure against the central
pawn.} Re8 17. Rad1 Na5 (17... Re4 18. Nxc6 bxc6 19. Bxf6 $1 $14) (17... a6 {
[%cal Gd8d6]} 18. Nc2 $14 Rxe2 19. Rxe2 Bxf3 20. Ba5 $1 $14) 18. Bxa5 Qxa5 19.
Kg2 {[%cal Gh2h3] The position remains interesting. Black's bishops continue
to keep the enemy knights under pressure, but White maintains his overall
stability. It is hard to give a final assesment, but I assume that for a
strategic player White's position would be slightly more appealing.}) 16...
Bxf3 $1 {A good moment to carry out this exchange.} 17. exf3 {An ambitious,
but strategically risky decision.} (17. Nxf3 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Re8 19. Rd2 Qf6 20.
Qb3 b6 $132 {[%csl Rc3,Rd5,Re2][%cal Gb8d8,Gc6a5]}) 17... Bxd4 18. Bxd4 Qd7 {
Black has a passed pawn in the centre, but White's king seems to be better
defended than his rival, because of the extra pawn on this wing. Aronian's
main plan is to block the enemey queenside pawns on dark squares and then
simplify to an ending where the bishop could attack them with Bb8. However, if
this plan fails, the future looks promising for Black, who can combine the
threat of advancing the d4-pawn with a kingside attack.} 19. b4 b6 20. Rac1
Rbc8 21. Bb2 Rfd8 22. Rc2 Ne7 23. Rxc8 Nxc8 24. b5 Ne7 25. Qb3 Nf5 {From here,
the knight 1) overprotects the g7-square, 2) sustains the further advance of
the passed pawn, 3) puts the enemy kingside under pressure. Could we ask for
more than that?} 26. a4 h5 27. h3 Qe6 28. Kg2 Qe2 $1 {[%cal Gd5d4] This brave
intrusion of Her majesty puts White into some trouble.} 29. g4 $6 {He should
not have weakened his own king while there are queens on board still.} ({
Accepting that things had gone slightly wrong would have been wiser. White is
worse after} 29. Bd4 Qc4 30. Qd3 Qxd3 31. Rxd3 Nxd4 32. Rxd4 Kf8 $15 {[%cal
Gf8c5,Gf3f4,Gg3g4,Gg2f3] but he could try to generate some counterplay on the
kingside, where he still has an extra-pawn.}) 29... Nh4+ (29... Ne3+ $2 30.
Qxe3 Qxd1 31. Bxg7 $1 $16) 30. Kg3 Ng6 31. gxh5 Ne7 32. Kg2 Nf5 33. Bd4 Qe7 34.
Qd3 Qg5+ 35. Kh2 Re8 36. Bb2 Re3 $5 {This spectacular move is probably not the
best.} (36... Qf4+ $1 37. Kh1 (37. Kg1 $2 Ne3 38. fxe3 Qg3+ 39. Kf1 Qxf3+ 40.
Kg1 Qg3+ 41. Kf1 Rxe3 $19) (37. Kg2 $2 Nh4+ $19) 37... Ne3 38. Qe2 Nxd1 39.
Qxe8+ Kh7 40. Qe2 Nxb2 41. Qxb2 Qxf3+ $17) 37. fxe3 $2 $19 (37. Qxd5 $1 {
[%cal Gd5d8] would have paried the attack, because Black faces problems
avoiding the exchange of queens, while his rook is hanging.} Qf4+ 38. Kg1 Qg5+
(38... Re2 $6 39. Bc1 Qh4 40. Qd8+ $16 {[%csl Ra7,Rb6,Gb8] would lead to the
dream ending for White.}) 39. Kh2 $11) 37... Qg3+ 38. Kh1 Qxf3+ 39. Kg1 Nxe3
40. Rd2 Qg3+ 41. Kh1 Qxh3+ 42. Kg1 Qg3+ 43. Kh1 Qe1+ $1 44. Kh2 Qxd2+ 45. Qxd2
Nf1+ 46. Kg2 Nxd2 $19 {After a forced and well-calculated sequence, Black has
obtained decisive material advantage. White's counterplay on the queenside
will temporarily win one of the pawns back, but this will not be enough to
save the game.} 47. Be5 Ne4 48. Kf3 Nc5 49. Ke3 Nxa4 50. Kd4 Nc5 51. Kxd5 a6
52. bxa6 Nxa6 53. Kc6 Nc5 54. Bc7 Kh7 55. Bxb6 Ne4 56. Be3 Nf6 57. Kd6 Nxh5 58.
Ke5 Kg6 59. Bd2 f5 60. Be1 Kg5 0-1

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 4th"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2008.05.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2696"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2008.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 e6 7. Nc3 Nbd7 8. Bd2
Bb4 9. Bd3 O-O 10. a3 Ba5 11. O-O Re8 12. b4 Bc7 13. Rac1 dxc4 14. Bxc4 e5 15.
Bb3 exd4 16. exd4 Nb6 17. Bg5 h6 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Qxf6 gxf6 20. Rce1 f5 21.
Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. Rd1 Kg7 23. Kf1 Re7 24. Rd3 Rd7 25. Ke2 Bd8 26. Kf3 Bf6 27. Ne2
Nd5 28. Ng3 Kg6 29. Rd2 Ne7 30. Ne2 Kg7 31. Rd1 Rd8 32. Ke3 Nd5+ 33. Kf3 Ne7
34. Rd3 Nd5 35. Ng3 Kg6 36. Bc2 Ne7 37. Ne2 Kg7 38. g3 Nd5 39. Rd2 Nc7 40. Bxf5
Nb5 41. a4 Nxd4+ 42. Nxd4 Rxd4 43. Rxd4 Bxd4 44. b5 cxb5 45. axb5 a6 46. bxa6
bxa6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 4th"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2008.05.10"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2008.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7 12. Nxd7 ({The latest games with} 12. Nxf7
{haven't brought much clarity into the basic question: "Is this sacrifice
correct?"} Kxf7 13. e5 Nd5 14. Ne4 Ke7 15. Nd6 Rb8 $146 (15... Qb6 16. Bg4 Raf8
17. Qc2 Rhg8 18. Qg6 Nc7 19. Qe4 Ba8 20. f4 Nf6 $6 (20... c5 21. Qh7 cxd4 22.
fxg5 d3+ 23. Kh1 $40) (20... Kd8 $142 $5) 21. exf6+ Bxf6 22. fxg5 (22. Rad1 $18
) 22... Qxd4+ 23. Kh1 $16 {->, Kiselev,V (2504)-Gundavaa,B (2320)/Moscow op/
2008/}) 16. Bg4 c5 17. f4 $5 (17. Qc2 Qg8 18. Qg6 Nf8 $17) 17... Ne3 (17...
cxd4 $5) 18. fxg5 Nxf1 (18... Nxd1 $4 19. Rf7#) 19. Qxf1 Qf8 20. Qe2 Bd5 (20...
cxd4 21. Rf1 Qg8 22. g6 Kd8 23. Qd2 $1 $40) 21. Rf1 Qg8 22. g6 Kd8 23. dxc5 Kc7
24. Rf7 Kc6 {Beckhuis,G (2350)-Steingrimsson,H (2551)/EU-ch Plovdiv/2008/} 25.
b4 $5 $44) 12... Nxd7 13. Bd6 a6 14. Re1 $5 {In a very topical opening
position Radjabov plays Inarkiev's move. This is no surprise, as this year it
brought him a full point against Anand.} ({Another popular alternative is} 14.
a4 e5 {More enterprising is} 15. Bg4 (15. d5 c5 16. b4 Qb6 17. bxc5 Nxc5 18.
Bxc5 Qxc5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Rxa8+ Bxa8 21. Qa1 O-O 22. Qa5 Rb8 23. Rb1 Bf8 24.
Nxb5 f5 25. Qa6 Kh8 26. Nc3 Rxb1+ 27. Nxb1 Qb4 28. Qxa8 Qxb1+ 29. Bf1 Qb4 30.
exf5 c3 31. Qc8 (31. Qc6 e4 32. h4 g4 33. g3 Qc5 34. Qf6+ Bg7 35. Qd8+ Bf8 36.
Qf6+ Bg7 $11 {Alekseev,E (2716)-Bareev,E (2653)/WCup Khanty-Mansiysk/2007/})
31... e4 32. d6 Qxd6 33. Qxc3+ Bg7 34. Qc8+ Kh7 35. g3 Qd4 36. Qe8 Qe5 37. Qg6+
Kh8 $14 {/=^-, Kramnik,V (2799)-Karjakin,S (2732)/Nice rpd/2008/ White has an
advantage, but with P only on one flank the opposite-coloured B are a very
strong drawing factor.}) 15... exd4 16. e5 c5 17. Re1 Nxe5 18. Bxe5 O-O 19.
Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Ne2 f5 21. Bh5 f4 22. b4 cxb3 (22... d3 23. bxc5 d2 $5 (23... b4
24. Nd4 Qxd4 25. Re7+ Kh8 26. Rxb7 f3 $5 (26... Qxc5 27. Qe1 $40) 27. Qe1 $14 {
[%csl Rh8] |^,עh8}) 24. Rf1 f3 25. gxf3 Qd3 $44) 23. Qxb3 Qd5 24. Qh3 Bc8 25.
Nc3 $1 dxc3 26. Qxc3+ Qd4 27. Qf3 Ra7 28. axb5 Qf6 (28... Rf6 $142 $1 $14) 29.
Qa3 Qb6 30. Qc3+ Kg8 31. Re5 $16 {Kramnik,V (2799)-Aronian,L (2739)/Wijk aan
Zee/2008/}) 14... Bf8 ({The premiere game featured the risky} 14... c5 15. dxc5
Rc8 16. a4 $1 b4 17. c6 Bxc6 18. Nd5 {This sortie indicates, why the R is
useful on e1...} Ne5 (18... Bxb2 $142 $5 19. Be7 Qxe7 20. Nxe7 Kxe7 21. Bxc4
Nc5 $132) 19. Be7 Qd7 (19... Qa5 20. Bxb4 $36) 20. Nf6+ Kxe7 21. Nxd7 Bxd7 22.
Qd2 a5 23. Rad1 Rhd8 24. Qd6+ Ke8 25. Qb6 $16 {Inarkiev,E (2674)-Aronian,L 
(2741)/WCup Khanty-Mansiysk/2007/ Although White managed to lose the game (it
was a rapid tiebreaker), Black didn't want to repeat this adventure anymore.})
15. Bg3 ({Initially White tried} 15. Bxf8 Kxf8 $142 $1 {Here White would
prefer to have his R on f1 to get in a quick f4.} (15... Rxf8 16. b3 cxb3 (
16... b4 17. Na4 c3 18. a3 a5 19. d5 $1 Qe7 20. d6 Qf6 21. e5 $16 {Radjabov,T 
(2735)-Anand,V (2799)/Wijk aan Zee/2008/}) 17. Qxb3 Qb6 18. Red1 (18. d5 O-O-O
19. a4 $5 $44) 18... O-O-O 19. a4 Kb8 20. e5 f6 21. exf6 Nxf6 22. Qxe6 Qc7 23.
axb5 cxb5 24. Rdc1 Qd6 25. Qa2 Rc8 26. Bxb5 Ng4 {0-1 Citak,S (2319)-Firat,B 
(2182)/Ankara 2008/The Week in Chess 700}) 16. b3 cxb3 17. Qxb3 (17. axb3 Kg7
$13) 17... Kg7 18. a4 Qe7 19. Rad1 b4 $5 20. a5 bxc3 21. Qxb7 Rhb8 22. Qxc6 Rc8
23. Qa4 Nf6 $15 {[%csl Gc3] o^c3, Hillarp Persson,T (2535)-Wang Hao (2665)/
Gibraltar/2008/}) 15... Bg7 16. Bd6 Bf8 17. Bg3 Bg7 18. e5 $1 {[%cal Rc3e4,
Re4d6] /\Ne4-d6 A fighting attempt, again introduced by Inarkiev} (18. Bd6 $11)
18... c5 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] Opening the position is as usual risky, but
otherwise White's compensation is beyond doubt:} (18... O-O 19. Bf3 Qe7 (19...
Qb6 $5 {/\c5<=>}) (19... Rb8 $13) 20. Ne4 Nb6 (20... c5 21. Nxg5 $1 $14 {
[%csl Rg8] ׻}) 21. Qe2 Rad8 22. Rad1 Nd5 23. a3 Kh8 24. Qc2 a5 25. h4 $1 Nf4 (
25... gxh4 $2 26. Nf6 Nxf6 27. Bxh4 $16) 26. hxg5 hxg5 27. Bxf4 gxf4 {Inarkiev,
E (2684)-Cheparinov,I (2696)/GP Baku/2008/} 28. Nc5 $36) 19. d5 O-O 20. Bf3 Ra7
$6 {Now White gets strong pressure.} (20... exd5 $142 $5 21. Bxd5 (21. Nxd5 Re8
22. Nf6+ (22. e6 Rxe6 23. Rxe6 fxe6 24. Nc7 Bxf3 25. Qxf3 Ra7 26. Nxe6 Qf6 27.
Qd5 Qf7 $17) 22... Bxf6 23. Bxb7 Nxe5 24. Bxa8 Qxa8 $132) 21... Bxd5 22. Qxd5
Qe8 23. Rad1 (23. e6 fxe6 24. Rxe6 Qf7 $15) {<=>} 23... Rd8 $13) (20... Qb6 21.
d6 (21. dxe6 Bxf3 22. exf7+ Rxf7 23. gxf3 Qe6 $15) (21. Qc2 $5 $44) 21... Rad8
(21... b4 22. Na4 Qb5 23. Bxb7 Qxb7 24. Qc2 $14) 22. Rc1 Bc6 $5 $13) 21. dxe6 (
{The text-move is more straightforward, than} 21. d6 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 f5 23. exf6
Qxf6 24. Qe2 $44 {/+/=}) 21... Bxf3 {[%mdl 512]} (21... fxe6 22. Bg4 Qe7 23.
Qd6 Re8 24. Rad1 Ba8 25. Ne4 $44 {is attractive for White, so Aronjan decides
to sacrifice material.}) 22. exf7+ (22. Qxf3 $2 fxe6 23. Qc6 Qb6 {shows one
reason, why the R is useful on a7.}) 22... Rxf7 23. gxf3 Qe8 $1 (23... Rf8 $2
24. Qd5+ Kh8 25. e6 Nb6 26. Qxc5 $16 {/+-}) 24. e6 (24. Qd5 $5 Nb6 (24... Nf8
25. e6 Rfe7 26. Bd6 Nxe6 27. Bxe7 Rxe7 28. Re4 $16) 25. Qxc5 Qe6 26. a4 $36)
24... Re7 25. Qd5 {A practical choice, Radjabov declines the offer and strives
for activity. However, even after taking the knight White retains some winning
chances.} (25. exd7 Raxd7 26. Qc1 Rxe1+ 27. Qxe1 Qxe1+ 28. Rxe1 Rd2 29. Rb1 Kf7
$5 $14 {/~~} (29... b4 30. Na4 c3 31. bxc3 bxc3 32. Nxc5 c2 (32... Rxa2 $5) 33.
Rb8+ Kf7 34. Nb3 c1=Q+ 35. Nxc1 Rd1+ 36. Kg2 Rxc1 37. Rb7+ Kg8 38. Rb6 $14 {
/+/-}) (29... Bxc3 30. bxc3 Rxa2 (30... b4 31. Bc7 $1 a5 (31... bxc3 32. Rc1 c2
33. Kg2 $18) 32. Bxa5 Rxa2 33. Bxb4 $5 cxb4 34. Rxb4 $18) 31. Bd6 Rc2 32. Ra1
Rxc3 33. Bxc5 $16)) 25... Nf6 (25... Nb6 26. Qf5 $1 $36 (26. Qxc5 $6 Rxe6 $11))
26. Qxc5 Ra8 (26... Rab7 27. Rad1 $5 Rxe6 28. Rxe6 Qxe6 29. Rd6 $16) 27. Qf5 {
[%cal Rg3d6] /\Bd6} (27. a4 $6 Rc8 28. Qb4 bxa4 29. Qxa4 Rc6 $132) (27. Qb6 $5)
27... Rd8 (27... Qc6 28. Rad1 $16) (27... b4 28. Ne4 Nxe4 29. Qxe4 $16) 28.
Rac1 $6 (28. f4 b4 29. fxg5 hxg5 30. Ne4 Nxe4 31. Rxe4 Bxb2 32. Rb1 $16) (28.
Rad1 Rxd1 29. Nxd1 $16) (28. h4 $5 Qc6 29. hxg5 hxg5 30. Qxg5 Rxe6 31. Rxe6
Qxe6 32. a4 $1 b4 33. Ne4 $36 {Shipov}) 28... Qc6 $1 29. b3 (29. a4 $1 $14)
29... Rde8 {[%csl Re6] White loses his pride and his advantage evaporates.} 30.
a4 Rxe6 (30... cxb3 31. axb5 Qc4 $5 $11 {is more ambitious, but also roughly
equal. After being in serious trouble for a while, Aronian quite naturally
opts for a simpler solution.}) 31. Rxe6 Qxe6 32. Qxe6+ Rxe6 33. axb5 cxb3 (
33... axb5 34. Nxb5 cxb3 35. Rb1 Nd5 $11 {is sufficient as well, but the
text-move leads to further simplification.}) 34. Rb1 Nh5 $1 35. bxa6 Rxa6 (
35... Bxc3 36. a7 Ra6 (36... Re8 $2 37. Bb8 $18) 37. Rxb3 Rxa7 $11) 36. Rxb3
Bxc3 37. Rxc3 Kf7 $11 {With White's compromised P and play only on one flank a
draw is fairly obvious. But here we have the Sofia rules, so the players have
to make a few more useless moves.} 38. Rc4 Rf6 39. Kg2 Kg6 40. h4 Nf4+ 41. Bxf4
(41. Kf1 Nd5 42. Rd4 Rf5 $11) 41... Rxf4 42. Rc6+ (42. Rxf4 gxf4 43. Kh2 h5 $11
(43... Kf6 $11)) 42... Kh5 43. hxg5 hxg5 44. Kg3 Ra4 45. Rf6 Ra3 46. Re6 Ra4
47. Re4 Ra3 48. Rd4 Rb3 49. Kg2 Kg6 50. f4 gxf4 51. Rxf4 Kg5 52. Rf3 Rxf3 53.
Kxf3 Kf5 54. Ke3 Ke5 55. f4+ Kf5 56. Kd4 (56. Kf3 Kf6 $11) 56... Kxf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 4th"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2008.05.11"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2008.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 e6 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. O-O
Bd6 9. Nd2 O-O 10. e4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Bxe4 Qh4 13. Rd1 Nf6 14. Bc2 Rfd8
15. Be3 Bc7 16. b4 a6 17. a4 e5 18. dxe5 Bxe5 19. Rxd8+ Rxd8 20. Rd1 Re8 21.
Bb3 g6 22. a5 Kg7 23. b5 cxb5 24. cxb5 Qb4 25. bxa6 bxa6 26. Bb6 Rc8 27. Ba2
Rc2 28. Bb1 Rd2 29. Rxd2 Qxd2 30. Bd3 Bc3 31. g3 Bxa5 32. Bd4 Bd8 33. Qd5 Bb6
34. Bxf6+ Kxf6 35. Qf3+ Kg7 36. Bxa6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 4th"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2008.05.12"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D12"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2008.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Nxg6 hxg6 8. a3
Nbd7 9. g3 Be7 10. b3 (10. f4 {which was successfully experimented with by
Topalov in the World Championship match against Kramnik, might be a better way
to fight for an opening advantage.}) 10... e5 {White is making a lot of moves
with his pawns, delaying natural development. Therefore, this thrust in the
centre looks very logical.} (10... O-O $6 11. Bg2 b5 12. c5 a5 13. Bb2 Qc7 14.
O-O Rfe8 15. f4 Nh7 16. g4 f5 17. g5 $16 {1-0 Eljanov,P (2701)-L'Ami,E (2598)/
Germany 2007/EXT 2008 (65)}) 11. cxd5 (11. Bg2 e4 12. O-O Nb6 13. Bd2 Qd7 14.
c5 Nc8 15. f3 exf3 16. Qxf3 Bd8 17. h3 Ne7 18. g4 g5 19. Rae1 O-O 20. e4 dxe4
21. Qf2 Ned5 22. Nxe4 Nxe4 23. Rxe4 Bf6 $11 {1/2-1/2 Sasikiran,K (2700)
-Svetushkin,D (2588)/Moscow 2007/CBM 117 (61)}) 11... Nxd5 $1 12. Nxd5 $6 {
After this careless exchange I already don't see a clear way for White to
equalize. It seems that Aronian wasn't well prepared for this opening
variation.} (12. Bb2 Nxc3 (12... Qa5 $6 13. Qc2 $1 exd4 14. b4 Qd8 15. Nxd5
cxd5 16. Bxd4 $14) 13. Bxc3 exd4 14. Bxd4 Bf6 (14... Qa5+ $6 15. b4 Qd5 16.
Bxg7 Qxh1 17. Bxh8 O-O-O 18. Bd4 $14) 15. Bg2 $11 {White does not have more
than equality here.}) 12... Qa5+ $1 {A very annoying check.} 13. Nc3 (13. Bd2
$2 Qxd5 $17 {[%csl Rd4,Rh1]}) 13... Qxc3+ 14. Bd2 Qb2 15. d5 $6 $146 {Trying
to weaken some light squares in Black's camp. Actually, this idea does not
work out properly. On the other hand, Black is already better in all lines.} (
15. Bg2 exd4 16. exd4 Qxd4 17. O-O O-O $6 (17... O-O-O $15) 18. Bb4 Qxd1 19.
Rfxd1 Bxb4 20. Rxd7 Bc3 21. Rc1 Bb2 22. Rc2 Bxa3 23. Rxb7 Rab8 24. Rxa7 Rxb3
25. Bxc6 Rb1+ 26. Kg2 Rc1 27. Rxc1 Bxc1 28. Bd5 $14 {1-0 Wang Yue (2644)
-Bobras,P (2542)/Cappelle la Grande 2007/CBM 117 ext (75)}) ({White is not
able to trap the queen after} 15. Rb1 Qxa3 16. b4 exd4 17. exd4 O-O $17) (15.
Qb1 Qxb1+ 16. Rxb1 exd4 17. exd4 Nb6 $15 {[%csl Rd4,Gd5]} (17... Bxa3 $2 18. b4
{[%csl Ra3]})) 15... cxd5 16. Bb5 a6 (16... Rd8 {was possible as well.} 17. Rb1
Qxa3 18. b4 e4 19. Rb3 Qa2 20. Bc3 d4 $1 21. Bxd4 a6 $17) 17. Bxd7+ Kxd7 {
The king feels okay in the centre. White's pieces are passive and can't really
harass the black monarch.} 18. O-O e4 19. Bc3 $2 {Aronian preferred to
sacrifice a piece for some practical chances to suffering with a pawn down.
Frankly speaking, this looks more like a bluff.} (19. Bb4 Qe5 20. Bxe7 Kxe7 $17
) 19... Qxc3 20. Qxd5+ Ke8 21. Rac1 Qd3 22. Qxb7 Rd8 23. Rfd1 (23. Rc7 Bf6 24.
Rfc1 Rh5 $19) 23... Qxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 25. Kg2 a5 {All Black needs now is to
coordinate his forces. This is not that trivial, since his king has lost the
right to castle.} 26. g4 {Trying to prevent the activation of the rook via h5
square.} Kf8 27. Qxe4 g5 $1 28. Qf5 {[%csl Ra5]} Bd8 29. Qc5+ Kg8 30. Qe5 g6
31. b4 axb4 32. axb4 Kh7 33. b5 Rf8 34. Qc5 Kg8 {Black managed to "castle".
The rest is pure technique.} 35. b6 {This is already a lack of concentration.
Anyway, White's position is completely lost.} Rb1 {[%csl Rb6]} 36. f4 Rb2+ 37.
Kg3 gxf4+ 38. exf4 Bxb6 39. Qc3 Rb1 40. f5 Rg1+ 41. Kh3 Re8 42. Qf6 Bf2 43.
Qg7+ {The last try.} Kxg7 44. f6+ Kf8 {Avoiding the last easy trap. White
resigned.} (44... Kxf6 $4 45. g5+ {could lead to stalemate!}) 0-1

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 4th"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2008.05.14"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D47"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2008.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. a3 Bb7 11. h3 {A prophylactic move anticipating 11...e5.} (
11. Qc2 {- see Svidler-Karjakin in this issue (Baku section).}) 11... e5 (11...
Qe7 12. Ng5 e5 13. Qc2 h6 14. Nge4 Bb8 15. Bd2 a5 16. Rfe1 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Nf6
18. dxe5 Nxe4 19. Nxe4 Qxe5 20. f4 Qe7 21. Nc5 Ba7 22. Nxb7 Qxb7 23. Bxa5 Bxe3+
24. Rxe3 Rxa5 25. Rc1 b4 26. axb4 {1/2-1/2 Ostenstad,B-Stokke,K/Hamar 2007/CBM
119 ext}) (11... Re8 $5 12. e4 (12. Qc2 e5 {- game}) 12... e5 13. Bg5 a6 (13...
h6 14. Bh4 a6 15. Bc2 Rc8 16. Qd2 c5 17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. Rad1 Qb6 {1/2-1/2 Braun,
A-Ribli,Z/Germany 2007/CBM 118}) 14. Re1 c5 15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Bc2 Qb6 17. Be3
Rad8 18. Qe2 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 Qxe3 20. Rxe3 Nb6 21. Bb3 h6 $11 {0-1 Tomic,
I-Pekarik,B/Croatia 2005/EXT 2007 (54)}) 12. Qc2 Re8 13. Bd2 Qe7 14. Ng5 $146 (
14. Ne4 Nxe4 15. Bxe4 Nf6 16. dxe5 Nxe4 17. Qxe4 {1/2-1/2 Gligoric,
S-Trifunovic,P/Bled 1961/MCL}) 14... h6 15. Nge4 Bc7 16. Rfe1 Bb6 17. Ng3 Rad8
18. Rad1 Qf8 19. Nce2 {[%mdl 32] Typical lengthy manoeuvring in a roughly
equal but complex position.} a6 (19... a5 $5) 20. b4 h5 $6 {This pawn will
eventually be weak.} (20... Nd5 {looks more solid.}) 21. Bc3 h4 22. Ne4 Nd5 23.
Nc5 Nxc5 24. dxc5 Bc7 25. Bb2 Bc8 $6 (25... Nf6 $5 {in order to make White's
access to the h4-pawn more difficult.}) 26. Bh7+ Kh8 27. Bf5 Bxf5 28. Qxf5 $14
{The weakness of Black's h4-pawn is now obvious.} Qe7 29. Nc3 Nxc3 30. Bxc3 Kg8
31. Qe4 Qe6 {Giving up the pawn at once for activity.} (31... Qf6 32. Qg4 Qe7
33. e4 {[%cal Rc3d2,Rd2g5]} Rxd1 34. Rxd1 Rd8 35. Rxd8+ Qxd8 36. Be1 {[%cal
Yf2f3]}) 32. Qxh4 ({Paradoxically,} 32. Rxd8 {, giving up the open file, was
probably more accurate:} Rxd8 (32... Bxd8 33. Rd1 Be7 $14 {is probably better})
33. Qxh4 f6 (33... Qb3 $2 34. Bxe5) (33... Rd3 34. Rc1 Qb3 35. Qe7 Qxa3 36. Rb1
$1 Qxc3 37. Qxc7 $16) 34. Qe4 Qb3 35. Ba1 Rd5 36. Qf5 {[%cal Rf5c8]} Rd8 37.
Rf1 Kf7 (37... Qxa3 $2 38. Qe6+) 38. h4 Qxa3 $140 39. Qf3 Rd5 40. Qh5+ Ke7 41.
Qh8 Kf7 42. Qc8 $16) 32... Qb3 $1 33. Rc1 (33. Rxd8 $4 Bxd8 $19) 33... Qxa3 $2
({After} 33... Rd3 $1 {White has nothing better than a lucky perpetual after}
34. Qe4 (34. Ba1 Qxa3 35. Qe4 Rd5) 34... Rxc3 35. Qxc6 Re7 36. Qa8+ Kh7 37.
Qe4+ Kg8 $1) 34. Qe4 {[%cal Re4c6,Re4c2] With an unexpected double threat: to
win the crucial c6 pawn and to trap the black queen.} a5 (34... Rd5 $2 35. Qc2
Qa4 36. Qb2 $18 {[%cal Rc1a1]}) 35. Qxc6 axb4 36. Bxb4 Qxb4 37. Qxc7 {The
white c-pawn is stronger than the black b-pawn.} Rc8 38. Qa7 Re6 39. Red1 Qe4 (
39... Rec6 40. Qe7 R6c7 41. Qxe5 Rxc5 42. Rxc5 Qxc5 43. Rd8+ Kh7 44. Rd5 $18)
40. Qd7 Rec6 41. Qb7 b4 42. Rd7 {White combines the threat of the pawn advance
with the attack on Black's b-pawn and his weakened king.} Qf5 43. Rd5 Rg6 44.
Kf1 b3 45. Qxb3 $18 {Two extra pawns are quite enough to win.} Qg5 46. g3 Qf5
47. Kg2 Rf6 48. Rd2 Qf3+ 49. Kh2 Rd6 $5 50. Qa2 (50. Rxd6 $5 Qxf2+ 51. Kh1 Qf3+
52. Kg1 Qxg3+ 53. Kf1 $18) 50... Rxd2 51. Qxd2 Rc6 52. Kg1 Rh6 53. Qd1 Qc6 54.
h4 Rf6 55. Qg4 g6 56. h5 Kg7 57. e4 Kh6 58. hxg6 fxg6 59. Kg2 Kg7 60. Qe2 Rf7
61. Rc4 g5 62. Qh5 Qf6 63. Rc2 Qd8 64. c6 Qd3 65. Qxg5+ Kf8 66. Qh6+ Kg8 67.
Rd2 Qxe4+ 68. Kh2 Rf8 69. c7 Qf5 70. f3 1-0

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 4th"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2008.05.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2696"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2008.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. c3 Rb8 ({This is more popular and
possibly bettar than} 12... Nc6 {Anand,V (2792)-Grischuk,A (2726)/Mexico City
2007/CBM 120/[Marin,M] (1-0, 50)}) 13. d4 Qc7 14. dxe5 {White releases the
tension in the centre in order to ensure the c4-square for his knight.} (14.
Nf1 {was examined in the comments to the aforementioned game.}) 14... dxe5 15.
Nc4 Rd8 {The obvious drawback of the early exchange of pawns, but there is no
such thing as the perfect move in the well-analyzed opening variations...} 16.
Qe2 b3 $5 {The operation initiated by this move is likely to lead to the loss
of a pawn, but, hopefully, White's normal development will be slowed down.
From strategic point of view, Black is more or less forced to play so, in
order to prevent White from obtaining a perfect blockade on light squares.} 17.
Nxa5 {Forced.} (17. Bb1 $4 {would be an irremediable blunder, because after}
Nxc4 18. Qxc4 Be6 {followed by ...c4, White's would play the rest of the game
without his light-squared bishop and queen's rook. He cannot even get some
counterplay with} 19. Qxa6 {because after} c4 {the queen would share a similar
fate, being under the additional threat of being captured.}) 17... Qxa5 18. Bb1
c4 $5 $146 {The most consistent continuation. Black immediately gives up the
c-pawn, in order to keep the enemy bishop (and the a1-rook) passive for as
long as possible. At the same time, the c5-square is cleared for the black
pieces.} ({Half-measures would not work out well. After} 18... Qc7 $6 19. Bd3
$1 $14 {White achieved his main strategic aim.} a5 20. Bg5 {[%csl Rd5][%cal
Gg5f6,Gd3c4,Gf3d2]} Nh5 21. Be3 $1 {The exchange of the light-squared bishops
would relieve Black's position.} Bb7 22. Bc4 h6 (22... Bxe4 23. Ng5 Bg6 24.
Nxf7 Bxf7 25. Bxf7+ Kxf7 26. Qxh5+ Kg8 27. Rad1 $14 {leaves Black with lots of
weaknesses. However, White should be careful not to allow the far advanced
enemy pawns become mobile by tactical means (for instance, with ...Ba3, in
case of mass simplifications).}) 23. Nd2 Nf4 24. Bxf4 exf4 25. Nxb3 $16 {
Carlsen,M (2714)-Adams,M (2729)/Moscow 2007/EXT 2008 (1-0, 63)}) 19. Qxc4 ({
The main alternative is to capture with the knight:} 19. Nd2 Bg4 $5 20. Nxc4 (
20. f3 $2 Qc5+ 21. Kh1 Be6 $19 {[%csl Ra1,Rb1]}) 20... Qc5 21. Qf1 Be6 22. Ne3
{[%csl Rd5][%cal Gc3c4,Gb1d3] True, White's position temporarily looks passive,
but Black has to work out some tactical details in order to prevent the
favourable occupation of the d5-square by means of c4 and Nd5.}) 19... Bc5 {
This tempting move will eventually lead to simplifications. Since the highest
priority is to prevent the re-development of the b1-bishop, it would have made
sense to double rooks along the d-file as soon as possible. However, choosing
the optimal form to do it is far from easy.} ({For instance,} 19... Rb7 {
[%cal Gb7d7] may not be that good, because it would create some problems of
coordination after} 20. Qe2 Rbd7 21. h3 {[%cal Gc1e3]} (21. Be3 Ng4 $15) {
For instance} 21... Qc7 (21... Bb7 22. Qc4 {[%cal Gc4b3]}) 22. Be3 Bb7 23. a5 {
[%cal Ge3b6]} Bc5 24. Bxc5 Qxc5 25. Ra3 {[%cal Ga3b3]}) 20. h3 {With his
development incomplete yet, White has to be careful.} (20. Qe2 $6 Ng4 21. Rf1
Qb6 22. Bd2 (22. h3 Nxf2 $1) 22... a5 23. h3 Ba6 24. c4 Nxf2 25. Rxf2 Bxc4 26.
Qxc4 Bxf2+ 27. Kh1 Be3 $17) 20... Qb6 21. Be3 (21. Qe2 Qd6) 21... Bxe3 22. Rxe3
Rd1+ 23. Re1 Rxe1+ 24. Nxe1 {White's placement of his pieces does not look
that great, but he has maintained his extra pawn and enabled the
re-development of the bishop.} Be6 25. Qe2 Nd7 26. a5 Qd6 27. Bd3 Nc5 28. Bc4
Bxc4 29. Qxc4 g6 30. Nf3 Rd8 {Still, Black has stabilized the queenside
position, where he is a pawn down, maintaining firm control of the only open
file.} 31. Re1 Qc7 32. g3 Kg7 33. Re2 Rd3 34. Kg2 Qd6 35. Ng5 {The only wing
where White can hope to make some progress is the kingside.} (35. h4 {[%cal
Gh4h5] comes into consideration, too.}) 35... Qe7 36. Re3 $6 {White
unnecessarily spoils his pawn structure and weakens the king's position.} (36.
Nxf7 Qxf7 37. Qxc5 {is met by} Qf3+ {when White has to find the only saving
move} 38. Kh2 Qxe2 39. Qe7+ {with perpetual.} Kh6 40. Qf8+ Kh5 41. g4+ Kg5 $8
$11) ({He was under no immediate threat and could have started a slow
positional attack onthe kingside with} 36. h4 {for instance} Kg8 {What else?
Black is in some sort of zugzwang, with his pieces placed on optimal position
already.} (36... Rd1 $6 37. Re3 $1 {[%cal Ge3f3]} h6 38. Nxf7 Nd7 39. Qxb3 Rd2
40. Rf3 Nf6 41. g4 Nxg4 42. Qb8 Nf6 43. Nxe5 $16) (36... h6 $6 37. Nf3 Qd6 38.
h5 $36 {[%csl Rg6]}) 37. Nf3 Qd6 38. h5 $36 {In conclusion, the objective
merits of Black's novelty in this game are to be proved still.}) 36... Rxe3 37.
fxe3 Qd7 38. Nf3 Qd1 $1 $11 {Perpetual check cannot be avoided now.} 39. Qxc5
Qe2+ 40. Kg1 Qxf3 41. Qxe5+ Kg8 42. Qb8+ Kg7 43. Qe5+ Kg8 44. Qb8+ Kg7 45. Qe5+
1/2-1/2

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 4th"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2008.05.16"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E97"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2008.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5
Ne7 9. b4 Nh5 10. Re1 a5 {Quite an unpretentious reaction to the 9.b4 system,
which eventually gives White slightly better prospects.} 11. bxa5 Rxa5 12. Nd2
Nf4 13. Bf1 c5 14. a4 Ra6 15. Ra3 {A typical manoeuvre in the ...a7-a5 lines.
The rook is protecting White's kingside, and now he plans Nc3-b5 and then
g2-g3 pushing away the black f4 knight.} Nh5 {The knight retreats voluntarily
in order to take the defensive e8 square. The point is that White can hardly
break through on the queenside so Black must take measures aganst White's
kingside plans (g2-g3 and f2-f4 etc.)} (15... g5 {and}) (15... Kh8 {are the
main theoretical moves.}) 16. Nb5 Nf6 17. Bb2 Ne8 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (17... Nd7
$143 18. g3 f5 19. f4 $1 (19. exf5 gxf5 20. Bg2 Ng6 21. h4 e4 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23.
f4 Nf6 24. Nf1 Ne7 25. Ne3 Neg8 26. Bh3 Nh6 $13 {1/2-1/2 Shirov,A-Bologan,V/
Tallinn 2000/CBM 074 ext (56)}) 19... g5 $6 (19... exf4 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. gxf4
fxe4 22. Nxe4 $36 {Xu Jun}) 20. fxg5 f4 21. Bh3 Nb6 22. Bxc8 Nexc8 23. a5 Nd7
24. Qg4 Rxa5 25. Rxa5 Qxa5 26. Bc3 Qd8 27. Ra1 $16 {1-0 Xu Jun-Magai,V/
Istanbul 2000/EXT 2001 (34)}) 18. Nf3 (18. g3 f5 19. f4 exf4 20. Bxg7 Nxg7 $1 {
- that's the idea behind 17...Ne8!}) 18... h6 (18... f5 $5 19. Ng5 fxe4 20.
Nxe4 Nf5 {[%csl Yd4]}) 19. g3 f5 20. exf5 Nxf5 21. Nd2 Nf6 22. Bd3 Rf7 {
Although the unnecessary 18...h6 has weakened Black's position, it remains
very solid. The impossibility for White to break through on the queenside is a
key factor.} 23. Bc2 Bd7 24. Qb1 Rf8 25. Rf3 h5 26. Ne4 Nxe4 27. Rxe4 Ra8 28.
Re1 Rc8 29. Bc1 Ra8 30. Bd2 b6 31. Be3 e4 $5 {Black takes an opportunity to
activate his bishop but it was quite good enough to wait.} 32. Rf4 $6 (32. Bxe4
$142 Rxa4 33. Qc2 Rb4 $13) 32... Nxe3 33. fxe3 Bh6 $6 {This enables an
exchange sac, for which White receives strong compensation.} (33... Qe7 $1 $15
34. Rxe4 Be5 {[%csl Re4]}) 34. Nxd6 $1 Bxf4 35. gxf4 $6 {Weakening White's own
king and giving Black good counter-attacking possibilities.} (35. exf4 $1 g5
36. fxg5 Qxg5 37. Nxe4 Qh6 38. d6 $13) 35... Qh4 (35... g5 $1 36. Nxe4 (36. Kh1
Bg4) 36... gxf4 37. exf4 Rxf4 38. Kh1 Bg4 39. Bd1 Bf5 $36) 36. Re2 $6 {An
obvious but unnecessary transfer of the rook.} (36. Nxe4 $142 Qg4+ (36... Bf5
37. Re2 $1) 37. Ng3 Bf5 (37... h4 $2 38. Bd1) (37... Bxa4 38. Bd3) 38. Kf2 $13)
36... Bg4 (36... Bh3 $1 $40) 37. Rg2 g5 38. f5 $2 (38. Nxe4 {was not late:}
gxf4 39. exf4 Rxf4 40. Rg3 $13 {[%cal Rb1b6]} Raf8 41. Bd3 Qe7 $5 (41... Rf3
42. Qxb6 Rxd3 43. Qg6+ $11) 42. Rg2 $1 {[%cal Rh2h3]} (42. h3 $2 Rf3) (42. Qxb6
$2 Qxe4 $1) 42... Rf3 43. Be2 R3f4 44. Bd3 $11) 38... Bxf5 39. Rg3 $2 {Losing
instantly.} (39. Bxe4 $142 Bh3 (39... Bxe4 $5 40. Nxe4 Ra7 41. Rxg5+ Rg7 $17)
40. Nf5 $1 Bxg2 $1 ({but not} 40... Rxf5 41. Bxf5 Bxg2 42. Qxb6 $1 Qe1+ 43.
Kxg2 Qe2+ 44. Kg1 Qxe3+ 45. Kg2 {and Black must give a perpetual}) 41. Nh6+ $1
(41. Nxh4 Rf1+ 42. Kxg2 Rxb1 43. Bxb1 gxh4 {and Black should win as he blocks
the white pawns.}) 41... Kg7 42. Qb2+ $1 Rf6 $8 43. Nf5+ Kf7 44. Nxh4 Bxe4 45.
Ng2 h4 $17 {- two black rooks are stronger than the white queen but the black
bishop is especially powerful.}) 39... Bh3 40. Bxe4 Rf1+ 41. Qxf1 Bxf1 42. Bf5
g4 43. Be6+ Kh7 44. Bf5+ Kh8 0-1

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 4th"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2008.05.17"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2008.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 e6 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. O-O
Bd6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Bd2 Re8 11. Qd1 dxc4 12. Bxc4 a6 13. a4 c5 14. dxc5 Nxc5 15.
Qc2 Rc8 16. Rfd1 Qe7 17. Rac1 Rc7 18. Be1 Rec8 19. Be2 h6 20. Bf3 Ncd7 21. Qb3
Ne5 22. Be2 Bb4 23. Rc2 Nc6 24. Bf3 Ne5 25. Be2 Nc6 26. Bf3 Ne5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 4th"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2008.05.18"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2708"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2008.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. h3 O-O 7. Bd3 c5 8. O-O Nc6
9. Re1 Nb4 10. dxc5 Nxd3 11. Qxd3 Bf5 12. Qe2 dxc4 13. e4 Be6 14. Ng5 Qd3 15.
Qxd3 cxd3 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Be3 Nd7 18. Rad1 Rfc8 19. Na4 b5 20. cxb6 axb6 21.
Rxd3 Ne5 22. Ra3 b5 23. Nc5 Nc4 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. Nxe6 Bxb2 26. Nc7 Rxa2 27.
Nxb5 Ra5 28. Nc7 Nxe3 29. fxe3 Ra4 30. Rb1 Bf6 31. Kf2 Rxe4 32. Kf3 Ra4 33. Nd5
Kf7 34. g4 Be5 35. Rb7 Bd6 36. Nc3 Ra5 37. Ne4 Ke6 38. h4 h5 39. g5 Be5 40.
Rb6+ Kf7 41. Rb1 Ra3 42. Rd1 Bc7 43. Rb1 Be5 44. Rd1 Bc7 45. Rb1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Akopian, Vladimir Eduardovic"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D14"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2673"]
[PlyCount "20"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Bf5 7. e3 e6 8. Bd3
Bxd3 9. Qxd3 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Akopian, Vladimir Eduardovic"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D14"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "20"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Bf5 7. e3 e6 8. Bd3
Bxd3 9. Qxd3 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Qxd5 Rad8 18. Qg2 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 Bxd3 20. Be3 Be4+
21. f3 Bc6 22. Nd2 Rfe8 23. Bd4 h5 24. Kf2 f6 25. Rxe8+ Rxe8 26. Nf1 Kf7 27.
Ne3 Rd8 28. a3 Bc7 29. Re1 Rd7 30. Nc2 Bd6 31. Ne3 Bf8 32. h3 g6 33. g4 Bh6 34.
gxh5 Bxe3+ 35. Rxe3 gxh5 36. h4 Rd5 37. Kg3 Rf5 38. Bb6 Re5 39. Rd3 Rd5 40. Bd4
Rf5 41. Bb6 Rd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Qc2 c5 7. dxc5 Qa5+ 8. Nc3
dxc4 9. O-O Qxc5 10. Bg5 Nc6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Ne4 Qe7 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. Rfd1
e5 15. Qxc4 Be6 16. Qe4 Rfd8 17. Qe3 Rxd1+ 18. Rxd1 Rd8 19. Rxd8+ Qxd8 20. Nd2
Bd5 21. a3 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Qd5+ 23. f3 f5 24. Qc3 Qb5 25. Nc4 g6 26. Qd3 a5 27.
a4 Qc5 28. b3 Qd4 29. Qxd4 exd4 30. g4 fxg4 31. fxg4 Kg7 32. Kf3 d3 33. exd3
Nd4+ 34. Ke4 Nxb3 35. d4 Kf6 36. Kd3 Ke6 37. Kc3 Nc1 38. Nxa5 Kd5 39. Nxb7 Ne2+
40. Kd3 Nxd4 41. Ke3 Ne6 42. Kf3 Ng5+ 43. Kf4 Ne6+ 44. Ke3 h5 45. gxh5 gxh5 46.
Kf3 Kc6 47. Na5+ Kc5 48. Ke4 Kb4 49. Nc6+ Kxa4 50. Kf5 Nf8 51. Kf6 Kb5 52. Nb8
h4 53. Kf7 Nh7 54. Kg6 Nf8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.12"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E17"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 c6 8. e4 d5
9. e5 Ne4 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Nbd2 Nxd2 12. Bxd2 Nc6 13. h4 Qd7 14. h5 h6 15. Bf1
f5 16. exf6 Bxf6 17. Bf4 Qf7 18. Bh3 Bc8 19. Bg4 Bd7 20. Rc1 Kh8 21. Bd6 Rfe8
22. Rc3 Rac8 23. Rce3 Be7 24. Bxe7 Qxe7 25. Nh4 Qf6 26. Ng6+ Kg8 27. Rd3 Nb4
28. Rf3 Qg5 29. Rf4 Nc6 30. Qf3 Rcd8 31. Kg2 a5 32. a4 Bc8 33. Qc3 e5 34. Qxc6
Bxg4 35. Rxe5 Rxe5 36. Nxe5 Bxh5 37. Qxb6 Kh7 38. Qxa5 Rb8 39. Qxd5 Be8 40.
Qe4+ Kg8 41. Nc6 Bxc6 42. Qxc6 Qe7 43. d5 Rxb2 44. d6 Qe6 45. Qc4 Qxc4 46. Rxc4
Rd2 47. Rc6 Kf7 48. Rc7+ Kf6 49. d7 g5 50. a5 Ke7 51. a6 Ra2 52. a7 1-0

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D47"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. b3 Bb7 11. Bb2 Qb8 12. Rc1 Rd8 13. h3 a6 14. Ne4 Nxe4 15.
Bxe4 c5 16. Ng5 Bxe4 17. Nxe4 cxd4 18. Nxd6 Qxd6 19. Qxd4 Qxd4 20. Bxd4 f6 21.
Rfd1 e5 22. Bc3 Nc5 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Ba5 Rd5 25. Kf1 Kf7 26. Bb4 Nd3 27. Rc7+
Ke8 28. a3 Nxb4 29. axb4 Rd7 30. Rxd7 Kxd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Sargissian, Gabriel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2643"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. Nc3 e6 6. O-O Be7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4
d6 9. Bg5 a6 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. Qf4 O-O 12. Rfd1 Be7 13. Ne4 Bxe4 14. Qxe4 Ra7
15. Nd4 Rc7 16. b3 Rc5 17. e3 Qc7 18. a4 Re8 19. Rd2 Bf8 20. Rad1 Nd7 21. Qd3
Qc8 22. Qe2 Rc7 23. Qd3 g6 24. Qb1 Ne5 25. Qe4 Nd7 26. Qb1 Ne5 27. Qe4 Nd7
1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sargissian, Gabriel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2643"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Qc2 c5 7. dxc5 Qa5+ 8. Nc3
Qxc5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Ng5 Bxg5 11. Bxg5 Bd7 12. Bd2 Bc6 13. O-O Nxc3 14. Bxc3
Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Nc6 16. Qe4 Rfd8 17. Rad1 Qf5 18. Qxf5 exf5 19. h3 h5 20. Kf3 f6
21. g4 hxg4+ 22. hxg4 fxg4+ 23. Kxg4 Kf7 24. e4 Rxd1 25. Rxd1 Rd8 26. Rxd8 Nxd8
27. f4 Nc6 28. f5 g6 29. a4 a6 30. Kf4 b5 31. axb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.13"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 e6 {Alexander chooses a line
which was very popular a couple of years ago. Like many such lines, at a
certain moment people stopped playing it, without any obvious reason.} 6. b3 {
6.c5 is a different, but equally good continuation.} Bb4 {Luring the bishop to
d2 is a standard idea for Black in many closed openings.} 7. Bd2 O-O 8. Bd3
Nbd7 9. O-O Bd6 {9...Qe7 is also played here.} 10. Rc1 {White prepares for the
move 10...e5.} (10. e4 {leads to sharper play.}) 10... e5 {Since not many
games have been played in this variation, it is hard to say what is best here.
Both 10...Re8 and the mysterious 10...h6 have also been played.} 11. cxd5 cxd5
12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Ne2 {This is the idea of moving the rook from
a1. Now White threatens to exchange Black's only good piece by Bc3.} Bg4 {
A logical move. Black tries to exchange off his bad bishop.} ({It would be
interesting to play} 14... Ne4 {after which White must continue} 15. Bb4 Re8
16. f3 {The possible} Qh4 17. Nf4 g5 {is sharp, although Black's position
looks a little dubious.}) ({It is easy to see that} 14... Bxh2+ 15. Kxh2 Ng4+
16. Kg3 Ne5 {leads to nothing after} 17. Qc2 {.}) 15. f3 {Since after this, 16.
Bc3 cannot be prevented, I did not think too long.} Bh5 16. Bc3 Qd6 ({On} 16...
Re8 {White must continue} 17. Qd2 {. In principle, individual moves do not
change much in such positions. White has a stable advantage.}) 17. Bxe5 Qxe5
18. Qd2 Rfe8 {Natural, but not best. Now Black does not succeed in exchanging
a pair of rooks, which means losing control of the c-file.} ({Strongest was} 
18... Bg6 {with a slightly worse position.}) 19. Rc3 {Using a nice tactic,
White takes control of the centre.} Bg6 {Black exchanges bishops whilst he can,
although thois does not solve his problems.} ({Alexander possibly disliked} 
19... Rac8 {because of the forced piece sacrifice} 20. Rxc8 Rxc8 21. g4 Bg6 22.
f4 Qe7 23. f5 {. Even so, in my view this would be more interesting for Black.
Now he faces a difficult task.}) 20. Bxg6 {As in many such structures, it
favours White to double the black g-pawns. Now the black king lacks a
convenient post on g7.} hxg6 21. Qd4 {A good move. White threatens to occupy
the c-file.} Qe7 {A natural move in turn, but it proves inaccurate.} ({Black
has the possibility of} 21... Qe6 {, with the idea of luring the knight to f4,
when the queen retreats to e7, and he tries to attack White's centre with temo
by g5-g4. If White does not hit the queen, Black has better chances od defence,
since he can exchange a pair of rooks by ...Rac8.}) 22. Rfc1 Rad8 23. Kf2 {
White's play is very simple. By threatening exchanges, he gradually takes
cintrol of the important squares.} Qd6 24. h3 Rd7 {It is difficult to
recommend anything better than waiting tactics.} 25. Rc8 {A try-on.} Rde7 {
On 25...Rdd8 I would probably have come back to c3 and started advancing the
queenside pawns.} 26. R1c5 g5 {This move is quite out of place. Now Black's
position becomes technically lost.} ({He had to stick to patient defence with} 
26... Qd7 27. Rxe8+ Rxe8 28. Nf4 Rd8) 27. Qc3 Qe6 28. Rxe8+ Rxe8 (28... Nxe8 {
doesn't change much.}) 29. Nd4 Qe5 30. Rc8 {Having achieved a winning position
without any great effort, I relaxed.} ({Of course, it was stronger to play} 30.
Rc7 {and only after} Nh5 31. Rc8) 30... g6 31. Rxe8+ {A mistake. It was best
quietly to advance the pawn to a5.} Qxe8 {For some strange reason, Black also
errs.} ({After} 31... Nxe8 32. Qc8 Qe7 {White would have had to play very
accurately to convert his advantage. Now it is easier for White to find the
right continuation, because Black's pieces land up on bad squares.}) 32. Qc7
Qd7 33. Qe5 {The queen reaches a dominating position.} Nh7 {Now the knight is
dreadful. More stubborn is 33...Qd8 with the idea of keeping the knight on e8.}
34. a4 {It was also possible to start with the knight transfer, but I realised
that there was no hurry.} Qd8 ({After} 34... f6 35. Qe6+ {Black's position is
even worse.}) 35. Ne2 {Despite his inaccuracies, White has an extremely good
position and now starts to benefit from his opponent's mistakes. The knight
tranfers from a blockading post to an attacking one, guaranteeing White the
win of a pawn.} Nf6 36. Nc3 Qb6 {The pawn cannot be defended and Alexander
decides to sacrifice it to activate his queen. White threatened to bring his
king to d3 and then start eating the pawns.} 37. Nxd5 {I liked the queen
ending with the weak pawn on g5 rather more than the other favourable endings.}
Nxd5 38. Qxd5 Qb4 39. a5 {Other routes to victory may be still more accurate,
but by now it is really just a matter of taste.} b5 40. axb6 Qxb6 41. Ke2 Qc7
42. b4 Qc2+ 43. Qd2 Qb3 44. Kf2 {Given that Black cannot really do anything, I
decided not to hurry.} Kh7 45. Kg1 Qc4 46. e4 Kg7 47. Qd6 Qc1+ 48. Kh2 Qc3 {
The move 48...Qe3 was the only way to prolong resistance.} 49. e5 {A necessary
move.} Qc4 50. Qf6+ {A typical cheap trick. Stronger is 50.Kg1 followed by
bringing the king to the centre, with the aim of targetting the a6-pawn.} Kg8 {
After 50...Kh7 I would probably have taken the queen back to d6 and returned
to the normal plan.} 51. e6 Qc7+ ({The pawn ending arising after} 51... Qxe6
52. Qxe6 fxe6 {is lost, as can be seen easily after} 53. Kg3 {followed by Kg4
and f4, and the passed pawn decides the game.}) 52. f4 gxf4 53. exf7+ Qxf7 54.
Qxa6 Kg7 55. Qc6 Qb3 {An oversight in a lost mistake. After 55...Kh7 56.Qc3
White wins, although it would have taken longer.} 56. Qc7+ {After the loss of
the f4-pawn, it is all over, and therefore Alexander resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.13"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. Nc2 Bxe3 8.
Nxe3 Qe5 9. Bd3 d5 10. Nd2 dxe4 11. Bxe4 Be6 12. Qa4 O-O-O 13. Nf3 Qa5 14. Qxa5
Nxa5 15. Ng5 Rd6 16. O-O Nc4 17. Rfe1 Nxe3 18. Rxe3 h6 19. Nxe6 Rxe6 20. Rd1 c6
21. Kf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.14"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. d4 d5 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 e6 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. O-O
Bd6 9. Nd2 O-O 10. e4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Bxe4 Nf6 13. Bc2 Qa5 14. Rd1 Rfd8
15. Bd2 Bb4 16. Be3 Bf8 17. a3 Rd7 18. b4 Qd8 19. Rab1 Rc8 20. Rb3 b5 21. Rc3
a5 22. cxb5 cxb5 23. Bg5 Rxc3 24. Qxc3 axb4 25. axb4 Ne4 26. Bxe4 Qxg5 27. Qd3
g6 28. d5 Bxb4 29. Qxb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.14"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2708"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O a6 8. a4 a5
9. Ne5 Na6 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. b3 Bf5 12. Ba3 Rc8 13. Rc1 Nb4 14. Qd2 Qb6 15. g4
Be6 16. f4 Nd7 17. f5 Nxe5 18. fxe6 Nec6 19. exf7+ Rxf7 20. Rxf7 Kxf7 21. Nb5
Rf8 22. Rf1+ Kg8 23. Rxf8+ Bxf8 24. g5 e5 25. Bg4 exd4 26. exd4 Qd8 27. Be6+
Kh8 28. Qf4 Be7 29. Bxb4 Bxb4 30. Kg2 Bf8 31. Qf6+ Qxf6 32. gxf6 Nb4 33. Kg3 h5
34. Kf4 Nd3+ 35. Kg5 Kh7 36. Bxd5 Bb4 37. Be4 Bd2+ 38. Kh4 Be1+ 39. Kg5 Bd2+
40. Kh4 Be1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.15"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E17"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 Na6 8. Ne5
d5 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Nc3 c5 11. dxc5 Nxc5 12. Be3 Re8 13. Nd3 Ne6 14. Rc1 Ne4
15. Qa4 Bf6 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Red1 exd3 18. Bxb7 Nd4 19. Bxd4 dxe2 20. Re1 1-0

[Event "Yerevan Asrian Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2008.06.15"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2008.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nbd2 Nf4 12. Ne4 Na5 13. Bxf4 exf4 14. d4 Qd7
15. c3 Nxb3 16. axb3 Rfe8 17. Qd3 f5 18. Ned2 Bf6 19. Rxe8+ Rxe8 20. Re1 g6 21.
b4 Kg7 22. Kf1 Re6 23. Qb1 Bd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sochi FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2008.07.31"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Wang, Yue"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2704"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2008.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 e6 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. O-O
Bd6 9. Nd2 O-O 10. e4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Bxe4 Nf6 13. Bc2 e5 14. Bg5 h6 15.
Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Qxf6 gxf6 17. Rad1 exd4 18. Rxd4 Bc5 19. Rd7 Rab8 20. Rfd1 Rfe8
21. Kf1 Kf8 22. Bf5 a5 23. g3 Re5 24. Bg4 f5 25. Bf3 Re7 26. Be2 Rbe8 27. Rxe7
Kxe7 28. Kg2 Rd8 29. Rxd8 Kxd8 30. f4 Ke7 31. Bd3 Ke6 32. b3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sochi FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2008.08.01"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2008.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 a6 6. b3 Bb4 7. Bd2 O-O 8. Bd3
Nbd7 9. O-O Qe7 10. Ne5 {A relatively rare attempt to launch a kingside attack.
} (10. Qc2 {and}) (10. Qe1 {are more popular options.}) 10... Nxe5 11. dxe5 Nd7
12. f4 f6 {Or else:} (12... f5 13. cxd5 (13. Rf3 $5 {[%cal Yf3h3] Fi.Corrales})
13... exd5 14. Qc2 g6 15. Rfd1 a5 16. Ne2 Nc5 17. Nd4 Nxd3 18. Qxd3 Bd7 19. Nc2
Be6 20. a3 Bxd2 21. Qxd2 c5 22. b4 axb4 23. axb4 b6 $13 {1-0 Zubarev,
A-Hadzimanolis,A/Kallithea Halkidiki GRE 2008/The Week in Chess 714 (38)}) (
12... dxc4 13. bxc4 f5 (13... Bxc3 14. Bxc3 Nc5 15. Bc2 b5 16. Qh5 h6 17. Rad1
bxc4 18. Rd4 a5 19. Rf3 Nd3 20. Rg3 Qa3 21. Bd2 f5 22. exf6 Rxf6 23. Rd8+ Rf8
24. Qxh6 Qe7 25. Bc3 e5 26. Bxe5 Nxe5 27. Qh7+ {1-0 Najer,E-Ivanov,S/Moscow
2004/CBM 100}) 14. Rb1 (14. exf6 $142 Nxf6 15. Ne4) 14... a5 15. Qe2 b6 16.
Rfd1 Ba6 17. Na4 Nc5 18. Bc2 Bxd2 19. Rxd2 b5 20. Nxc5 Qxc5 21. cxb5 Bxb5 22.
Bd3 Rad8 $11 {0-1 Matveeva,S-Stefanova,A/Dagomys RUS 2008/The Week in Chess
702 (43)}) 13. Qc2 (13. exf6 $6 Nxf6 14. Ne2 Bd6 15. Bc3 e5 $15 {0-1 Winfield,
M-Baron,O/IECC 2006/Telechess CBM 113 (30)}) 13... h6 (13... fxe5 14. Bxh7+ Kh8
15. Rf3 $40) (13... g6 {apparently doesn't change much compared to 13...h6})
14. a3 (14. exf6 Nxf6 15. Kh1 (15. Na4 {1/2-1/2 Huzman,A-Corrales Jimenez,F/
Kitchener 2006/CBM 113 ext}) 15... Bd7 16. e4 d4 17. e5 dxc3 18. exf6 Qxf6 19.
Be1 c5 20. a3 Ba5 21. Rb1 Bc6 22. b4 Bc7 23. Bxc3 Qh4 24. Be5 Bxe5 25. fxe5 Qd4
26. Qe2 Rad8 $11 {1-0 Moiseenko,A-Georgiev,K/Zlatibor 2006/EXT 2007 (45)})
14... Bc5 (14... Bxa3 15. Rxa3 $1 Qxa3 16. b4 $1 dxc4 (16... Qxb4 17. Nxd5 $1
Qc5 18. Bb4 $1) 17. Bxc4 Nb6 18. Nb1 $1 Qa4 19. Bb3 Qb5 20. Nc3 Qxb4 21. Nd5
Qb5 22. Nc7 Qe2 23. Rf2 Qh5 24. Qc5 Nd5 25. Nxa8 $18 {Fi.Corrales}) 15. b4 Ba7
(15... Bb6 $143 16. exf6 Nxf6 17. c5 {gaining a tempo} Bc7 18. e4 e5 19. exd5
cxd5 20. fxe5 Bxe5 (20... Qxe5 21. Bf4 $1 Qd4+ 22. Kh1 Bxf4 23. Ne2 $16) 21.
Rae1 Bd7 22. Bf4 Bd4+ 23. Kh1 Qd8 24. Ne2 Nh5 25. Bg6 Nxf4 26. Nxf4 Kh8 27. Qd1
(27. Bd3 $16) 27... Bc3 28. Bc2 Rxf4 29. Rxf4 Bxe1 30. Qxe1 Qe8 31. Qf2 $16 {
1-0 Roiz,M-Drozdovskij,Y/Port Erin 2007/CBM 120 ext (72)}) 16. exf6 Nxf6 17. c5
{This is necessary anyway!} b6 (17... e5 18. e4 $1 b6 19. exd5 bxc5 20. Bc4 (
20. Kh1 $142 $1 $16 cxd5 $140 (20... Ng4 21. h3) (20... Nxd5 21. Rae1) (20...
cxb4 21. fxe5 Qxe5 22. axb4) 21. fxe5 Qxe5 22. Nxd5 $1) 20... Kh8 21. Kh1 Ng4
22. h3 Bf5 23. Bd3 Bxd3 24. Qxd3 cxb4 25. d6 Qh4 26. Ne4 exf4 27. Bxf4 Nf2+ 28.
Nxf2 Bxf2 29. Be5 $44 {1-0 Vorobiov,E-Pokazanjev,N/Sochi 2006/EXT 2007 (42)})
18. cxb6 Bxb6 19. Na4 {[%mdl 32] A reminder of Nimzowitsch and his books:
Black has eliminated White's pawn chain but blockading pieces are coming in
its place.} Ba7 20. Rae1 e5 21. fxe5 (21. Qxc6 $5 {looks risky but there is no
obvious refutation. White prefers to obtain a small but clear edge.}) 21...
Qxe5 22. Nc5 Qe7 (22... Bb8 23. g3 Bh3 24. Rf4 Qe7 $140 25. Rh4 {[%cal Ye3e4]})
23. h3 Bxc5 $6 (23... a5 $5 {It is useful to exchange this potentially weak
pawn.}) 24. Qxc5 Qxc5 25. bxc5 Be6 (25... Re8 $5 {[%cal Yf6e4] Black has more
chances in the endgame with opposite-coloured bishops. If} 26. Bc3 Ne4 27. Bd4
{then} a5 {[%cal Yc8a6]}) 26. Bc3 Rab8 $6 (26... Ne4 $5 {was stll better.}) 27.
Rb1 $1 Nd7 (27... Ne4 {now loses a pawn:} 28. Rxf8+ Rxf8 29. Bxe4 dxe4 30. Rb6
{. Therefore Black must put this knight in a passive position.}) 28. Rxf8+ Rxf8
29. Bd4 {White doesn't fear a rook exchange. He had a pleasant alternative,
though:} (29. Rb7 $5 Rb8 30. Bxa6 Ra8 31. Be2 Rxa3 32. Bd4 $16) 29... Rb8 30.
Rxb8+ Nxb8 31. Kf2 {[%csl Ra6] The weak a6 pawn is crucial - Black has no
chances to resist White's bishop pair.} Kf7 32. Ke1 g6 33. Kd2 Bf5 34. Bf1 Ke6
35. Kc3 Bb1 36. Kb4 Ba2 37. Bd3 {[%csl Ra6,Rg6,Rh6] The principle of two
weaknesses in practice!} g5 38. g4 Bc4 39. Bf5+ Ke7 40. Bg7 Bf1 41. Bxh6 Bxh3
42. Bxg5+ Ke8 43. Bg6+ Kf8 44. Bf4 Nd7 45. Bd6+ Kg8 46. g5 1-0

[Event "Sochi FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2008.08.02"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2008.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 e6 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. O-O
Bd6 {A very modern method of solving the opening problems. Black is giving up
his light squared bishop for convenient development and a compact position.} 9.
Nc3 O-O 10. Bd2 Re8 11. Qd1 dxc4 12. Bxc4 a6 {Praxis so far has seen the
defenders solving the problems, despite the fact that opening of the position
is a sensitive issue due to the white bishop pair.} 13. Qc2 c5 (13... b5 14.
Be2 c5 15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Rfd1 Rc8 17. Rac1 Be7 18. Qb1 $14) 14. dxc5 Nxc5 15.
Rfd1 Rc8 16. Be1 Qe7 {Aronian has build up a very solid position, but it seems
next to impossible to achieve full equality.} (16... Qc7 17. Rac1 Red8 18. Be2
Nce4 19. g3 Nxc3 20. Qxc3 Qb8 21. Qb3 $14) (16... b5 17. Be2 Qc7 18. a3 Red8
19. Rac1 Nce4 20. g3 $14) 17. Rac1 Rc7 18. Be2 Rec8 19. Qb1 (19. Bf3 b5 20. Qb1
b4 21. Ne2 a5 22. Nd4 $14) 19... h6 20. Bf3 {The task for Ivanchuk will be to
show, how to generate some pressure with the help of the light-squared bishop.}
g6 (20... Be5 21. Ne2 b6 22. g3 $14) 21. Ne2 Rb8 22. Nf4 Ncd7 (22... Be5 23.
Bb4 b6 24. Nd3 Bd6 25. Nxc5 Bxc5 26. Bc3 $16) 23. Rxc7 Bxc7 24. Qc2 Ne5 25. Be2
{White's progress is not spectacular, but after the swap of the rooks his
pieces are breathing more freely.} Nc6 $2 {[%mdl 8192]} (25... Rd8 26. Rc1 Nc6
27. Nd3 (27. Bxa6 $2 Bxf4 28. exf4 Nd4 $19) 27... Nd5 $14) 26. Bxa6 $1 Bxf4 (
26... g5 27. Ne2 bxa6 28. Qxc6 Rxb2 29. Qxa6 $16) 27. exf4 Nb4 $2 {Misfortune
does not usually appear alone; after the mistake in 25th move we are
witnessing the consecutive one. In his calculations Black probably overlooked
some point, othewise he would surely resist the transformation to a position
in which he is simply a pawn down.} (27... Nd5 $1 28. Bf1 Nxf4 29. g3 Nd5 30.
Bg2 Rd8 31. a3 $14) (27... bxa6 28. Qxc6 Nd5 29. Bc3 $16) 28. Bxb4 Qxb4 29. a3
$1 Qf8 (29... Qxf4 30. Bxb7 Kg7 31. Bc6 $16) 30. Be2 Rc8 31. Qb3 Rc7 32. Bf3
Qc8 33. g3 Kg7 (33... Rc2 34. Rd8+ Qxd8 35. Qxc2 $16) 34. Qb4 h5 35. h4 Rc4 $6
{Aronian understood, that passive defense is probably not enough, but speeding
up the commotions will simply shorten his suffering.} 36. Qxb7 Qc5 37. b4 Qf5
38. Qe7 Ne4 (38... Rc3 39. Rd8 Nh7 40. Qb7 Rxa3 41. Rd7 $16) 39. Qa7 e5 (39...
Rc2 40. Qd4+ Nf6 41. a4 $18) 40. Qa6 Rc3 41. Qe2 {Ivanchuk did manage to
consolidate and the fight is effectively over.} Nf6 42. fxe5 Rxf3 43. exf6+ Kh7
(43... Qxf6 44. a4 Rb3 45. Qe4 Rb2 46. Qd4 $18) 44. Qe7 1-0

[Event "Sochi FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2008.08.03"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2008.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 8. Qc2
g6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bd3 Bg7 11. O-O O-O 12. b4 Qd6 13. Rab1 a5 14. bxa5 Rxa5
15. a4 Re8 16. h3 Nf8 17. Nd2 Ra7 18. Nb3 Ne6 19. Rfe1 Bf8 20. a5 Qd8 21. e4
Nf4 22. Re3 Bb4 23. exd5 Nxd3 24. Qxd3 Bf5 25. Rbe1 Bxd3 26. Rxe8+ Qxe8 27.
Rxe8+ Kg7 28. dxc6 bxc6 29. Na4 Bc4 30. Nac5 Bxc5 31. Nxc5 Rxa5 32. Re1 Ra2 33.
Rc1 Bd5 34. Nd3 Ra4 35. Ne5 Rxd4 36. Nxc6 Bxc6 37. Rxc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sochi FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2008.08.04"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A17"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2008.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. a3 Be7 7. d4 dxc4 8. Ne5
Nc6 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. Nxc6 Qe8 11. Nxe7+ Qxe7 12. Qa4 c5 13. Qxc4 cxd4 14. Qxd4
e5 15. Qb4 Qe6 16. Bg5 a5 17. Qh4 Nd5 18. Rc1 Rb8 19. Na4 f5 20. O-O f4 21. e4
fxe3 22. fxe3 Rxf1+ 23. Rxf1 h6 24. Nc5 hxg5 25. Rf8+ Kxf8 26. Nxe6+ Bxe6 27.
Qxg5 Rxb2 28. Qxe5 Rb1+ 29. Kf2 Kf7 30. Qh5+ Kf8 31. Qe5 Kf7 32. Qh5+ Kf8 33.
Qe5 Kf7 34. Qh5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sochi FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2008.08.06"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Al Modiahki, Mohamad"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2556"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2008.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nf5 8.
c3 O-O 9. d4 Nxe5 10. Rxe5 g6 11. Nd2 d5 12. Nf3 c6 13. Re1 Bd6 14. Bg5 f6 15.
Bd2 Ng7 16. Bd3 Be6 17. Bh6 Qd7 18. Nh4 Rae8 19. Qc2 Bf7 20. g3 b6 21. a4 Rxe1+
22. Rxe1 c5 23. Qd1 Re8 24. Rxe8+ Qxe8 25. Ng2 cxd4 26. cxd4 Ne6 27. Bb5 Qd8
28. Ne3 f5 29. Bc6 Qf6 30. Nxd5 Qxd4 31. Qxd4 Nxd4 32. Nf6+ Kh8 33. Bd5 Bxd5
34. Nxd5 Nb3 35. Nc3 Be5 36. Be3 Kg7 37. Kf1 Kf6 38. Ke2 g5 39. f3 f4 40. gxf4
gxf4 41. Bf2 Bd4 42. Nb5 Bxf2 43. Kxf2 a5 44. Nc7 Ke5 45. Na8 Nc5 46. Nxb6 Nd3+
47. Ke2 Nxb2 48. h4 Kd6 49. h5 Kc6 50. Nc8 Nxa4 51. Ne7+ Kc5 52. Ng6 Nc3+ 53.
Kd3 Nd5 54. Nf8 a4 55. Nxh7 a3 56. Kc2 Kc4 57. Ng5 Ne3+ 58. Kc1 Kb3 59. Ne4 a2
60. Nd2+ Ka3 61. Nb1+ Kb4 62. Kb2 axb1=Q+ 63. Kxb1 Nf5 64. Kb2 Nh6 0-1

[Event "Sochi FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2008.08.07"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D56"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2008.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7
Qxe7 9. Qc2 Nxc3 10. Qxc3 dxc4 11. Qxc4 b6 12. Rc1 c5 13. dxc5 Bb7 14. Qa4 Rc8
15. Be2 Rxc5 16. Rxc5 Qxc5 17. O-O Nc6 18. Rd1 Ne5 19. Nd4 a5 20. f4 Nc6 21.
Bf3 Rd8 22. Kf2 Nxd4 23. Bxb7 Qe7 24. Rxd4 Rxd4 25. Qxd4 Qxb7 26. Qd8+ Kh7 27.
Qd3+ Kg8 28. Qd8+ Kh7 29. Qd3+ Kg8 30. Qd8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sochi FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2008.08.08"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2008.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ne7 10. Ne4 Ng6 11. Nfg5 Ke8 12. f4 h6 13. Nf3 Bf5 14. Re1
Rd8 15. c3 Be7 16. Nd4 Bc8 17. Be3 h5 18. Rad1 h4 19. Nf3 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 f6 21.
exf6 gxf6 22. Kf2 Rh5 23. Bc1 Ra5 24. a3 Rd5 25. Re1 Kf7 26. g3 Rd8 27. Rg1 Bf5
28. Re1 Rh8 29. Kg2 Bd7 30. Nf2 Rg8 31. Ne4 b6 32. Kf2 Rh8 33. Rd1 Be6 34. Re1
c5 35. Rg1 Bf5 36. Re1 a5 37. Ned2 Be6 38. Nf1 f5 39. Ne3 Bf6 40. Rd1 hxg3+ 41.
hxg3 Bc8 42. Nd5 Rd8 43. Rd2 Rd7 44. Nxf6 Rxd2+ 45. Bxd2 Kxf6 46. Ne5 Nxe5 47.
fxe5+ Kxe5 48. Bf4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sochi FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2008.08.09"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2738"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2008.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bb4 7. Qb3 Bc5 8.
d3 c6 9. O-O O-O 10. Bg2 h6 11. Bd2 Re8 12. Rac1 Bf8 13. h3 d6 14. Kh2 a6 15.
Be3 Qe7 16. Rcd1 Rb8 17. Ba7 Ra8 18. Bb6 Nd7 19. Be3 f5 20. c5+ Kh8 21. cxd6
Qf6 22. d4 e4 23. f3 exf3 24. Rxf3 Bxd6 25. Bf4 Bxf4 26. Rxf4 Re3 27. d5 c5 28.
d6 Rxg3 29. Kxg3 Qg5+ 30. Kh2 Qxf4+ 31. Kh1 c4 32. Qb4 a5 33. Qb5 Nf6 34. Qb6
Bd7 35. e3 Qg3 36. Qxb7 Re8 37. Qf3 Qxf3 38. Bxf3 Rxe3 39. Kg2 g5 40. Nd5 Nxd5
41. Rxd5 g4 42. hxg4 fxg4 43. Bxg4 Bxg4 44. d7 Bxd7 45. Rxd7 Re2+ 46. Kf3 Rxb2
47. Rc7 Rc2 48. a4 c3 49. Ke4 Rc1 50. Rc5 c2 51. Kd3 Ra1 52. Kxc2 Rxa4 53. Kb3
Rb4+ 54. Kc3 Ra4 55. Kb3 Ra1 56. Kb2 Re1 57. Rxa5 Kg7 58. Kc2 Kg6 59. Kd2 Re8
60. Ra3 Kg5 61. Re3 Rf8 62. Ke2 Kg4 63. Re7 h5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sochi FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2008.08.11"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2687"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2008.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 ({The complications that
arise after} 5... Bh5 6. Nc3 e6 7. g4 Bg6 8. Ne5 {usually favour White.}) 6.
Qxf3 e6 7. Bd3 ({White can also choose a more challenging setup:} 7. Nc3 Nbd7
8. Bd2 {followed by queenside castling.}) 7... Nbd7 8. O-O Bd6 9. Nc3 O-O {
White has a pair of bishops, but Black's position has no weaknesses.
Objectively, the position is very close to equal.} 10. Bd2 Re8 11. Qd1 {
The white queen can achieve nothing on f3, where it might be attacked by
e6-e5-e4, and it is transfered to either c2 or b3, according to circumstances.}
dxc4 (11... Bc7 12. Qc2 (12. Qb3 dxc4 13. Bxc4 Nb6 14. Be2 e5 15. dxe5 Bxe5 16.
Rad1 Qe7 $11) 12... Rc8 13. Rad1 Qe7 14. Rfe1 e5 15. cxd5 e4 16. Bf1 cxd5 17.
Qb3 Nb6 18. Nb5 Bb8 19. Rc1 Qe6 20. Bb4 {1/2-1/2 Cheparinov,I (2713)-Movsesian,
S (2677)/Wijk aan Zee NED 2008/The Week in Chess 688}) 12. Bxc4 Qe7 $146 {
Levon improves on his own play. Black prepares the e6-e5 advance which was
impossible right away in view of Qd1-b3. The move 12...a6, previously played
by him, seems to me to be less useful.} (12... a6 13. Qc2 (13. a4 $6 {This
move weakens the b4-square.} c5 14. dxc5 Nxc5 15. Qc2 Rc8 16. Rfd1 Qe7 17. Rac1
Rc7 18. Be1 Rec8 19. Be2 h6 $11 {1/2-1/2 Ivanchuk,V (2740)-Aronian,L (2763)/
Sofia BUL 2008/The Week in Chess 706 (26)}) 13... c5 14. dxc5 Nxc5 15. Rfd1 Rc8
16. Be1 Qe7 17. Rac1 Rc7 18. Be2 Rec8 19. Qb1 h6 20. Bf3 g6 21. Ne2 Rb8 22. Nf4
$14 {1-0 Ivanchuk,V (2781)-Aronian,L (2737)/Sochi RUS 2008/The Week in Chess
717 (44)}) 13. Qc2 ({Black doesn't experience any difficulties after} 13. Qb3
Nb6 14. Be2 e5 {as well.}) 13... e5 14. Rae1 $6 {I don't like this move. I
think that White should develop his rooks to d1 and e1 respectively. The move
in the text could be justified only in the event that White manages to open
the f-file but, this can happen only with Black's assistance.} (14. Rfe1 Rad8
15. Rad1 Bb8 (15... Nb6 16. Bb3 e4 17. a4 Nbd5 {is equal but, White is not
worse here compared to the game.}) 16. Ne4 Nxe4 17. Qxe4 Nb6 18. Bb3 exd4 19.
Qxe7 Rxe7 20. exd4 {and White is very slightly better thanks to his great
light-squared bishop.}) 14... Rad8 (14... e4 $2 {would play into White's hands.
} 15. f3 exf3 16. Rxf3 $36) 15. Bb3 (15. f4 $6 {creates weaknesses only for
White.} exd4 16. exd4 Qf8 17. Bb3 Bc7 $1 18. Na4 (18. d5 Qc5+ 19. Kh2 Nxd5 20.
Nxd5 Qxc2 21. Bxc2 cxd5 $15) 18... b5 19. Nc5 Qd6 $15 {[%csl Rd4]}) 15... Bb8
16. Ne2 (16. Ne4 exd4 17. Nxf6+ (17. Ng5 $2 {[%csl Rf7]} d3 $1 18. Qxd3 Ne5 19.
Qc3 h6 $19) 17... Qxf6 18. exd4 Qxd4 19. Bc3 Qd6 20. g3 {with sufficient
compensation for the pawn at best.}) 16... Qd6 17. g3 Nb6 18. Qf5 $6 {This
queen move is suspicious.} (18. dxe5 $2 Qxd2 19. Qxd2 Rxd2 20. exf6 gxf6 $17 {
[%csl Rb2]}) (18. a3 e4 (18... c5 $6 19. dxc5 Qxd2 20. cxb6 Qxc2 21. Bxc2 Rd2
22. Ba4 Rf8 23. bxa7 Bxa7 24. Nc3 Rxb2 25. Rb1 $14) 19. Rc1 Nbd5 {is obviously
fine for Black, but his kingside offensive is far from being dangerous. For
instance, an attempt at transfering the queen to f3 does not work:} 20. Nc3 Qd7
21. Kg2 Qf5 $6 22. f4) 18... Nbd5 19. Qf3 e4 20. Qg2 h5 21. Nf4 g6 {Protecting
the Ph5 and preparing the transfer of the Nf6 to better pastures.} (21... h4 $6
22. Nxd5 cxd5 23. gxh4 Re6 24. Bd1 Nh7 25. h5 Ng5 26. f4 exf3 27. Bxf3 {
and it won't be easy for Black to justify the pawn sacrifice.}) 22. Rc1 Nh7 23.
Ba5 {Trying to provoke a concession on the queenside.} (23. Nxd5 cxd5 24. h4
$11 {would have been safer.}) 23... b6 24. Bd2 Ng5 25. Bd1 h4 26. gxh4 {
This looks nervous but, actually, this move is not bad, the decisive mistake
came a bit later...} (26. Nxd5 Qxd5 27. gxh4 Nf3+ 28. Bxf3 exf3 29. Qg4 Qd6 30.
Qg3 Qf6 31. Qg4 Kg7 $17 {[%cal Ge8h8]}) ({It was possible to play a "waiting"
move} 26. Kh1 $5 {even though White's position looks somewhat cramped.}) 26...
Nxf4 27. exf4 Ne6 28. h5 $2 {Wrong push.} (28. f5 {could keep the tension in
the game. Here is how the game could continue:} Nxd4 29. fxg6 fxg6 (29... f5 $2
30. Bg5 Rd7 31. h5 f4 32. h4 f3 33. Qh3 $16) 30. Rc3 $1 {[%cal Gc3g3]} Kh7 (
30... Nb5 31. Rc1 Qxd2 32. Qxg6+ Kh8 33. Qf6+ Kh7 34. Qf7+ Kh6 35. Qf6+ {
with a perpetual check.}) 31. Bg5 Rd7 32. h5 gxh5 33. Bxh5 Rg8 34. h4 $13)
28... Nxd4 29. Be3 c5 30. Bxd4 ({Now even the exchange of queens would not
make White's life much easier.} 30. hxg6 Qxg6 31. Qxg6+ fxg6 $17 {[%csl Rf4]
[%cal Ge8f8]}) 30... cxd4 31. Ba4 Re7 32. Rc6 (32. f5 {Now it's too late.} g5
$1 33. h4 (33. Qxg5+ Kh7 $19 {[%cal Gd8g8,Gd6h2]}) 33... g4 34. Rc6 Qf4 35. Bd1
Kh8 $1 {is lost for White. His doubled pawns on the kingside look terrible
compared to Black's proud central pawns.}) 32... Qxf4 33. hxg6 f5 {Black's
monarch feels quite safe behind the white pawn.} 34. Rfc1 d3 35. Rc8 {The
exchange of rooks makes Black's task easier but, White's position is lost
anyway.} Kg7 $1 36. R1c4 Rxc8 37. Rxc8 Rc7 38. Rxc7+ Bxc7 39. Bd7 a6 40. h4 b5
41. Qh3 d2 0-1

[Event "Sochi FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2008.08.12"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2720"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2008.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3
d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Rc8 13. e4 c5 14. exd5 exd5
15. dxc5 dxc4 16. cxb6 Nxb6 17. Re1 cxb3 18. Qxb3 Nd7 19. Nf3 Bc4 20. Qb2 Bf6
21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Ne5 Bd5 23. Rad1 Qa5 24. Bxd5 Nxd5 25. Nd7 Rfd8 $2 (25...
Rfe8 26. Re5 Qb4 $11) 26. Qe5 $1 1-0

[Event "Sochi FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2008.08.13"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2008.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bb4+ 5. c3 Bc5 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Qg4 g6 8.
Nd2 Qe7 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Bxb6 axb6 11. Bd3 d5 12. Qf4 Nf6 13. O-O O-O 14. Rfe1
Re8 15. h3 Be6 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Qg3 Qd6 18. Qxd6 cxd6 19. Bc4 b5 20. Bb3 Nf4
21. Ne4 Red8 22. Rad1 Bxb3 23. axb3 d5 24. Nc5 Re8 25. h4 Kg7 26. Rxe8 Rxe8
1/2-1/2

[Event "Sochi FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2008.08.14"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D47"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2008.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {This game was played in the last round. Being half a point clear of the
field, I was feeling in an excellent mood. Adding in the fact that I have in
recent times had an excellent score with white against Grischuk, I did not
fear any sort of reverse.} d5 {Really, a Slav? Having spent a whole
pre-tournament training session on the Slav, I had been counting on my
opponent being cunning enough to chosee some other line.} 2. c4 c6 {Yes!} 3.
Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 {Given that after 4.Nf3, Sasha plays 4...dxc4, whereas I had
decided on playing a Meran, the text is the most accurate move-order.} e6 5.
Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 {Sasha admitted after the game that he had not expected such
treachery. Previously, I have always played 6.Qc2.} dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 Bb7
9. O-O b4 {A rare move. The usual choice is 9...a6, but it turned out that
Sasha had showed this to my friend Vova Potkin, something about which he was
now not so happy.} 10. Ne4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 Bd6 12. a3 {Not having looked at this
line at all, I decided to transpose to the line 9.a3.} bxa3 13. b3 {Given that
the greatest theretician of our galaxy, Kramnik, recently played 13.Nd2 here,
the text must be considered old-fashioned.} Nf6 14. Nd2 Qc7 {This is what
Kramnik played against Topalov at Elista.} ({As I anticipated, an active
player such as my opponent did not go for the line} 14... Nxe4 15. Nxe4 Bxh2+
16. Kxh2 Qh4+ 17. Kg1 Qxe4 18. f3) 15. Bf3 {It is always nice to play such an
unhurried move.} Bxh2+ 16. Kh1 Bd6 17. Nc4 Be7 18. Bxa3 O-O {During the game,
I was convinced that Kramnik had first taken on a3 and only then castled and
played Qe7. Without thinking too long, I decided to take advantage of my
opponent's originality. Great was my surprise when, some time later, I
discovered that it had been I who had first deviated from theory.} 19. Bc5 {
This excellent move gives Black some problems.} Rfd8 {While my opponent had a
long think, I realised the advantage of not having a pawn on h2 - one does not
need to waste a tempo making luft for the king!} 20. b4 {Here I had a choice:
the simple 20.Qc2 was probably better than the move played in the game, but I
wanted to regain the pawn.} Bxc5 {In this way, Black activates the Bb7. Other
continuations are more passive.} 21. bxc5 a5 22. Re1 ({I did not like} 22. Qc1
{because of the possibility} Ba6 23. Rxa5 Bxc4 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. Qxc4 g5 {
with good play for Black.}) 22... Ba6 {The only move. Black faced the threat
of e4, and the establishment of the knight on d6.} 23. Nb6 Rab8 {A strange
move.} ({I considered the correct move to be} 23... Ra7 24. Rxa5 Bb5 25. Rxa7
Qxa7 26. Qa1 {with a slightly worse, but very solid position for Black.}) 24.
Rxa5 Bb5 25. Qa1 Nd5 {This is all very natural of course.} 26. Ra7 Rb7 27. Rxb7
Qxb7 28. Qa5 {I was pleased with this nice tactic. Now on 28...Nxb6 there is
29.Qxb5.} Qe7 (28... Nxb6 29. Qxb5) 29. Ra1 Qg5 {A trappy, but poor move.
Black threatens the e3-pawn, but this is completely unimportant.} ({A bad
endgame resulted from} 29... Nc7 30. Qa7 e5 31. d5 cxd5 32. Nxd5 Nxd5 33. Bxd5)
({, but after} 29... g6 {it is not easy for White to break through, since the
ending after} 30. Qa7 Qxa7 31. Rxa7 Nxb6 32. cxb6 Rb8 33. b7 Kg7 {is not
dangerous.}) 30. Nxd5 {The product of laziness. Ideally, I should have brought
the queen back first, and only then thought about exchanges, but I did not
want to have to calculate too many variations.} exd5 31. Qc7 g6 {A decisive
mistake, which I failed to exploit. The only way to continue the fight was by
31...Rf8.} 32. Ra7 {Played mechanically and weakly.} (32. Bg4 {with similar
ideas to the game, wins.}) 32... Qf6 {Mutual blindness.} ({After} 32... Rf8 {
I would have been forced to find more complicated ways to strengthen the
position.}) 33. Bg4 {At last. It is hard to stop Bd7, winning a pawn.} Re8 34.
Kg1 ({Of course not} 34. Bd7 {because} Qxf2 {with perpetual check.}) 34... Kg7
35. Bd7 Re7 ({More stubborn was} 35... Rf8 {, but after} 36. Qe5 Qxe5 37. dxe5
{his passivity should prove fatal to Black.}) 36. Qd8 {The rest is easy.} h5 ({
On} 36... Re4 {White of course plays} 37. Qb8 {and then Ra8.}) 37. Ra8 {
The rest does not require any commentary.} Kh6 38. Rc8 Kh7 39. Bxc6 Bxc6 40.
Rxc6 Qxc6 41. Qxe7 Kg7 42. Kh2 (42. Kh2 {On} Kg8 {the simplest is} 43. Qd8+ Kg7
44. Qb6 {and a new queen soon appears.}) 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E00"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. g3 {Aronian has had this position
more than once over the past years.} Bb4+ 6. Nd2 {However, this move is new
for his games. It may appear that the knight stands passive on d2, but one may
also think that a tempo is a tempo (since it is obvious that the bishop will
have to retreat in the near future).} ({Previously, Aronian has played} 6. Bd2
Bc5 (6... Be7 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. Bc3 O-O 9. O-O d5 {Aronian,L (2763)-Topalov,V 
(2767)/Sofia 2008/CBM 124/[Marin,M] (0-1, 60)}) 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Bg2 Nc6 9. Nc3 b6
10. Bf4 Bb7 11. O-O O-O 12. Bd6 (12. e4 {Aronian,L (2744)-Leko,P (2749)/
Morelia/Linares 2007/CBM 117/[Mihail Marin] (1/2-1/2, 41)}) 12... Na5 $6 (12...
Ne8 $5) 13. Nxa5 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 bxa5 15. e4 Rc8 16. b3 $14 {Aronian,L (2759)
-Carlsen,M (2693)/Elista 2007/CBM 119 (1-0, 51). Aronian went on to win this
crucial game, the eleventh (!) of a Candidates' match that had started rather
nicely for him, but had become more and more complicated day by day.}) ({
Curiously, he has never played} 6. Nc3 {in this speciffic move order, although
he has had the fianchetto NI with white for a couple of times...}) 6... Nc6 ({
The other way to attack the unprotected knight (a direct consequence of Nd2) is
} 6... Qb6 {Blagojevic,D (2537)-Akopian,V (2678)/Chalkidiki 2002/CBM 092/
[Ribli] (0-1, 39)}) 7. Nc2 Be7 8. Bg2 O-O 9. O-O {This is a good moment to
evaluate the consequences of the apparent loss of tempo cause dby the bishop's
check. If Black had played ...Be7 right away, White would have had his knights
on c3 and d4, which would have largely favoured him. However, even the way it
is, Black still has to find a way to annihilate White's advantage in space as
soon as possible.} Rb8 $5 {A new move.} ({The most natural continuation is} 
9... d5 {, fighting for space in the centre.} 10. cxd5 exd5 (10... Nxd5 11. Nc4
Qc7 12. e4 {This hardly poses any problems.} ({As a "Catalan" player, I would
prefer} 12. N2e3 $5 {with chances to retain the better chances in an almost
symmetrical position.}) 12... Nb6 13. Qe2 Nxc4 14. Qxc4 Bd7 15. Be3 Rfc8 16.
Rfd1 Ne5 17. Qxc7 Rxc7 18. Ne1 Ng4 {1/2-1/2 Remon,A (2395)-Vilela,J (2410)/
Bayamo 1980/EXT 99}) 11. Nb3 Bf5 12. Ncd4 Be4 13. f3 (13. Bh3 $5) 13... Bg6 14.
Nxc6 bxc6 15. Be3 {We can see that White has made very efficient use of the
knights' placement. One has been exchanged to cause a pawn weakness, the other
is ideally placed now to block the weak c5-square.} Re8 16. Rc1 Qd7 17. Qd2
Rab8 18. Nc5 (18. Bc5 Qb7 $5 {[%cal Gg6b1,Gb7b2]}) 18... Bxc5 19. Bxc5 Qe6 20.
Rfe1 $14 {Buhmann,R (2527)-Nikolaidis,I (2502)/Fuerth 2002/CBM 091 (0-1, 47)})
(9... a6 {is a less effective way to prepare ...b5 than in our main game,
because the a8-rook is still exposed to the bishop's pressure.} 10. b3 b5 11.
Nd4 Qb6 12. Nxc6 dxc6 13. Ne4 bxc4 (13... Nxe4 14. Bxe4 $14) 14. bxc4 Rd8 15.
Qc2 Ra7 $6 (15... Rb8 16. c5 $14) 16. Rb1 Qc7 17. c5 {Alburt,L (2535)-Short,N 
(2535)/Foxboro 1985/MCD (1/2-1/2, 33)}) (9... b6 {is not too ambitious and
gives White the time to complete his development and consolidate his advantage
in space.} 10. b3 Bb7 11. Bb2 Qc7 (11... d6 12. e3 Qc7 13. Qe2 a6 14. Rac1 Nb8
15. e4 Nbd7 16. Nd4 Rfe8 17. Rfd1 Rac8 18. b4 Qb8 19. f4 $14 {Zhang Zhong 
(2658)-Rott,G (2191)/Dos Hermanas 2004/CBM 099 ext (1-0, 37)}) 12. e4 d6 13.
Ne3 Rad8 14. Qe2 Qb8 15. f4 Qa8 16. Rad1 Nb8 17. f5 $36 {Birnboin-Varasdy/
Athens 1979 (1-0, 35). In both games, White achieved an active form of the
Hedgehog, although the position remains, as always in this structure, double
edged.}) 10. Ne4 {I have my doubts about this move. With his development
incomplete, White does not seem to be prepared to provoke exchanges.} ({
I believe that} 10. Nb3 $5 {offers better chances to stabilize the position.}
b5 (10... d6 11. Bf4 $14 {[%cal Ga1c1]}) 11. c5 a5 (11... Qc7 12. Bf4 e5 13.
Bg5 $16) 12. Ncd4 Qc7 (12... Nxd4 13. Qxd4 $14 a4 14. Bf4 $1) 13. Bd2 (13. a4
bxa4 14. Nxc6 dxc6 15. Rxa4 Rd8 16. Qc2 Rb5 $132) 13... a4 14. Nxc6 dxc6 15.
Na5 Bd7 16. Qc2 e5 17. b4 Rfd8 18. Rad1 Nd5 19. e4 Nf6 20. Bc3 $14 {Although
the knight seems to be out of play on a5, White's pressure in the centre is
quite unpleasant. In order to fight back on equal terms, Black may well have
to leave the b7-square unattended, or, alternatively, to leave the c6-pawn
insufficiently well defended, allowing some tactical tricks.}) 10... b5 {
Now, White's previous move will be justified.} (10... Nxe4 $5 {looks better,
but Carlsen might have wished to avoid the variation} 11. Bxe4 b5 12. cxb5 Rxb5
13. Bxh7+ Kxh7 14. Qd3+ Rf5 15. g4 {. However, things are not too clear after}
Ba6 16. Qxa6 ({Or} 16. Qh3+ Kg8 17. gxf5 Bxe2 18. Re1 Ba6 $44) 16... Rf6 $44 {
and the weakened position of the kingside, combined with White's delay in
development offer Black good counterplay.}) 11. cxb5 {Again, Aronian strives
for dynamic play, but this time it may well be a matter of taste.} (11. Bf4 $6
{loses a pawn without clear compensation after} e5 12. Bd2 bxc4) ({However,} 
11. Nxf6+ $5 Bxf6 12. c5 {deserves serious attention. White has the more
pleasant position at no risk.} Qc7 13. Bf4 Ne5 14. Nb4 Bb7 (14... Qxc5 15. Nd3
Nxd3 16. Qxd3 $14 e5 17. Be3 Qc7 18. Rac1 Qa5 19. Bc5 Re8 20. Bd6 Rb6 21. Bc7
$16) 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16. Nd3 Nxd3 17. Qxd3 $14) 11... Rxb5 12. Nd6 {Once the
knight has landed here, it will be Black who will face some problems with the
mobilization of his forces.} Bxd6 (12... Rb8 13. b3 Ba6 14. Ba3 $14) 13. Qxd6
Bb7 14. Na3 (14. b3 Ne7 $11) 14... Rb6 {White has obtained the pair of bishops,
but his blockade on d6 is not too stable. Besides, he still needs time to
complete his development. Aronian decides to cut the Gordian Knott in one move,
but he probably miscalculated some detail.} 15. Be3 $6 {White's compensation
for the sacrificed pawn will only suffice to fight for equality.} ({The more
natural} 15. Nc4 {would have offered better chances to retain the better
chances, for instance} Ra6 16. Bd2 Ne7 17. Qd3 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Qa8+ 19. f3 d5 20.
Ne5 $14 {. White's queenside majority will prove more dangerous in the long
term, as Black's centre is not easy to advance.}) 15... Rxb2 16. Bc5 Re8 17.
Rab1 ({Aronian might have missed that} 17. Nc4 {can be answered with} Rxe2 $1 (
{but not} 17... Rb5 18. a4 Rb3 19. Qd1 Rc3 20. Nd6 $16) 18. Qd3 Ba6 19. Qxe2 d5
$44) 17... Rxb1 18. Rxb1 Ba6 19. Nb5 Bxb5 20. Rxb5 Qc8 21. a4 h6 {Although
White's position looks active, he has no obvious plan to develop his
initiative. White has a solid position and an extra pawn.} 22. Ba3 Qa6 23. Bb2
Qxa4 24. Bxc6 dxc6 25. Rb4 Qa5 26. Bxf6 gxf6 27. Rg4+ Kh7 28. Qxc6 Rd8 {
A critical moment. White provokes ...f5, but this move will prove useful a
couple of moves later...} 29. Qc2+ $2 (29. Ra4 {would have probably led to a
draw:} Qe1+ (29... Qb6 30. Qc2+ f5 31. e4 $1 fxe4 32. Rxe4 f5 33. Rc4 $44 {
The weakness of Black's kingside compensates for his extra pawn.}) 30. Kg2 Rd1
31. Qc7 Qh1+ ({With the pawn on f6 still,} 31... Kg6 $4 {is impossible because
of} 32. Rg4+ $1 $18 {mating.}) 32. Kh3 Qf1+ 33. Kh4 Qxf2 34. Qxf7+ Kh8 $11 {
and White has a draw by perpetual, but hardly more, since his king is also
exposed.}) 29... f5 30. Ra4 Qe1+ 31. Kg2 Rd1 32. Qc7 Kg6 $1 $17 {Now, this
move is entirely possible and it is only the white king who is any danger.
Carlsen goes on to confidently convert his initiative into a very promising
endgame, which he then wins quite convincingly.} 33. Kf3 Qh1+ 34. Ke3 Ra1 35.
Qc2 Rxa4 36. Qxa4 Qc1+ 37. Kf3 Qc3+ 38. Kg2 a5 39. g4 Qe5 40. gxf5+ Kxf5 41.
Qe8 Kg6 42. Qf8 a4 43. e3 Qe4+ 44. Kg3 Qd3 45. h4 a3 46. Kh2 Qf5 47. Qxa3 Qxf2+
48. Kh3 Qf3+ 49. Kh2 Kh5 50. Qf8 Qf2+ 51. Kh1 Kg4 0-1

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.03"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. Qb3 Qb6 6. Nc3 e6 7. Nh4 Bh5 8. h3
Bg6 9. Nxg6 hxg6 10. Bd2 Nbd7 11. Bd3 Be7 12. O-O-O a5 13. Kb1 Qa6 14. Ne2 a4
15. Qc2 dxc4 16. Bxc4 b5 17. Bd3 c5 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Nd4 Nxd3 20. Qxd3 Rh5 21.
Rc1 Rd5 22. e4 Rd7 23. e5 Rad8 24. Be3 Nd5 25. Nc6 Nb4 26. Nxb4 Bxb4 27. Qe4
Bd2 28. Qh4 Bxe3 29. fxe3 b4 30. Qh8+ Ke7 31. Qxg7 a3 32. Qf6+ Kf8 33. Qh8+ Ke7
34. Qh4+ Ke8 35. Qh8+ Ke7 36. Qh4+ Ke8 37. Qh8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D16"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2798"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 e6 6. e3 c5 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. O-O
cxd4 9. exd4 Be7 10. Be3 O-O 11. Ne5 Nd5 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Bd3 g6 14. a5 Bf6
15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Qc1 Bd7 17. Qc3 Qb8 18. g3 Be7 19. Bf4 Bb4 20. Bxb8 Bxc3 21.
Bxa7 Bxb2 22. Bc5 Bxa1 23. Rxa1 Rfb8 24. h4 Bf5 25. Bxf5 gxf5 26. a6 h5 27. a7
Rb7 28. Kg2 Kg7 29. Kf3 f6 30. Ra6 Rc7 31. Kf4 Kg6 32. f3 Rcc8 33. g4 fxg4 34.
fxg4 hxg4 35. Kxg4 Rh8 36. Rxc6 Rae8 37. Bd6 Re4+ 38. Bf4 Rxd4 39. Ra6 Ra8 40.
h5+ Kh7 41. Kf5 Rb4 42. Bb8 Rbxb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.05"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 e6 4. e3 Nf6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6 7. a4 Nc6 8. Qe2
Qc7 9. Rd1 Be7 10. dxc5 O-O 11. b3 {This line was examined in CBM 108 
(Riazantsev-Rublevsky annotated by GM A.Huzman) and CBM 116 
(Aronian-Morozevich annotated by GM R.Knaak).} Ne4 {A rare move.} (11... e5 {
[%cal Yc8g4] is more logical but White obtained a small plus in the
above-mentioned game Aronian-Morozevich:} 12. h3 (12. Nc3 $143 e4 13. Nd4 Bg4
$5 (13... Bxc5 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 Qe5 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. Bb2 Qg5 (17... Bd6
18. g3) 18. Rdc1 Bh3 19. Qf1 Bd7 20. Qc4 Bh3 21. Qf1 Bd7 22. Nxc6 Rfc8 23. Nd4
Rd8 24. Rc4 $14 {1-0 Kosyrev,V (2539)-Dieb fritz,D/playchess.com INT 2005/CBM
106 ext (66)}) 14. f3 exf3 15. gxf3 Bh5 16. Ba3 Rfe8 17. b4 Ne5 18. Nd5 $1 (18.
Bb3 $2 Rad8 19. Rf1 $2 (19. Qf2) 19... Bxc5 $1 20. bxc5 Rxd4 21. exd4 Nxf3+ 22.
Qxf3 Bxf3 23. Rxf3 Ng4 $1 $17 {0-1 Riazantsev,A (2608)-Rublevsky,S (2645)/
Warsaw 2005/CBM 108/[Huzman] (35)}) 18... Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Rad8 20. Be4 g6 21. Bb2
Bg5 22. Nc2 a5 $1 $132 {1/2 Shvyrjov,I (2432)-Rausis,I (2512)/Alushta UKR 2008/
The Week in Chess 714 (36)}) 12... e4 13. Nd4 Ne5 14. b4 (14. Bb2 Bxc5 15. Nd2
Qe7 16. Nf1 Bd7 17. Ng3 g6 18. Qc2 Rac8 19. a5 Rfe8 20. Nde2 Bc6 21. Nc3 Ned7
22. Nce2 Ne5 23. Nc3 {1/2-1/2 Milov,V-Karjakin,S/Warsaw POL 2005/(23)}) 14...
b6 15. Nd2 bxc5 16. bxc5 Bxc5 17. Ba3 Bxa3 18. Rxa3 Ng6 $5 19. Nf1 Qc5 20. Rc3
Qg5 21. Ng3 h5 22. Kh1 $14 {1-0 Aronian,L (2741)-Morozevich,A (2747)/Moscow
2006/CBM 116/[Knaak] (42)}) 12. Ba3 (12. Bb2 Nxc5 13. Nbd2 b6 14. Nd4 Bf6 15.
Rac1 Qb7 16. Ba3 Bxd4 17. exd4 Nxd4 18. Qe5 Nc6 19. Qh5 a5 20. Nf3 Nb4 21. Bb2
f6 22. Nd4 Qf7 {1/2 Miroshnichenko,E (2651)-Kruppa,Y (2533)/Predeal 2007/EXT
2008 (28)}) 12... Rd8 (12... Nxc5 $5 {[%cal Yb7b6,Ya6a5]}) 13. Rxd8+ Qxd8 14.
Qc2 Nxc5 15. Nbd2 Nd7 {It is not easy for Black to complete development, e.g.}
(15... Qb6 16. Rd1 Nb4 17. Qc3 a5 18. Bb5 {[%cal Rd2c4]}) 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Rd1
(17. Ne4 $5) 17... Nf6 $6 (17... Nb4 $142 18. Qc3 (18. Qe4 Nc5) 18... b6) 18.
Ne4 $1 Nd5 {Black agrees to accept an isolated pawn.} (18... Nxe4 19. Qxe4 Bd7
20. Ng5 $1 g6 21. Qh4 h5 22. g4 Ne5 23. Be2 (23. gxh5 $143 f6 24. Qf4 Nxc4 25.
Ne4 Rf8 26. bxc4 Bxa4) 23... f6 24. Ne4 g5 25. Qxh5 Bc6 26. Ng3 Rd8 27. Rxd8+
Qxd8 28. Qh6 $16) 19. Bxd5 (19. Qd2 Bd7 $1 (19... Ncb4 $143 20. Nc3 $36) 20.
Bxd5 $140 exd5 21. Qxd5 Be6 22. Qc5 Bxb3) 19... exd5 20. Nc3 Be6 {It is very
difficult to win such a position (especially as White's queenside is weakened)
but it is even more difficult for Black to withstand this torture!} 21. h3 h6
22. Qb1 Nb4 23. Ne2 Rc8 24. Nf4 Qc5 25. Nd4 Bd7 26. g4 {[%mdl 32] Typical -
White must open up a second front.} a5 27. Kg2 b6 28. Kg1 {No hurry! Black has
no counterplay or way to strengthen his defence.} Qd6 29. Qb2 Rc5 30. Nf3 Qe7
31. Nd4 Qe5 32. Qe2 Qe7 33. Qf3 Qe5 34. Nfe2 Kf8 35. Nf4 Kg8 36. Nfe2 Kf8 37.
Kg2 Kg8 38. Nf4 Rc3 39. Qg3 Rc5 40. h4 g6 41. Kh2 Qc7 (41... g5 $6 42. Nh5) (
41... Qe4 $5) 42. g5 {Yes, slowly - but White is making some progress!} h5 {
A first achievement - the black pawns are fixed on light squares.} 43. Nfe2 Kf8
44. Qxc7 Rxc7 45. Kg2 Ke7 46. Kf1 Bg4 47. f3 Bd7 48. Ke1 Rc8 49. Kd2 Rc7 50.
Nc3 Rc5 51. Rf1 Bc8 (51... Rc8 $142 52. f4 f6 {At least, it would prevent
f4-f5.}) 52. f4 {[%cal Rf4f5]} Ba6 (52... f5 53. gxf6+ Kxf6 54. e4 $1 Ke7 55.
e5 $16) (52... Bf5 53. Nxf5+ gxf5 54. Rc1 {[%cal Yc3e2,Ye2g3]}) 53. Rf3 Nd3 $6
{A desperate attempt but what else to recommend?} 54. Ncb5 Nb4 55. f5 Nc6 56.
fxg6 fxg6 57. Rf6 Bxb5 58. Nxb5 Ne5 59. Nd4 Kd7 60. Rxb6 {A first but not last
material gain - Black is in zugzwang and must give up more material.} Rc8 61.
Rb5 Kd6 62. Rxa5 Rf8 63. Ra6+ Kd7 64. Rf6 Rxf6 65. gxf6 Ke8 66. a5 Kf7 67. a6
Nd7 68. a7 Nb6 69. Kc3 Kxf6 70. Kb4 {A classic game! Black lost without making
obvious mistakes!} 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nxc6 Qf6 6. Qf3 bxc6 7. Nd2 d6 8.
Nb3 Bb6 9. a4 a5 10. Bd2 Qxf3 11. gxf3 Ne7 12. Rg1 Ng6 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. fxe3
Ne5 15. Be2 g6 16. f4 Nd7 17. Bf3 c5 18. e5 Ra7 19. exd6 cxd6 20. Nd2 Nb6 21.
Ne4 Ke7 22. Nc3 Bd7 23. Kf2 Rb8 24. Rgd1 Na8 25. Nd5+ Ke6 26. b3 Nc7 27. Nc3
Ke7 28. Rd2 Be6 29. Rad1 Ra6 30. e4 Rb4 31. Na2 Rb8 32. Nc3 Rb4 33. Na2 Rb8 34.
Nc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D47"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 {This second main continuation
has lately been somewhat neglected in the light of all the excitement after} (
5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 ({In Foros 2008, Carlsen was twice successful with} 6. Bxf6
Qxf6 7. e3 {, but his wins had little to do with the opening battle.}) 6...
dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5 {After his loss to Anand in Morelia 2008 (see CBM 123),
Carlsen has avoided this sacrificial line with White (the exception being one
rapid game against Van Wely).}) 5... Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 Bb7 9.
a3 {Currently a topical sideline.} ({The main moves are 9.e4 and especially} 9.
O-O {and now:} {The older} a6 {still seems a safer choice:} (9... b4 10. Ne4
Nxe4 11. Bxe4 Bd6 12. a3 bxa3 13. b3 Nf6 14. Nd2 Qc7 15. Bf3 Bxh2+ 16. Kh1 Bd6
17. Nc4 Be7 18. Bxa3 O-O 19. Bc5 $5 $146 (19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Ra5 Rfd8 21. Kg1 c5
$1 22. Rxc5 Ne4 23. Bxe4 Bxe4 24. Qg4 Bd3 25. Ra1 Rac8 26. Raa5 Rb8 27. Qd1 Be4
28. Qa1 Rb7 $11 {/+/=, Topalov,V (2813)-Kramnik,V (2743)/WCh Elista/2006/})
19... Rfd8 (19... Bxc5 $142 20. dxc5 Rfd8 {/\} 21. Nd6 Nd7 $132) 20. b4 Bxc5
21. bxc5 a5 22. Re1 Ba6 23. Nb6 Rab8 24. Rxa5 Bb5 25. Qa1 Nd5 (25... Bd3 $5 $14
) 26. Ra7 Rb7 27. Rxb7 Qxb7 28. Qa5 {Aronian,L (2737)-Grischuk,A (2728)/Sochi/
2008/} Rb8 $1 $14 (28... Nxb6 29. Qxb5 $16)) 10. e4 c5 11. d5 c4 12. Bc2 Qc7
13. dxe6 fxe6 14. Nd4 Nc5 15. Be3 e5 16. Nf5 (16. Nf3 Be7 17. Ng5 O-O $1 $44 {
Kasimdzhanov,R (2678)-Kasparov,G (2804) Linares 22nd 2005 (9) 0-1 is one of
Kasparov's last contributions to opening theory - see}) {Another option is}
16... g6 $5 (16... Ncxe4 17. Nxe4 Nxe4 18. Qg4 $5 Nf6 19. Qh3 g6 20. Bg5 gxf5
21. Bxf6 Rg8 22. Rfe1 $1 Rxg2+ (22... Qc6 23. Rxe5+ Kf7 24. Be4 Qxf6 25. Rxf5
Bxe4 26. Rxf6+ Kxf6 27. Qh4+ Kf5 28. Qxh7+ Rg6 29. Re1 Rd8 30. Qh5+ Rg5 31.
Qf7+ {1-0, Akopian,V (2700)-Ippolito,D (2397)/Gibraltar op/2007/}) 23. Kf1
Rxf2+ $1 (23... Rg6 $2 24. Rxe5+ Kf7 25. Qxh7+ {1-0, Grigoryan,A (2509)
-Soozankar,A (2253)/Urmia/2008/}) 24. Kxf2 Qb6+ 25. Ke2 Qxf6 26. Bxf5 $13 {
is risky, but probably playable for Black.}) 17. Nh6 (17. Bg5 Ncxe4 18. Nxe4
Nxe4 19. Bxe4 Bxe4 20. Bf6 gxf5 21. Bxh8 Bd6 $44 {|^}) 17... Bg7 18. Qf3 Ne6
19. Qh3 Bc8 20. Qh4 (20. Qg3 $142) 20... Qe7 21. Rfe1 Nd5 22. Qxe7+ Nxe7 23.
Nd5 Bb7 24. Ng4 Nd4 25. Bd1 Nxd5 26. exd5 O-O-O 27. Bg5 Rxd5 $17 {Morozevich,A
(2758)-Anand,V (2792)/WCh Mexico City/2007/}) 9... b4 (9... Bd6 10. O-O O-O 11.
Qc2 h6 12. e4 e5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. h3 a6 16. Be3 c5 17. Bxc5 Re8
18. Rad1 Qc7 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. exd5 Bxb2 21. d6 Qc6 22. f3 Rec8 23. Bh7+ Kh8 24.
Be4 Qxc5+ 25. Qxc5 Rxc5 26. Bxb7 Rd8 27. Rfe1 Be5 28. d7 $16 {[%csl Gd7] o^d7,
Topalov,V (2777)-Ivanchuk,V (2781)/Bilbao/2008/}) (9... a6 10. b4 a5 11. Rb1
axb4 12. axb4 Nd5 13. Nxd5 exd5 14. O-O ({or even} 14. e4 $5) 14... Bd6 15. Qc2
$14 {is somewhat better for White, therefore the text move is the most usual
reaction, considered to be the main line.} (15. e4 $14)) 10. Ne4 {This
continuation brought new life into the whole line.} (10. axb4 Bxb4 11. O-O c5
12. Na2 a5 13. Nxb4 axb4 14. Rxa8 Qxa8 15. dxc5 O-O $11 {is equal and sterile.}
) 10... Nxe4 ({The text move is a more solid alternative, than} 10... c5 11.
Nxf6+ gxf6 12. O-O Qb6 13. axb4 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Bxb4 15. Qa4 $5 (15. Bd2 Rg8 16.
f3 Rg5 17. Bxb4 Qxb4 18. Rf2 Rc5 19. Qd2 Qb6 20. b4 Rc7 21. Nb5 Rcc8 22. Bf1
Ke7 23. Qd4 a6 24. Rd2 Bd5 25. Qxb6 Nxb6 26. Nd4 Bc4 $11 {Moskalenko,V (2520)
-Dreev,A (2650)/Alushta/1994/}) 15... a5 16. Bb5 O-O-O 17. Bc6 Nc5 18. Bxb7+
Kxb7 19. Qc2 e5 20. Nf3 Rc8 21. Bd2 Rhg8 22. Bxb4 Qxb4 23. Qf5 Rg6 24. Rfc1 a4
25. Rc3 Qg4 26. Qxg4 Rxg4 27. Rac1 $14 {Mammen,H-Stuart,A/corr/1996/}) 11. Bxe4
bxa3 {Now Black hardly plays anything else.} ({The popularity of 10.Ne4
started with the following game:} 11... Qc7 12. axb4 $1 Bxb4+ 13. Bd2 Bxd2+ 14.
Nxd2 c5 15. Qc2 Qb6 16. dxc5 Qxc5 17. Qa4 Rb8 18. O-O O-O 19. Qxd7 Rfd8 20.
Bxh7+ Kxh7 $2 (20... Kf8 $1 21. Qa4 Rxd2 $44) 21. Qxf7 Rxd2 22. Ra4 Qg5 23. g3
e5 24. Rh4+ Qxh4 25. gxh4 Rd6 26. h5 Be4 27. Qe7 Rbb6 28. Qxe5 Re6 29. Qf4 {
1-0, Gelfand,B (2670)-Anand,V (2725)/Biel izt/1993/}) 12. O-O {This P
sacrifice in the interests of development replaced the former alternative} (12.
bxa3 Bd6 {Even the attempt to breathe life into the position with} 13. Nd2 $5 {
is hardly sufficient after} (13. O-O O-O 14. Bb2 Rb8 15. Qc2 c5 16. Bxb7 Rxb7
17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. Rfd1 Qe7 19. a4 {1/2, Karpov,A (2735)-Anand,V (2770)/WCh
Lausanne/1998/CBM 063}) (13. Bd2 Rb8 14. O-O (14. Qa4 c5 15. Bxb7 Rxb7 16. dxc5
Bxc5 17. Ba5 Qb8 18. Rd1 O-O {1/2, Karpov,A (2775)-Kramnik,V (2730)/Dortmund/
1995/}) 14... O-O 15. Bb4 c5 16. dxc5 Bxc5 17. Bxb7 Rxb7 18. Nd4 Qb6 19. Bxc5
Qxc5 20. Qd2 Qd5 21. Qc3 h6 22. Rac1 Ne5 23. h3 Rfb8 24. Qc5 Qe4 25. Qc2 Qd5
26. Qa4 Qe4 27. Qc2 Qd5 {1/2, Karpov,A (2770)-Kramnik,V (2775)/Monte Carlo rpd/
1996/}) 13... Qc7 14. Nc4 Be7 15. O-O O-O 16. Rb1 Rab8 $5 (16... Nf6 17. Bf3
Ba6 18. Qc2 Rac8 19. e4 Nd7 20. Be2 c5 21. d5 exd5 22. exd5 Bxc4 23. Bxc4 Nb6
24. Rb3 Bf6 25. Be3 Be5 26. g3 $14 {Beliavsky,A (2654)-Galkin,A (2587)/FIDE
WCh New Delhi/2000/}) 17. Qa4 Nb6 18. Qa5 Ba8 19. Nxb6 axb6 $11 {Beliavsky})
12... Nf6 (12... Bd6 13. b3 (13. b4 Nf6 14. Bd3 a5 $5 15. bxa5 Qxa5 16. Ne5 O-O
17. Nc4 Qc3 18. Bxa3 Bxa3 19. Rb1 Ba6 20. Rb3 Qxc4 21. Rxa3 Qd5 22. Rxa6 Rxa6
23. Bxa6 c5 24. dxc5 {1/2, Tomashevsky,E (2646)-Jakovenko,D (2710)/RUS-ch
Moscow/2007/}) 13... Nf6 {transposes into the 9.0-0 b4 line above.} (13... Qe7
14. Qc2 $14)) (12... axb2 13. Bxb2 Nf6 (13... Be7 $143 14. Qc2 h6 15. Bxc6 Rc8
16. d5 exd5 17. Bxd7+ Qxd7 18. Qb3 d4 19. Rxa7 Bd5 20. Qb6 $16 {Najer,E (2616)
-Potkin,V (2470)/Ubeda/2001/}) 14. Bd3 {-12...Nf6.}) 13. Bd3 axb2 14. Bxb2 a5 {
Introduced into practice by Kramnik, the alternatives were:} (14... Be7 15. Qb1
Rb8 (15... O-O 16. Ba3 $44) 16. Rxa7 Qb6 17. Qa2 O-O 18. Rb1 Ra8 19. Rxa8 Rxa8
20. Qc4 Ba6 21. Qc2 Bxd3 22. Qxd3 Qb5 23. Ne5 Rb8 24. Qxb5 Rxb5 25. Nc4 c5 {
1/2, Ivanchuk,V (2695)-Kramnik,V (2725)/New York rpd/1994/ Black gradually
overcame his problems and fully equalized, nevertheless in Mexico 2007 he
sought a safer alternative.}) (14... Bb4 15. Qb3 $1 a5 16. Ba3 Qb6 (16... Qe7
17. Rfb1 $14) 17. Ne5 O-O 18. Nc4 Qc7 19. Bxb4 axb4 20. Qxb4 Rfd8 21. Ne5 g6
22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. Rc1 Nd5 24. Qb2 Ra4 25. h3 Rb4 26. Qa3 Qb6 27. Be4 Rb3 28.
Qd6 Qc7 29. Qc5 $16 {1-0 Moiseenko,A (2632)-Huzman,A (2589)/Montreal/2008/})
15. d5 $5 $146 {[%csl Re8][%cal Ga1h8][%mdl 640] A stunning novelty, White
sacrifices another P to open the /^ a1-h8 and create more space for a direct
-> against the K in the [+]. A blow against a heavily protected point is
usually very effective - if not otherwise, than at the very least
psychologically. In the following course of the game Aronian initially defends
quite well, but later practically inexplicably falls to pieces.} (15. Qa4 Bb4
16. Ba3 Nd5 17. e4 (17. Be4 $5 {Marin}) 17... Nb6 18. Qb3 Qe7 19. Rab1 Bxa3 20.
Qxb6 Bb4 21. Ne1 O-O 22. Nc2 Rfd8 {is too tame - White regains the P, but his
|^ evaporates.} 23. Nxb4 axb4 24. Qxb4 Qxb4 25. Rxb4 Ba6 26. Bxa6 $11 {1/2,
Gelfand,B (2733)-Kramnik,V (2769)/WCh Mexico City/2007/}) ({Interesting, but
not quite clear is} 15. e4 $5 Bb4 16. Qc2 Nd7 17. Rfd1 (17. d5 cxd5 18. Bxg7
Rg8 19. Bd4 Rc8 $132) 17... Rc8 18. Qb1 O-O 19. d5 cxd5 20. exd5 Nf6 $2 (20...
Bxd5 $1 21. Bxh7+ Kh8 $13) 21. dxe6 Qe7 22. Ng5 h6 23. Bh7+ Kh8 24. Bxf6 Qxf6
25. Nxf7+ Rxf7 26. exf7 Qxf7 27. Be4 $18 {Moiseenko,A (2632)-Illescas Cordoba,
M (2603)/ESP-chT Cala Mayor/2008/ This game was played only a few days earlier,
than ours.}) ({As yet untested, but plausible altrnatives are} 15. Qb3 $5 Rb8 (
15... Bb4 16. Ba3 {transposes into Moiseenko-Huzman above.}) 16. Bc3 Ba6 17.
Qd1 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 $32) ({or} 15. Ne5 $44) 15... Nxd5 {Black must take the P.} (
15... cxd5 $143 $2 16. Bb5+ Nd7 17. Ne5 Bc8 18. Rc1 (18. Qh5 g6 19. Qf3 $18)
18... Bd6 19. Rxc8 $18) (15... Qxd5 16. Qc2 (16. Qb1 $44) (16. Ne5 $44) 16...
Qc5 17. Qe2 Be7 (17... Qh5 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Qb2 $36) 18. Bd4 Qd5 19. Rfd1 $32)
(15... exd5 16. Nd4 $5 {[%csl Rc6][%cal Yd4f5,Yd1a4] /\Nf5,Qa4,><c6} Bb4 (16...
Be7 17. Nf5 {/\} O-O $2 18. Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 19. Qg4+ Kh8 20. Bxf6+ Bxf6 21. Qf5
$18) 17. Nf5 g6 18. Nh6 $44) 16. Ne5 Nf6 {Aronian prevents a Q sortie to h5,
but invests another tempo.} (16... Bb4 17. Qh5 Qc7 18. Rfc1 $44 (18. Nf3 $5 Bc3
19. Bxc3 Nxc3 20. Qc5 Nd5 21. Rfb1 $44)) (16... Nb4 17. Qh5 Qc7 18. Rfd1 $44) (
16... Qc7 $5 $13) 17. Qa4 $32 Bb4 (17... Bd6 $5 {is an attempt to stabilize
the position by returning both extra Ps:} 18. Ng4 $5 $13 (18. Nxc6 Qd7 19. Nxa5
(19. Bb5 O-O 20. Rfc1 Rfc8 $11) 19... Qxa4 20. Rxa4 Bd5 (20... Ke7 21. Bxf6+
Kxf6 (21... gxf6 22. Rb1 Bd5 23. e4 Bc7 24. exd5 Rxa5 25. Rxa5 Bxa5 26. Rb7+
$36) 22. Nxb7 Bxh2+ 23. Kxh2 Rxa4 $14 {/=}) {/\} 21. Bxf6 gxf6 22. e4 Bc6 $11))
18. Nxc6 Bxc6 $8 (18... Qxd3 $2 19. Ne5+ $18) (18... Qd7 $2 19. Bb5 Ba6 20.
Bxa6 Rxa6 21. Nxb4 $18) 19. Qxc6+ Ke7 20. Rfd1 {White has regained one P and
Black's K has remained in the [+]. However, Black's R are finally connected
and this should suffice to gradually contain White's |^.} Rc8 21. Qf3 (21. Qa6
Qd6 22. Qb7+ (22. Qxd6+ Bxd6 23. Rxa5 Ra8 $11) 22... Qc7 {[%cal Yh8d8] /\Rhd8=
only helps Black.}) 21... Qb6 (21... Qc7 22. Ba6 Rcd8 23. Rdc1 Qb8 24. Rc6 $36)
22. Bd4 Qb8 (22... Qc6 $5 23. Qg3 Rhd8 {/\Kf8=} 24. Qxg7 $2 Rxd4 $1 25. exd4
Rg8 $19) 23. Ba6 Rcd8 24. Bb7 $5 {Carlsen wants to keep maximum tension in the
position and spurns immediately simplifying alternatives. However, objectively
even his choice doesn't promise that much.} (24. Rdc1 e5 25. Bc5+ Bxc5 26. Rxc5
Rhe8 27. Rcxa5 Kf8 $11) (24. Rab1 Rd6 $5 {/\} 25. Bc5 Bxc5 26. Rb7+ Nd7 27.
Rxb8 Rxb8 $11) 24... h5 {[%csl Gb7,Gd4,Re7,Gg1] Black starts to crack up.
Perhaps Aronian cherished higher ambitions with his extra P, but White has
suffcient long-term compensation with his ^^ and safer K.} ({Definitely safer
was} 24... e5 $142 $5 25. Bb6 (25. Bb2 Rxd1+ 26. Rxd1 Rd8 27. Rxd8 Kxd8 $11)
25... Rd6 $1 26. Rxd6 Qxd6 27. Bxa5 Bxa5 (27... Rb8 $11) 28. Rxa5 Qb4 29. Rxe5+
$8 (29. Ra1 $2 e4 $17) 29... Kd6 30. Rd5+ Nxd5 31. Qxd5+ Ke7 (31... Kc7 32. Ba6
$11) 32. Qe5+ Kf8 33. Qb8+ Ke7 34. Qe5+ $11) 25. h3 ({The luft is useful, but
more forceful was} 25. Rab1 $5 Ng4 26. g3 f6 27. h3 Ne5 28. Qg2 $44 {/+/=})
25... h4 $6 {Pointless, as the R still can't be activated via h5. Black still
had} (25... e5 $142 $11 {This is similar to 24...e5 and although h3 is more
useful than h5, he should be able to hold the balance.}) 26. Rab1 $36 e5 (26...
Rd6 27. Rdc1 $1 {[%cal Rd4e5] /\Be5+/-}) 27. Rxb4 $1 {[%mdl 64] Time has come
for tactical solutions.} axb4 $2 {This loses by force.} (27... exd4 28. Rbxd4
$16 {or}) (27... Rxd4 28. Rbxd4 exd4 29. exd4 $16 {[%csl Re7] ע leads to a
difficult position due to Black's exposed K, but it was definitely more
resilient.}) 28. Bc5+ Ke6 $8 (28... Ke8 29. Bc6+ Rd7 (29... Nd7 30. Qf5 Qc7 31.
Qg5 $18) 30. Rxd7 $1 Nxd7 31. Qf5 Qc7 32. Qg5 f6 33. Qxg7 $18) 29. Ra1 $1 $18
Rd6 (29... Rd2 30. Ra6+ (30. Ra8 $18) 30... Kd7 31. Bxb4 $1 {/\} e4 32. Qf5+
Kd8 (32... Ke8 33. Re6+ $1) 33. Qa5+ Ke8 34. Qb5+ Rd7 35. Bc6 $18) 30. Bxd6
Kxd6 (30... Qxd6 31. Ra6 $18) 31. Qc6+ Ke7 32. Ra8 {This nets White a decisive
material advantage.} Qd6 33. Qxd6+ (33. Rxh8 $18) 33... Kxd6 34. Rxh8 b3 35.
Ba6 Nd7 (35... e4 36. Rb8) 36. Rxh4 Nc5 (36... Nc5 37. Bc4 $18 (37. Be2 $18))
1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E36"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 O-O {This is the
most solid continuation.} ({If Black is in an aggressive mood, he can try} 6...
c5 7. dxc5 d4 {the line that I investigated in CBM 122.}) 7. Nf3 dxc4 8. Qxc4
b6 9. g3 {To my surprise, there are only few games that went this way.
Objectively, this continuation is not that promising for White.} ({More common
continuations are:} 9. Bg5) (9. Bf4) 9... Ba6 (9... Bb7 10. Bg2 Bd5 11. Qc2
Nbd7 12. O-O (12. b4 $5) 12... c5 13. Bg5 Rc8 14. Qa4 Bc6 15. Qc4 h6 16. Bxf6
Qxf6 $11 {1-0 Ivanov,S (2538)-Beliavsky,A (2618)/Vrnjacka Banja 1999/EXT 2000 
(41)}) 10. Qc2 (10. Qa4 Qd5 $6 {Too risky.} (10... Bb7 $142 11. Bg2 Nbd7 {
[%cal Gc7c5]}) 11. Bg2 Bb5 12. Qc2 Nc6 13. Be3 Na5 14. b4 Nc4 15. Nh4 Nxe3 16.
fxe3 $16 {[%csl Ra8][%cal Gg2a8] 1-0 Riazantsev,A (2594)-Berkovich,M (2392)/
Cappelle la Grande 2006/CBM 110 ext (27)}) 10... Nbd7 11. Bg2 c5 12. b4 {
This move restricts Black's knight and prepares the fianchetto of the
dark-squared bishop, according to circumstances.} (12. O-O cxd4 13. Nxd4 Rc8
$11 {Now 14.Qa4 would be met by 14...Nc5.}) 12... Rc8 {In an interview after
the game Aronian criticized this move and suggested 12...Qc8 as an improvement.
I think that this move is not the reason for Topalov's troubles in this game.}
(12... Qc8 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. Be3 cxb4 15. Qxc8 Rfxc8 16. Nd4 Nd5 17. Bxd5 exd5
18. axb4 Bc4 19. Kd2 $14) (12... cxd4 $5 {This looks a bit unhuman but, the
following variations confirm that Black's position is perfectly playable.} 13.
Nxd4 Rc8 14. Qa4 (14. Qd1 Nd5 15. Bb2 (15. Bxd5 exd5 16. b5 Bb7 17. O-O Rc4 18.
Bb2 Nc5 $11) 15... Ne5 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Bxe5 Qg5 18. Qd4 (18. Bb2 $2 Nf4 $1)
18... Rc4 19. Qb2 Rfc8 20. O-O Rc2 $44) 14... Ne5 15. Bb2 Bc4 16. Rd1 (16. Qxa7
$4 Bd5 $19 {[%csl Ra7,Rg2][%cal Rc8a8]}) 16... Qe7 17. O-O Bd5 18. Bxd5 Nxd5
$11) 13. Qa4 Bb7 14. dxc5 bxc5 ({It was a bit more precise to include an
intermediate move before recapturing Pc5:} 14... Bc6 15. Qb3 bxc5) 15. O-O a6
$6 {This move is not necessary. It was more useful to develop the queen.} (
15... Qb6 16. Be3 Rfd8 17. Rab1 Bc6 18. b5 Be4 19. Rb2 Qb7 {and Black is not
worse.}) 16. Rd1 Nd5 $6 (16... Nb6 $1 17. Qb3 (17. Rxd8 Nxa4 18. Rxc8 Rxc8 19.
bxc5 Nxc5 $11) 17... Bd5 18. Qd3 cxb4 19. axb4 Bc4 20. Qc2 Nbd5 $1 {This is
tactically justified.} 21. e4 $140 $2 Bb5 $1 22. Qb1 Nc3 $1 23. Rxd8 Rfxd8 24.
Qb3 Ne2+ 25. Kh1 Nxc1 26. Qa3 Rd1+ 27. Ng1 Nd3 $1 {with a big storm in White's
camp.}) 17. Bg5 (17. Bb2 $143 Qe7 {[%csl Rb4]}) 17... Qe8 {The alternative 17..
.f6 was a concession that White wanted to provoke.} 18. Bd2 N5b6 (18... Qe7 19.
Rac1 h6 20. e4 N5b6 21. Qa5 Bxe4 22. Qxa6 $14 Ra8 $2 23. Qe2 Bd5 (23... Bb7 24.
bxc5 Nxc5 25. Bb4 $18) 24. bxc5 Nxc5 25. Bb4 Rfc8 26. Qe3 Nc4 27. Rxc4 Bxc4 28.
Nd2 $18 {[%csl Ra8,Rc4,Rc5]}) 19. Qc2 $1 $16 {After numerous inaccuracies
Topalov has landed in a difficult position. At the moment White is threatening
20.Ng5.} Nf6 (19... cxb4 {This tempting move does not help Black.} 20. Qb1 {
[%cal Gf3g5]} Bxf3 21. Bxf3 bxa3 22. Bb4 $16) (19... f5 $5 {is ugly but, at
least it could keep the material balance. After the move in the text Black
loses a pawn.}) 20. bxc5 Be4 21. Qb3 Na4 22. Bb4 a5 (22... Nxc5 23. Qe3 Ng4 24.
Qd4 e5 25. Qc4 {and Black loses material.}) 23. Bxa5 Nxc5 24. Qb2 Na4 25. Qd4
Qb5 26. Bb4 Rfe8 27. Qe5 Qb7 (27... Qxe2 $2 28. Nd4 Qc4 29. Bxe4 Nxe4 30. Qxe4
e5 31. Rac1 Qxc1 32. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 33. Kg2 Rc4 34. Qd5 Rxd4 35. Qc6 $18 {[%csl
Ra4,Re8]}) 28. Rac1 {So, Black lost a pawn without any compensation.} h6 29. h3
Bd5 30. Qa1 Ne4 31. Rxc8 {In general, piece exchanges are welcome for the side
that has the material advantage.} Rxc8 32. Rc1 Rxc1+ 33. Qxc1 Qa7 34. Qc8+ Kh7
35. e3 Nxg3 $1 {Good practical chance but insufficient.} 36. Nd4 $1 Ne4 (36...
Bxg2 37. Kxg2 Nf5 (37... Nh5 $2 38. Nb5 Qb6 39. Qc2+ f5 40. Qxa4 Qc6+ 41. Kh2
$18) (37... Ne4 $2 38. Nc6 Qb6 39. Ne7 {[%cal Gc8g8]} Nf6 $8 40. Qc2+ $18 {
[%cal Gc2a4,Gc2h7]}) 38. Nxf5 exf5 39. Qxf5+ g6 40. Qd5 $18) 37. Qc2 f5 38.
Nxe6 Bxe6 39. Bxe4 Qf7 40. Bg2 {After a short tactical melee the position has
become stable again. White's extra pawn should decide the outcome in his
favour. He only has to be a bit careful about his king. The process of
converting the advantage into a full point was performed convincingly by Levon.
} Nb6 41. Qc5 Nd5 42. Qf8 Qh5 43. Qd6 Bf7 44. Qe5 Nf6 45. f3 Qg6 46. a4 f4 47.
exf4 Qb1+ 48. Qe1 Qa2 49. a5 Bg6 50. Bf1 Nd5 51. Bd2 {White's bishops are
excellent.} Qa4 52. a6 Nxf4 53. Bxf4 Qxf4 54. a7 Qa4 55. Qf2 Qa1 56. Kh2 Qa4
57. Bc4 $1 Qa5 58. Qa2 (58. Qa2 Qe5+ 59. Kh1 Qe1+ 60. Kg2 $18) 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.10"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2798"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "150"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nxc6 Qf6 6. Qf3 {This move has
become popular in recent years and pushed aside the previous main line 6.Qd2.
After the exchange of queens White often gets a slightly preferable position
without any risk.} bxc6 {The best recapture. I myself played 6...dxc6 and it
was a long fight for me to squeeze half a point.} (6... dxc6 7. Qxf6 Nxf6 8. f3
Be6 9. Nd2 O-O-O 10. Nb3 Bb6 11. Bd2 Nd7 12. Bc3 f6 13. Nd4 Bxd4 14. Bxd4 c5
15. Be3 b6 16. O-O-O $14 {1/2-1/2 Nataf,I (2564)-Postny,E (2571)/Germany 2006/
CBM 111 (43)}) 7. Nd2 d6 8. Nb3 Bb6 9. a4 a5 10. Bd2 Qxf3 (10... Qxb2 $4 11.
Bc3 Qxc2 12. Bxg7 Bg4 13. Rc1 $1 Qxc1+ 14. Nxc1 Bxf3 15. gxf3 $18) 11. gxf3 Ne7
12. Rg1 {The opened g-file is a reward for White's spoiled pawn structure.} O-O
{Aronian deviates from his own game versus Radjabov which was played just few
rounds before.} (12... Ng6 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. fxe3 Ne5 15. Be2 g6 16. f4 Nd7 17.
Bf3 c5 18. e5 Ra7 19. exd6 cxd6 20. Nd2 Nb6 21. Ne4 Ke7 {1/2-1/2 Radjabov,T 
(2744)-Aronian,L (2737)/Bilbao ESP 2008/The Week in Chess 722 (34). Black is
slightly worse, but he managed to hold it relatively easily.}) 13. Be3 {
Exchanging Black's active bishop.} Bxe3 {This exchange improves White's pawn
structure. However, if Black makes another move, after the exchange on b6 he
might get a permanent weakness on d6.} 14. fxe3 c5 15. O-O-O Bb7 {I think that
it is more precise to put the bishop on e6.} (15... Be6 {Now I assume that
White should keep his knight. In Black will exchange on b3, he will solve all
his problems, as White's queenside pawn structure will be damaged as well.} 16.
Nd2 f5 17. f4 Rf6 $11 {[%cal Gf6h6]}) 16. Bb5 Bc6 (16... f5 $6 17. e5 $1 Rfd8 (
17... Bxf3 18. exd6 cxd6 19. Rxd6 $16 {[%csl Ra5,Rc5]}) 18. Bc4+ Kh8 19. e4 $1
fxe4 $140 20. fxe4 Bxe4 21. exd6 cxd6 22. Rge1 d5 23. Nxc5 Bxc2 24. Kxc2 Rdc8
25. Rxe7 Rxc5 26. Rxd5 Rxc4+ 27. Kb3 Rcc8 28. Ree5 $16 {[%csl Ra5]}) 17. e5
Rfd8 18. exd6 cxd6 {Now White has a target, the Pd6.} 19. Bxc6 (19. e4 f6 (
19... Bxb5 $6 20. axb5 {followed by c2-c4 would give White a strong defended
passed pawn.}) 20. c4 Kf7 21. Rg2 {[%csl Rd6][%cal Gg2d2] This endgame might
be a torture for Black due to permanent weakness on d6.}) 19... Nxc6 20. Nd2 {
[%cal Gd2c4,Gd2e4]} d5 21. Nb3 c4 22. Nd4 Nb4 {Aronian decides to keep the
knights on the board.} ({A worthy alternative would have been} 22... Nxd4 23.
Rxd4 Re8 24. Kd2 Re5 {with a slightly worse but defendable position.}) 23. Nb5
g6 (23... Ra6 $6 24. e4 Rh6 25. Rg2 {[%cal Gg2d2] The pin along the d-file is
unpleasant for Black.}) 24. Rg4 $1 $14 Rdc8 25. e4 {White has to break Black's
pawn chain in order to make the Pc4 a target.} h5 26. Rf4 dxe4 27. Rxe4 Rc5 28.
f4 ({After} 28. Rdd4 Rg5 29. Rxc4 Rg2 30. h4 Rd8 31. b3 Rdd2 {Black's activity
compensates the lack of a pawn.}) 28... Ra6 29. Rd8+ Kg7 30. Rd7 Rd5 31. Rc7
Na2+ 32. Kb1 Nb4 33. Nd4 {Obviously, White has good grounds to play for more
than a repetition of moves.} Rf6 (33... Rad6 34. c3 Nd3 35. Rxc4 $16) 34. Rxc4
{[%tqu "En","How should Black continue?","","","d5g5","With help of this
tactical trick Black's rook is getting access to white's weak kingside pawns.",
5]} Rg5 $1 {With help of this tactical trick Black's rook is getting access to
White's weak kingside pawns.} 35. b3 Rg4 36. Ne2 $2 {The turning point in the
game.} (36. Nf3 $1 {Protecting both Ph2 and Pf4.} Nd5 ({Probably better is:} 
36... Rg2 {but, White has good chances to be on top after} 37. Re5 Rf2 38. Rxa5
Nxc2 39. Rxc2 Rxf3 40. Rb5 R3xf4 41. a5) 37. Rc5 Nxf4 38. Rxa5 Nd3 39. Re3 Nf2
40. Rc5 Rg2 (40... Nd1 41. Re1 Rxf3 42. Rxd1 $18) 41. b4 Ng4 42. Rb3 Rf2 43.
Ng5 Nxh2 44. b5 $18) 36... Rh4 {[%csl Rh2]} 37. Rc5 Rxh2 38. Rxa5 h4 {[%csl
Gh4] Black is a pawn down; however, in this position not the quantity but the
quality of pawns is more important.} 39. Rg5 Rf2 40. Rxb4 Rxe2 41. f5 $2 {
The decisive mistake.} ({After} 41. Re5 $2 Rxe5 42. fxe5 Rf1+ 43. Kb2 g5 $19 {
Black's pawns are faster than the white ones.}) (41. Rg1 $1 {was the correct
move. The position is very sharp however, it seems that a draw would be a
correct result in this case. Here are few sample variations:} h3 42. Rh1 h2 43.
a5 Ra6 (43... Rg2 44. Kb2 Rd6 45. Ra4 Rdd2 46. b4 Rxc2+ 47. Kb3 Rb2+ 48. Kc3
Rbc2+ (48... Rg1 49. Ra1 $11) 49. Kb3 $11) 44. Ra4 Kf6 45. b4 Rc6 46. a6 Rexc2
47. a7 Rc1+ 48. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 49. Kxc1 h1=Q+ 50. Kb2 {and Black does not have
more than a perpetual check.}) 41... h3 42. Rh4 h2 {White's rook is stuck on
g5 and can't help the other rook in the defence.} 43. Kb2 Rc6 44. fxg6 fxg6 45.
Ka3 Rcxc2 46. Rg3 {White is not able to avoid the small tactical trick that
will promote the black pawn.} (46. Rgg4 Rc1 $19 {[%cal Gh2h1]}) 46... Ra2+ 47.
Kb4 {[%tqu "En","Please enter a move for Black.","","","e2e4","This is the
trick.",3]} Re4+ $1 {This is the trick.} 48. Rxe4 h1=Q {White could already
resign, but Anand decided to fight until the bitter end.} 49. Reg4 Qb7+ 50. Ka5
Qd5+ 51. Kb4 Qd6+ 52. Kb5 Qb8+ 53. Ka5 Rf2 54. Rxg6+ Kf7 55. Rg7+ Ke6 56. R7g6+
Kd5 57. R6g5+ Kd4 58. b4 Rf4 59. Rg1 Rf3 ({More precise play would have been} 
59... Qa7+ 60. Kb5 Qb7+ 61. Ka5 Kc4 62. Rc5+ Kb3 63. Rg3+ Kb2 $19) 60. Rc5 Qa8+
61. Kb5 Rf6 62. Rd1+ Ke3 63. a5 Qe8+ 64. Kc4 Qa4 65. Rd3+ Ke2 66. Re5+ Kf1 {
No more checks for White.} 67. Red5 Qc2+ 68. Rc3 Rf4+ 69. Rd4 Qa2+ 70. Kc5 Rf5+
71. Kb6 Qe6+ 72. Kb7 Rb5+ 73. Kc7 Qe7+ 74. Kc6 Qb7+ 75. Kd6 Rh5 {A pity for
Vishy Anand to spoil such a promising position.} 0-1

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.12"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 h5 7. d3 Qf6 8.
Nbd2 Ne7 9. Re1 Ng6 10. d4 Nf4 11. hxg4 hxg4 12. g3 gxf3 13. Qxf3 Ne6 14. dxe5
Qxe5 15. Qf5 Qb5 16. Nf3 g6 17. Qxb5 axb5 18. c3 b4 19. cxb4 Bxb4 20. Re2 O-O
21. Be3 Rfd8 22. Ng5 Nd4 23. Bxd4 Rxd4 24. Nf3 Rdd8 25. Kg2 Be7 26. b3 c5 27.
Rc1 Ra6 28. Ne5 Re6 29. f4 Rd4 30. Kf3 b5 31. Rcc2 f5 32. exf5 gxf5 33. Re3 Kg7
34. Rh2 Bf6 35. Rh5 Rd2 36. Rxf5 Rxa2 37. g4 Ra3 38. g5 Be7 39. Kg4 c4 40. Nxc4
Rxe3 41. Nxe3 Rxb3 42. Re5 Bf8 43. Nf5+ Kf7 44. Nd4 Rb4 45. Nxb5 Rc4 46. Rd5
Ke6 47. Re5+ Kf7 48. Kf5 Kg8 49. Na7 Kf7 50. Re4 Rc1 51. Rd4 Rc5+ 52. Kg4 Ke6
53. Nc8 Ra5 54. Rd8 Ba3 55. Re8+ Kd7 56. Rh8 Bb2 57. Rf8 Ba3 58. Rg8 Ra4 59. g6
Bb2 60. Kg5 Ra1 61. Rf8 Rg1+ 62. Kf5 Bc1 63. Na7 Bxf4 64. Rf7+ Ke8 65. Kxf4
Rf1+ 66. Ke5 Rxf7 67. gxf7+ Kxf7 68. Kd5 c6+ 69. Kxc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.13"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 c6 6. e4 d6 7. h3 e5 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. d3 Re8 10. Rb1 h6 11. Be3 a5 12. d4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Nc5 14. Qc2 a4 15.
Rfe1 Nfd7 16. f4 Qa5 17. Bf2 Qb4 18. Bf1 Nb6 19. Red1 Nbd7 20. Re1 Nb6 21. Red1
Nbd7 22. Kh2 Nf6 23. Re1 Bd7 24. b3 axb3 25. axb3 Nh5 26. Red1 f5 27. Bg2 Bf6
28. Nde2 fxe4 29. Be1 Nd3 30. Nxe4 Nxe1 31. Rxe1 Bf5 32. g4 Bxe4 33. Bxe4 Ng7
34. Bxg6 Re3 35. Rg1 Ra3 36. Rg3 Re7 37. Rg2 Re3 38. Bh7+ Kf7 39. Qg6+ Ke7 40.
Bg8 Ne8 41. Ng3 Kd8 42. Qxh6 Qc3 43. Nf5 Rf3 44. Re2 Qd3 45. Reb2 Bxb2 46. Rxb2
Ra1 47. Qh4+ Kc8 48. Rg2 Qd1 49. Ng3 Rf2 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 24th"]
[Site "Kallithea"]
[Date "2008.10.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Pileckis, Emilis"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2472"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2008.10.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 127"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Panevezys"]
[BlackTeam "Erevan MIKA"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "LTU"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 Bb4 5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bg5 h6 8.
Bxf6 Qxf6 9. e3 O-O 10. Be2 Rd8 11. O-O Bf8 12. a3 Ne7 13. Rfe1 c6 14. Qb3 Ng6
15. Bd3 Re8 16. e4 Nf4 17. e5 Qe6 18. Bf1 Qg4 19. Nd1 c5 20. Ne3 Nh3+ 21. Kh1
Nxf2+ 22. Kg1 Nh3+ 23. Kh1 Qh5 24. Nxd5 Bg4 25. Nc7 Nf2+ 26. Kg1 Nh3+ 27. Kh1
Nf2+ 28. Kg1 Nh3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 24th"]
[Site "Kallithea"]
[Date "2008.10.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Predojevic, Borki"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2615"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2008.10.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 127"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Sarajevo Bosna"]
[BlackTeam "Erevan MIKA"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "BIH"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ne7 10. h3 Ng6 11. Bg5+ Ke8 12. Rad1 Bd7 13. Rfe1 h6 14.
Bd2 Rd8 15. Ne4 Bf5 16. g4 Be6 17. Kg2 Rd5 18. c4 Rd7 19. b3 b6 20. Ng3 Rg8 21.
Nh5 Be7 22. Bc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 24th"]
[Site "Kallithea"]
[Date "2008.10.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2008.10.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 127"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Erevan MIKA"]
[BlackTeam "Ural Sverdlovskaya"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qh4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 Bg7
8. Rb1 b6 9. d4 h6 10. e4 c5 11. Be3 Qc7 12. Rc1 Nc6 13. Be2 Rc8 14. O-O Bf6
15. Qg3 Qxg3 16. hxg3 g5 17. d5 Na5 18. Nd2 e6 19. c4 e5 20. Bh5 O-O 21. f4 Kg7
22. Nf3 exf4 23. gxf4 g4 24. Ne5 Bxe5 25. fxe5 Rce8 26. Bf4 Bc8 27. Rc3 Kh7 28.
Bh2 Kg7 29. Rf6 Re7 30. Bf4 Rh8 31. d6 Rb7 32. Rg3 Kf8 33. Bxh6+ 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 24th"]
[Site "Kallithea"]
[Date "2008.10.21"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2705"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2008.10.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 127"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Erevan MIKA"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Qxd5 Rad8 18. Qg2 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 Bxd3 20. Be3 Be4+
21. f3 Bc6 22. Nd2 Rfe8 23. Nb3 f6 24. Bb6 Rxe1 25. Rxe1 Rd7 26. Rd1 Kf7 27.
Bc5 Bc7 28. Rxd7+ Bxd7 29. Nd2 h5 30. Bd4 Bc6 31. b3 f5 32. Kf2 g5 33. Be3 g4
34. f4 Ke6 35. Bd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 24th"]
[Site "Kallithea"]
[Date "2008.10.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2659"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2008.10.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 127"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Erevan MIKA"]
[BlackTeam "Saransk"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. h3 {Quite a rare reply to
the Schlechter system.} O-O 7. Bd3 Be6 {Entering a little-explored area.} (7...
Nbd7 {is the main move here.}) 8. Ng5 $1 {Logical. White didn't achieve
anything in the following games:} (8. b3 c5 $1 9. Bb2 Nc6 10. O-O cxd4 11. exd4
dxc4 12. Bxc4 Bxc4 13. bxc4 b6 14. Rc1 Rc8 15. Qe2 Na5 16. Ne5 Nd7 17. Rfd1 Qe8
18. Nd5 e6 19. Nxd7 exd5 20. Qxe8 Rfxe8 21. cxd5 Rcd8 22. Rc7 Re7 23. Rdc1 f6
24. Ne5 Rxc7 25. Rxc7 fxe5 26. dxe5 Rxd5 27. Rc8+ Kf7 28. Rc7+ Kg8 29. Rc8+ Kf7
30. Rc7+ Kg8 {1/2 Krasenkow,M (2545)-Kamsky,G (2510)/Paris 1990/EXT 1997}) (8.
Qe2 Nbd7 9. cxd5 cxd5 10. O-O Bf5 11. Bd2 Nb6 12. b3 Ne4 13. Rfc1 Qd7 14. Be1
a6 15. Rc2 Rac8 16. Rac1 Rc6 17. Nb1 Rfc8 $11 {1/2 Cramling,P (2496)-Timman,J 
(2620)/Malmo 2001/CBM 084 (33)}) 8... Bf5 9. Bxf5 gxf5 10. Qb3 Qb6 11. Qc2 $5
e6 12. g4 $5 {A new interesting plan, "justifying" h2-h3.} h6 (12... Ne4 $5 13.
h4 h6 14. Ngxe4 fxe4 15. g5 $36 {[%cal Yc1d2,Ye1c1]}) 13. Nf3 fxg4 14. hxg4
Nxg4 15. e4 $5 dxc4 (15... Na6 $5) 16. e5 Nd7 17. Be3 f5 18. O-O-O c5 19. d5 $1
f4 $2 {This inaccurate move leads to a forced loss but Black's defense was far
from easy:} (19... Ndxe5 20. Nxe5 Nxe5 21. Bxh6 $44) (19... Rae8 $5 20. Rhg1 $1
$44) 20. Ng5 $1 {[%mdl 128] Starting a brilliant attack.} hxg5 (20... Rf5 21.
Nxe6) 21. Qh7+ Kf7 22. Ne4 (22. dxe6+ $142 $1 Qxe6 (22... Kxe6 23. Rxd7 $1 Kxd7
24. Qxg7+ $18) 23. Ne4 Ke8 $8 24. Qxg7 {[%cal Rd1d7]} Ngxe5 $1 25. Bxc5 $1 (25.
Nd6+ $143 $2 Kd8) 25... Nd3+ (25... Nxc5 26. Nd6+) 26. Rxd3 cxd3 27. Re1 Rg8 $1
28. Nd6+ Kd8 29. Nf7+ $1 Kc7 30. Rxe6 Rxg7 31. Bd6+ Kc6 32. Bf8+ $18) 22...
exd5 23. e6+ $1 Kxe6 24. Qxg7 Ngf6 (24... Qc6 25. Nxc5+ $1 (25. Qg6+ $143 Rf6)
25... Nxc5 26. Bxc5 Qxc5 27. Rde1+ Ne3 28. fxe3 $18) (24... Rad8 $142 $1 {
although White's attack after} 25. Qxg5 Ngf6 26. Nxf6 Nxf6 27. Bxf4 $16 {
can hardly be parried.}) 25. Bxc5 $1 (25. Nxc5+ $144 $1 Nxc5 26. Bxc5 Qxc5 $8)
25... Nxc5 26. Nxc5+ Qxc5 (26... Kd6 27. Nxb7+ Kc6 28. Rde1 $1 $18 {->}) (26...
Kf5 27. Nd7 $1 Qc7 28. Rh6 $1 $18) 27. Rde1+ Kf5 28. Rh5 $3 Nxh5 29. Re5+ Kg4
30. Qxg5+ Kf3 31. Qxh5+ Kxf2 (31... Kg2 32. Qg4+) 32. Qe2+ {Authors copy games
like Ed.Lasker-Thomas from one book to another being too lazy to look for much
better examples in modern practice!} (32. Qe2+ Kg3 33. Rg5+ Kh4 34. Qh5#) 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 24th"]
[Site "Kallithea"]
[Date "2008.10.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rodshtein, Maxim"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D48"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2609"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2008.10.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 127"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Erevan MIKA"]
[BlackTeam "Beer Sheva"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISR"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
a6 9. e4 c5 10. d5 Bb7 11. O-O Qc7 12. dxe6 fxe6 13. Bc2 O-O-O {This order of
moves was examined by GM Ch.Lutz in CBM 62, annotations to Sadler - Dreev.} 14.
Ng5 Re8 $6 {Too passive.} (14... Ne5 {is the main continuation, with the
following possibilities:} 15. Qe2 (15. Qe1 Qb6 (15... Re8 $5) 16. Bf4 $5 (16.
f4 Nd3 17. Qg3 c4+ 18. Be3 Bc5 19. Bxc5 Nxc5 20. Kh1 b4 21. Na4 Nxa4 22. Bxa4
h6 23. Nf7 Nxe4 $13 {1/2 Bareev,E (2655)-Dreev,A (2645)/Elista 1996/CBM 056/
[Lutz] Der Remisschluß kommt etwas unpassend, gerade, wo es spannend wird.
Weiß hat 7 plausible Züg mit der Dame, aber nur einer führt zu einer unklaren
Stellung.}) 16... Nd3 $6 (16... h6 $1 17. Bxe5 hxg5 $13) 17. Qe3 $1 (17. Bxd3
$143 Rxd3 18. Qe2 Rd7 19. Rad1) 17... Nxf4 18. Qxf4 Bd6 (18... Rd7 $8 19. Rad1
Bd6 20. e5 Bc7 21. Rxd7 Nxd7 22. Qf7 $16) 19. e5 Bb8 20. Nxe6 $1 Rde8 21. Nxg7
Rxe5 22. Bf5+ Kd8 23. Rad1+ Ke7 24. Rfe1 $18 {1-0 Gabriel,C (2575)-Waitzkin,J 
(2435)/Bad Wiessee 1997/CBM 061 ext (47)}) 15... Re8 (15... Qb6 $2 16. f4) 16.
f4 (16. Bf4 Bd6 17. Rad1 {Lutz: Besser ist} Rhf8 (17... Nf3+ 18. Nxf3 Bxf4 19.
e5 Nd5 $5 20. a4 {Weiß erhält einen Gratis-Angriff.} b4 21. Ne4 Bxe5 22. Nxe5
Qxe5 23. Qc4 Re7 24. Nxc5 Rc7 25. Be4 $16 {1-0 Huebner,R (2575)-Siegel,G (2495)
/Bremen 1998/CBM 068/[Lutz] (38)}) 18. Bg3 h6 19. Nh3 g5 20. Rd2 Qc6 21. f4
gxf4 22. Nxf4 Bc7 23. Rdd1 c4 $13 {1-0 Landa,K (2570)-Galliamova,A (2440)/
Novgorod 1997/CBM 060/[Lutz] (77)}) 16... Nc6 $5 {/\ ...Nd4} 17. Nf3 g5 $6 {
Nach anderenZügen folgt ebenfalls 18.e5.} (17... Nd4 $13) 18. e5 g4 19. exf6
gxf3 20. Qxf3 Nd4 21. Qh5 Be7 $5 22. f7 {Möglicherweise hat Schwarz diesen Zug
unterschätzt. Der Bauer bereitet Schwarz noch kräftige Kopfschmerzen.} Rd8 23.
Be4 $14 {1-0 Sadler,M (2665)-Dreev,A (2640)/Luzern 1997/CBM 062/[Lutz] (62)})
15. f4 c4 $146 (15... b4 16. Na4 h6 17. Nf7 Rg8 18. e5 Nd5 19. Bg6 Qc6 20. Rf3
c4 21. Kh1 Nc5 22. Nxc5 Bxc5 23. Nd6+ Bxd6 24. Bxe8 Rxe8 25. exd6 Qxd6 26. Qd4
$16 {1-0 Verzhansky,A (2219)-Mokin,N/Kazan 2003/EXT 2005 (52)}) 16. e5 h6 (
16... Nd5 {needs testing but I can hardly imagine how Black can do without ...
h7-h6.}) 17. Nf7 Bc5+ 18. Kh1 Rhf8 19. Bg6 Qc6 20. Qe2 Re7 (20... Nd5 21. a4
$16 (21. Ne4 $16)) 21. exf6 Rexf7 22. Be4 {It is not worthwhile to exchange
the important bishop for a passive rook:} (22. Bxf7 Rxf7 $44 {[%csl Gb7]}) ({
but two other options were apparently preferable:} 22. Ne4 $5 Rxf6 23. Nxf6
Rxf6 24. Bh5 {or}) (22. a4 $5 Rxf6 23. Be4) 22... Qb6 23. Bxb7+ Kxb7 24. fxg7
Rxg7 25. a4 Qc6 {[%cal Gc6g2,Gg7g2] Black now obtains counterplay along the
g-file.} 26. axb5 axb5 27. Rf3 Rfg8 28. g3 Bd4 (28... h5 $5 29. Ra5 h4 30.
Rxb5+ Bb6 $132) 29. Be3 e5 30. Bxd4 $2 (30. fxe5 Nxe5 $1 (30... Rf7 31. Bxd4
Rxf3 32. Kg1 $44) 31. Bxd4 Nxf3 32. Bxg7 Rxg7 33. Qf2 $1 $11) (30. Ra5 $5)
30... exd4 31. Nxb5 {[%mdl 640]} Qxb5 32. Qe4+ Kc7 $2 {This move is more than
obvious but} (32... Kc8 $1 {was the right way to refute White's piece
sacrifice:} 33. Ra8+ (33. Qxd4 Qc6) 33... Nb8 $19) 33. Ra7+ Kd8 34. Rfa3 {
Black's king is now in danger but fortunately he has several ways to defend it.
} Re7 $5 {Two other moves were safer:} (34... Nb8 35. Ra8 (35. R7a5 $2 Qc6 36.
Rd5+ Rd7) (35. Qxd4+ Rd7 36. Rxd7+ Qxd7 37. Qxc4 Rg6 $13) (35. R3a5 $5 Qc6 36.
Rd5+ Kc8 37. Raa5 Rc7 38. Rac5 Qe8 39. Re5 Qd7 $11) 35... Re8 36. R3a5 $1 Qb7
37. Rxb8+ $1 Qxb8 38. Qxd4+ Rd7 39. Qf6+ {with a perpetual}) (34... c3 $5 35.
Ra8+ Kc7 36. R3a7+ Kd6 37. Qxd4+ (37. Ra6+ Nb6 38. Qxd4+ Qd5+ 39. Qxd5+ Kxd5
40. Rxg8 Rxg8 41. bxc3 $11) 37... Ke6 $1 38. Qe4+ (38. Qe3+ $6 Ne5 $1 39. f5+ (
39. Ra6+ Kf5 40. Rxg8 Qf1+ 41. Qg1 Qxa6 42. Rxg7 Qa8+ 43. Qg2 Qa1+ 44. Qg1 cxb2
45. Rb7 Nf3 $19) 39... Kxf5 40. Qf4+ Ke6 41. Ra6+ Nc6 $15) (38. f5+ Qxf5 39.
Ra6+ Ke7 40. Qb4+ Kf7 $11) 38... Kf7 39. Rxd7+ Qxd7 40. Qc4+ Kg6 41. Rxg8 {
and one of the sides will give a perpetual}) 35. Qa8+ $2 {After this check
Black simply parries White's attack. The other one was correct:} (35. Ra8+ $1
Nb8 (35... Kc7 $4 36. R3a7+ Kd6 37. Qxd4+ $18) 36. Rxb8+ $1 Qxb8 37. Qd5+ Kc7
38. Ra5 $5 {V.Lebedev} (38. Qxc4+ Kd7 39. Qd5+ Kc7 40. Qc5+ Kd8 $1 41. Qd5+ Kc7
42. Ra5 Re1+ 43. Kg2 Re2+ 44. Kf1 Rc2 $1 45. Qe5+ (45. Rb5 Qa8) 45... Kc6 $1
46. Ra6+ (46. Qe6+ Kc7 47. Qf7+ Kb6) 46... Kb7 $1 47. Qb5+ Kc8 $1 {and White
can't win}) 38... Qb7 $1 39. Rc5+ Kb8 40. Rb5 {White now gets a material
advantage but Black's rooks give him counterplay:} Rge8 $1 41. Rxb7+ (41. Kg2
c3 42. Rxb7+ Rxb7 43. Qd6+ Rc7 $11) (41. f5 c3 $11) 41... Rxb7 42. Qd6+ (42.
Qxd4 Re2 $1 $11) 42... Ka8 43. Kg2 $5 (43. Qc6 Rd8 $1 44. Qxc4 d3 $44) (43. f5
Re2 $1) (43. Qa6+ Kb8 44. Qd6+ $11 (44. Qxc4 $4 Rxb2 $19 {[%cal Re8e1,Ye8e2]}))
43... d3 $5 ({or} 43... Rxb2+ 44. Kh3 Ree2) 44. Kf3 (44. Kh3 Re2 45. Qf8+ Ka7
46. Qc5+ Kb8 47. Qxc4 Rd7) 44... Re2 {and Black should survive.}) 35... Nb8 36.
Rxe7 (36. R3a5 Rxa7 $1 (36... Qc6+ 37. Rd5+ $1) 37. Qxa7 Nc6 $3 38. Rxb5 (38.
Qa8+ $2 Kc7) 38... Nxa7 39. Rd5+ Ke7 40. Rxd4 Rc8 $17 {was relatively better
but not enough for a draw.}) 36... Kxe7 37. Qe4+ Kd6 $1 38. Qxd4+ Qd5+ 39.
Qxd5+ Kxd5 $19 {[%csl Gd5] Comparing to the 36.R3a5 line, Black has an active
king.} 40. Ra5+ Kd4 41. Ra8 Kd3 42. Ra3+ Kd2 43. Ra5 Rc8 44. g4 Kc2 45. Rb5 Nc6
46. Rc5 Na7 47. b4 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-38"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2008.11.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2640"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2008.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Italy"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ITA"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Ne5 Bb7 10. h4 g4 11. Nxg4 Nxg4 12. Qxg4 Qxd4 13. Rd1 Qg7 14. Qf4 Na6 15.
Be2 Be7 16. O-O Nc5 17. e5 Qg6 18. Rd4 Rd8 19. Rfd1 Rd5 20. Qe3 h5 21. Bf3 a6
22. b4 cxb3 23. axb3 a5 24. Ne4 Nxe4 25. Bxe4 Qh6 26. Bf4 Qg7 27. Bxd5 exd5 28.
Bg5 Rg8 29. f4 Qg6 30. R4d2 c5 31. Bxe7 d4 32. Bg5 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-38"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2008.11.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Bologan, Viktor"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2682"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2008.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Moldova"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "MDA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 Be7 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Nbd2
Nh7 9. d4 Ng5 10. Nxg5 Bxg5 11. Nc4 exd4 12. cxd4 Bf6 13. Be3 d5 14. exd5 Ne7
15. Bf4 Nxd5 16. Be5 Be6 17. Qf3 a5 18. a3 Bxe5 19. dxe5 Qg5 20. g3 Rfd8 21. h4
Qg4 22. Qxg4 Bxg4 23. Rac1 a4 24. Bd1 Bd7 25. Re1 Ne7 26. Ne3 Bc6 27. f4 Kf8
28. Be2 Rd2 29. Nc4 Rdd8 30. Red1 Nf5 31. Rxd8+ Rxd8 32. Kf2 Bb5 33. Nd6 Bxe2
34. Nxf5 Bg4 35. Ne3 Rd2+ 36. Kf1 h5 37. Rxc7 Rxb2 38. f5 Rb1+ 39. Kf2 Rb2+ 40.
Kf1 Rb1+ 41. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-38"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2008.11.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2008.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Ukraine"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "UKR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. a4 b4 8. Nbd2
O-O 9. Nc4 d6 10. h3 Be6 11. O-O Nd7 12. Be3 Bf6 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 Rb8 15.
Rb1 d5 16. Ncd2 Nb6 17. Re1 Re8 18. Qc2 Qd7 19. Bc5 Na5 20. Ba2 Qxa4 21. Qxa4
Nxa4 22. exd5 Rxb1 23. Rxb1 Bxd5 24. Bxd5 Nxc5 25. Ne4 Nxe4 26. Bxe4 Rd8 27. g4
Rd6 28. Rb8+ Rd8 29. Rb2 Rd6 30. Nd2 Bg5 31. h4 Bxh4 32. Ra2 Nc6 33. Nc4 Rf6
34. Rxa6 Na7 35. Ra2 g6 36. Nxe5 Rf4 37. Nf3 Rxg4+ 38. Kh2 Nb5 39. Kh3 Rxe4 40.
dxe4 Be7 41. Rc2 Nd6 42. Re2 Nb5 43. Re3 Bc5 44. Rd3 Nd6 45. Nd2 f6 46. f4 Kf7
47. e5 fxe5 48. fxe5 Ne8 49. Nb3 Be7 50. Nd4 Ng7 51. c4 h5 52. Rb3 Bc5 53. Nb5
Bb6 54. c5 Bxc5 55. Nxc7 Bd4 56. Rf3+ Ke7 57. Rf6 Bxe5 58. Nd5+ Kd7 59. Rxg6
Ne6 60. Kh4 Nf4 61. Nb6+ Kc7 62. Rh6 Bg7 63. Na8+ Kb7 64. Rh7 Ne6 65. Kxh5 Kxa8
66. Kg6 Nf8+ 67. Kxg7 Nxh7 68. Kxh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-38"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2008.11.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D44"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2618"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2008.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Netherlands"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NED"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5
9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. exf6 Bb7 12. g3 c5 13. d5 Nxf6 14. Bg2 Be7 15.
O-O Nxd5 16. Bxe7 Kxe7 17. Qe1 Nxc3 18. Bxb7 Rb8 19. Qxc3 Rxb7 20. Rfd1 Qb8 21.
a4 a6 22. axb5 axb5 23. b3 Rd8 24. bxc4 Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 bxc4 26. Qxc4 Qe5 27.
Qh4+ Qf6 28. Qh5 Rc7 29. Rd3 Qf5 30. Qh4+ Qf6 31. Qa4 Qe5 32. Rd1 Rb7 33. h4
Qf5 34. Qa5 Rd7 35. Ra1 Rd3 36. Qa8 Rd2 37. Ra7+ Rd7 38. Ra1 Rd2 39. Ra7+ Rd7
1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-38"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2008.11.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2008.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Bb3 a6 7. O-O O-O 8. h3
Ba7 9. Re1 Re8 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. Bc2 h6 12. Nf1 d5 13. exd5 Qxd5 14. Qe2 Rad8
15. Ng3 Bc5 16. Nh4 Bf8 17. a4 Na5 18. Be3 c5 19. Nf3 Qd6 20. Rad1 Qc7 21. Nd2
c4 22. dxc4 Nxc4 23. Nxc4 Bxc4 24. Qf3 Bd5 25. Ne4 Bxe4 26. Bxe4 Nxe4 27. Qxe4
f6 28. a5 Qxa5 29. Rxd8 Rxd8 30. Qxb7 Qb5 31. Qc7 Rd6 32. b4 Qc6 33. Qb8 Qxc3
34. Rc1 Qxc1+ 35. Bxc1 Rd1+ 36. Kh2 Rxc1 37. Qa8 Rb1 38. Qxa6 Rxb4 39. Qe6+ Kh7
40. g3 Rd4 41. Qf5+ Kg8 42. h4 Be7 43. Qe6+ Kf8 44. h5 Rb4 45. Kh3 Rd4 46. Kg2
Rb4 47. Qd5 Rd4 48. Qa8+ Rd8 49. Qc6 f5 50. Qe6 f4 51. g4 Bg5 52. Kf3 e4+ 53.
Qxe4 Re8 54. Qf5+ Kg8 55. Qd5+ Kf8 56. Qc4 Re7 57. Kg2 Re8 58. Kh2 Re7 59. Kh3
1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-38"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2008.11.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2008.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Ne5 Bb7 (9... h5 {was examined in CBM 120 and 123. The text move is
considered less accurate.}) 10. h4 g4 (10... Bg7 11. hxg5 hxg5 12. Rxh8+ Bxh8
13. Qf3 $1 (13. a4 a6 14. Bxc4 $1 b4 (14... Nbd7 15. Qb3 Qe7 16. Be2 Nxe5 17.
Bxe5 b4 18. Nb1 O-O-O 19. Nd2 Nd7 20. Bxh8 Rxh8 21. Nc4 e5 22. O-O-O $16 {
1-0 Jobava,B (2330)-Raceanu,V (2293)/Artek 1999/EXT 2000(58)}) 15. Na2 c5 $1
$13 (15... a5 16. Qd3 Qe7 17. O-O-O $14 {1-0 Jobava,B-Nikoladze,S (2250)/
Tbilisi 1997/EXT 2002(28)})) 13... b4 $6 (13... Nbd7 14. O-O-O $44) 14. Nxc4
bxc3 15. bxc3 Kf8 16. Nd6 Qe7 17. Rb1 Ba6 18. e5 Ne8 19. Bxa6 Nxa6 20. Rb7 Nec7
21. Qxc6 $18 {1-0 Bocharov,D (2569)-Askarov,M (2522)/Kazan RUS 2008/The Week
in Chess 714 (27)}) (10... gxh4 11. Bxh4 Be7 12. Qf3 Nbd7 (12... b4 $6 13. Na4
Nbd7 14. Bxc4 (14. Nxc4 $5 $16) 14... Nxe5 15. dxe5 Nd7 16. Qh5 Bxh4 17. Rxh4 (
17. Bxe6 $1 Nxe5 18. Rxh4 Qf6 (18... Nd3+ 19. Ke2) 19. Nc5 $16) 17... Qe7 18.
Rg4 O-O-O 19. Rg7 $14 Rhf8 (19... Rdf8 $1 {Mchedlishvili,M; Izoria,Z}) 20. Rd1
$16 {1-0 Izoria,Z (2486)-Korobov,A (2470)/Patras 2001/CBM 083 ext(47)}) 13.
Nxf7 Kxf7 14. e5 Rb8 15. exf6 Nxf6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. O-O-O Ke7 18. Qe3 Qf8 19.
g3 Kf7 20. Bh3 Qe7 21. Rhe1 Bc8 22. Ne4 $16 {1-0 Jobava,B-Tkeshelashvili,S 
(2180)/Tbilisi 1997/EXT 2002(31)}) (10... Rg8 11. hxg5 hxg5 12. Qf3 (12. Nxf7
Kxf7 13. e5 Nd5 $1 (13... Bb4 14. exf6 Rh8 15. Rh5 Nd7 16. Rxg5 Qxf6 17. Rg4
$36 {1-0 Pashikian,A (2534)-Rodshtein,M (2615)/Yerevan 2007/CBM 120 ext (38)})
14. Rh7+ Bg7 15. Qh5+ Kf8 16. Ne4 $6 (16. Qf3+ Ke8 17. Qh5+ Kf8 18. Qf3+ Ke8
19. Qh5+ {1/2 Grischuk,A (2716)-Karjakin,S (2732)/Baku AZE 2008/The Week in
Chess 703}) 16... Qa5+ 17. Kd1 Qa4+ 18. Kc1 Nb4 $2 (18... Qb4 $1) 19. Qf3+ Ke8
20. Nd6+ Kd8 21. Qf6+ Kc7 22. Ne8+ Kb6 (22... Kd7 $5) 23. Qd8+ Ka6 24. Nc7+ Ka5
25. Ne8+ {1/2 Estremera Panos,S (2394)-Perez Candelario,M (2537)/La Massana
AND 2008/The Week in Chess 716}) 12... Qe7 13. O-O-O (13. Be2 Nbd7 14. Rd1
O-O-O 15. Kf1 a6 16. b3 cxb3 17. axb3 Nxe5 18. Bxe5 Nd7 19. Bg3 f6 20. Kg1 Bg7
21. Qe3 $44 {1-0 Sasikiran,K (2670)-Rodriguez Guerrero,E (2464)/La Roche sur
Yon 2006/CBM 112 (51)}) 13... Nbd7 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. e5 O-O-O 16. Ne4 c5 17. d5
Qe8 18. Qg4 Bxd5 19. Rh7 Be7 20. Rxd5 exd5 21. e6 f5 22. Qxf5 dxe4 23. Qxe4 Nb6
24. Rxe7 Rd1+ 25. Kxd1 Qxe7 26. Be2 $2 (26. Qc6+ Kd8 27. Be2 $16) 26... Qb7 $1
$13 {1/2 Sargissian,G (2676)-Perez Candelario,M (2537)/Merida ESP 2008/The
Week in Chess 701 (34)}) 11. Nxg4 (11. Be2 Nbd7 $5 (11... h5 {leads to the
main theoretical line 9.h4 g4 10.Ne5 h5}) 12. Nxd7 (12. Bxg4 $5) 12... Qxd7 13.
Be5 Qe7 14. Bxg4 Rg8 15. Bf3 Nd7 16. Bg3 O-O-O 17. Qe2 e5 18. d5 Nc5 19. O-O-O
(19. O-O $142) 19... Nd3+ 20. Kb1 Kb8 21. dxc6 Bxc6 $13 {0-1 Georgescu,T (2384)
-Gurevich,M (2611)/Plovdiv BUL 2008/The Week in Chess 703 (29)}) 11... Nxg4 (
11... Nbd7 12. Nxf6+ Qxf6 (12... Nxf6 13. Qf3 Rg8 14. Be2 (14. O-O-O $5) 14...
a6 (14... b4 $5 15. Na4 c5) 15. Rd1 Nd7 16. O-O Qf6 17. Qe3 O-O-O 18. b3 cxb3
19. axb3 Be7 20. Rc1 $16 {1-0 Gelfand,B (2723)-Alekseev,E (2711)/Dagomys RUS
2008/The Week in Chess 700 (37)}) 13. Qd2 $1 (13. Be2 Rg8 $1 (13... O-O-O 14.
e5 Qf5 15. a4 b4 16. Bxc4 Nc5 (16... bxc3 17. Bd3) 17. Ne2 Rg8 18. O-O Be7 19.
Qc1 $16 {1-0 Radjabov,T (2744)-Cheparinov,I (2687)/Sochi RUS 2008/The Week in
Chess 717 (38)}) 14. e5 Qf5 15. O-O O-O-O 16. a4 $6 (16. Qb1 $13) 16... b4 17.
Bxc4 bxc3 18. bxc3 c5 19. Bd3 Be4 20. Ba6+ Kc7 21. Qe2 Bc6 22. Rfe1 Qg4 23. Qd2
Be7 24. Be2 Qg7 $17 {1-0 Babuiian,L (2415)-Grigoriants,S (2577)/Istanbul 2008/
CBM 125 Extra (41)}) 13... O-O-O (13... Rg8 14. O-O-O Nb6 15. Qe3 b4 16. e5 Qf5
17. Ne4 O-O-O 18. Be2 c5 19. dxc5 Qxe4 20. Rxd8+ Kxd8 21. Qxe4 Bxe4 22. cxb6
axb6 23. Rd1+ Kc8 24. Rd4 Bxg2 25. Rxc4+ Bc5 26. Rf4 $16 {1-0 Bocharov,D (2569)
-Vitiugov,N (2617)/Dagomys RUS 2008/The Week in Chess 701 (86)}) 14. h5 Bg7 15.
O-O-O Qe7 16. Qe3 e5 17. dxe5 Bxe5 18. Bxe5 Nxe5 19. Be2 Nd3+ 20. Bxd3 cxd3 21.
Rxd3 Rxd3 22. Qxd3 Qg5+ 23. Qd2 Qxg2 24. Rd1 Qg5 25. f4 $14 {1/2 Gelfand,B 
(2737)-Najer,E (2634)/Odessa UKR 2008/The Week in Chess 687 (?)}) 12. Qxg4 Qxd4
13. Rd1 (13. Be2 Na6 $5 (13... h5 14. Qf4 Na6 15. Rd1 Qg7 16. O-O Be7 17. a4 b4
18. Nb1 Qf6 19. Nd2 $14 {0-1 Greenfeld,A (2559)-Roiz,M (2644)/Beer Sheva 2007/
CBM 120 ext (45)}) (13... Nd7 $5 14. Rd1 Qc5 15. Qf4 Rd8 16. O-O Bg7 17. Qg4
Be5 18. Kh1 h5 19. Qg5 Bf6 20. Qc1 Ne5 21. Rxd8+ Kxd8 22. f4 Ng4 23. e5 Be7 24.
Bxg4 hxg4 25. Ne4 Qb6 26. Qd1+ Kc8 27. Qxg4 c5 $13 {0-1 Nebolsina,V (2345)
-Shumiakina,T (2360)/Chelyabinsk RUS 2008/The Week in Chess 709 (68)}) 14. Rd1
(14. O-O Nc5 15. Qh5 Rg8 16. Be5 Qd7 17. Rfd1 Nd3 18. Bxd3 cxd3 19. Qf3 Rd8 20.
Rd2 c5 21. a4 b4 22. Nb5 f5 $17 {0-1 Rodshtein,M (2626)-Nyback,T (2587)/
Plovdiv BUL 2008/The Week in Chess 704 (40)}) 14... Qg7 15. Qh5 (15. Qf3 {
[%cal Ye4e5]}) 15... Qg6 (15... Nc5 16. Be5 Qxg2 17. Bf3 Qg8 $13) 16. Qe5 Qg7
17. Nxb5 Qxe5 18. Bxe5 cxb5 19. Bxh8 $14 {0-1 Greenfeld,A (2559)-Gelfand,B 
(2736)/Beer Sheva 2007/CBM 120 ext (23)}) 13... Qf6 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (13... Qg7
14. Qf4 Na6 15. Be2 (15. a4 $5 Bb4 16. Be2 O-O 17. O-O Nc5 18. Qe3 Nb3 (18...
Bxc3 $142 19. bxc3 Nxa4 20. Rd7 $44) 19. axb5 Bc5 20. Qf4 cxb5 21. Nxb5 Nd4 22.
Nxd4 Bxd4 23. Bxc4 $16 {1/2 Sasikiran,K (2700)-Stefanova,A (2483)/Zafra 2007/
CBM 117 (72)}) 15... Be7 (15... Nc5 16. O-O Rc8 17. e5 Be7 18. Qe3 Rd8 19.
Rxd8+ Kxd8 20. b4 cxb3 21. axb3 a5 22. Rc1 $36 {1-0 Bellon Lopez,J (2440)
-Almagro Mazariegos,S (2311)/La Roda 2006/CBM 111 ext (32)}) (15... e5 16.
Qxe5+ Qxe5 17. Bxe5 Rg8 18. a4 Bb4 19. O-O Nc5 20. axb5 Bxc3 21. Bxc3 cxb5 22.
f3 $16 {1-0 Pashikian,A (2611)-Motylev,A (2672)/Kallithea GRE 2008/The Week in
Chess 729 (45)}) 16. O-O $5 (16. e5 Nb4 17. Ne4 Nd5 18. Qc1 Bb4+ 19. Kf1 O-O-O
$15 {0-1 Eljanov,P (2641)-Dreev,A (2705)/Sochi 2005/CBM 107/[Lutz] (104)})
16... Nc5 17. e5 Qg6 18. Rd4 Rd8 19. Rfd1 Rd5 $6 (19... Rxd4 20. Rxd4 Qc2 21.
Bh5 Qf5 $13) 20. Qe3 h5 21. Bf3 a6 22. b4 cxb3 23. axb3 $16 {1-0 Aronian,L 
(2757)-Caruana,F (2640)/Dresden GER 2008/The Week in Chess 732 (32)}) 14. e5 (
14. Be2 h5 $5 (14... Nd7)) 14... Qf5 $5 {Here the black queen is more active
than on g7.} 15. Qd4 Be7 16. b3 (16. a4 O-O 17. axb5 cxb5 18. Nxb5 Nc6 $132)
16... c5 17. Qe3 $6 (17. Qd2 $1 $13 {preventing 17...Nc6.}) 17... Nc6 $1 18.
bxc4 Nb4 19. Qf4 Nc2+ 20. Ke2 Qxf4 21. Bxf4 bxc4 $17 {Black has clearly won
the opening/middlegame battle. His doubled pawns should not be underestimated
- they control important central squares.} 22. f3 Nd4+ (22... Nb4 $5 {[%cal
Yb4d5]}) 23. Kf2 Bd5 24. h5 (24. Rb1 $5) 24... Rb8 25. Be2 Rb2 26. Rd2 Rxd2 27.
Bxd2 f6 28. exf6 Bxf6 29. Rb1 Nxe2 $6 {Giving up this formidable knight was
not necessary.} (29... Kd7 30. Bd1 Kd6 $17) 30. Nxe2 O-O $6 (30... Kd7 31. Bc3
Bxc3 32. Nxc3 Kc6 $15) 31. Bxh6 Bh4+ 32. Kg1 Rf5 {Black must recapture the
pawn but White now creates sufficient counterplay.} 33. Rb8+ Kh7 34. Bd2 Rxh5
35. Bc3 Bg5 36. Kf2 Bh4+ 37. Kf1 Bg5 38. Ng3 Rh4 39. Rh8+ Kg6 40. Rg8+ Kh6 41.
Rh8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-38"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2008.11.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2705"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2008.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "France"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Qxd5 Rad8 18. Qg2 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 Bxd3 20. Be3 Be4+
21. Kf1 Bc6 22. Nd2 f6 23. Bd4 Rfe8 24. Re2 Kf7 25. Rae1 Rxe2 26. Kxe2 Re8+ 27.
Kd1 Rxe1+ 28. Kxe1 Ke6 29. Ke2 h5 30. Ke3 g5 31. Ne4 Be7 32. Nc5+ Bxc5 33. Bxc5
a5 34. a4 bxa4 35. Kd4 h4 36. gxh4 gxh4 37. Bb6 h3 38. Bxa5 f5 39. Bc7 Bf3 40.
Kc5 Kd7 41. Bg3 Bc6 42. Kb4 Ke6 43. c4 Kd7 44. Ka5 Ke6 45. Kb6 Kd7 46. Bf4 Bf3
47. Bd2 Bc6 48. Kc5 Bg2 49. Kd4 Ke6 50. Ke3 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-38"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2008.11.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2719"]
[Annotator "Gelfand,B"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2008.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Israel"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISR"]

{After the 8th round our team got to second place and had to face the leaders
- Armenia. This team is our bete noir - if my memory serves me well, we had
never beaten them and draws also were not very often. But our young team
managed to forget the past and played a great match.} 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3.
Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 ({An alternative system is} 5. Nd5) 5... O-O 6. O-O {
Previously I had played 6...e4,but this time I decided in favour of a more
solid setup} Bxc3 7. bxc3 Re8 8. d3 e4 9. Nd4 exd3 10. exd3 Nxd4 11. cxd4 d5
12. Rb1 ({if} 12. Bg5 {then the simplest is} h6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. cxd5 Qxd4 15.
Qc2 Qe5 16. Rab1 Rb8 17. Rfc1 Re7 18. Qc3 Qd6 19. Qd4 b6 20. Rc6 Qd8 21. d6
cxd6 22. Rxd6 Rd7 {Kallio,H-Fressinet,L/Plovdiv 2003/}) ({The following game
shows well Black's ideas in this type of position.} 12. Be3 Be6 13. Rc1 h6 14.
h3 c6 15. Qd2 Qd7 16. Kh2 Kh7 17. Rfe1 Ng8 18. g4 Ne7 19. Bf4 Rad8 20. c5 g5
21. Be5 f5 22. gxf5 Bxf5 23. Re3 Ng6 24. Rce1 Re6 25. Bg3 Rde8 26. Bf1 Qg7 {
and Black got the upper hand, Botvinnik,M-Basman,M/Hastings 1966}) 12... h6 13.
Bf4 {The B is going to e5, which is the strongest plan in my opinion.} b6 ({
Here is an another example of Black's success in this line} 13... c6 14. Qd2 b6
15. a4 Bf5 16. c5 Nd7 17. Rfc1 Qf6 18. Rb4 Re6 19. Bf1 Rae8 20. Bc7 bxc5 21.
dxc5 Nxc5 $1 22. Bf4 Qe7 {Karpov,A-Anand,V/Frankfurt 1997}) 14. Be5 c6 ({
Black got into trouble after} 14... Bb7 $6 15. Qf3 Nh7 16. h4 Qe7 17. Qg4 $1
Nf6 18. Qf4 Nh5 19. Qf3 $16 {Hodgson,Ju-Salov,Amsterdam,1996}) 15. h3 ({
Harmless is} 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. cxd5 cxd5 17. Bxd5 Bh3 $132) ({Or} 15. Qa4 Bf5
16. Rbd1 Qd7 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. cxd5 cxd5 19. Qxd7 Bxd7 20. Bxd5 Rad8 {1/2-1/2
Norri,J-Tella,J/Finland 1996/EXT 98 (25)}) 15... Be6 16. Rc1 ({I intended to
meet} 16. f4 {by} dxc4 17. Bxc6 Bxh3 18. Re1 Rxe5 19. dxe5 Qd4+ 20. Kh1 Ng4 21.
Qf3 Rd8 {with full compensation for an exchange}) 16... Rc8 {During the game I
thought that this was an inaccurate move, which allows f2-f4. However, my
thoughts were too pessimistic} ({A reasonable alternative was} 16... Qd7 17. g4
(17. Bxf6 gxf6 {is not dangerous}) 17... Nh7) 17. f4 {White takes the
opportunity and goes forward. Surprisingly, it doesn't bring him an advantage
and moreover he has to be careful.} ({Calmer and better was} 17. Re1 {with an
unclear game after} Nh7 18. g4 Qd7 {It is not easy to assess this position.
Both sides have strong points - White has 2 Bs and some space advantage, while
Black has no weaknesses. I feel that White's chances are slightly better.})
17... dxc4 {I saw no alternative and forced matters.} ({Probably} 17... Qd7 {
was also possible,} {as} 18. g4 (18. Kh2 Nh7) {allows} 18... dxc4 19. dxc4 Nxg4
$1 20. hxg4 Bxg4 {with a complicated game.}) 18. dxc4 (18. f5 $6 {is dubious:}
Bd5 19. dxc4 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 c5) 18... b5 $1 {Fighting for the d5 outpost.} 19.
d5 $5 (19. cxb5 cxb5 20. Qd2 {allows among other options a stylish exchange
sacrifice} (20. Rxc8 Qxc8) 20... Bc4 21. Bb7 Nd5 22. Rfe1 Qd7 23. Bxc8 Rxc8 $44
) 19... cxd5 20. cxb5 (20. c5 Ne4 21. f5 f6 (21... Bd7 22. Qxd5 Bc6 $11) 22.
fxe6 fxe5 23. Bxe4 dxe4 $11) 20... Rxc1 21. Qxc1 {Optically this position
seems better for White, but Black has enough resources.} Qb6+ {After some
calculation I decided to go for the forced line.} ({Black also has solid
position after} 21... Ne4 22. Kh2 Qa5 23. Qb2 f6 24. Bd4 Bd7 {when a draw is
the likely outcome.}) 22. Kh2 Qxb5 23. Bxf6 ({After} 23. Qa1 {White is on the
safe side, but Black can equalize by} Bf5 ({or simply} 23... d4) 24. Bxf6 gxf6
25. Qxf6 Be4 26. Qxh6 Qb2 27. Rg1 Rc8) 23... gxf6 24. f5 Bd7 25. Qxh6 ({
The computer suggests including a2-a4} 25. a4 Qb6 26. Qxh6 Qb2 27. Rf4 Re4 28.
Rg4+ Rxg4 29. hxg4 {with a draw.}) 25... Qb2 $1 {The key defensive move. The Q
protects the f6-pawn and starts to attack on the 2nd rank.} 26. Kh1 {White
still has the illusion that he has an advantage. It was time to look for
equality. The path is not easy to find, but it exists.} (26. Rf4 Re4 27. Rg4+ (
27. a3 Rxf4 (27... Bc6 28. Rxe4 dxe4 29. Qe3 Qe5 30. Kg1 $11 {Lysyj}) 28. Qxf4
Qxa3 29. Qd4 Qd6 30. Bxd5 Kf8 $15) (27. Rxe4 dxe4 28. Qe3 Bxf5 29. Qxa7 Kg7 $1
$15 (29... Qd2 30. Qb8+ Kg7 31. Qf4 e3 32. Qxf5 e2 $11)) 27... Rxg4 28. hxg4
Bb5 29. Qf4 Bc4 30. g5 Qe5 31. a3 Qxf4 32. gxf4 d4 33. Bf3 {and it seems that
Black has no winning chances.}) 26... Re2 27. Bxd5 $4 {Levon's permanenent
desire to win backfires here.} ({White was still in time to transpose to the
previous annotation} 27. Rf4 Re1+ (27... Bxf5 28. Rxf5 Rxg2 29. Rg5+ $11) 28.
Kh2 Re4) 27... Bxf5 {The only, but sufficient move. Now Levon sunk deeply into
thought, but failed to find a way to save the game.} 28. Qf4 (28. Qc1 {is bad:}
Qe5) ({as is} 28. g4 Qe5) 28... Be6 29. Bf3 {The most stubborn defence.} ({
Black's task is easier after} 29. Be4 Bxh3 30. Qh6 Rxe4 31. Qxh3 Qxa2 {with 2
extra pawns.}) 29... Rh2+ (29... Rf2 $2 30. Rxf2 Qxf2 31. h4 {allows White to
escape.}) 30. Kg1 Rxh3 $1 {I think that this is the clearest solution.} ({
Not so clear is the tempting} 30... Bxh3 31. Qh4 $1 (31. Be4 Rg2+ 32. Kh1 Re2)
31... Kg7 {and now according to my engines, the best move is} 32. Ba8 $1 (32.
a3 Qd2) 32... a6 33. a3 {with drawing chances but I cannot explain why.}) 31.
Bg2 (31. Rf2 Qb1+ 32. Rf1 Qg6 {loses another pawn.}) 31... Rh5 $1 (31... Qb6+
32. Rf2 Rh5 33. Qxf6 Rf5 34. Qb2 $15) 32. Qxf6 Qxf6 33. Rxf6 Ra5 {The key idea
- White cannot defend his a-pawn and block the opponent's one. Despite the
very limited material, Black is going to win.} 34. Rf4 (34. Rf2 Rxa2 35. Rxa2
Bxa2 {and White is defenceless.}) 34... Rxa2 35. Rd4 a5 36. Bd5 (36. Bc6 Bb3
37. Kf1 a4 38. Rb4 Kg7 {and K goes to c5.}) 36... Ra1+ 37. Kf2 a4 38. Rd2 a3 $1
{Creating another passed pawn.} (38... Bxd5 $2 39. Rxd5 a3 40. Ra5 {is drawish.
}) 39. Bxe6 fxe6 40. Ke3 Kf7 41. g4 Rb1 ({Simpler was} 41... a2 42. Re2 Kg6 43.
Ke4 Kf6 44. Ke3 (44. g5+ Kxg5 45. Ke5 Kh4 46. Ke4 Kg4 47. Rg2+ Kh5 48. Re2 Kg6
49. Ke5 Kf7) 44... Kg5 45. Ke4 Kxg4 46. Rg2+ Kh5 47. Re2 Kg6) 42. Rf2+ Ke7 43.
Ra2 Rb3+ 44. Kf4 (44. Kd4 Rb4+ 45. Kc5 Ra4 46. Kb5 Ra8 47. Kb4 Kf6) 44... Rb4+
45. Kg5 Ra4 {Transferring the R to the best position, behind the pawn.} 46. Kh6
e5 47. g5 Kf7 48. g6+ Kg8 49. Kg5 e4 {This time we managed to beat the Olympic
champions and to overtake them in the first position for 1 day. Even though,
we didn't manage to stay there, 2nd place is a big success for the Israeli
team. It is the first time our country had won an Olympic medal in chess.} 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-38"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2008.11.23"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Ivanisevic, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2658"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2008.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Serbia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "YUG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qb3 dxc4 8.
Qxc4 Nd7 9. O-O-O a5 10. e3 a4 11. Nxa4 g6 12. Nc3 Bg7 13. h4 O-O 14. h5 g5 15.
Bd3 Nb6 16. Qb3 Nd5 17. Bb1 Rd8 18. Ne5 c5 19. Qc2 cxd4 20. Qh7+ Kf8 21. Ng4
Qe7 22. Nxd5 exd5 23. Nxh6 Qf6 24. Ng8 Qc6+ 25. Bc2 Rxa2 26. h6 Be5 27. exd4
Ra1+ 28. Kd2 Bf4+ 29. Ke1 Re8+ 30. Kf1 Rxd1+ 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-38"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2008.11.25"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Wang, Yue"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2008.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "China"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CHN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. Qb3 Qb6 6. Nc3 e6 7. Nh4 Bh5 8. h3 g5
9. Nf3 h6 10. Ne5 Nfd7 11. Nd3 Bg6 12. Bd2 Na6 13. Rc1 Qxb3 14. axb3 Nb4 15.
Nxb4 Bxb4 16. h4 O-O 17. cxd5 exd5 18. Be2 a6 19. Na2 Be7 20. Bb4 Rfe8 21. Bxe7
Rxe7 22. Nc3 Nf6 23. hxg5 hxg5 24. Kd2 Kg7 25. b4 Ne8 26. Rh2 Nd6 27. Rch1 f5
28. Bd3 Rf8 29. g3 Ne8 30. f4 g4 31. Nd1 Nf6 32. Nf2 Rfe8 33. Re1 Rh8 34. Rxh8
Kxh8 35. Rh1+ Rh7 36. Rxh7+ Kxh7 37. Ke1 Kg7 38. Nd1 Ne8 39. Nc3 Nd6 40. Na4
Kf6 41. Kd2 Ke7 42. Nc5 Be8 43. Nb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 1st"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2008.12.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D12"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2791"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2008.12.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Be2 Nbd7 8. g3
Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Qc2 dxc4 12. Bxc4 c5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. Rd1 Rc8
15. Qb3 Qc7 16. Bf1 Be7 17. Bg2 Nc5 18. Qc2 Rfd8 19. Bd2 Nd3 20. Qb3 a6 21. Be1
Nxe1 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 23. Rxe1 b5 24. Rd1 g5 25. Ne2 Rxd1+ 26. Qxd1 Nd7 27. Qc1
Qxc1+ 28. Nxc1 Kf8 29. Kf1 Bd6 30. Ke2 Ke7 31. Nd3 Ne5 32. Bb7 Nxd3 33. Kxd3 a5
34. b3 a4 35. Bc6 axb3 36. axb3 b4 37. h3 f5 38. Kc4 Kf6 39. g4 g6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 1st"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2008.12.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B37"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2008.12.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. e4 Nf6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nc2 Bg7 8. Be2
Nd7 9. Bd2 {Aronian is admitting, that Ivanchuk has not moved with the knight
to d7 without intending to take on c3 with the bishop.} a5 10. O-O Nc5 11. Qc1
h5 $5 {Ivanchuk is strategically very strong and thus he can afford to try
continuations with a higher level of risk.} (11... O-O 12. Bh6 $1 b6 (12... a4
13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. Qe3 Qa5 15. Nd5 Qa7 16. b4 Nxe4 17. Nb6 Rb8 18. Na3 Nf6 19.
Nb5 Qa6 20. Nd5 b6 21. Nxd6 Qa7 22. Nxf6 exf6 23. Ne8+ Rxe8 24. Qxe8 {1-0
Ibragimov,I (2684)-Perelshteyn,E (2592)/Reno 2005 (39)}) (12... Bxh6 $5 13.
Qxh6 Be6 14. Qe3 Qb6 15. b3 a4 $11) 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. Qe3 Ra7 15. f4 f6 16. b3
Rd7 17. Rab1 e5 18. f5 Ne7 19. g4 Bb7 20. a3 Bc6 21. Rf2 gxf5 22. gxf5 Kh8 {
1/2-1/2 Nijboer,F (2485)-Petursson,M (2555)/Reykjavik 1990 (80)}) (11... Nb4
12. Nxb4 axb4 13. Nd5 b3 $6 14. axb3 $1 Rxa1 (14... Nxb3 $2 15. Rxa8 $1 Nxc1
16. Rxc1 O-O $2 17. Rxc8 $1) 15. Qxa1 O-O 16. Bc3 (16. Bg5 Re8 17. Qa8 $14)
16... e5 17. Qa5 (17. Bb4 $1 Nxe4 18. Qa7 $16) 17... Be6 18. Qxd8 Rxd8 19. Ra1
(19. Ba5 Rd7 20. Nb6 $16) 19... Nxe4 20. Ra7 Bxd5 21. cxd5 Nxc3 22. bxc3 e4 23.
Rxb7 Bxc3 {1/2-1/2 Perunovic,M (2384)-Velimirovic,D (2558)/Valjevo 2000 (51)})
12. Rd1 Bd7 13. Ne1 (13. Be3 Bxc3 $5 14. Bxc5 Bf6 15. Be3 O-O $11) 13... Nd4
14. Bf1 O-O 15. Bg5 (15. Be3 Nde6 16. Nd3 Bxc3 17. Nxc5 Nxc5 18. Qxc3 Nxe4 19.
Qd4 Bc6 20. f3 Nc5 21. Bh6 Ne6 $13) 15... Bc6 $5 16. Nd5 (16. f3 Nde6 17. Be3
Na4 $11) 16... Re8 $6 {The defence of the pawn on e7 is not a mistake, but it
lacks the strength of the more radical solution. The best seems to be the
exchange of the mighty knight on d5, as all the black pieces would be
optimally located.} (16... Bxd5 $1 17. exd5 Nf5 $11) 17. f3 b5 (17... Ba4 18.
Rd2 Rc8 19. Rb1 Bc6 $11) 18. Be3 $1 Nce6 $6 {[%mdl 2048] The first step on a
road, that will deliver the defender to oblivion in no time. It seems, that
the more daring advance of the e-pawn might still have limited the damage.} (
18... e5 $1 19. cxb5 (19. Bg5 $5 Qd7 20. Nc2 $14) 19... Bxd5 20. exd5 Rc8 (
20... Rb8 21. Rb1 (21. Nd3 Na4 $1 $13) 21... Nxb5 22. Bxc5 dxc5 23. Bxb5 Rxb5
24. Qc4 $1 Rb4 25. Qxc5 Bf8 $11) 21. Qd2 Nf5 $13) 19. Qd2 bxc4 20. Bxc4 Rb8 21.
Kh1 $5 (21. Rab1 Bb5 22. Bxb5 Nxb5 23. Rbc1 $14) 21... Nb5 $6 {The knight on
d4 is feeling unsure and thus uses the only available square for the retreat.
The coordination of the black forces is rapidly decreasing.} 22. Rac1 Nc5 $6 (
22... Bd4 23. Bxd4 Nbxd4 24. Nf4 (24. Qh6 Rf8 25. Ne3 $16) (24. Nxe7+ $1 Qxe7
25. Bxe6 Ba4 26. b3 Nxe6 27. bxa4 $16)) (22... Bxd5 23. Bxd5 Nbc7 24. b3 Nxd5
25. exd5 Nf8 $14) 23. b4 {Aronian is choosing to open the lines on the
queenside, where White will retain his activity and thus also his advantage.} (
23. Bxc5 dxc5 24. Bxb5 Bxb5 (24... Rxb5 $2 25. Nf6+ $1 Bxf6 26. Qxd8 $18) 25.
Rxc5 Qd6 26. Rc2 $16) 23... axb4 (23... Ne6 24. bxa5 $16) 24. Nxb4 Qb6 $6 {
Vassily has clearly had a second rate day, too many of his moves are deserving
of criticism.} (24... Bd7 25. Bxc5 dxc5 26. Na6 Nd6 27. Nxb8 Qxb8 28. Nd3 $16)
25. Ned3 $1 Na3 (25... Nc7 26. Nxc6 Qxc6 27. Nxc5 dxc5 28. Bxc5 $16) 26. Bb3
Ba8 (26... Nxb3 $2 27. axb3 $18) 27. Nxc5 $1 dxc5 (27... Qxb4 28. Qxb4 Rxb4 29.
Na6 $1 Rb7 30. Nc7 Rc8 31. Nxa8 Rxa8 32. Bd5 $18) 28. Bxc5 {The catastrophe is
complete, White has gained a pawn and all his forces are better coordinated.}
Qa5 (28... Qb7 29. Nd5 e6 30. Bxa3 exd5 31. Qxd5 Qxd5 32. exd5 $18) 29. Qf4 $1
e6 (29... Rf8 30. Bxe7 $18) 30. Rd7 Rf8 31. Rxf7 (31. Bxe6 fxe6 32. Bxf8 Rxf8
33. Rc8 $18) 31... Rxf7 32. Qxb8+ Kh7 33. Bxe6 1-0

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 1st"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2008.12.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Movsesian, Sergei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2008.12.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 Be7 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Nh7 9. Be3 Kh8 10. d4 f5 11. exf5 e4 12. Nh2 Bxf5 13. Nd2 Qe8 14. Bc2 Nf6 15.
Ng4 d5 16. f3 Qg6 17. fxe4 Bxg4 18. e5 Bxd1 19. Bxg6 Bh5 20. exf6 Bxg6 21. fxe7
Rfe8 22. Bf4 Rxe7 23. Rae1 Rae8 24. Nf3 Be4 25. Ne5 Nxe5 26. Bxe5 Kg8 27. Rf2
Rf8 28. Ref1 Rxf2 29. Rxf2 c6 30. h4 Rf7 31. Rxf7 Kxf7 32. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 1st"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2008.12.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C86"]
[WhiteElo "2727"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2008.12.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Qe2 {Over the past
years, White has employed several methods of avoiding the Marshall Attack.
Personally, I am not impressed by the systems based on Qe2 (the so-called
Worrall Attack). By developing the queen at a moment when all the queenside
pieces are in their initial positions is a premature commitment.} b5 7. Bb3 O-O
8. c3 Re8 $5 {A rarely seen and rather creative way of putting Her Majesty
under pressure.} ({The approved continuation is} 8... d6 {, when White has to
make some concessions if he wants to get some sort of closed variation of the
Ruy Lopez:} 9. Rd1 (9. d4 Bg4 10. d5 Na5 11. Bc2 c6 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 cxd5
14. exd5 Rc8 {would lead to a theoretical position of the Yates variation,
White being a whole tempo down (missing Re1). This is one of the most clear
illustrations of the drawbacks of the move Qe2.}) 9... Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4
Qc7 {and, unfortunately, White cannot continue the normal course of his
development with 12.Nbd2 because after 12...cxd4 the c2-bishop would be
hanging. Finally, after} 12. d5 Bd7 13. Nbd2 {Black can play} Nh5 $1 {, when
the exposed position of the queen makes} 14. Nxe5 $2 {impossible because of}
Nf4 {[%cal Gd6e5]}) 9. d4 Bf8 {Of course, Black should consolidate his central
pawn.} ({Here is an example in which a strong player of the past went down
quickly:} 9... exd4 $6 10. e5 (10. cxd4 d5 11. e5 Ne4 $132) 10... Bc5 ({
The imaginative piece sacrifice} 10... dxc3 11. exf6 Bxf6 12. Qc2 Nb4 13. Bxf7+
Kxf7 14. Qb3+ d5 15. Qxb4 a5 16. Qf4 $36 {is not entirely satisfactory because
of the exposed position of the black king.}) 11. Qd3 Ng4 12. Ng5 $40 {Sergeant,
E-Steiner,L/Hastings 1927/EXT 99 (1-0, 25). with a winning attack.}) 10. d5 {
This looks like a premature release of the tension in the centre. True, the
opposition of the white queen and the black rook is unpleasant.} (10. Nbd2 $6
d5 $1 $15) (10. Ng5 $6 d5 11. exd5 exd4 12. Qd3 Na5 13. Bc2 g6 $15 {These two
moves are hardly satisfactory for White.}) ({The only way to maintain the
tension would be} 10. Bg5 {, when Black would have to weaken his kingside in
order to set up some play along the e-file.} h6 (10... exd4 $6 11. cxd4 h6 12.
Bxf6 Qxf6 {Horner,J (2395)-Morrison,C/Ayr 1978/EXT 1999 (1-0, 24)} 13. e5 $36)
11. Bh4 exd4 (11... Bb7 12. Nbd2 Qe7 13. Rfe1 {keeps the centre intact.}) 12.
e5 (12. cxd4 g5 13. Bg3 Rxe4) 12... d3 13. Qe3 $5 d5 14. Re1 $44 {Black is
well developed, but after a further Bxf6, forcing ...gxf6, the position would
remain double-edged.}) 10... Na5 $146 {This logical move is, at least strictly
speaking, a novelty.} ({The passive} 10... Nb8 $2 {had been played in a game
between lower rated players, Kaiser,M (2062)-Bernatzki,W (1642)/Berlin 2005/
EXT 2007 (1-0, 41)}) 11. Bc2 c6 {The most ambitious answer, undermining
White's centre.} (11... c5 {would also have been playable.} 12. Nbd2 {[%csl
Ga5]} (12. Bg5 Nc4 $11) 12... Qc7 13. b3 Nh5 {. Having maintained the d-pawn
on its initial position, Black has avoided the unpleasant threat of b4.}) 12.
Bg5 (12. dxc6 {is rather unambitious.} dxc6 (12... Nxc6 {[%cal Gd7d5] leads to
more interesting play, but the weaknesses along the d-file may outweigh
Black's slight lead in development after} 13. Rd1 h6 14. Nbd2) 13. Rd1 Qc7 14.
Bg5 Be7 15. Nbd2 h6 16. Bh4 c5) 12... h6 13. Bh4 cxd5 14. exd5 g5 15. Bg3 d6 {
Black is well developed and has a threatening kingside majority. Besides, the
g3-bishop is out of play, at least temporarily. However, the weakness of the
b1-h7 diagonal offers White chances for counterplay.} 16. Nbd2 Bg4 17. h3 Bh5 {
This bishop is ready to neutralize the pressure of his white counterpart.} 18.
Ne4 Rc8 19. a4 {Rather careless. Weakening the b3-square hands over the
initiative to Black.} (19. Rfe1 $5 Bg6 (19... Nxd5 20. Qd3 $40) 20. Nxf6+ (20.
Rad1 $2 Nxe4 21. Bxe4 f5 $17) 20... Qxf6 21. Bxg6 (21. Nh2 h5 22. Nf1 e4) 21...
Qxg6 22. a4 Nb3 23. Ra3 bxa4 24. Rxa4 Nc5 25. Ra3 {offers White reasonable
queenside counterplay.}) 19... Nxe4 $1 20. Qxe4 ({The problem with the
generally desirable} 20. Bxe4 {is that it allows} Nb3 21. Ra3 bxa4 22. Rxa4 Nc5
$15 {and White will find it impossible to maintain the black majority blocked.}
) 20... Bg6 21. Qe2 Bxc2 22. Qxc2 b4 $1 $15 {Instead of coherent counterplay,
White will have only weaknesses on the queenside.} 23. Nd2 bxc3 24. bxc3 Nc4
25. Rfb1 Qc7 $6 {Slightly careless.} ({Black's desire to include the queen
into the attack is understandable, but by pressing against the c3-pawn alone
his initiative is less dangerous.} 25... Qa5 $5 {would have been an improved
version, by attacking the d5-pawn, too.} 26. Ne4 Bg7 27. Rb4 (27. Rd1 f5) 27...
Qxd5 28. Rd1 Qe6 29. Rxc4 Rxc4 30. Nxd6 e4 31. Nxc4 Qxc4 $15) (25... Bg7 $15)
26. Ne4 $1 Bg7 27. Bh2 $1 {White gets an essential tempo to consolidate on the
light squares.} Qa5 (27... f5 28. Ng3 f4 29. Ne4 {[%cal Gg1h1,Gh2g1,Gf2f3] may
become very good for White.}) 28. Rd1 Rb8 29. Qe2 Qc7 30. g4 $36 Rb2 31. Qd3
Reb8 32. Bg3 R2b6 33. Qf3 {White's play is easier already. The e4-knight
defends the c3-pawn and keeps the enemy kingside under serious pressure.} Na5
34. h4 Nb3 35. hxg5 $5 {This will eventually lead to a draw.} (35. Rab1 Nd4 $1
$15) (35. Ra2 Nc5 $15 {exchanges the strong knight.}) (35. a5 $5 {would have
prevented the exchange of the e4-knight after} Rb5 36. Ra4 Nc5 37. Rc4 $1 $36)
35... Nxa1 36. gxh6 Bxh6 37. Rxa1 Rb1+ 38. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 39. Kg2 Bg7 40. Bh4 $44
Re1 41. Qf5 Rxe4 42. Qxe4 Qxc3 43. Be7 Bf8 44. Bg5 Qb3 45. Bf6 Bg7 46. Be7 Bf8
47. Bf6 Bg7 48. Be7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 1st"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2008.12.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2008.12.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Qc7 8.
g3 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 11. Bg2 g5 12. Bxe5 Nxe5 13. Qd4 f6 14. O-O-O
Rd8 15. Qe3 Be7 16. Rxd8+ Kxd8 17. Rd1+ Kc8 18. Be4 Bxe4 19. Qxe4 h5 20. Ne3
Kb8 21. Qf5 Rd8 22. f4 Rxd1+ 23. Kxd1 Qb6 24. Qe6 Qxe3 25. Qxe7 Qd4+ 26. Kc2
gxf4 27. Qxf6 f3 28. exf3 Qd3+ 29. Kb3 Nxf3 30. Ka2 a6 31. Qf8+ Ka7 32. Qc5+
Kb8 33. Qxh5 Qc4+ 34. Ka1 Qf1+ 35. Nb1 Qf2 36. Qf5 Ka7 37. Qf4 c5 38. h4 Qe2
39. Qf8 Qe3 40. h5 Ne1 41. Qf5 Qc1 42. h6 Nc2+ 43. Ka2 Nb4+ 44. Ka1 Nc2+ 45.
Ka2 Nb4+ 46. Ka1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 1st"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2008.12.17"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "2008.12.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. Qc2 (10. a3 {- see Topalov-Aronian and Svidler-Karjakin in
CBM 124.}) 10... Bb7 11. e4 e5 12. h3 {A useful waiting move, however, rarely
played.} (12. dxe5 {is the main line.}) 12... Re8 {This leads to the 12.dxe5
line with a transposition of moves. Practice has also seen:} (12... exd4 {
(Black's main option)}) (12... Qb8) (12... h6) (12... a6) 13. dxe5 (13. Be3 $5
exd4 $5 14. Nxd4 (14. Bxd4 b4) 14... Nc5) 13... Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. Be3 Qe7
{Alternatives:} (15... a6 16. f4 $1 (16. Ne2 c5 17. Rad1 c4 18. Bxc4 Qc7 19.
Bd3 Qxc2 20. Bxc2 Bxe4 {1/2-1/2 Sargissian,G-Potkin,V/Warsaw 2005/CBM 108}) (
16. Rae1 c5 17. Bxc5 Rc8 18. b4 Nd7 19. Nd5 Nxc5 20. bxc5 Bd4 21. Qb3 Bxc5 22.
a4 {1/2-1/2 Bernard,C-Boudre,J/Massy 1993/EXT 1997}) (16. Rad1 Qc7 (16... Qe7
$5 17. Ne2 Bd6 18. Nd4 g6 19. Nb3 c5 $1 20. Nxc5 Rac8 21. b4 Nxe4 22. Bxe4 Bxe4
23. Qd2 Rcd8 24. Bd4 Be5 $11 {0-1 Akesson,R-Ernst,T/Gothenburg 2005/CBM 107
ext (57)}) 17. f4 Bxc3 18. bxc3 c5 19. e5 Nd5 (19... c4 20. Bf5 g6 21. Bg4 Be4
22. Qd2 Nxg4 23. hxg4 Bd3 24. Rf3 Qe7 25. Bd4 b4 26. cxb4 Qd7 27. Bc3 Qxg4 $11
{1-0 Koentges,M-Craciun,G/ICCF WS 2005/ICCF CBM 125 (67)}) 20. Bxh7+ $6 (20.
Bd2 g6 $13) 20... Kh8 21. Rfe1 g6 22. Bxg6 fxg6 23. Qxg6 Re7 $17 {0-1
Krzyzanowski,P-Feldmann,G/IECG 2002/Telechess CBM 105 (36)}) 16... Bd4 17. Bxd4
Qxd4+ 18. Kh2 g6 19. e5 Nd5 20. Nxd5 cxd5 21. Rad1 Qb6 22. Rde1 Rac8 23. Qe2
Rc7 24. f5 $36 {1/2-1/2 Renaze,L-Flear,G/Cap d'Agde 2006/EXT 2007 (42)}) (15...
Bd4 $5 16. Bxd4 Qxd4 17. Rad1 Qc5 {[%cal Rb5b4]} (17... Qb6 18. Kh2 c5 19. Bxb5
Bxe4 20. Qa4 Re6 21. Rfe1 a6 22. Bd7 Nxd7 23. Nxe4 Nf8 24. Qc2 Rae8 25. Re3 $14
{0-1 Itter,E-Wong,K/IECG 2005/Telechess CBM 119 (42)}) 18. Rfe1 a6 19. Qc1 h6
20. Nd5 $2 (20. Qf4 Re6 $11) 20... Nxe4 21. Ne7+ Kf8 22. Bxe4 Qxc1 23. Ng6+
fxg6 24. Rxc1 Re6 $15 {1/2-1/2 Gutman,G-Shalimov,V/Alushta 1999/EXT 2001 (58)})
16. Rfd1 {Or else:} (16. Rae1 a6 17. Ne2 (17. Nb1 c5 18. Bxc5 Qc7 19. b4 Rad8
20. Kh1 Qd7 21. Re3 Bf4 22. Rf3 Nxe4 23. Rxf4 Qxd3 24. Qxd3 Rxd3 $17 {0-1
Jelen,I-Soln,P/Krsko 1997/CBM 061 ext (30)}) (17. Rd1 Rac8 18. Rfe1 c5 $11 {
1-0 Bieker,P-Thier,F/DESC 2004/Telechess CBM 109 (33)}) 17... c5 $1 (17... Bd6
18. Nd4 g6 19. Nb3 Nd7 20. Na5 Ne5 21. Nxb7 Qxb7 22. Be2 Rac8 23. f4 Nd7 24.
Bg4 Rc7 25. e5 Bb4 26. Rd1 $16 {1-0 Bonin,J-Shabalov,A/New York 1992/EXT 1997 
(40)}) 18. Bxc5 Qc7 19. Bd4 Bh2+ 20. Kh1 Nxe4 21. Rc1 Qd6 22. Rfd1 Rac8 23. Nc3
Qb8 $15 {0-1 Sanchez Rodenas,A-Pinho,J/ICCF 2003/CBM 110 (43)}) (16. Ne2 Bc7 $5
(16... Rad8 17. Rad1 Bc7 {1/2-1/2 Trufanov,A-Chubakov,A/Tomsk 2003/CBM 095 ext
(42)} 18. Bc5 $5) 17. Rad1 $5 (17. Ng3 $6 Bxg3 18. fxg3 Nxe4 19. Rf4 Ng5 20.
Re1 g6 21. Rff1 Ne6 22. a3 Red8 23. Kh2 a5 24. Bb6 Rd7 25. a4 Rd5 26. Qc3 b4
27. Qc2 Rxd3 28. Qxd3 Ba6 29. Qf3 Bxf1 30. Rxf1 Qb7 $17 {0-1 Kulczycki,M-Kuhne,
D/LSS 2006/Telechess CBM 123 (45)}) (17. Nd4 Nxe4 18. Rfd1 Qe5 19. Nf3 Qe7 20.
Bxe4 Qxe4 21. Qxe4 Rxe4 22. Rd7 Rc8 23. Bxa7 Re2 $11 {1-0 Kolar,J-Sherwood,R/
IECG 2002/Telechess CBM 95 (40)}) (17. Bc5 Qe5 18. f4 Qxc5+ 19. Qxc5 Bb6 20.
Qxb6 axb6 21. e5 Nd5 22. Ng3 Rad8 23. Be4 f6 $11 {0-1 Likavsky,T-Buhmann,R/
Austria 2005/EXT 2006 (119)}) 17... Bb6 (17... Nxe4 $5) 18. Nd4 Qc7 (18... Nxe4
$2 19. Rfe1 Bxd4 20. Bxd4 f5 (20... c5 21. Bxb5 $1 cxd4 22. Bxe8 Rxe8 23. f3)
21. f3 c5 22. Bf2 c4 23. Bf1 $18 {1-0 Bonin,J-Alexopoulos,G/New York 1994/EXT
2004 (30)}) 19. Rfe1 Rad8 20. Nf3 c5 21. Bxb5 Bxe4 22. Qe2 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Re7
24. Ng5 Ba8 25. Bf4 {1/2-1/2 Mayer,C-Lifshitz,S/IECC 2005/Telechess CBM 113}) (
16. Rfe1 a6 17. Ne2 Bd6 (17... c5 $1) 18. Nd4 Bb4 19. Nf5 Qe6 20. Bd2 c5 $6 21.
Bxb4 cxb4 22. e5 $16 {1-0 Kuzubov,Y-Shalimov,V/Alushta 2002/EXT 2003 (46)}) (
16. a4 $5 {needs more tests} Bxc3 17. bxc3 Nxe4 18. Rfe1 Qh4 19. axb5 cxb5 20.
Bxb5 Rec8 21. Bd4 Nd6 22. Bf1 $4 (22. Bd3 $14) 22... Qxd4 {0-1 Ivanov,
S-Kounalakis,E/Sunny Beach 2008/CBM 126 Extra (29)}) 16... a6 17. Ne2 c5 $1 {
[%cal Gb7e4] A typical sacrifice in this kind of position, in order to
recapture this pawn on e4.} 18. Bxc5 Qc7 19. f3 $1 {White prefers to give up
his b2-pawn while keeping Black's Bb7 and Nf6 restricted.} Bxb2 20. Qxb2 Qxc5+
21. Qd4 Qe7 22. Bc2 Bd5 $2 {A curious idea but White manages to prove the
strength of his d5-pawn.} (22... Rac8 $142 23. Bb3 a5 $14 {/=}) 23. exd5 Qxe2
24. Bb3 (24. Rac1 $5) 24... a5 25. d6 a4 $6 {Now Black's queenside pawns
become weak.} (25... Rad8 $142 26. Rac1 a4 27. Bc2 $16) 26. Bd5 Rac8 $6 (26...
Nxd5 27. d7 $1 Red8 28. Qxd5 $16 {[%csl Gd7]}) 27. Rd2 Qe5 28. Qxe5 Rxe5 29.
Bb7 $1 Rd8 (29... Rb8 30. d7 Rd8 31. Bc6) 30. Rb1 g6 (30... Re6 31. Bc6 $1
Rdxd6 32. Rxd6 Rxd6 33. Bxb5 a3 34. Rb3) 31. Bc6 Rc5 32. Bxb5 Rb8 33. Rdb2 a3
34. Rb3 Rc2 $6 {After this move White keeps two extra pawns but} (34... Kg7 35.
d7 Rd5 36. Bc4 Rxb3 37. Rxb3 Rxd7 38. Rxa3 {is obviously hopeless.}) 35. Rxa3
Rd2 36. Ra7 Nd5 (36... Rxd6 37. a4 Rd2 38. Rc1 $18 {[%cal Rc1c7]}) 37. d7 Kg7
38. Re1 Ne3 (38... Nf4 39. a4 Nxg2 {- game}) 39. a4 (39. Rxe3 {was good enough:
} Rxb5 40. Re7 Rf5 (40... Rbb2 41. Rxf7+ Kh6 42. Rxh7+ Kg5 43. Ra5+ Kf6 44.
Ra6+ Kf5 45. Rf7+ Kg5 46. Kh1 $18) 41. a4 g5 42. a5 Kg6 43. a6 Ra5 44. Re2 $18)
39... Nxg2 40. Re4 (40. Re7 $142 {[%cal Re7f7]} Rd8 (40... Rf8 41. Re8) 41. Re8
Nh4 42. Bc6 $18) 40... g5 41. Rc7 Nh4 42. Rc3 Rb7 43. Re2 $4 {[%mdl 8192] A
sudden blunder in a winning position.} (43. Re7 Rb6 (43... Rb8 44. Re8) 44.
Ree3 $18 {[%cal Rc3d3]}) 43... Rbxd7 $14 {White still keeps winning chances
due to his strong a-pawn.} 44. Kf2 R7d5 45. Rxd2 Rxd2+ {[%mdl 4096]} 46. Ke3
Ra2 47. Kd4 Ng2 48. Kc4 Nf4 49. Kb3 Ra1 50. Kb2 Re1 51. Rc5 Kf6 $6 {It was
more important to bring the knight back:} (51... Ne6 $1) 52. a5 Re5 $4 {
The resulting endgame is lost for Black.} (52... Ne6 {was not so good now due
to} 53. Rc6 {[%cal Yc6b6,Ya5a6]}) (52... Re7 {was probably the most stubborn
defence.}) 53. Rxe5 Kxe5 54. a6 Ne6 55. a7 Nc7 56. Bc6 f5 57. Kb3 Kd6 {White
was threatening to bring his king forward and push the black knight away from
c7 (using zuzgwang if necessary); preventing that, Black allows the white king
to move to the kingside, after which White can already take the black knight
by a7-a8Q.} 58. Bb7 Kc5 59. Kc2 Kd4 60. Kd2 h6 61. Ke2 $22 Ke5 62. Ke3 Kf6 63.
Bc6 Ke7 64. a8=Q Nxa8 65. Bxa8 Kf6 66. Bc6 (66. Kd4 {was already possible} g4
$140 67. f4 $1) 66... Ke5 67. Bb5 Kd5 68. Ba6 Ke5 69. h4 $1 Kd5 (69... gxh4 {
is obviously hopeless.}) 70. hxg5 hxg5 71. Bc8 Ke5 72. Bd7 $22 (72. Bd7 Kf6 73.
Kd4 $18) 1-0

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 1st"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2008.12.18"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2008.12.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 f5 {Without a previous ...Nc6, this is considered to be
premature, because of White's reply.} 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3 $5 {An original answer,
which does not necessary improve over the common continuation. After the text
move, play ressembles a similar variation from the Sicilian> 1.e4 c5 2.f4 d5 3.
exd5 Nf6. The extra-tempo (g3) cannot harm White, of course.} ({The approved
continuation is} 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qe3+ $14 {as, for instance, in Delchev,A (2583)
-Nikcevic,N (2468)/France 2003/CBM 094/[Ribli] (1-0, 46). You can find a small
survey of the variation in the notes to this game.}) 4... Bb4+ (4... c5 5. e3
dxe3 6. Bxe3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Be7 8. Qd2 $44 {Videki,S (2305)-Ruban,V (2580)/
Norresundby 1992/EXT 2000 (0-1, 20). The position is characteristic of a
reversed... Scandinavian > 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.dxe6 Bxe6, etc}) 5.
Nbd2 (5. Bd2 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 c5 7. Bg2 Nf6 8. e3 O-O (8... Ne4 9. Qe2 {As we
will see below, d3 is a better square for the queen.} O-O 10. O-O {King,D 
(2500)-Westerinen,H (2380)/Gausdal 1993/TD (1-0, 36)} Re8 $1 11. Re1 Nc6 $13)
9. O-O Ne4 10. Qd3 dxe3 11. Qxe3 (11. fxe3 $2 Nc6 $15 {Biolek,R (2370)
-Likavsky,T (2250)/Czechoslovakia 1992/TD (1-0, 35)}) 11... Nc6 {. Play has
transposed again into the aforementioned game.} 12. Nc3 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Qe7 14.
Qxe7 Nxe7 15. Rfe1 Nc6 16. Rad1 $44 {King,D (2500)-Westerinen,H (2380)/Gausdal
1993/TD (1-0, 36)}) 5... Nf6 {Aronian keeps developing, not letting himself
tempted by the perspective of playing with an extra-pawn.} (5... c5 6. Bg2 Nf6
(6... Nc6 7. O-O Bxd2 8. Qxd2 Nf6 9. e3 $14 dxe3 $6 10. Qxe3+ Qe7 11. Re1 Qxe3
12. Bxe3 $16) 7. O-O Bxd2 (7... O-O 8. Nb3 $14) 8. Qxd2 O-O 9. e3 dxe3 10. Qxe3
d6 11. b3 $44) 6. Bg2 {Ivanchuk continues tempting him, but without succcess...
} (6. Nxd4 $5) 6... Nc6 7. O-O Bc5 8. Nb3 d6 9. Nfxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 $14 {
White has retrieved the pawn and enjoys more space in the centre.} O-O 11. Nc2
$6 {Ivanchuk's plan is coherent, but rather time-consuming.} ({He could have
consolidated his advantage by completing his development with} 11. b3 Qe7 12.
Bb2 Ne4 (12... f4 13. gxf4 Ne4 14. e3 $16) 13. e3 $14 {[%cal Gd1c2,Ga1d1,Gf1e1]
}) 11... Qe8 12. b4 Bb6 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Nxe3 f4 $1 $132 {Black gets rid of a
potentially weak pawn, opens the diagonal for his bishop and puts the enemy
kingside under pressure. White's advantage of space in the centre loses part
of its relevance.} 15. Nd5 (15. gxf4 Nh5 16. Nd5 Nxf4 $132 17. Nxc7 $4 Qg6 $19)
15... Nxd5 16. Qxd5+ Kh8 17. Rfe1 ({The thematic pawn break} 17. c5 {is best
neutralized by} c6 $1 (17... Rf6 18. cxd6 Rxd6 19. Qc5 $14) (17... Qxe2 18.
Rae1 Qb2 19. cxd6 cxd6 20. Re4 $32 f3 $6 21. Bxf3 $1 $16) 18. Qxd6 Bg4 $36)
17... Rf6 18. Rad1 c6 19. Qe4 $6 {Again, Ivanchuk choses a slow plan of
regrouping.} ({After the simpler} 19. Qd4 Qf7 (19... Qh5 {[%cal Gf6h6]} 20. Qc5
$5 Qh6 21. Qe5 $14) 20. b5 {White may keep some initiative.}) 19... Qf7 20. Rd4
Bg4 (20... fxg3 21. hxg3 $1 Rxf2 $2 22. Bf3 $16) 21. Qd3 Rf8 {Black has
achieved an optimal regrouping and his position looks preferable already.} 22.
Qd2 (22. Rxd6 fxg3 23. hxg3 $8 Rxd6 24. Qxd6 Qxf2+ 25. Kh2 $8 $15) 22... h5 $36
23. Bf3 $6 {With this move, White admits that he is struggling already.} (23.
gxf4 Rxf4 24. Rxf4 Qxf4 25. Qxf4 Rxf4 {[%cal Gf4b4]} 26. e4 h4 27. h3 Be6 $15)
(23. f3 $5 {Aronian}) 23... fxg3 24. hxg3 Bxf3 25. exf3 Rxf3 26. Re2 c5 27.
bxc5 (27. Rxd6 h4 $40) 27... dxc5 28. Rd8 (28. Rd7 Qg6 29. Rxb7 h4 $40) 28...
Qxc4 29. Rxf8+ Rxf8 30. Re5 b6 31. Rxh5+ Kg8 32. Rh4 Qe6 33. a4 a6 34. Rh5 c4
35. Qd4 Qf7 36. Rd5 c3 37. Rd6 $2 ({Missing an excellent drawing chance:} 37.
Rd8 $1 {It seems that Black's king cannot avoid perpetual.} c2 38. Rxf8+ Kxf8
39. Qd8+ Qe8 40. Qd6+ Kg8 41. Qd5+ Qf7 42. Qa8+ Kh7 43. Qh1+ Kg6 44. Qc6+ $1
$11) 37... b5 $17 38. Rxa6 (38. axb5 axb5 39. Rd8 {comes too late already:} Qc4
40. Qxc4+ (40. Rxf8+ Kxf8 41. Qd8+ Kf7 42. Qd7+ Kf6 43. Qd6+ Kg5 44. Qe5+ Kg4
45. Qxg7+ Kf3 $19) 40... bxc4 41. Rd1 Kf7 (41... Rf3 42. Rd4 $1 $11) 42. Rc1
Ke6 43. Rxc3 Kd5 {and White has little hope to save this ending, because of
the huge difference between the kings' activity.}) 38... Rc8 39. Qg4 Qc4 {
There are no checks available and the c-pawn is unstoppable.} 0-1

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 1st"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2008.12.19"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Movsesian, Sergei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2008.12.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 b5 6. c5 Nbd7 7. Bd3 e5 8. Nxe5
Nxe5 9. dxe5 Nd7 10. e6 Nxc5 11. exf7+ Kxf7 12. Bc2 g6 13. O-O Bg7 14. Ne2 Re8
15. Nd4 Qd6 16. b4 Ne6 17. Rb1 Nxd4 18. exd4 a5 19. bxa5 Rxa5 20. Bb3 Bf5 21.
Ra1 Be4 22. Be3 Qd7 23. Rc1 Raa8 24. Re1 Bf5 25. Qd2 h5 26. h3 Re4 27. f3 Ree8
28. g4 hxg4 29. hxg4 Be6 30. Qc2 Qd6 31. Qh2 Qxh2+ 32. Kxh2 Bd7 33. Kg2 Re6 34.
Bf2 Rae8 35. Rxe6 Rxe6 36. Kf1 b4 37. Bc2 Rf6 38. Kg2 Re6 39. Bd3 Re8 40. Rb1
Bf8 41. Kf1 Ra8 42. Rb2 Ra3 43. Ke2 g5 44. Be3 Kf6 45. Rc2 Bd6 46. Bd2 Be7 47.
Be1 Bd6 48. Bd2 Be7 49. Be1 Bd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 1st"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2008.12.20"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2008.12.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 e6 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. O-O
Bd6 9. Nd2 O-O 10. e4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Bxe4 Nf6 13. Bc2 e5 14. Bg5 h6 15.
Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Qxf6 gxf6 17. Rad1 exd4 18. Rxd4 Bc5 19. Rd7 Rab8 20. Rfd1 Rfe8
21. Kf1 Kf8 22. b3 Re7 23. Bf5 Rbe8 24. Rxe7 Rxe7 25. g3 a5 26. Rd8+ Re8 27.
Rd7 Re7 28. Rd8+ Re8 29. Rd7 Re7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 1st"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2008.12.21"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2008.12.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
a3 O-O 9. b4 Be6 10. Rb1 f6 11. d3 Nd4 12. Nd2 c6 13. Nde4 Nd5 14. e3 Nf5 15.
Bd2 Rf7 16. Ne2 b6 17. Qc1 Rc8 18. Rd1 Bf8 19. Be1 Rd7 20. Rb2 Nh6 21. Rc2 Ne7
22. Rc3 Nf7 23. d4 Bg4 24. f3 Be6 25. Nf2 Rd6 26. Rcd3 Nf5 27. dxe5 Nxe5 28.
Rxd6 Nxd6 29. Nd4 Bd7 30. f4 Nec4 31. e4 c5 32. bxc5 Rxc5 33. Bb4 Rc8 34. e5
Nxe5 35. Qb1 Nef7 36. Bd5 a5 37. Bxd6 Bxd6 38. Ne4 Qe7 39. Qxb6 Bxa3 40. Qxa5
Kf8 41. Bxf7 Qxe4 42. Bd5 Qe3+ 43. Kh1 Bc5 44. Qd2 Qxd2 45. Rxd2 Bxd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Yue"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,D"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Nb6 8.
Ne5 a5 9. g3 e6 10. Bg2 Bb4 11. O-O O-O 12. e3 h6 13. Qe2 Nfd7 $5 {This is
hardly worse than the generally adopted retreat of the bishop to h7. In order
to fight for an advantage White must enter the complications starting with 14.
e4} (13... Bh7 14. Rd1 Nfd7 15. Nd3 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 $14) 14. e4 {Other moves
would fully justify Black's previous move.} (14. Nxd7 Nxd7 {is perfectly
acceptable for Black.}) ({Now} 14. Nd3 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 {is obviously connected
with a loss of tempo (comparing to 13...Bh7, where in a similar position White
has already the rook on d1). Besides, Black can play 14...e5 with good play,
so 14.Nd3 is not really an option for White.}) 14... Nxe5 ({Weaker is} 14...
Bh7 15. Nd3 $14) 15. exf5 ({Perhaps in future practice White will also try} 15.
dxe5 $5 Bh7 $13) 15... Nec4 16. fxe6 Qxd4 17. Bh3 $146 (17. Rd1 Qe5 18. Qxe5
Nxe5 $11 {1/2-1/2 Kovacs,G (2505)-Balogh,C (2624)/Nyiregyhaza 2008 (28)}) 17...
Kh8 (17... Rae8 $5) 18. Rd1 Qe5 19. Qxe5 Nxe5 {The endgame looks marginally
better for White thanks to his bishop pair. However, Black has a solid
position with a stable pawn structure and no weaknesses. On the queenside
Black has superiority, therefore White should try to develop an initiative in
the centre and on the opposite wing, where he enjoys a pawn majority.} 20. f4 (
20. Bf4 Nec4 {[%csl Rb2,Rc3]} 21. Na2 (21. exf7 $2 Nxb2 $17) 21... fxe6 22. b3
(22. Nxb4 axb4) 22... e5 23. Bc1 (23. Nxb4 axb4 24. Bc1 Na5 $17 {[%csl Rb3]})
23... Bc5 24. bxc4 Rxf2 25. Ba3 (25. Kh1 Bd4 26. Rxd4 exd4 $17) 25... Be3 26.
Kh1 Nxc4 {leads to a position where Black has three pawns and an initiative
for the bishop.}) 20... Nec4 21. f5 $5 {Aronian decides to keep a passed pawn
on e6.} ({The alternative was} 21. exf7 Rxf7 22. Be6 Re7 23. f5 $13) 21... Rae8
22. Rb1 fxe6 23. fxe6 Re7 24. Kh1 Rfe8 25. Ne2 Nd5 {Due to Black's centralized
knights White cannot make use of his strong pawn on e6. The position is about
equal.} 26. b3 (26. Nf4 Nxf4 27. Bxf4 g5 28. Bc1 Nb6 29. b3 Nd5 $11) 26... Nd6
27. Nf4 Nxf4 (27... Nc3 $1 28. Bd2 (28. Bb2 $2 Nxd1 29. Rxd1 Kg8 30. Be5 Ne4
$17) (28. Ng6+ $2 Kh7 29. Nxe7 Nxd1 $17 {[%cal Gd1f2]}) (28. Rxd6 Bxd6 29. Ng6+
Kg8 30. Nxe7+ Bxe7 31. Rb2 (31. Ra1 Bf6 $11) 31... Ba3 32. Rc2 Bxc1 33. Rxc3
$11) 28... Nxd1 29. Rxd1 Bxd2 30. Ng6+ Kh7 31. Nxe7 Bb4 32. Nf5 Rxe6 $11) 28.
Bxf4 Ne4 29. Rb2 Nf6 30. Be5 $6 (30. Re2 $14) 30... Nh7 $1 $15 {[%csl Re6]
[%cal Gh7g5,Gh7f8] Suddenly White loses the pawn on e6, although his bishop
pair allows him to escape without too many problems.} 31. Rd7 Ng5 32. Bg4 Nxe6
33. Rxe7 Rxe7 34. Rf2 Kg8 35. Be2 $1 Rf7 36. Kg2 (36. Rxf7 Kxf7 37. Bc4 g6 38.
Kg2 $15 {/=}) 36... Rxf2+ 37. Kxf2 Nc5 38. Ke3 Nd7 39. Ke4 Kf8 40. Bd4 Bc5 41.
Bg4 Bxd4 42. Bxd7 Bg1 43. h4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nxc6 Qf6 6. Qf3 bxc6 7. Nc3 d6 8.
Qg3 Qg6 9. Bd3 Nf6 10. Na4 Bd4 11. c3 Bb6 12. f3 Nd7 13. Bf4 f6 14. Bc4 Ne5 15.
Qxg6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Stellwagen, Daniel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2612"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 dxc4 7. Bxc4 h6 8.
Bh4 Qxd4 9. Qxd4 Nxd4 10. O-O-O e5 11. Nf3 Nxf3 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Bb5+ Ke7 14.
Nd5+ Kd8 15. gxf3 Bd6 16. Rd2 Be6 17. Rhd1 Bc5 18. Nb6+ Ke7 19. Nxa8 Rxa8 20.
Bd7 Bxa2 21. Bg4 Bd4 22. f4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. b3 O-O 8. Be2
b6 9. Bb2 Qe7 10. O-O Bb7 11. Rfe1 Rfe8 12. Rad1 Rad8 13. Bf1 Bb4 14. a3 Bxa3
15. Bxa3 Qxa3 16. cxd5 exd5 17. Ra1 Qd6 18. Rxa7 Qb8 19. Rea1 c5 20. b4 cxd4
21. Nxd4 Rc8 22. Qb3 Ne5 23. h3 g6 24. Be2 Re7 25. R7a2 Nc4 26. Rd1 Nxe3 27.
fxe3 Rxe3 28. Rd3 Qg3 29. Nd1 Qe1+ 30. Bf1 Rxd3 31. Qxd3 Qxb4 32. Qd2 Qd6 33.
Nf3 Ne4 34. Qd4 Rc1 35. Rb2 Qc5 36. Ne3 Ba6 37. Rxb6 Qxd4 38. Nxd4 Bxf1 39.
Nxf1 Nd2 40. Rf6 Rd1 41. Ne2 d4 42. Neg3 h5 43. Rf2 Nb1 44. Rb2 f5 45. Nh1 Nc3
46. Rd2 Ra1 47. h4 Kg7 48. Nhg3 Ra4 49. Nh2 Ne4 50. Rd3 Nxg3 51. Rxg3 d3 52.
Rxd3 Rxh4 53. Rd7+ Kh6 54. Nf3 Re4 55. Rd6 Kg7 56. Kh2 Kh6 57. Nd4 Rh4+ 58. Kg3
Rg4+ 59. Kh3 Kg7 60. g3 Kf7 61. Nf3 Ke7 62. Ra6 f4 63. gxf4 Rxf4 64. Ne5 Re4
65. Nxg6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Movsesian, Sergei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,D"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. a4 e6 6. g3 dxc4 7. Bg2 c5 8. dxc5
Qxd1+ 9. Nxd1 Nc6 (9... Bxc5 10. Ne5 Nd5 11. Ne3 Nxe3 12. Bxe3 Bxe3 13. fxe3 c3
14. b4 $1 Nd7 15. Nd3 Rb8 16. O-O b5 17. axb5 Rxb5 18. Rfc1 $14 {1-0 Anand,V 
(2791)-Wang Yue (2739)/Linares (33)}) 10. Ne3 Bxc5 11. Nxc4 Ke7 ({Movsesian
deviates from his own games, where he developed the bishop on d7:} 11... Bd7
12. O-O Ke7 13. b3 (13. Nfe5 Rac8 14. Nd3 Nd4 15. Bxb7 Rc7 16. Bf3 Nb3 17. Nxc5
Rxc5 18. Ra3 Nxc1 19. Rxc1 $13 {1/2-1/2 Gelfand,B (2713)-Movsesian,S (2659)/
Batumi 1999 (92)}) 13... Nd5 14. Bb2 f6 15. Rfc1 Rhd8 16. Nce5 Bd6 17. Nxd7
Rxd7 $14 {1/2-1/2 Ruck,R (2523)-Movsesian,S (2637)/Sibenik 2006 (33)}) 12. O-O
Nd5 (12... Bd7 {transposes to 11...Bd7 (this was the move order from the
abovementioned game Gelfand-Movsesian).}) 13. Rd1 $146 {This novelty shows
that Black's path to equality is not all that simple if he delays the
queenside development.} ({Due to the following game the variation was
considered to bring White no advantage:} 13. Nfe5 Nd4 14. Be3 Nxe3 15. fxe3 Nf5
16. b4 Ba7 17. Rad1 f6 18. Bxb7 Bxb7 19. Rd7+ Ke8 20. Rxb7 fxe5 21. g4 Nxe3 22.
Nd6+ Kd8 {1/2-1/2 Bareev,E (2660)-Shirov,A (2685)/Groningen 1993}) 13... f6 (
13... Bd7 14. Nfe5 $36) 14. Nfd2 $1 Rd8 15. Nb3 Ba7 16. Nca5 Rb8 {An obvious
concession, but Black needed to make a choice and Movsesian decided that it
would be easier to play with a weak pawn on c6, than have problems to complete
development.} (16... Nxa5 17. Nxa5 Rb8 18. Bd2 Bd7 19. e4 $36 {[%cal Gd2b4]})
17. Nxc6+ bxc6 18. Na5 Bd7 19. b3 Bc5 ({Apart from the computer's suggestion
19...Nc3, which looks quite risky from a human's point of view, Black had a
decent alternative to keep the dark-squared bishops on the board:} 19... Bb6
20. Ba3+ (20. Bd2 $14) 20... Kf7 21. Nc4 Bc7 22. Rd3 e5 $14 {/=}) 20. Bd2 Bb4
21. Rac1 Rdc8 (21... Bxa5 22. Bxa5 Rdc8 23. e4 Nb4 24. Rc5 $16) 22. Bxb4+ Nxb4
23. f4 {After the exchange of the dark-squared bishops White has a stable plus.
His perfectly placed knight on a5 cannot be disturbed anymore.} c5 24. Kf2 $14
(24. Nb7 {wins a pawn, but leads to simplifications and it is unclear whether
it's enough for a win:} Rc7 (24... c4 $5 25. Nd6 Rc5) 25. Nxc5 Rbc8 26. Rc4
Rxc5 27. Rxb4 a5 28. Rb7 R8c7 29. Rxc7 Rxc7 30. Rd3 Rc1+ 31. Kf2 Bc6 32. Bxc6
Rxc6 $16) 24... Rc7 25. Rc3 Be8 26. Rdc1 Kd6 27. Re3 Bf7 28. Bh3 Ke7 29. Re4 g6
(29... Na2 $142 30. Ra1 Nc3 31. Rc4 Nd5 $14) 30. Rec4 Kd6 31. Bg2 Nd5 (31... e5
32. Re4 $16 {[%csl Re5][%cal Ga5c4]} (32. Rd1+ Ke7 33. Re4 $16)) 32. h4 Nb4 33.
g4 {A classical way to increase positional advantage: in order to make
progress White needs to open the second front.} h6 34. g5 hxg5 (34... fxg5 35.
fxg5 h5 36. Kg3 Nd5 37. e4 $16 {[%cal Gc1f1]}) 35. hxg5 fxg5 36. fxg5 Nd5 37.
Rh1 $16 Rb4 38. Rh8 Ke7 39. Be4 e5 (39... Rxc4 40. Nxc4 $18 {[%cal Gc4e5]}) 40.
Rh7 Kd6 41. e3 Ke6 42. Bd3 Rb8 43. Rc1 Be8 44. Rch1 Rxh7 45. Rxh7 $18 Nb4 46.
Be4 Rd8 47. Nc4 Bc6 (47... Bf7 48. Rg7 $18) 48. Bxg6 Rf8+ 49. Ke2 Bf3+ 50. Ke1
e4 (50... Rg8 51. Bf7+) 51. Rh6 Nd3+ 52. Kd2 Ke7 53. Kc3 Rd8 54. Rh7+ Ke6 55.
Rc7 Rh8 56. Bh7 $1 Nb4 57. Rxc5 Nd5+ 58. Rxd5 (58. Rxd5 Kxd5 59. g6 $18) 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E16"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 a5 6. Bg2 Bb7 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2
c5 9. Rd1 Be4 10. Qc1 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Na6 13. Bxb4 axb4 14. Nd2 d5
15. Qc2 Qd7 16. cxd5 Rfc8 17. Qd3 Nxd5 18. Qf3 h6 19. N2b3 Qb7 20. Nb5 Qd7 21.
N5d4 Qb7 22. Nf5 Rd8 23. e4 exf5 24. exd5 Nc5 25. Nxc5 bxc5 26. b3 g6 27. Rac1
Ra5 28. Rd2 h5 29. h4 Rd6 30. Kh2 Qd7 31. Qd3 Qd8 32. Rc4 Qd7 33. Rcc2 Qd8 34.
Qc4 Qa8 35. Rd3 Qd8 36. Re2 Kg7 37. Rde3 Qf6 38. Rd2 Rd8 39. Qf4 Ra6 40. Qc7
Qd6 41. Re7 Qxc7 42. Rxc7 Rda8 43. Rxc5 Rxa2 44. Rxa2 Rxa2 45. Kg2 Rb2 46. d6
Rd2 47. Rc4 Rxd6 48. Rxb4 Rd3 49. Rb7 Kf6 50. b4 Rb3 51. b5 f4 52. gxf4 Ke6 53.
f5+ Kxf5 54. Rxf7+ Kg4 55. Rf6 Rxb5 56. Rxg6+ Kxh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.24"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
{No Marshall. Kariakin prefers to avoid a theoretical duel and saves his
novelties for another day.} Bb7 {Nowadays, Black leaves the pawn on d7 a
little longer. maybe he can still play d5 in one move, and aso the bishop
retains the chance to come to c5.} 9. d3 d5 {See the previous note. Black is
ready to part with a pawn.} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. a4 ({White plays it safe. The
point is that after} 11. Nxe5 Nd4 $1 {Black manages to exchange off the
powerful Spanish bishop.}) 11... Nd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. axb5 {The speed of play
suggests that both players were prepared for exactly this variation.} axb5 14.
Rxa8 Bxa8 15. Na3 {I have seen this position before. Yes, now I remember! It
was in December, at the Grand Prix in Elista, the game Leko-Jakovenko. White
quickly achieves a decisive advantage, but could not win. Peter's team was
very upset, and Dima was delighted...} Bb4 {Virtually the only sensible move.}
({If} 15... Qd7 16. Qg4 $1 {is very strong.}) ({and after} 15... Bxa3 16. bxa3
c5 17. Qg4 {White's two bishops give him a strong initiative.}) (15... b4 {
is just positionally bad.}) 16. Bd2 ({In the above-mentioned game, the players
first repeated moves:} 16. Re5 Bd6 17. Re1 Bb4 {and only then was} 18. Bd2 {
played.}) 16... Bxd2 17. Qxd2 Qf6 {I remember we analysed the text in the
press-centre at Elista, and we humans could not find any advantage for White.
Now we will see what Kariakin and his computer have come up with. Black offers
the b5-pawn,but prepares the powerful Nd5-f4.} ({Novelty! The Leko-Jakovenko
game went} 17... Bc6 $2 18. Re5 $1 b4 19. Nb5 $1 Nf6 20. Qf4 Bd5 21. Bxd5 Nxd5
22. Qxd4 c6 23. Na7 $1 Qc7 24. Nxc6 Qxc6 25. Rxd5 Qxc2 26. Qxb4 {and, believe
it or not, the Hungarian no. 1 and Super-GM could not realize the advantage of
two extra pawns.}) 18. Bxd5 {DRAW! A cynical decision, in my view. No fight at
all took place here. Poor show, Sergey. Poor show, Levon.} ({After} 18. Nxb5 {
there is} Nf4 19. f3 Qh6 20. Kh2 (20. Qf2 Qg5 $1) 20... Bxf3 21. gxf3 Qxh3+ 22.
Kg1 Qg3+ {and Black has at least a draw. Probably a draw at most, as well.})
1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.25"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. c5 g6 7. Bd3 Bg7 8. e4 dxe4
9. Nxe4 Bg4 10. Nxf6+ Bxf6 11. a4 b4 12. Be4 a5 13. Be3 O-O 14. h4 Qd7 15. h5
Bf5 16. Qd3 Qd5 17. Bxd5 Bxd3 18. Bb3 Be4 19. O-O-O Bd5 20. Bxd5 cxd5 21. Ne5
Rd8 22. Rh3 Bxe5 23. dxe5 Nc6 24. Bg5 Kg7 25. hxg6 fxg6 26. g4 d4 27. Rdh1 h5
28. gxh5 Rd5 29. f4 d3 30. Kd2 Nd4 31. Rxd3 Rad8 32. h6+ Kf7 33. Kd1 Ke6 34. h7
Rh8 35. Rh6 Kf5 36. Bxe7 Ke4 37. Rd2 Rd7 38. Bf6 Rdxh7 39. Rxd4+ Kxd4 40. e6+
Kd3 41. Rxh7 Rxh7 42. Ke1 Rc7 43. Bd8 Rxc5 44. e7 Rc1+ 45. Kf2 Rc2+ 46. Kf3 Re2
47. Bxa5 Rxe7 48. Bxb4 Re4 49. Bc3 Rxa4 50. Kg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "160"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 h6 10. b3 a5 11. a4 Be6 12. Ne2 Bd5 13. Rd1 Kc8 14. Ne1 g5
15. Bb2 Bg7 16. Nd3 b6 17. f3 Kb7 18. Kf2 Be6 19. g4 Ne7 20. Ng3 Rhd8 21. h3 c5
22. f4 c4 23. bxc4 Bxc4 24. f5 Nc6 25. e6 Bf8 26. exf7 Bxf7 27. Ne4 Bc4 28. Bf6
Re8 29. Kf3 Ka7 30. Ndf2 Ba6 31. h4 gxh4 32. Bxh4 Bb7 33. Kf4 Nb4 34. c4 Na6
35. Nc3 Bc6 36. Nfe4 Nc5 37. Nf6 Re7 38. Nh5 Rf7 39. Nb5+ Kb7 40. Ra2 Re8 41.
Nf6 Ree7 42. Nd4 Bxa4 43. Rxa4 Bg7 44. Nh5 Re4+ 45. Kf3 Bxd4 46. Ra3 Rxf5+ 47.
gxf5 Rxh4 48. Ng3 a4 49. Ra2 Be5 50. Rd5 Bd6 51. Rxd6 cxd6 52. f6 Ne6 53. Rxa4
Rf4+ 54. Ke3 Rxf6 55. Ra1 Ng5 56. Ne2 Rf3+ 57. Kd4 Kc6 58. Ra8 Rf8 59. Ra7 Ne6+
60. Ke3 Rf5 61. Rh7 Re5+ 62. Kd2 h5 63. Rh6 Kc5 64. Kd3 Kb4 65. Ng3 Nf4+ 66.
Kd4 Rc5 67. Rxd6 Rxc4+ 68. Ke3 b5 69. Rd1 Ng2+ 70. Kf3 Nh4+ 71. Ke2 Rc2+ 72.
Kf1 Ng2 73. Rb1+ Kc4 74. Nf5 b4 75. Kg1 Kc5 76. Ra1 b3 77. Ra5+ Kb4 78. Ra7 Nf4
79. Rb7+ Kc3 80. Ne3 Rc1+ 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.28"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2712"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. Qa4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Nd5 8.
Bxb4 Ndxb4 9. Nc3 a6 10. Ne5 O-O 11. Nxc6 Nxc6 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Qxc4 Rb8 14.
b3 Qd6 15. Ne4 Qb4+ 16. Qxb4 Rxb4 17. O-O-O e5 18. Rd2 a5 19. Rhd1 a4 20. Nc5
axb3 21. axb3 Be6 22. Kb2 Rb5 23. Rc1 Rfb8 24. Rc3 exd4 25. Rxd4 h6 26. Nxe6
fxe6 27. Rd7 R8b7 28. Rd4 Kf7 29. h4 Ke7 30. Re4 R7b6 31. Rce3 c5 32. Rg4 Kf7
33. Rf3+ Kg8 34. Rc3 Rd6 35. Ra4 Kf7 36. Kc2 Ke7 37. Rg4 Ra5 38. Rxg7+ Kf6 39.
Rxc7 Ra2+ 40. Kc1 Rxe2 41. Rf3+ Kg6 42. Rxc5 Rdd2 43. h5+ Kg7 44. Rc7+ Kg8 45.
Re3 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.30"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4
{There has been some theoretical dispute in this line lately.} Nxd4 ({Black
can transpose to the Yates variation with} 8... d6 9. c3 Bg4 {, but this is
one of the lines the adherents of the Marshall Attack wish to avoid.}) 9. Nxd4
(9. Bxf7+ $5 {Ivanchuk,V (2751)-Leko,P (2753)/Morelia/Linares 2008/CBM 123/
[Marin,M] (1-0, 43)}) 9... exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. c3 {This is the most ambitious
move, aiming for rapid piece development, at the cost of a pawn.} (11. Qxd4 {
Carlsen,M (2693)-Leko,P (2738)/Dortmund 2007/CBM 119/[Marin] (1/2, 29)}) 11...
dxc3 12. Nxc3 d6 13. Bd5 $5 {Although this move is not entirely new (it had
been played just once, in an old and not very relevant game), it may have come
as a surprise for Aronian. White starts chasing the enemy rook, which will
eventually lead to the win of an exchange.} (13. Qf3 {Jakovenko,D (2708)
-Karjakin,S (2686)/Foros 2007/CBM 119/[Marin,M] (1/2, 29)}) 13... Rb8 14. Be3
Be6 $1 $146 {This seems to be the best move. Black develops a piece, preparing
a very intelligent way to give up the exchange.} (14... c5 $6 15. exd6 Bxd6 $6
(15... Nxd6 $6 16. Bxc5 $16 {leaves White with the much better development in
conditions of material equality.}) ({Black's position looks dangerous after
the relatively better} 15... Qxd6 16. Qd2 $44 {[%cal Ge3f4,Ga1d1] , too}) 16.
Ne4 Qc7 17. Nxd6 Qxd6 (17... Nxd6 18. Bf4 $44) 18. Qf3 $6 (18. Rc1 $1 c4 19.
Ba7 $16) 18... Nf6 $6 (18... Bg4 $1 $11) 19. Bf4 Qxd5 20. Qxd5 Nxd5 21. Bxb8
Be6 $14 {Michailow,S-Muuss,K/Osterroenfeld 1996/EXT 2002 (1/2, 81)}) (14... b4
$6 {does not offer entirely adequate compensation after} 15. Ba7 (15. Na4 $2
dxe5 16. Ba7 Rb5) 15... bxc3 16. Bxb8 Bf5 17. Qb3 $14) ({the same as} 14...
dxe5 $6 15. Ba7 Bd7 16. Bxb8 Qxb8 17. Rxe5 $14) 15. Ba7 Bxd5 16. Bxb8 Bb7 17.
Ba7 Qa8 {This is the point. Black attacks the bishop and the g2-square.
However, White has resources still.} 18. exd6 Bxd6 19. Bd4 b4 $1 {In view of
the following forced line, it is essential to drive the enemy knight onto a
passive square.} 20. Na4 (20. Qg4 $2 {loses material to} h5 $1 21. Qg5 f6 $1
$17) 20... Bxg2 21. Rxe8 $1 (21. Qg4 $2 Bf3 $17) 21... Qxe8 (21... Rxe8 22. Qg4
$16) 22. Kxg2 c5 23. Be3 Qc6+ 24. f3 Re8 25. Bf2 {This is the critical moment
for the evaluation of White's 13.Bd5. Black has two pawns for the sacrificed
piece. White is underdeveloped still and his king is vulnerable. Optically, it
looks like if Black should have compensation.} c4 $2 {This is too slow and
allows White regroup in time.} ({The correct continuation of the attack was} 
25... Re5 $1 {The rook enjoys higher mobility on the fifth rank than on the
sixth. The importance of this detail will be revealed slightly later.} 26. Rc1
{This looks strongest. White develops a piece, putting the c5-pawn under
pressure.} ({After} 26. b3 {, consolidating the knight, Black could play} Rg5+
27. Bg3 f5 $5 28. Kf1 f4 29. Bf2 Qd7 $44) 26... Rg5+ 27. Bg3 ({It looks safer
to accept a draw by repetition with} 27. Kh1 Rd5 $1 {This is the kind of move
Black would not dispose over after Re8-e6.} 28. Qb3 Rf5 29. Kg2 Rg5+ $11 30.
Bg3 $2 Bxg3 31. hxg3 Qd6 32. f4 Qd2+ 33. Kf3 Rd5 $19) 27... h5 ({One point
behind the move Rc1 is that} 27... f5 $2 {loses to} 28. Nxc5 $1 Bxc5 29. Qd8+
$18) 28. Kf2 (28. Qd2 Rg6 {[%csl Ga4,Gf3][%cal Gh5h4]}) 28... Rd5 29. Qc2 h4
30. Bxh4 Rh5 31. Bg3 Bxg3+ 32. Kxg3 Qh6 $1 $40 ({Better than the modest} 32...
Rh3+ $6 $11)) 26. Nb6 $16 {Black is simply a piece down.} c3 (26... Re5 {
does not work anymore because of} 27. Nxc4 $1 $18) 27. bxc3 bxc3 28. Qd5 Qc7
29. Nc4 Bb4 30. Rc1 Re2 31. Rxc3 h6 32. Re3 Rxa2 33. Re8+ Kh7 34. Ne3 Rxf2+ 35.
Kxf2 Bc3 36. Kg2 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.31"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D98"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Bg4 8.
Be3 Nfd7 9. O-O-O a6 {A rare move but its idea is logical: ...b7-b5 etc.
attacking the white king. The most popular continuations are:} (9... Nb6) ({and
} 9... Nc6) ({praxis has also seen} 9... c6) (9... e5) ({and even} 9... Na6)
10. h3 Bxf3 11. gxf3 b5 12. Qb3 c5 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (12... Nc6 {is probably too
slow:} 13. h4 (13. f4 $5 Nb6 14. e5 Na5 15. Qb4 Nac4 16. Bg2 c6 $1 17. Bxc6 (
17. Kb1 {1/2 Sosonko,G (2575)-Dzindzichashvili,R (2550)/Tilburg 1978/MCL/
[Ftacnik]}) 17... Rc8 18. d5 (18. Bb7 Rc7 19. Bxa6 Nxb2 $1 20. Kxb2 Rxc3 $1)
18... Qc7 19. Kb1 e6 {L.Ftacnk} 20. Bxb6 Qxb6 21. Ne4 Na5 22. Bd7 Rc4 23. Qd6 {
- White keeps serious pressure.}) 13... Nb6 14. e5 Na5 15. Qb4 Nac4 16. Bxc4 (
16. h5 $142 $1 $36) 16... Nxc4 17. f4 Qd7 18. h5 c6 19. f5 $6 Qxf5 20. hxg6
fxg6 21. Qxe7 c5 $132 {1-0 Gulko,B (2435)-Tseshkovsky,V (2545)/Leningrad 1974/
URS-ch (35)}) (12... e6 $5 13. h4 (13. d5 $5) 13... c5 14. dxc5 Qe7 15. Kb1 Rc8
16. Rc1 Nxc5 17. Qd1 Nbd7 18. Bg2 Rc7 19. f4 Rac8 20. h5 Nb6 21. hxg6 hxg6 22.
e5 Nc4 $13 {1/2 Traito,K-Epishin,V (2400)/Leningrad 1987/EXT 2002 (33)}) 13.
dxc5 e6 14. f4 (14. h4 {leads to Traito-Epishin. Levon Aronian is trying
another plan.}) 14... Qe7 15. Rd6 (15. Qa3 Nc6 {[%cal Rb5b4]}) 15... Rc8 16. e5
Nxc5 17. Bxc5 Rxc5 18. Kb1 Rc8 {[%cal Ya8a7,Ya7c7]} (18... Ra7 19. Bg2 Rac7 20.
Rhd1 {[%cal Rd6d8]}) (18... Nd7 $5 19. Bg2 Rac8 20. Rxa6 Qh4 $132) 19. h4 (19.
Bg2 $5 Ra7 20. h4) 19... Qb7 20. Rg1 Qf3 21. Bg2 $2 {Giving up material, after
which White must fight for survival.} (21. Nd5 $6 Qxb3 22. Ne7+ Kh8 $1 (22...
Kf8 $4 23. Nxc8 $18) 23. axb3 Rf8 $15 {[%csl Rf4]}) (21. Qc2 $1 {was a hidden
way to indirectly protect everything:} Bf8 $1 (21... Qxf4 $6 22. Nd5 $1 Rxc2
23. Rd8+ Bf8 24. Nxf4 Rxf2 25. Nd3 Rh2 26. Bg2 $16) (21... Ra7 22. Qd2 $14) 22.
Bg2 Qg4 $1 23. Rd3 (23. Qc1 Ra7 24. Qe3 $5 Bxd6 25. Qxa7 Bb4 $13) 23... Ra7 24.
Ne4 $1 Rxc2 25. Nf6+ Kg7 26. Nxg4 Rc8 27. h5 $36) 21... Qxf2 22. Qd1 Ra7 23.
Ne4 Qxh4 24. Qd4 {Of course, White has some compensation for 2 sacrificed
pawns but it is hardly enough to keep the balance.} Rac7 25. Nf6+ Bxf6 26. exf6
Rf8 27. b3 Qh5 28. Rd1 Qf5+ 29. Ka1 h5 30. Rd8 Rc8 31. Rd6 a5 $6 {Black's best
winning chance was to exchange queens:} (31... Qc2 {[%cal Yc2c3] or even}) (
31... Kh7 32. Be4 (32. Bb7 Rc7) 32... Qc5 33. Qxc5 Rxc5 {[%cal Yh7h6,Yh5h4]})
32. Bb7 $1 Rce8 (32... Rc7 33. Rd8) 33. Re1 b4 34. Kb2 Qh3 (34... h4 $5 {
was the only possibility to make progress. If White removes his rook from e1,
Black can push ...e6-e5.}) 35. Re5 a4 36. Qxb4 axb3 37. axb3 Rd8 38. Rxd8 Rxd8
39. Re2 $2 (39. Qe7 Qd3 40. Rd5 exd5 41. Qxd8+ Kh7 42. Qxb8 Qd2+ $11) 39... Qf5
$2 {Returning the favour.} (39... Qd3 $17 40. Rc2 $140 Nd7 $1 41. Rd2 $2 Nc5 $1
) 40. Qe7 Qd3 41. Rc2 Qd4+ 42. Ka2 h4 43. Rc7 Qd2+ 44. Ka3 (44. Ka3 Qa5+ 45.
Kb2 Qd2+ $11 (45... Rd2+ $4 46. Kc1)) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.02.01"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Smeets, Jan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B42"]
[WhiteElo "2601"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. O-O Qc7 7. Qe2 d6 8. c4
g6 9. Nc3 Bg7 10. Rd1 O-O 11. Nf3 Nc6 12. h3 Nd7 13. Be3 b6 14. Rac1 Bb7 15.
Bb1 Rfc8 16. Qd2 Bf8 17. Nb5 axb5 18. cxb5 e5 19. Bh6 Be7 20. Bg5 Bf8 21. Bh6
Be7 22. Bg5 Bf8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.02.19"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Be4 11. Qc1 Bb7 {#} 12. a3 {A rare continuation in a
well-known theoretical position. Aronian, who by the way played this variation
before with both colours, is preparing b2-b4, which fights against Black's
main idea in this system: the advance c7-c5.} ({The most frequent continuation
here is} 12. Bf4 {a move played in the past also by Kasparov, or... Aronian
himself.}) 12... Qc8 13. b4 Nbd7 14. Bc3 {A new move.} (14. Bf4) 14... Ne4 15.
Nbd2 Bd5 16. Qc2 Nxd2 17. Bxd2 Qb7 18. Rac1 Rac8 {# White achieved his goal,
but Carlsen reasonably considers that one single weakness (pawn c7) in his
camp is easy to protect and therefore doesn't represent a real problem.} 19. e4
({After} 19. Rfe1 {Black can prevent e2-e4 with the radical} f5 ({or 19...Nf6,
but not} 19... Be4 $2 {in view of} 20. Ng5 Bxc2 21. Bxb7 {and in opposite to
the game White has kept the e-pawn.})) 19... Bxe4 20. Ng5 Bxc2 21. Bxb7 Bd3 22.
Rfe1 {Aronian offers his opponent the possibility to change his mind and
instead of giving up the exchange to return the extra pawn.} (22. Bxc8 Rxc8 23.
Rfe1 Bc4 {leads to the position from the game.}) 22... Bc4 $1 {Carlsen follows
his initial plan.} ({Weaker is} 22... Rb8 23. Rxc7 {with advantage for White})
23. Bxc8 Bxg5 $1 {Just like on move 16, for Black is important to exchange
enemy's knights.} 24. Bxg5 Rxc8 {# White won an exchange, but Black has a pawn
for it and a very good control over light squares. In fact from the practical
point of view the position is even easier to play with Black, since White
doesn't even have targets for attack. After several more moves the players
repeated the position and agreed to a draw:} 25. f3 f6 26. Bf4 Nb6 27. h4 Kf7
28. Kf2 c6 29. Bd6 Bd5 30. Bc5 Na4 31. g4 Ra8 32. Re2 a5 33. Bd6 axb4 34. Bxb4
Nb6 35. Bc5 Na4 36. Bb4 Nb6 37. Bc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.02.20"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. Qc2 Bb7 11. a3 a6 {A well-known theoretical position (see e.
g. CBM 124, annotations to Svidler - Karjakin), in which the World Champion
applies an interesting novelty:} 12. Ng5 $5 $146 {[%mdl 520] GM Vadim
Zviagintsev played this move against me in a similar position. It had also
been played on move 11 (instead of 11.a3) several times.} (12. b4 {is common
and, in my opinion, good enough for some edge.}) 12... Bxh2+ 13. Kxh2 Ng4+ 14.
Kg1 Qxg5 15. f3 Ngf6 16. e4 {[%csl Gd4,Ge4] White has sacrificed a pawn but
obtained a bishop pair and a strong pawn centre. It is curious that the
sacrifice of the h2 pawn is becoming quite popular in the Meran system - see e.
g. Kramnik-Shirov in CBM 127.} Qh4 17. Be3 (17. Qf2 $5 {was played by
Zviagintsev in the above-mentioned game (in a different position) but here it
is not so worthwhile due to} Qxf2+ 18. Kxf2 e5 ({or} 18... c5) 19. Be3 exd4 20.
Bxd4 c5) 17... e5 18. Ne2 Nh5 {Here is a game played at the Aeroflot Open next
day:} (18... Rad8 19. Qd2 h6 20. Bf2 Qg5 21. Qxg5 hxg5 22. Rfd1 exd4 23. Nxd4
c5 (23... Ne5 $5) (23... g6 $5) 24. Nf5 g6 25. Nd6 Bc6 26. Bf1 c4 27. Be3 g4
28. Bh6 gxf3 29. gxf3 Ne5 30. Be2 Nh5 31. Kf2 Rd7 32. Bxf8 Kxf8 33. Nc8 Nf4 34.
Rxd7 Bxd7 35. Nb6 Bc6 36. Ke3 g5 37. Rd1 f6 38. Rd6 Kf7 39. Bf1 $14 {1/2
Gajewski,G (2581)-Salem,A (2473)/Moscow RUS 2009/The Week in Chess 746 (69)})
19. Qd2 {[%cal Re3g5]} h6 20. Rfd1 Rae8 $6 {Starting a dubious plan of
kingside counterplay with insufficient forces.} (20... Ng3 {M.Leskiv} 21. b4 $5
) (20... a5 $5) 21. Bc2 Re6 22. Bf2 Qe7 (22... Qg5 23. Qxg5 hxg5 24. dxe5 Nxe5
25. Bb3 Rg6 26. Bd4 g4 $5 27. Kf2 $1 $14 {[%csl Rg6]}) 23. g4 $1 {Very bold.} (
23. dxe5 Nxe5 24. Nd4 Rg6 25. Nf5 $44 {was simpler but less energetic.}) 23...
Rg6 24. Kf1 Nhf6 25. Ng3 Nxg4 $5 {Logical, even if this piece sacrifice is not
quite correct. Otherwise, after, say,} (25... Qe6 26. Nf5 {the position of
Black´s pieces is very awkward.}) 26. fxg4 Qh4 27. Nf5 Qxg4 (27... Qh3+ 28. Ke1
Rxg4 29. Qe3 Qh2 (29... Qg2 30. Qe2 {[%cal Rf5e3]}) 30. Ke2 exd4 31. Qxd4 Ne5
32. Rh1 Qf4 33. Qe3 $16) 28. Qc3 $1 (28. Ne7+ $143 Kh7 29. Nxg6 fxg6 $132 {
[%cal Gf8f2]}) 28... Re8 29. Qg3 Qh5 30. Qh4 Qf3 31. Rd3 Qg2+ 32. Ke2 exd4 (
32... Rg4 33. Rg3 $1 $18) 33. Rg3 $4 {[%mdl 8192] A terrible blunder.} (33.
Ne7+ {was now quite appropriate, e.g.} Rxe7 (33... Kh7 34. Rg1 Qxg1 35. Bxg1
Rxg1 36. Rg3 Rxg3 37. Qxg3 Rxe7 38. Qd6 $18) 34. Qxe7 Rf6 (34... Qg4+ 35. Rf3
Rf6 $2 36. Qd8+ $1 Nf8 37. Qxf6 gxf6 38. Rg1 $18) 35. Rf1 Qg4+ 36. Ke1 c5 37.
Qd8+ Kh7 (37... Nf8 $2 38. Qxf6 gxf6 39. Rg3) 38. e5 Rg6 39. Rg3 (39. Qh4 $143
Qe6) 39... Qf4 $1 40. Qxd7 Qc1+ 41. Bd1 Rxg3 42. Qxb7 Re3+ 43. Bxe3 Qxe3+ 44.
Be2 Qc1+ 45. Kf2 Qe3+ 46. Kg2 Qxe2+ 47. Rf2 Qg4+ 48. Kh1 Qh5+ 49. Kg1 Qg5+ 50.
Qg2 {Uff!} Qxe5 51. Rxf7 {and this unusual position should be favorable for
White}) (33. Rxd4 $143 Ne5 34. Rg1 Qf3+ 35. Kf1 c5 $132) 33... Rxg3 34. Qxg3 (
34. Nxg3 Ne5 35. Qh1 Qxh1 36. Rxh1 c5 {is also poor.}) 34... Rxe4+ 35. Kd2 Rg4
$1 {White probably overlooked this move.} (35... Qxg3 $143 36. Bxg3 Re6 37.
Nxd4 $44) 36. Qxg2 Rxg2 37. Ke2 c5 $19 {5(!) pawns for a piece are more than
enough. The rest is clear.} 38. Rg1 Ne5 39. Rxg2 Bxg2 40. Kd2 h5 41. b4 $6 Nc4+
42. Kc1 Nxa3 43. Bd1 cxb4 {7-0 for the moment!} 44. Bxh5 g6 45. Ne7+ Kf8 46.
Nxg6+ fxg6 47. Bxg6 Ke7 48. Bxd4 {White has eliminated most of the enemies but
the remaining ones easily bring Black the victory.} Kd6 49. Bd3 Nc4 50. Bg7 a5
51. Be2 Be4 52. Bf6 a4 53. Bg7 Kd5 {[%cal Yb4b3,Ya4a3]} 0-1

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.02.21"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 O-O 5. g3 {The fianchetto system is one
of the most solid ways to meet King's Indian.} c6 {Radjabov prepares the
advance d5, which would transpose into the Gruenfeld Defence.} 6. e4 $5 {
A somewhat unexpected decision. It turns out that Aronian is looking for more
than fight for a slight edge in the position arising after 6.Bg2 d5 7.cxd5
cxd5.} d5 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. e5 Ne4 9. Bg2 Nc6 10. O-O Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Bxf3
Rc8 {#} 13. h4 {This is a standard advance in such structures. White gains
more space on the kingside and might launch an attack later on. Black is
usually looking for counterplay on the opposite side. However, there is
another idea behind the advance of the h-pawn. Somitemes Black can fight for
the supremacy in the center by means of f7-f6. In that case the advance of the
h-pawn will weaken the pawn g6, discouraging Black from the mentioned plan in
the center. Although Black has no weaknesses, White's chances are slightly
preferable first of all thanks to his space advantage.} (13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Bxe4
Qxd4 15. Bxc6 ({or} 15. Qxd4 Nxd4 16. Bxb7 Rb8 {followed by 17...Bxe5}) 15...
Qxd1 16. Rxd1 Rxc6 {is equal}) 13... Qa5 {By increasing pressure on c3
Radjabov tries to force his opponent to take on e4, which would open for Black
the d-file and considerably increase the influence of his bishop on the long
diagonal.} ({The standard method} 13... Nxc3 14. bxc3 Na5 15. Qd3 {doesn't
fully solve Black's problems: White easily protects his only weakness on c3
and can concentrate on developing the attack on the kingside.}) 14. Qd3 (14.
Nxe4 dxe4 15. Bxe4 {would be a mistake. After} Rfd8 {Black will retain the
pawn in a favourable situation - all his pieces will remain active.}) 14...
Rfd8 15. Be3 {A clever move, provoking the following answer.} ({The tactics} 
15. Nxd5 {doesn't work:} Rxd5 16. Bxe4 Rxd4 {and White will remain with a pawn
down.}) 15... Nb4 {This leads Black nowhere, but it was not easy to create
counterplay anyway.} (15... f6 16. exf6) 16. Qe2 Nxc3 17. bxc3 {#} Nc6 ({
It turns out that after} 17... Rxc3 18. Bd2 {Black must sacrifice the exchange
and although this is quite interesting, it is insufficient to equalise:} Nc6 (
18... Ra3 $2 19. Rfb1 Ra4 20. a3 {loses a piece}) 19. Bxc3 Qxc3 20. Rac1 $1 Qa3
({worse is} 20... Qxd4 21. Rfd1 Qxe5 22. Qxe5 Bxe5 23. Bxd5 {with a difficult
endgame for Black}) 21. Rcd1 e6 22. Rd3 Qa4 23. Qd2 {and White is better}) 18.
Rfc1 {A rather surprising decision to play on the queenside. In the end it
will only lead to massive exchanges and a draw.} ({Stronger looks the typical} 
18. Rac1 {with the idea to use the other rook on the h-file after Kg2 and
h4-h5.}) 18... e6 19. c4 Qb6 $1 {Radjabov points out the drawback of White's
plan: the weakness of pawn d4.} ({In case of} 19... dxc4 20. Rxc4 {Aronian's
idea would have worked out: his light-squared bishop would have been very
strong.}) 20. c5 (20. cxd5 Nxd4 {brings White nothing}) 20... Qa5 {Black has
little to complain that the pawn moved from c3 to c5 - on c5 it only helps
Black to exchange it by means of b7-b6 and also open more files.} 21. Rab1 b6
22. h5 {Well, now this doesn't really look like an attempt to attack. Black
has already sufficient counterplay.} Qa4 {Again pointing out the main drawback
of the advance of the c-pawn.} 23. Qb5 Qxb5 24. Rxb5 Bf8 25. cxb6 axb6 26. Rcb1
(26. Rxb6 {runs into} Nxd4 $1 {and it is White who must be careful to achieve
a draw.}) 26... Ne7 $1 27. hxg6 hxg6 28. g4 (28. Rxb6 Nf5 {allows Black
sufficient activity.}) 28... Ra8 29. R1b2 Nc8 {# Right in time. Radjabov
protected well his only weakness and White's advantage has only a symbolic
character.} 30. Bd1 ({Perhaps} 30. Rc2 {would have required from Black more
accuracy.}) 30... Rd7 31. a4 Rc7 32. f4 Rc3 {After activating the rook Black
has little to fear.} 33. Kf2 Ra7 34. Rc2 Rxc2+ 35. Bxc2 Rc7 36. Bd1 Rc4 37. Ke2
Rb4 38. Rxb4 Bxb4 39. Bc2 Ne7 40. Bd3 Nc6 41. Bb5 Na7 42. Ba6 Nc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.02.22"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "183"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 dxc4 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 a6 6. O-O c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8.
Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nbd2 Ke7 10. b3 Nbd7 (10... b6 {is probably the most accurate
order of moves as was shown in the following game:} 11. Be2 Bb7 12. Ne5 Rd8 13.
Nd3 Bd6 14. Nc4 Bc7 15. Ba3+ Ke8 {Looks a bit ugly but the most important
thing is that Black keeps his dark-squared bishop.} 16. Rfd1 (16. Rac1 $5)
16... b5 17. Nce5 Nbd7 18. Nxd7 Nxd7 19. Bb2 f6 20. Rac1 (20. Nf4 $5 Bxf4 21.
exf4 {is not too strong as the black knight gets the important d5 square})
20... Rac8 21. Bh5+ $6 g6 22. Bg4 Ke7 23. h4 Bd6 24. h5 g5 25. Be2 f5 $15 {
0-1 Flores,D (2566)-Socko,B (2646)/Warsaw 2007/CBM 121 Extra (53)}) 11. Be2 b6
12. Ne1 $1 {[%cal Ye1d3] The same plan as in Jakovenko-Akobian (see CBM 128)
but Black has an extra tempo now. Pay attention to the fact that White doesn't
play Bc1-b2 as this bishop can come out to a3 in some variations.} a5 (12...
Ne5 $6 {doesn't help Black to save his c5 bishop from exchange:} 13. Bb2 Rd8
14. Rd1 Bd6 15. f4 (15. Nef3 Nc6 16. Nc4 Bc5 17. Rxd8 Nxd8 18. Nfe5 Bb7 19. Nd3
Nc6 20. Rc1 Nd7 21. Nxc5 bxc5 22. Rd1 Rb8 23. Bxg7 Rg8 24. Bb2 Nb4 25. f3 Nxa2
26. e4 $16 {1-0 Topalov,V (2690)-Ponomariov,R (2616)/Las Vegas 1999/CBM 072 
(68)}) 15... Neg4 16. Nc4 Bc5 17. Rxd8 Kxd8 18. Bxf6+ Nxf6 19. Nd3 Nd7 20. Nxc5
bxc5 21. Rd1 a5 22. Bf3 Ra6 23. Nd6 f6 24. Be2 $16 {1/2 Schlecht,D (2370)
-Koehn,P (2288)/Germany 2004/CBM 098 ext (64)}) 13. Bb2 (13. Nd3 {is premature
due to} Ba6) 13... Rd8 14. a4 $146 (14. Nc4 Ba6 (14... b5 $5 {is crucial}) 15.
Rc1 Rac8 16. Nd3 Bxc4 17. Rxc4 Bd6 18. Rfc1 Rxc4 19. Rxc4 Nc5 20. Ne1 Nce4 21.
Nf3 Rd7 22. Nd4 Rc7 23. f3 Rxc4 24. Bxc4 Nc5 25. g3 Ne8 26. Kf2 Nc7 27. e4 $14
{1-0 Sasikiran,K (2601)-Ganguly,S (2456)/Sri Lanka 2001/EXT 2005 (55)}) 14...
Ba6 (14... Bb4 $5 15. Nc4 Nc5 16. Nxb6 $140 $2 Ba6 $3 {is another attempt to
equalise needing practical tests.}) 15. Bxa6 Rxa6 {No bishop pair anymore!} 16.
Nd3 Ne5 $5 {Creating weaknesses in Black's own camp but otherwise White keeps
up the pressure, e.g.} (16... Bd6 17. Nc4 Nc5 18. Nxd6 Nxd3 19. Ba3 $1 Nb4 20.
Nc4 $14) 17. Nxc5 bxc5 18. Bc3 (18. Rad1 $1 Rad6 19. Bxe5 Rxd2 20. Rxd2 Rxd2
21. Rc1 Ng4 22. Bc3 $14) 18... Rd3 $6 {Missing a chance to regroup his pieces:}
(18... Rad6 $5 {M.Notkin} 19. Nc4 (19. Ra2 Nc6 $132 {[%cal Yd6d3]}) 19... Nxc4
20. bxc4 Ne4 21. Bxa5 Ra8 {White has an extra pawn but can't consolidate his
position:} 22. Be1 (22. Bc7 Rc6 23. Bf4 Nd2) 22... Rd3 $1 23. a5 Nd6 24. Ra4 (
24. Rc1 Ra3 {[%cal Ra3a4]}) 24... Nc8 {[%cal Rc8b6]} 25. Ra2 Nd6 26. Rc2 f6 $44
{[%csl Re1,Rf1] The position remains closed and the white bishop is very
passive.}) 19. Rac1 Ned7 20. e4 c4 $6 {An unsuccessful attempt to break out of
a poor position, which gives White a strong passed pawn.} (20... Nb8 21. Rfe1
Nc6 22. Nc4 $16 {M.Notkin}) 21. b4 $1 axb4 22. Bxb4+ Kd8 23. a5 {[%csl Ga5,Rc4]
} Ne5 24. Nxc4 Nc6 25. Bc3 (25. Bf8 $5 {(I.Ganiev), depriving the black king
of the e7 square:} Nxe4 26. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 27. Rxd1+ Ke8 28. Bxg7 $18) 25... Nxe4
26. Bxg7 Ke7 (26... Nxa5 27. Rfd1 Rd5 28. Ra1 Rxd1+ 29. Rxd1+ Ke7 30. Ra1 $18)
27. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 28. Rxd1 $18 {White has won a pawn; besides, in such positions 
(B vs N) an outside passed pawn is often a crucial factor.} f6 29. Bh6 e5 30.
Kf1 Nd4 31. Rb1 Rc6 32. Rb4 Nf5 33. Nb6 $1 Nc5 (33... Nxh6 34. Rxe4 Nf5 35. Ra4
$18) 34. Bd2 Na6 35. Rb3 Ke6 36. g4 Nd4 37. Rh3 $6 {White switches his
attention to the kingside but has to give up his a-pawn.} (37. Rc3 $142 {
In the minor piece endgame it is easier for White to overcome technical
difficulties, and if} Rd6 {then} 38. Be3 Nb5 39. Rc8 {with no counterplay for
Black.}) 37... Rc2 38. Be3 Ra2 39. Rh6 (39. Rxh7 $142 Rxa5 40. Rh6 $16) 39...
Nc5 40. Nc4 Ra4 41. Nd2 Rxa5 42. Rxh7 $16 {Still, the passed h-pawn is the
determining factor in the position.} Ra4 $6 {A loss of time.} (42... Ra1+ $142
43. Kg2 Nd3 $132 {[%cal Yd4e2] I.Ganiev} 44. Ne4 (44. Rh6 Ne2 45. Ne4 Rg1+ 46.
Kf3 Nd4+ 47. Bxd4 exd4 48. Rxf6+ Kd5 $132) 44... f5 45. Rh6+ Kd5 46. Nf6+ Kc4 {
and White's victory is in doubt.}) 43. h4 Nd3 44. Rh6 Ra1+ 45. Kg2 Ne1+ 46. Kh3
{[%csl Gh3]} Ke7 47. Ne4 Nef3 48. Ng3 {White has consolidated his position
repelling Black's counterplay. Now, combining the attack of Black's f6 pawn
with the threat to advance his own passed pawn, he gradually brings home his
material advantage.} Ne6 49. Rh7+ Kf8 50. Rh6 Ke7 51. Nf5+ Kf7 52. Rh7+ Kf8 53.
Rb7 Ra3 54. Rb6 Kf7 55. Nh6+ Ke7 56. Rb7+ Kd8 57. Nf7+ Ke8 58. Nd6+ Kf8 59.
Rf7+ Kg8 60. Rxf6 Nf4+ 61. Kg3 Nd2 62. g5 Nf1+ 63. Kg4 Nxe3+ 64. fxe3 Rxe3 65.
Nf7 Re1 66. Nxe5 Nd5 67. Rg6+ Kh7 68. Rh6+ Kg7 69. Nf3 Re4+ 70. Kg3 Ne3 71. Rf6
Rg4+ 72. Kh3 Re4 73. Rc6 Nf5 74. h5 Rf4 75. Kg2 Rg4+ 76. Kf2 Kg8 77. Rc8+ Kg7
78. Rc6 Kg8 79. Rb6 Kh7 80. Ra6 Kg8 81. h6 Re4 82. Rf6 Ne3 83. Kg3 Nd5 84. Rf5
Ne7 85. Re5 Rxe5 86. Nxe5 Kh7 87. Kg4 Nd5 88. Nd3 Ne7 89. Nf4 Ng8 90. Kh5 Kh8
91. Nd5 Kh7 92. Nf6+ 1-0

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.02.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Wang, Yue"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. Qb3 Qb6 6. Nc3 e6 7. Nh4 Bh5 8. h3
Be7 9. g4 Bg6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Bg2 g5 12. c5 ({In the game versus the Russian
Grandmaster Inarkiev from December 2008, the Chinese Grandmaster played} 12.
O-O Nbd7 13. Qxb6 axb6 14. cxd5 Nxd5 {but after} 15. Ne2 O-O 16. a3 b5 17. Rb1
N5b6 18. Rd1 Nc4 19. Bf1 Ndb6 {Black had reached a comfortable equality, Wang
Yue (2736)-Inarkiev,E (2669)/Elista 2008}) 12... Qxb3 13. axb3 {# In such a
pawn structure the most important question is whether White is able to advance
the b-pawn to b5 or not.} Na6 $1 {The only way to stop White's advance
b3-b4-b5. This is sufficient for Black to hold the balance.} (13... Nbd7 14. b4
a6 {doesn't prevent the further advance of the b-pawn. White plays} 15. b5 cxb5
16. Nxb5 {using the pin on the a-file. Next White retreats the knight from b5
and advances b4-b5 again, with better prospects.}) 14. Bd2 Nc7 15. f4 ({Now} 
15. b4 {makes little sense, since after} a6 {the rook a8 is protected and
White cannot play 16.b5.}) 15... gxf4 16. exf4 g6 {# The closed character of
the position brings White's bishop pair to nothing. Together with the fact
that Black has no weaknesses, that means White can't play for a win without
major risk. The same is valid for Black, who in order to play for a win must
open the position somehow, which will only favour White's bishop pair. Both
opponents perfectly understood each other's intentions and repeated the
position soon.} 17. Be3 a6 18. Ke2 Rh7 19. Bf2 O-O-O 20. Raf1 Rdh8 21. Kd3 Bd8
22. Be1 Kd7 23. b4 Kc8 24. Bd2 Kd7 25. Be1 Kc8 26. Bd2 Kd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.02.25"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Ne5 h5 10. h4 g4 11. Be2 Bb7 12. O-O Nbd7 13. Qc2 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Bg7 15. b3 {
About this line - see CBM 123, annotations to Avrukh - Sargissian by GM B.
Avrukh, and CBM 126, annotations to Grischuk - Karjakin by GM I.Stohl.} O-O $5
$146 {A curious novelty.} (15... cxb3 {is usually played.}) 16. bxc4 (16. Bg3 {
(normally played when ...cxb3 axb3 is included) is now senseless due to} b4 17.
Na4 Qxd4 18. e5 ({White has no} 18. Nc5 {here!}) 18... Qe4 $1) 16... Nh7 17.
Bxg7 (17. cxb5 Bxe5 18. dxe5 Qxh4 {[%cal Yh7g5]}) 17... Kxg7 {[%cal Rd8d4,
Rd8h4]} 18. Rad1 (18. d5 cxd5 19. exd5 bxc4 20. dxe6 Qxh4 $1 21. Ne4 (21. Nb5
fxe6 $1 22. Nc7 Rf6 $1 23. Nxa8 $140 Bxg2 24. Kxg2 Qh3+ 25. Kg1 g3 $19) 21...
Bxe4 22. Qxe4 Qf6 23. exf7 c3 24. f4 (24. Rac1 $142) 24... Rad8 25. Bc4 Rd4 26.
Qe6 Rxf4 $17 {0-1 Maletin,P (2557)-Van Wely,L (2625)/Budva MNE 2009/The Week
in Chess 748 (85)}) (18. Qd3 Qxh4 (18... bxc4 $143 19. Qxc4 Qxh4 20. Qc5 $36 {
[%csl Rb7]}) 19. cxb5 Rfd8 {and White has hardly any advantage.}) 18... Qxh4
19. cxb5 cxb5 20. Nxb5 Rac8 21. Qd3 Rfd8 $6 {Just missing the equalizer or
playing for a win?} (21... g3 $1 22. Qxg3+ Qxg3 23. fxg3 Bxe4 24. Bxh5 (24. Nd6
Rc2) 24... Rc2 25. Rf2 Rxf2 26. Kxf2 Rb8 $11) 22. d5 $1 exd5 23. Qd4+ Kg8 24.
Qxa7 Qe7 (24... Ng5 $6 25. Nd4 $1 $16 {S.Zagrebelny} ({but not} 25. Qxb7 $2
Nf3+ $1 26. Bxf3 (26. gxf3 g3) 26... gxf3 27. Nd6 fxg2 28. Kxg2 Qg4+ $11)) 25.
e5 Qxe5 $2 (25... Ra8 $142 26. Qe3 Rxa2 27. Rfe1 {White has good compensation
for the pawn due to the weakness of Black's kingside but hardly any real
advantage.}) 26. Qxb7 Rb8 (26... Qxe2 27. Nd6) 27. Qc7 Qxe2 28. Nd4 $1 {
[%cal Rd4e2,Rd4c6] Even stronger than} (28. Nd6 {[%cal Rc7f7,Rd1d5]} Rf8 (28...
Qe6 29. Rfe1 $1 Qf6 (29... Qxd6 30. Re8+ Rxe8 31. Qxd6 $18) (29... Qd7 30. Re8+
$1) 30. Rxd5 Ng5 31. Red1 $16) 29. Rxd5 Qxa2 30. Ra5 $1 Qe2 31. Rxh5 $36) 28...
Qc4 29. Qe5 (29. Nc6 $142 $1 {S.Zagrebelny} Rbc8 $1 30. Ne7+ Kf8 31. Qg3 Kxe7 (
31... Rc5 32. Rfe1 $40 {[%cal Rg3e3,Rg3e5]}) 32. Qe5+ Kf8 33. Qh8+ Ke7 34.
Rfe1+ Kd6 35. Qe5+ Kc6 36. Rc1 $18) 29... Re8 30. Qxh5 Rb6 31. Nf5 $16 {
[%csl Rg8][%mdl 128] Black's kingside is seriously compromised; his defence is
very hard.} Rbe6 (31... Qxa2 32. Rd4 $1 $18) 32. Ne3 (32. Rd4 $4 Qxf1+) (32.
Nh6+ $142 Kg7 33. Nxg4 $16 Qxa2 $140 34. Ne3 {winning the d5-pawn.}) 32... Qxa2
33. Nxg4 $6 (33. Rd4 $142 Re4 34. Rxe4 {exchanging one of the defenders} Rxe4
35. Nxg4 $16 Qe2 36. Nh6+ Kg7 37. Nf5+ Kg8 38. f3 $16 {[%csl Rg8]}) 33... Qe2
$1 {A sudden tactical trick - the d5-pawn is untouchable.} 34. Qh4 Qc4 $6 (
34... Rg6 $1 35. f3 Qe6 {holding on and keeping material parity.}) 35. f4 $1 {
[%cal Yf1f3] White brings new forces into attack!} Rg6 36. Rf3 Qc5+ $6 (36...
Re2 37. Rg3 Qxf4 38. Rf1 Qd4+ (38... Qd2 39. Rxf7 $1 Qd4+ 40. Rf2 Kg7 41. Rh3
$18) 39. Kh2 Kg7 40. Rh3 $18) (36... Kf8 $5 {was a computer-like way to defend
as after} 37. Qxh7 (37. Kh2 $142 $5 {keeping various threats} Re2 38. Ra1 $36)
37... Rxg4 38. Qh8+ Rg8 39. Qh6+ Ke7 $1 40. Re3+ Kd7 {, amazingly, White can't
win.}) 37. Kh1 Qe7 38. Qh3 Qd6 $2 {[%mdl 8192] This blunder loses but even
after} (38... Nf6 39. Re3 $1 (39. Nh6+ Kf8 40. Nf5 Qe2 $1) 39... Qf8 $1 (39...
Ne4 40. f5 Ra6 (40... Kg7 41. fxg6 Rh8 42. Qxh8+ Kxh8 43. Rxd5 Kg7 44. gxf7
Qxf7 45. Re5 $16) 41. Qh5 $1 (41. f6 Rxf6 42. Nxf6+ Qxf6 43. Rf3 Nf2+ 44. Kh2
Qe5+ 45. Qg3+ Ng4+ 46. Kg1 Qxg3 47. Rxg3 Re4 $14) 41... Kg7 42. Rh3 Rg8 43. f6+
$1 Rxf6 44. Nxf6 Qxf6 45. Rf3 {and White gets a decisive material advantage})
40. Nxf6+ Rxf6 41. Rg3+ (41. Rxe8 $143 Qxe8 42. Rxd5 Qe1+ 43. Kh2 Kg7 44. Rh5
Qc1 $1) 41... Rg6 42. Rxd5 $16 {Black still faces serious problems due to his
weak king.}) 39. f5 Rg5 40. Nh6+ Kf8 41. Nxf7 $1 {Winning a pawn and
continuing his attack.} Qf6 (41... Kxf7 42. Qxh7+ Kf8 43. f6 Qe5 44. Rh3 $18)
42. Nxg5 Nxg5 43. Qh4 $18 Re7 (43... Kg7 44. Qg4 Re4 45. Qg3 Kf7 46. Rfd3 $18)
44. Rh3 $1 Qxf5 45. Qh8+ (45. Qh6+ Ke8 46. Rh5 $18) 45... Kf7 46. Rh5 Re8 47.
Qh6 Rg8 48. Qd6 Rg6 49. Qxd5+ Qxd5 50. Rxd5 {The rest is easy.} Ne4 51. Rhf5+
Kg7 52. Rd7+ Kh6 53. Rf4 Ng3+ 54. Kh2 Nh5 55. Ra4 Nf6 56. Rdd4 Rg5 57. Rf4 Rg6
58. Rf3 Nh7 59. Rh3+ 1-0

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.02.26"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E92"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,D"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. Be3 c6 8. d5 Ng4
9. Bg5 f6 10. Bh4 c5 11. O-O h5 12. Ne1 Nh6 13. f3 {Here Black played 13... g5
once before, but Ivanchuk forces opponent's bishop to abandon the diagonal
h4-d8 in a different way, after which Black uses his g6 pawn to support the
advance f6-f5.} Nf7 14. Rb1 Bh6 {Creating a positional threat to transfer the
bishop via e3 to d4.} 15. Bf2 (15. Qd3 {can be answered by} Bg5 {and then f5
anyway.}) 15... Na6 16. a3 b6 17. b4 f5 18. exf5 gxf5 19. f4 $5 Bxf4 20. Bxh5
Bd7 21. Rb3 Qg5 {Aronian played well until now, but here he errs.} 22. b5 $2 {
This advance is connected with a wrong idea.} ({In order to find the correct
solution White needs to notice the well hidden tactical motif: black queen and
king are both on the same file and White has ideas to pin the queen! This can
be reached in the following way:} 22. Nd3 $1 Be3 (22... Bd2 {doesn't prevent
White's intention:} 23. Nb1 Be3 24. b5 Nc7 25. Nxc5 Bxc5 26. Rg3) 23. bxc5 $1
Nxc5 ({Relatively best is to make a positional concession and leave the knight
on a6, although after} 23... bxc5 24. Bxe3 Qxe3+ 25. Nf2 {White has a large
advantage.}) 24. Nxc5 Bxc5 25. Bxc5 ({Accuracy is always required. Bad is to
start with} 25. Ne4 fxe4 26. Bxc5 {in view of} Ba4 $1) 25... bxc5 26. Ne4 $1
fxe4 27. Rg3 {Mission completed. White wins thanks to the pin on the g-file.})
22... Nc7 23. Bxf7+ Rxf7 24. Ne2 Rg7 25. Nxf4 Qxf4 26. Bxc5 Qh6 27. Be3 f4 28.
Bc1 Bg4 29. Qd2 Rf8 30. Nd3 Ne8 {White is a pawn up, but that doesn't matter
at all. In fact he might even prefer not to have the pawn on c4, which closes
the c-file. Unexpectedly it turns out that the position is difficult for
Aronian, since Black has very easy play on the kingside, where he enjoys two
open files and a space advantage. Black plans ...Nf6, then remove the bishop
from g4 and place the knight there, after which White will be forced to make
fatal weaknesses around his king.} 31. Nxf4 {This doesn't save White, but
there was no way out in any case.} Rxf4 32. Rxf4 Qxf4 33. Qxf4 exf4 34. Bxf4
Rf7 35. g3 Re7 {At this moment White still has three pawns for the piece.
Unfortunately he is forced to give them one by one in order to prevent Black's
increasing activity.} 36. h3 Bxh3 {The first one is gone.} 37. Kf2 Nf6 38. g4
Bxg4 {The second one.} 39. Re3 Ne4+ 40. Ke1 Kf7 41. a4 Nc5 42. Kd2 Rxe3 43.
Kxe3 Ke7 44. Kd4 {and Aronian resigned before Black would take the next pawn
on a4.} 0-1

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.02.28"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "186"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 h6 8. Bd2
dxc4 $1 {GM Lars Schandorff extensively deals with this system in his survey 
(CBM 125). And indeed, Black obtains a good position here.} 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Be2
Bb7 11. e4 Be7 12. g5 hxg5 13. Nxg5 b4 {Or else:} (13... Rc8 14. Rg1 Nf8 15. e5
b4 16. Na4 N6d7 17. Ne4 c5 18. Nexc5 Bxc5 19. Nxc5 Nxc5 20. dxc5 Qd4 21. Be3
Qxe5 22. Bb5+ Ke7 23. O-O-O $36 {1-0 Harika,D (2455)-Van den Bersselaar,J 
(2164)/Gibraltar 2008/CBM 122 Extra (26)}) (13... Kf8 14. Rg1 b4 15. Na4 c5 16.
e5 Ne8 17. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 18. Qg6+ Kf8 19. Qxe6 cxd4 20. Qf5+ Ndf6 21. exf6 Nxf6
22. Nc5 Bd5 23. Rc1 $36 {1-0 Petrosian,T (2616)-Pruess,D (2425)/Las Vegas 2008/
CBM 124 Extra (33)}) (13... Qb6 14. O-O-O Qxd4 15. Be3 Qb4 (15... Qe5 16. f4
Qb8 17. Rhg1 (17. Kb1 $1 $36) 17... Bc5 18. Qd2 Qc7 19. Bxc5 Nxc5 20. e5 b4 $2
(20... Nd5) 21. exf6 bxc3 22. Qd4 $1 gxf6 23. Nh7 cxb2+ 24. Kb1 Nd7 25. Qxd7+
Qxd7 26. Nxf6+ Ke7 27. Nxd7 $18 {1-0 Miedema,R (2208)-Ris,R (2377)/Venlo 2007/
EXT 2009 (39)}) 16. f4 a6 (16... Qa5 17. f5 e5 18. Rhg1 Bc5 19. Bxc5 Nxc5 20.
Kb1 $36 Ncd7 $2 21. Qb3 Rf8 22. Ne6 $1 fxe6 23. Bh5+ Kd8 24. fxe6 Nxh5 25.
Rxd7+ Kc8 26. Qd1 Rh8 27. Qd6 $18 {1-0 Nielsen,P (2653)-Smeets,J (2518)/Warsaw
2005/CBM 108 (33)}) 17. f5 exf5 18. e5 Nxe5 19. Qxf5 Neg4 20. Bxg4 Qxg4 21. Qe5
Nd7 22. Rxd7 Qxd7 23. Rd1 Qg4 24. Qxg7 Rf8 25. Nce4 $44 {1/2 Nyback,T (2575)
-Smeets,J (2525)/Germany 2007/CBM 118 (67)}) (13... c5 $5 {deserves serious
attention:} 14. dxc5 (14. d5 $142 $5 {, which needs practical tests}) 14... b4
$1 {better than} (14... Nxc5 15. Bxb5+ Nfd7 (15... Kf8 16. O-O-O $36) 16. Rg1
a6 17. Be2 (17. e5 axb5 $1 (17... Bxg5 18. Bxg5 Qc7 19. Bxd7+ Qxd7 20. Rd1 Qc7
21. Rd6 Rxh2 {1-0 Czakon,J (2484)-Savchenko,S (2508)/Montpellier 2006/CBM 113
ext (40)}) 18. Nxf7 Qb8 $1 19. Nxh8 Nxe5 $1 $36 {[%csl Re1]} 20. O-O-O $140
Rxa2 $3 21. Nxa2 Be4 22. Qc3 Ned3+ 23. Kb1 Nb4+ 24. Ka1 Nc2+ 25. Kb1 Nd4+ $19)
17... Ne5 18. Rd1 Ncd3+ $6 (18... Qc7 $13) 19. Kf1 Nxf2 $2 (19... Rxh2 20. Be3
Bxg5 21. Rxg5 Qxg5 22. Bxg5 Rxf2+ 23. Kg1 Nf3+ 24. Bxf3 Rxc2 25. Rxd3 Rxb2 $14)
20. Kxf2 Bc5+ 21. Kg2 Qf6 22. Rgf1 Qh6 23. Bf4 Be3 24. Bxe5 Qxg5+ 25. Bg3 {
1-0 Nyback,T (2634)-Kojima,S (2272)/Beijing 2008/CBM 126 Extra}) 15. Na4 Rh4 $1
16. c6 Rc8 $1 17. Bb5 (17. cxd7+ Nxd7) 17... a6 18. cxd7+ Nxd7 19. Bxd7+ Qxd7
20. Qb3 Qb5 21. Nc3 bxc3 22. bxc3 f6 23. Qxb5+ axb5 24. Nf3 Rxe4+ $19 {0-1
Epiney,F (2382)-Bubir,S (2398)/IECG 2007/CBM 125/[Schandorff] (41)}) 14. Na4 c5
$1 {Even now this move is correct. Before the present encounter it had only
been played in a computer-assisted game in a Freestyle event.} (14... Qa5 15.
Rg1 c5 16. e5 cxd4 17. exf6 Bxf6 18. Rc1 (18. a3 $1) 18... Rxh2 $2 (18... Rc8
$1 $13) 19. Qc7 Qxc7 20. Rxc7 Bc8 21. Bxb4 $18 {1-0 Watson,J (2400)-Pozarek,S 
(2185)/Philadelphia 1993/EXT 1999 (43)}) (14... Rc8 15. e5 Nd5 16. Nxe6 fxe6
17. Qg6+ Kf8 18. Rg1 Bf6 19. exf6 Qxf6 20. Qg3 $16 e5 21. dxe5 Qxe5 $2 22. Nc5
$1 Qxg3 23. Nxd7+ Ke8 24. Rxg3 Kxd7 25. Rxg7+ $18 {1-0 Jankovic,A (2525)
-Sriram,J (2408)/Kavala 2006/CBM 113 ext (31)}) (14... Qc7 15. e5 (15. O-O-O $5
) 15... Nd5 16. Rg1 Bxg5 17. Bxg5 Rxh2 18. Bg4 c5 19. Rc1 Kf8 (19... c4 20.
Bxe6 $1) 20. Nxc5 Nxc5 21. Qxc5+ Qxc5 22. Rxc5 $14 {1-0 Nyback,T (2585)-Jaracz,
P (2490)/Dresden 2007/CBM 118 (48)}) 15. Nxc5 (15. dxc5 $6 Rh4 $1 {- see above
13...c5.}) 15... Nxc5 16. dxc5 Rc8 17. Qa4+ (17. Bxb4 Nd7 18. Bb5 O-O 19. Bxd7
Qxd7 20. h4 f6 21. Nf3 Qb5 22. Bc3 Rxc5 23. O-O-O e5 24. Rde1 Rc7 $44 {1/2
"Rybusia"-"Badbishop1"/playchess.com 2007 (64)}) 17... Bc6 18. Bb5 Bxb5 19.
Qxb5+ Qd7 20. Qxd7+ Nxd7 21. Ke2 Rh4 22. Rac1 Rxc5 23. Rxc5 Bxc5 $15 {[%mdl
4096] So, Black has recaptured the sacrificed pawn and obtained a slightly
better endgame due to the weakness of White's h- and a-pawns.} 24. f4 $6 (24.
f3 {was probably more accurate (I.Ganiev).}) 24... e5 $1 25. h3 exf4 26. Nf3
Rh6 $17 {[%csl Ra2,Re4,Rh3]} 27. Bxf4 Re6 (27... Rg6 $5) 28. Nd2 Bd4 29. Rb1 (
29. a3 Bxb2 30. axb4 Bc3 {loses a pawn anyway}) 29... Ra6 30. a3 $5 (30. Kd3 $5
Bf6) 30... bxa3 31. bxa3 Rxa3 32. Nc4 Ra2+ 33. Kd3 Bf2 34. Bd6 {White has
given up a pawn but activated his pieces, and it is not easy for Black to
convert his material advantage.} Nb6 (34... a5 35. Rb7 Nc5+ 36. Bxc5 Bxc5 37.
Ne5 $132) 35. Bb4 Nxc4 36. Kxc4 Bb6 37. Kd5 Rg2 38. Rb3 Rg5+ 39. e5 Bc7 $2 {
Exchanging the bishops is a wrong decision. Rook endgames are famous for their
drawish tendencies, and this one is no exception.} (39... Rg1 $142 $17 {
I.Ganiev}) 40. Bd6 Bxd6 41. Kxd6 Rg6+ 42. Kd5 Rb6 43. Rc3 Kd7 44. Rf3 Ke7 45.
Rc3 Rb7 (45... Rb5+ 46. Kd4 Kd7 47. Rg3 $1 g6 48. Rf3 Ke7 49. Rc3 {doesn't
change much}) 46. Rc6 g6 47. Ra6 {[%csl Ga6]} Kf8 (47... Rc7 48. Ra1 Kd7 49.
Ra6 Kc8 {is senseless due to} 50. e6 fxe6+ 51. Rxe6 Rg7 52. Ke5 {winning the
g6 pawn with a draw.}) 48. Ke4 Kg7 49. Kf4 Re7 50. Ra5 Kh6 51. Kg4 a6 {Black
has no other way to make progress but the resulting ending is theoretically
drawn.} 52. Rxa6 {There is no need for an engine-driver to look for new ways
like} (52. Kf4 {Amazingly, Magnus Carlsen's train finally derails anyway!})
52... Rxe5 53. Rb6 Re3 54. Ra6 f5+ 55. Kh4 Re4+ 56. Kg3 Kg5 57. Ra3 Re2 58. Kf3
Rh2 59. Kg3 Rb2 60. Ra8 (60. Rc3 {was good enough, e.g.} f4+ 61. Kf3 Rh2 62.
Rc5+ Kh4 63. Kxf4 Rf2+ (63... Rxh3 64. Rg5 $1) 64. Ke3 Rf6 (64... Rb2 65. Rc6)
65. Ra5 Kxh3 66. Rg5 Kh4 67. Rg1 g5 68. Rh1+ $11) 60... Rb3+ 61. Kg2 Kf4 62.
Ra4+ Ke3 63. h4 (63. Kg3 $5) 63... Rb6 (63... f4 64. Ra6 $11) 64. Kg3 Rd6 65.
Rf4 Rd1 66. Rf3+ Ke4 67. Rf4+ Ke5 68. Ra4 f4+ 69. Kg2 Rd2+ 70. Kf3 Rd3+ 71. Kg2
Rg3+ 72. Kh2 (72. Kf2 $2 Rh3 73. Ra5+ Kf6 74. Ra6+ Kg7) 72... Kf5 73. Ra6 Re3
74. Ra5+ Re5 75. Ra2 $1 {This is the so-called Vaisser system of defence 
(applied by GM Anatoly Vaisser in one of his games).} Kg4 (75... Re6 76. Rg2 f3
77. Rg5+ Kf4 78. Kg1 Ra6 79. Kf2 {and Black can't make progress.}) 76. Rg2+ $1
Kh5 77. Kh3 {Black can't attack the h4 pawn and protect his g6 pawn at the
same time!} Ra5 78. Rg1 Ra3+ 79. Kh2 Ra6 80. Kh3 Ra5 81. Rg2 Rc5 82. Rg1 f3 {
The last attempt.} 83. Kg3 $6 (83. Rf1 $1 Rf5 (83... Rc3 {doesn't change
anything}) 84. Rf2 Rf4 85. Kg3 Rf8 86. Kh3 {was much simpler}) 83... Rf5 84.
Rf1 $4 {[%mdl 8192] A terrible mistake. Losing concentration at the end of the
game is the main problem for Magnus (see also his game vs Radjabov).} (84. Kf2
$1 {was now the only way to a draw:} Rf6 85. Rh1 Kg4 86. Rg1+ Kxh4 87. Rh1+ Kg4
(87... Kg5 88. Rg1+ Kh6 89. Rh1+ Kg7 90. Rh3) 88. Rg1+ Kf4 89. Rg3 Ke4 90. Rg4+
Ke5 91. Rg5+ Ke6 92. Rg3 $11) 84... f2 $22 {and White must let the black king
forward.} 85. Kh3 Rf3+ 86. Kg2 Kg4 87. h5 {Desperation.} Rg3+ $1 88. Kh2 (88.
Kxf2 Rf3+ 89. Kg2 Rxf1 90. Kxf1 Kxh5 $19) 88... Kf3 $1 89. Ra1 Rg2+ $1 90. Kh1
(90. Kh3 Rg1) 90... Rg5 91. Ra3+ Kf4 92. Ra4+ Kg3 93. Ra3+ Kh4 (93... Kh4 94.
Ra1 Rg1+ 95. Rxg1 fxg1=Q+ 96. Kxg1 Kxh5 $19) 0-1

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.03.01"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2791"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. Nbd2 Rc8 13. Nb3 c5 14. dxc5 Bd5
15. Rfd1 Qc7 16. Rac1 Bxb3 17. Qxb3 Bxc5 18. e3 Qb6 19. Ne5 Rc7 20. a4 Rfc8 21.
axb5 axb5 22. Bf1 g6 23. Qxb5 Bxe3 24. Qxb6 Bxb6 25. Rc4 Rxc4 26. Nxc4 Bc5 27.
Kg2 Nd5 28. Be2 Be7 29. b3 Rb8 30. Bf3 Rxb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2008.03.02"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Nd7 5. d4 {For more than a century,
players of all levels have been fascinated by the magic of the white king's
fianchetto in the closed openings. The analytical distilling process, aimed to
reveal the optimal move order ressembles the search for the Philosopher's
Stone from the Middle Ages. In the genuine Catalan Opening, White frequently
has problems stabilising the position because of the possible d5xc4 at
different stages of the game. If White refrains from an early c2-c4, this
means defining the bishop's intentions too soon, allowing Black choose the
rock solid Slav setup, which is supposed to offer White no advantage at al,
because his bishop would bite on stonel. I have passed through this whole
process over the past 17 years and I know that there is no universal answer to
the problem. It all depends on such subjective factors as the speciffic
opponent or the mood in which you are that day. Judging from the course of the
present game, Radjabov found the right move order, against the right opponent
at the right moment.} c6 6. Nbd2 Ngf6 7. Re1 {It is interesting to compare the
first moves with the following sequence with reversed colours: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3
g6 3.Bg5 Bg7 4.c3 d5 5.Nbd2 Nbd7 6.e3 0-0 7.b4 c6 8.Be2 Re8 followed by ...e5.
This is how the game Torre - Kasparov, Thesaloniki (ol) 1988 started. About
ten moves later, the reigning World Champion had a big advantage already.
There is an interesting psychological nuance involved in reversing colours.
What is entirely satisfactory with Black does not look equally appealing with
White. This is a possible reason why Radjabov's plan from this game is not
seen frequently at grandmaster level.} Be7 8. e4 dxe4 9. Nxe4 O-O 10. c3 Re8 $6
{In conjunction with his next move, this is the start of Black's troubles.} (
10... Nxe4 11. Rxe4 Nf6 {would have been more natural and probably better.
Black would play ...Nd5, ...Qb6 and ...Rfd8, waiting for a favourable moment
to open the centre with c6-c5.} 12. Re1 Qb6 13. Qb3 {[%cal Gf3e5] By unpinning
the knight, White threatens Ne5, which makes the exchange on f3 highly
recommendable.} Bxf3 (13... Rfd8 $6 14. Ne5 Bf5 15. Nc4 {led to an initiative
for White in Hansen,L (2565)-Rasmussen,K (2440)/Denmark 1996/EXT 2000/[Hansen,
LB] (1-0, 32)}) ({It makes no sense to strengthen White's structure with} 13...
Qxb3 14. axb3 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 {although Black managed to hold his own in Kengis,
E (2572)-Dutreeuw,M (2390)/Germany 2001/CBM 087/[Finkel,A] (1/2, 45).}) 14.
Bxf3 Rfd8 {In my opinion, this should be regarded as the critical position of
the whole variation. In practice, most of the games between strong players
ended in short draws, which may speak for something. Here is the most relevant
of them, in which Black applied the most natural regrouping, immediately
convincing White of the solidity of his position.} 15. Bf4 Nd5 16. Bd2 Bf6 17.
Rad1 {1/2 Cvitan,O (2535)-Kurajica,B (2556)/Split 2008/CBM 122 Extra. The
position looks like if it came out of a favourable form of the Caro Kann, in
which Black has managed to exchange two pairs of minor pieces. White cannot
improve his position easily, since c3-c4 would leave the d4-square vulnerable.
On the contrary, Black can prepare c6-c5 at his own convenience.} Rd7 18. Kg2
Rad8 19. h4 h6 (19... c5 20. dxc5 Qxc5 21. Bg5 $14) 20. h5 Qc7 {[%cal Gc6c5]} (
20... c5 $5 $11) 21. Qa3 b5 $132 {[%cal Gc7b6,Ga7a5]}) 11. Nxf6+ ({Another
form of carrying out the plan from our main game is} 11. Qb3 Qb6 12. Ned2 {
It is interesting to notice that, with all his minor pieces on the board,
Black is better coordinated than after the exchange on f6, allowing him make
use of his advance in development to neutralise White's initiative.} Qc7 (12...
Qxb3 {is an unnecessary concession.} 13. axb3 Bd6 14. Nc4 Bc7 15. b4 Bxf3 16.
Bxf3 a6 17. Bg2 e5 18. dxe5 Nxe5 19. Nxe5 Rxe5 20. Rxe5 Bxe5 21. b5 $1 $14 {
Badea,B (2492)-Lemmers,O (2425)/Bucharest 2006/CBM 111 ext (1-0, 45)}) (12...
c5 {may also be premature.} 13. h3 Bh5 14. Qxb6 axb6 15. Ne5 cxd4 16. Nxd7 Nxd7
17. cxd4 Ra7 18. Ne4 b5 {Speelman,J (2625)-Dreev,A (2645)/Geneve 1996/CBM 054
ext (1-0, 61)} 19. d5 $1 $16) 13. Nc4 b5 14. Nce5 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Nxe5 16. Rxe5
Rab8 17. Re1 {1/2 Dizdarevic,E (2500)-Almasi,Z (2630)/Makarska Tucepi 1995/EXT
1997}) 11... Bxf6 {Aronian takes the e5-square under control in order to carry
out the freeing pawn break e6-e5 as soon as possible, but leaves the d5-square
insufficiently well protected.} (11... Nxf6 {would still be possible, but in
this case the rook would not stand well on e8.}) 12. h3 {This move is an
important preparation of Radjabov's novelty, two moves later. The bishop is
forced to define its intentions.} ({The similar plan without h2-h3 is slightly
less effective.} 12. Qb3 Qb6 13. Nd2 (13. Bf4 $6 Bxf3 14. Bxf3 e5 $11 {Hug,W 
(2445)-Huebner,R (2605)/Garmisch Partenkirchen 1994/CBM 043 ext (1/2, 24)})
13... e5 14. d5 Qxb3 15. axb3 cxd5 16. Bxd5 Nc5 17. Ne4 {would allow the
bishop return to e6 at some point, keeping Black's position defensible.} Nd3 (
17... Be6 $5) 18. Re3 Nxc1 19. Rxc1 Re7 {[%cal Gg4e6]}) 12... Bh5 (12... Bxf3
13. Bxf3 e5 14. d5 $1 $16) 13. Qb3 $146 {Technically speaking (and if we
ignore a blitz game played through the Internet, mentioned below), this is a
novelty, but the really new idea will come one move later.} (13. g4 Bg6 14. Bf4
h6 15. Bg3 Qb6 16. Qe2 c5 17. Ne5 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Be7 $11 {Strikovic,A (2550)
-Almasi,Z (2655)/Cacak 1996/CBM 057/[Hecht] (1/2, 65)}) 13... Qb6 14. Nd2 $1 {
A strong move, threatening Nc4, with the aim of provoking the exchange Qxb3,
axb3, followed by b3-b4 which would ensure White some queenside advantage. The
move is somewhat paradoxical, because White not only does not continue
developing, but even temporarily blocks the c1-bishop! This can be justified
by the strong queenside tension (it is no less than their Majesties throwing
at each other furious glances) and the relatively poor quality of Black's
development in general.} e5 {With the d5-square poorly defended, Black is not
well-prepared for this move, but passive play would not have ensured easy life
either.} (14... Rad8 15. Nc4 Qxb3 (15... Qc7 $2 16. Bf4 e5 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18.
Nxe5 Bxe5 19. Bxe5 Rxe5 20. Rxe5 Qxe5 21. Qxb7 $16) 16. axb3 $16 {[%cal Ga1a7,
Gc4d6]}) ({The aforementioned game on the Internet went} 14... Qxb3 15. axb3 a6
16. b4 (16. Ne4 Be7 17. Bf4 $14 {[%cal Gb3b4,Ge4c5,Ge4d6]}) 16... Rad8 17. Ne4
$14 {UncleBob-Wornath,K (2382)/playchess.com 2004/EXT 2005 (1-0, 61). I have
no clue about who UncleBob may be.}) 15. d5 $1 Qc7 $6 {After this timid move,
Black gets into trouble.} ({He could have kept the game more complicated with} 
15... Qxb3 16. axb3 cxd5 17. Bxd5 {[%csl Ga7,Gb7]} Nc5 18. Ne4 Red8 (18... Nd3
19. Re3 Nxc1 20. Rxc1 Re7 21. b4 $14) 19. Nxc5 Rxd5 20. Nxb7 Bf3 21. b4 $14 {
The f3-bishop is quite strong, but White's queenside advantage looks crushing.
In any case, play would have been far from one-sided.}) 16. d6 $1 $16 Qb8 17.
Ne4 Bd8 18. Be3 Bb6 19. h4 h6 20. Bh3 Qd8 {The opening has been a major
success for White. It is not really usual in super-tournaments that White gets
such an advantage on move 20 already.} 21. Bxh6 $1 {White wins a pawn with a
simple combination.} Nc5 $5 ({This looks like the best practical chance. Black
rids himself of the passive knight and eliminates the disturbing d6-pawn.} 
21... gxh6 22. Bxd7 Qxd7 $2 {loses the queen to} 23. Nf6+) 22. Nxc5 Qxd6 23.
Nd7 Qxh6 24. Nxb6 axb6 25. Qxb6 Bf3 26. Qe3 Qh5 27. Bg2 Bxg2 28. Kxg2 Ra4 29.
Qg5 Qxg5 30. hxg5 {White's advantage does not consist of the extra pawn only,
which, in many rook endings, is not sufficient for a win, see for instance the
game Ivanchuk - Wang. He has a space advantage on the kingside, while the
e5-pawn and the seventh rank are vulnerable.} Kh7 (30... Rg4 {leaves the rook
trapped after} 31. f4 $1) 31. a3 Kg6 32. Rad1 Re6 33. Rd7 b5 34. Red1 Rc4 35.
Rc7 e4 36. Rdd7 {After the occupation of the seventh rank, White should win
without problems.} e3 {Desperate counterplay.} 37. fxe3 Rxe3 38. Rxf7 Rg4 39.
Rxg7+ Kh5 40. Rh7+ Kg6 41. Rcg7+ Kf5 42. Rf7+ Kg6 43. Rhg7+ Kh5 44. Rf3 Re2+
45. Kh3 Rxg5 46. g4+ Kh6 47. Rxg5 Kxg5 48. b3 Kg6 49. Kg3 Ra2 50. Kf4 Rxa3 51.
b4 {The position has calmed down and Black has managed to prevent the material
deficit from increasing. However, his pieces are not coordinated, which allows
White to win effortlessly.} Kf7 (51... Ra1 {is no better because of} 52. Rd3 {
threatening Rd6+.}) 52. Ke5+ Ke7 53. Rh3 Kd7 54. g5 Ra1 55. Rh7+ Ke8 56. Rc7
1-0

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.03.03"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. a4 Nd4 12. Nbd2 c5 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Qf3 Bc6 15.
Ne4 Qd7 16. Bg5 f6 17. Bd2 Kh8 18. axb5 axb5 19. Rxa8 Rxa8 20. Qh5 Bf8 21. Ng3
Bb7 22. Qg4 Qxg4 23. hxg4 Rc8 24. Nf5 c4 25. Ba2 Nb4 26. Bb1 Nc6 27. dxc4 bxc4
28. c3 d3 29. Ba2 Ne5 30. Ne3 g5 31. Rb1 Ba6 32. b3 Bc5 33. bxc4 Bxe3 34. Bxe3
Bxc4 35. Bxc4 Nxc4 36. Bd4 Kg7 37. Rd1 d2 38. Kf1 Re8 39. Be3 Nxe3+ 40. fxe3
Rxe3 41. Rxd2 Rxc3 42. Kf2 Kg6 43. Rd6 Rc1 44. Ra6 Rc4 45. Kg3 Rf4 46. Kh3 Rf1
47. g3 Rf2 48. Ra7 Rf3 49. Kg2 Re3 50. Ra6 Kf7 51. Ra7+ Re7 52. Ra6 Re6 53.
Ra7+ Kg6 54. Kh3 h6 55. Rb7 Re2 56. Rg7+ Kxg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.03.05"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Yue"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 dxc4 7. Bxc4 h6 8.
Bf4 e6 9. Nf3 Bd6 10. Be5 O-O 11. Qe2 b6 12. a3 Bb7 13. Rd1 Re8 14. O-O Bf8 15.
Rfe1 Nd5 16. Nxd5 exd5 17. Ba2 Na5 18. Bb1 Bc8 19. g3 Nc4 20. Nh4 Qg5 21. Qc2
g6 22. Bf4 Rxe1+ 23. Rxe1 Qf6 24. Qc1 Bd7 25. Bxh6 Bxh6 26. Qxh6 Re8 27. Rxe8+
Bxe8 28. Nf5 Bd7 29. g4 Bxf5 30. gxf5 Qxd4 31. fxg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.03.06"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Giri,A"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 {The Semi Slav, one of the sharpest
openings, which has been developed a lot thanks to Anand.} 5. e3 Nbd7 {Meran...
} 6. Qc2 {Anti-Meran...} Bd6 {and now... the Anti-Anti Meran, do you think? No!
} 7. b3 {White chooses a calm and positional approach. Instead 7.g4! is sharp
and was tried by Magnus in this tournament successfully against Anand and
unsuccessfully against Aronian.} O-O 8. Be2 b6 9. O-O Bb7 10. Bb2 Rc8 11. Rac1
{Normally, to the best of my knowledge, Black puts his queen on e7, before
striking in the centre. But this move order had already been played by Anand
against Ivanchuk.} c5 12. dxc5 {Novelty.} bxc5 13. Rfd1 Qe7 14. g3 {A strong
move! Ivanchuk prepares cxd exd Nh4!} Rfd8 15. cxd5 exd5 {A structure with
hanging pawns has arisen. Hanging pawns might be weak, but they can be strong
as well.. It depends on how well the player handles them.} 16. Nh4 {As I told
you! The knight is provoking some weaknesses.} Bb8 17. Bf1 {Transporting the
bishop to g2 or h3.} Ne5 {An inaccuracy, I think ...Qe6, putting the queen on
a typical square for this structure and preventing Bh3, kept the position
equal.} 18. Bh3 Rc7 19. Bg2 d4 {Too early. Aronian just gives up a pawn. But
to be honest his position was a bit unpleasant already. Though I think, after
the best ...Rcc8! Black can hold the position.} 20. Nf5 Qe8 21. exd4 cxd4 22.
Nxd4 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 g6 24. Ne4 $1 {Nice trick, which Black could have avoided
by not playing g6. But it was very bad for Black anyway. The rest is easy for
Ivanchuk.} Qe7 25. Nxf6+ Qxf6 26. Qe2 Rxc1 27. Rxc1 Qd6 28. Qe4 (28. f4 $1 {
would win immediately.} Nd7 29. Nc6 {winning.}) 28... Qb4 29. Rc2 f5 30. Qe2
Qb7+ 31. Nc6 $1 Re8 32. Kg1 Nf3+ 33. Qxf3 Re1+ 34. Kg2 Qb5 35. Rc4 1-0

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.03.07"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E92"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. Be2 e5 7. Be3 Ng4 8. Bg5
f6 9. Bc1 exd4 10. Nxd4 f5 11. h3 Nh6 12. exf5 Nxf5 13. Nxf5 Bxf5 14. Be3 Nc6
15. Qd2 a5 16. O-O Kh8 17. Rad1 Qf6 18. Nd5 Qf7 19. b3 b6 20. a3 Rae8 21. Rfe1
Re6 22. Bf1 Rfe8 23. b4 axb4 24. axb4 h5 25. b5 Na5 26. Bd4 Kh7 27. Rxe6 Bxe6
28. Bxg7 Qxg7 29. Re1 Qf7 30. Re4 Bxd5 31. Rf4 Qg8 32. cxd5 Nb3 33. Qc3 Nc5 34.
Qf3 Kg7 35. g4 Re5 36. Bc4 Qe8 37. Bd3 hxg4 38. hxg4 Qe7 39. Kg2 Nd7 40. Bc2
Nf6 41. Rd4 Rg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D97"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 a6 8. Qa4
Nbd7 9. e5 Nb6 10. exf6 Nxa4 11. fxg7 Re8 12. Nxa4 e5 13. dxe5 Bg4 14. Nc3 Bxf3
15. gxf3 Rxe5+ 16. Be2 Qe7 17. f4 Re6 18. Kf1 Rd8 19. Bf3 Re1+ 20. Kg2 Rxh1 21.
Kxh1 Rd3 22. Kg2 c6 23. Ne4 f5 24. Nc3 Kxg7 25. a4 a5 26. Nd1 h5 27. Ne3 h4 28.
h3 Qe6 29. Kf1 Rd4 30. Be2 Qe4 31. f3 Rxa4 32. fxe4 Rxa1 33. exf5 Rxc1+ 34. Kf2
Rb1 35. Nc4 a4 36. fxg6 Rxb2 37. Nxb2 a3 38. Bc4 axb2 39. Bd3 c5 40. Ke3 b5 41.
Bb1 b4 42. Kd3 Kxg6 43. Kc4+ 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Nf6 6. Nxf6+ Qxf6 7. Qe2 Be7
8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. Nxe5 Bf5 10. O-O O-O-O 11. d3 Rhe8 12. f4 Kb8 13. Qf2 Bc8 14.
Bd2 b6 15. Rae1 Qe6 16. f5 Qd5 17. c4 Qxe5 18. Rxe5 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2725"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. h4 Bg7 6. h5 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Qa4+ Qd7 9. Qh4 Bf6 10. Qf4 Qf5 11. g3 g5 12. Qe3 Nc6 13. Bg2 Bd7 14. h6 Rc8
15. O-O Rg8 16. Ne1 b6 17. Nd3 Qg6 18. a4 Na5 19. Ne5 Bxe5 20. Qxe5 Qxh6 21. d3
Bc6 22. Qf5 Rd8 23. Bxc6+ Nxc6 24. a5 Nxa5 25. Rxa5 bxa5 26. Be3 Qc6 27. Rb1
Rg6 28. c4 Rh6 29. f3 Qe6 30. Qxc5 Qh3 31. Qb5+ Kf8 32. Kf2 Re6 33. Rg1 f6 34.
Qb1 Qf5 35. Qc1 a4 36. Rh1 Kg8 37. d4 Rc6 38. c5 Ra6 39. g4 Qd5 40. Qc2 Qf7 41.
Rxh7 Qxh7 42. Qc4+ Qf7 43. Qxa6 Qb3 44. c6 Qe6 45. c7 Qxa6 46. cxd8=Q+ Kf7 47.
d5 Qb5 48. d6 exd6 49. Qxd6 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. a4 Nd4 12. Nbd2 Nxb3 13. Nxb3 f6 14. Na5 Qc8 15.
c3 Kh8 16. Qb3 c5 17. Bd2 Rb8 18. Nxb7 Qxb7 19. axb5 axb5 20. Ra2 Qc6 21. Rea1
c4 22. Qc2 cxd3 23. Qxd3 Nb6 24. Ra6 Rfd8 25. Qe2 Qd5 26. Be3 Nc4 27. Ba7 Ra8
28. b3 Na3 29. b4 Nc4 30. Ne1 h6 31. Nc2 Qd3 32. Qxd3 Rxd3 33. Ne3 Nxe3 34.
Bxe3 Rxa6 35. Rxa6 Rxc3 36. Rb6 Bxb4 37. Rxb5 Rc4 38. g4 Kh7 39. Kg2 Kg6 40.
Rb7 Bf8 41. Rb8 Kf7 42. Rb7+ Ke6 43. Kf3 Be7 44. Rb6+ Bd6 45. Rb7 Be7 46. Rb6+
Bd6 47. Rb7 Bf8 48. Rb6+ Kf7 49. Rb7+ Kg6 50. Rb8 Bd6 51. Rb7 Bc7 52. Ra7 h5
53. Rb7 hxg4+ 54. hxg4 Bd6 55. Rb6 Ba3 56. Rb7 Bc1 57. Bxc1 Rxc1 58. Kg2 Kh6
59. g5+ fxg5 60. Rb6+ Kh5 61. Rb7 Kg6 62. Rb6+ Kf5 63. Rb7 g6 64. Rf7+ Ke6 65.
Rf8 Rc3 66. Ra8 g4 67. Rg8 Kf5 68. Rf8+ Ke6 69. Re8+ Kf6 70. Rf8+ Ke7 71. Rg8
Rf3 72. Rxg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. g3 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Bg2 d5 8.
O-O dxc4 9. Nc2 Bxc3 10. bxc3 Qc7 11. Rb1 Nc6 12. Na3 e5 13. Qc2 Rd8 14. Qb2
Rb8 15. Nb5 Qa5 16. Bg5 Bf5 17. Rbd1 Rxd1 18. Rxd1 Rd8 19. Rd6 Qb6 20. Qd2 Rf8
21. Bxf6 Qxb5 22. Bxc6 bxc6 23. Be7 Re8 24. Rd8 c5 25. f3 h6 26. Rxe8+ Qxe8 27.
Qd8 Qxd8 28. Bxd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2706"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. b3 Bg4 7. Qd2 Bxf3 8. gxf3
Nbd7 9. Bb2 e6 10. c5 a5 11. a4 b4 12. Ne2 g6 13. Nf4 Qc7 14. Nd3 Nh5 15. f4
Be7 16. O-O-O Bh4 17. Be2 Ng7 18. Kb1 f5 19. Ka2 Nf6 20. f3 Nd7 21. Rdg1 Nh5
22. Bd1 O-O-O 23. Be2 Kb8 24. Qc2 Rde8 25. Bc1 Kc8 26. Bd2 Kd8 27. Qd1 Ke7 28.
Qf1 Kf7 29. Qh3 Qd8 30. Bd1 Qe7 31. Rg2 Ref8 32. Rhg1 Ke8 33. Re2 Bf6 34. Rge1
Bh4 35. Rf1 Bf6 36. Be1 Kd8 37. Bf2 Qg7 38. Rfe1 Kc7 39. Rc2 Ra8 40. Qf1 Rhe8
41. Ne5 Qe7 42. Qh3 Bg7 43. Rg1 Bf6 44. Be2 Rab8 45. Rcc1 Red8 46. Ba6 Rf8 47.
Qf1 Bh4 48. Bg3 Nxe5 49. dxe5 Qd8 50. Bd3 Be7 51. Bb1 Qc8 52. Rg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8.
Rc1 Qa5 9. Qd2 O-O 10. Nf3 Rd8 11. d5 e6 12. Be2 exd5 13. exd5 Nd7 14. O-O Nf6
15. c4 Qxd2 16. Nxd2 b6 17. h3 Re8 18. Bd3 Nd7 19. Rfd1 Ne5 20. Bf1 Bd7 21. Nb1
f5 22. Nc3 Nf7 23. a4 g5 24. a5 f4 25. Bd2 Nd6 26. axb6 axb6 27. Rb1 Reb8 28.
Re1 Ra3 29. Re7 Bf5 30. Rc1 Rb7 31. Rxb7 Nxb7 32. Nb5 Ra1 33. Rxa1 Bxa1 34. h4
h6 35. hxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D75"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Nf3 Nc6 9. O-O cxd4 10. cxd4 Nxd4 11. Nxd4 Qxd4 12. Rb1 O-O 13. Be3 Qc4 14. Bd5
Qa6 15. Qb3 Qxe2 16. Bc5 Be6 17. Bxe6 Qxe6 18. Qxe6 fxe6 19. Rxb7 Rf5 20. Rc7
Be5 21. Rxe7 Bxg3 22. hxg3 Rxc5 23. Rb1 a5 24. Rbb7 Rh5 25. Rxe6 Rd8 26. Ree7
Rc8 27. Ra7 Rd8 28. Kg2 Rf8 29. a4 Rb8 30. g4 Rh4 31. f3 Rf8 32. Rxa5 h5 33.
gxh5 Rxh5 34. Rxh5 gxh5 35. a5 Rf6 36. Rb7 h4 37. Rb3 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nf3 b5 6. c5 g6 7. Bd2 a5 8. Bd3 Bg7
9. Qc2 Nbd7 10. h3 O-O 11. O-O Re8 12. Ne2 Qc7 13. Rae1 e5 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15.
dxe5 Qxe5 16. Bc3 Qe7 17. Bd4 b4 18. a3 Ba6 19. Bxa6 Rxa6 20. axb4 axb4 21. Ra1
Qa7 22. Rxa6 Qxa6 23. b3 Ra8 24. Ra1 Qxa1+ 25. Bxa1 Rxa1+ 26. Nc1 Ne4 27. g4
Bf8 28. Kg2 Nc3 29. Nd3 Ra2 30. Qc1 Ne4 31. Qe1 Bxc5 32. Qc1 Ra5 33. h4 Nc3 34.
Nxc5 Rxc5 35. Qa1 Ne4 36. f3 Rc2+ 37. Kh3 Rc3 38. Qa7 Nd2 39. Qb8+ Kg7 40. Qxb4
Rd3 41. Kg2 d4 42. exd4 Nxb3 43. Qe7 Nxd4 44. Qe5+ Kg8 45. h5 Ne6 46. h6 g5 47.
Kf2 Rd8 48. Qf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Yue"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D12"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. d4 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Be2 dxc4 8. Nxg6
hxg6 9. Bxc4 Nbd7 10. h3 Be7 11. Bb3 e5 12. O-O exd4 13. exd4 Nb6 14. Bf4 O-O
15. Qd3 Nfd5 16. Be5 a5 17. a4 Re8 18. f4 Qd7 19. f5 f6 20. Bg3 g5 21. Ne4 Rad8
22. Nc5 Bxc5 23. dxc5 Nc8 24. Rad1 Qe7 25. Bf2 Qe2 26. Rfe1 Qxd3 27. Rxd3 Kf8
28. Red1 Re2 29. R1d2 Rxd2 30. Rxd2 Ke8 31. g4 Nf4 32. Rxd8+ Kxd8 33. Be1 Nd3
34. Bxa5+ Ke8 35. Be6 Ne7 36. b4 Nf4 37. Bc4 Nxh3+ 38. Kf1 Nf4 39. b5 Kd7 40.
Bd2 Nfd5 41. Bd3 cxb5 42. axb5 b6 43. cxb6 Nxb6 44. Kf2 Ned5 45. Bc1 Kd6 46.
Ba3+ Ke5 47. Be2 Kd4 48. Ke1 Nf4 49. Bf3 Nfd5 50. Bf8 Nd7 51. Bxg7 Kc5 52. Kf1
N7b6 53. Be2 Nd7 54. Bf3 N7b6 55. Ke2 Kxb5 56. Kd3 Nb4+ 57. Kd4 Nd7 58. Bd1 Ka5
59. Bb3 Nc6+ 60. Kd5 Nce5 61. Kd6 Kb5 62. Bd1 Kc4 63. Ke7 Kc5 64. Bxf6 Nxf6 65.
Kxf6 Kd6 66. Kxg5 Ke7 67. f6+ 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 8. Bd3
dxc4 9. Bxc4 g6 10. O-O Bg7 11. Rc1 O-O 12. Bb3 Qe7 13. Na4 Rd8 14. Qc2 Nf8 15.
Ne5 Bd7 16. Qc5 Qxc5 17. Nxc5 Rab8 18. f4 Be8 19. Rc2 Nh7 20. Rfc1 Nf6 21. a3
Bf8 22. g3 Kg7 23. Kg2 a5 24. Kf3 b6 25. Nxe6+ fxe6 26. Nxc6 a4 27. Nxd8 axb3
28. Rc7+ Kg8 29. Nxe6 g5 30. e4 Bd7 31. Nxf8 Bg4+ 32. Ke3 Re8 33. e5 Nd5+ 34.
Ke4 Nxc7 35. Rxc7 Rxf8 36. d5 Bf5+ 37. Kd4 Bh3 38. fxg5 Rf2 39. e6 Rd2+ 40. Ke5
Rxb2 41. Rb7 Rb1 42. e7 Re1+ 43. Kf6 Rf1+ 44. Ke5 Re1+ 45. Kf6 Rf1+ 46. Ke5
Re1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 dxc4 7. Bxc4 h6 8.
Bxf6 exf6 9. Nf3 Bd6 10. O-O O-O 11. h3 Bf5 12. Bd3 Qd7 13. Bxf5 Qxf5 14. Qb3
Na5 15. Qa4 Rfc8 16. Nb5 Nc4 17. Rfc1 a6 18. Nxd6 Nxd6 19. Qb4 Qd5 20. Rc5 Rxc5
21. Qxc5 Qe6 22. d5 Qd7 23. Rd1 Rc8 24. Qb4 Rc4 25. Qb3 Qa4 26. Qxa4 Rxa4 27.
a3 Kf8 28. Kf1 Re4 29. b3 Ke7 30. Nd4 Kd7 31. a4 Re8 32. Rc1 Re5 33. Rc5 Ne4
34. Rc1 Nd2+ 35. Kg1 Rxd5 36. Ne2 Nxb3 37. Rb1 Nc5 38. a5 Kc7 39. Nf4 Rf5 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. Bg2 c5 7. d5 exd5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. O-O Be7 10. Rd1 Nc6 11. Qa4 Nf6 12. Nh4 g6 13. Bh6 Bf8 14. Bxf8 Kxf8
15. Nc3 Kg7 16. Rd6 Na5 17. Qf4 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 h6 19. Ne4 Nxe4 20. Qxe4 Re8 21.
Rxg6+ fxg6 22. Qxg6+ Kf8 23. Qxh6+ Ke7 24. Nf5+ Kf7 25. Nd6+ Ke7 26. Rd1 Rf8
27. Rd5 Rf6 28. Qh7+ Kf8 29. Rg5 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c6 4. e3 Bg4 5. c4 e6 6. Qb3 Qc8 7. Ne5 Bf5 8. Nc3
Nbd7 9. Be2 Ne4 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. Bg4 f5 13. f3 fxg4 14. fxe4 Bd6
15. Nd3 Bxf4 16. Nxf4 Nf6 17. exd5 g5 18. dxc6 Qxc6 19. Nd3 Qd5 20. O-O Qxb3
21. axb3 O-O 22. Rf5 Ne4 23. Re5 Rae8 24. Rf1 Rxe5 25. Rxf8+ Kxf8 26. Nxe5 h5
27. b4 Ke7 28. Kf1 Ke6 29. Ke2 Kd5 30. b3 a6 31. Nc4 Kc6 32. Kd3 Nf2+ 33. Kc2
h4 34. Kd2 h3 35. gxh3 gxh3 36. Ne5+ Kb5 37. Ke2 Ne4 38. Ng4 Kxb4 39. Kd3 Nd6
40. e4 Kxb3 41. e5 Nf7 42. Nf2 g4 43. Ne4 Nh6 44. d5 Nf7 45. Kd4 Nh6 46. d6
Nf5+ 47. Kd5 a5 48. d7 Ne7+ 49. Kd6 Nc6 50. e6 a4 51. e7 Nxe7 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A39"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2791"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. g3 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Nc3 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 d6 10. Qd3 a6 11. Be3 Bf5 12. Qd2 Qd7 13. Bd4 Bh3 14. Bxh3
Qxh3 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nd5 Qf5 17. Qe3 e6 18. Nxf6+ Qxf6 19. Qb6 Qe5 20. b3
Qxe2 21. Rfd1 Qb2 22. Qxd6 a5 23. Qd4 Qa3 24. Rd3 a4 25. c5 axb3 26. Rxb3 Qa7
27. Rab1 Rac8 28. Rxb7 Qxc5 29. Qxc5 Rxc5 30. Ra7 Rfc8 31. Kg2 Rf5 32. Rb2 Rc3
1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "196"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Nbd2 h6 13. Bc4 Bd6 14. Nb3 Bb7 15.
Bd3 Bc8 16. Bc4 Bb7 17. h3 Kf8 18. Bd3 Bc8 19. Be3 Be6 20. Nfd2 Ke8 21. f3 Be7
22. Bc4 Bc8 23. Red1 Bb7 24. Bf2 Nd7 25. Bd3 Nf8 26. Nc4 Ne6 27. Nba5 Nxa5 28.
Nxa5 Bc8 29. Nc6 Rd6 30. Nxe5 Bf6 31. Nc4 Rd8 32. e5 Be7 33. Be4 Rxd1+ 34. Rxd1
Rb8 35. Bc6+ Kf8 36. Ba7 Bb7 37. Bxb8 Bc5+ 38. Kf1 Bxc6 39. b3 Ke8 40. Nb2 Bb6
41. Nc4 Bc5 42. h4 h5 43. Rd2 Ba8 44. Ke1 Bc6 45. Kd1 Bd7 46. Nb2 Be3 47. Re2
Bd4 48. Nd3 a5 49. Re4 Bb6 50. Nb2 Kd8 51. Nc4 Bc5 52. Nxa5 Kc8 53. Bxc7 Kxc7
54. Ke1 Bd4 55. Kf1 Kb6 56. Nc4+ Kc5 57. Nd6 Kd5 58. Nxf7 Be8 59. Nd6 Bg6 60.
Re2 Bc3 61. Ne4 Nf4 62. Nxc3+ bxc3 63. Rf2 Kxe5 64. Ke1 Kd4 65. a5 Kc5 66. Kd1
Kb5 67. g3 Ne6 68. Kc1 Kxa5 69. g4 Nf4 70. gxh5 Bxh5 71. Rf1 Kb4 72. Kb1 Kc5
73. Re1 Nd5 74. Rg1 g6 75. Rg3 Kd4 76. Rg1 Ne3 77. Kc1 Kc5 78. f4 Kd4 79. Rg3
Bg4 80. b4 Bf5 81. b5 Nxc2 82. b6 Nb4 83. Rg2 Nd3+ 84. Kd1 Nc5 85. Kc1 Kc4 86.
Re2 Nb3+ 87. Kd1 Bg4 88. b7 Bxe2+ 89. Kxe2 Nd4+ 90. Kd1 Kd3 91. b8=Q c2+ 92.
Ke1 c1=Q+ 93. Kf2 Qd2+ 94. Kg3 Nf5+ 95. Kh3 Qe3+ 96. Kg2 Qe2+ 97. Kh3 Qf3+ 98.
Kh2 Qf2+ 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 h6 10. h3 Bd7 11. b3 a5 12. Bb2 Kc8 13. Rad1 Bb4 14. Ne4
Be6 15. c3 Be7 16. g4 Bd5 17. Rfe1 Nh4 18. Nxh4 Bxh4 19. c4 Be6 20. Nc5 b6 21.
Nxe6 fxe6 22. Re3 Rf8 23. f3 Be7 24. Kg2 a4 25. Red3 axb3 26. axb3 Ra2 27. R1d2
Bg5 28. Rf2 Bh4 29. Re2 c5 30. Kf1 Kb7 31. Bc3 Ra3 32. Bb2 Raa8 33. Bc3 Kc6 34.
Kg2 Ra3 35. Be1 Rd8 36. Rxd8 Bxd8 37. Rb2 Bg5 38. Bc3 Bf4 39. h4 b5 40. cxb5+
Kxb5 41. h5 Kc6 42. Be1 Bxe5 43. Rb1 Kd5 44. Bg3 Bd6 45. f4 Ra2+ 46. Kf3 Rd2
47. Ke3 Rd4 48. Ra1 Re4+ 49. Kf3 Rb4 50. Rd1+ Rd4 51. Re1 Rd3+ 52. Re3 c4 53.
bxc4+ Kxc4 54. Bf2 Kd4 55. g5 c5 56. gxh6 gxh6 57. f5 exf5 58. Rxd3+ Kxd3 59.
Bxc5 Bxc5 60. Kf4 Ke2 61. Kxf5 Kf3 62. Kg6 Be3 63. Kf5 Bf4 64. Kf6 Kg4 65. Ke6
Kxh5 66. Kf5 Bg5 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. cxd5 exd5 4. g3 Nf6 5. Bg2 Bd6 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Re8 8.
d3 h6 9. Qc2 c5 10. e4 Nc6 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Nb4 13. Qb3 Bf5 14. Ne1 Qc7
15. Qc4 Rab8 16. a3 b5 17. Qc3 Na6 18. Nc2 c4 19. dxc4 bxc4 20. Nd4 Bd3 21. Re1
Be5 22. Rxe5 Qxe5 23. Bf4 Qf6 24. Bxb8 Rxb8 25. b4 Nc7 26. Rc1 Re8 27. h3 Qe5
28. Qa1 Nxd5 29. Nb5 Nxb4 30. axb4 Qxb5 31. Qxa7 Qxb4 32. Bd5 Re7 33. Qd4 Qd2
34. Rxc4 Qe1+ 35. Kg2 Bf1+ 36. Kh2 Bxc4 37. Bxc4 Re4 38. Qd8+ Kh7 39. Bd3 Qxf2+
40. Kh1 Qe1+ 41. Kg2 Qd2+ 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 Be7 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Nbd2
Nh7 9. Nc4 Ng5 10. Nxg5 hxg5 11. Qh5 Be6 12. Ne3 Bxb3 13. axb3 f6 14. h4 Qe8
15. Qg4 Qc8 16. Nf5 g6 17. Nxe7+ Nxe7 18. Qxc8 Rfxc8 19. hxg5 f5 20. g3 Kg7 21.
Kg2 Rh8 22. Be3 a6 23. f4 Rad8 24. Rae1 Nc6 25. b4 Rd7 26. Rh1 Rxh1 27. Rxh1
Rf7 28. Rf1 Rf8 29. Bd2 Re8 30. Re1 Kf7 31. c4 fxe4 32. dxe4 Nd4 33. Bc3 Ne6
34. Rf1 Ke7 35. Bd2 Rg8 36. Be3 Ke8 37. Rh1 Rf8 38. Rh4 Rf7 39. b3 Kf8 40. Rh8+
Kg7 41. Rb8 b6 42. Bd2 Rf8 43. Rb7 Kg8 44. Ra7 exf4 45. gxf4 Nxf4+ 46. Bxf4
Rxf4 47. Rxc7 Rxe4 48. Rc6 b5 49. Kf3 Rh4 50. c5 Rxb4 51. Rxd6 a5 52. Rxg6+ Kf7
53. Ra6 a4 54. bxa4 bxa4 55. Ke3 Rc4 56. c6 a3 57. Kd3 Rc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 a6 6. O-O Nc6 7. e3 Bd7 8. Qe2
b5 9. Rd1 Bb4 10. b3 cxb3 11. axb3 O-O 12. e4 Ne7 13. Ne5 Nc6 14. Bg5 Be7 15.
Nxd7 Qxd7 16. d5 exd5 17. Nc3 Rae8 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Nxd5 Bd4 20. Qc2 f5 21. e5
f4 22. Nf6+ Rxf6 23. exf6 Nb4 24. Qd2 c5 25. Re1 Rf8 26. Re7 Qf5 27. fxg7 fxg3
28. gxf8=Q+ Kxf8 29. Re2 gxf2+ 30. Kh1 Nd3 31. Qh6+ Kf7 32. Rf1 Ne5 33. Qh4 Ng4
34. h3 Nf6 35. Rexf2 Bxf2 36. Rxf2 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Wang, Yue"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 e6 7. Nc3 Nbd7 8. Bd3
Bb4 9. a3 Ba5 10. O-O O-O 11. cxd5 exd5 12. b4 Bc7 13. b5 Re8 14. a4 Nf8 15.
Ba3 Ne6 16. h4 h5 17. g3 g6 18. Rac1 Kg7 19. Nb1 Qd7 20. Rc2 Bd6 21. Bxd6 Qxd6
22. Rfc1 Rec8 23. Qd1 c5 24. dxc5 Rxc5 25. Rxc5 Nxc5 26. Bf1 Rd8 27. Bg2 b6 28.
Nd2 Nd3 29. Rc6 Qe7 30. Nf1 Ne5 31. Rc1 Ne4 32. Qd4 Qf6 33. f4 Ng4 34. Rc7 Qxd4
35. exd4 Re8 36. Bf3 Nh6 37. Bxe4 Rxe4 38. Rxa7 Rxd4 39. Ne3 Ng4 40. Nxg4 hxg4
41. a5 bxa5 42. Rxa5 Rb4 43. b6 d4 44. Rd5 Kf6 45. b7 Rxb7 46. Rxd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 18th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2009.03.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2796"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2009.03.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.05"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qc2
b6 9. Bf4 Ba6 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Rc1 Qd7 12. Ne5 Qb7 13. Qc7 Qxc7 14. Rxc7 Bd6
15. Rc2 Nh5 16. Be3 f6 17. Nd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nalchik FIDE GP"]
[Site "Nalchik"]
[Date "2009.04.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C28"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2009.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Na5 5. Nge2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. a4 Nxc4 8.
dxc4 d6 9. b3 Be6 10. a5 c6 11. a6 b6 12. Ba3 Qc7 13. f4 Rad8 14. Kh1 Bc8 15.
Bb2 Ng4 16. Qd3 exf4 17. Nxf4 Bh4 18. Qe2 Rfe8 19. h3 Ne5 20. Nd1 Bg5 21. Nh5
Qe7 22. Ne3 g6 23. Nf4 Nd7 24. Nh5 Qxe4 25. Qf2 f5 26. Ng4 gxh5 27. Nh6+ Bxh6
28. Qg3+ Kf7 29. Rae1 Rg8 30. Qf2 Qxg2+ 31. Qxg2 Rxg2 32. Kxg2 0-1

[Event "Nalchik FIDE GP"]
[Site "Nalchik"]
[Date "2009.04.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Akopian, Vladimir Eduardovic"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2696"]
[PlyCount "187"]
[EventDate "2009.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 a6 6. c5 Nbd7 7. b4 b6 8. Bb2 a5
9. a3 Be7 10. Bd3 O-O 11. O-O Qc7 12. Qe2 axb4 13. axb4 Bb7 14. h3 bxc5 15.
bxc5 Rxa1 16. Rxa1 Ra8 17. Qd1 Rxa1 18. Qxa1 h6 19. Qa4 Bd8 20. Na2 Qa5 21.
Qxa5 Bxa5 22. Bc3 Bc7 23. Nd2 Kf8 24. Nb3 Ke7 25. Ba5 Kd8 26. Nb4 Nb8 27. Kf1
Bxa5 28. Nxa5 Kc7 29. Ke2 Bc8 30. Nb3 Ng8 31. f3 Ne7 32. e4 dxe4 33. fxe4 Nd7
34. Ke3 Bb7 35. Bc4 Nf6 36. Nd2 Nd7 37. Ba2 Kd8 38. Nc4 Nc8 39. Bb3 Kc7 40. e5
f6 41. Nd3 Ba6 42. Nf4 Nf8 43. Nd6 Kd7 44. Nh5 fxe5 45. dxe5 Ne7 46. g3 g5 47.
Nf6+ Kc7 48. Nf7 Bf1 49. Nxh6 Bxh3 50. Ne4 g4 51. Kd4 Bg2 52. Nf6 Bd5 53. Bd1
Bf3 54. Bc2 Kd8 55. Ne4 Nd5 56. Nf2 Ne7 57. Bd3 Kc7 58. Be4 Bxe4 59. Kxe4 Nd7
60. Nd3 Nd5 61. Nxg4 Kd8 62. Nh2 Nc3+ 63. Ke3 Nd5+ 64. Kd4 Ne7 65. Ke4 Ng6 66.
Nf3 Ke7 67. Nd4 Nb8 68. Kf3 Kf7 69. Kg4 Ne7 70. Kh5 Nf5 71. Ne2 Ne3 72. g4 Nd5
73. g5 Nd7 74. g6+ Kg7 75. Kg5 Kg8 76. Nef4 Nxf4 77. Kxf4 Kf8 78. Kg4 Kg8 79.
Kh5 Kh8 80. Kh6 Kg8 81. Kg5 Kg7 82. Nf4 Nxe5 83. Nxe6+ Kg8 84. Kf6 Nd7+ 85. Kf5
Kh8 86. Kg5 Kg8 87. Kh6 Ne5 88. Nd4 Ng4+ 89. Kg5 Ne5 90. Nf5 Kh8 91. Kf6 Ng4+
92. Ke6 Kg8 93. Ne7+ Kg7 94. Nxc6 1-0

[Event "Nalchik FIDE GP"]
[Site "Nalchik"]
[Date "2009.04.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2721"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2009.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Nbd2 Bd6 13. a5 h6 14. Bc4 Kf8 15.
b3 Ke7 16. Bd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 Na7 18. Nxe5 Kf8 19. Ndc4 Bxe5 20. Rxe5 Nc6 21.
Bg5 hxg5 22. dxc6 f6 23. Rc5 Be6 24. Nb6 Rab8 25. Nd7+ Bxd7 26. cxd7 Rxd7 27.
Rc6 Rb5 28. Rxa6 Rd2 29. Ra8+ Kf7 30. g4 Rc5 31. a6 Rcxc2 32. Rc8 c6 33. a7
Rxf2 34. Rh8 1-0

[Event "Nalchik FIDE GP"]
[Site "Nalchik"]
[Date "2009.04.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2009.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. Nf3 e6 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 d5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Nxd5 Qxd5 10. d4 cxd4 11. Qxd4 O-O 12. Bg5 Bxg5 13. Qxd5 Bxd5 14. Nxg5
Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Na6 16. Rac1 Rfd8 17. Rc4 Rd2 18. Rec1 g6 19. R1c2 Rxc2 20. Rxc2
Rd8 21. Rc4 Rd7 22. a3 Kg7 23. Nf3 Rc7 24. Rd4 Nc5 25. g4 h6 26. h4 Nd7 27. g5
hxg5 28. hxg5 Kf8 29. Nd2 Ke7 30. Rc4 Rxc4 31. Nxc4 e5 32. Kf3 Ke6 33. e4 Nc5
34. Ke3 Nb3 35. Nd2 Nxd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nalchik FIDE GP"]
[Site "Nalchik"]
[Date "2009.04.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2009.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15.
Qe2 Bd7 16. Qf1 Qf5 17. Be3 Rae8 18. Nd2 h5 19. Qg2 h4 20. Qf3 Nxe3 21. Rxe3
Rxe3 22. fxe3 Qg6 23. Kg2 Bg4 24. Qf2 c5 25. Rc1 Bf5 26. e4 Bxe4+ 27. Nxe4
Qxe4+ 28. Qf3 Qxf3+ 29. Kxf3 hxg3 30. hxg3 Re8 31. Rd1 c4 32. Bc2 Re6 33. Rd2
Kf8 34. g4 Rf6+ 35. Ke4 Re6+ 36. Kf3 Rf6+ 37. Ke4 Re6+ 38. Kf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nalchik FIDE GP"]
[Site "Nalchik"]
[Date "2009.04.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A32"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2009.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Bg5 Qc7 7. e3 b6 8. Bd3
{Drei Züge später geht der Läufer doch nach e2.} Bb7 9. O-O Nc6 10. Rc1 Rc8 11.
Be2 Be7 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Nd5 {Das sieht recht aussichtsreich aus, mit einem
Tempo mehr wäre es richtig stark gewesen.} exd5 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. cxd5 Bxb2 16.
Rc2 Be5 17. dxc6 dxc6 18. Bxa6 Rd8 19. Qf3 c5 20. Bb5+ Kf8 {Mittelfristig
lässt sich ein doppelter Turmtausch in der d-Linie kaum verhindern.} 21. g3 g6
22. Rd1 Kg7 23. Rcd2 Rxd2 24. Rxd2 Rd8 25. Rxd8 Qxd8 {Zwei Dinge sind völlig
klar: Aronian versucht immer noch zu gewinnen, objektiv ist die Stellung
jedoch klar remis. Um sein Ziel dennoch zu erreichen, muss Weiß ein wenig
Spannung bewahren, d.h. vor allem nicht die Damen tauschen, aber letztlich
muss ein schwarzer Fehler helfen.} 26. Kg2 h5 27. Qe4 {Es beginnt ein
geschicktes Manöver, an dessen Ende Weiß das Feld d5 erobert.} Bc3 28. Qb7 Bf6
29. Bc4 Qe7 30. Qd5 {Die schwarze Bauernmehrheit am Damenflügel ist wertlos,
die weiße Majorität auf der anderen Seite soll dennoch nicht zum Sieg
ausreichen. Es ist jedoch erstaunlich, wie schwierig der Verteidigung für
Schwarz ist.} h4 31. e4 hxg3 32. hxg3 Bd4 33. f4 f6 $6 {Das ist zwar korrekt,
erschwert jedoch die Verteidigung. Aber völlig passiv sollte sich Schwarz auch
nicht verhalten.} ({In Frage kommt} 33... Qf6 34. Qd7 Bc3 35. e5 Qf5 $1 36.
Qxf5 gxf5 {und der Gewinn des Bauern f5 reicht nicht zum vollen Punkt.}) 34.
Kf3 Kh6 35. Qg8 g5 $5 {Das ist früher oder später notwendig.} 36. e5 {Aronian
ist es gelungen, eine Situation herbeizuführen, in der der naheliegende Zug
verliert, der weniger logische hingegen remisiert, und das in Zeitnot
Iwantschuks.} fxe5 $2 ({Nach} 36... Qg7 37. Qe6 {hat Schwarz nur einen Zug,
der das Remis sichert und der sieht ein wenig unästhetisch aus:} Qg6 $1 {, z.B.
} 38. Qh3+ Kg7 39. Qd7+ Kh6 40. exf6 Bxf6 $1 (40... gxf4 $2 41. Qh3+ Qh5+ 42.
Qxh5+ Kxh5 43. f7 Bg7 44. Kxf4 Kg6 45. a4 Kf6 46. Ke4 Ke7 47. Kd5 Kxf7 (47...
Bc3 48. Kc6 Ba5 49. g4 Kf8 50. g5 Kg7 51. g6 Kf8 52. Kd7 Bc3 53. Kc7 Ba5 54.
Kc6 $22 $18) 48. Kc6+ Ke8 49. Kxb6 Bf6 50. Kc6 Bd8 51. g4 Kf8 (51... Ke7 52. g5
Kf8 53. g6 Kg7 54. Bd3 c4 55. Bc2 $18) 52. Kb5 Ke8 53. a5 Kd7 54. a6 Kc8 55.
Kxc5 $18) 41. Bd3 Qg8 {und Weiß kommt nicht weiter.}) 37. Bd3 e4+ 38. Bxe4 Qg7
39. Qe6+ Qf6 40. Qd7 $1 {Jetzt zielt die weiße Dame nach h7 und h3, die
Verteidigung ...Dg7 geht nicht mehr; Schwarz gibt auf.} 1-0

[Event "Nalchik FIDE GP"]
[Site "Nalchik"]
[Date "2009.04.22"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2009.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15.
Be3 Bg4 16. Qd3 Rae8 17. Nd2 Qh5 18. Qf1 Re7 19. a4 Rfe8 20. axb5 axb5 21. Bxd5
Qxd5 22. Qg2 Qxg2+ 23. Kxg2 h5 24. Ra5 h4 25. Rea1 hxg3 26. hxg3 Be6 27. Ra8
Bd5+ 28. Kf1 Bxg3 29. Bg5 f6 30. Bxf6 Re1+ 31. Rxe1 Rxa8 32. fxg3 gxf6 33. Ne4
Kf7 34. Nd6+ Kg6 35. Re8 Ra1+ 36. Re1 Ra8 37. Re8 Ra1+ 38. Re1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nalchik FIDE GP"]
[Site "Nalchik"]
[Date "2009.04.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2009.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. d4 d5 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. b3 Bg4 7. Bd2 Nbd7 8. h3
Bxf3 9. Qxf3 b4 10. Na4 e5 11. Qd1 exd4 12. exd4 Ne4 13. g3 Bd6 14. Bg2 Ndf6
15. O-O a5 16. cxd5 cxd5 17. Nc5 O-O 18. Rc1 Re8 19. Re1 Qb6 20. Qc2 Nxd2 21.
Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. Qxd2 Rc8 23. Nd3 Rxc1+ 24. Nxc1 Ne4 25. Qd3 Nc3 26. a4 g6 27.
Kf1 Be7 28. Ne2 Nxe2 29. Qxe2 Kf8 30. Bxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nalchik FIDE GP"]
[Site "Nalchik"]
[Date "2009.04.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2009.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Bxd7+ Nxd7 13. O-O a6 14.
Rb1 Qc7 15. Qh5 Nc5 16. Rb4 Qe5 17. Qh4 Rd8 18. Nf3 Qxc3 19. e5 Rg8 20. Qxh7
Ke7 21. Rf4 f5 22. Qh4+ Ke8 23. g3 Ne4 24. Rxe4 fxe4 25. Qxe4 Rd5 26. Qf4 Qc2
27. Ng5 Qf5 28. Qxf5 exf5 29. Nh7 Rg6 30. Nf6+ Rxf6 31. exf6 Rd6 32. Re1+ Kf8
33. Re5 Rxf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nalchik FIDE GP"]
[Site "Nalchik"]
[Date "2009.04.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2009.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. d4 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bf4 Bb4 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Qb3 c5 8.
dxc5 Qa5 9. a3 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 {One of the great virtues of strong players is
usually the ability to spot riches in places, where other are barely
suspecting them. Aronian is avoiding the tempting, but unsatisfactory line
with exchange of the queens on the c3-square.} (10. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 11. bxc3 Nxc5 (
11... Ne4 12. c4 dxc4 13. c6 bxc6 14. e3 Ba6 15. Rc1 Nb6 16. Ne5 Nc5 17. Nxc4
Nxc4 18. Bxc4 Bxc4 19. Rxc4 Nd3+ 20. Ke2 Nxf4+ 21. Rxf4 $16 {1/2-1/2
Polishchuk,O (2340)-Reshetnikov,E (2341)/Wloclawek 2006 (69)}) 12. e3 (12. Be5
Ke7 13. g3 {1/2-1/2 Miles,A (2500)-Lobron,E (2530)/Amsterdam 1988}) 12... Nfe4
13. c4 dxc4 14. Bxc4 Be6 15. Bb5+ Ke7 16. Nd4 Rac8 17. O-O Nc3 18. Rfc1 Nb3 19.
Nxb3 Bxb3 20. Bf1 Rc6 21. e4 $11 {1/2-1/2 Kaufman,L (2400)-Seirawan,Y (2644)/
Seattle 2002 (24)}) 10... Qxc5 11. Qb4 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] One of the ideas of
this move is to make castling for Black truly problematic.} (11. e3 O-O 12. Bd3
Ne4 13. O-O Nb6 14. Be5 Nc4 15. Bd4 Qc7 16. Qc2 Re8 17. Rfb1 b6 18. Rb4 Bd7 $2
(18... Bb7 $11) 19. Rxc4 $1 dxc4 20. Bxe4 $18 {1-0 Gual Pascual,A (2340)
-Gonzalez,F/Barbera 1993 (27)}) (11. Nd4 O-O $14) 11... Ne4 (11... a5 12. Qxc5
(12. Qd4 b6 13. e3 Ba6 $11) 12... Nxc5 13. Nd4 Bd7 14. f3 $14) 12. Nd4 $1 b6 {
In the future we will most likely see games with a more active pawn move
forcing exchange of the queens.} (12... a5 $5 13. Qxc5 Ndxc5 14. f3 Nxc3 15.
Rc1 N3a4 16. Nb5 Ne6 17. Nc7+ Nxc7 18. Rxc7 O-O 19. e4 dxe4 20. Bb5 Nb2 21.
fxe4 $14) (12... Qxc3+ $2 13. Qxc3 Nxc3 14. Rc1 Ne4 15. Nb5 $18) 13. f3 a5 (
13... Nxc3 $2 14. Bd2 $18) 14. Qxc5 Nexc5 15. Nf5 {This knight should play a
prominent role in making Black's life uncomfortable.} (15. O-O-O Ne6 16. Bd6
Nxd4 17. Rxd4 Bb7 18. e4 dxe4 19. fxe4 Rc8 20. Bc4 $14) 15... Ne6 (15... g6 16.
Nd6+ Ke7 17. Rd1 $14) 16. Bg3 (16. Bd6 $5 g6 17. Ne3 Bb7 (17... d4 18. cxd4
Nxd4 19. Kf2 $16) 18. Rd1 $16) 16... g6 17. Nd6+ Ke7 18. e3 $6 {This polite,
modest developing move is not good enough for an advantage. Much more
dangerous for Eljanov would have been an immediate attack against the d5-pawn.}
(18. O-O-O $1 Nf6 19. e4 dxe4 20. fxe4 Rd8 21. Be2 $16) 18... Rd8 19. Rb1 (19.
O-O-O Nf6 20. Nb5 Ba6 21. Kc2 $14) 19... Ba6 20. Kf2 f5 $6 {The best play with
pawns is obviously a very difficult task even for the best players. The more
modest advance of the f-pawn promised nearly full equality.} (20... f6 $1 21.
Nb5 Ne5 $11) 21. Nb5 Rdc8 (21... Rac8 22. Na7 $1 Rxc3 23. Bxa6 Ra8 24. Nc8+ Kd8
25. Rhc1 Rxc1 26. Rxc1 Nec5 (26... Rxa6 27. Rc6 Nec5 28. Nxb6 Nxb6 29. Rxc5 $16
) 27. Bb5 Rxc8 28. Rd1 Nf6 29. Bh4 Ke7 30. Rxd5 $16) 22. Be2 Bxb5 (22... Nf6
23. Be5 Rc6 24. Rhd1 Nd7 25. Rxd5 Nxe5 26. Rxe5 Bxb5 27. Rbxb5 Rd8 28. Rb2 $16)
23. Rxb5 Rxc3 24. Rxd5 Nf6 {Black was becoming nervous in the face of the
prospect of fighting with two knights against the potentially very dangerous
pair of bishops.} (24... Rxa3 $4 25. Bd6+ $18) (24... Rac8 $5 25. Rb1 Rc2 26.
Rbd1 $14) 25. Rd2 Nc5 26. Rb1 Nfe4+ $1 {At this position the logical
realisation of the plan represents the best solution.} (26... Rxa3 27. Rxb6
Nfe4+ 28. fxe4 Nxe4+ 29. Ke1 Nxd2 30. Bd6+ $18) 27. fxe4 Nxe4+ 28. Ke1 Nxd2 (
28... Nxg3 29. hxg3 Rxa3 30. Rxb6 Rxe3 31. Kf2 $18) 29. Kxd2 Rxa3 30. Bh4+ $1 (
30. Rxb6 Ra2+ 31. Ke1 Rc8 $132) 30... Kf7 $2 {The secret dream for White was
to get a chance to activate both bishops. The king retreat to f7 is the worst
possible decision, since the bishops will turn into untamable beasts.} (30...
Kd7 31. Rxb6 Ra2+ 32. Ke1 Rc8 $14) 31. Bc4+ Kg7 32. Rxb6 Ra4 (32... Rc8 33. Bb3
a4 34. Bf6+ Kh6 35. Bd5 $18) 33. Bf6+ Kh6 34. Rc6 Ra7 (34... Rb4 35. Rc7 a4 36.
Be2 a3 37. h4 Rxh4 38. Bxh4 a2 39. Bf6 $18) 35. h4 $1 {The black king has
hidden himself on the edge of the board, but Aronian can now dream about
mating net.} Kh5 (35... Rb4 36. e4 $1 fxe4 37. g4 $18) 36. Ke1 (36. e4 $1 fxe4
(36... Kg4 37. e5 $18) 37. Be2+ Kh6 38. g4 Ra2+ 39. Ke1 $18) 36... Rb7 (36...
Rxc4 37. Rxc4 a4 38. Rc2 $16) 37. Kf2 Rab4 (37... Ra7 38. e4 $18) 38. Bg5 {
White is consequently following his own concept of attack against the enemy
king and again ignores the tactical motif of the e-pawn advance.} (38. e4 $1
Rb2+ 39. Be2+ Rxe2+ 40. Kxe2 fxe4 41. Rc5+ Kh6 42. g4 $18) 38... Rb2+ 39. Be2+
(39. Kg3 Rd2 40. e4 Rc2 41. Bd3 Rcb2 42. exf5 $18) 39... Rxe2+ 40. Kxe2 Kg4 {
Eljanov has no time for the counter attack with the help of the advanced
a-pawn, so has to try for activity on the other side of the board.} (40... a4
41. Kf3 h6 42. Rc8 Rh7 43. Bf4 $18) 41. Kf2 Rb2+ 42. Kg1 Kg3 43. Bf4+ Kxh4 44.
Rc7 h5 (44... h6 45. Bxh6 $18) 45. Rc4 $1 Rb4 (45... Ra2 46. Kh2 a4 47. Bh6+
$18) (45... g5 46. Be5+ g4 47. Bxb2 $18) 46. Rd4 {The final stage will turn
out to be one long and elegant combination.} g5 (46... Kg4 47. Rd6 (47. Bd6+)
47... g5 48. Rg6 Rxf4 49. exf4 Kxf4 50. Ra6 $18) 47. Bd6+ Rxd4 48. exd4 Kg4 49.
d5 f4 50. Bxf4 $1 1-0

[Event "Nalchik FIDE GP"]
[Site "Nalchik"]
[Date "2009.04.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[EventDate "2009.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 a6 10. Rd1 b5 11. Be2 Qc7 12. Ne4 Nxe4 13. Qxe4 e5 14. Qd3 exd4
15. Qxd4 Be7 16. Qf4 Qxf4 17. exf4 Bf6 18. Nd4 Re8 19. Be3 c5 20. Nf5 Bxb2 21.
Rab1 Bd4 22. Bf3 Rb8 23. Nxd4 cxd4 24. Rxd4 Nb6 25. g4 Bb7 26. Bxb7 Rxb7 27. a4
Nd7 28. Rbd1 Nf8 29. a5 b4 30. Rd6 Rb5 31. Rxa6 h5 32. gxh5 b3 33. Rb1 Reb8 34.
h6 gxh6 35. Kf1 Ne6 36. Ke2 Rd8 37. f5 Nd4+ 38. Bxd4 Rxd4 39. Rxh6 Kg7 40. Rc6
Re5+ 41. Kf1 Rxf5 42. Rxb3 Rxa5 43. Rg3+ Kf8 44. Rc8+ Ke7 45. Rc7+ Kf8 46. Kg2
Rf5 47. Rc2 Rd6 48. Re2 Rg6 49. Re4 Rgf6 50. f3 Ra6 51. Re2 Ra3 52. Rb2 Rf4 53.
Rf2 Rf6 54. Rg4 Rg6 55. h4 Ra5 56. Kg3 Ra3 57. Rb2 Rxg4+ 58. Kxg4 Kg7 59. Rb6
Ra4+ 60. f4 Ra1 61. h5 Rg1+ 62. Kf5 Rh1 63. h6+ Rxh6 64. Rxh6 Kxh6 65. Kf6 Kh5
66. Kxf7 Kg4 67. f5 Kxf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nalchik FIDE GP"]
[Site "Nalchik"]
[Date "2009.04.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2009.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bf5 5. d3 e6 6. Nfd2 $5 {This is a rare
move, possibly inspired by the similar lines with reversed colours. In many KI
variations based on Bf4 (especially if White weakens his d4-square with c2-c4),
Black's best reaction is considered to be ...Nfd7 followed by ...e5. In our
concrete position, the idea is to carry out e2-e4 as soon as possible and
clear the path for the f-pawn, in order to launch a massive kingside attack.
The main drawback of this plan is that it leaves the queenside slightly
underdeveloped.} ({I will quote here a game which is relevant for a later
comment.} 6. Nbd2 Nbd7 7. Qe1 h6 8. e4 Bh7 9. Qe2 Be7 {Typical of Petrosian.
He was not afraid of losing time if this was connected with improving his
piece placement.} 10. e5 {It is hard to resist the temptation of playing this
move, but now the h7-bishop becomes more active and the f6-knight gets the
f5-square.} Ng8 11. Nb3 Bf8 {It may seem that White is far ahead in
development, but Black's position remains rock solid. In the game, White did
not find an effective plan to develop his initiative.} 12. c4 Ne7 13. Nbd4 Nf5
14. Nxf5 Bxf5 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. d4 a5 17. Be3 Be7 18. Rfc1 O-O 19. Qb5 a4 20.
Nd2 Ra7 21. Nb1 Nb8 22. a3 Nc6 {Benko,P-Petrosian,T/Curacao 1962/Candidates 
(0-1, 43). Black has regrouped in an optimal way and he soon got the upper
hand.}) 6... h6 7. e4 Bh7 8. Nc3 Nbd7 {By cutting off the other knight's
retreat, this move is likely to cause some problems in view of the permanent
threat e4-e5.} (8... Be7 {is more common, but hurrying with the king over to
the wing where White is planning to start an attack is not to everybody's
taste.} 9. Qe2 O-O ({Standard queenside pawn moves can have negative effects.
Here is an instructive example.} 9... a5 10. Kh1 a4 11. a3 b5 {For the time
being, the weakness of the c6-pawn does not seem too relevant, but...} 12. f4
Na6 13. Nf3 O-O 14. e5 Nd7 15. f5 $1 {This tactical blow is enabled precisely
because White gets a tempo by attacking the c6-pawn.} Bxf5 16. Nd4 Qc7 17. Nxf5
exf5 18. Rxf5 g6 19. Rf1 Qxe5 20. Bxh6 Qxe2 {Black exchanges queens, fearing
that otherwise his queen will remain exposed in the centre. However, this
exchange helps White improve the placement of his knight.} 21. Nxe2 Rfe8 22.
Nd4 Rac8 23. Bh3 f5 24. g4 $36 {Kengis,E (2580)-Haba,P (2505)/Germany 1995/
GER-chT2 (1-0, 31). White is perfectly regrouped and his light-squared bishop
has found a way to be activated, despite the central stonewall.}) 10. f4 Na6
11. Kh1 Rc8 {An interesting approach. Black keeps developing, without defining
his concrete intentions yet. The rook does not seem active on c8, but will
prove useful after a further ...d4 followed by ...c5-c4.} 12. g4 $6 {White
probably thought that Black's slow play deserved to be punished, but his last
move is premature because of the incomplete development.} (12. Nf3 {looks more
cautious.}) 12... Nb4 13. g5 {This is too rushed, too.} (13. Nb3 d4 14. Nd1 c5
$132) 13... hxg5 14. fxg5 Nxe4 $1 {A splendid move. Soon, all Black's pieces
will be playing, while White is underdeveloped still.} 15. Ndxe4 {White tries
to catch up in development by opening the diagonal for his c1-bishop.} (15.
dxe4 d4 16. Nd1 Nxc2 17. Rb1 d3 {[%cal Ge7g5] looks passive for White.}) 15...
dxe4 16. Nxe4 c5 17. Be3 Nd5 18. Bd2 b5 19. Rf2 c4 $36 {Markus,R (2557)
-Riazantsev,A (2638)/Plovdiv 2008/CBM 124 (0-1, 59)}) 9. Qe2 Nb6 {This looks
logical, because it clears the d7-square for the other knight. On the other
hand, the queen's knight will be passively placed on b6.} (9... Be7 {comes
into consideration, as in Petrosian's game.} 10. e5 Ng8 11. f4 Bf8 {The
c3-knight is restricted by the central black pawns while the queenside is
underdeveloped yet. These aspects make Black's loss of time irrelevant.} 12. g4
{This attack has little chance of success.} Ne7 13. Bh3 h5 $1 14. f5 (14. gxh5
Nf5) 14... hxg4 15. fxe6 fxe6 16. Bxg4 Nf5 {[%cal Ge8c8,Gd8b6]}) 10. a4 a5 {
It may seem that the insertion of these pawns moves favours Black, who gets
the b4-square for his bishop, but Kamsky anticipated correctly that the
vulnerability of the b6-knight will offer him an important tempo in certain
variations.} 11. f4 Bb4 12. f5 $5 {With the black king in the centre, this
attack is quite unpleasant.} Qe7 ({It is not advisable to castle into the
field of fire.} 12... O-O 13. e5 Nfd7 14. f6 $5 (14. g4 exf5 15. gxf5 Bc5+ 16.
Kh1 Re8 {[%csl Ge5,Gf5]}) 14... gxf6 15. exf6 (15. Nf3 fxe5 16. Bxh6 f6 $44)
15... Nxf6 16. Nf3 $44 {[%cal Gc1h6,Gf3e5]}) 13. Nb3 dxe4 (13... exf5 14. Qf2
$1 {This is a first moment when the b6-knight provokes a loss of time.} Ra6 15.
exd5 $16) 14. Nxe4 (14. dxe4 exf5 15. Be3 {[%cal Ge4f5] looks playable, too,
but it is understandable that White wants to exchange the f6-knight, which is
blocking the f5-pawn.}) 14... Bxf5 (14... Nxe4 15. dxe4 exf5 16. Be3 Nd7 17.
exf5 $14 {looks better for White than the same line with the c3- and
f6-knights on board. Among other things, the b4-bishop loses stability.}) 15.
Nxf6+ gxf6 (15... Qxf6 $2 16. g4 $18) 16. Rxf5 $1 {This is the only way to
keep the attack going. Black's structure is in ruins, but, curiously, White
will be short of just one tempo to get decisive threats. The delay in
development caused by Nf3-d2 will be telling...} exf5 17. Qf2 Nd7 {A very deep
move. The knight is heading for g6, in order to put the crucial f4-square
under pressure.} (17... Qe1+ $2 18. Qxe1+ Bxe1 19. Be3 $18) ({The knight would
be unstable after} 17... Nd5 18. c3 Bd6 19. Bd2 $44) 18. Bf4 {[%cal Gc2c3]
This looks very strong, but Black will find an original way to hold his own.
With hindsight, it is easy to suggest more restrained continuations.} (18. d4
$5 $44 Qe1+ $2 19. Qxe1+ Bxe1 20. c3 $18 {[%csl Ge1]}) (18. c3 Bd6 19. Bd2 $44)
18... Ne5 $1 19. d4 Ng6 20. c3 Nxf4 21. gxf4 {[%cal Ga1e1] Black will lose
material, but the weakness of the white castled setup will keep the position
balanced.} (21. Qxf4 {is ineffective because of} Bd6 22. Qxf5 Qe6) 21... O-O-O
22. cxb4 {White is best advised to grab the material. Otherwise, the exposed
position of his king may cause problems.} (22. d5 Bd6 (22... cxd5 23. cxb4 Qxb4
24. Nd4) 23. dxc6 bxc6 $132 {[%csl Gf4][%cal Gh8g8]}) (22. Re1 Qd6 23. d5 Rhg8
$36) 22... Qxb4 23. Qc2 Rhe8 $13 {Black is perfectly mobilized and has the
safer king's position. It would make little sense to offer as an evaluation
that he has compensation for the sacrificed material, because he actually has
a rook and 2 pawns for two minor pieces. Let us say that the white weaknesses
compensate for the tripled f-pawns.} 24. Kf2 Re7 25. Rd1 Rde8 26. Rd2 Qxa4 27.
Qxf5+ Kb8 28. Nc5 Qc4 29. Qc2 Qxc2 30. Rxc2 Rd8 31. Rd2 Kc7 32. Ne4 Red7 33.
Ke3 Re7 34. Kf2 Red7 35. Ke3 Re7 36. Kd3 Rd5 37. Nc3 Rd8 38. Ne4 Rd5 39. Nc3
Rd8 40. Ne4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nalchik FIDE GP"]
[Site "Nalchik"]
[Date "2009.04.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E54"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2009.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The last day... Usually, this round has a tendency to disappoint, as the
majority of players tend to play it safe. But since in very strong tournaments,
the players are in most cases ambitious, the last round is frequently a feast
for the eyes.  Der letzte Tag... Häufig neigt diese Runde dazu zu enttäuschen,
da die Mehrzahl der Spieler auf Nummer sicher geht. Aber da in sehr starken
Turnieren die Teilnehmer meistens ehrgeizig sind, ist die Schlussrunde oft
eine Augenweide.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 {I had a feeling that Peter would go for
the Nimzo-Indian, but for some strange reason, I spent most of the morning
looking at the Slav.  Ich hatte im Gefühl, dass Peter Nimzoindisch wählen
würde, aber aus irgendeinem seltsamen Grund hatte ich einen Großteil des
Vormittags mit der Betrachtung von Slawisch zugebracht.} 3. Nc3 {The idea of
offering a long struggle in the Nimzo was suggested by my close friend Gabriel
Sargissian, who was in Nalchik to teach me both chess and tennis. Die Idee,
einen langen Kampf im Nimzo anbieten, kam von meinem engen Freund Gabriel
Sargissian, der in Nalchik weilte, um mir Schach und Tennis beizubringen.} Bb4
4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4 Nbd7 9. Qe2 {I like the fact
that one can play this setup, without knowing a lot of forcing variations. Mir
gefällt die Tatsache, dass man diesen Aufbau spielen kann, ohne einen Haufen
forcierter Varianten zu kennen.} b6 ({Once, with Black against Ashot Nadanian,
I played here Einmal, mit Schwarz gegen Ashot Nadanian, spielte ich hier} 9...
a6 {and after the inspired reply , und nach der inspirierten Antwort} 10. a3
Ba5 11. b4 cxb4 12. Na2 {I obtained an unpleasant position. Admittedly, I won
the game... because Ashot is a very creative player, and sacrificed too many
pieces.  erhielt ich eine unangenehme Stellung. Zugegeben, ich gewann die
Partie... weil Ashot ein sehr kreativer Spieler ist und zu viele Figuren
opferte.}) 10. Rd1 ({The complications after Die Komplikationen nach} 10. d5
Bxc3 11. dxe6 Ne5 12. exf7+ Kh8 13. bxc3 Bg4 {require detailed analysis.
bedürfen eingehender Analyse.}) 10... cxd4 ({After Nach} 10... Bb7 {the line
sieht das Abspiel} 11. d5 exd5 12. Nxd5 {looks quite good, with a small
advantage to White, thanks to the misplaced bishop on b4. ganz gut aus, mit
geringem Vorteil für Weiß dank des deplatzierten Läufers auf b4.}) 11. exd4
Bxc3 {11...Bb7 again allows 12.d5. 11...Bb7 erlaubt wieder 12.d5.} 12. bxc3 Bb7
{12...Qc7 restricts White's options, and is therefore stronger. 12...Qc7
beschränkt die weißen Möglichkeiten und ist daher stärker.} 13. Bb3 {
Understanding that the bishop needs to move, to free the c4 square for the
pawn, I was keen to do it at once. To my disappointment, it cannot go to the
superior square d3, because of 13...Nd5 14.Bd2 Qc7 with the threat of ...Nf4,
exchanging one of White's bishops. Begreifend, dass der Läufer ziehen muss, um
das Feld c4 für den Bauern zu räumen, brannte ich darauf, dies sofort zu tun.
Zu meiner Enttäuschung kann er nicht auf das bessere Feld d3 wegen 13...Nd5 14.
Bd2 Qc7 mit der Drohung ...Nf4, wonach einer der weißen Läufer getauscht wird.}
(13. Bd3 Nd5 14. Bd2 Qc7 {[%cal Gd5f4]}) 13... Qc7 14. c4 {It seems to me that
in this variation, if White manages to get control of c4 satisfactorily, he
stands better. Mir scheint, wenn Weiß in dieser Variante c4 zufriedenstellend
in den Griff bekommt, steht er besser.} Rfe8 {A sensible move. White's plan is
to move the Nf3 and set up a barrier on the long diagonal with pawn to f3,
leaving the Bb7 with less to do. Now after the knight moves, White must reckon
with the advance e5 and then ...e5-e4.  Ein vernünftiger Zug. Der weiße Plan
lautet, den Nf3 zu ziehen und mit einem Bauern auf f3 eine Barriere auf der
langen Diagonalen zu errichten, wonach der Bb7 weniger zu tun hat. Nun muss
Weiß nach Springerzügen mit dem Vorstoß e5 nebst ...e5-e4 rechnen.} 15. Bb2 {
I still liked the idea of the early move of the knight from f3, but then I
decided not to be too clever. Die Idee des Springerabzuges von f3 gefiel mir
noch immer, aber dann beschloss ich, nicht oberschlau zu sein.} Qf4 {A
standard idea in such structures. Black does not yet want to take on f3, but
threatening it is always useful.  Eine Standardidee in solchen Strukturen.
Schwarz will zwar noch nicht auf f3 nehmen, aber es zu drohen ist immer
nützlich.} 16. Qe3 {This is plainly dumb. The black queen obviously intends to
go to f5, so why drive it there? Dies ist einfach blöd. Die schwarze Dame will
offensichtlich nach f5, also wieso sie dorthin treiben?} ({After the logical
Nach dem logischen} 16. Rd3 {with the idea of Re1 and then Nd2, White's
advantage could stabilise. mit der Idee Re1 und dann Nd2 könnte sich der
Vorteil von Weiß stabilisieren.}) 16... Qf5 17. Ne1 ({Only now did I notice
that Erst jetzt bemerkte ich, dass} 17. Ne5 {leads to drawish tendencies after
zu remislichen Tendenzen führt nach} Nxe5 18. dxe5 Qe4 {Annoyed at my
carelessness, I played a rather provocative move. 17.Rac1 was the standard
continuation. Verärgert über meine Nachlässigkeit spielte ich einen ziemlich
provokanten Zug. 17.Rac1 war die Standardfortsetzung.}) 17... b5 {A committal
decision. Now an argument begins between the two sides. Will Black manage to
get a piece to the blockade square d5, or will White succeed in preventing it?
Eine verpflichtende Entscheidung. Nun beginnt zwischen den beiden Seiten eine
Auseinandersetzung: Wird Schwarz es schaffen, eine Figur auf das Blockadefeld
d5 zu bringen, oder wird Weiß es gelingen, dies zu verhindern?} 18. c5 {
It was precisely in view of this move that I decided to play the knight to e1.
With the knight on d2, White would obstruct his control of d5, and Black could
reply 18...e5. Genau im Hinblick auf diesen Zug hatte ich beschlossen, den
Springer nach e1 zu ziehen. Mit dem Springer auf d2 würde Weiß steine
Kontrolle von d5 verstellen, und Schwarz könnte 18...e5 erwidern.} Nd5 19. Qg3
{Again a provocative move. The simpler 19.Qd2 was probably stronger, but I did
not believe that the black knights would be well-placed on the kingside.
Wieder ein provokanter Zug. Das einfacherer 19.Qd2 war womöglich stärker, aber
ich glaubte nicht, dass die schwarzen Springer am Königsflügel gut stehen
würden.} Nf4 20. Rd2 Nf6 {After the game, Peter said that 20...e5 was
interesting, but looks illogical. His well-developed sense of danger did not
deceive him. After 21.f3 Black has problems.  Nach der Partie sagte Peter,
dass 20...e5 interessant war, aber unlogisch aussieht. Sein gut entwickeltes
Gespür für Gefahren hatte ihn nicht getäuscht. Nach 21.f3 hat Schwarz Probleme.
} 21. f3 N6h5 22. Qf2 {After 22.Qh4, one of the knights could return to g6,
which I did not want to allow. Nach 22.Qh4 könnte einer der Springer nach g6
zurück, was ich nicht zulassen wollte.} Bd5 {The start of an ill-conceived
plan. Possibly Black should not have occupied the d5-square just yet, but
should simply have advanced his pawn to a5. The pawns on a5 and b5 would
effectively restrict the white bishops, and with appropriate support, could
become strong. Der Beginn eines verfehlten Plans. Möglicherweise hätte Schwarz
das Feld d5 noch nicht besetzen, sondern einfach seinen Bauern nach a5
vorrücken sollten. Die Bauern auf a5 und b5 würden die weißen Läufer wirksam
hemmen und könnten, bei angemessener Unterstützung, stark werden.} 23. Bc2 {
There is no immediate need to avoid the exchange, but I wanted to play quickly
and drive my opponent into time trouble. In such strategic positions, where
one must think deeply over various plans, time is even more important than
usual. Es besteht keine unmittelbare Notwendigkeit, den Tausch zu vermeiden,
aber ich wollte schnell spielen und meinen Gegner in Zeitnot bringen. In
solchen strategischen Stellungen, wo man tief über verschiedene Pläne
nachdenken muss, ist Zeit sogar noch wichtiger als sonst.} Qg5 24. Kh1 Bc4 {
A mistake. Black's pieces are already well-placed, and it was time to think of
pawn advances. Both ...a5 and ...b4 look good. While White is regrouping his
forces, Black can advance on the queenside. Ein Fehler. Die Figuren von
Schwarz stehen bereits gut, und es war Zeit, an Bauernvorstöße zu denken.
Sowohl ...a5 als auch ...b4 sehen gut aus. Während Weiß seine Kräfte
umgruppiert, kann Schwarz am Damenflügel vorrücken.} 25. g3 {Now the white
knight turns from a bit-part player into a box office star. Nun verwandelt
sich der weiße Springer von einem Kleindarsteller zu einem Superstar.} Ng6 ({
After Nach} 25... Nd5 26. Nd3 {White's position is preferable, since if Black
tries to strengthen c4 by means of ist die weiße Stellung vorzuziehen, denn
wenn Schwarz versucht, c4 mit} Ne3 27. Bb3 Bd5 {White has zu befestigen, hat
Weiß} 28. Ne5 f6 29. Re1 {with advantage. mit Vorteil.}) 26. Ng2 Bd5 ({More
subtle was Subtiler war} 26... Nf6 {with the idea of meeting mit der Idee,} 27.
Ne3 {with mit} ({After Nach} 27. h4 Qd5 28. Ne3 Qc6 {White is better, but the
battle would still lie ahead. steht Weiß besser, aber der Kampf stünde noch
bevor.}) 27... Nd5 {zu begegnen.}) 27. Ne3 Nf6 {On 27... Bc6 as well as the
solid 28.Be4 there is also the interesting break 28.d5 with the idea after 28..
.ed to reply 29.Nf5 practically depriving Black's piece setup of its sense.
Auf 27...Bc6 gibt es neben dem soliden 28.Be4 auch den interessanten
Druchbruch 28.d5 mit der idee, nach 28...ed 29.Nf5 folgen zu lassen, wonach
der Figurenaufbau von Schwarz praktisch seinen Sinnn verliert.} ({On Auf} 27...
Bc6 {as well as the solid 28.Be4 there is also the interesting break gibt es
zusätzlich zu dem soliden 28.Be4 auch den interessanten Durchbruch} 28. d5 {
with the idea after mit der Idee nach} exd5 {to reply mit der Erwiderung} 29.
Nf5 {practically depriving Black's piece set-up of its sense. was praktisch
der schwarzen Figurenaufstellung ihren Sinn entzieht.}) 28. h4 {Despite
thinking for some time, to find the most technical continuation, I still
didn't find it. Obwohl ich einige Zeit nachdachte, um die technischste
Fortsetzung zu finden, gelang mir dies nicht.} ({It consisted of the quiet
move Sie bestand in dem ruhigen Zug} 28. Kg1 Z0 {Since then the dislocation of
the black pieces by Da dann die Vertreibung der schwarzen Figuren mit} 29. h4
Qh5 (29... Nxh4 {loses a piece after verliert eine Figur nach} 30. f4) 30. Bd1
{cannot be prevented, it would be much harder to escape from the trap on h5.
nicht zu verhindert ist, wäre es sehr viel schwerer, aus der Falle auf h5 zu
entkommen.}) 28... Qh5 29. Nxd5 {On both 29.Rf1 and 29.Kg2 Black has the
exchanging move 29...Ng4. If the thoroughbred on e3 has to go, it is better to
exchange it for the bishop. Auf sowohl 29.Rf1 als auch 29.Kg2 hat Schwarz den
Tauschzug 29...Ng4. Wenn der Vollblüter auf e3 schon gehen muss, dann sollte
man ihn besser für den Läufer tauschen.} Nxd5 {This move delighted me more
than I can say. Dieser Zug erfreute mich mehr, als ich sagen kann.} ({When
considering my previous move, I had expected the reply Beim Nachdenken über
meinen vorigen Zug hatte ich die Entgegnung} 29... Qxd5 {Peter did not like
erwartet. Peter missfiel} 30. Bb3 ({I was more inclined towards Ich neigte
eher zu} 30. Qe2 {with the idea of playing Be4. mit der Idee Be4.}) 30... Qc6
31. h5 {, but as he himself pointed out, after , aber wie er selber hervorhob,
steht Schwarz nach} Ne7 {Black does not stand so badly. nicht so übel.}) 30.
Re1 {Now Black is forced into a passive defence. Nun ist Schwarz zu einer
passiven Verteidigung gezwungen.} Red8 {It is hard to give Black good advice
in such a position. Even though White has no forced win, the threats to trap
the queen gives Black plenty to worry about. Es fällt schwer, Schwarz in einer
solchen Stellung einen guten Rat zu geben. Obwohl Weiß keinen forcierten
Gewinn hat, geben die Damenfangdrohungen Schwarz reichlich Grund zur Sorge.}
31. Rde2 {White shifts his pieces closer to the kingside. Weiß verlagert seine
Figuren näher zum Königsflügel.} Rab8 32. Bc1 {Creating the threat of Bg5 and
g4. Schafft die Drohung Bg5 und g4.} h6 33. Kg2 {A useful strengthening move.
Who knows, White may even consider Kh3 and g4 or Rh1. Ein nützliche
Verstärkung. Wer weiß, vielleicht könnte Weiß ja sogar Kh3 nebst g4 oder Rh1
überlegen.} Nc3 {The computer recommends waiting with 32...Rbc8, and I can
only envy its cold-bloodedness. The text move just hastens the end. Der
Computer empfiehlt Abwarten mit 32...Rbc8, und ich kann seine Kaltblütigkeit
nur beneiden. Der Textzug beschleunigt nur das Ende.} 34. Re5 Nxe5 35. Rxe5 {
The move 35.dxe is also interesting, when the possible follow-up 35...f5 36.
exf may well lead to a winning attack against the black king. Der Zug 35.dxe5
ist ebenfalls interessant, wonach die mögliche Folge 35...f5 36.exf6 durchaus
zu einem siegreichen Angriff auf den schwarzen König führen könnte.} f5 36. Bb3
{The simple 36.Rxe6 is also good, but I was feeling nervous, and wanted to
force the enemy knight back to a passive position. Das einfache 36.Rxe6 ist
ebenfalls gut, aber ich war nervös und wollte den feindlichen Springer in eine
passive Stellung zurückzwingen.} Nd5 37. Rxe6 Kh8 {More stubborn was 37...a5
after which I was going to play 38.a3, retaining all the advantages of my
position. Hartnäckiger war 37...a5, worauf ich 38.a3 beabsichtigte, was alle
Vorzüge meiner Stellung behauptet.} 38. Qe1 {Now all White's pieces come into
the attack. Nun nehmen alle weißen Figuren am Angriff teil.} Nf6 39. Qe5 {
Also possible is 39.c6. Ebenfalls möglich ist 39.c6.} Re8 ({After Nach} 39...
Nd7 {the most accurate way is ist am genauesten} 40. Qe2 {with the idea of mit
der Idee} Nf8 41. Rxh6+ gxh6 42. Qe5+ Kh7 43. Qe7+ Kh8 44. d5 {and mate. und
Matt.}) 40. c6 Rbc8 41. Qxb5 {After some thought, I decided to take the pawn
anyway. Nach einigem Nachdenken beschloss ich, den Bauern doch zu nehmen.} Qg6
42. h5 {The simplest. Now White has an exra tempo to organize his position. Am
einfachsten. Nun bekommt Weiß ein Extratempo, um seine Stellung zu
organisieren.} Qxh5 43. Bf4 a6 {The move c7 was already threatened, and Peter
tries his last chance.  Es drohte bereits c7, und Peter setzt auf seine letzte
Chance.} 44. Qxa6 Nh7 45. c7 Ng5 46. Rxe8+ Qxe8 47. d5 {Black has no checks,
and the pawns quietly march through to queen. Schwarz hat keine Schachs, und
die Bauern marschieren ruhig zur Dame durch.} Ra8 48. Qc4 Kh7 49. d6 Qe1 50.
Qf1 {50.d7 won immediately. 50.d7 gewann sofort.} Qe8 51. Qd3 Qd7 52. Qc4 {
Now I was enjoying myself. Jetzt hatte ich richtig Spaß.} Qe8 53. Bxg5 hxg5 54.
Qg8+ {and the pawns promote. und die Bauern verwandeln sich.} 1-0

[Event "FRA-ARM m"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2009.06.24"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D87"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2009.06.24"]
[EventType "schev (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8.
Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O Bd7 11. Rb1 Qc7 12. Bd3 Rad8 13. Qc1 Bc8 14. Rd1 b6
15. h3 Bb7 16. f4 cxd4 17. cxd4 e6 18. Rb3 Qd6 19. Bb1 Ba6 20. e5 Qd7 21. Ng3
Ne7 22. Ne4 Nd5 23. Bf2 Rc8 24. Qd2 Rc6 25. g4 f5 26. exf6 Nxf6 27. Nxf6+ Bxf6
28. Rc3 Rxc3 29. Qxc3 Bb7 30. Re1 Bg7 31. Qd2 Qd6 32. Be4 Bxe4 33. Rxe4 Rc8 34.
Qe3 Qd5 35. Rxe6 Bxd4 36. Re8+ Rxe8 37. Qxe8+ Kg7 38. Qe7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "FRA-ARM m"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2009.06.24"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Lautier, Joel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2658"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2009.06.24"]
[EventType "schev (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. exd5 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nxd5 6. Nf3 e6 7. Bc4 Nxc3 8.
bxc3 Qc7 9. Bb3 Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 Nd7 12. Bb2 b5 13. d4 Nb6 14. Ne5 Bb7
15. a4 bxa4 16. Bxa4 Bd6 17. Ba3 Rfc8 18. Bxd6 Qxd6 19. Qh5 Qc7 20. Re3 Nxa4
21. Rxa4 f6 22. Ng4 Qf4 23. Ra1 Be4 24. Rg3 Bg6 25. Qa5 h5 26. Ne3 Kh7 27. d5
exd5 28. Nxd5 Qd6 29. Ne3 Rc5 30. Qa4 Qc6 31. Qxc6 Rxc6 32. Nd5 Bf7 33. Nb4 Rc5
34. Na6 Re5 35. h3 Bc4 36. Ra4 Rc8 37. h4 Kh6 38. Kh2 Re4 39. Rh3 Rg4 40. f3
Rf4 41. Kg3 Rf5 42. Rh1 g5 43. hxg5+ Rxg5+ 44. Kf2 Bb3 45. Rf4 Kg6 46. Rc1 Bc4
47. Ra1 Re5 48. Ra3 Re2+ 49. Kg1 Kg5 50. Rd4 Bxa6 51. Ra5+ Kg6 52. Rxa6 Re5 53.
Rxa7 1/2-1/2

[Event "FRA-ARM m"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2009.06.24"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Bauer, Christian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C87"]
[WhiteElo "2605"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2009.06.24"]
[EventType "schev (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. Bb3 O-O 7. h3 Re8 8. Nbd2
Bf8 9. O-O h6 10. Re1 d6 11. d4 Bd7 12. a3 g6 13. Ba2 Bg7 14. b4 Qc8 15. Bb2
Nh5 16. Nf1 Nf4 17. Bc1 Nxg2 18. Kxg2 Bxh3+ 19. Kg1 exd4 20. cxd4 Bxf1 21. Kxf1
Qh3+ 22. Kg1 g5 23. Bb2 Qg4+ 24. Kh1 Rxe4 25. Nh2 Rxe1+ 26. Qxe1 Qf5 27. Rd1
Kf8 28. Bb1 Qf6 29. Qe3 Re8 30. Qg3 Re2 31. Ng4 Qe7 32. Bc3 Bxd4 33. Bxd4 Re1+
34. Rxe1 Qxe1+ 35. Qg1 Qxg1+ 36. Kxg1 Nxd4 37. Nxh6 Nb5 38. a4 Nc3 39. Bc2 b5
40. axb5 axb5 41. Bb3 c5 42. bxc5 dxc5 43. Nxf7 c4 44. Bxc4 bxc4 45. Nxg5 Ke7
46. Nf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FRA-ARM m"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2009.06.24"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2664"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2009.06.24"]
[EventType "schev (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 e6 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. Nc3
Bd6 9. cxd5 cxd5 10. O-O O-O 11. e4 dxe4 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Qxe4 Nf6 14. Qxb7
Bc7 15. Rd1 Nd5 16. Qa6 Bb6 17. Be4 Rc8 18. Qd3 h6 19. Bd2 Qd6 20. Rac1 Rxc1
21. Rxc1 Rd8 22. Rc4 Nf6 23. Bc3 Nd5 24. Qc2 h5 25. h4 Nf6 26. g3 Nxe4 27. Qxe4
Qe7 28. a4 Rd5 29. Rc8+ Bd8 30. Rc4 Qd7 31. Rc5 Bf6 32. Rxd5 exd5 33. Qf3 Qxa4
34. Qxd5 g6 35. Kg2 Kg7 36. Qc5 a6 37. d5 Qe4+ 38. Kh2 Qf5 39. b4 Bxc3 40.
Qxc3+ Kf8 41. Qc5+ Ke8 42. Qa7 Qxd5 43. Qxa6 Qd4 44. Qc8+ Ke7 45. Qb7+ Ke6 46.
Kg2 f6 47. Qc6+ Ke5 48. f4+ Kf5 49. Qc8+ Ke4 50. Qc2+ Ke3 51. Qf2+ Kd3 52.
Qxd4+ Kxd4 53. f5 1-0

[Event "FRA-ARM m"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2009.06.25"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2009.06.24"]
[EventType "schev (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. c3 d5 5. Nxe5 dxe4 6. d4 exd3 7. Qf3 Be6 8.
Nxc6 Nxc6 9. O-O Qd5 10. Qxd5 Bxd5 11. Re1+ Be6 12. Bxd3 O-O-O 13. Bc2 Bc5 14.
Bf4 h6 15. Nd2 Rhe8 16. h4 Bf8 17. Nf3 a6 18. a4 Bd5 19. Rxe8 Rxe8 20. Rd1 Be6
21. Kh2 Bc5 22. Kg3 Ne7 23. Nd4 Bd7 24. b4 Ba7 25. Nf3 f6 26. h5 c6 27. Nh4 Nd5
28. Nf5 Re2 29. Nd6+ Kd8 30. Nxb7+ Ke7 31. Bd6+ Ke6 32. Bc5 Rxc2 33. Bxa7 Rxc3+
34. f3 Bc8 35. Re1+ Kd7 36. Nc5+ Kd8 37. b5 axb5 38. axb5 cxb5 39. Rd1 Kc7 40.
Ne4 Ra3 41. Rxd5 Rxa7 42. Rxb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FRA-ARM m"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2009.06.25"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Lautier, Joel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2658"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2009.06.24"]
[EventType "schev (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. e4 d5 8. cxd5
Bxf1 9. Kxf1 exd5 10. e5 Ne4 11. Nc3 Nxd2+ 12. Nxd2 O-O 13. h4 c5 14. Nf3 Nc6
15. Rd1 cxd4 16. Nxd4 Nxe5 17. Nf5 g6 18. Rxd5 Qc7 19. Qe2 Nc6 20. Nh6+ Kg7 21.
h5 Rae8 22. Qd2 Ne5 23. Qf4 Qc4+ 24. Qxc4 Nxc4 25. Ng4 f5 26. Ne5 Nxe5 27. Rxe5
Bf6 28. Rb5 Bxc3 29. bxc3 Rc8 30. hxg6 hxg6 31. Rd5 Rf7 32. Rd3 Rc4 33. Kg2 Ra4
34. Re1 Rxa2 35. Re6 Rc2 36. Rdd6 Rxc3 37. Rxg6+ Kf8 38. Rd8+ Ke7 39. Rgg8 Ke6
40. Rg6+ Ke7 41. Rgg8 Kf6 42. Rd6+ Ke5 43. Rgg6 f4 44. g4 Re7 45. Rd1 Rf7 46.
Rgd6 Rc5 47. Rd8 Kf6 48. Kf3 Kg7 49. R1d7 Rc3+ 50. Ke4 Rc4+ 51. Kd5 Rc5+ 52.
Ke4 Rc4+ 53. Kd5 Rc5+ 54. Ke4 1/2-1/2

[Event "FRA-ARM m"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2009.06.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bauer, Christian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D25"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2605"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2009.06.24"]
[EventType "schev (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 g6 5. Bxc4 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 c5 8. h3
cxd4 9. exd4 Nc6 10. Re1 Bf5 11. d5 Na5 12. Bf1 Rc8 13. Ne5 a6 14. Qf3 Nd7 15.
Bf4 Nb6 16. Bg3 Nac4 17. Nxc4 Nxc4 18. Bxc4 Rxc4 19. Rad1 Qb6 20. Rd2 Rd4 21.
Rxd4 Bxd4 22. Re2 Qc5 23. Bh4 Re8 24. Kh2 b5 25. g4 Bd7 26. Ne4 Qc8 27. d6 Be5+
28. Bg3 Bg7 29. Ng5 f6 30. Ne4 Bc6 31. Qb3+ Kh8 32. dxe7 Bxe4 33. Rxe4 f5 34.
gxf5 Qxf5 35. Qe3 Kg8 36. Qb3+ Qf7 37. Re6 Bxb2 38. Kg2 Ba3 39. Bh4 Bc5 40. Qd5
Ba3 41. Qd7 Kg7 42. Re3 Bb2 43. Rf3 Qg8 44. Rf8 1-0

[Event "FRA-ARM m"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2009.06.25"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2664"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2009.06.24"]
[EventType "schev (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 dxc4 8.
Bxc4 O-O 9. O-O a6 10. a4 c5 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Ne4 Nxe4 13. Qxe4 Nf6 14. Qh4
Nd5 15. Qh5 b6 16. Bxd5 exd5 17. Rd1 Qf6 18. a5 Be6 19. Bd2 b5 20. Bc3 Qg6 21.
Qxg6 hxg6 22. Ne5 Rfc8 23. Nd3 Be7 24. Rac1 Rc4 25. b3 Rcc8 26. Bd4 Ba3 27. Ra1
Be7 28. Rdc1 Rxc1+ 29. Rxc1 Rc8 30. Bc5 Bf6 31. b4 Bf5 32. Rd1 d4 33. exd4 Bxd4
34. Bxd4 Bxd3 35. Bc5 Re8 36. h3 Bc4 37. Rd6 Re6 38. Rd8+ Kh7 39. Ra8 Bd5 40.
Ra7 g5 41. Kh2 Rc6 42. Be3 Rg6 43. Bb6 g4 44. h4 g3+ 45. fxg3 Re6 46. Rxf7 Re2
47. Ra7 Rxg2+ 48. Kh3 Rd2 49. Kg4 Be6+ 50. Kf4 Bc8 51. Ke3 Rg2 52. Bc7 Rb2 53.
Bd6 Kg6 54. Rxg7+ Kf6 55. Rc7 Bf5 56. Bc5 Rb3+ 57. Kf4 Bb1 58. Rc6+ Kf7 59.
Rxa6 Rc3 60. Rb6 Rc4+ 1-0

[Event "Mainz Classic rap Prelim"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2009.07.31"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2009.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 e6 7. Nc3 Nbd7 8. Bd3
Bb4 9. O-O O-O 10. Qd1 dxc4 11. Bxc4 c5 12. Qb3 cxd4 13. exd4 Qa5 14. Rd1 Rac8
15. Bd2 Nb6 16. Bf1 Bxc3 17. Bxc3 Qa4 18. Bb4 Rfd8 19. Bc5 h6 20. Bb5 Qxb3 21.
axb3 Rc7 22. Be2 Nc8 23. Bxa7 Rc2 24. Bc4 Rxb2 25. Bc5 Ne4 26. Re1 Ncd6 27. Ba3
Rd2 28. Bf1 Rxd4 29. Bc1 Nd2 30. Bb2 Rd5 31. Rad1 Nf5 32. Be2 Nxb3 33. Rxd5
Rxd5 34. Rb1 Nbd4 35. Bf1 Nc6 36. Bc3 Rd7 37. g4 Nfe7 38. f4 Nd5 39. Bd2 Kf8
40. Kf2 Ke7 41. h4 Nf6 0-1

[Event "Mainz Classic rap Prelim"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2009.07.31"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E58"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2697"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2009.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. a3
Bxc3 9. bxc3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Qc7 11. h3 b6 12. Ba2 Rd8 13. Bb2 Bb7 14. Re1 Na5
15. Rc1 h6 16. Nd2 Ne4 17. Nxe4 Bxe4 18. c4 Bb7 19. d5 b5 20. Qg4 f5 21. Qg6
exd5 22. cxb5 c4 23. Qxf5 Rf8 24. Qe6+ Qf7 25. Qxf7+ Rxf7 26. Bc3 Nb3 27. Bxb3
cxb3 28. Bd4 a6 29. Rb1 axb5 30. Rxb3 Bc6 31. Rc1 Bd7 32. Rc5 Kh7 33. Rbc3 Ra4
34. Rxd5 b4 35. axb4 Rxb4 36. Rc7 Be6 37. Rxf7 Bxf7 38. Rd7 Kg8 39. g4 Rb5 40.
Kg2 h5 41. Kg3 hxg4 42. hxg4 g5 43. Bf6 Ra5 44. f3 Rb5 45. e4 Ra5 46. e5 Rb5
47. Re7 Bd5 48. Rg7+ Kf8 49. Rxg5 1-0

[Event "Mainz Classic rap Prelim"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2009.07.31"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2632"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2009.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. Bb3 Ba7 7. h3 d6 8. Nbd2
O-O 9. Nf1 Be6 10. Ng3 Bxb3 11. axb3 Ne7 12. Nh4 Kh8 13. O-O d5 14. Qe2 Qd6 15.
Bg5 Qe6 16. b4 h6 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. Qxe3 Rad8 19. Ngf5 Nxf5 20. Nxf5 Rd7 21.
Rfe1 dxe4 22. dxe4 Kh7 23. Ra5 b6 24. Rxa6 Rfd8 25. Qf3 g6 26. Ne3 Kg7 27. Ra7
Qc6 28. Raa1 Rd2 29. Rad1 Rxd1 30. Nxd1 Rd2 31. Qg3 Qe6 32. Qf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Classic rap Prelim"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2009.08.01"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[EventDate "2009.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. g3 Nb6 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. e3
O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. d5 Na5 11. Nd4 Bd7 12. b3 c5 13. dxc6 Nxc6 14. Nxc6 Bxc6 15.
Bxc6 bxc6 16. Bb2 c5 17. Qe2 Qd7 18. Rfd1 Qc6 19. Rac1 Rab8 20. Nb1 Bxb2 21.
Qxb2 Rec8 22. Qe5 Qc7 23. Qxc7 Rxc7 24. Na3 a5 25. Kf1 a4 26. b4 Nd7 27. Rd4
cxd4 28. Rxc7 Nf6 29. b5 dxe3 30. Rxe7 exf2 31. Kxf2 Nd5 32. Re4 Nc3 33. Rc4
Nxa2 34. Ke3 Rd8 35. Rxa4 Nc3 36. Rc4 Nd5+ 37. Kd3 Ra8 38. Nc2 Kf8 39. Kd4 Nb6
40. Rc6 Rd8+ 41. Kc5 Nd7+ 42. Kb4 Ke7 43. Na3 h5 44. Nc4 h4 45. b6 hxg3 46.
hxg3 Nxb6 47. Nxb6 Rd1 48. Rc3 f5 49. Kc5 g5 50. Nd5+ Kf7 51. Kd6 Kg6 52. Ke5
Re1+ 53. Ne3 f4 54. gxf4 gxf4 55. Kxf4 Kf6 56. Rc5 Ke6 57. Re5+ Kd7 58. Ke4 Ra1
59. Rh5 Ra4+ 60. Ke5 Ra1 61. Rh6 Re1 62. Kd4 Ra1 63. Nc4 Rd1+ 64. Kc5 Ke7 65.
Ne3 Rc1+ 66. Kd5 Re1 67. Re6+ Kf7 68. Re4 Ra1 69. Ke5 Re1 70. Kf5 Re2 71. Re5
Re1 72. Re6 Re2 73. Rf6+ Ke7 74. Nd5+ Kd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Classic rap Prelim"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2009.08.01"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2697"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2009.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. O-O g6 5. c3 a6 6. Bxc6 Nxc6 7. d4 d6 8. d5
Ne7 9. c4 Bg7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Ne1 b5 12. cxb5 axb5 13. Nd3 Bd7 14. Nb4 h6 15.
Qd3 f5 16. f3 f4 17. Bd2 Qe8 18. Rfc1 g5 19. Nd1 Rc8 20. Nf2 h5 21. h3 Ng6 22.
Na6 Qd8 23. Rc3 Bf6 24. Rac1 g4 25. Nxc7 Bh4 26. hxg4 Bxf2+ 27. Kxf2 Qh4+ 28.
Ke2 Qh2 29. gxh5 b4 30. Rc4 Nh4 31. Rf1 Bh3 32. Rf2 Bxg2 33. Kd1 Qh1+ 34. Kc2
Bxf3 35. Kb3 Qd1+ 36. Qc2 Qxc2+ 37. Kxc2 Bxe4+ 38. Kb3 Bd3 39. Rc1 Nf5 40. Kxb4
Nd4 41. b3 Ne2 42. Rc6 Nd4 43. Rc3 Rb8+ 44. Ka3 Rfc8 45. Kb2 Bf5 46. Bxf4 exf4
47. Rc4 Nc2 48. Rfxf4 Ne3 49. Rc3 Nd1+ 0-1

[Event "Mainz Classic rap Prelim"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2009.08.01"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2632"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2009.07.31"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
a3 g5 9. d3 g4 10. Nd2 h5 11. b4 h4 12. Nb3 hxg3 13. hxg3 Be6 14. Na5 Nxa5 15.
bxa5 Nd5 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. Qa4+ c6 18. a6 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Qd5+ 20. f3 gxf3+ 21.
Rxf3 b5 22. Qg4 f6 23. Be3 Kf7 24. Qf5 Qe6 25. Qxe6+ Kxe6 26. Rc1 Rhc8 27. Bc5
Bxc5 28. Rxc5 Rab8 29. g4 Rb6 30. d4 Rg8 31. Kg3 exd4 32. Rcf5 Rg6 33. Kh4 Rh6+
34. Rh5 Rg6 35. Rhf5 Rh6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Classic rap fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2009.08.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2632"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2009.08.02"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
a3 O-O 9. b4 Be6 10. d3 f6 11. Bb2 Qd7 12. Ne4 Rad8 13. Rc1 a6 14. Qc2 Qe8 15.
Ba1 Qf7 16. Nc5 Bxc5 17. bxc5 Nd5 18. Rb1 Rb8 19. d4 exd4 20. Nxd4 Nxd4 21.
Bxd4 Bd7 22. Be4 f5 23. Bf3 Bc6 24. Rbd1 Rbe8 25. Ba1 Ne7 26. Qb2 Ng6 27. Bxc6
bxc6 28. e3 Re6 29. Rd4 Ne5 30. Qe2 Qe7 31. Ra4 Nd7 32. Qa2 Kh8 33. Rxa6 Nxc5
34. Ra7 Ne4 35. Rxc7 Qxc7 36. Qxe6 Ng5 37. Qc4 c5 38. Qd5 h6 39. Rc1 Ne4 40. f3
Ng5 41. Qxc5 Qf7 42. Qc6 Qh5 43. Rf1 Rf7 44. h4 Nh7 45. Rd1 Nf6 46. Kg2 Kh7 47.
Bxf6 Rxf6 48. Rd6 Rf8 49. Rd7 Qe8 50. Kf2 Qe5 51. Rd4 Re8 52. Qc3 Re6 53. Rc4
Qd6 54. h5 Re7 55. Qc2 Rf7 56. a4 Qd8 57. Rf4 Qg5 58. g4 Qh4+ 59. Kg2 Qe7 60.
Rxf5 Rxf5 61. Qxf5+ Kh8 62. Qf4 1-0

[Event "Mainz Classic rap fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2009.08.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2632"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2009.08.02"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Qe2 Bc5 5. d3 d6 6. c3 Bb6 7. h3 Bd7 8. Nbd2
Ne7 9. Bxd7+ Qxd7 10. Nc4 Ng6 11. h4 h6 12. g3 Qe6 13. a4 c6 14. a5 Bc7 15. Ne3
Ne7 16. h5 d5 17. Ra4 O-O-O 18. Nh4 Qd7 19. Kf1 c5 20. b3 c4 21. dxc4 Nxe4 22.
Qc2 Nc5 23. Ra2 d4 24. cxd4 exd4 25. Neg2 d3 26. Qd1 Ne4 27. a6 d2 28. axb7+
Kb8 29. Bb2 Nf5 30. Kg1 Nxf2 31. Kxf2 Bb6+ 32. Ne3 Nxe3 33. Be5+ Kxb7 34. Qf3+
Qc6 0-1

[Event "Mainz Classic rap fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2009.08.02"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D75"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2632"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2009.08.02"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. g3 O-O 7. Bg2 c5 8. O-O
Nxc3 9. bxc3 Nc6 10. Rb1 Qa5 11. d5 Ne5 12. Nxe5 Bxe5 13. Bh6 Rd8 14. Qc2 Rb8
15. c4 Bd7 16. Rfc1 b6 17. h4 Qa4 18. Rb3 b5 19. cxb5 Rxb5 20. Rxb5 Qxc2 21.
Rxc2 Bxb5 22. Rxc5 Bxe2 23. Bf1 Bf3 24. Bg2 Be2 25. Bf1 Bg4 26. Be3 Rb8 27. Rb5
Rxb5 28. Bxb5 a5 29. Kg2 Bd1 30. a4 Bb3 31. Bc6 Bd6 32. Kf3 f5 33. Bd2 Bc7 34.
Ke2 Bc4+ 35. Kd1 Kf7 36. Ke1 Bb6 37. Bc3 h6 38. Bd2 Kg7 39. Bc3+ Kf7 40. Bd2
Kg7 41. Bc3+ Kh7 42. Bd2 Bd3 43. f3 Bc4 44. Bc1 Bc7 45. Kf2 Bd6 46. Be3 Bb4 47.
Bf4 Kg7 48. Be3 Bc3 49. Bc1 Bb4 50. Be3 h5 51. Bd4+ Kf7 52. Be5 Bc5+ 53. Kg2
Bd6 54. Bxd6 exd6 55. f4 Ke7 56. Kf2 Kd8 57. Ke3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Classic rap fin"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2009.08.02"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C22"]
[WhiteElo "2632"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2009.08.02"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2 O-O 7. O-O-O Re8
8. Qg3 Rxe4 9. a3 Rg4 10. Qe3 Bf8 11. f3 Rg6 12. Qf2 d5 13. Bd3 d4 14. Bxg6
hxg6 15. Bg5 Qe8 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Nb5 Bh6+ 18. Kb1 Be3 19. Qg3 Bf5 20. Nxc7
Qd7 21. Nxa8 Bxc2+ 22. Kxc2 Qf5+ 23. Kb3 Qd5+ 24. Kc2 Qf5+ 25. Kb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Na4 Bb6 7. c3 Ne7 8. O-O
Ng6 9. Re1 O-O 10. Nxb6 axb6 11. Bb3 Re8 12. Bd2 h6 13. a4 Bd7 14. h3 Bc6 15.
Bc2 d5 16. b4 dxe4 17. dxe4 Bd7 18. Be3 Be6 19. Nd2 Qe7 20. Qe2 Red8 21. Red1
Nd7 22. Qf3 Qh4 23. Nf1 Qf6 24. Nh2 Qxf3 25. Nxf3 f6 26. Nd2 Ne7 27. Nb3 Nc8
28. a5 Nd6 29. Rdb1 Kf7 30. f3 Ke7 31. Kf2 Rdc8 32. Bd3 Bc4 33. Ke2 Ra6 34.
axb6 Rxa1 35. Nxa1 cxb6 36. Nc2 Ra8 37. Ra1 Rxa1 38. Nxa1 b5 39. Nc2 Bxd3+ 40.
Kxd3 Nc4 41. Bf2 Kd6 42. Ne3 Nxe3 43. Bxe3 h5 44. g4 hxg4 45. hxg4 g5 46. Kc2
1/2-1/2

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E08"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This game was excellently annotated by GM Evgeny Gleizerov on the chesspro.ru
website. However, it is probably impossible to annotate such a complex game
without any mistakes, and some of Evgeny's conclusions can be disputed.} 1. d4
d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Bf4 Nbd7
9. Qc2 b6 10. Rd1 Bb7 11. Nc3 dxc4 12. Nd2 Nd5 13. Nxc4 Nxf4 14. gxf4 Rc8 (
14... Qc7 {is the most popular move in this position - see Dautov - Tiviakov
in CBM 79, annotated by GM R.Dautov.}) 15. a3 $1 $146 {[%cal Yb2b4][%mdl 12]
This way White prevents ...c6-c5.} (15. Ne5 Qc7 16. Rd3 Nf6 17. Rad1 Rfd8 18.
a3 g6 19. e3 Qb8 20. b4 c5 $11 {0-1 Bernard,C (2340)-Stempin,P (2445)/Paris
1990/EXT 1997 (41)}) (15. e3 Nf6 16. Rac1 Nd5 17. Qa4 b5 18. Qxa7 bxc4 19. Qxb7
Nb4 20. a3 Rb8 21. Qa7 Ra8 22. Qb7 Rb8 23. Qa7 Ra8 24. Qb7 {1/2 Marin,M (2556)
-Gurevich,M (2634)/Mondariz 2002/CBM 091 ext}) (15. f5 $6 Qc7 16. fxe6 fxe6 17.
Qe4 Rf6 18. e3 Rg6 $36 {0-1 Butnorius,A (2442)-Nestorovic,N (2381)/Plovdiv
2008/CBM 124 (60)}) 15... Rc7 (15... c5 $6 16. d5) 16. e3 Nf6 17. b4 Nd5 18.
Rac1 Re8 $6 (18... f5 $1 19. Ne5 Bd6 {[%cal Yg7g5] (E.Gleizerov) would have
justified 15...Rc7. A similar plan was carried out by GM S.Tiviakov in the
above-mentioned game.}) 19. Ne5 $1 Bd6 (19... f6 $2 20. Nxd5 exd5 21. Bxd5+
Qxd5 22. e4 Qe6 23. f5 Qc8 24. Qb3+ $18 {E.Gleizerov}) 20. Qa4 $5 Qa8 $6 {
Black wants to prepare ...c6-c5 at any cost.} (20... f6 $6 21. Qxa7 $1 (21.
Nxd5 $143 cxd5 22. Rxc7 Bxc7 23. Qxa7 fxe5 24. Qxb7 exf4 $132) 21... b5 (21...
Ba8 22. Qa4 b5 23. Qb3 fxe5 24. dxe5 Be7 25. e4 $16) 22. Nxd5 exd5 23. Qa5 $1
Kh8 (23... fxe5 24. dxe5 Bf8 25. Bxd5+ $1 Kh8 26. Bf7) 24. Nd3 $16) (20... a6
21. Ne4 Bf8 22. Qb3 $14) 21. Ne4 ({In the event of} 21. Nxd5 cxd5 22. Rxc7 Bxc7
23. Rc1 Re7 24. Nc6 Bxc6 25. Rxc6 g6 {White can hardly break up Black's
defence.}) 21... Be7 (21... Bf8 $142 $14) 22. Rc2 (22. f5 $5 {was an
interesting way to make use of the removal of the black queen:} exf5 (22... Qc8
23. fxe6 Qxe6 24. Nc3 $1) 23. Ng3 Qd8 24. Nxf5 Bf8 25. Qb3 $16 {[%cal Rb4b5]})
22... Rec8 23. Rdc1 a5 $5 24. bxa5 c5 {An attempt to break through.} 25. Ng5 (
25. dxc5 $142 $1 bxc5 26. Ng5 $16 {E.Gleizerov}) 25... Bxg5 (25... b5 $1 26.
Qxb5 Nxf4 $1 27. exf4 Bxg2 28. f3 Bxg5 29. fxg5 Bxf3 30. Rxc5 Rxc5 31. Rxc5 Rf8
$44 {[%csl Rg1] E.Gleizerov}) 26. fxg5 f6 27. Nd3 (27. Nc4 $142 $1 cxd4 28. Nd6
$1 {(E.Gleizerov) , and the intermediate} b5 $5 {helps Black just for a while:}
29. Qb3 $1 (29. Nxb5 Rxc2 30. Rxc2 Rxc2 31. Qxc2 Qxa5 $14) (29. Bxd5 bxa4 30.
Bxe6+ Kh8 31. Rxc7 Rxc7 32. Rxc7 dxe3 $1 33. fxe3 Qxa5 {, and White must give
a perpetual}) 29... Rxc2 30. Rxc2 Rxc2 31. Qxc2 dxe3 32. gxf6 gxf6 33. Qe4 $1
exf2+ (33... Bc8 34. Qxe3 $1 Bd7 35. Qh6 {[%cal Rg2e4]}) 34. Kxf2 Bc8 35. Qg4+
$1 Kf8 36. Qd4 Ke7 $1 37. Bxd5 exd5 38. Qc5 Kd7 39. Nxc8 Qxc8 40. Qxd5+ $16 {
_|_}) (27. Ng4 $5) 27... Qa6 $1 28. Bxd5 $1 {A concrete approach. A lot of
players would hesitate to exchange a strong bishop for a knight - but not
Levon Aronian!} (28. Nb4 Nxb4 29. Bxb7 Qxb7 30. axb4 b5 31. Qa2 c4 $132) (28.
Qc4 Qxa5 29. dxc5 bxc5 30. Qb3 $1 $14) 28... exd5 (28... Bxd5 29. Nb4 Qa8 30.
Nxd5 exd5 31. Qb5 $18) 29. Qb3 $1 (29. dxc5 Qxd3 30. axb6 Rc6 31. Qa7 Qa6 32.
Qxa6 Bxa6 $13) 29... Qxa5 30. dxc5 bxc5 $6 (30... fxg5 $142 31. Qb4 $1 (31. a4
h6 {E.Gleizerov}) 31... Qa6 {is considered satisfactory for Black by E.
Gleizerov but after} 32. Qd4 $1 {White keeps an advantage due to Black's
passive bishop:} bxc5 (32... Qxa3 $2 33. c6) (32... Qb5 33. Rb2 bxc5 34. Qxd5+
(34. Nxc5 $14) 34... Bxd5 35. Rxb5 $16) 33. Rxc5 (33. Nxc5 $5 Qf6 34. a4) 33...
Rxc5 34. Rxc5 Qxa3 (34... Rxc5 35. Nxc5 $16 Qb6 $140 36. Qb4 $1) 35. Rxc8+ Bxc8
36. Qxd5+ Kf8 37. Qd8+ Kf7 38. Ne5+ Ke6 39. Nf3 Qc1+ 40. Kg2 {, and Q+N are
clearly stronger here than Q+B.}) 31. Nxc5 Rxc5 32. Rxc5 Rxc5 33. Rxc5 Qxc5 34.
Qxb7 $16 {[%mdl 4096]} Qxa3 (34... fxg5 35. a4 Qc1+ 36. Kg2 Qc4 37. Qb8+ Kf7
38. a5 Qg4+ (38... Qe4+ 39. Kg1) 39. Qg3 Qa4 40. Qc7+ Ke6 41. h3 $18 {[%csl
Ga5] _|_}) 35. Qxd5+ Kf8 36. h4 $1 {Instead of exchanging pawns on f6, White
wants to force Black to take on g5 in order to create a powerful pawn
avalanche.} Qb4 (36... Qc1+ 37. Kg2 Qc8 38. f3) 37. e4 Qb2 38. Qc5+ Kf7 39. Kg2
Qa1 $2 {This move could have lost at once.} (39... fxg5 40. Qd5+ Kf8 41. hxg5
$16) (39... Qe2 40. Qd5+ Ke7 41. Kg3 $16) 40. h5 $2 (40. Qf5 $1 Kg8 {otherwise
Black loses a second pawn} 41. Qc8+ Kf7 42. Qd7+ Kf8 43. gxf6 Qxf6 44. Qf5 Qxf5
45. exf5 $18 {_|_E.Gleizerov}) 40... fxg5 41. Qxg5 {White has now only one
strong pawn (e4), which is not enough for a victory if Black defends correctly.
} h6 42. Qd5+ Kf6 43. Qd7 Qb2 44. Kf3 Qa1 45. Qc6+ Ke7 46. Kf4 Qg1 47. Qc5+ Ke6
48. Qd5+ Ke7 49. Kf3 Qh1+ 50. Ke2 Qb1 51. Qf5 Qc2+ 52. Kf3 Qd3+ 53. Kg2 Qe2 54.
Qf3 Qd2 $6 {This move enables White to make some progress but, amazingly,
Black's position still holds out!} (54... Qb2 $142 {E.Gleizerov}) 55. Qa3+ Kf7
(55... Ke6 $5 56. Qa6+ (56. Qb3+ Ke5) (56. Qh3+ Ke7) 56... Ke5 57. Qg6 Qd1 $1
58. Qxg7+ (58. Qf5+ Kd6 59. Qf3 Qd4) 58... Kxe4 59. Qg6+ Ke5 {and it is
unclear what White does next as the pawn endgame after} 60. Qg3+ $6 Kf5 61.
Qf3+ Qxf3+ 62. Kxf3 {is drawish:} Kg5 63. Ke4 Kxh5 64. Kf5 Kh4 $11) 56. Qb3+
Ke7 (56... Kf6 57. Qb6+ Ke5 58. Qg6 Qd1 $1 {- 55...Ke6}) 57. Qb7+ Kf8 (57...
Kf6 58. Qc6+ Ke5 59. Qg6 Qd1 $1 {- 55...Ke6}) 58. Qc8+ Ke7 59. Qc5+ (59. Qc7+
Kf8 (59... Kf6 $2 60. e5+ $1 Kf5 61. Qxg7 $18) 60. Qc5+ {leads to the game
continuation a bit faster.}) 59... Ke6 60. Qf5+ Ke7 (60... Kd6 $2 61. Qf8+ Ke5
62. Qxg7+ Kxe4 63. Qf6 $18 {The difference compared to the 55...Ke6 line is
crucial as Black's king is cut off, and his queen is passive.}) 61. Qe5+ Kf8 (
61... Kf7 62. Qd5+) 62. Qc5+ $1 Ke8 63. Qd5 {[%cal Rd5g8]} Qb2 64. e5 $1 {
This pawn finally moves forward.} Ke7 65. Qd6+ Ke8 (65... Kf7 66. e6+ $18) 66.
Qc6+ (66. e6 Qb5 $1) 66... Kd8 $2 {Contrary to the opinion of GM Evgeny
Gleizerov, it is apparently this mistake, and not Black's earlier inaccuracies,
that definitely decides the game in White's favour.} ({I don't see a win for
White after} 66... Ke7 67. Qc7+ Kf8 {, e.g.} 68. e6 Qf6 69. Qc8+ Ke7 70. Qd7+
Kf8 71. f4 (71. Qd6+ Ke8 72. f4 Qb2+ 73. Kg3 Qb7 {is rather a step backwards
for White}) (71. Kf1 {without f2-f4 is hardly good as Black can trade the
queens and win the e6-pawn afterwards in many positions}) 71... Qb2+ 72. Kf3
Qc3+ 73. Kg4 (73. Ke4 Qc4+ (73... Qe1+ 74. Kd5 Qa5+ 75. Kc6 Qa6+ (75... Qa4+
76. Kb7 Qb4+ 77. Kc8 Qc5+ 78. Qc7 Qxh5) 76. Kc5 Qa5+ 77. Qb5 {may give more
chances to White.}) 74. Ke5 Qc5+ 75. Qd5 Qe3+ 76. Kf5 (76. Kd6 Qxf4+ 77. Kd7
Qa4+ 78. Kd8 Qb4) 76... Qh3+ 77. Ke4 (77. Kg6 Qxe6+ $1 78. Qxe6 {stalemate})
77... Qh1+ 78. Kd4 Qa1+ 79. Kc5 Qa5+ {etc.}) 73... Qf6 $22 {An important
reciprocal zugzwang! White can't pass the move to his opponent.} 74. Qd6+ Kg8
$1 (74... Ke8 75. Qe5 Qd8 $8 76. Kf5 Qd3+ 77. Qe4 $18) 75. Qd5 {Other move
orders eventually lead to the same or a similar position.} Qe7 $8 76. Qd7 Qc5
$1 77. Qf7+ (77. e7 Qg1+ 78. Kf5 Qb1+ 79. Ke5 Qb2+ 80. Kd5 Qb3+) 77... Kh8 78.
e7 Qg1+ 79. Kf3 Qd1+ 80. Ke3 Qe1+ 81. Kd3 Qd1+ 82. Kc3 Qc1+ 83. Kb3 Qd1+ 84.
Kb4 Qd4+ 85. Kb5 (85. Qc4 Qb6+) 85... Qd3+ {etc. - White can't avoid the
perpetual! Even if White has a win after 66...Ke7, it can hardly be found over
the board.}) 67. Qe6 $1 $18 {[%csl Rd8,Rg7] The g7 pawn is now lost, and the
game is over.} Qb7+ 68. Kg3 Qh1 69. Qg8+ Ke7 70. Qxg7+ Ke6 71. Qf6+ Kd7 72.
Qf7+ 1-0

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2678"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Ne5 Bb7 10. h4 g4 11. Nxg4 Nxg4 12. Qxg4 Qxd4 13. Rd1 Qf6 14. e5 Qf5 15. Qd4
Be7 16. a4 c5 17. Qd2 a6 18. axb5 axb5 19. Nxb5 Qe4+ 20. Be2 Qxg2 21. Nc7+ Kf8
22. Rf1 Ra4 23. Nxe6+ fxe6 24. Qf4+ Kg7 25. Qg4+ Kf7 26. Qf4+ Kg7 27. Qg4+ Kf7
28. Qf4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A10"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. e4 e5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nf3 {I investigated this variation, aimed as a
complememt to the Gruenfeld, in an article published in CBM 126.} Bb4+ ({
My conclusion was that Black's most reliable continuation is} 4... exd4 {
Here is a brief sequence from my analysis, ending in the critical position.} 5.
e5 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qe7 {This move has been almost unanimously played here, but,
despite Black's expectations, it fails to maintain the tension.} 7. Bxb4 Qxb4+
8. Qd2 {It appears that Black has to help White's development by exchanging
queens.} Qxd2+ 9. Nbxd2 Nh5 (9... Ng8 10. Nxd4 f6 {has been recommended "with
equality". This does not sound very realistic. ALL Black's pieces are on their
initial squares, while White has reasonable development and an advantage of
space.} 11. O-O-O $5 fxe5 12. Re1 d6 13. f4 {is one of the possible
continuations.}) 10. Nxd4 Nc6 {Refraining from this move allows White to
complete his development and maintain his space advantage in the centre.} 11.
Nxc6 dxc6 {An interesting position. Contemporary players are familiar with the
so-called Berlin Spanish structure, but here Black does not enjoy the pair of
bishops. However, his results have been quite acceptable in practice. One
important detail is that the far advanced e-pawn is slightly vulnerable, the
same as the squares around it. This allows Blackto play for a blockade,
sometimes leading to a draw in a position only optically better for White.
Another essential element is the fact that the black king has not lost the
right to castle yet.}) 5. Nc3 $5 $146 {According to the reports, Aronian took
his time before playing this move. Was he checking his old analysis, or did he
just produce an over the board novelty?} ({Only} 5. Bd2 {had been played so
far and I evaluated the position as +/=, on the basis of the game Portisch,L 
(2640)-Sax,G (2590)/Rio de Janeiro 1979/IZT/[Mihail Marin] (1-0, 30)}) 5...
exd4 {Further practice is needed before giving a final evaluation to this move.
} ({My provisional conclusion is that} 5... Nxe4 {is not worse than the game
continuation.} 6. Qc2 d5 7. dxe5 (7. Nxe5 O-O) 7... d4 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Nxc3
{As a compensation for the sacrificed pawn, White has chances to invade
through the weakened kingside squares.} 10. Bg5 Bf5 (10... Qd7 11. Bd3 $44) 11.
Bxd8 Bxc2 12. Bf6 O-O 13. Nxd4 {[%csl Gc2,Gc3]} Bf5 {This seems to be the only
way to avoid problems with the hanging minor pieces and enable ...Nd7xf6 as
soon as possible.} 14. Nxf5 gxf5 15. Bd3 Nd7 $132) 6. a3 $1 {The logical
consequence of the previous move.} (6. Qxd4 $6 Nc6 {would give Black time for
completing his development.}) 6... Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 O-O {Kamsky decides to get
castled at once, bringing his king into (at least temporary) safety and
preparing some counterplay along the e-file.} ({He may have discarded} 7...
dxc3 {because of} 8. Bh6 {, when his king would be stuck in the centre.} Nc6 (
8... Nxe4 $2 9. Qd4 Nf6 10. Bg7 $18) (8... Ng4 $2 9. Bg7 Rg8 10. Bxc3 $16) (
8... d6 9. Qd4 $44) 9. Bd3 d6 10. Qb3 $44 {[%cal Gb3c3]}) 8. e5 $1 {Keeping
the dynamic character of the position.} (8. cxd4 Nxe4 9. Bd3 d5 10. O-O Nc6 $13
{would offer Black chances to stabilize the position.}) 8... Re8 9. Be2 Ne4 $2
{As pointed out in Chessbase Magazine online, this can be considered the
decisive mistake.} (9... d3 $1 {is the only chance to stay in the game. I
insert an abbreviated form of the original CBM online analysis, with some
additions of my own.} 10. Qxd3 (10. Bg5 dxe2 11. Qxe2 ({There is no need for
Black to fear:} 11. Qd3 Qe7 12. Bxf6 Qf8) 11... d6 12. Bxf6 Qd7 13. Qe3 Qf5 14.
g4 Qxf6 15. exf6 Rxe3+ 16. fxe3 Bxg4 {tends to be advantageous for Black..})
10... Ng4 11. Qd5 ({if playing 9...d3! Black had, above all, to foresee} 11.
Bg5 Nxe5 $1) (11. Bf4 Nc6 12. O-O Ngxe5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Qg3 d6 $13 15. c5 $6
Nd7 $1 {Marin}) 11... Nxe5 (11... d6 12. Bg5 Qd7 13. exd6 Qxd6 {should also be
playable for Black.}) (11... Qe7 $6 12. Bg5 Qe6 13. Qxe6 Rxe6 14. Bf4 Nc6 15.
Nd4 $1 {Marin}) (11... Nc6 $2 12. Bg5 Ne7 13. Qd4 $18 {Marin}) 12. Nxe5 Qe7 13.
Qxf7+ Qxf7 14. Nxf7 Kxf7 15. Be3 {and perhaps White has the more pleasant
endgame here. Marin: I agree with this verdict. White has the pair of bishops
and excellent attacking chances on the kingside, based on h4-h5. He also is
better developed. These aspects make the queenside weaknesses less relevant.})
10. Qxd4 f5 11. Qd5+ $1 {An essential intermediate check. The queen is exposed
in the centre anyway, but the last move cannot be considered a commitment.
Since the king will have to occupy a square along the long dark diagonal, the
queen will be able to return to d4 with gain of time.} ({The immediate} 11. h4
$6 {can be answered with} d6 12. Qd5+ Be6 $1 13. Qxb7 Nd7 $15) 11... Kg7 (11...
Re6 12. Nd4 $16) 12. h4 $1 {With his queenside completely undeveloped, Black
cannot parry the simple kingside attack based on the advance of the h-pawn.} d6
{This is relatively best, but not sufficient.} (12... h6 $2 13. g4 {[%cal
Gg4f5,Gh1g1]} d6 14. Bxh6+ $1 Kxh6 15. Qf7 {[%cal Gg4g5]} fxg4 16. h5 $18) (
12... Nc6 $6 13. h5 $40) (12... c6 $6 13. Qd4 c5 (13... d6 14. exd6+ Qf6 15.
Bf4 $18) (13... Qa5 14. Bd2 $16) 14. Qe3 $40) 13. Ng5 $1 Qe7 $6 {This is
equivalent to giving up without a fight.} (13... Nxg5 $2 {would be even worse
because of} 14. Bxg5 Qd7 15. Bf6+ Kf8 16. h5 Qf7 17. hxg6 $1 Qxg6 ({Against} 
17... Qxd5 {, the most spectacular and effective answer is} 18. gxh7 $1 $18 {
[%cal Gh7h8]}) 18. Bh5 Qxf6 19. Bxe8 $18) ({The slightly paradoxical} 13... Qd7
$5 {would have forced White to find a series of only moves to maintain the
initiative.} 14. Nxe4 Rxe5 $1 15. Nf6 $1 {Decoying the king on to a vulnerable
square.} Kxf6 16. Qg8 $1 {[%cal Gc1g5]} Rxe2+ (16... f4 17. Qf8+ {[%csl Gc8]}
Ke6 18. Bxf4 $18) 17. Kd1 $1 {[%cal Gc1g5]} (17. Kxe2 $6 Qe6+ $44 {looks
entirely playable for Black.}) 17... f4 18. Qh8+ Qg7 19. Qxc8 Qe7 20. Be3 Rb2
21. Re1 $16 {Most likely, the dispersed black army cannot provide satisfactory
defence to the black king.}) 14. Nxe4 fxe4 15. exd6 cxd6 16. h5 $18 {The
material is equal, but White is better developed, has two strong bishops and a
natural attack. The rest is agony.} Qe5 17. hxg6 hxg6 18. Bh6+ Kf6 19. Qd2 e3
20. Bxe3 Nc6 21. O-O-O Be6 22. Rh7 Re7 23. Rxe7 Kxe7 24. Bf4 Qa5 25. Bxd6+ Kf7
26. Qb2 Kg8 27. c5 Qa4 28. Bd3 Bf5 29. Bb5 Qe4 30. f3 Qe3+ 31. Qd2 Re8 32. Qxe3
Rxe3 33. Kd2 Re8 34. g4 Be6 35. Re1 Kf7 36. Rh1 Rg8 37. Bd3 Kf6 38. Rh7 Rg7 39.
g5+ Kf7 40. Rh8 Bd5 41. c4 1-0

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D47"]
[WhiteElo "2672"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. Qc2 Bb7 11. a3 a6 12. b4 a5 13. Rb1 axb4 14. axb4 Qe7 15. e4
e5 16. Ne2 Bxb4 17. Ng3 g6 18. dxe5 Ng4 19. e6 fxe6 20. Bg5 Qc5 21. Qb3 Nde5
22. Qxe6+ Rf7 23. Nxe5 Nxe5 24. Be2 Qd6 25. Qb3 Bc5 26. Rbd1 Ra3 27. Qc2 Bd4
28. Be3 Rxe3 29. fxe3 Bxe3+ 30. Kh1 Qe7 31. Rxf7 Nxf7 32. Qb3 Bb6 33. Bg4 Kh8
34. Rd7 Qc5 35. Qb1 Ne5 36. Rxb7 Nxg4 37. h3 Nf6 38. e5 Qxe5 39. Rxb6 Qxg3 40.
Qa1 Qf4 41. Rb7 1-0

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "155"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 8. Bd3
dxc4 9. Bxc4 g6 10. O-O Bg7 11. e4 {This move is absolutely harmless.} (11. Qc2
{was examined in CBM 122 (Mamedyarov-Ivanchuk) and CBM 128 (Bu
Xiangzhi-Topalov).}) (11. Rc1) (11. b4) 11... e5 $1 {A typical and strong
response.} 12. d5 Nb6 13. Bb3 Bg4 14. Rc1 (14. h3 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Qxf3 16. gxf3
Ke7 17. dxc6 bxc6 {[%csl Ra7,Rc6,Rf2,Rf3,Rh3] In view of White's weaknesses on
the kingside, this splitting up of the pawns is of absolutely no importance.
Angesicht der weißen Schwächen am Königsflügel spielt diese Zersplitterung der
Bauern keine Rolle.} 18. Rfc1 Rhd8 19. Nd1 Rd6 20. Rc3 a5 21. Ne3 h5 $11 {
1/2 Khalifman,A (2650)-Akopian,V (2620)/Yerevan 1996/CBM 053/[Lutz] (38)})
14... O-O (14... Rd8 $5 {is apparently a simpler way to equality:} 15. h3 (15.
Re1 h5 16. Qe2 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qxf3 18. gxf3 Bh6 19. Rc2 O-O 20. Rd1 Kg7 21. a4
a5 $11 {1/2 Grkinic,G-Van Bommel,T/IECG 2001/Telechess CBM 95 (52)}) 15... Bxf3
16. Qxf3 Qxf3 17. gxf3 cxd5 (17... Ke7 18. Rfd1 Rhf8 19. a4 a5 20. Kg2 Rd6 $11
{0-1 Zhang Pengxiang (2567)-Negri,S/Dos Hermanas (Internet) 2004/CBM 099 ext 
(60)}) 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Rd7 20. a4 Ke7 21. a5 Bf6 22. Rfd1 Rb8 23. Rd3
Kd8 24. Rdc3 Be7 25. Rc4 Bd6 $11 {1/2 Alekseev,E (2714)-Leko,P (2756)/Jermuk
ARM 2009/The Week in Chess 771 (36)}) (14... h5 {may be just a loss of time
after} 15. Na4 $1 (15. h3 Bh6 16. Rc2 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qxf3 18. gxf3 Rc8 19. Rd1
Ke7 20. dxc6 Rxc6 $11 {1/2 Anand,V (2783)-Leko,P (2751)/Miskolc HUN 2009/The
Week in Chess 761 (27)}) 15... Rc8 16. Rc3 Nxa4 17. Bxa4 $14 b5 $2 18. Rxc6 $1
Rxc6 19. Bxb5 $18 {1-0 Edouard,R (2597)-Fressinet,L (2667)/Nimes FRA 2009/The
Week in Chess 771 (67)}) 15. h3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Qxf3 17. gxf3 {The black king is
now far away from the centre, which gives White a small benefit (of course,
insufficient for a real advantage).} Rfd8 (17... Rfc8 18. dxc6 bxc6 19. Na4 Rc7
20. Rfd1 Bf8 21. Nc5 $14 a5 22. Rd3 (22. Na4 Nxa4 23. Bxa4 Rac8 24. Rc4 Be7 25.
Bb3 Kf8 26. Kg2 Rb8 27. Kg3 Bg5 28. Rd3 Ke7 29. Kg2 Bf4 30. Rdc3 Kd6 31. Rd3+
Ke7 32. Rc2 Rb4 33. Rdc3 Kd6 34. Bd5 c5 35. Bc4 $14 {1-0 Dokhoian,Y (2550)
-Kuczynski,R (2520)/Germany 1993/GER-chT (75)}) 22... Kg7 23. Kf1 Be7 24. Rdc3
Bd6 25. Bd1 Kf8 26. Be2 Ke7 27. Na6 Rcc8 28. Rxc6 $16 {1/2 Arutinian,D (2548)
-Ter Sahakyan,S (2486)/Gyumri ARM 2009/The Week in Chess 760 (43)}) 18. dxc6 (
18. Rfd1 Bf6 19. dxc6 bxc6 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Nd1 Rd6 22. Rc5 Kf8 23. Kf1 h5 (
23... Be7 $1 24. Ra5 (24. Rxe5 c5 {[%csl Re5]}) 24... Rd7 25. Ne3 (25. a3 Rb7
$1) 25... Bb4 $132) 24. Ne3 Ke7 25. Ke2 Bg7 26. Nc2 $14 {1-0 Carlsen,M (2776)
-Karjakin,S (2706)/Nice FRA 2009/CBM 128 Extra (62)}) 18... bxc6 19. Nd1 Rac8
20. Rc5 Bf8 21. Rc2 h5 22. Ne3 Rd4 23. Rfc1 c5 24. Kf1 Rcd8 25. Ke2 Be7 26. Rg1
Kf8 27. Bc4 Rb8 28. Ra1 Rbd8 29. Ke1 Bg5 30. Be2 Be7 31. Rac1 Ra4 32. a3 Rad4
33. Rc3 Kg7 34. Rb3 Rf8 35. Rb5 Rd7 36. Ra5 Rb8 37. Rc2 Rdb7 $6 {A wrong plan
as Black will be unable to get to the b2- pawn this way. It was better to stay
on the d-file, ready to play ...RRd7-d4:} (37... Rbd8 38. Bb5 Rc7 39. a4 Rd4
40. Ra6 Rb4 $132) 38. Ba6 Rd7 39. Bb5 Rdb7 40. a4 Nd7 $2 (40... Rd8 $1 41. Ra6
Rd4 {was now necessary, e.g.} 42. a5 Nd7 43. Bc6 (43. Bxd7 Rbxd7 44. Nc4 f6)
43... Rc7 44. Nd5 $140 Rxd5 $1 45. exd5 Nb8) 41. Nc4 (41. Bc6 $5 Rc7 42. Nd5 $1
Rxc6 43. Rxa7 $1 Bd8 $1 44. Rxd7 Ra6 45. b3 $1 Raa8 $1 {[%cal Rb8b3]} (45...
Ba5+ 46. Ke2 Rxb3 47. Rxc5) 46. f4 $1 exf4 47. Nxf4 Ba5+ 48. Kf1 Rxb3 49. Rxc5
$16) 41... Nf8 $6 (41... f6 $142 {keeping the material balance but weakening
the light squares} 42. Ra6 $16) 42. Nxe5 Ne6 43. Nc6 Ra8 44. Bc4 $16 {Of
course, White has some technical problems but a pawn is a pawn.} Nf4 45. Bd5
Re8 (45... Bf6 $142 46. Nb4 $1 (46. Nd8 $4 Bxd8) 46... Nxd5 47. Nxd5 Bxb2 48.
Raxc5 $16) 46. Rxa7 Rxa7 47. Nxa7 {White's a4 pawn must now decide the game
but...} Nxh3 48. Nc6 Nf4 49. Nxe7 $2 {This exchange of a strong knight for a
passive bishop gives the win away.} (49. Bc4 h4 50. Kf1 h3 51. Kg1 Bf6 52. a5
Rc8 53. Bd5 $18) 49... Rxe7 50. Kf1 (50. Bc4 f5 51. a5 fxe4 52. fxe4 Rxe4+ 53.
Kf1 $14) 50... Nxd5 51. exd5 {[%mdl 4096]} Ra7 52. b3 Rb7 $1 {Black has
unexpectedly created counterplay.} 53. d6 (53. Rc3 Kf6) 53... Rxb3 $2 {An
"obvious" move and a decisive mistake! Black's rook now gets overloaded. He
should have urgently brought his king to hold White's d-pawn:} (53... Kf6 $1
54. Rxc5 Rxb3 $11 55. Rd5 $140 Rb8 56. a5 Ke6) 54. Rd2 $1 Rb8 55. d7 Rd8 56. a5
c4 $8 57. Rd4 c3 58. Ke2 h4 $8 59. Kd3 h3 60. Kxc3 g5 61. Rd1 h2 62. Rh1 Rxd7
63. Rxh2 {White has finally kept his extra passed pawn and wins relatively
easily.} Rd1 64. Rg2 Kh6 65. Rg4 Ra1 66. Kb4 f5 67. Rc4 Ra2 {A usual defence:
Black is trying to win something on the kingside, then (when forced) give up
his rook for White's passed pawn, and achieve a draw in the "rook vs. pawns"
ending; however, he lacks just one tempo to complete this plan!} 68. Kb5 Rxf2
69. a6 Re2 70. a7 Re8 71. Ra4 Ra8 72. Kb6 Kh5 73. Kb7 Rxa7+ 74. Rxa7 $1 (74.
Kxa7 $2 {gives Black the crucial tempo as the white king is a move farther
from the kingside:} g4 75. fxg4+ (75. Kb6 g3 $1 76. Kc5 Kg5 $1 {preparing to
shoulder off the white king} 77. Kd4 $140 Kf4 $11) 75... fxg4 76. Kb6 g3 77.
Kc5 g2 78. Ra1 Kg4 79. Kd4 Kf3 $11) 74... g4 75. fxg4+ fxg4 76. Kc6 Kg5 77. Rf7
{This "nicety" was unnecessary:} (77. Kd5 Kf4 78. Kd4 Kf3 79. Kd3 g3 80. Rf7+
$18) 77... g3 78. Kd5 (78. Kd5 Kg4 79. Ke4 $18) 1-0

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.16"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[Annotator "Eljanov,P"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Before this game I had had 6 draws in a row! Frankly speaking, I thought that
it was highly possible that this would be my next one! Vor dieser Partie hatte
ich 6 Remis in Serie! Offen gestanden hielt ich es für höchst wahrscheinlich,
dass dies mein nächstes sein würde!} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5.
e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 {This is the first time in my life that I had played this move.
Dies ist das erste Mal in meinem Leben, dass ich diesen Zug gespielt hatte.}
Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O dxc4 9. Bxc4 a6 10. Rd1 b5 11. Bd3 {Quite a rare move
and it looks like there is a good reason for that. Ein recht seltener Zug, und
dies offenbar aus gutem Grund.} Qc7 12. a4 $146 {This was my idea. Das war
meine Idee.} b4 $1 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 Nf6 15. Bd3 c5 16. b3 cxd4 17. Qxc7
Bxc7 18. Nxd4 Bb7 $11 {During my preparation I thought somehow that this
endgame should be a bit better for White. But here I realised that Black has
no problems at all. Levon neutralised my preparation without any pressure! 
Bei meiner Vorbereitung hatte ich gedacht, dass dieses Endspiel irgendwie
einen Tick besser für Weiß sein sollte. Doch hier wurde mir klar, dass Schwarz
keinerlei Probleme hat. Levon hatte meine Vorbereitung ohne jeglichen Druck
neutralisiert!} 19. Bb2 Rac8 20. Rac1 Be5 $1 21. f3 {This is the only active
plan to restrict the black pieces by playing f3 and e4. Dies ist der einzige
aktive Plan, um die schwarzen Figuren mit f3 und e4 zu hemmen.} h5 (21... Nd5
22. Kf2 Nc3 23. Bxc3 Rxc3 24. Rxc3 bxc3 25. Rc1 $14) 22. Kf2 a5 (22... Bxh2 {
was possible and maybe the strongest as I got a more pleasant position in the
game. war möglich und vielleicht auch am stärksten, denn in der Partie erhielt
ich eine angenehmere Stellung.} 23. g3 h4 24. gxh4 Be5 25. f4 Bb8 26. Nf3 $132)
(22... Nd7 23. Be2) 23. Bc4 $1 {A very important move as I should stop Black's
main idea to transfer the knight to c5. Ein ganz wichtiger Zug, denn ich
sollte die Hauptidee von Schwarz unterbinden, den Springertransfer nach c5.} (
23. g3 Nd7 {and I need to be careful already. und ich muss bereits aufpassen.})
23... Nd5 (23... Bxh2 24. Nxe6 $1 {The point of 23.Bc4! Die Pointe von 23.Bc4!}
fxe6 (24... Ne4+ 25. Ke1) 25. Bxe6+ Kh7 26. Bxc8 Ne4+ 27. Ke1 Bxc8 28. Rxc8
Rxc8 29. fxe4 $16) 24. g3 Nb6 25. Bb5 Rfd8 (25... Bd5 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27. Rd2 $1
Bf6 28. e4 Bb7 29. Ke3 $14) 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27. e4 h4 {Levon said after the game
that this move is wrong, but on the other hand I don't see full equality for
Black anyway. Levon sagte nach der Partie, dass dieser Zug falsch sei, aber
andererseits sehe ich auch sonst keinen vollen Ausgleich für Schwarz.} (27...
Bf6 28. Ke3 e5 29. Ne2 Rc2 30. Bc1 (30. Rd2 $2 Bxe4 $1) 30... Bc8 31. Rd6 Na8
32. Kd3 Rc7 33. Bb2 $16) (27... g5 28. Ke3 Bg7 29. Rc1 $14) (27... Rd8 28. Ke3
$14) 28. gxh4 Bf6 29. Ke3 $1 ({Rybka prefers the greedy Rybka bevorzugt das
gierige} 29. Kg3 Rd8 30. Be2 Nc8 {but I don't see how to regroup my pieces
here. , aber ich sehe nicht, wie ich hier meine Figuren umgruppieren soll.})
29... Bxh4 30. Ne2 Bg5+ {Dieser Zug missfiel Levon ebenfalls. Aber es sieht so
aus, als wäre er ebenfalls nicht schlecht.  Levon disliked this move also. But
it looks like it is also not bad.} 31. f4 Bd8 {Now my pawn chain is not so
strong and I need to bear in mind ...f5. Nun ist meine Bauernkette nicht mehr
so stark, und ich muss mit ...f5 rechnen.} 32. Rg1 g6 33. Bd4 Na8 $2 {But this
is a real mistake. Aber das ist ein echter Fehler.} ({Black should play
Angezeigt war} 33... Kf8 $1 34. h4 $5 (34. Rg3 Ke7 35. Rh3 Nd7 $11) 34... Ke7
35. h5 gxh5 36. Rg7 {with the initiative but Black should hold I believe. mit
Initiative, aber Schwarz sollte sich meines Erachtens halten können.}) 34. f5
$1 {Now all the black pieces are too far away. Nun stehen sämtliche schwarzen
Figuren zu weit abseits.} exf5 35. exf5 Bd5 36. fxg6 Bxb3 37. Nf4 f6 (37...
fxg6 38. Nxg6 Rc7 39. Bc6 $5 Rxc6 40. Ne5+ Kf8 41. Nxc6 Bc7 42. h4 $18) (37...
Kf8 38. h4 {I don't believe that Black can survive here. Ich glaube nicht,
dass Schwarz hier überleben kann.}) 38. Bd7 Rc2 {After this my task is very
simple. Danach ist meine Aufgabe sehr einfach.} (38... Rc7 39. Bf5 Nb6 40. h4
Nd5+ 41. Nxd5 Bxd5 42. h5 $16 {White should win also. sollte Weiß ebenfalls
gewinnen.}) 39. Bf5 $1 Rxh2 40. Rc1 Bc7 (40... Nb6 41. Be6+ (41. Kf3 Kg7 42.
Kg3 Rh8 43. Kg4 Rh2 44. Rc6 Nxa4 45. Nh5+ $18) 41... Bxe6 42. Nxe6 Rg2 43. Rc6
Nxa4 44. Nf4 $1 Rg1 45. Ke2 $18) 41. Bxf6 $1 {I was lucky to reach the time
control just at this moment! Ich hatte Glück, just in diesem Moment die
Zeitkontrolle zu erreichen!} ({As after Denn nach} 41. Be6+ $2 Bxe6 42. Nxe6 b3
$1 {it's amazing but I don't see how to win: sehe ich verblüffender Weise
keinen Gewinn:} 43. Nxc7 b2 44. Bxb2 Nxc7 45. Rxc7 Rxb2 $11) 41... Bb6+ 42. Kf3
Nc7 43. Kg3 1-0

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.17"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. Bg2 c5 7. d5 exd5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. O-O Be7 10. Rd1 Nc6 11. Qa4 Nf6 12. Nh4 g6 13. Bh6 Bf8 14. Bxf8 Kxf8
15. Nc3 Kg7 16. Qf4 Re8 17. Nb5 d5 18. Nd6 Re5 19. Nxb7 Qe7 20. Nxc5 bxc5 21.
Qa4 Re6 22. e3 Rb8 23. Qa3 d4 24. Bxc6 Rxc6 25. exd4 Qe2 26. Rab1 cxd4 27. Qxa7
Rxb2 28. Qxd4 Rxb1 29. Rxb1 Qxa2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.18"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2721"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 8. Bd3
dxc4 9. Bxc4 g6 10. O-O Bg7 11. e4 e5 12. d5 Nb6 13. Bb3 O-O 14. Rc1 Rd8 15.
Qe2 Bg4 16. dxc6 bxc6 17. Nd1 a5 18. Ne3 h5 19. h3 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 Qxf3 21. gxf3
a4 22. Bd1 Rd2 23. Rxc6 Rxb2 24. Bc2 Nd7 25. Bd3 Rxa2 26. Bc4 Rb2 27. Rc7 Nf8
28. Rxf7 Kh8 29. Bd5 Ra6 30. Ra1 Nh7 31. Bc4 Ra8 32. Bd5 Ra6 33. Bc4 Ra8 34.
Bd5 Ra6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.20"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A17"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 e6 4. Nf3 b6 5. e4 Bb7 6. Qe2 Nc6 7. Bg2 d6 8. O-O
Be7 9. Rd1 a6 10. d4 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. Rxd4 Qc7 13. b3 {Due to the
exchange of knights the defensive system for Black is easier. On the other
hand the chances for counterplay have been reduced.} (13. Be3 O-O 14. Rc1 Rac8
15. b3 Qb8 16. Rc2 Rfe8 17. Rd1 Nd7 18. Bc1 Bc6 19. Bb2 b5 20. cxb5 axb5 21.
Rdc1 $11 {1-0 Donchev,D (2455)-Jansa,V (2445)/Bratislava 1983 (81)}) 13... O-O
{The immediate counterplay is suffering from the basic flaw of imperfect
timing. It is much easier to organise the counterplay, when the black king has
already been brought into safety.} (13... b5 14. Bb2 e5 15. Rdd1 bxc4 (15... b4
16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. cxd5 O-O 18. Rdc1 Qb7 19. Bh3 Ne8 20. Rc6 {1-0 Savon,V (2427)
-Andreev,E (2365)/Kharkov 1999 (37)}) 16. Rac1 O-O 17. Na4 Rac8 18. Rxc4 Qb8
19. Nb6 Rcd8 20. Nd5 Nxd5 21. exd5 f5 $11 {0-1 Rivas Pastor,M (2500)-Short,N 
(2500)/Plovdiv 1984 (46)}) 14. Ba3 (14. Bb2 Rfd8 15. h3 Rac8 16. Kh2 Bc6 17.
Re1 Bf8 18. f4 Nd7 19. Red1 Nc5 20. R1d2 Re8 21. Rd1 {1/2-1/2 Lukov,V (2395)
-Velikov,P (2460)/Sofia 1981}) 14... Rfd8 {The blow ...b6-b5 is hanging in the
air, but the choice of the most suitable moment is exceptionally hard for the
defender.} (14... b5 15. Qd2 bxc4 $2 (15... e5 16. Bxd6 Bxd6 17. Rxd6 bxc4 18.
bxc4 (18. b4 Rfd8 19. Rd1 Qxd6 20. Qxd6 Rxd6 21. Rxd6 Kf8 $11) 18... Qxc4 $14)
16. Rxc4 Qa5 17. Bb4 Qd8 18. e5 Nd5 19. Bxd5 exd5 20. Nxd5 Bg5 21. f4 dxe5 22.
Bxf8 exf4 23. Be7 Bxe7 24. Nxe7+ Qxe7 25. Re1 {1-0 Tal,M (2600)-Foisor,O (2440)
/Tbilisi 1986 (27)}) 15. Rad1 b5 16. Bb4 bxc4 $2 {Exchange of the pawns on c4
in the situation, when White can recapture with the help of the rook is always
problematic.} (16... e5 17. R4d2 bxc4 18. Qxc4 Qxc4 19. bxc4 Rac8 20. Bxd6 Rxd6
21. Rxd6 Bxd6 22. Rxd6 Kf8 23. Bf1 Nxe4 24. Nxe4 Bxe4 25. Rxa6 $14) 17. Rxc4
Qb6 (17... Qb8 18. e5 Ne8 19. Ne4 Bd5 20. Ba5 Bxc4 21. bxc4 dxe5 22. Bxd8 Bxd8
23. Nd6 Nxd6 24. Bxa8 $16) 18. e5 Ne8 (18... Nd5 19. Bxd5 exd5 20. Nxd5 Bxd5
21. Rxd5 $16) 19. Be4 $2 {Move number 19 would most likely be gladly
eradicated by both players. Both display a case of chess blindness, such as
ocasionally afflicts even the most gifted grandmasters.} (19. exd6 Bxd6 20.
Rxd6 $1 Nxd6 (20... Rxd6 21. Bc5 Qd8 22. Bxb7 $18) 21. Bc5 Qc7 22. Bxd6 Qxd6
23. Bxb7 $18) 19... Bf8 $2 (19... Rac8 20. Rxc8 Bxc8 $14) 20. exd6 Bxe4 21.
Qxe4 {Aronian is a very pleasant man and his nature probably prevents him from
being blatantl forceful in excellent positions. The chosen move once again
throws a huge part of the advantage to the wind.} (21. Bc5 $1 Qb8 22. Nxe4 Bxd6
(22... Nxd6 23. Rcd4 Nb7 24. Rxd8 Nxd8 25. Bxf8 Kxf8 26. Nc5 $16) 23. Nxd6 Nxd6
24. Rcd4 Nb7 25. Rxd8+ Nxd8 26. Qf3 $16) (21. Nxe4 Bxd6 22. Nxd6 Nxd6 23. Bc5
Qb8 24. Rcd4 Nb7 25. Rxd8+ Nxd8 26. Qf3 $16) 21... Bxd6 22. Na4 Qa7 (22... Qb8
23. Rcd4 Bc7 24. Rxd8 Bxd8 25. Qf3 $16) 23. Rcd4 Be7 $6 (23... Nf6 $1 24. Qf3
Nd5 25. Bxd6 Rxd6 26. Nc3 Nxc3 27. Rxd6 Nxd1 28. Qxd1 Qe7 29. Qf3 Qe8 $14) 24.
Bc5 $6 (24. Rxd8 Bxd8 (24... Rxd8 25. Rxd8 Bxd8 26. Qc6 Nf6 27. Qd6 $18) 25.
Qc6 Nf6 26. Bd6 $16) 24... Rxd4 $6 {In the era of computers it is not such a
big problem to discover second rate decisions of great players, especially in
tactical play. It may seem, as if both players occasionally make their choices
based on feelings, rather than on exact logic of chess variations.} (24... Qc7
25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Rxd8 Bxd8 27. Qa8 Qd7 28. Bb6 Be7 29. Nb2 Qb5 30. Nc4 $14)
25. Bxd4 Qb8 26. Be5 Nf6 (26... Bd6 $2 27. Bxd6 Nxd6 28. Rxd6 $18) 27. Bxf6
Bxf6 (27... gxf6 28. Nb6 Ra7 29. Qd4 Qc7 30. Nc8 $16) 28. Nb6 Ra7 29. Nd7 Qc7 (
29... Qd8 30. Nxf6+ Qxf6 31. Qb4 Ra8 32. Qb7 Rf8 33. Qxa6 $16) 30. Nxf6+ gxf6 {
The vagaries of the pure middlegame are over. Black has managed to avert
catastrophe, but his position remains rather vulnerable.} 31. Qg4+ Kh8 (31...
Kf8 32. Qh4 Kg7 33. Rd4 $16) 32. Rd4 Qe7 33. Qd1 f5 $6 (33... Ra8 34. Qf3 Ra7
35. Qd3 $16) 34. Rd8+ Kg7 35. Qd4+ e5 {The weakening of Black's pawn structure
is a great triumph of the attacking forces.} (35... f6 36. Re8 $1 Qd7 37. Qxd7+
Rxd7 38. Rxe6 $16) 36. Qd5 Rc7 (36... h6 37. b4 Rb7 38. a3 $16) 37. Qa8 f4 (
37... Qf6 38. Rg8+ Kh6 39. h4 $1 Qd6 40. Rg5 f6 41. Qg8 Qe7 42. Rxf5 $18) 38.
Kg2 $2 {In time trouble players will exchange a pair of very weak moves. The
opponents are somehow keeping in close contact with the help of blocks of
strong and weak moves, engaging in some hidden code of showing mutual respect.
(RR: Only Jakovenko was in time trouble)} (38. Rg8+ $1 Kf6 (38... Kh6 39. Qf3
f5 40. gxf4 $18) 39. Qxa6+ Qe6 40. Qxe6+ fxe6 41. Rb8 $18) 38... a5 $2 (38...
Qf6 $1 39. Rg8+ Kh6 40. f3 Qd6 41. g4 f5 42. gxf5 Rc2+ 43. Kh3 Qf6 $11) 39.
Rg8+ Kf6 (39... Kh6 40. Qf3 f5 41. gxf4 $18) 40. Qxa5 fxg3 (40... Rc2 41. gxf4
Qb7+ 42. Kg3 exf4+ 43. Kh4 $18) 41. Qb6+ Kf5 42. hxg3 {The position has
stabilised again, but the black king has found itself in a wrong spot in the
position, where there is still fighting going on between the major pieces.} Qc5
(42... Rc3 43. Qh6 Qb7+ 44. Kh2 Qf3 45. Rg5+ Ke4 46. Qxh7+ Kd4 47. Rf5 $18) 43.
g4+ Ke4 (43... Kf4 44. Qf6+ Ke4 45. Rd8 $18) 44. Qf6 Kd3 45. Rd8+ Kc2 {The
chances for survival in the heart of enemy camp are nearly always rather
negligible.} (45... Kc3 46. Qf3+ Kb4 47. Rd5 Qc3 48. Qxc3+ Kxc3 49. Rxe5 $18)
46. Qf3 Qc6 47. Rd5 f6 (47... Kb1 48. b4 Kxa2 49. b5 $18) 48. b4 Qc4 49. Qd1+
Kb2 50. Rd3 Kxa2 51. Qe2+ (51. Qe2+ Qc2 52. Rd2 $19) 1-0

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.21"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Akopian, Vladimir Eduardovic"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2712"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Be2 Bb7 11. Rd1 Qc7 12. e4 e5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nd4 Ned7
15. g3 Rfe8 {Black has a clear task ahead of him: complete his development.
Any other activities would turn out to be premature.} (15... b4 16. Na4 Rfe8
17. Nf5 Bf8 18. Bf4 Qa5 19. f3 Nb6 20. Nxb6 axb6 21. Nd6 Bxd6 22. Rxd6 $16 {
1-0 Adorjan,A (2505)-Piket,J (2495)/Novi Sad 1990 (61)}) 16. a3 {The
acceptance of the pawn sacrifice is quite risky; analysis suggests that
holding back is better.} (16. Bxb5 $6 cxb5 17. Ndxb5 Bxe4 18. Nxc7 Bxc2 19.
Rxd6 Re1+ 20. Kg2 Rc8 21. Rd2 Bg6 22. N7b5 Ne5 $1 (22... a6 23. Nd4 Nc5 24. Re2
$14 {1-0 Bu Xiangzhi (2569)-Zvjaginsev,V (2671)/Moscow 2003 (51)}) 23. Nxa7 Re8
24. b4 Bh5 25. g4 (25. Bb2 Bf3+ 26. Kh3 g5 27. Rxe1 g4+ 28. Kh4 h6 $19) 25...
Bxg4 26. Bb2 Bf3+ 27. Kh3 Rxa1 28. Bxa1 g5 $17) 16... a6 17. Nf5 Be5 18. Bf3 {
Gaining an advantage against the perfectly coordinated black pieces is rather
problematic.} (18. Be3 c5 (18... Bxc3 19. Qxc3 Rxe4 20. Rd2 c5 (20... Re5 21.
Bf4 Ne4 22. Bxe5 Nxe5 23. Rd7 $1 Qxd7 24. Qxe5 Nf6 25. Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 26. Qg5+
Kf8 27. Qxf6 $16) 21. Rad1 Rd8 22. f3 (22. Bg5 $14) 22... Ree8 23. Bf4 Qc6 24.
Qa5 Ra8 25. Rd6 $14) 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. exd5 c4 $11) 18... g6 19. Nh6+ Kg7 20.
Bg5 (20. Ng4 Nxg4 21. Bxg4 Nf6 22. Bf3 c5 23. Be3 $11) 20... c5 21. Ng4 {
The retreat of the knight from the edge of the board is certainly desirable,
but White is inadvertently exposing himself to serious risk. The most sensible
choice would seem to be the modest retreat of the bishop in order to benefit
from the mobility of the kingside pawns.} (21. Nd5 Nxd5 22. exd5 f6 23. Be3 Bd6
$11) (21. Bg2 $5 c4 22. f4 Qb6+ 23. Kf1 (23. Kh1 Bxc3 24. Qxc3 Nc5 25. Bxf6+ (
25. Ng4 $2 Ncxe4 $19) 25... Qxf6 26. Qxf6+ Kxf6 27. e5+ Kg7 28. Bxb7 Nxb7 29.
Ng4 Nc5 $15) 23... Bb8 $1 24. Qf2 (24. e5 $2 Ba7 $19) 24... Qxf2+ 25. Kxf2 Nc5
(25... Ba7+ 26. Kf1 Nc5 27. e5 $14) 26. Bxf6+ Kxf6 27. e5+ Kg7 28. Bxb7 Nxb7
29. Ng4 Nc5 $11) 21... Nxg4 (21... c4 22. Nxe5 (22. a4 b4 23. Nd5 Bxd5 24. exd5
Nxg4 25. Bxg4 b3 $17) 22... Nxe5 23. Be2 Neg4 24. Qd2 Qe5 $11) 22. Bxg4 f5 $5 {
[%mdl 128] It is nearly impossible to award a correct value sign to this move.
Aronian is not afraid of the risk and begins a fascinating concept.
Objectively the strongest move might have been the move of the knight to f6.} (
22... Bd4 23. Nxb5 $1 (23. Nd5 Qe5 (23... Qd6 24. Bxd7 Qxd7 25. Bf6+ $1 $16) (
23... Bxd5 24. Rxd4 Be6 25. Bxe6 Rxe6 26. Rd5 $14) 24. Bxd7 Qxg5 25. Bxe8 Rxe8
26. Rxd4 (26. a4 Bxd5 27. exd5 Qxd5 $44) 26... cxd4 27. f4 Qh5 28. Qd3 Bxd5 29.
Qxd4+ Kg8 30. Qxd5 Qe2 $11) 23... axb5 24. Rxd4 Ne5 25. Be2 Nc4 26. Rxc4 $1
bxc4 27. f3 $14) (22... Nf6 23. Bxf6+ Bxf6 24. Rd7 Qb6 $11) 23. exf5 (23. Bf3
Bxc3 (23... h6 24. Bxh6+ Kxh6 25. Qd2+ g5 26. h4 Rad8 27. Qxg5+ Kh7 28. Qxf5+
Kh8 29. Qh5+ Kg8 $11) 24. Qxc3+ Ne5 25. Bg2 fxe4 26. Rac1 c4 27. Bf4 Kg8 28. b3
$11) 23... Bd4 $1 (23... Qc6 $2 24. Rxd7+ $1 Qxd7 25. f6+ $18) 24. f6+ $5 {
It was extremely difficult for White to resist such an attractive check. If he
could have judged all the risks involved Akopian would probably have chosen a
slightly more peaceful, but also sufficiently impressive solution in the form
of a knight move to the centre.} (24. Nxb5 $2 Qc6 $19) (24. Nd5 $1 Qc6 (24...
Qd6 25. Rxd4 $1 cxd4 26. Nc7 Rec8 27. Bf4 Qd5 (27... Ne5 28. Qe2 $1 Re8 29.
Ne6+ $18) 28. f3 (28. Nxd5 Rxc2 29. Nc7 h5 (29... Rg8 $2 30. fxg6 Nf6 31. Ne6+
Kxg6 32. Bf5+ Kxf5 33. Nxd4+ Ke4 34. Nxc2 $16) 30. Bh3 g5 31. Ne6+ Kg8 32. Nxd4
Rc4 33. Be3 Ne5 $11) 28... Nf6 29. Rc1 Nxg4 30. Nxd5 Rxc2 31. Rxc2 Bxd5 32.
Rc7+ Kf6 33. fxg4 Bf3 34. fxg6 Kxg6 $14) 25. Rxd4 cxd4 26. Qxc6 Bxc6 27. Nc7
Ne5 28. Nxe8+ Rxe8 29. Rc1 d3 30. Kf1 Nxg4 31. Rxc6 Re2 32. f6+ Kf7 33. Rc7+
Kf8 34. h3 Rxf2+ 35. Kg1 Rf5 $11) 24... Kh8 (24... Nxf6 $2 25. Bxf6+ Kxf6 (
25... Bxf6 26. Rd7+ $18) 26. Rxd4 $1 cxd4 27. Nd5+ Bxd5 28. Qxc7 $18) 25. Rxd4
$2 {In the most critical moment White has become afraid, that he may not get
away from the opponent's mating attack. The only correct solution was to be
consistent and continue with the attractive idea of counterplay with 25.f7!
till the end.} (25. f7 $1 Qc6 (25... Rf8 $2 26. Ne4 Qe5 27. Rxd4 Qxd4 (27...
cxd4 28. Bxd7 Rxf7 (28... Bxe4 29. Qxe4 Qxe4 30. Bf6#) 29. Bc6 Qc7 (29... Rc8
30. Qb3 $18) 30. Rc1 $18) 28. Rd1 Bxe4 29. Qe2 Qc4 30. Rxd7 h5 31. Qe3 hxg4 32.
Bf6+ Kh7 33. Qg5 $18) 26. fxe8=Q+ Rxe8 27. Ne4 Rxe4 28. Bf3 Re1+ 29. Rxe1 Qxf3
30. Re8+ Kg7 31. Kf1 Qg2+ 32. Ke1 Bf3 (32... Qh1+ 33. Kd2 Qxa1 (33... Qd5 34.
f4 Bxb2+ 35. Qd3 Qxd3+ 36. Kxd3 Bxa1 37. Re7+ Kg8 38. Rxd7 $16) 34. Re7+ Kg8
35. Rxd7 $16) 33. Rd1 $1 Qh1+ 34. Kd2 Bxd1 35. Qxd1 Qd5 36. h4 Ne5 37. Re7+ Kf8
38. Kc2 Qe4+ 39. Kb3 Qd5+ $11) 25... cxd4 26. f7 Qc6 $1 {The key moment for
Black has arrived. Aronian will very logically exploit the central attacking
idea of the attack along the a8-h1 diagonal.} (26... Re5 27. Bxd7 (27. Bf4 $2
Nf6 28. Bxe5 Qxe5 $19) 27... Rxg5 28. Qd2 $1 Qxd7 29. Qxg5 Qxf7 30. Ne4 Bxe4
31. Qe5+ Kg8 32. Qxe4 $11) 27. fxe8=Q+ Rxe8 28. f3 h5 $1 29. Qf2 {White is now
forced to drink the bitter lees of the glass he poured for himself with his
halfhearted play. All the defensive ideas endi in unhappy positions; the
choice of move must have been very difficult.} (29. Bxd7 Qxf3 30. Bf6+ Kh7 31.
Bxe8 Qh1+ 32. Kf2 Qxh2+ 33. Ke1 Qxc2 34. Bxd4 Qd3 35. Bf2 Bg2 36. Ne2 Qe4 $19)
(29. Bh3 Ne5 $1 30. Bg2 Nxf3+ 31. Kh1 Ne1 $1 32. Bxc6 Bxc6+ 33. Qe4 Bxe4+ 34.
Nxe4 Rxe4 35. Bf6+ Kg8 36. Rd1 Re2 $1 37. Bxd4 Nf3 38. Bg1 Rxb2 $17) (29. Qd2
hxg4 30. Ne4 Kg8 31. Rc1 Qe6 (31... Qd5 32. Bf6 gxf3 33. Qh6 Kf7 34. Qg7+ $11)
32. Bf4 Bxe4 33. fxe4 Qxe4 34. Rd1 Qd5 35. Qd3 Re6 $17) 29... hxg4 30. Qxd4+ {
Somewhat more of a choice was preserved by the move of the knight to e4, but
the game could not have been saved.} (30. Ne4 Kg8 $1 31. Rc1 Qd5 $1 32. Rd1 (
32. Rc5 Qe6 33. Rc7 gxf3 34. Rxb7 Qxe4 35. Rxd7 Qb1+ 36. Qf1 f2+ 37. Kxf2 Qf5+
38. Bf4 Qxd7 $19) 32... Rxe4 33. fxe4 Qxe4 34. Kf1 Qh1+ 35. Qg1 Qf3+ 36. Ke1
Qe4+ 37. Kf1 (37. Kd2 Nc5 $19) (37. Kf2 Nc5 38. Qf1 d3 $19) 37... Ne5 38. Rxd4
Qb1+ 39. Kf2 Qxg1+ 40. Kxg1 Nf3+ $19) 30... Kg8 31. Ne4 (31. Rd1 Qxf3 32. Nd5
Re2 33. Ne7+ Kh7 $19) 31... gxf3 $2 {Black's disappointment after the game
must have been enormous. His only weak move has thrown away a very attractive
game with fascinating content. It is impossible to guess, what was disturbing
him after the obvious crowning of the concept with 31...Ne5!} (31... Ne5 $1 32.
Nf6+ (32. Kf2 Nxf3 33. Rc1 Qxe4 34. Qxe4 Bxe4 $19) (32. Rf1 Nxf3+ 33. Rxf3 Rxe4
34. Rf8+ Kxf8 35. Qh8+ Kf7 36. Qh7+ Ke8 37. Qg8+ Kd7 38. Qd8+ Ke6 39. Qf6+ Kd5
$19) 32... Kf7 33. Qc3 Nxf3+ 34. Kf2 Qb6+ 35. Be3 Qxf6 $19) 32. Nf2 Nc5 (32...
Re2 33. Rd1 Qb6 34. Qxb6 Nxb6 35. h4 $11) 33. Bh6 Re7 34. Rf1 (34. Qd8+ Qe8 35.
Qxe8+ Rxe8 36. b4 Nd7 37. Ng4 $11) 34... Ne4 {The lion's share of the
advantage is gone and a frustrated Aronian is ready to settle for a draw.} 35.
Nxe4 Qxe4 36. Qxe4 Bxe4 37. Re1 Kf7 38. Bg5 Re6 39. Kf2 Ba8 40. Rxe6 Kxe6
1/2-1/2

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.22"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4
Nxd4 9. Nxd4 ({For the more spectacular} 9. Bxf7+ {see Kamsky,G (2717)-Leko,P 
(2756)/Jermuk 2009/CBM 132/[Marin] (1/2, 28)}) 9... exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. c3 dxc3
12. Nxc3 {In a way, this may be frustrating for a Marshall player. Instead of
obtaining an advance in development in exchange of the sacrificed pawn, Black
finds himself in the reversed situation! This probably explains why this line
has become increasingly popular lately.} d6 13. Qf3 {White develops with gain
of time, but leaves the d5-square free for the knight.} ({The alternative is} 
13. Bd5 $5 {Dominguez Perez,L (2717)-Aronian,L (2750)/Wijk aan Zee 2009/CBM
129/[Marin] (1-0, 36)}) 13... Be6 14. Nd5 {White intends to eliminate one of
the enemy bishops, which, given the open character of the position and Black's
poor coordination, is likely to offer him long term compensation.} (14. Bf4 {
Jakovenko,D (2708)-Karjakin,S (2686)/Foros 2007/CBM 119/[Marin] (1/2, 29)})
14... Rc8 ({Optically, it looks dangerous to give up the light squared bishop
with} 14... Bxd5 {, but in the latest game at high level, White failed to find
ways to develop his initiative.} 15. Bxd5 Rb8 (15... Rc8 $6 {only gives White
time to develop his initiative with} 16. Bb7 {[%cal Gb7a6]}) 16. Be3 {This
developing move threatens to win the exchange with Ba7, in a similar way as
this happened in the 8th game of the Fischer - Spassky match, back in 1972.} (
16. Bf4) (16. Rd1 c5 17. a4 Qc7 18. axb5 axb5 19. Bd2 dxe5 20. Ba5 Qc8 21. Bc3)
16... c5 (16... dxe5 $6 17. Ba7 $14 {does not seem to offer Black sufficient
compensation for the exchange, because his pawns are not too dangerous.}) 17.
Rad1 (17. Red1 {Espejo Hava,F-Hofmann,A/ICCF-Cup8/9 V050 corr 1990/Corr 2000 
(1-0, 21)} Qc7) 17... Qc7 18. e6 fxe6 19. Bxe6+ Kh8 20. Qh3 g6 {White has a
very active position, and some domination on the light squares, but Black
threatens to occupy the d4-square after ...Ng7-f5 and ...Bf6.} 21. b4 c4 22.
Bd5 Bf6 23. Be4 Qf7 24. Bd5 Qc7 25. Be4 Qf7 26. Bd5 {1/2 Timofeev,A (2657)
-Sutovsky,E (2607)/Montreal 2006/CBM 114}) (14... Rb8 15. Bf4 (15. Nxe7+ Qxe7
16. Bf4 {transposes to a similar position as in the main game, but with the
black queen's rook more passively placed, since it does not defend the
backward c7-pawn.}) 15... Bxd5 16. Bxd5 dxe5 17. Bxe5 Bf6 18. Rad1 Bxe5 (18...
Nd6 19. Bc6 $44) 19. Rxe5 (19. Bxf7+ Rxf7 20. Rxd8 Rxd8 21. Qc6 Nf6 $17 {
Popovic,D (2557)-Jenni,F (2638)/playchess.com INT 2007/EXT 2008 (1-0, 75)})
19... Qf6 {White has some compensation in view of the weakened Black queenside,
but not more than that.}) 15. Bf4 dxe5 ({Preserving the bishop from exchange
with} 15... Bg5 $6 {loses time and allows White get a perfect development and
excellent attacking chances with} 16. Rad1 $1 Kh8 (16... Bxf4 $2 17. Nxf4 Bxb3
18. Qxb3 Kh8 19. e6 $1) 17. Bc2 ({The spectacular} 17. Bg3 c6 18. exd6 {
eventually led to complete simplifications and a draw:} Bxd5 19. Bxd5 cxd5 20.
Qxd5 Rc2 21. d7 Nc7 22. Bxc7 Rxc7 23. Qd6 Ra7 24. Qxf8+ Qxf8 25. Re8 Ra8 {
1/2 Tseshkovsky,V (2510)-Malaniuk,V (2575)/Minsk 1987/URS-ch}) 17... f5 18. Qh5
h6 19. Bxg5 Qxg5 20. Qxg5 hxg5 21. Ne7 $18 {Gurevich,I (2510)-Nunn,J (2595)/
Hastings 1992/CBM 033 (1-0, 30)}) 16. Nxe7+ (16. Bxe5 Bd6 17. Rad1 Bxe5 18.
Rxe5 Bxd5 19. Rexd5 Nd6 20. Qf4 $44 {Henrichs,T (2483)-Gustafsson,J (2584)/Bad
Koenigshofen 2007/CBM 116 ext (1/2, 33)}) 16... Qxe7 17. Bxe5 Nd6 18. Qc3 $5
$146 {With this new move, White puts both enemy wings under pressure.} (18.
Bxe6 fxe6 19. Qc6 Qe8 20. Rac1 Nc4 21. Qe4 Qf7 {1/2 Adams,M (2726)-Aronian,L 
(2739)/Wijk aan Zee 2008/CBM 122}) 18... Qg5 (18... Bxb3 $2 19. Bxg7 Be6 20.
Bf6 $18) (18... Nf5 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Qc6 $14) 19. Bxe6 fxe6 {White has an
active bishop and the more compact structure. Black faces some problems
defending his numerous weaknesses. The only question is whether White's
compensation is enough to offer him anything else than the more pleasant side
of a draw.} 20. b3 {As will be seen, this move is intended to restrict the
enemy knight only, but not to prepare a retreat for the bishop to b2.} Qg6 21.
Qc6 {White's queen and bishops have occupied excellent squares. Black has to
start fighting against them before White's domination becomes too strong.} Nf7
({The alternative way to start carrying out the aforementioned plan is} 21...
Qe8 $6 {, but this would allow White to retrieve the pawn and keep all the
positive aspects of his position.} 22. Rac1 $1 (22. Qxa6 $2 Ra8) 22... Qxc6 23.
Rxc6 $16) 22. Bg3 {The more ambitious retreat. White does not wish to give up
his active bishop.} (22. Qxa6 $14) ({The bishop would be less stable after} 22.
Bb2 {, failing to protect the own kingside at the same time.}) 22... e5 {
Finally, Black has managed to establish some connection between his opposite
wings. He is ready to return the pawn in order to provoke some simplifications.
} 23. Rac1 Qf6 {This is the best way to maintain the tension.} (23... Rfd8 {
would leave the black structure weak after} 24. Qxg6 hxg6 25. Rc6 Rd6 26. Rec1
Rcd8 27. Kf1 $14) 24. h3 $6 {This looks too slow. There was no immediate need
to insure the king against back rank problems.} (24. Qxf6 gxf6 {consolidates
Black's e5-pawn and leaves the g3-bishop somewhat out of play.} 25. Rc6 Nd6
$132) (24. a4 $1 {seems to recover the pawn under favourable circumstances:}
bxa4 25. Qxa4 Rfd8 26. Rc6 Rd6 27. Rxc7 $1 $14 {The crucial move, which is not
easy to foresee, though.} Rxc7 $2 28. Qe8#) 24... Rfd8 25. Rc2 h5 {Black has
activated his position and has little to fear.} 26. Qxf6 gxf6 27. Rc6 Kg7 {
It seems that it is White who has to look for ways to reach a draw already.
Black has a harmonious position and the g3-bishop ceased to be a dangerous
piece.} 28. f4 (28. Rxa6 Rd3 {[%cal Gf7d6]}) 28... Rd3 29. Kh2 Rd6 30. Rc5 Re6
31. a4 bxa4 32. bxa4 Kg6 33. fxe5 Nxe5 34. Bxe5 fxe5 35. Kg3 Kf6 36. Kf3 c6 37.
Rec1 Rd6 38. R1c4 Kf5 39. g4+ hxg4+ 40. hxg4+ Kf6 41. Ke4 Rg8 42. Ke3 Ke6 43.
Rxc6 Rxc6 44. Rxc6+ Kd5 45. Rxa6 Rxg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.23"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nf3 e6 6. b3 Bb4 7. Bd2 O-O 8. Bd3 Bd6
9. e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 Nd7 12. c5 Bc7 13. Qc2 Nf6 14. Bd3 b6 15. Rd1
h6 16. O-O a5 17. cxb6 Bxb6 18. Qc1 Nd5 19. Rfe1 Ra7 20. Ne5 Rc7 21. Qb2 Nb4
22. Bc3 Nxd3 23. Rxd3 f6 24. Nc4 Rcf7 25. Qd2 Ra7 26. Bb2 Bc7 27. Ba3 Rf7 28.
Bc5 Ra8 29. a4 Qd5 30. Qc3 Qd8 31. Qc2 Rb8 32. Rc3 Qd5 33. Ne3 Qh5 34. h3 Qg5
35. Bd6 Bxd6 36. Rxc6 Rf8 37. Rxd6 Qf4 38. Nc4 Rb4 39. Rc6 Bb7 40. Rcxe6 Qxd4
41. Re7 f5 42. Rd1 Qf6 43. Rdd7 Bd5 44. Rxg7+ Qxg7 45. Rxg7+ Kxg7 46. Nxa5 Re4
47. f3 Re1+ 48. Kf2 Re7 49. Nc4 f4 50. Ne5 Re6 51. b4 h5 52. Qc5 Ba2 53. Nd3
Ref6 54. Qg5+ Kh7 55. Qxh5+ Kg7 56. Qe5 Kh7 57. b5 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 2nd"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2009.09.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2009.09.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Ne5 Bb7 10. h4 g4 11. Be2 Nbd7 12. Bxg4 {This rare continuation was
examined in CBM 119, annotations to Gelfand - Kasimdzhanov.} Rg8 13. Nxd7 (13.
Bf3 $2 Rxg3 $1 14. fxg3 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Nd7 $17 {e.g.} 16. O-O Nxe5 17. Bh5 Bc5+
18. Kh1 Qxd1 19. Raxd1 Ke7 20. Bxf7 Nxf7 21. Rxf7+ Kxf7 22. Rd7+ Kf6 23. Rxb7
Ke5 24. Rc7 Kd6 25. Rh7 Bd4 26. Rxh6 Rf8 {0-1 Borovikov,V (2472)-Shalimov,V 
(2400)/Alushta 2000/EXT 2001 (36)}) 13... Qxd7 14. Bf3 O-O-O (14... Bb4 $5 15.
O-O O-O-O 16. e5 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Nd5 18. Qd2 Ne7 19. Qxh6 c5 20. d5 $6 (20. Qf4
$142) 20... Bxd5 21. Bxd5 Nxd5 22. Qc1 Qc6 23. Kh2 Rg7 24. Re1 Rdg8 25. Qc2 Kb7
26. a4 $6 b4 $17 {0-1 Fridman,D (2635)-Stripunsky,A (2569)/Philadelphia 2007/
CBM 119 ext (32)}) 15. Qd2 $1 {A strong new idea.} ({A new example of} 15. a4 {
showing that it also deserves attention:} a6 16. Be5 Ne8 17. axb5 cxb5 18. d5
Qe7 19. Qe2 Bg7 20. Bg3 Bd4 21. O-O-O Bxc3 ({Black didn't like} 21... Qc5 {
- perhaps because of} 22. Qd2 $5 (22. dxe6 fxe6 23. Bg4 Nc7 24. Nd5 Bxd5 25.
exd5 Bxb2+ $1 26. Kxb2 Qb4+ 27. Kc2 Qa4+ $1 28. Kc1 Qa1+ 29. Kc2 Qa2+ $11 30.
Kc1 Qa1+ {1/2-1/2 Ivanov,S-Shalimov,V/Saint Petersburg 80/448 2000/Inf 80/
[Ivanov,Se]})) 22. bxc3 Qa3+ 23. Qb2 Qxb2+ 24. Kxb2 exd5 25. exd5 Nf6 26. Rhe1
Bxd5 27. Re7 Bxf3 28. Rc7+ Kb8 29. Rxd8+ Rxd8 30. Rxf7+ Kc8 31. Rc7+ Kb8 32.
gxf3 $16 {1-0 Lehnhoff,H-Howes,T/LSS 2007/Telechess CBM 129 (36)}) (15. Bf4
$143 a6 16. a4 Bb4 17. e5 c5 $1 18. exf6 cxd4 19. axb5 Qxb5 20. Qc2 $1 Bxf3 21.
gxf3 dxc3 22. bxc3 Qf5 $1 23. Qxf5 Bxc3+ 24. Ke2 exf5 $15 {1/2 Gelfand,B (2733)
-Kasimdzhanov,R (2677)/Elista 2007/CBM 119/[Krasenkow] (38)}) 15... Rxg3 {
[%mdl 512] Here, too, Black sacrifices the exchange. The difference from the
13.Bf3 line is that his king is far away from the kingside, where White can
create a passed pawn or attack Black's f7 pawn.} (15... Qxd4 $4 {doesn't work,
of course, due to} 16. Qxd4 Rxd4 17. Be5) 16. fxg3 e5 $146 {Hardly a
successful novelty but} (16... Qxd4 17. Qxd4 Rxd4 18. Rd1 $1 {demonstrates the
drawbacks of the position of the black king:} Rxd1+ (18... Bc5 19. g4 $5 {
[%csl Gg4,Gh4]}) 19. Kxd1 Nd7 (19... Kd8 $2 20. e5 {[%cal Rc3b5]}) 20. Bh5 $1
f6 21. Bf7 Nc5 22. Rf1 Bg7 23. Ne2 Kd7 24. Nf4 Ke7 25. Bg8 {[%cal Re4e5,Rf4g6]}
e5 26. Nh5 Bh8 27. Bh7 b4 28. g4 Ba6 29. Rh1 Bb5 30. Ng3 Kf8 31. g5 hxg5 32.
hxg5 Nd3 33. Kc2 fxg5 34. Bg6 Bg7 35. Nf5 $16 {1-0 Tacke,R (1787)-Parushev,A 
(2357)/ICCF WS 2007/ICCF CBM 130 (55)}) 17. O-O-O Qxd4 (17... exd4 $6 18. Qf4
$1 Qe6 19. e5 dxc3 20. Rxd8+ Kxd8 21. Qxf6+ Qxf6 22. exf6 cxb2+ 23. Kxb2 $16 {
S.Zagrebelny}) 18. g4 {[%csl Gg4,Gh4]} (18. Qxd4 Rxd4 $1 (18... exd4 19. e5
dxc3 20. Rxd8+ Kxd8 21. exf6 {-17...exd4}) 19. g4 $1 {deserved attention, too})
(18. Qe2 {was possible, of course, but White has no reason to avoid the
exchange of queens.}) 18... Nd7 $1 {The right course. Black sacrifices a pawn
to obtain the e5-square. Although his compensation will hardly be fully
sufficient for a pure exchange, he has no better option.} 19. Qxd4 exd4 20.
Rxd4 Bg7 (20... Bc5 $5 21. Rdd1 Rh8 {S.Zagrebelny}) 21. Rdd1 Rg8 22. g5 Ne5 23.
gxh6 Bxh6+ 24. Kb1 b4 25. Ne2 (25. Na4 Kc7 26. Nc5 $6 Bc8 {[%cal Rc7b6] S.
Zagrebelny}) 25... c5 26. Rd6 Bg7 27. Rhd1 (27. h5 Kc7 28. Rhd1 Nd3 29. R6xd3
cxd3 30. Nf4 (30. Rxd3 Be5 $44) 30... Ba6 31. Nxd3 Bxd3+ 32. Rxd3 Rd8 $5 {
as the endgame with opposite-coloured bishops should be drawn.}) 27... Kc7 (
27... Nd3 $5 28. b3 Kc7 {with a similar position to the 27.h5 line.}) 28. Nf4
Rh8 29. h5 Bc6 (29... c3 $5 $132) 30. R6d2 Bh6 $2 (30... c3 $1 {(indicated by
GM S.Zagrebelny in his online commentary) was still necessary to create
counterplay. After the text move (very natural but in fact passive!) White
successfully regroups his pieces and invades along the crucial f-file.}) 31.
Nd5+ Kb8 32. Rf2 Ba4 33. Rdf1 (33. Rh1 $142 $1) 33... Nd3 34. Re2 Ne5 35. Rh1
$1 a5 36. Rf2 $1 Bd7 (36... Nd3 37. Rff1) 37. Be2 $1 Be6 38. Nf4 Bc8 39. Rd1 $1
{The threats along the d-file deflect Black's pieces from the f-file.} Bb7 (
39... Rg8 $142 40. Rd6 $1 (40. Rd5 Ng4) 40... Bxf4 41. Rxf4 Rxg2 42. Rd5 Rxe2
43. Rxe5 Be6 44. Rxc5 $18) 40. Nd5 $1 Re8 {Black has no way to prevent the
invasion:} (40... Bg7 41. g4 {[%cal Rg4g5]}) (40... Bg5 41. Rf5) 41. Rf6 $1 Re6
(41... Bg5 42. Rb6 {[%cal Rb6b5]}) 42. Rdf1 Bg7 43. R6f5 $5 (43. Rxe6 fxe6 44.
Nf6 {was quite possible, too, but White was probably afraid of some technical
problems after} Bc6 45. g4 Bh6 {He prefers a more direct way. After the text
move his g-pawn goes forward.}) 43... Nd3 $6 {Giving up evrything, but Black
has no hope anyway:} (43... Re8 44. g4 Bc8 45. R5f4 Bh6 46. Rf6 Re6 47. R1f5
Bg7 48. Rxe6 fxe6 49. Rg5 $18 {S.Zagrebelny}) 44. Rxf7 Bd4 45. Rd7 $1 {[%cal
Rf1f8]} Re8 46. Rff7 Bc6 47. Rde7 Rd8 48. b3 Ne5 49. Rf5 cxb3 50. Rfxe5 bxa2+
51. Kxa2 Rf8 52. R5e6 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 2nd"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2009.09.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E55"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2722"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2009.09.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 c5 6. Nf3 d5 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4
Nbd7 9. Qe2 b6 10. Rd1 cxd4 11. exd4 {This line was explained by GM Levon
Aronian in annotations to his game vs. P.Leko (see CBM 130).} Bb7 {GM Sergey
Karjakin deviates first. Leko played} (11... Bxc3) 12. d5 {This old,
well-forgotten line is considered satisfactory for Black.} (12. Ne5 $5) 12...
Bxc3 {Otherwise White obtains a clear plus due to his development advantage:} (
12... exd5 13. Nxd5 Re8 (13... Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Bxd5 15. Rxd5 Qc7 16. Bg5 Qc6 17.
Rad1 Nf6 18. Ne5 Qxd5 19. Rxd5 Nxd5 20. Qe4 $16 {1/2 Dueball,J (2455)
-Schlemermeyer,W/Germany 1981/GER-chT (42)}) 14. Qc2 $1 (14. Be3 $143 Nxd5 (
14... Bd6 $5) 15. Bxd5 Bxd5 16. Rxd5 Qc7 17. Qb5 Nf6 18. Rc1 Qb7 19. Rdd1 Bf8
20. Bd4 Ne4 21. a4 Re6 22. Be3 Rd6 {1/2 Panno,O-Eliskases,E/Mar del Plata 1962/
MCD}) 14... Nxd5 15. Bxd5 Bxd5 16. Rxd5 Qe7 17. Bg5 Qe6 18. Rad1 Nf6 (18... Nf8
19. a3 Be7 20. Re5 Qg6 21. Qe2 $16) 19. Re5 Qc8 (19... Qxe5 20. Nxe5 Rxe5 $16 {
0-1 Scott,W (2100)-Ashton,A (1992)/IECG 2001/Complete 2001 (28)}) 20. Qb3 Rxe5
21. Nxe5 Qe6 22. Qxe6 fxe6 23. Nc6 Bf8 24. Rd8 Rxd8 25. Nxd8 $16 {1-0 Donner,
J-Matanovic,A/Leipzig 1960/EXT 1999 (57)}) (12... e5 13. Bg5 $5 Bxc3 14. bxc3
Rc8 15. Bb5 e4 16. Nd4 Ne5 17. Nf5 Rc5 18. Ng3 Rxd5 19. Nxe4 $16 {1-0 Howell,J
(2505)-Kumaran,D (2425)/London 1993/TD (32)}) 13. dxe6 $1 Bxf3 14. gxf3 $1 (14.
Qxf3 {allows Black to equalize by means of} Ne5 $1 15. exf7+ (15. Qe2 Qc7 16.
Bb3 Neg4 17. g3 Qe5 18. Qxe5 Bxe5 19. h3 Nh6 20. g4 fxe6 21. g5 Nf7 22. gxf6
Bxf6 23. Bxe6 Rae8 $11 {1-0 Donner,J-Van den Berg,C/Beverwijk 1965/MCD (48)})
15... Kh8 16. Rxd8 Nxf3+ 17. gxf3 Raxd8 (17... Rfxd8 $2 18. bxc3 Rd1+ 19. Kg2
Nd7 20. f4 $1 h6 21. Bb2 Rxa1 22. Bxa1 Rd8 23. Bb2 g6 24. Bd5 $1 $16 {1-0
Donner,J-Karaklajic,N/Amsterdam 1965/MCL/[Belov] (46)}) 18. bxc3 Nd5 {Or else:}
(18... Rd7 19. Ba3 Rfxf7 20. Bxf7 Rxf7 21. Rd1 Rd7 22. Rxd7 Nxd7 23. Kf1 Kg8
24. Ke2 Kf7 25. Kd3 Ke6 $11 {1/2 Portisch,L-Donner,J/Hamburg 1965/EU-chT (47)})
(18... Rd1+ 19. Kg2 Nd7 20. Bb3 (20. f4 Nc5 21. Bb2 Rd7 22. Re1 g6 23. Re5 Kg7
24. Ba3 Rc7 25. Kf3 Kf6 26. Bd5 Rfxf7 27. Bxf7 Kxf7 28. Bxc5 bxc5 29. c4 Rc6 $1
30. a4 Ra6 31. Rxc5 Rxa4 32. Rc7+ Ke6 33. Rxh7 Rxc4 34. Rxa7 Rc1 35. Ra5 Kf6
36. h3 {1/2 Janosi,E-Salzmann,S/LSS 2007/Telechess CBM 125}) 20... Re1 21. Bb2
Rxa1 22. Bxa1 Nc5 23. Bd5 Nd3 24. Bb3 Nc5 25. Bd5 Nd3 26. Bb3 Nc5 27. Bd5 {
1/2 Lyrberg,P (2415)-Kindermann,S (2535)/Gausdal 1994/EXT 1998}) 19. Bg5 Rd7
20. Re1 h6 21. Bxd5 Rxd5 22. Re8 Rxg5+ 23. Kf1 Rf5 24. Rxf8+ Kh7 25. Ke2 g5 26.
Ke3 Kg7 27. Rd8 Rxf7 28. Rd4 Rc7 29. c4 Rc5 30. f4 gxf4+ 31. Kxf4 Ra5 $11 {
1/2 Tal,M-Gipslis,A/Riga 1965/EXT 2000 (35)}) 14... fxe6 (14... Qc7 15. exd7
Be5 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Ba6 Qf4 19. Rd5 Rad8 20. Rad1 $18 {1-0
Bobotsov,M-Milev,Z/Sofia 1958/EXT 2001 (32)}) 15. bxc3 Qc7 (15... Kh8 16. Ba3
Re8 17. Bb5 $1 (17. Kh1 $143 Nd5 $1 (17... Rc8 18. Bb5 Qc7 {0-1 Ricardi,P 
(2545)-Garcia,G (2490)/Cali 2001/CBM 083 ext (54)} 19. Rac1 $14) 18. Bb2 Qh4
19. Rd4 Nf4 20. Qe3 e5 21. Rd6 (21. Rxd7 Qh3) 21... Nf6 $36 {0-1 Furman,
S-Forintos,G/Budapest 1959/EXT 2001 (34)}) 17... a6 18. Bc6 Rc8 19. Rd6 Qe7 20.
Bb4 Qf7 21. Rad1 Rc7 22. c4 h6 23. Bc3 $6 (23. Ba4 $142 Rec8 24. Bb3 $14) 23...
Rec8 24. Bxd7 Rxd7 25. Rxb6 Rxd1+ 26. Qxd1 Nh5 27. Be5 Qg6+ 28. Kh1 Rxc4 29.
Rxa6 Qf5 $132 {1/2 Sasikiran,K (2669)-Aleksandrov,A (2616)/Warsaw POL 2009/The
Week in Chess 768 (37)}) 16. Ba3 $146 {[%mdl 8] A new concept. White keeps the
e6-pawn alive, avoiding opening the e-file for the black rook.} (16. Bxe6+ {
leads to a position in which Black exploits White's ruined pawn structure by
means of active play:} Kh8 17. Be3 (17. f4 Nc5 18. f5 Nfe4 19. Rd4 Nxe6 20.
Rxe4 Nc5 $132 {0-1 Donner,J-Portisch,L/Leipzig 1960/EXT 1999 (29)}) (17. Ba3
Nc5 18. Bxc5 Qxc5 19. Qe3 Qc6 20. Rd4 Rae8 21. Re1 Re7 22. f4 Ng4 23. Qe2 Qxc3
$132 {1/2 Udot,O-Endean,A/IECG 2004/Telechess CBM 105 (49)}) 17... Nc5 (17...
Rae8 18. Qc4 Qxc4 19. Bxc4 Ne5 20. Be2 Nh5 21. a4 Nf4 22. Bb5 Rc8 23. Ba6 Rb8
24. a5 Nxf3+ 25. Kh1 Rf6 26. Rd7 bxa5 27. Rxa7 Nd5 28. Bb7 Nxe3 29. fxe3 $16 {
1-0 Altmann,E-Pitirimov,S/IECG 2004/Telechess CBM 107 (48)}) 18. Bc4 (18. Bd5
Nxd5 19. Rxd5 Ne6 20. Qd3 Nf4 21. Bxf4 Qxf4 22. Kg2 Rad8 $11 {1/2 Gligoric,
S-Unzicker,W/Leipzig 1960/EXT 1999 (25)}) (18. Bh3 Nh5 19. Bg4 Nf4 20. Qc4 Qf7
21. Qxf7 Rxf7 22. Bxf4 Rxf4 23. Rd4 Raf8 24. Rxf4 Rxf4 25. Rd1 g6 $11 {1/2
Lexa,V (2360)-Schloesser,F (2475)/ICCF 1997/CBM 114 (38)}) 18... Na4 19. Rd4
Nxc3 20. Qd3 Na4 21. Bf4 Qc8 22. Bd6 Nc5 23. Qd2 Rd8 24. Re1 Re8 25. Re5 Rxe5
26. Bxe5 Qf8 27. Bd6 Qe8 $14 {/=1/2 Deforel,J (2373)-Dias,S (2379)/email CXEB
1999/81 telechess (71)}) 16... Nc5 17. Rd4 Kh8 (17... Rae8 {was probably more
natural and enough for equality. Then the idea ...Nf6-d5 would work better.})
18. Re1 Rac8 19. Qe5 Qf7 20. Bc1 $5 Nd5 {Black consistently tries to feed
White with his e-pawn.} (20... Nfd7 {was simpler:} 21. Qf4 Qh5 ({or} 21... Qxf4
22. Rxf4 Rxf4 23. Bxf4 Rf8 24. Bd6 Rxf3 25. Bxe6 Nf6 26. Bxc5 bxc5 27. Rb1 h5 {
- the endgame should be drawn}) 22. Qg4 Qxg4+ 23. fxg4 e5 24. Rdd1 e4 {with
sufficient counterplay.}) 21. Bxd5 exd5 22. Qxd5 Qxf3 $6 {Taking into
consideration the consequences, Black should have probably evaded the exchange
of queens:} (22... Qg6+ 23. Rg4 (23. Kh1 $143 Rf5 24. Qd8+ Rf8 25. Qd6 Qh5 $132
) 23... Qf6 $14 {/=}) 23. Qxf3 Rxf3 {At first glance, White's pawn structure
should not give him any winning chances. However...} 24. Re7 $1 {There are two
pairs of rooks on the board! Therefore this invasion of the 7th rank is quite
dangerous.} Rxc3 $2 {[%mdl 16384]} (24... Kg8 $1 25. Rxa7 Rf7 {, giving up a
pawn but covering the 7th rank, was absolutely necessary and gave Black
chances to survive.}) 25. Be3 $1 $18 {[%cal Rd4g4,Re3d4] Black is even a pawn
up now but he can't protect the g7 point!} (25. Bf4 $143 Rg8 $1 26. Be5 $140
Nd3 $1) 25... Ra3 26. Rg4 h5 27. Rg5 h4 (27... Ra4 28. Rxh5+ Kg8 29. Rg5 $18) (
27... Rd8 $145 28. Rxh5+ Kg8 29. Rg5 Kh8 30. Rgxg7 (30. h3 $145 $1 Rxa2 31. Kh2
{/\ 32.Rgxg7} Rd7 32. Bxc5 Rxe7 33. Bxe7 Rxf2+ 34. Kg3 $18) 30... Rg8 31. Bd4
Rxg7+ 32. Rxg7 Rd3 {allowed tougher resistance and held out for longer 
(Karsten Mueller). war noch zäher, hinhaltender Widerstand möglich (Karsten
Mueller).}) 28. Bd4 Kh7 29. Rgxg7+ Kh6 30. Bb2 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 2nd"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2009.09.08"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2730"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2009.09.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15.
Be3 Bg4 16. Qd3 Rae8 17. Nd2 Qh5 18. a4 Re6 19. axb5 axb5 20. Nf1 {The
Marshall Attack has come to haunt White 1.e4 players in their dreams. Getting
any advantage against the supremely active Black pieces is very difficult, the
outcome often depends on the smallest of details. The knight move has been
quite successful in practice, it prepares the retreat of the bishop from e3.}
Bf5 {Kicking the queen is clearly the most unpleasant reaction as White will
struggle to coordinate his pieces.} (20... Rfe8 21. Bd1 Bxd1 (21... f5 22. Bxg4
Qxg4 23. Bd2 $14) 22. Qxd1 {The exchange of light squared bishops simplifies
White's defensive tasks. Black will need to be happy with positional
compensation for the sacrificed pawn.} Qf5 23. Bd2 (23. Ra6 h5 $1 24. Rxc6 h4
25. Bd2 h3 $5 (25... Rxe1 26. Bxe1 h3 27. f3 Bf8 28. Ra6 b4 29. Ra1 $1 (29. Ra5
$2 Nxc3 $1 $19 (29... Ne3 $2 30. Rxf5 Nxd1 31. Re5 Rxe5 32. dxe5 Bc5+ 33. Kh1
Nxb2 34. cxb4 {1-0 Sokolov,A (2585)-Hellers,F (2525)/Reykjavik 1990 (69)}))
29... bxc3 30. bxc3 Rc8 31. g4 Qg6 32. Qb1 Qc6 33. Qd3 Nxc3 34. Bd2 $14 {
Figlio,G (2431)-Sarink,H (2249)/corr/2004/}) 26. Rxe6 Rxe6 27. Ra6 (27. Ne3
Nxe3 28. Bxe3 Qe4 29. Rc8+ Bf8 30. Kf1 Ra6 31. Rxf8+ $8 Kxf8 32. Ke2 Ra2 33.
Qb3 Qb1 34. Kf3 {Metz,W-Oim,T/corr/1988/} Rxb2 $15) 27... Qe4 28. Ra8+ Bf8 29.
f3 {1/2, Droessler,U-Zenker,O/corr/2003/} Qd3 30. Kf2 b4 $44) 23... Rxe1 24.
Bxe1 h5 25. h4 (25. Bd2 h4 $36) 25... g6 {This move suggested by Nunn helps to
stabilise Black's pawn structure and it harmonises with his pieces.} (25... c5
26. b3 (26. Kg2 cxd4 27. Qxd4 Bc5 28. Qd1 {-26.Kg2} Re5 $1 29. Qf3 Qe6 30. b4
Bb6 31. Ra8+ Kh7 32. Ra1 Qg6 33. Kg1 Nf6 $36 {Elburg,J-Simmelink,J/corr/1999/})
(26. dxc5 Bxc5 27. Kg2 {-26.Kg2}) 26... g6 $5 (26... cxd4 27. Qxd4 Re4 28. Qd3
Bc5 29. Kg2 $1 {/\Nd2,f3} (29. Ra8+ Kh7 30. Re8 Nxc3 $3 31. Kg2 Kg6 32. Rxe4
Qxe4+ 33. Qxe4+ Nxe4 34. f3 $11 {1/2-1/2 Chandler,M (2575)-Nunn,J (2585)/
Hastings 1987 (36)}) (29. c4 Nb4 $1 30. Qb1 Qf3 $36) 29... Re5 30. Ra8+ Kh7 31.
Qxf5+ Rxf5 32. f4 Rf6 33. Rc8 Bd6 34. Bf2 $16 {Ward,R (2354)-Garcia Rojas,H 
(2191)/corr/2000/}) (26... Nf6 27. Ra6 Bb8 28. dxc5 Qxc5 29. Ra2 Be5 30. Re2
Ng4 31. Qd3 Re6 32. Kg2 Rd6 33. Qf5 g6 34. Qc2 {Mrugala,A (2319)-Heutgens,D 
(2309)/corr/1995/}) 27. c4 bxc4 28. bxc4 Nf6 29. Ra6 $5 (29. d5 Ng4 {/\Ne5<=>})
29... Rd8 30. Ba5 Rd7 31. d5 Be5 32. Ne3 Qe4 33. Bd2 $6 (33. Qb3 $5 {/\Bc3})
33... Rb7 $44 {Patocka,F-Moynihan,K (2140)/corr/1997/}) 26. b3 $1 {This
important novelty is hoping to set the pawn mass on the queenside in motion.} (
26. Kg2 c5 27. Qf3 (27. dxc5 Bxc5 28. Qf3 Qd7 {/\Re5<=>}) 27... cxd4 28. Qxf5
gxf5 29. Rd1 Re4 30. Rxd4 Rxd4 31. cxd4 f4 {De Silva,D (2255)-Zenker,O (2428)/
corr/2003/ (38)}) 26... b4 $6 (26... c5 27. c4 $14) (26... Nf6 27. c4 $14) (
26... Nb6 $5 27. Ra6 (27. Ne3 Qe4 {/\Bg3}) 27... Bc7 $14) 27. c4 Nc3 28. Bxc3
bxc3 29. c5 $1 (29. Ne3 Qe4 30. Nc2 Rd8 $5 $44) 29... c2 (29... Bf8 30. Rc1 Qe4
31. Rxc3 Rd8 32. Rc4 Bg7 33. d5 $14) 30. Qd2 Bc7 (30... Bf8 $5) 31. Rc1 Qf3 32.
Rxc2 $8 Qxb3 33. Qc3 $14 {1-0 Gashimov,V (2717)-Shirov,A (2741)/Poikovsky 2008
(67)}) 21. Qd2 {An ugly square for the queen, but at least it is not
obstructing the light-squared bishop.} (21. Qd1 Bg4 22. Qd2 Qh3 23. Bd1 Bxd1
24. Raxd1 f5 $1 25. f4 g5 26. Qg2 (26. fxg5 f4 27. Bxf4 Bxf4 28. gxf4 Nxf4 29.
Ng3 $8 Qg4 30. Rxe6 $11) 26... Qxg2+ 27. Kxg2 Rfe8 28. Bd2 Rxe1 29. Rxe1 Rxe1
30. Bxe1 gxf4 $11 {1/2-1/2 Karpov,A (2730)-Short,N (2660)/Tilburg 1991 (41)})
21... Bh3 $5 $146 {The first critical moment in the game. The paths are
splitting like in a good fairy tale. Most Black players have preferred 21...
Rfe8, while the correspodence community is busily exploring the 21...Be4
option. Aronian, clever man that he is, is not impressed by any of them and
finds his own way with a new move.} (21... Rfe8 22. Bc2 (22. Bd1 Qg6 23. Bf3 h5
24. Ra6 (24. Qd1 h4 25. Bd2 Rxe1 26. Bxe1 Bc2 27. Qc1 Nf4 28. Ne3 {Kruppa,Y 
(2405)-Ginsburg,G (2280)/Simferopol/1990/} Bd3 $36) 24... h4 25. Rxc6 Nf4 $1
26. Bxf4 Rxe1 27. Be5 (27. Rxd6 $2 Rxf1+ $1 28. Kxf1 Bh3+ 29. Kg1 Qd3 $1 $19)
27... Rxf1+ 28. Kxf1 Bh3+ 29. Ke1 Qb1+ 30. Qd1 Qxb2 31. Rxd6 Qxc3+ 32. Ke2 hxg3
33. hxg3 Rxe5+ 34. dxe5 Qxe5+ 35. Be4 $8 Qxe4+ $132 {Fleetwood,D (2487)
-Olofsson,D (2515)/corr/1999/}) (22. Bxd5 cxd5 23. Bf4 (23. Qe2 Qxe2 24. Rxe2
b4 25. Ree1 bxc3 26. bxc3 Rc8 27. Bd2 Be4 28. Re3 h5 29. f3 Bf5 30. Ra5 $16 {
1-0 Del Rio Angelis,S (2479)-Hebden,M (2544)/Port Erin 2003 (61)}) 23... Rxe1
24. Rxe1 Rxe1 25. Qxe1 Be4 26. Nd2 Bxf4 27. Nxe4 dxe4 28. gxf4 Qg4+ 29. Kf1 {
1/2, Ivanchuk,V (2660)-Sokolov,I (2525)/Biel/1989/}) 22... Bh3 23. Qd1 Bg4 24.
Qd3 Qh3 25. Bd2 Re2 (25... Be2 26. Rxe2 $1 Rxe2 27. Ra6 $14) 26. Rxe2 Bxe2 27.
Re1 Bxd3 28. Rxe8+ Bf8 29. Bxd3 Qd7 30. Re1 {1/2, Svidler,P (2746)-Jakovenko,D
(2711)/Foros/2008/ The position was in the balance despite the different
material both players had at their disposal.}) ({The move of the correspodence
community is a bit dangerous for White as the bishop on e4 makes no secret
about its aggressive ambitions.} 21... Be4 22. Bd1 (22. Bc2 Bf3 (22... f5 23.
Bd1 (23. Bxe4 Rxe4 24. Qd3 Rfe8 25. Bd2 Rxe1 26. Rxe1 Rxe1 27. Bxe1 $14 {
1-0 Schulz,R-Schwarz,A/Germany 1996 (34)}) 23... Qh3 24. f3 f4 25. fxe4 fxg3 (
25... fxe3 26. Qg2 Qxg2+ 27. Kxg2 Rf2+ 28. Kg1 Rxe4 29. Nxe3 Rxb2 30. Bf3 {
1-0 Everitt,G (2331)-Haag,R (2057)/ICCF email 2005 (43)}) 26. Qg2 gxh2+ 27. Kh1
Qxg2+ 28. Kxg2 Rxe4 29. Bb3 (29. Kh1 Nxe3 30. Nxe3 g6 31. Bc2 Ree8 32. Ng4
Rxe1+ 33. Rxe1 $16 {1-0 Dyakov,A (2268)-Silva,M (2166)/IECG email 2004 (42)})
29... h1=Q+ 30. Kxh1 Rh4+ 31. Kg2 Rg4+ 32. Kh1 (32. Kh3 h5 33. Bd1 Rg6 34. Kh4
Be7+ 35. Kh3 Bd6 {0-1 Barbre,S (2464)-Duliba,E (2336)/USA 1999 (51)}) 32...
Rh4+ 33. Kg2 {1/2-1/2 Rubinchik,L-Vitomskis,J/ICCF corr 1989}) 23. Bd1 Rfe8 24.
Bxf3 Qxf3 25. Qd3 h5 26. Ra6 (26. Qd1 Qf5 27. Ra6 Rf6 28. Qd2 h4 $15 {0-1 Zink,
J-Hansel,R/DESC email 2005 (36)}) 26... Bb8 27. Qd1 Qf5 28. Bd2 Rxe1 29. Bxe1
Qc8 30. Ra8 h4 31. Bd2 $14 {1/2-1/2 Piculjan,N (2438)-Blauhut,H (2446)/ICCF
email 2004 (50)}) 22... Qh3 (22... Qf5 23. Qe2 Nf6 24. Nd2 Bd5 25. b3 c5 26.
dxc5 Bxc5 (26... Bf4 27. b4 Bc6 28. Nf3 Bxe3 29. fxe3 Qe4 30. Rc1 Ng4 31. Qc2
Qxc2 32. Rxc2 Rxe3 33. Rxe3 Nxe3 34. Rc1 Nxd1 35. Nd4 {1-0 Schwetlick,T (1817)
-Alves,L (2347)/ICCF email 2000}) 27. Qxb5 Bxe3 28. Rxe3 Rxe3 29. fxe3 Ne4 30.
Qf1 Qe6 31. Ra6 Qe7 32. Nc4 Nxc3 33. Bf3 Bxc4 34. Qxc4 Qxe3+ 35. Kg2 Qd2+ 36.
Kh3 Qe3 37. Qf4 {1/2-1/2 Mueller Toepler,M (2057)-Leone,F (2377)/ICCF email
2007}) (22... Qg6 23. Qe2 (23. f3 Bd3 (23... Bf5 24. Bb3 Bh3 25. Bf2 Rxe1 26.
Rxe1 Be6 27. Bc2 f5 28. Ne3 Nf4 29. Kh1 Nh3 30. Bg1 Qf7 31. f4 Re8 {1/2-1/2
Perez,B (2374)-Daurelle,H (2272)/Chessfriend.com 2005 (45)} 32. Kg2 $16) 24.
Bf2 (24. Bb3 h5 25. Rad1 Bxf1 26. Bc2 f5 27. Kxf1 Bxg3 28. hxg3 {1/2-1/2
Frigato,D (2293)-Herrera,A (2178)/ICCF email 2007}) 24... Rxe1 25. Qxe1 h5 26.
Be2 Bc2 27. c4 Nf4 28. c5 Re8 {1/2-1/2 Wurschner,M (2286)-Sedlacek,P (2406)/
ICCF email 2007 (32)}) 23... b4 24. Bd2 Nf6 25. Bb3 bxc3 26. bxc3 Re7 27. Qd1
$14 {1/2-1/2 Matic,D (2296)-Petzold,G (2334)/Chessfriend.com 2004 (61)}) 23. f3
Bg6 24. Ra6 Nc7 25. Ra7 Nd5 26. Bb3 Qf5 27. Qf2 Rfe8 28. Ra6 Bf8 {1/2-1/2
Fleetwood,D-Espindola,C/ICCF corr 2000 (51) Proving an advantage is as
difficult for White as ever in Marshall gambit lines.}) 22. Bd1 Qg6 (22... Qf5
23. Qe2 $1 Qe4 (23... Rfe8 24. Bc2 $16) 24. Qf3 Qd3 25. Bb3 b4 26. Bxd5 cxd5
27. Qxd5 bxc3 28. bxc3 Qxc3 29. Qh5 Bxf1 30. Kxf1 (30. Rxf1 Rxe3 31. fxe3 Qxe3+
32. Kg2 Qxd4 $14) 30... f5 31. Qe2 $14) 23. Bf3 $5 {The bishop will help to
protect white king from the a8-h1 diagonal.} (23. Qe2 $2 Nf4 $1 24. Qd2 Ng2 25.
Re2 Nh4 26. Re1 Ng2 $11) 23... Qf5 24. Bh1 (24. Qd1 h5 25. Ra6 (25. Bxh5 $2 Rf6
$1 26. Qe2 Re8 $17) 25... Bc7 26. Nd2 h4 $13) (24. Qe2 $5 Rfe8 25. Ra6 Bc7 26.
Nd2 $14) 24... Rfe8 25. Re2 $6 {Defence in positions without direct concrete
threats from the opponent is a very difficult task even for the best players.
Shirov here makes a clumsy move that will cost him a lot of time.} (25. Ra6 Bc7
26. Qd1 h6 $13) 25... h5 $1 26. Qc2 (26. Rae1 $6 h4 27. b3 (27. Qc2 Qh5 $17)
27... Qh5 28. c4 Bb4 $17) 26... Qg4 $1 27. Ree1 {The inconvenience is mounting
for White as he realised the dangers of the active approach with the
counterattack against the c6-pawn.} (27. Ra6 h4 28. Rxc6 Nf4 $1 29. Re1 Bxf1
30. Rxd6 (30. Rxf1 Ne2+ 31. Kg2 h3#) (30. Kxf1 Qh3+ 31. Kg1 hxg3 32. hxg3 Rxe3
$19) 30... hxg3 31. hxg3 Rxd6 32. Qd1 Rxe3 33. Qxg4 Rxe1 34. Qxf4 Be2+ 35. Kg2
Rh6 $19) 27... h4 28. Qd1 (28. Qe2 Nxe3 29. fxe3 Qg5 $17) 28... Qf5 29. Qf3 $2
{The last (!) and pretty horrible move of the game. The queen simply does not
belong on f3. With the correct defence with Qb1 White could have kept the
chances about balanced.} (29. Qb1 $1 Qh5 30. Qd1 Qg6 (30... Bg4 31. Qd3 Bf3 32.
Bxf3 Qxf3 33. Qd1 Qf5 34. Qb1 Qg4 35. Qd1 Qg6 36. Qf3 (36. Qb1 f5 $15) 36...
Qc2 37. Re2 Qd3 38. Ree1 $11) 31. Bxd5 cxd5 32. Qf3 Qc2 33. Qxd5 Qxb2 $13)
29... Qg6 $1 {Shirov got truly depressed when he realised, that the queen will
have to retreat to d1 and it loses by force! A rare and genuine battle of
shadows...} (29... Qg6 $1 30. Qd1 (30. Ra7 Bg4 $1 31. Qg2 h3 $19) 30... hxg3
31. hxg3 Bxf1 $1 (31... Nxe3 32. Rxe3 Rxe3 33. fxe3 Bxf1 34. Qxf1 (34. Kxf1
Rxe3 35. Qd2 Qh6 36. Qg2 Bxg3 $19) 34... Qxg3+ 35. Qg2 Qxe3+ 36. Qf2 Qg5+ 37.
Bg2 Bf4 $17) 32. Bxd5 cxd5 33. Kxf1 Bxg3 34. Qf3 Rf6 35. Qg2 Qd3+ 36. Kg1 Bxf2+
37. Bxf2 Rxe1+ 38. Rxe1 Rg6 $19) 0-1

[Event "Grand Slam Final 2nd"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2009.09.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2009.09.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. c5 Nbd7 7. a3 {Last year
Aronian achieved nothing against Movsesian after 7.Bd3. However, this time
Aronian came better prepared.} (7. Bd3 e5 8. Nxe5 Nxe5 9. dxe5 Nd7 10. e6 Nxc5
11. exf7+ Kxf7 12. Bc2 g6 13. O-O Bg7 14. Ne2 Re8 15. Nd4 Qd6 $11 {1/2-1/2
Aronian,L (2757)-Movsesian,S (2732)/Nanjing CHN 2008/The Week in Chess 737 (49)
}) 7... a5 8. Bd3 e5 9. dxe5 Ng4 10. Bxb5 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] This interesting
piece sacrifice is also the first choice of "Rybka". Obviously, it was
prepared by Levon beforehand.} (10. e6 fxe6 11. Nd4 Nxc5 12. Be2 Nxf2 $3 {
A very deep sacrifice. Black is getting a long-term intiative.} 13. Kxf2 Bd6
14. g3 O-O+ 15. Kg2 Bd7 16. Bd2 e5 17. Nb3 Ne6 $15 {0-1 Eljanov,P (2686)
-Karjakin,S (2686)/Foros 2007/CBM 119 (28)}) (10. Nd4 Ngxe5 11. Be2 Bb7 12. f4
Ng6 13. Bxb5 Rc8 14. Bd3 Bxc5 15. O-O O-O 16. Rb1 Qf6 17. Nce2 Rfe8 $13 {
1/2-1/2 Milov,V (2680)-Jakovenko,D (2710)/Kemer 2007/CBM 121 (31)}) 10... cxb5
11. Qxd5 Rb8 $6 {Not the best move. Obviously, it wasn't easy for Grischuk to
make a choice here, as he didn't know how deeply the variation was analysed by
his opponent before the game... This position needs more practical material.
Let's see what could happen in case of the critical continuation 11...Ra6.} (
11... Ra6 12. h3 Nh6 13. c6 Nc5 14. Qxd8+ (14. e4 Be6 15. Qxd8+ Kxd8 16. Nd4
Nd3+ 17. Ke2 Bc4 18. Bg5+ Kc8 19. b3 Nc1+ 20. Kf3 Nxb3 21. Nxb3 Bxb3 $15) (14.
Nd4 Be6 15. Qxd8+ Kxd8 16. O-O Nb3 17. Nxb3 Bxb3 18. Nxb5 a4 $13) 14... Kxd8
15. Nd4 Be6 (15... Nd3+ $6 16. Ke2 Nxe5 17. Rd1 Kc7 18. Ncxb5+ Kb6 19. c7 $14)
(15... Nf5 16. Ndxb5 Rxc6 17. e4 Nd3+ 18. Ke2 Nxc1+ 19. Raxc1 Nh4 20. Rhd1+ Ke8
21. Nd5 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 $36) 16. O-O Nb3 17. Nxb3 Bxb3 18. Nxb5 Bc5 19. Bd2 $44 {
All these lines confirm that White definitely has sufficient compensation for
the piece. Often he can get three pawns, together with some initiative against
the black monarch. However, the position is pretty much double-edged, so only
future games on this theme will make a clear verdict of this line.}) 12. h3 b4
$6 (12... Nxf2 13. Kxf2 Bxc5 14. e6 fxe6 15. Qxe6+ Qe7 16. Qxe7+ Bxe7 17. Rd1
$14 {Black's compensation is not sufficient, but this would have been the
least of the evils for him.}) 13. axb4 {For the forthcoming several moves the
play is pretty much forced.} axb4 14. Ne4 Nxc5 (14... Ndxe5 $2 15. Qxd8+ Kxd8
16. hxg4 $18) 15. Qxd8+ Kxd8 16. Nxc5 Nxf2 $1 {At least ruining the opponents'
pawn structure.} 17. Kxf2 Bxc5 {White's extra pawn is not so significant. The
more apparent factor is Black's vulnerable king.} 18. Bd2 (18. Ra5 $1 {was
quite strong, causing even more disharmony in Black's position.} Bb6 19. Rd5+
Ke8 20. Bd2 Be6 21. Rd6 Bc5 22. Rc6 Be7 23. Rhc1 {Black can't castle, White is
in total control.}) 18... Kc7 {The king is heading to b6.} 19. Rhc1 {Again 19.
Ra5 was a worthy option.} (19. Ra5 Kb6 20. Rha1 Re8 21. Nd4 Bd7 22. Ra7 Bb5 23.
Rxf7 Rxe5 24. Nxb5 Kxb5 25. Rxg7 $16) 19... Kb6 {Black managed to avoid a
quick defeat, but his position is still much worse.} 20. Nd4 Rd8 (20... Bb7 21.
Nb3 Rhc8 22. Nxc5 Rxc5 23. Bxb4 Rxe5 24. Bc3 Rf5+ 25. Kg1 $16) (20... Re8 21.
Rc4 Rxe5 22. Bxb4 Bxd4 23. Rxd4 Rf5+ 24. Kg1 $16) 21. Rc2 Rd5 22. Rac1 $2 {
I guess Levon made this move quickly, without bothering to investigate the
position deeply. Instead, he could sacrifice an exchange with nice prospects.}
(22. Rxc5 $1 Rxc5 (22... Kxc5 $2 23. Ra5+ Kc4 24. b3+ Kd3 25. Rxd5 Kxd2 26.
Nc6+ $18) 23. Bxb4 Rd5 24. Bd6 Rb7 25. Rc1 Bd7 26. b4 $16 {Black's rooks are
completely tied up. It would be extremely unpleasant for Grischuk to handle
this position in time-trouble.}) 22... Be6 23. Nb3 Rbd8 $2 {Missing the chance
to equalise.} (23... Rc8 $1 {This self-pinning move is pretty hard for a human
to play, and must be calculated precisely.} 24. Bxb4 {There is nothing better.}
{[%tqu "En","Calculate 24...Bxe3.","","","c5e3","",10]} Bxe3+ $1 25. Kxe3 Rxc2
26. Rxc2 Rxe5+ 27. Kd4 (27. Kf4 Rf5+ 28. Ke4 Bxb3 29. Rc3 Be6 $11) 27... Bxb3
28. Rc3 Rd5+ 29. Ke4 Ba2 $11) 24. Ke2 Bf8 25. Nd4 $6 {The penetration of the
rook was called for.} (25. Rc6+ Kb7 26. Rc7+ Kb8 27. Nd4 Rxe5 28. Nxe6 fxe6 29.
Be1 $1 {[%cal Ge1g3]} Red5 30. R7c6 $16) 25... Bc5 $6 {Black should keep his
light-squared bishop.} (25... Bd7 $1 26. Kf3 Be7 $1 (26... Rxe5 27. e4 $1 {
[%csl Rb6][%cal Gd2e3]} Rc5 28. Bxb4 Rxc2 29. Nxc2 $16) 27. Ke4 Rc5 $14) 26.
Nxe6 fxe6 27. e4 Rxe5 28. Rc4 $2 {This move throws away all of White's
advantage.} (28. Bf4 $1 {could win the exchange by force.} Rxe4+ 29. Kf3 Rdd4
30. Be3 Rd3 31. Kxe4 Rxe3+ 32. Kf4 Bd4 33. Rd2 e5+ 34. Kf5 Rb3 35. Rcc2 {
It won't be easy for White to convert his advantage into a full point, but,
with no doubt, he should have played this.}) 28... Rd4 29. Rxd4 Bxd4 30. b3 (
30. Rc4 Bxb2 31. Rxb4+ Rb5 $11) 30... Rc5 (30... Rxe4+ $4 31. Kd3 Rh4 32. Be1
Rf4 33. Bg3 $18) 31. Rf1 Kb5 (31... Rc2 32. Kd3 Ra2 33. Bxb4 Bf6 {and the
active rook gives Black sufficient compensation.}) 32. Rf7 Bc3 33. Be3 Rc6 34.
Rb7+ Ka6 35. Rb8 Ka5 36. Bg5 h6 $2 {This is a serious mistake. Black shouldn't
allow the bishop to get to e7.} ({After the simple} 36... Bf6 {Black has
little to worry about. This endgame should end in a draw.}) 37. Be7 {Now Black
is tied to the Pb4.} e5 38. g4 $1 Re6 39. Bf8 g5 (39... h5 40. gxh5 Rh6 41.
Bxg7 Rxh5 42. Kd3 $1 Rxh3+ 43. Kc4 Ka6 (43... Re3 44. Bf8 $1 Rxe4+ 45. Kc5 Ka6
46. Kc6 Ka7 47. Rb7+ Ka8 48. Rb5 {and the black king will be mated very soon.})
44. Bf8 Rh4 45. Kd5 Ka7 46. Rb5 Ka6 47. Kc6 $18) 40. Rd8 Rf6 $2 {The last move
before time-control and the final mistake. The severe time-trouble of Grischuk
decided things.} (40... Kb5 41. Rd6 Re8 42. Bxh6 Rh8 {would still force
Aronian to show some technique to claim the full point.}) 41. Rd5+ Kb6 42. Rd6+
{After the exchange of rooks Black will lose most of his pawns.} 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 2nd"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2009.09.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2009.09.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. O-O {White delays the
development of his queen's knight, aiming for positions characteristic of a
reversed hybrid between the Dragon and the Najdorf Sicilian.} Nb6 {With the
knight on c3, this retreat would be forced, but here the decision is
questionable.} ({Against} 6... Be7 {, White is supposed to play} 7. d4 {
, but I have failed to find an advantage after} e4 8. Ne5 f5 {, when I
analyzed this position in my first years as an English Opening player. A
recent game at top level seems to confirm my evaluation:} 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Nc3
O-O 11. f3 exf3 12. exf3 Bf6 13. Re1 Rb8 14. f4 Rb4 $132 {1/2 Carlsen,M (2714)
-Gelfand,B (2736)/Moscow 2007/EXT 2008 (37)}) 7. b3 $5 {White intends to put
pressure on the e5-pawn as soon as possible, but defining his intentions so
soon allows Black deviate from the standard paths.} ({The main line goes} 7. d3
Be7 8. a3 a5 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. b3 Be6 11. Bb2 f6 {with a solid position for
Black. White has no easy way to develop the initiative and risks being left in
a passive position without space. See for instance Portisch,L (2533)-Almasi,Z 
(2646)/Szekesfehervar 2006/CBM 112/[Ribli] (0-1, 42)}) 7... Bd6 $1 {This is
not a typical way to develop the bishop, but White's play has been anything
from standard, too.} (7... Be7 $6 8. Bb2 Bf6 {is somewhat artificial.} 9. Nc3 (
9. d3 $2 e4 $1) 9... Bf5 10. d3 O-O 11. Rc1 Qd7 12. Ne4 (12. Nd2 $5 Bh3 13.
Nce4 Be7 14. Nc5 Bxc5 15. Rxc5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 f6 17. b4 $1 $14) (12. Re1 $5 Bh3
13. Bh1 Be7 14. Ne4 $14) 12... Bxe4 13. dxe4 Qxd1 14. Rfxd1 Rfd8 {Delchev,A 
(2629)-Korneev,O (2572)/Albacete 2001/EXT 2002 (1/2, 21)} 15. h4 g6 (15... Kf8
16. g4 g6 17. g5 Bg7 18. Bh3 $14) 16. e3 Bg7 17. Bf1 $14 {[%csl Ge5][%cal
Gf1b5] Black may have to play ...f6, when the weakness of the light squares
would increase the force of the white king's bishop.}) 8. Bb2 O-O 9. d3 Bg4 10.
h3 {It is not clear that this move should be played at such an early stage. In
some cases, the bishop is exposed on g4.} (10. Nbd2 Qd7 11. Rc1 Rae8 (11... f5
$6 12. Rxc6 $1 $14 Qxc6 $6 13. Nxe5 $16 {[%cal Ge5g4,Gg2b7]}) 12. Ne4 Bh3 13.
Nc5 Bxc5 14. Rxc5 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 f6 16. b4 Rf7 (16... e4 $5 {would have been
more consistent with Black's previous play.}) 17. a3 Nd4 18. Bxd4 exd4 19. Qc2
$14 {White has the more flexible structure. Black's d4-pawn is vulnerable,
while the whole queenside is under pressure.} Rfe7 20. Re1 Kh8 21. b5 Qd6 22.
a4 Nxa4 23. Rc4 Nb6 24. Rxd4 Qa3 25. Rh4 ({A tempting move, especially in
rapid chess. Korchnoi was probably nostalgic after his brilliant win against
Arnasson, in A29.} 25. e3 {would have been also playable}) 25... a6 26. d4 h6
27. Rh5 Qa5 28. g4 $36 {Kortschnoj,V (2639)-Rublevsky,S (2657)/St Petersburg
2001/CBM 82 (1-0, 35)}) 10... Bh5 11. Nbd2 Qe7 ({After h3 and ...Bh5,} 11...
Qd7 12. Rc1 f5 {is entirely playable because} 13. Rxc6 {does not work out so
well anymore in view of} Qxc6 14. Nxe5 Qe8 {and there is no hanging bishop on
g4.}) 12. Ne4 $146 {White goes for the pair of bishops, although this seems to
strengthen Black's centre.} (12. a3 a5 13. e4 Bc5 14. Qc2 Rfd8 15. Rfc1 Nd7 16.
Nh4 {Gurevich,M (2656)-Rublevsky,S (2655)/France 2004/CBM 098 ext/[Gurevich,M]
(1-0, 31)}) (12. Rc1 f5 13. Nc4 Nxc4 14. Rxc4 {[%cal Gd1a1,Gc4h4,Gc4c6,Yf1d1]
may be worth a try.}) 12... f5 13. Nxd6 cxd6 14. b4 $6 {This move should be
part of White's plan, because it undermines the defence of the e5-pawn,
inhibiting an eventual ...d5 and increasing the force of an eventual f2-f4.
However, the concrete form of carrying out this plan may be premature.} ({
I would prefer the developing move} 14. Qd2 {for instance} f4 (14... Rae8 15.
b4 $36) 15. e3 fxg3 (15... Rf7 16. exf4 exf4 17. g4 Bg6 18. Rfe1 $36 {[%csl
Gg7]}) 16. fxg3 Rf7 17. e4 $14 {White's pair of bishops offer him a long term
advantage.}) 14... Nxb4 $1 {Being better developed, Black has no reasons to
refrain from forced play.} 15. Qb3+ N4d5 16. Nxe5 {This tactical operation
leads to a position with opposite coloured bishops, in which White is not out
of danger.} ({Black can hold his own after} 16. e4 {. but the initiative would
stay with White after} fxe4 17. dxe4 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Qf7 19. Bg4 h5 $1 {[%csl
Gh5]} (19... Nc7 20. Rac1 {leaves Black hanging.}) 20. Bd1 (20. Bf5 g6) 20...
Nf6 21. Qxf7+ Kxf7 22. f4 $44) 16... dxe5 17. Bxd5+ Nxd5 18. Qxd5+ Kh8 {
Black is entitled to hope for a mating attack, which justifies his decision to
keep queens on board.} ({However,} 18... Qf7 19. Qxf7+ Kxf7 20. f3 Ke6 {
would also be playable, because the centralized king would defend the e5-pawn
safely.}) 19. Rfe1 Rae8 20. Rac1 $13 {Black has reached a maximum of activity,
but his e5-pawn and the long diagonal remain vulnerable. We could conclude
that White has achieved certain strategic plusses, which may become obvious in
the endgame, but the midlegame is quite dangerous for him. The final outcome
of the game depends on whose bishop will be more active.} f4 {This probably is
the most consequent way to start the attack.} ({After a strengthening move like
} 20... Rf6 {White can play} 21. Qc5 {With the king on h8, far from the centre,
the exchange of queens would favour White, who could try to exploit his
pressure on the dark squares without fearing an attack, while after} Qe6 {
Black's position loses harmony.}) 21. g4 {This is more or less forced, but
White's stability on the light squares is only relative.} Bf7 22. Qe4 Bg6 23.
Qg2 {The queen has to retreat to this passive square. White is dreaming of
consolidating with f3 and re-activating the queen, but this is a slow plan.}
Qf7 {[%cal Gf4f3,Gf7a2]} (23... e4 $5 24. dxe4 Bxe4 25. f3 Bd5 26. Bd4 b6 27.
Rc2 $13 {[%csl Gg7]}) 24. Rc5 Qxa2 $6 (24... e4 25. dxe4 Bxe4 26. f3 b6 {
wins a couple of tempi for Black if compared with the line from the previous
comment.}) 25. Rb5 $6 ({White should have opened the long diagonal immediately:
} 25. Bxe5 $1) 25... b6 $2 {Black again leaves the e5-pawn undefended.} ({
The consequent} 25... e4 $1 {would have offered him excellent play.} 26. dxe4
Bxe4 27. f3 Qc4 28. Rg5 (28. Ra5 Qb4 $17) 28... Bg6 $15 {Black is a pawn up
and White's pieces are dispersed all over the board, without the desired
coordination between them.}) 26. Ra1 Qf7 27. Rxe5 $36 {[%csl Gg7] The
b2-bishop has become active, while the g6-bishop cannot create threats any
more.} Qb3 (27... f3 28. Qxf3 Qxf3 29. exf3 Rxe5 30. Bxe5 Rf7 31. d4 $14 {
[%cal Gf3f5]}) 28. Rxe8 Rxe8 29. Bd4 Qb4 30. Qd5 Qe7 31. Rc1 {White is well
centralized and his attack develops as if he had an extra piece, which is a
typical situation with opposite coloured bishops.} h6 (31... Qxe2 32. Rc7 Qe1+
33. Kg2 Rg8 34. Qd7 $18) 32. Qf3 Qd6 33. Bb2 Kh7 34. Rc4 b5 35. Rc6 Qb4 36. Bc3
Qe7 37. Qxf4 Rf8 38. Qe3 Qf7 39. Be5 Re8 40. f4 Qd7 41. Qc5 Qe7 42. Rc7 Qxc5+
43. Rxc5 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 2nd"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2009.09.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2722"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2009.09.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 f6 7. Be3 Bg4 8.
Nbd2 Qd7 9. b4 g5 10. Qb1 Nh6 11. d4 Nf7 12. dxe5 fxe5 13. Qb2 Qe6 14. Rfb1
Bxf3 15. Nxf3 g4 16. Nd2 h5 17. a4 Nd6 18. c4 O-O 19. c5 Nf7 20. Qb3 Qxb3 21.
Rxb3 Bg5 22. Nc4 Rad8 23. Na5 Bxe3 24. Rxe3 Rd2 25. Nxb7 Rb8 26. Na5 Rxb4 27.
h3 Nd8 28. hxg4 hxg4 29. Nb3 Rc2 30. Rd1 Ne6 31. Rd7 Kf8 32. Rh7 Rcc4 33. Rh6
Ke7 34. Rh7+ Kf8 35. Rh6 Ke7 36. Rh7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 25th"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2009.10.04"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Docx, Stefan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2384"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2009.10.04"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Yerevan Mika"]
[BlackTeam "Borgerhout"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "BEL"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 g6 3. e4 Bg7 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. Qe2 O-O 6. O-O Bg4 7. Rd1 Nc6 8. h3
Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nd7 10. c3 e5 11. Be3 a6 12. Na3 exd4 13. cxd4 Qh4 14. Rac1 Nf6
15. Bd3 Rfe8 16. Rc4 Nd7 17. Bb1 Rad8 18. b4 Nb6 19. Rcc1 d5 20. e5 Qe7 21. Nc2
Nc4 22. a3 b5 23. Ba2 Nb8 24. Re1 c6 25. Qg3 Qf8 26. h4 Nd7 27. h5 Ra8 28. Rcd1
a5 29. Bc1 Qe7 30. Bb1 Qe6 31. hxg6 fxg6 32. Rd3 axb4 33. Nxb4 c5 34. Nc2 Qc6
35. f4 Qb6 36. Qf3 Rad8 37. Ne3 Nxe3 38. dxc5 Nxc5 39. Bxe3 Qa5 40. Bd2 Qb6 41.
Qf2 Re6 42. Rh3 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 25th"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2009.10.05"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[EventDate "2009.10.04"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Yerevan Mika"]
[BlackTeam "Moscow ShSM-64"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 a6 10. a4 c5 11. dxc5 Nxc5 12. Rd1 Qc7 13. a5 Ncd7 14. b3 b5 15.
axb6 Nxb6 16. Bd3 Bb7 17. Ne4 Nxe4 18. Bxe4 Qxc2 19. Bxc2 Rfd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 25th"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2009.10.06"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Onischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2009.10.04"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kiev Kievchess"]
[BlackTeam "Yerevan Mika"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "UKR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Be2 Bb7 11. a3 a6 12. b4 a5 13. Rb1 axb4 14. axb4 Nd5 15.
Ne4 Be7 16. Nc5 Nxc5 17. bxc5 Qc7 18. Rd1 Ra4 19. e4 Nf6 20. Bg5 Rfa8 21. Bxf6
Bxf6 22. e5 Be7 23. h4 Qd8 24. h5 Ra2 25. Qe4 Qd5 26. Bd3 Qxe4 27. Bxe4 h6 28.
Ne1 Bd8 29. Nc2 Ba5 30. Rb3 Kf8 31. f4 f5 32. exf6 gxf6 33. f5 Re8 34. Nb4 Bxb4
35. Rxb4 exf5 36. Bxf5 Ree2 37. Bh3 Bc8 38. Bxc8 Rxg2+ 39. Kh1 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 25th"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2009.10.07"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Movsesian, Sergei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2711"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2009.10.04"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Yerevan Mika"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 a6 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Be6 9. Ba4 Ne7 10. Bg5 Ng6 11. Nh4 h6 12. Nxg6 fxg6 13. Bb3 Bxb3 14. Qxb3+ Kh7
15. Be3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Qd7 17. Nd2 Qb5 18. c4 Qxb3 19. Nxb3 a5 20. Nc1 Kg8 21.
Ne2 Kf7 22. Nc3 Ke6 23. Rf2 c6 24. Kf1 Nh7 25. Rxf8 Rxf8+ 26. Ke2 Nf6 27. Rf1
Ke7 28. Na4 Nd7 29. Rc1 Nc5 30. Nxc5 dxc5 31. Rd1 g5 32. Rf1 Rxf1 33. Kxf1 b5
34. g4 bxc4 35. dxc4 Kd6 36. Ke2 Kc7 37. Kd3 Kb6 38. a4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 25th"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2009.10.08"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2725"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2009.10.04"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Yerevan Mika"]
[BlackTeam "Saratov Economist"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 a5 11. Nc3 Na6 12. Bxf6 {Getting any advantage against
a well prepared Catalan defender is fiendlishly difficult. Aronian chooses an
older line, that unfortunately requires the surrender of one of the strong
white bishops.} Bxf6 13. e4 Nb4 14. Rfd1 g6 15. h4 {It is useful to know about
the most promising plans in opening lines. White trusts this idea, that can
claim a proud 100% score.} (15. Rac1 Re8 (15... Rc8 16. Ne1 Bg7 17. Nc2 Nxc2
18. Rxc2 Qe7 19. b3 Rfd8 20. Rcd2 Be8 $14) (15... Bg7 16. d5 exd5 17. exd5 Bd7
18. Nd4 Qc8 19. b3 c6 20. d6 Bg4 21. Rd2 Qd7 22. Ne4 Nd5 23. Nc5 Qxd6 24. Nxb7
$16 {1/2-1/2 Gelfand,B (2701)-Svidler,P (2686)/Moscow 2001 (92)}) 16. d5 exd5
17. exd5 Bd7 18. Nd4 Rc8 $2 (18... Be5 $1 19. Ncb5 Rc8 20. Nc6 bxc6 21. dxc6
Be6 $5 22. Rxd8 Rcxd8 23. Qe2 Bb3 $44) 19. Ne4 $1 Be5 20. Nc5 b6 21. Nc6 $1 (
21. Nde6 Qe7 22. Nxd7 Qxd7 23. Bh3 Qe7) 21... Bxc6 22. dxc6 bxc5 $1 (22... Qe7
23. Rd7 Qf8 24. Ne4 Bxb2 25. Rcd1 $16) 23. Rxd8 Rcxd8 24. Re1 $1 {1/2-1/2
Gelfand,B (2681)-Anand,V (2762)/Shenyang 2000 (38)}) 15... Bg7 (15... Rc8 16.
Rd2 Bg7 17. Rad1 Qe7 18. Ng5 h6 19. Nf3 b6 20. d5 Bd7 21. Nd4 exd5 22. exd5 Bg4
23. Nc6 Nxc6 24. Qxg4 Ne5 25. Qe2 $14 {1-0 Lputian,S (2605)-Polgar,J (2658)/
Wijk aan Zee 2000 (60)}) (15... h6 16. Rac1 Rc8 17. Nh2 Bg7 18. Nb5 Bxb5 19.
Qxb5 b6 20. h5 c6 21. Qe2 g5 22. e5 Qe7 23. Ng4 $16 {1-0 Nielsen,P (2578)
-Lobzhanidze,D (2493)/Bergen 2000 (51)}) 16. h5 b6 {Alekseev will go down in a
difficult manner, so any possible improvement on this is worth looking into.
The provocative grab of the h-pawn could become dangerous, even though White
would have a difficult task to prove it.} (16... gxh5 $5 17. Rd2 b6 18. Rad1
Bb7 $13) 17. hxg6 hxg6 18. Nh2 Qd7 19. e5 $1 {Aronian understands the
necessity to exchange light-squared bishops and limit the scope of the
dark-squared one.} (19. d5 $6 exd5 20. exd5 Bb7 $15) 19... Bxg2 $6 (19... Bd5
$5 20. Nxd5 exd5 21. Qe2 Rae8 22. f4 f6 $11) 20. Kxg2 c5 $2 {Black is geared
up for generating counterplay. Unfortunately his solution falls short of the
objectively best idea as White will transfer the queen to h4 and realise his
coveted kingside attack.} (20... Rad8 21. Ng4 f5 22. exf6 Bxf6 23. Rac1 Bg7 $14
) 21. dxc5 Qc6+ 22. Nf3 Rfd8 (22... Qxc5 $2 23. Qh4 Qc6 24. Ne4 Nd5 25. Nf6+
Bxf6 26. exf6 $18) 23. Qh4 Rd3 {This should have been the crowning move in
Black's counterplay. In a slightly paradoxical way the knight move into the
enemy camp would have been more resilient.} (23... Nd3 $5 24. Ne4 bxc5 25. Rac1
$1 Qb6 (25... Nxc1 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27. Qxd8+ Bf8 28. Nf6+ Kg7 29. Nd7 $18) 26.
Nf6+ Kf8 27. Ng5 Qb7+ 28. Kf1 Ke7 29. Nfe4 Kf8 30. Rxd3 Rxd3 31. Nxc5 Qd5 32.
Qf4 Rd1+ 33. Ke2 $18) 24. Ne4 $1 bxc5 25. Rac1 Kf8 {In an act of silent
desperation Black is admitting that his concept has failed. Objectively better
was to suffer after the exchange of the rooks.} (25... Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Nd5 27.
Nf6+ Kf8 28. Rc1 Rd8 29. Ne4 $16) 26. Rxc5 Rxd1 (26... Qxc5 27. Nxc5 Rxd1 28.
Ng5 Ra7 29. Nh7+ Ke8 30. Nf6+ Ke7 31. Nce4 $18) 27. Rxc6 Nxc6 28. Nf6 {[%mdl
128] White must be close to winning with his mobile army of coordinated
attackers, spare pawn and a safe king.} (28. Neg5 Nd8 29. b4 Rd5 30. b5 $18)
28... Rb8 (28... Rc8 29. Qc4 Bh6 30. Qa6 Rdd8 31. Qb7 Ne7 32. b4 axb4 33. Qxb4
$18) 29. Qc4 $1 (29. Qh7 Ne7 30. Ng5 Rdd8 (30... Rxb2 31. Ne8 Kxe8 32. Qxg7) (
30... Rd4 31. Qh1 Nf5 32. Qc1 Bxf6 33. exf6 $18) 31. g4 Rd4 32. Qh4 Nc6 33.
Ngh7+ Ke7 34. Nh5+ $18) 29... Rc8 30. Ng5 Bxf6 (30... Bh6 31. Nxe6+ fxe6 32.
Qxe6 Rdd8 33. Qg8+ Ke7 34. Nd5+ Rxd5 35. Qxd5 $18) 31. exf6 {Aronian has just
one task to complete. Any approach of the white queen to the black king will
finish the game.} Rd4 (31... Rd5 32. Qh4 Ke8 33. f4 $18) 32. Qa6 Rc7 (32...
Rdd8 33. Qb7 Ne5 34. Nxe6+ $18) 33. Qb6 Rdd7 34. Nh7+ Kg8 (34... Ke8 35. Qc5
Ne7 36. Qa3 $18) 35. Qe3 $1 {The final touch is charming, as the queen alone
can finish the job so efficiently done by the whole white army.} Kxh7 36. g4
Nd4 37. Qh3+ Kg8 38. Qh6 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 25th"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2009.10.09"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2009.10.04"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Ural Sverdlovskaya"]
[BlackTeam "Yerevan Mika"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Ne5 Bb7 10. h4 g4 11. Be2 (11. Nxg4 {is more popular nowadays.}) 11... Nbd7
12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13. Be5 Qe7 14. O-O (14. Bxg4 {- see Hoffmann - Gelfand in this
issue.}) 14... Rg8 (14... h5 15. Qc2 (15. b3 $5 {was probably prepared by
Alexander Grischuk for this game}) 15... Bh6 16. b3 cxb3 17. axb3 O-O 18. Bxf6
Qxf6 19. e5 Qxh4 20. Ne4 Bg7 21. g3 Qd8 22. Nd6 Qb6 $13 {0-1 Grischuk,A (2720)
-Dreev,A (2698)/Mainz 2005/CBM 107 ext (42)}) 15. b3 $5 (15. Qc2 $5 Nd7 (15...
Nh5 $5) 16. Bg3 e5 17. d5 Qf6 18. b3 (18. dxc6 $5 Bxc6 19. a4 $1 $40) 18... b4
19. dxc6 Bxc6 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. exd5 c3 22. a3 a5 (22... bxa3 23. Bb5 Rb8 24.
Bc6) 23. axb4 Bxb4 24. Bb5 $16 {1-0 Huang Qian (2410)-Ruan Lufei (2486)/
Beijing CHN 2009/The Week in Chess 759 (40)}) 15... Nd7 $1 (15... b4 16. Na4
Nxe4 (16... c3 $5) 17. Qc2 c5 18. Bxc4 $1 (18. dxc5 g3 $1 (18... Bc6 $6 19.
Qxc4 a5 20. Rad1 Qb7 21. Rd4 Be7 22. g3 Rd8 23. Rxd8+ Bxd8 24. Rd1 Bc7 25. Bd6
Qa7 26. Rd4 $16 {1-0 Brynell,S (2463)-Rasmussen,A (2501)/Ballerup 2009/CBM 130
Extra (51)}) 19. Bxc4 (19. fxg3 Nxg3 20. Bxc4 Bc6 $17) 19... gxf2+ 20. Rxf2 Qd7
$1 (20... Nxf2 $4 21. Bb5+ Kd8 22. c6 $18) 21. Re2 Qc6 $17) 18... Bg7 19. Bxg7
(19. Rae1 $5) 19... Rxg7 20. Rae1 Nd6 21. Nxc5 Nxc4 22. Qxc4 (22. bxc4 Bc6 23.
Qd2 O-O-O 24. Qxb4 Rxd4 25. g3 Qd6 26. Rb1 e5 $14 {1/2 Riazantsev,A (2656)
-Vitiugov,N (2638)/Moscow 2008/CBM 127 (128)}) 22... Bd5 23. Qxb4 (23. Qb5+ Kf8
24. Qxb4 {[%cal Yg2g3]} g3 25. Qd2 $16) 23... Qxh4 24. Ne4 Qe7 25. Qd2 Rg6 26.
Nc3 Rd8 27. Re5 $14 {1/2 Gupta,A (2472)-Korneev,O (2565)/Benasque 2007/CBM 119
ext (37)}) 16. Bg3 b4 17. Na4 c3 18. Qd3 h5 $1 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (18... e5 $143 {
as it is White who will attack in the centre:} 19. Rad1 Bg7 20. d5 Qd6 21. Bxg4
cxd5 22. exd5 O-O-O 23. a3 $1 Ba6 24. Qe3 h5 25. Bf5 Kb8 26. Rfe1 Bh6 27. Qf3
Bd2 28. axb4 Bxe1 29. Rxe1 $16 {[%csl Rb8] 1-0 Grischuk,A (2717)-Gelfand,B 
(2733)/Odessa 2007/CBM 119 (41)}) (18... a5 $5 19. a3) 19. a3 a5 20. axb4 axb4
21. Nc5 $1 {The only way to make use of White's development advantage.} Rxa1 (
21... Nxc5 22. Rxa8+ Bxa8 23. dxc5 Bb7 24. Bd6 $1 Qxh4 25. Rd1 $44) 22. Nxb7 $3
{[%mdl 512]} (22. Rxa1 Nxc5 23. dxc5 e5 24. Ra7 (24. Rd1 Bc8) 24... f6 $1 25.
Qc4 Rg7 $17 {[%csl Gc3,Rg3]}) 22... Ne5 $5 (22... Rxf1+ 23. Bxf1 e5 (23... Nb8
24. Nd6+ Kd8 25. d5 $44) 24. Qa6 f6 $8 25. Bc4 $1 $40 Nb6 $1 26. Qxb6 c2 27.
dxe5 $1 c1=Q+ 28. Kh2 Qxc4 $8 29. bxc4 fxe5 30. Qxc6+ Qd7 31. Qb6 $44) 23. Rxa1
$1 Nxd3 24. Ra8+ $1 (24. Nd6+ Qxd6 $1 25. Bxd6 Nc1 $1 (25... Bxd6 $143 26. Bxd3
) 26. Bxf8 (26. Rxc1 Bxd6 27. Ra1 Bb8 28. Bd3 Ke7 $19) (26. Bd1 Bxd6 27. Ra8+
Ke7 28. Rxg8 Ne2+ $1 29. Kf1 Nxd4 $19) 26... Nxe2+ 27. Kf1 Ng3+ $5 (27... Nxd4
$143 28. Bxb4 c2 29. Rc1 $17) 28. fxg3 Rxf8 29. Ke2 Ke7 {, and Black should
win this rook ending.}) 24... Kd7 25. Bxd3 Qf6 26. Be5 $2 {This natural move
meets a brilliant refutation.} (26. Na5 $6 Qxd4 27. Rd8+ Kxd8 28. Nxc6+ Kd7 29.
Nxd4 Bd6 $17 {_|_ Similarly to the game, the rook and the c3 pawn will be
stronger than two minor pieces.}) (26. e5 $1 Qh6 27. Ra7 $1 Kc8 28. Na5 {
and Black can't avoid a perpetual.}) 26... Bd6 $3 27. Bxf6 Rxa8 $19 {_|_} 28.
Kf1 (28. Nxd6 Kxd6 29. Kf1 Ra3 $19 {Black wins the b3 pawn, and his connected
pawns decide the game.}) 28... Ra1+ 29. Ke2 Ra2+ (29... Ra2+ 30. Ke1 c2 $19)
0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 25th"]
[Site "Ohrid"]
[Date "2009.10.10"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2721"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2009.10.04"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Yerevan Mika"]
[BlackTeam "Skopje Alkaloid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "MKD"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Bg2 a6 6. Ne5 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Qxd4 8.
Bxb4 Qxe5 9. Na3 Nc6 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. Bc3 Qd5 12. f3 e5 13. e4 Qc5 14. Qd2
Be6 15. O-O-O Rb8 16. Qg5 h6 17. Qxe5 Qe3+ 18. Rd2 Qxf3 19. Re1 O-O 20. Nc2
Rfe8 21. Nd4 Qg4 22. Nxc6 Rbc8 23. Qf4 Qxf4 24. gxf4 Nh5 25. Rf2 Bd7 26. Ne5
Bb5 27. f5 Rcd8 28. Ng4 Rd3 29. e5 Rh3 30. Rg1 Kh7 31. Kd1 Bc6 32. Ke2 Be4 33.
Ke1 Bf3 34. Ne3 Nf4 35. Rd2 Nd3+ 36. Kf1 Nxe5 37. Rd7 Bc6 38. Rxf7 Rf3+ 39. Ke2
Rxe3+ 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 17th"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2009.10.23"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Istratescu, Andrei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2624"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2009.10.22"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Romania"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ROU"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bb4 7. Qb3 Bc5 8.
d3 h6 9. O-O O-O 10. Bd2 Re8 11. Rac1 Rb8 12. Qa4 d6 13. b4 Bd4 14. e3 Bxc3 15.
Bxc3 Bh3 16. Bg2 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Qd7 18. Qxd7 Nxd7 19. e4 c6 20. Rfd1 Rbd8 21. d4
Nb6 22. c5 exd4 23. cxb6 dxc3 24. bxa7 Ra8 25. Rxc3 Rxa7 26. Rxd6 Rxe4 27. Rd8+
Kh7 28. Rd7 Rxb4 29. Rf3 Rxa2 30. Rfxf7 Rg4 31. Rxb7 Rg6 32. Kh3 h5 33. f4 Rf2
34. Rbc7 Rd2 35. f5 Rg4 36. Rxc6 Rf2 37. Rg6 Kh8 38. Rfxg7 Rxg6 39. Rxg6 Rxf5
40. Kh4 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 17th"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2009.10.24"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanisevic, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2614"]
[PlyCount "169"]
[EventDate "2009.10.22"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Serbia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "YUG"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 c5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 cxd4 5. O-O d5 6. Nxd4 e5 7. Nf3 e4 8. Nd4
Bc5 9. Bg5 Nbd7 10. Nc3 Nb6 11. a4 Be6 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Bh3 h6 14. Bxf6 Qxf6
15. e3 Qe5 16. a5 Nc4 17. b3 Nd6 18. Ne2 g5 19. c4 dxc4 20. b4 Bxb4 21. Qa4+
Qb5 22. Qxb5+ Nxb5 23. Rfb1 Bc3 24. Ra4 a6 25. Bxe6 Be5 26. Bxc4 Nd6 27. Bd5
O-O-O 28. Rb6 Rh7 29. Nd4 Bxd4 30. Rxd4 Re7 31. Bb3 Kc7 32. Rd5 Ree8 33. Kg2
Re7 34. Bd1 Nf7 35. Rc5+ Kb8 36. Be2 Rd6 37. Rf5 Rxb6 38. axb6 Kc8 39. Rf6 Kd8
40. h4 gxh4 41. gxh4 Ne5 42. Rxh6 Rg7+ 43. Kf1 Ke7 44. Rh8 Nf3 45. Bxf3 exf3
46. h5 Rg5 47. h6 Rb5 48. Ke1 Kf7 49. Rb8 Kg6 50. Rxb7 Kxh6 51. Rf7 Rxb6 52.
Rxf3 Kg5 53. Rf4 a5 54. Ra4 Ra6 55. Kd2 Kf5 56. Kc3 Ke5 57. Kb3 Rb6+ 58. Kc3
Ra6 59. f3 Ra8 60. Kb3 Rb8+ 61. Kc4 Rc8+ 62. Kd3 Ra8 63. Kc3 Ra7 64. Kc4 Rc7+
65. Kb3 Rb7+ 66. Ka3 Ra7 67. Re4+ Kf5 68. Ka4 Rb7 69. Kxa5 Rb1 70. Rb4 Re1 71.
Rf4+ Ke5 72. Re4+ Kd5 73. Kb4 Rf1 74. Rd4+ Ke5 75. f4+ Kf5 76. Rd5+ Kg4 77. Kc5
Rc1+ 78. Kd6 Rc3 79. Rg5+ Kf3 80. Re5 Kg4 81. Ke6 Ra3 82. Kf6 Ra6+ 83. Re6 Ra5
84. Kg6 Rf5 85. Re4 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 17th"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2009.10.25"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Miladinovic, Igor"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A17"]
[WhiteElo "2547"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2009.10.22"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Serbia II"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "YUG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. g3 g6 7. Bg2 Bg7 8. O-O
O-O 9. Ne5 Re8 10. b4 Nfd7 11. Nxd7 Nxd7 12. e4 dxe4 13. Nxe4 Nf6 14. Bg5 Bf5
15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. d5 Rad8 18. Qb3 cxd5 19. Bxd5 Bh3 20. Bg2 Bxg2
21. Kxg2 Re2 22. Qf3 Qxf3+ 23. Kxf3 Rb2 24. Rfb1 Rd3+ 25. Kg2 Rdd2 26. Rxb2
Rxb2 27. a3 Rb3 28. h4 h5 29. f3 Rb2+ 30. Kh3 Rf2 31. Rc1 Rxf3 32. Rc7 Rxa3 33.
Rxb7 Ra2 34. b5 Kg7 35. Rb8 Kf6 36. b6 axb6 37. Rxb6+ Ke5 38. Rb7 Rf2 39. Rb4
f6 40. Ra4 Kf5 41. Rb4 Re2 42. Ra4 g5 43. hxg5 fxg5 44. g4+ hxg4+ 45. Kg3 Re3+
46. Kg2 g3 47. Rb4 Re4 48. Rxe4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 17th"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2009.10.26"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2009.10.22"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "France"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Be2 ({In this year's heavy-weight AntiMoscow duel between Grischuk and
Aronian Black was finally successful in the most recent encounter:} 9. Ne5 Bb7
(9... h5 10. h4 g4 11. Be2 Bb7 12. O-O Nbd7 13. Qc2 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Bg7 15. b3
O-O $5 (15... cxb3 16. axb3 O-O 17. Bg3 $1 c5 18. e5 Nd5 19. Nxb5 cxd4 20. Nd6
Rb8 21. Qd2 Nc3 22. Bd3 a5 23. Ra3 $44 {|^, Grischuk,A (2728)-Karjakin,S (2727)
/Sochi/2008/ For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 126.}) 16. bxc4
Nh7 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Rad1 Qxh4 19. cxb5 cxb5 20. Nxb5 Rac8 21. Qd3 Rfd8 $6 (
21... g3 $1 $11) 22. d5 $1 exd5 23. Qd4+ Kg8 24. Qxa7 Qe7 25. e5 Qxe5 $2 (25...
Ra8 $142 26. Qe3 Rxa2 27. Bd3 $36) 26. Qxb7 Rb8 27. Qc7 Qxe2 28. Nd4 $40 {
Grischuk,A (2733)-Aronian,L (2750)/Linares/2009/ For more details see the
notes to this game in CBM 129.}) 10. h4 g4 11. Be2 (11. Nxg4 Nxg4 12. Qxg4 Qxd4
13. Rd1 Qf6 14. a4 h5 15. Qg5 $5 $146 Qxg5 16. hxg5 a6 17. Be5 Rg8 (17... Rh7
18. Bf6 $5 Nd7 19. e5 $44 {[%csl Rh7] צh7}) 18. Rxh5 Nd7 19. Bf4 b4 (19... Nc5
$13) (19... Be7 $5) 20. Nb1 c5 (20... Nc5 21. Bxc4 Nxa4 22. Be5 $14 {/~~}) 21.
f3 Bg7 (21... Bc6 $132) 22. Rh7 Bd4 (22... Bxb2 23. Rxd7 $1 $36) (22... Bc6 $5)
23. Bxc4 Nf8 (23... Bxb2 $2 24. Bxe6 $18) 24. Rh5 Ng6 $2 ({Aronian considered
this a serious mistake, recommending} 24... Bxb2 $13) 25. Bc1 O-O-O (25... Ke7
{/\Rad8 is somewhat better, as Pf7 remains protected. However, after} 26. b3
$14 {White remains on top.}) 26. b3 Ne5 27. Be2 Rd7 28. Rd2 $1 Rgd8 (28... c4
29. bxc4 a5 30. Bb2 $16) 29. Rc2 Ng6 30. Kf1 Kb8 31. g3 $16 {/+-,Aronian,L 
(2786)-Leko,P (2752)/Moscow Tal mem/2009/ White prepares Nd2 by stopping Nf4.
He has a distinct, possibly already decisive advantage, as Black's activity
will gradually evaporate.}) 11... Nbd7 12. Nxd7 ({Less common is} 12. Bxg4 {
, after} Rg8 13. Nxd7 Qxd7 14. Bf3 O-O-O 15. Qd2 $5 Rxg3 16. fxg3 e5 17. O-O-O
Qxd4 ({Black should have possibly gone for the _|_} 17... exd4 $5 18. Qf4 Qe6
19. e5 dxc3 20. Rxd8+ Kxd8 21. Qxf6+ Qxf6 22. exf6 cxb2+ 23. Kxb2 Bd6 24. Re1
Bxg3 25. Re7 Bc8 26. Bxc6 (26. Rxa7 Bf5 $44) 26... b4 $132) 18. g4 $1 Nd7 19.
Qxd4 exd4 20. Rxd4 Bg7 21. Rdd1 Rg8 22. g5 Ne5 23. gxh6 Bxh6+ 24. Kb1 b4 25.
Ne2 c5 26. Rd6 Bg7 27. Rhd1 Kc7 28. Nf4 Rh8 29. h5 Bc6 30. R6d2 $16 {Grischuk,
A (2733)-Aronian,L (2773)/Bilbao/2009/ For more details see the notes to this
game in CBM 132.}) 12... Qxd7 13. Be5 Qe7 {Po} 14. O-O Rg8 15. b3 Nd7 16. Bg3
b4 17. Na4 c3 18. Qd3 h5 $5 $146 (18... e5 19. Rad1 Bg7 20. d5 Qd6 21. Bxg4
cxd5 22. exd5 O-O-O 23. a3 Ba6 24. Qe3 h5 25. Bf5 Kb8 26. Rfe1 $13 {/|^,
Grischuk,A (2717)-Gelfand,B (2733)/Odessa rpd/2007/ White finally won this
game after some hair-raising complications.}) 19. a3 a5 20. axb4 axb4 21. Nc5
$5 (21. Qc4 Ra5 $15) (21. Qe3 Rg6 $36) 21... Rxa1 22. Nxb7 $1 Ne5 $1 23. Rxa1
Nxd3 24. Ra8+ Kd7 25. Bxd3 Qf6 26. Be5 $2 (26. e5 $1 Qh6 27. Ra7 Kc8 28. Na5
$11 {and Black's K can't escape the threatening perpetual.}) 26... Bd6 $1 $19 {
[%csl Gc3] o^c3} 27. Bxf6 Rxa8 28. Kf1 Ra1+ 29. Ke2 Ra2+ {0-1,Grischuk,A (2733)
-Aronian,L (2773)/ECC Ohrid/2009/}) 9... Bb7 10. O-O {This move and the lines
connected with it were recently somewhat unfairly neglected.} ({More attention
concentrated on} 10. h4 g4 11. Ne5 {, transposing into the lines from the
previous note.}) 10... Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7 ({Due to the recent developments in
this branch Black should perhaps pay more attention to the less usual, but
playable alternative} 11... h5 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 {, which doesn't lead to such
forcing play as the text-move:} 13. Be5 (13. Qc1 Rg8 14. Rd1 Bb4 15. Qe3 Qe7 (
15... Ng4 16. Bxg4 hxg4 17. a4 Kf8 18. axb5 cxb5 19. d5 a6 20. Qb6 Rg6 21. Bc7
Rc8 22. Qxb7 {Goganov,A (2462)-Yevseev,D (2529)/St Petersburg/2009/} Rxc7 23.
Qxa6 exd5 $132) 16. h3 (16. e5 $5 $14) (16. a4 $5) 16... h4 17. Bh2 Bxc3 18.
bxc3 g4 19. Kh1 c5 20. hxg4 cxd4 21. Rxd4 e5 22. Rdd1 Nxg4 23. Bxg4 Rxg4 24. f3
Rg6 25. a4 a5 26. axb5 a4 27. Qe2 Qc5 28. Rab1 Rd6 29. Rxd6 Qxd6 30. Qxc4 a3
31. Ra1 h3 32. Qe2 hxg2+ 33. Qxg2 O-O-O $1 $44 {Kramnik,V (2769)-Gelfand,B 
(2733)/WCh Mexico City/2007/}) 13... Rh6 14. Qc1 Rg6 15. Rd1 Ng4 16. Bxg4 hxg4
17. b3 cxb3 18. axb3 f6 19. Bg3 Kf7 20. Qe3 a6 21. Rd3 Kg8 22. Rad1 Qf7 23. Qe2
{1/2,Wang Hao (2696)-Predojevic,B (2652)/Sarajevo/2009/} a5 $5 $13 {/=/+}) 12.
Nxd7 ({Topalov's blow} 12. Nxf7 {has almost disappeared from the scene:} Kxf7
13. e5 Nd5 14. Ne4 Qb6 15. Nd6+ Ke7 16. Bg4 Raf8 17. Qc2 Rhg8 18. Rad1 c5 19.
Qg6 Nc7 20. Nxb7 cxd4 21. Qe4 d3 (21... Nd5 $5 22. Nd6 d3 $15) 22. Rxd3 cxd3
23. Qb4+ Nc5 24. Nxc5 a5 25. Qa3 Rd8 $1 26. Nb3+ $2 (26. Nxd3+ b4 27. Qb3 Rc8
$15 {/~~}) 26... b4 27. Qxa5 Qxa5 28. Nxa5 Rd5 {0-1,Bromberger,S (2510)
-Sandipan,C (2585)/Zuerich/2009/}) 12... Nxd7 13. Bd6 a6 14. a4 {This is the
main and most ambitious move.} (14. Re1 Bf8 $1 15. Bxf8 Kxf8 16. b3 cxb3 17.
Qxb3 Kg7 18. a4 Qe7 19. d5 b4 20. dxe6 fxe6 21. Qb2 Kh7 22. e5 Rhf8 (22... c5
$5 $15) 23. Qc2+ Kh8 24. Ne4 c5 25. Nd6 Bd5 26. Bc4 Bxc4 27. Nxc4 Rf4 28. Rad1
Kg7 29. g3 Rd4 30. Rxd4 cxd4 31. Qe4 Rf8 32. Qxd4 Qc5 $15 {Lorenzo de la Riva,
L (2331)-Alsina Leal,D (2529)/Barcelona/2009/}) (14. Bh5 Bf8 15. Bxf8 Rxf8 16.
e5 Qe7 $5 $146 (16... Qb6 17. b3 O-O-O $13 {Kramnik,V (2769)-Anand,V (2792)/
WCh Mexico City/2007/ See the notes in CBM 120.}) 17. Ne4 O-O-O 18. Nd6+ Kb8
19. a4 Nb6 20. axb5 cxb5 21. Bf3 Rxd6 22. exd6 Qxd6 23. Bxb7 Kxb7 24. Qf3+ Nd5
25. Ra5 Qe7 26. Rfa1 Ra8 $15 {Pavlidis,A (2270)-Kotanjian,T (2578)/Kavala/2008/
}) (14. d5 cxd5 15. exd5 Nf8 $15) 14... e5 15. Bg4 (15. d5 c5 16. b4 Qb6 $1 {
is still considered reliable for Black:} (16... cxb4 17. Bxb4 a5 18. Bd6 b4 19.
Nb5 Rc8 20. Bxc4 $1 Rxc4 21. Qb3 $40 Qc8 22. Bc7 Qxc7 23. Nxc7+ Rxc7 24. Rac1
Nc5 25. Qh3 Bc8 26. Qf3 g4 27. Qe3 Bf8 28. f4 gxf3 29. Qxf3 f5 30. Qg3 {
1-0,Gustafsson,J (2606)-Rodshtein,M (2615)/Khanty Mansiysk/2007/}) 17. bxc5
Nxc5 18. Bxc5 Qxc5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Rxa8+ Bxa8 21. Qa1 O-O 22. Qa5 Rb8 23. Rb1
Bf8 24. Nxb5 f5 25. Qa6 Kh8 26. Nc3 Rxb1+ 27. Nxb1 Qb4 28. Qxa8 Qxb1+ 29. Bf1
Qb4 30. exf5 c3 31. Qc8 (31. Qc6 e4 32. h4 g4 33. g3 Qc5 34. Qf6+ Bg7 35. Qd8+
Bf8 36. Qf6+ Bg7 37. Qd8+ Qf8 38. Qc7 Qxf5 39. d6 Bd4 40. Qd8+ Kg7 {1/2,
Alekseev,E (2716)-Bareev,E (2653)/Khanty Mansiysk/2007/}) 31... e4 32. d6 Qxd6
33. Qxc3+ Bg7 34. Qc8+ Kh7 35. g3 Qd4 36. Qe8 Qe5 37. Qg6+ Kh8 38. Kg2 Qe7 39.
Kh3 e3 40. fxe3 Qxe3 $11 {[%csl Rf1,Gg7] Kramnik,V (2799)-Karjakin,S (2732)/
Nice blindfold rpd/2008/ The ^- are a sufficiently strong drawing factor to
hold this _|_ for Black.}) ({Interesting, but hardly conclusive is Kramnik's
alternative idea} 15. Re1 $5 Qf6 $5 (15... exd4 $6 16. e5 $1 {/\} dxc3 17. Bh5
Nf8 18. Qf3 Qd7 19. e6 Nxe6 20. Rxe6+ $1 Qxe6 21. Bxf7+ $1 Qxf7 22. Re1+ $18) (
15... Qb6 16. Bg4 $1 {/\} Qxd4 17. Bxd7+ Kxd7 18. Qh5 $1 Kxd6 19. Qxf7 $40) 16.
Ba3 Bf8 17. Bg4 Rd8 18. axb5 axb5 (18... cxb5 19. Nd5 $16) 19. Bxf8 Kxf8 20.
Bxd7 (20. Ra7 exd4 $5 (20... Nc5 $2 21. dxc5 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 $18) (20... h5 $13)
21. Rxb7 Ne5 $44) 20... Rxd7 $1 (20... exd4 21. e5 Qe7 22. e6 dxc3 23. Qd4 $16)
21. dxe5 Qe6 22. Qh5 Qxe5 23. f4 $5 Qxf4 (23... Qe7 $13) (23... Qc5+ 24. Kh1
Qf2 $13 {Kramnik}) 24. Rf1 Qe5 25. Rf5 Qe6 26. Raf1 Kg7 $2 (26... Rh7 27. e5
$44) 27. Ne2 $1 Rf8 28. Ng3 c5 $2 (28... Qg6 $142 $8 29. Qg4 Rd6 30. Nh5+ Kg8
31. Rf6 Rxf6 32. Rxf6 Qh7 33. Rd6 $1 $40) 29. Rf6 Qxf6 30. Rxf6 Kxf6 31. Qxh6+
Ke7 32. Nf5+ Ke8 33. Nd6+ Ke7 34. e5 Rg8 35. Qf6+ Kf8 36. e6 {1-0,Kramnik,V 
(2759)-Leko,P (2751)/Nice rpd blindfold/2009/}) 15... exd4 16. e5 c5 17. f4 $5
$146 {[%cal Gf1f8,Ge1e8][%mdl 8] A new idea, White would like to open both the
<->e and f against Black's K. Bacrot prepared this novelty already against
Carlsen in Dortmund 2009, but had to face a Botvinnik (5...dxc4) instead. Now
Aronian became the victim, Bacrot in a subsequent interview mentioned a look
of surprise in his opponent's face after the text-move. Other continuations
lack the shock value, but even here White subsequently came up with a
dangerous new idea:} (17. Bf3 Nxe5 $1 (17... Ra7 $2 18. Bxb7 Rxb7 19. Ne4 Nxe5
20. axb5 axb5 21. f4 gxf4 22. Qh5 Rb6 23. Bxe5 Qd5 24. Rxf4 Rg6 25. Nd6+ Rxd6
26. Rxf7 Bxe5 27. Rb7+ Kf8 28. Ra8+ {1-0,Iljin,A (2538)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2602)
/EU-ch Dresden/2007/ For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 118.})
(17... Bxf3 $2 18. Qxf3 Nxe5 19. Qd5 dxc3 20. Rfe1 cxb2 21. Rad1 b1=Q 22. Rxb1
Rc8 23. axb5 axb5 24. Rbd1 Qd7 25. Rxe5+ $18 {Kuljasevic,D (2464)-Zhao Jun 
(2552)/Richardson/2007/}) 18. Bxb7 Qxd6 19. Bxa8 O-O 20. Ne4 (20. Bf3 Qe7 (
20... Nxf3+ $142 21. gxf3 b4 22. Ne4 Qd5 $36) 21. Nd5 Qd7 22. axb5 axb5 23. Ra6
f5 24. h3 (24. Nb6 $5) 24... d3 25. Re1 Re8 26. Nb6 $2 (26. Kf1 $1 $14) 26...
Nxf3+ 27. gxf3 Rxe1+ 28. Qxe1 d2 $17 {Pantsulaia,L (2607)-Babuiian,L (2415)/
Istanbul/2008/}) 20... Qc7 21. axb5 Rxa8 22. f4 gxf4 23. Qh5 Ra7 (23... Qb6 $5
$15) 24. Rxa6 Rxa6 25. bxa6 Qc6 26. Qf5 Qxa6 27. Rxf4 Qg6 28. Nxc5 d3 29. Ne4
Qxf5 30. Rxf5 Ng4 31. Rb5 $11 {Deep Junior-Deep Fritz/Elista comp m/2007/}) ({
More promising seems to be} 17. Re1 Nxe5 18. Bxe5 O-O 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Ne2 f5
21. Bh5 f4 {But White can deviate earlier with} 22. Nxd4 $1 $146 (22. b4 {
However, stronger is the yet untested} d3 $1 (22... cxb3 23. Qxb3 Qd5 24. Qh3
Bc8 25. Nc3 dxc3 26. Qxc3+ Qd4 27. Qf3 Ra7 (27... Rb8 28. Qc6 Bf5 (28... Kg8
29. Rad1 Qg7 30. Re8 Rxe8 31. Qxe8+ Qf8 32. Bf7+ Kg7 33. Qe5+ Kxf7 34. Qxb8 $16
{Kramnik}) 29. Rad1 Qc3 30. h3 $40) 28. axb5 Qf6 (28... Bb7 29. Qe2 Bd5 30.
Rad1 f3 31. Rxd4 fxe2 32. Rxd5 $18 {Munkhchuluun,T (2042)-Lhamsuren,U (2038)/
MGL-ch Ulaanbaatar/2009/}) (28... Rf6 29. Rad1 Qc4 30. Rd8 $40 {Kramnik}) 29.
Qa3 Qb6 30. Qc3+ Kg8 31. Re5 Qf6 32. Qxc5 Rd7 33. h4 gxh4 {Kramnik,V (2799)
-Aronian,L (2739)/Wijk aan Zee/2008/} 34. bxa6 $1 Bxa6 35. Bg4 Rd6 36. Rae1 $18
{Kramnik}) 23. bxc5 b4 $13 {Anand} (23... d2 $5 24. Rf1 f3 25. gxf3 Qd3 $44))
22... cxd4 (22... Qxd4 $2 23. Re7+ $18) 23. Re6 Bc8 (23... Rf6 24. Qe1 {
guarantees White at least a draw and he can fight for more.}) 24. Rg6+ Kh7 25.
axb5 Rf6 26. Rxf6 (26. Qe2 $5) 26... Qxf6 27. Qc2+ Bf5 28. Qxc4 Rc8 29. Qd5
axb5 30. h3 Kh8 (30... Rc7 $5 31. Ra8 Be6 32. Qxb5 Bc4 33. Qa5 $14) 31. Qxb5
Rf8 32. Ra6 Qg7 33. Rd6 d3 34. Qb6 Qe5 (34... Kh7 35. Bg4 $36) 35. Bg6 d2 36.
Bxf5 Qxf5 37. Qd4+ Kh7 38. Qxd2 $16 {/+-,Anand,V-Leko,P/Moscow Tal mem/2009/})
17... dxc3 {White's last move prevented Nxe5, thus enhancing the potential
effect of the ideas/threats, indicated in the above note (axb5, e6, Re1, Bf3
etc.). Although it's a piece sacrifice (Black has time to take the offered N),
the question is of he can't afford to play even} (17... gxf4 $5 {/\ with the
analoguous idea} 18. Bf3 (18. Rxf4 Nxe5 $17) (18. Re1 Nxe5 19. Bxe5 O-O $17 {/\
} 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Ne2 d3 $1 $19 {and the N can't go to g3.}) (18. e6 Nf6 $19)
18... Nxe5 19. Bxb7 Qxd6 20. Bxa8 O-O 21. Ne4 (21. Be4 b4 $36) 21... Qb6 22.
Bd5 Rd8 $15) 18. bxc3 Bf8 {A natural reaction, Black forst of all challenges
the monster Bd6.} (18... gxf4 $6 {already runs into} 19. e6 Nf6 20. Bh5 Nxh5
21. Qxh5 Qxd6 22. Qxf7+ Kd8 23. Qxg7 Re8 24. Qxb7 $36) (18... Nf8 19. f5 $44)
19. Qe2 {White calmly continues his development, as more direct continuations
are inadequate:} (19. e6 Nf6 20. Be5 Qxd1 21. Bxd1 Rg8 22. Bxf6 gxf4 $17) (19.
fxg5 Bxd6 20. exd6 (20. Qxd6 Nb6 21. Qxc5 Qd5 22. Qf2 Qxg2+ $5 23. Qxg2 Bxg2
24. Kxg2 Nxa4 $17) 20... O-O $1 21. gxh6 Ne5 22. Rf5 f6 $15) 19... Bxd6 {
Another logical and human moves, which is consistent with 18...Bf8. Although
now White's initiatiative gives him at least a draw, other tries, initially
favoured by the computer, are connected with serious practical risk,
especially for the defence.} (19... h5 20. Bxh5 Rh7 21. Rad1 Bxd6 22. Rxd6 $5 (
22. exd6+ Kf8 23. Bg4 Kg8 $15) 22... Rxh5 (22... Qe7 23. Rfd1 $16) (22... Qc7
23. Re6+ $5 Kf8 (23... Kd8 24. Rd6 $40) 24. fxg5 $40) 23. Qxh5 Qe7 24. Qxg5
Qxg5 25. fxg5 b4 (25... Nf8 26. Rb6) 26. e6 $14) (19... Nb6 20. fxg5 (20. Rad1
$5 Be7 {/\0-0~~}) 20... Qxg5 21. Rf5 Qg7 (21... Qh4 22. g3 Qd8 23. Bh5 $40) 22.
Bf3 (22. Raf1 Bd5 23. Rxf7 $5 Bxf7 24. Rxf7 Qxf7 25. Bh5 $44) 22... Qh7 (22...
Nd5 23. Qd2 Bxd6 24. Bxd5 $44) 23. Bxb7 (23. Rxf7 Kxf7 24. Bxb7 Qd3 25. Qf2+
Kg8 26. Bxa8 Bxd6 27. Rf1 Rh7 28. exd6 Qxd6 $11) 23... Qxf5 24. Bxa8 Nxa8 25.
axb5 $44 {|^}) 20. exd6+ Kf8 21. fxg5 hxg5 (21... Rh7 22. g6 $5 (22. Be6 Qxg5 (
22... hxg5 $5 23. Qc2 {-21...hg5}) 23. Rf5 (23. Bxd7 Rg7 24. Rf2 Rd8 $15) 23...
Qd8 24. Raf1 f6 25. Qh5 $44) 22... Rg7 23. gxf7 Nf6 (23... Bxg2 24. Kxg2 h5 25.
Qe6 Rxg4+ 26. Kh1 $18) 24. Bf3 Bxf3 25. Qxf3 Rxf7 26. axb5 $44) 22. Be6 Rh7 (
22... Nf6 $143 $6 23. Rxf6 Qxf6 24. Rf1 Qg6 (24... Rh6 25. Rxf6 Rxf6 26. Qh5
$18) 25. Rxf7+ Qxf7 26. Bxf7 Kxf7 27. Qe7+ Kg6 28. Qxb7 $16 {With his exposed
K and weak P Black is fighting for his life in the resulting _|_.}) 23. Qc2 Kg8
$2 {[%mdl 8192] This fails tactically, allowing Bacrot to demonstrate a forced
win.} (23... Nf6 $2 24. Rxf6 Qxf6 25. Qxh7 $40 {/+-}) ({The only correct
defence was} 23... Rg7 $142 $1 24. Qf5 $142 (24. Bxf7 Rxf7 25. Qh7 Rf4 $1 (
25... Nf6 26. Qh8+ Ng8 27. Rxf7+ Kxf7 28. Qh7+ Ke6 29. Qxb7 $44) (25... Rf6 26.
Rae1 (26. Rfe1 Rxd6 27. Qh8+ Kf7 28. Qh7+ $11) 26... Be4 27. Qxe4 Kg7 28. Rf5
$5 Rxd6 29. Rf7+ Kxf7 30. Qh7+ Kf8 31. Qh8+ $11) 26. h4 $5 (26. g3 Qf6 $1 27.
gxf4 gxf4 28. Rf2 Re8 $1 29. Qxd7 Qg5+ 30. Kf1 Be4 $19) 26... Nf6 27. Qxb7 Rb8
$15) 24... Nf6 (24... f6 $2 25. Qh3 $18) 25. Qxf6 Qxf6 26. Rxf6 Rd8 (26... Ke8
$6 27. Bf5 $14 {|^}) 27. Raf1 (27. Bf5 b4 $11 {now already gives Black
sufficient <=>.}) 27... Rxd6 28. Rxf7+ Rxf7 29. Rxf7+ Ke8 30. Rxb7 Rxe6 31.
axb5 axb5 32. Rxb5 Re5 33. Kf2 $11 {/+/= White has a slightly better R _|_,
but the most probable result is a draw. I can only speculate if Aronian wanted
to avoid this endgame, or what he overlooked in the final pahse of the game...}
) 24. Rxf7 $1 Rxf7 25. Rf1 $1 {[%mdl 64] The combination requires accuracy.} (
25. Qg6+ $2 Kh8 26. Qxf7 Qf6 $1 {/\} 27. Qxd7 Rf8 $19) 25... Nf8 (25... Ne5 26.
Rxf7 Nxf7 27. Qg6+ Kh8 28. Qh5+ $1 Kg7 29. Qxf7+ Kh8 (29... Kh6 30. Bf5 Qg8 31.
Qf6+ Kh5 32. g4+ Kh4 33. Qh6#) 30. Bf5 Qg8 31. Qh5+ Kg7 32. Qxg5+ Kh8 (32...
Kf7 33. Qe7#) 33. Qh6+ $18) (25... Nf6 26. Qg6+ Kh8 27. Qxf7 Qf8 28. Qxb7 Rd8
29. Qe7 $1 $18 {wins at least a piece.}) 26. Qf5 $1 {The decisive blow.} (26.
Rxf7 $2 Qxd6 $19) (26. Bxf7+ $6 Kh8 27. Qd1 Kg7 $13) 26... Nxe6 (26... Qd7 27.
Bxf7+ Kh8 28. Qxg5 $18) (26... Kh8 27. Qxf7 Nh7 (27... Nxe6 28. Rf6 {-26...Ne6}
) 28. Qxb7 $18) 27. Qxf7+ Kh8 28. Rf6 Qxf6 (28... Qf8 29. Qxe6 $18) 29. Qxf6+
Ng7 30. d7 $18 {This P will cost Black a whole R, the rest is just agony.} b4
31. cxb4 cxb4 32. d8=Q+ Rxd8 33. Qxd8+ Kh7 34. Qb6 Be4 35. Qxb4 Bd3 36. Qa5 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 17th"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2009.10.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2009.10.22"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Spain"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ESP"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. a3 a5 (11... a6 {is more popular - see
annotations to Kasimdzhanov - Leko by GM L.Ftacnik in CBM 132}) (11... Qe7 {
is played quite often, too.}) 12. e4 (12. Ng5) (12. Bd2 {are quite harmless
alternatives.}) 12... e5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. h3 (15. f4 $6 Bd4+ 16.
Kh1 Ng4 17. h3 Qh4 18. Qe2 h5 19. f5 Nf2+ 20. Rxf2 Qxf2 21. Qxf2 Bxf2 22. Bf4
Rfd8 $17 {0-1 Milov,V (2676)-Bareev,E (2653)/Bastia 2007/EXT 2008 (30)}) 15...
Ba6 $146 {[%cal Yb5b4][%mdl 8] A curious novelty. Black finds a way to trade
this passive bishop. The other moves seen in practice don't promise him equal
chances, either due to this bishop or because of weaknesses arising in his
camp:} (15... c5 $5 {is a surgical approach, which hardly works here:} 16. Bxb5
(16. Nxb5 c4 17. Bxc4 Nxe4 18. Be3 {is less convincing}) 16... Bxc3 (16... Qb6
17. a4 $5) 17. bxc3 (17. Qxc3 $5 Nxe4 18. Qc2) 17... Bxe4 18. Qe2 Qd5 19. f3
Bf5 20. c4 $1 Qd4+ 21. Be3 Qe5 22. Qf2 Rfc8 23. Rad1 $16 {[%csl Rc5] 1/2
Epishin,V (2615)-Dokhoian,Y (2545)/Moscow 1991/URS-ch (52)}) (15... Nh5 $6 16.
Ne2 Re8 17. f4 Bd4+ 18. Kh2 Qb6 $6 19. Nxd4 Qxd4 20. Qe2 Nf6 21. Be3 Qd7 22.
Bc5 $16 {1-0 Maric,A (2443)-Tkeshelashvili,S (2286)/New Delhi 2000/CBM 079 ext
(30)}) (15... Re8 16. Be3 (16. f4 $6 Bd4+ 17. Kh2 g6 $132 {[%cal Yc6c5]}) 16...
Qc7 (16... Bd4 $6 17. Rfe1 h6 18. Rad1 Bxe3 19. Rxe3 Qb6 20. Qe2 Rad8 21. e5
Nd7 22. e6 $16 {1-0 Fressinet,L (2654)-Maksimenko,A (2505)/Germany 2008/CBM
124 (33)}) (16... Bxc3 $6 17. bxc3 c5 18. Bxb5 (18. Rfd1 $5 Qe7 19. f3 $14)
18... Bxe4 19. Qd1 Qxd1 20. Rfxd1 Rec8 21. c4 $1 {[%csl Rc5] This arrangement 
(Bb5, Pc4), as you see, is quite typical after the exchange on c3.} a4 22. Ra2
Bc6 23. Rb2 Ne4 24. f3 Nc3 25. Rc1 Nxb5 26. cxb5 $18 {1-0 Peralta,F (2546)
-Tissir,M (2440)/La Laguna 2008/CBM 123 Extra (61)}) (16... Qe7 17. Ne2 Bc7 18.
Bc5 Bd6 19. Bxd6 Qxd6 20. f4 $2 (20. Rad1 $14) 20... c5 $1 21. e5 Qb6 22. Rf2
c4 23. Bf5 Nd5 $36 {0-1 Bhat,V (2473)-Stripunsky,A (2556)/ICC INT 2009/The
Week in Chess 781 (33)}) 17. f3 $5 (17. f4 Bxc3 18. bxc3 c5 19. e5 c4 $1 20.
Be2 Ne4 21. Rfb1 Bc6 22. Bf3 f5 $13 23. a4 bxa4 24. Be2 Qf7 {0-1 Nielsen,P 
(2629)-Grachev,B (2610)/Plovdiv 2008/CBM 124 (40)}) (17. Rad1 Rad8 18. Ne2 Bd6
19. Nd4 Nh5 20. Rfe1 Nf4 21. Bf1 Ne6 22. Nxe6 Rxe6 23. f4 f6 $14 {1/2 Kramnik,
V (2785)-Anand,V (2801)/Moscow 2007/CBM 121 Extra (47)}) 17... Rad8 18. Rad1
Nh5 19. Ne2 Nf4 20. Nxf4 Bxf4 21. Bxf4 (21. Bf2 a4 22. e5 Bxe5 23. Bxh7+ Kh8
$11 {1/2 Sokolov,I (2658)-Erdos,V (2576)/Sibenik 2008/CBM 126 Extra (43)})
21... Qxf4 22. Qc5 $1 Qf6 23. Qb6 Qd4+ 24. Qxd4 Rxd4 25. Be2 Red8 26. Rxd4 Rxd4
27. Kf2 Rd2 28. Rb1 Kf8 29. Ke3 Rd8 30. a4 bxa4 31. Ra1 Rb8 32. Rxa4 Bc8 33.
Rxa5 Bd7 34. Ra7 Be6 35. Rc7 $16 {V.Bologan}) (15... h6 16. Be3 Re8 17. Rad1
$14 (17. Ne2 $2 Bxb2 {0-1 Manea,A (2357)-Savchenko,S (2557)/Bucharest 2008/CBM
126 Extra (36)})) (15... b4 16. axb4 axb4 17. Rxa8 Bxa8 18. Ne2 $5 $14 (18. Na4
Bd4 19. b3 c5 20. Bb2 Bxb2 21. Nxb2 Qd4 22. Re1 Re8 23. Na4 g6 $15 {0-1
Saldano Dayer,H (2449)-Fier,A (2595)/Campinas 2009/CBM 130 Extra (44)})) 16.
Be3 (16. Rd1 $5 Qe7 $140 17. Be3 (17. f4 $2 Bd4+ 18. Kf1 Bb6 {[%cal Re7c5]})
17... b4 18. Na4 Bxd3 19. Rxd3 Nxe4 20. Re1 $44 {[+]}) 16... b4 $1 17. Bxa6
bxc3 18. Bc4 $6 (18. Rad1 $142 Qe7 (18... Qb8 19. Bd3 Qxb2 20. f4 Bc7 21. Rc1
$44) 19. Bd3 $1 cxb2 20. f4 Bd6 $1 21. Qxb2 (21. e5 $2 Bxa3) 21... Nxe4 22. Qc2
Bc5 23. Bxe4 Bxe3+ 24. Kh1 $11) 18... cxb2 19. Rad1 Qb8 $2 {Black fails to
exploit White's inaccuracy, and the advantage passes to the Armenian
grandmaster. His bishop will now be well-placed on c4.} (19... Qe7 $142 $1 20.
Bc5 (20. f4 Bd6 {- the e4 pawn is now unprotected!} 21. e5 Bxa3) 20... Qc7 21.
Bxf8 Rxf8 {[%cal Yc6c5,Ye5d4] - Black has excellent compensation for the
exchange.}) 20. f4 Bc7 21. e5 {[%csl Gc4,Ge5,Gf4]} Bb6 (21... Nd5 $142 22. Bd4
Rd8 $14) 22. Bf2 $1 Bxf2+ 23. Rxf2 Rd8 $5 {[%mdl 512] A desperate decision but
after the knight retreats White gets a clear advantage.} (23... Nd5 24. Bxd5
cxd5 25. Qxb2 $16 {[%csl Rd5]}) (23... Nh5 24. Kh2 $16 {[%cal Rg2g4]}) 24.
Rxd8+ Qxd8 25. exf6 {It was equally good to decline the offer:} (25. Qxb2 {
[%csl Gc4,Rc6] The white bishop is much stronger here than the black knight. E.
g.} Ne4 (25... Nd5 26. Qb7 Qc8 27. Rb2 $1 $16) 26. Rf3 $1 {[%cal Yf3d3]} Qd1+
27. Rf1 Qd8 28. e6 fxe6 29. Bxe6+ Kh8 30. Re1 $16) 25... Rb8 26. Ba2 Qxf6 {
Surprisingly, it is not so easy for White to convert his material advantage.
He fails to find an appropriate way.} 27. g3 (27. Bb1 $1 g6 28. f5 {
(developing an initiative on the kingside) was probably the right plan.} g5 29.
Rd2 {[%cal Yd2d7]}) 27... g6 28. Kh2 Qe7 29. a4 Qa3 $132 {[%csl Ra4]} 30. Bb1 {
Too late!} Rb3 $1 31. Rg2 Qxa4 32. f5 Qb5 33. Qe4 Qb8 {[%csl Rg2]} 34. Qxc6 Rb6
35. Qd7 Rb7 36. Qd1 Rb3 37. Qe1 a4 38. Re2 Kf8 (38... Kg7 $5 39. f6+ Kxf6 40.
Qf2+ Kg7 41. Re7 Kh6 42. Rxf7 Qd6 {- White can't make any progress.}) 39. Re3
$6 {After the rook exchange White can't win anymore.} (39. f6 $1 {would have
given him some winning chances, e.g.} Rf3 (39... a3 40. Re7 $1 {[%cal Re7f7]}
Qd8 41. h4 $1 {, then the white queen moves forward}) 40. Be4 $1 Rxf6 41. Qc3
Qb6 42. Kg2 $1 (42. Rxb2 $143 Rf2+ {- the rook exchange is unfavorable for
White here, too}) 42... Qa6 43. Qxb2 {killing the main enemy} a3 $140 44. Qa2
Re6 45. Rf2 $1) 39... Rxe3 40. Qxe3 {[%mdl 4096]} Qb4 41. f6 a3 42. h4 h5 43.
Qa7 Ke8 {White now has a lot of checks but nothing more.} 44. Qa8+ (44. Ba2
Qd2+ 45. Kh3 Qd7+ 46. Qxd7+ Kxd7 {can be risky for White.}) 44... Kd7 45. Qd5+
Kc8 46. Qxf7 Qd2+ 47. Kh3 Qd1 48. Qe6+ Kc7 $1 49. Qe5+ Kd7 50. Qe7+ Kc8 51. Qe4
Qf1+ 52. Kh2 Qf2+ 53. Qg2 Qxf6 54. Qa8+ Kc7 55. Qa7+ Kd8 56. Qa5+ Kd7 57. Kg2
Qc6+ 58. Kf2 Qf6+ 59. Kg2 Qc6+ 60. Kh2 Qf6 61. Qa4+ Kc7 62. Qa7+ Kd8 63. Qc5
Qe6 64. Qa5+ Kc8 65. Qc3+ Kd8 66. Qa5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 17th"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2009.10.28"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2009.10.22"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Bc4 d6 6. Nxd4 exd4 7. Nd5 Nd7 8.
O-O g6 9. c3 Bg7 10. cxd4 Bxd4 11. Nc3 O-O 12. Ne2 Qe7 13. Qc2 Bg7 14. d4 Nb6
15. Bb3 Re8 16. Be3 Qxe4 17. Qxc7 Qe7 18. Rfc1 Be6 19. Qxe7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 17th"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2009.10.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2009.10.22"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Ne4 5. Bh4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 dxc4 7. e3 Be6 8.
Nf3 Bg7 9. Qb1 Qd5 10. Be2 Bf5 11. Qb4 c5 12. Bxc4 Qxf3 13. Qa4+ Bd7 14. Qxd7+
Nxd7 15. gxf3 Rc8 16. Bd5 cxd4 17. cxd4 e5 18. dxe5 Bxe5 19. Rd1 Rc7 20. O-O
O-O 21. Rd2 Kg7 22. f4 Bc3 23. Rd3 Bf6 24. Bg3 Nc5 25. Rc1 b6 26. Bf3 Bb2 27.
Rc2 f5 28. h4 Bf6 29. h5 Rd8 30. Rxd8 Bxd8 31. hxg6 hxg6 32. Be2 Ne4 33. Rxc7+
Bxc7 34. Bh4 Bd6 35. Kf1 Kf8 36. Bg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 17th"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2009.10.30"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Pelletier, Yannick"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2589"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2009.10.22"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Switzerland"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SUI"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. a4 e6 6. g3 dxc4 7. Ne5 c5 8. dxc5
Qxd1+ 9. Nxd1 Bxc5 10. Bg2 Nd5 11. Bd2 Ke7 12. Nxc4 Nc6 13. Nc3 Nd4 14. Nxd5+
exd5 15. Ne3 Be6 16. Rd1 Rhd8 17. Bc3 Nxe2 18. Kxe2 d4 19. Bxb7 Ra7 20. Be4
dxc3 21. Rxd8 Kxd8 22. bxc3 g6 23. Rb1 h5 24. h4 Re7 25. Bd3 Bc8 26. Kd2 Bb7
27. Re1 Rd7 28. Kc2 Kc7 29. Bc4 Bc6 30. a5 Kb7 31. Rd1 Re7 32. Kb3 Bxe3 33.
fxe3 Rxe3 34. Rd3 Re5 35. Kb4 g5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2009.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Ne4 5. Bh4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 dxc4 7. e3 Be6 8.
Nf3 Bg7 9. Qb1 b6 10. Be2 c5 11. O-O O-O 12. Rd1 Nd7 13. dxc5 Qe8 14. c6 Nc5
15. Nd4 Bd5 16. Qb5 Rc8 17. Bxc4 Bxc6 18. Nxc6 Rxc6 19. Rac1 Rc7 20. Bg3 Qxb5
21. Bxb5 Rcc8 22. f3 a6 23. Be2 b5 24. Be1 Na4 25. c4 Nb2 26. Rd7 Nxc4 27. Bxc4
e6 28. Bb4 Rfe8 29. Ra7 bxc4 30. Rxa6 c3 31. Rc2 Red8 32. Rd6 Rxd6 33. Bxd6 Rd8
34. Bb4 Rd1+ 35. Kf2 Rb1 36. Bxc3 Bxc3 37. Rxc3 Rb2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D87"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2009.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 O-O 8.
Ne2 c5 9. O-O Nc6 10. Be3 Qc7 11. Rc1 Rd8 12. Qd2 ({Refraining from the
fashionable} 12. Bf4) 12... b6 $5 ({In his old monograph, Botvinnik recommends
} 12... Qa5) 13. Bh6 {According to Botvinnik, this offers White the better
play.} Rb8 $5 $146 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Qe3 (15. f4 b5 16. Bb3 c4 17. Bc2 b4 $132
{[%csl Gd4][%cal Gc8g4]}) 15... e5 16. Qg3 cxd4 17. cxd4 Qd6 18. d5 Na5 19. Bd3
{Black has managed to block the position on the dark squares, but his kingside
is a bit vulnerable.} Rb7 $1 {Taking advantage of a hidden aspect of the
novelty.} 20. f4 exf4 21. Nxf4 Kg8 22. Qg5 f6 23. Qh6 Rf7 {Black's position
looks safe now.} 24. Rf3 Qe5 25. Rg3 Rg7 26. Nxg6 hxg6 27. Rxg6 Rxg6 28. Qxg6+
Kh8 29. Qh6+ Kg8 30. Qg6+ Kh8 31. Qh6+ Kg8 32. Qg6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2009.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Ne5 Bb7 10. h4 g4 11. Nxg4 Nxg4 12. Qxg4 Qxd4 13. Rd1 Qf6 14. a4 h5 15. Qg5
Qxg5 16. hxg5 a6 17. Be5 Rg8 18. Rxh5 Nd7 19. Bf4 b4 20. Nb1 c5 21. f3 Bg7 22.
Rh7 Bd4 23. Bxc4 Nf8 24. Rh5 Ng6 25. Bc1 O-O-O 26. b3 Ne5 27. Be2 Rd7 28. Rd2
Rgd8 29. Rc2 Ng6 30. Kf1 Kb8 31. g3 Ka7 32. Nd2 Ne5 33. Nc4 Nc6 34. Rd2 a5 35.
Rd1 Ba6 36. f4 Bc3 37. Rxd7+ Rxd7 38. Rh7 Bc8 39. Be3 Bd4 40. Bxd4 cxd4 41. Bd3
Kb8 42. e5 f5 43. gxf6 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D47"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2009.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
Bd6 9. Nd2 $5 {This had been played only once before.} Bb7 10. Nce4 $146 (10.
O-O {Volkov,S (2633)-Romanov,E (2547)/Dagomys 2008/CBM 124 (0-1, 46)}) 10...
Be7 11. Nxf6+ Nxf6 12. O-O O-O 13. Nb3 {White seems to have established some
control over the c5-square, but is underdeveloped, justifying Black's next
move.} c5 $1 14. dxc5 Qd5 15. f3 Rfd8 16. Be2 Qe5 17. Qe1 Bd5 18. Qc3 Qxc3 19.
bxc3 Bxb3 20. axb3 Nd5 21. b4 Nxc3 22. Kf2 a5 {Black has retrieved the pawn
and even has some initiative.} 23. Rxa5 Rxa5 24. bxa5 Bxc5 25. Bb2 Nxe2 26.
Kxe2 Bb4 27. Ra1 $1 {An elegant way to stay out of troubles.} Rd2+ 28. Kf1 Rxb2
29. a6 Bc5 30. Rc1 g6 31. Rxc5 Ra2 32. Rxb5 Rxa6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A84"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2009.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Qc2 f5 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Nb5
Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Nc6 10. Nc7+ Qxc7 11. Bxb4 Bd7 12. Nf3 Rc8 13. Qb3 Ne4 14. Rc1 Qb6
15. Ba3 Qxb3 16. axb3 Kf7 17. Ke2 Rhd8 18. Rc2 Ke8 19. Rhc1 Na5 20. Ne5 Rxc2+
21. Rxc2 Nc6 22. h4 Rc8 23. f3 Nf6 24. Bd6 g6 25. Rc5 a6 26. Kf2 Nxe5 27. Rxc8+
Bxc8 28. dxe5 Ng8 29. g4 Nh6 30. gxf5 Nxf5 31. Bxf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D47"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2009.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
Bb7 9. e4 b4 10. Na4 c5 11. e5 Nd5 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. Nxc5 Bxc5 14. O-O h6 15.
Nd2 O-O $6 (15... Qc7) (15... Nc3 {are probably better alternatives.}) 16. Ne4
Bd4 17. Nd6 Bc6 18. Bh7+ $1 Kxh7 19. Qxd4 f6 20. Bd2 fxe5 21. Qe4+ $1 Kg8 22.
Qxe5 Qd7 {This old line was examined by GM Ch.Lutz in CBM 96 (annotations to
Radjabov-Shirov and V.Milov - Nielsen). The overall verdict (White keeps an
opening advantage) remains untouched.} 23. Rac1 $1 (23. Rfe1 $143 Rad8 24. Ne4
(24. Nc4 Nb6 25. Nxb6 Qxd2 26. Qxe6+ Kh8 27. Qxc6 Qxf2+ 28. Kh1 axb6 $11 {
0-1 Radjabov,T (2644)-Shirov,A (2735)/Sarajevo 2003/CBM 096/[Lutz] (51)}) (24.
Qxe6+ Qxe6 25. Rxe6 Nc7 (25... Nf4 $44) 26. Rg6 Kh7 27. Rg4 Rxd6 28. Bxb4 Rfd8
29. Bxd6 Rxd6 $132 {Kasimdzhanov,R}) 24... Rf5 25. Qg3 (25. Qd4 $6 Nf4 $1 26.
Qxd7 Rxd7 27. Bxf4 Rxf4 28. Nc5 (28. Ng3 Rd2 29. Re2 Rxe2 30. Nxe2 Re4 31. Ng3
Rc4 $17 {0-1 Le Quang,K (2315)-Werner,D (2315)/Budapest 2006/CBM 113 ext (76)})
(28. f3 $142 Bxe4 29. Rxe4 Rxe4 30. fxe4 Rd4 31. Rc1) 28... Rd2 29. f3 Rc4 30.
Rec1 Rxc1+ 31. Rxc1 Bd5 $17 {0-1 Milov,V (2574)-Nielsen,P (2625)/Istanbul 2003/
CBM 096/[Lutz] (37)}) 25... Nf6 26. Nxf6+ Rxf6 27. Bxb4 Kh7 28. Qc3 Rg6 {
1/2 Tukmakov,V (2565)-Dreev,A (2570)/Odessa 1989/URS-ch}) (23. b3 Rad8 24. Nc4
Rf5 25. Qe1 Bb5 26. f4 Nb6 27. Bxb4 Nxc4 28. bxc4 Bxc4 $11 {1/2 Mikhalchishin,
A (2538)-Maksimenko,A (2517)/Murska Sobota 2006/EXT 2008 (34)}) 23... Rad8 24.
Nc4 Rf5 $2 $146 {This "new" move just loses a pawn.} (24... Nb6 $6 25. Bxb4
Nxc4 26. Rxc4 Qd5 27. Qxd5 Bxd5 28. Rc3 Rf7 29. a3 $16 {1-0 Bruzon Bautista,L 
(2602)-Dominguez,L (2612)/Havana 2004/CBM 100 ext (61)}) (24... Ba8 25. Qg3 Rf6
26. Ne5 Qe8 27. Rc4 a5 28. Rg4 Qf8 29. Qh4 $1 (29. Rd4 Nf4 30. Rxf4 Rxd2 31.
Rxf6 Qxf6 32. Rc1 Qd8 33. h4 Rd1+ 34. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 35. Kh2 Qc2 36. Qf4 Qe4 $11 {
1-0 Vaganian,R (2623)-Johannessen,L (2495)/Germany 2003/EXT 2004 (53)}) 29...
Ne7 30. Bxh6 Nf5 31. Bxg7 Nxg7 (31... Nxh4 32. Bxf6+ Ng6 33. Rxg6+ Kh7 34. Rc1
$1 $18 {1-0 Quezada,Y (2502)-Fernandez,E (2219)/Manicaragua 2005/Inf 93/
[Quezada,Y] (38)}) 32. Ng6 Rxg6 33. Rxg6 $18 {Camacho,G (2322)-Corrales,F 
(2501)/Cuba (rapid) 2005/Inf 93}) (24... Bb5 {is the relatively best:} 25. b3
a5 (25... Rf6 $5 $14) 26. Rfe1 Rf6 27. Qg3 Ne7 28. Bf4 Rg6 29. Qh3 Nd5 30. Be5
$14 {1-0 Vaganian,R (2653)-Klimov,S (2507)/Togliatti 2003/CBM 094 ext (58)})
25. Qg3 {[%cal Rc4e5,Rd2h6]} Nf6 26. Bxh6 Ne4 27. Qg4 Nf6 28. Qg6 Qe7 (28...
Rh5 $142) 29. Bg5 (29. Ne3 Be8 (29... Rh5 30. Qxg7+ Qxg7 31. Bxg7 Kxg7 32. Rxc6
) 30. Nxf5 exf5 31. Qg5 Kf8 (31... Kh7 32. Qe3) 32. Rfe1 gxh6 33. Qxh6+ Qg7 34.
Qh4 {leads to a completely winning position but White prefers a simpler course.
}) 29... Be8 30. Bxf6 Qxf6 (30... Rxf6 31. Qg5 $18) 31. Qxf6 gxf6 {[%mdl 4096]
The endgame with an extra pawn is technically winning for White.} 32. Rfd1
Rxd1+ 33. Rxd1 Rc5 34. b3 Bb5 35. Ne3 f5 36. f4 Kf7 37. Kf2 a5 38. Rd8 $2 {
Allowing strong counterplay. It was better to start advancing the kingside
pawns:} (38. h4 {or}) (38. h3 {[%cal Yg2g4]}) 38... Rc1 39. Rb8 ({According to
GM Boris Gelfand, he had missed} 39. Ra8 a4 $1 40. bxa4 (40. Rb8 Bc6 41. Rxb4
Ra1 $1) 40... Ra1 41. axb5 b3 $1 {and White's win is under doubt.}) 39... Bd3
$6 (39... Be8 $1 {[%cal Rc1a1] created serious (perhaps too serious to
overcome) technical problems for White. If} 40. Nc4 {then} Rc2+ 41. Kg3 Ke7 (
41... Rxa2 $5 {is possible, too:} 42. Nd6+ Ke7 43. Nxe8 Rb2 44. Nc7 Rxb3+ 45.
Kh4 Rb2 46. Kh3 Kd6 $1 47. Na6 (47. Nb5+ Kc5) 47... Kc6 $1 {and Black's strong
queenside pawns compensate for White's poorly placed knight.}) 42. Nxa5 (42.
Rb7+ Kf6 43. Ra7 a4) 42... Rxa2 43. Ra8 (43. Nc4 Bc6) 43... Kf7 {[%cal Ye8b5]
and White can't win.}) 40. Rb7+ Kf6 $6 {The black king now comes under attack.}
(40... Kg6 41. Rd7 $1 Bb1 (41... Be4 42. Ra7 Rb1 $140 43. Nc4) 42. Rd2 {
[%cal Re3c4]}) (40... Ke8 $142 $1 {probably forcing} 41. Ra7 Rb1 42. Rxa5 Rb2+
43. Kg3 Be4 44. h3 Re2 45. Nc4 Rxg2+ 46. Kh4 Kd7 {and it is still difficult
for White to win.}) 41. Ra7 Rb1 42. g4 $1 {[%mdl 192]} (42. Rxa5 $2 Rb2+ 43.
Kg3 Be4 $132 {[%cal Rb2e2]}) 42... fxg4 (42... Rb2+ 43. Kg3 Rxa2 (43... fxg4
44. Nxg4+ Kf5 45. Rxa5+ $18) 44. g5+ Kg6 45. Ng2 $1 $18 {[%cal Rg2h4] B.Gelfand
}) 43. Nxg4+ Kf5 44. Ne5 $18 {[%csl Rd3,Rf5] A curious example of domination!}
Ke4 (44... Bc2 45. Ke3 {[%cal Ra7f7]} Re1+ 46. Kd2 $18) (44... Bf1 45. Kf3 $18)
(44... Bb5 45. Rxa5 $18) 45. Nxd3 Kxd3 46. Rxa5 Ke4 47. Re5+ Kxf4 48. Rxe6 Rh1
49. Kg2 Rc1 50. Re2 Rc3 51. Kf2 Rc1 52. Rd2 Ke4 53. Kg3 Rc8 54. h4 Ke5 55. Re2+
Kf5 56. Rf2+ Kg6 57. Rf4 Rc2 58. Rxb4 Rxa2 59. Rb5 Rd2 60. h5+ Kf6 61. h6 Rd7
62. Rh5 Rh7 63. Kf4 Kg6 64. Rh3 Kf6 65. Ke4 Ke6 66. Kd4 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2009.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8.
Bxc4 c5 9. e5 Qd8 10. d5 exd5 11. Bxd5 O-O 12. Rc1 Nc6 13. O-O Nd4 14. Be4 Re8
15. Nd5 Bf5 16. Bxf5 Qxd5 17. Nxd4 Rxe5 18. Nb5 Qxd1 19. Rfxd1 Rxf5 20. a3 c4
21. axb4 Rxb5 22. Rxc4 a5 23. g3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2009.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Be4 11. Qc1 Bb7 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Nbd2 Bxf4 {This has not
been played at a high level so far.} ({The common continuation is} 13... Nbd7)
14. gxf4 Qd6 15. Nb3 Nbd7 16. Rd1 a5 17. Ne5 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 a4 19. Nc5 Nxc5 20.
Qxc5 Qxc5 21. dxc5 Rfd8 22. Nc6 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Kf8 24. Kf3 Ke8 25. Nb4 Nd7 26.
c6 Nc5 27. Rc1 Na6 28. Nxa6 Rxa6 {White retains the more active position and
will eventually convert his advantage into an extra pawn. However, this will
prove insufficient for a win.} 29. e4 b4 30. Rc5 f5 31. exf5 exf5 32. Ke3 Ke7
33. Kd4 Kd6 34. Kc4 b3 35. axb3 axb3 36. Rxf5 Rxc6+ 37. Kxb3 Rc1 38. h4 Rf1 39.
Rg5 Rxf2 40. Rxg7 Rxf4 41. Rxh7 c5 42. h5 Rh4 43. h6 Kc6 44. Kc3 Kd5 45. Rh8
Rh3+ 46. Kd2 Kc6 47. Ke2 Kb7 48. Kf2 c4 49. Kg2 Rh5 50. Kf3 Rh4 51. Kg3 Rh1 52.
Kf4 Rh2 53. Ke5 Rxb2 54. Kd4 Rb6 55. Kxc4 Rg6 56. Kd5 Rf6 57. Ke5 Rc6 58. Rh7+
Kb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2009.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 b5 6. c5 Nbd7 7. Bd3 e5 8. Nxe5
Nxe5 9. dxe5 Nd7 {This (quite natural) move had not been tested in serious
practice before last year's game Aronian - Movsesian.} (9... Ng4 {was usually
played - see e.g. Aronian - Van Wely (annotations by GM L.Aronian) and Bacrot
- Karjakin (annotations by GM D.Rogozenco) in CBM 122.}) 10. e6 Nxc5 11. exf7+
Kxf7 12. b3 $4 $146 {[%mdl 16384] White apparently mixed up something.} (12.
Bc2 {was recommended by Levon Aronian himself in the above-mentioned
annotations but he failed to prove any advantage over the board:} g6 13. O-O
Bg7 14. Ne2 Re8 15. Nd4 Qd6 16. b4 Ne6 17. Rb1 Nxd4 18. exd4 a5 19. bxa5 Rxa5
20. Bb3 Bf5 21. Ra1 Be4 $11 {1/2 Aronian,L (2757)-Movsesian,S (2732)/Nanjing
2008/CBM 128 (49)} (21... Ra7 $5 {[%cal Ya7e7]})) 12... Nxd3+ 13. Qxd3 Qg5 $17
{Black has obtained the bishop pair and an attack.} 14. g3 (14. Rg1 $2 Bd6) (
14. Kf1 Bf5 $17 {is quite poor, too.}) 14... Qf6 $1 {[%cal Rf6f3,Rb5b4] Even
stronger than} (14... Bh3) 15. Bb2 Qf3 16. Rg1 Bg4 {[%csl Re1]} 17. a3 Re8 {
[%cal Rf8c5][%mdl 128]} 18. Rc1 (18. b4 a5 $1 19. Na2 (19. bxa5 Bc5 {[%cal
Rc5e3,Rd5d4]} 20. Rf1 (20. Nd1 d4 $1 21. Bxd4 Bxd4 22. Qxd4 Qe2#) 20... Bh3 $19
) 19... axb4 20. axb4 (20. Nxb4 d4 21. Bxd4 c5) 20... Ra8 21. Bc3 d4 $1 22.
Bxd4 Rxa2 $1 $19) 18... b4 $1 19. axb4 Bxb4 $19 {[%cal Ye8e4,Yh8e8,Yd5d4]
White is practically in zugzwang!} 20. h3 {Desperation.} Bxh3 21. g4 Bxg4 22.
Rg3 Qf5 23. Qd4 Re4 24. Qa7+ Qd7 25. Qb6 c5 {One of those games which show
that world champions are humans, too. :(} 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D58"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 b6 8. Rb1
Ne4 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. cxd5 Nxc3 11. bxc3 exd5 12. c4 dxc4 13. Bxc4 Nd7 14. Bd5
Rb8 15. Qa4 a6 16. Rc1 c5 17. O-O Nf6 18. Bb3 cxd4 19. Nxd4 b5 20. Nc6 bxa4 21.
Nxe7+ Kh8 22. Bxa4 Be6 23. a3 Rb2 24. f3 Ra2 25. Ra1 Rxa1 26. Rxa1 Rb8 27. Rc1
Rb7 28. Nc6 Nd5 29. Nd4 Nxe3 30. Nxe6 fxe6 31. Re1 Nc4 32. Rxe6 Nxa3 33. Rxa6
Rb1+ 34. Kf2 Rb2+ 35. Kg3 Nc2 36. Be8 Nd4 37. Bg6 Ne2+ 38. Kh4 Rb4+ 39. Be4 Rb8
40. g3 Nc3 41. Bc6 Kh7 42. Ra3 Ne2 43. Be4+ Kg8 44. Rd3 Re8 45. Kh3 Rb8 46. f4
Rc8 47. Bg6 Nc3 48. Bf5 Rc7 49. Rd8+ Kf7 50. Kg4 Kf6 51. Rd6+ Kf7 52. Bg6+ Ke7
53. Rd4 Nb5 54. Re4+ Kf6 55. Bh7 Nd6 56. Re5 Nf7 57. Ra5 Rd7 58. Bf5 Rd8 59.
Be4 Nd6 60. Ra6 Kf7 61. Bd5+ Ke7 62. Kh5 Ne8 63. Bf3 Kf7 64. Ra7+ Kg8 65. Be2
Kf8 66. Bc4 Nd6 67. Bd5 Rb8 68. Kg6 Rb6 69. Kh7 Rb2 70. Rd7 Nb5 71. Rf7+ Ke8
72. Rb7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 e6 6. b3 Bb4 7. Bd2 Nbd7 8. Bd3
O-O 9. O-O Bd6 10. Rc1 h6 11. Ne2 b6 12. Ng3 Bb7 13. Bc3 c5 14. cxd5 Nxd5 15.
Ba1 Rc8 16. Bb1 Be7 17. Qd3 N5f6 18. e4 g6 19. d5 exd5 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Nf5
Bf6 22. Nd6 Nb4 23. Qe3 Bxf3 24. Bxf6 Qxf6 25. Nxc8 Rxc8 26. Qxf3 Qxf3 27. gxf3
Nf6 28. Rfd1 Nbd5 29. Be4 Nf4 30. Kf1 Re8 31. Rc4 b5 32. Rxc5 Nxe4 33. fxe4
Rxe4 34. Rc3 Re6 35. h4 Kg7 36. Re3 Rf6 37. Rf3 g5 38. hxg5 hxg5 39. Rg3 Kg6
40. Rc1 Rd6 41. Re3 f6 42. Rec3 Rd2 43. R3c2 Rd4 44. Rc6 a5 45. R6c5 b4 46.
Rxa5 Rd2 47. Re1 Nd3 48. Re3 Nf4 49. Ke1 Rb2 50. Rf3 Rb1+ 51. Kd2 Rb2+ 52. Kc1
Re2 53. Kd1 Re4 54. Rc5 g4 55. Re3 Rd4+ 56. Kc2 Rd6 57. Rc4 Nd5 58. Rxg4+ Kf5
59. Reg3 Nf4 60. Rh4 Rc6+ 61. Kb1 Re6 62. Rf3 Re1+ 63. Kc2 Re2+ 64. Kd1 Re4 65.
Kd2 Re2+ 66. Kd1 Re4 67. Re3 Rd4+ 68. Kc2 Kg5 69. Rh1 Rd6 70. Rg1+ Kf5 71. Rd1
Rc6+ 72. Kb2 Ng2 73. Rg3 Nf4 74. Rf3 Ke4 75. Re3+ Kf5 76. Rd4 Ng6 77. Rxb4 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. O-O g6 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 Bg7 7. h3 O-O 8. d4
b5 9. Bb3 exd4 10. cxd4 d6 11. Nc3 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. Re1 h6 14. Rb1 Nec6 15.
d5 Nb4 16. a3 Nxc2 17. Qxc2 Re8 18. b4 Nc4 19. Nd2 Ne5 20. f4 Ng4 21. Nf3 cxb4
22. axb4 Qc7 23. Bd2 Qa7+ 24. Kh1 Nf2+ 25. Kh2 Nxh3 26. Be3 Qd7 27. Qd2 Qg4 28.
Rf1 Nxf4 29. Bxf4 Bxc3 30. Qe3 Bg7 31. Rbe1 Bf5 32. e5 Rac8 33. Rf2 Rc4 34. Bg3
Re4 35. Qd2 Rxe1 36. Qxe1 dxe5 37. Nxe5 Qh5+ 38. Kg1 Bg4 39. d6 Bxe5 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. cxd5 exd5 7. e3 c5 8.
Bd3 Qa5 9. Qc2 c4 10. Bf5 O-O 11. O-O Re8 12. Nd2 g6 13. Bh3 Bxc3 14. Qxc3 Qxc3
15. bxc3 Kg7 16. a4 h6 17. Bf4 g5 18. Bxd7 Bxd7 19. Be5 Kg6 20. f3 Bc6 21. Kf2
Nd7 22. Bg3 a5 23. Rfb1 Ra6 24. Rb2 f5 25. h4 Rea8 26. Rab1 R8a7 27. hxg5 hxg5
28. Be5 Bxa4 29. Rxb7 Bc6 30. Bd6 Rxb7 31. Rxb7 Bxb7 32. Bc7 a4 33. Bd6 Nb8 34.
Ke1 Nc6 35. Kd1 Na5 36. Kc2 Nb3 37. Nf1 Bc6 38. Kb2 Bd7 39. Be7 f4 40. Ka3 Bf5
41. exf4 gxf4 42. Bd6 Bd3 43. Nh2 Kf5 44. Ng4 Nd2 45. Nh6+ Kg5 46. Nf7+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A09"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 f6 4. e3 e5 5. c5 a5 6. Bc4 dxe3 7. fxe3 axb4 8. d4
Nc6 9. O-O Na5 10. Nxe5 Nxc4 11. Nxc4 Be6 12. Nbd2 Ne7 13. Bb2 Nd5 14. Qf3 b5
15. cxb6 Nxb6 16. Nxb6 cxb6 17. Qc6+ Bd7 18. Qd5 Be7 19. Nc4 b5 20. Ne5 Rf8 21.
Nxd7 Ra7 22. Qh5+ g6 23. Qxh7 Qxd7 24. Qxg6+ Kd8 25. d5 Kc8 26. Rac1+ Kb8 27.
d6 Qxd6 28. Rfd1 Qa6 29. Qg3+ Ka8 30. Qf3+ Qb7 31. Rc6 Rxa2 32. Rd7 Qxd7 33.
Rc7+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A60"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 Bd6 6. Nc3 O-O 7. g3 Bc7 8. d6
Ba5 9. Bg2 Ne4 10. O-O Bxc3 11. bxc3 Qf6 12. Bf4 Re8 13. Qd3 Nc6 14. Nd2 Nxd2
15. Bxd2 b6 16. f4 a5 17. Rfe1 Ba6 18. c4 Rac8 19. Bc3 Qg6 20. a3 Nd4 21. Bxd4
cxd4 22. Qxd4 Bxc4 23. e4 b5 24. Rac1 a4 25. Rc3 Qe6 26. Rec1 f6 27. Qd2 Kh8
28. Re3 Bb3 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 30. e5 h6 31. Rc3 Bc4 32. Qd4 fxe5 33. fxe5 Re8 34.
Re3 Rf8 35. Rf3 Re8 36. Re3 Rf8 37. h3 Qg6 38. Be4 Qh5 39. Bg2 Qg6 40. Be4 Qh5
41. Bg2 Qg6 42. Be4 Qh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C70"]
[WhiteElo "2517"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. c3 a6 5. Ba4 g6 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 b5 8. Bb3
Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. Nc3 d6 11. h3 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. dxc5 dxc5 14. Bg5 Qc7 15.
Qc1 Nc4 16. Bh6 Be6 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. b3 Nb6 19. e5 Nc6 20. Qf4 Nd7 21. Rfe1 b4
22. Ne4 Bf5 23. g4 Bxe4 24. Rxe4 Rae8 25. Rae1 Re7 26. Bd3 Rfe8 27. Bxa6 Ndxe5
28. Nxe5 Rxe5 29. Bc4 R8e7 30. g5 Rxe4 31. Rxe4 Qxf4 32. Rxf4 Ne5 33. h4 Ra7
34. Re4 Nxc4 35. Rxc4 Rxa2 36. Rxc5 Rb2 37. Rb5 Rxb3 38. Rb7 Kf8 39. Kg2 Ke8
40. Rb5 Ke7 41. Rb7+ Ke6 42. Rb6+ Kd5 43. Rb7 Kc6 44. Rb8 Kc5 45. Rc8+ Kd4 46.
Rd8+ Kc4 47. Rc8+ Kd3 48. Rd8+ Kc2 49. Rb8 Rb1 50. Kf3 b3 51. Rc8+ Kd2 52. Rd8+
Kc3 53. Rc8+ Kd2 54. Rd8+ Ke1 55. Re8+ Kf1 56. Rb8 Rb2 57. Kg3 Rb1 58. f4 Ke2
59. Rb7 Kd3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bareev, Evgeny"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A57"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2634"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. e3 axb5 6. Bxb5 Qa5+ 7. Nc3 Bb7 8.
Bd2 Qb6 9. Bc4 e6 10. e4 Nxe4 11. dxe6 dxe6 12. Bb5+ Bc6 13. Bxc6+ Qxc6 14. Nf3
Nxd2 15. Qxd2 Be7 16. O-O O-O 17. Rad1 Bf6 18. Rfe1 Qb6 19. Ne5 Bxe5 20. Rxe5
Nc6 21. Ree1 Rfd8 22. Qc1 Nb4 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Re2 Nd3 25. Qc2 Nb4 26. Qe4 h6
27. g3 Nd5 28. Qc4 Nxc3 29. Qxc3 Qa6 30. Re1 Qxa2 31. Qxc5 Qxb2 32. Qe3 Qc2 33.
h4 Rd1 34. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 35. Kh2 Qd5 36. Qf4 g5 37. hxg5 Qxg5 38. Qb8+ Kg7 39.
Qb2+ Qf6 40. Qe2 Qd4 41. Qf3 Kg6 42. Qe2 h5 43. Qc2+ f5 44. Qe2 Kf6 45. Kg1 h4
46. gxh4 Qxh4 47. Qb2+ Kg6 48. Qb8 Qg4+ 49. Kf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C27"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. a3 Bc5 5. Nc3 d6 6. Na4 Bb6 7. Nxb6 axb6 8.
Ne2 Be6 9. Nc3 Bxc4 10. dxc4 h6 11. Be3 Ne7 12. f3 Nd7 13. Qd2 f5 14. O-O-O Nf6
15. exf5 Nxf5 16. Bf2 Qd7 17. Rhe1 Qc6 18. Qd3 Ne7 19. Kb1 O-O-O 20. Nb5 Kb8
21. a4 Rhe8 22. Qc3 Nc8 23. b3 Nd7 24. Kb2 Nc5 25. a5 bxa5 26. Qxa5 Na6 27. Nc3
g5 28. Nd5 Ne7 29. Ra1 Kc8 30. Nc3 Rf8 31. Be3 Nf5 32. Nd5 Kd7 33. Qd2 Nxe3 34.
Rxe3 Nc5 35. Nb4 Qb6 36. Rxe5 Ne6 37. Rb5 Qd4+ 38. Qxd4 Nxd4 39. Rxb7 Rb8 40.
Rxb8 Rxb8 41. Nd5 Rf8 42. Re1 Ne6 43. Kc3 g4 44. fxg4 Rf2 45. Re3 c6 46. Nb4 c5
47. Nd5 Nd4 48. Rh3 Rxc2+ 49. Kd3 Rxg2 50. b4 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. e4 Nf6 3. Bd3 e5 4. Nf3 exd4 5. Nxd4 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Re1 O-O 8.
Nc3 Nc6 9. Bf1 Ng4 10. Nf3 Nge5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Nd5 f5 13. g3 fxe4 14. Rxe4
Bf5 15. Rh4 Qd7 16. c3 Kh8 17. Bg5 Rae8 18. Bg2 Nd8 19. Bh6 Bg7 20. Bxg7+ Qxg7
21. Ne3 Bd7 22. Qd4 Qxd4 23. Rxd4 Bc6 24. Rad1 Bxg2 25. Kxg2 Ne6 26. Re4 Nc5
27. Rxe8 Rxe8 28. Kf3 Kg7 29. Rd4 Ne6 30. Rg4 a5 31. h4 Kf7 32. Ke2 h5 33. Re4
b5 34. Kd2 c6 35. c4 b4 36. Ng2 Rb8 37. Nf4 Nc5 38. Rd4 a4 39. f3 a3 40. bxa3
b3 41. axb3 Nxb3+ 42. Kc3 Nxd4 43. Kxd4 Ra8 44. Nd3 Rxa3 45. c5 dxc5+ 46. Nxc5
Rxf3 47. Ne4 Ke7 48. Kc5 Re3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Bd2 Ne4 6. Nc3 Nxd2 7. Qxd2 e6 8. e4
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Bd3 c5 11. d5 c4 12. Bc2 Bc5 13. O-O O-O 14. Rad1 exd5 15.
exd5 Bg4 16. Qf4 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Nd7 18. d6 g6 19. Ne4 Re8 20. Qf4 Re5 21. b3 Rf5
22. Qg3 Ra7 23. bxc4 bxc4 24. Qc3 Nf6 25. Nxc5 Rxc5 26. Qd4 Nd7 27. Rfe1 Qf6
28. Qe3 Rb7 29. Ba4 Re5 30. Qd2 Kg7 31. Rxe5 Qxe5 32. Bxd7 Rxd7 33. g3 c3 34.
Qd3 c2 35. Qxc2 Rxd6 36. Rxd6 Qxd6 37. h4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Qc2 c5 8.
dxc5 h6 9. Bd2 O-O 10. e3 Bxc5 11. Bd3 a6 12. Ne2 b5 13. Rc1 Bb7 14. O-O Rc8
15. Qb1 Ne4 16. Bc3 Bd6 17. Bd4 Ndc5 18. Ng3 Qd7 19. Rfd1 Qe6 20. Nh5 g6 21.
Nf4 Qe7 22. Bf1 Rfd8 23. g3 Ng5 24. Nxg5 Qxg5 25. h4 Qg4 26. Bh3 Qf3 27. Bxc8
Rxc8 28. Rd2 Ne4 29. Rxc8+ Bxc8 30. Rc2 Bf5 31. Qc1 Kh7 32. Ng2 Ng5 33. hxg5
Be4 34. Kf1 Qxg2+ 35. Ke1 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2719"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Qc2 e6 6. Nf3 c5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Be2
Nc6 9. O-O Be6 10. Rd1 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. Rxd4 Bc5 13. Rd1 Rc8 14. e4 Nxe4
15. Qa4+ Bd7 16. Qb3 Nxf2 17. Rxd5 Ng4+ 18. Rxc5 Rxc5 19. Bxg4 Bxg4 20. Qb4 Qe7
21. Bf4 Rc6 22. Qd4 Qc5 23. Re1+ Be6 24. Qxc5 Rxc5 25. Ne4 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.16"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tkachiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2642"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 8. a3
g6 9. e4 dxc4 10. e5 Qd8 11. Bxc4 Bg7 12. Qe2 O-O 13. Rd1 Qc7 14. Kf1 a6 15. h4
Rd8 16. h5 g5 17. Nxg5 Nxe5 18. Nxe6 Bxe6 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. dxe5 Qxe5 21. Rh3
Qxe2+ 22. Kxe2 Bxc3 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Rxc3 Rd5 25. g4 Rb5 26. b4 a5 27. Rc5
Rxc5 28. bxc5 e5 29. f4 exf4 30. Kf3 Kf7 31. Kxf4 Kf6 32. a4 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2719"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. O-O g6 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 Bg7 7. d4 exd4 8.
cxd4 b5 9. Bb3 O-O 10. Nc3 d6 11. Nd5 h6 12. Nxe7+ Nxe7 13. Be3 Kh7 14. Rc1 f5
15. e5 Bb7 16. Re1 a5 17. Qe2 f4 18. Bd2 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 dxe5 20. d5 Nf5 21. Qe4
Nd6 22. Qb1 Rf7 23. Bc2 Qg5 24. Be4 Nxe4 25. Qxe4 Qf5 26. Qe2 b4 27. Rc5 Bf8
28. Rb5 Bd6 29. a3 bxa3 30. bxa3 Re8 31. f3 Bxa3 32. Rxa5 Bd6 33. Ra4 g5 34.
Re4 Rg7 35. Bc3 g4 36. fxg4 Rxg4 37. Qf3 Reg8 38. R1e2 R4g5 39. Kf1 Rh5 40.
Bxe5 Bxe5 41. Rxe5 Qxe5 42. Rxe5 Rxe5 43. Qxf4 Rgg5 44. Qf7+ Rg7 45. Qf3 Rd7
46. Qd3+ Kh8 47. Qc3 Rf7+ 48. Kg1 Rfe7 49. h3 Kg8 50. Qc6 Kg7 51. d6 cxd6 52.
Qxd6 R5e6 53. Qd4+ Rf6 54. Kh2 Ref7 55. Qg4+ Rg6 56. Qd4+ Kh7 57. Qe4 Rfg7 58.
Qd3 h5 59. Qe4 Kh8 60. Qe8+ Kh7 61. Qe4 Rg8 62. Qf5 Kh6 63. Qf4+ Kh7 64. Qe4
R8g7 65. Qf5 Kh6 66. Qf4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 b5 6. b3 Bg4 7. Be2 e6 8. h3 Bh5
9. g4 Bg6 10. Ne5 Nfd7 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. Qc2 Bd6 13. Bd2 Nf6 14. g5 b4 15. Nxd5
Nxd5 16. cxd5 cxd5 17. Rc1 Nd7 18. Qc6 Ke7 19. e4 dxe4 20. Qxe4 Rc8 21. Rc4 a5
22. h4 Rc7 23. h5 gxh5 24. Rxh5 Rxh5 25. Bxh5 g6 26. Bf3 Nb6 27. Rc2 Nd5 28.
Qd3 Rxc2 29. Qxc2 Nc3 30. a4 Qh8 31. Qd3 Qh4 32. Qa6 Bf4 33. Qa7+ Kf8 34. Qc5+
Kg8 35. Bxf4 Qxf4 36. Qc8+ Kg7 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Karpov, Anatoly"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D75"]
[WhiteElo "2619"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O cxd4 7. Nxd4 d5 8.
cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Qc7 11. Qb3 Rd8 12. Bf4 e5 13. Nb5 Qe7 14. Be3
Nc6 15. Qa3 Qxa3 16. Nxa3 Be6 17. Rfb1 Rd7 18. Rxb7 Rxb7 19. Bxc6 Rab8 20. Bxb7
Rxb7 21. c4 Bf8 22. Rb1 Rxb1+ 23. Nxb1 Bxc4 24. Bxa7 Bxe2 25. Nc3 Bc4 26. a4
Bb4 27. Ne4 f5 28. Bc5 Ba5 29. Ng5 Bd5 30. Bd6 e4 31. h4 h6 32. Nh3 Bc6 33. Bf4
Kh7 34. Be3 Bxa4 35. Nf4 Bd1 36. Ne6 Bb4 37. Bc5 Bxc5 38. Nxc5 Be2 39. Ne6 Bc4
40. Nf4 Kg7 41. Kg2 Kf6 42. Kg1 g5 43. hxg5+ hxg5 44. Ng2 Ke5 45. Ne3 Be2 46.
Kg2 f4 47. gxf4+ gxf4 48. Nc2 Bd3 49. Nb4 Bb5 50. Nc2 Kd5 51. Kh3 Ba4 52. Ne1
Bd1 53. Kh4 f3 54. Kg3 Ke5 55. Kg4 Kd5 56. Kf4 Kd4 57. Kf5 Kd5 58. Kf4 Kd4 59.
Kf5 e3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E10"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2689"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 b5 5. dxe6 fxe6 6. cxb5 a6 7. Nbd2 axb5 8.
e4 c4 9. e5 Nd5 10. Ne4 Bb4+ 11. Bd2 O-O 12. Bxb4 Nxb4 13. Nfg5 N8c6 14. h4
Nxe5 15. Rh3 Bb7 16. Nd6 Bd5 17. Qd2 Qa5 18. Kd1 Qa4+ 19. Kc1 Nxa2+ 20. Rxa2
Qxa2 21. Qc2 Nd3+ 22. Bxd3 Qa1+ 23. Kd2 cxd3 24. Kxd3 Qf1+ 25. Ke3 g6 26. h5
Qe1+ 27. Qe2 Qxe2+ 28. Kxe2 h6 29. Nf3 Bxf3+ 30. gxf3 g5 31. f4 Rxf4 32. Rc3
Rd4 33. Nxb5 Rb4 34. Nd6 Rxb2+ 35. Ke3 Rf8 36. Rc7 Rbxf2 37. Rxd7 g4 38. Ne4
R2f3+ 39. Ke2 g3 40. Rd1 Ra3 41. Rg1 Rb8 42. Rxg3+ Rxg3 43. Nxg3 Kf7 44. Ne4
Ra8 45. Ke3 Ra5 46. Nd6+ Kf6 47. Ne4+ Kf5 48. Nd6+ Kg4 49. Nc4 Rc5 50. Nd2 Kxh5
51. Nf3 Rc3+ 52. Kf4 Rxf3+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "19"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D14"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Bf4 Nc6 7. Rc1 Bf5 8. e3
e6 9. Be2 Be7 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. Bxe5 O-O 12. O-O Nd7 13. Bg3 Rc8 14. a3 b5 15.
Na2 Qa5 16. Qe1 Qxe1 17. Rfxe1 Nb6 18. Nb4 Nc4 19. Bxc4 bxc4 20. Nxa6 Ra8 21.
Nb4 Bxb4 22. axb4 Ra2 23. f3 Bd3 24. Ra1 Rxb2 25. Bd6 Rc8 26. Rec1 h5 27. Bc5
Rb8 28. h4 Re2 29. Re1 Rxe1+ 30. Rxe1 Ra8 31. b5 Ra2 32. Rc1 Rb2 33. b6 Kh7 34.
Kh2 g5 35. hxg5 Kg6 36. Kg3 Kxg5 37. Be7+ f6 38. Bc5 h4+ 39. Kh2 e5 40. Rc3 e4
41. f4+ Kg4 42. Rc1 h3 43. Rg1 c3 44. Ba3 Rxb6 45. gxh3+ Kf3 46. Rg3+ Kf2 47.
Bc1 Rb1 48. Rg2+ Kf3 49. Rg1 Ke2 50. h4 Rb7 51. Rg2+ Kd1 52. Rg1+ Kc2 53. Re1
Be2 54. Ba3 Kd2 55. Rh1 Kxe3 56. Bc1+ Kxd4 57. Kg3 Rg7+ 58. Kf2 Bf3 59. Rh2 Rh7
60. f5 Kd3 61. Kg3 d4 62. Kf4 Bd1 63. Rh3+ e3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "20"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D57"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7
Qxe7 9. cxd5 Nxc3 10. bxc3 exd5 11. Rb1 c5 12. Ne5 Nc6 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Bd3
Be6 15. O-O Rab8 16. Qa4 c4 17. Bc2 Qc7 18. Rxb8 Rxb8 19. Rb1 Rxb1+ 20. Bxb1
Qb6 21. Qc2 g6 22. Qc1 Kg7 23. h3 c5 24. Bc2 cxd4 25. exd4 Qa5 26. Qb2 Qc7 27.
Bd1 h5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "21"]
[White "Polgar, Judit"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2680"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. O-O g6 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 Bg7 7. d4 exd4 8.
cxd4 b5 9. Bb3 O-O 10. d5 Na5 11. Bc2 d6 12. Nc3 h6 13. Rb1 Nc4 14. Ne2 f5 15.
b3 Ne5 16. Nxe5 dxe5 17. f3 Qd6 18. Be3 c6 19. b4 cxd5 20. Bc5 Qd7 21. Bb3 Rd8
22. Nc3 Kh7 23. Nxd5 Nxd5 24. Bxd5 Bb7 25. Bxb7 Qxb7 26. Qc2 fxe4 27. Qxe4 Qxe4
28. fxe4 Rd7 29. Rbd1 Rad8 30. Rxd7 Rxd7 31. a4 h5 32. Ra1 Bh6 33. axb5 axb5
34. Ra5 Rd1+ 35. Kf2 Rd2+ 36. Kf1 Rd1+ 37. Kf2 Rd2+ 38. Kf1 Rd1+ 39. Kf2
1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "22"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Bb3 a6 7. O-O O-O 8. Nbd2
Be6 9. Bc2 d5 10. h3 h6 11. Re1 Re8 12. Qe2 Bf8 13. exd5 Qxd5 14. Ne4 Nxe4 15.
dxe4 Qb5 16. Bd3 Qa4 17. Bc2 Qb5 18. Bd3 Qa4 19. Bc2 Qb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "23"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O a6 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Nbd2
Be6 9. h3 Bxb3 10. Qxb3 Qd7 11. Nc4 h6 12. a4 Rab8 13. a5 Rfe8 14. Be3 Bxe3 15.
Nxe3 Ne7 16. Qa4 Qe6 17. c4 Ng6 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. cxd5 Qf6 20. Kh2 Nf4 21. Rfd1
h5 22. Rac1 Re7 23. Rc2 g5 24. d4 exd4 25. Qxd4 Qg6 26. Nd2 g4 27. h4 Rbe8 28.
g3 Nh3 29. Kg2 f5 30. Re1 f4 31. Rc4 Rf7 32. e5 fxg3 33. fxg3 dxe5 34. Qe3 Rf2+
35. Kh1 Ref8 36. Rxc7 Qd6 37. Rc3 Qxd5+ 38. Ne4 R2f3 39. Qe2 Nf2+ 40. Kg2 Nxe4
41. Qxe4 Qxe4 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "24"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. e4 d5 8. cxd5
Bxf1 9. Kxf1 exd5 10. e5 Ne4 11. Nc3 Nxd2+ 12. Nxd2 Qd7 13. Rc1 O-O 14. Qa4
Qh3+ 15. Kg1 c6 16. Nf3 f6 17. Qb3 Kh8 18. Ne2 fxe5 19. Nxe5 Bd6 20. Nf4 Qf5
21. h4 Bxe5 22. dxe5 Qxe5 23. h5 c5 24. Rd1 c4 25. Qb5 Kg8 26. Rxd5 Qe1+ 27.
Kg2 Qe4+ 28. f3 Qc2+ 29. Kh3 a6 30. Qxb6 Ra7 31. Qxa7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "25"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C33"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bc4 Bb4 6. Nd5 Nxd5 7. exd5 Qe7+
8. Qe2 Qxe2+ 9. Kxe2 Ne7 10. d4 Ng6 11. h4 h5 12. Bd3 Be7 13. Bxg6 fxg6 14.
Bxf4 d6 15. Bg5 Bf6 16. Rae1 Bf5 17. Kd2+ Kd7 18. Re3 Rae8 19. Rhe1 Rxe3 20.
Rxe3 Re8 21. c4 Bb1 22. a3 a6 23. g3 b5 24. b3 Bf5 25. Rxe8 Kxe8 26. Kc3 Kd7
27. a4 Kc8 28. Kb4 bxc4 29. bxc4 Be4 30. Nd2 Bc2 31. Be3 Kb7 32. Nb3 Bxb3 33.
Kxb3 Kc8 34. Kc2 Kd7 35. Kd3 Kc8 36. Ke4 Kd7 37. Bf2 Kc8 38. Kf4 Kd7 39. g4
hxg4 40. Kxg4 Kc8 41. Be3 Kb7 42. c5 c6 43. dxc6+ Kxc6 44. cxd6 Kxd6 45. Bf4+
Kd5 46. Be5 Ke4 47. a5 Kd5 48. Kg3 Bd8 49. Bxg7 Bxa5 50. Kg4 Bc3 51. Kg5 a5 52.
Kxg6 a4 53. Bf8 Bxd4 54. h5 Be3 55. Kf5 Kc4 56. Ke4 Bc1 57. h6 Bxh6 58. Bxh6
1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "26"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1
dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. O-O cxd4 11. exd4 Nc6 12. Ne4 Qe7 13. Qc2 Rd8 14. Rfd1 Bd7
15. a3 Ba5 16. b4 Bb6 17. Nc5 Be8 18. d5 exd5 19. Bxd5 a5 20. Na4 Ba7 21. b5
Nd4 22. Nxd4 Rxd5 23. Nf5 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Qxa3 25. Qe4 Rd8 26. Rf1 Qb4 27. Qxb7
Bxb5 28. Ne7+ Kf8 29. Nc6 Bxc6 30. Qxc6 Bd4 31. g3 g6 32. Kg2 Kg7 33. Rd1 Rd6
34. Qc2 Rf6 35. f3 Re6 36. Qd2 Qxa4 37. Qxd4+ Qxd4 38. Rxd4 Ra6 39. Ra4 Kf6 40.
Kf2 Ke5 41. Ke3 Kd5 42. Kd3 Kc5 43. Rc4+ Kb5 44. Rc7 a4 45. Rb7+ Kc5 46. Kc2 a3
47. Rb1 a2 48. Ra1 Kd4 49. Kb2 Ke3 50. f4 Kf2 51. g4 g5 52. fxg5 hxg5 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "27"]
[White "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. Nc3 g6 5. d4 exd4 6. Nd5 Bg7 7. Bg5 h6 8.
Bf6 Bxf6 9. Nxf6+ Kf8 10. O-O Nf5 11. Nd5 Ng7 12. Re1 d6 13. h3 Ne5 14. Be2
Nxf3+ 15. Bxf3 Ne6 16. c3 c6 17. Nb4 Qf6 18. Nc2 dxc3 19. Qxd6+ Kg7 20. e5 Qh4
21. Re4 Qd8 22. bxc3 Qxd6 23. exd6 Rd8 24. Rd1 Ng5 25. Re7 Kf8 26. Re3 Bf5 27.
Na3 Rd7 28. c4 Nxf3+ 29. Rxf3 b6 30. g4 Be6 31. Rfd3 Rad8 32. Kg2 c5 33. Kg3 a6
34. Kf4 f6 35. f3 Kf7 36. h4 g5+ 37. Kg3 Kg7 38. R3d2 Bg8 39. Rd3 Bh7 40. R3d2
Bg8 41. Rd3 Bh7 42. R3d2 Bg8 43. f4 gxf4+ 44. Kxf4 Be6 45. h5 Kf7 46. Rd3 Rg8
47. Rg3 Rg5 48. Rd2 f5 49. Nc2 fxg4 50. Ne3 Kg7 51. Ke4 b5 52. cxb5 axb5 53.
Ng2 c4 54. Nf4 Bf7 55. a3 Kf6 56. Ke3 Ke5 57. Rg1 Rxd6 58. Rb2 Kf6 59. Kf2 Rf5
60. Kg3 Kg5 61. Rf1 Rdf6 62. Rbf2 c3 63. Nd3 Bc4 64. Nc5 Rxc5 65. Rxf6 Bxf1 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.17"]
[Round "28"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2517"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e3 a6 6. a4 c5 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. O-O
Be7 9. dxc5 Qc7 10. Qc2 Bxc5 11. Rd1 O-O 12. Ne4 Be7 13. Bd2 b6 14. Bd3 Nd5 15.
Neg5 g6 16. Rac1 Bb7 17. h4 Rac8 18. h5 Bxg5 19. Nxg5 Qe5 20. f4 Nxf4 21. exf4
Qd4+ 22. Kh2 Nb4 23. Qb3 Nxd3 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. hxg6 hxg6 26. Be1 Qxf4+ 27. Bg3
Qxg5 28. Qxd3 Qh5+ 29. Kg1 Bd5 30. Rf1 Bc4 31. Qc3 Rc5 32. Rf2 Qd1+ 33. Kh2
Rh5+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "29"]
[White "Bareev, Evgeny"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2634"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Bd2 e6 6. Qc2 Nbd7 7. Nc3 dxc4 8. Bxc4
b5 9. Be2 c5 10. a4 b4 11. Ne4 Nxe4 12. Qxe4 Rb8 13. O-O Bb7 14. Qg4 Nf6 15.
Qh3 g5 16. Nxg5 Rg8 17. e4 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. Bf3 Qxd4 20. Be3 Qd5 21. Bxe4
Qxe4 22. Rfe1 Qg4 23. Qxg4 Rxg4 24. Rac1 Rc8 25. f3 Rg6 26. Rc4 Rd8 27. Re2
Rd1+ 28. Kf2 Rh1 29. h3 Rh2 30. Kf1 Rh1+ 31. Kf2 Ra1 32. Bxc5 Rxa4 33. Bxf8
Kxf8 34. b3 Ra3 35. Rxb4 Rg5 36. Ra4 Rxa4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "30"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 h6 8. Bxf6
Qxf6 9. e5 Qd8 10. d5 exd5 11. Bxd5 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 O-O 13. O-O Qc7 14. Qb3 Nc6
15. Rfe1 Bg4 16. e6 Bxe6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Rxe6 Qf7 19. Rae1 Kh8 20. Qb5 Rad8
21. Qxc5 Rd3 22. h3 Kg8 23. R6e2 Qd5 24. Qxd5+ Rxd5 25. Re3 Ra5 26. R1e2 Rd8
27. Nh4 Rd1+ 28. Kh2 Ra1 29. Rf3 Re5 30. Rd2 Re8 31. Ng6 Kh7 32. Rg3 Rae1 33.
Rd7 Rg8 34. Nf8+ Kh8 35. Ng6+ Kh7 36. Rxb7 Re2 37. Rc7 Nd8 38. Nf8+ Kh8 39.
Ng6+ Kh7 40. Ne7 Ne6 41. Rxa7 Rf8 42. Nc6 Rfxf2 43. Nd4 Nxd4 44. Raxg7+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "31"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A12"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. b3 Bf5 5. Bb2 e6 6. Nc3 h6 7. Be2 Nbd7 8. O-O
Be7 9. Nd4 Bh7 10. f4 O-O 11. Nf3 a6 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. fxe5 Nd7 15.
d4 Bg5 16. Rf3 f6 17. exf6 Rxf6 18. Qe1 e5 19. cxd5 exd4 20. Nd1 d3 21. Bxf6
Nxf6 22. Bf1 Qxd5 23. Nc3 Qd6 24. Qg3 Qxg3 25. Rxg3 Re8 26. Nd1 Ne4 27. Rf3 Nd2
28. Rf2 Nxf1 29. Kxf1 Be7 30. Rc4 Bg6 31. Ke1 Bd6 32. g3 c5 33. Kd2 b5 34. Rc1
c4 35. bxc4 Bb4+ 36. Nc3 bxc4 37. Rf4 Rc8 38. g4 Bf7 39. h3 Ba5 40. Rb1 Rd8 41.
Rd4 Re8 42. Rb7 Re6 43. Rdd7 Rf6 44. e4 Rf1 45. e5 Rf2+ 46. Ke3 Rf1 47. Ne4 c3
48. Kxd3 Rf3+ 49. Kc2 Re3 50. Rxf7 Rxe4 51. Rxg7+ Kf8 52. Rh7 Kg8 53. Rbg7+ Kf8
54. Ra7 Kg8 55. Rhd7 Re2+ 56. Kd1 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "32"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D16"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 e6 6. e3 c5 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. O-O
cxd4 9. exd4 Be7 10. Be3 O-O 11. Ne5 Bd7 12. Qe2 Nb4 13. Rad1 Bc6 14. f4 Bd5
15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Bb3 Rc8 17. Bd2 Re8 18. Bc3 Qb6 19. Kh1 Nc6 20. Qc2 Na5 21.
Ba2 Nc4 22. Rf3 Bd6 23. Rh3 h6 24. Rf1 Bxe5 25. fxe5 Ne4 26. Qe2 Qc6 27. Be1
Nb6 28. a5 Nc4 29. Rhf3 Rc7 30. Bb1 b6 31. axb6 axb6 32. Bb4 Qe6 33. Bxe4 dxe4
34. Qxe4 Rd8 35. b3 Na5 36. Bxa5 bxa5 37. Rd3 Rcd7 38. h3 Qd5 39. Qg4 Rb7 40.
Rff3 Rb4 41. Rg3 g6 42. Qh4 Kh7 43. e6 g5 44. Qh5 Qxe6 45. Rdf3 Rd7 46. Rxg5
Rbxd4 47. Re5 Qg6 48. Qxg6+ fxg6 49. Rxa5 h5 50. Ra6 Rd3 51. Rxd3 Rxd3 52. b4
Rb3 53. Rb6 Rb2 54. h4 Kg7 55. Kh2 Rb3 56. b5 Rb4 57. Kg3 Rg4+ 58. Kh3 Rb4 59.
Rb8 Rb3+ 60. Kh2 Rb4 61. g3 Rb2+ 62. Kg1 Kf6 63. b6 Kf5 64. b7 Kg4 65. Rg8 Rxb7
66. Rxg6+ Kh3 67. Kf2 Rb3 68. Rg5 Ra3 69. Rxh5 Rxg3 70. Rg5 Ra3 71. h5 Kh4 72.
Rb5 Ra6 73. Kf3 Rf6+ 74. Ke4 Kg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "33"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Be3 Qa5 9. Qd2 O-O 10. Rc1 Rd8 11. d5 e6 12. Be2 exd5 13. exd5 Nc6 14. O-O Ne7
15. c4 Qxd2 16. Nxd2 b6 17. g4 Bd7 18. Rfe1 Nc8 19. Bf4 f5 20. h3 Bf8 21. Kg2
Nd6 22. f3 Re8 23. Bd3 Kf7 24. Nf1 Rxe1 25. Rxe1 Re8 26. Rxe8 Nxe8 27. gxf5
gxf5 28. Ne3 Bd6 29. Kg3 Kf6 30. Bxd6 Nxd6 31. Kf4 a6 32. Nf1 b5 33. cxb5 axb5
34. Ng3 b4 35. Nh5+ Kg6 36. Ng3 Kf6 37. Nh5+ Ke7 38. Ng3 c4 39. Bc2 Nb5 40.
Nxf5+ Bxf5 41. Bxf5 Kd6 42. Bxh7 Nc3 43. Ke3 Kxd5 44. h4 Nxa2 45. h5 Ke5 46.
Bg8 Nc3 47. Bxc4 Na4 48. f4+ Kf6 49. Kd4 Nb6 50. Bb3 Nd7 51. Kc4 Kf5 52. Kxb4
Kxf4 53. h6 Nf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "34"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D80"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2719"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Ne4 5. Bh4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. cxd5 Qxd5 8.
e3 c5 9. Be2 Nc6 10. Bf3 Qd6 11. Ne2 O-O 12. Qb3 cxd4 13. cxd4 e5 14. Bg3 Qe7
15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. dxe5 Ba6 17. Qc3 Rfd8 18. f3 Rab8 19. Kf2 Rd3 20. Qxc6 Rb6
21. Qc2 Bxe5 22. Bf4 Bxf4 23. Nxf4 Qxe3+ 24. Kg3 Rd2 25. Qe4 Qf2+ 26. Kh3 Rf6
27. Rac1 h6 28. Rc6 Rxf4 29. Rxg6+ fxg6 30. Qxg6+ Kf8 31. Qxh6+ Ke7 32. Qg5+
Rf6 33. Qg7+ Ke6 34. Qg8+ Rf7 35. Qg6+ Ke7 36. Qg5+ Kf8 37. Qh6+ Rg7 38. Qf6+
Kg8 39. Qe6+ Kh7 40. Qf5+ Kg8 41. Qe6+ Kf8 42. Qf6+ Ke8 43. Qxg7 Bc8+ 44. g4
Qxf3+ 45. Kh4 Qxh1 46. Qg6+ Kd7 47. Qf5+ Kc7 48. Qa5+ Kc6 49. Qxd2 Qe4 50. Qc3+
Kb7 51. h3 Be6 52. a3 a6 53. Kg5 Kb6 54. Qg3 a5 55. h4 Qd4 56. h5 a4 57. Qb8+
Kc6 58. Qa8+ Kd6 59. Qd8+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "35"]
[White "Tkachiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D79"]
[WhiteElo "2642"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 c6 6. Nc3 d5 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Ne5
e6 9. O-O Nfd7 10. f4 Nb6 11. b3 Bd7 12. Ba3 Re8 13. Rc1 Bc6 14. e3 N8d7 15.
Rf2 Nxe5 16. fxe5 Nd7 17. Qd3 f5 18. exf6 Nxf6 19. Rcf1 e5 20. dxe5 Rxe5 21.
Bc5 Ng4 22. Bd4 Nxf2 23. Rxf2 Re7 24. Bxg7 Rxg7 25. Bxd5+ Kh8 26. e4 Qb6 27.
Kg2 Qc5 28. Rf6 Bxd5 29. Nxd5 Rf8 30. Qc3 Qc8 31. e5 Rd8 32. Qxc8 Rxc8 33. e6
Re8 34. e7 Rgxe7 35. Nxe7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "36"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D20"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2719"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Nc3 exd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4 Bc5 8.
Ndb5 Na6 9. Bf4 c6 10. Nd6+ Bxd6 11. Bxd6 Be6 12. O-O-O O-O-O 13. Be2 Rhe8 14.
f3 Nd7 15. Rd4 b5 16. Rhd1 Nac5 17. Bg3 Nb7 18. Bf2 a6 19. h4 Ne5 20. h5 c5 21.
R4d2 Rxd2 22. Rxd2 Rd8 23. Rxd8+ Kxd8 24. Kd2 Nc6 25. a4 b4 26. Nd5 Nca5 27.
Nf4 Bd7 28. Nd5 Bxa4 29. Bh4+ Ke8 30. h6 gxh6 31. Nf6+ Kd8 32. Nd5+ Ke8 33.
Nf6+ Ke7 34. Nxh7+ Kd6 35. Nf6 Nb3+ 36. Ke3 Bb5 37. Bg3+ Kc6 38. Nd5 a5 39. Be5
a4 40. g4 c3 41. Ne7+ Kb6 42. Nd5+ Ka5 43. bxc3 Bxe2 44. cxb4+ cxb4 45. Kxe2
Kb5 46. Kd3 N7c5+ 47. Kc2 a3 48. Kb1 Nd2+ 49. Ka2 Nxf3 50. Bg7 Nxe4 51. Bxh6
Nd4 52. Bf8 Nc6 53. Kb3 Nc5+ 54. Ka2 Nd3 55. Kb3 Nd4+ 56. Ka2 Kc4 57. Nb6+ Kb5
58. Nd5 Nc5 59. g5 Nc6 60. Ne3 Na5 61. Be7 Nc4 62. Nd5 b3+ 63. Ka1 Na4 64. Bf6
b2+ 65. Ka2 Kc5 66. Nc3 Nxc3+ 67. Bxc3 Kd5 68. Bb4 Ke4 69. Kb1 Kd3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "37"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. O-O g6 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 Bg7 7. d4 exd4 8.
cxd4 b5 9. Bb3 O-O 10. d5 Na5 11. Bc2 d6 12. Nc3 Nc4 13. Re1 c5 14. dxc6 Nxc6
15. Rb1 h6 16. Nd5 Be6 17. b3 N4e5 18. Nxe5 dxe5 19. Ba3 Re8 20. Bc5 Rc8 21. b4
Nd4 22. Bxd4 exd4 23. Bb3 Kh7 24. a4 f5 25. f3 fxe4 26. fxe4 Be5 27. Qd2 Bxd5
28. exd5 Rc3 29. axb5 axb5 30. Qf2 Rf8 31. Qe2 Re3 32. Qg4 h5 33. Qe6 Qh4 34.
Qxe5 Rxe5 35. Rxe5 Qf2+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "38"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karpov, Anatoly"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2619"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Qc2 b6 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Nc3 Bb7 9. Rd1 c5 10. d4 Nb4 11. Qb1 Qc8 12. Bg5 Bxg5 13. Nxg5 g6 14. Nce4 Kg7
15. Nd6 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "39"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2689"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. c3 g6 5. O-O a6 6. Bxc6 Nxc6 7. d4 d6 8. d5
Ne7 9. c4 Bg7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Ne1 f5 12. Nd3 f4 13. f3 g5 14. c5 Ng6 15. b4 h5
16. b5 g4 17. b6 cxb6 18. cxd6 Qxd6 19. a4 Qf6 20. Ba3 Rf7 21. d6 Be6 22. Qe2
Bf8 23. Rab1 Rc8 24. Nd5 Bxd5 25. exd5 gxf3 26. gxf3 Bxd6 27. Rxb6 Rd8 28. Kh1
Rg7 29. Rg1 Qf8 30. Rxd6 Rxd6 31. Nf2 Nh4 32. Rd1 Qd8 33. Bxd6 Qxd6 34. Ne4 Qd8
35. d6 Rg2 36. Qc4+ Kh8 37. Qf7 Rg7 38. Qf6 Qxf6 39. Nxf6 Nxf3 40. d7 Rxd7 41.
Rxd7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "40"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D80"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Bg7 5. Bxf6 Bxf6 6. cxd5 c6 7. e4 O-O 8.
Bc4 cxd5 9. exd5 Qb6 10. Nge2 Qxb2 11. Rb1 Qa3 12. O-O Nd7 13. Qd2 Nb6 14. Bb3
Qa5 15. Ng3 Bd7 16. Nge4 Rac8 17. Rfc1 Bf5 18. Qe3 Bg7 19. d6 exd6 20. Nxd6
Bxb1 21. Nxc8 Rxc8 22. Nxb1 Rxc1+ 23. Qxc1 Bxd4 24. Nd2 Qc5 25. Qe1 Kg7 26. g3
Qf5 27. Qe2 Nd5 28. Qf3 Nc3 29. Qxf5 gxf5 30. Kf1 b5 31. Nf3 Bc5 32. Ne5 a5 33.
Nd3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "41"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Be3 Bxe3 7. fxe3 Be6 8.
Bxe6 fxe6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. d4 Qe7 11. Qd2 a6 12. a3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.18"]
[Round "42"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Polgar, Judit"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E97"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2009.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "42"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5
Ne7 9. b4 Ne8 10. c5 h6 11. Nd2 f5 12. Nc4 g5 13. Ba3 Ng6 14. b5 Nf4 15. f3 Rf7
16. Rc1 Bf8 17. Kh1 Qf6 18. Ne3 fxe4 19. Nxe4 Qg6 20. Bd3 Nxd3 21. Qxd3 Nf6 22.
Qc4 Nxe4 23. fxe4 Rf4 24. cxd6 cxd6 25. Qc7 Qxe4 26. Bxd6 Bh3 27. Bxe5 Rc8 28.
Bxf4 Rxc7 29. Bxc7 Qxe3 30. gxh3 Qe4+ 31. Kg1 Bc5+ 32. Rxc5 Qd4+ 33. Rf2 Qxc5
34. d6 Qxb5 35. Rd2 Qc5+ 36. Kf1 Qf5+ 37. Ke1 Qd7 38. Kd1 Kf7 39. Re2 Kf6 40.
Re7 Qa4+ 41. Ke1 Qxa2 42. Re2 Qa1+ 43. Kf2 Qd4+ 44. Kg2 a5 45. Rf2+ Ke6 46.
Re2+ Kf5 47. Rf2+ Ke4 48. Re2+ Kd3 49. Re7 Qd5+ 50. Kg1 a4 51. Kf2 a3 52. Re3+
Kd2 53. Rxa3 Qc5+ 54. Kg2 Qxa3 55. d7 Ke2 0-1

[Event "WchT 7th"]
[Site "Bursa"]
[Date "2010.01.05"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2010.01.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 134"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 Re8 10. Nc3 Bc5 11. a4 b4 12. Nd5 Na5 13. Bg5 Nxb3 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15.
cxb3 f5 16. Qc1 fxe4 17. Rxe4 f5 18. Rxe5 Rxe5 19. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 20. Kxf2 Qh4+ 21.
g3 Qd4+ 22. Kf1 Qxd5 23. Qg5+ Kh8 24. Qf6+ Kg8 25. Qg5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 7th"]
[Site "Bursa"]
[Date "2010.01.06"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2010.01.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 134"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Israel"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISR"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 a6 10. Rd1 b5 11. Bf1 (11. Be2 {is the main line but the text
move may well become popular after the present game}) (11. Bd3 {is also
possible.}) 11... c5 $1 12. a4 (12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Ng5 (13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4
Nf6 $1 {- that's why 11.Bf1 is considered less accurate than 11.Be2! -} 15. Qc2
Qb6 16. a4 Bb7 17. axb5 axb5 18. Bd2 Be4 $11 {1/2 Hansen,C (2610)-Ivanchuk,V 
(2704)/Malmo 2003/CBM 095 (24)}) 13... Qb6 $1 (13... Bb7 $143 14. Nce4 Nxe4 15.
Nxe4 Be7 16. Nd6 Bd5 17. e4 Bxd6 18. exd5 Rc8 19. Qe2 exd5 20. Rxd5 Nf6 21. Rd3
$14 {1-0 Karpov,A (2725)-Polgar,Z (2530)/Madrid 1992/CBM 030/[Ftacnik] (57)})
14. Nce4 Be7 15. Nxf6+ Nxf6 16. Bd3 h6 17. Nh7 {1/2 Shariyazdanov,A (2594)
-Zakharstov,V (2484)/Elista 2001/CBM 083}) 12... b4 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 Rb8
15. Qd3 $146 (15. b3 $6 Bb7 16. Qd3 cxd4 17. exd4 Qa5 $15 {0-1 Saladen,R (2287)
-Abreu Delgado,A (2488)/Cali 2001/CBM 083 ext (35)}) 15... cxd4 $6 {A
premature exchange.} (15... Bb7 $5 16. e4 (16. dxc5 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Qg5+ 18. Bg2
Nxc5 $1 19. Qxd6 $140 $2 Rbd8 20. e4 Qf6) 16... c4 $1 17. Qxc4 Bxe4 18. Bg5 Nf6
19. Qxa6 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Ra8 $44) (15... Qc7 $5 {S.Zagrebelny}) 16. Qxd4 Be7 17.
Qf4 Bf6 18. a5 $1 {[%csl Ra6,Rb4]} Qe7 19. e4 e5 20. Qe3 $14 Nc5 $6 (20... Rd8
21. Bc4 Nf8 $14) 21. Rd5 $1 Ne6 (21... Nd7 22. Bd2 $16) 22. Nxe5 Bb7 23. Nd7 $1
(23. Ng4 Bxd5 24. exd5 Nd4 25. Bxa6 $14 {S,Zagrebelny}) 23... Bxd5 24. Nxf8 Ba8
(24... Bb7 25. Nxe6 Qxe6 26. Qa7 $1 $16) 25. Nxe6 Qxe6 {White has won a pawn
but is yet to complete his development.} 26. Qa7 (26. e5 $142 $1 $16 {S.
Zagrebelny} Bxe5 $140 27. f4 Bf6 28. Qxe6 fxe6 29. Bxa6 Rd8 30. Be2) 26... Rd8
$132 27. Be3 $1 {White gives up his material advantage but his passed a-pawn
will be very strong.} Bxe4 (27... Bxb2 28. Rd1 $1) 28. Re1 Bxb2 29. Qb6 $1 {
[%mdl 2048]} (29. Bb6 Ra8 30. Qxa8+ Bxa8 31. Rxe6 fxe6 32. Bxa6 Bd5 33. Bd3 Kf7
{is hardly winning for White.}) 29... Rc8 (29... Qf6 30. Bc5 $1) 30. Bf4 $1 (
30. Bxa6 $6 Qg4) 30... g5 $5 {Desperation.} 31. Bg3 $6 {A mystery.} ({Why not} 
31. Bxg5 $16 {?}) 31... b3 $5 {Very creative but hardly effective.} 32. Re3 $2
{This move gives away White's whole advantage.} (32. Qxe6 fxe6 33. Rxe4 {
was quite good:} Bf6 34. Re1 b2 35. Bd3 Rc1 36. Rf1 {and then the white
dark-squared bishop will push the black rook back, e.g.} Bc3 37. Bc7 $1 h6 (
37... Be1 38. Be5 $1 b1=Q 39. Bxb1 Rxb1 40. Bc3 $18) 38. Bb6 e5 $1 39. Be3 Be1
40. g3 $16 {followed by Kg2, f4 etc.}) 32... Bf6 (32... Qd5 {[%cal Rc8c1] was
a simpler equalizer:} 33. Qxb3 Qxb3 34. Rxb3 Bf6 35. Bxa6 Rc5 36. Ra3 (36. Bb5
$2 Bd5 37. Rb1 Ba2 38. Rb4 Bc3) 36... Bb2 37. Rb3 Bf6 $11) 33. Rxe4 Qxe4 34.
Qxf6 Qg6 $2 {It was essential to prevent Bg3-e5:} (34... Re8 $1 35. Qxg5+ Qg6
36. Qd2 Qf6 $11 {S.Zagrebelny}) 35. Qd4 h6 36. Be5 $1 {White now controls
everything and brings his advantage home.} Re8 37. h4 Qf5 38. Bh8 Qh7 39. Qd7
Qe4 40. Bc3 gxh4 41. Bd3 1-0

[Event "WchT 7th"]
[Site "Bursa"]
[Date "2010.01.07"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Erdogdu, Mert"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2513"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2010.01.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 134"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Turkey"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "TUR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. Bb3 d6 7. O-O O-O 8. h3 h6
9. Re1 Re8 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. Nf1 Bxb3 12. axb3 d5 13. Qe2 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. b4
Qd7 16. Bd2 Rad8 17. Rad1 Re6 18. Bc1 Rd6 19. Nd2 Bg7 20. exd5 Rxd5 21. Nde4
Nxe4 22. Nxe4 f5 23. Nc5 Qc8 24. f4 b6 25. Nb3 Qd7 26. fxe5 Rxe5 27. Qf1 Rxe1
28. Qxe1 Qd5 29. Nd2 a5 30. bxa5 Nxa5 31. d4 c5 32. Nf3 Nb3 33. Be3 g5 34. Bf2
b5 35. Nd2 cxd4 36. Nxb3 Qxb3 37. Bxd4 f4 38. Rd2 Bxd4+ 39. Rxd4 Rxd4 40. Qe8+
Kh7 41. cxd4 Qd5 42. Qe7+ Kg6 43. Qc5 Qe4 44. Qxb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 7th"]
[Site "Bursa"]
[Date "2010.01.08"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vescovi, Giovanni P"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E16"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2660"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2010.01.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 134"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Brazil"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "BRA"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 {This ingenious retreat of
the bishop is causing problems for White, as his bishop on d2 is in fact
misplaced.} 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Bf4 b6 9. Nc3 Bb7 (9... Ba6 10. cxd5 cxd5
11. Rc1 Nc6 (11... Bb7) 12. Nxd5 $1 Qxd5 13. Ne5 Nxd4 14. Bxd5 Nxe2+ 15. Qxe2
Bxe2 16. Bxa8 Rxa8 17. Rfe1 Bb5 18. Rc2 Nd5 19. Rec1 $14 {1-0 Kramnik,V (2744)
-Topalov,V (2788)/Dortmund 2005/ (41)}) 10. Rc1 {White aims for rapid piece
development, in the hope of occupying the c-file.} (10. cxd5 {The immediate
exchange on d5 is relatively easy on Black.} cxd5 (10... Nxd5 11. Nxd5 cxd5 12.
Rc1 Bd6 13. Ne5 Bxe5 14. Bxe5 Nc6 15. Qa4 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Qe8 17. Qxe8 Rfxe8 18.
Rc7 Ba6 19. Bf3 Rec8 20. Rfc1 Kf8 21. Kf1 Rab8 22. Ke1 Rxc7 23. Rxc7 Rb7 24.
Rc8+ Ke7 25. Kd2 f6 $11 {1/2-1/2 Mickevicius,J (2185)-Uogele,A (2260)/Vilnius
1996 (59)}) (10... exd5 11. Rc1 Nbd7 12. a3 Nh5 13. e3 Nxf4 14. exf4 Bd6 15.
Re1 Rc8 16. Bh3 Rc7 17. Ne5 f5 18. Nf3 Rf6 19. Qd3 $16 {1-0 Nemtzev,I-Timofeev,
S/Kstovo 1998 (52)}) 11. Rc1 Nc6 12. Ne5 (12. a3 Ne4 13. Qd3 g5 14. Be3 f5 15.
Ne5 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Bc5 17. Bd4 Ba6 18. Qxa6 Bxd4 19. Nxe4 fxe4 20. Rcd1 Bxe5 21.
Bxe4 Qc8 $17 {1-0 Olbrich,M (2285)-Stangl,A (2165)/Germany 1996 (46)}) 12...
Rc8 13. Qa4 a6 14. Nxc6 Rxc6 15. Qb3 b5 16. Nb1 {1/2-1/2 Ramirez Alvarez,A 
(2547)-Izoria,Z (2589)/Dallas 2009}) 10... Nbd7 {Black has two other sensible
ideas for meeting the spirited white setup.} (10... dxc4 11. Ne5 Nd5 12. Nxc4
Nxf4 13. gxf4 Nd7 14. e3 Qc7 15. Qc2 Rac8 16. Rfd1 a6 17. a4 Rfd8 18. f5 exf5
19. Qxf5 g6 20. Qe4 Bf8 $11 {1/2-1/2 Ramirez,A (2547)-Kritz,L (2607)/South
Padre Island 2009 (42)}) (10... Nh5 {The knight move to the edge is trying to
underline the fact, that bishop on f4, though a fabulous piece, can also be
eliminated.} 11. Bxb8 Qxb8 12. Ne5 Nf6 13. e3 Rd8 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. f4 g6 (
15... Qd6 16. Nb5 Qb4 17. Rc7 Ba6 18. a4 Bxb5 19. axb5 Bd6 20. Rxf7 $5 Bxe5 21.
fxe5 Kxf7 22. Qh5+ Kg8 23. exf6 gxf6 24. Qg4+ Kh8 (24... Kf7 $6 25. Qh4 $14 {
would leave White with the initiative.}) 25. Qxe6 Rf8 26. Qxd5 Rae8 {1/2-1/2
Leko,P (2749)-Aronian,L (2744)/Morelia/Linares 2007 (46)}) 16. g4 Nd7 17. Qe1 {
1/2-1/2 Khalifman,A-Adams,M/Izmir/2004/ (17)}) 11. cxd5 {Aronian is opting for
the simplicity of the pawn swap in the centre, since the two other attempts
may not be fully satisfactory.} (11. Qb3 Nh5 $1 12. Be5 (12. Be3 f5 (12... Nhf6
$1) 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Kh8 16. f4 {1-0 Chiburdanidze,
M-Akhmilovskaya,E/Borzhomi,Sofia 1986/ (40)}) (12. Rfd1 Nxf4 13. gxf4 Bd6 14.
e3 Qe7 $11) 12... Nhf6 $1 (12... f6 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Bf4 (14. Bc7 Qxc7 15.
Nxd5 Qd6 16. Nxe7+ Qxe7 17. Rc7 Bd5 18. Qb5) 14... Nxf4 15. gxf4 f5 16. Nb5 $14
) 13. Bf4 (13. Rfd1 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bd6 15. cxd5 exd5 16. e4 $16) 13... Nh5 14.
Be3 Nhf6 $1 (14... f5 15. cxd5 exd5 16. Ne5 $1) 15. Rfd1 Bd6 $6 (15... Rc8 16.
Ne5 $140 (16. cxd5 cxd5 $1 $11) (16. a3 h6 17. Bf4 Nh5 18. Bd2 Nhf6 19. Be1
dxc4 20. Qxc4 c5 21. Qd3 cxd4 22. Nxd4 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 Qc7 {1/2-1/2 Ivanchuk,
V-Macieja,B/Calvia 2004/ (26)}) 16... Nxe5 17. dxe5 Ng4 $1 18. cxd5 Nxe3 19.
dxc6 Nxd1 20. cxb7 Rxc3 $1 21. bxc3 Nxf2 22. Kxf2 Qd2 23. Qc2 $11) 16. cxd5
exd5 (16... cxd5 17. Nb5 Bb8 18. Bf4 $1 Bxf4 19. gxf4 Ba6 20. Ne5 $1 $14) 17.
Bg5 $1 Be7 (17... h6 18. Bxf6 Nxf6 19. e3 $14 (19. e4 $6 dxe4 20. Ne5 Qb8 $11))
(17... Re8 $143 $2 18. e4 $1 dxe4 19. Ne5 Bxe5 20. dxe5 Rxe5 21. Nxe4 $36) 18.
e3 Ne8 $6 (18... Re8 $142 $14) 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. e4 $1 dxe4 21. Nxe4 Nef6 (
21... Qxe4 $140 22. Ne5 Qf5 23. g4 Qe6 24. Qxe6 fxe6 25. Nxd7 Rf4 26. Ne5 $16)
22. Nc5 $1 Nxc5 (22... bxc5 $2 23. Qxb7 $16) 23. dxc5 bxc5 (23... Nd5 24. Nd4 (
24. cxb6 axb6 25. Nd4 $16) 24... bxc5 25. Nf5 Qf6 26. Qxb7 Qxf5 27. Qxc6 $18)
24. Re1 Qc7 25. Rxc5 $16 {Black will have to endure pressure against his
vulnerable queenside pawns as in 1/2-1/2 Avrukh,B (2600)-Lerner,K (2494)/Ramat
Aviv 2004 (38)}) (11. Nd2 Nh5 (11... c5 12. Nb3 a6 $6 (12... Rc8) 13. dxc5 Nxc5
14. Nxc5 Bxc5 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. cxd5 $16 {1-0 Romanishin,O (2562)
-Poetsch,K (2194)/Bad Wiessee 2002/ (33)}) 12. cxd5 exd5 (12... cxd5 $2 13. Bc7
$1 Qxc7 14. Nxd5 Qd8 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Bxb7 $16) (12... Nxf4 $2 13. dxc6 Nxg2
14. cxb7 Rb8 15. Kxg2 Rxb7 $16) 13. e3 Nxf4 14. gxf4 Nf6 15. Nf3 c5 $6 (15...
Qd6 16. Ne5 Qe6) 16. Ne5 c4 17. Nxc4 $1 (17. b3 $6 Ba3 18. Rb1 Bb4 19. Qc2 cxb3
20. Rxb3 Ba5 $1 21. Rc1 $13 {Black was doing fine with his bishop pair as
compensation for the d5 pawn weakness from 1/2-1/2 Postny,E (2616)-Arutinian,D
(2552)/Cappelle la Grande 2007/}) 17... Ba6 18. Ne5 Bxf1 19. Qxf1 Rc8 20. Nxd5
$1 Nxd5 (20... Rxc1 21. Nxe7+ Qxe7 22. Qxc1 $14) 21. Rxc8 Qxc8 22. Bxd5 Bf6 $2
(22... Bd6 $1 23. Qc4 (23. Nc6 Qf5 24. Bg2 Qc2 $132) 23... Qf5 24. Qd3 Qh5 25.
Bf3 Qh6 $14) 23. Qc4 $1 Qxc4 $6 (23... Bxe5 $2 24. Bxf7+ $1 Kh8 25. Qxc8 Rxc8
26. fxe5 $18) (23... Qe8 $1) 24. Bxc4 $8 (24. Nxc4 $2 Rd8 25. Bc6 Bxd4 $1 26.
exd4 Rxd4 27. b3 Rxf4 $11) 24... Bxe5 25. fxe5 Rc8 26. b3 $18 {Despite a spare
exchange Black was in trouble due to the dangerous white pawn mass in 1-0
Postny,E (2627)-Gyimesi,Z (2605)/Maalot-Tarshiha 2008 (52)}) 11... Nxd5 {
Black was probably regretting his decision later in the game. Recapturing with
the pawn might be the most stubborn choice.} (11... cxd5 12. Nb5 Ne8 13. Qb3 a6
14. Nc7 Rc8 (14... g5 15. Nxg5 Bxg5 16. Bxg5 Qxg5 17. Nxa8 Bxa8 18. Qa4 Nb8 $14
) 15. Nxe8 Rxe8 16. a4 (16. Rxc8 Qxc8 17. Rc1 Qa8 18. Ne5 Nxe5 19. Bxe5 b5 $14)
16... Rc6 17. Rxc6 Bxc6 18. Rc1 Qa8 19. e3 Rc8 $11 {1/2-1/2 Radjabov,T (2670)
-Izoria,Z (2573)/Antalya 2004/ (40)}) 12. Nxd5 exd5 (12... cxd5 13. Qa4 a6 14.
Rc7 b5 15. Qc2 Rc8 16. Rc1 $16) 13. Qa4 Bf6 (13... c5 14. Rfd1 Qe8 15. Qc2 f5
16. dxc5 bxc5 17. Ng5 Qg6 18. Nh3 $1 $16) 14. Rxc6 $1 {Aronian does not miss
the chance to sacrifice the exchange for the opponent's two central pawns.}
Bxc6 15. Qxc6 Re8 16. Qxd5 Nf8 (16... Rxe2 $2 17. Ng5 Bxg5 18. Bxg5 Qe8 19.
Qxa8 $18) 17. Qb5 Ne6 (17... Bxd4 18. Nxd4 Qxd4 19. Bxa8 Rxa8 20. Be3 $16) 18.
Be3 Rc8 (18... Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Bxa8 Rxe3 21. fxe3 Bxe3+ 22. Kg2 Qxa8+
23. Rf3 $18) (18... Bxd4 $2 19. Rd1 $18) 19. Rd1 Nc5 (19... Re7 20. Ne5 Bxe5
21. Qxe5 Rc2 22. Qb5 $16) 20. h4 $6 {The Armenian player misses a perfect
opportunity to put more pressure on the enemy forces.} (20. Bh3 $1 a6 21. Qb4
Ra8 22. Qc4 Ne4 23. d5 $16) 20... h6 $6 (20... a6 21. Qb4 b5 22. Bh3 Ne6 23.
Qb3 Rc4 $14) 21. Bh3 $1 a6 22. Qb4 Rc6 (22... Rc7 23. Qxb6 $18) (22... Rb8 23.
Nd2 Ne4 24. Nxe4 Rxe4 25. Bg2 Re7 26. Bf3 $16) 23. Rc1 $1 {[%mdl 64] This fine
move forces an exchange combination that will give him great winning chances
despite opposite coloured bishops.} Rxe3 24. fxe3 Nd3 (24... Qe8 25. Qa3 Ne4
26. Rxc6 Qxc6 27. Qxa6 Nxg3 28. Kg2 Ne4 29. Qc8+ $18) 25. Rxc6 Nxb4 26. Rc8
Nxa2 (26... b5 27. a3 $18) 27. e4 Nb4 {Vescovi is truggling to find a line,
where he can put up some resistance.} (27... g6 28. e5 Kg7 29. Rxd8 Bxd8 30. d5
b5 31. d6 Bb6+ 32. Kg2 Nb4 33. Bc8 Kf8 34. Kh3 $16) 28. e5 Be7 29. Kf2 Kf8 (
29... f6 30. exf6 Bxf6 31. Ke3 Qxc8 32. Bxc8 Bd8 33. Ne5 $16) 30. Ke3 Ke8 31.
Ke4 f6 32. Rxd8+ (32. exf6 Bxf6 33. Ne5 Qxc8 34. Bxc8 Ke7 35. Nd7 $16) 32...
Bxd8 33. d5 fxe5 34. d6 $1 {A marvellous move, showing the touch of a great
master. White is controlling both light and dark squares.} Nc6 (34... Bf6 35.
Nxe5 a5 36. Bd7+ Kd8 37. Bb5 $18) 35. Bc8 Bf6 (35... a5 36. Kd5 Nb4+ 37. Ke6
$18) 36. g4 g6 (36... Kd8 37. Bb7 Kd7 38. g5 hxg5 39. hxg5 Bd8 40. Bxc6+ Kxc6
41. Kxe5 $18) 37. g5 hxg5 38. hxg5 Bd8 (38... Bg7 39. Nh4 Kf7 40. Bb7 Nb4 41.
Bd5+ Ke8 42. Be6 $18) 39. Bxa6 Kd7 40. Bb5 Kxd6 41. Bxc6 Kxc6 42. Kxe5 {
The problem of the bishops on different colours is gone. White will now win by
technical means.} Kd7 (42... Kc5 43. Ke6 b5 (43... Kb4 44. Kd7 $18) 44. Kf7 Kc4
45. Kxg6 $18) 43. e4 Be7 44. Kd5 Bd8 45. b4 {On top of a passive position, the
defender has to worry about two vulnerable pawns.} (45. b4 b5 46. Kc5 $18) 1-0

[Event "WchT 7th"]
[Site "Bursa"]
[Date "2010.01.09"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Sasikiran, Krishnan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2653"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "2010.01.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 134"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. g3 dxc4 6. a4 e6 7. Bg2 c5 8. dxc5
Qxd1+ 9. Nxd1 Bd7 10. Ne5 Bc6 11. Nxc6 Nxc6 12. Bd2 Nd5 13. Rc1 Bxc5 14. Rxc4
Be7 15. Ne3 O-O-O 16. O-O Kb8 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Rc3 Rhe8 19. Re3 Bf6 20. Rxe8
Rxe8 21. e3 d4 22. Rc1 Bg5 23. Bxc6 bxc6 24. Rxc6 dxe3 25. Bxe3 Bxe3 26. fxe3
Rxe3 27. Rxa6 Rb3 28. Rd6 Kc7 29. Rd2 Rb4 30. Rc2+ Kd7 31. Rd2+ Kc7 32. Rc2+
Kd7 33. a5 Rb5 34. Rd2+ Kc7 35. Rc2+ Kd7 36. b4 Rxb4 37. Ra2 Kc7 38. a6 Kb8 39.
Rf2 f6 40. Re2 h5 41. Re8+ Ka7 42. Re7+ Kxa6 43. Rxg7 Kb6 44. Rf7 h4 45. Rxf6+
Kc7 46. Rf4 Rb1+ 47. Kg2 hxg3 48. hxg3 Kd7 49. Re4 Rb8 50. Re3 Rh8 51. Kf3 Rf8+
52. Kg4 Kd6 53. Kg5 Rg8+ 54. Kf6 Kd5 55. Re5+ Kd6 56. Re3 Kd5 57. Re5+ Kd6 58.
Rg5 Rf8+ 59. Kg7 Rf3 60. g4 Rf4 61. Kh6 Ke7 62. Rg7+ Kf8 63. g5 Rf1 64. Ra7 Rg1
65. Kg6 Rg2 66. Ra8+ Ke7 67. Ra5 Kf8 68. Ra8+ Ke7 69. Rg8 Kd6 1-0

[Event "WchT 7th"]
[Site "Bursa"]
[Date "2010.01.10"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kotronias, Vasilios"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2599"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2010.01.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 134"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Greece"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GRE"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 Be7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. Nc3 Nf6 8.
dxc5 Qxc5 9. e3 O-O 10. Be2 Nc6 11. O-O Rd8 12. Rc1 Qb4 13. Na4 Bg4 14. a3 Qe7
15. Re1 Rac8 16. h3 Bh5 17. Nc3 h6 18. Nd4 Bxe2 19. Rxe2 Ne4 20. Rec2 Qe8 21.
Nce2 Ne7 22. Rc7 Nd6 23. Nf4 Rxc7 24. Rxc7 Rc8 25. Qc2 Qd8 26. Rc5 Nc4 27. Rxc8
Qxc8 28. Qc3 Nb6 29. Qb4 Qc1+ 30. Kh2 Nc6 31. Nxc6 bxc6 32. Nh5 Nc4 33. Qb8+
Kh7 34. Qf8 Qxb2 35. Qxf7 Qe5+ 36. Nf4 Nd2 37. Qg6+ Kg8 38. Qxc6 Nf1+ 39. Kh1
Qa1 40. Qxd5+ Kh7 41. Qd3+ Kg8 42. g3 Nxe3+ 43. Kh2 Nd1 44. h4 Nc3 45. Qd8+ Kh7
46. h5 Qb2 47. Qd4 Qxa3 48. Qd3+ Kg8 49. Nd5 Qd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 7th"]
[Site "Bursa"]
[Date "2010.01.11"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2010.01.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 134"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. d4 b5 6. b3 Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 e5
9. dxe5 Bb4 10. Bd2 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 Ne4 12. Bb4 bxc4 13. Qg4 c5 14. f3 cxb4 15.
fxe4 O-O 16. exd5 cxb3 17. Qd4 Nd7 18. axb3 Qg5 19. Qf4 Qg6 20. Qg4 Qh6 21. Qf4
Qg6 22. Qg4 Qh6 23. Qf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 7th"]
[Site "Bursa"]
[Date "2010.01.12"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E99"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2708"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2010.01.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 134"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "US of America"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5
Ne7 9. Ne1 Nd7 {Nakamura is switching his attention to the move which used to
be main line in the past.} 10. Nd3 f5 11. Bd2 Nf6 12. f3 f4 13. c5 g5 14. cxd6
cxd6 15. Nf2 Ng6 16. Qc2 Rf7 17. Rfc1 Ne8 18. a4 h5 19. Ncd1 $146 {White has
no waterproof method of preventing the impending kingside attack by Black. His
superiority on the queenside should help him to tie down some of the enemy
pieces. Aronian's novelty is sensible, as the knight may help his king.} (19.
h3 Bf8 (19... Nh4 20. Qd1 Bf8 21. Be1 Rg7 22. Ra3 Be7 23. a5 Bd7 24. Nb5 Qb8
25. Rac3 Bd8 26. b4 a6 27. Na3 b5 28. Nb1 {1/2-1/2 Bischoff,K (2505)-Hansson,D
(2250)/Reykjavik 1993}) 20. Nb5 Bd7 21. Qd1 Rg7 22. Kf1 Nh4 23. Be1 Be7 24. Rc3
Qb8 25. a5 Bd8 26. Rb3 a6 27. Nc3 Nc7 {0-1 Gavrilov,A (2512)-Shomoev,A (2561)/
Krasnoyarsk 2007 (74)}) (19. a5 Bf8 (19... g4 20. fxg4 Nh4 21. Qd1 hxg4 22.
Nxg4 Nf6 23. Kh1 Nxg4 24. Bxg4 f3 25. gxf3 Bxg4 26. fxg4 Nf3 27. Be3 Qh4 28.
Rc2 Qxg4 29. Rg2 Qh3 30. Qf1 Qh7 31. Qd3 {1-0 Saric,A (2472)-Brener,I (2318)/
Steinbrunn 2005 (53)}) 20. Nb5 Rg7 21. Ra3 g4 22. fxg4 hxg4 23. Nxg4 Nh4 24.
Qd1 a6 25. Nc3 Nxg2 26. Kxg2 Bxg4 27. Bxg4 Nf6 28. h3 Nxg4 29. hxg4 Qh4 {
0-1 Saric,A (2514)-Vedmediuc,S (2414)/Budva 2009 (35)}) 19... Bf8 20. Ra3 a6
21. Qc3 Bd7 22. Qa5 b6 {The exchange of queens was certainly feasible, but
Nakamura would have to defend a slightly worse position without the most
dangerous piece.} (22... Qxa5 23. Bxa5 Nf6 24. Rc7 Bc8 25. Rac3 $14) (22... Qe7
23. Qb6 $16) 23. Qb4 Rg7 24. Rac3 {Attacking the b6-pawn right away was
certainly an option, but White's advantage would remain limited.} (24. Rb3 g4
25. fxg4 (25. Qxb6 gxf3 26. Qxd8 Rxd8 27. gxf3 Bxa4 $14) 25... Nh4 26. Qxb6
Qxb6 27. Rxb6 hxg4 28. Rc3 (28. Rxa6 Rxa6 29. Bxa6 g3 30. hxg3 Rxg3 $11) 28...
Nf6 (28... f3 29. Rxa6 Rc8 30. Bd3 g3 31. hxg3 Rxg3 32. Rxc8 Bxc8 33. Ra8 Bd7
34. Nc3 $16) 29. g3 (29. Rxa6 Rxa6 30. Bxa6 g3 $15) 29... Nf3+ 30. Bxf3 gxf3
31. Rxf3 Bxa4 $14) 24... Nh4 25. h3 Be7 26. Be1 Qb8 (26... g4 $5 {Black is
losing heart and switches his attention to the passive defence. It would have
been more natural for Nakamura to try attacking strategy with 26...g4!?} 27.
fxg4 (27. hxg4 Nf6 28. Nd3 Nxg2 $1 29. Kxg2 hxg4 30. Kf1 Qe8 $13) 27... Nf6 28.
Rc7 b5 29. a5 Rg6 30. Qa3 Qf8 $13) 27. Kf1 Bd8 (27... b5 28. a5 Qa7 $14) 28.
Rb3 Bc7 29. Qa3 (29. Nc3 Qd8 30. Qc4 Kh7 31. Rc2 $16) 29... Qd8 30. Rbc3 Bb8 (
30... b5 31. Rxc7 Nxc7 32. Qxd6 Ne8 33. Qxe5 $16) 31. b4 Ra7 32. Rc6 $5 {
White can afford to invest some material in order to tie down his opponent's
pieces.} (32. Nb2 b5 33. Nfd3 g4 $132) 32... b5 (32... Bxc6 33. dxc6 Rgc7 34.
b5 axb5 35. Bxb5 Nf6 36. Nc3 $14) 33. axb5 axb5 34. Ra6 (34. Qb3 $5 Ra8 35. Nc3
$16) 34... Rb7 35. Rcc6 (35. Nc3 Kh8 36. Ra8 Nc7 37. Ra5 $16) 35... Bxc6 $2 {
The defender is losing heart and grabs the offered exchange. His position was
slowly deteriorating, but it was better to at least postpone the inevitable.} (
35... Nf6 36. Nd3 Bxc6 37. dxc6 Ra7 38. Bf2 Rxa6 39. Qxa6 $16) 36. dxc6 Ra7 37.
Nc3 d5 $6 (37... Rxa6 38. Qxa6 Ra7 39. Qxb5 Kg7 40. Nd3 $16) 38. Nxd5 Nf5 {
That should have had been the solution for the defender, the knight aims to
jump into the fray.} 39. exf5 (39. Bxb5 Nd4 40. Bc4 Kh7 41. b5 Rxa6 42. bxa6
Qc8 43. Qa4 Qxc6 44. Qxc6 Nxc6 45. Bb5 Rg6 46. Nd3 $16) 39... Qxd5 40. Ne4 (40.
Qa5 $5 Rgc7 (40... Bc7 41. Qxb5 Qxb5 42. Bxb5 Rxa6 43. Bxa6 Nd6 44. Bd3 $16)
41. Ne4 Rxa6 42. Qxa6 Qxc6 (42... Rxc6 43. Qa8 $18) 43. Qxc6 Rxc6 44. Bxb5 Rc8
45. Bxe8 Rxe8 46. Nf6+ Kf7 47. Nxe8 Kxe8 48. Ke2 $18) 40... Rgc7 41. Nxg5 {
Aronian has been diverted by the great tactical shot from the game. He should
not have ignored the best move 40.Qa5!? forcing he decision due to the attack
of b5-pawn.} (41. Qa5 $1 Rxa6 42. Qxa6 g4 43. Qxb5 Qxb5 44. Bxb5 $16) (41. Nc3
Rxa6 42. Qxa6 Qxc6 43. Qa2+ Rf7 44. Bxb5 Qc8 45. Bc4 Qxf5 46. Ne4 Nd6 47. Be6
Qg6 48. Bxf7+ Qxf7 49. Qa8 $16) 41... Ng7 $2 (41... Rxa6 42. Qxa6 Nd6 (42...
Qxc6 43. Qa2+ Kh8 44. Nf7+ Kh7 45. Nxe5 $16) 43. Qa1 (43. Ne6 Rc8 $1 $13 (43...
Rxc6 44. Qa8 $18)) 43... Rc8 44. f6 $16) 42. Rb6 $3 {[%mdl 64] There would
have not been this fabulous combination without the weaker 41.Nxg5 move.} Nxf5
(42... Rxa3 43. Rxb8+ Ne8 44. Rxe8+ Kg7 45. Ne6+ Kh7 (45... Kf7 46. Rf8+ Ke7
47. Bh4+ Kd6 48. Rd8+ $18) 46. Nxc7 Qxc6 47. Re7+ $18) 43. Rxb8+ Kg7 44. Qb2
Ra2 $6 {Nakamura is simply programmed for active play, this aggressive move
shoud be weaker than elimination of the c6-pawn.} (44... Rxc6 45. Rxb5 Ne3+ 46.
Kg1 Qd4 47. Qxd4 exd4 48. Rc5 $16) 45. Qb1 Rc2 46. Rxb5 Qd6 (46... Ne3+ 47. Kg1
Qxc6 48. Rc5 Rxc5 49. Qh7+ Kf8 50. Qh8+ Ke7 51. bxc5 $18) 47. Rb7 Kh6 48. Kg1
$1 Qxc6 (48... Rxe2 49. Qxf5 Rxe1+ 50. Kh2 Rxb7 51. cxb7 $18) 49. Nf7+ $1 {
The knight move in thus charged position can be truly insidious. Black can not
afford to let the steed reach the d8-square.} Rxf7 (49... Kh7 50. Nd8 $1 Qd7
51. Qxc2 $18) 50. Rxf7 Ne3 {The last real try was to give Aronian the chance
to go wrong after the desperate 50..Rxe2.} (50... Rxe2 51. Rxf5 (51. Qxf5 Qb6+
52. Kf1 (52. Kh2 $2 Qg6 $14) 52... Rxe1+ 53. Kxe1 Qe3+ 54. Kd1 Qb3+ 55. Kc1
Qc4+ 56. Qc2 Qxf7 57. b5 $18) 51... Qg6 52. Bf2 $18) 51. Ra7 $1 Qd5 52. Qa1
Nxg2 (52... Rxe2 53. Qa6+ Kg5 54. Rg7+ Kf5 55. Qg6#) 53. Qa6+ {An amazing
fight in which White was dominant all along.} (53. Qa6+ Rc6 54. Qb7 Qd4+ 55.
Bf2 $18) 1-0

[Event "WchT 7th"]
[Site "Bursa"]
[Date "2010.01.13"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Adly, Ahmed"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2591"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2010.01.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 134"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Egypt"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "EGY"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 b5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. c3 Be7 7. a4 b4 8. dxc5
Bxc5 9. Ne5 Bxg2 10. Kxg2 Qb6 11. Nd3 Na6 12. a5 Qb7+ 13. f3 Be7 14. e4 Rc8 15.
Ra4 d5 16. e5 Nd7 17. Be3 bxc3 18. Nxc3 Ndc5 19. Bxc5 Nxc5 20. Rb4 Qc6 21. Rg4
h5 22. Nb4 Qb7 23. Rd4 O-O 24. f4 g6 25. Kh3 Kg7 26. Nbxd5 exd5 27. f5 Bg5 28.
b4 Ne6 29. Rd3 d4 30. Ne2 gxf5 31. Rxd4 Be3 32. Rxf5 Nxd4 33. Nxd4 Qd7 34. g4
Rc3 35. Kh4 Qd8+ 0-1

[Event "Linares 27th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2010.02.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E25"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2010.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Qd2 {An old, rather harmless move.} Qa5 {Alternatives:} (8... f5) (8... Nc6) 9.
e4 (9. c4 Qxd2+ 10. Bxd2 Nb6 11. e3 Nc6 12. dxc5 Na4 13. Ne2 Nxc5 $11 {1/2
Boros,S-Steiner,L/Budapest 1936/EXT 1999 (41)}) (9. Bb2 Nb6 (9... cxd4 10. cxd4
Nc6 11. e4 Ne3 12. Bc3 Nxf1 13. Kxf1 Qa6+ 14. Ne2 O-O 15. Kf2 $14 {0-1
Baumbach,F-Schlieder,R/Zittau 1956/EXT 2003 (31)}) 10. e3 Na4 11. Rb1 Nxb2 12.
Qxb2 Nc6 (12... O-O 13. Kf2 b6 14. Bb5 Bd7 15. Bd3 Nc6 16. Ne2 cxd4 17. cxd4 e5
18. Be4 exd4 19. Nxd4 Rac8 20. Nb5 $14 {1/2 Steiner,H-Donner,J/Venice 1950/MCD
(41)}) 13. Kf2 O-O 14. Bb5 Qc7 15. Ne2 Na5 16. dxc5 Qxc5 17. Qb4 Qc7 18. Rhd1
b6 $11 {0-1 Muhring,W-Euwe,M/Amsterdam 1950/EXT 1998 (48)}) 9... Qxc3 (9... Nb6
10. Rb1 Bd7 11. Bd3 Ba4 (11... Nc6 12. Rb5 Qa4 13. Rxc5 O-O 14. Bc2 Qa6 15. Bd3
Qa4 16. Ne2 Rad8 17. Bc2 Qa6 18. Bd3 Qa4 19. O-O $16 {0-1 Barden,L-Szabo,J/
Leipzig 1960/EXT 1999 (56)}) 12. Ne2 Nc6 13. O-O O-O-O 14. Qb2 Rd7 15. Bd2 c4
16. Bc2 Bxc2 17. Qxc2 Na4 18. Ng3 g6 19. e5 b5 20. Ne4 $16 {1-0 Portisch,
L-Pogats,J/Budapest 1959/EXT 2000 (57)}) (9... Ne7 10. Rb1 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qxd2+
12. Bxd2 O-O $14 {1/2 Van Wely,L (2585)-Zueger,B (2470)/Horgen 1995/CBM 050})
10. Qxc3 (10. Bb2 Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 Ne7 (11... Nf6 12. Rc1 O-O 13. Rxc5 Nbd7 14.
Rc1 Nb6 15. Ke3 Bd7 16. Bd3 Rfc8 17. Ne2 Ne8 18. Rxc8 Rxc8 19. Rc1 $14 {
1/2 Sherwin,J-Denker,A/New York 1959/MCD (40)}) 12. dxc5 O-O 13. Nh3 $5 (13.
Rc1 Nec6 14. Ke3 Bd7 15. Bd3 Rc8 16. Ne2 Be8 17. f4 Nd7 18. Rc3 Rc7 19. Rhc1
Rac8 20. Bb5 f5 21. exf5 exf5 22. Rd3 Na5 $11 {1/2 Weinstein,R-Sherwin,J/New
York 1960/MCD (36)}) (13. Ke3 Nec6 14. Bb5 Bd7 15. Bc3 Rc8 $11 {1/2 Taimanov,
M-Milic,B/Kiev 1959/MCL (31)}) 13... Rd8+ (13... Nbc6 $142 {[%cal Yc8d7,Ya8c8]}
) 14. Ke3 Nbc6 15. Bc4 e5 16. Ng5 Rf8 17. Rhf1 Ng6 18. Rad1 h6 19. Rd6 Nf4 20.
Nxf7 Rxf7 21. g3 Nh5 22. f4 exf4+ 23. gxf4 Kf8 24. Bxf7 Kxf7 25. f5 $16 {
1-0 Hertneck,G (2535)-Ketzscher,R/Germany 1991/TD (41)}) 10... Nxc3 11. dxc5
Na4 12. Be3 Bd7 (12... Ke7 13. Rc1 Bd7 14. Ne2 Rc8 15. Nc3 f6 16. Be2 Nxc3 17.
Rxc3 Rc7 18. Kf2 Nc6 19. Rd1 Rd8 20. f4 Be8 $11 {1/2 Carlsson,H-Kaila,O/Sweden
1951/EXT 2007 (37)}) 13. Rb1 (13. Nh3 Ke7 14. Nf4 Rc8 15. Rc1 a5 16. Kf2 Na6
17. Bxa6 Rxa6 18. Rhd1 Rac6 19. Nd3 f6 20. Rd2 R6c7 21. Rb1 e5 $11 {1-0 Khodos,
G-Kuijpers,F/Helsinki 1961/EXT 2001 (40)}) 13... b6 {Black decides on
simplifications.} (13... Bc6 $5 14. Ne2 $5 {[%cal Ye2d4]} e5 $5) 14. cxb6 axb6
{The exchange of the a3- and b6-pawns, with a drawish outcome, can hardly be
avoided.} 15. Bb5 $6 (15. Nh3 $5 {promised more chances. White gives up his
bishop pair, after which he can't hope for any advantage.}) 15... Bxb5 16. Rxb5
Nd7 17. Ne2 Nac5 18. Bc1 Nd3+ 19. Kd2 Nxc1 {Black is satisfied with a draw.} (
19... N7e5 $5 {w was an interesting attempt to play for a win. In case of} 20.
f4 $6 Nf2 21. fxe5 Nxh1 22. Ke3 O-O {Black's chances, despite his trapped
knight, look rather favorable.}) 20. Rxc1 Ke7 21. Rc3 Rhc8 22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23. h4
Ra8 24. Rb3 Nc5 25. Rxb6 Rxa3 26. Nf4 Ra2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 27th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2010.02.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2705"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2010.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. Ne2 b6 11. Nf4 Bb7 12. Rd1 Rd8 13. Rxd8+ Kxd8 14.
g4 Ne7 15. Be3 Ke8 16. Rd1 Nd5 17. Nh5 h6 18. c4 g6 19. Nf6+ Nxf6 20. exf6 c5
21. Ne5 Bd6 22. Re1 Bc8 23. Bxc5 Bxe5 24. Rxe5+ Be6 25. Be3 Kd8 26. b3 h5 27.
gxh5 Rxh5 28. Bg5 Rh8 29. h4 Re8 30. f3 Bd7 31. Re7 Rxe7 32. fxe7+ Ke8 33. Kf2
Bc6 34. b4 a6 35. f4 Bd7 36. Ke3 c5 37. a3 f5 38. Kd3 Kf7 39. Kc3 Be8 40. Kb3
Ke6 41. Kc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 27th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2010.02.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A64"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2010.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. Bg2 Bg7 8. Nf3
O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. Nd2 a6 11. a4 Nbd7 12. h3 Rb8 13. Nc4 Nb6 {Traditionally,
this is considered to be the safest continuation. Although I always have
instinctively preferred the alternative mentioned below, I devoted some
attention to this move, too, but came to the conclusion that Black has
problems getting fully coordinated for launching his queenside attack.
Although there are several debatable decisions from both players in the
present game, I believe that my initial evaluation is more or less confirmed.}
({I find Black's development more harmonious after} 13... Ne5 14. Na3 Nh5 15.
e4 Bd7 {The pieces are all over the board. In fact, we can notice that there
are two groups of four pieces with identical geometry. Theory regards this
line as riskier, probably because sharp tactics may arise, but this should not
be a reason if the position is sound objectively.} 16. a5 {This is the
critical variation.} (16. g4 b5 {Akopian,V (2630)-Marin,M (2520)/Moscow 1994/
CBM 45/[Marin,M] (0-1, 54). gives Black easy play.}) 16... Qxa5 17. g4 Nf6 {
Avrukh,B (2641)-Kamsky,G (2714)/Khanty-Mansiysk 2007/CBM 122/[Avrukh,B] (0-1,
53)}) 14. Na3 Bd7 15. e4 {This is the best continuation. White wins space in
the centre without touching the queenside yet.} (15. a5 {contradicts the
principle "do not move pawns on the side where you will be submitted to an
attack!" Concretely, Black gets the possibility of opening the b-file, with
counterplay.} Nc8 16. Nc4 Bb5 17. Qb3 Bxc4 18. Qxc4 Nd7 19. Ne4 $5 {It is
interesting to follow the plan initiated by this move, chosen by a Benoni
expert!} ({Theory mainly relies on the older game:} 19. Qd3 Ne5 20. Qc2 Na7 21.
Rd1 Nb5 22. Nxb5 axb5 23. Qb3 Qd7 $132 {Liberzon,V (2460)-Jussupow,A (2575)/
Lone Pine 1981/MCL (0-1, 47)}) 19... Qe7 20. Ra3 Na7 21. Bg5 Qf8 22. Bf4 Nb5
23. Rb3 Ne5 24. Bxe5 Bxe5 25. e3 {White does not seem to have displayed great
ambitions, but his main plan is to prevent Black from getting any shadow of
activity. Once everything has been stabilised, the space advantage may ensure
some slight, but stable, advantage.} Qe7 26. h4 Qc7 27. Ra1 b6 $6 {White is
perfectly well prepared for the opening of the queenside. Black should have
adopted a neutral policy, because for White it is difficult to make progress
without weakening the dark squares.} (27... h5 $5) 28. axb6 Rxb6 29. Nd2 $1 {
White plans to transfer the knight to c4 (and then a5-c6), putting the whole
black queenside in danger.} Rc8 30. Bh3 f5 31. Bf1 Rcb8 32. Qc1 Bf6 33. Nc4 $18
{Nisipeanu,L (2690)-Cvek,R (2512)/Germany 2006/CBM 118 (1-0, 41). White won a
pawn, retaining a positional advantage.}) 15... Nc8 16. Qd3 {It appears that
the thematic break ...b5 is not that easy to carry out.} Re7 $5 {An original
move, planning two possible regroupings: ...Qe8 preparing ...b5 or ...Be8, ...
Rc7, ...Nd7. This offers Black some flexibility in planning, which is highly
needed when lacking space.} (16... Qc7 17. Be3 {seems to favour White, as can
be inferred from the extensive notes to Mikhalevski,V (2520)-Cvitan,O (2574)/
Biel 2002/EXT 2003/[Mikhalevski,V] (1-0, 51).}) ({If Black does not mind a
short draw,} 16... Nb6 $5 {may come into consideration. The only drawback of
the queen move to d3 was that it left the a4-pawn insufficiently well defended.
The critical answer is} 17. b3 (17. Nc2 Nc8 {[%cal Gb7b5] is a tacit
invitation to a repetition of moves.} 18. Rb1 b5 19. axb5 axb5 20. b4 c4 21.
Qd2 Nb6 $132) (17. a5 Nc8 18. Nc4 Bb5) (17. Bf4 $2 {was played in the only
game with this experimental line so far.} Bxa4 18. Nxa4 Nxa4 19. Nc4 Nh5 20.
Bxd6 Nxb2 21. Nxb2 Qxd6 22. Nc4 Qd8 23. Rad1 b5 $15 {0-1 Cernousek,L (2442)
-Lie,K (2539)/ICC INT 2009/CBM 129 Extra (42)}) 17... Nxe4 18. Bxe4 Bxc3 (18...
Rxe4 19. Nxe4 Bxa1 20. Bg5 f6 21. Rxa1 fxg5 22. a5 Nc8 23. Qc3 $40) 19. Qxc3
Rxe4 20. Bb2 f6 {and Black might hold. The h3- and d5-pawns are hanging and
the a3-knight far from the events still.} 21. a5 Na8 22. Qf3 Re8 23. Bxf6 Rf8
$1) 17. Rb1 $146 {A very direct move, preparing b4 before Black gets to
advance his own b-pawn.} ({Against a neutral developing move like} 17. Be3 {
Black may switch to the other plan:} Qe8 18. a5 (18. Rab1 b5 19. b4 c4 20. Qc2
Nxe4 21. Nxe4 f5 22. Nc3 Rxe3 $17) 18... Bb5 19. Naxb5 axb5 20. Qxb5 Qxb5 21.
Nxb5 Nxe4 $132) ({The only game in which 16...Re7 has been played so far went} 
17. Bf4 Nh5 (17... b5 18. axb5 axb5 19. Naxb5 Bxb5 20. Nxb5 Reb7 21. Na3 Rxb2
22. Nc4 R2b3 23. Qd2 Nh5 24. Bg5 $14) 18. Bg5 f6 19. Be3 f5 20. Bg5 {Bayer,E 
(2355)-Stein,B (2380)/Germany 1989/GER-chT (1-0, 38)} Bf6 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22.
exf5 Bxf5 23. Qd2 b5 24. axb5 axb5 25. Ncxb5 Reb7 $132) 17... Be8 {[%cal Ge7c7,
Gf6d7] This is the best way to anticipate b2-b4, clearing the way to the
pieces towards the queenside.} (17... Qe8 $6 18. b4 $16) 18. b4 {This move may
be premature in the way that it was precisely what Black had been regrouping
against.} ({Combining play on both wings may have been trickier:} 18. Be3 Rc7 (
18... Nd7 19. Rfc1 Ne5 20. Qe2 $14) 19. Rfc1 Nd7 {Black is well prepared
against b4, but White can activate his position on the other wing as well:} 20.
f4 $14) 18... cxb4 19. Rxb4 Rc7 20. Bd2 Nd7 21. Rc1 Nc5 {This tempting move,
gaining a tempo and activating the knight, leaves the c7-rook and the queen
passive.} ({Several commentators have suggested} 21... Rc5 $5 {opening the
d8-a5 diagonal for the queen and maintaining some pressure along the c-file.}
22. Nc4 ({After a neutral move such as} 22. Kh2 {Black could continue
activating his pieces with} Ncb6 {[%cal Gb8c8]}) (22. Be3 {is the forced line
the commentators have focused on.} Qa5 23. Bxc5 Nxc5 24. Qb1 Nd3 25. Rxb7 Rxb7
26. Qxd3 Nb6 $44) 22... b5 23. axb5 axb5 24. Ne3 (24. Na3 Qa5) 24... Ne5 25.
Qe2 Nb6 {[%cal Gb6c4]} 26. Nxb5 $6 Bxb5 27. Rxb5 Rxb5 28. Qxb5 Nbc4 $17) 22.
Qb1 b5 $2 {Giving up a pawn without any compensation.} (22... Na7 $5 {[%cal
Gb7b5]} 23. a5 Rbc8 {White cannot increase his pressure easily, because any
knight move would allow ...Nb5 with counterplay.}) 23. axb5 a5 24. Rb2 Nb6 25.
Ra2 $1 {Freeing the knight from the pin.} a4 26. Ne2 {After due preparation,
the knight may reach c6.} Rcb7 27. Bf4 {Not the only possible move.} (27. Be3
$5 Bxb5 28. Qxb5 Nxd5 29. Qxb7 Rxb7 30. exd5 $16) (27. Bc3 $5) 27... Nc8 (27...
Nb3 28. Rc6 $1 {leads to complete white domination.}) 28. Rxc5 dxc5 29. Bxb8
Rxb8 30. f4 g5 $5 {Desperation. Black has to undermine White's centre somehow.}
31. e5 gxf4 32. gxf4 f6 33. Qe4 $6 ({Aronian seems to have intended to win in
Philidor's style, by advancing his pawns on squares opposite to those
controlled by his own bishop. He might have feared that the blockade reached
after} 33. e6 Nd6 {would make Black's position defensible, but after} 34. Be4
$16 {Black would have to either weaken his kingside or give up his blocking
piece.}) 33... fxe5 34. fxe5 Qg5 35. Nc4 $6 {Missing a series of tactical
finesses.} (35. e6 Nd6 36. Qxa4 $14 {would have retained some chances for
success, although the blockade would have been hard to crack.}) 35... Bxb5 36.
h4 Qg6 37. Qxg6 (37. Rb2 $5 a3 38. Nxa3 Nd6 39. Qxg6 hxg6 40. Nc3 Bxe5 41. Rxb5
Nxb5 42. Naxb5 Kf7 $14) 37... hxg6 38. Rb2 Nd6 $1 {A very elegant move,
leading to drawish simplifications.} 39. Nxd6 a3 40. Ra2 Bxe2 41. Rxe2 Bxe5 42.
Nc4 (42. Rxe5 a2 43. Re1 Rb1) 42... Bb2 43. Nxa3 Bxa3 44. Re6 c4 45. Rxg6+ Kf7
46. Rc6 Rh8 47. Rc7+ Kf8 48. Rxc4 Be7 49. Rc8+ Kg7 50. Rxh8 {This looks like a
premature agreement to a draw, but White's chances to convert his d-pawn into
something more concrete with rooks on the board would have been rather
hypotethical.} Kxh8 51. h5 {Black will give up his bishop for the d-pawn, with
a simple draw.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 27th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2010.02.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2010.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Qd7 11. Nbd2 Rfe8 12. c3 d5 13. Nf1 dxe4 14. dxe4 Qxd1 15.
Bxd1 Red8 16. Bc2 Nd7 17. Ne3 f6 18. b4 a5 19. Rb1 axb4 20. cxb4 Nb6 21. Bb3+
Kh8 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. Bxd5 Rd7 24. Bb2 Nd8 25. Rbd1 c5 26. Bxb7 Rxb7 27. bxc5
Bxc5 28. Rd3 Ne6 29. Rb1 Kg8 30. Kf1 Ra4 31. Nd2 Nf4 32. Rc3 Ba7 33. Bc1 h5 34.
h4 Kh7 35. f3 Bd4 36. Rcb3 Rc7 37. g3 Ne6 38. Rxb5 Be3 39. R5b4 Ra6 40. Nb3
Bxc1 41. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 42. Nxc1 Rxa3 43. Nb3 g5 44. hxg5 Nxg5 45. Ke2 Ra2+ 46. Nd2
Nxf3 47. Kxf3 Rxd2 48. Rb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 27th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2010.02.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D48"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2010.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
a6 9. a4 Bb7 10. b3 $5 $146 {This new move is hardly dangerous for Black.} (10.
O-O {and}) (10. Qe2 {are usually played.}) 10... bxa4 11. Nxa4 c5 12. dxc5 Nxc5
13. Nxc5 Bxc5 {The only thing White can hope for is, that Black's a6-pawn is
slightly weaker than White's b3-pawn, but it is not enough to claim any
advantage.} 14. O-O O-O 15. Bb2 Bxf3 $5 {A risky concept. White's double pawns
are not weak and don't compensate his bishop pair.} (15... a5 $11) {
Fortunately, the position is so drawish that it is not so easy to spoil it.}
16. gxf3 a5 17. f4 Be7 18. Bc4 Ne4 19. Qc2 Bf6 20. Rfd1 Qc7 21. Qxe4 Bxb2 22.
Ra2 Bf6 23. f5 $1 exf5 24. Qxf5 $14 {[%csl Gc4][%cal Gc4f7]} Rfd8 25. Rd5 $1 {
White now wins the a5-pawn, but this material advantage can hardly be
converted.} Qb6 26. Rb5 Qd6 27. Rbxa5 Rxa5 28. Rxa5 g6 29. Qf3 Kg7 30. Kg2 Qc7
31. Rd5 {It would be much more favorable for White to exchange queens rather
than rooks, but that is rather impossible to achieve.} Rxd5 32. Qxd5 Bc3 33.
Kf1 f5 34. Kg2 Qe7 35. Kf1 Qc7 36. h3 Qh2 37. Qf3 Bf6 38. b4 Qc7 39. Qd5 Qe5
40. Qf7+ Kh6 41. b5 Qd6 42. Qb7 f4 43. Qf3 fxe3 44. fxe3 Bd8 45. Ke2 Bb6 46. h4
Qe5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 27th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2010.02.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "201"]
[EventDate "2010.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8.
Bxc4 c5 9. O-O cxd4 (9... O-O {- see Kramnik-Ivanchuk in this issue.}) 10. e5 (
10. Qa4+ Nc6 11. Bb5 O-O 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Qxb4 dxc3 14. Rab1 cxb2 15. e5 Qg6
16. Rxb2 Ba6 17. Rd1 Rfd8 18. Rd6 Bd3 $1 $15 {0-1 Goglidze,V-Alatortsev,V/
Leningrad 1936/EXT 1998 (31)}) (10. Nb5 $5 Qe7 11. Qxd4 (11. a3 Bc5 12. b4 Bb6
13. e5 O-O 14. Nbxd4 Rd8 15. Ra2 Qc7 16. Bb3 Nc6 17. Rd2 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Qc3 $15
{1/2 Kiss,P (2420)-Labahn,W (2225)/Eger 1993/EXT 1997 (22)}) 11... O-O 12. Nxa7
Bd7 13. Nb5 Nc6 14. Qe3 (14. Qd1 Na5 15. Bd3 Rfd8 16. Qe2 Be8 17. a3 Nb3 18.
Rad1 Bc5 19. Bc2 Bxb5 20. Qxb5 Nd4 21. Nxd4 Bxd4 {1/2 Wahlbom,M-Polgar,I/
Dresden 1969/EXT 2003}) 14... Rfc8 15. Qe2 Bc5 16. Rad1 Be8 17. a3 Na5 18. Ba2
Bxb5 19. Qxb5 Nc6 20. g3 Rd8 21. Kg2 g5 22. h3 Nd4 23. Nxd4 Bxd4 24. Rd2 $16 {
1-0 Antic,D (2488)-Solomunovic,I (2416)/Bar 2005/CBM 105 ext (38)}) 10... Qd8 (
10... Qe7 11. Ne4 (11. Qxd4 O-O 12. Bd3 Bxc3 13. Qe4 g6 14. bxc3 Nd7 15. Rad1
Nc5 16. Qe3 Kg7 17. Bb5 b6 18. Rd4 Bb7 19. Rfd1 Rfd8 $11 {0-1 Bellanger,
M-Mujica,H/LSS 2007/Telechess CBM 129 (42)}) 11... O-O (11... Nc6 12. a3 Bc5
13. b4 Bb6 14. Nd6+ Kf8 15. Re1 Bd7 16. b5 Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Qxd6 18. Qf3 Be8 19.
Ng6+ Kg8 20. Nxh8 Kxh8 21. Qxb7 $16 {1/2 Zangiev,P (2315)-Bondarev,B/Krasnodar
1998/EXT 2000 (72)}) 12. Qxd4 Nc6 13. Qe3 Bd7 14. Bd3 Ba5 15. a3 Bc7 16. Rac1
Rac8 17. Nc5 Be8 18. Qe4 f5 19. exf6 Rxf6 20. Qh7+ Kf8 21. Qh8+ Kf7 22. Rfe1
$16 {1-0 Van der Sterren,P (2500)-Petursson,M (2530)/Munich 1989/CBM 013 (26)})
11. Ne4 (11. Nxd4 Bxc3 12. bxc3 a6 $6 (12... O-O) 13. Qg4 O-O 14. Rae1 Qc7 15.
Bd3 Nc6 16. Nxc6 Qxc6 17. Re3 f5 18. exf6 Rxf6 19. Rg3 Rf7 20. Qg6 $18 {
1-0 Krivoshey,S (2478)-Bordin,I (1919)/Frankfurt 2004/EXT 2005 (26)}) 11... O-O
12. Qe2 {We now get a position from Kramnik-Ivanchuk with 12.Ne4 instead of 12.
Rad1.} Bd7 13. Rfd1 (13. Rad1 {again leads to Kramnik-Ivanchuk.}) 13... Nc6 14.
a3 $5 {A new idea. Before starting his kingside attack, White seizes space on
the queenside.} Be7 15. b4 Qb8 {Black looks for counterplay.} ({To} 15... Qb6 {
White replies in quite a typical way:} 16. Ng3 Rfd8 17. Qe4 {[%cal Yc4d3,Yh2h4]
etc.}) 16. Ng3 b5 (16... Rd8 17. Qe4 Be8 18. h4 $1 $40 {[%cal Yc4d3]}) 17. Bxb5
{White must change his plan, but still obtains the better prospects.} (17. Bd3
a5 $1 $132) 17... Nxe5 18. Bxd7 Nxd7 19. Nxd4 Ne5 20. Nb3 $6 {This is too
passive, but it is not easy to find a way for an advantage.} (20. f4 Ng6 21.
Nxe6 $2 Qb6+ 22. Nd4 Bf6) (20. Nh5 g6 $1 21. f4 Nc6 $1 22. Nxe6 (22. Nxc6 Qb6+
23. Nd4 gxh5 $13 {[%cal Yf8d8,Ye7f6]}) 22... Qb6+ 23. Kh1 fxe6 (23... gxh5 24.
Qxh5 fxe6 25. Qg6+ Kh8 26. Qxh6+ Kg8 27. Qg6+ Kh8 28. Rd3 $18) 24. Qxe6+ Kh7
25. Rd7 (25. Rac1 Rad8 $1) (25. Rdc1 Qd4 $1) 25... gxh5 26. f5 Rad8 $1 27. Qg6+
Kh8 28. Qxh6+ Kg8 $11) (20. Qe4 $5 $36 {was probably the best option, e.g.} Rd8
21. h3 {[%cal Yf2f4,Yd4c6]}) 20... a6 21. Ne4 Qb5 22. Qxb5 axb5 23. Nd4 Rfd8 (
23... Rfb8 $5 24. Nc3 (24. f4 Nc4 25. Nc6 Rb7) 24... Bf6 $1 25. Ndxb5 Nc6 $44)
24. Nxb5 Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Nc4 26. Nec3 (26. Nc5 {doesn't win either:} Rb8 27. Na7
(27. Rc1 Nxa3 $1 28. Nxa3 Rxb4 29. Nc2 Bxc5 30. Nxb4 Bxb4 $11) (27. Rd4 Ne5 28.
Nd6 (28. a4 Nc6 29. Rd7 Bf8 {[%cal Rc6b4]}) 28... Rd8 29. Ncb7 Rd7 {[%csl Rb7,
Rd6]}) 27... Ra8 28. Nc6 Bxc5 29. bxc5 Rxa3 30. Rc1 Kf8 $1 $14) 26... Nxa3 27.
Ra1 Bxb4 $1 28. Nb1 Nxb5 29. Rxa8+ Bf8 {, and Black confidently hold this
endgame:} 30. h4 Nc7 31. Rc8 Nd5 32. Nd2 g6 33. Nc4 Kg7 34. g3 h5 35. Kg2 Bb4
36. Rb8 Kf6 37. Rb7 Bf8 38. Kf3 Bc5 39. Nd2 Kg7 40. Ne4 Be7 41. Ng5 Kf8 42. Ke2
Nf6 43. Kd3 Ng4 44. Nh7+ Ke8 45. Rb8+ Kd7 46. Ke2 Bd6 47. Rb7+ Ke8 48. Ng5 Nh6
49. Ne4 Nf5 50. Nxd6+ Nxd6 51. Ra7 Kf8 52. Kf3 Kg7 53. Rd7 Nf5 54. Kg2 Kf6 55.
f3 Nh6 56. Kh3 g5 57. hxg5+ Kxg5 58. Rd8 Kg6 59. Kg2 Kg7 60. Kf2 Nf5 61. Ra8
Kh7 62. Ra1 Kg6 63. Rg1 Kg5 64. Ke2 Kf6 65. Kd3 Ke5 66. Rg2 Kd5 67. g4 hxg4 68.
fxg4 Nd6 69. Rf2 Ke5 70. g5 Nf5 71. Rf1 Kd6 72. Ra1 Ke7 73. Ra8 Nh4 74. Ke3 Ng6
75. Rg8 Kd7 76. Kf3 Nh4+ 77. Kf4 Ke7 78. Ra8 Nf5 79. Ke4 Nh4 80. Kf4 Nf5 81.
Ke5 Ne3 82. Rc8 Nd5 83. Ke4 Kd7 84. Ra8 Ke7 85. Kf3 Nb6 86. Rb8 Nc4 87. Kg4
Ne3+ 88. Kf4 Nf5 89. Ke5 Ne3 90. Rb7+ Kf8 91. g6 (91. Kf6 $4 Ng4#) 91... fxg6
92. Kxe6 Nf5 93. Kf6 Ke8 94. Kxg6 Nd6 95. Rh7 Kd8 96. Kf6 Ne8+ 97. Ke6 Nc7+ 98.
Kd6 Ne8+ 99. Kc6 Nf6 100. Rf7 Ne8 101. Rd7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 27th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2010.02.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D12"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2705"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2010.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg4 7. Qb3 Qc7 8. Bd2
Bh5 {The positions of modern Slav with 4.e3 Bf5 are still quite unexplored;
the 8th move is already new.} (8... Be7 9. h3 Bh5 10. g4 Bg6 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12.
Bg2 (12. g5 Ne4 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Rg1 Rh5 15. Qc2 Rxg5 16. Rxg5 Bxg5 17. Qxe4
Nd7 18. O-O-O O-O-O 19. c5 Be7 20. Bc4 Nf6 21. Qc2 Kd7 {1/2-1/2 Nogueiras
Santiago,J (2455)-Bernstein,D (2360)/La Valetta 1980 (34)}) 12... g5 (12...
Nbd7 13. O-O-O g5 14. Kb1 Nb6 15. cxd5 exd5 16. e4 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Bxe4
O-O-O 19. Qxf7 Rxd4 20. Bc3 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Qxd8 23. Qe6+ Qd7 24.
Bf5 {1-0 Ismail,S (2190)-Greeff,M (2079)/Cairo 2010 (33)}) 13. Rc1 Qb6 14. Na4
Qxb3 15. axb3 Na6 16. Ke2 Nd7 17. Ra1 g6 18. Nc3 {1/2-1/2 Savon,V (2435)-Hlian,
E (2385)/Orel 1996}) 9. Rc1 dxc4 (9... Nbd7 $2 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12.
Qxd5 $16) 10. Bxc4 Be7 11. h3 Qb6 12. g3 (12. g4 Bg6 13. Nxg6 hxg6 14. Ke2 Nbd7
$14) 12... Nbd7 13. O-O Nd5 {Vallejo Pons has decided to abstain from pushing
away the knight on h4 with the help of the g-pawn. Black has a very solid
position without weaknesses.} (13... g5 $5 14. Ng2 O-O-O 15. g4 Bg6 16. f4 h6
17. f5 exf5 18. gxf5 Qxb3 19. Bxb3 Bh5 $11) 14. Ng2 (14. Nxd5 exd5 15. Nf5 Bf8
16. Bd3 Qxb3 17. axb3 Bf3 $11) 14... Bg6 15. f3 (15. Nh4 Bh5 $11) 15... O-O 16.
Ne2 (16. Nxd5 exd5 17. Be2 Qxb3 18. axb3 a5 19. Nf4 Rfe8 $11) 16... a5 $1 {
The advance of the a pawn is complicating Aronian's ambition to slowly advance
his pawn centre.} 17. a3 (17. e4 a4 18. Qxb6 N5xb6 19. Ne3 Rfd8 $11) 17... Qa7
(17... Qxb3 18. Bxb3 a4 19. Bc4 N5b6 $11) 18. Nef4 (18. e4 a4 19. Qd1 N5b6 20.
Ba2 e5 $11) 18... Nxf4 (18... a4 19. Qa2 Bf5 20. g4 Bg6 $15) 19. Nxf4 (19. gxf4
$2 Nb6 $17) 19... e5 $5 {Black is demonstrating strategic courage at a moment,
when the moderate approach without the opening of the centre has kept the
position about equal.} (19... a4 20. Qc3 Nb6 $11) 20. Nxg6 hxg6 21. dxe5 {
White is beginning his descent into a difficult position since he realised,
that the desirable 21.d5 would have been outright dangerous.} (21. d5 Nc5 22.
Qc3 (22. Qd1 b5 23. Ba2 cxd5 24. Bxd5 Rad8 25. Bc3 Bg5 $15) 22... cxd5 23. Bxd5
Rfd8 24. Qc4 (24. Bc4 b5 25. Bxb5 e4 $15) 24... b5 25. Qa2 Rxd5 26. Qxd5 Rd8
27. Rxc5 Qxc5 28. Qxc5 Bxc5 29. Bxa5 Bxe3+ 30. Kg2 Rd3 $11) 21... Nxe5 22. Be2
Rad8 23. Qc3 $6 {[%mdl 2048] Aronian has got worried about the e3 pawn and
thus loses a precious tempo.} (23. Rcd1 $1 Bf6 (23... a4 24. Qc2 Bc5 25. Bc3
Bxe3+ 26. Kg2 Nd7 27. Bc4 $14) 24. Qc2 Rd5 25. Kg2 $14) 23... Rd5 24. f4 (24.
Rcd1 Rc5 25. Qb3 a4 26. Qb4 b5 $15) 24... Rfd8 $1 25. fxe5 (25. Rcd1 Nd3 $17) (
25. Be1 $2 Rc5 $19) 25... Rxd2 26. Rce1 $2 {White has worked himself into
difficult position and at this moment badly needed to choose the best line.} (
26. Bc4 $1 R8d3 27. Bxd3 Qxe3+ 28. Kh1 Rxd3 29. Qe1 Qxg3 30. Qxg3 Rxg3 31. Kh2
Rb3 $15) 26... b5 $1 27. Rf2 (27. Qxc6 $2 Qxe3+ 28. Rf2 Bc5 $19) 27... Bc5 (
27... b4 $2 28. Qb3 Bc5 29. Bc4 Rxf2 30. Kxf2 Rd2+ 31. Re2 a4 32. Bxf7+ Kf8 33.
Qc4 Bxe3+ 34. Kf3 $13) 28. Bf1 b4 29. Rxd2 $8 {A sad necessity in the face of
immediate demise. The defender can continue the game with two rooks fighting
the black queen.} (29. Qb3 $2 a4 $19) 29... bxc3 30. Rxd8+ Kh7 31. bxc3 Qe7 32.
Rd3 Qxe5 33. Kg2 Bxa3 34. e4 Bd6 {The presence of the opposite coloured
bishops is a blessing for the stronger party. The defence of the white king
will be tying down Aronian's forces.} (34... a4 35. Rf3 Bc5 36. Bc4 (36. Rxf7
Qxc3 37. Re2 a3 $19) 36... f6 $17) 35. Rf3 Qc5 (35... a4 36. Bc4 f6 $17) 36. e5
$6 (36. Ra1 Be5 37. Be2 f6 38. Ra2 $17) 36... Bxe5 37. Re4 (37. Rxf7 Qxc3 38.
Rxe5 Qxe5 $19) 37... f5 38. Rc4 (38. Rh4+ Kg8 39. Bd3 Kf7 $19) 38... Qb6 {
Black's king is not in trouble on the h-file and white pawns keep disappearing.
} 39. g4 (39. Bd3 Bb8 40. Rh4+ Kg8 41. Bc4+ Kf8 42. Re4 Ba7 $19) 39... f4 40.
h4 Qb2+ 41. Kh3 (41. Rf2 Qb3 42. Be2 (42. Rf3 a4 $19) 42... a4 43. Rxc6 a3 $19)
41... Bb8 42. h5 gxh5 43. Bd3+ Kg8 44. gxh5 Qc1 (44... Qb7 45. Re4 Qd7+ 46. Kh4
Kf8 47. Rd4 Qe7+ 48. Kg4 c5 $19) 45. Be4 c5 (45... Qh1+ 46. Kg4 Qg1+ 47. Kh3 c5
$19) 46. Kg2 Qd2+ 47. Rf2 Qd7 48. Bf3 Qf5 {The players agreed to a draw in a
situation, that is objectively winning for Black.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 27th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2010.02.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2010.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 {Lately Topalov has
preferred either the restrained text-move, or the Meran with 5.e3. His famous
sacrificial idea in the Anti-Moscow gambit} (6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5 9.
Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7 12. Nxf7 $5 Kxf7 13. e5 Nd5 14. Ne4 Ke7 15.
Nd6 Qb6 16. Bg4 Raf8 17. Qc2 $13 {Topalov,V (2780)-Kramnik,V (2795)/Wijk aan
Zee/2008/ brought him success against his arch-rival, but hasn't found much
followers since.}) 6... Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 g6 10. O-O Bg7 11.
e4 {In this significant opening position White has tried numerous
continuations, the attention starting shifting towards the text-move after it
was last year successfully employed by Carlsen. Fighting for an advantage
against Black's solid set-up is not easy, other plausible tries are:} (11. Rc1
O-O 12. Bb3 Qe7 13. Na4 {is best met by the active} e5 $5 (13... Rd8 14. Qc2
Nf8 15. Ne5 Bd7 16. Qc5 Qxc5 17. Nxc5 Rab8 18. f4 Be8 19. Rc2 Nh7 20. Rfc1 Nf6
21. a3 Bf8 22. g3 Kg7 23. Kg2 a5 24. Kf3 b6 25. Nxe6+ $1 fxe6 26. Nxc6 $44 {
|^,Topalov,V (2796)-Aronian,L (2750)/Nice blindfold rpd/2009/}) 14. d5 (14. h3
$5 $11) 14... e4 15. Nd4 cxd5 16. Nc3 Nf6 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Bh3 $1 19.
Bxe4 Qxe4 20. gxh3 Rad8 21. Qg4 (21. Rc4 Rfe8 22. Qg4 Qd5 23. b3 b5 24. Rc7 Re4
$36 {Svidler,P (2726)-Gelfand,B (2733)/Nalchik/2009/}) 21... Qd5 22. b3 Qa5 23.
Rc2 Bxd4 24. exd4 Rd5 25. Kh1 Rfd8 $44 {[%csl Rf2,Rh2,Rh3] /=/+,׻,
Margvelashvili,G (2491)-Pashikian,A (2655)/Tbilisi/2009/}) (11. b4 O-O 12. Rc1
(12. a4 e5 $5 13. a5 exd4 14. exd4 Rd8 15. Re1 Nf8 16. Qb3 Be6 17. Rad1 Bxc4
18. Qxc4 Ne6 19. Ne5 (19. Ne4 $142 Qf5 20. Nc5 Nf4 $1 $132) 19... Qf5 20. Nxf7
$2 Kxf7 21. Re3 Bxd4 22. Rf3 Qxf3 23. gxf3 Bxc3 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. f4 Rd4 {
0-1,Stefansson,H (2574)-Carlsen,M (2714)/Heraklio/2007/}) 12... Qe7 13. Qb3 b6
14. b5 ({Too soft, more ambitious is} 14. a4 Bb7 15. Rfd1) 14... Bb7 15. bxc6
Bxc6 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17. Qb1 Bb7 18. Bd3 Rac8 19. Be4 Nf6 20. Bxb7 Qxb7 21. Ne2
Ne4 22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23. Nd2 Nd6 24. Rc1 {1/2,Ivanchuk,V (2731)-Karjakin,S (2661)/
Foros/2006/} Rxc1+ 25. Nxc1 e5 $11 {/=/+}) 11... e5 $5 {Black's reaction is
equally important, with the text-move he intends to fight for more central
space.} (11... O-O 12. e5 Qe7 {is the main alternative, but here Black faces
some problems after} 13. Qe2 Rd8 (13... b6 14. Rfe1 $1 (14. Ba6 $6 Bxa6 15.
Qxa6 c5 $15) 14... Rd8 15. Rad1 (15. Rac1 Rb8 (15... Bb7 $6 16. Ba6 {is one of
White's main strategic ideas - now Black's << will be vulnerable.} Rab8 17.
Bxb7 Rxb7 18. a3 $5 (18. Qe4 Nb8 19. h4 Rbd7 20. Qf4 Na6 21. a3 Nc7 22. Ne4 Nd5
23. Qg3 Rc7 24. Rc2 c5 25. dxc5 bxc5 {Harikrishna,P (2668)-Zhao Jun (2552)/
Khanty Mansiysk/2007/} 26. Nfd2 $14) 18... c5 19. Qe4 Rbb8 20. Nb5 cxd4 21.
Nbxd4 Qe8 22. b4 $16 {Sadler,M (2650)-Van Wely,L (2605)/Monte Carlo rpd/1998/})
16. Ba6 c5 $5 17. d5 Bxa6 18. Qxa6 exd5 19. Nxd5 Qe6 20. Nf4 Qf5 21. Nd5 Qe6
22. Nf4 Qf5 23. Nd5 Qe6 {1/2,Mikhalevski,V (2531)-Dreev,A (2683)/Moscow op/
2002/}) 15... Rb8 $5 (15... a5 16. Bd3 Bb7 17. Be4 b5 18. h4 Nb6 19. Bb1 c5 20.
Nxb5 Ba6 21. Bd3 $5 (21. h5 g5 22. Nh2 $6 Rxd4 23. Rxd4 $13 {1/2,Kramnik,V 
(2769)-Svidler,P (2735)/WCh Mexico City/2007/}) 21... c4 22. Bxc4 Nxc4 23. Qxc4
Qb7 24. a4 Rd5 25. Rd2 $14 {Bocharov,D (2611)-Yagupov,I (2501)/Miass/2007/})
16. a3 Bb7 17. Ba2 Nf8 18. h4 c5 19. d5 exd5 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Bxd5 b5 {
Korotylev,A (2565)-Potkin,V (2540)/RUS-chT Sochi/2004/} 22. b3 $5 a6 23. a4 $14
) (13... b5 14. Bd3 Bb7 15. Be4 Rfd8 16. Rac1 Rab8 17. Rfd1 a6 18. h4 (18. Nb1
$5 Rdc8 19. Nbd2 Ba8 20. Qe3 $1 c5 21. Bxa8 Rxa8 22. Ne4 cxd4 23. Qxd4 Rxc1 24.
Rxc1 $36 Nxe5 $6 25. Nxe5 Rd8 26. Qc3 b4 {Peek,M (2370)-Godena,M (2519)/
EUnion-ch Liverpool/2008/} 27. Nc6 bxc3 28. Nxe7+ Kf8 29. Nxg6+ fxg6 30. bxc3
$16) 18... Ba8 19. Rc2 (19. h5 $142 g5 20. Nh2 $14 {Carlsen,/\Ng4}) 19... Rdc8
20. Rdc1 Qf8 21. a4 c5 (21... b4 $1 22. Nd1 c5 $11) 22. axb5 cxd4 23. Nxd4 Bxe4
$2 (23... axb5 $14) 24. Nxe4 Rxc2 25. Rxc2 axb5 26. Nc6 $16 {Carlsen,M (2770)
-Topalov,V (2812)/Sofia/2009/}) 14. Rfe1 {will probably transpose into one of
the above lines.} (14. Rac1 c5 15. d5 Nxe5 $5 16. Nxe5 exd5 17. Nf3 Qxe2 18.
Bxe2 d4 19. Ne4 d3 20. Bd1 b6 21. b3 Be6 22. Nfd2 Rac8 23. Bf3 Bb2 24. Rb1 Bd4
25. Rfc1 b5 $44 {Bacrot,E (2721)-Cheparinov,I (2678)/Jermuk/2009/})) 12. d5 {
White must retain the [+] tension; resolving it gives Black with his ^^ a
promising position:} (12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Qxe5 {[%csl Gc8,Gg7]} 14. Kh1 (14.
Qb3 O-O 15. a4 g5 16. Rfd1 Rb8 17. Rd3 b6 18. Rad1 Rb7 19. Rd8 Rc7 20. h3 Qe7
21. Rxf8+ Bxf8 22. Be2 Be6 23. Bc4 Bc8 24. Be2 Bg7 25. Bg4 Bxg4 26. hxg4 Rd7
$15 {Khachiyan,M (2529)-Stripunsky,A (2650)/Reno/2006/}) 14... O-O (14... g5 $5
15. Qd2 O-O 16. f4 gxf4 17. Rxf4 Be6 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Rf3 Rad8 20. Qf2 b5 21.
Rf1 b4 22. Na4 Qxe4 23. Nc5 Rxf3 24. gxf3 Qf5 $17 {Chiong,L (2390)-Villamayor,
B (2380)/Quezon City/1999/}) 15. f4 Qe7 16. f5 {Shuganov,Y (2216)-Novikov,M 
(2427)/Tula/2001/EXT 2002 (71)} b5 17. Bb3 b4 $13 {/=/+}) 12... Nb6 13. Bb3 (
13. dxc6 Nxc4 $5 14. Nd5 Qd6 15. cxb7 Bxb7 16. Qa4+ Qc6 17. Qb4 Bf8 18. Qc3 Bd6
19. Rac1 Rc8 20. b3 Nb6 21. Qb2 Qb5 22. Rxc8+ Bxc8 23. Nxe5 Nxd5 24. Nc4 O-O
25. Nxd6 Qd7 26. Nxc8 Nf4 $15) 13... O-O ({Another important crossroads, the
main and more usual continuation is} 13... Bg4 {and now:} {The only way to
fight for an initiative is} 14. Rc1 $5 ({Too soft is} 14. h3 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Qxf3
16. gxf3 Ke7 17. dxc6 bxc6 18. Rfc1 Rhd8 19. Na4 (19. Nd1 Rd6 20. Rc3 a5 21.
Ne3 h5 22. Rac1 a4 23. Bd1 Kd7 24. Kf1 Bh6 25. Ke1 Kc7 26. Be2 Kb7 27. R1c2 Ra5
$11 {Khalifman,A (2650)-Akopian,V (2620)/Yerevan/1996/}) 19... Rac8 20. Rc3
Nxa4 21. Bxa4 Rd2 $11 22. b4 Bf6 23. Rc2 Rcd8 24. Rxc6 Bh4 25. Rc7+ Kf6 26. Rf1
Rxa2 27. Bb3 Rb2 28. Bd5 Kg5 29. b5 f5 {1/2,Rychagov,A (2557)-Bareev,E (2653)/
Krasnoyarsk/2007/}) (14. dxc6 bxc6 $132) {However, it would be interesting to
know what Topalov had in his mind against} 14... Rd8 $5 (14... h5 15. Na4 $5 (
15. h3 Bh6 $1 16. Rc2 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qxf3 18. gxf3 Rc8 19. Rd1 Ke7 20. dxc6 Rxc6
21. Nd5+ Nxd5 22. Rxc6 bxc6 $11 {Anand,V (2783)-Leko,P (2751)/Miskolc rpd m/
2009/}) 15... O-O (15... Rc8 16. Rc3 Nxa4 17. Bxa4 b5 $2 18. Rxc6 Rxc6 19. Bxb5
$18 {Edouard,R (2597)-Fressinet,L (2667)/FRA-ch Nimes/2009/}) 16. dxc6 Rad8 17.
Qe2 bxc6 18. Rc3 Rd4 19. Nc5 $14) ({White retains a nagging plus also after} 
14... O-O 15. h3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Qxf3 17. gxf3 Rfd8 18. dxc6 (18. Rfd1 Bf6 19.
dxc6 bxc6 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Nd1 Rd6 22. Rc5 Kf8 23. Kf1 h5 24. Ne3 Ke7 $2 (
24... Bh4 $1 25. Ke2 f6 26. Nc2 Bg5 $11) 25. Ke2 Bg7 26. Nc2 $1 Bh6 27. Ra5 Rd7
28. Rxe5+ Kd6 29. Ra5 $16 {Carlsen,M (2776)-Karjakin,S (2706)/Nice rpd/2009/})
(18. Na4) 18... bxc6 19. Nd1 Rac8 20. Rc5 (20. Ne3 Rd2 21. Rfd1 $14) 20... Bf8
21. Rc2 h5 22. Ne3 Rd4 23. Rfc1 c5 24. Kf1 Rcd8 25. Ke2 Be7 26. Rg1 Kf8 27. Bc4
Rb8 28. Ra1 Rbd8 29. Ke1 Bg5 30. Be2 Be7 31. Rac1 Ra4 32. a3 Rad4 33. Rc3 Kg7
34. Rb3 Rf8 35. Rb5 Rd7 36. Ra5 Rb8 37. Rc2 Rdb7 38. Ba6 Rd7 39. Bb5 Rdb7 40.
a4 $14 Nd7 $6 41. Nc4 $16 {Aronian,L (2768)-Gelfand,B (2755)/Jermuk/2009/}) 15.
h3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Qxf3 17. gxf3 cxd5 $1 (17... c5 18. a4 c4 19. a5 cxb3 20. axb6
axb6 {Czebe,A (2485)-Varga,Z (2481)/Budapest/2009/} 21. Na4 $5 $36) 18. Nxd5
Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Rd7 20. a4 Ke7 21. a5 Bf6 22. Rfd1 Rb8 23. Rd3 Kd8 24. Rdc3 Be7
25. Rc4 Bd6 26. Kf1 g5 27. Kg2 Rc7 $11 {Alekseev,E (2714)-Leko,P (2756)/Jermuk/
2009/ Black elegantly solved his problems, but perhaps Aronian strove for a
more complex struggle?}) 14. Rc1 (14. Nd2 Rd8 15. Qe2 Bd7 16. Rfd1 Be8 17. a4
a5 18. Qe3 Nd7 19. Nc4 Bf8 20. Nb6 Nxb6 21. Qxb6 Qe7 22. Qe3 Qg5 (22... Kg7 $5
23. Ba2 Rac8 $13) 23. Qb6 {Haba,P (2475)-Novikov,I (2565)/Ostrava/1994/} Qe7
$11) ({Similar to the game continuation is} 14. h3 Rd8 (14... Bd7 15. Qe2 Kh7
16. Rfd1 Rae8 $6 17. a4 Qe7 18. a5 Nc8 19. dxc6 bxc6 20. Rd2 f5 21. Rad1 Be6
22. Bxe6 Qxe6 23. Qe3 Rf7 24. Na4 $16 {Benjamin,J (2570)-Blatny,P (2485)/
Chicago/1995/}) 15. Qe2 Bd7 (15... cxd5 16. exd5 $5 Bd7 17. Rad1 Re8 18. Ne4
Qe7 19. d6 Qd8 20. Rd2 Rc8 21. Rfd1 $14 {Anastasian,A (2540)-Wolski,T (2315)/
New York/1998/}) 16. Rfd1 Rac8 (16... c5 $6 17. Nd2 Nc8 18. Ba4 Rb8 19. Bxd7
Rxd7 20. a4 Qa6 21. Nb5 Nd6 22. Nc4 Nxb5 23. axb5 Qxb5 24. Rxa7 $16 {
Anastasian,A (2575)-Pelletier,Y (2470)/EU-chT Pula/1997/}) 17. Rd2 (17. a4 cxd5
18. exd5 $5 $13 {/+/=} (18. Bxd5 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Qe6 20. Rd3 f5 21. Nc3 Bc6 22.
a5 $2 Rxd3 23. Qxd3 Qb3 $36 {Shulman,Y (2555)-Ippolito,D (2280)/Linares op/
1997/})) 17... cxd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Bc6 20. Rad1 Bxd5 21. Rxd5 Rxd5 22.
Rxd5 Qc6 23. Kh2 $11 {1/2,Rychagov,A (2557)-Vitiugov,N (2608)/Krasnoyarsk/2007/
}) 14... Rd8 (14... Bg4 15. h3 $14 {transposes to the line "C2" from the note
to Black's 13-th move}) 15. h3 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] Although we will later
transpose to a theoretical position, at this exact point Topalov's move is a
novelty. By finally preventing the Bg4 sortie White indicates his own
ambitions.} ({Aronian had a recent experience with the less testing} 15. Qe2
Bg4 16. dxc6 bxc6 17. Nd1 a5 18. Ne3 h5 19. h3 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 Qxf3 21. gxf3 a4
22. Bd1 Rd2 23. Rxc6 Rxb2 24. Bc2 Nd7 25. Bd3 {Bacrot,E (2721)-Aronian,L (2768)
/Jermuk/2009/} Bh6 $5 $15) 15... Bd7 ({Provocative is} 15... Be6 16. Re1 (16.
dxe6 $5 $44) 16... Qf4 (16... a5 17. Nd2 $1 cxd5 18. exd5 $36) 17. Re3 a5 18.
Ne1 $5 $14) 16. Qe2 Be8 (16... cxd5 17. Bxd5 $5 {is probably premature.} (17.
Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Be6 $11) (17. exd5 $5 $14)) ({However, possibly more
accurate was} 16... Rac8 $5 17. Rfd1 (17. Rfe1 $5) 17... cxd5 (17... Bf8 18.
Qe3 Kg7 19. a4 $36) 18. Bxd5 (18. exd5 Qf4 $132) (18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Bc6
$11) 18... Rc7 19. Bb3 Qe7 $11) 17. Rfd1 Bf8 (17... Rac8 {again deserved
serious attention.}) 18. dxc6 ({More enterprising than} 18. a3 Kg7 19. Ba2 Rac8
20. Qe3 c5 $6 (20... Qf4 $132) 21. Qe2 c4 22. Nd2 Bc5 23. Rf1 Rc7 24. Nxc4 Nxc4
{Gemäß Ehlvest hat Schwarz Kompensation für den Bauern.} 25. Bxc4 Rdc8 $6 (
25... a6 $14 {Ehlvest,J}) 26. Bb5 $1 Bxb5 27. Qxb5 Qf4 28. Qe2 Bd4 29. Rc2 Rc5
30. Rd1 a6 31. Rd3 h5 32. g3 Qf6 33. h4 Qd6 34. Qf3 R8c7 35. Kg2 $16 {Ehlvest,
J-Kharlov,A/Novosibirsk/1995/}) 18... Bxc6 {Black was facing a dilemma - he
played 16...Be8 only 2 moves ago and the text-move makes this superfluous.} ({
However, splitting the << with} 18... bxc6 {is unnattractive:} 19. Na4 $14 (19.
Qa6 $5)) (18... Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 Bxc6 20. Nd5 $14) 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 $5 {
The only way to imbalance the position and continue the struggle for the |^ is
to keep both minor pieces.} (20. Bxd5 Nxd5 21. exd5 Bg7 22. Rc7 Rab8 {/\Qd6=})
20... Bd6 (20... Nd7 21. Qe3 $14 {/\Rc7}) 21. Nd2 $1 Qe7 22. Ne4 Kg7 $1 (22...
f5 $2 23. Nc5 $1 {[%cal Rc5e6] /\Ne6->}) 23. Re1 ({After the immediate} 23. h4
{Black can seriously consider} Qxh4 24. Nxd6 Rxd6 25. Qxe5+ Qf6 $11) 23... Re8
(23... Bb4 $5 24. d6 (24. Red1 Bd6 $11 (24... f5 $5 25. a3 Bd6 $11)) 24... Bxd6
25. Nxd6 Rxd6 26. Qxe5+ Qxe5 27. Rxe5 Rad8 $11) 24. h4 Rad8 (24... h5 {means
giving up f5 due to Ng5-e6} 25. g3 $14 (25. Qb5 $5)) 25. h5 f5 $8 (25... g5 $2
26. Ng3 $40) 26. Nxd6 Rxd6 (26... Qxd6 27. hxg6 Re7 (27... Kxg6 28. Bd1 $5 $36)
28. Rc3 $14 {[%csl Rg7] עg7}) 27. Rc5 e4 $5 (27... g5 28. Qc2 Rd7 29. a4 $36)
28. hxg6 f4 $2 {This even more exposes Black's already vulnerable K and should
have lost practically by force.} ({Necessary was} 28... Kxg6 $142 29. Qd2 Qe5
$14 {/<=>}) ({A pretty line is} 28... Rxg6 29. d6 $1 Qxd6 30. Qb5 $36 {/\} (30.
Rxf5 $2 Rxg2+ 31. Kxg2 Qg6+ $15) 30... Rf8 31. Rd1 Qf4 32. Rd7+ $1 Nxd7 33.
Qxd7+ Kf6 (33... Kh8 $2 34. Rc7) 34. Qd4+ Kg5 35. g3 Qd6 36. Rd5 Qb6 37. Qd2+
e3 38. f4+ Kf6 39. Rd6+ Ke7 40. Rxb6 Rxg3+ 41. Kh2 exd2 42. Rxb7+ Kd6 43. Kxg3
$19) 29. Qd2 ({Equally strong was} 29. Qc2 Rd7 (29... e3 30. fxe3 fxe3 31. Qc3+
Qf6 (31... Kxg6 32. Rc7 Qe5 33. Bc2+ Kh5 34. Rg7 $1 Qxc3 35. bxc3 $18 {->}) 32.
Rc7+ Rd7 33. Rxd7+ Nxd7 34. Rxe3 $16 {/+-}) 30. a4 $16) 29... Qe5 (29... e3 30.
fxe3 fxe3 31. Qc3+ {-29.Qc2}) 30. Rc7+ Rd7 (30... Kxg6 $6 31. Rxe4 Qxe4 32. Bc2
$18) 31. Rxd7+ Nxd7 32. Ba4 Rd8 ({After} 32... Re7 33. d6 Re6 34. Qb4 $1 Qxd6
35. Qxb7 Re7 36. Rxe4 Ne5 37. Qc8 Nxg6 (37... Qxg6 38. Rxf4 $18) 38. Qc3+ $18 {
White has healthy extra P and safer K - his win is just a matter of time and
technique.}) (32... e3 33. fxe3 fxe3 34. Qb4 $5 {is not much better:} (34. Qc3
Qxc3 35. bxc3 Rd8 36. Rxe3 $16) 34... a5 (34... Rd8 35. Qxb7 $18) 35. Qc3 $5 (
35. Qxb7 $2 Re7 $11 36. Bxd7 $2 Qd4 $1 $19 {completely turns the tables}) (35.
Qa3 Qd4 (35... Qf4 36. Qc3+ Nf6 37. Rf1 e2 38. Rxf4 e1=Q+ 39. Kh2 Qxc3 40. bxc3
$18) 36. Qc3 {-35.Qc3}) 35... Qxc3 36. bxc3 Rd8 $8 37. Rxe3 Nc5 38. Be8 Rxd5
39. Re7+ Kf6 40. Rf7+ Ke6 41. Bb5 $18 (41. Rxb7 Nxb7 42. Bf7+ $18 {However,
the text-move shouldn't have helped either.})) 33. Qa5 $1 Nb6 34. Bb3 $2 {
Engines show it within seconds - and Topalov had ample time on his clock...} ({
The tactical blow} 34. Rxe4 $1 {[%mdl 64]} Qxe4 35. Qc3+ Kg8 (35... Kxg6 36.
Bc2 Qxc2 37. Qxc2+ Kf6 38. Qc7 Rxd5 39. Qxf4+ $18) 36. Qc7 Qb1+ 37. Kh2 Qxg6
38. Qxd8+ Kg7 39. Bb3 $18 {wins on the spot!} (39. Bd1 $18)) ({Moreover, even
the less incisive} 34. Qxa7 Nxa4 35. Qxb7+ Kxg6 36. Qa6+ Kg5 37. Qxa4 $16 {
/+- should also be sufficient for a win.}) 34... e3 $1 $132 {And suddenly
despite his time-trouble Black is very much alive.} 35. fxe3 fxe3 36. Qb4 (36.
Qc3 Qxc3 37. bxc3 Nxd5 $11) (36. Qc5 Re8 $11) (36. Qxa7 Qxb2 $1 {and it's
already White, who has to seek a draw with} 37. Qa5 $5 $132 (37. Qxb7+ $2 Rd7
$19) (37. Rxe3 $6 Qc1+ 38. Kf2 Qd2+ 39. Re2 Rf8+ $40)) 36... Rd6 (36... e2 37.
Qc3 Qxc3 38. bxc3 Nxd5 39. Rxe2 Nxc3 40. Re7+ Kxg6 41. Rxb7 a5 42. Ra7 a4 {
is probably also a draw, but Black must still prove it.}) 37. Re2 (37. Bc2 e2 (
37... Rxd5 $2 38. Rf1 $40) 38. Qg4 Qxb2 39. Rxe2 Nxd5 40. Qe4 $13 {/+/= was
the last chance to complicate matters. However, Topalov is understandably
frustrated and decides to forego any risk by forcing a drawish R _|_.}) 37...
Rxg6 38. Qc3 (38. Qc5 Re6 $1 $132) 38... Qxc3 39. bxc3 Rg5 40. Rxe3 (40. c4 Re5
41. g3 a5 42. a3 Nc8 43. c5 (43. Kg2 Nd6 $11) 43... Kf6 44. c6 (44. d6 Na7 $1
$15) 44... Nd6 $11) 40... Nxd5 41. Bxd5 Rxd5 42. Re7+ Kf6 43. Rxb7 Ra5 44. Rb2
Ke5 $44 45. Kf2 (45. Kf2 Kd5 (45... Ra3 $11) 46. Ke3 Kc4 47. Kd2 Ra3 48. Rb4+
Kc5 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 27th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2010.02.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2010.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. a4 e6 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. e3 Qa5 8. cxd5
exd5 9. Nd2 Bd6 10. Bd3 O-O 11. Qc2 Re8 12. Bh4 h6 13. Rc1 Qd8 14. Nf3 Nf8 15.
O-O Bg4 16. Nd2 Bh5 17. Rce1 Bg6 18. Nf3 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 Ng6 20. Bg3 Bxg3 21.
hxg3 a5 22. Ne2 Nf8 23. Qc2 N8d7 24. Nf4 Qe7 25. Rb1 Ne4 26. Nd3 Rec8 27. Nd2
Nxd2 28. Qxd2 Nf6 29. Rfc1 Ne4 30. Qd1 Ra7 31. Nc5 Nxc5 32. Rxc5 Ra6 33. Qd2
Rca8 34. Kf1 h5 35. Rbc1 g6 36. Ke2 Rb6 37. R5c3 Re8 38. Rc5 Ra8 39. R5c3 Re8
40. Rc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 27th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2010.02.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A61"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2010.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. Nc3 exd5 6. cxd5 g6 7. Bf4 a6 ({
In the first round game against Gelfand, Gashimov preferred} 7... Bg7 {,
allowing} 8. Qa4+ {The result of the opening was anything but encouraging,
which makes his decision to deviate quite understandable.}) 8. a4 {An
apparently peaceful system of development, which does not lack venom.} (8. Nd2
{and}) (8. e4 {put more emphasis on a direct combat right from the opening.})
8... Bg7 9. h3 O-O 10. e3 {White develops in a solid way, without exposing his
e-pawn with e2-e4. In the long run, he hopes that the pressure against the
d6-pawn would yield him some strategic advantage.} Ne8 11. Be2 Nd7 12. O-O Qe7
{A logical regrouping. The d6-pawn is well defended, which gives Black some
flexibility in manoeuvring with his knights. Since there is no direct pawn
contact, several plans are available for both sides and play can be opened on
either side (or on both of them).} 13. Re1 {A half waiting move. By placing
his rook in opposition with the enemy queen, White intends to inhibit a
possible attack based on ...f5, ...g5 and ...f4.} ({My only experience against
this line went} 13. Nd2 Rb8 (13... Ne5 $5) 14. Bh2 (14. Nc4 f5 15. Bh2 Ne5 16.
Qb3 Nxc4 17. Bxc4 b6 18. Rae1 Nc7 {White cannot stop ...b5 already.} 19. Qa3 {
1/2 Dao Thien Hai (2560)-Ghaem Maghami,E (2584)/Turin 2006/CBM 113}) {
According to my ulterior analysis to Deshmukh,A (2430)-Marin,M (2525)/Calcutta
1999/CBM 069 ext (0-1, 35), Black should have played} 14... Nc7 15. Nc4 (15.
Qb3 Ne5 16. Rfe1 f5 {or}) (15. Nde4 Be5 {allow Black maintain his stability.})
15... Ne5 {White cannot prevent the opening of the queenside for too long.} 16.
Nb6 Nd7 (16... Na8 $5 {is a worthy alternative if Black does not wish to allow
a draw by repetition..}) 17. Nxc8 Rfxc8 {Black is fully mobilised and the
opening of the queenside is imminent.}) ({A few rounds before the main game,
Gashimov faced another plan:} 13. Qb3 Rb8 14. Nd2 {White openly fights against
the thematic ...b5, but leaves the kingside slightly unattended.} f5 15. Nc4 g5
16. Bh2 f4 17. exf4 gxf4 18. Rfe1 Ne5 {Black has weakened his position, but
has obtained almost absolute stability on e5. The evaluation of the position
largely depends on White's possibility of activating his h2-bishop. For the
time being, it is rather passive, allowing Black to achieve certain progress
on the opposite side of the board. Aronian's text move was probably aimed at
avoiding precisely this type of position.} 19. Ne4 $6 {This makes the start of
Black's counterplay easier.} b5 20. axb5 Rxb5 21. Qd1 Rb4 {Vallejo Pons,F 
(2705)-Gashimov,V (2759)/Linares ESP 2010 (0-1, 35). with strong black
initiative.}) 13... h6 $146 {Technically speaking, this is a novelty, but such
notions have little relevance in a position characterised by long plans rather
than forced play. Since White has not defined his plans yet, Black makes a
generally useful move, which will help him gain space on the kingside at a
later stage. More concrete approaches also seem to work out well:} (13... Rb8
14. Ra3 Nc7 15. Rb3 Re8 16. Bh2 Ne5 17. Nd2 g5 18. a5 f5 19. Nf1 Bd7 20. Ng3 f4
{This was not absolutely necessary.} (20... Ng6 21. Nh5 Be5 {looks acceptable
for Black.}) 21. exf4 gxf4 22. Nge4 Ng6 23. Bh5 Be5 24. Bg4 Kg7 25. Rb6 Bxg4
26. hxg4 {White's position is more active than in the aforementioned game
Vallejo-Gashimov, but things are not entirely clear, since the h2-bishop
remains passive.} Na8 $2 {A blunder.} 27. Nxd6 $1 $18 {[%cal Ga8b6,Gd6f5]
Avrukh,B (2628)-Nabaty,T (2417)/Israel 2008/EXT 2009 (1-0, 31)}) (13... Ne5 14.
Nd2 ({The simplifications with} 14. Bxe5 Bxe5 15. Nxe5 Qxe5 {solve Black's
problems regarding his lack of space.} 16. Qd2 Bd7 17. Rab1 Nf6 18. f4 Qe7 19.
Bf3 b5 {Raznikov,D (2265)-Kveinys,A (2522)/Cappelle la Grande 2009/CBM 129
Extra (1/2, 39)}) 14... f5 15. Bh2 Nf6 16. a5 Bd7 17. f4 Nf7 18. Bd3 Rae8 19.
Qb3 Bc8 20. Nc4 {White's position is more flexible, but Black is well
regrouped and has no immediate problems. In Sargissian,G (2680)-Fier,A (2601)/
Bursa 2010 (1/2, 39) White did not find a way to crack his opponent's defence.}
) 14. a5 {Finally, an important commitment. For a while, play will focus
around the preparation for and against the thematic opening of the b-file with
...b5.} Nc7 15. Rc1 $5 {[%csl Gc3,Gc7][%cal Gb2b4] Over-protecting the
c3-knight and putting some indirect pressure on the c7-knight in view of the
possible pawn break b2-b4.} f5 $5 {An instructive dialogue carried out by
moves on opposite wings.} (15... Rb8 {(with the idea of 16...b5 17.axb6 Rxb6)
would run into White's main idea:} 16. b4 $1 cxb4 17. Na4 Nf6 (17... Nb5 18.
Qb3 $16) 18. Nb6 Ne4 19. Bd3 $14) (15... b5 {is premature:} 16. axb6 Nxb6 17.
e4 $14 {Once the knight as abandoned the control of the e5-square, White
starts becoming ambitious in the centre.}) 16. Qb3 ({The point behind 15...f5
is that} 16. b4 {allows Black get counterplay on the kingside after} g5 17. Bh2
cxb4 18. Na4 Nb5 19. Qb3 g4 $132) 16... g5 17. Bg3 Rb8 18. Na4 b5 $1 {With
this temporary pawn sacrifice, Black carries out his queenside plan and
practically solves his opening problems.} 19. axb6 Na8 20. Ra1 {This is an
acceptance of the fact that something has gone wrong for White. Most of his
queenside pieces return to their previous locations.} ({The tactical operation
} 20. Qa2 Naxb6 21. Nxc5 {leads to unclear play:} dxc5 22. Bxb8 Nxb8 23. d6+
Qe6) 20... Naxb6 21. Nc3 Na8 $1 {Black uses the tempi lost by White to regroup
with his knight.} 22. Qc2 Nc7 23. Bc4 Rb4 24. b3 {White has managed to
consolidate his queenside and the position remains complex.} Nf6 $2 {A
careless move, which will remained unpunished.} ({The idea to increase the
pressure against the d5-pawn is correct, though, but a better form to carry it
out would have been} 24... Nb6 {(This only has the disadvantage that the rook
remains trapped on b4, but at the same time the diagonal of the g7-bishop is
wide open.)} 25. Na2 {White is more or less forced to accept the implicit
sacrifice.} (25. Nd2 Bb7) 25... Rb5 26. Bxb5 (26. Rad1 Nxc4 27. bxc4 Rb2 28.
Qa4 Na8 $1 $15 {[%csl Ga2,Gc4][%cal Ga8b6] After this new knight regrouping
Black has a strong initiative.}) 26... axb5 27. Nc3 b4 28. Na4 Nbxd5 29. Rad1
Bb7 $44 {Black has very active minor pieces and the absence of the white
light-squared bishop increases his stability.}) ({If Black prefers ...Nf6 to
this line, he should prepare it with} 24... Kh8) 25. Ra5 $2 {[%cal Ga5c5] /
\Rxc5} ({Missing} 25. Ne5 $1 {[%cal Ge5c6,Ge5g6] when} Rxc4 {does not solve
the problem because of} 26. Nxc4) 25... Nd7 (25... Kh8 26. Rxc5 $16 {remains
strong even in the absence of a discovered check.}) 26. Na4 Kh8 27. Nb2 {
White has made some progress, but it is early to speak about an objective
advantage.} Rb6 {Black prepares the activation of his c7-knight with ...Nb5,
but maybe insisting with the pressure against the d5-pawn would have been
better.} (27... Nf6 $5 28. Nd3 Rb6 29. b4 cxb4 30. Nd4 Ne4 31. Bh2 Bb7 $13) 28.
Rd1 Nb5 {The knight stands nicely here, but by comparison with "normal"
Benonis, with the pawn on e4, the d4-square is not available, unfortunately.}
29. Bd3 {[%cal Gb2c4]} Nc3 {This square is not too stable and the knight will
have to move again soon.} 30. Rd2 Ne4 (30... Nxd5 31. Nc4 (31. Bxf5 Nb4 32. Qb1
d5) 31... Nb4 32. Qd1 Rc6 33. Bxd6 Rxd6 34. Nxd6 Qxd6 35. Bxa6 $16) 31. Bxe4
fxe4 32. Ne1 {Black has got a structural defect (Pe4), but the white king's
knight will need several tempi to get on to an adequate square. Abstractly
speaking, Black gets dynamic compensation for his static problems.} Bxb2 $6 {
This is a huge concession, after which White will have a very easy game.} (
32... Rb5 $5 33. Nc4 Ne5 {This looks very logical, but implies a pawn
sacrifice.} 34. Rxb5 axb5 35. Nxe5 Bxe5 36. Qxe4 Bf5 37. Bxe5+ Kg8 $1 {This is
the kind of move that is easy to miss during the game.} 38. Qf3 Qxe5 {[%cal
Ge5c3] White's extra pawn does not make itself felt, while Black is perfectly
coordinated. The knight is passive and the b3-pawn weak. The vulnerability of
the black king is not easy to be taken advantage of, because White does not
have sufficient activity.}) 33. Qxb2+ {Not only winning a tempo, but also
clearing the c2-square for the knight.} Kg8 34. Nc2 $14 {/+/- Starting with
this moment, White will increase the pressure at his own convenience.} Nf6 35.
Na3 Ne8 36. Nc4 Rb5 37. Ra4 h5 38. Na5 h4 39. Bh2 Bf5 40. Nc6 Qb7 41. b4 Bd7
42. Qc2 Bf5 43. bxc5 Rxc5 44. Qd1 Rb5 45. Ra1 Bc8 46. Rc1 Bf5 47. Nd8 Qe7 48.
Ne6 Bxe6 49. dxe6 Qxe6 50. Bxd6 Nxd6 51. Rxd6 Qf5 52. Qh5 Rb7 53. Rg6+ Rg7 54.
Rh6 Rh7 55. Rxh7 Qxh7 56. Qxg5+ Qg7 57. Qxh4 Qg6 58. Rc5 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C79"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. O-O a6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 exd4 8.
Nxd4 Bd7 9. Qf3 c5 10. Nf5 Bxf5 11. exf5 Rb8 12. g4 h6 13. h4 Be7 14. g5 hxg5
15. hxg5 Nh7 16. Re1 O-O 17. g6 fxg6 18. Qd5+ Kh8 19. fxg6 Bg5 20. Qh1 Bh4 21.
Re4 Qf6 22. Qxh4 Qxg6+ 23. Qg4 Qf6 24. Qg3 d5 25. Rf4 Qe6 26. Nc3 Rxf4 27. Bxf4
Rb4 28. a3 Rc4 29. b3 Rd4 30. Qe3 Qg4+ 31. Bg3 Ng5 32. Kf1 Qh3+ 33. Ke2 Ne4 34.
Re1 Qh5+ 35. Kf1 Qh1+ 36. Ke2 Nxc3+ 37. Qxc3 Re4+ 38. Kd1 Rxe1+ 39. Qxe1 Qf3+
40. Qe2 Qh1+ 41. Kd2 d4 42. Qxa6 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E99"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. d4 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5
Ne7 9. Ne1 Nd7 10. Nd3 f5 11. Bd2 Nf6 12. f3 Kh8 13. g4 c6 14. Kg2 b5 15. b3 a5
16. Nf2 b4 17. Na4 Bb7 18. Rc1 fxe4 19. fxe4 cxd5 20. exd5 Nexd5 21. cxd5 Nxd5
22. Kg1 e4 23. Nxe4 Bd4+ 24. Rf2 Rxf2 25. Nxf2 Qh4 26. Qe1 Rf8 27. Bf3 Rxf3 28.
Qe4 Qxf2+ 0-1

[Event "Amber-blindfold 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Smeets, Jan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2651"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. O-O g6 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 Bg7 7. d4 exd4 8.
cxd4 b5 9. Bb3 d6 10. h3 O-O 11. Nc3 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. dxc5 dxc5 14. Qxd8 Rxd8
15. Be3 Nb7 16. e5 Bf5 17. Be4 Bxe4 18. Nxe4 Rd5 19. Bg5 Nc6 20. Nf6+ Bxf6 21.
Bxf6 Nd4 22. Rfd1 h6 23. Kf1 a5 24. Rac1 Nd8 25. Nxd4 cxd4 26. Bxd8 Raxd8 27.
f4 g5 28. g3 d3 29. Kf2 d2 30. Rc3 b4 31. Re3 Kg7 32. f5 Rc8 33. Ke2 Rc2 34. e6
fxe6 35. fxe6 Kf8 36. Rd3 Rxd3 37. Kxd3 Rxb2 38. Rxd2 Rxd2+ 39. Kxd2 Ke7 40.
Kd3 Kxe6 41. Kc4 Kf5 42. Kb5 g4 43. h4 Ke4 44. Kxa5 Kf3 45. Kxb4 Kxg3 46. a4
Kxh4 47. a5 g3 48. a6 g2 49. a7 g1=Q 50. a8=Q h5 51. Qd5 Qg4+ 52. Ka3 Kg3 53.
Qe5+ Kh3 54. Qd5 Kh2 55. Qd2+ Qg2 56. Qd4 Qg3+ 57. Ka2 h4 58. Ka1 Qg1+ 59. Ka2
Qxd4 0-1

[Event "Amber-blindfold 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O Nd4 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. Nd2 c6 8.
Ba4 d6 9. Bb3 O-O 10. c3 Bb6 11. Nc4 Bc7 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 Re8 14. Ne3 a5 15.
Kh1 g5 16. Bg3 Bb6 17. Re1 Kg7 18. f3 Bxe3 19. Rxe3 Nh5 20. Bf2 Nf4 21. d4 Qf6
22. Bc4 h5 23. Bf1 h4 24. Qd2 Rh8 25. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. h4 Bg7 6. h5 Nc6 7. d4 Bf5 8. Bd2
e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. e4 Nxc3 11. Bxc3 Qe7 12. Bb5+ c6 13. Bxe5 Bxe5 14. exf5
Bxb2+ 15. Be2 Rd8 16. Qb1 Bc3+ 17. Kf1 gxf5 18. a4 Bxa1 19. Qxa1 Rg8 20. Rh4
Rg4 21. g3 Qe4 22. Qb2 Rxh4 23. gxh4 b6 24. h6 Rd6 25. a5 b5 26. a6 Ke7 27. Qc1
Re6 28. Ng1 Kd7 29. h5 Re5 30. Qg5 b4 31. Qg8 Ke7 32. Qb8 Qd4 33. Qc7+ Kf6 34.
Qxc6+ Re6 35. Qc8 Ke7 36. Qb7+ Kf8 37. Qb8+ Ke7 38. Qc7+ Kf8 39. Qb8+ Ke7 40.
Bf3 Qb6 41. Qe5 Rxe5 0-1

[Event "Amber-blindfold 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A61"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. Nc3 exd5 6. cxd5 g6 7. Bf4 a6 8. Nd2
b5 9. a4 Nh5 10. Be3 b4 11. Nce4 f5 12. g4 fxg4 13. h3 g3 14. fxg3 Bg7 15. Bg5
Nf6 16. Bg2 O-O 17. O-O Bf5 18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 19. Bxf6 Rxf6 20. e4 Bc8 21. e5
Rxf1+ 22. Qxf1 dxe5 23. d6 Ra7 24. Qc4+ Kg7 25. Qxc5 Rf7 26. Rc1 Bf5 27. Qxe5+
Kh6 28. Qe3+ g5 29. h4 Kg7 30. Bd5 Rd7 31. Rc7 gxh4 32. g4 Bg6 33. Be6 Qe8 34.
Qe5+ Kh6 35. g5+ Kh5 36. Ne4 Bxe4 37. Bg4+ Kxg4 38. Qxe8 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D40"]
[WhiteElo "2790"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. g3 Bg4 8. Bg2
cxd4 9. exd4 Bb4 10. O-O O-O 11. h3 Be6 12. Ne5 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Qc8 14. g4 Qxc3
15. Rb1 Nc6 16. Rb3 Qa5 17. Rxb7 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Ne4 19. f4 Nc3 20. Qd2 d4 21. f5
Bc4 22. Re1 Qxa2 23. Rb2 Qa1 24. f6 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E03"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 c5 7. O-O b6 8.
d4 Bb7 9. Rd1 cxd4 10. Bg5 Be7 11. Nxd4 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Qc8 13. Nd2 h6 14. Bxf6
Bxf6 15. Rac1 Qb7+ 16. N2f3 O-O 17. Qc6 Qxc6 18. Nxc6 Nc5 19. b4 Rfc8 20. Nfd4
e5 21. Nb3 Rxc6 22. bxc5 Rac8 23. Rd6 bxc5 24. Rxc6 Rxc6 25. Rxc5 Rxc5 26. Nxc5
Be7 27. Nd3 e4 28. Ne5 f6 29. Nc6 Bc5 30. Nd8 Bb6 31. Nb7 f5 32. Nd6 g6 33. f3
exf3+ 34. Kxf3 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8.
Be3 Qa5 9. Qd2 O-O 10. Rc1 Rd8 11. d5 e6 12. Bg5 f6 13. Bf4 exd5 14. exd5 Nc6
15. Be2 Bf5 16. O-O Be4 17. d6 Kh8 18. Rfe1 g5 19. Bg3 h6 20. h4 c4 21. hxg5
fxg5 22. Bxc4 Bxf3 23. gxf3 Ne5 24. Bd5 Re8 25. Re3 Ng6 26. Bxb7 Rxe3 27. Qxe3
Rf8 28. d7 Qa4 29. Qd3 Nf4 30. d8=Q Nxd3 31. Qxd3 Qxa2 32. Qg6 Rf6 33. Qe4 Qd2
34. Re1 Rxf3 35. Re2 Qd1+ 36. Kg2 Rf8 37. Be5 Qd7 38. Bd5 a5 39. c4 Bxe5 40.
Qxe5+ Kh7 41. Qe4+ Kg7 42. Qd4+ Rf6 43. Re6 Qf7 44. Rb6 Qf8 45. Rb7+ Kg6 46.
Be4+ Kh5 47. Rb1 Rd6 48. Rh1+ Kg4 49. Qe3 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bb4 7. Qb3 Bc5 8.
O-O O-O 9. Bg2 Re8 10. d3 h6 11. h3 a6 12. Kh2 d6 13. Qc2 Rb8 14. b3 b5 15. Bb2
Bb7 16. Bxb7 Rxb7 17. e3 c6 18. Ne2 Qc8 19. Rac1 Nh7 20. cxb5 axb5 21. d4 exd4
22. exd4 Bb6 23. Nf4 Rc7 24. Rfe1 d5 25. a4 bxa4 26. bxa4 Ng5 27. Kg2 Ne4 28.
Re3 Qa8 29. Rb3 Ba7 30. Nxd5 Rcc8 31. Nc3 Nf6 32. Ne2 c5+ 33. d5 Qxd5+ 34. Rf3
Ne4 35. Nc3 Qc6 36. Nxe4 Rxe4 37. Qb3 c4 38. Qb5 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.25"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D13"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 a6 7. Rc1 Bf5 8.
Ne5 Nxe5 9. dxe5 d4 10. exf6 dxc3 11. Rxc3 Qxd1+ 12. Kxd1 gxf6 13. g3 e5 14.
Be3 Bb4 15. Rc4 a5 16. Bg2 O-O 17. Bxb7 Rab8 18. Bc6 Rfc8 19. f3 Rd8+ 20. Kc1
Ba3 21. Be4 Rxb2 22. Rc3 Bxe4 23. fxe4 Rdb8 24. Rxa3 Rb1+ 25. Kc2 Rxh1 26. Rxa5
Rxh2 27. Ra6 Kg7 28. a4 Rxe2+ 29. Kd3 Rg2 30. Bc5 Rc8 31. Ra5 Rxg3+ 32. Kc4 h5
33. Rb5 h4 34. a5 h3 35. Rb1 h2 36. Rh1 Rg2 37. Kb5 Rb2+ 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E55"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2725"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4
Nbd7 9. a3 cxd4 10. axb4 dxc3 11. bxc3 Qc7 12. Be2 Nd5 13. Ba3 Qxc3 14. Qb1 Qf6
15. Bd3 h6 16. b5 Rd8 17. Bb2 Qe7 18. Ra4 b6 19. Bh7+ Kh8 20. Rh4 N7f6 21. Ne5
Bd7 22. Ba3 Qe8 23. Bd3 Rac8 24. Qb2 Kg8 25. h3 Rc3 26. Rd1 Rdc8 27. Rd4 Rxd3
28. R1xd3 Bxb5 29. Rd2 a6 30. Ng4 Nxg4 31. Rxg4 f6 32. Rxd5 exd5 33. Qxf6 Qd7
34. Rxg7+ Qxg7 35. Qe6+ Kh7 36. Qf5+ Qg6 37. Qxc8 Qc6 38. Qd8 Qe6 39. Bb2 a5
40. Qh8+ Kg6 41. Qg7+ Kf5 42. Qg4# 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bd6 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 Re8 7. Re1 a6 8. Bc4
Na5 9. a3 Nxc4 10. dxc4 h6 11. h3 Bc5 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Rxe3 d6 14. Qd2 Be6 15.
b3 Nd7 16. Rd1 Rf8 17. Qe2 b6 18. Ne1 Nc5 19. Nd3 Nxd3 20. cxd3 b5 21. d4 exd4
22. Rxd4 bxc4 23. bxc4 Qf6 24. Rd1 Rab8 25. Nd5 Bxd5 26. cxd5 Rb2 27. Qf3 Qxf3
28. Rxf3 Re2 29. Rd4 Rc2 30. Ra4 Ra8 31. g4 c5 32. dxc6 Rxc6 33. Rb4 Rac8 34.
Rd3 Rc3 35. Rbd4 R8c4 36. Rxc4 Rxd3 37. Ra4 Rxh3 38. Rxa6 g6 39. Kg2 Rd3 40. a4
Ra3 41. f3 Kg7 42. Kg3 Ra2 43. a5 Ra3 44. Ra8 Kf6 45. a6 Ke7 46. a7 Ra2 47. f4
Ra3+ 48. Kf2 Kf6 49. Ke2 Kg7 50. Kd2 h5 51. g5 h4 52. Ke2 h3 53. Kf2 Ra2+ 54.
Kg1 Rg2+ 55. Kh1 Ra2 56. f5 Kh7 57. f6 h2 58. Rf8 Rxa7 59. Kxh2 Rb7 60. Kg3 Ra7
61. Kf4 Rb7 62. Ke3 Ra7 63. Kd4 Rc7 64. Re8 Ra7 65. Kd5 Ra5+ 66. Kxd6 Ra6+ 67.
Ke7 Ra7+ 68. Kf8 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Smeets, Jan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2651"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. e4 dxe4 6. d5 Ne5 7. Bf4 Ng6 8.
Bg3 f5 9. h4 f4 10. Bh2 e5 11. dxe6 Bxe6 12. h5 Ne5 13. Bxf4 Nd3+ 14. Bxd3 Qxd3
15. Qa4+ Qd7 16. Qxe4 Nf6 17. Qe2 Bb4 18. Rd1 Qc6 19. Rh3 O-O 20. Rd6 Bxd6 21.
Qxe6+ Rf7 22. Qxd6 Qxg2 23. Rg3 Re8+ 24. Be3 Qh1 25. h6 Qh5 26. Rxg7+ Rxg7 27.
hxg7 Ng4 28. Nd5 Qe5 29. Qd7 Qe6 30. Qxb7 Rd8 31. Ne7+ Kxg7 32. Nf5+ Kf6 33.
Qg7+ Kxf5 34. Qg5+ Ke4 35. f3+ Kd3 36. Qxd8+ Kxe3 37. Qd2# 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 a6 4. Bg2 b5 5. b3 Bb7 6. Nc3 b4 7. Na4 d6 8. d4 Nbd7
9. a3 a5 10. O-O c5 11. Bb2 Qc7 12. Re1 Be4 13. Bh3 Be7 14. Ng5 Bg6 15. axb4 h6
16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. bxc5 dxc5 18. Bxe6 cxd4 19. Qxd4 Nc5 20. Qe3 Nxe6 21. Bxf6
Bxf6 22. Qxe6+ Qe7 23. Qc6+ Kf7 24. Qd5+ Qe6 25. Qb7+ Be7 26. Nc5 Qf5 27. Nd7
Rhd8 28. Rad1 Qe4 29. Rd5 Kg8 30. Qb6 Kh7 31. h4 Bxh4 32. Rd4 Qf5 33. Rd5 Qh3
34. Qd4 Bxg3 35. Nf6+ gxf6 36. fxg3 Qxg3+ 37. Kf1 Bf5 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. Nc3 g6 5. d4 exd4 6. Nd5 Bg7 7. Bg5 h6 8.
Bf6 Kf8 9. Bxg7+ Kxg7 10. O-O d6 11. Bxc6 Nxc6 12. Nxd4 Re8 13. Nb5 Rxe4 14.
Nbxc7 Rb8 15. Qd3 Bf5 16. Qc3+ Ne5 17. b3 Re2 18. f4 Rxc2 19. Qd4 Qh4 20. Rad1
Rxa2 21. Nb5 Bh3 22. gxh3 Qxh3 23. Rd2 Qg4+ 24. Kh1 Qh3 25. Rdf2 Rxf2 26. Rxf2
Rc8 27. Ndc3 Qd3 28. fxe5 Qxd4 29. Nxd4 Rxc3 30. exd6 Rd3 31. Rf4 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. Ne2 b6 11. Rd1 Ne7 12. Ned4 a6 13. e6 f6 14. b4
Ng6 15. Be3 c5 16. bxc5 Bxc5 17. Re1 Ne7 18. Bf4 g5 19. Be3 Bb7 20. c4 Rd8 21.
Nc2 Bd6 22. Nfd4 c5 23. Ne2 Be4 24. Rac1 Bd3 25. Na3 Nf5 26. Nc3 Nxe3 27. fxe3
Bf5 28. Nd5 Bxe6 29. Nxf6+ Ke7 30. Nd5+ Bxd5 31. cxd5 b5 32. Nc2 Rhf8 33. g3
Be5 34. e4 Rf3 35. Kg2 Rd3 36. Re2 Rc3 37. Rd1 Rf8 38. Ne3 c4 39. Nf5+ Kd7 40.
d6 Rd8 41. Rd5 Ke6 42. Red2 Rd7 43. Rc5 Bxd6 44. Rcd5 Rd3 45. R2xd3 cxd3 46.
Nd4+ Ke7 47. Nf5+ Ke6 48. Nd4+ Ke7 49. Nf5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E50"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2790"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 c5 6. Nf3 b6 7. d5 exd5 8. cxd5
h6 9. e4 Nxe4 10. Bxe4 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Re8 12. Nd2 f5 13. O-O fxe4 14. c4 d6 15.
Bb2 Qg5 16. f3 Bh3 17. Qe2 e3 18. Ne4 Qg6 19. a4 Nd7 20. Ra3 Ne5 21. Kh1 Nxc4
22. gxh3 Rxe4 23. Rg1 Qh5 24. Rxg7+ Kf8 25. Rh7 Nxb2 26. Rxe3 Rxe3 27. Qxe3 Kg8
28. Rxh6 Qf5 29. Rh4 Nd3 30. Rg4+ Kf7 31. Re4 Qxd5 32. Re7+ Kf8 33. Rh7 Kg8 34.
Rc7 Nf2+ 35. Qxf2 Kf8 36. Qe3 Qd1+ 37. Kg2 Qc2+ 38. Kg3 Qg6+ 39. Kh4 Qf6+ 40.
Qg5 Qxg5+ 41. Kxg5 d5 42. f4 d4 43. f5 Re8 44. Kf6 d3 45. Rf7+ Kg8 46. Rg7+ Kh8
47. Rd7 c4 48. Kf7 Rc8 49. f6 c3 50. Rd4 Rc7+ 51. Kg6 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D80"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nxd5 Qxd5 7. Ne2 O-O 8.
Nc3 Qd8 9. Be2 c6 10. O-O e5 11. dxe5 Bxe5 12. e4 Qxd1 13. Rxd1 Be6 14. f4 Bc7
15. Be3 Nd7 16. Rac1 Bb6 17. Kf2 Nf6 18. h3 h5 19. Bf3 Rfd8 20. e5 Ne8 21. b3
f6 22. Na4 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 fxe5 24. fxe5 Ng7 25. g4 hxg4 26. hxg4 Rf8 27. Ke2 Bc7
28. Nc5 Bc8 29. Nd7 Rd8 30. Nf6+ Kf7 31. Rxd8 Bxd8 32. Bxa7 Bc7 33. Bd4 Ne6 34.
Bb2 Ng5 35. Bg2 Ke6 36. Ne4 Nf7 37. Nd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A40"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 b6 3. d4 Bb7 4. a3 f5 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. g3 Ne4 7. Nxe4 Bxe4 8. Bh3
Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. d5 Bxf3 11. exf3 e5 12. Qc2 Qf6 13. b4 c5 14. dxc6 Nxc6 15.
Bb2 Nd4 16. Bxd4 exd4 17. Rad1 a5 18. c5 Be7 19. cxb6 axb4 20. axb4 Kh8 21. b7
Rab8 22. Qc7 Qc6 23. Qf4 Bxb4 24. Bxf5 Rxb7 25. Qg4 Bc3 26. Be4 d5 27. Bd3 g6
28. f4 Qf6 29. Rb1 Re7 30. Rb5 Rd8 31. Rfb1 Kg7 32. Rb7 Rde8 33. f5 Rxb7 34.
Rxb7+ Re7 35. Rxe7+ Qxe7 36. fxg6 h6 37. Qf5 Bb4 38. Qxd5 Bd6 39. Qxd4+ Be5 40.
Qd5 Bc7 41. Kg2 Bb6 42. h4 Kf6 43. Qc6+ Qe6 44. Qf3+ Kg7 45. Qb7+ Kf6 46. Be4
Bd8 47. Qb2+ 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 a5 7. Nc3 O-O 8. a3
Be7 9. Qa4 c6 10. Qxc4 b5 11. Qd3 Ba6 12. Ne4 b4 13. Nxf6+ Bxf6 14. Qc2 bxa3
15. Rxa3 Bb5 16. Bc3 Be7 17. Ra1 Na6 18. O-O Nb4 19. Bxb4 Bxb4 20. Rfd1 f6 21.
e4 Kh8 22. h4 Qe8 23. Bf1 Qh5 24. Kg2 e5 25. Bxb5 cxb5 26. Rac1 Rae8 27. Qc6
Qg4 28. Qxb5 Qxe4 29. dxe5 fxe5 30. Qd5 Qe2 31. Rf1 Rd8 32. Qb7 Rb8 33. Qd5
Rbd8 34. Qb7 Rb8 35. Qd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 19th"]
[Site "Nice"]
[Date "2010.03.25"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A37"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2010.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O d6 7. Ne1 Be6 8. d3
Nge7 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bd2 O-O 11. a3 a5 12. Nc2 d5 13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Ne3 Nxe3 15.
Bxe3 Nd4 16. Bxb7 Rb8 17. Bg2 Rxb2 18. Rb1 Qb8 19. Bxd4 cxd4 20. Ne4 Rxb1 21.
Qxb1 Rc8 22. Bf3 h6 23. g4 f5 24. gxf5 gxf5 25. Ng3 Bf8 26. Bb7 Rd8 27. Qb5 Qc7
28. Bg2 Rb8 29. Qa6 Qb6 30. Qxb6 Rxb6 31. a4 f4 32. Ne4 Rb4 33. Rc1 Rxa4 34. h4
Rb4 35. Rc7 Rb1+ 36. Kh2 Bb4 37. Bh3 Bb3 38. Bf5 a4 39. Nf6+ Kf8 40. Nh7+ Kg8
41. Nf6+ Kf8 42. Nh7+ Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leon 23rd"]
[Site "Leon"]
[Date "2010.06.05"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2010.06.04"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 136 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{El armenio Levon Aronian y el cubano Lenier Domínguez han cruzado armas ocho
ocasiones antes de encontrarse en esta semifinal del XXXIII Magistral Ciudad
de León logrando cada uno ganar dos partidas. En 2010 el prestigioso torneo
Melody Amber ha sido el escenario de su último enfrentamiento, allí Aronian se
imponía en el miniencuentro por 1,5 a 0,5.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {
Aronian opta con frecuencia por la berlinesa} 4. d3 ({Lenier prefiere no
examinar a su rival en el final que resulta de la continuación principal} 4.
O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8) 4... Bc5 5. c3 ({
La semana pasada Alexei Shirov probó} 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Be3 Bd6 7. Nbd2 Ng4 8.
Bg5 f6 9. Bh4 Be6 10. h3 Nh6 11. d4 exd4 12. e5 Be7 13. exf6 gxf6 14. Qe2 Qd5
15. O-O-O Nf5 16. Rhe1 Kf7 17. Ne4 Qxa2 18. Nxd4 Qa1+ 19. Kd2 Qa5+ 20. Kc1 Qa1+
21. Kd2 Qa5+ 22. Kc1 {1/2-1/2 Shirov,A (2742)-Bacrot,E (2710) Odessa 2010})
5... O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. Nbd2 d6 8. d4 {Lenier aprovecha la situación de la
torre en e8} exd4 9. cxd4 {pero...} Nxd4 $5 {Aronian, casi sin pensar, entrega
la calidad: un peón y la pareja de alfiles parecen ser para él suficiente
compensación} 10. Bxe8 Qxe8 11. Nxd4 Bxd4 12. h3 Bd7 13. Re1 Bc6 14. Nf3 Bb6
15. Be3 ({las complicaciones tras} 15. Nd4 {sólo favorecen a las negras por
ejemplo:} Nxe4 16. f3 Qe5 17. Be3 Ng5 {y no es posible} 18. f4 {por} Qe4 {
y las negras ganan.}) 15... Ba5 $1 (15... Nxe4 $1 16. Bxb6 axb6 17. Nd2 {
con muchos problemas para las negras}) 16. Bd2 Bb6 17. Be3 {y tablas: una
partida muy interesante a pesar de su brevedad.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leon 23rd"]
[Site "Leon"]
[Date "2010.06.05"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2010.06.04"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 136 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 dxc4 {El aceptado, segunda defensa del cubano que
suele jugar con más frecuencia la Grunfeld; no es mala elección en nuestra
opinión.} 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 a6 6. O-O c5 7. dxc5 {Lo más sólido, Jugadores muy
técnicos como Kramnik, Bareev o Jusupov emplean esporádicamente este sistema e
intentan luchar por una mínima ventaja sin riesgo.} Bxc5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nbd2
Ke7 10. Be2 {Típica reagrupación de piezas dejando la casilla c4 para un
eventual salto de caballo y esperando que el negro defina su esquema de
desarrollo.} Bd7 {Lenier tiene mucha experiencia con esta jugada que ha puesto
a prueba nada menos que contra Bareev, Ivanchuk, Khenkin, y Carlsen.} ({
Débil sería} 10... b5 {por} 11. a4) 11. a3 ({El número uno del mundo Magnus
Carlsen le jugó a Dominguez en esta posición} 11. Rd1 Rd8 12. Nb3 Ba7 13. Ne5
Nc6 14. Nxd7 Rxd7 15. Rxd7+ Nxd7 16. Bd2 Nc5 17. Na5 Nxa5 18. Bxa5 Rc8 {
y el GM cubano logró conducir el final a buen puerto. Carlsen,M (2801)
-Dominguez Perez,L (2719) Moscú 2009}) 11... Ba7 ({En el memorial Capablanca
de 2006 Lenier contra Bareev probó} 11... Bb5 {inmediatamente} 12. Bxb5 axb5
13. Nb3 Bd6 14. Nfd4 b4 15. Nb5 bxa3 16. bxa3 Nc6 17. Nxd6 Kxd6 18. Rb1 Kc7 19.
Bb2 Rhd8 20. Rfc1 Rd5 21. Bxf6 gxf6 22. Nc5 Ra7 23. Ne4 Rd3 24. Nxf6 Raxa3 25.
Nxh7 {y acabó perdiendo en 58 jugadas}) 12. b4 Bb5 {Una decisión comprometida:
las negras tendrán una debilidad permanente en b5} 13. Bxb5 axb5 14. Bb2 Bb6
15. Nb1 $1 {Iniciando el asedio al peón de b5} Na6 (15... Ne8 {Encaminándose
hacia d6, era la sugerencia de los comentaristas radiofónicos}) 16. Nc3 Nc7 17.
e4 {Controlando d5, el alfil de casillas negras presunto beneficiario de esta
jugada no es peligroso por sí solo si no logra coordinar su acción con la de
alguna otra pieza} Rhd8 18. Rac1 Rd3 19. Rc2 Nfe8 20. e5 Rad8 21. Rfc1 h6 22.
h4 {Aronian va consolidando poco a poco su ventaja de espacio, pero de ahí a
hablar de ventaja aún queda un trecho.} R3d7 23. a4 {Un inesperado golpe que
cambia el carácter de la lucha cuando ambos tienen pocos segundos en el reloj.}
({el GM Iván Salgado opina que con} 23. g3 {las negras tendrían problemas para
encontrar jugadas útilles}) 23... bxa4 24. Ba3 Kf8 25. b5+ Kg8 26. Nxa4 Nxb5 $1
{Con pocos segundos Lenier calcula con precisión esta secuencia defensiva} 27.
Nxb6 Nxa3 28. Rc8 Rxc8 29. Rxc8 Rd1+ 30. Kh2 Kf8 31. Rb8 Nb5 32. Nc4 $6 (32.
Rxb7 {Conduce la partida a la igualdad}) 32... Rd7 33. Kg3 Ke7 34. Na5 Na7 ({
Tras} 34... Nc3 {sería Lenier quien podría crear algunos problemas}) 35. Rxb7 {
Y se acuerdan tablas} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leon 23rd"]
[Site "Leon"]
[Date "2010.06.05"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2010.06.04"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 136 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 {En la primera partida las negras
optaron por la menos sólida 4...Bc5} 5. O-O Be7 6. c3 O-O 7. Re1 Re8 {Aronian
ha consumido 4 minutos en esta jugada. Lo más empleado es 7...Bd7.} 8. Nbd2 Bd7
9. Ba4 {Adelantándose a un Ca5 del negro.} Bf8 10. Nf1 Ne7 11. Bc2 Ng6 12. Ng3
c6 ({Una única partida en esta posición:} 12... d5 13. Bg5 dxe4 14. dxe4 Bg4
15. h3 Qxd1 16. Bxd1 Be6 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Nh5 Be7 19. Bb3 a5 20. Rad1 Red8 21.
Nh2 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Rd8 23. Rxd8+ Bxd8 24. Ng4 Bxg4 25. hxg4 Nf4 26. Nxf4 exf4 {
1/2-1/2 Balogh,C (2562)-Aleksandrov,A (2614) Varsovia 2007}) 13. d4 h6 14. h3
Qc7 15. Be3 Rad8 16. a4 $5 {Una vez completado el desarrollo ganar espacio en
el flanco de dama es una posibilidad.} (16. Qd2 {era también muy lógica.})
16... Be6 (16... d5 {haciendo saltar por los aires el centro era más que
posible.}) 17. a5 b6 $6 {Mover el flanco de dama no parece lo más adecuado.} (
17... Bc4) (17... Nf4 $5) 18. axb6 axb6 19. Bd3 $5 {La dama blanca podría
pasar rápidamente al flanco de dama.} b5 $1 20. Qc2 Ra8 21. b4 Nd7 ({era
interesante} 21... Nf4 22. Bf1 Red8) 22. Nd2 Nb6 23. c4 {Una ruptura
determinante y definitoria del ala de dama.} bxc4 24. Nxc4 Bxc4 25. Bxc4 Nxc4
26. Qxc4 {Las blancas han conseguido algo más de espacio.} Qb7 27. Rxa8 Rxa8
28. Rc1 d5 29. Qxc6 Qxc6 30. Rxc6 exd4 31. Bxd4 Bxb4 32. Nf5 (32. exd5 Rd8)
32... Bf8 $6 (32... Ne7 $5 {Y no parece que haya problema alguno para igualar
definitivamente:} 33. Nxe7+ Bxe7 34. exd5 Rd8 {pero....} 35. Bc5 $1 Bf8 36. d6
f5 37. f4 Kf7 38. Kf2 Ke6 39. Ke3 Bxd6 40. Kd4 {Y quizás este posible final es
el que no le gustó a Aronian:} h5 41. g3 Rd7 42. Bxd6 Rxd6+ 43. Kc5 Rxc6+ 44.
Kxc6 g5 45. h4 $18) 33. exd5 Ra5 34. Ne3 Ne7 35. Rc5 {Ahora todo es forzado y
las blancas consiguen peón de más que se muestra insuficiente para ganar.} Rxc5
36. Bxc5 Nxd5 37. Bxf8 Nxe3 38. Bxg7 Nxg2 39. Bxh6 Nh4 40. Bf4 Kh7 41. Bg3 Nf5
42. Kg2 Kg6 43. Kf3 Nd4+ 44. Kg4 Ne6 45. Be5 f6 46. Bf4 f5+ 47. Kg3 Kh5 48. Be3
Kg6 49. Kf3 Kh5 50. Kg3 Kg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leon 23rd"]
[Site "Leon"]
[Date "2010.06.05"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "321"]
[EventDate "2010.06.04"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 136 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 dxc4 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 a6 6. O-O c5 7. a4 {Esta
jugada fue la favorita en su día de Mihail Botvinnik y una de sus principales
armas en su match por el campeonato del mundo de 1963 contra el más ilustre de
los ajedrecistas armenios, Tigran Petrosian. El público ha suspirado aliviado
al ver que Aronian no repetía la soporifera 7.dxc5} Nc6 8. Qe2 cxd4 9. Rd1 Be7
10. exd4 O-O 11. Nc3 Nd5 12. Qe4 Nf6 13. Qe2 Nd5 14. Bd2 ({En el mencionado
match Botvinnik ensayó} 14. Bd3 {y la partida resultó tablas después de una
apasionante lucha que recomendamos disfrutar a todo buen aficionado. Botvinnik,
M-Petrosian,T Moscú 1963}) 14... Bf6 ({Geller castigó duramente} 14... b6 {con}
15. Ne5 $1 Ncb4 16. Nxd5 exd5 17. Bxb4 Bxb4 18. Nc6 Qd6 19. Bxd5 Bb7 20. Nxb4
Bxd5 21. Nxd5 {y las blancas tienen peón limpio de más en la partida Geller,E 
(2610)-Tukmakov,V (2570) Amsterdam 1974}) 15. Qe4 Ncb4 16. Ne5 Bd7 $6 {
Sacrificando un peón para solucionar el problemático desarrollo del alfil dama.
} ({Estos comentaristas prefieren la más ordenada} 16... b6) 17. Nxd5 exd5 18.
Bxd5 Nxd5 19. Qxd5 Bxe5 ({La principal alternativa es} 19... Bf5 20. Qxd8 ({
no vale} 20. Qxb7 Bxe5 21. dxe5 {por} Bc2) 20... Rfxd8 21. Bc3 {con cierta
compensación gracias a la pareja de alfiles}) 20. dxe5 Bc6 21. Qc4 $1 {
Manteniendo el máximo material: una buena decisión en posiciones con
iniciativa y alfiles de distinto color.} Re8 22. Bf4 Qh4 23. Rd4 Rad8 24. f3 ({
Sería un imperdonable descuido la académica} 24. Rad1 $4 {por el golpe} Qxf4)
24... Rxd4 25. Qxd4 f6 $1 ({Cambiar las damas con} 25... g5 26. Be3 Qxd4 27.
Bxd4 Rd8 28. Bc3 {no soluciona todos los problemas de las negras pero el
blanco debería desplegar una técnica muy depurada para convertir su ventaja en
un punto.}) 26. Qe3 Qh5 27. Re1 (27. e6 Qd5 28. e7 Qd7 {no ayuda a las blancas
a incrementar la ventaja. Aronian opta por devolver el peón a cambio de
activar al máximo sus piezas, un procedimiento clásico en posiciones con
alfiles de distinto color donde la iniciativa es más importante que el
material.}) 27... fxe5 28. Bxe5 Bxa4 29. h3 Bc6 30. f4 Qg6 31. Qf2 Qf5 32. Rd1
({Pasar por la tercera fila con} 32. Re3 Rd8 33. Rg3 Rd7 (33... g6 {siempre da
miedo}) 34. Kh2 {es una interesante alternativa}) 32... Re6 33. Rd8+ Re8 34.
Rd2 Re6 35. Rd8+ Re8 36. Rxe8+ Bxe8 37. Bc3 Qe4 ({Jugar para el bloque con} 
37... h5 {es más seguro}) 38. f5 $1 {Aronian tienen a su disposición la
rompedora f6} Qe7 39. Qg3 Qf7 40. f6 Qg6 41. Qb8 ({Con} 41. Qxg6 hxg6 42. fxg7
{las blancas no podrían ganar}) 41... gxf6 42. Qxb7 f5 43. Qd5+ Kf8 44. Qc5+
Kg8 45. Qc4+ Kf8 46. Bb4+ Kg7 47. Qc5 h5 48. Qf8+ Kh7 49. Bc3 Qf7 50. Qh8+ Kg6
51. Bd2 f4 52. Qe5 ({Se puede ganar un peón con} 52. Bxf4 Qxf4 53. Qxe8+ Kh6
54. Qe6+ Kg7 {pero el final de damas ofrece demasiadas oportunidades de tablas
a las negras.}) 52... Bc6 53. Bxf4 Qd5 54. Qe2 Qd4+ 55. Be3 Qe4 56. Qf2 Bb7 57.
Bd4 Qc6 58. Bc3 h4 59. Qe2 Qe4 60. Qf2 Bd5 61. Bd2 Kh5 62. Bf4 Qb1+ 63. Kh2 Qe4
64. Bd6 Kg6 65. Bc7 Qe7 66. Qc2+ Qe4 67. Qd2 Kf5 68. Qf2+ Kg6 69. Qd2 Kf5 70.
Qf2+ Kg6 71. Bf4 Kh5 72. Bc1 Kg6 73. Qd2 Qe5+ 74. Kg1 Kf7 75. Qf2+ Qf6 76. Bf4
Kg6 77. Kh2 Qe7 78. Qf1 Qe6 79. Qd3+ Qe4 80. Qf1 Bc4 81. Qf2 Bd5 82. Bc7 Qe7
83. Qb6+ Qe6 84. Bd6 a5 $2 ({Dejando pasar la magnifica oportunidad de
salvación} 84... Qe2 85. Bf8+ Kf5 86. Qg1 Qxb2 {y tablas}) 85. Qc5 a4 86. Bc7
Qe4 87. Qf2 Qe7 88. Bf4 Qe4 89. Bc1 Qe5+ 90. Kg1 Qe4 91. Be3 Qe5 92. Qc2+ Qe4
93. Qe2 Qf5 94. Qd2 Qe4 95. Bb6 Qe5 96. Bd8 $1 Qe4 ({No era fácil salvar el
peón:} 96... Kh5 97. Qd1+ Kg6 98. Bxh4 Qe4 99. Qd2) 97. Bxh4 Bc6 98. Qg5+ Kf7
99. Kh2 Bd5 100. Bf2 Bc6 101. Bc5 Bd5 102. h4 Be6 103. Qh5+ Qg6 104. Qf3+ Qf5
105. Qb7+ Kg6 106. Bd6 Bd5 107. Qa6 Qe4 108. Bg3+ Kh5 109. Qf1 Kg6 110. Qf2 Kh5
111. Bf4 Qf5 112. Qe2+ Kg6 113. Qd2 Qe4 114. Bg3 Qf5 115. Bd6 Bc6 116. Qc3 Bd5
117. Qg3+ Kh5 118. Qg7 Be4 119. Bg3 Qg6 120. Qh8+ Kg4 121. Qc8+ Kh5 122. Qc4
Bc6 123. Qe2+ Kh6 124. Bf4+ Kh7 125. h5 Qe4 126. Qg4 Bd5 127. Qg5 Qe6 128. Be3
Qe4 129. Bd2 $6 ({Gana en el acto} 129. h6 {y si} Qg6 130. Qxd5) 129... Qe6
130. Qf4 Qe4 131. Qc7+ Kg8 132. Qg3+ Kf7 133. Bc3 Qf5 134. Qh4 Be4 135. h6 Qg6
{Una posición ganada difícil de ganar y aún más difícil de defender en la
práctica y con poco tiempo.} 136. Qf4+ Ke8 137. g4 Bc2 138. Kg3 Kd7 139. Kh4
Ke8 140. Bf6 Kd7 141. Qd4+ Kc6 142. Bg7 Kc7 143. Qf4+ Kd7 144. Bf6 Kc6 145. Bg5
Kd7 146. Qd4+ Kc6 147. Qd2 Qe4 148. Bf4 Qg6 149. Qd4 Kb7 150. Qc3 Kb6 151. Qc7+
Kb5 152. Be3 Qf6+ 153. g5 Qg6 {Una posición en la que ya se puede decir:
juegan blancas y ganan} 154. Qc5+ $1 Ka6 155. Qb6+ $1 {Y con este golpe
Aronian remata elegantemente la partida} Qxb6 156. Bxb6 Bg6 ({no cambia nada
con} 156... Kxb6 157. Kh5) 157. Kg4 Kxb6 158. Kf4 Kc5 159. Ke5 Kb4 160. Kf6 Be4
161. g6 {Y Lenier abandona esta maratoniana partida.} 1-0

[Event "Leon 23rd"]
[Site "Leon"]
[Date "2010.06.06"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "155"]
[EventDate "2010.06.04"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 136 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Gran final en León: Boris Gelfand ganador de la Copa del Mundo frente a Levon
Aronian proclamado recientemente vencedor del Gran Prix, circuito de
supertorneos promovido por la Fide. En virtud de estos resultados ambos son
candidatos oficiales al título mundial. Boris Gelfand, ahora israelí pero
nacido en Minsk en tiempos todavía sovieticos, es un rival especialmente
incómodo de lidiar para su excompatriota Aronian al que ha vencido 8 veces por
7 en las que ha tenido que inclinar su rey, la última este año en el Cto. del
mundo por equipos celebrado en Turquía en el mes de enero.} 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6
3. e3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 {Gelfand propone surcar las aguas de su querida semieslava}
5. b3 Bd6 6. Bb2 O-O 7. Be2 Nbd7 8. Qc2 {Aronian, por su parte, juega con la
máxima flexibilidad posible demorando quizás sine die el avance d4} b6 9. g4 $5
{Y ahora descubre sus cartas: nada de 0-0, hay que decir que el avance g4 es
una de las jugadas favoritas del armenio...} Nxg4 10. Rg1 f5 11. h3 Nge5 ({
Catastrófico para las negras resultó} 11... Ngf6 12. Nd4 Qe8 13. cxd5 cxd5 14.
Ncb5 Be5 15. Nc7 Bxc7 16. Qxc7 Rb8 17. Qd6 Rf7 18. Nxe6 {y 1-0 en la partida
Andreikin,D (2580)-Kaplan,S (2428) Plovdiv 2008}) 12. Nd4 Nc5 13. O-O-O Bd7 14.
h4 $5 {Minando la estabilidad de la casilla g6 retirada natural del caballo de
e5} Be7 $1 {El alfil se recicla a f6 para anular a su colega de la lejana b2} (
{La alternativa evidente es} 14... Qxh4 15. f4 Ng6 (15... Ng4 16. Bxg4 fxg4 17.
Rh1) 16. Nf3 Qe7 {y por ejemplo} 17. Ng5 {ofrece atractivas posibilidades de
ataque que intuitivamente Gelfand rechaza brindar a su ingenioso rival}) 15.
Rg2 Bf6 16. Rdg1 dxc4 17. bxc4 b5 $1 {También Boris quiere abrir columnas
contra el enroque adversario: la lucha es de alta tensión} 18. Nd1 Na4 19. Ba1
Qe7 $1 {Gelfand ha coordinado idealmente sus piezas y parece haber refutado
por completo las frivolidades del blanco.} 20. Nb3 bxc4 21. Bxc4 Kh8 ({Con la
profiláctica} 21... Rf7 {se evitaba el golpe de la partida}) 22. Rxg7 $5 {
Aronian se juega la última carta} Bxg7 23. Rxg7 Qxg7 24. f4 Kg8 25. Bxe5 Qh6
26. Nd4 Nb6 27. Bb3 c5 $2 {?Precipitación o error de cálculo?, ahora la
ventaje negra se evapora} ({más segura es} 27... Nd5) 28. Nxf5 Rxf5 29. Qxf5 c4
30. Qg4+ Qg6 31. Qxg6+ hxg6 32. Bc2 Kf7 33. Nf2 {Las blancas tienen plena
compensación por la calidad} Ba4 34. Bb1 Nd7 35. Bd4 Nf6 36. Nh3 Be8 37. Ng5+
Ke7 38. Bc5+ Kd7 39. Nf3 Kc7 40. Bd4 Ng4 41. Ng5 Kd7 42. Be4 Rc8 43. Bxa7 c3
44. Bd4 cxd2+ 45. Kxd2 Nh6 46. Nf3 Nf5 47. Bf6 Kd6 48. Ne5 Rc7 49. Bd3 Ra7 50.
Bc4 Ng3 51. Bg5 Ne4+ 52. Kd3 Nc5+ 53. Ke2 Nd7 $2 {Descuidando la siguiente
jugada blanca} 54. Be7+ $1 Kc7 55. Bxe6 $6 ({Con} 55. Nf3 {Las blancas
hubieran creado muchos problemas a su rival}) 55... Nxe5 56. fxe5 Kc6 57. Bg5
Bf7 $1 58. Bh3 Rxa2+ 59. Kf3 Bd5+ 60. Kg3 Ra4 61. e6 Re4 62. e7 Kd6 $6 63. Bf1
Rxe7 64. Bxe7+ Kxe7 65. Kf4 Kf6 66. Be2 Bb3 67. e4 Bc2 68. e5+ Kf7 69. Bc4+ Kg7
70. Kg5 {Varias imprecisiones han llevado al borde del abismo} Ba4 71. e6 (71.
Bd3 Be8 72. e6 Bf7) 71... Bc6 72. Bb3 Be8 73. Bc2 ({El plan de llevar el alfil
a d7 tampoco gana:} 73. Bd5 Ba4 74. Bb7 Bb5 75. Bc8 Bf1 $1 ({no} 75... Be8 $2
76. Bd7 Bf7 77. e7 {porque las negras quedarían en Zugzwang}) 76. Bd7 Bh3 {
seguido de Bxe6}) 73... Bf7 $1 {Este recurso salva la partida} 74. exf7 Kxf7
75. Kh6 Kg8 76. Bb3+ Kh8 77. Bf7 g5 78. hxg5 {Ahogado!!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leon 23rd"]
[Site "Leon"]
[Date "2010.06.06"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2010.06.04"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 136 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 {La Catalana. Era previsible la entrada de
esta noble apertura ya que ambos jugadores la tienen en su amplio repertorio.}
Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4 Bd7 9. Rd1 Bc6 10. Nc3 Bxf3 11. Bxf3
Nc6 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. a5 Rb8 ({Más antigua es:} 13... Qb8 14. Qa4 (14. Ra4 c5
15. Rxc4 cxd4 16. Rdxd4 c5 17. Rh4 Re8 18. Be3 {Khalifman, A-Spassov,L Moscú
1985}) 14... c5 15. Qxc4 cxd4 16. Rxd4 c5 17. Rd3 Qb4 18. Ra4 Qb7 19. Ra3 Qb4
20. Ra4 Qb7 21. Ra3 Qb4 22. Qa2 Rab8 23. Ra4 Qb7 24. Rc4 Rfd8 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8 {
Beliavsky,A (2650)-Stohl,I (2573) Portoroz 1999}) 14. Ra4 Rb4 15. Na2 Rxa4 16.
Qxa4 h6 ({Probose:} 16... Qd5 17. Nc3 Qh5 18. Qxc6 Qxa5 19. Qxc4 c5 20. dxc5
Bxc5 21. Bf4 Qb4 22. Qxb4 Bxb4 23. Bd6 Bxd6 24. Rxd6 Ra8 25. f3 Kf8 26. Na4 a5
27. Kf2 {Con aproximada igualdad,aunque la blancas acabaron imponiéndose en:
Wang Hao (2722)-Xu Yuhua (2484) Hefei 2010}) 17. Qxc4 Qd5 18. Qxd5 cxd5 {
La comodidad de la posición negra es evidente y el alfil negro controla la
importante casilla b4.} 19. Bf4 Rb8 $5 {Para forzar a las blancas a situar el
peón b en b4 y conseguir que sea débil mucho tiempo.} 20. b4 Rc8 21. Rb1 ({Tras
} 21. Rc1 c6 22. f3 Ne8 {y las negras también consiguen llegar con el caballo
al flanco de dama y consolidar la posición.}) 21... g5 22. Bd2 Ne4 23. Be1 Nd6
24. Nc1 {Los dos jugadores intentan mejorar la ubicación de sus piezas.} Rb8
25. Nd3 Nc4 26. Rc1 Kf8 27. f3 f5 $6 (27... Bd6 $1 {Controlando el corcel
blanco.} 28. e4 f5 $1) 28. Ne5 $1 {El blanco entiende que la mejor pieza negra
es el caballo.} Nxe5 29. dxe5 Bd8 (29... Bxb4 30. Bxb4+ Rxb4 31. Rc6 $1) 30. e4
$1 (30. Rc6 Ke7 $1 31. Rxa6 Kd7 {Y la torre blanca lo tiene negro.}) 30... fxe4
31. fxe4 dxe4 32. Kf2 Ke8 33. Ke3 Kd7 34. Kxe4 Be7 {Secuencia mas o menos
forzada que no cambia la valoración de estos comentaristas: igualdad} 35. Rd1+
Ke8 (35... Kc6 36. Rc1+ (36. Rd4 Rf8 {Seria peligroso para las blancas.}) 36...
Kd7 {con igualdad.}) 36. Rd4 Rb5 37. Rc4 Kd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leon 23rd"]
[Site "Leon"]
[Date "2010.06.06"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2010.06.04"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 136 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. b3 Bd6 6. Bb2 O-O 7. Be2 dxc4 {
Gelfand se aparta de la primera parrtida a pesar de haber obtenido buena
posición. ?Hubiera Aronian repetido su g4?} 8. bxc4 e5 9. d3 {Una nueva
propuesta de Aronian, quien como ya hemos comentado gusta mantener la posición
lo más flexible que se pueda.} (9. d4 exd4 10. exd4 Re8 {Se ha jugado en
alguna ocasión}) 9... Re8 10. O-O Bg4 11. Rb1 Nbd7 12. Ba1 Rb8 13. Qc2 Nc5 14.
Rfd1 Qe7 15. h3 (15. Nh4 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Qe6 {No incomoda a las negras}) 15...
Bf5 16. Nh4 Bd7 17. d4 exd4 18. exd4 Nce4 19. Bd3 Nxc3 20. Bxc3 Ne4 21. Re1
Qxh4 22. Bxe4 {Las blancas tienen más espacio y presión sobre b7 ?suficiente
para ventaja?} (22. Rxe4 Rxe4 23. Bxe4 Re8 {y es mala} 24. Rxb7 {por} Bxh3)
22... h6 23. c5 Bc7 24. d5 {Abriendo totalmente la posición pero el negro
tendrá recursos contraatacando el enroque blanco con ayuda de sus alfiles.}
cxd5 25. Bxd5 Qh5 $6 ({Es mejor} 25... Qf4 $1 26. g3 Qg5 {con contrajuego.})
26. Qd3 Bf5 $6 ({Era necesario} 26... Rxe1+ 27. Rxe1 Re8 28. Bxb7 Rxe1+ 29.
Bxe1 Be6 {recuperando el peón con buenas posibilidades de tablas}) 27. Qd4 Qg5
28. h4 Qg6 29. Rxe8+ Rxe8 30. Rxb7 Be4 $1 {Único recurso disponible para
mantenerse en la partida} 31. g3 Bxd5 32. Qxd5 Bxg3 33. h5 $1 {Intermedia que
deja al blanco con pieza de más aunque con el rey algo expuesto} Bxf2+ 34. Kxf2
Qc2+ 35. Bd2 Re6 36. c6 ({La sugerencia de Lenier Domínguez} 36. Rb8+ Kh7 37.
Rb3 {gana inmediatamente}) 36... Rf6+ 37. Kg3 Kh7 38. c7 Rf5 39. Qd4 (39. c8=Q
Qxc8 40. Qe4 {Es la continuación preferida por Rybka}) 39... Qc6 $2 {Tirando
definitivamente la partida} ({Con} 39... Rxh5 {la partida se complicaba de
nuevo}) 40. Qd3 g6 41. c8=Q Qxc8 42. Rxf7+ Rxf7 43. Qxg6+ Kh8 44. Qxf7 Qc6 45.
Qg6 {No es la única ganadora, pero Aronian parece haberse quedado con ganas de
ganar el final de alfil y peón de torre malo contra rey que salvó a Gelfand en
la primera partida.} Qxg6+ 46. hxg6 Kg7 47. Kf4 Kxg6 48. Ke5 h5 49. a4 h4 50.
a5 a6 51. Bf4 h3 52. Bh2 Kg5 53. Kd6 Kf5 54. Kc6 Ke6 55. Kb6 Kd7 56. Kxa6 Kc6
57. Ka7 Kb5 58. a6 1-0

[Event "Leon 23rd"]
[Site "Leon"]
[Date "2010.06.06"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E42"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2010.06.04"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 136 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{A Gelfand sólo le vale ganar.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 {Obligado por las
circunstancias Gelfand renuncia por esta vez a su amada Catalana.} Bb4 4. e3 c5
5. Nge2 b6 6. a3 Ba5 {Estamos en una las líneas más intricadas del Sistema
Rubinstein de la defensa Nimzoindia} 7. Rb1 Na6 8. f3 {La continuación
favorita del GM bielorruso Alexandrov} O-O 9. d5 Nh5 {Novedad. Se conocia:} (
9... d6 10. Ng3 Qe7 11. e4 Bd7 12. Kf2 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Nc7 14. Bd3 e5 15. Rb2
Rab8 16. Be3 {Y aunque las blancas ganaron, la posición dista mucho de ser
clara. en la partida Aleksandrov,A (2624)-Socko,M (2456) Wroclaw 2009}) 10. g3
f5 11. Bg2 Nf6 12. O-O Bxc3 13. Nxc3 exd5 14. Nxd5 Nc7 15. e4 {La elección de
Gelfand en la apertura ha sido un éxito: las blancas tienen una posición muy
prometedora.} Ncxd5 16. exd5 (16. cxd5 d6 17. b4 {Es la alternativa}) 16... d6
17. b3 Rb8 18. Bb2 Rb7 19. Re1 Re8 20. Rxe8+ Qxe8 21. Qd2 Re7 22. Bxf6 {
Gelfand ha tardado un par de minutos en tomar esta decisión que sin duda le da
ventaja, pero la pregunta es ? tendrá posibilidades reales de ganar?} gxf6 23.
Bf1 Re3 24. Bd3 $1 f4 $1 {La mejor para complicar el juego} (24... Re5 25. Kf2
{seguido de Qf4 es muy triste para el negro}) 25. gxf4 Re7 26. f5 $6 {
Habilitando f4 para la Dama pero condenando para siempre al pobre alfil a la
pasividad.} ({Directamente} 26. Kh1 {ofrece mejores chances prácticos}) 26...
Rg7+ 27. Kh1 Qh5 28. Qf4 Kf7 ({Contra} 28... Qg5 29. Qxg5 Rxg5 {las blancas
jugarían} 30. f4 $5 Rg7 (30... Rh5 31. Re1 Kf7 32. Kg2) 31. b4 Re7 32. bxc5
dxc5 33. a4 Re3 34. Rg1+ Kf8 35. Rg3 Re1+ 36. Kg2 Ra1 37. Rh3 Kg8 38. Re3 Kf8
39. d6 {creando molestias}) 29. h4 $1 Rg5 30. Rg1 Rxg1+ 31. Kxg1 Ke7 32. b4 Qe8
33. Qh6 Qf7 34. Kf2 Kd8 35. bxc5 bxc5 36. Qd2 Qe7 37. h5 Qe5 $1 {Con esta
centralización Aronian se asegura el empate} 38. Qh6 Qd4+ 39. Ke2 Qe5+ 40. Kf1
Bxf5 41. Qf8+ Kd7 42. Qf7+ Kd8 43. Bxf5 Qxf5 44. Kf2 Qf4 $4 {Una jugada
absurda que pierde el peón de h} 45. Qg8+ Kc7 46. Qxh7+ Kb6 47. Kg2 {Ahora las
blancas tienen posibilidades reales de victoria.} Qd2+ 48. Kh3 Qc1 49. Qe4 Qh1+
50. Kg4 f5+ (50... Qg2+ 51. Kf5 Qg5+ 52. Ke6 Qxh5 53. Kxd6 {ganando}) 51. Qxf5
Qg1+ 52. Kh4 Qc1 53. f4 Qxc4 54. h6 Qc3 55. h7 c4 56. Kg5 Qd4 57. Qf6 Qxd5+ 58.
Kh6 Qh1+ 59. Kg6 Qg2+ 60. Qg5 Qe4+ 61. f5 Qe8+ 62. Kg7 Qe5+ 63. Qf6 {Y Gelfand
empata el match in extremis. El XXIII Torneo Magistral Ciudad de León se
decidirá una vez más en las emocionantes partidas a 5 minutos.} 1-0

[Event "Leon 23rd"]
[Site "Leon"]
[Date "2010.06.06"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E42"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2010.06.04"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 136 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5 5. Nge2 b6 6. a3 Ba5 7. Rb1 Na6 8. g3
Bb7 9. d5 Ne4 10. Bg2 Bxc3+ 11. Nxc3 Nxc3 12. bxc3 d6 13. Qa4+ Ke7 14. O-O Nc7
15. e4 Re8 16. e5 Kf8 17. Bf4 dxe5 18. Bxe5 exd5 19. Rfe1 f6 20. Bxc7 Qxc7 21.
Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. Qxa7 Qe7 23. Qxb6 Bc8 24. cxd5 Bf5 25. Rc1 Rd8 26. a4 c4 27. a5
Bd3 28. a6 Kf7 29. Qb7 Rd7 30. Qb4 Qd8 31. Ra1 Ra7 32. Qc5 Qb8 33. h4 Kg6 34.
d6 h5 35. Bb7 Rxb7 36. axb7 Qxb7 37. Re1 Qf3 38. Qd4 Bf5 39. d7 Bh3 40. Qe4+
1-0

[Event "Leon 23rd"]
[Site "Leon"]
[Date "2010.06.06"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2010.06.04"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 136 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.02"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. b3 Bd6 6. Bb2 O-O 7. Be2 dxc4 8. Bxc4
b5 9. Bd3 Bb7 10. Ne4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 f5 12. Bd3 Nd7 13. h4 Qe7 14. g4 c5 15.
gxf5 exf5 16. Bxb5 Ne5 17. Bxe5 Bxe5 18. Rc1 f4 19. O-O fxe3 20. fxe3 Rxf3 21.
Rxf3 Qxh4 22. e4 Bxe4 23. Bc4+ Kh8 0-1

[Event "Mainz Ordix op 17th"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2010.08.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gass, Ulrich"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A31"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2133"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2010.08.07"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 Bb4+ 6. N1c3 d5 7. cxd5 O-O 8.
a3 Bc5 9. Na4 Bxf2+ 10. Kxf2 Ne4+ 11. Kg1 Bd7 12. Nac3 Bxb5 13. Nxe4 Qb6+ 14.
Nf2 f5 15. h4 Nd7 16. Rh3 Nf6 17. Bg5 Ne4 18. Be3 Qf6 19. Nxe4 fxe4 20. g3 Rad8
21. Qb3 Bd7 22. Bxa7 Bxh3 23. Bxh3 Qa6 24. Be6+ Kh8 25. Qe3 b6 26. Bxb6 Rb8 27.
Bc5 Rxb2 28. Bxf8 Rxe2 29. Bxg7+ 1-0

[Event "Mainz Ordix op 17th"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2010.08.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kirschbaum, Gunnar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A68"]
[WhiteElo "2230"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2010.08.07"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. f4 d6 6. Nf3 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Be2 exd5
9. cxd5 b5 10. e5 dxe5 11. fxe5 Ng4 12. Bf4 Nd7 13. e6 Nb6 14. Ng5 fxe6 15.
Bxg4 Rxf4 16. Bxe6+ Kh8 17. h4 Bxe6 18. Nxe6 Rxh4 19. O-O Qd6 20. Rf7 Bd4+ 21.
Nxd4 cxd4 22. Nxb5 Qxd5 23. Qf1 Kg8 0-1

[Event "Mainz Ordix op 17th"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2010.08.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bargan, Sergei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A53"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2331"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2010.08.07"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 Bg4 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 Nd7 5. g3 e5 6. Bg2 Ngf6 7. O-O Be7 8. Nh4
O-O 9. h3 Bh5 10. Nf5 Re8 11. Nxe7+ Qxe7 12. b3 Rad8 13. d5 cxd5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5
15. Bxd5 Nc5 16. Qd2 b6 17. Bb2 Kh8 18. Rad1 Rf8 19. Bg2 f5 20. f4 exf4 21.
Qxf4 Ne4 22. g4 Bg6 23. Bxe4 fxe4 24. Qg3 Rxf1+ 25. Rxf1 d5 26. cxd5 Qc5+ 27.
e3 h6 28. Qf4 Kh7 29. Bxg7 Kxg7 30. Qf6+ Kh7 31. Qxd8 Qxe3+ 32. Kg2 Qc5 33. d6
Qe5 34. Qe7+ 1-0

[Event "Mainz Ordix op 17th"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2010.08.07"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Del Rio de Angelis, Salvador Gabriel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D19"]
[WhiteElo "2521"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2010.08.07"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. Qe2 O-O 10. e4 Bg6 11. e5 Nd5 12. Bd2 Ne7 13. Rfd1 Nb6 14. Bb3 a5 15.
Ne4 Bxd2 16. Rxd2 Nbd5 17. Bc2 Nf5 18. Ra3 Qe7 19. Ng3 Rad8 20. Nxf5 Bxf5 21.
Bxf5 exf5 22. Qc4 Rd7 23. Qc2 g6 24. Rd1 Rfd8 25. Qd2 Qb4 26. Qxb4 Nxb4 27. Rc1
Na6 28. h4 Nc7 29. Rb3 Ne6 30. g3 h6 31. Rb6 g5 32. hxg5 hxg5 33. b4 g4 34. Nh4
Nxd4 35. Kg2 Re8 36. Rc5 axb4 37. Rxb4 Ne6 38. Rc3 Ng7 39. Rcb3 Ree7 40. a5 Kf8
41. f3 Rxe5 42. fxg4 fxg4 43. Rxg4 Rxa5 44. Rf4 Ne6 45. Rf2 0-1

[Event "Mainz Ordix op 17th"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2010.08.07"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Pelletier, Yannick"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2589"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2010.08.07"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 c6 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Qc2
b6 9. Bf4 Ba6 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Rfc1 Nh5 12. cxd5 Nxf4 13. gxf4 cxd5 14. e3 Bd6
15. Ne5 Rc8 16. Qa4 Nb8 17. Bf1 Bxf1 18. Kxf1 Qe7 19. Ndf3 h6 20. Rc2 Qb7 21.
Rac1 a6 22. Qb3 Rxc2 23. Qxc2 b5 24. f5 Qe7 25. Ke2 Re8 26. Rg1 Bxe5 27. Nxe5
Nd7 28. Qc7 Nxe5 29. Qxe5 f6 30. Qxe6+ Qxe6 31. fxe6 Rxe6 32. Rc1 Kf7 33. Rc7+
Kg6 34. Rd7 Rc6 35. Kd2 Kf5 36. Rxg7 h5 37. f3 Rc8 38. h4 Rc6 39. Rh7 Kg6 40.
Rd7 1-0

[Event "Mainz Ordix op 17th"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2010.08.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2010.08.07"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. h3 Nd7 7. Be3 Bd6 8.
Nbd2 O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. c3 Nf8 11. d4 Ng6 12. Qc2 exd4 13. cxd4 Bf4 14. Rfe1
Qf6 15. Nf1 Be6 16. Ng3 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 Nf4 18. a3 a5 19. Qd2 Qh6 20. Rc1 Bd7 21.
Rc2 Qd6 22. Ne5 Be6 23. Rf3 Ng6 24. Nc4 Bxc4 25. Rxc4 Ne5 26. Rc1 Nxf3+ 27.
gxf3 Re6 28. Nf5 Qf8 29. Kh1 g6 30. Nh6+ Kh8 31. d5 Rd6 32. Qf4 f6 33. Ng4 Re8
34. dxc6 bxc6 35. Kg2 f5 36. e5 g5 37. Qg3 f4 38. Qh2 Rde6 39. h4 gxh4 40. Qxh4
Qg7 41. Kf1 Qg6 42. Nf6 Rf8 43. Qxf4 Qd3+ 44. Kg2 Qg6+ 45. Kf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mainz Ordix op 17th"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2010.08.08"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2010.08.07"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. a4 e6 6. Bg5 a5 7. e3 Be7 8. Be2 O-O
9. O-O Na6 10. Qb3 Nb4 11. Na2 Na6 12. Rac1 h6 13. Bh4 g5 14. Bg3 Ne4 15. Rfd1
Nxg3 16. hxg3 Bf6 17. Nc3 Bg7 18. e4 g4 19. Nh4 dxe4 20. Bxg4 f5 21. Bh3 Bxd4
22. c5 Nxc5 23. Qc4 Nd3 24. Nxf5 c5 25. Nxe4 Nxc1 26. Nxh6+ Kg7 27. Qxc1 Qd5
28. Re1 Qh5 29. Ng4 e5 30. Nh2 Bxh3 31. gxh3 Ra6 32. Kg2 Rh6 33. h4 Rg6 34. Qd1
Qxh4 35. Nf3 Qg4 36. Qb3 b6 37. Nxd4 exd4 38. f3 Qf5 39. g4 c4 40. Qd1 d3 41.
Ng3 Qd5 42. Re4 d2 43. Kf2 Kg8 44. Nf5 Rxf5 45. gxf5 Qc5+ 46. Re3 Rd6 47. Ke2
Qxf5 48. Re4 Kf8 49. Kf2 Rd3 50. Rxc4 Rxf3+ 51. Kg2 Qh3+ 0-1

[Event "Mainz Ordix op 17th"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2010.08.08"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ghaem Maghami, Ehsan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E08"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2585"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2010.08.07"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Bf4
Nbd7 9. Qc2 b6 10. Rd1 Bb7 11. Nc3 Rc8 12. Ne5 b5 13. c5 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Ng4 15.
Bf4 e5 16. dxe5 Bxc5 17. Ne4 Be7 18. h3 Nh6 19. a4 Nf5 20. Nc3 b4 21. Nxd5 cxd5
22. Qxf5 Qa5 23. e6 Rcd8 24. Rac1 Qa6 25. exf7+ Rxf7 26. Qd3 Qxa4 27. Ra1 Qe8
28. Ra5 Bf6 29. Rxa7 Bxb2 30. Qb3 Qxe2 31. Bf3 Qb5 32. Qxb2 1-0

[Event "Mainz Ordix op 17th"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2010.08.08"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Kempinski, Robert"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2612"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2010.08.07"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. e3 Bf5 4. Nc3 e6 5. g4 Bg6 6. Nge2 Bd6 7. Qb3 b6 8. Bg2
Ne7 9. e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Bc7 11. Be3 Nd7 12. O-O-O b5 13. h4 h5 14. Nf4 Bxe4 15.
Bxe4 Nf6 16. Qc2 hxg4 17. cxb5 Bxf4 18. Bxf4 Nxe4 19. Qxe4 Qd5 20. Qe5 f6 21.
Qe2 cxb5 22. b3 Qf3 23. Qxb5+ Kf7 24. Bg3 Rac8+ 25. Kb2 Rhd8 26. Qa5 Nc6 27.
Qa6 Nb4 28. Qxa7+ Kg8 29. Qb6 Qc3+ 0-1

[Event "Mainz Ordix op 17th"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2010.08.08"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zvjaginsev, Vadim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A43"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2656"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2010.08.07"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 c5 2. d5 Nf6 3. Nc3 d6 4. e4 g6 5. f4 Bg7 6. Bb5+ Nfd7 7. a4 Na6 8. Nf3
Nc7 9. Bc4 Rb8 10. O-O b6 11. e5 O-O 12. Ne4 Ba6 13. Bxa6 Nxa6 14. e6 fxe6 15.
Neg5 Nc7 16. dxe6 Nf6 17. f5 Ng4 18. Nf7 Qe8 19. N3g5 Ne5 20. Bf4 Nxf7 21.
exf7+ Rxf7 22. Nxf7 Qxf7 23. fxg6 Qxg6 24. Ra3 Kh8 25. Rg3 Qe4 26. Qh5 Bd4+ 27.
Kh1 Qd5 28. Qh4 Qc4 29. Rgf3 Bf6 30. Qh3 Nd5 31. Qe6 Rg8 32. Bg3 Rg4 33. Rf4
Rxf4 34. Rxf4 Qxc2 35. Qc8+ Kg7 36. Rg4+ Kh6 37. h3 1-0

[Event "Shanghai Masters"]
[Site "Shanghai"]
[Date "2010.09.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2010.09.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 138"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 c6 7. Qc2 O-O 8. O-O
b6 9. Bf4 Ba6 10. Nbd2 Nbd7 11. Rfe1 Nh5 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. Bxe5 f6 14. Bf4 Nxf4
15. gxf4 Bb4 16. Red1 Qd6 17. Nf1 dxc4 18. a3 Ba5 19. f5 Kh8 20. Ne3 b5 21. Qe4
Bb7 22. Qxe6 Qc7 23. Qe4 Rae8 24. Qg4 Bb6 25. Nf1 Bc8 26. Ng3 g6 27. e3 gxf5
28. Nxf5 Qd7 29. e4 Qf7 30. Qf3 Bxf5 31. Qxf5 Rg8 32. Kh1 Rg5 33. Qf3 Qg6 34.
d5 Rg8 35. Bh3 Bxf2 0-1

[Event "Shanghai Masters"]
[Site "Shanghai"]
[Date "2010.09.04"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2010.09.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 138"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Be2 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Be2 (10. Bd3 {can actually transpose into Meran lines with
the continuation 8...Bd6, for example} Bb7 {The most topical line is} 11. a3 (
11. e4 e5 12. h3 Re8 (12... exd4 13. Nxd4 Re8 14. Rd1 Qc7 15. Bg5 h6 16. Be3
Rad8 17. Rac1 a6 18. Nf5 Bf4 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. exd5 Bxe3 21. d6 Bxf2+ 22. Qxf2
Qb6 23. Ne7+ $44 {Navara,D (2638)-Grigoriants,S (2565)/EU-ch Budva/2009/}) 13.
dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. Be3 Qe7 16. Rfd1 a6 17. Ne2 c5 18. Bxc5 Qc7 19. f3
Bxb2 20. Qxb2 Qxc5+ 21. Qd4 Qe7 22. Bc2 Bd5 $6 (22... Bc8 $142 23. Bb3 Be6) 23.
exd5 Qxe2 24. Bb3 a5 25. d6 $36 {Topalov,V (2791)-Aronian,L (2757)/Nanjing/
2008/ Both these games featured the Meran, not Anti-Meran move order.}) 11...
a6 12. b4 a5 13. Rb1 axb4 14. axb4 Qe7 15. e4 e5 16. Ne2 (16. dxe5 Nxe5 17.
Nxe5 Bxe5 18. Ne2 Qe6 19. f4 Ra2 20. Qd1 {has fallen into oblivion due to the
fantastic} Ba1 $3 {/\} 21. e5 $2 c5 $1 22. exf6 Bd4+ 23. Rf2 Bxf2+ 24. Kxf2 Qd5
25. Bb2 Qxg2+ 26. Ke1 c4 27. Bc2 Bf3 28. fxg7 Re8 $19 {Gelfand,B (2737)-Anand,
V (2799)/Nice blindfold rpd/2008/}) 16... Bxb4 17. Ng3 {The last word in this
complex line is} Ba3 $5 (17... g6 18. dxe5 Ng4 19. e6 fxe6 20. Bg5 Qd6 21. Be2
Rf7 22. e5 $5 (22. Rbd1 Qf8 23. Nd4 (23. h3 Ngf6 (23... Nge5 $5 24. Nd4 Nc5)
24. Bxf6 Nxf6 25. Ng5 Re7 26. Qb3 Ba5 {Pashikian,A (2647)-Esen,B (2513)/WChT
Bursa/2010/} 27. Rd6 $44) 23... Nxf2 24. Nxe6 Nxd1 $1 25. Nxf8 Bc5+ 26. Kh1
Rxf1+ 27. Nxf1 Nf2+ {1/2,Kasimdzhanov,R (2672)-Leko,P (2756)/Jermuk/2009/})
22... Ngxe5 23. Ne4 Nxf3+ 24. Bxf3 Qf8 25. Bg4 Re8 26. Rfd1 Ne5 27. Bh3 $44 {
Shabalov,A (2578)-Mulyar,M (2405)/Toronto/2010/}) 18. Nf5 Qe8 19. Bg5 (19. Rb3
Bxc1 20. Rxc1 g6 21. Nd6 Qb8 {and White probably has nothing better than} 22.
Nxb7 Qxb7 23. d5 cxd5 24. Rxb5 $11) 19... Nh5 20. Qc3 (20. Be3 $5 $44) 20...
exd4 21. N3xd4 Qe5 22. Qd2 Bc5 23. Be2 Ndf6 24. Bxf6 Nxf6 25. Qg5 Nd7 {
Bukavshin,I (2430)-Potkin,V (2626)/Irkutsk/2010/} 26. Nxb5 $5 $132 {/\} cxb5
27. Rxb5 {[%cal Rb5c5,Rb5b7] /\Rb7, Rc5}) 10... Bb7 11. a3 ({White plays} 11.
Rd1 {more often, but even here Black can employ the idea we will see in the
game:} Qc7 12. e4 e5 13. g3 (13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nd4 {allows} Neg4 $1 {- we will
still see this motif.} (14... Ned7 $5 {is playable as well:} 15. g3 Rfe8 16. a3
a6 17. Nf5 Be5 18. Bf3 g6 19. Nh6+ Kg7 20. Bg5 c5 21. Ng4 Nxg4 22. Bxg4 f5 $5
23. exf5 Bd4 $44 {Akopian,V (2712)-Aronian,L (2768)/Jermuk/2009/}) 15. g3 Bc5
16. Bxg4 Nxg4 17. Bf4 Qb6 18. Nce2 Rfe8 19. a4 a6 20. a5 Qa7 21. f3 Ne5 22. Kg2
Bf8 23. Nf5 c5 24. Nc3 c4 {Gelfand,B (2741)-Inarkiev,E (2669)/Astrakhan/2010/}
25. b3 $5 $132 {- see also Inarkiev's notes in CBM 137.}) 13... Rfe8 {After}
14. dxe5 (14. a3 a6 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Bg5 Neg4 $5 (16... Nxf3+ 17. Bxf3 Qe7 {
is the solid choice, gradually preparing c5=.}) 17. h3 Bxg3 18. hxg4 Nxg4 19.
Rf1 (19. Be3 Nxe3 20. fxe3 Re6 $44 {leads to the position from our game, the
only difference is that Black's Q is more active on c7 than on b8.}) 19... h6
20. Bc1 (20. Be3 Nxe3 21. fxe3 c5 22. a4 b4 23. Nd5 Bxd5 24. exd5 Rxe3 25. Rad1
Qf4 26. d6 Qg4 $40 {Chmelik,J (2390)-Dikmen,A (2348)/corr /2000/}) 20... Rad8
21. Nh4 (21. Kg2 Bh4 22. a4 b4 23. Nd5 Qd6 24. Nf4 c5 25. Rd1 Qe7 26. Rxd8 Qxd8
$36 {><e4, Samraoui,A (2455)-Pecha,M (2349)/corr/2001/}) 21... Bxf2+ 22. Rxf2
Qg3+ 23. Rg2 Qe1+ 24. Bf1 Qxh4 25. Qe2 h5 26. Be3 $13 {Cottegnie,F (2298)
-Canizares Cuadra,P (2114)/corr/2007/}) 14... Nxe5 15. Bg5 {Black once again
has 2 main options:} Neg4 $5 {is again possible and more enterprising.} (15...
Nxf3+ 16. Bxf3 Qe7 $142 {is the sedate line, in which Black should gradually
equalise:} (16... Be5 $6 17. Bxf6 gxf6 (17... Bxf6 $2 18. Nxb5 $16) 18. Bg4 $36
) 17. Ne2 Be5 18. Bg2 Qb4 19. Rd2 Rad8 20. Rad1 Rxd2 21. Rxd2 c5 22. a3 Qa5 23.
Be3 c4 24. f3 a6 $11 {Boccia,M (2488)-Schmidt,T (2538)/corr/2007/}) 16. Bxf6 ({
Here without a3 provoking the sacrifice} 16. h3 Bxg3 17. hxg4 Nxg4 18. Rf1 h6
19. Bd2 {is risky mainly due to} b4 $1 (19... Bd6 20. Nd4 Bc8 21. Kg2 (21. Bxg4
$142 Bxg4 22. Be3 $14) 21... Qe7 22. Rh1 $6 Qf6 $1 23. Bxg4 Bxg4 24. Be3 Qg6
25. Kf1 b4 26. Nb1 Qf6 $36 {Andersen,L (2096)-Novak,J (2282)/corr/2004/ also
gave Black serious long-term compensation.}) 20. Na4 Re6 21. Nc5 Rg6 22. e5
Bxe5 23. Kh1 Bd4 24. Bd3 Bxf2 {0-1 De Sa,A (2397)-Persson,C (2594)/ICCF email
2006/Corr 2008} 25. Be1 Bxc5 26. Bxg6 (26. Qxc5 Rg5 $1 $19) 26... Bb6 27. Qe4
Nf6 28. Qc4 Re8 29. Rd1 Nd5 $17 {Ayrosa,P (2257)-Scherer,R (2331)/corr/2007/})
16... Nxf6 17. Rac1 Qe7 18. Nd4 g6 19. Bf3 Rac8 20. Nb3 a6 21. Bg2 c5 $5 22.
Rxd6 Qxd6 23. e5 Rxe5 24. Bxb7 Rce8 $44 {Illescas Cordoba,M (2626)-Harikrishna,
P (2612)/Mallorca olm/2004/}) 11... Re8 {A rare move.} ({Aronian until now has
played this line only with Black, preferring the more usual} 11... a6 12. b4 a5
13. Rb1 axb4 14. axb4 Nd5 (14... Qe7 $142 15. Qb3 Nd5 $132) 15. Ne4 $5 Be7 (
15... Bxb4 $2 16. Neg5 {[%cal Rc2h7,Re3e4] /\,Qh7, e4+-}) 16. Nc5 Nxc5 17. bxc5
Qc7 18. Rd1 Ra4 19. e4 Nf6 20. Bg5 Rfa8 21. Bxf6 Bxf6 22. e5 Be7 23. h4 Qd8 24.
h5 Ra2 25. Qe4 Qd5 26. Bd3 Qxe4 27. Bxe4 h6 28. Ne1 Bd8 29. Nc2 Ba5 $14 {
Onischuk,A (2699)-Aronian,L (2773)/EU Cup Ohrid/2009/}) 12. Rd1 (12. e4 e5 13.
Bg5 $6 (13. Rd1 $142 Qc7 14. g3 {transposes into the lines from the notes
above.}) 13... h6 14. Bh4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Qb8 16. Nf3 a5 $1 17. e5 (17. Bd3 b4
$15) 17... Bxe5 18. Nxe5 Qxe5 19. Bf3 b4 20. axb4 axb4 21. Rxa8 Bxa8 22. Na4 c5
$17 {Grivas,E (2460)-Sadler,M (2575)/Cannes/1995/}) (12. Bd2 e5 13. Rad1 a5 14.
h3 exd4 15. Nxd4 b4 16. Na4 c5 17. Nb5 Bf8 18. b3 Qb8 19. Nb2 Be4 $36 20. Bd3
$4 Qxb5 {0-1,Speelman,J (2536)-Wells,P (2513)/Hinckley Island/2009/}) 12... Qb8
(12... Qc7 13. e4 e5 $13 {seems equally playable. The only possible drawback
could be some Nxb5 blow, but there is no obvious way Whote can bring this
about.}) 13. e4 e5 14. g3 a6 {A typical move.} (14... a5 {is less harmonious,
but also not easy to refute:} 15. dxe5 (15. Bg5 $5) 15... Nxe5 16. Bg5 Nxf3+
17. Bxf3 Be5 18. Rac1 {Here the Q is well placed on b8, as White doesn't have
the Bxf6 and Nxb5 motif, mentioned in the note to 11.a3.} h6 19. Be3 Bxc3 20.
Qxc3 Nxe4 21. Bxe4 Rxe4 22. Rd7 Rc4 23. Qd2 Rxc1+ 24. Qxc1 Qc8 25. Qd2 c5 26.
Qd6 {1/2,Wang Rui (2396)-Lukacs,P (2475)/Budapest/1999/} Qc6 $11) 15. dxe5 Nxe5
16. Bg5 (16. Nd4 Bc5 (16... Ng6 17. Bf3 c5 18. Nf5 Be5 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. exd5 c4
21. Bg2 Ne7 22. d6 Nxf5 23. d7 {Drozdovskij,Y (2552)-Sedlak,N (2519)/Ajaccio/
2006/} Bxg2 24. dxe8=Q+ Qxe8 25. Kxg2 Nd4 26. Qe4 Nb3 $44) (16... g6 17. Bg5 (
17. f4 c5 $1) 17... Ned7 {/\c5<=>}) 17. h3 (17. Ncxb5 cxb5 18. Qxc5 Nxe4 (18...
Bxe4 19. a4 $5 $14) 19. Qb6 Nf6 $132) 17... Qa7 18. Be3 g6 19. Rd2 Bb6 20. f4
$6 Ned7 21. e5 Nxe5 $1 22. fxe5 Rxe5 23. Bf2 c5 24. Nf3 {Czakon,J (2482)
-Pakleza,Z (2446)/San Sebastian/2007/} (24. Ndxb5 $5 $15) 24... Rxe2 $1 25.
Rxe2 Bxf3 $17 {[%csl Rg1] עg1}) 16... Neg4 $5 $146 {[%mdl 584] Shirov likes
to set the board on fire and uses the sacrificial idea we have already seen
above in a very similar position. Technically a novelty, this move is already
mentioned in the Rybka4 book and leads to great complications instead of some
drawish liquidation like} (16... Nxf3+ 17. Bxf3 Be5 18. Rac1 h6 (18... c5 $11)
19. Be3 c5 20. Bxc5 Bxc3 21. Qxc3 Nxe4 22. Bxe4 Bxe4 23. Bd6 Qb7 24. Qc7 Rac8
25. Qxb7 Bxb7 $11 {Maric,A (2405)-Vajda,S (2375)/EU-chTW Novi Sad/2009/}) 17.
h3 {Aronian decides to go for it.} (17. Nd4 Be5 (17... h6 18. Nf5 Be5 19. Bh4
$5 {/\} g5 $2 20. Bxg5 hxg5 21. Qc1 $40) 18. Nf5 g6 {seems OK for Black.})
17... Bxg3 (17... Bc5 18. hxg4 Qxg3+ 19. Kh1 Bxf2 (19... Qh3+ 20. Nh2 Bxf2 21.
Rd3 Bg3 22. Bf1 Qxh2+ 23. Qxh2 Bxh2 24. Bxf6 $16) 20. Nh2 $14 {is less
clear-cut.}) 18. hxg4 Nxg4 19. Be3 $5 (19. Rf1 h6 20. Bd2 c5 $1 {[%csl Rg1]
once again gives Black excellent compensation, which can easily grow into a
full-blooded -> - his pieces are active, White's K vulnerable.}) 19... Nxe3 {
Black has no way to improve his position and he shouldn't allow Bc5.} (19...
Bh2+ {is too co-operative:} 20. Kg2 $1 Nxe3+ 21. fxe3 $14 Qg3+ $2 22. Kh1 $18)
20. fxe3 {Here White's R is far better placed, but on the other hand his P are
split and consolidating the extra piece is very difficult.} Re6 $44 21. Bf1 Qa7
22. Bh3 (22. Nd4 Rf6 23. Rd2 Bc8 $13) ({Aronian wants to activate his B, but
perhaps more promising was} 22. Rd3 $5 {An unforced sample line is} Rg6 (22...
c5 23. Rd7 $14) 23. Bg2 Re8 24. Rad1 Bc8 25. Ne2 $14) 22... Rh6 (22... Qxe3+ $2
23. Kg2 Rg6 24. Bf5 Qh6 25. Rd7 $18 {White comes out a whole R up and will
convert his material advantage.}) 23. Kg2 {Logical, but} (23. Qd3 Bc7 (23...
Re8 24. Bd7 $14) 24. Bf5 $5 $13 {also deserved attention.}) 23... Bc7 24. Bf5 (
{White is not intent on protecting the Pe3,} 24. Rd3 c5 25. Nd5 c4 26. Rd4 Bd6
{/\Bc5<=>} 27. a4 $5) 24... Qxe3 $1 (24... Re8 25. Rh1 $1 $14 {/\} Rxh1 26.
Rxh1 g6 27. Bd7 Rd8 28. Nd5 $36) 25. Rd7 {Both players were running short of
time. Aronian could have already bailed out with the more circumspect} (25. Nd5
cxd5 26. Qxc7 g6 $1 (26... Qb6 27. Qxb6 Rxb6 28. e5 $36) 27. Qxb7 gxf5 $1 28.
Qxa8+ Kg7 {and White already must go for} 29. exf5 $8 Qe2+ 30. Kg3 $8 Rh3+ 31.
Kxh3 Qxf3+ $11) 25... Qf4 {[%cal Rh6h2]} 26. Qf2 (26. Ne2 Rg6+ 27. Bxg6 Qg4+
28. Kf2 Qxd7 29. Bf5 Qe7 30. Rd1 Rd8 $15) 26... Bc8 (26... g6 27. Ne2 Rh2+ (
27... Qh2+ {leads to the same position}) 28. Nxh2 Qxh2+ 29. Kf1 Qxf2+ 30. Kxf2
Bb6+ 31. Kf3 Bc8 32. Bh3 (32. Re7 Kf8 $11) 32... Bxd7 33. Bxd7 Rd8 34. Rd1 $11
{/~~}) 27. Ne2 Rh2+ 28. Nxh2 Qxh2+ 29. Kf3 $6 $138 {After a series of forced
moves White creates problems for himself.} ({With} 29. Kf1 $1 Qxf2+ (29... Qh1+
30. Qg1 {is similar}) 30. Kxf2 Bxd7 31. Bxd7 c5 32. a4 $11 {/+/= he is in no
danger of losing.}) 29... Qh5+ 30. Bg4 (30. Kg2 $2 Bxd7 31. Bxd7 Rd8 $40) 30...
Qg5 31. Rad1 Bxd7 32. Rxd7 Be5 $15 {With the Q on the board White must be
careful.} 33. b3 (33. Qc5 Qf6+ 34. Kg2 h5 $15 (34... Re8 $15)) 33... h5 34. Bf5
g6 35. Bh3 Bb2 (35... Rd8 36. Qb6 $132) ({However,} 35... Re8 $142 $15 {
seems more logical than the text-move.}) 36. Nf4 Qf6 (36... Bxa3 37. Qg2 Qxg2+
38. Bxg2 {[%cal Ye4e6] /\e5-e6<=>}) 37. Kg2 Bxa3 38. e5 Qg5+ (38... Qxe5 39.
Ne6 Qe4+ (39... Qb2 40. Rd2 Qxb3 41. Qf6 Bf8 42. Rd7 Qa2+ 43. Kg3 Qb3+ 44. Kh4
Qc4+ $11 45. Kg5 $2 Qc1+ 46. Nf4 $2 Qc5+ 47. Kh4 Qf2+ $19)) 39. Kh1 Qxe5 40.
Nxh5 $6 $138 (40. Ne6 $1 Qe4+ 41. Kh2 Qe5+ 42. Kh1 $11) 40... Rf8 $6 $138 (
40... Be7 $1 $17 {prevents Nf6.}) 41. Nf6+ Kg7 42. Ng4 Qc3 43. Kg2 Bc1 (43...
a5 44. Qe2 Bb2 45. Rd3 Qc1 46. Rd1 $11) (43... Bb2 $5) 44. Qf3 $1 Qxf3+ 45.
Kxf3 $132 {Black's P are vulnerable and he will soon lose one of them.} a5 46.
Rc7 (46. Ne5 $5 a4 47. bxa4 bxa4 48. Nd3 Bg5 49. Nc5 $11) 46... Bb2 47. Rxc6 a4
48. bxa4 bxa4 49. Bf1 Ra8 50. Rc7 a3 {Now the game heads towards a peaceful
conclusion.} ({The only way to continue the fight was} 50... Bd4 $5 {/\} 51.
Bc4 Ra7 $15 {when White is still forced to fight for the draw.}) 51. Bc4 a2 52.
Rxf7+ Kh8 53. Bxa2 Rxa2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Shanghai Masters"]
[Site "Shanghai"]
[Date "2010.09.05"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D19"]
[WhiteElo "2790"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2010.09.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 138"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. Qe2 O-O 10. e4 Bg6 11. Bd3 Bh5 12. e5 Nd5 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. Qe3 Re8 15.
Bd2 {Kramnik has faced this line as Black twice before. Once against Topalov
in 2006, and again in 2008, against Anand.} Be7 {#The databases will assert
this is a theoretical novelty, and rightly so. However, this is still analyzed
theory. From where, you might ask? From the special Rybka 4 opening book,
where this was analyzed in detail.} 16. Rfc1 a6 17. Ng5 {Finally the players
deviate from the analysis which had b4 as the recommended move.} h6 18. Nh3 Bg6
19. Nf4 {An intriguing decision.} ({Was there a compelling reason to not play} 
19. Bxg6 fxg6 20. Qb3 Qb6 21. Qd3 Nf8 22. a5 {with a nice advantage for White.}
) 19... Bg5 20. Be2 {Kramnik sticks to his guns. He clearly feels that he is
better off not exchanging Black's bad bishop for his good, even if at the gain
of the pawn structure.} Bh7 21. g3 Nb8 22. h4 Be7 23. Nd3 Bf8 24. b4 Re7 25.
Bf1 Nc6 26. Nc5 a5 27. b5 Nb8 28. Rc3 Rc7 29. Rac1 Nd7 {#} 30. Nb3 $4 {A
mistake that throws the advantage away.} ({After} 30. Qf4 {removing the queen
from the 3rd rank. The threat of Nxd7 or Nxe6 would force Black to exchange
knights with} Nxc5 (30... Rac8 31. Nxb7) (30... b6 31. Nxe6 $1) (30... Rcc8 31.
Nxb7) 31. dxc5 {and Black may be strategically lost already.}) 30... Rxc3 31.
Qxc3 Ba3 32. Ra1 Bb4 33. Qb2 Qf8 34. Nc1 Be7 35. Nb3 Bb4 36. Nc1 Be7 37. Nb3
Bb4 38. Nc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Shanghai Masters"]
[Site "Shanghai"]
[Date "2010.09.06"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2010.09.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 138"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nc3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 c6 14. Qb3 {#}
Qc7 (14... Ra7 {when the Danish player improved with} 15. Ne4 $1 Bxd4 16. Rfd1
Qb6 17. Qd3 {eventually winning the game.}) 15. Rfd1 Rd8 (15... a5 {is the
known move.}) 16. Ne4 Nd7 17. a5 Be7 18. e3 Rab8 19. Nd2 Nf6 20. Nc4 Ne8 21.
Nb6 Nd6 22. Rac1 Nb5 23. Be2 Qd6 24. Qa2 Bf6 25. Bc4 Qb4 26. Bb3 Nd6 27. Kg2
Kh8 28. Bc2 Nc8 29. Nc4 Nd6 30. Nb6 Nc8 31. Nc4 Nd6 {#} 32. Bd3 {Aronian
declines the repetition and draw, still hoping to crack his Chinese opponent.}
Nxc4 33. Rxc4 Qe7 34. Be4 Rd7 35. Rc3 g6 36. Qc4 Kg7 37. Rcd3 Rbd8 38. f4 h5
39. h4 Qd6 40. Kf2 Be7 41. Qc3 Qb4 42. Qxb4 Bxb4 43. Ra1 f5 44. Bf3 Kf7 45. Ra4
Bd6 46. Rc4 Bc7 47. Rc5 Bd6 48. Rc4 Bc7 49. Rc5 Bd6 50. Rc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Shanghai Masters"]
[Site "Shanghai"]
[Date "2010.09.07"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2010.09.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 138"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. Qa4 (6. O-O Rb8 {doesn't
necessarily transpose into 5...a6 lines - Black will play this move only if
it's necessary. For this reason White mostly prefers the game continuation,
aiming to regain the sacrificed pawn as soon as possible.}) 6... Bb4+ (6... Nd5
{(d7)} 7. Qxc4 Nb6 {is another plausible attempt in this line:} {Perhaps White
should also reconsider the older} 8. Qd3 (8. Qb5 a6 9. Qd3 e5 10. Nxe5 Nb4 11.
Qd1 Qxd4 12. Qxd4 Nc2+ 13. Kd1 Nxd4 14. Be3 Nf5 15. Bxb6 cxb6 {A more recent
try is} 16. Nd2 (16. Nc3 Bc5 17. e3 (17. Nd3 O-O 18. Ne4 Be7 19. e3 Bd7 20. Ke2
Bc6 21. Rhc1 Rfe8 22. g4 Nh6 23. Bf3 Rad8 24. h3 f5 25. gxf5 Nxf5 $36 {
Rodshtein,M (2609)-Naiditsch,A (2691)/EU-ch Rijeka/2010/}) 17... O-O 18. Ke2
Re8 19. Nd3 Rb8 20. Rhc1 Be6 21. Bd5 Bd7 22. Ne4 Bf8 23. Rc7 Rbd8 24. Nc3 Nd4+
25. Kd2 Be6 $132 {Kramnik,V (2772)-Naiditsch,A (2654)/Dortmund/2007/ for more
see notes by marin in CBM 119.}) 16... Bd6 (16... Bc5 17. Nd3 Rb8 (17... O-O
18. Nxc5 bxc5 19. Rc1 $16) 18. Rc1 Be7 19. e3 O-O 20. Ke2 Bd7 21. Nc4 Bd8 22.
Rhd1 Re8 23. b3 Bb5 24. Bh3 Bxc4 25. Bxf5 Bb5 26. a4 Bxd3+ 27. Rxd3 $16 {
Eljanov,P (2717)-Naiditsch,A (2685)/CRO-chT Sibenik/2009/}) 17. Nd3 O-O 18. Rc1
Rb8 19. e3 Be6 20. a3 Rfe8 21. Rc3 Be7 22. Rc7 Nd6 23. Nf4 Bg4+ 24. Bf3 Bd8 25.
Rc3 Bxf3+ 26. Nxf3 b5 27. Nd5 Ne4 28. Rc2 Nf6 $132 {1/2 Gongora Reyes,M (2451)
-Oms Pallisse,J (2494)/Barbera del Valles 2010/The Week in Chess 818 (39)})
8... e5 9. Nxe5 Nb4 10. Qc3 Qxd4 11. O-O Qxc3 12. Nxc3 f6 13. Nf3 c6 14. Nd4
Bd7 15. a3 N4d5 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 {with the idea} 17. Bd2 $5 Bd6 18. e4 Nc7 19.
Rac1 g6 20. Bc3 $14 O-O-O $6 21. Nxc6 bxc6 22. Bxf6 Rhe8 23. Bxd8 Rxd8 24. f4
$16 {Haba,P (2536)-Babula,V (2594)/CZE-chT/2008/}) 7. Bd2 Nd5 (7... Bd6 8. Na3
$5 Bxa3 9. Qxa3 Ne4 10. Be3 $44) 8. Bxb4 Ndxb4 9. Nc3 {This move recently
became popular mainly thanks to Aronian himself.} ({The line} 9. a3 b5 10. Qxb5
Nc2+ 11. Kd2 Bd7 $5 ({Black doesn't have to go for} 11... Nxa1 12. Qxc6+ Bd7
13. Qxc4 c5 14. Qa2 Qa5+ 15. Nc3 cxd4 16. Nxd4 Rd8 17. Rxa1 $13 {/+/=}) 12.
Kxc2 Nxd4+ 13. Nxd4 Bxb5 14. Nxb5 Rb8 15. N1c3 O-O 16. Rhd1 Qf6 $132 {gives
Black sufficient <=> and perhaps even chances to fight for more than that.}) ({
After} 9. O-O Rb8 10. Na3 ({After the older continuation} 10. Nc3 a6 11. Ne5
O-O 12. Nxc6 Nxc6 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Qxc4 Qd6 15. e3 Rxb2 16. Rab1 Rb6 {White
has compensation for the P, but not more than that:} 17. f4 a5 18. Qa4 Ba6 19.
Rfd1 c5 20. Ne4 Qd5 21. Rxb6 Qxe4 22. Rxa6 {1/2,Filippov,V (2574)-Rausis,I 
(2508)/Dubai op/1999/}) 10... O-O 11. Qb5 b6 12. Qxc4 Ba6 13. Nb5 Qd5 14. Qxd5
Nxd5 15. a4 Na5 16. Ne5 Rbd8 17. Bxd5 Bxb5 18. axb5 Rxd5 19. b4 Nb3 20. Nc6 (
20. Rxa7 Nxd4 21. Nc6 Nxe2+ 22. Kg2 {Cernousek,L (2436)-Klovans,J (2428)/Mlada
Boleslav/2008/} Rd7 23. Ne5 Rd5 $11) 20... Nxa1 21. Rxa1 Ra8 22. Ne7+ Kf8 23.
Nxd5 exd5 24. Rc1 Rc8 25. Ra1 Ra8 26. Rc1 Rc8 27. Ra1 {1/2,Rodshtein,M (2609)
-Macieja,B (2639)/Copenhagen/2010/ White already repeated moves - if Black's K
get over to d7 and manages to play c6, he can already take over the initiative.
}) 9... Bd7 {The main point why White postponed castling shows after} (9... a6
10. Ne5 O-O (10... Rb8 11. Nxc6 Nxc6 12. Bxc6+ bxc6 13. Qxc6+ Qd7 14. Qxd7+
Bxd7 15. O-O-O Ke7 16. e4 Rb6 17. Rhe1 g5 18. Rd2 h5 19. f3 h4 20. g4 Rd8 21.
Re3 $14 {Georgiev,K (2669)-Arnaudov,G (2404)/Kyustendil/2010/}) 11. Nxc6 Nxc6
12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Qxc4 Rb8 14. b3 Qd6 15. Ne4 Qb4+ 16. Qxb4 Rxb4 17. O-O-O $1
e5 18. Rd2 a5 19. Rhd1 a4 20. Nc5 axb3 21. axb3 Be6 22. Kb2 Rb5 23. Rc1 Rfb8
24. Rc3 exd4 25. Rxd4 $16 {[%csl Rc6,Rc7] ק, Aronian,L (2750)-Adams,M (2712)/
Wijk aan Zee/2009/}) 10. O-O a5 $5 (10... Rb8 11. Qb5 {and White wins the P
back with a space advantage. If Black gets more ambitious, he can end like
this:} Nc2 $2 12. Rad1 N2xd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Qc5 Nf5 15. Nb5 $1 c6 16. Nd6+
Nxd6 17. Rxd6 b6 18. Qxc4 {1-0,Georgiev,K (2669)-Gutov,A (2437)/EU-ch Rijeka/
2010/}) ({Somewhat more risky than the text-move, but still playable is} 10...
a6 11. Ne5 b5 12. Qa3 (12. Nxc6 Nxc6 13. Qd1 Rb8 14. Ne4 O-O 15. b3 Be8 16. e3
e5 $15 {Batchuluun,C (2391)-Ghaem Maghami,E (2593)/Subic/2009/}) 12... Rb8 13.
Nxc6 Nxc6 14. Qc5 (14. d5 Ne7 (14... b4 15. Qxa6 Nd4 16. Qxc4 e5 17. Ne4 O-O
18. Rfe1 b3 19. a4 Nc2 20. Red1 Nxa1 21. Rxa1 Qe7 22. Qc5 Qxc5 23. Nxc5 Bc8 24.
Bf1 (24. e4 $5) 24... f5 25. e3 Rd8 26. Bb5 Rxb5 27. axb5 Rxd5 28. Rc1 Rd2 29.
Nxb3 Rxb2 $11 {Degerhammar,R (2488)-Pinkovetsky,S (2645)/corr/2004/}) 15. dxe6
fxe6 16. Qxa6 Rb6 17. Qa5 O-O 18. Rfd1 Qc8 19. Ne4 Rf5 20. Nc5 Rxc5 21. Qb4 Rd5
22. Qxe7 Rdd6 23. Be4 Qe8 24. Qh4 h6 25. Bc2 Bc6 $132 {Schroeder,M (2113)
-Kokkila,T (2628)/corr/1999/}) 14... Ne7 15. a4 bxa4 16. Qxc4 Bb5 17. Qc5 Qd6
18. Qxd6 cxd6 19. Rfb1 Kd7 20. e3 Rhc8 21. Nxa4 Rc2 22. Be4 Rd2 23. Nc3 Bc4 24.
b3 Bd3 {Pavlovic,M (2515)-Van den Doel,E (2568)/Dieren op/2008/}) 11. Qd1 O-O
12. e3 (12. Nd2 Nxd4 13. Bxb7 Rb8 {1/2,Heinig,W (2338)-Teske,H (2487)/
Bundesliga 0506/2006/} 14. Bg2 Bc6 $11) 12... a4 13. Qe2 Na5 14. Ne5 Nd5 $5 ({
This is more enterprising than the rather passive, but solid} 14... Qe8 15.
Nxc4 Bb5 16. Nxb5 Qxb5 17. Rfc1 Nd5 18. Bf1 Nxc4 19. Rxc4 c6 20. a3 Rfd8 21.
Rac1 Qb6 22. Qc2 Ra5 23. Rc5 g6 24. Qd2 Ra7 25. h4 Nf6 26. Qc2 {1/2, Dziuba,M 
(2556)-Landa,K (2626)/Moscow/2009/}) 15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Bxd5 Bh3 17. Qf3 {
Initiatiates complications, but in the end doesn't promise White any advantage.
} ({However, Black has no problems whatsoever after the more sedate} 17. Bg2
Bxg2 18. Kxg2 f6 19. Nf3 Qe7 $11 {[%cal Ya4a3,Ye7e4,Yc7c5] <=>,/\a3,Qe4,c5})
17... Bxf1 {Black must accept the challenge, otherwise he is seriously worse.}
18. Bxf7+ Kh8 19. Rxf1 Nc6 (19... Ra6 20. Qe4 $36) (19... Qf6 $6 20. Qh5 Qh6
21. Qxh6 gxh6 22. Bxc4 $16) 20. Nxc6 bxc6 21. Qh5 Rb8 22. Bxc4 {Logical, White
chops off a potentially dangerous o^.} (22. Bg6 $143 $6 h6 23. Qe2 Qf6 24. Bb1
c5 $1 25. Rd1 Rfd8 (25... cxd4 26. exd4 c5 $1 27. Qc2 g6 $17) 26. Qxc4 Rxb2 27.
Bc2 cxd4 28. exd4 {Rodshtein,M (2609)-Landa,K (2598)/Copenhagen/2010/} Qf3 29.
Qxc7 Rf8 $36) 22... Rxb2 23. Bd3 g6 24. Bxg6 Qe7 25. Bb1 {Reliably protects
Pa2, on the other hand the B is passive on b1.} (25. a3 Rb5 26. Qh3 Rb3 27. Bf5
Rxa3 28. Rc1 Rxe3 $1 29. fxe3 Qxe3+ 30. Kg2 Qd2+ 31. Kf3 Qd3+ 32. Kf4 Qxd4+ 33.
Kf3 Qd3+ 34. Kf4 Qd4+ 35. Kf3 Qd3+ 36. Kf4 {1/2, Khairullin,I (2620)-Alekseev,
E (2691)/RUS-ch 1L Irkutsk/2010/}) 25... Qf7 {It's time to take stock. White
has 2P for the exchange, moreover his P-structure is ver compact, while
Black's P are all isolated. Nevertheless Black is OK, as his major pieces are
very active.} 26. Qc5 ({After} 26. Qe5+ $142 $5 Qf6 (26... Kg8 27. Qg5+) 27.
Qe4 Qg6 28. Qe5+ Qf6 29. Qe4 {I can't see, how can Black effectively avoid
repetition. Aronian was not playing for a win, as a move later he is willing
to force a perpetual...}) 26... Rxf2 27. Qe5+ Rf6 {Kramnik must continue the
fight to get a chance to qualify.} (27... Kg8 28. Qg5+ $11) 28. Rf4 $6 {
Natural, but inaccurate.} (28. g4 Kg8 29. Bf5 $44) (28. Bd3 $5 {/\} Kg8 29. Rc1
) 28... Qg7 $1 29. Bf5 Rd6 {Suddenly White has to tread with care.} 30. Bc2 (
30. Qe4 c5 31. Rh4 h6 $15) (30. Qc5 Rd5 {[%cal Rc6c5] /\c5|^}) 30... Rxf4 31.
Qxf4 a3 32. g4 $6 {Another weakening, which complicates White's task.} (32. Qe4
Rf6 33. Qd3 $15) 32... Qe7 33. g5 c5 $1 {Black activates his R and starts a
direct ->.} 34. dxc5 Rd2 35. Bb3 Kg7 $6 {Kramnik errs as well. however, with
approaching time-trouble it's difficult for a human player to realize, that
after} (35... Qg7 $1 36. Bc4 (36. Qf6 Qxf6 37. gxf6 Re2 $19) 36... Qa1+ 37. Bf1
Qxa2 38. Qf6+ Kg8 39. g6 Qb3 $1 {White will run out of checks.}) 36. h4 Rd3 37.
Kg2 $2 {Unnecessarly loses the Pe3. After} (37. Kf2 $142 Qf8 (37... Rxb3 38.
Qd4+ $132) 38. Be6 Rc3 39. Kg2 $132 {the outcome of the game remains fully
open.}) 37... Rxe3 38. Qd4+ Re5 39. Bd5 c6 $138 (39... h6 $1 {retains the
c-pawns and should win more easily.}) 40. Kg3 $5 h6 $1 (40... cxd5 41. Kf4 Kg8
42. Qxe5 Qxc5 $11) 41. gxh6+ $8 Kxh6 42. Qf4+ Kh7 43. Bxc6 Rxc5 44. Qe4+ {
Leads to an _|_, in which White in the long run can't hold his P.} ({However,
once White must avoid a Q-swap, he will gradually lose after} 44. Be4+ Kg8 45.
Kh3 Qe5 $19) 44... Qxe4 45. Bxe4+ Kg7 46. Kf4 Kf6 47. Ke3 (47. Bd3 Rh5 48. Kg3
(48. Ke4 Rxh4+ {wins as in the game.}) 48... Rd5 49. Bc4 Rc5 50. Bg8 Rc8 51.
Bd5 Ke5 52. Bf7 Rc7 53. Bg6 Kf6 54. h5 Rd7 $19) 47... Ke5 48. Kd3 Rb5 49. Kc4
Rb2 50. Bh7 (50. Ba8 Kf4 ({Black shouldn't hurry to tak the P, after the
premature} 50... Rxa2 $2 51. Kb3 Ra1 52. h5 $11 {he can't improve his position
- if he lets White's K reach a1 the theoretical draw is perfect.}) 51. h5 Kg5
52. Kc3 Kxh5 53. Bd5 Rb8 $19) 50... Rh2 51. h5 Rxh5 {Black has reached a won
TB position.} 52. Bc2 (52. Bg6 Rh6 53. Bf7 Rb6 $19) 52... Rh2 (52... Rh6 $19 {
immediately is a quicker win.}) 53. Kb3 Kd4 54. Bg6 Rh3+ (54... Rh6 $19) ({
The online first showed the strange move-order} 54... Rh4 $2 55. Kb4 $2 (55.
Kxa3 Kc3 56. Be4 $1 $11) 55... Rh6 $19) 55. Kb4 Rh6 56. Bf7 Ra6 57. Bg8 Ra7 58.
Be6 Kd3 59. Bb3 Kd2 60. Ba4 Rb7+ 61. Kc4 (61. Kxa3 $2 Kc3) 61... Kc1 62. Kc3
Kb1 63. Bb3 Rc7+ 64. Kd3 (64. Kb4 Kb2 {[%cal Rc7c1,Rc1a1,Ra1a2] /\Rc1-a1-a2})
64... Kb2 65. Kd2 Rd7+ 66. Ke3 Kc3 67. Bg8 Re7+ 68. Kf2 Kd2 69. Kf3 Kd3 70. Kf2
Re2+ 71. Kf3 Re8 (71... Re8 72. Bb3 Rf8+ 73. Kg2 Kc3 {[%cal Rc3b2,Rf8c8,Rc8c1,
Rc1a1] /\Kb2, Rc8-c1-a1xa2}) 0-1

[Event "Shanghai Masters"]
[Site "Shanghai"]
[Date "2010.09.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2010.09.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 138"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15.
Be3 Bg4 16. Qd3 Rae8 17. Nd2 Qh5 18. Bc2 {Although there are certainly more
recent references, it is worth noting that the players are following their own
game from last year's Grand Slam Final, when Shirov had chosen 18.a4 and lost
after a blunder at the end. Despite the opening not being the culprit, nor had
it been inspiring, so White chooses a different line.} f5 19. f3 Bh3 20. Bf2
Nf4 21. gxf4 Bxf4 22. Bg3 Qg5 23. Bb3+ Kh8 24. Nf1 h5 25. Qc2 $146 (25. Rxe8
Rxe8 26. Bf7 Re7 27. Bxh5 Bxf1 28. Qxf1 Be3+ 29. Kh1 Qxh5 {was the previously
known line though only draws ensued.}) 25... h4 26. Qf2 Bxf1 27. Qxf1 hxg3 28.
Qh3+ Qh6 29. Qxh6+ gxh6 30. hxg3 Bxg3 31. Re6 Rxe6 32. Bxe6 Re8 33. Bxf5 Re2 {
#There really isn't much to say. The line has been pretty straightforward with
few alternatives. Black's rook on the 2nd, combined with the potential threat
of the h-pawn should White decide to stray with his bishop, ensure an easy
draw.} 34. a4 (34. Rb1 h5 35. Bd7 h4 36. Bxc6 h3 $11) 34... Rxb2 35. axb5 axb5
36. Ra6 h5 37. Rxc6 h4 38. Rb6 Kg7 39. Bd7 Be1 40. Rxb5 Rxb5 41. Bxb5 Bxc3 42.
d5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Shanghai Masters playoff"]
[Site "Shanghai"]
[Date "2010.09.08"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2010.09.08"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 138"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. e3 Bf5 7. Qb3 Na5 8.
Qa4+ Bd7 9. Qc2 e6 10. Bd3 Rc8 11. Nf3 Bb4 12. O-O Nc4 13. Bxc4 Rxc4 14. Ne5
Rc8 15. Qb3 Qa5 16. Nxd7 Nxd7 17. a3 Bxc3 18. Qxb7 O-O 19. bxc3 Nb6 20. Bc7 Qb5
21. Qxa7 Nc4 22. Bg3 Ra8 23. Qe7 Rfc8 24. h3 Qa5 25. Qb4 Nxa3 26. Bd6 Qxb4 27.
cxb4 Nc4 28. Bc5 Na3 29. Ra2 Nb5 30. Ra5 Rab8 31. Rfa1 h6 32. Ra6 Kh7 33. R1a5
Nc3 34. Ra7 Kg6 35. Rd7 Nb5 36. f3 Rc6 37. Kh2 f6 38. e4 dxe4 39. fxe4 Kh7 40.
d5 exd5 41. exd5 Rcc8 42. d6 Rc6 43. Rxb5 Rxb5 44. Rc7 Rbb6 45. Rxc6 1-0

[Event "Shanghai Masters playoff"]
[Site "Shanghai"]
[Date "2010.09.08"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2010.09.08"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 138"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. O-O Nd7 5. d3 e5 6. Qe1 Ngf6 7. e4 dxe4 8.
dxe4 Bc5 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. h3 Bh5 11. Nc4 Re8 12. Nh4 b5 13. Na5 Qc7 14. a4 Bb6
15. Nb3 a6 16. Bg5 c5 17. a5 Ba7 18. c4 Rab8 19. Nd2 h6 20. Be3 Nf8 21. f4 exf4
22. Bxf4 Qd8 23. Nf5 Ne6 24. e5 $2 (24. Bxb8 $1) 24... Nd4 $2 (24... Nxf4 25.
gxf4) 25. Nd6 Re6 26. Qf2 Ne8 27. g4 Nxd6 28. exd6 Re2 29. gxh5 Rxf2 30. Rxf2
Qh4 31. Re1 Ne6 32. Bh2 bxc4 33. Re4 Qxh5 34. Nxc4 Qd1+ 35. Rf1 Qc2 36. d7 Rd8
37. Ne5 Bb8 $2 {#} 38. Nxf7 $1 Bxh2+ 39. Kxh2 Rxd7 40. Rxe6 $1 Rd2 ({If} 40...
Rxf7 $2 {then} 41. Re8+ Rf8 42. Rfxf8+ Kh7 {wins.}) 41. Re8+ Kh7 42. Rg1 Qf5
43. Rf8 Qf4+ 44. Kh1 Rxg2 45. Rxg2 Qf1+ 46. Kh2 Qf4+ 47. Kg1 Qc1+ 48. Kf2 Qd2+
49. Kf3 Qd3+ 50. Kf2 Qd2+ 51. Kg3 Qe3+ 52. Kh2 Qf4+ 53. Kg1 Qc1+ 54. Kf2 Qd2+
55. Kf3 Qd3+ 56. Kg4 Qe4+ 57. Kg3 Qe3+ 58. Kh4 $1 {A blunder. You might ask
why there is an "!" instead of the usual "?" denoting a mistake. The reason is
that if he were to play the 'correct' Kh2, it would lead to a three-fold
repetition which would lose the playoff on the spot. Aronian needs to prolong
it by any means possible.} Qf4+ 59. Rg4 Qf2+ {Black lost on time.} 1-0

[Event "Shanghai Masters playoff"]
[Site "Shanghai"]
[Date "2010.09.08"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "172"]
[EventDate "2010.09.08"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 138"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Qe1 e5 7. e4 dxe4 8.
dxe4 Bc5 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. h3 Bh5 11. a4 a5 12. Nc4 Qc7 13. Bd2 b6 14. Nh4 Ne8
15. Kh2 f6 16. b3 Nd6 17. Nb2 Rfe8 18. Nd3 Nf7 19. Nxc5 Nxc5 20. Kh1 Rad8 21.
Bc3 Ne6 22. Nf5 c5 23. Ne3 Nd4 24. f3 Qc8 25. h4 Nd6 26. Rd1 Bf7 27. Qf2 Qc6
28. Rd2 Qa8 29. Rfd1 b5 30. axb5 N6xb5 31. Bb2 a4 32. bxa4 Qxa4 33. f4 Nd6 34.
fxe5 fxe5 35. c3 Bg6 36. cxd4 Nxe4 37. Bxe4 Bxe4+ 38. Ng2 exd4 39. Re1 Rf8 40.
Qg1 Ba8 41. Kh2 Qc6 42. Rde2 Rb8 43. Bc1 Qf3 44. Bf4 Rbd8 45. Rf2 Qc6 46. Re7
Rd7 47. Qe1 Rxe7 48. Qxe7 Rf7 49. Qd8+ Rf8 50. Qe7 Rf7 51. Qe2 h6 52. Qa2 c4
53. Be5 d3 54. Rxf7 Kxf7 55. Bc3 Qd5 56. Qf2+ Kg8 57. Kg1 Qe4 58. Kf1 Bd5 59.
Ne1 Qh1+ 60. Qg1 Qe4 61. Qh2 Qf5+ 62. Kg1 Qe4 63. h5 Qg4 64. Qh4 Qxh4 65. gxh4
Bf7 66. Kf2 Bxh5 67. Ke3 g5 68. hxg5 hxg5 69. Kd4 Be2 70. Bd2 g4 71. Ke3 Kf7
72. Kf4 Ke6 73. Bc3 Kd5 74. Ng2 Kc5 75. Ne3 Kb5 76. Ke5 Ka4 77. Kd4 Kb3 78. Be1
g3 79. Ng2 Kc2 80. Ne3+ Kb3 81. Nxc4 g2 82. Bf2 Kc2 83. Ke3 Kb3 84. Nd2+ Kc3
85. Ne4+ Kc4 86. Nd2+ Kd5 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.22"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zhao, Zong Yuan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2583"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Australia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AUS"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 a5 11. Nc3 Na6 12. Ne5 Bxg2 13. Kxg2 Nd5 14. Rad1 c6
15. Bc1 Nab4 16. e4 Nb6 17. Qe2 Nd7 18. Nf3 Re8 19. h4 Qb6 20. Ng5 h6 21. Rh1
Bf8 22. e5 f5 23. Qh5 Re7 24. Qg6 hxg5 25. hxg5 c5 26. Nb5 Qc6+ 27. f3 cxd4 28.
Qh7+ 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.23"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Esen, Baris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2538"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Turkey"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "TUR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. e3
O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. Re1 a5 11. Qe2 Be6 12. Rd1 Bc4 13. Qc2 a4 14. Qb1 Nb4 15. e4
c5 16. d5 a3 17. h4 Ba6 18. h5 axb2 19. Bxb2 Nc4 20. Bf1 Nxb2 21. Qxb2 Bxf1 22.
Kxf1 Qb6 23. Qd2 Qf6 24. Kg2 Qxc3 25. Qf4 Nd3 26. Rxd3 Qxd3 27. Rh1 e5 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.24"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Russia III"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nc3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 c6 14. Qb3 Qc7
15. Rfd1 a5 16. Rac1 Bg5 17. e3 Qe7 18. Be2 Qb4 19. Qxb4 axb4 20. Ne4 Be7 21.
Ra1 Nd7 22. a5 Ra7 23. a6 bxa6 24. Rxa6 Rxa6 25. Bxa6 Rb8 26. Rc1 Rb6 27. Be2
Bf8 28. Kf1 g6 29. Ke1 Kg7 30. Kd1 Be7 31. f4 Kf8 32. Bf3 Ra6 33. Nf2 c5 34.
Nd3 Ra5 35. Ke2 Kg7 36. Rc2 Bf8 37. Bc6 Nb8 38. Be8 Na6 39. Ne5 cxd4 40. exd4
g5 41. Bxf7 Rxe5+ 42. fxe5 Kxf7 43. Rc6 Nb8 44. Rc7+ Be7 45. b3 Na6 46. Rb7 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.25"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2706"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Russia II"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8.
Rc1 Qa5 9. Qd2 O-O 10. Nf3 Nd7 11. Bd3 e5 12. h4 cxd4 13. cxd4 Qxd2+ 14. Kxd2
exd4 15. Bxd4 Rd8 16. Ke3 Nf6 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Bc4 h6 19. Bb3 Rd7 20. g4 Re7
21. g5 Bg7 22. Nd4 Bxd4+ 23. Kxd4 Be6 24. Bxe6 Rxe6 25. gxh6 Rd8+ 26. Ke3 Rde8
27. f3 Kh7 28. Rhd1 R8e7 29. Kf4 Kxh6 30. Rd8 f5 31. exf5 Rf6 32. Rd5 Ref7 33.
Kg3 Rxf5 34. Rxf5 Rxf5 35. Rc7 Ra5 36. Rxb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.27"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Georgia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GEO"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. O-O d6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Be3
Bxe3 9. fxe3 Ne7 10. Nbd2 Ng6 11. a5 O-O 12. Ba2 h6 13. Rf2 Kh8 14. Nf1 Ng4 15.
Rd2 f5 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Qe1 Nf6 18. Nh4 Nxh4 19. Qxh4 Ng4 20. Qxd8 Raxd8 21.
h3 Nf6 22. e4 Bg6 23. Ne3 Bf7 24. Bxf7 Rxf7 25. c4 Nh5 26. b4 Nf4 27. Rb1 Kg8
28. Nd5 Ne6 29. Nc3 Kf8 30. Rf2 Rxf2 31. Kxf2 Ke7 32. Ke3 Rf8 33. Ne2 Kd7 34.
h4 h5 35. Ra1 Rf6 36. Rb1 Rg6 37. Kf3 Rf6+ 38. Ke3 Rg6 39. Kf3 Rf6+ 40. Ke3
1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.28"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8.
Rc1 Qa5 9. Qd2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 O-O 12. Bd3 Rd8 13. Ne2 Nc6 14. Rc4
f5 15. exf5 Bxf5 16. Bxf5 gxf5 17. Rb1 Rd7 18. Ke1 Rad8 19. Kf1 Kf7 20. Rc5 e6
21. g3 Ne7 22. Rbc1 Nd5 23. Ng1 Rd6 24. Nf3 Ra6 25. R1c2 h6 26. Kg2 Ra4 27. h4
Ke8 28. h5 Bf8 29. Rb5 Rb4 30. Rxb4 Nxb4 31. Rc7 Rd7 32. Rc8+ Rd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.29"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2711"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Poland"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "POL"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Be2 Bb7 11. Rd1 Qb8 12. e4 e5 13. Bg5 Re8 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15.
Bxf6 Nxf3+ 16. Bxf3 gxf6 17. g3 Bc5 18. Bg4 Qe5 19. Bd7 Red8 20. Ne2 Bb6 21.
Nf4 Bd4 22. Qe2 c5 23. Bf5 Bc8 24. Bxc8 Raxc8 25. Rd2 b4 26. Rad1 Re8 27. Qg4+
Kh8 28. Ne2 Qxe4 29. Qxe4 Rxe4 30. Nxd4 cxd4 31. Rxd4 Rxd4 32. Rxd4 Rc1+ 33.
Kg2 Ra1 34. Rxb4 Rxa2 35. Kf3 a5 36. Rb3 a4 37. Ra3 Rxb2 38. Rxa4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.30"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. g3 dxc4 4. Qa4+ Bd7 5. Qxc4 c5 6. Ne5 Nc6 7. Nxd7 Qxd7 8.
Bg2 Nf6 9. O-O Be7 10. Qa4 Nd4 11. Qxd7+ Kxd7 12. Nc3 Rab8 13. Rd1 Rhd8 14. b3
Ke8 15. Bb2 Nd5 16. Rab1 Nxc3 17. dxc3 Nc6 18. f4 Rdc8 19. e4 c4 20. Kf2 cxb3
21. axb3 b5 22. e5 a5 23. Ra1 a4 24. bxa4 bxa4 25. Ba3 Rb3 26. Bxc6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.10.01"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2722"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Czech Republic"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Bd2 b4 10. c3 O-O 11. Re1 Rb8 12. Bc4 Qc8 13. d4 Na5 14. Bf1 c5 15. cxb4
cxb4 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bh4 exd4 18. Nbd2 g5 19. e5 gxh4 20. exf6 Bxf6 21. Ne4 Bg7
22. Nxh4 Qd8 23. g3 Rb6 24. Bd3 Re8 25. Qf3 Re5 26. Qf4 Be6 27. Rad1 Rc6 28.
Nf3 Rf5 29. Qh4 Nb7 30. Qxd8+ Nxd8 31. Be2 Rd5 32. b3 Kf8 33. Ned2 d3 34. Bf1
Rc3 35. Re3 Nb7 36. Nc4 Rxb3 37. Nfd2 Rc3 38. Bg2 Bd4 39. Re4 Nc5 40. Rh4 Bf6
41. Bxd5 Bxd5 42. Rxh6 Kg7 43. Ne3 Be6 44. Rh5 b3 45. Nd5 Bxd5 46. Rxd5 b2 47.
Nb1 Rc1 48. Rf1 Nxa4 49. Rxd6 Nc3 50. Nd2 Ne4 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.10.03"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2721"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "France"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Qc7 8.
g3 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 11. Bg2 g5 12. Bxe5 Nxe5 13. Qd4 f6 14. O-O-O
Rd8 15. Qe3 Be7 16. Rxd8+ Kxd8 17. Rd1+ Kc8 18. Be4 Bg6 19. Bxg6 hxg6 20. Nxe5
Qxe5 21. Qxe5 fxe5 22. Rh1 Kd7 23. e3 Ke6 24. Kd1 Bb4 25. Ne4 Kf5 26. f3 g4 27.
Ke2 g5 28. Nf2 gxf3+ 29. Kxf3 e4+ 30. Ke2 Rd8 31. Rd1 Rxd1 32. g4+ Ke5 33. Kxd1
Kd5 34. Nh3 Be7 35. Kc2 b5 36. b3 bxa4 37. bxa4 c5 38. Nf2 c4 39. Kc3 Bc5 40.
Nd1 Bd6 41. Kc2 Bb4 42. Nf2 Be1 43. Nh3 Bh4 44. Kd2 Kc5 45. Ng1 Kb4 46. Ne2 Kb3
47. a5 a6 48. Nd4+ Kb2 49. Ne2 Bf2 50. h3 Bh4 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 26th"]
[Site "Plovdiv"]
[Date "2010.10.18"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Huzman, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2605"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2010.10.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Beer Sheva"]
[BlackTeam "Yerevan Mika"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ISR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Qc2 c5 8.
dxc5 h6 9. Bd2 O-O 10. a3 $6 {Hardly a good move as Black takes on c5 with his
bishop anyway.} (10. e3 {is usually played.}) 10... Bxc5 11. e3 a6 12. Be2 (12.
Bd3 Bd6 13. Ne2 Nc5 14. Ned4 Bd7 15. O-O Rc8 16. Bf5 Nfe4 17. Bb4 {1-0 Akopian,
V (2640)-Filippov,V (2574)/Dubai 1999/CBM 070 ext (41)} b6 $13) 12... b5 $146 (
12... Bd6 13. O-O Ne5 14. Rfd1 Be6 15. Rac1 Rc8 16. Qb1 Nc4 17. Nd4 Be5 18. Be1
Qe7 19. Bf3 Nd6 20. g3 Rfd8 $11 {1/2 Aronian,L (2675)-Lautier,J (2682)/ICC INT
2004/CBM 105 (46)}) 13. O-O Bb7 14. Rfd1 Rc8 15. Be1 Re8 $132 {Black has an
active position fully compensating for his isolated pawn.} 16. Rac1 Nf8 (16...
Bd6 $5) (16... Nb6 $5 {[%cal Yb6c4]}) 17. Nd4 Qb6 18. Bf3 $2 {A serious
mistake allowing a break in the centre.} (18. Qd3 $11) 18... Bxd4 $1 19. Rxd4 (
19. exd4 $2 Ne6 20. Qd3 Nxd4 $1 {[%mdl 64] and Black wins a pawn} 21. Qxd4 $140
$2 Rxe1+ $1) 19... Ne6 20. Rd2 $6 ({Or} 20. Rdd1 d4 21. Bxb7 Qxb7 22. exd4 Nf4
23. f3 N6d5 $17) (20. Rh4 {(to control the f4-square), however ugly, was the
best way to defend. Of course, Black is much better anyway:} Red8 21. Rd1 Rc7 {
[%cal Yd5d4]} ({better than the immediate} 21... d4 22. Bxb7 Qxb7 23. exd4 Rc4
24. f3 Nxd4 25. Qf2 $11)) 20... d4 $1 21. Bxb7 Qxb7 22. exd4 Ne4 23. Rdd1 Nf4
$1 $19 {[%csl Ge4,Gf4]} 24. d5 a5 $1 (24... Nxc3 $143 25. Bxc3 Ne2+ 26. Kh1
Nxc1 27. Qxc1) 25. Qb3 b4 26. axb4 axb4 27. Na2 (27. Nxe4 Rxc1 28. Rxc1 Ne2+
29. Kh1 Nxc1 30. Qc4 Qc8 $1 $19) (27. g3 Nxc3 28. Bxc3 (28. bxc3 Ne2+ 29. Kg2
Nxc1 30. Rxc1 Re5 31. Rd1 Rce8 $19) 28... Ne2+ 29. Kg2 Nxc1 30. Rxc1 Qb8 31.
Bd2 Rxc1 32. Bxc1 Qb7 $19 {[%cal Ye8d8]}) 27... Ne2+ 28. Kh1 Nxc1 (28... Qb6 $5
29. Rxc8 $140 Qxf2 $3 30. Rxe8+ Kh7 31. Bxb4 Qg1+ $1 32. Rxg1 Nf2#) 29. Nxc1
Nf6 30. d6 Qc6 31. Na2 Qxd6 32. Bxb4 Qb6 33. f3 Qf2 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 26th"]
[Site "Plovdiv"]
[Date "2010.10.19"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A62"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2010.10.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Yerevan Mika"]
[BlackTeam "St Petersburg CC"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nf3 g6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. Bg2
O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. Bf4 Nh5 11. Bg5 Qb6 12. Qc1 Nd7 13. h3 f5 14. e4 fxe4 15.
Re1 Nhf6 16. Nd2 e3 17. Rxe3 Rxe3 18. Bxe3 Ne5 19. b3 Bf5 20. Qd1 Re8 21. Rc1
Qa6 22. a4 Bd3 23. g4 Re7 24. Bf4 b6 25. Nb5 Bxb5 26. axb5 Qxb5 27. Bxe5 Rxe5
28. Nc4 Bh6 29. Nxe5 Bxc1 30. Qxc1 dxe5 31. Qg5 Kf7 32. Qxe5 Qe8 33. Qc7+ Qd7
34. d6 Ke6 35. g5 Qxd6 36. Qxd6+ Kxd6 37. gxf6 Ke6 38. Kf1 Kxf6 39. Ke2 Ke5 40.
Kd3 b5 41. Bc6 a6 42. Bb7 a5 43. Bc6 c4+ 44. bxc4 bxc4+ 45. Kxc4 Kf4 46. Kb5 g5
47. Kxa5 h5 48. Kb4 g4 49. hxg4 hxg4 50. Bh1 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 26th"]
[Site "Plovdiv"]
[Date "2010.10.20"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Stevic, Hrvoje"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D20"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2607"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2010.10.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Yerevan Mika"]
[BlackTeam "Bihac"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "BIH"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 exd4 5. Bxc4 Bb4+ 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. O-O Nf6 8.
e5 Nd5 9. Nb3 Nb6 10. Bb5 Qd5 11. Bxc6+ Qxc6 12. Bg5 Bg4 13. Qxd4 Bxf3 14. Qxb4
Nd5 15. Qd2 Bxg2 16. Rfc1 Qe6 17. Kxg2 Qg4+ 18. Kf1 Qh3+ 19. Ke1 c6 20. Qd4
Qxh2 21. Kd2 Qh3 22. Rh1 Qf5 23. Rag1 f6 24. exf6 gxf6 25. Kc1 c5 26. Qa4+ Kf7
27. Bd2 Nb4 28. Nd4 cxd4 29. Qb3+ Nd5 30. Qxb7+ Ke6 31. Qc6+ Kf7 32. Rg7+ Kxg7
33. Qb7+ 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 26th"]
[Site "Plovdiv"]
[Date "2010.10.21"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Laznicka, Viktor"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2010.10.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Novoborsky"]
[BlackTeam "Yerevan Mika"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 c6 7. Qc2 O-O 8. O-O
b6 9. Rd1 Ba6 10. b3 Nbd7 11. a4 Rc8 12. a5 c5 13. axb6 Qxb6 14. Qa2 Bb7 15. b4
cxb4 16. c5 Nxc5 17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. e3 Ra8 19. Qa5 Nd7 20. Nd4 Qxa5 21. Rxa5 Bb6
22. Bxb4 Bxa5 23. Bxa5 Rfc8 24. Nd2 Rab8 25. Ra1 Ba6 26. e4 dxe4 27. Bxe4 Bb7
28. Bxb7 Rxb7 29. Ra2 Nf6 30. Kf1 h6 31. Ke2 Rc5 32. N4b3 Rc6 33. Ra4 Nd5 34.
Kd3 Kh7 35. h4 Rb8 36. Ke2 g5 37. hxg5 hxg5 38. Kd3 Kg6 39. Ke2 f6 40. Kd3 e5
41. Ke4 Rb5 42. g4 Rc3 43. Rc4 Rxc4+ 44. Nxc4 Rxb3 45. Kxd5 Rf3 46. Be1 Rd3+
47. Ke6 Rd1 48. Bd2 a6 49. Be3 Rd3 50. Bb6 Rd1 51. Nd6 Rb1 52. Bd8 Rb4 53. Bxf6
Rxg4 54. Bxe5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 26th"]
[Site "Plovdiv"]
[Date "2010.10.22"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2010.10.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Economist SGSEU"]
[BlackTeam "Yerevan Mika"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Ng5 h6 12. Nge4 Be7 13. Bd2 Nxe4 14. Nxe4 c5
15. Nxc5 Nxc5 16. dxc5 Qd5 17. f3 Qxc5 18. Qxc5 Bxc5 19. Rac1 Rfd8 20. Rxc5
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 26th"]
[Site "Plovdiv"]
[Date "2010.10.23"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2010.10.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Yerevan Mika"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8.
O-O O-O 9. Qc2 Nc6 10. Qxc4 Be7 11. Rd1 e5 12. Nc3 Be6 13. Qa4 Qb6 14. Ng5 Ng4
15. Rf1 Bxg5 16. Bxg5 h6 17. Bxc6 hxg5 18. Bg2 f5 19. Qb5 e4 20. Bh3 Qxb5 21.
Nxb5 Bc4 22. Nd4 Rad8 23. Rad1 Nh6 24. b3 Bd5 25. f3 exf3 26. exf3 g6 27. Rd2
Bxf3 28. Rxf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2790"]
[Annotator "Mueller,Karsten"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2010.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 c5 8.
dxc5 Nbd7 9. Rc1 Qa5 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. Rxc3 Ne4 12. b4 Nxc3 13. Qa1 Qa4 14. Qxc3
O-O 15. e3 a5 16. b5 Nxc5 17. Qxc5 Bf5 18. Qd4 Qxa3 19. Be2 Qb4+ 20. Qxb4 axb4
21. Nd4 Ra1+ 22. Bd1 Bh7 23. Nb3 Rb1 24. Nd2 Rb2 25. Bg3 Rc8 26. Be5 Ra2 27.
Nb3 Bc2 28. Bxc2 Rcxc2 29. O-O f6 30. Bd4 Ra3 31. Na1 Rd2 32. h3 Rad3 33. Kh2
Ra3 34. b6 h5 35. Rb1 Rxf2 36. Nb3 Raa2 37. Rg1 {Schwarz muss auf der Hut sein,
dass der weiße Springer seinen b-Bauern nicht schnell einsammeln und
rechtzeitig zurückkehren kann:} Kh7 $2 {Dafür hat Schwarz keine Zeit.} ({
Wenn er mittels} 37... h4 {den weißen König am Verlassen seines Hauses hindert,
ist die Stellung im Gleichgewicht, z.B.} 38. Nc5 Rad2 39. Nxb7 b3 40. Na5 b2
41. b7 Rxg2+ 42. Rxg2 Rxg2+ 43. Kxg2 b1=Q 44. Ba7 $11) 38. Nc5 Rfd2 $2 {
Ein Fehler kommt selten allein, aber nun ist guter Rat bereits teuer, z.B.} (
38... Rad2 39. h4 $1 {Baut dem König einen Ausgang.} ({Das überhastete} 39.
Nxb7 $2 b3 40. Na5 b2 41. b7 Rxg2+ 42. Rxg2 Rxg2+ 43. Kxg2 b1=Q 44. Ba7 {
wäre dagegen nur remis, weil Schwarz im Bauernrennen schneller ist.}) 39... g5
(39... f5 40. Be5 $16) 40. Kh3 g4+ (40... gxh4 41. Nxb7 b3 42. Bb2 Rde2 (42...
Rxb2 43. Nd8 Rxg2 44. Rxg2 Rxg2 45. b7 Rg3+ 46. Kh2 Rxe3 47. b8=Q $18) 43. Nd6
Rxe3+ 44. Kh2 Re7 45. Bd4 Rf4 46. Bc5 Rg4 47. b7 Rg8 48. Rb1 $18) 41. Kg3 Rfe2
42. Ne6 b3 43. Nf4 Rf2 44. Nd3 Rf5 (44... Rfe2 45. Nc1 Rxd4 46. Nxe2 Rb4 47.
Rb1 $16) 45. Nf4 b2 46. Rb1 $16) 39. Nxb7 b3 40. Nc5 b2 41. Rb1 {und Weiß
entscheidet das Rennen für sich, daher gab Kramnik auf.} 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2727"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2010.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nc3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 c6 14. Qb3 Qc7
15. Rfd1 a5 16. Rac1 Bg5 17. e3 Qe7 18. h4 Bf6 19. Be2 Qb4 20. Qc2 Rd8 21. h5
Nd7 22. Ne4 Be7 23. b3 Nf6 24. Nxf6+ Bxf6 25. Qc4 Be7 26. f4 Rd7 27. Bf3 Ra6
28. Qc2 Ra8 29. Kg2 Rad8 30. Qc4 Kf8 31. Be4 Ke8 32. Kf3 Rc7 33. g4 Qb6 34. Qc2
Kd7 35. Bd3 Kc8 36. Bc4 Qb4 37. Qd2 Qb6 38. Qc2 Qb4 39. Qd2 Qb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E01"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2010.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Qd3 Nbd7 6. g3 Bd6 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Qxc4 e5 10. Rd1 Qe7 11. Bg5 h6 12. Nh4 Nb6 $1 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 (13... Nxc4
$1 14. Bxe7 $140 Bxe7 15. d5 Nxb2 16. Rdb1 Bb4 $1) 14. Qb3 Bc7 $2 (14... Be6
$13) 15. d5 cxd5 16. Bxd5 Kh8 17. Rac1 Qe7 18. Qc2 Rb8 19. a4 Bh3 20. Bg2 Be6
21. a5 Na8 22. Nd5 Bxd5 23. Rxd5 Qe6 24. b4 Bd8 25. Nf5 g6 26. Nd6 Nc7 27. Rdd1
b6 28. Nb7 Na6 29. Rd6 Qg4 30. Qb2 Qxb4 31. Qxe5+ Kh7 32. Rd7 Bg5 33. Rcd1 Nc5
34. Nxc5 Qxc5 35. Qxc5 bxc5 36. Rxa7 c4 37. a6 c3 38. Rc7 Rbc8 39. Rxc8 Rxc8
40. e3 Be7 41. Rc1 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D23"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2010.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4 Bf5 6. g3 e6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O
O-O 9. Rd1 Nbd7 10. e3 e5 11. Nc3 Qc7 12. h3 Rfe8 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5
15. e4 Be6 16. Qe2 Bb4 17. f4 Qa5 18. Be3 Rad8 19. Qf2 Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Bxc3 21.
bxc3 Qa4 22. Rd4 Bc4 23. Qd2 c5 24. Rd8 Rxd8 25. Qxd8+ Qe8 26. Qd6 b6 27. e5
Qd7 28. Qb8+ Ne8 29. Qa8 Kf8 30. a3 Qd3 31. Bf2 Qd1+ 32. Kh2 Qc2 33. Kg1 Qd1+
34. Kh2 Qc2 35. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2010.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Ne4 7. Qd3 Nxc3 8.
bxc3 Be7 9. Nb5 Nc6 10. Bg2 O-O 11. Bf4 e5 12. Bc1 b6 13. O-O Bb7 14. Rd1 Na5
15. Bxb7 Nxb7 16. Qxd7 Nc5 17. Qxd8 Rfxd8 18. Be3 Rdc8 19. a4 Bf8 20. Rd5 Ne6
21. Rxe5 Rxc4 22. a5 bxa5 23. Rxa5 a6 24. Kg2 h6 25. h4 Rcc8 26. Nd4 Nc5 27.
Ra2 Nb7 28. Bd2 Nd6 29. Nf5 Nc4 30. Ne7+ Bxe7 31. Rxe7 h5 32. Bc1 a5 33. Rd7 a4
34. Ba3 Nxa3 35. Rxa3 Rab8 36. Rxa4 Rxc3 37. Raa7 Rf8 38. e4 Rcc8 39. e5 Rce8
40. f4 Rd8 41. e6 Rxd7 42. exd7 Rd8 43. g4 hxg4 44. f5 f6 45. Kg3 Kf7 46. Kxg4
Ke7 47. Rc7 Kf7 48. h5 Ke7 49. Kh4 Kf7 50. Rb7 Ke7 51. h6 gxh6 52. Kh5 Kf7 53.
Rb6 Rxd7 54. Kxh6 Re7 55. Rb8 Rd7 56. Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2010.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15.
Be3 Bg4 16. Qd3 Rae8 17. Nd2 Qh5 18. a4 Re6 19. axb5 axb5 20. Nf1 Bf5 21. Qd2
Bh3 22. Bd1 Qg6 23. Bc2 Qh5 24. Bd1 Qg6 25. Bc2 Qh5 26. Qd1 Bg4 27. Qd3 f5 28.
Bd2 f4 29. Rxe6 Bxe6 30. Bd1 Qf7 31. Bc2 Qh5 32. Bd1 Qf7 33. Bc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E66"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2010.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O a6 8. d5
Na5 9. Nd2 c5 10. Rb1 Rb8 11. b3 b5 12. Bb2 Bh6 13. Ba1 Bf5 14. e4 Bg4 15. f3
Be3+ 16. Kh1 Bd7 17. cxb5 axb5 18. Ne2 e5 19. dxe6 fxe6 20. e5 dxe5 21. Bxe5
Rc8 22. Bxf6 Qxf6 23. Ne4 Qe7 24. Qd3 Bh6 25. f4 Bc6 26. Rbd1 Nb7 27. Qe3 b4
28. Nc1 Bd5 29. Nd3 c4 30. bxc4 Bxc4 31. Qb6 Rfd8 32. Nxb4 Bxf1 33. Rxf1 Rf8
34. a4 Kh8 35. h4 Bg7 36. a5 Qc7 37. Ng5 Nxa5 38. Qxc7 Rxc7 39. Nxe6 Rc3 40.
Nd5 Rxg3 41. Nxf8 Bxf8 42. Rc1 Rg4 43. Kh2 Rxh4+ 44. Kg3 g5 45. Rc8 Kg7 46. Ra8
Nc6 47. fxg5 Rd4 48. Nf6 Ne7 49. Be4 h6 50. Nh5+ Kf7 51. Bb1 hxg5 52. Ba2+ Kg6
53. Ra6+ Kxh5 54. Bf7+ Ng6 55. Rxg6 Rd3+ 56. Kg2 Kh4 57. Be6 Rg3+ 58. Kh2 Rc3
59. Kg2 Rc6 60. Bf5 Rxg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2010.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. cxd5 exd5 7. e3 c5 8.
Bd3 c4 9. Bf5 Qa5 10. Qc2 O-O 11. O-O Re8 12. Nd2 g6 13. Bh3 Kg7 14. Rae1 h6
15. Bh4 g5 16. Bxd7 Bxd7 17. Bg3 Nh5 18. e4 Nxg3 19. fxg3 Qb6 20. Kh1 dxe4 21.
Ndxe4 f5 22. Nd5 Qa5 23. Nxb4 Qxb4 24. Qf2 fxe4 25. Qf7+ Kh8 26. Qf6+ Kh7 27.
Qf7+ Kh8 28. Qf6+ Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2010.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Ng5 h6 12. Nge4 Nxe4 13. Nxe4 Be7 14. Rd1 Qb6
15. Bd2 c5 16. Nxc5 Nxc5 17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. Ba5 Qc6 19. Bf1 Rfc8 20. Rac1 a6 21.
Qd3 Qd5 22. a3 Be7 23. Bc3 Qxd3 24. Bxd3 Bd5 25. Bd4 Kf8 26. f4 g6 27. Kf2 Ke8
28. g3 f5 29. h3 h5 30. h4 Kd7 31. Ke2 Rxc1 32. Rxc1 Rc8 33. Rxc8 Kxc8 34. b4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8.
Nd2 g6 9. c4 Ba6 10. Nf3 Qb4+ 11. Kd1 Rb8 12. Qc2 Ne7 13. Bd3 Bg7 14. a3 Qb7
15. Re1 O-O 16. Bg5 Rfe8 17. b4 d5 18. c5 Bxd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "216"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 Ne4 6. Bf4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 dxc4 8.
e3 b5 9. a4 c6 10. Qb1 Bf5 11. e4 Bd7 12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O a6 14. Bxc4 g5 15.
Bxg5 bxc4 16. Qb7 c5 17. Qxa8 Qc7 18. d5 Bxc3 19. Bxe7 Re8 20. d6 Qc6 21. Qxc6
Nxc6 22. Rac1 Bb4 23. Rxc4 Nxe7 24. dxe7 Rxe7 25. Ra1 Bc6 26. e5 Bd5 27. Rg4+
Kf8 28. h4 Be6 29. Rf4 h6 30. Rd1 Rc7 31. Rd6 Ke7 32. Rxa6 Bc3 33. Rb6 c4 34.
Nd4 Bd2 35. Nxe6 fxe6 36. Rf6 c3 37. Rfxe6+ Kd7 38. Red6+ Kc8 39. Rbc6 c2 40.
Rxc2 Rxc2 41. g3 Kc7 42. Rf6 Bc3 43. Rxh6 Bxe5 44. Rh7+ Kd6 45. Rf7 Ke6 46. Rf3
Ra2 47. Kg2 Rxa4 48. h5 Bf6 49. Rb3 Ra2 50. Rb4 Bc3 51. Rc4 Be5 52. g4 Kd5 53.
Rb4 Bd4 54. g5 Bxf2 55. Kf3 Bc5 56. Rb7 Ke6 57. h6 Rh2 58. Rc7 Bd4 59. Ke4 Rh4+
60. Kd3 Be5 61. Rb7 Kf5 62. Rb5 Rh5 63. Ra5 Rxg5 64. h7 Rh5 65. Ra7 Kg6 66. Ke4
Bg7 67. Ra6+ Kxh7 68. Re6 Kg8 69. Rc6 Bf8 70. Rc4 Kf7 71. Rc7+ Be7 72. Rc6 Ra5
73. Rc4 Ke6 74. Rc6+ Bd6 75. Rc4 Re5+ 76. Kd3 Rh5 77. Ke4 Rh4+ 78. Kd3 Bf4 79.
Ke4 Be5+ 80. Kd3 Kd5 81. Ra4 Bd6 82. Ra5+ Bc5 83. Ra2 Rh3+ 84. Kd2 Kd4 85. Rc2
Bb4+ 86. Kd1 Re3 87. Ra2 Re1+ 88. Kc2 Kc4 89. Rb2 Ba3 90. Ra2 Re3 91. Kb1 Kb4
92. Kc2 Kc4 93. Kb1 Bb4 94. Kc2 Rh3 95. Rb2 Rh2+ 96. Kb1 Rh1+ 97. Kc2 Ra1 98.
Rb1 Ra3 99. Rb2 Bc3 100. Rb8 Ra2+ 101. Kb1 Rf2 102. Kc1 Kd3 103. Rd8+ Bd4 104.
Kb1 Rf6 105. Ka2 Kc4 106. Rc8+ Kb4 107. Rb8+ Bb6 108. Kb1 Rc6 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. e3 e5 7. Nge2 Re8 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. h3 h5 10. Qc2 c6 11. b3 Nf8 12. Rd1 Qe7 13. e4 Ne6 14. d5 cxd5 15. cxd5
Nc5 16. b4 Na6 17. a3 Bd7 18. Be3 Rec8 19. Qd3 h4 20. g4 Nh7 21. Rac1 Bf6 22.
Rf1 Bg5 23. f4 exf4 24. Nxf4 Bf6 25. Bd4 Be5 26. Qe3 Rc4 27. Nce2 Bb5 28. Bxe5
dxe5 29. Nd3 Nc7 30. a4 Rxc1 31. Rxc1 Bxd3 32. Qxd3 Qxb4 33. Qc3 Qxc3 34. Rxc3
Ne8 35. Nc1 Nd6 36. Nd3 Nf6 37. Rc7 Ndxe4 38. Nxe5 Re8 39. Nxf7 Nxd5 40. Rxb7
Nf4 41. Nh6+ Kh8 42. Nf7+ Kg8 43. Nh6+ Kh8 44. Nf7+ Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 Qb6 4. Nc3 d6 5. a3 cxd4 6. exd4 Bd7 7. Rb1 e5 8. Bg5
exd4 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Ne4 d5 11. Nd2 Nc6 12. Bd3 Rg8 13. Ne2 Ne5 14. O-O O-O-O
15. Ng3 Bg4 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Movsesian, Sergei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A41"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2721"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 Nd7 3. c4 e5 4. Nc3 g6 5. Bg5 f6 6. Bh4 c6 7. e4 Qe7 8. Be2 h5
9. h3 Bh6 10. O-O Bf4 11. Qc2 g5 12. Bg3 h4 13. Bxf4 gxf4 14. Rad1 Qg7 15. Kh2
Ne7 16. Qb3 Ng6 17. Qa3 Qe7 18. Rd2 Ndf8 19. Rfd1 Bd7 20. Na4 Rd8 21. c5 dxc5
22. Nxc5 b6 23. Nxd7 Nxd7 24. Qxa7 Rh7 25. dxe5 fxe5 26. Qc7 Qc5 27. Ba6 Re7
28. b4 Qxb4 29. Qxc6 Ngf8 30. Bc8 Qc5 31. Bxd7+ Nxd7 32. Qg6+ Kf8 33. Ng5 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Bd3 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. b3 c5
9. Bb2 cxd4 10. exd4 Nc6 11. Ne5 Nd7 12. Ndf3 Ndxe5 13. Nxe5 dxc4 14. Bxc4 Bxe5
15. dxe5 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Qg4 Rf5 18. Rad1 Qb6 19. Qc4 Nb4 20. Rd7 Nd5 21.
Bd4 Qb5 22. Qxb5 axb5 23. Rxb7 b4 24. Bc5 Kf7 25. Bxb4 Rxa2 26. Bc5 Rxe5 27. g3
Ree2 28. b4 e5 29. Rd1 Ke6 30. Kf1 e4 31. Re1 Rxe1+ 32. Kxe1 h5 33. h4 Rb2 34.
Kf1 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8.
c4 Ba6 9. b3 g6 10. g3 Bg7 11. Bb2 O-O 12. Bg2 Rae8 13. O-O Bxe5 14. Qxe5 Qxe5
15. Bxe5 Rxe5 16. cxd5 Bxf1 17. Kxf1 cxd5 18. f4 Re3 19. Bxd5 Rd3 20. Bf3 Re8
21. Kf2 c6 22. Be2 Rde3 23. Bd1 Rd3 24. Be2 Rde3 25. Bd1 Rd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedov, Rauf"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A26"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2660"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 d6 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 e5 5. Nf3 Ne7 6. O-O O-O 7. Rb1 a5 8. a3
Nbc6 9. d3 h6 10. b4 axb4 11. axb4 Nd4 12. Nd2 c6 13. b5 d5 14. bxc6 bxc6 15.
cxd5 cxd5 16. e3 Ne6 17. Nb3 e4 18. Bb2 Ba6 19. dxe4 Bxf1 20. Qxf1 dxe4 21.
Nxe4 Rb8 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Nbd2 Rxb1 24. Qxb1 Qa5 25. Qb2+ f6 26. h4 Qc7 27.
Bh3 Nc5 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Grachev, Boris V"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2654"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e3 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Be2 Nc6 7. O-O Nd7 8. Bh2
e5 9. c4 exd4 10. exd4 Re8 11. Nc3 Nf6 12. Bd3 Nh5 13. Bc2 Nb4 14. Ba4 Bd7 15.
a3 Bxa4 16. Qxa4 Nc6 17. Rad1 Qd7 18. c5 Rad8 19. cxd6 cxd6 20. Qb3 h6 21. Nb5
Bf8 22. d5 Na5 23. Qb4 b6 24. Nbd4 Nf6 25. Nb3 Re4 26. Qc3 Rc8 27. Qd3 Nxb3 28.
Qxb3 Rc5 29. Rd3 Qb5 30. Qxb5 Rxb5 31. Rc1 Rxb2 32. Bg3 Re8 33. Rc6 Ne4 34. Rc7
Nxg3 35. fxg3 Ree2 36. Kf1 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E16"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Bxd2+ 7. Nbxd2 O-O 8.
O-O d6 9. Qc2 Nbd7 10. e4 e5 11. Rfe1 Re8 12. Rad1 c5 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. Nb1 Qe7
15. Nc3 Rad8 16. Qa4 a6 17. Qb3 Bc6 18. Nd2 Rb8 19. Nf1 b5 20. Ne3 bxc4 21.
Qxc4 Rxb2 22. Qxa6 Rb6 23. Qd3 g6 24. Qd6 Qxd6 25. Rxd6 Ba8 26. Red1 Rxd6 27.
Rxd6 Kf8 28. f3 Ke7 29. Ra6 Bb7 30. Ra7 Bc6 31. Nc4 Kf8 32. Rc7 Nb8 33. Na5 Ba8
34. Rxc5 Na6 35. Rc4 Rd8 36. Nc6 Re8 37. Bh3 Nb8 38. Nxb8 Rxb8 39. a4 Ne8 40.
Nb5 f5 41. Kf2 fxe4 42. fxe4 Ke7 43. Rc5 Kf6 44. Bd7 Ng7 45. Ke3 Rd8 46. Rc7
Ne6 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Savchenko, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2632"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8.
c4 Ba6 9. Qe4 Nf6 10. Qe2 Nd5 11. Nd2 g6 12. g3 Bg7 13. f4 O-O 14. Bh3 d6 15.
Qe4 f5 16. Qf3 Nb4 17. Qb3 dxe5 18. a3 exf4+ 19. Kd1 Nd5 20. cxd5 Be2+ 21. Kc2
Qc5+ 22. Kb1 Rab8 23. Qc2 Qxd5 24. Bf1 Qxh1 25. Bxe2 Rxb2+ 26. Qxb2 Bxb2 27.
Kxb2 Qxh2 28. Bc4+ Kg7 29. gxf4 Rd8 30. Kc2 Rd4 31. Bb3 c5 32. Rb1 c4 33. Ba2
Qe2 34. Kc3 Rxd2 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2720"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8.
Nf3 Qa5 9. Qd2 Nc6 10. Rb1 a6 11. Rc1 cxd4 12. cxd4 Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 e6 14. d5
exd5 15. exd5 Ne7 16. Bc4 Nf5 17. Bc5 Bh6+ 18. Kc3 Bxc1 19. Rxc1 f6 20. Re1+
Kd7 21. Re6 b5 22. Bb3 a5 23. g4 b4+ 24. Kd2 Nh6 25. Ba4+ Kc7 26. Re7+ Kd8 27.
d6 Ra6 28. Bb5 Nxg4 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.16"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bg5 c6 3. e3 h6 4. Bf4 Bf5 5. c4 e6 6. Nc3 Nd7 7. Nf3 Ngf6 8. Qb3
Qb6 9. h3 Ne4 10. c5 Qxb3 11. axb3 a6 12. b4 Rc8 13. Nxe4 Bxe4 14. Nd2 Be7 15.
Nb3 Bd8 16. Na5 Bxa5 17. bxa5 e5 18. Bxe5 Nxe5 19. dxe5 O-O 20. Kd2 Rce8 21. f3
Bg6 22. f4 f6 23. exf6 Rxf6 24. Ra3 Rfe6 25. g3 Kf8 26. Rh2 d4 27. exd4 Re4 28.
Ra4 Rd8 29. f5 Bf7 30. Kd3 Re5 31. Kc3 Re3+ 32. Bd3 Rxg3 33. Rb4 Rd7 34. Kd2 h5
35. f6 gxf6 36. Rf2 Kg7 37. Bf5 Re7 38. Bc8 h4 39. Rxb7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2791"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Bf4
b6 9. Nc3 Nbd7 10. Rc1 Nh5 11. Bd2 Nhf6 12. Bf4 Nh5 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Ne5 Nxf4
15. Nc6 Qe8 16. gxf4 Bd6 17. e3 Ba6 18. Re1 Nf6 19. Qa4 Bb7 20. Ne5 Qxa4 21.
Nxa4 Rfc8 22. a3 Kf8 23. Nc3 Ke7 24. Nb5 Ne8 25. Bf1 f6 26. Nf3 a6 27. Nxd6
Nxd6 28. Bd3 a5 29. Kf1 Bc6 30. Ke2 Nc4 31. Bxc4 dxc4 32. Nd2 b5 33. Rg1 g6 34.
f3 b4 35. axb4 axb4 36. Nxc4 Bb5 37. Kd3 Ra2 38. Rg2 b3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d3 fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 6. O-O d6 7. Nc3 Be7 8.
Bc4 Na5 9. Qd3 Nxc4 10. Qxc4 Qd7 11. Ng5 Rf8 12. Nd5 c6 13. Nxe7 Qxe7 14. Be3
h6 15. Nf3 Be6 16. Qd3 Kf7 17. Rad1 Rfd8 18. Nh4 Ng4 19. g3 Kg8 20. f4 d5 21.
Ng6 Qe8 22. Nxe5 dxe4 23. Qc3 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 Rd8 25. Rxd8 Qxd8 26. Qd4 Qxd4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D18"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Nbd7 8. a5
a6 9. O-O Be7 10. Qe2 Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 O-O 13. Rd1 Qc7 14. e4 e5 15. d5
Bb4 16. Ba2 cxd5 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Nf6 19. Bg5 Nxd5 20. Rxd5 b5 21. axb6
Qxb6 22. Qb3 Bc5 23. Qxb6 Bxb6 24. Be7 Rfe8 25. Bd6 Bd4 26. Ra2 Red8 27. b4 f6
28. Kf1 Kf7 29. f4 Rd7 30. fxe5 Bxe5 31. Bxe5 Rxd5 32. exd5 fxe5 33. Ra5 Rb8
34. Rxa6 Rxb4 35. Re6 Re4 36. Kf2 h5 37. Kf3 Re1 38. h4 Kf8 39. d6 Kf7 40. d7
Rd1 41. Rxe5 Rd3+ 42. Ke4 Rxd7 43. Rxh5 Rd2 44. Rg5 Re2+ 45. Kf3 Ra2 46. Re5
Kg6 47. g4 Ra3+ 48. Kf4 Ra4+ 49. Re4 Ra6 50. h5+ Kh6 51. Re8 Ra4+ 52. Kg3 Ra1
53. Re6+ Kh7 54. g5 Rh1 55. Kg4 Rg1+ 56. Kf5 Rh1 57. Re8 Rxh5 58. Ra8 g6+ 59.
Kf6 Rh1 60. Ra7+ Kg8 61. Kxg6 Kf8 62. Ra8+ Ke7 63. Kg7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d3 fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 6. Qd3 Bb4+ 7. c3 Be7 8.
Bxc6 dxc6 9. Qxd8+ Bxd8 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 Re8 12. Bg5 Bg4 13. Nbd2 Nd7 14.
Be3 Be7 15. h3 Bh5 16. g4 Bg6 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. Kg2 Bc5 19. Nb3 Bxe3 20. Rxe3
Nf6 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Nc5 b6 23. Ne6 Rd6 24. Nxc7 Bxe4 25. g5 Bxf3+ 26. Kxf3
Nd7 27. Ke2 Kf7 28. Re4 h6 29. gxh6 Rxh6 30. h4 Ke7 31. Rg4 Kd8 32. Na6 c5 33.
b4 g6 34. a4 Kc8 35. bxc5 bxc5 36. Nxc5 Nxc5 37. Rc4 Kb7 38. Rxc5 Rxh4 39. a5
Re4+ 40. Kd3 Rf4 41. Ke3 Rf5 42. f3 g5 43. c4 a6 44. Ke2 g4 45. fxg4 Rg5 46.
Ke3 Rxg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "19"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2722"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 c6 3. Nf3 e4 4. Nd4 d5 5. cxd5 Qxd5 6. Nc2 Nf6 7. Nc3 Qh5 8. h3
Na6 9. Bg2 Qg6 10. Rb1 Nb4 11. Ne3 Bc5 12. a3 Nbd5 13. Qc2 Nxc3 14. Qxc3 Bb6
15. b4 O-O 16. Bb2 Be6 17. Qc2 Bxe3 18. dxe3 Bd5 19. O-O Rfe8 20. Rfd1 h5 21.
b5 Qf5 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "20"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Nge2 e5 8. O-O
Re8 9. Qc2 c6 10. Rd1 Qe7 11. h3 a6 12. a4 exd4 13. Nxd4 a5 14. b3 Nc5 15. Bb2
h5 16. Re1 Ra6 17. Rad1 Rb6 18. Nb1 Nfe4 19. Nd2 Nxd2 20. Rxd2 Ne4 21. Rdd1 Bd7
22. Ba3 Nc5 23. Qd2 Nxb3 24. Nxb3 Rxb3 25. Bxd6 Qe6 26. Rb1 Qxc4 27. Rec1 Qxa4
28. Rxb3 Qxb3 29. Qxa5 Be6 30. Be5 b6 31. Qa1 Bxe5 32. Qxe5 c5 33. Qa1 Qa2 34.
Qf6 Qa7 35. Bc6 Qe7 36. Qxe7 Rxe7 37. Rb1 Bc8 38. e4 Re6 39. Bd5 Rd6 40. h4 Be6
41. Bxe6 Rxe6 42. Kg2 c4 43. Kf3 Kg7 44. Ke3 Rc6 45. Kd4 c3 46. Kd3 c2 47. Rc1
Kf6 48. f4 Ke6 49. Rxc2 Rxc2 50. Kxc2 Kd6 51. Kd3 Kc5 52. Kc3 b5 53. e5 b4+ 54.
Kb3 Kb5 55. g4 hxg4 56. f5 gxf5 57. h5 g3 58. h6 g2 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "21"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D23"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4 Bf5 6. g3 e6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O
O-O 9. Rd1 Nbd7 10. e3 h6 11. Nc3 Bc2 12. Re1 Bh7 13. Qe2 Ne4 14. Nd2 Nxd2 15.
Bxd2 Nf6 16. Rad1 a5 17. e4 a4 18. a3 Qb6 19. Be3 Qa6 20. Qxa6 Rxa6 21. d5 Rd8
22. Bf1 Raa8 23. Bb6 Rd7 24. Bh3 Ra6 25. Be3 Nxe4 26. dxe6 Rxd1 27. Rxd1 Nxc3
28. bxc3 Kf8 29. Rd7 fxe6 30. Bxe6 Bxa3 31. Rf7+ Ke8 32. Rxb7 Bd6 33. Rxg7 Bc2
34. Bxh6 a3 35. Ba2 Rb6 36. Bg5 Bb3 37. Be3 c5 38. Bxb3 Rxb3 39. Ra7 Rxc3 40.
h4 c4 41. h5 Rxe3 42. h6 Re6 43. h7 Rh6 44. Kg2 c3 45. Ra8+ Kd7 46. h8=Q Rxh8
47. Rxh8 c2 48. Rh1 a2 49. Kf3 Ba3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "22"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E07"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 c6 7. Bf4 Nbd7 8. Qb3
O-O 9. O-O a5 10. Rc1 a4 11. Qc2 Nh5 12. Bd2 Nhf6 13. Be1 b5 14. cxd5 cxd5 15.
Nc3 Ba6 16. a3 Nb6 17. Na2 Nc4 18. Bb4 Rc8 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Qc3 Bb7 21. Rab1
Ne4 22. Qb4 Qxb4 23. Nxb4 Ncd2 24. Nxd2 Nxd2 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Rd1 Nc4 27. Nd3
Bc6 28. Rc1 f6 29. Rc2 Kf7 30. Kf1 Ke7 31. Ke1 Be8 32. e3 Bg6 33. Bf1 Kd6 34.
Kd1 Rc7 35. Kc1 e5 36. f4 exf4 37. exf4 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "23"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 dxc4 4. Bg2 Nd7 5. O-O Nb6 6. Qc2 Qd5 7. Nc3 Qf5 8. e4
Qh5 9. a4 Bg4 10. Ne1 Nf6 11. d3 e5 12. Be3 Be7 13. a5 cxd3 14. Nxd3 Nbd7 15.
f3 Be6 16. Ne2 O-O 17. Rae1 g5 18. g4 Qg6 19. Ng3 Rfe8 20. Nf5 Bxf5 21. gxf5
Qh5 22. Qc1 Kh8 23. Bf2 g4 24. Bg3 Rad8 25. Kh1 Bf8 26. f4 exf4 27. Bxf4 Bg7
28. Bc7 Rc8 29. Bg3 Qh6 30. Bf4 Qh4 31. Bg5 Qh5 32. Nf4 Qxg5 33. Ng6+ Qxg6 34.
fxg6 fxg6 35. Qg5 Re5 36. Qd2 Rce8 37. b4 Rh5 38. Qf4 Ne5 39. Rd1 Rf8 40. Qg3
Nf3 41. Bxf3 gxf3 42. Qxf3 Re5 43. Qg2 Rfe8 44. Rd6 Nxe4 45. Rd7 Rg5 46. Qf3
Rf5 47. Qg2 Rg5 48. Qf3 Rf5 49. Qg2 Rg5 50. Qc2 Rh5 51. Rd3 Be5 52. Re3 Ng3+
53. Rxg3 Bxg3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "24"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 a6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nc3 c6 6. e3 Bf5 7. Ne5 Bd6 8. g4
Be6 9. h4 Nd7 10. f4 f6 11. Nd3 h5 12. g5 Ne7 13. Be2 Bf7 14. e4 dxe4 15. Nxe4
Nf5 16. Nxd6+ Nxd6 17. Bd2 Qb6 18. Qa4 Qb5 19. Qa3 Nc4 20. Qc3 Qd5 21. O-O-O
Nxd2 22. Nb4 Nb3+ 23. axb3 Qxb3 24. d5 Qxc3+ 25. bxc3 c5 26. Nc2 O-O-O 27. d6
Rhe8 28. Bd3 Nb6 29. Bf5+ Kb8 30. Rhe1 Rxe1 31. Rxe1 fxg5 32. Re7 Be8 33. fxg5
g6 34. Be4 Nd7 35. Ne3 b5 36. Nd5 Nf8 37. Nf6 Bd7 38. Nxd7+ Nxd7 39. Bxg6 Nb6
40. Bxh5 Nd5 41. g6 Rxd6 42. Re8+ Kc7 43. g7 Nf6 44. Rf8 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "25"]
[White "Movsesian, Sergei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2721"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Nf6 6. Qe2 d5 7. Nxf6+ gxf6
8. d4 Bg7 9. dxe5 O-O 10. e6 Ne5 11. Bf4 c6 12. Bd3 Nxd3+ 13. Qxd3 Bxe6 14.
O-O-O Bg4 15. Rde1 Qa5 16. a3 Rae8 17. Bd2 Qd8 18. Bb4 Rxe1+ 19. Rxe1 Re8 20.
h3 Bh5 21. Nh4 Rxe1+ 22. Bxe1 Qe8 23. Bd2 Bg6 24. Nxg6 hxg6 25. Be3 f5 26. c3
a6 27. g4 Qe4 28. Qxe4 dxe4 29. Kd2 Be5 30. Bg5 f4 31. Ke2 Kf7 32. f3 e3 33. h4
c5 34. b3 b5 35. c4 bxc4 36. bxc4 Bc7 37. Kd3 Ke6 38. a4 Kf7 39. h5 gxh5 40.
gxh5 Be5 41. Bh4 Bf6 42. Be1 Kg7 43. Ke4 Bg5 44. Kf5 Bh6 45. Ke6 Bg5 46. Kf5
Bh6 47. Bh4 Kf7 48. Ke5 Kg7 49. Kd5 Kf7 50. Kxc5 Ke6 51. Kd4 Kf5 52. c5 Bg7+
53. Kd3 Be5 54. c6 Bc7 55. Be7 Ke6 56. Bc5 Kf5 57. Bb4 a5 58. Bc3 Kg5 59. Ke4
Kxh5 60. Kf5 Kh4 61. Be1+ Kh3 62. Ke4 Kg2 63. Kd3 Kxf3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "26"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nbd2 Nf6 5. g3 c5 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. O-O
O-O 9. Nb3 Bb6 10. h3 Ne4 11. cxd5 exd5 12. e3 Be6 13. Bd2 Qf6 14. Rb1 Rfd8 15.
Be1 Bf5 16. Nh4 Be6 17. Nf3 Rac8 18. Nfd4 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Qxd4 Qxd4 21.
exd4 Bf5 22. g4 Bg6 23. Rd1 Rc2 24. f3 Nd6 25. Rf2 Rdc8 26. Bf1 Nc4 27. Bc3
Nxb2 28. Bxb2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "27"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E43"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. e3 Bb7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. Qc2 c5 8. Bd2
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nc6 10. Nxc6 Bxc6 11. e4 Qb8 12. h3 Bc5 13. O-O Qe5 14. Rae1 Rac8
15. Kh1 Qh5 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 Ng4 18. Qd1 Nf6 19. e5 Qg5 20. Ne4 Nxe4 21.
Bxe4 Rfd8 22. f4 Qe7 23. f5 exf5 24. Bxf5 Qg5 25. Qe2 Bxg2+ 26. Qxg2 Qxe3 27.
Bxh7+ Kxh7 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.17"]
[Round "28"]
[White "Mamedov, Rauf"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2660"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. c3 a6 6. Bb3 d6 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. h3
Be6 9. Qe2 Re8 10. Nf1 d5 11. Ng3 h6 12. O-O Bf8 13. Rd1 Qe7 14. Be3 Rad8 15.
Bc2 g6 16. a4 a5 17. d4 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Bd5 21. Bf4
Qe6 22. Bxe4 Bxe4 23. Qxe4 Qb3 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. e6 Qxe6 26. Qxe6 fxe6 27. Bxc7
Rd2 28. Rb1 Bc5 29. Bg3 g5 30. Kf1 Kf7 31. Ke1 Rd5 32. Ke2 e5 33. f3 Ke6 34.
Rd1 Rxd1 35. Kxd1 Kd5 36. b3 e4 37. Ke2 exf3+ 38. Kxf3 h5 39. Be1 b6 40. Bd2
Be7 41. Be3 Bd8 42. g4 h4 43. Bd4 Bc7 44. Ke3 Bf4+ 45. Kd3 Bc7 46. c4+ Ke6 47.
Ke4 Bd8 48. Be3 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.18"]
[Round "29"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grachev, Boris V"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[PlyCount "178"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. Qc2 Bb7 11. e4 e5 12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. h3 Re8 15.
Be3 Qc7 16. Rac1 a6 17. a4 Rad8 18. Rfd1 Bh2+ 19. Kh1 Bf4 20. Qd2 Bxe3 21. Qxe3
Qe7 22. Qb6 Rb8 23. Qa5 h6 24. Kg1 Red8 25. Bb1 b4 26. e5 bxc3 27. exf6 Qxf6
28. bxc3 Qg5 29. Qxg5 hxg5 30. Be4 Rxd1+ 31. Rxd1 Re8 32. Bf3 Re7 33. Rb1 a5
34. Rb6 Rc7 35. Kf1 Kf8 36. Ke2 Ke7 37. Kd3 Kd6 38. Kd4 Re7 39. c4 Kc7 40. c5
Rd7+ 41. Kc3 Re7 42. Rb2 Bc8 43. Rd2 Re5 44. Kd4 Re7 45. Re2 Be6 46. Re5 f6 47.
Re3 Re8 48. Kc3 Bd7 49. Rxe8 Bxe8 50. g3 Bd7 51. h4 gxh4 52. gxh4 Bf5 53. Be2
Bg6 54. Bc4 Bf5 55. Bb3 Kd7 56. Kd4 Bg6 57. Ke3 Ke7 58. Kf4 Bh7 59. h5 Bd3 60.
Bd1 Bh7 61. Bf3 Kd7 62. Bg4+ Ke7 63. Bf5 Bg8 64. Bc2 Be6 65. Kg3 Bc8 66. Kh4
Be6 67. h6 gxh6 68. Kh5 Bc4 69. Kxh6 Ke6 70. f4 Ke7 71. Kg7 Bd5 72. Bd1 Bg2 73.
Bb3 Be4 74. Bd1 Bd5 75. Bc2 Bf3 76. Kg6 Bd5 77. Kf5 Be6+ 78. Ke4 Bd5+ 79. Kd4
Be6 80. Be4 Bd7 81. Ke3 Be8 82. Kf3 Bd7 83. Kg3 Be8 84. Kh4 Bd7 85. Kh5 Be8+
86. Kh6 Bd7 87. Kg7 Be8 88. Bf5 Bh5 89. Bc2 Bf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.18"]
[Round "30"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2683"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 Ne4 5. Nf3 Bf5 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Qb3 Nc5 8.
Qxd5 Nbd7 9. Bb5 e6 10. Bxd7+ Nxd7 11. Qxb7 Rb8 12. Qa6 Rb6 13. Qa4 Bd3 14. Qd4
Nc5 15. Qxd8+ Kxd8 16. b3 Ba6 17. d4 Nd3+ 18. Kd2 Nxf2 19. Re1 Bb4 20. a3 Bxc3+
21. Kxc3 Kd7 22. Be3 Rc8+ 23. Kd2 Ne4+ 24. Kd1 Rxb3 25. Rc1 Rd3+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.18"]
[Round "31"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Savchenko, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2632"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. e3 Bd6 7. Nxd5 c6 8.
Bxf6 Qa5+ 9. Nc3 Nxf6 10. Bc4 Qg5 11. Nf3 Qxg2 12. Rg1 Qh3 13. Rxg7 Bg4 14.
Bxf7+ Kf8 15. Rxg4 Qxg4 16. Bc4 Ke7 17. Be2 Qe6 18. Qa4 a5 19. O-O-O b5 20. d5
Qxe3+ 21. fxe3 bxa4 22. dxc6 Bc5 23. e4 Rad8 24. e5 Rxd1+ 25. Bxd1 Ng4 26. Nxa4
Be3+ 27. Kb1 Rc8 28. Nc3 Ke6 29. Nd4+ Kxe5 30. Bxg4 Rg8 31. c7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.18"]
[Round "32"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. h3 a6 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. Bb3
Be6 9. Nf1 d5 10. Qe2 Na5 11. Bc2 dxe4 12. dxe4 Bc4 13. Qd2 Nc6 14. Qxd8 Rfxd8
15. Bg5 Be7 16. Ne3 Be6 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Bb3 Bxb3 19. axb3 Be7 20. b4 f6 21.
Ke2 Kf7 22. Nd2 Rab8 23. Nd5 Rd7 24. Nc4 Nd8 25. Rhd1 Ne6 26. g3 Rbd8 27. h4 c6
28. Nde3 Rxd1 29. Nxd1 c5 30. bxc5 Nxc5 31. f3 Nb3 32. Rb1 b5 33. Nce3 Rd2+ 34.
Ke1 Bc5 35. Ra1 Rd3 36. Rxa6 Bxe3 37. Ke2 Nc1+ 38. Ke1 Bd2+ 39. Kf1 Rxf3+ 40.
Kg2 Rd3 41. Rb6 Be1 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.18"]
[Round "33"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E63"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O a6 8. b3
Rb8 9. Bb2 b5 10. cxb5 axb5 11. Rc1 b4 12. Na4 Na7 13. d5 e5 14. dxe6 fxe6 15.
Qc2 c5 16. Rfd1 Qe7 17. Rxd6 Bb7 18. Rdd1 Rbc8 19. Ne5 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Nb5 21.
Kg1 Nd5 22. e4 Ndc3 23. Rd7 Qf6 24. f4 Nd4 25. Qg2 Nce2+ 26. Kh1 Nxc1 27. Ng4
Qd8 28. Rxd8 Rfxd8 29. Bxc1 Nxb3 30. axb3 Rd1+ 31. Qg1 Rxg1+ 32. Kxg1 c4 33. e5
cxb3 34. Bb2 Ra8 35. Nc5 Bf8 36. Nxb3 Ra2 37. Bd4 Ra3 38. Nd2 b3 39. Nf2 Bb4
40. Nc4 Ra4 41. Nb2 Ra1+ 42. Kg2 Rc1 43. Nbd3 Rc4 44. Bb2 Ba5 45. Kf3 Rc2 46.
Bd4 Rd2 47. Ke3 Rc2 48. Ne4 Kf7 49. Nec5 b2 50. Nxb2 Rxh2 51. Nc4 Be1 52. Nd6+
Ke7 53. Nce4 h5 54. Bc5 Kd7 55. Nf7 Kc6 56. Be7 Kd5 57. Bh4 Ba5 58. Nf6+ Kc4
59. Nd6+ Kb4 60. Nfe4 Bb6+ 61. Kd3 Rh1 62. Ng5 Kc5 63. Nxe6+ Kd5 64. Nf8 g5 65.
Bxg5 Bf2 66. Ne4 Bxg3 67. Nxg3 Rh3 68. e6 Rxg3+ 69. Ke2 Kd4 70. e7 Re3+ 71. Kf2
Re4 72. f5 Kd5 73. Ne6 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.18"]
[Round "34"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. d4 e6 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. b3 O-O 8. Bb2
e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. O-O-O Qe7 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Nxe5 Bxe5 13. Nxd5 Bxb2+ 14.
Kxb2 Nxd5 15. Rxd5 Be6 16. Rd4 Rac8 17. Qd2 Rfd8 18. Bd3 Rxd4 19. exd4 Rd8 20.
Be4 Bxb3 21. Bxh7+ Kxh7 22. axb3 Qf6 23. Rd1 g6 24. Qe3 Rd5 25. Rd2 a5 26. Qe4
Rb5 27. Qd3 Qb6 28. Qc4 Kg7 29. d5 Rb4 30. Qc3+ Kh7 31. Qh3+ Kg7 32. Qc3+ Kh7
33. Qh3+ Kg7 34. Qc3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.18"]
[Round "35"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2703"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 d6 6. e3 Nc6 7. Be2 Bf5 8. O-O
Ne4 9. Nxe4 Bxe4 10. Nd2 Bf5 11. Rc1 h6 12. Bh4 g5 13. Bg3 e5 14. d5 Ne7 15. e4
Bg6 16. Bh5 Bxh5 17. Qxh5 f5 18. f3 c5 19. b3 a6 20. Bf2 Qe8 21. Qxe8 Rfxe8 22.
g4 fxg4 23. fxg4 Ng6 24. Be3 Nf4 25. Rc2 Rf8 26. Rf3 Ne2+ 27. Kg2 Nd4 28. Rxf8+
Rxf8 29. Rc1 Ne2 30. Rf1 Nf4+ 31. Kg1 h5 32. gxh5 Kh7 33. Rd1 Kh6 34. Nf1 Ne2+
35. Kg2 Nc3 36. Re1 Nxe4 37. Bc1 Nf2 38. h4 Nd3 39. Bxg5+ Kxh5 40. Ng3+ Kg4 41.
Re4+ Nf4+ 42. Kf2 Bf6 43. Bxf4 exf4 44. Ne2 Bxh4+ 45. Kg2 Bg5 46. Ng1 Bf6 47.
Nf3 Kf5 48. Re6 Be5 49. Re7 b5 50. cxb5 axb5 51. a4 bxa4 52. bxa4 Ra8 53. Nd2
Rxa4 54. Rf7+ Kg6 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.18"]
[Round "36"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C49"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. d3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Bg5 Ne7 8. Nh4
c6 9. Bc4 d5 10. Bb3 Qd6 11. f4 Bxc3 12. bxc3 dxe4 13. fxe5 Qxe5 14. Bxf6 gxf6
15. dxe4 Ng6 16. Nf5 Qxc3 17. Qc1 Bxf5 18. exf5 Ne5 19. Qh6 Ng4 20. Qh4 Ne3 21.
Qg3+ Kh8 22. Rae1 Nd5 23. Qh4 Rae8 24. Bxd5 cxd5 25. Rd1 Re4 26. Qh6 Rg8 27.
Rd3 Qe5 28. Rh3 Rg7 29. Rg3 Rxg3 30. hxg3 Kg8 31. Qd2 Re2 32. Qd3 Re3 33. Qb5
Rxg3 34. Qxb7 Qe3+ 35. Kh2 Rg4 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.18"]
[Round "37"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Be2 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 a6 10. a4 c5 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Rd1 Qe7 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 Rd8
15. Bd2 Nf6 16. Qh4 Bd7 17. Ba5 b6 18. Bc3 a5 19. Bd3 h6 20. Ne5 Be8 21. Ng4
Nd5 22. Nxh6+ gxh6 23. Qxh6 f6 24. Be4 Qg7 25. Qh3 Rd6 26. Bxd5 exd5 27. Bd4
Bd7 28. Qh4 Qg5 29. Qxg5+ fxg5 30. b3 Rc8 31. Be5 Re6 32. Bb2 Bc6 33. h3 Bb7
34. Rac1 Kf7 35. Rc2 Re7 36. Rcd2 Bb4 37. Rd3 Rc2 38. Ba1 Rec7 39. e4 dxe4 40.
Rd7+ Kg6 41. Rd8 Rc1 42. Be5 Rxd1+ 43. Rxd1 Re7 44. Bg3 Bc5 45. Rd8 e3 46. fxe3
Rxe3 47. Kh2 Re2 48. Rg8+ Kf7 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2010.11.18"]
[Round "38"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2722"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2010.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "38"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2011"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d3 fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 6. O-O d6 7. Nc3 Be7 8. a3
O-O 9. Bc4+ Kh8 10. Ng5 Qe8 11. f4 exf4 12. Bxf4 Nd8 13. Qd3 Ng4 14. Qg3 h6 15.
Nf3 Ne6 16. Bd2 Nc5 17. e5 dxe5 18. h3 e4 19. Nh4 Rxf1+ 20. Rxf1 Bd6 21. Bf4
Bxf4 22. Rxf4 Ne5 23. Nd5 Bd7 24. Nf6 Qe7 25. Ng6+ Nxg6 26. Qxg6 gxf6 27. Rh4
1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2814"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8.
c4 Ba6 9. Nd2 g6 10. b3 Bg7 11. Bb2 Nb4 12. O-O-O Nxa2+ 13. Kb1 Nb4 14. Ne4 O-O
15. Qf3 Rfe8 16. Nf6+ Bxf6 17. exf6 Qc5 18. h4 d5 19. Qf4 dxc4 20. bxc4 Rab8
21. Qh6 Qf8 22. Qxf8+ Kxf8 23. h5 Bc8 24. hxg6 fxg6 25. Rxh7 Bf5+ 26. Ka1 Nc2+
27. Ka2 Nb4+ 28. Ka1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A89"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 d6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. d5
Na5 9. Nd2 c5 10. Rb1 e5 11. dxe6 Bxe6 12. b3 d5 13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 Bxd5
15. Ba3 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Nc6 17. Nf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2715"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. dxc5 Qxd1+ 8.
Rxd1 Nbd7 9. Rd4 h6 10. Bd2 Bxc5 11. Rxc4 e5 12. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 13. Kxf2 Nxe5 14.
Rc5 O-O 15. h3 Rd8 16. Bf4 Ng6 17. Be3 Bd7 18. Be2 Bc6 19. Rc4 a6 20. Rd1 Rxd1
21. Bxd1 Re8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D83"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Rc1 Be6 7. Qb3 c5 8. Qxb7
cxd4 9. exd4 Qb6 10. Qxa8 Nh5 11. c5 Qxb2 12. Bd2 Bxd4 13. Nf3 Nd7 14. Qxf8+
Kxf8 15. Nxd4 Nxc5 16. Rb1 Qa3 17. Be2 Nf4 18. O-O Nxe2+ 19. Ncxe2 Nd7 20. Rb7
Qa6 21. Nxe6+ Qxe6 22. Nd4 Qg4 23. Rc1 f6 24. Be3 Nb6 25. h3 Qe4 26. Rcc7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. e3 Bf5 7. Rc1 e6 8. Qb3
Qb6 9. Qxb6 axb6 10. Bb5 Be7 11. f3 O-O 12. a3 Rfc8 13. Nge2 Na5 14. Na4 Rxc1+
15. Nxc1 Nc4 16. Bxc4 dxc4 17. Nxb6 Ra6 18. Nxc4 Nd5 19. Ne5 Rb6 20. Ned3 Bxd3
21. Nxd3 Bxa3 22. Bg3 Bxb2 23. Ke2 Rc6 24. Bf2 Rc2+ 25. Kd1 Rxf2 26. Nxf2
1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D19"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. Qe2 Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 O-O 12. Rd1 Rc8 13. e4 e5 14. d5 cxd5 15.
Bxd5 Bxc3 16. bxc3 Nxd5 17. Rxd5 Qc7 18. Qg3 Nb6 19. Rxe5 f6 20. Rb5 Qxg3 21.
fxg3 Rf7 22. Bf4 g5 23. Be3 Rxc3 24. Bf2 Rc4 25. Ra5 Nc8 26. e5 b6 27. Rd5 fxe5
28. Rxe5 h6 29. Re8+ Kh7 30. Rd1 Rcc7 31. h4 Ne7 32. Rdd8 Kg6 33. g4 Rc1+ 34.
Kh2 Rxf2 35. h5+ Kg7 36. Rxe7+ Rf7 37. Re6 Rc4 38. Rg6+ Kh7 39. Rdd6 Rxg4 40.
Rxh6+ Kg8 41. Rdg6+ Rg7 42. a5 Rxg6 43. Rxg6+ Kh7 44. g3 Rc4 45. axb6 axb6 46.
Kh3 g4+ 47. Kh4 b5 48. Kg5 b4 49. Rh6+ Kg7 50. Rd6 Rc5+ 51. Kxg4 Rb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.22"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C85"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Moradiabadi,E"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O (5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. d3 Nd7 7. Nbd2
Be7 8. Nc4 Bf6 $6 9. O-O O-O 10. b4 $1 $14 {0-1 Botvinnik,M-Stein,L/Moscow
1965/EXT 2002 (49)}) 5... Be7 6. Bxc6 {The Delayed Exchange Spanish. The idea
behind this tempo is to not let Black to play f6. In the meantime, the tempo
has cost White and does not leave him much he can ahcieve in the opening.} dxc6
7. Nc3 {The most aggressive continuation, otherwise the postion is harmless
for Black} (7. d3 Nd7 8. b3 (8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Nc4 (9. a4 c5 10. a5 f6 11. Nh4 Rf7
$1 {[%cal Gd7f8,Gf8e6,Ge6d4]} 12. Nf5 Nf8 13. Nc4 Ne6 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Be3
Bd7 $11 {1/2-1/2 Ivanchuk,V (2779)-Topalov,V (2796)/Nice 2009/CBM 129 Extra 
(32)}) 9... f6 10. Nh4 Nc5 11. f4 exf4 12. Rxf4 g6 $1 $15 {0-1 Huebner,
R-Smyslov,V/Palma de Mallorca 1970/IZT (41)}) 8... c5 $6 9. Bb2 Bd6 10. Nbd2
O-O 11. Nc4 f6 12. Nh4 Nb8 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. exf5 {[%csl Gc4,Rd6,Ye4]} Nc6 15.
Qf3 Qd7 16. Qe4 Kh8 17. Rfe1 b5 18. Ne3 Nd4 19. c3 Nc6 20. Rad1 Rad8 21. h4 $1
{[%cal Gg2g3,Gh4h5,Gg1g2,Ge1h1]} Rfe8 22. h5 $14 {1-0 Kasparov,G (2825)
-Svidler,P (2690)/ICC INT 1998/EXT 1999 (54)}) 7... Nd7 8. d4 exd4 9. Nxd4 (9.
Qxd4 {would be an equivalent alternative} O-O 10. Rd1 Nc5 11. Qe3 (11. Qc4 Qe8
12. Bf4 Ne6 13. Bg3 b5 14. Qe2 a5 15. Re1 b4 (15... Bb7 $6 16. Nd1 c5 17. Nc3
c4 18. Nd5 a4 19. Rad1 a3 20. b3 cxb3 21. cxb3 Bd8 22. Qe3 h6 23. Nd4 Nxd4 24.
Qxd4 Bxd5 25. exd5 Qd7 26. Qc5 Ra6 27. h3 Rg6 28. d6 cxd6 29. Bxd6 Re8 30.
Rxe8+ Qxe8 31. Qd5 Bb6 32. Kf1 Rf6 33. Bg3 Qe3 34. Kg1 Qxg3 {0-1 Radulski,J 
(2590)-Kolev,A (2575)/Plovdiv 2011/CB05_2011}) 16. Nd5 cxd5 17. exd5 Ba6 18.
Qe3 Bc5 19. Qe4 Bb7 20. Qc4 Ba6 $11) 11... Qe8 12. Nd4 Bd6 13. Qf3 Qe5 14. g3
Ne6 (14... f5 $5 $11) 15. Nf5 Re8 16. Be3 $11 Bf8 17. Rd3 {0-1 Benjamin,J 
(2565)-Onischuk,A (2699)/Saint Louis 2010/CBM 137 (64)}) 9... O-O 10. Qe2 Bd6
$5 $146 {The idea behind this move lies in the forthcoming black moves.} (10...
Ne5 11. Be3 Bd6 12. Rad1 Qh4 13. h3 Re8 14. f4 Ng6 15. e5 Bc5 16. Qf3 Qe7 17.
Ne4 Bxd4 18. Bxd4 f5 19. Ng3 Be6 20. b3 Rad8 21. c4 Rd7 22. Rd2 Red8 23. Rfd1
a5 24. Ne2 c5 25. Be3 Rxd2 26. Rxd2 Rxd2 27. Bxd2 b6 28. Qd3 Qd7 29. Qxd7 Bxd7
30. Nc3 Bc6 31. Kf2 Kf7 32. g3 Ke6 33. Be3 {1/2-1/2 Ivanchuk,V (2787)-Leko,P 
(2755)/Mukachevo 2007/CBM 121}) (10... Re8 11. Bf4 Bc5 12. Rad1 Qf6 13. Be3 Bb4
14. f3 Ne5 $13 {1/2-1/2 Ivanchuk,V (2787)-Leko,P (2755)/Mukachevo 2007/CBM 121
(56)} (14... Bxc3 $5 15. bxc3 c5 16. Nf5 Ne5 $13)) 11. Be3 Nf6 12. f4 Ng4 {
In return for his lack of development, Black obtains the permanent advantage
of the two bishops. However, White's advantage can evaporate due to
inaccuracies.} 13. Rad1 Nxe3 14. Qxe3 f6 15. Nce2 Qe7 16. Kh1 Re8 17. Ng3 Qf7
18. b3 Bg4 19. Rde1 Bd7 20. Nf3 (20. e5 Bc5 21. Qc3 Bb6 22. Nf3 Bg4 {and Black
is just fine.}) 20... Rad8 21. e5 fxe5 22. fxe5 Qg6 {[%csl Gd6,Gd7,Re5]} 23.
Qa7 {This move is not a srious mistake, but it seems it is the beginning one
of a series of inaccuracies made by Grischuk.} Bb4 24. Rd1 Bc8 25. Qf2 Rxd1 26.
Rxd1 Rf8 $15 27. Qe2 {[%csl Gb4,Gc8,Yf3,Yg3]} Be7 28. Rf1 h6 29. Nd4 $2 {
Now White goes astray, he had to keep the rooks on the board, now the
advantage of the bishop pair advantage could become more evident!} c5 30. Rxf8+
Bxf8 31. Nf3 Be6 32. Nf1 b5 33. c4 bxc4 34. bxc4 Qb1 $17 {[%csl Ra2,Rc4,Re5]
Black's advantage is decisive now. Aronian brings home the full point
comfortably.} 35. h3 Qc1 36. N3d2 Be7 37. Kh2 Bg5 38. g3 Qc2 39. a3 Qf5 40. g4
Bf4+ 41. Kg2 Qxe5 42. Qxe5 Bxe5 43. Ne3 Bb2 44. Nb1 Kf7 45. Kf3 Kf6 46. Ke4 Kg5
47. Nd5 Bxd5+ 48. cxd5 Kh4 49. Nd2 Bxa3 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Moradiabadi,E"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {A "dull" game between the 2nd and 3rd ranked in the table.} e5 2. Nf3
Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 {#"Marshall
Attack" is not a new visitor in games between these two giants. It is one of
Aronian's main weapons when he wants to play it "safe".} 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5
Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 {This is considered as the main
line.} Qh3 15. Be3 Bg4 16. Qd3 Rae8 17. Nd2 Qh5 {#This position has been
examined several times at the top level. For instance the latest encounters in
this line went as below:} 18. Qf1 {Anand stays faithful to old principles of
the line! He does not leave any room for Black to create counterplay, on the
other hand, White also stays too passive and is not able to take advantage of
his material superiority.} (18. a4 Re6 19. axb5 axb5 20. Nf1 Bf5 21. Qd2 Bh3
22. Bd1 Qg6 23. Bc2 Qh5 24. Bd1 Qg6 25. Bc2 Qh5 26. Qd1 Bg4 27. Qd3 f5 28. Bd2
f4 29. Rxe6 Bxe6 30. Bd1 Qf7 31. Bc2 Qh5 32. Bd1 Qf7 33. Bc2 {1/2-1/2 (33)
Shirov,A (2739)-Aronian,L (2783)/Moscow 2010/CBM 139}) (18. Bc2 f5 19. f3 Bh3
20. Bf2 Nf4 21. gxf4 Bxf4 22. Bg3 Qg5 23. Bb3+ Kh8 24. Nf1 h5 25. Qc2 h4 26.
Qf2 Bxf1 27. Qxf1 hxg3 28. Qh3+ Qh6 29. Qxh6+ gxh6 30. hxg3 Bxg3 31. Re6 Rxe6
32. Bxe6 Re8 33. Bxf5 Re2 34. a4 Rxb2 35. axb5 axb5 36. Ra6 h5 37. Rxc6 h4 38.
Rb6 Kg7 39. Bd7 Be1 40. Rxb5 Rxb5 41. Bxb5 Bxc3 42. d5 {1/2-1/2 (42) Shirov,A 
(2749)-Aronian,L (2783)/Shanghai 2010/CBM 138}) 18... Re7 19. a4 Rfe8 20. axb5
axb5 {Nothing new yet. Aronian faced this position before against Bacrot.} 21.
Bxd5 Qxd5 22. Qg2 Qxg2+ 23. Kxg2 h5 {#} 24. Rec1 $146 {Anand is the first to
deviate from Bacrot-Aronian, however, his try to enable his majority on the
queenside does not seem that successful in face of Black's pair of bishops and
full piece activity.} f6 25. b3 g5 26. c4 bxc4 27. Nxc4 Bc7 28. Na5 Bxa5 29.
Rxa5 Bd7 30. b4 Rb8 31. Rc4 Kf7 32. Kf1 Kg6 33. Ke2 Bg4+ 34. Kd2 {The position
is a draw in spite of White's extra pawn.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D52"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2722"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. e3 Qa5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Qd2 Bb4 9. Rc1 h6 10. Bh4 c5 11. Bc4 $5 {A very rare move, instead of the
normal} (11. a3 {and}) (11. Bd3) 11... cxd4 ({Alexey Shirov faced the same
variation on the following day and didn't solve his problems either:} 11...
Nxc3 12. bxc3 Ba3 13. Rb1 a6 14. Be2 O-O 15. O-O b5 16. c4 $5 Bb4 $6 (16...
Qxd2 $142) 17. Qc2 Bb7 18. Rfd1 bxc4 19. dxc5 Nxc5 20. Rd4 $14 {1-0 Anand,V 
(2810)-Shirov,A (2722)/Wijk aan Zee NED 2011/The Week in Chess 847 (26)}) (
11... N7b6 $5 {looks logical but White kept some pressure in the stem game:}
12. Bxd5 Nxd5 13. a3 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Ne7 15. Bxe7 Kxe7 16. O-O Bd7 17. Ne5 Rhd8
18. Qe2 Be8 {1/2 Solak,D (2582)-Blagojevic,D (2549)/Herceg Novi 2005/CBM 106
ext (81)} 19. Qg4 $1 Kf8 20. Qe4 $36 {[%cal Re4h7,Re4b7]}) 12. Qxd4 $1 Bxc3+
13. bxc3 O-O 14. O-O N5b6 $6 {"Anti-development", after which Black faces
serious problems.} (14... b6 $142) 15. Bb3 Re8 16. Rfd1 Qh5 (16... Nc5 17. Bc2
$14) 17. Bg3 (17. e4 $5) 17... e5 18. Qb4 e4 19. Ne1 a5 20. Qd4 Nc5 21. Rb1
Nxb3 22. Qxb6 Nc5 23. c4 Be6 $1 {Black gives up some material to consolidate
his position.} (23... Nd7 24. Qd4 Ra6 25. Nc2 $14) 24. Rd5 $1 Bxd5 25. Qxc5
Red8 26. cxd5 Qxd5 27. Qc2 {It is well-known that the side with two pieces for
a rook should usually avoid the exchange of queens as rooks are more powerful
in endings.} (27. Qxd5 Rxd5 28. Rxb7 Rd2 {[%csl Ga5]}) 27... b5 $44 28. Qb2 b4
29. Be5 Qd2 $5 (29... f6 30. Bd4 {[%csl Gd4]}) 30. Qa1 (30. Bxg7 Qxb2 31. Bxb2
Rd2 $44) 30... Qe2 31. Bd4 Rab8 32. h3 f6 33. Rb2 Qb5 34. Qb1 Qd5 35. Qd1 Rbc8
36. Rd2 Qe6 37. Kh2 Rd7 38. g3 Rdc7 39. Bb2 $5 Qxa2 {Black accepts the
challenge hoping that his 2R+2P will not be weaker than White's Q+N. However,
he goes astray later on.} 40. Be5 Qxd2 $6 (40... Rc1 $1 {was much simpler:} 41.
Qxc1 Rxc1 42. Rxa2 fxe5 43. Rxa5 $1 Rxe1 44. Rb5 Rb1 45. Rxe5 b3 46. Rxe4 Rf1
47. Rb4 Rxf2+ 48. Kg1 Rb2 49. Rb7 $1 $11) 41. Qxd2 fxe5 42. Qd5+ (42. Qa2+ $142
Rf7 43. Kg1) 42... Rf7 43. Kg2 Rcf8 44. h4 Kh8 (44... a4 45. Nc2) 45. Qxe4
Rxf2+ 46. Kh3 b3 47. Nd3 b2 $1 48. Qb7 (48. Nxf2 Rxf2 {[%cal Rf2f1]} 49. Qd3 a4
{, and White must give a perpetual.}) 48... R8f7 $2 {[%mdl 8192]} (48... a4 $1
49. Nxb2 (49. Nxf2 Rxf2 {[%cal Ya4a3,Yf2f1]}) 49... a3 50. Nd3 a2 51. Qa6 Rd2
52. Nxe5 (52. Nb4 h5 53. Qa4 $5 Kh7 $1 54. Nxa2 Rff2 $11) 52... Rf6 53. Qc8+
Kh7 {, and the a2-pawn guarantees Black a draw.}) 49. Qb5 a4 50. Nxb2 a3 51.
Nd3 Rf1 (51... a2 {doesn't work now:} 52. Nxf2 Rxf2 (52... a1=Q 53. Qe8+ {
- that's the drawback of 48...R8f7 !}) 53. Qe8+ Kh7 54. Qxe5 $18 Rf1 $140 55.
Qe4+ Kh8 56. Qa8+) 52. Qa4 Rh1+ 53. Kg4 {It is impossible to make any
conclusion on 11.Bc4 after this game but this new line will obviously gain
popularity.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2686"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Qc7 8.
g3 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 11. Bg2 g5 12. Ne3 gxf4 13. Nxf5 O-O-O 14. Qc2
fxg3 15. hxg3 Kb8 16. O-O-O Bb4 17. Na2 Bc5 18. e3 a5 19. Kb1 Bb6 20. Nc3 Nc5
21. Nd4 h6 22. Rh5 Na6 23. Na2 Nc5 24. Nc3 Na6 25. Na2 Nc5 26. Nc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E00"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Nd2 c5 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 Nc6 7. dxc5 Ne4 8.
Qe3 Qa5+ 9. Bd2 Nxd2 10. Qxd2 Qxc5 11. Rc1 b6 12. Bg2 Bb7 13. Nh3 Qe7 14. O-O
O-O 15. Rfd1 Rfd8 16. Qg5 Rab8 17. Rc3 Qxg5 18. Nxg5 h6 19. Ne4 d5 20. cxd5
exd5 21. Nd2 Nd4 22. Rd3 Nxe2+ 23. Kf1 Ba6 24. Nb3 Nxg3+ 25. hxg3 Rbc8 26. Nd4
g6 27. Bf3 Bxd3+ 28. Rxd3 Kg7 29. Kg2 h5 30. Bd1 a5 31. Bb3 Rc5 32. f4 b5 33.
Bd1 a4 34. Kf2 Rb8 35. b4 axb3 36. Rxb3 Rc4 37. Nxb5 h4 38. Be2 Ra4 39. Bf1
hxg3+ 40. Kxg3 Rb6 41. Be2 Kf6 42. Rc3 g5 43. fxg5+ Kxg5 44. Rc5 Rxb5 45. Rxb5
Rxa3+ 46. Kf2 Ra7 47. Rxd5+ Kf6 48. Bc4 Rc7 49. Rd4 Kg7 50. Ke3 Re7+ 51. Kd3
Kf8 52. Rg4 Rd7+ 53. Ke4 Re7+ 54. Kd5 Rd7+ 55. Kc6 Ra7 56. Rg1 Re7 57. Ra1 Re4
58. Bd5 Rf4 59. Kd7 Rf2 60. Ra8+ Kg7 61. Ra3 Kf8 62. Rd3 Rf6 63. Bf3 Kg7 64.
Bd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "L'Ami, Erwin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A56"]
[WhiteElo "2628"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7 7. Nge2 g6 8. h3 h5
9. Be3 h4 10. Qd2 a6 11. a4 b6 12. Kd1 Nh7 13. Kc2 Rb8 14. Rhf1 Bg5 15. Ng1 Rb7
16. Nf3 Be7 17. g3 hxg3 18. fxg3 Ndf8 19. g4 g5 20. Ne2 Ng6 21. Ng3 Nf4 22. Nf5
Bxf5 23. exf5 b5 24. axb5 axb5 25. cxb5 Nxd3 26. Qxd3 c4 27. Qe2 O-O 28. b6
Rxb6 29. Bxb6 Qxb6 30. Qxc4 Rb8 31. Ra2 Nf6 32. Kb1 Qe3 33. Ka1 e4 34. Nd4 Qxh3
35. Qc1 e3 36. Ra3 Bf8 37. Rxe3 Qxg4 38. Rd3 Bg7 39. Rg1 Qe4 40. Qe3 Qxe3 41.
Rxe3 Nxd5 42. Rxg5 Nxe3 43. f6 Nd5 44. Rxg7+ Kf8 45. Rh7 Nxf6 46. Rh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.30"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Smeets, Jan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2662"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Qd3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qd3 Nbd7 8. e4
b4 9. Na4 Qa5 10. b3 c5 11. e5 Nd5 12. Nd2 cxd4 13. Nc4 Qd8 14. Qxd4 Bb7 15.
Bb2 Be7 16. Bd3 O-O 17. O-O Bc6 18. Bc2 Rc8 19. Rac1 g6 20. g3 Bxa4 21. bxa4
Nc3 22. Bxc3 bxc3 23. Bb3 Rc5 24. Rfd1 c2 25. Bxc2 Nb6 26. Nd6 Qc7 27. Nb5 Qb8
28. Bb3 Rfc8 29. Rxc5 Bxc5 30. Qf4 Rd8 31. Rc1 Nd5 32. Qg5 Be7 33. Qg4 a6 34.
Nd4 Qxe5 35. Nc6 Qc7 36. Qc4 Ra8 37. Qe4 Rd8 38. Qc4 Ra8 39. a5 Bf6 40. Qc5 Ne7
41. Nb4 Qb7 42. Rc4 Rc8 43. Qb6 Qxb6 44. axb6 Rb8 45. Nxa6 Rxb6 46. Nc5 Nd5 47.
Nd7 Rb7 48. Nxf6+ Nxf6 49. Bc2 Rb2 50. a4 Ra2 51. Kf1 Nd5 52. Ke1 Nb6 53. Rb4
Rxc2 54. Rxb6 Ra2 55. Ra6 g5 56. a5 Kg7 57. h3 Kf6 58. Ra7 h5 59. a6 h4 60.
gxh4 gxh4 61. Kf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bb4 7. Qb3 Bc5 8.
O-O O-O 9. Na4 Be7 10. d4 exd4 11. Rd1 c5 12. e3 dxe3 13. Bxe3 Qc7 14. Nc3 a6
15. g4 h6 16. h4 d6 17. g5 hxg5 18. hxg5 Nh7 19. Nd5 Qd8 20. Nb6 Rb8 21. Bxc5
Nxg5 22. Bg2 Bg4 23. Rd2 Ne6 24. Ba3 Nf4 25. c5 Bh4 26. Nd5 Be6 27. Qe3 Bxd5
28. Qxf4 Bg5 29. Qxg5 Qxg5 30. Rxd5 Qg4 31. cxd6 Rfd8 32. Re1 Rbc8 33. Re4 Rc1+
34. Kh2 Qg6 35. d7 Qh6+ 36. Kg3 Rg1 37. Re8+ Kh7 38. Rxd8 Qg6+ 39. Kf4 Qf6+ 40.
Ke3 Qxd8 41. Be4+ g6 42. f3 Rg5 43. Be7 Qb6+ 44. Rd4 Qa5 45. Bxg5 Qxg5+ 46. Kf2
Qd8 47. Bxb7 a5 48. a3 Kg7 49. b4 axb4 50. axb4 f5 51. b5 f4 52. Be4 g5 53. Ke2
Kf6 54. Rd5 Ke6 55. b6 g4 56. fxg4 Kf6 57. b7 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D79"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 d5 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. Ne5 O-O 8. O-O
Ng4 9. Nd3 Bxd4 10. h3 Nf6 11. Bh6 Re8 12. e3 Bb6 13. Nc3 Nc6 14. Na4 Bc7 15.
Rc1 Bd6 16. Nc3 e6 17. Nb5 Bf8 18. Bf4 Nh5 19. Bc7 Qd7 20. Qa4 a6 21. Bb6 Nb4
22. Nxb4 Qxb5 23. Qxb5 axb5 24. Bc5 Nf6 25. a3 Bxc5 26. Rxc5 Bd7 27. Rfc1 Red8
28. f3 Ne8 29. e4 dxe4 30. fxe4 Nd6 31. e5 Nc4 32. Bxb7 Rab8 33. Rc7 Na5 34.
Be4 Be8 35. Bd3 Kg7 36. R1c2 Nc4 37. Rc5 Rd4 38. Bxc4 bxc4 39. R5xc4 Rd1+ 40.
Kg2 Ba4 41. Rf2 Rbd8 42. Rc7 Be8 43. Rfc2 Ba4 44. Rf2 Be8 45. Rfc2 R8d4 46. Kf3
Rf1+ 47. Ke3 Rdd1 48. Rd2 Rfe1+ 49. Re2 Rg1 50. Kf3 Bb5 51. Rf2 Rde1 52. Rc5
Ba4 53. Nc2 Rc1 54. b4 Rgd1 55. Rc7 Rd5 56. Ke4 Be8 57. Re7 Rd8 58. Nd4 Kf8 59.
Ra7 Re1+ 60. Ne2 Bb5 61. Rfxf7+ Kg8 62. Rg7+ Kf8 63. Rxh7 Rxe2+ 64. Kf4 Rf2+
65. Ke3 Re2+ 66. Kf4 Rf2+ 67. Ke3 Re2+ 68. Kf3 Kg8 69. Rag7+ Kf8 70. Rc7 Kg8
71. Rc4 Bxc4 0-1

[Event "Amber-blindfold 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb7 6. Bg2 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 c5 8. O-O
O-O 9. Bc3 Na6 10. Bb2 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Qc7 13. Nf3 Be7 14. Nc3 Nc5
15. Qd4 Qb7 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17. Rac1 Rac8 18. Kg1 d6 19. Qe3 a6 20. Nd4 Bf8 21.
Qf3 Qxf3 22. Nxf3 Rb8 23. Nd4 Rdc8 24. f3 g6 25. Kf2 Bh6 26. e3 Bg7 27. Ke2 Kf8
28. Rd2 Ne8 29. Rcd1 Be5 30. g4 Rb7 31. g5 Bg7 32. Ba3 Kg8 33. h4 h5 34. Rc1
Rbc7 35. Rcd1 Rb7 36. Rc1 Rbc7 37. Rcd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E00"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[PlyCount "202"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Qe7 6. e3 b6 7. Nc3 Bb7 8. Nge2
Na5 9. Bxb7 Nxb7 10. O-O c5 11. a3 Bxc3 12. Bxc3 Ne4 13. Be1 f5 14. f3 Nf6 15.
b4 O-O 16. bxc5 bxc5 17. Rb1 Nd6 18. Qd3 Rfc8 19. Kg2 cxd4 20. Bb4 a5 21. Bxd6
Qxd6 22. Rfc1 Qa6 23. Nxd4 Qd6 24. Rb5 Rc5 25. Qc3 h6 26. a4 Nd5 27. cxd5 Rxc3
28. Rxc3 Kh7 29. dxe6 dxe6 30. Rb7 e5 31. Rxg7+ Kh8 32. Rcc7 exd4 33. Rh7+ Kg8
34. Rcg7+ Kf8 35. Rf7+ Ke8 36. Rfg7 Qf8 37. exd4 Rd8 38. Ra7 Qf6 39. Rxa5 Rxd4
40. Rb7 Rd7 41. Rbb5 f4 42. Re5+ Kd8 43. Re2 Qc6 44. Rf5 fxg3 45. hxg3 Qxa4 46.
Rf8+ Kc7 47. Rfe8 Qb4 48. R8e4 Qa3 49. g4 Qd6 50. Re6 Qf4 51. Re7 h5 52. Rxd7+
Kxd7 53. gxh5 Qg5+ 54. Kf2 Qxh5 55. Kg2 Qg5+ 56. Kf2 Qf4 57. Kg2 Kd6 58. Re4
Qd2+ 59. Kg3 Kd5 60. Rg4 Qe2 61. Re4 Qf1 62. Kg4 Qg2+ 63. Kf4 Qg1 64. Re5+ Kd4
65. Re4+ Kd3 66. Re5 Qh2+ 67. Kf5 Qh5+ 68. Kf4 Qh2+ 69. Kf5 Qg3 70. f4 Qf3 71.
Kg5 Kd4 72. Re6 Qg3+ 73. Kf5 Qh3+ 74. Kf6 Qg4 75. f5 Qf4 76. Kg6 Kd5 77. Ra6
Qg4+ 78. Kf6 Qe2 79. Re6 Qh2 80. Kg6 Qg3+ 81. Kf6 Qf4 82. Kg6 Qg4+ 83. Kf6 Qg3
84. Ra6 Qc3+ 85. Kg6 Ke5 86. Re6+ Kf4 87. f6 Qg3+ 88. Kh7 Qh3+ 89. Kg7 Qg4+ 90.
Kh8 Qh5+ 91. Kg7 Qg5+ 92. Kh7 Qh4+ 93. Kg8 Qg3+ 94. Kh8 Qc3 95. Kh7 Qc2+ 96.
Kg7 Qg2+ 97. Kh8 Qb7 98. f7 Qxf7 99. Re4+ Kg5 100. Rg4+ Kh5 101. Rh4+ Kxh4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 h6 10. Rd1+ Ke8 11. Ne2 Ne7 12. b3 Bg4 13. Bb2 Rd8 14. c4
Ng6 15. h3 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Be7 17. f4 Nh4 18. Ng3 g6 19. Kf1 Rf8 20. Ne4 Rd7 21.
a4 Kd8 22. Bd4 b6 23. a5 Kc8 24. axb6 axb6 25. Be3 Rxd1+ 26. Rxd1 Rd8 27. Ra1
Rd3 28. Rb1 Rd8 29. Ke2 Kd7 30. f5 Nxf5 31. Ra1 Ke6 32. f4 f6 33. Ra7 Rc8 34.
exf6 Bxf6 35. Nxf6 Kxf6 36. Bf2 c5 37. Kf3 Ke6 38. Ke4 Re8 39. Kd3 Rd8+ 40. Ke2
Kd6 41. Ra1 Kc6 42. Rg1 Rd6 43. Rg2 Kd7 44. Rg1 Ke7 45. Ra1 Kd7 46. Rg1 Nd4+
47. Bxd4 cxd4 48. b4 Re6+ 49. Kd2 Kd6 50. h4 c5 51. bxc5+ Kxc5 52. Kd3 Re3+ 53.
Kd2 Rh3 54. Rxg6 Rxh4 55. Kd3 Rxf4 56. Rxh6 Rf3+ 57. Kd2 Rc3 58. Rh8 Kxc4 59.
Rc8+ Kb4 60. Rd8 b5 61. Rxd4+ Kb3 62. Rd7 b4 63. Rb7 Ka3 64. Ra7+ Kb2 65. Rb7
b3 66. Rb8 Rc7 67. Rd8 Kb1 68. Rb8 b2 69. Ra8 Rd7+ 70. Ke2 Rd5 71. Ra7 Kc2 72.
Rc7+ Kb3 73. Rb7+ Ka3 74. Ke3 Ra5 0-1

[Event "Amber-blindfold 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. g3 dxc4 6. Ne5 b5 7. Bg2 Bb7 8. O-O
e6 9. a4 Qc8 10. e4 Be7 11. g4 Nfd7 12. Nf3 O-O 13. Bf4 Rd8 14. Qe2 b4 15. Nd1
c5 16. d5 exd5 17. exd5 Nf6 18. Ne3 Bf8 19. Ne5 Nxd5 20. Qxc4 Qe6 21. Rad1 Nxe3
22. Qxe6 fxe6 23. fxe3 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 Bxg2 25. Kxg2 Be7 26. g5 Ra7 27. Kf3 Rb7
28. b3 Kf8 29. g6 hxg6 30. Nxg6+ Ke8 31. Nxe7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
a3 O-O 9. b4 Be6 10. Rb1 f6 11. d3 Nd4 12. Nd2 c6 13. Nde4 Bf7 14. Nc5 Qc7 15.
Be3 a5 16. Qd2 axb4 17. axb4 Nd7 18. N5e4 f5 19. Bg5 Qd8 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. Ng5
Ra3 22. Rfc1 Nb3 23. Qb2 Nxc1 24. Qxa3 Nxe2+ 25. Nxe2 Qxg5 26. Qa7 Qd2 27. Qxb7
Nb8 28. b5 Qc3 29. Nxc3 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C66"]
[WhiteElo "2817"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. O-O Be7 6. c3 O-O 7. Re1 Bd7 8. Nbd2
Re8 9. Nf1 Bf8 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 Nb8 12. Bc4 Be6 13. Bxe6 Rxe6 14. Qb3 Qc8 15.
d4 Nbd7 16. Qc2 g6 17. dxe5 dxe5 18. Rad1 c6 19. Ne3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-blindfold 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 Nf6 6. e3 Bf5 7. Qb3 Nc6 8. g4
{For this line - see CBM 140, annotations to Morozevich - Onischuk.} Nxg4 9.
Qxd5 $1 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (9. Nxd5 $6 O-O 10. Bg2 Bh4 $1 11. Bg3 Be6 {[%cal
Rc6a5]} 12. Kf1 $1 a5 $1 13. Nh3 a4 14. Qc4 Na5 15. Qc5 b6 16. Bxh4 bxc5 17.
Bxd8 Raxd8 18. Ne7+ Kh8 19. d5 Bd7 $17 {0-1 Topalov,V (2725)-Kasparov,G (2795)/
Linares 1997/CBM 136 [Lukacz/Hazai] (39)}) (9. a3 $5 O-O 10. Bg2 Bh4 11. Bg3
Bxg3 (11... Be6 $5) (11... Re8 $5) 12. hxg3 Ne7 13. Nxd5 Nxd5 14. Qxd5 Qxd5 15.
Bxd5 Rad8 16. Bxb7 Rb8 17. Bf3 Rxb2 18. Ne2 $11 {1/2 Aleksandrov,A (2660)
-Azmaiparashvili,Z (2645)/Groningen 1997/EXT 1999 (37)}) 9... Qc8 {Garry
Kasparov evaluated this position as good for Black, but Levon Aronian has
reasonable objections.} 10. Qg2 O-O (10... Nf6 $5) 11. e4 Bxe4 $5 {[%mdl 512]
This piece sacrifice proves to be insufficent for equality; Black has two
alternatives requiring further investigation:} (11... Bg6 12. O-O-O $14) (11...
Nxd4 $5 12. O-O-O Bc5) 12. Nxe4 Bb4+ 13. Nc3 Qf5 14. Be2 Rfe8 15. Kf1 Nf6 (
15... Qxf4 16. Qxg4 Qd2 17. Rb1) (15... h5 16. Qg3 Nxd4 17. Bd3) 16. Bh6 g6 17.
Qg5 $1 {[%mdl 256] The key task is to exchange the queens, after which Black's
attack will peter out.} Nxd4 18. Rd1 (18. Qxf5 $5 Nxf5 19. Bd2) 18... Bxc3 19.
bxc3 Ne4 (19... Rxe2 20. Nxe2 Qh3+ 21. Qg2 Qxg2+ 22. Kxg2 Nxe2 23. Rd3 $16 {
[%csl Re2]}) 20. Qxf5 Nxf5 21. Bd2 Rad8 22. Be1 Rxd1 23. Bxd1 Re5 24. Nf3 Rc5
25. Bb3 Nxc3 {Black has restored the material balance, but White activates his
pieces and obtains a clear advantage.} 26. Ne5 $1 Ne4 $2 (26... Nd6 $142 27.
Nd7 Rc6 28. Kg2 Ne2 29. Bd2 $16) 27. Nxf7 Kg7 28. f3 Nf6 29. Bf2 Rc3 30. Ng5
Nh5 31. Ke2 Nf4+ 32. Kd2 Rd3+ 33. Kc2 Kh6 34. Nf7+ Kh5 35. Rg1 h6 36. Ne5 Ne3+
37. Kb1 Rc3 38. Nxg6 Nh3 39. Nf4+ 1-0

[Event "Amber-blindfold 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.23"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 c5 8. e3
g5 9. Bg3 c4 10. Be2 Ne4 11. Rc1 Qa5 12. Ne5 Nc6 13. O-O Bxc3 14. bxc3 Nxc3 15.
Rxc3 Qxc3 16. Bh5 O-O 17. Qf3 Nd8 18. Qf6 Qc2 19. Ng4 Bxg4 20. Be5 Qh7 21. Bxg4
Ne6 22. f4 Qg7 23. Qe7 Rae8 24. Qd7 Qh7 25. fxg5 f5 26. Qxh7+ Kxh7 27. Bxf5+
Rxf5 28. Rxf5 c3 29. gxh6 b5 30. Bd6 a5 31. Ba3 b4 32. Bc1 a4 33. Rf7+ Kxh6 34.
Rb7 Nf4 35. exf4 Re1+ 36. Kf2 Rxc1 37. Rxb4 Ra1 38. Rb6+ Kg7 39. Rc6 Rxa2+ 40.
Ke3 Rxg2 41. Rxc3 Rxh2 42. Rc6 a3 43. f5 Rh6 44. Rc1 Ra6 45. Kd3 a2 46. Ra1 Kf6
47. Kc3 Kxf5 48. Kb2 Ke4 49. Re1+ Kxd4 50. Ka1 Kc3 51. Rc1+ Kd2 52. Rc2+ Kd3
53. Rc3+ Ke4 54. Rh3 d4 55. Rh4+ Kd3 56. Rh3+ Kc4 57. Rc3+ Kd5 58. Rh3 Rb6 59.
Kxa2 Kc4 60. Rh1 Kc3 0-1

[Event "Amber-blindfold 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.24"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[PlyCount "141"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Bd5 11. Qc2 Be4 12. Qd1 c5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. Nbd2 Bc6
15. Ne5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Nbd7 17. Rc1 Nxe5 18. Rxc5 Ned7 19. Rc1 h6 20. Bf4 e5 21.
Be3 Ng4 22. Qb3 Ndf6 23. Rfd1 Qd5+ 24. Qxd5 Nxe3+ 25. fxe3 Nxd5 26. Nc4 Rad8
27. Kf3 f6 28. Na5 e4+ 29. Kf2 Rf7 30. Rd4 f5 31. Rcd1 Rfd7 32. Nxb7 Rxb7 33.
Rxd5 Rxd5 34. Rxd5 g6 35. h3 Rxb2 36. Rd6 Kf7 37. g4 fxg4 38. hxg4 h5 39. Rxa6
Ra2 40. g5 h4 41. Rf6+ Kg7 42. Rf4 Rxa4 43. Rxh4 Ra5 44. Rg4 Kf7 45. Kg3 Ra2
46. Rxe4 Rxe2 47. Re5 Re1 48. e4 Rg1+ 49. Kf4 Rf1+ 50. Ke3 Re1+ 51. Kd4 Rd1+
52. Kc5 Rd2 53. Rd5 Re2 54. Kd4 Rg2 55. Ra5 Rg1 56. Ra7+ Ke6 57. Ra6+ Kf7 58.
Ra5 Ke6 59. Re5+ Kd6 60. Rb5 Ke6 61. Rb6+ Kf7 62. Rf6+ Kg7 63. Kd5 Rxg5+ 64. e5
Rf5 65. Ra6 g5 66. Kd6 Rf1 67. e6 Kf6 68. Kd7 Re1 69. Rd6 g4 70. Rd4 Rxe6 71.
Rxg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A89"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 d6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. d5
Ne5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. c5 Kh8 11. Qb3 h6 12. Rd1 g5 13. Bd2 a6 14. Be1 Qe8 15. d6
exd6 16. cxd6 c6 17. Na4 e4 18. Nc5 f4 19. Bc3 e3 20. Bxf6 Rxf6 21. d7 exf2+
22. Kf1 Bxd7 23. Nxd7 Re6 24. Nb6 Re3 25. Qc4 Rb8 26. Rd7 fxg3 27. hxg3 Qh5 28.
Kxf2 Rbe8 29. Re1 Qh2 30. Qg4 R3e6 31. Rd3 h5 32. Qxg5 Rf6+ 33. Rf3 Rxf3+ 34.
Kxf3 Rf8+ 35. Ke3 Qxg2 36. Kd3 Qf2 37. Rh1 Qd4+ 38. Kc2 Qxb2+ 39. Kd1 Qb1+ 40.
Kd2 Qxh1 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E70"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Bd3 O-O 6. Nge2 Nc6 7. O-O e5 8. d5
Nd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. Nb5 Re8 11. Re1 Ng4 12. h3 a6 13. hxg4 axb5 14. cxb5 Qh4
15. g3 Qxg4 16. Qxg4 Bxg4 17. Bf4 $146 {[%cal Rb5b6][%mdl 8] A new and
original idea in this well-known theoretical position. However, Black finds a
good reply.} (17. Kg2 {is played automatically, and it is not easy for Black
to equalise, due to White's potential passed a-pawn, e.g.} f5 $1 (17... Bd7 18.
a4 f5 19. f3 fxe4 20. fxe4 Bf6 21. Bd2 g5 22. Rec1 Rec8 23. Rh1 Re8 24. a5 $16
{1-0 Godard,M (2344)-Hamdouchi,H (2609)/Marrakesh 2010/CBM 137 Extra (36)}) 18.
a4 (18. f3 $6 fxe4 19. fxe4 (19. Rxe4 Bf5 20. Rxe8+ Rxe8 21. Bxf5 gxf5 22. Kf2
d3 23. Be3 Re5 (23... Ra8 $5 $15) 24. a4 Rxd5 25. Rb1 Re5 26. Rd1 Rd5 27. Rb1
Re5 {1/2 Del Rey,D (2340)-Strikovic,A (2445)/La Coruna 1995/EXT 1997}) 19...
Rf8 20. a4 b6 21. Rf1 Rxf1 22. Bxf1 Be5 23. b4 d3 24. Ra2 (24. Ra3 $2 Bb2 $1
25. Bxb2 d2 26. Rd3 d1=Q 27. Rxd1 Bxd1 $19 {0-1 Sagalchik,G (2475)-Lesiege,A 
(2375)/New York 1992/TD (39)}) 24... Bc3 25. Bxd3 Bxb4 $15) 18... fxe4 19. Rxe4
(19. Bxe4 $5 d3 (19... Bd1 $6 20. Rxd1 Rxe4 21. Bf4 g5 $6 (21... b6 22. b3 $14)
22. Kf3 Re7 23. Bxg5 Re5 24. Bf4 Rxd5 25. Rdc1 $16 {1-0 Aleksandrov,A (2530)
-Zaitsev,I (2415)/Voskresensk 1993/CBM 038 (55)}) 20. f3 Bd7 21. Ra3 Ra7 22. b3
Bc3 23. Rd1 d2 24. Bxd2 Bxd2 25. Rxd2 Bxb5 26. Ra1 Re7 27. Rc2 Be8 28. a5 Bb5
29. b4 $14 {1/2 Dumitrache,D (2400)-Istratescu,A (2450)/Romania 1992/EXT 1997 
(68)}) 19... Rxe4 20. Bxe4 Be2 21. Ra3 Kf7 (21... d3 $6 22. a5 d2 23. Bxd2 Bxb5
24. b4 (24. Rb3 Ba6 25. Bd3 Bxd3 26. Rxd3 b6 27. b4 $14) 24... Bf6 25. Bd3 Be8
26. b5 Bd4 27. Be3 Bxe3 28. fxe3 Kf8 29. Kf3 $16 {1/2 Olafsson,H (2525)
-Damljanovic,B (2565)/Sochi 1988/TD (41)}) (21... b6 22. f3 Bd1 23. b3 Be2 24.
Kf2 d3 25. b4 d2 26. Bxd2 Bxb5 27. a5 $14 {1-0 Marin,M (2515)-Llanos,G (2340)/
Badalona 1993/EXT 2000 (42)}) 22. f3 (22. Bf3 Bc4 $13) 22... h5 23. Kf2 d3 24.
a5 d2 $5 (24... h4 $2 25. gxh4 Bf6 26. Kg3 $18 {1-0 Jussupow,A (2645)-Ehlvest,
J (2445)/Minsk 1987/URS-ch/[Chekhov] (40)}) 25. Bxd2 Bxb5 26. Bc3 $1 $14 (26.
Rb3 Bd4+ 27. Kg2 Ba6 28. Bd3 $140 Re8 $1)) 17... Bf3 18. b6 g5 $1 19. Bxg5 Re5
20. Bh4 cxb6 {[%csl Gf3] Black's pawns are totally destroyed but his f3-bishop
dominates the board.} 21. Rac1 (21. a4 $5) 21... Rae8 (21... Bh6 $5 22. Rc7
Rxa2 23. g4 (23. Bf6 Rh5) 23... Rxb2 24. Bf6 Re8 25. Bxd4 Rd2 26. Be3 Rxd3 27.
Bxh6 Bxg4 28. Kg2 Bh5 $11) 22. Bb5 Rf8 23. Bd3 Bh6 24. Rc4 f5 25. Rxd4 fxe4 26.
Rexe4 $6 (26. Bxe4 $142 Rfe8 27. Bxf3 Rxe1+ 28. Kg2 $44) 26... Bxe4 27. Bxe4
Bc1 $1 28. Rc4 Bxb2 29. f3 Ba3 $17 30. Rc7 Rf7 31. Rc8+ Kg7 32. g4 Rxe4 33.
fxe4 Rf4 {[%mdl 4096]} 34. Rc7+ Kg6 35. Kg2 Rxg4+ 36. Bg3 Rxe4 37. Rxb7 Rb4 38.
Kf3 Rb5 39. Bf2 Rxd5 40. Rxb6 Kf5 41. Rb3 Ra5 42. Be1 Ra4 43. Bf2 Bc5 $2 {
The rook endgame proves to be drawn.} (43... Bc1 $17 44. Rd3 $140 Bf4) 44. Bxc5
dxc5 45. Rb5 $1 Rc4 (45... Ra3+ 46. Ke2 Rxa2+ 47. Kd3 $11 {_|_}) 46. a4 Rc3+
47. Ke2 Ke4 48. a5 c4 49. Rh5 Rc2+ 50. Kd1 Ra2 51. Rxh7 Rxa5 52. Kc2 c3 53.
Rh4+ Kf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 c6 6. O-O d5 7. Qa4 {A rare
move, which Black meets with a novelty.} a6 $146 {[%cal Yb7b5][%mdl 8] Very
logical.} (7... Nbd7 8. cxd5 Nb6 9. Qa3 cxd5 10. Nc3 Bf5 $1 (10... Nc4 11. Qb4
e6 12. Bf4 Re8 13. Ne5 Bf8 14. Qb3 $14 {1-0 Portisch,L (2645)-Ivkov,B (2535)/
Petropolis 1973/IZT (37)}) 11. b3 Ne4 12. Nd1 a5 13. Bf4 Nc8 14. Rc1 Ncd6 $11 {
0-1 Oll,L (2615)-Norwood,D (2545)/London 1994/EXT 2000 (42)}) (7... Nfd7 $5 8.
Qc2 $1 (8. Na3 Nb6 9. Qc2 Bf5 10. Qc3 Be4 11. c5 N6d7 12. Bf4 b6 $15 {0-1
Grigorian,K (2485)-Sveshnikov,E/Moscow 1973/URS-ch (27)}) (8. cxd5 cxd5 9. Nc3
Nb6 10. Qd1 Nc6 11. Bf4 Bf5 $11 {1/2 Pigusov,E (2520)-Huzman,A (2500)/
Sverdlovsk 1987/TD (17)}) 8... Nb6 (8... dxc4 $5 9. Qxc4 e5) 9. c5 N6d7 10. Bf4
Re8 11. Nbd2 e5 12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Bxe5 Rxe5 15. e4 dxe4 16. Qc3
Qe7 17. Nxe4 $14 {1/2 Sargissian,G (2673)-Volokitin,A (2678)/Germany 2008/CBM
123 (27)}) (7... Bf5 $5 8. Nc3 Nbd7 9. cxd5 Nb6 10. Qb3 Nfxd5 11. Rd1 Qd6 12.
Bd2 Nxc3 13. Bxc3 Qe6 14. d5 cxd5 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Nd4 Qf6 17. Nxf5+ Qxf5 18.
a4 Rfd8 19. a5 Nc4 20. Qxb7 e6 $11 {1/2 Carlsen,M (2690)-Svidler,P (2728)/
Morelia/Linares 2007/CBM 117/[Marin,M] (29)}) 8. Bf4 (8. c5 $5 {is principled,
e.g.} b6 9. cxb6 Qxb6 10. Qa3 $5 {[%cal Yb1c3,Yc3a4]}) 8... Be6 (8... b5 $5) 9.
cxd5 {Harmless.} (9. c5 $5) 9... cxd5 $6 {This doesn't fit in with 8...Be6.} (
9... Nxd5 $142 $1 $11 10. Bd2 $140 c5 $1) 10. Qb3 Ra7 11. Ne5 (11. Nc3 Nc6 12.
Rac1 Na5 13. Qb4 Nc6 14. Qa3 $140 Ne4 15. Rfd1 Qb6 $132) 11... Ne4 $6 (11...
Nfd7 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13. e3 $14 {[%cal Yb1c3]}) (11... Nh5 $5 12. Bd2 Bxe5 $1 {
Korchnoi's idea, typical for this kind of position.} (12... Nc6 $5 13. Nxc6
bxc6 14. e3 Nf6) 13. dxe5 Nc6 14. Bh6 d4 15. Qa3 Ng7 $132 {[%cal Ye6d5]}) 12.
Rd1 Nd7 13. Nc3 {[%csl Rd5]} Nxc3 14. Qxc3 (14. bxc3 $5 Nf6 15. a4 $14 {
[%csl Ra7,Rb7][%cal Gb1b7]}) 14... Ra8 (14... Nxe5 15. dxe5 b5 16. Qd4 Rd7 17.
Rdc1 $16) 15. Qb3 $16 a5 {A desperate attempt to break away.} (15... Nb6 16.
Rac1 $16 {[%csl Rb6]}) 16. Bxd5 a4 17. Qxb7 Rb8 18. Nxf7 $6 {There was no need
to go for a position with a material imbalancel. White could have kept his
material advantage by means of} (18. Qc6 Bxd5 (18... Rb6 19. Bxe6 $1 Rxc6 20.
Nxc6 Qe8 21. Bc4 $16 e5 $140 22. Bg5 $1) (18... Nxe5 19. dxe5 Rb6 20. Qc4 $16)
19. Qxd5 Nxe5 20. Qxd8 Rfxd8 21. dxe5 $16) 18... Rxb7 19. Nxd8 Bxd5 20. Nxb7
Bxb7 21. Rac1 (21. Rdc1 $5 Bd5 22. Rc7 Rd8 23. e3) 21... Bd5 22. Rc7 Rd8 23. a3
Kf7 24. Rd2 Nf6 25. f3 Bb3 26. Be5 $2 {[%mdl 8192] This blunder lets White's
advantage slip but it was very difficult to convert it after, say,} (26. Rc5
Nd5 27. Be5 Bh6 28. Rd3) 26... Ne8 $1 27. Rc5 Bxe5 28. Rxe5 Nd6 29. Rc5 Nc4 30.
Rd3 Nxb2 31. Re3 Rxd4 32. Rc7 Be6 {Black is materially better now but White's
counterplay should be enough for him to hold his ground.} 33. Ra7 (33. Rc6 $5
Bd7 34. Rc7) 33... g5 (33... Nd1 $5 34. Re5 Nc3 $15) 34. Rc3 Rc4 35. Re3 Rc2
36. Re4 Rc3 37. h4 h6 38. hxg5 hxg5 39. Ra6 Ba2 40. Ra7 Be6 41. Ra6 Bc4 42. Rc6
Rxa3 43. Rcxc4 Nxc4 44. Rxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. a3 e6 6. b4 d6 7. Rb1 Nge7 8. Nf3
O-O 9. O-O b6 10. Qc2 Bb7 11. b5 Na5 12. d3 d5 13. Rd1 Nf5 14. Bg5 Nd4 15. Qc1
Nab3 16. Bxd8 Nxc1 17. Rdxc1 Nxf3+ 18. Bxf3 Rfxd8 19. a4 Rab8 20. cxd5 exd5 21.
a5 Rd6 22. Na4 Bc8 23. Kg2 h5 24. h3 Be6 25. Rc2 c4 26. dxc4 Bf5 27. Rbc1 Bxc2
28. Rxc2 dxc4 29. axb6 axb6 30. Rxc4 Rd4 31. Nb2 Rxc4 32. Nxc4 Bf8 33. Bd5 Kg7
34. e4 Bc5 35. f4 Rc8 36. Ne5 f6 37. Nd3 Bf8 38. Bc6 Rd8 39. Bd5 Rd7 40. g4 h4
41. Kf3 g5 42. fxg5 fxg5 43. Ne5 Ra7 44. Nc4 Bc5 45. e5 Ra2 46. Ke4 Rh2 47. Kf5
Rxh3 48. Kxg5 Rd3 49. Bc6 h3 50. e6 h2 51. Nxb6 Rd6 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. e3 a6 7. Rc1 Bg4 8. f3
Bc8 9. g4 g6 10. h4 h6 11. Qd2 Bg7 12. Qh2 e6 13. Bc7 Qe7 14. a3 g5 15. Bd6 Qd8
16. hxg5 Ng8 17. g6 fxg6 18. Bd3 Nge7 19. Nge2 Kf7 20. Bc7 Qd7 21. Bb6 e5 22.
Bc5 Re8 23. Bxe7 Qxe7 24. Nxd5 Qd8 25. g5 Rh8 26. Bxg6+ Kf8 27. Nf6 Ke7 28.
Rxc6 bxc6 29. Qxe5+ Kf8 30. Qf4 Ke7 31. Nh7 Rxh7 32. Qf7+ Kd6 33. Bxh7 Qxg5 34.
Rg1 Be6 35. Rxg5 1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A64"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 c5 6. d5 d6 7. h3 Re8 8. Nf3 e6
9. Nd2 exd5 10. cxd5 Nbd7 11. O-O a6 12. a4 Rb8 13. Nc4 Ne5 14. Na3 Nh5 15. e4
Bd7 16. a5 b5 17. axb6 Bb5 18. Ncxb5 axb5 19. g4 Nf6 20. Nxb5 Qxb6 21. Na3 Qb3
22. Rb1 Qxd1 23. Rxd1 Rb3 24. Bd2 Nfd7 25. Bc3 g5 26. Kh1 Ra8 27. Bf1 Rxc3 28.
bxc3 Rxa3 29. Rdc1 Ra2 30. Kg2 Ng6 31. Bc4 Ra7 32. Bf1 Be5 33. Ra1 Rxa1 34.
Rxa1 Bxc3 35. Ra6 Be5 36. Kf3 Kg7 37. Ke2 c4 38. f3 Nc5 39. Ra7 c3 40. Kd1 Nh4
41. Bb5 Nxf3 42. Be8 Nd4 43. Rxf7+ Kg8 0-1

[Event "Amber-rapid 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E46"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nge2 d5 6. a3 Be7 7. Ng3 c6 8. Be2
dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nbd7 10. Ba2 c5 11. d5 exd5 12. Nxd5 Nxd5 13. Qxd5 Nf6 14. Qxd8
Rxd8 15. Bd2 b6 16. f3 Nd5 17. e4 Nc7 18. O-O-O Be6 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Bc3 Nb5
21. Be5 Bf6 22. Bxf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D40"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2817"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. e3 e6 5. d4 d5 {The game had started as an
English opening, but eventually reached a symmetrical Tarrasch tabyia. This
transposition used to be popular some 30-40 years ago, but at some point
strong players seemed to have lost faith in White's chances for an advantage.
In the present game, the variation proved an effective surprise weapon,
especially with restricted time for thinking. The previous generations had
established that both sides should refrain from inflicting on the opponent an
Isolani with an early exchange in the centre. They failed to find a way,
though, of maintaining a long term edge. Nowadays, players are used to getting
just a minimal or microscopic opening advantage, which may bring the tabyia
into the limelight again.} 6. a3 {Still following the old main line. If Black
develops his bishop, White would play dxc5 followed by b4, gaining space and
time. We can state that he would get a reversed Queen's Gambit Accepted with 2
extra tempi.} a6 {Black's most natural choice.} (6... Ne4 {is an important
alternative, aiming to break the symmetry, which famously was employed by
Fischer in the final part of his Candidates' final.} 7. Qc2 Nxc3 8. bxc3 (8.
Qxc3 $5 {, which was played in some later games, but none of them at the same
high level, may be a better chance for an advantage.}) 8... Be7 9. Bb2 O-O 10.
Bd3 h6 11. O-O Na5 12. Nd2 dxc4 13. Nxc4 Nxc4 14. Bxc4 b6 15. e4 Bb7 {With
easy play for Black. After having traded all the knights, he hardly can have
space problems. In Petrosian,T (2640)-Fischer,R (2760)/Buenos Aires 1971/
Candidates (0-1, 39) Black's queenside counterplay proved faster than White's
kingside attack.}) 7. dxc5 {It is hard to find another useful waiting move.}
Bxc5 8. b4 Ba7 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Qc2 (10. cxd5 exd5 11. Be2 {is best answered by}
d4 $1 $11 {With a complete simplification of the position.} 12. exd4 Nxd4 13.
Nxd4 Bxd4 14. O-O {1/2 (14) Ljubojevic,L (2605)-Tal,M (2625)/Bugojno 1978/MCL})
(10. Be2 {gives away a tempo for nothing:} dxc4 11. Bxc4 {Andersson,U (2605)
-Chandler,M (2575)/Tilburg 1992/CBM 032/[Ftacnik] (1-0, 28)}) 10... Qe7 {
It is instructive to notice that both players develop their queens according
to the concrete circumstances. Black can occupy the safe e7-square, because he
has developed his king's bishop already.} 11. Rd1 ({Once again, developing the
king's bishop would unnecessarily lose a tempo:} 11. Bd3 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Bd7 13.
O-O (13. Ne4 $5) 13... Rac8 14. Qe2 Bb8 15. Rac1 (15. Bd3 Ne5 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 17.
Ne4 {was recommended by Ivkov, failing to notice a simple tactical blow:} Bxh2+
$1 18. Kxh2 Nxe4 $17) 15... Ne5 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 $11 17. f4 Bb8 18. Bb3 Ba7 $15 {
Olafsson,F (2550)-Ivkov,B (2520)/Novi Sad 1976/EXT 99 (0-1, 41)}) 11... Rd8 {
We can see that, with some exceptions, Black is confined to imitate White's
play, even after the central tension has been relieved partially. The truth is
that useful waiting moves are not so numerous. The rook opposition along the
d-file is not without some inconvenience for Black, though.} ({It is risky to
release the tension completely, ignoring White's extra tempo with respect to
the game from the previous comment:} 11... dxc4 12. Bxc4 Bd7 13. Ne4 $14 {
This way of clearing diagonals for the bishops, which can be met in the notes
to this game more than once, is known from the old games of Rubinstein already.
} Nxe4 14. Qxe4 Rfe8 15. Qg4 g6 16. h4 $40 Rad8 17. h5 e5 18. Qg3 Bb8 $2 (18...
Be6 $8 19. Rxd8 Rxd8 20. hxg6 fxg6 21. Be2 $16) 19. hxg6 {1-0 Mchedlishvili,M 
(2540)-Essing,A (2286)/Batumi 2002/CBM 090}) 12. Be2 {White had finished his
waiting moves, but, happily, now is a good moment for developing the bishop.}
d4 {The most principled, but somewhat risky, answer, finally breaking symmetry.
} ({Since he also had no waiting moves left, Black only had a reasonable
alternative:} 12... dxc4 {The main problem with this move is that the
subsequent exchange, which was not possible at earlier stages, forces Black
into worsening the position of one of his developed pieces, allowing White to
gain time.} 13. Rxd8+ Nxd8 {This looks like the lesser evil. Black will be
able to regroup with his knight to f7 (after ...f6), although this would
slightly weaken his kingside.} (13... Qxd8 {looks like a mere losing of time.}
14. Bxc4 Bd7 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Qxe4 Ne7 17. Ng5 $40 {Chernin,A (2475)
-Rashkovsky,N (2400)/Sverdlovsk 1984/MCL (1-0, 31)}) 14. Ne4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 {
Several games between strong players have been played from this position. It
is hard to say whether White's advantage is more than symbolic, because the
symmetrycal character of the structure, but play generally is one-sided,
offering Black no reasons for joy.} Bd7 (15... a5 16. Qxc4 axb4 17. axb4 Bd7
18. O-O Rc8 19. Qb3 f6 20. b5 $14 {Foisor,O (2430)-Lputian,S (2530)/Sochi 1985/
MCD (1/2, 46)}) (15... f6 16. Bxc4 Nf7 {Keres,P (2600)-Parma,B (2510)/Dortmund
1973/MCL (1/2, 23)}) 16. Bxc4 Rc8 17. Ne5 {Huebner,R (2630)-Ftacnik,L (2580)/
Polanica Zdroj 1995/CBM 049/[Ftacnik] (1-0, 68)}) 13. exd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4
15. O-O {I do not know how this happened, but White has completed his
development first! True, the strong d4-bishop exerts some pressure and White
will need a tempo to exchange it, but the sudden transformation of the
position remains remarkable.} e5 {Not only gaining space and preparing to
complete the development, but also parrying the threatened knight move to d5.}
16. Na4 {The knight on the edge does not always stands  badly, especially if
it has such an appetising square available as b6.} Be6 {The most natural way
of developing the bishop, but there are two important alternatives.} ({Aronian
must have felt confident against} 16... Bg4 {, which he had faced in the past:}
17. Bxg4 Nxg4 18. Bxd4 Rxd4 19. Nb6 Rad8 20. Nd5 {The exchange its counterpart
immediately takes advantage of the available space.} Qd6 21. h3 Nf6 22. Rxd4
exd4 23. Rd1 Qe5 (23... Nxd5 24. Rxd4 Re8 25. Qd2 $16) 24. f4 Qe6 25. Qf2 $1 ({
After} 25. Qd2 b5 26. Qxd4 {, Black managed to save the game with the calm} Kh8
$1 {Aronian,L (2610)-Ftacnik,L (2602)/Germany 2003/CBM 093 (1/2, 32)}) 25... b5
26. Rxd4 bxc4 (26... Nxd5 27. cxd5 $16 Rxd5 $2 28. Qf3 $1 $18) 27. Nxf6+ Qxf6
28. Rxd8+ Qxd8 29. Qc5 $16 {The weakness of the back rank will cause Black to
lose a pawn, with a pretty difficult endgame to hold.}) (16... Bd7 {aims to
find some relief in successive exchanges.} 17. Bxd4 Bxa4 18. Qxa4 Rxd4 19. Rxd4
({It does not make sense to refrain from this exchange, because after} 19. Qc2
{Black can complete his development with} Rad8 {, when an exchange on d4 is
hard to avoid anyway, Kasparov,G (2735)-Schulte,O (2370)/Hamburg 1987/CBM 002 
(1/2, 30) By exchanging at once, White reserves himself the possibility of
transferring the queen to other squares than c2, according to necessity.})
19... exd4 20. Bd3 Rd8 (20... Ng4 {Merino Garcia,R (2285)-Estremera Panos,S 
(2400)/Montanchez 1998/EXT 2003 (1/2, 26)} 21. Qd1 $5 $146 Ne5 22. Be4 Nxc4 23.
Re1 Qd7 24. Qd3 Nd6 25. Qxd4 Re8 26. Rd1 Qe7 27. Bd3 $14 {With chances of
getting an endgame with a superior minor piece.}) 21. Qd1 g6 22. Re1 Qd7 {
Pira,D (2365)-Zelcic,R (2495)/Montpellier 1996/EXT 2004 (1-0, 70)} 23. Qf3 $5
$146 Kg7 24. g3 $5 {The pawn is safely blocked and all White's pieces are
slightly more active than Black's. Technical players will certainly enjoy the
squeezing phase, although the success is far from being guaranteed.}) (16...
Bxb2 $6 {is not to be recommended:} 17. Rxd8+ Qxd8 18. Qxb2 {Black not only
has lost his main trump, the d4-outpost, but also handed the initiative to his
opponent completely.}) 17. c5 $1 $146 {Unlike in Kasparov's simul game quoted
above, it is best to delay the capture on d4, which would speed up Black's
development.} (17. Bxd4 Rxd4 18. Rxd4 exd4 19. Nb6 Rd8 20. Rd1 g6 $13 {
Kongevold,H-Johnsen,S/Gjovik 1991 (0-1, 46)}) 17... Qc7 18. Nb6 Rab8 19. Bxd4 {
Now that the queen's rook has been forced to lose a tempo on a more or less
useless move, it is a good moment to carry out the exchange.} Rxd4 20. Rxd4
exd4 21. Rd1 Rd8 22. h3 g6 23. Qb2 {The barrier created along the d-file by
the white knight in collaboration with the c5-pawn causes Black problems in
defending his central pawn.} Qf4 $6 {As will be revealed in a comment below,
this is not a good square for the queen.} (23... Qe5 {would have maintained a
playable position.} 24. Nc4 $5 ({With the queen on e5,} 24. Bf3 Ne4 25. Re1 f5
{is rather unclear.}) 24... Bxc4 25. Bxc4 Kg7 26. Qd2 $14 {Although Black has
no immediate problems, the endgame is likely to be dangerous on account of the
advanced white majority and the vulnerability of the b7-pawn.}) 24. Bf3 $1 {
Unexpectedly, the b7-pawn cannot be defended in a satisfactory way.} d3 {
Searching for practical chances.} (24... Ne4 $2 {does not work because of} 25.
Rxd4 $18 {This is when the queen proves to be misplaced on f4.}) (24... Bxh3
25. Qd2 $16) 25. Qd2 Qd4 26. Bxb7 $16 {The advanced d-pawn is no adequate
match for the strong queenside majority.} a5 27. Bf3 axb4 28. Qxb4 $1 {Aronian
unblocks the enemy pawn, but ensures the advance of his own c-pawn as well.} d2
29. c6 Qe5 30. Nd7 $1 {An elegant simplifying operation, leaving White with an
extra pawn in a technical position.} Nxd7 31. Qxd2 Qc7 32. Qd4 Rc8 33. cxd7 Rd8
34. Qb2 Rxd7 35. Rxd7 Qxd7 36. Qb8+ Kg7 37. Qb4 Qd3 38. a4 {White counterplay
could have avoided the ensuing tactical operation, but Aronian may have been
confident that the resulting position with an extra piece is winning.} Bxh3 39.
Qb2+ Kg8 40. Be2 Qe4 41. gxh3 Qxa4 {Black's saving chances are connected with
the colour of the h8-corner, which is opposite to that of the bishop. With
queens on the board, though, White also has attacking ideas.} 42. Qb8+ Kg7 43.
Qe5+ Kg8 44. Bf3 Qd7 45. Bd5 Qxh3 {Practically giving up any resistance. Anand
may have overlooked the following simplifying manoeuvre.} 46. Qe8+ Kg7 47.
Qxf7+ Kh6 48. Qf4+ Kg7 49. Qe5+ Kh6 (49... Kf8 {leads to disaster after:} 50.
Qf6+ Ke8 51. Bc6+) 50. Qe3+ Qxe3 51. fxe3 {The rest is simple.} Kg5 52. Kg2 Kf5
53. Kf3 Ke5 54. Bg8 h6 55. Bf7 Kf5 56. Be8 h5 57. e4+ Kf6 58. Ke3 h4 59. Bd7
1-0

[Event "Amber-rapid 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8.
Qd2 cxd4 9. cxd4 Nc6 10. Rd1 {Delaying Ng1-f3 for so long implies placing the
rook on a slightly unusual square. Black should find a way of rapidly using
this circumstance, because otherwise the mobile centre would become very
strong and the rook will just sustain the advance of the d-pawn.} Bg4 $5 {
In the Gruenfeld defence, this kind of bishop incursion is supposed to
threaten doubling the enemy pawns with ...Bxf3 or provoke f2-f3 if the knight
is on e2. Attacking the rook with ...Bg4 is not very customary, though.} (10...
Qa5 11. Qxa5 Nxa5 12. Bd3 (12. Nf3 {Karpov,A (2730)-Kasparov,G (2800)/Lyon/New
York 1990/CBM 021/[Ftacnik] (1/2, 34)}) 12... O-O 13. Ne2 Bd7 (13... f5 {
Volkov,S (2587)-Semeniuk,A (2456)/St Petersburg 1999/CBM 071/[Krasenkow] (1-0,
85)}) 14. Rb1 b6 15. Kd2 {Jussupow,A (2665)-Khalifman,A (2650)/Ubeda 1997/CBM
058/[Ernst] (1-0, 51)}) (10... O-O 11. Nf3 Bg4 {Parligras,M (2598)
-Nepomniachtchi,I (2729)/Aix-les-Bains 2011/CBM 142/[Krasenkow] (1-0, 42)}) 11.
Be2 {The simplest way of continuing the somewhat delayed development.} (11. f3
Bd7 {leaves White with two minor pieces competing for the e2-square, Krush,I 
(2399)-Lalic,B (2548)/Hastings 2000/CBM 075/[Krasenkow] (0-1, 56)}) 11... Bxe2
12. Nxe2 {White has managed to maintain the integrity of his centre and get a
normal development. Black has his own trumps, though. The exchange of two
minor pieces make his lack of space less relevant, while the c4-square has
become a comfortable target for his knight.} Na5 (12... O-O 13. O-O e6 14. Bh6
$1 {A standard reaction once the f6-square has been weakened so radically.} (
14. d5 {Kozul,Z (2605)-Avrukh,B (2575)/Belgrade 1999/CBM 069/[Avrukh,B] (0-1,
40)}) 14... Qa5 15. Qe3 Bxh6 16. Qxh6 Qxa2 17. Nf4 Ne7 18. Qg5 (18. Rd3 $5)
18... f6 (18... Qa3 19. Rd3 $40) 19. Qb5 b6 20. Ra1 Qc2 21. Nxe6 $16 {Roiz,M 
(2658)-Avrukh,B (2641)/Netanya 2009/CBM 131 Extra (1-0, 50)}) 13. Rc1 {
"Correcting" the rook's position.} ({The other way of defending the c4-square
is} 13. Qb4 O-O 14. O-O b6 15. d5 Qd6 16. Qb5 Qe5 $132 {Lputian,S (2605)
-Kasparov,G (2851)/Wijk aan Zee 2000/CBM 075/[Krasenkow] (1/2, 30)}) 13... O-O
{Aronian deviates from an earlier game of his.} (13... b5 14. Qb4 a6 15. a4 Nc4
16. axb5 Nxe3 17. fxe3 Rb8 18. Qc3 axb5 19. Qc6+ Qd7 20. Kd2 Qxc6 21. Rxc6 {
Now, in Nielsen,P (2585)-Aronian,L (2528)/Ohrid 2001/CBM 084/[Krasenkow] (1-0,
76), Black should have kept his king close to the centre with} Kd7 {according
to Krasenkow.}) 14. O-O $146 {Forcing Black to reveal his cards.} (14. Qb4 {
, as played in Franco Alonso,A (2421)-Moreno Ruiz,J (2485)/Madrid 2006/CBM 111
ext (1/2, 44), is premature:} Nc6 $1 $146 15. Qa4 (15. Qxb7 Nxd4 $11) (15. Qc5
Rc8) (15. Qd2 Na5 $11) 15... a6 16. d5 b5 $132) 14... b5 {With the queen tied
up to the defence of the knight, Black cannot do without this move,
threatening to invade c4. White now gets a clear target, though.} 15. Qb4 a6
16. a4 (16. Bg5 Re8 17. a4 Rb8 $1 {With the rook on e8, this is simple and
good.} 18. Bf4 e5 $1 19. dxe5 bxa4 20. Qxa4 Bxe5 $11) 16... Nc4 ({But now,} 
16... Rb8 $2 {loses material to} 17. Bf4 $16 Rb7 18. Bd2 Nc4 19. Rxc4 $18) 17.
axb5 Nxe3 18. fxe3 axb5 19. Qxb5 {The positive difference if compared to
Aronian's previous game is that Black has castled. The negative side is that
he has lost a pawn on the way. WIll his counterplay against the weak e3-pawn
be enough?!} Ra3 20. Rf3 (20. Nc3 $2 Bxd4 $1 $17) (20. Rc3 $2 Rxc3 21. Nxc3
Bxd4 $1) (20. Qg5 e5 21. Qxd8 Rxd8 22. Rc7 Bh6 $132) 20... Bh6 21. Rc3 Ra1+ 22.
Rf1 Rxf1+ 23. Kxf1 e6 {White's coordination is a bit spoiled. His way of
making progress is not clear yet, but Black's counterplay is also not too
concrete. The compensation is on the verge of being adequate.} 24. g3 {Despite
weakening the long diagonal, this offers chances for keeping an edge.} (24. e5
$6 Qh4 25. h3 f6 $36) (24. h3 $5 {is a worthy alternative:} Qh4 25. Qb7 $1 {
Not only preventing ...Ra8, but also creating the possibility of Rc8!} Qf6+ (
25... f5 26. e5 f4 27. exf4 Bxf4 28. Rc8 $1 $16) 26. Kg1 Qh4 27. Qb1 Ra8 28. e5
$14) (24. Kg1 $5) 24... Qa8 25. d5 (25. Qd3 f5 $36 {[%cal Ga8h1]}) 25... Rb8 $6
{Dreaming of a queenside invasion, but probably missing White's strong reply.}
(25... exd5 26. exd5 Re8 {would have left White with serious problems proving
a constructive plan.}) 26. Ra3 $1 Qxa3 27. Qxb8+ Bf8 (27... Kg7 28. Qe5+ Kg8
29. dxe6 $16) 28. dxe6 fxe6 29. Kf2 $16 {White is a pawn up and can play for a
win without any risk.} Qa1 30. Qb3 Qf6+ 31. Nf4 Kf7 32. Ke2 (32. h4 $5 $16)
32... Qe5 33. Kf3 g5 $132 {Suddenly, the king feels some danger.} 34. Qb7+ Be7
35. Nd3 Qa1 36. Nf2 Qf1 37. Qb2 g4+ 38. Kxg4 Qg2 39. Qc2 h5+ 40. Kxh5 Qxh2+ 41.
Kg4 Bd6 42. Kf3 Bxg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.23"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A25"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. Rb1 a5 6. a3 f5 7. b4 axb4 8. axb4
e4 9. Nh3 Nge7 10. O-O O-O 11. Nd5 d6 12. d3 exd3 13. exd3 Nxd5 14. Bxd5+ Kh8
15. Ng5 Qf6 16. h4 h6 17. Re1 Nd4 18. Be3 c6 19. Nf3 cxd5 20. Bxd4 Qf7 21. Ra1
Rxa1 22. Qxa1 dxc4 23. dxc4 Kg8 24. Bxg7 Qxg7 25. Qd1 Qf6 26. Qd5+ Kh8 27. Rd1
f4 28. Qxd6 Qxd6 29. Rxd6 fxg3 30. fxg3 Rxf3 31. Rd8+ Kg7 32. Rxc8 Rxg3+ 33.
Kf2 Rg4 34. b5 b6 35. Rc7+ Kf6 36. Rc6+ Ke5 37. Rxb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amber-rapid 20th"]
[Site "Monte Carlo"]
[Date "2011.03.24"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C70"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2011.03.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNC"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nge7 5. c3 g6 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 b5 8. Bc2
d5 9. e5 Bg7 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. h3 f6 12. exf6 Rxf6 13. O-O Qf8 14. Re1 h6 15.
Re3 Nf5 16. Rd3 Nd6 17. Ne5 Nb4 18. Rf3 Nxc2 19. Qxc2 Bf5 20. Qc5 Nf7 21. Qxc7
Nxe5 22. dxe5 Rf7 23. Qc6 Qd8 24. Rxf5 Rxf5 25. Qxg6 Qf8 26. Nf3 Qf7 27. Qd6
Re8 28. Bxh6 Re6 29. Qd8+ Re8 30. Qd6 Re6 31. Qd8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Kazan"]
[Date "2011.05.05"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D87"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Caruana,F"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[EventDate "2011.05.05"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 {Already a surprise! Although Grischuk has played
the King's Indian many times before, I don't remember having seen him play the
Grünfeld.} 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O
10. O-O b6 {A rare move, which was played by Vishy Anand against Veselin
Topalov in their World Championship match. At first I was s2eptical, but later
I came to appreciate this move, which does little to challenge the centre, but
solves the problem of where to put Black's light-squared bishop, which often
can't find a good place. In comparison, the very popular 10...Bd7 looks really
weird to me - I just can't understand what the bishop is doing there.} 11. dxc5
{Levon is not impressed, and decides to take the pawn on offer. When I was
analyzing this variation a couple of months ago, I came to the same conclusion
that this was the critical continuation. Perhaps I was a little too keen to
listen to the machine's advice; now I would be less likely to endorse a move
which ruins White's pawn structure and opens all the lines for Black's pieces.}
({Topalov-Anand, Sofia 2010 continued} 11. Qd2 Bb7 12. Rac1 Rc8 13. Rfd1 cxd4
14. cxd4 Qd6 15. d5 Na5 16. Bb5 Rxc1 17. Rxc1 Rc8 18. h3 Rxc1+ 19. Qxc1 e6 {
, and Black had fully equalized.}) ({I hope in the future we seen a return to
moves like} 11. f4 $5 {- the caveman's approach to chess, which unfortunately
probably doesn't work very well here.}) 11... Qc7 {Of course Black will not
trade queens.} 12. Nd4 Ne5 13. Nb5 Qb8 {An interesting moment. Black also has
the option of playing 13...Qc6, a move preferred by the computer.} (13... Qc6 {
I imagine the reason Grischuk avoided this move is because of} 14. Bd5 Qxb5 15.
Bxa8 Ba6 16. Bd5 e6 17. Bb3 Qxf1+ 18. Qxf1 Bxf1 19. Kxf1 Ng4 20. Bd2 bxc5 21.
h3 Rd8 22. Rd1 Ne5 23. Ke2 {, when we reach a position where White's two
bishops grant him a clear and risk free advantage. Black has no way to
neutralize the pressure and will have to suffer for a long time.}) 14. Be2 ({
White could have won the exchange with} 14. Bd5 Ng4 15. g3 Nxe3 16. fxe3 {
However, I imagine most people would not be happy to wreck their entire
position in this way. After} Bh3 17. Rf2 bxc5 {Black will have great
compensation.}) 14... bxc5 $146 {A novelty, but an extremely obvious one. I
can't imagine Levon overlooking this in his preparation, but I'm not sure what
he missed, because Black got a perfect position in a few moves.} ({Previously} 
14... a6 $6 {had been played, illogically driving away a misplaced piece. After
} 15. Na3 bxc5 16. f4 Nd7 17. e5 {, Black just has a bad position. White's
knight will come to the dominating c4 square next, and Black's dark-squared
bishop is a terrible piece.}) 15. f4 {White is trying to block the g7-bishop
by playing f4 and e5. Unfortunately, he will never get the chance.} (15. Bxc5
a6 16. Nd4 Qc7 {gives Black perfect compensation.}) (15. Rb1 {at first seems
very promising, but the tactics again work in Black's favour:} a6 16. Na3 Qc7
17. f4 Rd8 18. Qc2 Ng4 {, and White will have to give up one of his bishops.})
15... Ng4 {Of course! This is why Black postponed playing ...a6.} 16. Bxc5 {
Again Levon decides to grab a pawn, only this time he had no choice.} ({After} 
16. Bxg4 Bxg4 17. Qxg4 Qxb5 18. e5 Qc4 {White's best move is to offer a draw
as quickly as possible.}) 16... a6 17. Na3 {White has to continue placing his
pieces on strange squares to try to justify his risky opening strategy.} ({
The move} 17. Bxg4 {leads to a complete annihilation of all the pieces:} Bxg4
18. Qxg4 Qxb5 19. Bd4 Bxd4+ 20. cxd4 Qc4 {, and here the game will soon end in
a draw.}) 17... Qc7 18. Bd4 e5 19. fxe5 Nxe5 {Now Black has a great outpost
for his knight. After a few small fireworks, the position has stabilized.
White is up a pawn and the bishop is holding his shaky pawn structure together
from d4. However, all Black's pieces are perfectly placed and he should have
full positional compensation.} 20. Qc1 {From here the queen will go to e3 or
f4.} Bg4 $6 {I don't like this move, although objectively it's not such a bad
one. Black is down a pawn and decides to go into an endgame - where's the
logic in that? Instead, simple play would have sufficed.} ({After} 20... Be6
21. Nc2 Rab8 {Black is doing very well. For example,} 22. Nb4 (22. Bxa6 Qc6 {
wins back a pawn.}) 22... Rxb4 23. cxb4 Nf3+ 24. gxf3 Bxd4+ 25. Kh1 Qb6 {
, and Black wins the exchange back with a great position.}) 21. Bxg4 Nxg4 22.
Qf4 Qxf4 ({After} 22... Ne5 $2 23. Nc2 {the knight just goes to d5 and Black
will be in big trouble.}) 23. Rxf4 Ne5 24. Rb1 {Although White's advantage is
not large and is very hard to convert, the defensive task is unpleasant,
especially against such a strong technical player as Levon.} Rad8 ({I would
prefer} 24... Rac8 {, which prepares ...Nc4. If} 25. Rb7 (25. Nc2 {is met by}
Nd3) 25... Nc6 26. Bxg7 Kxg7 {Black will be able to make a draw because of the
poor position of the knight on a3.}) 25. Nc2 Nd3 $2 {This is where things
really start to go wrong for Black. I'm not sure what Grischuk was trying to
achieve with this move, which simply puts the knight on a useless square.} ({
It would be better to place the knight on a nice outpost with} 25... Nc4 {
, when} 26. Rb7 {is met by the strong manouver} (26. Rb4 Rc8 {keeps control.})
26... Nd6 $1 27. Rb6 Nb5 $1 {, with equality. In case you were wondering, I
didn't find that variation myself....}) 26. Rff1 {Levon sees that his rook is
attacked and decides to move it. A good decision.} Rd7 {Grischuk is preventing
Rb7, but his play seems too slow. White is starting to consolidate his
position.} 27. Rfd1 Nf4 28. Kf2 {Aronian continues playing simply and strongly.
This is how the top players play: operating with logical, harmonious moves!}
Rc8 29. Ne3 h5 {This move, which doesn't seem to have much of an idea at all,
is a clear sign that Black's position has gone very wrong. White is just a
pawn up, with well-placed pieces.} 30. Rb6 {White has an enormous variety of
options at this point (which is actually more of a disadvantage than anything
else!), most of which are of near equal value. Aronian's move is very
reasonable, but he may have had a stronger alternative.} ({I quite like} 30.
Rb4 $5 {, which supports the bishop on d4 and prepares Ra4, attacking a6. After
} Ne6 {White has the option between the simple 31.e5 or} 31. Nd5 Nxd4 32. Nb6
$1 Rxc3 33. Nxd7 Rc2+ 34. Kf1 {, although I imagine it isn't easy to calculate
this variation.}) 30... Ne6 31. Bxg7 Rxd1 32. Nxd1 Kxg7 33. Ke3 Nc5 34. Rd6 a5
35. c4 {White begins pushing his pawns. Black can't do much about it at all.
In such situations the best thing to do is wait and hope your opponent gives
you a chance for counterplay.} a4 36. Kd4 Ne6+ 37. Kc3 Rb8 38. Rd5 Nf4 39. Rd2
Ne6 40. Rb2 Rd8 41. Nf2 a3 42. Rd2 Rb8 43. Nd3 Rb1 44. c5 Kf6 45. c6 Ke7 46.
Nb4 Rc1+ 47. Kb3 $2 {A strange mistake. I imagine both players were already
tired at this point. Levon has played the game perfectly up to this point, but
now he allows unnecessary counterplay.} ({Instead} 47. Nc2 $1 {, just wins on
the spot. There are actually no variations to calculate: White will pick up
the a3-pawn with Kb3, and Black cannot do anything at all!}) 47... Nc5+ 48.
Kxa3 Nxe4 {Now White has to win the game over again. Black's pieces are very
active, and White seems tied down to the defence of c6.} 49. Rd4 Nd6 50. Ka4
Ke6 51. Ka5 Rc5+ 52. Ka6 {Again tiredness is playing a role.} ({I see no
reason to avoid} 52. Kb6 Rb5+ 53. Ka6 {, which forces 53...Rc5 and therefore
gains a tempo compared to the game.}) 52... g5 53. a4 Ke5 54. Rd2 $2 {Another
mistake making White's task more difficult.} ({After} 54. Rd1 Rc4 55. Rb1 {
White will continue with Kb6 and win.}) 54... Rc4 55. Ka5 {White is forced to
make this awkward move as a result of his last mistake. It seems like every
move Grischuk gets more and more chances to save the game!} ({Now} 55. Rb2 {
is met by} Kd4 {, threatening ...Kc3. This is the reason the rook had to be on
b1!}) 55... f5 56. Rc2 Kd4 57. Rd2+ Ke5 58. Nd3+ Kf6 59. Kb6 Nc8+ 60. Kb7 Nd6+
61. Kc7 Ne4 62. Ra2 Nc3 63. Rb2 Nxa4 64. Rb4 Rxb4 65. Nxb4 Nc5 66. Kb6 Ne6 67.
Nd3 h4 68. h3 {A very calm positional move. Actually, this works reasonably
well, but why not just take the knight immediately?} (68. c7 {would have won
easily. Of course, it is very easy to say this while looking at a computer,
while over the board things are never so simple.} Nxc7 69. Kxc7 {, and Black's
pawns are not strong enough to make a draw.} f4 70. Kd6 Kf5 71. Kd5 g4 72. Kd4
g3 73. hxg3 fxg3 74. Ke3 Kg4 75. Nf4 {wins.}) 68... Ke7 69. Nc5 $2 {The
dramatic end of a long and difficult game. Levon once again had the win at his
fingertips, but let it slip. With just one move he could have ended Black's
stiff resistance. It's interesting to understand what he missed; I would
venture to guess that he felt the pawn ending would be winning without
calculating any details. This often happens after several hours of play -
laziness sets in and you don't feel up to calculating variations.} (69. Ne5 $1
{would have won. White just threatens to play c7.} Kf6 (69... Kd6 70. Nf7+ Ke7
71. Nxg5 {decoys the knight on e6.}) 70. Nf3 {, and Black can't stop c7.})
69... Nxc5 70. Kxc5 Kd8 {And a draw! Black will just trade pawns with ...g4
and come back with his king in time. This was an extremely exciting game.
Aronian played the first half of the game in great style and slowly improved a
slightly better position. However, in the second half he began making many
mistakes and missing win after win. Grischuk, on the other hand, defended
extremely tenaciously after his initial unconvincing play. It will be
interesting to see how the results of this game will affect the rest of the
match - if Aronian will be put on the defensive after this disappointing draw.}
1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Kazan"]
[Date "2011.05.06"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2011.05.05"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. cxd5 ({The game variation usually
is achieved with} 5. Qc2 c5 6. cxd5 exd5) 5... exd5 6. Qc2 c5 ({Aronian may
have feared some special analysis of his opponent in the main line after} 6...
c6 7. Bg5 g6 8. e4 $5) 7. Bg5 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Nc6 9. Rd1 (9. Nxc6 {Kortschnoj,V 
(2608)-Baramidze,D (2554)/Pulvermuehle 2006/CBM 112/[Dautov] (1-0, 50)}) 9...
O-O $146 (9... h6 10. Bh4 Qa5 11. e3 O-O 12. Be2 Be6 13. Nb3 Qb4 $132 {
Rustemov,A (2565)-Ubilava,E (2521)/Olite 2006/CBM 115 (1/2, 94)}) 10. e3 Be6
11. Be2 Rc8 12. Nf5 h6 13. Bh4 Re8 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. O-O g5 16. Bg3 Ne4 17.
Qb1 Nxg3 18. hxg3 Red8 19. Nb5 {White is one step away from reaching a dream
blockade on d4, after having exchanged two minor pieces already.} d4 $1 $11 20.
Nxd4 Nxd4 21. exd4 (21. Rxd4 Rxd4 22. exd4 Bxa2 $11) 21... Qf6 (21... Bxa2 $5)
22. Bf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Kazan"]
[Date "2011.05.07"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D97"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2011.05.05"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 a6 8. Be2
b5 9. Qb3 c5 10. dxc5 Be6 11. Qc2 Nbd7 12. Be3 Rc8 13. Rd1 b4 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15.
exd5 Nxc5 16. O-O {This important line was examined in the theoretical article
in CBM 139.} a5 (16... Nce4 $5 17. Qd3 a5 18. Ne5 Qc7 19. f4 Qc2 20. Nc6 Qxd3
21. Nxe7+ Kh8 22. Rxd3 Rc7 23. Nc6 Nxd5 24. Rxd5 Rxc6 25. f5 Bxb2 26. Rxa5 Rd6
27. Bf3 {1/2 Sandipan,C (2641)-Svidler,P (2731)/Germany 2010/CBM 138 Extra}) (
16... Qd6 $5 17. Rc1 Qb8 18. Bxc5 Nd7 19. Bxa6 Rxc5 20. Qd2 Rd8 21. Rxc5 Nxc5
22. Bc4 e6 23. Rd1 Na4 24. Bb3 Nc5 25. Bc4 Na4 26. Bb3 Nc5 27. Qe3 Nxb3 28.
Qxb3 exd5 29. Ne1 Qd6 30. Nd3 Bf8 31. g3 Ra8 32. h4 Qa6 33. Nxb4 Bxb4 34. Qxb4
Qxa2 $11 {1/2 Riazantsev,A (2689)-Rodshtein,M (2625)/Moscow 2011/CBM 141 (41)})
17. Bc4 $146 {[%mdl 8] A solid move safely protecting the important d5-pawn.} (
17. h3 Nce4 18. Qb1 Nd6 19. Ba6 Ra8 20. Be2 Rc8 21. Rfe1 Nf5 22. Bc1 Rc5 23. g4
Nd6 24. Nd4 Qb6 25. Nb3 Rxd5 $15 {1/2 Berkes,F (2663)-Safarli,E (2587)/Paks
2009/CBM 133 (47)}) (17. Rfe1 Nb7 (17... Ncd7 18. Bc4 Ng4 19. Bd4 Qc7 20. Bxg7
Kxg7 21. b3 Qc5 22. Qe2 Nb6 {1/2 Tomashevsky,E (2695)-Le Quang,L (2664)/Moscow
2011/CBM 141 (45)} 23. Nd4 Nf6 24. d6 $1 $36) 18. Qd2 Nc5 19. Bb5 Nce4 20. Qd3
Nc5 21. Qc2 Nce4 22. Bc6 Nd6 23. Bf4 Qb6 24. Qe2 Nf5 25. Ne5 Nh5 26. Bc1 Nd4
27. Qe3 Bxe5 28. Qxe5 Nxc6 29. dxc6 Rxc6 30. Qxe7 Rc2 $132 {1-0 Kasimdzhanov,R
(2681)-Rodshtein,M (2625)/Moscow 2011/CBM 141 (58)}) (17. Bb5 Nce4 18. Bc6 Nd6
19. Qe2 Nf5 20. Rfe1 (20. Bg5 h6 21. Bxf6 Bxf6 22. Rfe1 Qc7 23. Bb5 Rfd8 24.
Ba6 Ra8 25. Rc1 Qd6 26. Bd3 Qxd5 27. Be4 Qxa2 28. Bxa8 Rxa8 $15 {0-1 Belov,V 
(2627)-Gupta,A (2565)/Kavala 2009/CBM 131 Extra (61)}) (20. Ne5 Qc7 21. f4 Nxe3
22. Qxe3 Qd6 {[%cal Ye7e6]} 23. Qa7 Qc7 $11) 20... Qc7 21. Rc1 Ng4 22. Bc5 Nd4
(22... Nh4 $5) 23. Bxd4 Bxd4 24. Rf1 Bf6 {1/2 Bluvshtein,M (2590)-Mekhitarian,
K (2528)/Moscow 2011/CBM 141}) 17... Qd6 18. Bd4 Ncd7 (18... Ng4 $5 {was
probably more accurate, e.g.} 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Rfe1 Nd7 21. Qe2 Nb6 22. b3
Rfd8 $1 $11) 19. Qe2 Ng4 20. Rfe1 Rfe8 {This is not the best place for the
rook.} 21. Ba6 Ra8 (21... Rc7 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. h3 Ngf6 24. Nd4 $1 $16 {
[%cal Rd4b5,Rd4e6]}) 22. Bb5 $14 {[%cal Gb5e8]} Bxd4 23. Rxd4 Ngf6 24. h3 Rab8
25. Ba4 Red8 {Black decides on an inferior endgame, in which White's bishop
will be stronger than Black's knight in an open position. However, he holds
his ground by accurate defence.} 26. Qxe7 Nb6 27. Bd1 Rbc8 28. Qa7 Ra8 29. Qb7
Rdc8 30. Qe7 Qxe7 31. Rxe7 Nfxd5 32. Rb7 Rc7 33. Rxc7 Nxc7 {[%mdl 4096]} 34.
Bb3 a4 35. Bc2 Ncd5 36. Be4 Ra5 37. Ne5 Rc5 (37... a3 $1 {was a good occasion
to equalise:} 38. bxa3 (38. Bxd5 Rxd5 39. Rxb4 Rxe5 40. Rxb6 Re1+ 41. Kh2 Rb1
$11) 38... Nc3 $1 39. Nc6 Rxa3 $11) 38. Bxd5 Rxd5 39. Rxb4 Rxe5 40. Rxb6 Re1+
41. Kh2 Re2 42. Kg3 a3 43. bxa3 Rxa2 {This theoretical endgame is also rather
drawish.} 44. Rb3 (44. Ra6 h5 45. h4 Kg7 {- here, too, Black's classic
defensive plan includes ...f7-f6 and ...g6-g5.}) 44... Kg7 45. f4 h5 46. h4 f6
$1 47. Kf3 g5 {Reducing material to a minimum.} 48. hxg5 fxg5 49. g3 (49. fxg5
Kg6 50. g3 Kxg5 51. Ke4 Kg4 {[%cal Ra2g2]} 52. Kd4 Rg2 53. a4 Ra2 $1 $11) 49...
Kf6 50. Ke4 gxf4 51. Kxf4 (51. gxf4 h4 52. Rh3 Kg6 $11) 51... Ra1 52. Ke4 Ke6 {
The simplest course - Black's king follows White's to the queenside.} (52...
Kg5 {was too late here:} 53. Kd4 Kg4 54. Kc5 Rg1 $2 55. a4) 53. Re3 (53. Rb6+
Kd7 54. Ra6 Rc1 {[%cal Yc1c4,Yh5h4]}) 53... Ra2 54. Kd4+ Kd6 55. Kc4 Rh2 $1 {
[%cal Yh5h4]} 56. Kb5 Kc7 57. Re7+ Kb8 58. Rh7 Rg2 59. Kb6 Rb2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Kazan"]
[Date "2011.05.08"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2011.05.05"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. e3 Bf5 7. Nge2 Nd7 8.
Ng3 Bg6 9. Be2 Nb6 $5 {A flexible move, delaying ...Nf6 in order to prevent an
early h2-h4.} (9... Ngf6 10. h4 {and}) (9... Qb6 10. Qd2 h5 {are more popular
continuations.}) 10. Rc1 $5 {An useful waiting move, inviting Black to play ...
Nf6.} Nf6 11. h4 h6 $146 (11... h5 12. Bg5 Kf8 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Bxh5 Bxh5 15.
Nxh5 Bxh4 16. Nf4 g6 $11 {Wang Yue (2644)-Barsov,A (2537)/Doha 2006/CBM 115
ext (1/2, 20)}) 12. h5 Bh7 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 O-O 15. Nf5 Re8 16. f3 Bf8 17.
Kf2 {White has considerable space advantage, but the weakness of the e3-pawn
may tell in the event of minor piece exchanges.} (17. Kf2 Nc4 18. b3 Nd6 $132)
1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament playoff rapid"]
[Site "Kazan"]
[Date "2011.05.09"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A37"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2011.05.09"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O Nge7 7. Ne1 d6 8. Nc2
Be6 9. Ne3 O-O 10. d3 Qd7 {This solid approach against the Symmetrical English
is, in my opinion, an underestimated system. Black has a glaring weakness on
d5, but on the other hand that is his only palpable weakness in the position.
He will be able to advance pawns on the kingside and he can, with correct play,
prevent most advances on the queenside.} 11. Ned5 Bh3 12. Rb1 (12. Bh6 $6 {
is a strategically flawed cheapo. Black wants to exchange the light squared
bishops as the g2 bishop can be quite powerful in a queenside attack, but the
g7 bishop is currently serving no purpose as it is stuck behind the pawns.})
12... Bxg2 13. Kxg2 Rac8 14. e4 Nxd5 15. Nxd5 Ne7 16. Nc3 {White's only claim
to anything here is that he can control d4 with his bishop while Black can
only defend it with his own knight. Therefore the exchange of knights would
instantly result in a dead position.} Nc6 17. Be3 f5 18. f3 $6 {A little
over-ambitious. White should realise he doesn't have anything in the position
and start thinking about maintaining the balance.} (18. Nd5 Ne7 19. Nc3 $11)
18... f4 {Black didn't have to pick up the gauntlet like this, but there was
no reason not to.} (18... Rf7 {was just as sound.} 19. Qd2 Rcf8 20. exf5 Rxf5
$11) 19. Bg1 h5 {Black's kingside pawns are rolling and White hasn't been able
to create anything on the queenside yet.} 20. Nd5 Rf7 21. g4 (21. a3 Rcf8 22.
b4 b6 {This is the typical way of handling the queenside initiative.} 23. Qa4
fxg3 24. hxg3 h4 {when White's position on the queenside is going nowhere, but
his position on the kingside is falling apart.}) 21... hxg4 22. fxg4 Rcf8 23.
Qf3 {This bloackade would be much more successful with a knight, as opposed to
a queen. But then again, the d5-knight is White's only saving grace in this
position!} Bf6 24. Bf2 $6 {The bishop is badly placed in f2, as the exchange
of bishops favours Black.} Rh7 25. Nxf6+ {Aronian could not have been happy
making this move. However he didn't like the prospect of Black's bishop coming
to h4.} (25. a3 Bh4 26. Bg1 Nd8 $1 {and when the knight gets to g5 the game
will be over.}) 25... Rxf6 26. Rh1 g5 $17 27. h3 b6 28. Rh2 Nd8 29. b3 Ne6 30.
Kf1 b5 31. Kg2 a5 32. Rhh1 Rf8 33. Rhc1 Rb8 34. Rh1 b4 35. Rh2 a4 {Black has
complete control over the board, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the
correct plan of action is to open another weakness on the queenside.} 36. Kh1
Ra8 37. Bg1 axb3 38. Rxb3 Ra4 39. Rbb2 Ra3 {White has no activity and enough
weaknesses to lose. The rest is simple for Grischuk.} 40. Rbg2 Qa4 41. h4 Rc3
42. Qf1 Qa3 43. hxg5 Rc1 44. Qf2 Rxh2+ 45. Kxh2 Nxg5 46. Kh1 Qxd3 47. Qh4 Qh3+
{It is unusual that a 2800 is defeated when he is playing White, and even more
unusual as Grischuk played nothing more than natural, good moves and let his
opponent undermine himself.} 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament playoff rapid"]
[Site "Kazan"]
[Date "2011.05.09"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "144"]
[EventDate "2011.05.09"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. Qc2 Nf6 {Alternatives:}
(6... g6) (6... Bd6) 7. e3 Nh5 {And this move is quite rare compared to} (7...
O-O {and}) (7... Nbd7) 8. Be5 (8. Bg3 {is more popular but doesn't create
serious problems for Black, e.g.} Nd7 9. Bd3 g6 10. Nge2 O-O 11. Nf4 Ndf6 12.
O-O-O Re8 13. Nxh5 Nxh5 14. Be5 Bd6 15. Bxd6 Qxd6 16. h3 Bd7 17. g4 Nf6 18. Kb1
Re7 19. Ka1 Rae8 $11 {1/2 Zhou Jianchao (2650)-Liang Chong (2502)/China 2010/
CBM 136 Extra (70)}) 8... Nd7 9. Be2 Nxe5 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] A very original
decision. Black allows White to destroy his pawn structure hoping to make use
of his bishop pair. It is amazing to see how perfectly his idea works!} (9...
Nhf6 10. Bg3 O-O 11. Nf3 b6 12. O-O Bb7 13. Rfd1 Re8 14. a3 a5 15. Ne5 $14 {
1/2 Shishkov,A (2403)-Volodin,A (2401)/Rakvere 2009/CBM 128 Extra (33)}) 10.
dxe5 g6 11. Bxh5 gxh5 12. O-O-O f6 $1 {The point.} 13. Nf3 (13. e4 {looks
logical but Black obtains counterplay anyway, e.g.} d4 14. exf6 Bxf6 15. Nf3 (
15. Nge2 O-O 16. f4 Be6 $13) 15... Bg4 16. Ne2 Qa5 17. Kb1 (17. Nfxd4 Qxa2 18.
f3 O-O-O $1) 17... O-O-O 18. Nfxd4 Qb6 19. f3 Bxd4 20. Nxd4 Rxd4 21. fxg4 hxg4
22. e5 Rf8 $132) 13... fxe5 14. Nxe5 O-O $132 {[%cal Ye7f6,Yc8f5]} 15. f4 $6 {
This only weakens White's position.} (15. Kb1 $142 Bf6 16. Nd3 {[%cal Yc3e2,
Ye2f4]}) 15... Bd6 16. Nf3 Bf5 17. Qd2 Qf6 18. e4 {This breakthrough results
in a clearly better endgame for Black.} (18. Nd4 $5) 18... dxe4 19. Qxd6 exf3
20. Qxf6 Rxf6 21. gxf3 Bg6 22. Ne2 Re8 23. Rd2 Re3 24. Rf1 Bd3 25. Rf2 Kf7 26.
b3 h4 27. Kb2 Bxe2 28. Rdxe2 Rxe2+ 29. Rxe2 Rxf4 {[%csl Rf3][%mdl 4096] Black
now gradually converts his advantage. Of course, it is senseless to analyse
the niceties of this ending as this was a rapid game.} 30. Rf2 Rd4 31. Kc3 Rd1
32. f4 Kf6 33. Rg2 h5 34. a4 Rf1 35. Rg5 Rf3+ 36. Kc2 Rxf4 37. Rxh5 Rf2+ 38.
Kc3 Rxh2 39. Rh7 Kg6 40. Rxb7 h3 41. Rb8 Rf2 42. Rh8 h2 43. Kd3 Kg5 44. Ke3 Rb2
45. Kf3 Rxb3+ 46. Kg2 Rb2+ 47. Kh1 Kf5 48. Rc8 Rc2 49. Ra8 Ke4 50. Rxa7 Ra2 51.
a5 Kd4 52. a6 Kc5 53. Ra8 Kc4 54. Ra7 c5 55. Ra8 Kb5 56. Rb8+ Kc6 57. Rc8+ Kb6
58. Rb8+ Kc7 59. Rb7+ Kc6 60. Ra7 c4 61. Ra8 Kc7 62. a7 c3 63. Re8 Rxa7 64.
Kxh2 Kb6 65. Kg3 Kc5 66. Kf2 Kc4 67. Ke2 Kb3 68. Rc8 Kb2 69. Rb8+ Kc1 70. Kd3
c2 71. Rh8 Ra3+ 72. Kc4 Kb1 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament playoff rapid"]
[Site "Kazan"]
[Date "2011.05.09"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2011.05.09"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. e3 Nf6 5. a3 $5 Be7 ({The more principled} 
5... d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bb5 Nxc3 8. bxc3 Bd6 {would transpose to a reversed
Paulsen with an extra tempo for White. However, the presence of the pawn on a3
rather than on a2, may favour Black, because it weakens b3 and restricts the
c1-bishop. In any case, in practice Black has scored quite well. See for
instance the annotated game Hauchard,A (2539)-Tukmakov,V (2582)/Solin/Split
2000/CBM 081/[Ribli] (0-1, 36) Since the main game caused Grischuk a lot of
suffering, he may have taken into account precisely this line for the case of
a future encounter.}) 6. d4 $1 {After mutual castling, ...d5 would become a
serious threat. Therefore, White has to be faster in opening the centre.} exd4
(6... cxd4 7. exd4 e4 $146 {has never been tried in practice. After} 8. Ng5 {
, the move ...Bb4 is not available any more, meaning that Black has to find a
way of proving his compensation for the lost e4-pawn.}) 7. exd4 cxd4 8. Nxd4
O-O 9. Nc2 d6 $146 {Improving over an old game of Kramnik, who will be
Grischuk's opponent in the semi-finals and with whom he will continue the
theoretical duel in the Symmetrical English!} (9... b6 10. Bf4 Ba6 11. b4 Bb7
12. Be2 d6 13. O-O Ne5 14. Ne3 Rc8 15. Rc1 Re8 16. Qd2 Bf8 17. Rfd1 h6 18. Bg3
Re6 19. Qd4 Nc6 $14 {1/2 Benjamin,J (2620)-Kramnik,V (2710)/Groningen 1993/CBM
039}) 10. Be2 Be6 11. Ne3 $14 {White has stabilised the position and retains
the better chances because of his superior structure.} Rc8 12. O-O a6 13. b3
Na5 {[%csl Gc3][%cal Gb7b5]} 14. a4 {[%csl Gb3,Gb4]} Qb6 15. Rb1 Nc6 16. Re1 (
16. Ncd5 Bxd5 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Qxd5 Nb4 19. Qf5 Rfe8 20. Be3 (20. a5 Qc5 $11)
20... Qc7 21. Rfd1 Bf6 $14 {Black has some chances for a blockade on the dark
squares.}) 16... Rfd8 17. Bf3 Ne5 18. Bd5 $16 {White's control on the light
squares is overwhelming, but Aronian will miss his chance to win the game and,
possibly, the match.} Bf8 19. Bb2 Re8 20. Ba1 Rb8 21. Ne4 Nxd5 22. Nxd5 Qd8 23.
Rb2 (23. Nxd6 $16) 23... Bxd5 24. Qxd5 b5 25. Rbe2 bxc4 26. bxc4 Ng6 27. g3 Ne7
28. Qd3 Qd7 29. Nxd6 Red8 30. c5 Nc8 31. Be5 (31. Qc3 $3 Nxd6 32. c6 $1 {
[%csl Gb8,Gd8][%cal Gc6c7]} Qc7 33. Re7 $1 $18) 31... Nxd6 32. cxd6 Qxa4 33.
Bf4 h6 34. h4 Qb5 35. Qd1 Rb7 36. Rc2 Rbd7 37. Rc7 Bxd6 38. Rxd7 Qxd7 39. Qxd6
Qxd6 40. Bxd6 Rxd6 41. Re8+ Kh7 42. Re7 Kg6 43. Ra7 h5 44. Kg2 Kf6 45. f3 Rd2+
46. Kh3 Ra2 47. g4 hxg4+ 48. Kxg4 g6 49. f4 Ra5 50. Ra8 Ke6 51. Ra7 Kf6 52. Ra8
Ra1 53. Ra7 a5 54. Ra6+ Kg7 55. h5 f5+ 56. Kh4 Rh1+ 57. Kg3 Rg1+ 58. Kh2 Rg4
59. hxg6 Rxf4 60. Rxa5 Kxg6 61. Kg2 Kf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament playoff rapid"]
[Site "Kazan"]
[Date "2011.05.09"]
[Round "1.8"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2011.05.09"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 c6 8. h3 b6
9. b4 a5 10. a3 Ba6 11. Bxa6 Rxa6 12. O-O (12. b5 cxb5 13. c6 Qc8 14. c7 b4 {
is a very thoroughly analysed variation. Grischuk decides to deviate from this
mess and plays a more natural move.}) 12... Qa8 13. Rb1 axb4 14. axb4 Qb7 15.
Qc2 Rfa8 {Black has control over the only open file, but things are not so
simple. White does have an advantage in space and his bishop is far more
active than it's counterpart.} 16. Ne1 $5 {An interesting redeployment, trying
to quickly bolster c5 to allow a possible b5 break.} Bd8 17. Nd3 Ra3 $2 (17...
b5 {is usually an undesirable move, as it allows White a free hand on the rest
of the board. However, at this moment specifically maybe this move was
possible, with the plan of Bc7 and an eventual e5.}) 18. b5 $1 {Well timed.}
bxc5 19. dxc5 Be7 20. Rfc1 (20. Nb4 $1 {would've been a great way to continue
the pressure, as Wwhite would get a powerful pawn on c7} Nxc5 21. bxc6 Qc8 22.
c7 $1 $16) 20... g5 $5 {Aronian lashes out on the kingside, creating a
weakness but gaining time and space.} 21. Bg3 (21. Bxg5 $5 {was actually
possible} Rxc3 22. Qxc3 Ne4 23. bxc6 Qxc6 24. Ne5 Qc7 25. Qb2 Bxg5 26. Nxd7
Qxd7 27. c6 {and Black's pieces look ill prepared to stop the passed pawn.})
21... R8a5 22. Qd1 Bf8 (22... cxb5 {if Aronian knew what the future held for
him, he might've tried this line instead...} 23. c6 Qxc6 24. Nxb5 Qxb5 25. Rxb5
Rxb5 {when White is better, but not as much as in the game.}) 23. bxc6 Qxc6 24.
Nb4 $1 {White's iniative on the queenside is paying its dividends. The queen
must move away and make room for the powerful c-pawn to advance. Aronian sees
no hope in this and instead gives up his queen.} Qxc5 (24... Qa8 25. c6 Nc5 26.
c7 $18 {with too many threats.}) 25. Ncxd5 Nxd5 26. Rxc5 Rxc5 27. Nxd5 Rxd5 {
Unfortunately for Black, the g5-pawn allows White too many resources to create
threats against the black king. If the pawn were on g6, maybe it would have
been a different story.} 28. Qc2 Rc5 29. Qb2 Rd3 30. Ra1 Bg7 31. Ra8+ Nf8 32.
Qb8 Rcd5 33. Qe8 h6 34. Kh2 Rd2 35. Qe7 Rd7 36. Qe8 Kh7 37. Qb8 Rb2 38. Qc8 Kg6
39. Qc1 Rdb7 40. Rd8 Nh7 41. Qd1 R2b3 $2 {Levon cracks under pressure.} 42.
Qc2+ f5 43. Qc6 {With the weaknesses created by the forced f5 push,
penetration is around the corner} Nf8 44. Bd6 R3b6 45. Qe8+ Rf7 46. Bxf8 Be5+
47. g3 f4 48. Rd7 fxg3+ 49. Kg2 {Grischuk saved some amazing games in this
match, especially in game one of the classical and game three of the rapids.
Unlike his opponent, he was completely unforgiving when given a chance.} 1-0

[Event "WchT 8th"]
[Site "Ningbo"]
[Date "2011.07.17"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sutovsky, Emil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2011.07.17"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Israel"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISR"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Be3 Qa5 9. Nd2 {This rare move was always considered harmless.} cxd4 (9... O-O
10. Be2 (10. Nb3 Qxc3+ 11. Bd2 Qb2 12. Bc1 Qc3+ 13. Bd2 {1/2 Keene,R (2490)
-Adorjan,A (2545)/New York 1981/MCD}) 10... Qxc3 (10... b6 $5 11. O-O Ba6 12.
Nc4 Bxc4 13. Bxc4 Nc6 $11 {1/2 Chojnacki,K (2437)-Tomczak,J (2548)/Poznan POL
2011/The Week in Chess 872 (38)}) 11. Rc1 Qa5 12. Rxc5 Qxa2 13. O-O Nc6 (13...
Na6 14. Rc2 Qa5 15. Qb1 Qd8 16. Rfc1 b6 17. Qa1 Nb4 18. Rb2 $36 {1-0 Laznicka,
V (2681)-Navara,D (2722)/Novy Bor CZE 2011/The Week in Chess 874 (35)}) 14. Rc4
Qa5 15. d5 Ne5 16. Ra4 Qc7 17. f4 b5 18. Ra3 Nc4 19. Qc2 e6 20. Bxc4 bxc4 21.
Qxc4 Qd8 22. Bd4 exd5 23. exd5 Bb7 $11 {1/2 Kasimdzhanov,R (2687)-Navara,D 
(2638)/Wijk aan Zee 2009/CBM 129 (26)}) (9... Nd7 10. Nb3 Qc7 (10... Qxc3+ 11.
Bd2 Qb2 12. Bc1 Qc3+ $11) 11. Be2 (11. Bb5 O-O 12. O-O Nf6 {[%cal Rf6g4]} 13.
f3 a6 14. Be2 c4 15. Nd2 b5 16. f4 Bb7 17. Bf3 Nd7 18. f5 e5 $1 19. fxe6 fxe6
20. e5 Bxf3 21. Nxf3 Qc6 $15 {0-1 Vanheste,J (2380)-Tukmakov,V (2570)/Ostend
1990/EXT 1997 (46)}) 11... O-O 12. O-O b6 13. Qc1 Bb7 14. f3 Rfe8 15. Rd1 Rac8
16. Bb5 Bc6 17. Ba6 Rcd8 18. Bf4 e5 19. Bg5 f6 20. Be3 Ba4 $11 {0-1 Jepson,C 
(2405)-Nielsen,P (2681)/Helsingor DEN 2011/The Week in Chess 874 (64)}) 10. Nc4
(10. cxd4 $5 Nc6 (10... b6 11. Bc4 e6 12. O-O O-O 13. d5 $14 {1-0 Nikcevic,N 
(2440)-Dzevlan,M (2405)/Banja Vrucica 1991/EXT 1997 (28)}) 11. d5 Nd4 12. Rb1 (
12. Rc1 Qxa2 13. Bc4 Qb2 14. Bxd4 Qxd4 15. Bb5+ Kf8 16. O-O Bh6 $17 {1/2
Kuligowski,A (2450)-Adorjan,A (2545)/New York 1981/MCD (42)}) 12... Bd7 13. Bd3
b6 (13... Ba4 $5) 14. O-O Qxa2 15. Ra1 Qb2 16. Nc4 Qb4 17. e5 $44 {1/2 Sek
Zbigniew (2290)-Namark/corr 1987/[Sek,Z] (42)}) 10... dxe3 $5 $146 {[%mdl 512]
A controversial queen sacrifice, especially as Black has nothing to worry
about after} (10... Qd8 11. cxd4 O-O 12. Rb1 f5 $5 ({or} 12... b6) 13. exf5
Bxf5 14. Rxb7 Nc6 15. d5 (15. Ne5 Qc8 $1 16. Qb3+ Kh8 17. Nxc6 Qxc6 18. f3 Be6
$44) 15... Bc3+ 16. Bd2 Nd4 $1 17. Ne3 (17. Bxc3 $2 Nc2+ 18. Ke2 Qc8) 17... Qa5
18. Bxc3 Qxc3+ 19. Qd2 Qa1+ 20. Qd1 Qc3+ 21. Qd2 Qa1+ 22. Qd1 {1/2 Avrukh,B 
(2601)-Kovchan,A (2558)/Mulhouse FRA 2011/The Week in Chess 865}) 11. Nxa5
Bxc3+ 12. Ke2 Bxa5 13. Kxe3 O-O 14. Bb5 a6 15. Ba4 b5 16. Qd5 Ra7 17. Bb3 Bg4
$2 (17... Rd7 $142 18. Qc5 Bb7 19. Rhd1 Rc7 $44) 18. Qg5 Bb6+ 19. Kf4 Be6 20.
Bxe6 fxe6+ 21. Kg3 {The white king has escaped, Black's bishop pair has
vanished, and White finally converts his material advantage.} Nc6 22. Kh3 Nd4
23. Rhd1 Rc7 24. Rac1 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Ne2 26. Qe5 Bd4 (26... Nxc1 27. Qxe6+ Kg7
28. Qxb6 $18 {[%csl Rc1]}) (26... Rf6 27. Qb8+ (27. Rc2 $5 Nf4+ 28. Kg4) 27...
Kg7 28. Qxb6 Nxc1 29. Qe3 Nxa2 30. e5 Rf5 31. Qd2 Kf7 32. Qxa2 Rxe5 33. Qxa6 {
, and White should break down Black's fortress.}) 27. Qxe6+ Rf7 28. Rc8+ Kg7
29. g3 Ng1+ 30. Kg2 Rxf2+ 31. Kh1 Nf3 32. Qxe7+ Kh6 33. Qf8+ Kh5 34. Rc5+ Ng5
35. Rxg5+ Kxg5 36. Qd8+ Bf6 37. Qd3 Kg4 38. Qe3 1-0

[Event "WchT 8th"]
[Site "Ningbo"]
[Date "2011.07.18"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "159"]
[EventDate "2011.07.17"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "US of America"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 b4
9. Bg5 O-O 10. Nbd2 h6 11. Bh4 Rb8 12. Re1 Na5 13. Ba2 c5 14. Nc4 Nc6 15. Ne3
Be6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Bc4 Qc8 18. h4 Ne7 19. g3 g6 20. Kg2 Bh3+ 21. Kh2 Bd7 22.
Rg1 Bg7 23. h5 Kh8 24. Rg2 f5 25. Nh4 Bc6 26. hxg6 f4 27. Nd5 Nxd5 28. Bxd5
Bxd5 29. exd5 c4 30. g4 f3 31. Rg3 b3 32. c3 Rf4 33. Nf5 cxd3 34. Qxd3 e4 35.
Qe3 Rxf5 36. gxf5 Qxf5 37. Re1 Re8 38. Rxf3 Be5+ 39. Rg3 Qxg6 40. Kg2 Bxg3 41.
fxg3 Kg8 42. Rf1 Rf8 43. Rxf8+ Kxf8 44. Qf4+ Ke8 45. Kf2 h5 46. Ke3 Kd7 47. a5
Kc8 48. Kd4 Kc7 49. Qxe4 Qxg3 50. Qh7+ Kd8 51. Qh8+ Kc7 52. Qxh5 Qf2+ 53. Kc4
Qc5+ 54. Kxb3 Qb5+ 55. Kc2 Qa4+ 56. Kd2 Qxa5 57. Qf7+ Kb6 58. Qg8 Qb5 59. b4
Kc7 60. Qf7+ Kd8 61. Qf6+ Kc7 62. Qe7+ Kc8 63. Qxd6 Qf1 64. Qe6+ Kb7 65. Qe4
Qf2+ 66. Kd3 Qa2 67. Qf3 Qb1+ 68. Kd4 Qg6 69. Kc4 Kc7 70. Qd3 Qg1 71. Kb3 Qa1
72. c4 a5 73. Qh7+ Kd8 74. Qg8+ Kc7 75. d6+ Kxd6 76. Qd5+ Ke7 77. bxa5 Qb1+ 78.
Ka4 Kf6 79. a6 Kg6 80. Ka5 1-0

[Event "WchT 8th"]
[Site "Ningbo"]
[Date "2011.07.19"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2011.07.17"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 {Probably a match with Russia is special for every team. We started the
event poorly, unexpectedly drawing in the previous round with the Americans,
who were without Nakamura, and in which I lost to Kamsky for the first time in
my life. When we got together the evening afterwards, the rest of the team
told me that I had the best chance of winning against Russia, because I play
well after a defeat, especially an unexpected one. I spent all morning
preparing for the Queen's Indian, but even at the start of the game, I was
still not certain what to play against it.} d5 {A pleasant surprise! At this
moment, I was reproaching myself for not having looked at my idea against the
Meran, but since I could not resist playing it, I decided to take the risk
anyway.} 2. c4 c6 {In his youth, Sergey played the QGA, but as he has got
older, he has switched to more solid lines.} 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 {I play this
move-order when I want to go into the Meran. In these unruly times, one can
always find good-for-nothings who meet 4.Nc3 by taking on c4, and after 5.a4
play e6, going into well-known fireproof setups.} e6 {About four years ago,
Sergey tried to teach me to play 4...a6 here. In return, I taught him to play
basketball.} 5. Nf3 {The knight usually comes here, and only a great
experimenter like Pasha Eljanov has tried 5.b3, followed by developing the
knight to e2 (see Eljanov - Leko Astrakhan' 2010).} Nbd7 6. Qc2 {Previously, I
played this only with the idea of 6...Bd6 7.g4. Now I try to carry out my
aggression in a more disguised form.} Bd6 {In this position, it is also
possible to play 6... b6, 6...a6 and even 6...g6.} 7. Bd3 dxc4 {Some players
prefer to play strictly for a draw with 7... 0-0 8.0-0 e5, but I don't think
such play is in my young opponent's style.} 8. Bxc4 O-O 9. O-O a6 {This
position has been seen a great deal in recent times. The move 9...b5 is
considered a more old-fashioned recipe..} 10. e4 {This move is usually played
with the intention of going into well-known variations, but before the event
in Kazan, I had an interesting idea.} e5 ({Trying to clarify the position of
the white bishop with} 10... b5 {fails, as White has} 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. e5 {
with advantage.}) 11. Rd1 Qc7 {In such positions, the queen usually stands
well on c7, the more so as the pawn on h2 can come under fire.} 12. h3 ({After
} 12. g3 b5 13. Be2 {we reach a theoretical tabiya.}) 12... b5 {As well as
this move, Black can remove the central tension by taking on d4. This was
played back in 1991 by Anand against Kamsky.} 13. Bb3 {This move is the basis
of White's idea. It is rare to see the bishop on b3 in this variation. Sergey
Movsesian and Hrant Melkumyan, who looked at this line with me, were also not
convinced by the objective chess strength of the move, but like me, they
thought it would not be so easy for Black to meet such an original idea for
the first time.} (13. Bd3 {Krasenkow} Bb7 14. a4 Rfe8 $6 (14... exd4 $5 15.
Nxd4 b4 16. Nce2 c5 17. Nf5 Bh2+ 18. Kh1 Ne5 $132) (14... Rad8 $5) 15. dxe5
Nxe5 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 17. Be3 Bh2+ 18. Kh1 Bf4 19. Bd4 Be5 20. Bc5 Nd7 21. Be3 Nf8
22. Ne2 $14 {1-0 Tregubov,P (2612)-Gritsak,O (2537)/Warsaw 2005/CBM 108 (54)})
(13. Bf1 {Krasenkow} Bb7 14. dxe5 (14. a3 c5 $5 15. d5 c4) (14. Bg5 exd4 15.
Bxf6 Nxf6 16. Rxd4 Bc5 17. Rd2 Nd7 $11 {0-1 Chernyshov,K (2541)-Popov,V (2573)/
Krasnoyarsk 2003/CBM 098 (53)}) 14... Nxe5 15. Nd4 Ned7 16. Nf5 {0-1 Gonzalez
Velez,F (2345)-Kolev,A (2540)/Barbera del Valles 1998/EXT 2003 (67)} Bh2+ $1
17. Kh1 Be5 $11 {[%cal Yc6c5]}) 13... exd4 {Black has several reasonable
continuations, but the text is the most natural.} 14. Nxd4 ({After} 14. Rxd4
Ne5 {White risks ending up standing worse.}) 14... Nc5 {As at the previous
move, Black has lots of reasonable moves. With the text, Black tries to take
the bishop under guard at once.} ({It should be noted that the attempt to trap
the bishop with} 14... c5 {(and ...c4) fails, because White has the move} 15.
Nd5) 15. Bg5 {This move proves correct, thanks to various tactical motifs. Now
White has a threat which is easy to miss. If it were his move, he could
already take on f6 and after gxf6 take on c6, with the idea of meeting ...Nxb3
with Nd5. This has to be met, which Sergey does in a practical manner.} Be5 16.
Bxf6 ({In my home analysis, most attention was devoted to} 16. Rac1 {, but
since I had not expected to reach this position, I was also playing by myself.
After a short think, I decided to go in for a forcing variation, which is
similar to the combination shown above, and which seemed promising to me.})
16... Bxf6 {I suspect my opponent had not seen the next move, and one cannot
blame him, because it is too unexpected for such quiet Meran positions!} 17.
Nxc6 Bb7 {The correct decision.} ({To calculate the consequences of the
forcing line beginning with} 17... Nxb3 18. Nd5 Nxa1 19. Qc5 Qb7 20. Nce7+ Bxe7
21. Nxe7+ Kh8 22. Ng6+ hxg6 23. Qxf8+ Kh7 24. Rd8 g5 25. Qh8+ Kg6 26. Rg8 f5 {
was practically impossible. Even knowing that the computer assesses it as
drawn would not persude an experienced player to go in for the line. White is
taking an insignificant risk, since if the worst comes to the worst, he has
perpetual check, whilst Black has to calculate a mass of variations and try to
protect his exposed king.}) 18. Nd4 ({After} 18. Nb4 {I didn't like the fact
that Black can take} Nxb3 {and after} 19. Qxb3 {regain the pawn by} Bxc3 {
which would give him good chances of equalising.}) 18... Nxb3 ({During the
game, this move looked like the only one, but surprisingly, Black was not
obliged to snap off the fine bishop on b3. After the strong move} 18... Rac8 {
White would have to reconcile himself to losing his advantage.}) 19. Qxb3 {
Now White has the threat of Nd5. At this moment, I was perfectly calm, since
at the worst, White can always equalise.} Rad8 {A dubious move. Sergey decides
to go over to passive defence, but the position demanded more active measures.}
({The strongest idea was the queen manoeuvre} 19... Qc5 20. Nde2 Qe5 {In this
way, Black emphasises the weakness of the pawns on b2 and e4, and would have
good chances of compensation.}) 20. Nd5 Bxd5 {Evidently, my opponent did not
like the idea of defending an unpleasant ending. With the text, Black goes
into a position which is not pleasant to defend, but is also hard to break
down.} ({Having convinced myself that after} 20... Qe5 21. Nxf6+ gxf6 22. Nf5
Bxe4 (22... Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Bxe4 {is simply bad because of} 24. Qg3+ Qxg3 25.
Nxg3 {with a difficult endgame for Black}) 23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24. Nh6+ Kg7 25. Nxf7
Bd5 26. Nxe5 Bxb3 {White has an extra pawn and winning chances, I bravely
threw the knight forward, especially as White has no other sensible
alternative.}) 21. exd5 Bxd4 22. Rxd4 {Here, I remembered my game against
Ivanchuk at Wijk aan Zee 2008, which I failed to win. I had the same material,
with the b4-pawn and 3 each on the kingside. Having missed the chance to
exchange a pair of rooks at the right moment, I lost my winning chances. Since
in this game, the exchange of rooks was part of my plans, I decided to set up
the same structure.} Qe5 {This is a more active way to blockade the pawn than
22...Qd6.} 23. Rad1 {After thinking a while about my plan for the next part of
the game, I remembered the rule of two weaknesses, and decided that, with the
rook on d6, advancing on the kingside might not be all that safe. The desire
to win the game by quieter means persuaded me to go for the break a4.} Rd6 24.
a4 {It is hard to say who this exchange favours, but since Sergey did not have
a great deal of time left, I had to pose him some problems.} bxa4 25. Qxa4 {
First of all, I decided to put the pawn on b4.} g6 26. Qc4 {It is clear that
it is not good for Black to play a5, since to defend it, he would have to put
his rook on a8, which leads to a wholly passive position.} Rfd8 27. b4 {
To be quite honest, I did not see a clear plan for myself, but I was not all
that worried. In an extremity, I always have the idea of exchanging the
d5-pawn for the one on a6, which if carried out in the right form, should give
me excellent winning chances. The match was going well for us, as Movsesian
had drawn on board 2, on board 3, Akopian had an unclear position against
Nepomniashi, but was looking confident, and on 4, Sargissian had a promising
position after some creative opening play.} Qf5 {Having put all his pieces on
the right squares, Black can do nothing but wait.} 28. h4 {In many major piece
endings, it is useful to have the f4-square for the rook, and the text move
pursues this very idea.} h5 29. g3 {One of a series of waiting moves.} Kg7 30.
Kg2 Kg8 31. Ra1 {Since ten moves remained to the time-control, I decided to
start active operations.} Rc8 {Both now and on the next move, taking on d5 is
bad because of Rf4 and taking on a6. The active position of the rook on f4
gives White good chances of winning.} 32. Qf1 Qe5 (32... Rc2 {doesn't give
anything special. I planned to reply} 33. Rad1 {with the idea of threatening
to exchange rooks by Rc4.}) 33. Qd1 Re8 34. Ra2 {Of course, I have not
achieved anything much, but the fact that I could already threaten to exchange
rooks made me hopeful.} Qf5 35. Rc2 Re4 {A typical time-trouble attempt to
play actively. I was more worried about simple waiting tactics.} 36. Rc5 Rf6 {
Not wanting just to wait, Sergey decides to go in for a dangerous variation.}
37. Rxe4 {It seemed to me that the queen ending was winning for me.} ({More
suspicious (intelligent?) players would have preferred} 37. f4) ({or} 37. Rc2)
37... Qxe4+ 38. Kg1 Qxb4 39. Rc6 {Having calculated to move 42, I could not
believe my luck.} Qb2 40. Rxf6 Qxf6 41. d6 Qd8 42. Qd5 {Having played this
move quickly, I stood up from the board, as I wanted to show my teammates and
our trainer that I had seen it all and everything was under control.} Kf8 ({
For some strange reason, we both thought that} 42... Qd7 {was losing. I had
calculated that I simply take the a6-pawn after} 43. Qa8+ ({\/Perhaps he did
not believe that after} 43. Qc5 Qb7 {White cannot advance his pawn and at the
same time, avoid perpetual check.}) 43... Kg7 44. Qxa6 {and carry on. I
completely missed the simple resource} Kf6 {followed by ...Ke6 and taking the
d6-pawn! Luckily, Sergey also miscalculated something.}) 43. Qc5 {
Interestingly, both Sergey and I considered the next few moves forced.} f6 ({
The idea of advancing f5-f4 by means of} 43... f5 {is bad. After} 44. Qc7 Ke8
45. Qc6+ Qd7 46. Qxa6 f4 47. Qe2+ Kd8 48. Qe7+ Qxe7 49. dxe7+ Kxe7 50. gxf4 {
Black has a hopeless pawn ending.}) 44. Qc7 {After a series of forcing moves,
the game goes into an interesting ending.} Ke8 45. Qc6+ {It was possible to
give up the d-pawn and win the g- and h-pawns after 45.Qg7 or 45.Qh7 but I
considered that the text move gave greater winning chances.} Kf7 46. Qc4+ Ke8 {
This way, Black maintains counterplay.} 47. Qg8+ ({After} 47. Qxa6 Kd7 {
Black's chances for a draw would increase.}) 47... Kd7 48. Qxg6 Qh8 {The most
stubborn.} ({After} 48... a5 {White has the strong reply} 49. g4 {As detailed
analysis shows (which I will not give here, so as not to exhaust the reader),
White's position is winning more easily then than in the game.}) 49. Qd3 a5 50.
Qd4 {One of several ways to reach the position arising after move 54.} a4 51.
Qc5 Ke6 52. Qc6 a3 53. Qa6 a2 54. Qxa2+ Kxd6 55. Qf7 {Having seen this far, I
stopped calculating here, considering the position to be an easy win. As we
see, I was mistaken.} Ke5 56. Qd7 Qh6 57. Qe8+ ({I was very surprised not to
find a quick win after} 57. f4+ Ke4 58. Kf2 Qg6 {but I thought a bit longer
and found the way.}) 57... Kd6 58. Qd8+ {A dumb move. If I had thought for
even one minute, I would have realised that Black cannot activate the queen by
58...Qh7 since he loses a pawn with check.} ({The simple} 58. Kg2 {would have
won, since after} Kd5 59. Qf7+ Ke5 60. Kf3 {Black is in another zugzwang and
must allow the white king forward.}) (58. Z0 Qh7 59. Qd8+ Ke6 60. Qb6+ Ke5 61.
Qc5+ Ke6 62. Qc6+ Ke5 63. f4+ Kd4 64. Qxf6+ $18) 58... Ke6 59. Qg8+ Kd6 60. Kg2
({It was still not too late to return to a winning position after the crafty} 
60. Kh2 {with the idea after} Ke7 {to give Black the move by} 61. Kg2 {and
start moving forward.}) 60... Ke7 61. f4 {All other moves allow the black
queen out of the trap, but of course, they were still better than this
oversight.} Qf8 {For some strange reason, I thought all the pawn endings were
easily winning for me. I was under the impression that after the exchange of
queens and f5, we reach a theoretically winning position. After a long think,
in shock, especially as we were losing the match 2.5 to 1.5, I decided to play
on and hope for another chance.} 62. Qd5 Qe8 ({It was simpler to play} 62...
Qf7 {but the text does not spoil anything.}) 63. Qc5+ Ke6 64. Kf3 ({Having
calculated that after} 64. Kf2 Qg6 65. Qc8+ {Black has} Kd6 66. f5 Qf7 {
I decided to trust to my customary luck.}) 64... Qg6 {Carelessness in return,
in a position where Black already faced no threats. Any queen move to the
d-file draws easily.} ({But the easiest draw of all was pointed out to me
after the game by various members of the Russian team:} 64... Qa8+ {followed
by ...Qd5.}) 65. Kf2 {The same feeling can occur when one has lost something
and suddenly finds it again - a feeling of a gift from Heaven.} Kf7 {Sergey
could not find a more tenacious defence.} ({Of course, after} 65... Kd7 66. f5
Qh6 67. Qd5+ {White has real winning chances, but he still has to find a lot
of accurate moves.}) 66. f5 {Now the black queen is forced into an exchange.}
Qh6 67. Qc7+ {It is also possible to start with Ke2. The secret of the
position is that Black has no way to get his queen into play.} Kg8 68. Qc4+ Kh8
69. Qe2 Kg7 {After 69...Qf8 Black's position is completely lost, of course,
but given my terrible play in this ending, perhaps Sergey should have tested
me out here. Now it is all simple.} 70. Qe3 {Now that the black king cannot
get to the corresponding squares, White can offer the exchange of queens.} Qh8
71. Qe7+ Kh6 72. Ke3 Qg8 73. Qxf6+ Kh7 74. Qg6+ (74. Qg6+ {After} Qxg6 75.
fxg6+ Kxg6 76. Ke4 {the black king is driven away and the h5-pawn is lost.})
1-0

[Event "WchT 8th"]
[Site "Ningbo"]
[Date "2011.07.21"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D79"]
[WhiteElo "2718"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2011.07.17"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "China"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CHN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Nc3 d5 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Ne5
e6 9. O-O Nfd7 10. Nf3 Nc6 11. e4 dxe4 12. Nxe4 h6 13. Bf4 Nb6 14. Nc3 g5 15.
Be3 f5 16. d5 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Bc5 Re8 19. Nd4 Bxd4 20. Bxd4 Be6 21. Bc3
d4 22. Bxc6 bxc6 23. Qxd4 Qxd4 24. Bxd4 Bd5 25. Rfe1 Kf7 26. Rxe8 Rxe8 27. Bxa7
Ra8 28. Be3 Rxa2 29. Rxa2 Bxa2 30. f4 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 8th"]
[Site "Ningbo"]
[Date "2011.07.23"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D56"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2669"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2011.07.17"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 {Opening choices are often governed by fashion
and the once very popular Queen's Indian seems to be on the decline for no
patently obvious reason. In Biel, Dortmund and Ningbo the main line occurred
only once:} (3... b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 O-O (7... c6 8. Bc3
d5 $11 {is satisfactory, but Black seeks a more complex fight.}) 8. Nc3 d5 9.
cxd5 exd5 10. O-O Re8 11. Rc1 (11. Qc2 Bb7 12. Bf4 Na6 13. Rfd1 c6 14. Ne5 h6
15. a3 Nc7 16. e4 Ne6 (16... dxe4 $5 17. Nxe4 Ncd5 18. Bc1 Rc8 $132 {Bareev})
17. Be3 Bf8 18. b4 Rc8 19. Qb3 dxe4 20. Nxe4 Nd5 21. Rac1 f6 22. Ng6 Qd7 23.
Nc3 Rcd8 24. Nxd5 cxd5 25. Nxf8 Rxf8 26. b5 f5 27. Qd3 f4 28. Bd2 Qf7 29. Bb4
Rfe8 30. h4 g5 31. hxg5 hxg5 32. Bh3 $36 {Grischuk,A (2720)-Gelfand,B (2717)/
WCup Khanty Mansiysk/2005/}) 11... Bb7 12. Ne5 Na6 13. Bf4 h6 $5 (13... c5 14.
Nb5 $1 Ne4 15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Nd3 Qd7 17. a4 Re7 18. Qe1 (18. Nxc5 bxc5 19. f3
Nf6 20. Bd6 $16) 18... g5 19. Be5 d4 $5 20. f3 Rae8 21. fxe4 Rxe5 22. Nxe5 Rxe5
{Laznicka,V (2681)-Sasikiran,K (2676)/New Delhi/2011/} 23. Qd2 $5 $16) 14. Nb5
Bf8 15. Bh3 (15. Nc6 $6 Qd7 16. Nbxa7 $2 Rxa7 17. Nxa7 Ra8 $17) 15... c5 16. a3
Ne4 17. Rc2 g6 18. Qc1 g5 19. Be3 Bg7 20. Nf3 Qe7 21. Rd1 {Meier,G (2656)
-Kramnik,V (2781)/Dortmund/2011/} Bc6 22. Nc3 Rad8 $13) 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 ({
A popular alternative is} 5. Bf4 O-O {and now:} {Current practice indicates
Black is OK after} 6. e3 (6. Rc1 $5 {has been recently tried a couple of times:
} c5 (6... Nbd7 7. cxd5 exd5 8. e3 c6 9. h3 Re8 10. Bd3 Nf8 11. O-O Ng6 12. Bh2
Bd6 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. Qc2 Re7 15. Rb1 Bd7 16. b4 b6 17. b5 $14 {Giri,A (2701)
-Nakamura,H (2770)/Dortmund/2011/}) 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. e3 Nc6 9. a3 d4 10. exd4
Nxd4 11. b4 Nxf3+ 12. Qxf3 Bd4 13. Nb5 e5 14. Bg5 Re8 15. Bxf6 e4 16. Bxd8
exf3+ 17. Kd2 Rxd8 18. Nxd4 Rxd4+ 19. Kc3 fxg2 20. Bxg2 Rg4 21. Rhd1 Be6 22.
Bxb7 Rxc4+ 23. Kb2 Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Rd8 25. Kc3 Kf8 $14 {/=,Grischuk,A (2747)
-Gelfand,B (2733)/Kazan Candidates/2011/}) 6... Nbd7 {A rare attempt is} 7. Qc2
(7. a3 c5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Nxc5 11. Be5 Bf6 (11... Bg4 12.
Be2 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Bf6 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15. Qc2 Rac8 (15... Ne4 16. Rd1 Rac8 17.
Qb3 $14) 16. Bxd5 Rfd8 $6 (16... Ne6 $5 $44 {/\} 17. Qe2 Nd4 $11) 17. Rd1 Qe5
18. Qc4 b5 19. Qa2 Rd7 20. O-O $16 {Giri,A (2701)-Ponomariov,R (2764)/Dortmund/
2011/}) 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Qd4 Qe7 14. Qf4 (14. Rd1 Rd8 15. Be2 Bf5 16. Qf4 Bc2
17. Rc1 Bd3 18. Qe5 Qf8 19. Rc3 Bxe2 20. Kxe2 Ne6 21. Rd1 Qd6 22. Qxd6 Rxd6 23.
Nd4 Kf8 24. Rb3 Rd7 25. Rbd3 Rc8 26. Nb5 Rc2+ 27. R3d2 Rxd2+ 28. Rxd2 a6 $11 {
Markos,J (2585)-Likavsky,T (2494)/SVK-ch Banska Stiavnica/2011/}) 14... Qe4 15.
Qxe4 dxe4 16. Nd4 Be6 17. Be2 Rfd8 18. O-O Nb3 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. Rad1 Kf7 21.
f4 Kf6 22. Kf2 Nd2 23. Rfe1 Rac8 24. Rc1 Nb3 25. Rc4 Rxc4 26. Bxc4 Nc5 27. Ke2
b5 28. Ba2 Nd3 29. Rd1 Rc8 30. Bb1 Nxb2 31. Rd7 $11 {Carlsen,M (2815)-Radjabov,
T (2744)/Medias/2011/}) 7... c5 8. Rd1 $5 cxd4 9. Rxd4 Qa5 10. Bg3 Nb6 11. Nd2
dxc4 12. Bxc4 Nxc4 (12... Nbd5 $5 {is more active:} 13. Nb3 Qb6 14. O-O Bd7 15.
a4 Rac8 16. a5 Qc6 17. Be5 b5 18. Bd3 Nb4 19. Rxb4 {1/2,Velilla Velasco,F 
(2524)-Mikheev,S (2544)/corr/2007/} Bxb4 20. Bxf6 gxf6 21. Qd1 $1 {[%cal Rd3b5,
Rd1g4]} Bxc3 22. Bxh7+ Kg7 23. Qg4+ $11) 13. Nxc4 Qa6 14. O-O Bd7 (14... Nd5
15. e4 $32 {|^}) 15. Rfd1 Bc6 16. Bd6 Bxd6 17. Nxd6 Bd5 18. Ndb5 (18. e4 $5)
18... Qb6 19. e4 $6 (19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. Nc3 Qc5 $11 {was more reasonable}) 19...
Bc6 $6 (19... Bxe4 $1 {/\} 20. Rxe4 Nxe4 21. Qxe4 Rad8 $15) 20. Nd6 e5 21. R4d3
Rad8 22. h3 Rd7 23. Qd2 h6 24. Nf5 Rfd8 25. Nd5 $14 {Aronian,L (2805)-Radjabov,
T (2744)/WChT Ningbo/2011/}) 5... h6 ({Yasser's Seirawan's successful return
to the American team was connected with the orthodox} 5... Nbd7 6. e3 O-O 7.
Rc1 a6 8. c5 c6 9. Bd3 e5 $5 (9... b6 10. cxb6 c5 11. b3 cxd4 12. exd4 Qxb6 13.
Na4 Bb4+ 14. Bd2 Qd6 15. Bxb4 Qxb4+ 16. Qd2 a5 17. Qxb4 axb4 18. O-O Ba6 19.
Bxa6 Rxa6 20. Rc7 Rb8 21. Rfc1 Kf8 22. Ne5 Nxe5 23. dxe5 Ne8 $11 {Sargissian,G
(2663)-Seirawan,Y (2635)/WChT Ningbo/2011/}) 10. dxe5 Ne8 11. Bxe7 (11. h4 $5
$13) 11... Qxe7 12. Qc2 h6 13. O-O (13. e4 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. O-O dxe4 16.
Nxe4 Nf6 17. Rfe1 Nxe4 18. Rxe4 Qc7 19. Rce1 Be6 20. Qc3 Rad8 21. R1e3 Bf5 22.
Re7 Rd7 23. Rg3 g6 24. Rxd7 Qxd7 $11 {Topalov,V (2788)-Nielsen,P (2668)/
Dortmund/2005/}) 13... Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. Ne2 Nf6 16. Qc3 (16. Nd4 Re8 17.
b4 Ng4 18. Nf3 Qh5 19. Rfe1 {1/2,Margvelashvili,G (2289)-Saric,I (2227)/Urgup/
2004/}) 16... Qc7 17. Qd4 Bg4 18. Ng3 Rae8 19. f3 Bc8 20. Rfe1 Re5 21. Re2 Rfe8
22. Rce1 Nh5 23. Nf1 Bf5 $1 $11 {El Gindy,E (2510)-Seirawan,Y (2635)/WChT
Ningbo/2011/}) 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 {The Lasker Defence became very popular
after Anand's win in the final game of the world title match last year.} ({
However, Harikrishna used to play the Tartakower also; we can only guess what
he was afraid of after} 7... b6 {The last time Aronian faced this line, in a
blitz game he came up with the original} 8. Rb1 $5 (8. Bd3 Bb7 9. O-O Nbd7 10.
Qe2 c5 11. Bg3 cxd4 12. exd4 dxc4 13. Bxc4 a6 14. a4 Re8 15. Rad1 Bb4 16. Bd3
Nh5 17. Bb1 Nxg3 18. fxg3 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Qc7 20. g4 f6 {Black's defences are
solid, so White preferred to force a draw with} 21. g5 $5 hxg5 22. Nxg5 fxg5
23. Bh7+ Kxh7 24. Qh5+ $11 {Cheparinov,I (2661)-Adams,M (2728)/EU Cup Plovdiv/
2010/}) ({A downright brutal try is} 8. g4 $5 dxc4 (8... c5 $5 $132) 9. Bxf6
Bxf6 10. h4 Bb7 11. g5 hxg5 12. hxg5 Bxg5 13. Bxc4 c5 (13... Bh6 $142 $5) 14.
d5 Bh6 15. Ke2 b5 16. Rxh6 $1 gxh6 17. Qh1 Kh7 18. Ne4 Rg8 19. Qh5 Rg6 20.
Nfg5+ $5 Rxg5 21. Qxf7+ Rg7 22. Qf4 bxc4 23. Rh1 $40 {Nielsen,P (2662)
-Georgiev,V (2372)/Dresden olm/2008/}) 8... Ne4 ({White's idea is} 8... Bb7 9.
Bxf6 Bxf6 10. cxd5 exd5 11. b4 {and the R-move serves to prevent c5. However,
even here} c6 {leads to a typical Tartakower position, where Black has
reasonable <=>.}) 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. cxd5 Nxc3 11. bxc3 exd5 12. c4 $5 ({Black
has applied a combination of the Lasker and Tartakower defences, he is fine
after the soft} 12. Bd3 c5 13. O-O Nc6 $11) 12... dxc4 (12... Be6 $5 $132) 13.
Bxc4 Nd7 $6 (13... Bb7 $142 $5 14. Ne5 Nc6 15. Ng6 {Hodgson,J (2565)-Parker,J 
(2350)/Dublin/1993/} Qe4 $1 16. Nxf8 Nxd4 $1 $13) 14. Bd5 Rb8 15. Qa4 a6 16.
Rc1 c5 17. O-O Nf6 18. Bb3 cxd4 19. Nxd4 b5 20. Nc6 $16 {Aronian,L (2786)
-Gelfand,B (2758)/WCh blitz Moscow/2009/}) 8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Rc1 {This was also
Topalov's choice in the decisive game in Sofia 2010.} ({Later last year he
preferred the other main line} 9. cxd5 Nxc3 10. bxc3 exd5 11. Qb3 (11. Rb1 {
is too soft:} c5 12. Ne5 Nc6 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Bd3 Be6 15. O-O Rab8 16. Qa4 c4
17. Bc2 Qc7 18. Rxb8 Rxb8 19. Rb1 Rxb1+ 20. Bxb1 Qb6 21. Qc2 g6 22. Qc1 Kg7 23.
h3 c5 $11 {Aronian,L (2786)-Anand,V (2788)/WCh blitz Moscow/2009/}) 11... Rd8
12. c4 {Now Black has a choice:} {Anand opted for the more active} Be6 $5 (
12... dxc4 13. Bxc4 Nc6 {is the more usual and fully playable reaction:} 14.
Be2 (14. Qc3 Bg4 15. O-O Bxf3 16. gxf3 Qf6 17. f4 (17. Be2 Rac8 $1 18. Rab1 b6
{[%cal Yc6e7,Yc7c5] /\Ne7, c5} 19. Rfc1 $6 (19. Ba6 Qxf3 20. Rfc1 Ne7 $44)
19... Ne7 20. Kh1 Rd5 $1 $15 {[%csl Rh1] עh1,Karpov,A (2755)-Jussupow,A (2610)
/London Candidates/1989/ This game started changing the attitude towards the
whole 9.cxd5 line, which was until then considered White's most promising
option.}) 17... Ne7 18. Bd3 Rac8 $5 (18... Qe6 19. Qxc7 (19. Rfc1 Qg4+ 20. Kf1
Nd5 $15) 19... Qg4+ $11) 19. Qc5 b6 20. Qe5 Qxe5 21. fxe5 c5 22. Ba6 Rc6 23.
Rfd1 cxd4 24. Rxd4 Rxd4 25. exd4 {Navara,D (2718)-Stohl,I (2514)/Hustopece rpd/
2010/} Rc2 26. Rd1 Nd5 $15 {The N heads for f4, Black's pieces are active and
the o^d4 is not so dangerous.}) 14... b6 (14... Na5 $5 {is similar:} 15. Qc3 b6
16. O-O Bb7 17. Rfc1 Rac8 18. h3 c5 19. Qa3 Rc7 20. dxc5 Rd5 21. Qb2 Rdxc5 22.
Rxc5 Rxc5 23. Rd1 Be4 24. Nd4 Nc6 $11 {Istratescu,A (2617)-Karpov,A (2674)/
Bucharest m/2005/}) 15. O-O Bb7 16. Rac1 (16. Rfc1 Rac8 17. Qa4 Na5 18. Rc3 c5
19. Rac1 cxd4 20. Nxd4 Rxc3 21. Rxc3 Rc8 22. Rxc8+ Bxc8 23. h3 g6 $11 {Comp
Deep Fritz-Kramnik,V (2807)/Manama m/2002/}) 16... Na5 17. Qb2 Rac8 18. h3 c5
19. dxc5 Rxc5 20. Rxc5 Qxc5 21. Rc1 Qe7 22. Nd4 {Kramnik,V (2710)-Lutz,C (2595)
/Bundesliga 9394/1994/} Rd5 $5 {[%cal Yd5c5] /\Rc5=}) 13. c5 (13. Qxb7 $6 Qa3
$1 14. Nd2 (14. Rb1 Qxa2 15. cxd5 Bf5 16. Rc1 Qa3 17. Qxc7 Nc6 18. Rd1 Rac8 19.
Qf4 Bc2 20. dxc6 Bxd1 21. Kxd1 Rxc6 $40 {Jobava,B (2566)-Shengelia,D (2415)/
Batumi/2002/}) 14... dxc4 15. Be2 Bd5 16. Qb1 c5 (16... Bxg2 17. Rg1 Bd5 $15 {
[%csl Re1] עe1}) 17. O-O cxd4 18. Nxc4 Qe7 19. Re1 Nc6 20. Bf1 d3 (20... Rab8
$142 $1 $36) 21. Qxd3 Bxg2 22. Qa3 Qxa3 23. Nxa3 Bxf1 24. Kxf1 Rd5 25. Rec1 Ne5
26. Nc4 $11 {Lugovoi,A (2563)-Alavkin,A (2482)/Togliatti/2003/}) 13... b6 14.
Rc1 bxc5 15. Qa3 ({A more circumspect move is} 15. Rxc5 $5 Nd7 16. Rxc7 Rab8
17. Qc2 Qa3 18. Bd3 Rb2 19. Qc3 Qxc3+ 20. Rxc3 Rxa2 21. O-O Rb8 22. Rfc1 Kf8
$11 {Nikolic,P (2674)-Jojua,D (2463)/EU-ch Plovdiv/2008/}) 15... Nd7 16. Bb5 $2
({Already the modest} 16. dxc5 $11 {was necessary}) 16... Bg4 $1 17. Bxd7 Rxd7
$5 (17... Bxf3 18. Bc6 Bxg2 19. Rg1 Qd6 20. Bxa8 Qxh2 21. Rxg2 Qxg2 {Ghaem
Maghami,E (2606)-Thejkumar,M (2458)/Jakarta/2011/} 22. Bb7 c4 $5 $44) 18. Qxc5
(18. Ne5 cxd4 $1 19. Qxe7 Rxe7 20. Nc6 (20. Nxg4 $2 h5 $17) 20... Re6 21. h3
Bh5 22. Nxd4 Ra6 $15 {/-/+}) 18... Qe4 19. Rg1 Re8 20. Qb5 Rdd8 21. Qe2 Rb8 $17
{[%csl Re1] Topalov,V (2803)-Anand,V (2800)/Nanjing/2010/ Black has a raging
-> and White's king didn't manage to get into safety till the bitter end. See
the notes to this game by Anand in CBM 139.}) (9. Qc2 {doesn't cause Black too
serious problems after} Nxc3 10. Qxc3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 (11. Qxc4 b6 12. Rc1 c5 13.
dxc5 Bb7 $1 $32 14. Qh4 (14. Be2 Rc8 15. O-O Rxc5 16. Qa4 Nc6 17. a3 Ne5 18.
Nxe5 Rxe5 19. Rfd1 Rd5 20. Rxd5 Bxd5 21. Qf4 e5 22. Qf5 Qg5 23. Bg4 Qxf5 24.
Bxf5 g6 25. Bg4 f5 26. Be2 Be6 27. Rc6 Kf7 $11 {Gurevich,M (2614)-Jakovenko,D 
(2725)/Odessa rpd/2010/}) (14. cxb6 axb6 $44) 14... Qxh4 15. Nxh4 Rc8 16. Bb5
Na6 $1 (16... a6 17. Ba4 Rxc5 18. Rxc5 bxc5 19. Ke2 Bc6 20. Bxc6 Nxc6 21. Nf3
Rb8 22. b3 Nb4 23. Ra1 Kf8 24. Nd2 $14 {Chvojka,J (2131)-Jarabinsky,M (2127)/
corr/2004/}) 17. c6 Nb4 18. Ke2 $11 {1/2,Alekseev,E (2716)-Jakovenko,D (2710)/
Moscow/2007/}) 11... b6 12. O-O Bb7 13. Be2 Rc8 (13... c5 14. dxc5 Rc8 15. b4 {
-13...Rc8}) 14. b4 Nd7 (14... c5 15. dxc5 bxc5 16. b5 a6 $13 {is similar.}) 15.
Rfc1 c5 16. dxc5 bxc5 17. b5 a6 18. a4 axb5 19. Bxb5 (19. axb5 Nb6 $11) 19...
Bxf3 (19... c4 $5 $132 {is roughly equivalent.}) 20. gxf3 Qg5+ 21. Kh1 Nf6 22.
Rg1 Nd5 23. Qb2 Qf6 24. Qxf6 Nxf6 25. Rgc1 Ra5 26. Rc4 Rc7 27. Kg2 Nd7 $11 {
1/2,Billen,H-Mayer,J (1880)/corr/1998/}) 9... c6 10. h4 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] A
very surprising novelty, until now White preferred fighting for a small edge
by positional means. Does Aronian really want to launch an all-out attack?} (
10. Be2 Nxc3 11. Rxc3 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Nd7 13. O-O b6 (13... e5 14. Bb3 Re8 15.
Re1 e4 16. Nd2 Nf6 17. Qb1 $5 (17. Rc5 Be6 18. Re5 Bxb3 19. Qxb3 Qc7 20. Rf5
Nd5 21. Rc1 Qb6 22. Re5 Qxb3 23. axb3 Rxe5 24. dxe5 Re8 $11 {Grischuk,A (2736)
-Anand,V (2788)/WCh blitz Moscow/2009/}) 17... Bd7 18. Rc5 Ng4 19. h3 b6 20.
Rc2 Nf6 21. Rec1 Rac8 22. a3 Rc7 23. Ba4 Rec8 24. b4 $14 {Grischuk,A (2760)
-Stupak,K (2502)/EUCup Plovdiv/2010/}) 14. Bd3 c5 15. Be4 Rb8 16. Qc2 {Anand
went for the relatively rare} Nf6 $5 ({The older approach is} 16... Ba6 17. Rc1
Rfc8 {, po} 18. Qa4 Bb7 19. Bxb7 Rxb7 20. Qc2 {Kramnik,V (2765)-Kasparov,G 
(2785)/Las Palmas/1996/ This position arose also in Brodsky,M (2554)
-Harikrishna,P (2667)/Cappelle la Grande op/2011/, where at this point the
players agreed on a draw. Engines indicate that} a5 21. a3 Rbc7 {/\} (21... Re8
22. h3 e5 23. dxe5 Nxe5 24. Nxe5 Qxe5 25. Rd1 $14 {[%cal Gd1d8] <->d,Harika,D 
(2461)-Pan Qian (2154)/Jiangsu Wuxi/2008/}) 22. b4 axb4 23. axb4 Nf6 $5 24. e4
c4 $132 {should hold the balance.}) {Right after the match} 17. Bc6 $5 {
was suggested as an improvement, but even here Black can hold his own after} (
17. dxc5 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 bxc5 19. Qc2 (19. b3 Bb7 20. Qf4 (20. Qe5 Bxf3 21. gxf3
Qb7 $5 22. Kg2 Qa6 $11) 20... Bxf3 21. Qxf3 Rfd8 22. Rfc1 Rd2 23. R1c2 Rbd8 24.
g3 Rxc2 25. Rxc2 Rd5 $11 {Kulaots,K (2531)-Grabarczyk,M (2510)/Borup/2008/ The
position is too simplified and Black's pieces are sufficiently active to fully
compensate his split <<P.}) 19... Bb7 20. Nd2 (20. e4 f5 $5 21. exf5 Rxf5 22.
Nd2 Qf6 23. Nc4 Ba6 24. b3 Rf4 25. Rc1 Rd8 26. h3 Bxc4 27. Rxc4 Rxc4 28. Qxc4
Rd2 $11 {Mamedyarov,S (2761)-Nakamura,H (2729)/Moscow/2010/}) 20... Rfd8 21. f3
Ba6 22. Rf2 Rd7 23. g3 Rbd8 24. Kg2 Bd3 25. Qc1 Ba6 $11 {Topalov,V (2805)
-Anand,V (2787)/WCh Sofia/2010/ See notes to this game by Giri in CBM 136.})
17... cxd4 (17... Qd6 18. Qa4 Bd7 19. Bxd7 Qxd7 20. Qxd7 Nxd7 21. dxc5 Nxc5 22.
Ne5 a5 $5 {is also close to full equality.}) 18. Nxd4 e5 19. Nf5 (19. Nf3 Bg4
20. h3 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 e4 22. Be2 Rbd8 23. Rc1 Nd5 $11 {De la Calle,I (2108)
-Rodriguez Landa,M/corr/2007/}) 19... Bxf5 20. Qxf5 Rfd8 21. Rfc1 Rd2 22. Ba4
Rbd8 23. h3 g6 24. Qf3 e4 (24... Nd5 $5 $11) 25. Qg3 Nh5 26. Qc7 Qf6 $132 {
Babula,V (2515)-Toufighi,H (2499)/Khanty Mansiysk olm/2010/}) (10. Bd3 Nxc3 11.
Rxc3 {gives Black the extra option} Nd7 $5 (11... dxc4 12. Bxc4 {transposes to
10.Be2}) 12. O-O e5 13. dxe5 dxc4 14. Rxc4 (14. Bxc4 Nxe5 $11 {is rather boring
}) 14... Nxe5 15. Re4 Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 Be6 (16... Qc7 $5 17. Bc4 b5 18. Bb3 c5
19. Bd5 (19. Bxf7+ $6 Qxf7 20. Rf4 Bf5 $15) 19... Bb7 20. Bxb7 Qxb7 21. Re5 Qb6
(21... Qxf3 22. gxf3 c4 23. Rxb5 Rab8 24. Rxb8 Rxb8 25. Rb1 $14) 22. Qf5 Rac8
23. Rd1 g6 24. Qf3 Rfd8 25. Rxd8+ Qxd8 26. g3 Kg7 27. Qb7 Qc7 28. Re7 Qxb7 29.
Rxb7 a6 30. Rb6 c4 31. Kf1 h5 32. Ke2 c3 33. bxc3 Rxc3 34. Rxa6 Rc2+ 35. Kf3 b4
36. h3 Rb2 37. g4 hxg4+ 38. hxg4 b3 $11 {Timman,J (2580)-Becker,M (2350)/BL2W
0809/2008/}) 17. Bc4 Rad8 18. Bxe6 (18. a4 Rd2 19. b3 Qd6 20. h4 Bxc4 21. Rxc4
Rd8 $15 {<->d,Skembris,S (2475)-Mastrovasilis,A (2537)/Vrachati/2011/}) (18.
Qg4 Bxg4 19. Rxe7 Rd7 20. Rxd7 Bxd7 21. Rd1 Rd8 22. e4 Kf8 23. f4 f6 $11) 18...
fxe6 {[%csl Re6][%cal Gd8d1] In this position Black's control of the <->d and
f balances his ><e6} 19. Qg4 (19. Qe2 Rd5 $11) 19... Rd2 $5 (19... Rd6 20. Rd4
(20. b4 Qd7 21. h3 Rf5 $11 {/=/+,Timman,J (2635)-Vaganian,R (2640)/Novgorod/
1995/}) 20... Rxd4 21. Qxd4 c5 22. Qa4 a6 23. Rd1 Rd8 24. g3 Rxd1+ 25. Qxd1 b5
$11 {Matamoros Franco,C (2484)-Korneev,O (2559)/Bobadela/2003/}) 20. Rxe6 Qd7 (
20... Qf7 21. Rxh6 $5 (21. f4 Qf5 (21... Rxb2 22. f5 $36) 22. Qxf5 Rxf5 23. Re5
$5 (23. e4 Rb5 $36) 23... Rxe5 (23... Rf7 $44) 24. fxe5 Rd7 $1 {/\Re7=}) 21...
Rxb2 (21... Rxf2 $2 22. Rh8+ Kxh8 23. Qh4+ Kg8 24. Qxf2 $16) (21... Qf5 22.
Qxf5 Rxf5 23. Rh4 Rxb2 24. Ra4 a6 $44) 22. f4 $13) (20... Qc5 $5 21. f4 (21.
Rxh6 Rdxf2 22. Qe6+ R8f7 23. Qc8+ Rf8 24. Qe6+ $11) 21... Rxb2 (21... Qf5 {
-20...Qf7}) 22. f5 Qb4 $132) 21. Qc4 (21. f4 Rd6 $5 (21... Rxb2 22. f5 (22. Rd1
Rd2 23. Rxd2 Qxd2 24. h3 Qxa2 25. Rxh6 Qb1+ 26. Kh2 Qf5 27. Qg3 Rf6 $13 {/=})
22... Rxa2 (22... Rb5 23. f6 Rg5 24. Qc4 Rf7 {Iotov,V (2447)-Caselas Cabanas,J
(2400)/Ortigueira/2005/} 25. h4 Rg6 26. Re7 Qd5 27. Re8+ Kh7 28. Qc2 Rfxf6 29.
Rxf6 gxf6 30. Re7+ Kh8 31. Qxg6 Qd1+ 32. Kf2 Qd2+ 33. Kf3 Qd1+ 34. Kf4 Qd6+ 35.
Kf5 Qxe7 36. Qxh6+ $16) 23. Qc4 Qd5 24. Qg4 Qd7 $11) 22. Rg6 Qxg4 23. Rxg4 Re8
(23... Rd2 24. Rf2 Rd1+ $11) 24. Rg3 Rd3 $11 {Anic,D (2445)-Marciano,D (2470)/
Narbonne/1997/}) (21. h3 Rxb2 22. Rd1 Rd2 23. Rxd2 Qxd2 24. Re7 (24. f4 $13 {
-21.f4}) 24... Qxf2+ 25. Kh2 Rf7 26. Qc8+ Kh7 27. Qxb7 Rxe7 28. Qxe7 Qxa2 29.
Qe4+ $11 {Pirc,V-Thomas,G/Hastings/1938/}) 21... Qf7 (21... Qd5 22. Qxd5 cxd5
23. b4 Rxa2 24. Rd6 Rb2 $132) (21... b5 22. Qb3 (22. Qxc6 $6 Rdxf2 $1 $17) (22.
Qc1 Rfxf2 23. Rxf2 Rd1+ 24. Qxd1 Qxd1+ 25. Rf1 Qd7 26. Rg6 Qd5 $36) 22... Rd3
23. Re7+ Rxb3 24. Rxd7 Rxb2 25. Rxa7 c5 $44) 22. f4 Rxb2 (22... Rd6 23. Re4 Rd2
24. Rb1 Qxc4 25. Rxc4 Re2 $11) 23. Rd1 Rb4 $5 24. Qxb4 $8 Qxe6 25. Qb3 (25. Qa3
$5 Re8 26. Kf2 $13) 25... Re8 (25... Qxb3 26. axb3 Rf5 27. Rd8+ Kh7 28. Kf2 Rb5
$11) 26. Kf2 (26. Rd7 Qxb3 27. axb3 Rxe3 28. Rxb7 a5 $11) (26. Qxe6+ Rxe6 27.
Kf2 Kf7 28. Kf3 c5 $13) 26... Qxb3 27. axb3 Re4 $1 $11 28. Rd8+ Kf7 29. Rd7+ (
29. Kf3 Rb4 $132) 29... Re7 30. Rd8 (30. Rxe7+ Kxe7 31. e4 c5 32. Ke3 Ke6 33.
Kd3 b5 $11) 30... Re4 31. Rd7+ Re7 32. Rd8 {1/2,Babula,V (2536)-Stohl,I (2514)/
Hustopece rpd/2010/}) (10. Qc2 {makes life simpler for Black after} Nxc3 11.
Qxc3 Nd7 12. Bd3 dxc4 13. Bxc4 b6 14. O-O Bb7 15. Rfd1 c5 16. Be2 Rfc8 17. Qa3
Kf8 $11) ({Aronian was possibly inspired by} 10. g4 $5 {Black's rash reaction
resulted in big trouble:} f5 $6 (10... Nd7 $142 {is more natural and will
probably transpose to our game.}) 11. gxf5 Qf6 12. Bg2 Qxf5 13. O-O Nxc3 14.
Rxc3 Nd7 15. Qc2 Nf6 $6 (15... Qh5 $142 16. Nd2 $36) 16. Ne5 Qxc2 17. Rxc2 Bd7
18. Bh3 Rfe8 19. cxd5 cxd5 20. Rc7 Bb5 21. Rfc1 $18 {Halkias,S (2578)-Fridman,
D (2645)/EU-ch blitz Warsaw/2010/}) 10... Nd7 {Logical enough, but Black had
also other moves.} (10... b6 11. Ne5 (11. Nxe4 dxe4 12. Ne5 c5 $132) 11... Nxc3
12. Rxc3 c5 $5 13. dxc5 Rd8 $32 {~~ deserves attention.}) (10... Nf6 {prevents
g4, but only temporarily:} 11. Ne5 Nbd7 12. g4 $1 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 14. f4 $36)
11. g4 {Yes, White really means it...} e5 $6 {A blow in the [+] is a typical
reaction to flank activity, but in this case the text move is probably
misguided.} (11... Nxc3 12. Rxc3 c5 $5 {seems to be a better version of the
game idea:} 13. cxd5 exd5 14. g5 h5 15. dxc5 Nxc5 {and} 16. Qxd5 {is not
without risk after} b6 $5 (16... Ne4 17. Rc4 Nd6 18. Rd4 $14) (16... Bg4 $5 {/\
} 17. Bg2 Ne4 18. Rc4 Ng3 $1 $36) (16... Na4 $132) 17. Qxa8 Bg4 18. Qc6 Rc8 19.
Qxc8+ Bxc8 $44) (11... Ndf6 12. Rg1 $5 (12. g5 Ng4 13. Rc2 $13 (13. Nxe4 dxe4
14. Nd2 e5 $132)) 12... Nxc3 13. bxc3 $1 {/\g5|^}) (11... f5 12. gxf5 exf5 13.
cxd5 Nxc3 14. Rxc3 cxd5 15. Qb3 Qe4 16. Be2 Nf6 17. Rg1 f4 18. Rc7 Ne8 19. Nd2
$16 {Sambuev,B (2528)-Martchenko,A (2227)/Montreal/2011/}) ({Another
interesting idea is the most recent example} 11... Nd6 $5 12. c5 Ne8 13. g5 e5
14. gxh6 gxh6 15. Rg1+ Ng7 $13 16. Bh3 f5 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 {1/2,Ragger,M
(2651)-Alekseev,E (2659)/WCup Khanty-Mansiysk/2011/}) 12. cxd5 Nxc3 13. Rxc3
cxd5 14. g5 h5 (14... e4 15. Nd2 hxg5 16. Qh5 $5 (16. hxg5 $143 $2 Qxg5 17. Rh5
Qg1 $1 18. Rh3 Nf6 19. Rg3 Qh1 20. Nb3 b6 21. Kd2 Bg4 $17 {Wang Hao (2718)
-Kravtsiv,M (2571)/Shenzhen/2011/}) 16... g4 17. Qxd5 $14) 15. Bb5 exd4 ({
Consistent with move 11, but roughly equivalent was} 15... e4 16. Nd2 $5 (16.
Bxd7 Bxd7 17. Ne5 Bf5 18. Qxh5 Rac8 $44 {<=>}) 16... g6 17. Rc7 $14) 16. Qxd4
Qe4 {A Q-swap doesn't quite fit into the concept of active <=>, but even after}
(16... Nb6 17. O-O Bf5 (17... Be6 18. Rfc1 $14) (17... Qe4 18. Qxe4 dxe4 19.
Nd4 $14) 18. Rfc1 {White retains a pleasant edge.} (18. Qf4 Be4 19. Rc7 Qb4
$132)) 17. Qxe4 dxe4 18. Nd2 Ne5 {Instead of defending a worse _|_,
Harikrishna prefers to sacrifice a P. However, White still manages to remain
on top.} (18... f5 $5 19. Nb3 $14 {_|_}) 19. Nxe4 Be6 (19... Nf3+ 20. Kf1 Bg4
21. Be2 (21. Kg2 $2 Ne5 $15) 21... Rfd8 22. Rc2 (22. a3 $5 {/\} Nd2+ 23. Nxd2
Rxd2 24. Bxg4 hxg4 25. Rg1 Rxb2 26. Rxg4 $16) 22... Rac8 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. Nc3
Nd2+ 25. Ke1 Ne4 26. f3 Nxc3 27. bxc3 Be6 28. Kd2 Bxa2 29. Ra1 Bc4 30. Bxc4
Rxc4 31. Rxa7 $16) 20. f4 $1 ({The text is more ambitious than} 20. Ng3 Rfc8 (
20... Nf3+ 21. Ke2 Bg4 22. Bd7 Rad8 23. Bxg4 hxg4 24. Rd1 Rxd1 25. Kxd1 Rd8+
26. Kc1 Nxh4 27. Rc4 Nf3 28. Rxg4 Rd2 29. Ne4 Re2 30. Rf4 $14) 21. f4 Rxc3 22.
bxc3 a6 23. Be2 $14) 20... Bd5 (20... Ng4 21. Nc5 Bxa2 22. Ke2 $36 {/\Ra1}) 21.
fxe5 Bxe4 22. O-O $14 {/+/- Although White's extra P is doubled, it controls
important central squares and this gives him a distinct edge.} Bd5 $6 {Black's
position can't stand another error and this eases Aronian's technical task.} (
22... Rac8 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. e6 $1 fxe6 $1 25. Bd7 $16) (22... Rad8 $5 23. Rc7
Rd2 24. Rf2 Rd1+ 25. Bf1 $14 {/+/-}) 23. Bd7 $1 {[%csl Ra8,Gd7,Rf8] This
powerful move greatly limits Black's forces - now he can't activate neither of
his R.} Rfd8 (23... Bxa2 24. b3 Rad8 25. e6 fxe6 26. Bxe6+ Kh7 27. Rxf8 Rxf8
28. Rc1 Rd8 29. Bf7 $1 $16 {[%csl Ra2,Ge3,Rh7][%cal Ge3e8] ץa2, Kh7, o^e3})
24. Rc7 a5 (24... Bxa2 25. g6 $1 fxg6 26. e6 $40 {/\} Rdb8 27. Rd1 a5 28. e7
Bf7 29. Bc8 $1 $18) 25. a4 $18 Ra6 26. Rf4 Rf8 27. Rd4 Bc6 (27... Be6 28. Rxb7
$18 {with a decisive material advantage.}) 28. e6 $5 ({The text move is even
more convincing than} 28. Bxc6 Rxc6 29. Rxb7 $18) 28... fxe6 29. Bxe6+ Kh8 30.
Bf7 $1 {[%csl Gf7] The B again limits any possible <=> and the rest is simple,
as Black's forces are almost paralysed.} Rb6 31. b3 Bf3 32. g6 Rc6 33. Rxc6
bxc6 34. e4 Be2 35. e5 {[%cal Re5e7] /\e6-e7} 1-0

[Event "WchT 8th"]
[Site "Ningbo"]
[Date "2011.07.24"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2011.07.17"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hungary"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "HUN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. Qc2 c5 8.
dxc5 Nxc5 9. a3 Bxc3+ 10. Qxc3 Nce4 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. Qe5+ Qe7 13. Qxe7+ Kxe7
14. Nd4 Bd7 15. e3 Rhc8 16. f3 h5 17. Kd2 Ne8 18. Bd3 Nd6 19. b3 a5 20. Rhc1 b6
21. Rxc8 Rxc8 22. Rc1 Rc5 23. Rc3 g5 24. b4 axb4 25. axb4 Rxc3 26. Kxc3 h4 27.
Ne2 Ne8 28. g3 hxg3 29. hxg3 g4 30. fxg4 Bxg4 31. Nf4 Kd6 32. e4 dxe4 33. Bxe4
Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 8th"]
[Site "Ningbo"]
[Date "2011.07.25"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2011.07.17"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Qc2 c5 8. Rd1
{Grischuk played this rare move against Kramnik but didn't get any advantage.}
(8. cxd5) (8. dxc5) 8... cxd4 (8... Qa5 9. Nd2 (9. a3 Ne4 10. Bd3 cxd4 11. exd4
Ndf6 12. O-O Nxc3 13. bxc3 Bd7 14. Rb1 dxc4 15. Bxc4 Bc6 $11 {1-0 Shulman,Y 
(2568)-Saidy,A (2374)/Las Vegas 2001/EXT 2002 (35)}) 9... cxd4 10. exd4 dxc4
11. Nxc4 Qd8 12. Bd3 Nb6 13. O-O Bd7 14. Nxb6 Qxb6 15. d5 Kh8 16. dxe6 {
1/2 Grischuk,A (2747)-Kramnik,V (2785)/Kazan 2011/CBM 143/[Marin]}) 9. Rxd4 (9.
exd4 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Nb6 11. Bd3 (11. Bb3 Nbd5 12. Bg5 b6 13. O-O Bb7 14. Ne5 Rc8
15. Qd3 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Ne4 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. c4 Rfd8 $11 {1/2 Caoili,A (2309)
-Mkrtchian,L (2409)/Bled 2002/EXT 2003 (42)}) 11... Nbd5 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Ne5
Bb4+ 14. Bd2 Bxd2+ 15. Qxd2 Bg4 16. f3 Bh5 17. O-O Qb6 18. Bf5 Rfe8 19. Rfe1
Bg6 $11 {1/2 Bromberger,S (2491)-Heinzel,O (2401)/Augsburg 2007/CBM 122 Extra 
(43)}) 9... Qa5 10. Bg3 (10. cxd5 Nxd5 11. Ra4 Qc5 12. Rc4 Qa5 13. Ra4 Qc5 $11
14. Bg5 $6 f6 15. Bh4 N7b6 $17 {0-1 Vanderhallen,N (2225)-Baert,A (2194)/
Belgium 2007/CBM 120 ext (54)}) 10... Nb6 11. Nd2 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Nxc4 (12...
Nfd5 13. O-O (13. Bd3 $5) 13... Nxc3 14. bxc3 Bf6 15. Nb3 Qh5 16. Be2 Qg6 17.
Bd3 Qh6 18. Re4 Bd7 19. c4 Rac8 20. c5 Nd5 $11 {0-1 Kovacevic,A (2558)-Kovacs,
A (2348)/Lechenicher SchachServer 2009/Telechess CBM 139 (38)}) 13. Nxc4 Qa6
14. O-O {White keeps some pressure in the centre so Black should play
accurately.} Bd7 (14... Nd5 $5 15. e4 (15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Ne5 Be6 {[%csl Rd4]})
(15. Rxd5 exd5 16. Nxd5 Bd8) 15... Nxc3 16. Qxc3 Qxa2 (16... f6 17. Qb3 $1) 17.
b4 Qa6 18. Rfd1 $44 {Black's extra pawn should enable him to equalise despite
White's obvious compensation.}) 15. Rfd1 (15. Bd6 $142 Bxd6 16. Nxd6 Bc6 17. e4
$1 {[%csl Rc6]} Qb6 18. Rfd1 $14 {- game}) 15... Bc6 (15... Nd5 $6 {is dubious
now due to} 16. Rxd5 $1 exd5 17. Nxd5 {e.g.} Bd8 18. Bd6 Re8 19. Nb4 Bf5 $1 (
19... Qb5 $2 20. Rd5) 20. Qb3 Qb5 21. Rd5 Qd7 22. Bc5 Qe6 23. Nd6 a5 $1 24. Re5
$1 (24. Nxe8 $143 axb4 25. Nd6 Bc2 $1 26. Qc4 b3 $1) 24... axb4 $1 (24... Qxe5
25. Qxf7+ Kh8 26. Nxe8 $18) 25. Rxe6 Bxe6 26. Qxb4 Rxa2 27. f4 Re7 28. Nxb7 $16
) 16. Bd6 Bxd6 17. Nxd6 Bd5 $1 ({If now} 17... Nd5 {then} 18. a3 $1 Rad8 (18...
Nxc3 19. Qxc3 Bd5 20. Nf5) 19. Nce4 {, and White maintains the pressure.}) 18.
Ndb5 Qb6 19. e4 $6 (19. Nxd5 $142 Nxd5 20. Nc3 $11) 19... Bc6 $6 {Missing} (
19... Bxe4 $1 20. Rxe4 (20. Nxe4 Nxe4 21. Qxe4 (21. Nc7 Rac8) 21... Qxb5 22.
Rb4 Rfd8 $1) 20... Nxe4 21. Qxe4 Rfd8 {, and it is White who must fight for
equality.}) 20. Nd6 (20. e5 $5 Nd5 21. Nxd5 Bxd5 22. Nc7 Rac8 23. Nxd5 Rxc2 (
23... exd5 24. Qd2 {[%csl Rd5]}) 24. Nxb6 axb6 25. Rb4 $14 {_|_}) 20... e5 (
20... Rfd8 $5 {[%cal Yf6e8]}) 21. R4d3 Rad8 22. h3 Rd7 23. Qd2 (23. Na4 $142 $1
Bxa4 24. Qxa4 Rfd8 25. Nc4 $1 Qe6 26. Nxe5 $1 Rxd3 27. Rxd3 {winning a pawn
although it is not easy to convert.}) 23... h6 $6 (23... Rfd8 $142 24. Qg5 Bxe4
$1) 24. Nf5 Rfd8 25. Nd5 Bxd5 26. exd5 $14 {[%csl Gd5]} Ne4 27. Qe2 $1 (27. Qe3
Nd6 28. Nxd6 Qxe3 29. Rxe3 Rxd6 30. Rxe5 Kf8 $11 {[%cal Yg7g6,Yf7f6]}) 27...
Nd6 28. Nxh6+ {[%mdl 640] This sacrifice is only enough for a draw.} (28. Qxe5
Nxf5 29. Qxf5 Qxb2 $11) (28. Rb3 $1 {was a useful intermediate move to push
Black's queen from b6:} Qa5 (28... Qc5 $143 29. Nxh6+ gxh6 30. Rg3+ Kf8 31.
Qxe5 Re8 32. Qf6 Re2 33. Qxh6+ Ke7 34. Qh4+ Kf8 35. Rc3 $1 $40) (28... Qc7 29.
Nxh6+ gxh6 30. Rg3+ Kf8 31. Qxe5) (28... Qa6 29. Nxh6+ gxh6 30. Rg3+ Kf8 31.
Qxe5 Re8 32. Qg7+ Ke7 33. Rc1 $40 Kd8 34. Qf6+ Rde7 (34... Ree7 35. Rg8+ Ne8
36. Rxe8+ Kxe8 37. Qh8#) 35. Rgc3 $18 {[%cal Rc3c6]}) 29. Nxh6+ $1 (29. Nxd6
Rxd6 30. Ra3 Qc5 31. Qxe5 Rxd5 32. Rxd5 Rxd5 33. Qe8+ Kh7 34. Qxf7 Rf5 35. Qxb7
Qxf2+ 36. Kh2 Qf4+ 37. Rg3 Rg5 38. Qf3 Qb8 {should be a draw}) 29... gxh6 30.
Rg3+ Kf8 31. Qxe5 Re8 32. Qf6 $40) 28... gxh6 29. Rg3+ Kf8 30. Qxe5 Re8 31. Qf6
(31. Qg7+ Ke7 32. Rb3 (32. Rc1 Rc7) 32... Qa6 {[%cal Ye7d8]} 33. Rc1 Kd8 34.
Qf6+ Ree7 {, and Black holds on}) (31. Qf4 $6 Ne4) 31... Ne4 $1 {That's the
difference! The h6-pawn is protected, and White must give a perpetual.} 32.
Qh8+ Ke7 33. Qe5+ Kd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 8th"]
[Site "Ningbo"]
[Date "2011.07.26"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2011.07.17"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Ukraine"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "UKR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. c4 e6 5. O-O Nd7 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Nc3 Ngf6 8.
d3 a6 9. h3 Bh5 10. e4 d4 11. Ne2 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 e5 13. Bd2 Bd6 14. b4 O-O 15.
Qb3 a5 16. bxa5 Bc7 17. Qxb7 Bxa5 18. Bg5 h6 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Bg4 Nc5 21. Qb5
Qb6 22. Rfb1 Rfb8 23. Qc4 Qxb1+ 24. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 25. Kg2 Bb6 26. Bh5 Ra7 27. a4
Rd7 28. Ng1 Rc7 29. Nf3 Rb2 30. Nxe5 g6 31. Qd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Botvinnik Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.09.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2807"]
[BlackElo "2823"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2011.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 b5 6. cxb5 Bxb5 7. Bg2 d5 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. Nc3 Ba6 10. Ne5 {Alternatives seen in practice in this well-known
position:} (10. Re1) (10. Bb2) (10. Na4) (10. a3) (10. Rb1) 10... Bd6 (10...
Nxe5 $2 11. dxe5 Nd7 (11... Bb4 12. exf6 Bxc3 13. fxg7 Bxg7 14. Rb1 O-O 15. Ba3
Re8 16. Rc1 $16 {[%csl Ra7,Rc7] B.Avrukh}) 12. Nxd5 $1 exd5 (12... Rc8 13. Nc3
Nxe5 14. Qc2 $16 {1-0 Cernousek,L (2405)-Ftacnik,L (2553)/Slovakia 2008/EXT
2009 (36)}) 13. Qxd5 {[%cal Rd5a8,Re5e6]} Nb6 14. Qc6+ (14. Qa5 $5) 14... Qd7
15. Rd1 (15. Bg5 $5 Be7 $1 16. Rfd1 Qxc6 17. Bxc6+ Kf8) 15... Qxc6 16. Bxc6+
Ke7 17. Bxa8 Nxa8 18. Bg5+ f6 19. exf6+ gxf6 20. Bf4 $16 {1-0 Kiss,P (2380)
-Menacher,M (2334)/Balatonlelle 2005/EXT 2008 (29)}) (10... Bb7 $6 11. Bf4 {
[%csl Rc7][%cal Ya1c1,Yc3b5] B.Avrukh}) (10... c5 11. Bf4 (11. Bg5 Rc8 12. Nxd7
Qxd7 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Rc1 c4 15. e4 $5 cxb3 16. Qxb3 Bc4 17. Qb2 Bh6 18. Rcd1
Bxf1 19. Bxf1 $44 {1-0 Malakhatko,V (2610)-Cori Tello,D (2262)/Palau 2009/CBM
130 Extra (38)}) 11... Rc8 12. Na4 Nxe5 (12... Bb5 13. Nxc5 Nxc5 14. dxc5 Bxc5
15. b4 Bd6 16. a4 $14 {1-0 Onischuk,A (2653)-Mateo,R (2453)/Mallorca 2004/CBM
104 (102)}) 13. Bxe5 Nd7 14. Bf4 c4 15. Qd2 Be7 16. Rfc1 O-O 17. b4 Bb5 18. Nc5
$14 {1/2 Sriram,J (2431)-Bakre,T (2491)/Visakhapatnam 2004/CBM 103 ext (53)})
11. Bf4 (11. Nc6 $5 Qc8 12. a3 $1 {is more energetic:} O-O (12... Qb7 13. Na5
Qb6 14. b4 $16 {B.Avrukh}) (12... Nb8 13. Nb4 Bb7 14. Bb2 O-O 15. Nd3 Nbd7 16.
Rc1 Qb8 17. Na4 a5 18. Qc2 $14 {1/2 Lalic,B (2522)-Agrest,E (2563)/Stockholm
2002/CBM 085 ext}) 13. Bg5 (13. Bf4 $5 Qe8 14. Nb4 $1 Bb7 15. Nd3 $14 {B.Avrukh
}) 13... Qe8 (13... Qb7 14. Na5 Qb6 15. b4 h6 16. Bxf6 Nxf6 17. Re1 $16 Rad8 $2
18. Na4 Qb5 19. e4 $1 $18 {1-0 Perez Rodriguez,L (2391)-Mateo,R (2444)/Havana
2003/CBM 094 ext (27)}) 14. Qd2 Nb6 15. Na5 (15. Nb4 $1 $16 {B.Avrukh}) 15...
c5 16. dxc5 Bxc5 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Rfc1 $16 {1/2 Beliavsky,A (2665)-Topalov,V 
(2725)/Madrid 1997/CBM 059/[Avrukh,B] (58)}) {The whole line therefore looks
rather dubious for Black.} 11... O-O (11... Bxe5 12. dxe5 Nh5 13. Be3 Nxe5 14.
Qd4 Qd6 15. Qa4+ Qc6 16. Qb4 $40 {[%csl Re8]}) 12. Rc1 Bxe5 13. dxe5 Nh5 $146 {
[%mdl 8] Improving on the earlier blitz game:} (13... Ng4 $2 14. Nxd5 $1 exd5
15. Qxd5 {[%cal Rh2h3,Rd5a8]} Nb6 16. Qa5 Bxe2 17. Rfe1 Bd3 18. Red1 (18. h3
$18) 18... Qd4 19. Rd2 Rad8 20. h3 Nxf2 21. Rxf2 Be4 22. Qxa7 Bxg2 23. Kxg2
Qe4+ 24. Kh2 $16 {0-1 Karpov,A (2670)-Carlsen,M (2714)/Moscow 2007/EXT 2008 
(92)}) 14. Na4 (14. Be3 $5 Nxe5 15. Na4 $44 {[%cal Ya4c5]}) 14... Nxf4 15. gxf4
Bb5 16. Nc5 Nxc5 17. Rxc5 c6 18. Qd2 (18. a4 Qb6 $1 19. Qc2 $2 Bc4) 18... Qb6
19. Rfc1 a5 $1 20. e4 {White hurries up to create a kingside attack. It turns
out that his c5-rook is vulnerable:} (20. a4 Bc4 $1) 20... a4 {[%csl Gb5] The
b5-bishop is now secure.} 21. f5 axb3 22. f6 $4 {[%mdl 8192]} (22. axb3 Kh8 $1
$14) 22... Qxc5 $1 $19 23. a4 {Desperation.} (23. Rxc5 bxa2 24. Qg5 a1=Q+ 25.
Rc1 Qxc1+ 26. Qxc1 h6 $1 {, and Black's material advantage should be
sufficient for a win.}) 23... Qxc1+ 24. Qxc1 b2 25. Qxb2 Rxa4 26. Qc1 gxf6 (
26... h6 $5 $19) 27. h4 (27. exf6 Kh8 {[%cal Yf8g8]}) 27... Rfa8 28. Kh2 dxe4
29. exf6 Kh8 30. Qf4 e3 31. Qxe3 Rxh4+ 32. Kg3 Rh5 (32... Rha4 $19) 33. Kg4 Rf5
34. Be4 Rg8+ 35. Kh4 Rxf6 $4 {[%mdl 8192] Black finally returns the favour.} (
35... Rfg5 36. Qxg5 Rxg5 37. Kxg5 c5 38. Bc2 (38. Kh6 Ba4 {[%cal Yc5c4,Yc4c3,
Yc3c2]}) (38. Kf4 h5 $1 39. Kg5 Ba4) 38... Be2 $19 {[%cal Yc5c4,Ye2d3]}) 36.
Qc3 Kg7 37. Qg3+ Rg6 38. Qe5+ $1 Rf6 39. Qg5+ Rg6 40. Qe5+ Kf8 {Black can't
avoid the perpetual!} (40... f6 41. Qc7+ Kh6 (41... Kh8 42. Bxg6 hxg6 43. Qe7)
42. Qf4+) 41. Qb8+ Ke7 42. Qc7+ Kf6 43. Qf4+ Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Botvinnik Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.09.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2807"]
[BlackElo "2817"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2011.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. h3 O-O 7. Bd3 a6 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. a4 {A rare continuation, with the idea to prevent ...d5xc4 and ...
b7-b5 (as well as the immediate ...b7-b5).} (9. cxd5 {is the most standard
reply to ...Nb8-d7 in such positions, going back to Rubinstein. After} cxd5 {
Black's knight can't immediately occupy the most comfortable c6-square.}) 9...
Re8 (9... dxc4 10. Bxc4 c5 (10... b5 $6 11. axb5 Nb6 12. Bxf7+ $1 Rxf7 13. bxc6
e6 $6 (13... Nbd5 $1 14. Ng5 $36 {S.Atalik}) 14. e4 Rc7 15. Ne5 Qe8 16. Be3
Rxc6 17. Nxc6 Qxc6 18. d5 $16 {1-0 Atalik,S (2584)-Trkulja,G (2317)/Sarajevo
2007/CBM 118 ext (21)}) 11. d5 (11. Re1 $5) (11. Bb3 $5) 11... Nb6 $6 (11...
Ne8 $5 {S.Atalik}) 12. Ba2 Bf5 13. Nh4 (13. Ng5 $1 $16 {[%cal Ye3e4]}) 13...
Ne4 14. Nxf5 gxf5 15. Nxe4 fxe4 16. Qc2 Nxd5 17. Qxe4 e6 18. Bb1 $16 {1/2
Chuprikov,D (2416)-Skorchenko,D (2476)/Voronezh 2005/CBM 106 ext (30)}) 10.
cxd5 {Still!} (10. b3 e5 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Rxe5 13. Bb2 Nh5 14. cxd5 Rg5
$132 {0-1 Escobedo Tinajero,A (2397)-Almeida Saenz,A (2365)/Mexico 2001/EXT
2004 (32)}) (10. Qb3 Qb6 11. Qxb6 Nxb6 12. b3 Bf5 13. Bxf5 gxf5 14. c5 Nbd7 15.
Bd2 Ne4 16. Rfc1 e5 $132 {1-0 Lev,R (2460)-Postny,E (2260)/Israel 1999/EXT
2000 (51)}) 10... cxd5 11. Bd2 b6 12. Qe2 $6 {An unfortunate idea - to put the
queen in front of Black's rook.} (12. a5 b5 13. Ne2 Bb7 14. Rc1 Ne4 15. Bb4 Nb8
$1 {[%cal Yb8c6]}) (12. Qb3 $5 Bb7 13. Rac1 Rc8 14. Ne2 {[%cal Yd2b4] was
probably the best attempt to fight for an advantage.}) 12... Bb7 13. Rfd1 e5 $1
{Black's a8-rook can't move but he doesn't need it to create counterplay.} 14.
dxe5 Nxe5 15. Be1 $2 {[%mdl 8192]} (15. Nxe5 $142 Rxe5 16. Be1 d4 $140 17. Bc4
$1) 15... Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 Qb8 $1 {[%cal Rd5d4] White's poor queen has no
retreat which will prevent ...d5-d4!} 17. Qf4 Qxf4 18. exf4 {[%csl Gd5] Black
now has practically an extra pawn in the centre. Together with White's
queenside weaknesses (the b3-square e.g.) that is quite enough for a victory.}
Nd7 $1 19. a5 Nc5 {[%cal Re8e1]} 20. Bf1 b5 21. f3 Nb3 22. Rab1 (22. Ra2 d4 23.
Ne4 Bd5 {[%csl Gd5][%cal Rb3d2]}) (22. Ra3 Nd4 $1 {[%cal Rd4c2,Rb5b4]} 23. Bf2
Nc2 24. Rb3 d4 25. Ne4 Bd5 26. Rbd3 f5 27. Nc5 Rac8 $1 28. Nxa6 Bb7 $19) 22...
Nxa5 {Winning a pawn.} 23. Bf2 Nc4 24. Bd4 Ne3 25. Rd3 Bxd4 26. Rxd4 Rac8 27.
Bd3 Kg7 28. Kf2 Nc4 29. Ne2 Nd2 $2 {A tactical mistake complicating Black's
task. However, White misses his chance.} (29... a5 $142 $19) 30. Rd1 $2 (30.
Bxb5 $1 Rxe2+ 31. Bxe2 Nxb1 32. Rd1 Nc3 33. bxc3 Rxc3 34. Ra1 $17) 30... Nb3
31. Rb4 Nc5 32. Rd4 Bc6 33. f5 a5 34. Bb1 b4 35. h4 Ba4 36. Rh1 Bb3 37. fxg6
hxg6 38. h5 Ne6 39. hxg6 fxg6 40. Rd2 Bc4 41. Rh4 Kf6 42. Rh6 Rg8 43. Nd4 Nxd4
44. Rxd4 a4 45. Rh7 a3 46. bxa3 bxa3 47. Rf4+ Ke5 48. g3 Rb8 0-1

[Event "Moscow Botvinnik Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.09.02"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2011.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. e4 c5 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Re1 Nc6 9. Nb3 Be6 10. Bg5 d5 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Nxd5 Qxd5 13. Qxd5 Bxd5 14. c3
h6 15. Be3 b6 16. Rad1 Rad8 17. Bb5 Nb8 18. Bf4 e5 19. Bxe5 Bxe5 20. Rxe5 Bxb3
21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. axb3 Rd1+ 23. Bf1 Kf8 24. b4 Nc6 25. Re2 a5 26. b5 Nd8 27. g3
Nb7 28. Kg2 Nc5 29. b4 axb4 30. cxb4 Nd7 31. Re4 Rd2 32. Kf3 h5 33. h3 Rb2 34.
Bd3 Nf6 35. Rd4 Ke7 36. Ke3 Ke6 37. Bc4+ Ke7 38. Rf4 Rxb4 39. Kd4 Rb2 40. Ke5
Rb1 41. Rf3 Rd1 42. Rd3 Re1+ 43. Re3 Rxe3+ 44. fxe3 Nd7+ 45. Kd5 f6 46. h4 Ne5
47. Bb3 Kd7 48. Bc2 Ke7 49. Bb1 Kd7 50. Bc2 Ke7 51. Bb1 Kd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Botvinnik Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.09.03"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "170"]
[EventDate "2011.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 {In this symmetrical line White
doesn't really aim for an opening advantage, he is just heading for a
long-term positional fight.} 5. a3 d6 6. Rb1 {[%cal Gb2b4]} a5 {Preventing the
expansion b2-b4.} 7. e3 e5 {This move is Black's main choice. It is directed
against the advance d2-d4, but has a clear downside - it weakens the d5 square.
} ({In the event of} 7... Nf6 {White continues in the same style:} 8. Nge2 O-O
9. d3 {achieving a flexible position.}) 8. Nge2 Nge7 9. O-O O-O 10. d3 Rb8 11.
Bd2 Be6 {Now Black is threatening ...d6-d5, so White must react accordingly.} (
11... Bf5 {makes less sense. White just shouldn't reply with e3-e4, blocking
his light-squared bishop.} {After} 12. Qc2 Qd7 13. Nb5 {[%cal Ge2c3] he has
fine play on the light squares.}) 12. Nd5 {The main continuation.} (12. Qb3 f5
13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. cxd5 Bf7 15. Qc2 Ne7 16. e4 b5 $11 {0-1 Gurevich,M (2641)
-Lautier,J (2675)/Moscow 2002/CBM 090 (41)}) 12... b5 (12... f5 $6 13. Nec3 Kh8
14. b4 {is the kind of position that White is striving for. His play on the
queenside is more effective than Black's attempts on the opposite flank.}) 13.
cxb5 Rxb5 (13... Bxd5 14. Bxd5 Nxd5 15. bxc6 Qb6 16. Qa4 {[%csl Ra5]} Ra8 17.
Nc3 Ne7 18. e4 Qxc6 (18... Nxc6 $4 {falls into a fork:} 19. Nd5 Qb7 20. Qxc6 $1
Qxc6 21. Ne7+ $18) 19. Qc4 {keeping a slight pressure.}) 14. Qa4 Qb8 15. Nc7 $5
{Only this move is a novelty!} (15. Nxe7+ Nxe7 16. Nc3 Rxb2 17. Qxa5 Bf5 18.
Rxb2 Qxb2 19. Ne4 Bxe4 20. Bxe4 d5 21. Bf3 Rc8 $11 {1/2-1/2 Sehner,N-Teipelke,
H/Germany 1991/Corr 2000 (35)}) 15... Qxc7 $5 {Aronian goes for an exchange
sacrifice. It wasn't necessary, as Black could equalise after the obvious 15...
Rxb2.} (15... Rxb2 16. Nxe6 fxe6 (16... Rxb1 $6 17. Nxf8 Bxf8 18. Bxc6 Nxc6 19.
Qxc6 Rb2 20. Rd1 Qb3 21. Nc3 Rxd2 22. Rxd2 Qxc3 23. Re2 Qxa3 24. Qd5 $16 {
[%cal Ge2a2]}) 17. Nc3 d5 18. Rfc1 e4 19. Rxb2 Qxb2 20. Rc2 Qa1+ 21. Rc1 Qb2
$11) 16. Qxb5 Rb8 17. Qa4 Bb3 18. Qh4 Bc2 19. Qc4 Bb3 ({In the event of} 19...
Bxb1 20. Rxb1 {White has a stable advantage thanks to pair of bishops and
control over the light squares.}) 20. Qc1 {Carlsen has grounds not to repeat
moves, but to play for a win.} Qb6 21. Re1 d5 {Black's superiority in space
yields him a certain compensation for the exchange.} 22. Nc3 Rd8 $6 (22... a4
$1 {It is useful to fix the queenside..} 23. e4 d4 24. Nd5 Nxd5 25. exd5 Ne7
$44) 23. e4 $1 d4 24. Nd5 Nxd5 25. exd5 Rxd5 $6 {Another exchange sacrifice!
It worked fine in the current game, but, frankly speaking, is too brave to be
true.} (25... Bxd5 $6 26. Bxd5 Rxd5 27. Qc4 Rd7 28. b4 $16) (25... Ne7 {
was a worthy alternative.} 26. Bg5 f6 27. Rxe5 $1 Qc7 (27... fxe5 $2 28. Bxe7
Rc8 29. Bh3 $18) 28. d6 Qxd6 29. Qxc5 Qxe5 (29... Qxc5 30. Rxc5 fxg5 31. Rxa5
$14) 30. Qxe5 fxe5 31. Bxe7 $14) 26. Bh6 Bf6 $6 {Levon is logical. It would
not be natural to retreat with the rook, even though it was objectively better.
} (26... Rd7 27. Bxg7 Kxg7 28. Bxc6 Qxc6 29. Rxe5 Qf3 30. Qxc5 Bd5 31. Rxd5
Rxd5 {with sufficient compensation for the pawn.}) 27. Bxd5 Bxd5 28. Qd1 $2 {
Here and on the next few moves Magnus rejects the idea of opening lines by the
slightly risky move f2-f4.} (28. f4 e4 (28... Qb5 29. Qc2 $18 {[%csl Rc5,Re5]
[%cal Gb1c1]}) 29. dxe4 Bb3 30. e5 Be7 31. f5 $16) 28... Be7 29. h4 ({Again} 
29. f4 {, though less effective than on the previous move, but still was
called for.}) 29... Qb7 30. Kh2 ({Once again, it was necessary to play more
actively:} 30. f4 f6 31. Kh2 {Later on White will take out his major pieces,
to bring the queen on f2, double the rooks on the e-file, etc.}) 30... f6 {
Stabilising the central pawn chain.} 31. Qe2 Nd8 $1 32. Bd2 $2 {Here it was
the last moment when Magnus could stir up complications and try to make use of
his extra material.} (32. b3 Bxb3 (32... Nf7 33. Bd2 Bf3 34. Qf1 $13 {Compared
to the continuation in the game, here White has certain prospects on the
queenside.}) 33. h5 {White can harass the opponents' king. Here is a sample
line:} a4 34. hxg6 hxg6 35. Qg4 Kh7 36. Qh3 Kg8 37. f4 Qf3 38. fxe5 Be6 39. Qg2
Qh5+ 40. Kg1 Qxh6 41. exf6 Bxf6 42. Rb6 $16 {[%csl Re6,Rf6]}) 32... Bf3 33. Qf1
a4 {After a series of passive moves Magnus found himself in a miserable
position. White can't open a single line for his major pieces.} 34. Qh3 h5 35.
Ba5 Nf7 36. Qe6 $2 {Typical time-trouble reflex.} (36. Bd2 $17) 36... Bd5 {
The activity of queen was imaginary, it has to retreat.} 37. Qh3 (37. Qb6 Qd7 {
[%cal Gd7f5] and White can't cover the holes near his king.}) 37... Qb5 38. Bc7
Qxd3 $19 39. g4 $1 {The best practical chance.} Qd2 40. Kg1 Be6 (40... hxg4 41.
Qxg4 Qh6 {and White is defenseless against tche threats f5 or Ng5!}) 41. Qg2
hxg4 {Black has already too many pawns and is dominating.} 42. Rbc1 Kg7 {
Instead, the pawn on b2 could be comfortably captured.} 43. Bb6 c4 $6 (43... f5
$19 {[%cal Gf5f4]}) 44. Qc6 g3 $5 45. fxg3 Bh3 46. Qf3 $6 {Believe me, I am
not harsh in my evaluations, one has to bear in mind that both players are in
time trouble from the very beginning!} (46. Qh1 $1 Bg4 47. Qg2 Qd3 {This way
White could keep the Pb2 alive, but Black retains the initiative.}) 46... Qxb2
47. Ba7 Qb3 {47...c3 was, naturally, more convincing. The move in the text is
typical for time trouble, when a side having an advantage tries to reduce the
material as much as possible, so as not to give the opponent unnecessary
practical chances. This often leads to the opposite effect.} 48. Qxb3 cxb3 49.
Bxd4 Bxa3 50. Ra1 Bb4 51. Reb1 exd4 (51... Bf5 52. Rxa4 Bxb1 53. Rxb4 exd4 54.
Rxb3 Bc2 $19) 52. Rxa4 Bc5 53. Ra5 Bb6 54. Rb5 Bc7 55. R5xb3 Be5 {The position
remains winning for Black, but now he has to work at it for some time.} 56. Kf2
Nd6 57. Kf3 Be6 58. Ra3 Bd5+ 59. Ke2 Nb5 60. Ra5 Nc3+ 61. Kf2 d3 62. Rxd5 Nxd5
63. Rb7+ Bc7 64. Kf3 Kh6 65. Rb3 Bxg3 $1 {A neat tactical trick, winning an
important pawn.} 66. Rxd3 (66. Kxg3 d2 67. Rd3 Nc3 68. Rxd2 Ne4+ $19) 66... Nf4
67. Rd8 Nh5 {Now Black's win is just a matter of time.} 68. Kg4 f5+ 69. Kh3 Be5
70. Ra8 Bf6 71. Ra6 Kg7 72. Ra7+ Kf8 73. Rb7 Be7 74. Ra7 Kf7 75. Ra6 Nf6 76.
Kg3 Ne4+ 77. Kh3 Bc5 78. Rc6 Bd6 79. Ra6 Kg7 80. Ra8 Be5 81. Ra7+ Kh6 82. Rb7
Nf6 83. Re7 Ng4 84. Ra7 Bf6 85. Rf7 Kh5 {There were many mistakes along the
way. However, in conditions of rapid chess, where the time trouble starts from
the very beginning, you can't demand too much even from elite players.} (85...
Kh5 86. Rh7+ Nh6 $19 {[%csl Rh4]}) 0-1

[Event "Moscow Botvinnik Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.09.03"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2817"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2011.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Nb8 {Diese Umgruppierung ist ein wenig umstritten und
sieht man heute eher selten, aber sogar Anand selbst hat schon so gespielt.}
11. Nbd2 Nbd7 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Ne3 h6 14. Ba2 Bf8 15. Nh2 Nc5 16. Nhg4 Nxg4 {
Man hat den Eindruck, dass Weiß derart ein Tempo gewinnt.} ({Bisher hat sich} 
16... Ne6 17. Nf5 Kh7 {bewährt, der Plan ist ...Nxg4 und ...g6.}) 17. Qxg4 Ne6
18. h4 $1 Bc8 19. h5 {Das hätte nicht geeilt, Weiß verliert die Kontrolle über
g5.} ({Einfach} 19. Nf5 {sieht gut aus.}) 19... c6 20. Nf5 Kh8 ({Hier würde} 
20... Ng5 $1 {das Spiel nahezu ausgleichen.}) 21. Be3 d5 22. Qf3 $1 Ng5 {
Das ist im Prinzip ein Bauernopfer.} ({Vermutlich war} 22... Bb7 {Aronian zu
passiv.}) 23. Bxg5 Qxg5 24. Ne3 Re6 $5 ({Korrekt ist} 24... f5 $1 {So
verbleibt nur} 25. Nxf5 $5 ({nach} 25. exf5 Bc5 {besitzt Schwarz genügend
Spiel für den Bauern.} 26. Nxd5 $2 (26. Bxd5 $2 cxd5 27. Qxd5 Qe7 $19) 26...
cxd5 27. Qxd5 Qe7 28. Qxa8 Bb7 $19) (25. exd5 f4 26. Nf1 Bg4 {sofort zum Remis}
) 25... Bc5 {, aber auch dann ist es fraglich, ob Weiß Vorteil besitzt.}) 25.
exd5 Rf6 26. Qe2 Bh3 $5 {Der Angriff ist vermutlich gefährlicher als er
aussieht, aber objektiv unkorrekt.} 27. dxc6 Rd8 28. b4 Rd4 29. c3 Rdf4 30. Bd5
Bd6 (30... Rxf2 31. Qxf2 Rxf2 32. Kxf2 $18) 31. f3 (31. Be4 $6 Rxf2 32. Qxf2
Rxf2 33. Kxf2 f5 34. Bd5 f4 $36) 31... e4 $1 32. Bxe4 Rh4 $1 33. Kf1 $2 (33. g4
g6 34. hxg6 h5 35. Nd5 Bxg4 36. fxg4 Rxg4+ 37. Bg2 Rxg6 38. Ne3 Rg3 39. Ra2 h4
40. Nf1 h3 41. Nxg3 Qxg3 42. Qf2 Qh2+ 43. Kf1 hxg2+ 44. Qxg2 Rxg2 45. Rxg2 {
Vielleicht hält Weiß geradeso remis.}) ({Nach} 33. Nf1 $1 {steht Weiß wohl auf
Gewinn, aber in einer Schnellschachpartie ist noch vieles möglich.} Re6 (33...
Bc8 34. Qe3 Qxh5 35. Qb6 Rh1+ 36. Kf2 Qh4+ 37. Ke2 Re6 38. Kd2 $18) 34. Qf2 Bc7
35. Re2 f5 36. Bd5 Bxg2 37. Qxh4 Qxh4 38. Rxe6 Qd8 39. Ne3 $18) 33... Bf4 $2 ({
Nach} 33... Qxh5 $1 {wäre Weiß in Schwierigkeiten gewesen, denn} 34. gxh3 $2 (
34. Kf2 Qg5 35. Rh1 Bxg2 36. Nxg2 Qg3+ 37. Ke3 Qg5+ 38. Kf2 {mit remis}) 34...
Rxh3 {ist schon besser für Schwarz.}) 34. gxh3 Rxh3 35. Qg2 Rg3 36. Qf2 Re6 37.
Nf5 Rh3 38. Qg2 1-0

[Event "Moscow Botvinnik Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.09.03"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2807"]
[BlackElo "2791"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2011.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. Nf3 e5 8. d4
exd4 9. Bg5 Qe6+ 10. Be2 Be7 $5 11. cxd4 (11. Bxe7 $143 d3 $1) 11... Bxg5 12.
Nxg5 Qf6 (12... Qg6 13. f4 O-O 14. O-O Nc6 15. d5 Ne7 16. Qd2 h6 17. Nf3 Qd6 (
17... Bf5 $5 $132) 18. Rad1 c6 (18... Re8 $11) 19. dxc6 Qxd2 (19... Qxc6 $142)
20. Nxd2 Nxc6 21. Ne4 Re8 22. Bf3 Bg4 23. Bxg4 (23. Nf6+ $5) 23... Rxe4 24. Rd7
Rxc4 25. Rxb7 Rd8 26. Bd1 $1 $14 {Grachev,B (2669)-Socko,B (2654)/Lublin/2011/
For more information about this alternative, as well as the whole
Flohr-Mikenas line with 3.e4 in general see my detailed notes to the
aforementioned game in CBM 143.}) 13. Qd2 (13. Ne4 Qh4 $5 (13... Qg6 14. Ng3
O-O 15. O-O Rd8 16. Rc1 Qf6 17. d5 Na6 18. Nh5 Qe5 19. Bf3 Nc5 20. Re1 Qd6 21.
Qd4 f6 22. Re3 Bd7 23. Bg4 Re8 24. Rg3 $40 {Pelletier,Y (2587)-Ribli,Z (2568)/
Bundesliga 0203/2003/}) (13... Qe7 14. Ng3 O-O 15. O-O Rd8 16. Qd2 Qf6 17. Rad1
Nc6 18. d5 Ne7 19. Bd3 Nf5 20. Ne4 Qh4 21. Rfe1 b6 22. Ng5 h6 23. Nf3 Qf6 24.
Re4 $1 $16 {Nogueiras Santiago,J (2521)-Bielicki,C (2289)/Buenos Aires/2003/})
14. Bf3 (14. Nc3 O-O 15. O-O Rd8 (15... Bf5 16. Nb5 Qd8 17. d5 a6 18. Nd4 Bg6
19. Qb3 b6 20. Qg3 c5 21. Nf3 Re8 22. Rfe1 Nd7 23. Bf1 Qf6 24. Qc7 Bf5 25. a4
Rec8 26. Qf4 $14 {Tsenkov,L (1560)-Starace,U (2067)/corr/2009/}) 16. d5 Bf5 17.
Re1 c5 (17... Na6 $5 {/\Nc5=}) 18. Qb3 b6 19. Bf3 Na6 20. d6 Rab8 21. Nd5 Kh8
22. Re5 Qd4 23. Rae1 Be6 24. R5e4 Qd2 25. Rd1 $16 {Mkrtchian,L (2453)-Zhao Xue
(2423)/Turin olw/2006/}) (14. Ng3 O-O 15. O-O Rd8 16. f4 Qf6 17. d5 Na6 18. Rb1
Nc5 19. Nh5 Qd6 20. Qd4 f6 21. Ng3 Re8 22. Bh5 Re7 23. Rbe1 Bd7 $11 {
Dahlstroem,R (2446)-Loeschnauer,R (2435)/corr/2007/}) 14... O-O 15. O-O Nc6 16.
Re1 Bf5 (16... Rd8 17. g3 Qh6 18. Nc3 Bf5 19. Nd5 Rab8 20. a4 a6 21. Ra3 Qd6
22. Rae3 Be6 23. Qa1 b5 $11 {Beltins,G (2083)-Lucian Hoffman,M (2015)/corr/
2008/}) 17. Ng3 Bg6 18. Bxc6 bxc6 19. Qd2 Rad8 20. f4 Qf6 21. Rad1 h5 22. Re5
h4 $132 {Vilela,J (2405)-Vera Gonzalez Quevedo,R (2470)/Matanzas/1989/}) 13...
O-O 14. O-O Nc6 (14... Bf5 $5 15. Rad1 (15. Nf3 Re8 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Nc6
18. Rfe1 Rad8 19. Rab1 b6 20. h3 h6 21. d5 Ne5 22. Nxe5 Rxe5 $11 {Schubert,W 
(2323)-Foldvary,F (2308)/corr/2001/}) 15... Re8 {1/2,Stohl,I (2560)-Zarnicki,P
(2475)/Moscow olm/1994/CBM 044 ext} 16. Bf3 Nc6 17. Bd5 Re7 18. Rfe1 h6 $1 19.
Ne4 Bxe4 20. Bxe4 Rae8 $132) 15. d5 (15. Nf3 Bg4 16. Rad1 Rad8 17. d5 Bxf3 18.
Bxf3 Ne5 19. Be2 b6 20. Rfe1 Rfe8 21. Bf1 Nd7 22. Re3 Rxe3 23. Qxe3 Nc5 24. Re1
g6 $11 {Kasparov,G (2825)-Zarnicki,P (2515)/ICC blitz/1998/}) 15... Nd4 16. Ne4
$5 $146 {[%mdl 8] This is certainly no decisive novelty, but it presents Black
a fresh set of problems, which allow White to retain some initiative.
Especially in a rapid game it's not so simple to navigate all the pitfalls and
hold the balance.} (16. Bd3 Bf5 17. Bxf5 Nxf5 18. Ne4 (18. Nf3 c6 19. Rab1 cxd5
20. cxd5 Nd6 21. Rfc1 Rac8 $11 {Tremayne,D (2073)-Bilsel,S (1977)/corr/1999/})
18... Qg6 (18... Qh4 19. Rfe1 Rfe8 20. Qd3 Nd6 21. g3 Qe7 22. Nxd6 Qxd6 23. Re4
Re7 24. Qe3 Rxe4 25. Qxe4 b6 26. Re1 h6 $11 {Bukal,V (2415)-Rosandic,D (2385)/
Zadar/1995/}) 19. Rfe1 Rad8 20. Qf4 b6 $5 21. a4 (21. Qxc7 $6 Nd4 $15 {wins an
exchange}) 21... Nd6 22. Nxd6 Qxd6 23. Qxd6 Rxd6 24. a5 {1/2, Cramling,D (2420)
-Wiedenkeller,M (2450)/Stockholm/1993/} (24. Re7 c6 $11)) 16... Nxe2+ (16...
Qe5 17. Bd3 f5 18. Nc5 b6 19. Nb3 $14) 17. Qxe2 Qg6 ({A playable alternative is
} 17... Qe5 18. Rfe1 (18. Qe3 f5 19. Nc3 Qxe3 20. fxe3 Bd7 {/\} 21. c5 Rfe8 22.
Rfe1 c6 $5 $132) 18... Bf5 19. Nc5 Qd6 (19... Qxe2 20. Rxe2 b6 (20... Rfe8 21.
Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. Nxb7 Re2 23. h3 Kf8 $44) 21. Na6 Bd3 22. Rd2 Bxc4 23. Nxc7 Rac8
24. d6 Rfd8 $11) 20. Qe7 (20. Nxb7 $2 Qb6) 20... Rab8 $11) 18. Rfe1 Bf5 ({
A safe choice seems to be} 18... Bd7 $5 19. Qe3 (19. Nc5 Rae8 20. Qb2 Bc8 (
20... Bf5 $5) 21. Qd4 (21. Nxb7 $2 Qb6 $19) 21... Bh3 22. g3 b6 $11) 19... Rae8
20. Qf4 Bc8 $132) 19. Ng3 {[%cal Ge1e8] <->e} Bd3 (19... Bd7 20. Qe5 Rac8 $14 (
20... Qd6 $2 21. Qxd6 cxd6 22. Ne4 $16)) 20. Qe5 Bxc4 {Logical enough, but now
White's chances become more real.} (20... f5 $142 $5 21. Qf4 Qg4 22. Qxc7 f4
23. Ne4 (23. f3 Qc8 24. Qxc8 Raxc8 25. Ne4 Rfd8 $11) 23... f3 24. Qg3 (24. Ng3
$2 fxg2 $40) 24... Qxg3 25. hxg3 Bxc4 $11) 21. Nf5 Kh8 22. Ne3 Bd3 23. Qxc7 $14
{[%csl Gd5] Now the o^d5 is an asset and constant threat.} Be4 24. Qf4 (24.
Qxb7 f5 25. f4 Qd6 $11) (24. d6 $2 f5 25. d7 Rad8 26. f4 Qc6 $15) 24... Rfe8
25. f3 Bd3 26. Rad1 h5 27. Rd2 (27. Qd4 Bb5 28. Rc1 $14) 27... Bb5 28. Red1 (
28. Qb4 $5 a6 (28... Qb6 29. Kf2 a5 30. Qb2 $36) 29. a4 $14) 28... Rad8 29. d6
$5 Bc6 (29... Qe6 30. Rd5 $1 Qxe3+ (30... Be2 $2 31. Rxh5+ Kg8 32. Rd4 $1 {/\}
Qxe3+ 33. Qxe3 Rxe3 34. Rdh4 $18) 31. Qxe3 Rxe3 32. Rxh5+ Kg8 33. Rxb5 Rd7 $14
{gives Black drawing chances, but he is still the one who has to fight for
half a point, being a P down.}) 30. d7 (30. Nc4 {[%cal Rc4e5,Yc4a5] /\Na5, Ne5}
Qe6 31. Na5 Qe5 $1 {is drawish - a plausible follow-up is} 32. Qxe5 Rxe5 33.
Nxc6 bxc6 34. Kf2 Kg8 (34... g6 $5 $11) 35. Rc2 c5 36. Re2 Rxe2+ 37. Kxe2 Kf8
38. Rd5 g6 39. Kd3 Ke8 40. Kc4 Kd7 41. Rxc5 Ke6 $1 42. Rc7 Rxd6 {[%cal Rd6d2] /
\Rd2}) 30... Re6 (30... Re7 31. Qc7 Rdxd7 32. Rxd7 Rxe3 (32... Bxd7 $2 33. Nd5
Re2 34. Nf4 $18) 33. Rd8+ (33. Rxf7 Re2 $13 {/+/=}) 33... Kh7 34. Qg3 $14) 31.
Nc4 (31. Qc7 $2 Rxd7 32. Rxd7 Bxd7 $15) 31... Qf6 (31... Rxd7 32. Ne5 (32. Rxd7
Bxd7 33. Ne5 (33. Rxd7 $4 Qb1+ 34. Kf2 Qe1#) 33... Qc2 34. Rc1 Qa4 (34... Qxc1+
35. Qxc1 Rxe5 36. Qc7 Rd5 37. Qxb7 Be6 38. a4 $14) 35. Nxf7+ Kg8 36. Rc8+ Re8
$11) 32... Rxe5 33. Qxe5 Rxd2 34. Rxd2 Bxf3 35. Rf2 Bc6 36. Qf5 $1 $14) 32.
Qxf6 gxf6 {[%csl Rf6,Rf7,Rh5] ׻ This creates permanent weaknesses.
Controlling the <->e seems crucial and quite natural, but in fact a more solid
lne was} (32... Rxf6 $142 $5 33. Ne5 (33. Na5 Kg8 {is similar}) 33... Kg8 {
It's difficult to effectively support the o^ and Black has good chances to
fully consolidate his position.}) 33. Na5 Kg7 34. Rd4 (34. Kf2 Kf8 $14) 34...
f5 $2 {[%csl Rf5] ׻ This only exposes the vulnerability of Black's P. His
first and foremost priority should have been the activation of his K, which
should join the fight against the o^ as soon as possible.} (34... Kf8 35. Kf2
Ke7 36. g4 $5 Re5 $5 $14) 35. Kf2 b6 36. Nxc6 Rxc6 37. Kg3 Rc2 (37... Kf6 $142
$1 38. Kf4 b5 39. h4 $142 $1 (39. Rd6+ Rxd6 40. Rxd6+ Ke7 41. Rd5 Rxd7 42. Rxb5
(42. Rxd7+ Kxd7 43. Kxf5 h4 44. Ke5 Kc6 45. g4 hxg3 46. hxg3 b4 47. Kd4 Kb5 $11
{<=>}) 42... Rd2 43. Ra5 h4 44. Rxa7+ Ke6 45. Ra6+ Ke7 46. Kg5 $14 {/=}) 39...
a5 (39... Rc4 40. Rxc4 bxc4 41. Rd6+ Ke7 42. Rc6 Rxd7 43. Rxc4 $36) 40. Rd5
Rc4+ 41. Kg3 Rc7 (41... Ra4 $2 42. Re1 $1 $18) 42. Rxb5 $14) 38. Kf4 Kg6 $6
$138 (38... Kf6 $8 39. Re1 Rc7 40. Rd6+ Kg7 41. Red1 Rc2 42. R1d2 $16 {/+-})
39. Ke5 $1 {The activation of White's K is decisive.} Re2+ (39... Rc7 40. Rd6+
(40. h4 $5 $18) 40... Kg7 (40... Kg5 $2 41. h4+ $1 Kxh4 42. Kf4 Rc4+ 43. R6d4
Rxd4+ 44. Rxd4 {[%cal Rd4d1,Rd1h1] /\Rd1-h1#}) 41. Kxf5 $18) 40. Kd6 $18 {
[%csl Gd6,Gd7][%cal Rd6e7,Rd6c7] Only 5 moves ago Black's K could have been on
e7 - now it's White counterpart heads for this square and paralyses Black's R.}
Kf6 41. Rd5 $1 (41. Kc7 $143 $6 Ke7) 41... Rxg2 (41... Re6+ 42. Kc7 Ke7 43.
Rxf5 $18 {[%cal Rf5f7] /\Rf7}) 42. Kc7 Rgg8 43. f4 Rgf8 (43... b5 44. Rd6+ Kg7
45. Rg1+ $18) 44. Rg1 {[%cal Rd5d6,Rg1e1] /\Rd6, Re1 Weaves a mating net.} Ke7
45. Rd6 (45. Rd6 f6 (45... Rh8 46. Re1+) 46. Rg7+ $18) 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.09.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2807"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[Annotator "Moradiabadi,E"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 dxc4 {Hmmm....Is Vallejo worried about the Exchange
Slav?!} 4. e4 b5 5. a4 b4 6. Nb1 {A rare continuation that doesn't have a lot
of takers.} Ba6 7. Qc2 $5 {I like this choice of Aronian, both practically and
psychologically.} Qxd4 $6 $146 {Vallejo plays with fire. Personally I have
always praised his uncompromising style but I believe he is too optimistic in
this game.} ({Vitiugov has faced this several times as Black over the last few
years, with excellent results.} 7... Nf6 8. Nd2 e6 9. Bxc4 Bxc4 10. Qxc4 c5 11.
Ngf3 Nbd7 12. O-O cxd4 13. e5 Nd5 14. Nb3 Be7 15. Qxd4 Qc7 16. Qe4 Rc8 17. Nbd4
O-O 18. Bd2 Qc4 19. Rfd1 Nc5 20. Qg4 Rfd8 21. Bh6 Bf8 22. Bg5 Rd7 23. h3 b3 24.
Nd2 Qb4 25. N4xb3 Qxg4 26. hxg4 Nd3 27. Nf3 Nxb2 28. Rdb1 Nd3 29. Nbd2 h6 30.
Bh4 Nc3 31. Rb3 Nxe5 32. Nxe5 Rxd2 33. Rb7 g5 34. Bg3 Ne2+ 35. Kf1 Nxg3+ 36.
fxg3 Rcc2 37. Rxf7 Bg7 {0-1 (37) Khismatullin,D (2662)-Vitiugov,N (2720) Aix
les Bains 2011}) (7... e5 {is what one of Aronian's seconds, Sargissians,
faced a few months ago against Balogh. This move is the first choice of
Houdini and Rybka, besides which its logic is quite simple. White has better
development as a result of the temporary pawn gambit there, so why not
reciprocate?!} 8. Nf3 b3 9. Qc3 {We are still within "engine" territory!} Nf6
10. Bxc4 exd4 11. Qxb3 Bxc4 12. Qxc4 c5 13. b4 Nc6 14. Ba3 Be7 15. bxc5 Nxe4
16. Nbd2 Nxd2 17. Nxd2 O-O 18. O-O Qd7 {1/2-1/2 (72) Sargissian,G (2663)
-Balogh,C (2643) Ningbo 2011. And Black got a fairly "easy" position!}) 8. Nf3
Qd7 9. Bxc4 e6 {Let's have a look at the position: White's compensation thanks
to his better development is indisputable.} 10. O-O Nf6 11. Bg5 Be7 (11... Bxc4
12. Qxc4 Qc7 13. Bxf6 (13. Nbd2 Nbd7 {seems sound for Black.}) 13... gxf6 14.
Nbd2 Nd7 15. Rfd1 Be7 {Although the computer likes Black's position, I do not
know how it plans to improve the position. Black's king has no shelter, the
pawn structure is weakened and his pieces suffer from a lack of coordination,
and all this for just ONE pawn! Nevertheless, it was preferable to what
happened in the game.}) 12. Nbd2 h6 $6 {Again the silicon mind likes this move,
however to my eyes, a humble human being, it is just a waste of two tempi.
Note that the bishop has to go back to e7 after White's e5).} ({I prefer:} 
12... O-O 13. Rfd1 Bxc4 14. Nxc4 Qc7 15. Bh4 $1 {with a slight edge for White.}
) 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Rfd1 O-O 15. e5 Be7 16. Ne4 Qc8 $6 {No doubt planning to
play ...Bxc4 followed by ...Qa6 to improve his piece play, but Aronian is
having none of it.} (16... Qc7 $1 {This at least could hinder Aronian's plan.}
17. Ba2 Nd7 {attacks e5 immediately. White cannot go for the typical} 18. Rxd7
$2 Qxd7 19. Rd1 Qc7 20. Bb1 {since after} Rfd8 21. Nd6 g6 {he is just lost due
to insufficent counterplay for the sacrificed material.}) 17. Ba2 $1 {Now the
bishop on a6 is just shooting at the ground, Bang Bang! And now, Ladies and
Gentleman! A typical retreat such as one expects from players of this level.
White's bishop joins its heavy arsenal for a final blow. Aronian plays like a
champion and no wonder, we have seen this typical plan played by so many of
them!} b3 $5 {Black returns the pawn to force White to take and give Black
time to regroup, and possibly survive this opening fiasco.} 18. Bxb3 {Black is
really struggling here and needed to take more energetic measures to recover
some ground in his development.} Nd7 {Vallejo has avoided the mating attack,
nevertheless White's advantage is clear now and Aronian proves it in a
spectacular way.} 19. Nd6 Bxd6 20. Rxd6 c5 21. Rad1 c4 22. Ba2 Nc5 23. Bb1 {
All White's pieces are beautifully placed. A Triumph of Harmony! Smyslov would
have loved to see it!} g6 24. h4 {Typical. White tries to create weaknesses on
the kingside.} h5 (24... Nd3 $2 25. Qd2 Kg7 26. Bxd3 cxd3 27. Rc1 Qb7 28. Rcc6
{loses the bishop.}) 25. Qc1 Bb7 $1 {Vallejo tries to complicate things though
sadly for his sake, it is rather late.} 26. Nd4 (26. Ng5 {was stronger, not
only preventing ...Ne4, but if} Nd3 27. Bxd3 cxd3 28. Qf4 Bd5 29. Rxd3 Qc2 30.
Rc3 Qb1+ 31. Kh2 Qf5 32. Qxf5 gxf5 {the position is easily won, with the
queens off, the extra pawn and the rooks on the seventh.}) 26... Ne4 $2 {
Really not the Spaniard's day as he continously fails to find the moves which
offer the most resistance.} 27. Qh6 $1 {The attack that follows is really
textbook stuff.} Nxd6 28. Bxg6 $1 {The continuation is a straightforward line
to calculate and Aronian has no problem reeling in the point.} fxg6 29. Qxg6+
Kh8 30. Qh6+ Kg8 31. Nxe6 Nf5 32. Qg6+ Kh8 33. Qxh5+ Kg8 34. Qg6+ Kh8 35. Nxf8
Qxf8 36. Rd7 Qh6 37. Qxf5 Rf8 38. Qg5 Qxg5 39. hxg5 Be4 40. Rxa7 Rb8 41. f3 Bf5
42. Rc7 Be6 43. Rc6 Bg8 44. f4 Rxb2 45. e6 Re2 46. f5 Re5 47. g4 Re4 48. Kf2
Rxg4 49. e7 Bf7 50. g6 Kg7 51. gxf7 Kxf7 52. Re6 Ke8 53. f6 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.09.27"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[Annotator "Moradiabadi,E"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{In this technical battle in one of the few 2800+ encounters... one can see
many rich positional ideas. It is one of those few draws which I do not feel
unhappy about commenting on!} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O
Be7 {A Marshall?} 6. d3 {No! Carlsen has never been a fond of theoretical
battles in the Ruy Lopez.} d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2 b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Re1 dxe4 11.
dxe4 {This position is familiar to Carlsen, as he faced it against Ivanchuk
not long ago!} Be6 12. h3 {A very rare choice, which is not so surprising from
Carlsen's point of view.} (12. Bb3 Bxb3 13. axb3 Qd3 14. b4 Rfd8 15. Qb3 Qd7
16. Qc2 Qe6 17. Qb3 Qd7 18. Qc2 Qe6 19. h3 a5 20. bxa5 Rxa5 21. Rxa5 Nxa5 22.
b4 Nb7 23. Qb3 Qxb3 24. Nxb3 Nd7 25. Be3 Nd6 26. Nfd2 Ra8 27. Kf1 f6 28. Ke2
Kf7 29. Kd3 Ke6 30. f3 Ra2 31. Ra1 Rxa1 32. Nxa1 Nb7 33. Nab3 {1/2-1/2 (33)
Ivanchuk,V (2776)-Carlsen,M (2815) Medias 2011}) 12... Nd7 (12... h6 {Well Mr.
Aronian, a very old game has been followed so far... Botvinnik played it!} 13.
Nh2 Nh7 14. Ng4 Bg5 15. Qe2 Qd6 16. Ne3 Rfd8 17. Nf3 Bxe3 18. Qxe3 Qe7 {
0-1 (60) Smyslov,V-Botvinnik,M Leningrad/Moscow 1941. White has a slight edge
even though Smyslov threw the game away.}) 13. Nf1 Nc5 (13... Nb6 {covering
the d5-square is an alternative.} 14. Qe2 Qc8 15. Ne3 Rd8 16. Nh2 Bf8 17. Nf5 {
is what I would personally not like to face in a practical game. Aronian's
choice is ok, though it does have an obvious drawback: Black loses control
over the d5-square.}) 14. Ne3 Qxd1 15. Rxd1 f6 16. Nd5 {There we are. As
always, Carlsen has managed to get a slight but riskless edge.} Bd6 17. Be3 Nb7
18. b4 $5 {Fixing the target on b5 and creating a target!} Ne7 (18... a5 $6 {
is premature as a result of} 19. a4 axb4 20. axb5 Bxd5 21. exd5 Rxa1 22. Rxa1
Ne7 23. cxb4 Bxb4 24. Bb3 Bd6 25. g4 $1 {after which White has a slight but
long-lasting advantage is out of the question.}) 19. a4 c6 $6 {This is a
serious inaccuracy which hands the initiative to White.} (19... Nxd5 20. exd5
Bf7 $1 {keeping the pawn on d5 under attack, gives Black adequate play.} 21.
axb5 axb5 22. Bd3 Bxd5 23. Bxb5 Rxa1 24. Rxa1 c5 {is very close to a draw.})
20. Nb6 {Carlsen grabs the initiative.} Rab8 21. Nd2 (21. Nh4 $5 g6 (21... Rfd8
22. Nf5 Nxf5 23. exf5 Bf7 24. axb5 axb5 25. Ra7 {is clearly better for White.})
22. axb5 axb5 23. Ra7 Rfd8 24. Nf3 Kf8 {and White keeps the pressure.}) (21.
axb5 axb5 22. Ra7 Rfd8 23. Ne1 {is another alternative, though I cannot say
how either side would improve its position.}) 21... c5 22. axb5 axb5 23. c4 $5
{Carlsen tries to complicate things.} cxb4 $6 (23... Nc8 24. Nd5 cxb4 25. cxb5
Bxd5 26. exd5 {does not solve Black's problem.}) 24. cxb5 Bc5 25. Bb3 Bxb3 26.
Nxb3 Bxe3 27. fxe3 Na5 28. Rxa5 Rxb6 29. Rd7 Nc8 30. Nc5 h5 {This move will
become valuable in the more or less forced resulting rook ending.} 31. Rd3 Re8
32. Na4 Rb8 33. Rb3 {Carlsen wins a pawn but Dr. Tarrasch believes that all
rook endings are drawn!} Nb6 34. Rxb4 Rec8 35. Nxb6 Rxb6 36. Ra6 Rc1+ 37. Kf2
Rc2+ 38. Kg3 Rxa6 39. bxa6 Ra2 $1 {The rooks have to be behind the pawns,
whether ours or our enemy's!} 40. Rb6 Kf7 41. Rb7+ Kg6 42. a7 {Now we are in
Dr. Müller's territory. White needs to bring his king to the queenside.
Black's rook is well placed and thanks to White's weakened pawn chain he can
create some counterplay on the kingside which may enable his king to become
active.} Kh6 43. Kh2 g6 $1 (43... h4 $2 44. Kg1 g6 45. Kf1 f5 46. Ke1 Kg5 47.
Rf7 (47. Kd1 f4 $11 {gives Black enough play to make a draw.}) 47... fxe4 48.
Kd1 Kh5 49. Kc1 g5 50. Kb1 {is winning for White. Therefore Black has to be on
time with his king and to activate it in the least amount of time.}) 44. Kg1
Kg5 $1 {Aronian uses the h4-square for his king.} 45. Rh7 (45. Rf7 f5 46. Kf1
fxe4 47. g3 h4 48. g4 Kh6 49. Ke1 g5 50. Kd1 Kg6 {just in time!} 51. Rb7 Kf6
52. Kc1 Ke6 53. Kb1 Ra5 54. Kb2 Kd6 55. Kb3 (55. Kc3 Kc6 56. Re7 Ra1 57. Rxe5
Rxa7 58. Rxg5 Rd7 {Is a draw}) 55... Kc6 56. Re7 (56. Kb4 Ra2 57. Rg7 Ra1 (
57... Ra6 {is also possible!} 58. Rg6+ Kd5 59. Rxa6) 58. Rxg5 Rxa7 59. Rxe5 Ra2
60. Rh5 Re2 61. Kc4 Rxe3 62. Rh6+ Kd7 63. Rxh4 Ra3 {and Black manages to make
a draw thanks to White's badly placed rook on h4.}) 56... Kb6 57. Kc3 Kc6 58.
Rxe5 Rxa7 59. Rxg5 Rd7 {transposes. Obviously there are still a lot moves to
analyse in this position but I hardly believe that White has many ways to
improve his position.}) 45... f5 46. g3 {Equivalent to a draw offer.} (46. Rf7
fxe4 47. Kh2 h4 48. Kg1 Kh6 49. Kf1 g5 50. Ke1 Kg6 51. Rc7 Kf6 52. Kd1 Ke6 53.
Kc1 Kd6 54. Rg7 Kc6 55. Kb1 Ra5 56. Kb2 Kb6 57. Kb3 Rb5+ 58. Kc2 Rc5+ 59. Kd2
Ra5 60. Ke2 Ra2+ 61. Kf1 Ra1+ 62. Kf2 Ra2+ 63. Kg1 Ra1+ 64. Kh2 Kc5 65. Rxg5
Kc4 $1 {Thanks to his active king Black is in the safe zone.}) 46... Kf6 47.
Kf1 fxe4 48. Ke1 Ke6 49. Rg7 Kd5 50. g4 hxg4 51. hxg4 Kc4 52. Rd7 g5 53. Kd1
Kc3 54. Ke1 Kc4 55. Kd1 Kc3 56. Ke1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.09.28"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2807"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nc3 g6 5. d4 Bg7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. O-O Bg4 8. h3
Bxf3 9. Qxf3 e6 10. Rd1 Nbd7 11. b3 a5 12. Bf1 Qb8 13. Bd2 Rd8 14. Be1 Ne8 15.
Rab1 Nd6 16. Qe2 Re8 17. Qc2 h5 18. Be2 Qd8 19. Bf3 Rb8 20. Qd3 Qe7 21. Qf1 Nf5
22. Be2 Ra8 23. Bd3 Nd6 24. Rbc1 Qd8 25. Bb1 Bh6 26. Na4 Bf8 27. Nc5 Qc7 28.
Nd3 a4 29. Nf4 axb3 30. axb3 Qd8 31. Bb4 Nc8 32. Bxf8 Nxf8 33. Bd3 Ra3 34. b4
Nb6 35. b5 Qe7 36. bxc6 bxc6 37. cxd5 cxd5 38. Rc6 Nbd7 39. Ra6 Rxa6 40. Bxa6
Rb8 41. Rb1 Rxb1 42. Qxb1 Qd6 43. Be2 Qb8 44. Qxb8 Nxb8 45. Bb5 Nbd7 46. Bxd7
Nxd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.09.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2807"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 Bb4 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Nd2 {
A relatively new reaction to the Westphalian System. However, the knight move
looks somewhat artificial.} c6 (7... Be7 {[%cal Yb7b6,Yc7c5] is another
logical plan.}) 8. e3 Nf8 (8... O-O {is apparently less accurate as Black will
need to play ...Rf8-e8 to transfer his knight to e6:} 9. Bd3 Re8 10. Qc2 $142
$1 {[%cal Ye1c1]} (10. O-O Nf8 11. a3 (11. Qf3 Be7 12. Rab1 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6
14. b4 a6 15. a4 b5 16. Rfc1 Ne6 17. Ne2 Bd7 18. Ng3 g6 $11 {0-1 Krizsany,L 
(2370)-Luther,T (2480)/Kecskemet 1993/CBM 037 ext (55)}) (11. Qc2 Bd6 12. Kh1
g6 13. Rae1 Ne6 14. Bh4 Be7 15. f3 c5 16. dxc5 Nxc5 17. Nb3 Nxd3 18. Qxd3 Be6
19. Re2 Qb6 {1/2 Oms Pallisse,J-Garcia Ilundain,D (2480)/Las Palmas 1993/EXT
1998}) 11... Be7 (11... Bd6 12. b4 (12. e4 dxe4 13. Ndxe4 Be7 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15.
Nxf6+ Qxf6 16. d5 Rd8 17. Be4 Be6 18. Qb3 cxd5 19. Bxd5 Rd7 $11 {1/2 Dreev,A 
(2705)-Zvjaginsev,V (2649)/Sochi 2005/CBM 107 (22)}) (12. Qf3 Be7 13. Bxf6 Bxf6
14. b4 Be7 15. Rfc1 Bd6 16. Na4 Qg5 17. Qe2 Bg4 $11 {0-1 Beliavsky,A (2654)
-Milov,V (2626)/Saint Vincent 2000/CBM 078 (63)}) 12... Ne6 (12... a6 $5) 13.
Bh4 g6 14. b5 Ng7 15. bxc6 bxc6 16. Bg3 Nf5 17. Bxf5 Bxf5 18. Qa4 Bxg3 19. hxg3
Qd6 20. Rfc1 Ng4 21. Nd1 $14 {[%csl Rc6] 1-0 Suba,M (2520)-Gonzalez Aguirre,L 
(2300)/Oviedo 1993/CBM 038 ext (36)}) 12. b4 a6 13. Nb3 (13. Rb1 Ng4 14. Bxe7
Qxe7 15. Nf3 Ng6 16. Re1 Be6 17. Qc2 Qf6 18. e4 dxe4 19. Bxe4 Rad8 20. Rbd1 Qf4
21. g3 Qh6 $13 {0-1 Zlotnik,B (2455)-Campos,J (2470)/Palma de Mallorca 1992/TD
(52)}) 13... Ng4 (13... Ng6 14. Qc2 Ng4 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. h3 Nh6 17. Rae1 f5
18. f4 Qf6 19. Nd2 Nf7 20. Nf3 Nd6 21. Ne5 $14 {1-0 Suba,M (2520)-Campos,J 
(2485)/Caceres 1996/EXT 2004 (36)}) 14. Bxe7 Qc7 15. g3 Qxe7 16. Qf3 Nh6 17.
Rfe1 Bh3 18. Bf1 Bxf1 19. Kxf1 Ne6 20. h4 f5 21. Nc5 Rf8 22. Ne2 Ng4 23. Kg2
Nf6 24. Nf4 Nd8 25. a4 Ne4 26. Qd1 Nf7 27. f3 Ned6 $11 {1/2 Suba,M (2487)
-Campos Moreno,J (2491)/Barcelona 2000/CBM 077 ext (48)}) 10... Nf8 11. a3 (11.
O-O-O Be6 12. Kb1 Rc8 13. Nb3 b6 14. Ba6 Rb8 15. Be2 Ng6 16. h4 h6 17. h5 Nf8
18. Bh4 Be7 19. Bg3 Bd6 20. Bh4 Be7 21. Ka1 a5 $13 {1-0 Sakaev,K (2634)
-Vitiugov,N (2594)/Khanty Mansiysk 2007/CBM 122 (64)}) 11... Be7 (11... Bd6 12.
O-O-O a5 13. Kb1 Be7 14. h3 Ne4 15. Bxe7 Nxc3+ 16. Qxc3 Qxe7 17. Nb3 Qf6 18.
Qc2 b6 19. g4 Bd7 20. Rhg1 Rac8 21. Bf5 $14 {1-0 Vokac,M (2440)-Luther,T (2495)
/Brno 1991/CBM 026 (37)}) 12. O-O (12. O-O-O Be6 13. Kb1 b6 14. Nf3 b5 15. Ne5
Qb6 16. Ne2 b4 17. Qxc6 bxa3 18. Qxb6 axb6 19. Nc6 Bd6 20. Bf4 Bxf4 21. Nxf4
$14 {1-0 Pantsulaia,L (2490)-Petrosian,T (2321)/Yerevan 2004/CBM 103 ext (34)})
12... g6 13. b4 a6 14. Nb3 Ne6 15. Bh4 Ng7 16. f3 Bf5 17. Bf2 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 Bd6
19. Kh1 Nd7 20. e4 Nb6 21. Nc5 Qc7 22. Bg1 Rad8 23. a4 $14 {1-0 Abbasov,F 
(2537)-Bajarani,U (2393)/Baku 2011/CBM 140 Extra (38)}) (8... Nb6 9. Qc2 Be6
10. Bd3 h6 11. Bh4 Be7 12. O-O O-O 13. Nf3 Nfd7 14. Bg3 c5 {1/2 Almeida
Quintana,O (2488)-Baron Rodriguez,J (2431)/Havana 2007/CBM 118 ext (40)} 15.
Nb5 $1 $14) (8... h6 $5 9. Bh4 O-O 10. Bd3 Re8 11. O-O Be7 (11... Nf8 12. Qc2
Bd6 13. Bg3 Bxg3 14. hxg3 Ne6 15. b4 Qe7 16. Rab1 Ng5 17. b5 c5 18. dxc5 Qxc5
19. Rfc1 d4 20. Nd1 Qxc2 21. Rxc2 Bg4 22. Nc4 Rad8 23. Ndb2 Nd5 24. exd4 {
1/2 Arlandi,E (2435)-Braga,F (2385)/Reggio Emilia 1992/EXT 2000}) 12. Qc2 b6
13. e4 dxe4 14. Ndxe4 Bb7 15. Rfe1 Nxe4 16. Bxe7 Rxe7 17. Nxe4 Nf8 18. Rad1 Qd7
19. Bc4 Rae8 $11 {1/2 Vokac,M (2465)-Jirovsky,M (2420)/Luhacovice 1993/TD (54)}
) 9. Bd3 Be7 (9... Ne6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Qa4 {[%cal Rc3d5]} Bxc3 12. bxc3 O-O
13. O-O h5 14. Rae1 h4 15. Qd1 Re8 16. f4 c5 17. Qh5 Nc7 18. Qh7+ Kf8 19. e4
$16 {1-0 Vokac,M (2485)-Zvolanek,L (2365)/Czechia 1994/TD (35)}) (9... Ng6 10.
Qa4 $1 (10. O-O O-O 11. h4 (11. Qc2 h6 $11) 11... h6 12. h5 hxg5 13. hxg6 fxg6
14. Qb3 Ba5 15. e4 Bb6 16. exd5 cxd5 17. Nde4 $1 Be6 18. Rae1 Bxd4 19. Nxf6+
Rxf6 20. Rxe6 Rxe6 21. Nxd5 $44 {1-0 Ftacnik,L (2535)-Winants,L (2505)/Tilburg
1992/CBM 032/[Ftacnik] (26)}) 10... Be7 11. Qc2 Be6 12. h3 $14 Bb4 $6 13. f4 $1
Bd7 14. O-O $16 h6 $6 15. Bxg6 fxg6 16. Qxg6+ Kf8 17. Bh4 Qe8 18. Qd3 $16 {
1/2 Chernin,A (2620)-Greenfeld,A (2520)/Beersheba 1992/CBM 030 (36)}) 10. Qc2 (
10. h3 Ne6 11. Bh4 O-O 12. O-O g6 13. a3 a5 14. Na4 Ra7 15. Qc2 Ng7 16. Nc5 Nf5
17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nf3 Be7 19. Rfe1 Bd6 $10 {1/2 Alterman,B (2515)-Dizdar,G 
(2495)/Debrecen 1992/EU-chT (31)}) 10... Ne6 11. Bh4 g6 {[%cal Ye6g7,Yc8f5]
One of the key ideas of the Queen's Gambit Exchanged.} 12. h3 O-O ({For} 12...
Ng7 {White has prepared} 13. g4 h5 14. O-O-O $1) 13. Nf3 (13. O-O Ng7 $1 {as}
14. g4 {is now obviously inappropriate}) (13. O-O-O c5 $1) 13... a5 {A useful
move, both for the queenside counterplay (if White castles long) and to
prevent b2-b4 (in case White castles kingside).} 14. g4 $6 {Aronian's pet move.
But it was more appropriate here to create pressure on the queenside:} (14. O-O
$142 Ng7 15. Qb3 {[%cal Yc3a4]}) 14... b5 $1 15. Ne5 (15. O-O-O a4 $36 {<<}) (
15. O-O $5) 15... Bb7 16. f4 c5 $1 {[%mdl 4] It turns out that Black is better
prepared for the complications.} 17. f5 $6 (17. Nxb5 cxd4 18. Nxd4 Nxd4 19.
exd4 Ne4 $44) 17... cxd4 18. fxe6 dxc3 19. O-O d4 $5 20. Nxf7 $2 {After this
bad move Black starts a decisive attack.} (20. exf7+ Kg7 21. bxc3 dxe3 22. Qh2
$1 $13 {was still playable.}) 20... Qd5 $19 {[%cal Rd5h1,Rd5e6][%mdl 128]} 21.
Bxf6 (21. e4 Qxe6 22. Ng5 $8 Qe5 {[%cal Rf6d7]} 23. Nf3 (23. Qb3+ Nd5 $1) (23.
bxc3 Nd7 $1 24. Qb3+ Kh8 25. Nf7+ Rxf7 26. Qxf7 Bxh4) 23... Qf4 24. Rae1 Nxg4
$1 25. hxg4 (25. Bxe7 Qg3+ 26. Qg2 Rxf3) 25... Qxg4+ 26. Qg2 Qxg2+ 27. Kxg2
Rxf3 $1 28. Rxf3 Bxh4 $19) 21... Qh1+ 22. Kf2 Qxh3 $1 23. Ke1 cxb2 24. Qxb2
Bb4+ 25. Kd1 Bf3+ 26. Rxf3 Qxf3+ 27. Be2 Qxf6 28. g5 Qg7 29. Qxd4 {
Time-trouble chaos now takes the floor.} Rxf7 $138 (29... Bc5 $142 $1 30. Qxg7+
Kxg7 31. Bxb5 Rab8 32. a4 Rb6 $19) 30. exf7+ Qxf7 31. Rc1 (31. Bxb5 Rc8 32. Qe4
$1 Rc5 $17 {[%csl Rg5]}) 31... Rb8 32. a4 $4 $138 {[%mdl 8192]} (32. Rc2 {
still enabled White to fight on.}) 32... Qb3+ 33. Rc2 Qb1+ 34. Rc1 Qb3+ 35. Rc2
Rc8 36. Bc4+ bxc4 37. Qd5+ Kf8 38. Qd7 Re8 0-1

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.10.01"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2817"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 b4
9. Nbd2 Na5 10. Ba2 c5 11. c3 Rb8 12. Nc4 O-O 13. Nxa5 Qxa5 14. Bd2 bxc3 15.
Bxc3 Qd8 16. Nd2 Be6 17. Nc4 Qc8 18. Qf3 Bg4 19. Qe3 Be6 20. Qe2 Rd8 21. a5 Qc6
22. Nb6 Rb7 23. Bxe6 fxe6 24. Rac1 Qe8 25. b4 cxb4 26. Bxb4 d5 27. Bc3 Bd6 28.
f4 dxe4 29. fxe5 exd3 30. Qe3 Nd5 31. Nxd5 exd5 32. Qxd3 Bc5+ 33. Bd4 Qb5 34.
Rc3 Qxd3 35. Rxd3 Bxd4+ 36. Rxd4 Rb5 37. Rc1 Rxa5 38. e6 Rb5 39. Rc6 a5 40. h3
h6 41. Ra6 Rb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.10.06"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D20"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 c5 3. c4 dxc4 4. e4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 Bd7 (5... Qxd4 6. Nxd4 Bd7 {
or 6...a6 was the normal way to play. A strange opening choice by Aronian in
my opinion. When several people asked me to explain it, I thought it could be
a cool idea to try! Indeed, somehow White should be always slightly better
everywhere, while Black hopes to make a draw if White makes one or several
inaccurate moves. For me, it is very hard to know at what moment in a game top
players like Aronian go for a draw, or decide to go for a win. If I were
playing this opening with Black, it would mean I was planning for both a draw,
and for some side-line just to change a bit from the usual stuff. But Aronian
played 5...Bd7, declining a drawish queen exchange, though White should be
very slightly better after that. As a result I would say Aronian didn't want
to go desperately for a win, but also wanted to be creative, feeling that it
should be possible to hold even a slightly worse position due to the (almost)
hundred points difference. However, Vallejo is an extremely strong player, and
I think Aronian was not far from getting punished right after the opening.}) 6.
Bxc4 Nc6 7. Qe3 e6 8. O-O Qb8 $146 (8... Nge7 9. b3 {was much better for White
in Tregubov-Jonkman (2002), though Black won.}) 9. b3 Ne5 10. Bb2 Bd6 (10...
Nxc4 $6 11. bxc4 {and Black cannot develop.}) 11. Nbd2 Nf6 12. Qg5 {A decent
move. White is slightly better, though I think 12.Qc3! is the real way to
punish Black, though I might be missing a good defensive concept.} ({To
illustrate, after} 12. Qc3 $1 Nxf3+ (12... Nxc4 13. bxc4 Be7 14. e5 Ng4 15. h3
Nh6 16. Ba3 $16) 13. Nxf3 b5 14. Bd3 $1 (14. Be2 {gives a long forced line:}
O-O 15. Rfd1 e5 $8 {Forced.} 16. Nxe5 Nxe4 17. Qd4 Bxe5 18. Qxe5 Qxe5 19. Bxe5
Rfe8 20. f4 Re7 21. Rac1 f6 22. Bb2 Rae8 23. Bf3 f5 {and White is better,
though I cannot say by how much.}) 14... Qb7 (14... O-O 15. e5 Nd5 16. Bxh7+
$18) 15. Qa5 $5 (15. Rfd1 Rc8 16. Qa5 Bc5 17. Ne5 Bb6 18. Qd2 O-O 19. Qe2 $14)
15... Be7 (15... Rc8 16. e5 Bc7 17. Qd2 Nd5 18. Qg5 $16) 16. Rac1 Bd8 17. Qd2
O-O 18. Rfd1 {and White seems much better to me.}) 12... Ng6 13. Bxf6 h6 14.
Qa5 Bc7 (14... gxf6 15. Bb5 $14) 15. Qc5 (15. Qc3 $1 gxf6 16. Rac1 $5 (16. Qxf6
b5 17. Be2 Rg8 18. g3 Nf4 $1 (18... e5 19. Kh1 a6 {(threatening ...Bd8)} 20.
Ne1 {doesn't give Black full compensation.}) 19. Rae1 e5 20. Kh1 Nxe2 21. Rxe2
Rg6 22. Qh8+ Ke7 23. Qxb8 Rxb8 24. Rc1 {and Black surely has compensation due
to the two bishops, but I think White should be slightly better anyway.}) 16...
Be5 (16... Bd8 17. Rfd1 $16) 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 18. Qe3 {and White is simply better.
}) 15... Bd6 16. Qa5 Bc7 17. Qh5 $6 gxf6 18. Bb5 (18. Rfd1 {might be better,
keeping the queen on h5, and aiming to advance slowly but surely, with Bf1, g3.
.. White is slightly better and it is still a question of how Black is going
to secure his king.}) 18... Bxb5 19. Qxb5+ Kf8 20. Rad1 Kg7 21. Nc4 $6 (21. g3
a6 22. Qe2 h5 {is equal.}) 21... h5 ({After} 21... a6 $1 22. Qh5 b5 23. Nb2 (
23. Ne3 Qb7) 23... Qb7 {followed by ...Bb6, I actually think Black starts to
be slightly better. No big deal probably, but still a bit unpleasant for White.
..}) 22. Rd7 a6 23. Qb4 b5 24. Nd6 Bxd6 25. Rxd6 Qc7 26. Rfd1 Rad8 {Ok, dead
draw.} 27. g3 h4 28. Rxd8 Rxd8 29. Rxd8 Qxd8 30. Qd4 Qc8 31. Nxh4 Nxh4 32. gxh4
Qc2 33. e5 fxe5 34. Qxe5+ Kh7 35. Qh5+ Kg7 36. Qg5+ Kh7 37. Qh5+ Kg7 38. Qg5+
Kh7 39. Qh5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.10.07"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D55"]
[WhiteElo "2807"]
[BlackElo "2823"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 h6 7. Bxf6 Bxf6 8. Rc1
c6 9. h4 {Only played once in over a thousand known games, but what a
reference!} c5 $5 {Grünfeld-like! Only Black's g7-pawn destroys the illusion.
Of course, it is normal to react in the centre when you are attacked on the
kingside. Otherwise White is going to play g4 next, which is very unclear,
though I will not try to guess Aronian's preparation!} (9... Nd7 10. g4 g6 11.
cxd5 exd5 12. h5 g5 13. Bd3 Bg7 14. Bf5 Re8 15. Kf1 Nb6 16. Nd2 Bxf5 17. gxf5
Nc8 18. Ne2 Bf8 19. Kg2 Bd6 20. Nf1 Qf6 21. Qd3 Bc7 22. f3 Nd6 23. Neg3 Rad8
24. b3 g4 25. f4 Kh8 26. Rc2 Re7 27. Kg1 Rde8 28. Rhh2 Bb6 29. Kh1 Bc7 30. Rhg2
Rg8 31. Kg1 Bb6 32. Kh1 Ne4 33. Kg1 Nd6 34. Kh1 a6 35. Rh2 Ba7 36. Rhg2 Ne4 37.
a4 Bb6 38. Nxe4 dxe4 39. Qc3 Qxf5 40. d5+ Kh7 41. Qb4 Bd8 42. dxc6 Qxh5+ 43.
Rh2 Qa5 44. Qxa5 Bxa5 45. Ng3 Re6 46. cxb7 Rb8 47. b4 Bb6 48. a5 Bxe3 49. Rc7
Rf6 50. Rhc2 Rxf4 51. b5 Rf6 52. Kg2 axb5 53. Nxe4 Re6 54. Nc5 Bxc5 55. R2xc5
b4 56. Rb5 Kg6 57. Rc8 {1-0 (57) Botvinnik,M-Ragozin,V Moscow 1944}) 10. dxc5
Na6 11. cxd5 Nxc5 12. Bc4 (12. Qd2 {should be the only move to try something,
but it really looks like a "good Grünfeld" to me: not even the kingside is
weakened with a move such as ...g6. For example:} Bxc3 (12... a6 $5) 13. Qxc3
Ne4 14. Qb4 Qxd5 15. Rd1 (15. Bc4 Qd6) 15... a5 $1 {is drawish.}) 12... exd5
13. Nxd5 (13. Bxd5 Bf5 14. O-O Bd3 15. Re1 Bxc3 16. Rxc3 Qxd5 17. b4 Ne4 18.
Rxd3 Qxa2 $11) 13... Bxb2 14. Rc2 b5 15. Be2 Na4 16. Rc7 $6 {Aronian continues
creatively, but Black has a brillant refutation.} (16. O-O a6 {and Black is
more than fine.}) 16... Be6 17. Ne7+ Kh8 18. Qc2 Bc3+ $8 19. Rxc3 Qa5 $1 {
Maybe the move Aronian overlooked! The next moves are just forced.} (19... Nxc3
$4 20. Ng5 {wins for White!}) 20. Ng5 Qxc3+ 21. Qxc3 Nxc3 22. Nxe6 fxe6 23.
Ng6+ Kg8 24. Nxf8 Rxf8 25. Bg4 e5 26. O-O {I believe Black has decent chances
here, but the next move allows huge drawing simplifications.} b4 $6 ({After} 
26... a5 {Black probably doesn't have enough to win, though objectively it
will not be fun for White.}) 27. a3 {Now the position is completely equal.} Rb8
28. axb4 Rxb4 29. Rc1 Rb1 30. Rxb1 Nxb1 31. Kf1 Nc3 32. Ke1 Kf7 33. Bf5 Nb5 34.
Kd2 Nd6 35. Bc2 Ke6 36. Bb3+ Kf5 37. f3 Kf6 38. g4 g5 39. hxg5+ hxg5 40. Kc3 a5
41. Bc2 Ke6 42. Bb3+ Ke7 43. Bc2 Kd7 44. Bd1 Kc6 45. f4 Kc5 46. fxg5 Ne4+ 47.
Kb3 Nxg5 48. Ka4 Kc4 49. Bc2 Kc3 50. Bf5 e4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.10.08"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. e3 Bf5 7. g4 {The main
line, actually!} Be6 8. h4 (8. h3 $5 {is the other option where White's plan
is to play Bd3, Qc2, Nge2, 0-0-0 and so on.}) 8... Nd7 9. h5 Nh6 10. Be2 Nb6
11. Nh3 g5 12. hxg6 hxg6 13. Bg3 $146 (13. f3 Bh4+ {[%cal Gg6g5,Gf7f5]
followed by ...g5 and ...f5 was usually played - and very fine for Black.})
13... Qd7 ({Was Naka's novelty pure bluff? It seems that after the brillant} 
13... Nxg4 $3 14. Bxg4 Qd7 {Black is actually better!}) 14. Nf4 O-O-O 15. Nxe6
Qxe6 16. Rg1 Bd6 17. Qc2 Bxg3 18. Rxg3 f5 19. O-O-O Nxg4 20. Bxg4 fxg4 21. Rdg1
Rh4 22. Qe2 Rf8 23. Nd1 Rf4 24. Kd2 $5 Nc4+ 25. Ke1 {Till there, apart from
the 13...Nxg4 possibility, everything has proceeded normally. Black is doing
very well, and got a very pleasant equality, however Aronian's next move was a
bit surprising: too soft or too light. I call it surprising, since it goes, in
my opinion, against Aronian's superb active style.} Rf3 $6 (25... Rf6 26. Rxg4
Rh2 {and Black is never going to be worse. For example:} 27. e4 {(the only way
to try anything)} Qd6 $5 (27... Qe7 28. a3 Re6 29. Ne3 Rxe4 30. Rxe4 Qxe4 31.
Nxc4 Qxe2+ 32. Kxe2 dxc4 33. Rxg6 Rh3 $11) 28. a3 Re6 29. Kf1 Qd7 30. Ne3 (30.
e5 c5 31. b3 Nd6 $15) 30... Rf6 (30... Nxe3+ 31. Qxe3 dxe4 32. Rxe4 Rxe4 33.
Qxe4 Qf7 34. Qg4+ $11) 31. Nd1 {and White probably holds, though he's
definitely not trying to win.}) 26. Rxf3 gxf3 27. Qxf3 Qf5 $6 (27... Kd7 $5 28.
b3 Nd6 {and Black still has no problem at all.}) 28. Qg3 $1 Rh6 29. b3 Nb6 30.
Qg4 $1 {Already White's position is a bit easier to play.} Nd7 31. Qxf5 gxf5
32. Nc3 Nf6 33. Ne2 Ng4 $6 {Too inoffensive again in my opinion. Black should
try to take a bit of control of the queenside, and find some stable setup,
otherwise White is going to dominate everywhere as in the game.} (33... Rh2 $5
34. Nf4 a5 $1 35. Nd3 Ne4 {and maybe here Black just holds. Some tactics out
of White's queenside pawns are a plus for Black's defence.}) 34. Nf4 Rh2 35.
Nd3 {The right place for White's knight. Now White's king is going to g3 and
f4. Somehow Black's plan is wrong.} Kd8 $6 {Maybe this move is not actually
the dubious one, but the mark is for the plan behind the next moves. White
went very fast from slightly better to winning.} ({Maybe} 35... a5 36. Ke2 Rh3
{should be a good defence. Of course after} 37. Rg2 {followed by f3, Black has
some problems to solve (maybe 37...Rh1!? to find counterplay), but it is
somehow better than letting White's king advance.}) 36. b4 (36. Ke2 $5) 36...
Ke7 $6 (36... Kc7 {followed by ...Kb6 and ...a5 seems to give Black
counterplay, though White is still better. I would have preferred 36.Ke2.}) 37.
a4 b6 38. Ke2 Kd6 39. Kf3 a5 40. bxa5 bxa5 41. Kg3 Kc7 42. Rc1 {Now White's
position is just crushing.} Rh7 43. Kf4 Re7 44. Rc2 Re4+ 45. Kg5 $18 (45. Kxf5
{was possible but Black can go} Rxe3 46. Ne5 Nxe5 47. fxe3 Nc4 48. Kf4 Nd6 {
which should be winning for White, though it also gives Black unnecessary
chances to draw.}) 45... Re8 46. Rb2 Rf8 47. Nc5 Kc8 48. Kf4 {The rest is just
a matter of technique.} Rh8 49. f3 Nh2 50. Rf2 Rh3 51. Nb3 Kc7 52. Nxa5 Kb6 53.
Nb3 Ka6 54. Nc1 Ka5 55. Ne2 Kxa4 56. Ng1 Rh6 57. Kg3 Ng4 58. fxg4 fxg4 59. Rf5
Rh1 60. Kg2 Rh4 61. Ne2 Kb5 62. Nf4 Rh8 63. Kg3 Rg8 64. Re5 Kc4 65. Re6 Kb5 66.
Re7 Kb4 67. Nd3+ Kc3 68. Ne5 c5 69. dxc5 d4 70. exd4 Kxd4 71. Nd7 Rd8 72. c6
Rc8 73. Re6 Rc7 74. Rd6+ Kc4 75. Kxg4 Kb5 76. Ne5 Rh7 77. Rd7 Rh8 78. Kf5 Kb6
79. Ke6 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.10.10"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D24"]
[WhiteElo "2807"]
[BlackElo "2817"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+10:3600+10"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bxc4 Nxe4 7. O-O {
First surprise!} Nf6 ({Normally people play} 7... Nxc3 8. bxc3 Be7 {which is
supposed to be fine for Black.}) 8. Qa4+ Nc6 9. Bg5 $1 $146 (9. Ne5 {was the
usual move, but after} Rb8 $1 {Black was fine in Halkias-Fressinet (2010).})
9... Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. d5 exd5 12. Rfe1+ Be6 13. Bxd5 (13. Ba6 $1 {was
simply strong in my opinion: I don't know how Black should defend. Of course
White isn't winning, as Black can play either ...bxa6 and ...Kf8, or ...0-0
and ...Be7 (to sac the exchange) which only gives White a small yet stable
plus. Aronian probably judged the move insufficient, but I think it may be
best, since Black was just fine at some point in the game, in my opinion.})
13... O-O 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Rad1 {An interesting try... but the more I look at
it, the more I prefer my 13.Ba6!} (15. Rxe6 {should be slightly better for
White "by default", due to the pawn structure and better activity, but after
something like} Qd7 16. Re2 Kh8 {it should of course not be a big deal at all.}
) 15... Qe8 (15... Qe7 {first made sense: what is White supposed to do here?
Anyway, Black's queen will go to f7, and 16.Nd5 is just equal. So why not win
a tempo just in case 16.Ne4 is played?} 16. Qb3 (16. Nd5 Qf7 17. Nxf6+ Qxf6 $11
) 16... Rad8 $1 17. Qxb7 Nd4 {and Black has enough counterplay to compensate
for his pawn structure.}) 16. Ne4 (16. Qb3 Rd8 (16... Qf7 $5 17. Qxb7 Nd4 {
is also possible.}) 17. Qxb7 Nd4 {is unclear.}) 16... Qe7 $6 (16... Rd8 $1 17.
Qb3 Qf7 18. Qxb7 Nd4 {was again the way: Black has good counterplay.}) 17. Qb3
Rab8 $6 {Black is being too passive. He should play ...Rd8 at some point. But
from a human point of view it is probably extremely difficult to sac the b7
pawn: Black's structure becomes extremely ugly as a result. In fact, it is
possibly only at home that one can to evaluate whether ...Nd4 will give enough
counterplay. Or maybe Anand evaluated correctly but felt that passive play was
enough to equalise. Difficult to say! But in Bilbao everyday somebody loses
for being too passive! This round was Anand's turn...} (17... Rad8 {should be
played, again. Though Black lost some tempi, he should hold:} 18. Qxb7 Nd4 19.
Neg5 $5 Rb8 20. Qxa7 Ra8 $1 21. Qb7 Rfb8 22. Qe4 Nxf3+ 23. Nxf3 Rxa2 $11) 18.
Nxf6+ Rxf6 19. Ng5 {Now Black is under pressure.} Qb4 $6 {Not accurate, since
it seems Black has to play ...g6 on the next move, which is not good news.} (
19... Kh8 {seems quite logical, but somehow Black needs to play ...Nd4 in good
circumstances in order to equalise at some point, which he is unable to do:}
20. Rc1 (20. Re3 $5) 20... Qd7 21. Nxe6 Nd4 22. Nc5 $1 {and White is still
quite dominating thanks to his space advantage.}) 20. Qc2 Rg6 $6 {Too
artificial, but of course playing 20...g6 is a very unpleasant choice.} (20...
g6 21. Re4 Qe7 22. Rde1 e5 (22... Nd8 23. h4 {is very unpleasant for Black who
is just defending.}) 23. f4 Rf5 24. b4 $1 {and Black's position looks simply
bad.}) (20... Rh6 $2 21. Rxe6 $18) 21. Re4 Qa5 (21... Qe7 {should be the only
move, but of course after something like} 22. h4 Rd8 23. Rd3 Rxd3 24. Qxd3 Qd8
25. Qb3 {Black has huge problems.}) 22. h4 {Now it gets disastrous.} Re8 23.
Rd7 h6 24. b4 $5 (24. Re3 $18) 24... Qf5 (24... Qb5 25. a4 Nxb4 26. Qxc7 Nd5
27. axb5 Nxc7 28. Nf3 Nxb5 29. Ne5 Rf6 30. Rg4 $18) 25. Rxe6 $1 {Of course a
terrible tournament for the World Champion, but let's not forget how difficult
it is to play somewhere just months before a World Championship match!} 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.10.11"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nf5 8.
Nf3 O-O 9. d4 d5 10. g3 Re8 11. c3 Bf8 12. Rxe8 Qxe8 13. Bf4 Bd6 14. Bxd6 Nxd6
15. Nbd2 Be6 16. Qb3 Na5 17. Qa3 Nac4 18. Nxc4 Nxc4 19. Qb3 Qc6 20. Bg2 Re8 21.
Re1 Bc8 22. Qc2 Rxe1+ 23. Nxe1 Qe8 24. Nf3 c6 25. Bf1 h6 26. Nd2 Nxd2 27. Qxd2
Bf5 28. f3 g5 29. Kf2 f6 30. Qe3 Qh5 31. Qe7 Qxh2+ 32. Bg2 Bh3 33. Qe8+ Kg7 34.
Qe7+ Kg8 35. Qe8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1112"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2011.10.16"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A40"]
[WhiteElo "2696"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2011.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[BlackTeam "Berlin SF"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. e4 Nc6 5. d5 Nb8 6. h3 Nd7 7. Bd3 e6 8. Nc3
Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 e5 10. Be3 b6 11. Nd2 h5 12. h4 Nh6 13. f3 f6 14. Bc2 Nc5 15.
Bxc5 dxc5 16. Ba4+ Kf8 17. Bc6 Rb8 18. Qa4 a5 19. Rb1 Nf7 20. Nb3 Ba6 21. Bb5
Bb7 22. Bc6 Bxc6 23. Qxc6 a4 24. Nd2 Ra8 25. Qe6 Kg7 26. O-O Re8 27. Qh3 Qd6
28. Rf2 Rh8 29. Nf1 Qe7 30. Qg3 Nd6 31. Nd2 a3 32. f4 exf4 33. Qxf4 Rhf8 34.
Rbf1 Rae8 35. Qg3 Qe5 36. Rf4 f5 37. Qg5 Qxc3 38. exf5 Rf6 39. R4f3 Qd4+ 40.
Kh1 Re5 41. Rxa3 Rexf5 42. Rxf5 Rxf5 43. Qe7+ Rf7 44. Qg5 Nxc4 45. Nxc4 Qxc4
46. Ra8 Qf1+ 47. Kh2 Qf4+ 48. Qxf4 Rxf4 49. Kg3 Rg4+ 50. Kh3 Kf6 51. Re8 Ra4
0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 1112"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2012.02.04"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2807"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2011.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Berlin SF"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Be2 Bb7 11. e4 e5 12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nh4 b4 14. Nf5 bxc3 15.
Rd1 Ne8 16. Qxc3 Qf6 17. f4 Bc7 18. fxe5 Qxe5 19. Qxe5 Bxe5 20. Rd7 Bc8 21.
Ne7+ Kh8 22. Rd3 Ba6 23. Re3 Bb7 24. Rb3 Nd6 25. Nf5 Nxf5 26. exf5 Bc8 27. g4
g6 28. Bf3 gxf5 29. Bxc6 Be6 30. Bxa8 Bxb3 31. axb3 Rxa8 32. gxf5 Rb8 33. Kg2
Rxb3 34. Rxa7 Kg7 35. Ra3 Rb5 36. Ra6 h5 37. Rc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1112"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2012.02.05"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Howell, David"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2633"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2011.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Trier"]
[BlackTeam "Berlin SF"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. Qe2 O-O 6. e5 dxe5 7. dxe5 Nd5 8. h3
Be6 9. O-O Nd7 10. Bd2 a5 11. Nc3 N7b6 12. Bxd5 Nxd5 13. Ne4 Nb4 14. Bxb4 axb4
15. Rfd1 Qc8 16. Qb5 c6 17. Qxb4 Bd5 18. Ned2 Qc7 19. c4 c5 20. Qb5 Be6 21. Ne4
Ra5 22. Qb3 b5 23. Qe3 bxc4 24. Nc3 h6 25. Rd2 Qb8 26. Rad1 Rc8 27. Qe4 Ra7 28.
a3 Bf8 29. Nd5 Qb3 30. Nc3 Bf5 31. Qe3 Raa8 32. Ne1 h5 33. Kh2 Bg7 34. f3 Qb7
35. f4 Bh6 36. Kg1 Ra6 37. Nd5 Be6 38. Qf2 Kg7 39. Nc3 Rb6 40. Kh2 Rb3 41. Re2
Qb6 42. Kg1 Qa5 43. Qf3 Rd8 44. Rxd8 Qxd8 45. Rf2 h4 46. Kh2 Qd7 47. Kh1 Rb8
48. Ne4 Bd5 49. Qe3 Bxe4 50. Qxe4 Qd4 51. Qc2 Bxf4 52. Re2 Bg3 53. Nf3 Qd3 54.
Kg1 Rd8 55. Rd2 Qxc2 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 18th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2011.11.04"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2011.11.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. Rc1 c5 7. dxc5 dxc4 8. e4
Qxd1+ 9. Rxd1 Bxc5 10. Bxc4 Bb4 11. Bd6 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Rd8 13. O-O Bd7 14. Rfe1
Bc6 15. Ne5 Bxe4 16. f3 Bd5 17. Be7 Rc8 18. Bxf6 Bxc4 19. Nxc4 gxf6 20. Nd6
Rxc3 21. Ne4 Rc8 22. Nxf6+ Kg7 23. Nh5+ Kf8 24. Nf6 Kg7 25. Nh5+ Kf8 26. Nf6
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 18th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2011.11.05"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C85"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2011.11.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. d3 Qd6 8.
b3 Be6 9. Bb2 Nd7 10. Nbd2 c5 11. a4 a5 12. Qe2 O-O 13. Nc4 Bxc4 14. dxc4 Qe6
15. Rad1 Rfd8 16. Rd3 g6 17. Rfd1 f6 18. Bc1 Nf8 19. Bh6 b6 20. h3 Kf7 21. Nh2
Rxd3 22. Rxd3 Rd8 23. Rxd8 Bxd8 24. Bxf8 Kxf8 25. Qd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 18th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2011.11.06"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Stevic, Hrvoje"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A35"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2612"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2011.11.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Croatia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CRO"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Qb3 Nxc3 9. Bc4 e6 10. bxc3 Bg7 11. Ba3 Bf8 12. Bxf8 Kxf8 13. O-O Kg7 14. Qb5
Qc7 15. Be2 Rd8 16. Rfd1 b6 17. c4 Ne7 18. Qb2 Kg8 19. Ne5 h5 20. Rac1 Bb7 21.
d5 exd5 22. cxd5 Qd6 23. Nc4 Qf4 24. d6 Nf5 25. d7 Qg5 26. g3 h4 27. g4 Ng7 28.
Qe5 Ne6 29. Qxg5 Nxg5 30. Ne5 Kg7 31. Rc3 Ne6 32. Re3 Nc5 33. g5 f6 34. Rd6 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 18th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2011.11.07"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Hansen, Sune Berg"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2566"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2011.11.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Denmark"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "DEN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. Bb3 d6 7. O-O O-O 8. Bg5
Ba7 9. Nbd2 Kh8 10. h3 h6 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. fxe3 Ne7 13. Nh4 Ng6 14. Qe1 a5 15.
a4 c6 16. d4 Bd7 17. Qg3 Kh7 18. Nf5 Be6 19. Bc2 Ne8 20. Rf2 f6 21. Qf3 Nh8 22.
Raf1 Qb6 23. b3 Qc7 24. g4 b5 25. h4 bxa4 26. bxa4 Qd8 27. Qg3 g6 28. g5 gxf5
29. exf5 Bc8 30. dxe5 dxe5 31. Ne4 Ra7 32. Qg4 Qb6 33. Kh1 Ba6 34. Rg1 Rg7 35.
Qh5 Nf7 36. g6+ Kh8 37. gxf7 Qxe3 38. fxe8=Q Qh3+ 39. Rh2 Rxg1+ 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 18th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2011.11.08"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D19"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2705"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2011.11.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Spain"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ESP"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. Qe2 O-O 10. e4 Bg4 11. Rd1 Qa5 12. h3 Bh5 13. e5 Nd5 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15.
Bd3 Qd8 16. g4 Bg6 17. Bxg6 fxg6 18. a5 Nb8 19. Kg2 a6 20. h4 Qe8 21. Rh1 Nc6
22. Be3 h6 23. Rh3 Bxa5 24. h5 g5 25. Nxg5 hxg5 26. h6 Bd8 27. hxg7 Kxg7 28.
Qd3 Rh8 29. Rxh8 Qxh8 30. Rh1 Qg8 31. Rh5 Kf8 32. Bd2 Ke8 33. Rh7 Be7 34. Qh3
Kd7 35. Qh6 Re8 36. Bxg5 Kd8 37. Rg7 Qh8 38. Rh7 Qg8 39. Rg7 Qh8 40. Rh7 Qg8
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 18th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2011.11.09"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "25"]
[EventDate "2011.11.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "France"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Qc2 c5 8. Rd1
cxd4 9. Rxd4 Qa5 10. Bg3 b5 11. cxb5 Bb7 12. Bd3 Nc5 13. O-O 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 18th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2011.11.10"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2011.11.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Netherlands"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NED"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 Nh5 8. Bd3
Nxf4 9. exf4 b6 10. b4 a5 11. a3 c6 12. O-O Qc7 13. g3 Ba6 {For this line -
see CBM 138, annotations to Nakamura - Nielsen. However, a lot of games have
been played since then.} 14. Bxa6 (14. Re1 Bf6 15. Ne5 (15. h4 Qa7 16. b5 Bb7
17. cxb6 Nxb6 18. Ne5 Rac8 19. f5 exf5 20. Bxf5 Rc7 21. bxc6 {1/2 Fier,A (2571)
-So,W (2673)/Moscow 2011/CBM 141}) 15... Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Bxe5 17. fxe5 Qb7 18.
cxb6 axb4 19. axb4 Nxb6 20. b5 Nc4 21. bxc6 Qxc6 $11 {1/2 Getz,N (2391)-Azarov,
S (2648)/Rogaska Slatina SLO 2011/The Week in Chess 882 (54)}) (14. Rb1 Bxd3
15. Qxd3 axb4 16. axb4 {1/2 Ding,L (2654)-Wang Yue (2709)/Hefei 2011/CBM 143
Extra}) (14. Qc2 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Bf6 16. Rfc1 axb4 17. axb4 bxc5 18. bxc5 Rfb8
19. Kg2 h6 20. h4 h5 21. Rxa8 Rxa8 22. Rb1 Ra3 23. Nxd5 Rxd3 24. Nxc7 Bxd4 25.
Na6 Bxc5 26. Nxc5 Nxc5 27. Rb8+ Kh7 28. Rc8 Ne4 29. Rxc6 Rc3 $11 {1/2 Gonzalez
Garcia,J (2522)-Ryan,J (2267)/Barbera del Valles 2011/CBM 143 Extra (46)}) (14.
Kg2 Bf6 15. Bxa6 Rxa6 16. Qc2 Rfa8 17. Rab1 axb4 18. axb4 Ra3 19. Rb3 Rxb3 20.
Qxb3 Qb7 21. Rb1 h6 22. h4 h5 23. Ne5 {1/2 Radjabov,T (2744)-Kramnik,V (2790)/
Kazan 2011/CBM 143}) 14... Rxa6 15. Qe2 (15. Qd3 Rfa8 16. Rab1 axb4 17. axb4
Ra3 18. Rfc1 Bf6 19. h4 h6 20. Kg2 bxc5 21. bxc5 Qa5 22. Ne5 Nxe5 23. fxe5 Bd8
24. Rb2 Bc7 25. Qc2 Rb8 26. Rxb8+ Bxb8 27. Qb2 Bc7 28. Rc2 Qa6 29. Rc1 Qa5 30.
Rc2 Qa6 31. Rc1 {1/2 Henrichs,T (2469)-Doettling,F (2585)/Baden Baden GER 2011/
The Week in Chess 863}) 15... Rfa8 $6 {This move is put under doubt in the
present game.} (15... Ra7 16. f5 e5 17. dxe5 bxc5 18. bxc5 Re8 (18... Bxc5 19.
Na4 Re8 20. Nxc5 Nxc5 21. Qe3 d4 $2 (21... Ne4 22. Nd4 $13) 22. Qxd4 Nb3 23.
Qg4 Qc8 (23... Nxa1 24. f6 g6 25. Qg5 $18) 24. Rad1 $18 {1-0 Adhiban,B (2530)
-Kjartansson,G (2379)/Chennai 2011/CBM 140 Extra (29)}) 19. Qc2 $6 (19. e6 $13)
19... Bxc5 20. Na4 Bf8 21. e6 fxe6 22. fxe6 Rxe6 23. Ng5 Rg6 24. h4 Ne5 $17 {
0-1 Fier,A (2583)-Ganguly,S (2631)/Jakarta INA 2011/The Week in Chess 885 (31)}
) (15... Raa8 16. Rfc1 axb4 17. axb4 Bf6 18. Rab1 bxc5 19. bxc5 Ra3 20. Qb2
Rfa8 21. Kg2 g6 22. Ra1 Qa5 23. Rxa3 Qxa3 24. Qxa3 Rxa3 25. Ne2 Kf8 $11 {
1/2 Dearing,E (2412)-Berry,N (2346)/Daventry ENG 2011/The Week in Chess 855 
(48)}) 16. b5 (16. Rab1 axb4 17. axb4 Bf6 18. Rfc1 Ra3 19. Qe1 bxc5 20. bxc5
Qa5 21. Ne5 Nxe5 22. fxe5 Bg5 23. Rc2 Bd8 $11 {1/2 Radjabov,T (2744)-Kramnik,V
(2785)/Kazan 2011/CBM 143/[Marin] (39)}) 16... cxb5 17. Nxd5 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (
17. c6 Qxc6 18. Nxb5 Qb7 19. Rfc1 Rc8 20. Rxc8+ Qxc8 21. Qb2 Ra8 22. Rc1 Qd8
23. Qc2 a4 24. Qc6 Nf8 25. Ne5 f6 26. Nd3 Ra5 27. Rb1 Ra8 28. Rc1 Ra5 29. Rb1
Ra8 30. Rc1 {1/2 Paikidze,N (2416)-Bulmaga,I (2293)/Chennai 2011/CBM 143 Extra}
) 17... exd5 18. Qxe7 Rc8 19. Rfb1 (19. c6 Nf6 $1 (19... Qxc6 $2 20. Rac1 $18)
20. Qxc7 Rxc7 21. Rfc1 Ne4 $11 {[%cal Ye4d6,Yd6c4]}) 19... bxc5 20. Rxb5 $14 {
[%mdl 32] It looks like Black should not have any problems due to his "better"
pawn structure; however, it is not better as his pawns are weak! White retains
unpleasant pressure.} Re6 21. Qg5 Rb6 22. a4 $1 Rxb5 23. axb5 Nf6 24. Qf5 Ra8
25. Qb1 Qb6 (25... c4 {[%csl Gc4] may be the right option.}) 26. dxc5 Qxc5 27.
Qb2 Qb6 28. Nd4 Rc8 {It was better to keep the rook on a8, behind the a-pawn.}
(28... h5 $5) 29. Ra2 $1 Rc4 (29... Ra8 $142 {"taking the wrong move back"})
30. Nc6 a4 31. Ne5 Re4 32. Kg2 Qc5 (32... h5 33. f3 $1 Re1 34. Qf2 Qxf2+ 35.
Kxf2 Rb1 36. Rxa4 Rxb5 37. Ra8+ Kh7 38. Nxf7 $16) 33. Qb1 Rb4 $6 {Surprisingly,
a losing move but, even more surprisingly, Black had no good defence anyway, e.
g.} (33... h6 34. Rc2 Rb4 35. Qc1 Qxb5 36. Rc8+ Kh7 37. Qc2+ Re4 38. Nxf7 Ne8
$8 39. Ne5 Nf6 40. Rc7 $18 {[%csl Rh7]}) 34. Qf5 {[%cal Ra2c2]} Qe7 (34... Rxb5
35. Rc2 Qe7 36. Rc8+ Ne8 37. Nc6 Qe1 38. Ne5 $18) (34... Rb3 35. Rc2 Rc3 36.
Rxc3 Qxc3 37. b6 $18) 35. Nc6 Qe4+ 36. Qxe4 Rxe4 37. b6 Nd7 38. b7 f6 39. b8=Q+
Nxb8 40. Nxb8 Rb4 41. Nd7 Rb5 42. Rxa4 Kf7 43. Ra6 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 18th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2011.11.11"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2712"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[EventDate "2011.11.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Germany"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Rxe8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.11.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2011.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qa4 Be7 6. Bg2 c6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. O-O
d5 9. Ne5 Qe8 {This line was examined in CBM 93, annotations to Kalinitschew -
Graf by GM A.Finkel. As that game was played many years ago, a lot of new
material has appeared since then.} 10. b3 (10. cxd5 {is White's most popular
option but Black has no problems after the exchange of queens. Here is a
relatively recent example:} cxd5 11. Qxe8 Rxe8 12. Bf4 Nbd7 13. Nxd7 Nxd7 14.
Rfc1 Rac8 15. a4 g5 16. Bd2 Bb4 17. e4 dxe4 18. Bxg5 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Bd3 20. a5
f6 21. Bf4 Nf8 22. f3 exf3 23. Bxf3 Ng6 24. Bd6 Red8 25. Bb4 Rc7 26. Ra3 Ne7
27. c4 Bg6 28. axb6 axb6 29. Ra6 Nc8 30. d5 exd5 31. c5 Rdd7 32. Ra8 bxc5 33.
Rxc5 Rxc5 34. Bxc5 Rc7 35. Bd4 Be4 $11 {1/2 Socko,B (2641)-Markus,R (2567)/
Dresden 2007/CBM 118 (50)}) (10. Qb3 {was played by GM Sh.Mamedyarov in a
rapid game. He won with the help of his opponent:} Nfd7 11. cxd5 Nxe5 12. dxe5
cxd5 13. Rd1 Nd7 (13... Nc6 $1 $36) 14. e4 dxe4 15. Nxe4 Nxe5 16. Bf4 Nc4 17.
Nd6 Nxd6 18. Bxa8 Nb7 19. Bxb7 Bxb7 20. Rac1 Qa8 21. Rd7 Bf6 22. Qd3 $13 {
1-0 Mamedyarov,S (2742)-Ibanez Aullana,J (2301)/Villarrobledo 2008/CBM 126
Extra (29)}) 10... b5 (10... Ne4 $5 11. Nxe4 Bb5 12. cxb5 cxb5 13. Qa3 Bxa3 14.
Bxa3 f6 $1 15. Nd6 Qd8 16. Bh3 $5 fxe5 17. Bxe6+ Kh8 18. dxe5 $44) 11. Qa5 Bd8
(11... bxc4 $5 12. bxc4 Qd8 13. Qa4 Nfd7 $1) 12. Qa3 Be7 13. c5 {In this
structure White keeps some pressure. His c5-pawn can't be undermined as
Black's pawn is already on b5, and preparing ...e6-e5 is not easy for Black
either.} Bb7 14. Qb2 a5 15. Nd3 b4 16. Na4 Nbd7 17. a3 $146 (17. Bf4 Ba6 18.
Rfd1 Qd8 (18... Nh5 $5) 19. a3 bxa3 20. Qxa3 Nh5 21. Bd6 Bxd6 22. cxd6 Bxd3 23.
Rxd3 Nhf6 24. Rc1 Nb8 25. Rdc3 Ne8 26. Rxc6 $6 Nxc6 27. Rxc6 Nf6 28. Nc5 Rb8
29. d7 Ra8 $13 {1-0 Beliavsky,A-Antoshin,V/Soviet Union 1978/EXT 2010 (42)})
17... Ba6 18. Rd1 Bxd3 19. Rxd3 Ne4 {[%cal Yf7f5]} (19... bxa3 $5 20. Rxa3 (20.
Qxa3 e5) 20... e5 21. dxe5 Ng4) 20. f3 (20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Rd1 f5 22. Qc2 bxa3
23. Rxa3 Qh5 $132) 20... Nef6 {After provoking the weakening f2-f3, ...e6-e5
can be more effective.} 21. Rd1 e5 22. e3 (22. dxe5 Nxc5 $1 23. exf6 $2 Bxf6
24. Qb1 Nxa4 25. bxa4 Qxe2) 22... bxa3 23. Qc2 Bd8 {[%cal Yd8c7] A standard
manoeuvre. The bishop protects the crucial a5-pawn and b6-square, as well as
aiming at White's kingside.} 24. Bxa3 Rb8 25. Re1 Qe6 26. Nb2 Re8 27. Nd3 Bc7
28. Bb2 e4 29. Nf2 exf3 30. Bxf3 Ne4 31. Nxe4 dxe4 32. Bd1 Nf6 {[%csl Gd5]} 33.
Bc3 Nd5 34. Bxa5 {This pawn is not important anymore as Black has an excellent
kingside counterplay, and White's b3 pawn can't move forward.} Ra8 35. Qd2 Qg6
{[%cal Yh7h5]} 36. Kh1 $6 (36. Ra4 $142 Rxa5 37. Rxa5 h5 $1 $44) 36... Qh6 37.
b4 $6 (37. Kg1 Rxa5 38. Rxa5 Bxa5 39. Qxa5 Nxe3 40. Qd2 Nf5 41. Qxh6 gxh6 (
41... Nxh6 42. b4 $13 {[%cal Yd4d5]}) 42. Bc2 Nxd4 43. Rxe4 Rxe4 44. Bxe4 Nxb3
45. Bxc6 Nxc5 $11) 37... Bxg3 38. Rg1 Bh4 39. Bb3 Bg5 $6 (39... Qxe3 $142 {
although the position after} 40. Qxe3 Nxe3 41. b5 (41. d5 Nxd5 42. b5 Bf6 43.
Ra2 Reb8 44. b6 Bd4) 41... Bf6 $1 (41... cxb5 42. d5 $44 {[%csl Gc5,Gd5]}) 42.
bxc6 Bxd4 43. Ra2 {[%csl Gc6] was not easy to evaluate. GM Magnus Carlsen
prefers a simpler course but White obtains passed pawns anyway, with parity of
material.}) 40. Bxd5 Bxe3 41. Bxf7+ Kxf7 42. Qa2+ Qe6 43. Rgf1+ Kg8 44. Qxe6+
Rxe6 45. Rad1 Bg5 46. d5 cxd5 47. Rxd5 Bf6 48. Rd6 Rxd6 $2 (48... Kf7 $142 {
Still, White keeps winning chances after} 49. Rxe6 Kxe6 50. Rc1 Bg5 51. Rc2)
49. cxd6 {[%mdl 4096]} Bd8 (49... e3 50. Re1 ({but not} 50. Rxf6 gxf6 51. Kg2
Kf7 52. d7 Ke7 53. d8=Q+ Rxd8 54. Bxd8+ Kxd8 55. Kf3 Kc7 56. Kxe3 Kc6 57. Ke4
Kb5 58. Kf5 Kxb4 59. Kxf6 Kc5 60. Kg7 h5 $11) 50... Kf7 51. Rxe3 {, and White
should win.}) 50. Rf5 $2 {Missing the victorious} (50. Bc7 $1 e3 51. b5 Bh4 52.
d7 e2 53. Rg1 $1 (53. Rc1 $2 Rf8 $1 54. Kg2 Kf7 55. Kf3 (55. b6 Ke6 56. b7 Kxd7
) 55... Ke6+ 56. Kxe2 Kxd7 $11) 53... e1=Q (53... Bf2 54. Rc1) (53... Rf8 54.
b6 Rf1 55. Bg3) 54. Rxe1 Bxe1 55. d8=Q+ Rxd8 56. Bxd8 Kf7 57. b6 Bc3 58. b7 Be5
59. Bh4 Bb8 60. Bg3 Ba7 61. b8=Q Bxb8 62. Bxb8 $18 {Not an easy line to find!})
50... Bxa5 51. bxa5 Rd8 $1 52. Rd5 (52. a6 Rxd6 53. Ra5 Rd8 54. a7 Ra8 55. Kg2
Kf7 56. Kf2 Ke6 57. Ke3 Kd6 58. Kxe4 Kc6 59. Ke5 Kb6 60. Ra1 Rxa7 61. Rxa7 Kxa7
62. Ke6 Kb6 63. Kf7 g5 $11) 52... Kf7 53. a6 Ke6 54. Rd4 Kd7 55. Rb4 e3 56. Kg2
Rf8 57. a7 e2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.11.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2800"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2011.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 cxd4 6. Qxd4 exd5 7. e3 Nc6 8.
Qd3 Bc5 9. Be2 d4 10. exd4 Nxd4 11. O-O O-O 12. Nxd4 Qxd4 13. Qg3 Ne4 14. Nxe4
Qxe4 15. Bf3 Qb4 16. Bf4 Be6 17. a3 Qb3 18. Rac1 Bd4 19. Rc7 Qxb2 20. Rxb7 Qxa3
21. Bd6 Qa5 22. Bb4 Qf5 23. Bxf8 Rxf8 24. Rd1 Bb6 25. Rb8 g6 26. Rxf8+ Kxf8 27.
Qd6+ Kg8 28. Qd2 h5 29. Qc3 Kh7 30. h3 Qf4 31. Re1 Bxh3 32. Re4 Qd6 33. Qe5
Qxe5 34. Rxe5 Be6 35. Bd5 Bd4 36. Bxe6 Bxe5 37. Bxf7 h4 38. Kf1 Kg7 39. Be8 g5
40. Ke2 Kf6 41. Ke3 g4 42. Bd7 Kg5 43. Ke2 Kf4 44. Kf1 a5 45. Ke2 Bd4 46. Kf1
Bc5 47. Ke2 Bd4 48. Kf1 Bc5 49. Ke2 Bd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.11.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2011.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 h5 {One of the main crossroads for Black,
whether to put the pawn on h5 or h6. The alternative 10...h6 is cautious,
while the move in the text is directed to fight against White's pawn offensive
on the kingside. Its only drawback is the weakening of the g5-square.} 11. Bf4
(11. Bg5 Be6 {is another line that has appeared recently at the top level.})
11... Bd7 $146 {Another novelty from Levon. Black is going to develop his
queenside rook before continuing the development of the other flank.
Previously, Black automatically played 11...Be7.} (11... Be7 12. Rad1 Be6 (
12... Nh4 13. Nd4 Nf5 14. Nce2 g5 15. Bh2 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 Rh6 17. Rfe1 Bc5 18. e6
Bxe6 19. Nxe6 Rxe6 20. Rxe6+ fxe6 21. Bxc7 Ke7 {+/=/= 1/2-1/2 Caruana,F (2714)
-Jakovenko,D (2732)/Mulhouse 2011/CB22_2011 (43)}) 13. Ng5 Rh6 14. g3 Bxg5 15.
Bxg5 Rg6 16. h4 f6 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Bf4 Nxh4 19. f3 Rd8 $11 {1/2-1/2 Anand,V 
(2817)-Nakamura,H (2753)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011/CB40_2011 (36)}) 12. Rad1 Rd8
13. b3 (13. Ne4 Be7 14. Rfe1 Be6 15. Nfg5 Rxd1 16. Rxd1 Bc8 {This seems to be
playable for Black. Later on he can drive White's outposted knight by f7-f6.})
13... Be7 14. Rfe1 $6 {Allows the move that now follows.} (14. Ne4 Be6 15. c4 {
As long as White keeps more minor pieces on the board he can fight for an
advantage.}) 14... Bb4 {The pin itself is not so frightening for White.
However, the point is that Black will now exchange his dark-squared bishop.
This will solve his development problems.} 15. Bd2 Bc8 16. Ne2 Bxd2 17. Nxd2
Ne7 {An important square for the knight.} 18. Nc4 (18. c4 Ng6 19. f4 Ke7 $11)
18... Nd5 {[%cal Gd5b4]} 19. a3 Ke7 20. f3 {Trying to slowly prepare the
offensive on the kingside.} h4 {Fixing the kingside and at the same time
preparing the rook manoeuvre that follows on the next move.} 21. Kf2 Rh5 {
In the "Berlin endgame" the problem of developing this rook is often very
apparent for Black. This is one of the possible ways to solve it.} 22. Rd2 Re8
23. Nd4 Kf8 24. a4 {Ivanchuk is seeking to slightly improve his position also
on the other side of the board.} a6 25. a5 Nb4 26. Ne2 Nd5 27. Nd4 Ne7 {
Levon is not in the mood to repeat moves!} 28. Re4 Rh6 $6 {Even if this
provocation worked out well, it would have been objectively safer to go back
28...Nd5 with equality.} 29. f4 $6 (29. e6 $1 {This is a typical idea and was
a good chance to seize the initiative.} Bxe6 (29... fxe6 30. Ne2 (30. Ne5 $44)
30... Nd5 31. Ne5 $44) 30. Nxe6+ Rxe6 (30... fxe6 31. Rf4+ Nf5 32. Ne5 $14) 31.
Rxe6 fxe6 32. Ne5 Rc8 33. Rd4 Nf5 34. Rb4 Rd8 35. Nd3 $14 {[%csl Rb7]}) 29...
Nd5 30. Kf3 $6 {Vassily clearly overestimated his chances.} (30. Nf3 Bf5 31.
Red4 Nc3 32. Ng5 c5 33. Rd8 f6 34. Ne3 fxg5 35. Nxf5 Ne4+ 36. Ke2 Nxd2 37.
Rxe8+ Kxe8 38. Nxh6 Nxb3 39. cxb3 gxh6 40. f5 b5 $11) 30... Rg6 {With the very
unpleasant threat 31...Rg3+ 32.Kf2 f5!} 31. f5 Rh6 32. Re1 $2 (32. Kf2 c5 (
32... Rh5 33. Nf3 Bxf5 34. Rxh4 Rxh4 35. Nxh4 $15) 33. Nf3 Bxf5 34. Rxh4 Rxh4
35. Nxh4 Be6 $15) 32... c5 $6 (32... Rh5 $1 {was much stronger.} 33. Ke4 (33.
Kg4 g6 $19) 33... Nc3+ 34. Kd3 Nb5 $17 {[%csl Rf5]}) 33. Ne2 Ne7 $1 {This
knight jumps forward and back throughout the whole game, but very effectively.
White's centre is collapsing.} 34. Nf4 $6 (34. f6 $1 gxf6 35. Nf4 {was the
least of the evils with some counterchances.}) 34... Nxf5 {Now Black is a
healthy pawn up.} 35. c3 Ne7 36. Red1 Ng6 37. Nd3 (37. Rd5 Nxf4 38. Kxf4 Rc6
$17 {[%cal Gc8e6]}) 37... Be6 38. Re1 Rh5 39. Kf2 (39. Nxc5 Bxc4 40. Nd7+ Kg8
41. bxc4 Rf5+ 42. Ke2 Nxe5 43. Kd1 f6 $19) 39... Rf5+ 40. Kg1 Bxc4 41. bxc4
Nxe5 {White could already resign.} 42. Rde2 f6 43. Re4 (43. Nxc5 Nf3+ 44. gxf3
Rxe2 45. Rxe2 Rxc5 46. Rb2 Rxc4 47. Rxb7 Rxc3 $19) 43... b6 44. axb6 cxb6 45.
Rxh4 {White has won back one pawn, but the endgame is hopeless.} Ng6 46. Rhe4
Rxe4 47. Rxe4 Kf7 48. Re2 Ne5 49. g4 Rf3 50. Nxe5+ fxe5 51. Kg2 Rxc3 52. Rf2+
Kg6 53. Rb2 a5 54. Rxb6+ Kg5 55. Rb5 a4 {Two passed pawns decide.} 56. Rxc5 Kf4
57. Ra5 a3 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.11.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2011.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Be2 dxc4 8.
O-O $1 $146 {[%mdl 8] Surprisingly, this hasn't appeared before. I wouldn't
claim that this novelty is overwhelming, but it definitely expands the room
for theoretical discussion in this topical line.} (8. Bxc4 a6 9. a4 c5 10. O-O
cxd4 11. Qxd4 Nb6 12. Bb3 Qxd4 13. Nxd4 Bd7 14. Bc7 Nbd5 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. Bxd5
exd5 17. Rfd1 Bf6 18. Ba5 Rfc8 $11 {1/2-1/2 Short,N (2658)-Fridman,D (2655)/
Caleta 2011/CB05_2011 (32)}) 8... Nd5 $6 (8... a6 $5 {is worth being checked
in practice.} 9. a4 c5 10. d5 {The best way to fight for an initiative.} (10.
dxc5 Nh5 11. Bd6 Nxc5 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Ne5 Nf6 14. Nxc4 a5 $11) 10... exd5 11.
Nxd5 Nxd5 12. Qxd5 Nf6 13. Qe5 $1 (13. Qxc4 Be6 14. Qc2 Qb6 $11) 13... Qe8 (
13... Be6 14. Ng5 $14) 14. Bxc4 $14) (8... c5 {is the best continuation, Anand
adopted this as well in the London Chess Classic.}) 9. Bxc4 $1 {White doesn't
mind exchanging his bishop and spoiling the pawn structure. The advantage in
development and space will yield him a long-lasting initiative.} Nxf4 10. exf4
c5 (10... Nb6 11. Bb3 c6 {would be too passive. The control over the square d5
is Black's only trump. All his pieces are on last three ranks and the
light-squared bishop has no prospects.}) 11. dxc5 (11. d5 $6 Nb6 12. b3 exd5
13. Nxd5 Nxc4 14. bxc4 Be6 $11) 11... Qc7 {[%csl Rf4]} (11... Nxc5 12. Qe2 Bd7
13. Rfd1 Qb6 14. Ne5 $14) (11... Bxc5 12. Bd3 b6 13. Qc2 (13. Bxh7+ $2 {
doesn't work} Kxh7 14. Ng5+ Kg8 {and the knight will cover from f6.}) 13... g6
14. Be4 Rb8 15. Rfd1 Qe7 16. Rd2 Nf6 17. Ne5 Bb7 18. Bxb7 Qxb7 19. Rad1 $14)
12. g3 Qxc5 13. Qe2 Nb6 (13... a6 14. Rac1 b5 15. Bxe6 $1 fxe6 16. Qxe6+ Rf7
17. Nd5 Qd6 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. Qc6 Rb8 20. Rfe1 Qf6 21. Re6 Qd8 22. Ng5 Bb7 23.
Nxf7 Kxf7 24. Qd6 Nf8 25. Qxd8 Rxd8 {Black holds, but the whole variation is
frightening for him along the way.}) 14. Bd3 Qh5 (14... Bd7 15. Ne5 Bc6 16.
Rac1 $16 {Black's queen is vulnerable.}) 15. Qe3 Bf6 16. Ng5 $1 Bxc3 {This is
a human decision. An engine prefers the other knight.} (16... Bxg5 $5 17. fxg5
Bd7 18. Be2 Qg6 19. Rad1 Bc6 20. Rd4 {Threatening 21.Bd3 Qh5 22.Rh4.} h6 21. f4
Rfd8 22. Bd3 Qh5 23. Bh7+ $1 (23. g6 fxg6 24. Qxe6+ Kh7 25. g4 Qh3 26. Qxg6+
Kg8 27. Qh7+ Kf8 (27... Kf7 $4 28. Bg6+ Kf6 29. g5+ Ke6 30. Re1+ {mating.}) 28.
Qf5+ Kg8 $11) 23... Kh8 (23... Kxh7 24. Qd3+ $16 {[%csl Rd8,Rh7]}) 24. Be4 $14)
17. bxc3 h6 18. Be2 Qg6 19. Nf3 Qf6 20. Ne5 Bd7 21. c4 Qe7 {Finally the queen
has found a safe shelter.} 22. Qe4 Bc6 $5 {Anand is ready to sacrifice a pawn
to release the pressure and complete the development.} (22... Rab8 23. Bd3 g6
24. h4 Na4 25. h5 Nc5 26. Qf3 $16) 23. Nxc6 bxc6 24. Qxc6 Rac8 25. Qe4 Rc7 26.
Rfd1 Rfc8 27. Rd4 g6 {Black has a good blockade against the c-pawn. However,
the evaluation is clear - White is much better, the only question is whether
he can win it or not.} 28. Rad1 Qf6 29. Qc2 Rc5 30. Qb3 Qe7 31. Bf1 R5c7 32.
Qb5 Rc5 33. Qb4 R5c7 $6 {I don't think that Black should allow the exchange of
queens, at least under these circumstances.} (33... Kg7 {was a good stand-by
move.} {If White insists on a queen swap by} 34. Rd8 R8c7 35. Qc3+ e5 36. fxe5
Qxe5 37. Qxe5+ Rxe5 {then the c-pawn will never go forward.}) 34. Qxe7 Rxe7 35.
Rd8+ Rxd8 36. Rxd8+ Kg7 37. c5 {Now the passed pawn becomes dangerous.} Nd5 38.
Bc4 Nf6 39. Rc8 Rd7 40. Bb5 $2 {Wasting time.} (40. c6 Rd1+ 41. Kg2 Rc1 42. Bb5
Nd5 43. a4 Nb4 44. Ra8 {White can't promote the c-passer, so has to exchange
it for the a-pawn.} a5 45. Rxa5 Nxc6 46. Ra8 Nd4 47. Be8 {This must be winning
for White. Black's knight on d4 is harmless.}) 40... Rd1+ 41. Kg2 Ra1 42. a4 a6
43. Bc6 (43. Bxa6 Rxa4 44. Bb7 Rc4 {makes Black's defensive task easier.})
43... Rc1 44. Ra8 Rxc5 45. Rxa6 Rc2 46. a5 (46. h3 Nd5 47. Bxd5 exd5 {This
endgame would end in a draw as the a- and d-pawns will be exchanged.}) (46. Bf3
{will be met by the same idea} Nd5) 46... Ng4 47. Be8 Kf8 48. Ra8 Rxf2+ 49. Kg1
Ra2 50. Bb5+ Kg7 51. a6 Nxh2 52. Rc8 Nf3+ 53. Kf1 Nd4 54. Bc4 Ra3 55. Rc7 Nf5 {
[%cal Gf5e3]} 56. Bxe6 {Admitting that the all the advantage faded away.} Rxa6
57. Bxf7 Kf6 58. Bc4 Ne3+ 59. Kf2 Nxc4 60. Rxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.11.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2011.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. e3 Bf5 7. g4 Be6 8. h4
Nd7 9. Bg3 $146 {A new but hardly theoretically important move.} (9. h5 {
was played in dozens of games including the previous clash between the same
players:} Nh6 10. Be2 (10. f3 f5 11. Bxh6 gxh6 12. gxf5 Bxf5 13. Bd3 Bh4+ 14.
Ke2 Bxd3+ 15. Qxd3 Qe7 16. f4 Rg8 17. Kd2 Rg2+ 18. Nge2 Bf2 19. Rh3 O-O-O 20.
Rf1 Kb8 21. Rf3 Bh4 22. Kc1 Rdg8 23. Qf5 Ka8 24. Rh1 Bf6 25. Qd3 Nb6 $132 {
1/2 Maksimenko,A (2540)-Talla,V (2452)/Legnica 2010/CBM 139 Extra (30)}) 10...
Nb6 11. Nh3 g5 $1 12. hxg6 hxg6 13. Bg3 Qd7 14. Nf4 O-O-O 15. Nxe6 Qxe6 16. Rg1
Bd6 17. Qc2 Bxg3 18. Rxg3 f5 19. O-O-O Nxg4 20. Bxg4 fxg4 21. Rdg1 Rh4 22. Qe2
Rf8 23. Nd1 Rf4 $132 {1-0 Nakamura,H (2753)-Aronian,L (2807)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao
BRA/ESP 2011/The Week in Chess 883 (79)}) 9... Nb6 {The standard plan.} 10. f3
Bd6 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 12. Qc2 Ne7 13. Bd3 h5 {Exploiting the fact that White has
not played h4-h5.} 14. g5 O-O-O 15. Nge2 Kb8 16. Kf2 g6 {[%cal Ye6f5]} 17. a4
a5 {Black doesn't want to allow a4-a5-a6.} (17... Bf5 18. a5 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 Nd7
20. a6) 18. Ng3 {Preventing ...Be6-f5 but Black has another plan: to open up
the f-file and start an attack.} Rdf8 19. Qd2 (19. Nce2 $143 f6 20. Qc5 Qxc5
21. dxc5 Nd7 22. Nf4 Nxc5 23. Bxg6 fxg5 24. hxg5 Rxf4 25. exf4 Nxg6 26. f5 h4
$1 27. fxe6 hxg3+ 28. Kxg3 Rxh1 29. Rxh1 Nxe6 $17 {[%csl Gd5]}) 19... f6 (19...
Nd7 $5 20. Nce2 $1 f6 21. gxf6 Rxf6 22. Nf4 Rhf8 {[%cal Yf6f4]}) 20. gxf6 Rxf6
{[%mdl 512] This exchange sacrifice is not forced but it gives Black a strong
initiative.} (20... Nf5 $5 21. Bxf5 Bxf5 $1 22. Nxf5 gxf5 23. b3 $13 ({but not
} 23. Ne2 Nc4 24. Qd3 Re8)) 21. Nce4 dxe4 22. Nxe4 Rxf3+ 23. Kxf3 $44 {[%csl
Rf3]} Qd5 (23... Rf8+ $5 24. Ke2 Bg4+ 25. Ke1 Qd8 {[%cal Ye7f5,Yb6d5]}) 24.
Qh2+ Ka7 25. Qe5 (25. Qd6 $5 Qf5+ 26. Qf4 Bd5 $1 $44) 25... Rf8+ 26. Ke2 Qxe5
27. dxe5 Nd7 {Black recaptures a pawn and retains dangerous threats.} 28. Nd2 (
28. Ng5 $5) 28... Nxe5 (28... Bg4+ $5 29. Ke1 Nxe5) 29. Be4 (29. e4 $142 Rd8 (
29... Bg4+ 30. Ke3) 30. Ra3 {firmly defending.}) 29... Bg4+ 30. Ke1 Nd5 {
This is the moment when Black apparently missed his chance.} (30... Nf5 $142 $1
{forcing the exchange of White's important bishop:} 31. Bxf5 (31. Ra3 Ng3)
31... Bxf5 $17 {[%cal Re5d3]}) 31. Ra3 Rd8 32. Rh2 Nb4 33. Kf1 Bd1 34. Rg2 Bg4
35. Rh2 Bf5 36. Bxf5 gxf5 37. Rg2 Ng4 38. Nc4 Re8 39. Re2 {White has managed
to consolidate his position.} Nd5 40. Ke1 Re6 41. Rd3 f4 42. e4 Nde3 43. Nxe3
Nxe3 44. Rd7 Rxe4 45. Kf2 Rb4 46. Rh7 Rb3 47. Rxh5 Ng4+ 48. Kf1 f3 49. Rd2 Rb4
50. Rxa5+ Kb6 51. Rg5 Rxa4 52. Rxg4 Rxg4 53. Rh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.11.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2011.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Be2 dxc4 8.
O-O {Levon repeats his idea that he performed against Anand few rounds ago.} (
8. Bxc4 a6 9. a4 c5 10. O-O cxd4 11. Qxd4 Nb6 {and Black equalised in all
games that were played on the theme.}) 8... c5 $1 $146 {Boris comes up with an
improvement.} ({In the afore-mentioned game Aronian-Anand after} 8... Nd5 9.
Bxc4 Nxf4 10. exf4 c5 11. dxc5 Qc7 12. g3 Qxc5 13. Qe2 {White achieved a
long-term initiative.}) 9. dxc5 Nxc5 10. Bxc4 a6 {In the next round the same
position arose with Gelfand on the white side against Kramnik. Vladimir chose
to swap queens by 10...Qxd1.} 11. Ne5 Ncd7 (11... Qxd1 {is worth checking.} 12.
Rfxd1 Rd8 (12... b5 $2 13. Nc6 bxc4 14. Nxe7+ Kh8 15. Bd6 $18) 13. Rxd8+ Bxd8
14. Rd1 Be7 15. a3 (15. b4 Nfe4 $1 16. bxc5 Nxc3 17. Rd4 Kf8) 15... b5 16. Nc6
Bf8 17. Bf1 Bb7 18. Na5 Nd5 19. Nxb7 Nxc3 20. bxc3 Nxb7 $11 {White's pair of
bishops is compensated for by his pawn weaknesses on the queenside.}) 12. Be2
$1 {The bishop is going to f3 to put pressure on Black's queenside.} Nxe5 13.
Bxe5 Qa5 14. Bg3 b5 (14... Bd7 15. Bf3 Bc6 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. Qa4 $14) 15. Bf3
Ra7 {We reached a position that in fact has already appeared in practice
through different move orders.} 16. Ne2 $1 {An improvement over the previous
games. The knight is heading to c6.} (16. a3 Rd8 (16... Rd7 17. Qc2 Qb6 18.
Rfd1 Rxd1+ 19. Nxd1 Bb7 20. Bxb7 {1/2-1/2 Flores,D (2628)-Leitao,R (2609)/
Campinas 2011/Mega2011 Update 06}) 17. Qe2 Rad7 18. Rfd1 Qb6 19. Rxd7 Rxd7 20.
Rd1 Bb7 21. Be5 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 Rxd1+ 23. Qxd1 Qc6 24. Ne2 Nd7 25. Bc3 Nb6 26. h3
Nd5 27. Bd4 Bf8 28. Nc3 f6 29. Nxd5 Qxd5 30. Qc2 e5 {1/2-1/2 Malakhatko,V 
(2524)-Short,N (2676)/Ohrid 2001/CBM 084}) 16... Bb7 17. Bxb7 ({Black would be
happy to save his light-squared bishop from the exchange after} 17. Nd4 Nd5 {
as now the c6-square is covered.}) 17... Rxb7 18. Nd4 {[%csl Gc6]} Rd7 19. Qc2
Bd6 20. Nc6 Qb6 21. Bxd6 Rxd6 22. Rac1 Kh8 {Moving the king away from the
check on e7.} 23. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 24. Qxd1 {White has a slight, but long lasting
pressure thanks to the mighty knight on c6.} h6 (24... Rc8 25. Ne5 Rxc1 26.
Qxc1 Qb7 27. Qc5 Kg8 28. Qd6 $14) 25. g3 ({Perhaps} 25. h3 {was more precise
to cover the g4-square against a possible knight move.} Rc8 26. Ne5 Rxc1 27.
Qxc1 Qb8 28. Qc5 (28. Nxf7+ $2 Kg8 {[%csl Rf7]}) 28... Kg8 29. Kf1 $14) 25...
Qc7 26. Rc2 Rc8 27. Qd3 Ng4 28. Rc3 Qb7 29. Qd6 Qa8 30. e4 $6 {Wasting time
and creating a target for Black's knight.} (30. Rc5 Nf6 31. Ne5 {The main
target is Pf7!} Rxc5 32. Qxc5 {White has winning chances thanks to more active
pieces. The following fascinating lines show that Black should hold with
precise play.} Kg8 33. Qe7 Qd5 (33... Qf8 34. Qa7 $16) (33... Qe8 34. Qa7 $16)
(33... Qe4 34. Qxf7+ Kh7 35. Qxe6 Qb1+ 36. Kg2 Qe4+ 37. Kh3 Qb1 38. g4 $1 {
The duo queen + knight is dangerous for both sides. If White wants to get
winning chances, he has to risk a bit!} Qf1+ 39. Kg3 Ne4+ 40. Kf4 Nxf2 41. Qf5+
Kg8 42. Kg3 Qg1+ 43. Kf3 Qf1 $1 44. Qc8+ Kh7 45. Qc2+ Nd3+ 46. Kg3 Qg1+ 47. Kh4
Qf2+ 48. Qxf2 Nxf2 49. Kg3 Nd1 {Black returns the pawn, but even here White
retains winning chances, as his king is more active.}) 34. Qxf7+ Kh7 35. Qg6+
Kg8 36. Nf7 Ne4 $1 37. Nxh6+ Kh8 38. Nf7+ Kg8 39. Kg2 $1 Ng5+ (39... Nd2+ 40.
Kh3 Nf3 41. e4 Qc4 $8 42. Kg4 $1 Qe2 43. Kf4 $1 Qxf2 44. Nh6+ Kh8 45. Ng4 e5+
$1 46. Kf5 Nh4+ 47. Kg5 Nf3+ 48. Kh5 Qe2 $1 49. h4 Nh2 {White can't win here
because of the pin.}) 40. e4 Nxe4 41. f3 Qd2+ 42. Kh3 Nf2+ 43. Kh4 {[%tqu "En",
"It won't be easy to spot the right move. You are invited to try.","","",
"f2h1","",10]} Nh1 $3 44. h3 (44. Ng5 Qxh2+ 45. Nh3 Nf2 46. Qxe6+ Kh7 $11)
44... Qd4+ 45. f4 Nxg3 $1 46. Nh6+ Kh8 47. Qxg3 Qf6+ 48. Qg5 Qxh6+ 49. Kg4 Qf6
$11 {Of course, all these lines can't be calculated by a human player, but
show the potential of this seemingly calm position.}) 30... Nf6 {Now White has
to protect the pawn and weaken the residence of his king.} 31. f3 a5 32. Qc5 b4
33. Rc4 Qa6 {Threatening 34...Nd7. Black is okay.} 34. b3 $8 Kh7 35. Qd6 a4 36.
Rc2 axb3 37. axb3 Qa1+ 38. Kg2 Qb1 39. Qd2 Qxb3 40. Nxb4 Rb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.11.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2011.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Nbd2 dxe4 11. dxe4 Be6 12. h3 Bc5 13. a4 Ba7 14. Nf1 h6 15.
Ne3 Qd6 16. Qe2 Bxe3 17. Bxe3 Bc4 18. Qd2 Rfd8 19. b4 Qe6 20. Qc1 a5 21. bxa5
bxa4 22. Rxa4 Bb5 23. Ra3 Rxa5 24. Rxa5 Nxa5 25. Qa3 Nc4 26. Qc5 c6 27. Qb4
Nxe3 28. Rxe3 Rd7 29. Re1 Qe7 30. Rb1 Rb7 31. c4 c5 32. Qc3 Bc6 33. Qxe5 Rxb1+
34. Bxb1 Qxe5 35. Nxe5 Bxe4 36. Bxe4 Nxe4 37. Nd3 Nd6 38. Nxc5 Nxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.11.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D93"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2011.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. Rc1 {The main
move, other attempts are innocuous.} (7. Qb3 Na6 $5 ({A rare reaction; more
common alternatives are} 7... Bd7) (7... Nc6) (7... Ne4 {, and another
reliable move is}) (7... dxc4 8. Bxc4 O-O 9. Qb5 Qxb5 10. Bxb5 Bd7 11. Be2 Na6
12. Bxa6 bxa6 13. Be5 Rfc8 14. Bd4 Bc6 15. Nf3 Nd7 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. b4 a5 18.
bxa5 Bxf3 19. gxf3 Rxc5 20. Ne4 {1/2,Akopian,V (2590)-Kudrin,S (2530)/Los
Angeles/1991/}) 8. cxd5 Nxc5 9. Qb5+ Qxb5 10. Bxb5+ Bd7 11. Rd1 Nh5 12. Bxd7+
Kxd7 13. Bg3 (13. Nge2 Nxf4 14. exf4 b5 15. b4 {Vallin,G (2419)-Taddei,B (2340)
/FRA-chT/2004/} Na4 $5 16. Nxa4 bxa4 17. Nd4 a5 $44) 13... b5 14. d6 e6 15. Nf3
b4 16. Nb5 Nxg3 17. hxg3 Rab8 18. Nbd4 h5 19. Rh4 f5 20. Ne2 e5 21. Rc4 Rhc8
22. Kf1 Ne4 23. Rc7+ Rxc7 24. dxc7+ Kxc7 $11 {Ivanchuk,V (2775)-Carlsen,M 
(2826)/Moscow/2011/ This game was played 3 rounds earlier, than ours.}) (7.
Qa4+ Qxa4 8. Nxa4 {The continuation with the best reputation is} Bd7 (8... O-O
9. Nf3 Ne4 10. cxd5 (10. Be5 Bd7 11. Nc3 Nxc3 12. bxc3 dxc4 13. Bxc4 Rc8 14.
Bd4 e5 15. Bxe5 Rxc5 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Bb3 Rxc3 18. O-O Na6 19. Ne5 Be8 20. Bd5
Rc7 21. Rab1 Nc5 22. e4 Rd8 $11 {Timman,J (2675)-Kasparov,G (2750)/Belfort/
1988/}) 10... Bd7 11. Rc1 $5 (11. c6 bxc6 12. Bc4 c5 13. Bd3 Bxa4 14. Bxe4 Nd7
15. d6 Rae8 16. dxe7 Rxe7 17. Bd3 Bxb2 18. Rb1 Ne5 19. Bxe5 Bxe5 20. Ke2 Bc6
$11 {Dreev,A (2560)-Ivanchuk,V (2560)/London/1995/}) 11... Bxa4 12. Rc4 Nxc5
13. Rxc5 Nd7 (13... Bxb2 $13) 14. Rc4 (14. Ra5 $5 Bc2 15. Nd4 {is possibly
more promising, although Black still has <=>.}) 14... Nb6 15. Rb4 Rfc8 16. e4
Rc2 17. Bd3 Rxb2 18. Rxb2 Bxb2 19. O-O Rc8 20. Be3 Rc3 21. Bb1 Ba3 22. Re1 f6
23. Nd4 Bd7 24. Ne2 Rc8 25. Bxb6 axb6 26. Bd3 Kf7 27. Rb1 Bc5 28. Rb2 Ra8 29.
Rc2 Bd6 {1/2 Lambrechts,C-Benz,G/Belgium 1994/Corr 2000}) (8... Na6 9. cxd5
Nxd5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Bxd7+ Kxd7 12. O-O-O Kc6 13. Nf3 Nxc5 (13... Nxf4 14.
exf4 Rhd8 $11) 14. Be5 Nxa4 15. Bxg7 Rhc8 16. Kb1 f6 17. Rd4 Nc5 18. Rc1 a5 19.
Bh6 b6 20. e4 Nc7 21. Rdc4 {Dreev,A (2650)-Stohl,I (2560)/Brno/1994/} e5 $11)
9. Nc3 Ne4 $1 10. Nxd5 Na6 11. f3 Nexc5 12. O-O-O e6 (12... Rc8 13. Bg5 $1 f6
14. Bh4 Kf7 15. Ne2 e6 16. Ndc3 Bh6 17. Bf2 e5 18. Kb1 Rhd8 19. e4 f5 20. Ng3
b6 21. Be2 f4 22. Nf1 Bf8 23. a3 Ne6 24. Nd2 Nac5 25. Nd5 $16 {Wang Yue (2732)
-Topalov,V (2803)/Nanjing/2010/}) 13. Nc7+ (13. Nc3 Bxc3 14. bxc3 f6 15. Bd6
Rc8 16. Nh3 Na4 17. Kc2 Nb6 18. Rb1 Kf7 19. Nf2 Rhd8 20. Ba3 f5 21. Be2 Ba4+
22. Kc1 Rd7 $17 {Hertneck,G (2547)-Ftacnik,L (2539)/AUT-chT/2005/}) 13... Nxc7
14. Bxc7 Rc8 15. Bd6 b5 16. b3 bxc4 17. Bxc4 Na4 18. Rd2 Bb5 19. Rc2 Bxc4 20.
bxc4 Kd7 21. c5 Rc6 22. Ne2 {1/2,Van Wely,L (2655)-Svidler,P (2660)/Tilburg/
1997/} Nxc5 23. Bxc5 Rhc8 24. Rd1+ Ke8 $11) 7... dxc4 ({More complex and more
dangerous, but perhaps also playable is} 7... Ne4 8. cxd5 Nxc3 9. Qd2 Qxa2 {
Now there is the more testing} 10. Rxc3 $5 (10. bxc3 Qa5 11. Bc4 Nd7 12. Nf3
Nxc5 13. O-O O-O 14. Be5 Bxe5 15. Nxe5 f6 16. Ra1 Qb6 17. d6+ Kg7 18. dxe7 Re8
19. Nf3 Rxe7 20. Rfb1 Qc7 21. Nd4 Ne4 22. Qd3 Nc5 23. Qd2 Ne4 $11 {Kramnik,V 
(2759)-Carlsen,M (2776)/Nice rpd/2009/}) 10... O-O (10... Bxc3 11. Qxc3 f6 12.
Nf3 Bd7 13. Be2 Qxd5 14. O-O Nc6 15. b4 a5 16. b5 Nb4 17. Rd1 Qe4 18. Ne1 Nd5
19. Qd2 e6 20. Nc2 O-O 21. Bd6 Rfd8 22. Nd4 Qh4 23. g3 Qh6 24. Bc4 $44 {
Wang Yue (2738)-Carlsen,M (2770)/Leon rpd/2009/}) 11. Bc4 Qa1+ 12. Rc1 Qxb2 13.
Nf3 Nd7 14. Be2 $5 (14. Ba2 Qa3 15. c6 bxc6 16. dxc6 Nc5 17. O-O Nd3 18. Rb1
Nxf4 19. exf4 Bf5 20. Rb5 Rac8 21. Ra5 Qd3 22. Qxd3 Bxd3 23. Rc1 Bb2 24. Rcc5
Rc7 25. Ne5 Be4 26. Ra4 Bxe5 27. Rxe4 Bd6 $11 {Socko,B (2631)-Svidler,P (2723)/
Gibraltar/2009/}) 14... Qa3 $6 (14... Qxd2+ 15. Nxd2 a5 $132) 15. Nd4 $1 Bxd4
16. exd4 Nf6 17. Bf3 Rd8 (17... Qa6 $142 $16) 18. O-O Nxd5 $2 19. Bxd5 Rxd5 20.
Ra1 Qb3 21. Rfb1 {1-0,Gulko,B (2561)-Eckert,D (2275)/USA-ch Saint Louis/2009/})
8. Bxc4 O-O 9. Nf3 (9. Nge2 Qxc5 10. Qb3 {was quite popular a few years ago:} {
However, it seems Black can do fine even without these adventures after} Qa5 ({
Immense complications arise after} 10... Nc6 11. Nb5 Qh5 12. Ng3 Qh4 13. Nc7 e5
$5 (13... g5 14. Bxg5 Qxg5 15. Nxa8 Bd7 16. Qxb7 Rb8 17. Qc7 Rxa8 18. Ba6 Qg4
19. Rxc6 Ne8 20. Qb7 Bxc6 21. Qxc6 Qb4+ 22. Ke2 Qxb2+ 23. Kf3 Rd8 24. Bc4 $5 (
24. Nf5 Qe5 25. g4 Nf6 26. h3 e6 27. Ng3 Rd2 28. Rb1 h5 29. Rb5 Nd5 30. Qe8+
Bf8 31. Rb8 hxg4+ 32. hxg4 Rxf2+ $11 {Marconi,R (2090)-Frangi,M (2303)/corr/
2007/}) 24... Nd6 25. Bb3 Rc8 26. Qd5 Qf6+ {1/2,Berczes,D (2293)-Flumbort,A 
(2486)/Budapest/2004/} 27. Ke2 Qb2+ 28. Qd2 $14) 14. Bg5 (14. Bxe5 Nxe5 15.
Nxa8 Bd7 16. Nc7 Bc6 17. Nd5 Kh8 18. Nxf6 (18. Nf4 g5 19. Nd3 Nxd3+ 20. Qxd3
Bxg2 21. Nf5 Qh3 22. Nxg7 Kxg7 23. Rg1 Rc8 24. Qd4 b5 25. Qe5 h6 26. Qxb5 Qxh2
27. Ke2 Rb8 28. Rxg2 Qh5+ 29. f3 Rxb5 30. Bxb5 Qh3 $15 {Ward,A (2201)
-Wettstein,K (2200)/corr/2007/}) 18... Bxg2 19. Rg1 Bc6 20. Bd5 Qxf6 21. Bxc6
bxc6 22. Ke2 Qf3+ 23. Kf1 f5 24. Rg2 f4 25. exf4 Qxf4 26. Ne2 Qe4 27. Qc2 Qd5
28. Nc3 Qe6 29. Ne4 Nf3 30. Ng5 Nxg5 31. Rxg5 Bd4 32. Rg2 Qxa2 33. b4 Qa3 34.
Qd2 c5 35. bxc5 Bxc5 36. Qc3+ Qxc3 37. Rxc3 Rf5 $11 {Satici,A (2354)-Atakisi,U
(2299)/corr/2007/}) 14... Qxg5 15. h4 Qg4 16. Nxa8 Qd7 17. Rd1 Qe7 18. Qa3 Nb4
19. O-O Bg4 20. f3 Bh6 21. fxg4 Nxg4 22. Rxf7 (22. Rf3 $5) 22... Rxf7 23. Nf1
Kg7 24. Bxf7 Qxf7 25. Qxb4 Qf2+ $11 {Wang Yue (2738)-Topalov,V (2812)/Sofia/
2009/ - see notes to this game by Krasenkow in CBM 131.}) 11. O-O Nbd7 $5 12.
a3 (12. Rfd1 Nc5 13. Qb5 Qxb5 14. Nxb5 Be6 15. Be5 Bxc4 16. Rxc4 Ne6 17. f3 a6
18. Nbd4 Rfd8 $11 {1/2,Lagunow,A (2405)-Konopka,M (2440)/BL2N/1994/}) (12. a4
Nb6 13. Bc7 Bd7 14. Rfd1 Bc6 15. Nf4 e6 (15... Rac8 $5 16. Bxb6 Qxb6 $11) 16.
Bb5 Rfc8 17. Bd6 Bxb5 18. axb5 Nbd7 19. h3 Qd8 20. Nd3 Ne8 21. Bg3 Qe7 22. e4
Qg5 23. Ra1 Nb6 24. Bf4 Qh4 25. Be5 Bxe5 26. Nxe5 Qe7 27. Na4 Nxa4 28. Rxa4 Nf6
29. Qe3 $14 {Hacker,C (2351)-Lohmann,H (2178)/corr/2007/}) 12... Nb6 13. Bc7
Bd7 14. Nd4 Rac8 15. Bxb6 Qxb6 16. Qxb6 axb6 17. Be2 Rc7 18. Ndb5 Rc6 19. Nd4
Rc7 20. Ndb5 Rc6 21. Rfd1 Rb8 22. Nd4 Rc7 $11 {Wang Yue (2738)-Carlsen,M (2770)
/Sofia/2009/ Seeing nothing better, White went for the repetiton after all.})
9... Qxc5 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. O-O Qa5 12. h3 Bf5 13. Qe2 Ne4 14. Nxe4 {Again an
important crossroads, Aronian chooses the simplest option.} ({Once the main
move,} 14. Nd5 {is now considered harmless due to} e5 15. Bh2 (15. Rxc6 bxc6 (
15... exf4 16. Rc7 $14 {Karpov,A (2705)-Kasparov,G (2740)/WCh London-Leningrad/
1986/}) 16. Ne7+ Kh8 17. Nxc6 Qb6 18. Ncxe5 Be6 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. Qc2 f5 21.
Qa4 a6 22. Rd1 Rad8 23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24. Nd4 Qe8 25. Qa5 Rc8 26. Qd5 Rc5 27. Nf7+
Kg8 28. Nh6+ Kh8 $11 {Brunello,S (2497)-Svidler,P (2731)/Khanty Mansiysk olm/
2010/}) 15... Be6 16. Rfd1 (16. Qe1 Qxe1 17. Rfxe1 Rfd8 18. Red1 Rd7 19. Nc3
Nxc3 20. bxc3 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Bxb3 22. axb3 f6 23. g4 Rd8 $11 {Georgiev,V (2553)
-Djukic,N (2493)/EU-chT Porto Carras/2011/}) 16... Rfd8 17. Qc4 Nf6 18. e4 Rac8
19. Ng5 Nd4 20. Ne7+ Kf8 21. Nxe6+ Kxe7 22. Nxd8 Rxc4 23. Bxc4 Nxe4 24. Nxf7
Qb6 25. Nxe5 Bxe5 26. Bxe5 Nf3+ $1 $11 {Pinter,J (2570)-Maslik,M (2377)/
AUT-chT/2010/}) ({Recently White has tried out} 14. g4 {, but Svidler had
already faced this move twice and certainly knew his way:} Nxc3 15. bxc3 Bd7
16. Rfd1 Rad8 17. Rd5 Qa3 (17... Qb6 18. Rb1 Bc8 (18... e6 19. Rdd1 Ne7 20. Bg5
Rfe8 21. Bd5 $14) 19. Rb5 (19. Rg5 $1 Be6 20. Qf1 $36 {Krasenkow}) 19... Qa6
20. Bc4 Qa3 21. R5b3 Qc5 22. Rb5 Qa3 23. R5b3 Qc5 24. Rb5 {1/2,Kasimdzhanov,R 
(2672)-Svidler,P (2739)/San Sebastian/2009/}) 18. Rcd1 Be6 19. Rxd8 Nxd8 20.
Qb5 a6 21. Qb6 Bxb3 22. axb3 Ne6 23. Be5 (23. c4 a5 24. Qxb7 {Mamedyarov,S 
(2741)-Sutovsky,E (2657)/WChT Bursa/2010/} Qb2 $1 25. Qb5 Qe2 26. Qd5 Qc2 27.
Rd3 Qb1+ 28. Kg2 Nc5 $132) 23... Bxe5 $5 (23... Qc5 24. Qxc5 Nxc5 25. Bxg7 Kxg7
26. b4 Ne4 27. Rd7 Rb8 28. Rxe7 Nxc3 29. Rd7 (29. g5 Nd5 30. Rd7 Nb6 31. Rc7
Nd5 32. Rd7 Nb6 33. Rd6 Nc4 34. Rd7 Nb6 {1/2,Guo,Q (2367)-Lou,Y (2433)/
Qinhuangdao/2011/}) 29... Kf6 30. Nd4 $36 {Dreev,A (2694)-Delchev,A (2629)/
Cento/2011/}) 24. Nxe5 Qc5 25. Qxc5 Nxc5 26. b4 Ne4 27. Rd7 {1/2,Tomashevsky,E
(2699)-Svidler,P (2722)/RUS-ch Moscow/2010/} f6 28. Nf3 Kf7 29. Rxb7 Rc8 $11)
14... Bxe4 15. Rfd1 Qh5 ({White retains only a slight pull after} 15... Rad8
16. Rxd8 (16. Ng5 Bd5 17. Bc7 Qxc7 18. Rxd5 Rxd5 19. Bxd5 Qa5 20. Bxc6 bxc6 21.
Nf3 Qxa2 22. Nd4 Bf6 23. Nxc6 Kg7 24. Rc2 Rc8 $11 {Hansen,L (2574)-Shirov,A 
(2730)/EU-chT Novi Sad/2009/}) 16... Rxd8 (16... Nxd8 $5 17. Ng5 Bc6 $14 {/<=>}
) 17. Bxf7+ Kxf7 18. Ng5+ Kg8 19. Nxe4 Qxa2 20. Kh2 a6 $1 (20... a5 $2 21. Qb5
$40 {Gretarsson,H (2459)-Pelletier,Y (2483)/Bermuda/1999/ - see notes to this
game by Ftacnik in CBM 069.}) 21. Bg3 h6 22. Nc5 Qxb2 23. Qxb2 Bxb2 24. Rc2 Bg7
(24... Bf6 $142) 25. Nxb7 Rc8 $14 {/=,Bellmann,H (2472)-Scheuermann,B (2540)/
corr/2003/ White didn't manage to convert his small edge in the end.}) ({
However, an equivalent and playable alternative is} 15... Bxf3 {; it's
difficult to say what Aronian had in mind here:} 16. Qxf3 (16. gxf3 Qf5 17. Kg2
Rad8 18. Ba4 Nd4 19. exd4 Qxf4 20. Qxe7 Rxd4 21. Bb3 Be5 22. Rxd4 Qxd4 23. Rd1
Qf4 $36 {Bjornes,L (1964)-Schut,L (2135)/Vlissingen/2008/}) {Solid is also}
16... Bxb2 (16... Rad8 17. Rxd8 (17. Rd5 Rxd5 18. Qxd5 (18. Bxd5 $142 Bxb2 19.
Rb1 Nb4 $5 $11) 18... Bxb2 19. Rc5 Qd8 20. Qe4 Qb6 21. Rd5 Rd8 22. Qd3 e6 23.
Rd7 Bf6 24. Qd1 Na5 25. Ba4 Rxd7 26. Qxd7 Qd8 $15 {/=,Lysyj,I (2631)
-Mikhalevski,V (2610)/Biel/2010/ Black's extra P is of little use in the _|_
due to White's ^^.}) 17... Qxd8 18. Rd1 Qc8 19. Qe2 Rd8 20. Rxd8+ Qxd8 21. Bc4
(21. Qb5 $5) 21... Na5 22. b3 Nxc4 23. Qxc4 Qd2 {1/2,Gheorghiu,F (2540)
-Tseshkovsky,V (2550)/Las Palmas/1976/}) 17. Rb1 Bf6 (17... Bg7 18. Rd7 Qf5 19.
Rbd1 e6 20. Rxb7 Na5 21. e4 Qc5 22. Bd6 Qc3 23. Bxf8 Qxf3 24. gxf3 Nxb7 25.
Bxg7 Kxg7 26. Bxe6 $1 $16 {Dobre,C (2237)-Seger,R (2407)/Predeal/2006/}) (17...
Be5 18. Rd5 Qc3 19. Bxe5 Nxe5 20. Qf4 Nc6 21. Rd7 Na5 22. Rxe7 (22. Bd5 $5 Rae8
23. h4 $44) 22... Nxb3 23. Rxb3 Qa1+ 24. Kh2 Qxa2 25. Rbxb7 a5 26. e4 Rae8 27.
h4 Rxe7 28. Rxe7 h5 $11 {Sokolov,I (2690)-Sutovsky,E (2661)/BIH-chT Neum/2004/}
) 18. Rd7 (18. Bd5 Rad8 19. Rxb7 Nd4 $1 20. exd4 Qxd5 $11 {Naumann,A (2478)
-Mirumian,V (2506)/Lippstadt/1999/}) 18... Ne5 19. Bxe5 Qxe5 20. Rxb7 a5 21. a4
Rac8 22. Rb5 Rc5 {Lazarev,V (2513)-Bobras,P (2563)/BL2S/2006/}) (15... Ne5 16.
Nxe5 Bxe5 17. Bc4 $5 {[%cal Rb2b4] /\b4} (17. Bxf7+ Rxf7 18. b4 Qxb4 19. Rc4 (
19. Bxe5 $2 Bxg2 $1) 19... Qb2) (17. Rc4 Bc6 18. Bxe5 Qxe5 19. Rcd4 Rac8 {
1/2,Pinter,J (2590)-Leko,P (2635)/HUN-ch Budapest/1997/}) 17... Bf6 18. Bc7 $14
) 16. Bc2 (16. Rd2 Rac8 (16... Na5 17. Bd1 Rac8 18. Rxc8 Rxc8 19. Ng5 Qxe2 20.
Bxe2 Bc6 21. b3 h6 22. Nf3 Be8 23. Ne5 Nc6 24. Nxc6 Bxc6 25. Bf3 Bxf3 26. gxf3
{Kaunas,K (2253)-Von Bahr,O (2303)/Kaunas/2010/} a6 27. Rd7 b5 28. Rxe7 Rc1+
29. Kg2 Ra1 $11) 17. Rcd1 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Qxf3 19. gxf3 Na5 20. Rd7 e6 21. R1d2
Bf6 22. Bc7 Nxb3 23. axb3 Kg7 24. e4 Rfe8 25. Bf4 Red8 26. e5 Bh4 27. Rxb7 Rxd2
28. Bxd2 Rc2 29. Be3 a5 $11 {Berkes,F (2706)-Tikkanen,H (2591)/EU Cup Rogaska
Slatina/2011/}) (16. Rd7 e6 (16... Rad8 $142 $5 $11) 17. Bc2 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Qxf3
19. gxf3 Ne5 20. Rxb7 (20. Rc7 Nxf3+ 21. Kg2 Nh4+ 22. Kg3 Bxb2 23. Rb1 $44)
20... Rfc8 21. e4 Nxf3+ 22. Kf1 (22. Kg2 $1 $14) 22... g5 23. Be3 Bd4 24. Bd1
Bxe3 25. Rxc8+ Rxc8 26. fxe3 Nd2+ $132 {Khenkin,I (2647)-Roiz,M (2677)/Dresden
olm/2008/ - see notes to this game by Roiz in CBM 128.}) (16. Rc4 $6 Bd5 17.
Rc2 Bxb3 18. axb3 Rfd8 19. e4 Qa5 20. Rcd2 Rxd2 21. Rxd2 Rd8 $15 {[%csl Rb2,
Rb3] ><b2,b3,Andersson,U (2584)-Navara,D (2663)/EU-chT/Gothenburg 2005/}) 16...
Bxc2 (16... Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qxf3 18. gxf3 Rad8 19. Be4 (19. b3 e5 20. Bg3 f5 21.
f4 e4 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Rd1 Rxd1+ 24. Bxd1 Nb4 25. a4 Bf8 26. f3 Bc5 27. Bf2
Kf7 {1/2 Yasakov,I-Bubir,S/ICCF email 2002/Corr 2006}) 19... Bxb2 20. Rxd8 Rxd8
21. Rc2 Ba3 22. Bxc6 bxc6 23. Rxc6 f6 24. e4 a5 {1/2 Portisch,L (2595)
-Arakhamia Grant,K (2420)/Roquebrune 1998/CBM 067}) 17. Qxc2 {[%cal Rc2b3]} Qb5
(17... Rfd8 $2 18. Qb3 $1 Na5 19. Rxd8+ Rxd8 20. Qb4 {[%csl Ra5,Re7][%cal
Rc1c5]} b6 21. Qxe7 Qd5 22. e4 Qd3 23. Ne5 $18 {Kozhuharov,S (2404)-Atakisi,U 
(2384)/Konya/2010/}) 18. a4 $146 {[%mdl 40] Aronian's novelty is an attempt to
keep the simplified and symmetrical position alive. In the following strategic
battle he will show determination and better understanding of the position.
Although objectively his new idea doesn't seem too dangerous, it has the extra
merit of being practically risk-free - in the more complex lines the Grünfeld
is doing fine.} (18. e4 Rfd8 19. Be3 Qxb2 20. Rxd8+ Nxd8 21. Qxb2 Bxb2 22. Rc7
Ba3 23. e5 b6 24. Rc3 Bb4 25. Rc4 Bc5 $1 (25... Ba5 $15) 26. Bxc5 Rc8 27. Bxb6
(27. Ra4 bxc5 $36) 27... Rxc4 28. Bxd8 Kf8 29. Ba5 Ra4 30. Bd2 Rxa2 31. Kf1 a5
32. Ke2 a4 33. Nd4 a3 34. Ke3 {Kozhuharov,S (2436)-Drenchev,P (2519)/Albena/
2011/} Ra1 $1 35. Nc2 Rb1 $17) (18. Rd7 Rfd8 19. Rcd1 Rxd7 20. Rxd7 Bxb2 21. a4
$5 Qb4 22. Rd1 Qc3 23. Qxc3 Bxc3 24. Rd7 Rc8 25. Rxb7 Kg7 $11) 18... Qb4 (18...
Qb6 19. Rd7 Rac8 $5 (19... Rfd8 $2 20. Bc7) (19... e5 20. Bg5 f6 (20... h6 21.
Be7 Nxe7 22. Rxe7 $14) 21. b4 $5 (21. Bh4 Rad8 22. Rcd1 $14) 21... fxg5 22.
Nxg5 $44 {->}) 20. b4 (20. e4 Qb4 {/\Rfd8=} (20... Rfd8 $2 21. Bc7)) 20... Qxb4
21. Rb1 Qa3 22. Rbxb7 Nd4 23. Qe4 $8 Ne6 24. Rxa7 Nc5 25. Qxe7 Qa1+ 26. Kh2 Bf6
27. Qd6 Nxd7 28. Qxd7 Qa2 $11) 19. Ne1 $1 {This manoeuvre is the best way to
retain some tension.} (19. b3 Rfd8 (19... e5 $5 20. Bg3 Rfd8 $11) 20. Bc7 Rxd1+
21. Rxd1 Qc3 22. Qxc3 Bxc3 23. Rd7 Rc8 24. Bf4 b6 $11 {and White has no
obvious way to increase his pressure.}) 19... e5 {Quite committal, the text
move limits White's B, but also his own Bg7.} (19... Qxb2 $5 20. Qxb2 Bxb2 21.
Rb1 Bf6 22. Rxb7 Nd8 $1 {[%cal Yd8e6,Ye6c5] /\Ne6-c5= is a road to equality,
preferred by engines.}) (19... Rac8 20. Nd3 Qe4 21. Qb3 b6 22. Qb5 Na5 $5 $132
{is another plausible alternative.}) 20. Bg3 Rfd8 (20... Qe7 21. Nd3 {would
probably only transpose back into the game.}) 21. Nd3 Qe7 22. Qc5 $5 (22. Nc5
Rac8 (22... h5 $132) 23. Ne4 (23. Rxd8+ Nxd8 $1) 23... h5 $1 24. f3 Kh7 $11)
22... Rd6 $1 {[%cal Gd8d1] <=><->d A good reaction.} (22... Qxc5 $143 23. Nxc5
Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 b6 25. Ne4 (25. Na6 Rd8 26. Rc1 Ne7 $5 27. Rc7 Nf5 $132) (25.
Nb7 Rc8 $11) 25... f5 26. Rd6 $11 {/+/= gives White a slight pull.}) 23. b4
Rad8 24. b5 Rd5 ({The attempt to bail out} 24... Rxd3 25. Rxd3 Rxd3 26. bxc6
Qxc5 27. Rxc5 bxc6 28. Rxc6 {[%cal Yc6a6,Ye3e4,Yf2f3,Yg3f2] /\Ra6, f3, e4
leads to a somewhat unpleasant _|_. Nevertheless, Black should still hold with
the accurate} Rd5 29. Ra6 f5 {/\} 30. Rxa7 Rd1+ 31. Kh2 g5 32. f3 Rf1 $132 {/=}
) 25. Qc2 (25. Qxe7 $143 Nxe7 26. Nb2 (26. Rc7 Bf6 27. Rxb7 Rxd3 28. Rxd3 Rxd3
29. Rxa7 Rb3 $15) 26... e4 $36) 25... e4 {An important moment - Black frees
not only his own, but also White's B.} ({It's easier to hold the balance after
} 25... Na5 $5 26. e4 Rd4 27. Nb2 Bf8 $11 {[%cal Gf8a3,Gf8h6,Gh6c1] ,
depending on the circumstances Black can later activate his B via the /^a3-f8,
or c1-h6.} (27... b6 $5)) 26. Nf4 (26. bxc6 exd3 27. Rxd3 Rxd3 28. c7 Rc3 29.
cxd8=Q+ Qxd8 30. Rd1 Qc8 $11 {is drawish}) 26... Rxd1+ 27. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 28. Qxd1
Nb4 29. Qc1 $1 $11 {/+/= Black must tread with care, as his <<P are more
vulnerable after the Q penetration.} Bf6 (29... Qd7 $2 30. Qc4) 30. Qc8+ Kg7
31. Qb8 a6 32. b6 $5 ({The tactical blow} 32. Nxg6 {doesn't cause Black any
problems after} Kxg6 $1 33. Bd6 Qd8 34. Qxd8 Bxd8 35. Bxb4 axb5 36. axb5 Kf5
$11 {[%csl Rb5][%cal Rf5c4] - his king is too active.}) 32... Nc6 (32... h5 $5
33. Ne2 Nd3 34. Bd6 Be5 {/\} 35. Bc7 Qf6 36. Bxe5 Qxe5 37. Qxb7 Qa1+ 38. Kh2
Qe5+ 39. Ng3 $5 (39. g3 Qb2 40. Qxe4 Qxe2 41. b7 Nxf2 42. Qg2 Qb2 $11) (39. Nf4
Nxf4 40. exf4 Qxf4+ 41. Kg1 Qc1+ $11) (39. Kg1 $11) 39... h4 40. Qd7 $1 (40.
Qc7 hxg3+ 41. fxg3 Qb2 $1 $17 {[%cal Rd3e1] /\Ne1}) 40... hxg3+ 41. fxg3 Nc5 (
41... Qb2 42. b7 Ne5 (42... Ne1 $2 43. Qd4+ $18) (42... Nc5 43. b8=Q Qxb8 44.
Qd4+ $14) 43. Qd4 Qxd4 44. exd4 Nd7 45. g4 $36) 42. Qc6 Qe7 43. Qc7 Kf8 44.
Qc8+ Kg7 45. Qc7 $11) 33. Qc8 (33. Qc7 Be5 $1 34. Qc8 $11 (34. Nh5+ gxh5 35.
Qxe7 Nxe7 36. Bxe5+ Kg6 $15)) 33... h5 34. Ne2 Nd8 (34... h4 35. Bc7 Na5 36.
Nf4 Qc5 $132) 35. Bc7 Qe6 36. Qb8 Qd7 $6 {After this passive move Black starts
drifting into serious trouble.} ({Instead he could practically force a draw
with} 36... Qa2 $142 $1 37. Bxd8 (37. Ng3 Qxa4 38. Bxd8 Qd1+ 39. Kh2 Bxd8 40.
Qxb7 Qd6 $15) (37. Nf4 Qxa4 38. Bxd8 Qd1+ 39. Kh2 Bxd8 40. Qxb7 Qd6) 37... Qa1+
$1 38. Nc1 $8 (38. Kh2 Be5+) 38... Be5 (38... Qxc1+ 39. Kh2 Bxd8 40. Qxd8 Qb2
41. Qc7 h4 $1 $132 {/=}) 39. Qc8 Bb2 40. Kh2 Qxc1 $11 {/\} 41. Qxb7 $2 Be5+ 42.
g3 Qf1 43. Qxe4 Qxf2+ 44. Qg2 Bxg3+ 45. Kh1 Qxe3 $17) 37. Be5 Ne6 (37... Qe7
38. Bxf6+ Qxf6 39. Qc7 $36 {[%cal Ye2d4,Ye2c3,Yc3d5]}) 38. Nc3 Qc6 (38... Qd3
$5 39. a5 Qc4 40. Qd6 Bxe5 41. Qxe5+ f6 42. Qxe4 Qxe4 43. Nxe4 f5 $14 {The _|_
is not fully clear, as Black's king is active and also Pa5 can be vulnerable.}
(43... Kf7 $5 {/\} 44. Nd6+ Ke7 45. Nxb7 $2 Kd7 $19 {[%csl Rb7]})) 39. a5 h4 $2
{Only this is the decisive mistake, possibly in time-trouble.} ({Black again
could (and should!) have gone for the N_|_ with} 39... Bxe5 $142 $1 40. Qxe5+
f6 41. Qxe4 Qxe4 42. Nxe4 {-38...Bd3!?}) 40. Bxf6+ Kxf6 41. Qh8+ Kf5 (41... Ke7
42. Qxh4+ g5 43. Qxe4 Qxc3 44. Qxb7+ Kf6 45. Qxa6 Qa1+ 46. Kh2 Qe5+ 47. g3 $18)
42. Qxh4 $3 {[%mdl 512]} (42. Ne2 g5 43. g3 $36 {is also good for White, but
this sacrifice is both brilliant and more effective.}) 42... Qxc3 43. g4+ Ke5
44. Qh8+ f6 45. Qb8+ Kd5 46. Qxb7+ Qc6 47. Qb8 $1 (47. Qxa6 $2 Ng5 $132 {
saves the game, as the b6-pawn can't advance yet.}) 47... Nc5 (47... Ng5 48. b7
Nf3+ 49. Kg2 Qc1 50. Qg8+ $18) 48. Qg8+ Qe6 (48... Ke5 49. Qxg6 $18 {is
similar.}) 49. Qxg6 $18 {[%csl Gb6,Gh3][%cal Rh3h8]} Kc4 {White's pawns are
decisive in the long run. Fully realising this, Svidler embarks on a desperate
counterattack.} (49... Nd7 50. Kg2 $5 $18 (50. h4 Ne5 51. Qf5 Qxf5 52. gxf5 Kc6
53. h5 Nf7 54. Kg2 $18)) 50. h4 Kd3 51. h5 Ke2 52. h6 Qc4 (52... Nd3 53. h7 Qc8
54. Qf5 Qc1+ 55. Kh2 Nxf2 56. h8=Q Qh1+ 57. Kg3 Qxh8 (57... Qg1+ 58. Kf4 $18)
58. Qxf2+ Kd3 59. Qf4 $18) (52... Qb3 53. h7 Qd1+ 54. Kh2 Qd6+ 55. Kg2 Nd3 56.
Qxe4 (56. h8=Q $2 Ne1+ 57. Kh3 Nf3) 56... Ne1+ 57. Kh3 Nf3 58. Qc2+ Ke1 59.
Qc1+ Ke2 (59... Kxf2 60. Qc2+ Nd2 61. Qc7 $18) 60. Qc4+ Ke1 61. Kg2 Nh4+ 62.
Kh1 Qd1 63. Kg1 Nf3+ (63... Kd2+ 64. Kh2 Nf3+ 65. Kg3 $18) 64. Kg2 Nh4+ 65. Kg3
Qf3+ 66. Kxh4 Qh1+ 67. Kg3 Qg1+ 68. Kf3 $18) 53. h7 Ke1 54. Qxf6 (54. Qxf6 Qf1+
55. Kh2 $18) 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.11.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2730"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "169"]
[EventDate "2011.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Qc2 c5 8. Rd1
{This line was examined in CBM 144, annotations to Aronian - Radjabov. GM
Levon Aronian now tries it as Black.} (8. cxd5 {and}) (8. dxc5 {are more
popular.}) 8... Qa5 (8... cxd4 {is another option - see the above-mentioned
game.}) 9. Nd2 (9. a3 Ne4 10. Bd3 cxd4 11. exd4 Ndf6 12. O-O Nxc3 13. bxc3 Bd7
14. Rb1 dxc4 15. Bxc4 Bc6 16. Ne5 Be4 $11 {1-0 Shulman,Y (2568)-Saidy,A (2374)/
Las Vegas 2001/EXT 2002 (35)}) 9... cxd4 10. exd4 dxc4 (10... Nh5 $6 11. Be3
Ndf6 12. Be2 g6 13. O-O Ng7 14. Bf4 dxc4 15. Nxc4 Qf5 16. Qc1 Nd5 17. Be5 Qg5
18. f4 Qh6 19. Rd3 $16 {1/2 Kovalenko,I (2584)-Zvjaginsev,V (2680)/
Magnitogorsk RUS 2011/The Week in Chess 889 (77)}) 11. Nxc4 Qd8 12. Bd3 Nb6 13.
O-O Bd7 14. Nxb6 Qxb6 15. d5 Rfd8 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (15... Kh8 16. Qe2 Rae8 $1 (
16... Rfe8 17. Be5 $1 exd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Qe4 f5 (19... Qh6 20. Qxd5 Bc6 21.
Qxf7) 20. Qxd5 Rad8 21. Qf7 Qg6 (21... Bf6 $142 $14) 22. Qxg6 hxg6 23. Bc4 Ba4
24. b3 Bc6 25. Bf7 Rf8 26. Bxg6 $16 {1-0 Sargissian,G (2658)-Dambacher,M (2496)
/Rogaska Slatina SLO 2011/The Week in Chess 822 (38)}) 17. d6 {1/2 Svidler,P 
(2755)-Giri,A (2714)/Porto Carras 2011} (17. Be5 exd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Qe4 Qh6
20. Qxd5 Bc6 $132 {- the f7-pawn is not hanging!})) 16. Qe2 (16. d6 Bf8 {
is double-edged as the d6-pawn can become weak. A possible line is:} 17. Be5
Bc6 18. Rfe1 Qc5 $1 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Bxh7+ Kg7 21. Be4 Bxd6 $11) (16. Be5 $5 {
[%cal Yd5d6]} Kh8 $5) 16... Rac8 17. Bb1 Bb4 $1 18. Be3 (18. Be5 $6 Bxc3 $1 19.
bxc3 exd5 (19... Bb5 20. Qc2 Bxf1 21. Bxf6 gxf6 22. Qxh7+ Kf8 23. Bg6 $1 fxg6
24. dxe6 $1 Qxe6 25. Qh6+ Ke8 26. Qh8+ Ke7 27. Qg7+ Ke8 28. Qh8+ Kf7 29. Qh7+
Kf8 30. Qh6+ Kg8 31. Qxg6+ Kf8 32. Qh6+ $11) 20. Qc2 g6 $15) 18... Qc7 19. Bd4
Bxc3 20. Bxc3 (20. d6 $5 Qc4 21. Qxc4 Rxc4 22. Bxc3 Nd5 $11) 20... Nxd5 21.
Rxd5 $1 {[%mdl 512]} (21. Qh5 $6 g6 22. Rxd5 Qxc3 $1 23. bxc3 gxh5 $15 {
K.Sakaev}) 21... exd5 22. Qd3 f5 23. Qxd5+ Kh8 24. Qf7 Rg8 25. Rd1 Be8 26. Qxc7
Rxc7 27. Bxf5 {White's compensation for the exchange should only be enough for
equality.} Bg6 28. Bg4 Re8 29. h4 Kg8 30. Bd7 Re7 31. Ba4 h6 32. f3 Kh7 33. Kf2
a6 34. Rd6 $11 b5 35. Bb3 Bf7 36. Bc2+ {White rightly evades the bishop
exchange keeping his bishop pair and tension in the position.} (36. Bxf7 Rxf7
37. Rxa6 b4 38. Bxb4 Rc2+ 39. Kg3 Rxb2 40. a3 Rc7 {[%cal Rc7c2]}) 36... Kg8 37.
Bf5 (37. a3 Re6) 37... Ra7 $6 {A passive move, after which White seizes the
initiative.} (37... Bxa2 38. Rxa6 (38. Rd8+ $6 Kf7 39. Bb4 (39. h5 Rxc3 $1 40.
bxc3 Ra7) 39... g6 $1 40. Be4 Red7) 38... Bf7 $11) 38. a3 Re8 39. g4 Bc4 (39...
a5 $1 {K.Sakaev}) 40. g5 (40. Bd4 $1 Rae7 (40... Raa8 41. Rd7 Bf7 42. Bg6 $1
Rf8 43. Kg3 $16 {K.Sakaev}) 41. Rxa6 Rd8 $1 42. Be3 $16) 40... hxg5 41. hxg5
Rf8 42. Bg4 a5 $1 {Black finally gets rid of this weakness.} 43. Kg3 Re8 44.
Bd7 Rea8 45. Be5 Kf8 46. Bg4 (46. f4 $36 {K.Sakaev} Rd8 $2 47. Bxb5 $1) 46...
Re7 47. Bd4 Ke8 $2 (47... a4 48. f4 $36) 48. Rg6 Bd3 49. Rb6 $2 {Strange
indecision.} (49. Rxg7 $1 Rxg7 50. Bxg7 Kf7 51. Bc3 Kg6 52. f4 {[%cal Ye3d4,
Yd4c5,Yg3f2,Yf2e3] , and White keeps good winning chances despite Black's
kingside blockade.}) 49... Rd8 50. Bc3 Rd5 51. Bh5+ (51. Be6 $5 Rxg5+ 52. Kf4
Rxe6 53. Rxe6+ Kd7 54. Re3 {, and White wins the a5-pawn (although hardly the
game, due to the opposite-coloured bishops).}) 51... Kd8 52. Kh4 (52. Bxa5
Rxg5+ 53. Kh4 Rxh5+ 54. Kxh5 Kc8 {with a similar outcome.}) (52. f4 $5 {
K.Sakaev}) 52... b4 (52... a4 $5 53. Rb8+ Kc7 54. Rg8 Rdd7 55. Bg4 Bc4 56. Bxd7
(56. Ra8 Kb7) 56... Kxd7 (56... Bxg8 57. Bxb5 Bb3 58. Bd3) 57. Rxg7 Rxg7 58.
Bxg7 Bd3 59. Kh5 Be2 60. Kg4 Bd3 {, and White can't win.}) {However, Black
confidently holds the position after the text move, too.} 53. axb4 axb4 54.
Rxb4 Kc7 55. f4 g6 56. Bf3 Rb5 57. Ra4 Re6 58. Kg3 Bf5 59. Ra7+ Kd8 60. Ra4 Ke8
61. Rd4 Rb8 62. Kf2 Reb6 63. Rd2 Rc8 64. Bd5 Rd6 65. Re2+ Kd7 66. Bb3 Ra6 67.
Rd2+ Ke8 68. Ke3 Rb6 69. Ba4+ Kf7 70. Bd7 Bxd7 71. Rxd7+ Ke8 72. Rh7 Rc4 73.
Rh6 Re6+ 74. Be5 Rb4 75. Kd3 Kd7 76. Rh7+ Kc6 77. Kc3 Re4 78. Rc7+ Kd5 79. Kd3
R6xe5 80. fxe5 Rxe5 81. Ra7 Ke6 82. Ra6+ Kf5 83. b4 Kxg5 84. Ra5 Kf4 85. Rxe5
1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "McShane, Luke J"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 a6 5. Qb3 e6 6. Bg5 Be7 7. e3 O-O 8. Be2 h6
9. Bh4 dxc4 10. Qxc4 b5 11. Qd3 Nbd7 12. a4 b4 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. Ne4 c5 15.
Nxc5 Bxc5 16. dxc5 Bb7 17. Rc1 Rc8 18. Nd4 Bxg2 19. Rg1 Bd5 20. f3 Qc7 21. Rg3
Rfd8 22. Qxa6 Ra8 23. Qb6 Qe5 24. Kf2 Nh5 25. c6 Nxg3 26. hxg3 Qh5 27. Kg2 e5
28. e4 exd4 29. exd5 Re8 30. Qb5 Ra5 $3 31. c7 Rxb5 32. Bxb5 Qg5 $1 33. c8=Q
Rxc8 34. Rxc8+ Kh7 35. d6 Qd2+ 36. Kh3 Qd1 37. d7 f5 38. Kg2 Qd2+ 39. Kg1 Qe1+
40. Kg2 Qd2+ 41. Kg1 Qe1+ 42. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.04"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. e3 Bf5 7. Nge2 Nd7 8.
Ng3 Bg6 9. Be2 Nb6 10. Be5 Nf6 11. h4 h6 12. h5 Bh7 13. Bd3 O-O 14. Bxh7+ Kxh7
15. Qc2+ Kh8 16. Nf5 Nc4 17. b3 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Ng4 19. f4 Qd7 20. O-O-O f6 21.
e4 fxe5 22. Qe2 Nf6 23. Nh4 exf4 24. Ng6+ Kg8 25. Nxf8 Bxf8 26. exd5 cxd5 27.
Qd3 Rd8 28. Kb1 Bc5 29. Rhf1 Be3 30. g3 d4 31. gxf4 Qe7 32. Rde1 Rd7 33. Nd1
Nd5 34. Nxe3 dxe3 35. Rc1 Rd8 36. Qf5 Qe8 37. Rfe1 b6 38. a3 $6 (38. Ka1 Qf8
39. Qe5 $16) 38... Kh8 39. Kb2 a5 $2 (39... e2 40. Rc2 Qe3 $14) 40. Rc4 $6 (40.
Rcd1 Qg8 41. Qe5 $18) 40... Nf6 $16 41. Qe5 Qf8 42. Qxe3 b5 43. Rd4 b4 44. a4
Rxd4 45. Qxd4 Nxh5 46. Re5 Nxf4 47. Rxa5 Ne6 48. Qd2 g5 49. Ra6 Qf6+ 50. Ka2
Qe5 51. Qb2 Qxb2+ 52. Kxb2 Nf4 53. Rxh6+ Kg7 54. Rd6 1-0

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.05"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Short, Nigel D"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2698"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 Ba6 7. b3 O-O 8.
Bg2 d5 9. cxd5 exd5 10. O-O Qd6 11. Nc3 Nc6 12. Rac1 Rfe8 13. Qf4 Rad8 14. Rfe1
g6 15. a3 Kg7 16. Bf1 Na5 17. Qxd6 Rxd6 18. Nd2 Ne4 19. Ncxe4 dxe4 20. b4 Nc6
21. e3 Bxf1 22. Kxf1 Re7 23. Nc4 Rd8 24. Re2 f6 25. Rec2 Nb8 26. a4 Na6 27. Nd2
c5 28. bxc5 bxc5 29. Nb3 cxd4 30. Nxd4 Nb4 31. Rc7 Rdd7 32. Rxd7 Rxd7 33. a5
Kf7 34. g4 Nd5 35. Rc8 Ke7 36. h4 Rb7 37. h5 f5 38. hxg6 hxg6 39. gxf5 gxf5 40.
Nxf5+ Kd7 41. Rc5 Nb4 42. Ng3 Nc6 43. Nxe4 Rb1+ 44. Ke2 Ra1 45. f4 Rxa5 46. Rc2
Nb4 47. Rd2+ Ke7 48. Kf3 Rh5 49. Ng5 a5 50. e4 Rh1 51. e5 Rf1+ 52. Kg4 a4 53.
e6 a3 54. Rd7+ Ke8 55. Ne4 Nd5 56. Rxd5 a2 57. Rd7 a1=Q 58. Nd6+ Kf8 59. e7+
Kg8 60. e8=Q# 1-0

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.08"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 h6 7. Qb3 Ra7 8. cxd5
cxd5 9. Bd2 e6 10. Ne5 Be7 11. Rc1 O-O 12. O-O Nfd7 13. Nxd7 Nxd7 14. a4 Nb8
15. e4 dxe4 16. d5 Nd7 17. Be3 Bc5 18. Nxe4 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 Qb6 20. Ng3 Qxe3 21.
fxe3 Bg6 22. dxe6 fxe6 23. Rfd1 Nf6 24. Rd6 Bf7 25. Bf3 a5 26. Rb6 Be8 27. Rxe6
Bxa4 28. Re7 Re8 29. Nf5 Rxe7 30. Nxe7+ Kf8 31. Nc8 Ra6 32. Bxb7 Re6 33. e4 Bd7
34. Rc5 Nxe4 35. Rxa5 Bxc8 36. Bxc8 Rc6 37. Rf5+ Nf6 38. Bb7 Rb6 39. Bf3 Rxb2
1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.09"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Rxe8+ Nxe8 12. c3 d5 13. Bf4 Bg5 14. Qf3
Bxf4 15. Qxf4 Qd6 16. Qxd6 Nxd6 17. Nd2 a5 18. a4 Bf5 19. f3 f6 20. Kf2 Kf7 21.
h4 h5 22. Be2 Bg6 23. Nf1 Nf5 24. Ne3 c6 25. g3 Nxe3 26. Kxe3 Bf5 27. Kd2 Ke7
28. Bd3 Bxd3 29. Kxd3 Kd6 30. Ke3 Re8+ 31. Kd3 Ra8 32. Ke3 Re8+ 33. Kd3 Ra8 34.
Ke3 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.10"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Be2 dxc4 8.
O-O c5 9. dxc5 Nxc5 10. Bxc4 a6 11. Nd4 Bd7 12. a3 Rc8 13. Rc1 Nce4 14. Nxe4
Nxe4 15. Bd3 Rxc1 16. Qxc1 Nf6 17. Rd1 Qb6 18. Bc2 Rc8 19. Qb1 h6 20. Nf3 Be8
21. Be5 Bc6 22. Bd4 Qc7 23. Be5 Qb6 24. Bd4 Qc7 25. Be5 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.11"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Howell, David"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B09"]
[WhiteElo "2633"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bd3 Na6 7. O-O c5 8. d5
Bg4 9. Kh1 Rb8 10. Bd2 Qc8 11. e5 dxe5 12. fxe5 Nd7 13. Bg5 Bxf3 14. gxf3 c4
15. Be2 f6 16. exf6 Nxf6 17. Bf4 Ra8 18. Be5 Rd8 19. Qd4 Nb4 20. Qxc4 Nfxd5 21.
Rad1 Qc6 22. Nxd5 Nxd5 23. Qe4 Nb6 24. Qxc6 bxc6 25. f4 Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Bxe5 27.
fxe5 Rf8 28. Rd4 c5 29. Re4 Kg7 30. Kg1 g5 31. h4 h6 32. hxg5 hxg5 33. Kg2 Rd8
34. Bd3 c4 35. Bxc4 Rd2+ 36. Kf3 Rxc2 37. Bb3 Rxb2 38. Rd4 Kg6 39. Rd8 Kf5 40.
Re8 Nd7 41. Rxe7 Nxe5+ 42. Kg3 Rd2 43. Rxa7 Rd3+ 44. Kg2 Rc3 45. Ra5 g4 46. Bd1
Kf4 47. Ra4+ Kf5 48. Ra5 Rc4 49. Kg3 Rc3+ 50. Kg2 Re3 51. Kf2 Rh3 52. Bxg4+
Kxg4 53. Rxe5 Rh2+ 54. Ke3 Rxa2 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.12"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2800"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. a3 c5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Nxc5 11. Be2 Bf6 12. Be5 Bxe5 13. Nxe5 Re8 14. Nf3
Qb6 15. Rc1 Ne6 16. Qd2 Rd8 17. Nd4 Bd7 18. Nxe6 Bxe6 19. Qd4 Qxd4 20. exd4 Kf8
21. Kd2 Rdc8 22. Rc5 Ke7 23. Rhc1 b6 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Rxc8 Bxc8 26. Bd3 h6 27.
Ke3 g5 28. g3 f6 29. Bc2 Bd7 30. Bd3 Bc8 31. Bc2 Bd7 32. Bd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Let's Check"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. Nbd2 Bc5 10. h3 d6 11. c3 Rb8 12. Re1 Re8 13. a5 Ba7 14. Nf1 Ne7 15. Ng3
Ng6 16. d4 h6 17. Bc2 c5 18. dxe5 dxe5 19. Bd3 Be6 20. Bxa6 c4 21. Ra4 Qc7 22.
cxb4 Bxf2+ 23. Kxf2 Qa7+ 24. Be3 Qxa6 25. Kg1 Red8 26. Qc1 Rd3 27. Rd1 Rb3 28.
Qd2 Kh7 29. Kh2 Rb7 30. Qf2 Bd7 31. Ra2 R7xb4 32. Nh5 $2 (32. Bxh6 Kxh6 33.
Nf5+ $11) 32... Bc8 $2 (32... Nxe4 33. Ng5+ Nxg5 $19) 33. Nxf6+ Qxf6 34. Kg1
Bb7 35. Nd2 Qxf2+ 36. Bxf2 Rd3 37. a6 Bxe4 $6 (37... Bxa6 $1 38. Be1 Nf4 $19)
38. Re1 $15 Ba8 39. Ne4 Nf4 40. a7 f6 41. h4 c3 42. Nc5 c2 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A88"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 d6 7. Nc3 c6 8. Qb3 {
This move came into the limelight on the occasion of the KO match between
Korchnoi and Dolmatov, Las Vegas 1999.} Kh8 9. Rd1 Na6 10. Qa3 Nc7 11. d5 c5
12. b4 $146 {White opens the queenside before Black gets to do it with ...b5.}
(12. Rb1 {was played before in a couple of games.}) 12... cxb4 13. Qxb4 Na6 14.
Qb1 Bd7 15. Nb5 Rc8 16. Nd2 Qb6 17. e3 Nc5 18. a4 Qa5 19. Ba3 a6 20. Bb4 Qd8
21. Nd4 Nxa4 22. Ne6 Bxe6 23. dxe6 Qe8 24. Bxb7 Rb8 25. Bxa6 $5 {At first
sight, this looks impossible.} Nc3 26. Bxc3 $1 Rxb1 27. Rdxb1 {With his better
coordination and the molesting e6-pawn, White has excellent compensation for
the small material investment.} g5 28. Rb7 Ng8 29. Bxg7+ Kxg7 30. Rb5 Qg6 31.
c5 dxc5 32. Rxc5 Qxe6 {Judging from the ulterior course of the game, vacating
this square for the enemy knight does not seem like a good idea.} (32... f4 $5)
33. Nf3 Qd6 34. Nd4 Kh8 35. Rc6 Qd7 36. Rac1 f4 37. Bc8 Qa7 38. Ne6 {This is
starting to look like a general invasion already. White's position is easier
to play already, if not objectively better.} Rf6 39. exf4 gxf4 40. Rc7 Qa4 41.
Nxf4 Rd6 42. Be6 Rd1+ 43. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 44. Kg2 Nf6 45. Rxe7 $16 Qe1 46. Rf7 Qe4+
47. f3 Qd4 48. Kh3 Qe5 49. Kh4 Qd4 50. Bg4 Qe5 51. Ne6 h6 52. Rf8+ Ng8 53. f4
Qb2 54. Kh3 Qa1 55. Bh5 Kh7 56. Rf7+ Kh8 57. Bg6 Nf6 58. Rf8+ Ng8 59. Bf7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. Qc2 (6. e3 {was
featured in no less than 3 games last year between Nakamura and Aronian. The
most recent clashes in this line went} Bf5 7. g4 ({For} 7. Nge2 {see Nakamura,
H (2758)-Aronian,L (2802)/London/2011/ - annotated in CBM 146.}) (7. Bd3 Bxd3
8. Qxd3 Nf6 9. Nge2 Nh5 10. Bxb8 Rxb8 11. f3 O-O 12. O-O f5 13. a3 a6 14. b4
Qd7 15. Rae1 Rbe8 16. Nc1 a5 17. bxa5 Bxa3 18. Nxd5 Bxc1 19. Nb6 Qe6 20. Rxc1
Qxe3+ 21. Qxe3 Rxe3 22. d5 cxd5 23. Nxd5 Re5 24. Rfd1 Nf6 $11 {Nakamura,H 
(2774)-Ponomariov,R (2754)/Saint Louis m/2011/ The difference between this
game and ours is that Ponomariov didn't weaken his kingside and therefore he
could effectively counter White's central expansion with a timely f5.}) 7...
Be6 8. h4 Nd7 9. g5 {, avsak aktivna reakcia} ({Nakamura tried the moves} 9. h5
{and}) (9. Bg3 {, but on neither occasion did he get anything out of the
opening.}) 9... h6 $5 10. g6 Ngf6 $142 (10... fxg6 11. Bd3 Nf8 (11... Bf7 12.
Qc2 {/\} Nf8 13. Nf3 {[%csl Rg6][%cal Rf3e5]}) 12. Nf3 Bf5 13. Ne5 Nf6 14. Rg1
$44 Ne4 $6 (14... Rg8 $142 $5) 15. Bxe4 Bxe4 (15... dxe4 16. Qb3 $16) 16. Nxe4
dxe4 17. Qb3 Qa5+ 18. Kf1 (18. Ke2 $5 Qa6+ 19. Kd1) 18... Qb5+ 19. Qxb5 cxb5
20. Rc1 Bxh4 21. Bh2 Bd8 (21... h5 $5 22. Rc7 $36) 22. Rg4 Nd7 23. Rxg6 Bf6 24.
Rc7 Nf8 25. Rg4 Ne6 26. Rxb7 $18 {Caruana,F (2736)-Melkumyan,H (2620)/Moscow/
2012/}) 11. gxf7+ Bxf7 12. Bd3 (12. Nf3 Nh5 $13) 12... Nh5 13. Be5 O-O 14. Qg4
Nhf6 15. Qg3 Nh5 {1/2,Morozevich,A (2762)-Giri,A (2714)/Reggio Emilia/2012/}
16. Qg2 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Bb4 18. Nf3 d4 19. Nxd4 Nf4 20. exf4 Qxd4 21. Rg1 Bxc3+
22. bxc3 Qxc3+ 23. Ke2 Qb2+ 24. Ke3 Qb6+ $11) 6... Nf6 7. h3 {This is a modern
wrinkle.} ({White tries to avoid the line} 7. e3 Nh5 $5 8. Be5 (8. Bg3 Nd7 9.
Bd3 g6 10. Nf3 O-O 11. Rb1 a5 12. a3 Re8 $2 (12... Nxg3 13. hxg3 Nf6 $132) 13.
Nxd5 $1 $16 {Sandipan,C (2628)-Vishnu,P (2392)/New Delhi/2012/} {/\} cxd5 14.
Bc7 $18) 8... Nd7 9. Be2 (9. Nf3 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 g6 11. Bd3 Ng7 12. O-O-O Bf5 13.
g4 Bxd3 14. Nxd3 Qd7 15. h3 O-O-O 16. Kb1 Kb8 17. Rc1 Bd6 18. Na4 f5 19. Nac5
Qe7 20. gxf5 Nxf5 21. Qb3 Rhf8 $11 {Kalinitschew,S (2431)-Bruedigam,M (2322)/
Berlin/2011/}) 9... Nxe5 10. dxe5 g6 11. Bxh5 gxh5 {The critical move is} 12.
O-O-O $5 $13 {, featured in Grishchuk-Aronian and So-Laznicka. Both games were
annotated in CBM 143.} (12. Nf3 f6 13. O-O (13. e4 d4 14. exf6 Bxf6 15. O-O-O
$13 {-12.0-0-0}) 13... Bg4 14. exf6 Bxf6 15. Nd4 O-O 16. f3 Bd7 17. Rad1 Rc8 (
17... Qe7 $5 18. Rfe1 Qg7 $13 {[%csl Gd7,Gf6] /=/+}) 18. Rfe1 Bg7 19. e4 c5 20.
Nf5 Bxf5 21. exf5 d4 22. Qe4 (22. Qb3+ $13) 22... Qd7 23. g4 Rfe8 24. Qd5+ Qxd5
25. Nxd5 Rxe1+ 26. Rxe1 Rd8 27. Nc7 hxg4 28. fxg4 d3 $36 {Arizmendi Martinez,J
(2568)-Sargissian,G (2671)/EU-chT Porto Carras/2011/}) (12. Rd1 f6 13. exf6
Bxf6 14. Nge2 O-O (14... Qe7 15. e4 d4 16. Nxd4 Qg7 17. Nde2 (17. Nce2 $5 Qxg2
18. Rg1 Qxh2 19. Qb3 $44 {/\} Rf8 $2 20. Ne6 $40) 17... Qxg2 18. Rg1 Qxh2 19.
Qb3 Rf8 20. f4 Bg4 21. Rxg4 hxg4 22. Qe6+ Be7 23. Rd7 Qh4+ 24. Kf1 Rf7 25. Rxb7
Kf8 26. Qxc6 Rd8 $19 {Aleksandrov,A (2626)-Negi,P (2617)/ESP-chT Melilla/2011/}
) 15. O-O (15. e4 Qb6 $132 (15... Bg4 $5)) 15... Qe8 16. e4 dxe4 (16... Qg6 $13
) 17. Nxe4 Bg7 18. N2c3 (18. N2g3 $142 $5) 18... Bf5 19. Qb3+ Qe6 20. Qxe6+
Bxe6 21. Rd6 Rae8 22. Re1 b5 23. a3 a5 24. h4 b4 25. axb4 axb4 26. Na4 Bd5 $15
{Aleksandrov,A (2612)-Shimanov,A (2549)/Moscow/2012/})) (7. Nf3 {is considered
innocuous mainly due to} g6 $5 8. e3 Bf5 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Nbd7 11. O-O O-O
12. h3 Re8 13. Rab1 a5 14. Rfc1 Nb6 (14... Bf8 $11 {[%cal Yf6e4]}) 15. Nd2 Nh5
16. Bh2 Bd6 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 18. a3 Nf6 19. b4 Nfd7 20. bxa5 Rxa5 21. a4 Ra7 22.
Rb2 Rea8 23. Qb1 Nxa4 24. Nxa4 Rxa4 25. Rxb7 Ra2 26. Nf3 c5 $11 {Moiseenko,A 
(2676)-Khairullin,I (2574)/Moscow/2009/}) 7... g6 $146 {[%mdl 8] This novelty
is otherwise a typical reaction, but possibly not ideal in our case.} ({
Currently the most promising alternative seems to be} 7... Qa5 $5 8. e3 (8. Nf3
Ne4 9. Bd2 Nxd2 10. Nxd2 g6 11. e3 Bf5 12. Bd3 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Qd8 14. O-O Nd7
15. Rfc1 O-O 16. Rab1 a5 17. Na4 Nb6 18. Nxb6 Qxb6 19. Nb3 a4 $11 {1/2,
Lupulescu,C (2657)-Giri,A (2714)/EU-chT Porto Carras/2011/}) 8... Ne4 9. a3 Bf5
10. Bd3 Na6 11. Rc1 Nxc3 12. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 13. Rxc3 Bxd3 14. Rxd3 O-O-O 15. Nf3
Nc7 16. Ke2 Bd6 17. Bxd6 Rxd6 18. Ne5 Rf8 19. Rc3 Nb5 20. Rc2 Re6 21. Kf3 Nd6
$11 {Turov,M (2645)-Grover,S (2532)/Wijk aan Zee-C/2012/}) ({Another
interesting idea is} 7... Na6 $5 8. e3 Nb4 9. Qb1 g6 10. g4 h5 11. a3 Na6 12.
Bxa6 bxa6 13. g5 Nh7 14. Be5 O-O 15. f4 Bf5 16. Qa2 f6 17. gxf6 Nxf6 18. Nge2
Ne4 19. Nxe4 Bxe4 20. Rg1 Qd7 $132 {Bosiocic,M (2580)-Brkic,A (2578)/CRO-ch
Opatija/2012/ Both games from 2012 were played later, than Carlsen-Aronian, so
the theory of the line is constatntly developing.}) (7... O-O 8. e3 {gives
White chances of achieving a pleasant version of the Carlsbad structure:} Nbd7
(8... Bd6 9. Bxd6 Qxd6 10. Bd3 Be6 11. Nge2 Re8 12. g4 g6 13. Ng3 Na6 $2 14.
Bxa6 bxa6 15. g5 Nd7 16. Kf1 c5 17. Rd1 f5 18. Nge2 c4 19. Nf4 Bf7 20. h4 Nb6
21. Kg2 Rab8 22. Rh3 Qe7 23. Rdh1 Kg7 24. h5 $40 {Kononenko,T (2305)-Sharevich,
A (2266)/Vladimir/2004/}) 9. Nf3 Re8 (9... g6 $5 10. Bd3 Nh5 11. Bh2 Ng7 12.
O-O Nb6 $132 {[%cal Yc8f5] Michna,M (2348)-Juszczak,A/Trzebinia/1999/}) 10. Bd3
Nf8 11. O-O Ne6 12. Bh2 g6 13. Rab1 Ng7 14. b4 a6 15. Na4 Bf5 16. Nc5 Bxd3 17.
Qxd3 Ra7 18. a4 Nf5 19. Rfc1 Ne4 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. Qxe4 Bxb4 22. Qd3 a5 23. Ne5
Ra8 24. Qb3 $14 {Matthiesen,A (2349)-Rendboe,J (2199)/Silkeborg/2009/}) (7...
Be6 8. e3 Nbd7 9. Nf3 h6 10. Bd3 Rc8 11. Bh2 a6 12. O-O O-O 13. a3 a5 14. Rae1
c5 15. Qd2 c4 16. Bb1 Re8 17. Ne5 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Nh7 19. Rd1 Rc5 20. f4 f5 21.
g4 $16 {Kalinitschew,S (2430)-Loeffler,F/Porz/1991/}) 8. e3 Bf5 9. Qd2 $5 {
[%cal Yg2g4] A clever idea. As White hasn't committed his king yet, he can
seriously consider developing a kingside initiative with g4 (altogether a
typical idea in this line - see the note to move 6).} (9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 O-O
$11 {is less impressive.}) 9... h5 {Aronian prevents the aforementioned idea,
but was it really worth weakening his kingside?} (9... Ne4 $142 $5 {was less
committal:} 10. Nxe4 Bxe4 11. f3 (11. Ne2 Bd6 12. f3 Bf5 13. O-O-O {is similar}
) 11... Bf5 12. O-O-O a5 $132) (9... O-O 10. g4 Be6 11. Bd3 c5 12. Nge2 $13 {
/+/=}) 10. Bd3 $1 Bxd3 11. Qxd3 {[%csl Rh5] White has forced a similar
position to that after 9.Bd3, but here the extra move h5 hurts Black's chances
- it loosens his kingside and also takes away the h5-square for Black's knight
(see Nh5 in Nakamura-Ponomariov above).} Nbd7 (11... Bd6 12. Nf3 $5 {[%cal
Rf4d6,Rf3e5] shows another drawback of h5: once White's knight lands on e5,
it's much more difficult to chase it away with f6.}) 12. Nge2 {Compared with 7.
Nf3, here White can develop his knight more flexibly, which enables him to
play in the centre.} a5 {A semi-waiting move, Black wants to clarify the
intentions of White's king.} (12... O-O {is more natural, but here also} {also}
13. O-O-O $5 {[%cal Yd1g1,Yg2g4] deserves some attention.} ({However, instead
of risking a double-edged fight, White can also choose the prudent} 13. O-O Re8
14. f3 $14)) 13. O-O O-O 14. f3 $14 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Ge3e4]} b5 $6 {[%csl Rc6]
The opening is almost over and White has built up a promising position: he has
a slight and riskless edge. This provokes a nervous reaction from Aronian.
Black still had more solid alternatives:} (14... Re8 15. e4 Nf8 $14) (14... h4
15. e4 Nb6 $14) 15. e4 dxe4 16. fxe4 $36 {[%csl Gd4,Ge4][%cal Yd4d5,Ye4e5]
Here White already has a very distinct pull, with both e5 and d5 hanging over
Black's position.} Nc5 17. Qf3 (17. Qe3 Ne6 18. Bh6 Re8 19. Rad1 $36) 17... Ne6
(17... b4 18. e5 $5 (18. dxc5 bxc3 (18... Bxc5+ 19. Kh1 bxc3 20. Bg5 $18 (20.
Rad1 Nd7 21. Qxc3 $18 {[%cal Rd1d7]})) 19. Rad1 $1 Qe8 20. Nxc3 Bxc5+ 21. Kh1
$16) 18... Nh7 19. dxc5 $16) 18. Be3 {White already has a choice:} (18. Rad1 $5
Nxf4 19. Nxf4 $36 {Sakaev}) 18... b4 (18... Nh7 $5 {is less committal} 19. e5 (
19. Bf2 $5) 19... Rc8 $14) 19. Nb1 $5 {[%mdl 4] Instead of putting his knight
offside with} (19. Na4 {, Carlsen patiently transfers it to an ideal square.
By model play White increases his strategic superiority.}) 19... Nh7 20. Nd2 {
[%csl Gc4]} Rc8 (20... Nhg5 21. Qg3 (21. Qf2 f5 $1 $132) 21... Nh7 22. Nc4 (22.
Qf2 Bh4 23. g3 Bg5 24. Rac1 $14 {/+/-}) 22... Bh4 23. Qf3 Nhg5 24. Bxg5 Bxg5
25. Rad1 $36) (20... f5 21. exf5 Rxf5 22. Qxc6 $16) ({The text move is not too
useful, more to the point was the immediate} 20... Bh4 $5) 21. Rad1 Bh4 22. g3
Bf6 (22... Bg5 $5 23. Nc4 Bxe3+ (23... h4 $5) 24. Qxe3 Qg5 {gives Black more
chances to create some counterplay.}) 23. Nc4 Bg7 24. b3 $16 {[%csl Ra5]} Qe7 {
[%cal Re6g5] As White improves his pieces, Black is gradually running out of
ideas. Therefeore he decides to lash out.} (24... h4 25. e5 $1 hxg3 26. Nd6 $16
(26. Qxg3 $16)) ({Sakaev prefers} 24... Nf6 $16 {, but it's only an attempt to
limit the damage - Black's position remains tough.}) 25. Qg2 {Carlsen is
reluctant to commit himself and prefers a prophylactic move.} ({The engine
points out the straightforward} 25. e5 $5 {[%csl Rh7][%cal Yc4d6]} h4 (25... f6
26. Nf4 $1 Nxf4 27. gxf4 {[%csl Gd4,Ge5,Gf4]}) 26. Nxa5 c5 $5 (26... Nhg5 27.
Qg4 $16) 27. Nc6 Qd7 28. d5 Neg5 29. Bxg5 (29. Qg2 Rfe8 30. gxh4 Nxh3+ 31. Kh2
Bxe5+ 32. Nxe5 Rxe5 33. Rd3 Rce8 34. Rf3 N3g5 $1 35. hxg5 Nxg5 $14) 29... Nxg5
30. Qe3 Bh6 31. g4 Rxc6 32. dxc6 Qxc6 33. Rd6 $16) 25... Nc7 (25... Neg5 26. e5
$36) (25... Nf6 $142 26. Qf3 $16 (26. Nxa5 Qa7 27. Nxc6 (27. e5 Qxa5 28. exf6
Bh8 $132 {[%csl Ra2,Rf6][%cal Ye6c7,Yc7d5,Yc8d8,Yf8e8]}) 27... Rxc6 28. e5 Nd8
29. exf6 Bxf6 $14 {/<=>}) (26. d5 $5 $36)) 26. Nxa5 (26. Bf4 $5 $16) 26... Rfe8
(26... Nd5 27. Bd2 (27. Bc1 Nc3 28. Nxc3 bxc3 29. Nc4 c5 30. Ba3 $16) 27... Nc3
28. Bxc3 bxc3 29. e5 $16) 27. e5 Nd5 28. Bd2 {[%cal Ra5c6]} (28. Nxc6 $2 Qd7
$19 {[%csl Rc6,Re3]}) 28... Red8 29. Nf4 Qa7 $2 {This should have lost quickly.
} (29... Qc7 $142 $1 30. Nc4 Ra8 {/\} 31. Nxd5 (31. Be3 $142 $5 Nxe3 32. Nxe3
Qa7 33. Nc2 Bxe5 34. Nxb4 $16) 31... cxd5 32. Nd6 Rxd6 33. exd6 Qxd6 34. Bf4
Qd7 $14 {[%csl Ra2,Rd4][%cal Yh7f6,Yf6e4]}) 30. Nxc6 Rxc6 31. Nxd5 Rc2 32. Kh1
(32. Qe4 $5 Rxa2 (32... Qxa2 $2 33. Nxb4) 33. Bf4 $1 $18 {/\} Qd7 34. Nxb4 Rb2
35. Nd3 Rxb3 $2 36. Nc5) 32... Bf8 (32... Rb2 33. Nxb4 Qxd4 34. Bc3 Qxd1 35.
Bxb2 Qd7 36. Nc6 $18 {is hopeless in the long run, but retains at least some
practical chances.}) 33. e6 $1 Qa8 (33... fxe6 34. Qe4 $18) (33... f5 34. g4
$18 {->}) 34. exf7+ (34. e7 $1 Rxd5 35. e8=Q Qxe8 36. Qxd5 Rxa2 37. Rde1 Qa8
38. Qxa8 Rxa8 39. Ra1 $18) 34... Kh8 ({A more resilient try was} 34... Kg7 $142
$1 35. Nf4 Qxg2+ 36. Nxg2 Ra8 $16) 35. Nf4 Qxg2+ 36. Kxg2 $6 {White needlessly
prolongs theagony.} ({The text doesn't give away the win, but a more direct
way was} 36. Nxg2 $142 $1 Kg7 (36... Rxd4 37. Bc3 bxc3 38. Rxd4 $18) 37. Bf4
Bd6 (37... Be7 38. Be5+ Bf6 39. Nf4 $18) 38. Rde1 Nf8 39. d5 $18 {[%cal Rf4d6,
Rg2f4,Rf4e6]}) 36... Rxd4 37. Rf2 Rd6 (37... Rc6 38. Re1 $18) 38. Bc1 $1 Rxf2+
(38... Rxd1 39. Rxc2 Kg7 40. Ne6+ Kxf7 41. Nxf8 Nxf8 42. Bd2 $18 {[%cal Rd2b4]}
) 39. Kxf2 Rxd1 {The only chance to fight on.} ({After} 39... Kg7 40. Rxd6 Bxd6
41. f8=Q+ $1 (41. Bd2 Nf6 $16) 41... Nxf8 42. Bd2 $18 {[%csl Rb4][%cal Rf4d5,
Rf4d3] White will be 2 pawns up in a simple endgame.}) 40. Bb2+ Nf6 $8 (40...
Bg7 $4 41. Nxg6#) 41. Bxf6+ Kh7 42. Ne6 Bd6 $8 (42... Bh6 43. Ng5+ $1 Bxg5 44.
f8=Q $18) 43. Be5 Be7 44. f8=Q (44. Ke2 $5 Rg1 (44... Rd5 45. Bf6 Bd6 46. f8=Q
Bxf8 47. Nxf8+ Kh6 48. Ne6 Ra5 49. Kd3 Rxa2 50. Bg5+ Kh7 51. Bd2 $18) (44...
Rh1 45. Bf6 Bd6 46. h4 Rh2+ 47. Kd3 {[%cal Rf6e5]} Rxa2 48. Be5 Be7 49. f8=Q
Bxf8 50. Nxf8+ Kh6 51. Ne6 $18 {[%csl Rb4][%cal Rd3c4]}) 45. Bd4 {/\} Rxg3 $2
46. Bf6 Bd6 47. Be5 $18) 44... Bxf8 45. Nxf8+ Kh6 46. Ne6 $6 (46. Ke2 $142 $1
Rg1 $1 (46... Rd5 47. Bf4+ Kg7 48. Ne6+ Kf6 49. Nc7 Ra5 50. h4 $1 $18) 47. Ne6
(47. h4 g5 $1 48. Bf6 g4 (48... gxh4 49. Bxh4 Rg2+ 50. Kd3 Rxa2 51. Kc4 $18)
49. Bg5+ Kg7 50. Ne6+ Kf7 51. Kf2 $1 Ra1 52. Nd4 Rxa2+ 53. Ke3 {[%cal Re3d3,
Rd3c4]} Ra8 54. Kd3 Rc8 55. Bd2 $18) 47... g5 48. Bd6 Rg2+ (48... Kg6 49. Kf3
$18 {leads to a similar position after} Ra1) 49. Kf3 Rxa2 50. Bxb4 Rb2 51. Nd4
$18) 46... g5 $5 {Aronian tries to get counterchances on the kingside.} (46...
Rd2+ 47. Ke3 Rxa2 48. Bf4+ Kh7 49. Kd3 {[%csl Rb4] loses in a straighforward
fashion, as the b-pawn falls shortly.}) 47. h4 gxh4 48. gxh4 Kg6 49. Nd4 Rd3 $5
(49... Rd2+ 50. Ke3 Rxa2 51. Kd3 {[%cal Ye5f4,Yf4g5,Yd3c4] should gradually
win after White safeguards his h-pawn. Aronian tries to cut off White's king.})
50. Nc6 (50. Ke2 Rh3 51. Bd6 (51. Nf3 Kf5 $16) 51... Rxh4 52. Nf3 Rh1 (52...
Re4+ 53. Kd3 $18) 53. Bxb4 h4 54. Kf2 Kf5 55. Kg2 Rb1 (55... Ra1 $5) 56. Nxh4+
Kg4 57. Nf3 Rb2+ 58. Nd2 Rxa2 59. Kf2 $18 {is a Tablebase win, Carlsen seeks
something more human...}) 50... Rd2+ 51. Ke3 Rxa2 52. Bd6 (52. Nxb4 $2 Ra3 $11)
52... Ra1 (52... Ra6 53. Ne7+ Kf7 54. Bxb4 $18) (52... Rc2 53. Nd4 Rc3+ 54. Ke4
Rh3 $16 {/\} 55. Nf3 Rh1 56. Bxb4 $2 Rb1 57. Nd2 (57. Nd4 Rh1) 57... Rh1 $132
58. Be7 $4 Re1+) 53. Kd4 Rg1 $6 {Now Black loses more or less listlessly.} ({
Shipov points out the far more resilient} 53... Rh1 $1 54. Be7 Rh3 55. Ne5+ (
55. Kc4 Rc3+) 55... Kf5 56. Nd3 Rg3 57. Kc4 Rg4+ 58. Kb5 Rg3 59. Nc5 Rg4 {
Now White has to play for zugzwang to pass the move to his opponent with} 60.
Bd8 $3 (60. Bg5 Rxg5 $1 61. hxg5 h4 $11) (60. Ka4 Rg7 61. Bd8 Rg8 62. Nb7 Kg4
63. Kxb4 Rxd8 64. Nxd8 Kxh4 65. Nc6 Kg3 66. Nd4 Kg4 $1 67. Nc2 h4 68. Ne3+ Kf3
69. Nf1 h3 70. Kc5 Kg2 71. Ne3+ Kf2 $11) 60... Rd4 61. Bg5 Rg4 62. Be7 Rd4 $1 (
62... Rg7 63. Bd8 Rg8 64. Nb7 Kg4 65. Kc4 $1 {/\} Rxd8 66. Nxd8 Kxh4 67. Kd3
Kg3 68. Ke2 h4 69. Kf1 Kf3 70. Nc6 $18) 63. Ka4 Kg6 64. Bg5 Rg4 65. Nd3 Kf5 (
65... Rxg5 $2 66. Nf4+ Kf5 67. hxg5 Kxg5 68. Nxh5) 66. Nf2 $1 (66. Kb5 Rg3 67.
Kc4 Rg4+ 68. Kc5 Rg3) 66... Rd4 (66... Rg2 67. Nd1 $18 {[%cal Ra4b4]}) 67. Kb5
Ke5 68. Kc5 $22 Rd7 69. Kxb4 Kd4 70. Nd1 Rb7+ 71. Ka3 Kd3 72. Kb2 $16 {/+-
White should gradually win, but he still has to overcome some technical
problems after} Rf7 {, e.g.,} 73. Ne3 Rf2+ 74. Ka3 Rf8 75. Nd5 Kd4 76. Nf4 Kc3
77. Ka4 Ra8+ 78. Kb5 Kxb3 79. Nxh5 Rc8 $1 $11 {is only a Tablebase draw!}) 54.
Kc5 Kf5 (54... Rh1 55. Be7 Rc1+ 56. Kb5 Rc3 57. Nd4 $18) 55. Nxb4 Rc1+ 56. Kd4
Re1 (56... Rb1 57. Kc3 Rc1+ 58. Nc2 $18) (56... Rd1+ 57. Nd3 Rh1 (57... Ke6 58.
Bf4) 58. Be7 $18) 57. Nc6 $18 {[%csl Gb3][%cal Gb3b8] White gives up Ph4, as
his passed b-pawn will be too fast.} ({Equally strong was} 57. Nd3 $5 Re4+ 58.
Kd5 Rxh4 (58... Re3 59. Nc5 $18) 59. Nf2 $1 {[%csl Rh4][%cal Rd5c5,Rd6g3]})
57... Re4+ 58. Kd5 Rxh4 59. b4 Rh1 60. b5 Rb1 61. Nd4+ Kg4 (61... Kf6 62. Kc6
Rc1+ 63. Bc5 $5 h4 64. b6 h3 65. Nf3 $18) 62. Kc6 Rc1+ 63. Kd7 (63. Bc5 $2 h4
$11) 63... Rb1 (63... Rd1 64. b6 Rxd4 65. b7 $18) 64. Kc7 h4 (64... Rc1+ 65.
Nc6 Rb1 66. b6 h4 67. b7 h3 (67... Kf3 68. Nb4 $18) 68. Nd4 {and Black's king
is cut off.}) 65. b6 Kh3 (65... h3 66. b7 $18 {-64...Rc1+}) 66. b7 Kg2 67. Nf5
h3 68. Nh4+ {Stops Black's passed pawn and forces resignation.} (68. Nh4+ Kg1
69. b8=Q Rxb8 70. Kxb8 h2 71. Nf3+) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D99"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Qb3 Nb6 6. d4 Bg7 7. e4 O-O 8.
Be3 Bg4 9. Rd1 {An unusual move order has led to a classic D99 position.} e6
10. Be2 Nc6 11. Ng1 Bxe2 12. Ngxe2 Qe7 13. O-O Rfd8 14. e5 {This was played in
the famous game Beliavsky - Ftacnik (see CBM 113). See also the survey by GM L.
Ftacnik in Lexicon07.} (14. a3 {was common a while ago.}) 14... h6 (14... Qb4
15. Qc2 h6 16. Ne4 {- 14...h6} (16. a3 Qc4 17. Rc1 Nd5 18. Nxd5 Qxc2 19. Nf6+
Bxf6 20. Rxc2 Bg7 21. Rfc1 Rd7 22. g4 {1/2 Ponomariov,R (2744)-Vachier Lagrave,
M (2715)/Wijk aan Zee 2011/CBM 141})) (14... Na5 15. Qc2 Nac4 16. Ne4 (16. Bc1
$5 {[%csl Rc4] deserves serious attention}) 16... Nxe3 17. fxe3 Nd5 18. Rf3 f5
19. exf6 Nxf6 20. Nxf6+ Bxf6 21. Rdf1 Rf8 22. Qb3 c6 23. Nf4 Rae8 $11 {1/2
Petrie,D-Bonoldi,F/SEMI 1999/Telechess CBM 93 (28)}) 15. a3 {White probably
feared a novelty on the part of his opponent, therefore he avoids the main
road paved by GM A.Beliavsky:} (15. Ne4 Qb4 16. Qc2 Qc4 17. Qxc4 $1 (17. N2c3
$143 Nd5 18. Rd2 Ncb4 19. Qa4 Nb6 20. Qa3 N4d5 21. b3 Qb4 22. Qc1 Nxc3 23. Nxc3
Rac8 $11 {1/2 Babula,V (2585)-Ftacnik,L (2606)/Czechia 2006/EXT 2007 (27)})
17... Nxc4 18. Rc1 Nxb2 $6 (18... Nb6 $142 19. Nc5 $14) 19. Rb1 Nc4 20. Rxb7
Rdc8 21. Rc1 Nxe3 22. fxe3 $16 {1-0 Beliavsky,A (2622)-Ftacnik,L (2597)/Turin
2006/CBM 113/[Krasenkow] (46)}) 15... Na5 $146 (15... Qd7 16. Ne4 Qd5 17. Qc2
Qc4 18. N2c3 (18. Qxc4 $5 Nxc4 19. Rc1 Nxb2 20. Rb1 Nc4 21. Rxb7 Nxa3 22. Rc1
$36) 18... Nd5 19. b3 Qa6 20. Nc5 Qxa3 21. Nxb7 Ncb4 22. Qd2 Nxc3 23. Qxc3 Nd5
24. Qc6 Re8 $11 {1/2 Babula,V (2566)-Fogarasi,T (2442)/Austria 2004/EXT 2006 
(33)}) 16. Qc2 c5 {A surgical but unsuccessful attempt to solve the problems.}
17. dxc5 Nbc4 18. Bc1 Nxe5 $14 {White's queenside pawn advantage plays an
important role here.} 19. b4 Nac6 20. Ne4 {[%csl Gd6][%cal Ye4d6][%mdl 32]} a6
21. h3 {A bit too slow.} (21. Nd6 $5 b6 22. Bb2 bxc5 23. bxc5 Rab8 24. Ba1 Qc7
25. Qe4 $36) 21... f5 $6 (21... Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Rd8 {was a logical way to
simplify the position, with good chances to equalise. If now} 23. Nd6 {then}
Na7 $1 {[%cal Ya7c8]}) 22. Nd6 Nf7 23. Nc4 {[%csl Gc4] This knight, keeping an
eye on b6, d6, and e5, will be very strong but the exchange of rooks will
definitely help Black.} (23. Be3 $5 Nxd6 24. cxd6 Qf7 25. Bb6 Rd7 26. Nc3 $1
Be5 27. Bc5 $36 {[%cal Yc3a4]}) 23... e5 $6 {Black should have simplified the
game:} (23... Rxd1 $142 24. Rxd1 Rd8 {. After the text move White creates
pressure on Black's centre.}) 24. Rde1 Kh7 25. Bb2 Re8 26. Nd4 {Exchanging one
of Black's key pieces.} (26. Nf4 Rad8 27. Nb6 Nd4 {was less clear.}) 26... Nxd4
27. Bxd4 Rad8 28. Bb2 e4 $6 {Prompting an undermining f2-f3, after which
Black's e4-pawn will be weak. It was better to keep the tension:} (28... h5 {
. If} 29. f3 {[%cal Ye1e2,Yf1e1] then} Qh4 $132) 29. Bxg7 Kxg7 30. f3 Qf6 (
30... Ne5 31. fxe4 Nxc4 32. Qxc4 fxe4 33. Rf4 e3 34. Rf3 {[%cal Rc4c3] winning
the pawn.}) 31. fxe4 Qd4+ 32. Kh2 Rxe4 33. Rxe4 Qxe4 $6 {The endgame with this
weak pawn will be difficult for Black.} (33... fxe4 $142 34. Re1 Re8 35. Rd1
Qf6 $14) 34. Qxe4 fxe4 {[%mdl 4096] GM Levon Aronian now displays excellent
technique.} 35. Kg3 (35. Na5 $5 Rd7 36. Re1 Re7 37. Kg3 {was a good
alternative but there is no need for such niceties.}) 35... Rd4 (35... Rd3+ 36.
Kf4 Rc3 37. Na5 e3 38. Re1 $1 Rxa3 39. Rxe3 {- see below}) 36. Na5 g5 (36...
Rd3+ $5 37. Kf4 e3 38. Re1 (38. Ra1 $5) 38... Rxa3 39. Rxe3 Ra4 40. Rb3 {
doesn't guarantee Black a draw either.}) 37. Kf2 Rd3 (37... Rd2+ 38. Ke3 Rxg2 {
is hardly good. After} 39. Nxb7 Rg3+ 40. Kxe4 Rxa3 41. c6 {White's passed pawn
should decide the game.}) 38. Re1 (38. Nxb7 $5 Ne5 39. Ra1 {[%cal Yb7d6]})
38... Rxa3 39. Rxe4 Kf6 (39... Nd8 $5 {, aiming for a rook ending, was
probably a better chance:} 40. Re8 (40. Nxb7 Nc6 $132 {[%csl Rb4]}) (40. Re7+
Kf8 41. Rd7 Nc6 42. Nxc6 bxc6 43. Rd6 a5 44. bxa5 Rxa5 45. Rxc6 Kf7) 40... Nc6
41. Nxc6 bxc6 42. Rc8 a5 $1 (42... Rb3 43. Rc7+ $1 Kf8 (43... Kg8 44. Rxc6 Rxb4
45. Rxh6 a5 46. Rg6+ Kf7 47. Rxg5) 44. Rxc6 Rxb4 45. Rxa6 Rc4 46. Rxh6 Rxc5 47.
Rh7 {cutting off Black's king and then attacking the g5 pawn.}) 43. bxa5 Rxa5
44. Rxc6 Ra2+ 45. Kf3 Rc2 {, and Black should hold on.}) 40. Nxb7 Ne5 41. Rd4
Ke7 42. Nd6 Rb3 (42... Nc6 {is too late:} 43. Nf5+ $1 Kf6 44. Rd6+ Kxf5 45.
Rxc6 h5 46. Ke2 $1 {- White's king moves to the queenside, and he should win.})
43. Nc8+ (43. Nc4 $6 Nd3+ 44. Ke2 Nxb4) (43. Nf5+ $142 $1 Ke6 44. Nxh6 Rxb4 (
44... Rd3 45. Re4 $1 Kd5 46. Re3 Rd2+ (46... Rd4 47. Rg3 $1) 47. Kg3 Rd4 48.
Ng8 $1 Nc6 49. Ne7+ Nxe7 50. Rxe7 Rxb4 51. Ra7 Ra4 52. Rg7 {with a winning
rook endgame.}) 45. Rd6+ Ke7 46. Nf5+ Kf7 47. c6 $1 Rc4 (47... Rf4+ 48. Ke2
Re4+ 49. Kd2 $1) 48. Nd4 a5 (48... Nd3+ 49. Kg3 Nb4 50. Nf3 $1) 49. Ke3 a4 50.
Ke4 Ng6 51. Rd7+ Kf6 52. Ra7 {with good winning chances.}) 43... Kf7 44. Nd6+
Ke6 {Not giving White an opportunity to correct his inaccuracy:} (44... Ke7 45.
Nf5+ $1) {But White gets another possibility.} 45. Nc4 $1 Nd3+ $2 {After this
move Black is probably lost. White's c-pawn is the decisive factor despite all
the moves of Black's knight. Here, too, the rook endgame was Black's only
chance:} (45... Nxc4 46. Rxc4 Kd7 47. Rd4+ Kc7 48. Rd6 Kb7 $1 (48... Rxb4 49.
Rxa6 {must be hopeless.}) 49. Rb6+ Ka7 50. Rxh6 Rxb4 51. Rh7+ Kb8 52. Rg7 a5
53. Rxg5 a4 {, and it is unclear whether White can win.}) 46. Kg1 Nf4 (46...
Nxb4 47. c6) 47. Rd6+ Ke7 48. Ne5 Rb2 (48... Rb1+ 49. Kf2 Rb2+ 50. Kf3) 49.
Rxa6 Rxg2+ 50. Kf1 Rb2 51. Rxh6 Nd5 52. Rd6 Ne3+ (52... Nxb4 53. Rb6 $18) (
52... Nf4 53. Ng6+ Nxg6 54. Rxg6 Rxb4 55. Rxg5 $18 {_|_}) 53. Ke1 Nc2+ 54. Kd1
Nxb4 55. Rb6 {[%cal Gb6b2]} Kf8 56. Rb8+ Kg7 57. Nc4 Rb3 58. c6 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2692"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 c6 8. Bd3
b6 9. b4 a5 10. a3 Ba6 11. O-O Qc8 12. h3 h6 $5 {A rare continuation. Black
makes a useful move, taking advantage of the fact that White is busy with the
tension between the bishops.} (12... Qb7 {Nakamura,H (2571)-Bruzon Bautista,L 
(2603)/Wijk aan Zee 2004/CBM 099/[Dautov] (1-0, 37)}) (12... Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Qb7
{Kasimdzhanov,R (2672)-Jakovenko,D (2760)/Jermuk 2009/CBM 132/[Krasenkow] (1/2,
50)}) 13. Rb1 (13. Qc2 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 Qb7 15. Nd2 Rfc8 16. Rfc1 Bd8 17. Rab1
axb4 18. axb4 Bc7 {Van Wely,L (2697)-Topalov,V (2739)/Monaco 2002/CBM 087 ext 
(0-1, 76). In this position, we see that White cannot avoid the bishop
exchange with Bg5, only because of Black's extra move ...h6.}) 13... axb4 14.
axb4 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Qb7 16. Rfc1 Ra3 17. Qc2 Rfa8 $146 ({Blocking the position
is likely to offer White chances for an advantage:} 17... b5 18. Nd2 Rfa8 19.
Nb3 Bd8 20. Qb2 R3a6 21. Ra1 $14 {Stocek,J (2584)-Konopka,M (2447)/Havlickuv
Brod 2008/CBM 123 (1-0, 44)}) 18. Nd2 bxc5 19. bxc5 Qc8 20. Rb3 Rxb3 21. Nxb3
Bd8 22. Rb1 Bc7 $11 23. Bxc7 Qxc7 24. Ra1 Rxa1+ 25. Nxa1 Qa5 26. Nb3 Qb4 27.
Nc1 e5 28. Nd3 Qc4 29. Nb2 Qb4 30. Nd3 Qc4 31. Nb2 Qb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A61"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. Nc3 exd5 6. cxd5 g6 7. Bf4 Bg7 $5 {
At the stage of current theory, a very provocative move.} ({Gashimov has played
} 7... a6 8. a4 Bg7 {several times over the past few years. Years ago, I gave
up the Benoni because I thought it was not flexible enough and faced Black
with the risk of being caught in the opening, besides the boring feeling
caused by playing the same positions again and again. When I look at
Gashimov's games, I see a different picture: he continuously changes his lines,
coming up with new ideas now and then.}) 8. Qa4+ Bd7 9. Qb3 b5 {The most
ambitious continuation.} ({I was surprised to find out that the old Benoni
monographs by Stoliar/Kondratjev (1981) and Kapengut (1984) analyse only} 9...
Qc7 {, which, by the way, Gashimov used once in Inarkiev,E (2684)-Gashimov,V 
(2679) Baku 2008 (1/2, 53). Somehow I thought that 9...b5 used to be the main
line at some point, but maybe it became so after the books were published.})
10. Bxd6 (10. Nxb5 {helps Black develop at full speed:} Bxb5 11. Qxb5+ Nbd7 12.
Bxd6 Ne4 13. Be5 O-O 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 $44 {Kalantarian,N (2460)-Horvath,T (2395)/
Budapest 1996/CBM 056/[Horvath,Ta] (0-1, 22)}) 10... Qb6 11. Be5 {It is a wise
idea to neutralise the g7-monster. Since Black cannot play ...Nc6 or ...Nbd7
at this moment, White can get some time to complete his kingside development.}
(11. Bg3 O-O 12. e3 c4 13. Qd1 b4 14. Nb1 (14. Ne2 Qa5 {[%csl Gd5]}) 14... Bb5
(14... Nxd5 $1 {[%csl Gb2]}) 15. a4 Ba6 16. Be5 Nbd7 17. Bd4 Qd6 18. Nbd2 Rac8
19. Rc1 c3 20. bxc3 bxc3 21. Rxc3 Nxd5 $44 {Litinskaya,M (2415)-Levitina,I 
(2355) Tskhaltubo 1988 (1-0, 39). Could this have been the game which opened a
new path in the theory, making 9...b5 an important variation?!}) 11... O-O {
Black has castled many moves before White can do it, but can we speak about a
big advance in development? White's play is likely to be natural (e3, Be2, 0-0)
, while the d5-pawn restricts Black's play. So, the compensation for the
sacrificed pawn still needs to be proven.} 12. e3 c4 {Strategically, the most
consistent way of advancing the pawns.} (12... b4 {Gelfand,B (2761)-Gashimov,V
(2759) Linares 2010 CBM 135 [Marin,M] (1/2, 54)}) 13. Qd1 b4 14. Ne2 {This was
played only once before. It may look slightly illogical to obstruct his own
bishop, but the knight is heading for the d4-square.} ({The most popular move
is} 14. Nb1 {, aiming to recycle the knight in such a way that it attacks c4.}
Bb5 15. a4 $5 (15. Nbd2 {is not too dangerous.} c3 16. bxc3 Nxd5 17. Bxg7 Kxg7
18. c4 ({One important point is that} 18. cxb4 $2 {allows} Nxe3 $1 19. fxe3 $6
Qxe3+ 20. Be2 Re8 21. Nc4 $8 Bxc4 22. Qd4+ $8 $17) 18... Nc3 19. Qc2 {Campos
Lopez,M (2330)-Bellon Lopez,J (2445)/Barcelona 1988/EXT 1997 (0-1, 40)} Bc6 $44
) 15... Ba6 {After inserting these moves,} 16. Nbd2 {is more effective.} c3 17.
bxc3 Nxd5 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. cxb4 $1 (19. c4 Nc3 20. Qc2 Re8 21. Nb1 Ne4 22.
Nbd2 Nc3 $11 {Welin,T (2400)-Cramling,P (2455)/Stockholm 1987/EXT 97 (1/2, 24)}
) 19... Bxf1 ({The point is that} 19... Nxe3 $2 {does not work out well
anymore:} 20. fxe3 Qxe3+ 21. Be2 Re8 22. b5 $18) (19... Re8 $6 {[%cal Gd5e3]}
20. b5 Nc3 {[%cal Ge8e3]} 21. Nc4 $1 {Llanes Hurtado,M (2459)-Del Rio Angelis,
S (2512)/Ayamonte 2007/EXT 2008 (1/2, 63)}) 20. Kxf1 Nxb4 21. h4 h5 22. Qb3
N8c6 23. Nc4 Qa6 24. Kg1 Rab8 {Kuzmin,A (2570)-Womacka,M (2447)/Catalan Bay
2004/CBM 098 ext (1-0, 52). Black should have some compensation, because he is
better mobilised and the white queenside is weak. Actually, this is a
consequence of a2-a4, which in the short term was quite useful. Still, it is
not easy to convert the compensation into anything palpable, such as an attack
or regaining the pawn.}) (14. Na4 $6 {was played just in an Internet blitz and
is not very good.} Qa5 $36 {Vovk,Y (2549)-Perez Ponsa,F (2363)/ICC INT 2008/
CBM 127 Extra (1-0, 42)}) 14... Bb5 15. Ned4 $146 (15. Nf4 Nbd7 16. Bd4 Qb7 17.
Be2 Rfe8 (17... Bh6 {is even better. Maybe he wanted to prevent} 18. Ne5 {
but after} Rad8 {Black is quite active}) 18. O-O Bh6 19. g3 Nxd5 $132 {Kaluga,
S (2216)-Badmatsyrenov,O (2450)/Barnaul 2011/ (0-1, 46)}) (15. a3 $5 {aiming
to spoil Black's structural flexibility deserves some attention.} Nbd7 16. Bd4
Nc5 17. Nf4 (17. axb4 $2 Nd3+ 18. Qxd3 cxd3 19. Bxb6 dxe2 $19) 17... bxa3 18.
Rxa3 Rfd8 19. Qc1 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Rxd5 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Bxc4 Bxc4 23. Qxc4 Qxb2
24. O-O Qxa3 25. Qxd5 Rc8 26. Ng5 Qb3 27. Qd4+ Kg8 28. Rc1 $14 {White
maintains some pressure, but probably Black could simplify to a queen ending
with 3P against 4P, which should end in a draw.}) 15... Nbd7 16. Nxb5 Qxb5 17.
Bd4 Qxd5 {Things seem to have evolved perfectly well for Black. He has
retrieved the pawn and has an impressive queenside space advantage. Still,
White is very stable and has the bishop pair. Soon, it will become clear that
Black risks becoming over-extended.} 18. Be2 Nb6 {Playing solidly. However,
the knight on b6 causes some problems. The a-pawn cannot advance and Bxb6 is a
permanent possibility, winning the c4-pawn in certain cases.} ({Alternatively,
he could try to make use of his advance in development with} 18... Rfc8 19. Rc1
c3 20. bxc3 bxc3 21. Rxc3 Rxc3 22. Bxc3 Rc8 $132) 19. O-O Rac8 20. Rc1 (20. a3
b3 $1 $132 {Since White cannot transfer his knight to c3, the black mass of
pawns looks dangerous.}) 20... Rfd8 $6 {It is curious that Black's main
problems are caused by such a natural developing move!} (20... Nfd7 21. Bxg7
Qxd1 22. Rfxd1 Kxg7 23. Rd4 (23. Bxc4 Nxc4 24. Rxd7 Nxb2 $132 25. Rb1 $140 a5
$5) 23... b3 $5 $132) 21. Qe1 $3 {What a shock! Most of White's pieces (with
one exception!) are placed on the first three ranks, but he can create a very
unpleasant threat moving along the back rank. I wonder whether all this had
been Aronian's preparation or pure over-the-board inspiration. In any case,
the current position invites us to meditate about the meaning of space and
piece activity.} c3 $6 {This loses a pawn without any shadow of compensation.}
({He should have tried} 21... Qb5 {, with chances to complicate the game.} 22.
b3 (22. Bxb6 axb6 23. Nd4 Qe5 24. Bxc4 Ng4 25. g3 Qh5 26. h4 g5 {remains messy.
}) 22... Ne4 23. bxc4 Nxc4 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. Nd4 Rxd4 26. exd4 Nc3 $14) 22.
bxc3 bxc3 23. Ba6 Rc7 24. Rxc3 Rxc3 25. Qxc3 Ne4 26. Qa3 Bxd4 27. Nxd4 Qc5 28.
Qxc5 Nxc5 29. Bb5 Ne6 $6 {Weakening the kingside too much.} 30. Nxe6 fxe6 31.
Rc1 Rd2 32. a4 Ra2 33. g3 a6 34. Bxa6 Rxa4 35. Bb5 Ra5 36. Be2 Nd7 37. Rc7 Nf8
38. Bc4 {This starts being similar with the last game from the Seilla 1987
match, with the difference that in that case there were queens on the board
instead of the rooks.} Ra4 39. Kg2 Rb4 40. h4 h6 41. f4 h5 42. Kf3 Ra4 43. Ke4
Kh8 44. Ke5 Kg8 45. Kf6 Ra5 46. e4 Ra4 47. e5 Ra3 48. Rc8 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Be7 4. g3 Nf6 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. Nbd2 Rc8 13. Nb3 c5 14. dxc5 Be4
15. Qc3 Bd5 16. Rfc1 Nd7 17. Qe3 h6 18. Rc2 Bxb3 19. Qxb3 Rxc5 20. Rac1 Qb6 21.
Rxc5 Bxc5 22. e3 Rc8 23. Rc3 Rc7 24. Qc2 Bd6 25. Rxc7 Qxc7 26. Nd4 Qxc2 27.
Nxc2 Nc5 28. b4 Nd7 29. a3 Be5 30. Bb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. a3 b6 $5 {This actually
transposes to the 5.a3 Queen's Indian.} 7. Qc2 c5 8. Rd1 (8. e3 Bb7 9. dxc5
bxc5 10. O-O-O Nbd7 11. h4 Qb6 12. Ng5 d4 $36 {Williams,S (2504)-Adams,M (2724)
/Bunratty 2012/ (0-1, 24)}) 8... Nc6 $146 (8... Bb7 9. cxd5 exd5 10. e3 Nbd7
11. Bd3 a6 12. O-O Re8 {Grandelius,N (2536)-Goloshchapov,A (2580)/Remagen 2012
(1/2, 44)}) 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. dxc5 bxc5 11. e3 ({Aronian carried out several
positional sacrifices in this tournament, so I assume that he was not afraid of
} 11. e4 Nxf4 12. Rxd8 Rxd8 {with nice control on dark squares.}) 11... Qa5 12.
Ne5 Nxe5 13. Bxe5 Rd8 14. Bd3 Ba6 15. O-O (15. Bxh7+ Kh8 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Rxd3
c4 18. Rd4 Nxe3 $1) 15... Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Nxc3 17. Qxc3 Qxc3 18. Bxc3 Kf8 $11 19.
Rxd8+ Rxd8 20. Rc1 g6 21. Kf1 Ke8 22. Ke2 a6 23. g4 Rd6 24. Be5 Rd5 25. f4 f6
26. Bc3 f5 27. h3 Kd7 28. a4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. e3 Nf6 {This has become very popular lately,
thanks to Grischuk's efforts during the Kazan Candidates Matches.} 5. d4 (5. a3
{1/2 Aronian,L (2808)-Grischuk,A (2747)/Kazan 2011/CBM 143/[Marin] (61)}) 5...
cxd4 (5... e4 6. Ne5 g6 7. Be2 (7. Rb1 {1/2 Kramnik,V (2785)-Grischuk,A (2747)/
Kazan 2011/CBM 143/[Marin] (65)}) 7... Bg7 8. O-O O-O 9. b3 {1-0 Kramnik,V 
(2781)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2711)/Moscow 2011/CBM 144/[Marin,M] (53)}) 6. exd4 e4
7. Ne5 Bb4 8. Be2 {Many years ago, I had this as a main line in my repertoire,
but at the top level it took some time before White came up with dangerous
ideas. This game may change the course of theory for a while.} Qa5 {This is
the critical continuation, putting pressure on both white knights. Other plans
allow White to retain at least some advantage.} (8... Qe7 9. Bf4 Bd6 10. Nb5
Bb8 11. c5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Bxe5 13. Nd6+ $16 {Sherbakov,R (2555)-Maksimenko,A 
(2545)/Niksic 1996/EXT 2000 (1-0, 32)}) (8... O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. Bf4 Bf8 (10...
Qb6 11. c5 Qd8 12. Qb3 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Qc7 15. e6 $1 $18 {Rozum,I 
(2481)-Duzhakov,I (2325)/St Petersburg 2011/CBM 144 Extra (1-0, 30)}) 11. c5 ({
Maybe} 11. Rb1 $5 {[%cal Gb2b4] offers better chances for retaining the
initiative.} d6 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. b4 $14) 11... d6 (11... d5 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13.
b4 $16 {Moskalenko,V (2460)-Aseev,K (2455)/Lvov 1985/MCD (0-1, 51)}) 12. cxd6 {
1/2 Ivkov,B (2525)-Karlsson,L (2520)/Cannes 1986/MCL. After} Bxd6 {White could
try to maintain some tension with} 13. Bb5 $5) 9. O-O $5 {A radical way of
fighting for the initiative.} (9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. Bd2 {is not a bad continuation,
either. White aims to stabilise the position on the dark squares, while Black
should try to get dynamic counterchances. In other words, the opposite of what
happens in the main game! I had tried this line once with White, but lost and
got disappointed. I can see now that my decision was quite subjective.} O-O 11.
O-O Re8 12. a3 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 Qg5 14. Qc1 $5 (14. Bd2 Qg6 15. Bf4 Bh3 16. Bg3
Bg4 $132 {Kharlov,A (2628)-Jakovenko,D (2608)/Sochi 2005/CBM 107/[Ribli] (0-1,
38)}) 14... e3 $1 {Curiously, this (apparently best) solution to Black's
problems was offered by a recent game in which Grischuk played with White!
Black prevents the blockade on the dark squares while this is still possible.}
({My old game went} 14... Qg6 15. Qf4 h5 16. Rfe1 Bg4 17. Bf1 h4 18. h3 Bxh3
19. Qxh4 Bg4 20. Re3 $14 {Marin,M (2557)-Movsesian,S (2666)/Neum 2000/CBM 080/
[Ribli] (0-1, 33). Ribli's comments may have been influenced by my pessimism
displayed in the notes for Chess Informant. In fact, White is doing well at
this point.}) (14... Qh4 15. d5 cxd5 16. g3 Qh3 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. cxd5 Bg4 19.
Bxg4 Qxg4 20. Qe3 b6 21. Rad1 Rad8 22. Rd4 $14 {Meier,G (2648)-Dominguez Perez,
L (2710)/Lubbock 2011/CBM 145 (1/2, 34)}) 15. fxe3 Bg4 {The game embarks now a
simplifying course, leading to a drawn pawn ending.} 16. Bf3 Qxe3+ 17. Qxe3
Rxe3 18. Bxg4 Nxg4 19. h3 Nf6 20. Rae1 Rae8 21. Kf2 Rxe1 22. Rxe1 Rxe1 23. Bxe1
Kf8 24. Ke3 Ke7 25. Bh4 Ke6 26. Bxf6 Kxf6 27. Kf4 Ke6 28. g4 f6 $11 {Grischuk,
A (2752)-Dominguez Perez,L (2712)/Beijing 2011/CBM 145 Extra (1/2, 34)}) 9...
Nxe5 (9... Bxc3 10. bxc3 Qxc3 {needs to be checked, too, but it seems that
White has several ways of getting a strong initiative for the pawn(s).} 11.
Nxc6 (11. Be3 Nxe5 12. Rc1 Qa5 13. dxe5 Qxe5 14. Bd4 Qe6 15. Rc3 $40) 11...
dxc6 (11... Qxa1 $2 12. Qd2 $3 $16 {[%csl Ra1,Rg7][%cal Gc1a3,Gd2g5] /\Ba3, /
\Qg5}) 12. Rb1 O-O 13. Bf4 $44) 10. dxe5 Qxe5 (10... Bxc3 11. bxc3 Qxc3 $2 12.
Qd6 $1 $18 Qxa1 $140 13. Ba3) 11. Bd2 $5 {So far, it has been relatively easy
for Black to choose the safest continuation, but now he starts facing choices.}
Bc5 {Possibly not the best. Retreating without really being forced to looks
like a small concession.} (11... O-O $6 {loses the extra pawn and offers White
an advantage for nothing:} 12. Nxe4 $1 Bxd2 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. Qxd2 $14) ({
Intuitively, I would prefer} 11... a5 {, although the queenside tension may
cause some additional problems if play continues more or less as in the game:}
12. a3 Bc5 13. Nb5 O-O 14. b4 Be7) 12. Nb5 O-O 13. b4 Be7 ({Giving up the
bishop pair with} 13... Bd4 {is an open invitation to troubles, since Black is
underdeveloped and his dark squares are weak.} 14. Nxd4 Qxd4 15. Bf4 Qxd1 16.
Rfxd1 b6 17. a4 Bb7 18. a5 {This is not bad, but maybe White could get even
more.} (18. g4 $5 h6 19. h4) (18. Rd6 $5) 18... d5 19. a6 Bc6 20. b5 Bd7 21.
Bg5 Be6 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. cxd5 Bd7 24. f3 exf3 25. gxf3 $14 {Buhmann,R (2579)
-Gschnitzer,O (2444)/Bonn 2011/CBM 142 Extra (1-0, 46)}) 14. f4 $1 {An
energetic move, causing Black problems with finding a safe square for the
queen.} Qe6 $146 (14... exf3 $6 15. Bxf3 $16 {/\Re1}) (14... Qb8 15. f5 d6 16.
Bf4 a5 {Well, Black plays this anyway, but White is not forced to answer with
a2-a3 anymore.} 17. c5 Bd7 18. cxd6 Bd8 19. Nc7 Qa7+ 20. Kh1 Rc8 21. b5 $36 {
Kribben,M (2504)-Logdahl,H/ICCF email 2003/Corr 2006 (1-0, 26)}) 15. Be3 $1 {
[%csl Ra8,Gb6,Re6][%cal Gb5c7] /\Nc7} (15. Nc7 $2 Qb6+) 15... Bxb4 (15... Qc6
16. Nxa7 $14) 16. Nc7 Qc6 17. Nxa8 {A curious position. Black will most likely
have one pawn for the exchange and a solid structure, but his delay in
development represents a serious problem. Aronian's dynamic play in the next
phase of the game is quite instructive.} b6 18. Rb1 $1 ({A more ambitious (and
probably more accurate) move order than:} 18. Nxb6 axb6 19. Rb1 Bc5 20. Bxc5
Qxc5+ 21. Kh1 Ba6 22. Qb3 Rb8 $44 {/+/=}) 18... Bc5 19. Bxc5 bxc5 (19... Qxc5+
20. Kh1 Bb7 (20... Ba6 {fails now to} 21. Qa4 $1 $16) 21. Rb5 Qc6 22. Nxb6 axb6
23. Qd4 $16) 20. Rb8 Bb7 21. Rxf8+ Kxf8 22. Qb3 $16 {/+- Black will inevitably
have two pawns for the exchange, but the opening of the b-file and the
previous rook exchange leave him with serious problems of coordination. His
bishop will be trapped and the back rank will be weak.} g6 23. Rb1 Bxa8 24.
Qb8+ Kg7 25. Qxa7 e3 26. Bf3 d5 (26... Ne4 27. Rb6 Qc8 (27... e2 28. Bxe2 $18)
28. Rb8 Qc6 29. Qxa8 $18) 27. Re1 (27. Rb6 $6 {leads to unnecessary
complications:} e2 28. Kf2 (28. Bxe2 Qe8 $1 $44) 28... Qe8 29. Ke1 Qe3) (27.
Rb8 $5 $18) 27... Qd6 28. Qxa8 d4 {The position is basically won for White,
but Black's far advanced pawns offer some chances to prolong the fight.
Aronian's play in the next phase of the game is more hesitant than it has been
until now.} 29. Qa3 Qxf4 30. Rf1 Qe5 31. Qd3 Qe8 32. g3 h5 33. Bg2 Qa4 34. a3
Qa5 35. Bf3 Qa6 36. Be2 Qa5 37. Qb1 Qd2 38. Qe1 (38. Qb7 $1 Qxe2 39. Qe7 Qxc4
40. Qxf6+ Kg8 41. Rb1 $18 {Golubev (Chess Today)}) 38... Qa2 39. g4 hxg4 (39...
Nxg4 $1 40. Bxg4 hxg4 $44) 40. Qg3 Qxe2 41. Qe5 $18 d3 42. Rxf6 Kh6 43. Rxf7
Qe1+ 44. Kg2 Qe2+ 45. Kg3 Qe1+ 46. Kxg4 Qg1+ 47. Kh3 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {Before this game, I had only played Giri once. At the European Team
Championship in 2011, I succeeded in winning a good game against him.} d5 {
On the advice of my wise friend Hao, I decided for the time to move into a
Queen's Gambit.} 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 {The line 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bf4
usually leads to sharper play.} Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 {Recently, a few new
ideas have appeared in this position.} 7. Be2 {The other new line, 7.Qc2 c5 8.
Rd1 also leads to interesting play.} dxc4 8. O-O {This comparatively new idea
was thought up by me, and I used it first against Anand at the Tal Memorial in
2011. It is a bit strange to have to fight against one's own weapons. 
Krasenkow: 'A fashionable line deeply analysed by GM Evgeny Postny in CBM 146.
GM Levon Aronian (who used to play it as White!) now comes up with a fresh
idea.'} Nb6 {I decided to choose a variation that does not look all that great,
hoping that Anish would not be familiar with it.} (8... c5 {(Krasenkow) is
very logical but has not brought Black full equality in recent games:} 9. dxc5
Nxc5 10. Bxc4 a6 (10... Qxd1 11. Rfxd1 b6 12. Nd4 Bb7 13. f3 (13. Rac1 a6 14.
b4 Nce4 15. Nxe4 Bxe4 16. a3 Rfc8 17. f3 Bb7 18. e4 {1/2 Gelfand,B (2744)
-Kramnik,V (2800)/Moscow 2011/CBM 146/[Postny,E] (48)} Kf8 19. Bf1 a5 $11 {
E.Postny}) 13... Rfc8 14. Rac1 a6 15. a3 Nh5 16. Be5 Nf6 17. Bg3 Kf8 18. e4 Ke8
19. Bf1 g6 20. Bf2 (20. Rc2 $142 $14 {E.Postny}) 20... e5 21. Nc2 Nb3 22. Rb1
b5 23. Ne3 Rd8 24. a4 Nd2 25. axb5 Nxb1 26. Rxb1 Bc5 $13 {1/2 Anand,V (2811)
-Kramnik,V (2800)/London 2011/CBM 146/[Postny,E] (39)}) 11. Ne5 (11. Nd4 Bd7
12. a3 Rc8 13. Rc1 Nce4 14. Nxe4 Nxe4 15. Bd3 Rxc1 16. Qxc1 Nf6 17. Rd1 Qb6 18.
Bc2 Rc8 19. Qb1 h6 $11 {1/2 Aronian,L (2802)-Anand,V (2811)/London 2011/CBM
146/[Postny,E] (25)}) 11... Ncd7 12. Be2 Nxe5 13. Bxe5 Qa5 14. Bg3 b5 15. Bf3
Ra7 16. Ne2 Bb7 17. Bxb7 Rxb7 18. Nd4 Rd7 19. Qc2 Bd6 20. Nc6 Qb6 21. Bxd6 Rxd6
22. Rac1 $14 {[%csl Gc6] 1/2 Aronian,L (2802)-Gelfand,B (2744)/Moscow 2011/CBM
146/[Postny,E] (40)}) 9. Qc2 {This move followed immediately. In my heart of
hearts, I was hoping to get a variation looked at by Pashikyan, where Black
sacrifices the exchange. Instead of the text move, White has a wide choice.} ({
A complicated battle results from the possible line} 9. e4 c5 (9... Ne8 {
with the idea of strengthening the pawn on c4, also deserves attention.}) 10.
dxc5 Bxc5 11. Qc2) 9... Nh5 {This is the principled move.} ({After} 9... Nfd5
10. Bg3 {White plays Ne5 next move and retains slight pressure.}) 10. Be5 {
Both here and on the next move, Bg3 gives White a solid position, but he
cannot fight for a significant advantage.} f6 11. Ng5 fxg5 12. Bxh5 {By means
of this exchange, White damages the black pawn structure. In compensation,
Black keeps the extra pawn on c4 permanently.} Bd7 ({The possible} 12... Bd6 {
turned out to be extremely modest, in analysis with Arman.}) 13. Bf3 {This
move is important for the assessment of the whole variation with 8...Nb6. A
very complicated battle results from 13.Bg4.} (13. Rad1 $5 {Krasenkow} Bd6 $1)
13... Rxf3 14. gxf3 Bd6 {Analysing this position during the 2011 Tal Memorial,
Arman Pashikyan considered it pleasant for Black to play in practice. His play
is simple, whilst White has to think about how to activate his rooks.} (14...
Bc6 $5 {(Krasenkow) appears good, too.}) 15. Qe4 {It seems to me that the
transfer of the queen to g4 does not improve Black's position, and merely
gives Black a tempo for the development of his initiative. I would prefer to
bring the bishop to g3, put the knight on e4 and exchange the c4-pawn by means
of b3. In this case, White's position would also have its plusses.} (15. Bxd6
$5 {Krasenkow} cxd6 16. Qe4 Qf6 $1 17. Qxb7 Rc8 {[%cal Rd7c6]} 18. Qxa7 Qxf3
19. Qxb6 {, and Black has hardly more than a perpetual.}) 15... Bc6 16. Qg4 Qe7
17. Bxd6 ({On} 17. Ne4 {I was planning to play} h6 {White cannot keep the
bishop on e5, because after ...Be5 dxe5 Nd7, the pawn on e5 becomes very weak.}
) (17. Bg3 $142 {Krasenkow} h6 18. Ne4 $13 Nd5 $140 19. Rfc1) 17... cxd6 18.
Ne4 {It seems to me that White could maintain the dynamic balance with 18.e4,
with the idea of transferring the rook to e3. Not finding this idea, Anish
starts to play without any special plan.} h6 19. Qg3 {It looks as though, with
this plan, White has blunted the bishop on c6, but as Botvinnik showed several
times, this bishop always has its uses.} d5 20. Nc3 {This move shows that my
opponent was already dissatisfied with the course of the game.} ({It looks
very dangerous to play} 20. Nc5 {because the knight is in a very restricted
position, but in this situation, it was already essential. After} Rf8 21. b3 {
White is still in the game.}) 20... Rf8 {Now White's position is devoid of any
active ideas.} 21. Ne2 Rf5 {Preventing the advance f4.} 22. Kg2 ({On} 22. Qb8+
{as well as other moves, Black has the interesting resource} Nc8) 22... Nd7 {
Not the only good move in the position, but the most logical. When the
opponent has a cramped position, prophylaxis is often stronger than direct
tactical blows.} 23. Rh1 {After this mistake, one can boldly say that Black
has a winning position.} (23. b3 {was more stubborn.}) 23... Nf8 {The knight
goes to h4, after which White does not have to suffer much longer.} 24. h4 {
Desperation.} Ng6 {The rest does not require much commentary, of course. The
fact that the game lasted until move 40 only reflects my lack of hurriedness.}
25. f4 Nxh4+ 26. Kf1 {Of course, in this situation, many moves lead to a win,
but I wanted to play without calculating variations.} Qb4 27. Rb1 Be8 {Here, I
decided to transfer the bishop to d3, via g6.} ({A quicker win was} 27... Ba4)
28. Nc3 Qe7 {Tranferring the queen to f6. At the same time, the threat appears
of pushing the queenside pawns with b5.} 29. b4 Rf8 30. Rb2 Bg6 31. Ke1 {
Trying to evacuate the king to the queenside.} Bd3 32. fxg5 Nf3+ 33. Kd1 hxg5 {
Of course, it was also possible to exchange queens, but I wanted to end the
game with an attack.} 34. Qh3 Qf6 35. Kc1 {It might seem that White's position
has improved, but this impression is deceptive. After some thought, I decided
to expose White's weaknesses by means of e5.} Bg6 {It was also possible to
begin with ...Rd8.} 36. a4 {On 36.b5 the reply ...Qe7, with the idea of ...Qa3,
is very unpleasant.} Rd8 37. Ne2 e5 {After the exchange on d4, White has to
take with the pawn, so as not to allow the knight into d3.} 38. Qg4 exd4 39.
exd4 Re8 40. Qd7 {Allowing a beautiful finish.} c3 41. Ra2 ({On} 41. Rc2 {
the simplest win of all is} Rd8) 41... Ne1 42. Rxe1 ({After} 42. Rh3 Qxf2 43.
Nxc3 Qf4+ 44. Kd1 Nc2 {White loses a lot of material.}) 42... Qf4+ 43. Kd1 Qe4
{Since after 44.Qxe8+ Bxe8 White loses at least a rook, whilst other moves
lead to mate, my opponent resigned.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D90"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2712"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Qb3 Nb6 6. d4 Bg7 7. e4 Bg4 8.
Bb5+ {An idea of GM M.Illescas.} (8. Be3 Bxf3 9. gxf3 Bxd4 {- see Fressinet -
So in CBM 141.}) 8... c6 9. Ng5 O-O 10. Be2 Bxe2 (10... Bc8 11. h4 $1 $36 c5 $6
12. dxc5 N6d7 13. Be3 Qa5 14. Qc4 b5 15. Qb3 Na6 16. O-O h6 17. Nf3 b4 18. Qa4
$1 $16 {0-1 Illescas Cordoba,M (2591)-Negi,P (2615)/Sestao 2010/CBM 138 (53)})
11. Nxe2 Na6 $146 (11... N8d7 12. Qh3 h6 13. Nf3 h5 14. e5 $36 c5 $5 (14... e6
15. Bg5) 15. e6 $1 cxd4 $1 16. exf7+ (16. exd7 e5 17. Bd2 $14) 16... Rxf7 17.
Ng5 Rf5 $13 {1-0 Gordon,S (2535)-Bok,B (2488)/Germany 2011/EXT 2012 (28)}) 12.
Be3 Qd6 13. O-O (13. a3 c5 $1) 13... Qb4 $1 {It is essential for Black to
trade queens as White's space advantage is more important in the middlegame.}
14. Qxb4 {After this move Black seizes initiative.} (14. Qc2 $142 Qc4 15. Rfc1
Qxc2 16. Rxc2 e5 17. dxe5 Bxe5 18. a3 $11) 14... Nxb4 {[%cal Rb4c2]} 15. Rfc1
e5 $1 16. Nf3 (16. dxe5 Bxe5 17. Bc5 Nd3 $1 18. Bxf8 Nxc1 19. Rxc1 Rxf8 $15)
16... exd4 17. Bxd4 Rfe8 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Ng3 (19. Nc3 Rad8 20. Rd1 Nc4 $36)
19... Rad8 20. Ne1 Rd2 21. a3 Nd3 22. Nxd3 (22. Nf1 $142 $1 Nxc1 23. Nxd2 Rd8
24. Rxc1 Rxd2 25. Rc2 $15) 22... Rxd3 23. Rab1 (23. f3 $142 Re5 24. b4 Rb5 25.
Ne2) 23... Re5 24. Rd1 Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 {[%mdl 4096]} Rb5 26. b4 Nc4 27. Rd3 a5
28. bxa5 Rxa5 29. f4 Rxa3 {Black has won a pawn and gradually parries White's
counterplay:} 30. Rd7 b5 31. e5 b4 (31... Re3 32. Rc7 b4 33. Rxc6 b3 34. Rxc4
b2 35. Rb4 Re1+ 36. Kf2 b1=Q 37. Rxb1 Rxb1 {is hardly enough for a win.}) 32.
e6 b3 33. Rxf7+ (33. e7 Ra8 (33... b2 $5 34. e8=Q b1=Q+ 35. Nf1 Qf5) 34. Ne4 (
34. Rd8 $2 b2 35. e8=Q b1=Q+ 36. Nf1 Qb6+) 34... b2 35. Nc3 Re8 36. Rb7 Ne3 37.
Rxb2 Rxe7 {should be gradually winning for Black, too.}) 33... Kh6 34. Rb7 b2
35. Kf2 Ra7 36. Rb8 Ra8 37. Rb7 Ra2 38. Ne2 Nd6 $1 39. e7 $1 (39. Rb8 Kg7 $19)
39... Nxb7 40. e8=Q b1=Q 41. Qf8+ Kh5 42. Qe7 $1 Qb6+ 43. Kf3 Qb3+ 44. Kf2
Rxe2+ 45. Qxe2+ (45. Kxe2 $142 {but it is probably insufficient, too:} h6 46.
h3 (46. Qe5+ Kg4) 46... Qg3 $1 47. Qe5+ g5 48. Qe8+ Kh4 49. Qxc6 Qxf4 $1 50.
Qxb7 Kg3 {etc. - Black should win as White's king is cut off.}) 45... Kh6 46.
g4 (46. Qe7 $5 Qc2+ 47. Ke1 $1 Qc5 $1 48. Qxb7 Qg1+ 49. Ke2 Qxg2+ $19 {_|_})
46... Nd8 $1 47. Qe7 Ne6 48. Qh4+ Kg7 49. Qe7+ Kg8 50. Qe8+ Nf8 51. Qxc6 Qe6
52. Qf3 Nd7 53. h3 Kf7 54. Qc3 Qd5 55. Kg3 Nc5 56. Kh4 h6 57. Qh8 g5+ 58. fxg5
hxg5+ 59. Kh5 Qe4 60. Kxg5 Ne6+ (60... Ne6+ 61. Kh4 Qe1+ 62. Kh5 Ng7+ 63. Kg5
Qe3+ 64. Kh4 Qf2+ 65. Kg5 Qf6#) 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 {This move order is directed agains the Exchange
Variation with Bg5.} ({After} 3... Nf6 {White cannot transpose to the game
variation by delaying Nf3, since} 4. Bf4 $6 {can be met with} c5 {when} 5. dxc5
$6 Bxc5 {wins a tempo over the normal lines.}) 4. Bf4 Nf6 5. e3 O-O 6. a3 Nbd7
{Black usualy refrains from this, probably fearing White's next move.} 7. Nb5
Ne8 $146 {A natural move, but a novelty in a virtually unknwon position.} 8.
Nf3 c6 9. Nc3 f5 10. h3 Nd6 {By this regrouping, Aronian tries to prove that ..
.Ne8 was not a loss of time, while Nb5-c3 definitely was. Still, adopting the
Stonewall structure pre-supposes certain strategic risks.} 11. cxd5 exd5 12.
Bd3 Nf6 13. Ne5 Nfe4 14. O-O Nf7 15. Qc2 Bd6 {Everything logical. One knight
has occupied the e4-square, the other fights against the intruder from e5.} 16.
Bh2 Nxe5 17. Bxe5 Bxe5 18. dxe5 {A complex situation. White will not find it
easy to prove his bishop better than his opponent's since Black has an active
position. The next phase is difficult to annotate since both sides play
unexpected moves.} a5 (18... Qe7 $5 19. f4 Be6 20. b4 g5 $5) 19. Na4 b5 $6 (
19... Qc7 20. f4 b6) 20. Nc5 $6 (20. Qxc6 $1 Ra6 21. Qxb5 Rg6 {[%cal Gd8g5]}
22. f4 Ba6 23. Qb3 Nd2 24. Qc2 Nxf1 25. Rxf1 Bxd3 26. Qxd3 $16 {with
overwhelming compensation for the exchange.}) 20... Qe7 21. Rac1 $6 (21. Nb3 $5
) 21... Qxe5 22. f4 Qd6 23. Bxe4 fxe4 {Optically, White has compensation for
the sacrificed pawn. The problem is that Black has good attacking chances on
the kingside, transforming the supposedly bad bishop into a dangerous piece.}
24. Nb3 Bd7 25. Qc5 Qg6 26. Kh2 h5 27. Nd4 Rac8 28. b4 axb4 29. axb4 h4 30. Ne2
Rf6 31. Ra1 Rcf8 32. Qe7 R8f7 33. Qd8+ Kh7 34. Rg1 Qh6 35. Ra7 Rf8 36. Qc7 R6f7
37. Qe5 Re8 38. Qc3 g5 39. Rf1 Qd6 40. Kg1 Ref8 41. Qc5 Qh6 42. f5 Kg8 43. f6
g4 44. hxg4 h3 45. Nf4 hxg2 46. Kxg2 Qxf6 47. Kg3 Rh7 48. g5 Qxg5+ 49. Kf2
Rxf4+ 50. exf4 Rh2+ 51. Ke3 Qg3+ 52. Kd4 Qg7+ 53. Ke3 Rh3+ 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D79"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 c6 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. d4 O-O 8. Ne5
e6 9. O-O Nfd7 10. Nf3 Nf6 11. Ne5 Nfd7 12. Nf3 Nf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich m"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2012.04.21"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2820"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2012.04.21"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 ({Kramnik decides to
forego a sharp theoretical duel in the highly topical AntiMoscow line} 6. Bh4
dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5 {Both players have extensive experience with this
position with both colours and it actually arose in one of their previous
games, after} 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bg7 12. Nxd7 ({Topalov's
sacrifice has lost most of it's fans, latest mail games suggest White's
compensation is good enough only for a draw after} 12. Nxf7 {1/2,Shirov,A 
(2740)-Karjakin,S (2732)/Foros/2008/ See more details in the notes to this
game by Krasenkow in CBM 125.}) 12... Nxd7 13. Bd6 a6 14. a4 {Black has a
choice:} b4 $5 (14... e5 15. Bg4 exd4 16. e5 c5 17. Re1 Nxe5 18. Bxe5 O-O 19.
Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Ne2 f5 21. Bh5 f4 {has been tested especially in numerous mail
games, here Black's position hangs on a thin line:} 22. Nxd4 $142 $1 (22. b4 d3
$1 (22... cxb3 $143 23. Qxb3 Qd5 24. Qh3 Bc8 25. Nc3 $1 dxc3 26. Qxc3+ Qd4 27.
Qf3 Ra7 28. axb5 Qf6 29. Qa3 Qb6 30. Qc3+ Kg8 31. Re5 Qf6 32. Qxc5 Rd7 33. h4
$36 {Kramnik,V (2799)-Aronian,L (2739)/Wijk aan Zee/2008/ is the
aforementioned mutual encounter, won by Kramnik after a gruelling struggle.
For more details see the notes to this game by Krasenkow in CBM 122.}) 23. bxc5
b4 24. Nd4 (24. Qc1 Bd5 25. Qb2+ Qf6 26. Qxb4 dxe2 27. Bxe2 f3 $15 {Nizky,
R-Popov,A (2437)/corr/2009/}) 24... Qxd4 25. Re7+ Kh8 26. Rxb7 Rab8 27. Rxb8
Rxb8 28. Rb1 c3 29. Qb3 Qe5 30. Bg6 d2 31. Rf1 a5 $11 {1/2,Ponting,A (1937)
-Gokerman,E (2105)/corr/2009/}) 22... cxd4 23. Re6 Rf6 24. Qe1 Bd5 25. Re7+ Kg8
(25... Kf8 $5 26. Re8+ Qxe8 27. Bxe8 Rxe8 28. Qb4+ Kg7 29. Qc5 Bc6 $14 {
/= is perhaps safer:} 30. Qxd4 Kg6 31. axb5 axb5 32. b3 f3 33. bxc4 fxg2 34.
cxb5 Bxb5 35. Kxg2 Re2 36. Kg1 Rexf2 37. Qxf2 Rxf2 38. Kxf2 h5 39. Kf3 {
1/2,Figlio,G (2447)-Rivas Romero,G (2377)/corr/2009/}) 26. axb5 Qd6 27. h3 $1 (
27. Bg4 Rf7 28. Re5 d3 $1 $132 {is also known from postal chess.}) 27... a5 $1
{[]} (27... axb5 $2 28. Rxa8+ Bxa8 29. Re8+ Rf8 30. Re6 $3 $146 ({The decisive
novelty, previous games featured only the insipid} 30. Rxf8+ Qxf8 31. Qe6+ Kh8
32. Qe5+ Qg7 33. Qxb5 c3 34. bxc3 dxc3 35. Qe8+ Qg8 36. Qe5+ $11) 30... Qd5 31.
f3 $1 d3 32. Rg6+ Kh7 33. Qe7+ Rf7 34. Qe8 Qc5+ 35. Kh2 Qf8 36. Qe5 {Voss.
M-Zhak,B/corr/2010/} Rf5 (36... Re7 37. Qd4 $18 {is similar}) 37. Qc7+ Rf7 38.
Qb6 $1 {[%cal Rg6d6,Rd6d8] s hrozbou Vd6, nepomaha ani} Rb7 39. Qd4 $18) 28. b6
(28. Bg4 Bf7 29. Qe4 Qd5 30. Qxd5 Bxd5 31. Rd7 Bf7 32. Rxd4 Be8 33. h4 $14 {
Kharlamov,V (2491)-Pivinsky,E (2484)/corr/2010/}) 28... d3 29. Rxa5 Rxa5 30.
Re8+ Kg7 31. Qxa5 Bf7 32. Bxf7 Rxf7 33. Qc3+ Qf6 34. Qxc4 Qxb2 35. Qxd3 Qxb6
36. Qe4 $14 {[%csl Rg7] Kosulin,V (2425)-Daus,P (2413)/corr/2010/}) 15. d5 ({
Nobody has yet repeated Topalov's} 15. Nb1 $5 Nf6 16. e5 Ne4 17. Bxb4 c5 18.
Ba3 cxd4 (18... Qc7 $5 19. f3 Rd8 20. fxe4 Rxd4 21. Nd2 Bxe5 22. Qc2 Bxh2+ 23.
Kh1 Bf4 24. Nxc4 Bxe4 25. Qc3 O-O $132) (18... g4 $5 $13 {[%csl Yg5]}) 19. Bf3
Bf8 $2 (19... Rc8 20. Nd2 (20. Re1 Nc5) 20... Nxd2 21. Bxb7 Nxf1 22. Bd6 $1 (
22. Bxc8 Qxc8 23. Qxd4 Qd7 24. Qb6 Nd2 25. Qb8+ Qd8 26. Qb7 Bf8 27. Qc6+ Qd7
28. Qa8+ $11) 22... Bf8 $1 (22... d3 23. Bxa6 Qa5 24. Bb5+ Kd8 25. Qf3 $40) 23.
Qxd4 Bxd6 24. exd6 O-O 25. Bxc8 Qxc8 26. Rxf1 Qc6 $14) 20. Re1 Bxa3 21. Nxa3
Nc5 22. Nxc4 O-O 23. b4 Bxf3 24. Qxf3 Nd7 25. h4 Rc8 26. Qd3 Qc7 27. Rac1 Nb6
28. Nd6 $1 $18 {Topalov,V (2775)-Gelfand,B (2733)/Monte Carlo rpd/2011/}) 15...
bxc3 16. dxe6 Ne5 17. Bh5 Bc8 18. exf7+ $1 Nxf7 19. e5 {necessitates} Ra7 $1 (
19... cxb2 $2 20. Rb1 Bf8 21. Qf3 Ra7 22. Qxc6+ Qd7 23. Qxc4 Qe6 24. Qc6+ Qd7
25. Qc3 Bxd6 26. e6 Qxe6 27. Qxh8+ Kd7 28. Qd4 $40 {Cheparinov,I (2664)-Ter
Sahakyan,S (2575)/EU-ch Aix-les-Bains/2011/ Here White's attack quickly broke
through - see Ftacnik's notes in CBM 142.}) 20. Qf3 Re7 $13 {[%cal Ye8g8] Gupta
}) 6... Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 {While this is the more usual move-order, Black can
also postpone the development of his knight. This may lead to the same
position, but can also give the game an independent twist after} (7... g6 8.
Bd3 Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. Rc1 (10. e4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Qd8 {[%csl Rd4] uses the fact
the knight is not yet ion d7 to attack White's centre.}) 10... dxc4 11. Bxc4
Nd7 12. e4 c5 $5 13. d5 Nb6 14. b3 exd5 15. Nxd5 Qd8 16. h3 Nxc4 17. bxc4 Re8
18. Re1 Bd7 19. Qd2 Rc8 20. Qf4 b5 $132 {/=/+,Anand,V (2810)-Giri,A (2686)/
Wijk aan Zee/2011/ For more details see the notes to this game by Krasenkow in
CBM 141.}) 8. Bd3 ({Game 5 saw the rare} 8. Be2 Qd8 ({Aronian spurns
transposition to our game with} 8... dxc4 9. Bxc4 {and opts for a different
set-up. The queen retreat would be rather passive against 8.Bd3, here it's
more plausible:}) 9. O-O Be7 10. Qc2 (10. e4 dxe4 (10... dxc4 11. Bxc4 O-O 12.
Qe2 b6 13. Rfd1 Bb7 14. d5 exd5 15. exd5 Bf6 16. dxc6 Bxc6 17. Nd4 Bxd4 18.
Rxd4 Qg5 19. Bd5 Rae8 20. Qd1 Nb8 21. g3 Bxd5 22. Rxd5 $14 {Vokac,M (2507)
-Obsivac,J (2344)/Roznov/2002/}) 11. Nxe4 O-O 12. Qc2 Qc7 13. Rad1 Nf6 14. c5
b6 15. b4 a5 16. a3 axb4 17. axb4 Ba6 18. Bxa6 Rxa6 19. Ne5 bxc5 20. bxc5 Rd8
21. g3 Nxe4 22. Qxe4 Rd5 23. Nc4 g6 24. Nb6 Rd8 25. Ra1 Rxa1 26. Rxa1 Bf6 27.
Ra4 Kg7 28. Kg2 e5 $11 {Peev,P (2405)-Velikov,P (2465)/Plovdiv/1984/}) 10...
O-O 11. a3 (11. Rfd1 a6 12. c5 Qc7 13. e4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 e5 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16.
Nd6 Nxf3+ 17. Bxf3 Be6 18. Rd3 Rad8 19. Rad1 Rd7 20. g3 Rfd8 21. Qd2 {1/2,
Timoshenko,G (2537)-Kruppa,Y (2572)/Kiev/2001/} Bf5 $1 22. Rd4 Bf6 23. Ra4 Be5
$11) 11... b6 12. Rfd1 Bb7 13. Rac1 Qb8 14. cxd5 ({Kramnik plays it safe. The
text-move is not too ambitious, but White's main active try} 14. e4 dxe4 15.
Nxe4 c5 $132 {is double-edged, Black's bishops can have their say.}) 14... cxd5
15. Qa4 Nf6 16. Ba6 Bxa6 17. Qxa6 Qc8 18. Qxc8 Rfxc8 19. Ne5 Bd6 20. Nd3 Ne8
21. Kf1 Kf8 22. Ke2 Ke7 $11 {Kramnik,V (2801)-Aronian,L (2820)/Zuerich m/2012/}
) 8... dxc4 9. Bxc4 g6 10. O-O Bg7 11. Re1 {White has many plausible
alternatives and this has been getting some attention lately.} (11. Rc1 O-O 12.
Bb3 (12. b4 Qe7 13. Qb3 b6 (13... a5 14. b5 c5 15. Na4 cxd4 16. exd4 Qb4 (16...
Qd6 17. Rfe1 Nb6 $132) 17. a3 Qxb3 18. Bxb3 Rd8 19. d5 exd5 20. Bxd5 Nf6 21.
Ba2 Bd7 22. Nb6 Bxb5 23. Nxa8 Bxf1 24. Kxf1 Rxa8 25. Rc7 $36 {Fedoseev,V (2525)
-Nyback,T (2634)/Tallinn rpd/2012/}) 14. b5 Bb7 15. bxc6 Bxc6 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17.
Qb1 Bb7 18. Bd3 Rac8 19. Be4 Nf6 20. Bxb7 Qxb7 21. Ne2 Ne4 22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23.
Nd2 Nd6 24. Rc1 $11 {1/2,Ivanchuk,V (2731)-Karjakin,S (2661)/Foros/2006/}) (12.
e4 {can after} c5 $5 {lead to the aforementioned Anand-Giri game.}) 12... Qe7
13. Ne4 {retains more tension and is perhaps more promising:} (13. Na4 e5 14.
d5 e4 15. Nd4 cxd5 16. Nc3 Nf6 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Bh3 $1 $11) 13... Rd8 14.
Qc2 e5 15. Ng3 $5 (15. Rfe1 Kh8 16. g4 Rf8 17. g5 f5 $1 18. gxf6 Bxf6 19. Kg2
Bg7 {Aronian,L (2750)-Gelfand,B (2733)/WCh Mexico City/2007/} 20. Ng3 $13 {
Marin Black went on to win an excellent game, see the notes by Marin in CBM
120.}) 15... Nf8 (15... Kf8 16. h4 exd4 17. exd4 Nb6 18. h5 g5 19. Rfe1 Qf6 20.
Ne5 Nd5 21. Ne4 $40 {Gyimesi,Z (2610)-Steingrimsson,H (2533)/Heraklio/2007/})
16. Nxe5 Bxe5 17. dxe5 Qxe5 18. Qe2 $5 (18. Rce1 Be6 19. f4 Bxb3 20. axb3 Qb5
21. f5 Qd3 22. Qc5 {Steingrimsson,H (2533)-Hansen,S (2564)/Heraklio/2007/} Rd7
$132) 18... Qe7 19. f4 Be6 20. Bxe6 Qxe6 21. f5 $1 Qxa2 22. Ne4 $44) (11. e4 e5
12. d5 Nb6 (12... O-O {is also possible, but after} 13. Rc1 {the game will
likely transpose to the same line as Topalov-Aronian, Linares 2010.}) 13. Bb3
Bg4 (13... O-O {Topalov,V (2805)-Aronian,L (2781)/Linares/2010/ See for more
details about this branch in the notes to this game in CBM 135.}) 14. Re1 $5 (
14. Rc1 Rd8 $1 15. h3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Qxf3 17. gxf3 cxd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5
Rd7 20. Rc3 Ke7 21. Rfc1 Rhd8 (21... Bf6 22. Rc7 Rhd8 23. Rxb7 Rxb7 24. Bxb7
Rd2 25. Rc7+ Rd7 26. Rxd7+ Kxd7 27. Bd5 Ke7 28. b4 Bg5 29. Kf1 Bd2 30. a3 Bc1
31. a4 Bd2 32. b5 Ba5 33. Ke2 g5 34. Kd3 f6 35. Kc4 Kd6 {1/2,Zakhartsov,V 
(2602)-Potkin,V (2646)/Belgorod/2010/}) 22. Rc7 b6 23. Kf1 Bf6 24. Ke2 Bg5 25.
R1c6 Rxc7 26. Rxc7+ Rd7 27. Rxd7+ Kxd7 28. Bxf7 a5 {1/2,Kreisl,R (2394)
-Buhmann,R (2590)/EU-ch Aix-les-Bains/2011/}) 14... O-O (14... Bxf3 15. Qxf3
Qxf3 16. gxf3 Ke7 17. Rac1 Rac8 18. dxc6 bxc6 19. Nd1 Rhd8 20. Rc5 Rd2 21. Kf1
Rc7 22. Re3 Nd7 23. Ra5 h5 24. Ke1 Rd6 25. Rc3 Bh6 26. Ne3 $14 {Pashikian,A 
(2608)-Hovhannisyan,R (2589)/Yerevan/2012/} Rb7) (14... Rd8 15. Re3 O-O {
-14...0-0}) 15. Re3 {is a more promising way to implement the idea from the
game, although White has only a slight pull at the very best:} Rfd8 (15... Rad8
16. Qe2 cxd5 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Qe7 19. Rd1 Kh8 20. h3 Bc8 21. Rc3 Be6 22.
Rcd3 Bxd5 23. Rxd5 Rxd5 24. Rxd5 Rc8 $14 {/=,Jaracz,P (2565)-Nyback,T (2656)/
EU-ch Aix-les-Bains/2011/}) 16. h3 Bd7 17. a4 (17. Qe2 {[%cal Ya1d1] is
perhaps more promising}) 17... a5 18. Rd3 Be8 (18... cxd5 19. Bxd5 Rab8 20. Qd2
Qe7 21. Qe3 Nxd5 22. Nxd5 Qe8 $132 {1/2,Penkin,V (2042)-Dziedzic,A (1999)/corr/
2008/}) 19. Qe2 Bf8 20. Rad1 Bc5 21. dxc6 Rxd3 22. Rxd3 bxc6 23. Qc2 Qe7 24.
Nd1 Kg7 25. Ne3 h5 26. Nc4 Nd7 27. Ba2 Bb4 28. Rd1 Ra7 29. Qb3 Nc5 30. Qc2 Rd7
$11 {Jojua,D (2515)-Gurevich,M (2613)/Cappelle la Grande/2011/}) 11... O-O 12.
e4 {The most consistent continuation. Other options as} (12. Rc1) ({, or} 12.
Qc2 {don't fit in too well with White's previous move}) 12... e5 13. d5 Rd8 $5
{Here Black can postpone committing his knight to b6, contrary to the lines
from the note to the 11-th move.} (13... Nb6 14. Bb3 Bg4 (14... Bd7 15. h3 Rac8
16. Qe2 Rfe8 17. Rad1 Bf8 18. a3 h5 19. Rd3 Bh6 20. Red1 cxd5 21. Bxd5 Rc7 22.
Nd2 Qe7 23. Nc4 Nxc4 24. Bxc4 Bc6 25. Bd5 $14 {Leko,P (2734)-Gelfand,B (2739)/
Miskolc m rpd/2010/}) 15. Re3 {-11.e4}) 14. Re3 ({Takes the sting out of the
future Bg4, but simpler was} 14. h3 {, which prevents the sortie outright and
leads to complex play:} Nc5 (14... Nb6 15. Bb3 Bd7 16. a4 a5 17. Re3 Be8 18.
Qe2 Nd7 (18... Bf8 $142 $5 $13 {is similar to Jojua-M.Gurevich above}) 19. Nd2
Nc5 20. Ba2 Qe7 21. Rf3 Kh7 22. Rd1 f6 23. Nc4 b5 {Cmilyte,V (2525)-Munguntuul,
B (2465)/Shenzhen/2011/} 24. Nb6 Rab8 25. dxc6 $1 $36) ({Untested, but
plausible is} 14... b5 $5 15. dxc6 bxc4 16. cxd7 Rxd7 17. Qc2 Qa6 $132) 15. Qe2
a5 16. a4 Bf8 17. Red1 Bd7 18. Rd2 Be8 19. Rad1 Rab8 20. Ba2 cxd5 21. Nxd5 Qg7
$132 {[%csl Ra4] Grigoryan,A (2608)-Ter Sahakyan,S (2558)/Martuni/2011/}) 14...
b5 {As White's last move appeared recently, Aronian was obviously prepared and
answered quickly.} (14... Nb6 15. Bb3 (15. Qb3 $5) {justifies White's idea,
but still doesn't give him anything special after} 15... cxd5 ({Here} 15... Bg4
{would transpose to positions we dealt with above.}) 16. Nxd5 (16. exd5) 16...
Nxd5 17. Bxd5 Be6 18. Rd3 Bxd5 19. Rxd5 Rxd5 20. Qxd5 Qb6 $132 {/\} 21. Nxe5
Qxb2 22. Qxf7+ Kh7 23. Qxg6+ Kg8 24. Qf7+ $11) 15. dxc6 bxc4 16. Nd5 {Taking
into account the course of the game, the modest} (16. cxd7 $5 {deserved
attention:} Rxd7 17. Qe2 Ba6 (17... Qc6 18. Rc1 $132 {[%csl Rc4]}) (17... Qa6
$5) 18. Rd1 Rad8 19. Rxd7 Rxd7 20. Qc2 $11) 16... Qe6 $1 $146 {[%mdl 8] An
important novelty, which completely takes the sting out of White's tactical
operation. The text-move is recommended by every decent engine and Aronian
played it immediately.} (16... Qd6 $143 $6 17. cxd7 Bxd7 18. Nd2 Bb5 (18... Bf5
$1 19. Nxc4 Qc5 20. exf5 Rxd5 21. Rd3 $14) 19. Qc2 Rab8 20. Rc3 Qa6 21. a4 Bf8
22. Nf1 Bc5 23. Qc1 $1 Bc6 $2 (23... Be8 $142) 24. Nf6+ Kg7 25. Ng4 $16 {
Gunina,V (2511)-Muzychuk,A (2583)/EU-chW Gaziantep/2012/}) 17. cxd7 $8 {
Here Kramnik fell into thought, realizing that his opening has been a failure
and seeking how to proceed after the otherwise forced text-move.} (17. Nb4 a5
$17) (17. Nc7 $2 Qxc6 18. Nxa8 Qxa8 $19) 17... Rxd7 {[%csl Rd5] Gunina's
knight was unassailable on d5, but now it will come under immediate pressure
and it's White, who has to fight for equality.} 18. Qa4 (18. b3 cxb3 19. Qxb3
Bb7 20. Rd1 Rad8 21. Red3 Kh8 $15 {[%csl Gb7,Gg7][%cal Rf7f5]}) (18. Nd2 Bb7
19. Nxc4 Bxd5 20. exd5 Rxd5 $36 {[%csl Gd5,Ge5,Ge6][%cal Ye5e4,Yf7f5]}) 18...
Bb7 19. Qxc4 (19. Rc1 Bxd5 (19... f5 $5 20. Nc3 (20. Qxc4 Qf7 $36) 20... Rad8
$15) 20. exd5 Qxd5 (20... Rxd5 $15) 21. Qxc4 Re8 $15) 19... Bxd5 (19... Rc8 $5
20. Qa4 (20. Qb3 Bxd5 21. exd5 Qxd5 $15 {gets a better version of the game
position with the rook more active on c8.}) 20... Bxd5 21. exd5 Rxd5 $15 {/\}
22. Qxa7 e4 $44 {|^}) 20. exd5 Qxd5 (20... Rxd5 21. Rae1 Rc8 22. Qb3 $132) 21.
Qxd5 (21. Rc1 Re8 $11 {/=/+}) 21... Rxd5 {[%cal Yf7f5,Ye5e4][%mdl 4096] After
a series of natural moves the game went straight from the opening into an
endgame. Black is somewhat better due to his better minor piece and more
mobile central majority, but White certainly has fair defensive chances.} 22.
Rae1 Re8 23. g4 $5 {Fights against the advance of Black's pawns.} (23. g3 f5
24. Nh4 Re6 25. f3 Rc6 $15 {/=}) 23... Kh7 ({Further simplification helps
White, moreover he splits up Black's pawn chain after} 23... f5 24. Nh4 Rd4 (
24... fxg4 25. Nxg6 $132) 25. Nxg6 Rxg4+ 26. Rg3 Kf7 (26... Rxg3+ 27. hxg3 $11)
(26... Bf6 27. Nf4 $11) 27. Rxg4 fxg4 28. Nh4 $11) 24. g5 {An important moment.
White seeks active counterplay at the cost of breaking up his kingside
pawn-structure. Although computers don't see anything directly wrong with the
text-move and at this moment it's not easy to compare it conclusively with
other continuations, it's nevertheless a commital decision.} ({More sedate
alternatives were} 24. R3e2 {Pelletier} f5 25. gxf5 gxf5 26. Nd2 e4 27. Nc4 Rd3
$5 $15 (27... Rd4 28. Rc2 f4 29. Nd2 $15 {/<=>})) ({or} 24. Kg2 {Korotylev} f5
25. gxf5 gxf5 26. Nh4 e4 27. f3 Rb8 28. b3 Bf6 $15 {/= In both cases White has
reasonable drawing chances. However, his position remains defensible even
after the text.}) 24... hxg5 {[%csl Rf2,Rh2]} 25. Nxg5+ Kg8 26. f4 $2 {Only
this is objectively a mistake, as now Black's advantage gets a more concrete
form.} (26. Ra3 $142 Re7 (26... a5 27. Rb3 {[%cal Yb3b7]}) 27. Rc3 $15 {/<=>})
26... Rb8 $1 (26... Bh6 27. R3e2 Rb8 (27... Kg7 28. h4 f6 29. Nh3 Rd4 30. fxe5
f5 31. h5 (31. Rc2 Re7) 31... Rh4 32. Nf2 Rxh5 33. Kg2 $13) 28. Ne4 {[%cal
Re4f6]} Ra5 29. fxe5 Rxa2 $15) (26... Rd4 $5 27. Re4 (27. Nh3 Rb8 $36) (27.
fxe5 Rg4+ 28. Rg3 Rxe5 29. Rxe5 Rxg3+ 30. hxg3 Bxe5 $17) 27... Rxe4 28. Nxe4 (
28. Rxe4 f6 29. Nf3 f5 $15 {[%cal Re5e4]}) 28... Re7 $36) 27. fxe5 (27. b3 exf4
28. Re8+ Rxe8 29. Rxe8+ Bf8 30. h4 (30. Nh7 Kxh7 31. Rxf8 Kg7 32. Ra8 Rd1+ 33.
Kg2 Rd2+ 34. Kf3 Rxa2 35. h4 Rh2 $19) 30... f6 31. Ne4 Kf7 32. Ra8 Ra5 33. a4
g5 $17) 27... Rxb2 $36 {[%csl Ra2][%cal Rd5d2]} 28. Nf3 {At this moment
Aronian had more than an hour, while Kramnik only around 27 minutes. It's easy
to understand White prevents the doubling of the rooks on the 2-nd rank and
doesn't go for the stronger computer recommendation} (28. h4 $142 Rdd2 29. a3
$1 Bf8 $5 (29... Rg2+ 30. Kh1 Rh2+ 31. Kg1 Rxh4 32. e6 fxe6 33. Nxe6 $15) 30.
e6 fxe6 31. Nxe6 Bd6 $36) 28... Rxa2 $17 29. e6 {At this moment keeping rooks
in a hope to create counterplay is only natural.} ({After} 29. R3e2 Rxe2 30.
Rxe2 a5 31. e6 Kf8 $1 32. exf7 Kxf7 33. Rc2 Bf6 34. Rc7+ Ke6 35. Ra7 Bd8 $17 {
/-+ Black should gradually convert his advantage.}) 29... fxe6 30. Rxe6 Rf5 $1
31. Nh4 Rf4 (31... Rg5+ 32. Kh1 Rh5 (32... a5 33. Rxg6 Rxg6 34. Nxg6 a4 35.
Ne7+ $132) (32... Kh7 33. Rg1 $1 $17) 33. Ng2 Kh7 $17) 32. R6e4 $1 {Avoiding a
trap in time-trouble} (32. Nxg6 $4 Bd4+ 33. Kh1 Rff2 34. Re8+ Kh7 $19) (32. Ng2
$143 Rg4 33. R6e2 Rxe2 34. Rxe2 a5 $17 {/-+}) 32... Rf6 {Now Aronian avoids
the rook swap.} ({Black hopes for more than} 32... Rxe4 33. Rxe4 $17) ({or} 
32... Ra4 33. Rxa4 Rxa4 34. Nf3 $17 {and wants to whip up a mating attack.})
33. Rg4 Kf7 (33... Kh7 $5) 34. Rc1 Bh6 $1 35. Rc7+ Ke8 $8 {[%cal Rh6e3,Rf6f1]}
(35... Ke6 $2 36. Rc6+ $11) 36. Re4+ (36. Rc3 Bf4 {[%cal Rf4h2]} 37. Nf3 a5 38.
Rh4 a4 39. Rh7 Rf7 40. Rh8+ Kd7 41. Ra8 Re7 $19 {[%cal Ye7e3,Yf4e3]}) 36... Kd8
37. Rh7 {Disrupts the coordination of White's forces.} (37. Rcc4 $142 $17 {
was more resilient.}) 37... Bf8 38. Rd4+ Kc8 39. Rc4+ Kb8 40. Rd7 $2 $138 {
The final mistake, after which the defence collapses.} (40. Rc1 a5 41. Ng2 a4
$19) (40. Rc3 $5 {[%cal Yh4f3] was the best, although after} a5 {Black should
win in the long run.}) 40... g5 41. Ng6 Bd6 {[%cal Rd6h2,Rf6g6]} 0-1

[Event "Zuerich m"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2012.04.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2820"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Kritz,L"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2012.04.21"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {Die Berliner Verteidigung ist eine der
solidesten Eröffnungen in der heutigen Praxis. Beide Spieler, Aronian und
Kramnik, sind die größten Experten dieser Eröffnung.} 4. O-O {Die Alternative
4.d3 wurde in der 6. Partie des Matches gespielt.} (4. d3 Bc5 5. Nbd2 d6 6. c3
O-O 7. O-O Ne7 8. Re1 c6 9. Ba4 Ng6 10. h3 Re8 $11 {Aronian - Kramnik (Zuerich,
2012)}) 4... Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Be6
$5 {Es gibt viele Wege für Schwarz. Kramnik selbst hat auch schon andere Züge
gespielt.} (9... Ke8 10. h3 Be7 11. Bg5 Bxg5 12. Nxg5 h6 13. Nge4 b6 14. Rfd1
Ke7 15. Kh2 h5 16. Ne2 Re8 17. Nf4 Kf8 $11 18. Nxh5 Rxe5 19. Nhg3 Be6 20. Rd2 {
1/2-1/2 Anand,V (2752)-Kramnik,V (2809)/Leon 2002/CBM 090}) (9... Ne7 10. h3
Ng6 11. Bg5+ Ke8 12. Rad1 Bd7 13. a3 h6 14. Be3 Be7 $11 {Leko - Kramnik 
(Dortmund, 2004)}) (9... Bd7 10. Rd1 Kc8 11. Ng5 Be8 12. b3 b6 13. Bb2 Be7 14.
Nge4 Kb7 15. Rd3 Rd8 16. Rad1 Rxd3 17. Rxd3 h5 $11 {Leko - Kramnik (Budapest,
2001)}) (9... h6 10. Rd1+ Ke8 11. h3 a5 12. Bf4 Be6 13. g4 Ne7 14. Nd4 Nd5 15.
Nce2 Bc5 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. c4 Nb6 18. b3 a4 $132 {Kasparov - Kramnik (London,
2000)}) 10. Rd1+ (10. Ng5 {Es sieht so aus, als ob sich Weiß eine günstige
Bauernstruktur sichert, jedoch...} Ke7 $3 {Dieser Zug sieht verrückt aus, ist
aber sehr stark.} (10... Bc4 11. Rd1+ Ke8 12. b3 Bb4 {Gezwungen.} (12... Ba6
13. e6 $1 fxe6 (13... f6 14. Nf7 Rg8 15. Rd7 Be7 16. Bf4 $18) 14. Bb2 Bd6 15.
Nce4 Ke7 16. g4 h6 17. gxf5 hxg5 18. f6+ $1 $16) 13. bxc4 (13. Bb2 Bxc3 14.
Bxc3 Bd5 $11) 13... Bxc3 14. Rb1 b6 15. g4 Nh4 16. f4 $14) 11. Rd1 (11. b3 h6
12. Ba3+ Kd7 13. Rad1+ Kc8 14. Nxe6 (14. Bxf8 hxg5 15. Ba3 a5 16. Bc1 g4 17. a3
c5 18. Ne4 b6 19. Ng5 Kb7 $11 {Holmsten - Rausis (Jyvaskyla, 1997)}) 14... Bxa3
15. Nf4 Bb2 16. Rd3 Re8 $11 {Aseev - Aleksandrov (Kstovo, 1994)}) 11... h6 12.
Nge4 (12. Nf3 Ke8 $11) (12. Nxe6 Kxe6 13. g4 Nh4 14. f4 h5 15. h3 hxg4 16. hxg4
f5 17. exf6 gxf6 18. f5+ Kf7 19. Ne4 Re8 20. Rd7+ Re7 21. Rxe7+ Bxe7 22. Kf1
Rg8 23. Nf2 Bc5 $15 {Kovalev - Hovhannisyan (Chennai, 2011)}) 12... Rd8 13. Bf4
b6 14. h3 g6 15. g4 Nd4 16. Bg3 g5 $132 {Shirov - Nakamura (Moscow, 2010)})
10... Ke8 11. Ng5 Bc8 $5 {Kramnik will den Läufer nicht tauschen lassen. Der
Rückzug des Läufers ist nicht so schlecht, weil der Springer sowieso auf g5
nichts zu suchen hat. Schwarz will Be7 und h6 spielen, und der Springer wird
zurück gehen müssen. Danach kann der Läufer zurückkehren, wenn er will.} 12. h3
(12. Ne2 a5 13. a4 b6 14. b3 c5 15. Bb2 Be7 $11 {Topalov - Ivanchuk (Wijk aan
Zee, 2012)}) 12... Be7 13. Bf4 {Ein neuer Zug, aber keine neue Idee. Weiß will
es mit e5-e6 versuchen - das klappt ein Mal von einer Million.} Nh4 {Noch ein
Zug und Schwarz wird Ng6-h6-Be6 spielen und alle weißen Figuren werden
zurückgedrängt.} 14. e6 $5 {Es bleibt sonst nichts übrig.} f6 $5 {
Überraschender Weise ist das Nehmen auf e6 mit dem Bauern ebenfalls gut.} (
14... Bxe6 {Hier hat Schwarz auch keine zu großen Sorgen.} 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16.
Bxc7 Rc8 17. Be5 Bf6 $14 {Man kann sagen, dass Weiß etwas besser steht, aber
das ist natürlich eher symbolisch.}) (14... fxe6 {Der Bauer c7 ist tabu wegen
dem Springer g5.} 15. Nge4 e5 $1 {Das ist ein kleiner Trick.} (15... Bd8 $4 16.
Rxd8+ Kxd8 17. Bg5+ $18) 16. Bxe5 Bxh3 $1 17. Bg3 (17. gxh3 Nf3+ 18. Kg2 Nxe5
19. Re1 Kf7 $17) 17... Bg4 18. f3 Be6 19. Bxc7 Kf7 20. Nd6+ Bxd6 21. Bxd6 Nf5
22. Bc5 b6 23. Bf2 Rad8 $11 {Weiß kann auf keinen Vorteil hoffen.}) 15. Nf7 Rg8
$1 {Hier musste Schwarz aufpassen.} (15... Rf8 $6 16. Bxc7 Bxe6 17. Nd6+ Bxd6
18. Bxd6 $14 {und Schwarz muss den Turm nach g8 stellen.} Rf7 $4 19. Re1 Kd7
20. Rad1 $18) 16. Bxc7 (16. Re1 $2 {Das verteidigt den Bauern ja gar nicht:}
Bxe6 $1 17. Rxe6 Kxf7 18. Rae1 Ng6 19. Bxc7 Ne5 {und Schwarz steht auf Gewinn.}
) 16... Bxe6 17. Nd6+ Bxd6 18. Bxd6 (18. Rxd6 Kf7 $11 {Im nächsten Zug folgt ..
.Nf5.}) 18... Kf7 {Die Stellung ist absolut Remis, es ist fraglich, warum die
beiden weitergespielt haben, wahrscheinlich wegen der Regeln.} 19. f3 Nf5 20.
Bc5 b6 21. Bf2 Rgd8 {Schwarz will einfach Rxd1-Ke7-Rd8 spielen.} 22. a4 $1 {
Die einzige Chance zumindest mal einen Ansatz auf Initiative zu bekommen.} Ne7
23. a5 c5 {Schwarz eliminiert die Wirkung des weißen Läufers. Eine
interessante Alternative war 23...Rxd1-bxa5} (23... Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 bxa5 $5 25.
Ra1 Bf5 $1 26. Rxa5 (26. Ne4 Bxe4 27. fxe4 Rb8 28. b3 Rb5 29. Bxa7 c5 30. Ra3
c4 31. bxc4 Rb1+ 32. Kh2 Nc6 33. Bc5 Re1 $132) 26... Bxc2 $11 27. Rxa7 Rxa7 28.
Bxa7 $11) 24. Nb5 {Die einzige Chance.} (24. Na4 Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Rb8 26. Rd6 Nc8
27. Rc6 Rb7 $11) 24... Nc6 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. axb6 {Nun wird alles abgetauscht.}
(26. Nxa7 $5 {Interessant, aber auch riskant.} Nxa7 27. axb6 Nc6 28. Bxc5 Bf5
29. c4 Ke6 $1 $11 {Nachdem der König sich den Bauern nähert, kann Weiß in
Schwierigkeiten kommen.}) 26... axb6 27. Ra6 Rd1+ 28. Kh2 Rd2 29. Rxb6 Rxc2 $1
{Schwarz muss das letzte Mal aufpassen, um nicht in eine Falle reinzufallen.} (
29... Rxf2 $2 30. Rxc6 Rxc2 31. Rc7+ $1 (31. Nd4 $2 Bd7 32. Rc7 Rxb2 33. Rxd7+
Ke8 34. Rd5 cxd4 35. Rxd4 $11) 31... Kg6 32. Nd4 $18) 30. Nd6+ (30. Rxc6 Rxf2
31. Rxc5 Rxb2 $11) 30... Ke7 31. Ne4 Nd4 32. Rb7+ Kf8 33. Rc7 (33. Bg3 $4 {
Der Versuch aktiv zu werden endet nicht gut:} Nxf3+ 34. Kh1 Rc1+ $19) 33...
Rxb2 {Es bleiben keine Figuren zum Spielen auf dem Brett.} 34. Rxc5 Nf5 35. Ng3
Rxf2 36. Nxf5 Bxf5 37. Rxf5 Ra2 {Das logische Ergebnis.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich m"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2012.04.24"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2820"]
[Annotator "Kramnik,V"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2012.04.21"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {A novelty on move one already! Eine Neuerung bereits im 1. Zug!} e5 2.
Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bc5 (5... Bb4 {is more common, but I had
something in mind there... ist geläufiger, aber dort hatte ich etwas im Sinn...
}) 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Qd2 (7. Nxc6 {is the most principled continuation, but lautet
die prinzipiellste Fortsetzung, allerdings ist} bxc6 8. e5 Bxe3 9. fxe3 Nd5 10.
Nxd5 cxd5 11. Qxd5 Qh4+ 12. Kd1 Rb8 {is very unclear. sehr unklar.}) 7... O-O
8. O-O-O Re8 (8... Ng4 9. Bg5 f6 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Bh4 $14) 9. f3 d5 {
Otherwise White is just better, pushing his pawns on the kingside. Ansonsten
steht Weiß einfach besser, er stößt seine Bauern am Königsflügel vor.} 10. exd5
(10. Bb5 Bd7 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 $11) 10... Nxd5 (10... Nb4 11. Bg5) 11. Bg5 $1 Nxc3
$5 {Played rather quickly, I was not sure if it was Levon's preparation or
improvisation. Recht schnell gespielt; ich war nicht sicher, ob es Levons
Vorbereitung oder Improvisation war.} (11... f6 {is safer, and after ist
sicherer, und nach} 12. Bc4 Nxd4 13. Nxd5 Be6 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Nxb6 axb6 16.
Qxd4 Qxd4 17. Bxe6+ Rxe6 18. Rxd4 Rxa2 19. Kb1 Ra5 20. Rd7 {White is still
pressing. ist Weiß nach wie vor am Drücker.}) 12. Bxd8 Nxd1 13. Bxc7 $1 {
The most principled continuation. Die prinzipiellste Fortsetzung.} (13. Bh4 {
is safer, but I doubt White can win after ist sicherer, ich bezweifle aber,
dass Weiß gewinnen kann nach} Nxd4 14. Qxd1 Nf5 15. Bg5 h6 {and Black seems to
have enough play. und Schwarz scheint genügend Spiel zu haben.}) 13... Bxc7 14.
Nxc6 Ne3 {Only move, now the position gets very tricky. Einziger Zug, nun wird
die Stellung ziemlich trickreich.} 15. Bb5 $1 (15. Nb4 {is definitely not
advisable: ist definitiv nicht ratsam:} Bf4 16. Nd3 Bh6 17. f4 Bf5 {with a
very strong initiative, e.g. mit einer bärenstarken Initiative, z.B.} 18. Kb1
Rac8) 15... bxc6 (15... Bf5 {is going into a slightly worse endgame by force:
leitet forciert in ein leicht schlechteres Endspiel über:} 16. Nd4 Bf4 17. Bxe8
Nxg2 18. Qxf4 Nxf4 19. Bxf7+ Kxf7 20. Nxf5 Rd8 21. b3) (15... a6 16. Ba4 {
doesn't change much. ändert nicht viel.}) 16. Bxc6 Nc4 (16... Bf4 {This move
bothered me and it took me quite some time to calculate it out. Dieser Zug
beunruhigte mich, und ich brauchte einige Zeit, um ihn auszurechnen.} 17. Kb1
$1 (17. Re1 Bb7 $1) 17... Bf5 18. Bxa8 Rxa8 (18... Nxc2 19. Qxf4 $18) (18...
Bxc2+ 19. Ka1) 19. Re1 $1 {and everything seems to work in White's favour here:
, und hier scheint alles zu Gunsten von Weiß zu funktionieren:} Bxc2+ (19...
Nxc2 20. Qxf4 Na3+ 21. Kc1 Rc8+ 22. Kd1) 20. Ka1 Re8 21. g3 (21. Rxe3 {also
wins. gewinnt ebenfalls.}) 21... Bg6 22. Re2 $18 Rc8 23. Rxe3) 17. Qd4 (17. Qb4
$142 $1 {Computer rules :) Computer an die Macht :)} Be6 18. Bxe8 Rxe8 19. Re1
$1 $16 Ba5 $140 20. Rxe6 $1) 17... Be6 18. Bxa8 Bb6 $1 (18... Rxa8 19. Re1 $16)
19. Qd3 (19. Qe4 {leads to a draw after führt zum Remis nach} Be3+ 20. Kd1
Nxb2+ 21. Ke1 Bd7 22. Qb7 Bb6+ 23. Kd2 Be3+ 24. Ke2 $11) 19... Rxa8 (19... Rd8
20. Qxd8+ {- at least - - auf jeden Fall -} (20. Qe2 Rxa8 21. Rd1 Ne3 22. Rd6)
20... Bxd8 21. g3 {White must have an advantage here I guess - Hier muss Weiß
Vorteil haben, meine ich -} Bb6 22. b3 Ne3 23. c3) 20. Re1 ({Here Levon
admitted after the game that he thought White should play b3 in order not to
get a worse position, and the endgame is rather drawish after Hier gab Levon
nach der Partie zu, dass er dachte, dass Weiß b3 spielen sollte, um keine
schlechtere Stellung zu bekommen, und das Endspiel ist ziemlich remislich nach
} 20. b3 Rd8 21. bxc4 Rxd3 22. cxd3 Kf8 23. Kc2 Bd4 {I actually thought that
White should be better after the move I played and didn't consider seriously
this option at all. Tatsächlich dachte ich, dass Weiß nach dem Zug, den ich
spielte, besser stehen sollte, und zog diese Möglichkeit nicht ernsthaft in
Betracht.}) 20... Rd8 21. Qe4 {A very strange and unbalanced position, which
we each assessed in our favour during the game. I still think after it that I
was right! Eine sehr merkwürdige und unausgewogene Stellung, die wir beide
während der Partie als günstig für uns erachteten. Im Nachhinein meine ich
trotzdem, dass ich richtig lag!} g5 $6 {Taking control on the f4-square, where
I want to put my queen, but the price is too high, the black king becomes
vulnerable now. Nimmt das f4-Feld unter Kontrolle, wo ich meine Dame
hinstellen will, aber der Preis ist zu hoch; der schwarze König wird jetzt
anfällig.} (21... g6 {was probably a better choice: war wahrscheinlich eine
bessere Wahl:} 22. c3 (22. Qf4 Rd4 23. Re4 Rd7 24. a4) 22... Nd6 23. Qc6 {
I would definately prefer White here still. Trotzdem würde ich hier definitiv
Weiß bevorzugen.}) (21... Rd4 22. Qc6 Rd8 23. Rxe6 $1 $16 fxe6 24. Qxe6+ Kf8
25. a4 Ne3 26. Kb1 {and it is difficult to coordinate Black's pieces in this
position. , und in dieser Stellung ist es schwer, die Figuren von Schwarz zu
koordinieren.} Nxg2 27. a5 Be3 28. c4) 22. c3 Bc5 {Levon was slowly but surely
running into serious time trouble. Levon kam, langsam aber sicher in ernste
Zeitnot.} 23. Re2 {A very human move, just trying to prevent his opponent's
counterplay, although maybe it was even stronger to start bothering his king
without this prophylaxis. Ein sehr menschlicher Zug, der einfach versucht, das
gegnerische Gegenspiel zu unterbinden, obwohl es vielleicht stärker war zu
beginnen, seinen König ohne diese Prophylaxe zu behelligen.} (23. h4 $16) 23...
h6 24. g3 {Preparing f4 and h4 and asking Black what is his plan :) Bereitet
f4 und h4 vor und fragt Schwarz, was sein Plan ist :)} a5 {This seems logical
because there is not much else Black can do to improve his position.  Dies
wirkt logisch, weil es sonst nicht viel gibt, was Schwarz tun kann, um seine
Stellung zu verbessern.} 25. f4 a4 26. f5 $1 {White is objectively much better
here and it is very difficult to defend this position in time trouble. Black
has too many pieces to take care of :) Hier steht Weiß objektiv klar besser,
und es ist sehr schwer, diese Stellung in Zeitnot zu verteidigen. Schwarz hat
zu viele Figuren, um die er sich kümmern muss :)} Bd5 $8 27. Qd3 Bb6 $8 28. b3
$1 axb3 29. axb3 Na5 $8 30. Re8+ {I think this is the right choice, at least
from a practical point of view. Ich denke, dies ist die richtige Wahl,
zumindest in praktischer Hinsicht.} (30. b4 $5 Nc4 31. f6 Be6 32. Qf3) (30. Qb5
{was recommended by commentators (obviously because it was recommended by
computers first :)), but in fact it might not be enough for a win since after
wurde von Kommentatoren empfohlen (offensichtlich, weil es zuvor von Computern
empfohlen wurde :)), tatsächlich aber könnte es nicht zum Sieg reichen, denn
nach} Nxb3+ 31. Kc2 Nd4+ $1 32. cxd4 Bxd4 {it might be a fortress after all.
könnte es doch noch eine Festung sein.}) 30... Rxe8 31. Qxd5 {Again it is very
difficult to coordinate his pieces for Black, especially in time trouble.
Erneut ist es sehr schwer für Schwarz, seine Figuren zu koordinieren, vor
allem in Zeitnot.} Rd8 (31... Rc8 32. Kb2 Rd8 33. Qb5 $18) 32. Qb5 Rd6 $1 (
32... Be3+ 33. Kb2 Rd2+ 34. Ka3 $18) 33. Kc2 $1 {/\b4} (33. b4 Be3+ 34. Kb1 Nc6
{holding. hält.}) 33... Kg7 {A mistake, but Levon was already down to seconds.
Ein Fehler, aber Levon hatte bereits nur noch Sekunden.} (33... Bd8 {This is
the only chance for Black to stay in the game: Dies ist die einzige Chance für
Schwarz, in der Partie zu bleiben:} 34. Qe8+ Kg7 35. Qe5+ Rf6 36. b4 Nc6 37.
Qe4 Bc7 38. b5 Ne5 39. c4 $16) 34. b4 Nb7 35. c4 {Now it's all over, Black
can't coordinate his pieces anymore. Nun ist alles vorbei, Schwarz kann seine
Figuren nicht mehr koordinieren.} Rf6 36. g4 {No need to hurry. Eile mit Weile.
} Nd8 37. c5 Bc7 38. Qd7 {White starts to collect material already. Weiß
beginnt bereits, Material einzusammeln.} Nc6 39. b5 $1 Na7 40. Qxc7 Nxb5 41.
Qe5 (41. Qd7 {was even more precise, since after war sogar noch genauer, da es
nach} Rc6 {there is den Zug} 42. f6+ $1 {, but the text is good enough and
simpler. gibt, aber der Text ist gut genug und einfacher.}) 41... Na7 42. Kd3 {
Cooling down after the time trouble Levon quickly realised that he was a very
long way from building a fortress and resigned here. Als er sich nach der
Zeitnot abkühlte, begriff Levon schnell, dass er sehr weit davon entfernt war,
eine Festung zu errichten, und gab hier auf.} 1-0

[Event "Zuerich m"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2012.04.25"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2820"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2012.04.21"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Bg5 Be6 12. b3 Be7 13. Rad1 h4 14. Rfe1
Rd8 15. Rxd8+ Kxd8 16. Ne4 b6 17. Bf4 Kc8 18. Neg5 Bxg5 19. Bxg5 Bd5 20. Nh2 c5
21. Rd1 Bc6 22. c3 a5 23. Ng4 Bd7 24. f3 a4 25. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich m"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2012.04.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2820"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2012.04.21"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 8. Be2
Qd8 9. O-O Be7 10. Qc2 O-O 11. a3 b6 12. Rfd1 Bb7 13. Rac1 Qb8 14. cxd5 cxd5
15. Qa4 Nf6 16. Ba6 Bxa6 17. Qxa6 Qc8 18. Qxc8 Rfxc8 19. Ne5 Bd6 20. Nd3 Ne8
21. Kf1 Kf8 22. Ke2 Ke7 23. h3 Rc4 24. b3 Rcc8 25. a4 Ba3 26. Rc2 Rc7 27. Ra1
Bd6 28. Kd2 a5 29. Rcc1 Rac8 30. f3 f5 31. g4 g6 32. Ne2 Rxc1 33. Nexc1 Nf6 34.
Ne2 Nh7 35. Ne5 Ng5 36. Nf4 Bb4+ 37. Kd1 Rc3 38. Rc1 Rxe3 39. Rc7+ Kd8 40. Rg7
Kc8 41. Rg8+ Kb7 42. Rg7+ Kc8 43. Rg8+ Kb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich m"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2012.04.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2820"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2012.04.21"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 64]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {After two unsuccessful
attempts to break down the Berlin, Levon changes his approach, avoids
simplificaton and goes for a manoeuvring struggle. The resulting position will
soon resemble the Giuoco Piano.} (4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5
Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 (9. h3 Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Bg5 Be6 12. b3 Be7 13. Rad1
h4 14. Rfe1 Rd8 15. Rxd8+ Kxd8 16. Ne4 b6 17. Bf4 Kc8 18. Neg5 Bxg5 19. Bxg5
Bd5 20. Nh2 c5 21. Rd1 Bc6 22. c3 a5 23. Ng4 Bd7 24. f3 a4 25. Kf2 {1/2,
Aronian,L (2820)-Kramnik,V (2801)/Zuerich/2012/}) 9... Be6 10. Rd1+ Ke8 11. Ng5
Bc8 12. h3 Be7 13. Bf4 Nh4 14. e6 f6 15. Nf7 Rg8 16. Bxc7 Bxe6 17. Nd6+ Bxd6
18. Bxd6 Kf7 19. f3 Nf5 20. Bc5 b6 21. Bf2 Rgd8 22. a4 Ne7 23. a5 c5 24. Nb5
Nc6 $11 {Aronian,L (2820)-Kramnik,V (2801)/Zuerich/2012/}) 4... Bc5 5. Nbd2 (5.
Bxc6 dxc6 {has also been quite popular recently, with players like
Nepomniachtchi, Adams, McShane, Zvjaginsev ao. giving it a try. In this
version of the Bxc6 the black bishop is not ideally placed on c5, but it's
questionable if this is enough for an edge.} 6. O-O (6. b3 Bg4 7. Nbd2 Nd7 8.
Bb2 f6 9. Nf1 Nf8 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Ne6 12. Ne3 Qd7 13. h4 a5 14. a4 O-O 15.
h5 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 c5 17. Qh3 Qc6 18. O-O Nf4 19. Qh2 Qe8 20. h6 g5 21. g3 Ne6
22. f4 gxf4 23. gxf4 Nxf4 24. Rxf4 exf4 25. Kf2 $44 {McShane,L (2671)-Kramnik,
V (2800)/London/2011/ See notes to this game by Marin in CBM 146.}) 6... Nd7 ({
Marin prefers} 6... Qe7 $5 {[%cal Yc8g4] /\Bg4} 7. h3 h6 8. c3 Bd6 9. d4 Nd7
10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Nc4 c5 12. dxe5 Bxe5 13. Re1 Rd8 14. Qe2 b6 15. Ncxe5 Nxe5 16.
Nxe5 Qxe5 17. Qf3 Bb7 18. Bf4 Qe6 19. Bxc7 Rd2 20. b3 Re8 21. Bf4 Rc2 22. Re3
Rd8 23. Ree1 Qf6 24. Rec1 Rxc1+ 25. Rxc1 Qg6 26. Re1 Re8 $11 {Kosintseva,N 
(2460)-Cmilyte,V (2508)/Nalchik/2008/}) 7. Be3 Bxe3 (7... Bd6 8. Nc3 Nf8 (8...
c5 $11) 9. d4 $32 Ng6 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Qxd8+ Kxd8 13. Rad1+ Ke7
14. Na4 b5 (14... f6 $142 $5) 15. f4 bxa4 16. fxe5 Ba6 17. Rf2 Rhb8 18. Rfd2
Ke8 19. e6 $1 fxe6 20. Bd4 $36 {Zvjaginsev,V (2688)-Zherebukh,Y (2594)/Moscow/
2012/}) 8. fxe3 Qe7 9. Nbd2 c5 10. Qe1 b6 11. a4 a5 12. Qg3 f6 13. Nh4 g6 14.
Qh3 Rf8 (14... O-O $11) 15. Rf2 Bb7 16. Raf1 O-O-O 17. b3 Kb8 18. g4 Rg8 19.
Nc4 h6 20. Qg3 Rde8 21. h3 Rg7 22. Kh2 Rh8 23. Rg1 $13 {1/2,Yemelin,V (2567)
-Nestorovic,N (2462)/Skopje/2012/}) 5... d6 6. c3 (6. Nf1 Ng4 7. Ne3 O-O 8. O-O
Nxe3 9. Bxe3 Bxe3 10. fxe3 Be6 11. Qe1 f6 12. Nh4 Ne7 13. Ba4 c6 14. Bb3 Qd7
15. Nf5 d5 16. Ng3 b6 17. Qc3 c5 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Qxd5 20. a4 f5 21. e4
fxe4 22. Nxe4 Qd4+ $11 {Inarkiev,E (2669)-Ponomariov,R (2733)/Astrakhan/2010/})
6... O-O 7. O-O Ne7 {Although transferring the knight to the kingside is a
typical idea, in this concrete position Black's last move is quite rare.} (7...
a6 {Kramnik's recent experience with this set-up was from last year's
nerve-wracking blitz playoff against Radjabov in the Candidates quaterfinal:}
8. Ba4 (8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. d4 exd4 10. cxd4 Bb6 11. Qc2 Re8 12. Re1 Bd7 13. b3 c5
14. d5 c6 (14... Ba5 $1 15. Bb2 c6 $132) 15. dxc6 (15. Nc4 $1) 15... Bxc6 16.
Bb2 Ba5 17. Rad1 h6 18. Re3 Re6 19. Nc4 Bc7 $13 {/=,Ivanchuk,V (2779)
-Ponomariov,R (2743)/RUS-chT Olginka/2011/ - see notes to this game by
Ponomariov in CBM 142.}) 8... Ba7 9. h3 Ne7 10. Re1 Ng6 11. Nf1 c6 12. Ng3 d5
13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Bb3 Re8 15. Bg5 f6 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. fxe3 Be6 18. Qd2 Qc7 19.
Rad1 Rad8 20. Qf2 Qf7 21. Rf1 Qf8 22. Nd2 Kh8 $11 {Radjabov,T (2744)-Kramnik,V
(2790)/Kazan blitz plof/2011/}) ({Another more usual alternative is} 7... Bb6 {
This was in fact played in the Radjabov-Kramnik game, quoted below - it
transposed into our game later on. Black needn't worry unduly about losing his
bishop pair after} 8. Nc4 Ne7 9. Ba4 (9. Nxb6 axb6 10. Ba4 Ng6 11. h3 Nh5 12.
Bg5 f6 13. Be3 Nhf4 14. Bb3+ Kh8 15. Bxf4 (15. d4 Be6 $11) 15... Nxf4 16. Nh4
f5 $1 17. Nxf5 Qg5 18. Qg4 Qf6 19. Qh4 Qxh4 20. Nxh4 Nxd3 $36 {1/2-1/2 Anand,V
(2817)-Carlsen,M (2823)/Moscow rpd/2011/}) 9... Ng6 10. h3 h6 11. Bc2 Be6 12.
a4 c6 (12... Bxc4 13. dxc4 a5 14. g3 Qe7 15. Kg2 Qe6 16. Qe2 Rfe8 17. Bd2 Nd7
18. Rad1 Nc5 19. Bc1 Qd7 20. b3 Qe6 21. Nh2 Ne7 22. Ng4 h5 23. Ne3 g6 24. g4
$14 {Svidler,P (2731)-Akopian,V (2691)/EUCup Plovdiv/2010/}) 13. Nxb6 axb6 14.
Be3 d5 15. d4 exd4 16. Nxd4 Bd7 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Bd2 Qf6 19. Qf3 Ndf4 20. Bxf4
{1/2,Svidler,P (2739)-Ponomariov,R (2764)/Khanty-Mansiysk WCup/2011/}) 8. h3 {
Aronian replied quickly, aiming for a position, typical for the whole line.
Here White can immediately expand in the centre with} (8. d4 exd4 9. cxd4 Bb6 {
[%csl Rd2] , but his pawns are under pressure and he can hardly claim an
advantage with his passive Nd2 after} 10. Bd3 (10. h3 c6 11. Bd3 Be6 $132)
10... Bg4 11. Qa4 Ng6 $11 12. e5 $6 dxe5 13. Bxg6 fxg6 14. dxe5 Qd7 15. Qc4+
Nd5 16. h3 Be6 17. Ng5 h6 18. Nxe6 Qxe6 19. Nf3 c6 (19... Rxf3 $1 20. gxf3 Qxe5
$36) 20. Re1 g5 21. Bd2 Rf7 22. Qg4 Re8 23. Re4 Nf6 24. Qxe6 Rxe6 25. Ra4 Nd5
26. Ba5 $11 {Zhang,X (2354)-Shen,Y (2440)/Beijing/2012/ It's already White,
who barely holds an uneasy sort of equality.}) 8... Ng6 9. Re1 c6 10. Ba4 Re8
11. d4 Bb6 ({Black hangs on to his reinforced outpost on e5, but he will
shortly give it up anyway. Even now} 11... exd4 12. cxd4 Bb6 13. Bc2 Be6 $13 {
seems committal, but playable, the position resembles the previous note.}) 12.
Bc2 h6 13. a4 $5 {Before proceeding with his development, Aronian makes a
potentially useful move on the other flank.} ({The standard continuation is} 
13. Nf1 {and now:} {However, it seems that Black can fully liberate his
position with} d5 $5 (13... Bd7 14. Ng3 Qc7 15. Be3 Rad8 16. Qc1 Kh7 17. a4 a5
18. b3 Qc8 19. Qa3 Bc7 20. Rad1 Kg8 21. Qc1 Bxh3 22. gxh3 Qxh3 23. Bd3 d5 24.
Bf1 Qg4 25. Nh2 Qh4 26. exd5 {Karjakin,S (2763)-Wang Yue (2697)/Beijing blitz/
2011/} e4 $1 $44) (13... Nh5 14. Ne3 Nhf4 15. Nf5 Qf6 16. Be3 Bc7 17. h4 Be6
18. g3 Nd5 19. Bd2 Nb6 20. h5 Nf8 21. Nh2 Bxf5 22. exf5 Qd8 23. Ng4 Nh7 24. Bb3
e4 25. Nxh6+ $1 gxh6 26. Qg4+ Kh8 27. Bxf7 $40 {Kryvoruchko,Y (2652)-Naiditsch,
A (2706)/Eretria/2011/}) (13... Qc7 14. Ng3 Be6 15. Be3 d5 $6 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17.
Bf4 $1 Nfd7 18. dxe5 Nxe5 19. Qh5 f6 20. exd5 Bxd5 21. Qf5 (21. Nf5 $36) 21...
Kf8 22. Nh5 Qf7 23. Ng3 Rad8 24. Be3 Bxe3 {1/2,Kosintseva,N (2533)-Zvjaginsev,
V (2642)/Moscow/2010/}) 14. Nxe5 (14. exd5 exd4 (14... e4 $5 $13) 15. dxc6 dxc3
16. Qxd8 Rxd8 $11) 14... Nxe5 15. dxe5 Rxe5 (15... Nxe4 $1 16. Bxe4 dxe4 17.
Qxd8 Rxd8 18. Bf4 g5 19. Be3 Bc7 20. h4 $11) 16. Bf4 Re8 17. e5 Nh7 18. Qd3 Nf8
19. Rad1 (19. Ne3 $142 $13) 19... Qh4 20. Bg3 Qg5 21. Kh2 Qg6 22. Qd2 Bf5 23.
Bxf5 Qxf5 24. Ne3 Bxe3 25. Rxe3 Rad8 $132 {/=,Radjabov,T (2744)-Kramnik,V 
(2790)/Kazan blitz plof/2011/}) 13... Be6 (13... Bc7 14. Nf1 Nh7 15. Ng3 Ng5
16. dxe5 Nxf3+ 17. Qxf3 Rxe5 18. Be3 Bb6 19. Rad1 Be6 20. Qe2 h5 21. Bxb6 {
1/2,Kobalia,M (2637)-Alekseev,E (2700)/RUS-chT Dagomys/2010/} Qxb6 22. Qd2 $14)
({Kramnik made a natural developing move, but even now, with the knight on d2,
the central blow} 13... d5 {deserves attention:} 14. a5 (14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5
Rxe5 16. Nf3 Re8 17. e5 Ne4 $5 $13) 14... Bc7 $5 (14... Bxa5 15. exd5 exd4 16.
Rxe8+ Nxe8 17. Bxg6 $5 (17. Nc4 Bc7 18. dxc6 dxc3 (18... bxc6 19. Qxd4 $14) 19.
Qxd8 Bxd8 20. Be4 Rb8 21. bxc3 Be6 22. Na5 Bxa5 23. Rxa5 bxc6 $11) 17... fxg6
18. dxc6 dxc3 19. bxc3 bxc6 (19... Kh7 20. Qb3 Bb6 21. Ne4 Qc7 22. Neg5+ $1
hxg5 23. Nxg5+ Kh8 24. Ra4 Qg3 25. Rf4 Bf5 26. Qxb6 axb6 27. fxg3 bxc6 28. g4
Ra1 29. Rf1 $18) 20. Qb3+ Kh7 21. Ne4 $36 {[%cal Re4g5]}) 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16.
Nxe5 Bxe5 17. Nf3 Bc7 $132) 14. Nf1 exd4 $5 $146 {[%mdl 40] This move is new
and introduces a strategy, which is not too typical in these positions:
instead of holding the bastion on e5, Black opens the centre and seeks active
piece counterplay.} (14... Qc7 15. Ng3 Rad8 16. Be3 d5 $2 (16... exd4 $5 17.
cxd4 Ba5 18. Bd2 c5 $14 {/<=> is not so clear, now one of the ideas behind 13.
a4 works perfectly in White's favour:}) 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. Bf4 $1 Nfd7 19. a5 $1
Bxa5 20. exd5 Bxd5 21. dxe5 Bb6 22. Qh5 $40 (22. Qd3 g6 23. Nf5 $1 gxf5 24.
Qg3+ Kh8 25. e6 $16) 22... f6 23. Bxh6 Nxe5 24. Be3 $5 Nf3+ 25. gxf3 Rxe3 {
Alekseev,E (2670)-Jumabayev,R (2573)/Moscow/2012/} 26. Qh7+ Kf8 27. Qh8+ Bg8 (
27... Kf7 28. Bg6+ Ke6 29. Qh4 Re5 30. c4 Bxf3 31. Qf4 $18) 28. Kg2 Rxe1 29.
Bb3 $1 $18) 15. Nxd4 {Already Aronian's reaction is debatable.} ({More natural
seems to be} 15. cxd4 Ba5 16. Bd2 Bxd2 (16... c5 17. Ne3 $5 $14 (17. d5 Bd7 $13
) (17. dxc5 dxc5 18. e5 Nd5 19. Bxg6 fxg6 $13)) 17. Qxd2 a5 18. Rad1 Qb6 $14 {
/<=>}) 15... Bd7 {[%cal Yd6d5]} 16. f4 {A logical follow-up, otherwise Black
fully frees his position.} d5 $5 {Kramnik still goes for the pawn advance
before White reinforces his centre with Ng3. Equally double-edged is} (16... c5
17. Nb5 Bxb5 18. axb5 c4+ 19. Kh2 Bf2 $5 (19... Qc7 20. Qf3) 20. Re2 Bc5 $13)
17. e5 Ne4 $8 {Anything else is passive, or downright bad.} (17... Nh7 $2 18.
e6 $16) 18. Bxe4 {Immediately gets rid of the strong Ne4, not allowing Black
to reinforce it with f5.} (18. Kh2 Nh4 $5 (18... Qh4 19. Bxe4 dxe4 20. Ng3 Bxd4
(20... Nxf4 $2 21. Rxe4 Bxh3 22. Nf3 $18) 21. Qxd4 Rad8 22. Qxe4 $14) (18... f5
19. a5 Bc5 20. Qh5 $14) (18... Bxd4 19. Qxd4 Bf5 20. Bxe4 Bxe4 21. Ng3 Qh4 (
21... f5 22. exf6 Qxf6 23. Qxf6 gxf6 24. f5 $14) 22. Qf2 $14 {[%cal Yc1e3]})
19. Bxe4 dxe4 20. Ng3 f5 $13) (18. Be3 Qh4 (18... f6 19. e6 Bxd4 20. exd7 Bxe3+
21. Rxe3 Re7 22. Bxe4 dxe4 23. Qg4 Nf8 24. Ng3 $14) 19. Qf3 f5 $5 $11 {Shipov})
18... dxe4 19. a5 $5 ({Too risky is} 19. Rxe4 c5 20. Nb5 (20. Nf3 Bc6 21. Re1
Nh4 $5 $36) 20... Bc6 21. Qxd8 (21. Re1 Qh4 $36) 21... Raxd8 22. Re1 f6 $1 $32)
(19. Ng3 f5 $142 (19... c5 20. Ndf5 c4+ 21. Kh2 Bf2 22. Rf1 Bxf5 23. Nxf5 Qxd1
24. Rxd1 Ne7 25. Be3 $1 $14 (25. Nd6 e3 26. Nxe8 e2 27. Rh1 Rxe8 28. Bd2 Rd8
29. Be1 Be3 $44)) 20. exf6 Qxf6 21. Rxe4 Qh4 $44 {Black with his bishops has
very good compensation for the pawn, so Aronian deflects the Bb6 to prevent
this line.} (21... Qf7 $5 {[%cal Yb6c7]}) (21... Rxe4 22. Nxe4 Qe7 $44)) 19...
Bxa5 20. Ng3 Bb6 21. Kh2 $1 (21. Nxe4 Qh4 22. Nd6 Nxf4 $1 23. Bxf4 (23. Nxe8
Nxh3+ $1 24. gxh3 Qg3+ 25. Kh1 Qxh3+ 26. Kg1 Qg3+ 27. Kh1 Bg4 $19) 23... Qxf4
24. Nxe8 Rxe8 $36 {is something White should avoid - Black will soon win
another pawn for the exchange and only he can play for an advantage without
much risk.}) 21... c5 {Limiting the Bb6 doesn't seem ideal, but Black manages
to keep the Pe4 alive somewaht longer. Glancing forward - this pawn will
survive and even promote later on!} (21... Bc7 22. Nxe4 Qe7 $13 {[%csl Gc7,Gd4,
Gd7,Ge4,Ge5,Gf4] Korotylev Although White's central pawns and knights are
impressive, Black remains solid and his bishops have potential.}) (21... Nh4 $5
22. Nxe4 c5 23. Nb3 (23. Nf3 Bc6 $132) 23... Bc6 24. Qg4 Re6 25. Rd1 (25. Nf6+
Rxf6 26. exf6 Qxf6 27. Re2 Rd8 $44 (27... a5 $5)) 25... Qe7 26. Nf6+ Rxf6 27.
Qxh4 Rg6 28. Qxe7 Rxg2+ 29. Kh1 Rg3+ $11) (21... Qh4 22. Rxe4 $5 $14 (22. Ndf5
Bxf5 23. Nxf5 Qf2 24. Re2 Red8 25. Nd6 Qh4 26. g3 Qe7 27. Qc2 f6 $1 $132)) 22.
Ndf5 Bxf5 23. Nxf5 Qxd1 24. Rxd1 Rad8 25. Be3 (25. Re1 f6 26. exf6 gxf6 27. Ra4
(27. Nxh6+ Kh7 28. Nf5 (28. f5 Ne5 29. Rxe4 Rd1 30. Nf7 Ng4+ $1 31. Rxg4 Bc7+
$15) (28. Ng4 Kg7 29. f5 Ne7 $15) 28... Ne7 $11) 27... h5 28. Raxe4 Rxe4 29.
Rxe4 Kf7 30. g4 hxg4 31. hxg4 Bc7 $11) (25. Nd6 f6 26. Be3 Re7 27. Nxe4 Rxd1
28. Rxd1 Nxe5 $5 (28... fxe5 29. f5 $14) 29. fxe5 Rxe5 30. Nxf6+ gxf6 31. Bxh6
Re2 32. Rd2 Bc7+ $11) 25... Rd3 26. Re1 {[%cal Ya1a4,Ya4e4,Yf5d6] Now White is
finally ready to eliminate the Pe4 and subsequently enjoy his strong central
pawns and active pieces, but Kramnik doesn't give him the opportunity.} f6 $1
$132 {Necessary to activate Black's forces.} 27. exf6 gxf6 28. Nxh6+ Kf8 (28...
Kg7 $142 29. Nf5+ Kf7 30. Nh6+ (30. Ra4 Ne7 $11) 30... Kg7 $11) (28... Kh7 29.
Ng4 Kg7 30. Nf2 Rd7 31. g4 f5 $13) 29. Ra4 $5 Rd5 30. c4 (30. f5 Bc7+ 31. Kg1 (
31. g3 $6 Nh4) 31... Bg3 32. Rf1 Ne5 33. Rxe4 (33. Rxa7 $2 Rd3 34. Bxc5+ Kg7
35. Ng4 Nxg4 36. hxg4 e3 $36) 33... Nc4 34. Rxe8+ Kxe8 35. Bf2 (35. Bc1 a5 $44
{/\} 36. Ng4 Kf7 37. Ne3 Nxe3 38. Bxe3 b5 39. Bf2 Bxf2+ 40. Rxf2 a4 $11) 35...
Be5 36. Ng4 Nxb2 $13) (30. Ng4 Kg7 31. Bc1 Rh5 32. Nf2 f5 33. Be3 $5 $14 {
[%cal Yg2g3,Yh2g2]} (33. g4 fxg4 34. Nxg4 Reh8 35. Nf2 c4 36. Be3 Nxf4 37. Bxf4
Bxf2 38. Rxe4 Kf7 39. Raxc4 Rxh3+ 40. Kg2 Bb6 $11)) ({or maybe the similar} 30.
g3 Kg7 31. c4 Rh5 32. Ng4 f5 33. Nf2 $14 {gives White a slight advantage.})
30... Rd3 31. b4 $6 {White quickly wants to reanimate the Ra4, cut off by his
previous move, but runs into a tactical blow.} (31. Nf5 Ne7 $11) (31. Raa1 Rb3
$132) 31... Rxe3 $1 {[%mdl 64]} (31... cxb4 32. Bxb6 axb6 33. Rxb4 Nxf4 34.
Rxb6 Kg7 35. Ng4 e3 $5 $44 {is maybe enough for a draw, but Black can already
play for more.}) (31... Nh4 $5 $132) 32. Rxe3 cxb4 33. Rg3 $6 {With time
running short, White plays actively.} (33. Re1 $142 a5 $36 {was unpleasant,
but objectively better.}) 33... e3 $2 $138 {Kramnik also chooses a
straightforward move and lets White of the hook.} (33... Ne7 $1 {[%csl Rh6]}
34. Rxb4 Bc7 35. Kg1 (35. Ng4 Bxf4 {[%cal Re7f5]} 36. Rb5 Rd8 $1 37. Nxf6 e3
$19) 35... Bxf4 36. Rg4 Bxh6 37. Rxe4 b6 $17) 34. Rxg6 e2 35. Ra1 Bf2 36. Rg8+
(36. g4 {should also hold after} e1=Q 37. Rxf6+ Kg7 38. Rxe1 Bxe1 (38... Rxe1
39. g5 b3 40. f5 (40. Rf7+ Kg6 41. Rf6+ $11) (40. Nf5+ $11) 40... Re7 (40... b2
$2 41. Rf7+ Kh8 42. g6 $19) 41. Rg6+ Kh7 42. Ng4 (42. Ng8 Rf7 43. Nf6+ Rxf6 44.
Rxf6 b2 45. Rf7+ Kg8 46. Rxb7 Bb6 47. Rb8+ Kf7 48. g6+ Kf6 49. Rf8+ Kg7 $19)
42... Bd4 (42... Rf7 43. Rh6+ Kg8 44. g6 b2 45. gxf7+ Kxf7 46. Ne5+ Kg7 47.
Rg6+ Kh7 48. f6 b1=Q 49. Rg7+ Kh6 50. Nf7+ Kh5 51. Rg5+ Kh4 52. Rg4+ Kh5 53.
Rg5+ $11) 43. Nf6+ Bxf6 44. gxf6 Rd7 45. f7 Rxf7 46. Rg3 $11) 39. g5 Re2+ 40.
Kg1 Bc3 41. Rf7+ Kg6 42. Rxb7 $132) 36... Ke7 37. Rg7+ Kd6 38. Rxb7 e1=Q 39.
Rxe1 Bxe1 40. Nf5+ Kc5 (40... Kc6 41. Rxa7 b3 42. Nd4+ Kb6 43. Ra1 Bc3 44. c5+
Kb7 45. Nxb3 Bxa1 46. Nxa1 $11 {is also a draw, as Black can't trap the Na1.})
41. Rb5+ $1 $11 {White forces a perpetual before the queenside passed pawns
can get really moving.} Kc6 (41... Kxc4 $4 42. Nd6+) 42. Nd4+ Kc7 43. Rc5+ (43.
Rc5+ Kb6 (43... Kd7 44. Ra5 $11 (44. Rd5+ Kc7 (44... Ke7 45. Nc6+ Kf8 46. Rb5
Re3 47. g4 $13 {is probably still a draw, but it only makes life more
difficult for Black.}) 45. Rc5+ $11)) 44. Rb5+ Kc7 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich m rapid"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2012.04.25"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2820"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2012.04.21"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 d6 8. Bg5 h6
9. Bh4 Bb6 10. Nbd2 Rb8 11. Qe2 a5 12. a4 b4 13. O-O g5 14. Bg3 O-O 15. Nc4 Ba7
16. Nfd2 h5 17. h3 h4 18. Bh2 Kg7 19. Kh1 Rh8 20. d4 bxc3 21. bxc3 exd4 22. e5
dxc3 23. exf6+ Qxf6 24. f4 cxd2 25. fxg5 Qe6 26. Qd1 Rxb3 27. Qxb3 Ba6 28. Qf3
Bxc4 29. Qxc6 Bd4 30. Bg1 Bxa1 31. Rxa1 Re8 32. g6 Qf6 33. Qxc4 Re1 34. Kh2
Rxa1 35. Bd4 Rh1+ 0-1

[Event "Paris Ernst Young sim"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2012.06.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Centrale Paris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D36"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2012.06.03"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 c6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Qc2
Nbd7 9. Nge2 Re8 10. O-O Nf8 11. Rae1 Ne4 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Ng3
b6 15. Qa4 Bb7 16. Ncxe4 c5 17. f3 cxd4 18. exd4 Qc7 19. Nf6+ gxf6 20. Rxe8 Bc6
21. Rxf8+ Rxf8 22. Qc4 Rc8 23. Rc1 Qf4 24. d5 Qxc4 25. Rxc4 Bd7 26. Rxc8+ Bxc8
27. Nh5 Kf8 28. Nxf6 Ke7 29. Ne4 h6 30. Kf2 Bb7 31. d6+ Ke6 32. Ke3 Bc8 33. Kf4
a6 34. h4 a5 35. g4 f6 36. h5 Bd7 37. Ng3 Kxd6 38. Nf5+ 1-0

[Event "Paris Ernst Young sim"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2012.06.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "ENSIIE"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2012.06.03"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Qc2 g6 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. Be2 O-O 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. Bd2 Qc7 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Rac1 Qd6 12. a3 b6 13. Na4 a5 14. Nc3 Ba6 15.
Bxa6 Rxa6 16. Nb5 Qb8 17. Qc6 e6 18. Rc2 Qa8 19. Rfc1 Qxc6 20. Rxc6 Ne4 21. Be1
Raa8 22. Kf1 g5 23. Rc7 Rfd8 24. Nd2 Nxd2+ 25. Bxd2 e5 26. R1c6 Nf8 27. Bc3
exd4 28. exd4 Rab8 29. Nd6 Ne6 30. Nxf7 Re8 31. Rd7 Nxd4 32. Nh6+ Bxh6 33. Bxd4
Bf8 34. Rxd5 h6 35. Rd7 Re7 36. Rxe7 Bxe7 37. Rxh6 Rd8 38. Rh8+ Kf7 39. Rxd8
Bxd8 40. Ke2 Ke6 41. Kd3 Kd5 42. a4 Bc7 43. g4 Kc6 44. h3 b5 45. b3 bxa4 46.
bxa4 Kd5 47. Bf6 Kc5 48. Be7+ Bd6 49. Bxd6+ Kxd6 50. Kd4 Kc6 51. Kc4 Kd6 52.
Kb5 1-0

[Event "Paris Ernst Young sim"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2012.06.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Normale Sup Lyon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2012.06.03"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bc4 e6 6. O-O Ne7 7. d3 O-O 8. Qe1
Nbc6 9. f5 d5 10. Bb3 Na5 11. fxg6 fxg6 12. exd5 Nxb3 13. axb3 exd5 14. Bg5 Bf6
15. Bxf6 Rxf6 16. Qe5 Rf5 17. Qg3 Be6 18. Nb5 Qb6 19. Rfe1 Qxb5 20. Rxe6 Qd7
21. Rd6 Qe8 22. Re1 Rd8 23. Rde6 Kf8 24. Rxe7 Qxe7 25. Rxe7 Kxe7 26. Qc7+ Rd7
27. Qxc5+ Ke8 28. h3 b6 29. Qd4 Re7 30. Qh4 Kd7 31. Nd4 Rfe5 32. Kh2 Kc7 33.
Qf6 Kd7 34. Qc6+ Kd8 35. Qa8+ Kd7 36. Nc6 Kd6 37. Nxe5 Kxe5 38. Qd8 Ke6 39. d4
1-0

[Event "Paris Ernst Young sim"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2012.06.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Normale Sup Ulm A"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2012.06.03"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4
c6 9. Re1 Re8 10. Nc3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Bg4 12. Bg5 Qc8 13. Rxe8+ Qxe8 14. Qb1 Bxf3
15. gxf3 h6 16. Qxb7 hxg5 17. Qxa8 g6 18. c5 Bf4 19. Rb1 Kg7 20. h3 Qe6 21.
Rxb8 Bxb8 22. Qxb8 Qxh3 23. Qe5+ Kg8 24. Qb8+ Kg7 25. Qg3 Qc8 26. Qxg5 1-0

[Event "Paris Ernst Young sim"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2012.06.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Normale Sup Ulm B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2012.06.03"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. Bg2 Be7 7. Nc3 c5 8. d5
exd5 9. cxd5 O-O 10. Nh4 d6 11. Nf5 Re8 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. O-O Na6 14. e4 Nb4
15. Qb1 Ba6 16. Rd1 c4 17. b3 cxb3 18. axb3 Bb7 19. Be3 Qd8 20. Bd4 a5 21. Qc1
Rc8 22. Bh3 Rxc3 23. Bxc3 Nxe4 24. Bxb4 axb4 25. Re1 Nc3 26. Qg5 f6 27. Qh4 Re5
28. Be6+ Kh8 29. Rxe5 dxe5 30. Qxb4 Ne2+ 31. Kf1 Nd4 32. Ra7 Nc6 33. dxc6 Qd3+
34. Ke1 Qb1+ 35. Ke2 Qc2+ 36. Ke3 Qc1+ 37. Qd2 Qc5+ 38. Ke4 1-0

[Event "Paris Ernst Young sim"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2012.06.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Paris Universite"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C13"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2012.06.03"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nbd7 6. Nf3 Be7 7. Nxf6+ gxf6
8. Be3 f5 9. Bc4 Bf6 10. Qe2 Nb6 11. Bb3 Qe7 12. O-O-O Bd7 13. Ne5 O-O-O 14.
Bf4 Be8 15. Kb1 Bg5 16. Bxg5 Qxg5 17. g3 Kb8 18. Rhe1 Rg8 19. c4 f4 20. Ka1 h5
21. d5 fxg3 22. hxg3 exd5 23. c5 Nc4 24. f4 Qxg3 25. Bxc4 Ba4 26. Rxd5 Qxf4 27.
c6 Bxc6 28. Nxc6+ bxc6 29. Rxd8+ Rxd8 30. Ba6 h4 31. Qd3 1-0

[Event "Paris Ernst Young sim"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2012.06.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Telecom Bretagne"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2012.06.03"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bc4 e6 6. O-O Nge7 7. e5 d6 8. exd6
Qxd6 9. d3 b6 10. Ne4 Qc7 11. Ne5 O-O 12. Qf3 Rb8 13. Qh3 b5 14. Bb3 c4 15.
dxc4 Nxe5 16. fxe5 Qxe5 17. Nd2 b4 18. a3 a5 19. axb4 axb4 20. Kh1 Nf5 21. Nf3
Qc5 22. Ng5 h6 23. Ne4 Qc6 24. Ng3 Nxg3+ 25. Qxg3 Bb7 26. Ra5 Ra8 27. Rb5 Ra1
28. Rg1 Bd4 29. Be3 Rxg1+ 30. Bxg1 Bxg1 31. Kxg1 Rd8 32. h4 Rd1+ 33. Kh2 Kh7
34. h5 Rd2 35. hxg6+ fxg6 36. Kh1 Rd1+ 37. Kh2 Rd2 38. Kh1 Qd7 39. Rxb7 Qxb7
40. Ba4 Qa7 41. Qf3 Rf2 42. Qc6 Rf1+ 43. Kh2 Qe7 44. g3 Rf2+ 45. Kg1 Qf7 46. c5
Rd2 47. Bb3 0-1

[Event "Paris Ernst Young sim"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2012.06.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Telecom Management"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C13"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2012.06.03"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 e6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8.
Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O b6 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. h4 c5 12. Kb1 Qc7 13. Neg5 h6 14. Rh3 c4
15. Bh7+ Kh8 16. c3 e5 17. Qc2 exd4 18. Nxd4 Nc5 19. Nb5 Qf4 20. g3 Qe5 21. f4
Qe3 22. Nd6 Qe7 23. Nxb7 Qxb7 24. Bf5 Rad8 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Bc8 Rd1+ 27. Qxd1
Qxc8 28. g4 Qe8 29. Nf3 Nd3 30. Rh2 Qe4 31. Re2 Qxf4 32. g5 Kh7 33. gxf6 Qxf3
34. fxg7 Kxg7 35. Qg1+ Kf8 36. Rg2 Qe4 37. Ka1 Qxh4 38. Rg8+ Ke7 39. Qe3+ Kf6
40. Rg1 h5 41. Rf1+ Kg7 42. Qf3 f6 43. Rg1+ Kf7 44. Qd5+ Kf8 45. Rg8+ Ke7 46.
Rg7+ 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[BlackElo "2738"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2012.06.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Qe1 e5 7. e4 dxe4 8.
dxe4 Be7 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. h3 Bh5 11. Nh4 Re8 12. Nc4 Bf8 13. Bg5 Qc7 14. a4 a5
15. Kh2 Re6 16. Bd2 b6 17. Ne3 Nc5 18. f3 Rd8 19. Bc3 Ree8 20. Rf2 Ne6 21. Rd1
Bc5 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Rd2 Bd4 24. Nef5 Bg6 25. Rd1 c5 26. Bf1 Bxf5 27. Nxf5 g6
28. Ne3 Bxc3 29. Rxd8+ Qxd8 30. bxc3 Ne8 31. Nc4 Qd7 32. Nxb6 Qc6 33. Qb1 Nd6
34. Nc4 Nxc4 35. Bxc4 Qxa4 36. Qb8+ Nf8 37. Bb3 Qd7 38. h4 Qd2+ 39. Kh3 Qd7+
40. Kg2 Qd2+ 41. Kh3 Qd7+ 42. Kg2 Qd2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2825"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2012.06.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O a6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nxd4 Be7 8.
f3 O-O 9. Be3 Nd7 10. Nc3 Ne5 11. Qe2 Bb4 12. Nd1 c5 13. Nb3 c4 14. Nd4 c5 15.
Nf5 Bxf5 16. exf5 Re8 17. Nf2 Nc6 18. Ne4 Nd4 19. Bxd4 Qxd4+ 20. Kh1 Qxb2 21.
a3 Ba5 22. Rab1 Qe5 23. Rxb7 Qxf5 24. Qxc4 Qe6 25. Qxc5 Bd8 26. Qd4 Be7 27. Rb6
Qa2 28. c4 Qxa3 29. c5 a5 30. Ra1 Rad8 31. Nd6 Bf6 32. Rxa3 Bxd4 33. Nxe8 Bxc5
34. Rd6 Rxe8 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "McShane, Luke J"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B00"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[BlackElo "2706"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2012.06.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. Bd3 g6 5. O-O Bg7 6. Re1 d6 7. Nbd2 Ne7 8. Nf1
Nd7 9. Ng3 h6 10. c3 a6 11. Be3 Nf6 12. h3 O-O 13. Qd2 Kh7 14. Rad1 Qd7 15. Bb1
b5 16. Nh2 Nfg8 17. h4 f5 18. h5 g5 19. exf5 exf5 20. f4 g4 21. Nxg4 Kh8 22.
Nh2 Nf6 23. Nf3 Ne4 24. Nxe4 fxe4 25. Nh4 Bf6 26. Ng6+ Nxg6 27. hxg6 Qf5 28. d5
Rae8 29. Bd4 Qxg6 30. f5 Qg7 31. Bxf6 Qxf6 32. Rxe4 Rxe4 33. Bxe4 Re8 34. Bb1
Re5 35. Re1 Rxd5 36. Re8+ Kg7 37. Qe2 Re5 38. Rxe5 Qxe5 39. Qg4+ Kf8 40. Qg6
Qe1+ 41. Kh2 Qh4+ 42. Kg1 Qe1+ 43. Kh2 Qxb1 44. Qxh6+ Ke8 45. Qe6+ Kd8 46. Qg8+
Kd7 47. Qg7+ Kd8 48. Qg8+ Kd7 49. f6 Qe4 50. Qg7+ Kd8 51. f7 Qh4+ 52. Kg1 Qe1+
53. Kh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.07"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2012.06.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Missing moves added. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kLWc7D_Wgw https://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=rLbRz1WoP0Q} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. b4
Bb6 6. d3 d6 7. a4 a5 8. b5 Ne7 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. O-O Ng6 11. Ba2 h6 12. Nc4 Ba7
13. h3 Be6 14. Kh2 Bb8 15. Ne3 d5 16. Qc2 c6 17. c4 d4 18. Nd1 c5 19. g3 Nh7
20. Ng1 f5 21. exf5 Bxf5 22. Qe2 Nf6 23. Bb1 Re8 24. Qf3 Qd7 25. Re1 e4 26.
dxe4 Be6 27. Nb2 Ne5 28. Qg2 Nxc4 29. Nxc4 Bxc4 30. f4 d3 31. e5 Nd5 32. Qe4
Nb6 33. Be3 Qd5 34. Qxd5+ Nxd5 35. Bxc5 Nc3 36. Rc1 d2 37. Rxc3 d1=Q 38. Bh7+
Kxh7 39. Rxd1 Be6 40. Bb6 Ba7 41. Bxa7 Rxa7 42. Rc7 Raa8 43. Rd6 Bb3 44. Ne2
Bxa4 45. Nd4 Rac8 46. Rxb7 Red8 47. h4 Bd1 48. Ra7 a4 49. b6 Ra8 50. Rxd8 Rxd8
51. b7 Bg4 52. Ra8 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.07"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2825"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2012.06.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Missing moves added. Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8L1K7wBg_Q Part
2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgTGbdUZQ5M Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=mAppD869lc0} 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. Nbd2 e6 6. Bd3
Nbd7 7. b3 Bd6 8. Bb2 Qb8 9. Qc2 a5 10. a3 Bh5 11. h3 Bg6 12. Bxg6 hxg6 13. O-O
Rh5 14. e4 dxe4 15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Qxe4 Kf8 17. Rfe1 Kg8 18. Rad1 Qf8 19. a4 Rd8
20. Qc2 Rf5 21. Rd3 Rh5 22. Red1 Qe7 23. Re3 Qf8 24. Qe2 Bf4 25. Red3 Bc7 26.
h4 Qe8 27. g3 Nf8 28. Ng5 f6 29. Ne4 b6 30. Re1 g5 31. hxg5 f5 32. Nd2 Rxg5 33.
Nf3 Rg4 34. d5 cxd5 35. cxd5 Re4 36. Qc2 exd5 37. Red1 Bb8 38. Rxd5 Rxd5 39.
Rxd5 Qh5 40. Kg2 Qf7 41. Qd3 Ne6 42. Be5 Bxe5 43. Rxe5 Rxe5 44. Nxe5 Qf6 45.
Qd5 Kh7 46. Nd7 Qg6 47. Qxe6 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.07"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A88"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2012.06.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 f5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 d6 7. Nc3 c6 8. b3 Qc7
9. Ba3 Re8 10. Qc1 a5 11. Rd1 Na6 12. Ne1 Nb4 13. Nc2 Nxc2 14. Qxc2 e5 15. dxe5
dxe5 16. Bd6 Qf7 17. Na4 Nd7 18. e4 f4 19. c5 Bf8 20. f3 Kg7 21. Qc3 fxg3 22.
hxg3 Qf6 23. Rac1 h5 24. f4 exf4 25. gxf4 Qxc3 26. Rxc3 Nf6 27. Nb6 Bg4 28. Rd4
Rad8 29. e5 Ng8 30. Rcd3 Kf7 31. Bxf8 Rxd4 32. Rxd4 Rxf8 33. Nc4 Ne7 34. Nxa5
Ra8 35. b4 Be6 36. a3 Bd5 37. Bh3 Nf5 38. Rd3 Ke6 39. Nxb7 g5 40. Nd6 g4 41.
Bf1 h4 42. b5 h3 43. Rxh3 gxh3 44. Bxh3 cxb5 45. Bxf5+ Ke7 46. Nxb5 Bc4 47. Nd6
Bd5 48. Bg6 Rxa3 49. f5 Rc3 50. f6+ Kf8 51. Be4 Rxc5 52. Bxd5 Rxd5 53. Ne4 Rxe5
54. Ng3 Kf7 55. Kf2 Kxf6 56. Kf3 Ra5 57. Ne4+ Ke5 58. Nf2 Ra4 59. Kg3 Kf5 60.
Kf3 Ra3+ 61. Ke2 Kf4 62. Nd3+ Ke4 63. Nf2+ Kd4 64. Ng4 Rg3 65. Nf2 Re3+ 66. Kf1
Re8 67. Kg2 Rf8 68. Kg3 Kd5 69. Ng4 Ke4 70. Nf2+ Rxf2 71. Kxf2 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.07"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2825"]
[PlyCount "25"]
[EventDate "2012.06.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bg5 Be7 7. Bxe7 Qxe7 8.
Bxc6 dxc6 9. dxe5 Nf5 10. Nc3 Bd7 11. Qe2 O-O-O 12. Rad1 Kb8 13. b4 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.07"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D93"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2012.06.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. Rc1 dxc4 8.
Bxc4 O-O 9. Nf3 Qxc5 10. Bb3 Qa5 11. O-O Nc6 12. h3 Bf5 13. Qe2 Ne4 14. g4 Nxc3
15. bxc3 Bd7 16. Rfd1 Qa3 17. e4 Be6 18. Rb1 Rad8 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Rxd8 Nxd8
21. Be3 Qxc3 22. Kg2 b6 23. Rc1 Qb4 24. Qd3 Nb7 25. Rc7 Nd6 26. Ng5 Bf6 27.
Nxe6 Re8 28. Rxa7 b5 29. Nc7 Rf8 30. Nd5 Qb2 31. Nxf6+ Qxf6 32. Qd5+ Rf7 33. e5
1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.07"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2825"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2012.06.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 d5 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O e5 5. d3 Ne7 6. e4 O-O 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. Re1
Nc6 9. Nbd2 h6 10. a3 Re8 11. Rb1 Bf5 12. Ne4 Qc8 13. Bd2 Bh3 14. Bh1 Nde7 15.
b4 a6 16. c3 Nf5 17. Qc2 Rb8 18. a4 Nd8 19. d4 Nd6 20. Nxe5 Bf5 21. Qb3 Ne6 22.
Rbd1 Nxe4 23. Bxe4 Bxe4 24. Rxe4 h5 25. Ree1 b5 26. axb5 axb5 27. Be3 Qb7 28.
Qd5 Qxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.08"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
d3 O-O 9. Be3 $5 {Aronian refrains from the ambitious plan based on an early
advance of the b-pawn (with or without d2-d3 in between), which has been long
considered White's main chance for an advantage. Instead, he chooses a setup
that is typical for the Classical Dragon. Well, having an extra tempo with
reversed colours in what is considered a safe line for Black cannot hurt.} f5 (
9... Be6 {is more popular. Here is an example at a high level from recentt
years; true, it was played in a rapid game.} 10. Rc1 ({One of the main
problems when playing lines with reversed colours is that what is excellent
for Black does not always suit White. For instance, the freeing break} 10. d4 {
leads to easy equality, but nothing more than that.} exd4 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12.
Qxd4 Qxd4 {1/2 Morovic Fernandez,I (2540)-Sokolov,A (2605)/Las Palmas 1989/EXT
1997}) 10... f6 11. a3 Nd4 12. Ne4 Bb3 13. Qd2 Nxf3+ 14. Bxf3 Bd5 15. Qc2 c6
16. Nd2 Kh8 17. Rfd1 f5 18. b4 {Black somehow did not manage to neutralise
White's queenside play and his kingside attack is not easy to develop.} Bg5 19.
Bxg5 Qxg5 20. a4 Qe7 21. a5 Bxf3 22. Nxf3 e4 23. dxe4 fxe4 24. Nd2 e3 25. axb6
exd2 26. Rxd2 axb6 27. Rd4 $14 {Ivanchuk,V (2779)-Kramnik,V (2759)/Nice 2009/
CBM 129 Extra (1/2, 65)}) 10. Rc1 Kh8 {It is interesting that Nakamura delays
the development of his c8-bishop, probably fearing the standard manoeuvre
Nc3-a4-c5.} ({Aronian had faced} 10... Be6 {a ve-e-ery long time ago:} 11. a3
f4 {This hands over the e4-square too easily.} (11... Bf6 {spares White any
worries about ...f5-f4, allowing} 12. Nd2 {with some lasting queenside
pressure:} Rb8 13. Bc5 Re8 14. b4 Qd7 15. Nb3 {Szabo,L-Kluger,G/Budapest 1954/
MCD (1-0, 46)}) 12. Bd2 g5 $6 13. Ne4 Nd7 14. Rxc6 $1 {This is a well-known
trick from the Classical Dragon.} bxc6 15. Bc3 $14 {Aronian,L (2455)-Del Rio
Angelis,S (2395)/Linares 1998/CBM 062 ext (1-0, 34)}) 11. a3 Bf6 ({As
mentioned above,} 11... Be6 {can be met with} 12. Na4 {, see for instance
Ibragimov,I (2540)-Schwartzman,G (2455)/Odorheiu Secuiesc 1993/CBM 036/[Belov]
(1-0, 51)}) 12. Bc5 {Immediately taking the available space.} ({With the
b7-pawn defended (...Be6 not played yet) Szabo's manoeuvre} 12. Nd2 {is less
effective because of} Nd4 {followed by ...c6.}) 12... Re8 13. b4 Be6 {Now that
there is no danger of Na4-c5, Black finally develops his bishop. Still, White
has made some significant progress in the meanwhile.} 14. Re1 $5 $146 {A
hyper-flexible, but maybe too slow move.} (14. Nd2 {worked out well in the
only previous game with this position:} Nd5 $6 {Inviting White to carry out a
favourable operation in the centre.} (14... a6 $5) 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. e4 fxe4
17. Nxe4 $14 {With excellent piece play for White in Onischuk,A (2495)
-Fogarasi,T (2440)/Budapest 1993/CBM 037 ext (1-0, 75)}) ({If Aronian wanted
to play e2-e4 anyway, I believe that} 14. e4 {would have been a more
restrictive move order.}) 14... Qd7 ({Black could have tried} 14... Nd7 {
when after} 15. e4 Nxc5 16. bxc5 {the queenside structural modifications do
not favour White.}) 15. e4 $14 {Everything returns to normal now. White has a
very pleasant position.} a6 {Black cannot prevent White from installing his
queen's knight on e4.} (15... f4 $6 16. gxf4 exf4 17. d4 $16 {leaves White
with a massive centre.}) (15... g6 $6 {does not really keep the control over
e4, since after} 16. exf5 gxf5 $6 17. b5 {White wins a pawn.}) 16. Bh3 $6 {
This is asking too much.} ({After the simple} 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Ne4 $14 {
White has a great position. For instance, the threat against the d3-pawn
created with} Rad8 {can be parried with} 18. Nfg5 {, in view of the possible
fork on f7.}) 16... g6 $1 $11 {Now White can forget about the e4-square, while
the weaknesses induced by Black's last move are not too relevant.} (16... fxe4
17. Bxe6 Qxe6 18. Nxe4 $14 {Still, I prefer the position from the previous
comment, with the bishops on the board.}) (16... Nd4 17. Bxd4 exd4 18. Ne2 fxe4
19. Bxe6 Rxe6 (19... Qxe6 20. dxe4 Qxe4 21. Nf4 Qf5 22. Rxc7 $36) 20. Nf4 Ree8
21. dxe4 $14 {[%csl Gd3]}) ({In fact, the centralising} 16... Rad8 {would have
been entirely possible.} 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. Bxf5 Qxf5 19. Ne4 Nd5 {For once,
Black's activity compensates for the strong e4-knight.}) 17. Be3 Qg7 18. Ng5 {
Played apparently without a clear plan.} (18. Qc2 $5) 18... Bg8 19. Nf3 {
The knight has nothing to do on g5 and is exposed to ...f5-f4. Besides, the
d4-square is crying for defence.} f4 $5 {Black does not care for a repetition
of moves already.} 20. Bxb6 cxb6 21. Nd5 g5 $2 (21... Rad8 22. Nxb6 h5 $44 {
[%cal Gg6g5]} ({After the careless} 22... g5 $6 23. Bg4 $1 {Black cannot
unblock his kingside easily.})) 22. Bd7 $1 {What a shock! Black is in trouble
already.} Re6 $5 {Desperation.} (22... Red8 23. Bxc6 bxc6 24. Rxc6 {I find
this best.} ({The greedy} 24. Nxb6 Ra7 25. Rxc6 g4 {offers Black some play for
the pawns.}) 24... Bxd5 25. exd5 Rxd5 26. Qc2 $36 {White's pieces are more
active and his king is safer.}) 23. Bxe6 Bxe6 24. Nxf6 Qxf6 25. Rxc6 $5 {
A technical decision, in the spirit of another great Armenian player, Tigran
Vartanovich Petrosian.} bxc6 26. Qa1 $18 {White wins the central pawn and,
inevitably, the game.} a5 27. Qxe5 Qxe5 28. Nxe5 axb4 29. axb4 c5 30. bxc5 bxc5
31. gxf4 gxf4 32. Kg2 Ra3 33. Kf3 c4 34. Kxf4 cxd3 35. Rd1 Ra2 36. Nxd3 Bc4 37.
f3 Rxh2 38. Ne5 Ba2 39. Rd7 Rh6 40. Nf7+ Bxf7 41. Rxf7 Kg8 42. Rf5 Rh1 43. e5
h5 44. Rg5+ Kf8 45. Kf5 h4 46. Rh5 Kg7 47. f4 h3 48. Ke6 Kg6 49. Rg5+ Kh6 50.
Kf5 Rh2 51. Rg8 Rh1 52. e6 h2 53. Rg2 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2825"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Be7 4. g3 Nf6 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Bd6 {Not a bad move, as proven by this game.} ({
The main line goes} 10... a5 {, but White has chances to retain a stable edge
with} 11. Nc3 Na6 12. Rac1 Nb4 13. Ne5 {See for instance Le Quang,L (2681)
-Mamedyarov,S (2761)/Dortmund 2010/CBM 138/[Marin,M] (1/2, 52) and Wang Yue 
(2709)-Onischuk,A (2675)/Ningbo 2011/CBM 144/[Marin,M] (1-0, 29)}) 11. Bg5 Nbd7
12. Nc3 h6 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. Nd2 $146 {This new move fails to impress, at
least in this game.} (14. Rfe1 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 c6 {Wang Yue (2697)-Nielsen,P 
(2693)/Beijing 2011/CBM 145 Extra (1/2, 49)}) (14. Rfd1 Qe7 15. Ne5 Bxg2 16.
Kxg2 c5 {Kuzubov,Y (2615)-Bologan,V (2687)/Plovdiv 2012/CBM 148 (1-0, 50)})
14... Bxg2 15. Kxg2 a5 16. Rfd1 Bb4 17. Rac1 Qd7 18. Nf3 Rfd8 19. Ne5 Qe7 20.
e3 c6 21. Qb3 Qc7 22. Nb5 Qb8 23. Nc3 Qc7 24. Nb5 Qb8 25. Nc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.10"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "McShane, Luke J"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[BlackElo "2706"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 a6 5. Bg5 {White has tried basically every
legal move in this position, but Bg5 has never been that popular.} dxc4 (5...
Ne4 {is more popular, but the move in the game scores far better.}) 6. a4 h6 7.
Bh4 (7. Bxf6 exf6 8. e3 {regains the pawn but promises no advantage.}) 7... b5
{This move is new in grandmaster games, but the idea behind it is common for
this variation.} 8. axb5 cxb5 9. Nxb5 (9. e4 Bb7 10. e5 g5 11. Bg3 Ne4 12. e6 {
is very messy and quite unforced.}) 9... axb5 10. Rxa8 Bb7 11. Ra1 g5 12. Bg3
e6 {The point of Black's exchange sacrifice is that there is no good way of
meeting ...Bb4+. White is already forced to forego castling and that will make
his development quite awkward.} 13. e3 Bb4+ 14. Ke2 Nc6 {From a practical
persepective this position is very hard for White. Black has all the options,
the better development, the pair of bishops, the targets, the safer king.
White does have an extra exchange but it's very hard to play with it.} 15. Ne1
Na5 (15... Nd5 {with the idea of f5-f4 is worth considering.}) 16. Be5 (16. Nc2
Be7 17. f3 O-O 18. Kf2 {right away was preferable. At least White's bishop
might go to e2 one day.}) 16... O-O 17. h4 {White is lashing out, hoping for
some activity. But there really is nothing to create. The king on e2 makes
everything uncoordinated. I also believe that the pawn on g4 actually helps
Black, since White can never successfully open the g-file, which means that f3
is not a possibility.} g4 18. Nc2 Be7 19. Ke1 Nb3 20. Ra2 (20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21.
Qxg4+ Kh8 22. Ra7 Qb6 $17 {gives White more material but does not help his
position.}) 20... h5 21. Be2 {After spending a considerable amount of time in
this position, I've come to the conclusion that White has no good moves. Be2
is far from ideal, but the alternatives might just be worse.} (21. f3 gxf3 22.
gxf3 Ng4 $36) 21... Bd6 $1 {A very strong move. Black eliminates that active
bishop and emphasizes the weakness on g2. There was no need to take the pawn
immediately, this is much stronger. After this Black is simply better.} 22. f3
(22. Bxf6 Qxf6 {leaves white helpless against the threats on the kingside.}) (
22. Bxd6 Qxd6 23. Kf1 Ne4 {with a clear black initiative.}) (22. Ra7 {was
maybe the last chance to bail out, but Black doesn't have to cooperate.} Bxg2 (
22... Be4 $1 {is better.}) 23. Rg1 Be4 24. Bxg4 Nxg4 25. Rxg4+ hxg4 26. Qxg4+
Bg6 27. h5 Bxe5 28. hxg6 Bg7 29. Qh3 {and White seems to achieve a draw.})
22... Nd5 (22... Bxe5 23. dxe5 Nd5 24. fxg4 Qb6 $1 {transposes to the game,
but was a more accurate move order.}) 23. fxg4 (23. Ra7 Bc6 24. f4 $13) 23...
Bxe5 24. dxe5 Qb6 25. Bf3 Nxe3 26. Nxe3 Qxe3+ (26... Rd8 $5 {was also a strong
move. The point is that Qe2 is not possible and that is the only move that
defends the knight. Without it White must give up the queen and the rest is
easy.} 27. Kf2 (27. Qe2 Nc1 $19) 27... Rxd1 28. Rxd1 Bxf3 29. gxf3 Nd4 $19 {
McShane might have seen this position and thought that the two rooks more than
compensated for the queen. However, Black's superior activity and plethora of
targets gives him a near decisive advantage.}) 27. Qe2 Qc1+ 28. Qd1 Qe3+ 29.
Qe2 Qc1+ 30. Qd1 Bxf3 {Black's attack is winning, no need to repeat again. The
queens cannot be traded so the attack continues.} 31. gxf3 Qe3+ 32. Qe2 Qc1+
33. Qd1 Qe3+ 34. Qe2 Qf4 {Once the rook joins the fray there will be no
stopping Black. Aronian keeps hitting the queen but this game is over.} 35. Qh2
(35. Kf2 Rd8 36. Rd1 Qh2+ 37. Ke3 Qxe5+ 38. Kf2 Qh2+ 39. Ke3 Qxh4 $19 {Black
has recuperated his material and White's king is quite sad on e3.}) 35... Qxf3
36. Rf1 Qe4+ 37. Kf2 Nd2 38. Rg1 Qf3+ (38... Qf3+ 39. Ke1 Qe3+ 40. Kd1 Nb3 {
and mate will follow shortly after White's spite check. A very powerful and
convincing show my McShane. As I said in the notes, I'm not even sure where
Aronian went decisively wrong. Maybe the entire Be5 and h4 idea was wrong, but
to be honest his position was unpleasant from the start. This lines overall
are dangerous for White at best.}) 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2825"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 {In the friendly match
in Zürich Levon went for the more adventurous 5...Bc5. Now he chooses the most
solid and reliable continuation.} 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O d5 9. exd5
cxd5 10. h3 {Already this move is very rare. Normally White plays the obvious
10.Bg5, there are thousands games in the database. But, Vladimir comes up with
a different conception.} ({Here is one example of the main line.} 10. Bg5 c6
11. Na4 h6 12. Bh4 Be6 13. c3 Be7 14. Re1 Re8 15. Bc2 Nd7 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. f4
Qf6 18. Qd4 Qxd4+ 19. cxd4 g6 $11 {1/2-1/2 Polgar,J (2701)-Giri,A (2722)/
Hoogeveen 2011/CBM 145 (27)}) 10... Re8 11. Qf3 c6 12. Bf4 {This is where
Kramnik wants to see his bishop.} Bd7 $5 {This move is a bit unusual, I
wouldn't say awkward. Normally this bishop is developed to e6, but, Aronian
did not want to block the e-file.} ({After, let's say} 12... Be6 13. Ne2 Bd6 {
I don't see even a shadow of a problem for Black, but I believe that Kramnik
had something in mind.}) 13. a3 Bxc3 $6 {I don't see the reason for giving up
the bishop. Spoiling White's pawn structure is less important than keeping
control over the dark squares.} (13... Bf8 14. Rae1 (14. Bg5 {is parried by} h6
{and the exchange on f6 is never dangerous for Black.}) 14... Qb6 15. Na4 Qa5
16. Nc3 Qb6 $11 {If White wants to continue the fight, he has to play
something like 17.Nd1, but the position remains equal.}) 14. bxc3 Ne4 15. Rfe1
Qf6 $6 (15... Nxc3 $1 {was brave and I couldn't find a refutation.} 16. Be5 (
16. Bxh7+ Kxh7 17. Qxc3 Qh4) (16. Qg3 Ne4 17. Bxe4 dxe4 18. Rad1 Re6 19. Rd4 {
There is no doubt that White has full compensation for the pawn, but hardly
more than that.}) 16... Ne4 17. Bxe4 dxe4 18. Rxe4 f6 {and again White has
very little.}) 16. Bxe4 dxe4 17. Qe3 $1 {White doesn't have to take on e4.} (
17. Rxe4 Bxh3 $1 (17... Rxe4 18. Qxe4 Qxc3 19. Be5 Qd2 20. Rb1 $36 {[%cal
Gb1b7]}) 18. Rxe8+ (18. gxh3 $4 Qg6+ $19 {[%csl Re4,Rg1]}) 18... Rxe8 19. gxh3
g5 $11) 17... Be6 18. Rad1 {After numerous inaccuracies Levon found himself in
a rather difficult position. Black can't fight for the b-file as the b8-square
is controlled by the white bishop. This means that soon White's rook will
penetrate to b7.} Qf5 ({Perhaps it was preferable to play} 18... Bd5 19. Rd4
Qe6 {not allowing White to play c3-c4 so easily. Still, after} 20. Rb1 {
White's advantage is indisputable.}) 19. Rd4 f6 20. Rb1 $1 (20. Rxe4 $6 Bf7 {
is exactly how Black wants to escape: to give up the Pe4, to exchange all the
major pieces and reach the drawn endgame with opposite coloured bishops.})
20... Bd5 21. c4 Bf7 22. Rb7 Rad8 23. Bd6 $2 {The correct idea but a wrong
interpretation.} (23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24. Bd6 $1 {This was the right order. White is
practically dominating.} (24. Rxa7 g5 25. Bg3 h5 26. h4 gxh4 27. Bxh4 Qe5 28.
Qg3+ ({In the following spectacular line White escapes by a miracle:} 28. Bg3
$2 Rd1+ 29. Kh2 Qa1 30. Bd6 $8 Rh1+ 31. Kg3 h4+ 32. Kf4 Re1 33. Qc5 Be6 34.
Ra8+ Kg7 35. Ra7+ Kg6 36. Bf8 Qc1+ 37. Qe3 Rxe3 38. Rg7+ Kh5 39. Rh7+ Kg6 40.
Rg7+ $11) 28... Qxg3 29. Bxg3 Rd2 {and Black should hold with many
difficulties.}) 24... Bxc4 (24... a5 25. c5 h5 26. Ra7 $16) (24... Rxd6 25.
Rb8+ Be8 26. Rxe8+ Kf7 27. Rxe4 $16) 25. Qxa7 Kh8 26. a4 (26. Rxg7 $4 Rxd6)
26... h5 27. Re7 e3 28. Rxe3 Qxc2 29. Rg3 Rg8 30. Bf8 $1 g5 31. Qe7 $16) 23...
Rd7 {Simple and effective. Now Black is getting rid of White's dangerous rook.}
24. Rxd7 (24. Rxe4 Qxe4 (24... Rxe4 $4 25. Rb8+ $18) 25. Qxe4 Rxe4 (25... Rxb7
$6 26. Qxc6 Rb1+ 27. Kh2 Rb2 28. Qa4 $16 {[%cal Gc4c5,Gc5c6]}) 26. Rxd7 Bxc4
27. Rxa7 Re1+ 28. Kh2 Re2 29. Bc5 Rxc2 {Later on Black will put his rook on a2
and White's passed pawn won't go too far.}) 24... Qxd7 {Black has avoided the
worst.} 25. Bc5 Qb7 26. Rxe4 Rxe4 27. Qxe4 {White's extra pawn is doubled and
therefore not sufficient for winning purposes.} Qb1+ 28. Kh2 Qb8+ 29. g3 Qa8
30. Bd6 Qe8 31. Qxe8+ {Succumbing to a draw. It's true that Kramnik spoiled
most of his advantage and now is only marginally better. Still, after 31.Qd4
White could torture his opponent for a while.} Bxe8 32. Kg2 Bg6 33. Kf3 {
White even didn't bother to move the pawn, it has no significance. The rest is
just for protocol.} Bxc2 34. Ke3 Kf7 35. Kd4 Ke6 36. Kc5 Bd3 37. Bb8 a6 38. h4
h5 39. Kxc6 Bxc4 40. Kc5 Bb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A84"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Nd7 5. Nf3 f5 6. Bd3 Nh6 {The Stonewall
setup isn't the most popular nowadays, even with this move order where White
cannot properly develop his bishop on c1 to f4 or trade it off on a3 too
easily. Even so, Moro makes sure that the setup is just bizarre. The knight
almost never goes to h6, and I am assuming he had a couple of good reasons for
doing so. First he allows himself to take with the e-pawn if White captures on
d5, which he couldn't have done since his knight was on d7, and it allows him
to play ...Nf7 and in a rare turn of events for the Stonewall, control e5.} (
6... Ngf6 7. cxd5 cxd5 {is the absolute worst kind of Exchange Slav imaginable.
}) 7. b3 Bd6 8. Bb2 O-O 9. O-O Rf6 {From a purely objective point of view,
White can't complain too much about the result of the opening. He has a nice
position and Black's pieces are placed somewhat strangely. But strange is
Morozevich's favorite battleground.} 10. Qc2 Nf7 11. Nd2 {This move was
careless. Aronian probably underestimated Black's next move.} (11. cxd5 $1 {
was much stronger. The point is that if Black is to recapture with the e-pawn,
he will never have e5 as a resource (and both of his knights are helping with
that aim). If he takes with the c-pawn, then the file is opened and there is
nothing to complain about. White must be slightly better.}) 11... e5 $5 {
White has many replies, but how to decide on the best move in this situation?}
12. Bxf5 (12. cxd5 e4 13. Bc4 Bxh2+ 14. Kxh2 Rh6+ 15. Kg1 Qh4 16. f3 Nf6 {
gives Black a strong attack that is at the very least good enough for a draw.})
(12. g3 $1 {Not a move anyone really wants to make, but it is possible because
d5 lacks sufficient defense. Now that White has essentially parried the
immediate threats on the kingside, he can focus on forcing things on the
center.} e4 13. Be2 {Black can't really defend d5 in a good way so White has
the edge.}) 12... e4 13. Bxh7+ $5 {Sacrifice after sacrifice. Aronian
jettisons the bishop to destroy the pawn center. But a piece is a piece...} (
13. Bh3 Ng5 14. Bg4 Rh6 {gives Black more than enough compensation for his
pawn. He might already be winning.}) (13. Bxd7 Bxd7 14. cxd5 Rh6 {gives Black
strong compensation. White must weaken himself with g3 and those light squares
look very tasty for that d7-bishop.}) 13... Kxh7 14. cxd5 Rg6 $1 15. Ndxe4 Nf6
16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. f4 Nh6 {It is unclear why Black played this move, when he
could have developed his light squared bishop. Then again it is unclear why
Morozevich does anything on the chessboard.} 18. Ne4 Qf5 19. dxc6 Be7 {White
has 5 (!) pawns for the piece, but he cannot hold on to all of them. It seems
that with perfect play White's chances might be perferable, but it is
difficult to play against the activity of the black pieces.} 20. c7 Rc6 21. Qb1
(21. Qd3 Rxc7 22. d5 {was better. The d-pawn march reduces Black's scope and
liberates the b2-bishop. White's chances are definitely better here. Black
must sacrifice an exchange to achieve counterplay.} Qg6 $1 23. d6 $5 (23. Ng5+
Bxg5 24. Qxg6+ Kxg6 25. fxg5 Nf7 26. e4 {is a simpler way of playing, with a
slight edge as the pawns are now stronger than the piece.}) 23... Bf5 24. dxc7
Bxe4 25. Qe2 $1 {White does not need to fear Black recovering the exchange -
the light squares are the most important. The position is very difficult to
assess.}) 21... Rxc7 22. Nc3 $2 (22. d5 $1) 22... Qxb1 23. Raxb1 {White may
feel safer with the queens off the board, but this is not the case.
Unfortunately for him the pawns are now a series of static weaknesses and the
pieces will have a blast. It really was imperative to push them as quickly as
possible. Now their forward march will simply accelerate their doom.} Rd7 24.
Rbd1 b6 25. e4 Bb7 {White would love to advance the d pawn and then the d pawn,
but this is not possible because of that check on c5, followed by Ng4, and
White's position collapses.} 26. h3 Ng8 27. e5 (27. d5 Nf6 {locks the pawns in
place. White is close to losing the center.}) 27... Rc8 28. d5 Bb4 29. e6 {
The pawns seem threatening, but the more they advance the weaker they become.}
Rdd8 30. Ne4 (30. Rf3 Ne7 31. Rg3 Nf5 32. Rgd3 Ba6 {is no one's cup of tea,
but it kept the pawns alive a bit longer.}) 30... Rxd5 {The first one falls,
and the rest will follow its fate very soon.} 31. Ng5+ Kg6 32. Rxd5 Bxd5 33.
Rd1 Ne7 34. Bd4 Rc2 {When you are down a piece, specially a bishop, there is
always that enemy piece that suddenly becomes huge and unstoppable. With no
light squared bishop to match it, the monster on d5 cannot be stopped. The
game is over.} 35. g4 Bd2 36. Rf1 (36. f5+ Kxg5 37. Rxd2 Rxd2 38. Be3+ Kh4 39.
Bxd2 Kxh3 40. Bb4 Nc6 41. e7 Bf7 {doesn't help White.}) 36... Bc1 37. Nf3 Bxf4
38. Nh4+ Kg5 39. Nf3+ Kh6 40. h4 Rxa2 {A very unbalanced position throughout.
Aronian resigned as both players reached the time control. Morozevich simply
was on his home turf the entire game.} 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.14"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2825"]
[Annotator "Kritz,L"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. b3 Be6 {In dieser Stellung ist auch der von
Kramnik gespielte Zug Bb4 gut:} (10... Bb4 $1 11. Bb2 Bxc3 12. Bxc3 c5 13. Rad1
h6 14. h3 Be6 $132 {und Schwarz stand zumindest nicht schlechter in Howell -
Kramnik (London, 2002)}) (10... a5 {Das ist ebenfalls eine spielbare
Initiative.} 11. Bb2 Bb4 12. Rad1 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 c5 14. h3 h5 15. Rfe1 b6 16.
Ng5 Rh6 17. f4 h4 $132 {Solomon - Pashikian (Khanty-Mansiysk, 2010)}) 11. Bb2
Bb4 12. Ne2 (12. Rfd1 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 c5 14. Rd2 h6 $132 {mit gleichem Spiel wie
nach 10...Bb4, Fogarasi - Almasi (Hungary, 1995)}) 12... Bd5 13. Ne1 (13. Ned4
Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Rd8 15. Rad1 Bc5 16. Nf5 Be4 17. Rxd8+ Kxd8 18. Nxg7 Ke7 19. Re1
$132 {Guseinov - Pashikian (Ohrid, 2009)}) 13... h5 {Es sieht so aus, als ob
Schwarz hier mit 13....Rd8 ausgleichen konnte:} (13... Rd8 14. Nd3 Be7 15. Rad1
Be4 16. Rfe1 Bxd3 17. cxd3 c5 $11) 14. Nd3 Be7 15. Nef4 Rh6 (15... g5 $5 16. c4
$1 (16. Nxd5 cxd5 17. e6 Rh6 18. exf7+ Kxf7 19. f4 g4 20. Rfe1 Bd6 $11) 16...
Be6 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Rad1 Rd8 $11) 16. c4 Be4 (16... Be6 17. g3 $1 (17. h3 h4
$11) 17... g5 18. Nxe6 Rxe6 19. h3 $14 {Weiß will Kg2-g4 spielen.}) 17. Rad1 (
17. Rfe1 Bxd3 18. Nxd3 Rd8 19. Rad1 c5 20. Nf4 Ra6 21. Rxd8+ Bxd8 22. Ra1 (22.
a4 Rb6 $15) 22... h4 $11) 17... g5 18. Rfe1 Bxd3 19. Nxd3 {Die Partie verlief
bisher nicht ganz typisch für die Berliner Mauer, jetzt wird es sogar noch
interessanter.} b5 $6 {Ich denke nicht, dass dieser Zug gut sein kann. Die
einzige Idee von b5 ist auf c4 zu nehmen, dann ...c5 zu spielen, und danach ...
Ra6. Weiß hat jedoch viele Wege, um dies zu verhindern.} 20. c5 (20. Re4 $5 {
Das sieht sehr logisch aus.} Rd8 21. Kf1 $14) 20... Ng7 {Der Springer geht
nach g7, um den Bauern c5 von e6 aus anzugreifen.} 21. b4 (21. Bc3 $5 a5 22. a3
Ne6 23. b4 axb4 24. axb4 Ra3 25. Bb2 Ra2 26. Ra1 Rxa1 27. Rxa1 $14) 21... a5
22. a3 Ne6 23. g3 (23. f3 $5 {Mit der Idee Kf2-g3-Ke3-f4.} Rd8 24. Kf2 $14)
23... g4 {Nun ist es nicht mehr so einfach für Weiß f2-f4 durchzuführen.} 24.
Kg2 Rg6 25. Nf4 Rg5 (25... Nxf4+ 26. gxf4 axb4 27. axb4 Ra2 28. Re2 $14 {
Die Idee f5 und danach f3 ist sehr unangenehm für Schwarz.}) 26. Bc1 (26. Nxe6
fxe6 $11 {Dieses Endspiel ist remis, weil Schwarz gutes Gegenspiel am
Damenflügel hat.}) 26... Rf5 27. h3 gxh3+ (27... axb4 $5 28. hxg4 hxg4 29. axb4
Ra2 $6 30. Rh1 $1 {Das ist sehr stark.} Rxe5 31. Nxe6 Rxe6 (31... fxe6 32. Rh8+
Kf7 33. Rd7 $18) 32. Rh8+ Bf8 33. Bf4 $16) 28. Nxh3 axb4 29. axb4 Ra4 {Schwarz
hat gewisses Gegenspiel, doch die Stellung von Weiß sieht besser aus.} 30. Bd2
Ra3 (30... Nd4 31. f4 Nc2 32. Re4 $14) 31. f4 $1 {Schwarz bekommt eine starke
Initiative nach 31.Nf4.} (31. Nf4 h4 $1 32. Nxe6 fxe6 33. g4 h3+ 34. Kg1 Rff3
35. Re3 Bh4 $36) 31... h4 32. Re3 Rxe3 $5 {Es sieht so aus, als ob Weiß in
Vorteil kommt, doch Schwarz spielt sehr dynamisch und gleicht die Stellung aus.
Auch 32...Ra2 war interessant.} (32... Ra2 $1 33. g4 (33. Kf3 hxg3 34. Kg4 Ng7
35. Rxg3 Rh5 36. Nf2 Rh4+ 37. Kf3 Nf5 38. Rg8+ Kd7 $1 $11) 33... Rxf4 34. Nxf4
Bg5 $1 35. Kf3 Bxf4 36. Rd3 Bxd2 37. R1xd2 Ra1 38. Rd1 Ra2 39. Rh1 Rb2 40. Rxh4
Rxb4 $44 {Schwarz hat ausgezeichnete Kompensation.}) 33. Bxe3 hxg3 34. Kxg3 {
Das Problem für Schwarz ist, dass er nicht genug Gegenspiel besitzt und nur
passiv warten kann.} Rh5 35. Bf2 (35. Kg4 $2 Rh4+ 36. Kg3 Ng7 $11 {Wenn die
weißen Bauern mit dem Springer blockiert sind, kann Weiß kaum durchbrechen.})
35... f5 (35... Ng7 36. Kg4 $14 {und Schwarz schafft es nicht, den Springer
nach f5 zu stellen.}) 36. exf6 (36. Be3 Rh7 37. Ng1 Rg7+ 38. Kf3 Rh7 39. Ne2
Rh3+ 40. Ng3 Bh4 $11) 36... Bxf6 37. Kg4 Rxh3 {Das sieht verdächtig aus,
obwohl, es kann sein, dass das Endspiel remis ist.} (37... Rd5 $5 38. Re1 (38.
Rxd5 cxd5 39. Kf5 Kf7 40. Ng5+ Nxg5 41. fxg5 Bc3 $11) 38... Kd7 $11 {Es sieht
so aus, dass Schwarz die Stellung halten kann.}) 38. Kxh3 Nxf4+ 39. Kg4 Nd5 {
Das Problem für Weiß ist, dass er die Läufer tauschen muss, weil der Bauer b4
schwach ist. Sonst, mit den Läufern, wäre das Endspiel sicherlich gewonnen.}
40. Bd4 (40. Rb1 Bc3 41. Be1 {Das ist der einzige Zug, um den Bauern zu halten.
} Bxe1 42. Rxe1+ Kd7 43. Re4 (43. Rb1 Ke6 44. Kf3 Ke5 $15 {Der König kommt
nach c4 und Weiß verliert beide Bauern.}) 43... Nf6+ 44. Kf5 Nxe4 45. Kxe4 Ke6
$11) 40... Kf7 (40... Bxd4 41. Rxd4 Kd7 {führt zum selben Endspiel wie in der
Partie.}) 41. Kf5 Ne7+ 42. Ke4 Bxd4 43. Kxd4 Ke6 44. Re1+ Kd7 45. Ke5 Nd5 46.
Re4 (46. Rd1 Kc8 47. Rxd5 $5 {Es sieht so aus, als ob Weiß eine Chance hätte,
doch auch das Bauernendspiel ist remis.} cxd5 48. Kxd5 Kd7 49. c6+ Ke7 50. Ke5
Kf7 51. Kd5 Ke7 52. Kc5 Ke6 53. Kxb5 Kd5 54. Ka6 Kxc6 55. b5+ Kc5 56. Kb7 Kxb5
57. Kxc7 $11) 46... Kc8 47. Ke6 Nc3 48. Rh4 Nd5 49. Rd4 Kd8 $1 ({Nach} 49...
Kb7 $2 {ist das Bauernendspiel gewonnen!} 50. Rxd5 $1 cxd5 51. Kxd5 Kc8 (51...
c6+ 52. Kd6 $18) 52. Kc6 Kd8 53. Kb7 Kd7 54. Kb8 Kc6 (54... Kd8 55. c6 $18) 55.
Kc8 Kd5 56. Kxc7 Kc4 57. c6 Kxb4 58. Kd6 Ka3 59. c7 b4 60. c8=Q $18) 50. Rg4
Kc8 51. Rh4 Kb7 52. Kd7 (52. Rd4 Kc8 $1 53. Rxd5 cxd5 54. Kxd5 Kd7 $11) 52...
Nf6+ 53. Kd8 Nd5 54. Rg4 (54. Rh7 Kb8 55. Rg7 Kb7 56. Rg4 {-> siehe die Partie.
}) 54... Kb8 55. Rd4 Kb7 {Weiß kann keine Fortschritte machen.} 56. Kd7 Nc3 57.
Ke6 Kc8 58. Rd3 Nd5 59. Rd4 Nc3 60. Rd3 Nd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.16"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Bb4+ {Since 4...Ba6 faces Black with
concrete problems after the modern 5.Qc2 and 4...Bb7 is too dull for the taste
of some players, checks on the fourth or fifth move are worthy alternatives.
About 30 years ago, the game move used to be a speciality of the always
original Anthony Miles.} 5. Bd2 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 {The most principled way of
capturing in all the Bogo-Indian genuine and hybrid lines. White needs to keep
the pressure along the d-file.} (6. Nbxd2 {defends the c4-pawn before it is
even attacked, but Black can return to the normal way of developing:} Bb7 7.
Bg2 O-O 8. O-O {In practice, Black has tried many moves, but I feel some
preference for} c5 $5 {aiming to transpose to a comfortable hedgehog, in which
there will be no pressure against the d6-pawn.} 9. Re1 ({Here is an example
from Miles' collection:} 9. Qa4 $6 Qc7 10. Rac1 d6 11. Rfd1 Nbd7 12. e3 h6 13.
Nb1 Rac8 14. Nc3 a6 $15 {Afifi,A-Miles,A (2510)/Lucerne 1982/EXT 97-B (0-1, 46)
. White's position has somewhat lost harmony.}) 9... cxd4 10. Nb3 Qc7 11. Qxd4
Nc6 12. Qh4 Ne7 13. Rac1 d6 14. Nfd4 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 a6 $15 {As pointed out by
Tisdall, White's knights are rather misplaced, Antunes,A (2510)-Cvitan,O (2550)
/Pula 1997/CBM 057 ext/[Tisdall] (0-1, 58) Now and in other comments below, I
have generally followed the paths opened by Miles, but have also chosen a more
recent game to offer a more complete picture.}) 6... Ba6 $5 (6... Bb7 7. Bg2
O-O {would transpose to a variation which I examined in an article for CBM 144}
) 7. b3 {The most flexible way of defending the c4-pawn.} (7. Na3 {misplaces
the knight and allows Black to switch to the normal development even with
"loss of time".} Bb7 8. Bg2 O-O (8... d6 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Nh4 Bxg2 11. Nxg2 O-O
12. Rad1 c6 13. f3 d5 14. Rc1 c5 $11 {Taimanov,M (2595)-Larsen,B (2620)/
Leningrad 1973/IZT (1/2, 47)}) 9. O-O d6 10. Rad1 Nbd7 11. Nb5 {The knight
needs to be re-activated, but this manoeuvre allows Black to start queenside
counterplay efortlessly.} a6 12. Nc3 b5 $132 {Torre,E (2565)-Miles,A (2610)/
Wijk aan Zee 1984/MCL (1/2, 23)}) (7. Qc2 {This is a real loss of time and can
safely be answered with the same "method".} Bb7 8. Bg2 ({White has no time to
fight for the d5- and e4-squares yet, as} 8. Nc3 {runs into} Bxf3 9. exf3 Nc6
$132) 8... c5 9. dxc5 (9. O-O cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bxg2 {1/2 Van Wely,L (2635)-Miles,
A (2590)/Escaldes 1998/CBM 068}) 9... bxc5 10. O-O O-O 11. Rd1 Nc6 12. Nc3 Qe7
(12... a6 $6 {this is too slow and allows White build up pressure along the
d-file.} 13. Qd2 Qe7 14. Qd6 $14 {Gajewski,G (2555)-Riazantsev,A (2689)/Warsaw
2010/CBM 139 Extra (1-0, 52)}) 13. Rac1 ({After Black's last developing move,} 
13. Qd2 {cannot be dangerous: White has wasted too much time with his queen.}
d5 $5 14. cxd5 exd5 $13 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. Qxd5 Nd4 17. Qc4 Nxe2+ 18. Kh1 Rfe8
$132) 13... Rfd8 14. e3 d6 15. b3 h6 {1/2 Fridman,D (2628)-Bischoff,K (2537)/
Bad Woerishofen 2008/CBM 122 Extra}) 7... c6 {The start of an effective plan
aimed at putting pressure on c4.} 8. Nc3 {In order to hope for an advantage,
White needs to start active play in the centre as soon as possible.} ({Even
with the extra tempo b2-b3,} 8. Qc2 {can be met with the slightly paradoxical}
c5 $5 9. Nc3 (9. e4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Nc6 11. Nxc6 dxc6 12. Bg2 Qc7 $15 {The
weaknesses on dark squares left White struggling in Kouatly,B (2410)-Miles,A 
(2585)/Strasbourg 1983/EXT 2005 (0-1, 33)}) 9... Nc6 10. dxc5 bxc5 11. Bg2 Bb7
12. O-O d6 13. Rfd1 Qe7 14. a3 O-O 15. Qd2 Rad8 16. b4 cxb4 17. axb4 Nxb4 18.
Rxa7 {1/2 Hort,V (2545)-Miles,A (2595)/Biel 1990/CBM 019}) ({The following
game is a good example of the fact that White does not get much by releasing
the tension after ...d7-d5:} 8. Bg2 d5 9. O-O Nbd7 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Nc3 Rc8
12. Rac1 O-O 13. Rc2 Rc7 14. Rfc1 Qb8 15. Ne5 Rfc8 16. f4 Bb7 17. e3 Ne8 {
Portisch,L (2635)-Miles,A (2570)/Luzern 1985/MCD (1/2, 50). Black is well
regrouped and had no problems in reaching a draw.}) 8... d5 9. e4 {Once again,
the most principled reaction.} (9. Bg2 Nbd7 {leaves White with problems
maintaining the tension:} 10. Qb2 (10. Ne5 {simplifies the position and allows
Black to develop freely.} Nxe5 11. dxe5 Nd7 12. f4 Qe7 13. O-O O-O 14. Rfd1
Rfd8 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. e4 {The only active plan, which looks quite promising
in fact. White hopes to get his knight on to d6.} d4 $1 {A thematic move,
leaving the e4-pawn in the knight's way.} 17. Qxd4 Rac8 $44 {The extra pawn
does not make itself felt, while Black has a very active position.} 18. Qe3 Qb4
19. Ne2 Nc5 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Qc3 Qxc3 22. Nxc3 Kf8 {Tukmakov,V (2550)-Miles,
A (2610)/Wijk aan Zee 1984/MCL/[Miles] (1/2, 56). By this moment, Miles
evaluates Black's position as slightly better. This may be a bit exaggerated,
but later he got a winning ending anyway.}) 10... dxc4 11. bxc4 Bxc4 12. Nd2
Ba6 13. Bxc6 Rc8 14. Bg2 O-O 15. O-O Nb8 $132 {White enjoys free development
and can be satisfied with his position.} 16. Nb3 Qe7 (16... Rc4 {Nikolic,P 
(2330)-Miles,A (2510)/Thessaloniki 1984/EXT 1997 (1-0, 60)}) 17. Rfe1 Rc4 {
Torre,E (2505)-Miles,A (2510)/Thessaloniki 1984/EXT 97-B (1/2, 67)}) 9... Nxe4
10. Nxe4 dxe4 11. Ng5 c5 $1 {Black has to react in the centre as soon as
possible.} ({Earlier,} 11... Nd7 {used to be played, but this allows White to
retain a space advantage. For instance:} 12. Nxe4 Nf6 13. Bg2 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 Bb7
15. O-O O-O 16. Rfd1 Qf6 17. Qe3 Rfd8 18. Rd2 Rd7 19. Rad1 g6 20. h4 h5 21. c5
$1 $14 {[%csl Gb7] Tkachiev,V (2652)-Bauer,C (2629)/Clichy 2007/CBM 118 ext 
(1-0, 51). A thematic move, leaving the enemy bishop out of play.}) 12. Bg2 (
12. Nxe4 {forces Black to sacrifice material, but this is not that bad
actually.} cxd4 13. Bg2 O-O (13... Nc6 $2 14. Nf6+ $1) 14. Ng5 (14. Nf6+ Qxf6
15. Bxa8 b5 $44) 14... Nd7 15. Bxa8 Qxa8 16. O-O Nf6 17. Qxd4 h6 18. Nh3 Bb7 {
[%csl Yf1,Yh3][%cal Gb7g2]} 19. Nf4 (19. Rfe1 $6 Qc8 $1 $40 {[%cal Gc8c6]})
19... Ne4 20. Nh5 f6 $44 {[%cal Ge4g5,Gf8d8]}) 12... Nc6 13. dxc5 Qxd2+ 14.
Kxd2 f5 {A highly non-symmetrical structure. Who said that the Queen's Indian
is dull-and-drawish?!} 15. Nxe6 $146 (15. cxb6 Ke7 16. bxa7 Rhd8+ $44 {Saric,A
(2514)-Riazantsev,A (2634)/Budva 2009/CBM 130 (0-1, 29)}) 15... Kf7 16. Nf4
bxc5 17. f3 Rad8+ 18. Kc3 e3 19. Nd3 Rhe8 {White has the better structure, but
his king is exposed. This latter detail is quite relevant since Black's army
is perfectly mobilised.} 20. Nxc5 (20. f4 e2 21. Bd5+ Rxd5 22. cxd5 Re3 23.
dxc6 Rxd3+ 24. Kc2 Ke6 $44) 20... e2 (20... Rd2 21. Bf1 Bc8 {looks quite all
right, too.}) 21. Nxa6 Re3+ 22. Kc2 Red3 {The first battery is set up along
the d-file, but the final part of the counter-attack will take place
horizontally!} 23. Rae1 Rd2+ 24. Kc1 (24. Kc3 $4 R8d3#) 24... Rxa2 25. f4 Rdd2
$11 26. Bxc6 Rac2+ 27. Kb1 Rb2+ 28. Ka1 Ra2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.17"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2825"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 e6 4. c4 c6 5. O-O ({If} 5. cxd5 {, theory
recommends} Bxf3 6. Bxf3 cxd5 {/\...Nc6, ...Qd7 as the best way to neutralise
White's early initiative.}) 5... Nd7 {This looks like a premature commitment.}
(5... Nf6 $5 {would maintain the aforementioned way of meeting the exchange on
d5.}) 6. cxd5 cxd5 ({With the knight away from the c6- and d4-squares and with
the d7-square unavailable for the queen, giving up the bishop makes little
sense:} 6... Bxf3 7. Bxf3 cxd5 8. Qb3 $14) (6... exd5 {leads to more complex
play, but White's position tends to be more pleasant.}) 7. Qb3 Qb6 {Relatively
best.} (7... Rb8 {is a bit passive:} 8. Nc3 Ne7 9. d4 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Nc6 11. Rd1
Qb6 12. Bf4 Rc8 13. e4 dxe4 14. Bxe4 $36 {Loginov,V (2510)-Solozhenkin,E (2508)
/St Petersburg 2006/CBM 112 ext (1-0, 23)}) (7... Nc5 {also leads to an
initiative for White after:} 8. Qb5+ Qd7 9. Nc3 a6 10. Qxd7+ Nxd7 11. d3 Ne7
12. Nd4 Nc6 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. d4 Bd6 15. e4 $14 {Vladimirov,E (2585)-Kharlov,A
(2535)/Tilburg 1993/CBM 039/[Horn,Pe] (1-0, 48)}) 8. Qxb6 Nxb6 ({The knight is
misplaced here, but} 8... axb6 {would create permanent weaknesses.}) 9. Nc3 a6
10. d3 Nf6 11. Ne5 Bh5 12. Be3 Nbd7 13. Nxd7 Nxd7 14. f4 {White is slightly
ahead in development and has a clear plan of advancing his kingside pawns.
With his h5-bishop out of play, Black finds it more difficult to display any
form of activity.} Bb4 15. Kf2 O-O 16. Rfc1 Rfc8 17. h3 Bg6 18. g4 h5 {Maybe
more ambitious than the position allows.} (18... h6 $5) 19. Bf3 (19. f5 $5 {
[%csl Gd5]}) 19... Bh7 (19... hxg4 20. hxg4 {would open the h-file for the
white rooks, putting the black king and light-squared bishop in some danger.})
20. gxh5 $5 {Just a pawn, plus the open file.} Kf8 21. Rg1 Rc7 22. Rg2 Be7 23.
Bd4 Bf6 24. Bxf6 Nxf6 25. Rag1 Ne8 (25... d4 $5) 26. Rg4 {Maybe too slow.} (26.
e4 $5 $14) 26... d4 27. Na4 Rd8 28. Rg5 Bf5 29. b4 Rc2 $132 {Black has managed
to defend his kingside properly and can generate some queenside threats
already.} 30. Nc5 b6 31. Ne4 Rxa2 32. Rc1 Rb2 33. Ra1 Nc7 34. Rag1 Nd5 35. Rxg7
Nxf4 36. Rg8+ Ke7 37. Rxd8 Nxh3+ 38. Kg3 Nxg1 39. Rb8 Nxe2+ 40. Bxe2 Rxe2 41.
Rb7+ Kf8 42. Nd6 {Setting up a drawing mechanism.} Bxd3 43. Rxf7+ Kg8 44. h6
Re5 45. Rg7+ Kf8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.18"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D70"]
[WhiteElo "2825"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2
Nc6 9. O-O-O Qd6 $5 {Increasing piece pressure against White's centre. This
alternative recently seriously competes with the more direct central blows} (
9... e5 {and}) (9... f5) 10. Kb1 (10. h4 Rd8 11. Nb5 Qd7 12. h5 a6 13. Nc3 Bxd4
(13... Nxd4 14. hxg6 fxg6 15. g4 Qc6 (15... e5 $5 16. Qh2 h6 $11) 16. Qf2 Ne6
17. Rxd8+ Nxd8 18. Nge2 Nf7 19. Qh4 h6 20. Qxe7 Qd7 21. Qxd7 Bxd7 22. Bg2 Nc4
$132 {Grischuk,A (2760)-Mamedyarov,S (2761)/Moscow/2010/}) 14. Bxd4 Qxd4 15.
Qf4 Qf2 16. hxg6 Rxd1+ 17. Nxd1 Qc5+ 18. Nc3 hxg6 19. Qh6 Qe5 20. f4 Qg7 21.
Qh4 Be6 22. Nf3 Rd8 $15 {Pitkaenen,J (2214)-Gyger,T (2073)/corr/2007/}) (10.
Nb5 Qd7 11. Kb1 (11. h4 Rd8 {-10.h4}) (11. Na3 e5 12. d5 Nd4 13. Kb1 ({More
consistent is} 13. f4 $5 Qe7 14. fxe5 c5 $13) 13... c6 14. dxc6 bxc6 15. Qa5
Qb7 (15... Rb8 $5 $36) 16. Ne2 Rb8 17. Rd2 {Ivanchuk,V (2768)-Sutovsky,E (2700)
/Ningbo/2011/} c5 $1 $36 {/\} 18. Qxc5 $2 Na4 19. Qc1 Be6 $19) (11. d5 Ne5 12.
Qc2 c6 13. dxc6 Qxc6 14. Qxc6 bxc6 15. Nc7 Rb8 16. b3 a5 (16... f5 $5) 17. Na6
Bxa6 18. Bxa6 a4 19. Be2 axb3 20. axb3 f5 21. f4 Nf7 {Mayorga,N (2330)-Fabian,
G (2317)/Villa Martelli/2011/} 22. Bxb6 Rxb6 23. Bc4 fxe4 24. Nh3 $11) (11. Bh6
Bxh6 12. Qxh6 a6 13. Nc3 Nxd4 14. f4 c5 15. h4 (15. Nf3 f6 16. h4 $13) 15...
Qc6 (15... Qg4 $5) 16. Nf3 Qf6 $5 (16... Nxf3 17. gxf3 Qf6 18. h5 Qg7 19. Qg5
$44) 17. e5 Qg7 18. Qxg7+ Kxg7 19. Nxd4 cxd4 20. Rxd4 Be6 21. Be2 Rac8 22. Kb1
{Mamedyarov,S (2657)-Petrosian,T (2539)/Antalya/2004/} Rfd8 23. Rhd1 Rxd4 24.
Rxd4 Rc7 $11) (11. f4 Qe6 12. Nc3 Rd8 13. Nf3 Nc4 14. Qe2 Nxe3 15. Qxe3 Nb4 16.
b3 Qb6 17. a3 Nc6 18. Na4 Qa5 19. d5 Nb8 20. Qc5 Qxc5+ 21. Nxc5 c6 $15 {
Mamedyarov,S (2747)-Negi,P (2641)/Caleta/2012/}) 11... Rd8 {transposes back
into the game.}) 10... Rd8 11. Nb5 Qd7 12. d5 a6 (12... Ne5 $2 13. Qc2 c6 14.
Nxa7 {just loses material for nothing:} Rxa7 15. Bxb6 Ra8 16. Ne2 Re8 17. Nc3
Qd6 18. Be3 Bd7 19. dxc6 Qxc6 20. Bb5 Qe6 21. Bxd7 Nxd7 22. Qb3 $16 {Anand,V 
(2817)-Mamedyarov,S (2746)/Bastia rpd/2011/}) 13. Nc3 (13. dxc6 Qxd2 14. Rxd2
Rxd2 15. Bxd2 axb5 16. cxb7 Bxb7 17. Bxb5 f5 $5 18. exf5 Bd5 19. Ne2 (19. a3
Rb8 $1 $44) (19. b3 gxf5 $32 {/\} 20. Ne2 $2 Bxb3) 19... Bxa2+ 20. Kc2 gxf5 21.
b3 (21. Bc3 Bc4 22. Bxc4+ Nxc4 $11 23. Nd4 Ne3+ 24. Kd3 Nxg2 25. Nxf5 Nf4+ 26.
Kc4 Bxc3 27. bxc3 Kf7 $11 {Vitiugov,N (2729)-Giri,A (2714)/Reggio Emilia/2011/}
) 21... c5 22. Be3 c4 $1 23. Bxb6 Bxb3+ 24. Kd2 Rb8 25. Rb1 e6 26. Ke3 Ba2 $1
27. Rc1 Rxb6 28. Bxc4 Bxc4 $11 {So,W (2653)-Lou,Y (2428)/Ho Chi Minh City/2012/
}) 13... Qe8 {While engines quite like this move, it might not be necessarily
ideal.} (13... Na5 14. Bd4 (14. b3 Qd6 $132 {[%cal Yd6b4,Yb4a3]}) 14... Nbc4
15. Bxc4 (15. Qf2 $6 e5 16. Bc5 b6 17. Bb4 c5 18. Bxa5 Nxa5 19. h4 Qd6 20. h5
b5 $36 {Gustafsson,J (2647)-Mekhitarian,K (2529)/Reykjavik/2011/}) 15... Nxc4
16. Qc1 Bxd4 17. Rxd4 b5 18. Nge2 Bb7 19. b3 Nb6 20. h4 c5 21. dxc6 Qxc6 22. h5
Rxd4 23. Nxd4 Qf6 24. Qe3 Nd7 $13 {Mekhitarian}) (13... Ne5 $5 14. Bd4 Nec4 (
14... c5 15. Bxc5 Nec4 16. Qc1 Qc7 17. Bd4 $14 {is a wild idea - I doubt Black
has enough for the pawn.}) 15. Bxc4 Nxc4 {transposes to the position, which
could arise after 13...Na5.}) 14. Qe1 (14. Bh6 e6 $11 (14... Bh8 $5)) 14... Ne5
15. Be2 (15. Bd4 e6 16. f4 Nec4 (16... Ng4 $5 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. h3 Nf6) 17.
Bxc4 Nxc4 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Nf3 b5 $13) 15... e6 (15... Nec4 $5 16. Bd4 e5 $13
(16... e6 $5 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 $132)) 16. Bxb6 $1 cxb6 17. f4 Nd7 18. dxe6 Qxe6 19.
Nf3 $5 (19. Bf3 $14 {[%cal Yc3d5] also gives White chances for an edge, as
Black must yet finish his development. Aronian gets his pieces out as fast as
possible and prefers to up the stakes with a pawn sacrifice.}) 19... Qe8 $6 ({
Caruana rejects the principled} 19... Bxc3 20. Qxc3 Qxe4+ 21. Bd3 Qxf4 22. Rhf1
$32 {White has compensation here, but now he will have an advantage without
much risk.}) 20. Qh4 Bf6 (20... Bxc3 21. bxc3 b5 (21... Qxe4+ 22. Bd3 Qe8 23.
Rde1 Qf8 24. Bc4 $18 {[%cal Rc4f7,Re1e7,Rf3g5]}) 22. Rd4 $40) 21. Ng5 Nf8 22.
Bc4 Kg7 (22... Be6 23. Bxe6 (23. Nd5 $36) 23... fxe6 24. e5 $16 {[%csl Re6,Rg8]
}) 23. Qg3 Bxg5 (23... Be6 24. Nxe6+ Nxe6 25. e5 Rxd1+ 26. Rxd1 Bd8 27. Ne4 $40
{[%cal Re4d6,Rf4f5]}) 24. fxg5 $5 {[%cal Gf1f8]} Be6 25. Nd5 Bxd5 26. Bxd5 $16
{[%csl Gd5,Rf7,Rg7] White's dominant bishop gives him a large advantage.} Rd7
27. h4 Rc8 28. a3 Qd8 29. Qf2 Ne6 30. Ka2 Qe7 31. Rhf1 b5 32. Rd3 Rcc7 33. Kb1
a5 34. g4 a4 35. Rf3 Qd6 36. Rf6 {[%cal Yh4h5]} Qc5 (36... Qe5 $2 37. Rxe6 fxe6
38. Qf8#) 37. Qg3 {[%cal Yg3e5]} b4 38. axb4 (38. Qe5 Qc2+ 39. Ka1 Qc1+ $5 40.
Rxc1 Rxc1+ 41. Ka2 Rxd5 (41... b3+ 42. Bxb3 axb3+ 43. Kxb3 $19) 42. Rxg6+ Kf8
43. Qh8+ Ke7 44. Rxe6+ fxe6 45. Qf6+ $18) 38... Qc2+ (38... Qd4 39. Bxe6 (39.
Qf3 Nd8 40. h5 $18) 39... fxe6 40. h5 Qxe4+ 41. Ka1 $18) 39. Ka1 a3 40. bxa3
Rxd5 (40... Rc3 41. R6f3 Rxf3 42. Qxf3 $18) ({Somewhat more resilient was} 
40... Qd2 $142 $5 41. Rxf7+ (41. Qe5 Rc1+ 42. Rxc1 Qxc1+ 43. Ka2 Qd2+ 44. Qb2
Rxd5 45. exd5 Qxd5+ 46. Qb3 Qd2+ 47. Kb1 $16) (41. R6f2) 41... Rxf7 42. Qe5+
Kf8 43. Qh8+ Ke7 44. Rxf7+ Kxf7 45. Qf6+ Ke8 46. Qxe6+ Kd8 47. Qg8+ Kd7 48.
Qxh7+ Kc8 49. Qg8+ Kd7 50. Qe6+ Kd8 51. Qd6+ Rd7 $16) 41. exd5 Nd4 42. Rxf7+ $1
Rxf7 43. Qe5+ Kf8 44. Qb8+ Kg7 45. Rxf7+ Kxf7 46. Qxb7+ Ke8 47. Qb8+ Kd7 48.
Qa7+ Kd6 49. Qxd4 $18 Qc1+ 50. Ka2 Qc2+ 51. Qb2 Qc4+ 52. Ka1 Qxg4 (52... Qxd5
53. Qf2 $18) 53. Qf2 Kxd5 $6 54. Qc5+ (54. Qc5+ Ke4 (54... Ke6 55. Qc8+) 55.
Qc4+ $18) 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.08.29"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rahman, Ziaur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A41"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2516"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Bangladesh"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "BAN"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 Bg4 3. c4 Bxf3 4. exf3 Nd7 5. Nc3 c6 6. h4 e6 7. d5 exd5 8.
cxd5 Ngf6 9. Bf4 Nb6 10. dxc6 bxc6 11. Ba6 Rb8 12. Qc1 Be7 13. Ne2 c5 14. Bb5+
Nbd7 15. Nc3 O-O 16. O-O Nb6 17. Rd1 Nbd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Rxd5 Rxb5 20. g3
Qa8 21. Rd3 d5 22. Bg5 Bxg5 23. hxg5 Qc6 24. Qc3 Qe6 25. a4 d4 26. Qc2 Ra5 27.
Qd2 Ra6 28. b4 cxb4 29. Qxb4 Qf5 30. Rad1 Qxg5 31. Rxd4 Qf6 32. Rf4 Qb6 33. Qc4
Qe6 34. Qc7 Qc6 35. Qxf7+ 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.08.30"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E16"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2697"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Spain"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ESP"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 Bb7 7. Bg2 O-O 8.
O-O d6 9. Qc2 (9. Nc3 Ne4) 9... c5 {This move is very appropriate in this
structure when White can't reply d4-d5.} 10. Rd1 (10. dxc5 bxc5 (10... dxc5 $11
) 11. Nc3 Nc6 12. Rad1 Qe7 13. e4 Ng4 14. Ne2 Nge5 15. Nd2 Qf6 16. h3 Nb4 17.
Qb1 Rab8 18. a3 Nbc6 19. f4 Ng6 20. b4 Nd4 $11 {1/2 Budo,A-Kan,I/Moscow 1931/
URS-ch (48)}) (10. Nc3 {is more common but Black gets a solid position in any
case:} cxd4 (10... Nc6 $5 11. Rfd1 (11. Rad1 Qe7 12. e4 e5 (12... cxd4) 13.
dxe5 dxe5 14. Nd5 {1-0 Nedeljkovic,S-Matanovic,A/Zagreb 1949/EXT 2000 (28)} Qd8
$1 $11) 11... Qe7 12. e4 (12. e3 Rac8 13. d5 exd5 14. cxd5 Nb4 15. Qb3 {
1/2 Pantsulaia,L (2465)-Kuparadze,G (2227)/Nakhchivan 2003/EXT 2004 (28)} Nd3
$1 $132) 12... cxd4 (12... e5 $5 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. Nd5 Qd8) 13. Nxd4 Ne5 $1 (
13... Rac8 14. Nxc6 Bxc6 15. Rd4 Rfd8 16. Rad1 e5 17. R4d2 a6 18. Qb3 $14 {
1-0 Piket,J (2540)-Shamkovich,L (2425)/Palma de Mallorca 1989/TD (41)}) 14. b3
a6 {with quite a satisfactory hedgehog}) 11. Nxd4 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Qc7 (12... Qc8
13. b3 (13. Qd3 Nc6 14. Nxc6 Qxc6+ 15. e4 Rfd8 16. Rad1 Rd7 17. Rd2 Rc8 18. b3
b5 $15 {1/2 Vidmar,M-Tylor,T/Hastings 1936/HCL (26)}) (13. Rfd1 $5 Qxc4 14.
Ncb5 Qxc2 15. Nxc2 Rc8 16. Rxd6 a6 17. Nc3 Nc6 $11) 13... Nc6 14. Rfd1 (14.
Ndb5 d5 15. cxd5 Nb4 16. Qd2 Nbxd5 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Rac1 Qb7 19. e4 Nf6 20. f3
Rfd8 21. Qe2 Ne8 22. a4 a6 23. Na3 Qe7 {1/2 Benjamin,J (2560)-Franzoni,G (2455)
/Novi Sad 1990/TD}) 14... d5 (14... Qb7 $142 15. f3 Rfd8 {[%cal Ya7a6]}) 15.
cxd5 Nb4 16. Qd2 Nbxd5 17. Nxd5 Qb7 {1-0 Portisch,L (2600)-Andersson,U (2640)/
Indonesia 1983/MCD (49)} 18. f3 Qxd5 19. e4 $14) (12... a6 13. Rfd1 Qc7 14. b3
Rc8 15. Rac1 h6 (15... Nbd7 $5) 16. Qd3 Nbd7 17. Nf3 Ne8 18. Kg1 Qb8 19. Nd4
Ra7 $1 20. Rc2 Rac7 21. Rdc1 Nef6 22. Nf3 Rc5 $11 {0-1 Ligterink,G (2445)
-Andersson,U (2630)/Wijk aan Zee 1984/MCL/[Chekhov] (43)}) 13. Qd3 (13. Rfd1 a6
$5 {- see above}) 13... a6 14. b3 Nbd7 15. e4 Ne5 16. Qe3 Rfe8 17. Rfd1 Rad8
18. h3 Ng6 19. Nf3 {1/2 Grigorov,G (2489)-Erdos,V (2631)/Plovdiv 2012/CBM 148 
(41)} Rd7 $11) 10... cxd4 (10... Qe7 11. Nc3 Nc6 {- see above Piket-Shamkovich}
) 11. Nxd4 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Qc8 13. Nd2 {Of course, this is too passive to be
dangerous but the whole game is still ahead.} a6 14. N4f3 Qc6 (14... b5 $2 {
is premature due to} 15. Ne4) 15. Rac1 Nbd7 $11 16. g4 $5 Ne5 (16... Nxg4 $143
17. Qe4 $1 $14 {regaining the more important d6-pawn.}) 17. g5 Nh5 (17... Nxf3
$5 18. exf3 Nh5 19. Qe4 Qe8) 18. Qe4 Qxe4 19. Nxe4 Nf4+ 20. Kf1 Nxf3 21. exf3
d5 22. cxd5 exd5 $6 (22... Nxd5 $142 23. Nc3 Nf4 24. Rd6 (24. Na4 b5 25. Nb6
Rad8) 24... Rab8 25. Rcd1 f6 $132) 23. Nc3 f6 (23... Rfd8 24. Rd4) 24. Nxd5
Nxd5 25. Rxd5 {[%mdl 4096]} fxg5 26. Rc7 {[%cal Rd5d7]} Rf7 (26... Rac8 27.
Rxc8 Rxc8 28. Rd6 Rb8 {[%cal Yg8f8,Yf8e7]} 29. b4 Kf8 30. a4 Ke7 31. Rc6 Kd7
32. b5 $14) 27. Rxf7 Kxf7 28. Rd7+ Kg8 29. Rb7 b5 30. Rb6 $14 Rc8 (30... Ra7
31. Kg2 g6 32. Kg3 Kg7 {was probably quite solid for Black. If White's king
goes to the queenside, Black can advance his kingside pawns and play ...
Ra7-f7xf3. Meanwhile,} 33. f4 {can be met with} gxf4+ 34. Kxf4 Rf7+ 35. Kg3 (
35. Ke3 Re7+ 36. Kd3 Rf7) 35... Rf6 $11) 31. b4 (31. Rxa6 Rc1+ 32. Kg2 Rc2 33.
b4 Kf7 34. Ra5 h6 35. a3 Rc3) 31... Ra8 32. a3 Kf7 (32... g6 $142 {[%cal Yg8g7]
- see annotation to move 30.}) 33. Kg2 h6 34. f4 {This is quite appropriate
now.} gxf4 35. Kf3 Rc8 (35... Ke7 36. Kxf4 Rf8+ 37. Ke3 Rf6 $2 {doesn't work
now as the pawn endgame is winning for White:} 38. Rxf6 gxf6 (38... Kxf6 39.
Kd4) 39. Kf4 Ke6 40. Kg4 Kf7 41. Kf5 $18) 36. Rxa6 Rc2 $6 (36... Rc3+ 37. Kxf4
Rh3 38. Ra5 Rxh2 39. Rxb5 (39. Kg3 Rh5 40. a4 Rg5+) (39. Kf3 Ke6 40. Rxb5 Rh3+)
39... Rxf2+ 40. Ke5 g5 {, and Black should not lose}) 37. h4 g5 $2 {A bad move,
after which White ends up with two extra pawns.} (37... Ra2 $142 38. h5 Ke7 39.
Ra5 (39. Rb6 Rxa3+ 40. Kxf4 {White wins the b5-pawn but still hardly the game.}
) 39... Kd6 40. Kg4 (40. Ke4 Re2+ 41. Kd4 Rd2+) 40... Kc6 41. f3 Rg2+ 42. Kxf4
Rg5 {keeping drawing chances.}) 38. Rxh6 Rc3+ (38... g4+ 39. Kxg4 Rxf2 40. Rb6
$18) 39. Ke4 gxh4 40. Rxh4 Rxa3 41. Rxf4+ Ke6 42. Rf5 Ra2 43. f3 Re2+ 44. Kf4
1-0

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.08.31"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2652"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Philippines"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "PHI"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Bf4 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13. Qe3 d5 14. Nd2
Bf5 15. c3 h6 16. Re1 c6 17. Qg3 Bg6 18. Nf3 Qb6 19. b4 a5 20. a3 axb4 21. axb4
Qd8 22. Ne5 Bxe5 23. dxe5 Kh7 24. Bd3 Nc7 25. Bc1 Bxd3 26. Qxd3+ Kg8 27. f4 Qh4
28. Rf1 Ra2 29. h3 Ne6 30. c4 dxc4 31. Qxc4 Ra8 32. Kh2 Nc7 33. Qd4 Qd8 34. Rd1
Qd5 35. Rd2 Qxd4 36. Rxd4 Nd5 37. b5 Ra2 38. bxc6 bxc6 39. Rc4 Ne7 40. Kg1 h5
41. g4 hxg4 42. hxg4 Kf8 43. f5 Ke8 44. Bg5 Re2 45. f6 Rxe5 46. Bf4 gxf6 47.
Bxe5 fxe5 48. Rc5 f6 49. g5 Kf7 50. Kf2 Ke6 51. gxf6 Kxf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.09.01"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Ukraine"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "UKR"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. d4 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 Bb7 8. Bg2
O-O 9. O-O Na6 10. d5 {[%mdl 512] A rare (in this position; generally it is
typical for the QI Defence) but quite dangerous pawn sac.} (10. Bc1 {[%cal
Yc1b2] and}) (10. Ne5 {are common moves.}) 10... exd5 11. Nd4 Bc5 $146 (11...
c6 12. cxd5 Nxd5 (12... cxd5 13. Nf5 Nc5 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Bg5 Nce4 16. Nxd5
Bxd5 17. Qxd5 Nxg5 18. Qxg5 Rac8 19. Qd2 $14 {0-1 Saldano Dayer,H (2419)
-Pogorelov,R (2449)/Albacete 2003/CBM 096 ext (43)}) 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. Nf5 Re8
15. Bf4 Bf8 16. Bxd5 Bc6 (16... Bxd5 17. Qxd5 Qf6 18. Ne3 Nc5 {1-0 Kantsler,B 
(2539)-Psakhis,L (2564)/Israel 1999/EXT 2000 (32)} 19. Rac1 $14) 17. Nd6 Bxd6
18. Bxd6 Qg5 19. e4 (19. Bg2 $142 $14) 19... Bxd5 20. Qxd5 Qxd5 21. exd5 Nc5
22. Bxc5 bxc5 23. Rfe1 d6 24. f4 Kf8 25. Kf2 a5 26. Rxe8+ {1/2 Stummer,W (2456)
-Myers,D (2406)/LSS 2006/Telechess CBM 123}) 12. Nc2 (12. Nf5 $5 Ne4 13. Nxd5
Bxd5 14. cxd5 Nxf2 15. Qc2 Ne4+ 16. Kh1 Nxd2 17. Qxd2 $14 {[%csl Ra6]}) 12...
c6 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Bg5 Nc7 15. Ne3 d4 $6 (15... Bxe3 {was quite possible, e.
g.} 16. fxe3 (16. Bxe3 Ne4) 16... Qe8 17. Bxf6 (17. Rxf6 gxf6 18. Bh6 Qe5)
17... Qxe3+ 18. Rf2 gxf6 19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. Bxd5 Bc6 $11 {The damage to Black's
kingside pawns is not decisive in this line. In the game he can't avoid it in
a much inferior situation.}) (15... Be7 $143 16. Rc1 Rc8 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18.
Ncxd5 $14 {[%csl Gd5]}) 16. Bxb7 Rb8 17. Ng4 $1 dxc3 (17... Be7 $2 18. Bxf6
Bxf6 19. Nxf6+ Qxf6 $2 20. Nd5 {, and White keeps an extra piece.}) 18. Bxf6
gxf6 19. Be4 d5 20. Bc2 f5 21. Nh6+ Kh8 22. Nxf5 $16 {[%csl Rh8] Black's
passed c3-pawn is safely blocked and doesn't compensate for the weakness of
his king.} Qf6 23. a3 a5 24. Qd3 (24. b4 $142 $1 axb4 25. axb4 Bxb4 26. Ra4 Bc5
27. Rh4 $40) 24... Rg8 (24... b5 {doesn't help as White prevents ...b5-b4:} 25.
b4 $1 axb4 26. axb4 Bxb4 27. Rfb1 Bc5 28. Nd4 Qh6 29. Qxc3 Bxd4 30. Qxd4+ Qg7
31. Qc5 $16) (24... Ra8 $1 {was a subtle and stubborn defence controlling the
a-file in case of b3-b4. Of course, Black's position remained difficult after}
25. Rfd1 ({or even} 25. Rfb1 $5 {[%cal Yb3b4]})) 25. b4 $1 axb4 (25... Bf8 26.
Nd4 Rg7 27. Qxc3 {winning a pawn.}) 26. axb4 Bxb4 27. Ra7 $1 $18 Ne6 28. Ne7
Qg7 (28... Rg7 29. Nxd5 $18) 29. Nxg8 Kxg8 30. Qxd5 Bc5 31. e3 b5 32. Ra8 Rxa8
33. Qxa8+ Qf8 34. Qe4 Qh6 35. Ra1 b4 36. Ra5 Bf8 37. Qg4+ Qg7 38. Qh4 h6 39.
Ra8 Nc7 40. Rxf8+ $1 Qxf8 41. Qg4+ Kh8 42. Qf5 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.09.03"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[Annotator "Kramnik,V"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. e3 a6 7. Bd3 g6 {
This is a new plan. Dies ist ein neuer Plan.} (7... Bg4 {is much more common:
ist viel geläufiger:} 8. Nge2 e6) 8. h3 {This prevents ...Bg4 and ...Nh5 ideas.
Dies verhindert ...Bg4- und ...Nh5-Ideen.} (8. Nf3 Nh5 (8... Bg4) 9. Bg5 h6 10.
Bh4 g5 11. Bg3 (11. Nd2 Nf4 12. exf4 gxh4) 11... Nxg3 12. hxg3 Bg7) 8... Bf5 {
That is the idea of the previous move, otherwise White is better. Dies ist die
Idee des vorigen Zuges, ansonsten steht Weiß besser.} (8... Bg7 9. Nf3 {
with a pleasant advantage. mit angenehmem Vorteil.}) 9. Nf3 (9. Bxf5 gxf5 {
Here Black can get some counterplay on the g-file. Hier kann Schwarz einiges
Gegenspiel in der g-Linie erlangen.} 10. Nf3 e6 11. Rc1 Rg8) 9... Bxd3 10. Qxd3
Bg7 11. O-O O-O 12. Rfc1 {White has a small plus due to his more active pieces.
Weiß hat ein kleines Plus aufgrund seiner aktiveren Figuren.} e6 13. Na4 Ne4
14. Nc5 {In time before Black gets counterplay on the kingside. Rechtzeitig,
bevor Schwarz Gegenspiel am Königsflügel bekommt.} (14. a3 g5 15. Bh2 f5 $132
16. Nc5 Qe7) 14... Nxc5 15. Rxc5 Qd7 (15... f6 {was an interesting defensive
idea, followed by ...Rf7 and ...Bf8. war eine interessante Verteidigungsidee,
gefolgt von ...Rf7 und ...Bf8.}) 16. Rac1 Rfc8 17. a3 Bf8 18. R5c2 f6 (18...
Bd6 19. Bxd6 Qxd6 20. Qb3 $1 Qd7 21. Qb6 $14) 19. Nd2 Bd6 $2 {A serious
mistake. Ein ernster Fehler.} (19... Na7 $1 {is a very precise defensive move
which seems to equalise: ist ein sehr präziser Verteidigungszug, welcher
auszugleichen scheint:} 20. Rc7 Qd8 {and all tactics work for Black here: und
die Taktik funktioniert hier für Schwarz:} 21. Nb3 Rxc7 22. Rxc7 $2 (22. Bxc7
Qd7 {is just equal. ist einfach ausgeglichen.}) 22... e5 $1 23. Rxb7 exf4 24.
Qxa6 Qc8 $1) 20. Bxd6 Qxd6 21. Nb3 {Now Black is under serious pressure
already. Nun steht Schwarz bereits unter ernstem Druck.} Rc7 $2 (21... b6 {
was needed, although still after the accurate war erforderlich, obwohl nach
dem genauen} 22. Nd2 $1 Qd7 23. Qb3 b5 24. Qc3 Ne7 25. Qa5 Rxc2 26. Rxc2 Qd8
27. Qb4 {White has a serious positional advantage. Weiß trotzdem ernsten
positionellen Vorteil hat.}) 22. Na5 $1 {Strangely enough there is no adequate
defence anymore for Black after the following combination. Seltsamerweise gibt
es nach der folgenden Kombination bereits keine ausreichende Verteidigung mehr
für Schwarz.} (22. Nc5 {keeps a pleasant advantage, of course, but the text is
even stronger. behauptet einen angenehmen Vorteil, versteht sich, aber der
Text ist sogar noch stärker.}) 22... Rac8 23. Nxb7 $1 Rxb7 24. Qxa6 Rbc7 {
Only move. Einziger Zug.} 25. b4 Qd7 {Only move again. Wieder einziger Zug.}
26. Qb6 $1 {The point of the combination. Der Clou der Kombination.} (26. b5 {
After this natural move Black still can hold: Nach diesem natürlichen Zug kann
sich Schwarz doch noch halten:} Ne7 $1 (26... Nd8 27. Qxc8 $1 Rxc8 28. Rxc8 {
winning und gewinnt.}) 27. Rxc7 Rxc7 28. Rxc7 Qxc7 29. Qxe6+ Kf8 30. Qxf6+ Ke8
31. a4 Qa5 {and it is not certain that White will manage to convert his
advantage. und es ist nicht sicher, dass Weiß es schaffen wird, seinen Vorteil
zu verwerten.}) 26... Qe8 {Desperation, but other moves do not work either.
Verzweiflung, aber andere Züge funktionieren ebenfalls nicht.} (26... Rb7 27.
Rxc6 $1 Rxb6 28. Rxc8+ Kf7 29. R8c7 $18) (26... Kf7 27. b5 Rb7 28. Qxc6 $1 $18)
(26... Rb8 27. Qxb8+ Nxb8 28. Rxc7 Qb5 29. R1c5 Qb6 30. Re7 (30. b5 $18) 30...
Kf8 31. Rcc7 $18) 27. b5 $1 {The simplest, falling into the trap :) Am
einfachsten, man tappt in die Falle :)} Nxd4 {The point of ...Qe8. Die Pointe
von ...Qe8.} 28. Rxc7 Ne2+ 29. Kh1 Nxc1 {It seems that Black managed to trick
his opponent, but the 31st move of White clarifies matters. Es scheint, als
hätte Schwarz es geschafft, seinen Gegner reinzulegen, aber der 31. Zug von
Weiß macht die Sache klar.} 30. Rxc8 Qxc8 31. Qc6 Qd8 (31... Qb8 32. b6 Nd3 33.
Qc7 $18) (31... Qxc6 32. bxc6 {queening. mit Umwandlung.}) 32. b6 Kf7 (32...
Nd3 33. Qc7 Nxf2+ 34. Kg1 Qf8 35. b7 $18) 33. Qc7+ (33. b7 $18) 33... Ke8 34.
Qa7 d4 35. b7 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.09.04"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "China"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CHN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nb3 Bb6 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Qe2 O-O 8.
Bg5 Nd4 9. Qd2 Nxb3 10. axb3 h6 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Qxe3 Re8 13. f3 c6 14. O-O-O
d5 15. Qc5 Qb6 16. Qxb6 axb6 17. exd5 Ra1+ 18. Kd2 Rxd1+ 19. Kxd1 Rd8 20. Bc4
b5 21. Bd3 Nxd5 22. Nxd5 Rxd5 23. Ke2 Kf8 24. b4 Ke7 25. Ra1 Kd6 26. c3 Re5+
27. Kf2 Rd5 28. Ke2 Re5+ 29. Kf2 Rd5 30. Ke2 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.09.05"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Uzbekistan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "UZB"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 g6 8. Rc1
Nd7 9. Be2 Bg7 10. O-O O-O 11. Qc2 Qe7 12. Rfd1 a6 13. a3 Rb8 14. h3 Kh8 15.
Nd2 Rd8 16. b4 b5 17. c5 e5 18. Nb3 Nf8 19. dxe5 Qxe5 20. Nd4 Qc7 21. h4 Ne6
22. Nb3 Qe5 23. g3 Bd7 24. Bf3 Be8 25. Ne2 f5 26. Nbd4 Nxd4 27. Nxd4 h5 28. a4
Qe7 29. Ra1 Rbc8 30. axb5 axb5 31. Ra6 Rc7 32. Qa2 Rdc8 33. Rd3 Kh7 34. Qd2 Ra7
35. Rda3 Rca8 36. Qa2 Rxa6 37. Rxa6 Rxa6 38. Qxa6 Bxd4 39. exd4 Kg7 40. Qc8
Qe1+ 41. Kg2 Kf8 42. Qd8 Qe7 43. Qb8 Qe1 44. Qd6+ Kf7 45. Qc7+ Kf8 46. Qd8 Kf7
47. Qa5 Kf8 48. Qd8 Kf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.09.06"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2712"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Germany"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. Nf3 e5 8.
Bd3 Na6 9. O-O Bd6 10. Bc2 Bg4 11. d4 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Qxf3 13. gxf3 exd4 14. Ba4+
Kd8 15. cxd4 c5 16. d5 Kc7 17. Re1 Nb4 18. Bd2 Nd3 19. Re3 Ne5 20. Rc1 g5 21.
Ba5+ b6 22. Bc3 f6 23. Rce1 Rhg8 24. Kg2 Raf8 25. Re4 Ng6 26. Kh1 Be5 27. Bd2
Kd6 28. R4e3 Nf4 29. Bc2 Rg7 30. Re4 Re7 31. Bxf4 gxf4 32. Rg1 f5 33. Re2 Bd4
34. Rxe7 Kxe7 35. Re1+ Kd8 36. Kg2 Re8 37. Rxe8+ Kxe8 38. Bxf5 h6 39. d6 h5 40.
Kf1 Be5 41. d7+ Ke7 42. Ke2 Bc7 43. Kd3 Kd6 44. Ke4 Kc6 45. h4 a6 46. Bg6 Bd8
47. Bxh5 Bxh4 48. Be8 Bd8 49. Kxf4 b5 50. Ke5 bxc4 51. Ke6 c3 52. Bg6 Kc7 53.
f4 Bh4 54. f3 Bg3 55. Ke7 Bh4+ 56. Ke8 a5 57. Bc2 c4 58. f5 Bd8 59. f4 Bh4 60.
Ba4 Bd8 61. Kf7 c2 62. Bxc2 Kxd7 63. f6 Bc7 64. Ba4+ Kd8 65. Kg8 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.09.07"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E07"]
[WhiteElo "2711"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Netherlands"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Qb3 e6 5. g3 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Bf4
a5 9. Rc1 h6 10. a4 Ne4 11. Nfd2 Nd6 12. Bxd6 Bxd6 13. e4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Bb4 15.
c5 Nf6 16. Qc4 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Kh8 18. Bg2 e5 19. d5 f5 20. dxc6 e4 21. cxb7 Bxb7
22. c6 Ba6 23. Qb3 Rc8 24. Nc3 Rxc6 25. Nd5 Bc5 26. Bf1 f4 27. Nxf4 Bxf2+ 28.
Kh1 Rb6 29. Qc2 e3 30. Bg2 Qe8 31. Qc5 Rff6 32. Rc2 g5 33. Nd5 e2 34. Qxa5
e1=Q+ 35. Rxe1 Qxe1+ 36. Qxe1 Bxe1 37. Nxb6 Rxb6 38. Rc6 Rxc6 39. Bxc6 Kg7 40.
Kg2 Kf6 41. Bf3 Ke5 42. h4 Bc8 43. hxg5 hxg5 44. Kf1 Bxg3 45. b4 Kd4 46. a5 Kc4
47. a6 Bb8 48. Bb7 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.09.09"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hungary"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "HUN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Rd1 Bc6 10. Nc3 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 Nc6 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. a5 Rb8 14. Ra4 Rb4
15. Na2 Rxa4 16. Qxa4 Qb8 17. Qxc4 Qb7 18. Bg5 Qxb2 19. Nc3 Nd5 20. Bxe7 Nxc3
21. Bxf8 Nxd1 22. Qxa6 Ne3 23. fxe3 Qb1+ 24. Kf2 Qf5+ 25. Ke1 Qb1+ 26. Kd2 Qb2+
27. Kd3 Qb3+ 28. Kd2 Qb2+ 29. Kd3 Qb3+ 30. Kd2 Qb2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.09.24"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Bg2
c6 9. e4 d5 10. exd5 (10. Qe2 $6 {is poor due to} b5 $1 11. e5 (11. exd5 $2
exd5 12. cxb5 cxb5 13. Nxb5 Ba3 $1 14. Bf1 Re8 15. Ne5 Bb2 16. Rd1 Bxd4 $19 {
0-1 Tukmakov,V (2575)-Chernin,A (2570)/Moscow 1987/CBM 004 (20)}) 11... Nfd7 $1
12. cxb5 cxb5 13. Qe3 (13. Nxb5 $2 {again doesn't work due to} Ba3 $1 {[%csl
Rb5]}) 13... b4 14. Ne2 Qb6 15. Rc1 Nc6 $15 {0-1 Simon,H (2141)-Van Seben,E 
(2239)/IECG 2007/Telechess CBM 129 (53)}) 10... cxd5 (10... exd5 {[%csl Rb8]
gives White good compensation for the pawn after} 11. O-O $1 (11. Qe2 $2 b5 $1)
11... dxc4 12. Re1 {e.g.} Re8 13. bxc4 Bxc4 14. Ne5 Qxd4 15. Bg5 $1 Qxc3 16.
Rc1 Qa5 17. Rxc4 h6 18. Ra4 Qc5 19. Qb3 Rf8 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Nxf7 $16 {
1-0 Szabo,V (2328)-Baranowski,T (2310)/Lechenicher SchachServer 2009/Telechess
CBM 141 (55)}) 11. Ne5 Nfd7 $6 $146 (11... Bb7 12. O-O Nc6 {is probably more
appropriate. In the following correspondence game Black equalised:} 13. Bg5 Rc8
14. Rc1 h6 15. Bf4 Ba3 16. Rc2 a6 17. Nxc6 Bxc6 18. cxd5 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20.
Rxc8 Qxc8 21. Bxd5 exd5 22. Re1 Re8 $11 {1/2 Dutra,A (2448)-Alpert,A (2422)/
ICCF WS 2006/ICCF CBM 132 (47)}) 12. O-O $1 (12. cxd5 $2 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 $1 {
[%csl Re1]}) 12... Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 14. Re1 dxc4 $1 {Black must sacrifice the
exchange. The weakness of the light squares in White's camp gives him decent
compensation.} (14... d4 15. Nb5 $1) 15. Bxa8 Qxa8 16. Bh6 $5 Rd8 17. Qg4 Bf8
18. Rad1 (18. Ne4 cxb3 19. axb3 Bb7 $44) 18... Nc5 (18... cxb3 $1 {was
possible. After} 19. Bg5 (19. axb3 Bb7 20. Bg5 Bf3 21. Qf4 Bxd1 22. Rxd1 f6 23.
exf6 Nxf6 24. Bxf6 Rxd1+ 25. Nxd1 gxf6 26. Qxf6 Qd5 $11) 19... Nxe5 $1 (19...
Rc8 $143 20. Rxd7 Rxc3 21. Qf4 Qf3 22. Qxf3 Rxf3 23. axb3 Rxb3 24. Rxa7 $16)
20. Rxe5 Rxd1+ 21. Qxd1 b2 {, despite White's extra rook, Black has sufficient
counterplay, e.g.} 22. Re1 Qc6 23. Qb3 (23. Bd2 Bb7 24. f3 b5 $1) 23... h6 $1
24. Bd2 Bb7 25. Ne4 f5 26. Qxb2 fxe4 27. Rc1 Qd7 28. Be3 Bd5 {, and Black
should not lose.}) {After the text move White can regain a pawn keeping an
extra exchange. However, it is not easy to find the correct move order.} 19.
bxc4 $6 (19. Rxd8 $1 Qxd8 20. bxc4 Bb7 {- game} ({but not} 20... Qd3 $2 21. Rd1
$1 Qxc3 $2 22. Qxg7+ $1 Bxg7 23. Rd8+ Bf8 24. Rxf8#)) 19... Bb7 (19... Nd3 $142
$1 20. Re4 $1 (20. Re3 $143 Nb2) 20... Bb7 21. Re3 Nb4 22. Rxd8 Qxd8 23. Ne4 $1
Nc2 $1 24. Nf6+ Kh8 25. Rc3 Qd4 $1 26. Rxc2 Qxe5 27. Qe2 Qxf6 $14) 20. Rxd8
Qxd8 {Of course, it is still very difficult for White to convert his material
advantage.} 21. Rd1 $6 (21. Nb5 $142 $1 {[%cal Yb5d6]} Qa8 22. Re3 $16) 21...
Qc7 22. Bf4 Qc6 23. f3 Nd7 $2 {Missing a brilliant tactical blow:} (23... Nd3
$1 {[%mdl 64]} 24. Rxd3 Qxc4 25. Rd8 Ba6 26. h4 Qf1+ 27. Kh2 Qf2+ $11) 24. Ne4
$16 {White is now in full control of the position.} Qa4 $2 {This loses at once.
} (24... Qc8 $142 25. Nf6+ (25. Rxd7 $6 Bxe4) 25... Nxf6 26. exf6 $16) 25. Rxd7
Bxe4 26. Rd8 Bg6 (26... Bc6 27. Bh6 Be8 28. Qg5 $1 $18 {[%cal Rh6g7]}) 27. Bg5
$2 (27. Be3 $18 {[%cal Yg4d4]}) 27... Qa3 $2 {Both players overlook a
study-like possibility in this seemingly hopeless position:} (27... h6 $3 28.
Qd4 $142 (28. Be7 Bd3 $3 {Should White miss this blow, he would have to play}
29. Rxd3 (29. Rxf8+ $2 Kh7 {with an inevitable perpetual check}) 29... Bxe7 30.
Rd2 {and then try to win this game for a second time}) 28... hxg5 29. Qd6 Kh7
30. Qxf8 Kh6 31. Qd6 Qxc4 32. Rh8+ Bh7 33. Qd2 $1 Qc5+ 34. Kh1 Qxe5 35. h4 f6
36. hxg5+ Kg6 37. gxf6 gxf6 38. Kg2 {, and White should win}) 28. Qd4 h6 29.
Qd6 Kh7 30. Qxf8 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.09.25"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Rd1+ Ke8 10. Nc3 Be6 11. Ng5 Bc8 12. h3 Nh4 13. Bf4 Be7 14. e6
f6 15. Nf7 Rg8 16. Bxc7 Bxe6 17. Nd6+ Bxd6 18. Bxd6 Kf7 19. f3 Rgd8 20. Bg3 Nf5
21. Bf2 Nd6 22. b3 b6 23. Ne2 Nb7 24. c4 Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Rd8 26. Rxd8 Nxd8 27.
Nc3 Ke7 28. Kf1 c5 29. Ke2 Nc6 30. Kd2 Kd7 31. Bg3 Bf7 32. Nb5 Bg6 33. Nc3 Bf7
34. Nb5 Bg6 35. Nc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.09.26"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2697"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bg5 Bb4 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 c5 8.
e3 cxd4 9. exd4 Qd5 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Nd2 Nc6 12. Rb1 Rg8 13. Qc2 f5 14. Nxc4
b6 15. Ne3 Qd6 16. Bb5 Kf8 17. Nc4 Qc7 18. f3 Ne7 19. Ne5 f6 20. Nd3 a6 21. Ba4
Nd5 22. c4 Ne3 23. Qd2 Nxc4 24. Qb4+ Kf7 25. Rc1 b5 26. Bb3 Rxg2 27. Bxc4 bxc4
28. Rxc4 Qb8 29. Kf1 Ra2 30. Rg1 Ra1+ 31. Kg2 Ra2+ 32. Kf1 Ra1+ 33. Kg2 Ra2+
1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.09.28"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. O-O Bd6 8.
b3 Nd7 9. Nc4 Bxc4 10. bxc4 O-O 11. Rb1 b6 12. g3 f5 13. exf5 Rxf5 14. Qe2 Nc5
15. Be3 Ne6 16. Nd2 Qf6 17. Qg4 Rf8 18. Ne4 Qf7 19. a4 h5 20. Qe2 Be7 21. a5
Qg6 22. axb6 axb6 23. Kh1 Rf3 24. Rbe1 Bb4 25. Ra1 Qg4 26. Qd1 Qh3 27. Bf4 Bc3
28. Qxf3 Bxa1 29. Qg2 Qf5 30. Bd2 Bd4 31. h3 Bc5 32. Bc3 Be7 33. Re1 b5 34. Kg1
b4 35. Bb2 Bd6 36. h4 Be7 37. Kh2 Ra8 38. Ra1 Rxa1 39. Bxa1 Nc5 40. Nd2 Bf6 41.
Bb2 b3 42. Nxb3 Nxb3 43. cxb3 Qxd3 44. Qxc6 Qc2 45. Qe8+ Kh7 46. Qxh5+ Kg8 47.
Qe8+ Kh7 48. Qh5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.09.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A35"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "146"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nc3 g6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Qb3 e6 9. Bb5 Bg7 10. O-O O-O 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Na4 Ba6 13. Re1 Nb6 14. Nc5 Bc4
15. Qc3 Bd5 16. Ne5 Qh4 17. b3 Rfe8 18. f3 f6 19. Ng4 h5 20. Nf2 f5 21. Bb2
Rad8 22. Qe3 g5 23. g3 f4 24. Qxe6+ Rxe6 25. gxh4 Rg6 26. Nh3 gxh4+ 27. Kf2 Rf6
28. Re5 Nd7 29. Nxd7 Rxd7 30. Rg1 Rff7 31. Ba3 Rd8 32. Bc5 a5 33. Rxh5 Re8 34.
Rxh4 Re3 35. Ng5 Rc3 36. Ke2 Rd7 37. Kd2 Rxc5 38. dxc5 Bxb3+ 39. Kc1 Bxa2 40.
Ne4 Rb7 41. Nc3 Bb3 42. Rxf4 a4 43. Nxa4 Kh7 44. Rxg7+ Rxg7 45. Kb2 Bd5 46. Nb6
Be6 47. Kc3 Rg5 48. Kb4 Kg7 49. Nc4 Rg1 50. Ne3 Rc1 51. h4 Kg6 52. Ng4 Bd5 53.
Ne5+ Kg7 54. h5 Re1 55. h6+ Kxh6 56. Rf5 Kg7 57. f4 Rb1+ 58. Kc3 Rb3+ 59. Kd4
Rb4+ 60. Ke3 Rb3+ 61. Kf2 Rc3 62. Nd7 Kg6 63. Rf8 Ra3 64. Nb6 Be4 65. Ke2 Bf5
66. Rd8 Be4 67. Nc4 Rc3 68. Rd4 Bd5 69. Ne5+ Kf5 70. Nd7 Be6 71. Kd2 Rf3 72.
Nb8 Bd5 73. Na6 Rxf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.10.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15.
Qe2 Bg4 16. Qf1 Qh5 17. Nd2 Rae8 18. f3 Bh3 19. Qf2 Rxe1+ 20. Qxe1 Bf4 21. Bxd5
Bxd2 22. Bxd2 Qxd5 23. Qe4 Qd7 24. Re1 Be6 25. Bf4 Re8 26. Qe5 f6 27. Qd6 Qxd6
28. Bxd6 Kf7 29. b3 Bf5 30. Kf2 Rxe1 31. Kxe1 a5 32. Kd2 Be6 33. Kd3 Bf5+
1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.10.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1
dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. O-O Qe7 12. Ne4 Rd8 13. Qc2 Bb6 14. Rfd1 Nc6
15. Rxd8+ Nxd8 16. Ne5 Bd7 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18. Rd1 Qc7 19. g3 Nc6 20. Bb5 Rc8 21.
Rc1 Ne7 22. Qxc7 Rxc7 23. Rxc7 Bxc7 24. Nc5 b6 25. Nd3 g5 26. Kf1 Kg7 27. Ke2
f5 28. Kd2 Kf6 29. Kc3 Ng6 30. f4 gxf4 31. exf4 e5 32. fxe5+ Nxe5 33. Nxe5 Kxe5
1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.10.11"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2697"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 c6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Bc4 d6 5. Bb3 Nf6 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O Bg4 8. h3
Bxf3 9. Qxf3 e6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Rad1 Qc7 12. Qf4 a6 13. Ne2 Kh8 14. c3 Ng8 15.
Qd2 Rae8 16. Be3 Ndf6 17. f3 Rd8 18. g4 b5 19. Ng3 Nd7 20. h4 a5 21. h5 a4 22.
Bc2 e5 23. Kg2 exd4 24. cxd4 c5 25. Rh1 cxd4 26. hxg6 fxg6 27. Rxh7+ Kxh7 28.
Rh1+ Nh6 29. Bxh6 Rh8 30. e5 Nxe5 31. Be4 d5 32. Bxg6+ Kg8 33. Bf5 Rd6 34. Bxg7
Qxg7 35. Nh5 Nc4 36. Be6+ Rxe6 37. Nxg7 Nxd2 38. Nxe6 Rxh1 39. Kxh1 Nxf3 40.
Kg2 Ne5 41. Nxd4 Nxg4 42. Nxb5 Ne3+ 43. Kf3 Nc4 44. Nc3 Nxb2 45. Nxd5 Kf7 46.
Ke4 Ke6 47. Ne3 a3 48. Kd4 Kd6 49. Nc2 Na4 50. Nxa3 Kc6 51. Nc4 Kb5 52. a3 Kc6
53. Ne5+ Kb5 54. Nc4 Kc6 55. Ne5+ Kb5 56. Nc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.10.12"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[Annotator "Caruana,F"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{A critical game. I felt I would have to win to keep chances for first place,
while for Levon it was the last chance to catch the leaders.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3
Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3 {I decided to
avoid the dense theory of the Marshall with this forgotten move, which despite
its harmless appearance can be surprisingly venomous.} d6 9. a4 Bd7 10. c3 Na5
11. Bc2 c5 12. Nbd2 Re8 {So far we've both been making logical schematic moves,
but here I felt it was time to create some play in the center. Objectively I
should have continued quietly with 13.Nf1.} 13. d4 exd4 $5 {Levon showed that
he was ready for a sharp fight with this move.} ({During the game I tried to
evaluate the position after} 13... Bf8 14. d5 c4 15. b4 cxb3 16. Nxb3 Nc4 17.
Nbd2 ({Perhaps White can try} 17. Nfd2 Nb6 18. a5 Na4 19. c4 {, with a messy
position.}) 17... Nb6 18. a5 Na4 19. Bxa4 Qxa5 20. Ba3 bxa4 21. c4 Qc7 22. Rc1
{, which I was optimistic about, but the computer disagrees, offering the
strong idea to play ...Rb8, ...a5 and ...Rb4.}) (13... Qc7 $1 {was just a
clean way to equalize without any problems, indicating that 13.d4 was
premature.}) 14. cxd4 Bg4 {Black's play is very ambitious but also very risky.
His bishop is liable to get locked out of the game on g6, so he will have to
rely on tactics to keep White from consolidating.} 15. h3 Bh5 16. d5 ({I
didn't like} 16. g4 Bg6 17. d5 Bf8 {, because I couldn't see how to remove my
knight from d2.}) 16... Qc8 {A creative idea to solve Black's problems. Levon
wanted to prevent g4 by arranging a piece sacrifice. Black also plans the
manouver Bd8-b6.} ({Black could have considered} 16... Nd7 17. g4 Bg6 18. Nf1
h6 19. Ng3 Bf6 {, with plans to attack on the queenside with ...b4 and ...c4.
White on the other hand will continue with Kg2, h4 and g5. The play is very
double-edged but my feeling during the game was that White would be faster.})
17. Nf1 (17. g4 $6 Nxg4 18. hxg4 Qxg4+ 19. Kf1 {looks far too risky for White.
Black can continue slowly with} Bf6 $5 {, and it's not clear how to free
White's pieces.}) 17... Bd8 18. g4 {I thought I was being clever with this
move, but in this case simpler was better.} ({I should have played} 18. Ng3
Bxf3 (18... Bg6 19. Bf4 {, with Nh4-f5 coming next, doesn't look too pleasant
for Black.}) 19. Qxf3 g6 (19... Nxd5 {and now even stronger than 20.Nf5 is} 20.
e5 $1 Nb4 21. e6 $1 Rxe6 22. Rxe6 fxe6 23. Qh5 {, with a nasty attack.}) 20.
Bh6 {This is the move I underestimated, but it's the most natural so I don't
understand why. Nf5 next will give White a strong initiative.}) 18... Bg6 ({
Of course now} 18... Nxg4 $2 19. hxg4 Qxg4+ 20. Ng3 {is losing for Black.}) 19.
Ng3 b4 {Black is advancing very quickly on the queenside, and it could soon
get very dangerous for White if the pawns get to b3 and c3. However, White's
superiority on the kingside and in the center will secure an edge.} 20. Nh4 {
Not a bad move, but it allows too much of a mess.} ({As usual the most natural
is best:} 20. Bf4 $1 b3 (20... Qd7 {is met by the strong} 21. b3 $1 c4 22. bxc4
Nxc4 23. a5 $1) 21. Bb1 Qd7 22. Bd2 {, and Bc3 next gives White a pleasant
advantage.}) 20... b3 {This move prepares the following piece sacrifice. Black
had other options as well.} ({I spent a lot of time calculating} 20... c4 21.
Nhf5 (21. Bd2 c3 22. bxc3 bxc3 23. Bf4 Nc4 {should be fine for Black.}) 21...
b3 22. Bb1 Bb6 (22... c3 23. Nxd6 c2 {was also a concern during the game, but
White seems to come out on top after} 24. Bxc2 bxc2 25. Qd3) 23. Qf3 Qc5 {
and here there are many possibilities. One wild continuation is} 24. Bf4 c3 25.
Bxd6 cxb2 26. Bxc5 bxa1=Q 27. Bxb6 Qxa4 28. Bd4 {, and despite the material
deficit White has a powerful attack.}) 21. Bb1 Nxg4 $5 {A very enterprising
piece sacrifice, which is perhaps not fully correct, but leads to unstable and
violent positions.} 22. Nxg6 Nxf2 23. Ne7+ $1 {A very important move, without
which White would face an unpleasant situation. White has to avoid the
structure with pawns on g6 and g7, which cover all the important squares.} (23.
Kxf2 $2 fxg6 $1 24. Kg2 Bf6 {doesn't look like a great deal of fun to me. In
fact, I can't see how to free White's pieces at all.}) 23... Rxe7 $2 {This
awkward move is the decisive mistake.} (23... Bxe7 {is a lot harder to crack.}
24. Kxf2 Bf6 25. Nf5 c4 {Black has to play this as quickly as possible, before
White can extricate the bishop with Bd3.} 26. Rg1 ({After} 26. Kg2 Be5 {
, I don't see a clear continuation for White.}) 26... Kh8 27. Be3 $5 {If White
wants to stop Black from consolidating, this double-edged move is the way.}
Bxb2 28. Nxd6 ({After} 28. Rxg7 Bxg7 29. Nxg7 Qxh3 $1 {it all ends
surprisingly with perpetual.}) ({The position after} 28. Bd4 Bxd4+ 29. Qxd4 Qc5
30. Qxc5 dxc5 31. Rxg7 {is evaluated as good for White by the computer, but I
doubt I'd have the guts to go for it.}) 28... Qc7 29. Nxe8 (29. Bd4 Bxa1 30.
Bxa1 c3 31. Qd4 f6 32. Bxc3 Qxd6 33. Bxa5 {might be better for White, but it's
more likely Black will find a perpetual.}) 29... Rxe8 30. d6 Qb8 $1 31. e5 $1 (
31. Bd4 Bxa1 32. Rxg7 (32. Bxa1 b2 {is the point behind 30...Qb8!}) 32... Bxd4+
33. Qxd4 Nc6 34. Qf6 Qa7+ 35. Kf1 Re6 {and Black hangs on by a thread.}) 31...
Rxe5 (31... Bxa1 $2 32. Rxg7 Kxg7 33. Qg4+ Kh8 34. Qf5 {mates}) 32. Qf3 $3 {
An astonishing idea, which wins the game for White. The point is} Bxa1 33. Rxg7
$1 Kxg7 34. Bh6+ Kxh6 35. Qf6+ Kh5 36. Qxf7+ Kg5 37. Qg7+ Kh5 38. Qxh7+ Kg5 39.
Qg6+ Kf4 40. Qg3# {Of course this fantastic play is impossible to discover
over the board, with limited time on the clock. In a practical game any result
is possible.}) 24. Kxf2 Re5 {I understood Levon wanted to sacrifice the rook
with Bf4 Bf6, and achieve a dark square blockade, but White isn't obligated to
capture the rook at all.} 25. Kg2 (25. Bd3 {is also very strong.}) 25... c4 26.
Nf5 {Now the attack starts.} Bf6 ({Levon mentioned} 26... Rxf5 27. exf5 Bf6 {
as a possibility, but after the simple} 28. Re2 {Black has insufficient
compensation for the rook.}) 27. Qf3 c3 ({After} 27... Rxf5 28. Qxf5 Qxf5 29.
exf5 c3 {White wins without much difficulty:} 30. Re2 c2 31. Bxc2 bxc2 32. Ra3
Nc4 33. Rb3 Rc8 34. Kh1 Ne5 35. Rxc2 {, and it's all over.}) 28. Nh6+ Kh8 (
28... Kf8 29. Bd3 {is similar to the game.}) 29. Bd3 {Maybe even more accurate
than taking the pawn on f7.} Re7 30. e5 {Of course I was happy to open lines
to Black's king.} Bxe5 31. Qe4 {There's many other ways to win as well.} g6 32.
Qh4 f6 33. Rxe5 dxe5 34. Qxf6+ Rg7 35. Qxe5 Qe8 36. Qxc3 Rc8 37. Qxa5 Re7 38.
Bg5 Re2+ 39. Kg1 {A very important victory, which allowed me to stay in the
race for first place.} 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.10.13"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E18"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Bd2
Bf6 9. Ne5 Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Bxg2 11. Kxg2 d5 12. Ng4 Nd7 13. Qa4 Be7 14. Rfd1 Nf6
15. Ne5 Qe8 16. Nc6 Kh8 17. f3 a6 18. Be1 Bd6 19. Rac1 b5 20. cxb5 axb5 21.
Qxb5 Rxa2 22. Ba5 Qa8 23. Rd3 Nd7 24. Rdc3 Nb8 25. b4 Nxc6 26. Rxc6 Rb2 27.
R6c2 Rxc2 28. Rxc2 Qa7 29. e3 h6 30. Qc6 Kg8 31. Kf2 Qa8 32. Kg2 Qxc6 33. Rxc6
Rb8 34. Bxc7 Bxc7 35. Rxc7 Rxb4 36. g4 Rb2+ 37. Kg3 g5 38. Rc3 Re2 39. h4 Kg7
40. Ra3 Kg6 41. h5+ Kf6 42. Rb3 Kg7 43. Ra3 Kf6 44. Rb3 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1213"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2013.02.02"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Melkumyan, Hrant"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D40"]
[WhiteElo "2821"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2012.10.20"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Berlin SF"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. d4 d5 6. a3 a6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. b4
Ba7 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Qc2 d4 11. exd4 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 Bxd4 13. Be2 e5 14. O-O Be6
15. Na4 Bxb2 16. Qxb2 Qc7 17. Nc5 Bf5 18. Rfe1 Rfe8 19. Rad1 a5 20. Bf1 axb4
21. axb4 b6 22. Nb3 h6 23. h3 e4 24. c5 bxc5 25. Nxc5 Qb6 26. Rd4 Rad8 27. Red1
Rxd4 28. Qxd4 Rc8 29. Ba6 Rb8 30. b5 Bg6 31. Qd6 Qa7 32. Rd4 Kh7 33. Na4 Re8
34. Nc5 Rb8 35. Rb4 Rb6 36. Qe5 Qa8 37. Rd4 Rb8 38. Rd6 Qa7 39. Qd4 Qc7 40. Nd7
Nxd7 41. Rxd7 Qc1+ 42. Qd1 Qc3 43. Qd4 Qc1+ 44. Kh2 Qf4+ 45. g3 Qf3 46. Qe3 Qf5
47. Rd6 Qe5 48. Qf4 Qb2 49. Qe3 Qb4 50. Rd5 Qc4 51. Rd2 Qf1 52. g4 Re8 53. h4
h5 54. Rd5 Re6 55. g5 Qc4 56. Rc5 Qb4 57. Rd5 Qc4 58. Rc5 Qb4 59. Rd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1213"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2013.02.03"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Prusikin, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E92"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "2821"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2012.10.20"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Forchheim"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. d4 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. dxe5 dxe5 8.
Qxd8 Rxd8 9. Bg5 Na6 10. Nd5 Rd6 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. Bxf6 Rxf6 13. Nxe5 Re6 14.
Ng4 Kg7 15. Ne3 Rxe4 16. O-O-O c6 17. Rd8 Re7 18. h4 Nc7 19. Rhd1 a5 20. b3 Ne6
21. R8d6 Nc5 22. Bf3 Bd7 23. Kb2 f5 24. a3 Be8 25. g3 Bf7 26. b4 Na4+ 27. Kc2
axb4 28. axb4 Nb6 29. c5 Ra2+ 30. Kb1 Rxf2 0-1

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A31"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. g3 e5 6. Nb5 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 a6 8.
N5c3 d5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Bg2 Be6 11. O-O Nb6 12. Be3 Nc4 13. Qc1 O-O 14. Rd1
Qc7 15. a3 Nxe3 16. Qxe3 Ba5 17. Nd2 Bb6 18. Qf3 Rad8 19. Na4 Ba7 20. Qc3 Rd4
21. Qc2 f5 22. e3 Rdd8 23. b4 e4 24. Nb3 Qf7 25. Nbc5 Bd5 26. Rd2 b6 27. Rxd5
Rxd5 28. Nxa6 Ne5 29. Rd1 Rfd8 30. Rxd5 Qxd5 31. Nb2 Qd2 32. Qc7 Ng4 0-1

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2848"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 {Carlsen is definitely a fan of d3 lines against
the Ruy Lopez. They allow him to avoid a heated theoretical struggle in
forcing lines, while retaining enough strategic tension to fight for an
advantage in the ensuing middlegame.} ({Even after} 3... Nf6 {he has lately
avoided the Berlin Wall with} 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 (5. Nc3 d6 6. Na4 Bb6 7. Nxb6
axb6 8. c3 Bd7 9. Ba4 Ne7 10. Bc2 Ng6 11. h3 O-O 12. O-O h6 13. Re1 Re8 14. d4
Bc6 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Qxd8 Rexd8 17. g3 Nd7 18. Be3 Nc5 19. Nd2 Nf8 20. f3 Nfe6
21. h4 Bb5 22. a3 Rd7 23. b4 {Carlsen,M-Anand,V/London/2012/} Bd3 $5 24. bxc5
Bxc2 $11) 5... dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. O-O Bd6 8. b3 Nd7 9. Nc4 Bxc4 10. bxc4 O-O
11. Rb1 b6 12. g3 f5 13. exf5 Rxf5 14. Qe2 Nc5 15. Be3 Ne6 16. Nd2 Qf6 17. Qg4
Rf8 18. Ne4 Qf7 19. a4 h5 20. Qe2 Be7 21. a5 Qg6 22. axb6 axb6 23. Kh1 Rf3 24.
Rbe1 Bb4 25. Ra1 Qg4 26. Qd1 Qh3 $132 27. Bf4 $4 (27. Qe2 Be7 $11) 27... Bc3 $4
(27... R8xf4 $1 28. gxf4 Nxf4 29. Ra8+ Bf8 30. Rg1 Qxh2+ 31. Kxh2 Rh3#) 28.
Qxf3 Bxa1 29. Qg2 Qf5 $11 {Carlsen,M (2843)-Aronian,L (2816)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/
2012/}) 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 ({While Aronian definitely must have anticipated
White's general strategy, Magnus far more often played} 5. O-O Be7 {and only
now} 6. Re1 (6. d3 {, when Black has committed his Bf8. After} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8.
a4 {Black faces a wider choice:} {Lately Aronian has started to favour the
less committal} Bd7 {, Black retains the tension and doesn't give away the
a-file:} (8... b4 9. Nbd2 (9. a5 O-O 10. Nbd2 Rb8 11. Nc4 h6 12. h3 Be6 13. Be3
Qc8 14. Nfd2 Rd8 15. Qe2 Qb7 16. Ba4 Nd7 17. c3 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2656)
-Melkumyan,H (2582)/EU-ch Rijeka 2010/} Na7 $5 $13) 9... Na5 10. Ba2 O-O 11. c3
c5 12. cxb4 (12. d4 cxd4 13. cxd4 Qc7 $132) 12... cxb4 13. h3 $5 (13. Nc4 Rb8
14. Re1 Nc6 15. Ne3 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nc4 Nd7 18. Ncd2 Nc5 19. Nb3 Nxb3 20.
Qxb3 Rxf3 21. gxf3 Nd4 22. Qd1 Qf8 23. Kg2 Qf6 $44 {Carlsen,M (2733)-Aronian,L
(2739)/Wijk aan Zee/2008/}) 13... Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Nb3 Nc6 16. Be3 Qd7 17.
Rc1 Rfc8 18. Qd2 Bd8 19. Rc4 $14 {Efimenko,Z (2654)-Stern,R (2501)/Bundesliga/
2009/}) (8... Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Re1 (11. c3 Nd7 (11... Bd7 $5 {
will probably only transpose after the natural} 12. Re1) 12. Re1 Bf6 13. Nf1
Nc5 14. Ba2 (14. Bc2 $5) 14... Bg4 $2 (14... b4 $142 $132) 15. b4 Ne6 16. Ne3
Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Bg5 18. Bd5 $1 $16 Qd7 (18... Ne7 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Qg4 {[%csl
Re6,Rg5]}) 19. Nf5 Ne7 20. Nxg7 $1 $40 {Carlsen,M (2714)-Fressinet,L (2654)/
ECC Kemer/2007/}) 11... Bd7 12. c3 Ra8 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. d4 h6 (14... Qb7 $5
15. Nf1 b4 $132) 15. Nf1 Re8 16. Ng3 Qc8 17. Nh4 Bf8 $6 (17... Na5 $142 18. Ba2
Nc4 $13) 18. Ng6 $1 Na5 19. Nxf8 Rxf8 20. Bc2 Re8 21. f4 Bg4 $2 {[%csl Rg4]} (
21... Qa6 $14) 22. Qd3 exf4 23. Bxf4 $16 {[%csl Gd4,Ge4,Rg8] ->>>, Carlsen,M 
(2826)-Topalov,V (2803)/Nanjing/2010/ White scored an impressive win in this
game, for more details see the notes by Moradiabadi in CBM 139.}) 9. c3 O-O 10.
Nbd2 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. Re1 Re8 13. Nf1 (13. d4 exd4 (13... cxd4 $5 14. cxd4
Nc6 15. Bb3 h6 $132 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Nf1 Bg4 18. h3 Qxd1 19. Bxd1 Bxf3 20.
Bxf3 Nd4 21. Bd1 Bb4 22. Bd2 Bxd2 23. Nxd2 Rac8 24. axb5 axb5 $15 {Werner,C 
(2315)-Tseshkovsky,V (2519)/Davos/2008/}) (13... Qc7 $1 {is indicated by
Caruana as the simplest equaliser - Black has a good version of the Chigorin.})
14. cxd4 Bg4 15. h3 Bh5 16. d5 Qc8 17. Nf1 Bd8 18. g4 Bg6 19. Ng3 b4 20. Nh4 b3
21. Bb1 {Caruana,F (2773)-Aronian,L (2816)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/2012/} c4 $5 $13 {
[%cal Yc4c3]}) 13... Nc6 14. Ne3 b4 15. Bb3 (15. h3 Rb8 16. Nc4 Be6 17. Bb3 h6
18. Be3 bxc3 19. bxc3 d5 $1 20. exd5 Nxd5 $15 {McShane,L (2713)-Aronian,L 
(2815)/London/2012/}) 15... Na5 16. Ba2 Rb8 17. d4 $6 (17. Nd2 $11) 17... exd4
18. cxd4 Nxe4 19. Nd5 {Kamsky,G (2729)-Leko,P (2747)/Dresden olm/2008/} Bf8 $13
{/=/+}) 6... b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3 d6 9. a4 {was actually the move-order from
Caruana-Aronian above.}) 5... b5 {In 2010 I wrote a 2 part article about the
C77 5.d3 Ruy Lopez, which was published in CBM 136-137. Part 1 featured mainly
the text move.} ({Part 2 in CBM 137 concentrated on the more restrained, but
quite reliable} 5... d6 6. c3 g6 {Carlsen hasn't been able to get anything
tangible here after} 7. O-O (7. Nbd2 Bg7 8. Nf1 O-O 9. Bg5 d5 10. Qe2 Qd6 11.
Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Ne3 Ne7 13. Bb3 c6 14. h4 Be6 15. Ng5 Bd7 16. Rd1 Rad8 17. Qf3 h6
18. Nc4 dxc4 19. dxc4 Nd5 20. Nh3 h5 21. Qg3 Bg4 22. Rd2 Bxh4 23. Qxh4 Qf6 24.
Qxf6 Nxf6 25. Ng5 c5 $15 {Carlsen,M (2810)-Caruana,F (2675)/Wijk aan Zee/2010/
See the notes to this game by Postny in CBM 135.}) 7... Bg7 8. Re1 (8. h3 Bd7
9. Re1 O-O 10. Nbd2 Qe8 11. Nf1 Nh5 12. Bb3 Kh8 13. d4 f5 14. exf5 gxf5 15.
dxe5 dxe5 16. Be3 e4 17. Ng5 h6 18. Nf7+ Rxf7 19. Qxh5 Rf6 20. Qxe8+ Rxe8 21.
Bf4 Ne5 22. Bxe5 Rxe5 23. Rad1 {1-0 Alekseev,E (2683)-Efimenko,Z (2689)/
Germany 2012/CB42_2012 (61)} Bc6 $132) 8... O-O 9. Nbd2 Kh8 (9... b5 $5 {
is the more usual choice - Black was doing fine after} 10. Bb3 Na5 11. Bc2 c5
12. Nf1 h6 13. Bd2 Nc6 14. a4 Be6 15. Ne3 Qd7 16. Bb3 Rfb8 17. Bxe6 Qxe6 18. h3
c4 19. Qe2 Na5 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rad1 Rc8 $132 {Areshchenko,A (2694)-Efimenko,
Z (2701)/UKR-ch Kiev/2011/}) 10. Nf1 Ng8 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bh4 Qe8 13. d4 Bd7 14.
d5 Nd8 15. Bxd7 Qxd7 16. N3d2 Nf7 17. f3 f5 18. c4 a5 19. Bf2 Nf6 20. c5 fxe4
21. Nxe4 dxc5 22. Nxc5 Qxd5 23. Qxd5 Nxd5 24. Rad1 c6 25. Ne3 Rfd8 $11 {
Carlsen,M (2814)-L'Ami,E (2628)/Wijk aan Zee/2011/}) 6. Bb3 Bc5 {Aronian opts
for the more active developing move.} ({Earlier he preferred} 6... Be7 7. a4 b4
8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Nc4 ({More flexible is} 9. O-O {The resulting positions are
similar to those, mentioned above in the note to White's 5th move.}) 9... d6
10. h3 Be6 11. O-O Nd7 12. Be3 Bf6 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 Rb8 15. Rb1 d5 16. Ncd2
Nb6 17. Re1 Re8 18. Qc2 Qd7 19. Bc5 Na5 20. Ba2 Qxa4 21. Qxa4 Nxa4 22. exd5
Rxb1 23. Rxb1 Bxd5 24. Bxd5 Nxc5 25. Ne4 Nxe4 26. Bxe4 $44 {Ivanchuk,V (2786)
-Aronian,L (2757)/Dresden olm/2008/}) ({After} 6... Bb7 7. O-O Bc5 {Carlsen
already used} 8. Nc3 $5 {with great effect:} d6 9. a4 Na5 10. Ba2 b4 11. Ne2
Bc8 12. c3 bxc3 13. bxc3 Bb6 14. Ng3 Be6 15. d4 Bxa2 16. Rxa2 O-O 17. Bg5 exd4
18. Nh5 dxc3 19. Nh4 Kh8 20. Nf5 {1-0, Carlsen,M (2625)-Beliavsky,A (2626)/
Wijk aan Zee-B/2006/ For more details see the notes to this game by
Mikhalevski in CBM 111.}) 7. Nc3 $5 {One of the less usual reactions, but
actually I recommended it in CBM 136.} ({More regular is} 7. c3 d6 {, now} 8.
Bg5 {led to complex play after} ({The article in CBM 136 concentrated mainly on
} 8. O-O h6 $5) 8... h6 9. Bh4 Bb6 ({Black postpones castling, after} 9... O-O
10. O-O g5 {he has to reckon even with the sacrificial} 11. Nxg5 $5 $44 {
Note how later on Aronian postpones g5 only after White has castled, but his K
is still on e8.}) 10. Nbd2 Rb8 11. Qe2 a5 12. a4 b4 13. O-O g5 14. Bg3 (14.
Nxg5 hxg5 15. Bxg5 Rg8 $17) 14... O-O 15. Nc4 Ba7 16. Nfd2 h5 17. h3 h4 18. Bh2
Kg7 19. Kh1 Rh8 20. d4 $6 (20. Ne3 $1 Nh5 $13) 20... bxc3 21. bxc3 exd4 22. e5
dxc3 23. exf6+ Qxf6 {Kramnik,V (2801)-Aronian,L (2820)/Zuerich m rpd/2012/} 24.
Ne4 Qe7 25. Ba2 d5 (25... Re8 26. Qh5 Qxe4 27. Nxd6 cxd6 28. Qxf7+ Kh8 29. Qh5+
$11) 26. Nxa5 Nd4 (26... Nxa5 27. Bxd5 $13) 27. Qd3 dxe4 28. Qxc3 $132) (7. O-O
d6 {[%cal Yc6a5] is only a transposition after} 8. c3) 7... O-O {A young
Magnus had to face this position with Black.} ({He opted for} 7... d6 8. Nd5 h6
9. c3 O-O 10. O-O Rb8 (10... Bb7 11. a4 (11. Bd2 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 Rb8 13. Qc2 Bb6
14. a4 Ne7 15. Bxb7 Rxb7 16. d4 Ng6 17. Rfd1 Qf6 18. Qd3 Rbb8 19. Be3 Rfd8 20.
Qe2 Qe7 21. a5 Ba7 22. dxe5 Bxe3 23. Qxe3 Nxe5 24. Nd4 Re8 $132 {Vallejo Pons,
F (2678)-Naumann,A (2538)/Bundesliga/2004/}) 11... Nxd5 12. Bxd5 Rb8 13. axb5
axb5 14. Qb3 b4 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 bxc3 17. bxc3 Qe7 18. Qc2 Nd8 19. Rfb1 c6
20. Bc4 Ra8 21. Rxa8 Bxa8 22. Qa2 Ne6 23. Bxe6 fxe6 24. h3 c5 25. Rb6 $14 {
Asrian,K (2602)-Fontaine,R (2537)/Moscow/2005/}) 11. Ne3 $6 (11. Re1 $5 {
[%cal Yd3d4] promises White better chances to fight for an opening advantage.})
11... Bb6 $1 12. Qe2 Ne7 13. Rd1 Ng6 14. Nf5 d5 15. h3 Re8 16. g4 $2 c5 17. c4
bxc4 18. dxc4 d4 19. Ba4 Re6 20. Ne1 Nf4 21. Bxf4 exf4 22. f3 g6 23. Nxh6+ Kg7
24. g5 Nh7 25. h4 Nxg5 $19 {Lahno,K (2500)-Carlsen,M (2625)/Wijk aan Zee-B/
2006/ For more details about this game see the notes by Mikhalevski in CBM 111.
}) (7... h6 8. Nd5 (8. a4 b4 9. Nd5 Na5 $5 10. Ba2 d6 $11) 8... O-O 9. O-O {
and Black hardly has anything better than} d6 {, transposing to 7...d6.}) 8.
Nd5 Nxd5 {A rare alternative.} (8... h6 9. O-O d6 {still transposes to 7...d6})
9. Bxd5 Rb8 $146 {[%mdl 520] This novelty, connected with a pawn-sacrifice, is
the best reaction.} (9... Qf6 10. O-O h6 11. Be3 Be7 12. d4 $16 {Michelle,C 
(2052)-Janani,J (1808)/Chennai/2011/}) (9... Bb7 10. O-O (10. Nxe5 $5 Qh4 11.
g3 Qh3 12. Qg4 (12. Bxc6 dxc6 13. Qe2 Bd6 14. Nf3 c5 $44 {|^}) 12... Qg2 13.
Qf3 Bxf2+ 14. Kd1 Qxf3+ 15. Nxf3 $14) 10... d6 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. fxe3 Na5 13.
Bxb7 Nxb7 14. b4 a5 15. c3 d5 $11 {Koski,C (1252)-Yehuda,B (1100)/corr/2009/})
10. O-O Ne7 $5 (10... Qf6 11. c3 $14 {[%csl Rf6]} (11. Be3 Nd4 $5)) (10... Nb4
11. Bb3 $14 (11. Nxe5 {- 11...Ne7!?})) 11. Nxe5 {White accepts the challenge.}
(11. Bb3 d6 12. Be3 Ng6 $5 $11 {seems too soft.}) 11... Nxd5 12. exd5 Re8 ({
Carlsen didn't like this move and preferred} 12... Bb7 $1 13. c4 Bd6 $5 (13...
Re8 14. d4 Ba7 (14... bxc4 15. Nxf7 Kxf7 16. dxc5 $14) (14... Bf8 15. b3 {
transposes back to the game.}) 15. b3 bxc4 16. bxc4 d6 17. Nf3 (17. Nc6 Bxc6
18. dxc6 Qh4 19. Be3 Qe4 $11) 17... Bc8 18. Bg5 f6 19. Be3 Bg4 20. Rb1 $5 $14)
(13... d6 14. Nf3 c6 15. d4 Ba7 16. c5 $5 dxc5 17. Bf4 Rc8 (17... c4 $5 18.
Bxb8 Bxb8 $14 {/~~}) 18. dxc5 Bxc5 19. d6 $36 {[%csl Gd6]}) 14. Re1 Re8 15. Nf3
c6 $44) (12... Qf6 $5 13. d4 Bb6 $132 {[%cal Yf6d6,Yc8b7]}) 13. d4 Bf8 14. b3
Bb7 (14... b4 15. a3 a5 16. axb4 axb4 17. Qf3 f6 18. Nd3 $36 {[%csl Rb4][%cal
Ya1a8]}) 15. c4 (15. Qf3 Qe7 16. Be3 (16. c4 d6 17. Nc6 (17. Nd3 $5) 17... Bxc6
18. dxc6 bxc4 19. bxc4 Qe6 20. d5 Qe4 $11) 16... f6 17. Nd3 Qf7 18. c4 bxc4 19.
bxc4 a5 $14 {/<=>}) 15... d6 16. Nf3 (16. Nc6 Bxc6 17. dxc6 bxc4 18. bxc4 d5
19. c5 Qf6 $11 20. Qa4 $6 Bxc5) (16. Nd3 g6 $44 (16... bxc4 17. bxc4 c6 $5 18.
dxc6 Bxc6 $44 {[%csl Gc6,Gf8][%cal Gb8b1,Ge8e1]})) 16... Qf6 17. Be3 Bc8 18.
Qd2 (18. Rc1 bxc4 19. bxc4 Bg4 $11) 18... Qg6 {White has consolidated his
position, but it's difficult for him to make any progress.} 19. Kh1 h6 20. Rac1
Be7 21. Ng1 {This seems rather artificial.} (21. cxb5 axb5 22. Rxc7 Bb7 $44 {
[%csl Rd5]}) ({White's doubled extra pawn doesn't count for much, but perhaps
he is slightly better after} 21. Qa5 $14) ({A useful move, suggested by
Carlsen, is} 21. Rfe1 $5 $14) 21... Bg5 (21... Bf6 {seems more natural, but
Aronian has an interesting idea - exchanging the defensive Be3 activates
Black's forces.}) 22. Bxg5 (22. Rfe1 Bf5 $5 $14 {/~~} (22... Bxe3 $6 23. Rxe3
$36 {is a better version of the B swap.})) (22. cxb5 $5 Bd8 23. bxa6 Bxa6 24.
Rfe1 Qf5 25. Ne2 Qxd5 26. Nc3 Qf5 27. d5 $14) 22... Qxg5 23. Rfd1 (23. Qxg5
hxg5 24. f3 (24. cxb5 Rxb5 25. Rxc7 Rxd5 26. Rd1 g4 $5 $44) 24... Bf5 (24...
bxc4 25. Rxc4 $14) 25. Rf2 $14 {/= is maybe a better way to retain a small
plus.}) 23... bxc4 (23... Qxd2 24. Rxd2 bxc4) 24. bxc4 $6 {Only this natural
recapture is inaccurate.} (24. Qxg5 $142 hxg5 25. Rxc4 $14 {/= and once again
White risks little by playing on.}) 24... Qxd2 25. Rxd2 a5 {[%csl Ra2,Rc4,Gc8,
Rd4,Rg1][%cal Ge8e1,Gb8b1][%mdl 4096] In this endgame Black is definitely OK -
he controls the open files and has the better minor piece. White's pawns are
vulnerable and Carlsen also thought he wass the one who should be playing with
care to maintain equality.} 26. h3 Rb4 27. Nf3 Bf5 28. c5 Kf8 ({Aronian is
unwilling to play the weakening} 28... Be4 29. Re2 f5 30. Kh2 $11) 29. Nh2 Reb8
({However, here} 29... Be4 $1 {was definitely simpler:} 30. Nf1 Bxd5 31. Ne3
Be4 32. cxd6 cxd6 33. d5 Reb8 $11 {/=/+ White is in no position to win here,
although he shouldn't lose either.}) 30. Ng4 Rb1 31. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 32. Kh2 a4 (
32... Bxg4 33. hxg4 Rb5 34. Rc2 Rb4 35. cxd6 cxd6 36. Rd2 Rb5 37. Kg3 Rxd5 38.
a4 f5 $11 {is enough for a draw. However, as Aronian admitted after the game,
he erroneously thought he had a sizeable plus.}) 33. Ne3 Bg6 34. Kg3 Rb4 (34...
a3 35. Kf3 (35. f3 $5) 35... Rb2 36. Nc4 Bc2 37. Nxa3 Be4+ 38. Ke3 Rxd2 39.
Kxd2 Bxd5 $11) 35. Kf3 Ke7 36. Ke2 Kd7 37. f3 Rb5 38. Nd1 Rb4 (38... dxc5 39.
Nc3 Rb4 (39... Ra5 40. dxc5 Rxc5 41. Nxa4 Rc4 42. Nb2 Rc3 $11) 40. dxc5 c6 41.
Ke3 Rc4 $11 {should hold the endgame rather easily. Aronian optimistically
continues to overestimate his position and gradually gets into trouble.}) 39.
c6+ Kc8 (39... Ke7 40. Nc3 (40. Rb2 $5 Rxd4 41. Ne3 Bd3+ 42. Ke1 f5 43. Rb7 f4
44. Rxc7+ Kd8 45. Rd7+ Kc8 46. Nd1 Rxd5 47. Nc3 Rc5 48. Kd2 $14) 40... a3 41.
Ke3 $14 {is similar to the game.}) 40. Nc3 f6 41. Ke3 Rc4 (41... a3 $142) (
41... h5 $5) 42. Ne2 a3 43. h4 Rb4 $6 (43... Bf7 44. Nf4 (44. Ke4 Bg6+ 45. Ke3
Bf7) 44... g5 45. Kd3 Rc1 46. hxg5 fxg5 47. Ne2 (47. Ne6 $2 Bg6+ 48. Ke3 Rc3+
49. Ke2 Rc2 $1 $36 {[%csl Ra2]}) 47... Bg6+ 48. Ke3 Rb1 49. Nc3 Rc1 (49... Rb2
{should be tenable as well}) 50. Nb5 Bf7 51. Re2 Kd8 (51... Bxd5 $2 52. Kd2 {
[%csl Rc1,Re8]} Rxc6 53. Na7+ $18) 52. Nxc7 $5 (52. Ke4 Bg6+ 53. Ke3 Bf7 $11)
52... Kxc7 53. Kd2 Ra1 54. Re7+ Kc8 55. Rxf7 Rxa2+ 56. Kd3 Rxg2 $11) 44. g4 $1
{Black has shuffled around rather aimlessly, so White improves his position by
expanding on the kingside.} Rb1 $2 (44... Rb2 45. h5 Bc2 46. Nc3 {is already
better for White, but Carlsen was unsure how he should make progress if Black
passes with} Kd8 $14) 45. h5 Bh7 46. f4 $1 {[%csl Rh7][%cal Yf4f5,Ye2f4,Yf4e6]}
f5 (46... Bg8 47. f5 $1 (47. Nc3 Rg1 48. Kf3 Rf1+ 49. Kg3 Rg1+ $11) 47... Re1 (
47... Bxd5 $2 48. Nc3) 48. Kf2 Rb1 49. Nf4 Rb5 50. Ne6 Rxd5 51. Nxg7 Rb5 52.
Ne6 Rb2 53. Ke3 $16 {/+-}) 47. g5 $36 {With the B cut off, Black is on the
brink of defeat.} Rh1 (47... Rb2 48. Kd3 Bg8 49. Nc3 $16 {/+-}) (47... Kd8 $5
48. Nc3 (48. Rd3 Rh1 49. Kd2 Bg8 50. Rxa3 Bxd5 51. Ra8+ Ke7 52. Ng3 Rh2+ 53.
Ke1 Bxc6 54. Nxf5+ $16) 48... Rg1 49. g6 Bg8 $16 {and White must still find a
way to break through.}) 48. Ng3 Rh3 49. Kf3 hxg5 ({More resilient, but still
insufficient was} 49... Kd8 50. g6 Bg8 51. Kg2 Rh4 52. Nxf5 Rxf4 (52... Bxd5+
53. Kg3 Rxh5 54. Nxg7 Rh1 55. f5 Ra1 (55... Ke7 56. Re2+ Kf6 57. Ne8+ Kxf5 58.
Nxc7 Bxc6 59. d5 $18 {[%cal Rg6g7]}) 56. Ne6+ Ke7 57. Nf4 {/\} Bxa2 58. Re2+
Kf6 59. Rxa2 Rxa2 60. Nh5+ Kxf5 61. g7 Ra1 62. Kf2 Rg1 63. Kxg1 a2 64. Ng3+ $1
Kf4 65. Kf2 a1=Q 66. Ne2+ Ke4 67. g8=Q $18) 53. Ne3 $1 (53. Nxg7 Bxd5+ 54. Kg3
Rf3+ 55. Kg4 Rf1 $132) 53... Rh4 54. Rf2 Ke8 55. Nf5 Bxd5+ 56. Kg3 Rh1 57.
Nxg7+ Ke7 (57... Kd8 58. Rf8+ Ke7 59. Rc8 Rg1+ 60. Kf2 Rg2+ 61. Ke3 Bxc6 62.
Rxc7+ Bd7 63. Ra7 $18) 58. Nf5+ Kd8 59. Ne3 Rg1+ (59... Bxc6 60. d5 $18) 60.
Kf4 Bxc6 61. Ng4 $18) (49... Bg8 $2 50. Kg2 $18 {/\} Rh4 51. Nxf5 Rxf4 52. Ne7+
) 50. fxg5 g6 (50... Kd8 51. Rf2 $5 (51. Re2 Bg8 52. Kf4 Bxd5 53. Nxf5 Rxh5 54.
Nxg7 Rh4+ 55. Kf5 Bxc6 56. Ne6+ $16) (51. g6 Bg8 52. Kf4 Bxd5 53. Nxf5 Rxh5 54.
Nxg7 $16) 51... Rh4 (51... Bg8 52. Kg2 Rh4 53. Rxf5 $18) 52. Ne2 $1 Rh3+ 53.
Kg2 Rxh5 54. Nf4 Rxg5+ 55. Kf3 Rg1 (55... Ke7 56. Re2+ Kf7 57. Ne6 $18) 56. Rh2
Bg6 57. Nxg6 Rxg6 58. Rh8+ Ke7 59. Rc8 $18) 51. Re2 Kd8 $8 52. hxg6 Bxg6 53.
Re6 Bf7 (53... Bh5+ 54. Kf4 $5 Rh4+ 55. Kxf5 Bg4+ 56. Kf6 Bxe6 57. dxe6 $18)
54. g6 $1 $18 Bg8 (54... Bxe6 55. dxe6 {[%cal Rg6g7]} Rh6 56. g7 Rg6 57. Nxf5
Ke8 58. d5 Kd8 59. Kf4 Ke8 (59... Rg2 60. Ng3) 60. Nxd6+ $18) 55. g7 {[%cal
Re6f6,Rf6f8]} f4 (55... Bf7 56. Kg2 Rh4 57. Nxf5 Rh5 58. Rf6 $18) 56. Kxf4 Rh2
57. Nf5 Rxa2 58. Rf6 Re2 59. Rf8+ (59. Rf8+ {After} Re8 60. Nxd6 $1 cxd6 61.
c7+ Kxc7 62. Rxe8 a2 63. Re1 Bxd5 (63... Kb6 64. Ke3 Kb5 65. Kd3 Kb4 66. Kc2
Ka3 67. Re3+ $18) 64. Ke3 $18 {[%cal Ye3b2] White frees his R and converts his
passed pawn.}) 1-0

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.03"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. e3 Bf5 7. Qb3 Na5 8.
Qa4+ Bd7 9. Qc2 e6 10. Bd3 Rc8 11. h3 Nc4 12. Nf3 Bb4 13. a3 Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 Qa5
15. O-O O-O 16. Rfb1 Ba4 17. Qe2 Qxc3 18. Bg5 Nd6 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Ne1 f5 21.
Qf3 Qc7 22. Rc1 Qe7 23. g4 fxg4 24. hxg4 Bb5 25. Bxb5 Nxb5 26. Kg2 Nd6 27. Nd3
Ne4 28. Qf4 Qf6 29. Qxf6 Nxf6 30. Rab1 b6 31. f3 Kg7 32. a4 Nd7 33. Nb4 Nb8 34.
Kf2 Kf6 35. e4 dxe4 36. fxe4 Ke7 37. Ke3 Rg8 38. Kf4 Rgd8 39. d5 Rxc1 40. Rxc1
a5 41. Nc6+ Nxc6 42. Rxc6 exd5 43. exd5 Rxd5 44. Rxb6 Rd4+ 45. Kg5 Rxa4 46. Ra6
Ra1 47. Kh6 a4 48. Kxh7 a3 49. g5 a2 50. Kg7 Kd7 51. Kf8 Rg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.04"]
[Round "4"]
[White "McShane, Luke J"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bd7 9. c3 O-O 10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. Re1 Re8 13. Nf1 Nc6 14. Ne3 b4 15. h3
Rb8 16. Nc4 Be6 17. Bb3 h6 18. Be3 bxc3 19. bxc3 d5 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Qc2 e4
22. dxe4 Nxe3 23. Rxe3 Rxb3 24. Qxb3 Na5 25. Nxa5 Bxb3 26. Nxb3 Qb6 27. Nbd2
Qb2 28. Rae1 Rd8 29. Nf1 c4 30. Ne5 Bc5 31. Rf3 Qb3 32. a5 Rd6 33. Nxf7 Rf6 34.
Rxf6 gxf6 35. Nxh6+ Kf8 36. Ng4 Qxc3 37. Rd1 Qb4 38. Nxf6 Kf7 39. Nd5 Qb2 40.
Nde3 c3 41. Rd5 Be7 42. Rf5+ Ke8 43. g4 c2 44. Nxc2 Qxc2 45. Ng3 Qc7 46. Nh5
Bd8 47. Kg2 Qc6 48. Re5+ Kf7 49. g5 Qa4 50. h4 Bxa5 51. Rf5+ Ke6 52. Nf4+ Kd7
53. f3 Qc2+ 54. Kh3 Qf2 55. Kg4 Be1 56. Ng6 a5 57. Rf7+ Kd8 58. e5 a4 59. e6
Bb4 60. e7+ Bxe7 61. Nxe7 Qc5 62. Kh5 a3 63. Kh6 a2 64. g6 Qc4 65. Nf5 a1=Q 66.
Rf8+ Kc7 67. g7 Qc6+ 68. Kh7 Qxf3 69. g8=N Qh5+ 70. Ngh6 Qe5 71. Ng7 Qxh4 72.
Rf7+ Kb6 73. Ngf5 Qee4 74. Kg6 Qe6+ 75. Kg7 Qg5+ 76. Kf8 Qc8# 0-1

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.07"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 h5 11. Bg5 Be6 12. b3 Be7 13. Rad1 h4 14. Ne4
b6 15. c4 a5 16. Rd2 Rd8 17. Rfd1 Rxd2 18. Bxd2 c5 19. Bf4 a4 20. Nc3 axb3 21.
axb3 Bd8 22. Kf1 Rg8 23. Ne4 Bc8 24. Ra1 Bb7 25. Neg5 f6 26. exf6 gxf6 27. Ne4
Kd7 28. Rd1+ Kc8 29. Re1 Rg7 30. Nfd2 Nd4 31. f3 Bc6 32. Nf2 Bd7 33. Ng4 Bf5
34. Kf2 Kd7 35. Ne3 Bh7 36. Nd5 Bc2 37. Ne3 Bd3 38. Nd5 Nxb3 39. Nxb3 Bxc4 40.
Nxc5+ bxc5 41. Rd1 Kc8 42. Nc3 Rd7 43. Rc1 Bd3 44. Na4 c4 45. Nb2 Rd5 46. Nxc4
Rc5 47. Nb2 Rxc1 48. Bxc1 Bb5 49. g3 hxg3+ 50. Kxg3 Kd7 51. Nd1 Ke6 52. Nc3 Be8
53. Be3 Be7 54. h4 c5 55. Kf2 c4 56. Ke2 Bg6 57. Bd4 f5 58. f4 Bxh4 59. Ke3 Bf7
60. Bg7 Kd6 61. Bf8+ Kc6 62. Ne2 Be1 63. Nd4+ Kd5 64. Nxf5 c3 65. Kd3 Bg6 66.
Ke2 Bxf5 67. Kxe1 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.08"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D70"]
[WhiteElo "2644"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2
Nc6 9. O-O-O Qd6 10. Nb5 Qd7 11. Bh6 Bxh6 12. Qxh6 a6 13. Nc3 Nxd4 14. f4 c5
15. Nf3 f6 16. h4 Qe8 17. h5 Bg4 18. Nxd4 cxd4 19. hxg6 Qxg6 20. Rxd4 Rac8 21.
f5 Qxh6+ 22. Rxh6 Rfd8 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Rh4 h5 25. Be2 Bxe2 26. Nxe2 Rc8+ 27.
Kb1 Nc4 28. Kc2 Ne3+ 29. Kd2 Nc4+ 30. Kc2 Ne3+ 31. Kd2 Nc4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.09"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[PlyCount "164"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. O-O Nd7 5. d3 e6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. e4 Ne7 8. Re1
O-O 9. d4 a5 10. a4 Rc8 11. c3 Bh5 12. Qe2 Re8 13. Qf1 Bb8 14. b3 dxe4 15. Nxe4
Nd5 16. Bb2 e5 17. Ned2 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 exd4 19. Rxe8+ Qxe8 20. cxd4 Bd6 21. Re1
Qd8 22. Nc4 Bb4 23. Re2 N7f6 24. Qc1 Qc7 25. Kg2 Rd8 26. Qc2 h6 27. Ne3 Bf8 28.
Nf5 Qd7 29. Re5 g6 30. Nh4 Bg7 31. Ba3 Nb4 32. Qe2 Qxd4 33. Re7 Rd7 34. Rxd7
Qxd7 35. Bxb4 axb4 36. Qd1 Nd5 37. Be2 Bf6 38. Nf3 Kg7 39. Qd2 Bc3 40. Qc2 Qg4
41. Qc1 Qe4 42. Qd1 Bf6 43. Bc4 Nb6 44. Bf1 Bc3 45. h3 Qe7 46. Bd3 Qe6 47. Bf1
Bf6 48. Qc2 Qd5 49. Bd3 Bc3 50. h4 Qe6 51. h5 g5 52. Bf5 Qd5 53. Be4 Qd6 54.
Bd3 Qd5 55. Be4 Qd6 56. Bd3 Nd7 57. Bc4 Nf6 58. Qe2 b6 59. Nh2 b5 60. axb5 cxb5
61. Bxb5 Qd5+ 62. Kg1 Qxb3 63. Bc4 Qb1+ 64. Nf1 Qe1 65. Qxe1 Bxe1 66. Ne3 Ne4
67. Nf5+ Kf8 68. Nxh6 Bxf2+ 69. Kg2 Nd6 70. Bd3 Bd4 71. Nf5 Nxf5 72. Bxf5 Kg7
73. Bc2 g4 74. Bf5 b3 75. Bxg4 Kh6 76. Bf5 Kxh5 77. g4+ Kg5 78. Kf3 b2 79. Bb1
Be5 80. Bc2 Bd4 81. Bb1 Be5 82. Bc2 Bd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.10"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Polgar, Judit"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2705"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qf6
15. Bxd5 cxd5 16. Bf4 Bxf4 17. Qxf4 d4 18. cxd4 Rad8 19. Nc3 Rxd4 20. Ne4 Bxe4
21. Qxf6 gxf6 22. Rxe4 Rxd3 23. a4 Rfd8 24. g3 R3d4 25. Rxd4 Rxd4 26. axb5 axb5
27. Re1 Rd2 28. b3 Rb2 29. Re3 Kg7 30. Rf3 f5 31. h3 Kf6 32. g4 Kg6 33. Rxf5
Rxb3 34. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2012.12.14"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Qa4+ Nd7 8.
Nf3 c5 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O cxd4 11. cxd4 Nc5 12. dxc5 Bd7 13. Qa3 Bxa1 14. e5
Bc6 15. Bf4 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 Qd4 17. g3 Bc3 18. Bxb7 Bb4 19. Qf3 Rad8 20. c6 Ba5
21. Qa3 Bb6 22. Qxe7 Rfe8 23. Qg5 Qb2 24. Kg2 Qxa2 25. e6 Rd5 26. exf7+ Kxf7
27. Qg4 Rf5 28. c7 Qc2 29. Qf3 Kg7 30. Rd1 Bxc7 31. Rd7+ Kh8 32. Rxc7 Qxc7 33.
Bxc7 Rxf3 34. Bxf3 Kg7 35. Bd5 Re2 36. Kf3 Rc2 37. Be5+ Kf8 38. Be4 Rc8 39. Ke3
a5 40. Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D71"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2012.12.14"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
e3 Qa5 9. Ne2 cxd4 10. exd4 Nc6 11. O-O O-O 12. a4 Rd8 13. h3 Be6 14. Qd3 Bd5
15. Qb5 a6 16. Qxa5 Nxa5 17. Bxd5 Rxd5 18. Rb1 Rc8 19. Bd2 Rd7 20. Rfd1 Rc4 21.
Nf4 e5 22. dxe5 Bxe5 23. Be3 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Rxa4 25. Rd8+ Kg7 26. Rd7 Nc4 27.
Bd4 Bxd4 28. cxd4 Kf8 29. Rxb7 Nd6 30. Rb8+ Kg7 31. Ra8 Rxd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Bologan, Viktor"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2681"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2012.12.14"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Rd1+ Ke8 10. Nc3 Ne7 11. h3 Ng6 12. b3 Be7 13. Bb2 h5 14. Ne4
h4 15. Re1 Kf8 16. Rad1 Bf5 17. Nd4 Bxe4 18. Rxe4 Rd8 19. Rde1 Rh5 20. Kf1 Kg8
21. Nf3 Nf8 22. Rd4 Rc8 23. Rdd1 a6 24. Re4 Ne6 25. Ke2 c5 26. Nh2 Kf8 27. Nf3
Ke8 28. Bc1 b5 29. Be3 Rd8 30. Ra1 Kd7 31. a4 Kc6 32. c4 b4 33. Rd1 Rxd1 34.
Kxd1 Kd7 35. Ne1 Bg5 36. f4 Be7 37. Nd3 Kc6 38. Bf2 g6 39. Ke2 Rh8 40. Ne1 Ng7
41. Re3 Ne6 42. Rf3 Rh5 43. Be3 Bf8 44. Nd3 Be7 45. Rf1 Ng7 46. Nf2 f6 47. Nd3
Ne6 48. Re1 f5 49. Rf1 Kd7 50. Ne1 a5 51. Nf3 Ke8 52. Rd1 Rh7 53. Kf2 Rh5 54.
Ke2 Rh7 55. Kf2 Rh5 56. Ke2 Rh7 57. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "208"]
[EventDate "2012.12.14"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Bf4 Ne4 6. Qc2 Bb7 7. e3 O-O 8. Be2
f5 9. O-O Bxc3 10. bxc3 d6 11. Rab1 Nd7 12. c5 dxc5 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Qe7
15. f3 Nf6 16. Rfe1 cxd4 17. exd4 Nd5 18. Bc4 f4 19. Bxd5 Bxd5 20. c4 Bb7 21.
Qa4 Rf5 22. Rb2 a6 23. Qb4 Qd7 24. Rbe2 Re8 25. h3 h6 26. Rc1 Bc6 27. Rce1 Ref8
28. Qa3 Bb7 29. Rc2 R8f7 30. c5 Qc6 31. Qc3 b5 32. d5 Qxd5 33. Rd2 Qc4 34. Rd8+
Kh7 35. Qxc4 bxc4 36. Bc3 Bd5 37. Rc8 Rd7 38. Re5 Rff7 39. Rb8 Rfe7 40. Rb4 Rd8
41. Kf2 g5 42. h4 Kg6 43. Rb1 Ree8 44. Rbe1 Rf8 45. Rh1 Rb8 46. Ke2 Rb5 47.
hxg5 hxg5 48. Rg1 Rf5 49. Rxf5 Kxf5 50. Rh1 e5 51. Rh8 Rxc5 52. Rf8+ Kg6 53.
Re8 e4 54. fxe4 Bf7 55. Re7 g4 56. a3 Rb5 57. Rxc7 Rb3 58. Rc6+ Kh7 59. Be5
Re3+ 60. Kd2 Rxe4 61. Rf6 Bh5 62. Bxf4 Kg7 63. Bg5 g3 64. Rxa6 Re2+ 65. Kc3
Rxg2 66. Bf4 Bf7 67. Be5+ Kf8 68. Bd6+ Ke8 69. Bc5 Rh2 70. Ra7 g2 71. Re7+ Kf8
72. Re3+ Kg7 73. Rg3+ Kf6 74. Bg1 Rh1 75. Rxg2 Rh3+ 76. Kb4 Rb3+ 77. Kc5 Rxa3
78. Bd4+ Ke7 79. Re2+ Kd7 80. Re3 Ra8 81. Rh3 Rc8+ 82. Kb5 Kd6 83. Kb4 Rb8+ 84.
Ka3 Be6 85. Re3 Kd5 86. Bg7 Bf7 87. Re5+ Kc6 88. Re3 Bg8 89. Rh3 Rb7 90. Bh8
Bh7 91. Rh6+ Kd5 92. Rh5+ Ke4 93. Rh4+ Kd5 94. Rh5+ Ke6 95. Rh6+ Kf5 96. Rh4
Rb3+ 97. Ka4 Bg8 98. Rh5+ Ke4 99. Rc5 Bd5 100. Ka5 Rb8 101. Bg7 Rg8 102. Bf6
Rg6 103. Bh8 Rc6 104. Rxc6 Bxc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2012.12.14"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bd7 9. c3 O-O 10. Bc2 Re8 11. Re1 b4 12. Nbd2 Rb8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Bg5 h6 15.
Bh4 Be7 16. h3 Nh7 17. Bg3 Ng5 18. N1d2 Bf6 19. a5 bxc3 20. bxc3 Na7 21. Bb3
Nb5 22. Qc2 Ne6 23. Nf1 Ng5 24. N1d2 Qc8 25. Ba4 Rd8 26. Nxg5 Bxg5 27. Nf3 Bf6
28. Bh4 g5 29. Bg3 Bg7 30. Nd2 Be6 31. f3 Qb7 32. Bf2 Qa8 33. Nf1 Na7 34. h4
Nc6 35. hxg5 hxg5 36. Qd2 f6 37. d4 Nxa5 38. d5 Bf7 39. Ne3 Nb3 40. Bxb3 Rxb3
41. Nf5 Rdb8 42. Ne7+ Kf8 43. Nc6 Rb2 44. Qc1 R8b5 45. Nb4 Rxf2 46. Kxf2 a5 47.
Qe3 f5 48. Qxg5 Qa7+ 49. Kg3 f4+ 50. Kh2 Be8 51. Nc6 Bxc6 52. dxc6 Qb6 53. Qf5+
Kg8 54. Qe6+ Kf8 55. c4 Rb2 56. c5 Qxc5 57. Reb1 Rb4 58. Rxb4 Qxb4 59. Qc8+ Kf7
60. Qxc7+ Kg6 61. Qd7 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[PlyCount "179"]
[EventDate "2012.12.14"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. Nf3 d6 6. h3 c6 7. Bg5 a6 8. a4 a5
9. Be2 Na6 10. O-O e5 11. Re1 exd4 12. Nxd4 Nc5 13. Qc2 Re8 14. Bf3 Qb6 15. Be3
Bd7 16. Rad1 Rad8 17. g4 Bc8 18. Bg2 Qb4 19. b3 h5 20. g5 Nh7 21. Nce2 Nf8 22.
Bd2 Qb6 23. Bc3 Nfe6 24. Nxe6 Bxc3 25. Qxc3 Rxe6 26. Nd4 Re7 27. Re3 Rde8 28.
Rde1 Bd7 29. h4 Kh7 30. Nc2 Kg8 31. Qd4 Qc7 32. Rd1 Re6 33. Ne1 Bc8 34. f3 f5
35. gxf6 Qf7 36. Nd3 Nd7 37. Qc3 b6 38. b4 axb4 39. Qxb4 Qxf6 40. Nf2 Ne5 41.
Nd3 c5 42. Qb3 Qxh4 43. Nxe5 dxe5 44. Red3 Qg5 45. Kh1 Qe7 46. Bh3 Qh4 47. Kg2
Qg5+ 48. Kh1 Rf6 49. Bxc8 Rxc8 50. Rg1 Qh4+ 51. Kg2 Rcf8 52. Qc3 Qf4 53. Qc1
Qxc1 54. Rxc1 Ra8 55. Ra1 Ra7 56. Rd5 Re6 57. Kf2 Kg7 58. Ke3 Kf6 59. Rd8 h4
60. Kf2 g5 61. Kg2 Kg6 62. Ra3 Rf7 63. Rd5 Rf4 64. a5 bxa5 65. Rxc5 g4 66. fxg4
Rxg4+ 67. Kh3 Rxe4 68. Raxa5 Kf5 69. Ra3 Rg6 70. Rc8 Re1 71. Rf8+ Ke4 72. Kh2
Re3 73. Ra2 h3 74. Rd8 Rc6 75. Ra4 Rc5 76. Rh8 Kd4 77. Rd8+ Ke4 78. Rh8 Re2+
79. Kxh3 Kd3 80. Rd8+ Kc3 81. Rd5 Rxc4 82. Ra3+ Kb4 83. Rg3 e4 84. Kg4 Re1 85.
Re5 Rd4 86. Kf4 Kc4 87. Re3 Rf1+ 88. Kg4 Rf8 89. R5xe4 Rxe4+ 90. Rxe4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2012.12.14"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 dxc4 7. O-O a6 8. a4
Nc6 9. Bxc4 Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Na5 12. Ba2 c5 13. dxc5 e6 14. Rd1 Qe7 15.
b4 Nc6 16. Ba3 a5 17. bxa5 Rxa5 18. Rac1 Rfa8 19. Bb3 h5 20. Bc4 g5 21. Bb5 g4
22. hxg4 Nxg4 23. Ne4 Rxa4 24. Bxa4 Rxa4 25. Nd6 Rxa3 26. Rb1 Nd4 27. Qxb7 Ne2+
28. Kf1 Ng3+ 29. fxg3 Qf6+ 30. Kg1 Qf2+ 31. Kh1 Qxg3 32. Qxf7+ Kh7 33. Qxh5+
1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. h3 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Bd3 Nh5
9. g4 Nf6 10. Bf4 Na6 11. Qd2 exd5 12. cxd5 Nb4 13. Bb1 Re8 14. Kf1 c4 15. Kg2
Na6 16. Re1 Nc5 17. Bh6 Bh8 18. Bc2 Bd7 19. Qf4 Qb6 20. Bg5 Qxb2 21. Bxf6 Qxc2
22. Re2 Nd3 23. Qxd6 Bxf6 24. Rxc2 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D16"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 e6 6. e3 c5 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. O-O
cxd4 9. exd4 Be7 10. Qe2 Nb4 11. Rd1 O-O 12. Ne5 Nfd5 13. Ne4 Bd7 14. Nc5 Bc6
15. a5 Qc7 16. Bb3 b6 17. Ne4 bxa5 18. Bd2 a4 19. Bxb4 axb3 20. Bxe7 Nxe7 21.
Rac1 Qb6 22. Ng5 Be8 23. h4 Rd8 24. Ngf3 Bc6 25. Nxc6 Nxc6 26. Qe4 Rd6 27. Ng5
f5 28. Qe3 Nxd4 29. Kh1 h6 30. Nh3 Nc2 31. Rxd6 Qxd6 32. Qxb3 Nd4 33. Qc4 Kh7
34. h5 e5 35. Ra1 Qd7 36. Re1 Re8 37. Qc5 Qe7 38. Qd5 Qf6 39. Kg1 Re7 40. b4
Qe6 41. Qc5 Qf6 42. Nf4 Nb3 43. Qe3 Qf7 44. Ng6 Re6 45. Qxb3 Qf6 46. Qxe6 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A61"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 g6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Bf4 a6 8. a4
Bg7 9. h3 O-O 10. e3 Ne8 11. Be2 Nd7 12. O-O h6 13. e4 Rb8 14. Re1 Qe7 15. Qb3
Nc7 16. Bf1 b6 17. Bh2 g5 18. Ne2 b5 19. Ng3 Ne5 20. Nh5 Bh8 21. Nxe5 Bxe5 22.
Bxe5 Qxe5 23. axb5 Nxb5 24. Bxb5 Rxb5 25. Qc3 f6 26. Ra2 Kf7 27. g4 Re8 28. Re3
Ke7 29. Ng7 Qxc3 30. bxc3 Rh8 31. Rf3 Rh7 32. Nf5+ Kd7 33. Ne3 Rf7 34. Nc4 Kc7
35. e5 dxe5 36. d6+ Kd8 37. Nxe5 Rf8 38. Ng6 Bb7 39. Nxf8 Bxf3 40. Rxa6 Rb1+
41. Kh2 Bb7 42. Ra7 Rh1+ 43. Kg3 Rg1+ 44. Kh2 Rh1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A01"]
[WhiteElo "2711"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bd6 5. Na3 e4 6. Ne2 Be5 7. Qc1 O-O 8. h3
Qe7 9. Bxc6 Bxb2 10. Qxb2 dxc6 11. O-O-O a5 12. Nc3 b5 13. Nab1 a4 14. b4 a3
15. Nxa3 c5 16. bxc5 b4 17. Qxb4 Bd7 18. Nab1 Rfb8 19. Qd4 Be6 20. d3 c6 21.
Nd2 exd3 22. cxd3 Qb7 23. Nb3 Rxa2 24. Nxa2 Qxb3 25. Qa1 Qa3+ 26. Kd2 Rb2+ 27.
Ke1 Rxa2 28. Qd4 h6 29. Kf1 Qb3 30. Ra1 Qc2 31. e4 Rxa1+ 32. Qxa1 Qxd3+ 33. Kg1
Nxe4 34. Qa8+ Kh7 35. Qxc6 Bd5 36. Qd7 Nxf2 37. c6 Nxh1 38. c7 Qe4 39. Qxd5
Qxd5 40. c8=Q Ng3 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.16"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A10"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2720"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. e4 e5 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Bd3 Nc6 8.
Nf3 d6 9. h3 Be6 10. O-O Ne5 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. Be2 c6 13. Be3 Qe7 14. Qa4 Nd7
15. Rfd1 Bf6 16. Bg4 Nb6 17. Bxb6 axb6 18. Qb3 Bxg4 19. hxg4 Ra6 20. Rd3 Rd8
21. Rxd8+ Qxd8 22. Rd1 Qc8 23. f3 Be7 24. Ne2 Bc5+ 25. Kf1 Ra8 26. a3 Qe6 27.
Qd3 Qf6 28. g3 Kg7 29. Kg2 Rh8 30. b4 Be7 31. Qe3 Qe6 32. Qxb6 Qxc4 33. Rd2 Rd8
34. Qe3 Rxd2 35. Qxd2 Bg5 36. Qb2 f6 37. Kf2 Qd3 38. Kg2 Bd2 39. Ng1 Be3 40.
Nh3 h5 41. g5 Bd4 42. Qa2 f5 43. exf5 gxf5 44. Ng1 Bxg1 45. Qe6 Qe3 46. Qe7+
Kg8 47. Qe8+ Kg7 48. Qe7+ Kg8 49. Qe8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2700"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. Nbd2 a6 8. Ba4
b5 9. Bb3 d6 10. h3 Be6 11. Re1 Bb6 12. Nf1 d5 13. Qe2 Na5 14. Bc2 dxe4 15.
dxe4 Bc4 16. Qd2 Bxf1 17. Rxf1 Qxd2 18. Nxd2 c5 19. Re1 c4 20. Nf3 Rad8 21. Bg5
h6 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. Rad1 Nb7 24. Nh4 Bc5 25. Nf5 Bf8 26. Ne3 Nc5 27. Rd5 Rxd5
28. Nxd5 Re6 29. b4 cxb3 30. axb3 Nd7 31. Ra1 Nb6 32. Ne3 Nd7 33. b4 Rc6 34.
Nd5 Kg7 35. Kf1 f5 36. exf5 Nf6 37. Nxf6 Kxf6 38. Be4 Rb6 39. Ke2 Bd6 40. h4
Ke7 41. g3 Bb8 42. Kf3 Ba7 43. Ke2 Bb8 44. g4 f6 45. Rg1 Kf8 46. g5 hxg5 47.
hxg5 fxg5 48. Rxg5 Rd6 49. Rh5 Kg7 50. Rh1 Bc7 51. Ra1 Rb6 52. Rg1+ Kf8 53. Bd5
Rh6 54. Rg8+ Ke7 55. Rg7+ Kd6 56. Be4 Bb6 57. f3 a5 58. bxa5 Bxa5 59. Kd3 Bb6
60. Rb7 Kc5 61. Rd7 Rd6+ 62. Rxd6 Kxd6 63. f6 Ke6 64. Bc6 Kxf6 65. Bxb5 Ke6 66.
Ke4 Kd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.16"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. e3 e6 7. Bd3 Bd6 8.
Bxd6 Qxd6 9. f4 O-O 10. Nf3 Bd7 11. Ne5 Rfc8 12. O-O Be8 13. Rf3 g6 14. Rh3 Nd7
15. Qe1 Qe7 16. Qg3 f6 17. Ng4 Qg7 18. Nh6+ Kh8 19. Rf1 f5 20. Qh4 Nf6 21. g4
Ne7 22. Kh1 Rc7 23. Rg1 Bd7 24. g5 Ne4 25. Bxe4 dxe4 26. Rhg3 b5 27. a3 a5 28.
Ra1 Rac8 29. Rgg1 b4 30. axb4 axb4 31. Na4 Bxa4 32. Rxa4 Nd5 33. Ra6 Qd7 34.
Qe1 Rc2 35. Qa1 Re2 36. Rd6 Qb7 37. Qa5 Kg7 38. Rd8 Rec2 39. Rxc8 Rxc8 40. Ra1
Qc7 41. Qxc7+ Rxc7 42. Ra8 Ne7 43. Re8 b3 44. Kg2 Rb7 45. Kf2 Rc7 46. Ke2 Rc2+
47. Kd1 Rc7 48. h4 Rb7 49. Kd2 Rc7 50. Kd1 Rb7 51. Rd8 Rc7 52. Rb8 Ra7 53. Rxb3
Ra8 54. Rb7 Kf8 55. Kd2 Ke8 56. Rb6 Kd7 57. Nf7 Nd5 58. Ne5+ Ke7 59. Rb7+ Ke8
60. Rxh7 Ra2 61. Kc2 Nxe3+ 62. Kb3 Ra1 63. Rh8+ Ke7 64. Nxg6+ Kd6 65. h5 Rh1
66. h6 Nd5 67. Ne5 e3 68. Nc4+ Ke7 69. Nxe3 Nxe3 70. g6 Ng4 71. h7 Nf6 72. g7
Rh3+ 73. Ka4 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.16"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E16"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 c5 7. O-O O-O 8. Bxb4
cxb4 9. Qd3 a5 10. Nbd2 Na6 11. e4 d6 12. Rad1 Qe8 13. Ne1 e5 14. Nc2 Rd8 15.
Rfe1 Qe6 16. b3 Rfe8 17. Nf1 Qc8 18. f3 g6 19. Nfe3 Kg7 20. h4 h5 21. Kh2 Qa8
22. Qd2 Nc7 23. Nf5+ Kg8 24. Qh6 Ne6 25. d5 gxf5 26. dxe6 Rxe6 27. Qg5+ Kh8 28.
exf5 Nh7 29. Qxh5 Re7 30. Nd4 Red7 31. Nb5 f6 32. Re3 d5 33. cxd5 Bxd5 34. Rc1
Bc6 35. g4 Bxb5 36. g5 Rg7 37. g6 Rc8 38. Rd1 Rd8 39. Rc1 Rc8 40. Rd1 Rd8 41.
Rc1 Rc8 42. Rd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.17"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. e3 a6 7. Bd3 Bg4 8.
Nge2 e6 9. O-O Bd6 10. f3 Bh5 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 12. Qb3 O-O 13. Rac1 b5 14. a3 Rac8
15. Nf4 Nxd4 16. Qb4 Qxb4 17. axb4 Nc6 18. g4 Bg6 19. Bxg6 hxg6 20. Nd3 Nd7 21.
Ra1 Ra8 22. f4 Rfd8 23. Ne2 Kf8 24. Rfc1 Rdc8 25. b3 Ke7 26. Nd4 Nxd4 27. exd4
Rxc1+ 28. Rxc1 a5 29. bxa5 Rxa5 30. Nb4 Ra3 31. Nc6+ Kd6 32. Nd8 Ke7 33. Nc6+
Ke8 34. g5 f6 35. Re1 Nf8 36. Re3 Ra6 37. Nb4 Ra1+ 38. Kg2 Kd7 39. Nd3 Rd1 40.
Kf3 Kd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.17"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 h5 11. Ne2 Be7 12. Re1 Nh4 13. Nxh4 Bxh4 14.
Bf4 Be7 15. Nd4 g5 16. Bh2 Bc5 17. Nb3 Bb6 18. c4 Be6 19. Rac1 c5 20. a4 a6 21.
a5 Ba7 22. Nd2 Kd7 23. Ne4 g4 24. h4 Kc6 25. Red1 Rab8 26. b3 b5 27. axb6 Rxb6
28. Rc3 Rhb8 29. Rdd3 Bf5 30. f3 a5 31. Bf4 a4 32. bxa4 Rb1+ 33. Kf2 R8b2+ 34.
Rd2 Bb6 35. Rcc2 Rxc2 36. Rxc2 Ba5 37. Bd2 Bb4 38. Ke3 Rg1 39. Bc3 gxf3 40.
gxf3 Rh1 41. Kf4 Bxe4 42. fxe4 Rxh4+ 43. Kf5 Rh3 44. Bxb4 Rf3+ 45. Kg5 cxb4 46.
Kxh5 Kc5 47. Kg4 Rc3 48. Rf2 Rxc4 49. Rxf7 Kb6 50. Rf4 b3 51. Kf5 b2 52. Rf1
Rc1 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.17"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8.
cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. Bc4 Nd7 12. O-O b6 13. Qe3 Bb7 14. e5
Qe7 15. Ng5 Rfc8 16. Bd3 Nf8 17. Ne4 Bxe4 18. Bxe4 Rab8 19. f4 g6 20. Kh1 Qb4
21. Rac1 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 Rd8 23. Rd1 Qc4 24. a3 h5 25. h3 h4 26. Kh2 Rd7 27. Bf3
b5 28. f5 exf5 29. d5 a5 30. Rc1 f4 31. Qd2 Qb3 32. Qxf4 Rxd5 33. Bxd5 Qxd5 34.
Rc8 b4 35. axb4 axb4 36. Re8 Qc5 37. Qxh4 b3 38. Qf6 b2 39. Rb8 Qd4 40. h4 Qc3
41. Qe7 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.17"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bologan, Viktor"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2681"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. e3 a6 7. Bd3 Bg4 8.
Nge2 e6 9. O-O Be7 10. Rc1 O-O 11. a3 Bh5 12. Na4 Nd7 13. b4 Bg6 14. Bg3 e5 15.
Bxg6 hxg6 16. Nac3 exd4 17. Nxd4 Nb6 18. Nxc6 bxc6 19. e4 a5 20. exd5 axb4 21.
axb4 cxd5 22. Nb5 Bxb4 23. Qd4 Nc4 24. Nc7 Ra5 25. Nxd5 Qxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.17"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Bf4 Be7 12. Rad1 Nh4 13. Nd4 Nf5 14.
Nce2 g5 15. Bh2 Rh6 16. Rfe1 a6 17. Nxf5 Bxf5 18. Nd4 Be6 19. Nxe6 Rxe6 20. g4
hxg4 21. hxg4 c5 22. c3 c4 23. Kg2 b5 24. Kf3 Rb8 25. Bg3 Rh6 26. Ke4 b4 27.
Rd4 bxc3 28. bxc3 Rb2 29. Rxc4 c5 30. Ra4 Kd7 31. Rd1+ Kc8 32. Ke3 Rc2 33. Kd3
Rb2 34. Rd2 Rxd2+ 35. Kxd2 Rb6 36. Kc2 Kd7 37. Re4 Ke6 38. Re1 Rb5 39. a4 Ra5
40. Re4 Kd5 41. f3 c4 42. Rd4+ Kc5 43. Bf2 Kc6 44. Rxc4+ Kd5 45. Re4 Ke6 46.
Kb3 Rxe5 47. Bd4 Rxe4 48. fxe4 Kd6 49. c4 Kc6 50. e5 Bd8 51. Kc3 Kd7 52. Kb4
Kc6 53. Kc3 Kd7 54. Kd3 Ke6 55. Ke4 Bc7 56. c5 Bb8 57. c6 Bc7 58. Bc3 Bb6 59.
Bd2 Bd8 60. Be3 Bc7 61. Bxg5 Bxe5 62. Bf4 Bc3 63. c7 Kd7 64. Kf5 Bd4 65. Be5
1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.17"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. O-O
d5 9. Qc2 Nbd7 10. a4 O-O 11. a5 c5 12. Na3 Rc8 13. Rfc1 Ne4 14. Be1 Bf6 15.
Qd1 Qe7 16. axb6 axb6 17. cxd5 exd5 18. Nc2 Nb8 19. Ne3 Rfd8 20. Ra2 Bb7 21.
Bh3 Rc7 22. Nf5 Qe8 23. dxc5 Rxc5 24. Rxc5 bxc5 25. Ra7 Qb5 26. Ra5 Qb6 27. Ra4
Nc6 28. Qc2 Nb4 29. Qc1 Bc6 30. Ra3 d4 31. Qf4 Nc3 32. Bf1 Nc2 33. Bxc3 dxc3
34. Ra2 Nb4 35. Ra1 c2 36. Rc1 Rd1 37. Ne1 c4 38. Nxc2 Rxc1 39. Qxc1 Nxc2 40.
Qxc2 cxb3 41. Qb1 b2 42. e4 g6 43. Ne3 Bxe4 44. Qxe4 b1=Q 45. Qe8+ Kg7 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.17"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A56"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2012.12.16"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7 7. h3 O-O 8. g4 Ne8
9. Nf3 g6 10. a3 Ng7 11. Bh6 Kh8 12. Qd2 Nf6 13. O-O-O Ng8 14. Kb1 Nxh6 15.
Qxh6 Rg8 16. Rdg1 Ne8 17. Qe3 Nf6 18. Nd2 Rg7 19. f3 h5 20. f4 exf4 21. Qxf4 h4
22. Nf3 Nh7 23. g5 a6 24. e5 dxe5 25. Nxe5 Kg8 26. Nf3 b5 27. cxb5 c4 28. Bxc4
Bf5+ 29. Ka2 axb5 30. Nxb5 Bc5 31. Re1 Bf2 32. Re2 Bg3 33. Qd4 Nxg5 34. Nxg5
Qxg5 35. d6 Be6 36. Bxe6 Qxb5 37. Bc4 Qd7 38. Rd1 Rd8 39. Qf6 Rc8 40. Bb3 Rf8
41. Re7 Qxh3 42. d7 Bc7 43. Re8 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blindfold"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[PlyCount "161"]
[EventDate "2012.12.18"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 g6 2. e4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. Bb3 O-O 6. Nge2 Nbd7 7. O-O c5 8.
Re1 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nc5 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 a6 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. exd5 g5 14. Bg3
Nxb3 15. axb3 Qb6 16. c3 Re8 17. h4 Bxd4 18. cxd4 Bf5 19. Qh5 Qxd4 20. hxg5 Bg6
21. Qxh6 Qxb2 22. Ra4 Rac8 23. Rh4 Rc1 24. Rxc1 Qxc1+ 25. Kh2 Qb2 26. Bf4 Qg7
27. Be3 Qxh6 28. Rxh6 e5 29. dxe6 Rxe6 30. Bd4 Kf8 31. Rh8+ Ke7 32. Bf6+ Kd7
33. g4 Re8 34. Rxe8 Kxe8 35. f4 Bc2 36. b4 b6 37. Bc3 Kd7 38. f5 Bb1 39. Kg3
Bc2 40. Kh4 Bd3 41. Kh5 Be2 42. Bd4 b5 43. Bf2 Ke8 44. Bg3 Ke7 45. g6 fxg6+ 46.
Kxg6 Bxg4 47. f6+ Ke6 48. f7 Bh5+ 49. Kxh5 Kxf7 50. Bxd6 Ke6 51. Bc7 Kf5 52.
Ba5 Kf6 53. Kg4 Ke5 54. Kg5 Ke6 55. Kf4 Kf6 56. Ke4 Ke6 57. Bb6 Kd6 58. Kf5 Kc6
59. Ba5 Kd5 60. Kf6 Kd6 61. Kf7 Kd7 62. Kf8 Kc8 63. Ke8 Kb7 64. Kd7 Kb8 65. Kc6
Ka7 66. Kc7 Ka8 67. Kb6 Kb8 68. Kxa6 Kc8 69. Kxb5 Kd7 70. Ka6 Ke6 71. b5 Kd5
72. b6 Kc4 73. b7 Kd3 74. b8=Q Ke2 75. Qb5+ Kf3 76. Qd3+ Kg4 77. Bd2 Kh4 78.
Qg6 Kh3 79. Be1 Kh2 80. Bf2 Kh1 81. Qg1# 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blindfold"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2012.12.18"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. b3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. d4 d5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Bb2 Nd7 10. Nbd2 N5f6 11. Qc2 Rc8 12. Rac1 c5 13. Qb1 Rc7 14. dxc5 Rxc5
15. Rxc5 Bxc5 16. b4 Be7 17. a3 Qa8 18. Rc1 Rd8 19. Ne1 Bxg2 20. Nxg2 a5 21.
Nf3 axb4 22. axb4 h6 23. Ne3 Rc8 24. b5 Rxc1+ 25. Qxc1 Bc5 26. Bd4 Qa2 27. Qc4
Qb1+ 28. Kg2 Ne4 29. Qc2 Qxc2 30. Nxc2 f6 31. Bxc5 bxc5 32. Na3 Kf7 33. Kf1 e5
34. Ke1 Ke6 35. Nd2 Nc3 36. e4 Nb6 37. f3 c4 38. h4 h5 39. g4 g6 40. gxh5 gxh5
41. Nf1 f5 42. Kd2 Nca4 43. Ng3 f4 44. Nf5 Kd7 45. Ng7 Ke7 46. Kc2 Kf7 47. Nf5
Ke6 48. Nb1 Nc8 49. Nc3 Nxc3 50. Kxc3 Nb6 51. Kb4 Kd7 52. Ng7 Ke7 53. Nf5+ Kd7
54. Kc3 Ke6 55. Ng7+ Kf7 56. Nf5 Ke6 57. Kd2 Na4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blindfold"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E70"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2711"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2012.12.18"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. Nf3 c5 6. d5 e6 7. h3 exd5 8. exd5
Re8+ 9. Be3 Nh5 10. Qd2 Bh6 11. O-O-O Bxe3 12. fxe3 Ng3 13. Rg1 d6 14. Bd3 h5
15. e4 Qf6 16. Nb5 Nxe4 17. Qe3 Na6 18. Bxe4 Qe7 19. Nd2 Bd7 20. g4 h4 21. Rde1
Bxb5 22. cxb5 Nb4 23. a3 Nxd5 24. Qf2 Qg5 25. Rgf1 Re7 26. Bxd5 Rxe1+ 27. Qxe1
Qxd5 28. Qe4 Qa2 29. Kc2 d5 30. Qf3 d4 31. Nb3 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blindfold"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2012.12.18"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 dxc4 7. O-O b6 8. e4
Bb7 9. e5 Nd5 10. Bxc4 c5 11. e6 fxe6 12. Ng5 Qd7 13. dxc5 Nxc3 14. Qxd7 Nxd7
15. Bxe6+ Kh8 16. Bxd7 Ne2+ 17. Kh1 Nxc1 18. Raxc1 Bh6 19. h4 bxc5 20. Rxc5 Rf4
21. Rc4 Rxc4 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blindfold"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E12"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2012.12.18"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Bf4 Bb7 5. e3 Bb4+ 6. Nbd2 Be7 7. h3 O-O 8. Be2
d5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Bg3 Nd7 11. O-O c5 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. a3 N5f6 14. Nb3 cxd4 15.
Rxc8 Qxc8 16. Nbxd4 a6 17. Qb1 Qa8 18. Rc1 Rc8 19. Rxc8+ Qxc8 20. Nd2 b5 21.
Qc2 Qxc2 22. Nxc2 Nb6 23. Be5 Nfd7 24. Bd4 e5 25. Bxb6 Nxb6 26. Bf3 Bc8 27. Nb4
f5 28. Nd5 Nxd5 29. Bxd5+ Kf8 30. e4 g6 31. Kf1 Bd6 32. Ke2 Ke7 33. Nb3 Bd7 34.
Bb7 b4 35. Bxa6 bxa3 36. bxa3 Bxa3 37. Bd3 Kf6 38. Nd2 Bb4 39. Nc4 Be6 40. Ne3
Bc5 41. Nd5+ Bxd5 42. exd5 e4 43. Bc4 Ke5 44. d6 Bxd6 45. f3 Kf4 46. fxe4 fxe4
47. Bd5 g5 48. Ba8 h5 49. Bb7 g4 50. hxg4 hxg4 51. Ba8 e3 52. Bb7 Kg3 53. Ba8
Kh2 54. Bb7 Kg3 55. Ba8 Kh2 56. Bb7 Kg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blindfold"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D90"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2012.12.18"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qb3 dxc4 7. Qxc4 O-O 8.
Bf4 Bc6 9. e3 Bxf3 10. gxf3 c6 11. Be2 Nbd7 12. Bg3 c5 13. dxc5 Rc8 14. b4 Nxc5
15. bxc5 Qa5 16. O-O Rxc5 17. Qb3 Rxc3 18. Qxb7 Nh5 19. Rac1 Rxc1 20. Rxc1 Qd2
21. Rc7 Qxe2 22. Rxe7 Nxg3 23. hxg3 a5 24. Qd5 Bc3 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blindfold"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2012.12.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D73"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[EventDate "2012.12.18"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c5 5. Bg2 cxd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. O-O d5 8.
cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nb5 Be6 10. Nd4 Bc8 11. Nb5 Be6 12. Nd4 Bc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2679"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. h3 e5 7. d5 Nh5 8. g3 a5
9. Nh2 Na6 10. Be2 Nf6 11. h4 Nc5 12. Bf3 c6 13. Be3 Qb6 14. O-O Qxb2 15. Bxc5
dxc5 16. Na4 Qd4 17. Nb6 Ra6 18. Rb1 Bh3 19. Re1 Qxd1 20. Bxd1 h5 21. Nf3 Bg4
22. Ng5 Bxd1 23. Rexd1 a4 24. dxc6 bxc6 25. Rd6 Rb8 26. Rxc6 Nd7 27. Rc8+ Rxc8
28. Nxc8 f6 29. Rb7 fxg5 30. Rxd7 gxh4 31. Ne7+ Kh7 32. gxh4 Rb6 33. Nd5 Rb2
34. Nf6+ Kh6 35. Ne8 Bh8 36. a3 Rb3 37. Nd6 Rxa3 38. Nf7+ Kg7 39. Ng5+ Kg8 40.
Rd8+ Kg7 41. Rc8 Ra1+ 42. Kg2 a3 43. Rxc5 a2 44. Ra5 Kf8 45. c5 Bf6 46. Ra8+
Ke7 47. Ra7+ Ke8 48. c6 Bxg5 49. hxg5 Rc1 50. Rxa2 Rxc6 51. Ra5 Re6 52. Kf3 Kf7
53. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2861"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. h3 Nc6 $6 {Does Magnus
Carlsen laugh at his rivals? He can play anything at all and then outplay them!
} 7. d5 {The most logical reply. Otherwise Black has the idea ...e7-e5 d4-d5
Nc6-d4!:} (7. Be2 e5 8. d5 Nd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. Qxd4 Re8 11. Qd3 Qe7 12. Bg5 h6
13. Bxf6 Bxf6 $132 {[%csl Re4]}) (7. Be3 e5 8. d5 Nd4 $1 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. Bxd4
(10. Qxd4 Ng4 11. Qd2 Nxe3 12. Qxe3 f5 $1 $44) 10... Nxe4 11. Nxe4 Qh4 12. g4
Re8 13. Bg2 Bf5 14. O-O Bxe4 15. Bxg7 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Kxg7 17. Qd4+ Qf6 18. Qxf6+
Kxf6 19. Rfe1 {1/2 (19) Lutz,C (2580)-Finkel,A (2465) Leeuwarden 1994}) (7. Bg5
h6 8. Be3 e5 9. d5 Nd4 $1 (9... Ne7 10. Qc1 Kh7 11. Bd3 $14 {1-0 (28) Chernin,
A (2600)-Uhlmann,W (2500) Austria 1993}) 10. Nxd4 exd4 11. Qxd4 (11. Bxd4 Nxe4
$1 12. Nxe4 (12. Bxg7 Re8 $1) 12... Qh4 $1 13. g4 Re8 14. Bg2 Bf5 $1 $11) 11...
Ng4 12. Qd2 Nxe3 13. Qxe3 {Here Black's compensation for the pawn is less
impressive than in the 7.Be3 line as his position is weakened by ...h7-h6.
Still, after} f5 14. Bd3 Bd7 {he can't complain.}) 7... Nb4 (7... Nb8 8. Be2 c6
9. O-O a6 10. Bg5 b5 11. dxc6 b4 12. Bxf6 exf6 13. c7 Qxc7 14. Nd5 Qb7 15. Nd4
Nd7 16. Qd2 Re8 17. Rfe1 $16 {1-0 (42) Zubarev,A (2583)-Lagarde,M (2501)
Sautron FRA 2012}) 8. Be2 (8. Bg5 e6 9. a3 Na6 10. dxe6 Bxe6 11. Be2 Nc5 12.
Qc2 Qe8 13. Nd2 Bd7 14. O-O Bc6 15. Bd3 Nfd7 16. Rfe1 {1/2 (16) Bagirov,V 
(2500)-Zaitsev,I (2445) Podolsk 1992}) (8. a3 $5 {A logical idea: to push
Black's knight away to a6 before he has played ...a7-a5; besides, White's
bishop can now go to d3-c2, where it is placed better than on e2.} Na6 9. Bd3
Nc5 10. Bc2 e6 (10... a5 11. Be3) 11. O-O exd5 12. cxd5 Re8 13. Re1 a5 14. Bf4
a4 15. Rc1 $14 {1-0 (36) Berkovich,D (2445)-Zaitsev,I (2445) Podolsk 1992})
8... e6 9. Be3 (9. O-O Re8 10. Bg5 exd5 11. exd5 h6 12. Be3 Na6 13. Qd2 Kh7 14.
Rfe1 Nc5 15. Bxc5 dxc5 16. Bd3 Bd7 17. Ne5 Re7 18. Re3 Ne8 19. Rae1 $14 {
1/2 (26) Iotov,V (2569)-Libiszewski,F (2478) Marrakesh 2010}) 9... Re8 10. Nd2
a5 11. O-O Bd7 12. Re1 b6 13. Rc1 Kh8 14. a3 Na6 15. Qc2 e5 16. Rb1 Ng8 {
Finally we have a normal King's Indian, and Black's position is quite decent
as he will now play ...f7-f5.} 17. b4 f5 18. Nb5 $5 (18. Nf3 $5 Nf6 $1 (18...
Bh6 19. Bxh6 Nxh6 20. Bd3 {[%cal Yc2e2,Yc4c5]}) 19. Bd3 f4 20. Bc1 Rg8 21. Qe2
{[%cal Rc4c5]} Bc8 $13) 18... Bh6 (18... f4 19. Bxb6 $1 cxb6 20. Nxd6 Rf8 21.
c5 $16 {[%csl Gc5,Gd5]}) 19. Bxh6 Nxh6 20. exf5 (20. Qc3 $5 f4 21. Nb3 {
[%cal Yc4c5]}) 20... gxf5 (20... Nxf5 $5 21. Ne4 axb4 22. axb4 Bxb5 23. cxb5
Nb8 24. Bg4 Nd7 $14 {/=}) 21. f4 $5 exf4 22. Qc3+ Kg8 23. Bh5 Nf7 24. Rxe8+
Qxe8 25. Qf6 Qf8 26. Bxf7+ Qxf7 27. Qg5+ Qg7 28. Qxf4 $14 {The position has
clarified. Black's kingside attack is now out of the question, and his
misplaced a6 knight guarantees White an edge.} axb4 29. axb4 Re8 30. Nd4 (30.
Rb3 {[%cal Rb3g3]} Qe5) 30... Qe5 31. Qg5+ Qg7 32. N2f3 $1 Qxg5 33. Nxg5 Kg7
34. Nge6+ Kf6 35. Rf1 Bxe6 36. Nxe6 {[%cal Rg2g4]} h5 $6 (36... Kg6 $1 $14) 37.
g4 (37. b5 $5 Nc5 38. Rxf5+ Kxf5 39. Ng7+ Kf4 40. Nxe8 Nd3 41. Nxc7 Ne5 {
Black recaptures one of the missing pawns but the other one remains - and good
winning chances for White.}) 37... hxg4 38. hxg4 Nxb4 39. Rxf5+ Kg6 40. Nf4+
Kg7 41. g5 {White still pushes on but the number of pawns is dramatically
decreasing.} c6 $1 42. Kf2 (42. Rf6 cxd5 43. cxd5 Nxd5 $1 44. Nxd5 Re5 45. Rxd6
Rxg5+ $11) 42... cxd5 43. cxd5 Re5 44. Ne6+ Kg6 45. Rf6+ Kh5 46. Kf3 Re3+ $1
1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2698"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. c3 d5 11. Bd3 Bd6 12. Re1 Qh4 13. g3 Qg4 14. Qxg4
Bxg4 15. Kg2 c6 16. Nd2 Nc7 17. Nf3 Rae8 18. Bd2 Rxe1 19. Rxe1 Re8 20. Rc1 f6
21. Nh4 g6 22. h3 Be2 23. Bb1 Ba6 24. Nf3 Kf7 25. Be3 Ne6 26. Bc2 Ng7 27. Re1
b6 28. Bd2 Bc8 29. Rxe8 Kxe8 30. Nh2 Bf5 31. Ba4 b5 32. Bd1 h5 33. a4 a6 34.
Nf1 Be4+ 35. Kg1 Ne6 36. axb5 axb5 37. h4 f5 38. Bc1 c5 39. dxc5 Nxc5 40. Be3
Bd3 41. Bd4 Ne6 42. Ne3 f4 43. gxf4 Nxf4 44. Bg7 Ne6 45. Bh8 Nf4 46. Bg7 Ne2+
47. Kg2 Be4+ 48. Kf1 Nf4 49. Bh6 Kd7 50. f3 Bd3+ 51. Ke1 Bb1 52. Kd2 Be5 53.
Bb3 Kd6 54. Kc1 Bd3 55. Kd2 Bb1 56. Kc1 Bd3 57. Kd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[Annotator "Anand,V"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This was in the 4th round. I had just beaten Fabiano Caruna the previous day,
which made a perfect start for the New Year. Dies war in der 4. Runde. Gerade
am Vortag hatte Fabiano Caruna geschlagen, was einen perfekten Start für das
neue Jahr abgab.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 {We went for the Slav Defence, which was
no big surprise. We played this many time before, with reversed colours as
well. Wir wählten die Slawische Verteidigung, was keine große Überraschung war.
So haben wir viele Male zuvor gespielt, auch mit umgekehrten Farben.} 3. Nf3
Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 {He goes e3 actually more often, but recently he has been
playing Bg5 a bit. Er wählt häufiger e3, aber in letzter Zeit hat er auch ein
wenig Bg5 gespielt.} Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 Bd6 {I went for 8...
Bd6, already one idea was exactly what happened in the game. I wanted to see
if he would give me a chance to play 11...Rc8. Ich wählte 8...Bd6, eine Idee
war bereits genau das, was in der Partie passiert. Ich wollte sehen, ob er mir
die Chance geben würde, 11...Rc8 zu spielen.} 9. O-O O-O 10. Qc2 Bb7 11. a3 Rc8
{This is actually an amazing move. Dies ist in der Tat ein erstaunlicher Zug.}
({It used to be that everyone played automatically, in order to play c5,
Früher war es so, dass jedermann, um c5 zu spielen, automatisch} 11... a6 {
and then recently I noticed some games with 11...Rc8. zog, und dann fielen mir
kürzlich ein ein paar Partien 11...Rc8 auf.}) ({Let's imagine the position of
the game line after Vergegenwärtigen wir uns die Stellung des Partieabspiels
nach} 11... a6 12. Ng5 Bxh2+ 13. Kxh2 Ng4+ 14. Kg1 Qxg5 15. f3 {0-1 (53) Anand,
V (2791)-Aronian,L (2750) Linares 2009. There are many games played with this.
White has good compensation with the pair of bishops and the weak dark squares
in return of the extra pawn. In fact I lost a game to Aronian in 2009, though
I was winning. But I managed to confuse myself: Damit wurden viele Partien
gespielt. Für den Mehrbauern hat Weiß gute Kompensation mit dem Läuferpaar und
den schwachen dunklen Feldern. Tatsächlich verlor ich im Jahr 2009 gegen
Aronian, obwohl ich auf Gewinn stand. Aber ich schaffte es, mich selbst zu
verwirren:}) 12. Ng5 {This is the typical reaction and a very logical move.
Dies ist die typische Reaktion und ein ganz logischer Zug.} ({Already one
point of 11...Rc8 was shown in a game between Topalov and Kasimdhanov, a few
months back, where after Eine Pointe von 11...Rc8 wurde bereits in einer
Partie zwischen Topalov und Kasimdhanov gezeigt, ein paar Monate zuvor, wo nach
} 12. b4 {Black played Schwarz trotzdem} c5 {anyway. It's interesting: In the
whole line Black wants to play c5 without even bothering to protect the
b5-pawn. So there is an implied pawn sacrifice in every one of these moves.
spielte: Es ist interessant: In dem ganzen Abspiel will Schwarz c5 durchsetzen,
ohne sich um die Deckung des b5-Bauern überhaupt zu kümmern. Jeder dieser Züge
beinhaltet somit ein Bauernopfer.} 13. bxc5 Bxf3 14. gxf3 Nxc5 15. dxc5 Rxc5
16. f4 Nd5 17. Bb2 Nxc3 18. Bxc3 Qc7 19. Rfc1 Rc8 20. Bxh7+ Kh8 21. Bd3 Rxc3
22. Qxc3 Qxc3 23. Rxc3 Rxc3 24. Bxb5 Bxa3 25. Kg2 g6 26. Rd1 Rc7 27. Rd7 Rxd7
28. Bxd7 Kg7 29. e4 Kf6 30. Kf3 a5 31. e5+ Ke7 32. Ba4 Bc5 33. h3 Bb6 34. Bb5
Bc5 35. Ba4 Bb6 36. Bb5 Bc5 37. Ba4 {1/2-1/2 (37) Topalov,V (2752)
-Kasimdzhanov,R (2684) London 2012}) {Our big point, which we found while
preparing for the match against Gelfand, was the move Unser großer Wurf, den
wir bei der Vorbereitung auf das Match gegen Gelfand fanden, war der Zug} 12...
c5 $1 {So it looks like that for almost all what White does, Black can just
play c5. So the advantage of 11...Rc8 is that for the next move you have no
difficulty remembering... Es sieht also so aus, dass bei nahezu allem, was
Weiß tut, Schwarz einfach c5 spielen kann. Der Vorteil von 11...Rc8 liegt ergo
darin, dass man für den nächsten Zug keine Schwierigkeiten hat, sich zu
erinnern...} ({After 11...Rc8 12.Ng5 looks even stronger then after 11...a6,
because if you play Nach 11...Rc8 seiht 12.Ng5 sogar noch stärker aus als nach
11...a6, denn wenn man} 12... Bxh2+ 13. Kxh2 Ng4+ 14. Kg1 Qxg5 {then the R on
c8 is worse than the pawn on a6. spielt, dann steht der R auf c8 schlechter
als der Bauer auf a6.}) {He went Er zog.} 13. Nxh7 ({instead of statt} 13.
Bxh7+ {I give one variation, just to illustrate the thing: Ich gebe eine
Variante an, nur um die Sache zu illustrieren:} Kh8 14. Be4 Nxe4 15. Ngxe4 Bb8
$44 {and in fact, ...Qh4 is coming and the Rc8 and the black bishops are
perfectly placed. und dann steht ...Qh4 ins Haus, und der Rc8 und die
schwarzen Läufer sind perfekt platziert.}) {and I went , und ich wählte} 13...
Ng4 {This is the first point: Instead of taking the knight on h7, Black simply
moves his own. Dies ist die erste Pointe: Statt den Springer auf h7 zu
schlagen, bewegt Schwarz einfach seinen eigenen.} 14. f4 {Levon was very much
finding the way at the board. So he decided to go f4 instead of h3, which has
to be said is a little bit safer. Levon fand den Weg praktisch am Brett.
Deshalb entschied er sich für f4 statt h3, was zugegebenermaßen ein bisschen
sicherer ist.} ({I give a variation with Ich führe eine Variante mit} 14. h3 {
This line is self evident and in fact if you analyse with the computer a
little bit, it will show all the direct lines. an. Diese spricht für sich, und
wenn man ein bisschen mit dem Computer analysiert, wird dieser all die
direkten Abspiele zeigen.} Bh2+ $1 15. Kh1 Qh4 16. Be4 (16. d5 Rfd8 $44) 16...
Bxe4 17. Qxe4 f5 18. Qxe6+ Kxh7 19. Qxd7 cxd4 20. exd4 Bb8 21. Kg1 Bh2+ 22. Kh1
$11 {The main line ends in a draw, which is quite satisfactory from Black's
point of view. Das Hauptabspiel endet mit Remis, was aus der Sicht von Schwarz
völlig zufriedenstellend ist.}) 14... cxd4 15. exd4 {After this I actually
could not remember, what we had prepared. This was a bit of a problem, because
this is not the position where you could make a half move or a position that
plays itself. You have to make an exact move, because there is a rook hanging
on f8 and a lot of action. You have to do the right thing. And there are some
possibilities. I was considering moves like 15...e5, 15...Nde5, 15...Qh4, etc.
But none of them made a lot of sense. And then I got the key. Though I could't
remember the variations, I rememberd that in some lines my knight gets to d3.
So I mainly rembered the position where my knight gets to d3 and from this I
managed to reconstruct and find this move ...Bc5. Hiernach konnte ich mich
tatsächlich nicht mehr daran erinnern, was wir vorbereitet hatten. Das war ein
gewisses Problem, denn dies ist keine Stellung, wo man einen Halbzug machen
kann oder sich die Position von selbst spielt. Man muss einen genauen Zug
machen, da auf f8 ein Turm hängt und eine Menge los ist. Man muss das Richtige
tun. Und es gibt einige Möglichkeiten. Ich erwog Züge wie 15...e5, 15...Nde5,
15...Qh4 usw. Aber keiner davon war besonders sinnvoll. Und dann bekam ich den
Schlüssel. Obwohl ich mich nicht an die Varianten erinnern konnte, wusste ich
noch, dass in einigen Abspielen mein Springer nach d3 kommt. Also erinnerte
mich also hauptsächlich an die Stellung, wo mein Springer nach d3 kommt, und
daraufhin gelang es mir, die Sache zu rekonstruieren und diesen Zug ...Bc5 zu
finden.} ({I remembered the line Ich erinnerte mich an das Abspiel} 15. Nxf8
Bxf8 16. h3 dxc3 17. hxg4 Nf6) 15... Bc5 $1 16. Be2 {I think this is the real
mistake. Ich glaube, dies ist der wirkliche Fehler.} ({I give a line, which is
fairly straight forward: Ich gebe ein Abspiel an, was ziemlich geradlinig ist:
} 16. dxc5 Nxc5 17. Nxf8 Nxd3 {Black is very, very comfortable with the knight
on d3, but it might be not enough. White might get some sort of half playable
position like the variation here: Schwarz steht sehr, sehr bequem mit dem
Springer auf d3, aber es ist vielleicht nicht genug sein. Weiß könnte eine
halbwegs spielbare Stellung bekommen, wie in der Variante hier:} 18. h3 Qd4+
19. Kh1 Ndf2+ 20. Rxf2 Nxf2+ 21. Kh2 Kxf8 22. Qh7 Nd3 23. Qh8+ Ke7 24. Qh4+ f6
25. Qg3 Kf7 26. Be3 $11) {Again it took me a while, not too long, but the
essential idea was very clear. So I found Erneut brauchte ich eine Weile,
nicht allzu lang, aber die Kernidee war glasklar. Daher fand ich} 16... Nde5 $3
{This is simply a brilliant move. So if there is a single move of which I am
really proud in this game, it is move 16. Dies ist einfach ein brillanter Zug.
Wenn es also einen Zug gibt, auf den ich in dieser Partie wirklich stolz bin,
dann ist es der 16.} ({Here I was thinking again: Hier überlegte ich erneut:} 
16... Bxd4+ 17. Kh1 Nxh2 (17... Nde5 18. fxe5) {but the problem with that is ,
aber das Problem dabei ist} 18. Ng5 $1) 17. Bxg4 ({Now, after Nach} 17. fxe5 {
I have habe ich jetzt} Qxd4+ 18. Kh1 Qg1+ 19. Rxg1 Nf2#) 17... Bxd4+ 18. Kh1
Nxg4 {And here, the game which kept on coming to my mind was the famous
classic Rotlewi-Rubinstein. For me, it's just a classic. I imagine for Gelfand
also. He would have rememberd it effortlessly, first of all he knows his
classics and secondly it is Rubinstein. he is one of his big heroes.
Rubinstein's main point was to invade with both rooks, but except for this it
is very similar. Und hier war die Partie, die mir ständig in den Sinn kam, der
berühmte Klassiker Rotlewi-Rubinstein. Für mich ist es einfach ein Klassiker.
Ich vermute, für Gelfand auch. Er sich mühelos daran erinnern können, erstens
kennt er seine Klassiker, und zweitens ist Rubinstein einer seiner großen
Helden. Rubinsteins Hauptpointe war, mit beiden Türmen einzudringen, aber
davon abgesehen ist es ganz ähnlich.} 19. Nxf8 {Here the alternatives were
very clear. In fact, for the rest of the game, there is not much commentary to
give. I will just highlight one or two key things. Hier waren die Alternativen
ganz klar. Tatsächlich ist für den Rest der Partie kein großer Kommentar mehr
erforderlich. Ich werde lediglich ein oder zwei Schlüsseldinge betonen.} (19.
Ng5 f5 20. h3 Rf6 21. Nf3 Rh6 $19) 19... f5 $1 {This move I like very much.
Here, I didn't take much time, because the ideas are very obvious. The queen
is coming to h4, or it's going to f6, capturing the knight and White really
has never a defence. So this was also very easy. Dieser Zug gefällt mir. Hier
brauchte ich nicht viel Zeit, denn die Ideen sind sehr offensichtlich. Die
Dame kommt nach h4, oder sie geht nach f6, Schlagen des Springers, und Weiß
hat nie wirklich eine Verteidigung. Das war also ziemlich einfach.} 20. Ng6 Qf6
21. h3 ({The only thing is, on Das Einzige ist, auf} 21. Ne5 {you have to find
muss man} Nxh2 $8 $19 {It's the only move, but it wins. finden. Es ist der
einzige Zug, aber er gewinnt.}) 21... Qxg6 {The other thing is, though Black
is attacking very slowly, Qf6, Qxg6, Qh5 and so on, there is very little White
can do, because of the power of my bishops and the knight on g4. Die andere
Sache ist, obwohl Schwarz sehr langsam angreift, Qf6, Qxg6, Qh5 und so weiter,
gibt es sehr wenig, was Weiß tun kann, und zwar aufgrund der Kraft meiner
Läufer und des Springers auf g4.} 22. Qe2 Qh5 23. Qd3 $2 {This loses
immediately, but the alternative would not have changed the result... Dies
verliert sofort, aber die Alternative hätte das Ergebnis nicht verändert...} ({
There was an alternative here Es gab hier eine Alternative:} 23. Rf3 Nf2+ 24.
Kh2 (24. Rxf2 Qxh3+ 25. Kg1 Qxg2#) 24... Bxf3 25. Qxf3 Qxf3 26. gxf3 Bxc3 (
26... Nd3 $19) 27. bxc3 Rxc3 $19) {After Nach} 23... Be3 {it finishes
immediately. So, one of the best games of my life obviously! Especially
against a giant like Levon. I was very happy, it was a rest day, very nice...
fällt sofort der Vorhang. Also, eine der besten Partien meines Lebens,
offensichtlich! Zumal gegen einen Giganten wie Levon. Ich freute mich sehr, es
war ein Ruhetag, sehr schön...} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2663"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Bg7 5. Nf3 Ne4 6. Bf4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 dxc4 8.
Qa4+ (8. e3 {is probably more appropriate here.}) 8... Nd7 9. e4 (9. g3 c5 10.
Bg2 cxd4 11. cxd4 O-O 12. Qxc4 Nb6 13. Qc5 Bg4 14. Rd1 Rc8 $36 {1/2 Dydyshko,V
(2490)-Holzke,F (2400)/Muenster 1997/CBM 060 ext (24)}) (9. Qxc4 c5 10. e4 Qa5
11. Bd2 O-O 12. Be2 e6 13. O-O Qc7 14. Be3 b6 15. Rac1 Bb7 16. Nd2 Rac8 $11 {
0-1 Lukasiewicz,G (2355)-Fedorowicz,J (2535)/St Martin 1993/TD (44)}) (9. e3
O-O 10. Qxc4 (10. Bxc4 Nb6 11. Qb3 Nxc4 12. Qxc4 {1/2 Nakamura,H (2697)-Maze,S
(2553)/Montreal 2008/CBM 126 (38)} Be6 $1 13. Qxc7 Qxc7 14. Bxc7 Rfc8 15. Ba5
b6 16. Bb4 Bf6 {[%cal Ra7a5]} 17. Kd2 Rc4 $44) 10... c5 11. Be2 (11. Qa4 cxd4
$1 12. cxd4 e5 $1 13. dxe5 Qc7 14. Qd4 (14. Qa3 $142 $11) 14... Nc5 15. Be2
Qa5+ 16. Qd2 Qxd2+ 17. Nxd2 Rd8 18. Nb3 Nxb3 19. axb3 Be6 $44 {0-1 Spassov,L 
(2434)-Le Roux,J (2474)/Sautron 2009/EXT 2010/[RR] (37)}) 11... cxd4 12. exd4
Nb6 13. Qb3 Nd5 14. Bd2 b6 $11 {1-0 Lajthajm,B (2514)-Lazic,D (2311)/Mataruska
Banja 2007/CBM 118 ext (42)}) 9... c5 (9... O-O 10. Qxc4 c5 11. Be2 cxd4 12.
cxd4 Nb6 (12... e5 $5 13. Bg5 Bf6 14. Bxf6 Qa5+ 15. Kf1 Nxf6 16. dxe5 Be6 $44 {
0-1 Vigoa Apecheche,Y (2244)-Arencibia Rodriguez,W (2519)/Havana 2009/CBM 130
Extra (28)}) 13. Qd3 $6 (13. Qb4 $142 $11) 13... Bg4 14. Rd1 Rc8 15. O-O Na4
16. Rb1 Bxf3 17. Bxf3 e5 18. Bd2 exd4 $17 {1/2 Socko,M (2473)-Bobras,P (2561)/
Warsaw 2008/CBM 125 Extra (131)}) 10. Bxc4 (10. Qxc4 {- above}) 10... O-O 11.
O-O Nb6 12. Qb3 Nxc4 13. Qxc4 b6 14. d5 e6 $11 15. h3 $2 {[%mdl 8192] A
strange loss of a tempo (...Bg4 will hardly ever be a threat) with
surprisingly fatal consequences.} (15. Rfe1 exd5 16. exd5 Bb7 17. Rad1 Re8 $11)
15... a5 (15... exd5 $142 16. exd5 (16. Qxd5 Qxd5 17. exd5 Rd8 18. Rad1 Bxc3)
16... a5 $1 {[%cal Rc8a6] , and White loses one of the following three: an
exchange, the c3-pawn, or the d5-pawn. An attempt to save everything by means
of} 17. Rfd1 {fails to} Ba6 18. Qb3 Be2 19. Rd2 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Qf6) 16. Bg5 $2 (
16. Rfd1 $142 exd5 (16... Ba6 17. Qb3 Be2 18. dxe6 $1 Qf6 19. Bd6 $13) 17. Qb3
$5 ({or simply} 17. Rxd5 Be6 18. Rxd8 Bxc4 19. Rxf8+ Rxf8 20. Bc7 b5 21. e5 $1
$15) 17... Bxh3 $1 18. Rxd5 (18. gxh3 Qf6) 18... Qe8 $1 19. Bd6 Be6 20. Bxf8
Bxd5 21. exd5 Qxf8 22. Rd1 Qd6 23. c4 {, and Black's extra pawn is hard to
convert.}) 16... f6 17. dxe6 Ba6 {An easy refutation. The rest is clear.} 18.
Qd5 Qxd5 19. exd5 fxg5 20. Rfd1 Bxc3 21. Rac1 Be2 22. Nxg5 Bxd1 23. Rxc3 Rf5
24. Ne4 Kg7 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 c5 6. d5 exd5 7. cxd5 Bb7 8. Bg2
Nxd5 9. O-O Nc6 10. Rd1 Be7 11. Qa4 Nf6 12. e4 O-O 13. e5 Ne8 14. Nc3 Nc7 15.
Be3 {The present line (one of the most important in this gambit system) was
examined in CBM 127, annotations to Akopian - Palac. Several important games
have been played since.} Qe8 (15... f5 16. exf6 (16. e6 Nxe6 17. Ne5 Nxe5 18.
Bxb7 {1/2 (18) Potkin,V (2653)-Volokitin,A (2677) Aix-les-Bains 2011}) 16...
Bxf6 17. Rd6 Be7 18. Rd2 d5 19. Bf4 $44 d4 $2 20. Nxd4 $1 Nxd4 21. Bxb7 Bg5 22.
Qc4+ Kh8 23. Bxg5 Qxg5 24. Rxd4 $1 cxd4 25. Ne4 $16 {1-0 (31) Cheparinov,I 
(2659)-Drenchev,P (2493) Plovdiv BUL 2012}) (15... f6 16. Rd2 (16. exf6 $5 {
- see 15...f5}) (16. Bh3 $5 f5 17. Bf1) 16... Qe8 (16... fxe5 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18.
Bxb7 Rb8 19. Be4 d6 20. Bf4 Nf7 {0-1 (39) Gnusarev,P (2373)-Bocharov,D (2606)
Tomsk 2009} 21. Rad1 $14) 17. Rad1 Rd8 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. Bxc5 bxc5 20. Qb3+ Ne6
21. Qxb7 Ned4 22. Nxd4 Bxd4 23. Qb3+ Kh8 24. Nb5 Rb8 $5 25. Qa4 Qh5 26. Nxd4
Nxd4 27. Qxd7 Rxb2 28. Qe7 Rfb8 29. h3 Rxa2 30. Rxa2 Qxd1+ 31. Kh2 Nf3+ 32.
Bxf3 Qxf3 33. Qxc5 h6 34. Ra3 Qb7 35. Rxa7 Qb6 $11 {1/2 (69) Najer,E (2666)
-Motylev,A (2695) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009}) (15... Qc8 $5 16. Rd2 Na5 $1 {is
probably the simplest way to equalise} (16... a6 $143 17. Rad1) 17. Qxd7 Re8
18. Qxc8 Raxc8 19. Rdd1 Bf8 $11 {1/2 (42) Baumgartner,U (2230)-Van Tricht,M 
(2209) Lechenicher SchachServer 2009}) 16. Nd2 $146 {This novelty meets an
adequate reaction, and Black avoids problems.} (16. Rd2 Rd8 (16... Na5 $5 17.
Qxd7 Rc8 $11) 17. Re1 Ba8 18. Ne4 Ne6 19. a3 Kh8 20. Qc2 h6 21. g4 Ncd4 22.
Nxd4 cxd4 23. Bxd4 Nxd4 24. Rxd4 d6 $11 {1/2 (29) Wang Yue (2736)-Leko,P (2747)
Elista 2008}) 16... Rb8 17. Nc4 b5 $5 18. Nxb5 Nxb5 19. Qxb5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 (20.
Bxb7 Nxc4 21. Bf4 d6 22. Qxc4 Rxb7 23. Bxd6 Bxd6 24. Rxd6 Qe5 25. Rd5 Qxb2 26.
Rc1 $11) 20... Bxg2 21. Qxd7 Ba8 22. Rd2 Rd8 23. Qxe8 Rfxe8 $11 {Black has an
inferior pawn structure but the bishop pair.} 24. Rad1 Rxd2 25. Rxd2 f6 26. Nc4
Rd8 $6 {A strange decision - to give up a pawn. Still, Black can hold the
endgame.} (26... Bc6 $11 27. Na5 $140 Bf3) 27. Rxd8+ Bxd8 {[%mdl 4096]} 28.
Bxc5 a6 29. Kf1 Kf7 30. Ke2 Ke6 31. Kd3 g5 32. Kd4 h5 33. b3 Bc7 34. Bb6 Bd6
35. Bd8 Bb4 36. a3 Be1 37. Ke3 Bc3 38. Bc7 Bc6 39. Kd3 Ba1 40. f4 Bb5 41. a4
Bc6 42. Na5 Bg2 43. Kc4 Kd7 44. Bb8 Bf1+ 45. Kc5 Bc3 46. Nc4 Be2 47. f5 Be1 48.
Nb6+ Ke8 49. b4 Bf2+ 50. Kc6 Bxb6 $2 {Too early.} (50... Bd3 $142 51. Nd5 Bxf5
52. Nxf6+ Kf7) 51. Kxb6 Kd7 52. Kb7 Bd3 (52... Bd1 $2 53. Kxa6 Bxa4 54. b5 Bc2
55. b6 Bxf5 56. b7 Be4 57. Kb6 Ke6 58. Bc7 Bxb7 59. Kxb7 $18) (52... h4 $5 53.
gxh4 gxh4 54. Bf4) 53. Ba7 (53. b5 axb5 54. a5 $6 Be4+ 55. Kb6 $4 b4 $19) 53...
Bc2 $2 {This move definitely loses. It is still unclear whether White can win
after other continuations. Creating a passed pawn and giving Black his own one
by means of b4-b5 a6xb5 a4-a5 is double-edged so his main plan is Kb7-b6 and
b4-b5.} (53... g4 $2 {loses due to a brilliant zugzwang:} 54. Bd4 $1 Ke7 55.
Kb6 $22 Bc4 (55... Kf7 $144 56. b5 axb5 57. axb5 Ke7) 56. b5 axb5 57. axb5 Bd3
(57... Kd7 58. Bxf6) 58. Kc6 Kd8 59. b6 $1 Kc8 60. b7+ Kb8 61. Ba7+ $1 Kxa7 62.
Kc7 $18) (53... h4 54. gxh4 ({but not} 54. Bd4 hxg3 55. hxg3 Ke7 56. Kb6 Be2
57. b5 axb5 58. axb5 Bg4 59. Kc7 Bxf5 60. b6 Be4 61. b7 Bxb7 62. Kxb7 Ke6 $11 {
[%cal Ye6f5,Yf5g4,Yf6f5,Yf5f4]}) 54... gxh4 55. h3 $1 (55. Bf2 $2 h3) 55... Kd6
$1 56. Bf2 $1 Ke5 57. Bxh4 Kxf5 58. Kb6 {[%cal Yb4b5] , and only deep analysis
can show whether White wins. He has serious chances as his bishop can support
any of his passed pawns and stop Black's f-pawn along the same diagonal (Bf2 -
Ph4 or b6) - a very important principle described in endgame manuals.}) (53...
Ke7 54. Bd4 h4 (54... Kf7 55. Kb6 Ke7 56. b5 axb5 57. axb5 Kd7 58. Bxf6 Bxf5
59. Ka7 Be4 60. Bxg5 $18) 55. gxh4 gxh4 56. h3 {leads to a similar position as
after 53...h4} (56. Kb6 $143 h3 $1)) 54. Kxa6 Bxa4 55. b5 Bc2 56. Bd4 Bd3 (
56... Kc8 57. b6 Kb8 $8 58. Bxf6 Bd3+ 59. Ka5 Bxf5 60. Bxg5 $18 {_|_}) 57. Bxf6
Kc8 58. Bxg5 Bxf5 59. Ka7 {White moves his pawn to b6 and then creates a
decisive second passed pawn on the kingside.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The biggest miss of the day was certainly by Levon Aronian. With very
powerful play, he sacrificed a pawn temporarily to obtain the pair of bishops
and a certain initiative.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7
6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. c3 Rb8 13.
Nc4 Nc6 14. h3 h6 15. d4 cxd4 16. cxd4 exd4 17. Bf4 b3 18. Bxb3 Be6 19. Ba2 d3
20. Qxd3 Nb4 21. Qe2 Nxa2 22. Rxa2 Rc8 23. b3 Nxe4 24. Rc2 Bf6 25. Qxe4 d5 26.
Qe2 dxc4 27. bxc4 Qa5 28. Be5 Bxe5 29. Qxe5 Qxa4 30. Nd4 Bxh3 $1 {After this
White's position becomes very difficult, the bishop being poisoned due to a
tactic on the e-file.} 31. Qf4 Bd7 32. Re7 Rce8 33. Rxe8 Rxe8 34. Qd6 Re1+ 35.
Kh2 Rd1 36. Rc3 Qa1 37. Qb8+ Kh7 38. Ne2 Bg4 $2 {In time pressure Aronian was
unable to correctly choose one of many winning continuations, but certainly
retained the initiative nonetheless.} 39. Qf4 Rh1+ 40. Kg3 h5 41. Re3 Qa5 $2 {
This allowed Karjakin back in the game.} ({His last chance to win was} 41...
Be6 $1 {after which Karjakin would have had to simplify into a hopeless
endgame.}) 42. Nd4 Qd8 43. Nf3 f6 44. Qe4+ Kh6 45. Nh4 Qd6+ 46. f4 Rxh4 47.
Kxh4 Qc5 48. Kg3 Bf5 49. Qe8 Qxc4 50. Qh8+ Bh7 51. Qb8 a5 52. Kh2 Bf5 53. Qh8+
Bh7 54. Qb8 Bf5 55. Qh8+ Bh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2603"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. Nf3 e5 8.
Bd3 Bg4 9. Be4 Nd7 10. Bxb7 Rb8 11. Bd5 c6 12. Be4 Nc5 13. Qe2 Nxe4 14. Qxe4
Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Qxf3 16. gxf3 Bd6 17. Kd1 Kd7 18. Kc2 f5 19. d3 Rhf8 20. Rg1 g6
21. Bh6 Rf7 22. Rad1 Ke6 23. Bc1 Rb6 24. f4 Ra6 25. fxe5 Rxa2+ 26. Kb1 Rxf2 27.
exd6 Rb7+ 28. Ka1 Kxd6 29. Rd2 Rf3 30. Re1 Rd7 31. Kb1 g5 32. Kc2 f4 33. Ba3+
Kc7 34. d4 g4 35. d5 cxd5 36. cxd5 h5 37. Be7 g3 38. Re5 Re3 39. d6+ Kc6 40.
Rxh5 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "L'Ami, Erwin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A31"]
[WhiteElo "2627"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. g3 d6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Bd7 7. Bg2 g6 8. O-O
Bg7 9. e3 h5 10. b3 h4 11. Bb2 Qc8 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Nd5 hxg3 14. hxg3 Bxd5 15.
cxd5 Kf8 16. Rc1 Qd7 17. Rc4 Rc8 18. Qc2 Rxc4 19. Qxc4 Ng4 20. Bxg7+ Kxg7 21.
Qd4+ Nf6 22. Qxa7 Rc8 23. a4 Rc2 24. Qd4 Kg8 25. Bf3 Qf5 26. Kg2 g5 27. e4 Qe5
28. Qxe5 dxe5 29. Re1 Kf8 30. Re3 Ke8 31. Bd1 Rd2 32. Be2 Kd7 33. a5 Kd6 34. a6
bxa6 35. Bxa6 Rd4 36. f3 g4 37. Bd3 Kc5 38. Kf2 Kb4 39. f4 exf4 40. gxf4 Kxb3
41. Kg3 Kb4 42. e5 Nxd5 43. Re4 Kc3 44. Rxd4 Kxd4 45. Bb1 Ne3 46. Ba2 e6 47.
Bb1 Kc3 48. Be4 Kd2 49. Bc6 Kd3 50. Bb7 Kc4 51. Ba8 Kc5 52. Bb7 Kb6 53. Be4 Kc7
54. Bd3 Kc6 55. Be4+ Kc5 56. Bb7 Kc4 57. Ba8 Kd4 58. Bc6 Kd3 59. Bb7 Ke2 60.
Bc6 Kd2 61. Be8 Kd3 62. Bxf7 Nf5+ 63. Kxg4 Nh6+ 64. Kg5 Nxf7+ 65. Kf6 Nd8 66.
f5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.23"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bc5 (6... Bb4 {
is by far more popular. A recent game went} 7. d4 $5 {not very usual; Whie
weakens his light squares.} ({For the normal} 7. Qb3 {see for instance Nielsen,
P (2700)-Caruana,F (2697)/Amsterdam 2010/CBM 138/[Ftacnik] (1/2, 37)}) 7...
Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 e4 9. Bg2 h6 10. c5 O-O 11. c4 b6 12. O-O Re8 13. Qa4 bxc5 14.
dxc5 Bb7 15. Qa5 {White has good control on dark squares, but his structural
deffects prevent him fromm carrying any effective pawn rupture.} Ng4 16. Bf4
Ne5 17. Rfd1 Bc6 18. Rac1 Rc8 19. Bh3 Re7 20. Qa6 Ng6 21. Be3 Nf8 22. Rc3 Ne6
23. Qa5 Qf8 24. Rb1 f5 25. Ra3 Ra8 26. Qc3 a6 27. Ra5 Kh7 28. Qe5 g6 $13 {
Romanov,E (2625)-Caruana,F (2767)/Sochi 2012/CBM 148 (0-1, 42)}) 7. d3 h6 {
Actually, the necessity of playing this prophylactyc move is questionable.} (
7... O-O 8. O-O c6 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Ne4 Qe7 12. Nxc5 Qxc5 13. Qd2 (
13. e3 Qe7 14. Bg2 d6 15. Qd2 Be6 16. f4 Qd7 {Kosten,A (2530)-Hamdouchi,H 
(2579)/Montpellier 2006/CBM 113 ext (0-1, 53)}) 13... a5 14. a3 a4 15. Rac1 f5
(15... d6 16. Rfd1) 16. Rfd1 Qe7 (16... d6 17. d4) 17. c5 d5 18. cxd6 Qxd6 19.
Rc4 Rd8 $2 {Did Black overlook or just underestimate White's threat?} (19...
Be6 20. Rb4 Rf7 21. Qc3 Bb3 22. Rc1 {ithout any pawn breaks in sight, White's
queenside pressure remains purely platonic, the same as his hopes to attack
the enemy pawns with his bishop.}) 20. Qc2 e4 21. Bg2 Qe5 22. Rxa4 Rxa4 23.
Qxa4 Qxb2 24. dxe4 Rxd1+ 25. Qxd1 Qxa3 26. Bh3 $16 {Smejkal,J (2540)-Campora,D
(2490)/Vrsac 1981/MCD (1-0, 39)}) 8. O-O (8. h4 {was tried in an Internet
blitz match between two strong grandmasters, but oes not look too much to the
point.} c6 {This does not really threaten ...d7-d5, but prepares the solid ...
d7-d6.} (8... d6 $6 9. b4 $1 Bd4 10. Bd2 O-O 11. e3 Bxc3 12. Bxc3 Qd7 13. O-O
Re8 14. Bg2 d5 15. Qb3 dxc4 16. Qxc4 c6 17. a4 $14 {Bacrot,E (2645)-Sutovsky,E
(2639)/playchess.com 2003/EXT 2004 (1/2, 37)}) 9. g4 $6 {Exposing this pawn.} (
{A neutral move should have preferred, for instance:} 9. Bd2 d5 $2 10. cxd5
cxd5 11. Qb3) 9... d5 10. g5 (10. cxd5 Bxg4) 10... hxg5 11. Bxg5 Qb6 $36 {
Bacrot,E (2645)-Sutovsky,E (2639)/playchess.com 2003/EXT 2004 (0-1, 44)}) 8...
O-O 9. Bg2 {A subtle retreat, clearing the path for the f-pawn and waiting for
Black to display his cards.} (9. Rb1 c6 (9... a5 10. a3 c6 11. b4 Bd4 {
Yakovich,Y (2596)-Kurnosov,I (2543)/St Petersburg 2004/CBM 102/[Ribli] (1-0,
45)}) 10. b4 Be7 11. Qb3 d6 12. b5 $14 {Cebalo,M (2476)-Kosintseva,T (2539)/
Biel 2009/CBM 131 Extra (1/2, 40)}) (9. a3 a6 10. e3 Ba7 11. b4 c6 12. d4 exd4
13. exd4 d5 14. cxd5 Nxd5 $11 {Bacrot,E (2653)-Sutovsky,E (2664)/Albert 2001/
CBM 086 (1/2, 42)}) 9... c6 10. Bd2 (10. Qb3 $5 {contains more venom that it
might seem:} Bb6 11. Bd2 d6 12. h3 Nd7 ({White's point is that after} 12... Be6
{he can get the two bishops. true, things are not entirley clear:} 13. Na4 Qd7
{[%cal Gb6d8]} 14. Nxb6 axb6 15. Kh2 b5 $1 {By attacking h3, Black has gained
a tempo for attacking the pinned pawn. I wonder whether White could have
considered other half-waiting move instead of h2-h3.} 16. Qc3 bxc4 17. dxc4 {
Black has turned the structural balance slightly to his favour, but I would
treasure the bishops pair more in the long term battle.}) 13. Kh2 Nc5 14. Qd1
a5 {Black has some queenside stability, but his pieces compete for a single
square: c5.} 15. f4 f5 16. Na4 (16. Qc2 Be6 17. Rae1 $14 {/\e3, b3}) 16... Nxa4
17. Qxa4 Be6 18. Rae1 exf4 19. Bxf4 Bc5 20. Qc2 Qb6 21. e4 Qc7 $2 (21... Rf7) (
21... Rad8) 22. a3 (22. d4 Bxd4 23. c5 Be5 24. cxd6 Bxd6 25. exf5 Bd7 26. f6
Rxf6 27. Qb3+ Kh8 28. Bxd6 Rxd6 29. Re7 $40) 22... Rad8 23. Qd2 (23. Qc3 $14)
23... Bd4 $11 {Najdorf,M (2525)-Camara,H (2325)/Sao Paulo 1978/MCL (1-0, 40)})
10... Re8 {Black maintains the freedom for his dark-squared bishop but delays
the development of the other. This problem in the closed games has been
revealed many decades ago by Rudolf Spielmann: it is not easy to activate both
bishops at the early stage of the game.} (10... d6 {hands in the bishops pair.}
11. Na4 Bd4 12. e3 Bb6 13. Nxb6 axb6 14. Bc3 Re8 15. d4 (15. a4 Bg4 16. f3 Be6
17. e4 $14 {[%cal Gf3f4,Gb2b3]}) 15... e4 16. d5 Qe7 17. a4 c5 18. b4 Bf5 19.
bxc5 bxc5 20. Qb3 Rad8 (20... Nh7 21. Rfb1 Ra7 22. Qb6 Rea8 23. Qb2 f6 24. Qc2
Ng5 25. h4 Nh7 26. a5 Nf8 27. Rb3 Ng6 28. Rab1 Ne5 29. Bxe5 Qxe5 30. Rxb7 Rxa5)
21. Rfb1 Rd7 22. Qb2 Ng4 23. Ra3 Ne5 24. Bxe5 Qxe5 25. Qxe5 Rxe5 26. Rab3 $14 {
Smejkal,J (2600)-Portisch,L (2635)/Milan 1975/MCL (1/2, 62)}) 11. Rc1 Bf8 (
11... Bb6 12. b4 $14) (11... d6 12. Na4 $14) (11... a5 12. Na4 Ba7 13. c5 $14)
12. e4 $1 {Preparing the kingside attack.} d6 ({Playing for the d4-square with
} 12... Bc5 {[%csl Gd4] would lose too much time:} 13. h3 d6 14. Kh1 a5 15. f4
$36) 13. h3 a6 14. a4 Rb8 15. Kh2 Nd7 $6 {Black plays for a blockade on dark
squares, but this restricts his own possibilities as well. Besides, the
absence of the knight from the kingside will make itself felt.} (15... b5 $5 {
is worth considering, opening at last one file. A possible continuation would
be} 16. axb5 axb5 17. cxb5 cxb5 18. b4 {followed by f2-f4-f5, but Black could
find ways to get some queenside counterplay.}) 16. Be3 a5 17. f4 Nc5 18. Rc2
Be6 $2 {Suicidal. White's attack was dangerous anyway, there was no need to
help him speed it up.} (18... Bd7 19. Rcf2 f6 20. f5 b5 21. Bf3 (21. axb5 cxb5
22. Bf3 Bc6 23. Bh5 Re7 {[%csl Ge4]}) 21... Nxa4 22. Nxa4 bxa4 23. Qxa4 c5 24.
Qd1 Re7 25. g4 Bc6 26. h4 $40) 19. f5 Bd7 20. Bf3 b5 $6 21. axb5 cxb5 22. Bh5
bxc4 (22... b4 23. Nd5 $18) 23. dxc4 $18 {All White's pieces are ready to
cooperate in the attack. Black has no satisfactory defence.} Be7 $6 {[%cal
Ge7g5] This takes some measures against the attack, but allows a simple
tactical solution.} (23... Qb6 24. Bxh6 $1 (24. f6 $18) 24... gxh6 25. Qg4+ Kh8
26. Bxf7 Be7 27. Qh5 Bg5 28. h4 $18) (23... Bc6 24. f6 g6 25. Bxg6) 24. Bxc5
dxc5 25. Qd5 (25. Rd2 Rb7 26. f6 Bxf6 27. Bg4 Bxg4 28. Rxd8 Rxb2+ 29. Kh1 $18)
25... Rf8 26. Rd1 Be8 27. Qxe5 $18 Bf6 28. Qxc5 Qb6 29. Qxb6 Rxb6 30. c5 Rb4
31. Nd5 Ba4 32. Nxb4 axb4 33. Rc4 Bxd1 34. Bxd1 Rd8 35. Bb3 Rd2+ 36. Kh1 Rxb2
37. Rxb4 Be5 38. Rb7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.25"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 a6 6. c5 Nbd7 7. Na4 b5 8. cxb6
Nxb6 9. Bd2 Nxa4 10. Qxa4 Bd7 11. Qc2 Qb6 12. Rc1 Rb8 13. Bd3 Qxb2 14. O-O Bd6
15. Ne5 Qxc2 16. Rxc2 c5 17. Nxd7 Nxd7 18. Bxa6 c4 19. a4 Bb4 20. Bc1 Nf6 21.
f3 O-O 22. e4 Ne8 23. Bb5 Rb6 24. Bf4 Nd6 25. Rb1 Ba5 26. Kf1 f6 27. Rcb2 Rfb8
28. h4 c3 29. Re2 e5 30. dxe5 Nxb5 31. axb5 d4 32. Rd1 Rxb5 33. Rc2 d3 34. Rxd3
Rb1+ 35. Bc1 R8b2 36. Rcxc3 Bxc3 37. Rxc3 Rd2 38. Rc8+ Kf7 39. Rc7+ Ke6 40.
exf6 gxf6 41. Kg1 Rd1+ 42. Kh2 Rbxc1 43. Rxh7 Rd7 44. Rh6 Rcc7 45. Rh8 Rh7 46.
Re8+ Kf7 47. Ra8 Rxh4+ 48. Kg3 Rh1 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.26"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A38"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2720"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c5 5. Bg2 cxd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. Nc2 Nc6 8.
Nc3 d6 9. O-O Be6 10. b3 Qd7 11. Nd5 Bh3 12. Bxh3 Qxh3 13. Nf4 Qd7 14. Bb2 Rfd8
15. Rc1 e6 16. Qe1 Ne7 17. Ne3 b5 18. Qa5 a6 19. Rfd1 Nc6 20. Qe1 Qb7 21. Nd3
Rac8 22. cxb5 axb5 23. Nc2 Ne7 24. Ncb4 Ne4 25. Bxg7 Kxg7 26. f3 Nf6 27. Qf2 e5
28. e4 d5 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 30. Nxe5 dxe4 31. Ng4 Neg8 32. Nxf6 Nxf6 33. fxe4 Qxe4
34. Rf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.27"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "207"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Bd7 10. Nc3 Kc8 11. b3 b6 12. Bb2 Be7 13. Rad1 Nh4 14. Nd4
h5 15. Kh2 Kb7 16. g3 Ng6 17. Rfe1 c5 18. Nf3 Bf5 19. Rd2 Rhd8 20. Rde2 Nf8 21.
Ne4 Ne6 22. Bc1 a5 23. Neg5 Bxg5 24. Bxg5 Rd5 25. Be3 a4 26. Nh4 Rxe5 27. f4
Rxe3 28. Rxe3 Bxc2 29. bxa4 Rxa4 30. a3 Nd4 31. Nf3 Bf5 32. Rc1 Be6 33. Nd2 c4
34. g4 hxg4 35. hxg4 Nb3 36. Rc2 Nxd2 37. Rxd2 Bxg4 38. Rg2 Bh5 39. Rxg7 Ra5
40. Kg3 Bg6 41. Rc3 Rc5 42. Rg8 b5 43. Re8 Rd5 44. Kf2 Bd3 45. Ke3 c5 46. Rc1
Rh5 47. Re7+ Kb6 48. Rxf7 Rh3+ 49. Kf2 b4 50. Re1 Rh2+ 51. Kf3 Rh6 52. axb4
cxb4 53. f5 b3 54. Rf8 Kc5 55. f6 Kd4 56. Kf4 Kc3 57. Ke5 Rh5+ 58. Ke6 Kd2 59.
Rg1 Rh6 60. Rd8 b2 61. Ke7 Rh7+ 62. f7 c3 63. Rg2+ Ke3 64. Rb8 Bc4 65. Rbxb2
Rxf7+ 66. Kd6 cxb2 67. Rxb2 Kd4 68. Rd2+ Bd3 69. Rd1 Rf6+ 70. Ke7 Ra6 71. Kd7
Ke4 72. Ke7 Bb5 73. Rc1 Kd5 74. Rd1+ Ke5 75. Re1+ Kf5 76. Re3 Bc6 77. Re1 Be4
78. Rf1+ Ke5 79. Re1 Ra7+ 80. Ke8 Kd5 81. Kf8 Bf5 82. Re7 Ra6 83. Re1 Be4 84.
Re2 Re6 85. Ra2 Ke5 86. Ra7 Rb6 87. Re7+ Kf4 88. Ra7 Bd5 89. Rc7 Ke5 90. Ke7
Rh6 91. Kd8 Bc6 92. Re7+ Kd5 93. Rg7 Re6 94. Kc7 Kc5 95. Rg5+ Bd5 96. Rg7 Ra6
97. Kd8 Kd6 98. Rd7+ Ke5 99. Rc7 Ra5 100. Re7+ Be6 101. Rb7 Rc5 102. Ke7 Rc1
103. Ra7 Bc8 104. Ra5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Bxd2+ 5. Qxd2 d5 {This apparently
simplistic way of playing used to be a specialty of Ulf Andersson, a
completely different kind of player from Carlsen.} 6. Nc3 ({The typical way of
meeting any Bogo-Indian setup is based on the kingside fianchetto; Carlsen had
some recent experience against it, though.} 6. g3 O-O 7. Bg2 Nbd7 8. O-O c6 9.
Rc1 b6 10. cxd5 (10. b4 {Topalov,V (2803)-Carlsen,M (2826)/Nanjing 2010/CBM
139/[Edouard,R] (0-1, 33)}) 10... cxd5 11. Nc3 (11. Na3 {Kramnik,V (2784)
-Carlsen,M (2814)/Wijk aan Zee 2011/CBM 141/[Moradiabadi/Karsten Mueller] (0-1,
85)}) 11... Ba6 {Wang Yue (2732)-Carlsen,M (2826)/Nanjing 2010/CBM 139/
[Edouard,R] (1/2, 28)}) 6... O-O 7. e3 {Before moving forward, I find it
useful to relate the position to some refefrence points from well settled
theory. In the Orthodox lines of the Queen's Gambit, Black frequently aims to
exchange the dark-squared bishops, in order to get some space for the queen
and release the pressure against the f6-knight. Two classical ways of
achieving that are the Capablanca System (...dxc4 followed by ...Nd5) and he
Lasker System (...Ne4).. From this point of view, I find some positive aspects
in the Bogo setup: Black exchanges the bishops without the need to give up the
tension in the centre with ...dxc4 or moving for the second time with an
already developed knight.} Qe7 {The perfect square for the queen in many
Bogo-Indian lines.} 8. Rc1 Rd8 {This way of putting pressure on the white
centre is reminsicent to some extent of one of the plans in the Lasker System.}
9. Qc2 ({Deviating from an earlier Carlsen game:} 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bd3 Nc6 {
An useful preparation for ...Ne4.} (10... Ne4 11. Qc2 $14) 11. Bb5 (11. O-O Ne4
12. Qe2 Bg4) (11. a3 {is too slow: after having taken the e5-square under
control, Black can develop his initiative with} Bg4) 11... Rd6 {Somewhat
similar to one of the Lasker System variations, successfully used by Yusupov
during his candidates match against Karpov, ages ago.} 12. Bxc6 Rxc6 13. Ne5
Re6 14. f3 b6 15. O-O Bb7 16. Rfe1 h6 17. Ne2 c5 18. Nf4 Rd6 19. dxc5 bxc5 20.
Ned3 c4 21. Nb4 Rad8 22. Nc2 Nd7 23. Nd4 Ne5 $132 {Bacrot,E (2713)-Carlsen,M 
(2837)/Biel 2012/CBM 150 (1/2, 56)}) 9... a6 $5 {Resorting to a basic idea
from other Queen's Gambit setups than those mentioned above. Black prepares
the queenside expansion with ...b5 and ...c5, waiting with ...dxc4 until White
has spent a tempo on developing his bishop.} (9... Nbd7 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Bd3
Nf8 12. O-O {The position is typical for the Karlsbad/Exchange Variation of
the Queen's Gambit. The previous exchange of the bishops ensures Black some
freedom of action for his major pieces. It is interesting to follow the
harmonious regrouping of two great modern/classic players of completely
different style.} Ng6 (12... c6 13. a3 Ng6 14. h3 Rd6 15. Rfe1 Bd7 16. Nd2 Re8
$11 {Van der Sterren,P (2470)-Andersson,U (2605)/Wijk aan Zee 1988/CBM 005 
(0-1, 40)}) 13. Ne2 c6 14. Ng3 Re8 15. Qc5 Qd8 16. Nd2 Nh4 17. b4 a6 18. a4 Bd7
19. Rb1 Ng4 20. Qc2 g6 21. b5 axb5 22. axb5 h5 23. bxc6 bxc6 24. Rfe1 Qf6 {
One can feel the kingside pressure already.} 25. Ndf1 {Ironically, this knight
does not only fail to defend the king, but it also takes away an important
square from the king and bishop.} (25. Nb3 Nxg2 $1 26. Kxg2 h4 27. Nc5 Bc8 {
Retreating with the knight leads to disaster after ...h3!+, but} 28. Qe2 Kg7 {
/\...Rh8 does not spare White problems, either. Once again, stepping back is
bad:} 29. Nf1 h3+ 30. Kg1 Ra2 $1 31. Nd2 Qd6 $19) 25... Ra3 26. Re2 c5 $1 {
Excellent! White cannot defend both wings properly.} 27. dxc5 Ne5 28. Bb5 $2
Qf3 $3 {0-1 Andruet,G (2450)-Spassky,B (2565)/Germany 1988/GER-chT} 29. gxf3
Nexf3+ 30. Kh1 Bh3 $1 {/\...Bg2# What a shock! The f1-knight is Black's best
friend. One move earlier, it prevented Kf1, now it does not allow the defence
Bf1.}) ({In practice, White has failed to prove anything convincing after the
simplistic} 9... dxc4 10. Bxc4 c5 {, but the general feeling is that Black has
not equalised completely at this stage.} 11. O-O Nc6 (11... cxd4 12. Nxd4 Bd7
13. Rfd1 Nc6 14. Bb5 Rac8 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Bxc6 Rxc6 17. Rxd8+ Qxd8 18. Rd1 {
1/2 Andersson,U (2640)-Spassky,B (2605)/Tilburg 1983/MCD} Qb8 19. Qd3 Rc8 20.
h3 {1/2 Chernin,A (2565)-Spassky,B (2620)/Reggio Emilia 1986/CBM 004}) (11...
Nbd7 12. Rfd1 cxd4 13. Rxd4 Nb6 14. Rxd8+ Qxd8 15. Bb5 Bd7 $11 {Akobian,V 
(2622)-Ghaem Maghami,E (2572)/Al Ain 2012/CBM 152 (1/2, 30)}) 12. dxc5 Qxc5 13.
Ne4 Qe7 14. a3 Bd7 15. Bd3 (15. Rfd1 Be8 {1/2 Vaganian,R (2630)-Karpov,A (2700)
/London 1984/MCL}) 15... h6 16. b4 Rac8 {Nikolic,P (2540)-Andersson,U (2640)/
Niksic 1983/MCD (0-1, 39)}) 10. a3 (10. cxd5 exd5 11. Bd3 {can again be met
with} Nc6 $5 12. Be2 Bg4 (12... g6 $5) 13. O-O Ne4 14. h3 Bh5 15. Ne5 Nb4 16.
Qd1 Bxe2 17. Qxe2 f6 18. Nf3 Rd7 19. a3 Nc6 20. b4 Nxc3 21. Rxc3 Na7 22. Rc5
Nc8 23. Rfc1 c6 24. a4 Nd6 {Akobian,V (2621)-Krush,I (2461)/Philadelphia 2012/
CBM 147 Extra (1/2, 44). After the knight has reached d6, only Black can be
better. Compare with the famous Portisch-Kasparov Skelleftea 1989 and
Bobotsov-Petrosian Lugano (ol) 1968 games.}) 10... Nbd7 11. Be2 $6 $146 {
This does not make any effort to cross Black's plans.} (11. h3 {is only a
little bit better, because h2-h3 does not change anything essentially.} dxc4
12. Bxc4 c5 13. O-O b5 14. Ba2 (14. Be2 {would almost transpose to the main
game.}) 14... Bb7 15. Qe2 cxd4 16. exd4 Nb6 $11 {Mukhaev,A (2315)-Kholmov,R 
(2465)/Moscow 1997/EXT 2000 (1/2, 50)}) ({Probably this is a good moment to
exchange on d5, since the insertion of ...a6 and a3 may favour White
strategically.} 11. cxd5 exd5 12. Na4 $5 (12. Bd3 c5 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. O-O Bg4
15. Nd4 Rac8 {may offer Black some dynamic compensation for the isolani with a
supposedly bad bishop.}) 12... c6 13. Bd3 Ne4 14. O-O Re8 15. b4 {[%csl Rb6]
[%cal Ga4c5,Gf3d2]}) 11... dxc4 12. Bxc4 c5 13. Be2 b5 14. dxc5 Qxc5 15. b4 Qe7
16. O-O Bb7 {Black has equalised completely; in fact, White's position has
somewhat lost flexibility, which explains why Aronian decides to force drawish
exchanges.} 17. a4 $11 (17. Rfd1 Rac8 18. Qb3 Bxf3 19. Bxf3 Ne5 {[%csl Gc4] is
the typical neutral course which could favour only Black.}) 17... Qxb4 18. axb5
axb5 19. Qb1 Qxb1 20. Rxb1 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Rab8 22. Nxb5 Ne5 23. Nd4 Nxf3+ 24.
Nxf3 Rxb1 25. Rxb1 h6 26. h3 g5 27. g4 Kg7 28. Kg2 Rd7 29. Rb2 Rc7 30. Nd4 Nd5
31. Rc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A35"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Qb3 Nxc3 9. Bc4 Nd5 10. Bxd5 e6 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 12. O-O Be7 $5 {Gelfand's
specialty.} ({The main line is} 12... Qd5 {, although play can transpose, of
course.}) 13. Be3 $146 (13. Bf4 Qd5 14. Qxd5 cxd5 15. Ne5 f6 16. Nc6 Bd7 17.
Rfc1 g5 18. Bg3 h5 19. h4 gxh4 20. Bxh4 Bxc6 21. Rxc6 Kd7 22. Rac1 Rhc8 {
Jakovenko,D (2732)-Gelfand,B (2736)/Eilat 2012/CBM 151 (1/2, 50)}) 13... Qd5
14. Rfc1 Qxb3 15. axb3 Bb7 16. Ne5 O-O 17. Ra4 Rfd8 18. Nc4 Bf6 19. Na5 Rd7 20.
Rb4 Ba6 21. Nxc6 Rb7 22. h3 Kg7 23. Rxb7 Bxb7 24. Ne5 Bd8 25. b4 $14 {/=} Rc8
$2 26. Bh6+ $1 Kg8 (26... Kf6 27. Bg5+ $1) 27. Rxc8 Bxc8 28. Nc6 Bf6 29. b5 Bd7
30. g4 {Black is in big trouble. There is not enough space for his f6-bishop
on the long diagonal (...Bh8 would allow mate with Ne7#) and the a7-pawn is in
danger.} g5 (30... a6 31. g5 axb5 32. Nb8 $18) 31. h4 gxh4 32. g5 Bxc6 (32...
Bg7 33. Bxg7 Kxg7 34. Nxa7 $18 {After the exchange of bishops, there is no
longer any need to keep the d4-pawn defended.}) 33. bxc6 Bd8 34. Kg2 Bc7 35.
Kh3 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A47"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6 3. Nd2 c5 4. e3 b6 5. Ngf3 Bb7 6. c3 Be7 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Bxf6
Bxf6 9. h4 Nc6 10. Ng5 g6 11. f4 Ne7 12. Qg4 h5 13. Qh3 cxd4 14. exd4 b5 15. a3
Qb6 16. Rg1 Nd5 17. Nge4 Bg7 18. Qf3 b4 19. axb4 Nxb4 20. Nc4 Qb5 21. Ne5 Nxd3+
22. Nxd3 Qf5 23. Ndc5 Bc6 24. b4 Rfb8 25. Ra5 a6 26. Qe3 Qg4 27. g3 Rb5 28.
Rxa6 Rxa6 29. Nxa6 e5 30. dxe5 Bxe4 31. c4 Rb6 32. Qxb6 Qf3 33. Qf2 Qa3 34. Nc5
{time} 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D22"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 a6 4. e3 b5 {A rare system, however, quite playable.
} 5. a4 Bb7 6. b3 e6 7. bxc4 (7. axb5 axb5 8. Rxa8 Bxa8 {leads to big
simplifications.}) 7... bxc4 8. Bxc4 Nf6 9. Nbd2 {White tries to get Ra1-b1 as
soon as possible.} (9. O-O {is more common, however, after} c5 {Black should
not have big problems:} 10. Ba3 (10. Nbd2 cxd4 $5) 10... Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Be7 (
11... cxd4 12. Bxf8 Nxf8 13. Nxd4 N8d7 $5) 12. Rb1 Ra7 (12... Bc6 $5 13. Qc2
O-O 14. Rfc1 {1-0 (26) Hecht,H (2347)-Seyfried,C (2160) St Denis 2012} Bxf3 $1
15. Nxf3 cxd4 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Nxd4 Rfc8 $11) 13. Nb3 (13. Ne5 $5 Ba8 $1 (
13... O-O 14. Rxb7 $1 Rxb7 15. Nc6 Qe8 16. Bxa6 Rc7 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Nb3 $36)
14. Ndf3) 13... O-O (13... Ne4 14. Rc1 O-O 15. Bd3 cxd4 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Nfxd4
$14 {[%csl Re4] 1/2 (43) Kraemer,M (2516)-Heberla,B (2534) Germany 2010}) 14.
Nxc5 Nxc5 15. dxc5 Nd7 $1 $11) 9... Nbd7 (9... c5 10. Rb1 (10. Ba3 cxd4 11.
Bxf8 Kxf8 12. exd4 g6 13. O-O Kg7 14. Rb1 Bd5 15. Qe2 {1/2 (44) David,A (2589)
-Vajda,S (2342) Bastia 2010} Nc6 $11 16. Bxa6 $140 Bxf3 17. Nxf3 Nxd4) 10...
Qc7 (10... Bc6 $5) 11. Bb2 (11. Ba3 $5) 11... Nbd7 12. O-O Be7 13. Qc2 O-O 14.
Rfc1 Rfc8 15. Ba3 Bf8 16. Qd3 $14 {1-0 (30) Pjevovic,B (2265)-Bakic,R (2403)
Belgrade 2005}) (9... Be7 10. Rb1 $1) (9... Bb4 $5 10. O-O O-O 11. Bb2 c5 12.
Nb3 {1/2 (12) Lastin,A (2659)-Bezgodov,A (2490) Moscow 2010}) 10. Rb1 Rb8 (
10... Ra7 {is less appropriate. The position, with all the pieces on the board,
remains complex, and the a7-rook will be misplaced and vulnerable:} 11. O-O c5
(11... Be7 12. Qe2 c5 13. Bb2 O-O 14. Rfc1 h6 15. Bd3 Re8 16. e4 Bc6 17. Nb3
Bxa4 18. Nxc5 Nxc5 19. dxc5 Qa8 20. Ne5 $14 {1/2 (23) Kuljasevic,D (2555)
-Doric,D (2491) Split 2011}) 12. Bb2 Be7 13. dxc5 $5 Nxc5 14. Bd4 O-O {1/2 (37)
Karjakin,S (2785)-Dubov,D (2594) Moscow 2012} 15. Nb3 Qc8 16. Ne5 $36) 11. O-O
Be7 $146 (11... Bd6 $6 12. Qe2 Bc6 13. Rxb8 Qxb8 14. e4 e5 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16.
Nxe5 Bxe5 17. Nf3 Nd7 18. Bxf7+ $1 Ke7 19. Qc4 Qf8 20. Nxe5 Nxe5 21. Qe6+ {
1-0 (21) Arabidze,M (2292)-Bezgodova,M (2195) Thessaloniki 2010}) 12. Qe2 O-O
$1 {[%mdl 516] Black sacrifices the a6-pawn, ready to recapture it on a4.} 13.
Bb2 (13. Bxa6 {requires analysis but the first impression is that Black
obtains good counterplay:} Bxa6 14. Qxa6 Rxb1 15. Nxb1 Qa8 16. Qc4 c5 {[%cal
Rd7b6]} 17. Nc3 cxd4 18. Qxd4 Rb8 $44) 13... c5 14. Bxa6 Bxa6 15. Qxa6 Ra8 16.
Qb5 Ra5 17. Qb3 (17. Qc6 Qc8 (17... Qa8 $143 18. Qxa8 Rfxa8 19. dxc5 $1 Bxc5
20. Bxf6 gxf6 21. Rb7 {M.Golubev}) 18. Qxc8 Rxc8 19. dxc5 (19. Ra1 Rca8) 19...
Rxa4 $11) 17... Qa8 18. Ra1 Rb8 19. Qc2 cxd4 20. Nxd4 Rc8 21. Qb1 Rxa4 $11 22.
Rxa4 Qxa4 23. Rc1 Qa6 24. Rxc8+ Qxc8 25. h3 h6 26. Qc2 Qxc2 27. Nxc2 Nd5 28.
Ba3 Bxa3 29. Nxa3 Nc5 30. Nc2 Kf8 31. Kf1 {Is the simple opining plan
demonstrated by Black enough for equality?} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "144"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 {Although Kramnik is possibly the best prepared player
from the elite, even he occasionally avoids highly topical theory, shifting
the focus of the fight for the advantage form the opening to the early
middlegame. The Reti opening with its unhurried manoeuvring play is well
suited for this purpose. Annotating this game, I watched the following effort
online:} (2... c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. O-O Nd7 5. d3 Ngf6 6. Qe1 e5 7. e4 dxe4 8. dxe4
Bd6 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. h3 Bh5 11. Nc4 Bc7 12. a4 Re8 13. Nh4 Nc5 14. Nf5 Ne6 15.
Be3 Nf4 16. f3 $1 Nxg2 17. Kxg2 Bg6 18. Rd1 Nd5 19. Nh4 Nxe3+ 20. Qxe3 Qe7 21.
Qb3 Rab8 22. Rf2 Red8 23. Rxd8+ Bxd8 24. Rd2 Bc7 25. Rd3 Qe6 26. Qb4 b6 27. b3
a6 28. Qd2 b5 29. Rd7 $1 $36 {Kramnik,V (2801)-Vitiugov,N (2712)/Alekhine mem
Paris/St Petersburg/2013/}) 3. Bg2 e6 4. c4 c6 5. O-O Nf6 6. cxd5 Bxf3 {
A somewhat surprisingly modest choice, Aronian parts with his bishop just to
keep the position symmetrical.} ({The more usual} 6... exd5 {is also more
enterprising. The position remains roughly equal, but both sides have more
chances to disrupt the balance. After} 7. d3 Nbd7 {we have tranposed into
Carlsen-Karjakin, Wijk 2013:} 8. Qc2 Be7 9. Nc3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 d4 11. Ne4 O-O
12. Nxf6+ Nxf6 13. Bd2 a5 14. a3 Nd5 15. Rab1 Qd7 16. Rfc1 Rfe8 17. Qc4 Nc7 18.
h4 a4 19. Bb4 Nb5 20. Kg2 h6 21. Bc5 g6 22. Qb4 Bf6 23. Qd2 Kg7 24. Rc4 $14 {
/=, Carlsen,M (2861)-Karjakin,S (2780)/Wijk aan Zee/2013/ In the end White won
after a long fight, when Black in an endangered position missed a draw on move
68 - see the notes by Marin in CBM 153.}) (6... cxd5 {is the least played
alternative. Although the bishop will be missed on the queenside, even here
White's edge is at best only minimal:} 7. Ne5 (7. Qb3 Bxf3 8. Bxf3 Qd7 9. Nc3
Nc6 10. Bg2 Be7 11. d3 O-O 12. Bd2 Rac8 13. Rfc1 Rfd8 14. Qd1 h6 15. a3 Bd6 16.
b4 Be5 17. Rab1 Ne8 18. Na4 b6 19. e3 Nd6 20. Qb3 Ne7 21. Nb2 Rxc1+ 22. Rxc1
Rc8 23. Rxc8+ Nexc8 24. d4 Bf6 25. a4 Qc7 26. b5 Be7 27. Qc3 $11 {/+/=,
Anastasian,A (2545)-Seirawan,Y (2630)/Groningen/1997/}) 7... Bh5 (7... Bf5 8.
Qb3 Nbd7 9. Nxd7 Qxd7 10. Nc3 Be7 11. d3 $5 (11. d4 O-O 12. a4 Rac8 13. Bd2 Rc4
14. e3 Rfc8 15. Rfc1 a6 16. a5 {Hausrath,D (2519)-Fressinet,L (2667)/Biel/2009/
} Ne8 $15) 11... Bg6 12. e4 d4 13. Ne2 $13 {/+/=}) 8. Nc3 (8. Qa4+ Nbd7 9. Nc3
a6 10. Nxd7 Qxd7 11. Qxd7+ Kxd7 12. Re1 Rc8 13. b3 Bd6 14. Bb2 Bg6 15. Rec1 Rc6
16. Nd1 Rhc8 17. d3 Rc2 18. Kf1 Bh5 19. f3 Bb4 20. Rxc2 Rxc2 21. Rc1 Rxc1 $11 {
1/2, Pigusov,E (2575)-Georgiev,K (2675)/New York/1998/}) 8... Bd6 9. d4 O-O 10.
h3 (10. Bf4 Bxe5 11. dxe5 Nfd7 12. Qb3 Nc6 13. Qxb7 Ndxe5 14. Qa6 Rb8 15. b3
Qe7 16. Rac1 Rfd8 17. Rfe1 Rb6 18. Qa4 f6 $13 {1/2, Romanishin,O (2555)
-Epishin,V (2465)/New York/1989/}) 10... Nc6 11. g4 Bg6 12. Nxg6 hxg6 13. e3
Rc8 (13... g5 $5 $13) 14. Bd2 Bb8 15. f4 a6 16. Rc1 Qd6 17. g5 Nd7 18. h4 Ne7
19. Rf3 Nf5 20. Rh3 b5 21. h5 b4 22. Ne2 $14 {Baklan,V (2590)-Grund,H (2480)/
Schwaebisch Gmuend/2000/}) 7. Bxf3 cxd5 (7... exd5 {is not too logical now,
although the position still bears a resemblance to the aforementioned
Carlsen-Karjakin game:} 8. d3 Nbd7 9. Bf4 Nc5 10. b4 Ne6 11. Bd2 Be7 12. a4 O-O
13. Na3 a6 14. e3 Qd7 15. Bg2 Nc7 16. Nc2 Nfe8 17. Bc3 Rd8 18. Qe2 f5 19. Bh3
Nd6 20. Rad1 Bf6 21. Bd4 Bxd4 22. Nxd4 Ne6 23. Qb2 Nxd4 24. Qxd4 Qe7 $11 {
Loginov,V (2540)-Vaganian,R (2590)/Manila olm/1992/}) 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. d4 {
Occupies space, but makes the pawn structure more rigid, which should favour
the side with the knights.} ({Thus White often prefers} 9. d3 {This leads to a
manoeuvring struggle, where White's main potential trump are his bishops.
However, with circumpsect play Black should be able to retain the balance:} Be7
(9... Bc5 10. Bd2 O-O 11. Rc1 Rc8 12. Bg2 Qe7 13. a3 a6 14. b4 Bd4 15. e3 Ba7
16. Ne2 Rc7 17. Qb3 Rfc8 18. h3 Qd8 19. Rfd1 h6 20. Qb2 b5 21. Be1 Bb6 22. Kh2
Nb8 23. Bc3 Nbd7 24. Qa1 Qe7 25. Nd4 Bxd4 26. Bxd4 $14 {Movsesian,S (2659)
-Gyimesi,Z (2531)/Pula/1999/}) 10. Bg2 (10. Qa4 O-O 11. Bf4 a6 12. Rac1 Qd7 13.
Bg2 h6 14. e4 $6 d4 15. e5 dxc3 16. exf6 Bxf6 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. bxc3 Qxd3 19.
Qxc6 Rfc8 20. Qb7 Qb5 $15 {Harika,D (2514)-Eljanov,P (2678)/Moscow rpd/2013/})
(10. a3 O-O 11. Bg2 Qd7 12. Bd2 Rab8 13. Rc1 b5 14. Bf4 Bd6 15. Bg5 b4 16. Bxf6
gxf6 17. axb4 Nxb4 18. e4 dxe4 19. Nxe4 Be7 20. d4 Rfd8 21. Qg4+ Kh8 {Aronian,
L (2502)-Beliavsky,A (2650)/Portoroz/1999/} 22. Qh5 f5 23. Ng5 Bxg5 24. Qxg5
Qxd4 25. Rc7 Rd7 26. Rxd7 Qxd7 27. Qf6+ Kg8 28. Qg5+ Kf8 29. Qh6+ $11) 10...
O-O 11. Bd2 Rc8 (11... Nd7 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. a3 a6 14. b4 b5 15. e4 dxe4 16. Nxe4
Nb6 17. Bc3 f5 $6 (17... Nd4 $142 $1 $13) 18. Nc5 Bxc5 19. bxc5 Na4 20. Ba1 $36
{Akopian,V (2660)-Vaganian,R (2640)/Groningen/1997/}) 12. a3 (12. h3 a6 13. f4
$6 d4 14. Ne4 Qb6 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Rb1 Ne7 17. Qa4 Nf5 18. Ba5 Qa7 19. Kh2
Ne3 20. Rfc1 b5 21. Qb3 {Bocharov,D (2620)-Jakovenko,D (2741)/Novosibirsk/2012/
} e5 $36) 12... a6 13. b4 Nd7 14. Qb3 Nd4 15. Qa2 Bf6 16. Rac1 Ne5 17. Kh1 h5
18. f4 Ng4 19. e4 dxe4 20. Nxe4 (20. dxe4 Nb3 $1 $36) 20... Rxc1 21. Bxc1 Be7
22. h3 Nf6 $11 {/=/+, McShane,L (2664)-Fressinet,L (2707)/Wijk aan Zee/2011/})
9... Be7 10. e3 O-O 11. Bd2 {Caruana,F (2757)-Gelfand,B (2740) Zurich Chess
Challenge 2013 (6) 1-0 We have reached a position, which is suprisingly
similar to the Catalan from Caruana-Gelfand, Zurich 2013. For details about
this game see the notes in CBM 2013.} Qb8 $146 {Black uses a new and quite 
(over)ambitious setup.} ({Until now he used to play mainly} 11... Rc8 12. Qe2
a6 (12... Nd7 13. Rfc1 Nb6 14. Be1 Qd7 15. h4 a6 16. h5 Rc7 17. Qd1 Rfc8 18.
Ne2 Nc4 19. b3 Nd6 20. Nf4 Ne8 21. Nd3 Ba3 22. Rcb1 Bf8 23. b4 Nd6 24. Nc5 Qe8
25. a4 Nc4 26. Be2 Nb8 27. e4 b6 28. exd5 exd5 29. Nd3 Nc6 30. Nf4 $13 {
/+/=,Karjakin,S (2775)-Fressinet,L (2700)/Beijing rpd/2012/}) 13. Rfd1 (13. Bg2
{is non-committal and more logical.}) 13... b5 14. a4 $6 (14. Rac1 $142) 14...
b4 15. Na2 Qb6 16. b3 e5 $5 17. Bg2 exd4 18. exd4 Ne4 19. Be3 Na5 20. Qd3 Nc3
21. Nxc3 Rxc3 22. Qf5 {Gabuzyan,H (2500)-Bok,B (2537)/WChJ Maribor/2012/} Qe6
$5 $15) (11... a6 12. Rc1 Ne8 13. Na4 Nd6 14. b3 Ne4 15. Be1 f5 16. Nb2 Rc8 17.
Nd3 Bd6 18. b4 Qe7 19. Rb1 Nb8 20. a4 b6 21. a5 bxa5 $6 (21... b5 {/\} 22. Nc5
Bxc5 23. dxc5 Nc6 $13) 22. bxa5 Nd7 23. Be2 Rb8 24. f3 Nef6 25. Bd2 g5 26. Nf2
{[%csl Ra6]} f4 27. exf4 gxf4 28. g4 h5 29. g5 Ne8 30. h4 $16 {Karjakin,S 
(2775)-Jakovenko,D (2741)/Moscow rpd/2012/}) (11... Qd7 12. Qe2 Rac8 13. Bg2
Bb4 14. Rfc1 Na5 15. a3 Bxc3 16. Rxc3 Rxc3 17. Bxc3 Nb3 18. Rd1 a5 19. f3 b5
20. Bf1 Rb8 21. Qc2 a4 22. Bb4 Ne8 23. Rd3 g6 24. Rc3 $14 {Neckar,L (2337)
-Tichy,V (2260)/CZE-chT/2010/}) 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. Bg2 b5 {This is consistent
with Black's previous two moves, but still quite risky, as it gives White an
opportunity to expand in the centre.} ({However, recommending something like} 
13... Qd6 14. Qe2 h6 $11 {/+/= doesn't make much sense, as Black's queen could
have gone to d6 immedaitely on move 11.}) 14. e4 $1 {Kramnik shifts gear and
starts concrete play in the centre.} b4 (14... dxe4 15. Nxe4 Nd5 16. Nc3 Ncb4
17. Qb3 $36) 15. Bf4 (15. exd5 bxc3 16. Bf4 e5 {is not worth the trouble:} (
16... Qb6 17. dxc6 cxb2 18. Rb1 Nd5 $11) 17. dxe5 (17. dxc6 exf4 (17... cxb2
18. c7 bxc1=Q 19. cxb8=Q Qxd1 20. Qxe5 Qh5 21. Bxa8 Qxe5 22. dxe5 Rxa8 23. exf6
Bxf6 $11) 18. bxc3 $13 {/=/+}) 17... Nxe5 18. d6 Bxd6 19. Rxc3 (19. Bxa8 Qxa8
20. Rxc3 Rxc3 21. Bxe5 Bxe5 $15) 19... Rxc3 (19... Qb6 20. Bxa8 Rxa8 21. Qb3
Qa6 {is also about equal, but keeps more tension in the game.}) 20. bxc3 Qf8
21. Bxa8 Qxa8 22. Qxd6 Nf3+ 23. Kh1 Nd2+ 24. Kg1 $11) 15... Qb6 $8 (15... Qb7
$2 16. Nxd5 exd5 17. exd5 $18) (15... Bd6 $2 16. Nxd5 $1 exd5 17. e5 $18) 16.
Na4 {An enterprising move.} ({We have already mentioned the line} 16. exd5 bxc3
17. dxc6 cxb2 $11 {[%cal Yf6d5] above. After both sides lose their passed
pawns, there is not much fight left on the board.}) (16. Nxd5 exd5 17. exd5 Nd8
(17... Nxd4 18. d6 Bxd6 19. Bxa8 Rxa8 20. Be3 Be5 21. f4 Nd5 22. Bf2 Nxf4 $5 (
22... Bxf4 23. Bxd4 Be3+ 24. Kh1 Bxd4 (24... Qxd4 25. Qf3 {[%cal Rf3f7,Rc1d1]})
25. Qf3 Qb7 (25... Qe6 26. Rcd1 $14) 26. Rcd1 Bxb2 27. Rxd5 $14) 23. gxf4 Qg6+
24. Bg3 (24. Kh1 $4 Qe4+ $19) 24... Bf6 $44 {[%cal Yg6e4,Ya8d8,Yh7h4]} 25. f5
Nxf5 26. Qd5 Bd4+ 27. Kh1 Nxg3+ 28. hxg3 Qh6+ 29. Kg2 Qd2+ 30. Kh3 (30. Kf3
Qd3+ 31. Kg4 Qg6+ $11) 30... Qh6+ $11 (30... Rf8 $4 31. Qxf7+ $1 $18)) 18. d6
Bxd6 19. Bxa8 Rxa8 20. Be5 Ne8 21. Qf3 Rb8 22. Qd5 Bxe5 23. dxe5 Ne6 $13) 16...
Qa5 (16... Qxd4 $4 17. Rxc6 Qxd1 18. Rxc8+ $18) 17. e5 (17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Re1
Bf8 $11) 17... Nd7 {[%cal Rc6d4]} 18. Be3 {[%cal Yf2f5]} Nb6 {White fixes his
sights on the kingside, so Aronian seeks immediate counterplay.} 19. Nxb6 $8 (
19. Nc5 Nc4 ({or} 19... Bxc5 {can be better only for Black.})) 19... axb6 {
The consistent recapture, keeping the a2-pawn under attack.} (19... Qxb6 20.
Qd3 (20. f4 $5 $11 {/+/=}) 20... Rc7 21. Rc2 Rac8 22. Rfc1 $11 {/+/=}) 20. f4
$5 {[%mdl 128]} ({Kramnik plays for a direct attack and spurns} 20. Ra1 $11 {
/+/= This is justified and dangerous for Black, as a majority of his pieces is
on the opposite side of the board.}) 20... Qxa2 $6 {Continues in the same
risky vein as from move 11 onwards.} ({A more circumspect try was} 20... g6 21.
Ra1 $5 $14 {[%cal Yg3g4,Yf4f5,Yf1f2,Yg2f1,Yf1d3] keeps an edge, but it's not
without counterplay after} (21. g4 $6 Qxa2 22. f5 Qxb2 {is too optimistic,
contrary to the game White's queen doesn't have the g4 square and his attack
seems too slow after} 23. Rc2 Qa3 24. Qf3 Nd8 {[%csl Gb4][%cal Yb4b1]} 25. Rcf2
Qc3 $1 $19 {[%cal Ya8a1]}) (21. f5 gxf5 (21... exf5 $2 22. Qb3 $16 {[%csl Rd5]}
) 22. g4 f4 $1 {[]} (22... Qxa2 $2 23. gxf5 $40) 23. Rxf4 (23. Bxf4 Nxd4 $1 24.
Qxd4 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Bc5 26. Rxc5 bxc5 $15) 23... Bg5 (23... Qxa2) 24. Rf3 (24.
Qf3 Qxa2 $5 25. Rf1 Qb3 $1 26. h4 Bxf4 27. Qxf4 Nd8 $17) 24... Bxe3+ 25. Rxe3
Ne7 $13 (25... Qxa2 26. Qd2 $44)) 21... Qa7 $5 22. g4 b5 {[%cal Ye7d8,Yd8b6]})
21. f5 $36 exf5 ({Here} 21... Qxb2 $2 {loses practically on the spot after} 22.
fxe6 fxe6 23. Qg4 (23. Bh3 Nd8 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Qa4 $1 $18) 23... Nd8 (23...
Nxd4 24. Bxd4 Qxc1 25. Qxe6+ Kh8 26. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 27. Kf2 Rf8+ 28. Ke2 $18) 24.
Bh6 Bf8 (24... g6 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Qf4 $18 {[%cal Rf4f8]}) 25. Bxd5 $1 (25.
Rxf8+ $2 Kxf8 26. Qxg7+ Ke8 27. Rf1 Qxd4+ 28. Kh1 Ra1 $11 {and there is no
mate in sight, so White ashould give one of the numerous perpetuals.}) 25...
exd5 (25... Rxc1 26. Bxc1 Qa1 27. Qf3 $18) 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27. Qxc8 Qxd4+ (27...
Be7 28. Qd7 $18) 28. Kg2 Qc5 (28... Qe4+ 29. Kh3 $18) 29. Qxd8 gxh6 30. e6 b3 (
30... Qc2+ 31. Kh3 $18) 31. Rxf8+ Qxf8 32. e7 $18) (21... Nd8 22. fxe6 Nxe6 23.
Qf3 $16 {[%csl Rd5,Rf7] regains the pawn with a large advantage, so the text
move is forced.}) 22. b3 $1 ({White rightly strives for more than} 22. Rxf5 Nd8
$1 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 $132) 22... Qa5 $2 {[%mdl 64] A serious error, which could
have run into a hidden tactical refutation.} (22... Nd8 $142 23. Bxd5 Rxc1 24.
Qxc1 Ra5 25. Bc4 $36 (25. Qc7 $6 Rxd5 26. Qxe7 h6 {gives White nothing, only
Black can be on top after} 27. Qxb4 Qc2 $15) {/\} 25... b5 26. Bd5 {gives
White a very promising position, but still not a forced win.}) 23. Qf3 Nd8 24.
Qxd5 $2 {Kramnik returns the favour.} (24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Qxf5 Rc7 (25... Ra8
26. e6 $5 (26. Qd7 $16) 26... fxe6 27. Qh5 $40 {/\} Qb5 28. Be4 $1 $18) (25...
Qa8 26. Qd7 Qb7 27. Qe8+ ({More forcing than} 27. Qxb7 Nxb7 28. Bxd5 Nd8 29.
Bc4 $16 {[%cal Yf1a1,Yd4d6] /+-}) 27... Bf8 28. Bh3 Ne6 (28... Ra8 29. Bd7 $18
{[%cal Re5e6]}) 29. Rxf7 $1 Rxe8 30. Rxb7 $18 {[%csl Rb6,Rd5]}) 26. e6 $3 fxe6
(26... f6 27. Bxd5 $18) 27. Qh5 Bf8 (27... h6 28. Qg6 $18 {[%cal Re3h6]}) (
27... g6 28. Qe5 Ra7 (28... Rd7 29. Bh3 $18) 29. Bh6 $18) 28. Qe8 Nf7 29. Qxe6
{[%csl Rd5]} Re7 30. Qf5 $5 {[%cal Rg2d5]} (30. Qxd5 Qxd5 31. Bxd5 g6 32. Bg5
$16) 30... g6 31. Qf6 Qb5 (31... Qa7 32. Bxd5 $18) (31... Rd7 32. Qc6 $18) 32.
Bh6 $1 $18) (24. Qxf5 $2 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Ne6 $132) 24... Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Qxd5 26.
Bxd5 Ra5 $44 {/+/= Now White has "only" the initiative and indisputable
compensation, but Aronian retains reasonable drawing chances.} 27. Bf3 (27. Bg2
Ra3 (27... f6 $5 28. exf6 Bxf6 29. d5 Ra1 $14) 28. d5 Rxb3 29. Bxb6 Rc3 30. Rb1
Bc5+ 31. Bxc5 Rxc5 32. Rxb4 Kf8 $14) (27. Bc4 Kf8 28. d5 Bc5 $132) 27... Ra3 $5
(27... f6 {seems safer, but the text move is more concrete.}) 28. Rc8 ({
Black has counterplay also after} 28. Rc7 Rxb3 29. Kf2 Rb2+ 30. Ke1 (30. Be2
Bf8 (30... Kf8 31. d5 Bc5 32. Bxc5+ bxc5 33. Rxc5 $36) (30... b3 31. Bc1 $5)
31. d5 b3 32. Rc3 Bb4 33. Rc4 (33. Rc8 Rxe2+ 34. Kxe2 b2 35. Rxd8+ Bf8 36. e6 (
36. Bc5 h5 37. Rxf8+ Kh7 38. e6 fxe6 39. dxe6 b1=Q 40. e7 Qe4+ $11) 36... fxe6
37. dxe6 b1=Q 38. e7 Qc2+ 39. Ke1 Qb1+ 40. Kf2 Qc2+ $11) 33... Bf8 34. Rc3 $11)
30... Rb1+ 31. Kd2 Rb2+ (31... Kf8 $6 32. d5 Rb2+ 33. Ke1 Rb3 34. Kf2 Bc5 35.
Bxc5+ bxc5 36. d6 {[%cal Rc7c8]} Ke8 37. Be2 $1 $18) 32. Kc1 Rb3 33. Bd2 (33.
Rxe7 Kf8 34. Rd7 Rxe3 35. Rxd8+ Ke7 $11) 33... Rxf3 34. Rxe7 Kf8 35. Rc7 (35.
Bxb4 $2 Nc6 $19) 35... Ne6 36. Bxb4+ Ke8 37. Re7+ Kd8 38. Rxf7 (38. d5 Nc5 39.
Bxc5 Rc3+ $1 40. Kd2 Rxc5 41. d6 h5 $11) 38... Nxd4 39. Rxg7 f4 $11) ({White
could have retracted his previous move with} 28. Bd5 $5 Ra5 29. Bg2) 28... Rxb3
29. Kf2 Rc3 (29... Rb2+ {as in the previous note should also hold, a sample
line is} 30. Be2 b3 31. Rb8 (31. d5 $2 Rxe2+ 32. Kxe2 b2 33. d6 Bf8 $1 $19)
31... Rc2 32. Rxb6 b2 33. d5 h6 34. d6 (34. h4 Ba3 35. Rb8 Rc8 $11) 34... Bg5
35. Bxg5 hxg5 36. Ke3 Rc5 37. Rxb2 (37. Rb8 Rxe5+ 38. Kf2 b1=Q $15) 37... Rxe5+
38. Kd4 Nc6+ 39. Kc4 Na5+ 40. Kc3 Kf8 41. Bf3 Ke8 42. Kd4 Kd7 $5 43. Kxe5 Nc4+
$11) 30. Rb8 b3 31. Rxb6 g5 (31... Rc2+ 32. Be2 b2 $11 {tranposes to the above
note}) (31... f6 $5 32. e6 (32. Rxb3 Rxb3 33. Bd5+ Kf8 34. Bxb3 fxe5 35. dxe5
Nc6 $11) (32. exf6 Rc2+ 33. Kg1 Bxf6 $11) 32... Kf8 33. Bd1 Nxe6 $1 34. Bxb3 (
34. Rxe6 Bd8 35. Rd6 Bc7 36. Rd5 b2 37. Rb5 Rc1) 34... Nd8 $11) 32. Rb8 (32.
Bd1 Nc6 33. Bxb3 (33. Rxb3 Rxb3 34. Bxb3 f4 $11) 33... Nb4 $1 34. Ba4 Nd5 $11)
32... Rc4 $6 $138 {[%mdl 4096] Black in time trouble starts making problems
for himself and the endgame becomes very tense.} (32... Rc2+ $142 33. Ke1 (33.
Be2 b2 34. d5 Kg7 35. d6 Bf8 36. Bxg5 Nc6 37. Rb6 Nxe5 $15) 33... b2 34. Bd1
Rxh2 35. d5 f4 36. gxf4 gxf4 37. Bf2 $8 Rh1+ 38. Kd2 (38. Ke2 $2 f3+) 38... Rh2
$11) 33. d5 Rb4 34. Rxb4 Bxb4 35. Bd1 b2 36. Bc2 Nb7 {Very straightforward,
but perhaps simpler was} (36... Bc3 $5 37. Bxg5 f6 38. exf6 (38. Bxf6 Nf7 39.
Bxf5 Bxe5 40. Bxe5 Nxe5 41. d6 h5 42. Ke2 Kf7 $11) 38... Nf7 39. Bf4 Bxf6 $14 {
/=}) 37. Bxg5 Nc5 38. Bxf5 Na4 $5 (38... Nd7 39. Bf4 (39. e6 fxe6 40. dxe6 Nb6
$132) 39... Bc3 40. e6 fxe6 41. dxe6 Ne5 $14 {might still be tenable, but
proceeding with the risky venture turns out to be justified.}) 39. d6 Nc3 (
39... Nc5 40. Be3 $16) 40. d7 Ba5 41. Ke3 (41. d8=Q+ Bxd8 42. Bxd8 b1=Q 43.
Bxb1 Nxb1 44. Ke3 Nc3 45. Kd4 Na4 {doesn't seem to trap Black's knight and
once it returns to the defence, the fortress holds.}) ({An interesting idea is
} 41. Bd2 $5 b1=Q 42. Bxb1 Bb6+ 43. Kf3 Nxb1 44. Bb4 {, paralysing the knight.
However, I haven't been able to find a win after} Kg7 {, for example} 45. Ke4
Kg6 46. Kd5 Kf5 47. Kc6 Bd8 {doesn't achieve any progress.}) 41... f6 (41...
b1=Q $5 42. Bxb1 Nxb1 {/\} 43. Kd3 Nc3 (43... Na3 $2 44. Be7 Nb5 45. Kc4 Na7
46. Kc5 $18 {[%cal Re7d6,Rd6b8]}) 44. Bd2 Na4 $1 45. Bxa5 Nc5+ $11 {seems
simpler}) 42. Bxf6 (42. exf6 b1=Q 43. Bxb1 Nxb1 44. Kd3 (44. d8=Q+ Bxd8 45. f7+
Kxf7 46. Bxd8 Nc3 $11) 44... Kf7 45. Kc2 (45. Kc4 Bd8 46. Kb4 Bc7 {and White's
king can't penetrate without releasing the knight}) 45... Na3+ 46. Kb3 Nb1 47.
Kb2 Nc3 48. d8=N+ Bxd8 49. Kxc3 Bxf6+ 50. Bxf6 Kxf6 51. Kd4 Kf5 52. h3 Kg5 $11
{is a draw - once White doesn't have a pawn on the second rank, he can't win
even if he manages to penetrate with his king to h6, as Black will be able to
regulate the respective position of the kings. For example in this concrete
situation Kh6/Kg8 with White to move is drawn.}) 42... Nd5+ 43. Kd4 Nxf6 44.
exf6 Kf7 45. Bxh7 (45. Ke5 Bc7+ $11 {White can't hold his f6-pawn, so further
simplification is forced.}) 45... Kxf6 46. Kd5 (46. g4 Ke7 47. Bf5 b1=Q 48.
Bxb1 Kxd7 $11 {is a much simpler draw. In this endgame Black holds even if the
pawns reach h6 and g6 - it's enough for him to achieve one of the following
setups: 1) Kf8 and B on the long diagonal 2) Even Kh8 and Bf8 holds, as Black
has either Kg8-h8, or Bxh6 with stalemate motifs. However, here White can't
get so far, as with the king on h8 Black can give up his bishop for the g-pawn.
}) 46... Ke7 47. Kc6 Kd8 48. g4 (48. h4 $6 Be1 {draws immediately, so White
has to allow a blockade.}) (48. Kd6 Bc7+ 49. Ke6 Bb8 $11) 48... Be1 49. h3 Bh4
50. Kd6 Be7+ 51. Ke6 Bh4 52. Bb1 Kc7 53. Be4 Kd8 54. Bc2 Kc7 55. Bb1 Kd8 56.
Be4 Kc7 57. Bd3 Kd8 58. Kd6 Be7+ 59. Ke6 Bh4 60. Bf5 Kc7 61. Kf7 {Kramnik
accepts the inevitable, otherwise White can't make further progress.} b1=Q $8 (
{Black can't afford to lose a tempo,} 61... Kd8 $2 62. Kg6 b1=Q 63. Bxb1 Kxd7
64. Kh5 Be7 65. g5 Ke6 66. Kg6 (66. g6 Bf8 67. Kg5 Bg7 68. h4 Ke7 69. h5 Kf8
70. Ba2 $22 {[%cal Yg5h6,Yh6h7]}) 66... Ke5 67. h4 Kf4 68. Bf5 $8 Bd8 69. Bc8 (
69. Bd7 Be7 70. Kh6 $2 Kg3 71. g6 Bf8+ 72. Kh5 (72. Kg5 Be7+ 73. Kf5 Bf8 74. h5
Kh4 $11)) 69... Be7 70. Bd7 $22 Bd8 (70... Bf8 71. Kf7) 71. Kh6 Kg3 72. g6 Bf6
73. h5 Kh4 74. Be8 $18) {Nevertheless it's still impressive to see how Aronian
after the preceding long and tough fight reels out about a dozen only moves in
a row to save the game.} 62. Bxb1 Kxd7 63. Ba2 {If it were White's move now,
he would win by improving his bishop and then advancing his pawns.} (63. Kg6
Ke7 64. Kh5 (64. g5 Bxg5 65. Kxg5 Kf7) 64... Bf6 65. h4 Kf8 66. g5 Bc3 67. Kg6
Kg8 68. Ba2+ (68. h5 Bd2 {[%cal Rd2g5]}) 68... Kh8 $8 69. Kf7 Bd4 70. h5 Be3
71. g6 Bh6 $11) 63... Kd6 $1 {[]} 64. Kg6 Ke5 $8 (64... Ke7 $2 65. Kh5 Bf6 66.
g5 Bd4 67. h4 {/\} Bf2 68. g6 $18) 65. Kh5 Be7 $8 (65... Bd8 $2 66. g5 Kf4 67.
g6 Bf6 68. Kh6 $18) 66. g5 (66. h4 Kf4 67. g5 Kg3 68. Bc4 Bf8 $1 {transposes
to the game}) 66... Kf4 $8 67. h4 {[%cal Rh5g6]} (67. g6 Bf8 68. Bb1 Bg7 $11)
67... Kg3 $8 68. Bc4 (68. g6 Bf8 69. Kg5 Be7+ 70. Kf5 Bf8 71. h5 Kh4 $11 {
and from a2 the bishop can't protect the Ph5.}) 68... Bf8 $8 (68... Bd8 $2 69.
g6 Bf6 70. Bf1 Kf4 (70... Bg7 71. Kg5 {[%cal Rh4h6]}) 71. Kh6 Kg4 72. h5 Kh4
73. Be2 $18) 69. Be2 Bg7 $1 {[]} 70. Bc4 Bf8 $8 71. g6 {[%cal Rh5g5,Rh4h6]} Kf4
$1 {[]} 72. Ba2 Bg7 (72... Kf5 73. Bb1+ Kf6 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {A perfectly reasonable way of avoiding
the Berlin line, which is one of the main weapons of Aronian.} Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6.
O-O {A very popular line nowadays.} Re8 $5 {A very logical move. Black's idea
is waiting with d6, first a6 Ba4 b5 and in the event of Bc2, Black can
immediately play d5.} (6... d6 {is the main line.}) 7. Nbd2 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3
(9. Bc2 d5 {as I mentioned before.}) 9... d6 {Now we have transposed to C78
Arkhangelsk d3 line.} 10. Re1 ({A few months ago Aronian had a blitz game with
} 10. h3 Be6 11. Re1 Bb6 12. Nf1 d5 (12... h6 13. Ng3 Bxb3 14. axb3 a5 15. Nh2
Qd7 16. Ng4 Nxg4 17. hxg4 f6 18. Nf5 Ne7 19. Be3 Bxe3 20. Rxe3 d5 $13 {
Dominguez Perez-Karjakin, Moscow blitz 2009}) 13. Qe2 Na5 14. Bc2 dxe4 15. dxe4
Bc4 16. Qd2 Bxf1 17. Rxf1 Qxd2 18. Nxd2 c5 19. Re1 c4 $11 {Fressinet-Aronian,
Beijing blitz 2012}) 10... Be6 11. Nf1 Bxb3 $146 (11... Bb6 12. h3 {transposes
to 10.h3}) 12. axb3 d5 {This type of position can be reached from the Italian
Game with an extra b5. The a6 P looks a little bit weak, but it's not a real
problem for Black.} 13. Qc2 ({In the event of} 13. Bg5 dxe4 14. dxe4 (14. Bxf6
Qxf6 15. Rxe4 Bb6 {Black looks very nicely placed.}) 14... Qxd1 15. Raxd1 Ng4
$11 {Black can equalise easily.}) 13... h6 14. Ng3 (14. b4 {is also
interesting to avoid a5} Bf8 15. Ng3 {but Black has} a5 {with an equal
position.}) 14... a5 {Now Black has gained some space.} 15. h3 Qd7 16. Be3 Bf8
{is a very ambitious move. Aronian doesn't want to exchange, his B is a very
useful defender on f8 and neutralises Nf5.} 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. Nf5 Qe6 19. g4 {
A little bit risky, but the only plan for the attack.} (19. Bc1 {is also
possible, sometimes threatening with exd5. Probably Radjabov wanted to avoid}
dxe4 20. dxe4 Rxd1 21. Rxd1 Rd8 $11 {and Black could equalise without any
problems.}) 19... dxe4 20. dxe4 Ne7 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Ra1 Ra8 23. c4 b4 24. g5
hxg5 25. Nxg5 Qc8 26. Nxe7+ Bxe7 27. Kh2 Ra6 $1 {A very good move. The
powerful R on a6 can go to the kingside at an important moment...} 28. Rg1 Nd7
29. Qe2 Rg6 {and that moment has arrived.} 30. Qh5 Nf6 (30... Nf8 $1 {was the
best move} 31. Nf3 Rxg1 32. Kxg1 f6 $132 {looks good for Black.}) 31. Qf3 Rh6
32. Ne6 ({After} 32. Nxf7 $5 {White can force a draw} Kxf7 33. Bxh6 gxh6 34.
Qg3 Qd7 35. Qg6+ Ke6 36. Qf5+ Kf7 37. Qg6+ {with perpetual check.}) (32. Ra1 $5
{an unexpected decision, the R suddenly leaves the queenside and attacks
Black's weakest pawn.}) 32... Rh7 33. Ng5 Rh4 {Black is avoiding the
repetition of moves.} 34. Rg2 $6 (34. Ra1 $142 {is also preferable here, just
like two moves before.}) 34... Qd7 35. Rg1 {White tries to hold his position.}
g6 36. Bc1 $6 (36. Ra1 Qd8 $1 37. Rxa5 {a very complicated battle arises after}
Ng4+ $1 38. Kg3 Bxg5 39. Rd5 $1 Bf4+ $1 40. Bxf4 Qf6 $1 41. hxg4 exf4+ 42. Kg2
Kg7 $132 {with strong counterplay for the pawn.}) 36... Qe8 37. Be3 a4 $1 {
Black has protected his king's position so now he can start the breakthrough.}
38. bxa4 Qxa4 39. Bc1 b3 (39... Qc2 {was also strong} 40. b3 Kg7 $15) 40. Qg3
Rh5 41. Qd3 Qc6 42. Be3 Rh4 43. Kg3 Rh8 44. Kh2 Kg7 {Black improves his pieces.
} 45. c5 Qa4 46. Qc3 Re8 47. Qd3 $6 (47. Qxe5 $4 Bd6 $19) ({Maybe} 47. Re1 {
was the best defence.}) 47... Rd8 48. Qc3 Qb5 49. Kg2 (49. Ra1 Rd3 50. Qa5 Qd7
$15) 49... Rd3 $1 50. Qc1 $6 (50. Qxe5 Bd6 $1 51. Ne6+ $1 fxe6 52. Qg5 Rxe3 $1
53. Qxe3 Qxc5 54. Qxc5 Bxc5 55. Rc1 Bd6 $15 {also gives good chances for Black.
}) 50... Nh5 (50... Nd7 $1 {was stronger, but the text move is also very
unpleasant for White.}) 51. Nf3 Qb4 52. Qe1 Qa4 53. Nxe5 $2 {Loses immediately.
} ({After} 53. Qe2 {the fight can continue, but in a practical game it's very
difficult to hold for White.}) 53... Qxe4+ 54. Nf3 Nf4+ 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E18"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Bd2
Bf6 9. Ne5 $5 {Not really a new move, it had been played almost 30 years ago
in a correspondence game. It came into the limelight only recently, though,
and Aronian had used it last year to get an advantage against Carlsen. So,
hardly a surprise for Grischuk in this game.} (9. Qc2 Nxd2 10. Qxd2 d6 11. Rfd1
Nd7 {Vallejo Pons,F (2629)-Ponomariov,R (2734)/Linares 2003/CBM 094/[Ftacnik] 
(0-1, 53)}) (9. Rc1 {Kasparov,G (2847)-Ponomariov,R (2734)/Linares 2003/CBM
094/[Ftacnik] (1-0, 43)}) 9... Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Bxg2 11. Kxg2 {After a few more
or less forced exchanges, White retains a considerable space advantage and
active pieces. The main question is whether the central knight will prove
effective or just cause problems of stability.} c5 {The most logical way to
question the stability of the knight in the centre.} (11... d6 12. Ng4 ({
Just one week after the main game, White tried:} 12. Nf3 d5 $6 13. Qd3 a5 14.
e4 c6 15. cxd5 exd5 16. e5 Be7 17. h4 c5 18. Ng5 $14 {Wirig,A (2490)-Gajewski,
G (2650)/Deizisau 2013/ (1-0, 65)}) 12... Nd7 13. Qc2 Re8 14. e4 e5 15. d5 g6
$6 {This weakens the dark squares without any reason.} (15... h5 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6
17. f4 Qh6 18. f5 h4 $5 $132) 16. Nxf6+ (16. f4 $5) 16... Qxf6 17. f4 Qg7 18.
b4 $16 {Steigerwald,L-Timar,Z/HUN-ch H488 corr 1984/Corr 2000 (1/2, 35)}) (
11... Bxe5 12. dxe5 Nc6 {is too simplistic to solve Black's problems.} 13. Qd3
d6 14. exd6 Qxd6 15. Qxd6 cxd6 16. Rfd1 $14 {L'Ami,E (2620)-Brunello,S (2488)/
Bratto 2010/CBM 138 Extra (1/2, 74)}) (11... d5 {is the most frequent answer,
but it seems that White has better chances to stabilise in the centre.} 12. Ng4
(12. Qa4 Qe8 13. Qxe8 Rxe8 14. cxd5 exd5 15. e3 a5 $11 {Melkumyan,H (2649)
-Wojtaszek,R (2733)/Germany 2013/CBM 153 (0-1, 46)}) 12... Nd7 (12... Be7 13.
Qa4 c6 14. Ne5 dxc4 15. Qxc4 Qd5+ 16. f3 f6 17. e4 Qxc4 18. Nxc4 Nd7 19. Rfd1
Rfd8 20. Rac1 Rac8 21. Ne3 $14 {Sjugirov,S (2646)-Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2646)/
Moscow 2013/CBM 152 Extra (1-0, 96)}) 13. Qa4 Be7 14. Rfd1 Nf6 15. Ne5 (15.
Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Qc6 Qd6 17. Qxd6 cxd6 18. cxd5 exd5 19. Bb4 Rfd8 20. Rac1 a5 21.
Ba3 b5 22. b3 b4 23. Bb2 Rdc8 {In Oms Pallisse,J (2506)-Fluvia Poyatos,J (2490)
/Barcelona 2012/ (1/2, 48) White's advantage proved rather symbolic.}) 15...
Qe8 16. Nc6 Kh8 17. f3 $5 $14 {Aronian,L (2816)-Carlsen,M (2843) Sao Paulo/
Bilbao 2012 (1/2, 44)}) 12. Nf3 $146 (12. Ng4 Bxd4 13. Bxd4 cxd4 14. Qxd4 {
leaves the white knight still looking for a safe location.} Nc6 15. Qd6 f5 (
15... Rc8 16. Rad1 f5) 16. Ne3 (16. Ne5 Nxe5 17. Qxe5 Rc8 18. b3 Rc5 19. Qd6
Qc7) 16... f4 $132 {Bogdanovich,S (2286)-Kravtsiv,M (2516)/Odessa 2008/CBM 123
Extra (0-1, 56)}) ({Maintaining the tension with} 12. Qd2 {allows Black to
equalise at once:} cxd4 13. Bxd4 Nc6 $11) 12... cxd4 {This looks like a well
timed release of the tension.} (12... d6 13. Qd2 Nc6 {may be more principled
abstractly, but White can maintain the initiative with} 14. Rfd1 Qc7 15. d5 $14
) 13. Bxd4 Be7 $5 {In the Hedgehog, the e7-bishop has a clear task: defending
the d6-pawn. Besides, the d4-bishop somewhat stands in the way now, so the
last move cannot be considered a loss of time.} 14. Qd3 d6 15. Qc3 {The only
way to bring some life into the position and prove that the d4-bishop is
active after all.} e5 $1 {The safest defence; it would make litle sense to
weaken the kingside. With the f3-knight far from d5, the central weakness is
not too relevant.} 16. Be3 Nd7 17. Rfd1 Rc8 18. Rac1 f5 {This is double-edged,
but entirely viable. Black creates some sort of kingside threats, but weakens
a few squares in his camp.} ({I would probably have focussed on the d5-square
starting with} 18... Qc7 {planning ...Qb7, ...h6 and ...Nf6 possibly followed
by ...d5.} 19. Qb3 {This way of removing the queen from the c-file looks a bit
artificial, but natural regrouping moves offer Black counterplay:} (19. Nd2
Qb7+ 20. f3 d5) (19. Qd3 Nf6 {[%cal Ge5e4]} 20. Nd2 Qb7+ 21. f3 d5) (19. Qc2 b5
) (19. Bg5 Bxg5 20. Nxg5 Nf6 21. Qf3 Qc6 $11) 19... h6 {/\...Nf6}) 19. b4 Kh8 {
Maybe a bit too modest.} ({In for a penny, he should have gone in for the
pound too:} 19... f4 20. Bd2 Qe8 $132) 20. c5 $1 {A thematic pawn sacrifice.
White opens files on the wing where Black does not have enough pieces.} bxc5
21. bxc5 e4 (21... Nxc5 22. Nxe5 Bf6 23. Bxc5 Bxe5 (23... Rxc5 $2 24. Qxc5 dxc5
25. Rxd8 Bxd8 $8 26. Rxc5 $18) 24. Qa3 Qe7 25. Be3 $14) 22. Nd4 Nxc5 23. Nb5 {
White has consiedereably activated his position. All his pieces are working.
Black's position has somewhat lost its harmony, but the extra pawn helps to
resist the first wave of attack.} Qb6 (23... a6 {leads to a somewhat
unpleasant ending:} 24. Nxd6 Bxd6 25. Bxc5 Rxc5 26. Qxc5 Bxc5 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28.
Rxc5 g6 29. e3 $14 {Pawns are equal, but White's rook is more active. Black
should probably find a good moment to give up the a6-pawn and place his rook
behind the white a-pawn, but this is a tough decision to make at such an early
stage of the middlegame.} Rd2 (29... Rd7 30. Rc6 a5 31. a4 Kg7 32. Rc5 Ra7 33.
h3 {[%cal Gg3g4]}) 30. Ra5 Rd6 31. h3 {[%cal Gg3g4]}) 24. Qc4 ({Another way of
invading the light squares would be} 24. Rb1 Qa6 25. Qc4 $44) 24... a6 25. Nc3
Qd8 26. Na4 {This will lead to simplifications making Black's defence much
simpler.} ({The c5-knight is not such a threatening piece, so} 26. Nd5 {
makes sense. The following line leads to a similar ending to that from the
previous comment.} Bg5 27. Nf4 Bxf4 28. Bxf4 Nd3 29. Qxc8 Qxc8 30. Rxc8 Nxf4+
31. gxf4 Rxc8 32. Rxd6 {True, White does not have the pawn break g3-g4 anymore,
so Black's chances to reach a draw by giving up the a6-pawn are higher.}) 26...
Nxa4 27. Qxa4 Rxc1 28. Rxc1 a5 29. Qb5 h6 30. Rd1 Bg5 31. Bb6 Qb8 32. a4 f4
$132 {While White was preparing to retrieve the pawn, Black finally launched
his kingside attack.} 33. h4 f3+ 34. exf3 exf3+ 35. Kh2 Bf6 36. Bxa5 Be5 37.
Qxb8 Rxb8 38. h5 (38. Be1 h5 {[%cal Gb8b3,Gb3a3]}) 38... Ra8 39. Rd5 Kg8 40.
Kh3 Kf7 41. Kg4 Ke6 42. Rb5 Bd4 43. Bb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Bd6 11. a3 {Since Black's last move (quite fashionable
nowadays) does not contribute to the development directly, White thinks he can
afford to play some pawn moves before making up his mind with respect to the
b1-knight.} Nbd7 12. b4 (12. Ba5 {Cheparinov,I (2689)-Atalik,S (2603)/Burgas
2012/CBM 151/[Atalik,S] (1-0, 44)}) 12... Ra7 {Preparing a typical regrouping
with ...Qa8, aimed at putting pressure on the long diagonal and the a-file at
the same time.} (12... Nb6 13. Nc3 Nbd5 (13... Nc4 14. e4 $5) 14. Na2 Nb6 15.
Nc3 Nbd5 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 $2 (16... Bxd5 {may be slightly worse, but entirely
playable.}) 17. Qe4 $2 {Too modest.} (17. Ng5 $1 g6 18. Ne4 $16 {[%csl Gc5,Gf6,
Gh6]}) 17... h6 18. Ne5 Rb8 19. Qc2 Bxe5 20. dxe5 Qe7 21. e4 Nb6 22. Be3 $14 {
Leko,P (2735)-Karjakin,S (2780)/Wijk aan Zee 2013/CBM 153 (1/2, 38)}) (12...
Be4 13. Qb2 Bd5 14. Bg5 Qb8 15. Bxf6 Nxf6 16. Nc3 a5 {Quite ambitious, but not
really necessary.} (16... Bb7 17. Nd2 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 a5 19. Nde4 Nxe4 20. Nxe4
axb4 21. axb4 Ra4 $132 {Black's play along the a-file compensates for the
backward c-pawn.}) 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Ne5 axb4 19. axb4 Ra4 20. Nc6 {Quite a
good square for the knight, but White still needs to stabilise the position
and create some targets.} Qa8 $6 ({A more harmonious and effective regrouping
would have been} 20... Qb7 21. Rfc1 Rfa8 $11) 21. Rfc1 Rxa1 22. Qxa1 Qa4 23.
Qc3 $14 {Laznicka,V (2701)-Bruzon Batista,L (2682)/Poikovsky 2011/CBM 145 (1-0,
43)}) 13. Nc3 (13. a4 {gains some space but also helps Black get rid of a
potential queenside weakening.} bxa4 14. Rxa4 Qa8 15. Na3 Ne4 16. Rb1 Nxd2 17.
Qxd2 Rb8 18. Nc4 Nb6 19. Nxb6 cxb6 20. Rba1 Rc8 21. Ne1 {1/2 Gelfand,B (2756)
-Granda Zuniga,J (2644)/Lugo 2009/CBM 133}) 13... Qa8 14. Nh4 Bxg2 15. Nxg2 c6
$146 {Once the bishops have been exchanged, this is quite logical. Black
focuses on ...a5.} (15... e5 {does not quite solve all the problems, since the
queenside pieces remain slightly strangely placed:} 16. Be3 Rb7 17. Rfd1 $14 {
Cheparinov,I (2710)-Harikrishna,P (2692)/Leon 2012/EXT 2013 (1/2, 33)}) 16.
Rac1 $6 {This does not cross Black's plans in either way.} (16. Ne4 $5 Nxe4 17.
Qxe4 Rc8 18. Rfc1 {[%cal Gg2f4,Gf4d3,Gg2e1,Ge1d3] would allow White to keep
the queenside immobile, with chances to get an advantage in the long run. With
the a3-pawn defended,} a5 $6 {may cause Black some problems after} 19. bxa5 $1)
16... a5 17. Ne4 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 Rc8 19. Nf4 axb4 20. Bxb4 ({White could still
keep the queenside blocked, but this would allow Black active play along the
a-file:} 20. axb4 Nf6 21. Qb1 Ra3 22. Nd3 Qa7 23. e3 Ne4 24. Rfd1 {[%cal Gd2e1]
}) 20... c5 21. Qxa8 Raxa8 22. dxc5 Bxc5 $11 {The position is plain equal now.
The game will end up in the same way as the first encounter between the same
players: a knight ending with equal pawns and symmetrical structure! Good
fighting spirit, but not really thrilling.} 23. Nd3 Bf8 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Rb1
Ra8 26. Bxf8 Kxf8 27. Rxb5 Rxa3 28. g4 h6 29. h4 Ra2 30. Kf1 Ra1+ 31. Kg2 Ra2
32. Kf3 Ra3 33. Kg3 Ra2 34. e3 Rd2 35. Nf4 g6 36. g5 hxg5 37. hxg5 Ke7 38. e4
Rc2 39. f3 Rc5 40. Rxc5 Nxc5 41. Ng2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Be2 c6 8. O-O
Nh5 9. Be5 f6 10. Bg3 f5 11. Be5 Nhf6 12. h3 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Nd7 14. f4 Nxe5 15.
fxe5 Bg5 16. Qd2 Bd7 17. Rac1 Rc8 18. a3 Kh8 19. b4 Be8 20. Bd3 Rc7 21. Ne2 Bh5
22. Nf4 Bxf4 23. exf4 Rd7 24. Qe3 dxc4 25. Bxc4 Rxd4 $2 (25... Re8 $13) 26.
Bxe6 Bf7 $2 27. Bxf5 Bc4 28. e6 $1 Qd6 29. Rfe1 Re8 30. e7 Bf7 31. Rc5 g6 32.
Bg4 h5 33. f5 Kg7 34. fxg6 Bxg6 35. Bxh5 Rd3 36. Qe5+ Qxe5 37. Rcxe5 Bxh5 38.
Rxh5 Rxa3 39. Rf5 Rd3 40. Re4 Rd7 41. Rg4+ Kh6 42. Rf6+ Kh7 43. Rf7+ Kh6 44.
Rgg7 Rd1+ 45. Kh2 Rf1 46. Rh7+ Kg6 47. Rhg7+ Kh6 48. Rh7+ Kg6 49. Rfg7+ Kf6 50.
h4 Ke6 51. Rg4 Kf5 52. Kg3 Re1 53. Rf4+ Ke6 54. h5 Rxe7 55. Rxe7+ Kxe7 56. Kh4
b6 57. h6 Rh1+ 58. Kg5 Ke6 59. Kg6 Ke5 60. Rf5+ 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A52"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Gormally,D"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Levon Aronian looked like the strongest player in the early stages of the
candidates, but strange things seemed to be happening in this extraordinary
tournament, and he did not look the same player in the second half of the
event.   Perhaps the bright spot for him during this period was his win
against Ivanchuk, a game which kept his hopes of qualifiying alive, and
against a player whom he also beat in the first half.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 {
Some might be surprised by Ivanchuk's adoption of the Budapest Gambit, an
opening that is rarely seen at the top level, in such a strong event. But he
has played this opening before, and anyway as is very well known, Ivanchuk can
play pretty much anything! In general the mercurial Ukranian genius seemed to
have a laid-back approach to this tournament, when asked at one press
conference who he was playing tomorrow, he threw his hands up and confessed he
didn't know! But at times he was too laid-back, as we shall see.} 3. dxe5 Ng4
4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bf4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 {As is typical of Aronian, he plays the most
ambitious move. Besides, the tournament situation demanded that he kept the
position on the board as unbalanced as possible.} ({White is also slightly
better after} 6. Nbd2 Qe7 7. e3 Ngxe5 8. Nxe5 Nxe5 9. Be2 {with very little
risk of losing, which is probably one of the reasons why the popularity of
this opening has never really caught on.}) 6... Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 Qe7 8. Qd5 $1 {
Hanging on to the extra pawn.} f6 9. exf6 Nxf6 10. Qd3 d6 11. g3 O-O 12. Bg2
Bg4 13. O-O Rae8 14. Rae1 {Aronian deviates from an earlier game in this
variation. This move is played not so much to push the e-pawn, but to protect
e2 so as to make Nd4 possible.} (14. Rab1 $5 b6 15. Rbe1 Kh8 16. Bg5 Bxf3 17.
Qxf3 Ne5 18. Qb7 Nxc4 19. Qxa7 Qe5 20. Qa6 Qc5 21. Bxf6 Rxf6 22. Rd1 c6 23. Rd4
d5 $6 24. e4 $1 {and White was better and went on to win in Nikolic,P-Hector,J
Germany 2010. In general I have my doubts about Black's prospects in this line.
After all not only is White a pawn up, but he has the two bishops as well! And
while the black pieces can find very natural and good squares, I'm not sure
this fully compensates for the pawn. In addition I like the fact that White
has an extra pawn on the kingside - his king is ultra safe, in contrast to his
opposing number, a consideration that becomes highly important later in the
game.}) 14... Kh8 15. Nd4 $6 {A logical continuation of the previous move, but
this allows Black to defuse some of the white initiative.} ({I believe it made
more sense to keep more pieces and tension on the board with} 15. h3 Bd7 (15...
Bxf3 $2 16. Bxf3 {would not now make much sense, as ...Ne5 is not possible as
b7 would be hanging at the end}) {and now a strong but very logical pawn
sacrifice-} 16. c5 $1 {This is directed against Black's plan of playing ...b6,
reducing the c4-pawn to a permanent weakness, after which it would be very
hard for White to generate any play} dxc5 (16... d5 17. Bxc7 Qxc5 18. Rb1 b6
19. Bf4 {also looks good for White, as he has the d5-pawn to aim at now}) 17.
e4 Be6 18. Ng5 Rd8 19. Qc2 {a change of events which in my opinion would
massively favour White, as now he has a four vs two majority on the kingside,
as well as the two bishops, at this level such an advantage is almost always
decisive. It's important to note as well that} Bc4 $2 {is not possible because
of} 20. e5 $1 Bd3 21. exf6 $18) 15... Ne5 $1 16. Bxe5 dxe5 17. Nf5 (17. Nb5 $2
Qc5 $1 {looks awkward for White.}) 17... Bxf5 18. Qxf5 Nd7 $1 19. Qe4 ({
Aronian, in the press conference after the game, was slightly critical of his
play around about this point, suggesting that perhaps more accurate was} 19.
Qd3 {as perhaps White can then adapt a different plan of immediately attacking
the black kingside.} c6 20. Be4 $5 g6 21. h4 Nc5 (21... Nb6 22. Rb1 {also
looks better for White}) 22. Qe3 Nxe4 23. Qxe4 $14) 19... c6 $1 {Solidifying
the situation on the queenside and saying to White - I'm going to attack your
queenside weakies, what are you going to do about it? Perhaps White is still
better from a theoretical point of view, but now I would almost rather play
Black, as his play seems much easier, just attack the weak white queenside
pawns somehow. But of course Aronian is not 2800 for nothing, and it is
exactly in such dangerous situations that his considerable practical skills
come to the fore.} 20. Rd1 Nb6 $1 {Aronian wanted to lure the knight to c5,
but of course Ivanchuk has instead the logical aim of simply eating the
c4-pawn.} 21. Rd3 Qc5 22. Qh4 {Unhappy with the way things are developing on
the queenside, Aronian makes what turns out to be a highly successful decision,
that is to burn all his bridges and put all his faith in a kingside attack.
His decision was perhaps also guided by the fact that Ivanchuk was becoming
extremely short of time, hardly a rare event for him in this tournament, as he
lost on time I believe on a remarkable six occasions! Possibly he became so
absorbed in these epic battles that he lost sight of something so basic as a
chess clock.} g6 23. Be4 Kg7 24. Kg2 Qxc4 {With this move, Ivanchuk is also
crossing the Rubicon.} (24... Rf7 $1 {was perhaps simplest of all. A
multi-purpose move, this keeps an eye on the f2-pawn, while also preparing a
lateral defence of the h7-point. It would be very difficult for White to build
up an attack then.} 25. Rf3 Qxc4 26. Rxf7+ Qxf7 {and Black could look forward
to the future with great confidence.}) 25. Rfd1 Qxa2 $1 {The most principled
continuation, and also the best.} ({As Aronian explained afterwards, it was
possible for Black to go into an inferior ending with} 25... Nd5 26. Bxd5 Qxh4
27. gxh4 cxd5 28. Rxd5 {but he expected that Vassily would take on a2, as "he
always tries to play the best move".}) 26. g4 $1 $40 {Played with the very
dangerous intention of bringing the rook to h3. Aronian felt quite happy with
the situation now, as although Black is still ok, the position is becoming
very sharp and any mis-step could prove fatal.} Rf4 ({It was also possible to
return with} 26... Qc4 $5 {which leads to the fun line} 27. g5 Kg8 28. Rh3 Re7
29. Rd6 $1 {when White has generated quite dangerous threats, that are not
easily defused.}) 27. Bf5 $1 {Aronian very rarely misses such tactical
opportunities. Now the threat is Rd7, with a mating attack.} Nd5 $1 (27... gxf5
$2 28. Rd7+ Nxd7 29. Rxd7+ {and Black will have to give up the queen to
prevent mate} Qf7 30. Rxf7+ Kxf7 31. Qxh7+ Kf8 32. Qh6+ Ke7 33. g5 $1 {and the
ending is winning.}) 28. Rh3 Rh8 $2 {This is too passive, and runs into a
strong rejoinder. But no doubt Ivanchuk's clock was hanging at this moment...}
({He had seen the right move} 28... h5 $1 {but did not have enough time to
work out the consequences.} 29. Qg5 Rxg4+ $1 ({Ivanchuk had only looked at} 
29... Qxe2 30. Qxg6+ Kf8 {which he thought might lead to perpetual check.} 31.
Qh6+ Ke7 32. Qg7+ Kd6 33. Qd7+ Kc5 34. Rxd5+ Kb6 $1 35. Rd1 $1 hxg4 36. Rb1+
Kc5 37. Rh6 Qxf2+ 38. Kh1 Qf3+ {which is indeed equal}) (29... Rxf5 $5 30. gxf5
Nf4+ 31. Kh1 Qxe2 32. Rd7+ Kg8 33. Re3 {might still generate some chances for
White}) 30. Bxg4 hxg4 31. Qh6+ Kf7 {and White should probably take the perp
with} 32. Qh7+ Kf6 33. Qh4+) 29. e3 $1 {Killing Black's counterplay and
putting a very awkward question to the rook.} gxf5 (29... Qb3 30. Rb1 $1) (
29... Rxf2+ {"a sad move" (Aronian).} 30. Qxf2 Qxf2+ 31. Kxf2 gxf5 32. gxf5
Nxc3 33. Rd7+ Kf6 34. Rh5 Ne4+ 35. Kf3 Nc5 36. Rh6+ Kg5 37. Rdd6 {and White is
winning the ending.}) (29... Rc4 30. Bxg6 $1 Kxg6 31. Qh5+ Kf6 32. Qf5+ Ke7 33.
Qxe5+ {and it's over.}) 30. exf4 {Ivanchuk lost on time, but his position is
now hopeless in any case.} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E26"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 c5 6. e3 Qa5 7. Bd2 (7. Qc2
Nc6 8. Nf3 (8. Bd2 d6 9. Bd3 Bd7 10. Ne2 Qa6 11. O-O Ne7 12. a4 d5 $1 13. Ng3
dxc4 14. Be2 Nf5 15. Qa2 Nxg3 16. hxg3 O-O 17. Bxc4 Qd6 $11 {1/2 (43) Ree,H 
(2455)-Romanishin,O (2570) Wijk aan Zee 1985}) 8... d6 9. Bd3 e5 10. O-O O-O
11. Rb1 Rb8 12. Nd2 Qc7 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 f5 15. Bd5+ Kh8 16. f4 e4 $13 {
0-1 (40) Nielsen,J (2139)-Eljanov,P (2755) Copenhagen 2010}) 7... Ne4 8. Bd3
Nxd2 9. Qxd2 d6 (9... Nc6 10. Nf3 d6 (10... cxd4 $5 11. cxd4 (11. exd4 $142 $5)
11... b6 12. Qxa5 (12. Rb1 $142) 12... Nxa5 13. Nd2 Ba6 14. Ke2 d6 15. Ne4 Rd8
16. Rac1 Ke7 17. Rc3 Rd7 18. Rhc1 Rc8 $15 {0-1 (43) Vladimirov,B-Simagin,V
Gorky 1954}) 11. O-O (11. d5 exd5 $6 (11... Ne7 $5) 12. cxd5 Ne7 13. c4 Qxd2+
14. Kxd2 Bg4 15. Ng5 h6 16. Ne4 O-O-O 17. a4 Kc7 18. a5 Bc8 19. Nc3 $14 {
1-0 (50) Bosiocic,M (2570)-Fedorchuk,S (2630) Aix les Bains 2012}) 11... O-O (
11... cxd4 12. exd4 $5) 12. d5 Ne7 {0-1 (49) Gothilf,S-Vasiliev,V Leningrad
1938} 13. dxe6 Bxe6 14. Ng5 g6 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Be4 Qc7 17. Rab1 Rab8 18. f4
$14) 10. f4 {A classic continuation anticipating ...e6-e5: in that case White
can continue d4xe5 d6xe5 f4-f5.} (10. Nf3 cxd4 (10... Nd7 11. O-O O-O 12. Qc2
h6 13. Nd2 e5 {1/2 (29) Vladimirov,B-Bronstein,D Baku 1961} (13... Nf6 $5) 14.
f4 $36) 11. cxd4 (11. exd4 $5) 11... Nc6 12. Qxa5 Nxa5 13. Nd2 Bd7 14. Ke2 Ke7
15. Rhc1 Rac8 16. Rc3 Ba4 17. Rac1 b6 $11 {1/2 (30) Porper,E (2469)-Romanishin,
O (2552) Gausdal 2006}) 10... Nd7 (10... Nc6 11. Nf3 O-O 12. O-O f5 13. d5 exd5
14. cxd5 Ne7 15. Qb2 b5 16. Qxb5 Qxc3 17. Rab1 a5 18. Rb3 Qf6 19. Qa4 $14 {
1-0 (57) Borisenko,G-Sokolsky,A Moscow 1950}) (10... cxd4 11. exd4 Nd7 12. Nf3
O-O 13. O-O Nf6 14. Rab1 Qc7 15. Qe1 b6 $13 {1/2 (42) Rudakovsky,I-Kotov,A
Moscow 1940}) 11. Nf3 f5 (11... Nb6 12. e4 Bd7 13. O-O cxd4 14. cxd4 Qxd2 15.
Nxd2 e5 16. fxe5 dxe5 17. c5 Na4 18. Nc4 f6 19. dxe5 Nxc5 20. exf6 gxf6 21. Be2
O-O 22. e5 fxe5 {1/2 (22) Polgar,Z (2430)-Lombardy,W (2500) New York 1985}) 12.
e4 fxe4 {Another option was to keep the position closed:} (12... O-O $5 13. O-O
Nb6 {If} 14. exf5 exf5 15. d5 {then} Qa4 $5 {[%csl Rc4]} 16. Qa2 Bd7 17. Rae1
Rae8 18. Ng5 g6 $13) 13. Bxe4 Nf6 (13... cxd4 14. cxd4 Qxd2+ 15. Nxd2 Nf6 16.
Bf3 {[%csl Gf3]}) 14. Bc2 Bd7 15. O-O cxd4 (15... O-O 16. Qd3 cxd4 $140 17.
cxd4) 16. Qxd4 O-O (16... Qb6 $5) 17. Qxd6 Qxc3 18. Bd3 Rad8 19. Rac1 Qa5 20.
Ne5 $14 {[%csl Ge5]} Bc8 21. Qb4 Qc7 $6 {A risky course.} ({In the endgame
after} 21... Qxb4 22. axb4 Nd7 {Black should gradually equalise}) 22. c5 g5 {
Another risky move compromising the position of Black's own king.} (22... Bd7 {
[%cal Yd7c6,Yf6d5] is a normal although passive continuation.}) 23. c6 $6 ({
The immediate} 23. Qe1 {was probably better, e.g.} Nh5 (23... gxf4 24. Rxf4 Rd5
25. Qg3+ Qg7 26. Qe3 Qc7 $1 27. Ng4 $1 Nxg4 28. Rxg4+ Kh8 29. Qh6 Rdd8 30. Rh4
Rf7 31. Bg6 $1 Qxc5+ 32. Kh1 Rg7 33. Bxh7 Qg5 34. Qxg5 Rxg5 35. Kg1 $16) 24.
fxg5 Rxf1+ 25. Bxf1 Rd5 26. Nd3 Rxg5 27. g3 $14 {[%csl Rg8]}) 23... b5 $2 {
[%mdl 16384] Black should not leave White's pawn on c6.} (23... Nd5 $1 24. cxb7
Qxb7 25. Qxb7 Bxb7 26. fxg5 Nf4 {with good counterplay for Black (indicated by
M.Golubev and S.Shipov)}) 24. Qe1 $1 Rd5 (24... Nh5 25. fxg5 Rxf1+ 26. Bxf1 Rd5
{is now nearly hopeless due to} 27. Nf3) 25. Qg3 h6 26. fxg5 Qxe5 27. Qxe5 Rxe5
28. gxf6 Kf7 29. Rf4 {White has a healthy extra pawn and confidently brings
home his advantage.} Rd8 30. Be4 Rd2 31. h4 a5 32. Rc3 Re2 (32... Kf8 33. f7 {
[%cal Rc3g3]}) 33. Bg6+ Kf8 34. Rd4 Rd5 35. Rxd5 exd5 36. Rc5 Re1+ (36... Re6
37. Bf5 Re8 38. Bd7 $1 Rd8 39. Rxb5 Bxd7 40. Rxd5 $18) 37. Kh2 Rf1 38. f7 b4
39. axb4 axb4 40. Rxd5 Kg7 41. Rd8 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D42"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e3 ({The main line is} 
6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O {White has a
space advantage, but Black's position is out of weaknesses and his majority on
the queenside might tell in a certain endgame.}) 6... Nc6 7. Bd3 Be7 8. a3 O-O
9. Qc2 {Levon is trying to gain something by a slightly tricky order of moves.
Objectively, the main move 9.0-0 is more promising.} ({The position after} 9.
O-O cxd4 10. exd4 {may arise also from the Panov Attack in the Caro-Kann.})
9... cxd4 10. exd4 f5 $1 $146 {The idea itself is not new, but in this
particular position it hasn't appeared beforehand. Black is going to put the
bishop on f6, pressing the Pd4. In a later interview Kramnik said that he
figured out this plan over the board. Well done! The previously played 10...h6
is also perfectly playable.} (10... h6 11. O-O Bf6 12. Rd1 (12. Be3 Nce7 13.
Ne4 b6 14. Rad1 Bb7 $11) 12... Qb6 13. Bc4 Rd8 14. Ne2 Bd7 15. Qe4 Nce7 16. Bd3
Ba4 (16... Ng6 $142) 17. Qh7+ Kf8 18. Re1 Bb5 19. Bxb5 Qxb5 20. Ng3 Ng6 21. Ne5
Nde7 22. Bxh6 $1 $40 {1-0 (41) Smyslov,V (2600)-Ribli,Z (2615) London 1983})
11. O-O Bf6 12. Nxd5 Qxd5 13. Be3 b5 $1 {Developing the queenside and, at the
same time, covering the c4-square.} (13... Nxd4 $2 14. Bxd4 Bxd4 15. Bc4 Qc5
16. Rad1 {The black bishop has nowhere to go as it is tied to protecting the
queen.} b5 $8 17. Rxd4 bxc4 18. Rxc4 {and White is clearly better as the
knight is going to occupy the commanding e5-outpost.}) 14. Qe2 (14. Qc5 Qxc5
15. dxc5 a6 16. a4 b4 $11) 14... Bb7 15. Rac1 $6 {Levon definitely saw the
possibility to force a draw after 15.Bxb5, but decided to play for a win.
Objectively speaking his position is not better, but in the current tournament
situation only a win could keep him in the race for the first place.} (15. Bxb5
{could force a draw by repetition:} f4 16. Bc4 Qe4 17. Bd3 Qd5 $11) 15... a6
16. Rfd1 f4 $5 {Kramnik decided to force matters.} (16... Rac8 17. Rc5 Qd6 {
was very good for Black as well. The idea f5-f4 is a potential threat.} (17...
Nxd4 $6 18. Bxd4 Rxc5 19. Bxc5 Qxc5 20. Qxe6+ Kh8 21. b4 Qc3 22. Qxf5 g6 $11))
17. Rc5 (17. Bxf4 $2 Nxd4 $19) (17. Rxc6 $2 Qxc6 18. Bxf4 Bxd4 $19) 17... Qd6
18. Qc2 $2 {Both players had to calculate a lot.} (18. Bxf4 $1 Qxf4 19. Qxe6+
Kh8 (19... Rf7 $2 20. Bxh7+ Kf8 21. Bg6 Nd8 22. Qh3 $16) 20. Rh5 (20. Rxc6 $2
Bxc6 21. Qxc6 Bxd4 22. Qe4 Qxe4 23. Bxe4 Rad8 $1 24. Nxd4 (24. Rxd4 $2 Rxd4 25.
Nxd4 Rd8 $19) 24... Rf7 {[%cal Gf7d7] Black gains the piece back and remains
with an extra exchange in the endgame.}) 20... h6 21. Nh4 $1 {This idea is
very difficult to spot in advance.} Ne7 (21... Bxh4 $4 22. Qg6 {is the point.})
(21... Ne5 22. Rxe5 Bxh4 23. Qg6 Qxf2+ 24. Kh1 Bxg2+ 25. Qxg2 Qxg2+ 26. Kxg2 {
and it should be a draw thanks to the opposite coloured bishops.}) 22. g3 Qxd4
23. Qxe7 $1 Qxf2+ $1 (23... Bxe7 $2 24. Ng6+ Kg8 25. Nxe7+ Kf7 26. Bg6+ Kxe7
27. Rxd4 $14) 24. Kxf2 Bxe7+ 25. Kg1 Bf6 $1 26. Ng6+ Kg8 27. Nxf8 Bf3 28. Rd2
Bxh5 29. Nd7 {and White survives somehow.}) (18. Bd2 $2 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Qxc5 20.
Qxe6+ Rf7 21. Bxh7+ Kxh7 22. Qxf7 Qxd4 23. Qxb7 Rd8 {and the pin along the
d-file will cost White material.}) 18... fxe3 19. Bxh7+ Kh8 20. fxe3 Ne7 $2 {
Another human move and another mistake.} (20... Rac8 $1 {preparing the
counterstrike ...Nxd4!} 21. Rh5 Nxd4 22. Qd3 (22. Bg8+ $2 Kxg8 23. Qh7+ Kf7 $19
) 22... Bxf3 23. gxf3 Nxf3+ 24. Kg2 Qxd3 25. Bxd3+ Kg8 26. Kxf3 Bxb2+ 27. Ke2
Bxa3 {and Black should win.}) 21. e4 $2 (21. Rh5 {This move is so tempting, I
don't know how Levon managed to resist playing it. This position is already in
White's favour!} Rac8 (21... Bxf3 22. gxf3 Rac8 23. Qg2 $40) 22. Qe2 $1 (22.
Ne5 $6 Bxe5 (22... Rxc2 $6 {falls into the classical tactics, like from the
old books:} 23. Bxc2+ Kg8 24. Bh7+ Kh8 25. Bg6+ Kg8 26. Bf7+ $1 Rxf7 27. Rh8+
$1 Kxh8 28. Nxf7+ Kg8 29. Nxd6 {This position is still difficult to estimate.
White's rook + two pawns should be superior to Black's pair of bishops.}) 23.
dxe5 Qb6 24. Qd3 Rcd8 25. Qxd8 Qxe3+ (25... Rxd8 $4 26. Rxd8+ Qxd8 27. Bf5+ Kg8
28. Bxe6+ Kf8 29. Rh8+ Ng8 30. Rxg8+ Ke7 31. Rxd8 $18) 26. Kh1 Bxg2+ $1 27.
Kxg2 Qf3+ 28. Kg1 Qf2+ $11) 22... g6 (22... Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Bg5 24. Bb1+ Bh6 25.
Qe4 Nf5 26. g4 Rce8 27. Kh1 $1 $16) 23. Bxg6+ Kg7 24. Bb1 Kf7 25. Ne5+ Ke8 26.
Rh7 $40) 21... Rac8 $2 (21... Qf4 {was far more convincing} 22. Rh5 g6 $1 {
is the most precise way to defuse White's attack} (22... Ng8 {[%cal Gg8h6] is
a good defensive move.}) 23. Bxg6+ Kg7 $19) 22. e5 {The next five-six moves
are pretty forced.} Bxe5 23. Nxe5 (23. Rxc8 $2 Rxc8 24. dxe5 Qb6+ 25. Qf2 Qxf2+
26. Kxf2 Kxh7 $19) 23... Rxc5 24. Ng6+ $1 (24. Qxc5 Qxc5 25. dxc5 Kxh7 26. Rd7
Nc6 {and Black keeps the extra piece.}) 24... Nxg6 25. dxc5 {[%tqu "En","A lot
of pieces are hanging. What should be done?","","","b7e4","",5]} Be4 $1 26.
Rxd6 Bxc2 27. Bxg6 Bxg6 28. Rxe6 (28. Rxa6 Bd3 29. h4 e5 $19) 28... Bd3 29. h4
a5 30. c6 Rf1+ $2 {This is according to the rule to put the rook behind the
pawn, but here this was the case for an exception!} (30... Rc8 $1 31. Kf2 Bc4
32. Rd6 Bf7 {[%csl Rc6][%cal Gf7e8] Black wins the annoying pawn and rest is a
matter of technique.}) 31. Kh2 Rc1 32. Re3 $1 Bb1 33. Rc3 {The point. White
saves the important c-pawn.} Rxc3 34. bxc3 {Black's extra piece is not enough
for a win. White has a strong passed pawn and another potential passer on the
kingside.} Kg8 35. c7 Bf5 36. Kg3 Kf7 37. Kf4 Bc8 38. Kg5 Bd7 {Black has to
wait with the bishop until White runs out of useful moves.} 39. h5 Be6 40. g3
a4 (40... Ke7 41. Kg6 Kf8 42. Kg5 $11) 41. g4 Kf8 42. Kf4 Ke7 {Now the king
can go to pick up the pawn, but it's not enough for a win.} 43. g5 Kd7 44. Ke5
Bg8 45. c8=Q+ {Not a mistake, but requires precise calculation.} (45. Kd4 {
was the easiest way:} Kxc7 46. Kc5 Bc4 47. h6 gxh6 48. gxh6 Bd3 49. Kd4 Bh7 50.
c4 {exchanging the b-pawn and then White's king reaches the safe a1 corner.
Just a draw.}) 45... Kxc8 46. Kd6 Kd8 47. Kc6 Ke7 48. Kxb5 Ke6 49. Kxa4 Kf5 50.
g6 $4 {Choosing between 50.g6 and 50.h6 Levon didn't manage to calculate well.}
(50. h6 g6 51. Kb5 Kxg5 52. a4 Kxh6 53. a5 g5 54. a6 g4 (54... Bd5 55. c4 Be4
56. c5 g4 57. c6 g3 58. a7 g2 59. a8=Q g1=Q $11) 55. c4 g3 56. a7 g2 57. a8=Q
g1=Q $11) 50... Kg5 51. Kb5 Kxh5 52. a4 Kxg6 53. a5 Kf6 54. a6 (54. c4 Ke5 55.
c5 g5 56. a6 Bd5 57. Kb6 g4 58. a7 Ba8 $1 59. c6 Kd6 60. c7 Kd7 $19) 54... Bd5
55. c4 Ba8 56. Kb6 Ke5 {Black's pieces are just in time to stop the white
pawns.} 57. Kc7 g5 58. Kb8 Be4 59. Kc7 g4 60. a7 g3 61. c5 Ba8 62. Kb8 Bc6 {
An epic fight. There were many mistakes which are not typical for these two
great players. However, let's not forget that this was already round twelve of
the very tense tournament with a lot at stake. At the press conference after
the battle both grandmasters looked completely exhausted.} 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.31"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. d4 Nf6 4. g3 $5 dxc4 {Picking up the gauntlet.} ({
In principle, the positions with ...Bf5 arising via the Reti move order in
which White plays a later d2-d4 are supposed to be quite OK for Black. The
concrete position arising after} 4... Bf5 {may offer White some additional
possibilities:} 5. Qb3 Qb6 6. c5 Qxb3 ({With some more developing moves
inserted, Black usually answers c4-c5 with ...Qa6, but here} 6... Qa6 $2 {
loses a piece to} 7. e4 $18) 7. axb3 Nbd7 8. Nc3 h6 9. b4 Ne4 10. b5 Nxc3 11.
bxc6 bxc6 12. bxc3 $14) 5. Bg2 Nbd7 (5... b5 {would transpose to some sort of
Catalan gambit line:} 6. a4 Bb7 7. O-O e6 8. Ne5 a6 9. Nc3 $44) 6. Qc2 {
In principle, White would prefer to retrieve the pawn without moving the queen
so early, but this is not simple to achieve.} (6. Na3 Nb6 7. Ne5 g6 (7... Be6
$1 {would transpose to the game since} 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Bxc6+ Bd7 10. Bxa8 Qxa8
{looks good for Black.}) 8. e4 (8. Naxc4 Nxc4 9. Nxc4 Be6 10. Qd3 Bg7 11. O-O
O-O 12. Rd1 {offers better chances of stabilising the position than the line
from the main game.}) 8... Be6 9. O-O Bg7 10. Be3 O-O {Stefanova,A (2503)
-Macek,V (2216) Rabac 2003 (1/2, 47). White has some compensation for the pawn,
but Black does not seem to be in danger.}) (6. O-O Nb6 {Possibly premature.} (
6... g6 7. Na3 Nb6 {would transpose above.}) 7. a4 $1 a5 8. Na3 g6 9. Ne5 Be6
10. e4 Bg7 11. Be3 Nfd7 12. Nxd7 Bxd7 13. Rc1 O-O 14. Nxc4 Nxc4 15. Rxc4 Rc8
16. Qd2 $14 {Fominykh,M (2313)-Yefimov,M (2050) Pardubice 2010 (1-0, 51)}) 6...
Nb6 7. Nbd2 g6 {Very wisely played. Black does not stick to his extra pawn and
transposes to a comfortable Grünfeld structure.} (7... Be6 8. Ng5 $44) 8. O-O
Bg7 9. Nxc4 Bf5 10. Qc3 Nxc4 11. Qxc4 O-O 12. Rd1 ({With his development
incomplete, White should not embark on such radical operations as:} 12. b4 Be4
13. a4 Qd5 14. Qc5 Nd7 {[%csl Gc4]}) 12... a5 $11 {Having exchanged one knight,
Black does not suffer from lack of space. besides, White's centre is not easy
to put into motion.} 13. Qb3 {White clears the c4-square for his knight, but
this does not contribute to his development.} ({A possible alternative would be
} 13. Bf4 Qb6 14. Qc1 Rfd8 15. Be5 {followed by the knight's transfer to c4 or
d4 at a later stage. Although Black does not seem to be under pressure yet,
with time White may establish some domination with chances for a kingside
attack.}) 13... Qd6 14. Ne5 Nd7 15. Nc4 Qb4 16. Ne3 Qxb3 17. axb3 Be6 {White
is underdeveloped and has some concrete queenside problems. He needs to make
use of his main trump: the advantage in the centre. This will be enough only
for equality, though.} 18. d5 (18. Rd3 Rfd8 {[%cal Gd7b6]}) 18... cxd5 19. Nxd5
Nc5 20. Ra3 (20. Nxe7+ Kh8 {dooms the b3-pawn.}) 20... Bxd5 21. Rxd5 Rac8 {
Black's superior activity, typical for the Grünfeld, prevents White from
getting any profit from his bishop pair.} 22. Bg5 (22. Be3 b6 23. Bxc5 Rxc5 24.
Rxc5 bxc5 25. Rxa5 e6 $5 26. Rxc5 Rb8 $11) 22... e6 23. Rd6 Bxb2 24. Rxa5 Bc1
$5 {The most accurate move order.} ({In principle, Black should avoid lines in
which White retains some domination even after eliminating all the queenside
pawns:} 24... Nxb3 25. Rb5 Bc1 26. Be7 Rfe8 27. Rd7 Nd2 28. Bxb7 Rc2 {True,
there is no real danger here, but somehow there is some slight discomfort in
Black's position, creating some risk of blundering.}) 25. Bf6 (25. Bxc1 Nxb3
26. Bd2 Nxa5 27. Bxa5 Rc1+ 28. Bf1 Ra8 29. Bd2 Rd1 30. Kg2 h5 (30... Raa1 31.
e3 Rxf1 32. Rd8+ Kg7 33. Bc3+ Kh6 34. Bxa1 Rxa1 35. Rd7 $11) 31. e3 Ra2 32. Bb4
Rxd6 33. Bxd6 Rb2 $13 {[%cal Gb7b5]}) (25. Be7 Rfe8 $11 {[%csl Gd7] This is
the point behind delaying the knight move.}) 25... Nxb3 26. Rb5 Nd2 {Well,
there is not much to analyse in the next phase of the game. The players
extended the spirit of the Sofia rule beyond mere necessity.} 27. Rd3 b6 28. e3
Nc4 29. Bf1 Ba3 30. Rd1 Rfe8 31. Rd7 Bf8 32. Bxc4 Rxc4 33. Rxb6 Bg7 34. Be7
Rcc8 35. Kg2 Rb8 36. Rc6 Rbc8 37. Rb6 Rb8 38. Rc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.04.01"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Bg5 a6 7. Nf3 c5 8. dxc5
Qa5 9. Bd3 dxc5 10. O-O Nc6 {This line was examined in my opening survey in
CBM 132.} 11. Nd5 {Two recent examples featuring other options for White:} (11.
a3 $6 Nd7 12. Rc1 e6 13. Bh4 Qc7 14. Qd2 b6 15. Bb1 Bb7 16. Ne2 Nde5 17. Nxe5
Qxe5 18. Nc3 Nd4 $15 {1-0 (36) Conquest,S (2532)-Glek,I (2424) Otranto 2011}) (
11. Qe2 Nd7 (11... e6 $5) 12. Nd5 Re8 13. Bd2 Qd8 14. Bf4 Nde5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5
16. Rad1 e6 17. Nc3 Bd7 18. Bb1 Qe7 19. Bg3 Red8 $6 (19... b5 $1) 20. f4 Nc6
21. e5 Nd4 22. Qf2 $16 {[%cal Rg3h4] 1-0 (52) Kourousis,E (2324)-Saric,S (2462)
Kavala 2012}) 11... Be6 $146 {[%cal Yb7b5][%mdl 8] This is more active than
the previously played} (11... Qd8 12. Re1 h6 (12... Be6 13. Qb3 b5 14. Rad1 Rb8
15. Qa3 Nd7 16. Bf4 Ra8 17. e5 Kh8 18. Be4 $16 {1-0 (34) Kazhgaleyev,M (2606)
-Evdokimov,A (2500) Paris 2006 CBM 132 [Krasenkow]}) 13. Bf4 e6 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6
15. Bd6 Qxb2 16. Rb1 Qxa2 {1-0 (37) Gheorghiu,F-Pavlov,M Bucharest 1965} 17.
Bxc5 $1 Re8 (17... Rd8 18. Re2 Qa5 19. Bb6) 18. e5 $36) 12. Qb3 {Hardly a
fortunate move since Black can play 12...b5 anyway.} (12. Re1 $5 Rfe8 $1 (12...
b5 13. Nxe7+ $1 Nxe7 14. e5) 13. Bd2 $5 Qd8 14. Bc3 $14) 12... b5 $1 {Logical.}
13. Rac1 ({The tactical justification of Black's last move:} 13. cxb5 axb5 14.
Bxf6 exf6 15. Bxb5 (15. Qxb5 Nb4 $1 16. Qxa5 Rxa5 17. Nxb4 cxb4 $44) 15... Rab8
16. a4 Na7 {, and Black should equalise.}) 13... bxc4 14. Bxc4 Nxe4 (14... Rab8
15. Qc2 $1 (15. Qd3 $143 Rxb2) 15... Bxd5 (15... Nxd5 16. exd5 Rxb2 17. Qe4)
16. exd5 Nd4 17. Qd3 $14) 15. Qb7 {White could have probably kept a tiny plus
due to his better pawn structure after simplifications starting with} (15.
Nxe7+ $5 {, e.g.} Nxe7 16. Bxe7 (16. Bxe6 Nxg5 17. Nxg5 c4 $1 18. Qe3 fxe6 19.
Qxe6+ Kh8 20. Qxe7 Rae8 21. Nf7+ Kg8 22. Qd7 Re2 $15) 16... Rfe8 (16... Rfb8
17. Qd3 Ra7 18. Bxe6 Rxe7 19. Bxf7+ Rxf7 20. Qxe4 Qxa2 21. Ra1 $1 Qb3 22. Rxa6
$14) 17. Bxe6 Rxe7 18. Bd5 Rae8 19. Rce1 $14) 15... Rac8 (15... Bxd5 16. Bxd5
Nxg5 17. Nxg5 Ne5 {was probably good enough for equality, too, e.g.} 18. Qxe7 (
18. f4 Qd2 $5) 18... Rac8 19. f4 $2 Rc7 20. Qd6 Rd7 {(Indicated by IM M.Notkin)
}) 16. Bxe7 $5 (16. Nxe7+ Nxe7 17. Qxe4 Bxc4 18. Qxc4 Nf5 $11) 16... Bxd5 $6 (
16... Rfe8 {was simpler, with a probable draw after} 17. Rfe1 $1 Bxd5 18. Bxd5
Nxe7 19. Rxe4 Nxd5 20. Rxe8+ Rxe8 21. Qxd5 {(M.Notkin)}) {After the text move
White obtains a 2R vs Q ending (+opposite-coloured bishops). It is potentially
dangerous for Black since White's pieces can launch a strong attack on Black's
king. Everything will depend on Black's ability to prevent White's activation.}
17. Bxf8 ({Black has no problems after} 17. Bxd5 Rc7 $1 18. Qxc6 Rxc6 19. Bxf8
Bxf8 20. Bxc6 Nf6) 17... Rb8 $1 18. Qxb8 (18. Qd7 $1 Rd8 19. Qxd5 Rxd5 20. Bxd5
Bxf8 21. Bxe4 Nd4 22. Nxd4 cxd4 23. a3 {apparently gives White more chances.})
18... Nxb8 19. Bxd5 Kxf8 20. Bxe4 Nd7 {Black wins one of White's queenside
pawns - an important factor!} 21. b3 Qxa2 22. Rcd1 Ne5 23. Rd8+ Ke7 24. Rb8
Nxf3+ 25. Bxf3 Bd4 26. g3 (26. Bd5 Bxf2+ $1 27. Rxf2 Qa1+ {regaining the d5
bishop with a check on the next move.}) (26. Rb7+ Ke6 27. Re1+ Kf6 28. Re2 {
is premature due to} Qa1+ 29. Kh2 Qf1 {(M.Notkin)}) 26... a5 $2 {A theoretical
mistake allowing White's rook to come out.} (26... Kf6 27. Bd5 $140 $6 Qe2 $1
28. Rb7 Qe5 $1 29. Rxf7+ Kg5) ({or} 26... Qd2 {(M.Notkin) was correct. Black
should not lose in that case.}) 27. Re1+ Kf6 28. Re2 Qb1+ 29. Kg2 a4 $2 {
A fatal idea. Black's a-pawn can now queen but his king comes under a mating
attack. Black would do better to defend passively, protecting his f7 pawn with
the queen:} (29... Qf5 {or so. White's advantage is probably insufficient for
a win after all.}) 30. Rb7 $1 a3 (30... Qd3 31. bxa4 {[%csl Ga4] was a lesser
evil but the a-pawn is likely to bring White a victory.}) 31. Bd5 a2 32. Rxf7+
Kg5 33. h4+ (33. Ree7 $1 {was even more accurate.}) 33... Kh6 34. Ree7 g5 $8
35. Be4 $1 (35. Be4 Qxe4+ 36. Rxe4 a1=Q 37. Re6+ Kh5 38. g4+ $3 Kxg4 (38...
Kxh4 39. Rh6+ Kxg4 40. f3#) 39. f3+ Kxh4 40. Rxh7#) 1-0

[Event "Alekhine Memorial"]
[Site "Paris/St Petersburg"]
[Date "2013.04.21"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2013.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 e6 6. c5 Nbd7 7. b4 b6 {For this
move order - see CBM 137, annotations to Onischuk - Motylev.} 8. Bb2 a5 9. a3
Be7 10. Bd3 (10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Ba6 12. Bxa6 {1/2 (49) Vachier Lagrave,M 
(2686)-Melkumyan,H (2639) Biel 2012 with a transposition.}) 10... O-O 11. O-O (
11. Qc2 Qc7 12. O-O Ba6 13. Bxa6 Rxa6 14. Rfc1 Qb7 15. Rab1 axb4 16. axb4 Rfa8
17. h3 {1/2 (44) Onischuk,A (2699)-Motylev,A (2704) Poikovsky 2010 CBM 137 
[Krasenkow,M]} Qc7 $11 18. Nd2 $140 bxc5 19. bxc5 e5) 11... Ba6 (11... Qc7 12.
Qe2 axb4 (12... Bb7 13. Na4 axb4 14. axb4 bxc5 15. Nxc5 Bxc5 16. bxc5 Ne4 17.
Qc2 f5 18. Rfb1 h6 19. h3 Rfb8 20. Bc3 Qc8 21. Be1 Ba6 22. Rxb8 Nxb8 23. Qa2
Bb7 24. Qb2 $16 {1-0 Fressinet,L (2664)-Akopian,V (2696)/Paris 2009/CBM 130
Extra (68)}) 13. axb4 Bb7 14. h3 bxc5 15. bxc5 Rxa1 16. Rxa1 Ra8 17. Qd1 Rxa1
18. Qxa1 h6 19. Qa4 Bd8 20. Na2 Qa5 21. Qxa5 Bxa5 22. Bc3 Bc7 23. Nd2 Kf8 24.
Nb3 Ke7 25. Ba5 $14 {1-0 Aronian,L (2754)-Akopian,V (2696)/Nalchik 2009/CBM
130 (94)}) 12. Ne1 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] White prepares f2-f4 and intends to
recapture with the knight in the event of ...Ba6xd3. Practice has seen:} (12.
Qe2 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Qc7 14. h3 Rfb8 15. Rfb1 Rb7 16. Qc2 h6 17. Nd2 Rab8 18. Bc1
axb4 19. axb4 e5 $11 {1/2 (49) Matlakov,M (2600)-Jakovenko,D (2725) Dagomys
2010}) (12. h3 Qc7 13. Bxa6 Rxa6 14. Qe2 Rfa8 15. Rfc1 axb4 16. axb4 Rxa1 17.
Rxa1 Rxa1+ 18. Bxa1 Qb7 19. Qa2 Ne8 20. Ne2 Nc7 21. Bc3 Bf6 22. Qa1 Nb5 23. Bb2
Nc7 24. Bc3 Nb5 25. Bb2 Nc7 {1/2 (25) Tratar,M (2489)-Martinovic,S (2527)
Slovenia 2011}) (12. Bxa6 Rxa6 13. b5 (13. Qe2 Qc8 14. Rab1 axb4 15. axb4 Ra8
16. Nd2 bxc5 17. bxc5 Qa6 18. Qxa6 Rxa6 19. Ra1 Rfa8 20. Rxa6 Rxa6 21. Ra1
Rxa1+ 22. Bxa1 e5 $11 {1/2 (49) Vachier Lagrave,M (2686)-Melkumyan,H (2639)
Biel 2012}) 13... cxb5 (13... Ra8 14. bxc6 Nb8 15. Ne5 bxc5 16. dxc5 Qc8 17.
Na4 Qc7 18. Ng4 Nxc6 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. Bxf6 gxf6 21. Rb1 $14 {1/2 (55)
Khismatullin,D (2664)-Iskusnyh,S (2478) Samara 2012}) 14. c6 Nb8 15. Ne5 b4 16.
Nb5 Ne8 17. a4 $1 f6 18. Rc1 Nc7 19. Nd3 Ra8 20. Nf4 Nba6 $13 {1-0 (38)
Kortschnoj,V (2579)-Golod,V (2552) Beersheba 2004 CBM 101 [Golod,V]}) 12... Bc4
{[%mdl 32] This move (by the way, a computer suggestion) is probably not bad
but Black has not analysed it properly. As a result, White obtains a pawn
advantage in the centre and exploits it.} (12... bxc5 13. bxc5 e5 $6 {is met
with a typical counterblow:} 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Bxa6 Rxa6 16. Nxd5 $1 cxd5 17.
Bxe5 Bxc5 18. Nf3 $14 {[%csl Rd5]}) 13. Bxc4 dxc4 14. Qe2 Rb8 (14... Qb8 $1 {
may be an improvement. If} 15. Qxc4 (15. f4 Nd5) (15. Rb1 $5 {is probably the
move to analyse}) {then} 15... bxc5 16. dxc5 Ne5 17. Qf4 {(the only way to
keep protecting the b4-pawn)} Nh5 18. Qe4 Nf6 $11) ({And if Black wanted to
play ...b6-b5, taking into consideration White's space advantage, it was
probably better to trade a pair of rooks first:} 14... axb4 15. axb4 Rxa1 16.
Bxa1 b5) 15. Ra2 (15. Rb1 $5 {deserves attention here, too.}) 15... b5 16. e4
Rb7 $6 ({It was not late to come back and exchange the rooks:} 16... Ra8) 17.
Nc2 Nb8 18. Raa1 {White has consolidated his position and has easy play,
without any counterchances for Black.} Qc8 19. Rad1 Rd8 20. Bc1 Na6 21. Bf4
Rbd7 22. h3 Ne8 23. Qe3 Bf6 24. e5 Be7 25. Ne4 {The knight now invades d6.
Sooner or later, Black will have to exchange it, and White will obtain a
powerful passed pawn.} Nac7 26. Nd6 Qa8 27. Qg3 Nd5 28. Ne3 Nc3 $5 {This
tactical trick doesn't solve Black's problems.} 29. Rde1 Bxd6 30. exd6 Ne4 31.
Qh4 Nd2 32. Nd5 $1 Nxf1 33. Nb6 Qa7 34. Rxf1 Nf6 (34... axb4 35. axb4 Nf6 {
was probably better:} 36. Be5 (36. Bg5 Rxd6 37. cxd6 Qxb6 38. Bxf6 gxf6 39. Ra1
$5 {is an interesting way for White to exploit the opening of the a-file but
after} Qb8 (39... Kf8 $2 40. Qxf6 Rxd6 41. Ra8+) 40. Ra3 Qxd6 41. Qh6 f5 42.
Rg3+ Qxg3 43. fxg3 Rxd4 {Black's fortress with the rook on d5 may be difficult
to break}) 36... Nd5 37. Nxd5 exd5 38. Bxg7 Kxg7 39. Qg5+ Kf8 40. Qf6 Kg8 41.
Re1 {Compared to the game continuation, Black can defend by means of} Qa2 42.
Re3 Qb1+ 43. Kh2 Qg6 44. Rg3 Re8 {Only a deep analysis can show whether White
can win here or not.}) 35. Be5 (35. Bg5 {is now even less formidable due to}
Rxd6 $1 36. cxd6 Qxb6 37. Bxf6 gxf6 38. Re1 Kf8 39. Qxf6 Rxd6 40. Re4 Qd8 {
, and Black holds on.}) 35... Nd5 (35... axb4 {is too late due to} 36. Nxd7
Rxd7 37. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 38. axb4 $18 {[%csl Rc6,Rg8]}) 36. Nxd5 exd5 37. Bxg7 $1
{[%mdl 192] A final winning blow.} Kxg7 38. Qg5+ Kf8 39. Qf6 Kg8 40. Qg5+ Kf8
41. Qf6 Kg8 42. Re1 axb4 43. Re5 $1 h6 44. Rh5 Qxa3 45. Qxh6 f6 46. Qxf6 1-0

[Event "Alekhine Memorial"]
[Site "Paris/St Petersburg"]
[Date "2013.04.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2013.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {This game was played in the second round. In the first, I lost a
textbook game to Ding Liren and was extremely determined to bounce back.} Nf6
2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 {Kramnik is a great lover of solid systems as
Black. In recent times, he has started to play the Semi-Tarrasch Defence.} 5.
cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 {At the London Candidates, I tried 6.e3 against Vladimir.
After a poor experience, I decided not to repeat it.} Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8. cxd4
Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O {From the viewpoint of all we are taught as
youngsters, Black's play looks wrong - he has exchanged off his developed
pieces and conceded the centre. The idea of the line is that, despite his
relative passivity, Black has decent play, because White is not yet ready to
create a passed pawn with d5 since Black always obtains the c5-square for his
pieces.} 11. Rc1 {With this decision, White tries to delay the development of
his bishop and give Black the right to choose a plan.} b6 {The most natural.} (
{In the event of} 11... Nc6 12. Be2 {Black has to lose time to develop the
bishop to its "rightful" square on b7.}) 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. O-O Nd7 {In my
preparation, I thought the main move was 13...h6, so as not to commit the
knight yet. 13...Nc6 is also possible, and leads after 14.d5 to an interesting
position, the assessment of which will have to be decided after future games.}
14. Qe3 Rc8 ({After} 14... Nf6 15. Ne5 {followed by f3, White's advantage may
not be great, but is stable. After long thought, Vladimir allows me to advance
the typical e5.}) 15. e5 {Now White threatens to transfer his knight to d6.}
Bxf3 {My opponent used a lot of time on this important and interesting
decision.} 16. Qxf3 Qh4 {Black tries to develop harmoniously by tempo-gaining
play.} 17. Qe3 {After thinking for 30 minutes, I decided to follow an active
plan.} ({Of course, I wanted to drive the knight back to b8 with} 17. Bb5 {
, but I still do not know how then to continue to play for an advantage.})
17... Rfd8 {Now Black wants to quickly play Nf8-Ng6. It is interesting that
many computer programs want to play ...g6 as Black at various points,
completely depriving Black's previous play of any momentum.} 18. f4 {White's
main idea is to exchange his f-pawn for the e-pawn and obtain a passed d-pawn.
This is a very concrete idea, asociated with the temporarily bad position of
the enemy knight.} Nf8 {As my opponent correctly pointed out after the game,
the correct line was first to exchange on c1 and only then play Nf8. Now Black
falls into problems which are hard to resolve over the board.} 19. Rxc8 Rxc8
20. f5 exf5 {I thought Black's correct move was 20...Rd8, but I suspected my
opponent would seek a clearer way of playing.} ({After} 20... Rd8 {the cold}
21. Rf4 {is less effective, because with the subtle} Qg5 {with the idea} 22. h4
Qh6 {Black prevents the advance g4. I was prepared to fight for the advantage
with 21.Be4 although I realised that my task would be more complicated then.})
21. Bxf5 Rd8 22. Rd1 {As Vladimir admitted afterwards, he had underestimated
this move. Now White has a lasting advantage.} Ng6 23. Bxg6 {This decision may
not be strongest, but it is easy to understand from the practical viewpoint.
Because is there anything nicer in the world than to play a position, in which
the opponent has absolutely no counterplay?} hxg6 24. d5 Qc4 25. d6 Qe6 ({
Taking on a2 -} 25... Qxa2 {leads to a dangerous position after} 26. Qg5 f6 (
26... Rd7 {is bad because of} 27. Rc1) 27. exf6 Qf7 28. fxg7 {With such a king,
defending will be virtually impossible.}) 26. Qg3 {The position should be
winning for White, with best play. The main motif is the threat to exchange
queens.} b5 27. h3 {With this move, I set a small trap.} a6 ({Of course,
taking on a2 is bad for the same reason as before, but it is tempting to play} 
27... b4 {Then White has the strong idea} 28. Qg5 f6 29. exf6 Rxd6 30. f7+ $1 {
After} Kxf7 31. Qf4+ Ke7 32. Qxb4 {I thought it would be impossible to defend
such a position, with an exposed king on e7.}) 28. Qe3 {An impatient move.} ({
After} 28. Kh1 {or any other waiting move, Black is in zugzwang, since after}
Rd7 {there is} 29. Rc1 {and any other move so weakens Black's position, that
the realisation of White's advantage becomes easier.}) 28... Rd7 {Black
prepares to play f6. It cannot be played at once, because after 29.Qb6 the
a6-b5 pawns are attacked.} 29. Qc5 Kh7 $2 {A mistake.} ({The only chance to
continue the fight was} 29... f6 {But to play this, one must see what we both
missed! It turns out that after} 30. exf6 gxf6 31. Qc8+ {Black loses the
a6-pawn and after} Kg7 32. Qxa6 Qe2 ({But he has the amazing resource} 32...
Qe3+ 33. Kh1 Qc5 {drawing, since the white queen is absolutely helpless and
the pawn on d6 is not going anywhere.}) 33. Rb1 {has a difficult ending.}) ({
After} 29... f6 {I would have had to play} 30. exf6 gxf6 31. Qc6 {with an
advantage which, with correct play, should not be enough to win.}) 30. Qd5 Qe8
{Of course, Black cannot exchange queens. Now only a miracle can save Black.}
31. Rc1 Qd8 32. Rc6 {Defending against ...f6.} Qg5 33. Qd4 Rd8 34. Rc5 {
Remarkable carelessness!} Qg3 {Thanks to my lapse, Black again has chances to
save the game!} ({After} 34... f6 35. e6 ({Probably he has to play} 35. Kh2
fxe5 36. Rxe5 Qf6 37. Rd5 {obtaining a position where it is hard to win.})
35... Qg3 {White cannot simultaneously defend the e6-pawn and d6 pawn.}) 35.
Qf2 {After the exchange of queens, the activity of the white king decides the
game.} Qxf2+ 36. Kxf2 f6 37. Rc6 {The attractive 37.Rc8 was also possible, but
as Tal once sadly pointed out, you only get one point for each victory.} fxe5
38. Ke3 Kg8 39. Ke4 Kf7 40. Kd5 {White also wins easily after 40.Ke5. The text
move seems more natural to me.} a5 41. Rc5 {White's position is so winning
that even such an expert at turning winning positions into draws as myself
cannot fail to win it.} b4 {The advance e5-e4 always fails to the rook
transfer to e7.} 42. Rxa5 Kf6 43. Ra7 Rb8 44. Kc6 b3 45. axb3 Rxb3 46. Ra8 Rc3+
47. Kd7 e4 48. Rf8+ Kg5 49. Ke7 e3 50. d7 e2 51. d8=Q e1=Q+ 52. Kd6+ Qe7+ 1-0

[Event "Alekhine Memorial"]
[Site "Paris/St Petersburg"]
[Date "2013.04.23"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. Re1 a6 8. Ba4
b5 9. Bb3 d6 10. Nbd2 Bb6 11. Nf1 Ne7 12. Ng3 Ng6 13. h3 h6 14. d4 c5 15. dxe5
dxe5 16. Qxd8 Bxd8 17. a4 c4 18. Bc2 Ba5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Be3 Bb7 21. Ra2 Bc7
22. Rea1 Rxa2 23. Rxa2 Ra8 24. Rxa8+ Bxa8 25. Kf1 Ne7 26. Nd2 Kf8 27. Bc5 Nd7
28. Ba3 g6 29. f3 Ke8 30. b3 cxb3 31. Nxb3 Nc8 32. Bd3 Bc6 33. c4 bxc4 34. Bxc4
Ba4 35. Nc5 Nxc5 36. Bxc5 Nb6 37. Bxb6 Bxb6 38. Ne2 Ba5 39. Nc1 Ke7 40. Nd3 Bc3
41. g4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Alekhine Memorial"]
[Site "Paris/St Petersburg"]
[Date "2013.04.24"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2013.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 b6 10. O-O Qc7 11. Bg5 e6 12. Qd2 Bb7 13. Qe3 Nd7 {A slightly
unusual move order has led to a well-known theoretical position. Our latest
examination of this position can be found in CBM 114 (Gelfand - Svidler) and
115 (Gelfand - Ruck).} 14. Bf4 $5 {A rare continuation, carefully prepared by
GM Levon Aronian.} (14. e5 {is the main line.}) 14... e5 (14... Qc8 {is hardly
fortunate; White can play, say,} 15. Bd6 $5 Rd8 16. e5) 15. Bg3 Rae8 (15...
cxd4 16. cxd4 exd4 17. Nxd4 Qc5 18. Rfd1 Rfe8 19. f3 $14 {[%csl Rb7]}) 16. d5
$146 {[%mdl 8]} (16. Bb5 exd4 $1 (16... Bc6 $143 17. Bxc6 Qxc6 18. d5 Qa4 19.
Nd2 f5 20. Bh4 Bf6 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. f3 fxe4 23. fxe4 Nh5 24. g3 Qxa2 25. Nf3
$44 {1-0 (69) Peralta,F (2557)-Lopez Martinez,J (2547) San Sebastian 2008}) 17.
cxd4 Qc8 {[%csl Re4]} 18. e5 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 cxd4 20. Rfc1 Qd8 {with a good
position for Black.}) 16... f5 17. Bh4 {The position of this bishop looks
vulnerable but that is just an illusion.} h6 (17... fxe4 18. Bc4 $1 Qd6 (18...
Kh8 19. Ng5) 19. Nd2 Bxd5 20. Nxe4 Qe6 21. Bxd5 Qxd5 22. Rbd1 $36) (17... f4
18. Qd3 {[%cal Rd5d6,Rh4e7]}) 18. exf5 gxf5 19. Rfd1 Qd6 20. Nd2 $1 {[%csl Gc4]
} Qg6 (20... Bxd5 21. Nc4 Qc6 22. Rxd5 Qxd5 23. Rd1 Qf7 24. Nd6 Qg6 25. Nxe8
Qxe8 26. Bc4+ Kh7 (26... Kh8 27. Rd6 Kh7 28. Bb5 $18) 27. Qh3 (27. Bb5 Qh5 28.
Rxd7 Qxh4 29. Qxe5 Qf6 $14) 27... Nf6 28. Qxf5+ $16) 21. Qg3 Qxg3 22. hxg3 Bf6
(22... Bxd5 23. Nc4 Be6 24. Nd6 Rb8 (24... Ra8 25. Nb5 {[%cal Rb5c7,Rd1d6]})
25. Be7 e4 26. Bxf8 Kxf8 27. Bc4 $1 {, and Black doesn't get enough
compensation for the exchange.}) 23. Bb5 Re7 24. Bxd7 Rxd7 25. Bxf6 Rxf6 26. c4
$14 {As a result, White has obtained a favourable ending. His knight is
stronger than Black's restricted bishop; Black's e5-pawn is vulnerable (and ...
e5-e4 weakens the f4-square); finally, White has an unpleasant undermining
plan a2-a4-a5.} Rg7 27. Rb3 Rg4 {An attempt at counterplay.} 28. Rc1 Rd4 29.
Nf3 Re4 30. Ra3 {Taking advantage of the fact that one of Black's rooks is "in
the field", White wants to provoke ...a7-a6 and then attack the b6-pawn
directly.} a6 31. Rb3 b5 $2 {Obvious but wrong! It was better to wait.} (31...
Kg7 32. Rb2 Bc8 $1) 32. Rb2 $1 {[%csl Rc5][%cal Yf3d2,Yd2b3][%mdl 32] Now the
weakness of Black's c5-pawn proves crucial.} (32. cxb5 Bxd5 33. Ra3 $1 Rc4 34.
Rxc4 Bxc4 35. Rxa6 Rxa6 36. bxa6 Bxa6 37. Nxe5 Bb5 {was not so clear.}) 32...
Rf7 $6 {This loses at once but Black had no good defence in any case.} (32...
Rd6 33. a4 $1 b4 34. Nd2 $18) (32... Rb6 33. cxb5 (33. a4 $5) 33... c4 34. Rd2
$1 {[%cal Rd5d6]}) 33. cxb5 axb5 34. Rxc5 b4 35. d6 Rd7 36. Rd2 {[%cal Rf3e5]}
1-0

[Event "Alekhine Memorial"]
[Site "Paris/St Petersburg"]
[Date "2013.04.25"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 e6 6. c5 Nbd7 7. Qc2 b6 8. cxb6
Nxb6 9. Bd2 c5 10. Rc1 cxd4 11. exd4 Bd6 12. Bd3 O-O 13. O-O Bb7 14. Na4 Nxa4
15. Qxa4 a5 16. Rc2 Ne4 17. Be3 f5 18. Rfc1 Rb8 19. Bd2 Nxd2 20. Nxd2 Bc8 21.
Bb5 Rf7 22. Nf3 Rfb7 23. g3 h6 24. Rc6 Kh7 25. a3 Rc7 26. Rxc7 Bxc7 27. h4 Kg8
28. h5 f4 29. Kg2 fxg3 30. fxg3 e5 31. Qc2 Rxb5 32. Qxc7 Rxb2+ 33. Kg1 Qxc7 34.
Rxc7 Rb1+ 35. Kf2 Rb2+ 36. Ke1 Bg4 37. Nxe5 Re2+ 38. Kf1 Re4 39. Rc5 Rxd4 40.
Nxg4 Rxg4 41. Rxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Alekhine Memorial"]
[Site "Paris/St Petersburg"]
[Date "2013.04.28"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D58"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2013.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 b6 8. Be2
Bb7 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. cxd5 exd5 11. b4 c6 12. O-O a5 13. b5 c5 14. Ne5 {This
line, examined in several CBM issues (CBM 88, 90, 115), has developed into an
important branch of the Tartakower-Makogonov-Bondarevsky system.} Qc7 {Other
options:} (14... cxd4) (14... Bxe5) 15. Ng4 Nd7 (15... Be7 $143 16. Bf3 Rd8 17.
Rc1 (17. dxc5 $5 Qxc5 18. Rc1 Qd6 19. Qd4 $1 $14 {R.Dautov}) 17... Ra7 (17...
c4 18. Ne5 Bb4 19. Nxd5 $5 Bxd5 20. Bxd5 Rxd5 21. Rxc4 Qd8 22. Qf3 Rxe5 (22...
Ra7 23. Rfc1 Ba3 {(R.Dautov)} 24. R1c3 Rxb5 25. g3 $1 Bf8 26. Rc8 Qd6 27. Re8
Rc7 28. Rxc7 Qxc7 29. Qa8 $18) 23. Qxa8 $16 {1-0 (32) Onischuk,A (2655)
-Rychagov,A (2544) Moscow 2002 CBM 088 [Dautov]}) 18. Ne5 Qd6 19. Bg4 Ba8 20.
Na4 Rc7 21. Qc2 Bb7 22. f4 c4 23. Nc3 $14 {1-0 (24) Zvjaginsev,V (2645)
-Kasimdzhanov,R (2674) Essen 2002 CBM 090 [Dautov]}) 16. Bf3 (16. Rc1 Rad8 17.
Nxf6+ Nxf6 18. dxc5 bxc5 19. Na4 c4 20. Qd4 Ne4 21. Rfd1 Qe7 22. Nc3 Nxc3 23.
Qxc3 Qb4 24. a4 Qxc3 25. Rxc3 f5 {1/2 (39) Kovacevic,A (2585)-Kovacs,A (2332)
Lechenicher SchachServer 2008}) 16... Rad8 (16... cxd4 17. Nxf6+ Nxf6 18. Qxd4
{gives White a small but clear edge, e.g.} Rfe8 (18... Qc5 19. Na4 $1 Qxb5 20.
Rab1 Qe8 21. Nxb6 Rd8 22. Rfc1 $16 {1-0 (48) Ernst,S (2512)-Lputian,S (2634)
Fuegen 2006 CBM 115 [Krasenkow,M]}) 19. Rfd1 Rad8 20. Rac1 Qd6 21. g3 Re6 22.
Ne2 $14 g5 $6 23. g4 h5 $6 24. gxh5 g4 25. Bg2 Rde8 26. Qf4 Nxh5 27. Qxd6 Rxd6
28. Rc7 Ba8 29. Rd4 Nf6 30. Rf4 {1-0 (30) Hawkins,J (2511)-Rudd,J (2335)
Basingstoke 2012}) 17. Rc1 $146 {A harmless move.} ({The simple capture on d5
needs further investigation:} 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. Bxd5 cxd4 (18... h5 $5 19.
Nxf6+ Nxf6 20. Bc6 cxd4 21. exd4 Qf4) 19. Rc1 $1 (19. exd4 Qf4 20. Rc1 Qxd4 21.
Qf3 $5) (19. e4 Bg5 20. h4 $5 Bxh4 21. Rc1 Nc5 22. g3 Bg5 23. f4 Be7 24. Qxd4
Qd7 $13 {0-1 (40) Rahman,Z (2510)-Johannessen,L (2427) Dhaka 2002}) 19... Qd6
20. e4 Nc5 21. Rc4 d3 22. f4 $14) (17. Qd3 h5 18. Nxf6+ Nxf6 19. h3 c4 20. Qf5
Qd6 21. Rad1 g6 22. Qc2 Rfe8 $11 {0-1 (55) Rodriguez Rey,J (2281)-Sanz Velez,A
(2171) ICCF WS 2005}) 17... Bg5 $1 18. Bxd5 Bxd5 19. Nxd5 Qd6 20. Nc3 cxd4 21.
f4 $6 (21. Ne4 Qe7 22. Nxg5 dxe3 $1 23. Nxe3 Qxg5 24. Qe2 Nc5 25. Rfd1 $11 {
was probably more appropriate.}) 21... Bf6 22. Ne2 (22. Ne4 Qe6 23. Ngxf6+ Nxf6
24. Nxf6+ Qxf6 25. e4 d3 $36) 22... Qe6 23. Nxd4 Bxd4 24. exd4 Qxa2 $15 {
Black has obtained a very solid position, with a potentially strong passed
a-pawn versus White's weak isolated pawn on d4.} 25. Rc6 Qd5 26. Nxh6+ $6 {
[%mdl 512]} (26. Qd3 Rfe8 27. Ne3 Qe4 28. Qxe4 Rxe4 29. Nc4 Rxd4 30. Nxb6 Nxb6
31. Rxb6 {was probably still enough to reach a draw. Instead, White starts a
dubious attack with a piece sacrifice.}) 26... gxh6 27. Rxh6 Kg7 28. Rh5 f5 {
[%cal Rd7f6]} 29. Rg5+ Kf7 30. Qh5+ Ke6 (30... Ke7 $1 31. Qe2+ (31. Rg7+ Kd6)
31... Qe6 $17 {[%cal Yd7f6]}) 31. Rc1 (31. Qe2+ $142 {but then Black's king
can return to f6 or f7} Kf6 (31... Kd6 32. Rc1 $1 Qe4 (32... Nb8 33. Rg6+ Kd7
34. Qe5 $44) 33. Rc6+ Ke7 34. Rg7+ Rf7 35. Rxf7+ Kxf7 36. Qh5+ {with a
perpetual}) 32. Qh5 {and play} Ke7) 31... Nf6 32. Rg6 (32. Qe2+ Ne4) 32...
Qxd4+ 33. Kh1 Qd2 34. Rg1 Rh8 {White's attack is parried.} 35. Qg5 Qc3 36. Rf1
Rdg8 37. g4 {The last desperate attempt, which suddenly proves successful.}
fxg4 $4 $138 {White now marvellously escapes. Almost any other sensible move
was winning} ({like} 37... Qb2) ({or} 37... Rxg6 38. gxf5+ Kf7 39. Qxg6+ Kf8)
38. Rxf6+ $1 {[%mdl 64]} Qxf6 39. Re1+ Kf7 40. Qd5+ Kf8 41. Re5 $1 {[%cal
Re5f5] It looks unbelievable but Black can't keep his material advantage, and
the game ends in a draw.} Rxh2+ (41... g3 42. Rf5 Rxh2+ 43. Kg1 Rh6 44. Rxf6+
Rxf6 45. Qd8+ Kg7 46. Qe7+ Kg6 47. Qe4+ Kh6 48. Qh1+ Kg7 49. Qb7+ {with a
perpetual or capture of the b6-pawn}) 42. Kxh2 Qxf4+ 43. Kg1 $1 Qg3+ 44. Kf1
Qf3+ 45. Qxf3+ gxf3 {[%mdl 4096]} 46. Re6 {The simplest. Black has no chances
without his key b6-pawn.} Rg2 47. Rxb6 Ke7 48. Rc6 Rb2 49. Rc3 Rxb5 50. Rxf3
Re5 51. Ra3 Kd6 52. Kf2 Kc6 53. Re3 Rd5 54. Ke2 a4 55. Ra3 (55. Rd3 $144) 55...
Kb5 56. Rd3 Rc5 57. Kd2 Kb4 58. Rd8 a3 59. Rb8+ Rb5 60. Rxb5+ Kxb5 61. Kc1 a2
62. Kb2 a1=N 1/2-1/2

[Event "Alekhine Memorial"]
[Site "Paris/St Petersburg"]
[Date "2013.04.29"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2712"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Bf4 Nc6 5. e3 Nf6 6. Nc3 Bf5 7. Qb3 Na5 8.
Qa4+ Bd7 9. Qc2 e6 10. Bd3 Bb4 11. Nf3 Nh5 12. Bg5 f6 13. g4 fxg5 14. gxh5 Qf6
15. Ne5 Nc6 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. Bxh7 O-O-O 18. Bg6 Kb8 19. a3 Bxc3+ 20. bxc3 Rc8
21. Rb1 Be8 22. Bxe8 Rhxe8 23. Rb3 Qf3 24. Rg1 Qxh5 25. Qe2 Rh8 26. Qa6 Qf7 27.
Qd6+ Ka8 28. Rxg5 Rh3 29. Qe5 g6 30. Rg2 Rf3 31. Qg5 Rg8 32. h4 Qc7 33. Qg4
Rgf8 34. Qxe6 Qc4 35. Rb2 Qxc3+ 36. Rd2 Qc1+ 37. Ke2 Qc4+ 38. Rd3 a6 39. Qe7
Qc2+ 40. Rd2 Qc4+ 41. Rd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Alekhine Memorial"]
[Site "Paris/St Petersburg"]
[Date "2013.04.30"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D47"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 a6 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Be2
Bb7 9. O-O Nbd7 10. e4 c5 11. d5 exd5 12. e5 Ne4 13. Nxd5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Qxd5
15. Qxd5 Bxd5 16. Rd1 Be6 17. Bf3 f5 18. a4 bxa4 19. Re1 Bb3 20. Nc4 Be7 21.
Nb6 Kf7 22. Nxa4 Rhd8 23. Be3 Rac8 24. Bxe4 fxe4 25. Nc3 Rc6 26. Nxe4 h6 27.
Bd2 Re6 28. Bc3 c4 29. f3 Rd5 30. Re2 Bd8 31. Rd2 Rxd2 32. Nxd2 Bb6+ 33. Kh1
Be3 34. h3 Bxd2 35. Bxd2 Rd6 36. Bc3 Rd1+ 37. Rxd1 Bxd1 38. Kg1 h5 39. Kf2 g6
40. Ke3 Ke6 41. Ke4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Alekhine Memorial"]
[Site "Paris/St Petersburg"]
[Date "2013.05.01"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2722"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2013.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 Nc6 10. d5 Ne5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Qd2 e6 13. f4 Bc7 14. O-O exd5
15. exd5 Ba5 16. f5 Bxf5 17. Rxb7 Qf6 (17... Qd6 $11) 18. Rf3 (18. g4 $5) 18...
Qe5 19. Bc4 Bc8 $6 (19... Rfb8 $5) (19... Qe4 $5) 20. Rb3 Bc7 21. Qh6 Qe1+ 22.
Rf1 Qe4 23. Bg5 $1 Be5 24. Qh4 Qxh4 25. Bxh4 $16 Bd6 26. Rf6 Be5 27. Rc6 Bd7
28. Ra6 Rfb8 29. Rxb8+ (29. d6 $1) 29... Rxb8 30. Rxa7 Bxc3 31. Rxd7 Rb4 32. d6
Rxc4 33. Be7 Kg7 (33... f6 $1 $11) 34. Ra7 (34. Rc7) 34... Rd4 $2 (34... Re4 $1
35. d7 Rxe7 36. d8=Q Rxa7 $11) 35. d7 Rd1+ 36. Kf2 c4 37. g3 Rd2+ 38. Kf3 Rd3+
39. Kg2 Rd2+ 40. Kh3 Bf6 41. d8=Q Rxd8 42. Bxd8 Bxd8 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[PlyCount "195"]
[EventDate "2013.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 Nd7 4. O-O e6 5. d3 Bd6 6. h3 Bh5 7. Qe1 Ne7 8. e4
O-O 9. Nbd2 c6 10. Nh4 Ng6 11. Nxg6 Bxg6 12. f4 Qb6+ 13. Kh1 Rae8 14. Nf3 f6
15. Nh4 Bh5 16. g4 Bf7 17. Qg3 Qc7 18. Qf2 g5 19. e5 fxe5 20. fxg5 e4 21. Qe2
Bg3 22. g6 hxg6 23. Bg5 Qe5 24. Qe3 d4 25. Qc1 e3 26. Nf3 Qh8 27. Nxd4 Qxd4 28.
Bxe3 Qh8 29. c3 e5 30. Bh6 Bf4 31. Bxf4 exf4 32. Qxf4 Bd5 33. Bxd5+ cxd5 34.
Qg3 Qe5 35. Qg2 Rxf1+ 36. Rxf1 Nf6 37. Qf3 Kg7 38. Kg2 Qe2+ 39. Rf2 Qxf3+ 40.
Kxf3 Nd7 41. Rd2 Nc5 42. h4 Re1 43. Kf4 d4 44. cxd4 Ne6+ 45. Kg3 Nxd4 46. Kf4
Kf6 47. Rf2 Ne6+ 48. Kg3+ Ke7 49. h5 gxh5 50. gxh5 Rh1 51. Kg4 Rg1+ 52. Kf3
Ng5+ 53. Ke3 Rg3+ 54. Kd4 Rh3 55. Rf5 Rxh5 56. Kc3 Ke6 57. Rf8 Nf7 58. Ra8 a6
59. a4 Nd6 60. b4 Kd5 61. Rg8 Re5 62. Rg7 Kc6 63. Rg1 Re2 64. Rc1 Kd5 65. Rg1
Ra2 66. Kb3 Re2 67. Kc3 Re7 68. Rg5+ Kc6 69. Rc5+ Kd7 70. Rh5 b5 71. a5 Rf7 72.
Rh8 Nc8 73. Rh6 Nd6 74. Rh8 Rf6 75. Kd4 Kc6 76. Rb8 Rf4+ 77. Ke5 Rf5+ 78. Ke6
Rh5 79. Rb6+ Kc7 80. Rxa6 Nc8 81. Kf7 Rh7+ 82. Kg6 Rh4 83. Kf5 Rxb4 84. Ke5 Ra4
85. Kd5 Kb7 86. Rh6 Rxa5 87. Kc5 Na7 88. Rh7+ Kc8 89. d4 Ra2 90. d5 Rc2+ 91.
Kb6 Ra2 92. Kc5 Ra4 93. d6 Rc4+ 94. Kb6 b4 95. Rxa7 b3 96. Ra1 b2 97. Rb1 Rc2
98. Kb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B09"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2013.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. e4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. f4 Nf6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bd3 c5 7. dxc5 dxc5 8. e5
Nd5 9. Nxd5 Qxd5 10. Qe2 Bf5 11. Bxf5 gxf5 12. O-O Nc6 13. Rd1 Qe6 14. Be3 b6
15. Ng5 Qg6 16. h4 h5 17. Bf2 Rad8 18. Rxd8 Rxd8 19. Rd1 Rxd1+ 20. Qxd1 Bh6 21.
c3 Kf8 22. Qd7 Bxg5 23. hxg5 Qe6 24. Qd1 Qxa2 25. Qxh5 Ke8 26. g6 Qb1+ 27. Kh2
fxg6 28. Qxg6+ Kd7 29. g4 Qxb2 30. Qxf5+ e6 31. Qd3+ Ke8 32. Kg3 Ne7 33. Qc4
Nd5 34. Qa4+ Kf8 35. Qxa7 Qxc3+ 36. Kh4 Nxf4 37. Qb8+ Kg7 38. Bg3 Ng6+ 39. Kh3
Qf3 40. Qc7+ Kh6 41. g5+ Kxg5 42. Qd8+ Kh5 43. Kh2 Kg4 0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2013.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. O-O Re8 8.
Nc4 Nd7 9. a4 a5 10. b3 Bf8 11. Kh1 b6 12. g3 Ba6 13. Bb2 Bxc4 14. bxc4 g6 15.
Nh4 Bh6 16. Ng2 Nc5 17. f4 exf4 18. gxf4 Bg7 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. f5 Qg5 21. Rf3
Rad8 22. Qf1 Rd6 23. Qf2 Qf6 24. Rf1 g5 25. Rh3 Qd4 26. f6+ Qxf6 27. Rf3 Qe6
28. Rxf7+ Kg8 29. Ne3 Rd7 30. Rf8+ Kg7 31. Rxe8 Qxe8 32. Qf6+ Kg8 33. Nf5 h6
34. Nxh6+ Kh7 35. Nf7 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.07"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2013.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Nb3 Nf6 7. Be2 d6 8.
O-O O-O 9. Re1 Be6 10. Bf1 Rc8 11. Bg5 Re8 12. Qd2 Nd7 13. Rad1 Nb6 14. f4 Bc4
15. Be2 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Qc7 17. Nb5 Qb8 18. c3 a6 19. N5d4 Nxd4 20. cxd4 e6 21.
Rd3 Qc7 22. Qf2 h6 23. Bh4 Qd7 24. Rf1 Nc4 25. Rh3 a5 26. e5 Qb5 27. Bf6 Bxf6
28. exf6 Qf5 29. Qh4 h5 30. Rg3 a4 31. Nc1 Nb6 32. Ne2 Nd5 33. Nc3 Qxf6 34.
Qxh5 Nxc3 35. bxc3 Rxc3 36. Qd1 Rxg3 37. hxg3 b5 38. d5 e5 39. f5 g5 40. Qd3
Rb8 41. Rb1 Kg7 42. g4 Qe7 43. Rxb5 Qa7+ 44. Kf1 Qa6 45. Rb3 axb3 46. Qxa6 b2
47. f6+ Kg8 48. Qxd6 b1=Q+ 49. Kf2 Rb2+ 0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.07"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A06"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2013.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 Bg4 3. e3 e6 4. Bb2 Nf6 5. d3 a5 6. a3 Nbd7 7. Nbd2 Bd6 8. h3
Bxf3 9. Nxf3 O-O 10. Be2 c6 11. O-O Qe7 12. c4 Rfd8 13. Qc2 Nf8 14. e4 dxe4 15.
dxe4 e5 16. c5 Bxc5 17. Nxe5 Bd4 18. Bxd4 Rxd4 19. Nf3 Rxe4 20. Bd3 Re6 21. Bc4
Nd5 22. Rfd1 Rd8 23. Bxd5 cxd5 24. Qc3 Ra6 25. Nd4 Ne6 26. Nf5 Qg5 27. Qe5 g6
28. Rxd5 Rxd5 29. Qxd5 Qxf5 30. Qxb7 Rd6 31. b4 axb4 32. axb4 Kg7 33. b5 Rd2
0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.07"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2868"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2013.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 g6 4. Bd3 c5 5. O-O Bg7 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. dxc5 Qc7 8.
Nb3 b6 9. cxb6 axb6 10. Bd2 Bb7 11. h3 e5 12. Be2 d5 13. a4 Nbd7 14. a5 Rfc8
15. a6 Bc6 16. Bb4 Bf8 17. Bxf8 Nxf8 18. Ne1 Rd8 19. c3 Ne6 20. Nc2 Rac8 21. f4
d4 22. fxe5 dxc3 23. Ncd4 cxb2 24. exf6 bxa1=Q 25. Qxa1 Qe5 26. Nf5 Qe4 27.
Nh6+ Kf8 28. Qa3+ Nc5 29. Rf3 Qb1+ 0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.07"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2013.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bb4+ 5. c3 Bc5 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Nf5 g6 8.
Bxb6 axb6 9. Ne3 Nf6 10. f3 Qe7 11. c4 Qb4+ 12. Qd2 Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 d6 14. Nc3
Kd8 15. f4 Re8 16. Bd3 Nb4 17. Bb1 Nd7 18. Ned5 Nxd5 19. cxd5 Nc5 20. Bc2 f5
21. exf5 Bxf5 22. Rae1 Rf8 23. g3 c6 24. b4 Na6 25. dxc6 bxc6 26. b5 cxb5 27.
Bb3 Nc5 28. Nxb5 Kd7 29. Nd4 Be4 30. Rhf1 d5 31. h4 Nxb3+ 32. axb3 Ra2+ 33. Kc3
Rc8+ 34. Kb4 Rc5 35. Rc1 Rd2 36. Rcd1 Rb2 37. Rc1 Kd6 38. Rfd1 Rg2 39. Nb5+ Kc6
40. Nd4+ Kd6 41. Nb5+ Kc6 42. Nd4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.07"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Hammer, Jon Ludvig"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A56"]
[WhiteElo "2608"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2013.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 Nbd7 6. Be2 Be7 7. Nf3 O-O 8. O-O
Nh5 9. Ne1 Nf4 10. Bxf4 exf4 11. Nd3 Bg5 12. Bg4 Re8 13. Bxd7 Bxd7 14. Qf3 a6
15. a4 Qa5 16. Nxf4 Qb4 17. Nh5 Be7 18. Qg3 g6 19. e5 Qxc4 20. Nf6+ Bxf6 21.
exf6 Re5 22. f4 Rf5 23. Rae1 Qd4+ 24. Kh1 Qxf6 25. Ne4 Qxb2 26. Nxd6 Rxd5 27.
f5 Rxd6 28. Qxd6 Bxf5 29. Qxc5 Rc8 30. Qd6 Qb3 31. a5 Qd3 32. Qf6 h5 33. h3 Qd8
34. Re7 Qf8 35. Rxb7 Rd8 36. Rb6 Rd5 37. Rxa6 Bd3 38. Rd1 Rf5 39. Qc6 Bxa6 40.
Qxa6 Qc5 41. Qa8+ Kg7 42. a6 Qa3 43. Qb7 Ra5 44. Rf1 Qa2 45. Kg1 Rxa6 46. Rxf7+
1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.07"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2013.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 g6 4. Bd3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. Nbd2 d6 7. b3 Nfd7 8. Bb2
f5 9. e4 f4 10. e5 Nb6 11. Re1 Nc6 12. Ne4 d5 13. Neg5 h6 14. Nh3 Qe8 15. Ba3
g5 16. Bxf8 Bxf8 17. c3 Be7 18. g3 Qh5 19. Bf1 Bd7 20. Nd2 Qxd1 21. Raxd1 Rf8
22. f3 fxg3 23. hxg3 Be8 24. Nf2 Nb8 25. Nd3 Bg6 26. f4 N8d7 27. Re3 g4 28. Nf2
h5 29. Bd3 Kg7 30. Bxg6 Kxg6 31. Nf1 Nc8 32. Re2 Bd8 33. Ne3 Ne7 34. Rf1 c5 35.
dxc5 Nxc5 36. Kg2 Bb6 37. Rd1 Nd7 38. c4 Bxe3 39. Rxe3 Nb6 40. Nd3 Nf5 41. Re2
dxc4 42. Nc5 Rc8 43. Nxe6 cxb3 44. Nd4 Nxd4 45. Rxd4 Rc2 46. f5+ Kxf5 47. Rf4+
Ke6 48. Rf6+ Kd5 49. Rd6+ Kc5 50. Rdd2 Rxd2 51. Rxd2 Nc4 52. Re2 b2 53. Re1
Nxe5 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.08"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c4 O-O 8. Nc3
Bg4 9. Be3 ({In the past,} 9. h3 {was more popular. Here is an example from a
game between two future grandmasters.} Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Nd4 11. Qd1 c6 12. Be3 Ne6
13. Bb3 Nd7 {Pachman,L-Ciocaltea,V (2470)/Moscow 1956/MCD (1/2, 32)}) 9... Nd4
$146 {Quite a daring knight move. Some would fear that the resulting kingside
majority would offer White chances for an attack. Maybe this would be true if
the game had started with the English Opening move order, meaning that the
bishop would be on g2 rather than a4.} (9... Nd7 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. h3 Bxf3 12.
Qxf3 c5 13. Qg4 Re8 14. Rae1 $14 {Puc,S-Bozic,A/Ljubljana 1947/EXT 2004 (1-0,
34)}) (9... Nb4 10. d4 exd4 11. Bxd4 {Lheureux,J-Balourdet,L/IECG Email 2000/
Corr 2002 (1-0, 46)}) 10. Bxd4 exd4 11. Nd5 c6 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. h3 Bxf3 14.
Qxf3 g6 15. Rae1 Bg7 16. Qd1 Qb6 17. Qd2 a5 18. f4 Qb4 19. Qc2 Qc5 20. Qf2 Rae8
21. Bd1 f5 22. Bf3 {The bishop has reached the optimal diagonal finally, but
Black is perfectly mobilised, too. If allowed to consolidate with h3-h4
followed by g2-g3, White may retain some advantage. Aronian finds the simplest
way to neutralise White's (still only incipient) attack.} Bh6 23. Qh4 (23. g3
g5 $132) 23... Bxf4 $1 24. Qxf4 fxe4 25. Qg3 exf3 26. Rxe8 Rxe8 27. Qxf3 Qf5
28. Qxf5 gxf5 29. Rxf5 Re2 30. Rf2 Re1+ 31. Rf1 Re2 32. Rf2 Re1+ 33. Rf1 Re2
1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Sumets,A"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 {Nowadays the Slav Exchange Variation is getting
more and more popular among the elite players. It is strange, isn't it?} cxd5
4. Bf4 {An interesting move order. In my opinion White wanted to avoid an
aggressive setup by Black such as} (4. Nc3 Nc6 ({or} 4... Nf6 5. Nf3 (5. Bf4 $1
) 5... Nc6 6. Bf4 Nh5 $5) 5. Bf4 e5 $5 6. dxe5 d4 7. Ne4 Qa5+ (7... Bf5 $5) (
7... Qb6 $5) 8. Nd2 Nge7 9. Ngf3 h6 10. h4 Bg4 11. g3 Bxf3 12. exf3 Nxe5 13.
Qe2 N7c6 14. Bxe5 Qxe5 15. Qxe5+ Nxe5 16. Bb5+ Nc6 17. Rc1 Bb4 18. a3 Bxd2+ 19.
Kxd2 O-O 20. Bxc6 bxc6 21. Rxc6 $16 {Ghaem Maghami,E-Yu Yangyi Jakarta INA
2011 1-0 (41); and White won this endgame.}) 4... Nc6 (4... Qb6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6.
e3 Qxb2 7. Bb5+ Bd7 8. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 9. Nge2 {see the game Morozevich,
A-Mamedyarov,S FIDE Gp Tashkent 2012.}) 5. e3 Nf6 6. Nc3 Bg4 7. Qb3 Na5 8. Qa4+
Bd7 9. Bb5 (9. Qc2 {The main continuation. Recently this position, as well as
all exchange variations, has become popular among strong players..} e6 (9...
Rc8 10. Nf3 g6 $6 11. Bd3 Bg7 12. h3 b5 13. a3 Nc4 14. O-O O-O 15. Rfc1 a6 16.
Qe2 Bf5 17. Ne5 Nd7 $6 (17... Bxd3 18. Nxd3 Ne4 19. a4 $14) 18. Bxf5 gxf5 19.
Nd3 e6 20. a4 $16 {1-0 Zhou Weiqi-Ma Qun/Xinghua CHN 2013 (49)}) 10. Bd3 Rc8
11. Nf3 Bb4 12. O-O Nc4 13. Bxc4 Rxc4 14. Ne5 Rc8 15. Qb3 Qa5 16. Nxd7 Nxd7 17.
a3 Bxc3 18. Qxb7 O-O 19. bxc3 Nb6 20. Bc7 Qb5 (20... Qxc3 21. Bxb6 axb6 22.
Qxb6 $16) (20... Qa4 $1 21. Bxb6 axb6 22. Qxb6 Rxc3 $14) 21. Qxa7 Nc4 22. Bg3
Ra8 23. Qe7 Rfc8 24. h3 Qa5 25. Qb4 $16 {Kramnik,V-Aronian,L/Shanghai CHN 2010
1-0 (45)}) 9... Nc6 10. Qd1 $5 {I believe this is White's best chance to get
an edge. Mainly, Black has a better version of the line 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5
cxd5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bf4 e6 because he has already developed his light-squared
bishop. Sooner or later White should play Bd3 so Black will get an extra tempo
compared with the above-mentioned line.} (10. Nf3 {this continuation is not
dangerous at all.} e6 (10... a6 11. Be2 e6 12. O-O Be7 13. h3 O-O 14. Qd1 Rc8
15. Rc1 Na5 16. Ne5 Nc4 17. Nxc4 dxc4 18. Bf3 Qb6 19. d5 exd5 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21.
Qxd5 Bc6 $11 {Fridman,D-Ter Sahakyan,S EU-Ch Aix-les-Bains FRA 2011 1/2-1/2 
(34)}) 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. Bxe5 a6 13. Bxd7+ Nxd7 14. Bg3 Be7 15. O-O b5 16. Qc2
O-O 17. a4 b4 18. Ne2 Rc8 19. Qd3 Qb6 20. Rfc1 Qb7 21. b3 Rxc1+ 22. Rxc1 Rc8
23. Qd2 Nb6 24. Rxc8+ Nxc8 {1/2-1/2 Ivanov,M-Sumets,A Guben GER 2012}) 10... a6
(10... e6 {If you wanted my opinion I would recommend. It is not so bad to
play a theoretical position with an extra tempo.} 11. Nf3 (11. Bd3 Be7 12. g4
$6 {A very aggressive approach. In my opinion White has no good reason to play
so aggressively.} Qb6 13. g5 $6 (13. Rb1 e5 14. dxe5 Nxg4 15. Nf3 (15. Nxd5 $2
Qa5+ 16. Nc3 Ncxe5 $17) 15... d4 16. exd4 Nxd4 17. O-O $13) 13... Nh5 $1 14.
Qxh5 Qxb2 $17 15. Rd1 Qxc3+ 16. Kf1 Nb4 17. Bb1 Ba4 18. Re1 Nd3 19. Bxd3 Qxd3+
20. Kg2 O-O 21. Ne2 Qe4+ 22. f3 Qc2 23. Kg3 Bb5 24. Nc1 Rac8 25. Be5 Qf5 26. h4
f6 {0-1 Shomoev,A-Dreev,A/Kirov RUS 2012}) 11... Be7 12. h3 Ne4 $6 {A dubious
move.} (12... O-O 13. O-O Qb6 14. Qe2 Rac8 15. Bd3 Rfd8 16. Rac1 Be8 17. Rfd1 (
17. g4 $6 Nb4 18. Bb1 Ne4 $132) (17. Na4 Nxd4 18. Nxb6 Nxe2+ 19. Bxe2 Rxc1 20.
Rxc1 axb6 21. Rc7 Rd7 22. Rc8 Rd8 23. Rc7 $11) 17... a6 18. Bb1 Na5 19. Ne5 Nc4
20. Nxc4 Rxc4 $11 {0-1 Stefanova,A-Sargissian,G/Antwerp 2009/CBM 133 (71)}) 13.
Nxe4 dxe4 14. Nd2 Bb4 15. a3 Bxd2+ 16. Qxd2 Ne7 17. Be2 Qb6 18. O-O O-O 19.
Rfc1 Nd5 20. Bg3 $14 {Potkin,V-Esen,B/Legnica POL 2013 0-1 (65). White has a
comfortable edge. The result of the game had nothing to do with the outcome of
the opening.}) 11. Bd3 Bg4 12. Nge2 e6 13. O-O Be7 $146 (13... Bxe2 $6 {
This is too cynical to be recommended. Despite the fact that White couldn't
win the game he had an edge throughout the whole game.} 14. Qxe2 Bd6 15. Bxd6 (
15. Bg5 $5) 15... Qxd6 16. Rac1 O-O 17. Na4 Nd7 18. Nc5 (18. a3 $5 Rfc8 19. Rc3
Ne7 20. Rfc1 h6 21. Nc5 Nxc5 22. dxc5 Qc7 23. b4 $14) 18... Nxc5 19. Rxc5 Rfc8
20. Rfc1 g6 21. b4 Qd7 22. b5 axb5 23. Bxb5 Qd6 24. Bxc6 Rxc6 25. Rxc6 bxc6 26.
g3 Qa3 27. Rxc6 Qxa2 28. Qxa2 Rxa2 29. Kg2 Kg7 30. Rc7 h5 {1/2-1/2 Brunello,
S-Michalik,P/Meissen GER 2013}) 14. Rc1 O-O 15. Na4 Rc8 $6 {I believe that
Black's problems began with this move} (15... Nd7 {Recently Nakamura played a
very similar position against Caruana. Nakamura played with the white pieces.
It seems to me that White has very little chances to gain an advantage.} 16.
Qb3 (16. a3 Rc8 17. h3 (17. Qb3 $6 b5 18. Nc5 $2 Nxc5 19. dxc5 e5 20. Bg3 e4
$19) (17. f3 Bh5 18. b4 Bg6 19. Nc5 Nxc5 20. bxc5 e5 $5 21. Bg3 exd4 22. exd4
Re8) 17... Bh5 18. b4 Bg6 19. Nc5 Nxc5 20. bxc5 Bxd3 21. Qxd3 b6 22. cxb6 (22.
Qxa6 bxc5 23. dxc5 Qd7 24. Qd3 Na5 25. e4 Bxc5 $11) 22... Qxb6 $11) 16... e5 $5
(16... Ra7) 17. dxe5 Ndxe5 18. Bxe5 (18. Rfd1 $2 Nxd3 19. Qxd3 Nb4 20. Qd2 Nxa2
21. Rc7 Bd6 $15) 18... Nxe5 19. Rfd1 Nxd3 20. Qxd3 Qa5 21. Nac3 Rfd8 22. h3 Be6
23. Nd4 Rac8 $11) 16. f3 Bh5 17. Nc5 Bxc5 (17... e5 $5 {The most interesting
and probably the strongest continuation. It can lead to enormous complications}
18. Nxb7 (18. Bg3 e4 19. fxe4 (19. Bb1 exf3 20. gxf3 Bxc5 21. Rxc5 Bg6 22. Bxg6
hxg6 $11) 19... dxe4 20. Nxe4 Nxe4 21. Bxe4 Bg5 22. Qd3 Bxe2 23. Qxe2 Qe7 24.
Bxc6 Qxe3+ 25. Qxe3 Bxe3+ 26. Kh1 Bxc1 27. Bxb7 Bxb2 28. Bxc8 Rxc8 $11) 18...
Qb6 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Bf5 (20. Bxe5 $2 Qxe3+ 21. Kh1 Qxe5) 20... Rc4 21. Rxc4
dxc4 22. Qd4 Nxf3+ 23. gxf3 Qxb7 $11) ({Black doesn't get full compensation
for an exchange after} 17... Qb6 18. g4 Bg6 19. g5 Nh5 20. Nd7 Qxb2 21. Nxf8
Bxf8 22. Bxg6 hxg6 23. Qc2 Qa3 24. Kf2 $14) 18. dxc5 $1 {It is much easier for
Black to equalise after Rc5:} (18. Rxc5 Bg6 19. Bxg6 hxg6 20. Qb3 Qe7 21. Rfc1
Nh5 $11) 18... e5 19. Bg5 h6 20. Bxf6 {I think this is not White's best option}
(20. Bh4 $1 e4 {and now Houdini prompts} (20... Rc7 $6 21. Ng3 Bg6 22. Bxf6
gxf6 23. Qd2 $16) (20... g5 21. Bg3 Qe7 22. a3 Rfd8 23. h4 $40) 21. Ng3 $1 (21.
fxe4 dxe4 22. Bc2 Qxd1 23. Bxd1 Nd5 24. Nc3 Nxc3 25. Bxh5 Nxa2 26. Rcd1 Nab4
27. Rd7 g6 28. Be2 Nd3 29. Bxd3 exd3 30. Rxd3 Ne5 31. Rd5 Rfe8 $11) 21... Bxf3
22. Be2 $1 Bxe2 23. Nxe2 g5 24. Bg3 $40 {White has a strong attack for the
pawn.} Ne8 (24... Nb4 25. Qd4 Nd3 26. Rxf6 Nxc1 27. Nc3 $1 (27. Nxc1 $2 Rxc5
$13) 27... Kh7 28. Bd6 Rc6 29. Rf1 $18) 25. Nd4 Nxd4 26. Qxd4 Qd7 27. Rcd1 $14)
20... Qxf6 21. Ng3 Qg5 22. Qd2 $1 (22. Nxh5 Qxh5 23. Qb3 Qg5 24. Bb1 Rfd8 25.
Qxb7 Qxe3+ 26. Kh1 Na5 27. Qxa6 Nc4 28. b4 Ra8 29. Qb7 Rab8 30. Qe7 Rdc8 31.
Qd7 Rd8 32. Qe7 Rdc8 $11) 22... d4 $8 {The only move otherwise Black gets into
troubles.} (22... Rfd8 23. f4 exf4 24. exf4 Qh4 25. a3 Rc7 26. Nf5 Qf6 27. Nd6
$16) (22... Bg6 23. Bxg6 Qxg6 24. Qxd5 Rfd8 25. Qb3 Rd3 26. Qxb7 Rb8 27. Qxa6
Rxb2 28. Rfd1 $16) 23. Qe1 dxe3 $2 {Likely this was the decisive mistake.} (
23... Bg6 24. f4 exf4 (24... Qh4 25. f5 Bh7 26. Qe2 dxe3 27. Rc4 Nd4 28. Qxe3
Rfe8 29. Ne4 Nxf5 $2 30. Rxf5 Bxf5 31. Nd6 $18) 25. exf4 Qd5 26. f5 Bh7 27. Be4
Qe5 28. f6 $40) (23... Rcd8 24. f4 Qh4 25. Be4 Rfe8 26. Qf2 Bg6 27. f5 Bh7 28.
Rce1 $14) 24. Ne4 Qe7 25. Nd6 Rc7 26. Qxe3 Bg6 27. Bxg6 fxg6 28. Rfe1 $16 {
Black's position is completely joyless.} Qe6 29. a3 g5 30. Rc4 Qd5 31. Qe4 $1
Qxe4 ({Black could have tried} 31... Qd2 $5 32. Rc2 Qd4+ 33. Qxd4 Nxd4 34. Rc4
Nf5 $16) 32. Rcxe4 Rd8 33. R1e3 Kh7 34. Kf2 a5 (34... Re7 35. Rb3 Rdd7 36. Rb6
Nd4 37. b4 $16 {Black's position is very difficult.}) 35. Rc3 Ra8 36. Ke3 Ra6
37. Nc4 Ne7 38. Nb6 a4 39. Kd2 Ra5 40. Nxa4 {White has several attractive
options. It is not easy to point out the best one.} (40. Rxe5 $5 Ng6 41. Ree3
Rcxc5 42. Rxc5 Rxc5 43. Nxa4 $16) (40. Rxa4 Raxc5 41. Rac4 Rxc4 42. Rxc4 Nc6 (
42... Rxc4 43. Nxc4 Nc6 44. Nd6 Nd8 45. a4 Kg6 46. a5 $18) 43. Rc5 Kg6 44. b4
$16) 40... Nd5 41. Rc2 Nf4 42. Kc1 Rc6 43. Kb1 g4 $6 {Black loses a second
pawn. Anyway his position was bad and his defeat was a question of time.} 44.
fxg4 Nd3 45. Re3 Nf4 46. b3 Re6 47. Kb2 Nd5 48. Re4 Nf6 49. Rec4 $18 {White is
completely winning, only a miracle can help Black.} e4 50. Nb6 Nxg4 51. b4 Ra6
52. Re2 Nxh2 53. Rcxe4 Rg6 54. Re7 Ra7 55. a4 Nf1 56. b5 Ng3 57. Rf2 Rg5 58. c6
{Here Black could have admitted his defeat but who among us wants to resign?}
Rxa4 59. Nxa4 Rxb5+ 60. Kc2 bxc6 61. Nc3 Ra5 62. Rff7 Nf5 63. Ra7 Re5 64. g4
Nd4+ 65. Kd2 Ne6 66. Rf5 Nd4 67. Rxe5 Nf3+ 68. Ke3 Nxe5 69. Kf4 Ng6+ 70. Ke4
1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.10"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
a3 O-O 9. b4 Be6 10. Rb1 f6 11. d3 Nd4 ({The more ambitious but also slightly
riskier alternative is} 11... a5 12. b5 Nd4 13. Nd2 Qc8 {Carlsen,M (2801)
-Kramnik,V (2772) London 2009 CBM 134 [Carlsen,M] (1-0, 43)}) 12. Nd2 c6 13.
Nde4 Bf7 {An interesting psychological detail. With White, Aronian had faced
the other two popular continuations, but with Black he chooses the third one.}
(13... Nd5 {Aronian,L (2739)-Topalov,V (2780)/Morelia/Linares 2008/CBM 123/
[Marin,M] (1-0, 65)}) (13... Rf7 14. Bd2 Nd5 15. e3 Nxc3 16. Nxc3 Nf5 17. Qc2
Bf8 18. Rfd1 a5 $6 {In this position, the thematic queenside break only helps
White to open the b-file for his attack.} (18... Nd6 {would leave White with
the problem of how to continue his slow attack. For instance, the immediate
activation of the knight does not look too promising:} 19. Na4 Nb5 20. Ra1 Bg4
{[%cal Gg4f5]}) 19. Na4 axb4 20. Bxb4 $1 {Suddenly, White has a strong
initiative.} Kh8 21. Bxf8 Qxf8 22. Nc5 Bc8 23. a4 Nd6 24. Rb4 Bf5 25. Qb2 $16 {
Aronian,L (2739)-Karjakin,S (2732)/Nice (rapid) 2008/CBM 123 Extra (1-0, 51)})
14. Nc5 Rb8 {This looks a bit passive to me.} ({Shortly after publishing the
first volume of my 1.c4 trilogy, I got caught in my opponent's preparation.
That game went} 14... Qc7 {, which is more natural, because it connects the
rooks and prepares their centralisation.} 15. e3 ({Aronian eventually won a
game with} 15. Be3 {, but his position did not look enviable at all:} a5 16.
Qd2 axb4 17. axb4 Nd7 18. N5e4 f5 19. Bg5 Qd8 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. Ng5 Ra3 $17 {
Aronian,L (2808)-Gelfand,B (2733)/Monte Carlo (blindfold) 2011/CBM 142 (1-0,
29)}) 15... Ne6 16. N3e4 Nxc5 17. Nxc5 Rfd8 18. Bh3 $5 {This looks like an
improvement over my game.} ({After} 18. Qc2 a5 {I felt proud of my} 19. e4 {
, followed by} axb4 20. axb4 Nd7 21. Be3 Ra2 22. Qc3 {If allowed to play Bh3
and force an exchange on c5 or else a knight retreat, I would get a great
position, but after half an hour of thinking my opponent came up with} b5 $3
$15 {Marin,M (2597)-De la Villa Garcia,J (2496)/Benasque 2010/CBM 137 Extra 
(0-1, 52), , when the mutual pawn weaknesses tend to compensate for each other,
but both black bishops are active, while mine from g2 is less so.}) 18... Bxc5
({If} 18... Kh8 {I could transpose to the known plan, having discarded ...
Nb6-d7 followed by ...b5.} 19. Qc2 a5 20. e4 $14 {[%csl Gb6][%cal Gc1e3]}) 19.
bxc5 Nd7 20. Qc2 b6 21. cxb6 axb6 {The position is not easy to asses, but
there are players who would treasure the potential force of the two bishops. I
would be one of them!}) 15. e3 $146 {A logical novelty.} ({It is probably too
early for} 15. Bh3 Bxc5 16. bxc5 Nd5 17. Bd2 Bh5 18. f3 f5 $36 {Winants,L 
(2500)-Vyzmanavin,A (2590)/Ostende 1991/CBM 026 ext (0-1, 44)}) 15... Ne6 16.
d4 $5 {But I find that only this move brings in some, if not new, at least
fresh concept. White takes advantage of the hidden defects of ...Rb8 to speed
up his development and take over the initiative.} exd4 {The most natural
reaction. Even if grabbing the central pawn is risky, Black can try to block
it.} ({The mechanical occupation of the c4-square weakens the control over the
d5-square.} 16... Nc4 17. Nxe6 Bxe6 18. d5 cxd5 19. Bxd5 Qc8 20. e4 b5 21. Qe2
{Both players have a strong outpost, but White can think of starting a pawn
attack with f2-f4 at the right moment. I would prefer his chances.}) 17. exd4
Re8 (17... Nxd4 $2 18. Bf4 $16 Rc8 19. Nxb7 Qd7 20. Nc5 Qd8 21. Bh3 $5 {
should be avoided.}) (17... Qxd4 {may be playable, though.} 18. Qxd4 Nxd4 19.
Bf4 Rbd8 20. Nxb7 Rd7 {Black's activity may compensate for the pawn weaknesses.
}) 18. Re1 Bd6 {Of course, Black is not interested in strengthening White's
structure with an exchange on c5.} 19. a4 $36 {A natural move in the English
Opening. Usually, it is a sign that White prepares b4-b5, but here Black has
to count with a4-a5, too.} Nc7 $1 {The most consistent defence, strengthening
the control over the crucial d5-square.} (19... Qc7 20. a5 Nc4 21. N5e4 $36 {
[%cal Gd4d5]}) (19... Bc7 20. d5 $1 Nxc5 21. Rxe8+ Qxe8 22. bxc5 Nc4 23. d6)
20. Rxe8+ {Aiming to distract one of the three pieces defending the rook from
their optimal squares.} ({If} 20. b5 Nbd5 21. Nxd5 Bxd5 22. bxc6 bxc6 {White's
advantage is purely symbolical.}) 20... Bxe8 $6 (20... Qxe8 {looks more
constructive from the point of view of development, as can be seen in the line}
21. b5 $6 Bxc5 22. dxc5 Rd8 $36) 21. b5 Bg6 (21... Bxc5 22. dxc5 Qxd1+ 23. Nxd1
Nbd5 24. Bd2 $14) 22. N5e4 {This retains some vanishing initiative, but White
had an even stronger continuation.} (22. Qb3+ $1 {No matter how he reacts,
Black will lose at least one tempo. One of the hidden problems is that ...Nbd5
would run into bxc6, leaving the b7-pawn pinned.} Bf7 (22... Kh8 23. N3e4 {
[%cal Ga4a5]} Nbd5 $6 24. bxc6 Bxc5 25. Nxc5 Bxb1 26. Nd7 $1 $16) 23. Qc2 {
[%csl Gh7][%cal Gg2e4]} Bg6 24. Be4 Bxe4 25. N3xe4 $36) 22... Bf8 23. Bf4 Rc8
24. bxc6 bxc6 25. Bh3 Ra8 26. Bxc7 Qxc7 27. Qb3+ Bf7 28. Be6 Re8 29. Bxf7+ Qxf7
30. Qxf7+ Kxf7 31. a5 (31. a5 Nd5 32. Nxd5 Rxe4 33. Rb7+ Ke6 34. Nf4+ Kf5 35.
Rxa7 Rxd4 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[Annotator "Motylev,A"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{After starting with two wins in Stavanger, Sergey had to face a very tough
opponent. His personal score vs Levon was far from satisfactory. This win
helped Sergey to make an amazing start (4 out of 4) and become the winner of
the first Norwegian supertournament.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5.
b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Bg2 c6 9. e4 d5 10. exd5 cxd5 11. Ne5 {
Levon plays again the variation he himself introduced to modern chess theory
in the game with... Sergey Karjakin!} Bb7 (11... Nfd7 12. O-O $1 Nxe5 13. dxe5
Nd7 14. Re1 dxc4 15. Bxa8 Qxa8 16. Bh6 $1 Rd8 17. Qg4 Bf8 18. Rad1 {...1-0 (30)
Aronian,L (2816)-Karjakin,S (2778) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2012}) 12. O-O Nc6 13. Bf4
Na5 14. Rc1 Ba3 15. Rb1 Bb4 16. Na4 ({Some days before Leko played} 16. Ne2 {
and got a big advantage quickly, but somehow neither Hammer nor Aronian later
had any intention of repeating this line.} Nc6 17. Bg5 Be7 18. Nf4 Ne4 19. cxd5
exd5 20. Nxc6 Bxc6 21. Bxe7 Qxe7 22. Re1 Qf6 23. Rc1 Bb7 24. Re2 Rae8 25. Rc7
Ba8 26. Rxa7 Bc6 27. Rc2 Qd6 28. Qc1 Qb8 29. Ra3 Bb7 30. b4 Qd6 31. Rb3 Qf6 32.
Qb2 g5 33. Nd3 Nd6 34. a4 Nf5 35. Ne5 Nxd4 36. Qxd4 Qxe5 37. Qxe5 Rxe5 38. Re3
Ree8 39. Rc7 Ba8 40. Ra7 Rc8 41. h3 d4 42. Re5 d3 43. Rxg5+ Kh8 44. Bxa8 Rxa8
45. Rd7 Rfd8 46. Rgd5 Rxd7 47. Rxd7 Rxa4 48. b5 Rb4 49. Kg2 Rxb5 50. Rxd3 Kg7
51. Rd6 Rb4 52. g4 Rb1 53. Kg3 b5 54. Rb6 b4 55. Kf4 Rh1 56. Rxb4 Rxh3 57. Ke4
{1/2 (57) Leko,P (2744)-Karjakin,S (2786) Zug SUI 2013}) 16... Ne4 17. a3 Be7
18. cxd5 {Levon deviates from the game of the second round Hammer-Karjakin,
which continues} (18. Qd3 f6 $1 19. Ng4 Re8 ({The engine suggests} 19... Ba6 $5
20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Qxe4 e5 $1 22. dxe5 f5 23. Nh6+ gxh6 24. Qe3 Qe8 {and Black
looks better}) 20. cxd5 exd5 21. f3 Nd6 22. Rfc1 Bf8 23. Ne3 Nf7 24. b4 Nc6 25.
b5 $2 Nce5 $1 26. dxe5 fxe5 27. Bxe5 Nxe5 28. Qd4 Qf6 {Black got the advantage
and Sergey managed to win in the end.} 29. Kh1 Nd7 30. Qd3 Nc5 31. Nxc5 Bxc5
32. Nxd5 Qf7 33. Nb4 Re3 34. Qd2 Rae8 35. Re1 Bxf3 36. Rxe3 Bxe3 37. Qd3 Bxg2+
38. Kxg2 Bc5 39. Rf1 Qe6 40. Nc6 a5 41. a4 Qe2+ 42. Qxe2 Rxe2+ 43. Kh3 Re4 44.
Rf5 Rc4 45. Rd5 Kf7 46. Rh5 Rxa4 47. Rxh7 Re4 48. Rh8 a4 49. Ra8 a3 50. Nd8+
Kf6 51. Nb7 Be7 52. Ra6 Ke5 53. Kg2 Rb4 54. Rxb6 Ra4 {0-1 (54) Hammer,J (2608)
-Karjakin,S (2767) Sandnes NOR 2013}) 18... exd5 19. b4 Nc6 20. Rc1 Rc8 21. Bh3
f5 22. f3 Nd6 {Black's position looks normal, so it's not clear what Levon
could have missed in his preparation.} 23. Qd3 Nxe5 $5 24. dxe5 (24. Bxe5 g6 {
and Black is slightly better, perhaps.}) 24... Rxc1 25. Bxc1 $6 ({Major
complications could follow} 25. Rxc1 Nc4 $8 26. Bxf5 Kh8 $1 {but it looks like
Black is all right since} 27. Bxh7 {doesn't work in view of} Bg5 $1) 25... Nc4
$1 {Now Black gains the initiative.} 26. f4 (26. Bxf5 Nxe5 27. Bxh7+ Kh8 $15)
26... b5 $1 27. Nc3 $6 (27. Nc5 {was bad too -} Bxc5+ 28. bxc5 d4 $1) ({
The ugly} 27. Nb2 {was perhaps better:} d4 28. Bg2 Bxg2 29. Kxg2 Qd5+ $15)
27... Qb6+ ({The immediate} 27... d4 $1 {was very strong too, perhaps even
better.} 28. Nxb5 Qd5 29. Nxd4 Bd8 $3 $19) 28. Rf2 d4 29. Ne2 (29. Nxb5 {
does not work:} Qxb5 30. Bf1 Rc8 31. Rc2 Bd5 32. Qxf5 Qb7) ({A more stubborn
try was probably} 29. Na4 $5 Qc7 30. Bf1 Qd7 $17) 29... Rd8 $1 {/\ ...Be4} 30.
Qxf5 d3 $1 31. Qe6+ Kf8 32. Qf5+ $6 ({It is very unlikely that White can save
the endgame after} 32. Qxb6 axb6 33. Nc3 d2 34. Bxd2 Nxd2 35. Bg2 Bc8 {but it
was a better try.}) 32... Ke8 $1 {The king easily escapes now.} 33. Qxh7 (33.
e6 Rd6 $1 34. Qxh7 Kd8 $19) 33... d2 $1 34. Bxd2 Rxd2 35. e6 Rd1+ 36. Bf1 Qxe6
37. Qh5+ Kf8 38. Nc3 Qc6 {A very important win with convincing play by Sergey
Karjakin.} 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D12"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Qb3 Qc7 7. Bd2 e6 8.
Bb5+ Nc6 9. O-O Bd6 10. Bb4 O-O 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Nbd2 Rfb8 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14.
Qc3 Qb4 15. Qxb4 Rxb4 16. b3 Nd7 17. a3 Rb6 18. b4 a5 19. Nb3 axb4 20. axb4
Rxa1 21. Rxa1 f6 22. Nc5 Nxc5 23. dxc5 Rxb4 24. Nd4 Rc4 25. Nxc6 Rxc5 26. Ne7+
Kf7 27. Nxf5 exf5 28. Ra7+ Kg6 29. g3 h5 30. Rd7 Rc1+ 31. Kg2 Rd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.14"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hammer, Jon Ludvig"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2608"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O Bg4 13. Rxb7 Nc6 $2 {
Jon Hammer obviously mixed something up.} (13... Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Bxd4 {is a must
here.}) 14. d5 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Nd4 16. Rxe7 {The simplest.} (16. Bg5 e6 $5 (16...
Nxf3+ 17. Qxf3 f6 18. Be3 Rfe8 19. Bc5 Bf8 20. Qh3 Qa6 21. Qb3 $18 {1-0 (32)
L'Ami,E (2519)-Bezemer,A (2364) Amsterdam 2005})) (16. Be3 $5 Nxf3+ (16... e5
17. Qd3 $5) 17. Qxf3 a5 18. Bc5 (18. Rxe7 $143 {- below}) 18... Rab8 {1/2 (34)
Filip,L (2295)-Lupulescu,C (2348) Tusnad 2001} 19. Rxb8 Rxb8 20. Bxe7 {[%cal
Yd5d6]}) 16... a5 (16... Nxf3+ 17. gxf3 a5 18. d6 $1 (18. Rb7 $143 a4 19. Bb4
Rfb8 20. Rxb8+ Rxb8 21. Bd6 Re8 22. Qc1 Qb3 23. Kg2 Qb5 24. Qc2 Qd7 25. Qc6
Qxc6 26. dxc6 {1-0 (78) Gajewski,G (2515)-Schmidt,W (2435) Warsaw 2006} Be5 $1
$14)) 17. d6 (17. Be3 Nxf3+ 18. Qxf3 a4 19. d6 a3 20. e5 Qc4 {is less
convincing}) 17... a4 18. e5 {[%csl Gd6,Ge5]} Nxf3+ 19. gxf3 Qb2 (19... a3 20.
Bc3 $1 {(stopping Black's passed pawn)} Qc4 21. Qd4 Qc6 {was probably more
stubborn than the game continuation.}) 20. Be3 $1 a3 (20... Bxe5 21. Qd5 $1 {
[%cal Re7f7,Rd5e5]}) (20... Qb5 21. Qb1 $5) 21. Qd5 {[%csl Gd5][%cal Re7f7]}
Rae8 $2 {This loses at once.} (21... Rab8 $142 22. f4 Rb5 (22... a2 23. Ra7)
23. Qc4 Rb4 24. Qa6 $16) 22. Rxe8 Rxe8 23. d7 Rd8 24. Bg5 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 Nd7 4. c4 e6 5. O-O Ngf6 {Since always I have known
that the system with the bishop on f5 bears Lasker's name, but only found out
recently that the current position belongs rather to the "Capablanca system".
Understandably, the two great champions believed in similar chess values, but
wanted to leave their own trace in theory and history.} 6. d3 (6. cxd5 exd5 7.
d3 c6 8. Qc2 {would transpose to Carlsen,M (2861)-Karjakin,S (2780)/Wijk aan
Zee 2013/CBM 153/[Marin,M] (1-0, 92)}) 6... dxc4 $5 {This way of releasing the
tension is not too common. Aronian probably thought that the g2-bishop was not
dangerous, since he could play ...c7-c6 at any time. Which he will do with
some (also unusual) delay, but this will not really change the position
dramatically.} 7. dxc4 Be7 8. Nc3 O-O $146 (8... c6 {transposes to a position
that has been seen before.} 9. h3 (9. Bf4 {places the bishop on a vulnerable
square, which will eventually allow Black an unexpected tactical blow.} O-O 10.
h3 Bh5 11. g4 Bg6 12. Nh4 {Seeman,T (2429)-Dalmau,J (2020)/Stockholm 2004/CBM
097 ext (1-0, 40)} Nxg4 $1 13. Nxg6 fxg6 {[%csl Gf4]}) 9... Bxf3 (9... Bh5 10.
Nh4 {may transpose to the main game.}) 10. exf3 (10. Bxf3 Ne5 $11) 10... Nc5
11. Be3 Qd3 12. Ne4 (12. Qxd3 Nxd3 13. Na4 O-O 14. f4 Rfd8 15. Rfd1 $14) 12...
Nfxe4 13. fxe4 Qxc4 $2 (13... O-O 14. b4 Qxd1 15. Raxd1 Na4 16. Rd7 Bxb4 17.
Rxb7 Bc5 $11) 14. Rc1 Qb5 15. Qd4 O-O 16. Rxc5 $16 {Hauchard,A (2518)-Dutreeuw,
M (2375)/Belgium 2001/EXT 2003 (1-0, 60)}) 9. Nh4 c6 10. h3 Bh5 11. g4 Ne8 {
The knight does not stand too well on e8 and, with the current structure, does
not have effective ways to be activated. And yet, keeping the bishop pair is
probably worth the effort.} (11... Bg6 12. Nxg6 hxg6 13. Bf4 e5 14. Bh2 Qc7 15.
e3 Rad8 16. Qc2 $14 {White's position is more flexible and Black has to live
with the permament threat of g4-g5 followed by h3-h4.}) 12. Nf3 (12. gxh5 Bxh4
13. h6 g6 {[%cal Gh4f6,Gf6h8] is interesting, but Black should be fine.}) 12...
Bg6 13. Bf4 f6 {[%csl Ge6,Ge8] This plan of recycling the bishop would be
entirely viable if Black did not have the problem of the passive e8-knight.} ({
True,} 13... h6 {would allow White cut the bishop off from the play with:} 14.
e4 Nc5 15. Ne5 Bh7 16. Qe2 $14) ({but} 13... Nef6 {[%cal Gf6e4] looks entirely
playable, when} 14. Nh4 Nxg4 $1 {is familiar to us already.}) 14. Nd4 Nc5 15.
Be3 (15. b4 {is premature:} e5) 15... a5 {[%csl Ga5,Gb6] If one piece stands
badly, the position is bad, as Tarrasch would say. The last move would offer
Black a great game, if he could play the (illegal) move ...Ne8-d7, with
perfect stability on c5. The way it is, the last move only creates some
additional weaknesses.} (15... Bf7 {would allow some complications, which
might be not that bad for Black, though:} 16. b4 Nd7 17. Bxc6 ({Maybe} 17. Qb3
{is more constructive.}) 17... Bxb4 18. Ne4 e5 19. Nc2 bxc6 20. Nxb4 {White is
more active, but if Black neutralises his initiative, he will have a great
position.}) 16. Nb3 Nd7 (16... Nxb3 17. Qxb3 Qc7 18. Na4 $36) 17. Na4 $14 {
The fight for the critical queenside squares is unfair: White has an extra
knight for this purpose!} Qc7 18. Nbc5 Nxc5 19. Nxc5 Bf7 (19... Bxc5 20. Bxc5
Rf7 21. Qd4 Rd7 (21... Rd8 22. Qe3 {[%csl Ra5,Rd8][%cal Gc5b6]}) 22. Qe3 e5 23.
Rad1 $14) 20. Qd7 $1 {A strong move, practically forcing Black to give up the
dark-squared bishop.} Bxc5 (20... e5 21. Rfd1 $16) (20... Rc8 21. Rad1 $16) 21.
Qxc7 Nxc7 22. Bxc5 Rfc8 (22... Rfd8 23. Bb6 Rd7 24. Rad1 Rad8 25. Rxd7 Rxd7 26.
Bxa5 $16) 23. f4 $6 {As the ulteriour course of the game proves, this only
weakens White's kingside.} (23. Rac1 $5 e5 24. Rfd1 $14 Be6 (24... Ne6 25. Bb6)
25. Be4 Kf7 26. f3 g6 27. Kf2 {White has some more space and a dangerous
bishop pair. If Black displays premature activity he will risk becoming
over-extended:} f5 28. Bb1) 23... e5 24. fxe5 fxe5 25. b3 Ne6 {If White had a
knight versus a black bishop, the modification of the central structure would
rather favour him. The way it is, it is Black who mainly benefits from it.} 26.
Be3 Re8 27. Rad1 Re7 {Black has solved his problems of coordination completely.
} 28. a3 (28. Rf5 Nd4) 28... h6 29. Rd6 Rae8 (29... a4 $5 30. b4 Nd4) 30. Be4
Nf4 (30... Nd4 31. Bxd4 exd4 32. Bd3 $14) 31. Bxf4 exf4 32. Bd3 g5 33. Rxh6 Kg7
34. Rh7+ (34. Rd6 Re3 35. Kh2 R3e6 36. Rxe6 Rxe6 $44 {[%csl Ge2][%cal Gf7g6]})
34... Kg8 35. Rh6 (35. h4 Rxe2) (35. Rf2 Re3 36. Rh6 Kg7) 35... Kg7 36. Rh7+
Kg8 37. Rh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.17"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E55"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O cxd4 8. exd4
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b6 10. Qe2 Bb7 11. Rd1 Nbd7 12. d5 Bxc3 13. dxe6 Bxf3 14. gxf3
fxe6 15. bxc3 Qc7 16. Bxe6+ Kh8 17. Qc4 Qb7 18. Bxd7 Nxd7 19. Qd5 Qxd5 20. Rxd5
Nc5 21. Be3 Rxf3 22. Re1 Ne6 23. a4 Rf7 24. a5 h6 25. axb6 axb6 26. Bxb6 Nf4
27. Ra5 Rb8 28. Bd4 Rb2 29. Ra7 Rxa7 30. Bxa7 Rc2 31. Bd4 Kh7 32. h4 g5 33.
hxg5 hxg5 34. Re5 Kg6 35. Kh2 Nd3 36. Re6+ Kf5 37. Re8 Kg4 38. Re4+ Nf4 39. Re1
Ne2 40. Kg2 Nxc3 41. Bxc3 Rxc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.18"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D63"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2868"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 O-O 7. Rc1 a6 8. Qc2
{This move is hardly dangerous for Black, as well as} (8. cxd5) (8. c5 {
is crucial.}) 8... dxc4 {I don't like this move allowing White's bishop to
come to c4 at once. Other popular options:} (8... h6) (8... c6) (8... Re8) 9.
Bxc4 c5 {The most accurate move order.} (9... b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 (10... c5 11. Bxf6
Nxf6 12. Ne4 $1 Qa5+ 13. Ke2 Bb7 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6 {1/2 (24) Lisanti,A (2330)
-Zude,A (2465) Bruchkoebel 1993} 15. dxc5 $14) 11. Bxf6 $5 Nxf6 12. Ne4 Nxe4
13. Bxe4 Bxe4 14. Qxe4 c5 15. dxc5 Qa5+ 16. b4 Qxa2 17. O-O a5 {0-1 (25)
Boudiba,M (2373)-Triger,F (2196) Noisy le Grand 2003} 18. Ra1 $1 Qc4 19. Qxc4
bxc4 20. Rxa5 Rxa5 21. bxa5 Bxc5 22. Ra1 c3 23. Kf1 $14 {_|_}) 10. Be2 (10. a4
cxd4 11. exd4 h6 12. Bd2 Nb6 13. Ba2 Bd7 14. O-O Rc8 $36 {0-1 (44) Tartakower,
S-Kmoch,H Vienna 1928}) (10. O-O b5 11. Bd3 (11. Be2 cxd4 $1 12. Nxd4 Bb7 $11)
11... cxd4 (11... c4 $5 12. Be2 Bb7 13. a3 h6 14. Bh4 Rc8 15. e4 Nh5 16. Bxe7
Qxe7 17. Qd2 Rfd8 18. Qe3 Nhf6 $11 {1/2 (57) Schmidt,W (2505)-Ardiansyah,H 
(2330) Dubai 1986}) 12. Nxd4 Bb7 13. Rfd1 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Be4 Bxe4 16.
Nxe4 Bxd4 17. Rxd4 Rc8 18. Qxc8 {1/2 (18) Parmentier,X (2348)-Roos,J (2307)
Germany 2003}) (10. dxc5 {is the most principled continuation:} Nxc5 11. O-O b5
12. Rfd1 (12. Be2 Bb7 (12... b4 13. Na4 Nxa4 14. Qxa4 Bd7 15. Qc2 h6 16. Bh4
Rc8 17. Qd2 a5 18. Qd4 Nd5 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Ne5 $14 {1-0 (43) Piket,J (2540)
-Hjartarson,J (2555) Tilburg 1989}) 13. Rfd1 Qa5 $1 (13... Qb6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6
15. b4 $16 {1-0 (23) Piket,J (2500)-Ioseliani,N (2480) Spijkenisse 1989}) 14.
a3 Rac8 $1 15. Nd2 (15. b4 Qxa3 16. bxc5 Rxc5 {[%cal Rb7f3,Rb5b4]}) 15... Na4
$15 {1/2 (30) Yanvarjov,I (2425)-Ubilava,E (2525) Villalba 1995}) 12... Qe8 $1
(12... Qb6 13. Be2 Bb7 $140 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. b4) 13. Be2 Bb7 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15.
Nxb5 axb5 16. Qxc5 Rxa2 17. Bxb5 Qa8 18. Bc6 Bxc6 19. Qxc6 {1/2 (19) Panelo
Munoz,M (2418)-Gonzalez Garcia,J (2503) Barcelona 2006}) 10... b5 11. a4 b4 12.
Ne4 cxd4 $1 $146 {A minor improvement on the previous game. Pay attention to
the fact that in this structure it is generally better for Black to trade the
central pawns himself (...c5xd4) than to wait for White's d4xc5. Of course,
Black should make sure that the invasion of White's knight (Nd4-c6) will not
be dangerous:} (12... Bb7 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Nxc5 Nxc5 15. dxc5 Rc8 16. Qb3 Rxc5
17. O-O Qb6 18. Rc4 Rxc4 19. Qxc4 Rd8 20. Qg4+ Kh8 21. Qh5 Kg8 {1/2 (24)
Tallaksen,G (2402)-Kveinys,A (2540) Oslo 2006 , and now, had White wished, he
could have continued fighting for an edge by means of} 22. Rc1) 13. Nxf6+ (13.
Nxd4 $144 Bb7) 13... Nxf6 14. Nxd4 Bb7 15. Nc6 {White decided to simplify the
game.} (15. Bf3 $6 Rc8 16. Qb1 Rxc1+ 17. Qxc1 Bxf3 18. Nxf3 Qd3 {K.Landa}) (15.
O-O Rc8 16. Qb3 Qa5 17. Bf3 Bxf3 18. Nxf3 h6 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Rfd1 (20. Nd2
Qd5 21. Nc4 Bc3 $1 {K.Landa}) 20... Rc5 $36) 15... Bxc6 16. Qxc6 Rc8 (16... Qa5
17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. b3 Bc3+ 19. Kf1 $11 {[%cal Yg2g3,Yf1g2]}) 17. Qxc8 Qxc8 18.
Rxc8 Rxc8 19. O-O a5 (19... Rc2 20. Bxa6 Rxb2 21. Bc4 Rc2 22. Bb3 $11 {K.Landa}
) 20. b3 Kf8 21. Bxf6 Bxf6 22. Rd1 Rc3 23. Bc4 h5 24. Kf1 Ke7 25. Ke2 Be5 26.
h3 h4 27. Rd3 Rc2+ 28. Rd2 Rc3 29. Rd3 Rc2+ 30. Rd2 Rc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mitropa sim"]
[Site "Meissen"]
[Date "2013.05.31"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bluebaum, Matthias"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2511"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2013.05.31"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 dxc4 4. e4 b5 5. a4 b4 6. Na2 Nf6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Bxc4 e6
9. Nf3 a5 10. Ng5 Be7 11. Qh5 Bxg5 12. Bxg5 Qb6 13. Qh4 b3 14. Nc3 Nxc3 15.
bxc3 Ba6 16. Bxa6 Qxa6 17. Ra3 c5 18. Rxb3 Qc4 19. Rb7 O-O 20. Qg3 cxd4 21.
cxd4 Nc6 22. Bh6 g6 23. Qb3 Qxd4 24. O-O Rfb8 25. Qb5 Qd5 26. Qxd5 exd5 27. Rd7
Rd8 28. Rxd8+ Rxd8 29. Bg5 Rb8 30. h3 Rb4 31. Rd1 Rxa4 32. Rxd5 Rc4 33. Bh6 Rh4
34. Bg5 Rc4 35. Bh6 Rh4 36. Bg7 Nb8 37. Rd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mitropa sim"]
[Site "Meissen"]
[Date "2013.05.31"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Donchenko, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2452"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2013.05.31"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 e6 4. Bxc4 c5 5. Nf3 a6 6. O-O Nf6 7. Nc3 b5 8. Be2
Nbd7 9. d5 exd5 10. Nxd5 Bb7 11. Nxf6+ Nxf6 12. a4 b4 13. Qxd8+ Rxd8 14. Ne5
Be7 15. f3 O-O 16. e4 Nd7 17. Nxd7 Rxd7 18. Be3 Bf6 19. Rab1 Rc8 20. b3 Bd4 21.
Bxd4 cxd4 22. Bc4 Kf8 23. Rfd1 Ke7 24. Rb2 Kf6 25. Rbd2 Rcd8 26. h4 Rd6 27. Kf2
Ke7 28. g4 h6 29. h5 Kf6 30. Kg3 R6d7 31. Kf4 Ke7 32. Rg1 Rc8 33. g5 Rc5 34.
gxh6 gxh6 35. Rh2 Kf8 36. Rhg2 Rxh5 37. Rg8+ Ke7 38. R1g7 Kf6 39. Rh7 Rh4+ 40.
Kg3 Rh5 41. Rf8 Rg5+ 42. Kf4 Rg7 43. e5+ Ke7 44. Rhh8 Rg1 1-0

[Event "Mitropa sim"]
[Site "Meissen"]
[Date "2013.05.31"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svane, Rasmus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2440"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2013.05.31"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. Rc1 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. e3
Nc6 9. a3 d4 10. exd4 Nxd4 11. b4 Nxf3+ 12. Qxf3 Bd4 13. Nb5 e5 14. Bg5 e4 15.
Qg3 h6 16. Rd1 hxg5 17. Rxd4 Bd7 18. Be2 a5 19. O-O axb4 20. axb4 Ra2 21. Re1
Qa8 22. Bf1 Bxb5 23. cxb5 Ra1 24. Qc3 Rxe1 25. Qxe1 Rc8 26. h3 Qa3 27. b6 Rc1
28. Rd1 Rc6 29. Qd2 Kh7 30. Qxg5 Qxb4 31. Qh4+ Kg6 32. Rd3 Qb1 33. Rg3+ Kf5 34.
Rg5+ Ke6 35. Qf4 Rc1 36. Qe5+ Kd7 37. Qd4+ Kc6 38. Qa4+ Kd6 39. Kh2 Qxb6 40.
Qa3+ Rc5 41. Rxg7 Ke7 42. Bc4 Qd6+ 43. g3 Nd5 44. Bxd5 Rxd5 45. Qe3 Qe5 46. Rg4
f5 47. Rg6 Rd6 48. Qg5+ Kd7 49. Rg7+ Kc6 50. Qc1+ Kd5 51. Rxb7 1-0

[Event "Mitropa sim"]
[Site "Meissen"]
[Date "2013.05.31"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wagner, Dennis"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2487"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2013.05.31"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 c5 4. dxc5 Qa5 5. a3 Qxc5 6. b4 Qc7 7. Bb2 Bg7 8.
e3 O-O 9. c4 d6 10. Be2 Nc6 11. O-O a5 12. Qb3 b6 13. Bc3 Bb7 14. Qb2 axb4 15.
axb4 Rxa1 16. Rxa1 Ra8 17. h3 Qb8 18. Rb1 Ra7 19. Bd1 Qa8 20. Bb3 Qf8 21. c5
bxc5 22. bxc5 dxc5 23. Ng5 Nd8 24. Bc4 Nd5 25. Bxg7 Qxg7 26. Qb5 Qe5 27. Ndf3
Qc7 28. e4 Nf6 29. Nxf7 Nxf7 30. Ng5 Bc8 31. Bxf7+ Kg7 32. Bb3 h6 33. Qc4 hxg5
34. Qf7+ Kh6 35. Qf8+ Kh7 36. Qf7+ Kh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mitropa sim"]
[Site "Meissen"]
[Date "2013.05.31"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Klek, Hanna Marie"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2267"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2013.05.31"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Bc4 d6 5. Qf3 e6 6. Nge2 Nf6 7. Bb3 O-O 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. Bg5 a6 10. a4 Qa5 11. Be3 d5 12. Ng3 h5 13. h3 Nh7 14. Rfd1 Qd8 15. a5
Ng5 16. Qf4 Bh6 17. Kh1 f6 18. Nf1 Kh7 19. Qh4 f5 20. exf5 exf5 21. Ne2 Qf6 22.
c3 Re8 23. Re1 Re4 24. f4 Nf7 25. Qxf6 Nxf6 26. Bc2 Re6 27. Ng1 Ne4 28. Nf3 Bd7
29. N1d2 Rg8 30. Bxe4 dxe4 31. Ng1 Re7 32. Ne2 Be6 33. b3 Rd8 34. c4 Bg7 35.
Rad1 Nd6 36. Kg1 Red7 37. Kf2 Bf6 38. Rf1 Bh4+ 39. Kg1 Bf6 40. Kf2 Bh4+ 41. Kg1
Bf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Mitropa sim"]
[Site "Meissen"]
[Date "2013.05.31"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Osmanodja, Filiz"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B15"]
[WhiteElo "2255"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2013.05.31"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.06.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. f4 d5 5. e5 Nh6 6. Be3 Qb6 7. Rb1 Ng4 8. Qd2 f6
9. Nf3 Nxe3 10. Qxe3 O-O 11. Bd3 Bg4 12. O-O Bxf3 13. Rxf3 fxe5 14. fxe5 Rxf3
15. gxf3 Nd7 16. f4 Rf8 17. Kh1 e6 18. b4 Qd8 19. Qg3 Rf7 20. Ne2 a5 21. Qg4
Nf8 22. b5 Bh6 23. Rf1 Qe7 24. Qh3 Bg7 25. bxc6 bxc6 26. Rb1 c5 27. dxc5 Qxc5
28. Rb5 Qc7 29. Qg3 Bh6 30. Qh4 Kg7 31. a4 Qa7 32. Qg3 Rb7 33. Qg1 Qxg1+ 34.
Kxg1 Rxb5 35. Bxb5 g5 36. f5 g4 37. Kf2 exf5 38. Nd4 Bf4 39. Nxf5+ Kf7 40. Ne3
h5 41. Bc6 Bxe5 42. Bxd5+ Kf6 43. c4 Nd7 44. Kg2 Bd4 45. Bc6 Ne5 46. Nd5+ Kg5
47. Bb5 Nd3 48. Nc7 Be5 49. Ne6+ Kf6 50. Nf8 h4 51. Nd7+ Ke6 52. c5 Nf4+ 53.
Kh1 Bd4 54. c6 Kd6 55. Nb8 g3 56. hxg3 hxg3 57. Bf1 Kc7 58. Nd7 Kxc6 59. Nf8
Bc5 60. Nh7 Be7 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2013.08.11"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Markov, Mikhail2"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2304"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2013.08.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 156"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Be2 dxc4 8.
O-O Nd5 9. Bxc4 Nxf4 10. exf4 c5 11. dxc5 Nxc5 12. Qe2 Bf6 13. Rad1 Qc7 14. Ne5
a6 15. a4 Nd7 16. Nxf7 Rxf7 17. Bxe6 Nf8 18. Bxf7+ Qxf7 19. Ne4 Be7 20. Qf3 Bd7
21. Ng5 Bc6 22. Qxc6 bxc6 23. Nxf7 Kxf7 24. Rfe1 Rb8 25. Re2 c5 26. g3 Rb4 27.
Rd5 g6 28. Rde5 Rb7 29. h4 Bd6 30. Re8 Nd7 31. Rc8 Be7 32. a5 Bf6 33. Rc6 Bxb2
34. Rxa6 Bd4 35. Kg2 Nb8 36. Rb6 Rxb6 37. axb6 c4 38. b7 c3 39. Kf3 Bf6 40. Re4
Be7 41. Rc4 Ke6 42. Rxc3 h5 43. Re3+ Kd7 44. f5 g5 45. Rxe7+ 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2013.08.12"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Markov, Mikhail2"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2304"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2013.08.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 156"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. c5 b6 7. b4 a5 8. b5 Bb7
9. bxc6 Bxc6 10. cxb6 Bb4 11. Bd2 O-O 12. Bd3 Ne4 13. Rc1 Qxb6 14. O-O Rfc8 15.
a4 Nxd2 16. Nxd2 Qd8 17. Nb5 Nb6 18. Nf3 Be8 19. Rxc8 Rxc8 20. Qb3 f6 21. Ne1
Nc4 22. Bxc4 dxc4 23. Qa2 Qd5 24. Nc2 c3 25. Ra1 Bc6 26. Qxd5 Bxd5 27. Kf1 Bb3
28. Rc1 Bxa4 29. Nba3 Bxa3 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2013.08.14"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Lysyj, Igor"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2013.08.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 156"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 O-O 8.
e3 c5 9. Be2 cxd4 10. Qxd4 Nc6 11. Qd1 Rc8 12. b4 a5 13. Bd2 Ne4 14. O-O axb4
15. axb4 d5 16. cxd5 Qxd5 17. Be1 Ne7 18. Qd4 Qxd4 19. Nxd4 Nd6 20. Bd2 Ne4 21.
Be1 Nd6 22. Bd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2013.08.15"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Lysyj, Igor"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2013.08.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 156"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e5 Ne4 6. Nf3 Bf5 7. Be2 c5 8. d4
Nc6 9. O-O cxd4 10. Nb5 d3 11. Bxd3 Bc5 12. Bg5 Qb6 13. Bh4 O-O 14. a3 Rfe8 15.
Rc1 Nxe5 16. Nxe5 Rxe5 17. Bxe4 Bxe4 18. Bg3 Rf5 19. Nc3 Bf8 20. Qe2 Re8 21.
Rfd1 Re6 22. Qb5 d4 23. Qxb6 axb6 24. Nxe4 Rxe4 25. f3 Re8 26. Bf2 Rfe5 27. Kf1
g6 28. Bxd4 R5e6 29. Bf2 Bg7 30. Rc2 Ra8 31. Rd3 Rc6 32. Rxc6 bxc6 33. Bxb6
Bxb2 34. Bc5 Bg7 35. Ke2 Bf8 36. Bxf8 Kxf8 37. Kd2 Ke7 38. Kc2 Ke6 39. Kb3 Rb8+
40. Kc3 Rb1 41. Kc2 Rb7 42. Kc3 Rb1 43. Rd2 c5 44. Kc2 Rb7 45. Rd1 h5 46. a4
Ra7 47. Kb3 Rb7+ 48. Kc3 Ra7 49. Ra1 Ra5 50. h4 Kd5 51. Kb3 Kc6 52. Kc4 Kd6 53.
Ra2 Ke5 54. g3 Kd6 55. Ra1 Ke5 56. f4+ Kd6 57. Kb3 Kc6 58. Rf1 Ra7 59. f5 Rb7+
60. Kc3 Ra7 61. fxg6 fxg6 62. Rf4 Kd5 63. g4 Ke5 64. Rc4 Kd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2013.08.16"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Lysyj, Igor"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2013.08.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 156"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 Nbd7 8.
e3 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 10. Qc2 Nb6 11. Bd3 Nxg3 12. hxg3 Be6 13. Ne5 Qe7 14. f4 O-O-O
15. O-O Kb8 16. a3 Bd6 17. a4 gxf4 18. gxf4 Rhg8 19. a5 Nc4 20. Bxc4 dxc4 21.
a6 Bxe5 22. fxe5 c5 23. Rad1 cxd4 24. exd4 Rg4 25. d5 Bc8 26. axb7 Bxb7 27. Qf5
Rdg8 28. Rf2 R8g5 29. Qf6 Qxf6 30. exf6 Re5 31. Rdd2 Kc7 32. Rfe2 Rgg5 33. Rxe5
Rxe5 34. Rd4 Rf5 35. Rxc4+ Kd7 36. Rb4 Bc8 37. Ra4 a6 38. b4 Rf4 39. Ra1 Rc4
40. Na4 Rxb4 41. Nc5+ Kd6 42. Rc1 Kxd5 43. Nd3 Rc4 44. Rxc4 Kxc4 45. Ne5+ Kd5
46. Nxf7 a5 47. Ne5 Be6 48. Nd3 a4 49. Kf2 a3 50. Nc1 Ke5 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2013.08.16"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Lysyj, Igor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A50"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2013.08.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 156"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b6 3. c4 Bb7 4. g3 Bxf3 5. exf3 e6 6. Bg2 d5 7. O-O Be7 8. f4
c6 9. b3 Na6 10. Nd2 O-O 11. Nf3 Qc7 12. Bb2 Rac8 13. Rc1 Qb7 14. Qe2 Rfe8 15.
Ne5 Nb8 16. Rfe1 Bf8 17. Rc2 Rc7 18. Rec1 Rec8 19. a3 a5 20. h4 g6 21. Bf3 h5
22. Kg2 Bg7 23. Rc3 c5 24. R3c2 Na6 25. Re1 Qa7 26. cxd5 exd5 27. Qb5 Nb8 28.
Rec1 Qa6 29. Qxa6 Nxa6 30. dxc5 Rxc5 31. Rxc5 Rxc5 32. Rxc5 Nxc5 33. b4 axb4
34. axb4 Ne6 35. Nc6 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2013.08.17"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A84"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2706"]
[Annotator "Tomashevsky,E"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2013.08.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 156"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{"One of the greatest victories of my career" – that is how I summed up the
first game of my match in the third round of the Tromsoe World Cup against Lev
Aronian, immediately afterwards at the press conference. But now too, even
after the emotions have died down a little, I would still say the same. In
principle, the facts themselves are sufficient – it is not every day that one
defeats such a great player, and with Black as well. I also managed to show a
good quality of play, using an opening that was virtually new for me, and
overcoming an important psychological barrier (more of that below). The win
was also assisted by several other factors, not just my own strength. Thus,
during our match, Aronian did look quite himself, not 100% healthy, which
probably affected his play. I was also favoured by the psychological
background: Levon needed to underline his status as favourite, not just for
the match itself, but the entire World Cup, whereas I had virtually nothing to
lose after publication of the tournament schedule :), and after a score of 3:4
before the 8th game of my first round match against Alexander Ramirez, merely
being in the following round was already a bonus! These factors all combined
to enable me, for the first time in a while, to play really well and get an
excellent result.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 {I played this for the first
time only in Game 1 of my aforementioned first-round match. In the fifth game,
this move order brought me a good victory and in the seventh, a tough defeat,
so I faced a difficult psychological mood before completing my hat-trick with
the line in classical chess..:)} 4. e3 {Levon chooses the simplest and most
solid continuation, inviting Black to go into the Meran or to set up a
Stonewall formation. I went for exactly the latter setup, which in general has
a rather dodgy reputation, but which is considered satisfactory in this
particular form. The resulting positions are quite complicated and not very
well explored, Of course, one should not be frightened to play the Stonewall,
when your trainer for the last few years has been GM Alexey Illyushin, one of
the principal advocates of the line. Looking at his games and listening to his
explanation of his philosophy of this line, one gets the impression the only
thing you should not play it against is 1.e4...:) Although I am not quite such
an optimist about the setup c6-d5-e6-f5, I did have one or two ideas I wanted
to try out.} Bd6 5. Bd3 f5 6. O-O Nf6 7. b3 Qe7 8. Ne5 ({Practice regards as
the main line} 8. Bb2 O-O 9. Qc1 {, but it is hard to understand how the
simple and sensible text is any worse.}) 8... O-O 9. Bb2 Bd7 $5 {This bishop
transfer, without weakening the queenside, is the key idea for Alexey and
myself. Black seeks to establish the deepest possible setup, without creating
any further weaknesses.} 10. Nc3 Be8 {At this moment, I would like to
reproduce a Tweet from my good friend andgreat humorist GM Alexander Evdokimov:
"Look at Tomashevsky's win. Stonewall, with the bishop on e8. One can feel the
trainer's hand". Fortunately, the game ended with a favourable result for me,
else such a comment might not have seemed so friendly...:)} 11. cxd5 $6 {
The first arguable (I would even say dubious) decision. It is time to start
talking chess itself. As a rule, this exchange is good when the black knight
has already gone to d7, and/or the pawn is on b6. Then White can count on
securing a slight, but comfortable pressure. Here, however, the knight can
come to the defended square c6, and White will not manage to set up pressure
on the queenside, whilst Black practically solves his opening problems.} ({
More principled, I think, is} 11. Rc1) ({or} 11. Ne2 {– which are the source
for future discussions.}) 11... cxd5 12. Rc1 {The natural continuation.} ({
Less is promised by the immediate} 12. Nb5 Bxb5 ({here there is no sense in} 
12... Bb4 13. Qc2 $1 Bxb5 (13... Nc6 14. a3 Ba5 15. Qc5 $1) 14. Bxb5 a6 15. Bd3
) 13. Bxb5 Nbd7 {, and after a7-a6 followed by Bd3, Black does not have any
particular problems}) ({whilst the typical transfer} 12. Ne2 Nc6 (12... a5 $5 {
, exploiting the absence of the knight from the control of a4}) 13. Nf4 {
involves an unclear pawn sacrifice:} Bxe5 14. dxe5 Ng4 15. a4 a5 $132) 12...
Nc6 13. Nb5 Bb4 {At first glance, Black has lost time with his bishops, but
this does not bother him, and White has spoilt the coordination of his own
pieces.} 14. a3 ({Slightly more precise was} 14. f3 $5 a6 15. Nc3 {– without
his knight on e4, it is slightly harder for Black to organise his pieces,
whilst the immediate exchange on e5 could lead to an unpleasant position.})
14... Ba5 15. Be2 {A subtle move – White frees the excellent square d3 for his
knight, at the same time taking control of the important squares h5 and g4.} a6
(15... Ne4 16. b4 a6 {looks double-edged, and I preferred to play more simply.}
) 16. Nc3 Ne4 17. b4 ({If White does not want to play} 17. Nxe4 fxe4 18. f4 {
, then the only sensible alternative to the text is}) ({the pawn sacrifice} 17.
Nd3 Bxc3 18. Bxc3 Nxc3 19. Rxc3 Qxa3 20. Nc5 {, but I don't think White's
compensation allows him to claim anything more than equality, eg:} Qb4 21. Qd2
Nd8 {/\ Bb5}) 17... Bc7 {Black has achieved a harmonious piece setup.} 18. Nxe4
{A turning point in the game. By itself, this move is more of an imprecision
than a mistake, but it is the start of a series of small lapses by White,
which I think in the first instance are connected with psychological factors.}
({White should have recognised that he has no advantage and either fixed
equality with} 18. f4) ({, or else gone for a slow positional battle with no
advantage, which was possible} 18. Nd3 {The attempt to play more ambitiously
leads to difficulties.}) 18... fxe4 19. Qb3 $6 {And this is definitely not
right – see the previous note.} ({It was essential to play} 19. f4 $1 exf3 20.
Rxf3 Rxf3 21. Nxf3 {, and although Black's position is already slightly more
pleasant, I do not think White is risking losing.}) 19... Bxe5 {A good
"structural" decision.} ({Also interesting was the immediate} 19... Qg5 $5 {
, but in this case, one must reckon with the possibility of} 20. Nxc6 Bxc6 21.
b5 {, and if there are no immediate tactics on the kingside, Black's advantage
could easily disappear.}) 20. dxe5 Qg5 21. Kh1 {Another not terribly good
choice. The exchange of bishops should have been prevented:} (21. Qd1 $1 {
, and then it would be noticeably more difficult for Black to develop his
initiative. Probably Levon was afraid of the knight transfer} Ne7 $5) 21... Bh5
{Black's advantage is assuming threatening proportions.} 22. f3 {One of the
critical moments for me, not just in the game, but in the tournament more
generally. After making this move, Levon offered a draw, which gave me
something to think about! I used up about half of my remaining half hour of
thinking time. Of course, I would like to say that it was easy to take the
decision, on the basis of the emotional reaction I expressed at the press
conference – "if you don't play on in such a position, then what's the point
of playing chess!". But in reality, it took a lot of effort to forsake the
bird in the hand, for the two in the bush. Of course, now, looking calmly at
the monitor, I am wondering what there was to think about. Not only does Black
have a clear advantage, but he is risking nothing. But during the game, it was
not so easy to think so clearly and bravely, and I did not have such great
experience of turning down draws against such players! I am glad that I
managed to clear my head and overcome an important psychological barrier. I
would also like to point out another interesting moment.} ({Levon could have
offered the draw after playing} 22. f4 {, which would objectively have been
stronger and would have narrowed my choice, to two options: take en passant or
agree a draw. However, as well as the psychological choice, Aronian also gave
me a chess-based choice! He took a risk and this time it went wrong, but that
is not to deny that the ability to offer a draw at the right time is an
important part of chess. Thus, in this case, Levon disturbed the psychological
mood for me, of a game that was going well, and gave himself an extra chance,
and if I had not succeeded in finding a couple of very strong moves in the
approaching time trouble, the game could have ended differently. Such effects
from a timely draw offer have often occurred in important games and events in
chess history. In the argument over Sofia Rules, I have always been surprised
that this issue is never raised. At the board, a chessplayer is very limited
in his choice of legal moves and methods of conducting the battle. To ban draw
offers and any communication between players during the game reduces these
options still further, by taking away a method that is far from the least
important?!}) 22... Qh6 $1 {I did not only spend my time on philosophical
thoughts – I also managed to work out the strength of the subtle text move,
which emphasises the constraints of the white position.} ({I would have
achieved less with the simple} 22... exf3 23. gxf3 Qh4 {although even here,
Black has a clear advantage.}) 23. Rce1 exf3 24. gxf3 Rf7 {I think this
position already fully deserves the assessment -/+. It is hard to know what to
recommend for White, so he decides on a desperate sharpening of the position.}
25. Bc1 {Objectively, this only speeds up the collapse, but other
continuations allow Black to achieve as much, with no risk of going wrong. Now,
however, the threat of e3-e4 does cause him some nervous moments.} Bg6 $5 {
A strong and solid move, which almost forces a position which is practically
lost for White, and it is also a simplifying "time trouble continuation". So,
you may ask, why not then just give an exclamation mark? Because there was an
even stronger move!} ({Here, I missed the chance to end the game at once with
a beautiful combination:} 25... Nxe5 $1 26. e4 Bxf3+ $1 ({But not} 26... Qf6 $2
27. exd5 exd5 28. Bb2 {, and White obtains counterplay}) 27. Rxf3 ({Things are
simpler after} 27. Bxf3 Qh3 28. exd5 Rxf3 29. Rxf3 Nxf3 30. Bf4 Qg4) 27... Rxf3
28. Bxf3 Qh3 {, whilst after} 29. Bd1 {there is} Nd3 $1 30. Kg1 Rf8 $1 {
, after which White is defenceless! However, it was very hard to see this
quiet move, strengthening the position, at the end of the variation, even if
there had not been such an excellent, solid alternative variation at the first
move.}) 26. e4 Qh3 27. exd5 Nd4 28. Qd1 Nxe2 29. Qxe2 Bh5 {White was virtually
forced to go in for this variation, even though it offers him nothing remotely
cheerful at all. None of the possibilities to sacrifice the exchange work, and
so there only remains the continuation chosen by Aronian.} 30. Kg1 Bxf3 31. Qf2
Qg4+ ({Time trouble has already had its effect, and, not finding a forced win,
I settled for a simple and solid continuation. It is hard to see which version
of the endgame is the more favourable for Black, that reached in the game, or
the one arising after} 31... Raf8 $5 32. Qg3 Qxg3+ 33. hxg3 Bxd5 34. Rxf7 Rxf7
35. Rf1 $1 Rc7 36. Bb2 {, and, strangely, there is no obvious entry for the
black rook. Even so, the preliminary doubling of the rooks was slightly better,
although the move in the game does not deserve censure.}) 32. Qg3 Qxg3+ 33.
hxg3 Bxd5 34. Be3 {Intending to prevent the threatened penetration by blocking
the c-file.} a5 $5 {I think this is a good decision, even though pawn
exchanges are not generally favourable for the stronger side. However, I
reasoned thus: the endgame, probably, is objectively lost, and in addition, it
is not going to be possible to hold a position a pawn down, with no
counterplay and a bad structure. Even so, this is only the case if Black
manages swiftly to activate the rook on a8 and begin to create threats.} 35. b5
{A logical desire to avoid opening lines.} ({A sensible alternative was} 35.
Bd2 axb4 36. Bxb4 Rc8 37. Rc1 Rxf1+ 38. Rxf1 h6 {, although here too, I think
Black should be able gradually to strengthen his position decisively.}) 35...
a4 ({I decided that the black position was strong enough to avoid calculating
unnecessary variations after} 35... Rxf1+ $1 36. Rxf1 Bc4 37. Rd1 Bxb5 38. Bb6
{It is an arguable question – here I win a second pawn, and the exchange of
rooks, which may not draw anyway, can be avoided by means of, for example,} Kf7
{It is another matter that Black's chances of winning are so great that he can
allow himself "schematic play".}) 36. Rxf7 Kxf7 37. Rf1+ Kg6 38. Rf4 h6 39. Kf2
({The best chance was the move} 39. Bb6 $5 {, intending Bc7 + b6. In order to
avoid this, the natural move is} Rc8 $1 {But this involves giving up the extra
pawn for the initiative, which would not have been an easy decision, even
though after, for example,} 40. Rxa4 Rc2 41. Rg4+ Kh7 42. a4 g5 {Black has
great winning chances. In the game, I was able to play more easily.}) 39... Bb3
$1 {Finally, the black rook achieves its longed-for freedom – it is impossible
to stop it becoming active. Now we pass the time control and it is extremely
hard for White to hold his last lines of defence.} 40. Rg4+ Kh7 41. Rd4 Rc8 42.
b6 Rc2+ 43. Ke1 $6 {The final mistake.} ({However, there is also little to
cheer about after} 43. Rd2 Rc3 44. Bd4 Rc1 {and Black should gradually win.
However, the text leads to the immediate loss of another pawn.}) 43... Ra2 44.
Bc1 (44. Rd7 Rxa3 45. Rxb7 Bd5 $19) 44... Rg2 {This simple manoeuvre leads to
new material gains.} 45. Bf4 Rg1+ 46. Kd2 Ra1 {My remaining task was just to
cope with my nerves and the approaching second bout of time trouble. However,
Black's position is so comfortably and easily winning, that this was not so
difficult. There followed:} 47. Kc3 Rxa3 48. Kb4 Ra1 49. Bd2 Bd5 50. Bc3 Ra2
51. Rd3 Kg6 52. Rd4 a3 53. Rd3 Kf5 54. Bd2 Ra1 55. Bc3 Ra2 56. Bd2 Ke4 57. Re3+
Kd4 58. Bc1 Rc2 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2013.08.18"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A60"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2013.08.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 156"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 Bd6 6. Nc3 O-O 7. g3 ({Am
meisten wird} 7. Bg5 {gezogen:} Re8 8. e3 a6 (8... h6 9. Bh4 a6) 9. Bd3 Bf8 10.
d6 h6 11. Bh4 b5 12. a4 g5 13. Bg3 b4 14. Nb1 Nc6 15. Nbd2 Bg7 16. Nc4 Bb7 17.
h4 Ne4 18. Bxe4 Rxe4 19. Nfd2 Re6 20. hxg5 hxg5 21. Qc2 Rc8 22. O-O-O b3 23.
Qh7+ Kf8 24. Nxb3 Nb4 25. f3 Bd5 26. Nba5 Qf6 27. e4 Na2+ 28. Kc2 Rb8 29. e5
Qd8 30. f4 gxf4 31. Bh4 Qe8 32. Rdf1 Rxe5 33. Nxe5 Rxb2+ 34. Kd1 Nc3+ 35. Kc1
Na2+ 36. Kd1 Nc3+ 37. Kc1 Na2+ 38. Kd1 {1/2-1/2 (38) Giri,A (2714)-Karjakin,S 
(2763) Beijing 2011}) 7... Bc7 8. d6 {Mit diesem prinzipiellen Zug hat Weiß
gute Ergebnisse erzielt.} Ba5 9. Bg2 Ne4 10. O-O Nxc3 (10... Bxc3 11. bxc3 Qf6
12. Bf4 Re8 13. Qd3 Nc6 14. Nd2 Nxd2 15. Bxd2 b6 16. f4 a5 17. Rfe1 Ba6 18. c4
Rac8 19. Bc3 Qg6 20. a3 Nd4 21. Bxd4 cxd4 22. Qxd4 Bxc4 23. e4 b5 24. Rac1 a4
25. Rc3 Qe6 26. Rec1 f6 27. Qd2 Kh8 28. Re3 Bb3 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 30. e5 h6 31. Rc3
Bc4 32. Qd4 fxe5 33. fxe5 Re8 34. Re3 Rf8 35. Rf3 Re8 36. Re3 Rf8 37. h3 Qg6
38. Be4 Qh5 39. Bg2 Qg6 40. Be4 Qh5 41. Bg2 Qg6 42. Be4 Qh5 {1/2-1/2 (42)
Aronian,L (2786)-Gashimov,V (2758) Moscow 2009}) 11. bxc3 Bxc3 12. Bg5 (12. Rb1
Nc6 13. Qd3 Bf6 14. Nd2 g6 15. Ne4 $14) 12... Bf6 13. Qd5 Na6 14. Rac1 Rb8 15.
Qf5 b5 16. e4 Bxg5 17. Nxg5 g6 18. Qg4 f6 19. Nxh7 $1 {Weiß möchte sein
Übergwicht am Königsflügel zu einem Königsangriff nutzen.} ({"Normal" war} 
19. Nh3 Rb6 $11) 19... Kxh7 20. f4 Bb7 21. f5 {Die Schwächung der weißen
Felder war ein Ziel der weißen Spielführung.} Qe8 {Schwarz muss schon
aufpassen.} (21... gxf5 $4 22. Rxf5 $18) (21... Rg8 $2 22. e5 Qf8 (22... gxf5
$2 23. Qxf5+ Kg7 24. Bxb7 Rxb7 25. exf6+ Kf8 26. Qh7 Rg4 27. Rce1 c4 28. Qe7+
Qxe7 29. dxe7+ Kg8 30. e8=Q+ $18) 23. fxg6+ Rxg6 24. Qxd7+ Qg7 25. Qh3+ Rh6 26.
Qf5+ Qg6 27. Bxb7 Qxf5 28. Rxf5 Rxb7 29. e6 $18) 22. e5 (22. Rce1 $5 Ba8 (22...
g5 23. e5 Kh6 (23... Bxg2 $2 24. exf6 $18) 24. Bxb7 Rxb7 25. exf6 Qh5 26. Qe4
Rbb8 27. g4 Qh4 28. Re3 Rxf6 29. Qg2 $18 {mit Damenfang.}) 23. e5 fxe5 24.
fxg6+ Qxg6 25. Qxd7+ Kg8 26. Rxf8+ Rxf8 27. Rf1 Rxf1+ 28. Bxf1 Qe4 29. Qe8+ Kg7
30. Qe7+ (30. d7 $4 Qe3#) 30... Kg6 31. Qe6+ Kh5 32. Qe8+ $11 {mit Dauerschach.
}) 22... Bxg2 23. Kxg2 fxe5 24. Rce1 gxf5 ({Auf} 24... Nb4 $1 {ist} 25. Rxe5 {
möglich, mit komplizierten Varianten:} (25. Qh4+ $5 Kg8 26. fxg6 Qxg6 27. Re4
{und nun schlägt Houdini folgende Zugfolge vor:} Rf4 $1 (27... Rxf1 28. Rg4
Rf6 29. Qh5 Qxg4 30. Qxg4+ Kf8 31. Qxd7 {ist nicht klar.}) 28. Rfxf4 exf4 29.
Re5 f3+ 30. Kxf3 Rf8+ 31. Kg2 Rf2+ 32. Kh3 (32. Kxf2 Nd3+) 32... Rf5 33. Qd8+
Kg7 34. Qxd7+ Rf7 35. Re7 Nd5 $19) 25... Qxe5 26. Qxg6+ Kh8 27. Rf4 Qb2+ 28.
Kh1 Qg7 29. Qh5+ Qh7 (29... Kg8 30. Rg4 Rf7 31. Rxg7+ Rxg7 32. f6 Rf7 33. Qh6
Rbf8 34. Qg5+ Kh8 35. Qxc5 Nc6 36. Qxb5 $11) 30. Qg5 Nd5 (30... Qg7 31. Qh5+ {
mit Remis.}) 31. Rh4 Nf6 32. Rxh7+ Nxh7 33. Qh5 c4 34. Qf3 Rbc8 35. Qc3+ Kg8
36. g4 a5 37. a3 Nf6 $19 {scheint zu gewinnen.}) 25. Rxf5 Rxf5 26. Qxf5+ Qg6
27. Qxd7+ Kg8 28. Rf1 (28. Rxe5 Qc2+ 29. Kf3 Rf8+ 30. Kg4 $11) 28... c4 ({Mit} 
28... Nb4 29. Qxa7 (29. Kg1 $5) 29... Nc6 30. Qxc5 Qe4+ 31. Kg1 Nd4 {konnte
Schwarz noch auf Gewinn spielen.} 32. d7 Nf3+ 33. Kf2 Ra8 34. a3 Nxh2) 29. h4
c3 30. h5 Qe4+ (30... Qxh5 $4 31. Qe6+ $18) 31. Kh3 {Weiß droht nun De6 und
d7 mit Gewinn.} Kh8 32. Qe6 Nc5 33. Qf6+ Kh7 34. Qf7+ Kh8 35. Qf6+ Kh7 36. Qe7+
Kh8 37. Qf6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 1st"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2013.09.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.09.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Aronian was the last person on his board, arriving only a few minutes before
the opening moves.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1
b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Nbd2 {The players
confidently blitzed to this position, but here Aronian began to think. Maybe
he was not anticipating this in his preparation, but it seemed that he wasn't
out of his own book as he quickly replied...} Nfd7 12. Nd4 c5 13. Nf5 {Hikaru
has nothing to complain out of the opening. His powerful control of the
lightsquares a dangerous knight on f5 should give him the better position.} Nf6
14. Ne3 (14. Nf3 $5 {was maybe a better move, trying to mobilize all of
White's pieces, but Black can try to create counterplay after} Bxf5 15. exf5
Qc7 {preparing c4.} (15... c4 $2 {this move immediately does not work because}
16. Nxe5 cxb3 17. Nc6 {is a deadly fork.})) 14... Bb7 15. f3 Ng6 $6 {White
retains strong pressure after this. Levon spent a lot of time on this move but
maybe he was not confident in his calculations nonetheless.} (15... d5 $1 {
Breaking in the center is the only reason to put the bishop on b7.} 16. exd5
Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. Rxe5 Bxb3 19. Rxe7 $1 (19. cxb3 $2 Qd4+ 20. Kh1 Qxe5 {
and Black wins.}) 19... Qxe7 20. Nxb3 Rad8 21. Qf1 c4 $1 22. Nd2 Qc5+ $1 23.
Qf2 Qe5 {Despite White's material advantage, it's very hard to see how exactly
he will untangle. It is more pleasant to be Black, but maybe Aronian was
worried that White would be able to develop and utilize his material advantage.
}) 16. Ndc4 d5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Nf5 Qc7 19. Nxe7+ Ngxe7 20. Bg5 {White's pair
of bishops secures him a slight but stable advantage. Also, Black's pawn
structure on the queenside is not the best.} Nf5 21. c3 (21. Na5 $5 {would've
been a very interesting move, since after} Qxa5 22. Bxd5 Bxd5 23. Qxd5 {
White's pieces are clearly dominating the board.}) 21... bxc3 22. bxc3 h6 23.
Qd3 g6 24. Bd2 Rad8 25. Qe2 Nf4 {It seems that with this move Black starts
regaining control of the position and equality. White's only advantage is the
pair of bishops and without it Black should hold without problems.} 26. Bxf4
Qxf4 27. Rad1 Bd5 28. Nd2 Bxb3 29. Nxb3 Qxa4 30. Nxc5 Qb5 $4 {A stunning
blunder!} (30... Qc6 31. Ne4 {would have led to an easy draw.}) 31. Qxb5 axb5
32. Nd7 {Nakamura played this instantly, after which Aronian was visibly
shaken. He might have completely forgotten about this resource which wins an
exchange. The Armenian was very fidgety before he decided his best chance was
to immediately take on d7.} Rxd7 33. Rxd7 Ra8 {Without the queenside pawns
Black might have some hope of holding the draw.} 34. Kf2 Ra6 35. g4 Nh4 36. f4
Rc6 37. Re8+ Kg7 38. Ree7 Rf6 39. Kg3 g5 40. f5 h5 41. Re6 {Nakamura starts
the tournament with an unexpected win.} 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 1st"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2013.09.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A85"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2013.09.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 f5 {Already something to talk about. The Dutch is not a common guest in
top level chess, but two other players in this tournament are known to use it:
Kamsky and Nakamura!} 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 g6 4. Nc3 {The setups with a quick g3
and b3 are more common, but Aronian has a specific idea in mind.} Bg7 5. Bf4 $5
{A favorite of Hrant Melkumyan, an Armenian that lives in Berlin like Aronian.
It is possible that Aronian got the idea from him.} d6 6. e3 Nc6 {Basically
new, but since Black's only plan is to play e5 anyways the move makes sense.}
7. Be2 (7. d5 e5 $1 {is the typical response against d5 when there is a bishop
on f4.} 8. dxc6 exf4 9. cxb7 Bxb7 10. exf4 Qe7+ {gives Black a superior
position despite being a pawn down.}) 7... O-O 8. O-O Ne4 $1 {The point of
this move is to allow Black to push e5. There are other ways of doing this,
like ...Qe8, but they are far more awkward while this is natural and direct.}
9. h3 e5 {Black has achieved e5 while it is unclear exactly what White has
achieved. Carlsen has already equalized.} 10. Bh2 exd4 11. exd4 Ng5 $1 {
Taking away the protection of the d4-pawn will force this diagonal open: a
nice strategical advantage as the bishop on h2 will not be able to oppose the
one on g7.} 12. Nxg5 Qxg5 13. f4 {A strange move as White is at least
temporarily burrying his bishop. He hopes to maneouver it soon to g1 for it to
regain its power.} Qf6 14. d5 Nd4 15. Kh1 c5 $1 {Securing the diagonal and
giving b5 ideas a sharper edge.} 16. Bd3 Bd7 17. Bg1 Rae8 18. Qd2 a6 19. Rad1 {
Already Black's position is more comfortable. By induction from the Benoni, it
is clear that if Black achieves the b5 break and achieves a powerful bishop on
g7 he will be in the driver's seat.} Rb8 20. a4 Qd8 $1 {A smart regrouping of
the queen. Black only needs one piece to control the long diagonal.} 21. Rb1
Qa5 22. Qd1 Qb4 23. Bf2 Rbe8 24. Be1 Qb3 {The queen finishes her long journey
to b3, and with it she exerts so much power that White has no choice but to
trade her off. The problem is that this is a bad trade for White, as the queen
is his best defender. Without the queen White is both planless and in a
difficult situation, Black will slowly set up b5 and when that break happens
Black's pieces will crash through.} 25. Qxb3 Nxb3 26. Bc2 {Aronian was down to
less than ten minutes at this point. He started pacing a lot around this point,
while Carlsen stayed at his board constantly thinking.} Na5 {It was tempting
to put the knight on d4 again, but both moves are about as problematic for
White as now the c4-pawn is not easily defended.} 27. Bd3 $1 Re3 28. Rd1 Rb8 $6
{Black continues with this plan of breaking on b5. Magnus has shuffled his
rooks a lot, but they now find themselves in strong positions which is why
Aronian takes care of that immediately. However it might have been better to
immediately place the knight on a5 back to d4 before anything else.} (28...
Rxd3 $5 {was his original idea, but Carlsen didn't see anything clear at the
end and decided not to go for the complications.} 29. Rxd3 Nxc4 $13) 29. Bf2
Ree8 30. Ra1 $1 {Aronian is an excellent player, and sometimes it is most
important to shine when you are in difficult positions. This important move
allows the rook to diminish the effects of a possible b5, as the a-file will
be open in its favor.} Bd4 31. Kg1 {Aronian took the opportunity where he felt
Black's advantage had slip and the fact that Carlsen had dropped significantly
in the clock to offer a draw in this position.} Be3 32. Bxe3 Rxe3 33. Rad1 Rbe8
34. Kf2 Nb3 35. Rfe1 $1 {With the trade of all the rooks, White has nothing to
worry about.} Rxe1 36. Rxe1 Rxe1 37. Kxe1 Nd4 38. Kd2 Kf7 39. Be2 Kf6 40. Bd1
a5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 1st"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2013.09.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2013.09.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c3 {A bizarre way of starting the game. This move
promises White no advantage, and at most he will get a reverse Slav in which
he has no problem developing his dark squared bishop. Interestingly Kamsky had
already used this in a few ocassions with good success.} c6 {Unambitious but
solid. Aronian won't be dragged into playing something risky for no reason and
is happy just equalizing with Black.} 4. Bf4 Nh5 $5 {Not letting the bishop
develop easily.} 5. Be3 $5 {An awkward placement for the bishop, but Kamsky's
idea is that it is not as awkward as the knight on h5.} (5. Bxb8 Rxb8) (5. Bg3
g6 6. Nbd2 Bg7 7. e3 Nd7 8. Bh4 h6 9. g4 {was interestingly a game between
Zugic-Nakmaura in which the much lower rated player managed to win in Montreal,
2008}) 5... g6 6. g3 Bg7 7. Bg2 O-O 8. Qc1 Nd7 9. Bh6 Re8 10. Bxg7 Kxg7 11. O-O
e5 {White has gotten rid of his awkward bishop, but Black has broken thorough
in the center. Chances are about even.} 12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Rxe5 14. e3 Nf6
15. Nd2 a5 {A baffling move. In Kamsky's spirit, it is now Aronian that plays
a strange rook pawn move!} (15... Bg4 16. h3 (16. c4 $2 d4 {is the point.
Black is better as White doesn't have Nf3 in this position}) 16... Be2 17. Re1
Bd3 {was interesting.}) 16. c4 Re8 17. cxd5 Nxd5 18. a3 Kg8 19. Re1 Nf6 20. Qc3
Be6 {Neither side has played with any strong ambition, but somehow White's
position seems to be becoming slightly better move by move. The eventual power
of the bishop on g2 should not be underestimated, especially if coupled with a
knight that could come to c5.} 21. e4 Nd7 22. Rac1 f6 23. Nf3 a4 24. Nd4 Bf7
25. Red1 Qe7 26. h4 $5 {Switching gears a little. Now that Black has dedicated
all his defensive resources to preventing any queenside intiative, Kamsky
decides to open play in both sides. This decision might have been aided by the
fact that Kamsky was now significantly up on the clock.} Ne5 27. h5 Nc4 28. Bf1
Nd6 29. hxg6 hxg6 30. f3 Qe5 31. Kf2 Rad8 32. Qb4 f5 $1 {Aronian wastes no
time! Kamsky hasn't achieved much in his last moves and he sees it is the time
to strike.} 33. exf5 gxf5 (33... Qe3+ 34. Kg2 Nxf5 35. Nxf5 gxf5 {seemed
slightly more accurate as now White must somehow defend his position.}) 34. Qd2
{Although the knight on d4 can be dislodged, it proves to be a powerful
defensive piece on e2.} Qg7 35. Qc3 Qh6 36. Qd2 Qg7 37. Qc3 Bd5 {Aronian
refuses a three-fold repetition since he senses he is better.} 38. Ne2 Bb3 39.
Qxg7+ Kxg7 40. Rd4 Kf6 {With time pressure over, Kamsky is still slightly
worse, but it is a negligible edge that Black possesses.} 41. Rc5 Nb5 42. Rxd8
Rxd8 43. Ke3 {Black could try to play a knight to d5 and maybe push his
queenside pawns, but with correct play White should hold without too many
problems.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 1st"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2013.09.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E71"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2013.09.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Bg5 {Aronian quickly
played this move. Maybe sensing that Hikaru was out for blood, the Armenian
prepared something against Nakamura's King's Indian Defence.} c5 {The most
common reply, transposing back into Benoni waters.} 7. d5 a6 8. Bd3 $5 (8. a4 {
preventing b5 is by far the most common idea. Levon has the notion that the b5
advance is not dangerous in itself, and White can allow it as long as he
obtains quick development.}) 8... b5 9. Nf3 Nbd7 10. O-O h6 {This move isn't
something black wants to play as it is a weakness and it makes the e6 break
harder as a swap of pawns on that square will severely weaken g6. However the
bishop on the g5-d8 diagonal can prove to be very annoying.} (10... b4 {
closing the queenside is always possible, but never desirable.} 11. Ne2 a5 12.
Re1 $14 {and White will slowly but surely work on getting the e5 break in.})
11. Be3 bxc4 12. Bxc4 a5 13. a4 Nb6 14. Bd3 Ne8 $5 {A typical maneouver in the
Benko Gambit - which is very similar to the position on the board. If someone
asked an experienced grandmaster which opening this position originated from,
a b6 Benko is definitely one of the possible answers.} 15. Re1 Nc7 16. Rc1 Na6
$6 {The knight marches towards b4, its perfect outpost - though it is possible
that on c7 the knight was already well placed as it controlled b5 and allowed
Black to take on e6 with the knight.} (16... Ba6 $1 {It is known that
exchanging bishops is good for Black in these setups.} 17. Bb1 $2 (17. b3 Bxd3
18. Qxd3 Na6 {and no h4-h5 will really be as dangerous.}) 17... Nc4 $15) 17. b3
Nb4 18. Bb1 Bb7 {Probably the beginning of some problems.} (18... e6 $2 19.
dxe6 Bxe6 20. Nb5 $16 {its impossible to defend d6.}) 19. Ne2 Rc8 20. h4 c4 $2
{This is just asking for trouble.} (20... h5 21. Ng5 $5 Bb2 $6 (21... Nd7 $1 {
regrouping the knight, is far more solid and to the point}) 22. Nf4 {gives
White a huge initiative with sacrifice possibilities; however maybe Black can
somehow complicate the issue.}) 21. h5 cxb3 22. Qxb3 {White's plan is very
simple: attack on Black's weakened lightsquares on the kingside.} g5 23. Ng3 {
Obviously the knight is headed to f5. Black cannot allow this, once the knight
gets there the game is over as the pressure would become unbearable.} N6xd5 {
Desperation. Aronian from now on sweeps the game without any issues.} 24. exd5
Bxd5 25. Rxc8 Bxb3 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Nf5 {If Black had time to regoup, to take
a4, and maybe set up his pawns on e6 and d5 he would be ok, but that's not
going to happen.} Bf8 28. Bb6 Rb8 29. Bc7 Rc8 {Nakamura plays in the most
cunning way, always placing his opponent little traps that he might fall for.
The game isn't won just yet, but it is a huge advantage for White.} 30. Bxa5 (
30. Nxe7+ Bxe7 31. Rxe7 Nd5 {and suddenly it is White who is against the ropes.
}) 30... Nc6 31. Bc3 Bxa4 32. Ba2 Rc7 33. Nh2 $6 (33. Ne3 {was another
interesting regrouping, probably stronger than the one in the game. Aronian is
focused on the h6-pawn though.}) 33... Ne5 $1 {Probably the best practical
chance. Nakamura will try to defend a position in which he is down a piece for
a pawn, but he will have a solid pawn structure and will simply try to build
an impenetrable position.} 34. Bxe5 dxe5 35. Ng4 e6 36. Ng3 (36. Nfxh6+ Kg7 37.
Rxe5 $2 (37. Nxf7 $5 Kxf7 38. Nxe5+ Kg7 39. Bxe6 {is a healthy two pawns, but
the reduced amount of material might give Black some hope.}) 37... Rc1+ 38. Kh2
Bd6 {is Hikaru's "point".}) 36... Kg7 37. Nxe5 Ba3 {The issue for Aronian now
is to create a clear plan of making progress. The pawns are creating a perfect
barrier against the knights, so its likely that a sacrifice at some point will
be necessary.} 38. Ne4 Rc2 39. Bb1 Rc1 40. Rxc1 Bxc1 41. Nd6 $1 {Forcing the
f-pawn to advance is a key part of this endgame. With this weakness it becomes
hard for Black to hold his kingside.} f5 42. Ndc4 Bf4 43. Nd3 $1 {The easiest
solution. Aronian shows remarkable technique.} Be8 44. Nxf4 gxf4 45. g3 fxg3
46. f4 Bxh5 47. Kg2 Kf6 48. Kxg3 Be8 49. Kh4 Bb5 50. Ne5 Be8 51. Bc2 Ke7 52.
Bd1 Kf6 53. Bf3 Ba4 54. Bc6 Bd1 55. Bd7 $1 {Beautiful. It is the transfer of
the bishop to d7 that will win the game thanks to a clever set of zugzwangs
and knight maneouvers.} Be2 56. Ba4 $1 {At the right time. The bishop comes
back to b3 when Black doesn't have the time to protect h5 and bring his bishop
to e8.} Ke7 57. Bb3 Kd6 (57... Kf6 58. Bc4 Bd1 59. Nd7+ Ke7 60. Nc5 {loses
immediately.}) 58. Kg3 $6 {Transfering the king is slow and clumsy, much
better was:} (58. Ba2 Bd1 59. Bc4 $1 {With this Zugzwang the bishop cannot
move because of Kh5.} Ke7 60. Bb5 Kd6 61. Bc6 $1 Ke7 62. Bf3 $1 {with a
winning advantage.}) 58... Bh5 59. Kf2 Bg4 $2 {Returning the favor} (59... Be8
{would've forced Levon to show exactly where his king was going.}) 60. Ke3 (60.
Nxg4 fxg4 61. Kg3 h5 62. Bc2 {was easily winning, but requires some
calculation. Levon is still confident in his plan.}) 60... h5 $2 {Making
things easy for White.} 61. Nf7+ {With Ng5 wrapping up the pawn and the game.}
1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 1st"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2013.09.14"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A85"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2013.09.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 f5 {Kamsky has used the Dutch many times before, and Levon has a bad
score against it and lost to Carlsen, so this comes as no surprise.} 2. c4 Nf6
3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. Bf4 $5 {Aronian repeats the line that fared so poorly
against Carlsen.} Bg7 6. e3 O-O 7. Be2 Nc6 8. Bg3 {This is the point. White is
preparing d5, and Black doesn't have time to play e5 just yet.} h6 9. O-O Nh5
10. d5 (10. Bh4 $1 g5 11. d5 $1 {seemed better, forcing some weakenings on the
kingside and opening the d4-square for the knight, so for example after} Na5
12. Nd4 $14) 10... Nxg3 11. hxg3 Ne5 {Now the game is approximately balanced.}
12. Rc1 Nxf3+ 13. Bxf3 e5 14. dxe6 c6 15. b4 (15. Bd5 {is not a completely
ridiculous move, but that doesn't mean it's a good one.}) 15... g5 {Aggressive!
} 16. b5 (16. Qd3 {with more patience, was better} g4 17. Bd1 $1 {and now the
bishop quickly repositions to b3 while e2 is still avialable for the white
knight.}) 16... g4 17. Be2 Bxe6 18. bxc6 bxc6 19. Qa4 c5 20. Bd3 Be5 {White's
structural advantage is significant, but Black has a strong bishop on e5 and
he is about to push h5 followed by h4.} 21. Ne2 Bd7 22. Qd1 h5 23. Bc2 Qe8 24.
Nf4 Bc6 25. Re1 Rd8 26. Rb1 Qf7 27. Qd2 Qf6 28. Nxh5 $6 {Very optimistic. The
opening of the h-file is very strong for Black.} (28. Rb3 {keeping the status
quo was preferable.}) 28... Qh6 29. Nf4 Rd7 30. Nd5 Rh7 {Aronian must have
underestimated how quickly this rook swung to the h-file.} 31. Kf1 Qh1+ 32. Ke2
Qxg2 33. Rg1 Qf3+ 34. Kf1 Kg7 (34... Rh2 {immediately put more pressure on
White.} 35. Ne7+ Kg7 36. Nxc6 Qxc6 {the opposite colored bishops should favor
Black in this position.}) 35. Qd1 {The trade of queens simplifies White's task
but Black must still have an edge.} Bxd5 36. Qxd5 Qxd5 37. cxd5 {The passed
pawn is all that Black really has going for him, as the g1-rook won't be
locked up forever.} Kf6 38. Kg2 Rfh8 (38... c4 39. Rh1 Rxh1 40. Rxh1 {is an
endgame in which only Black can be better, but it will surely be a draw
nonetheless.}) 39. Rh1 Rxh1 40. Rxh1 Rxh1 41. Kxh1 {Without rooks there is no
chance at all to win this.} c4 42. Kg2 Bb2 43. Kf1 Ke5 44. Ke2 Kxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 1st"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2013.09.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2013.09.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 ({Aronian has always
played exclusively the text move, spurning the Open Ruy Lopez with} 5... Nxe4)
({as well as the Arkhangelsk or Neo-Arkhangelsk with} 5... b5) ({and} 5... Bc5
{respectively.}) 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 {Just like Kasparov, also Carlsen
avoids the Marshall. However, contrary to his ex-trainer, he did allow it a
few times:} (8. c3 d5 9. exd5 (9. d4 dxe4 10. Nxe5 Bb7 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bg5
Nd5 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Nd2 f5 15. f3 e3 16. c4 $2 (16. f4 $1 {/\} Kh8 17. Qf3
$14) 16... Nf4 $1 17. cxb5+ Kh8 {[%cal Re3e2,Re7e3,Re3f2]} 18. Nc4 e2 19. Qd2
Qg5 20. Rxe2 Nxe2+ 21. Qxe2 Bxb5 22. Qe3 $15 {/-/+,Carlsen,M (2835)-Kamsky,G 
(2732)/Wijk aan Zee/2012/}) 9... Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13.
Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Be3 Bxd3 18. Qxd5 Rad8 19. Qf3
Rfe8 20. Nd2 Qf5 21. Qxf5 Bxf5 22. Bd4 f6 23. f3 b4 24. Ne4 Bc7 25. Kf2 bxc3
26. bxc3 Rb8 $44 {Carlsen,M (2548)-Anand,V (2785)/Leon rpd/2005/ A typical
Marshall endgame, the bishop-pair makes converting the extra pawn almost
impossible.}) ({The immediate} 8. d4 {gives Black a wider choice:} Nxd4 (8...
d6 9. c3 Bg4 {-C91 This line is not considered too dangerous for Black.}) 9.
Nxd4 (9. Bxf7+ Rxf7 10. Nxe5 Rf8 11. Qxd4 Bb7 $5 $44 12. c4 c5 13. Qd3 Qc7 14.
Nf3 bxc4 15. Qxc4+ d5 16. exd5 Bxd5 17. Qe2 Bd6 18. Nc3 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Bxh2+ 20.
Kf1 Rad8 (20... Be5 $5) 21. g3 Nh5 22. Qxh5 Rxf2+ 23. Kxf2 Qxg3+ 24. Ke2 Qg2+
25. Ke3 Qg3+ 26. Ke2 Qg2+ {1/2, Kamsky,G (2717)-Leko,P (2756)/Jermuk/2009/})
9... exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. c3 (11. Qxd4 Bb7 12. c4 c5 13. Qg4 d6 14. Nc3 (14. Bf4
{Short,N (2707)-Fressinet,L (2702)/Bastia rpd/2012/} bxc4 15. Bxc4 d5 $11 {/=/+
}) 14... dxe5 15. cxb5 axb5 16. Nxb5 {Gilabert Mallol,E (2440)-Kyhos,A (2352)/
corr/2010/} Nf6 17. Qf5 Qb6 $132) 11... dxc3 12. Nxc3 d6 13. Qf3 Be6 14. Nd5
Rc8 15. Bf4 Bxd5 $5 (15... dxe5 16. Nxe7+ (16. Bxe5 Bd6 17. Rad1 Bxe5 18. Rxe5
Bxd5 19. Rexd5 Nd6 20. Qf4 Qe7 21. Re5 Qf6 22. Qxf6 gxf6 23. Rc5 Rfd8 24. Rdc1
Re8 25. g3 Re2 26. Rxc7 Rxc7 27. Rxc7 Rxb2 28. Rc6 Ne4 29. Rxa6 Nc5 $11 {
Henrichs,T (2483)-Gustafsson,J (2584)/GER-ch Bad Koenigshofen/2007/}) 16...
Qxe7 17. Bxe5 Nd6 18. Qc3 Qg5 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Rac1 $5 (20. b3 Qg6 21. Qc6 Nf7
22. Bg3 e5 23. Rac1 Qf6 24. h3 Rfd8 {Leko,P (2756)-Aronian,L (2768)/Jermuk/
2009/}) 20... Nc4 21. Bg3 Rfe8 22. b3 Nb6 23. Qa5 Nd5 24. Rc6 e5 25. Rxa6 c6
26. h4 Qf6 27. a4 $14 {Sievilainen,T (2179)-Laine,E (2234)/corr/2010/}) 16.
Bxd5 dxe5 17. Rxe5 Bf6 18. Re2 Nd6 19. Rd1 Bg5 20. Be5 Bf6 21. Bf4 {1/2,
Becerra Rivero,J (2598)-Onischuk,A (2670)/Lubbock/2008/}) 8... b4 {Nowadays
Black's main reaction.} ({For} 8... Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. d3 d6 11. Nbd2 {
- see Carlsen-Topalov}) 9. d4 {This alternative has recently been getting more
attention.} ({Earlier White used to prefer} 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 (10. a5 {was
Kasparov's choice and White used it well up to 2006. Nowadays it seems rather
tame:} Be6 11. Nbd2 Qc8 12. Qe2 h6 13. h3 Bxb3 14. Nxb3 Re8 15. Nh2 Nh7 16. Ng4
Bg5 17. Ne3 Rb8 18. Kh2 Nf8 19. Nf5 Bxc1 20. Raxc1 Ne7 21. Nxe7+ Rxe7 22. d4
Rb5 23. Rcd1 Ne6 24. Qg4 Qf8 25. d5 Nc5 26. Re3 g6 27. Qe2 Re8 28. Rf3 Nxb3 $11
{1/2,Adams,M (2698)-Bacrot,E (2700)/ESP-chT Linares/2009/}) 10... Na5 (10...
Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nf1 ({A typical manoeuvre, but in recent games White has
tried other moves:} 12. Nb3 Qe8 13. d4 Nd7 14. d5 Nd8 15. dxe6 Nxe6 16. Qd5 Qf7
17. Na5 c5 18. Be3 Nf6 (18... Nb6 $5 19. Qd3 Nd4 $132) 19. Qc4 Nd4 20. Qxf7+
Kxf7 21. Ng5+ Kg6 22. Rac1 Nd7 23. Nh3 Nb6 24. c3 bxc3 25. bxc3 Ne6 $13 {
/=,Caruana,F (2772)-Ivanchuk,V (2757)/RUS-chT Loo/2013/}) (12. c3 Rb8 ({For} 
12... d5 $5 {see Bacrot-Tomashevsky, Paris 2013.}) 13. Qe2 Qd7 14. Nc4 bxc3 15.
bxc3 Rb3 16. Bd2 Re8 17. h3 Bf8 18. Rec1 Qc8 19. Bg5 Nd7 20. Qa2 Rb8 21. Be3
Nf6 22. Rab1 Qd7 $14 {/=,Dominguez Perez,L (2723)-Almasi,Z (2689)/Havana/2013/
The resulting position is more pleasant for White, but with circumspect
defence Black maanged to hold the game.}) 12... Qe8 $5 (12... Qd7 13. Ng3 Nd8 (
13... Na5 14. d4 exd4 15. Qxd4 c5 16. Qd3 Nc6 17. c3 bxc3 18. bxc3 Kh8 19. h3
Qc7 20. Ng5 Ne5 21. Qe2 Qc8 22. f4 Nf7 23. Nf3 Rb8 24. c4 $36 {[%csl Gc4,Ge4,
Gf4] (),Leko,P (2751)-Grischuk,A (2726)/WCh Mexico City/2007/}) (13... h6 14.
h3 Nh7 15. c3 bxc3 16. bxc3 Rab8 17. d4 exd4 18. cxd4 d5 19. Ba3 Bxa3 20. Rxa3
Rb4 21. Rae3 a5 22. exd5 Qxd5 23. Ne2 Ng5 24. Nxg5 hxg5 25. Nc3 Qxd4 26. Qh5 {
Sedlak,N (2568)-Brkic,A (2558)/Zupanja/2008/} Rb3 $132) 14. c3 bxc3 15. bxc3 c5
16. d4 exd4 17. cxd4 Nc6 (17... cxd4 18. Nxd4 Rc8 $14 {/=}) 18. Ba3 Rac8 19.
dxc5 dxc5 20. Qe2 Nb4 $2 (20... Nd4 $5 $13) 21. Qc4 $16 {Carlsen,M (2776)
-Svidler,P (2723)/Gjovik rpd/2009/}) 13. Ng3 Kh8 14. c3 (14. b3 h6 15. h3 Rd8
16. Bb2 Nd7 17. Qe2 Bf6 18. Rad1 Qf7 19. d4 Nxd4 20. Nxd4 exd4 21. Bxd4 Bxd4
22. Rxd4 a5 23. Red1 Qf6 24. Rc4 Rc8 25. Rc6 Kh7 26. Ra6 Ra8 27. Nh5 Qc3 28.
Rd3 Qa1+ 29. Rd1 Qc3 $11 {Goze,T (2456)-Jansen,J (2467)/corr/2009/}) 14... bxc3
15. bxc3 Na5 (15... Rb8 $5 16. d4 Nd7 $132) 16. d4 Nd7 17. Qd3 c5 18. Rb1 c4
19. Qe2 exd4 20. cxd4 Rc8 21. Be3 (21. Ba3 $5) 21... Nb3 22. Nd2 Nxd2 23. Qxd2
Nf6 24. Rb7 Bd8 25. d5 c3 $132 {Chuprov,D (2577)-Najer,E (2670)/Novokuznetsk/
2008/}) 11. Ba2 c5 12. c3 Rb8 (12... Nc6 {- see Anand-Grischuk}) 13. d4 $5 ({
Rather slow is} 13. Nc4 Nc6 14. h3 h6 (14... Be6 15. Ng5 Bd7 16. f4 {gives
White a slight pull. An important line is} h6 (16... Rb7 17. a5 Qb8 18. Nb6 Be8
19. fxe5 dxe5 20. Be3 Qd8 21. Nf3 Bd6 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. Bxd5 $14 {Karjakin,S 
(2782)-Caruana,F (2774)/Moscow/2013/}) 17. Nf3 exf4 18. Bxf4 Be6 19. d4 $5 cxd4
20. cxd4 $36 b3 21. Bxb3 $1 Rxb3 22. Qxb3 Na5 23. Qc2 Bxc4 (23... Nxc4 24. d5
$16) 24. b4 $14) 15. Ne3 (15. d4 cxd4 16. cxd4 exd4 17. Bf4 b3 18. Bxb3 Be6 19.
Ba2 d3 $1 20. Qxd3 Nb4 21. Qe2 Nxa2 22. Rxa2 Rc8 23. b3 Nxe4 $1 $15 {Karjakin,
S (2780)-Aronian,L (2802)/Wijk aan Zee/2013/ Opening the centre favoured Black.
}) (15. Nh2 Be6 16. f4 exf4 17. Bxf4 Rb7 18. Ne3 {Prathamesh,S (2358)
-Sethuraman,S (2332)/Dindigul/2007/} d5 $1 $15) 15... Be6 16. Bc4 Bxc4 17. Nxc4
Re8 18. Be3 (18. Bd2 $142 $11 {prevents the following central push}) 18... Bf8
19. Nfd2 d5 $1 20. exd5 Qxd5 21. Qf3 Qxf3 22. Nxf3 Nd5 23. Bd2 f6 24. a5 Kf7
$15 {[%csl Rd3] Caruana,F (2786)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2696)/Tashkent/2012/}) 13...
bxc3 (13... Qc7 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Nc4 b3 $5 ({For} 15... Rd8 {see
Caruana-Tomashevsky}) 16. Nxa5 bxa2 17. Nc4 Be6 18. Qe2 Nd7 19. Rxa2 Nb6 20.
Nfd2 (20. Nfxe5 Bd6 21. a5 Nxc4 22. Nxc4 Bxh2+ 23. Kh1 Rfe8 24. Ra1 Bxc4 25.
Qxc4 Re6 26. Qe2 Rbe8 27. Ra4 Bd6 $44 {Muri,H (2374)-Kayser,P (2055)/corr/2011/
}) 20... Rfd8 21. Ra1 Nxc4 $6 (21... Bg5 $142) (21... a5 $5 $44) 22. Nxc4 Bxc4
23. Qxc4 Qd6 24. Ra2 $6 (24. Rb1 $14) (24. Kf1 $14) 24... a5 25. Be3 h6 26. h3
Qb6 27. Kh2 Qd6 28. Rb1 Qd3 29. Qxd3 Rxd3 30. Kg1 c4 $11 {Karjakin,S (2775)
-Grischuk,A (2764)/Moscow rpd/2012/}) 14. bxc3 cxd4 15. cxd4 Nc6 16. Ba3 exd4 (
{Solid is} 16... Nxd4 17. Nxd4 exd4 18. Nf3 Bb7 19. Qd3 d5 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21.
exd5 (21. e5 Ne4 22. Nxd4 $5 {seems more enterprising}) 21... Qd8 22. Rab1 Bxd5
23. Rxb8 Qxb8 24. Bxd5 Nxd5 25. Qxd4 Nf6 26. h3 Qc7 $11 {Dominguez Perez,L 
(2708)-Pelletier,Y (2569)/Biel/2008/}) 17. Nb3 Bg4 $5 (17... Bb7 {could lead
to Pelletier's game.}) 18. Nbxd4 Nxd4 19. Qxd4 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Nh5 21. Rad1 (21.
e5 $5 d5 22. Bc1 $14) 21... Qc8 22. Qe3 (22. Bc1 $5 Bf6 (22... Qh3 $6 23. e5
dxe5 24. Qg4 $1 $16 {[%csl Ga2,Gc1]}) 23. Qxd6 Rd8 24. Qa3 Qh3 $44) 22... Qc2
23. Rd2 Qxa4 24. e5 {Cheparinov,I (2681)-Dzhumaev,M (2499)/Istanbul olm/2012/}
Nf4 $1 $132 {/\} 25. Rd4 Qa5 26. Rxf4 Bg5 27. Ra1 Bxf4 28. Qxf4 Qxa3 29. Bxf7+
Rxf7 $11) 9... d6 {After the insertion of 8.a4 b4 this modest reaction is
Black's best choice.} (9... Nxd4 10. Nxd4 ({In this version also} 10. Bxf7+ $5
Rxf7 11. Nxe5 Rf8 12. Qxd4 Bb7 13. Nd2 $14 {deserves more attention.}) 10...
exd4 11. e5 Ne8 12. Qxd4 Bb7 13. Bf4 c5 14. Qe3 d5 15. exd6 Bxd6 16. Nd2 Qc7
17. Be5 Bxe5 18. Qxe5 Qc6 19. f3 Nd6 20. Nc4 Nxc4 21. Bxc4 Rae8 22. Qf4 a5 23.
Bb5 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 Qd5 25. h3 Bc8 26. Bc4 Qf5 27. Qc7 $16 {Grischuk,A (2719)
-Beliavsky,A (2667)/FIDE WCh Tripoli/2004/}) 10. dxe5 {White can't
advantageously retain the central tension.} (10. d5 Na5 11. Ba2 Rb8 12. Nbd2 c6
13. dxc6 Qc7 $5 $11 (13... Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Qe2 Qb6 16. Nc4 Nxc4 17. Qxc4
d5 18. exd5 exd5 19. Qb3 e4 20. Ne5 Bc5 21. Be3 Bxe3 {Aronian,L (2562)
-Minasian,A (2480)/Yerevan/2001/} 22. Qxe3 $16)) (10. c3 bxc3 11. bxc3 exd4 12.
Nxd4 Nxd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. exd5 Bb7 15. Bg5 Bxd5 16. Nd2 h6 17. Bxd5 Nxd5 18.
Bxe7 Nxe7 19. Nf3 Qd6 20. h3 Rab8 21. Rc1 Rb4 22. Qc2 Nd5 23. Re4 Nf6 24. Re2
Nd5 {1/2,Stein,L-Tal,M/Moscow/1967/}) 10... dxe5 (10... Nxe5 11. Nxe5 (11. Nbd2
Nfd7 $146 (11... Nxf3+ $5 12. Nxf3 Bb7 13. e5 Nd7 14. e6 fxe6 15. Bxe6+ Kh8 16.
Bd5 c6 17. Ba2 c5 18. Bd5 Bxd5 19. Qxd5 Nb6 20. Qe6 Bf6 21. a5 Nd7 22. Qd5 Ne5
23. Nd2 Ng4 24. Nf3 Ne5 25. Nd2 Ng4 {1/2,Anand,V (2782)-Naiditsch,A (2574)/
Dortmund/2004/}) 12. Nd4 c5 13. Nf5 Nf6 14. Ne3 (14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Nc4 $14 {/=
}) 14... Bb7 15. f3 Ng6 16. Ndc4 d5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Nf5 Qc7 19. Nxe7+ Ngxe7
20. Bg5 Nf5 21. c3 (21. Na5 $5) 21... bxc3 22. bxc3 h6 23. Qd3 g6 24. Bd2 Rad8
25. Qe2 Nf4 26. Bxf4 Qxf4 27. Rad1 Bd5 28. Nd2 Bxb3 29. Nxb3 Qxa4 30. Nxc5 {
Nakamura,H (2772)-Aronian,L (2813)/Saint Louis/2013/} Qc6 $11) 11... dxe5 12.
Qe2 Bc5 ({The most usual move, but maybe Black should consider} 12... Bb7 {, or
}) (12... a5 $5) 13. Be3 Qe7 $146 (13... Bd4 $5 14. c3 ({Engines have tested
both} 14. Bxd4 Qxd4 15. Rd1 {and}) (14. Qd3 c5 15. c3 {- see the notes to
Caruana-Fressinet}) 14... bxc3 15. bxc3 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 Qe7 17. Nd2 Be6 18. h3
Rfd8 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. Nf3 Ne8 21. c4 Nd6 22. c5 Nc8 23. Ng5 Qe7 24. Red1 Na7
25. Rd5 Nc6 $11 {Baklan,V (2578)-Pinter,J (2535)/AUT-chT/2005/}) 14. Nd2 Bg4 $6
15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16. Qe3 Qxe3 17. Rxe3 Rad8 18. Nc4 Rfe8 19. Na5 $1 Be6 20. f3 Rd2
21. Rc1 Nd7 22. Bxe6 Rxe6 23. Nb3 Rdd6 24. c3 $1 bxc3 25. Rexc3 $16 {Caruana,F
(2779)-Fressinet,L (2708)/Paris/2013/ The lost tempo cost Black dearly, as his
queenside crumbles.}) 11. Qxd8 {White wants to profit from the queenside holes
in a simplified position.} (11. Nbd2 Bc5 12. Qe2 ({Jansa's} 12. h3 Bb7 $11 {
is rather slow.}) 12... Qe7 $5 (12... Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. c3 (14. Qf1 $5 Qd7 15.
a5 Qe7 16. Bc4 Ra7 17. Nh4 g6 18. c3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Rb8 20. Nb3 Bd6 21. g4 $16 {
Zinchenko,E-Manyakhin,A/corr/2006/}) 14... Na5 15. g4 Bg6 16. Bc2 bxc3 17. bxc3
Nd5 $1 18. Nb1 {Grischuk,A (2779)-Caruana,F (2774)/Thessaloniki GP/2013/} Qf6
$5 19. g5 Qe6 20. exd5 Qxh3 21. Nh2 Bh5 22. Qe4 Bg6 23. Qe2 Bh5 $11) (12... Bb7
13. Nc4 {Black must be careful.} Qe7 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 g5 16. Bg3 Nh5 (16...
Nd4 $5 17. Nxd4 Bxd4 18. Qf3 Rad8 $132 {Zajontz,R (2492)-Feco,J (2331)/corr/
2009/}) 17. Ne3 Nxg3 18. hxg3 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 Na5 20. Bd5 Rad8 21. Bxb7 Nxb7 22.
Rad1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Rd8 24. Rd5 Rxd5 25. exd5 Qc5 $11 {/+/=,Guilloux,J (2046)
-De los Reyes,A (1141)/corr/2003/}) 13. Nc4 Bg4 14. c3 bxc3 (14... Nh5 15. g3
Qf6 16. Kg2 Rad8 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. Nxe3 Bxf3+ 19. Qxf3 Qxf3+ 20. Kxf3 Na5 21.
Bd5 bxc3 22. b4 c6 23. Ba2 Nb7 24. Rec1 $36 {Inarkiev,E (2693)-Onischuk,A 
(2667)/Poikovsky/2013/}) 15. bxc3 h6 16. Bc2 Qe6 17. Ne3 Bxe3 18. Qxe3 Na5 19.
Nd2 Qc6 20. h3 Be6 21. Qg3 Nd7 22. Rb1 Rfb8 $11 {Grischuk,A (2764)-Svidler,P 
(2747)/London Candidates/2013/}) 11... Rxd8 12. Nbd2 ({After} 12. Bg5 {Black
can play} Rb8 $11 ({, as well as Caruana's provocative} 12... h6 $6 13. Bxf6
gxf6 14. Bd5 Rd6 {- see Negi-Caruana})) 12... h6 {Black makes a useful move
without committing his bishops.} (12... Bc5 13. h3 $5 (13. Bc4 Ng4 14. Re2 Na5
15. Bd5 Rb8 16. Nb3 Nxb3 17. cxb3 h6 18. h3 Nf6 19. Nxe5 Nxd5 20. exd5 $6 (20.
Nc6 Nc3 21. bxc3 Rd1+ 22. Kh2 Rb6 23. cxb4 Bd6+ 24. e5 Rxc6 25. exd6 Be6 $1 $11
) 20... Rxd5 21. Bf4 Be6 22. Rc1 Bd6 23. Bg3 Re8 24. Re3 c5 $15 {[%csl Rb3,Gd6,
Ge6] Anand,V (2783)-Adams,M (2727)/Paris/St Petersburg/2013/}) 13... Bb7 (13...
Re8 14. a5 Be6 15. Ba4 Bd7 16. Nb3 Bd6 17. Bg5 $14) (13... h6 14. Nc4 Re8 15.
a5 Bb7 16. Ba4 Re6 17. c3 Rd8 (17... Rb8 $5) 18. Bc2 Re7 19. Nfd2 Ba7 20. Nb3
Ne8 21. Ne3 Red7 22. Ra4 bxc3 23. bxc3 Nd6 24. Ba3 Ne7 {Inarkiev,E (2669)
-Akopian,V (2679)/Elista/2008/} 25. Bc5 $14) 14. a5 (14. Bc4 h6 15. Nb3 Bd6 16.
Bd3 $5 (16. a5 Ne7 17. Nfd2 Ng6 18. Bf1 Nf4 19. f3 Nd7 20. Nc4 Be7 21. Be3 Ne6
22. Bf2 Bc6 23. Ne3 Ndc5 24. Bc4 Nxb3 25. cxb3 Bb5 {Bologan,V (2682)
-Sargissian,G (2642)/Kallithea/2008/} 26. Nd5 $14 {Bologan}) 16... Bc8 17. Be3
Be6 18. Nfd2 Be7 19. Rad1 Nd7 20. Bc4 $14 {Bologan: Compared with the
positions where the pawn is on a5, White controls the very important square b5.
}) 14... h6 15. Ba4 Nd7 (15... Nxa5 $5 16. Nxe5 Bd4 17. Nd3 c5 $132) 16. Nb3
Bd6 17. Be3 Ncb8 18. Nfd2 Bc6 19. Nc4 Bxa4 20. Rxa4 Nc6 21. Rd1 Be7 22. Raa1
Kf8 23. f3 Ke8 24. Kf2 Nf8 25. Rd5 f6 26. g3 Ne6 27. f4 $36 {Harikrishna,P 
(2685)-Kamsky,G (2746)/Istanbul olm/2012/}) ({Black has had more success with
the prophylactic} 12... Bd6 13. a5 h6 14. Bc4 Re8 $1 (14... Kf8 15. b3 (15. Nb3
Ke7 16. Nfd2 ({Bologan recommends} 16. Be3 Be6 17. Bxe6 Kxe6 18. Nfd2 {, but}
Rab8 {[%cal Yb8b5] seems about equal.}) 16... Be6 17. Bf1 Nd7 18. Nc4 Nc5 19.
Nxc5 Bxc5 20. c3 f6 21. Be3 {1/2,Nisipeanu,L (2684)-Inarkiev,E (2684)/Evry/
2008/} Bxe3 22. Nxe3 Rd2 $11) 15... Ke7 $6 (15... Bc5 {is the engine move, but
why then go to d6 at all?}) 16. Bd5 $1 Nxd5 17. exd5 Na7 18. Nxe5 Kf8 19. Ndc4
Bxe5 20. Rxe5 Nc6 21. Bg5 $1 $14 {Karjakin,S (2721)-Aronian,L (2754)/Nalchik/
2009/}) (14... Bb7 15. b3 (15. Nb3 Re8 16. c3 bxc3 17. bxc3 Nd8 18. Nfd2 Ne6
19. f3 Bc6 20. Bf1 Reb8 21. Ba3 Kf8 22. Nc1 Bb5 23. Nc4 Bxa3 24. Rxa3 Nd7 25.
Rd1 f6 $11 {/=/+,Felgaer,R (2570)-Tomashevsky,E (2730)/Istanbul olm/2012/})
15... Bc5 16. Bb2 Rd7 17. h3 Re8 18. Ra4 {Kritz,L (2618)-Kaplan,S (2422)/Biel/
2010/} Nh5 $132 {[%cal Yh5f4]}) 15. Nb3 (15. b3 Be6 16. Bb2 Nd7 17. h3 f6 18.
Nh4 Nc5 19. Nf5 Bf8 20. Ne3 Bxc4 21. Ndxc4 Ne6 22. Rad1 Red8 23. Rd5 Nf4 $11 {
Negi,P (2642)-Sargissian,G (2663)/WChT Ningbo/2011/}) (15. Bd3 Nd7 16. Nb3 Nc5
17. Be3 Nxd3 18. cxd3 Be6 19. Nfd2 Nb8 20. Rec1 Nd7 $11 {Sargissian}) 15... Be6
16. Bd3 Red8 17. Bf1 (17. Nfd2 Nd7 18. Bc4 Nc5 19. Nxc5 Bxc5 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21.
Nb3 Ba7 22. Be3 Nd4 23. Rac1 Nxb3 24. cxb3 Bxe3 25. Rxe3 c5 $11 {Antipov,M 
(2462)-Heimann,A (2493)/Athens/2012/}) 17... Kf8 18. Nfd2 Nd7 19. Nc4 Nc5 20.
Nxc5 Bxc5 21. c3 f6 22. Be3 Bxe3 {1/2,Carlsen,M (2772)-Leko,P (2756)/Dortmund/
2009/}) 13. a5 ({Carlsen and Aronian already had this position once.} 13. Bc4
Bd6 (13... Bc5 $5) 14. Nb3 Bb7 (14... Re8 $142 $5 {[%cal Yc8e6]}) 15. h3 Kf8
16. Bd3 Bc8 17. Be3 Be6 18. Nfd2 Ke8 19. f3 Be7 20. Bc4 Bc8 21. Red1 Bb7 22.
Bf2 Nd7 23. Bd3 Nf8 24. Nc4 Ne6 25. Nba5 $16 {Carlsen,M (2776)-Aronian,L (2750)
/Nice rpd/2009/ gave White a substantial advantage, but Aronian undoubtedly
prepared an improvement here.}) (13. Nc4 Bd6 14. a5 Be6 15. Be3 Rab8 16. Nfd2
Ng4 17. h3 Nxe3 18. Nxe3 Bc5 19. Bxe6 Rxd2 20. Bd5 Bxe3 (20... Nd8 $5) 21. fxe3
Ne7 22. Bc4 Rxc2 23. b3 Rxc4 24. bxc4 Kf8 $44 {Wan,Y (2477)-Tkachiev,V (2662)/
Jakarta/2012/}) 13... Bc5 $146 {Until now Black played mostly} (13... Bd6 {
which transposes into the aforementioned 12...Bd6 lines.}) 14. Bc4 {[%cal
Yb2b3,Yc1b2,Yc4d3,Yd2c4] White's long-term plan is to target e5, but the text
move is not ideal.} (14. Ba4 Nxa5 15. Nxe5 Ng4 16. Nxg4 Bxg4 $132 {and Black's
active pieces give him reasonable counterchances.}) (14. h3 $142 $5 {gives
better chances for an edge. Now} Bb7 {leads to Harikrishna - Kamsky above,} ({
while} 14... Re8 15. Nc4 {transposes to Inarkiev-Akopian})) 14... Ng4 15. Re2
Be6 $1 {Swapping the important bishop complicates White's development and
gives Aronian the initiative.} 16. Bxe6 ({White has no time for} 16. Bd3 b3 $36
) 16... fxe6 17. h3 Nf6 18. Re1 Rab8 19. Nc4 Rb5 {[%csl Ra5][%cal Gb5e5] An
excellent outpost for the rook, attacking and defending at the same time.} 20.
b3 (20. Ncxe5 $6 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 22. Kxf2 Rxe5 $15 {[%csl Re4] /-/+}) (20.
Be3 Ne8 $36 {[%cal Ye8d6]}) 20... Bd4 21. Bb2 (21. Nxd4 exd4 $15 {[%csl Ra5]})
21... Rc5 $1 {[%cal Rc5c4]} 22. Ra2 Bxb2 ({After} 22... Ne8 {White can already
consider} 23. Bxd4 $5 exd4 24. e5 $132) 23. Rxb2 Ne8 24. Ra2 Nd6 25. Nfd2 Nb7 (
25... Nd4 $15) ({, or} 25... Nb5 $15 {was probably better, but even here it's
not simple to increase Black's pressure.}) 26. Nf3 Kf7 (26... Nbxa5 27. Nfxe5
Nxe5 28. Rxa5 Rxa5 29. Nxa5 Rd2 30. Rc1 $11 {[%cal Yg1e1]}) ({Aronian is
playing for a win and spurns} 26... Nd6 $11) 27. Kf1 Kf6 28. Ra4 Nbxa5 29. Ne3
$5 (29. Nxa5 Nxa5 30. Re2 Rd1+ 31. Re1 Rd6 $5 32. Rxb4 Rxc2 33. Nxe5 c5 $15 {
Carslen is not intent on winning the pawn back immediately, this cool retreat
leaves Black's kinights sidetracked.}) 29... h5 30. Rea1 Rd4 31. Ne1 Ke7 (31...
Rxe4 $6 32. Nd3 {/\} Rb5 33. c4 $1 Nxb3 34. cxb5 axb5 35. Ra6 $14) 32. f3 Rd2
33. Rd1 (33. Nd3 $2 Rxd3 34. cxd3 Nxb3 35. Rd1 a5 $17 {[%csl Ga5,Gb4][%cal
Rc5b5,Rb3c5] /-+}) 33... Rd6 ({Keeps the tension, after} 33... Rxd1 34. Nxd1
$11 {[%cal Yd1e3,Ye1d3] Black has no obvious way to untangle.}) 34. Rda1 Kd7 ({
Still aiming for more than} 34... Rd2 35. Rd1 $11) 35. Nd1 Rd2 36. Nf2 $5 Kc8
37. Nfd3 Rb5 38. h4 (38. Nxb4 Nxb4 39. Rxa5 Kb7 {is still slightly unpleasant
for White. Carlsen was short of time, so he doesn't change the character of
the position.}) 38... Kb7 39. R1a2 Ka7 40. Kg1 Kb6 41. Kf1 g6 42. Kg1 Kb7 43.
Kf1 Kc8 44. Nf2 Rd8 $6 ({This is already pushing it too far, Black should have
resigned himself to} 44... Rc5 45. Nfd3 Rb5 $11) 45. Ned3 $44 {The retreat of
the active rook allows White to further improve his piece coordination and put
serious pressure on Black's weaknesses. Carlsen realised this was the turning
point of the game and somewhere around here he already declined a draw offer.
Aronian was late to realise he has to defend accurately and without much
resistance.} Kb7 46. Ke2 Kb6 47. Ke3 Kb7 {Awkward.} (47... Ra8 48. Nb2 $1 {
doesn't allow the knight to leave a5, but after} Rc5 49. Kd2 Rf8 $14 {Black
can still fight on.}) 48. Nd1 (48. Nh3 $5 $14 {is interesting, but White has a
different plan.}) 48... Kc8 49. N1b2 Rd6 50. Ra1 $1 {An important finesse,
which clearly indicates aggressive intentions.} ({Carslen avoids the immediate
} 50. Nc4 Nxc4+ 51. bxc4 Rb8 52. c5 Rd7 53. Rxa6 b3 $1 $11) 50... Kd8 $2 {
The decisive mistake, the rook should have left the exposed d6-square as soon
as possible.} (50... Rd7 51. Nc4 Nxc4+ 52. bxc4 Rb8 53. Rxa6 Nd4 54. Rc1 $16 {
[%csl Re5,Re6] /\} b3 55. c3 Nc2+ 56. Ke2 {[%csl Rb3]}) (50... Rd4 $142 $5 {
and the forcing} 51. Nxe5 (51. g3 $5 $36 {[%cal Yf3f4] is perhaps stronger})
51... Rxe5 52. Rxa5 Rdxe4+ 53. fxe4 Nxa5 (53... Rxa5 $2 54. Rxa5 Nxa5 55. Kf4
$18 {[%cal Rf4g5]}) 54. Nd3 Rb5 55. Nf4 Kd7 $14 {gives Black chances for a
successful defence.}) 51. Nc4 Nxc4+ 52. bxc4 Rb8 53. c5 Rd7 ({Even after the
more resilient} 53... Rxd3+ 54. Kxd3 a5 55. Kc4 $16 {/+- White should graually
win.}) 54. Rxa6 $18 b3 {Hopeless, but} (54... Nd4 {was no better:} 55. Ra8 $1
Rxa8 (55... Nxc2+ 56. Kd2 Nxa1 57. Rxb8+ Ke7 58. Rxb4 $18 {[%csl Ra1,Re5]}) 56.
Rxa8+ Ke7 57. Nxe5 $5 (57. Nxb4 $18) 57... Nxc2+ 58. Ke2 $18 {[%csl Rd7] and
Black's rook is trapped!}) 55. Rxc6 bxc2 56. Ne1 {[%csl Rc2]} (56. Rxe6 $142 $1
$18) 56... Ke7 (56... Rb2 57. Rxe6 {[%cal Ra1a8]} Rd1 58. Nxc2 $18) (56... Rd1
57. Nxc2 Rxa1 58. Nxa1 Ra8 59. Rxe6 (59. Nc2 $2 Kd7) 59... Rxa1 60. Rxg6 $18)
57. Nxc2 Rb3+ 58. Ke2 Rb2 59. Rc1 Ra2 {Now the Rc6 is temporarily trapped, but
Black has no way to attack it and he is already a piece down. The rest doesn't
require any comment.} 60. Ke3 Kf7 61. f4 Kf6 62. fxe5+ Kxe5 63. Ne1 Ra3+ 64.
Kf2 Rd2+ 65. Kf1 Rd7 66. Nf3+ Kf4 67. Rxe6 g5 68. hxg5 Kg3 69. Rf6 Ra2 70. Ne5
1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 6th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2013.10.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2013.10.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 Nc6 10. d5 Ne5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Qd2 e6 13. f4 Bc7 14. O-O exd5
15. exd5 Ba5 16. d6 Rb8 17. Rb5 b6 18. Ba3 Ba6 19. f5 Bxb5 20. Bxb5 Qf6 21.
fxg6 Bxc3 22. gxh7+ Kh8 23. Rxf6 Bxd2 24. Bb2 Be3+ 25. Kf1 Kxh7 26. d7 Rbd8 27.
Rf5 Bd4 28. Bxd4 cxd4 29. Re5 Kg7 30. Ke2 f5 31. Re8 d3+ 32. Kd2 a6 33. Bc6 b5
34. h4 Kf6 35. a3 Rh8 36. h5 Kg5 37. Re6 Rh7 38. Rd6 Rxh5 39. Kxd3 Rh4 40. Re6
Rh7 41. Rd6 Rh4 42. Re6 Rh7 43. Rd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 6th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2013.10.08"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2013.10.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. e4 d5 6. e5 Ne4 7. Bd3 c5 8. Nf3
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nd7 10. Bf4 Qh4 11. g3 Qh5 12. O-O Bxc3 13. bxc3 g5 14. cxd5 exd5
15. Bxe4 dxe4 16. e6 gxf4 17. exd7 Bxd7 18. Qxe4 fxg3 19. fxg3 b6 20. Nf5 Rae8
21. Qd5 Bxf5 22. Rxf5 Qe2 23. Raf1 Qe3+ 24. R1f2 Qe1+ 25. Rf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 6th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2013.10.09"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2013.10.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 c6 8. Bd3
b6 9. b4 a5 10. a3 Ba6 11. Bxa6 Rxa6 12. b5 cxb5 13. c6 Qc8 14. c7 b4 15. Nb5
a4 16. Rc1 Ne4 17. Ng5 Ndf6 18. Nxe4 Nxe4 19. f3 Ra5 20. Qe2 Qd7 21. fxe4 Rc8
22. exd5 exd5 23. axb4 Rxb5 24. O-O Rxb4 25. Qa6 h6 26. Rc6 Bg5 27. Bxg5 hxg5
28. Rfc1 Rc4 29. R1xc4 dxc4 30. Qxb6 a3 31. Rxc4 a2 32. Qa5 Qe6 33. Qxa2 Rxc7
34. Qa8+ Kh7 35. Rxc7 Qxe3+ 36. Kf1 Qf4+ 37. Qf3 Qxc7 38. Qh5+ Kg8 39. Qxg5
Qc4+ 40. Kf2 Qxd4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 6th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2013.10.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A26"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[Annotator "Friedel,J"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2013.10.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. d3 h6 8. b4 d6
9. Rb1 a6 10. a4 Ne7 {This move has only been played a few times, but it looks
pretty standard.} (10... Be6 11. b5 axb5 12. axb5 Ne7 {is a standard English
position that has been played hundreds of times.}) 11. Ba3 {Vachier decides to
take the game to new territory.} (11. b5 axb5 12. axb5 {would lead to normal
play.}) 11... c6 12. c5 $5 {Vachier aims to break apart Black's center.} Re8
13. e4 {This move is always double-edged. If White is able to play d4 then
he'll enjoy a nice space advantage in the center. If not, however, then the
bishop on g2 will become an awful piece.} Bg4 {Aronian is fully aware of this,
so he tries to prevent the move temporarily.} 14. Qb3 Nd7 {I really like
Aronian's regrouping of his pieces.} 15. Nd2 (15. cxd6 Nc8 16. b5 axb5 17. axb5
Be6 18. Qb2 c5 {and I prefer Black, since d4 is impossible now and the d6-pawn
will be collected next move.}) 15... Nc8 16. Qc2 Bf8 17. cxd6 {This move helps
Black find squares for his pieces.} (17. Nd1 $5 {was an interesting try,
defending c5 and rerouting the knight to e3.}) 17... Nxd6 18. Nb3 b5 $1 {
Aronian shows good understanding of the position. The weakness on c6 is not
relevant, and now the bishop on a3 is completely shut out.} 19. h3 $6 {I don't
really care for this move, as it forces Black to play a move he wants to play
anyway.} (19. Bc1 {trying to fix his bishop looks reasonable, although it is
clear Black has solved all his opening problems.}) 19... Be6 20. Rfd1 bxa4 21.
Nxa4 Nb5 {It is clear Black has taken over.} 22. Bb2 Bxb3 $1 {The bishop on e6
might be an OK piece, but control over d4 is the most important feature in the
position.} (22... Bxb4 23. d4 $132) 23. Qxb3 c5 24. Rbc1 Rb8 {Most precise.} (
24... cxb4 25. Rc6 {unnecessarily gives White counterplay.}) 25. Qa2 $6 (25.
bxc5 {this move, planning an exchange sac, looks like White's best option.} Nd4
26. Qa2 Ne2+ 27. Kh2 Nxc1 28. Rxc1 {and White has reasonable counterplay here.}
) 25... cxb4 26. Rc6 {It may not look like a big difference, but having Rb8
and Qa2 thrown in hugely favors Black.} Kg7 27. d4 b3 $1 {and this is why.} 28.
Qb1 exd4 29. Bxd4+ Nxd4 30. Rxd4 {Black is clearly in charge now, but the
position is still complex.} Qa5 $2 {This move should actually let White off
the hook.} (30... Kg8 {getting the king out of both lines of fire (a1-h8 and
the 7th rank) looks best to me. White can't use the pin on the d7 knight.}) 31.
Rxd7 Qxa4 32. e5 $2 {White misses his chance.} (32. Rcc7 Qa2 (32... b2 33.
Rxf7+ Kg8 34. e5 Qa1 (34... Qd1+ 35. Kh2 $3) 35. Kh2 $3 (35. Bd5 $3) 35... Qxb1
36. Bd5 $18) 33. Rxf7+ Kg8 34. Qd3 $1 {Probably both players thought that
allowing Black to queen was curtains, but it turns out this is not so!} b2 35.
Qd7 b1=Q+ 36. Kh2 {and amazingly, despite having an extra queen, Black has to
allow a perpetual or get mated. For example, after} Qbb2 37. Rxf8+ Kxf8 38.
Qd6+ Kg8 39. Qxg6+ Kf8 {This may look dangerous for Black, but the two queens
cover all the mating squares, so a perpetual is the best White can do.} 40.
Qxh6+ Kg8 41. Qh7+ Kf8 42. Qh6+ {etc.}) 32... Re7 {and now Black is winning.
For now...} 33. Rdd6 {This may not be objectively best, but it is an excellent
practical try.} Qa2 $4 {and once again Black goes astray, and in an even more
serious way. Even for tactical monsters like Aronian such positions aren't
easy to play in time pressure.} (33... b2 {This simple move is good enough.
The b-pawn will decide if White does nothing, and after} 34. Rxg6+ fxg6 35.
Qxg6+ Kh8 {Black has nothing to fear, since b1=Q+ is a powerful defensive
resource.}) 34. Rxg6+ fxg6 35. Qxg6+ Kh8 36. Bd5 {Now Black is actually lost!}
Rg7 37. Qxh6+ Rh7 38. Qe6 $2 {This lets Black off the hook.} (38. Qg6 {is
winning, as the cruel machine informs us. Here are a few sample lines.} Rg7 (
38... Bc5 39. Qf6+ Rg7 40. Rxc5 {and White's attack will rage on.}) (38... Bg7
{This is a logical defensive move, but after} 39. Be4 {The rook has nowhere to
go!} Rxh3 (39... Rh6 40. Qf5 {and White's two threats of Rc8+ and Rxh6+ are
deadly.}) 40. Kg2 $1 {and the rook is trapped, after which mate or heavy
material loss is inevitable.}) 39. Qh5+ Rh7 40. Qg4 $1 {Rg7 is prevented by
Rh6+.} Qb1+ 41. Kg2 Be7 42. Rg6 $1 {and Black has to sac his queen to prevent
Rg8+, and that only prevents mate temporarily.}) 38... Qb1+ 39. Kg2 (39. Kh2 {
is more precise, but the reason isn't obvious at first.} Rg7 {This isn't
Black's only possibility, but it is perhaps the safest.} 40. Rc4 Qh7 41. Rh4
Qxh4 42. gxh4 b2 43. Be4 b1=Q 44. Bxb1 Rxb1 45. Qh6+ Kg8 46. Qe6+ Kh8 {and
Black has to allow a perpetual or allow the rook on b1 to drop.}) 39... Rg7 40.
Rc8 {Forced.} (40. Rc4 Qh7 {and now} 41. Rh4 {is impossible on account of} Qxh4
{and the g-pawn is pinned.}) 40... Rxc8 41. Qxc8 Rg8 $1 {and now Black is on
top again, though it certainly isn't easy.} 42. Qb7 {A nice practical move.} (
42. Bxg8 Qe4+ $1 (42... Kxg8 43. Qe6+ {is a perpetual.}) 43. Kh2 Kxg8 44. Qe6+
Kh8 45. Qxb3 Qxe5 {ought to be losing, though it would require precision.})
42... Qh7 43. Qxb3 Rg5 44. Qe3 Qe7 45. f4 {Forced. Pushing these pawns can be
both good and bad. On one hand, they help restrict Black's pieces, but on the
other they expose White's king to harassment.} Rg7 46. f5 {This is an
understandable try, though it seems to lose by force.} (46. Qb6 {might have
resisted a bit longer.}) 46... Qg5 $1 47. Qxg5 Rxg5 {Now that the queens are
off, king safety is no longer a factor for either side. The problem for White
here is that the a-pawn will cost him his bishop, and after that the rook and
bishop team should be able to stop the pawns.} 48. g4 Bg7 $1 {Black forces the
pawns on to the wrong color of squares. This enables Black to establish a
blockade, something which one finds comforting when defending against an
avalanche.} (48... a5 $2 49. Kf3 a4 50. Kf4 Rg7 51. f6 {and Black's life isn't
so easy now.}) 49. e6 Bf6 50. Kg3 a5 51. h4 Rg8 52. g5 Kg7 $1 {This is the key
idea. The pawns will easily be blockaded, and then Black can calmly push the
a-pawn.} 53. Kf4 Rh8 54. Kg4 Rb8 55. gxf6+ Kxf6 56. e7 (56. h5 a4 57. h6 Rd8 $1
58. Ba2 Rd2 {and Black wins handily.}) 56... a4 {A highly complex battle with
many twists and turns.} 0-1

[Event "Grand Slam Final 6th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2013.10.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[Annotator "Gormally,D"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2013.10.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Nbd2 d4 11. h3 Nd7 12. Nb3 a5 13. a4 bxa4 14. Nbd2 Nc5 15. Nc4
f6 16. Bxa4 Nxa4 17. Rxa4 dxc3 18. bxc3 Ba6 19. Qb3 Kh8 20. Rd1 Qb8 21. Qc2 Bb5
22. Ra2 Bxc4 23. dxc4 Nd8 24. Be3 Ra6 {Although White's pawn islands on the
c-file may look ugly, they control some useful squares. However in the long
term, Black stands well, as not only can he take aim at these pawns in the
endgame, but he has a powerful passed a-pawn to boot. So at this moment the
game is in the balance. It is a classic situation of better structure vs
short-term initative. Karpov for example used to love defending against these
temporary initatives, if he soaked up the pressure his lasting trumps would
surely prevail. Therefore we can say that if White does not play with energy
and precision over the next few moves there is a great danger he will end up
just being a lot worse.} 25. Qa4 $2 {Adams places his queen on what looks a
very natural square, not only blockading the a-pawn, but also threatening at
any moment to steal into d7, creating havoc in the enemy ranks.  However it
turns out that this is a crucial error, which hands over the initiative to
Aronian, after which he never lets go.} ({In fact the queen was already well
posted on c2, where it keeps a useful eye on the e4-pawn. Much more to the
point was} 25. Rd7 $1 Re8 (25... Nc6 {is possible, but of course the knight
would far rather go to e6} 26. Rd5 $1 {and it is not easy to see how Black can
make any progress against this stubborn rook on d5, while at the same time
White can always re-route his knight from f5 to either f5 via h4, or d2 to b3.
With the knight on e6 the white rook on d5 is only temporarily in charge - it
can always be pushed away with a timely ...c6}) 26. Nh4 $1 {which creates a
serious problem for Black; he can hardly allow the knight into f5, but after}
g6 {his kingside has been appreciably weakened.} 27. Nf3 Ne6 28. Rd5 Qa8 29.
Qa4 Kg7 30. Nd2 $1 {and White is better - it is not at all easy for Black to
alleviate the pressure on his position.}) 25... Ne6 $1 {Just the tiniest of
inaccuracies and the Black forces are co-ordinating perfectly again.} 26. Qb5 (
26. Rd7 $6 {gets nowhere after} Bc5 $1) 26... Qa8 27. c5 {Perhaps Adams was
counting on this move, but if so, Aronian's next two turns would serve as a
rude awakening.} ({In any case White is already worse.} 27. Rda1 Rb8 28. Qd5
Rd8 29. Qb5 c6 30. Qa4 Bc5 {is also unpleasant for White.}) 27... Rb8 28. Qc4
Qc6 $1 {The white position is now bereft of any fun, as Aronian has cleverly
extinguished his initiative. In fact White is now reduced to mere defence, and
not suprisingly given the shift in psychological circumstances, it is not long
before Black's advantage grows to decisive proportions.} 29. Ne1 Nxc5 $17 30.
Rd5 Nb3 31. Qd3 Raa8 32. Nc2 Bf8 33. Na3 Qa4 $1 {Black is winning now. The
white position is too fragile.} 34. Qc4 Qxc4 35. Nxc4 a4 36. Kf1 a3 37. Rd7 Kg8
38. Ke2 Rb7 39. Kd3 Ra4 40. f3 Bc5 41. Bd2 Kf8 42. g4 Ba7 43. Nd6 cxd6 0-1

[Event "Grand Slam Final 6th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2013.10.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D52"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2013.10.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. e3 Qa5 7. Nd2 Bb4 8. Qc2
O-O 9. Be2 c5 10. Bh4 cxd4 11. exd4 b6 12. O-O Bxc3 13. bxc3 Ba6 14. a4 dxc4
15. Bxc4 Bxc4 16. Nxc4 Qd5 17. Ne3 Qe4 18. Bxf6 Qxc2 19. Nxc2 Nxf6 20. c4 Rac8
21. Ne3 Rfd8 22. Rfd1 Ne4 23. Rac1 f5 24. f3 Nf6 25. g3 Rd7 26. a5 g5 27. axb6
axb6 28. Rb1 f4 29. gxf4 gxf4 30. Ng2 Rxc4 31. Rxb6 Rcxd4 32. Rxd4 Rxd4 33.
Rxe6 Kf7 34. Re5 Kg6 35. Nh4+ Kf7 36. Ng2 Kg6 37. Nh4+ Kf7 38. Ng2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1314"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2014.04.04"]
[Round "13.1"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A25"]
[WhiteElo "2676"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2013.10.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hockenheim"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. e3 Nc6 4. g4 h6 5. Bg2 d6 6. h3 Ne7 7. d4 Ng6 8. Nf3 Be7
9. Qc2 c6 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. b3 Qc7 13. Bb2 Bd7 14. O-O-O O-O-O
15. Ne2 Be6 16. f4 exf4 17. exf4 Bd6 18. f5 Bd7 19. Kb1 Be5 20. Nd4 Rhe8 21. b4
a5 22. c5 axb4 23. Qa4 Bxd4 24. Bxd4 Qg3 25. Bf3 Qxf3 26. Qa8+ Kc7 27. Qa5+ Kc8
28. Qa8+ Kc7 29. Qa5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1314"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2014.04.05"]
[Round "14.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rodshtein, Maxim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2664"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2013.10.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Eppingen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bf5 4. O-O e6 5. d3 Nf6 6. c4 dxc4 7. dxc4 Nbd7 8.
Nc3 h6 9. Bf4 Be7 10. Qc1 Qb6 11. h3 O-O 12. g4 Bh7 13. Nd2 Rfd8 14. a3 a5 15.
Be3 Qa6 16. b3 Bc5 17. Bxc5 Nxc5 18. b4 Ncd7 19. Qb2 Nb6 20. Rac1 axb4 21. axb4
Qa3 22. Qxa3 Rxa3 23. Rfd1 Rd7 24. b5 Nxc4 25. Ncb1 Bxb1 26. Nxc4 Rc3 27. Ne5
Rxd1+ 28. Rxd1 Bg6 29. bxc6 bxc6 30. Rd8+ Kh7 31. Rf8 Rc1+ 32. Kh2 Rc2 33. Bf3
Be4 34. Nxf7 g6 35. Ne5 Bxf3 36. Rf7+ Kg8 37. Rxf6 Be4 38. e3 g5 39. Kg3 Kg7
40. Rf7+ Kg8 41. Rc7 Bd5 42. Nf7 Rc1 43. Nxh6+ Kf8 44. f3 e5 45. Nf5 c5 46. e4
Bb3 47. h4 gxh4+ 48. Nxh4 Bf7 49. Nf5 Bb3 50. Re7 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 1314"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2014.04.06"]
[Round "15.1"]
[White "Graf, Felix"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2493"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2013.10.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Bayern Muenchen"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 Nh5 8. e3 c5
9. d5 Nd7 10. Be2 O-O 11. Qc2 Ndf6 12. Nd2 Bd7 13. O-O a6 14. Nce4 Nxg3 15.
Nxg3 e6 16. Rad1 exd5 17. cxd5 b5 18. Nf3 Re8 19. Bd3 Bg4 20. Bf5 Bxf3 21. gxf3
Ra7 22. Kg2 Re5 23. e4 h5 24. Qc1 h4 25. Qxg5 hxg3 26. hxg3 Qe7 27. Qf4 c4 28.
Rh1 Rc7 29. g4 Kf8 30. g5 Ng8 31. Rh7 b4 32. Rdh1 c3 33. bxc3 bxc3 34. Rb1 Qd8
35. Rc1 Ne7 36. Rch1 Ng6 37. Qg4 Rc4 38. R1h5 Rxf5 39. Qxf5 Qc8 40. Rh1 c2 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 19th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2013.11.08"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.11.08"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Bulgaria"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "BUL"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. a3 Be7 8. b4
Be6 9. O-O O-O 10. d3 Nd4 11. Be3 Nxf3+ 12. Bxf3 c6 13. Qc2 f5 14. Rab1 Nd5 15.
Bc5 Bxc5 16. bxc5 Nxc3 17. Qxc3 Qc7 18. Rb4 {White's position is flexible and
he seems to have promising pressure against the backward b7-pawn.} Rae8 19.
Rfb1 Bc8 {But now the illusion vanishes. The b7-pawn is easy to defend and
White has no pawn breaks at his disposal. At the same time, Black has the
whole right half of the board for manoeuvring and preparing his attack. The
element that allows White to avoid trouble is the communication between the
wings along the fourth rank.} 20. R1b2 ({Over the past few moves, White will
only move the pieces around without a clear plan. It migth have been more
useful to prepare for any possible simplification to an ending with} 20. Ra4 a6
21. Rab4 Qf7 22. e3 g5 23. a4 {followed by a4-a5.}) 20... Kh8 21. Qc1 Qf7 22.
e3 g5 23. Qc3 Qg7 24. Bg2 f4 ({Black could still prepare his attack with, say} 
24... Re7 $5 {since White cannot do much.}) 25. exf4 exf4 26. Qxg7+ Kxg7 27.
Be4 Re5 28. Rc2 f3 29. Kf1 Rd8 30. Bxf3 Rxd3 31. Bg4 a5 32. Ra4 Bxg4 33. Rxg4
Rxa3 34. Rb2 Kf6 35. Rxb7 Ra2 {Black even has some symbolic advantage now.} 36.
h4 gxh4 37. Rxh4 Rf5 38. Rf4 Rxf4 39. gxf4 Rc2 40. Rxh7 Rxc5 41. Ke2 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 19th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2013.11.09"]
[Round "2.9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Djukic, Nikola"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E92"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2543"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2013.11.08"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Montenegro"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "MNE"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Bg5 c6 7. Nf3 e5 8. d5 a5
9. Be2 Na6 10. O-O Bd7 11. Nd2 Kh8 12. a3 Qc7 13. Rc1 Ng8 14. Nb3 c5 15. h4 f5
16. h5 f4 17. hxg6 h6 18. Nb5 Qb6 19. Bh4 Bf6 20. Bg4 Bxb5 21. Bxf6+ Rxf6 22.
cxb5 Nc7 23. a4 Rxg6 24. Bf5 Rg7 25. Rc3 Ne8 26. Nd2 Qd8 27. Rh3 Qf6 28. Kh2
Qg5 29. g4 fxg3+ 30. fxg3 Nef6 31. Nc4 Ne8 32. Be6 Ngf6 33. Rf5 Ng4+ 34. Qxg4
Qxg4 35. Rxh6+ 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 19th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2013.11.10"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ragger, Markus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2672"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2013.11.08"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Austria"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AUT"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. e3
O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. Nh4 Bd7 11. f4 a5 12. Ne4 Nd5 13. Nf2 e6 14. e4 Nb6 15. Nf3
a4 16. e5 Ne7 17. Ne4 Bc6 18. Re1 Ned5 19. Qe2 Nd7 20. a3 f5 21. exf6 N5xf6 22.
Nc3 Nd5 23. Bh3 Nxc3 24. bxc3 Bd5 25. Ng5 Nf8 26. Be3 b5 27. Bf2 Rb8 28. Rab1
Bc4 29. Qb2 Bd5 30. Re3 h6 31. Nf3 Nd7 32. Qc2 Qf6 33. Bf1 c6 34. Rbe1 g5 35.
f5 Qf7 36. c4 bxc4 37. fxe6 Rxe6 38. Nxg5 Qg6 39. Qxg6 Rxg6 40. Ne6 Bh8 41. Nf4
Rd6 42. Re8+ Rxe8 43. Rxe8+ Nf8 44. Rc8 Bg7 45. Be3 Bf7 46. Kf2 Bxd4 47. Bxd4
Rxd4 48. Rxc6 Rd2+ 49. Ke3 Ra2 50. Bxc4 Rxa3+ 51. Ke4 Bxc4 52. Rxc4 Ra1 53. Kf5
a3 54. Ra4 a2 55. Ra7 Ne6 56. h4 Nxf4 57. gxf4 h5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 19th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2013.11.11"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Areshchenko, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2013.11.08"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Ukraine"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "UKR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O
8. O-O Re8 9. Qf3 Bd6 10. Bf4 Bxf4 11. Qxf4 d6 12. Rfe1 Nd7 13. Rad1 a5 14. b3
h6 15. Bf1 Qg5 16. Qe3 Qxe3 17. Rxe3 Nc5 18. g3 Rb8 19. Bg2 Ba6 20. f4 g5 21.
Kf2 Kf8 22. a3 Re7 23. e5 d5 24. Ne2 Bxe2 25. Kxe2 Ne6 26. Kf3 Rbe8 27. Rc3 Nd8
28. Bh3 h5 29. Bf5 Kg7 30. Rd2 f6 31. e6 Nxe6 32. h3 Nd8 33. Kf2 Kf7 34. Rc5
gxf4 35. gxf4 Ne6 36. Rxc6 Nxf4 37. Kf3 Ng6 38. Bxg6+ Kxg6 39. Rxd5 Re3+ 40.
Kg2 Re2+ 41. Kf1 Re1+ 42. Kf2 R8e2+ 43. Kf3 Re3+ 44. Kf2 R1e2+ 45. Kf1 Rh2 46.
Rxa5 Rhxh3 47. Ra8 Rhf3+ 48. Kg1 h4 49. Rxc7 Rg3+ 50. Kf2 Rgf3+ 51. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 19th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2013.11.12"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Pavasovic, Dusko"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C70"]
[WhiteElo "2563"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Mikhalchishin,A"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2013.11.08"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Slovenia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SLO"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nge7 5. Bb3 d5 {Here are few other ways
to be seriously considered:} (5... Ng6 6. h4 (6. c3 Be7 7. d4 d6 8. Be3 O-O 9.
Nbd2 Nh4 10. Nxh4 Bxh4 11. O-O Bf6 (11... Bg5) 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Qe2 Bg5 14.
Nc4 b5 15. Rad1 Qe7 16. Bxg5 Qxg5 17. Ne3 {with clear control of the centrel,
David,A (2607)-Narayanan,S (2373)/Kolkata IND 2012}) 6... Be7 7. d3 h6 8. h5
Nh4 9. Nxh4 Bxh4 10. g3 Bf6 11. Be3 Na5 12. Nc3 d6 13. Nd5 Nxb3 14. axb3 Be6
15. Nxf6+ Qxf6 16. Qe2 d5 17. f3 Qe7 18. g4 f6 19. Bd2 Qc5 {Black has a very
promising position, Movsesian,S (2696)-Mamedyarov,S(2759)/Rhodes 2013/}) ({
Also possible is even} 5... g6 6. d4 exd4 7. Ng5 d5 8. Qf3 f5 9. exd5 Na5 10.
d6 Nxb3 11. Qxb3 Qxd6 12. Nf7 Qc6 13. Nxh8 Be6 14. Qg3 Qe4+ 15. Kd1 d3 16. cxd3
O-O-O 17. Kc2 Qa4+ 18. b3 Qc6+ 19. Nc3 Bg7 20. d4 f4 21. Qf3 Nd5 {with
powerful compensation, Rogulj,B (2422)-Jakic,I (2416)/Bosnjaci 2013}) 6. Nc3 ({
I think better is to start creating pressure in the centre after} 6. exd5 Nxd5
7. O-O Be6 (7... Be7 8. Re1 O-O 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. Rxe5 c6 11. d4 Bd6 12. Re1 Qh4
13. g3 Qh3 14. Nc3 Nf6 15. Qf3 Bg4 16. Qd3 Bf5 17. Qf1 Qh5 18. f3 Qg6 19. Qf2
Rae8 20. Be3 b5 {Kosintseva,N (2552)-Gopal,G (2597)/Caleta 2011. Black has
some compensation for the pawn, more typical for Marshall structures.}) 8. Re1
Bc5 9. d3 Qf6 $6 (9... O-O 10. Nbd2 f6 11. c3 Qd7) (9... O-O) 10. Nbd2 Nd4 $2
11. Bxd5 Bxd5 12. Rxe5+ Qxe5 13. Nxe5 O-O-O 14. c3 Nf5 15. d4 Bd6 16. Ndc4 Rhe8
17. Nxd6+ cxd6 18. Ng4 Re4 19. Ne3 Rde8 20. Bd2 Nxe3 21. Bxe3 f5 22. c4 {
1-0 Soumya,S (2283)-Kaya,E (1995)/Astana KAZ 2013/CT-4506}) 6... Be6 7. Ng5 $5
({Previously the following has been tried:} 7. O-O dxe4 8. Nxe4 Bxb3 9. axb3
Ng6 (9... Nf5) (9... f5 10. Nc3 e4) 10. d3 Be7 11. Nfg5 h6 12. Nh3 Qd7 13. f4
exf4 14. Nxf4 Nxf4 15. Rxf4 O-O-O 16. Be3 f5 17. Nc5 Qd5 18. Rc4 Ne5 19. Rd4
Bxc5 20. Rxd5 Bxe3+ 21. Kh1 Rxd5 {Padmini,R (2316)-Cemhan,K (2025)/Astana KAZ
2013; with a winning position.}) 7... Nd4 $1 ({Another interesting try is} 7...
Qd7 8. exd5 (8. d3 d4 (8... O-O-O 9. O-O h6 10. Nxe6 fxe6 11. Re1 g5 12. Qh5
Bg7 13. Bd2 Kb8 14. Ba4 Qe8 (14... Qd6) 15. Qxe8 Rhxe8 {with very good
counterplay, Olsarova,T (2248)-Cemhan,K (1993)/Warsaw POL 2013 (31)}) 9. Nxe6
fxe6 10. Ne2 Ng6 11. O-O Bd6 (11... O-O-O $5 12. f4 exf4 13. Nxf4 Nxf4 14. Bxf4
h5 15. Qf3 Kb8) 12. c3 (12. f4 $142 Na5 13. Bxe6 Qxe6 14. f5 Qf7 15. fxg6 Qxg6
16. Ng3 Nc6 17. Qh5 Rf8) 12... dxc3 (12... Bc5 $142) 13. bxc3 O-O 14. d4 exd4
15. cxd4 Kh8 16. e5 Bb4 17. Bc2 Qf7 18. Qd3 {White keeps pressure, Havlikova,K
(2237)-Yildiz,B (2291)/Warsaw POL 2013 (59)}) 8... Bxd5 9. Nxd5 Nxd5 10. O-O (
10. Qh5 g6 11. Qf3 Rd8 12. Bxd5 Qxd5 13. Qf6 Rg8) 10... O-O-O 11. d3 Bc5 12.
Qf3 f6 13. Bxd5 Qxd5 14. Qxd5 Rxd5 15. Be3 Kd7 {1/2 Libiszewski,F (2518)
-Mingarro Carceller,S (2210)/La Roda 2013/Mega2013 Update 14}) 8. O-O $6 ({
A very sharp position would appear after} 8. Nxe6 fxe6 9. d3 Qd6 10. Bg5 O-O-O
$13) 8... Nxb3 9. axb3 d4 10. Nxe6 fxe6 11. Ne2 $6 ({White will be stuck even
after the better} 11. Na2 d3 12. Nb4 dxc2 13. Nxc2 Qd3 14. Re1 Nc6 15. Re3 Qd7)
11... d3 $1 {Now Black obtains a much better position.} 12. cxd3 Qxd3 13. b4 ({
Black will not loosen his grip after} 13. f4 Nc6 14. fxe5 Bc5+ 15. Kh1 O-O-O
16. Nf4 Qd7 $17) 13... Nc6 (13... O-O-O 14. Ra3 Qxe4 15. b5 axb5 16. Ra8+ Kd7
17. d3 Qc6 18. Rxd8+ Kxd8 19. d4 Kc8 20. dxe5 Ng6 $17) 14. Ra3 ({There was no
help after help desperate try to free himself:} 14. b5 Qxb5 15. d4 exd4 16.
Nxd4 Nxd4 17. Qxd4 Rd8 18. Qc3 Bc5 19. Qxg7 Bxf2+ 20. Kxf2 Rf8+ $19) 14... Qxe4
15. Re3 Qc4 16. Ng3 O-O-O {Black has an extra pawn and the better position!
The terrible result of White's opening play.} 17. Re4 Qb5 18. Qg4 Kb8 19. d3 ({
Even worse was} 19. Qxe6 Bxb4) 19... Rxd3 20. Be3 g6 21. h4 Bxb4 {White can
easily resign!} 22. h5 gxh5 23. Nxh5 Bd2 24. Nf6 Bxe3 25. fxe3 Qb3 26. Kh2 Qxb2
27. Qxe6 h5 28. Nd7+ Ka7 29. Qf6 Rd2 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 19th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2013.11.14"]
[Round "6.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Balogh, Csaba"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2630"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "162"]
[EventDate "2013.11.08"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Hungary"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "HUN"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Nb6 {
Recently this line has been somewhat in the shadow of the main stream 7...Qc7.}
8. Ne5 a5 9. f3 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. e4 Bg6 12. Be2 {I've played this line
myself several times.} (12. Be3 Qb6 13. Qd2 e5 14. dxe5 Bc5 {proved to be fine
for Black.}) 12... Qb6 (12... e6 13. O-O Bb4 14. Be3 O-O {has appeared in many
games on a high level. The arising position is slightly better for White, but
Black has a solid setup and no weaknesses.}) ({After} 12... e5 13. dxe5 Qb6 14.
f4 Nc5 {the same position as in current game can be reached by a different
order of moves.}) 13. f4 e5 $5 {This stunning move is one of the first two
choices of most of the top engines.} 14. dxe5 (14. fxe5 $6 Rd8 15. Bg5 f6 16.
exf6 Nxf6 $15 {1-0 (44) Postny,E (2662)-Poetsch,H (2432) Plovdiv 2012}) 14...
Nc5 {Now White has to decide which pawn to give back - e4 or b2.} 15. Be3 {
Going for the sharpest continuation.} (15. Bc4 Nxe4 16. Qe2 Nxc3 17. bxc3 h5 $2
(17... Be7 $11) 18. e6 $16 {1/2-1/2 (21) Ibrahimov,R (2526)-Wang Yue (2734)
Nakhchivan 2011}) 15... Qxb2 16. Nb5 Qb4+ 17. Kf1 (17. Bd2 Qxe4 18. Nc7+ Kd7
19. Nxa8 Nd3+ 20. Kf1 Bb4 $1 21. Bxd3 Qxd3+ 22. Qe2 Rxa8 23. Bxb4 Qxe2+ 24.
Kxe2 axb4 $11 {1/2-1/2 (59) Postny,E (2592)-Oleksienko,M (2552) New Delhi 2011}
) 17... Rc8 $2 $146 {This novelty will not find any followers.} ({The
following game shows the optimal way to play for both sides:} 17... Rd8 18.
Nc7+ Ke7 19. Nd5+ cxd5 20. Rb1 Qa3 21. Bxc5+ Qxc5 22. Rxb7+ Rd7 23. Rxd7+ Kxd7
24. f5 d4 25. fxg6 hxg6 26. Qb3 Qxe5 27. Qb7+ Qc7 28. Bb5+ Kd8 29. Qd5+ Bd6 30.
e5 Qc1+ 31. Ke2 Qc2+ 32. Ke1 Qc1+ 33. Ke2 {1/2-1/2 (33) Mikhalevski,V (2592)
-Harikrishna,P (2668) Lubbock 2008}) 18. Nd6+ Bxd6 19. exd6 O-O 20. e5 $6 {
White's pawn chain is really nice, but to win a piece was more promising, even
though it had to be calculated properly.} (20. f5 Nxe4 (20... Qxe4 21. Bxc5
Qxf5+ 22. Bf2 {keeping the extra piece.}) (20... Rcd8 21. Qd4 $16) 21. fxg6
fxg6+ 22. Kg1 (22. Bf3 $6 Rcd8 23. Qd4 Rxd6 24. Qxb4 axb4 25. Rb1 Nc3 26. Bc5
Rxf3+ $1 27. gxf3 Rd5 28. Rxb4 Rxc5 29. Rxb7 Nxa4 {Here Black's chances for a
draw are very high.}) 22... Nc3 (22... Rcd8 23. Qd4 $16) 23. Qe1 $1 Rce8 (23...
Rcd8 24. h4 $16 {[%cal Gh1h3]}) 24. Bf3 Qb2 25. Rc1 Rxf3 26. Rxc3 Rf2 $1 27.
Qxf2 Qxc3 28. d7 Rd8 29. h3 Rxd7 30. Kh2 $16) 20... Nb3 21. Kf2 $6 {Not only
does Aronian not wish to win material, he even prefers to sacrifice some!
Objectively, the idea is dubious.} (21. Ra2 Bf5 (21... c5 $2 22. Bg4 c4 23.
Bxc8 Rxc8 24. Qg4 Rf8 25. f5 Nd4 26. Bxd4 Qb1+ 27. Kf2 Qxa2+ 28. Kg3 h5 29. Qf4
Qb3+ 30. Kh4 Qd3 31. e6 $1 $18 {[%cal Gf4e5]}) 22. Rb2 Be6 23. Bg4 Bxg4 24.
Qxb3 Qxb3 25. Rxb3 $14) 21... Nxa1 22. Qxa1 {White might have sufficient
compensation for the exchange, but not more than that.} Bf5 (22... f6 $2 23. d7
{[%cal Ge5e6] would allow White's pawns to advance even further.}) 23. g4 Be6
24. Rb1 Qe4 25. Bf3 Qc2+ 26. Kg3 Qd3 27. Re1 f5 {The engine suggests 27...Bd5,
but a human player would like to stabilise the blockade. The position is
balanced.} (27... Bd5 28. Qd4 Qb3 $11) 28. g5 b5 29. Qd1 $6 {Probably White
should keep the queens on the board.} (29. axb5 Qxb5 (29... cxb5 30. Qxa5 $14)
30. Rc1 c5 {This is a game for three results.}) 29... Qxd1 30. Rxd1 bxa4 31.
Ra1 Rb8 {In the endgame Black's extra exchange might become a factor.} 32. Rxa4
Rb3 33. Kf2 Rb2+ 34. Kg1 $6 {The king on the back rank is always suspicious.} (
34. Kg3 $1 Rfb8 35. Rxa5 R8b3 36. Bf2 Rd2 {I guess, this is the idea Levon was
concerned about. However, White can still save the game.} 37. Kg2 (37. Ra8+ $2
Kf7 38. Ra7+ Kg6 39. h4 h5 $19) 37... Rbb2 38. Ra8+ Kf7 39. Bxc6 $1 Rxf2+ 40.
Kg3 {Amazing position! Black to move, he is a rook up, but can't avoid the
perpetual check.} Rg2+ 41. Kh3 Rxh2+ 42. Kg3 Rbg2+ 43. Kf3 Ra2 (43... g6 44.
Ra7+ Kf8 45. Ra8+ Kg7 46. Ra7+ $11) 44. Be8+ Kf8 45. Ba4+ $11) 34... Rb3 35.
Kf2 Rb2+ 36. Kg1 Rfb8 {Black has every reason to play for a win.} 37. Rxa5 Rc2
38. Ra1 $6 ({Now it was the last chance to spot the same spectacular idea
mentioned in the previous commentary:} 38. Bf2 $1 Rbb2 39. Ra7 $3 Rxf2 40. Bxc6
{with inevitable perpetual check.}) 38... Rc3 39. Re1 Kf7 $17 40. Bg2 Ke8 41.
Bf2 {All White's pieces have gone backwards.} Kd7 42. Ra1 Rb7 43. h3 Rc2 44.
Bf1 Ra2 45. Rxa2 Bxa2 {So, the position has stabilsed now. Black has good
winning chances, but has to work hard to get the full point.} 46. Be3 Bd5 47.
Kf2 Rb2+ 48. Ke1 Rb1+ 49. Kf2 Rb2+ 50. Ke1 Ra2 51. Be2 g6 52. h4 Ra5 53. Kf2
Ke6 $6 ({It was logical to start pushing the passed pawn:} 53... c5 54. Ke1
Ra1+ 55. Kd2 Ra2+ 56. Ke1 c4 57. Bd4 Ra3 58. Kd2 Rh3 {[%csl Rh4] capturing the
Ph4. Later on Black can undermine White's pawn chain by h7-h6.}) 54. Bb6 Ra2
55. Ke3 $6 (55. Ke1 {was more precise. White needs to defend the Pf4 by the
bishop, not by the king.}) 55... Ra3+ $6 (55... Ra4 $1 56. Bd4 Bc4 57. Bf3 Ra3+
58. Kf2 Bd5 59. Be2 Rh3 {[%csl Rh4] should be sufficient for a win.}) 56. Kd2
Ra4 57. Be3 Bc4 58. Bd1 Ra2+ 59. Ke1 Rh2 (59... Ra5 60. Kd2 c5 61. Kc3 {
Here White can blockade the pawn by the king. Now if Black's rook will go for
the Ph4, White's bishops will be on time to support the d-pawn. Here is the
sample line:} Bd5 62. Bc1 Ra1 63. Kd2 Ra2+ 64. Kc3 Rh2 65. Ba3 Rxh4 66. Ba4
Rxf4 67. d7 Rc4+ 68. Kd3 Rd4+ 69. Kc3 Bf3 70. Bxc5 Rxd7 71. Bxd7+ Kxd7 $11) 60.
Bf2 Rh1+ 61. Kd2 Rh2 62. Ke1 Rh3 63. Kd2 Rd3+ 64. Ke1 Ra3 65. Kd2 Bb3 66. Be2
Ra2+ 67. Ke1 Ra1+ 68. Kd2 Ra2+ 69. Ke1 Ra4 {Black is not able to make any
progress. The Hungarian grandmaster played on for some more moves before
succumbing to a draw, which didn't favour his team.} 70. Be3 Bc4 71. Bd1 Ra2
72. Bc5 Bd5 73. Be2 Ra4 74. Be3 Ra5 75. Bb6 Ra4 76. Be3 Bc4 77. Bd1 Ra5 78. Bb6
Ra6 79. Be3 Ra5 80. Bb6 Ra2 81. Bc5 Ra5 {The final score of this important
match was 2,5-1,5 in favour of Armenia.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 19th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2013.11.15"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "155"]
[EventDate "2013.11.08"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

{An excellent fighting game in a very important match.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3.
Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O ({For} 5. d3 {see an article in CBM 136 and 137. Here
Black in general has a wider choice, he can and often does fianchetto his
dark-squared bishop.}) 5... Be7 6. d3 {Grischuk opts for another version of
the nowadays popular d3 Ruy Lopez.} ({Another popular way to avoid the
Marshall is} 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 {This line was the topic of a survey
in CBM 157, after} b4 {White has a choice between} 9. d3 ({and} 9. d4)) 6... b5
({A less played, but viable continuation is} 6... d6 7. c3 O-O {Aronian had
essayed it recently with success:} (7... b5 8. Bc2 O-O 9. Nbd2 Re8 10. Re1 Bf8
11. Nf1 (11. h3 g6 12. Nf1 Bg7 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bh4 Nb8 15. d4 Nbd7 16. Ne3 Bb7
17. dxe5 dxe5 18. Ng4 g5 19. Nxg5 hxg5 20. Bxg5 Re6 21. Bb3 Rd6 22. Qf3 Qf8 23.
Bxf6 Bxf6 24. Rad1 Bg7 25. Rxd6 cxd6 26. Qf5 Qe7 27. Re3 Nc5 28. Rg3 Kf8 29.
Bd5 $44 {Cheparinov,I (2678)-Onischuk,A (2667)/Poikovsky/2013/}) (11. d4 $5 {
is perhaps more ambitious.}) 11... h6 (11... Ne7 12. a4 Rb8 13. axb5 axb5 14.
d4 Ng6 15. d5 Bd7 16. b4 Ra8 17. Bg5 Be7 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. g3 Rxa1 20. Qxa1 Qa8
21. N3d2 Qb7 22. Nb3 Ne7 23. Na5 {1/2,Motylev,A (2663)-Onischuk,A (2667)/
Poikovsky/2013/} Qb6 $11) 12. Ng3 (12. d4 g6 13. h3 Bg7 14. Ng3 Bb7 15. Be3
exd4 16. cxd4 Nb4 17. Bb1 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. Bxe4 Rxe4 20. Qb3 c5 21. a3
cxd4 22. Bxd4 Rxe1+ 23. Rxe1 Nc6 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. Qc3+ Ne5 {Morozevich,A 
(2741)-Anand,V (2786)/Monte Carlo rpd/2005/}) 12... Ne7 13. d4 Ng6 14. b3 c6
15. Be3 Qc7 16. Bd3 Bb7 17. Qc2 Rac8 18. h3 Nf4 19. Bf1 Ng6 20. Bd3 Nf4 21. Bf1
Ng6 22. a4 Qb8 23. Bd3 Nf4 24. Bxf4 exf4 25. Nf5 $36 {Grischuk,A (2763)-Almasi,
Z (2713)/Istanbul olm/2012/ For more details about this game see the notes by
Erenburg in CBM 151.}) 8. Re1 b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Nbd2 d4 11. h3 (11. a4 Rb8 12.
axb5 axb5 13. h3 Nd7 14. Nb3 dxc3 15. bxc3 b4 16. c4 Nc5 17. Be3 Ne6 18. Qc1
Bb7 19. c5 Bf6 20. Qb2 Qe7 21. Rec1 Rfd8 22. Na5 Nxa5 23. Rxa5 {Karjakin,S 
(2772)-Najer,E (2626)/Moscow blitz/2013/} Bc6 $5 24. Nxe5 b3 25. Bb1 Bb5 $44)
11... Nd7 12. Nb3 a5 13. a4 bxa4 14. Nbd2 Nc5 15. Nc4 f6 16. Bxa4 Nxa4 17. Rxa4
dxc3 18. bxc3 Ba6 19. Qb3 Kh8 20. Rd1 Qb8 21. Qc2 Bb5 22. Ra2 {Adams,M (2753)
-Aronian,L (2795)/Bilbao/2013/} Bxc4 $6 (22... a4 $5 23. Na3 Rd8 $132) 23. dxc4
Nd8 24. Be3 Ra6 {Adams,M (2753)-Aronian,L (2795)/Bilbao/2013/} 25. Rd7 Re8 26.
Rd5 $36 {is Gormally's recomendation - see his notes in CBM 157.}) 7. Bb3 O-O (
{Levon's practice has more often then not featured} 7... d6 {, which is more
usual than the Marshall-like text move.} {After} 8. a4 Bd7 9. c3 Na5 $5 10. Bc2
c5 11. d4 Qb8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. dxc5 dxc5 15. Qd5 Nb7 16. axb5 Be6
17. Qc6+ Bd7 18. Qd5 Be6 19. Qd1 axb5 20. Rxa8 Qxa8 21. Na3 {Navara,D (2703)
-Caruana,F (2779)/ECC Rhodos/2013/} {Black's safest continuation is} b4 22. Nb5
Qd8 $11 {For more details about this game see the notes in CBM 157, they deal
also with the whole complex of lines after 7...d6.}) 8. Nc3 {An unusual way to
develop the knight in the Closed Ruy Lopez, but subsequently it will end up on
its regular g3-square anyway.} (8. a4 b4 9. Nbd2 (9. h3 d6 10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Ba2
c5 12. c3 Nc6 13. Nc4 h6 14. Ne3 Rb8 15. Nd5 Be6 16. Bd2 Bxd5 17. Bxd5 Nxd5 18.
exd5 Na5 19. Re1 f5 20. Nh2 bxc3 21. Bxc3 Nb3 22. Ra3 Qb6 23. Nf1 Qb7 $17 {
Naiditsch,A (2710)-Karjakin,S (2782)/Kiev rpd/2013/}) 9... Bc5 $5 {shows one
of the reasons for postponing d6 - due to White's slow build-up Black can
deploy his bishop more actively, as in the Arkhangelsk variation:} (9... d6 10.
Nc4 Be6 11. h3 h6 12. Be3 Qc8 13. Re1 Rd8 14. Qe2 Qb7 15. Rad1 Nd7 16. d4 exd4
17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. Bxd4 a5 19. Rd3 Qc6 20. Ne3 Qxe4 21. Nd5 Bxd5 22. Qf1 Qf5 23.
g4 Qg5 24. f4 Qh4 25. Bxd5 $44 {|^,Harikrishna,P (2688)-Efimenko,Z (2689)/
Bundesliga/2013/}) 10. Nc4 (10. h3 d6 11. c3 Rb8 12. Re1 (12. Nc4 bxc3 13. bxc3
h6 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Nxe3 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Rb1 Qd7 18. Qc2 Na5 19. Rfc1 Qc6
20. Rb4 Rb6 21. Rxb6 cxb6 22. Qa2 Re8 $11 {[%cal Ya5b7,Yb7c5] Kamsky,G (2762)
-Kasimdzhanov,R (2696)/Tashkent/2012/}) 12... Re8 (12... a5 13. Nf1 Ba7 14. Bg5
h6 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Nxe3 Ne7 17. Bc2 c5 18. d4 bxc3 19. bxc3 exd4 20. cxd4 cxd4
21. Nxd4 Bb7 22. f3 $14 {Figlio,G (2000)-Gomes,D/corr/1998/}) 13. a5 Ba7 14.
Nf1 Ne7 15. Ng3 Ng6 16. d4 h6 17. Bc2 c5 18. dxe5 dxe5 19. Bd3 Be6 20. Bxa6 c4
21. Ra4 Qc7 22. cxb4 Bxf2+ 23. Kxf2 Qa7+ 24. Be3 Qxa6 25. Kg1 Red8 26. Qc1 Rd3
27. Rd1 Rb3 $44 {|^,Karjakin,S (2769)-Aronian,L (2805)/Wijk aan Zee/2012/})
10... d6 11. Be3 (11. h3 h6 (11... Be6 12. c3 bxc3 13. bxc3 Rb8 14. Ba2 Ba7 15.
Bg5 h6 16. Bh4 g5 17. Nxg5 $5 hxg5 18. Bxg5 $44 Kg7 19. Qf3 Kg6 20. h4 Bg4 21.
Qg3 Qd7 22. Ne3 Bxe3 23. Qxe3 Nh5 24. f3 Be6 25. Bh6 Qe7 26. Bxf8 Rxf8 27. Bxe6
fxe6 28. Qg5+ Qxg5 29. hxg5 {Popov,I (2644)-Ragger,M (2680)/WCup Tromso/2013/}
Nf4 $15) 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Nxe3 Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. c3 Rb8 16. Nh2 bxc3 17.
bxc3 Qd7 18. Nhg4 Nxg4 19. hxg4 Na5 20. d4 {Swiercz,D (2585)-Efimenko,Z (2689)/
Lublin rpd/2012/} exd4 21. cxd4 Rb4 $132) 11... Bxe3 12. fxe3 (12. Nxe3 Na5 13.
Nd2 (13. Ba2 Be6 $11) 13... Nxb3 14. Nxb3 Be6 15. Nd2 c6 16. b3 d5 17. Qf3 Re8
18. h3 Qd6 19. Rfd1 Rad8 20. Ndf1 Qc5 21. Ng3 dxe4 22. Nxe4 Nxe4 23. Qxe4 Qc3
24. Rac1 f6 $11 {/=/+,Jakovenko,D (2734)-Karjakin,S (2786)/RUS-chT Loo/2013/})
12... Be6 (12... h6 13. Qe1 Be6 14. Kh1 Rb8 15. Nh4 g6 16. Qg3 Nh5 17. Qf2 Kh7
18. h3 Ng7 19. Nd2 Bxb3 20. Nxb3 Ne7 21. Qg3 Nh5 22. Qg4 Qc8 23. Kh2 Qxg4 24.
hxg4 Ng7 $11 {Karjakin,S (2775)-Leko,P (2732)/Beijing blitz/2012/}) 13. Qe1 a5
14. h3 Ne7 15. Nh4 Kh8 16. Rf3 Nd7 17. Nd2 Bxb3 18. Nxb3 g6 19. Qf2 f6 20. Rf1
c6 21. Nd2 d5 22. g4 Ng8 23. Qg3 Qe7 24. R3f2 Kg7 25. Nhf3 Rae8 $11 {
Areshchenko,A (2709)-Beliavsky,A (2628)/EU-ch Legnica/2013/}) (8. Re1 {leads
to an Anti-Marshall with 8.d3, White is currently looking for effective ways
to postpone, or even omit the rook move altogether.}) 8... d6 {[%cal Yc6a5]} (
8... Bc5 $6 9. Bg5 ({or} 9. Nd5 $5 {is now hardly ideal.})) 9. a3 {To fight
for an edge, White must retain his light-squared bishop.} (9. Nd5 {is not
energetic enough:} Na5 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Nd2 Bd7 14.
f3 Nxb3 15. axb3 a5 16. Qe2 a4 17. bxa4 bxa4 18. b3 axb3 19. Nxb3 Ba4 20. Ra3
Bxb3 21. Rxb3 Rfb8 22. Rxb8+ Rxb8 23. Qd2 Qg5 24. f4 exf4 25. Qxf4 Qxf4 26.
Rxf4 $11 {1/2,Spassky,B (2630)-Beliavsky,A (2615)/Tilburg/1981/}) (9. a4 b4 10.
Nd5 Na5 11. Nxe7+ (11. Nxb4 Rb8 12. Bd2 c5 13. Nd5 Nxb3 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6 15. cxb3
Be6 16. Ra3 Qb6 $36 {Kalygin,S (2482)-Potapov,A (2500)/Alushta/2003/}) 11...
Qxe7 12. Ba2 Be6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. d4 Nc6 15. Re1 exd4 16. Nxd4 Nxd4 17. Qxd4
a5 18. f3 e5 19. Qd3 h6 20. Be3 Qe6 $11 {Pessoa,F (2512)-Mraz,M (2501)/corr/
2009/}) 9... Be6 {An important crossroads; here Black has tried many other
moves:} (9... Bg4 10. Be3 Nd4 11. Bxd4 exd4 12. Nd5 Nd7 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 c6
15. Nf4 Rc8 (15... g6 16. g3 (16. Qg4 Kh8 17. Ne2 Bf6 18. f4 Bg7 19. Qf3 Rb8
20. e5 dxe5 21. Qxc6 f5 22. a4 Rb6 23. Qd5 Qc7 24. axb5 Rxb5 25. Qc4 Qxc4 26.
dxc4 Rb6 $15 {Ramirez,A (2588)-Tomashevsky,E (2706)/WCup Tromso/2013/}) 16...
Bf6 17. h4 Ne5 18. Qe2 Kg7 19. a4 Qd7 20. Kg2 h5 21. f3 Qb7 22. Qf2 Qb6 23. Rh1
Rh8 24. Ra2 Rac8 25. axb5 axb5 {Fressinet,L (2708)-Tomashevsky,E (2703)/Paris/
2013/} 26. Rha1 $14) 16. g3 Bg5 17. Ne2 d5 $5 18. exd5 c5 19. d6 (19. Rfe1 $142
$5) 19... Nb6 20. c3 c4 21. Bc2 dxc3 22. Nxc3 Qxd6 23. Rad1 Qc6 24. Qf5 Bf6 $11
{Grischuk,A (2785)-Kamsky,G (2721)/WChT Antalya/2013/}) (9... Na5 10. Ba2 Be6
11. Bxe6 (11. Nd5 $5) 11... fxe6 12. b4 Nc6 13. Bd2 Nd4 14. Nxd4 exd4 15. Ne2
c5 16. h3 Qd7 17. Qb1 e5 18. bxc5 dxc5 19. a4 Qc6 20. Ng3 c4 21. Nf5 Bc5 $13
22. f4 $6 Nxe4 $1 23. dxe4 Qxe4 24. Ng3 Qxc2 $15 {Topalov,V (2793)
-Kasimdzhanov,R (2699)/Thessaloniki/2013/}) (9... Bb7 10. Bd2 {White tries to
avoid all the usual Ruy Lopez moves such as h3 and Re1.} (10. Re1 Qd7 11. Ne2
Nd8 (11... Rae8 12. Ng3 Bd8 13. a4 $5 Ne7 14. axb5 axb5 15. Bg5 Nc8 16. Qd2 Kh8
17. Ba2 c5 18. b4 Nb6 19. Be3 Qc6 20. Nf5 Nbd7 21. bxc5 dxc5 22. Ng5 Kg8 23.
Reb1 $16 {Svidler,P (2752)-Brunello,S (2615)/EU-chT Warsaw/2013/}) 12. Ng3 Ne6
13. c3 c5 14. d4 exd4 15. cxd4 c4 16. Bc2 d5 17. e5 Ne4 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Bxe4
Bxe4 20. Rxe4 Qd5 21. Qc2 Rfd8 22. h4 f5 23. exf6 Bxf6 $44 {Shirov,A (2740)
-Tomashevsky,E (2658)/RUS-chT Dagomys/2008/}) 10... Qd7 11. a4 (11. Ba2 $5 Nd8
12. b4 Ne6 13. Re1 Rfe8 (13... c5 $5 14. Nd5 Bd8) 14. Ne2 Bf8 15. c4 c5 16. Nc3
bxc4 17. Bxc4 h6 18. Qb3 Rac8 19. Rab1 cxb4 20. axb4 Rb8 21. Ra1 Nc7 22. Ra5
$14 {Mamedov,N (2602)-Swiercz,D (2633)/TUR-chT Denizli/2013/}) 11... Nd8 (11...
Nd4 $5 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Ne2 c5 $13) 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8 Bxa8 14. Ne2 Ne6
15. Ng3 c5 16. Nf5 Bd8 17. c4 bxc4 18. Bxc4 Bc7 19. Re1 Re8 20. Qc1 Nh5 21. g3
{Carlsen,M (2872)-Svidler,P (2747)/London Candidates/2013/} Rb8 $11 {Svidler})
10. Bg5 $146 {[%mdl 8] Just one day later Anand played the same bishop sortie
in the Ruy Lopez aganst Carlsen, and also on move 10! Here the similarity ends,
as Grischuk's move doesn't pin the Nf6.} ({Until now White has mostly played} 
10. Nd5 Nd4 (10... Na5 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. b4 Nc6 14. c3 Qd7 15.
a4 Ne7 16. Be3 Ng6 17. g3 Be7 18. h4 h6 19. Kg2 Rae8 20. Nh2 Bd8 21. axb5 axb5
22. Ra6 Kh7 23. Qh5 Ne7 24. Rfa1 Ng8 25. Qe2 Rf7 26. Ra8 $36 {[%cal Ga1a8]
Leko,P (2744)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2709)/Zug/2013/}) 11. Nxd4 exd4 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6
13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. a4 c5 15. Qg4 Qd7 16. b3 (16. axb5 axb5 17. Bd2 c4 18. Bb4
Ra4 19. Rxa4 bxa4 20. dxc4 Rc8 21. Qg3 Rxc4 22. Bxd6 Rxc2 23. e5 Be7 24. Qd3
Rxb2 25. Qxd4 a3 $11 {Anand,V (2783)-Svidler,P (2747)/Paris/St Petersburg/2013/
}) 16... Qf7 (16... c4 $5 $132) 17. Bd2 c4 18. Bb4 Be7 19. axb5 axb5 20. Rxa8
Rxa8 21. f4 Ra2 22. e5 h5 23. Qh3 d5 24. Bxe7 Qxe7 25. Qxh5 Rxc2 26. Ra1 Qb7
27. Qe8+ Kh7 28. Qh5+ Kg8 29. f5 $1 $40 {Dominguez Perez,L (2723)-Svidler,P 
(2769)/Thessaloniki/2013/}) (10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. d4 $6 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13.
Qxd4 Nd7 14. Be3 Bf6 15. Qd2 Ne5 16. b3 Ng4 17. Bd4 Bxd4 18. Qxd4 Qh4 19. h3
Ne5 20. Qe3 $2 (20. Ne2 Rf3 $36) 20... Rf3 $1 21. Qe1 Rxh3 $19 {Gullaksen,E 
(2382)-Olsen,H (2325)/Klaksvik/2005/}) 10... Kh8 {The beginning of a complex
manoeuvring fight. However, Black had more direct options:} (10... Bxb3 11.
cxb3 Nd7 (11... b4 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Nd5 $36) 12. Be3 (12. Bxe7 Nxe7 13. d4
exd4 14. Nxd4 Nf6 $132) 12... Bf6 13. Nd5 (13. Qc2 Ne7 14. b4 Qc8 $132) 13...
Ne7 14. Nxf6+ Nxf6 15. b4 $13 {/+/=}) (10... h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nd5 Na5 (
12... Rb8 13. Nb4 $5 Nxb4 14. Bxe6 (14. axb4 Bxb3 15. cxb3 Rb6 $13 {[%csl Ra6,
Rb2,Rb3,Rb4][%cal Yc7c5]}) 14... Nxc2 15. Bxf7+ Rxf7 16. Qxc2 c5 17. a4 $13)
13. Ba2 c6 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6 15. Bxe6 Qxe6 (15... fxe6 16. b4 Nb7 17. a4 $14) 16.
b4 Nb7 17. a4 (17. d4 $5) 17... c5 $132) 11. h3 (11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nd5 Rb8 $11
{[%cal Ye6d5]} (12... Nb8 $5 {[%cal Yb8d7,Yc7c6]})) 11... Ng8 12. Be3 $5 {
[%csl Ge3,Re7] White invests a tempo to retain his better bishop.} (12. Bxe7
Ngxe7 13. Nd5 Ng6 14. c3 Nce7 $11 (14... f5 $5)) 12... Qd7 13. Bxe6 (13. Nd5 {
[%cal Yc2c4] /\c4+/= seems more enterprising.}) 13... fxe6 14. Ne2 Nf6 15. Ng3
a5 16. a4 b4 17. c3 $11 {/+/= White has a better pawn structure, but Black's
solid setup makes it difficult to open the game and create weaknesses, which
can be effectively targeted.} d5 $5 {Loosens the centre, but occupies more
space.} ({An alternative was marking time with e.g.} 17... Rab8 18. Qc2 Rb7)
18. Qc2 Bd6 (18... Rab8 $142 $5) 19. Rac1 (19. c4 $5 d4 20. Bg5 Be7 21. c5 $14)
19... Rab8 20. Rfd1 (20. c4 d4 21. Bg5 b3 $5 $13 {<=>}) 20... Qe8 21. Qe2 h6
22. Re1 (22. c4 d4 23. Bxd4 Nxd4 24. Nxd4 exd4 25. e5 Nd7 26. exd6 cxd6 $132)
22... Kg8 (22... Nd7 $5 {takes the sting out of the following operation. White
can modify his plan with} 23. exd5 exd5 24. c4 {, but Black has} e4 $5 25. dxe4
dxe4 26. Nd4 Nxd4 27. Bxd4 c5 (27... Bxg3 28. fxg3 c5 29. Be3 $14) 28. Be3 (28.
Nxe4 Bf4 29. Bxg7+ Kxg7 30. Rcd1 $44) 28... Ne5 $1 $132 {/\} 29. Nxe4 Qg6 {
[%cal Re5f3,Rg6e4]}) 23. c4 $5 d4 24. Bxd4 {Grischuk naturally doesn't allow
Black to close the position.} (24. Bd2 Nd7 $15 (24... b3 $5)) 24... Nxd4 25.
Nxd4 Nd7 $1 {An excellent positional sacrifice holds the balance.} (25... exd4
26. e5 Nd7 (26... Rd8 27. exd6 Rxd6 28. c5 $16) 27. exd6 cxd6 28. Qxe6+ Qxe6
29. Rxe6 Nc5 30. Rxd6 Nxd3 31. Rc2 $14) 26. Nf3 (26. Nc6 Rb6 27. Nxa5 Nc5 $36 {
[%csl Ra5]}) 26... Nc5 27. Ra1 Nb3 28. Ra2 Bc5 $44 {[%csl Gc5] The poor bishop,
which White left alive on move 12, becomes a powerful piece.} 29. Rf1 (29. Nf1
Rd8 30. Rd1 Qh5 $44) (29. Qd1 Nd4 30. Nxd4 Bxd4 31. b3 Qg6 $44) 29... Qg6 (
29... Qd7 $142 $1 {[%cal Yb8d8]} 30. Nxe5 (30. Kh2 Rxf3 31. Qxf3 (31. gxf3 Nd4
32. Qd1 Rf8 $40) 31... Nd2 32. Qe2 Nxf1+ 33. Nxf1 Rd8 $36) (30. Qd1 Rxf3 31.
Qxf3 (31. gxf3 Nd4 $36 (31... Rf8 $5)) 31... Nd2 32. Qe2 Nxf1 33. Nxf1 Rd8 $15)
30... Qd6 31. Qh5 $8 Rxf2 $1 32. Rxf2 Rf8 33. Nh1 Bxf2+ 34. Nxf2 Qc5 35. d4
Nxd4 36. b3 Nc6 $15) 30. Kh2 {[%csl Re5]} Bd4 (30... Nd4 31. Nxd4 Bxd4 32. b3
Rbd8 $44) (30... h5 $5 31. Qd1 (31. Nxe5 Qg5 32. Nd7 (32. Nf3 Rxf3 33. Qxf3 h4
34. Nh1 Nd2 35. Qe2 Nxf1+ 36. Qxf1 b3 37. Ra1 Qe5+ 38. Kg1 Qxb2 $19 {[%csl Gb3,
Gc5]}) 32... Rxf2 33. Rxf2 Bxf2 34. Qxf2 Rd8 35. Qc2 h4 36. Ne2 Rxd7 37. Qxb3
Rf7 38. c5 Rf2 39. Qxe6+ Kh7 40. Qg4 Qxg4 41. hxg4 Rxe2 $36 {White temporarily
has 2 extra pawns, but Black with his active rook is the one playing for a win.
}) 31... Rxf3 32. gxf3 (32. Qxf3 h4 $36 {[%csl Rg3]}) 32... Nd4 $44) 31. Qd1 (
31. Nxd4 Nxd4 32. Qd1 {[%cal Yb2b3]} b3 33. Ra1 Nc2 34. Rb1 Rfd8 35. Qd2 Rb4
36. f4 $13) 31... Rxf3 $1 {[]} (31... Nc5 32. Nxd4 exd4 33. f4 $16) 32. Qxf3 {
White doesn't insist on retaining the extra exchange.} (32. gxf3 Nc5 $44) 32...
Nd2 33. Qe2 Nxf1+ $2 {Prematurely releases the tension.} (33... Qg5 $1 34. Rd1
b3 35. Ra3 (35. Raa1 $2 Bxb2) 35... Bxb2 36. Rxb3 Rxb3 (36... Nxb3 37. Qxb2 Rb4
$11 {[%cal Yb3c5]}) 37. Rxd2 Bd4 $44) 34. Nxf1 b3 35. Ra3 Qf6 36. Kg1 Qg5 (
36... Bc5 37. Ra1 Rf8 38. Ne3 $14) 37. Ra1 Qe7 38. Nh2 $1 Bc5 39. Nf3 Qd6 40.
Qd2 ({White has safeguarded his position and he doesn't have to hurry the
attack on Black's loose pawns.} 40. g3 $142 $14 {[%cal Yg1g2,Yh3h5] /+/- would
gradually improve his setup and give him very good winning chances.}) 40... Bb4
41. Qd1 Bc5 42. Qd2 Bb4 43. c5 $6 (43. Qe2 Bc5 44. g3 $1 {-40.g3}) 43... Qxc5
44. Qd1 (44. Rc1 Qd6 45. Qd1 Bc5 46. Rc4 Qb6 $132) 44... Rb6 ({Probably
objectively better was} 44... Qc2 45. Qxc2 bxc2 46. Rc1 Bd6 47. Rxc2 Rb4 48.
Kf1 Rxa4 49. Ke2 $14 {[%csl Rc7,Rd6,Re5,Re6,Gf3] , but the resulting endgame
is still unpleasant for Black - White has the better minor piece and pawn
structure.}) 45. Rc1 Qd6 46. Rc4 $1 Ba3 $5 {The piece sacrifice is already
Black's best practical chance.} (46... Bc5 $2 47. Qc1 $18) (46... c5 47. Qxb3
$16) 47. bxa3 ({Declining the offer also deserved attention:} 47. Qb1 $5 {/\}
Bb4 48. g3 Rb8 49. Kg2 Bc5 50. Qc1 Bb6 51. Rc3 $36) 47... b2 48. Qb1 Rb3 $8 (
48... Qxa3 $6 49. Nd2 c6 50. Kf1 $16 {and Black has no way to increase the
pressure, while White can gradually improve his position.}) 49. Rc2 (49. Nd2
Rxd3 50. Qxb2 (50. Nf1 Rd1 51. Qxb2 Rxf1+ 52. Kh2 Qf8 53. Qxe5 Qxf2 54. Qxe6+
Kh7 55. Qf5+ Qxf5 56. exf5 Rxf5 57. Rxc7 Rf4 $11) 50... Rxd2 51. Qc3 Qd3 $5 $11
) 49... Qxd3 {[%cal Rd3c2]} 50. Nd2 $8 Rb6 $8 {Forced, the rook must go to a
protected square.} 51. Kh2 (51. Rxb2 Qxd2 52. Rxb6 (52. Rxd2 Rxb1+ 53. Kh2 Rc1
$11 {[%cal Yc1c4]} (53... Rb3 $11)) 52... cxb6 53. Qxb6 Kh7 54. Kh2 Qf4+ 55. g3
Qf3 $14 {/\} 56. Qe3 Qxe3 57. fxe3 Kg6 58. Kg2 Kf7 $11) 51... Kh7 {Black has
ho way to increase his pressure and can only wait.} (51... Qxa3 52. Rxc7 {
[%cal Yb1c2,Yd2b1]} Qxa4 53. Qd3 $16 {/+-}) (51... c5 $2 52. Rxb2 $18 {[%csl
Rb6]}) 52. Rxb2 (52. f4 Kh8 $5 (52... exf4 53. e5 {/\} Kh8 54. Rxc7) 53. fxe5
Kh7 $44 {and White still has no obvious way to untangle.}) 52... Qxd2 53. Rxd2
$5 {[%mdl 4096] The resulting rook endgame with Black's numerous isolated
pawns gives White more winning chances than the queen endgame.} (53. Rxb6 cxb6
54. Qxb6 {- 51.Rxb6}) 53... Rxb1 54. Rc2 Kg6 $5 {Black will lose material, so
he tries to save at least one of his central pawns.} (54... Rb3 55. Rxc7 Rxa3 (
55... Kg6 56. Rc5 Kf6 57. Rxa5 Rxa3 58. Ra8 $18 {[%cal Ya4a7,Yh2g1,Yg1e1,Ye1c5]
should be winning for White - he will advance his passed pawn to a7, activate
his king and attack Black's vulnerable e-pawns.}) 56. Rc5 (56. Re7 Rxa4 57. f3
Rc4 58. Rxe6 Rc5 $14) 56... Rxa4 57. Rxe5 Kg6 58. Rxe6+ Kf7 59. Re5 $16 Kf6 60.
Rf5+ Ke6 61. f3) 55. Rxc7 Rd1 $5 (55... Rb3 56. Rc5 {- see the previous note
with 54...Rb3.}) 56. Rc5 Rd4 57. Rxe5 (57. f3 $2 Rxa4 58. Rxe5 Kf6 $11) (57.
Rxa5 Rxe4 $14) 57... Kf6 58. Rxa5 Rxe4 59. Ra8 {The rook remains in front of
its own passed pawn.} ({The attempt to protect it from the side also doesn't
guarantee a win:} 59. Rc5 Rxa4 60. Rc3 Rd4 $5 {[%cal Yd4d2,Yd2a2]} 61. Rc2 Ra4
62. Ra2 $6 e5 $14 {/<=>}) (59. Kg3 Rc4 (59... Re2 60. Rb5 Rc2 61. a5 Rc3+ 62.
Kf4 Rxa3 63. Ke4 Ra2 64. Kd4 Rxf2 65. Kc5 $16 {[%csl Ga5] /+-}) 60. Kf3 (60.
Rb5 Rc3+ $14 (60... Rxa4 61. Rb3 Rd4 $14 {[%cal Yd4d2,Yd2a2]})) 60... Rc3+ 61.
Ke4 Rxa3 62. Ra8 Kf7 {transposes to the game position.}) 59... Kf7 60. Kg3 Rc4
61. Kf3 Rc3+ 62. Ke4 Rxa3 63. a5 Ra2 64. a6 $6 {White will have to sacrifice
kingside pawns to achieve progress, but the text move is premature.} (64. Ke3
$142 $1 $16 {/\} Ra3+ 65. Kd4 Ra2 66. a6 Rxf2 67. Rb8 Ra2 68. Rb7+ Kf6 69. a7
e5+ 70. Kd5 $16 {/+- and in comparison with the game continuation, White's
active king considerably increases his winning chances.}) 64... Rxf2 65. Rc8 (
65. a7 Ra2 $11 {[%cal Yf7g6,Yg6h7] is a well-known draw even without the
e6-pawn - White's rook is immobile and his king can't hide next to the passed
pawn.}) 65... Ra2 66. Rc7+ Kf6 67. a7 Ra4+ 68. Kd3 e5 $132 {[%mdl 256] Aronian
has managed to push back White's king. Black's passed pawn now gives him
sufficient counterplay and his tenacious defence earns him a draw.} 69. Kc3 e4
70. Kb3 Ra1 71. Kc4 e3 {[%csl Ge3]} 72. Kd3 $8 Ra3+ 73. Ke2 h5 74. h4 g6 (74...
g5 75. hxg5+ Kxg5 76. Re7 h4 $11) 75. Kf3 Ke6 76. Rg7 Kf6 77. Rb7 Ke6 78. Rg7 (
78. Rg7 Kf6 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 19th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2013.11.16"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2013.11.08"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "France"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 c6 8. h3 b6
9. b4 a5 10. a3 h6 {An interesting idea. Black waits for Bf1-d3 in order to
play ...Bc8-a6; in that case, if White takes on a6, Bf1-d3 will be just a
wasted tempo. Meanwhile Black makes a useful move (an airhole for his king).} (
10... Ba6) ({or} 10... Bb7 {[%cal Yd8c8] are more "conventional" continuations.
}) 11. Qc1 {White doesn't want to waste a tempo. He would like to take on a6
in one go.} (11. Bd3 Ba6 12. Bxa6 (12. O-O $5 Qc8 13. Rb1 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 axb4
15. axb4 {1-0 (62) Kunte,A (2561)-Kayumov,S (2400) Dubai 2005} Qb7 $11) 12...
Rxa6 13. b5 (13. O-O Qa8 14. Qb1 axb4 15. axb4 Rxa1 16. Qxa1 Qb7 17. Rb1 Ra8
18. Qb2 Bd8 19. Ra1 bxc5 20. Rxa8 Qxa8 21. bxc5 Qa6 $11 {1/2 (44) Moiseenko,A 
(2709)-Sargissian,G (2676) Warsaw POL 2013}) 13... cxb5 14. c6 Qc8 15. c7 b4 (
15... Bxa3 $5 16. Nxb5 Bb4+ 17. Ke2 Ra8 18. Qd3 (18. Qa4 $5) 18... Ne4 19. Rhc1
Qa6 $132 {[%cal Ye4c5] 1/2 (72) Edouard,R (2620)-Ekstroem,R (2488) Novi Sad
2009}) 16. Nb5 a4 17. axb4 (17. Rc1 $5 {deserves attention, like in the 10...
Ba6 line, when Black's pawn is on h7; the difference is, however, in Black's
favour}) 17... Bxb4+ 18. Ke2 Ra5 19. Qd3 Ne4 20. Rhc1 Qa8 21. Ne5 Nxe5 22. Bxe5
Rc8 $15 {0-1 (46) Svetushkin, D (2571)-Kayumov, S (2479) Abu Dhabi 2003}) 11...
Bb7 (11... Ba6 $6 12. Bxa6 Rxa6 13. b5 cxb5 14. c6 {is now clearly favourable
for White.}) 12. Bd3 (12. Be2 Qc8 13. O-O Ba6 14. Re1 Qb7 15. Rb1 axb4 16. axb4
Rfc8 17. Nd2 Bxe2 18. Rxe2 Qa6 19. Qc2 Bd8 20. Ree1 Bc7 $11 {1/2 (28) Berkes,F
(2679)-Adams,M (2720) Schwetzingen GER 2013}) 12... Qc8 13. O-O Ba6 14. Bxa6
Rxa6 15. Qc2 Qb7 16. Rab1 {An attempt to avoid exchanges on the a-file and
complicate matters; however, Black gets good counterplay.} axb4 17. axb4 Ra3
18. Rfc1 bxc5 $6 {[%mdl 32]} (18... b5 {makes Black's counterplay more
difficult as he has no squares for invasion on the a-file. A practical example:
} 19. Nd2 Rfa8 20. Nb3 Bd8 {(a typical manoeuvre)} 21. Qb2 R3a6 22. Ra1 Ne8 (
22... Bc7 {is more logical}) 23. Rxa6 Rxa6 24. Ra1 Qa8 25. Rxa6 Qxa6 26. g4 f6
27. Bg3 Kf7 28. Kg2 Qa7 29. Nc1 Bc7 30. Bxc7 Nxc7 31. Nb3 Nb8 32. Na5 $36 {
1-0 (44) Stocek,J (2584)-Konopka,M (2447) Havlickuv Brod 2008}) ({But after
the text move White obtains the b-file for his play. Perhaps the most accurate
course was not to change the pawn structure at the moment:} 18... Rfa8) 19.
bxc5 Qa6 20. Ne1 Ra8 21. Qb2 (21. Nd3 $5 Bd8 22. Nb4 Qc8 23. e4 $36) 21... Qc8
22. Qb7 (22. Nc2 $5 R3a7 23. Nb4 Bd8 24. f3 {[%cal Ye3e4]}) 22... Qxb7 23. Rxb7
Bd8 24. Bc7 $1 Bxc7 25. Rxc7 R8a6 26. Nd3 {[%cal Rd3b4]} Rb3 27. Ne5 $1 Nxe5
28. dxe5 Raa3 29. Ne2 $2 (29. exf6 Rxc3 30. Rxc3 Rxc3 31. Rc8+ Kh7 32. fxg7
Kxg7 33. Rxc6 Kf6 {is hardly winning but}) (29. Nd1 $1 Ne4 30. Rxc6 {gave
White good chances to convert his extra pawn.}) 29... Ne4 $1 30. Rxc6 Rb2 {
Everything is turned around - Black suddenly obtains strong counterplay.} 31.
Rc8+ Kh7 32. Re1 Raa2 33. Kf1 $2 {After this self-paralysing move White's
position becomes just bad.} (33. Nc1 $8 Ra5 (33... Ra1 34. f3 Ng3 35. Nd3 {
holding on}) 34. c6 $1 Rxf2 (34... Nxf2 $2 35. c7 {[%cal Rc8b8]}) 35. Re2 $1
Rxe2 36. Nxe2 {, and White should not lose. Well, it was far from easy to find
this escape over the board.}) 33... Rc2 34. c6 $2 {This pawn doesn't help
White.} (34. Rc7 Nxc5 {[%cal Rc5d3]} 35. f4 {was the only chance to put up
resistance.}) 34... Nc5 $1 35. c7 Nd3 36. Rd1 Rxe2 $1 37. Rh8+ Kxh8 38. c8=Q+
Kh7 {White is a queen up but his position is hopeless!} 39. Rxd3 Rxf2+ 40. Ke1
Rxg2 41. Kf1 Rgc2 {Regaining the queen with a decisive material advantage.} 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 19th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2013.11.17"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D77"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2013.11.08"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. d4 Nf6 5. c4 dxc4 6. Na3 c3 7. bxc3 c5 8. O-O
O-O 9. e3 Nc6 10. Qe2 Bf5 11. Rd1 cxd4 {This move is rarely played.} ({
Kasparov's} 11... Qb6 {is the main continuation.}) ({Old moves} 11... Be4) ({
and} 11... Qa5 {should not be discarded either.}) 12. cxd4 (12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13.
cxd4 Bg4 14. f3 Bd7 $11 {[%cal Yd7a4]}) 12... Qa5 (12... Rc8 13. Bb2 Nb4 $6 14.
Ne5 $1 (14. Ne1 Bg4 15. Bf3 Bxf3 16. Nxf3 Qd5 $132 {1-0 (74) Granda Zuniga,J 
(2581)-Nakamura,H (2571) Wijk aan Zee 2004 CBM 099 [Ftacnik,L]}) 14... Be4 15.
Bh3 e6 16. f3 Bf5 17. Bf1 Bc2 18. Rdc1 Ba4 19. Rxc8 Qxc8 20. Qd2 Nc6 21. Nac4
Rd8 22. Rc1 $14 {1/2 Makarov,M-Svidler,P/Togliatti 2003/ (22)}) (12... Be4 $5 {
M.Gagunashvili}) 13. Nc4 {Hardly a good continuation leading to an unpleasant
pin. It is amazing how quickly even top players forget strategic ideas of
systems which for some reason go out of fashion! In this case I mean the
Nf3-d2-b3 manoeuvre.} (13. Nd2 Nd5 (13... Bg4 14. f3 Be6 15. Nb3 Bxb3 16. axb3
Rfd8 {1/2 (48) Gagunashvili,M (2584)-Teran Alvarez,I (2402) Calvia 2007} 17.
Bd2 Qb6 18. Nc4 $14 {M.Gagunashvili}) 14. Nb3 Nc3 15. Qe1 Qb4 16. Bd2 Qxa3 17.
Bxc3 Rac8 $13 {M.Gagunashvili}) (13. Bb2 $5 Rac8 14. Nd2 Bg4 15. f3 Bd7 16. Nb3
Qd8 17. Nc4 Nb4 18. Rdc1 Bb5 19. a4 Ba6 20. Bf1 Nbd5 $13 {1-0 (45) Van Wely,L 
(2686)-Edouard,R (2621) Melilla 2011 CBM 146 [RR]}) 13... Qa6 14. Bf1 {Quite
an awkward setup. White's queen has no good square to retreat to if needed.}
Rac8 15. Bd2 Be6 16. Be1 Rfd8 17. Rdc1 Bd5 {Black has a comfortable position.}
18. a4 b6 {Probably it was a bit better to leave the pawn on b7, where it was
well-protected:} (18... Ne4 19. a5 Nb8 {[%cal Yb8d7]}) 19. a5 Qb7 20. axb6 axb6
21. Rab1 b5 22. Qd1 (22. Ncd2 $5 {[%cal Ye3e4]} b4 $1 23. e4 Ba2) 22... Ne4 (
22... b4 {was double-edged as this pawn could become weak. Black prefers a
simpler course.}) 23. Na5 {[%mdl 64] This leads to big simplifications and a
draw. Of course, White had hardly anything better.} Nxa5 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 ({Or} 
24... Qxc8 25. Bxa5 Nc3 26. Bxc3 Qxc3 27. Rxb5 Bxf3 28. Qxf3 Bxd4 $11) 25. Rxb5
(25. Bxa5 $143 Qa8 {[%cal Ye4g3,Ye4f2]} 26. Be1 $140 $6 (26. Rxb5 $2 Bc6) 26...
Nxf2 $1 27. Kxf2 $6 Bxf3 28. Qxf3 $2 Qa2+) 25... Nxf2 $1 26. Kxf2 Bxf3 27. Rxb7
(27. Qxf3 $2 Rc2+ 28. Be2 $2 Qxb5) 27... Bxd1 28. Bxa5 Bf6 {White's pawn
advantage in the centre is insufficient to obtain winning chances.} 29. Bc7 Kg7
30. Ra7 Bb3 31. Ba6 Re8 32. Bb5 Rc8 33. Bd7 Rh8 34. Ra5 e6 35. Bc6 Rc8 36. Ra7
Bd8 37. Be5+ Bf6 38. Rc7 Rd8 39. Rd7 Rxd7 40. Bxd7 Bxe5 41. dxe5 Bd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 9th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2013.11.26"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D44"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2013.11.26"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5
9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Be7 11. exf6 Bxf6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. g3 Bb7 14. Bg2 Na6
15. Ne4 Qe7 16. O-O O-O-O 17. h4 $146 {[%mdl 8] A surprising novelty in a
well-known position.} (17. a4 {is the theoretical continuation:} f5 $1 (17...
Kb8 18. Qd2 Nb4 (18... e5 19. axb5 Rxd4 20. Qa5 cxb5 21. Qxb5 Rh6 {1-0 (40)
Hoffmann,M (2493)-Vishnu,P (2340) Vlissingen 2011} 22. Ra5 $16) 19. Qf4+ Qc7 {
0-1 (42) Gavrikov,V (2550)-Kupreichik,V (2470) Riga 1985 URS-ch [Glatman]} 20.
Qf6 $1 Nd3 (20... Nd5 21. Qf3 $16) 21. Nc5 Nxc5 22. dxc5 $16) 18. axb5 (18. Nc3
b4 19. Ne2 Nc5 $1 20. Qc2 Nb3 21. Rad1 Ba6 22. Rfe1 (22. Bxc6 Kb8 $13) 22...
Kb8 23. Nf4 Nxd4 24. Rxd4 Rxd4 25. Rxe6 Qh7 26. h3 Rxf4 27. gxf4 Rg8 28. Qe2
Qc7 29. Re8+ Rxe8 30. Qxe8+ Bc8 $13 {1/2 (41) Bartholomew,J (2440)-Becerra
Rivero,J (2598) Philadelphia 2008}) 18... cxb5 19. Rxa6 $1 Bxa6 (19... fxe4 20.
Rxa7 Kb8 21. Ra5 Qh7 22. h4 Qf5 23. b3 $1 Rxh4 24. bxc4 Rhh8 25. Rxb5 Qh7 26.
Re1 $18 {1-0 (33) Sieciechowicz,M (2446)-Sethuraman,S (2547) Legnica 2010}) 20.
Nc5 Qxc5 21. dxc5 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 b4 $1 23. h4 Rd8 24. Rc1 {1-0 (47) Farmani
Anosheh,A (2216)-Thier,J (2105) St Leon Rot 2011} Rd2 25. h5 Rxb2 {[%cal Rb2d2]
} 26. Rd1 c3 27. h6 c2 28. Rc1 Rb1 29. h7 Rxc1+ 30. Kh2 Rd1 31. h8=Q+ Kc7 $11)
17... c5 $5 (17... f5 18. Ng5 {is White's idea}) (17... Kb8 $5 18. a4 (18. b3
$5) 18... e5 19. Qf3 Rxd4 20. axb5 cxb5 21. Rxa6 f5 22. Qa3 Qxa3 23. Rxa3 fxe4
$17 {0-1 (32) Kurilin,A (2299)-Simantsev,M (2541) Tula 2010 (the position
after 17.h4 arose in a different move order in this game)}) 18. a4 Rxd4 19. Qe2
b4 20. Rfd1 Bd5 {Black's redoubts in the centre look quite solid but...} 21.
Rac1 (21. Ng5 {should be checked; the position is extremely complicated in any
case.}) 21... Rxd1+ 22. Rxd1 Rd8 23. Rc1 (23. b3 f5 24. Ng5 Bxg2 25. Rxd8+ Kxd8
26. Kxg2 cxb3 27. Qxa6 b2 28. Qd3+ Ke8 $13 {S.Zagrebelny}) 23... Qb7 (23... Nc7
24. Nd2 $1 {- Black can't hold his c4 pawn anyway.}) 24. Rxc4 Qc6 $1 {[%mdl
256]} (24... Bxc4 $2 25. Nd6+ $1 Kb8 26. Qxc4 Qb6 27. Nxf7 {is clearly in
White's favour. So, White has restored material balance keeping some
positional plus thanks to his strong h-pawn and Black's poor a6 knight.
Although Black manages to defend, perhaps he should try something more
convincing in reply to 17.h4.}) 25. h5 $1 {[%csl Gh5]} (25. Nxc5 {is premature
due to} Bxc4 $1 26. Qxc4 Rd1+ 27. Kh2 Qxc5 28. Qxa6+ Kd8) 25... f5 (25... Bxc4
{is possible now but can't be recommended: after} 26. Qxc4 {Black's king can
hardly be protected against White's powerful g2 bishop.}) 26. Nxc5 $1 Bxc4 $1 (
26... Nxc5 27. Qc2 Bxg2 28. Rxc5 Rd1+ 29. Qxd1 Qxc5 30. Kxg2 $18) 27. Qxc4 Qxc5
28. Qxe6+ {That's the difference; however, gaining this pawn proves
insufficient for a win.} Kc7 29. Qxa6 Rd1+ 30. Kh2 f4 (30... Qxf2 {apparently
works; to} 31. h6 {Black can play} f4 {; White, of course, has a lot of checks
but nothing more.}) 31. Qb7+ Kd8 32. Qa8+ Ke7 33. Qe4+ Kd8 34. Qa8+ Ke7 35.
Qe4+ Kd8 36. Qxf4 (36. Qf3 Rd2 $132) (36. Qe2 Qd4 $132) 36... Qxh5+ 37. Bh3 {
White has two connected passed pawns for the exchange; however, they are
protecting White's king so it is not easy to push them. Therefore Black
eventually holds his ground:} Qc5 38. a5 Rd5 39. Qf6+ Ke8 40. Qe6+ Kf8 41. Qf6+
Ke8 42. Bg4 Qd4 43. Qe6+ Kf8 44. Qh6+ Ke7 45. Qe6+ Kf8 46. Kg2 Rd6 47. Qc8+ Kg7
48. Qc7+ Kf8 49. Qc8+ Kg7 ({It was possible to play on without any risk:} 49...
Kg7 50. Bf3 {but Vladimir Kramnik was probably tired after such a tense game.})
1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 9th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2013.11.28"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D56"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2013.11.26"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "US of America"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Nc3 h6 6. Bh4 ({Should White give
up a tempo, or the bishop?} 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 {is played less often:} 7. Qc2 (7. e3
c6 8. Rc1 O-O 9. Bd3 Nd7 10. O-O dxc4 11. Bxc4 e5 12. Ne4 (12. d5 Nb6 13. b3 $5
cxd5 (13... Bf5 14. dxc6 bxc6 15. e4 Bg4 16. Be2 Bxf3 17. Bxf3 Be7 18. Qc2 Bb4
19. Bg4 Ba3 20. Rcd1 Qe7 21. Nb1 Bc5 22. Nd2 Bb4 23. Nf3 Qf6 24. Rd3 Rfd8 25.
Rfd1 Rxd3 26. Qxd3 $14 {Kramnik,V (2785)-Radjabov,T (2744)/Kazan candidates/
2011/}) 14. Bxd5 Qe7 15. Qc2 Bg4 16. Qe4 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Rac8 18. Be4 Rc7 19. Ne2
Rfc8 20. Rcd1 a5 21. a4 Kf8 22. g4 Rd8 23. Ng3 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 g6 $11 {
Sargissian,G (2676)-Baramidze,D (2614)/WchT Antalya/2013/ In both cases
White's pull was rather symbolic, the opposite-coloured bishops being a strong
neutralising factor.}) (12. h3 {has brought Kasparov success in his duel with
Karpov, but since then Black has found roads to reliable equality.}) 12... exd4
13. Nxd4 Be5 14. f4 Bxd4 $5 (14... Bc7 15. Bxf7+ Rxf7 16. Ne6 Qe7 17. Nxc7 Qxe4
$5 18. Nxa8 Qxe3+ 19. Rf2 Nf6 $44 {is possibly playable, but Black doesn't
need such complications.}) 15. Qxd4 Nb6 16. Qxd8 (16. Nd6 Nxc4 17. Rxc4 Be6 18.
Rc3 Qb6 $132 19. f5 (19. Qxb6 axb6 20. a3 Rad8 21. Rd1 f5 22. Rd4 Bd5 23. Nb5
Be4 24. Nd6 Bd5 25. Nb5 c5 26. Rd2 Bc6 27. Nd6 Rd7 28. Nc4 Rxd2 29. Nxd2 Rd8
$11 {/=/+,Iotov,V (2576)-Onischuk,A (2674)/Richardson/2011/}) 19... Qxd4 20.
exd4 Bd5 21. b3 b6 22. Nc4 Rfe8 23. Ne3 Be4 $15 {Fressinet,L (2706)-Bacrot,E 
(2705)/Calvi rpd/2013/}) 16... Rxd8 17. Bb3 Nd5 18. Rfe1 Nb4 $11 (18... Nc7 19.
Kf2 Be6 20. Bxe6 Nxe6 21. Red1 Kf8 22. g4 Ke7 23. h4 g6 24. f5 gxf5 25. gxf5
Nc7 26. Kf3 Nd5 27. Nc5 b6 28. Nd3 c5 29. e4 $36 {Cramling,P (2495)-Van der
Sterren,P (2514)/Amsterdam/2011/})) 7... O-O 8. O-O-O $5 {is an aggressive try,
which requires an accurate reaction:} dxc4 (8... c5 9. dxc5 d4 10. Nxd4 Bxd4
11. Qe4 $1 Nc6 12. e3 f5 13. Qf3 Qg5 14. h4 $16) 9. e4 Nc6 10. e5 Bg5+ 11. Kb1
Nb4 12. Qe4 Rb8 ({Pasivne} 12... Bd7 $6 13. Bxc4 Bc6 14. d5 exd5 15. Nxd5 Nxd5
16. Bxd5 Bxd5 17. Rxd5 $36 Qc8 18. h4 c6 $2 19. Nxg5 hxg5 20. hxg5 f5 21. Qh4
Qe6 22. Rd7 {1-0,Mamedyarov,S (2753)-Bacrot,E (2725)/Geneve rpd/2013/}) 13.
Bxc4 b5 $5 14. Nxg5 (14. Bb3 Bb7 15. d5 Be7 16. a3 Nxd5) 14... Qxg5 15. h4 Qe7
16. Bxb5 Bb7 17. Qe2 Nd5 (17... Bxg2 $5) 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Bc4 Rfd8 20. Bxd5
Rxd5 $44 {Goganov,A (2526)-Airapetian,G (2435)/St Petersburg/2012/}) 6... O-O
7. e3 Ne4 ({The Tartakower is also still popular and topical:} 7... b6 8. Be2 (
8. Bd3 Bb7 (8... dxc4 9. Bxc4 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Qe2 a6 12. Rfd1 Nd5 13. Bg3
Nxc3 14. bxc3 Bd6 15. e4 Bxg3 16. hxg3 b5 17. Bd3 Nb6 18. Qe3 Na4 19. Bc2 Nb2
20. Rdb1 Nc4 21. Qc1 c5 22. a4 cxd4 23. cxd4 Rc8 24. axb5 axb5 25. Qe1 Bc6 26.
Rb4 Ra8 27. Rd1 Ra3 28. d5 $1 $36 {Kramnik,V (2784)-Andreikin,D (2716)/WCup
Tromsoe/2013/}) 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Qe2 c5 11. Rfd1 cxd4 12. exd4 Ne4 $5 $146 13.
Nxe4 Bxh4 14. cxd5 Bxd5 15. Nc3 Bb7 16. Be4 Bxe4 17. Nxe4 Be7 18. d5 exd5 19.
Rxd5 Qc7 20. Rad1 Rad8 21. Nd4 Nf6 22. Nb5 Qb8 23. Nxf6+ Bxf6 24. Nd6 Qc7 25.
h3 a5 26. b3 Be7 $11 {Bacrot,E (2702)-Moiseenko,A (2702)/Fujairah City/2012/})
8... Bb7 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. cxd5 exd5 11. b4 (11. O-O Re8 12. Qb3 c6 13. Rfe1 Nd7
14. Rad1 g6 15. e4 Nf8 16. e5 Bg7 17. Bd3 Ne6 18. Bb1 Qe7 19. Qc2 Red8 (19...
Rad8 $5) 20. h4 h5 21. Qd2 Re8 (21... c5 $132 {/\} 22. Nb5 Bc6 23. Nd6 Rxd6 24.
exd6 Qxd6 $44) 22. Ng5 Nxg5 23. hxg5 Qe6 24. f4 Qg4 25. Qf2 Rad8 26. b4 Bf8 27.
a3 c5 $1 $13 {Korobov,A (2713)-Meier,G (2623)/WchT Antalya/2013/}) 11... c6 (
11... c5 12. bxc5 bxc5 13. Rb1 Bc8 $5 ({This is a new alternative to} 13... Bc6
{, tested already in the K-K matches.}) 14. O-O Nc6 15. Rc1 cxd4 16. Nb5 Qb6
17. Nbxd4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Bxd4 19. Qxd4 Qxd4 20. exd4 $11 {1/2,Giri,A (2730)
-Naiditsch,A (2712)/Belgium/2013/}) 12. O-O a5 13. b5 c5 14. Ne5 Qc7 15. Ng4
Nd7 16. Bf3 Rad8 17. Rc1 (17. Nxd5 $142 $5 Bxd5 18. Bxd5 h5 $5 (18... cxd4 19.
Rc1 Qd6 20. e4 $14) 19. Nxf6+ Nxf6 20. Bc6 cxd4 21. exd4 Qf4 22. d5 Rd6 $44 {
/= Although this looks dangerous for Black, the engine sees no problems and
claims equality.}) 17... Bg5 18. Bxd5 Bxd5 19. Nxd5 Qd6 20. Nc3 cxd4 21. f4 $6
(21. Ne4 $142 Qe7 22. Nxg5 dxe3 23. Nxe3 Qxg5 $11) 21... Bf6 22. Ne2 Qe6 23.
Nxd4 Bxd4 24. exd4 Qxa2 25. Rc6 Qd5 $11 {/=/+} 26. Nxh6+ $2 gxh6 27. Rxh6 (27.
Qg4+ Kh7 28. f5 {[%cal Rc6h6] is parried by} Nf6 $1 29. Rxf6 Rg8 $19) 27... Kg7
28. Rh5 f5 $17 {Aronian,L (2809)-Adams,M (2727)/Paris/St Petersburg/2013/ For
more details see the notes in CBM 154 by Krasenkow.}) 8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Rc1 {
Definitely the main move nowadays.} ({The once popular} 9. cxd5 Nxc3 10. bxc3
exd5 {doesn't give White anything, a recent example is} 11. c4 dxc4 12. Bxc4
Nc6 13. O-O Na5 14. Be2 c5 15. Rc1 cxd4 16. Nxd4 b6 17. Bf3 Bb7 18. Bxb7 Nxb7
19. Nc6 Qe6 20. Qb3 Rfe8 21. Qxe6 Rxe6 22. Nd4 Re7 23. Rc6 Rd8 24. Rfc1 Nc5 $11
{Seirawan,Y (2643)-Karpov,A (2615)/Saint Louis m rpd/2012/}) 9... c6 10. Bd3 (
10. Be2 {was played by Topalov in the last match game in Sofia 2010. If White
takes with the bishop on c4 2 moves later, both continuations are equivalent.})
({Levon doesn't repeat the double-edged} 10. h4 Nd7 11. g4 f5 (11... e5 12.
cxd5 Nxc3 13. Rxc3 cxd5 14. g5 h5 15. Bb5 exd4 16. Qxd4 Qe4 17. Qxe4 dxe4 18.
Nd2 Ne5 19. Nxe4 Be6 20. f4 Bd5 21. fxe5 Bxe4 22. O-O $36 {Aronian,L (2805)
-Harikrishna,P (2669)/WchT Ningbo/2011/ For more details see the notes to this
game in CBM 144.}) 12. gxf5 Rxf5 $5 $146 13. Bd3 (13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Nd2 e5 15.
d5 Nc5 16. Qc2 {Van Wely,L (2691)-Fridman,D (2668)/Wolvega/2012/} Rf7 $5 17. b4
Nd3+ 18. Bxd3 exd3 19. Qxd3 Qxb4 $15 {White's king is more exposed, than
Black's.}) 13... Ndf6 (13... Qf8 14. Rh3 Ndf6 15. Qc2 e5 16. dxe5 Rh5 $5 $13)
14. Bxe4 dxe4 15. Ne5 c5 16. Rg1 (16. Ng6 $142 $5 {complicates the deployment
of Black's bishop and gives more chances for an advantage.}) 16... Bd7 17. Ne2
cxd4 18. Qxd4 Be8 $1 {Gajewski,G (2653)-Svetushkin,D (2588)/EU-ch Legnica/2013/
} 19. Ng3 Rd8 20. Qc3 Bh5 $44 {|^}) 10... Nxc3 11. Rxc3 dxc4 ({It would be
interesting to know what Levon had on his mind after} 11... Nd7 12. Qc2 (12.
O-O e5 (12... dxc4 {- 11...dxc4}) 13. dxe5 (13. cxd5 e4 14. dxc6 bxc6 15. Be2
exf3 16. Bxf3 Bb7 17. Bxc6 Bxc6 18. Rxc6 Rac8 $15 {Psakhis,L (2525)-Kholmov,R 
(2475)/Tallinn/1983/ White's pawns can't advance freely and are not too
dangerous.}) (13. Bb1 {or}) (13. Bc2 {is an attempt to transpose into the game
after all, but Black also has} e4 (13... dxc4 14. Rxc4 {-11...dxc4}) 14. Nd2
Nf6 $11 (14... f5 $5 $132)) 13... dxc4 14. Bxc4 ({We will still mention} 14.
Rxc4 Nxe5) 14... Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Qxe5 {This position arises also from
Capablanca's line with 5...0-0 snd 6...Nbd7, only here Black has the extra
move h6. The breathing space for his king certainly doesn't hurt his chances:}
16. Qc2 Bf5 17. Bd3 Bxd3 18. Rxd3 Rad8 19. Rfd1 Rxd3 20. Rxd3 Qa5 21. h3 Qxa2
22. Ra3 Qd5 23. Rxa7 c5 24. Ra5 b6 $11 25. Ra7 Rd8 $11 {Wojtaszek,R (2721)
-Alekseev,E (2673)/Lublin/2011/}) ({2)} 12. cxd5 exd5 13. O-O {leads to a
Carlsbad pawn structure, after} Re8 14. Qb1 a5 $5 $132 {Black has no serious
problems in the resulting simplified position.}) 12... dxc4 13. Bxc4 {gives
Black a choice. White has perhaps the best chances to get a slight pull after}
e5 (13... b6 14. Bd3 Nf6 15. Rxc6 Nd5 16. Qb3 Nb4 17. Rc1 Nxd3+ 18. Qxd3 Bb7
19. O-O Bxf3 20. gxf3 Qg5+ 21. Kh1 Qd5 22. Qe4 Qxa2 23. Rg1 Rfc8 24. Qb7 Rf8
25. Qe4 Rfc8 26. Qb7 Rf8 27. Rc7 Qxb2 28. Rxf7 Rxf7 29. Qxa8+ Kh7 30. Qe4+ Kg8
31. Qa8+ Kh7 32. Qe8 Rc7 33. Qg6+ Kh8 34. Qe8+ Kh7 35. Qxe6 Qxf2 36. Qe4+ Kg8
37. h3 Qc2 38. Qe8+ Kh7 39. d5 Qf5 40. Qe4 Qxe4 41. fxe4 {Jakovenko,D (2716)
-Gelfand,B (2746)/ECC Rogaska Slatina/2011/} Re7 $1 $132) (13... b5 $5 14. Be2
Bb7 15. O-O b4 16. Rc4 a5 17. Rc1 Rfc8 18. Qe4 Rc7 19. Qf4 Rac8 20. R4c2 c5 21.
h4 Nf6 22. Bd3 Qd8 23. Qe5 {1/2,Hinterberger,W (2355)-Szczepanski,Z (1400)/
corr/2010/}) 14. O-O exd4 15. exd4 $5 (15. Nxd4 Nf6 16. Rd1 a6 17. Bb3 Ne4 18.
Rc4 Re8 19. f3 Nd6 20. Rc3 Nb5 21. Nxb5 axb5 22. a3 b4 23. axb4 Qxb4 24. e4 Be6
$11 {Khairullin,I (2660)-Korneev,O (2609)/RUS-chT Loo/2013/}) 15... Qd6 16. Re1
Nb6 17. Bb3 Nd5 18. Ne5 Be6 (18... Nxc3 $2 19. Nxf7 $1) 19. Rg3 Nc7 20. Re4
Rad8 21. h3 Bxb3 22. Qxb3 Ne6 23. Nxf7 $1 (23. Qxb7 Nxd4 24. Rd3 c5 25. b4 Qb6
26. Qxb6 axb6 27. bxc5 bxc5 28. Kf1 Rfe8 29. Ree3 Ra8 30. Rd2 f6 $11 {1/2,
Grischuk,A (2736)-Jakovenko,D (2736)/WCup Khanty-Mansiysk/2009/}) 23... Rxf7
24. Rg6 $1 $14 {Black loses a pawn and has to fight for draw.}) 12. Rxc4 {
Taking with the rook makes more sense with the bishop on d3 instead of e2.} ({
The more usual follow-up is} 12. Bxc4 Nd7 13. O-O {and now:} b6 (13... e5 14.
Qc2 $5 {transposes to the above note} (14. Bb3 Rd8 15. Re1 exd4 16. exd4 Qd6
17. d5 (17. Rce3 Nf8 18. Ne5 Be6 $11 {/\} 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. Rf3 $2 f6 21. Ng6
Rxd4 $1 22. Qb1 Qxe1+ 23. Qxe1 Rad8 $17 {[%cal Rd4d1]}) 17... cxd5 18. Qxd5
Qxd5 19. Bxd5 Nf8 20. Bb3 Be6 21. Kf1 Rac8 22. Rec1 Rxc3 23. Rxc3 Bxb3 24. Rxb3
Rd7 $11 {Babula,V (2585)-Baramidze,D (2615)/AUT-chT/2012/})) 14. Bd3 (14. Qc2
$5 Bb7 15. Bd3 c5 16. Bh7+ Kh8 17. Be4 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 Rac8 19. Rfc1 Rc7 20. Qc2
Rfc8 {leads to a known position, only with the king on h8.} 21. h3 (21. b4 $5 {
is critical}) 21... Nf6 22. Rc4 Ne8 23. dxc5 Rxc5 24. Qb3 Rxc4 25. Rxc4 Rxc4
26. Qxc4 Nd6 $11 {Ivanchuk,V (2766)-Carlsen,M (2835)/Wijk aan Zee/2012/}) 14...
c5 15. Be4 Rb8 16. Qc2 Nf6 (16... Ba6 17. Rc1 Rfc8 18. Qa4 Bb7 19. Bxb7 Rxb7
20. Qc2 Rbc7 21. b4 Nf6 $1 $146 {[%cal Rf6d5]} (21... e5 {Kramnik,V (2765)
-Kasparov,G (2785)/Las Palmas/1996/} 22. bxc5 exd4 23. exd4 bxc5 24. Rc4 $1 $36
{[%cal Gc1c8]}) 22. e4 $8 c4 $8 23. b5 a6 24. a4 axb5 25. axb5 Qd7 26. Qb1 (26.
Rb1 $5 Ne8 27. e5 g6 $132) 26... Ra8 27. h3 Ra5 28. Rxc4 (28. Ne5 Qxb5 29. Qxb5
Rxb5 30. f3 $11) 28... Rxc4 29. Rxc4 Qxb5 $11 {Babula,V (2574)-Stupak,K (2494)/
EU-chT Warsaw/2013/ Here already White should tread with care.}) 17. Bc6 (17.
dxc5 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 bxc5 19. Qc2 Bb7 20. Nd2 Rfd8 21. f3 Ba6 22. Rf2 Rd7 23. g3
Rbd8 24. Kg2 Bd3 25. Qc1 Ba6 $11 {Topalov,V (2805)-Anand,V (2787)/WCh Sofia/
2010/}) 17... cxd4 18. Nxd4 e5 19. Nf3 (19. Nf5 Bxf5 20. Qxf5 Rfd8 21. Rfc1 Rd2
22. Ba4 Rbd8 23. h3 g6 24. Qf3 e4 25. Qg3 Nh5 26. Qc7 Qf6 $132 {Babula,V (2515)
-Toufighi,H (2499)/Khanty Mansiysk olm/2010/}) 19... Rd8 ({In postal play
Black prefers} 19... Bg4 $5 20. h3 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 e4 $11) 20. h3 Qd6 21. Qa4 a5
22. Qb5 Be6 23. a3 Bd5 24. Rfc1 Ne4 25. R3c2 {Babula,V (2591)-Cyborowski,L 
(2543)/EU-ch Legnica/2013/} Bxc6 (25... g6 $5 $11) 26. Rxc6 Qd5 $11) 12... Nd7
13. O-O e5 (13... c5 $6 14. dxc5 Nxc5 15. Bb1 $32 {[%cal Rd1c2]}) 14. Bc2 $5 {
A rare move, obviously prepared by Aronian, who was still playing very fast.} (
{There is nothing new and exciting after the standard} 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Re4
Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 Be6 17. Bc4 Rad8 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Qg4 Rd2 20. Rxe6 Qd7 21. Qc4
Qf7 22. f4 Rxb2 23. Rd1 Rb4 24. Qxb4 Qxe6 $11 {Babula,V (2536)-Stohl,I (2514)/
Hustopece rpd/2010/}) 14... Nb6 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (14... exd4 {seems playable:}
15. Qd3 (15. Rxd4 Nf6 16. Qd3 {Stahlberg,G-Espina,C/Mar del Plata/1942/} c5 $1
17. Qa3 b6 $11) 15... Nf6 16. e4 $5 g6 17. e5 Nd5 18. Qd2 Kg7 $5 (18... Bg4 19.
Nxd4 Qxe5 20. Nxc6 bxc6 21. Rxg4 $14) 19. Rxd4 Be6 20. Rd1 Rad8 21. Bb3 Rd7 22.
Qa5 b6 23. Qe1 Rfd8 24. Qe4 Bf5 25. Qe1 Be6 26. Qe4 Bf5 27. Qe1 Be6 {1/2,
Cherednichenko,S (2165)-Hrabinska,M (2295)/Nikolaev/2008/}) ({Perhaps Black
can venture even the untested} 14... e4 15. Nd2 f5 $13) 15. Rc5 exd4 ({The
swap is natural enough. However, even after} 15... Nd7 16. Rc3 Re8 $5 {it's
not easy get anything tangible. Perhaps White can try} 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. dxe5
Qxe5 19. Qd3 g6 (19... Be6 $5) 20. f4 {[%cal Ye3e4]}) 16. Qd3 g6 17. Bb3 $1 {
Still analysed at home and played fast.} Kg7 (17... Qxc5 $2 18. Qxg6+ Kh8 19.
Qxh6+ Kg8 20. e4 $1 $18 {[%csl Rf5][%cal Rf3g5]}) (17... Be6 $6 18. Re5 $40) (
17... Qd6 {[%cal Yc8e6]} 18. Nxd4 $14 {/\} Qxc5 $2 19. Qxg6+ Kh8 20. Qxh6+ Kg8
21. f4 $1 $18 {[%cal Rb3c2,Rf1f3,Rf4f6] ->}) (17... Kh7 18. exd4 $5 $14 {
[%csl Rh7] Black with his vulnerable king must still fight for equality.} (18.
Qxd4 Be6 $11)) 18. Qxd4+ Qf6 (18... f6 {[%cal Yc8e6,Yf8d8] is a computer
suggestion, but a top GM wouldn't dare to play such a weakening move without
thorough analysis.}) 19. Re5 $1 {A typical engine move - concrete and
unpleasant. The rook aims for e7 and discourages Be6.} Bd7 ({After some
thought Nakamura spurned} 19... Rd8 20. Qb4 Nd5 $5 (20... Bd7 21. a4 $36) 21.
Bxd5 cxd5 $132 {[%cal Yc8f5,Yf5e4] Although formally White has a better minor
piece, the rook on e5 is now rather clumsy and Black has counterchances.}) 20.
h4 Rad8 ({Also here Black had an alternative in} 20... Rfe8 21. h5 g5 22. Ra5 (
22. Rxg5+ $2 hxg5 23. h6+ Kg6 24. Bc2+ Bf5 25. Bxf5+ Kxf5 26. Qd3+ Kg4 27. Qe2
Kh5 28. Ne5+ g4 $17 {with no mate in sight.}) (22. Bc2 Nd5 $1 $11) (22. Rc5 $5
Qxd4 23. Nxd4 Nc8 {is similar}) 22... Qxd4 23. Nxd4 $14 {/=}) 21. h5 {Now
Levon started thinking as well.} Bf5 (21... g5 $2 22. Nxg5 $16) (21... Nc8 $5
22. hxg6 fxg6 $14 {/<=>}) 22. Qc3 (22. Qb4 $5 gxh5 23. Ra5 {was suggested by
Korotylev, but Black has} Nd5 {/\} 24. Qxb7 Be4 $13) 22... Bg4 (22... Rd3 23.
Qb4 $36) (22... Nd7 23. Ra5 Qxc3 24. bxc3 Bd3 25. Rd1 Be2 26. Rd6 $1 $13 {
/+/= White has an initiative in this endgame, as it's difficult to prevent his
offside Ra5 from reentering the fray.}) ({Perhaps a better move was} 22... Nd5
$5 23. Bxd5 (23. Qd4 Nb6 $11) 23... Rxd5 $132) 23. hxg6 Bxf3 (23... Nd7 {
already gives White a choice between} 24. Re7 ({and} 24. Ra5 $5 {- this is
similar to 22...Nd7 from the above note.})) 24. gxf3 Nd5 $6 {[%csl Gb3] Forces
White to swap his bishop, but stabilises his advantage.} ({Black had the last
chance to play} 24... Nd7 $142 $1 $14) 25. Bxd5 cxd5 26. gxf7 ({A safer and
less complex way is} 26. Rd1 $142 $1 fxg6 (26... d4 27. exd4 fxg6 28. Kg2 $36)
27. f4 $14 {[%csl Rd5,Rg7] /+/-}) 26... d4 ({A more concrete line was} 26...
Rc8 $5 27. Rf5 (27. Qd4 Rc4 28. Re6 Qxd4 29. exd4 Rxf7 $11) 27... Rxc3 28. Rxf6
Rc2 $132 ({or} 28... Rxe3 $5 {, in both cases Black has drawing chances.})) 27.
exd4 Rxf7 28. d5 ({White had other moves as} 28. Rc1 {and also}) (28. Kg2 $14 {
/+/- However, the outcome of the game remains open.}) 28... Qxf3 $1 {[%mdl
4096]} 29. Qxf3 (29. Re3+ Qf6 {also forces a queen swap.}) 29... Rxf3 30. Rd1 {
Objectively in the endgame Black has drawing chances, but another problem
arises on Nakamura's clock...} Kf7 31. Rd4 $6 {White should have tried to keep
both rooks on the board.} ({A more promising try was} 31. Kg2 $142 Rf6 32. Rde1
$36 ({or} 32. Rc1 $5)) 31... Re8 $1 $14 32. Rxe8 (32. Rh5 Rf6 33. d6 Rd8 {
[%csl Rd6] stops the passed pawn.}) 32... Kxe8 {Activating the king gives good
chances to hold the game.} 33. Kg2 Rf5 34. f4 Kd7 35. Kf3 Kd6 36. Ke4 Rf8 37.
Rd2 (37. f5 Re8+ 38. Kf3 Re1 $132) 37... h5 $6 (37... Re8+ $142 $1 38. Kf5 Rf8+
{forces the king back:} 39. Kg4 Rg8+ 40. Kh5 Rf8 41. Rf2 Rf6 $11) 38. f5 h4 39.
Rh2 Re8+ 40. Kf4 Rh8 $2 $138 {This definitely throws away the game.} ({He had
to play} 40... Kxd5 $1 41. Rxh4 $5 (41. Rd2+ Kc6 42. f6 h3 43. Rh2 Re6 $1 44.
Kf5 Re3 45. f7 Rf3+ 46. Ke6 Re3+ $11) 41... Re2 42. Rh3 Rf2+ ({or} 42... Rxb2
43. Rd3+ Kc4 $14)) 41. f6 Re8 {Desperation.} ({Now} 41... Kxd5 42. Kf5 h3 43.
f7 $18 {[%cal Rf5f6,Rf6g7] is insufficient: Although his rook is "correctly"
behind the passed pawn, he has no defence against the penetration of White's
king.}) 42. Rxh4 1-0

[Event "WchT 9th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2013.11.29"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Li, Chao B"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E01"]
[WhiteElo "2679"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2013.11.26"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "China"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CHN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 c5 {A rarely played move.} 5. Bg2 ({To meet
} 5. cxd5 {Black has an interesting continuation} cxd4 $5 6. dxe6 (6. Bg2 Qxd5
7. Qxd4 Nc6 8. Qxd5 Nxd5 9. O-O b6 10. Bd2 Ba6 11. Rc1 Rc8 12. a3 Be7 13. Nc3 {
1-0 (56) Leiva Rodriguez,J (2388)-Mekhitarian,K (2551) Cochabamba 2013} Nxc3
14. Rxc3 Bf6 $11) 6... Bxe6 7. Nxd4 (7. Bg2 Nc6 8. O-O Bc5 $11) 7... Bc5 {
; however, in the following game White successfully parried Black's activity:}
8. e3 Bxd4 9. Bb5+ Nc6 10. Qxd4 Qe7 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 12. b3 c5 13. Qh4 Bd5 14.
O-O Qe5 15. Qa4+ Kf8 16. Ba3 Ne4 17. Qd4 $1 Qxd4 18. exd4 Ng5 19. Rc1 Nf3+ 20.
Kg2 Nxd4+ 21. Kf1 $16 {1-0 (51) Flores Rios,M (2492)-Grigoryan,K (2550)
Barbera del Valles 2013}) 5... cxd4 6. O-O (6. Nxd4 e5 {[%cal Yd5d4] leads to
a well-known variation arising from various move orders, generally comfortable
for Black. The text move is an attempt to avoid it.}) 6... Bc5 (6... Nc6 $143
7. cxd5 ({or} 7. Nxd4)) 7. Nxd4 dxc4 (7... O-O 8. Nb3 Bb6 9. Nc3 {doesn't
promise Black equality. Here is a recent example:} Nc6 10. cxd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5
exd5 12. Qxd5 Bg4 13. Qxd8 Raxd8 14. e3 Be2 15. Re1 Bc4 16. Nd2 Ba5 17. Bxc6
bxc6 18. b4 $1 Bxb4 19. Nxc4 Bxe1 20. Ba3 Bc3 21. Rc1 Rd3 22. Bxf8 Kxf8 23. Kf1
Bf6 24. Ke2 Rd5 25. a4 $16 {1-0 (49) Postny,E (2637)-Sebenik,M (2527) Legnica
2013}) 8. Nc2 {GM Li Chao was probably unaware of the theory of this position,
which, too, can arise in several lines.} (8. Qa4+ $1 {is the most accurate
continuation:} Qd7 (8... Nbd7 9. Qxc4 O-O 10. Nc3 Bb6 (10... a6 11. Nb3 Ba7 12.
Qh4 h6 13. g4 Rb8 14. Qg3 e5 15. g5 $40 {1-0 (32) Inkiov,V (2505)-Drenchev,P 
(2310) Sofia 1996}) 11. Nf3 Qc7 12. Qh4 Re8 13. Bd2 Nf8 14. Rac1 Qb8 15. Qb4
Bd7 16. Bf4 e5 17. Bg5 $16 {0-1 (144) Schmidt,R (2387)-Szabo,G (2525)
Bucharest 2010}) 9. Nb5 $1 O-O 10. Qxc4 Qe7 11. b4 (11. N5c3 a6 (11... Nbd7 $5)
12. Bg5 Nbd7 13. Ne4 Ba7 14. Nbc3 h6 {1/2 (22) Polugaevsky,L (2620)-Ljubojevic,
L (2605) Amsterdam 1981} 15. Bf4 $1 e5 16. Bd2 $16 {L.Polugaevsky}) 11... Bb6
12. a4 Bd7 (12... a6 13. N5c3 $14 {[%cal Yc1a3]}) 13. a5 a6 14. N5c3 Ba7 15.
Bxb7 Bb5 16. Nxb5 Qxb7 17. Nxa7 Rxa7 18. Be3 $16 {0-1 (36) Postny,E (2637)
-Sokolov,I (2699) Sibenik 2012}) 8... O-O 9. Be3 Qe7 10. Bxc5 Qxc5 11. Qd4 Qxd4
12. Nxd4 Nc6 {To release the pressure from White's g2 bishop, Black must make
use of his development advantage.} (12... e5 13. Nb5 Nc6 {[%cal Yc8g4]} 14.
N1c3 Rb8 {was possible, too}) 13. Rd1 (13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Bxc6 Rb8 15. b3 $11) (
13. Bxc6 e5 $5 ({or simply} 13... bxc6 14. Nxc6 Bb7) 14. Bxb7 Bxb7 $13) 13...
Rb8 (13... Rd8 $5) 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Rd2 {Black's pawn structure is damaged
but he is still a pawn up, therefore his position is not worse.} Ba6 (15... Nd5
$5) 16. Nc3 Rfc8 (16... Nd5 {was possible here, too} 17. Rc1 $140 Nxc3 18. Rxc3
Bb5) 17. Rc1 Kf8 18. Na4 (18. f4 $5 {, restricting Black's kingside activity,
was a good idea.}) 18... c5 19. e4 Rb4 20. Nc3 Rcb8 21. Nd1 $6 (21. Rcc2 Ng4 $1
) (21. Rb1 $5 {[%cal Yf2f3,Yg1f2,Yg2f1]} Ng4 22. f4) 21... g5 (21... c3 $1 22.
bxc3 Rb1 $17) 22. e5 $2 {This move further weakens White's position.} (22. Rc3
$15 {[%cal Yc3a3] was a logical continuation. If} Ra4 {then} 23. a3 {[%csl Ra4]
}) 22... Ng4 23. f4 gxf4 24. gxf4 c3 $1 25. Rxc3 Rxf4 26. Rxc5 Rf5 27. Rc7 (27.
Rd7 Be2 $1) 27... Rxe5 $17 {Black has won the pawn once again, and he has
connected e- and f- passed pawns.} 28. Bf3 Rg5 29. Kh1 Rb4 {Black is ready to
give up his material advantage for an attack on White's king.} 30. Rg2 (30.
Rxa7 Bf1 {[%cal Yb4f4]}) 30... h5 31. Rxa7 Bf1 $1 32. Rg3 ({Or} 32. Rd2 Ne5 {
, and White will not survive long. The text move, however, leads to a nice
finale.}) 32... Nxh2 $3 {[%mdl 64]} 33. Rxg5 (33. Kxh2 Rh4+ 34. Kg1 Rxg3+ 35.
Kf2 Rgh3 $19) 33... Nxf3 {[%cal Rb4h4]} 34. Ra8+ Ke7 35. Ra7+ Kd6 (35... Kf6
$19) (35... Kd6 36. Rxh5 Rg4 $19) 0-1

[Event "WchT 9th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2013.11.30"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedov, Rauf"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D79"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2647"]
[PlyCount "253"]
[EventDate "2013.11.26"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 c6 6. Nc3 d5 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Ne5
Nc6 9. O-O Bf5 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Na4 Nd7 12. Bg5 Re8 13. Rc1 Rc8 14. b3 Qa5 15.
Bd2 Qd8 16. Bb4 e5 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Bc5 Qa5 19. Re1 Bh6 20. f4 Ng4 21. e3 Bg7
22. h3 Nf6 23. Bd4 Be4 24. Bf1 Nh5 25. Kf2 Nf6 26. Qe2 Nd7 27. Bxg7 Kxg7 28.
Red1 Kg8 29. Qb2 g5 30. Nc3 gxf4 31. gxf4 Bg6 32. Re1 Qd8 33. Kg1 Qh4 34. Qf2
Qxf2+ 35. Kxf2 Nf6 36. Bg2 Be4 37. Bf1 Bf5 38. Red1 Re7 39. Bg2 Rce8 40. Re1
Re6 41. b4 Be4 42. Bf1 Bg6 43. a3 Kf8 44. Bg2 Be4 45. Bf1 Bg6 46. Rcd1 h5 47.
Bg2 h4 48. b5 Rc8 49. Rc1 d4 50. exd4 Rxe1 51. Rxe1 cxb5 52. Nxb5 a6 53. Nd6
Rd8 54. f5 Rxd6 55. fxg6 Rxd4 56. gxf7 Kxf7 57. Re5 Ra4 58. Re3 Kg6 59. Bb7 Kg5
60. Ke2 Kf4 61. Re6 Rxa3 62. Rxf6+ Kg5 63. Rb6 Rxh3 64. Rxa6 Rb3 65. Bd5 Rc3
66. Ra4 Rc2+ 67. Kd3 Rc8 68. Be6 Rd8+ 69. Ke4 Rd1 70. Ra5+ Kf6 71. Bh3 Rh1 72.
Ra3 Rg1 73. Kf4 Rg3 74. Ra6+ Kg7 75. Bg4 Kf7 76. Rh6 Ke7 77. Rxh4 Ra3 78. Rh6
Ra4+ 79. Kg5 Rd4 80. Re6+ Kd8 81. Rc6 Ke7 82. Bf5 Rd1 83. Kf4 Rd6 84. Rc3 Kf6
85. Rh3 Rd4+ 86. Be4 Ra4 87. Rh6+ Kg7 88. Rg6+ Kf8 89. Ke5 Ra7 90. Bd5 Re7+ 91.
Kf5 Rg7 92. Rh6 Ke7 93. Be4 Kd8 94. Ra6 Rf7+ 95. Ke5 Re7+ 96. Kd4 Ke8 97. Rf6
Kd8 98. Bc6 Rg7 99. Re6 Rg5 100. Bd5 Rg7 101. Kc5 Re7 102. Rg6 Rc7+ 103. Bc6
Rf7 104. Re6 Re7 105. Rd6+ Kc7 106. Bd5 Rd7 107. Ra6 Kd8 108. Be6 Rc7+ 109. Kd5
Ke7 110. Ke5 Rc5+ 111. Bd5 Kd7 112. Rh6 Kc7 113. Rh7+ Kb6 114. Kd6 Rb5 115. Bc6
Rb4 116. Rh8 Rd4+ 117. Bd5 Rb4 118. Rc8 Ka7 119. Kc5 Rb5+ 120. Kc4 Rb8 121. Rc6
Rb7 122. Kc5 Kb8 123. Rh6 Rc7+ 124. Bc6 Re7 125. Kd6 Rg7 126. Rh8+ Ka7 127. Kc5
1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 9th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2013.12.02"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Meier, Georg"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A84"]
[WhiteElo "2623"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Meier,Georg"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2013.11.26"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Germany"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

{Ich habe das Vergnügen gegen die Topspieler immer recht interessante Partien
spielen zu können. Offenbar sind diese sich mehr oder weniger einig darin,
gegen mich unortodhoxe Stellungen anzustreben, oder zumindest solche die mir
kaum bekannt sind. Recht schnell entsteht dann ein Kampf "Mann gegen Mann",
der natürlich interessanter ist, als gegen eine überlegen
Eröffnungsvorbereitung anzutreten.} 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 c6 3. c4 e6 4. e3 Bd6 {
Aronian erklärte seine Eröffnungswahl nach der Partie damit dass ihn seine
Mannschaft gebeten hatte, auf Gewinn zu spielen.} 5. Bd3 f5 6. O-O Nh6 {
Wahrlich unorthodox.} (6... Nf6 7. b3 Qe7 8. Bb2 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne4 10. Ne2 Nd7 11.
Rc1 a5 12. a4 g5 $13 {1/2-1/2 (19) Meier,G (2648)-Krasenkow,M (2628) Sestao
2010}) 7. Ne5 {Schwarz macht seine Flügelspielchen, also gehe ich ins Zentrum,
dachte ich mir.} O-O 8. f4 Nd7 9. Nc3 Nf6 10. Bd2 Bd7 11. Rc1 Be8 12. a3 $14 {
Die weisse Stellung ist flexibler und es bleiben Aussichten auf Expansion und
Initiative am Damenflügel.} Bh5 13. Qe1 (13. Qb3 $5 Rb8 $140 14. cxd5 exd5 15.
e4 (15. h3)) 13... Kh8 14. Ne2 (14. cxd5 $5 exd5 15. Na4) 14... a5 15. Ng3 Be8
16. b4 $1 {von Aronian gelobt. Weiss will die Initiative übernehmen und das
Spiel auf den Damenflügel verlagern.} a4 {Strategisch sehr riskant, da
verbleibendes Material am Damenflügel sehr anfällig werden kann.} (16... axb4
17. Bxb4 b6 18. Bxd6 Qxd6 19. Rb1 $14) 17. c5 Be7 18. Nh1 {Solide aber
inkonsequent. Nach diesem Zug, hegte Levon bereits Ambitionen, was mehr
psychologisch motiviert war, als durch die Stellungsbeurteilung. Nach wie vor
steht Weiss besser.} (18. b5 $142 {Hier ist es schwer Schwarz guten Rat zu
geben, denn} cxb5 19. Rb1 b6 20. c6 Bxa3 21. Bb4 Bxb4 22. Qxb4 Kg8 23. h3 {
bedeutet einen Kampf mit dem Rücken zur Wand.} (23. Qxb5 Nhg4 24. Qxb6)) 18...
Ne4 19. Nf2 Bh4 20. g3 Bf6 21. Be2 $1 {Verhindert Bh5 und erhöht die weisse
Flexibilität. Nun kommt nach etwaigem Nxe4 fe4, g4 stark in Betracht.} Nxf2 22.
Rxf2 g5 $2 {Ein grobes Übersehen in schwieriger Stellung. Auch für die besten
Spieler gibt es in schlechten Stellungen keine guten Züge und das führt früher
oder später zu Fehlern... Zu großer Respekt vor meinem bekannten Gegner ließ
mich zulange daran arbeiten alles wasserdicht zu machen, obwohl ich schnell
erkannte, dass ich hier in wohl gewinnbringenden Vorteil kommen kann. Später
sollte sich die verlorene Zeit rächen.} (22... Rg8 23. Rb1) 23. fxg5 $1 Bxg5
24. h4 $1 Bf6 25. e4 Nf7 (25... Bg7 26. Bg5) 26. exf5 Nxe5 27. dxe5 Bxe5 28.
fxe6 Bg6 29. Bd3 Qc7 30. Bxg6 Bd4 $5 {Es blieb Levon nichts Anderes übrig als
im Trüben zu fischen.} (30... hxg6 31. Kg2 $18) 31. Bf7 Qxg3+ 32. Kf1 Rg8 {
Mit wenig verbliebener Restbedenkzeit wollte ich die Dinge einfach halten und
verlor dabei gerechterweise die Übersicht.} 33. Bg5 (33. Rc3 $1 Qg1+ 34. Ke2
Bxf2 35. Qxg1 Bxg1 36. Rf3 $18 {War der "menschlichste" Weg zum Sieg, denn
Weiss behält alle seine Trümpfe und hat die Stellung so sehr vereinfacht dass
nichts mehr schief gehen kann.}) (33. Bxg8 Rxg8 34. Ke2 Qg4+ 35. Kd3 Bxf2 36.
Qe5+ Rg7 37. e7 Qe4+ 38. Qxe4 dxe4+ 39. Ke2 $18 {erforderte schon etwas mehr
Rechenarbeit und Präzision.}) 33... h6 34. Rd1 $4 (34. Bxg8 {gewinnt immer noch
}) 34... Rxg5 35. hxg5 (35. Rxd4 $4 Qg1+ 36. Ke2 Re5+) 35... Qh3+ 36. Ke2 Qe3+
37. Kf1 Qh3+ 38. Ke2 Qe3+ 39. Kf1 {Schade um die vertane Großchance, doch
psychologische Robustheit oder deren Mangel hat nunmal Auswirkungen auf die
Entscheidungen am Brett, und in diesem Bereich musste ich wohl eine Lektion
lernen. Auch die Allerbesten sind verwundbar, aber wenn man sie zappeln lässt,
sind sie auch schnell wieder entwischt... Mir fehlte die Kaltschnäuzigkeit um
die Partie nach 22...g5? schnell zum Sieg zu führen.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 9th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2013.12.03"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ipatov, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2630"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2013.11.26"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Turkey"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "TUR"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 b5 3. Bg2 Bb7 4. O-O e6 5. d3 Be7 6. e4 d6 7. Nd4 a6 8. Nb3 c5
9. e5 Bxg2 10. exf6 Bxf1 11. fxe7 Qxe7 12. Qxf1 Nc6 13. Be3 O-O 14. Nc3 f5 15.
Qg2 Rac8 16. a3 Qf6 17. Rd1 Nd4 18. f4 Rfe8 19. Bxd4 cxd4 20. Na2 Qd8 21. Rf1
Qb6 22. Qf2 e5 23. c3 Qb7 24. cxd4 exf4 25. Nc3 fxg3 26. hxg3 Rf8 27. d5 Rf6
28. Nd4 b4 29. axb4 Qxb4 30. Nc6 Qb7 31. Re1 Kh8 32. Re7 Qb3 33. Rd7 Re8 34.
Nd4 Qb4 35. Ne6 Rg6 36. Rf7 Qg4 37. Ne2 Rf6 38. Rxg7 Qb4 39. Rxh7+ 1-0

[Event "WchT 9th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2013.12.04"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2013.11.26"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Netherlands"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Bg5 Qxd1 12. Rxd1 Nxe4 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Nxe5 Nc5
15. Nd2 Nxb3 16. Nxb3 f6 17. Nd7 Re8 18. Na5 Nf5 19. Nc5 Nd6 20. Nd3 Rb8 21.
Nc6 Rb6 22. Ncxb4 Bb7 23. b3 a5 24. Na2 Be4 25. Nc3 Bg6 26. Nd5 Rc6 27. c4 Kf8
28. Rac1 Nb7 29. Kf1 Rd8 30. N3f4 Bf7 31. Nc3 Rcd6 32. Rxd6 Rxd6 33. Nfd5 c6
34. Ne4 Rd7 35. Ndc3 f5 36. Ng5 Nc5 37. Nxf7 Kxf7 38. Ke2 Nxb3 39. Rb1 Rb7 40.
Ke3 Ke7 41. h4 Kd6 42. Kf4 Kc5 43. Nd1 Kb4 44. Ne3 Kxa4 45. Nc2 Rd7 46. Rb2 Nc5
47. Rb6 Rd6 48. Kxf5 Rf6+ 49. Kg4 Nd3 50. Kg3 Nb4 51. Nd4 Rd6 52. Nf5 Rf6 53.
Nd4 Rd6 54. Nf5 Rd3+ 55. f3 g6 56. Ne7 Rd7 57. Ng8 Rf7 58. Nh6 Re7 0-1

[Event "WchT 9th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2013.12.05"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E91"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2013.11.26"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Ukraine"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "UKR"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5 Na6 7. Nf3 h6 8. Be3
e5 9. O-O c6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Nxe5 Nxe4 12. Nxe4 Bxe5 13. c5 Nc7 14. Nd6 Nd5
15. Bd4 Bxd6 16. cxd6 Qxd6 17. Be3 h5 18. Bf3 Bg4 19. Qd4 Rfd8 20. Bxd5 Qxd5
21. Qa4 c5 22. b3 b6 23. Rfe1 Re8 24. f3 Bd7 25. Qa6 Bc6 26. Rad1 Qe5 27. Qa3
a5 28. Qc1 Rad8 29. Bf2 Rxd1 30. Qxd1 Qf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2013.12.12"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bc5 7. e3 O-O 8.
O-O Be7 9. b3 c6 10. d4 d6 11. Bb2 Bh3 12. Re1 Qc8 13. c5 Re8 14. d5 dxc5 15.
dxc6 bxc6 16. Ne4 Bf5 17. Nxf6+ Bxf6 18. Qc1 c4 19. Bg2 Bd3 20. Rd1 Qa6 21.
Bxc6 Qxc6 22. Rxd3 e4 23. Rc3 Bxc3 24. Qxc3 f6 25. bxc4 Rab8 26. Rc1 Red8 27.
c5 Qa4 28. c6 Rd1+ 29. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 30. Kg2 Qf3+ 31. Kg1 Qd1+ 32. Kg2 Qd5 33. Ba3
Rc8 34. c7 Qd7 35. Qc4+ Kh8 36. Qxe4 Qxc7 37. Qd3 Qc6+ 38. Kg1 Qa4 39. h3 h6
40. g4 a5 41. Qf5 Rd8 42. Be7 Rd1+ 43. Kh2 Qc6 44. Ba3 Rh1+ 45. Kg3 Qc7+ 46. f4
Qc3 47. Kh4 Rd1 48. Bc5 Qd3 49. Qc8+ Qd8 50. Qe6 Qd7 51. Qe4 Qd5 52. Qe8+ Qg8
53. Qe4 Qxa2 54. Bd4 Qg8 55. Qc2 Rg1 56. f5 Kh7 57. e4 Re1 58. Bc3 Qc4 59. Qf2
Qxc3 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2013.12.12"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Bd7 10. Rd1 Kc8 11. Ng5 Be8 12. b3 b6 13. Rd3 Kb7 14. Bb2
Nh4 15. Rad1 Be7 16. Nge4 Ng6 17. Ne2 c5 18. N4g3 c4 19. bxc4 Ba4 20. R1d2 Bg5
21. f4 Bxf4 22. Nxf4 Nxf4 23. Rf3 Ne6 24. Rxf7 Rad8 25. Rd6 Rhe8 26. Nf5 Ka6
27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. Ne3 Rd7 29. Rxd7 Bxd7 30. Kf2 Be8 31. Nd5 c6 32. Ne7 c5 33.
Ke3 Kb7 34. Nd5 g5 35. Bc1 Bg6 36. Kd2 h6 37. Kc3 Be4 38. g3 b5 39. Nf6 b4+ 40.
Kb2 Bf3 41. h4 gxh4 42. gxh4 h5 43. c3 a5 44. cxb4 cxb4 45. a3 Nc5 46. axb4
axb4 47. Kc2 Be2 48. Be3 Kc6 49. Bxc5 Kxc5 50. e6 Kd6 51. Kb3 Kxe6 52. Nd5 Kf5
53. Kxb4 Kg4 54. Nf6+ Kxh4 55. Nxh5 Bxc4 56. Kxc4 Kxh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2703"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2013.12.12"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Nb6 6. d3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. h4
h6 9. Qd2 Kh7 10. Rc1 Nc6 11. Be4 f5 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. f4 Be6 14. h5 gxh5 15.
Rxh5 Nd5 16. Nf3 Kg8 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. Ne5 Qe8 19. Rh3 Bxa2 20. Nxc6 Bd5 21.
Ne5 c6 22. Bd4 a5 23. Kf2 a4 24. Rg1 Kh7 25. g4 c5 26. Bc3 a3 27. bxa3 Rxa3 28.
gxf5 Rxf5 29. e4 Rxc3 30. Rxg7+ Kxg7 31. Qxc3 Rxf4+ 32. Ke3 Rf6 33. exd5 Qc8
34. Rg3+ Kh7 35. Qc4 Qf5 36. Qe4 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2013.12.12"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8.
Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O b6 13. Qc1 Bb7 14. Bc4
Qa4 15. Bb5 Qa2 16. Re1 Rc8 17. Qd1 Qc2 18. Qe2 Nc6 19. e5 Nd8 20. Bd7 Rcb8 21.
h4 Bd5 22. Rbc1 Qa2 23. Ng5 h6 24. Nh3 Ne6 25. Qe3 Rd8 26. Bxe6 Bxe6 27. Nf4
Bc4 28. Bb4 Rd7 29. Qc3 Bd5 30. Re3 a5 31. Ba3 Rad8 32. Qd3 Be6 33. Re2 Rxd4
34. Rxa2 Rxd3 35. Nxe6 fxe6 36. f4 g5 37. hxg5 hxg5 38. Rc6 gxf4 39. Rxe6 b5
40. Bxe7 Re8 41. Rd6 Re3 42. Bf6 a4 43. Rd7 Bxf6 44. exf6 Rf8 45. Rg7+ Kh8 46.
Rg5 Rxf6 47. Rxb5 Ra6 48. Rb4 a3 49. Rxf4 Rb3 50. Rf3 Rxf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2013.12.12"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. O-O Rb8 8. e4
Bg4 9. Be3 a6 10. Qd2 b5 11. cxb5 axb5 12. e5 Ne8 13. e6 fxe6 14. Ng5 Na5 15.
h3 Nc4 16. Qe1 Bf5 17. g4 h6 18. gxf5 hxg5 19. fxg6 Rf6 20. Bxg5 Rxg6 21. h4 d5
22. Qe2 b4 23. Na4 Bxd4 24. Qd3 Rxg5 25. hxg5 c5 26. Rae1 Ng7 27. Qh3 Kf7 28.
b3 Nd2 29. g6+ Ke8 30. Rd1 Nxf1 31. Rxd4 Qd6 32. Rd1 Nf5 33. Bxd5 Nd4 34. Rxd4
cxd4 35. Bxe6 Kd8 36. g7 Kc7 37. Kxf1 d3 38. Qg3 d2 39. Nb2 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.13"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2013.12.12"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bf4 dxc4 6. e3 Nd5 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8.
O-O Nxf4 9. exf4 Bxc3 10. bxc3 O-O 11. Qc2 Nf6 12. Ne5 b6 13. Rfe1 g6 14. Re3
Bb7 15. Rae1 Kg7 16. Rh3 c5 17. Qd2 Bd5 18. Ba6 Qc7 19. c4 Bb7 20. Bxb7 Qxb7
21. dxc5 bxc5 22. Rb3 Qc8 23. Reb1 Qd8 24. Qxd8 Raxd8 25. Rb7 Ne4 26. h3 Rd2
27. Rxa7 Rxf2 28. a4 Rxf4 29. a5 Nd2 30. Ra1 Nxc4 31. Ra4 Nxe5 32. Rxf4 c4 33.
Rf2 Rb8 34. Ra2 Rc8 35. Rb7 c3 36. Rb1 Nd3 37. Rc2 Rc6 38. Rb3 Nf4 39. Ra3 Ra6
40. Kf2 Nd5 41. Ke2 Kf6 42. Rc1 Ke5 43. Kd3 Kd6 44. Rb1 Kc7 45. Rb5 Rc6 46. Ra2
Ra6 47. Rc5+ Kd6 48. Rb5 Kc6 49. Rb8 Kc7 50. Rb3 f5 51. Ra4 Rc6 52. Kc2 Ra6 53.
Rb5 Kc6 54. Rb8 Kc5 55. Kb3 Kd6 56. Rd8+ Ke5 57. Rh8 h5 58. Rg8 Kf6 59. Rc8 Ke5
60. Rg8 Kf6 61. Rb8 Ke5 62. h4 f4 63. Rf8 Rc6 64. Kc2 Ne3+ 65. Kd3 c2 66. Re4+
Kd6 67. Rd8+ Kc7 68. Red4 Nd5 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2013.12.12"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. a3 h6 12. e4 e5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15.
h3 Bd4 16. Ne2 Bb6 17. Ng3 Re8 18. Bf4 Qd7 19. Rad1 Qe6 20. Rfe1 a6 21. e5 Nd5
22. Bf5 Qe7 23. Bc1 Kh8 24. Bg4 Rad8 25. Nf5 Qc5 26. Qd2 Qf8 27. Nd6 Re7 28.
Bf3 Ba8 29. Qc2 Bc7 30. Bxd5 cxd5 31. Be3 Bxd6 32. exd6 Rxd6 33. Bd4 Kg8 34.
Qc3 Rc6 35. Qg3 Rg6 36. Qf4 Re4 37. Qd2 Bc6 38. f3 Rxe1+ 39. Rxe1 Bd7 40. Kh2
Qb8+ 41. Be5 Qd8 42. Qf4 Re6 43. Bc3 Rxe1 44. Bxe1 Be8 45. Bc3 f6 46. Bd4 Bg6
47. Kg1 Kh7 48. h4 Qe7 49. Kf2 b4 50. Qe3 Qb7 51. Qb3 a5 52. axb4 Qxb4 53. Qxb4
axb4 54. b3 Bc2 55. Bc5 Bxb3 56. Ke3 Kg6 57. Bxb4 Kh5 58. Be1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A57"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. a4 b4 5. Nd2 g6 6. e4 d6 7. g3 Bg7 8. Bg2 O-O 9.
Ne2 Nbd7 10. O-O Rb8 11. Rb1 e6 12. dxe6 fxe6 13. b3 Bb7 14. Bb2 Qe7 15. h3 Ne5
16. f4 Nc6 17. Kh2 Nd7 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Nf3 e5 20. f5 Nd4 21. Nexd4 exd4 22.
fxg6 hxg6 23. Nh4 Ne5 24. Qd2 Rbe8 25. Rbe1 Bc8 26. Rf4 Rxf4 27. gxf4 Qxh4 28.
fxe5 dxe5 29. Rf1 Rf8 30. Rxf8 Kxf8 31. Qd3 Qf4+ 32. Kg1 Kg7 33. Kh1 a5 34. Kg1
Kh6 35. Kh1 Kg5 36. Qe2 Qc1+ 37. Kh2 Qe3 38. Qd1 d3 39. Bf3 Qf2+ 40. Bg2 d2 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Yue"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 g6 5. b3 Bg7 6. Bb2 O-O 7. O-O a5 8. d3 Bg4
9. a3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Nbd7 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Nc3 e6 13. d4 Qb6 14. e3 Rfc8 15.
Rb1 h5 16. Be2 Ne4 17. Na4 Qd8 18. Qd3 h4 19. Rbc1 Bf8 20. Nc3 Nxc3 21. Rxc3
Rxc3 22. Qxc3 Rc8 23. Qd3 hxg3 24. hxg3 Bd6 25. Rc1 Rxc1+ 26. Bxc1 Nf6 27. Qc2
Kg7 28. a4 Bb4 29. Kg2 Qd6 30. Bb2 Qc6 31. Qxc6 bxc6 32. f3 Kf8 33. Bd3 Ke7 34.
Kf2 Nd7 35. g4 Kd6 36. g5 c5 37. Ke2 cxd4 38. Bxd4 e5 39. Bb2 Nc5 40. f4 exf4
41. exf4 Nxb3 42. f5 gxf5 43. Bxf5 Nc5 44. Bc2 Ne6 45. Bf6 d4 46. Kd3 Bc3 47.
Kc4 Bd2 48. g6 fxg6 49. Bxg6 Bc3 50. Bf5 Bb4 51. Bh4 Ke5 52. Bd3 Nf4 53. Bg3
Bd2 54. Bb1 Bc3 55. Bc2 Bb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D44"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5
9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Be7 11. exf6 Bxf6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. a4 Bb7 14. axb5 Rh4
15. Bxc4 c5 16. b6 Rxd4 17. Bb5+ Ke7 18. Qe2 axb6 19. O-O Qg5 20. g3 Rd2 21.
Rxa8 Bxa8 22. Qe1 Qf6 23. Qe3 Qf3 24. Qxf3 Bxf3 25. Rb1 Nc6 26. Bxc6 Bxc6 27.
g4 b5 28. b4 cxb4 29. Rxb4 Rd3 30. Ne4 Rd1+ 31. Kg2 f5 32. gxf5 exf5 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A85"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 c6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bd3 f5 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. O-O O-O 8. Ne5
Nbd7 9. f4 Ne4 10. Bd2 Nxe5 11. fxe5 Nxd2 12. Qxd2 Bxe5 13. cxd5 Bc7 14. dxc6
bxc6 15. Rac1 Kh8 16. Ne2 e5 17. Qc2 Qg5 18. Kh1 Bd7 19. Rce1 Rae8 20. Qc1 f4
21. exf4 exf4 22. Ng1 Qd5 23. Nf3 Bd6 24. Qc2 g6 25. Be4 Qb5 26. a4 Qb6 27. Qc1
Kg7 28. d5 cxd5 29. Bxd5 Re3 30. b3 Rf6 31. Qa1 h6 32. Rd1 Qb4 33. Bc4 Bc6 34.
Nd4 Bd7 35. Nc2 Qc5 36. Nxe3 Qxe3 37. Rxd6 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.14"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2730"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. e5 Nd5 7. Bd2 Bxc3 8.
bxc3 O-O 9. c4 Ne7 10. Bd3 Ng6 11. Bxg6 fxg6 12. O-O d5 13. exd6 Qxd6 14. Nb5
Qe7 15. Qe2 Nc6 16. Rfe1 e5 17. Nc3 Be6 18. Be3 Qf7 19. c5 Rad8 20. Ne4 Bc4 21.
Qg4 Qf5 22. h3 Qxg4 23. hxg4 Be6 24. f3 Nb4 25. Re2 Bc4 26. Rf2 Bd5 27. Nd6 b6
28. a3 Na6 29. Rd2 Bc6 30. cxb6 axb6 31. Bxb6 Rb8 32. Be3 Nc7 33. c4 Rb3 34.
Bf2 Ne6 35. a4 Nf4 36. Ne4 Nxg2 37. Bc5 Nh4 38. Bxf8 Nxf3+ 39. Kf2 Nxd2 40.
Nxd2 Rb2 41. Ke3 Kxf8 42. a5 Ke7 43. a6 Kd6 44. Rf1 Ra2 45. Rf7 Ra3+ 46. Ke2
Rxa6 47. Rxg7 Kc5 48. Rxh7 e4 49. Rg7 Ba8 50. Ke3 Ra3+ 51. Kf4 e3 52. Nf3 e2
53. Ne1 Ra1 54. Nd3+ Kxc4 55. Ne5+ Kd5 56. Nd3 Kc4 57. Ne5+ Kc3 58. Rc7+ Kd2
59. Rd7+ Ke1 60. Nd3+ Kf1 61. Kg5 Be4 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.14"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 e6 4. c4 Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Bd5 11. Qc2 Be4 12. Qc4 Bd5 13. Qd3 c5 14. Nc3 Bc6 15.
Rfd1 Qa5 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. d5 exd5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Ng5 Bxg5 20. Qxd5 Nc6 21.
Qxg5 h6 22. Qf5 Rad8 23. e3 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Qxa4 25. Bf3 Qb4 26. Rd6 Qxb2 27.
Be4 g6 28. Qxc5 Ne5 29. f4 Ng4 30. Qc2 Qxc2 31. Bxc2 Nxe3 32. Bb3 Kg7 33. Rb6
Rb8 34. Kf2 Ng4+ 35. Kg2 Nf6 36. Bc4 Nd7 37. Rd6 Nc5 38. g4 b5 39. Bd5 b4 40.
Rc6 Nd3 41. Bb3 Nxf4+ 42. Kg3 Ne2+ 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2721"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c3 c6 4. Bf4 Bf5 5. e3 e6 6. Nbd2 Be7 7. h3 h6 8. Be2
Nbd7 9. O-O O-O 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. Bxe5 a5 12. Qb3 Nd7 13. Bg3 Qb6 14. Qxb6 Nxb6
15. a4 Bg6 16. Rfe1 Nc8 17. Bf3 Nd6 18. e4 Rfe8 19. Re2 Bf8 20. Bf4 Red8 21. h4
Ra6 22. h5 Bh7 23. g3 Rb6 24. Ra2 Rd7 25. Re1 Be7 26. Kg2 Kf8 27. Kg1 Bg8 28.
Kg2 dxe4 29. Nxe4 Nxe4 30. Rxe4 f6 31. Be3 Bd8 32. Rh4 e5 33. Ra1 Rxb2 34. dxe5
fxe5 35. Rhh1 Bb6 36. Bxb6 Rxb6 37. Rhb1 Rxb1 38. Rxb1 Ke7 39. Bg4 Be6 40. Bxe6
Kxe6 41. Kf3 Rf7+ 42. Ke3 Kd5 43. f3 Kc4 44. Rc1 b5 45. Ra1 Kxc3 46. axb5 cxb5
47. Rxa5 Kc4 48. Ke4 b4 49. Ra4 Kb5 50. Ra8 Rb7 51. Kxe5 b3 52. Ra1 b2 53. Rb1
Kc4 54. f4 Kc3 55. f5 Rb4 56. f6 gxf6+ 57. Kxf6 Rg4 58. Rg1 Kc2 59. Rg2+ Kb3
60. Rg1 Ka2 61. Kf5 Rg5+ 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.14"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. c3 O-O 6. Bd3 e5 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Re1
Qe7 9. a4 a5 10. b3 Nh5 11. Nc4 Re8 12. Bf1 Nhf6 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. Ba3 Qe6 15.
Ng5 Qg4 16. Qxg4 Nxg4 17. Rad1 h6 18. Nf3 Bf8 19. Bxf8 Kxf8 20. Na3 c6 21. Nc4
Nc5 22. h3 Nf6 23. Nfxe5 Be6 24. f3 Nxb3 25. Nb6 Rad8 26. Bc4 Bxc4 27. Nexc4
Ke7 28. Rb1 Nc5 29. Nxa5 Nfd7 30. Nac4 Nxb6 31. Rxb6 Rd3 32. Rc1 Red8 33. Kf2
g5 34. Ke2 Kf6 35. a5 h5 36. Rc2 R3d7 37. Rd2 Na4 38. Rb3 Nc5 39. Rxd7 Rxd7 40.
Rb4 Ne6 41. g3 h4 42. e5+ Kg6 43. gxh4 Nf4+ 44. Kf1 gxh4 45. Nd6 Nxh3 46. Rxb7
Rd8 47. Rxf7 Ng5 48. Rf6+ Kh5 49. Nf5 Nxf3 50. Kf2 Ng5 51. Rh6+ Kg4 52. Ne3+
Kh3 53. e6 Re8 54. a6 Nxe6 55. a7 Nc5 56. Nf5 Kg4 57. Nd6 Ra8 58. Rg6+ Kf4 59.
Rg7 h3 60. Kg1 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "156"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Bd6 11. a3 Nbd7 12. Ba5 Qb8 13. b4 e5 14. Nbd2 exd4 15.
Nxd4 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 c5 17. bxc5 Bxc5 18. N2b3 Qb7+ 19. Kg1 Bxd4 20. Nxd4 Rac8
21. Qf5 Nb6 22. Bxb6 Qxb6 23. Rad1 Rc3 24. Rd3 g6 25. Qf3 Rxd3 26. Qxd3 Rc8 27.
Rd1 Kg7 28. Qe3 Qc5 29. Rd3 Qc1+ 30. Qxc1 Rxc1+ 31. Kg2 Ne4 32. Nb3 Rc4 33. Nd2
Nxd2 34. Rxd2 Rc3 35. a4 bxa4 36. Rd6 a5 37. Rd5 Kf6 38. Rxa5 a3 39. e3 Ke6 40.
Kf3 f5 41. h4 Kd6 42. Ke2 Kc6 43. Kd2 Rb3 44. Kc2 Rb2+ 45. Kc3 Rxf2 46. Rxa3
Rf3 47. Kd4 Rxg3 48. Ra6+ Kb7 49. Rf6 Rg4+ 50. Kc5 Rxh4 51. Rf7+ Ka6 52. Rg7
Rh3 53. Kd5 Rxe3 54. Rxh7 Kb5 55. Rb7+ Ka4 56. Rg7 Rg3 57. Kc4 Rg4+ 58. Kd3 Kb5
59. Ke3 Kc5 60. Kf3 Kd6 61. Ra7 Ke5 62. Ra6 g5 63. Ra5+ Kf6 64. Ra6+ Kg7 65.
Ra7+ Kg6 66. Ra6+ Kh5 67. Ra8 Rf4+ 68. Kg3 Rb4 69. Rh8+ Kg6 70. Rg8+ Kh6 71.
Kf3 Rb3+ 72. Kf2 g4 73. Kg2 Kh5 74. Kf2 Kh4 75. Rh8+ Kg5 76. Ra8 Rb2+ 77. Kf1
Kh4 78. Ra3 f4 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.14"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 b6 3. Bg2 Bb7 4. c4 c5 5. b3 g6 6. Bb2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. d4
cxd4 9. Qxd4 d6 10. Nc3 Ne4 11. Qe3 Nxc3 12. Bxc3 Nd7 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. Rad1
Rc8 15. h4 Nf6 16. Qd4 Qc7 17. Bh3 Rcd8 18. Rc1 Qc5 19. Qb2 Kg8 20. Nd4 Qe5 21.
Bg2 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Rc8 23. Rfd1 Rfd8 24. b4 d5 25. c5 bxc5 26. bxc5 Ne4 27. c6
Qf6 28. e3 Rd6 29. f3 Nxg3 30. Kxg3 Qe5+ 31. Kg2 Rdxc6 32. Rxc6 Rxc6 33. Rc1
Rxc1 34. Qxc1 Kg7 35. Nc6 Qf6 36. Qc5 Qxh4 37. Qxe7 Qh5 38. Ne5 Qf5 39. Nd7 h5
40. Qe5+ Qxe5 41. Nxe5 Kf6 42. Nc6 a6 43. Nb4 Ke5 44. Nxa6 d4 45. exd4+ Kxd4
46. a4 Kc4 47. Nb8 Kb4 48. Nc6+ Kxa4 49. Ne5 f6 50. Nxg6 Kb5 51. Nf4 Kc5 52.
Nxh5 f5 53. Ng7 f4 54. Ne6+ Kd5 55. Nxf4+ Ke5 56. Kg3 Kf5 57. Nd3 Kg5 58. f4+
Kf5 59. Kf3 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.15"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Bd7 10. Ne2 Kc8 11. Ng5 Be8 12. Ng3 Nh4 13. Be3 b6 14. f4
Ng6 15. Rae1 c5 16. Bc1 h6 17. Nf3 Ne7 18. f5 Nc6 19. Nh5 f6 20. Nf4 fxe5 21.
Ne6 Bf7 22. Nxe5 Nxe5 23. Rxe5 Bd6 24. Ree1 Rg8 25. f6 g5 26. Ng7 Kb7 27. Nf5
Bf8 28. Ne7 Rh8 29. b3 Re8 30. Bb2 Rh7 31. Re3 c4 32. b4 c3 33. Bxc3 Bxa2 34.
Rfe1 Bc4 35. Re4 b5 36. Re5 a6 37. g4 h5 38. h3 hxg4 39. hxg4 Bxe7 40. Rxe7
Reh8 41. Rxh7 Rxh7 42. Re5 Rh3 43. Bd2 Rg3+ 44. Kf2 Rxg4 45. Bxg5 Rd4 46. Ke3
Rd1 47. Rf5 Rd7 48. Bf4 Be6 49. Re5 Bf7 50. Rc5 c6 51. Be5 Rd5 52. Rxd5 cxd5
53. Kd4 Kc6 54. c3 Be6 55. Bg3 Bf7 56. Ke5 Kd7 57. Bf2 Kc6 58. Bd4 Kd7 59. Kf5
Kd6 60. Bc5+ Kd7 61. Ke5 Kc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.15"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. b4 O-O 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. Bb2 b6 8. O-O
Bb7 9. c4 c5 10. bxc5 bxc5 11. Rb1 dxc4 12. Bxc4 cxd4 13. Bxd4 Nb6 14. Bb3 Rc8
15. Re1 Ne4 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Rb2 Qd6 18. Nxe4 Qxd1 19. Rxd1 Bxe4 20. Rbd2 e6
21. h3 Bd5 22. Nd4 Rc5 23. f3 Rfc8 24. e4 Bxb3 25. axb3 a5 26. Ra1 e5 27. Ne2
Rb5 28. Rd3 Rc2 29. Kf1 Rb2 30. h4 R2xb3 31. Rxb3 Rxb3 32. Rxa5 Nd7 33. Rd5 Rb7
34. Nc3 f6 35. Ra5 Nf8 36. Nd5 Ne6 37. Ra6 Kf7 38. Kf2 h5 39. Kg3 Rd7 40. Kf2
Rb7 41. Ke3 Rb3+ 42. Kf2 Rb7 43. g3 Rb2+ 44. Ke1 Rb7 45. Kd2 f5 46. exf5 gxf5
47. Ne3 Nd4 48. Nc4 Nxf3+ 49. Ke2 Rb3 50. Nd6+ Ke6 51. Ne4+ Ke7 52. Ra7+ Kd8
53. Nf6 Nd4+ 54. Kf2 Rb2+ 55. Ke3 Rb3+ 56. Kf2 Rb2+ 57. Ke3 Rb3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.15"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2721"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. e3 Bf5 7. g4 Be6 8. h4
Nd7 9. g5 h6 10. g6 Ngf6 11. gxf7+ Bxf7 12. Bd3 O-O 13. Qf3 Qb6 14. O-O-O c5
15. Nge2 Rac8 16. Rhg1 Kh8 17. Bc2 cxd4 18. Rxd4 Bc5 19. Na4 Qa5 20. Nxc5 Rxc5
21. Bd6 Qxa2 22. Bxc5 Nxc5 23. Qg3 Rg8 24. Qc7 Qa1+ 25. Kd2 Nfe4+ 26. Bxe4
Qxb2+ 27. Ke1 Nxe4 28. Qxf7 Qb1+ 29. Rd1 Qb4+ 30. Kf1 Nd2+ 31. Rxd2 Qxd2 32.
Ng3 d4 33. e4 d3 34. Kg2 Qb4 35. Rd1 Rd8 36. Qc7 Qf8 37. Qxb7 Qf4 38. Qxa7 Qxh4
39. Qe3 Qg4 40. Rxd3 Rf8 41. Rd5 Kh7 42. Rf5 Re8 43. Qf3 Qg6 44. Rd5 Qc6 45.
Qf5+ Kg8 46. Qd7 Qg6 47. Qf5 Qc6 48. Rc5 Qa4 49. Rc7 Rf8 50. Qe6+ Kh8 51. Rf7
Rg8 52. Qg6 Qd4 53. Rf3 Qe5 54. Qf5 Qe7 55. e5 Re8 56. Re3 Qb7+ 57. Qe4 Qf7 58.
e6 Qf6 59. e7 g6 60. Rf3 Qg7 61. Re3 Qf6 62. Qe5 Kg7 63. Qxf6+ Kxf6 64. Ne4+
Ke5 65. Nc3+ Kd6 66. Rg3 g5 67. Rh3 Rxe7 68. Rxh6+ Ke5 69. Ne2 Rg7 70. Ng3 Rg8
71. Ra6 g4 72. Ra5+ Kf6 73. Ra4 Kg5 74. Nf1 Kh5 75. Ra5+ 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.15"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[PlyCount "192"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Nb6 8.
Ne5 a5 9. f3 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. e4 Bg6 12. Be2 e6 13. O-O Be7 14. Be3 O-O
15. Qb3 Qc7 16. Kh1 Rac8 17. Rfd1 Rfd8 18. Qa2 Qb6 19. Rd3 Qc7 20. Rf1 Kh8 21.
f4 Nf6 22. f5 exf5 23. exf5 Bh5 24. Bxh5 Nxh5 25. Qxf7 Nf6 26. Bf4 Qd7 27. Be5
Rf8 28. Qb3 Ng4 29. Rdf3 Bd6 30. h3 Nxe5 31. dxe5 Bxe5 32. Ne4 Qd5 33. Qc2 Rce8
34. Ng5 Bf6 35. Ne6 Rf7 36. Rd1 Qe5 37. b3 Rfe7 38. g4 h6 39. Kg2 Kh7 40. h4
Kg8 41. g5 hxg5 42. hxg5 Rxe6 43. fxe6 Qxg5+ 44. Rg3 Qe5 45. Qc4 Qxe6 46. Re3
Qxc4 47. Rxe8+ Kf7 48. bxc4 Kxe8 49. Rb1 Kd7 50. Rxb7+ Kd6 51. Ra7 Bc3 52. Kf3
Kc5 53. Ra6 Kxc4 54. Rxc6+ Kb3 55. Ke4 Bb4 56. Kd3 Kxa4 57. Kc4 Ka3 58. Rg6 Kb2
59. Rxg7 Kc2 60. Rg2+ Kd1 61. Kd3 Kc1 62. Re2 Kd1 63. Rc2 Ke1 64. Rb2 Kf1 65.
Ke3 Bc5+ 66. Ke4 Bb4 67. Ra2 Ke1 68. Kd3 Kf1 69. Ke3 Bc3 70. Re2 Bb4 71. Ra2
Bc3 72. Rf2+ Kg1 73. Rc2 Bb4 74. Kf3 a4 75. Rc4 Bd2 76. Rxa4 Bc3 77. Ra2 Bd4
78. Rg2+ Kh1 79. Rd2 Bg1 80. Rd5 Bh2 81. Rh5 Kg1 82. Rg5+ Kh1 83. Kf2 Bb8 84.
Rg1+ Kh2 85. Rg8 Ba7+ 86. Kf3 Bd4 87. Rd8 Bb6 88. Rd6 Bc5 89. Rd2+ Kh1 90. Rd5
Bg1 91. Kg3 Bh2+ 92. Kh3 Bg1 93. Kg3 Bh2+ 94. Kf3 Bg1 95. Rd1 Kh2 96. Rc1 Kh1
1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.15"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. e3
Nd7 9. a3 Bxc3+ 10. Qxc3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 c5 12. Rd1 b6 13. Bb5 a6 14. Bxd7 Bxd7
15. dxc5 Qxc3+ 16. bxc3 Ba4 17. Rd4 b5 18. Ne5 Rfc8 19. Nd7 Ra7 20. Kd2 f6 21.
Rb1 e5 22. Rd6 Kf7 23. Rd5 Rac7 24. e4 a5 25. Nb6 Re8 26. Nxa4 bxa4 27. Rb5 Ra8
28. c4 h5 29. h4 Kg6 30. Kc3 Kh6 31. Rd6 Rac8 32. Rxa5 Rb7 33. Rb5 Rxb5 34.
cxb5 Rxc5+ 35. Kb4 Rc2 36. Kxa4 Rxf2 37. b6 Rxg2 38. Rd3 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.15"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A88"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "155"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. d4 O-O 6. Nf3 d6 7. O-O c6 8. Qc2
Na6 9. Rd1 Bd7 10. b3 Kh8 11. Bb2 Qe8 12. Ba3 h6 13. Rac1 g5 14. e3 Qh5 15. Qe2
Rae8 16. Ne1 Qg6 17. Qc2 Nc7 18. Nf3 Qh5 19. c5 d5 20. Ne5 Bc8 21. h3 Rd8 22.
Bb4 Be6 23. Ba5 Rc8 24. g4 fxg4 25. Ng6+ Kg8 26. Nxe7+ Kf7 27. Nxc8 Rxc8 28.
hxg4 Nxg4 29. Bxc7 Rxc7 30. Qe2 Kg8 31. f3 Qh2+ 32. Kf1 Rf7 33. Ke1 Rf8 34. Kd2
Qg3 35. Rg1 Nh2 36. f4 Qh4 37. Kc2 Bf5+ 38. e4 dxe4 39. Bxe4 Qxf4 40. Bxf5
Qxf5+ 41. Kb2 Nf3 42. Rgf1 Bxd4 43. Rxf3 Qxf3 44. Qc4+ Kh7 45. Qxd4 Rf7 46. Rc2
g4 47. Ne4 g3 48. Rc3 Qe2+ 49. Ka3 Qa6+ 50. Kb2 Qe2+ 51. Rc2 Qf3 52. Rc3 Qe2+
53. Ka3 g2 54. Rg3 Qa6+ 55. Kb4 Qb5+ 56. Kc3 Qf1 57. Kb4 Qb5+ 58. Kc3 Qf1 59.
Kb4 Qb5+ 60. Kc3 Qf1 61. Kb2 Qe2+ 62. Ka3 Qa6+ 63. Kb2 Qe2+ 64. Ka3 Qa6+ 65.
Kb4 Qb5+ 66. Kc3 Qf1 67. Qe3 a5 68. Kb2 a4 69. bxa4 Rd7 70. Ka3 Rf7 71. Kb4
Qb1+ 72. Ka5 Qf1 73. Nd6 Rg7 74. Qe4+ Kh8 75. Qe8+ Kh7 76. Qe4+ Kh8 77. Qe5 Qf8
78. Rxg2 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.15"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Wang, Yue"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. e4 c5 6. Nge2 Nc6 7. O-O d6 8. d3
Rb8 9. h3 a6 10. Be3 b5 11. b3 Ne8 12. Rc1 Nc7 13. f4 Ne6 14. f5 Ned4 15. g4 e6
16. Qd2 Re8 17. Bg5 f6 18. Bh4 b4 19. Nd1 Nxe2+ 20. Qxe2 exf5 21. gxf5 Bxf5 22.
Rxf5 gxf5 23. Ne3 Bh6 24. Rf1 Nd4 25. Qf2 Bxe3 26. Qxe3 Qe7 27. Kh1 Rf8 28.
Qg3+ Kh8 29. exf5 Rbe8 30. Bd5 Qe5 31. Qxe5 Rxe5 32. Be4 Ne2 33. Kg2 a5 34. Kf3
Nd4+ 35. Kg2 Re7 36. Bg3 Rg7 37. Kh2 Rd8 38. Bh4 Rf7 39. Bg3 Kg7 40. Bd5 Re7
41. Be4 Ne2 42. Bh4 Nc3 43. Rg1+ Kf7 44. Bf3 Re2+ 45. Kh1 Re3 46. Bh5+ Kf8 47.
Bxf6 Rxh3+ 48. Kg2 Rxh5 49. Bxd8 Rxf5 50. Bxa5 Rg5+ 51. Kf2 Rxg1 52. Kxg1 Nxa2
53. Kf2 Nc1 54. Ke3 Nxb3 55. Bc7 Ke7 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.15"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. Rc1 c6 7. e3 Nbd7 8. h3
a6 9. Be2 b6 10. O-O Bb7 11. Qb3 c5 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Bh2 b5 14. Ne4 Qb6 15.
dxc5 Nxc5 16. Nxc5 Bxc5 17. Ne5 Rad8 18. Kh1 Be7 19. Bf3 Bf6 20. a4 Qa5 21. Ra1
Ba8 22. axb5 Qxb5 23. Qxb5 axb5 24. Ra5 b4 25. Rfa1 Nb6 26. Bxa8 Rxa8 27. Rxa8
Rxa8 28. Rxa8+ Nxa8 29. Nc4 b3 30. Bd6 Bd8 31. Bc5 f5 32. Kg1 Kf7 33. Kf1 Nc7
34. Bb6 Ke8 35. Nd2 Kd7 36. Nxb3 Bf6 37. Bxc7 Kxc7 38. Nd4 Kd6 39. Ke2 g6 40.
b4 Kd5 41. b5 e5 42. Nb3 Kc4 43. b6 Bd8 44. b7 Bc7 45. Nd2+ Kd5 46. e4+ Kc6 47.
exf5 gxf5 48. Nf3 Kxb7 49. Nh4 f4 50. Kd3 Kc6 51. Ke4 Kd7 52. Kf5 Kc6 53. Nf3
Kd5 54. Ng5 h6 55. Ne6 Bb6 56. f3 Bf2 57. Nf8 Bd4 58. Nd7 Bb2 59. Nf6+ Kd4 60.
Ng4 h5 61. Nxe5 Bc1 62. Ng6 Ke3 63. Nxf4 Kf2 64. Nxh5 Kxg2 65. Kg4 Kf2 66. h4
Ke3 67. Ng7 Kd4 68. Kf5 Kd5 69. Ne6 Kd6 70. Ng5 Ke7 71. h5 Kf8 72. Kg6 Bb2 73.
h6 Ke7 74. h7 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.15"]
[Round "19"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. a3 e6 6. b4 d6 7. bxc5 dxc5 8. Bxc6+
bxc6 9. Qc2 Nf6 10. Nf3 O-O 11. d3 Qe7 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Rc1 e5 15.
O-O Bg4 16. Nd2 Qe7 17. Rb1 f5 18. Rb3 e4 19. dxe4 f4 20. Nf3 g5 21. Rfb1 fxg3
22. hxg3 Qf7 23. Nd1 Rae8 24. Rb7 Qg6 25. Ne3 Bc8 26. Rxa7 Qxe4 27. Qxe4 Rxe4
28. Rb6 Re6 29. Rc7 g4 30. Nh4 Ref6 31. Rbxc6 Be6 32. Re7 Bf7 33. Rcc7 h5 34.
Nhf5 Bh8 35. a4 Kh7 36. a5 Kg6 37. Nh4+ Kh6 38. Nef5+ Kg5 39. a6 Bxc4 40. Rg7+
1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.15"]
[Round "20"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 Nbd7 5. d3 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. h3 O-O 8. Re1
b6 9. Bf1 Bb7 10. Nbd2 Qc7 11. d4 cxd4 12. cxd4 e6 13. b3 Rfd8 14. Ba3 Rac8 15.
Bd3 Qb8 16. Qe2 Ne8 17. Rad1 Ndf6 18. Nf1 Qa8 19. Ng3 Rc7 20. Bb2 a6 21. Nh2 b5
22. f4 d5 23. e5 Ne4 24. Nxe4 dxe4 25. Bb1 b4 26. Ng4 a5 27. Qf2 a4 28. Ne3
Rcd7 29. Nc4 Rc7 30. Nb6 Qa7 31. Nxa4 Bf8 32. Nc5 Rxc5 33. f5 exf5 34. dxc5
Bxc5 35. Rxd8 Bxf2+ 36. Kh2 Bc6 37. Rc1 Qe3 38. e6 fxe6 39. Kh1 Bg3 40. Rc8 Bd7
41. Rd8 Qd2 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.16"]
[Round "21"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Nbd2 d4 11. a4 Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 13. g4 Bg6 14. Nf1 Nd7 15. Ng3
dxc3 16. bxc3 b4 17. Bb2 Rb8 18. Bb3 Na5 19. Bc2 b3 20. Bb1 c5 21. Nf5 Re8 22.
c4 Bxf5 23. exf5 Bf6 24. Re4 Nb7 25. Ra3 Nd6 26. Rxb3 Nxe4 27. dxe4 Nb6 28. Rd3
Qe7 29. a5 Nxc4 30. Bc3 Nb2 31. Bxb2 Rxb2 32. Bc2 Rd8 33. Qc1 Rxd3 34. Bxd3 Rb3
35. Qc4 Ra3 36. Qxa6 h6 37. Kg2 Qd8 38. Bc4 Rxa5 39. Qb7 Qf8 40. h4 Ra3 41. g5
Rxf3 42. Kxf3 hxg5 43. h5 Qe7 44. Qa8+ Qf8 45. Qd5 Qe7 46. Kg4 Qf8 47. f3 Qe7
48. Qc6 Qd8 49. Qb7 Qe7 50. Qc8+ Qf8 51. Qd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.16"]
[Round "22"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2721"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 g6 5. d4 Bg7 6. h3 O-O 7. Bd3 Be6 8. Ng5
Bd7 9. O-O h6 10. Nf3 Be6 11. b3 Nbd7 12. Rb1 a6 13. a4 a5 14. Ba3 Re8 15. cxd5
Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. e4 Be6 18. Re1 Nf6 19. Bc4 Qc8 20. d5 cxd5 21. exd5 Bf5
22. Rc1 Qd8 23. Ne5 Ne4 24. Nxf7 Kxf7 25. g4 Qb6 26. Qe2 Bd4 27. gxf5 gxf5 28.
d6+ e6 29. Qh5+ Kg7 30. Rxe4 fxe4 31. Rd1 Rf8 32. Kh1 Bxf2 33. Bb2+ Kh7 34.
Bxe6 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.16"]
[Round "23"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qa4+ Nc6 8.
e3 O-O 9. Rc1 Qg6 10. Qc2 Qxc2 11. Rxc2 Rd8 12. a3 Bf8 13. Be2 Ne7 14. O-O c6
15. b4 dxc4 16. Bxc4 Nd5 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Bd3 a5 19. Rb1 axb4 20. axb4 Ra3 21.
Ne1 Bd7 22. Rcb2 Rda8 23. Kf1 g6 24. Ke2 b6 25. h3 Kg7 26. Nc2 R3a4 27. Kd2 Be7
28. Ne1 Bh4 29. Ke2 Bf6 30. Rc2 Be7 31. Rcb2 Be8 32. Nc2 h5 33. Ne1 Bf6 34. Rc2
Ra2 35. Kd2 Bd7 36. Rxa2 Rxa2+ 37. Nc2 Bh4 38. f3 Be7 39. Kc3 Ra8 40. e4 dxe4
41. fxe4 h4 42. Bc4 Be8 43. Bb3 c5 44. bxc5 bxc5 45. d5 Bf6+ 46. Kd3 Rb8 47.
Ba2 Rxb1 48. Bxb1 Bb5+ 49. Ke3 Bg5+ 50. Kf3 Kf6 51. Na3 Ba6 52. Ba2 Ke5 53. Bc4
Bc8 54. Nb5 f5 55. exf5 Bxf5 56. d6 Bd7 57. Bd3 Bd8 58. Bc4 g5 59. Ke3 Ba5 60.
Be2 Be1 61. Bd3 Bg3 62. Bc4 Bf4+ 63. Kf2 Ke4 64. Be2 Kd5 65. Nc3+ Kxd6 66. Ne4+
Kc6 67. Bf3 Kb5 68. Nf6 Be6 69. Nd5 Be5 70. Ke3 Bf5 71. Ne7 Bf4+ 72. Kf2 Bd3
73. Nd5 c4 74. Ke1 Kc5 75. Nc3 Kd4 76. Nb5+ Ke3 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.16"]
[Round "24"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E91"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2703"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 c5 3. e3 Bg7 4. d4 cxd4 5. exd4 Nf6 6. d5 O-O 7. Nf3 d6 8. Be2
Bg4 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Be3 Rc8 11. Nd2 Bxe2 12. Qxe2 a6 13. Rfe1 Re8 14. Rac1 e6
15. dxe6 Rxe6 16. Qd1 Ne5 17. Bg5 Nxc4 18. Rxe6 fxe6 19. Qe2 Ne5 20. Nde4 Nf7
21. Re1 d5 22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 23. Bxf6 Qxf6 24. h3 Rc6 25. Nd1 Kg7 26. Ne3 h5 27.
Nf1 Ng5 28. Ng3 Rc4 29. Qd2 Qf4 30. Qe2 h4 31. Nf1 Re4 32. Qd1 Rxe1 33. Qxe1
Ne4 34. Ne3 Qf6 35. Qe2 b5 36. Ng4 Qd4 37. Qc2 Qc4 38. Qd1 Nf6 39. Ne5 Qe4 40.
Nf3 e5 41. Qc1 Qc4 42. Qg5 Qxa2 43. Nxe5 Qb1+ 44. Kh2 Qf5 45. Qe3 Qe6 46. Qa7+
Kh6 47. Qe3+ Kh7 48. Qa7+ Kh6 49. f4 Qf5 50. Nf7+ Kh5 51. Qb8 Nh7 52. Ng5 Kh6
53. Nf3 Qf6 54. Kg1 d4 55. Ne5 Kh5 56. Qc7 Nf8 57. Ng4 Qe6 58. Qc5+ Qf5 59. Qe7
d3 60. Nf6+ Kh6 61. Qxf8# 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.16"]
[Round "25"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Nc3 b5 6. Bb3 d6 7. Ng5 d5 8. Nxd5
Bc5 9. O-O Nd4 10. c3 Nxb3 11. Qxb3 Nxd5 12. Qxd5 Qxd5 13. exd5 O-O 14. d3 Rd8
15. c4 Bf5 16. Ne4 Bd4 17. Re1 c6 18. dxc6 Rac8 19. Rb1 Rxc6 20. b3 Bb6 21. Bb2
Rxd3 22. Bxe5 f6 23. c5 Ba5 24. b4 fxe5 25. bxa5 Bxe4 26. Rxe4 Rxc5 27. h3 Ra3
28. Rb2 Rxa5 29. Rd2 h5 30. g4 hxg4 31. Rxg4 Rc7 32. Rd8+ Kf7 33. Rd2 Ra3 34.
Kg2 Rac3 35. Rd6 R3c6 36. Rd5 Re6 37. a4 bxa4 38. Rxa4 e4 39. Rda5 Rcc6 40.
Rf5+ Kg6 41. Rfa5 Kh6 42. Kf1 Rb6 43. Ke2 Rb2+ 44. Ke3 Rb3+ 45. Ke2 Rbb6 46.
Ke3 g5 47. Ra3 Kh5 48. R5a4 Kh4 49. Rxe4+ Kxh3 50. Kd4+ Kh2 51. Rxe6 Rxe6 52.
Ra5 g4 53. Rg5 Kh3 54. Kd3 Rf6 55. Ke2 Kh4 56. Rg8 Rf3 57. Rh8+ Kg5 58. Rg8+
Kf4 59. Rf8+ Ke4 60. Rg8 Rf4 61. Rg6 a5 62. Ra6 Rf5 63. Re6+ Re5 64. Ra6 Rb5
65. Re6+ Kf4 66. Ra6 Rb2+ 67. Kf1 Ra2 68. Ra8 a4 69. Kg2 a3 70. Ra4+ Kf5 71.
Kg3 Ra1 72. Ra5+ Ke4 73. Kxg4 Kd3 74. f4 a2 75. Kf5 Kc3 76. Ra8 Kb2 77. Rb8+
1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.16"]
[Round "26"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "190"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. c3 O-O 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O e5 8. h3
Nh5 9. Nb3 h6 10. Re1 Qf6 11. Bf1 Rd8 12. d5 Nb8 13. g3 Qe7 14. c4 b6 15. Nh2
a5 16. Nd2 Na6 17. a3 Nc5 18. b3 Bd7 19. Rb1 Rf8 20. Rb2 Qe8 21. b4 Na4 22. Rc2
f5 23. exf5 gxf5 24. Ndf3 Qf7 25. Nh4 Nf6 26. Bd3 e4 27. Be2 axb4 28. axb4 Nh7
29. Bh5 Qf6 30. Ng6 Rfc8 31. Nf4 Ng5 32. h4 Nf7 33. Bxf7+ Qxf7 34. Nf1 Re8 35.
Ne3 Be5 36. Neg2 Kh7 37. Qd2 Rg8 38. Re3 Rg4 39. Ra3 Rag8 40. Rca2 b5 41. cxb5
Nb6 42. Ra7 Bxb5 43. Rc2 Nc4 44. Qd1 R4g7 45. Ne6 Qf6 46. Nxg7 Rxg7 47. Bf4 Bd4
48. Kh2 Bxa7 49. Qc1 Bb6 50. Rxc4 Bxc4 51. Qxc4 Bxf2 52. Qe2 Bb6 53. h5 Bd4 54.
b5 Be5 55. Qf2 Bxf4 56. Nxf4 Rg4 57. Qa7 Rg7 58. Ne6 Re7 59. Qb8 e3 60. Nf8+
Kg7 61. Ne6+ Rxe6 62. dxe6 Qxe6 63. Qxc7+ Kf6 64. Qd8+ Qe7 65. Qh8+ Kg5 66.
Qg8+ Kxh5 67. Qd5 Kg6 68. Qg8+ Kf6 69. Qh8+ Kg6 70. Qg8+ Kf6 71. Qh8+ Ke6 72.
Qc8+ Kd5 73. Qa8+ Kd4 74. Qa1+ Kc5 75. b6 Kxb6 76. Qd4+ Kc6 77. Qa4+ Kd5 78.
Qb5+ Ke4 79. Qc4+ Ke5 80. Qc3+ Kd5 81. Qd3+ Kc5 82. Qc3+ Kb5 83. Qb3+ Kc6 84.
Qa4+ Kc7 85. Qa7+ Kd8 86. Qa8+ Kd7 87. Qa4+ Ke6 88. Kg2 Qb7+ 89. Kh2 Qe4 90.
Qe8+ Kd5 91. Qa8+ Kc4 92. Qa4+ Kc3 93. Qa3+ Kc2 94. Qa2+ Kd1 95. Qb1+ Qxb1 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.16"]
[Round "27"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 O-O 5. g3 d6 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. O-O Rb8 8. Bf4
a6 9. Rc1 h6 10. b3 g5 11. d5 gxf4 12. dxc6 e5 13. cxb7 Bxb7 14. Nh4 Bc8 15. c5
Rb4 16. cxd6 cxd6 17. Qc2 fxg3 18. hxg3 Rxh4 19. gxh4 d5 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Rfd1
Be6 22. Bxd5 Bxd5 23. Qd3 Qxh4 24. Qxd5 Qg4+ 25. Qg2 Qxe2 26. Re1 Qxa2 27. Re3
Kh8 28. Rg3 Qd2 29. Rc6 Rd8 30. Kh2 Qf4 31. Rc4 e4 32. Rxe4 Qd6 33. Qh3 Qf6 34.
Rf3 Qc6 35. Qf5 Rd6 36. Rc4 Qb6 37. Rc8+ Rd8 38. Rxd8+ Qxd8 39. Qxf7 Be5+ 40.
Kh3 Bg7 41. Qe6 Qd1 42. Qe8+ Kh7 43. Qe4+ Kh8 44. Kg2 Qd7 45. Qa8+ Kh7 46. Qe4+
Kh8 47. Rd3 Qc8 48. Rg3 a5 49. Qd5 Qe8 50. Qb7 Be5 51. Qe4 Qb8 52. Rg6 Bg7 53.
Qd5 Qe8 54. Ra6 Qe7 55. Rxa5 Bf8 56. Qe5+ 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.16"]
[Round "28"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2721"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. c3 O-O 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O e5 8. h3
Nh5 9. Nb3 h6 10. Re1 Kh7 11. Bf1 Qe7 12. Bd2 Bd7 13. Rc1 Rae8 14. a4 Qd8 15.
a5 a6 16. d5 Ne7 17. c4 f5 18. exf5 Nxf5 19. Bc3 Nh4 20. Nbd2 Nf4 21. Nxh4 Qxh4
22. Ne4 Bf5 23. Ng3 Qg5 24. Kh2 h5 25. Bd2 h4 26. Ne4 Bxe4 27. Rxe4 Qf5 28. Qe1
Bh6 29. Rc3 Nh5 30. Bxh6 Kxh6 31. Rf3 Qg5 32. Rg4 Qe7 33. Bd3 Rxf3 34. Rxg6+
Kh7 35. Re6+ Rxd3 36. Rxe7+ Rxe7 37. Qe4+ Kg7 38. Qxd3 Rf7 39. Qd1 Kh6 40. Qd2+
Kg6 41. Qc2+ Kg7 42. c5 Nf4 43. cxd6 cxd6 44. Qd1 Ng6 45. Kg1 Kf6 46. Qg4 Re7
47. Kf1 e4 48. b4 Re5 49. g3 hxg3 50. fxg3 Rf5+ 51. Ke2 Rxd5 52. h4 Ne7 53.
Qf4+ Ke6 54. g4 Nc6 55. Qh6+ Ke5 56. Qg7+ Kf4 57. Qf7+ Ke5 58. g5 Rd3 59. Qf6+
Kd5 60. Qf5+ Kd4 61. g6 Re3+ 62. Kd1 Rd3+ 63. Kc1 e3 64. g7 e2 65. Qf2+ Re3 66.
g8=Q e1=Q+ 67. Qxe1 Rxe1+ 68. Kd2 Re5 69. h5 Ne7 70. Qg4+ Re4 71. Qg7+ Kc4 72.
h6 Nc6 73. h7 Rh4 74. h8=Q Rxh8 75. Qxh8 Kxb4 76. Qc3+ Kb5 77. Qb3+ 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.16"]
[Round "29"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. d4 Bf6 11. Re1 d5 12. Ne2 c6 13. c3 Bf5 14. Ng3 Bg6
15. Bd3 Nc7 16. Nf5 Ne6 17. Qg4 c5 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Bc2 Ne4 20. Be3 Qc8 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.16"]
[Round "30"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D47"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2013.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.12.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
Bb7 9. a3 b4 10. Ne4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 bxa3 12. O-O Bd6 13. Nd2 Qc7 14. Nc4 Be7 15.
b4 Ba6 16. Bd3 Bxb4 17. Ne5 Bb5 18. Qc2 Rc8 19. Nxd7 Qxd7 20. Bxa3 Bxa3 21.
Rxa3 Bxd3 22. Rxd3 O-O 23. Ra1 c5 24. dxc5 Rxc5 25. Rxd7 Rxc2 26. g3 Rcc8 27.
Raxa7 Rcd8 28. Re7 Rde8 29. Rec7 Rc8 30. Rcb7 Rb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.17"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E01"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2013.12.17"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 c5 5. cxd5 cxd4 6. dxe6 Bxe6 7. Qxd4 Nc6 8.
Qxd8+ Rxd8 9. Bg2 Bb4+ 10. Bd2 Ne4 11. a3 Be7 12. Nc3 Nxd2 13. Nxd2 O-O 14.
O-O-O Ne5 15. Bxb7 Rb8 16. Be4 Rfc8 17. Kc2 f5 18. Bf3 Bf6 19. Rc1 Kf8 20. Rhe1
a5 21. h3 a4 22. Bg2 h5 23. f4 Nc6 24. Nxa4 h4 25. gxh4 Bxh4 26. Rf1 Nd4+ 27.
Kd3 Rd8 28. Ke3 Nb3 29. Nxb3 Bxb3 30. Nc3 Rb6 31. Bh1 Bf7 32. Rfd1 Re8+ 33. Kf3
Bh5+ 34. Kg2 Bxe2 35. Nxe2 Rxe2+ 36. Kf3 Rbe6 37. Rc8+ Kf7 38. Rc7+ Kf6 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.17"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2013.12.17"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. Bd3 d6 6. O-O Nc6 7. c3 e5 8. h3
a5 9. Re1 Bd7 10. Nf1 Nh5 11. Bc2 h6 12. Ne3 Nf4 13. Nd5 Ne6 14. Be3 Kh7 15.
Qd2 a4 16. Rad1 Na5 17. b3 axb3 18. axb3 exd4 19. cxd4 Nc6 20. b4 Na7 21. Nc3
c6 22. Ra1 d5 23. e5 Nc7 24. Ne2 Nab5 25. Rxa8 Qxa8 26. Ng3 Na3 27. Ra1 Nc4 28.
Qc1 Qd8 29. Bf4 Ne6 30. Nh5 Rh8 31. Bg3 Kg8 32. Bh4 g5 33. Bg3 Kf8 34. Bd3 b5
35. Ra7 Be8 36. Qa1 Rg8 37. Ra8 Qe7 38. Nf6 Bxf6 39. exf6 Qxf6 40. Bxc4 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.17"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2013.12.17"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 c5 5. d5 O-O 6. e4 b5 7. e5 exd5 8. exf6 d4
9. a3 Ba5 10. b4 dxc3 11. bxa5 Re8+ 12. Ne2 Qxf6 13. Qd5 Nc6 14. Qg5 Qe6 15.
Kf2 Nd4 16. Nxd4 Qe1+ 17. Kg1 cxd4 18. Qd5 Bb7 19. Qxd4 bxc4 20. h4 Qe5 21.
Qxe5 Rxe5 22. Kf2 Rxa5 23. Rb1 Bc6 24. Bxc4 d5 25. Bd3 d4 26. h5 h6 27. Rh4 Ra4
28. Rf4 Rd8 29. Rf5 a6 30. Rc5 Bb5 31. Bxb5 axb5 32. Rbxb5 d3 33. Rxc3 d2 34.
Bxd2 Rxd2+ 35. Kg3 Rd8 36. Rb7 Rd5 37. Rc8+ Kh7 38. Rxf7 Rxh5 39. Rcc7 Rg5+ 40.
Kh3 Rxa3 41. g4 Rg6 42. Kh4 Ra1 43. Rf8 Rga6 44. Rff7 Rg6 45. Rb7 h5 46. Rf4
hxg4 47. Rxg4 Rh1+ 48. Kg3 Rg1+ 49. Kf4 Rf6+ 50. Ke3 Rxg4 51. fxg4 Kg6 52. Rb5
Rf1 53. Rc5 Kf6 54. Ke4 Kg6 55. Rf5 Rxf5 56. gxf5+ Kf6 57. Kf4 g6 58. fxg6 Kxg6
1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.17"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2013.12.17"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
Be6 9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. c3 Qd7 12. Re1 Nd8 13. d4 Nf7 14. dxe5 dxe5
15. Qe2 c5 16. c4 Rfd8 17. b3 Qd3 18. Bb2 Qxe2 19. Rxe2 Bd6 20. Rc1 Rab8 21.
Kf1 Kf8 22. Re3 Ng8 23. Ne1 Ne7 24. Nd3 Rdc8 25. cxb5 axb5 26. Nf3 Ng6 27. g3
c4 28. bxc4 bxc4 29. Nb4 Ne7 30. Nd2 Bxb4 31. axb4 Rxb4 32. Ba3 Ra4 33. Rec3
Ke8 34. h4 Kd7 35. f3 h5 36. Kf2 Rca8 37. Bc5 R8a5 38. Nxc4 Ra2+ 39. Ke3 Rxc5
40. Nb6+ Kc6 41. Rxc5+ Kxb6 42. Rc7 Ra3+ 43. Kf2 Ra2+ 44. Ke3 Ra3+ 45. Ke2 Ra2+
46. Kd1 Rf2 47. Rxe7 Rxf3 48. Ke2 Rf6 49. Rf1 Nd8 50. Rxf6 gxf6 51. Rh7 Kc5 52.
Rxh5 Kd4 53. Rh8 Nc6 54. h5 Kxe4 55. h6 Kf5 56. Rg8 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.17"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2013.12.17"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Re1 e5 8. c3
Re8 9. h3 b6 10. a4 a6 11. Nf1 Bb7 12. d5 Bxd5 13. exd5 e4 14. Bb1 exf3 15.
Rxe8+ Qxe8 16. Qxf3 Nc5 17. Bc2 b5 18. Ne3 Nfd7 19. Qe2 bxa4 20. Bxa4 Nxa4 21.
Rxa4 Nc5 22. Ra3 a5 23. Kf1 a4 24. Nc2 Qd7 25. Be3 Re8 26. Kg1 Bh6 27. Qg4 f5
28. Qb4 Bxe3 29. Nxe3 Re4 30. Qb8+ Re8 31. Qb4 Re4 32. Qb8+ Re8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.17"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "2013.12.17"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Bd7 10. Rd1 Kc8 11. g4 Ne7 12. Ng5 Be8 13. f4 h5 14. Kf2
Ng6 15. Nf3 Bc5+ 16. Be3 Bb6 17. Ke2 hxg4 18. hxg4 Rh3 19. Nbd2 Bd7 20. e6 fxe6
21. Rh1 Rg3 22. Rag1 Rxg1 23. Nxg1 Be8 24. Rh7 Nxf4+ 25. Bxf4 Bxg1 26. Rxg7 b6
27. Nf3 Bc5 28. Rxc7+ Kd8 29. Rg7 Kc8 30. Ng5 e5 31. Bxe5 Bd7 32. Ne4 Bf8 33.
Rf7 Bxg4+ 34. Kd3 Bc5 35. Nxc5 bxc5 36. Rc7+ Kd8 37. Rxc6 Kd7 38. Rxc5 Rc8 39.
Ra5 Bf5+ 40. Ke3 Rxc2 41. Bc3 Be6 42. Rxa7+ Kc6 43. Ra6+ Kd7 44. Kd4 Re2 45.
Kc5 Kc7 46. Ra7+ Kc8 47. a4 Re4 48. a5 Rc4+ 49. Kd6 Bg4 50. a6 Kb8 51. Rg7 Bc8
52. Rg8 Ka7 53. Kd5 Kxa6 54. Rf8 Kb5 55. Ke5 Bb7 56. Rb8 Ka6 57. Rd8 Re4+ 58.
Kf5 Rc4 59. Bd4 Kb5 60. Ke5 Rc8 61. Rd6 Re8+ 62. Kf4 Kc4 63. Bc3 Bd5 64. Rd7
Re4+ 65. Kg5 Rg4+ 66. Kf5 Re4 67. Be5 Re3 68. Rc7+ Kb3 69. Rc5 Bc4 70. Kf4 Re2
71. Rc8 Rf2+ 72. Kg3 Rf5 73. Rb8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.18"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2013.12.17"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Rd1+ Ke8 10. Bf4 h6 11. h3 Bc5 12. Nc3 Be6 13. Ne4 Bb6 14. b3
Bd5 15. Re1 Rd8 16. Rad1 Ke7 17. Kf1 Ke6 18. c3 Ne7 19. Ned2 Ng6 20. Bh2 c5 21.
h4 Bc6 22. Ke2 Bb5+ 23. c4 Bc6 24. h5 Ne7 25. g4 g6 26. hxg6 Nxg6 27. Bg3 Ba5
28. Rg1 Bxd2 29. Nxd2 Nxe5 30. Bf4 h5 31. gxh5 Rxh5 32. Be3 b6 33. Rg3 a5 34.
Rdg1 a4 35. Bf4 Rf5 36. Bxe5 Rxe5+ 37. Re3 Rh8 38. Rgg3 Rh1 39. Rxe5+ Kxe5 40.
Re3+ Kf6 41. bxa4 Bxa4 42. Ne4+ Kg7 43. Nc3 Bd7 44. Re7 Be6 45. Rxc7 Bxc4+ 46.
Kd2 Rh2 47. Ke3 Rh3+ 48. f3 Rh6 49. a4 Re6+ 50. Kf4 Kg6 51. a5 Rf6+ 52. Ke3
Re6+ 53. Kf4 Rf6+ 54. Ke3 Rd6 55. axb6 Rd3+ 56. Kf4 Rxc3 57. Rxc5 Rb3 58. Rxc4
Rxb6 59. Rc5 Rf6+ 60. Kg4 Rd6 61. f4 Rd4 62. Rg5+ Kf6 63. Rf5+ Ke6 64. Re5+ Kf6
65. Rf5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.18"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A85"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2013.12.17"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 f5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 d6 4. Nc3 g6 5. Bf4 Bg7 6. e3 O-O 7. Be2 Nc6 8. Bg3
e6 9. O-O h6 10. Rc1 Nh5 11. d5 Nxg3 12. hxg3 Ne7 13. dxe6 Bxe6 14. Qb3 Rb8 15.
Qa3 a6 16. Rfd1 Bf7 17. Nd5 Re8 18. Rc2 c5 19. Nc3 Qc7 20. b3 Red8 21. Ne1 Nc6
22. Qc1 Qa5 23. a3 b5 24. Nd5 bxc4 25. Bxc4 Ne5 26. b4 Qa4 27. Ba2 cxb4 28.
axb4 Kh8 29. Nd3 Bxd5 30. Bxd5 Nxd3 31. Rxd3 Rxb4 32. Rc8 Qe8 33. Rdc3 Rb1 34.
Qxb1 Rxc8 35. Rb3 h5 36. Bb7 Rb8 37. Bxa6 Rxb3 38. Qxb3 Kh7 39. Bc4 Qe7 40. Qd1
Qe5 41. Qb3 Qa1+ 42. Bf1 Kh6 43. Qd3 Qe5 44. Be2 Qa1+ 45. Kh2 Qe1 46. f4 h4 47.
gxh4 Qxh4+ 48. Kg1 Qe1+ 49. Bf1 Bf6 50. Qe2 Qc1 51. g3 d5 52. Kg2 Be7 53. Qd3
Bc5 54. Qxd5 Qxe3 55. Kh3 Qe4 56. Bg2 Qxd5 57. Bxd5 g5 58. g4 fxg4+ 59. Kxg4
gxf4 60. Kxf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.18"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D52"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2013.12.17"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. e3 Qa5 7. Nd2 Bb4 8. Rc1
Bxc3 9. bxc3 O-O 10. Be2 b6 11. Bf4 Re8 12. a4 c5 13. O-O cxd4 14. exd4 e5 15.
dxe5 Nxe5 16. cxd5 Qxd5 17. c4 Qd4 18. Be3 Qh4 19. c5 Bb7 20. Nc4 bxc5 21. Nd6
Red8 22. Rxc5 Rxd6 23. Qb3 Bd5 24. Qc3 Re8 25. Rc8 Rde6 26. Rd1 Neg4 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2013.12.18"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2013.12.17"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bg5 h6 8.
Bh4 c5 9. e3 c4 10. Ne5 Nc6 11. Be2 g5 12. Bg3 Ne4 13. f3 Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 Nxg3
15. hxg3 Kg7 16. Kf2 Ne7 17. g4 Rh8 18. f4 f6 19. Nf3 gxf4 20. exf4 Bxg4 21.
Nh4 Be6 22. Rae1 Qd6 23. Bh5 Bd7 24. Rxe7+ Qxe7 25. Re1 Qxe1+ 26. Kxe1 Be8 27.
Nf5+ Kf8 28. Qe2 Rh7 29. Kf2 a5 30. Qf3 Rd7 31. Bxe8 Rxe8 32. Qh5 Re4 33. Qxh6+
Kf7 34. Kf3 Ke6 35. Qh3 Re1 36. Ne3+ 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 76th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2014.01.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2014.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 {Quite a curious deccision.
This line is known as harmful for decades already. We can only speculate
whether Harikrishna had prepared any surprize in one of the lines, or he
simply wanted to neutralize the jetlag with a simple first round draw.} exd4 6.
cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Nxe4 ({The simplest continuation is} 7... Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9.
exd5 Nxd5 {, see Lukacs' extensive survey in the notes to Van den Doel,E (2599)
-Sokolov,I (2690)/Leeuwarden 2004/CBM 102/[Lukacs] (0-1, 57)}) 8. Bxb4 Nxb4 9.
Bxf7+ Kxf7 10. Qb3+ d5 11. Ne5+ Ke6 {Could Harikrishna have hoped that Aronian
would not know that this extravagant move, in the spirit of some of Steinitz'
games, is the best? Nah...} 12. Qxb4 Qf8 {Going the safe way.} ({For} 12... c5
{there is another Lukacs survey in the notes to Lee,G (2361)-Flear,G (2538)/
Torquay 2002/CBM 091/[Lukacs] (1/2, 75) I would add that 11...Ke6 is known to
be the best at least since the following game lost with white by the then
World Champion:} 13. Qa4 Qb6 14. Nd3 c4 15. Nf4+ Kf5 {Even more Steinitzian
thinking.} ({Unfortunately,} 15... Kf7 {is better.}) 16. Nxd5 Qxd4 17. Ne3+ Kg6
$13 {Lasker,E-Paredes/USA 1906/EXT 1999 (0-1, 32)}) 13. Qxf8 Rxf8 14. Nc3 ({
The old theory had} 14. f3 Nd6 15. Nc3 Nf5 16. O-O-O c6 17. Rhe1 Kd6 $11 {
Rossolimo,N-Addison,W/New York 1965/MCL (1/2, 45)}) 14... c6 15. f3 Nd6 16. Kf2
Nf5 17. Rhe1 Kd6 18. Rad1 g6 19. b4 Bd7 20. Na4 b6 21. Rd2 Rae8 22. Nc3 Re7 23.
Rc1 Be8 24. Ne2 Ng7 25. Re1 Ne6 26. Nc1 Rf4 27. Ne2 Rf5 28. Nc3 Rf4 29. Ne2 Rf5
30. Nc3 Rf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 76th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2014.01.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2014.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. d4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. Bf4 {
This simple development should not be too dangerous for Black; however, in the
present game White manages to create a lot of problems for his opponent.} Bg7
8. e3 O-O 9. Bd3 $5 (9. Be2 cxd4 {(probably the best)} (9... Nc6 10. O-O cxd4
11. cxd4 Qa5 12. Nd2 (12. Qb3 e5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. Bxe5 Qxe5 16.
Bf3 Rb8 17. Rfd1 Be6 $11 {1/2 (60) Dumpor,A (2330)-Pasic,E (2260) Bihac 1999})
12... Bf5 13. Nc4 Qd5 14. Rc1 Rfd8 15. Qb3 Be6 16. Qb2 Rac8 17. Bg3 b5 18. Nd2
a6 19. Bf3 Qd7 20. Nb3 $14 {1-0 (40) Ruck,R (2572)-Goormachtigh,J (2303)
Belgium 2003}) (9... Qa5 10. O-O (10. Qd2 Nc6 11. Rb1 b6 12. O-O cxd4 13. cxd4
Qxd2 14. Nxd2 e5 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Nf3 Bg4 {1/2 (16) Cifuentes Parada,R (2540)
-Ruck,R (2562) Mallorca 2004}) 10... Qxc3 11. Rc1 Qa3 12. Rxc5 Nd7 (12... Qxa2
13. Bc4 Qa3 14. Bxf7+ Kxf7 15. Qc2 Bd7 16. Qc4+ e6 17. d5 $40 {1-0 (40) Von
Herman,U (2381)-Figura,A (2417) Berlin 2009}) 13. Rc2 Nb6 14. Qc1 Qxc1 15.
Rfxc1 Bf5 16. Rc5 Rfc8 17. Nd2 Rxc5 18. Rxc5 Rc8 19. Nb3 Rxc5 20. Nxc5 Nd5 21.
Bb8 Nc3 {1/2 (21) Krivoshey,S (2455)-Palac,M (2605) Metz 2001}) 10. cxd4 Qa5+
11. Qd2 Nc6 {leads to a position from the Grünfeld defence with 4.Bg5 Ne4 5.Bf4
}) 9... Nd7 (9... Nc6 10. O-O Bg4 11. Be4 $36) 10. O-O Qa5 (10... Nb6 {[%cal
Yc8e6] is another possible plan deserving attention.}) 11. Qc2 cxd4 12. cxd4 e5
{A typical break in the centre; however, White keeps an edge due to his
advantage in development.} 13. Bg3 exd4 14. Nxd4 Nb6 (14... Ne5 15. Be4 f5 16.
Rfb1 $1 fxe4 17. Rb5 $16 {(indicated by GM S.Zagrebelny)}) 15. Qc7 Bxd4 {
A risky decision since the weakness of dark squares can be dangerous for Black.
However, there is no other clear way for Black to develop his queenside.} (
15... Be6 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Rac1 $14 {[%csl Re6] ^^}) 16. exd4 Bf5 (16... Be6
$5 17. Qxb7 Rad8 {regains the d4 pawn but after} 18. Be5 $1 f6 19. Bf4 {
[%cal Yf4h6] White keeps a bishop pair in an open position and the better
prospects.}) 17. Bxf5 Qxf5 18. Qxb7 {White has won a pawn but it will be
blockaded and very hard to convert.} Rfd8 19. Rfd1 Rd7 20. Qa6 Qe4 21. Be5 Rf8
22. h3 f6 23. Bg3 Rff7 24. f3 Qf5 25. Rac1 Kg7 26. Kh2 Rfe7 27. Rc5 Nd5 28. Qa5
Qe6 $6 {[%mdl 16384] This unfortunate move allows the activation of White's d1
rook.} (28... Re2 $142) 29. Re1 Qf7 30. Re4 $1 {[%csl Ge4] White will now try
to force ...Re7xe4, say, by means of Rc5-c6 and Bg3-d6.} Ne3 {Black doesn't
want to wait.} 31. Bf2 (31. Qe1 $5 Nf5 32. d5) 31... Nf5 32. Qd2 $2 (32. Qa4 $1
$16) 32... Re6 $2 {[%mdl 64] Both players missed a tactical motif enabling
Black to recapture the pawn:} (32... Rxe4 $1 33. fxe4 Qe7 $3 {[%cal Re7c5,
Re7e4] White must give up one of his central pawns although after} 34. Qc2 $1
Nxd4 35. Qa4 $1 Ne6 36. Rd5 $1 {[%cal Ye4e5] he keeps some advantage.}) 33.
Rxe6 Qxe6 34. d5 Qd6+ 35. Kg1 Rb7 36. Qe1 Ne7 37. Ra5 Nxd5 38. Qd1 Rd7 39. Rxa7
Rxa7 40. Bxa7 {[%mdl 4096]} g5 $2 ({The queen ending after} 40... Qa6 41. Qxd5
Qxa7+ {was a better chance for Black (although White should probably win in a
long term). GM Fabiano Caruana was probably misled by the stereotype "Q+N are
stronger than Q+B" but here White's bishop, supporting his a-pawn, is stronger
than Black's knight as Black can't create any counterplay against the white
king.}) 41. a4 Qa6 42. Bd4 Qc4 43. Qa1 Qc2 44. a5 Nf4 45. Bf2 Ne2+ 46. Kh2 Nf4
47. Qf1 Nd3 48. Bd4 Qd2 49. Bg1 Qf4+ 50. Kh1 Qc4 51. Qa1 (51. Qe2 $142 $1 {
[%cal Re2e7,Ye2e4]}) 51... Qc2 (51... Qa6 52. Qd4 Nf4 53. Qa7+ $18) (51... Qe6
$5 52. Qf1 $5 {, "admitting his mistake", may be a better option} (52. a6 Qe2
53. Bd4 $1 Ne1 (53... Nf4 54. Bxf6+ Kg6 55. Qb2 $1 Qf1+ 56. Kh2 Qxa6 57. Bxg5
$1 $18) 54. Bxf6+ Kg6 55. Qb2 Qxa6 56. Bd4 Qf1+ 57. Kh2 Nxf3+ 58. gxf3 Qxf3 {
, and it is difficult for White to convert his extra piece}) 52... Qc4 $140 53.
Qe2) 52. Be3 h6 53. a6 Qe2 54. Qg1 Qa2 55. a7 Nb4 56. Qd1 Nd5 57. Qd2 Qa1+ 58.
Bg1 (58. Bg1 Nb6 59. Qd6 $18) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 76th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2014.01.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D03"]
[WhiteElo "2691"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2014.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 d5 3. e3 Nbd7 4. Nf3 h6 5. Bf4 g5 6. Bg3 Ne4 7. Nc3 Nxg3 8.
hxg3 g4 9. Nd2 Nf6 10. Qe2 c6 11. e4 dxe4 12. O-O-O Bf5 13. Ndxe4 e6 14. f3 Bg7
15. fxg4 Bxe4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Qxe4 Qd5 18. Qxd5 cxd5 19. Be2 Bf6 20. Rhf1 Be7
21. Bb5+ Kf8 22. Rf3 Kg7 23. Rdf1 Rhf8 24. Be2 Rac8 25. a4 Rc7 26. Rc3 Rxc3 27.
bxc3 Rc8 28. Kb2 Rc6 29. Kb3 Bd6 30. Rf3 Rb6+ 31. Ka2 a6 32. Bd3 Bc7 33. Be2
Rd6 34. Kb3 Rb6+ 35. Ka2 Rc6 36. Kb3 Ba5 37. Re3 Bd8 38. c4 dxc4+ 39. Bxc4 Rb6+
40. Kc3 Rb1 41. Bb3 Rd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 76th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2014.01.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E92"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2014.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. Be3 ({In an
earlier encounter between the same opponents Aronian went for} 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5
Ne7 9. Ne1 Nd7 10. Nd3 f5 11. Bd2 Nf6 12. f3 f4 13. c5 g5 14. cxd6 cxd6 15. Nf2
Ng6 16. Qc2 Rf7 17. Rfc1 Ne8 18. a4 h5 19. Ncd1 Bf8 20. Ra3 a6 21. Qc3 Bd7 ({
In a later game Black came up with} 21... Rg7 22. Qa5 Be7 $5 {and retained
active counterplay even without queens:} 23. h3 Nh8 24. Qxd8 Bxd8 25. a5 Ng6
26. Nc3 b6 27. axb6 Bxb6 28. Na4 Bd4 29. Ba5 Rb7 30. b4 Bd7 31. Kf1 Bb5 $11 {
Bogdanovich,S (2479)-Petrov,A (2393)/Donetsk/2010/}) 22. Qa5 b6 23. Qb4 Rg7 24.
Rac3 Nh4 25. h3 Be7 26. Be1 Qb8 (26... g4 $5 $132) 27. Kf1 Bd8 28. Rb3 Bc7 29.
Qa3 Qd8 30. Rbc3 Bb8 31. b4 Ra7 32. Rc6 $1 $36 {Aronian,L (2781)-Nakamura,H 
(2708)/WChT Bursa/2010/ For more details about this game see the notes in CBM
134 by Ftacnik. Here let it suffice to say Levon didn't want to repeat a
double-edged line, in which Black's kingside play can get very real after a
single slip. And Nakamura certainly knows how to attack, so this time White
strives for a tedious technical postion.}) 7... Ng4 8. Bg5 f6 9. Bh4 g5 ({
Earlier Nakamura essayed the main alternative} 9... Nc6 10. d5 Ne7 11. Nd2 h5 (
11... f5 12. Bxg4 fxg4 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3 c5 15. dxc6 (15. Rb1 g5 16. b4 b6 17.
bxc5 bxc5 18. O-O Rf7 19. Rb3 Ng6 20. Qb1 Bf8 21. Qb2 Nf4 22. Rb1 h5 23. Rb8
Rxb8 24. Qxb8 h4 25. g3 h3 26. Kf1 Nd3 27. Rb3 Nb4 28. Ke2 Nc2 29. Qa8 Nd4+ 30.
Bxd4 exd4 31. Nd1 Qe8 32. Rb8 Rc7 $11 {Topalov,V (2640)-Kaminski,M (2495)/
Polanica Zdroj/1995/ White went on to win a model endgame after Black
inadvertently swapped queens.}) 15... bxc6 16. b4 Be6 17. O-O g5 (17... d5 $5)
18. b5 Qd7 (18... d5 19. exd5 cxd5 20. Bc5 $5 dxc4 21. Nde4 $44) 19. bxc6 Nxc6
20. Nd5 Rab8 21. Nb3 (21. Rb1 $14) 21... a5 22. a4 Rb7 23. c5 Rfb8 24. Ra3 Kh8
25. cxd6 Qxd6 26. Nc5 {Van Wely,L (2672)-Rapport,R (2691)/Wijk aan Zee/2014/}
Rb1 $1 27. Qxb1 Rxb1 28. Rxb1 Bxd5 29. exd5 Nd4 $11) ({The most popular
reaction is} 11... Nh6 12. f3 (12. g4 Nf7 13. Qc2 c5 $13) 12... c5 13. Rb1 g5
14. Bf2 f5 15. b4 b6 16. h3 Ng6 17. g4 fxg4 18. hxg4 Nf4 19. Rh2 Qf6 20. bxc5
bxc5 21. Bg3 Bd7 22. Rb7 Bc8 23. Rb3 Bd7 24. Qb1 Nf7 25. Bd1 h5 $5 $132 {
Topalov,V (2768)-Radjabov,T (2781)/EU-chT Porto Carras/2011/}) 12. h3 Nh6 13.
g4 hxg4 14. hxg4 Nf7 15. Qc2 c5 16. O-O-O {Here the open h-file favours White,
as Black's king is in danger:} a6 17. Rh2 Bd7 18. Rdh1 b5 19. Kb1 Rb8 20. Bg3
Qc8 21. f3 Rb7 22. Ka1 Qc7 23. f4 Rfb8 24. fxe5 dxe5 25. Nd1 Nc8 {Gelfand,B 
(2739)-Nakamura,H (2729)/Amsterdam/2010/} 26. Bf2 $1 $16 {[%csl Rc5] For more
details about this game and the whole subvariation see the notes by Krasenkow
in CBM 138.}) 10. Bg3 Nh6 11. c5 {An important crossroads, where White has
more than one option:} (11. dxe5 dxe5 (11... fxe5 12. h4 $1 g4 13. Nh2 Be6 14.
Nd5 Qd7 15. Ne3 Nc6 16. Nhxg4 Nd4 (16... Nxg4 17. Bxg4 Nd4 18. O-O Kh8 19. Kh2
Bh6 20. Bxe6 Qxe6 21. Nd5 Rf7 22. f4 Rg8 23. f5 Qe8 {Magerramov,E (2430)
-Shirov,A (2380)/Klaipeda/1988/} 24. Bf2 $16) 17. Nh2 Kh8 18. Nf3 Nxe2 (18...
Rae8 19. Ng5 Bg8 20. Bh5 Rb8 21. O-O $16 {Fressinet,L (2667)-Cossin,S (2486)/
Nimes/2009/}) 19. Qxe2 Ng4 20. Rc1 (20. Nd5 $5 $14) 20... Nxe3 21. Qxe3 Bg4 22.
Nh2 Bh5 23. Nf1 Rf6 24. Qd3 Qa4 25. a3 Bh6 26. Ne3 Rg8 27. O-O Rfg6 28. Nf5 $5
Bxc1 29. Rxc1 Re8 30. c5 $44 {Kalinitschew,S (2471)-L'Ami,E (2594)/Bundesliga/
2007/}) 12. Qc2 $5 (12. Qxd8 Rxd8 13. Nd5 Na6 14. Ne7+ $6 (14. O-O-O Be6 $132)
14... Kf7 15. Nxc8 Raxc8 16. Rc1 Nc5 17. Nd2 a5 18. f3 Bf8 19. Bf2 Rd7 20. h4
g4 21. Be3 Rcd8 22. Rc2 gxf3 23. gxf3 b6 24. Rg1 {Roiz,M (2512)-Smirin,I (2683)
/Tel Aviv/2002/} Nd3+ $15 (24... Ng8 $5 {[%cal Yg8e7,Ye7c6]})) 12... c6 13. Nd2
Na6 (13... Be6 14. O-O-O Nd7 15. f3 Qe7 16. Kb1 a6 17. Nb3 b5 18. Bf2 Rfc8 19.
Rd2 Nf7 20. Rhd1 Bf8 21. Bf1 bxc4 22. Na5 Qb4 23. Bxc4 Bxc4 24. Nxc4 Qxc4 25.
Rxd7 $16 {1-0 Wojtaszek,R (2705)-Socko,B (2635)/Warsaw 2011/CBM 145 Extra (50)}
) 14. O-O-O Nc5 15. Nb3 Nxb3+ 16. Qxb3 Qe7 17. f3 Be6 18. Bf2 b5 19. Qc2 a6 20.
Nb1 Rfd8 21. Nd2 $14 {Wojtaszek,R (2704)-Zvara,P (2388)/CZE-chT/2011/}) (11. h3
exd4 (11... Nc6 12. d5 Ne7 13. Nd2 Ng6 14. Bg4 f5 15. exf5 Nxf5 16. Nde4 Nf4
17. Rg1 h6 18. Qd2 h5 19. Bxf5 Bxf5 20. f3 a6 21. O-O-O b5 $132 {Postny,E 
(2631)-Saric,I (2628)/Bastia rpd/2013/}) 12. Nxd4 Nc6 13. O-O (13. h4 Nxd4 (
13... f5 $5 14. hxg5 Bxd4 15. gxh6 fxe4 $132) 14. Qxd4 f5 15. Qd5+ Kh8 16. hxg5
Qxg5 17. Rh5 (17. c5 $5 $36) 17... Qg6 18. Qd2 $6 (18. O-O-O fxe4 19. Rg5 Qf6
20. Rh5 $11) 18... fxe4 19. Nd5 Nf5 20. O-O-O c6 21. Nf4 Qf6 $36 {Postny,E 
(2635)-Smirin,I (2663)/Acre/2013/}) 13... Nxd4 14. Qxd4 f5 15. Qd5+ Kh8 16.
exf5 Nxf5 17. Bh2 Bd7 18. Bg4 Nd4 19. Bxd7 Qxd7 20. Rad1 Rae8 21. Nb5 Nxb5 22.
cxb5 g4 23. h4 b6 24. b3 Qf7 $11 {Gelfand,B (2739)-Radjabov,T (2773)/Wijk aan
Zee/2012/ For details see the notes to this game by Krasenkow in CBM 147.}) (
11. d5 f5 (11... Nd7 12. O-O f5 (12... a5 $5 13. Nd2 Nc5 14. f3 f5 15. exf5
Nxf5 16. Bf2 b6 17. Nde4 Bd7 18. Qd2 h6 19. Ng3 Nd4 20. Rae1 Nxe2+ 21. Qxe2 Qe8
22. b3 Qg6 23. Nb5 Rac8 24. Na7 Ra8 25. Nb5 Rac8 26. Na7 Ra8 {1/2,Peralta,F 
(2602)-Smirin,I (2678)/Barcelona/2011/}) 13. exf5 Nxf5 (13... Nc5 14. Qd2 g4
15. Nh4 a5 16. f3 gxf3 17. Rxf3 Ng4 18. h3 Bh6 19. Qe1 e4 {Kasimdzhanov,R 
(2672)-Cheparinov,I (2696)/Elista/2008/} 20. hxg4 exf3 21. Nxf3 $16) 14. Nd2
Nd4 (14... Nf6 15. Nde4 h6 16. Bd3 $14) 15. Nde4 h6 16. Bg4 b6 17. f3 Nc5 18.
Bxc8 Qxc8 19. Bf2 Qd7 20. Ng3 a5 21. Nce2 Nf5 22. Nxf5 Qxf5 23. Ng3 Qg6 24.
Bxc5 bxc5 25. Qb1 (25. Ne4 g4 $14 {/<=>}) 25... Qxb1 26. Raxb1 e4 $1 27. Nxe4
Bd4+ 28. Kh1 a4 $44 {Wang Yue (2739)-Radjabov,T (2761)/Wijk aan Zee/2009/ For
details see the notes to this game by Radjabov in CBM 129.}) 12. exf5 g4 13.
Nd2 Bxf5 14. Nf1 Nd7 15. Ne3 e4 16. O-O Nc5 17. Rc1 a5 18. Nxg4 Nxg4 19. Bxg4
Qg5 20. Bxf5 Rxf5 21. Qc2 e3 22. Rce1 exf2+ 23. Bxf2 Raf8 24. Ne4 Nxe4 25. Qxe4
Be5 $44 {Roiz,M (2593)-Radjabov,T (2682)/ECC Saint Vincent/2005/}) 11... g4 (
11... f5 $5 {perhaps deserves a closer look:} 12. exf5 (12. dxe5 $5 f4 13. Qd5+
Kh8 14. exd6 fxg3 15. hxg3 $44) 12... g4 13. f6 (13. Bh4 Qe8 14. Qb3+ Kh8 15.
f6 gxf3 16. fxg7+ Kxg7 17. gxf3 Nf5 18. Rg1+ Kh8 19. Nd5 Nxh4 20. Nxc7 Qd8 21.
Nxa8 Nc6 $36) 13... Bxf6 14. Nd2 exd4 15. Nd5 Bg7 (15... Be5 $5 $13) 16. cxd6
cxd6 17. O-O Nc6 18. Re1 Kh8 19. Bf1 Nf5 20. Bf4 Qa5 21. Bc4 Ne5 22. b4 Qd8 $13
{Tunik,G (2427)-Belyakov,B (2349)/Voronezh/2011/}) 12. Nh4 Nc6 13. cxd6 cxd6
14. dxe5 dxe5 {Black's recapture defines the character of the game.} ({
Nakamura spurns the sharper, but less solid} 14... fxe5 15. O-O (15. Bc4+ Kh8
16. Qd2 Nd4 17. Ne2 Nxe2 18. Bxe2 Be6 19. O-O Qe7 20. b3 Rad8 21. Rad1 a6 22.
Bc4 Bc8 23. f4 b5 24. Bd5 Ng8 $14 {/<=>,Onischuk,A (2684)-Inarkiev,E (2676)/
Poikovsky/2009/}) 15... Nd4 (15... Bf6 16. Nf5 Nxf5 17. exf5 $14) 16. Bc4+ Kh8
17. Ne2 (17. Qd2 Ng8 (17... Bd7 18. Ne2 Rc8 19. Rfc1 Rxc4 20. Rxc4 Nxe2+ 21.
Qxe2 Bb5 22. Rd1 Qa5 23. a4 Bxc4 24. Qxc4 $16 {Volkov,S (2623)-Belyakov,B 
(2312)/Voronezh/2012/}) 18. Ne2 Nf6 19. Nxd4 (19. Bd3 $5) 19... Nxe4 20. Qe2 d5
(20... Nxg3 $13) 21. Bxd5 Qxd5 22. Nb5 Nxg3 23. hxg3 Qd7 24. Rfd1 Qe7 25. Rac1
Bd7 {Shulman,Y (2622)-Robson,R (2522)/Saint Louis/2011/} 26. Nd6 $14) 17... Be6
(17... Nxe2+ 18. Qxe2 Bf6 19. Rad1 Bxh4 (19... Qe7 20. Qd2 $16) 20. Bxe5+ dxe5
21. Rxd8 Bxd8 22. Qd2 Kg7 23. Rc1 Bf6 24. Bd5 Rd8 25. Rc7+ $36 {Cornette,M 
(2543)-Sambuev,B (2478)/Montreal/2010/}) 18. Bxe6 Nxe6 19. Qd2 Nf4 20. Rad1 Rc8
21. f3 Qg5 22. Nc3 Rc6 23. Kh1 Ne6 24. Qxg5 Nxg5 25. fxg4 Rxf1+ 26. Rxf1 Nxg4
27. Nf5 Nf6 28. Re1 Ne6 29. Rd1 Ne8 30. Bf2 $14 {Giri,A (2672)-Vachier Lagrave,
M (2723)/Biel/2010/}) 15. Bc4+ (15. O-O Be6 16. Qa4 Qd4 17. Qa3 Rfc8 18. Bb5
Bf8 19. Qa4 Qxa4 20. Bxa4 Nd4 21. f4 Bc4 22. Rfe1 Bc5 23. Kh1 b5 24. Bd1 Bd6
$11 {1/2,Halkias,S (2406)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2603)/WChJ Yerevan/1999/}) 15... Kh8
16. Qxd8 {The queen swap is natural to contain Black's piece activity.} (16.
O-O Nd4 17. Rc1 (17. Ne2 f5 18. Nxd4 exd4 $132) 17... Bd7 18. Ne2 f5 19. exf5
Nhxf5 20. Nxf5 Bxf5 21. Nc3 $6 (21. Nxd4 exd4 22. Bd3 $11) 21... Rc8 22. Ne2 h5
23. Nxd4 exd4 24. Qd2 d3 {Halkias,S (2593)-Jones,G (2635)/EU-chT Porto Carras/
2011/} 25. Rfe1 $132 {[%cal Yg3e5]}) 16... Rxd8 17. O-O Nd4 ({In postal play
Black relied upon} 17... Bd7 18. f4 (18. Rad1 $5 Bf8 19. f4 {could be slightly
better, but still requires testing.}) 18... Nd4 19. Bd5 (19. fxe5 fxe5 20. Rae1
Rf8 21. Rxf8+ Rxf8 22. Ne2 Rc8 23. b3 Nxe2+ 24. Rxe2 b5 25. Bd3 Bf6 26. Nf5
Nxf5 27. exf5 Rc3 28. Be4 Kg7 29. Rd2 {1/2,Holroyd,K-Cloodt,H (2159)/corr/2010/
} Bc6 30. Bxc6 Rxc6 31. Rd7+ Kh6 32. Rxa7 Kg5 $44) 19... Rac8 20. Rf2 b5 21.
Rd2 Ng8 22. Bxg8 Kxg8 23. Nd5 Rc2 24. Rxc2 Nxc2 25. Rf1 Be6 26. Nf5 Bxf5 27.
Ne7+ Kf7 28. Nxf5 exf4 29. Bxf4 Nd4 $11 {Soltau,A (2581)-Benlloch Guirau,A 
(2472)/corr/2009/}) 18. Rad1 (18. f4 gxf3 19. Nxf3 Nxf3+ $2 (19... Ng4 $142 $1
20. Nd5 Be6 21. Nxd4 exd4 22. Bb3 Ne3 23. Nxe3 Bxb3 24. Nf5 Bc2 25. Bh4 Rd7 $1
(25... Rf8 26. Nxd4 Bxe4 27. Nf5 Rae8 28. Rae1 Bd3 29. Rf3 Bc2 30. Rxe8 Rxe8
31. Nxg7 Kxg7 32. Bxf6+ $14 {Peralta,F (2595)-Aloma Vidal,R (2435)/Sabadell/
2010/}) 26. Nxg7 Kxg7 27. Bxf6+ Kg6 $132 {Roiz}) 20. Rxf3 (20. gxf3 $14) 20...
f5 21. exf5 Nxf5 22. Raf1 Nd6 23. Bb3 Bg4 24. Rf6 b5 {Roiz,M (2659)-Socko,B 
(2643)/AUT-chT/2009/} 25. Bxe5 Nc4 26. Bxc4 bxc4 27. Nd5 $18 {For details see
the notes to this game by Roiz in CBM 134.}) 18... Be6 {Generally speaking,
exchanging the light-squared bishops strategically favours White, as his
remaining bishop will be better, than Black's. However, the Bc4 is a strong
piece and leaving it alive also causes Black problems:} (18... Bd7 19. f4 Rac8
20. Bd3 Nf7 21. fxe5 Nxe5 22. Bb1 Be6 23. Bf2 Nec6 24. Nf5 Nxf5 25. exf5 Bc4
26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27. Rd1 Rxd1+ 28. Nxd1 h5 29. b3 Bf7 30. Be4 a6 31. Nc3 Bf8 32.
Nd5 Kg7 33. Nc7 Nb4 34. a3 Nc6 35. b4 $14 {Onischuk,A (2670)-Smirin,I (2668)/
WChT Bursa/2010/}) 19. Bxe6 Nxe6 20. f3 gxf3 $146 {[%mdl 8] Logical.} ({
Black's activity was only temporary after} 20... Nd4 21. Bf2 Rac8 22. Be3 gxf3
23. Nxf3 Ng4 (23... Nc6 $142 $14) 24. Bxd4 exd4 25. Rxd4 Bf8 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27.
h3 Ne3 28. Re1 Nc2 29. Re2 Nd4 30. Nxd4 Rxd4 31. Kf1 Bb4 32. Nd5 Rd1+ 33. Kf2
Bc5+ 34. Kf3 $16 {Smirnov,P (2580)-Yuffa,D (2378)/St Petersburg/2011/}) 21.
gxf3 (21. Nxf3 $5 $14 {[%cal Yg3h4,Yc3d5]}) 21... Rxd1 {[%mdl 4096] Swapping
rooks limits Black's chances for active counterplay, in the resulting endgame
White has a small, but long-lasting edge. There are only 2 possible results of
the game and to achieve a draw, Black must defend accurately.} (21... Nd4 $142
$5 22. f4 (22. Kg2 f5 $11) 22... Ng4 $132) 22. Rxd1 Rd8 23. Rxd8+ Nxd8 24. Bf2
$14 a6 25. Kf1 (25. Nd5 {White first centralises his king. An attempt to keep
Black's king and bishop passive is} Kg8 26. Bc5 Kf7 27. Kf2 {, but after} Ne6 {
[%cal Yg7f8] White's pull begins to evaporate.}) 25... Kg8 (25... Bf8 $5 26.
Nd5 Kg7 27. Ke2 Kf7 28. Kd3 Ke6 $14) 26. Ke2 Kf7 27. Be3 $5 {Toys with the
Bxh6 idea, if Black moves his knight, then White has Nf5.} Ke6 (27... Bf8 $5
28. Bxh6 (28. Na4 Ng8 29. Nf5 Ne7 $11) 28... Bxh6 {loses a tempo, but a B:N
endgame should be tenable for Black. Although he has an inferior minor piece,
the bishop is still sufficient and his only weakness is f6. In an endgame like
this it's important to realise which pieces the active side and the defender
can exchange to achieve their aims. White will have to swap something to get
chances to penetrate with his king, but on the other hand premature exchanges
ease the defensive task.}) 28. Na4 ({Aronian agrees - the time is not yet ripe
for} 28. Bxh6 Bxh6) 28... Bf8 $2 {A serious inaccuracy, as now Black's king
will be forced back.} (28... Kd7 $1 $14 {/\} 29. Bxh6 Bxh6 30. Nc5+ Kc6) 29.
Bxh6 $1 Bxh6 30. Nc5+ Kf7 $8 (30... Kd6 31. Nxb7+ Nxb7 32. Nf5+ Kc5 33. Nxh6
$16 {/+- Converting the healthy extra pawn should be a matter of technique.})
31. Kd3 $16 {[%cal Yd3c4,Yc4d5]} Bf4 (31... Bf8 32. Kc4 $16) (31... Nc6 32.
Nxb7 Nb4+ 33. Kc4 Nxa2 34. Nc5 a5 35. Nb3 $16 {[%csl Ra5]}) 32. h3 Bg5 (32...
Bc1 33. b3 Ba3 34. Kc4 h5 (34... Kg7 {[%cal Yg7h6,Yh6g5]} 35. Nf5+ Kg6 36. b4 {
[%cal Rc5d3,Rc4b3]} Nc6 37. Nd3 a5 38. b5 Na7 39. b6 Nc6 40. Nc5 Nd8 41. Nd6
Bxc5 42. Kxc5 Kg5 43. Kb5 Kh4 44. Kxa5 Kxh3 45. a4 Kg2 46. Kb5 h5 47. Nxb7 Nxb7
48. a5 h4 49. a6 Nd6+ 50. Kc6 h3 51. a7 h2 52. Kxd6 h1=Q 53. b7 $1 $18) 35. b4
(35. Nf5 Bxc5 36. Kxc5 Kg6 37. Kb6 (37. h4 Ne6+ {/\} 38. Kb6 Nd4 $132) 37...
Kg5 38. Kc7 Ne6+ 39. Kxb7 Kf4 40. Kxa6 Kxf3 41. Nd6 Kg3 42. Kb6 Nd4 $1 43. b4
Kxh3 44. a4 Kg2 45. a5 h4 46. a6 h3 47. a7 h2 48. a8=Q h1=Q $14) 35... Nc6 36.
Nxb7 (36. Nd3 Nd4) 36... Bxb4 37. Nd8+ $5 Nxd8 38. Kxb4 $16) 33. Nf5 Ne6 $6 {
A desperate counter-attack, but also after} (33... Kg6 34. a4 $16 {Black is in
serious trouble.}) 34. Nxe6 $2 {This is too academic, as it leads to a tenable
endgame of the aforementioned type.} ({Calculation was necessary - White could
have called Black's bluff with} 34. Nxb7 $1 Nf4+ 35. Kc4 Nxh3 36. b4 Nf4 (36...
Ng1 37. Nc5 Nxf3 38. Nxa6 {[%csl Ga2,Gb4]} h5 39. b5 Nd4 40. b6 Nxf5 41. exf5
e4 42. Nc5 h4 43. Nxe4 $18) 37. a4 h5 (37... Ng2 38. a5 $5 Ne3+ 39. Kd3 Nxf5
40. exf5 $18 {[%cal Rb4b5]}) 38. b5 (38. a5 $5 h4 39. b5 h3 (39... axb5+ 40.
Kxb5 h3 41. a6 Ne6 (41... h2 42. a7 $1 h1=Q (42... Ne6 43. Nd8+ $1 Nxd8 44.
a8=Q h1=Q 45. Qa7+ $18) 43. a8=Q $40 Qb1+ 44. Kc6 Qc2+ 45. Kd7 $18)) 40. bxa6
h2 41. Ng3 Ne6 42. Nd8+ $1 Nxd8 43. a7 $18) 38... axb5+ 39. axb5 Ne6 40. b6 Ke8
41. Nc5 Nd8 (41... Nxc5 42. Kxc5 Kd7 43. Kb5 Kc8 44. Ka6 Kb8 45. Ne7 $18) 42.
Ng7+ $18) 34... Kxe6 35. Kc4 b6 (35... Bc1 36. b3 (36. Kc5 Bxb2 37. Kb6 Kf7 38.
Kxb7 a5 $11 {is similar}) 36... Ba3 37. b4 Bb2 38. Kc5 Ba3 39. Kb6 Bxb4 40.
Kxb7 a5 41. Kc6 Kf7 $1 42. Ne3 Be1 43. Nd5 Kg6 44. Kd7 Kf7 $1 $11) 36. a4 Bd2
37. b3 h5 $6 {[%csl Rh5] Why weaken the pawn?} (37... Bc1 38. b4 Bd2 {should
be a draw.}) 38. b4 ({Of course White doesn't fall for} 38. Ng7+ Kf7 39. Nxh5
Be1 $17 {[%csl Rh5][%cal Rf7g6] , but the Ng7 manoeuvre is now a constant
threat, which limits Black's options.}) 38... a5 $1 (38... Bc1 $2 39. b5 a5 40.
Ng7+ Kf7 41. Nxh5 $18) (38... Be1 {gives White some extra chances after} 39.
Ne3 a5 40. Nd5 (40. bxa5 bxa5 41. Kb5 Kf7 42. Nc4 Kg6 43. Ne3 $11 (43. Nxa5 $2
Kg5 $36 {[%cal Rg5f4,Rg5h4]})) 40... Kf7 $5 (40... axb4 41. Nxb6 $18) (40...
Bxb4 41. Nxb4 axb4 42. Kxb4 Kd6 43. Kb5 Kc7 44. Ka6 Kc6 (44... h4 45. Ka7 Kc6
46. Kb8 $18) 45. h4 Kc5 46. Kb7 $18 b5 47. axb5 Kxb5 48. Kc7 Kc5 49. Kd7 Kd4
50. Ke6 Ke3 51. Kxf6 Kf4 52. Ke6 Kxf3 53. Kxe5 Kg4 54. Kf6 Kxh4 55. e5 Kg3 56.
e6 h4 57. e7 h3 58. e8=Q h2 59. Qe4 $18) 41. b5 $1 (41. Kb5 Kg6 $132) 41... Bf2
42. f4 $1 Kg6 (42... exf4 $2 43. Nxf4 h4 44. Kd5 $18) 43. f5+ Kf7 $14 (43...
Kg5 $2 44. Kd3 Bg1 45. Ke2 Bd4 46. Kf3 Bg1 47. Kg3 {[%cal Gh3h4]} h4+ $8 48.
Kg2 Bc5 49. Kf3 Bd4 50. Nc7 Bg1 51. Ne6+ Kh5 52. Ke2 $18 {[%csl Gb6,Gf6][%cal
Ge2c4,Gc4d5,Gd5c6]})) 39. bxa5 (39. b5 Be1 $11) 39... bxa5 40. Kb5 Kd7 $2 $138
{The final move to reach the time control is a decisive error.} ({As already
the above notes (to move 35 and 38) indicate. Black must keep his king with
striking distance of White's kingside.} 40... Kf7 41. Kc6 (41. Nd6+ Kg6 42. Nc4
Be1 43. Nxa5 $2 Kg5 {is dangerous for White; we have already mentioned this
line above.}) 41... Kg6 42. h4 Kf7 $11) 41. Ng7 $18 {Now Black can't trap the
knight anymore, so he must move forward his Ph5.} (41. Ng3 $18) 41... h4 {
[%csl Rh4]} 42. Nf5 {Now the nimble knight waltzes to the queenside, while
Black's king is too far away to create any counterplay.} Be1 43. Ne3 Ke6 44.
Nc4 (44. Nc4 {Nakamura was already not interested in} Kf7 (44... f5 45. Nxa5
fxe4 46. fxe4 Kf6 47. Nc4 Kg5 48. Nxe5 $18 {[%cal Re5d3]}) 45. Nxa5 Kg6 46. Nc6
(46. Nb7 Kg5 47. Nc5 $18) 46... Kg5 47. Nb4 Kf4 48. Nd3+ Kg3 49. Nxe1 Kxh3 50.
a5 Kg3 51. a6 h3 52. a7 h2 53. a8=Q h1=Q 54. Qg8+ Kf2 55. Qa2+ Ke3 56. Qb3+ Kf2
57. Qc2+ Kg3 58. Qe2 $18 {- White holds on to his Pf3 and gradually converts
the extra piece.}) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 76th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2014.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2718"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2014.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. dxe5 {Naiditsch
deserves full credit for his willingness to fight against the Berlin Defence
with something more colourful than the pale line 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5.} Nxb5 7. a4
Nbd4 8. Nxd4 d6 9. exd6 {The immediate exchange of the knights on c6 creates
conditions for the speedy mobilisation of the black bishops. White players
have been unable to prove any advantage in tournament praxis.} (9. Nxc6 bxc6
10. Qf3 (10. Qh5 Be7 11. Rd1 O-O 12. Ra3 Qd7 13. Rc3 c5 14. b3 Qg4 15. Qxg4
Bxg4 16. f3 Be6 17. Ba3 Rfd8 18. Kf2 Rab8 19. Ke2 $11 {0-1 (33) Polzin,R (2514)
-Sargissian,G (2610) Germany 2006}) 10... dxe5 11. Qxc6+ (11. Rd1 Bd7 12. Qg3
Qf6 13. f4 Bc5+ 14. Kh1 e4 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 Qe7 17. Rd4 f5 18. Nd2 Be6 19.
Nf1 O-O 20. Qc3 c5 $15 {1/2 (46) Fernandez Cardoso,A (2463)-Quesada Perez,Y 
(2486) Santa Clara 2014}) 11... Bd7 12. Qe4 Bd6 13. f4 O-O 14. fxe5 Qe7 15. Bf4
Rab8 16. Kh1 (16. Nd2 Bc5+ 17. Kh1 Rb4 18. Qd3 Rxa4 19. Rxa4 Bxa4 20. Ne4 $16 {
1-0 (30) Guseinov,G (2573)-Pashikian,A (2461) Iran 2005}) 16... Bc5 17. b3 Rb4
18. Qe1 Bf5 19. Nc3 Qe6 20. Rc1 Rd8 21. Be3 Qxe5 $11 {1-0 (35) Petrosian,T 
(2599)-Minasian,A (2510) Yerevan 2005}) 9... Bxd6 {A true contribution by
Aronian, who is obliged to look in any line for playable positions. Black is
coming close to equality even after exchange of the knight on d4, but in that
case the first player has firm control of the initiative.} (9... Nxd4 10. Qxd4
Qxd6 11. Qe4+ (11. Qe3+ Be6 12. Nc3 a6 13. Rd1 Qc5 (13... Qc6 14. Rd3 Be7 15.
Nb5 O-O 16. Nd4 Qd5 17. Nxe6 Qxe6 18. Qxe6 fxe6 19. Be3 Bf6 20. c3 Rfd8 21.
Rad1 Rxd3 22. Rxd3 Rd8 23. Rxd8+ Bxd8 $11 {1/2 (35) Jones,G (2635)-Fressinet,L
(2693) Plovdiv 2012}) 14. Qf4 Rc8 15. Be3 Qc6 16. Qg3 f6 17. Ne2 Bd6 18. Bf4
Bxf4 19. Qxf4 O-O 20. Nd4 Qd7 21. Nxe6 Qxe6 $11 {1/2 (34) Filippov,A (2630)
-Romanov,E (2651) Tromsoe 2013}) 11... Qe6 12. Qd4 (12. Qf3 Bd6 13. Bf4 O-O 14.
Bxd6 Qxd6 15. Nc3 c6 16. Rad1 Qg6 17. Rd2 Bf5 18. Qd1 Rfe8 19. Ne2 Qg5 20. Ng3
Rad8 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 $11 {1/2 (47) Plat,V (2470)-Babula,V (2584) Brno 2013})
12... Qd6 13. Qe4+ Qe6 14. Qd4 {1/2 (14) Carlsson,P (2433)-Khenkin,I (2602)
Malmo 2006}) 10. Re1+ Be7 (10... Ne7 11. Nb5 Be6 12. N1c3 O-O 13. Nxd6 cxd6 14.
Bf4 Nf5 15. a5 Qd7 16. Ne4 Qc6 17. Qd3 h6 18. a6 d5 19. axb7 Qxb7 20. Nd6 Nxd6
21. Bxd6 Rfe8 22. Be5 $14 {1/2 (30) Huebner,R (2581)-Karpov,A (2616) Potsdam
2012}) 11. Nxc6 {Creating damage to the pawn structure is certainly bit more
ambitious than playing on in the symmetrical position without a bishop pair.} (
11. Bg5 f6 12. Be3 Nxd4 (12... Ne5 13. Qh5+ g6 14. Qe2 O-O 15. Nc3 Bg4 16. f3
Bd7 17. Rad1 Rf7 18. Bf4 Bd6 19. Ncb5 Qf8 20. Nxd6 Qxd6 21. Bxe5 fxe5 22. Nb5
Qb6+ 23. Qe3 $11 {1/2 (52) Burg,T (2479)-Georgiev,K (2636) Benasque 2013}) 13.
Bxd4 O-O 14. Qd3 Kh8 15. Qc4 Bf5 16. Bc5 Re8 17. Na3 {1/2 (17) Gopal,G (2611)
-Pashikian,A (2630) Martuni 2010}) 11... Qxd1 12. Rxd1 bxc6 13. Be3 (13. Bf4
Bf5 14. Na3 Rc8 15. Re1 Be6 16. Re4 g5 17. Be5 Rg8 18. b3 Rg6 19. Nc4 f5 20.
Re2 Bxc4 21. bxc4 Re6 22. Kf1 Kf7 23. Re3 {1/2 (23) Njili,K (2390)-Petkov,V 
(2567) Bejaia 2012}) 13... Bf5 14. Re1 O-O-O 15. Na3 Rhe8 16. Bxa7 Bxa3 {
Aronian has centralised all his pieces and thus could have even played on
without a pawn. The risk involved would have been a bit higher and thus the
transfer to the equal ending with opposite coloured bishops.} (16... Bf6 17. c3
Rxe1+ 18. Rxe1 Kb7 19. Bc5 Rd5 20. Bf8 Be6 $11) 17. Rxe8 Rxe8 18. bxa3 Re4 {
[%mdl 4096] A very subtle indication, that Black is a true master of the game.
Elimination of the c-pawn would not enable him to dream about complicating
matters and getting a position with chances.} (18... Bxc2 19. a5 Kb7 20. Bd4 g6
21. f3 $11) 19. c3 (19. a5 Ra4 20. Bc5 Rxa5 21. Bb4 Rd5 $11) 19... Rxa4 20. Bd4
g6 (20... f6 21. Bc5 Rc4 22. Bf8 g6 23. f3 Rxc3 24. Bg7 $11) 21. f3 Kd7 22. Kf2
Kd6 23. h3 c5 24. Bf6 Kd5 25. g4 Be6 {Black continues to combine safety with
the ambition to keep the chances for fighting alive. Naiditsch would have an
easy task after seemingly more active 25...Bd3.} (25... Bd3 26. Rd1 Kc4 27. Re1
Ra6 28. g5 Bf5 29. Re7 Be6 30. Rxc7 Rxa3 31. Rxc5+ Kxc5 32. Be7+ Kc4 33. Bxa3
$11) 26. Kg3 Kc4 27. Kh4 Bd5 28. f4 Ra6 29. Bg7 Re6 (29... f6 30. g5 f5 31. a4
Be4 32. Be5 $11) 30. a4 f6 31. a5 {White is definitely still staying in his
comfort zone, but he might have also considered advance of the f-pawn with
more simplifications.} (31. f5 gxf5 32. gxf5 Ra6 33. Ra3 Kd3 34. Bf8 Be4 35.
Bxc5 Kc4 36. Bf2 Bxf5 37. a5 $11) 31... g5+ $1 32. Kh5 (32. fxg5 fxg5+ 33. Kh5
Rg6 34. Bh6 Kxc3 35. Bxg5 Kb2 36. Rd1 Be4 37. Bf4 $11) 32... gxf4 {Aronian's
creative efforts have lead to the position, in which the tension is still
suprisingly high.} (32... Re3 33. h4 gxf4 34. Ra4+ Kxc3 35. Rxf4 Kb3 36. a6 c4
37. Rf5 $11) 33. Ra4+ Kxc3 34. Rxf4 Kb3 35. Rxf6 (35. Rf5 $1 c6 36. a6 Re7 37.
Bxf6 Ra7 38. Re5 Rxa6 39. Kh6 Ra7 40. Re3+ Kb4 41. h4 $11) 35... Re3 36. h4 {
If White had known more about the future outcome of this game he might have
started thinking about his own safety with 36.a6.} (36. a6 Rxh3+ 37. Kg5 c4 38.
Rf1 c3 39. Rb1+ Kc4 40. Rc1 $11) 36... c4 37. Rf5 Rd3 38. a6 c3 39. a7 c2 40.
Bh6 Bc6 41. Bg5 Rd6 42. Re5 (42. Bc1 Rd1 43. Be3 Ra1 44. Rc5 Be8+ 45. Kg5 c6
46. h5 Rxa7 47. Rxc2 $11) 42... Ba8 43. Rc5 c6 44. Rf5 $2 {The unbalanced
character of the pawns on the board makes it complicated for both players to
find onjectively best solutions. Naiditsch will deliver two inaccurate moves
and it will push the scales in his opponent's favour.} (44. Be3 $1 Rd3 45. Bg5
$11) 44... Rd7 (44... Kb2 45. Rf3 Rd5 46. Rf5 Rd7 47. Kh6 (47. Ra5 Rd5 $1 48.
Rxd5 cxd5 49. Kh6 d4 50. h5 d3 51. Kxh7 Kc3 52. Bf6+ Kd2 53. Kh6 Ke2 54. Bb2 d2
$19) 47... Rxa7 48. h5 Rd7 49. Bf4 Rd4 $17) 45. Rf3+ $2 (45. Ra5 $1 Rd5 46.
Rxd5 cxd5 47. Bd2 d4 48. Kh6 d3 49. Kxh7 Kb2 50. g5 c1=Q 51. Bxc1+ Kxc1 52. g6
d2 53. g7 Be4+ 54. Kh6 d1=Q 55. g8=Q Qd6+ 56. Kg7 $11) 45... Ka2 $1 {White
might have easily missed this subtle step of the black king. The prepared
defence with 46.Bf6+ is no longer valid and he will be tricked out of his
a7-pawn.} (45... Kb2 $6 46. Bf6+ Ka2 47. Rc3 Kb1 48. Rb3+ Kc1 49. Bg5+ Kd1 50.
Kh6 (50. Ra3 c1=Q 51. Bxc1 Kxc1 52. Kh6 Kb2 53. Ra5 Kc3 54. h5 Kb4 55. Ra1 c5
$17) 50... c1=Q 51. Bxc1 Kxc1 52. h5 Kd2 53. g5 Rxa7 54. Rb8 c5 55. Rc8 Be4 56.
Rxc5 $11) 46. Rf2 Kb2 47. Be3 Re7 48. Bf4 (48. Bb6 c5 49. g5 Re6 50. Bc7 (50.
Bxc5 Kb3 51. Rf1 c1=Q 52. Rxc1 Bf3#) 50... Ra6 51. Bf4 Be4 52. Rf1 Rxa7 53. Kh6
Ra4 54. h5 Bd3 $19) 48... Rxa7 {White is technically only one pawn down, but
the c2 black trump makes all the difference.} 49. Rf1 (49. g5 Ra4 50. Be3 Re4
51. Bc5 Rc4 52. Be3 c5 53. g6 hxg6+ 54. Kxg6 Rg4+ 55. Kf6 Rxh4 56. Bxc5 Rf4+
57. Rxf4 c1=Q $19) 49... c5 50. Kh6 Be4 51. h5 Bd3 52. Rg1 c4 53. g5 c3 54.
Bc1+ {The defender is unable to benefit from his advanced pawn on the kingside
as Black can simply give up the piece to stop him.} (54. g6 hxg6 55. hxg6 Ra6
$1 56. Kh5 Rxg6 $19) 54... Kb3 55. Be3 Re7 56. Bc1 Re2 57. Kg7 Rd2 {The
position is already beyong all hope forWhite. Aronian decides for the charming
transfer of the rook to d1 with decisive effect. Great players can turn even
endgames with bishops of opposite colour into an exciting spectacle.} (57...
Rd2 58. g6 (58. Bxd2 cxd2 59. g6 d1=Q $19) 58... Rd1 59. Rg3 Rxc1 60. Rxd3 Rg1
$19) (57... Rh2 58. Rg3 Rh1 59. Bf4 Kc4 60. g6 Rxh5 61. Rg1 Bxg6 $19) 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 76th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2014.01.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2719"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2014.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be2 c5 8.
O-O Nc6 9. Qa4 Bd7 10. Qa3 Qa5 11. Rd1 O-O 12. Rb1 b6 13. d4 Qxa3 14. Bxa3 Bg4
15. dxc5 Bxc3 16. Ba6 Rab8 17. Rdc1 Bxf3 $6 ({\/Der richtige Zug lautet} 17...
bxc5 {, allerdings muss man erkennen, dass} 18. Rxb8 {mit} Nxb8 $1 {
beantwortet wird, der Angriff auf den Bc3 wird mit Gegenangriff pariert.}) 18.
gxf3 {Jetzt hat Weiß ein Luftloch, die strukturelle Schwäche spielt vorerst
keine Rolle.} Bd2 19. Rd1 Bc3 20. Kg2 {Weiß möchte Ba6-b5 spielen, aber gleich}
(20. Bb5 {trifft auf} Nd4 $1) 20... bxc5 ({Vielleicht ist abwarten besser, etwa
} 20... Kg7 $5 21. Bb5 Rfc8 22. cxb6 Rxb6 23. Bxc6 Rcxc6 24. Rxb6 Rxb6 25. Bxe7
Rb2 {und die Verwertung des Mehrbauern dürfte nicht einfach sein.}) 21. Bxc5
Bb4 22. Be3 Bd6 23. Rbc1 Nb4 24. Bc4 Rfc8 25. f4 Kf8 26. a3 Nc6 27. Ba6 Bxa3 $1
{Nimmt wenigstens einen Bauern mit, nach} (27... Rc7 28. Rd3 $1 Na5 29. Rdc3
Rxc3 30. Rxc3 {steckt Schwarz nur in Schwierigkeiten.}) 28. Rc4 $1 Rd8 $6 {
Sieht logisch aus, denn} (28... Rc7 {geht ja in die Fesselung, und doch wäre
das der bessere Zug, Schwarz will ...Bd6 und ...Nb4 spielen.} {Mit} 29. Rd5 $1
{kann Weiß den Vorteil festhalten, denn auf} Bd6 {folgt} 30. e5 Nb4 31. exd6
Rxc4 32. dxe7+ Ke8 33. Bxc4 Nxd5 34. Bxd5 Kxe7 35. Bxa7 {mit guten
Gewinnchancen.}) 29. Ra1 Bb2 30. Raa4 $1 {Jetzt hat der Nd4 kein gutes Feld,
ihn zu decken ist auch schwierig.} Rd6 {Einzige Möglichkeit.} 31. e5 Re6 32.
Rc2 Nd8 $6 {Das verpasst die allerletzte Chance, nach} (32... Rb4 33. Ra2 Bd4
34. Bc8 Nd8 35. Bxd4 Rxd4 36. Rd2 $1 Rc6 37. Rxd4 Rxc8 {wäre Schwarz wegen der
schlechten weißen Bauernstruktur nicht völlig chancenlos.}) 33. Bxa7 Ra8 34.
Bb5 {Jetzt geht der Bb2 verloren.} Bxe5 35. fxe5 Rxe5 36. Be3 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 76th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2014.01.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2014.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. a4 c5 {A rare
continuation, compared to the normal} (7... c6) {This is a bit illogical:
Black loses his b5-pawn but doesn't achieve any considerable benefits compared
to the positions arising when he plays 6...c5 at once. On the other hand, it
is very difficult for White to make use of his doubled extra pawn.} 8. axb5 (8.
e5 cxd4 9. exf6 gxf6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Qxd4 Nd7 12. axb5 Qxd4 13. Nxd4 Nb6 14.
Nc6 Bxc3+ 15. bxc3 a6 $11 {1/2 (25) Burnett,R (2371)-Bick,J (2201) Tulsa 2008})
8... cxd4 9. Bxf6 (9. Nxd4 {is quite possible, and Black has yet to find a
convincing way to equality. Here are some practical examples:} Bb7 (9... Qb6
10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Bxc4 O-O {0-1 (56) Stempin,P (2390)-Panczyk,K (2410) Poznan
1985} 12. O-O Kh8 13. Na4 $16) (9... e5 10. Nc2 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Nbd7 12. Bxf6
Qxf6 13. Bxc4 Bb7 14. Bd5 Bxd5 15. Qxd5 Nb6 16. Qb3 $16 {1-0 (63) Chernikov,O 
(2460)-Shereshevski,M Belarus 1983}) 10. f3 (10. Nc2 $14) 10... O-O 11. Bxc4
Qc7 12. Qb3 Bd6 13. b6 Qxb6 14. Qxb6 axb6 15. Rxa8 Bxa8 16. Ke2 $14 {1-0 (44)
Staniszewski,P (2405)-Panczyk,K (2375) Bytom 1986}) 9... gxf6 (9... Qxf6 10.
Qxd4 Bb7 11. Qxf6 gxf6 12. Nd2 a6 13. Bxc4 axb5 14. Bxb5+ Ke7 15. Rxa8 Bxa8 16.
Ke2 Nc6 17. Bxc6 Bxc6 18. Ra1 $14 {1-0 (41) Rashkovsky,N (2520)-Arencibia,J 
(2405) Eger 1989}) 10. Qxd4 Nd7 {Hardly an improvement on the following old
game:} (10... Qxd4 11. Nxd4 Bb7 12. f3 Nd7 13. Nc2 Bc5 14. Bxc4 Rg8 15. g3 Ke7
{1/2 (15) Glek,I (2400)-Sveshnikov,E (2505) Moscow 1983}) 11. Qxc4 Bc5 12. Be2
Bb7 13. O-O Rc8 14. Qd3 Bb6 {[%mdl 32]} (14... Ne5 $5 {, forcing the exchange
of queens, was probably a better option.}) 15. Na4 {And for White it was
better to keep queens on the board since Black's king is less safe:} (15. Rad1
Nc5 $140 16. Qb1 Qc7 17. b4 Nd7 18. Na4 $14) 15... Nc5 $1 16. Qxd8+ Rxd8 17.
Nxc5 (17. Nxb6 axb6 18. e5 Bxf3 19. Bxf3 fxe5 $11) 17... Bxc5 18. Rfc1 Bb6 {
Black's bishop pair fully compensates his material deficit. Pay attention to
White's passive e2-bishop: he would probably prefer to have a knight instead.}
19. Rc4 Ke7 20. Kf1 Rd6 21. e5 Rd5 22. exf6+ Kxf6 23. Rf4+ Ke7 24. Bc4 Rh5 25.
h3 Rc8 26. b3 Bc7 {Provoking an exchange sacrifice.} (26... Rd8 $44 {was quite
possible.}) 27. Rxa7 Bxf4 28. Rxb7+ Rc7 29. Rb6 {White's position is solid
enough to hold on but playing for a win is out of question.} Rd7 30. Ke2 Bd6
31. Ra6 Bb4 32. h4 Rc5 33. Ra8 Bc3 34. g3 h6 35. Bd3 Rcc7 36. Ra6 Rd6 37. Ra8
Bd4 $6 {Black's bishop was a precious piece holding White's b5-pawn; it was
not a good idea to trade it.} (37... Rd8 $142) 38. Nxd4 Rxd4 39. Bc4 Rd8 40.
Rxd8 {And for White it was better to decline the exchange offer, thus keeping
some chances to make use of his b-pawns:} (40. Ra2 $142) 40... Kxd8 41. g4 {
The endgame is objectively equal.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 76th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2014.01.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2014.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Bg5 {In the Catalan with 6...dxc4 players do
not seem to mind wasting time by moving with the already developed
dark-squared bishops.} Nbd7 12. Nc3 h6 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. a5 {A strategically
double-edged move. It is nice, of course, to reduce Black's queenside mobility,
but in the long run the a5-pawn might become a comfortable target for the
black bishop.} (14. Nd2 {Tomashevsky,E (2738)-Aronian,L (2825) Moscow 2012 CBM
149 [Marin,M] (1/2, 25)}) (14. Rfd1 {Wang,H (2747)-Dominguez Perez,L (2757)
Elancourt 2013 CBM 157 [ChessBase Website] (1/2, 37)}) 14... Qe7 (14... Bxf3
15. Bxf3 c6 {as played in Wang,Y (2690)-Hou,Y (2623) Danzhou 2012 CBM 149 
[Let's Check Training] (1-0, 70) is solid, but a bit passive.}) 15. Nd2 $146 {
A very direct approach. White intends to eliminate the virtual blockade on e4
in order to set his centre in motion.} ({In the following game, White played
Nf3-d2 after some moving back and forth by both sides:} 15. Rfe1 Bb4 16. Rec1
Rfd8 17. e3 Bd6 18. Nd2 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 c5 20. dxc5 Bxg3 21. Nf3 Bc7 $132 {
Bukavshin,I (2476)-Lysyj,I (2624) St Petersburg 2012 (1/2, 32)}) 15... Bd5 $5 {
Trying to get the most out of the piece tension.} ({The natural} 15... Bxg2 {
may have seemed like a small concession to Aronian.} 16. Kxg2 e5 ({A player
with the technical skills of Ulf Andersson may find some way to retain
microscopic pressure after} 16... c5 17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. Nce4 Rac8 19. Rfc1 Nxe4
20. Qxe4 Rfd8 21. Nf3 {[%cal Gf3e5,Ge5d3,Gb2b4,Gg3g4,Gh2h4,Gh4h5]}) 17. d5 ({
The only way to fight for an advantage.} 17. dxe5 Bxe5 {yields the bishop too
much activity.}) 17... Rac8 18. Rfd1 {White cannot stop ...c7-c6, but after
the exchange on c6 he will have chances to get a dominating knight on d5, with
never ending pressure.}) 16. Bxd5 ({If} 16. Qd3 {[%cal Ge2e4]} Bxg2 17. Kxg2 c5
{the queen would be more exposed than in the similar line above.}) 16... exd5
17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Qxd5 Qxe2 19. Ne4 {The position has simplified, but the
strong white centralisation requires some accuracy from Black.} Rab8 {This
solid move fails to neutralise White's light initiative completely.} (19... c6
$6 20. Nf6+ $1 gxf6 21. Qxd6 $14) (19... Bb4 $5 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Gb4d6,Gb4d2,
Gf1e1] may have been best. The bishop dominates the knight and ensures the
queen against Rfe1.} 20. Qxb7 Rab8 21. Qc6 (21. Qd5 Rfd8 $36) 21... Qxb2 $5 $11
{(not the only move).}) 20. Rfe1 $1 {By means of a temporary pawn sacrifice,
White gains some tempi for his development.} (20. Nxd6 cxd6 21. Qxd6 Qxb2 22.
Rab1 Qc3 $11 {[%csl Ga5,Gd4][%cal Gf8d8]}) 20... Qxb2 21. Rab1 Qc2 22. Rec1 Qe2
23. Re1 Qc2 24. Nxd6 cxd6 (24... Rbd8 $2 {would allow three different ways of
keeping the extra knight, based on the same idea:} 25. Qf5 $1 $18 {[%csl Gc2]}
(25. Qe4 $1) (25. Qc4 $1)) 25. Rb6 Rbe8 26. Rf1 $5 {The safest way of avoiding
back rank problems in the process of queenside pawn grabbing.} Qe4 {This will
prove good enough for a draw,} ({but maybe a more clear way to equality would
have been:} 26... Re7 27. Rxb7 Rxb7 28. Qxb7 Qd3 29. Qd5 Re8 30. Kg2 (30. Qxd6
Re4 $11) 30... Re6 $11 (30... Re4 $6 {fails to some consecutive overloadings
of the queen:} 31. Rd1 $1 {The inevitable rook exchange will leave White with
the more pleasant queen ending.} Qc2 32. Rd2 $1 Qb1 33. Rb2 $1) 31. Qa8+ ({
Time has come for White to think of a draw. If, say} 31. h4 $6 Rf6 {Black's
position starts looking too active.}) 31... Kh7 32. Qb7 Rf6 33. Qb1 $11) 27.
Qxb7 $1 ({Of course, it would not have made sense to activate the enemy rook
with} 27. Qxe4 Rxe4) 27... Qxb7 ({If} 27... Qxd4 28. Rxa6 {the a5-pawn may
prove dangerous, especially with queens on board.}) 28. Rxb7 Re4 29. Rd1 Rc8 $1
{[%cal Gc8c2,Ge4e2] The key to the counterplay. Black simply intends to double
rooks on the second rank.} 30. Rb6 Rc2 31. Rd3 {[%cal Gd3f3]} (31. Rxa6 Ree2
32. Rf1 Ra2 33. Rxd6 (33. Kg2 {[%cal Gg2f3]} d5 $1 $11) 33... Rxa5 34. Kg2 {
[%cal Gg2f3]} Ra3 $1 {[%cal Ga3d3,Ge2d2]} 35. Rc1 Raa2 36. Rf1 Ra3 $11) 31...
g5 32. h3 h5 33. Rf3 g4 34. hxg4 ({If White leaves the h5-pawn on board, he
may have the surprise that the weakness would actually turn into a source of
counterplay:} 34. Rf5 {[%csl Gh5]} Rxd4 35. Rxa6 (35. Rxh5 Rd1+ 36. Kg2 gxh3+ {
[%csl Gf2]} 37. Rxh3 Rdd2 $11) 35... h4 $5 36. gxh4 gxh3 {with a probable draw.
}) 34... hxg4 35. Rf4 ({With nothing to attack on h5,} 35. Rf5 {would just
expose the rook to the king's attack:} Rxd4 36. Rxa6 Kg7 $11 {[%csl Gf2][%cal
Gg7g6]}) 35... Rxf4 36. gxf4 Ra2 37. Rxa6 Kg7 {King activity is essential.} (
37... f5 $2 {would be an instructive mistake. Black would deprive his king of
the f5-square and weaken the seventh rank at the same time.} 38. d5 Ra4 39. Kg2
Kf7 40. Kg3 Ke7 41. Ra7+ Kd8 (41... Kf8 42. a6 Kg8 43. Ra8+ Kg7 44. a7 $18 {
[%cal Gg3h4,Gh4g5,Gg5f5,Gf4f7]}) 42. a6 Kc8 43. Rf7 $18) 38. Kg2 Kg6 $1 {
Temporarily sacrificing a second pawn, again for the sake of the king's
activity.} (38... f5 $2 39. d5 $18) (38... d5 39. Kg3 $16 {/+-}) 39. Rxd6+ Kf5
40. a6 Kxf4 41. Rf6+ Kg5 42. Rb6 Kf4 43. d5 Ke5 44. d6 Ke6 45. Kg3 f5 46. d7+
Kxd7 47. Rf6 Ke7 48. Rh6 Kf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 76th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2014.01.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2014.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 {Originates from Nimzowitsch.} ({
The classical} 4... Bb7 {is currently less popular amongst the top players,
but it's only a matter of fashion:} 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. d5 $5 {This pawn
sacrifice has reappeared on the scene lately, Black holds his own after} (7.
Re1 Na6 ({The standard reaction is} 7... d5 8. cxd5 {Here White has a better
pawn structure and good practical results. However, Black's position is viable,
only he must be prepared to defend it patiently. After} exd5 9. Nc3 Nbd7 (9...
c5 {is more flexible, Black can develop his knight also via a6-c7.}) 10. Bf4 c5
11. dxc5 Nxc5 $1 (11... bxc5 12. Nh4 $36) 12. Rc1 Nfe4 13. Be5 a5 14. Bh3 Bc8
15. Bxc8 Nxc3 16. Rxc3 Rxc8 17. Qd4 f6 18. Bf4 Qd7 19. Rec1 Rfd8 20. Be3 Bf8
21. Qd1 Re8 $14 {[%csl Rd5][%cal Gc8c1,Ge8e1] /<=>,Bacrot,E (2705)-Kryvoruchko,
Y (2679)/Bundesliga/2012/ Black has enough counterplay to defend his only
weakness on d5.}) 8. Nc3 Ne4 (8... d5 {can still transpose into the 7...d5
lines.}) 9. Qc2 (9. Nxe4 Bxe4 10. Ne5 Bxg2 11. Kxg2 c5 12. d5 Qc7 13. Nf3 exd5
14. cxd5 d6 {led to a complex Benoni structure:} 15. h4 Qd7 16. Bf4 b5 17. Qd2
c4 18. h5 h6 19. e4 (19. Nd4 $142 $5) 19... Nc5 $132 {/=/+,Sasikiran,K (2676)
-Korobov,A (2702)/New Delhi/2012/}) 9... f5 (9... Nxc3 10. bxc3 $14 {[%csl Ra6]
[%cal Ye2e4]} (10. Ng5 Bxg5 11. Bxg5 Qxg5 12. Bxb7 {leads nowhere due to} Nxa2
$1 13. Bxa6 Nb4 $11)) 10. Ne5 d6 11. Nd3 d5 $6 (11... Bf6 $142 12. Be3 c5 $132)
12. cxd5 exd5 13. Be3 Nb4 14. Qb3 $1 Nxd3 15. exd3 Nf6 16. Bf4 Qd7 17. Rac1 Bd8
18. Re5 c6 19. Rce1 Nh5 20. Bd2 g6 21. Bh6 Bf6 22. Bxf8 Bxe5 23. Rxe5 (23. dxe5
$5 Kxf8 24. Qa4 $36 {[%cal Rc3d5,Yb2b4,Yd3d4]}) 23... Kxf8 24. a4 Re8 25. a5
$14 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2742)-Adams,M (2753)/Bilbao/2013/}) (7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Bd2
Bf6 9. Rc1 c5 $132 {still has a good reputation for Black.}) 7... exd5 8. Nh4
c6 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Nf5 Nc7 11. Nc3 d5 12. e4 Bf6 (12... Nba6 13. Bf4 Bf6 14.
Nd6 $5 Bc8 15. exd5 Bxc3 16. bxc3 Nxd5 17. Be5 Nc5 18. c4 Ne7 (18... Nb4 $5 19.
Bc3 Nbd3 20. Bxc6 Bh3 $132) 19. Re1 Be6 20. Qd4 (20. Rc1 $5 Qd7 21. Rc2 f6 22.
Bc3 Rad8 23. Rd2 Qc7 24. Bb4 Bg4 25. Qxg4 Rxd6 26. Bxc5 bxc5 27. Qf4 $36 {
Miladinovic,I (2555)-Iordachescu,V (2490)/Elista olm/1998/}) 20... f6 21. Bf4
a5 22. Rad1 Ra7 23. Nf5 Qxd4 24. Nxd4 Rd8 25. Nxe6 Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Nxe6 27. Be3
Rb7 28. Rd6 Kf7 29. Bxc6 Nxc6 30. Rxc6 b5 31. c5 b4 $2 (31... a4 $14 {/=}) 32.
Ra6 $16 {Nisipeanu,L (2674)-Berkes,F (2673)/Bad Wiessee/2013/}) 13. exd5 (13.
Bf4 Bc8 $1 14. g4 Nba6 15. Rc1 Bxf5 16. gxf5 Bg5 17. Bxc7 Nxc7 18. f4 Be7 19.
exd5 Bc5+ 20. Kh1 cxd5 21. Nxd5 Nxd5 22. Qxd5 Qxd5 23. Bxd5 Rad8 $11 {[%csl
Gc5,Gd5] Sosonko,G (2565)-Tukmakov,V (2550)/Tilburg/1984/ The opposite-cloured
bishops guarantee a quick draw.}) 13... cxd5 ({Black can also consider
returning the pawn immediately with} 13... Nxd5 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15. Bf4 (15. Ne3
Nc6 16. Nxd5 Be5 17. Qg4 Re8 $1 18. Bg5 Qc8 19. Qh4 h6 20. Be3 Qd8 21. Qh5 Nd4
22. Rad1 Bxd5 23. Bxd4 Bxg2 24. Bxe5 Qg5 25. Qxg5 hxg5 26. Kxg2 Rxe5 $11 {
Ramirez Alvarez,A (2593)-Shulman,Y (2571)/USA-ch Saint Louis/2012/}) 15... Nc6
16. Bxd5 Na5 17. Bxb7 Qxd1 18. Raxd1 Nxb7 19. b4 Nd8 20. Rfe1 Ne6 21. Be5 Bxe5
22. Ne7+ Kh8 23. Rxe5 Rfd8 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Nc6 Rd7 26. Re3 h6 27. Ra3 Rd1+
28. Kg2 Nd4 29. Nxa7 Rb1 $132 {Ragger,M (2655)-Rozentalis,E (2592)/AUT-chT/
2012/}) 14. Bf4 Nba6 15. Re1 Bc8 (15... Qd7 16. Bh3 {Kasparov,G (2595)
-Marjanovic,S (2490)/La Valetta olm/1980/} Qd8 $1 $11) 16. Nd6 Be6 17. Nxd5
Bxd5 18. Bxd5 Nxd5 19. Qxd5 Bxb2 20. Rad1 Nc5 21. h4 (21. Re8 Rxe8 22. Qxf7+
Kh8 23. Qd5 Qf6 24. Nf7+ Kg8 25. Nh6+ Kh8 $11) 21... h6 $1 22. Re2 Bf6 23. Qf3
Ne6 24. Re4 Nxf4 25. Rxf4 Be5 26. Nxf7 Qc7 27. Nxe5 Qxe5 28. Rd7 Rxf4 29. gxf4
Qe8 $11 {Lehnhoff,H (2237)-Schwierzy,H (2435)/corr/2008/}) 5. b3 ({The pawn
sacrifice} 5. Qc2 c5 6. d5 exd5 7. cxd5 Bb7 8. Bg2 Nxd5 9. O-O {is a line with
strong Armenian roots - Sargissian and Aronian have played it a lot, Levon
with both colours. After} Nc6 10. Rd1 Be7 11. Qa4 Nf6 12. e4 O-O 13. e5 Ne8 14.
Nc3 Nc7 15. Be3 Qe8 (15... Qc8 $5) 16. Nd2 $5 $146 ({The older continuation is
} 16. Rd2 Rd8 17. Rad1 Kh8 18. Bg5 Bxg5 19. Nxg5 f6 20. Bxc6 (20. Nge4 $5 Ba8
21. exf6 gxf6 22. Nd6 $44) 20... Bxc6 21. Qxc6 dxc6 22. Rxd8 fxg5 23. Rxe8 Rxe8
24. Rd7 Nb5 $11 {Pierzak,R (2501)-Ryvova,A (2434)/corr/2009/}) 16... Rb8 (16...
a6 $5) 17. Nc4 {Black forced the issue with} b5 18. Nxb5 Nxb5 19. Qxb5 Nxe5 20.
Nxe5 Bxg2 21. Qxd7 Ba8 22. Rd2 Rd8 23. Qxe8 Rfxe8 24. Rad1 Rxd2 25. Rxd2 f6 26.
Nc4 Rd8 $6 ({The pawn sacrifice is unnecessary, after} 26... Bc6 {Black should
hold the endgame.}) 27. Rxd8+ Bxd8 28. Bxc5 a6 29. Kf1 $14 {Aronian,L (2802)
-Leko,P (2735)/Wijk aan Zee/2013/ For more details see the notes to this game
by Krasenkow in CBM 153.}) 5... Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 ({Here the main and
more played alternative is} 7. Bg2 c6 {, after} 8. O-O (8. Bc3 d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7
10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Rc8 13. e4 c5 14. exd5 exd5 15. dxc5 dxc4 16.
c6 cxb3 17. Re1 {has been analysed to exhaustion - Black holds the draw after}
b2 18. Bxb2 Nc5 19. Nc4 Bxc4 20. Qg4 Bg5 21. Qxc4 Nd3 22. Be5 Nxe1 23. Rxe1 Bf6
24. Bxf6 Qxf6 25. c7 Qd6 26. Rc1 b5 27. Qc2 b4 28. Bb7 g6 29. h4 a5 30. Kg2 Kg7
31. Qb2+ Kg8 32. Qc2 Kg7 33. Kf1 Rfe8 34. Bxc8 Rxc8 35. Qc5 Qxc5 36. Rxc5 a4
37. Ke2 b3 38. axb3 axb3 39. Kd3 Kf6 40. Kc3 Ke6 41. Kxb3 Kd6 $11 {Sasikiran,K
(2661)-Almasi,Z (2691)/Sibenik/2007/}) 8... d5 9. Qc2 Nbd7 10. Rd1 O-O 11. a4 (
11. Bf4 Rc8 12. Nc3 Nh5 13. Bc1 Nhf6 14. Bb2 Qc7 15. e4 (15. Nd2 c5 $1 $11)
15... dxc4 16. Nd2 e5 17. Nxc4 exd4 18. Rxd4 Rfd8 19. Ne2 Bc5 20. h3 Bxc4 21.
Qxc4 Ne5 22. Qc3 Bxd4 23. Nxd4 c5 24. Nf5 Nc6 25. Nxg7 Nd4 26. Qe3 Nxe4 27.
Bxe4 Kxg7 28. Qg5+ Kh8 $11 {Topalov,V (2752)-Leko,P (2737)/London/2012/}) 11...
c5 12. a5 Rc8 13. axb6 Qxb6 14. Qa2 Bb7 15. Ba5 (15. b4 cxb4 16. c5 Nxc5 17.
dxc5 Bxc5 18. e3 Ra8 19. Qa5 Nd7 20. Nd4 Qxa5 21. Rxa5 Bb6 22. Bxb4 Bxa5 23.
Bxa5 Rfc8 $13 {Laznicka,V (2690)-Aronian,L (2783)/EU-Cup Plovdiv/2010/ Black
has no reason to fear this complex endgame.}) 15... Qa6 16. dxc5 Nxc5 17. Nbd2
({Po} 17. b4 Nce4 18. c5 Ng4 19. Nd4 {Mamedyarov,S (2763)-Alekseev,E (2700)/
Astrakhan/2010/} Ngxf2 $1 20. b5 Qxa5 21. Qxa5 Bxc5 $44 {Krasenkow}) 17... dxc4
18. bxc4 Bd8 19. Ne5 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Bxa5 21. Qxa5 Qxa5 22. Rxa5 Rc7 23. Ndf3 (
23. Nd3 $5 Nfd7 $11) 23... Nfd7 24. Nd3 h6 25. Nd4 a6 $11 {Wang,H (2752)-Leko,
P (2735)/Wijk aan Zee/2013/}) 7... O-O (7... c6 8. e4 d5 {is nowadays played
almost solely by Leko:} 9. Bd3 ({Van Wely's} 9. Qe2 $5 {perhaps deserves more
attention:} O-O (9... dxe4 10. Nxe4 Bb7 11. Neg5 O-O 12. Bh3 h6 13. Nxe6 fxe6
14. Bxe6+ Kh8 15. Ne5 Qxd4 16. O-O Bd6 17. Ng6+ Kh7 18. Bf5 Re8 19. Be3 Qc3 20.
Rad1 $40 {Van Wely,L (2674)-Jakovenko,D (2708)/Foros/2007/}) 10. e5 Ne8 $142 $5
(10... Nfd7 11. Qe3 Re8 12. Rd1 $1 $14 {()} (12. Bd3 $1 c5 13. cxd5 cxd4 14.
Qxd4 Bc5 15. Qe4 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 exd5 17. O-O-O Nc6 18. Ng5 Nf8 19. f4 h6 20. Nf3
Nb4 $36 {Dydyshko,V-Salov,V/Ivano Frankovsk/1982/}) {/\} 12... c5 13. cxd5 Bxf1
14. Kxf1 $16) 11. Qe3 Nc7 $132 {[%cal Yc6c5]}) 9... dxe4 (9... dxc4 $5 10. bxc4
e5 11. Ne2 Nbd7 12. Qc2 O-O 13. O-O Qc7 14. h3 Rad8 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Nxe5 Qxe5
17. Bc3 Qh5 18. e5 Nd7 19. Nf4 Qh6 20. Rfd1 Bg5 21. Bf5 Nc5 22. Ng2 Bc8 23.
Bxc8 Rxc8 $132 {Cheparinov,I (2678)-Leko,P (2756)/Jermuk/2009/}) 10. Nxe4 Bb7
11. Qe2 Nbd7 12. Nxf6+ (12. Rd1 c5 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Nxc5 Bxc5 15. O-O O-O 16.
Bg5 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qe7 18. Bc2 Rad8 19. Kg2 h6 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. Qxf6 gxf6 $11 {
Topalov,V (2784)-Leko,P (2737)/Kiev rpd/2013/}) 12... Nxf6 13. O-O c5 14. d5
exd5 15. Rfe1 dxc4 16. Bxc4 O-O 17. Rad1 Qd7 18. Ng5 Nd5 19. Qd3 Bxg5 20. Bxg5
f6 21. Bxf6 Rxf6 22. Bxd5+ Qxd5 23. Qxd5+ Bxd5 24. Rxd5 Kf8 $11 {[%cal Ya8e8]
Topalov,V (2767)-Leko,P (2737)/Beijing/2013/}) (7... d5 8. cxd5 exd5 {is not
too popular nowadays - Black prefers to avoid this pawn structure, as
mentioned already in the initial note.} 9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O Re8 11. Rc1 Nbd7 12.
Ne5 Bb7 13. Bg5 (13. Bf4 $14) 13... Nf8 14. e3 c6 15. f4 Rc8 16. Qf3 Rc7 17.
Rc2 h6 18. Bh4 N6h7 19. Bxe7 Rcxe7 20. Na4 Qd6 21. Rfc1 Rc7 22. Nc3 $14 {
Laznicka,V (2677)-Bologan,V (2672)/Poikovsky/2013/}) (7... Bb7 8. Bg2 O-O 9.
O-O Na6 10. d5 $5 exd5 11. Nd4 Bc5 12. Nc2 c6 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Bg5 Nc7 15. Ne3
d4 $2 (15... Bxe3 16. Bxe3 $44) 16. Bxb7 Rb8 17. Ng4 dxc3 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Be4
d5 20. Bc2 f5 21. Nh6+ Kh8 22. Nxf5 $16 {->,Aronian,L (2816)-Ivanchuk,V (2769)/
Istanbul olm/2012/}) 8. Bg2 {This natural move is currently White's main try.}
({Topalov's} 8. Rc1 {was all the rage, but it's not seen too often nowadays.
After} Ba3 (8... d5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 (9... exd5 {can transpose to Laznicka-Bologan
above.}) 10. Bg2 (10. Nxd5 $6 exd5 11. Bg2 Re8 12. Rc2 c5 13. O-O Nc6 14. Bc3
Rc8 $36 15. Bh3 Rc7 16. Re1 $2 (16. dxc5 bxc5 $15) 16... cxd4 17. Bxd4 Nxd4 18.
Nxd4 Bb4 19. Rf1 Rxc2 20. Qxc2 Bc5 21. Rd1 Bxd4 22. Rxd4 Rxe2 $19 {Leko,P 
(2763)-Adams,M (2737)/Miskolc m/2005/}) 10... Bb7 (10... Nxc3 11. Bxc3 Nd7 12.
O-O Rc8 13. Re1 Bb7 14. b4 Nf6 15. Qa4 a6 16. Ne5 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 c5 18. dxc5
bxc5 19. Red1 Qb6 20. bxc5 Rxc5 21. Bd4 Qb7+ 22. f3 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 $14 {Timman,
J (2594)-Wells,P (2480)/London/2006/}) 11. Qc2 Nf6 $5 12. O-O c5 13. dxc5 Bxc5
14. e4 Nbd7 15. Bf4 h6 16. e5 Nd5 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. Qe2 Rc8 19. Rcd1 Qe7 20. h4
Rfd8 21. Nd2 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Nf8 23. h5 $14 {/=,Gelfand,B (2736)-Leko,P (2755)/
Moscow/2007/}) 9. Rc2 Nc6 10. Bc1 Bxc1 11. Rxc1 d5 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Bg2 Nxc3
14. Rxc3 Qd6 $5 (14... Nb4 15. a3 Nd5 16. Rc2 Qe7 17. Qa1 Rac8 18. O-O c5 19.
Rfc1 Rc7 20. dxc5 Rxc5 21. Rxc5 bxc5 22. Nd2 Rc8 23. Bf3 h6 {Grischuk,A (2746)
-Navara,D (2722)/Khanty-Mansiysk/2011/} 24. Qe5 $14 {Navara}) 15. O-O Rad8 $11
{Landa}) ({The once popular} 8. e4 {is rare nowadays:} d5 9. cxd5 Bxf1 10. Kxf1
exd5 11. e5 Ne4 12. Kg2 Qd7 13. Qc2 Nxd2 (13... Nxc3 14. Qxc3 c5 $11) 14. Qxd2
Nc6 15. h4 Rac8 16. Rae1 Nd8 17. Ng5 Ne6 18. f4 (18. Qd3 $5) 18... c5 19. dxc5
Rxc5 20. Qd3 Bxg5 21. hxg5 Nxf4+ $1 22. gxf4 Qg4+ 23. Kf2 Qxf4+ {1/2,Karjakin,
S (2769)-Gashimov,V (2761)/Wijk aan Zee/2012/ Sadly this was Vugar's last
tournament.}) 8... c6 9. e4 (9. O-O d5 {is harmless, as with the knight on c3
it's difficult for White to retain the central tension:} 10. Rc1 Nbd7 11. Bf4
Rc8 12. Nd2 $6 ({There was the more circumspect and modest} 12. cxd5 $142 $11)
12... Nh5 13. Be3 f5 $1 14. f3 f4 15. Bf2 Bd6 16. g4 Nhf6 17. Re1 h6 18. e3
fxe3 19. Bxe3 Qc7 20. h3 c5 21. Ne2 {Gofshtein,L (2521)-Tiviakov,S (2623)/
Leiden/2010/} e5 $1 $17) 9... d5 10. exd5 {White wants to counter the pressure
on the a6-f1 diagonal with play of his own against d5.} ({The older move was} 
10. Qe2 b5 ({The alternative} 10... c5 $5 {deserves attention:} 11. exd5 exd5
12. Be3 (12. O-O Nc6 13. Be3 {can transpose}) 12... dxc4 13. bxc4 Nc6 14. Rd1
Re8 15. O-O Qc8 16. Rfe1 cxd4 17. Nxd4 Bb7 18. Ndb5 Ne5 19. Bd4 Bxg2 20. Kxg2
Qc6+ 21. Nd5 Nxc4 22. Bxf6 Bxf6 23. Qf3 Kf8 24. Rxe8+ Rxe8 25. Nxa7 Qa8 26.
Nxf6 (26. Qb3 $5) 26... Qxf3+ 27. Kxf3 gxf6 28. Rc1 Ne5+ 29. Kg2 {1/2,Wicklund
Hansen,G-Sherwood,R/corr/2007/}) 11. e5 $1 (11. exd5 $2 exd5 12. cxb5 cxb5 13.
Nxb5 Ba3 $1 14. Bf1 Re8 15. Be3 Qa5+ 16. Kd1 Nc6 17. Ne5 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Ne4 19.
Bd2 Bb4 20. Bxb4 Qxb4 21. Qe1 Qc5 $19 {Gustafsson,J (2634)-Zhigalko,A (2568)/
Warsaw rpd/2008/}) 11... Ne8 12. cxb5 cxb5 13. Qe3 b4 14. Na4 Nc6 15. Rc1 Rc8
16. Bf1 Qa5 17. Bd3 Bb5 18. O-O $5 $44 Bxa4 19. bxa4 Qxa4 20. Rc2 Rb8 21. Rfc1
Na5 22. Qe2 Qa3 23. Be3 g6 24. Kg2 Ng7 25. Rc7 b3 26. Rxa7 bxa2 27. Ra1 $14 {
/=,Germann,J (2205)-Muri,H (2398)/corr/2009/}) 10... cxd5 (10... exd5 11. O-O
$1 (11. Qe2 $2 b5 $1 {- see Gustafsson-Zhigalko.}) 11... dxc4 12. Re1 $32 {
was until now played only in postal chess and is pretty dangerous for Black:}
Re8 (12... Bb4 $5 13. Rc1 Nbd7 14. bxc4 Bxc4 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Nd7 17. Re4
Bxc3 18. Bxc3 Be6 19. Rd4 Rc8 20. Rd6 $14 {Beskov,V (2229)-Marinov,P (2366)/
corr/2007/}) 13. bxc4 Bxc4 14. Ne5 $5 Qxd4 15. Bg5 $1 Qxc3 16. Rc1 Qa5 17. Rxc4
h6 18. Ra4 Qc5 19. Qb3 Rf8 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Nxf7 Qc3 22. Nxh6+ $36 {Szabo,V 
(2328)-Baranowski,T (2310)/Telechess/2009/}) 11. Ne5 Bb7 {A concession. Black
had no success with} (11... Nfd7 {, but even this aggressive move might be
playable:} 12. O-O (12. cxd5 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 $1 {[%csl Re1] /\} 14. d6 $6
Nxe5 15. dxe7 Qxe7 16. Ne2 Rad8 17. O-O Qd6 $15) 12... Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 14.
Re1 dxc4 ({Black must sacrifice the exchange, but} 14... d4 {is weaker:} 15.
Nb5 $1 $16) 15. Bxa8 Qxa8 16. Bh6 $5 Rd8 17. Qg4 Bf8 18. Rad1 Nc5 ({Houdini
recommends} 18... cxb3 $1 19. Bg5 Nxe5 20. Rxe5 Rxd1+ 21. Qxd1 b2 $44 {, but
one will hardly sacrifice a whole rook without preparation.}) 19. bxc4 (19.
Rxd8 $142 $1 Qxd8 20. bxc4 $14) 19... Bb7 (19... Nd3 $5) 20. Rxd8 Qxd8 21. Rd1
$6 (21. Nb5 $1 $36 {prevents Qc7}) 21... Qc7 22. Bf4 Qc6 23. f3 Nd7 $2 (23...
Nd3 $3 24. Rxd3 Qxc4 25. Rd8 Ba6 $1 {[%cal Rc4f1]} (25... Qxc3 $2 26. Bh6 {
[%cal Rg4g7]} Qxe5 27. Qb4 Qc5+ 28. Qxc5 bxc5 29. Be3 $18) 26. h4 Qf1+ $11) 24.
Ne4 Qa4 25. Rxd7 Bxe4 26. Rd8 Bg6 27. Bg5 Qa3 28. Qd4 h6 29. Qd6 Kh7 30. Qxf8 {
1-0,Aronian,L (2816)-Karjakin,S (2778)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/2012/ For more details
see the notes to this game by Krasenkow in CBM 151.}) 12. O-O Nc6 13. Bf4 (13.
Bg5 Rc8 14. Rc1 h6 15. Bf4 (15. Bxf6 Bxf6 $11) 15... Ba3 {and in comparison
with the game, Black has the extra h6 move, equalising easily:} 16. Rc2 a6 17.
Nxc6 Bxc6 18. cxd5 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Rxc8 Qxc8 21. Bxd5 exd5 22. Re1 Re8
23. Rxe8+ Qxe8 $11 {Dutra Neto,A (2448)-Alpert,A (2422)/corr/2006/}) 13... Na5
(13... Rc8 14. Rc1 Na5 (14... Ba3 15. Rc2 a6 16. Bg5 $5 Be7 $14) (14... dxc4 $2
15. bxc4 Na5 16. Bxb7 Nxb7 17. Nb5 $16) 15. Qe2 Ba3 16. Rc2 Bb4 (16... a6 17.
cxd5 Bb4 18. Bd2 (18. dxe6 $5 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Rxc3 20. exf7+ $44) 18... exd5 19.
Qd3 Nc6 20. Bg5 Be7 21. Bxf6 Bxf6 22. Nxd5 Nxe5 23. dxe5 Rxc2 24. Nxf6+ gxf6
25. Qxc2 Bxg2 26. Kxg2 Qd5+ 27. Kg1 Qxe5 28. Qc6 $14 {jamwan,h (2602)-sh0tgun,
h (2731)/Engine Room/2012/}) 17. Bg5 Ba6 18. Rcc1 (18. Ng4 $5) 18... h6 (18...
dxc4 $142 $5 19. Ne4 Be7 $13) 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Ng4 Kg7 21. Ne3 f5 (21... dxc4
22. Ncd5 $1 Ba3 (22... exd5 $2 23. Nf5+ Kh7 24. Qe3 Kg6 25. Qxh6+ Kxf5 26. Bh3+
Ke4 27. Qe3#) 23. Rc3 $40) 22. Nexd5 (22. Bxd5 $5) 22... exd5 23. Qe5+ f6 24.
Qxf5 Bxc3 25. Rxc3 Rc7 26. Qg4+ Kh7 27. Bxd5 $14 {Paredes,C (2252)-Esen,N 
(2417)/corr/2011/}) 14. Rc1 Ba3 15. Rb1 (15. Rc2 dxc4 16. bxc4 (16. Bxb7 cxb3)
16... Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Bb4 $132) 15... Bb4 (15... dxc4 16. Bxb7 Nxb7 17. bxc4 $36)
16. Ne2 {Still following previous examples.} (16. Na4 Ne4 {brought Karjakin 2
full points last year in Norway:} 17. a3 Be7 18. cxd5 (18. Qd3 f6 19. Ng4 Re8 (
{An engine recommendation is} 19... Ba6 $5 {/\} 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Qxe4 e5 $1
22. dxe5 f5 23. Nh6+ gxh6 $13 {/=/+}) 20. cxd5 exd5 21. f3 Nd6 22. Rfc1 Bf8 23.
Ne3 Nf7 24. b4 Nc6 {would result in an apprixmately equal game after Ne3
rather than the careless} 25. b5 $2 (25. Nf1 $11) 25... Nce5 $1 26. dxe5 fxe5
$36 {Hammer,J (2608)-Karjakin,S (2767)/Stavanger/2013/}) 18... exd5 19. b4 Nc6
20. Rc1 Rc8 21. Bh3 f5 22. f3 Nd6 23. Qd3 ({According to Karjakin White should
play} 23. Nxc6 {, but Black has certainly no problems after} Bxc6 $11 {/=/+}) (
23. Nb2 $11) (23. Nc3 $5 Nxe5 24. dxe5 Nc4 25. Nb5 $132) 23... Nxe5 24. dxe5 (
24. Bxe5 g6 $11) 24... Rxc1 25. Bxc1 $6 (25. Rxc1 $1 Nc4 26. Bxf5 Bg5 (26... g5
27. Bxh7+ Kh8 28. Qg6 gxf4 29. Bg8 $18) (26... Kh8 $5 $13) 27. Bxg5 Qxg5 28.
Be6+ Kh8 29. f4 Rxf4 30. h4 Qxe5 (30... Rxh4 $2 31. Rf1 $18) 31. gxf4 Qxe6 $44
{/= White's king is too exposed to make his minimal material advantage count.})
25... Nc4 26. f4 $6 {[%csl Rg1][%cal Ra8h1]} (26. Re1 $142) 26... b5 $1 27. Nc3
$2 (27. Nb2 $142 $1 d4 28. Bg2 $15) 27... Qb6+ 28. Rf2 d4 29. Ne2 Rd8 30. Qxf5
d3 31. Qe6+ Kf8 32. Qf5+ Ke8 $1 $19 {Aronian,L (2813)-Karjakin,S (2767)/
Stavanger/2013/ For more details see the notes to this game by Motylev in CBM
155.}) 16... Nc6 17. Bg5 Be7 18. Nf4 Qd6 $146 {[%mdl 8]} ({Understandably
Karjakin is unwilling to repeat} 18... Ne4 $6 19. cxd5 exd5 20. Nxc6 Bxc6 21.
Bxe7 Qxe7 22. Re1 Qf6 23. Rc1 Bb7 24. Re2 Rae8 25. Rc7 Ba8 26. Rxa7 $16 {
Leko,P (2744)-Karjakin,S (2786)/Zug/2013/}) 19. Bxf6 {This shouldn't have
given White anything special.} (19. Re1 Rad8 $5 $132) 19... Bxf6 20. cxd5 {
Now Black sank into deep thought - this is surprising considering the current
level of preparation.} exd5 $6 {In my (and Houdini's!) opinion not the best.} (
20... Nxe5 21. dxe5 Bxe5 22. dxe6 Bxg2 23. exf7+ Rxf7 24. Qxd6 Bxd6 25. Nxg2
Bc5 26. Nf4 $14 {doesn't give Black full compensation.}) (20... Nxd4 $142 $5
21. Ng4 (21. dxe6 Bxe5 $1 (21... Bxg2 $2 22. exf7+ Rxf7 (22... Kh8 23. Neg6+
hxg6 24. Nxg6+ Kh7 25. Qh5#) 23. Nxf7 $18) 22. Bxb7 Rab8 23. exf7+ Kh8 24. Be4
Bxf4 25. gxf4 {[%csl Rg1]} g6 $11 {/=/+} (25... Rxf7 26. Qh5 g6 27. Qe5+ Qxe5
28. fxe5 Re8 $11)) (21. Nc4 Qc5 $11 (21... Qb8 $2 22. Nh5 $36) (21... Qd8 $5) {
/\} 22. dxe6 $6 Bxg2 23. exf7+ Rxf7 24. Nxg2 Rd8 $44 {|^}) 21... e5 22. Nh5 Be7
{[%csl Rg4,Rh5]} 23. Nxe5 $1 {[]} Bxd5 $1 (23... Qxe5 $2 24. Re1 $16) 24. Ng6
$5 (24. Qxd4 Bxg2 25. Qxd6 Bxd6 $11) 24... hxg6 (24... Bxg2 25. Nxe7+ Qxe7 26.
Qxd4 Qg5 27. Kxg2 Qxh5 28. Rbd1 $14) 25. Qxd4 gxh5 26. Bxd5 Rad8 27. Rbd1 Qf6
$11 {With the opposite-coloured bishops the most likely result is a draw.}) 21.
Bxd5 (21. Nxd5 Bxe5 22. dxe5 Nxe5 $11) 21... Bxe5 {Levels the material balance,
but now Black remains under pressure.} ({More generous was} 21... Rad8 $5 22.
Nxc6 (22. Re1 Nxd4 23. Qxd4 Bxd5 24. Rbd1 Rfe8) 22... Bxc6 23. Bxc6 Qxc6 24. d5
Qb7 {[%cal Yf6e5,Yf6g5] and White can hardly convert his extra pawn.}) 22. dxe5
Qxe5 23. Re1 $14 {[%cal Gg2b7,Ge1e8]} Qf6 24. Nh5 (24. Qe2 $142 $5 $36 {
White prevents both Re8 and the activation of Black's Knight:} Nd4 $2 (24...
Na5 $2 25. b4) 25. Qe4 Bxd5 26. Nxd5 Nf3+ 27. Kh1 $18 {[%csl Rf3]}) 24... Qh6
25. Qg4 Qg6 (25... Rae8 $5 26. Nf4 Bc8 $14 {/<=> also deserves attention.}) 26.
Qh3 $1 (26. Qxg6 hxg6 27. Nf4 Rfd8 28. Rbc1 Rd6 29. h4 Kf8 $14 {/= gives White
less chances to increase his slight pressure.}) 26... Rad8 27. Nf4 Qf6 28. Be4
$6 {Rather artificial, White could have activated his major pieces instead.} (
28. Qg2 $1 Ba8 29. Rbc1 ({or} 29. Rbd1 {retains a slight pull.})) 28... g6 29.
Nd5 Qg7 ({Black played the text-move quickly, but} 29... Qd6 $5 $11 {was
perhaps more accurate.}) 30. Rbc1 {[%cal Rc1c6,Rd5b6]} (30. Qh4 Kh8 (30... g5
$2 31. Nf6+ $1) 31. Ne7 Nxe7 32. Bxb7 Nf5 $132) (30. Rbd1 $142 $5 {/\} Rfe8 $6
31. Qh4 g5 32. Qxh7+ $1 $14) 30... Kh8 $2 {[%mdl 8192] A serious tactical
error, as it parries only one of White's threats.} (30... Rfe8 $11 {gives
Black good chances to finally consolidate his position. It's not easy for
White to develop his initiative:} 31. Qh4 g5 $1 (31... Kh8 $2 32. Nc7) 32.
Qxh7+ (32. Qh5 Nd4 $132) 32... Qxh7 33. Bxh7+ Kg7 34. Rxe8 Rxe8 35. Rd1 (35.
Bd3 Nd4) 35... Nd4 $1 36. Rxd4 Re1+ 37. Kg2 Kxh7 38. Kh3 Re2 {wins the pawn
back and already White has to tread with care.}) 31. Nxb6 {White wins a
healthy pawn with good chances to score a full point.} axb6 (31... Ne5 32. Bxb7
axb6 33. Re2 $16) 32. Bxc6 Bxc6 33. Rxc6 Rd2 (33... Qb2 34. Rxb6 Qxa2 35. Qh4
$14 {/+/-}) 34. Qh4 (34. Rxb6 $4 Qd4 {[%csl Rb6,Rf2]}) (34. Qc8 $5 Rxc8 35.
Rxc8+ Qg8 36. Rxg8+ Kxg8 37. a4 $14 {/+/-}) 34... Rxa2 35. Qb4 ({Levon
probably wanted to avoid} 35. Rxb6 Qc3 $14) 35... h5 ({A more resilient move
was} 35... Ra1 36. Rcc1 $5 (36. Qxf8+ Qxf8 37. Rxa1 Qb4 $14 {/=}) (36. Rxb6 Re8
$1 37. Rxa1 Qxa1+ 38. Kg2 Qa8+ {forces White to expose his King with} 39. Kh3
$14) 36... Rxc1 37. Rxc1 Re8 ({Black can also consider} 37... Rb8 $5 38. Qf4
Qf8 39. Rc7 Kg7 $14 {- this is passive, but material is still equal.}) 38. Qxb6
Qb2 $14 {Here Black has an extra tempo in comparison with the game.}) 36. Qxb6
Ra1 37. Rcc1 Rxc1 38. Rxc1 {[%mdl 4096] The endgame resembles the last game of
the Alekhine-Capablanca match, only there White had a passed a-pawn instead.
If Black could swap queens and get his rook behind the passed pawn, his
drawing chances would increase. However, Alekhine managed to prevent this
transformation and also Aronian will avoid it.} Qb2 39. Rd1 {[%cal Rb6d4]} Kh7
{With the rook protecting the pawn from the side White should win.} ({However,
he shouldn't let Black activate his rook:} 39... Re8 $5 {/\} 40. Qd4+ Qxd4 41.
Rxd4 Re1+ 42. Kg2 Rb1 43. b4 Kg7 $14) 40. Qb5 Kg7 41. Qd3 {[%cal Yd1b1,Yd3d4]}
Rb8 42. Rb1 Qe5 43. Qd2 (43. b4 $2 Rxb4 $1 44. Rxb4 Qe1+ $11) 43... h4 {
Allows the queen swap. Aronian thought Black shoud have avoided simplification
with} (43... Kh7 $14 {, or}) (43... Qf5 $14 {, but in fact even the rather
risky text move retains drawing chances.}) 44. Qb2 Qxb2 45. Rxb2 Rb4 46. Kf1
Kf6 47. Ke2 Kf5 $2 {However, this is a serious mistake.} ({Black should have
brought his king across to blockade the passed pawn and free his rook:} 47...
Ke5 48. Kd3 Kd5 49. Kc3 Re4 $14 {[%cal Ye4e1,Ye1h1] and the result still
remains open.}) 48. Kd3 g5 49. Kc3 Rb7 50. b4 Kg4 {Goes for a counterattack,
but the Rb2 both supports the Pb4 and protects the kingside.} ({It's too late
for a change of mind,} 50... hxg3 51. hxg3 Ke6 52. b5 Kd6 53. Kb4 Kc7 54. Rc2+
Kb8 55. Rc6 $18 {leaves Black hopelessly passive.}) 51. b5 Kh3 (51... Kf3 52.
b6 f5 53. Kd4 f4 54. gxf4 gxf4 55. h3 $1 (55. Kc5 $2 h3 $1 56. Kc6 Rb8 57. Kc7
Rf8 58. b7 Kg2 59. f3+ Kxf3 60. b8=Q Rxb8 61. Kxb8 Ke4 $1 {[]} 62. Rb4+ Kf3 63.
Kc7 Kg2 64. Rb2+ Kg1 $11) 55... Kg2 56. Ke4 f3 57. Kf4 Kxh3 58. Kxf3 $18 {
Black's Ph4 is harmless, while White's pawns decide the issue.}) 52. gxh4 gxh4
53. f4 $1 ({White wisely avoids} 53. f3 f5 54. b6 f4 55. Kd4 Rd7+ 56. Kc5 Rd2
$5 {, although} 57. Rb4 $5 {probably still wins.}) 53... Kg4 54. b6 f5 (54...
Kxf4 55. Kd4 Kf3 56. Rb3+ Kg2 57. h3 $18 {[%cal Yd4h4]}) 55. Kd4 Kxf4 56. Rb3
$1 {Accurately stops any counterplay.} h3 (56... Kg4 57. h3+ Kf4 58. Kd5 $18)
57. Kd5 Kg4 58. Kc6 Rb8 59. Rg3+ $1 ({It's necessary to cut off the king:} 59.
b7 $2 f4 $1 60. Kc7 Rxb7+ 61. Rxb7 f3 62. Kd6 Kf4 63. Rf7+ Ke3 64. Ke5 f2 65.
Rf8 Ke2 66. Ke4 f1=Q 67. Rxf1 Kxf1 68. Kf3 Ke1 $1 $11) 59... Kh4 60. b7 f4 61.
Rg7 {[%cal Rc6c7] White wins a rook and the Pf4 gets nowhere.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 76th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2014.01.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2014.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {For five years I have been meeting Leinier in tournaments with
classical time controls. When I examined his games it occurred to me that
recently he has been playing the fashionable 6.d3 variation in the Ruy Lopez.
Seit fünf Jahren treffe ich in Turnieren mit klassischer Bedenkzeit auf
Leinier. Als ich seine Partien untersuchte, fiel mir auf, dass er in letzter
Zeit die modische Variante 6.d3 im Spanier spielte.} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4.
Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 {6...d6 is also an interesting move, but this time
I wanted to follow the analyses of Gabriel S.  6...d6 ist auch ein
interessanter Zug, aber diesmal wollte ich den Analysen von Gabriel S. folgen.}
7. Bb3 O-O 8. Nc3 {At the elite level, the plan with Nb1-c3 and a2-a3 was
first played in 2013 by Anand against Adams. White's idea is rather simple. He
would like to combine two plans: transfer the knight to g3 or exchange it on
d5 and follow up with d3-d4. Auf Elite-Niveau wurde der Plan mit Nb1-c3 und
a2-a3 erstmals 2013 von Anand gegen Adams gespielt. Die Idee von Weiß ist
ziemlich einfach. Er möchte zwei Ideen miteinander verbinden: den Springer
nach g3 überführen oder ihn auf d5 abtauschen und d3-d4 folgen lassen.} d6 9.
a3 ({Since time immemorial it has been known that after Seit anno dunnemals
ist bekannt, dass nach} 9. Nd5 Na5 {the exchnage of the b3-bishop leads to
equality. der Abtausch des Läufers b3 zum Ausgleich führt.}) 9... Na5 10. Ba2
Be6 {The first time this idea was employed was by the talented player and
theoretician Rustam Kasimdshanov in 2013 against Topalov.  Diese Idee wandte
erstmals der talentierte Spieler und Theoretiker Rustam Kasimdshanov 2013
gegen Topalov an.} 11. Bg5 {Since Black's play is more or less linked with the
advance c7-c5, White prepares for the battle over the light squares. Da das
Spiel von Schwarz so oder so mit dem Vorstoß c7-c5 verknüpft ist, bereitet
Weiß sich auf den Kampf um die weißen Felder vor.} c5 {Anyone who plays 11...
Nc6 in this position should strip naked and undergo a full-body scan. Since
this illogical move is considered by the computers to be the strongest...! 
Wer in dieser Stellung 11...Nc6 spielt, sollte sich nackt ausziehen und einer
Leibesvisitation unterziehen müssen. Denn dieser unlogische Zug wird von den
Computern für am stärksten gehalten...!} 12. b4 Nc6 13. Nd5 {At first sight
White has managed to control the play. But one thing requires to be taken into
account: the position of the pawn on b4 demolishes White's main idea of
occupying the d5-square and then opening the a-file and invading there,
because the b4-pawn would always be left hanging and the exchange on c5 would
be good for Black because he would then be able to get rid of his only
weakness, d6. Auf den ersten Blick hat Weiß es geschafft, das Spiel zu
kontrollieren. Aber man muss eines berücksichtigen: die Stellung des Bauern
auf b4 macht die Hauptidee des Anziehenden zunichte, den Punkt d5 zu besetzen
und dann die a-Linie zu öffnen und dort einzusteigen, denn hier würde immer
der Bauer b4 hängen und der Tausch auf c5 wäre gut für Schwarz, weil er sich
seiner einzigen Schwäche d6 entledigen könnte.} Bxd5 {I found this idea 25
minutes before the game and put my trust in it. Diese Idee fand ich 25 Minuten
vor der Partie und ich vertraute ihr.} ({After Nach} 13... Rc8) ({or oder} 
13... h6 {the black position might well be solid, but it would also be
slightly passive. wäre die schwarze Position zwar fest, aber auch ein bisschen
passiv.}) 14. exd5 Nd4 15. bxc5 Nxf3+ ({The position after Die Stellung nach} 
15... dxc5 16. Nxe5 Nxd5 17. Bd2 {seemed unpleasant to me during my home
analysis. erschien mir in der häuslichen Analyse unangenehm.}) 16. Qxf3 dxc5 {
I had been aiming for this position. If one looks at it with human eyes,
Black's subsequent play appears logical. But what White should do is even
harder to understand.  Auf diese Stellung hatte ich mich orientiert. Wenn man
mit menschlichen Augen draufschaut, erscheint das folgende Spiel von Schwarz
logisch. Aber was Weiß tun soll, ist schon schwieriger zu verstehen.} 17. Rfe1
{This move appears logical and I was also counting on it. Dieser Zug sieht
logisch aus und ich rechnete auch mit ihm.} ({Here I considered that Ich hielt
hier} 17. a4 {was the most important move for my opponent and I intended to
follow up with für den wichtigsten Zug für meinen Gegner, worauf ich} Qd6 {
and then Be7-d8. From d8 the bishop can go to c7 or be exchanged by means of
Nf6-d7. For the exchange of the dark-squared bishops would leave White with a
weak bishop on a2 compared to the strong black knight. nebst Be7-d8 folgen
lassen wollte. Der Läufer kann von d8 aus nach c7 gehen oder mittels Nf6-d7
abgetauscht werden. Denn der Tausch der schwarzfeldrigen Läufer beließe Weiß
einen schwachen Läufer auf a2 gegenüber einem starken schwarzen Springer.})
17... Nd7 {With this move Black begins to regroup.  Damit leitet Schwarz seine
Umgruppierung ein.} 18. Bd2 Bd6 {This prepares f7-f5.  Bereitet f7-f5 vor.} 19.
a4 ({In my opinion the strongest move here was the prophylactic Am stärksten
war hier meiner Meinung nach das prophylaktische} 19. Qf5 {By forcing g7-g6
White insures against a possible future rook lift with the f8-rook via the
sixth rank. Indem er g7-g6 erzwingt, versichert sich Weiß gegen einen späteren
etwaigen Schwenk des Tumes f8 über die sechste Reihe.}) 19... f5 20. Bb3 {
A mistake, which concedes the initiative to Black. Ein Fehler, der Schwarz die
Initiative überlässt.} ({White had to play Weiß musste} 20. Qh3 {, after which
te position would have remained balanced, even if Black's position might have
purely optically looked more promising in view of the plan with Kg8-h8
followed by f5-f4 and Rf8-f6. spielen, wonach die Position im Gleichgewicht
geblieben wäre. Auch wenn die Stellung von Schwarz im Hinblick auf den Plan
mit Kg8-h8 gefolgt von f5-f4 und Rf8-f6 rein visuell aussichtsreicherer
ausgesehen hätte.}) 20... e4 {Of course! The b3-bishop looks like a bird which
has been let free and then immediately put back into its cage.  Natürlich! Der
Läufer b3 wirkt jetzt wie ein Vogel, den man für eine Sekunde in die Freiheit
entlassen und dann gleich wieder in den Käfig gesteckt hat.} 21. dxe4 ({
Leinier had probably planned Leinier hatte wahrscheinlich} 21. Qh3 {and then
noticed that after it Black has at his disposal the good reply geplant und
dann bemerkt, das Schwarz darauf über die gute Antwort} Ne5 {, after which
White would have to accept going into the difficult position after verfügt,
wonach Weiß sich wohl auf die gefährliche Stellung nach} 22. dxe4 c4 23. Ba2 f4
{. einlassen müsste.}) 21... c4 22. Ba2 Qh4 {Now White's situation is very
unpleasant.  Jetzt ist die Lage von Weiß sehr unangenehm.} 23. e5 {The only
move. Der einzige Zug.} ({After Nach} 23. g3 Ne5 {the only way for White to
escape Black's attack would be very costly, könnte sich der Anziehende vom
schwarzen Angriff nur um einen hohen Preis freikaufen,}) ({whereas während} 23.
Qh3 Qxh3 24. gxh3 {is very ugly. Black would have the advantage after any
half-way logical move. sehr hässlich ist. Schwarz hätte danach bei jedem
halbwegs logischen Zug Vorteil.}) 23... Bxe5 {Since I was a point and a half
ahead of my opponent and since this game was being played in the last but one
round I chose the most reliable continuation. Da ich anderthalb Vorsprung auf
meinen Gegner hatte und diese Partie in der vorletzten Runde gespielt wurde,
wählte ich die zuverlässigste Fortsetzung.} ({After the strong Nach dem starken
} 23... Nxe5 24. Qg3 Qf6 25. Bc3 f4 26. Qh3 Rae8 {Black has a clear
superiority. hat Schwarz klares Übergewicht.}) 24. g3 Qg4 25. Qxg4 fxg4 26. c3
{In time trouble Leinier makes a major mistake. He had possibly overlooked my
reply. In Zeitnot unterläuft Leinier ein großer Fehler. Wahrscheinlich hatte
er meinen Antwortzug übersehen.} ({After Nach} 26. Rad1 {at the board schien
mir am Brett} Rf3 {appeared to me to be very strong, but after sehr stark zu
sein, aber nach} 27. Bb1 {White is not at all so badly placed. steht Weiß
nicht gar so schlecht.}) ({Probably I should have been satisfied with the
slight pressure after Wahrscheinlich hätte ich mich mit dem geringen Druck nach
} 26. Rad1 Rf6 {. zufriedengeben müssen.}) 26... Bf6 {This combines the
threats of Nd7-c5 and Nd7-e5 and secures a decisive advantage for Black. Das
verbindet die Drohungen Nd7-c5 sowie Nd7-e5 und sichert Schwarz entscheidenden
Vorteil.} ({Nicht ganz so einfach wäre} 26... Rf3 {would not be quite so
simple, since after , da Weiß nach} 27. Bb1 b4 28. d6 bxc3 29. Be3 c2 30. Bxc2
Bxa1 31. Rxa1 {White, in spite of his material concessions, would have good
chances of a draw on account of his active bishops. trotz der materiellen
Einbuße im Hinblick auf seine aktiven Läufer ausgezeichnete Remischancen hätte.
}) 27. Bb1 b4 ({Another possible move was Möglich war auch} 27... Ne5 28. Be4
Nf3+ 29. Bxf3 gxf3 {and White's weaknesses would no longer be able to be
defended. The plan I chose is not any worse, but is more complicated. und die
weißen Schwächen wären nicht mehr zu verteidigen. Der von mir gewählte Plan
ist nicht schlechter, aber komplizierter.}) 28. Re3 Rad8 {I liked this idea so
much in conjunction with my next move that I did not particularly investigate
even stronger moves.  Diese Idee gefiel mir in Verbindung mit meinem nächsten
Zug so gut, dass ich mich mit möglicherweise noch stärkeren Zügen nicht
besonders beschäftigte.} 29. Bf5 h5 30. Rd1 ({The only chance to prolong his
resistance consisted of Die einzige Chance, den Widerstand zu verlängern,
bestand in} 30. Rb1 Nc5 ({nicht gut ist} 30... b3 {is not good on account of
wegen} 31. Re4) 31. cxb4 Rxd5 32. bxc5 Rxf5 33. Bc3 {with a transition to a
rook ending in which Black would still have had to play accurately to win. mit
Übergang ins Turmendspiel, in dem Schwarz noch genau hätte spielen müssen, um
zu gewinnen.}) 30... b3 {The d5- and a4-pawns will soon fall and for that
reason White's situation is absolutely hopeless.  Die Bauern d5 und a4 werden
bald fallen, und aus diesem Grund ist die Lage von Weiß absolut hoffnungslos.}
31. Bc1 Bg5 32. Be6+ Kh8 33. Re2 ({After Auf} 33. Re4 {the simplest win would
have been hätte am einfachsten} Nc5 {. gewonnen.}) 33... Bxc1 34. Rxc1 Nc5 {
The remainder is elementary. Black closes in with the king and gobbles up the
d6-pawn.  Alles Weitere ist elementar. Schwarz nähert sich mit dem König an
und verspeist den Bauern d6.} 35. a5 Rfe8 36. Kf1 g6 37. Rce1 Kg7 38. d6 Rxe6
39. Rxe6 Nxe6 40. Rxe6 Rd7 41. Re8 Rxd6 42. Ke2 Rd3 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 76th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2014.01.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A80"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2672"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2014.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 f5 {Playing against the clear tournament winner with Black in the last
round, Loek adopts a do-or-die attitude. By adopting an ultra-sharp opening he
hopes to surprise Aronian, known for his excellent preparation. Morevoer,
Levon's results against the Dutch haven't been too spectacular lately, while
Van Wely has scored well after 1...f5 against 2700+ opposition.} 2. Nf3 {
White doesn't show his hand yet. Earlier he used to adopt the classical
approach with} (2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 d6 7. Nc3 c6 ({
Here Van Wely with Black played the standard} 7... Qe8 {, as well as the less
usual}) (7... Na6 $5) 8. Qb3 (8. Qc2 Na6 9. Rd1 Bd7 10. b3 Kh8 11. Bb2 Qe8 12.
Ba3 h6 13. Rac1 g5 14. e3 Qh5 15. Qe2 Rae8 16. Ne1 Qg6 17. Qc2 Nc7 18. Nf3 Qh5
19. c5 $1 d5 20. Ne5 Bc8 21. h3 (21. f3 $5) 21... Rd8 22. Bb4 Be6 23. Ba5 Rc8
24. g4 fxg4 25. Ng6+ Kg8 26. Nxe7+ Kf7 27. Nxc8 Rxc8 $14 {/~~,Aronian,L (2803)
-Ponomariov,R (2731)/Beijing blitz/2013/}) 8... Kh8 9. Rd1 Na6 10. Qa3 Nc7 11.
d5 c5 12. b4 cxb4 13. Qxb4 Na6 14. Qb1 Bd7 15. Nb5 Rc8 16. Nd2 Qb6 17. e3 Nc5
18. a4 Qa5 19. Ba3 a6 20. Bb4 Qd8 21. Nd4 Nxa4 22. Ne6 Bxe6 23. dxe6 Qe8 24.
Bxb7 Rb8 25. Bxa6 $5 Nc3 26. Bxc3 Rxb1 27. Rdxb1 $44 {Aronian,L (2805)
-Nakamura,H (2759)/Wijk aan Zee/2012/ See the notes to this game by Marin in
CBM 147.}) 2... Nf6 3. Bf4 {Aronian has consistently chosen this system
throughout the past year, however this time he opts for a somewhat different
and ultimately more modest setup.} ({His earlier games went} 3. c4 d6 4. Nc3 g6
5. Bf4 Bg7 6. e3 ({Aronian's compatriot Melkumyan retained the bishop with} 6.
h3 O-O 7. e3 c6 (7... Ne4 $142 $5 {/\} 8. Be2 Nc6 9. O-O e5 {transposes to
Aronian-Carlsen}) 8. Be2 Ne4 9. O-O Nd7 10. Qb3 e5 11. Bh2 Qe7 $2 (11... Nxc3
12. bxc3 c5 $14) 12. Nxe4 fxe4 13. Nd2 Kh8 14. Nxe4 exd4 15. Nxd6 Nc5 16. Qa3
Ne6 17. Bg4 h5 18. Bxe6 Bxe6 19. Rae1 $18 {Melkumyan,H (2622)-Ajrapetjan,Y 
(2498)/EU-ch Legnica/2013/}) 6... O-O 7. Be2 Nc6 8. Bg3 (8. O-O Ne4 9. h3 e5
10. Bh2 exd4 11. exd4 Ng5 $1 (11... Nxc3 12. bxc3 f4 13. Qd2 (13. Nd2 $142 $13
{[%cal Ya1b1,Ye2f3,Yf3e4,Yf2f3,Yg1h1,Yh2g1] /+/=}) 13... Qf6 14. Rab1 b6 15.
Bd3 Na5 16. Qc2 Bf5 17. Nd2 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 c5 19. Ne4 Qf5 20. dxc5 $6 (20. d5
Bxc3 21. g4 $1 fxg3 22. fxg3 Bd4+ 23. Kg2 Qd7 24. g4 $44) 20... dxc5 21. Qd5+
Qxd5 22. cxd5 Rad8 23. Rbd1 h6 24. g3 Be5 $15 {Sharevich,A (2283)-Muzychuk,A 
(2535)/ECC Plovdiv/2010/}) 12. Nxg5 Qxg5 13. f4 Qf6 14. d5 Nd4 15. Kh1 c5 16.
Bd3 Bd7 17. Bg1 Rae8 18. Qd2 a6 19. Rad1 Rb8 20. a4 Qd8 21. Rb1 Qa5 $15 22. Qd1
Qb4 $15 {Aronian,L (2813)-Carlsen,M (2862)/Saint Louis/2013/ White is under
pressure and only careful and tenacious defence enabled hiim to hold.}) 8... h6
(8... e6 9. O-O h6 10. Rc1 Nh5 11. d5 Nxg3 12. hxg3 Ne7 (12... Ne5 13. Nd4 $14)
13. dxe6 Bxe6 14. Qb3 Rb8 15. Qa3 a6 16. Rfd1 Bf7 17. Nd5 Re8 18. Rc2 c5 19.
Nc3 Qc7 20. b3 Red8 21. Ne1 Nc6 22. Qc1 Qa5 23. a3 b5 24. Nd5 bxc4 (24... Kh7
$5 $13) 25. Bxc4 Ne5 26. b4 Qa4 27. Ba2 $5 (27. Ne7+ Kh7 28. Bxf7 Nxf7 29. Nd3
Ne5 30. Nf4 $5 $44) 27... cxb4 28. axb4 Kh8 29. Nd3 Bxd5 30. Bxd5 Nxd3 31. Rxd3
Rxb4 32. Rc8 $44 {/|^,Aronian,L (2803)-Ponomariov,R (2731)/Beijing rpd/2013/})
9. O-O Nh5 10. d5 Nxg3 11. hxg3 Ne5 12. Rc1 (12. Nd4 c5 $1 $132) 12... Nxf3+
13. Bxf3 e5 14. dxe6 c6 15. b4 g5 16. b5 g4 17. Be2 Bxe6 18. bxc6 bxc6 19. Qa4
c5 20. Bd3 Be5 21. Ne2 Bd7 22. Qd1 h5 23. Bc2 Qe8 24. Nf4 Bc6 25. Re1 Rd8 26.
Rb1 Qf7 27. Qd2 Qf6 $13 28. Nxh5 $6 Qh6 29. Nf4 Rd7 30. Nd5 Rh7 $36 {Aronian,L
(2813)-Kamsky,G (2741)/Saint Louis/2013/ For more details about both Aronian's
St. Louis games see the notes by Ramirez in CBM 157.}) 3... d6 4. e3 h6 {
This aggressive reaction is quite rare.} ({Solid development with} 4... g6 $5
5. h3 (5. Bc4 e6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Nbd2 Nc6 8. Qe2 O-O 9. c3 Qe8 10. Bb3 Kh8 11. h3
Bd7 12. Bh2 Nh5 13. d5 Nd8 14. dxe6 Nxe6 15. Rfe1 Nc5 16. Bc4 Qe7 17. Nd4 a6
18. Bd5 Nf6 19. Bf3 Nce4 20. Rad1 b5 $15 {[%csl Ge4] Dausch,R (2350)-Gofshtein,
L (2539)/Neuhausen/2007/}) 5... Bg7 6. Be2 (6. Nbd2 O-O 7. Bd3 Qe8 8. Bh2 (8.
O-O Kh8 9. Bh2 Nc6 10. c3 e5 11. e4 fxe4 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Bxe4 exd4 14. Bxc6
Qxc6 15. Nxd4 Qc4 16. Re1 Qf7 $11 {Zapata,A (2514)-Warner,D (2209)/Bridgetown/
2009/}) 8... Nc6 9. c3 e5 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Bb5 Nh5 12. Bxc6 Qxc6 13. Nxe5 Qxg2
14. Qb3+ Kh8 15. O-O-O Bf6 16. Ndf3 Qxf2 $2 (16... f4 $1 $132) 17. Rhe1 Qg2 {
Naumkin,I (2493)-Luciani,V (2238)/Gubbio/1999/} 18. Rd2 $1 Qxh3 19. Nf7+ Kg7
20. N7g5 Qg4 21. Rg1 $18) 6... O-O 7. O-O e6 8. Bh2 (8. c4 Qe7 9. Nc3 Nc6 10.
Bh2 Nd8 11. b4 Nf7 12. Rc1 g5 13. Nd2 e5 14. c5 f4 15. Kh1 exd4 16. exd4 dxc5
17. bxc5 Rd8 18. Nf3 Be6 19. Re1 Qd7 20. Bb5 c6 21. Ba4 Nd5 22. Nxd5 Bxd5 23.
Bc2 Re8 24. Qd3 h6 $15 {[%csl Gd5,Rh2] Grachev,B (2693)-Gleizerov,E (2546)/
Jurmala rpd/2013/ White has some play on the light squares, but his Bh2 is out
of the play and the Bd5 is powerful - if anyone is better here, it's Black.})
8... Nc6 9. Nbd2 Qe7 10. c3 b6 11. b4 a5 12. Qb3 Bb7 13. a3 h6 14. c4 Nd8 15.
c5 axb4 16. axb4 Nf7 17. Nh4 Kh7 18. cxd6 cxd6 19. Nc4 Bd5 20. Qb2 Ne4 21. Nf3
Qb7 22. b5 Rfc8 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. Ra1 Rxa1+ 25. Qxa1 Qc7 26. Nfd2 Nxd2 27. Nxd2
e5 $11 {Aronian,L (2826)-Caruana,F (2781)/Zürich rpd/2014/ subsequently gave
Black a good and active position.}) 5. h3 ({An early game by the master of
blockade featured} 5. h4 Nc6 $6 (5... g6 $142 {[%cal Yf8g7,Yf6g4] Black
continues his development and in the near future he can effectively use the
g4-square for his knight.}) 6. d5 $1 e5 7. dxc6 exf4 8. Bb5 b6 (8... Kf7 9. Nc3
$1 fxe3 10. Bc4+ $40) 9. exf4 d5 10. O-O Bc5 11. g3 Ne4 12. Kg2 g5 13. Ne5 O-O
14. hxg5 hxg5 15. Qh5 Qf6 16. f3 Nd6 17. Nc3 Be6 18. fxg5 Qxe5 19. Qg6+ Qg7 20.
Qxe6+ Qf7 21. Qxf7+ Kxf7 22. Bd3 $18 {Nimzowitsch,A-Krause,O/Copenhagen/1924/})
5... g5 6. Bh2 Bg7 7. Nbd2 {Restrained development, which Aronian also used
later against Caruana.} ({However, the active} 7. Be2 e6 8. c4 $5 {is also
interesting:} Qe7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. O-O b6 11. Rc1 Nbd7 12. Nb5 Ne8 13. c5 $1 bxc5
14. dxc5 Nxc5 15. Nxc7 Qxc7 16. b4 $36 f4 17. exf4 gxf4 18. bxc5 dxc5 19. Re1
Nd6 20. Qd2 Ne4 21. Qc2 Nc3 22. Bc4 Nd5 23. Bb3 $16 {[%csl Rc5,Re6,Rg8]
Kovacevic,S (2395)-Avshalumov,A (2480)/Paris/1992/ Once the game opens up,
Black can have problems with his exposed kingside.}) 7... O-O $146 (7... Nc6 8.
Bc4 e6 9. Qe2 a6 10. c3 d5 $6 (10... Qe7 $13) 11. Bd3 Ne4 12. O-O-O Qe7 13. Kb1
b5 14. Ne5 (14. Nb3 $14 {[%csl Rc5,Re5]}) 14... Bxe5 15. Bxe5 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Bb7
17. Nb3 Qg7 18. Bxe4 dxe4 19. Nc5 Bd5 20. Qh5+ Ke7 21. f4 $2 (21. h4 $13) 21...
exf3 22. gxf3 Qxe5 $15 {Scekic,M (2400)-Kontic,D (2360)/Mataruska Banja/1997/})
8. c3 Nc6 9. Bd3 Rb8 {Somewhat mysterious. Black was hardly considering b5,
but perhaps he intended to play Bd7 without worrying about Qb3+.} (9... Qe8 10.
Qc2 {Highlights the drawback of the early 5...g5 - Black has to take care of
f5 and postpone the planned e5 push.} e6 11. O-O (11. b4) ({as well as} 11.
O-O-O $5 $13 {are other plausible options.}) (11. e4 d5 $5 12. e5 (12. exf5
exf5+ 13. Kf1 Ne4 14. Bxc7 Be6 $44) 12... Ne4 13. Ng1 $5 $14) 11... g4 12. hxg4
Nxg4 13. Bg3 $14 {/~~ is similar to the game - White should be better, but the
position is very sharp.}) 10. O-O ({The immediate} 10. Qc2 $14 {also deserves
attention.}) 10... Qe8 11. Re1 Qh5 12. Qc2 g4 (12... e6 13. e4 g4 14. hxg4 Nxg4
(14... fxg4 15. e5 {[%cal Re5f6,Rd3g6]} gxf3 16. exf6 Bxf6 17. Nxf3 $40 {
[%csl Rg8]}) 15. exf5 Nxh2 (15... exf5 16. Bf4 $16) 16. Nxh2 exf5 17. Re2 $32 {
[%csl Rf5,Rg8,Rh6][%cal Ge1e8] |^}) 13. hxg4 Nxg4 14. Bb5 {[%cal Rc2b3,Rb5c6]
Aronian tries to stop, or delay e5 by tactical means.} ({More natural was} 14.
Bg3 {, after} e5 {there is the interesting} 15. Nh4 $5 (15. dxe5 dxe5 16. e4 f4
17. Bc4+ Kh8 18. Bh4 Bf6 $132) (15. Bc4+ Kh8 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Rad1 e4 18. Nh2
Be5 $132) 15... e4 (15... Ne7 16. f3 Bf6 (16... Nf6 17. dxe5 dxe5 18. Rad1 Be6
19. e4 f4 20. Bf2 $36 {[%cal Yd3c4,Yh4f5]}) 17. Qb3+ Kh8 18. fxg4 Qxg4 19. dxe5
Bxh4 (19... dxe5 20. Nf1 Bxh4 21. Be2 $16) 20. Bxh4 Qxh4 21. exd6 $14 {/+/-})
16. Bc4+ Kh8 17. Nxe4 $1 d5 $5 (17... fxe4 18. Qxe4 Bf5 19. Nxf5 Qxf5 20. Qxf5
Rxf5 21. Be6 Rg5 22. Bf4 $16) 18. Bxd5 Ne7 19. Bb3 fxe4 20. Qxe4 Nf5 21. Nxf5 (
21. Bc2 Nf6 22. Qf4 Nd5 $13) 21... Bxf5 22. Qf4 $14 {[%cal Yf2f3,Ye3e4]}) 14...
Kh8 (14... Nxh2 15. Nxh2 $14 {eases White's task. Looking way ahead, Ng4
helped decide the game in Black's favour...}) (14... Bd7 $5 {/\} 15. d5 (15.
Bg3 f4 $1 16. Qb3+ Kh8 17. exf4 Na5 18. Bxd7 Nxb3 19. axb3 Nf6 $15) (15. Bc4+
Kh8 16. Bg3 e5 $132) 15... Nb4 16. cxb4 Bxb5 17. a4 Bd7 18. Qxc7 Rfd8 $44) 15.
Qb3 Nd8 $6 ({Black should have tried to connect his rooks with} 15... Bd7 $142
{/\} 16. d5 Nxh2 (16... a6 17. Be2 Nce5 18. Bf4 Rg8 $13) 17. Nxh2 Qg6 18. Qd1 (
18. Qa4 a6 19. Bxc6 $6 bxc6 20. dxc6 Be8 $36 {[%cal Rb8b2,Rb8b6]}) 18... Ne5
$132) 16. Bg3 e5 {Consistent, but now Black's lag in development starts to
tell.} (16... Be6 17. Bc4 $16) (16... Nf7 17. e4 $16) 17. dxe5 dxe5 18. Qb4 {
[%cal Rg3e5,Rf3e5]} ({More natural was the immediate} 18. Rad1 $142 $32) 18...
Ne6 (18... a6 19. Be2 (19. Bxa6 Nc6 20. Qc5 e4 21. Nh2 (21. Bc4 $5 exf3 22.
Nxf3 $44) 21... bxa6 22. Qxc6 f4 $5 (22... Rxb2 $132) 23. exf4 e3 24. fxe3 Nxh2
25. Bxh2 Rxb2 26. Rad1 Rg8 $44) 19... Nc6 $14) 19. Rad1 ({Here a more
circumspect move was} 19. Be2 $5 $36 {[%cal Yd2c4]}) 19... c5 (19... e4 $5 20.
Nh2 f4 21. exf4 e3 22. fxe3 Nxe3 23. Rxe3 $1 (23. Rc1 Nd5 $36) 23... Qxd1+ 24.
Nhf1 $44 {/+/= The position is not quite clear, but it's rather White, who is
fighting for an advantage (look at Black's sad queenside pieces).}) 20. Qb3 $5
(20. Qa3 a6 21. Bc4 $36) 20... Nc7 (20... Bf6 $5 {[%cal Yf5f4]}) 21. Be2 $16
Be6 22. Bc4 (22. Qa3 $5 {[%cal Ra3a7,Ra3c5]}) 22... Bd7 (22... Bxc4 23. Qxc4 b6
24. Nf1 $16 (24. Qa4 $5 $16)) 23. Be2 $6 ({Even now} 23. Qa3 $142 $1 $16 {
was still stronger}) 23... f4 {Opening the position is Black's best chance.} (
23... Qe8 24. Qa3 $16) 24. exf4 exf4 25. Bh4 Bc6 26. Be7 $6 {[%mdl 64] The
tactical tension grows inexorably and this leads to mistakes.} (26. Nh2 f3 $5 (
26... Qxh4 27. Bxg4 $36) 27. Nhxf3 Nd5 28. Bg3 Nf4 $14 {/<=>}) 26... Rf7 $6 ({
Even} 26... Rfe8 27. Bd6 Be5 28. Bxc5 Ne6 $14 {/~~ was better than the text
move.}) (26... Rg8 $142 $1 {[%cal Gg8g1]} 27. Bc4 Ne5 $5 (27... Nd5 28. Bg5 $5
$14) 28. Nh4 (28. Bxg8 Rxg8 29. c4 Ne6 $40) 28... Bxg2 (28... Qg4 $5 29. Be2 (
29. Bxg8 Bxg2 30. Nxg2 f3 31. Nxf3 Nxf3+ 32. Kf1 Rxg8 (32... Nh2+ 33. Kg1 Nf3+
$11) 33. Re3 Nh2+ (33... Bf8 34. Nh4 $1 {[%cal Re7f6] /\} Nxh4 35. Rg3 $18) 34.
Kg1 Nf3+ $11) 29... Qd7 (29... f3 30. Ndxf3 {leads nowhere}) 30. Bc4 Qg4 $11))
27. Bc4 Nd5 28. Bh4 $6 (28. Bxc5 $142 Rg8 29. Ne4 {and Black is struggling, as
he has has nothing concrete for the pawn and White's pieces are well
coordinated. A sample line is} Rd7 30. Bd6 Ndf6 31. Bxg8 Nxe4 32. Be6 Nxd6 (
32... Rxd6 33. Rxe4 $1 Rxd1+ 34. Qxd1 $18) 33. Bd5 $1 $16 (33. Bxd7 $2 Bxf3 $19
)) 28... Rf5 ({As engines quickly point out} 28... Rg8 $1 {again gives Black
dangerous tactical chances:} 29. Ne4 Ne5 $1 30. Be2 $5 (30. Nxe5 Bxe5 31. Bxd5
Rxg2+ $1 32. Kxg2 f3+ 33. Kg1 Bh2+ 34. Kh1 Qxh4 $19) (30. Bxd5 Nxf3+ 31. gxf3 (
31. Kf1 Bxd5 32. Qxd5 Qxd5 33. Rxd5 Nxh4 $19) 31... Bd4+ 32. Kf1 Bxd5 {- with
the bishop on c5 instead of h4 this line didn't work for Black.}) 30... Nxf3+
31. Bxf3 Qxh4 32. Rxd5 Bxd5 33. Qxd5 $44 {/=}) 29. Bd3 Rff8 30. Bb1 $36 {
[%cal Gb1h7]} Rbe8 (30... Bf6 31. Qc2 Rf7 32. Qf5 (32. Bxf6+ Ndxf6 33. Qf5 $36)
32... Bg5 33. Qg6 $14 {/+/- forces an endgame, which is definitely pleasant
for White.}) 31. Rxe8 $6 ({Once again White had a safe edge after} 31. Qc2 Ndf6
(31... Kg8 $2 32. Qh7+ Kf7 33. Ng5+ $18) (31... Ngf6 32. Nc4 $18 {[%cal Rc4e5,
Re5g6]}) 32. Qg6 $14 {/+/-}) (31. Qc4 $5 Ne5 32. Nxe5 Rxe5 33. Qd3 Ref5 34. Qh3
$36) 31... Rxe8 32. Ne4 $2 $138 (32. Qc2 $142 Ndf6 33. Qg6 Qxg6 34. Bxg6 Re2
35. Bd3 $14) 32... Nde3 $2 $138 {A very difficult position to handle in mutual
time trouble.} (32... Ne5 $1 {already turns the tables:} 33. Ned2 (33. Nxe5
Bxe5 34. Rxd5 Qxh4 $1 $40 {[%csl Gc6,Ge5]} (34... Bxd5 35. Qxd5 Qxh4 36. Qf7
Qe7 37. Qg6 $44 {|^})) 33... Nxf3+ 34. Nxf3 Nf6 35. Bxf6 Bxf6 36. Qc2 Be4 37.
Qxe4 (37. Qa4 Bxf3 38. gxf3 Rg8+ 39. Kf1 Qxf3 40. Be4 Qh3+ 41. Ke2 Qe6 $40 {
[%csl Re2]}) 37... Rxe4 38. Bxe4 Qf7 $15) 33. fxe3 Bxe4 (33... Nxe3 $2 34. Nf6
$18) (33... c4 34. Qxc4 Bxe4 (34... Nxe3 $2 35. Nf6 $18) 35. Bxe4 Nxe3 36. Qc7
Rxe4 (36... Nxd1 $2 37. Bf6 $1 Rg8 38. Ne5 $18) 37. Rd8+ Kh7 38. Bf6 Qg6 39.
Qxg7+ Qxg7 40. Bxg7 Kxg7 41. Rd7+ Kf6 42. Rxb7 $16) 34. Bxe4 Rxe4 35. Qxb7 ({
Simpler was} 35. exf4 $5 Rxf4 36. Rd8+ Rf8 (36... Bf8 37. Bg3) 37. Rxf8+ Bxf8
38. Qxb7 $16) 35... Qg6 (35... Rxe3 36. Qb8+ Re8 (36... Kh7 37. Qxf4 Qg6 38.
Re1 $16) 37. Qxf4 Ne5 $14 (37... Ne3 38. Re1 $18)) 36. Rd8+ {Weakening the
basic rank is rather risky.} (36. exf4 $5 Rxf4 (36... Ne3 37. Rd2 $5 (37. Qb8+
Kh7 (37... Re8 38. Qxe8+ Qxe8 39. Rd8 $18) 38. Rd2 $16) 37... Rxf4 38. Re2 $16
{/+-}) 37. Re1 Rf7 38. Qe4 $16) (36. Qb8+ Kh7 (36... Re8 37. Rd8) 37. exf4 {
-36.exf4}) 36... Kh7 37. Qd5 $2 {Underestimates Black's counterplay and throws
away the advantage. White still had good winning chances after} (37. Rd6 $1 Re6
(37... Qf5 $2 38. Rd7) 38. Rxe6 Qxe6 39. exf4 Qe3+ 40. Kh1 Qxf4 41. Qxa7 Ne5
42. Qc7 Qc4 43. b3 Qf1+ 44. Ng1 Qf4 45. Nf3 $16 {/+/=}) 37... Re6 38. exf4 $4 {
[%mdl 8192] Overlooks Black's pretty idea. The e3-pawn was already falling, so
White should have abandoned any serious ambitions.} (38. Ne1 Nxe3 39. Qf3 $11)
(38. Qd3 Nxe3 39. Bf2 $5 $11) 38... Bd4+ $1 (38... Bd4+ 39. cxd4 (39. Qxd4 {
is th only way to postpone mate.} cxd4 $19) 39... Qb1+ 40. Be1 Qxe1+ 41. Nxe1
Rxe1#) 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.01.29"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A39"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2014.01.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 O-O 8.
O-O Qa5 9. Nb3 Qh5 10. c5 b6 11. e4 bxc5 12. Bf3 Qh3 13. e5 Nxe5 14. Bg2 Qf5
15. Bxa8 Ba6 16. Bg2 Bxf1 17. Qxf1 d6 18. Bf4 Nd3 19. Bh3 Qh5 20. Qxd3 Qxh3 21.
Qe2 Re8 22. Re1 h6 23. Nd2 g5 24. Be3 Ng4 25. Nf1 Ne5 26. f4 gxf4 27. Bxf4 Rb8
28. b3 Qe6 29. Nd2 Nd3 30. Qxd3 Qxe1+ 31. Kg2 Rb4 32. Ne2 Qa1 33. Qc2 a5 34.
Nc4 a4 35. Bd2 axb3 36. axb3 Rb8 37. Nf4 Ra8 38. Nh5 Qa2 39. Qe4 Qxb3 40. Qxa8+
1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.01.29"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E30"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2014.01.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 d5 3. e3 Nbd7 4. c4 e6 5. Nc3 h6 6. Bh4 Bb4 7. cxd5 exd5 8. a3
Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 c5 10. Bd3 Qa5 11. Ne2 cxd4 12. O-O dxe3 13. fxe3 O-O 14. Nd4 Ne4
15. Be7 Re8 16. Bb4 Qd8 17. a4 a5 18. Ba3 Ndf6 19. c4 Be6 20. c5 Bd7 21. h3 Qc7
22. Rf3 Nxc5 23. Rc1 b6 24. Bf5 Nfe4 25. Bb2 Rad8 26. Rf4 f6 27. Bg6 Re7 28.
Nf5 Bxf5 29. Bxf5 Nd6 30. Qxd5+ Kh8 31. Bb1 Rxe3 32. Rxf6 Nde4 33. Rxh6# 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.01.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "166"]
[EventDate "2014.01.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b5 3. e4 Nxe4 4. Bxb5 e6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 Nf6 7. c4 O-O 8.
Nc3 Ba6 9. Bf4 c6 10. Bxa6 Nxa6 11. Ne5 Qc8 12. Qf3 Nb4 13. Rad1 d6 14. Ng4
Nxg4 15. Qxg4 Kh8 16. Re3 f5 17. Qe2 Rf6 18. Re1 Bf8 19. a3 Na6 20. Rxe6 Rxe6
21. Qxe6 Qxe6 22. Rxe6 Nc7 23. Re2 Kg8 24. f3 Kf7 25. Kf1 g6 26. Bg3 Rd8 27.
Ke1 Bg7 28. Rd2 Bh6 29. Rd3 Rd7 30. d5 cxd5 31. Nxd5 Nxd5 32. Rxd5 Bc1 33. Rb5
Rc7 34. Bxd6 Rxc4 35. Be5 Be3 36. Bc3 Bb6 37. Ke2 Ke6 38. Re5+ Kd6 39. Re8 Rc6
40. Bb4+ Kd5 41. Bc3 Kc4 42. a4 Kb3 43. a5 Bc5 44. Rb8+ Kc2 45. Rb7 h5 46. Be1
Re6+ 47. Kf1 Bd4 48. b4 Kd3 49. Bf2 Bxf2 50. Kxf2 h4 51. Rxa7 Re2+ 52. Kf1 Rb2
53. Rd7+ Ke3 54. Re7+ Kd3 55. Re1 h3 56. gxh3 Rxh2 57. Kg1 Ra2 58. h4 Ra4 59.
b5 Rxa5 60. Rb1 Ra7 61. b6 Rb7 62. Kf2 f4 63. Rb4 Kc3 64. Rxf4 Rxb6 65. Kg3 Kd3
66. Kg4 Ke3 67. Re4+ Kf2 68. Ra4 Rb1 69. Ra2+ Ke3 70. Ra3+ Kf2 71. Kg5 Rg1+ 72.
Kh6 Kg3 73. Kxg6 Kxh4+ 74. Kf5 Rb1 75. Ra5 Kh5 76. f4 Kh6 77. Ra7 Rb5+ 78. Kf6
Rb6+ 79. Kf7 Rb5 80. Ra6+ Kh5 81. Rf6 Ra5 82. Kg7 Ra7+ 83. Kf8 Kg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.01.29"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E02"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2014.01.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. g3 c5 5. Bg2 cxd4 6. O-O Bc5 7. Nxd4 dxc4 8.
Qa4+ Nbd7 9. Qxc4 O-O 10. Nc3 a6 11. Nb3 Ba7 12. Rd1 h6 13. Bd2 Rb8 14. Rac1 b5
15. Qb4 Bb6 16. Bf4 a5 17. Qd6 Qe8 18. Nxb5 e5 19. Bd2 Bxf2+ 20. Kxf2 Rxb5 21.
Nxa5 e4 22. Kg1 Ne5 23. Bb4 Ng6 24. a4 Rh5 25. Nc6 Bb7 26. Ne7+ Nxe7 27. Qxe7
Qxe7 28. Bxe7 Rb8 29. Bxf6 gxf6 30. b4 Re5 31. Rc7 Bd5 32. b5 Bb3 33. Rd4 f5
34. Rb4 Be6 35. b6 Ra5 36. e3 Kg7 37. Bf1 Kf6 38. Ra7 Rc5 39. a5 Rc1 40. b7 f4
41. Rxe4 fxe3 42. Rxe3 Bh3 43. Rf3+ Kg7 44. a6 Rd8 45. Rxf7+ Kg6 46. b8=Q Rxb8
47. Rf2 Rb6 48. Ra8 Kg7 49. Ra7+ Kg6 50. Ra8 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.01.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C41"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2014.01.29"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. e4 e5 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 a6 8. a4
b6 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. Nd5 Bb7 12. Nxf6+ Qxf6 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5
Qxe5 15. c3 Rae8 16. Bd5 Bxd5 17. Qxd5 a5 18. Qxe5 Rxe5 19. f3 Rfe8 20. Kf2 g5
21. g4 Kg7 22. c4 h5 23. h3 Rh8 24. Re2 hxg4 25. hxg4 Re6 26. Ke3 Rh3 27. Rd1
Kf6 28. b3 Re5 29. Ree1 Re8 30. Rd5 Rh2 31. Re2 Rh1 32. Rf5+ Kg6 33. Kd4 Rd1+
34. Kc3 Rh1 35. Kd4 Rd1+ 36. Kc3 Rh1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.01.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "2014.01.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 a6 7. Qb3 Rb8 8.
O-O b5 9. a4 Bb7 10. axb5 axb5 11. d3 Be7 12. Bf4 Nd5 13. Bd2 O-O 14. Rc1 c5
15. Ba5 Qe8 16. Nbd2 N5f6 17. Rab1 Bd5 18. Qd1 Ra8 19. b4 Ra6 20. e4 Bc6 21.
Nb3 cxb4 22. Qd2 Bxe4 23. dxe4 Nxe4 24. Qc2 Nc3 25. Ra1 Nf6 26. Ne5 Nfd5 27.
Nd3 Rc6 28. Bxd5 exd5 29. Re1 Rc4 30. f3 Qd7 31. Qf2 Bd6 32. Bb6 Qf5 33. Qe3 h5
34. Bd4 Rc7 35. Ra7 Rxa7 36. Bxa7 Ra8 37. Bc5 d4 38. Nxd4 Bxc5 39. Nxf5 Bxe3+
40. Nxe3 b3 41. Nd1 Rc8 42. Nxc3 Rxc3 43. Rd1 b2 44. Nxb2 Rxf3 45. Rd8+ Kh7 46.
Rd5 Rb3 47. Nd3 g6 48. Rd7 Kg7 49. Kf2 Ra3 50. Ke3 Ra2 51. h4 Kf6 52. Rb7 Ra5
53. Nc5 Ra3+ 54. Kf4 Ra1 55. Ne4+ Kg7 56. Nd6 Rf1+ 57. Ke3 Kf8 58. Rxb5 Ke7 59.
Ne4 Re1+ 60. Kf4 Kf8 61. Rb8+ Kg7 62. Rb7 Rf1+ 63. Ke3 Kf8 64. Nd6 Rf6 65. Rb8+
Ke7 66. Ne4 Rf1 67. Ke2 Rf5 68. Rc8 Re5 69. Kf3 Rf5+ 70. Kg2 Re5 71. Ng5 Re2+
72. Kh3 Rf2 73. Rc4 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.01.31"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2014.01.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 {Carlsen's intentions when opening the game with this move are not very
clear. In the fifth game of his match against Anand he soon transposed to 1.d4,
something Korchnoi used to do a lot in his matches against Karpov. In this
game, White will not be given this opportunity.} Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3
d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 {In my opinion, the most testing system against the
English Opening. It is very hard to prove an objective advantage with White;
you mainly need to know all the typical ideas and try to outplay your opponent
by combining them in the most inspired way.} 7. O-O Be7 8. a3 O-O 9. d3 Re8 10.
b4 Bf8 11. Rb1 a5 12. b5 Nd4 13. e3 $5 {A rare move and, at this level, a
novelty. White usually does not play e2-e3 with the knight on f3 still.} (13.
Nd2 a4 14. e3 Ne6 15. Nf3 Nc5 16. d4 exd4 17. Nxd4 {This was supposed to be
good for White some 20 years ago, but things seem to have changed since then.}
Qg5 (17... g6 {Georgiev,K (2580)-Gelfand,B (2680) Manila 1990 CBM 019 [Ribli] 
(1/2, 91)}) 18. e4 Qg6 19. Bf4 Ne6 20. Nxe6 Bxe6 21. Bxc7 Rec8 22. Bxb6 Rxc3
23. Qd4 {1/2 Flores,D (2599)-Garcia Palermo,C (2479) Mar del Plata 2012}) (13.
Bb2 {used to be a favourite of Portisch:} a4 (13... Bg4 {Portisch,L (2605)
-Kortschnoj,V (2625) Wijk aan Zee 1990 CBM 017 [Ribli] (1-0, 39)}) 14. Nd2 {
Portisch,L (2605)-Petursson,M (2555) Wijk aan Zee 1990 CBM 017 [Ribli] (1/2,
39)}) 13... Nxf3+ 14. Bxf3 a4 (14... Bh3 $6 {offers White pleasant play:} 15.
Bxb7 $1 Bxf1 {Vezzosi,P (2362)-Ranola,Y (2432) Salsomaggiore Terme 2006 (0-1,
49)} 16. Qxf1 Rb8 17. Bc6 Re6 18. Bb2 Rd6 19. Rd1 $44) 15. Qe2 $146 {Planning
a long and logical regrouping.} ({The previously played} 15. Qc2 {does make
sense, though:} Ra5 ({If Black chooses the same setup as in the game with} 
15... Ra7 {White could speed up his initiative with} 16. Ne4 {[%cal Ge4c5]
inhibiting the development of the c8-bishop in view of the threat Nc5; here we
see that the queen is useful on c2 and that White is ready for action even
with incomplete development. One main thing is that the 7-rook is passive.} f5
17. Nd2 Be6 18. Bb2 Bd6 19. Nc4 Nxc4 20. dxc4 Qe7 21. Qc3 e4 22. Bh5 Rd8 23. f3
Qg5 24. f4 Qe7 25. g4 {White's position remains more pleasant, but is it
enough for anything?}) 16. Rd1 f5 $6 17. e4 $1 $14 {[%csl Gf4] Kristiansen,J 
(2445)-Jakobsen,O (2390) Copenhagen 1990 (1-0, 33)}) 15... Ra7 16. Bb2 Be6 17.
Rfc1 {Logical, but also a bit slow. If the rooks go on the b- and c-files, the
queen is surely well placed on e2.} Qd7 ({Aronian does not feel like embarking
double edged action such as} 17... f5 18. e4 f4 19. gxf4 exf4 20. Kh1 $5 {
[%cal Gc1g1]}) 18. Ne4 Ba2 $1 {At some later point it will appear that the
white queen's rook actually stands better on a1 than on b1. And yet, at this
point in the game, the last move is the best.} (18... Bd5 19. Nc5 $14 Qxb5 $2
20. Bxe5 $16 {Here we see the role of the b1-rook.}) (18... Bb3 19. Nd2 Ba2 20.
Ra1 Bd5 21. Bxd5 Nxd5 22. e4 Nb6 23. Nf3 Bd6 (23... Qxb5 24. Rab1 $1 {[%cal
Gb2e5] Even with a loss of one tempo the rook is quite effective here, for
instance} Qa5 $6 25. Rxc7 Bd6 26. Bc3 Qa6 27. Ng5 $1 {[%cal Ge2h5]} h6 28. Qh5
Rf8 29. Nxf7 Bxc7 30. Nxh6+ gxh6 31. Qg6+ Kh8 32. Qxh6+ Kg8 33. Qg6+ Kh8 34.
Rxb6 $1 Qxb6 35. Bxe5+ Bxe5 36. Qxb6 $16 {lots of pawns...}) 24. d4 $14 {
[%csl Ga7]}) 19. Ra1 Bd5 20. Bg4 {Aiming to provoke some weakening of Black's
position.} Qd8 ({Actually,} 20... f5 {was entirely playable, but the following
variation had to be calculated accurately.} 21. Bh3 Ra5 22. Ng5 Bd6 23. e4 Qe7
$1 {Exiting the pin and attacking the knight.} 24. Qd2 Rxb5 $1 25. exd5 Rxb2
26. Qxb2 Qxg5 $44 {There is no obvious way to breakthrough with White. In fact,
it is mainly Black who could think of a pawn attack on the kingside.}) 21. Bc3
Nd7 22. Bf3 $6 {Giving away the chances to keep the micro-initiative.} (22. Qb2
$5 {[%cal Gc3b4] The bishop exchange would spare White any troubles with the
a3-pawn and would ensure some queenside space for the major pieces.} b6 ({
The bishop would be exposed after} 22... Bb3 23. Bb4 Bxb4 24. axb4 b6 25. Rc3 {
[%cal Gc3b3]} Bd5 26. Nd2 Nf6 27. Bd1 $16 {[%csl Ga4]}) 23. Bb4 Bxe4 24. dxe4
Bxb4 25. Qxb4 Nc5 26. Be2 Ra8 27. Bc4 $1 Qf6 (27... Nxe4 $2 28. Bxf7+ $1 $16)
28. Rc2 Rad8 29. Bd5 $14 {[%csl Ga4,Gc7][%cal Ga1c1,Gc2c5]}) 22... b6 $1 {
[%cal Gd7c5] Crossing White's plans.} ({There was absolutely no need to fall
into the thematic trap} 22... f5 $2 23. Nd6 $1 $16 Bxf3 24. Qa2+ $1 $18) 23.
Bb4 $5 {Not the optimal way to exchange bishops, but a reasonable one...} ({
Now is too late for} 23. Qb2 {in view of} Nc5 $1) 23... Bxb4 24. axb4 Qe7 25.
Nc3 Bxf3 26. Qxf3 Nf6 $1 (26... a3 $6 {not only fails to keep the pawn, but
also hands over the initiative to White:} 27. Nd5 Qd8 (27... Qd6 $2 28. Rc6 $18
) 28. Rc3 $16 {[%csl Ga3]}) ({Or if} 26... Qxb4 $6 27. Qc6 Rd8 {White has a
pleasant choice already} 28. Nd5 $1 (28. Nxa4 $5 $14 Rxa4 $2 29. Qxc7 $1) 28...
Qb3 29. Nxc7 $16 {Black's poor coordination seems to be more relevant than his
passed pawn.}) 27. Rxa4 Rxa4 28. Nxa4 Qxb4 $11 29. Nc3 Qb2 30. Qd1 Rd8 31. Kg2
h6 32. h3 Rxd3 {Actually, any reasonable move would suffice for equality. True,
White's structure is more compact, but Black is quite active.} (32... Rd7 $11)
33. Qxd3 Qxc1 34. Qd8+ Kh7 35. Qxc7 Ne4 $1 {Otherwise Black would be in some
trouble.} (35... e4 36. Qe5 Qc2 37. Nd5 Nxd5 38. Qxd5 $16 {[%csl Gb6,Ge4,Gf7]})
36. Qxe5 (36. Qxf7 $11) 36... Nxc3 37. Qf5+ Kg8 38. Qc8+ Kh7 39. Qf5+ Kh8 40.
Qc8+ Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.02.01"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2014.01.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 d5 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. Ne5 Ne4 8. Nd2
Nxd2 9. Bxd2 O-O 10. O-O Nd7 11. Bc3 Nf6 12. Qb3 Ne4 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Rfd1 Qb6
15. Qxb6 axb6 16. Nc4 Be6 17. d5 Bg4 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Kf1 b5 20. Ne3 Bd7 21.
a3 Rfc8 22. Rac1 Kf6 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. d6 e6 25. Ng4+ Kf5 26. Ne3+ Kf6 27. Ng4+
Kf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.02.02"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E63"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2014.01.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 d6 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. d4 a6 8. h3
Rb8 9. e4 b5 10. d5 {This is a rare continuation in this well-known position.
Main lines:} (10. e5) (10. cxb5) 10... b4 (10... Na5 {is possible, too:} 11.
cxb5 axb5 12. b4 Nc4 13. Nd4 Bd7 14. a4 bxa4 15. b5 Nb6 16. Qd3 e6 (16... Ra8
17. Nc6 Bxc6 18. bxc6 Qc8 {0-1 (33) Matlakov,M (2668)-Ding,L (2680) St
Petersburg 2012} 19. Ra3 $44) 17. dxe6 fxe6 (17... Bxe6 $5 18. Nc6 Qe8 19. Nxb8
Bc4 20. Qb1 Bxf1 21. Kxf1 Qxb8 22. Nxa4 Nxa4 23. Rxa4 Nd7 $11) 18. Nxa4 Qe8 19.
Nxb6 Rxb6 20. Ra5 {1/2 (43) Navara,D (2702)-Fier,A (2572) Caleta 2014} e5 21.
Qc4+ Rf7 22. Qxc7 Rb8 23. Nc6 Rxb5 $1 24. Nd8 $1 Rxa5 25. Qxa5 Rf8 26. Nb7 Qb8
$13) 11. Ne2 Na5 12. Qc2 (12. e5 dxe5 13. Nxe5 Nd7 14. Nxd7 Bxd7 15. c5 c6 16.
Nf4 cxd5 17. Nxd5 e6 18. Nb6 Bb5 $36 {1/2 (56) Gervais,V (2275)-Laurent,B 
(2284) France 2003}) (12. Nfd4 $5 e5 (12... c5 $5 13. dxc6 e5 {may be more
appropriate}) 13. Nb3 $1 (13. dxe6 fxe6 14. Qc2 (14. b3 c5 15. Nc2 Bb7 16. Qd3
d5 17. cxd5 exd5 18. e5 Ne4 $36 {1-0 (82) Granda Zuniga,J (2475)-Howell,J 
(2400) Gausdal 1986}) 14... c5 15. Nb3 Nc6 16. Be3 Qc7 17. f4 e5 18. fxe5 Nxe5
$15 {1/2 (20) Baumgartner,H (2277)-Klundt,K (2405) Austria 2000}) 13... Nxc4
14. Qc2 Nb6 15. a3 bxa3 16. Rxa3 Bd7 17. Be3 Qc8 18. Na5 Ne8 19. Nc6 Bxc6 20.
dxc6 $14 {1-0 (50) Fominykh,M (2253)-Bodnaruk,A (2419) Moscow 2012}) 12... c6 (
12... c5 $5 13. Nf4 Nd7 14. Be3 (14. Re1 $6 b3 15. Qd3 {1/2 (72) Khismatullin,
D (2664)-Krylov,M (2490) Moscow 2012} Rb4 $1 16. Bd2 Bxb2 $1 17. Bxb4 cxb4 18.
Rab1 Nc5 19. Qd1 Bc3 20. axb3 Bxe1 21. Nxe1 Naxb3 22. Rxb3 Nxb3 23. Qxb3 a5 $17
{[%csl Ga5,Gb4]}) 14... b3 $13) 13. Nfd4 (13. Ned4 Bb7 (13... c5 14. Nb3 e5 15.
dxe6 Bxe6 16. Rd1 Nxb3 (16... Nxc4 17. Nxc5 Rc8 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. Nd4 $14) 17.
axb3 Qb6 18. Bf4 $14 {0-1 (71) Gajewski,G (2637)-Jones,G (2638) Reykjavik ISL
2013}) 14. dxc6 Nxc6 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Nd4 Ba8 17. Rd1 Qc7 18. Qe2 Nd7 19. b3
Nc5 20. Bb2 e6 $11 {1-0 (34) Gajewski,G (2653)-Moranda,W (2560) Poland 2013})
13... cxd5 $146 {[%mdl 32] Hardly a good idea. White keeps a strong knight on
d4, for which Black's control of the c5 square will hardly compensate.} (13...
c5 $5 14. Nb3 e6 15. Bf4 Nxb3 16. axb3 exd5 17. cxd5 Re8 18. Rfe1 h5 19. Kh2 h4
20. g4 {1-0 (59) Grachev,B (2668)-Morozevich,A (2722) Moscow RUS 2014} Qe7 $132
{[%cal Yf6d7]}) 14. exd5 Qc7 (14... e5 $142 15. dxe6 fxe6 16. Nb3 $14 {[%csl
Rd6,Re6]}) 15. b3 e5 {Black finally goes for hanging pawns but this is an
inferior version as White starts a queenside attack.} 16. dxe6 fxe6 17. a3 $1
bxa3 18. Bd2 Nb7 19. Rxa3 {[%csl Ra6]} e5 (19... Nc5 $2 20. b4) (19... Nd8 {
is too ugly; besides, White wins material by means of} 20. Ba5 Qc5 21. b4 $1
Rxb4 $8 22. Bxd8 ({or simply} 22. Bxb4) 22... Rxd8 23. Nc6) 20. Nc6 Ra8 (20...
Bf5 21. Qa2 Rbc8 22. Rxa6) 21. Nb4 (21. Nc3 {, bringing a more passive knight
to the dominant position on d5, was much stronger.}) 21... a5 22. Qa2 Bf5 23.
Nd5 Nxd5 24. Bxd5+ Kh8 25. b4 (25. g4 $5 Bd3 26. Be3 Rab8 27. Re1 $16) 25...
Bxh3 26. Rb1 Bf5 27. Rb2 Bd7 (27... Qc8 $1 {[%cal Yf5e6]} 28. bxa5 Nc5 $1 {
[%cal Yc5d3] (M.Notkin) was a better chance to create counterplay.}) 28. bxa5
Bc6 29. Nc3 Nc5 30. Be3 e4 31. a6 {Black has not enough compensation for this
strong passed pawn.} Nd3 (31... Rxa6 32. Rxa6 Nxa6 33. Qxa6 Bxc3 34. Rc2 Bxd5
35. cxd5 Qg7 36. Qxd6 $16 {[%csl Gd5]}) 32. Rb7 $1 Qc8 (32... Bxb7 33. axb7
Rab8 34. Nb5 Qd7 35. Ra8 $16 {was relatively better for Black}) 33. Nxe4 Bxd5
34. cxd5 Qg4 35. Rxd3 Qxe4 36. Rdb3 Qxd5 37. Qe2 $18 {[%csl Ga6]} Qc6 38. a7 d5
39. Rxg7 $1 {[%mdl 64] A final blow.} Kxg7 40. Bd4+ Kh6 (40... Kg8 41. Qe7 Rf7
42. Rb8+) (40... Kf7 41. Qe5 $18) 41. Qe3+ Kh5 42. g4+ Kh4 43. Qh6+ Kxg4 44.
Qh3+ Kf4 45. Rf3+ 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.02.03"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[Annotator "Caruana,F"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2014.01.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Before this game, the tournament hadn't been going well for me. I had missed
a lot of chances and the previous day I had lost a terrible game to Carlsen.
But unless you're stranded in the Indian Ocean, all is not lost!} 1. e4 e5 2.
Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O {The Marshall has
been one of the toughest nuts to crack in modern chess. Players (myself
included) have tried nearly every move here, but for this game I decided to
play the most principled.} 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12.
d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4 ({Last year Kasimdzhanov played} 14... Qf6 {
against me, but I also got a slight advantage there.}) 15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 {
Not a new move, but a rare one. Levon had faced this before, and easily held a
draw, but I felt that Black would still have some problems to solve.} (16. Bxd5
cxd5 17. Qxd5 {is the main line, with an enormous body of theory.}) 16... Bxd3
17. Nd2 Qf5 18. Bd4 {Ivanchuk opted for the queen trade right away, which
makes less sense to me.} Rfe8 19. a4 h6 {A slightly mysterious move, which
Levon played very quickly. I wasn't surprised, because it's the first line of
Houdini and one of the moves I had checked} ({Neither side wants to release
the tension by trading queens. For example,} 19... Qxf3 $6 20. Nxf3 {would
give White an advantage because a knight or bishop can land on e5.}) 20. Kg2 {
Just a useful waiting move.} Kf8 {This came as a surprise to me.} ({If Black
tries to force matters, for instance with} 20... b4 {, he might become worse:}
21. c4 c5 22. Qxd5 Qxd5+ 23. cxd5 cxd4 24. Nc4 Bxc4 25. Bxc4 {, and rather
instructively, this ending is extremely unpleasant for Black, mainly because
his pawn is on b4, which leaves the bishop on d6 obstructed and vulnerable to
Rc6.}) 21. Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. axb5 axb5 23. Qxf5 {Too compliant. I spent a lot of
time on these moves, because I felt it was the critical moment, but I couldn't
find a clear path to an advantage.} (23. Ra6 $1 {, my first intention, was the
right way:} Ne7 24. Bd1 $1 {A very important move, which I saw, but rejected
based on} Qg6 {, overlooking that I can continue chasing the queen:} 25. Qg4 $1
{, and White's advantage becomes obvious.}) 23... Bxf5 24. Bxd5 cxd5 25. Ra6 {
White's advantage looks minuscule, but I remember analysing similar positions
and concluding that there are some dangers for Black.} Be7 $6 {This doesn't
look entirely accurate.} (25... Re2 $1 {was the best move and the one I
expected during the game.} 26. Rxd6 (26. Be3 Ke7 27. Ra1 {traps the rook, but
it can never be won because ...Bd3 defends everything.}) ({I don't recommend
the shameless pawn grab with} 26. Nf3 Ke7 27. Bxg7 Be4) 26... Rxd2 27. b4 {
I thought White would have an advantage here, but it turns out Black gets
counterplay against my king.} Be4+ 28. Kh3 f5 $3 {An incredibly strong move,
courtesy of Houdini.} 29. Rg6 (29. Rb6 g5 30. Rxh6 Bd3 31. Kg2 Be4+ {is a draw}
) (29. Rd8+ Ke7 30. Rh8 Kf7 31. Rh7 Rxd4 32. cxd4 Kg8 {is a funny line. If you
didn't know the previous moves it would be hard to figure out how the rook got
to h7!}) 29... Rd1 $1 {Getting the rook out of the attack from Bxh6. Now White
can't capture on g7 and} (29... f4 30. Rb6) 30. Rb6 g5 {again leads to a draw.}
) 26. Nf1 ({The machine shows its weakness here, preferring} 26. Rb6 Bg5 27.
Nf3 Be4 28. Rxb5 {, which wins a pawn but allows an eternal pin on the knight.
I was worried I might get worse here.}) 26... b4 {Naturally Black takes his
chance to trade off his weak b-pawn. Nevertheless, White keeps some advantage.}
27. Ne3 Bd3 (27... Be6 28. f4 {, and White can start to expand on the kingside.
Black has no counterplay.}) 28. Ra5 bxc3 29. bxc3 Bd8 {Levon was very upset
about this move after the game. Although it's not very accurate, I don't think
it was the main cause for Black's defeat.} 30. Ra8 f6 31. f3 Be7 32. Ra7 Bd6
33. Rd7 Ba3 34. Rxd5 Kg8 35. h4 Bc1 36. Ng4 ({I felt my chances to win
wouldn't be so high if I allowed the trade.} 36. Kf2 Bxe3+ 37. Bxe3 Bc4 38. Rc5
Be6 {looks very drawish.}) 36... Bc4 37. Rc5 Be6 ({It made more sense to get
the rook to the 2nd immediately:} 37... Re2+ 38. Nf2 (38. Kf1 Ba6) 38... Be6)
38. Nf2 Ra8 39. g4 Ra2 $2 {This move, made extremely quickly, shocked me.
Levon started to play poorly over the next few moves, despite the fact that
his position is perfectly fine.} (39... Bf4 $1 {, preventing Kg3, was
necessary.} 40. Nd3 Ra2+ 41. Bf2 Be3 42. Rc6 (42. Rc7 Rd2) 42... Bd7 43. Rc7
Rd2 44. Rxd7 Bxf2 45. Kh3 Be3 {, and Black gets enough counterplay to make a
draw.}) 40. Kg3 {Suddenly, my king is free and Black is in serious trouble.
The bishop on c1 is especially poorly placed.} Ra6 41. Rc7 {A strong move,
which prepares Bc5 in case of ...Ba3.} Bd2 (41... Ba3 42. Bc5 Bb2 43. Bb4 $1 {
, and again it's hard for Black to get his bishop out.}) 42. Ne4 Be1+ 43. Bf2 {
I was very happy to get rid of Black's bishop pair.} Bxf2+ 44. Kxf2 Ra2+ $6 {
For better or worse, Black had to take his chances with 44...f5, because in
the game he goes down without a fight.} (44... f5 45. Nc5 Rd6 46. Nxe6 (46. g5
hxg5 47. hxg5 f4 {is not what I want.}) 46... Rxe6 47. gxf5 Re5 {, and here
White has to decide whether or not to take a move to damage Black's pawns with
48.f6 or start pushing with 48.c4. Both ways offer good winning chances but I
couldn't find a clear-cut path to victory.}) 45. Kg3 Rc2 ({Now} 45... f5 46.
Nc5 {just wins.}) 46. Kf4 Ra2 47. h5 {I've achieved a bind and stopped ...f5.
Now all that remains is to push the c-pawn.} Ra5 {At first, I wasn't entirely
sure how to proceed here, but then I saw a very attractive idea and got
excited.} 48. Nc5 Bd5 49. Rc8+ Kf7 {Perhaps Levon thought I just wanted to
repeat the position, because he seemed surprised by my next move.} (49... Kh7 {
has the benefit of not losing on the spot, but that's where the good news ends.
} 50. Nd7 g5+ 51. Ke3 (51. hxg6+ Kxg6 52. Rc7 {threatens Nf8# and is also very
strong.}) 51... Kg7 52. Rc7 {, and Black won't survive for long.}) 50. c4 {
The point. Now it's very easy, although I manged to prolong the game a bit
more than was necessary.} Ba8 (50... Bxc4 51. Nb7 {wins a piece.}) 51. Rc7+ Kg8
52. Ne6 Ra3 53. Rxg7+ Kh8 54. Kf5 Bxf3 55. Rg6 Be2 56. Rxh6+ Kg8 57. Rg6+ Kh8
58. Rxf6 Rf3+ 59. Nf4 Bxc4 60. Kg5 Kg8 61. Kh6 Ra3 62. g5 Ra7 63. g6 Rc7 64.
Nh3 Rc8 65. Ng5 Rd8 66. Nh7 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Extra Rapid"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.02.01"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E01"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2014.01.30"]
[EventType "game (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. g3 c5 5. Bg2 cxd4 6. O-O Bc5 7. Nxd4 dxc4 8.
Qa4+ Qd7 9. Nb5 O-O 10. Qxc4 Qe7 11. b4 Bb6 12. a4 Bd7 13. a5 Bxf2+ 14. Kxf2
Rc8 15. Qd3 Nd5 16. Kg1 Qxb4 17. Nd4 Nc6 18. Nxc6 Bxc6 19. Qd2 Qc5+ 20. Kh1 Nf6
21. Bb2 Ng4 22. Qd4 Bxg2+ 23. Kxg2 Ne3+ 24. Kf2 Qxd4 25. Bxd4 Nxf1 26. Kxf1
Rc1+ 27. Kf2 Rac8 28. Bxa7 e5 29. Be3 Rd1 30. g4 f6 31. h3 Kf7 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.02.04"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A56"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2014.02.04"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 Nbd7 6. Nf3 Be7 7. g3 O-O 8. Bd3
Nh5 9. Qe2 a6 10. Bd2 g6 11. Kd1 Kh8 12. h3 Ndf6 13. Kc2 Bd7 14. a4 Qc8 15. g4
Ng7 16. Nh2 Ng8 17. f4 exf4 18. Bxf4 f6 19. Nf1 Rf7 20. Ne3 Qf8 21. h4 Bd8 22.
Qh2 Bc7 23. h5 g5 24. h6 Ne8 25. Bg3 Ne7 26. Nf5 Ng6 27. a5 Ne5 28. Be2 Bxf5
29. exf5 Qe7 30. Be1 Qd8 31. Ne4 Re7 32. Qg2 b6 33. Bc3 b5 34. cxb5 axb5 35.
Bxb5 Bxa5 36. Bc6 Raa7 37. Bxe5 Rxe5 38. Ra4 Nc7 39. Rha1 Na6 40. Nd2 Nb4+ 41.
Rxb4 cxb4 42. Nc4 b3+ 43. Kxb3 Ree7 44. Qg3 Qb8+ 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.02.04"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2014.02.04"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. Qc2 c5 7. O-O cxd4 8. Nxd4
e5 9. Nf5 d4 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Nd2 Bf5 14. Qb3 Nd7
15. Qa3 Qb6 16. Rfc1 Rfc8 17. b4 a5 18. c5 Qa6 19. Nc4 Be6 20. Nd6 axb4 21.
Qxa6 bxa6 22. Nxc8 Rxc8 23. c6 Nb6 24. Rab1 a5 25. a3 b3 26. c7 Bc4 27. Bb7
Rxc7 28. Rxb3 Rxb7 29. Rxc4 Nxc4 30. Rxb7 Nxa3 31. Kg2 Nc4 32. g4 Nd6 33. Ra7
f6 34. Rxa5 Ne4 35. h4 h5 36. gxh5 Kh7 37. Ra8 Nd6 38. Kf3 Nf5 39. Kg4 Nh6+ 40.
Kh3 Nf5 41. Rd8 Nh6 42. f4 exf4 43. Rxd4 Nf7 44. Rxf4 Kh6 45. Rf5 Nd6 46. Rd5
Nc4 47. Kg3 Ne3 48. Rc5 Nf1+ 49. Kf4 Nd2 50. e3 Nb3 51. Rc3 Na5 52. Rc8 Kh7 53.
Kf5 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.02.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2014.02.04"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Nc3 Nbd7 7. b3 Nb6 8. Ne5
Bb4 9. Bb2 Ne4 10. Qd3 f6 11. Nf3 e5 12. a3 Bxc3+ 13. Bxc3 Nxf2 14. Kxf2 e4 15.
Qc2 Bf5 16. Qa2 exf3 17. exf3 dxc4 18. bxc4 Be6 19. d5 Bf7 20. Rhe1 c6 21. Bb4
Re8 22. Rxe8+ Qxe8 23. Re1 Qd8 24. f4 cxd5 25. cxd5 Nxd5 26. Bxd5 Bxd5 27. Qd2
Qb6+ 28. Qe3 Qa6 29. g4 Bf7 30. Qd4 h6 31. Re7 Qc6 32. Kg3 Re8 33. Rxe8+ Qxe8
34. Qxa7 Bd5 35. Qc5 Qe6 36. Qe7 Qb6 37. Qc5 Qe6 38. Qe7 Qb6 39. Qc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.02.04"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A01"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[PlyCount "155"]
[EventDate "2014.02.04"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bb2 Bf5 4. h3 h6 5. Nf3 e6 6. c4 Be7 7. g4 Bh7 8. Rg1
Nbd7 9. cxd5 exd5 10. h4 Ne4 11. g5 hxg5 12. hxg5 O-O 13. d3 Bb4+ 14. Nbd2 Nxd2
15. Nxd2 c5 16. a3 Bxd2+ 17. Qxd2 Re8 18. f4 Qb6 19. Kf2 Qxb3 20. g6 Bxg6 21.
f5 d4 22. e4 Bxf5 23. exf5 Re3 24. Rb1 Qd5 25. Rxg7+ Kf8 26. Rg2 Ne5 27. Qd1
Re8 28. Bc1 b6 29. Qh5 Qf3+ 30. Qxf3 Rxf3+ 31. Kg1 Rxf5 32. Rf2 Rh5 33. Bf4 Re6
34. Be2 Rh3 35. Rd1 Ke7 36. Kg2 Rh8 37. Bh2 Rg6+ 38. Kf1 f6 39. Ke1 Ng4 40.
Bxg4 Rxg4 41. Kd2 Rg6 42. a4 Rhg8 43. Re1+ Kd7 44. Ree2 Kc6 45. Kc2 f5 46. Kb3
Rf8 47. Re7 f4 48. Rxa7 Re6 49. Kc4 Re1 50. Bxf4 Rc1+ 51. Bxc1 Rxf2 52. Kb3 Rf3
53. Kc2 c4 54. dxc4 Rc3+ 55. Kb2 Rxc4 56. Bd2 d3 57. Kb3 Rc2 58. Bf4 Rf2 59.
Rc7+ Kd5 60. Rd7+ Kc6 61. Rc7+ Kd5 62. Be3 Rf1 63. Rd7+ Ke4 64. Bxb6 Rb1+ 65.
Kc4 Rxb6 66. Rxd3 Ra6 67. Ra3 Ra5 68. Kb4 Ra8 69. Kc5 Rc8+ 70. Kb6 Kd5 71. a5
Kd6 72. Rd3+ Ke7 73. a6 Rb8+ 74. Kc7 Rb1 75. Re3+ Kf7 76. Ra3 Rc1+ 77. Kb6 Rb1+
78. Ka5 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.02.04"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A80"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2014.02.04"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d6 2. d4 f5 3. Bf4 Nf6 4. e3 g6 5. h3 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O e6 8. Bh2
Nc6 9. Nbd2 Qe7 10. c3 b6 11. b4 a5 12. Qb3 Bb7 13. a3 h6 14. c4 Nd8 15. c5
axb4 16. axb4 Nf7 17. Nh4 Kh7 18. cxd6 cxd6 19. Nc4 Bd5 20. Qb2 Ne4 21. Nf3 Qb7
22. b5 Rfc8 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. Ra1 Rxa1+ 25. Qxa1 Qc7 26. Nfd2 Nxd2 27. Nxd2 e5
28. Bf3 Bxf3 29. Nxf3 Qc4 30. Qf1 Qb4 31. Kh1 Ng5 32. Nxg5+ hxg5 33. dxe5 dxe5
34. f3 e4 35. fxe4 Qxe4 36. Qc1 Be5 37. Qc6 Qb1+ 38. Bg1 Bg3 39. Qd7+ Kh6 40.
Qd4 Kh7 41. Qd7+ Kh6 42. Qd4 Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
{This is one of the ways to avoid the Marshall.} Bb7 9. d3 d5 {Still, if Black
insists on sacrificing the pawn, he can do just that.} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nbd2 {
Anand repeats the move he employed last year against Caruana.} ({After} 11.
Nxe5 {Black has a choice between} Nxe5 ({or} 11... Nd4) 12. Rxe5 Qd6 {In both
cases he has adequate compensation.}) (11. c3 {has appeared numerous times as
well, but Black has achieved fine results after} Qd7) 11... Qd7 $146 {Levon
immediately comes up with a novelty.} (11... f6 12. c3 (12. c4 bxc4 13. Nxc4
Bb4 14. Bd2 Kh8 15. d4 exd4 16. Bxb4 Ndxb4 17. a3 Nd5 18. Nxd4 Nf4 19. Nxc6
Bxc6 20. Qxd8 Rfxd8 $11 {1/2-1/2 (50) Dominguez Perez,L (2726)-Kasimdzhanov,R 
(2696) Tashkent 2012}) 12... Kh8 13. Bc2 (13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 {is worthy to
be checked in practice. The isolated pawn is a drawback, but White will have
some dynamic play exploting some weak spots in Black's camp.}) 13... Qd7 14.
Nb3 a5 15. a4 bxa4 16. Rxa4 Ncb4 17. Rxa5 Nxc2 18. Qxc2 Nb6 19. Rxa8 Rxa8 $44 {
0-1 (47) Anand,V (2786)-Caruana,F (2774) Moscow 2013}) (11... Nf4 12. Ne4 Na5
13. Bxf4 exf4 14. d4 Nxb3 15. axb3 Qd7 16. Qd3 Rad8 17. c4 Bb4 18. Nc3 bxc4 19.
bxc4 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 Qxd4 $11 {1/2-1/2 (24) Giri,A (2737)-Tomashevsky,E (2706)
Elancourt 2013}) 12. Nxe5 {Accepting the challenge.} Nxe5 13. Rxe5 Nf6 (13...
Nf4 $6 14. Nf3 {and now the piece sacrifice} Nxh3+ $2 {doesn't work in view of}
15. gxh3 Qxh3 16. Bd5 Qg4+ 17. Kf1 Qh3+ 18. Ke2 {The king escapes safely.}) 14.
Re1 {The rook should go back as it is vulnerable in the centre.} Rae8 {Black
doesn't have immediate threats, but the activity of all his pieces normally
yields him enough play to maintain the balance, which is quite typical for
this line.} 15. Nf3 Bd6 (15... Qf5 $6 16. Nh4 {and the queen has to go back,
losing time.}) 16. Be3 Re7 $6 {This is too innocuous. Black's play should be
somewhat more dynamic.} (16... Nd5 {It's recommended for Black to get one of
the opponent's bishops.} 17. a4 (17. Bd2 Rxe1+ 18. Nxe1 Qf5 19. Qg4 Qe5 {
With a double threat on h2 and b2.} 20. Nf3 Qxb2 21. Re1 $11) (17. Bxd5 Bxd5 {
[%csl Gd5,Gd6] is clearly okay for Black.}) 17... Nxe3 18. Rxe3 Rxe3 19. fxe3
Re8 $5 (19... c5 {is also perfectly playable.}) 20. Ng5 {Some exciting
variations could arise here.} Qe7 $1 21. Bxf7+ Kf8 (21... Kh8 $6 22. Bxe8 Qxe3+
23. Kh1 Qxg5 24. Qg1 $8 (24. Qg4 $4 Qe5 $19 {[%cal Ge5h2,Ge5e8]}) 24... Qf5 {
[%csl Rh3]} 25. Qe3 Bc5 26. d4 Bxd4 27. Qg3 $14) 22. Bxe8 (22. Qf1 Qxe3+ 23.
Kh1 Qxg5 24. Bd5+ Bf4 25. Bxb7 Qg3 26. Qg1 Re2 27. Rf1 Rxc2 28. Rf3 Rc1 29.
Rxg3 Rxg1+ 30. Kxg1 Bxg3 $11) 22... Qxe3+ 23. Kh1 Qxg5 24. Qe2 g6 $1 25. Rf1+
Kg7 26. axb5 Qg3 27. Rf7+ Kg8 28. Kg1 Bc5+ 29. Kf1 Qg5 30. bxa6 Bxg2+ 31. Qxg2
Qc1+ 32. Ke2 Qxc2+ 33. Kf3 Qxd3+ 34. Kg4 Qc4+ 35. Rf4 Qe6+ {Black gives a
perpetual check.}) 17. d4 (17. a4 {It also makes sense to open the a-file, but
after} c5 {it won't be easy for White to play d3-d4 and perform the
simplifying idea that Anand realised a couple of moves later.}) 17... Rfe8 (
17... Nd5 18. Bd2 Rxe1+ 19. Nxe1 Qf5 20. Qg4 $16 {Black doesn't have the move
Qf5-e5 as in the line 16...Nd5.}) 18. c3 h6 {Probably Levon underestimated the
consequences of the move that now follows. On the other hand, it seems that
White is already better. The pressure along the e-file doesn't bring Black any
dividends.} (18... Nd5 19. Bd2 Rxe1+ 20. Nxe1 c5 21. dxc5 Bxc5 22. Nd3 Bb6 23.
Qg4 $14) 19. Ne5 $1 {Sacrificing back the pawn just at the right moment.} Bxe5
20. dxe5 Rxe5 (20... Qc6 21. f3 Rxe5 22. Qd2 $14) 21. Qxd7 Nxd7 22. Red1 {
White's two bishops are not going to allow Black to enjoy this endgame.} Nf6 $6
{I think here was the last chance to change the course of the game.} (22... Nc5
$5 23. Bxc5 Rxc5 24. Rd7 Re2 25. Bxf7+ (25. Rxf7 Bd5 26. Rf5 c6 27. Rb1 g6 $14
{getting rid of the pin across the fifth rank}) 25... Kh7 {Black is a pawn
down, but has decent chances to hold thanks to his active rook.}) 23. c4 $1 c6
$6 {This is an ugly move to play, but Black's position is really unpleasant.} (
23... bxc4 24. Bxc4 Nd5 25. Bd4 R5e7 26. Rac1 Nf4 27. Bf1 $16) 24. Rac1 R5e7
25. a4 $1 bxc4 26. Bxc4 {Now White enjoys the pair of powerful bishops and the
superior pawn structure.} Nd5 27. Bc5 Re4 28. f3 R4e5 29. Kf2 {Slowly, but
surely Anand improves his position.} Bc8 30. Bf1 R5e6 31. Rd3 {The rook is
going to find some penetration squares on the b-file.} Nf4 32. Rb3 Rd8 33. Be3
(33. Rb8 Ree8 34. Ba3 Nd3+ 35. Bxd3 Rxd3 36. Rxc6 {was also great for White,
but, at least here Black has some hope thanks to the opposite coloured bishops.
}) 33... Nd5 34. Bd2 Nf6 (34... Bd7 35. Bxa6 Ra8 36. Bc4 Rxa4 37. Ra3 Rxa3 38.
bxa3 {The passed a-pawn will most likely decide the game in White's favour.})
35. Ba5 Rde8 36. Rb6 Re5 37. Bc3 Nd5 38. Bxe5 Nxb6 39. Bd4 $1 (39. Rxc6 Nd5 40.
Rc5 $18) 39... Nxa4 {The knight will not be able to come out alive from a4,
but I wouldn't even put a question mark to this move, as Black's position is
beyond saving anyway.} 40. Rxc6 Rd8 41. Rc4 Bd7 (41... Nxb2 42. Bxb2 Rd2+ 43.
Ke3 Rxb2 44. Rxc8+ $18) 42. b3 Bb5 43. Rb4 Nb2 44. Bxb5 axb5 45. Ke3 Re8+ 46.
Kd2 Rd8 47. Kc3 {A very good game by Anand, which definitely gave him a boost
of confidence from the very beginning of the Candidates tournament.} (47. Kc3
Nd1+ 48. Kc2 {[%csl Rd1] capturing the knight.}) 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:57:55"]
[BlackClock "1:45:08"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bb4
{[%emt 0:00:08]} 5. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 6. cxd5 {
[%emt 0:00:57]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 7. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} c6 {[%emt 0:06:
08]} 8. e3 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Nf8 {[%emt 0:06:29]} 9. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Ng6 {
[%emt 0:00:11]} (9... Be7 10. Qc2 Ne6 11. Bh4 g6 12. h3 O-O 13. Nf3 a5 14. g4
b5 15. Ne5 Bb7 16. f4 c5 17. f5 cxd4 18. fxe6 dxc3 19. O-O d4 20. Nxf7 Qd5 21.
Bxf6 Qh1+ 22. Kf2 Qxh3 23. Ke1 cxb2 24. Qxb2 Bb4+ 25. Kd1 Bf3+ 26. Rxf3 Qxf3+
27. Be2 Qxf6 28. g5 Qg7 29. Qxd4 Rxf7 30. exf7+ Qxf7 31. Rc1 Rb8 32. a4 Qb3+
33. Rc2 Qb1+ 34. Rc1 Qb3+ 35. Rc2 Rc8 36. Bc4+ bxc4 37. Qd5+ Kf8 38. Qd7 Re8 {
0-1 (38) Aronian,L (2807)-Ivanchuk,V (2765) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011}) 10. O-O {
[%emt 0:05:16]} O-O {[%emt 0:03:27]} 11. f4 $146 {[%emt 0:01:31]} (11. Qc2 h6
12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Rae1 Nh4 14. f4 Bf5 15. Nf3 Rfe8 16. Nxh4 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Qxh4
18. Re2 Rad8 19. a3 Bf8 20. b4 Rd7 21. Rf3 Qd8 22. g4 a5 23. bxa5 Qxa5 24. g5
hxg5 25. fxg5 Qxa3 26. g6 Re6 27. gxf7+ Rxf7 28. Ref2 Rxf3 29. Rxf3 b5 30. Rh3
Rf6 31. e4 Qc1+ 32. Kg2 Qe1 33. Rg3 b4 34. Qe2 Qxe2+ 35. Nxe2 dxe4 36. Re3 Re6
37. Ng3 g6 38. Rb3 Kf7 39. Kf2 c5 40. Ke3 c4 {Vokac,M (2479)-Kravtsiv,M (2582)
Pardubice 2012 0-1}) 11... h6 {[%emt 0:01:33]} 12. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Qxf6 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 13. f5 {[%emt 0:04:45] Levon Aronian had commented in the
round one press conference after his loss that statistically he had a record
for playing better after a loss, and he felt this. He quipped that he had
might as well get it out of the way as early as possible. Still, even he could
not have predicted what happened though, when Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, a great
tactician in his own right, carelessly went astray in a Queen's Gambit, and
fell for a vicious tactic that lost his queen.} Ne7 $2 {[%emt 0:03:40]} 14.
Nde4 $1 {[%emt 0:10:35][%csl Rf6]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 15. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} Qh4 {[%emt 0:06:27]} 16. g3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qh3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 17. Nf2
{[%emt 0:02:32]} Qxf1+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 18. Kxf1 {[%emt 0:09:17]} Nxf5 {
[%emt 0:03:34]} 19. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:07:06]} 20. e4 {[%emt 0:
02:50]} f6 {[%emt 0:06:39]} 21. Bc2 {[%emt 0:23:11]} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:52]} 22.
Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:53]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 23. Kg1 {[%emt 0:01:11]} Bd6 {
[%emt 0:02:53]} 24. Nf4 {[%emt 0:09:55]} Bxf4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 25. gxf4 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:03:50]} 26. f5 {[%emt 0:06:49]} Bf7 {[%emt 0:00:
09]} 27. Qc3 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 28. Bd3 {[%emt 0:05:50]}
Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 29. a4 {[%emt 0:01:19]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 30. a5 {
[%emt 0:02:16]} Nc8 {[%emt 0:02:57]} 31. e5 {[%emt 0:01:54]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:
22]} 32. e6 {[%emt 0:04:30]} Bh5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 33. Be4 {[%emt 0:02:28]} Nd5
{[%emt 0:08:39]} 34. Qh3 {[%emt 0:01:25]} Be2 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 35. Kf2 {
[%emt 0:01:12]} Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 36. Rg1 {[%emt 0:00:55]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 37. Qa3 {[%emt 0:03:14]} Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 38. Rg4 {[%emt 0:03:36]} Bb5
{[%emt 0:00:07]} 39. Rg1 {[%emt 0:02:35]} Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 40. Rc1 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Bf3 {[%emt 0:01:42]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:
46]} 42. Rd1 {[%emt 0:03:02]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 43. d5 {[%emt 0:02:10]} Nxd5
{[%emt 0:01:38]} 44. Bh5 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
{Topalov chooses another way to avoid the Marshalll counterattack.} b4 9. d4 d6
10. dxe5 dxe5 {Aronian has a lot of experience in this line.} 11. Nbd2 {
The exchange of queens woudn't really suit Topalov's aggressive style.} (11.
Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Nbd2 h6 (12... Bd6 13. a5 h6 14. Bc4 Kf8 15. b3 Ke7 $6 ({After} 
15... Bb7 {Black is only slightly worse.}) 16. Bd5 $1 Nxd5 17. exd5 Na7 18.
Nxe5 $16 {1-0 (34) Karjakin,S (2721)-Aronian,L (2754) Nalchik 2009}) 13. a5 Bc5
14. Bc4 Ng4 15. Re2 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. h3 Nf6 18. Re1 Rab8 19. Nc4 Rb5 20.
b3 Bd4 $11 {1-0 (70) Carlsen,M (2862)-Aronian,L (2813) Saint Louis 2013}) (11.
Bg5 Qxd1 12. Rxd1 Nxe4 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Nxe5 Nc5 15. Nd2 Nxb3 $6 (15... Bf5 {
followed by Ra8-d8 looks like an improvement for Black.}) 16. Nxb3 f6 17. Nd7
Re8 18. Na5 Nf5 19. Nc5 Nd6 20. Nd3 Rb8 21. Nc6 Rb6 22. Ncxb4 $16 {0-1 (58)
Giri,A (2732)-Aronian,L (2801) Antalya 2013}) 11... Bc5 12. h3 Bb7 13. Qe2 {
This position is rather typical. Objectively, it should be equal. However, if
Black makes a few inncuous moves, he may find himself under pressure. White's
idea is to play Nd2-c4, attacking the Pe5 and bringing the knight to e3 and d5
or f5, according to circumstances.} Nd4 (13... Qe7 14. Nc4 a5 {followed by
Bb7-a6 at some point should be playable as well.}) 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 15. Bc4 $146 (
15. Qf3 Kh8 {1/2-1/2 (15) Jansa,V (2485)-Razuvaev,Y (2525) Kolkata 1986}) (15.
a5 $5 {is another option, typically fixing the Pa6 as a potential weakness.})
15... a5 16. Bd3 Nd7 $6 {This is a dubious manoeuvre.} (16... Qe7 17. Nf3 c5 $1
$132 {is a slightly strange idea to lock in his own bishop in the centre. But,
I don't see how White can trap it.}) 17. Nf3 Nc5 (17... Bb6 18. Bg5 f6 19. Be3
$14 {The light squares in Black's camp are seriously weakened.}) 18. Nxd4 exd4
19. Bf4 Re8 20. Qh5 Qe7 (20... Nxe4 $6 {was definitely risky.} 21. f3 g6 (21...
Nf6 22. Qc5 Nd5 23. Rxe8+ Qxe8 24. Bg3 $16) 22. Qh6 Nf6 23. Qh4 Nd5 24. Bg5 Qd6
25. Qxd4 c5 26. Qh4 $16) 21. Bb5 {Provoking the move that now follows, closing
the long diagonal for Black's bishop.} c6 22. Bc4 Ba6 (22... g6 {was also
possible, but the weakness of the dark squares near the king may become
apparent after} 23. Qf3 Ba6 24. Ba2 Ne6 25. Bxe6 Qxe6 26. Bg5 $36 {[%cal Gg5f6]
}) 23. Bd6 $1 Qxd6 24. Bxf7+ Kf8 25. e5 Qd7 26. e6 Nxe6 27. Bxe8 Rxe8 28. Qxh7
$6 {It was a tough dilemma for Topalov, which pawn to take. From a human point
of view it's really tempting to grab the one near the opponent's king. However,
objectively the other capture offered White more chances for a win.} (28. Qxa5
Bb7 29. Qxb4+ c5 30. Qb6 {I can understand why Veselin didn't go for this
position. It looks as if Black has good attacking chances on the long diagonal.
The concrete variations, however, are in White's favour.} Qd5 (30... Bc6 31. a5
Qd5 32. f3 Nf4 33. Rxe8+ Bxe8 34. Kh1 $1 Qg5 35. Qd6+ Kf7 36. Rg1 $16) 31. f3
Bc6 32. b4 c4 33. a5 d3 34. cxd3 cxd3 35. Rad1 Kf7 36. a6 d2 37. Re2 Qb5 38.
Qxb5 Bxb5 39. Rexd2 Bxa6 40. Rd6 {White's rook plus two pawns are superior to
Black's two minor pieces.}) 28... Qd5 29. f4 $1 d3 $1 {Both players are
playing the best moves, and this exciting position is heading into a forced
draw.} 30. f5 d2 31. Qh8+ Kf7 (31... Ke7 $5 {is very non-human, but also leads
to a draw after} 32. Qh4+ g5 $1 33. Qxg5+ Kd7 34. Rxe6 $1 d1=Q+ 35. Rxd1 Qxd1+
36. Kh2 Rxe6 37. fxe6+ Kxe6 38. Qg6+ Kd7 39. Qf5+ $1 Kd6 40. Qxa5 Qxc2 41.
Qxb4+ $11) 32. Qh5+ {Neither side can avoid the perpetual check.} Kf8 33. Qh8+
Kf7 34. Qh5+ Kf8 35. Qh8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O b6 13. Qc1 Bb7 14. Bc4
Qa4 15. Bb5 Qa2 16. Re1 Rc8 17. Qd1 Qc2 18. Qe2 Nc6 {This system was popular
15-20 years ago.} (18... Qc7 {is the main continuation here; however, it
violates the so-called Znosko-Borovsky rule, which recommends keeping the
advanced queen in the opponent's camp as long as it can't be trapped, in order
to disrupt the opponent's manoeuvring.}) 19. Bd3 (19. e5 $6 {was tried by
Aronian in a recent rapid game:} Nd8 20. Bd7 Rcb8 21. h4 Bd5 22. Rbc1 Qa2 23.
Ng5 h6 24. Nh3 Ne6 25. Qe3 Rd8 $17 {1/2 (50) Aronian,L (2803)-Grischuk,A (2783)
Beijing CHN 2013 - White does not have sufficient compensation for the pawn.})
(19. Rec1 Qa2 20. Bc4 Nxd4 $1 21. Nxd4 Rxc4 22. Qxc4 Qxd2 23. Nc6 Qd7 24. Qd5
Bxc6 25. Rxc6 Qxd5 26. exd5 Be5 (26... Bd4 $1 $15 {[%cal Ya7a5,Yd4c5]}) 27. Kf1
Bd6 28. Ra1 {1/2 Tratar,M-Jelen,Ig/SLO-ch 1996}) (19. d5 Nd4 20. Nxd4 Bxd4 $13)
19... Qa2 20. Bc4 (20. Ra1 $5 {is challenging and needs more tests; in the
following games Black failed to reach safe equality:} Qb2 (20... Qb3 $2 21.
Reb1 Qe6 22. d5 $18) 21. Ra4 (21. Reb1 $2 Nxd4 $1 $19) 21... Qb3 (21... b5 $5
22. Bxb5 a5 $1 {[%cal Yc6b4]}) 22. Rea1 Nd8 23. R4a3 (23. Rxa7 Ne6 $1) 23...
Qe6 24. Rxa7 Rxa7 (24... Qd6 25. Be3 Nc6 $14 {E.Solozhenkin}) 25. Rxa7 Qd6 (
25... Ra8 26. Rxa8 Bxa8 27. h3 Qa2 28. Kh2 Qb2 29. d5 Nb7 30. Qe3 Nc5 31. Qf4
$1 $36 {1/2 (41) Polak,T (2525)-Kalod,R (2435) Olomouc 1998 CBM 067 [Ftacnik,L]
}) 26. Be3 e6 {1-0 (46) Solozhenkin,E (2565)-Beshukov,S (2460) Elista 1996 CBM
056 [Solozhenkin]} 27. Qb2 $14) 20... Qa4 21. Bb3 (21. Ra1 Qc2 22. Ra2 $2 Nxd4
$1 23. Rxc2 Nxe2+ 24. Rxe2 Rxc4 25. Rxc4 Ba6 $19 {A.Shirov}) 21... Qa3 (21...
Qa6 $6 {is hardly good as the queen is very passive here:} 22. Qe3 Na5 (22...
e6 $5 23. d5 exd5 24. Bxd5 (24. exd5 Na5 $13) 24... Na5 25. Qa3 Bxd5 26. exd5
Rc5 27. d6 Qc8 28. Qd3 Qc6 29. d7 Rd8 30. Bb4 Nb7 31. Rbd1 $14 {1-0 (47)
Petkov,S (2084)-Bazak,J IECC 2003}) (22... Rf8 23. Ra1 Na5 (23... Qb5 24. Rec1
$36) 24. Reb1 $1 {[%cal Rb3d1,Rd1e2]} e6 $5 (24... Rac8 $2 25. Bd1 $1 $18 {
Komarov,D-Liss,E/Paris/1996/ Ftacnik,L}) 25. Bd1 Bc6 26. Be2 Qc8 27. Ne5 $36 (
27. Bxa5 bxa5 28. Rxa5 Rb8 $11)) 23. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 24. Ng5+ Kg8 (24... Ke8 25.
Qh3 $1 $40 Bxd4 26. Qxh7 b5 27. Bxa5 Qf6 28. Red1 $1 {1-0 Poluljahov,
A-Tseshkovsky,V/Krasnodar 1996 (42)}) 25. Qh3 h6 26. Ne6 $1 $40 {A.Shirov} (26.
Qe6+ Kh8 27. Re3 (27. Nf7+ Kh7 28. Bxh6 {1-0 (32) Lobron,E (2590)-Konguvel,P 
(2395) Linares 1996} b5 $1) 27... b5 28. Nf7+ (28. Bxa5 Rc6 $1 29. Nf7+ Kh7 30.
Ng5+ Kh8 $10) 28... Kh7 29. Ng5+ Kh8 30. Nf7+ Kh7 31. Ng5+ {1/2 (31) Lautier,J
(2645)-Shirov,A (2695) Belgrade 1995 CBM 051 [Shirov]})) 22. Bxf7+ $1 {[%mdl
512] This sacrifice is the only way to cause Black any problems.} Kxf7 23. Qc4+
e6 24. Ng5+ Ke8 25. Nxe6 $44 {[%mdl 128] White has obtained excellent
compensation for the piece: Black's king is exposed and under attack, and
White's central passed pawns are his important trump for the future.} Qe7 26.
Nxg7+ (26. d5 $5 Nd4 $1 (26... Ne5 27. Qb3 $44) 27. Qa4+ b5 28. Rxb5 Nxb5 29.
Qxb5+ Kf7 30. Nxg7 Kxg7 31. d6 Qxd6 32. Qxb7+ Qc7 33. Bc3+ Kh6 34. Bd2+ Kg7 $11
) 26... Qxg7 27. Bc3 (27. Qe6+ $5 Qe7 (27... Ne7 28. d5) 28. Qg8+ Kd7 29. Qc4
Ke8 30. Qg8+ Kd7 31. Qc4 Ke8 32. Qa4 $5 Kf7 33. Qb3+ Kg7 34. Bc3 $44 {1-0 (68)
Caire,F (2474)-Domanov,D (2446) Lechenicher SchachServer 2011}) 27... Nd8 (
27... Nxd4 $1 28. Qxd4 Qxd4 29. Bxd4 Rc4 {led to an equal ending; however,
Peter Svidler decided to play for a win, hoping to make use of his extra piece
after all.}) 28. Qb3 Rc7 {Another risky decision.} (28... Rxc3 $5 29. Qxc3 Ne6
30. Rbd1 Rd8 {was possible here, consolidating Black's position.}) 29. Ba1 Rac8
30. d5 Qd7 31. Qb2 Qe7 32. Rbd1 {Now White evades a drawing line.} (32. Qh8+
Qf8 33. Qe5+ Qe7 $11 (33... Re7 $6 34. Qd4)) 32... Nf7 $6 (32... Rc2 33. Qh8+
Qf8 34. d6 Bc6 $1 35. d7+ Bxd7 36. Qxf8+ Kxf8 37. Rxd7 R2c7 38. Rd5 $13 {_|_})
33. e5 {White's pawns have finally started their advance.} Rc2 34. Qb5+ Qd7 $2
{Black gives up a piece in a much inferior version to that available on move
27.} (34... Kf8 $142 35. e6 Nd6 36. Qb3 $44) 35. Qxd7+ Kxd7 36. e6+ Kd6 37.
exf7 ({The best but very difficult move} 37. Bf6 $3 {was recommended by
commentators (GM Pavel Maletin and others). After} Ng5 $1 (37... Nh6 $2 38.
Be5+ Ke7 39. d6+ Kxe6 40. Bg7+) (37... R2c7 38. Bh4 $1 Rc4 $1 39. Bg3+ Ke7 40.
exf7+ Kxf7 41. d6 Re8 $1 42. f4 $1 {White's d-pawn can hardly be stopped.}) 38.
Be5+ $1 (38. Bxg5 Bxd5) 38... Kc5 $1 (38... Ke7 39. d6+ Kxe6 40. d7) 39. e7 $1
Bxd5 $1 40. e8=Q Rxe8 41. Bd4+ Kd6 42. Rxe8 {White should win.}) 37... Rf8 38.
Re6+ Kd7 39. Rf6 Re2 $1 40. f4 (40. Bc3 Re7 41. Bb4 Rexf7 42. Rd6+ Kc8 {
is harmless}) (40. Rf3 Re7 41. Ra3 a6 42. Bd4 Rexf7 43. Bxb6 {keeps an extra
pawn but after} Rf5 $1 {it can hardly be converted. Instead, White decides to
keep positional pressure.}) 40... Re7 41. Be5 Rexf7 42. Rd6+ Ke8 $2 (42... Ke7
$1 {was the right move, after which Black can activate his f8 rook (...Rf8-d8
or c8) and hold on.}) 43. Re1 (43. Ra1 {was possible but White finds a strong
forced manoeuvre.}) 43... Re7 44. Rc1 Rff7 45. Bf6 $1 Rd7 46. Re6+ Kf8 47. d6 {
[%csl Gd6,Gf6]} Kg8 {This attempt to rearrange pieces fails.} (47... a5 {
, trying to create counterplay, might be a better chance.}) 48. h4 Rf8 49. Bg5
{Preventing 49...Rc8.} (49. Rc7 Rxc7 50. dxc7 {was another good possibility.})
49... Kf7 (49... Kg7 50. h5 $1) 50. Rce1 Bc6 51. h5 $6 (51. Re7+ $1 Kg8 52. Rc1
$1 Rxd6 53. Rc7 $1 {[%cal Rc7c6,Rg5e7][%mdl 64] , winning an exchange and the
game, was not easy to find.}) 51... a5 $2 (51... gxh5 {was possible. It is not
immediately clear how White can win.}) 52. Re7+ (52. hxg6+ hxg6 53. Re7+ Kg8 {
was more accurate}) 52... Kg8 53. hxg6 hxg6 (53... Rxd6 54. gxh7+ Kh8 {was
still possible but White should win anyway after} 55. R7e6 Rxe6 56. Rxe6 Ba8
57. Rxb6 Kxh7 58. Ra6 {etc.}) 54. R1e6 Rf7 55. Rxg6+ Kh7 56. Rh6+ Kg7 57. Ree6
{Black resigned a bit prematurely but after} (57. Ree6 Rf8 58. g4 {[%cal Yf4f5]
etc. White should gradually win.}) (57. g4 $5 {[%cal Yf4f5] was even simpler.})
1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E14"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. e3 b6 5. Nc3 Bb7 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bb5+ c6 8. Bd3
{Another harmless system "just for play".} Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. b3 Nbd7 11. Bb2
Re8 (11... Bd6 {(preventing Nf3-e5) is played more often. Here are some
classic examples:} 12. Ne2 (12. Rc1 Re8 13. Ne2 Qe7 14. Ng3 g6 15. Qe2 Ba3 16.
Rfe1 Qd6 17. Qc2 Bxb2 18. Qxb2 c5 $11 {0-1 (80) Gelfand,B (2700)-Karpov,A 
(2780) Sanghi Nagar 1995 CBM 045 [Gelfand,B]}) 12... Re8 13. Ng3 g6 14. Rc1 a5
15. Qc2 Qe7 16. Rfe1 Ba3 $6 (16... Ne4 $5 $11 {M.Marin}) (16... Qf8 $5 {
Ivanchuk}) 17. Bxa3 Qxa3 18. h4 $36 Qd6 19. h5 Nf8 20. e4 $14 {0-1 (50)
Fressinet,L (2708)-Ivanchuk,V (2731) Elancourt 2013 CBM 157 [Marin,M]}) 12. Ne5
(12. Qc2 Rc8 13. Rac1 Bd6 14. Rfe1 g6 15. Ne2 Ne4 16. Ng3 f5 17. Re2 Qe7 18.
Nd2 Ba3 19. Ngf1 Bxb2 20. Qxb2 Qd6 $11 {1/2 (37) Berescu,A (2461)-Malakhatko,V
(2559) Abu Dhabi 2013}) (12. Ne2 Bf8 (12... Bd6 {- see above}) 13. Ng3 Rc8 14.
Qe2 g6 15. Rac1 Rc7 16. Ba6 Bxa6 17. Qxa6 Qc8 18. Qd3 Ne4 19. Rc2 Bg7 20. Rfc1
Qb7 21. Qe2 f5 $132 {0-1 (38) Malaniuk,V (2504)-Gavrilov,A (2498) Krakow 2012})
12... Bd6 {This move is unnecessary as White is planning to continue f2-f4
anyway.} (12... Bb4 13. f4 a6 14. Bf5 Nf8 15. Rc1 b5 16. Ne2 Qb6 17. Ng3 Bd6
18. Qc2 a5 19. Rf3 a4 20. Bd3 axb3 21. axb3 Ng6 22. Nf5 $36 {1-0 (40) Lukacs,P
(2480)-Votava,J (2440) Budapest 1995}) (12... a6 13. Ne2 c5 14. Ng3 Bf8 15. Rc1
g6 16. Rc2 Bg7 17. f4 Rc8 18. f5 Rc7 19. Nxd7 Rxd7 20. dxc5 bxc5 21. Rxc5 d4 $1
$132 22. e4 Nxe4 23. Bxe4 Bxe4 24. Nxe4 Rxe4 25. Qd3 Re8 {1/2 (50)
Gaprindashvili,V (2476)-Anastasian,A (2591) Batumi 2002}) (12... c5 13. f4 a6
14. Qf3 b5 15. Kh1 Ra7 16. Qh3 Ba8 17. Bf5 Nf8 18. dxc5 Bxc5 19. Ne2 Qb6 20.
Nd4 Rc7 21. Rac1 Bb7 22. Rc2 Bd6 23. Rxc7 Bxc7 24. Ng4 Bd8 {1/2 (33) Lukacs,P 
(2455)-Lau,R (2520) Budapest 1992}) 13. f4 {A double-edged move in such a
structure: White supports his e5-knight and develops his kingside initiative
but weakens the e4-square.} c5 14. Qf3 cxd4 15. exd4 Bb4 {Black is fighting
for the e4-square.} 16. Ne2 {This knight is not so valuable, it was better to
allow Black to take it.} (16. Rac1 $5) 16... Ne4 17. a3 Bf8 18. Rad1 a6 (18...
Ndf6 19. Bb5 Re7 {was quite possible, with a good position for Black.}) 19. a4
Rc8 ({Here, too,} 19... Ndf6 {was more accurate, preventing White's next move.}
) 20. Qh5 {White provokes ...g7-g6, weakening the position of Black's king.} g6
21. Qh3 Ndf6 $6 {Now this move is hardly appropriate.} (21... f5 {was quite
possible. If} 22. g4 {then} fxg4 23. Qxg4 Ndf6 24. Qg2 Rc7 {[%cal Yc7g7]}) 22.
f5 $1 $36 g5 $6 {Another weakening.} (22... Rc7 $5 {protecting the 7th rank})
23. Ng3 b5 $1 {Black must urgently activate his queen.} 24. axb5 Qb6 25. Kh1 (
25. bxa6 $5 Bxa6 26. Nxe4 $1 Nxe4 (26... dxe4 27. Bxa6 Qxa6 28. Qg3 h6 29. h4)
27. Nd7 $1 Qd6 28. Bxa6 Qxa6 29. f6 $40) 25... axb5 26. Bxe4 dxe4 27. d5 $1 {
[%csl Gb2][%cal Gb2h8]} e3 $1 28. Ng4 Nxg4 29. Qxg4 h6 30. Ne4 Rc2 $1 {[%mdl
512] Black defends very well. He sacrifices a queen for a rook and a knight
but creates strong counterplay.} 31. Nf6+ Qxf6 32. Bxf6 e2 33. Bxg5 Bxd5 $4 {
An absolutely crazy move!} (33... exf1=Q+ 34. Rxf1 hxg5 35. Qxg5+ Kh7 36. f6
Ree2 $1 {, and White has hardly anything better than perpetual.}) 34. Bxh6+ $6
{White is clearly bewildered.} (34. Bf6+ $142 Kh7 35. Rg1 Re4 36. Qf3 exd1=Q
37. Qxd1 {, and White should win.}) 34... Kh7 35. Bxf8 (35. Rg1 $1 Bxh6 36.
Rde1 {was still possible but now White's victory is less certain after, say,}
Re3) 35... exf1=Q+ 36. Rxf1 Rxg2 37. Qxg2 Bxg2+ 38. Kxg2 Rxf8 {[%mdl 4096]
Finally the players have reached a rook ending. Levon Aronian proves that
White's extra pawn can't be converted.} 39. Kf3 Kg7 40. Ke4 Rh8 41. Kd4 Rc8 (
41... Rh4+ $5 42. Kc5 b4) 42. Rf4 Kf6 43. h4 Re8 44. Kc5 Re5+ 45. Kd6 Re3 46.
Rb4 Kxf5 47. Rxb5+ Kg4 48. h5 f5 49. h6 Rh3 50. Ke5 Rxh6 51. Rb4+ Kf3 52. Kxf5
Ke3 53. Ke5 Kd3 54. Rb8 Kc3 55. b4 Kc4 56. Rb7 Rh5+ 57. Kd6 Rh6+ 58. Kd7 Rh7+
59. Kc6 Rxb7 60. Kxb7 Kxb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:31:38"]
[BlackClock "0:14:21"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:56]} d5 {[%emt 0:
00:09]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:06:02]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:16]}
Nd7 {[%emt 0:03:18]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:02:24]} Ngf6 {[%emt 0:06:59]} 6. Qc2 {
[%emt 0:00:25]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 7. Na3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Be6 {[%emt 0:02:
04] I have advocated this line in the second volume of my English Opening
trilogy. Black defends the c4-pawn safely, but delays his kingside development
quite a bit.} 8. Ne5 $5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} ({I only analysed} 8. Ng5 {The game
move leads to a completely different type of position.}) 8... Qd4 {[%emt 0:02:
52]} 9. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 10. Bxc6+ {[%emt 0:00:04]
White will get a rook and a pawn for a knight and bishop, a complex material
balance, which could favour either side, depending on the concrete
circumstances. For White it will be essential to speed up his development with
either b2-b3 or d2-d3, otherwise Black would have a comfortable position.} Kd8
{[%emt 0:09:29] Keeping his pieces on active squares at the price of giving up
the right to castle.} (10... Bd7 $6 11. Bxa8 Nxa8 12. Nxc4 {offers White a
slight material advantage already.} Nb6 13. Nxb6 Qxb6 ({In the next phase the
bishop exchange with Be3-c5 will be a thematic issue, so} 13... axb6 $5 {
[%csl Gc5] deserves attention.}) 14. d3 Nd5 $6 (14... e5 15. Be3 Qb8 16. Rfc1
Bd6 17. Bc5 $14) 15. e4 $36 Nb4 16. Qc3 e6 17. Be3 Qb7 18. a3 Nc6 19. d4 {
Needlessly restricting his own bishop.} (19. b4 $1 f6 20. Rfc1 Be7 21. Rab1 a6
22. Bc5 $36) 19... Bd6 $2 {Now White's previous move is justified.} (19... f6 {
[%cal Gc3g7]}) 20. d5 exd5 21. exd5 Ne5 22. f4 Ng4 23. Qxg7 $18 {(1-0, 35)
Brunello,S (2537)-Korneev,O (2573) Otranto 2011}) (10... Nfd7 {[%csl Gc8][%cal
Re6c8]} 11. Bxa8 Nxa8 12. d3 Bh3 (12... Nab6 13. dxc4 Bh3 14. Rd1 Qc5 15. Qe4
$16 {1-0 (21) Prusikin,M (2541)-Pacher,M (2403) Merlimont 2011}) ({The
negative effects of the knight retreat can be seen after} 12... cxd3 $2 13.
Qc8#) {Vojinovic,J (2346)-Houska,J (2415) Porto Carras 2011 (1-0, 34)} 13. dxc4
$1 Bxf1 14. Be3 Qd6 15. Rxf1 {[%csl Ga2,Ra7,Gb2,Gc4]} a6 $6 16. Qa4 $36) 11.
Nb5 $5 {[%emt 0:00:19] This move order is aimed at depriving the queen of the
d5-square. It seems to have taken Andreikin out of his preparation since he
spent more than half an hour on his next two moves.} (11. Bxa8 Nxa8 12. Nb5 Qd5
{Pantsulaia,L (2557)-Keler,F (2238) Konya 2012 (1-0, 33)}) 11... Qc5 {[%emt 0:
15:16]} 12. Bxa8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Qxb5 {[%emt 0:21:33] But Black can deviate
from the usual course, too.} (12... Bf5 13. Qc3 Qxb5 14. a4 Qd7 (14... Nxa4 15.
Qd4+ Bd7 16. Qxa7) 15. Bg2 $36 {Sadorra,J (2577)-Holt,C (2534) Houston 2013 
(1-0, 57)}) (12... Nxa8 13. a4 Nd7 $6 {Hinrichs,L (1993)-Kramer,J (2133)
Oberhof 2013 (0-1, 40)} 14. d4 cxd3 15. Qxd3 $32) 13. Bg2 {[%emt 0:01:38]} Bd7
$146 {[%emt 0:06:23] A logical novelty, clearing the path for the e6-pawn in
order to proceed with the kingside development.} (13... h5 {has been played a
few times, but it does not seem to contribute to the overall development.
Black will most likely be too slow in creating effective kingside threats.} 14.
a4 (14. d3 cxd3 15. Rd1 Bf5 {Pantsulaia,L (2575)-Smeets,J (2608) Istanbul 2012
(1/2-1/2, 45)}) (14. h4 Bf5 15. e4 Bd7 16. a4 Nxa4 17. e5 Ne8 18. Re1 e6 19.
Bf1 $14 {Timman,J (2566)-Smeets,J (2615) Wijk aan Zee 2013 (1-0, 55)}) (14. Rd1
$5) 14... Qb3 {Giving up the ambitions for an attack.} ({But there seems to be
no time for it, anyway:} 14... Qd7 15. a5 Nc8 16. Rd1 h4 17. d3 hxg3 18. hxg3
cxd3 19. Rxd3 Nd6 20. Be3 Bh3 21. Bc6 Qc7 22. Rc1 $16 {Black is fully
developed and exerts strong pressure.}) 15. Qxb3 cxb3 16. e4 Bd7 17. a5 Nc4 18.
d3 Ne5 19. d4 Nd3 20. Ra3 $16 {Medvegy,Z (2552)-Csonka,B (2354) Zalakaros 2013
(1-0, 41)}) 14. b3 {[%emt 0:14:06] White's first long thought produced a
debatable move.} (14. a4 $5 {looks worth investigating.} Nxa4 15. d3 cxd3 16.
exd3 {This looks ugly for White, but in the game he will get a similar
"structure". In this line, White's advance in development seems to be more
concrete.} e6 17. b3 Nb6 18. Rxa7 Bd6 19. Be3 Nfd5 20. Rb7 Nxe3 21. fxe3 f5 22.
d4 $36 {[%cal Ge3e4,Gd4d5]}) 14... e5 {[%emt 0:02:25]} ({Only not} 14... cxb3
$2 15. axb3 a6 16. d4 e6 17. Bd2 $16) 15. Rb1 $5 {[%emt 0:10:04]} (15. Bb2 Bd6
{does not offer White anything.}) 15... cxb3 {[%emt 0:02:50]} 16. Rxb3 {
[%emt 0:00:20]} Qxe2 {[%emt 0:02:07]} 17. Ba3 {[%emt 0:02:26] This is part of
White's plan of development, but it also helps Black develop with gain of time.
} Bxa3 {[%emt 0:14:01]} 18. Rxa3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qc4 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 19. Qb1
$5 {[%emt 0:17:05] With the black king in the centre it looks logical to keep
the queens on the board.} (19. Qxc4 Nxc4 20. Rxa7 Re8 $5 {[%csl Gd8][%cal
Ge5e4,Ge8e6,Gc4d2] The king would be well placed to control the a-pawn.}) 19...
Ke7 {[%emt 0:01:53]} 20. Rxa7 {[%emt 0:05:00]} Qd4 {[%emt 0:00:15] With such a
centralised queen, Black should be out of danger.} 21. Rb7 {[%emt 0:04:48]} Na4
$6 {[%emt 0:02:18] But this leaves Black hanging slightly.} (21... Nbd5 $5 {
was more natural.}) 22. Rc1 {[%emt 0:05:00]} (22. Rb4 Qxd2 (22... Qd6 $6 23. d4
e4 24. Rc1 {[%csl Ga4,Ge4][%cal Gc1c4]}) 23. Rd1 Qc3 24. Rxd7+ Nxd7 25. Rxa4
Rb8 26. Qxh7 Rb2 $44) 22... Rd8 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 23. h3 $5 {[%emt 0:22:00] A
mysterious move after a very long think. The threat ...Nf6-g4 was not that
real, since it could be met with Qb4+. After the queen exchange the knight
would have had to retreat to f6. Maybe Aronian was waiting for ...Ke7-f8,
after which the king would not be completely safe yet, while Black would have
lost some of his control in the centre.} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 24. Qb3 {[%emt 0:
02:48]} e4 $2 {[%emt 0:06:06] Weakening the control over the d4-square will
have important consequences.} ({The following line must be slightly hard to
evaluate over the board, but it seems that Black would be out of danger:} 24...
Ne4 25. Bxe4 Qxe4 26. Rb4 Qa8 27. Rc7 Qa5 28. Rxd7 Rxd7 29. Rxa4 Qxd2 {
Although the f8-king looks exposed, there is no obvious way to set up an
attack. Besides, the white king is not 100% safe either.}) (24... Nc5 $6 25.
Qa3 {illustrates Black's problems of coordination:} Rc8 26. Rb4 Qd6 27. Rbc4
Be8 $1 28. Qe3 (28. Rxc5 $6 Nd7 $1) 28... Nfd7 29. a4 $36) 25. Rc4 $1 {[%emt 0:
02:31]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:03:44]} 26. Qb4+ {[%emt 0:03:39]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 27.
Rd4 $1 {[%emt 0:02:54] Suddenly, White has a strong initiative.} Qc6 $2 {
[%emt 0:01:50]} (27... Qc5 28. Bxe4 $16) 28. Rbxd7 $6 {[%emt 0:05:19] Failing
to squeeze the maximum out of the position.} (28. Bxe4 $1 {This practically
gains a tempo.} Qe6 (28... Nxe4 $2 29. Rdxd7 $18) 29. Rbxd7 Rxd7 30. Qb8+ Ne8
31. Rxa4 $18) 28... Nxd7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 29. Qxa4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Qxa4 {
[%emt 0:00:17]} 30. Rxa4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nf8 {[%emt 0:00:15]} (30... f5 31.
Rd4 Kf7 32. d3 exd3 33. Rxd3 Ke7 34. a4 $18) 31. Rxe4 $6 {[%emt 0:06:26] This
is not a real mistake yet, but rather an inaccuracy causing some loss of time
in carrying out the best plan.} ({As will be explained below, it is best to
keep the rook in front of the passed pawn, making} 31. Bxe4 {more
straightforward:} Rxd2 32. Ra8 g6 33. a4 Kg7 34. a5 {with similar play as in
the lines below.}) 31... Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 32. a4 $6 {[%emt 0:00:05] Once
again heading for an unfavourable regrouping, but still not throwing all the
winning chances away.} (32. Ra4 g6 33. Ra8 Kg7 34. a4 Ra2 35. a5 Ne6 36. h4 Nd4
37. a6 Kf6 38. Bf1 {keeps White's chances intact.}) 32... Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:31]
This endgame has a degree of complexity similar to the middlegame. In the
endgame, there usually is just one accurate way leading to the aim (a win or a
draw, depending on the circumstances), while in the middlegame one frequently
has a choice, according to one's own style or taste. My tendency in this
position would be to exchange either the rooks or the minor pieces in such a
way that a clear win would be available. With the current material on board, I
would be slightly afraid of Black's counterplay, using his rook and knight.
The rook exchange would almost always win, but is not easy to achieve. The
minor piece exchange is a realistic possibility, but only some of the rook
endings are won (sorry, Dr. Tarrasch!) While discussing this ending with
Rainer Knaak, I found out that he would not consider the minor piece exchange
at all and that he would rely on a major regrouping of the pieces. Rainer's
suggested policy has the practical advantage that it would allow the tension
to be maintained eternally (or at least until Black loses his patience and
goes wrong). In "my" favourite plan, if the rook ending turns to be drawn
despite my evaluation, there would be little to be done already. In the old
times, with adjourned games and home analysis, one would probably try out
Rainer's plan for about 20-30 moves or until the second adjournment and if
this did not bring in the desired result, look for a good moment for switching
to the rook endgame. So, from an abstract point of view, I must admit that
Rainer is right. In the comments below, I will mainly illustrate my approach,
which is easier to explain, so please be aware that the evaluations may be
partly biassed.} 33. Bf3 $6 {[%emt 0:03:51] There is some degree of
incertainty here. Either this or the next move make the winning plan based on
the minor pieces exchange highly problematic. My guess is that the final blame
should be put on the next move. The main issue is that White plays too slowly,
allowing Black to activate his king.} (33. Rb4 g6 (33... Ra1+ 34. Bf1 g6 35.
Kg2 Kg7 36. Bc4 {is similar}) 34. Bd5 Ra1+ 35. Kg2 Ne6 36. Bxe6 $1 fxe6 {
A similar position was reached in the game after 38 moves. The essential
difference is that in the current line Black was not in time to hide with his
king to f6, allowing White to finally activate his rook and ensure the advance
of the pawn:} 37. Rb8+ $1 Kf7 38. Ra8 Kf6 {Black has to try playing actively.}
({Here is an illustrative line about what could happen if he would just mark
time:} 38... Ra3 39. a5 Kg7 40. a6 h5 41. a7 $1 {With the pawn on f7 rather
than on e6, this would only lead to a draw. The weakness of the e6-pawn is
decisive, though. The only thing White shoud avoid is playing h3-h4. After
that, even winning the e6-pawn would not allow the creation of a passed f-pawn.
}) 39. a5 g5 40. a6 Ke5 41. a7 Ke4 {Setting up a cunning trap.} (41... Ra3 {
makes things easier:} 42. f4+ gxf4 43. gxf4+ Ke4 44. f5 $18) 42. g4 (42. f4 $4
Ke3 43. fxg5 Ra2+ 44. Kf1 Ra1+ {leads to a draw by perpetual}) 42... Ra3 43.
f3+ Ke3 44. Re8 $1 {A good moment to simplify to an ending with pawns on the
same wing.} Rxa7 45. Rxe6+ Kd3 46. Kg3 {With the black king cut off along the
e-file, White has every chance to win.}) 33... g6 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 34. Kg2 $6 {
[%emt 0:01:30]} (34. Rb4 Ne6 35. Bd5 Kg7 36. Bxe6 fxe6 37. Rb7+ Kf6 ({For
carrying out the counterplay with the e-pawn, suggested as a general idea by
Rainer, Black should hide his king with:} 37... Kh6 {but I believe this should
not save him either:} 38. Ra7 e5 39. a5 e4 40. a6 Ra3 41. Kf1 $1 {Otherwise,
Black woul be in time to exchange the e=pawn and return with his rook behind
the passed pawn.} e3 42. f3 $1 {More restrictive than 42.f4 e2!+} Ra2 43. Ra8
Rf2+ 44. Ke1 Ra2 45. f4 {followed by a6-a7 and g3-g4, f4-f5, etc.}) 38. Ra7 {
White is two tempi down with respect to the previous recommended winning
attempt. One of them was wasted by the bishop, the other one will be spent on
Ra7-a8. But even so, Black is in a critical position.} g5 ({Black's
counterplay based on the advance and exchange of the e-pawn fails by just one
tempo:} 38... e5 39. a5 e4 40. a6 Ra3 41. Ra8 e3 42. fxe3 Rxe3 43. a7 {Black
would need to play ...Ra3 and ...Kg7 at the same time in order to reach a draw.
}) 39. a5 h5 40. a6 Ke5 41. Ra8 Ke4 42. Kg2 e5 43. a7 Ra3 44. h4 $1 (44. Rg8
Rxa7 45. Rxg5 Rh7 {is pssive but maybe defensible.}) 44... g4 (44... gxh4 45.
gxh4 Ra1 46. Kh2 $1 {Using triangulation to escape the cage.} Ra2 47. Kg1 Ra1+
48. Kg2 Ra3 49. Kf1 Ra2 50. Ke1 {After escaping with the king from the
dangerous perpetual check area, White will win with f2-f4!}) 45. Kf1 Ra2 46.
Ke1 Ra1+ 47. Kd2 Ra2+ 48. Kc3 Ra3+ 49. Kb4 Ra1 50. Kc5 Ra2 51. Kd6 Ra3 52. Ke6
Ra6+ 53. Ke7 $1 (53. Kf7 $2 Kf3 54. Rf8 Kxf2 $3 $11 {[%csl Ge5] The white king
is one step too far away to ensure the win.}) 53... Ra5 54. Kf6 $1 Kf3 55. Rf8
Rxa7 (55... Kxf2 {no longer saves him:} 56. Kg5+ Kxg3 57. a8=Q Rxa8 58. Rxa8 e4
59. Ra3+) 56. Kg5+ Kg2 57. Kxh5 $18) 34... Ne6 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 35. Rc4 {
[%emt 0:00:16]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:55]} 36. Bd5 {[%emt 0:01:12]} (36. Bc6 Kf6 37.
Bb5 $16) 36... Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 37. Re4 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:
11]} 38. Bxe6 $4 {[%emt 0:00:18] With the rook on e4, the resulting endgame
does not offer winning chances at all. The rook cannot defend the a4-pawn and
the base of the white pawns. It could do this from f4 if it was not for the
"weak" e6-pawn.} ({Rainer displayed his confidence that in a practical game
White should still win with} 38. Bc6 {followed by the rook's retreat to the
second rank and the king activation. Here is a possible line illustrating his
approach:} Ra2 39. Bb5 Kf5 40. Re2 Ra1 41. Rd2 {(+-) controlling the d4-square
and followed by the gradual king activation. To tell the truth, I find this
quite convincing and it always is refreshing to learn something new about
technique. Thank you Rainer!}) 38... fxe6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 39. Rf4+ {[%emt 0:
00:04]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 40. h4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41.
Re4 {[%emt 0:14:51]} (41. Kf1 Ra2 42. Ke1 e5 $11) 41... Kf7 {[%emt 0:03:10]}
42. Kf1 {[%emt 0:01:38]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 43. Ke1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kf6 {
[%emt 0:16:58]} 44. Kd1 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:05:14]} 45. f4 {[%emt 0:
02:55]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:14:13]} 46. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxg3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 47.
Rd4 {[%emt 0:04:40]} Re3 {[%emt 0:05:48]} 48. Kb2 {[%emt 0:04:26]} e5 {[%emt 0:
00:36]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 $5 ({The text
move has become a valid alternative to the more standard} 6... d6 {, actually}
7. Nbd2 Ne7 {was played in the same round! For more details see the notes to
Svidler-Anand, Candidates 2014 in CBM 160.}) 7. Nbd2 (7. Re1 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9.
Bb3 d6 10. Bg5 Be6 11. Nbd2 h6 12. Bh4 Bxb3 13. axb3 Nb8 14. h3 Nbd7 15. Nh2
Qe7 16. Ndf1 Bb6 17. Ne3 Qe6 18. b4 a5 19. bxa5 Bxa5 20. Nhg4 Bb6 21. Bxf6 Nxf6
22. Nxf6+ Qxf6 $11 {Anand,V (2775)-Carlsen,M (2870)/WCh Chennai/2013/ For more
details see the notes to this game in CBM 158.}) (7. Qe2 a6 8. Ba4 Bf8 $5 9.
Rd1 b5 10. Bc2 Bb7 (10... d5 $5 $13) 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4 d6 13. a4 Nb8 14. Na3 (
14. Nbd2 $142) 14... c6 15. d4 exd4 16. cxd4 Nbd7 17. e5 Qc7 18. Bg3 c5 $1 $132
19. axb5 cxd4 20. exd6 Bxd6 21. Qc4 Bxg3 22. hxg3 Qxc4 23. Nxc4 Bxf3 24. gxf3
axb5 25. Nd6 Rxa1 26. Rxa1 Re2 $11 {Svidler,P (2747)-Fressinet,L (2706)/Paris/
St Petersburg/2013/}) ({An interesting recent try is} 7. b4 $5 Bb6 (7... Bf8 8.
Bc4 d6 9. Ng5 Re7 10. Qb3 Qe8 11. a4 h6 12. Nf3 Be6 13. Nbd2 Rd8 14. Re1 g6 15.
a5 Bg7 (15... a6 $142 $14) 16. b5 Nb8 17. Ba3 Qd7 18. d4 Bxc4 19. Nxc4 $16 {
Ortiz Suarez,I (2601)-Alvarez Pedraza,A (2482)/Santa Clara/2014/}) 8. Bc4 d6 9.
a4 a6 10. Qb3 Be6 (10... Qe7 11. a5 Ba7 12. Be3 Be6 13. Nbd2 h6 14. Bxa7 Nxa7
15. Rfe1 Rad8 16. Bxe6 Qxe6 17. c4 Nc6 18. b5 Ne7 19. d4 exd4 20. Nxd4 Qd7 21.
Rab1 Ra8 22. Qc3 c6 23. bxc6 bxc6 24. c5 $14 {Kryvoruchko,Y (2696)-Harikrishna,
P (2709)/Bundesliga/2014/}) 11. Bxe6 Rxe6 12. a5 Ba7 13. Be3 h6 (13... Bxe3
$142 14. fxe3 d5 $132) 14. c4 Bxe3 15. fxe3 Ng4 16. Re1 Ne7 17. Nc3 Ng6 18. h3
Nf6 19. Ra2 c6 20. d4 exd4 21. exd4 Qd7 22. Rf2 $14 {Balogh,C (2632)-Stern,R 
(2513)/Bundesliga/2014/}) 7... a6 (7... Bf8 8. Re1 a6 9. Bxc6 bxc6 (9... dxc6
$142) 10. d4 exd4 11. cxd4 a5 12. b3 d5 $6 (12... Ba6 $132) 13. e5 Nd7 14. Qc2
Ra6 15. Nf1 c5 16. Bg5 Be7 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. Rac1 Bb7 19. Ng3 Qf8 20. Nh5 Rc6
21. Qd2 a4 22. Nf4 axb3 23. axb3 $36 {Svetushkin,D (2598)-Georgiev,K (2658)/
Roquetas de Mar/2012/}) 8. Bxc6 {It's more usual to retain the bishop.} ({
Even Karjakin used to play} 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3 (9. Bc2 d5 (9... h6 10. h3 d5 11.
Re1 Bf8 12. Nf1 Be6 13. exd5 Bxd5 14. Ng3 Qd6 15. Be3 Nb8 16. d4 exd4 17. Nf5
Qc6 18. N3xd4 Qb7 19. f3 Nbd7 20. Qd2 h5 21. Qf2 c5 22. Ne2 g6 23. Nfg3 Qc7 24.
Bf4 Qc6 25. Nf1 Bg7 $11 {Areshchenko,A (2708)-Leko,P (2737)/Kiev rpd/2013/})
10. exd5 Qxd5 11. Qe2 Bg4 12. Ne4 Nxe4 13. dxe4 Qd7 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Qxe3 Na5
16. Bb3 Nxb3 17. axb3 a5 18. h3 Bh5 19. Rfd1 Qe6 20. g4 Bg6 21. Rd5 c6 22. Rxe5
Qxb3 23. Rxa5 Qxb2 $11 {Rozentalis,E (2622)-Lenic,L (2651)/AUT-chT/2014/}) 9...
d6 10. Re1 (10. a4 Rb8 11. axb5 axb5 12. Re1 Bb6 13. Nf1 Ne7 14. Nh4 Bg4 15.
Qc2 Ng6 16. Nxg6 hxg6 17. Be3 Be6 18. Bxe6 Rxe6 19. Bxb6 Rxb6 20. d4 d5 21.
exd5 Qxd5 22. dxe5 Rxe5 23. Rad1 Qe6 $11 {Karjakin,S (2782)-Leko,P (2737)/Kiev
rpd/2013/}) (10. h3 Be6 11. Re1 Bb6 12. Nf1 d5 13. Qe2 Na5 14. Bc2 dxe4 15.
dxe4 Bc4 16. Qd2 Bxf1 17. Rxf1 Qxd2 18. Nxd2 c5 19. Re1 c4 20. Nf3 {Fressinet,
L (2700)-Aronian,L (2815)/Beijing blitz/2012/} h6 $11) 10... Be6 11. Nf1 Bxb3
12. axb3 d5 (12... h6 13. Nh4 d5 14. Qf3 Nxe4 15. dxe4 Qxh4 16. exd5 e4 17. Qg3
Qxg3 18. Nxg3 Ne7 19. Rxe4 f5 20. Re6 Nxd5 21. Raxa6 f4 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. Nf1
Ra1 $44 {Polgar,J (2693)-Pashikian,A (2612)/EU-ch Yerevan/2014/}) 13. Qc2 h6
14. Ng3 a5 15. h3 Qd7 16. Be3 Bf8 $5 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. Nf5 Qe6 19. g4 dxe4 20.
dxe4 Ne7 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Ra1 Ra8 23. c4 b4 24. g5 hxg5 25. Nxg5 Qc8 26. Nxe7+
Bxe7 27. Kh2 Ra6 $1 $15 {Radjabov,T (2793)-Aronian,L (2809)/London Candidates/
2013/ For more details see the notes to this game by Szabo in CBM 154.}) 8...
dxc6 (8... bxc6 9. Nxe5 $5 (9. d4 exd4 10. cxd4 Ba7 11. Qc2 a5 $13) 9... Rxe5
10. d4 $14) 9. Nc4 (9. Qc2 Nd7 10. Nc4 Bd6 11. Bg5 f6 12. Be3 Qe7 (12... Nf8
13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Qe7 15. Nf5 Qxe4 16. Qxe4 Rxe4 17. Nfxd6 cxd6 18. Nxd6 Re7
19. Rfe1 Bg4 20. f3 Be6 21. b3 b5 22. Bc5 Rd7 {Van Kampen,R (2601)-Balogh,C 
(2648)/Zuerich/2013/} 23. f4 $14) 13. Nfd2 (13. b4 $5) 13... c5 14. Nxd6 Qxd6
15. Nb3 b6 16. d4 cxd4 17. cxd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 Ne5 19. f3 c5 20. Ne2 Qd3 $36 {
Bok,B (2540)-Hammer,J (2612)/London/2013/}) 9... Nd7 (9... Bg4 10. h3 Bh5 11.
Bg5 (11. g4 Nxg4 12. hxg4 Bxg4 $44) 11... h6 12. Bh4 g5 13. Bg3 Nd7 14. Bh2 b5
15. Ne3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Qe7 17. Qc2 Bg6 18. a4 (18. c4 $142 $1) 18... c5 19. b4
c4 20. dxc4 bxc4 21. Nd2 Qe6 22. Qa2 f6 23. Qxc4 Qxc4 24. Nxc4 Bxe4 $36 {
[%csl Ge4,Rh2] Bok,B (2575)-Matlakov,M (2695)/EU-ch Yerevan/2014/}) 10. b4 (10.
Re1 Bf8 (10... a5 $5) 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 Nf6 13. Nce5 Be6 (13... Ng4 14. Nd3
Nf6 $132) (13... Nxe4 $5 14. Rxe4 f6 $13) 14. h3 Nd7 15. Nd3 f6 16. Qc2 Bf7 17.
Bd2 a5 18. b3 Ba3 19. Rad1 Nf8 20. Bc1 Bxc1 21. Nxc1 Qd7 22. Ne2 Bh5 23. Nh4
Qe7 24. f3 Bf7 25. Nc3 $14 {[%csl Gd4,Ge4] Alekseev,E (2683)-Godena,M (2526)/
EU Cup Eilat/2012/}) 10... Bd6 (10... Bf8 11. Bg5 f6 12. Be3 Nb8 13. Qc2 Be6
14. Nfd2 Nd7 15. Na5 (15. f4 exf4 16. Bxf4 c5 $132) 15... Qc8 16. Rfb1 Bf7 17.
a3 b6 18. Nab3 a5 19. Nc4 $6 (19. bxa5 bxa5 20. a4 $13) 19... a4 20. Nc1 f5 $5
21. exf5 Nf6 22. Ne2 Qxf5 23. Ng3 Qg6 24. Nd2 Rad8 $15 {Shomoev,A (2565)
-Goganov,A (2562)/Yekaterinburg/2013/}) 11. Qb3 $146 {A novelty, directed
against the consolidating f6. Other moves don't promise White anything
tangible:} (11. Bg5 f6 (11... Be7 12. Be3 Bf6 13. Qc2 Qe7 14. a4 Nf8 15. Nfd2
Ng6 16. Nb3 Bg5 17. Rae1 Bf4 18. f3 Be6 19. Bf2 Rad8 20. Nca5 Bc8 21. Nc5 {
Najer,E (2669)-Balogh,C (2605)/AUT-chT/2009/} Qg5 $1 $13 {/\} 22. Naxb7 Bxb7
23. Nxb7 Rxd3 $1 24. Qxd3 $2 Bxh2+ 25. Kxh2 Nf4 $19) 12. Be3 Nf8 13. Nfd2 (13.
Nh4 g6 14. Nxd6 cxd6 15. Qd2 d5 16. f3 Ne6 $11 {1/2, Palac,M (2571)-Balogh,C 
(2609)/BIH-chT Banja Vrucica/2009/}) 13... Be6 14. Nb3 Qd7 15. Qe2 Ng6 16. Rfd1
Bf8 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. bxc5 f5 19. f3 Bxc4 20. dxc4 Qe6 $132 {Rublevsky,S (2693)
-Kurnosov,I (2660)/EU Cup Eilat/2012/}) (11. Be3 Nf8 12. Qc2 Ng6 13. a3 Be6 14.
Nxd6 cxd6 15. d4 Nh4 16. Nxh4 Qxh4 17. dxe5 dxe5 18. Bb6 Bc4 19. Rfd1 Re6 20.
Be3 Rd8 $11 {[%csl Gc4,Ge3] 1/2, Palac,M (2586)-Petkov,V (2493)/Zagreb/2011/})
11... Nf8 (11... Qe7 12. Bg5 Qe6 13. Be3 $14 {is perhaps slightly better for
White - Black prefer to keep e6 free for his bishop, or knight.}) (11... Qf6
12. Bg5 (12. Re1 Nb6 {Moradiabadi} 13. Na5 Bg4 $5 14. Nxb7 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Re6
$44)) 12. Bg5 Qd7 13. Be3 Ng6 14. Nfd2 (14. Rad1 $142 Qe7 15. h3 Be6 16. Qc2 {
[%cal Yc4a5]} b6 $5 (16... Rad8 17. Na5 Bc8 18. a4 $13 {/+/=}) 17. Nxd6 Qxd6
18. d4 Bc4 19. dxe5 Qe6 20. Rfe1 a5 $1 $132) 14... Bf8 15. d4 {More or less
forced due to White's previous move. While the central advance is one of
White's main ideas in the Exchange Ruy Lopez structures, here it doesn't
promise anything - due to White's b4 Black can more easily get rid of his
doubled c-pawns. Also White's queenside will be vulnerable (the c4-square).} (
15. Qc2 Rd8 $36) 15... Qe7 16. dxe5 {It's difficult for White to
advantageously retain the central tension:} (16. Qc2 exd4 17. cxd4 f5 $1 18.
exf5 Nh4 $15) 16... Be6 17. Qc2 Bxc4 18. Nxc4 Nxe5 19. Nd2 ({White should have
probably preferred to bale out with the simple} 19. Nxe5 $142 Qxe5 20. f3 Bd6 (
20... c5 $11) 21. g3 a5 22. Bd4 {and the position remains roughly equal. From
now on Aronian takes over the initiative.}) 19... a5 $1 20. a3 axb4 21. axb4
Qe6 {[%csl Rc4]} 22. f3 (22. Bd4 $5 Nc4 (22... Nd7 23. f4 c5 24. bxc5 Nxc5 25.
f5 Qc6 26. e5 $132) 23. Nxc4 Qxc4 24. Qd2 c5 $11 {/=/+} (24... Rxa1 25. Rxa1
Rxe4 26. Ra8 Re2 27. Bc5 $1 Qxc5 28. Qxe2 Qxc3 29. g3 Qxb4 30. Rd8 $44 {/+/=}))
22... Nc4 23. Bf4 (23. Bf2 $142 Bd6 24. Rfd1 {and Black is at best only
marginally better.}) 23... c5 (23... b5 $5 $15 {[%cal Yc6c5]} 24. Nb3 Qf6 $36)
24. b5 Nd6 25. Rxa8 ({White didn't have to give up the open file.} 25. Qb2 $142
$5) 25... Rxa8 26. Rb1 b6 $5 ({After} 26... Ra2 27. Rb2 (27. Qb3 Qxb3 28. Rxb3
b6 $15 {[%csl Rb5,Rc3]}) 27... Ra3 {White can consider} 28. b6 $5 {, therefore
Levon prevents this advance.}) 27. e5 $6 {Limits the bishop and further
weakens White's position.} (27. Qd3 $142 $15) 27... Nc4 28. Qe4 (28. Nxc4 Qxc4
29. Bg3 Ra3 $36) 28... Ra4 {[%cal Rc4d2]} 29. Rc1 (29. Nxc4 $2 Rxc4 30. Qe3 Qf5
$19) 29... h6 ({Black could have also played} 29... Nb2 $5 30. c4 Qd7 $36 {
immediately}) 30. h4 ({White doesn't need an airhole immediately,} 30. Bg3 $5
Nb2 31. Qc2 $15 {is more resilient.}) 30... Nb2 $1 31. c4 $8 Qd7 32. Rb1 (32.
Rc2 Nd3 $17) 32... Ra2 {[%cal Yd7d4]} (32... Nd3 $143 33. Be3 {We'll soon see
it's more flexible to keep the knight on b2 for the time being.}) 33. Be3 $6 (
33. Nb3 $142 $5 Nd3 (33... Nd1 34. Rc1 Rb2 35. Rc2 $1 {/\} Rxb3 36. Rd2 $11)
34. Bg3) 33... Na4 $1 {[%cal Ra4c3,Ra2d2]} 34. Rb3 $2 {Now Black's material
advantage will decide the issue.} (34. Re1 $142 Nc3 (34... Rxd2 35. e6 fxe6 36.
Bxd2 Qxd2 37. Qxe6+ Kh8 38. Qe8 Qd4+ 39. Re3 $1 $44) 35. Qg4 (35. e6 Qxe6 36.
Qd3 Qf6 $17) 35... Qd3 36. e6 Ne2+ 37. Kf2 Nd4 38. exf7+ Kxf7 39. Qd7+ Kg8 40.
Qd5+ Kh7 41. Qe4+ Qxe4 42. fxe4 Kg6 $17 {leads to a very unpleasant endgame,
but at least material remains equal for the time being.}) 34... Rxd2 35. Bxd2
Qxd2 36. Rd3 Qc1+ 37. Kh2 Nb2 $1 {Consistent, White's counterattack will be
insufficient.} 38. Rd8 (38. Rd7 Qxc4 39. Rxc7 Qxe4 40. fxe4 g6 $19) 38... Qxc4
39. Qa8 Qxh4+ 40. Kg1 Qe1+ 41. Kh2 Qxe5+ 42. g3 (42. Kh3 Kh7 43. Rxf8 Nd3 $40)
42... Qe2+ 43. Kh3 Nd3 $1 (43... Qe7 44. Re8 Qd6 45. Rd8 {can't save the piece,
so Black proceeds with his own attack.}) 44. Rxf8+ ({A more exciting try was} 
44. Re8 $5 Nf2+ 45. Kh4 Qf1 $1 (45... Qxb5 46. Rxf8+ Kh7 47. g4 Qc4 48. Kh5 $1
g6+ 49. Kh4 Qe6 50. Kg3 Nd3 51. Rh8+ Kg7 52. Qf8+ Kf6 53. Qd8+ Kg7 54. Qf8+ $11
) 46. Rxf8+ Kh7 47. Rh8+ Kg6 48. Qc6+ Kf5 49. g4+ Ke5 50. f4+ (50. Re8+ Kd4 51.
Qd7+ Kc3 52. Re3+ Nd3 $19) (50. Qxc7+ Kd4 51. Qf4+ (51. Qh2 Qe1 $5 (51... Nd3
52. Rd8+ Kc3 $19) 52. Ra8 Ne4+ 53. Kh3 Ng5+ $19) 51... Kc3 52. Qe5+ Kb3 $19)
50... Kxf4 51. Qxc7+ Ke3 52. Qg3+ Kd2 53. Qf4+ Kc2 54. Qf5+ Kc3 55. Qf3+ Kb4 {
and after the checks end, Black wins - e.g.} 56. Ra8 Qd3 $1 $19 {/\} 57. Qxf2
g5+ 58. Kh5 Qh3+) 44... Kh7 45. Re8 Nf2+ 46. Kh4 Qxb5 (46... Qf1 $5 {should
also win}) 47. g4 Qc4 $1 {[]} 48. Qc8 $6 {Simplifies Black's task.} ({After} 
48. Kh5 g6+ 49. Kh4 {Black has} Qd4 $19 {- in the previous note with White's
rook on f8 this move was impossible.}) (48. Rh8+ $142 Kg6 49. Qc6+ Qe6 50. Qxc7
(50. Qxe6+ fxe6 51. Rc8 Nd3 52. Rxc7 b5 $19) 50... Nd3 (50... c4 $5) (50... Qe1
51. Qc6+ f6 52. Qe8+ Qxe8 53. Rxe8 b5 54. Rd8 c4 $19) 51. Rd8 Kh7 $1 $19 {
and Black gradually converts -} 52. Rxd3 Qe1+ {[%cal Re1f1] wins the rook.})
48... Qf4 $19 {[%cal Rf4h2]} 49. Qf5+ (49. Rh8+ Kg6 50. Qf5+ Qxf5 51. gxf5+
Kxf5 $19) 49... Qxf5 50. gxf5 c4 51. Re7 (51. Kg3 Nd3 $19 {[%cal Rc4c1]}) 51...
c5 52. Rxf7 c3 53. f6 Kg6 $1 (53... Kg6 54. Rxg7+ Kxf6 55. Rg1 Nd3 56. Rg2 $8
b5 $19 {[%cal Rb5b3]}) 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} d5 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 3. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:05] Without a doubt this was a letdown for the
spectators. Aronian quickly went pawn hunting in a very strange opening but as
a result of this his position was completely tied down. Anand didn't have any
good break-through plans but he probably wasn't worried about any plans that
Aronian might have as the Armenian lacked space. An unusual repetition ensued
on move 15 and the game was drawn.} (3. d4 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. Nc3 e6 6. h3 Bh5 7.
g4 Bg6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Ne5 Bb4 10. Bd2 Nd7 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. a3 Ba5 13. Bg2 g5
14. Qc2 Rc8 15. Rd1 Bc7 16. Ne2 Nf8 17. Qb3 Rb8 18. e4 Nf4 19. Bxf4 Bxf4 20. h4
e5 21. d5 Ng6 22. dxc6 Qa5+ 23. Nc3 O-O 24. cxb7 Qc7 25. Nd5 Qxb7 26. Qxb7 Rxb7
27. b4 gxh4 28. Bf1 Bg5 29. Rh3 Rd8 30. Bc4 Rbb8 31. Rhd3 Rdc8 32. Bb3 Rb7 {
Caruana,F (2782)-Anand,V (2773) Zuerich 2014 1/2-1/2}) 3... d4 $146 {[%emt 0:
05:06]} 4. e3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} c5 {[%emt 0:03:45]} 5. Qb5+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc6
{[%emt 0:00:12]} 6. Qxc5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 7. Qb5 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} a6 {[%emt 0:01:58]} 8. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:05:07]} 9. d3
{[%emt 0:02:14]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:06:01]} 10. e4 {[%emt 0:01:28]} O-O {[%emt 0:02:
34]} 11. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Bb4+ {[%emt 0:04:22]} 12. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:12:10]}
a5 {[%emt 0:01:44]} 13. O-O {[%emt 0:09:15]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:02:35]} 14. Qd1 {
[%emt 0:05:19]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:02:39]} 15. Ne1 {[%emt 0:05:12]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:01:
06]} 16. Nb3 {[%emt 0:03:36]} Na6 {[%emt 0:02:41]} 17. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:58]} Nc5
{[%emt 0:00:11]} 18. Nb3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Na6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 19. Nd2 {
[%emt 0:02:39]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 O-O 5. e4 d5 6. e5 Nfd7 7. cxd5 exd5 8. a3
Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 f6 10. exf6 Qe8+ (10... Qxf6 {is the common move in this
position - see CBM 106, annotations to Moskalenko - Gonzalez by V.Gavrikov.
Here is a later GM game:} 11. Ne2 Nb6 12. Nf4 c5 $6 (12... Nc6 $13) 13. a4 Nc6
14. a5 Nc4 15. Nxd5 Qe6+ 16. Qe2 N4xa5 17. Qxe6+ Bxe6 18. Nc7 $16 {1/2 (26)
Aleksandrov,A (2604)-Kravtsiv,M (2546) Bhubaneswar 2010}) 11. Qe2 (11. Kf2 $6
Nxf6 12. Bd3 Ne4+ 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Qb3+ Kh8 15. f4 Nc6 16. Ne2 Na5 $17 {
1/2 (48) Hawkins,J (2383)-Zdebskaja,N (2408) Hastings 2010}) 11... Qf7 $5 $146
{Black goes for sharp play, not content with equality after the recapture on
f6:} (11... Nxf6 12. Qxe8 Nxe8 13. Ne2 Nd6 (13... Nd7 $142 $11 {[%cal Yd7b6]})
14. Bf4 Rd8 15. Ng3 Nc6 16. Bd3 Be6 17. Kf2 Bf7 18. Nf5 Bg6 {1/2 (18) Shmeliov,
D (2270)-Kraai,J (2505) Las Vegas 2007} 19. Nxd6 cxd6 20. Bxg6 hxg6 21. Rab1 b6
22. Rb5 $14) 12. fxg7 Re8 13. Be3 Nc6 14. Qd2 Na5 15. Rb1 Nb6 16. Rb4 {White
must give up an exchange; however, if he successfully completes his
development after that, Black's exposed king will guarantee him good
compensation.} Nac4 17. Bxc4 dxc4 $6 {Too subtle.} (17... Nxc4 $142 18. Rxc4
dxc4 19. Ne2 Bf5 {[%cal Ya8d8,Yc7c5] with an excellent position for Black.})
18. Rb5 $1 Bf5 $6 {In the second half of the Candidates tournament Levon
Aronian often took strange decisions when he should have made simple and good
moves.} (18... Nd5 $142 19. Rxd5 Qxd5 20. Ne2 Bf5) 19. Kf2 $6 {White prefers
to follow his initial plan but it was quite possible to play} (19. Re5 {, e.g.}
Rxe5 20. dxe5 Qe7 21. Ne2 Qxe5 22. Nf4 Re8 23. Kf2 Qxg7 {- Black restores the
material balance but his position is poor as his king is completely
unprotected.}) 19... Nd5 20. Rxd5 ({It is strange to suggest} 20. Bf4 $5 {
after White has not played 19.Re5.}) 20... Qxd5 21. Ne2 a5 {[%mdl 32] The plan
of advancing queenside pawns eventually fails. Black can only make c4 a passed
pawn but it will be safely blocked on c3; meanwhile, White develops his
initiative on the kingside.} (21... Rad8 {[%cal Yc7c5] deserved attention here,
too, although it would work better with Black's queen on f7 (see annotation to
move 17).}) 22. h4 b5 23. h5 b4 $6 (23... Qd6 $5 {(recommended by P.Maletin)}
24. Ra1 Qf6 {probably offered Black more counter-chances.}) 24. cxb4 axb4 25.
axb4 Qb5 $6 (25... Bd3 $142 26. Nf4 Qd6 {, according to P.Maletin.}) 26. Re1
Bd3 (26... Ra3 27. Bg5 $1) 27. Nf4 Ra3 (27... Ra4 28. d5 Qxb4 29. Qxb4 Rxb4 30.
h6 $16 {[%csl Gg7] _|_, P.Maletin}) 28. d5 Bb1 29. Kg3 c3 {Black has finally
managed to push his c-pawn but the collapse on the e-file comes before it can
queen.} 30. Qc1 Rb3 31. Bc5 (31. Bd4 {was even simpler:} c2 32. h6 $18 {
[%cal Rf4h5]}) 31... Rxe1 (31... Qd7 32. Ne6 {[%cal Yc1g5]}) 32. Qxe1 Qd7 33.
h6 Qf7 34. Nh5 Bg6 35. Qe8+ $1 Qxe8 36. Nf6+ Kf7 37. Nxe8 Ra3 38. Nf6 Ra8 39.
g8=Q+ Rxg8 40. Nxg8 Kxg8 {[%mdl 4096]} 41. Kf4 Bd3 42. Ke5 Kf7 43. Be3 {
The principle of the diagonal: the bishop stops Black's passed pawn and
supports White's kingside pawns along the same diagonal.} Bf1 44. g4 {White
plays g5, f4-f5 (the g5-g6 threat forces Black's king to stay on f7) -f6, then
d5-d6, creating a decisive passed pawn on the b-file.} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 Bf5 6. Bd3 {A solid way to fight
for a small edge without taking much risk.} Bxd3 7. Qxd3 e6 8. O-O Bb4 {
Preventing White from pushing e3-e4 at the early stage of the game. In many
cases Black may even be able to afford to give up the dark-squared bishop.} 9.
Bd2 O-O 10. Rfd1 {A tricky waiting move. The natural 10...Nbd7? would be a
tactical blunder: 11.Nxd5! Nxd5 12.cxd5 Bxd2 13.dxe6 and White wins a pawn.} ({
Also worth considering is} 10. a3 $5 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 (11. bxc3 b5 12. cxd5 exd5
13. a4 Nbd7 $11) 11... Nbd7 12. Nd2 c5 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Qe2 dxc4 15. Nxc4 Nd5
16. Be5 b5 17. Nd2 Rc8 {and White is marginally better here.}) 10... a5 (10...
Ba5 $5) 11. a3 Be7 (11... Bxc3 $6 {In this version this decision seem dubious:}
12. bxc3 $1 Nbd7 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. c4 $14 {and we can clearly see a drawback
to the weakening 10...a5.}) 12. e4 dxe4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 {Black's position lacks
some space, so exchanging one pair of knights may definitely ease his task.} (
13... Nbd7 14. Nc3 $1 {potentially may be more dangerous for Black. For
instance,} Qb6 15. Bf4 a4 16. h3 Qa6 17. Rac1 Rad8 18. Qf1 h6 19. d5 $14 {
1-0 Bacrot,E (2691)-Rausis,I (2486)/Liverpool 2008/CBM 126 Extra (35)}) 14.
Qxe4 Nd7 15. Bf4 $146 {A natural novelty. The bishop was blocking the d-file,
so White finds the best square for it.} (15. a4 Qb6 16. Bf4 Rfe8 17. Qe2 {
1-0 Papp,P (2316)-Bird,A (2205)/Kecskemet HUN 2013 (50)} c5 18. d5 exd5 19.
Rxd5 Nf6 $11) (15. Bc3 Nf6 16. Qe2 Qc7 $11) 15... Re8 {A standard prophylactic
move. Black is not only protecting the bishop, but also freeing a way for the
route Nd7-f8-g6.} ({Veselin could hardly improve on his play at this stage:} 
15... Qb6 16. Qc2 Rfd8 17. Rd3 c5 18. d5 exd5 19. Rxd5 Nf6 (19... Nf8 20. Rad1
Ng6 21. Bg3 Rxd5 22. cxd5 $14) 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Re1 Bd6 22. Bd2 $14 {with
stable pressure.}) 16. Qc2 ({Levon could also try} 16. Rd3 $5 a4 (16... Qb6 17.
Qe2 Qa6 18. Re3 b5 19. Re1 $14) (16... Nf6 17. Qe2 a4 18. Rad1 Qa5 19. Ne5 Rad8
20. h4 $14) 17. Rad1 Qb6 18. Qe2 Rad8 19. Re3 $14 {Preventing the freeing
c6-c5 for a while.}) 16... Qb6 17. Rd3 ({There was also the interesting} 17. c5
$5 Qa6 18. Rd3 Rad8 19. Rad1 {White has a serious space advantage and a clear
plan of delivering the knight to d6. Black's control over the d5-square
doesn't fully compensate for those factors.} Nf6 (19... a4 20. h3 Nf6 21. Ne5
Rd5 (21... Nd5 22. Bg3 {followed by 23.Nc4 with some advantage.}) 22. Nc4 $14)
20. Ne5 Nd5 21. Bg3 Bf6 22. Nc4 $14) 17... c5 18. d5 (18. Rad1 cxd4 19. Rxd4
Nc5 20. Be3 Red8 $11) 18... Bf6 (18... exd5 19. Rxd5 Nf8 20. Rad1 Rad8 21. Be5
Ng6 22. Bc3 Bf6 23. Qd2 Rxd5 24. cxd5 Bxc3 25. bxc3 $14) 19. Rad1 $6 {This
natural move allows Black to regroup the pieces.} ({That seems the last moment
to pose Black any problems:} 19. Rb3 $1 {after any retreat the queen would be
misplaced, so Black lacks harmony:} Qa7 (19... Qa6 20. Rd1 exd5 21. Rxd5 a4 (
21... Nf8 22. Rd6 Qa7 23. Rdb6 Re7 24. Bd6 $16) 22. Re3 Qc6 23. Qf5 $14) 20. a4
(20. Rd1 exd5 21. Rxd5 Nf8 {is close to equality too.}) 20... exd5 21. cxd5
Rac8 22. Rc1 b6 23. Re3 $14) 19... exd5 20. Rxd5 (20. cxd5 $6 {is unsuccessful
from a human point of view, since after} a4 21. R3d2 Qb3 {Black has a
comfortable position,while the passed Pd5 may become weak soon.}) 20... Nf8 21.
R1d2 {Protecting the Pb2, but Black gets some tactical resources, as it
weakens the 1st rank.} ({However, it looks like in case of} 21. Be5 Bxe5 22.
Nxe5 Rad8 23. g3 Rxd5 24. Rxd5 Qc7 25. Qf5 b6 $11 {Black should easily
equalise too .}) 21... Ne6 $11 22. Rd6 (22. Be3 Rad8 23. g3 h6 $11) 22... Qc7
23. Bg3 $6 {Levon is allowing too much activity.} ({A more accurate try would
be} 23. Rxe6 Qxf4 24. Rxe8+ Rxe8 25. Rd5 $11) 23... Nd4 $1 24. Qd1 $1 {
Switching to a precise defence.} (24. Qd3 Qe7 25. h3 Rad8 26. Nxd4 Rxd6 27.
Bxd6 Qe1+ 28. Kh2 Bxd4 $15) 24... Qe7 ({After} 24... Nxf3+ 25. gxf3 Qc8 26. Kg2
Bd4 27. Re2 $11 {Black can hardly exploit any drawback in White's kingside
pawn structure.}) 25. h3 Rad8 26. Rxd8 ({Levon could also simplify the
position:} 26. Nxd4 Rxd6 (26... cxd4 27. c5 $11) (26... Qe1+ 27. Qxe1 Rxe1+ 28.
Kh2 Rxd6 29. Bxd6 Bxd4 30. b4 $11) 27. Bxd6 Qe1+ 28. Qxe1 Rxe1+ 29. Kh2 Bxd4
30. b4 $11) 26... Rxd8 27. Nxd4 cxd4 {Veselin chooses the ambitious way, but
White is able to stop the passed pawn.} (27... Bxd4 $5 {requires some accuracy
as well:} 28. Qe2 (28. b4 b6 29. bxa5 bxa5 30. Kf1 Qe6 31. Qe2 Qb6 $15) 28...
Qd7 29. Bf4 Re8 30. Be3 Re4 31. Qf3 Qe6 32. Bxd4 cxd4 33. b3 $11) 28. a4 $1 {
An important move - fixing the pawn structure may tell in the edngame.} h5 (
28... Re8 29. Kf1 Qc5 30. b3 h5 31. f3 $11) 29. b3 h4 30. Bf4 g5 $6 {This move
doesn't change the objective valuation, but after exposing the king Black
should be careful as well.} (30... Re8 31. Kf1 g5 32. Bh2 $11) 31. Re2 $1 {
Taking control over the e-file.} Qc5 32. Bd2 Qf5 33. Re1 b6 $1 {Correctly
deviating from the most tempting advance.} (33... d3 34. Qh5 Kg7 35. f4 Qg6 36.
Qg4 gxf4 37. Qxf4 Rd4 38. Qf3 $14) 34. Qf3 {Going into an equal endgame.} ({
The strong passed pawn is too strong, so White couldn't create any serious
threats:} 34. Qh5 Qd3 35. Rd1 (35. Bxg5 $6 Qf5 36. f4 d3 $15) 35... Qc2 36.
Bxg5 Qf5 37. f4 d3 $11) 34... Qxf3 35. gxf3 Kg7 36. Kf1 (36. f4 gxf4 37. Bxf4
d3 38. Rd1 Rd7 39. Be3 Rd6 40. Kg2 Kg6 41. Kf3 Kf5 $11) 36... Kg6 37. Re4 Kf5
38. Ke2 d3+ $1 {Just in time! Black shouldn't allow 39.Kd3.} 39. Kd1 Bd4 40.
Rg4 ({Or} 40. Be3 Bc5 $1 41. Kd2 Bb4+ 42. Kd1 Bc5 $11) 40... f6 41. f4 gxf4 42.
Rxf4+ Ke5 43. f3 ({White could try} 43. Rxh4 Bxf2 44. Bc3+ Kf5 45. Rh5+ {
but it doesn't give any realistic hopes either:} Ke6 ({or} 45... Ke4 46. Bxf6
Rf8 47. Re5+ Kf4 48. Be7 Re8 49. Re6 Kf5 50. Rf6+ Ke4 51. Rf7 Be3 $11 {with
sufficient counterplay.}) 46. Rd5 $1 Rxd5 47. cxd5+ Kxd5 48. Bxf6 b5 49. axb5
Kc5 50. Kd2 Kxb5 51. Kxd3 a4 52. bxa4+ Kxa4 $11) 43... Bf2 44. Rg4 Kf5 45. Rf4+
Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bg4 {
[%emt 0:00:14]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. c4 {[%emt 0:02:
24]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. cxd5 {[%emt 0:03:14]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:40]
Svidler's Reti set-up was anything but dangerous to Aronian. Using a well
known plan to gift the pair of bishops in return for a symmetrical position
with no weaknesses Aronian was able to hold equality with almost no problems.
Only one open file meant that all the major pieces were traded off on the c1
square and the ensuing endgame with two bishops against a knight and a bishop
gave just a symbolic advantage to the Russian player who decided not to press
the issue too much.} 6. Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 7. O-O {
[%emt 0:03:04]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 8. Nc3 {[%emt 0:02:08]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:
34]} 9. d4 {[%emt 0:01:11]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 10. e3 {[%emt 0:01:36]} O-O {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 11. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 12. Rc1 $146 {
[%emt 0:02:08]} (12. Qe2 Rac8 13. Bg2 Bb4 14. Rfc1 Na5 15. a3 Bxc3 16. Rxc3
Rxc3 17. Bxc3 Nb3 18. Rd1 a5 19. f3 b5 20. Bf1 Rb8 21. Qc2 a4 22. Bb4 Ne8 23.
Rd3 g6 24. Rc3 Kg7 25. Rc6 Qd8 26. Kg2 Na5 27. Rc5 Nd6 28. Qc3 Nac4 29. Kf2 Qf6
30. Bd3 Nf5 31. Bxc4 bxc4 32. Ra5 g5 33. Kg2 Qg6 34. Rxa4 g4 35. f4 Nxe3+ 36.
Qxe3 Qc2+ 37. Kg1 Qxa4 38. Qe5+ f6 39. Qxb8 Qd1+ 40. Kg2 Qc2+ 41. Kg1 Qb1+ {
Neckar,L (2337)-Tichy,V (2260) Czechia 2010 1/2-1/2}) 12... Rfc8 {[%emt 0:00:
16]} 13. Bg2 {[%emt 0:05:05]} Ne8 {[%emt 0:03:47]} 14. Qe2 {[%emt 0:07:47]} Nd6
{[%emt 0:06:48]} 15. Rfd1 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Bd8 {[%emt 0:01:49]} 16. Be1 {
[%emt 0:06:06]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:02:59]} 17. b3 {[%emt 0:05:30]} Rc6 {[%emt 0:19:
43][%cal Ga8c8] Svidler was probably not too happy with Aronian's ultra solid
choice} 18. Na4 {[%emt 0:01:13]} Rac8 {[%emt 0:01:13]} 19. Nc5 {[%emt 0:03:51]}
Qe8 {[%emt 0:01:35]} 20. Qb2 {[%emt 0:03:06]} R6c7 {[%emt 0:18:32]} 21. a4 {
[%emt 0:05:34]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:02:53]} 22. b4 {[%emt 0:08:06]} Nb8 {[%emt 0:05:
16]} 23. b5 {[%emt 0:06:44] He pushed all his queenside pawns, but even that
expansion didn't amount to any advantage} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 24. Qb1 {
[%emt 0:03:54]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:07:51]} 25. Nd3 {[%emt 0:05:04]} Rxc1 {[%emt 0:06:
40]} 26. Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 27. Qxc1 {[%emt 0:01:09]}
Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 28. Qd1 {[%emt 0:05:20]} Qc8 {[%emt 0:03:09]} 29. Bf1 {
[%emt 0:00:25]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:05:22]} 30. Ne5 {[%emt 0:03:12]} Nbc4 {[%emt 0:02:
38]} 31. Nxc4 {[%emt 0:00:57]} Nxc4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 32. Qc2 {[%emt 0:01:45]}
Nb6 {[%emt 0:01:48]} 33. Qxc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D36"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. Qc2 Be7 7. e3 Nbd7 8. h3
{In this concrete position this move is very rare.} ({The main continuation is
} 8. Bd3 {and here} Nh5 {is one of the options.} {After} 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 {White
doesn't have to play h2-h3, but can make a developing move} 10. Nge2 {So, it's
a slightly preferable version for White than in the game.}) 8... Nh5 {A
standard idea in this opening. The knight, obviously, has nothing it can
achieve on h5 and will have to go back soon. However, the exchange of dark
-squared bishops allows Black to complete his development more comfortably.} 9.
Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Nf3 Nb6 11. O-O-O Nf6 (11... g6 12. g4 Ng7 13. Ne5 f6 14. Nd3 Be6
15. Re1 O-O-O 16. Na4 Nxa4 17. Qxa4 Kb8 18. Be2 Bf7 19. Qb4 Qxb4 20. Nxb4 h5
$11 {1/2-1/2 (27) Topalov,V (2702)-Sokolov,I (2637) Sarajevo 2000}) 12. Bd3 Be6
{The players reached the position, which has appeared numerous times
beforehand, by a slightly unusual order of moves.} 13. Kb1 O-O-O {Black
wouldn't be able to castle to the queenside so easily if the dark-squared
bishops were still on the board. Russian grandmaster Alexey Dreev has a lot of
experience handling this position.} (13... O-O $6 {would be very risky. After}
14. g4 {White's potential kingside assault is dangerous.}) 14. Ka1 Kb8 15. Rc1
(15. Rb1 Ne8 16. Nd2 Nd6 17. Nb3 Qf6 18. Nc5 Bf5 19. Bxf5 Qxf5 20. Qe2 h5 21.
a4 Nd7 22. b4 Nc4 $15 {1-0 (78) Jobava,B (2601)-Dreev,A (2694) Beersheba 2005})
15... Ne8 16. Na4 Nd6 17. Nc5 g6 18. h4 $146 (18. g4 h5 $6 (18... Nd7 $142) 19.
Ne5 Ndc4 20. Bxc4 dxc4 21. Qe4 $14 {1-0 (60) Ikonnikov,V (2558)-Barua,D (2462)
Dieren 2007}) ({Here, and on the next move White could try to put pressure on
the queenside:} 18. a4 $1 Nd7 19. a5 {The following lines illustrate White's
potential:} a6 (19... Nxc5 20. dxc5 Nc4 21. b3 $1 Qf6+ (21... Nxa5 22. Nd4 $16
{[%csl Ya5]}) 22. Nd4 Ne5 23. a6 $16) (19... Rc8 {is probably the best, but
also here after} 20. Qa4 {White is in possession of some initiative.}) 20. Bxa6
$1 Nxc5 (20... bxa6 $2 21. Nxa6+ Ka7 22. Qxc6 Rc8 23. Nc7 Nc4 24. Rxc4 $1 dxc4
25. Ne5 $1 Qd8 26. Qa6+ Kb8 27. Nxe6 fxe6 28. Qb5+ Ka7 29. Nxd7 $18) 21. dxc5
Nc4 22. Qb3 Nxa5 23. Qb4 Qc7 24. Nd4 $16) 18... Bc8 19. h5 $6 {Levon is
consistent, but clearly underestimated Black's reply. In general, I think that
White should create some activity on the other side of the board, where
Black's king is hiding.} (19. a4 $1 Ka8 ({Black can't swap the bishops
comfortably:} 19... Bf5 20. Bxf5 Nxf5 21. a5 Nc4 22. Qa4 $36 a6 $6 23. Rhe1 $16
{[%cal Ge3e4]}) (19... Nd7 20. a5 a6 21. Na4 $14) 20. Nd2 Nd7 ({Again} 20...
Bf5 $6 {is bad in view of} 21. Bxf5 Nxf5 $2 (21... gxf5 {is necessary, but it
means that Black just spoiled his structure for nothing}) 22. a5 Nd7 (22... Nc8
23. a6 b6 24. Nb7 $18 {[%csl Rc6,Rd8]}) {[%tqu "En","How should White
proceed?","","","c5b7","",10]} 23. Nxb7 $1 Kxb7 24. Qxc6+ Kb8 25. Qb5+ Ka8 26.
Rc7 $18) 21. a5 a6 22. Na4 $14 {[%cal Gd2b3,Gb3c5]}) 19... g5 $1 {Black can
give up the Ph7. The sacrifice is temporary.} 20. Bxh7 (20. h6 g4 21. Nd2 f5 {
Later on the Ph6 might become a target.}) 20... g4 21. Nh4 Qf6 22. g3 Nbc4 23.
Bd3 Rxh5 {Black has got back the h-pawn and his position is absolutely fine.}
24. Rhe1 Re8 25. Re2 Reh8 26. Qb3 Qd8 27. e4 $6 {Trying to create some
activity, but it could backfire on him.} (27. Qb4 {would have been safer.})
27... b6 28. Na4 $6 (28. exd5 Na5 (28... cxd5 29. Rd1 {White should think
about protecting the Pd4} Qf6 30. Bb1 $11) 29. Qc3 Rxd5 (29... bxc5 $6 30. dxc5
) 30. b4 $1 Nb5 $1 31. Bxb5 cxb5 32. bxa5 bxc5 33. dxc5 Rhh5 $1 34. Qb4 Rxc5
35. Rxc5 Qd1+ 36. Kb2 Rxc5 37. Qxc5 Qxe2+ 38. Kc3 {This should end in some
kind of a perpetual check.}) 28... Ba6 (28... Nb5 $1 29. exd5 (29. Bxc4 $2 dxc4
30. Qxc4 Nxd4 $19 {[%csl Re2][%cal Gb6b5]}) 29... Na5 $1 {An important
intermezzo.} 30. Qb4 Rxd5 31. Bxb5 cxb5 32. Nc3 Nc6 33. Qb3 Nxd4 34. Qxd5 Qxd5
35. Nxd5 Nxe2 $17) 29. Nc5 Bc8 30. Na4 (30. exd5 {would be objectively better,
as I have already pointed out above, see 28.exd5.}) 30... Ba6 {Again there was
a chance for 30...Nb5! But, Kramnik, clearly disappointed by his overall
performance in the tournament, decided to call it a day.} 31. Nc5 Bc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Andreikin,D"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 {After my miraculous escape in the previous round's game with
Anand, fate gave me a chance to fight for a higher position and prize. I had
nowhere to retreat. I had -1 and was sharing 3rd-8th place and this was the
last round. I decided to fight to the end. I had successfully used the
Trompowsky Opening during the Chess World Cup 2013, but decided to extend my
repertoire of classical openings. Now I don't know whether it was a good or
bad idea.} g6 {A nice surprise.} ({Recently Levon applied the original scheme} 
2... d5 3. e3 Nbd7 $5 {a rare move} 4. Nf3 h6 5. Bf4 g5 6. Bg3 Ne4 {
Rapport-Aronian 2014.}) 3. Bxf6 exf6 4. c4 {This move is necessary, otherwise
Black plays d7-d5.} Bb4+ {The black bishop joins the game immediately.} ({
Another setup looks more logical:} 4... f5 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. e3 O-O 7. g3 d6 8. Bg2
Nd7 9. Nge2 Nf6 10. O-O c6 11. b4 {White creates play on the queenside and
receives a small, but stable advantage.}) 5. Nd2 {I did not want to spoil the
pawn structure.} ({After} 5. Nc3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 f5 7. g3 d6 8. Bg2 Nd7 9. Nh3
Nf6 10. Nf4 {the position is almost equal.}) 5... c5 {I can't call this move a
mistake, but it doesn't look correct; it looks as if from this point on the
game was about one of two results. The Trompowsky again had not disappointed
me :)} 6. a3 {The potentially dangerous bishop should be exchanged right now.}
Bxd2+ 7. Qxd2 cxd4 8. Nf3 Nc6 {Black is unable to fully exchange the pawn
centre:} (8... d5 9. c5 $1 O-O 10. Nxd4 $16 {This pawn structure looks fatal
for Black.}) 9. Nxd4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Qa5+ 11. b4 Qe5 {Some of the previous moves
had been made automatically, and now it was time to think properly. Black
still has a very safe position. White has few pieces which can be used to put
pressure on his opponent's weakened centre. Also, there is a risk that if the
opponent comfortably places his pawns on the dark squares, playing d7-d6 and
b7-b6, then my light-squared bishop will be out of work for a long time.} 12.
O-O-O $5 {I like this idea. It is clear that White's main hope is associated
with play on the queenside, so, using castling, the king is sent there. Before
making this move, I made sure that I could execute it according to the rules.
I did't want to finish the tournament having blundered the queen and the rook
at the same time :)} a5 {Black wants to locate my pawns on "unprofitable"
white squares, or to activate the rook on a8.} 13. b5 {I had a pleasant choice
either to make a move or to exchange the queens:} (13. Qxe5+ $5 fxe5 14. b5 {
the black pawn has got stuck on d7. It is difficult to say in whose favour it
is. The computer suggests that Black sacrifice a pawn.} b6 $5 15. Rd5 f6 16.
Rd6 Rb8 17. Rxf6 Ke7 18. Rf3 d5 $1 $44 {This position is approximately equal,
but White does not feel so comfortable.}) 13... d6 {I underestimated this move,
although Black didn't have a better alternative.} ({Deep in my heart I was
hoping for} 13... Ke7 14. c5 Rd8 15. Qd6+ Ke8 16. Rd3 Qa1+ 17. Kd2 Qa2+ 18. Ke3
Qe6+ 19. Kd4 $18) 14. Qxe5+ {If White plays to win, this move should be
recognised as the only one. Unfortunately, you can't get a pawn majority on
the queenside any other way.} (14. e3 Ke7 $1 15. f4 Qc5 $1 16. Kb2 Be6 17. Qxc5
dxc5 $11 {You can settle for a draw.}) 14... dxe5 15. g3 {This idea with the
activation of the bishop along the main diagonal should be foreseen.} ({
Otherwise White can get a worse position:} 15. Kb2 $6 Be6 16. e3 Rc8 17. Kb3
Ke7 18. Be2 Rc5 19. a4 Rhc8 20. Rc1 b6 {White's pawn majority became a
weakness, and the black infantry has the resources to attack on the kingside.})
15... Be6 ({To build barricades against the white bishop isn't possible:} 15...
f5 16. Bg2 e4 17. f3 Be6 18. Rd4 Ke7 19. fxe4 Rac8 20. exf5 Bxc4 21. Kd2 Bxb5
22. Bxb7 {White's advantage has acquired material form.}) 16. Bg2 Bxc4 $6 {
An error associated with a particular miscalculation.} ({It would be more
natural and stronger be to bring the rook into play:} 16... Rc8 $1 17. Kb2 {
During the game I thought that this move of the king was a very powerful
resource. In fact, it only leads to a transposition of moves.} Ke7 $1 18. Bxb7
Rxc4 {White can not safely move the bishop on c6, because of the ligament
along the b-line.} 19. Bd5 $5 Bxd5 20. Rxd5 Rhc8 21. Rhd1 Rc2+ 22. Kb3 R8c4 $1
{With this move Black keeps the balance. If you do not know about it, the
ending with the remote b-pawn looks very optimistic for White.} 23. Rd7+ Kf8
24. Ra7 R2c3+ 25. Kb2 Rc2+ 26. Kb3 $11) 17. Bxb7 Rb8 18. Bc6+ Kf8 19. a4 Bb3
20. Kb2 $1 {After the game Levon said that he had blundered this opportunity,
making his 16th move. Of course, to find and execute such ideas is very nice.
I was sure that my position is close to winning.} Bxa4 $2 {In fact, this move
is the decisive mistake. Black had to accept the gift and then adjust the
interaction of the pieces:} (20... Bxd1 $1 21. Rxd1 Ke7 22. Rd7+ Ke6 23. Kc3
Rhd8 24. Ra7 Rd1 25. Rxa5 Rc1+ 26. Kd2 Ra1 27. Ra7 Rd8+ 28. Kc3 Rd4 29. a5 Raa4
$11 {Next the a4-rook checks on the 4th rank. This is one of the possible
"traps" for the white king. Anyway, the white a- and b-pawns were a visual
rather than a real threat in this ending.}) 21. Rd5 Ke7 22. Ka3 {However, it
is impossible to trap the black bishop, but White's position is winning.} (22.
Ra1 $2 Rhc8 23. Ka3 (23. Rxa4 Rxc6 $11) 23... Bb3 $1 24. Rd7+ Kf8 25. Rb1 a4
$11) 22... Bc2 23. Rd7+ {I need to push the king back to the 8th rank.} Kf8 (
23... Ke6 $2 24. Rc1 Be4 25. Rc7 Bxc6 26. R1xc6+ Kf5 27. b6 $18) 24. e4 $6 {
I spent about half of the remaining 20 minutes on this move. Unfortunately, of
all varieties I chose the worst one. I can not say that I was delighted with
the computer solution in this position:} (24. Bd5 $6 Rxb5 25. Rc1 Rxd5 26. Rxd5
Bf5 27. Rd8+ Kg7 28. Rxh8 Kxh8 29. Ka4 {I am not at all sure how to evaluate
this position. In my opinion, the best way to victory was found at the press
conference immediately after the game:}) (24. Rc1 $1 Bf5 25. Ra7 Kg7 26. Rd1 $1
{An important move! You can't allow the black rook to capture the d-file.} Rhc8
27. Rd6 $18 {the white king enters the game and the b-pawn determines the
outcome of the game. Such a position is won easily. Black has no active ideas.
Even in severe time pressure it is almost impossible to make a mistake here.})
24... a4 {This is harder than another attempt to release the bishop:} (24... f5
$6 25. Rc1 Bxe4 26. Bxe4 fxe4 27. Ka4 Kg7 28. Rc6 $1 $18 {Black can not
exchange the rooks and the white pawn calmly goes to b7.}) 25. Rc1 Bb3 26. Bd5
$6 {Another doubtful solution. I overestimated my position in the rook ending
thinking that the active king and passed pawn easily ends the game. I should
have been keeping in mind that two pawns are better than one.} ({After} 26. Rc5
$1 Kg7 27. Bd5 Bxd5 28. exd5 {Black can hardly stop these two pawns.}) 26...
Bxd5 27. Rxd5 Kg7 28. Rc7 Rb6 29. Rc6 Rb7 30. Kxa4 {First I didn't plan to
take this pawn. I thought I could neutralise the black rooks' activity by
moving the b-pawn further forward. But time passed, and I couldn't find a
precise positioning of my pieces. I had to go to plan B - my king was forced
to do all the work himself.} (30. b6 Ra8 31. g4 Ra6 32. Rdd6 {White has the
initiative, but I can not see how to achieve progress.}) 30... Ra8+ 31. Ra6 Rc8
32. b6 $2 {This move loses victory.} ({The cute rook manoeuvre never entered
my head} 32. Rad6 $3 $18 {I will not give super-long options, White must win
here.}) 32... Rc2 33. Kb5 Rxf2 $4 {Levon made this move quickly.} ({Of course
I saw the right move} 33... Rb8 $1 $11 {but being pressed for time I didn't
know what to do in response to it. The analysis shows that Black makes a draw
in all variations} 34. Rd1 Rxf2 35. Rb1 f5 $1 36. exf5 e4 37. fxg6 hxg6 38.
Raa1 e3 39. Ka6 Ra8+ 40. Kb7 Rxa1 41. Rxa1 Rd2 42. Kc8 e2 43. b7 Rd1 44. b8=Q
e1=Q 45. Rxd1 Qxd1 $11) 34. Kc6 Re7 35. Raa5 $1 $18 {Levon confessed, that he
had blundered by not seeingthis move. Now the white king is protected from
checks and nothing can prevent it from accomplishing its mission! I am pleased
that having about 1 minutes for 5 moves I managed to find this idea.} Re6+ 36.
Rd6 Re7 37. Rdd5 {I repeated moves before the final march of the king. Black
has large material losses, the next part of the game does not need comments.}
Re6+ 38. Kc7 Re7+ 39. Kc8 Re8+ 40. Kd7 Kf8 41. b7 Re7+ 42. Kc6 Re6+ 43. Kc7
Re7+ 44. Kb6 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2014.03.30"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "188"]
[EventDate "2014.03.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Levon is known as a real expert in 1.d4, so already his first move was
surprising.} c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Bc4 {White deviates from the main theoretical
lines and chooses an aggressive side variation. This setup is usually
connected with pushing the f-pawn at an early stage of the game.} a6 $5 {
A rather rare, but principled response. Black is ready to meet the f2-f4
advance with d6-d5 quite soon.} 4. a3 {Securing the light-squared bishop.} ({
The following illustrative line shows, that White can hardly save a tempo by
deviating from this prophylactic move:} 4. d3 e6 5. f4 Nf6 6. Nf3 d5 7. Bb3
dxe4 8. Nxe4 (8. dxe4 $6 Qxd1+ 9. Kxd1 b5 $15) 8... Nxe4 9. dxe4 Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1
b5 $11 (10... b6 $5)) 4... e6 5. d3 Nf6 6. Ba2 Nc6 7. Nf3 {Aronian chooses the
most solid way of development.} ({A double-edged position could arise after
the most ambitious} 7. f4 Be7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. O-O b5 $132) 7... Be7 8. O-O O-O 9.
Re1 b5 10. Ne2 $5 {Such a fresh and complex position is rarely seen on move
10! Both sides have definite winning chances, so Sergei Karjakin could be
satisfied at this moment.} Bb7 {This developing move is the most natural.} ({
One preceding game saw} 10... c4 11. Ng3 cxd3 {0-1 Kende,G (2198)-Llaneza Vega,
P (2272)/Hungary 2008/EXT 2009 (37)} 12. cxd3 Bb7 13. d4 {but this change of
pawn structure helps White.}) 11. Ng3 d5 $146 {Sergey decides to fix the pawn
structure and restrict White's light-squared bishop. However, this decision
has a clear drawback: now White gets good attacking prospects due to a space
advantage.} (11... Ne5 $5 {is worth considering:} 12. Ng5 (12. Nxe5 dxe5 13.
Be3 Qc7 $11) 12... h6 13. Nh3 c4 $132) 12. e5 Nd7 13. c3 d4 $1 ({Sergey
correctly prevents White from consolidating their centre be means of d3-d4:} 
13... Qb6 $6 14. d4 a5 15. Bb1 cxd4 16. cxd4 $14) 14. cxd4 cxd4 $6 {Now White
keeps threatening attacking potential!} ({I guess, Sergey has refuted} 14...
Nxd4 $1 15. Nxd4 cxd4 {in view of} 16. Qg4 {and the activation of White's
queen looks scary. However, Black is doing ok here:} Kh8 {and White hardly has
anything better than} 17. Qxd4 (17. Nh5 Rg8 (17... g6 $5) 18. Qxd4 (18. Qf4 Nc5
$1 19. Qxf7 Qd7 20. Nf4 Raf8 21. Bxe6 Rxf7 22. Bxd7 Nxd7 23. e6 Rxf4 24. Bxf4
Nc5 $15) 18... Nc5 19. Qe3 Qxd3 20. Nf4 Qxe3 21. Bxe3 Rgd8 $11) 17... Nc5 18.
Be3 Nxd3 19. Red1 Qxd4 20. Bxd4 Nf4 $11) 15. Bf4 Nc5 {Black has some space
advantage on the queenside, but creating any serious threats is a tough task
at this stage of the game.} (15... h6 16. Ne4 Qb6 17. Rc1 Rad8 18. h4 $14) 16.
Rc1 b4 17. Bg5 $6 {Levon is interested in exchanging the dark-squared bishops.
In this case the Ng3 would get a nice route to d6.} ({However, it looks like
the direct attack by means of} 17. Nh5 $1 {was very dangerous. For instance,}
Kh8 ({Even worse is} 17... Re8 18. Rxc5 $1 Bxc5 19. Nxg7 Kxg7 20. Ng5 h6 (20...
Re7 21. Ne4 $18) 21. Qg4 hxg5 22. Bxg5 Kf8 23. Bxd8 Raxd8 24. h4 $16) 18. Rxc5
$1 ({But not} 18. Nxg7 $2 b3 $1 (18... Kxg7 19. Rxc5 Bxc5 20. Ng5 h6 21. Qg4
hxg5 22. Bxg5 $18) 19. Bxb3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 Na5 $1 21. Qa4 Bxf3 22. gxf3 Rg8 $15)
18... Bxc5 19. Ng5 Be7 (19... h6 20. Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 21. Qg4 $18) (19... b3 20.
Nxh7 $1 bxa2 (20... Kxh7 21. Qg4 g6 22. Nf6+ Kg7 23. Bh6+ Kxh6 24. Qh4+ Kg7 25.
Qh7#) 21. Qg4 g6 22. N7f6 $18) 20. Qg4 (20. Nxh7 Kxh7 21. Nxg7 Kxg7 22. Qg4+
Kh7 23. Qh5+ $11) 20... g6 21. Ng3 $36) 17... b3 (17... Bxg5 18. Nxg5 Qxg5 19.
Rxc5 Qe7 20. Qc2 Rac8 21. Rc1 Qd7 22. Qd2 bxa3 23. bxa3 Ne7 $11) 18. Bb1 {
This is a risky decision - the Bb1 is completely out of play. However, Aronian
is fighting for a win and avoids any simplifications.} ({Accepting the
challenge} 18. Bxb3 {leads to a balanced position:} Nxb3 19. Qxb3 Bxg5 20. Nxg5
Na5 $1 (20... Qxg5 21. Qxb7 Nxe5 22. Qe4 Ng6 23. Rc4 $14) 21. Qa4 (21. Qb4 Rb8
22. Rc5 Qxg5 23. Qxa5 h5 $44) 21... Bc6 22. Rxc6 Nxc6 23. Nxh7 Kxh7 24. Qxc6
$11) 18... h6 $2 {Sergey understimates White's strong 20th move.} ({It looks
like both players have overlooked} 18... Bxg5 $1 19. Nxg5 Nd7 $1 {with a
preferable position for Black:} ({after} 19... Qxg5 $6 20. Rxc5 $14 {White is
better due to his control over the c-file.}) 20. Qxb3 (20. Nf3 Rb8 21. Qd2 h6
22. Qf4 Ne7 23. Ne4 Ng6 24. Qg3 Nb6 $15) 20... Rb8 21. Nf3 (21. N5e4 Ba8 22.
Qc2 Ncxe5 $15) 21... Na5 22. Qd1 Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Rxb2 $15) 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Ne4
$1 {This excellent resource allows White to liberate the Bb1.} Nxe4 (20... Nd7
21. Nd6 Nb6 22. Nxb7 Qxb7 23. Qxb3 $16) 21. dxe4 $14 {White is in firm control
now.} Rab8 (21... Rfd8 22. Qxb3 Rab8 23. Qd1 Ba8 24. Re2 $16) 22. Qxb3 (22.
Nxd4 {would be inaccurate:} Nxe5 23. Qxb3 Rfd8 24. Qe3 a5 $44 {[%cal Gb7a6]}) (
{But Levon could get rid of the Pb3 in a different version:} 22. Bd3 $5 Rfd8
23. Qxb3 Ba8 24. Qc2 a5 25. Red1 $14) 22... Ba8 23. Qc2 Rb6 24. Rcd1 $6 {
One of the most critical mistakes - White's play is too slow.} ({This seems
the last chance for Levon to fight for a win in this game:} 24. b4 a5 25. bxa5
Nxa5 26. Qc5 Qxc5 27. Rxc5 Nc6 28. Bd3 Rb3 29. Bb5 $14) (24. Red1 Rfb8 25. b4
a5 26. bxa5 Nxa5 27. Nxd4 Qxa3 28. Qd3 $14) 24... Rfb8 25. Re2 $6 {Mistakes
rarely come alone!} ({After} 25. b4 a5 26. bxa5 Nxa5 27. Nxd4 Qxa3 $44 {
Black has enough compensation, but there was no reason for avoiding this line.}
) 25... Qb7 $6 {Sergey errs as well.} ({He could maintain winning chances by
accepting the challenge:} 25... Rxb2 $1 26. Qxb2 Rxb2 27. Rxb2 Qxa3 28. Rbd2
Bb7 29. Nxd4 Nxe5 $15 {the strong Pa6 is really dangerous.}) 26. Rdd2 Rb3 27.
Qd1 {According to his style, Levon is continuing to fight for a win.} (27. Nxd4
Nxd4 28. Rxd4 Rc8 $1 (28... Rxb2 $2 29. Qxb2 Qxb2 30. Rxb2 Rxb2 31. Rb4 $16)
29. Qd1 (29. Qd2 $4 Rxb2 30. Qxb2 Qxb2 31. Rxb2 Rc1+) 29... Rxb2 $11) 27... Qc7
28. Qc1 $6 {Allowing a dangerous sacrifice.} ({After} 28. Nxd4 $142 Nxd4 29.
Rxd4 Rxb2 30. Rxb2 Rxb2 31. Bd3 $11 {the game should end in a draw.}) 28...
Rxf3 $1 29. gxf3 Qxe5 {Now Black has a dangerous initiative. White's king is
very weak, so Black has not much risk there.} 30. Rd3 Qh5 31. Qf4 (31. e5 g6 $1
32. Rc2 Qxe5 33. Rc5 Qd6 34. b4 Kg7 35. f4 Ne7 $15) 31... Ne5 (31... Rb5 $5 32.
h4 Ne5 33. b4 a5 $44) 32. Rc2 $2 {Levon is looking for some activity, but now
the rook comes into attack.} ({At the same time, after the cool-blooded} 32.
Kg2 $1 Rd8 33. Qg3 (33. Rd1 Ng6 34. Qg4 Qe5 $44) 33... Nxd3 34. Bxd3 $11 {
White should be able to hold the balance.}) 32... Rb5 $1 {That's the point.
White has no time for taking the Ba8.} 33. h4 (33. Rc8+ Kh7 34. Rxa8 Ng6 35.
Qg3 Rg5 36. Rxd4 Qxf3 37. Rdd8 Qe2 38. Bd3 Qe1+ 39. Kg2 e5 $1 40. Bxa6 Nf4+ 41.
Kf3 Rxg3+ 42. fxg3 Ne6 $19) 33... Bb7 ({Missing the strong} 33... Bc6 $142 $1
34. Rcd2 Rc5 35. Rd1 Ba4 $19 {with a decisive advantage. However, this looks
like a very tough line.}) 34. Rcd2 Rb6 (34... a5 $5) 35. Kf1 $6 {White's task
is extremely hard. A human can hardly avoid mistakes in such a scary position.}
(35. Kg2 Ng6 (35... Nxd3 36. Bxd3 e5 37. Qf5 $15) 36. Qg4 Qxg4+ 37. fxg4 Bxe4+
38. Kg3 e5 $17) 35... Nxd3 $2 ({Once again, Sergey could activate his bishop
with colossal effect:} 35... a5 $1 36. Rxd4 Ba6+ 37. Bd3 (37. Kg2 Rb3 $1 $19)
37... Nxd3 38. R4xd3 Rb3 39. Qd6 Bxd3+ 40. Rxd3 Qb5 41. Ke2 Rxb2+ 42. Ke1 Qc4
$19) 36. Bxd3 $15 {Now White's pieces are much better coordinated.} e5 37. Qg3
({Levon could maintain good drawing chances in the endgame:} 37. Qg4 $5 Qxg4
38. fxg4 a5 39. Rc2 a4 40. Ke2 Kf8 41. Kd2 f6 42. f3 $15) 37... Rf6 (37... Rg6
$5) 38. Be2 Rf4 39. Rxd4 Rxh4 40. Rd8+ Kh7 {The Kf1 is permanently under
pressure, but now White's rook is active.} 41. Kg2 (41. Ke1 Rf4 42. Kd2 Qh1 $36
) 41... Rf4 42. Rd1 g5 $1 {A good positional idea. Now Black always has a
dangerous attacking resource g5-g4.} 43. Qh3 (43. b4 $5 Kg7 (43... g4 44. Rd6
$1 gxf3+ 45. Bxf3 Bxe4 46. Bxe4+ Rxe4 47. Qd3 $132) 44. a4 $15) 43... Qg6 44.
Kf1 Rh4 45. Qg3 Qe6 46. Kg2 Rf4 {Sergey is waiting and doesn't change the
pleasant character of position.} (46... f5 $5 {is not trivial for humans:} 47.
exf5 Qxf5 48. Bd3 e4 49. fxe4 Bxe4+ 50. Kf1 Rh1+ 51. Ke2 Rh3 52. Qc7+ Kg6 $17)
47. Rc1 Qd6 48. Rd1 Qf6 49. Rc1 a5 50. b4 axb4 51. axb4 {The b-pawn is not so
strong yet, but now there is} Qd6 52. Rh1 Kg7 (52... f5 $1 53. Rd1 (53. Qxg5
fxe4 54. Kg1 Rf7 $19) 53... Qxb4 54. Kg1 Bc8 $17) 53. b5 Bc8 $6 {The bishop
can hardly find a better square than b7.} ({A much more energetic move would be
} 53... Qd2 $1 54. Bc4 f5 55. Qh3 Qd6 56. Bd5 Bxd5 57. exd5 g4 $17) 54. Qh2 $1
Qg6 55. Qh5 (55. Rc1 $5 g4 56. Kf1 $1 gxf3 57. Bxf3 $1 Bd7 58. Be2 Qxe4 59. Rc4
Qb1+ 60. Kg2 $15) 55... Qf6 56. Qh2 Kh7 57. Qg3 Bb7 {Admitting the previous
mistake. White has some pressure along the h-file now, so it's not easy to
make progress.} 58. Rc1 Qd6 59. Rd1 Qf6 60. Rc1 Qd6 61. Rh1 Kg7 62. Qh3 Rh4 63.
Qg3 $6 ({It looks like Levon could solve his problems by means of nice
tactical measures:} 63. Rd1 $1 Qg6 (63... Qxd1 64. Bxd1 Rxh3 65. Kxh3 h5 66. b6
Kf6 67. f4 exf4 68. Bxh5 $11) 64. Qg3 Qf6 65. Kg1 $11) 63... Rf4 64. Qh3 Rf6
65. Rd1 Qc5 66. Qg3 (66. Rd8 Qc1 67. Qh1 Qb2 $15) 66... Rf4 67. Rh1 $6 {
One more inaccuracy leads to a very difficult position.} ({It was necessary to
keep the rook active:} 67. Bf1 $1 Qc2 68. Rd6 Qc7 69. Rd1 Bc8 $15) 67... Qc2 $1
68. Qh2 Rf6 69. Re1 Qd2 $1 {Now White is doomed to a passive defence.} 70. Kf1
Rf4 71. Rd1 Qc3 72. Kg2 $2 {Decisive mistake.} (72. Qg2 Qc2 73. Re1 f5 $17 {
looks horrible, but at least White is still in the game.}) 72... Qb2 $1 {
Now Black is dominating. White cannot keep the material balance any longer.}
73. Rh1 (73. Kf1 Bc8 $1 74. Qg2 Rh4 $19) 73... Rh4 74. Qg3 Rxh1 75. Kxh1 Qxe2
76. Qxe5+ Kh7 $19 {Black is a piece up. The rest was just an agony. A painful
defeat for Levon Aronian.} 77. Kg2 Qc4 $1 78. Qe7 (78. Qf5+ Kg7 79. Qe5+ f6 80.
Qe7+ Qf7 $19) 78... Bc8 79. b6 Ba6 80. Kh2 Qb3 81. Qa7 (81. Kg2 Kg7 82. Qe5+ f6
83. Qc7+ Qf7 $19) 81... Bf1 82. Kg1 Bh3 83. f4 gxf4 (83... g4 84. Kh2 Bf1 85.
Kg1 Be2 86. b7 Qd1+ 87. Kh2 Bf3 88. b8=Q Qh1+ 89. Kg3 Qh3#) (83... Qd1+ 84. Kh2
Qh5 85. b7 Qf3 86. b8=Q Qg2#) 84. Qc7 Qd1+ 85. Kh2 Qh5 86. Qxf4 Bc8+ 87. Kg2
Qg5+ 88. Kf3 Qxf4+ 89. Kxf4 Kg6 90. Ke5 h5 91. Kd6 h4 92. Kc7 Ba6 93. Kb8 h3
94. Ka7 h2 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess blitz 2nd"]
[Site "Flor/Fjaere"]
[Date "2014.06.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2014.06.02"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nc7 7. O-O e5 8. b3
Be7 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Rc1 f6 11. Ne1 Bd7 12. Nd3 Rc8 13. f4 exf4 14. Nxf4 Be8 15.
e3 Bf7 16. Qe2 Re8 17. Ne4 Nb4 18. a3 Nba6 19. Nh5 Nd5 20. g4 Rc6 21. g5 Bxh5
22. Qxh5 g6 23. Qf3 f5 24. Ng3 Nac7 25. Nxf5 gxf5 26. Qxf5 Rf8 27. Qe5 Nf6 28.
Bxc6 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess blitz 2nd"]
[Site "Flor/Fjaere"]
[Date "2014.06.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2014.06.02"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. Nbd2 a6 8. Ba4
b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. h3 dxe4 11. dxe4 h6 12. b4 Bb6 13. a4 Rb8 14. Re1 Nh5 15. Nf1
Nf4 16. Qxd8 Rxd8 17. Be3 Be6 18. Bxb6 cxb6 19. Ne3 f6 20. h4 bxa4 21. Bxa4 Ne7
22. g3 Nd3 23. Red1 Rbc8 24. Bc2 Rxc3 25. Rxa6 Bg4 26. Bxd3 Rdxd3 27. Rxd3 Rxd3
28. Nxg4 Rxf3 29. Ne3 f5 30. exf5 Nxf5 31. Nxf5 Rxf5 32. Rxb6 Rf3 33. Kg2 Rb3
34. h5 e4 35. g4 Kf7 36. b5 Ke7 37. Rb8 Kf6 38. Rb7 e3 39. fxe3 Rxe3 40. b6 Rb3
41. Kf2 g6 42. hxg6 Kxg6 43. Rb8 Kg7 44. Ke2 Rb4 45. Kf3 Kf7 46. Kg3 Kg7 47.
Kh4 Kh7 48. Rb7+ Kg6 49. Rb8 Rb3 50. Rb7 Kf6 51. Rh7 Kg6 52. Rb7 Kf6 53. Rb8
Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess blitz 2nd"]
[Site "Flor/Fjaere"]
[Date "2014.06.02"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2014.06.02"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Bf4 Nc6 5. e3 Nf6 6. Nc3 a6 7. Bd3 Bg4 8.
Nge2 e6 9. O-O Bh5 10. Rc1 Be7 11. Na4 Nd7 12. a3 O-O 13. Rc3 Bg6 14. Bxg6 hxg6
15. Qc2 Re8 16. Rc1 Bf8 17. Bg3 Qg5 18. Nf4 Nf6 19. Qb3 Ne4 20. R3c2 Na5 21.
Qd3 b5 22. Nb6 Ra7 23. Rc8 Rxc8 24. Rxc8 Nc4 25. Nxc4 bxc4 26. Qc2 Qf5 27. Qd1
e5 28. Rxf8+ Kxf8 29. dxe5 Nxg3 30. hxg3 Qxe5 31. Qf3 Qe4 32. Qg4 Qb1+ 33. Kh2
Qf5 34. Qh4 f6 35. Qh8+ Kf7 36. f3 Re7 37. g4 Qe5 38. Kh3 Qxe3 39. Nxd5 Qe1 40.
Qd8 Qh1+ 41. Kg3 Qe1+ 42. Kh3 Re8 43. Qd7+ Kg8 44. Nf4 g5 45. Qd5+ Kh8 46. Ng6+
Kh7 47. Qf5 Kh6 48. Kh2 Qe6 49. Qc2 Qf7 50. Nh4 gxh4 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess blitz 2nd"]
[Site "Flor/Fjaere"]
[Date "2014.06.02"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2014.06.02"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Bg3
Ne4 9. Nd2 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Bxc3 11. Rc1 Bb2 12. Rxc7 Na6 13. Rc2 Bxd4 14. e3 Bg7
15. h4 Nb4 16. Rc7 O-O 17. hxg5 Qxg5 18. Bd6 Nc6 19. Bxf8 Kxf8 20. Qf3 Be6 21.
Rxb7 Rc8 22. Qf4 Qxf4 23. exf4 Nd4 24. Nb3 Nxb3 25. axb3 Rc2 26. Kd1 Rxf2 27.
Be2 Rxf4 28. Rxa7 Rd4+ 29. Kc1 Rb4 30. Bh5 Bd4 31. Ra4 Be3+ 32. Kb2 Rb6 33. Be2
Bd7 34. Ra5 Be6 35. Rh5 Kg7 36. Raxd5 Bxd5 37. Rxd5 Bf4 38. Bf3 Bd6 39. Kc3
Bb4+ 40. Kc4 Be7 41. Rd7 Kf6 42. Bd5 Rb4+ 43. Kc3 Rb6 44. Rb7 Rxb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess blitz 2nd"]
[Site "Flor/Fjaere"]
[Date "2014.06.02"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Agdestein, Simen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2628"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2014.06.02"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Bxd2+ 7. Nbxd2 c5 8.
e4 O-O 9. e5 Ne8 10. Bd3 f5 11. d5 Bb7 12. O-O-O g6 13. h4 Ng7 14. Kb1 Na6 15.
a3 Nc7 16. d6 Nce8 17. Rhe1 a6 18. Ng5 Bc6 19. Be2 Qb8 20. Bf3 Qb7 21. Rc1 Bxf3
22. Ngxf3 Nh5 23. Ka1 Neg7 24. Qd3 Qc6 25. Nb3 Rfc8 26. Nfd2 Rab8 27. Qf3 Qa4
28. Rc3 Qc6 29. Qxc6 Rxc6 30. Nc1 h6 31. Nf3 Rbc8 32. Nd3 Kf7 33. Rec1 a5 34.
Rh1 Rb8 35. Rc2 a4 36. Nc1 b5 37. cxb5 Rxb5 38. Ne2 Rb3 39. Nc3 Ra6 40. Rd1 Ne8
41. Ka2 Rb8 42. Ne2 Ra5 43. Rc4 Nhg7 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess blitz 2nd"]
[Site "Flor/Fjaere"]
[Date "2014.06.02"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C44"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2014.06.02"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. g3 Bc5 4. Bg2 d6 5. c3 Nf6 6. d3 O-O 7. O-O a6 8. Re1
Re8 9. h3 h6 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. Kh2 Bxf2 12. Rf1 Ba7 13. Nh4 Nh7 14. Nf5 Ne7 15.
Qg4 Ng6 16. Nc4 Nf6 17. Qe2 d5 18. exd5 Bxd5 19. Bxd5 Qxd5 20. Nxh6+ Kf8 21.
Bg5 e4 22. Bxf6 exd3 23. Qf3 Qxf3 24. Rxf3 Re2+ 25. Kh1 gxf6 26. Rxd3 b5 27.
Rd7 bxc4 28. Rxf7+ Ke8 29. Rxf6 Ne5 30. Raf1 Rd8 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess blitz 2nd"]
[Site "Flor/Fjaere"]
[Date "2014.06.02"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D79"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "192"]
[EventDate "2014.06.02"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c6 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Ne5 O-O 8. Bg2
e6 9. O-O Nfd7 10. f4 Nc6 11. Be3 Nb6 12. Bf2 Ne7 13. a4 a5 14. Qb3 Bd7 15.
Rfc1 Bc6 16. Nb5 Nbc8 17. e3 Nd6 18. Nxd6 Qxd6 19. Be1 Rfb8 20. Qb6 Qd8 21.
Qxd8+ Rxd8 22. Rc5 f6 23. Nxc6 Nxc6 24. Rb5 Ra7 25. Rc1 Bf8 26. Bf1 Bd6 27. g4
f5 28. Bh4 Rf8 29. gxf5 gxf5 30. Be2 Rf7 31. Kf2 Be7 32. Bxe7 Rxe7 33. Rb6 Ra8
34. Bb5 Nb4 35. Rd6 Kf7 36. Rc5 Rb8 37. Rb6 Ra8 38. Rd6 Rb8 39. Kf3 b6 40. Rc3
Ra7 41. Rd7+ Rxd7 42. Bxd7 Kf6 43. Rc7 Rg8 44. Bb5 Rg7 45. Rc8 Rg1 46. Rf8+ Kg7
47. Rb8 Rb1 48. Rxb6 Rxb2 49. Rxe6 Rxh2 50. Re5 Kf6 51. Bd7 Rh3+ 52. Kg2 Rh5
53. Re6+ Kg7 54. Rb6 Kf7 55. Rb7 Kf6 56. Rb6+ Ke7 57. Bc8 Nc2 58. Re6+ Kf7 59.
Re5 Kf6 60. Re6+ Kf7 61. Re5 Kf6 62. Be6 Ne1+ 63. Kg3 Nc2 64. Bxd5 Rh6 65. Re6+
Kg7 66. Rxh6 Kxh6 67. Kf3 Kg7 68. Bb3 Nb4 69. Bd1 Kf6 70. Kf2 Nd5 71. Bb3 Nc3
72. Kf3 Ne4 73. Kg2 Nc3 74. Kg3 Ne4+ 75. Kh4 Nd2 76. Bc2 Nc4 77. e4 fxe4 78.
Bxe4 Nb6 79. Bc2 Nd5 80. Kg3 h5 81. Bb3 Ne7 82. d5 Nf5+ 83. Kh3 Ke7 84. Bd1 Kd6
85. Bxh5 Kxd5 86. Bg6 Nd4 87. Kg4 Ke6 88. Bd3 Kf6 89. Bc4 Nf5 90. Kf3 Nd6 91.
Bd3 Ke6 92. Bf1 Kd5 93. Kg4 Kc5 94. f5 Kb4 95. Bb5 Nxb5 96. axb5 Ka4 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess blitz 2nd"]
[Site "Flor/Fjaere"]
[Date "2014.06.02"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2014.06.02"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O d6 6. Re1 O-O 7. Nbd2 Nbd7 8. a3
Nc5 9. Ba2 Be6 10. Nc4 b5 11. Ne3 Bxa2 12. Rxa2 g6 13. Bd2 Re8 14. b4 Na4 15.
c4 Bf8 16. Qb3 a6 17. Rc2 Ra7 18. cxb5 cxb5 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. Qxd5 Qa8 21. Rc6
Rc8 22. Rec1 Rxc6 23. Rxc6 Rd7 24. Nxe5 Nb6 25. Rxb6 Qxd5 26. exd5 dxe5 27.
Rxa6 Rxd5 28. Kf1 e4 29. Ra8 g5 30. d4 Kg7 31. Bc3 Be7 32. a4 bxa4 33. Rxa4 Bd8
34. Ra6 f5 35. Ke2 Kf7 36. f3 exf3+ 37. gxf3 h5 38. h3 g4 39. fxg4 hxg4 40.
hxg4 fxg4 41. Ra1 Rf5 42. Rg1 Rf4 43. d5 Bf6 44. Bxf6 Kxf6 45. b5 Rb4 46. d6
Rxb5 47. Rxg4 Rd5 48. Ke3 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess blitz 2nd"]
[Site "Flor/Fjaere"]
[Date "2014.06.02"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2014.06.02"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bf4 c6 6. e3 Nh5 7. Bg5 Be7 8. Bxe7
Qxe7 9. Be2 Nhf6 10. O-O O-O 11. Rc1 Rd8 12. Qb3 b6 13. Rfd1 Bb7 14. cxd5 exd5
15. a3 Nf8 16. Qb4 c5 17. dxc5 bxc5 18. Qa5 Ne6 19. Na4 Rac8 20. Ba6 Bxa6 21.
Qxa6 h6 22. h3 Qe8 23. b3 Ne4 24. Nc3 Nf6 25. Na4 Rc6 26. Qa5 Rdc8 27. Nc3 d4
28. Nb5 dxe3 29. fxe3 Ng5 30. Nxg5 Qxe3+ 31. Kh1 hxg5 32. Nxa7 Ra8 33. Re1 Qg3
34. Qb5 Rc7 35. Nc6 g4 36. Ne7+ Kh8 37. Nf5 Qf4 38. Rf1 Qg5 39. h4 Qh5 40. Rxc5
Rd7 41. Qc4 Qh7 42. Rc8+ Rd8 43. Rxa8 Rxa8 44. Qxf7 Ne4 45. Kg1 g6 46. Qxh7+
Kxh7 47. Ne3 Rxa3 48. Rf4 Ra1+ 49. Kh2 Nd2 50. b4 Ra3 51. Nxg4 Rb3 52. Nf6+ Kg7
53. Ne8+ Kg8 54. Nd6 Rd3 55. Rf6 Kh7 56. b5 Nb3 57. Ne4 Rd4 58. Ng5+ Kh6 59. g3
Nc5 60. Rf7 Rd7 61. Rxd7 Nxd7 62. Ne6 Nb6 63. g4 Kh7 64. Kg3 Kg8 65. Kf4 Kf7
66. Nd4 Kf6 67. g5+ Ke7 68. Nc6+ Kd6 69. h5 gxh5 70. g6 Nd5+ 71. Kg5 Ke6 72.
Kxh5 Nf6+ 73. Kg5 Ne8 74. b6 Nd6 75. Nd8+ Kd7 76. g7 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 2nd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2014.06.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Agdestein, Simen"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2628"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2014.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 161"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb7 6. Bg2 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 a5 8. Nc3
O-O 9. O-O d6 10. Qc2 Nbd7 11. Rfe1 Bxc3 12. Bxc3 Be4 13. Qb2 {This classical
variation has been examined in several CBM issues including CBM 56 
(annotations to Van Wely - Karpov) and CBM 124 (annotations to Radjabov -
Ivanchuk).} c6 {The most popular move. Black continues his fight for the light
squares started with 11...Bxc3 and 12...Be4. Other options and recent games:} (
13... Qb8 14. Bf1 b5 $5 {(a recent attempt by Peter Wells)} 15. cxb5 Qxb5 16.
Nd2 d5 17. Nxe4 (17. f3 $5 Bg6 18. e4) 17... Nxe4 18. Rec1 a4 19. e3 Qb8 20.
bxa4 Rxa4 21. Qb5 Nxc3 22. Rxc3 Nb6 23. Bd3 g6 24. a3 Qa7 25. Qc5 Ra8 $11 {
1/2 (33) Hawkins,J (2423)-Wells,P (2488) Canterbury 2010}) (13... a4 14. Nd2
Bxg2 15. Kxg2 c5 16. e4 cxd4 17. Bxd4 Qc7 18. Rad1 axb3 19. axb3 Rfb8 20. Ra1
Rxa1 21. Rxa1 e5 22. Be3 h6 23. Qb1 {1/2 (23) Benkovic,P (2448)-Pavlovic,M 
(2522) Lenk 2008}) (13... Re8 $5 14. Bf1 h6 15. Nd2 Bb7 16. e4 e5 17. d5 Nc5
18. h3 c6 19. Re3 cxd5 20. cxd5 Ba6 21. a4 Bxf1 22. Rxf1 Qd7 23. Kg2 b5 $132 {
0-1 (28) Damaso,R (2441)-Fernando,D (2449) Almada 2008}) 14. Rac1 (14. Bf1 b5
15. Rad1 Nb6 16. c5 Nbd5 17. Bd2 Bxf3 18. exf3 dxc5 19. dxc5 Qe7 20. Rc1 Nd7
21. f4 Qf6 $11 {1/2 (41) Shimanov,A (2639)-Almasi,Z (2695) Legnica 2013}) (14.
a4 Qe7 15. Nd2 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 c5 17. e4 cxd4 18. Bxd4 e5 19. Be3 Nc5 20. Qc2 h6
21. Rad1 Rad8 22. f3 Qe6 23. Nb1 Ne8 {1/2 (23) Mamedyarov,S (2717)-Akopian,V 
(2712) Mainz 2009}) (14. Nd2 $5 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 b5 16. Qc2 Qe7 (16... a4 $5) 17.
e4 e5 18. cxb5 cxb5 19. Qd3 Rfb8 20. Rac1 $14 {1/2 (36) Lev,R (2398)-Bar,R 
(2449) Israel 2010}) 14... h6 (14... Qe7 15. Bf1 d5 16. Bd2 Rfc8 17. Bf4 c5 (
17... a4 $142) 18. cxd5 exd5 19. Bh3 Re8 20. Nd2 $14 {1-0 (41) Halkias,S (2570)
-Antic,D (2518) Kragujevac 2009}) 15. Bf1 b5 {[%mdl 32] This plan is more
strategically ambitious than ...d6-d5 with a simple position and a minimal
edge for White.} 16. Bd2 bxc4 17. bxc4 (17. Rxc4 Nb6 18. Rcc1 a4 {can be
dangerous for White due to Black's total control over the light squares.})
17... Re8 18. Red1 Qc7 19. Qa3 c5 20. dxc5 dxc5 21. Ne1 {A logical idea: White
intends to push away Black's bishop with f2-f3 and then play e2-e4 while the
knight goes to d3.} Bb7 22. f3 e5 {A good response.} 23. e4 {This yields the
d4-square to Black's knight.} (23. Rb1 $5 e4 24. f4 {was more ambitious.})
23... Nf8 24. Ng2 Ne6 25. Ne3 Nd4 26. Nd5 Qd6 $11 27. Kg2 Nd7 28. Rb1 Reb8 29.
Kf2 (29. Bc3 $142 {[%cal Rc3d4] A.Tukhaev} Qf8 $13) 29... Bc6 30. Bc3 {It
would be dangerous for White to capture the a5-pawn:} (30. Rxb8+ Rxb8 31. Bxa5
(31. Qxa5 Ra8 32. Qc3 Rxa2 $36) 31... Ra8 $36 {[%cal Ga8a3,Yf7f5]}) 30... Rb4
$1 {[%mdl 512] A typical exchange sacrifice, which White would do better to
decline.} 31. Bxb4 $6 (31. Bd3 $142 $13) 31... axb4 32. Qb2 Bxd5 33. cxd5 Nb6 {
Black's powerful knights guarantee him the upper hand.} 34. Rbc1 Na4 35. Qd2
Nc3 {Immediately restoring the material balance, which was not forced:} (35...
Qf6 $5 36. Be2 g5 $36) 36. Rxc3 bxc3 37. Qxc3 Rxa2+ 38. Rd2 Rxd2+ (38... Ra4 $5
{Black's powerful knight gives him good chances to fight for a win.}) 39. Qxd2
Qb6 40. Bc4 g5 41. Kg2 $15 {After the rook exchange White's defensive
possibilities have increased but still Black could have played on without
major risk.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2nd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2014.06.04"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2014.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 161"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 c6 8. e4 d5
9. Qc2 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Bb7 {This line was examined by GM D.Tyomkin in CBM 107 
(annotations to Topalov - Anand).} 11. Bc3 {An interesting although hardly
promising move order. White postpones the decision regarding his f1-bishop and
makes a useful move. Practice has seen:} (11. Bg2 $6 c5 12. Neg5 O-O 13. dxc5
h6 14. Nh3 Be4 15. Qb2 {1/2 (52) Seirawan,Y (2565)-Browne,W (2570) South Bend
1981} Qc8 $1 {[%cal Yc8b7,Gb7g2]}) (11. Bd3 Nbd7 {[%cal Yc6c5]} 12. O-O-O Nxe4
13. Bxe4 Nf6 14. Rhe1 O-O $15 {0-1 (31) Ribli,Z (2585)-Hort,V (2620) Tilburg
1978 MCL [Ftacnik,L]}) (11. Neg5 $5 c5 12. d5 exd5 13. cxd5 h6 (13... O-O $5)
14. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 15. O-O-O Bd6 16. Nh4 Bc8 17. Re1 Na6 18. Re6 $1 $44 {1-0 (52)
Topalov,V (2778)-Anand,V (2785) Sofia 2005 CBM 159 [Tyomkin,D]}) 11... Nbd7 {
Probably a bit too slow.} (11... c5 $5 12. Bd3 cxd4 (12... Nbd7 13. O-O cxd4
14. Bxd4 Nc5 15. Bxc5 bxc5 16. Rad1 Nd7 17. Ned2 Nf6 18. Ne4 Nd7 19. Qe2 Qc7
20. Nc3 {1/2 (20) Rashkovsky,N (2520)-Van der Wiel,J (2465) Sochi 1980}) (12...
Nc6 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. O-O Qc7 $11 {0-1 (17) Barczay,L (2445)-Schneider,A (2365)
Budapest 1982}) 13. Nxd4 Na6 $1 (13... Nbd7 14. O-O-O Nc5 (14... a6 $6 15. Rhe1
Qc7 {0-1 (44) Malakhatko,V (2550)-Arab,A (2428) Algiers 2012} 16. Ng5 $40) 15.
Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Rhe1 Bxd4 17. Bf1 O-O 18. Rxd4 Qe7 19. b4 Nd7 {1-0 (29) Borges
Mateos,J (2475)-Berzinsh,R (2438) Banyoles 2000} 20. Qd2 Nf6 21. Rh4 $40 {
[%cal Yd2g5]}) 14. Nxf6+ (14. O-O-O $6 Nb4) 14... Bxf6 15. Be4 Bxe4 16. Qxe4
O-O (16... Nc5 17. Qc6+ Nd7 18. O-O-O Qc8 19. Kc2 Bxd4 20. Qxc8+ Rxc8 21. Rxd4
f6 22. Rhd1 $14 {1/2 (33) Malakhatko,V (2600)-Wang,Y (2698) Gibraltar 2008})
17. Rd1 Nc5 18. Qf3 Qc7 19. O-O Qb7 20. Qxb7 Nxb7 21. Bb4 Rfc8 22. Rd2 a5 23.
Ba3 a4 24. Nb5 axb3 25. axb3 Nc5 $11 {1/2 (87) Van Wely,L (2655)-Carlsen,M 
(2646) Schagen 2006}) 12. Nxf6+ (12. Bg2 c5 13. Nxf6+ (13. Ned2 cxd4 14. Bxd4
Bc5 15. Bc3 Qe7 16. O-O Bb4 $11 {1/2 (64) Tosic,M (2450)-Lengyel,L (2375)
Budapest 1990}) 13... Bxf6 14. dxc5 Nxc5 15. Rd1 Qe7 16. O-O O-O 17. Bxf6 Qxf6
18. Nd4 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 e5 20. Nb5 $14 {1-0 (36) Popov,L (2465)-Deze,A (2380)
Novi Sad 1980}) 12... Bxf6 13. Bd3 ({For} 13. Bg2 c5 {see the previous note.})
13... c5 14. Be4 Bxe4 15. Qxe4 O-O 16. O-O Qc7 17. Rad1 {The position looks
equal but White keeps some pressure.} a6 18. Rfe1 Rfd8 19. Qe3 cxd4 20. Bxd4 h6
(20... b5 21. c5 {[%csl Gc5]} Bxd4 22. Rxd4 Nxc5 $4 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Rc1) 21.
Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Ne5 b5 23. Rc1 bxc4 (23... Qb7 $5 24. c5 Rd5) 24. Rxc4 Qd6 25.
Qf3 Qd5 26. Kg2 a5 27. Ra4 Ra6 28. Re3 Rf8 29. Rc4 a4 $6 {Not a good idea - to
give White a passed pawn.} (29... Qd6 $14 {[%cal Yf6d5]}) 30. b4 $1 a3 31. Qxd5
Nxd5 32. Rb3 Rfa8 33. b5 Rb6 34. Nd7 (34. Rc5 $142 {[%cal Yc4e5]}) 34... Rb7
35. Nc5 Rb6 36. Na6 Kf8 37. Nc7 Ra5 (37... Rd8 38. Rc5 $16) 38. Nxd5 exd5 {
[%mdl 4096]} 39. Rc5 Ke7 40. Rxd5 Ke6 41. Rc5 Rb7 $2 {This move allows White's
passed pawn to move forward.} (41... g6 $142 $16) 42. Re3+ Kf6 (42... Kd6 43.
Ree5 {[%csl Rd6]}) 43. Rc6+ Kf5 44. b6 f6 (44... Rb5 45. Rxa3 R5xb6 46. Rf3+
Ke5 47. Rxb6 Rxb6 48. Rxf7 $18) 45. Rc7 (45. Rb3 $5 {followed by advancing the
kingside pawns.}) 45... Rxc7 (45... Rxb6 $142 46. Rxg7 h5 47. h3 Ra4 48. Kf3
Rbb4 49. Ree7 $1 Rc4 50. Rh7 Rc3+ 51. Kg2 Rc2 52. Rxh5+ Kg6 53. Rhh7 {[%cal
Rg3g4] - still, White should win here as well.}) 46. bxc7 Rc5 47. Re7 g5 48.
Kf3 {Without obstacles White's king marches to support the c7-pawn.} Rc3+ 49.
Ke2 Kg4 50. Kd2 Rc6 51. Kd3 Kh3 52. Kd4 Kxh2 53. Kd5 Rc2 54. Kd6 Kg2 55. Rf7 (
55. Rf7 Kxf2 56. Rxf6+ Kxg3 57. Rxh6 g4 58. Rh5 {[%cal Rh5c5]} Rxc7 59. Kxc7
Kf2 60. Rf5+ Ke2 61. Ra5 $18) 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 2nd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2014.06.05"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2014.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 161"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. d4 e5 8. Nf3
Nc6 {The history of this line is closely connected with the discussion around
the move 8..exd4. The knight development is positionally more sound and it has
gained attention in the last two years.} (8... exd4) 9. Bg5 (9. d5 Nb8 10. Bd3
Nd7 11. O-O h6 12. Re1 Bd6 13. Bc2 b6 14. Rb1 Kf8 15. Be3 g6 16. Nd2 Qd8 17. f4
Kg7 18. f5 Nf6 19. Rf1 $11 {1/2 (23) Naiditsch,A (2698)-Fedorchuk,S (2634)
Belfort 2012}) (9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. Qe2 Be7 11. Qxe5 Qxe5+ 12. dxe5 Bf5 13. Be2
O-O-O 14. g4 Bc2 15. O-O Rhe8 16. Re1 Bc5 17. Bf1 f6 18. Bf4 fxe5 19. Bxe5 Rd2
20. Bg3 Rxe1 21. Rxe1 Bg6 $11 {1/2 (45) Socko,B (2636)-Lysyj,I (2633) Moscow
2012}) (9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Qe2 Bd6 11. Bg5 Qe6 12. Nd4 Nd3+ 13. Kd2 Qxe2+ 14.
Kxe2 Nc5 15. f3 O-O 16. Kf2 Na4 17. Nb3 Be6 18. Rc1 Ba3 19. Rc2 Bf5 $15 {
0-1 (37) Kosten,A (2493)-So,W (2653) Belfort 2012}) (9. Be2 exd4 10. cxd4 Bb4+
11. Bd2 Bxd2+ 12. Qxd2 O-O 13. h3 Rd8 14. Rd1 Nxd4 15. Nxd4 c5 16. O-O Rxd4 17.
Qb2 Bd7 18. Rxd4 cxd4 19. Rd1 Bc6 20. Qxd4 Qxd4 21. Rxd4 $11 {1/2 (64)
Nikologorskiy,K (2400)-Shomoev,A (2571) St Petersburg 2012}) 9... Qg6 10. d5 {
Grischuk knows enough to accept the compromised position of the central pawn
structure. Black is falling behind in development with the hope of surviving
the worst and getting good prospects.} (10. dxe5 Bg4 11. Be3 Be7 12. h3 Bf5 13.
Nd4 Rd8 14. Be2 Nxe5 15. g4 Be4 16. f3 Bd3 17. O-O O-O 18. f4 Bxe2 19. Qxe2 Qd3
20. fxe5 Rxd4 21. Qxd3 Rxd3 22. Bd4 c5 $17 {1/2 (53) Reinderman,D (2543)
-Nyback,T (2634) Beijing 2008}) 10... Nb8 (10... Ne7 11. Qa4+ c6 12. Be3 f6 13.
Rd1 Qf7 14. Be2 g6 15. O-O Bg7 16. Bc5 Bd7 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. d6 Qd8 19. c5 O-O
20. Qb3+ Kh8 21. Qxb7 $16 {1-0 (38) Reinderman,D (2597)-Buscher,M (2334)
Germany 2012}) 11. h4 $5 {The advance of the h pawn is not so unusual in
various lines. White would like to support the bishop on g5 and pester the
black queen on the tricky square g6.} (11. Bd3 Bf5 12. Qa4+ Nd7 (12... c6) 13.
O-O Bd6 14. Bxf5 (14. Nh4 Qxg5 15. Nxf5 Kd8 16. Rab1 Nc5 17. Nxd6 cxd6 18. Qa5+
Kc8 19. Rb5 Qe7 20. Bf5+ Kb8 21. Rfb1 $11 {1-0 (26) Williams,S (2515)-Faisal,A
(2255) Al Ain 2012}) 14... Qxf5 15. c5 Bxc5 16. Nxe5 f6 17. g4 Qxe5 18. Rae1
O-O-O 19. Rxe5 Nxe5 20. Be3 Bxe3 21. fxe3 Kb8 {1-0 (36) Kortschnoj,V (2645)
-Ashley,M (2460) New York 1996}) (11. Qd2 Bd6 12. Bd3 Qh5 13. Be3 Na6 {1/2 (13)
Abasov,N (2465)-Sadorra,J (2551) Richardson 2013}) (11. Be3 Nd7 12. Qa4 c6 13.
Qa5 b6 14. Qa4 Bb7 15. Bd3 e4 16. Bc2 Bc5 17. Nd4 Ne5 18. Nxc6 Nxc6 19. Bxc5
bxc5 20. O-O O-O 21. dxc6 Bxc6 $15 {0-1 (32) Bu,X (2662)-Wei,Y (2530) China
2013}) 11... Nd7 (11... h6 12. Qe2 hxg5 13. Nxe5 Qh5 14. g4 Bxg4 15. Nxg4+ Kd8
16. Bg2 (16. Ne5 gxh4 17. Bh3 f6 18. Nf3 Bd6 19. Kf1 $11) 16... gxh4 17. d6 Nc6
18. O-O-O cxd6 19. Rd5 f5 20. Bf3 Qe8 $17 {0-1 (43) Steingrimsson,H (2556)
-Lysyj,I (2656) Plovdiv 2012}) 12. Bd3 (12. h5 Qd6 (12... Qe4+ 13. Be2 h6 14.
Be3 Be7 15. O-O O-O $11) 13. Nd2 Nc5 14. Nb3 Be7 15. Be3 b6 16. Nxc5 bxc5 17.
Rb1 O-O 18. h6 g6 19. Rb5 Qa6 20. Be2 Bd7 21. Rxc5 {1-0 (42) Najer,E (2640)
-Ovetchkin,R (2499) Sochi 2012/} Bxc5 22. Bxc5 Rfb8 $15) 12... e4 {Anybody
hoping to find out if the best players in the world are also humans should
look at this battle. Aronian becomes blind to the biggest danger and bravely
accepts the invitation to the first real conflict. In my humble opinion it has
to be more promising to avoid the premature battle and retreat with the queen
to d6.} (12... Qd6 13. O-O h6 14. Be3 (14. Bd2 Be7 15. Qe2 b6 16. h5 Bb7 17.
Rfe1 $14) 14... Be7 15. Re1 b6 16. c5 bxc5 17. Bb5 O-O 18. Bc6 Rb8 19. Nd2 f5
20. Bf4 Qg6 21. Nc4 Bd6 22. Bxd7 exf4 $11 {1/2 (44) Zaslavsky,M (2450)-Bulmaga,
I (2307) Plovdiv 2012}) 13. h5 Qf5 $2 {[%mdl 8192]} (13... Qa6 14. Bxe4 h6 15.
Be3 Qxc4 16. Bd4 (16. Qd4 Qxd4 17. Bxd4 Nf6 $11) 16... Be7 17. Nd2 Qa6 18. Qf3
$14) 14. Rh4 $1 {[%mdl 4] The game has finished before it could start in
earnest. Black's queen is terribly exposed, unfortunately the same goes for
the his vulnerable king on e8.} exd3 (14... Nc5 15. Bxe4 Qd7 (15... Nxe4 16.
Qe2 $18) 16. Qe2 $18) 15. Rf4 Nc5 16. Rxf5 Bxf5 17. Nd4 Bd7 {In all honesty
some players would be willing to give up with black pieces, but Aronian fights
on. We all know, that no game was ever won or drawn with the act of resigning.}
(17... h6 18. Be3 Bd7 19. Nb3 $18) 18. Kf1 (18. Nb3 Ne4 (18... Ba4 19. Qf3 Bxb3
20. Qe3+ Kd7 21. Qh3+ Ke8 22. axb3 $18) 19. Bf4 Bd6 20. Qxd3 O-O 21. Bxd6 Rfe8
22. Kf1 $18) 18... Bd6 19. Nb3 f6 (19... Ne4 20. Be3 O-O 21. Qxd3 $18) 20. Be3
{The absence of material is bad enough for the defender, but he also has to
finish the development of his pieces.} (20. Nxc5 Bxc5 21. Be3 Bxe3 22. fxe3
O-O-O 23. Qxd3 $18) 20... b6 21. Nxc5 bxc5 22. Qxd3 O-O 23. Qd2 $1 {Grischuk
might be somewhat undisciplined in his life, but what he does not lack is a
true chess gift. With unmistakable clarity White realised that the black
position will fall apart after the demise of the c5-pawn.} Be8 (23... h6 24.
Bf4 Rfe8 25. f3 $18) 24. h6 g5 (24... Bg6 25. f3 Rfe8 26. Bf4 $18) 25. Qb2 Bd7
26. Qa3 Rfe8 27. Bxc5 {In a hopeless position Black retains lot of freedom.
Nothing he will try can really demage his chances any more.} (27. Kg1 Bf8 28.
Bxc5 Bxh6 29. Qa6 Bg7 30. Bd4 $18) 27... Bh2 (27... Bxc5 28. Qxc5 Rac8 29. Qxa7
$18) 28. Re1 Bf5 29. Rxe8+ (29. Re3 Bf4 30. Rxe8+ Rxe8 31. Be3 $18) 29... Rxe8
30. Be3 {With mating ideas prevented, White could as well being challenging
Black to a timely resignation. In chess players are not supposed to talk, so
it is up to Aronian to decipher the message in time.} Kf7 (30... Bd3+ 31. Ke1
Be5 32. Kd2 Bf1 33. g3 $18) 31. Ke2 Be5 32. Kd2 (32. Qxa7 Re7 33. a4 c6 34. Qb6
$18) 32... Bg4 (32... Ra8 33. g3 a5 34. f4 gxf4 35. Bxf4 Bxf4+ 36. gxf4 a4 37.
Qc5 $18) 33. Qxa7 Kg6 (33... Re7 34. Qb7 Bd7 35. g3 $18) 34. a4 {The march of
White's a pawn could be called a simple winning method, it definitely is a
very efficient one.} Kxh6 35. a5 c6 36. dxc6 Rc8 37. f3 Bf5 (37... Be6 38. Qb7
Rd8+ 39. Kc1 Bc8 40. Qf7 $18) 38. g4 $1 Be6 (38... Bg6 39. Qd7 Rc7 40. a6 $18)
39. Qe7 {The disparity in coordination of pieces between players is becoming
simply too big to bear.} Bxc4 (39... Rxc6 $2 40. Qf8+ Kg6 41. Qe8+) 40. Bd4 (
40. Bd4 Bxd4 41. cxd4 Kg6 42. c7 $18) 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 2nd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2014.06.07"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2014.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 161"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 4]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7.
bxc3 c5 8. Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O Bg4 13. Rxb7
Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Bxd4 {This well-known theoretical line is considered absolutely
harmless, leading to full and dull equality. Black just has to make a few
accurate moves. The present game doesn't change the established verdict.} 15.
Bg5 (15. Bb4 {is more common but it usually leads to the same position.}) 15...
Rd8 16. Qc1 Na6 17. Bxe7 Rac8 18. Qf4 (18. Qg5 Nc5 19. Bxc5 Bxc5 20. Bg4 Rd2
21. Rxf7 Kxf7 22. Bxc8 Bxf2+ 23. Kh1 Qc4 24. Qf4+ Kg7 25. Qe5+ Kh6 26. Qf4+ Kg7
27. Qe5+ Kh6 28. Qf4+ {1/2 (28) Radjabov,T (2713)-Caruana,F (2783) Shamkir 2014
}) 18... Nc5 $1 {This move forces further simplifications.} 19. Bxd8 (19. Bxc5
{was played in several games with the same outcome:} Rxc5 (19... Bxc5 20. Bg4
Rc6 21. e5 Rd2 22. Qh6 Rd8 23. Qf4 Rd2 24. Qh6 {1/2 (24) Petzold,G (2344)
-Krüger,H (2372) Chessfriend.com 2004}) 20. Bd1 Be5 21. Qh4 (21. Qe3 Qa5 22.
Bb3 Rc7 {1/2 (35) Bacrot,E (2725)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2699) Thessaloniki 2013})
21... Rf8 22. Bb3 Qa5 23. Qe7 Rc7 24. Rxc7 Qxc7 25. Qxc7 Bxc7 {1/2 (38) Bacrot,
E (2714)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2717) Biel 2013}) 19... Nxb7 20. Bf6 Bxf6 21. Qxf6
Nc5 (21... Qe6 $144 22. Qd4 Qb6 23. Qxb6 axb6 24. Rb1 Nc5 25. h4 Re8 26. Rxb6
Nxe4 {1/2 (30) Ding,L (2458)-Negi,P (2592) Subic Bay 2009}) 22. h4 Qe6 23. Qa1
(23. Qxe6 fxe6 24. Ra1 Rc7 25. Ra5 e5 $11 {1-0 (34) Fritz,M (2333)-Maduekwe,C 
(2201) Lechenicher SchachServer 2010}) 23... Nxe4 24. Re1 f5 25. Bxe4 fxe4 26.
Qxa7 Re8 $11 {The rest is just a tribute to the Sofia rules:} 27. Qa4 Re7 28.
Re3 Qd5 29. Qc2 Kf7 30. Qe2 Re6 31. Ra3 Re7 32. Qg4 Qf5 33. Qd1 Qe5 34. Qd8 Qc5
35. Re3 Qc1+ 36. Kh2 Qc7+ 37. Qxc7 Rxc7 38. g4 Rc4 39. Kg3 h6 40. Ra3 g5 41.
Ra7+ Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2nd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2014.06.08"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[Annotator "Sumets,A"]
[PlyCount "185"]
[EventDate "2014.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 161"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 Nbd7 8.
e3 g5 (8... c5 {including the moves ...h6 and Bh4, the line is considered as a
risky one. However some players disagree with this.} 9. Bd3 Qa5 (9... c4 10.
Bf5 Nb6 11. Bc2 Qe7 12. Nd2 $6 (12. O-O O-O 13. Ne5 $14) 12... O-O 13. O-O Re8
14. a3 Bxc3 15. bxc3 Qe6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. a4 Bf5 18. Bxf5 Qxf5 19. Qb1 Qd7 $11
{Chiburdanidze,M (2502)-Zhao,X (2474) 1/2 (25) Antakya 2010}) 10. Qc2 g5 11.
Bg3 c4 12. Bf5 O-O 13. O-O Re8 14. h4 Bxc3 15. bxc3 Ne4 16. hxg5 hxg5 17. Bxe4
dxe4 18. Nd2 $16 {Sargissian,G (2683)-Hanley,C (2421) 1-0 (49) Caleta 2012 CBM
147 [Let's Check]}) 9. Bg3 Ne4 10. Nd2 (10. Qc2 Nb6 11. Bd3 Nxg3 12. hxg3 Be6
13. Ne5 (13. a3 $5 Bd6 14. Nb5 $14) 13... Qe7 14. f4 O-O-O 15. O-O Kb8 16. a3
Bd6 17. a4 gxf4 18. gxf4 Rhg8 $13 {Lysyj,I (2648)-Aronian,L (2813) 0-1 (50)
Tromso 2013}) 10... Nxg3 (10... Nxc3 {is too bold:} 11. bxc3 Bxc3 12. Rc1 Ba5
13. h4 {and Black is in danger.}) 11. fxg3 $146 {With a very unusual pawn
structure. In this game Black can't complain about the result of the opening
but I wouldn't be in any hurry to claim that 11.fxg3 is a dubious move. We
need more games to establish the objective value of this move.} (11. hxg3 Nb6 (
11... c6 12. Bd3 Nb6 13. Qc2 Be6 14. O-O-O Qf6 15. f4 O-O-O 16. Nf3 Kb8 17. Kb1
Qg7 18. Rhe1 $6 (18. f5 Bc8 19. g4 Rhe8 20. e4 $13) 18... Rhe8 19. Re2 Bg4 $15
{Kryakvin,D (2588)-Khismatullin, D (2674) 1/2 (141) Taganrog RUS 2014} (19...
f6 $5)) 12. a3 Bd6 (12... Bf8 13. Bd3 c6 14. Qc2 Be6 15. O-O-O Qe7 16. Nb3
O-O-O 17. Nc5 Kb8 18. Kb1 Bg7 19. Rc1 h5 $11 {L'Ami,E (2646)-Panjwani,R (2440)
1-0 (38) Reykjavik ISL 2014}) 13. Qc2 c6 14. e4 dxe4 15. Ndxe4 Be6 16. O-O-O
Qe7 17. Nxd6+ Qxd6 18. Ne4 Qe7 19. Qc5 Qxc5+ 20. dxc5 Nd7 21. Nxg5 (21. Nd6+
Ke7 22. Nxb7 a5 $11) 21... Bd5 22. Nh3 (22. b4 $5 a5 23. Bd3 axb4 24. axb4 $14
Bxg2 $6 25. Rhe1+ Kf8 26. Bc4 $40) 22... Nxc5 23. Nf4 Bb3 24. Re1+ {1/2 (24)
Ragger,M (2680)-Vitiugov,N (2719) Tromso 2013}) 11... Nb6 12. Bd3 Qe7 13. Qf3
Be6 14. a3 {Magnus hurries to exchange the bishop. His king might be
well-placed on f2, where it protects the e3-pawn.} (14. O-O O-O-O 15. Rac1 Kb8
16. a3 Bxc3 17. Rxc3 Na4 18. Rc2 Bg4 19. Qf2 Rhe8 20. Re1 Nb6 $15) 14... Bxc3
15. bxc3 O-O-O ({It was not bad to play} 15... O-O $5 16. O-O f5 17. h4 Rae8
18. Rae1 Kg7 $11 {then Black can play ...Nc8, ...Nd6.}) 16. a4 Bd7 (16... Kb8
17. a5 Nc8 18. Nb3 Nd6 19. Nc5 $14) ({But} 16... a5 $6 {is too risky:} 17. O-O
({Black is counting on} 17. Nb3 Rhe8 18. Nxa5 Kb8 19. O-O Bg4 $15) 17... Kb8
18. Nb3 Bc8 19. Qf2 $1 (19. Nxa5 Rhe8 20. Rfe1 (20. Rae1 Qa3) 20... Rd6 21. Nb3
Rf6 22. Qe2 Re6 23. Nc5 Rxe3 24. Qxe3 Qxe3+ 25. Rxe3 Rxe3 26. Kf2 Re7 27. Rb1
Ka7 $11) 19... Rhe8 20. Rae1 Nxa4 (20... Qa3 $4 21. Nc5 $18 {with following Ra1
}) 21. Nxa5 Rd6 (21... Nxc3 $4 22. Qb2) 22. c4 $40) 17. a5 ({It is worth
considering the sacrifice of the a-pawn:} 17. O-O $5 Nxa4 $6 ({I would prefer} 
17... Kb8 $1 18. a5 Na4 19. c4 $6 Nb2 20. Qe2 Rhe8 $15) 18. c4 $44 Qb4 19. Qf2
Kb8 20. cxd5 f5 21. Nf3 $16) 17... Na4 18. a6 Rhe8 ({He could have played} 
18... b5 $5 19. O-O Rhe8 {The position is very complicated. White has several
options.} 20. Rfe1 $1 (20. e4 Nxc3 21. e5 Qb4 22. Qe3 c5 23. dxc5 Be6 24. Rac1
d4 25. Qf3 Bd5 26. Be4 Nxe4 27. Nxe4 Rxe5 28. Nd6+ Kc7 29. Qd3 Rxd6 30. cxd6+
Kxd6 $13 {with a very messy position.}) 20... Nxc3 21. Rac1 Ne4 22. Nb3 $44)
19. Kf2 Kb8 {Threatening ...Bg4.} 20. Rhe1 $8 (20. axb7 $4 Bg4 $19) 20... Nxc3
21. axb7 Qb4 $1 $132 22. Kg1 (22. Nf1 {allows Black to play} c5 $1 23. Kg1 (23.
dxc5 $4 Bg4 $19) 23... cxd4 24. Kh1 Re6 $15 25. Qxf7 Qf8 26. Qxf8 Rxf8 27. exd4
Rxe1 28. Rxe1 a5 $17 {The a-pawn is very dangerous.}) 22... Qb2 23. Nf1 ({
There is no relief after} 23. Qf2 Re6 24. Rac1 Rde8 25. Nf3 Qxf2+ 26. Kxf2 Ne4+
27. Bxe4 dxe4 28. Ne5 Bb5 29. Rc5 a6 $15) 23... f5 24. Ra5 $6 (24. Rac1 $1 {
intending Rc2 and Rec1} Ba4 (24... Ne4 $6 25. Rc2 Qb3 26. Qe2 Re6 27. Rec1 $14)
25. Bxf5 Rf8 26. g4 Rd6 27. Ng3 $13) 24... Ba4 {Black should not be afraid of
Rea1.} (24... Rf8 25. Qf2 (25. Rea1 $6 Ba4 26. Re1 f4 27. gxf4 gxf4 28. exf4
Qb4 $17) 25... Qxf2+ 26. Kxf2 f4 27. gxf4 gxf4 28. Kg1 Bf5 29. Bxf5 Rxf5 30.
Rea1 Rd6 31. Rxa7 Nb5 $11) 25. Rc5 $6 ({I think he should have preferred} 25.
Qf2 Qb4 26. Ra6 f4 27. gxf4 gxf4 28. Qxf4 Bb5 29. Bxb5 Qxb5 30. Qxh6 Ne2+ 31.
Kh1 Nxd4 {A complex position with approximately equal chances.}) (25. Bxf5 Rf8
26. g4 Rd6) 25... Rf8 26. h3 Rf6 27. Nh2 Rdf8 $15 28. Qf1 Ne4 29. Re2 $2 (29.
Rxd5 Nxg3 30. Qf2 Qc3 31. Qxg3 Qxd3 $15) 29... Qa3 $1 30. Bxe4 fxe4 $17 {
Magnus' position is very difficult, after ...Kxb7 his opponent gets a material
advantage, the knight on h2 will be out of play after ...h5.} 31. Qe1 c6 32.
Ra5 Qb3 $6 (32... h5 $1 33. g4 h4 {and White has no useful moves. Black's
position is winning.}) 33. Qa1 Qd1+ $2 {Now White is on top.} (33... Bb5 34.
Ra3 Qxa3 35. Qxa3 Bxe2 36. Qb2 Bd3 $17 37. Ng4 (37. Qa3 h5) 37... Rf1+ 38. Kh2
Rb1 $19) 34. Qxd1 Bxd1 35. Re1 Bh5 $8 (35... Bb3 36. Ng4 $16) 36. g4 Be8 37.
Rea1 Rf2 $6 (37... Kxb7 38. Rxa7+ Kb6 39. R7a6+ Kc7 40. Nf1 $14 {Black needs
to play precisely to draw.}) 38. Rxa7 Rb2 39. Nf1 $16 Kc7 (39... Rxb7 40. Ra8+
Kc7 41. Ng3 {Due to the deadly pin, White is winning.}) 40. Ra8 Kxb7 41. R1a7+
Kb6 42. Re7 Rbf2 43. Rb8+ $1 (43. Ng3 $6 {is much weaker:} Bg6 44. Rxf8 Rxf8
45. Re6 Rg8 {Black has good chances to make a draw. For example} 46. Nf5 Bxf5
47. gxf5 Rf8 48. g4 Rh8 49. Kf2 Kb5 $14) 43... Ka6 44. Ng3 Bg6 45. Rxf8 Rxf8
46. Re6 Be8 (46... Rg8 47. Rxc6+ $18) 47. Rxh6 Kb5 {The king is the most
active black piece.} 48. Rh7 {It seems that Magnus could win immediately after
48.Rd6:} (48. Rd6 $1 Kc4 (48... Kb6 49. Nf5 Kc7 50. Rh6 Bd7 51. Rh7 Kd8 52. Nd6
$18) 49. Nf5 Kd3 50. Rd8 Ke2 51. h4 gxh4 52. Kh2 Kf2 53. Kh3 Rh8 54. g5 $18)
48... Kc4 49. Ra7 Bg6 50. Ra6 Rf6 51. Ra3 $1 Kb4 52. Ra1 Kc3 53. Rf1 Re6 54.
Rf8 Kd2 {This gives White a tempo.} (54... Kd3 $1 55. Nf1 c5 56. dxc5 Rc6 $16
57. Rf2 (57. Ra8 Rxc5 58. Ra3+ Rc3 59. Rxc3+ $2 Kxc3 $11) 57... Rxc5 58. Rd2+
Kc3 59. Rd4 $16) 55. Nf1+ Kd3 (55... Ke2 $1 56. Rf2+ Kd3 57. Rf8 c5 58. dxc5
Rc6 59. Rf2 Rxc5 60. Rd2+ Kc3 61. Rd4 $16 {leads to the above mentioned
position.}) 56. Kf2 Re7 57. Rg8 Re6 (57... Bh7 58. Ra8 $1 $16 ({With a little
trap} 58. Rxg5 $2 Rf7+ 59. Ke1 Ra7 60. h4 Ra2 61. Rg7 Re2+ 62. Kd1 Rf2 $11))
58. Ke1 Rf6 59. Rg7 Re6 60. Ra7 Re8 61. Ra3+ $1 Kc2 62. Ra6 Rc8 63. Ke2 Be8 64.
Ra5 Kc3 $6 (64... c5 65. Rxc5+ $2 {leads to a draw} (65. dxc5 Kc3 66. Ng3 Kb4
67. Ra7 Rxc5 68. Nf5 $16) 65... Rxc5 66. dxc5 Bb5+ 67. Ke1 Bxf1 68. Kxf1 d4 69.
c6 Kd2 $1 $11) ({The best chance was} 64... Rb8 $1 65. Rc5+ Kb3 66. Ng3 (66.
Nd2+ $1 Kb4 67. Kd1 Ra8 68. Nb1 Ra1 69. Kc1 $16) 66... Ra8 67. Nh5 Ra2+ 68. Kf1
Ra7 69. Kg1 Ra1+ 70. Kf2 Ra2+ 71. Kg3 Rc2 $1 72. Ra5 (72. Rxc2 $2 Kxc2 73. Nf6
c5 $3 74. dxc5 (74. Nxe8 cxd4 $19) 74... Bc6 75. Kf2 d4 76. exd4 Kd2 77. Nxe4+
Bxe4 78. g3 Kd3 $11) 72... c5 73. Nf6 Bc6 74. dxc5 Kb4 $14) 65. Ng3 Rb8 66.
Rc5+ $1 Kb2 67. Nh5 $18 {Black's position is hopeless.} Bxh5 68. gxh5 Rh8 69.
g4 Rh6 70. Kf2 Re6 71. Kg3 Rf6 72. h4 $1 Rf3+ 73. Kg2 gxh4 74. h6 Rxe3 75. h7
h3+ 76. Kh2 Re2+ 77. Kxh3 Re1 78. Kg2 Re2+ 79. Kg3 Re3+ 80. Kh4 Re1 81. Kg5 Rh1
82. Kg6 Rh4 83. Rxc6 e3 84. Re6 Rxg4+ 85. Kh5 Rg1 86. Rxe3 Rh1+ 87. Kg6 Rg1+
88. Kf7 Rh1 89. Kg8 Rg1+ 90. Kh8 Rg4 91. Re5 Rxd4 92. Kg7 Rg4+ 93. Kh6 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 2nd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2014.06.09"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2014.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 161"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e3 e6 6. d4 Nc6 7. Bc4 cxd4 8.
exd4 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 Bf6 11. Ne4 b6 12. a3 Bb7 13. Qd3 Nce7 14. Bd2 Rc8
15. Rac1 $146 (15. Rad1 Nf5 16. Bb3 Nd6 17. Bxd5 Bxd5 18. Nxd6 Qxd6 19. Bb4 $16
{(1-0, 51) Korneev,O (2619)-Oms Pallisse,J (2419) Dos Hermanas 2000}) 15... Ng6
16. g3 Be7 17. h4 Nf6 18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 19. Bb4 Ne7 20. Ne5 a5 21. Bxe7 Qxe7 22.
Ba6 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Qd6 24. Bxb7 Bxe5 25. Rc6 Qxd4 26. Qxd4 Bxd4 27. b3 Bc5 28.
b4 axb4 29. axb4 Bxb4 30. Rxb6 Ba5 31. Rc6 g6 32. Rc8 Bd8 33. Ba6 Kg7 34. Bc4
h6 35. Kg2 g5 36. hxg5 hxg5 37. Ra8 Kf6 38. Be2 Rh8 39. Rb8 Ke7 40. Rb7+ Kf6
41. Rb8 Ke7 42. Rb7+ Ke8 43. Bb5+ Kf8 44. Rb8 Ke7 45. Rb7+ Kf6 46. Rb8 Ke7 47.
Rb7+ Kf6 48. Rb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2nd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2014.06.10"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[Annotator "Sumets,A"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2014.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 161"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Qa4+ Nc6 7. Bg5 h6 8.
Bxf6 Qxf6 9. e3 {This line is considered as harmless. Kramnik tends to a calm
position, relying on his technical skills.} O-O 10. Be2 Rd8 ({Another option is
} 10... Be6 {In this case White can trade his knight for the opponent's
dark-squared bishop and get his favourite Carlsbad pawn structure.} 11. a3 (11.
O-O a6 {and White can't change the knight for the bishop anymore.} 12. Rfc1 Bd6
13. Qd1 Ne7 14. Na4 b6 15. Nc3 Rfc8 16. Qf1 b5 17. a4 c6 {We can't consider
the c6-pawn as a weakness. White has no space on the queenside to attack it.}
18. Nb1 bxa4 19. Nc3 Bg4 $6 (19... a3 $1 20. bxa3 Bf5 21. Na4 Rcb8 $11 22. Bxa6
$2 Be4 23. Nd2 c5 24. dxc5 Be5 $17) 20. Nxa4 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 $14 {Mamedyarov,S 
(2763) -Eljanov,P (2751) Astrakhan 2010 1/2 (36)}) 11... Bd6 12. Nb5 Bg4 13.
O-O Ne7 14. Nxd6 Qxd6 15. b4 f5 (15... c6 16. b5 cxb5 17. Qxb5 a6 18. Qb4 Qxb4
19. axb4 Rfc8 20. h3 Bf5 21. Rfc1 Rxc1+ 22. Rxc1 Rc8 $11 {1/2 (66) El Gindy,E 
(2507) -Aleksandrov,A (2668) Tripoli 2004}) 16. Qb3 Kh8 17. g3 Ng6 18. Bd1 Bh3
19. Re1 Rae8 20. Qc3 c6 21. Kh1 Bg4 22. Ng1 Ne7 23. Kg2 $14 {1/2 (66) Karpov,A
(2619) -Kravtsiv,M (2609) Hockenheim GER 2014}) 11. O-O Bf8 (11... a6 {Bacrot
wants to put his bishop on d6.} 12. Ne5 (12. a3 {seems to be stronger:} Bd6 $6
(12... Bf8 13. b4 Bf5 14. Qb3 Na7 {The knight is heading for d6} 15. Rfc1 c6
16. Na4 Nc8 17. Nc5 Nd6 18. a4 Bg4 19. Qd1 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 b5 21. Ra2 {1/2 (21)
Grabarczyk,M (2475)-Landa,K (2611) Germany 2010}) 13. Nxd5 Bxh2+ 14. Nxh2 Rxd5
15. Rac1 $14) 12... Nxe5 13. Qxb4 Ng6 14. Qc5 c6 15. b4 Nh4 $132 16. Kh1 Re8
17. a4 Bf5 18. Qb6 Re7 19. g3 $2 (19. b5) 19... Bd3 $19 {Legky,N (2461)-Bacrot,
E (2705) 0-1 (35) France 2007}) 12. Rfc1 Ne7 13. b4 a6 14. Qb3 c6 15. Na4 $1 (
15. a4 Ng6 16. b5 a5 17. bxc6 bxc6 {It is not easy to organize pressure
against the c6-pawn.} 18. Nd1 (18. Qc2 Be6 19. Nd1 $6 Rdc8 20. Nb2 c5 21. dxc5
Bxc5 $15)) 15... Bg4 {Aronian decided to prevent Ne5. Another logical idea was
to put his knight on d6.} (15... Nf5 16. Nc5 Nd6 17. Ne5 Bf5 18. a4 $14 {
White slowly prepares b5 and it is not easy to indicate what Black should do.})
16. Nc5 Ra7 (16... Rab8 17. a4 Nc8 18. Ra2 {and White keeps some pressure.} ({
a premature move is} 18. b5 axb5 19. axb5 Nd6 $11)) 17. a4 Nc8 $146 (17... Rda8
$5 {preventing b5} 18. h3 Bxf3 19. Bxf3 Nf5 20. Bg4 Nd6 {Black's rooks are
placed in a slightly ridiculous way but his position is very solid.}) (17...
Nf5 18. Ra2 Bd6 19. b5 axb5 20. axb5 Rxa2 21. Qxa2 Qe7 22. bxc6 bxc6 23. Qd2
Ra8 24. Nd3 Bxf3 25. Bxf3 Qg5 $11 {Zhou Weiqi (2601)-Yu Yangyi (2675) Danzhou
CHN 2014 1/2 (57)}) 18. Ra2 $1 {An important move. The bishop on e2 is well
protected and White can play Ne5. He also can double his rooks on the c-file.}
Bxf3 19. Bxf3 $14 Nb6 20. Be2 g6 21. g3 h5 22. h4 Nd7 {Levon trades knights.} (
{Perhaps his position would be more reliable after} 22... Bd6 23. Bf1 Kg7 24.
Rac2 Qe7 25. b5 $14) 23. Nxd7 $5 (23. Rac2 {I don't think that Black can take
on c5.} Qd6 24. b5 $14) 23... Rxd7 24. b5 axb5 25. axb5 Rxa2 26. Qxa2 {Black
is in trouble. After trading on c6 White has 3 pieces which can attack the
c6-pawn against 2 defenders.} Rc7 {Black has a very robust position.} 27. Qa8
Qd6 (27... Kg7 28. bxc6 bxc6 29. Bb5 g5) 28. Qb8 Qd7 (28... c5 29. Bf3) 29. Bf1
$1 {The idea of the last move is to weaken the opponent's king after Bh3 f5.}
Kg7 (29... Rc8 30. Qa7 cxb5 31. Rxc8 Qxc8 32. Bxb5 {it seems that White can
attack and take the d5-pawn for free. However Black launches a counter attack
and makes a draw.} g5 $1 33. hxg5 h4 34. g6 $5 hxg3 35. gxf7+ Kxf7 36. fxg3 Qc7
37. Kf2 Qc2+ 38. Be2 Qf5+ $11) 30. Bh3 f5 31. Ra1 Rc8 32. Qe5+ $6 {The queen
is misplaced in the center of the board.} (32. bxc6 $1 bxc6 33. Qb6 Bd6 34. Ra7
Rc7 35. Ra6 Rc8 36. Bf1 $16 {The bishop is heading for a4.}) 32... Kf7 33. bxc6
bxc6 34. Qf4 {Probably first of all Vladimir counted on 34.e4 but than
realised that it led to a draw.} (34. e4 Bd6 35. exf5 Bxe5 36. fxg6+ Kg7 37.
Bxd7 Bxd4 38. Bxc8 Bxa1 39. Bb7 c5 40. Bxd5 Kxg6 $11) 34... Bd6 35. Qh6 Bf8 36.
Qf4 Bd6 37. Qf3 {Vladimir has lost most of his advantage.} Kg7 38. Qe2 Rc7 {
A bit passive.} (38... Rb8 39. Qa2 Qc7 {intending take on g3} 40. Kg2 Rb4 $11)
39. Qa2 Be7 40. Qb3 Rb7 41. Qc3 Bb4 42. Qc2 Be7 43. Ra6 Rc7 44. Bg2 (44. Qc3 $1
Bf6 45. Qc5 Be7 46. Qb6 $14) 44... Qd6 (44... c5 $5 45. dxc5 Bxc5 46. Qd2 d4
47. e4 d3 48. Qg5 Rc6 49. Rxc6 Qxc6 50. exf5 Qf6 $11) 45. Bf3 {The bishop goes
on a4.} Qd7 46. Kg2 Bf6 47. Qc5 Be7 48. Qb6 $14 Bd8 49. Bd1 {Black is in
trouble. He can only count on a counter attack. For example, he can put his
queen on the e-file and meet Ba4 with ...Qe4+.} Rc8 50. Qb2 Rc7 51. Ba4 $6 {
It makes Black's life easier.} (51. Qb6 Rc8 52. Qb1 $1 $16 {followed by Ba4.}
c5 $2 53. dxc5 Rxc5 54. Qb8 $1 Bc7 55. Qb2+ $18) 51... f4 $1 52. exf4 Bxh4 53.
Qb8 (53. gxh4 Qg4+ 54. Kf1 Qh3+ 55. Kg1 (55. Ke2 $4 Re7+ 56. Kd2 Qf1 $19) 55...
Qg4+ $11) 53... Qd8 54. Qb6 Qe7 55. Kh2 $2 (55. Bc2 $1 Bf6 (55... Bxg3 $4 56.
Kxg3 h4+ 57. Kg2 $18) 56. Ra8 Kh7 57. Qb1 $14 {White still has chances to win
the game.}) 55... Bxg3+ $1 $11 56. Kxg3 h4+ $11 57. Kh2 Qd6 58. Bd1 (58. Kg1
Qxf4 $11 59. Qb2 $4 Re7 $19) 58... Rf7 (58... Qxf4+ 59. Kh3 Rf7 60. Qxc6 Qe4
61. f3 Rxf3+ $11) 59. Ra7 Qxf4+ 60. Kh3 Qxf2 61. Rxf7+ Qxf7 62. Qxc6 Qf1+ 63.
Kxh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2nd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2014.06.12"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2791"]
[Annotator "Sumets,A"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2014.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 161"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 e4 (5... cxd4 6. exd4 e4 7. Ne5 {
see the game Aronian,L-Caruana,F/Tata Steel-A 2012, which is annotated by
Marin, M} (7. Ng5 Bb4)) 6. d5 (6. Ne5 g6 7. b3 $6 {is premature because of} (7.
Rb1 Bg7 (7... h5 {Kramnik,V (2785)-Grischuk,A (2747) Kazan 2011 1/2 (65) CBM
143 [Marin,M]}) 8. Nxc6 dxc6 9. dxc5 Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1 (10. Nxd1 Nd7 11. Bd2 a5
12. Bc3 Bxc3+ 13. Nxc3 {1/2 (13) Buhmann,R (2578)-Hamdouchi,H (2602) Haguenau
2013}) 10... O-O 11. Be2 Re8 12. Kc2 Re5 13. b4 Rg5 14. g3 (14. Rg1 a5 15. a3
axb4 16. axb4 Bh3 17. Bf1 Be6 $44) 14... Bh3 15. Bf1 Be6 16. Bb2 Rf5 17. Nd1
Ng4 18. Be2 h5 19. h4 Nxf2 (19... a5 $1 20. a3 axb4 21. axb4 Nxf2 22. Rf1 Nxd1
23. Rbxd1 Rxf1 24. Bxf1 Bg4 25. Rb1 f5 $15) 20. Rf1 $11 {Wang Hao (2735)
-Grischuk,A (2783) Beijing CHN 2013 1/2 (36)}) (7. g4 $5 {I don't think that
it would be approved of by Tarrasch or Nimzowitsch.} h6 8. Bg2 Bg7 9. O-O (9.
h4 cxd4 $6 10. exd4 d5 11. g5 hxg5 12. hxg5 Rxh1+ 13. Bxh1 Nh5 14. cxd5 $6 (14.
Qa4 $1 Bd7 (14... Bxe5 15. cxd5 $1 Bg7 16. dxc6 $16) 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. Be3 Nxd4
17. Qxd7+ Kxd7 18. O-O-O $16) 14... Nxe5 15. dxe5 Bxe5 16. Be3 $14 {Buhmann,R 
(2569)-Bosiocic,M (2542) Wolfsberg AUT 2014 1/2 (44)}) 9... Qe7 10. f4 exf3 11.
Qxf3 O-O 12. Nxc6 dxc6 13. h3 h5 $15 {Fridman,D (2602)-Almasi,Z (2707) 0-1 (42)
Rapid Bastia 2013}) 7... cxd4 8. exd4 Qa5 $36 {The rook will prove useful on
b1 in many situations (Marin,M).}) 6... exf3 7. dxc6 bxc6 ({It is not easy to
prove White's superiority after} 7... dxc6 $5 8. Qxd8+ (8. Qxf3 $6 Bg4 9. Qg3
Bd6 10. Qh4 O-O $15) 8... Kxd8 9. gxf3 g6 10. b3 Bg7 11. Bb2 Ke7 12. O-O-O (12.
Ne4 $5 b6 13. O-O-O Be6 $11) 12... Be6 13. Bd3 Rhd8 14. Kc2 Rd7 $11 {Ju,W 
(2544)-Muzychuk,A (2585) 1/2 (39) Geneve 2013}) 8. e4 $5 $146 (8. Qxf3 Bd6 9.
g4 $5 {I'm not sure about the right assessement of the last move but at least
it makes the game much more interesting than after the boring 9.Ne4=} O-O 10.
Bd3 Rb8 11. h4 Be5 $2 (11... g6 $1 12. Rb1 Be5 13. g5 Nh5 14. O-O d6 $15) 12.
g5 Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 Ne8 14. Qf5 g6 15. Qxc5 $16 {Georgiev,V (2538)-Yemelin,V 
(2540) Hamburg 2000 0-1 (34)}) 8... Qc7 ({Fabiano could take the pawn but in
that case he would have had to play very precisely against a well-prepared
opponent.} 8... fxg2 9. Bxg2 $44 Qc7 10. O-O d6 (10... Qe5 $5 11. Be3 (11. f4
$6 Qd4+) 11... Qe6 12. Qe2 Be7 13. f4 Ba6 14. b3 O-O 15. Rad1 $44) 11. f4 Be7 (
11... Bg4 $5 12. Qd3 O-O-O {On the queenside Black's king doesn't feel
comfortable but he has no choice.} (12... Be7 $6 13. e5 dxe5 14. fxe5 Nd7 15.
Qg3 Be6 16. Nd5 $1 $16)) 12. e5 dxe5 13. fxe5 Ng4 14. Bf4 $40 {Black is in
danger.}) 9. gxf3 $1 {The point of e4.} (9. Qxf3 $6 Bd6 10. g3 (10. Be3 $6 Rb8
11. b3 Be5 12. Bd2 O-O $17) 10... O-O 11. Bg2 Be5 12. O-O d6 $15) 9... g6 {
This move looks a bit strange. Due to the weakness on d6, it is unlikely that
he can afford to develop the bishop on g7.} (9... d6 10. Bf4 Be7 11. Qd2 O-O
12. O-O-O Rd8 13. Rg1 $40) (9... Be7 10. Be3 d6 11. Rg1 g6 12. Qd2 Be6 13.
O-O-O O-O-O 14. Bd3 Nd7 15. f4 Nb6 16. b3 $14) 10. Be3 d6 11. Qd2 Be6 12. O-O-O
Nd7 $6 {Now White can play Nd5.} (12... O-O-O) 13. f4 $6 (13. Nd5 $1 {It seems
to me that Black is in danger.} Qb7 (13... cxd5 14. cxd5 Bxd5 15. Qxd5 Rb8 16.
a4 $1 Qb6 17. Bb5 $16) (13... Bxd5 14. cxd5 Rb8 (14... Bg7 $2 15. dxc6) 15. Qc3
Rg8 16. dxc6 Qxc6 17. b3 Bg7 18. Qd2 Rb6 19. Kb1 $16) 14. Nf4 Ne5 15. Nxe6 fxe6
16. Be2 Nf7 17. f4 Bg7 18. h4 O-O 19. h5 Rfb8 20. b3 a5 21. hxg6 hxg6 22. Rdg1
$16 {White is the first who threatens the opponent's king.}) 13... O-O-O 14.
Rg1 $14 f5 15. exf5 $1 gxf5 ({Probably} 15... Bxf5 {was stronger but he would
still have problem after} 16. Bd3 Be6 17. Qc2 Kb8 18. h4 Nb6 19. b3 d5 20. f5
gxf5 21. Bxf5 $14) 16. Qe2 Rg8 $2 {Black simply loses a pawn without
compensation} (16... Nb6 $2 17. Bxc5 $1 $16 Bf7 (17... Bxc4 $2 18. Bxb6 $18)
18. Bd4 Bh6 (18... Bxc4 $2 19. Qh5 $18) 19. Bxh8 Bxf4+ 20. Kb1 Rxh8 21. Qc2 $16
) ({The strongest continuation is} 16... Re8 $1 17. Qd3 (17. Qc2 Kb8 18. Kb1
Nb6 19. b3 Qb7 20. Ka1 Rg8 $132) 17... Kb8 18. b3 Nf6 (18... Nb6 19. Be2 Be7
20. Bf3 $13) 19. Kb1 Ng4 20. Rg2 Nxe3 21. fxe3 Rd8 $13) (16... Kb8 17. Kb1 Re8
18. Bh3 $5 (18. Qc2 Nb6 19. b3 Qb7) 18... Nf6 19. Qd3 Qf7 20. b3 $14) 17. Rxg8
Bxg8 18. Qd3 Nb6 ({He could have tried} 18... Be6 $5 19. Bh3 Nb6 20. Bxf5 Bxf5
21. Qxf5+ Qd7 22. Qc2 $5 (22. Qxd7+ Rxd7 23. b3 d5 24. cxd5 cxd5 25. Bd2 $14 {
the endgame is rather drawish}) 22... Qf7 23. b3 d5 24. cxd5 cxd5 25. f5 $14
Re8 (25... d4 $6 26. Bg5 Re8 27. Ne4 $16) 26. Bf4 Kb7 27. a4 $14) 19. Qxf5+ Kb7
20. b3 d5 21. Qd3 Qg7 $6 {A dubious decision.} ({He should have centralised
his pieces with} 21... Bd6 $1 22. cxd5 Nxd5 (22... cxd5 $2 23. Qa6+ Ka8 24. Nb5
Qe7 25. Bg2 Be6 26. b4 $1 $18) 23. Nxd5 Bxd5 24. f5 Qg7 25. Kb1 Qe5 26. f4 $1 (
26. Qc2 $2 Be7 $19 {and unexpectedly Black is winning} 27. Bd3 Bf6 28. Kc1 Bf3
29. Rd2 (29. Rf1 Rxd3) 29... Rg8 $1 $19) 26... Qe8 27. Qc3 $14) 22. cxd5 Nxd5
23. Qa6+ Kb8 24. Qa5 $1 Be7 25. Bc4 Nxe3 26. fxe3 (26. Rxd8+ $6 Bxd8 27. Qxd8+
Kb7 28. Qd3 Nxc4 29. bxc4 Qd4 30. Qxd4 cxd4 $11 {Black is not worse} 31. Ne4
Kb6 $5 (31... Kc7 32. Nd2 c5 33. Kd1 Be6 $44) 32. Nf6 Bxc4 33. Nxh7 Bxa2 34. h4
a5 35. h5 a4 36. h6 a3 37. Nf6 Bg8 $8 38. Nxg8 a2 39. Kb2 d3 40. h7 d2 41. h8=Q
d1=Q 42. Kxa2 Qd5+ 43. Kb2 Qd2+ 44. Ka3 Qd3+ 45. Ka2 Qd5+ $1 $11) 26... Rxd1+
27. Nxd1 $16 Bd5 28. Bxd5 (28. Qc3 $5 Bf6 29. Qd3 {stabilising the position}
Bxc4 (29... Bg2 30. Qd6+) 30. Qxc4 Qe7 31. e4 Bd4 32. Qg8+ Kc7 33. e5 $16 {
White should win the game.}) 28... cxd5 29. Nc3 $6 ({First Levon had to
centralise the queen:} 29. Qb5+ $1 Kc7 30. Qa6 Kb8 31. Qe6 d4 (31... Qa1+ 32.
Kc2 Qxa2+ 33. Nb2 $18) 32. e4 Bd8 33. Qe8 Qf6 34. f5 $16 {with excellent
chances to win the game.}) 29... Qg1+ 30. Kb2 $2 {This leads to a forced draw.}
(30. Kd2 Qxh2+ 31. Ne2 Qh1 32. Qb5+ Kc7 33. Qa6 Bh4 34. Qxa7+ Kd6 35. Qb6+ Kd7
{Black has good chances for a draw} 36. Kc2 Qg2 37. Qb7+ Kd6 38. Qa6+ Kc7 39.
Qd3 Kd6 $14) 30... Qf2+ ({Why didn't he take the pawn?} 30... Qxh2+ $11) 31.
Ka3 Qd2 $1 $11 32. f5 Kb7 33. Qb5+ Kc7 34. Qe8 Bd6 35. Qf7+ (35. Nb5+ Kb6 36.
Nxd6 Qa5+ 37. Kb2 Qd2+ $11) 35... Kc6 36. Qe8+ Kc7 37. Qf7+ Kc6 38. Qe8+
1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2nd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2014.06.13"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2014.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 161"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. Bg5 (7. Nbd2 {
is another main line.}) 7... h6 8. Bh4 Bf8 9. Nbd2 d6 10. Re1 ({Three years ago
} 10. d4 {was tried by Carlsen} exd4 11. Nxd4 (11. cxd4 $6 {is dubious as after
} g5 {the Pe4 is hanging.}) 11... Bd7 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Bd3 Be7 14. f4 Qb8 15.
Bxf6 Bxf6 16. e5 $5 dxe5 17. Ne4 {with a complicated position, Carlsen-Howell,
London 2011.}) 10... Bd7 11. a4 $146 {A novelty by Topalov. This is a very
typical move in the Ruy Lopez. White simply protects his Bb5, also he avoids ..
.a6 followed by ...b5 and sometimes he can gain some space with a5.} (11. Ba4
Be7 12. Nf1 Nh7 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Bb3 Ng6 15. Ng3 Ng5 16. Nf5 Qf6 $11 {with an
equal middlegame, Gruenfeld-Roiz, Acre 2013.}) 11... g6 12. Nf1 {White
continues his plan, he prepares for Ne3-d5. Now the bishop on h4 is very
useful.} Bg7 13. Ne3 Qc8 {Black steps out of the pin, because Nd5 was already
an unpleasant threat.} 14. a5 a6 15. Bc4 Nd8 {A typical manoeuvre; the
c6-knight wasn't so useful, so Black prepares ...Ne6 followed by ...Nf4.} 16.
b4 Ne6 17. Qb3 {White has gained some space on the queenside and his pieces
are well-placed. However, Black is solid and it is not so easy to create any
weaknesses in his position.} Bb5 {A logical decision; Black frees the
d7-square for his queen.} 18. Bxf6 ({After} 18. Bxb5 axb5 19. h3 Nh5 {the Bb4
is a little bit out of play.}) 18... Bxf6 19. g3 Bxc4 20. Qxc4 Qd7 21. d4 {
Topalov doesn't want to waste any time, he gets active in the centre and
changes the structure.} ({In the event of} 21. h4 c6 {we have a balanced
middlegame.}) 21... exd4 22. cxd4 Qb5 {Black would like to exchange queens,
because after that the Bf6 would be stronger on the long diagonal.} 23. Rac1
Bg7 $2 {An unexpected error; Black leaves his c7-pawn unprotected.} ({In the
event of} 23... c5 24. e5 $1) (23... Qxc4 24. Rxc4 Bd8 {looks very passive,
but it was important to protect the c7-pawn.}) 24. h4 $2 {Another surprise.
White doesn't take the pawn and instead plays a positional move.} (24. d5 $1 {
was correct} Qxc4 25. Rxc4 Ng5 26. Nxg5 hxg5 27. Rxc7 Rxe4 28. Rxb7 Bc3 29. Rb1
$16) ({or} 24. Qxb5 $1 axb5 25. d5 Ng5 26. Nxg5 hxg5 27. Rxc7 Rxe4 28. Nc2 $16)
24... c5 $1 25. bxc5 dxc5 26. dxc5 Rac8 27. Qxb5 axb5 28. Nd5 Ra8 (28... Rxc5 {
was also possible} 29. Nd2 Ra8 30. Nb3 Rxc1 31. Rxc1 {with an equal endgame.})
29. e5 Rxa5 30. Nf6+ Bxf6 31. exf6 {After the exchange of White's knight
against Black's bishop the position has become completely drawish.} Raa8 32.
Rb1 Nxc5 33. Rxe8+ Rxe8 34. Rxb5 Nd7 35. Rxb7 Nxf6 36. Rb2 h5 37. Kf1 Kg7 38.
Re2 Rxe2 39. Kxe2 Kf8 40. Kf1 Ke7 41. Ke2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C51"]
[WhiteElo "2619"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bb6 5. b5 Nd4 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. c3 Bb6 8. d4
Qe7 9. O-O Nf6 10. a4 a5 11. bxa6 bxa6 12. a5 Ba7 13. f4 O-O 14. Kh1 d6 15.
fxe5 dxe5 16. Bg5 exd4 17. Bd5 c6 18. Bxc6 Qc5 19. Bxf6 Qxc6 20. Bxd4 Qxe4 21.
Nd2 Qg6 22. Rb1 Bg4 23. Qa4 Be2 24. Rf2 Bb5 25. Qa2 Bxd4 26. cxd4 Rad8 27. Nf3
Bc4 28. Qa1 f6 29. h3 Rfe8 30. Re1 Rxe1+ 31. Qxe1 Re8 32. Qc3 Bd5 33. Kh2 Qf5
34. Qc7 h5 35. Qg3 Qd3 36. Qh4 Qg6 37. Qf4 Kh7 38. Qd6 Qf5 39. Qxa6 h4 40. Kg1
Qb1+ 41. Rf1 Qc2 42. Qb5 Bxf3 43. Rxf3 Re2 44. Qh5+ Kg8 45. Qd5+ Kh7 46. Qh5+
Kg8 47. Qd5+ Kh7 48. Rf1 Qa2 49. Qf3 Kg8 50. Rc1 Re8 51. Qc6 Re2 52. Qc8+ Kh7
53. Qf5+ Kh6 54. Qf4+ Kh7 55. Qxh4+ Kg6 56. Qg4+ Kh6 57. Rc5 g5 58. h4 Re1+ 59.
Kh2 Qf2 60. hxg5+ Kg6 61. gxf6+ Kxf6 62. Rc6+ Ke7 63. Qg7+ Kd8 64. Qc7+ Ke8 65.
Qc8+ Kf7 66. Qd7+ Re7 67. Qd5+ Kg7 68. Qg5+ Kf7 69. Qg6+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ringoir, Tanguy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2506"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2015"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Salgado Lopez, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2622"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2015"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Najer, Evgeniy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2653"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2015"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.16"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Guseinov, Gadir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2613"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 d6 5. a4 Nf6 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O Qc7 8. Be3
Ng4 9. Bg5 Re8 10. h3 Nf6 11. Qd2 Nbd7 12. Bh6 e5 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. Rad1 Nf8
15. Rfe1 Be6 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Qd6 Qxd6 18. Rxd6 Bd7 19. Red1 Re7 20. Bc4 Ne8
21. R6d2 f6 22. Ne1 Nc7 23. Nd3 Be6 24. Bxe6 Nfxe6 25. f3 Nd4 26. Ne2 Nxe2+ 27.
Rxe2 Rd8 28. Red2 Red7 29. Kf2 Ne6 30. Ke3 g5 31. c3 c5 32. b3 Kf8 33. g3 h5
34. Ne1 Rxd2 35. Rxd2 Rxd2 36. Kxd2 c4 37. b4 Kf7 38. Ng2 Kg6 39. Ke2 b6 40.
Kf2 b5 41. axb5 Nc7 42. b6 axb6 43. Ne3 b5 44. Nf5 Kf7 45. Ke3 Ne8 46. Kf2 Ke6
47. Ke3 Kd7 48. Kd2 Ke6 49. Ke3 Kf7 50. Kf2 Nc7 51. Ke3 Kg6 52. Ne7+ Kf7 53.
Nf5 Ne8 54. Kf2 Kg6 55. Ne7+ Kg7 56. Nf5+ Kf7 57. Ke3 Nc7 58. Ke2 Kf8 59. Ke3
Ne6 60. Kf2 Nc7 61. Ke3 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.17"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Riazantsev, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2692"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qxc4 c5 7. Ne5 Qc8 8.
Nxd7 Qxd7 9. Nc3 Nc6 10. O-O Rc8 11. Qa4 Be7 12. a3 O-O 13. b4 c4 14. Qb5 Rfd8
15. Rb1 b6 16. Rd1 Nd5 17. Bb2 Nxc3 18. Bxc3 Nd4 19. Qxd7 Rxd7 20. Kf1 Nb5 21.
Bb2 Bf6 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. a4 Na3 24. Rbc1 c3 25. dxc3 Rxd1+ 26. Rxd1 Rxc3 27.
Bf3 Nc4 28. Rd7 a5 29. bxa5 bxa5 30. Bh5 Ne5 31. Ra7 Rc5 32. f4 Ng6 33. Bf3 f5
34. h4 Kg7 35. h5 Nf8 36. h6+ Kf6 37. Kf2 e5 38. Bh5 Ng6 39. Ra6+ Ke7 40. Bxg6
fxg6 41. Ra7+ Kf8 42. fxe5 Rxe5 43. Rxh7 g5 44. Ra7 Kg8 45. Rg7+ Kh8 46. Rxg5
Kh7 47. g4 Re4 48. Rxf5 Rxg4 49. Rxa5 Kxh6 50. Ra8 Kg7 51. a5 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2705"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 d6 5. Be3 Qc7 6. Qd2 Bg4 7. Be2 Nd7 8. h3
Bxf3 9. Bxf3 a6 10. O-O Ngf6 11. g4 h5 12. g5 Nh7 13. Bg2 e5 14. f4 exd4 15.
Bxd4 Bxd4+ 16. Qxd4 Qb6 17. Rad1 O-O-O 18. h4 Kc7 19. Qxb6+ Nxb6 20. b3 Nf8 21.
Ne2 Nfd7 22. f5 Ne5 23. fxg6 Nxg6 24. Rxf7+ Rd7 25. Rf6 Nxh4 26. Nf4 Rg8 27.
Ne6+ Kb8 28. Rdf1 d5 29. Rf8+ Rxf8 30. Nxf8 Rg7 31. Ne6 Re7 32. exd5 Nxg2 33.
g6 Nxd5 34. Rf8+ Ka7 35. g7 Rxg7 36. Nxg7 Nge3 37. c4 Nb4 38. Ne6 Nxa2 39. Rf7
a5 40. Nd8 Nb4 41. Rxb7+ Ka6 42. Re7 Nf5 43. Rd7 Kb6 44. Rb7+ Kc5 45. Rd7 Nc2
46. Ra7 Nfd4 47. Rxa5+ Kb4 48. Rxh5 Na1 49. c5 Naxb3 50. Nb7 Ne6 51. Rh4+ Kb5
52. Kf2 Nbxc5 53. Nd6+ Kb6 54. Ke3 Nc7 55. Kd4 Nd5 56. Nc4+ Kb5 57. Nd6+ Kb6
58. Rh3 Ne6+ 59. Ke5 Nc5 60. Rh1 Kc7 61. Nc4 Nb6 62. Rh7+ Ncd7+ 63. Kd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.17"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Potkin, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2621"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Bf4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. e3 a6 7. Bd3 Bg4 8.
Nge2 e6 9. O-O Bd6 10. f3 Bh5 11. Na4 O-O 12. Nc5 Bxc5 13. dxc5 e5 14. Bg5 Qe7
15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Ng3 Qh6 17. Nf5 Qf6 18. Qb3 Bg6 19. Nd6 Bxd3 20. Qxd3 Ne7 21.
e4 d4 22. Nc4 Rad8 23. b4 h5 24. g3 h4 25. f4 hxg3 26. hxg3 exf4 27. Rxf4 Qg6
28. Nd6 Nd5 29. Rh4 Ne3 30. Kf2 Rxd6 31. cxd6 Qf6+ 32. Ke2 g5 33. e5 Qg7 34.
Rh5 Ng4 35. Qxd4 Nxe5 36. Rah1 Re8 37. Rh8+ Qxh8 38. Rxh8+ Kxh8 39. d7 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.17"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Rd1+ Ke8 10. Nc3 h6 11. h3 Bb4 12. Ne2 g5 13. g4 Ne7 14. Ng3
Ng6 15. Nh5 Be6 16. Be3 Kf8 17. Nd4 Bd5 18. Nf6 Nxe5 19. Nxd5 cxd5 20. Nf5 c6
21. f4 Ng6 22. c4 Re8 23. Bd4 Rh7 24. a3 Ba5 25. cxd5 cxd5 26. Nd6 Ra8 27. Nxb7
Bb6 28. Bxb6 axb6 29. Rxd5 Nxf4 30. Rb5 h5 31. gxh5 Rxh5 32. Rd1 Rc8 33. Nd6
Rc2 34. Nf5 Kg8 35. h4 Kh7 36. Rd7 gxh4 37. Kh1 Ne2 38. Rxf7+ Kg8 39. Rg7+ Kh8
40. Rf7 Ng3+ 41. Kg1 h3 42. Rf8+ Kh7 43. Rf7+ Kg8 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.17"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D20"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 e5 4. Bxc4 exd4 5. exd4 Bd6 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. Qe2+ Qe7 8.
Qxe7+ Bxe7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. O-O a6 11. Re1 Bd8 12. Bf4 Nbd7 13. Rac1 Nb6 14. Bb3
h6 15. d5 Bf5 16. h3 Re8 17. g4 Rxe1+ 18. Rxe1 Bd7 19. Ne5 Be8 20. h4 a5 21. a4
Nfd7 22. Nxd7 Bxd7 23. g5 hxg5 24. hxg5 Kf8 25. d6 c5 26. Kg2 c4 27. Bc2 Bc6+
28. f3 Nd7 29. Bf5 Nc5 30. Rh1 Kg8 31. Bh7+ Kf8 32. Bd3 Kg8 33. Bxc4 Ne6 34.
Bxe6 fxe6 35. Kg3 Bb6 36. Re1 Bd7 37. Be3 Bd8 38. f4 Rc8 39. Rd1 Kf7 40. Bd4
Rc4 41. Be5 Bb6 42. Rh1 Rc8 43. Rh7 Rg8 44. Nb5 Kg6 45. Rh2 Rc8 46. Nc7 Bc5 47.
b3 Bb4 48. Kf3 Bc6+ 49. Ke3 Bc5+ 50. Ke2 Bd7 51. Kd3 Rf8 52. Rc2 Bb6 53. Rh2
Bc5 54. Nb5 Rd8 55. Nd4 Bxd4 56. Kxd4 Rc8 57. Rh3 b5 58. axb5 Bxb5 59. Rc3 Rxc3
60. Kxc3 Kf7 61. Kd4 g6 62. Kc5 Bd7 63. Kb6 Ke8 64. Kxa5 Kd8 65. b4 Kc8 66. Kb6
Be8 67. b5 Bd7 68. Ka6 Kb8 69. b6 Bc8+ 70. b7 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.18"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1
dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. O-O cxd4 11. Ne4 Qf5 12. Ng3 Qa5 13. exd4 Nc6 14. Qe2 Bd7
15. a3 Bd6 16. Ne4 Bf4 17. Rc3 Rad8 18. Rd1 b5 19. Bd3 b4 20. Rc5 Qb6 21. g3
Bb8 22. Qe3 f5 23. Rb5 f4 24. Qc1 Qc7 25. Rc5 fxg3 26. Ne5 gxf2+ 27. Nxf2 Qd6
28. Rxc6 Bxc6 29. Qxc6 bxa3 30. bxa3 Rf4 31. Bc4 g5 32. Bxe6+ Kg7 33. Rb1 Rxd4
34. Rb7+ Kf6 35. Qf3+ Kxe6 36. Qf7+ Kxe5 37. Re7+ Qxe7 38. Qxe7+ Kf5 39. Qh7+
Kf6 40. Qxh6+ Kf5 41. Qh7+ Kf6 42. Ne4+ Ke5 43. Qe7+ Kf5 44. Nf2 Bf4 45. Qxa7
Kg6 46. Qb6+ R8d6 47. Qb1+ Kg7 48. Qb7+ Rd7 49. Qf3 Rf7 50. Qc3 Bxh2+ 51. Kxh2
Rxf2+ 52. Kg3 Rff4 53. a4 Rg4+ 54. Kf3 Rgf4+ 55. Kg3 Rg4+ 56. Kf3 Rgf4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.18"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C25"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 Bc5 4. Bg2 d6 5. Na4 Bd4 6. Ne2 h5 7. h3 Nge7 8. c3
Bxf2+ 9. Kxf2 b5 10. d4 bxa4 11. d5 Nb8 12. Qxa4+ Nd7 13. Rf1 a5 14. Kg1 Ba6
15. c4 O-O 16. Qc2 c6 17. b3 Rc8 18. dxc6 Nxc6 19. Be3 Qe7 20. Nc3 Nb4 21. Qd1
g6 22. h4 Bb7 23. Qd2 Nc5 24. Rad1 Rcd8 25. Bh6 Bc6 26. Bxf8 Kxf8 27. Rf2 Kg7
28. Qe3 Nba6 29. Rfd2 Nc7 30. Kh2 Ne8 31. Rxd6 Rxd6 32. Qxc5 Qf6 33. Nd5 Qd8
34. Rf1 Bxd5 35. exd5 f5 36. Qe3 e4 37. Rd1 Nf6 38. Kg1 Qc7 39. Bf1 Ng4 40.
Qc3+ Kh7 41. Be2 Nf6 42. Qe3 Qb8 43. Kg2 a4 44. Qc5 axb3 45. axb3 Nd7 46. Qa3
Qf8 47. Qa7 f4 48. gxf4 Qxf4 49. Qf2 Qe5 50. Qf7+ Kh6 51. Rf1 e3 52. Qf4+ Qxf4
53. Rxf4 Rb6 54. Bd1 e2 55. Bxe2 Rxb3 56. Rf7 Ne5 57. Rc7 g5 58. d6 Rb2 59.
hxg5+ Kxg5 60. Kf1 h4 61. c5 h3 62. Rh7 Rc2 63. Rh5+ Kf6 64. Rxe5 Kxe5 65. d7
h2 66. Bf3 Rd2 67. c6 Ke6 68. Ke1 Rd6 69. Kf2 Ke7 70. Kg2 Rf6 71. Be4 Rf4 72.
Bd5 Rd4 73. Bf3 Rd3 74. Be4 Re3 75. Bd5 Re5 76. Bf3 Rf5 77. Be4 Rf4 78. Bd5 Rd4
79. Bf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.18"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. g3 e6 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Be7 8. d4
O-O 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Bg5 Qd7 12. Rc1 Bb6 13. Bd2 Qg4 14. e3 Qh5
15. Nh4 Bg4 16. Bf3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qxf3 18. Nxf3 d4 19. exd4 Nxd4 20. Nxd4 Bxd4
21. Rc7 Bxb2 22. Rb1 Bd4 23. Rbxb7 Bb6 24. Rd7 Rad8 25. Kf1 Rxd7 26. Rxd7 Rd8
27. Rxd8+ Bxd8 28. Ke2 Kf8 29. Kd3 Ke8 30. Kc4 a6 31. Kc5 Kd7 32. g4 g6 33. f3
Bc7 34. h3 Bd8 35. Bh6 Bc7 36. h4 Bd8 37. h5 Bc7 38. Bg5 Ba5 39. Bf4 Bd8 40.
Bd2 Bc7 41. f4 gxh5 42. gxh5 f5 43. Be3 Bd8 44. Kd5 Bc7 45. a4 Bd6 46. Bd2 Bc7
47. Kc5 Bd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.18"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. Nb3 Bd6 8.
Na5 Rb8 9. Qe2 O-O 10. Bd2 c5 11. Nc4 Bxc4 12. dxc4 Nd7 13. h4 a6 14. h5 b5 15.
Nh4 Qe8 16. Nf5 Kh8 17. Ba5 Nb6 18. Bxb6 Rxb6 19. O-O-O Qe6 20. Rh3 bxc4 21.
Ne3 c3 22. b3 Rbb8 23. Nc4 f5 24. Rxc3 fxe4 25. Re3 Rf5 26. Rxe4 Rbf8 27. f3
Rxh5 28. Ne3 Qc8 29. Kb1 Rg5 30. Rh1 Rf4 31. Qd3 h6 32. Rd1 Qb7 33. Rd2 Rxe4
34. fxe4 Rg3 35. Re2 Kh7 36. Qd2 Qb4 37. Qd1 Rg6 38. Nc4 Qb8 39. Rf2 Qe8 40.
Qe2 Qe6 41. Ne3 Be7 42. Nd5 Bg5 43. Nxc7 Qc6 44. Nd5 c4 45. Qxc4 Qxc4 46. bxc4
Rc6 47. Rf5 Rxc4 48. Rxe5 Rd4 49. Re6 Rd2 50. g4 Rg2 51. Rxa6 Rxg4 52. e5 h5
53. e6 h4 54. e7 Re4 55. Kb2 Bxe7 56. Rc6 Bb4 57. c3 Be7 58. Kc2 h3 59. Rb6 Re1
0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.18"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2014.06.16"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Bd6 7. Nbd2 Be6 8.
b3 O-O 9. Nc4 Bxc4 10. bxc4 Nd7 11. Rb1 b6 12. g3 f5 13. exf5 Rxf5 14. Be3 Qe8
15. Nd2 Qg6 16. Ne4 Raf8 17. Kg2 Nf6 18. Qe2 Nxe4 19. dxe4 Rf3 20. Kg1 Qxe4 21.
Rfe1 c5 22. Qd3 Qg4 23. Re2 h5 24. Qd5+ Kh8 25. Rbe1 a5 26. Bd2 Ra3 27. Bc1
Rxa2 28. Rxe5 Bxe5 29. Rxe5 g6 30. Bf4 Ra1+ 31. Kg2 Rd1 32. Qc6 Rd6 33. Qxc7
Qd7 34. Re7 Qxc7 35. Be5+ Kg8 36. Rxc7 Rdf6 37. Bxf6 Rxf6 38. Rb7 Kf8 39. f4
Ke8 40. Kf3 Kd8 41. Ke4 Kc8 42. Ra7 Rd6 43. Ke5 Rd7 44. Ra8+ Kb7 45. Re8 a4 46.
Kf6 Rd1 47. Re3 Rd6+ 48. Kg5 Ka6 49. Ra3 Ka5 50. c3 Re6 51. Kh6 h4 52. gxh4 Re4
53. Kxg6 Rxf4 54. Kg5 Rf2 55. h5 Rg2+ 56. Kf5 Rxh2 57. Kg5 Rg2+ 58. Kf5 Rh2 59.
Kg5 Rg2+ 60. Kf5 Rh2 61. Kg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.19"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Potkin, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2621"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d6 6. a4 a5 7. Re1 Nbd7 8. e4
e5 9. Nc3 Re8 10. h3 b6 11. Be3 Bb7 12. d5 Nc5 13. Nd2 Nfd7 14. Nc4 f5 15. exf5
gxf5 16. f4 e4 17. Bd4 Bxd4+ 18. Qxd4 Qe7 19. Ne3 Qf7 20. g4 fxg4 21. Nxg4 Qg7
22. Qxg7+ Kxg7 23. Nxe4 Nxe4 24. Bxe4 h5 25. Bf5 Rxe1+ 26. Rxe1 hxg4 27. Bxd7
gxh3 28. c4 Rf8 29. Re4 Bc8 30. Bxc8 Rxc8 31. Re6 Kf7 32. Kh2 Rh8 33. Re3 Rh4
34. Rxh3 Rxf4 35. Rh7+ Kf6 36. Rxc7 Rf2+ 37. Kg3 Rxb2 38. Kf4 Rb4 39. Ke4 Rxa4
40. Rc6 b5 41. Rxd6+ Ke7 42. Ke5 Rxc4 43. Ra6 Rc1 44. Ra7+ Ke8 45. Rxa5 b4 46.
Rb5 Rc4 47. Kd6 Rd4 48. Rb7 Rc4 49. Rb8+ Kf7 50. Kd7 Kf6 51. d6 Kf7 52. Kd8 Rd4
53. d7 Ke6 54. Rb6+ Kd5 55. Kc7 Kc4 56. Rd6 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sandipan, Chanda"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2594"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Bc4 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. Qe2 Bg4 8. c3
e5 9. d5 Ne7 10. h3 Bd7 11. Re1 Nh5 12. Nf1 h6 13. Bb5 Bc8 14. c4 Nf4 15. Bxf4
exf4 16. e5 dxe5 17. Nxe5 Nf5 18. Qd2 Nd6 19. Qxf4 Nxb5 20. cxb5 Qxd5 21. a4 a6
22. bxa6 Rxa6 23. Ng3 Rf6 24. Qe4 Qxe4 25. Nxe4 Re6 26. Nd3 b6 27. Nc3 Rd8 28.
Nf4 Red6 29. Nb5 R6d7 30. Rac1 c5 31. Nc3 Bb7 32. Red1 Rxd1+ 33. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 34.
Nxd1 Bc6 35. b3 Be4 36. Ne3 Bd4 37. Nfd5 Bxe3 38. Nxe3 Bd3 39. Nd5 Bc2 40. Nxb6
Bxb3 41. a5 Bc2 42. a6 Be4 43. a7 Kg7 44. f3 Bc6 45. Kf2 Kf6 46. Ke3 Kg5 47.
a8=Q Bxa8 48. Nxa8 Kh4 49. Kf2 c4 50. Nb6 c3 51. Ke3 Kg3 52. Nc4 Kxg2 53. Ne5
Kxh3 54. Nxf7 h5 55. f4 h4 56. Ng5+ Kg2 57. Nf3 h3 58. Ne1+ Kg3 59. Nd3 h2 60.
Nf2 c2 61. Nh1+ Kg2 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Onischuk, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2594"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O e5 8. d5
Nb8 9. e4 a5 10. Ne1 Na6 11. Nd3 Nd7 12. f4 exf4 13. gxf4 Ndc5 14. Nxc5 Nxc5
15. Be3 b6 16. Bd4 Bh6 17. Qf3 Bd7 18. Rae1 Qe7 19. f5 Qh4 20. Bf2 Qg5 21. f6
Rae8 22. h3 Qd2 23. Be3 Bxe3+ 24. Rxe3 h5 25. Rf2 Qd4 26. Qf4 Kh7 27. Ne2 Qe5
28. Qf3 Qxb2 29. Ng3 Qa1+ 30. Rf1 Qe5 31. h4 Bg4 32. Qf2 a4 33. Bf3 Bh3 34. Bg2
Bxg2 35. Kxg2 a3 36. Rfe1 Nd7 37. Rf3 Ra8 38. Ree3 Ra4 39. Rxa3 Rxa3 40. Rxa3
Nxf6 41. Rf3 Kg7 42. Qe3 Ng4 43. Qd2 Ra8 44. a3 Ra4 45. Nf5+ Kg8 46. Ng3 Rxc4
47. Qe2 Rc3 48. Rxc3 Qxc3 49. a4 Qe3 50. Qc2 Qf4 51. Nf1 Qxf1+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Andriasian, Zaven"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B15"]
[WhiteElo "2611"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. f4 d5 5. e5 Nh6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Be3 Qb6 8. Rb1 f6
9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 fxe5 11. fxe5 Nf5 12. Bd3 O-O 13. Bxf5 Rxf5 14. Qe2 Na6 15.
g4 Rf7 16. Rf1 Raf8 17. Rxf7 Rxf7 18. a3 Nc7 19. b4 a5 20. b5 Ne6 21. bxc6 Qxc6
22. Kd2 Bxe5 23. Qb5 Bxd4 24. Bxd4 Nxd4 25. Qxd5 Nf3+ 26. Kd3 Qa6+ 27. Ke3 Qa7+
28. Kd3 e6 29. Qd8+ Kg7 30. Ne4 Ne5+ 31. Kd2 Nc4+ 32. Kd3 Nxa3 33. Rb6 Nb5 34.
Rxb5 b6 35. Qd4+ Kg8 36. Ke2 Qc7 37. Nf6+ Rxf6 38. Qxf6 Qc4+ 39. Kd2 Qxb5 40.
Qxe6+ Kf8 41. Qf6+ Kg8 42. Qe6+ Kf8 43. Qf6+ Kg8 44. Qe6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Georgiev, Kiril"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2644"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 O-O 5. a3 Be7 6. e4 d6 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. b3
e5 9. Bb2 Re8 10. O-O Bf8 11. Re1 a5 12. h3 c6 13. Bc2 g6 14. Nf1 Bg7 15. Ng3
exd4 16. Bxd4 Ne5 17. Qe2 Nxf3+ 18. Qxf3 Be6 19. Rad1 Qe7 20. Bc3 Nd7 21. Bxg7
Kxg7 22. Qc3+ Kg8 23. Nf5 Bxf5 24. exf5 Qf8 25. Rxe8 Rxe8 26. Qxa5 Re2 27. Bd3
Re5 28. Qc7 Nc5 29. b4 Re7 30. Qb6 Nxd3 31. Rxd3 Rd7 32. f6 Qd8 33. Qxd8+ Rxd8
34. Re3 b5 35. cxb5 cxb5 36. Re7 d5 37. Rb7 d4 38. Kf1 h5 39. Rxb5 Rd6 40. a4
Rxf6 41. a5 Re6 42. Rd5 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E18"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 Na6 8. Nc3
Ne4 9. Bd2 d6 10. d5 Nxd2 11. Nxd2 e5 12. a3 Nc5 13. b4 Nd7 14. c5 bxc5 15. Nb3
Rb8 16. Na5 Ba8 17. Nc6 Bxc6 18. dxc6 cxb4 19. axb4 Nf6 20. Rxa7 Rxb4 21. Nd5
Nxd5 22. Bxd5 e4 23. Rb7 Rxb7 24. cxb7 e3 25. Qa4 exf2+ 26. Kxf2 c6 27. Qxc6
Bf6 28. e3 Qb8 29. Rc1 Bb2 30. Rc4 Ba3 31. Ra4 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Dreev, Alexey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2667"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. c4 e5 3. Nc3 exd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd2 g6 6. g3 Bg7 7. Bg2 Nf6 8. b3
O-O 9. Bb2 a5 10. Nf3 Re8 11. O-O Bf5 12. Nh4 Bd7 13. Rad1 Qc8 14. Rfe1 Ne5 15.
Nf3 Nxf3+ 16. Bxf3 Bc6 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. cxd5 Nd7 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Qc3+ Nf6 21.
Rc1 Re7 22. e4 Qd7 23. Bg2 Qb5 24. Re3 Qb4 25. Qb2 a4 26. Rf3 Re5 27. Rxf6 axb3
28. axb3 Kxf6 29. f4 Rae8 30. fxe5+ Rxe5 31. Qf2+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.19"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Bartel, Mateusz"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A03"]
[WhiteElo "2641"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 d5 2. Bg2 c6 3. f4 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. O-O h5 6. d3 Be7 7. Nc3 h4 8. e4 Bg4
9. d4 hxg3 10. hxg3 Nd7 11. Qe1 dxe4 12. Nxe4 Ngf6 13. c3 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 Qa5 15.
Ne5 Bf5 16. Qe2 Nxe5 17. fxe5 O-O-O 18. b4 Qa4 19. Be3 Rhf8 20. b5 Qxb5 21.
Qxb5 cxb5 22. d5 Ba3 23. Bxa7 Bd3 24. Rfd1 Bc4 25. Bb6 exd5 26. Bxd8 Rxd8 27.
Bh3+ Kc7 28. Rd2 Bc5+ 29. Kg2 Be3 30. Rb2 d4 31. cxd4 Bxd4 32. Rab1 Bxb2 33.
Rxb2 Ra8 34. Kf3 Rxa2 35. Rb1 Kb6 36. Kf4 Kc5 37. Bc8 b6 38. g4 b4 39. Bf5 b3
40. Ke3 b5 41. g5 g6 42. Be4 Re2+ 43. Kf4 Kb4 44. Bf3 Rf2 45. Ke3 Rxf3+ 46.
Kxf3 Kc3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.19"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2698"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 c5 8.
e3 h6 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 10. Bxc4 O-O 11. O-O b6 12. Ne5 Bb7 13. f4 g6 14. Qg4 Be4
15. f5 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.19"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sargissian, Gabriel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D56"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2686"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7
Qxe7 9. Rc1 Nxc3 10. Rxc3 c6 11. Bd3 Nd7 12. O-O e5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 dxc4
15. Bxc4 Qxe5 16. Qd4 Qxd4 17. exd4 Rd8 18. Rd1 Be6 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. f3 Rd7
21. Kf2 Rad8 22. Ke3 Kf7 23. Rdd3 a6 24. Rc5 Rd5 25. Rb3 R8d7 26. Rxd5 exd5 27.
Kd2 Re7 28. Re3 Rxe3 29. Kxe3 g6 30. b4 b6 31. a3 Kf6 32. Kf2 Ke6 33. Ke3 Kf6
34. Kf2 Ke6 35. Ke3 Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.19"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E60"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 Nc6 7. b3 e5 8. Bb2 e4
9. Nfd2 e3 10. fxe3 Re8 11. Na3 Ng4 12. Nc2 Nxe3 13. Nxe3 Rxe3 14. Rf4 Qe7 15.
Kf1 g5 16. Re4 Rxe4 17. Nxe4 Bh3 18. Bxh3 Qxe4 19. Bg2 Qe3 20. Bxc6 bxc6 21.
Qd3 Qxd3 22. exd3 c5 23. Re1 h6 24. g4 a5 25. Re7 Rc8 26. Re4 a4 27. bxa4 Ra8
28. Re2 Bxd4 29. Bxd4 cxd4 30. Re7 c5 31. Rd7 Rxa4 32. Rxd6 Rxa2 33. Rxh6 Kg7
34. Rc6 Rxh2 35. Rxc5 Kf6 36. Rf5+ Kg6 37. Rd5 Rd2 38. Rxd4 f6 39. Ke1 Rc2 40.
Kd1 Ra2 41. c5 Kf7 42. c6 Ra7 43. Kd2 Ke6 44. Ke3 Rc7 45. Rc4 Kd5 46. Rc1 Re7+
47. Kf3 Rc7 48. Rc4 Ke5 49. Ke3 Kd5 50. Kd2 Rxc6 51. Rxc6 Kxc6 52. Ke3 Kd5 53.
d4 Ke6 54. Ke4 f5+ 55. gxf5+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.20"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2614"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bf5 5. d3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8. f4
Be7 9. Qe1 Na6 10. a3 Nc5 11. Nd2 O-O 12. Ndf3 Bxf3 13. Nxf3 a5 14. e3 Qb6 15.
g4 Rfe8 16. g5 Nfd7 17. h4 Bd6 18. Qf2 Re7 19. h5 f5 20. gxf6 Nxf6 21. Qh4 Ncd7
22. Bh3 h6 23. Kh1 Rf8 24. Nd4 Rfe8 25. Rg1 Bc5 26. c3 Bxd4 27. exd4 Kh8 28.
Rg2 Qb5 29. Rg3 Qb3 30. Be3 Qxb2 31. Rag1 Qe2 32. f5 Qxh5 33. Qxh5 Nxh5 34. Rf3
exf5 35. Bd2 f4 36. Bxf4 Nxf4 37. Rxf4 Nf6 38. Bf5 Re1 39. c4 Kg8 40. c5 Rxg1+
41. Kxg1 Kf7 42. Rf2 g6 43. Bh3 Re3 44. Bc8 Rxd3 45. Bxb7 Rxd4 46. Bxc6 Ke7 47.
Re2+ Re4 48. Rb2 Rc4 49. Rb7+ Kd8 50. Rf7 Ng4 51. Bxd5 Rc1+ 52. Kg2 Ne3+ 53.
Kf3 Nxd5 54. Ke4 Rxc5 55. Ke5 Ne7+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.20"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2715"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e5 Ne4 6. d4 Nc6 7. Bb5 Bb4 8.
Nge2 O-O 9. O-O Nxc3 10. bxc3 Be7 11. Nf4 Bg5 12. Bd3 Bxf4 13. Bxf4 Qh4 14. Qd2
Be6 15. Bg5 Qh5 16. f3 h6 17. Bf4 Rae8 18. Qf2 f5 19. exf6 Rxf6 20. Bxc7 Qf7
21. Be5 Nxe5 22. dxe5 Rf4 23. Qxa7 Rc8 24. Rab1 Qc7 25. Rxb7 Qxe5 26. Re7 Rf7
27. Rxf7 Bxf7 28. Qd4 Qxd4+ 29. cxd4 Rc3 30. Rd1 Ra3 31. Rd2 Kf8 32. Kf2 Ke7
33. Ke2 Ra4 34. Bb5 Rb4 35. a4 Kd6 36. Kd3 Bg6+ 37. Kc3 Rb1 38. Bd3 Bxd3 39.
Rxd3 Ra1 40. Kb3 Kc6 41. Rc3+ Kb6 42. Rc5 Rb1+ 43. Kc2 Rg1 44. g4 Rg2+ 45. Kd3
Rxh2 46. Rxd5 Kc6 47. Rc5+ Kd6 48. Rc2 Rh1 49. Ra2 Rd1+ 50. Ke3 Re1+ 51. Kf2
Re7 52. a5 Kd5 53. Ra4 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.20"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Laznicka, Viktor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D13"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2679"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bf4 a6 7. Rc1 Bf5 8. e3
Rc8 9. Be2 e6 10. O-O Bd6 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 12. Na4 O-O 13. Nc5 Rc7 14. Qb3 Rb8 15.
Qb6 Ne8 16. Na4 Rbc8 17. Rc5 Nd8 18. Rfc1 Rxc5 19. dxc5 Qxb6 20. Nxb6 Rc7 21.
b4 Bg4 22. a3 Kf8 23. Kf1 Bxf3 24. gxf3 Nf6 25. Ke1 Ke7 26. Kd2 Nd7 27. Nxd7
Kxd7 28. e4 Nc6 29. exd5 exd5 30. Rc3 Ke6 31. Re3+ Kf6 32. f4 Ne7 33. Bf3 Ng6
34. Re8 Nxf4 35. Bg4 h5 36. Bc8 g5 37. Ke3 Ng6 38. Bh3 Nf4 39. Bc8 Ng6 40. Bh3
Nf4 41. Bc8 Ng6 42. Bh3 Ne5 43. Kd4 Nf3+ 44. Kxd5 Nxh2 45. Bc8 h4 46. Kd6 Rc6+
47. Kd7 h3 48. Bxb7 Re6 49. Rxe6+ fxe6 50. c6 Nf3 51. c7 Ne5+ 52. Kd6 Nf7+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.20"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2712"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 g6 3. Bxf6 exf6 4. e3 d5 5. g3 Bd6 6. Bg2 c6 7. Nd2 Be6 8. Ne2
h5 9. h4 Nd7 10. Rc1 Nb6 11. b3 Qe7 12. O-O g5 13. c4 Ba3 14. cxd5 Nxd5 15. Rb1
gxh4 16. e4 Nb6 17. d5 Bg4 18. Nc4 Nxc4 19. bxc4 hxg3 20. e5 gxf2+ 21. Rxf2 Bc5
22. dxc6 Rd8 23. Qe1 Qxe5 24. cxb7 O-O 25. Nc3 Bxf2+ 26. Kxf2 Qc5+ 27. Kg3 Rfe8
28. Ne4 Qe5+ 29. Kf2 f5 30. Rb5 Qf4+ 31. Kg1 fxe4 32. c5 Rd1 33. Qxd1 Bxd1 34.
c6 e3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.20"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[PlyCount "170"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bg2 Bb4+ 8. Bd2
Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. Nc3 Nbd7 11. Re1 Re8 12. Qc2 Rc8 13. a4 c6 14. a5 bxa5 15.
e4 dxe4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Rxe4 Rxe4 18. Qxe4 Nf6 19. Qf5 Rb8 20. Rxa5 Bc8 21.
Qc2 Be6 22. Rxa7 Bxb3 23. Qxc6 Bd5 24. Qc1 h6 25. Nh4 Bxg2 26. Kxg2 Bf8 27. Qc4
Qd5+ 28. Qxd5 Nxd5 29. Ra5 Nf6 30. Nf5 h5 31. Bg5 Ne4 32. Ne7+ Bxe7 33. Bxe7
Re8 34. Bc5 Nf6 35. Bd6 Rd8 36. Be7 Rxd4 37. Bxf6 gxf6 38. Rxh5 Kg7 39. Rh4 Rd2
40. Rf4 Kg6 41. g4 Ra2 42. h4 Rb2 43. Rc4 Kg7 44. Kg3 Rb3+ 45. Kf4 Rb2 46. f3
Rh2 47. h5 Ra2 48. Ke4 Ra5 49. Kf4 Rb5 50. Rd4 Ra5 51. Ke3 Ra3+ 52. Rd3 Ra4 53.
Rd4 Ra3+ 54. Ke4 Ra5 55. f4 Ra1 56. Rd5 Ra6 57. Kf5 Rb6 58. Ra5 Rc6 59. Rd5 Ra6
60. Ke4 Ra4+ 61. Rd4 Ra5 62. Rd5 Ra4+ 63. Kf5 Ra6 64. g5 fxg5 65. fxg5 Ra1 66.
h6+ Kh7 67. Kf6 Rf1+ 68. Rf5 Ra1 69. Kxf7 Ra7+ 70. Kf6 Ra6+ 71. Ke5 Ra5+ 72.
Kf4 Ra4+ 73. Kg3 Kg6 74. Rf8 Ra3+ 75. Kg4 Ra4+ 76. Rf4 Ra6 77. Rb4 Rc6 78. Re4
Rb6 79. Kf4 Ra6 80. Re8 Ra4+ 81. Ke5 Ra5+ 82. Kf4 Rf5+ 83. Ke4 Rxg5 84. Rg8+
Kxh6 85. Rxg5 Kxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.20"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 g6 3. Bxf6 exf6 4. e3 d5 5. Ne2 c6 6. Nf4 Bd6 7. g3 h5 8. h4
Bg4 9. Be2 Bxe2 10. Qxe2 Nd7 11. Nd2 Nb6 12. Nd3 Qe7 13. c3 O-O 14. g4 hxg4 15.
Qxg4 f5 16. Qf3 Nd7 17. O-O-O Nf6 18. Rde1 Kg7 19. h5 Rh8 20. hxg6 fxg6 21. Qg2
Ng4 22. Reg1 Rxh1 23. Rxh1 Rh8 24. Rxh8 Kxh8 25. f3 Nxe3 26. Qxg6 Bc7 27. f4
Nc4 28. Ne5 Bxe5 29. Qh5+ Qh7 30. Qxh7+ Kxh7 31. fxe5 Nxd2 32. Kxd2 f4 33. Ke2
Kg6 34. Kf3 Kg5 35. e6 Kf6 36. Kxf4 Kxe6 37. Kg5 a5 38. a4 b5 39. axb5 cxb5 40.
Kg6 a4 41. Kg5 Kd6 42. Kf6 Kc6 43. Ke6 b4 44. cxb4 Kb5 45. Kxd5 Kxb4 46. Kc6
Kb3 47. Kb5 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.20"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Korobov, Anton"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D44"]
[WhiteElo "2680"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e3 b5 7. a4 c6 8. Nd2 a6
9. axb5 cxb5 10. Nxb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Bb7 12. Ra1 Nbd7 13. Be2 Bxg2 14. Rg1 Bd5
15. Bf3 h6 16. Bxd5 exd5 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. Kf1 O-O 19. Nf3 Ne4 20. Ne5 Bd6 21.
Qg4 Qf6 22. f4 g5 23. Nd7 Qd8 24. Nxf8 Bxf8 25. h4 b4 26. hxg5 hxg5 27. fxg5 c3
28. bxc3 bxc3 29. g6 Qf6+ 30. Qf4 Qxf4+ 31. exf4 Nd2+ 32. Ke2 Nb3 33. Ra7 fxg6
34. Rxg6+ Kh8 35. Kd3 Bb4 36. Rc6 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.20"]
[Round "19"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Polgar, Judit"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A25"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2685"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 Bc5 4. Bg2 Nge7 5. e3 a6 6. Nge2 d6 7. O-O O-O 8. b3
Ba7 9. h3 Be6 10. d4 exd4 11. exd4 Bd7 12. d5 Ne5 13. Kh2 b5 14. f4 N5g6 15.
Nd4 bxc4 16. bxc4 Nf5 17. Nc6 Qf6 18. Qd3 Bc5 19. Bd2 Bxc6 20. dxc6 Nge7 21.
Rae1 Rab8 22. Ne4 Qg6 23. g4 Nh4 24. f5 Nexf5 25. Rxf5 Nxf5 26. Nxc5 dxc5 27.
Qxf5 Qd6+ 28. Bf4 Qd4 29. Be5 Qd2 30. Rf1 f6 31. Bxc7 Rb2 32. Qd5+ Kh8 33. Qxd2
Rxd2 34. Bf4 Rc2 35. Rd1 g5 36. c7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.20"]
[Round "20"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. e4 Nf6 3. e5 Nh5 4. d4 d6 5. Be2 Nc6 6. exd6 exd6 7. O-O Bg7 8.
Bg5 Nf6 9. d5 Ne7 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Bxd7+ Qxd7 12. c4 O-O 13. Nc3 h6 14. Bd2 a6
15. a4 Rae8 16. a5 Nf5 17. Qb3 Qc8 18. Rae1 Rxe1 19. Rxe1 Re8 20. Rxe8+ Nxe8
21. Ne4 Nf6 22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 23. h3 h5 24. Bc3 Bxc3 25. Qxc3 Qd8 26. Qb4 Qa8 27.
b3 Qa7 28. Qc3 Qb8 29. Qe1 Qd8 30. Qb4 Qc8 31. g3 c5 32. Qe1 Qd8 33. Kg2 Kg7
34. h4 Nd4 35. Nxd4 cxd4 36. Qd2 Qf6 37. f4 Kg8 38. Kf3 Qf5 39. Qxd4 Qb1 40.
Qc3 Qf1+ 41. Ke3 Qg1+ 42. Kd2 Qb1 43. b4 Qa2+ 44. Kc1 Kf8 45. Kd1 Qb1+ 46. Kd2
Qa2+ 47. Qc2 Qa1 48. Qc3 Qa2+ 49. Kc1 Ke7 50. Qe3+ Kf8 51. Qc3 Ke7 52. Qe1+ Kf8
53. Qc3 Ke7 54. Kd1 Kf8 55. Ke1 Qb1+ 56. Ke2 Qa2+ 57. Kf3 Qb1 58. Kf2 Qa2+ 59.
Ke3 Qg2 60. Qe1 Qc2 61. Kd4 Qb2+ 62. Kd3 Qb3+ 63. Qc3 Qd1+ 64. Ke3 Qg1+ 65. Ke2
Qg2+ 66. Kd1 Qa2 67. Kc1 Ke7 68. b5 axb5 69. cxb5 Qxd5 70. a6 bxa6 71. bxa6 Qg2
72. Qc7+ Kf8 73. a7 Qf1+ 74. Kb2 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 8th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2014.06.20"]
[Round "21"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E60"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2014.06.19"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 g6 3. c4 Ne4 4. Bf4 c5 5. f3 Qa5+ 6. Nd2 Nxd2 7. Bxd2 Qb6 8.
Bc3 Bg7 9. e3 Nc6 10. Ne2 cxd4 11. Nxd4 O-O 12. Qd2 Rd8 13. Rd1 a5 14. Be2 d5
15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Qc3+ f6 18. O-O Ba6 19. b3 dxc4 20. Bxc4 Bxc4
21. bxc4 Qb4 22. Qc2 Qc5 23. Qc3 Rd5 24. Rd3 Rxd3 25. Qxd3 Rb8 26. Rd1 Rb2 27.
Rd2 Rxd2 28. Qxd2 Qxc4 29. Qxa5 Qc1+ 30. Kf2 Qc2+ 31. Kg3 c5 32. a4 c4 33. Qc7
Kf7 34. a5 Qa4 35. Qc5 h5 36. Qd5+ Kf8 37. Qd8+ Kf7 38. Qd5+ Kf8 39. Qd8+ Kf7
1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.03"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Smerdon, David"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2513"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Australia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4 e5 5. fxe5 dxe5 6. dxe5 Nxe5 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8
8. Bg5 c6 9. O-O-O+ Kc7 10. Nf3 Bd6 11. Be2 Nxf3 12. gxf3 Nh5 13. Rxd6 Kxd6 14.
Rd1+ Kc7 15. Be7 b6 16. f4 g6 17. b4 a6 18. a4 Kb7 19. Bxh5 gxh5 20. f5 Re8 21.
Bf6 Ra7 22. a5 bxa5 23. bxa5 Kb8 24. Rd6 Rd7 25. Rxc6 Bb7 26. Rb6 Ka8 27. Rb4
Rc7 28. Nd5 Bxd5 29. exd5 Rec8 30. c3 Rd7 31. Rb6 Rxd5 32. Rxa6+ Kb7 33. Rb6+
Ka7 34. Kc2 Rxa5 35. Bd4 Ka8 36. Rf6 Rc7 37. Kd3 Re7 38. h4 Kb7 39. Kc4 Rc7+
40. Kd3 Re7 41. Kc4 Rd7 42. Rb6+ Kc8 43. Rf6 Re7 44. Kb4 Rd5 45. Kc4 Red7 46.
Rc6+ Kb7 47. Rb6+ Kc7 48. Rf6 h6 49. Be3 Rd3 50. Bd4 Rf3 51. Kc5 Re7 52. Kd5
Kc8 53. Be5 Kd7 54. Rb6 f6 55. Rxf6 Ke8 56. Bd4 Rf4 57. Kd6 Rb7 58. Re6+ Kf8
59. Ke5 Rxh4 60. Rxh6 Kg7 61. Rg6+ Kh7 62. Rg5 Rg7 63. Kf6 Rg8 64. Rxg8 Kxg8
65. Kg5 Rh2 66. Be5 Rh3 67. Bd4 Rh2 68. Be5 Rh1 69. Bd4 h4 70. Kg4 Kf7 71. Bf2
h3 72. Bd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.04"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E84"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "France"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Be3 Nc6 7. Nge2 a6 8. Qd2
Rb8 9. Rc1 Bd7 10. d5 Ne5 11. Ng3 Re8 12. h3 b5 13. b3 h5 14. f4 Nxc4 15. bxc4
h4 16. e5 dxe5 17. fxe5 hxg3 18. exf6 exf6 19. Be2 Qe7 20. Nd1 bxc4 21. O-O Ba4
22. Bf4 g5 23. Bxg3 Qxe2 24. Qxe2 Rxe2 25. Nc3 Re3 26. Bxc7 Rb7 27. Nxa4 Rxc7
28. d6 Rd7 29. Nb6 Rd8 30. Rxc4 Re6 31. d7 f5 32. Rb1 Rd6 33. Kf1 Bd4 34. Rd1
Rxb6 35. Rdxd4 Kf8 36. Rc5 f6 37. Rxf5 Ke7 38. Rfd5 Rb7 39. Ra4 Rdxd7 40. Rxd7+
Rxd7 41. Rxa6 Rd2 42. Ra7+ Ke6 43. a4 Ra2 44. a5 Kf5 45. Kg1 g4 46. Kh2 gxh3
47. Kxh3 Kg6 48. a6 Ra3+ 49. Kg4 Ra4+ 50. Kf3 Ra2 51. Ra8 Kg7 52. g3 Ra4 53.
Ke3 Rg4 54. Kd3 Rxg3+ 55. Kc4 Ra3 56. Kb5 f5 57. Rc8 f4 58. Rc7+ Kg6 59. Rc6+
Kg5 60. Kb4 Ra1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.05"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Gonzalez Acosta, Bernal Manuel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A41"]
[WhiteElo "2469"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Costa Rica"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CRI"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nd7 5. O-O e5 6. c4 Ne7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Rb1
h6 9. e4 Nb6 10. b3 Bg4 11. dxe5 Nc6 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 h5 14. h4 dxe5 15.
Qxd8 Rfxd8 16. Be3 Nd4 17. Kg2 Nc2 18. Rfd1 Nxe3+ 19. fxe3 Nd7 20. g4 hxg4 21.
Bxg4 Nf6 22. Bh3 c6 23. Kf3 Bf8 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. Rd1 Ra8 26. Ne2 Ba3 27. Ng3
a5 28. Nh1 Kg7 29. Ng3 Rh8 30. h5 Nxh5 31. Nxh5+ Rxh5 32. Bg4 Rh2 33. Rd7 b6
34. Kg3 Rh1 35. Kg2 Rh8 36. Rc7 Kf6 37. Rxc6+ Kg5 38. Rc8 Rh4 39. Bf3 Bc5 40.
Rc7 f5 41. exf5 e4 42. Be2 gxf5 43. Rg7+ Kf6 44. Rg3 Rh8 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.06"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D16"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2877"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Na6 6. e3 Bg4 7. Bxc4 e6 8. h3
Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nb4 10. O-O Be7 11. a5 O-O 12. Rd1 b6 13. axb6 axb6 14. Rxa8 Qxa8
15. Bd2 Rd8 16. Rc1 Nbd5 17. Qd1 h6 18. Ra1 Qb7 19. Qb3 Ra8 20. Rc1 Nxc3 21.
Bxc3 Qc7 22. Be2 c5 23. Bf3 Rd8 24. Rd1 Nd5 25. dxc5 Nxc3 26. cxb6 Rxd1+ 27.
Bxd1 Qb7 28. bxc3 Bc5 29. h4 Qxb6 30. Qc2 Qd6 31. h5 Kf8 32. Bf3 Ke7 33. g3 Qe5
34. Kg2 Qd6 35. Qe4 Qc7 36. Be2 Qd6 37. Bc4 Qc7 38. Bb5 Bd6 39. c4 Bc5 40. g4
Bb6 41. Qa8 Qd8 42. Qa1 Kf8 43. Qa3+ Kg8 44. Bc6 Qc8 45. Qa4 Bc5 46. Qb5 Be7
47. Kf3 Qd8 48. Ke2 Qd6 49. Qb7 Qb4 50. Qc8+ Bf8 51. Be4 Qc5 52. Qa6 Qg5 53.
Bf3 g6 54. hxg6 Qxg6 55. Qa4 Qb1 56. Bg2 Qb2+ 57. Kf1 Qb1+ 58. Ke2 Qb2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.08"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 Bxd3 17. Nd2 Qf5 18. Bd4 Rfe8 19. a4 h6 20. Kg2 Qxf3+ 21.
Kxf3 Rxe1 22. Rxe1 Bf5 23. Ne4 Bf8 24. Nc5 Nb6 25. g4 Nd7 26. gxf5 Nxc5 27.
Bxc5 Bxc5 28. Rd1 Kf8 29. Rd7 Ra7 30. Rxa7 Bxa7 31. axb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.09"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Hungary"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "HUN"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 {This whole series of moves played at
lightning speed was interrupted by Aronian's one-minute thought on the next
one.} 5. Bg5 {In principle, the most aggressive move, but it does not disclose
anything yet. According to both players' mood we could get the dynamic and
strategically complex Cambridge Springs Variation, the irrational Botvinnik or
anti Moscow Systems, but also the somewhat dull Exchange variation or (as out
of fashion as this might be) the Capablanca System.} h6 {With his move, Leko
passes to his opponent the responsability of choosing the character of the
game.} 6. Bxf6 {Aronian is not keen to check his opponent's preparation in the
ultra-sharp anti Moscow vVariation and settles for a positional battle with
some slight initiative for White.} Qxf6 7. Qb3 Nd7 8. e4 dxe4 9. Nxe4 Qf4 10.
Bd3 Be7 11. Bc2 $5 {If we exclude a game played in 1928, this is a novelty.
However, the bishop retreat is not really unusual for this line and play will
eventually transpose to previous games.} ({The curious thing is that Leko
thought for almost half an hour before answering, which makes me think that
against the usual} 11. O-O {he did not intend to get castled, but rather tried}
e5 $5 {There are only 11 games in the Mega Database 2011 + updates with this
line, but almost all of them are between strong and very-very strong players,
spread over a period of more than three quarters of a century!} ({One
important line is} 11... O-O 12. Rfe1 b6 13. Rad1 Bb7 {which reveals that
Aronian's Bd3-c2 is some sort of committment, since White usually plays here}
14. Bb1 {for instance} Rfe8 15. c5 {[%csl Gb7] A typical move, giving away the
d5-square but turning the b7-bishop into a passive piece. For practical
purposes, White will have an extra piece for his kingside attack.} Qc7 16. Qc2
$14 {A better square for the queen than d3, since it not only creates threats
along the attacking diagonal, but also defends the c5-pawn.} f5 $2 17. Ng3 $18
{Novikov,I (2601)-Bisguier,A (2365) Philadelphia 1999 (1-0, 28)}) 12. Rfe1 (12.
dxe5 {is too simplistic to be bothering.} Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Qxe5 14. f4 Qc7 15. Kh1
Bf5 {Sulava,N (2450)-Ortega,L (2475) San Marino 1998 (1-0, 31)}) 12... exd4 13.
Nxd4 ({Against the straightforward} 13. Bc2 O-O 14. Qd3 {Black reacted better
81 years ago than this same year!} g6 (14... f5 $6 {weakens the position too
much, causing Black problems with developing hios queenside.} 15. Ng3 Nc5 {
Navara,D (2705)-Ponomariov,R (2731) Czechia 2014 (1/2-1/2, 27)} 16. Qa3 Qc7 17.
Nxd4 Ne4 18. Qe3 Bg5 19. Qe2 Nxg3 20. hxg3 g6 21. Rad1 $32) 15. Qxd4 Rd8 $6 (
15... Nc5 $1 16. Rad1 Be6 $11) 16. Qc3 Nc5 17. Nxc5 (17. g3 $1 {[%cal Gc3f3]}
Qf5 18. Ne5 $36) 17... Bxc5 18. Re4 Qc7 19. Rae1 Bf5 20. Rh4 Qb6 $1 21. Rxh6
Bxf2+ 22. Kf1 Bd4 23. Nxd4 (23. Re8+ $1 Rxe8 24. Nxd4 $36 Re5 $8 25. Nxf5 Rae8
$8 26. Be4 $8 Qd8 27. Ng3 Qg5 28. Rh3 f6 $13 {[%csl Gf1]}) 23... Rxd4 $15 {
(1/2-1/2, 38) Van den Bosch,J-Landau,S Netherlands 1933}) (13. Ng3 Nc5 14. Qa3
{Timman,J (2620)-Gelfand,B (2700) Wijk aan Zee 1996 (1/2-1/2, 31)} Ne6 $5 {
this looks quite safe for Black.}) 13... O-O 14. Bc2 Nc5 $1 {This is the right
square for the knight, aiming to block the c4-pawn.} (14... Nf6 15. Rad1 g6 {
eventually worked out well for Black in the classical Euwe,M-Fine,R Holland
1938 (0-1, 44), but White could improve with, say, the thematic} 16. c5 $32)
15. Qc3 Rd8 (15... Nxe4 {looks like a concession, helping White activate his
pieces.} 16. Rxe4 Qf6 $6 17. c5 Qg5 $6 18. Rae1 Bf6 19. h4 $36 {Ivanisevic,I 
(2628)-Ragger,M (2540) Budva 2009 (1-0, 26)}) 16. Rad1 Bg4 17. f3 Bh5 {
Sargissian,G (2667)-Malakhov,V (2676) Copenhagen 2007 (1/2-1/2, 38)}) 11... O-O
({After White has cleared the third rank,} 11... e5 $2 {would run into} 12. g3
{winning the e5-pawn.}) 12. O-O Rd8 {Leko had another long thought on this
natural move - a quarter of an hour. He must have felt uncomfortable in a
position he possibly did not study at home. Otherwise it is not practical to
spend so much time on natural moves which could be played without thinking.} ({
The more natural move order is} 12... b6 13. Rfe1 Bb7 {leaving for later the
decision about how to develop rooks. However, in view of the thematic threat
Qd3, Black would most probably play ...Rfd8 anyway, clearing the f8-square for
the king's escape, or for the knight, to defend h7.} 14. Qd3 ({If after} 14.
Rad1 {Black avoids transposing to a variation below by playing, say,} Rad8 $6 {
then} 15. c5 Qc7 16. Qd3 {would be very strong.}) 14... Rfd8 (14... Qc7 15. Ng3
Nf6 16. Ne5 Rfd8 17. Nh5 $18 {Lilienthal,A-Shamkovich,L Baku 1951 (1-0, 19)})
15. Ng3 Nf8 16. Re5 g6 17. Qe2 {Kobylkin,E (2444)-Paramonov,D (2362) Alushta
2004 (1-0, 35) with a solid but somewhat passive position for Black.}) 13. Rad1
b6 14. Rfe1 Bb7 {White has completed his development harmoniously and can
safely claim to have stepped into the middlegame. Black still needs to open
the long diagonal for his b7-bishop and find some way of putting to work his
queen's rook. If he achieves that under favourable circumstances, his position
will be pleasant, due to his bishop pair. I assume that this is the kind of
position which made Steinitz state that the advance in development has a
volatile character. The first official World Champion would surely like
playing with Black, due to his lack of weaknesses and potentially strong
bishops. And indeed, it is not easy for White to strengthen his position in
the near future. His mobilisation is so good, his pieces are so well placed
that it almost looks as if he was... in zugzwang!} 15. h4 $5 {Fortunately,
White has pawn moves available, so he does not need to worsen the position of
any of his pieces. Which makes me think of a somewhat naive Steinitzian advice
to keep most of the pawns back, so as to have reserve tempi in the pawn
ending! With his move, Aronian seems to be admitting that he cannot prevent
the opening of the centre, but he uses the available time for putting pressure
on the kingside. In certain cases, h4-h5 combined with Qd3 would be killing.} (
15. Ng3 {was previusly played in two games between less strong players.} Qc7
16. Qd3 (16. Qe3 {Castillo Larenas,M-Maderna,C Buenos Aires 1935 (1-0, 32)})
16... Nf8 {Bauk,S (2269)-Pavlovic,D (2289) Podgorica 2007 (0-1, 36)}) ({
Actually, the standard} 15. c5 $5 {would be quite ok, here, too:} Qc7 (15...
Rab8 16. Qd3 $36) 16. Qd3 Kf8 17. b4 $14) 15... Qc7 {Leko spent 15 minutes on
this solid, but somewhat passive move. He was probably afraid that the queen
could get in danger on f4, and he was not completely wrong. The last move also
defends the bishop, preventing White's thematic c4-c5. As revealed by the next
comment, the dream of preparing his own ...c6-c5 when he wishes is not too
realistic.} ({If} 15... c5 16. d5 exd5 17. cxd5 Rac8 $5 {Threatening ...c5-c4,
which would prevent White from setting the dangerous battery along the b1-h7
diagonal and cause the White queen some problems of mobility.} 18. Qa3 $1 {
Attacking a7 and pinning Pc5.} (18. Bb1 $5 c4 19. Qc2 Nf8 {and Black would be
doing fine.}) 18... a6 19. Ng3 Bf6 20. Be4 {[%csl Gd6,Gf4][%cal Gd5d6]
Threatening to put the queen in lethal danger with d5-d6} Qb8 21. Bf5 $36) 16.
Qe3 $1 {Quite logical: White takes the offered space. Concretely, White
reinforces the positional threat c4-c5 and gets ready for the opening of the
e-file after the game continuation.} c5 {This offers White the initiative, but
it is hard to see how Black could improve his position before carrying out
this operation. Apart from the permanent threat c4-c5, White still has the
simple h4-h5 to strengthen his kingside pressure.} 17. d5 exd5 18. cxd5 {
Aronian spent on this natural move more than ten minutes. He must have
considered the knight retreats to g3 and c3, coming to the conclusion that it
is too early to define his intentions regarding the knight. White has an
active position, but needs to play with precision. If his initiative vanishes,
he could even get some problems, due to his (now strong) d5-pawn.} Nf8 $6 {
Played almost without thinking, this will lead to a passive position.} ({
Black would have had better chances to hold the position with} 18... Bd6 {
True, White's intrusion along the e-file looks threatening:} 19. Nxd6 Qxd6 20.
Qe7 Qxe7 21. Rxe7 {but after} Kf8 22. d6 Bxf3 23. gxf3 Nf6 {things would not
be entirely clear. Black threatens to simplify with ...Rd7, while after} 24.
Rc7 Ne8 25. Rc6 {he would have the strong defensive move} g6 $1 {Preparing ...
Rd7 without fearing Bf5 and clearing the g7-square for the knight.} 26. d7 Ng7
{With his king close to the main theatre of action, Black has good chances to
hold. The evaluation of Aronian's opening play greatly depends on the
evaluation of this variation and the possibility of finding anything more
constructive than 16...c5.}) 19. Ng3 {Gaining a tempo for the defence of the
d5-pawn and preparing for establishing the kingside domination with h4-h5 and
Nf5.} Bf6 20. Be4 $1 {The b2-pawn is not important, it is the central passed
pawn that counts.} Re8 ({Leko hesitated for 17 minutes before declining the
sacrifice. If} 20... Bxb2 21. Qb3 Bf6 22. d6 Qd7 23. Bf5 Qc6 24. Ne4 {White
has strong pressure.}) 21. d6 Qd7 22. Qd2 {Since the dark-squared bishop
cannot attack the passed pawn any more, the fight has become rather one-sided.
White can increase his pressure at no risk. By now, even Wilhelm Steinitz
would have to admit that, according to his own criteria, White has managed to
convert his advance in development and initiative into something more palpable,
more stable.} Ne6 23. Bxb7 Qxb7 24. Nf5 Red8 25. Re3 {Just one of the possible
ways of activating White's position.} ({Strategically,} 25. h5 {looks quite
appealing.}) 25... h5 {This natural move fails to consolidate the kingside.
The weakening of the g5-square will have more serious effects than it may seem
at first sight.} 26. Qe2 b5 (26... Nf4 {does not achieve much after} 27. Qc4
Ne6 28. Rde1) 27. Ng5 $1 {The start of the final attack.} Nf4 ({Black had no
favourable way of taking the pawn, for instance} 27... Nxg5 28. hxg5 Bxg5 29.
Qxh5 {(threatening Rh3)} Bxe3 30. Ne7+) 28. Qf1 c4 29. g3 Nd3 {The last hope.
Would the outpost on d3 be able to bring in some relief?} 30. Rdxd3 $1 {
Not really! Aronian played this exchange sacrifice (truly in the spirit of the
former World Champion Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian) after just one minute. The
knight was the only good thing in Black's position. After its disppearance,
Black will not be able to cope with the kingside threats and with the passed
pawn at the same time.} cxd3 31. Qxd3 Bxg5 {Black has to eliminate this knight.
} ({For instance,} 31... Rd7 32. Ne7+ {leads to mate.}) 32. hxg5 {Threatening
Qd4 or Qc3.} g6 33. Ne7+ Kh7 34. Rf3 $5 {A good practical decision, based on a
correct evaluation of the ensuing ending. As postulated by Steinitz, one form
of advantage can be transformed into some other form if the objective 
(abstract) evaluation does not change. From a killing attack to a won ending,
I have heard so many times that this is the most technical approach. There are
many other ways to win, though.} (34. Re6 $5 {is an elegant attacking move}) ({
but the most natural continuation would be} 34. Qd4 b4 35. Qf6 Rf8 36. Nf5 $1
gxf5 37. Re7 Qd5 38. Qh6+ Kg8 39. g6 {with inevitable mate.}) 34... Qxe7 35.
dxe7 Rxd3 36. Rxd3 Re8 37. Rd7 a5 38. Kg2 Kg7 39. Kh3 $1 {It is important to
activate the king before Black gets to attack the e7-pawn.} f5 {There is no
other way of freeing the king.} 40. gxf6+ Kxf6 41. Kh4 a4 ({Taking the pawn
would lead to a lost pawn ending:} 41... Rxe7 42. Rxe7 Kxe7 43. Kg5 Kf7 44. f4
Kg7 45. f5 gxf5 46. Kxf5 Kh6 47. Kf6 {wins.}) 42. a3 Kf7 43. f4 Kf6 44. Rb7 Ra8
45. Rb6+ $1 {An accurate way of simplifying to a technical ending.} Kxe7 46.
Rxg6 Rd8 47. Rg5 b4 48. Ra5 Rd2 49. Rxa4 bxa3 50. Rxa3 {With two extra pawns
White would have no problem winning.} 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.10"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Negi, Parimarjan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Nbd2 Bc5 12. h3 Bb7 13. c3 Qd6 14. Nc4 Qxd1 15.
Bxd1 Rad8 16. Bc2 Nd7 17. a5 f6 18. Ne3 Ne7 19. Bd2 bxc3 20. Bxc3 Nb8 21. Bb3+
Kh8 22. Rac1 Nbc6 23. Nd5 Bd6 24. Red1 Rb8 25. Nd2 Na7 26. Nxe7 Bxe7 27. Bc4
Nb5 28. Bxb5 axb5 29. b4 Rfd8 30. f3 c5 31. Nb3 c4 32. Na1 Kg8 33. Nc2 Kf7
1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.11"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanisevic, Ivan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2613"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Serbia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "SRB"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 O-O 6. Bd3 d6 7. h3 e6 8. Nf3 Nbd7
9. O-O e5 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bd2 Nh7 12. Qc1 f5 13. Bxh6 f4 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Be2
Ndf6 16. a3 Bd7 17. Rd1 g5 18. g4 Rh8 19. Rd3 Nf8 20. Qf1 Ng6 21. Nxg5 Nh7 22.
Nxh7 Rxh7 23. Qg2 Qg5 24. f3 Rah8 25. Bf1 Rh6 26. Rc1 R8h7 27. Rc2 Qd8 28. Qh2
Nh8 29. Qh1 Nf7 30. Rh2 Ng5 31. Rdd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.12"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E36"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Vietnam"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "VIE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. Nf3 dxc4 8.
Qxc4 b6 9. Bg5 Ba6 10. Qc3 h6 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. g3 Nd7 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. dxe5
Qe7 15. Bg2 Rab8 16. Bc6 Qc5 17. Rc1 Rfd8 18. b4 Qd4 19. f4 Kf8 20. h4 Bb7 21.
Qxd4 Rxd4 22. Kf2 h5 23. Ke3 Rdd8 24. Rc3 Bxc6 25. Rxc6 Rb7 26. Rhc1 Rd7 27.
Kf3 a6 28. g4 hxg4+ 29. Kxg4 Ra7 30. h5 a5 31. b5 a4 32. e4 Ra5 33. Rxc7 Rxc7
34. Rxc7 Rxb5 35. Ra7 Rb1 36. Rxa4 Rg1+ 37. Kf3 Rh1 38. Ra6 Rxh5 39. Kg4 g6 40.
Rxb6 Rh1 41. a4 Ra1 42. Ra6 Kg7 43. Ra7 Re1 44. Kf3 g5 45. f5 exf5 46. exf5
Rxe5 47. Kg4 Kf6 48. Ra6+ Kg7 49. Kxg5 f6+ 50. Kf4 Rc5 51. Kg4 Rd5 52. a5 Rb5
53. Ra8 Kh6 54. a6 Ra5 55. a7 Kg7 56. Kf4 Ra1 57. Ke4 Re1+ 58. Kd5 Rd1+ 59. Ke6
1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.14"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Czech Republic"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CZE"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. e3 Bf5 7. Qb3 $5 ({
Deviating from the clasical move order} 7. Nf3 e6) 7... Na5 {By far the most
popular way of dealig with the early pressure against b7.} (7... Qb6) 8. Qa4+
Bd7 9. Qc2 {This is just the start of a curious mechanism of moving the pieces
forth and back all over the board. Optically, this is somewhat confusing, but
judged individually all the moves make sense.} e6 {White has managed to force
his opponent into retreating with his bishop behind the pawn wall, but this
has caused some delay with the kingside development. It should be mentioned
that the whole variation is highly transpositional.} ({For instance, another
possible move order transposing elsewhere below is} 9... Rc8 10. Bd3 e6 11. Nf3
Be7 {with two recent games which were annotated for CBM:} 12. h3 (12. O-O {
1/2-1/2 (69) Tuvshintugs,B (2340)-Girya,O (2450) Khanty-Mansiysk 2014 CBM 160 
[ChessBase Website]}) 12... O-O 13. O-O {1-0 (135) Svidler,P (2746)-Le Quang,L
(2702) Tromso 2013 CBM 156 [Sumets,A]}) 10. Nf3 ({Playing with black, Aronian
had faced} 10. Bd3 Rc8 11. Nf3 Bb4 {Deviating from the games above.} 12. O-O
Nc4 13. Bxc4 Rxc4 (13... dxc4 14. Bg5 O-O 15. Ne5 {would leave White with
space advantage in the centre.}) 14. Ne5 Rc8 15. Qb3 Qa5 (15... Bxc3 16. bxc3
Ne4 17. Qxb7 f6 18. Nxd7 Qxd7 $132) 16. Nxd7 Nxd7 17. a3 Bxc3 18. Qxb7 O-O 19.
bxc3 Nb6 20. Bc7 {and Black did not equalise in Kramnik,V (2780)-Aronian,L 
(2783) Shanghai 2010 (1-0, 45)}) 10... Be7 ({Both sides seem to be avoiding
the line from the comment to the 9th move. Black could have more or less
transposed to it with} 10... Rc8 {when there seems to be nothing better than}
11. Bd3) 11. Bd3 Nc6 {The knight returns to its usual location, controlling e5
and winning a tempo by threatening ...Nb4 on the way.} 12. a3 ({The
alternative way to parry the double attack ...Nb4 is} 12. Qe2 Nh5 13. Be5 f6
14. Bg3 f5 15. Bb5 O-O 16. Bxc6 Bxc6 17. Ne5 Be8 18. Rc1 Rc8 19. O-O Bd6 20.
Rc2 Qc7 21. Nd3 Nxg3 22. hxg3 {Black does not have any problems, Vachier
Lagrave,M (2766)-Motylev,A (2698) Biel 2014 (1/2-1/2, 40)}) 12... Nh5 {A new
minor piece dialogue starts on the opposite wing. The f4-bishop is too strong
to be tolerated.} 13. Be5 f6 {The only reasonable answer, although it weakens
the light squares.} ({If} 13... Nxe5 14. Nxe5 ({Actually, the standard
reaction is} 14. dxe5 {, leaving the h5-knight out of play, but for concrete
reasons the main move is even stronger.}) 14... Nf6 15. Nxd7 $1 {White gives
up his active knight for the passive bishop light-heartedly, since Black has
no satisfactory way of re-capturing.} Nxd7 {Other moves wouldexpose either the
queen or the king to Bb5.} 16. Bxh7 g6 ({Or if} 16... Qc7 {as played in
Ju-Sebag, Beijing 2013, the simplest would be} 17. g3 {defending the h2-pawn
before retreating with the bishop.}) 17. Bxg6 fxg6 18. Qxg6+ Kf8 19. Qxe6 {
With a whole bunch of pawns for the piece.}) 14. Bf4 $5 $146 {A new move,
deviating from a recent game played by Navara.} ({After} 14. Bg3 f5 15. Be5 O-O
16. h3 Nf6 17. g4 Ne4 {Black seems to have enough counterplay.} 18. gxf5 Rxf5
19. Bxe4 (19. Nxe4 Rxf3 $17 {Brunello,S (2580)-Eljanov,P (2702) Legnica 2013 
(0-1, 29)}) 19... dxe4 20. Qxe4 Qb6 $13 {Sokolov,I (2650)-Navara,D (2708)
Saint Quentin 2014 (1/2-1/2, 35). With his move, Aronian kindly invites his
opponent to take on f4, thus opening the e-file and turning e6 into a real
weakness. We can also understand why he kept his queen on c2 on move 12, to
put pressure along the b1-h7 diagonal.}) 14... Rc8 {Navara took his time (13
minutes) before answering.} ({His first impulse might have been the same as
mine when playing over the game: what would happen if Black plays the same way
as in the aforementioned game:} 14... f5 {The difference is that White could
fight for the e5-square with} 15. Bb5 {. With the bishop on g3, Black could
have reduced White's influence on dark squares with ...Nxg3, while an exchange
on f4 would only increase it.}) 15. h3 {The threat of retreating with the
bishop practically forces Black's next move.} Nxf4 16. exf4 Qb6 17. Rd1 {
The weakness of the e6-pawn is still latent, but Black needs to find the best
way of defending h7.} f5 {This looks the most solid, but it weakens the
e5-square chronically.} ({The main alternative was} 17... g6 {David might have
disliked} 18. h4 {when, quite probably, Black could not have been able to
refrain from ...f6-f5 in the long run anyway.}) 18. Bb5 {Immediately starting
the fight for the weakened square.} Bd6 19. g3 Na5 $6 {A risky decision. Black
gives up the right to castle for the sake of exchanging his bad bishop and
keeping the knight as an important defender of the e5-square.} ({Any neutral
move such as} 19... O-O {would have been safer, although White would have a
pleasant position.}) 20. Bxd7+ Kxd7 21. O-O Rhe8 22. Rd3 $5 {An interesting
multi-purpose move. White prepares doubling (or even tripling) his major
pieces, without revealing whether this would happen on the e-file or on the
c-file.} Nc4 {Preventing Re3, just in case this was White's true intention.
But now Aronian switches to plan B.} 23. Na4 Qc6 24. Rc3 b5 $2 {The losing
move, played after only three minutes. Navara obviously wanted to consolidate
his active knight, but the weakness of the c5-square will be a perfect (for
White!) complement to that of the e5-square.} ({True, the attempt to get
castled artificially with} 24... Ke7 25. Re1 Kf8 {would fail to} 26. Ng5 {
, attacking two pawns.}) ({But it would have made sense to restrict the
a4-knight with} 24... b6 {since} 25. b3 $6 {would run into} Nxa3 {White could
have prepared b2-b3 with 25.Ra1, but then 25...Qb7 might have made Black's
position survivable.}) 25. Nc5+ $1 {The bishop cannot keep both enemy knights
under control.} Bxc5 26. Rxc4 $1 {Just two moves earlier, the e5-square was
rather well defended, but not any more.} bxc4 27. Ne5+ 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.08.27"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D19"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "Finegold,B"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 {A main line Slav.} 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 (
6. Ne5 {is also topical.}) 6... e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. O-O Nbd7 9. Qe2 O-O 10. e4
Bg6 11. Bd3 Bh5 12. e5 Nd5 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. Qe3 Re8 15. Bd2 {15.Ng5 and 15.
Ne1 are more common. However, Aronian knows 15.Bd2 well, since he faced it as
black against Kramnik!} Qa5 {Levon played 15...Be7 against Kramnik in 2010 and
drew. Hikaru has other ideas.} 16. Qe1 {Diagram # A novelty. White always
played 16.Bxb4 before this game. Levon seems intent on trading queens
throughout the game, but Hikaru was not interested.} Bxd2 17. Qxd2 Qd8 18. Ng5
Bg6 19. Bxg6 fxg6 {Diagram # This may look odd, but it is quite typical in
Slav positions to capture this way, so as to avoid mating attacks down the "h"
file.} 20. f4 Rc8 21. Rac1 Qb6 {As Alejandro pointed out in the Live
commentary, the black Queen is perfectly placed on b6. It puts pressure on d4
and b2 and defends the e6 pawn.} 22. a5 Qa6 23. Qb4 h6 24. Nf3 b6 {This
surprised me during the game, but it seems quite good.} 25. Qd6 Nf8 26. axb6
axb6 27. Qb4 Qd3 {It is difficult for either side to win, or even to try to
win any material. A draw is likely.} 28. Qd2 Qb3 {Once again, Hikaru wants the
queens on the board.} 29. Rfe1 Rxc1 30. Rxc1 Ra8 {Hikaru offers a draw, which
was declined.} 31. h4 Ra2 32. Rc2 Ra1+ 33. Kh2 Rb1 34. Kg3 Kh7 35. Rc8 $6 {
Now the game will end in a repetition. The last chance to try to keep playing
was 35.Qc3.} Rxb2 36. Qc1 Qa2 37. Qh1 (37. Rxf8 $4 Rxg2+ 38. Kh3 Qf2 {and
black wins.}) 37... Qa3 (37... Nd7 $4 38. Ng5+ hxg5 39. hxg5#) 38. Qc1 Qa2 39.
Qh1 Qa3 40. Qc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.08.28"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 {The Chebanenko Slav has a reputation
of being a solid and dependable defense against 1.d4.} 5. e3 b5 6. c5 g6 7. Bd2
{A new approach, but one that makes sense. White tries to develop the
queenside and pressure with the pawns before finishing development on the
kingside.} Bg7 8. b4 a5 $5 {Topalov adds his own dynamic twist to the opening.
Black plays aggressively, vying for the advantage himself.} (8... Bg4 9. h3
Bxf3 10. gxf3 Nbd7 11. f4 {is an old game that Aronian lost against Bu
Xiangzhi in 2004; the Armenian player has improved quite a bit since then,
though!}) 9. bxa5 Ne4 10. Nxe4 dxe4 11. Ng5 {It is unclear if Aronian saw the
exchange sacrifice from here.} (11. Ne5 Bxe5 12. dxe5 Na6 {is unclear.}) 11...
Qd5 12. f4 (12. h4 e5 {cannot be to anyone's liking.}) 12... h6 13. Nh3 Bxh3
14. gxh3 Bxd4 {This is the point of Black's play.} 15. exd4 e3 16. Bxe3 {
Virtually forced, but White took his sweet time thinking about going into this
line.} (16. Rg1 Qxd4 {is completely lost for White as the bishop on d2 is
trapped.}) 16... Qxh1 17. Qd2 {White is down an exchange, but he has a few
things to show for it. For one the pair of bishops is quite strong, for
another Black's king will not easily find a haven. That being said, White's
pawn structure is so bad that if Topalov can reach any endgame it must be
nearly winning for him. The issue is if he can reach it.} Na6 18. O-O-O Qd5 19.
Bg2 Qc4+ 20. Kb1 Qe6 $2 {Aronian remarked that Topalov is a very passionate
player, a passion that fuels his attacks. However in the defensive side it
seems that Topalov is not so strong. A half-joke in the commentary room was
that Topalov was amazing down the exchange for compensation, but vice versa
was not so good.} (20... Qb4+ 21. Ka1 Kd7 $1 {Is still anyone's game.}) 21. d5
{Simple. The pawn crashes through and Black has trouble resisting the advances.
} Qf5+ 22. Kb2 O-O-O $2 {A move only Topalov can play.} (22... O-O 23. dxc6 Nc7
{and it is not so easy to make progress for White; mainly due to his terrible
pawn structure and his somewhat exposed king.}) 23. d6 exd6 $2 {Black is
basically lost after this move, but already the situation was not easy.} 24.
cxd6 Qf6+ 25. Kb1 Qf5+ 26. Kc1 Qf6 27. d7+ $1 {Of course. Now Bd4 will be
playable and devastating.} Kb7 28. Bd4 Qe6 29. Bxh8 {It's hard to say exactly
how Topalov went down in flames so quickly, but he will definitely need to
step up his game to catch up in the tournament.} (29. Bxh8 Rxh8 30. d8=Q Rxd8
31. Qxd8 Qc4+ 32. Kd2 Qxf4+ 33. Ke2 {and Black runs out of checks sooner
rather than later.}) 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.08.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. d4 c6 5. O-O Nf6 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. c4 Be6 {
A rarely seen line.} 8. b3 (8. cxd5 cxd5 9. Nb3 b6 10. Bf4 Nc6 11. Rc1 Rc8 12.
Ne5 Qe8 $11 {0-1 (55) Sivanandan,B (2452)-Sandipan,C (2522) Visakhapatnam 2006}
) 8... Ne4 ({Perhaps} 8... c5 {is more to the point:} 9. Bb2 Nc6 10. dxc5 dxc4
11. Nxc4 (11. Ng5 Bd5) 11... Bxc4 12. bxc4 Qa5 $5 {looks almost equal} (12...
Ne4 13. Bxg7 Qxd1 14. Rfxd1 Kxg7 15. Ne5 $5 (15. Ne1 Nxc5 16. Bxc6 bxc6 $11 {
1/2 (20) Osnos,V-Shamkovich,L Leningrad 1967}) 15... Nxe5 16. Bxe4 $14)) 9. Bb2
{This position often arises from other move orders (...Nf6-e4 and then ...
Bc8-e6).} (9. Nxe4 $5 dxe4 10. Ng5 Bxd4 (10... Bc8 11. Be3 c5 12. d5 Bxa1 13.
Qxa1 $44 {1-0 (29) McNab,C (2463)-Poobalasingam,P (2326) Coulsdon 2010}) (10...
Bg4 11. Be3 c5 12. d5 Bxa1 13. Qxa1 $44 {1-0 (23) Le Roux,J (2486)-Kovchan,A 
(2527) France 2007}) 11. Nxe6 fxe6 12. Bh6 Bg7 (12... Bxa1 13. Qxa1 Rf6 14. Rd1
$36) 13. Bxg7 Qxd1 14. Rfxd1 Kxg7 15. Rd4 $14 {1-0 (87) Gomes,M (2316)-Mikadze,
M (2258) Gaziantep 2008}) 9... Nxd2 {Not the best option.} (9... Qa5 $5 10. Qc1
Nxd2 11. Nxd2 Rd8 12. Rd1 Nd7 13. e3 Rac8 14. Bc3 Qa6 (14... Qc7 $142) 15. Bf1
$14 {1-0 (73) Sasikiran,K (2689)-Melkumyan,H (2619) Bastia 2011}) (9... f5 $5 {
leads to a position often arising from the Dutch Defence (Leningrad Variation),
quite playable for Black.}) 10. Qxd2 $1 {[%mdl 512] White sacrifices a pawn
but obtains the bishop pair in quite an open position.} dxc4 11. Ng5 cxb3 12.
Nxe6 fxe6 13. Qe3 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (13. axb3 Qb6 (13... Qd7 14. Rfc1 e5 15.
d5 e6 {1/2 (22) Doda,Z-Trifunovic,P Halle 1963} 16. d6 $1 $36 Rd8 $140 17. Rd1)
14. Qe3 e5 15. d5 Qxe3 16. fxe3 Rxf1+ 17. Rxf1 a5 18. dxc6 Nxc6 19. Bd5+ Kh8
20. Rc1 Bf6 {1/2 (20) Liebert,H (2365)-Niedermaier,H (2250) Germany 1997})
13... bxa2 (13... Qd6 14. Qxb3 Na6 15. Ba3 Qd7 16. Rad1 $36) 14. Qxe6+ Kh8 15.
Qxa2 {Despite Black's extra pawn, White's bishop pair and mobile central pawns
guarantee him the upper hand.} Rf5 $6 (15... Nd7 16. d5 $1) 16. Rfb1 (16. d5 $1
{was very strong here, too:} cxd5 17. g4 (17. Bxg7+ $143 Kxg7 18. Qb2+ Rf6 19.
Qxb7 Nc6) 17... Rg5 $2 18. Bxg7+ Kxg7 19. Qb2+ $18) 16... Qb6 $6 (16... Nd7 $1
17. d5 cxd5 18. Bxd5 Nc5 {, tenaciously defending.}) 17. e4 Rf8 (17... Rb5 18.
Bf1 Rb4 19. Ba3 Rxb1 20. Rxb1 Qc7 21. Qf7 $18) 18. Bc3 Qc7 19. Qb2 b6 20. d5
Bxc3 21. Qxc3+ Kg8 22. e5 {[%csl Gd5,Ge5]} a5 23. dxc6 {White has recaptured
the sacrificed pawn while keeping a huge positional advantage. The rest is
clear.} Na6 24. Qb3+ Kh8 25. Qxb6 Qxb6 26. Rxb6 Nc7 27. Rb7 Rfc8 28. Ra4 Ra6
29. h4 Kg8 30. Rd4 a4 31. Rd7 a3 32. Rbxc7 Rxc7 33. Bd5+ Kf8 34. Rxc7 a2 35.
Rc8+ Kg7 36. Rg8+ (36. Rg8+ Kh6 37. Bxa2 Rxa2 38. c7) 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.08.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Havasi,G"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Nc3
d6 9. a3 {Caruana chose this line mainly because of the fact that Aronian
plays the Marshall.} Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. Bxe6 ({In Wijk aan Zee, Dominguez
Perez played} 11. Bg5 {against Aronian, but after} c5 12. b4 Nc6 13. Nd5 Bxd5
14. exd5 Nd4 15. bxc5 Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 dxc5 17. Rfe1 Nd7 18. Bd2 Bd6 19. a4 f5
$13 {Black got enough play in the game Dominguez Perez-Aronian, Wijk aan Zee
2014.}) 11... fxe6 12. b4 Nc6 13. Bd2 d5 (13... Nd4 14. Nxd4 exd4 15. Ne2 c5
16. h3 Qd7 17. Qb1 e5 18. bxc5 dxc5 19. a4 Qc6 20. Ng3 c4 21. Nf5 Bc5 22. axb5
$142 (22. f4 $6 Nxe4 23. dxe4 Qxe4 24. Ng3 Qxc2 25. Ne4 d3+ 26. Kh1 Bd4 $15 {
Topalov-Kasimdzhanov, Thessaloniki 2013}) 22... axb5 $13) 14. Re1 Qd6 15. Na2
$146 {A very interesting novelty by Caruana. The N was a bit out of play on c3,
so he decides to put in on b3 after Nc1.} (15. h3 Nd7 16. Ne2 {was unclear in
the game Dominguez Perez-Karjakin, Beijiing 2013.}) 15... Nd7 ({After} 15... a5
{White gets a promising position after some forced moves:} 16. Nc3 $1 Rfb8 (
16... axb4 17. Nxb5 Qd7 18. axb4 Nxb4 19. Rxa8 Rxa8 20. Nc3 dxe4 21. Nxe4 $14)
17. exd5 exd5 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. Bf4 Qd7 20. Bxe5 axb4 21. axb4 Ng4 22. Rb1 Nxe5
23. Rxe5 c6 24. Re1 $14) (15... Rad8 16. Qe2 dxe4 17. dxe4 {- 15...dxe4}) (
15... dxe4 16. dxe4 Nd4 (16... Rad8 17. Qe2 $14) 17. Nxd4 Qxd4 18. Bc3 Qd6 19.
h3 Rf7 20. Qe2 $14) (15... d4 16. Qe2 Nh5 $5 {is a more active possibility} (
16... a5 17. bxa5 (17. Reb1 a4) 17... Nxa5 18. Reb1 Nc6 19. Nb4 Nd7 20. c3 Nxb4
21. axb4 $14) (16... Nd7 {- 15...Nd7}) 17. Reb1 Nf4 18. Qd1 Rf6 19. Nc1 Raf8
20. Bxf4 Rxf4 21. Nb3 Qd8 $1 $13 {followed by Qe8.}) 16. Qe2 d4 (16... Bf6 {
would be interesting, keeping the pressure in the centre. After a sample line}
17. h3 Rfb8 18. Rab1 a5 19. bxa5 Nxa5 20. a4 bxa4 21. Rxb8+ Nxb8 22. exd5 exd5
23. Nxe5 Nbc6 $11 {Black equalises.}) 17. Reb1 $1 {White prepares against ...
a5.} (17. Nc1 {allows} a5 $1) 17... Nb6 (17... a5 18. bxa5 Nxa5 19. Rxb5 Qxa3
20. Qd1 Nc6 21. Rbb1 Qc5 22. Nc1 Rxa1 23. Rxa1 h6 24. Nb3 $14 {The queenside
is hopelessly weakened and White will play Ba5 and Nfd2-c4.}) (17... Rfb8 {
threatens to play a5, so White has to defend it with} 18. Qe1 $1 {/\ Nc1-b3})
18. Nc1 $1 Na4 19. Nb3 Rf7 20. Rc1 $1 {Having improved the N, White wants to
start some active operations. So he plays Rc1, because he wants to play Ng5;
but it doesn't work immediately, because of Bxg5 and Nc3.} Rd8 {Black is
operating against c3.} (20... Raf8 $5 21. c4 dxc3 22. Bxc3 Rxf3 $1 23. gxf3 Bg5
24. Rc2 Bf4 25. Bd2 Nd4 26. Nxd4 exd4 $44 {gives Black sufficient compensation.
}) 21. Ng5 Rf6 $6 (21... Bxg5 $1 {was better, because Rf6 allows Qh5! This
move gives up the B, because it seems less valuable than the N.} 22. Bxg5 Rdf8
23. Rf1 Nc3 {with reasonable counterchances.}) 22. Qh5 $1 h6 $6 {After this
move White's position is better, because the kingside Ps are weak.} (22... Rh6
$142 {was the best move in order to avoid weakening the kingside.}) 23. Nf3
Rdf8 24. Rf1 {White starts regrouping his pieces.} R8f7 25. Rae1 Bf8 $6 {
After this move, the Rs will be vulnerable, after h3 followed Nh2-g4.} (25...
Rf8 $142 $14) 26. h3 $1 (26. h4 {was also possible with the idea of Qg4, h5
and Nh4-g6.}) 26... g6 27. Qh4 Qe7 28. Qg3 Bg7 (28... Rxf3 29. gxf3 Qf6 30. Rc1
Kh7 31. c3 $16) 29. Na5 $1 {The most exact! There were other moves like Nh2 or
h4, but this immediately starts destroying Black's position.} Nxa5 (29... Rxf3
30. Nxc6 Qd6 31. gxf3 Qxc6 32. Rc1 $16) 30. Nxe5 $1 (30. bxa5 Rxf3 $1 31. gxf3
Kh7 32. Kh2 Rf6 33. Rg1 Qf7 {would lead to unnecessary complications.}) 30...
Nb7 31. Nxg6 $1 (31. Nxf7 $6 Qxf7 $13 {would be inaccurate.}) 31... Qd8 32. e5
Rf5 33. f4 $1 c5 34. Nh4 Rh5 35. Nf3 Kh7 $2 (35... Re7 {was better, but it is
also much better for White after} 36. bxc5 Nbxc5 37. Qg6 Qe8 38. Qxe8+ Rxe8 39.
Nxd4 $16) 36. Qg4 $1 $18 Rhf5 37. Nh4 Kh8 38. Nxf5 Rxf5 39. Qg6 Qe7 40. g4 Rf8
41. f5 Qe8 42. Qxe8 Rxe8 43. f6 Bf8 44. f7 Re7 45. Rf6 Nb6 46. Bxh6 Nd7 47.
Ref1 cxb4 48. axb4 Bxh6 49. Rxh6+ Kg7 50. Rh5 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.08.31"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A50"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2877"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b6 3. g3 Bb7 4. c4 g6 {As usual, Magnus Carlsen doesn't mind
deviating from the main paths.} 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 {The latest
attempt to fight for the opening advantage. White is delaying a development of
the Nb1 in order to take control of the key e4-square.} ({Black's position
looks quite solid after} 7. d5 Ne4 (7... Na6 8. Nc3 Nc5 9. Nd4 (9. Be3 $5) 9...
e5 10. Nb3 d6 11. e4 Nfd7 12. Be3 a5 13. Nd2 f5 $132 {1-0 Giri,A (2734)
-Grischuk,A (2783)/Beijing CHN 2013 (43)}) 8. Qc2 f5 9. Nbd2 Nd6 10. e4 Na6 11.
exf5 Nxf5 12. Ne4 c6 $132 {1/2-1/2 Sargissian,G (2686)-Anton Guijarro,D (2631)/
Dubai UAE 2014 (82)}) ({Or} 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Nxe4 Bxe4 9. Be3 c5 10. Qd2 d6 11.
Bh6 Nd7 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. Rfd1 Nf6 $11 {1-0 Istratescu,A (2651)-Edouard,R 
(2680)/Nancy FRA 2013 (56)}) 7... e6 8. Nc3 {Exchanging one pair of knights
would definitely suit Black.} ({After} 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 10. Nc3 d6 $11 {
White seizes a lot of space, but Black's position remains flexible, while the
dark-squared bishop is becoming very strong.}) ({At the same time,} 8. Bf4 $5
d6 9. Qc2 {may be a possible improvement.}) 8... Ne4 9. Nxe4 (9. Bd2 {seems
quite comfortable for Black:} d6 10. Rc1 Nd7 11. d5 Nxc3 (11... Nxd2 $5 12.
Nxd2 Qe7 $11) 12. Bxc3 Bxc3 13. Rxc3 e5 14. Qd2 Kg7 15. e4 a5 16. h4 Nc5 $11 {
1-0 Svidler,P (2753)-Ipatov,A (2613)/Dubai UAE 2014 (41)}) 9... Bxe4 10. Bg5
Qe8 $1 $146 {Magnus comes up with an important novelty in a rare theoretical
position.} ({In the previous game Black had failed to solve all the problems
after bringing the queen to b7:} 10... Qc8 11. Qd2 d6 12. Bh6 Qb7 13. Bxg7 Kxg7
14. Rad1 (14. Bh3 $5 Bxf3 15. exf3 c5 16. f4 $14) 14... Nd7 15. d5 Bxf3 16.
exf3 e5 17. f4 $14 {0-1 Efimenko,Z (2648)-Maletin,P (2588)/Dubai UAE 2014 (56)}
) 11. Qd2 d6 {It looks like Black has no problems now.} 12. Bh6 ({Nor does} 12.
Qe3 {promise anything special:} Bb7 13. Bh6 (13. Qd3 e5 14. e4 Nd7 $11) 13...
Nd7 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Qd3 Rd8 16. e4 e5 17. Rad1 Qe7 $11) 12... Nd7 13. Rac1 (
13. Qf4 f5 14. Qh4 Nf6 15. Ng5 Bxh6 16. Qxh6 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Qe7 $11) 13... Qe7
14. Bxg7 Kxg7 $11 {Magnus has comfortably equalised.} 15. Bh3 {An ambitious
attempt to avoid the further simplifications.} (15. Ng5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 e5 17.
Ne4 Nf6 18. Nc3 c6 $11) 15... Nf6 (15... c5 16. Red1 Rad8 17. dxc5 dxc5 18.
Qc3+ Qf6 $11) 16. Nh4 {The knight has nothing much it can achieve there, but
Levon just wanted to seize space in the centre as soon as it was possible.} (
16. Qc3 c5 17. Nd2 Bb7 18. e4 cxd4 19. Qxd4 Qc7 $11) 16... Bb7 17. f3 (17. Bg2
Bxg2 18. Nxg2 $11) 17... c5 18. e4 cxd4 19. Qxd4 Rfd8 {White's space advantage
is just symbolic here, since there are not many minor pieces on the board.} 20.
Ng2 Qc7 21. Ne3 Qc5 22. Qc3 {I guess, Levon was quite ambitious at this moment.
} (22. Red1 h5 23. Rd3 Rd7 24. Rcd1 Rad8 $11) 22... a5 23. Red1 h5 {A useful
prophylactic move.} 24. Rd3 b5 $1 {Just in time! Magnus doesn't hesitate and
avoids a passive position.} ({After} 24... Rd7 25. Rcd1 Rad8 26. Bg2 $14 {
Black would be forced to sit and wait, while White may try to make progress on
both sides of the board.}) 25. b3 $6 {A strange decision.} ({There was no
reason to deviate from} 25. cxb5 Qxb5 26. Qd2 Ba6 27. Bf1 (27. Rb3 $5) 27...
Qb4 28. Rd4 Qxd2 29. Rxd2 Bxf1 30. Kxf1 {and White's position is even slightly
better, although Black should be able to equalise.}) 25... bxc4 26. bxc4 {
The position is still more or less equal, but White may face some problems in
the long run - the pawns on c4 and a2 are quite vulnerable, while the Pd6 is
not under any pressure.} ({I would prefer} 26. Qxc4 Qa3 27. Rdc3 d5 (27... Rac8
28. Qd4 Rxc3 29. Rxc3 $11 Qxa2 $140 $2 30. Bxe6 $16) 28. Qc7 Rd7 29. Qe5 dxe4
30. fxe4 {and White has enough counterplay to achieve a draw:} Bxe4 31. Rf1 Qe7
32. Rf4 Bf5 33. Bxf5 exf5 34. Rxf5 $11) 26... Bc6 27. Rcd1 Rd7 28. Bg2 Rb8 29.
Qd4 {A correct decision - the queen exerts unpleasant pressure along the a7-g1
diagonal.} Qe5 $5 {Magnus is trying to complicate the matters.} ({Deviating
from the simple endgame which arises after} 29... e5 30. Qxc5 dxc5 31. Rd6 Ba4
32. R1d2 Rxd6 33. Rxd6 Rb1+ 34. Bf1 $11) 30. f4 $6 {This impatient advance
leads to some troubles.} ({It was necessary to swap one pair of rooks in order
to equalise:} 30. Rb3 $1 Rxb3 31. axb3 Rb7 32. Nc2 Be8 (32... Rxb3 $2 33. f4 $1
Qxd4+ 34. Nxd4 Rb6 35. Nxc6 Rxc6 36. e5 $16) 33. Qxe5 dxe5 34. Ra1 Rxb3 35.
Rxa5 Rc3 36. Ne1 $11) 30... Qxd4 31. Rxd4 Rc7 {Now Black has a small but
stable advantage, since White has a couple of weaknesses.} (31... e5 32. Rxd6 (
32. fxe5 dxe5 33. Rxd7 Bxd7 $15) 32... Rxd6 33. Rxd6 exf4 34. gxf4 Bxe4 35. Rd2
a4 $15) 32. R1d2 Ne8 $1 {As usual, Magnus is playing precisely in such
positions.} ({Black didn't get anything special in the event of} 32... e5 33.
Rxd6 exf4 34. gxf4 Nxe4 35. Bxe4 (35. Rxc6 $2 Rxc6 36. Bxe4 Re6 $19 {[%csl Re3,
Re4]}) 35... Bxe4 36. Kf2 $11) 33. Kf2 (33. e5 {didn't solve all the problems
either:} dxe5 34. fxe5 Bxg2 35. Kxg2 Rc5 36. Re4 Nc7 $15) 33... Kf8 34. c5 {
As is his style, Levon is searching for active play at the cost of material.} (
34. R4d3 Rb4 35. Rb3 $15) 34... dxc5 35. Rc4 (35. R4d3 $5 Nf6 36. e5 Ne4+ 37.
Bxe4 Bxe4 38. Rc3 $15) 35... Bb5 $6 ({The only way to fix the advantage was} 
35... Rd7 $1 {exchanging Levon's most active piece} 36. Rxd7 (36. Rdc2 Nd6 37.
Rxc5 Bxe4 $17) 36... Rb2+ 37. Rc2 $1 (37. Ke1 Bxd7 38. a4 Ra2 $17) 37... Rxc2+
38. Nxc2 Bxd7 39. e5 $15 {Still, White has excellent drawing chances here.})
36. Rc3 (36. Rb2 $5 Rbb7 (36... Bxc4 37. Rxb8 Bd3 (37... Bxa2 $4 38. Rb2 $18)
38. Ke1 Ke7 39. e5 $44) 37. Rc3 Bc6 38. Rxb7 Bxb7 39. e5 Bxg2 40. Kxg2 Ng7 41.
Kf3 $11) 36... c4 37. e5 $6 {This natural move is inaccurate.} ({Equality was
reachable:} 37. Rb2 $142 Rcc8 38. e5 Ng7 39. Be4 Nf5 40. Nxc4 Bxc4 41. Rxb8
Rxb8 42. Rxc4 $11) 37... Rc5 $1 38. Nc2 $6 {After this move White's position
could become very difficult.} (38. Bf1 $142 f6 $1 39. Nxc4 fxe5 40. fxe5 Bxc4
41. Rxc4 Rxe5 $15) 38... Nc7 39. Nd4 Nd5 $6 {There was no reason to hurry with
clarifying the character of the position.} ({A much stronger move was} 39...
Ba6 $1 40. Ke3 Rb1 41. Be4 Nd5+ 42. Bxd5 Rxd5 $17) 40. Bxd5 Rxd5 41. Nf3 $1 {
After exchanging one pair of rooks White gets sufficient compensation for a
pawn, since the knight is more useful than the bishop here.} Rc5 (41... Ba6 42.
Rxd5 exd5 43. Ra3 Rb1 44. Ke3 $44) 42. Rb2 Rd8 (42... Rcc8 43. Nd2 Ba6 44. Rbc2
Rc5 45. Ke3 Rb4 46. Ne4 $44) 43. Nd2 Bc6 44. Nb3 $6 {Tired after some tough
defence, Levon commits another serious mistake.} ({After} 44. Ke3 Bd5 45. Rbc2
Rdc8 46. h4 {Black couldn't make any progress.}) 44... Rb8 $1 {That's the
point! Now White cannot set up a blockade any more.} 45. Rcc2 c3 46. Rb1 Rcb5
47. Rxc3 Bd5 {White has managed to win the c-pawn, but there is no way to
avoid the loss of another pawn.} 48. Rbc1 Bxb3 49. Rxb3 Rxb3 50. axb3 Rxb3 {
This rook endgame is still drawn, but White's practical task is not that easy.}
51. Rc8+ $1 {Correctly keeping the took active.} (51. Ra1 Rb5 52. Ra2 Ke7 53.
Ke3 g5 $17) 51... Ke7 ({After} 51... Kg7 52. Ra8 Ra3 53. h4 a4 54. Kg2 {
it would be very difficult to activate the Kg7, so White should be able to
save a half point.}) 52. Kg2 $1 {An excellent defensive resource! The king may
attack Black's kingside pawns now.} (52. Ra8 $2 Rb2+ 53. Ke3 Ra2 54. Kd4 a4 55.
Ke3 a3 56. Kd4 Kd7 57. Ra7+ Kc6 58. h4 Kb6 59. Ra8 Kb5 60. Rb8+ Ka4 61. Ra8+
Kb3 62. Rb8+ Kc2 63. Ra8 Ra1 $19) 52... a4 53. Kh3 g5 $1 {Magnus finds the
only resource in this drawish position.} ({After} 53... a3 54. Ra8 Kd7 55. Kh4
Kc6 56. Kg5 $11 {White would be out of danger.}) 54. fxg5 Rb4 55. Ra8 Rg4 56.
Ra7+ Kf8 57. g6 ({There was nothing wrong with} 57. Kg2 Rxg5 (57... h4 58. Kf3
hxg3 59. hxg3 Rb4 60. g6 fxg6 61. Kf2 $15) 58. Rxa4 Rxe5 59. h3 $15) 57... fxg6
58. Kg2 g5 59. Kf3 Rb4 60. Ke3 Ke8 61. Kd3 h4 ({After} 61... Rb2 $5 62. Rxa4 (
62. h4 $2 gxh4 63. gxh4 Rb4 $19) 62... Rxh2 63. g4 {White should be able to
escape, but the task is not easy:} Rh3+ 64. Ke2 h4 65. Ra8+ Kf7 66. Ra7+ Kg6
67. Re7 Rg3 68. Rxe6+ Kf7 69. Rf6+ Ke7 70. Rh6 Rxg4 71. Kf3 Rf4+ 72. Kg2 Re4
73. Kh3 Rxe5 74. Kg4 {and Black cannot make progress.}) 62. Kc3 hxg3 63. hxg3 (
63. Kxb4 g2 $19) 63... Rg4 64. Kd3 $2 {The decisive mistake. Levon allows
Black to keep the a-pawn on the board.} ({After the correct} 64. Kd2 $1 Rxg3
65. Rxa4 Kf7 66. Ra8 Rb3 67. Ke2 Rb5 68. Kf3 Rxe5 69. Kg4 {the activity of
White's pieces saves the day. Still, precise play is required.}) 64... a3 65.
Ke3 Rxg3+ 66. Kd4 g4 $19 {Now the game is over - 2 passed pawns are
unstoppable.} 67. Ra8+ Kd7 68. Kc5 Rd3 69. Kc4 Rf3 70. Kc5 g3 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.09.02"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 {Nakamura repeats the variation that he
played against Carlsen in last year's Sinquefield Cup. He achieved nothing at
all in that game.} 11. Re2 {An interesting idea by Maxime Vachier-Lagrave that
he uncorked against Giri in the 2014 Biel tournament. That led to a beautiful
victory by MVL.} c6 12. Ne3 Be7 {Aronian's novelty.} (12... Bc7 13. Nf5 d5 14.
Ne7+ Kh8 15. Nxc8 Rxc8 {is almost equal, but Giri eventually went wrong and
lost.}) 13. Qe1 Bf6 14. Nf5 d5 15. Ne7+ Kh8 (15... Bxe7 16. Rxe7 Nd6 17. Re2 {
should also be approximately equal, but it makes more sense to keep the
dark-squared bishop rather than the light one due to the pawn chain being on
light squares.}) 16. Nxc8 Rxc8 17. g3 Qd7 {simply preventing Bh3.} 18. d3 Nc7 {
It's clear that if White has achieved anything, it isn't much. His only
long-term advantage is the pair of bishops.} 19. Qa5 Rfe8 $1 {A nice defensive
resource, Black ignores the pawn on a7.} 20. Qe1 {It's hard to believe a
player of Nakamura's caliber can play like this, but there you have it. Also
he took around 45 minutes to play these two moves, Qa5 and Qe1.} (20. Qxa7 Rxe2
21. Bxe2 Re8 22. Bf3 (22. Bf1 Re1 $132) 22... Nb5 23. Qa5 Nd4 $36) 20... Rxe2
21. Qxe2 b5 {Grabbing some space.} 22. c3 d4 $6 {Perhaps overzealous due to
Nakamura's loss of time, Aronian pushes the issue a little. I am not a fan of
the structural change that takes place in the game.} 23. c4 Re8 24. Qd1 bxc4
25. dxc4 {Now Black has a passed pawn, but it risks being blockaded. White has
the better chances of emerging favorably from the pawn structure changes that
can potentially happen.} Ne6 26. b4 d3 $6 (26... c5 27. a3 Be7 $14) 27. Rb1 Rd8
28. Bd2 $6 (28. Be3 $1 {Was far more precise. This lets White control the
important d4 square and his simple threat of Rb3-xd3 is nearly unstoppable.} d2
29. Rb3 $16) 28... Bg5 29. Rb2 (29. h4 Bxd2 30. Qxd2 {was still a little
better for White.}) 29... Qd4 {Now the counterplay is enough for a draw.} 30.
Rb3 Bxd2 31. Qxd2 Qxc4 32. Rxd3 Rxd3 33. Qxd3 Qxa2 (33... Qxd3 34. Bxd3 {
gives White realistic winning chances as the bishop is more powerful than the
knight in positions in which there are pawns on both flanks.}) 34. Qd7 Kg8 35.
Qxc6 g6 36. Bc4 Qb1+ 37. Kg2 Qxb4 38. Bxe6 fxe6 {The rest doesn't need
commentary.} 39. Qa8+ Qf8 40. Qxa7 h5 41. Qd7 Qf5 42. Qe8+ Kg7 43. Qe7+ Kg8 44.
Qe8+ Kg7 45. Qe7+ Kg8 {Not the most precise game, it feels as if Nakamura
could have tried to gain an advantage with more precision.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.09.03"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. g3 dxc4 6. Bg2 {A rare move order.
Now we have an "unusual Catalan" with 5...Nbd7?! 6.Nc3?!} Rb8 {[%cal Yb7b5]} 7.
a4 (7. Qa4 a6 {leads to a harmless line of the Catalan (with 5.Qa4+).}) 7...
Bb4 (7... b6 8. Nd2 Bb7 9. Bxb7 Rxb7 10. Nxc4 Be7 11. O-O O-O 12. e4 $14 {
1-0 (41) Kallio,H (2410)-Berkes,F (2393) Budapest 2001}) (7... a6 8. O-O (8. e4
Bb4 9. e5 Nd5 10. Bd2 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Be7 12. O-O b5 13. axb5 axb5 14. d5 $6 exd5
15. e6 fxe6 16. Nd4 Rb6 $17 {0-1 (30) Sokolsky,A-Goldberg,G Kiev 1957}) 8...
Be7 9. Nd2 (9. e4 O-O {again leads to a theoretical Catalan position}) 9... b5
10. axb5 axb5 11. Bc6 b4 12. Nb5 Rb6 13. Ra8 Rxc6 14. Na7 Nb6 15. Nxc6 Qd5 {
1/2 (15) Razuvaev,Y (2570)-Cvetkovic,S (2430) Stary Smokovec 1990} 16. Rxc8+
Nxc8 17. Nxb4 $11) 8. O-O O-O 9. Nd2 e5 $1 {This break solves Black's problems.
} 10. Nxc4 exd4 11. Qxd4 Nc5 12. Qxd8 Rxd8 13. Bf4 Ne6 (13... Be6 {was even
simpler:} 14. Na2 Bxc4 15. Nxb4 Ne6 {[%cal Rc4e2] , and White must play} 16.
Bxc7 Nxc7 17. Rfc1 Bxe2 18. Rxc7 a5 19. Nc2 Rd2 $11) 14. Be3 $6 (14. Rfd1 $5
Rxd1+ 15. Rxd1 Bd7 $11) 14... a6 ({Black could have seized the initiative by
means of} 14... Nd4 $5 {, although White should hold his ground after} 15. Rfd1
Bxc3 16. bxc3 Nxe2+ 17. Kf1 Rxd1+ 18. Rxd1 Be6 19. Kxe2 Bxc4+ 20. Ke1 Bb3 21.
Rb1 Bxa4 22. Rxb7 Rxb7 23. Bxb7 {Levon Aronian is playing too cautiously and
misses a lot of chances.}) 15. Ne5 Bd6 16. Nc4 Bb4 17. Rfc1 $6 (17. Rfd1 $11)
17... Nd4 18. Bxd4 Rxd4 19. b3 $6 (19. Na2 $142 Be7 20. e3 {M.Notkin}) 19... c6
20. h3 $6 (20. Na2 {[%cal Yc1d1]}) 20... Be6 {Black has already obtained
serious pressure.} 21. e3 $6 (21. Na2 $5 Be7 22. Nc3) 21... Rdd8 $6 {Another
excessive "accuracy", instead of just winning a pawn:} (21... Rd3 22. Na2 (22.
Ne2 Rxb3 23. Nd4 Bxc4 24. Rxc4 Ra3 {was probably what Black missed}) 22... Rxb3
23. Nxb4 Rxb4 $17) 22. Ne2 g6 23. Nd4 {Black is still slightly better but
White defends tenaciously.} Bd5 24. a5 h5 25. Ra4 Bc5 26. Bxd5 Rxd5 27. Ne2 Be7
28. Nc3 Rb5 $5 (28... Rd3 29. Ne5 Rd2 30. Nc4) 29. Nd2 Rb4 30. Rxb4 Bxb4 31.
Nc4 Rd8 32. Na2 Be7 33. Nc3 Nd5 34. Na4 Nb4 35. Kf1 Rd3 36. Rb1 Na2 37. Ra1 Nb4
38. Rb1 Na2 39. Ra1 Nb4 40. Rb1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.09.04"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C41"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. e4 e5 {Just to point out, this was the most
unusual move-order to get to this position ever.} 5. g4 $5 {A favorite of
Alexei Shirov, the attacking genius from Latvia. Aronian might have been
banking on MVL's probable lack of knowledge in the variation.} g6 {One of the
logical ways to decline the gambit.} (5... Nxg4 6. Rg1 Ngf6 7. Be3 {is a
possible and sharp variation. Black was certainly not going into this without
previous experience.}) 6. g5 Nh5 7. Bh3 $5 {Aronian played this quickly,
though the move is rather strange.} exd4 (7... Nb6 {also seems possible.}) 8.
Nxd4 h6 $6 {I don't like this move, though it might be objectively ok and it
is the computer's first choice. The weakening of the kingside only helps White;
} (8... Nc5 9. Bxc8 Qxc8 $14) 9. Bxd7+ $5 {Interesting approach. Aronian
trades off the knight on d7 for his developed bishop to retain the pressure
with the g5 pawn.} (9. Bf5 $5 {is cool but not very human.}) 9... Bxd7 10. h4
Be7 $2 {This is the start of MVL's real troubles.} (10... Qe7 11. Qd3 O-O-O {
was imperative. Black has to get his king to safety.}) 11. gxh6 Bxh4 12. Be3 {
MVL must have underestimated the danger that the h6 pawn posed, but more
importantly how difficult it will be to get his king to 0-0-0.} c6 (12... Qe7
13. Nf3 $1 Bf6 14. Nd5 Qxe4 15. Rxh5 $18) 13. Nf5 $1 {Powerful and effective.}
gxf5 (13... Bxf5 14. exf5 Qe7 15. Qe2 Bf6 16. O-O-O $18 {Black's position is
basically collapsing. g6 is too weak.}) 14. Qxh5 Bf6 15. O-O-O Qe7 16. Bf4 $1 {
the d6 pawn is very weak.} O-O-O 17. Bxd6 $1 (17. Rxd6 {is also possible, but
this is cleaner.}) 17... Qe6 18. e5 {During the live commentary with GM Ben
Finegold I thought this was a very human way of converting the advantage,
simply killing Black's activity. I still hold this opinion.} (18. Kb1 $1 {
Is something Aronian looked at and also very strong, but it's a little messier.
}) 18... Bxe5 19. Bxe5 Qxe5 20. h7 {Black's position is simply crushed.} Rde8
21. Qxf7 $2 {The start of a very bad sequence. There is no reason to take this
useless pawn that simply opens lines against White's crown jewel: the pawn on
h7.} (21. Rhg1 {(or any other decent move)} Be6 22. Kb1 $18) 21... Re7 22. Qg8+
Kc7 23. Rde1 $4 {Aronian must have been banking on this move.} (23. Rh5 $16)
23... Rexh7 $1 {Aronian completely missed this move. Maurice Ashely asked him
if sometimes "the machine just stops working". Aronian had nothing more than
to reply with "yeah".} (23... Rhxh7 {is also possible. When Aronian realized
this during the live broadcast he muttered "well, that's embarassing..."}) 24.
Qxh7 Rxh7 25. Rxe5 Rxh1+ 26. Kd2 {The computer gives Black an edge, but no one
knows why. This is a completely equal endgame.} Kd6 27. Re3 Rh2 28. Ke1 Rh1+
29. Kd2 Rh2 30. Ke1 Rh1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.09.05"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D56"]
[WhiteElo "2877"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "168"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7
Qxe7 9. Rc1 c6 10. Qc2 Nxc3 11. Qxc3 Nd7 12. Be2 (12. Bd3 dxc4 13. Bxc4 {
is more common but White wants to recapture with his queen.}) 12... dxc4 13.
Qxc4 {An unusual decision allowing e6-e5. On the other hand, White prevents ...
b7-b6 followed by ...Bc8-b7 and ...c6-c5 so the position remains asymmetrical.}
e5 14. O-O exd4 15. Nxd4 {We have a typical quiet position with the open
d-file. It is approximately equal but not yet drawn - just made for Magnus
Carlsen!} Nf6 (15... Ne5 16. Qc5 Re8 17. Qxe7 Rxe7 18. Rfd1 Bd7 19. b4 Kf8 20.
Rc3 Be8 21. Nb3 Rd7 22. f4 Rxd1+ 23. Bxd1 Rd8 24. Be2 Ng6 25. Kf2 Ne7 26. e4 b6
27. Bf3 f6 28. Ke3 $14 {/= 1/2 (55) Nanu,C (2515)-Nikolov,S (2409) Sunny Beach
2010}) (15... Nb6 16. Qc5 (16. Qb3 $5) 16... Re8 17. Qxe7 Rxe7 18. Rfd1 Be6 19.
a3 g6 20. Nxe6 Rxe6 21. Rd4 Kf8 22. Rcd1 Ree8 23. Kf1 Ke7 24. Re4+ {1/2 (24)
Del Rio de Angelis,S (2484)-San Segundo Carrillo,P (2509) Leon 2012}) 16. b4 ({
White obtained a tiny plus in the following game:} 16. Bf3 Re8 17. Rfd1 Bd7 18.
a4 a5 19. Qb3 Bg4 20. Bxg4 Nxg4 21. h3 Nf6 22. Nf5 Qe6 23. Qxe6 Rxe6 24. Nd6
Re7 25. Nc4 $14 {1-0 (83) Melkumyan,H (2628)-Esen,B (2555) Plovdiv 2012}) 16...
Bd7 (16... Be6 $5 17. Nxe6 Qxe6 18. Qxe6 fxe6 {was recommended by IM Maxim
Notkin but White can still fight on, say, after} 19. a4 {with a minority
attack.}) 17. Rfd1 Rfe8 18. Qc5 g6 19. a4 Qxc5 20. bxc5 a5 21. Nb3 (21. Rd2 $5
{[%cal Yd2b2] M.Notkin}) 21... Re5 22. Rd4 Kf8 23. Kf1 Ke7 24. Bc4 g5 25. h3 b5
$6 {Hardly a good idea. Black trades White's only weakness and remains with
pawn ruins on the queenside.} (25... h5 $5 26. Ke2 g4) 26. cxb6 Rb8 27. f4 $5 {
A nice pawn sacrifice.} Rxe3 28. Nc5 {[%csl Gc5]} (28. Nxa5 Rxb6 29. fxg5 c5
30. Rd3 Rxd3 31. Bxd3 hxg5 32. Rxc5 g4 33. hxg4 Bxa4 $11) (28. fxg5 $5 hxg5 29.
Nxa5 Re5 (29... Rxb6 30. Bd3 $1 {[%cal Ra5c4]}) 30. Nb3 c5 31. Rxd7+ Nxd7 32.
a5 $14) 28... Rxb6 29. Kf2 gxf4 30. Rxf4 Re5 31. Rxf6 Be8 {An unnecessary
tactical trick.} (31... Rb2+ 32. Kf3 Rxc5 33. Rxf7+ Kd8 (33... Kd6 34. Rd1+ Ke5
35. Re7+ Kf6 36. Re4 $14) 34. Rd1 Rxc4 35. Rdxd7+ Kc8 {looks very dangerous
for Black but, surprisingly, there is no decisive blow, e.g.} 36. Rc7+ Kb8 $1 (
36... Kd8 $2 37. Ra7 Ke8 38. Rh7) 37. Rce7 Ka8) 32. Rf4 $1 Rxc5 33. Re4+ Kf8
34. Rxe8+ Kxe8 35. Bxf7+ Kxf7 36. Rxc5 {[%mdl 4096] This rook endgame is very
subtle; the line between a draw and White's win is very thin.} Rb4 {It looked
more logical to give a couple of checks to force White's king out of the
centre:} (36... Rb2+ 37. Kg3 Rb3+ {; however, the king goes forward:} 38. Kh4
$1 Rb4+ 39. g4 Rxa4 40. Rxc6 Kg7 41. Kh5 $18 {M.Notkin}) 37. Rxa5 c5 38. Ke3
Rd4 39. Ra6 Kg7 $6 (39... h5 $5 40. Rh6 (40. a5 Ra4) 40... Rxa4 41. Rxh5 Ra3+
42. Kf4 c4 43. Rc5 c3 44. h4 Ra2 45. g4 c2 46. g5 (46. h5 Ra4+ 47. Kg3 Ra3+ 48.
Kh4 Ra2 {is a theoretical draw}) 46... Ke6 47. Kg4 Kd6 48. Rc8 Ra4+ 49. Kh5 Ra2
{, and White apparently can't make progress}) 40. a5 Ra4 41. g4 h5 (41... Ra3+
42. Ke4 Rxh3 43. Kd5 c4 (43... h5 44. gxh5 Rxh5+ 45. Kc4 Rh4+ 46. Kb5) 44. Kxc4
h5 45. gxh5 Rh4+ 46. Kc5 Rxh5+ 47. Kb6 Rh6+ 48. Kb7 Rh5 49. Ra7 $1 $18 {
M.Notkin}) 42. gxh5 Ra3+ 43. Ke4 c4 44. Kd4 c3 (44... Rf3 45. h6+ Kh7 46. Rc6)
45. Kd3 Kh7 46. h6 $2 (46. Kc2 $1 {was necessary. It is essential for White
not to allow Black's rook to control the a-pawn from the side.} Kg7 47. h6+ Kh7
48. h4 Kh8 49. Ra7 Kg8 50. a6 Kh8 51. h5 $22 Kg8 52. Rg7+ Kh8 53. a7 Ra2+ 54.
Kb3 $18) 46... Rb3 $3 {Miraculously, this move now saves the game.} 47. Kc2 (
47. Rc6 {(b6, d6 etc.)} Ra3 48. a6 Kg8 {No zugzwang is possible now, and White
can't make progress.}) 47... Rb5 48. Kxc3 Rf5 {The so-called Vancsura setup.
Despite 3 extra pawns, the position is drawn.} 49. Ra8 Rb5 50. Kc4 Rf5 {
The f-file is the most appropriate position for Black's rook.} 51. Kb4 Rf4+ 52.
Kc5 Rf5+ 53. Kd4 Rb5 54. Ke4 Rc5 55. Ra6 Rb5 56. h4 Rc5 57. Kd4 Rb5 58. Kc4 Rf5
59. Kb4 Rf4+ 60. Kc5 Rf5+ 61. Kb6 Rf6+ {Black pushes White's king away as it
is approaching the a-pawn.} 62. Kb7 Rf7+ 63. Kc8 Rf8+ 64. Kd7 Rf5 65. Ra8 Rd5+
66. Ke6 Rb5 67. Kf6 Rc5 68. Ra7+ Kxh6 69. Kf7 Rb5 70. a6 Rb6 71. Kg8 Rb8+ 72.
Kf7 Rb6 73. Ke7 Kg6 74. Kd7 Rf6 75. Ra8 Kg7 76. Kc7 Rf7+ 77. Kd6 Rf6+ 78. Ke5
Rb6 79. Ra7+ (79. a7 Ra6 $11) 79... Kg6 80. h5+ Kh6 81. Kf5 Rc6 82. Re7 Rxa6
83. Re6+ Rxe6 84. Kxe6 Kxh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.09.06"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. g3 d5 5. d4 e6 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bg2 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Nxd4 10. cxd4 {This is the first unusual move. White usually
plays 10.Qxd4 since recapturing with the pawn more or less forces white to
move his king.} (10. Qxd4 Qxd4 11. cxd4 Bb4+ 12. Bd2 Bxd2+ 13. Kxd2 Ke7 {
was seen twice last year at the Super level; Gelfand-Leko and Fridman-Meier,
and both games ended in draws.}) 10... Bb4+ 11. Kf1 (11. Bd2 Qxd4 {and 12.Qa4+
does not win the Bb4, since white's rook is hanging on a1.}) 11... O-O 12. Rb1
Bd6 13. h4 Rb8 14. h5 h6 15. e4 $6 {Levon thought quite a long time about this
advance in the center, but white cannot claim any advantage due to the Kf1 and
Rh1 being misplaced.} b6 16. Be3 e5 17. dxe5 (17. d5 Bd7 {looks pretty good
for black. The d5 pawn is blocked and black can decide whether he wants to
advance his queenside majority or play for an attack with f7-f5.}) 17... Bxe5
18. f4 Qxd1+ (18... Qf6 19. Bf3 Rd8 20. Qe2 Bd4 {is more aggressive, but I
think Fabiano felt the slightly better ending offered by a queen trade suited
the situation more.}) 19. Rxd1 Bg4 20. Rd5 Bb2 21. Rb5 Ba3 22. Bh3 Bxh3+ ({
The last chance to increase black's advantage was} 22... Bd1 23. Kf2 Ba4 24.
Rd5 Bc6 25. Rd4 Bc5 26. Rc4 f5 27. Bxc5 bxc5 28. Rxc5 Rb2+ 29. Ke3 Bxe4 30. Ra1
{and black has some winning chances.}) 23. Rxh3 Rbc8 24. Rh2 Rfd8 (24... Rfe8
25. e5 f6 26. Re2 fxe5 27. Rxe5 Rxe5 28. fxe5 {was a better winning try,
although a draw is the most likely result.}) 25. Rb3 Bc1 26. Re2 Bxe3 27. Rbxe3
{Now it is completely equal. An easy game for Fabiano, who was a little better
with black the whole way through.} Kf8 28. e5 Rc5 29. Kg2 Ke7 30. Rb2 Rdc8
1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 7th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2014.09.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2712"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2014.09.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 Ne4 8. Qd3 {
unusual, Qc2 is more seen.} f5 9. h4 $5 {This interesting novelty probably
will not gather too many supporters.} Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Nxg3 11. fxg3 g4 12. Nd2
d5 13. e4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Bb7 (14... fxe4 15. Qxe4 c6 16. Qg6+ {leaves Black
king too weak.}) 15. Nd2 Nd7 {Black's structure is good, if he finishes
development he will be way ahead.} 16. Qe3 Qf6 17. Bd3 Bxg2 18. Rh2 Bb7 19. Re2
O-O-O 20. Qxe6 Qxe6 21. Rxe6 Nc5 22. Re3 Nxd3+ 23. Rxd3 {Wit the smoke cleared
it is obvious that Black holds a small edge, but not more than that. The
position gives White good chances to hold on.} f4 (23... c5 $1) 24. gxf4 Rdf8
25. Kf2 g3+ (25... Rxf4+ 26. Kg3 Rhf8 27. Re1 Rf2 28. d5 {is not as dangerous
as it looks at first.}) 26. Rxg3 Rxf4+ 27. Ke3 Rxh4 28. Rag1 Re8+ 29. Kd3 Bc6
30. Nf3 Be4+ 31. Kd2 Bxf3 32. Rxf3 Rh2+ 33. Kd3 Rxa2 34. Rg7 $1 {Piece
activity is al ways paramount in rook endgames.} Kb8 (34... Ree2 35. c5 b5 36.
Re3 $13) 35. Rh7 Ree2 36. c5 b5 37. Re3 Rxe3+ 38. Kxe3 {Black has no winning
chances in this engame, his passed pawns are too slow.} Ra3 39. Kd2 Ra6 40. c4
bxc4 (40... b4 41. d5 $11 {Black needs to be careful in these lines.}) 41. Kc3
c6 42. Rxh6 Kb7 43. Rh7+ Kc8 44. Rh8+ Kb7 45. Rh7+ Kb8 46. Rh8+ Kb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 7th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2014.09.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2014.09.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 c6 {Two blacks in a
row, two King's Indian Defenses. Ponomariov is no stranger to a fight!} 7. O-O
Bf5 8. Bg5 {Very rare. 8.b3, 8.Nh5, 8.Ne1 and 8.Re1 are more common. Actually
besides Bg5 there are many other moves that are semi-popular.} h6 (8... Ne4 {
looked like a logical continuation. Ponomariov probably wanted to avoid some
king of preparation.}) 9. Be3 Na6 10. Qc1 Kh7 11. h3 Rb8 12. g4 Bd7 13. Qd2 Nc7
14. a4 b5 15. axb5 cxb5 16. b3 {White can be very pleased with the opening. He
has more space, pressure on the a7 pawn and the h6 pawn.} bxc4 17. bxc4 Rb4 18.
Qd3 a6 19. d5 (19. Bd2 $1 $16) 19... e6 20. Nd4 exd5 21. cxd5 Re8 22. Rfb1
Rxb1+ 23. Rxb1 Nb5 24. Nc6 (24. Ndxb5 axb5 25. Nxb5 {looks like an extra pawn.
Aronian was probably trying to be more ambitious.}) 24... Bxc6 25. dxc6 Nxc3
26. Qxc3 Nd5 27. Qc4 Nxe3 28. fxe3 {Despite (or perhaps, because) the opposite
colored bishops Black has some real problems. It is not easy for him to
coordinate the g7 bishop in such a way that it defends against the advance of
the c-pawn or for it to really threaten White's king. Meanwhile White just has
to cover some problems around his king while marching the pawn up the board.}
d5 $5 {Creating space.} 29. Qxd5 $6 (29. Bxd5 $1 {was a better capture.}) 29...
Qe7 30. Kh1 Rd8 31. Qc4 Be5 $1 {Black has managed to stop the c-pawn and
prepares Bc7-Qe5.} 32. Rf1 Kg7 33. Bd5 f6 34. Rb1 Rb8 35. Rb7 Rxb7 36. cxb7 Qd6
37. Be4 $2 {Time pressure.} (37. Qe4 $16) 37... a5 $2 (37... Qd1+ $1 {In time
pressure Ponomariov underestimates his chances with a queen and a bishop.} 38.
Kg2 Qe1 $11 {It's not possible to escape the perpetual, nor is it feasable to
create any danger against the opponent in only one move.}) 38. Qb5 Qd8 39. Kg2
Bb8 40. Qc6 Qe7 41. Kf1 Bc7 42. Bd3 Qd6 $2 {The final mistake.} (42... Bh2 {
still forces White to find a plan.}) 43. Qe8 {Ponomariov must have missed this
lethal threat. Now g6 is impossible to defend.} f5 44. Bc4 $1 (44. gxf5 {
also does the trick.}) 44... Kf6 45. Qf7+ (45. h4 $1) 45... Kg5 46. gxf5 gxf5
47. Qg7+ Kh4 48. Be6 $1 {A nice touch. h6 is under attack and the bishop is
taboo.} Bd8 (48... Qxe6 49. Qxc7 $18) 49. Qxh6+ Kg3 50. Qg7+ Kh4 51. Kg2 {
A nice effort from Aronian, taking full advantage of his opponent's time
trouble mistakes.} 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 7th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2014.09.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2014.09.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Nc3
d6 9. a3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 (11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. b4 Nc6 13. Bd2 d5 14. Re1
Qd6 15. Na2 $5 {Was Caruana's original, and successful, attempt against
Aronian in the Sinquefield Cup. Anand must have his own ideas, and Aronian
surely had an improvement ready.}) 11... Bxa2 12. Rxa2 Nc6 13. Bg5 Qd7 14. Bxf6
Bxf6 15. Nd5 Bd8 16. a4 Ne7 17. Ne3 Rb8 {Black in these kinds of positions is
not fighting for any kind of advantage. He is happy having a solid position
and simplifying into a draw. Aronian does this masterfully in this game.} 18.
axb5 axb5 19. c3 Qe6 20. Qb1 d5 21. exd5 Nxd5 22. Nxd5 Qxd5 23. Re1 Bf6 24.
Rae2 c5 25. Nxe5 (25. Rxe5 Bxe5 26. Rxe5 Qa8 27. bxc5 Qa3 {is not really that
dangerous. White is far from advancing his pawns and Black's counterplay is
good.}) 25... cxb4 26. Qxb4 Bxe5 27. Rxe5 Qxd3 {White has a symbolic advantage.
The game is basically over.} 28. h3 h6 29. R1e3 Qd1+ 30. Re1 Qa4 31. Rb1 Qxb4
32. Rxb4 Rfc8 33. Rbxb5 Rxb5 34. Rxb5 Rxc3 {Aronian makes a very solid draw,
though one has to wonder if maybe Anand is saving his best prep for his W orld
Championship match.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 7th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2014.09.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2014.09.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 a5 7. a3 Bxd2+ 8.
Qxd2 Nbd7 9. O-O c6 10. a4 Nb6 11. Na3 Ne4 12. Qc2 Nd6 {Black clings on to the
pawn on c4, trying to force White to simplify material for its recovery or to
force e4-e5.} 13. e4 O-O 14. Rfd1 Qe7 15. Rac1 (15. e5 Nf5 16. Nxc4 Nxc4 17.
Qxc4 Rd8 {is extremely solid for Black.}) 15... c3 $5 16. Rb1 {White loses a
pawn, but he obtains strong compensation for it.} (16. Qxc3 Nxe4 $17) (16. bxc3
Nxe4 $13) 16... cxb2 17. Rxb2 Ne8 {Sadly Black didn't have a lot of
alternatives.} (17... Nd7 18. e5 Nf5 19. Nc4 $14) 18. Rxb6 (18. Ra1 $1 {
In a position with more space I prefer keeping some material alive.}) 18...
Qxa3 19. Ne5 Qe7 20. Qc3 Qd8 21. Qc5 Nf6 22. f4 Nd7 23. Nxd7 Qxd7 24. e5 Rd8
25. Be4 Qe8 26. Kf2 Qf8 27. Qc2 h6 28. Ke3 Ra7 29. h4 {Black is basically
paralyzed, but White has no way of breaking in. Making progress on the
kingside is double-edged.} Bd7 30. Qc5 h5 31. Qc3 Qe7 32. Rdb1 Be8 33. R1b2 Kf8
34. Bf3 f5 35. Rb1 g6 36. R1b2 Kg7 37. Bg2 Rd7 38. Bf3 Rc7 39. Qc5 Qxc5 40.
dxc5 Rd7 41. Rb1 {Neither side can seriously make progress here.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 7th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2014.09.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2712"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2014.09.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 cxd4 6. Qxd4 (6. dxe6 dxc3 7.
exf7+ Ke7 {is tempting, but known not to be good for White. Black has plenty
of time to consolidate.}) 6... exd5 7. e4 Nc6 (7... dxe4 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Ng5
$14) 8. Bb5 dxe4 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. Ng5 Be6 {Despite how suspicious this line
looks for Black, it seems to hold quite well. Most top-level games in this
variation have ended in a draw in the recent past. Aronian's try does not seem
to be the most testing.} 11. Bd2 Bb4 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Nxe6+ fxe6 14. Nxe4 Rb8
15. O-O-O Ke7 16. Rhe1 Nxe4 17. Rxe4 Bxd2+ 18. Rxd2 {White's structural edge
gives him an advantage in the endgame, but from that to converting a win is a
long, long road.} Rhd8 19. Rc2 Rb6 20. Rec4 Rd6 21. R2c3 e5 22. Rc5 Rg6 $1 {
Good counterplay from the Spaniard. This forces g3, leaving f2 more vulnerable.
} 23. g3 (23. Rxe5+ Kd6 24. Re2 Rxg2 $11) 23... Kd6 24. Ra5 Rf6 25. f3 Rf7 26.
Rca3 Rfb7 27. Rd3+ Ke6 28. b3 Rb5 29. Ra6 R5b6 30. Ra3 Rb5 {White's rooks are
rather ugly. Despite the permanent advantage of the pawn structure, it is
clear he has been unable to make any progress. Aronian keeps trying, but
Vallejo has no problems holding.} 31. Rc3 Kd6 32. Kd2 Rd5+ 33. Ke3 a5 34. Rc4
Rbb5 35. Raa4 Rbc5 36. h4 h5 37. g4 g6 38. Ke4 Rxc4+ 39. Rxc4 Rd1 40. f4 Re1+
41. Kd3 Rd1+ 42. Ke3 Re1+ 43. Kd3 Rd1+ 44. Ke3 Re1+ 45. Kd2 Ra1 46. fxe5+ Kxe5
47. Rc5+ Kd6 48. Rxa5 hxg4 49. Ke3 Rh1 50. Rg5 Rxh4 51. Rxg6+ Kc5 52. Rg5+ Kb6
53. Kd4 g3+ 54. Kc3 Rh2 55. a4 Rg2 56. a5+ Ka6 57. Kb4 Rc2 58. Rxg3 c5+ 59. Ka3
Kxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 7th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2014.09.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2014.09.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This game was played in the last round, when Vishy had already secured the
1st place.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7.
e3 (7. Qa4+ Nc6 8. e3 O-O 9. Be2 {is another fashionable line nowadays.}) 7...
O-O 8. Rc1 dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. O-O cxd4 11. Ne4 (11. Nxd4 Bd7 12. Qb3 Nc6 {
is a well-known theoretical line, which is quite safe for Black.}) (11. exd4
Nc6 12. Ne4 Qe7 {leads to a position, which may arise also after the text move.
}) 11... Qe7 ({After} 11... Qf5 12. Ng3 Qa5 13. exd4 {the current World
Champion was unable to solve all the problems:} Nc6 14. Qe2 Bd7 15. a3 Bd6 (
15... Be7 $5) 16. Ne4 Bf4 17. Rc3 Rad8 18. Rd1 b5 19. Bd3 b4 20. Rc5 Qb6 21. g3
$14 {1/2-1/2 Aronian,L (2815)-Carlsen,M (2881)/Dubai UAE 2014 (56)}) (11... Qg6
$6 {looks too risky:} 12. Bd3 f5 13. Ng3 dxe3 14. Qb3 $36) 12. Nxd4 {Levon
Aronian deviates from having an isolated pawn.} ({After} 12. exd4 {Black
should be able to equalise by means of delivering the bishop to b6 at some
point:} Nc6 (12... Rd8 $5 13. Qe2 Ba5 14. Rfd1 Bb6 15. Bb5 Bd7 16. Nc3 Bxb5 17.
Qxb5 Na6 18. d5 Nc7 19. Qe2 Rd6 $11 {1/2-1/2 Erdos,V (2658)-Vallejo Pons,F 
(2705)/Warsaw POL 2013 (24)}) 13. Qe2 Ba5 (13... Bd7 14. a3 Bd6 15. Rfd1 Rad8
16. Qe3 Rfe8 17. b4 $14 {1-0 Gelfand,B (2764)-Rahman,Z (2470)/Tromso NOR 2013 
(63)}) 14. Bb5 Bd7 15. Nc5 Be8 16. Qe4 Bb6 $11 {1/2-1/2 Benjamin,J (2591)
-Serper,G (2587)/Connecticut 2000/EXT 2001 (42)}) 12... Bd7 13. Qh5 {Not only
connecting the rooks, but also keeping an eye on the a5-spot.} ({White can
also fight for a small advantage by means of} 13. Bd3 $5 Nc6 14. Nb3 Rfd8 (
14... Na5 15. Rc7 Nxb3 16. Rxb7 Rab8 17. Rxb8 Rxb8 18. Qxb3 $14) 15. a3 Ba5 16.
Nd6 Be8 17. Nxe8 Qxe8 18. Nxa5 Nxa5 19. Qe2 $14 {1/2-1/2 Gupta,A (2638)
-Parligras,M (2574)/Abu Dhabi UAE 2014 (86)}) 13... Nc6 14. Nb3 {Exchanging
the knights would allow Black to put the light-squared bishop on c6, so White
avoids that.} f5 {This move is somewhat loosening, but Black is trying to
force some simplifications.} (14... Rfd8 $5 {deserves serious attention:} 15.
a3 Bd6 16. Nxd6 Qxd6 17. Rfd1 Qe5 18. Qe2 Ne7 {and Black is close to equality.}
) 15. a3 {The most principled response.} ({After} 15. Nec5 Be8 16. Qf3 Bxc5 17.
Nxc5 Bf7 18. Bb5 Rac8 19. Nd3 Rfd8 20. Rfd1 Be8 {White can hardly achieve
anything special.}) 15... fxe4 $146 {A natural novelty, which doesn't really
change the evaluation of this line. Black still needs some accuracy, but the
position is about equal.} ({In the preceding game Black wasn't experiencing
problems:} 15... Ne5 16. Be2 (16. axb4 Nxc4 17. Rxc4 Bb5 18. Ned2 Bxc4 19. Nxc4
Qxb4 20. Ncd2 a5 $15) 16... Be8 17. Qh3 Bc6 (17... fxe4 18. axb4 Bc6 19. Nd4
Bd5 20. Qg3 Qf6 $11) 18. axb4 Bxe4 $11 {1/2-1/2 Ramirez,A (2591)-Cornette,M 
(2545)/Cappelle la Grande 2012/CBM 147 Extra (42)}) 16. axb4 Nxb4 17. Nc5 {
Levon goes for the most aggressive option. Black has several weaknesses, so
there is no way to keep an extra pawn.} ({After} 17. Qc5 Rfe8 18. Qxe7 Rxe7 19.
Nc5 Bc6 20. Nxe6 Kh7 21. Rfd1 Rc8 {Black should be able to equalise in this
endgame.}) ({The same after} 17. Qg6 Nd3 18. Bxd3 exd3 19. Qxd3 Rac8 20. Rxc8
Rxc8 $11) 17... Nd3 {Vishy doesn't mind exchanging the knights.} 18. Nxd3 ({
In case of} 18. Nxd7 Qxd7 19. Qg4 Rae8 20. Rc2 Nb4 21. Rd1 Qf7 22. Rcd2 Qf5 23.
Qxf5 Rxf5 24. Rd4 b5 25. Be2 Nd3 {Black gives the pawn back in order to
liquidate into a drawish rook endgame.}) 18... exd3 19. Bxd3 (19. Rcd1 Bc6 20.
Rxd3 Rad8 21. Qg6 Rxd3 22. Bxd3 Rd8 23. Qh7+ Kf8 $11) 19... Bc6 {Black has a
weak Pe6, while the king may be attacked too. Still, White's advantage is not
too big at the moment.} 20. Rc4 (20. Qg6 Qf6 21. Qh7+ Kf7 {leads nowhere.})
20... Rf6 (20... Qf6 $5 {seems a bit safer. For instance,} 21. Rf4 Qxb2 22. Rd4
(22. Rg4 Rad8 23. Qxh6 Rxd3 24. Qxe6+ Rf7 25. Qc8+ Rf8 $11) 22... Rad8 23. Qg6
Rxd4 24. Qxe6+ Kh8 25. exd4 Qxd4 26. Qg6 Kg8 $11) 21. Be4 {The exchange of the
bishops makes Anand's task easier.} ({I would prefer} 21. Rd1 $5 Rd8 22. Bc2
Rxd1+ 23. Qxd1 {with some attacking prospects.}) 21... Bxe4 22. Rxe4 Rd8 {
Now, when all Black's forces are mobilised, the position is almost equal.} 23.
Qe2 Rf5 24. h3 Rfd5 (24... Qf7 $5 25. Rc1 Rfd5 26. Qg4 {could transpose to the
text.}) 25. Qg4 R8d6 26. Rc1 Kh7 $6 {This inaccurate move allows White to
regroup the pieces and extend the initiative.} ({It makes sense to restrict
the activity of Rc1 along the open file:} 26... Qd7 $5 27. Kh2 Rg5 28. Qf3 Rc6
$11) 27. Ra4 $1 {The main idea of that move is freeing the central square for
the queen.} a6 (27... b5 28. Qe4+ g6 29. Raa1 $14) 28. Qe4+ Kg8 (28... g6 {
looks quite risky:} 29. Rac4 Rd7 (29... Rd1+ 30. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 31. Kh2 Rd2 32. f4
Rxb2 33. Qd4 Rb5 34. e4 $16 {[%csl Rh7][%cal Gc4c8]}) 30. Rc8 $14) 29. Rc8+ Rd8
30. Rac4 $14 {As a result of Black's inaccuracy, White's advantage becomes
significant.} R5d7 31. g3 {Levon is not in a rush, since Black can only sit
and wait.} (31. b4 $5 {could be another way to improve the position.}) 31...
Kf7 $6 {After this passive move Black's position is becoming very dangerous.} (
{Active defence was called for:} 31... Rd1+ 32. Kg2 R1d2 33. g4 (33. b4 $6 Qf8
$1 34. Qxe6+ Kh8 35. Rxd8 Rxf2+ 36. Kg1 Rf1+ $11) 33... Qf7 34. Rxd8+ Rxd8 $14)
32. Qf3+ $6 {A pointless check,since there is hardly a better square for the
queen.} ({Much stronger was} 32. h4 Rxc8 33. Rxc8 Qf6 34. h5 Qf5 35. Qb4 Re7
36. g4 Qf3 37. Qd4 $16) 32... Kg8 33. Qe4 Kf7 $6 {Once again, missing the
aforementioned improvement.} 34. Qg4 {A serious loss of time, which allows
Vishy to activate his queen.} (34. h4 $1) 34... Rxc8 35. Rxc8 Qg5 $1 36. Qb4 {
The only way to keep the queens on the board and fight for a full point.} (36.
Qe2 {would allow Black to get sufficient counterplay:} Qd5 37. Kh2 Qb5 $1 38.
Qc2 Qf1 $11) 36... Kg6 37. h4 $6 {This mistake could have been quite painful
for Levon, but good fortune was on his side!} (37. Rf8 Qd5 38. Qf4 $14) 37...
Qf5 $2 ({Vishy has missed a golden opportunity to solve all his problems:} 
37... Rd1+ 38. Kh2 Qd5 39. e4 Qd4 40. Qf8 Qxe4 41. Qe8+ Kh7 42. Qg8+ Kg6 $11)
38. Rf8 $1 Qd5 (38... Rf7 39. Rxf7 Qxf7 40. Qe4+ Qf5 41. Qxb7 a5 $16) 39. Qg4+
Kh7 40. Kh2 h5 ({Avoiding the hopeless rook ending:} 40... b5 41. h5 g5 42.
hxg6+ Kg7 43. Qf4 Qh5+ 44. Kg2 Qxg6 45. Ra8 Qf5 46. Rxa6 Rd2 47. b3 Qxf4 48.
gxf4 $18) 41. Qf4 Qc6 $2 {Finally, Black commits the decisive mistake.} ({After
} 41... Qd3 42. Qb8 Re7 43. Qc8 Qd5 $16 {Black's position is still difficult,
but there is no forced win for White.}) 42. Qb8 $1 $18 {A decisive penetration
of White's queen. Now the king is hopeless.} Rd1 43. e4 Rc1 ({Or} 43... Qxe4
44. Rh8+ Kg6 45. Qe8+ Kf6 46. Rf8+ Ke5 47. Qxh5+ $18) 44. Rh8+ Kg6 45. Qf4 Rc5
46. e5 ({Black resigns in view of} 46. e5 Rc4 47. Qg5+ Kf7 48. Rh7 $18 {
with a mate in a few moves.}) 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 1415"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2015.02.21"]
[Round "10.8"]
[White "Donchenko, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A80"]
[WhiteElo "2501"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2014.10.18"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Dortmund Hansa"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 f5 2. d4 d6 3. g3 g6 4. b3 Bg7 5. Bb2 Nh6 6. c4 O-O 7. Nc3 e6 8. Bg2 c6
9. O-O e5 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. e4 Na6 12. Ba3 Qxd1 13. Raxd1 Re8 14. Rfe1 Nf7 15.
Bh3 Bf8 16. Bxf8 Kxf8 17. a3 Nc5 18. b4 fxe4 19. Bxc8 exf3 20. Bg4 Nb3 21. Bxf3
Nd4 22. Be4 a5 23. b5 Rad8 24. bxc6 bxc6 25. c5 Ng5 26. Kg2 Nxe4 27. Nxe4 Nc2
28. Rh1 Nxa3 29. Nf6 Rxd1 30. Rxd1 Re7 31. Ra1 Nc4 32. Ra4 Nd2 33. Rxa5 Kg7 34.
Ra2 Kxf6 35. Rxd2 e4 36. Rd6+ Re6 37. Rd7 h5 38. Kf1 Kf5 39. Rf7+ Ke5 40. Rd7
Kf5 41. Rf7+ Ke5 42. Rd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1415"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2015.02.22"]
[Round "11.8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Fier, Alexandr"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A35"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2589"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2014.10.18"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Katernberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Qb3 Nxc3 9. Bc4 Nd5 10. Bxd5 e6 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 12. O-O Qd5 13. Be3 Be7 14. Rfc1
Qxb3 15. axb3 Bb7 16. Ne5 O-O 17. Kf1 Rfc8 18. Nd7 Rd8 19. Nc5 Bxc5 20. Rxc5
Rd5 21. Ke1 f6 22. b4 a6 23. g4 g5 24. Kd2 Kg7 25. Kc3 Kg6 26. Kb3 h5 27. h3
Rxc5 28. dxc5 hxg4 29. hxg4 e5 30. Rd1 a5 31. Rd6 axb4 32. Kxb4 Ra2 33. b3 Ra8
34. Bd2 Rb8 35. Ka5 Bc8 36. Rxc6 Bxg4 37. Rb6 Rc8 38. b4 Bf3 39. Rd6 g4 40. Kb6
Kf7 41. c6 f5 42. c7 Ke7 43. Rd8 1-0

[Event "Moscow Petrosian Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2014.11.04"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D32"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2014.11.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. d4 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bb5 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Bd7 9. O-O Bd6 10. b3 O-O 11. Bb2 Re8 12. Nce2 Be5 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Bxe5
Rxe5 15. Ba4 c5 16. Bxd7 Qxd7 17. Rc1 Rc8 18. Qd2 Ree8 19. Rfd1 Qb7 20. Nc3 c4
21. bxc4 dxc4 22. Rb1 Qe7 23. Qd6 Qxd6 24. Rxd6 Ne4 25. Nxe4 Rxe4 26. Rc6 Ree8
27. Rxc8 Rxc8 28. Kf1 g6 29. Ke2 Rc5 30. Rb2 Ra5 31. Kf3 Ra4 32. Rc2 c3 33. Ke2
h5 34. Kd3 Ra3 35. Kc4 a5 36. g3 Kg7 37. f4 Kf6 38. Kd5 Ra4 39. e4 Ke7 40. Ke5
Ra3 41. h4 f6+ 42. Kd5 Kf7 43. e5 Ke7 44. e6 Ra4 45. Rxc3 Rxa2 46. Rc7+ Ke8 47.
Rf7 Rd2+ 48. Kc5 f5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Petrosian Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2014.11.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E36"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2014.11.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. Bg5 dxc4 8.
Qxc4 b6 9. Rd1 Ba6 10. Qa4 h6 11. Bh4 Qe7 12. Nf3 Rd8 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. g3 c6
15. Bg2 Bb5 16. Qc2 Nd7 17. O-O Qf5 18. Rd2 Qxc2 19. Rxc2 Ba4 20. Rc3 Nf6 21.
Rfc1 c5 22. b3 Be8 23. dxc5 Ne4 24. Re3 Nxc5 25. Ne5 Rab8 26. Bc6 a5 27. Bxe8
Rxe8 28. b4 axb4 29. axb4 Na6 30. b5 Nc5 31. Ra3 Rb7 32. Rd1 Kf8 33. Kg2 Rc8
34. g4 Ke7 35. h4 f6 36. Nc6+ Ke8 37. g5 Rd7 38. Rxd7 Kxd7 39. Ra7+ Rc7 40.
gxh6 gxh6 41. Ra8 Rc8 42. Rxc8 Kxc8 43. Kf3 h5 44. e4 e5 45. Ne7+ Kd7 46. Nd5
Ke6 47. Ke3 Nxe4 48. Nf4+ Kf5 49. Nxh5 Nd6 50. Ng3+ Ke6 51. h5 f5 52. f4 Nc4+
53. Ke2 exf4 54. h6 Kf6 55. h7 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Petrosian Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2014.11.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D73"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "154"]
[EventDate "2014.11.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. g3 c6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Ne5 (7. Nc3 {
was Inarkiev-Gelfand.}) 7... Ne4 8. Nd2 Nd7 9. Nxe4 dxe4 10. Bf4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2
Qd5 12. Bc3 f5 13. f3 O-O 14. O-O Nxe5 15. fxe4 fxe4 16. Rxf8+ Kxf8 17. dxe5
Be6 18. Qd4 Qxd4+ 19. Bxd4 Bd5 20. Rc1 {The symmetrical position presents some
danger for Black. The main issue is that White controls the c-file and has
realistic possibilities to pressure e4, unlike Black's attempts to pressure e5.
} Ke8 {Ding Liren hurries to d8 so as to not allow the rook coming to c7.} (
20... Kf7 21. Rc7 $14) 21. h4 Rd8 22. a3 e6 23. e3 Kd7 24. Rf1 Ke8 (24... Ke7
25. Rf4 b6 26. Bxe4 Bh6 27. Rg4 Rf8 $11) 25. Rf4 Bh6 26. Rf2 a6 27. Rc2 Kd7 28.
g4 Bf8 (28... g5 $1 {prevents White from ever entering f4.}) 29. Rf2 Ke8 30.
Rf4 Be7 $6 31. g5 {Finally White has nothing to worry about from taking e4. He
will have an extra pawn, though not a particularly significant one.} Rc8 32.
Bxe4 Bxe4 33. Rxe4 Rc2 34. Rf4 b5 35. Kf1 a5 36. Ke1 b4 37. axb4 Bxb4+ 38. Kd1
Rc6 (38... Rd2+ 39. Kc1 Re2 $11) 39. b3 Ra6 40. Bb2 Rc6 41. Rf2 Rc5 42. Bd4 Rc7
43. Rh2 Rc6 44. Rh1 Bc3 45. Ke2 Bb4 46. Kd3 Rc7 47. Ra1 Rc6 48. Bb2 Rc7 49. Ba3
$5 {Finally some way to distrub the status quo.} Rc3+ 50. Kd4 Rxb3 51. Bxb4
axb4 $1 (51... Rxb4+ 52. Kc5 Rxh4 53. Rxa5 Re4 54. Kd6 Rb4 55. Ra8+ Kf7 56.
Ra7+ Ke8 57. Kxe6 Rb6+ 58. Kd5 Rb5+ 59. Kd6 Rb6+ 60. Kc5 {is winning for White.
}) 52. Ra8+ Kf7 53. Ra7+ Kf8 54. Rxh7 Rb1 55. Rb7 b3 56. Rb4 Ke7 57. Kc3 Re1
58. Re4 Rb1 59. Kb4 $1 {The best try. The king "wraps around" the pawn so that
when the rook takes b3 it will defend e3. However this is still not winning.}
Kd7 60. Rd4+ Ke7 61. Ka3 Re1 62. Re4 Rb1 63. Rb4 Kd7 64. Rxb3 Rh1 65. Kb4 Kc6 (
65... Rxh4+ 66. Kc5 Re4 67. Rb7+ Kc8 68. Rg7 Rxe5+ 69. Kd6 Rxg5 $11) 66. Rc3+ (
66. Rd3 Rxh4+ 67. Rd4 Rh5 68. Rd6+ Kc7 $11) 66... Kd5 {White is up two pawns,
but it is now very clear he cannot keep them. The game will end in a draw very
soon.} 67. Rc5+ Ke4 68. Kb5 Kf5 69. Rc4 Rh3 70. e4+ Kxe5 71. Kc6 Rxh4 72. Rc5+
Kd4 73. Kd6 Rxe4 74. Ra5 Re1 75. Ra4+ Kd3 76. Ra5 Kd4 77. Ra4+ Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Petrosian Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2014.11.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2014.11.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. Qc2 h6 8.
Bh4 c5 9. e3 Qa5 10. Bd3 c4 11. Bf5 {This version of the Westphalian Variation
(with inclusion of ...h7-h6 Bg5-h4) was considered rather favorable for White;
however, recent practice claims to change that verdict.} g6 ({It is essential
that after} 11... O-O 12. O-O Re8 13. Nd2 {Black can't play 13...g6 due to 14.
Bxg6; therefore, he has serious development problems. Here is an old practical
example:} Bxc3 14. bxc3 Qa6 {(preparing ...Nd7-f8)} 15. Rfe1 Nf8 16. f3 Bxf5
17. Qxf5 Qe6 {1-0 (82) Hertneck,G (2605)-Campora,D (2560) Tilburg 1994} 18. Qb1
b6 19. e4 $14 {G.Hertneck}) {However, it was recently discovered (and
demonstrated for the first time by GM Jonathan Hawkins last year) that ...
g7-g6 could be played immediately!} 12. Bxd7+ $1 $146 {An important novelty.
Peter Leko turns to a usual Westphalian path, where the insertion of ...h7-h6
Bg5-h4 proves to be favourable for White!} (12. Bxg6 {was tried in previous
games and proved not to be as killing as it might look:} Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 fxg6
14. Qxg6+ Kf8 15. O-O ({after} 15. Bxf6 Qxc3+ 16. Nd2 Rg8 17. Qf5 Qxa1+ 18. Ke2
Qxh1 {White has nothing more than a draw by perpetual:} 19. Be5+ Ke8 20. Qe6+
Kf8 21. Qxh6+ Ke8 {etc.; that may be his best option after the bishop
sacrifice!}) 15... Qa6 {Surprisingly, Black successfully defend, keeping his
material gains.} 16. Rae1 (16. Qf5 Rh7 $5) 16... Qe6 17. Nd2 Qf7 18. Qxf7+ Kxf7
19. e4 Nb6 20. e5 Ne8 21. f4 Bf5 22. e6+ Kf8 $15 {1/2 (30) Plischki,S (2396)
-Stern,R (2546) Verden an der Aller GER 2014}) 12... Nxd7 13. O-O O-O 14. Rae1
{[%cal Ye3e4]} Nb6 (14... Re8 15. e4 dxe4 16. Rxe4 Rxe4 17. Qxe4 {looks
dangerous for Black although} g5 $5 {should be checked}) 15. Ne5 {[%mdl 96]
This is the point: White's knight can't be pushed away by means of ...f7-f6.}
Bxc3 (15... Bf5 16. e4 $1 dxe4 (16... Bxe4 17. Qd2 $1 {[%cal Rd2h6] - another
drawback of ...h7-h6! -} Kg7 $140 $2 {(h7?)} 18. Ng4) 17. g4 $36) 16. bxc3 Qa4
({Once again} 16... Bf5 {is inappropriate:} 17. e4 $1 dxe4 18. g4 Be6 19. f3 $1
g5 (19... exf3 20. Nxg6) 20. Bg3 e3 (20... exf3 $2 21. Nc6 $1 bxc6 22. Rxe6)
21. f4 $40) 17. Qb1 Qe8 18. f3 {White prepares e3-e4, and Black has no
counterplay in sight. The opening battle has ended in White's favour but, of
course, a lot of fight is still ahead.} Kg7 19. h3 {[%cal Ye5g4]} ({The
immediate} 19. Ng4 Bxg4 20. fxg4 Qe4 {is satisfactory for Black. After the
text move, however, Black tries to trap White's centralised knight.}) 19... h5
20. e4 $1 {[%mdl 640] White gladly sacrifices his knight for an attack.} f6 21.
exd5 fxe5 $2 (21... Nxd5 22. Nxc4 Qc6 23. Qb3 {, and Black hardly has
sufficient compensation for the pawn.}) ({The intermediate} 21... Bf5 {was
relatively better but after} 22. Qc1 fxe5 23. Rxe5 Qa4 24. g4 Bd3 25. Rfe1 {
Black's defence remained quite difficult.}) 22. Rxe5 Qa4 23. Rfe1 $2 {Despite
a long period of thought, White misses quite a simple win:} (23. Re7+ Rf7 24.
Qe1 $1 Bf5 25. Bf6+ $1 Kg8 (25... Kxf6 26. Qe5+ Kg5 27. Rxf7 $18) 26. Rxf7 $18)
23... Bf5 24. Qc1 Rf7 (24... Rae8 $142 25. Be7 Rf7 26. Bf6+ Rxf6 27. Rxe8 Nxd5
28. Rd8 Qc6 29. Re5 Rd6 {with a solid defence (A.Tukhaev)}) 25. g4 $1 hxg4 26.
hxg4 Bd3 27. Re7 Nxd5 (27... Raf8 28. Bf6+ $3 Kxf6 29. Qh6 $18 {was noticed by
both players.}) 28. Rxf7+ Kxf7 29. Qg5 Qc6 (29... Qb5 $2 30. Re7+ $1) 30. Re5
Rf8 ({After} 30... Nf6 31. Qf4 {[%cal Rg4g5]} g5 32. Rxg5 {White keeps winning
chances, too.}) 31. Rxd5 {With an extra pawn and a d4 passer, White has good
winning prospects despite the opposite-coloured bishops.} Kg8 32. f4 Qa4 33.
Re5 Re8 34. Rxe8+ $2 {It was better to wait for Black's capture on e5:} (34.
Kf2 $1 {, and Black can't take on a2 as he comes under a killing attack:} Qxa2+
$2 35. Kg3 Qa4 (35... Rxe5 36. Qd8+ Kh7 37. fxe5 {[%cal Rd8e7,Rh4f6]}) 36. Re7
$1 {[%cal Rd4d5]} Rxe7 37. Qxe7 $18 {[%cal Rh4f6]}) 34... Qxe8 35. f5 Kh7 36.
Bg3 (36. d5 $1 gxf5 37. d6 {was a better chance although after} Be4 $1 38. gxf5
Bc6 39. Kf2 Qf7 {Black should probably survive.}) 36... gxf5 37. gxf5 (37. Be5
Qg6 38. Qe7+ Kg8 39. g5 f4 $1 {, and Black holds on (A.Tukhaev)}) 37... Qf7 38.
Qh4+ Kg8 39. f6 Qg6 40. Kf2 Kf7 {Black has established a strong blockade and
secured a draw.} 41. Be5 Bb1 42. Qg3 Qc2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Petrosian Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2014.11.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2014.11.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 Nh5 8. Bd3
Nxf4 9. exf4 b6 10. b4 a5 11. a3 c6 12. O-O Ba6 13. Na4 Bf6 14. Ne5 Bxe5 15.
fxe5 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 axb4 17. axb4 bxc5 18. Nxc5 Nxc5 19. bxc5 Rxa1 20. Rxa1 f6
21. Qe3 fxe5 22. Qxe5 Qf6 23. Qe3 Re8 24. Re1 Rb8 25. g3 Kf7 26. Qa3 Kg8 27.
Re5 h6 28. Qe3 Rb1+ 29. Kg2 Rb2 30. h4 Kf7 31. h5 Kg8 32. Kg1 Rb1+ 33. Kh2 Rb2
34. Kg2 Ra2 35. Qe1 Rb2 36. Kg1 Kh7 37. Rxe6 Qf5 38. Qe3 Rxf2 39. Rxh6+ gxh6
40. Qxf2 Qxh5 41. Qe1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Petrosian Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2014.11.10"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2014.11.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Be3 Qa5 9. Nd2 {One of many new attempts against the Grunfeld. c3 is clearly
poisoned because of Rc1, but the question is whether Nd2 is a move White
wanted to make.} O-O (9... cxd4 {is more commonly seen.} 10. Nc4 $5) 10. Rc1 (
10. Be2 {has also been more seen.}) 10... cxd4 11. Nc4 Qxa2 12. cxd4 {Black is
up a pawn, but his queen is a little stranded. He will have to waste a few
more tempi to retrieve it while White finishes development. This, somehow, is
very typical of the Grunfeld.} Qa6 13. Be2 Qe6 14. Qd3 f5 15. O-O Qxe4 16. Qa3
{Black is now up two pawns (!) but he is not the one fighting for the
advantage. White's development lead is so long that it will cost Black at
least his extra material.} Nc6 17. Nd2 Qh4 18. Nf3 Qf6 19. d5 Ne5 20. Rfd1
Nxf3+ 21. Bxf3 Re8 22. Rc7 Qd6 23. Qa4 Rd8 24. Bf4 Bd7 25. Qc4 Be5 26. Bxe5
Qxe5 27. Rxb7 {Grischuk defense has been spot-on. So far he has only lost one
of his pawns. Aronian's initiative is still strong, but Grischuk has diffused
any immediate danger.} Qd6 28. g3 Rab8 (28... a5 29. Re1 {remains unclear.} a4
30. Rb6 $1 $13 Qxb6 31. d6+ e6 32. Rxe6 Bxe6 33. Qxe6+ $11) 29. Rxa7 Ra8 30.
Rb7 Rab8 31. Ra7 Ra8 32. Rb7 Rab8 33. Ra7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Petrosian Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2014.11.11"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2688"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2014.11.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 {This is almost automatically played
in the anti-Berlin system.} ({Being a cautious player, I would play the solid} 
4... d6 {without hesitation, aiming for a Steinitz Defence with an extra tempo.
I somehow feel better with the bshop somewhere around the king, either on e7
or on g7. A few moves later, Aronian felt the same.}) 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 {
A flexible move leaving the a3-f8 diagonal available for the bishop's retreat.}
({The most popular continuation is} 6... d6 {when after} 7. Bg5 {(not the main
line) Black will have to make a concession (such as weakening his kingside) in
order to get rid of the pin.}) 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 Be7 $5 ({This is a somewhat
more radical way of solving the problem than} 8... Bf8 9. Nbd2 d6 {, aiming to
re-develop the bishop in the fianchetto.} 10. d4 (10. Re1 Bd7 11. a4 g6 {
Topalov,V (2772)-Aronian,L (2815) Stavanger 2014 CBM 161 [Szabo,Kr] (1/2-1/2,
41)}) 10... exd4 11. Nxd4 Bd7 {Carlsen,M (2826)-Howell,D (2633) London 2011
CBM 146 [RR] (1-0, 40)}) 9. Re1 {This natural move takes the e1-square away
from the f3-knight. Is this important? The game shows it is...} (9. Nbd2 d6 10.
d4 (10. a4 a6 11. Bc4 {Asrian,K (2646)-Pashikian,A (2472) Yerevan 2006 CBM 112
[Postny,E] (1-0, 42)}) 10... exd4 11. Nxd4 Bd7 {Balogh,C (2637)-Rodshtein,M 
(2671) Tromso 2014 CBM 162 [Stohl,I] (1-0, 65)}) 9... d6 10. Nbd2 {This
apparently peaceful position led to simplifications and dull equality in two
previous games. But Aronian spotted a way of changing the course of the game
radically.} g5 $5 $146 (10... Bd7 11. Nf1 (11. Ba4 Nh5 12. Bxe7 Nxe7 13. Bxd7
Qxd7 14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. Qxh5 Qxd3 $11 {Gopal,G (2550)-Ganguly,S (2619) Caleta
2014 (1/2-1/2, 31)}) 11... Nh7 12. Bxe7 Nxe7 13. Bc4 b5 14. Bb3 Ng6 15. a4 a6
16. d4 Nf6 {Erenburg,S (2633)-Shankland,S (2634) Saint Louis 2014 (1/2-1/2, 38)
}) 11. Bg3 {So far nothing really from outer space, even though one would
expect ...g7-g5 with the bishop on either f8 or c5.} g4 $5 {But this is rather
unusual for such an early stage of the game, with Black's army incompletely
developed. The main point is that the knight has to move to an exposed square,
allowing a simple tactical operation..} 12. Nh4 Nxe4 $1 {Without this, Black's
previous play would hardly make sense.} 13. Nxe4 Bxh4 14. Bxh4 {This may look
like a slight concession, but the knight needs the g3-square so White could
not avoid the exchange for too long.} ({For instance:} 14. d4 f5 15. Qd2 $5 Kg7
16. Bxh4 Qxh4 17. Ng3 Qg5) 14... Qxh4 15. d4 {White is better developed and
the black king's position has been somewhat weakened. But remarkably, this
should not suffice for more than reasonable compensation for the pawn, due to
Black's main trump - his massive pawn structure!} f5 16. Ng3 f4 17. Qd3 $5 {
An interesting resource.} Kg7 $1 {As discovered by Steinitz, the king is
strong enough to defend itself.} (17... fxg3 $2 18. Qg6+ Kf8 19. fxg3 $1 {
[%cal Ge1f1,Gf1f8]} Qg5 20. Qh7 $18) 18. d5 {This retrieves the pawn but
stabilises the position in a way favourable to Black.} ({True, Black would be
doing fine after} 18. Nf5+ {, too:} Bxf5 19. Qxf5 Qg5 (19... Re7 20. Bxc6 bxc6
21. dxe5 Rf8 22. Qd3 dxe5 23. Rad1 $44) 20. Qxg5+ hxg5 21. d5 a6 22. Ba4 b5 23.
Bd1 Ne7 24. Bxg4 Rab8 (24... Nxd5 25. Bd7 (25. Bf3 c6 26. Rad1 Kf6 27. Bxd5
cxd5 28. Rxd5 Ke6) 25... Nb6 26. Bxe8 Rxe8 $44) 25. Be6 Rh8 $15 {[%cal Gg7f6,
Ga6a5,Gc7c6] Due to his more flexible structure Black is entitled to claim at
least a minimal advantage.}) 18... fxg3 19. hxg3 Qg5 20. dxc6 Bf5 21. Qe3 b6
$15 {White has no attacking chances on the queenside, while on the opposite
wing Black can create some threats.} 22. Qxg5+ $6 {This unnecessarily opens
the h-file for the black rooks.} (22. Bc4 $5) 22... hxg5 $17 23. Rad1 Rh8 24.
Bc4 a5 25. b3 {A difficult decision. At a later stage, the weakness of the
c3-square will help Black.} ({But Inarkiev might have been worried by Black's
gain of space after} 25. Bd5 a4 26. c4 Ra5 {[%cal Gb6b5]}) 25... Rh6 26. Bd5
Rah8 $6 {The h-file magic is understandable, but the queen's rook still had
things to do on the a-file.} (26... a4 $5 {would have forced the opening of
the a-file putting White under pressure on both wings for if} 27. b4 $6 Rah8
28. Kf1 Bc2 29. Rd2 Rh1+ 30. Ke2 Rxe1+ 31. Kxe1 Rh1+ 32. Ke2 Rc1 {play would
have transposed to the line from the comment to 33.bxa4 below.}) 27. Kf1 Bc2
28. Rd2 $8 (28. Rc1 $4 Bd3+ {#1}) 28... Rh1+ 29. Ke2 Rxe1+ 30. Kxe1 Rh1+ 31.
Ke2 Rc1 32. c4 {Black has managed to invade the enemy territory, but White's
fortress remains solid.} a4 $6 {This pawn break is by far less effective than
in the line with reversed move order given in the comments to 26...Rah8.} ({
In view of White's unexpected answer, it would have made sense delaying the
queenside committment for a while:} 32... Kf6 33. Ke3 Bb1 {[%cal Gc1c3]} 34.
Rb2 Bf5 $15) 33. bxa4 $1 {This weakens the structure but clears the b-file for
White's counterplay.} (33. b4 a3 34. Be6 Kf6 35. Bd5 Bb1 36. Bg8 Rc3 $19 {
[%cal Ge5e4,Gb1d3]}) 33... Bxa4 34. Rb2 {White has to permanently take into
account the sacrifice Rxb6.} Kf6 35. Kd2 (35. Rxb6 $2 cxb6 36. c7 Bd7 $19)
35... Rd1+ 36. Ke2 $6 {This dooms White to joyless and, possibly, hopeless
defence.} (36. Kc3 $1 b5 (36... Rd4 $2 37. Rb4 Bd1 $140 38. Rxb6 $1 $18) (36...
Rc1+ 37. Kb4 $5 Bc2 38. Kb5 Rb1 39. Rxb1 Bxb1 40. Ka6 Ke7 41. Kb7 Kd8 42. a3
$11) 37. Rb4 $132) 36... Rd4 $17 37. Rd2 (37. Rb4 Bc2 38. Rxb6 $2 cxb6 39. c7
Bf5 $19) 37... b5 $1 {White will soon lose stability in the centre and his
c6-pawn will become vulnerable.} 38. Ke3 (38. Rxd4 exd4 39. Kd3 Ke5 40. f4+
gxf4 (40... gxf3 41. gxf3 bxc4+ 42. Kxc4 d3 43. f4+ gxf4 44. gxf4+ Kxf4 45.
Kxd3) 41. gxf4+ Kxf4 42. Kxd4 bxc4 43. Kxc4 Ke5 44. g3 Bd1 {[%csl Rd5][%cal
Gd1e2]} 45. Bf7 (45. Bg2 $2 Bf3 $19 {[%csl Gc6]} 46. Bxf3 gxf3 47. Kd3 Kf5 48.
Ke3 Kg4 49. Kf2 d5 50. a4 d4 51. a5 d3 52. a6 d2 53. a7 d1=Q 54. a8=Q Qe2+ 55.
Kg1 Qg2#) 45... Ke4 {[%cal Gd1e2,Gd6d5]} 46. Bd5+ Ke3 47. Kb5 Be2+ 48. Bc4
Bxc4+ 49. Kxc4 Ke4 50. a4 d5+ 51. Kb3 Ke3 52. Kc2 (52. a5 d4 53. a6 d3 54. a7
d2 55. a8=Q d1=Q+ 56. Kb4 Qd6+ 57. Kc4 Qxg3 $19) 52... Kd4 $1 (52... Ke2 53.
Kc3 $1) 53. Kd2 Kc4 54. Ke3 Kb4 55. Kd4 Kxa4 56. Kxd5 Kb5 $19) 38... Rxd2 39.
Kxd2 bxc4 40. f3 (40. Kc3 e4 41. Bxe4 Ke5 42. f3 d5 $19) (40. Bxc4 Bxc6 41. Bf1
Ke7 42. Kc3 d5 43. Kb4 Kd6 44. a4 Bb7 45. a5 c5+) 40... Kf5 41. Kc3 (41. Be4+
Ke6 42. Kc3 d5 $19) 41... gxf3 42. gxf3 g4 43. Be4+ (43. fxg4+ Kxg4 44. Kxc4
Kxg3 45. Kb4 Bc2 46. a4 e4 $19) 43... Kg5 44. Kxc4 Bd1 45. Kd3 Bxf3 46. a4 (46.
Bxf3 gxf3 47. Ke3 Kg4 48. Kf2 d5 49. a4 d4 50. a5 e4 51. a6 e3+ 52. Ke1 d3 $19)
(46. Ke3 $5 Bd1) 46... d5 $1 47. Bxf3 gxf3 48. a5 e4+ 49. Kd2 d4 50. a6 e3+ 51.
Kc2 f2 52. a7 f1=Q 53. a8=Q Qc4+ 54. Kb2 e2 55. Qd8+ Kg4 56. Qh4+ Kf3 57. Qf4+
Kg2 58. Qe4+ Kg1 59. Qb1+ Kf2 60. Qf5+ Ke1 61. Qg6 Kd1 62. Qg4 (62. Qb1+ Kd2
$19) 62... Qc3+ 63. Ka2 Kc1 64. Qxe2 Qc2+ 65. Qxc2+ Kxc2 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis m"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.21"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E51"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,M"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2014.11.21"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bd2 $5 {A rare idea. White wants to
transpose to the Nimzo-Indian which he does, but the Bd2 line itself is not
considered dangerous for Black. But we have a game, which sometimes is for
some players more important.} O-O {An attempt to get a pawn which seems to be
highly risky for Black:} (5... dxc4 6. e3 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 b5 (7... Qd5 8. Be2 Nc6
9. O-O b5 10. b3 cxb3 11. Qxb3 $5 a6 12. Qb2 O-O 13. Ne5 Bb7 14. Bf3 Ne4 15.
Nd3 f5 16. Rfd1 Rab8 17. Nf4 Qd7 18. d5 exd5 19. Rxd5 Nd6 20. Rc5 Nd8 21. Bd1
$36) 8. a4 c6 9. axb5 cxb5 10. b3 O-O 11. bxc4 bxc4 12. Bxc4 Qc7 13. Qb3 Bb7
14. Ba5 Qc8 15. O-O Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nc6 17. Bd2 Rb8 18. Qa4 Rb2 19. Rfd1 Nd5 20.
Bf1 Qb7 21. e4 Nb6 22. Qa3 Nd7 23. Be3 $14 {1-0 (46) Reis,C (2366)-Pizzo,R
corr. 2006}) 6. e3 {I have extracted some new games played in this line;
obviously clear pathways have not yet been established.} Re8 (6... c5 7. a3 (7.
dxc5 Bxc5 8. cxd5 (8. Rc1 Nc6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Be2 d4 11. exd4 Nxd4 12. O-O
Nxe2+ 13. Qxe2 Re8 14. Qc4 b6 15. Bg5 Bb7 16. Rfd1 Qc8 $1 $132) 8... exd5 9.
Be2 Nc6 10. O-O d4 11. exd4 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 Bxd4 13. Bf3 Be6 14. Qc2 Nd5 15. Nxd5
Bxd5 16. Bxd5 Qxd5 {1/2-1/2 (16) Ophoff,R (2062)-Abolina,A (1870) Hockenheim
2007}) 7... Bxc3 8. Bxc3 cxd4 9. Bxd4 Nc6 10. cxd5 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Qxd5 12. Qxd5
Nxd5 13. Bd3 b6 14. Ke2 Bb7 15. Rac1 Rac8 16. Nd4 a6 17. f3 Rfd8 18. g3 h6 19.
Rhd1 Kf8 $11 {1/2-1/2 (58) Zvjaginsev,V (2642)-Lysyj,I (2670) Vladivostok 2014}
) (6... b6 7. Rc1 dxc4 (7... Bb7 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bd3 a6 10. O-O Bd6 11. Ne5 c5
12. f4 Nc6 13. Na4 c4 14. Bb1 b5 15. Nc3 b4 16. Na4 a5 17. Be1 Ne8 18. Qh5 g6
19. Qh6 f5 20. g4 Ng7 21. Nf3 Be7 22. h4 fxg4 23. h5 Nxh5 24. f5 Rxf5 25. Bxf5
gxf3 26. Bxg6 hxg6 27. Qxg6+ Ng7 28. Rxf3 Qe8 29. Qg2 Nd8 $1 $17 (29... Nxd4
30. exd4 Qxa4 31. Bg3 $16 {1-0 (44) Sandipan,C (2597)-Agdestein,S (2637)
Warsaw 2014}) 30. Bg3 (30. Rg3 $6 Nde6 $19) 30... Nf7 31. Rcf1 Ng5 32. Be5 Ra6
33. Rg3 Rg6 $17) 8. Bxc4 Bb7 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Qe2 c5 11. a3 Bxc3 12. Bxc3 Ne4
13. Rfd1 Nxc3 14. Rxc3 Qe7 15. Ba6 Bxa6 16. Qxa6 cxd4 17. Nxd4 Nc5 18. Qc4 Rad8
19. Rcc1 Qh4 20. Qc2 Qe4 21. Qxe4 Nxe4 22. Nc6 $14 {1-0 (54) Sandipan,C (2603)
-Efimenko,Z (2649) Muelheim 2014}) 7. a3 (7. Be2 c6 8. O-O Nbd7 $13) (7. Bd3
Nbd7 8. O-O c5 9. a3 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 cxd4 11. exd4 b6 {with obvious similarities
to regular 4.e3 lines in the Nimzo, or even some Bogo-Indian types of position.
}) 7... Bf8 8. Rc1 Nbd7 9. Be2 a6 (9... dxc4 10. Bxc4 a6 11. e4 $5 (11. a4 b6
12. O-O Bb7 13. Qe2 c5 14. Rfd1 Qc7 15. dxc5 Bxc5 $13) 11... b5 12. Be2 Bb7 13.
e5 Ne4 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. Ng5 Bd5 16. Bd3 g6 17. h4 $40) 10. c5 c6 11. Na4 Ne4 (
11... e5 12. O-O e4 13. Ne1 $13) 12. O-O Nxd2 13. Nxd2 (13. Qxd2 e5 14. b4 e4
15. Ne1 Rb8 16. Nc2 Qh4 17. Nc3 Nf6 18. a4 Ng4 19. h3 Nh6 $13) 13... e5 14. e4
$5 dxe4 {Another possibility for Black gives easier play somehow:} (14... exd4
$5 15. exd5 cxd5 16. Nf3 b5 17. cxb6 Nxb6 18. Nxd4 (18. Nxb6 Qxb6 19. Qxd4 Rb8
$132) 18... Nxa4 19. Qxa4 Bd7 20. Qb3 Qf6 21. Rfd1 Rab8 $132) 15. Nxe4 Qh4 16.
f3 exd4 17. Bc4 (17. Qxd4 {This was perhaps a more precise move order:} {
Black can't solve his problems in the event of:} Nf6 (17... f5 18. g3 Qh6 19.
Bc4+ Kh8 20. Nd2 Bxc5 21. Nxc5 Nxc5 22. Qxc5 Qxd2 23. Rfd1 Qg5 24. Bf7 $16) 18.
Nb6 Rb8 19. Nxc8 Rbxc8 20. Bc4 {can transpose to the game.}) 17... Nf6 {
It seems that Black has missed a better move...} (17... Ne5 $1 18. Nb6 Rb8 19.
Nxc8 (19. Qxd4 Bf5 20. b4 Bxe4 21. Rcd1 $5 Rbd8 22. Qxe4 Qxe4 23. fxe4 Rxd1 24.
Rxd1 Be7 $11) 19... Rbxc8 20. Qxd4 Rcd8 21. Qc3 Kh8 $13) 18. Nb6 Rb8 19. Nxc8
Rbxc8 20. Qxd4 Nxe4 (20... Rcd8 21. Bxf7+ $1 Kh8 22. Qe3 $16) 21. fxe4 {
We have entered an opposite-coloured bishop type of position, and it is easy
to go astray when evaluating such positions. Pressure on f7 is simply stronger
then Black's ability to block the e4-pawn from advancing further.} Rc7 {
The alternative was interesting:} (21... Kh8 $5 22. Bxf7 Rxe4 23. Qd7 Rb8 24.
b4 $13 {[%cal Gf7a2,Gd7f7]}) 22. Rce1 Rd8 {I am not sure about this move. The
alternative looks safer:} (22... g6 23. g3 Qd8 (23... Qg5 24. e5 Bg7 25. Qf4 $1
Qxf4 26. gxf4 Bf8 27. b4 Rd8 28. Re4 $14) 24. Qf2 Ree7 25. e5 Bg7 26. Rd1 Qe8
27. e6 fxe6 28. Rd6 Kh8 29. Qe2 e5 30. Rfd1 Rc8 31. Qe4 $44 {Despite beeing a
pawn down White has control of the position but it's not sure if he has more
than that.}) 23. Qe3 Qh6 24. b4 $1 Qxe3+ 25. Rxe3 Rd4 26. Bb3 g6 27. Ref3 Rdd7
28. e5 $1 {That's it! The e4-pawn is alive and Black is now in a very
difficult position, where good advice is not easy to give.} Re7 29. e6 $16 h5
30. Rf6 Kg7 31. h4 a5 32. R1f3 axb4 33. axb4 Kh7 34. Bc2 Kg7 35. exf7 $18 Rxf7
36. Rxg6+ Kh8 37. Rfg3 Bg7 38. R3g5 Rf4 39. Rxh5+ Kg8 {Black has lost all his
pawns on the kingside.} 40. Bf5 Kf8 41. Be6 Ke8 42. g3 Rxb4 43. Kg2 Rb2+ 44.
Kh3 Kd8 45. Rhg5 Bc3 46. Rg8+ Ke7 47. Bc4 Rf2 48. Rh5 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis m"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2014.11.21"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Ne5 Nc6 8.
Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxc6 Qe8 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Na3 c5 12. dxc5 Qxc5 13. Be3 Qb4 14.
Qc1 Ba6 15. Bd4 Rfd8 16. Rd1 Rac8 17. Qc3 Qa4 18. Qc2 Qxc2 19. Nxc2 c3 20. Bxc3
Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Bxe2 22. Re1 Bc4 23. Ne3 Nd5 24. Nxc4 Rxc4 25. Bd2 Kf8 26. Rc1
Rxc1+ 27. Bxc1 Ke7 28. Kf1 e5 29. Ke2 e4 30. Kd2 f5 31. Kc2 Nb4+ 32. Kb3 Nd3
33. Be3 a6 34. Kc3 Kd6 35. h4 g6 36. b4 Kd5 37. a4 Ne5 38. b5 a5 39. Bb6 Nc4
40. Bd8 Kc5 41. Bc7 h5 42. Kc2 Kd5 43. Kb3 Nd2+ 44. Kc3 e3 45. fxe3 Ne4+ 46.
Kb2 Nc5 47. Bxa5 Nxa4+ 48. Ka3 Nc5 49. Bb4 Nb7 50. Ka4 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis m"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.23"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D70"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2014.11.21"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 Nc6 8. Bb5
O-O 9. Nge2 Qd6 10. e5 Qd8 11. h4 Nb4 12. Nf4 N6d5 13. Nfxd5 Nxd5 14. Qd2 Be6
15. Bh6 Bxh6 16. Qxh6 f6 17. Bc4 Qd7 18. Ne4 Nb4 19. Rc1 Bxc4 20. Rxc4 Nd5 21.
Rc5 b6 22. Rc4 Qb5 23. exf6 exf6 24. b3 Qa5+ 25. Qd2 Qxd2+ 26. Kxd2 Rad8 27.
Rc6 f5 28. Nc3 Nb4 29. Rxc7 Rxd4+ 30. Kc1 Rf7 31. Rxf7 Kxf7 32. a3 Rd3 33. Nb5
a6 34. axb4 axb5 35. Kc2 Rd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis m"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.24"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2014.11.21"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 b5 8. a4
b4 9. Nfd2 c6 10. Nxc4 Qxd4 11. Rd1 Qc5 12. Nbd2 Ba6 13. b3 Nbd7 14. Bb2 Rad8
15. Rac1 Nb6 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Ne4 Qf5 18. Nxb6 axb6 19. Qxc6 Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1
Rc8 21. Qxb6 Bxe2 22. Qb7 Bxd1 23. Qxc8+ Bf8 24. Qd8 Bxb3 25. a5 Kg7 26. a6 Qe5
27. h4 Bd5 28. Nxf6 Qxf6 29. Qxf6+ Kxf6 30. Bxd5 Bc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Qd2 Nc6 6. d5 Ne5 7. Bh6 Bxh6 8.
Qxh6 c6 9. dxc6 bxc6 10. h3 Qb6 11. Rb1 Rb8 12. Qd2 Ba6 13. Bxa6 Qxa6 14. b3
Rb4 15. f3 Qb6 16. a3 Rd4 17. Qe3 Rxe4 18. Qxe4 Nxe4 19. fxe4 O-O 20. Nge2 f5
21. Rf1 fxe4 22. Rxf8+ Kxf8 23. Nxe4 d5 24. N4c3 d4 25. Na4 Qa5+ 26. Kf1 Qd2
27. Nc5 Qxc2 28. Rc1 Qb2 29. Ne6+ Kg8 30. N6xd4 Qxa3 31. Rc3 a5 32. Kf2 Qd6 33.
Re3 c5 34. Nb5 Qf6+ 35. Ke1 Nc6 36. Nbc3 Nd4 37. Nd5 Qh4+ 38. g3 Qxh3 39. Nxe7+
Kf7 40. Nf4 Qh2 41. Kf1 g5 42. Nfd5 g4 43. Nf4 Qh1+ 44. Kf2 Qh2+ 45. Ng2 Qh6
46. Nd5 Qc6 47. Re7+ Kf8 48. Ngf4 c4 49. Rc7 Qb5 50. Rxc4 Nxb3 51. Rc8+ Kf7 52.
Rc7+ Ke8 53. Nf6+ 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. c4 dxc4 4. Bg2 g6 5. Qc2 Bg7 6. Qxc4 Nf6 7. O-O O-O 8. d3
Nbd7 9. Nc3 e5 10. Qh4 Nd5 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bd2 N7b6 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. Qb4 Be6
15. Rfc1 Rf7 16. Qa5 Nd7 17. Rc2 Qxa5 18. Bxa5 Nb8 19. e3 Nc6 20. Bc3 Bf8 21.
a3 Rc8 22. Rac1 Rfc7 23. Ba5 b6 24. Bb4 a5 25. Bxf8 Kxf8 26. b4 axb4 27. axb4
b5 28. Rc5 Ke7 29. Rxb5 e4 30. dxe4 dxe4 31. Nd2 f5 32. Rbc5 Kd6 33. Bh3 h5 34.
Nxe4+ fxe4 35. Bxe6 Kxe6 36. b5 Kd6 37. Rxc6+ Rxc6 38. Rxc6+ Rxc6 39. bxc6 g5
40. g4 h4 41. f4 exf3 42. Kf2 Kxc6 43. Kxf3 Kd5 44. h3 Ke5 45. Kf2 Kd5 46. Ke1
Ke5 47. Kd2 Ke4 48. Ke2 Kd5 49. Kd3 Ke5 50. e4 Kf4 51. Kd4 Kg3 52. e5 Kxh3 53.
e6 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 Ne4 6. Bh4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 dxc4 8.
e3 b5 9. a4 c6 10. Qb1 a6 11. Be2 Nd7 12. O-O Nb6 13. Ne5 Bxe5 14. dxe5 Nxa4
15. Bf3 Nxc3 16. Qb4 Nd5 17. Qc5 Bb7 18. Rfd1 O-O 19. e4 Qb6 20. Rxd5 Qxc5 21.
Rxc5 Rfe8 22. e6 Rad8 23. exf7+ Kxf7 24. e5 Rd4 25. Bg5 Red8 26. e6+ Ke8 27. h4
R8d6 28. Re5 c3 29. Rc5 b4 30. h5 Rxe6 31. Be3 Rdd6 32. hxg6 hxg6 33. Rc4 a5
34. Rxa5 c5 35. Bxb7 b3 36. Rxc3 b2 37. Rb3 Rd1+ 38. Kh2 b1=Q 39. Ra8+ Kd7 40.
Rxb1 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. c4 dxc4 4. Bg2 g6 5. Qc2 Bg7 6. Qxc4 Nf6 7. O-O O-O 8. d4
Nbd7 9. Nc3 Nb6 10. Qd3 Nfd5 11. Rd1 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Qc7 14. e4 Nxc3
15. Qxc3 e5 16. d5 Rac8 17. b3 cxd5 18. Qxc7 Rxc7 19. exd5 Rd8 20. Bg5 f6 21.
Be3 Bf8 22. Rac1 Rcd7 23. a4 Nc8 24. d6 Nxd6 25. Bxa7 Nf5 26. Rxd7 Rxd7 27. Bf1
Nd4 28. Bxd4 exd4 29. Bd3 Bb4 30. Rc4 Bc3 31. b4 Kf7 32. b5 Ke6 33. Rc8 Kd6 34.
Ra8 b6 35. Kg2 Re7 36. Rc8 Rc7 37. Rf8 Ke7 38. Rb8 Ba5 39. Kf3 Kd6 40. g4 Re7
41. Rc8 Rc7 42. Rf8 Ke5 43. Re8+ Kd5 44. h4 Rc3 45. Ke2 Ra3 46. h5 Ra2+ 47. Kf3
Ra3 48. Ke2 Ra2+ 49. Kf1 gxh5 50. gxh5 h6 51. Rh8 Bd2 52. Rc8 Ra3 53. Ke2 Bf4
54. Rc6 Rxa4 55. Rxf6 Ra2+ 56. Kf1 Bg5 57. Rxb6 Rd2 58. Bg6 Bh4 59. f3 Rf2+ 60.
Kg1 Rxf3 61. Rb8 d3 62. Kg2 d2 63. Bc2 Rg3+ 64. Kh2 Rc3 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 Ne4 6. Bf4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 dxc4 8.
e3 b5 9. Qb1 c6 10. a4 Bf5 11. e4 Bd7 12. h4 h6 13. Ne5 a6 14. Bxc4 O-O 15.
axb5 cxb5 16. Bd5 Bxe5 17. dxe5 Bc6 18. Bxh6 Bxd5 19. exd5 Qxd5 20. Bxf8 Qxg2
21. Ke2 Kxf8 22. Qd3 Qg4+ 23. Kf1 Nd7 24. Qd5 Rc8 25. h5 gxh5 26. Qd4 Rc6 27.
Rh4 Qf5 28. e6 Nf6 29. Qd8+ Kg7 30. exf7 Kxf7 31. Re1 Re6 32. Rxe6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. d4 Nf6 5. c4 c6 6. Qb3 O-O 7. O-O dxc4 8. Qxc4
Nbd7 9. Nc3 Nb6 10. Qd3 Nfd5 11. Rd1 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Qd7 14. Ne4 Rad8
15. e3 Qc7 16. Qe2 e5 17. dxe5 Qxe5 18. Rb1 f5 19. Nc5 Nc3 20. bxc3 Qxc5 21.
Bd2 Qc4 22. Qxc4+ Nxc4 23. Be1 Na3 24. Rbc1 Nc4 25. Kf1 Nb2 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27.
Rb1 Nd3 28. Rxb7 Nxe1 29. Kxe1 Bxc3+ 30. Ke2 Rd2+ 31. Kf1 Rd1+ 32. Ke2 Rd2+ 33.
Kf1 Rd1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D44"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5
9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Be7 11. exf6 Bxf6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. g3 Bb7 14. Bg2 Na6
15. Ne4 Qe7 16. O-O O-O-O 17. a4 f5 18. axb5 cxb5 19. Rxa6 Bxa6 20. Nc5 Qxc5
21. dxc5 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 b4 23. Ra1 Rd8 24. Bf1 Bb5 25. b3 c3 26. Bxb5 c2 27. Be2
a5 28. Rc1 Rd2 29. Kf1 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "253"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Nd5 a5 4. a3 Be7 5. d4 exd4 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. Nxe7 Qxe7 8.
Nxd4 O-O 9. e3 d5 10. cxd5 Nxd5 11. Be2 Rd8 12. Qc2 c5 13. Nb5 Nc6 14. O-O Nf6
15. f3 Be6 16. e4 b6 17. Bg5 h6 18. Bh4 a4 19. Rae1 Rd7 20. Qc1 g5 21. Bf2 Rad8
22. Nc3 Nd4 23. Nxa4 Qd6 24. e5 Qc6 25. exf6 Nxe2+ 26. Rxe2 Qxa4 27. Re4 Qb3
28. Re3 Qa4 29. b3 Bxb3 30. Qb1 Bc4 31. Rfe1 Rd1 32. Qxb6 Kh7 33. h4 gxh4 34.
Qxc5 Qc2 35. Re4 Rxe1+ 36. Bxe1 Rg8 37. Bf2 h3 38. Qf5+ Rg6 39. Qxh3 Bd5 40.
Re1 Rxf6 41. Qh4 Rg6 42. Qf4 Qb3 43. Re3 Qb1+ 44. Kh2 Qb2 45. Bg3 Qf6 46. Qxf6
Rxf6 47. a4 Ra6 48. Re5 Be6 49. a5 Kg6 50. Bh4 Rc6 51. Be7 Bc4 52. Re3 Re6 53.
Rc3 Bf1 54. Bh4 Re2 55. Kg1 Bxg2 56. a6 Ra2 57. a7 Bxf3 58. Rxf3 Rxa7 59. Rf6+
Kg7 60. Rc6 Ra4 61. Bf6+ Kh7 62. Kf2 Re4 63. Rc7 Rf4+ 64. Kg3 Rxf6 65. Rc5 Kg6
66. Rc8 Ra6 67. Rc5 Ra4 68. Rd5 h5 69. Rc5 f6 70. Rd5 Re4 71. Kf3 Rg4 72. Rd8
Kg5 73. Rg8+ Kf5 74. Rh8 Rg5 75. Rh6 Ke6 76. Rh7 Ke5 77. Rh6 Kf5 78. Rh8 Kg6
79. Kf2 Rg4 80. Kf3 Ra4 81. Kg3 Kg5 82. Rg8+ Kf5 83. Rh8 h4+ 84. Kh3 Rf4 85.
Re8 Re4 86. Rg8 Ke5 87. Ra8 f5 88. Ra5+ Kf6 89. Ra8 Rg4 90. Ra7 Kg5 91. Rg7+
Kf4 92. Ra7 Rg1 93. Ra8 Rh1+ 94. Kg2 Rb1 95. Kh3 Rh1+ 96. Kg2 Re1 97. Kh3 Kf3
98. Ra3+ Re3 99. Ra4 Kf2+ 100. Kh2 h3 101. Ra2+ Re2 102. Ra8 f4 103. Kxh3 f3
104. Ra1 Re1 105. Ra2+ Re2 106. Ra1 Rb2 107. Kh2 Ke2 108. Kg3 Rd2 109. Kh2 Kf2
110. Kh3 Re2 111. Kh2 Rc2 112. Kh3 Rb2 113. Kh2 Rd2 114. Kh3 Rd7 115. Ra2+ Ke3
116. Ra3+ Rd3 117. Ra1 Ke2 118. Kg3 Rd2 119. Kh3 Kf2 120. Kh2 Re2 121. Kh3 Re1
122. Ra2+ Kg1 123. Kg3 Rf1 124. Rh2 Ra1 125. Rf2 Ra3 126. Rxf3 Rxf3+ 127. Kxf3
1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d6 3. e3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. h3 O-O 6. Be2 Nc6 7. O-O Nd7 8. Bh2
e5 9. Nc3 exd4 10. Nxd4 Nxd4 11. exd4 Re8 12. Qd2 Nf8 13. Bc4 Be6 14. Bxe6 Nxe6
15. Ne2 Qg5 16. Qd3 Qd5 17. c3 a5 18. Rfd1 a4 19. Nf4 Nxf4 20. Bxf4 Re4 21. Be3
Rae8 22. b3 axb3 23. c4 Qf5 24. axb3 c5 25. Ra5 Bxd4 26. Bxd4 Rxd4 27. Qxd4
cxd4 28. Rxf5 gxf5 29. Rxd4 Re1+ 30. Kh2 Rb1 31. Rd3 f4 32. Rxd6 Rxb3 33. Rf6
b5 34. Rxf4 bxc4 35. Rxc4 Kg7 36. Rc5 Kg6 37. h4 h6 38. f3 Rb4 39. Kh3 Ra4 40.
h5+ Kg7 41. g3 Rb4 42. f4 Rb3 43. Rc6 Ra3 44. Kg4 Rb3 45. f5 Rb4+ 46. Kh3 f6
47. Rc7+ Kg8 48. Re7 Rb5 49. Kg4 Rb3 50. Kf4 Ra3 51. Re4 Kf7 52. Rb4 Rc3 53. g4
Rc5 54. Ke4 Re5+ 55. Kd4 Re1 56. Kd5 Re5+ 57. Kd6 Re1 58. Rb7+ Kg8 59. Re7 Rg1
60. Ke6 Rxg4 61. Kxf6 Ra4 62. Kg6 Rg4+ 63. Kxh6 Kf8 64. f6 Rg1 65. Ra7 Rg2 66.
Rg7 Rxg7 67. fxg7+ Kg8 68. Kg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. d3 Ne7 6. Nh4 f6 7. Qe2 g6 8. O-O
Bg7 9. c4 O-O 10. f4 d6 11. Nc3 f5 12. Nf3 fxe4 13. dxe4 Ba6 14. e5 Nf5 15. Rd1
Qb6 16. Na4 Qb4 17. b3 d5 18. Bd2 Qa3 19. Qf2 d4 20. Qe1 Rfd8 21. Ng5 Re8 22.
Ne4 Bf8 23. g4 Nh6 24. h3 Rab8 25. Bc1 Qb4 26. Qxb4 Rxb4 27. Naxc5 Bc8 28. Rxd4
Kg7 29. Be3 Nf7 30. Rad1 g5 31. Nd6 Rd8 32. Nxf7 Rxd4 33. Bxd4 Kxf7 34. fxg5 a5
35. Rf1+ Kg8 36. h4 Be7 37. Kg2 h6 38. gxh6 Bxh4 39. Be3 a4 40. g5 axb3 41.
axb3 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6 3. Nd2 c5 4. e4 cxd4 5. e5 h6 6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 Nd5 8. h4
gxh4 9. Rxh4 Nc6 10. Ngf3 d6 11. Bb5 Rg8 12. Rxd4 Bd7 13. Bxc6 Bxc6 14. Ne4 Ne3
15. Qd3 Bxe4 16. Qxe3 d5 17. Qb3 Qb6 18. Qxb6 axb6 19. c3 Bc5 20. Rd2 Bxf3 21.
gxf3 d4 22. Ke2 dxc3 23. bxc3 Ra4 24. Rh1 Rg6 25. f4 Be7 26. Rb1 Bd8 27. Rbd1
Be7 28. Rd7 Rxa2+ 29. Kf1 f5 30. Rxb7 Rg7 31. Bh4 Bxh4 32. Rxg7 Rxf2+ 33. Kg1
Rxf4 34. Rh7 Bf2+ 35. Kg2 Bc5 36. Ra1 Rg4+ 37. Kf3 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A08"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. Nbd2 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. O-O Nge7 8. Re1
O-O 9. c3 b5 10. e5 b4 11. Nb3 c4 12. dxc4 dxc4 13. Nbd4 Rb8 14. Bg5 Qc7 15.
Nxc6 Nxc6 16. Bf6 bxc3 17. bxc3 Bb7 18. Ng5 h6 19. Nf3 Ne7 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21.
Qd6 Qxd6 22. exd6 Nf5 23. Ne5 Bxg2 24. Kxg2 Rb5 25. Rad1 Rd8 26. Nxc4 Rc5 27.
Re4 Rd5 28. Ree1 Nxd6 29. Rxd5 exd5 30. Nxd6 Rxd6 31. Rd1 Ra6 32. Rxd5 Rxa2
1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6 3. Nd2 c5 4. e4 cxd4 5. e5 Qa5 6. Ngf3 Ne4 7. Bf4 Nc6 8. a3
Nxd2 9. Bxd2 Qd5 10. c4 Qe4+ 11. Qe2 Qxe2+ 12. Bxe2 d6 13. exd6 Bxd6 14. b4 e5
15. c5 Bc7 16. Bc4 f6 17. O-O Bf5 18. Nh4 Bd7 19. Bd3 O-O 20. b5 Ne7 21. f4 Be6
22. Nf3 Bd5 23. Rfe1 Ng6 24. fxe5 fxe5 25. Ng5 Rae8 26. a4 b6 27. Rac1 Bd8 28.
Be4 Bxe4 29. Nxe4 Be7 30. cxb6 axb6 31. Rc6 Ra8 32. Ra1 Rfb8 33. Kf2 Bf8 34.
Ke2 Ne7 35. Re6 Nd5 36. Rxe5 Rd8 37. Kd3 Nc3 38. a5 bxa5 39. b6 a4 40. Ng5 Rdb8
41. Re6 Nd5 42. Re5 Nxb6 43. Rb5 Nd7 44. Rxb8 Rxb8 45. Ne6 Ra8 46. Nxf8 Nc5+
47. Kc2 Nb3 48. Rxa4 Rxa4 49. Kxb3 Ra6 50. Nd7 Re6 51. Kc4 Re2 52. Bf4 Rxg2 53.
Kxd4 g5 54. Be3 h6 55. Ke4 Rxh2 56. Kf5 Re2 57. Nf6+ Kf7 58. Ng4 h5 59. Ne5+
Ke8 60. Bxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Bc2 Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 7. d3 e6 8. Nbd2
Qc7 9. Nf1 d5 10. exd5 exd5 11. Ng3 Bg6 12. O-O O-O-O 13. a3 Bd6 14. b4 c4 15.
d4 Rhe8 16. Nf5 Ne4 17. Bxe4 Rxe4 18. Nxd6+ Qxd6 19. Ng5 Re7 20. Qg4+ Qd7 21.
Qg3 Bd3 22. Rd1 f6 23. Nf3 Be2 24. Re1 Rde8 25. Be3 Bxf3 26. Qxf3 Re4 27. Bd2
Rxe1+ 28. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 29. Bxe1 Qe6 30. Bd2 g6 31. Qf4 Ne7 32. Qh6 Qf7 33. g4 a6
34. Qe3 Kd7 35. Qg3 Nc6 36. f3 Qe7 37. Kf2 Qd6 38. Bf4 Qe7 39. h4 Ke6 40. h5 g5
41. Bd2 h6 42. Qg1 Qh7 43. Qd1 Qd3 44. Qe2+ Qxe2+ 45. Kxe2 b5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A47"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6 3. Nd2 c5 4. e3 b6 5. Ngf3 Bb7 6. Bd3 Be7 7. c3 h6 8. Bxf6
Bxf6 9. O-O O-O 10. e4 d6 11. Re1 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Nc6 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14. f4 b5 15.
Rc1 Rc8 16. Kh1 a5 17. a3 Qb6 18. Qe2 Qb8 19. Nf3 b4 20. axb4 axb4 21. c4 b3
22. Rcd1 g6 23. h4 Qb4 24. g4 Bg7 25. g5 h5 26. Kh2 Rfe8 27. Kg3 e5 28. fxe5
dxe5 29. Qd2 Qb8 30. Rf1 Bd7 31. Qc3 Bf8 32. Nd2 Bg4 33. Nf3 Bb4 34. Qc1 Bc5
35. Be2 Bd4 36. Kg2 Qb7 37. Qb1 Bxf3+ 38. Rxf3 Re7 39. Rdf1 Ra8 40. Bd1 Ra2 41.
Rxb3 Qxb3 42. Bxb3 Rxb2+ 43. Qxb2 Bxb2 44. c5 Rc7 45. c6 Rxc6 46. Rxf7 Kh8 47.
Rb7 Bd4 48. Bf7 Rc2+ 49. Kf1 Rc6 50. Ke2 Rd6 51. Bd5 Rb6 52. Rf7 Ra6 53. Kd3
Ra3+ 54. Kc4 Rh3 55. Rf6 Rxh4 56. Rxg6 Rg4 57. Be6 Rg3 58. Bf5 h4 59. Rh6+ Kg8
60. g6 h3 61. Rh7 Kf8 62. Kd5 Be3 63. Ke6 Bc5 64. Kf6 Ke8 65. g7 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis m blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.25"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2014.11.25"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 b5 7. Bb3 Bb7 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. a4 b4 10. Nd5 e6 11. Nxf6+ Nxf6 12. Bg5 Be7 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Nxe6 Qd7
15. Nxg7+ Kf7 16. Nf5 Rag8 17. Nh6+ Ke8 18. Nxg8 Rxg8 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Qh5+
Qf7 21. Qh3 Bxb2 22. Rad1 Qg6 23. Rfe1 Be5 24. g3 h5 25. Re3 a5 26. Qf1 Bc6 27.
f4 Qh6 28. Rf3 Bc3 29. Qc4 d5 30. exd5 Bd7 31. Re3+ Kf8 32. Qc5+ Kg7 33. Qe7+
Kh8 34. Qxd7 Qxf4 35. Qe6 h4 36. Qxg8+ 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D70"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2014.12.11"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2
Be6 9. O-O-O Bc4 10. Bh6 Bxf1 11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. Rxf1 c5 13. d5 e6 14. h4 exd5
15. exd5 N8d7 16. Nh3 Nc4 17. Qf4 Nde5 18. Nf2 Qb6 19. b3 Qa5 20. Nb1 Qxa2 21.
bxc4 Nxc4 22. Nd1 Na5 23. Ndc3 Nb3+ 24. Kd1 Qb2 25. Re1 Nd4 26. Qd2 Qb3+ 27.
Kc1 Rfe8 28. h5 Qc4 29. Qa2 Qd3 30. Ne4 f5 31. Ng5 Ne2+ 32. Kb2 Qd4+ 33. Kc2
Rad8 34. Rd1 Qf2 35. Rd2 Nd4+ 36. Kd1 Qg3 37. Rxd4 Qxg5 38. Rd2 Qf6 39. hxg6
hxg6 40. Qxa7 Rd7 41. Qxc5 Ra8 42. Ke2 Ra4 43. Kf2 Rh4 44. Re1 Kh7 45. d6 Kh6
46. Qe5 Qd8 47. Nc3 Kh7 48. Nd5 Rf7 49. Rdd1 Qa8 50. Rh1 Qa2+ 51. Kg3 g5 52.
Rxh4+ gxh4+ 53. Kh2 Qf2 54. d7 h3 55. Kxh3 Kg6 56. Qe6+ 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D32"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2014.12.11"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. e3 e6 5. d4 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bb5 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Qc7 9. Bd2 a6 10. Ba4 Bd6 11. Rc1 O-O 12. Nce2 Bd7 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14. Nd4
Bxa4 15. Qxa4 Qb6 16. Qb3 Qxb3 17. Nxb3 Be5 18. Bc3 Bxc3+ 19. Rxc3 Rfc8 20. Rd3
Rc2 21. Rd2 Rac8 22. Rf1 Kf8 23. Nd4 Rxd2 24. Kxd2 g6 25. f3 Ke7 26. Ne2 h5 27.
Nf4 Kd6 28. Rd1 Rc4 29. Kd3 Ke5 30. Rd2 Ne8 31. a3 Nc7 32. Ke2 a5 33. h4 d4 34.
Nd3+ Kd6 35. e4 Ne6 36. f4 Rc6 37. g3 Rb6 38. b4 axb4 39. Nxb4 Rb5 40. e5+ Kd7
41. Rd3 Ke7 42. Kd1 f6 43. exf6+ Kxf6 44. Nc2 Rb1+ 45. Ke2 Rb2 46. Kd1 Rb1+ 47.
Ke2 Rb2 48. Kd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A12"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "144"]
[EventDate "2014.12.11"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 d5 2. Bb2 c6 3. e3 Nf6 4. c4 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O dxc4 8. bxc4
c5 9. d4 cxd4 10. exd4 e6 11. Nc3 Nc6 12. Ba3 Re8 13. Nb5 Ne4 14. Qd3 a6 15.
Qxe4 axb5 16. Bb2 bxc4 17. Bxc4 Bd7 18. Qf4 Qb8 19. Qe3 Na5 20. Be2 Bc6 21. Ne5
Bd5 22. Bb5 Nc6 23. a4 Rc8 24. Rfc1 Nxe5 25. dxe5 Rxc1+ 26. Rxc1 Qd8 27. g3 Rc8
28. Rxc8 Qxc8 29. Qc3 Qd8 30. h4 h5 31. Qd4 Qc7 32. Qc3 Qb8 33. Qd4 b6 34. Qe3
Ba8 35. f3 Qb7 36. Be2 Qc6 37. Kf2 Bb7 38. Bd4 Qxa4 39. Bxb6 Qc2 40. Bd4 Ba6
41. Qe4 Qd2 42. Qe3 Qa2 43. Kf1 Qb1+ 44. Kf2 Qc2 45. Qe4 Qxe4 46. fxe4 Bxe2 47.
Kxe2 Kf8 48. Kd3 Ke8 49. Kc4 Kd7 50. Kb5 Bh6 51. Kc4 Kc6 52. Bf2 Bc1 53. Bd4
Ba3 54. Kb3 Bc1 55. Kc4 Bd2 56. Bf2 Ba5 57. Be3 Be1 58. Bf4 Kb6 59. Be3+ Kc7
60. Bf4 Kc6 61. Kd3 Kb5 62. Ke2 Bc3 63. Kd3 Ba1 64. Be3 Bxe5 65. Bf2 Kb4 66.
Be1+ Kb3 67. Bf2 Bd6 68. Be1 Kb2 69. Bf2 Kc1 70. Ke2 Kc2 71. Be1 Bc7 72. Bf2
Kc3 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.11"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2014.12.11"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 a6 7. Qc2 c5 8.
O-O b5 9. a4 Bb7 10. Nc3 Qb6 11. d3 Be7 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8+ Bxa8 14. Qb3
Nd5 15. Bg5 Nxc3 16. Qxc3 f6 17. Bd2 O-O 18. Ra1 Bb7 19. Ne1 Bxg2 20. Nxg2 Qc6
21. Qb3 c4 22. dxc4 bxc4 23. Qc2 Nb6 24. Rc1 Rc8 25. h4 Nd5 26. e4 Nb6 27. Be3
Nd7 28. Bd4 e5 29. Bc3 Nc5 30. Bb4 Nd3 31. Bxe7 Nxc1 32. Qxc1 Qxe4 33. Ne3 Qd3
34. Bb4 h5 35. Bc3 Kh7 36. Qf1 Qxf1+ 37. Kxf1 Kg6 38. f4 exf4 39. gxf4 Kf7 40.
f5 Ke7 41. Bb4+ Kd7 42. Kf2 Rb8 43. Bc3 Kd6 44. Kf3 Kc5 45. Ng2 Rd8 46. Nf4 Rd1
47. Ne6+ Kd5 48. Nxg7 Rf1+ 49. Kg2 Rf4 50. Bxf6 Ke4 51. Nxh5 Rg4+ 52. Ng3+ Kf4
53. Bg5+ 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.12"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A47"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2014.12.11"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 e6 3. e3 c5 4. Nd2 b6 5. Ngf3 Be7 6. h3 Bb7 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
cxd4 9. exd4 d6 10. Bh2 Nbd7 11. Re1 Re8 12. c3 a6 13. Rc1 Bf8 14. a4 g6 15.
Bf1 Rc8 16. Nc4 Qc7 17. Ne3 Qb8 18. Nd2 Red8 19. b4 Qa7 20. Qb3 d5 21. Rc2 Nb8
22. b5 axb5 23. axb5 Qa3 24. Qxa3 Bxa3 25. Ra1 Bd6 26. Bxd6 Rxd6 27. Ra7 Rd7
28. g4 Rdc7 29. c4 Nbd7 30. Bg2 e5 31. dxe5 Nxe5 32. Rca2 Nd3 33. cxd5 Nf4 34.
Bf3 Bxd5 35. Rxc7 Rxc7 36. Nxd5 N6xd5 37. Kh2 Nc3 38. Ra8+ Kg7 39. Bc6 Ne6 40.
Rb8 Nd4 41. Rxb6 Na4 42. Ra6 Nc5 43. Ra5 Nxc6 44. b6 Rb7 45. Rxc5 Rxb6 46. Nf3
h6 47. Kg2 Ra6 48. Kg3 Rb6 49. Kg2 Ra6 50. Kg3 Rb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A50"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2014.12.11"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. d4 Bb7 4. g3 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. d5 e6 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O
exd5 9. cxd5 Re8 10. Nd4 Na6 11. Re1 Nc5 12. e4 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 14. Nf5 gxf5
15. exd5 Rxe1+ 16. Qxe1 Qe8 17. Qd1 d6 18. Rb1 a5 19. Bf4 Qa4 20. Qxa4 Nxa4 21.
Rc1 Ra7 22. b3 Nc3 23. Re1 Kf8 24. a4 Rb7 25. Bh3 Rb8 26. Bxf5 h6 27. Bd2 Nxd5
28. Be4 Ne7 29. Bf4 Ng6 30. Bd2 Re8 31. f4 Ne7 32. f5 Ng8 33. Kf1 Nf6 34. Bf3
Rxe1+ 35. Kxe1 Ke7 36. g4 Nd7 37. h4 Ne5 38. Be2 f6 39. Bf4 Kd7 40. Bxe5 dxe5
41. Kd2 Kd6 42. Bf3 Kc5 43. Kc3 Bf8 44. h5 c6 45. Be4 b5 46. Bf3 Kb6 47. Be4
Bb4+ 48. Kc2 Be1 49. Bg2 c5 50. axb5 Kxb5 51. Bf1+ Kc6 52. Kd3 Bh4 53. Kc4 Bg5
54. Bg2+ Kb6 55. Be4 Bh4 56. Bg2 Bg5 57. Be4 Bh4 58. Bg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord rap"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2014.12.11"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Nb6 8.
Ne5 a5 9. f3 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. e4 Bg6 12. Be2 e6 13. O-O Bb4 14. Be3 O-O
15. Qb3 Qc7 16. Kh1 Rad8 17. Rac1 Qb8 18. Bg1 Rfe8 19. Rfd1 Bd6 20. Bc4 h5 21.
Ne2 Qc7 22. Be3 Rc8 23. Bd2 Ra8 24. Qe3 f6 25. Nf4 Bxf4 26. Qxf4 Qxf4 27. Bxf4
Bf7 28. Be3 Nb8 29. Kg1 Na6 30. Be2 Nb4 31. Bf4 Red8 32. Bc7 Rd7 33. Bb6 Na6
34. Bxa5 Nb8 35. b4 e5 36. d5 Kh7 37. Bc4 Na6 38. h4 Kg6 39. Kh2 Bg8 40. Bd3
Nb8 41. f4 exf4 42. d6 Bb3 43. Rd2 Kf7 44. Rc3 Be6 45. Bc2 Na6 46. b5 cxb5 47.
axb5 Nc5 48. Bc7 b6 49. Rxc5 bxc5 50. b6 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. Nf3 Nh5 5. Bd2 g6 6. e4 Bg7 7. Be3 a6 8. Qd2
b5 9. Bh6 Bxh6 10. Qxh6 Bb7 11. O-O-O b4 12. Nd5 e6 13. Re1 Ndf6 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6
15. Qd2 Qf4 16. Qxf4 Nxf4 17. g3 Nh5 18. Bd3 O-O 19. Nd2 f5 20. f4 Nf6 21. Rhf1
fxe4 22. Nxe4 Bxe4 23. Bxe4 Nxe4 24. Rxe4 Rf6 25. Rfe1 Kf7 26. Kd2 c6 27. R1e3
Rb8 28. a3 a5 29. axb4 Rxb4 30. Kc3 h5 31. Re2 Ke7 32. b3 Kd7 33. Re1 Rb5 34.
h4 c5 35. dxc5 Rxc5+ 36. Rc4 Rff5 37. Rxc5 Rxc5+ 38. Kd3 Rd5+ 39. Kc3 Rc5+ 40.
Kd3 Rd5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 e4 6. d5 exf3 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. e4
Qc7 9. gxf3 Bd6 10. Be3 O-O 11. Qd2 Re8 12. O-O-O Be5 13. Rg1 d5 14. cxd5 cxd5
15. f4 d4 16. fxe5 dxe3 17. Qxe3 Qxe5 18. Bb5 Rf8 19. Rg5 Qxh2 20. Rxg7+ Kh8
21. Qg5 Ng8 22. Rxg8+ 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D90"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg5 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Rc1 Qa5 9. Qd2 Nd7 10. e4 h6 11. Bf4 g5 12. Be3 O-O 13. h4 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Nf6
15. f3 Rd8 16. hxg5 hxg5 17. Bd3 Be6 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. Qe2 Rac8 20. Bc4 Kf7 21.
Kf2 Qe5 22. Rhd1 g4 23. Bd4 gxf3 24. Bxe5 fxe2 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Kxe2 Nxe4 27.
Bxg7 Kxg7 28. Bxe6 Rd6 29. Bb3 Nc5 30. Rf1 Nxb3 31. axb3 Rg6 32. Rf2 a5 33. Kd3
b5 34. Kd4 a4 35. bxa4 bxa4 36. Ra2 Kf6 37. Kd5 Rg5+ 38. Kc6 Ke6 39. c4 a3 40.
c5 Rg3 41. Re2+ Kf6 42. Kc7 e5 43. c6 Ke6 44. Rc2 Rb3 45. Kd8 Rb8+ 46. Kc7 Rb2
47. Rc3 a2 48. Ra3 e4 49. Kc8 Ke7 50. c7 Rxg2 51. Kb7 Rb2+ 52. Kc6 Rc2+ 53. Kb6
Kd7 54. Ra8 e3 55. c8=Q+ Rxc8 56. Rxa2 Kd6 57. Re2 Rc3 58. Kb5 Kd5 59. Kb4 Kd4
60. Re1 Rc2 61. Kb3 Rd2 62. Rh1 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A39"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 c5 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 O-O 8.
O-O Qa5 9. Nb3 Qh5 10. c5 a5 11. e3 a4 12. Qxh5 Nxh5 13. Nd4 Nxd4 14. exd4 Bxd4
15. Nd5 a3 16. Rb1 Bxc5 17. Bh6 Rd8 18. Rfc1 Bd6 19. Nb6 Rb8 20. bxa3 Nf6 21.
Rc2 Ng4 22. Bg5 Ne5 23. Rd1 Bxa3 24. Rc3 Bb4 25. Rb3 Bc5 26. Na4 Ba7 27. Bxe7
Re8 28. Bd6 Ra8 29. Nc3 Ng4 30. Rb2 Bb8 31. Nb5 Bxd6 32. Nxd6 Rf8 33. Rc2 Ne5
34. Rc7 Nc6 35. h4 Rb8 36. a4 b6 37. f4 Ba6 38. Rxd7 Nb4 39. Ne4 Kg7 40. h5
Rbe8 41. hxg6 hxg6 42. R1d6 Bc8 43. Rc7 Bf5 44. Ng5 Nd3 45. Bf1 Re1 46. Rc3 Nc5
47. Kf2 Ra1 48. Bb5 Nxa4 49. Bxa4 Rxa4 50. Rxb6 Ra2+ 51. Kf3 Ra7 52. g4 Bd7 53.
Kg3 Rc8 54. Rxc8 Bxc8 55. Rb3 Bd7 56. Ne4 Bc6 57. Nf2 Ra2 58. Rc3 Bb7 59. Rb3
Bc6 60. Rc3 Bb7 61. Rb3 Bc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E60"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Nc3 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Qc7 8.
Nd5 Qxc4 9. Nxe7+ Kh8 10. Nxc8 Rxc8 11. O-O Nc6 12. Nb3 Re8 13. e3 a5 14. Bd2
a4 15. Rc1 Qb5 16. Nd4 Nxd4 17. exd4 Qxb2 18. Rc2 Qxd4 19. Qc1 Ne4 20. Be3 Qe5
21. Bf4 Qa5 22. Bxe4 Rxe4 23. Rc7 b5 24. Rxd7 Qc3 25. Rxf7 Rd8 26. Qb1 Rb4 27.
Qe1 Qxe1 28. Rxe1 Kg8 29. Rb7 Rb2 30. Ree7 Bd4 31. Be3 Bxe3 32. Rxe3 Rf8 33.
Ree7 Rfxf2 34. Rb8+ Rf8 35. Rbb7 Rff2 36. Rb8+ Rf8 37. Rbb7 Rff2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 e6 3. c4 dxc4 4. e3 a6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O Nf6 7. Nc3 b5 8. Be2
Nbd7 9. d5 exd5 10. Nxd5 Bb7 11. Nxf6+ Qxf6 12. a4 b4 13. e4 Be7 14. Bc4 Rd8
15. Qe2 Qg6 16. Bf4 O-O 17. Bc7 Rc8 18. Bg3 a5 19. Rfe1 Nb6 20. Bb5 Rfd8 21.
Ne5 Qe6 22. Nc4 Nxc4 23. Bxc4 Qg6 24. f3 Bc6 25. b3 h5 26. Rad1 h4 27. Bf4 Bf6
28. Be3 Bd4 29. Bxd4 cxd4 30. h3 Qg5 31. Qf2 Bxa4 32. f4 Qh6 33. Rxd4 Bc6 34.
f5 a4 35. bxa4 Bxa4 36. e5 Rxd4 37. Qxd4 Qg5 38. e6 Bc6 39. exf7+ Kh7 40. Qf2
Rd8 41. f6 gxf6 42. Re7 Rf8 43. Re6 Bb7 44. Rxf6 Qc1+ 45. Bf1 Kg7 46. Rf4 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2704"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bd6 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 O-O 7. Nbd2 b5 8. Bc2
Re8 9. Nf1 Bf8 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. Bg3 d5 13. N3d2 d4 14. Nb3 a5 15. a3
Be6 16. h4 dxc3 17. bxc3 b4 18. hxg5 hxg5 19. axb4 axb4 20. Rxa8 Qxa8 21. c4
Rd8 22. Ne3 Bg7 23. Nd5 Qa3 24. Qd2 Qb2 25. Ke2 Bxd5 26. cxd5 Nd4+ 27. Nxd4
Qxd4 28. Qxg5 Qb2 29. Qc1 Qc3 30. Qd2 Nd7 31. Rb1 Qxd2+ 32. Kxd2 Bf8 33. f4 Bh6
34. Ke2 exf4 35. Be1 Bf8 36. Bxb4 Bxb4 37. Rxb4 Ne5 38. d4 Ng4 39. Kf3 Ne3 40.
Bd3 Ra8 41. Kxf4 Nxg2+ 42. Ke5 Re8+ 43. Kf6 Nf4 44. Bb1 Nh5+ 45. Kg5 Ng3 46.
Kf4 Ne2+ 47. Kf3 Nc3 48. Bd3 f5 49. exf5 Nxd5 50. Bc4 Rd8 51. Rb5 c6 52. Rc5
Kf8 53. Rxc6 Nb4 54. Rf6+ Ke7 55. Re6+ Kf8 56. Ke4 Rc8 57. Bb5 Rc1 58. Ke5 Re1+
59. Kd6 Rd1 60. Kc5 Nc2 61. Ba4 Rc1 62. Bxc2 Rxc2+ 63. Kd6 Rf2 64. d5 Rxf5 65.
Kc6 Kf7 66. Re1 Rf2 67. d6 Rc2+ 68. Kd7 Ra2 69. Rf1+ Kg7 70. Ke8 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. e4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e5 Ne4 5. Ne2 Bg4 6. h3 Bxf3 7. gxf3 Ng5 8.
Nd4 Nc6 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. h4 Ne6 11. h5 d4 12. hxg6 fxg6 13. Bc4 Qd7 14. d3 Bg7
15. f4 O-O-O 16. c3 Rdf8 17. Qb3 Nc5 18. Qb4 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C25"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 Bc5 4. Bg2 d6 5. d3 Nge7 6. Nge2 O-O 7. Be3 Nd4 8. h3
Nxe2 9. Qxe2 Bxe3 10. Qxe3 f5 11. O-O-O fxe4 12. dxe4 Qe8 13. f4 exf4 14. gxf4
Bd7 15. Rhg1 Kh8 16. Rdf1 Bc6 17. Kb1 a6 18. a3 Rd8 19. Qd4 Qf7 20. Bf3 Qf6 21.
Qxf6 Rxf6 22. f5 Rdf8 23. Be2 g6 24. fxg6 Rxf1+ 25. Bxf1 Nxg6 26. Be2 Kg7 27.
Kc1 Rf4 28. Kd2 Rh4 29. Bg4 Kf6 30. Rf1+ Ke7 31. b3 Ne5 32. Bf5 Bb5 33. Nd5+
Kd8 34. c4 Bc6 35. Nc3 b5 36. cxb5 Bxb5 37. Rf2 Bd7 38. Rg2 Bxf5 39. exf5 Rxh3
40. Rg7 Nf3+ 41. Ke3 Nh4+ 42. Kd2 Nxf5 43. Rf7 Nd4 44. Nd5 Nxb3+ 45. Kc2 Nd4+
46. Kd2 c6 47. Nf4 Rxa3 48. Rxh7 d5 49. Nd3 Kc8 50. Nc5 Nb3+ 51. Kc3 Nxc5+ 52.
Kb4 Ra4+ 53. Kxc5 Rc4+ 54. Kd6 a5 55. Ra7 a4 56. Rh7 d4 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Yue"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D34"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2720"]
[PlyCount "161"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 c5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. d4 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8.
dxc5 Bxc5 9. Bg5 O-O 10. Nc3 d4 11. Ne4 Be7 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. b4
Rd8 15. b5 Ne5 16. Rc1 Bg4 17. Nxd4 Rxd4 18. Qxd4 Nf3+ 19. exf3 Qxd4 20. fxg4
Qb6 21. Rfd1 Qxb5 22. Rc7 Qa5 23. Rxb7 Qxa2 24. Bd5 Qe2 25. Rc1 Kh8 26. Rxf7
Qd2 27. Bxa8 Qxc1+ 28. Kg2 Qc8 29. Rxa7 g6 30. Bf3 Qc5 31. Ra4 Kg7 32. h4 h6
33. Ra6 g5 34. h5 Qd4 35. Re6 Qb4 36. Be4 Qd4 37. Rg6+ Kf7 38. Bf3 Qh8 39. Bd5+
Ke7 40. Re6+ Kd7 41. Re4 Kd6 42. Be6 Qa8 43. Bf5 Qd5 44. Kh2 Qd2 45. Re6+ Kd5
46. Kg2 Kc5 47. Be4 Qd4 48. Rc6+ Kb5 49. Bf3 Qh8 50. Rc2 Qh7 51. Rc3 Qg7 52.
Rc1 Qf6 53. Rc6 Qh8 54. Be4 Qe8 55. Bf3 Qf8 56. Rc2 Qf6 57. Bc6+ Kb4 58. Be4
Qe5 59. f3 Kb3 60. Bf5 Kb4 61. Rf2 Kc5 62. f4 Qe7 63. Bg6 Kd4 64. Bf5 Qb7+ 65.
Kg1 Ke3 66. fxg5 hxg5 67. h6 Qc7 68. Rg2 Qc1+ 69. Kh2 Kf3 70. h7 Qa1 71. Rc2
Qf6 72. Rd2 Qh6+ 73. Kg1 Qb6+ 74. Kh1 Qf6 75. Rg2 Qh6+ 76. Rh2 Qa6 77. Rd2 Qh6+
78. Rh2 Qa6 79. Rd2 Qh6+ 80. Rh2 Qa6 81. Rd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.14"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. d4 e5 8. Nf3
Nc6 9. Bg5 Qg6 10. d5 Nb8 11. h4 e4 12. Nd4 Bd6 13. Be2 h6 14. Bh5 Qh7 15. Be3
O-O 16. Nb5 Nd7 17. Nxd6 cxd6 18. Bf4 Re8 19. Bxd6 e3 20. O-O Nf6 21. fxe3 Qe4
22. Rxf6 gxf6 23. Bf4 Qxc4 24. Qf3 Bf5 25. Bxh6 Qe4 26. Qg3+ Bg6 27. Bf3 Qe5
28. Bf4 Qxc3 29. Rb1 Kh8 30. Rxb7 Rg8 31. Qf2 Qd3 32. Kh2 Rac8 33. Qb2 Qf5 34.
Rxa7 Rc2 35. Qd4 Bh5 36. Be4 Rf2 37. Bxf5 Rfxg2+ 38. Kh3 Rg1 39. Qxf6+ 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.14"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bf5 4. c4 e6 5. O-O Nd7 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. d3 Ngf6 8.
Nc3 Bc5 9. Qb3 Qb6 10. Nh4 Qxb3 11. axb3 Bg6 12. Nxg6 hxg6 13. Bf4 Ke7 14. h4
a6 15. Bg5 Rhe8 16. e3 Kf8 17. Rfc1 Rec8 18. d4 Bd6 19. Ne2 Ne4 20. Bxe4 dxe4
21. Bf4 Be7 22. Kf1 Nb6 23. Nc3 f5 24. Ke2 Kf7 25. f3 exf3+ 26. Kxf3 Rc6 27. e4
fxe4+ 28. Nxe4 Rac8 29. Bg5 Nd5 30. Rxc6 Rxc6 31. Bxe7 Kxe7 32. Nc5 Rb6 33. Re1
Nc7 34. Re4 Rb4 35. Rg4 b6 36. Nd3 Rxb3 37. Ke4 Nb5 38. Rxg6 Nd6+ 39. Ke3 Nf5+
40. Ke4 Nd6+ 41. Ke3 Nf5+ 42. Ke4 Nd6+ 43. Ke3 Nf5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C62"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bd7 6. O-O g6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8.
Be3 Nf6 9. h3 O-O 10. Re1 Re8 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bd2
Nd7 15. b3 Nc5 16. Qf3 Qf6 17. Qxf6 Bxf6 18. f3 a5 19. Rad1 a4 20. Kf2 h5 21.
Re2 axb3 22. axb3 Ra6 23. g3 Rea8 24. Ree1 Ra3 25. f4 Ne6 26. e5 dxe5 27. fxe5
Be7 28. Ne4 Ra2 29. Bc3 Rxc2+ 30. Re2 Rxe2+ 31. Kxe2 Rb8 32. Rb1 Kf8 33. h4 Ke8
34. Kd3 Nc5+ 35. Nxc5 Bxc5 36. Kc4 Rb5 37. Rf1 Be7 38. Ra1 Rc5+ 39. Kd3 Kd7 40.
Ra7 Rb5 41. Kc4 Bc5 42. Ra8 Bf2 43. Rf8 Ke7 44. Rc8 Rb7 45. Ba5 Bxg3 46. b4
Bxe5 47. Kc5 Kd7 48. Rg8 Bd6+ 49. Kc4 Rb5 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2727"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bd6 5. O-O a6 6. Ba4 O-O 7. c3 Re8 8. Nbd2
Bf8 9. Re1 b5 10. Bc2 d5 11. exd5 Qxd5 12. d4 Bb7 13. Ne4 exd4 14. Nfg5 dxc3
15. Nxf6+ gxf6 16. Ne4 Qxd1 17. Nxf6+ Kh8 18. Rxd1 Re6 19. Nd5 Nd4 20. Bd3 c2
0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.14"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D75"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. g3 Bg7 6. Bg2 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Nf3 O-O 9. O-O Be6 10. Ba3 Na6 11. Qa4 Bd7 12. Qb3 Bc6 13. e3 Qa5 14. Rab1 Rac8
15. d5 c4 16. Qd1 Bxd5 17. Bxe7 Rfe8 18. Bb4 Nxb4 19. cxb4 Qd8 20. Nh4 Bxg2 21.
Nxg2 c3 22. Qc2 Qd2 23. Rfc1 Red8 24. Ne1 Qd5 25. a3 h5 26. h4 Qe6 27. Qe2 Rd2
28. Qf3 c2 29. Nxc2 Rdxc2 30. Rxc2 Rxc2 31. Qxb7 Rxf2 32. Kxf2 Qf5+ 33. Kg2
Qc2+ 34. Kf3 Qxb1 35. Qa8+ Kh7 36. Qxa7 Qf1+ 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D75"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. g3 Bg7 6. Bg2 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Nf3 cxd4 9. cxd4 O-O 10. O-O Nc6 11. e3 Be6 12. a4 Rc8 13. Ba3 Re8 14. Nd2 Na5
15. Bb4 Nc6 16. Bc3 Bd5 17. Bxd5 Qxd5 18. Rb1 b6 19. Rb5 Qd7 20. Qb3 Red8 21.
Ra1 Nxd4 22. Bxd4 e5 23. Bxb6 axb6 24. Nc4 e4 25. Nxb6 Qh3 26. Rd1 Rxd1+ 27.
Qxd1 Rc6 28. Qd8+ Bf8 29. Rb1 Rd6 30. Qc8 Qh5 31. g4 Qh4 32. a5 Rf6 33. Nd5
Qxf2+ 34. Kh1 Qf3+ 35. Kg1 Qf2+ 36. Kh1 Rd6 37. Ne7+ Kg7 38. Qc3+ f6 39. Nf5+
gxf5 40. gxf5 Qf3+ 41. Kg1 Qxf5 42. Rf1 Qg4+ 43. Kh1 Qe2 44. Rg1+ Kh6 45. Re1
Qf3+ 46. Kg1 Rd3 47. Qc8 Bd6 48. a6 Bxh2+ 49. Kxh2 Rd2+ 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.14"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bd6 5. O-O a6 6. Ba4 O-O 7. c3 Re8 8. Nbd2
Bf8 9. Re1 b5 10. Bb3 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. Nf1 h6 13. Ng3 d6 14. h3 Nc6 15. d4
cxd4 16. cxd4 exd4 17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Qc7 19. Qd3 d5 20. Bd2 dxe4 21. Nxe4
Rxe4 22. Rxe4 Bf5 23. Rc4 Qxc4 24. Qxc4 bxc4 25. Bxf5 Rb8 26. b3 cxb3 27. axb3
Rxb3 28. Rxa6 Rb5 29. Ra5 Rxa5 30. Bxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.14"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A50"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "256"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. d4 Bb7 4. Nc3 g6 5. d5 Bg7 6. e4 O-O 7. Bd3 e6 8. O-O d6
9. Re1 Nbd7 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bd2 Re8 12. Qc1 Kh7 13. h3 a5 14. Qc2 Nc5 15. Bf1
Nh5 16. Rad1 Qf6 17. Nh2 exd5 18. Ng4 Qh4 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. cxd5 Rxe4 21. Rxe4
Nxe4 22. Qxe4 f5 23. Qc4 fxg4 24. hxg4 Be5 25. Bd3 Rf8 26. Be3 Ng3 27. f4 Qh1+
28. Kf2 Qxd1 29. Kxg3 Qe1+ 30. Kf3 Kg7 31. g3 Bf6 32. Qxc7+ Rf7 33. Qc1 Qxc1
34. Bxc1 Bd4 35. b3 Rc7 36. Bd2 Re7 37. a4 Kf7 38. Bc2 Bc5 39. Bd3 Rc7 40. f5
g5 41. Ke4 Re7+ 42. Kf3 Bd4 43. Bb5 Rc7 44. Bc6 Re7 45. Bb5 Kf6 46. Bc4 Ke5 47.
Bc1 Kf6 48. Bd2 Re5 49. Kg2 h5 50. gxh5 Rxf5 51. Be1 g4 52. h6 Rh5 53. Bd2 Kf7
54. Bd3 Be5 55. h7 Kg7 56. Be4 Bf6 57. Bf4 Be5 58. Be3 Bf6 59. Bf4 Be7 60. Be3
Bd8 61. Bf4 Be7 62. Be3 Bf6 63. Bf4 Be5 64. Be3 Bc3 65. Bf4 Bb4 66. Bc1 Bc3 67.
Bf4 Be5 68. Be3 Rh3 69. Bf2 Kh8 70. Bg6 Rh6 71. Be4 Kg7 72. Bxb6 Rh3 73. Bf2
Rh5 74. Be1 Bf6 75. Bxa5 Re5 76. Bc3 Rxe4 77. Bxf6+ Kxh7 78. Kf2 Rb4 79. Be7
Rxb3 80. Bxd6 Rf3+ 81. Ke2 Rf5 82. a5 Rxd5 83. Bc7 Rc5 84. Bb6 Rb5 85. Ke3 Kg6
86. Kf4 Rb4+ 87. Ke5 Rb3 88. Kf4 Kh5 89. Bc7 Rc3 90. Bd6 Rc6 91. Be7 Rc3 92.
Bd6 Rd3 93. Bc7 Rc3 94. Bd6 Rc6 95. Be7 Ra6 96. Bd8 Re6 97. Kf5 Rd6 98. Bc7 Rc6
99. Bf4 Rc5+ 100. Kf6 Rxa5 101. Bd2 Ra2 102. Bf4 Rf2 103. Kf5 Rf1 104. Ke4 Kg6
105. Be5 Rf3 106. Bf4 Kf6 107. Bb8 Rb3 108. Bd6 Ke6 109. Bc5 Rxg3 110. Kf4 Rc3
111. Be3 Rc4+ 112. Kg3 Kf5 113. Ba7 Rc3+ 114. Kg2 Rb3 115. Bc5 Rb2+ 116. Kg3
Rb3+ 117. Kg2 Rd3 118. Ba7 Rc3 119. Bb8 Kg5 120. Bd6 Re3 121. Bc7 Rd3 122. Be5
Rd2+ 123. Kg3 Rd3+ 124. Kg2 Rd7 125. Bb8 Rd2+ 126. Kg3 Rd3+ 127. Kg2 Kh4 128.
Bf4 Ra3 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.14"]
[Round "19"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E60"]
[WhiteElo "2718"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 Nh5 4. e4 e5 5. Be3 d6 6. Ne2 Bg7 7. g4 Nf4 8. Nxf4
exf4 9. Bxf4 Nc6 10. Be3 Qh4+ 11. Bf2 Qf6 12. Nc3 Nxd4 13. Bg2 Ne6 14. Qd2 h5
15. gxh5 Rxh5 16. Be3 Qh4+ 17. Bf2 Qg5 18. Be3 Qh4+ 19. Bf2 Bh6 20. Qxh6 Rxh6
21. Bxh4 Rxh4 22. Rd1 Bd7 23. Kf2 Bc6 24. Kg3 g5 25. Bh3 Nf4 26. Bg4 Ke7 27. b4
Rah8 28. c5 Rxg4+ 29. Kxg4 Bd7+ 30. Kg3 Rh3+ 31. Kf2 g4 32. cxd6+ cxd6 33. Nd5+
Nxd5 34. exd5 Rxf3+ 35. Kg2 f5 36. Rhe1+ Kf6 37. Rc1 f4 38. Rc7 Bf5 39. Rxb7
Ra3 40. Rb8 Rxa2+ 41. Kf1 Bd3+ 42. Kg1 f3 43. Rf8+ Kg5 44. Rg8+ Kf4 45. Rf8+
Kg5 46. Rg8+ Kf4 47. Rf8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "20"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D24"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bxc4 Nxe4 7. O-O Nxc3 8.
bxc3 Be7 9. Qe2 O-O 10. Rd1 Nd7 11. Rd3 Nb6 12. Bb3 a5 13. Ne5 a4 14. Qh5 Nd5
15. Bc2 Nf6 16. Qh4 Nd7 17. Qh3 f5 18. Bf4 Nxe5 19. Bxe5 Bf6 20. Re1 Ra5 21.
Rde3 Bd7 22. Qg3 Bxe5 23. Rxe5 Rxe5 24. Qxe5 Re8 25. Bd3 c6 26. h3 b5 27. Re3
Qb8 28. Qc5 Qd8 29. Qd6 g6 30. Qg3 Qf6 31. Re5 Kg7 32. Be2 Qe7 33. Rc5 Rc8 34.
Bf3 Kf7 35. Qf4 Ke8 36. Qe5 Kf7 37. g3 Qf6 38. Qd6 Qe7 39. Qf4 Qf6 40. h4 Kg7
41. Qd6 Qf7 42. Bxc6 Bxc6 43. Rxc6 Rxc6 44. Qxc6 Qe7 45. Qxb5 Qa3 46. Qc4 Kf6
47. Kg2 h6 48. Qc8 Kf7 49. Qd7+ Kf6 50. Qe8 f4 51. gxf4 Kf5 52. Qf7+ Ke4 53.
Qxg6+ Kd5 54. f5 exf5 55. Qxf5+ Kc4 56. Qc5+ 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.15"]
[Round "21"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E60"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 Nh5 4. g4 e5 5. gxh5 Qh4+ 6. Kd2 exd4 7. e4 dxe3+ 8.
Kc2 Bh6 9. Nc3 d6 10. hxg6 hxg6 11. Bd3 Na6 12. Nge2 O-O 13. a3 Re8 14. b4 Be6
15. Bb2 Bg7 16. Qe1 Qh8 17. h4 Qh5 18. Qg3 Bf5 19. Rad1 c6 20. Nf4 Bxd3+ 21.
Rxd3 Qh8 22. h5 b5 23. Rdd1 g5 24. Qxg5 Qh7+ 25. Kc1 Re5 26. Qg4 Kf8 27. Ne4
bxc4 28. h6 Bh8 29. Qd7 Re7 30. Qxd6 Bxb2+ 31. Kxb2 e2 32. Nxe2 Qh8+ 33. N2c3
Nc7 34. Qf6 Qh7 35. Ng5 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "22"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A81"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d6 2. d4 g6 3. g3 f5 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. c3 Bg7 6. Qb3 e6 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. O-O
Kh8 9. Re1 Ne4 10. Nxe4 fxe4 11. Ng5 d5 12. f3 h6 13. Nh3 e5 14. dxe5 Nc6 15.
f4 Na5 16. Qd1 b6 17. Nf2 Bb7 18. b3 Qe7 19. e3 Rfd8 20. Bb2 Ba6 21. Qg4 Kh7
22. c4 c6 23. h4 Bc8 24. Qe2 Be6 25. Rac1 Rac8 26. h5 g5 27. Bh3 Bxh3 28. Nxh3
Nb7 29. cxd5 cxd5 30. Qg4 Rxc1 31. Rxc1 Nc5 32. Ba3 d4 33. exd4 Rxd4 34. fxg5
Qxe5 35. Bxc5 bxc5 36. gxh6 Bf6 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "23"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. g3 Bg7 3. Bg2 c5 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. Nh3 e5 6. O-O d6 7. f4 Nge7 8. d3
O-O 9. fxe5 dxe5 10. Ng5 h6 11. Nf3 Be6 12. e4 Bg4 13. Be3 Nd4 14. Qd2 Bxf3 15.
Bxf3 Kh7 16. Bg2 Qd7 17. Rf2 Rad8 18. Raf1 Qe6 19. a3 b6 20. b4 Rd7 21. bxc5
bxc5 22. Na4 Qc6 23. Qd1 Nc8 24. Bh3 Rb7 25. Nc3 Nb6 26. a4 a5 27. Nb5 Nxb5 28.
cxb5 Qd6 29. Qb3 Rc7 30. Rc1 h5 31. Rfc2 Bh6 32. Bxh6 Kxh6 33. Qc3 Ra8 34. Ra2
Kg7 35. Bf1 f6 36. Kh1 Qe6 37. Rcc2 Qg4 38. Qe1 Qf3+ 39. Kg1 Qg4 40. Qf2 Qe6
41. Ra1 Qd6 42. Kh1 Rd8 43. Qe1 Ra8 44. h4 Qd4 45. Qc3 Qxc3 46. Rxc3 Rd8 47.
Rac1 Rd4 48. Rxc5 Rxc5 49. Rxc5 Nxa4 50. Rc7+ Kh6 51. Bh3 Rxd3 52. Kg2 Rd2+ 53.
Kg1 Rd1+ 54. Kh2 Rd2+ 55. Kg1 Rd3 56. Kh2 Rd2+ 57. Kg1 Rd1+ 58. Kh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "24"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[PlyCount "167"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. Nc3 dxc4 7. Ne5 Nc6 8.
Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxc6 Qe8 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Qa4 c5 12. dxc5 Qxc5 13. Be3 Qc7 14.
f3 Bb7 15. Kf2 Nd5 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. Rhd1 f5 18. Rd4 Qb7 19. Qa3 a6 20. Rad1 h6
21. Bf4 a5 22. Be5 Kh7 23. Qe3 Rf7 24. Rh4 Kg8 25. Bc3 a4 26. a3 Qa7 27. Rdd4
Re8 28. Qe5 Qb8 29. Qe3 Ree7 30. Ke1 Qc7 31. Rd2 Qa7 32. Bd4 Qc7 33. Qc3 Qc6
34. Qe3 Rb7 35. Bc3 Qb6 36. Rhd4 Qc7 37. Kd1 Qc6 38. Qe5 Qc7 39. Qxc7 Rbxc7 40.
Ke1 Kh7 41. Rf4 g5 42. Rfd4 h5 43. Kf2 g4 44. Rf4 Kg6 45. Be5 Rb7 46. Rfd4 gxf3
47. exf3 Rb3 48. Rf4 Rfb7 49. Bc3 Rxc3 50. bxc3 Rb3 51. Rc2 e5 52. Rh4 Rxa3 53.
Rd2 Bf7 54. Rd6+ Kg7 55. Ra6 Ra2+ 56. Ke3 Ra1 57. Kd2 a3 58. h3 a2 59. Kc2 Rf1
60. Rxa2 Rf2+ 61. Kb1 Rxf3 62. Ra7 Rxc3 63. Rxh5 Kg6 64. g4 fxg4 65. hxg4 Rf3
66. Ra6+ Kg7 67. Rg5+ Kf8 68. Rxe5 c3 69. Rf5 Rxf5 70. gxf5 Bd5 71. Kc2 Be4+
72. Kxc3 Kf7 73. f6 Bf5 74. Kd4 Bg4 75. Ke5 Bf3 76. Ra7+ Kf8 77. Rc7 Bg4 78.
Kd5 Bf3+ 79. Ke5 Bg4 80. Rc4 Bf3 81. Ke6 Bb7 82. f7 Ba6 83. Rh4 Kg7 84. Rg4+
1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "25"]
[White "Wang, Yue"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 Ne4 6. Bf4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 dxc4 8.
Qa4+ Nd7 9. e3 O-O 10. Qxc4 c5 11. Be2 Qa5 12. O-O Nb6 13. Qb5 Qxb5 14. Bxb5
Nd5 15. dxc5 Nxc3 16. Bc4 Be6 17. Bxe6 Ne2+ 18. Kh1 Bxa1 19. Bd5 Nxf4 20. exf4
Bc3 21. Bxb7 Rad8 22. g3 Ba5 23. Kg2 Bc7 24. Re1 e6 25. Re3 Rd1 26. Ne5 Rb8 27.
c6 Rd2 28. Ra3 a5 29. Nc4 Rc2 30. Ne3 Rc5 31. Kf3 Kf8 32. Rb3 Ke7 33. a4 f5 34.
Ke2 Rd8 35. h4 Rd4 36. Rd3 Rxd3 37. Kxd3 Rc1 38. Nc2 Rb1 39. Bc8 Kd6 40. Bd7
Kd5 41. Ne3+ Kc5 42. Bxe6 Kxc6 43. Bg8 h6 44. Bf7 Kc5 45. Bxg6 Kb4 46. Nd5+
Kxa4 47. Nxc7 Kb3 48. Bxf5 Rd1+ 49. Ke2 Rd6 50. Be6+ Kb2 51. f5 Rc6 52. Nb5 a4
53. Nd4 Rd6 54. Ke3 a3 55. f6 Rxe6+ 56. Nxe6 a2 57. f7 a1=Q 58. f8=Q Qe1+ 59.
Kf3 Qxe6 60. Qb4+ Kc1 61. Qc3+ Kd1 62. Qd3+ 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "26"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be2 c5 8.
O-O Nc6 9. Qa4 O-O 10. Ba3 Bg4 11. Rfd1 Bd7 12. Qc2 Qa5 13. Qb3 Rfd8 14. Bb2
Qc7 15. d4 Na5 16. Qa3 Rac8 17. d5 b5 18. Rab1 Rb8 19. c4 Bxb2 20. Qxb2 Nxc4
21. Bxc4 bxc4 22. Qc3 Rxb1 23. Rxb1 Rb8 24. Rc1 Qf4 25. Re1 Rb4 26. Ne5 Qf6 27.
h3 h5 28. Rc1 Bb5 29. g3 h4 30. g4 a5 31. Kg2 g5 32. Re1 Be8 33. Re3 a4 34.
Nxc4 Qd4 35. Nd2 Rb2 36. Nf3 Qxc3 37. Rxc3 Rxa2 38. Nxg5 a3 39. Rxc5 Ba4 40.
Ra5 Bb3 41. e5 Ra1 42. d6 exd6 43. exd6 a2 44. Ne4 Bd5 45. Rxd5 Rg1+ 46. Kxg1
a1=Q+ 47. Kg2 Qa8 48. Rd4 Qd8 49. d7 Kg7 50. Nd6 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "27"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bb5+ c6 8.
Ba4 O-O 9. Ne2 e5 10. O-O Qe7 11. f3 Nd7 12. Be3 Nb6 13. Bb3 Be6 14. Qc1 Bc4
15. Re1 Rad8 16. Bg5 Bf6 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. f4 exd4 19. Nxd4 Qd6 20. e5 Qc5 21.
f5 Bxb3 22. axb3 Nd5 23. f6 Qxc3 24. Qxc3 Nxc3 25. Nf3 a6 26. Rac1 Nd5 27. g4
Nf4 28. Rc4 Ne6 29. Kf2 Rd3 30. Re3 Rfd8 31. h4 h6 32. Rc3 R3d5 33. h5 g5 34.
Ng1 Rd4 35. Ne2 Rxg4 36. Rcd3 Rxd3 37. Rxd3 Re4 38. Rd7 Rxe5 39. Ng3 Rb5 40.
Ne4 Rf5+ 41. Kg3 Rf4 42. Nf2 Nc5 43. Re7 Rxf6 44. b4 Re6 45. Rc7 Ne4+ 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "28"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. O-O e5 7. Nc3 Be6 8.
Ng5 Qxg5 9. Nxd5 Qd8 10. Ne3 Qd7 11. b3 Be7 12. Bb2 f6 13. f4 exf4 14. Rxf4 O-O
15. Qf1 Qxd2 16. Re4 Bf7 17. Ba3 Rfe8 18. Rd1 Qxa2 19. Bc1 Qxb3 20. Rd3 Qb1 21.
Nf5 Bf8 22. Rg4 g6 23. Rd1 Rad8 24. Re1 Ne5 25. Nh6+ Bxh6 26. Bxh6 Qxe1 27.
Qxe1 Nxg4 28. Bf4 g5 29. Bc1 Ne3 30. Bd2 Nxg2 31. Kxg2 b6 32. h4 h6 33. Kf2 Re6
34. Bc3 Rde8 35. Qa1 Rxe2+ 36. Kg1 a5 37. Qa4 Kg7 38. hxg5 hxg5 39. Qg4 Kg6 40.
Qf3 R8e6 41. g4 Kg7 42. Bxf6+ Rxf6 43. Qxe2 c4 44. Qe5 Kg6 45. Qe4+ Kh6 46. Qd4
Kg6 47. Qe4+ Kg7 48. Qe5 Kg6 49. Qe4+ Kh6 50. Qd4 Kg6 51. Qe4+ Kg7 52. Qe5 Kg6
53. Qe4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "29"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. c4 dxc4 5. O-O g6 6. Na3 Bg7 7. Nxc4 O-O 8. b3
Nd5 9. d4 c5 10. Bb2 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Na6 12. Rc1 Nab4 13. a3 Na6 14. b4 Nac7 15.
Qc2 e5 16. Nf3 e4 17. Qxe4 Bf5 18. Qh4 Bxb2 19. Nxb2 Re8 20. Ng5 Nf6 21. e4 Bg4
22. h3 Bh5 23. Qf4 Be2 24. Rxc7 Bxf1 25. Bxf1 Re7 26. Rc1 Qd4 27. Nd3 Nxe4 28.
Nxe4 Qxe4 29. Qxe4 Rxe4 30. Nc5 Re7 31. Nxb7 Rxb7 32. Bg2 Rab8 33. Bxb7 Rxb7
34. Rc5 Re7 35. Kg2 Kg7 36. g4 Rd7 37. Ra5 Kf6 38. Kg3 h6 39. h4 Rd3+ 40. f3
Rd7 41. Kf4 Re7 42. Ra6+ Kg7 43. b5 Rb7 44. a4 Re7 45. g5 hxg5+ 46. Kxg5 Re5+
47. Kf4 Re7 48. Kg4 Rd7 49. h5 Rd4+ 50. Kg3 Rd7 51. hxg6 fxg6 52. Kg4 Kh6 53.
f4 Rf7 54. Re6 Rd7 55. Rc6 Rf7 56. a5 Rd7 57. f5 Rd4+ 58. Kf3 Rd5 59. Rxg6+ Kh5
60. Ke4 Rxb5 61. Ra6 Rb7 62. Ke5 Kg5 63. Rg6+ Kh5 64. Rg1 Rb5+ 65. Ke6 Rxa5 66.
f6 Ra2 67. f7 Re2+ 68. Kf6 Rf2+ 69. Kg7 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord blitz"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "30"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A38"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2014.12.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "30"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.12.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 c5 6. Nc3 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nc6 8.
O-O Qa5 9. Nc2 d6 10. e4 Bg4 11. f3 Be6 12. Nd5 Bxd5 13. cxd5 Ne5 14. b3 Rac8
15. Be3 Rc7 16. Nd4 a6 17. Qe2 Nfd7 18. f4 Ng4 19. Qxg4 Qc3 20. Nc2 Qxc2 21.
Rac1 Qd3 22. Rxc7 Qxe3+ 23. Kh1 Nf6 24. Qf3 Qb6 25. Rfc1 h5 26. h3 Rd8 27. Rc8
Nd7 28. Rxd8+ Qxd8 29. Qf2 Nc5 30. Qd2 a5 31. e5 b6 32. Qe3 Bh6 33. Re1 dxe5
34. Qxe5 Bf8 35. Qe3 Nd7 36. f5 Nf6 37. fxg6 fxg6 38. Qe6+ Kg7 39. Rc1 Qb8 40.
d6 Qxd6 41. Qxd6 exd6 42. Rc7+ Kh6 43. Rc6 Nd7 44. Rc8 Bg7 45. Rd8 Nc5 46. Rxd6
Be5 47. Rxb6 Bxg3 48. Rb5 Nd3 49. Rxa5 Be1 50. Rd5 Nb4 51. Rd1 Bf2 52. a3 Na6
53. b4 Nc7 54. a4 Kg5 55. a5 Kf4 56. Rd7 Na6 57. b5 Nc5 58. Rf7+ Kg3 59. Rf3+
1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E60"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2014.12.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 c5 4. d5 b5 5. e4 Bg7 6. e5 Ng8 7. f4 d6 8. Nf3 Nh6 9.
cxb5 O-O 10. Nc3 a6 11. bxa6 Nf5 12. Bc4 Nd4 13. Be3 Nxf3+ 14. Qxf3 Qb6 15. Qe2
Bxa6 16. O-O Bxc4 17. Qxc4 Nd7 18. b3 dxe5 19. f5 e4 20. Rae1 Qb4 21. Nxe4 Rxa2
22. d6 Qxc4 23. bxc4 exd6 24. f6 Bh8 25. g4 Ne5 26. g5 Nxc4 27. Bf4 h6 28. h4
hxg5 29. hxg5 Re8 30. Nxd6 Nxd6 31. Bxd6 Rxe1 32. Rxe1 Rd2 33. Bxc5 Rd5 34. Be3
Re5 35. Kg2 Re6 36. Bd2 Rd6 37. Bf4 Ra6 38. Re8+ Kh7 39. Rf8 Ra7 40. Bd6 Bg7
41. Re8 Bxf6 42. gxf6 g5 43. Be7 Ra5 44. Kg3 Kg6 45. Rg8+ Kf5 46. Rg7 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2014.12.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bd6 5. Nbd2 a6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nc4 Nd7 8.
d4 Qe7 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 Re8 11. c3 a5 12. Bg5 f6 13. Bh4 Qf7 14. dxe5 Bxe5
15. Ncxe5 Nxe5 16. Nxe5 Rxe5 17. Bg3 Re8 18. Qb3 Qxb3 19. axb3 Re7 20. f3 Be6
21. b4 a4 22. Red1 Kf7 23. Kf2 Ke8 24. Ke3 Ra6 25. Rd4 Bb3 26. Be1 b5 27. g4 c5
28. bxc5 Rc6 29. c4 bxc4 30. Bb4 Rce6 31. Rg1 Rd7 32. Rxd7 Kxd7 33. Rg2 Kc6 34.
Rd2 Re8 35. Kd4 Rd8+ 36. Kc3 Rxd2 37. Kxd2 Kb5 38. Bc3 Kxc5 39. h4 Kd6 40. f4
Ke7 41. g5 fxg5 42. hxg5 g6 43. f5 Kf7 44. Ke3 gxf5 45. exf5 Bc2 46. g6+ hxg6
47. fxg6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2014.12.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. d4 Nf6 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. h3 e5 7. d5 Nh5 8. g3 a5
9. Nh2 Na6 10. Be2 Nf6 11. Ng4 Nd7 12. Nh6+ Kh8 13. h4 Ndc5 14. g4 f5 15. h5
fxe4 16. hxg6 Qf6 17. Nf5 Qxg6 18. Nxg7 Bxg4 19. Ne6 Nd3+ 20. Bxd3 exd3 21. Rg1
Qf5 22. f3 Bxf3 23. Bh6 Bxd1 24. Bg7+ Kg8 25. Bxf8+ Bg4 26. Bh6 Nb4 27. Rd1
Nc2+ 28. Kd2 Qf2+ 29. Kc1 Ne3 30. Kb1 Nxd1 31. Rxg4+ Kf7 32. Rg7+ Ke8 33. Nxc7+
Kd8 34. Ne6+ Ke8 35. Rg8+ Kd7 36. Rg7+ Ke8 37. Rg8+ Kd7 38. Rg7+ Ke8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D97"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2014.12.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Nc6 8.
Be2 e5 9. d5 Nd4 10. Nxd4 exd4 11. Qxd4 c6 12. Qc4 b5 13. Qxc6 Bd7 14. Qd6 Re8
15. Bg5 b4 16. Qxb4 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Qxg5 18. O-O Rab8 19. Qd6 Be6 20. f4 Qh4 21.
Rad1 Bf8 22. Qa6 Bxd5 23. exd5 Rxb2 24. Bf3 Qxf4 25. d6 Rb6 26. Qxa7 Qe3+ 27.
Kh1 Rxd6 28. Qxe3 Rxe3 29. Rxd6 Bxd6 30. Bd5 Re7 31. a4 Bb4 32. Rb1 Bc3 33. g3
Rd7 34. Rb5 Ra7 35. Rb7 Rxb7 36. Bxb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2014.12.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. e4 Be7 8. d4
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Bc5 11. Qd3 e5 12. h3 O-O 13. a3 a5 14. Na4 d6 15.
Rd1 Bc6 16. Nxc5 dxc5 17. Qc2 Qe7 18. a4 Qb7 19. Re1 h6 20. b3 Rfe8 21. Bb2
Rad8 22. h4 Rd7 23. f3 Nh5 24. Kf2 Rd6 25. Rad1 Rg6 26. g4 Nf4 27. h5 Rf6 28.
Rh1 Qc7 29. Rd5 Bxd5 30. cxd5 c4 31. Bf1 Qc5+ 32. Kg3 Qe3 33. Qd1 c3 34. Bc1 c2
35. Qd2 Nxh5+ 36. Kh2 Qxd2+ 37. Bxd2 Rxf3 38. Kg2 Rg3+ 39. Kf2 Nf6 40. Kxg3
Nxe4+ 41. Kg2 Nxd2 42. Bd3 Rc8 43. d6 Nxb3 44. d7 Rd8 45. Bxc2 Nc5 46. Kf3 Rxd7
47. Ke3 Rd4 48. Rb1 Rc4 0-1

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2727"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2014.12.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nbd2 d6 6. c3 a6 7. Bb3 O-O 8. O-O
Be6 9. Nc4 b5 10. Ne3 Bxb3 11. axb3 d5 12. Qc2 Qd7 13. Nf5 Qe6 14. Ng5 Qd7 15.
Nf3 Qe6 16. Ng5 Qd7 17. Nf3 Qe6 18. Ng5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2014.12.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. fxg7 cxd2+ 8.
Bxd2 Bxg7 9. Qc2 Nd4 10. Nxd4 Bxd4 11. Be2 Qf6 12. O-O Bd7 13. Bf3 O-O-O 14.
Qb3 c6 15. Be3 e5 16. Qa3 Kb8 17. Bxd4 exd4 18. Be4 Be6 19. Qd3 h5 20. Rae1 h4
21. b3 Rhe8 22. Qd2 Bc8 23. h3 Re5 24. f4 Re7 25. Bd3 Rxe1 26. Qxe1 Rg8 27. Rf3
Bd7 28. Qe5+ Qxe5 29. fxe5 Rg5 30. Kf2 Be6 31. Rf4 c5 32. Rxh4 Rxe5 33. Re4 Rh5
34. h4 Kc7 35. Be2 Rh6 36. h5 f5 37. Rf4 Kd6 38. Kg3 Ke5 39. Rf1 Bf7 40. Kh4 d3
41. Bxd3 Rxh5+ 42. Kg3 Rg5+ 43. Kf2 Kd4 44. Rd1 Ke5 45. Be2 Be6 46. Bf3 Rg7 47.
Bd5 Kf6 48. Bxe6 Kxe6 49. Rd8 Rd7 50. Rxd7 Kxd7 51. Ke3 Ke6 52. Kf4 Kf6 53. g3
b6 54. Kf3 Kg5 55. Kg2 Kg4 56. Kf2 f4 57. gxf4 Kxf4 58. Ke2 Ke4 59. Kd2 Kd4 60.
Kc2 a6 61. Kd2 Ke4 62. Ke2 Kd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D70"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2014.12.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2
Be6 9. O-O-O Bc4 10. Nge2 e5 11. dxe5 Qxd2+ 12. Rxd2 Bxe5 13. b3 Bxe2 14. Nxe2
Nc6 15. f4 Bg7 16. Nd4 Bxd4 17. Bxd4 Rfe8 18. e5 Nxd4 19. Rxd4 Rad8 20. Rxd8
Rxd8 21. Be2 f6 22. exf6 Kf7 23. Bf3 c6 24. Rd1 Rxd1+ 25. Kxd1 Kxf6 26. Kd2 Ke6
27. g3 Nd5 28. a3 c5 29. a4 b6 30. Kd3 Kd6 31. Bg2 Nb4+ 32. Kc3 Nd5+ 33. Kd3
Nb4+ 34. Kc3 Nd5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2014.12.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bf4 dxc4 6. e3 a6 7. a4 Bd6 8. Bg5
h6 9. Bh4 b6 10. Bxc4 Bb7 11. O-O O-O 12. Qe2 Be7 13. Rfd1 Ne4 14. Nxe4 Bxh4
15. d5 e5 16. Nxh4 Qxh4 17. Ng3 g6 18. Rac1 Kg7 19. Bd3 Qd8 20. a5 Nf6 21. axb6
cxb6 22. e4 Qd6 23. Nf1 b5 24. Nd2 Rfc8 25. Bb1 Nd7 26. Qe3 a5 27. g3 a4 28. h4
h5 29. Nf3 b4 30. Bd3 Rxc1 31. Rxc1 a3 32. bxa3 bxa3 33. Ra1 Qb4 34. Qd2 Qb3
35. Rb1 Qa4 36. Qa2 Ba6 37. Bxa6 Rxa6 38. Rc1 Qxe4 39. Ng5 Qf5 40. Rc7 Rd6 41.
Rc6 Qf6 42. Ne6+ Rxe6 43. dxe6 Nf8 44. Qxa3 Nxe6 45. Qd3 Qe7 46. Qd5 Kf6 47.
Kg2 Qa7 48. Rc3 Qd4 49. Rf3+ Kg7 50. Qb7 Nd8 51. Qe7 Qd5 52. Qf6+ Kg8 53. Kh2
Qa8 54. Rc3 Ne6 55. Qxe5 Qd8 56. Rb3 Nf8 57. Rb8 Qd2 58. Qc5 Qh6 59. Qe7 Qg7
60. Kg2 Qh6 61. Kf3 Qg7 62. Ke2 Qh6 63. Kd3 Qg7 64. Kc4 Qh6 65. f4 Qg7 66. Kd5
Qh6 67. Qf6 Qg7 68. Ke5 Kh7 69. Rb7 Kg8 70. Qxg7+ Kxg7 71. f5 Nh7 72. fxg6 Kxg6
73. Rb6+ f6+ 74. Ke6 Nf8+ 75. Ke7 Nh7 76. Rb5 1-0

[Event "Beijing Sportaccord Basque"]
[Site "Beijing"]
[Date "2014.12.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D97"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2014.12.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Nc6 8.
Be2 e5 9. d5 Nd4 10. Nxd4 exd4 11. Qxd4 c6 12. d6 Re8 13. Qd3 b5 14. f3 Re6 15.
Qc2 Rxd6 16. Bf4 Rd7 17. Be3 Bb7 18. O-O Qe7 19. Nd1 Bf8 20. Nf2 Nd5 21. exd5
Qxe3 22. dxc6 Rc8 23. Qe4 Qxe4 24. Nxe4 Bxc6 25. Nf6+ Kg7 26. Nxd7 Bxd7 27.
Rfc1 Re8 28. Kf1 Bd6 29. Rd1 Re6 30. g3 Be8 31. Rac1 Be5 32. b3 a6 33. f4 Bf6
34. Bg4 Re7 35. Re1 b4 36. Rxe7 Bxe7 37. Rc7 Bd6 38. Rc8 Bb5+ 39. Be2 Bd7 40.
Ra8 Bh3+ 41. Ke1 Bc5 42. Rxa6 h5 43. Rc6 Bg1 44. Rc4 f6 45. Rxb4 Kh6 46. a4 g5
47. fxg5+ Kxg5 48. Rh4 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Saric, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2666"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O d6 5. c3 Nf6 6. d4 Bb6 7. a4 a6 8. dxe5
Nxe5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11. a5 Ba7 12. Nd2 Ke7 13. b3 Bc5 14. b4 Bd6
15. Re1 Rd8 16. Bf1 Kf8 17. Nc4 Ne8 18. f4 exf4 19. Nxd6 Nxd6 20. Bxf4 Be6 21.
Rad1 Rd7 22. c4 Rad8 23. c5 Nb5 24. Rxd7 Bxd7 25. Rd1 Ke8 26. Bc4 Be6 27. Rxd8+
Kxd8 28. Bxb5 axb5 29. c6 bxc6 30. Be3 Kc8 31. Bc5 Kb7 32. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D97"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Nc6 8.
Be2 e5 9. d5 Nd4 10. Nxd4 exd4 11. Qxd4 c6 12. Qc4 b5 13. Qxc6 Bd7 14. Qd6 Re8
15. Bg5 b4 16. Qxb4 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Qxg5 18. O-O Rab8 19. Qd6 Bh3 20. Nf4 Bg4 21.
Bxg4 Be5 22. Qd7 Qxf4 23. g3 Qf6 24. Rad1 Bxb2 25. Qa4 Red8 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27.
Qxa7 Kg7 28. Be2 Rd2 29. Qe3 Qc3 30. Qxc3+ Bxc3 31. Bc4 Bd4 32. Kh1 Rc2 33. Bb3
Rxf2 34. Rd1 Bb6 35. h4 Bc7 36. Rd3 h5 37. a4 Kh6 38. Bc4 f5 39. exf5 Rxf5 40.
Kg2 Rc5 41. Bb5 g5 42. hxg5+ Kxg5 43. Kh3 Be5 44. Re3 h4 45. gxh4+ Kf4 46. Rg3
Rc1 47. a5 Rh1+ 48. Kg2 Rg1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[Annotator "So,Wesley"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Facing the defending champion is always difficult and I was expecting a long
fight.} 1. e4 e5 $1 2. Nf3 Nc6 $1 {In my opinion this is the way to meet 1.e4.
After many millions of chessgames in the past and being played right now, I
think we can draw a conclusion (at least statistically) as to what are the
best moves in the opening. The exclamation marks are entirely subjective and
might be unnecessary.} 3. d4 {After spending a long time trying to find
anything against the Berlin and the Marshall, I finally gave up and for this
game I decided to look for other paths to an advantage.} exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 {
A sign of the flexibility Black has from the variations arising from 1...e5.} (
{I thought Levon would go for} 4... Bc5 {which is Sargissian's pet variation.})
5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. Nd2 ({Maybe White has nothing here as
well but I thought it's a better try than} 8. c4 Ba6 {all the recent games
here showed Black has no problems.}) 8... Rb8 {This move caught me by surprise.
Levon's experience and knowledge of 1.e4 e5 is proving itself very useful.} ({
The main move is} 8... g6) 9. c4 (9. Nf3 Qb4+ {is excellent as the b2-pawn is
vulnerable.}) 9... Nf4 (9... Nb4 10. Nf3 c5 11. g3 d6 12. Bg2 {This I saw
during the game. Black might win the pawn on e5, but remain undeveloped with
the rest of his pieces.}) 10. Qe3 (10. Qe4 g5 $1 {is an example of what we
might call modern day preparation. Or maybe its just a matter of positional
understanding. Once Black manages to develop his bishops he will control the
centre.}) 10... Ng6 11. f4 f6 12. Qxa7 {I spent a lot of time here and decided
it's not everyday I can gobble up a free a-pawn, but I missed something in my
calculations.} ({I thought} 12. g3 {was strong. Now Black cannot take on e5
because 13.f5 traps the knight. But I was wrong.} {After} d5 $1 (12... Qc5 13.
Qxc5 Bxc5 14. exf6 gxf6 15. Nb3 Bb4+ 16. Kf2 (16. Bd2) 16... a5 17. c5 a4 18.
a3) (12... d6 13. Qxa7) 13. Qxa7 Rb6 14. Bg2 Qc5 {Black prevents castling.} (
14... fxe5 15. O-O e4 16. Nb3)) 12... Rb7 13. Qf2 (13. Qa8 $2 Kd8 14. c5 Nxf4 {
White's queen doesn't look very happy on a8 and after} 15. Ba6 Qxe5+ 16. Kd1
Nxg2 17. Bxb7 Ne3+ 18. Ke2 Ng4+ 19. Kf3 Bxc5 20. Qxc8+ Ke7 21. Qxh8 Qf5+ $19 {
White gets mated. Of course none of this is forced.}) 13... fxe5 14. f5 Nf4 {
I thought for a long time but the best move was very difficult to find. This
could be a good opportunity to have this position as a puzzle with "White to
play and find the best move".} 15. Qf3 $6 ({Very strong for White:} 15. a3 $1
d5 (15... Qc5 16. Qf3) (15... Qf7 16. g3 Nh5 17. b4 Be7 (17... d5 18. Bb2 e4
19. cxd5 cxd5 20. Ba6) 18. Be2 O-O 19. O-O Nf6 20. Bb2 d6 21. Qg2 Ra7 22. g4 h6
23. Bf3 Bb7 24. h3 Qe8 25. Nb3) (15... Nh5 16. b4) (15... Qd6 16. Qf3) 16. g3
Nh5 17. cxd5 cxd5 18. Ba6 c6 (18... Rb8 19. Qa7) (18... c5 19. Bxb7 Bxb7) 19.
Qe2 Nf6 20. Nf3 e4 21. Nd4) 15... Qf7 {Now Black is totally fine and can
almost seize the initiative.} 16. g3 Nh5 17. Be2 Nf6 18. g4 $1 {I have to
fight back with my pawns and pieces. The f6-knight is very well placed and I
have to dislodge it.} (18. Qe3 Bb4 19. Qxe5+ $2 Kd8 20. Qf4 Re8 $17 {all
Black's pieces come to life.}) 18... d5 (18... h6 19. Qh3 {intending g5 is
also complex.}) 19. g5 e4 20. Qh3 Ng8 $2 {A huge blunder by Levon which loses
instantly. I think he missed that the c8-bishop is unprotected.} ({He was
intending to play} 20... Nd7 {when the position is very unclear and all 3
results would have been very possible. I don't want to give a concrete
analysis as there are a lot of possible variations but one example is:} 21. Bh5
g6 22. Bxg6 hxg6 23. Qxh8 Nc5 24. O-O Bxf5 25. Nb3 Kd7 26. Be3 Nxb3 27. axb3
Bg7 (27... Qg7 28. Qh6 $1) 28. Qa8 Rxb3 29. Ra7 {when a perpetual check is
likely to happen.}) 21. Bh5 g6 22. fxg6 Bxh3 23. gxf7+ Kd7 24. fxg8=Q (24. b3
$1 {is even more accurate but it's a move for computers.}) 24... Rxg8 25. Rg1 {
White is simply a clear piece up but Levon kept on playing. It's not over
until it's over.} Bd6 (25... Bc5 26. Rg3 Be6 27. Nb3 Bd6 28. Rg2) 26. cxd5 $1
cxd5 27. Bf7 Rf8 (27... Bxh2 28. Bxg8 Bxg1 29. Bxd5) 28. Bxd5 Rb4 29. g6 hxg6
30. Rxg6 Rd4 31. Bxe4 {Now Black is a piece and a pawn down.} Re8 32. Kf2 Rf8+
(32... Rdxe4 33. Nxe4 Rxe4 34. Be3 {is definitely lost in the long run, so
Levon decides to avoid any exchanges.}) 33. Ke1 {The point is to gain time on
the clock and reach move 40.} Re8 34. Kf2 Rf8+ 35. Ke3 c5 36. Rg7+ Kd8 37. Ke2
Bc8 38. Bf3 Ba6+ 39. Kf2 Rh4 40. Nf1 Kc8 {Finally we reached the time control
with White keeping all his advantages. Now I can take all the time in the
world to figure out the quickest win.} 41. Be3 Rh3 42. Nd2 Rxh2+ 43. Kg1 Rxd2
44. Bg4+ Kb8 45. Bxd2 Be5 46. Re7 Bd4+ 47. Be3 Rg8 48. Bxd4 Rxg4+ 49. Kf2 Rxd4
50. Rh1 Bb7 (50... Rd2+ 51. Ke3 $2 Re2+ {this might happen in a tournament
such as the World Blitz, which will start a few months from now~!}) 51. Rh8+
Ka7 52. Ke3 Rb4 53. b3 c4 54. Rh4 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Bg2 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 a6 7. Qc2 c5 8.
Nc3 Qc7 9. O-O b6 10. d4 Bb7 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. Rfd1
Qc7 15. Rac1 Rc8 16. Qb1 Qb8 17. Ng5 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Qb7+ 19. f3 O-O 20. Nce4
Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Qb8 22. Rd1 h6 23. Rxd7 Nxd7 24. Nc5 hxg5 25. Nxd7 Qc7 26. Nxf8
Kxf8 27. Qd3 a5 28. Qe3 Qd8 29. Kf2 Kg8 30. Ke1 Kf8 31. Qe5 Kg8 32. h3 Kf8 33.
Qe3 Ke8 34. Qd2 Qf6 35. Qc1 Kd7 36. Qd1+ Kc7 37. Qc2+ Kd6 38. Qd3+ Kc6 39. Qc4+
Kd6 40. Qb5 Kc7 41. Qc4+ Kd6 42. Qb5 Kc7 43. Qe8 Qxb2 44. Qxf7+ Kd6 45. Qf8+
Kd7 46. Qf7+ Kd6 47. Qf8+ Kd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8.
Qa4+ Nc6 9. e3 O-O 10. Be2 Be6 11. O-O a6 12. Rfc1 Bd6 13. Qd1 Ne7 {A popular
system of the Ragozin Defence has been played. As usual in this structure,
White must start active play on the queenside while Black must create kingside
counterplay.} 14. a3 ({In the event of} 14. Na4 {there is nothing wrong with}
b6 {, e.g.} 15. b4 (15. Nc3 g5 $5 16. g3 Qg7 17. Qf1 f5 18. Bxa6 f4 19. exf4
Rxa6 $5 20. Qxa6 gxf4 21. Qd3 Bf5 22. Qd2 Be4 $36 {0-1 (29) Khairullin,I (2604)
-Khismatullin,D (2614) Ulan Ude 2009}) 15... g5 16. Nb2 Ng6 17. Nd3 Kg7 18. a4
a5 19. b5 h5 20. Rc3 Rad8 21. Rac1 Rd7 22. Nfe5 Nxe5 23. Nxe5 Bxe5 24. dxe5
Qxe5 25. Qd4 Qxd4 26. exd4 h4 27. Rxc7 Rxc7 28. Rxc7 {White has broken through
but Black easily holds his ground in this simple ending:} Rc8 29. Rxc8 Bxc8 30.
Bd3 Kf6 31. Kf1 Bg4 32. Ke1 Bf5 33. Kd2 Bxd3 34. Kxd3 g4 35. Ke3 Kg5 36. f4+
Kf5 {1/2 (36) Huzman,A (2605)-Jakovenko,D (2726) Plovdiv 2010}) ({To} 14. Rab1
{(which may look a better way to prepare b2-b4) Black can reply} Bf5 {and then
make use of the exchange of light-squared bishops by transferring his knight
to b6 and possibly c4:} 15. Bd3 c6 16. b4 Nc8 $1 17. a4 Nb6 18. a5 Nc4 19. Na4
Rfe8 20. Nc5 {1/2 (20) Babula,V (2583)-Dizdar,G (2541) Turin 2006}) 14... Rfd8
{This move is slightly mysterious; it is not clear what Black's rook will do
here. Practice has seen a lot of alternatives; here are some examples, in
which Black mostly obtained good play:} (14... Rad8 15. Na4 Bc8 16. Nc5 c6 17.
b4 g5 18. g3 Nf5 19. Ne1 Kg7 20. Bh5 Bc7 21. a4 Nd6 22. Bg4 Bxg4 23. Qxg4 Qe7
24. Ned3 Bb8 25. Qh3 Rfe8 26. Ra2 f6 27. Rac2 Qf7 28. Nxa6 $5 bxa6 29. Rxc6 {
1-0 (38) Gurevich,D (2499)-Zilberstein,D (2379) San Diego 2004} a5 $13) (14...
Rfe8 15. b4 c6 16. Na4 Ng6 17. Nc5 Re7 18. a4 Bg4 19. Ra2 (19. b5 {is
premature due to} axb5 20. axb5 Rxa1 21. Rxa1 Bxc5 {forcing} 22. dxc5) 19...
Rae8 (19... a5 $5 20. b5 b6) 20. Ne1 (20. b5 $5) 20... Bxe2 21. Rxe2 Nf4 22.
Rb2 {1-0 (40) Jobava,B (2678)-David,A (2597) Milan 2011} Qg5 $11) (14... c5 $5
15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Na4 (16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. Rxc5 Qxb2 $11) 16... Ba7 17. b4 d4 18.
Nxd4 Rad8 19. Qf1 Bxd4 20. exd4 Nf5 21. Nc5 {1/2 (21) Jobava,B (2695)-Efimenko,
Z (2640) Rijeka 2010}) (14... b6 15. Qf1 Bg4 16. b4 c6 17. Na4 Rfb8 18. h3 Bf5
19. Qe1 g5 20. Nb2 h5 21. Nd3 g4 22. hxg4 Bxd3 $1 23. Bxd3 hxg4 24. Nd2 a5 25.
bxa5 Rxa5 26. a4 Rba8 $132 {0-1 (74) Maiorov,N (2516)-Aleksandrov,A (2601)
Minsk 2007}) (14... Rfb8 15. Na4 b6 16. b4 c6 17. Ne1 Bf5 18. Bd3 Bd7 19. Rab1
Ra7 20. g3 g6 21. Be2 h5 22. Bf3 Bf5 23. Rb3 a5 24. Nc3 axb4 25. axb4 b5 26. e4
dxe4 27. Bxe4 $6 Be6 $15 {0-1 (56) Laurusas,T (2222)-Swiercz,D (2501) Wroclaw
2010}) (14... g5 $5 15. g3 Qg7 16. e4 dxe4 17. Nxe4 Bd5 18. Nxd6 cxd6 19. Bc4
Bc6 20. d5 Bd7 21. Qd2 Qf6 22. Rc3 Rac8 23. Rac1 b5 24. Bb3 Rxc3 25. Rxc3 Rc8
$11 {0-1 (54) Aghasaryan,R (2235)-Lintchevski,D (2502) Kirishi 2008}) 15. b4
Nc8 16. Na4 {[%mdl 36]} b6 $6 {Too cautious.} (16... b5 $5 17. Nc5 Nb6 18. a4
Nc4 $132) 17. Nb2 Ne7 18. Nd3 Ng6 {This manoeuvre is slightly illogical but it
was necessary to cover the e5-square. It looks like Black has not done
anything terribly wrong so far but in fact, his position is now very passive.}
19. a4 {[%cal Ya4a5]} a5 20. b5 {Compare this position to the above-mentioned
game Huzman-Jakovenko: Black has not managed to push ...g7-g5 so he has no
counterplay. White gradually mounts pressure along the c-file.} Re8 (20... Bf5
21. Rc3 Rd7 22. Rac1 Re8 {may be a better arrangement of the rooks but it
doesn't solve the general problems.}) 21. Rc3 Bf5 22. Rac1 Rad8 23. Nd2 Rd7 (
23... Qe6 $142 {preventing the exchange of bishops. Still, White can gradually
prepare it:} 24. Bh5 $1 Rd7 25. h3 {as} Bxh3 26. gxh3 Qxh3 {doesn't work due to
} 27. Qg4) 24. g3 (24. Bg4 $1 {was possible at once as} Bxh2+ {obviously
didn't work.}) 24... Nf8 ({Again} 24... Qe6 {was called for. Still, after} 25.
Bf3 {[%cal Yd1b3] Black's defence was very difficult.}) 25. Bg4 $1 {A typical
exchange of a defender. Black's d5-pawn becomes more vulnerable, the c6-square
in White's full possession; besides, White can now activate his queen and even
his kingside pawns.} Nh7 26. Bxf5 (26. Ne5 $5 Bxe5 27. dxe5 Rxe5 28. Rxc7 {
E.Gleizerov}) 26... Qxf5 27. Qf3 $1 {Both endgame and middlegame are now bad
for Black.} Qg5 (27... Qe6 28. Nf4 (28. h4 $143 Nf6 {[%cal Yf6e4,Ye6h3]}) 28...
Bxf4 29. gxf4 {, and the c7-pawn gets even weaker.}) 28. h4 Qe7 29. Rc6 Nf6 30.
Nf4 g6 $6 {Black weakens his kingside, and his position collapses. Now it was
better to defend passively:} (30... Ba3 31. R1c2 Bb4) 31. h5 $1 Kg7 (31... g5
32. Nxd5 Nxd5 33. Qxd5 Bxg3 (33... Ba3 34. Qf5 Bxc1 35. Rxh6 f6 36. Qg6+ Qg7
37. Qxe8+ $18) 34. Qf5 {[%cal Rc6h6]} Bd6 35. Nc4 $18 {[%cal Rc4d6]}) 32. hxg6
fxg6 33. Nxd5 $1 Nxd5 34. Qxd5 Bxg3 35. Qg2 Bd6 36. Nc4 {[%cal Rc4d6]} Rf8 $2 (
36... Qd8 {was relatively better but after} 37. f4 $1 {[%cal Yc4e5] Black's
position could not be defended anyway} (37. Nxd6 $143 cxd6)) 37. Ne5 $1 Bxe5 ({
In the event of} 37... g5 38. Nxd7 Qxd7 {White's simplest way to convert his
material advantage was} 39. e4 Rf4 40. Kf1 {[%cal Re4e5]} Rg4 41. Qf3 Rf4 42.
Qg3 $1 Rxe4 43. Rxc7 $1) 38. Qxg6+ Kh8 39. Qxh6+ Kg8 40. dxe5 $18 Qxe5 41. Rg6+
Kf7 42. Rc4 Qa1+ 43. Kg2 Rh8 44. Rf4+ Ke8 45. Re6+ Re7 46. Rxe7+ Kxe7 47. Re4+
1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D03"]
[WhiteElo "2667"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 d5 3. Nd2 Nbd7 4. Ngf3 e6 5. e3 c5 6. c3 Qb6 7. Rb1 g6 8. Ne5
Bg7 9. f4 Ng8 10. Nb3 cxd4 11. exd4 Nh6 12. Bxh6 Bxh6 13. Qf3 a5 14. h4 a4 15.
Nd2 a3 16. b4 Nxe5 17. fxe5 Bd7 18. g4 Ba4 19. g5 Bf8 20. Bd3 Rc8 21. Rf1 Be7
22. Qxf7+ Kd7 23. Nb3 Bxb3 24. Rxb3 Rhf8 25. Qxh7 Rh8 26. Qxg6 Rcg8 27. Qf7 Rf8
28. Qg7 Rfg8 29. Qf7 Rf8 30. Qg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E54"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2820"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 {The e3-variation against the Nimzo-Indian
is maybe the most popular way for White to play after the classical system
with Qc2. How can a move that shuts in the bishop on c1 be any good. As
experience has shown in this opening, it is much better for White to play in a
slightly unambitious fashion with 4.e3 rather than 4.Bg5, the Leningrad
Variation. The reason of it is that White would like to open the centre with
e3-e4 after due preparation when it is the most advantageous for him.} O-O 5.
Nf3 (5. Nge2 {is another popular way to play this position.}) 5... c5 6. Bd3 d5
7. O-O {The classical tabiya of this opening variation. At this point Black
has to make an important decision. Would he like to dissolve the tension in
the centre with the move cxd4 and dxc4 which would leave White with an
isolated pawn or would he like to play his knight to c6 which results in an
extremely popular opening position after Nc6 a3 Bxc3 bxc3. Caruana chooses the
former.} cxd4 (7... Nc6 8. a3 Bxc3 9. bxc3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Qc7 {is one of the
most popular opening tabiyas in the e3 Nimzo Indian.}) 8. exd4 dxc4 9. Bxc4 b6
{This is a good position in which to take stock of the opening. White has an
isolated pawn on d4 but in return he has free flowing development. His bishop
has a natural square on g5 and his rooks have two semi-open files to work with
from e1 and c1. On the other hand Black is a tad passive but he too has a very
cohesive way of developing with the bishop going to b7 and the knight
developing either on d7 or c6. The thing which gives this position a different
flavour from normal IQP positions is the location of the bishop on b4 instead
of e7. In many positions Black takes on c3 and gives White hanging pawns which
he then tries to blockade or break up with e6-e5.} 10. Bg5 Bb7 11. Rc1 {
A question which puzzles player even at the highest levels is where to place
rooks in such IQP positions. Nimzowitch said that it is logical to put the
rooks on c1 and d1 in his famous book "My System". Later through praxis it was
confirmed that in order to avoid exchanges and launch a successful attack,
White must place his rooks on d1 and e1. But here things are different as the
bishop is on b4. Aronian would like to recapture the on c3 with his rook just
in case Caruana chops off the knight with his bishop.} Nc6 (11... Nbd7 {
is the normal way to develop because it allows Black to put his rook on c8
which will put pressure down the c-file. Yet Nc6 is not so uncommon.}) 12. Qd3
$5 {Now this is a rare move. It had been played by Alekhine back in 1933. It
could be possible that Aronian got the idea of trying out this move when he
was studying the games of the fourth World Champion. The idea is twofold. One
is to at some point exchange the bishop on b7 with Ba6 and the other could be
to play a3-Ba2-b1 and put pressure on the black kingside.} (12. a3 {is more
commonly played.} Be7 13. Qd3 Rc8 {White would have preferred that he hadn't
wasted a tempo on playing his rook to c1 and that he could have brought it
directly to d1.}) 12... Rc8 (12... Na5 $6 13. Ba6 $1 Bxf3 {Trying to win the
d4-pawn but this backfires badly after} (13... Bxa6 14. Qxa6 $14 {puts quite
some pressure on the Black queenside.}) 14. Qxf3 Qxd4 15. Rfd1 $1 Qe5 (15...
Qg4 16. Qxg4 Nxg4 17. Rd4 $16) 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 (16... gxf6 17. Qg4+ $18 {[%cal
Gg4b4]}) 17. Qxf6 gxf6 18. Ne4 Kg7 (18... f5 19. Nf6+ Kg7 20. Nd7 Rfd8 21. Rd3
$16 {[%csl Rg7][%cal Gd3g3,Gd7e5]}) 19. a3 Be7 20. b4 f5 21. Nd2 $16) ({
The game of Alekhine went like this} 12... Be7 13. a3 Nd5 $6 14. Bxd5 $1 (14.
Bxe7 Ncxe7 $11 {is very comfortable for Black.}) 14... Bxg5 15. Nxg5 Qxg5 16.
Be4 g6 (16... f5 {is weakening but maybe better than the text.} 17. Bf3 $14)
17. Qb5 Qxb5 18. Nxb5 {Black's queenside is pretty weak and on the verge of
falling apart.} Na5 19. Bxb7 Nxb7 20. Rc7 Rfb8 {Even though Black is horribly
passive, White lacks an effective finishing shot.} 21. Re1 a6 22. Nc3 Nd6 23.
d5 Ne8 $2 (23... exd5 24. Nxd5 b5 $11 {was probably not enough for an
advantage for White.}) 24. Rc6 exd5 25. Nxd5 b5 $2 (25... a5 {was relatively
better but after} 26. Rxb6 {White wins a pawn.}) 26. Nb6 $1 {The game ends all
of a sudden!} Rxb6 (26... Ra7 27. Nc8 $18 {is the neat point!}) 27. Rxb6 $18 {
The rest is a matter of technique for Alekhine.} Kf8 28. Rc1 Ra7 29. Rb8 Re7
30. Kf1 Re6 31. Re1 Ke7 32. Rxe6+ fxe6 33. Rb7+ Kd6 34. Rxh7 a5 35. Rh6 Kd5 36.
Rxg6 Nd6 37. h4 Nc4 38. h5 {1-0 (38) Alekhine,A-Baratz,A Paris 1933}) 13. Rfd1
{Defending the d4-pawn so that it is possible to play Ba6.} (13. a3 Bxc3 (13...
Be7 {is also possible and equally good.}) 14. Rxc3 (14. bxc3 Na5 15. Ba2 Be4 $1
16. Qe2 Bd5 $1 {and as c4 is not possible in this position, Black will clamp
down on that square and achieve a firm blockade.} 17. c4 $6 (17. Bxd5 Qxd5 18.
Bxf6 gxf6 $11) 17... Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Qxd4 $15) 14... Na5 15. Ba2 Rxc3 16. bxc3 (
16. Qxc3 h6 $1 {Smartly pushing the bishop to the h4-square.} (16... Bxf3 17.
Qxf3 Qxd4 18. b4 $18 {[%csl Ra5]}) 17. Bh4 (17. Bxf6 Qxf6 $15) 17... Bxf3 $1
18. Qxf3 Qxd4 $15 {[%cal Gd4h4]}) 16... Be4 17. Qe2 Bd5 18. Bxd5 (18. c4 Bxf3
19. Qxf3 Qxd4 $15) 18... Qxd5 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Nd2 f5 $11) (13. Ba6 {is
natural but doesn't really work.} Bxa6 14. Qxa6 Nxd4 $15 {doesn't really give
White too much compensation.}) 13... Na5 14. Bb5 {This move is a little
surprising. It seemed natural to go to a6 and exchange the bishop.} (14. Ba6
Bxa6 15. Qxa6 {Maybe Aronian was afraid of some kind of a blockade on the
c4-square after} Bxc3 16. bxc3 Nc4 (16... h6 $1 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. Qxa7 Nc4 $44)
17. Qxa7 $6 {This position reminds me of the game Taimanov-Karpov, 1973 which
is an absolute classic in such structures.} (17. Ne5 $1 $14 {is the best move
for White after which he keeps an advantage.}) 17... Rc7 18. Qa6 (18. Bxf6 gxf6
19. Qa6 Qd5 $15) 18... Qd5 $1 19. Bxf6 Ra8 $1 $19) 14... h6 15. Bh4 Bxc3 {
The start of a very interesting idea by Black to blockade the c4-square.} 16.
bxc3 (16. Rxc3 Rxc3 17. bxc3 Qd5 {is not so dangerous for Black.}) 16... Qd5 $1
{Caruana assesses the position very well and comes to the conclusion that
controlling the c4-square is much more important than maintaining the
integrity of his kingside pawn structure.} 17. c4 {Aronian understands the
urgency of the position and prevents the blockade on c4 at all costs.} (17.
Bxf6 gxf6 $15 {[%csl Rc4][%cal Ga5c4,Gc8c4,Gd5c4] With this move Qd5, the
knight on f3 is sort of pinned to the g2-square and cannot move. So Bxf6 loses
some of its punch because White doesn't really have a way to take advantage of
the weakened black kingside after that.}) 17... Qh5 18. Bxf6 (18. Bg3 $6 a6 19.
Ba4 Nxc4 $1 20. Rxc4 Rxc4 21. Qxc4 b5 22. Qb3 Rc8 $1 $17 {[%csl Ra4] The
bishop is anyway trapped.} (22... Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Qxf3 24. gxf3 bxa4 $15)) 18...
gxf6 19. d5 {White is burning all his bridges. But that is what he has to do
in this position. The bishop on b7 is shooting down the long diagonal, there
was the threat of a6 followed by pressure on the c4-pawn and also the idea of
Kh8 and Rg8. All these factors were good enough for Aronian to play in the
most aggressive fashion.} exd5 20. c5 $5 {A brilliant idea by Aronian. Full
marks for the creativity. Objectively this might not be the best try but when
you give up two pawns it is bound to create some confusion in the mind of your
opponent.} Nc4 $1 {The most human way to play this position.} (20... bxc5 {
was interesting.} 21. Qc3 {was most probably Aronian's idea to launch a double
attack on a5 and f6.} d4 $1 (21... Nc4 $6 22. Qxf6 $36) 22. Qxa5 Bxf3 23. gxf3
Kh8 $1 {What is the assessment of this position is quite an open question. To
me, it seems that White's defensive task is pretty difficult.} 24. Bd7 Rg8+ 25.
Kf1 Rce8 $1 {Brilliant!} 26. Bxe8 Rxe8 {The threat is Qh3 followed by Rg8.} 27.
Kg2 Rg8+ 28. Kf1 Qxf3 $19 {with the decisive idea of Rg2 followed by Qg4.}) 21.
Qd4 $5 {Once again creating maximum confusion on the board. It is not for
nothing that Aronian is considered one of the most resourceful players in top
level chess.} (21. cxb6 Nb2 22. Qd4 Nxd1 23. Rxd1 axb6 $15 {might well be
insufficient compensation.}) 21... Rxc5 $1 22. Qxf6 Qg6 $1 {Credit must also
go to Caruana for continuously playing the best possible move in the given
position.} (22... Rxb5 23. Nd4 $1 {was the very nice idea that Aronian had up
his sleeve. The rook is attacked and there is also a brutal mating threat with
Nf5.} Rc5 24. Nf5 $18) 23. Qe7 {Continuing the fight.} (23. Qxg6+ fxg6 $17 {
would not be such a great idea. Black is a pawn up without White having any
concrete compensation.}) 23... Bc8 (23... Rxb5 24. Qxb7 Ra5 {Black has
defended all his weaknesses i.e the d5 pawn as well as the a7. But White keeps
some compensation after} 25. Qe7 $5 Rxa2 26. h3 $1 {The idea of this brilliant
move found by the computer is to play Rd4-g4.} Ra5 27. Rd4 $44 {In spite of
Black being two pawns up the king on g8 is not sitting comfortably.}) 24. Bxc4
dxc4 25. Rc3 (25. Rd6 $5 {was a more active choice but Black keeps an edge
after} Qg7 $15 (25... Be6 26. Qxa7)) (25. Qxa7 $2 Bh3 26. g3 Qf6 $19 {[%csl
Rf3,Rg1,Rg2,Rh3] The weak light squares will spell the doom of the white king.}
) 25... Qg7 26. Nd4 Rg5 27. Rg3 (27. g3 b5 $19) 27... f6 $2 {Caruana is unable
to keep up the fantastic defensive effort and finally commits an error. Black
had almost consolidated his extra pawn and should have continued} (27... Rxg3
28. hxg3 Qg5 29. Qxa7 Qc5 $17 {With Rd8 coming up and the passed c-pawn, this
looks like an extremely difficult position for White.}) 28. Qe2 {Aronian
retreats his queen proving his point that the move f6 has left Black with lots
of holes in his position.} Qf7 29. Nb5 Qe6 30. Qc2 {Not exchanging the queens.}
Bb7 31. Nd4 $1 Qe4 (31... Qf7 32. Nf5 $1 {[%csl Rh6]} Qe6 33. Nd4 $11 (33.
Nxh6+ Kh8 $13)) 32. Qxc4+ {White recovers his pawn and no longer stands worse.}
Bd5 33. Qc3 Rxg3 34. Qxg3+ Kh7 35. f3 Qe3+ 36. Kh1 Rg8 37. Qc7+ Kh8 38. Qc2 (
38. Qxa7 Qf2 $19) 38... Bf7 39. h3 Rd8 40. Nf5 Rxd1+ 41. Qxd1 Qg5 42. Qd8+ (42.
g4 $1 {Could White have tried to play for a win in this position? We all know
how dangerous the combination of a knight and queen is in such endgames. An
illustrative line could go something like this} Bxa2 43. h4 Qg6 (43... Qf4 44.
Qd8+ Bg8 (44... Kh7 45. Qe7+ $18) 45. Qxf6+ $18) 44. h5 Qf7 45. Qd8+ Kh7 46.
Qd2 Bb1 47. Qxh6+ Kg8 48. Ng3 $14 {I would not prefer to be in Black's shoes
in a position like this.}) 42... Kh7 43. Qc7 Kg6 44. Nd6 Bxa2 45. Qc2+ f5 46.
Nc8 Qe3 47. Nxa7 {Finally both the players settle for the draw. It must be
said that Caruana's defensive skills and Aronian's resourcefulness were two
things that shone brightly in this game.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.18"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 {Actually not the most common m
ove, but one that has been seen since the good old 1800s.} exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7.
Bd2 Nxe4 8. Bxb4 Nxb4 9. Bxf7+ Kxf7 10. Qb3+ d5 11. Ne5+ Ke6 {This idea of
moving the king forward is very popular. The point is that since Black can
force the trade of queens it only makes sense to put the king in the most
active square possible.} (11... Kg8 $6 12. Qxb4 {was seen a game played by
Greco in 1620!}) 12. Qxb4 Qf8 13. Qxf8 Rxf8 14. f3 (14. Nc3 {was Harikrishna's
choice against Aronian last year. That game also ended in a draw.}) 14... Ng5
15. Nc3 c6 16. h4 Nf7 17. Nd3 Kd6 18. Kf2 Nd8 19. g3 Ne6 20. Ne2 a5 21. Ndf4
Ra6 22. Rad1 Rb6 23. Rd2 Rb4 24. Re1 Nxf4 25. Nxf4 Rc4 26. a3 Bf5 27. Re3 b6
28. Rb3 b5 29. Re3 b4 30. Ne2 h5 31. Ke1 g6 32. b3 Rc2 33. Rxc2 Bxc2 34. a4 Bf5
35. Nf4 Rc8 36. Kd2 c5 37. Re5 cxd4 38. Rxd5+ Ke7 39. g4 hxg4 40. fxg4 Bxg4 41.
Nxg6+ Kf6 42. Rxd4 Be6 43. Rd6 Kf7 44. Ne5+ Ke7 45. Rd3 Kf6 46. Nf3 Bg8 47. Ng5
Kf5 48. Nf3 Kf6 49. h5 Rc5 50. h6 Rh5 51. Rd6+ Ke7 52. Ra6 Bxb3 53. h7 Bxa4 54.
Rxa5 Rxh7 55. Rxa4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.20"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E70"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[Annotator "Havasi,G"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 O-O 6. Bd3 (6. Nf3 d6 7. Be2 {
is the other plan.}) 6... e6 $5 (6... d6 {is more usual.}) 7. h3 {Preventing
Bg4 in the future.} (7. e5 {was played by Timman} Ne8 8. Nf3 d6 9. Bg5 Qc7 10.
Nb5 (10. exd6 Nxd6 $13) 10... Qd7 11. dxe6 Qxe6 $132 {1/2 (80) Timman,J (2607)
-Jobava,B (2710) Wijk aan Zee NED 2014}) (7. Nf3 {Jobava also had a game in
this line.} exd5 8. cxd5 d6 9. h3 Re8 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Bf4 c4 12. Bc2 Nc5 13.
Re1 b5 $132 {0-1 (44) Riazantsev,A (2692)-Jobava,B (2713) Dubai UAE 2014}) 7...
exd5 8. exd5 {This is also typical: White aims for a slightly better position
with a symmetrical P structure.} a6 (8... Re8+ 9. Nge2 d6 10. O-O Nbd7 {
is the other line, when White usually plays} 11. f4 $14) 9. a4 {White prevents
b5.} (9. Nge2 {allows} b5 10. cxb5 axb5 11. Bxb5 Na6 $44) 9... a5 $146 {
A novelty, but it seems to be an inaccuracy, because White can place his N on
e2.} ({In a previous game Black played} 9... d6 10. Nf3 (10. Nge2 Nbd7 $1 $13)
10... Re8+ 11. Be3 a5 12. O-O Na6 13. Rc1 Nb4 14. Bb1 Bd7 15. Re1 Re7 16. Qd2
Qf8 $1 17. Bg5 Rxe1+ 18. Rxe1 h6 19. Bf4 $14 {1/2 (38) Rodshtein,M (2678)
-Ivanisevic,I (2623) St Petersburg RUS 2014}) 10. Nge2 {White has a very
pleasant position with a advantage in space.} Na6 11. Bg5 {White pins the
knight, which makes Black's position even worse.} (11. O-O {is also good} Nb4
12. Bb1 $14 (12. Bg5 $14) (12. Nb5 $14)) 11... Nb4 12. Bb1 {This move allows
Black to play...} (12. Nb5 $1 {was very strong} d6 13. O-O h6 14. Bf4 Ra6 15.
Bb1 $14) 12... b6 $1 {Black wants to attack the c4 P to provoke b3 so as to
weaken the long diagonal.} 13. O-O Ba6 14. Nb5 $1 (14. b3 h6 $15) 14... h6 $1
15. Bc1 $1 {I like this move. At the first sight it's more active to move the
B to h4, but after this move White has a strong plan in mind.} (15. Bh4 Bxb5
16. axb5 Qc7 {Black seems fine.}) 15... Bxb5 (15... Nh7 16. Ra3 $14) (15... Ne8
16. Ra3 Bxb5 17. axb5 {transposes to 15...Bxb5.}) 16. axb5 Ne8 (16... Re8 $5 {
seems to be the improvement} 17. Ra3 Ne4 18. Ng3 Nxg3 19. Rxg3 Qf6 $13) 17. Ra3
$1 Nd6 18. Rg3 (18. Nf4 Nxc4 19. Rg3 {leads to 18.Rg3.}) 18... Nxc4 $2 (18...
Re8 19. Bxg6 $1 fxg6 20. Rxg6 $36) (18... Qf6 19. Bd2 $1 $14 (19. Nf4 Qd4 $1
20. Qxd4 cxd4 $13)) 19. Nf4 $36 {White has a very good initiative.} Ne5 20. Nh5
Qh4 21. Nxg7 Kxg7 22. Re1 d6 23. Re4 Qd8 24. Qh5 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.21"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Nd2 Rae8 17. Ne4 Bg4 18. Qg2 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 f5 20. h3 Bh5 21.
Bf4 Bxf4 22. gxf4 fxe4 23. dxe4 Bf3+ 24. Kxf3 Rxf4+ 25. Kg3 Rfxe4 26. Rxe4 Rxe4
27. f3 Re5 28. c4 bxc4 29. Bxc4 a5 30. Rc1 Rg5+ 31. Kf2 Kf8 32. Bd3 Nb4 33.
Bxh7 g6 34. Rd1 Nxa2 35. Ra1 Nb4 36. h4 Rh5 37. Bxg6 Rxh4 38. Kg3 Rd4 39. Rxa5
Rd2 40. b3 Rb2 41. Ra3 Kg7 42. Be4 Kf6 43. Kf4 Ke6 44. Ke3 Nc2+ 45. Bxc2 Rxc2
46. Kd4 Rd2+ 47. Kc5 Rc2+ 48. Kb6 Rc3 49. f4 Kd6 50. f5 Rf3 51. f6 Rxf6 52. b4
Kd5 53. Ra5+ Kc4 54. Rc5+ Kxb4 55. Rxc6 Rxc6+ 56. Kxc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.23"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2715"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 Nf6 5. Nbd2 Nbd7 6. g3 b6 7. Bg2 Bb7 8. O-O
c5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Nc4 Rc8 11. Bg5 Qc7 12. Rac1 b5 13. Ne3 Nxe3 14. Bxe3 c4
15. Rfd1 a6 16. Bf4 Bd6 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 18. e4 O-O 19. Ng5 Qe7 20. e5 Qxg5 21.
Bxb7 Rb8 22. Be4 g6 23. Qc3 Qd8 24. b3 cxb3 25. axb3 Rc8 26. Qb4 Qb6 27. Ra1
Rfd8 28. Kg2 Nf8 29. Qa5 Qxa5 30. Rxa5 Rc3 31. Rxa6 Rxb3 32. d5 Rb4 33. Bf3
exd5 34. Bxd5 Kg7 35. Rd6 Re8 36. Re1 Re7 37. Re2 Rd4 38. f4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.24"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[Annotator "Sumets,A"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. c4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Bd6 11. Re1 (11. a3 Nbd7 12. Ba5 (12. b4 Ra7 13. Nc3 {
Carlsen,M - Aronian,L/FIDE candidates London 2013 (M. Marin)} (13. Bc3 {
Caruana,F - Karjakin,S/Wijk aan Zee 2014 (M. Marin)})) 12... Qb8 13. b4 e5 $1
14. Nbd2 (14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nbd2 Nc6 16. Nb3 Rc8 17. Bh3 (17. Rfd1 $5 Nxa5 18.
Nxa5 Be4 19. Qd2 {preventing c5} Rd8 20. Rac1 $14) 17... Re8 18. Rac1 Qa7 19.
Rfd1 Re4 20. Bg2 Rc4 21. Qd3 Ng4 22. Nfd4 Nge5 23. Qd2 {1/2-1/2 (23) Ganguly,S
(2630)-Shyam,S (2484) Kolkata 2012}) 14... exd4 15. Nxd4 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 c5 17.
bxc5 (17. Nf5 Re8 18. bxc5 Bxc5 19. Nf3 Qb7 20. Bc3 $11) 17... Bxc5 18. N2b3
Qb7+ 19. Kg1 Bxd4 20. Nxd4 Rac8 $11 {Le,Q (2703)-Aronian,L (2803) Beijing 2013
0-1 (78)}) ({Up to the moment, 11.Rc1 is not dangerous continuation:} 11. Rc1
Nbd7 12. Ba5 $6 (12. b4 Nb6 13. a3 Be4 14. Qd1 Bd5 $6 (14... Nfd5 15. Be1 Nc4
16. Nbd2 Nxd2 17. Nxd2 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 f5 $11) 15. Bg5 a5 16. Nbd2 h6 17. Bxf6
gxf6 18. e4 Bb7 19. Rab1 $13 {Cvitan,O (2521)-Stigar,P (2297) Vienna 2009 1-0 
(26)}) 12... Qe7 13. Nbd2 c5 {Black played ...c5 so White's dark-squared
bishop on a5 is useless. Black has better chances.} 14. dxc5 Nxc5 15. Nd4 Rac8
16. Qd1 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Qb7+ 18. N2f3 Nce4 $6 (18... Nfe4 $1 19. Kg1 g6 $15) 19.
Rxc8 Rxc8 20. Rc1 Rxc1 21. Qxc1 $11 {1/2-1/2 (78) Kovalyov,A (2617)-Panjwani,R
(2468) Santa Clara 2014}) (11. Nh4 {Caruana,F - Karjakin,S/Tashkent FIDE GP
2012}) (11. Bg5 Nbd7 12. Nbd2 Rc8 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. Nb3 c5 {leads to an equal
game:} (14... Be4 $6 15. Qc3 Qe7 16. Rac1 Nd7 17. Qe3 (17. Nc5 $1 Bxc5 18. dxc5
Rfd8 19. Rfd1 $14) 17... f5 18. Ne5 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Bxe5 20. dxe5 c5 21. Rfd1 Nb6
22. Nxc5 $2 Nc4 23. Rxc4 bxc4 24. Rd6 Qa7 $1 $17 {0-1 (40) Bauer,C (2571)
-Bologan, V (2652) Belfort 2002}) 15. dxc5 Ne4 16. Rad1 Nxc5 17. Nxc5 Rxc5 18.
Qxc5 Bxc5 19. Rxd8 Rxd8 20. Ne5 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Kf8 22. Rc1 Bd6 23. Nd3 $11 {
Bacrot,E (2749)-Navara,D (2705) Warsaw 2013 1/2-1/2 (41)}) 11... Be4 12. Qc1
Bb7 13. Qc2 Be4 14. Qc1 Bb7 15. Bg5 Nbd7 {The main continuation.} ({Onischuk
tried 15...h6 and didn't have any problems:} 15... h6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. Nbd2
Qe7 18. e4 ({One might recommend as an improvement:} 18. Nb3 $5 a5 19. a4 bxa4
20. Rxa4 Bb4 21. Rd1 $14) 18... Nd7 19. Nh4 Rfc8 20. Qd1 Qd8 $11 {Kaidanov,G 
(2569) -Onischuk,A (2678) Saint Louis 2011 1/2-1/2 (51)}) 16. Nbd2 ({Probably
White has better chances to get an advantage after} 16. e4 Be7 $8 17. e5 Nd5
18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. Ng5 c5 20. Nc3 $1 cxd4 21. Nxd5 Bxd5 22. Bxd5 exd5 23. e6
fxe6 24. Nxe6 Rfe8 25. Qc6 {Sandipan,C (2628)-Vidit,S (2513) Moscow 2012 1/2-1/
2 (44)} Rac8 26. Qxd5 (26. Qxa6 $6 d3 27. Rad1 (27. Qa5 Qf6 28. Nf4 Ne5 29.
Red1 g5 $17) 27... Rc1 $3 28. Rxc1 d2 29. Rcd1 dxe1=Q+ 30. Rxe1 Nf8 $15) 26...
Qf7 $11) 16... c5 {After this move the position becomes double-edged.} (16...
h6 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. Nb3 Rc8 (18... Bd5 $5 19. Nc5 Bxc5 20. Qxc5 Rc8 21. Rac1
Ne4 22. Qa3 Qd6 $11) 19. Nc5 (19. Rd1 Bd5 20. Ne1 Qe7 21. Nd3 Bxb3 $6 (21...
Rfe8 22. Nbc5 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 e5 24. dxe5 Bxe5 25. e3 Bd6 $11) 22. axb3 c5 23.
dxc5 Bxc5 24. Nxc5 Qxc5 25. Bb7 $14 {Giri,A (2642)-Hammer,J (2610) Malmo 2010
1-0 (60)}) 19... Bxc5 20. Qxc5 Ne4 21. Qa3 c5 22. dxc5 Rxc5 23. Rac1 $11 {
Wang,Y (2738)-Carlsen,M (2770) Leon 2009 1/2-1/2 (38)}) 17. e4 {This is a bit
risky; after the reply White's centre is under attack.} (17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Nb3
c4 19. Nbd2 Rc8 (19... Qc7 20. Nh4 Rfd8 $13) 20. a3 Qa5 21. Nh4 Bxg2 22. Nxg2
c3 23. Ne4 cxb2 24. Nxf6+ Nxf6 25. Qg5+ Kh8 26. Qxf6+ Kg8 27. Qg5+ Kh8 28. Qf6+
{1/2-1/2 (26) Caruana,F (2697)-Zhigalko,S (2656) Sestao 2010}) 17... Be7 18. e5
{Mostly forced. Black has at least equal chances.} Nd5 19. Bxe7 (19. Ne4 cxd4
20. Qd2 Bxg5 (20... Qb6 $5 {It isn't obvious if White has compensation for the
pawn.} 21. Bxe7 Nxe7 22. Rad1 Bd5 23. Qxd4 (23. Nxd4 Nxe5 $17) 23... Qxd4 24.
Nxd4 Nxe5 25. Nc5 Bxg2 26. Kxg2 Nc4 27. b3 Nb6 $17) 21. Nexg5 h6 22. Ne4 Ne3
23. fxe3 Bxe4 24. exd4 Bd5 25. Nh4 Nb6 26. Be4 Rc8 27. Ng2 Bxe4 {1/2-1/2 (25)
Gelfand,B (2737)-Anand,V (2799) Wijk aan Zee 2008}) 19... Qxe7 20. Ne4 cxd4 21.
Qd2 Rad8 (21... Ne3 $5 22. fxe3 Bxe4 23. exd4 Bd5 24. Qg5 Qd8 25. b3 Qb6 26.
Rad1 Rad8 $15 {Delchev,A (2618)-Ubilava,E (2525) Benasque 2008 1/2-1/2 (45)})
22. Rac1 {This is logical, White is trying to keep pressure in the centre.} (
22. Qxd4 $6 Nb4 23. Rac1 Nc6 24. Qc3 b4 25. Qe3 Ncxe5 26. Rc7 Bxe4 27. Qxe4 Qd6
$15 {White doesn't have enough compensation for the pawn.}) 22... Qb4 $1 23.
Qd3 $5 (23. Qxd4 Qxd4 24. Nxd4 Nb4 25. Rc7 Ba8 $1 $15 {Black will take the
e5-pawn and will get an advantage.}) 23... Qxb2 24. a3 ({Another possible
continuation is not better:} 24. Neg5 g6 25. Nxd4 (25. Qxd4 Qxd4 26. Nxd4 Rc8
$17) 25... Nxe5 26. Qe4 Nb4 $1 27. Qxb7 (27. Qh4 h5 $19) 27... Nbd3 $19) 24...
Nc3 $6 (24... Rc8 $1 25. Rb1 Qc2 {White has nothing better than trading queens
and playing an endgame.} 26. Qxc2 Rxc2 27. Nxd4 Rc4 $17) 25. Neg5 g6 26. Nxd4
Bxg2 27. Kxg2 Na4 $1 (27... Nxe5 $2 28. Qxc3 Qxc3 29. Rxc3 Rxd4 30. Rxe5 f6 31.
Rxe6 fxg5 32. Rxa6 $11) 28. Rcd1 Ndc5 29. Qe3 Qc3 30. Qf4 Nd3 $6 ({The only
way to continue the game is} 30... Qc4 $1 31. Qh4 h5 32. Nxf7 $1 Rd7 $1 (32...
Kxf7 33. Qf6+ Ke8 34. Qxg6+ Rf7 35. Qg8+ Rf8 36. Qg6+ $11) 33. Nd6 $8 Qd5+ 34.
Kg1 Nb2 35. Qg5 (35. Rd2 Nbd3 36. Re3 Nxe5 37. Qg5 Ng4 $17) 35... Nxd1 36. Rxd1
Rg7 $17) 31. Qh4 $1 $11 Nxe1+ 32. Rxe1 h5 33. Ne4 (33. Ne4 Qxd4 34. Nf6+ Kg7 (
34... Kh8 35. Qg5 $11) 35. Nxh5+ $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.25"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. h3 e5 7. d5 Nh5 8. g3 f5
9. exf5 gxf5 10. Ng5 Qe8 11. c5 Nf6 12. Bb5 Qe7 13. g4 Na6 14. Ne6 Bxe6 15.
dxe6 Nxc5 16. g5 Ne8 17. Nd5 Qxe6 18. b4 Ne4 19. Bxe8 Qxe8 20. f3 Ng3 21. Rg1
f4 22. Nxc7 Qe7 23. Qb3+ Kh8 24. Ne6 Rfe8 25. Nxg7 Kxg7 26. Bb2 Qxg5 27. Rd1
Rad8 28. Rd5 Qf5 29. Kd2 Qxh3 30. Kc1 Qf5 31. Bc3 h5 32. Kb2 h4 33. Qd1 h3 34.
Qd2 Kf7 35. Re1 Qf6 36. Qc2 Nf5 37. Rd2 Rg8 38. Qe4 b6 39. Rh1 Rh8 40. Qb7+ Qe7
41. Qa6 Ng3 42. Rhh2 Rd7 43. Rc2 Rc7 44. Qd3 Qe6 45. Ka3 Nf5 46. Bd2 Rxc2 47.
Qxc2 Nd4 48. Qd3 Qd5 49. Kb2 b5 50. Bc3 Qxf3 51. Qb1 Qg3 52. Rd2 h2 53. Bxd4
h1=Q 54. Qf5+ Ke7 55. Qc2 Qd5 0-1

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 3rd"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D36"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. Qc2 Be7 7. e3 Nbd7 8.
Bd3 h6 9. Bh4 Nh5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. O-O-O Nb6 12. Nf3 Bg4 13. Kb1 Nf6 14. Rc1
Nfd7 15. Ka1 O-O-O 16. Nd2 Kb8 17. Na4 Nxa4 18. Qxa4 Qh4 {A relatively dry
position. Black has no real targets to pressure, while White is doing the best
not to weaken his position.} 19. Rcf1 Qf6 20. Qc2 Rc8 21. Nb3 Rc7 22. Rc1 Rhc8
{Black's complicated plan of doubling on the c-file and playing c5 may not
have been a bad idea, except that it was never executed.} 23. h3 Be6 24. Rhf1
h5 $2 (24... c5 $5 25. Nxc5 Nxc5 26. dxc5 Rxc5 27. Qxc5 Rxc5 28. Rxc5 Qg5 {
White cannot successfully defend his g-pawn (29.g4 runs into 29...Qh4) so
Black gets one pawn for the two rooks against queen situation, which might
make his position just an inch preferable.}) 25. f4 $1 {Carlsen must have
underestimated this move. There is no comfortable way to protect against f5,
trapping the bishop.} g6 (25... Nb6 26. f5 Bd7 27. Nc5 {Leaves Black's pieces
without coordination, very similar to what happened in the game but with the
kingside pawns still alive, which is worse for Black.}) 26. f5 gxf5 $6 (26...
Bxf5 $1 27. Bxf5 gxf5 28. Rxf5 (28. Qxf5 Qxf5 29. Rxf5 Rg8 $11) 28... Qg6 {
And Black is a tiny bit worse, but should have enough counterplay with
pressure against e3, g2 and some c5 ideas.}) 27. g4 $1 {This strong move binds
Black's pieces.} hxg4 28. hxg4 Nb6 {what else?} 29. gxf5 Bd7 30. Nc5 Re8 {
Black has some compensation for his cramped position in the form of pressure
on e3 and a relatively solid camp, but it is definitely White that is
preferable here.} 31. Rce1 Qd6 32. a3 $6 (32. Rg1 $1) 32... Bc8 33. Qf2 Nd7 $6
(33... f6 $1 {Forces Aronian to find some good way of continuing the pressure.
Black is close to equality.}) 34. e4 $1 dxe4 35. Nxe4 Qf8 (35... Qd5 36. Bb1 $1
{Is extremely uncomfortable, with the threat of Nc3.}) 36. Rg1 Rd8 37. Qh2 $2 {
This move lets go of any advantage.} (37. f6 $1 Nb6 38. Rg7 {keeps the bind
and some real pressure on the position. It's hard to find moves for Black.})
37... Qh8 $1 {Now that the queens come off the board it is impossible to play
for a win with White.} 38. Qxh8 Rxh8 39. Rg7 Nb6 40. Nf6 Rd8 41. Rg4 (41. Bb1
$1 {was probably a simpler way of forcing a draw.} Rxd4 42. Ne8 Rcd7 43. Nf6
Rd8 44. Rxf7 $11) 41... c5 42. Ne8 $6 (42. dxc5 Rxc5 (42... Rxd3 43. cxb6 axb6
44. Re8 {looks a bit dangerous for Black.}) 43. Bb1 $11 Bxf5 $4 44. Rg5 $18)
42... Rcd7 43. dxc5 Rxd3 44. cxb6 axb6 {Now that White doesn't have access to
the eight rank the bishop is a slightly better piece than the knight on e8.}
45. Rf4 R8d5 46. Ref1 {It's hard to make progress with Black anyways. If he is
forced to trade a pair of rooks White's defensive task becomes easier.} Rd1+
47. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 48. Ka2 Rd5 49. Ng7 {Awkward, but the f-pawn is doing an
important job of restraining the Black bishop.} Bd7 50. Kb3 Kc7 51. Re4 Kd6 52.
Ne8+ Kc6 (52... Bxe8 53. Rxe8 Rxf5 54. Rb8 {is almost impossible to win.}) 53.
Ng7 Rd3+ 54. Kb4 Rg3 55. Rc4+ Kd6 56. Rd4+ Kc7 57. Nh5 Rg2 58. Nf6 Bc6 (58...
Bxf5 59. Nd5+ Kb8 60. b3 $11) 59. b3 b5 60. Ng4 Re2 61. Nh6 Be8 62. Ng4 Bd7 63.
Nh6 Be8 64. Ng4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 3rd"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.03"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Baramidze, David"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2594"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. O-O Re8 8.
Nc4 Nd7 9. a4 Bd6 10. d4 exd4 11. Nxd6 cxd6 12. Qxd4 Qf6 13. Rd1 Qxd4 14. Rxd4
Nf6 15. Rxd6 Nxe4 16. Rd3 Bf5 17. Be3 Nf6 18. Rb3 b6 19. c4 Ne4 20. a5 Be6 21.
Rba3 Rab8 22. Nd4 Bd7 23. axb6 axb6 24. Ra7 Nf6 25. b4 c5 26. bxc5 bxc5 27. Nf3
Rbc8 28. R1a5 Be6 29. Ne5 Ng4 30. Nxg4 Bxg4 31. h3 Be2 32. Rxc5 Rxc5 33. Bxc5
Bxc4 34. Re7 Rxe7 35. Bxe7 Be2 36. Bc5 h6 37. Be7 Bc4 38. Bc5 f6 39. f3 Kf7 40.
Kf2 g5 41. Bd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 3rd"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E39"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. Bd2 (7. Bxf6
{is possible, too, but White looksfor a more complicated position.}) 7... Qxc5
(7... Na6 8. a3 Nxc5 9. e4 $5 $36 (9. Rc1 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 Qa4 11. Qxa4 Nxa4 12.
Bxf6 gxf6 13. b3 Nc5 14. b4 Na4 15. Nf3 b6 16. Nd2 Ba6 $11 {1/2 (46) Krush,I 
(2380)-Dragomarezkij,E (2468) Moscow 2002})) 8. e3 (8. a3 Bxc3 9. Qxc3 d5 10.
cxd5 Qxc3 11. Bxc3 Nxd5 12. Bd2 Nc6 13. e4 Nb6 14. Be3 e5 15. Bxb6 axb6 16. Bc4
Nd4 $132 {0-1 (45) Balla,T (2377)-Prodileanu,A (2204) Sarata Monteoru 2012}) (
8. e4 Nc6 9. a3 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 e5 11. Nf3 d6 12. h3 a5 13. Bd3 a4 14. O-O Be6
15. Bd2 Rfc8 16. Be3 Qa5 17. Qe2 h6 18. Rad1 Nd7 $132 {0-1 (43) Borulya,L 
(2105)-Serper,G (2420) Pula 1990}) 8... Qc7 (8... b6 9. a3 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 {
[%cal Rc3b4]} Qe7 11. Bd3 $36) (8... d5 $6 {(not a good time to open up the
position!)} 9. a3 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 a5 11. Bd4 Qc7 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Rc1 dxc4 14.
Bxc4 Bd7 15. Nf3 Rc8 16. O-O $14 {1/2 (16) Jaracz,P (2548)-Jedynak,R (2475)
Czechia 2013}) (8... Nc6 9. a3 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 e5 (10... Qe7 11. Bd3 e5 12. Ne2
Re8 13. Ng3 $14 (13. O-O $4 e4 14. Bxf6 gxf6 {0-1 (14) Ivanov,J (2300)-Dautov,
R (2535) Sverdlovsk 1989})) (10... a5 11. Nf3 (11. b3 $6 e5 12. Nf3 Re8 13. Be2
d5 14. O-O d4 15. exd4 exd4 16. Bb2 Bg4 $132 {0-1 (29) Wagner,A (2241)-Kishnev,
S (2488) Germany 2004}) 11... e5 12. Bd3 $14) 11. Nf3 $5 (11. b4 Qe7 12. b5 Nb8
13. Nf3 d6 14. Be2 Nbd7 15. O-O b6 16. Nd2 Bb7 17. a4 d5 18. Qb2 d4 19. Bb4 Nc5
$132 {1/2 (53) Krivko,Y-Khasin,A (2530) Omsk 1996})) ({Black's queen can
therefore retreat to give to his bishop a route back to e7.} 8... Qc6 {is not
the best square:} 9. Nf3 a6 10. Bd3 (10. a3 Be7 11. Bd3 d6 12. O-O Nbd7 13. b4
Qc7 14. h3 Rd8 15. Rac1 Nf8 16. Nd4 Bd7 17. Qb3 Rdc8 18. f4 $14 {1-0 (61)
Marovic,D (2485)-Tatai,S (2465) Beersheba 1976}) 10... Qc7 11. g4 $5 Nxg4 12.
Bxh7+ Kh8 13. Bd3 Nc6 14. Rg1 Nce5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Be2 f5 17. Nb1 Bxd2+ 18.
Nxd2 $36 {1-0 (71) Mascarinas,R (2465)-Smagin,S (2540) Zenica 1989}) (8... Qb6
$142 $5 9. a3 (9. Nf3 $5) 9... Be7 10. Nf3 a6 11. Be2 Qc7 12. Rc1 b6 13. O-O
Bb7 14. Rfd1 d6 15. e4 Nbd7 16. h3 Nc5 17. Bd3 Rac8 18. b3 Qb8 19. Nd4 Rfe8 $13
{1/2 (56) Tozer,R (2235)-Smagin,S (2535) London 1989}) (8... Qh5 $5 9. a3 Be7
10. Nge2 b6 11. Nf4 Qe5 12. Be2 Bb7 13. O-O Nc6 14. Rac1 Rac8 15. b4 d5 16.
cxd5 exd5 $132 {[%cal Yd5d4] 0-1 (60) Hartston,W (2465)-Ornstein,A (2450)
Skara 1980}) 9. Nf3 (9. Nb5 $5 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 Qb6 11. Nd6 {needs checking.
Black can try to oust White's knight by means of ...Nf6-e8 later on.}) 9... Be7
10. Bd3 Nc6 ({A more classic hedgehog setup was seen in the following game:} 
10... Na6 11. a3 Nc5 12. Be2 d6 13. O-O b6 14. b4 Ncd7 15. Rac1 Bb7 16. e4 Rac8
17. Rfd1 Rfd8 18. Bf4 Qb8 19. h3 h6 20. Qb1 Ne8 $13 {1/2 (39) Zysk,R (2395)
-Ribli,Z (2620) Germany 1988}) ({but} 10... a6 11. O-O d6 {[%cal Yb7b6,Yc8b7,
Yb8d7] was a more direct way to get a hedgehog.}) 11. a3 b6 (11... a6 $5 {
not allowing the following manoeuvre, which is, however, quite harmless.}) 12.
Nb5 Qb8 13. Bc3 h6 (13... a6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Bxh7+ Kh8 16. Nc3 g6 17. Bxg6
fxg6 18. Qxg6 {looks risky for Black but objectively White hardly has anything
better than a perpetual check.}) 14. Rd1 a6 15. Nbd4 (15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nd6 Be7
17. Nxc8 Qxc8 18. O-O Qc7 {is hardly promising for White.}) 15... Nxd4 16. Bxd4
d6 $5 ({Equally good was} 16... Bb7 {(here or on the next move). ...b6-b5
would be possible in any case.}) 17. O-O Bd7 18. e4 e5 19. Bc3 Rc8 (19... b5
20. c5 $5 {although after} Rc8 21. cxd6 Bxd6 {Black is OK, too.}) 20. Qe2 Be6
21. Nh4 $5 g6 22. g3 {A passive continuation after the sharp previous move.} (
22. f4 $5 {was more logical:} Bg4 (22... exf4 $2 23. Nf5 $1) 23. Nf3 exf4 24.
h3 Bh5 (24... Bxf3 $2 25. Qxf3 g5 26. g3) 25. e5 dxe5 26. Bxe5 Qb7 27. Bxf4 Re8
28. Qc2 {[%cal Rg2g4,Rf4h6]} g5 $13) 22... Qc7 {The c4 pawn is now doomed.} 23.
Ng2 (23. b3 b5) (23. Bd2 $5 Bxc4 24. Bxh6 Bxd3 25. Rxd3 Qc2 26. Qf3 $1 d5 27.
Nf5 gxf5 28. Qxf5 Nxe4 29. Qg4+ (29. Rf3 $143 Nd6 30. Qxe5 Qg6 31. Qxe7 Nf5)
29... Ng5 30. Rfd1 $13 {(Chesspro.ru)}) 23... Bxc4 24. Ne3 Bxd3 25. Rxd3 Nxe4
26. Bxe5 dxe5 27. Nd5 Qd6 (27... Nxg3 28. fxg3 Qb7 {looks too risky.}) 28. Qxe4
Bf8 29. Rfd1 $44 {White has powerful pieces but Black has no real weaknesses
so this compensation can only be enough for equality.} b5 30. Qf3 (30. Nf4 Qf6
31. Nd5 $11 Qe6 32. Re1 {[%cal Rd5c7,Re4e5]} (32. Nc7 $2 Qc4 $1)) 30... Kg7 31.
Nc3 $6 {[%mdl 16384] White takes the wrong way by preparing a rook invasion,
which doesn't bring him any benefit. He had a good opportunity to regain the
pawn:} (31. Nc7 $1 Qxc7 32. Rd7 Qc4 33. R1d5 Be7 $8 34. Rxe7 Rf8 35. Rdxe5 $11)
31... Qe6 32. Rd7 Bc5 33. Qe4 Ra7 {Black has improved the position of his
pieces, and White's compensation has vanished.} 34. Rd8 $2 {[%mdl 8192]
Blundering another pawn. Positional mistakes often lead to tactical oversights
when you try to prove the unprovable: the correctness of your wrong plan.} Rxd8
35. Rxd8 Bxf2+ $1 36. Kg2 (36. Kxf2 Qb6+) 36... Bb6 37. Rd2 Rc7 38. Qa8 Bd4 39.
Ne2 Rd7 40. b4 h5 0-1

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 3rd"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.06"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2711"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. e3 O-O 7. Qc2 Bd6 8. c5
Be7 9. Bb5 Nb8 10. a3 b6 11. b4 a5 12. Rb1 c6 13. Bd3 axb4 14. axb4 Nbd7 15.
O-O Qc7 16. Ne2 Ba6 17. Nf4 Rfb8 18. Bb2 bxc5 19. bxc5 Qc8 20. Bc3 Bd8 21. Rxb8
Rxb8 22. Ra1 Ra8 23. Bxa6 Rxa6 24. Rb1 Qa8 25. Nd3 h6 26. Nd2 Ra2 27. Rb2 Ra1+
28. Rb1 Ra2 29. Rb2 Ra1+ 30. Rb1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 3rd"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.07"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 d5 4. d4 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Qa4+ Nc6 7. Bg5 h6 8.
Bxf6 Qxf6 9. e3 O-O 10. Be2 a6 11. O-O Be6 12. Rfc1 Bd6 {A popular system of
the Ragozin Defence. Black is preparing ...Nc6-e7.} 13. a3 (13. Qd1 {- see
Carlsen-Aronian in this issue.}) 13... Ne7 (13... g5 $6 {is premature:} 14. Qd1
g4 15. Ne1 h5 16. g3 Rad8 17. Ng2 Qg7 18. Na4 Ne7 19. Nc5 Rb8 20. Bd3 Qf6 21.
Qe2 Rfe8 22. b4 Nf5 23. Nxe6 Rxe6 24. Qc2 Ne7 25. Nh4 $14 {1-0 (56) Barbero,G 
(2365)-Vukovic,Z (2375) Boeblingen 1985}) (13... Qd8 14. b4 f5 {looks slow but
in the following game White failed to refute that plan:} 15. Qb3 Kh8 16. Rd1
Bg8 17. g3 Qf6 18. Bf1 Ne7 19. Bg2 g5 20. Ra2 c6 21. Re2 Rae8 22. Na4 Ng6 23.
Qc2 Re7 24. Nc5 Rfe8 25. Rdd2 h5 $36 {0-1 (37) Nikcevic,N (2440)-Kurajica,B 
(2520) Kladovo 1991}) 14. b4 (14. Qd1 {leads to a position from Carlsen -
Aronian.}) 14... c6 15. Qb3 {The drawback of this setup is that after a3-a4
and b4-b5 a6xb5 a4xb5 Black can reply ...c6-c5! d4xc5 Bd6xc5 threatening ...
d5-d4. Therefore White's queen will have to find another square. But which
one? b1? That would disconnect White's rooks. If it goes to b2 then the
c3-knight will be pinned later on. That's why the plan with Qa4-d1 is
considered more appropriate; still, the whole line is hardly promising for
White.} g5 {[%mdl 128] Black seizes the initiative.} (15... h5 $143 16. Na4 h4
17. Nc5 Rab8 18. Qd1 {(still!)} Bc7 19. a4 Bg4 20. Nd2 Bf5 21. b5 axb5 22. axb5
Qd6 23. Nf1 cxb5 24. Bxb5 Rfc8 25. Bd3 $14 {[%csl Rb7,Rd5,Rh4] 1-0 (44) Bacrot,
E (2723)-Grandadam,N (2286) Basel 2011}) (15... Nf5 $143 {(not the best square
for the knight!)} 16. a4 g5 17. Nd2 Nh4 18. g3 Nf5 19. b5 axb5 20. axb5 Rxa1
21. Rxa1 c5 $2 22. Nxd5 Bxd5 23. Qxd5 cxd4 {1-0 (61) Jaracz,P (2531)-Perdek,M 
(2245) Wroclaw 2013} 24. Rd1 $1 dxe3 25. Ne4 exf2+ 26. Kxf2 Qe6 27. Nxd6 Ne3
28. Qxe6 Nxd1+ 29. Bxd1 fxe6+ 30. Ke1 $16) 16. Qb2 Qg7 (16... g4 $5 17. Nd2 Bc7
{[%cal Yh6h5]} (17... h5 $143 18. Nde4 $1)) 17. Na4 Rae8 18. Nc5 Bc8 19. g3 (
19. a4 f5 $36 {[%cal Yg5g4,Yf5f4]}) 19... Nf5 {Here, too, I don't like this
position of the knight.} (19... f5 {[%cal Ye7g6,Yg5g4,Yh6h5,Yh5h4] was quite
strong. It was not easy for White to defend.}) 20. Bd3 (20. a4 {looks more
logical but after} h5 {Black keeps initiative anyway.}) 20... Qf6 21. Rf1 {
Quite an artificial defence.} h5 22. Rac1 (22. Rad1 h4 (22... Nh6 23. Nd2 h4
24. e4) 23. e4 $5 Bxc5 24. exf5 {was an interesting attempt to change the
course of the game: after} Ba7 25. g4 {it is difficult for Black to break
through.}) 22... h4 23. Qd2 Nh6 $2 {Black underestimates his opponent's
tactical resource. It was hardly an oversight since White's previous move had
clearly indicated his intention; most probably, Vishy missed something in the
subsequent variations.} (23... hxg3 $1 24. hxg3 Kg7 (24... Nh4 $5 25. Ne1 $1
Ng6 $1 {(Chesspro.ru)} 26. Qe2 {[%cal Ye2f3]} g4 {was quite good, too}) {
, and now complications after} 25. e4 {are rather favourable for Black:} Nxd4
$1 26. Nxd4 Rh8 {[%cal Rf6h6]} 27. Nxb7 $1 Qh6 28. f4 Qh1+ 29. Kf2 Qh2+ 30. Ke1
Qxg3+ 31. Qf2 Bxf4 32. Qxg3 Bxg3+ 33. Kd1 Bf4 $1 {etc.}) 24. e4 $1 {[%mdl 64]}
Bxc5 (24... Qxf3 25. Qxg5+ Kh7 26. e5+ Bf5 27. Bxf5+ Nxf5 (27... Qxf5 28. Qxf5+
Nxf5 29. exd6 Nxd6 30. Nd7 {[%cal Rd7f8,Rd7f6]}) 28. Rc3 $1 Nxd4 $8 (28... Qxc3
29. Qxf5+ Kh6 30. Qf6+ Kh7 31. Qxh4+ Kg7 32. Qg5+ Kh8 33. Qh6+ Kg8 34. Nd7 $18)
29. Qxh4+ Kg7 30. Qxd4 {, and White ends up with an extra pawn (indicated by
Chesspro.ru).}) 25. e5 Qg7 $2 {Just losing a pawn and eventually the game.} (
25... Bxb4 $8 26. axb4 Qg7 27. Nxg5 Bf5 28. Nf3 $14 {- it is now Black's king
which is unsafe but the whole game is still ahead.}) 26. bxc5 f6 27. exf6 Rxf6
28. Nxg5 Bf5 29. Rce1 Rff8 30. Rxe8 Rxe8 31. Nf3 Bxd3 32. Qxd3 Re4 33. Re1 hxg3
34. hxg3 {Frustrated, Anand didn't want to check Levon's technique.} 1-0

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 3rd"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2738"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O e4 7. Ng5 Bxc3 8.
bxc3 Re8 9. f3 exf3 10. Nxf3 d5 11. d4 h6 12. cxd5 Qxd5 13. e3 Bf5 14. Nd2 Qd7
15. Nb3 Ne4 16. c4 b6 17. Rf4 Rad8 18. Qf1 Bg6 19. Ba3 Na5 20. Bb4 Nxb3 21.
axb3 c5 22. Bxe4 Rxe4 23. Rxe4 Bxe4 24. Bc3 Bc2 25. b4 cxb4 26. Bxb4 a5 27. Bc3
Rc8 28. Rc1 Bb3 29. c5 Qe6 30. Qf4 a4 31. e4 bxc5 32. d5 Qd7 33. h4 f6 34. g4
Re8 35. Re1 Bc2 36. g5 hxg5 37. hxg5 fxg5 38. Qxg5 Rxe4 39. Rxe4 Bxe4 40. d6 a3
41. Qxc5 Qg4+ 42. Kf2 Qf3+ 43. Ke1 Qg3+ 44. Kd2 Qd3+ 45. Ke1 a2 46. Qd4 Qg3+
47. Kd2 Qg2+ 48. Ke3 Qf3+ 49. Kd2 Qg2+ 50. Ke3 Bf5 51. d7 Qg3+ 52. Ke2 Bg4+ 53.
Kf1 Bh3+ 54. Ke2 Qg2+ 55. Ke1 Qg3+ 56. Ke2 Qg2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 3rd"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O
8. O-O Re8 9. Qf3 Bd6 10. Bf4 Bxf4 11. Qxf4 d6 12. Rae1 Nd7 13. Qd2 Nc5 14. f4
a5 15. b3 Qf6 16. e5 Qd8 17. Rf3 Nxd3 18. Qxd3 Qh4 19. g3 Qd8 20. Rfe3 Bg4 21.
Ne4 dxe5 22. Nf2 Qxd3 23. Nxd3 Bf5 24. Rxe5 Rxe5 25. Rxe5 g6 26. Kf2 Bxd3 27.
cxd3 a4 28. b4 a3 29. Ke3 Rb8 30. Re4 Kf8 31. Rc4 c5 32. bxc5 Rb2 33. Kd4 Rxa2
34. Ra4 Rxh2 35. Rxa3 Ke7 36. Kd5 Kd7 37. g4 Rh3 38. c6+ Ke7 39. Ra7 Rxd3+ 40.
Ke4 Rc3 41. Rxc7+ Ke6 42. Rc8 Kd6 43. Rd8+ Ke6 44. Re8+ Kd6 45. Rd8+ Ke6 46.
f5+ gxf5+ 47. gxf5+ Ke7 48. Rd7+ Ke8 49. Rd6 Ke7 50. Rh6 Rc5 51. Kf4 Rd5 52.
Rxh7 Rd6 53. Kg5 Rxc6 54. Rh8 Rc1 55. Ra8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2015.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Bf1 Be7 7. Nxe5 Nf5 8.
Nf3 d5 9. d4 O-O 10. c3 Re8 11. Bd3 Bd6 12. Rxe8+ Qxe8 13. Nbd2 b6 14. Nf1 f6
15. Qc2 g6 16. Ng3 Nce7 17. Ne2 Qf7 18. h3 Bd7 19. c4 dxc4 20. Bxc4 Be6 21.
Bxe6 Qxe6 22. Bf4 Nd5 23. Bxd6 Qxd6 24. Nc3 Nxc3 25. bxc3 Qd7 26. Re1 Re8 27.
Rxe8+ Qxe8 28. Qb3+ Kg7 29. Qc4 c6 30. Qa6 Qd7 31. a4 Nd6 32. Nd2 Qe7 33. Kf1
h5 34. Qd3 Qe6 35. Qa6 Qd7 36. Qe2 b5 37. a5 Kf7 38. Nb3 Qe6 39. Nc5 Qxe2+ 40.
Kxe2 Nc4 41. a6 Ke7 42. g4 hxg4 43. hxg4 f5 44. g5 Nb6 45. Nd3 Nd5 46. Kd2 Kd6
47. Ne5 Ne7 48. f4 c5 49. Kd3 c4+ 50. Kd2 Kc7 51. Kc2 Kb6 52. Kd2 Kxa6 53. d5
Nxd5 54. Nxg6 Kb6 55. Nh4 Nxf4 56. g6 Nxg6 57. Nxg6 Kc5 58. Nh4 f4 59. Nf3 a5
60. Nd4 b4 61. Ne6+ Kb5 62. Nxf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D51"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2015.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 d5 3. e3 Nbd7 4. c4 e6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Qb3 c5 7. dxc5 Qa5 8. a3
Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 10. bxc3 Ne4 11. Bf4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 e5 13. f3 exf4 14. fxe4
fxe3 15. Ke2 Nxc5 16. Kxe3 Be6 17. Bxe6 Nxe6 18. Ne2 Rc8 19. Rhb1 Nc5 20. a4
O-O 21. Rb4 Rfe8 22. Ng3 g6 23. Kf3 Rcd8 24. Rd4 Nb3 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Ra3 Nd2+
27. Kf4 b6 28. Ra1 Nc4 29. Rb1 Rd3 30. Rb4 Rxc3 31. Ne2 Rc2 32. Nd4 Rc1 33. Nc6
a5 34. Rb3 Ra1 35. Ne7+ Kg7 36. Nd5 Rxa4 37. Nxb6 Nxb6 38. Rxb6 f5 39. Rb7+ Kh6
40. h4 Rxe4+ 41. Kg3 Rg4+ 42. Kh3 Rb4 43. Ra7 Rb3+ 44. Kh2 Ra3 45. g3 Ra2+ 46.
Kh3 a4 47. Ra5 Ra1 48. g4 Ra3+ 49. Kg2 fxg4 50. Rg5 Ra2+ 51. Kg3 Ra1 52. Kg2 a3
53. Rxg4 Rb1 54. Ra4 Rb2+ 55. Kg3 a2 56. Ra7 g5 57. hxg5+ Kxg5 58. Ra4 h5 59.
Kh3 Kf5 60. Kh4 Rc2 61. Ra3 Ke5 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2015.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bxc4 e6 5. Nf3 a6 6. O-O c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8.
Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Be2 Ke7 10. Rd1 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 b6 12. Ne1 Bb7 13. Nd3 Rhd8 14.
Nxc5 Nxc5 15. f3 Nd3 16. Nc4 Nxc1 17. Raxc1 Rxd1+ 18. Rxd1 b5 19. Na5 Rb8 20.
Kf2 Ba8 21. Rc1 Kd6 22. e4 Nd7 23. Ke3 f6 24. Bd3 Ne5 25. Bb1 Nc6 26. Nb3 e5
27. a3 a5 28. Ba2 a4 29. Nc5 Nd4 30. Na6 Rf8 31. Nb4 f5 32. exf5 Nxf5+ 33. Ke2
e4 34. f4 Nd4+ 35. Ke3 Nf5+ 36. Ke2 Nd4+ 37. Kd2 Bb7 38. Rd1 Kc5 39. Rc1+ Kd6
40. g3 g5 41. fxg5 Nf3+ 42. Ke2 Nxh2 43. Rd1+ Ke5 44. Rd7 Ba8 45. Rxh7 Ng4 46.
Re7+ Kd6 47. Rf7 Rxf7 48. Bxf7 Ke5 49. Bh5 Nh2 50. Nc2 Kf5 51. g6 Kf6 52. Nd4
Bd5 53. Kf2 Kg5 54. Be2 Kxg6 55. Nxb5 Kf5 56. Nc3 Bc6 57. Bd1 Ng4+ 58. Bxg4+
Kxg4 59. Ke3 Kxg3 60. Nxe4+ Kg2 61. Nc3 Kf1 62. Kd4 Ke1 63. Kc5 Be8 64. Kb4 Kd2
65. Nxa4 Kc2 66. b3 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2015.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. h3 Nd7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Nc3 Re8 9. Be3 Bd6 10. Nd2 Nf8 11. Nc4 Ng6 12. a4 Be6 13. Nxd6 cxd6 14. d4 Qf6
15. d5 Bd7 16. a5 c5 17. Kh2 Qd8 18. Ne2 f5 19. exf5 Bxf5 20. Ng3 Bd7 21. b4
cxb4 22. Qd2 b3 23. cxb3 Qh4 24. Rfc1 Rac8 25. f3 Nf4 26. Bxf4 exf4 27. Ne4
Rcd8 28. Rc7 Bf5 29. Qd4 Re5 30. Nf2 Qg3+ 31. Kg1 Re2 32. Kf1 Rde8 33. Rac1 h5
34. Rxb7 R8e3 35. Rxg7+ Qxg7 36. Qxf4 Re5 37. g4 Bg6 38. Rc8+ Kh7 39. Qc4 Re7
40. Qf4 Qb2 41. Qg3 Bd3 42. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2015.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Nd5 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 b6 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14.
f3 Bb7 15. Qf2 Re8 16. d4 h6 17. Bd2 Nf5 18. c3 Nh4 19. Bd3 Ng6 20. Re1 Rxe1+
21. Qxe1 Qe6 22. Qxe6 dxe6 23. c4 Kf8 24. Kf2 Ke8 25. Bc2 Ne7 26. g4 Ba6 27.
Bd3 f6 28. h4 c6 29. Bb4 b5 30. cxb5 Bxb5 31. Bc2 Kf7 32. Bc5 Nc8 33. b3 g5 34.
h5 Ba6 35. Bg6+ Kg7 36. a4 Nb6 37. Be4 Nd5 38. Bxa7 Bc8 39. Bd3 f5 40. Bb8 Kf7
41. Be5 Nf6 42. Be2 Nd5 43. Ke1 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D47"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2015.02.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
Bb7 9. e4 b4 10. Na4 c5 11. e5 Nd5 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. Nxc5 Bxc5 14. O-O (14.
Bb5+ Kf8 {has been considered acceptable for Black for quite some time now.})
14... Be7 $5 {A new move in a well-known position. 14...h6 is very popular and
has been played by Aronian himself as black.} 15. Qe2 Qb6 16. Ng5 h6 17. Ne4
Rd8 18. Qf3 {It is logical to add pressure on the kingside as it is the only
place where White can hope to start an initiative.} Ba6 19. Rd1 O-O 20. Qg3 Kh8
(20... Bxd3 $2 21. Bxh6 $18) 21. Qh3 Kg8 $2 (21... Bxd3 22. Rxd3 Kh7 23. Rg3 {
looks scary for Black, but is probably nothing} Qd4 $1 24. Rxg7+ Kxg7 25. Bxh6+
Kg6 26. Bxf8 Rxf8 27. Qg4+ $11) 22. Bxh6 $1 gxh6 23. Qxh6 f5 24. Qg6+ Kh8 25.
Qh6+ Kg8 26. Qg6+ Kh8 27. Qh6+ {And the worst mistake of all: agree to a draw!}
(27. Qh6+ Kg8 28. Qg6+ Kh8 29. Ng3 $1 {Black has to deal with a couple of
threats. The most immediate of them is Ng5, which checkmates Black.} Bc5 $8 (
29... Rd7 30. Qh6+ $1 Kg8 31. Bxa6 Qxa6 32. Rxd5 $1 Rxd5 33. Qg6+ Kh8 34. Nh5
$18 {Any time that Black defends on g8 with a rook he allows Qh6 checkmate.})
30. Qh6+ Kg8 31. Nh5 Bxf2+ 32. Kh1 Qc7 33. Qxe6+ Qf7 34. Qxf7+ Kxf7 35. Bxa6 {
and with two extra pawns White has some real winning chances. It's still a
long way to go as Black is rather active, but it is clear that Aronian would
prefer this position than drawing. It is unclear what he missed.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D97"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2015.02.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Na6 8.
Be2 c5 9. d5 e6 10. O-O exd5 11. exd5 Re8 12. Rd1 {Vishy deviates from his
previous game in this line.} ({A few months before} 12. Bg5 {was played in the
World Championship match vs Magnus Carlsen. After} h6 13. Be3 Bf5 14. Rad1 Ne4
15. Nxe4 Bxe4 16. Qc1 {Black had some problems to solve in Anand,V (2792)
-Carlsen,M (2863)/Sochi RUS 2014 (32).}) 12... Bf5 13. d6 h6 {This position is
well-known since the famous Kasparov-Karpov match.} 14. Be3 {This time Anand
chooses a rare continuation, which could come as a surprise for his opponent.}
({The following alternatives lead to a very complex battle either:} 14. Bf4 Nd7
(14... Ne4 15. Bd3 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Bxd3 17. Rxd3 $36 {1/2-1/2 (45) Zakhartsov,V 
(2536)-Smirnov,A (2413)/Kazan RUS 2013}) 15. Rd2 (15. Qb3 $5) 15... Nb4 16. Qb3
Be6 17. Bc4 Nb6 18. Bxe6 Rxe6 $132 {0-1 (60) Rusev,K (2547)-Drenchev,P (2477)/
Blagoevgrad 2010/CBM 134 Extra}) (14. h3 Nb4 15. Bf4 Nd7 16. Rd2 a6 17. Qb3 b5
18. Qd1 c4 $132 {1/2-1/2 (43) Karpov,A (2700)-Kasparov,G (2740)/Seville 1987})
14... Ng4 $146 {This principal response is the only way to fight for equality.}
({In the preceding games White was clearly better:} 14... Bd7 15. Rd2 (15. Qb3
Bc6 16. Bb5 $36) 15... Qa5 16. Rad1 Rad8 17. h3 $14 {0-1 (38) Reilly,T (2315)
-Tukmakov,V (2600)/Antwerp 1993}) (14... Ne4 15. Qb3 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Be4 17. Bb5
$16 {1-0 (24) Volkov,S (2612)-Nedilko,V (2400)/Rijeka 2010/CBM 136}) 15. Bf4 {
That move is connected with a piece sacrifice, but White cannot let Black to
exchange their dark-squared bishop for free.} Bxc3 {At his turn, Levon had to
exchange his strong bisop either in order to justify his previous move.} (15...
Qa5 16. h3 Nf6 17. Ne5 Be6 18. Qb5 $16) (15... Nf6 16. Ne5 Be6 17. Qb5 Qb6 18.
Bg3 Rad8 19. Na4 Qxb5 20. Bxb5 $16) 16. bxc3 Re4 17. Qb5 Rxf4 18. Qxb7 {
No doubt, that line was prepared well by Anand before the game. Black is a
piece up, but the lack of harmony doesn't allow them to keep the material
advantage.} Ra4 (18... c4 $1 19. Qxa6 Bd3 20. Bxd3 ({White may deviate from it
by means of:} 20. Rxd3 cxd3 21. Qxd3 {but after} Qb6 22. Nd4 Nxf2 23. Qe3 Qxd6
24. Rf1 Rc8 {Black should be OK}) 20... Rxf3 $1 21. gxf3 Qh4 22. fxg4 Qxg4+ 23.
Kf1 Qh3+ 24. Ke1 Re8+ 25. Be2 Qg4 26. f3 Qg1+ 27. Kd2 Qg5+ 28. Ke1 Qg1+ $11)
19. d7 {The strong passer enables White to avoid any risk.} ({Of course, not} 
19. Bxa6 $2 Rb8 20. Qc6 Bd7 21. Qxc5 Rxa6 $19) 19... Be4 {After that move
Black's minor pieces are getting very vulnerable.} ({Possibly, the best way to
solve the problems was} 19... Nc7 $5 20. h3 Nxf2 $1 ({worse is:} 20... Nf6 21.
Ne5 Nxd7 22. Nxf7 Kxf7 23. Qb3+ Kg7 24. Qxa4 Qe7 25. Re1 {and the exposed
placement of Black's king still may be a cause of warnings.}) 21. Kxf2 Bxd7 22.
Bb5 Nxb5 23. Rxd7 {this position looks extremely dangerous, but Black should
be able to keep the ballance after} Qb8 24. Qd5 Qf8 $1 25. Ne5 (25. Qb3 Ra5 26.
Ne5 c4 27. Qxc4 (27. Qb4 Qxb4 28. cxb4 Ra4 $11) 27... Rc8 28. Rxf7 Rxc4 29.
Rxf8+ Kxf8 30. Nxc4 Ra6 $11) 25... Nxc3 26. Qd3 Ne4+ 27. Kg1 Re8 28. Nxf7 Rd4
29. Rxd4 cxd4 30. Rf1 Qg7 31. Rf4 Kh7 $11) 20. Qb3 Bc6 $2 {Unfortunately for
Levon, one serious mistake leads to a hopeless position by forced.} ({The only
way to stay in the game was} 20... Ra5 21. Nd2 (21. Rd6 Qe7 22. Rad1 Rd8 23.
Bxa6 Bxf3 24. gxf3 Ne3 $1 25. fxe3 Qxe3+ 26. Kf1 ({After} 26. Kg2 c4 $1 {
[%cal Ga5g5]} 27. Rxg6+ fxg6 28. Qxc4+ Kg7 {Black is by no means worse}) 26...
Qxf3+ 27. Ke1 Rxa6 28. Rxa6 Qe3+ 29. Kf1 Qf3+ $11) 21... Bxg2 $1 {It looks
like Black is able to exploit some vulnerablity of White's king in all the
cases. For instance,} ({The prosaic} 21... Bf5 {leads to an inferior edngame
after} 22. Nc4 Nxf2 23. Nxa5 Nxd1 24. Nb7 Qxd7 25. Rxd1 Qc6 26. Rd8+ Rxd8 27.
Qxf7+ $1 Kxf7 28. Nxd8+ Kf6 29. Nxc6 $14) 22. Bxg4 (22. Kxg2 Qh4 23. Nf3 Qxf2+
24. Kh1 Qxe2 25. d8=Q+ Rxd8 26. Rxd8+ Kg7 27. c4 Nf2+ 28. Kg1 Nh3+ $11) (22.
Nc4 Rb8 23. Nxa5 (23. Qc2 Nxf2 $1 24. Kxf2 Ba8 25. Nxa5 Qf6+ 26. Kg1 Qg5+ $11)
23... Rxb3 24. axb3 Nxf2 $1 25. Kxf2 Bh3 26. Bxa6 Qf6+ 27. Kg3 Bxd7 $132) 22...
Qg5 23. c4 Qxg4 24. Qg3 Qxg3 25. hxg3 Rd8 26. Nb3 Ra4 27. Kxg2 Rxc4 28. Na5 Rd4
29. Nc6 R8xd7 30. Nxd4 cxd4 31. Rab1 Nc5 $14 {with good drawing chances.}) 21.
Rd6 $1 Bxd7 ({Completely hopeless is} 21... Rb8 22. Qd1 Bxf3 23. Bxf3 $18) 22.
Rad1 $18 {Black cannot avoid a massive loss of material. The rest looks like a
desperation.} Qb8 23. Rxd7 Qxb3 24. axb3 Ra2 25. Bc4 ({Another possible way to
win the piece was} 25. R7d2 Rxd2 (25... Ra3 26. h3 Nf6 27. Rd6 $18) 26. Nxd2
$18) 25... Rf8 {White has a wide choice of winning continuations here.} 26.
R7d6 (26. Rxa7 Nb4 27. Rxf7 Rxf7 28. cxb4 cxb4 29. h3 $18) (26. h3 Nxf2 27. Rf1
Ne4 28. Ne5 $18) 26... Kg7 27. Rxa6 Rxf2 28. Re1 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2015.02.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 a5 {Vladimir goes for an old-fashionable and solid way
to handle this position. Black allows White to seize the centre, relying on
their pair of bishops.} ({In the following top-level game White was able to
secure some stable edge:} 10... Bd5 11. Qd3 c5 12. Nc3 Bc6 13. Rfd1 cxd4 14.
Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Nxd4 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Nc6 18. Qc5 Qc7 19. Ne4 $14 {
1/2-1/2 Wang Yue (2752)-Jakovenko,D (2725)/Astrakhan 2010}) 11. Nc3 Na6 12.
Bxf6 {The most ambitious - White immediately seizes a lot of space.} ({The
deviations are hardly dangerous for Black:} 12. Rac1 Bd5 13. Qd3 (13. Nxd5 exd5
14. Qb5 Nb4 $11) 13... Nb4 14. Qb1 Bc4 15. Rfe1 h6 16. Bf4 c6 17. b3 Ba6 $11 {
1/2-1/2 (34) Meier,G (2648)-Sanikidze,T (2585)/Istanbul TUR 2012}) (12. e3 Nb4
13. Rfd1 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Rac1 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 c6 17. h4 Qb6 18. Ne4 Be7 19.
Nc5 Qc7 20. e4 Rad8 21. Kg2 e5 $11 {1/2-1/2 Bareev,E (2675)-Shneider,A (2530)/
Moscow 1995}) 12... Bxf6 13. e4 Nb4 14. Rfd1 g6 {A useful prophylactic move -
the bishop gets a safe square for retreat.} ({The common} 14... b6 {can be
strongly met by:} 15. Ne1 $1 (15. Rac1 Bb7 16. e5 Be7 17. Ne1 {1/2-1/2
Kaidanov,G (2640)-Karpov,A (2760)/Tilburg 1993/CBM 039}) 15... Be7 (15... Qd7
16. e5 Be7 17. Bxc6 Nxc6 18. Nb5 Rfc8 19. Nc2 $14) 16. Nb5 (16. d5 exd5 17.
exd5 Bd7 18. d6 Bxd6 19. Bxa8 Qxa8 $44) 16... Qd7 17. Rac1 Rad8 18. Nc2 Bxb5
19. axb5 $14) 15. h4 {Accordingly to his spectacular style, Levon chooses the
most aggressive continuation.} ({After} 15. Rac1 Bg7 {Black often manages to
solve their space problems, while the d4-d5 advancement usually leads to
simplifications. For instance,} 16. d5 exd5 17. exd5 Bd7 18. Nd4 Qc8 (18... Re8
$5 19. Ncb5 Bxb5 20. Nxb5 Bxb2 21. Nxc7 Rc8 22. Bh3 Rxc7 23. Qxc7 Bxc1 24. Qxc1
Qd6 $11) 19. b3 c6 20. d6 Bg4 21. Rd2 Qd7 22. Ne4 b6 $132 (22... Nd5 $2 23. Nc5
Qxd6 24. Nxb7 $16 {1/2-1/2 Gelfand,B (2701)-Svidler,P (2686)/Moscow 2001 (92)})
) 15... Bg7 16. Rd2 ({Levon deviates from his previous successful game in this
line:} 16. h5 b6 ({Possibly,} 16... Rc8 $5 17. hxg6 hxg6 18. e5 Qe7 {offers
Black an adequate play}) 17. hxg6 hxg6 18. Nh2 Qd7 (18... Rc8 19. e5 Bd5 20.
Nxd5 exd5 21. Qe2 c5 $132) 19. e5 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 c5 21. dxc5 Qc6+ 22. Nf3 Rfd8
23. Qh4 $40 {1-0 (38) Aronian,L (2773)-Alekseev,E (2725)/Ohrid 2009/CBM 133/
[Ftacnik,L]}) 16... Rc8 {Vladimir Kramnik has a rich experience of Catalan. He
deviates from the standard b7-b6 advancement, keeping his pawn sturcture more
flexible.} 17. Rad1 Qe7 18. d5 $146 {This novelty doesn't seem very dangerous,
but Black has some concrete problems to solve.} (18. Ng5 h6 19. Nf3 Rfd8 (19...
b6 20. d5 Bd7 21. Nd4 exd5 22. exd5 Bg4 23. Nc6 Nxc6 24. Qxg4 Ne5 25. Qe2 $14 {
1-0 Lputian,S (2605)-Polgar,J (2658)/Wijk aan Zee 2000 (60)}) 20. Bh3 b6 21. d5
exd5 22. Nxd5 Bxd5 23. exd5 Rb8 24. h5 g5 $11) 18... Bd7 $6 {Vladimir's
decision looks natural from human point of view - opening up the e-file should
basically suit White. However, the text move has a tactical drawback.} ({
It looks like after} 18... exd5 $142 19. exd5 Bd7 20. Re1 Qd6 {Black's strong
dark-squared bishop should guarantee an easy equality. For isntance,} 21. Nd4
Rfe8 22. Rxe8+ Rxe8 23. Ndb5 Bxb5 24. Nxb5 Qe7 25. Rd1 Be5 $11) 19. Bh3 $1 exd5
{Releasing the pressure in the centre is practically forced.} (19... Bxc3 20.
Qxc3 exd5 21. Bxd7 Qxd7 22. Ne5 Qd6 23. exd5 $36) 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Bxd7 Nb6 ({
Black would have faced even more problems after} 21... Qxd7 $6 22. Rxd5 Qg4 23.
Kg2 Rce8 24. Qxc7 Qxe4 25. Rxa5 Rc8 26. Qb6 Rc2 27. Rd8 $16 {White has a heavy
extra pawn.}) 22. Qc2 Rcd8 (22... Nxd7 23. Rxd7 Qb4 24. e5 $16) 23. Qxc7 Nxa4
24. e5 $14 {White's pieces are much more active now, but Black has no real
weaknesses.} Nc5 25. Rd5 b6 {It looks like White's bishop is pinned, but
actually it restricts all Black's forces. White is firmly in a control here,
but it's not easy to make progress.} 26. Qc6 {Unpinning the bishop looks most
reasonable.} ({The quiet} 26. Kg2 $5 Rb8 27. Nd4 Rfc8 28. Qxc8+ Rxc8 29. Bxc8
$14 {looks also unpleasant for Black.}) 26... Rxd7 {Vladimir is looking for
simplifications, but it doesn't really solve his problems.} ({Possible, the
lesser evil would be} 26... Rb8 27. Qb5 Nxd7 28. Rxd7 Qc5 29. Qe2 $14) 27. Rxd7
Nxd7 28. Rxd7 Qe8 {After that move Black's pieces desperately lack space.} ({
The more natural} 28... Qc5 {could be strongly met by:} 29. Qe4 $1 ({After} 29.
Qxc5 bxc5 30. Rc7 f6 $1 {Black gets an excellent drawish chances due to a
reduced material ballance. For instance,} 31. Rxc5 fxe5 32. Nd2 (32. Ng5 h6 33.
Ne6 Rb8 34. Rxa5 Rxb2) 32... Rb8 33. Rxa5 Rxb2 34. Ra8+ Kf7 35. Ra7+ Kg8 $14)
29... h6 (29... Qc1+ 30. Kg2 Qxb2 31. h5 Qb4 32. Nd4 $40) 30. b3 Re8 31. Kg2
$14 {with strong pressure.}) 29. Qd5 h6 (29... a4 30. Ra7 Qd8 31. Qxd8 Rxd8 32.
Rxa4 $16) 30. Rb7 ({The patient} 30. Kg2 $5 {deserved a serious attention as
well:} Qa8 31. Rb7 Qd8 32. Qb5 $16) 30... Qd8 31. Qb5 ({Dubious is} 31. Qxd8 $2
Rxd8 32. Rxb6 Rd5 $11) 31... g5 {Being under strong pressure, Vladimir doesn't
mind to complicate the matters.} ({After} 31... Re8 32. Rxb6 Bxe5 33. Nxe5 (33.
h5 $5) 33... Rxe5 34. Rxg6+ fxg6 35. Qxe5 $16 {the arising edngame is rather
difficult for Black in view of vulnerablity of their king.}) 32. hxg5 {This
decision is double-edged. The g-pawn is getting weak now, but any exchange is
definitely in Black's favoure.} ({White would keep an excellent winning
chances after} 32. Rxb6 Qd1+ 33. Kg2 g4 34. Nh2 Qd4 (34... h5 35. Qxa5 Qd4 36.
Rb4 Qxe5 37. Qxe5 Bxe5 38. Nf1 $16) 35. Qc6 Bxe5 36. Rb5 Bg7 37. Rxa5 $16)
32... hxg5 33. Rxb6 (33. Qc4 Qc8 34. Qe4 Re8 35. Ra7 $16) 33... g4 34. Nh4 $6 {
This move doesn't create an immediate threat and spoils the lion's part of
advantage.} ({The more concrete approach was} 34. Nh2 $142 Qd2 35. Kg2 Qd4 36.
Qc6 Bxe5 37. Rb5 Qd6 38. Qxd6 Bxd6 39. Nxg4 $16) 34... Qd1+ 35. Kg2 Qd4 36. Qc6
({Levon is deviating from} 36. Qxa5 Qe4+ 37. Kh2 Qd4 38. Kg1 Rc8 39. Rc6 Re8
40. Qc5 Rxe5 41. Qxd4 Re1+ 42. Kg2 Bxd4 $14 {Indeed, it looks like the
activity of Black's pieces promises an excellent drawish chances. However, it
still could be White's best try.}) 36... Qxe5 37. Qc4 $6 {An unsuccessful
choice.} ({After} 37. Rb5 Qe6 38. Qb7 Qc8 39. Qxc8 Rxc8 40. Nf5 Rc2 41. b3 Ra2
$14 {Black is able to exchange the last q-side pawn.}) ({Possibly, the best
practical chance was} 37. b3 Rb8 38. Rxb8+ Qxb8 39. Qd5 Qb4 40. Nf5 Bf8 41. Ne3
$14) 37... Qd4 $6 {Returning the favoure.} ({Black could have solved all their
problems after} 37... Re8 38. Rb5 Qe4+ 39. Qxe4 Rxe4 $11) 38. Qxd4 {White
manages to win a pawn, but Black's defensive task becomes much easier.} ({
The correct} 38. Qc6 $1 Rd8 39. Nf5 Qe5 40. Ne3 $14 {would allow Levon to
maintain the pressure.}) 38... Bxd4 39. Rb5 Ra8 40. Nf5 Bg7 41. Ne3 a4 {
Finally the Pg4 is lost, but there are not many pawns left on the board.} 42.
Nxg4 Rd8 43. Ra5 Rd4 44. Ne3 Rd2 45. Nf1 ({Avoiding the rook ending:} 45. Rxa4
Bd4 46. Kf3 Bxe3 47. Kxe3 Rxb2 $11) 45... Rd4 {Having such passive pieces,
White hardly may pose Black any serious problems here.} 46. Rb5 Bf8 47. Ne3 Rb4
48. Rg5+ (48. Rxb4 Bxb4 49. Nd5 a3 50. bxa3 Bxa3 {is also pretty much drawish.}
) 48... Kh7 49. Rh5+ Kg8 50. Ra5 Rxb2 51. Rxa4 Bc5 52. Nd1 Rd2 53. Ra1 {
Now White cannot make any progress.} Kg7 54. Kf1 Kg6 55. Rb1 f5 $11 56. Ke1 Rc2
57. Rb8 Kf6 58. Rh8 Bb4+ 59. Kf1 Rd2 60. Ne3 Bc5 61. Rh6+ Kg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D56"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2015.02.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7
Qxe7 9. Rc1 c6 10. Be2 Nd7 11. O-O Nxc3 12. Rxc3 dxc4 13. Rxc4 e5 14. Qc2 a5
15. Rc1 Re8 16. a3 Nb6 17. Rc5 Nd7 18. Rc3 exd4 19. Nxd4 Nf6 20. Rc4 Bd7 21.
Bf3 Red8 22. Qb3 Be8 23. Nf5 Qe6 24. Nd4 Qe7 25. Qc3 Nd7 26. Be2 g6 27. Qb3
Rab8 28. Nf3 Ne5 29. Nxe5 Qxe5 30. Qc2 b6 31. b4 axb4 32. axb4 Rd6 33. h3 Rbd8
34. Qc3 Qxc3 35. R4xc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2015.02.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. a4 Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8.
d4 e4 9. Nxe4 Nxe4 10. Rxe4 a6 11. Bd3 d5 12. Re3 Nb4 13. Bf1 Bf5 14. c3 Nc6
15. Bd3 Qd7 16. Qc2 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Rfe8 18. Bd2 Bf6 19. Rxe8+ Rxe8 20. b4 Ne7
21. Bf4 Nc8 22. Nd2 Nd6 23. Bxd6 Qxd6 24. Nb3 c6 25. Nc5 Qb8 26. Nd7 Qd8 27.
Nc5 Qb8 28. Qg3 Be7 29. Qxb8 Rxb8 30. Nb3 Kf8 31. a5 Ke8 32. Re1 Kd7 33. g3 Bd6
34. Kg2 Re8 35. Rxe8 Kxe8 36. Nc5 Bxc5 37. bxc5 Ke7 38. g4 g5 39. f4 f6 40. Kf3
Kd7 41. f5 Kc7 42. Ke2 Kd7 43. c4 Kc7 44. h3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.19"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2015.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. e4 dxe4 8.
dxe4 e5 9. c3 a5 10. Qc2 Be6 11. Ng5 Bd7 12. Rd1 Ng4 13. Ngf3 Bc5 14. Rf1 Qc8
15. a4 h6 16. Nc4 Be6 17. Qe2 b6 18. b3 Re8 19. Nh4 Nf6 20. Kh1 Qa6 21. Nf5
Bxf5 22. exf5 e4 23. f3 e3 24. f4 Ne7 25. Bxa8 Qxa8+ 26. Qg2 Ned5 27. Ne5 Nxc3
28. Qxa8 Rxa8 29. Re1 e2 30. Bb2 Nfe4 31. Kg2 Rd8 32. Rac1 Bb4 33. Bxc3 Nxc3
34. Rc2 Rd5 35. Nf3 Rd3 36. Ne5 Rd5 37. Kf3 b5 38. axb5 Rxb5 39. Kg2 Rd5 40.
Kf3 Rb5 41. Kg4 Rd5 42. h4 Kf8 43. h5 f6 44. Nf3 Rd3 45. Ng1 c5 46. Kh4 Nd5 47.
Rexe2 Ne3 48. Rb2 Nxf5+ 49. Kg4 Nxg3 50. Re6 f5+ 51. Kh4 Ne4 52. Re2 Bc3 53.
Nh3 Bf6+ 54. Rxf6+ Nxf6 55. Re5 Nd7 56. Re6 Rxb3 57. Ra6 Rb5 58. Nf2 Rb4 59.
Nd3 Rd4 60. Rxa5 Ke7 61. Ra6 c4 62. Nb4 Rxf4+ 63. Kg3 Rg4+ 64. Kf2 Nf6 65. Nc6+
Kd6 66. Nd4+ Kd5 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D48"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2015.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
Bb7 9. O-O a6 10. e4 c5 11. d5 c4 12. Bc2 Qc7 13. dxe6 fxe6 14. Ne2 Bd6 15.
Ned4 Nc5 16. b4 cxb3 17. axb3 e5 18. Nf5 Ncxe4 19. Bxe4 Nxe4 20. Ng5 Bc5 21.
Ne6 Qc6 22. Nxc5 Nxc5 23. Nd6+ Ke7 24. Bg5+ Ke6 25. Nxb7 Qxb7 26. b4 h6 27. Bh4
Ne4 28. Qg4+ Kf7 29. Rad1 Ra7 30. Qf5+ Nf6 31. Bxf6 gxf6 32. Rd6 Qe7 33. Rfd1
1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2015.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qa4+ Nc6 8.
e3 O-O 9. Rc1 Qg6 10. Qc2 Qxc2 11. Rxc2 Rd8 12. a3 Bf8 13. Nb5 Rd7 14. Bd3 a6
15. Nc3 Ne7 16. Ke2 Rd8 17. b4 Bd7 18. Rb1 Be8 19. cxd5 exd5 20. a4 Nc6 21. Na2
Bd6 22. b5 axb5 23. Bxb5 Bd7 24. Ne1 Bf5 25. Bd3 Bg4+ 26. Kf1 Bc8 27. Bb5 Nb8
28. Nc3 c6 29. Bd3 g6 30. h3 h5 31. f4 Nd7 32. Nf3 Nf6 33. Ne5 Bc7 34. Rcb2 Ra7
35. Kf2 Kg7 36. Rb3 Re8 37. R3b2 Re7 38. Kf3 Ba5 39. Ne2 Bd8 40. Nc3 h4 41. Kf2
Nh5 42. Bc2 Ng3 43. Ne2 Nf5 44. Rb3 Nd6 45. Nc3 Re8 46. Bd3 g5 47. fxg5 Bxg5
48. Re1 f5 49. g3 Ne4+ 50. Bxe4 fxe4 51. Rg1 Bf6 52. gxh4+ Kh7 53. Ng6 Bxh3 54.
h5 Rg8 55. Ne2 Bf5 56. Nef4 Bc8 57. Rb4 Kh6 58. Rg2 Bf5 59. Ne5 Rxg2+ 60. Kxg2
Kg7 61. Kg3 Bc8 62. h6+ Kh7 63. Nf7 Be7 64. Rb2 Rxa4 65. Kh2 Ra6 66. Rg2 Bf8
67. Rg6 c5 68. Ng5+ Kh8 69. h7 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2015.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. Bb3 O-O 7. Nbd2 d6 8. O-O
Re8 9. Re1 Be6 10. Nf1 d5 11. Bg5 dxe4 12. dxe4 Qxd1 13. Raxd1 Bxb3 14. axb3
Ng4 15. Re2 h6 16. Bh4 g5 17. Bg3 Nf6 18. b4 Ba7 19. h3 Nh5 20. Bh2 f6 21. Rd7
Re7 22. Red2 Kf7 23. Ne1 Ke8 24. Rxe7+ Nxe7 25. Nc2 Nf4 26. Nfe3 h5 27. Kf1 Rd8
28. Rxd8+ Kxd8 29. Bxf4 gxf4 30. Nc4 Kd7 31. Ke2 b5 32. Nd2 Nc8 33. Ne1 c5 34.
Nd3 c4 35. Ne1 Nb6 36. b3 cxb3 37. Nxb3 Na4 38. Nd3 Nxc3+ 39. Kf3 Kd6 40. g3 f5
41. Nd2 fxe4+ 42. Nxe4+ Nxe4 43. Kxe4 fxg3 44. fxg3 Bd4 45. g4 hxg4 46. hxg4
Bc3 47. g5 a5 48. bxa5 Bxa5 49. Nxe5 Ke6 50. Nc6 Bb6 51. Nd4+ Bxd4 52. Kxd4 Kf5
53. Kc5 Kxg5 54. Kxb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D56"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2015.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7
Qxe7 9. Rc1 c6 10. Be2 Nd7 11. O-O Nxc3 12. Rxc3 dxc4 13. Rxc4 e5 14. Qc2 Re8
15. Rc1 exd4 16. Nxd4 Nf6 17. a3 Be6 18. Nxe6 Qxe6 19. Rd1 Rad8 20. Rcd4 Rxd4
21. Rxd4 Qe7 22. Qd1 g6 23. Bf3 Qe5 24. h3 Kg7 25. Qb3 Re7 26. Rb4 Qc7 27. g3
b6 28. Rc4 c5 29. Kg2 Qe5 30. Qc2 Ne8 31. Re4 Qf6 32. Rxe7 Qxe7 33. Kf1 Qe5 34.
h4 Nd6 35. Ke2 Nb5 36. Kd1 Nd6 37. Kc1 b5 38. Kb1 a5 39. Bc6 b4 40. axb4 axb4
41. b3 f5 42. Qd3 Ne4 43. Qd7+ Kf8 44. Qd8+ Kg7 45. Qd7+ Kf8 46. h5 gxh5 47. f4
Nc3+ 48. Kc2 Qxe3 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 10th"]
[Site "Tsaghkadzor"]
[Date "2015.04.19"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2015.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Israel"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ISR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Ne5 Nc6 8.
Nxc6 bxc6 9. Na3 Bxa3 10. bxa3 a5 11. Qa4 Ba6 12. Bxc6 Rb8 13. Qxa5 Bb7 14.
Bxb7 Rxb7 15. Qc3 Qd5 16. f3 Rd8 17. e4 Qxd4+ 18. Qxd4 Rxd4 19. Be3 Rd6 20.
Rab1 Rxb1 21. Rxb1 h6 22. Kf2 Rd3 23. Rb8+ Kh7 24. Rb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 10th"]
[Site "Tsaghkadzor"]
[Date "2015.04.20"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2015.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Ukraine"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "UKR"]

1. c4 (1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. O-O d4 6. e3 e5 7. exd4 cxd4
8. d3 Be7 9. Bg5 O-O 10. Nbd2 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. a3 a5 13. Ne1 Bf5 14. Rb1
Be7 15. Qe2 Re8 16. Bd5 Bf8 17. Ng2 Qd7 18. Qf3 Be6 19. Rfe1 Rad8 20. Bxe6 Rxe6
21. Ne4 Be7 22. Qh5 Rf8 23. g4 $13 {Kramnik,V (2810)-Caruana,F (2757) Zuerich
2013 For more details see the notes to this game by Andreikin in CBM 153. The
relevance of this example will become clear soon enough.}) 1... e6 2. g3 d5 3.
Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 d4 {A fashionable, albeit rather committal approach. Black goes
for a Benoni with reversed colours, implying even being 1-2 tempi down
shouldn't prevent him from achieving an promising unbalanced position. This
could be true, if White allows him to consolidate his gain of space, but it's
rarely so simple...} ({Ponomariov was not interested in} 4... dxc4 {, probably
as Aronian has had some recent experience with} 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 a6 {
also seems fully playable:} ({The more usual reaction is} 6... c5 7. Qb3 ({a)} 
7. O-O b6 $1 {/\} 8. Nd4 Ne5 9. Nc6 Nxc4 10. Nxd8 Nd5 $11) ({b)} 7. d3 Bd6 8.
a4 $5) 7... Rb8 8. d3 Bd6 9. Nc3 (9. a4 b6 10. Na3 a6 11. O-O O-O 12. Nc4 Bc7
13. Bd2 Bb7 14. Rfc1 Qe7 15. Qa3 Nd5 16. d4 Rfc8 17. dxc5 bxc5 18. Ne1 h6 19.
Nd3 Ba8 20. Be3 Nxe3 21. Nxe3 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Be5 23. Rc2 Bd4 24. Nc4 Nb6 $11 {
Shimanov,A (2591)-Riazantsev,A (2684) Taganrog 2015}) 9... a6 10. O-O O-O 11.
Bg5 ({Even after} 11. Ng5 $5 {[%cal Rg5e6]} Bc7 12. Nge4 b6 {Black should
gradually equalise.}) 11... b5 12. Ne4 Be7 13. Nxf6+ Bxf6 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15.
Rfc1 Bb7 16. Qc3 Qe7 17. Nd2 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Rfc8 19. Qa3 Qd6 $11 {Naiditsch,A 
(2707)-Efimenko,Z (2703) EUCup Rogaska Slatina 2011}) {Later Levon preferred}
7. Qc2 (7. Qb3 Rb8 (7... c5 8. a4 $5 {[%cal Ya4a5]}) 8. O-O b5 (8... c5 9. d4
$5 $32) 9. a4 Bb7 10. axb5 axb5 11. d3 Bd6 $5 (11... Be7 12. Bf4 Nd5 13. Bd2
O-O 14. Rc1 c5 15. Ba5 Qe8 16. Nbd2 N5f6 17. Rab1 Bd5 $6 (17... Bd6 $11 {
[%cal Ye8e7]}) 18. Qd1 Ra8 19. b4 $1 Ra6 20. e4 Bc6 (20... Bb7 21. Nb3 c4 22.
Nbd4 $14) 21. Nb3 cxb4 22. Qd2 $36 Bxe4 23. dxe4 Nxe4 24. Qc2 Nc3 25. Ra1 Nf6
26. Ne5 Nfd5 27. Nd3 $16 {Aronian,L (2812)-Anand,V (2773) Zuerich 2014}) 12.
Be3 c5 13. Nc3 O-O 14. Nd2 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Ng4 16. Nde4 Nxe3+ 17. fxe3 Be7 18.
Nxb5 Bg5 19. d4 cxd4 20. exd4 Qb6 21. Nxg5 Qxb5 22. Qxb5 Rxb5 $11 {Bu,X (2675)
-Ivanchuk,V (2768) WCup Khanty-Mansiysk 2011}) 7... c5 8. Nc3 (8. O-O b5 9. a4
Bb7 10. Nc3 Qb6 11. d3 Be7 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8+ Bxa8 14. Qb3 Nd5 15. Bg5
Nxc3 16. Qxc3 f6 17. Bd2 O-O 18. Ra1 Bb7 19. Ne1 Bxg2 20. Nxg2 Qc6 21. Qb3 c4
22. dxc4 bxc4 23. Qc2 Nb6 24. Rc1 Rc8 $11 {Aronian,L (2797)-Wojtaszek,R (2744)
Beijing rpd 2014}) 8... Qc7 9. O-O b6 10. d4 Bb7 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Bf4 Bd6 13.
Bxd6 Qxd6 14. Rfd1 Qc7 15. Rac1 Rc8 16. Qb1 Qb8 17. Ng5 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Qb7+ 19.
f3 O-O 20. Nce4 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Qb8 22. Rd1 (22. Qd3 $14) 22... h6 23. Rxd7 Nxd7
24. Nc5 hxg5 25. Nxd7 Qc7 26. Nxf8 Kxf8 $11 {Aronian,L (2797)-Wojtaszek,R 
(2744) Wijk aan Zee 2015}) ({After} 4... Be7 5. b3 ({Here Black must also
reckon with the transition to the Catalan by} 5. d4) 5... O-O 6. O-O {White
has spent a tempo on b3, this makes the central thrust more enticing:} d4 $5 (
6... c5 7. Bb2 Nc6 8. e3 d4 $5 $13 {is another plausible line - White's Bb2
can end up being misplaced.}) 7. e3 c5 8. exd4 cxd4 9. d3 Nc6 10. Na3 ({For} 
10. Qe2 {Kamsky,G (2720)-Shirov,A (2745) Bazna 2009 see the notes to this game
in CBM 131.}) 10... e5 11. Nc2 a5 12. Re1 Nd7 13. a3 Bf6 14. Nd2 Nc5 15. Qf3
Be7 16. Bf1 Be6 17. b4 axb4 18. axb4 Rxa1 19. Nxa1 Nxb4 20. Rxe5 Nc6 21. Re1
Qa5 $15 {Movsesian,S (2665)-Lenderman,A (2617) WChT Tsaghkadzor 2015}) 5. a3
$146 {[%mdl 8] Already this is a novelty. While queenside expansion is typical
in this line, the text has also a drawback - now the options of developing the
Nb1 are limited, as it doesn't have the a3-square anymore.} ({The main
continuation is} 5. O-O c5 6. e3 (6. b4 $5 {is an option for the fearless -
White plays a reverse Benko/Volga gambit!} cxb4 7. a3 Nc6 (7... bxa3 8. d3 $44)
8. axb4 Bxb4 9. Ne5 Bd7 (9... Nxe5 $142 $5 10. Qa4+ Nc6 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 12. Qxb4
Nd7 $13 {is more critical}) 10. Nxd7 Qxd7 11. Qa4 Be7 12. d3 O-O 13. Nd2 a5 14.
Nb3 e5 (14... Ra7 15. Bb2 e5 16. f4 $5 $44 {[%csl Rd4]}) 15. Bd2 Qe6 16. Qb5
$36 e4 $6 17. Nxa5 e3 18. fxe3 Nxa5 19. Rxa5 Rxa5 20. Qxa5 dxe3 21. Bc3 $16 {
Dubov,D (2614)-Vallejo Pons,F (2698) Dubai blitz 2014}) 6... Nc6 7. exd4 cxd4
8. d3 Bd6 (8... h6 $5 9. Bf4 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. a3 a5 12. Nbd2 O-O 13. Qc2
a4 14. c5 Qc7 15. Rfe1 e5 16. Nc4 Nd7 17. Rad1 Ra6 18. Re2 e4 19. Rxe4 Nxc5 20.
Rh4 Rd8 21. Ncd2 Ra5 $132 {Fressinet,L (2709)-Parligras,M (2572) EU-ch Yerevan
2014}) {More testing is} 9. Na3 (9. Bg5 h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nbd2 Qe7 $142 (
11... Qd8 12. a3 a5 13. Rc1 $5 (13. Qc2 O-O 14. c5 Bc7 15. Rab1 a4 16. Nc4 Qe7
17. Nb6 Bxb6 18. cxb6 Bd7 19. Rfc1 Rfc8 20. Qc5 Qxc5 21. Rxc5 Ra6 22. b4 axb3
23. Rxb3 Kf8 24. Nd2 Na5 $11 {Akopian,V (2705)-Tratar,M (2498) EU-ch Legnica
2013}) 13... O-O 14. c5 Bc7 15. Re1 e5 16. Nc4 Re8 17. Nfd2 Be6 18. Ne4 Bxc4
19. Rxc4 Re7 {Gupta,A (2621)-Favarel,A (2394) Cappelle la Grande 2015} 20. b4
$16) 12. Re1 O-O 13. a3 a5 14. Nb3 Rd8 (14... Qf6 15. Qc2 e5 16. Nfd2 Qg6 17.
c5 Bc7 18. Nc4 Bf5 19. Be4 Bxe4 20. dxe4 Rad8 21. Rad1 f5 $132 {Le,Q (2712)
-Moiseenko,A (2711) Khanty-Mansiysk blitz 2013}) 15. Nbxd4 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 Bxg3
17. hxg3 Rxd4 $11 {½, Erdos,V (2615)-Vallejo Pons,F (2706) EU-ch Jerusalem
2015}) {A more circumspect move is} 9... O-O (9... e5 10. c5 $1 (10. Re1 O-O
11. c5 Bc7 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Nd2 Be6 15. Nac4 Qd8 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17.
Nxe5 Bxe5 18. Rxe5 Qb8 19. Re2 Qxb2 20. Nb3 Qa3 21. Nxd4 Bg4 22. f3 Qxc5 $15 {
Hera,I (2576)-Bluebaum,M (2530) Bundesliga 2015}) (10. b4 Nxb4 11. Re1 O-O 12.
Nxe5 Re8 13. Nf3 Rxe1+ 14. Nxe1 Bg4 $132 {Giri}) 10... Bxc5 11. Nc4 Nd7 (11...
Bg4 $5 12. Qa4 $44 (12. Qb3 $5)) 12. Re1 O-O (12... f6 13. Nh4 g6 14. a3 $44 {
/\} Nb6 15. Nxe5 $5 fxe5 16. Bxc6+ bxc6 17. Rxe5+ Be7 18. Bg5 Nd5 19. Qe2 $40)
13. Nfxe5 Ncxe5 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Rxe5 Qb6 16. a4 a5 17. Qc2 Bb4 18. Rb5 Qe6
19. Bf4 Bd7 20. Bd5 Qf6 21. Rxb7 $16 {Giri,A (2784)-So,W (2762) Wijk aan Zee
2015 See the notes to this game by Sumets in CBM 165.}) 10. Nc2 e5 11. b4 $1 a6
(11... Re8 12. Re1 Bg4 13. c5 Bc7 14. b5 Na5 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. Nb4
Rad8 18. h3 Bh5 19. Rc1 Qe6 20. Qa4 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Qxh3 22. Nd5 e4 23. Bg2 Qd7
24. dxe4 $18 {[%csl Ra5,Gd5] Gupta,A (2625)-Georgiadis,N (2468) Reykjavik 2015}
) 12. Re1 Re8 13. a3 (13. a4 Bf5 14. Ba3 Rc8 15. b5 Na5 16. Bxd6 Qxd6 17. Rb1
Rc5 18. Nh4 Bd7 19. f4 exf4 20. Rxe8+ Bxe8 21. gxf4 axb5 22. axb5 Qxf4 23. Nf3
Bd7 24. Qe1 b6 25. Qe7 Rc8 26. Qe5 Qf5 27. Qxd4 Nxc4 28. Nh4 Qc5 29. dxc4 Qxc4
30. Rb2 Bxb5 $14 {/=, Kerr,S (2502)-Nightingale,D (2506) email 2009}) 13... h6
14. Rb1 Rb8 15. Nd2 Bf5 16. Ne4 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Qd7 18. b5 Ne7 19. Bd2 Bg4 20.
Bf3 Bf5 21. Be4 Bg4 22. Bf3 {½, Bulski,K (2547)-Banusz,T (2580) Bundesliga
2013}) (5. e3 {gives Black a choice - he can continue} Nc6 $5 (5... c5 6. exd4
cxd4 7. O-O Nc6 8. d3 {tranposes to the 5.0-0 line}) 6. O-O Be7 (6... Bc5 7. b4
$1 Bxb4 8. exd4 O-O 9. Bb2 $14) 7. d3 O-O (7... e5 8. exd4 exd4 9. Re1 O-O 10.
Bf4 (10. Na3 $142) 10... Bf5 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. Rxe5 (12. Bxe5 $11) 12... Qd7 13.
Bxb7 Rab8 14. Qf3 $2 (14. Rb5 $13) 14... Bg4 15. Qc6 Bd6 16. Na3 Bxe5 17. Bxe5
Qf5 18. Bf4 g5 19. f3 gxf4 20. fxg4 Nxg4 21. Rf1 Qh5 22. h4 fxg3 {0-1, Groenn,
A (2409)-Carlsen,M (2567) Gausdal 2004}) 8. exd4 Nxd4 9. Nxd4 (9. Nbd2 Nc6 10.
Qe2 Re8 11. Nb3 a5 12. Bf4 a4 13. Nbd2 Bd6 14. Be5 Bxe5 15. Nxe5 Nd4 16. Qd1
Nd7 17. f4 f6 18. Nef3 Nc5 19. Ne4 Nxf3+ 20. Qxf3 Qd4+ 21. Kh1 Ra5 22. Nxc5
Rxc5 $11 {Pantsulaia,L (2501)-Gulko,B (2597) Moscow 2004}) (9. Re1 Nxf3+ 10.
Qxf3 Rb8 11. Nc3 b6 $11) 9... Qxd4 10. Nc3 e5 11. Nb5 Qd7 12. d4 a6 13. dxe5
axb5 14. exf6 Bxf6 15. Qc2 bxc4 16. Qxc4 c6 17. a4 Qe6 18. Qc2 Qe5 19. Ra3 Rd8
20. Re3 Bf5 21. Be4 Bxe4 22. Rxe4 Qd5 $11 {½, Kortschnoj,V-Bronstein,D
Tbilisi 1966}) ({But} 5. b4 $6 {is harmless:} Bxb4 6. Qa4+ Nc6 7. Ne5 Rb8 $1 8.
Nxc6 (8. Ba3 Qd6 9. Nd3 a5 10. Bxb4 axb4 11. c5 Qe7 12. Nxb4 Bd7 13. Bxc6 bxc6
14. Na6 Rb7 15. Qxd4 e5 16. Qc4 Be6 17. Qc3 O-O 18. a3 Bd5 19. O-O Qd7 20. f3
Rb3 21. Qxe5 Bc4 22. Nb4 {Landa,K (2640)-Mista,A (2584) Bundesliga 2014} Bxe2
23. Qxe2 Qd4+ $17) 8... bxc6 9. Qxa7 (9. Bxc6+ Bd7 10. O-O d3 11. exd3 O-O 12.
Bxd7 Nxd7 13. d4 c5 14. Bb2 cxd4 15. Bxd4 Nc5 16. Bxc5 Bxc5 17. Nc3 Rb4 18. Qa6
{Banikas,H (2609)-Ashwin,J (2470) Paleochora 2013} Qd3 $15) 9... Rb6 10. Qa4
O-O 11. O-O e5 12. d3 Bg4 13. Qc2 Qe7 14. h3 Bh5 15. Bg5 Rfb8 16. g4 Bg6 17.
Nd2 Bxd2 (17... Bc3 $1 18. Rab1 Rb2 $36) 18. Qxd2 h6 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Rfc1 h5
21. a4 hxg4 22. hxg4 e4 23. dxe4 Rb2 24. Qd1 Qe5 25. Rcb1 $1 $132 {Karjakin,S 
(2771)-Anand,V (2785) Dubai rpd 2014}) 5... a5 (5... c5 {doesn't prevent} 6. b4
{, although it's far from clear if White can claim any advantage in the
reversed declined Benko after} Nc6 ({or} 6... a5 $6)) 6. e3 c5 {Ponomariov
goes for the Benoni setup.} ({However, here} 6... Nc6 7. d3 Bc5 $5 {deserves
attention - with the insertion of a3 and a5 White doesn't have the b4 blow.})
7. exd4 cxd4 8. d3 Nc6 (8... h6 $5 {deserves attention, preventing the
following move.}) 9. Bg5 (9. O-O Bd6 {can lead to positions from the 5.0-0
line with the extra moves a3 and a5. The bishop sortie shows one of the points
of inserting 5.a3 - Aronian can postpone castling without worrying about Qa5+
or Bb4+.}) 9... Be7 {Modest, but probably the best. Attempts to develop the
bishop more actively favour White:} (9... Bd6 10. Nbd2 $14 {[%cal Yd2e4] is
pleasant for White.}) (9... h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nbd2 Qd8 12. O-O {and now} Bd6
13. Rc1 $5 {transposes to Gupta-Faverel above.}) 10. Nbd2 h6 ({Why hurry with
this move, as White most probably wants to take on f6 anyway.} 10... O-O 11.
O-O a4 $5 $13) 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. O-O O-O {In Kramnik-Caruana from the initial
note Black's pawn was already on e5. This gave him more influence in the
centre, simpler development and in general his position was easier to play in
comparison.} 13. c5 $5 {[%mdl 4] A standard Benoni motif; the pawn advance
frees c4 for White's pieces and also enhances the strength of the future b4-b5
push.} Be7 14. Rc1 a4 (14... Bd7 $5 15. Re1 (15. Nb3 Be8 {[%cal Ya5a4]} 16. Rc4
a4 17. Nbxd4 Na5 18. Rc2 Rc8 $15) 15... a4 $13) 15. Rc4 Bd7 $6 (15... Ra5 16.
Rxa4 Rxc5 17. b4 Rd5 18. Ra8 Qc7 19. Qc2 Bd7 20. Rxf8+ Bxf8 21. Nb3 $14) (15...
Qa5 $1 16. Nxd4 (16. Qc1 Rd8 17. Ne4 Rd5) 16... Nxd4 17. Rxd4 Bxc5 (17... Qxc5
18. Rxa4 Rxa4 19. Qxa4 b5 $44) 18. Rc4 Be7 19. Qc2 Rd8 $132) 16. Rxa4 Bxc5 (
16... Rxa4 17. Qxa4 Bxc5 18. Rc1 $14) 17. Rxa8 Qxa8 18. b4 Be7 (18... Bd6 $5
19. Nc4 Bc7 20. b5 Na5 21. b6 (21. Nxd4 Qa7 $132) 21... Bd8 $14) (18... Ba7 19.
b5 (19. Nc4 $5) 19... Ne7 20. Qb3 $14) 19. b5 Na5 20. a4 (20. Qa4 $5 Qd8 (20...
Qa6 21. Rb1 $1 (21. Nxd4 $6 Qb6 $13 {[%cal Ye7c5]}) (21. bxa6 Bxa4 22. axb7
Nxb7 23. Nxd4 Nc5 $11) 21... Qb6 (21... Rb8 22. Ne5 Be8 23. Nec4 Nxc4 24. bxa6
Bxa4 25. a7 $18) 22. Ne5 $36) 21. Rb1 $14 {[%csl Rd4]}) 20... Qa7 21. Ne5 b6 {
[%csl Rc6] Ponomariov was probably hoping to reactivate his Na5 via b7, but
weakening c6 eases White's task.} (21... Rd8 $142 $1 $14) 22. Nb3 Bb4 $2 (22...
Nxb3 23. Qxb3 Qc7 24. Nc6 Bc5 25. Rc1 $36 {is unpleasant, but now Black simply
loses a pawn.}) 23. Nxd4 Qc7 24. Nxd7 Qxd7 25. Nc6 Nxc6 26. bxc6 $16 Qd4 27.
Qc2 Bd6 28. Rc1 Bc7 ({Passive, but Black was rightly worried about} 28... Ra8
29. c7 Rc8 30. Qc6 Rxc7 (30... Bxc7 31. Qb7 Qd7 32. d4 $18 {[%cal Gc1c8,Yg2f1,
Yf1a6]}) 31. Qe8+ Kh7 32. Rxc7 Bxc7 33. Qxf7 Qa1+ 34. Bf1 $16) 29. Qb3 Ra8 (
29... Rd8 30. Bf1 $16) 30. Rc4 Qa1+ 31. Bf1 Rd8 32. Kg2 Qe5 33. Qb4 Qf6 34. d4
g6 35. Be2 h5 36. h4 Kg7 37. Bf3 {White has gradually improved his pieces,
while his opponent can only sit and wait.} Kg8 38. Qd2 Kg7 39. Qb2 Kg8 40. Rb4
$1 {[%cal Rb4b6]} Qe7 {Black can't prevent the powerful exchange sacrifice.} (
40... Kg7 41. Rxb6 Bxb6 42. Qxb6 Qxd4 43. Qxd4+ Rxd4 44. a5 Ra4 45. a6 $1 $18 (
45. c7 Rc4 46. a6 Rxc7 47. Bb7 $18)) (40... g5 41. hxg5 Qxg5 42. Rb5 Qf6 43.
Bxh5 Qxd4 44. Qxd4 Rxd4 45. a5 $1 $18) 41. Rxb6 Bxb6 42. Qxb6 Ra8 $6 (42... Rc8
$142 $1 43. a5 Rc7 {gives Black an extra tempo and was much more resilient,
with} 44. Be2 (44. d5 $5) 44... Qd6 {he prevents the Ba6-b7 manoeuvre.
Nevertheless I can't believe he can hold the endgame after} 45. Bb5 $16 {/+-})
43. a5 Ra7 44. Be2 $1 $18 Rc7 45. Ba6 {[%cal Ra6b7]} e5 46. Bb7 e4 (46... exd4
47. a6 Qe4+ 48. Kh2 Qc2 49. Qxd4 $18 {[%cal Ra6a7]}) 47. d5 Qe5 48. a6 Qxd5 49.
Kh2 ({Stops any tricks, but} 49. a7 e3+ 50. Kh2 {wins as well.}) 1-0

[Event "WchT 10th"]
[Site "Tsaghkadzor"]
[Date "2015.04.21"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "2015.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Cuba"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CUB"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bd3 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Bf6 10. Re1 b6 11. Nd5 Bb7 12. Qf3 Kh8 13. Qh3 h6 14. Nxf6
Qxf6 15. Qxd7 c5 16. Re3 Rfe8 17. Bf1 Rad8 18. Qc7 Rxe3 19. dxe3 Be4 20. f3
Bxc2 21. Qc6 c4 22. Qd5 b5 23. Qd2 Bd3 24. Bxd3 Nf5 25. Qc3 Qxc3 26. bxc3 cxd3
27. e4 Nd6 28. Be3 Nc4 29. Kf2 d2 30. Rd1 Rd6 31. a3 a5 32. Ke2 a4 33. Bxd2
Nxa3 34. Ra1 Nc4 35. Bc1 Na5 36. Ba3 Rd7 37. Rb1 Nb3 38. Bc1 Kg8 39. Be3 Kf8
40. Rb2 Ke7 41. Ra2 Kd6 42. g4 Kc6 43. h4 Rd8 44. h5 f6 45. Ra3 Na5 46. Ra2 Nb3
47. Ra3 Kb7 48. Ra2 Rd7 49. f4 Kc6 50. c4 Re7 51. Kf3 bxc4 52. Rxa4 Kb5 53. Ra8
c3 54. Rc8 Kb4 55. Ke2 Rd7 56. e5 fxe5 57. fxe5 Nd4+ 58. Kd3 Nf5+ 59. Ke4 Nxe3
60. Kxe3 Rd5 61. e6 Re5+ 62. Kd4 Rxe6 63. Rxc3 g6 64. Rc1 gxh5 65. Rb1+ Ka5 66.
gxh5 Rb6 67. Ra1+ Kb4 68. Rb1+ Ka5 69. Ra1+ Kb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 10th"]
[Site "Tsaghkadzor"]
[Date "2015.04.22"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A65"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[EventDate "2015.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "China"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CHN"]

1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. d4 Nf6 4. e4 d6 5. Nge2 O-O 6. f3 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Ng3
exd5 9. cxd5 a6 10. a4 h5 11. Bg5 Qc7 12. Be2 Nh7 13. Be3 h4 14. Nf1 f5 15.
exf5 gxf5 16. f4 Nf6 17. Bf2 Re8 18. Bxh4 Ne4 19. Ra3 Qa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 10th"]
[Site "Tsaghkadzor"]
[Date "2015.04.23"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Shankland, Samuel L"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2661"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2015.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "US of America"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qa4+ Nc6 8.
e3 O-O 9. Bd3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Bd7 12. O-O Rfd8 13. Qa3 Qe7 14. Qb2
Na5 15. Bd3 c5 16. e4 Be8 17. Rad1 cxd4 18. cxd4 Rac8 19. Rfe1 Nc4 20. Qe2 Nb6
21. Rc1 Qa3 22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23. d5 Bd7 24. g3 exd5 25. exd5 Nxd5 26. Ne5 Be6 27.
Qe4 Nf6 28. Qxb7 Qc3 29. Qb1 Bxa2 30. Qa1 Bd5 31. Ba6 Rc7 32. Qxc3 Rxc3 33. Ra1
Ne4 34. Bf1 Nd2 35. Bg2 Nb3 36. Rd1 Bxg2 37. Kxg2 f6 38. Rd8+ Kh7 39. Ng4 Rc7
40. Ne3 Kg6 41. g4 Nc5 42. h4 Kf7 43. Nf5 Ne6 44. Ra8 Nf4+ 45. Kf3 Nd3 46. Ke3
Ne5 47. f3 Ke6 48. Ke4 Nc4 49. Nd4+ Kf7 50. h5 Nd6+ 51. Kf4 Ke7 52. Rxa7 Rxa7
53. Nc6+ Ke6 54. Nxa7 Kd5 55. Ke3 Kc5 56. Kd3 f5 57. Ke3 Kb6 58. Kf4 Kxa7 59.
Ke5 fxg4 60. fxg4 Ne8 61. Kf5 Kb6 62. g5 Nd6+ 63. Kg6 hxg5 64. Kxg5 Kc7 65. Kg6
Ne8 66. h6 gxh6 67. Kxh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 10th"]
[Site "Tsaghkadzor"]
[Date "2015.04.25"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Erdos, Viktor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A65"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2613"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2015.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Hungary"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "HUN"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 c5 4. d5 e6 5. e4 d6 6. Nc3 exd5 7. cxd5 Bg7 8. Nge2
O-O 9. Ng3 h5 10. Bg5 a6 11. a4 Qe8 12. Bd3 Nh7 13. Bf4 Qe7 14. O-O Nd7 15.
Nge2 Ne5 16. Bc2 Bd7 17. Bc1 b5 18. f4 Nc4 19. Qd3 b4 20. Qxc4 bxc3 21. Rb1
cxb2 22. Bxb2 Bxb2 23. Rxb2 Rfb8 24. Rfb1 Rxb2 25. Rxb2 Bg4 26. Nc3 Qf6 27. g3
Qd4+ 28. Qxd4 cxd4 29. Nb1 Nf6 30. Rb6 Be2 31. Nd2 Rc8 32. Rc6 Rb8 33. e5 Nxd5
34. exd6 Nb4 35. Rc7 Nxc2 36. Rxc2 Bg4 37. Rc4 d3 38. Kf2 Bf5 39. Ke3 Rd8 40.
Rc6 a5 41. Ra6 Kg7 42. h4 Kf8 43. Nc4 f6 44. Kd2 Kf7 45. Rxa5 Ke6 46. Rc5 Be4
47. Ke3 Bd5 48. Kxd3 Rb8 49. Rb5 Bxc4+ 50. Kxc4 Rc8+ 51. Rc5 Rb8 52. a5 Rb1 53.
a6 Ra1 54. Kb5 Kxd6 55. Rc4 Kd5 56. Rb4 Ra3 57. Kb6 1-0

[Event "WchT 10th"]
[Site "Tsaghkadzor"]
[Date "2015.04.26"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2015.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 c5 8.
dxc5 Nbd7 9. Qb3 Qa5 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Qxc5 12. e3 O-O 13. Nd4 a6 14. Rc1
Re8 15. Qb4 Ne4 16. c4 Qxb4+ 17. axb4 dxc4 18. Bxc4 Ne5 19. Be2 Bd7 20. f3 g5
21. Bg3 Nxg3 22. hxg3 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 10th"]
[Site "Tsaghkadzor"]
[Date "2015.04.27"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[EventDate "2015.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 5. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 6. Bxf6 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 7. e3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:
10]} 8. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 9. Qb3 {[%emt 0:07:40]} Bxc3+
{[%emt 0:00:28]} 10. Qxc3 {[%emt 0:00:29]} c6 {[%emt 0:02:51]} 11. b4 {[%emt 0:
07:05]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:13:25]} 12. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:01:15]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 13.
O-O {[%emt 0:16:01]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 14. Rfd1 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Qe7 {
[%emt 0:01:43]} 15. Be2 {[%emt 0:05:42]} Rfc8 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 16. Qb3 {
[%emt 0:01:11]} a5 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 17. a3 {[%emt 0:01:06]} axb4 {[%emt 0:00:
25]} 18. axb4 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Rab8 {[%emt 0:01:03]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 10th"]
[Site "Tsaghkadzor"]
[Date "2015.04.28"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shoker, Samy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A42"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2466"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2015.04.19"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Egypt"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "EGY"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. e4 d6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Be3 Ne7 6. Qd2 h6 7. Bd3 Nd7 8. Nge2
b6 9. O-O a6 10. Bc2 Rb8 11. a4 Nc6 12. Rae1 Nb4 13. Bb1 c5 14. f4 Qc7 15. f5
cxd4 16. Nxd4 O-O 17. Bxh6 Qxc4 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Rc1 Qc5 20. Na2 Nxa2 21. Rxc5
bxc5 22. fxe6 Ne5 23. Nf5+ gxf5 24. Qxd6 1-0

[Event "RUS-chT"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2015.05.01"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2653"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2015.05.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Novosibirsk Sibir"]
[BlackTeam "Sverdlovsk Malachite"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 Bg4 4. Qb3 Qb6 5. Ne5 Be6 6. d3 g6 7. Be3 Qxb3 8. axb3
Bg7 9. Nf3 Bxb2 10. Rxa7 Rxa7 11. Bxa7 Na6 12. Bd4 Bxd4 13. Nxd4 Bd7 14. f4 Nf6
15. Bg2 e6 16. Nc3 Ke7 17. Kd2 c5 18. Nc2 Bc6 19. Ra1 Rd8 20. Bf3 h6 21. Ra5
Ne4+ 22. Bxe4 dxe4 23. Ke3 exd3 24. exd3 g5 25. Ne2 Ra8 26. Nc3 b6 27. Ra1 Nb8
28. Rxa8 Bxa8 29. b4 Nd7 30. b5 f6 31. Na4 e5 32. f5 Kd6 33. Nc3 Bg2 34. Kd2
Bf3 35. Ne3 h5 36. Ned5 Bxd5 37. Nxd5 e4 38. dxe4 Ke5 39. Ke3 Kd6 40. h4 Ke5
41. g4 gxh4 42. gxh5 h3 43. Kf2 Kxe4 44. h6 Nf8 45. Nxb6 Kxf5 46. Nd7 1-0

[Event "RUS-chT"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2015.05.02"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2015.05.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "St Petersburg Bronze Horseman"]
[BlackTeam "Novosibirsk Sibir"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 Nbd7 8.
e3 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 10. Nd2 Nxg3 11. hxg3 c6 12. Qc2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Qe7 14. O-O-O Be6
15. Kb1 O-O-O 16. a3 Bd6 17. Nb5 Kb8 18. Nxd6 Rxd6 19. Nb3 Bc8 20. Nc5 Nd7 21.
Na4 Nb6 22. Nc5 Nd7 23. Na4 Nb6 24. Nc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-chT"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2015.05.03"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Sjugirov, Sanan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2669"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2015.05.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Samara Lada"]
[BlackTeam "Novosibirsk Sibir"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Ne5 Nc6 8.
Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxc6 Qe8 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Na3 Rd8 12. Qc2 c5 13. dxc5 Qxc5 14.
Qxc4 Qxc4 15. Nxc4 Ba6 16. b3 Bxc4 17. bxc4 Rdc8 18. Bb2 Rxc4 19. Rac1 Rac8 20.
Rxc4 Rxc4 21. Rc1 Rxc1+ 22. Bxc1 Kf8 23. f3 Ke7 24. e4 Kd6 25. Kf2 Nd7 26. Ba3+
Kc6 27. Ke3 e5 28. Kd3 Nc5+ 29. Kc4 Ne6 30. Bb2 f6 31. h4 h5 32. Ba3 Kd7 33.
Kd3 a6 34. Bb2 g6 35. Ke3 Kd6 36. Ba3+ Kd7 37. Bb2 Kd6 38. Ba3+ Kd7 39. Bb2
1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-chT"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2015.05.04"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2015.05.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Moscow Our Heritage"]
[BlackTeam "Novosibirsk Sibir"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nf5 8.
c3 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 d6 10. Re1 O-O 11. d4 d5 12. Nd2 c6 13. Nf3 Nh4 14. Nxh4 Bxh4
15. Bd3 Bf6 16. Bf4 Re8 17. Qh5 g6 18. Qf3 Bd7 19. Rxe8+ Qxe8 20. Bd2 Bg7 21.
Re1 Qf8 22. Qg3 Re8 23. Rxe8 Qxe8 24. Kf1 Qc8 25. Qd6 Bf8 26. Qe5 Bg7 27. Qd6
Bf8 28. Qe5 Bg7 29. Qd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-chT"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2015.05.05"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A42"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2015.05.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Novosibirsk Sibir"]
[BlackTeam "Belorechensk Univ"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 g6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e4 Ne7 8.
Be3 d6 9. Bd4 Bxd4 10. Qxd4 O-O 11. c5 dxc5 12. Qxc5 Qd6 13. Qxd6 cxd6 14.
O-O-O Rd8 15. Rd2 Be6 16. Be2 Rd7 17. Bd1 Nc8 18. Ba4 Rc7 19. Rhd1 Rb8 20. h3
Rb4 21. Bc2 g5 22. h4 h6 23. hxg5 hxg5 24. Rh1 Kf8 25. Rh5 Rcb7 26. b3 f6 27.
g3 Rg7 28. f4 Rbb7 29. f5 Bg8 30. e5 fxe5 31. f6 Rgf7 32. Ne4 d5 33. Nc5 Nd6
34. Rxg5 Rxf6 35. Nxb7 Nxb7 36. Rxe5 Nd6 37. Rd4 Bf7 38. Rf4 Rh6 39. g4 Rh1+
40. Kb2 Rh2 41. Rf6 Ne4 42. Rxc6 Nf2 43. Ka3 Nxg4 44. Rc8+ 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Hammer, Jon Ludvig"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "206"]
[EventDate "2015.06.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 h5 7. d3 Qf6 8. Be3
Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Qxf3 10. gxf3 Bd6 11. Rd1 Ne7 12. Nd2 Ng6 13. Kf1 f6 14. c3 c5 15.
Nc4 Be7 16. Rac1 O-O-O 17. a3 Nf8 18. b4 Ne6 19. Rb1 b6 20. Ke2 Rd7 21. b5 a5
22. Rg1 Kd8 23. Rbd1 Ke8 24. a4 Kf7 25. Na3 g6 26. Nc4 Bf8 27. Rg2 Bh6 28. Rdg1
Bxe3 29. fxe3 g5 30. Na3 Rhd8 31. Rd1 h4 32. c4 Ng7 33. Nb1 Nh5 34. Nc3 Ng3+
35. Ke1 Rxd3 36. Nd5 Ra3 37. Rgd2 Rd7 38. Nc3 Re7 39. Rd3 Rb3 40. Nd5 Rxd3 41.
Rxd3 Rd7 42. Kf2 Ke6 43. Ke1 Nh5 44. Kf2 Ng7 45. Rb3 Ne8 46. Ke2 Nd6 47. Kd3 f5
48. exf5+ Kxf5 49. Rb1 e4+ 50. fxe4+ Nxe4 51. Rf1+ Ke5 52. Rf8 Nd6 53. Rg8 Kf5
54. e4+ Ke6 55. Rxg5 Nf7 56. Rg6+ Ke5 57. Ke3 Nd6 58. Rg5+ Ke6 59. Kd3 Rf7 60.
Rg6+ Ke5 61. Rg5+ Ke6 62. e5 Nf5 63. Ke4 Ng3+ 64. Ke3 Nf1+ 65. Ke4 Nd2+ 66. Kd3
Nf3 67. Rh5 Nxe5+ 68. Ke4 Nxc4 69. Rh6+ Kd7 70. Rxh4 Nd6+ 71. Kd3 Rf3+ 72. Ke2
Rf7 73. Rh6 Nf5 74. Rh8 Kd6 75. Nc3 Ke5 76. Rd8 Nd6 77. Ke3 Rh7 78. Kd3 Rxh3+
79. Kc2 Kd4 80. Ne2+ Kc4 81. Rd7 Rh2 82. Kd2 Ne4+ 83. Ke3 Nf6 84. Rf7 Nd5+ 85.
Kf3 Rh6 86. Rd7 Rd6 87. Rh7 Kb3 88. Ng3 Kxa4 89. Ne4 Kxb5 90. Nxd6+ cxd6 91.
Rd7 Kc6 92. Ra7 Nc7 93. Ke4 d5+ 94. Kd3 c4+ 95. Kc2 d4 96. Kd2 Ne6 97. Rh7 Nc5
98. Rh4 Kb5 99. Kc2 d3+ 100. Kc3 Na4+ 101. Kd4 d2 102. Rh1 c3 103. Kd3 d1=R+
0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A61"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2015.06.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 c5 4. d5 d6 5. Nc3 exd5 6. cxd5 g6 7. Bf4 a6 8. Nd2
Nh5 9. Qa4+ b5 10. Nxb5 axb5 11. Qxa8 Qb6 12. e3 Nxf4 13. exf4 Bg7 14. a4 O-O
15. Bxb5 Bxb2 16. O-O Bxa1 17. Nc4 Qb7 18. Qxb7 Bxb7 19. Rxa1 Bxd5 20. Nxd6 Rd8
21. Nc4 Nc6 22. Ne3 Nd4 23. Nxd5 Rxd5 24. Bc4 Rd6 25. a5 Nc2 26. Rc1 Nb4 27.
Bf1 Rc6 28. g3 Rc7 29. a6 c4 30. Ra1 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2015.06.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. e4 dxe4 8.
dxe4 e5 9. c3 a5 10. Qc2 Be6 11. Rd1 Qc8 12. Nf1 Bc5 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Nxe3 Rd8
15. Ng5 Rxd1+ 16. Rxd1 Bg4 17. f3 Bd7 18. Qb3 Qe8 19. Qxb7 h6 20. Bh3 Rd8 21.
Bxd7 Rxd7 22. Nh3 Rxd1+ 23. Nxd1 Qd7 24. Nhf2 Nd8 25. Qa7 Qd2 26. Qe3 Qd7 27.
Qd3 Qe7 28. Ne3 Ne6 29. Qb5 Qd6 30. Nc4 Qd8 31. Kg2 Nd7 32. Qxa5 Ndc5 33. Nxe5
Qd2 34. b4 Qxc3 35. Qa8+ Nf8 36. bxc5 Qxe5 37. a4 Qxc5 38. a5 g6 39. a6 Kg7 40.
a7 Qa5 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "174"]
[EventDate "2015.06.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Nbd7 8.
Qb3 Nb6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bb4 Bxb4 11. Qxb4 a5 12. Qc3 c6 13. Ne5 Re8 14. Nd2
Ng4 15. Nxg4 Bxg4 16. e3 Qd6 17. Rfe1 Be6 18. Nb3 Qc7 19. Nc5 Nd7 20. Nxe6 fxe6
21. e4 Qd6 22. Re2 dxe4 23. Bxe4 Nf6 24. Bc2 Rad8 25. Qxa5 Qxd4 26. Rd1 Ra8 27.
Qxa8 Qxd1+ 28. Bxd1 Rxa8 29. Bb3 Kf8 30. Rxe6 Nd7 31. Re3 h6 32. Rf3+ Nf6 33.
Kf1 Ke7 34. Ke2 Kd6 35. a3 b5 36. Bc2 Ra7 37. Rd3+ Kc5 38. f4 b4 39. axb4+ Kxb4
40. Rb3+ Kc5 41. Kf3 Nd5 42. Be4 Kd4 43. Rd3+ Kc4 44. h4 Rb7 45. Rd2 Rb3+ 46.
Kf2 Kc5 47. Bf3 Kd6 48. Bd1 Rb4 49. Kf3 Ke7 50. b3 Nc7 51. Rd3 Ne6 52. Ke3 g5
53. fxg5 hxg5 54. h5 Kf6 55. Rc3 c5 56. Rc4 Rb8 57. g4 Rd8 58. Bc2 Re8 59. Ke4
Nd4+ 60. Kd5 Re5+ 61. Kd6 Nb5+ 62. Kc6 Nd4+ 63. Kb6 Nxc2 64. Rxc2 Re3 65. Rf2+
Kg7 66. Kxc5 Rc3+ 67. Kd5 Rxb3 68. Rf5 Kh6 69. Rf6+ Kh7 70. Ke6 Rb4 71. Kf5
Rb5+ 72. Ke4 Rb4+ 73. Kf3 Rb3+ 74. Kg2 Rb2+ 75. Rf2 Rb4 76. Kg3 Rb3+ 77. Rf3
Rb4 78. Rf5 Rb3+ 79. Kf2 Kh6 80. Rf6+ Kh7 81. Rg6 Rb5 82. Ke3 Ra5 83. Ke4 Rb5
84. Rd6 Ra5 85. Rd5 Ra6 86. Rxg5 Kh6 87. Re5 Ra1 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C36"]
[WhiteElo "2876"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2015.06.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 d5 4. exd5 Nf6 5. Bc4 Nxd5 6. O-O Be7 7. Nc3 Be6 8.
Qe2 Nc6 9. d4 O-O 10. Nxd5 Bxd5 11. Bxd5 Qxd5 12. Bxf4 Bd6 13. Qd2 Rae8 14.
Bxd6 Qxd6 15. Rae1 Re7 16. d5 Ne5 17. Nxe5 Rxe5 18. Rxe5 Qxe5 19. c4 Re8 20.
Qf2 f6 21. b3 b6 22. h3 Kf7 23. Rd1 h5 24. c5 Rd8 25. d6 Rd7 26. b4 bxc5 27.
bxc5 cxd6 28. c6 Rc7 29. Rc1 Qd5 30. Qc2 Qc5+ 31. Qxc5 dxc5 32. Rxc5 g6 33. Kf2
Ke6 34. Ra5 Kd6 35. Ke3 h4 36. Kf4 Rxc6 37. Rxa7 Rc4+ 38. Kf3 g5 39. Ra6+ Ke5
40. Ra5+ Ke6 41. Ra6+ Kf5 42. Ra5+ Ke6 43. Ra6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2798"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2015.06.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. O-O d6 7. a4 Ba7 8. h3 Ne7
9. Re1 Ng6 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Rxe3 O-O 12. Nbd2 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Qxd5
15. Qb3 Qxb3 16. Nxb3 f6 17. d4 exd4 18. Nfxd4 Ne5 19. a5 Rd8 20. Ra4 b6 21.
axb6 cxb6 22. f4 Bd7 23. Rb4 a5 24. fxe5 axb4 25. exf6 bxc3 26. bxc3 gxf6 27.
Nd2 Be8 28. Ne4 Bg6 29. Nxf6+ Kf7 30. Ng4 Re8 31. Ne5+ Kg7 32. h4 Ra5 33. Ndc6
Rc5 34. Kf2 Re6 35. Nxg6 Rxe3 36. Kxe3 Rxc3+ 0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2015.06.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Qc2 c5 7. O-O cxd4 8. Nxd4
Qb6 9. Rd1 Nc6 10. Nxc6 Qxc6 11. Na3 Bxa3 12. bxa3 Qxc4 13. Qxc4 dxc4 14. a4
Bd7 15. Ba3 Bxa4 16. Rdc1 b5 17. Bxa8 Rxa8 18. f3 a5 19. Bd6 Rc8 20. Be5 Nd7
21. Bb2 f6 22. Rab1 Kf7 23. Bc3 Ra8 24. Rb2 e5 25. Be1 Ke6 26. Bf2 Rc8 27. Be1
Ra8 28. Bf2 Nb8 29. Rd2 Nc6 30. Bc5 Rd8 31. Rxd8 Nxd8 32. Kf2 Nb7 33. Bf8 g6
34. e4 Nd8 35. Ke3 Nc6 36. Bc5 Nb4 37. Bxb4 axb4 38. Rb1 b3 39. axb3 Bxb3 40.
Ra1 Ba4 41. h4 Kd6 42. g4 h6 43. f4 exf4+ 44. Kxf4 Kc5 45. g5 fxg5+ 46. hxg5
hxg5+ 47. Kxg5 Kd4 48. Kf4 c3 49. e5 Bb3 50. Ra7 c2 51. Rc7 Bc4 0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.15"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "167"]
[EventDate "2015.06.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 c6 3. Nf3 e4 4. Nd4 d5 5. cxd5 Qxd5 6. Nc2 Nf6 7. Nc3 Qh5 8. h3
Na6 9. Bg2 Qg6 10. b3 Bc5 11. Bb2 O-O 12. Na4 Be7 13. Ne3 Nd5 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15.
O-O Be6 16. Nc3 Bf6 17. Rc1 Rac8 18. Ba3 Rfd8 19. Nb5 Be5 20. d4 Bb8 21. Qd2
Bd7 22. Nc3 Bc6 23. Qe3 Re8 24. h4 Rcd8 25. Qg5 Qe6 26. Nd1 Nc7 27. Ne3 h6 28.
Qf5 Nb5 29. Bb2 Nd6 30. Qxe6 Rxe6 31. Bh3 Ree8 32. a4 g6 33. Ng4 Kg7 34. Ne5 e3
35. f3 Nf5 36. Bxf5 gxf5 37. Nxc6 bxc6 38. f4 Re6 39. Kg2 Bc7 40. Rfd1 Rb8 41.
Rd3 Ba5 42. Bc3 Bxc3 43. Rcxc3 Rb4 44. Kf3 Kf6 45. Rc5 Ke7 46. Ra5 Rb7 47. b4
Rxb4 48. Rxa7+ Kf6 49. Rd1 Re4 50. Ra6 Rc4 51. a5 Ke6 52. Ra8 Rexd4 53. Rxd4
Rxd4 54. Rh8 Ra4 55. Rxh6+ Kd7 56. Rf6 Rxa5 57. Rxf7+ Ke6 58. Rc7 Kd6 59. Rc8
d4 60. Rd8+ Kc5 61. h5 Ra1 62. h6 Rh1 63. Rf8 Rxh6 64. Rxf5+ Kc4 65. Ra5 Rh2
66. f5 c5 67. Ra2 Kb3 68. Ra5 Kb4 69. Ra2 c4 70. Ke4 d3 71. Kxe3 Kb3 72. Rd2
Kc3 73. f6 Rg2 74. f7 Rxg3+ 75. Kf2 Kxd2 76. f8=Q Rg6 77. Qf4+ Kc3 78. Qc1+ Kd4
79. Qb2+ Ke4 80. exd3+ cxd3 81. Qb4+ Kd5 82. Ke3 Rg3+ 83. Kf4 Rg7 84. Qe4+ 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.15"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2015.06.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 c5 4. dxc5 Qa5 5. e4 Bg7 6. Qe2 Qxc5 7. c3 O-O 8.
Nb3 Qc7 9. g3 b6 10. Nfd4 Nxe4 11. Nb5 Qb7 12. Bg2 d5 13. O-O a6 14. N5d4 Nc6
15. Nxc6 Qxc6 16. Be3 Bb7 17. Rad1 Rac8 18. Rfe1 Rfe8 19. h4 h5 20. Nd2 Nxd2
21. Qxd2 e6 22. Bh6 Bh8 23. Bf4 b5 24. Be5 Bxe5 25. Rxe5 Qd6 26. Rde1 Qf8 27.
g4 hxg4 28. h5 Rcd8 29. hxg6 Qg7 30. gxf7+ Kxf7 31. Rg5 Qf6 32. Rxg4 Ke7 33.
Qe3 Kd7 34. Qb6 Kc8 35. Qd4 Qxd4 36. cxd4 Re7 37. Rg6 Rde8 38. Bh3 Kd7 39. Kf1
Bc8 40. Re5 Kc7 41. Ke2 Bd7 42. Bg4 b4 43. Ke3 a5 44. Rf6 Kd6 45. Bf3 Kc7 46.
Bg4 Kd6 47. Bf3 Bc6 48. Bg4 Bd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Wagner,D"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{In this game MVL introduced an interesting opening idea, that brought him a
nice edge, which he converted with superb technique.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3
d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 {Aronian chooses his favourite Ragozin.} 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6
7. Bh4 Nbd7 8. e3 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 {This line is Aronian's pet variation.} 10. Qc2
(10. Nd2 $5 {is the other try here.}) 10... h5 (10... Nb6 {has also been
played by Aronian, but the game definitely left room for improvements.} 11. Bd3
Nxg3 12. hxg3 Be6 13. Ne5 (13. a3 $5 Bf8 14. b4 $14) 13... Qe7 14. f4 O-O-O 15.
O-O Kb8 16. a3 Bd6 17. a4 {0-1 (50) Lysyj,I (2648)-Aronian,L (2813) Tromsoe
2013, with a complicated fight.}) 11. h3 $5 $146 {This move looks ugly at
first sight, but has a lot of venom. The opening of the f-file increases
White's control of the weak squares on f5 and f6 and eases the immediate
opening of the position with e4. Black has not be very careful, which is
difficult without precise knowledge.} (11. Bd3 {didn´t work well in a recent
game:} h4 12. Bxe4 dxe4 13. Qxe4+ Kf8 14. Be5 f6 15. Qg6 fxe5 16. Nxg5 Qf6 17.
Nh7+ Rxh7 18. Qxh7 exd4 19. exd4 Qe6+ 20. Kd2 (20. Kf1 $142 $11) 20... Qf6 $17
{0-1 (40) Postny,E (2630)-Sokolov,I (2623) Montpellier 2015}) 11... Bxc3+ $6 ({
MVL repeated this idea in the last round and Grischuk showed an improvement:} 
11... Qf6 $1 12. Bd3 Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 Nxg3 14. fxg3 g4 $1 15. hxg4 hxg4 16. Nh4
Nb6 17. Qf2 $1 Qxf2+ 18. Kxf2 Be6 19. Nf5 Kd7 20. Rh4 {1/2-1/2 (38) Vachier
Lagrave,M (2723) -Grischuk,A (2781) Stavanger NOR 2015. White had a
comfortable endgame, but coulnd't do much with his slight edge.}) 12. bxc3 Nxg3
13. fxg3 Nb6 (13... Nf6 14. Nxg5 (14. Bd3 g4 15. hxg4 Nxg4 16. O-O $14 {
The king is always quite safe behind its doubled g-pawns.}) 14... Rg8 15. h4
Qe7 16. Be2 Bd7 17. O-O O-O-O 18. Kh2 $14) (13... Qe7 14. Bd3 Nb6 (14... Qxe3+
15. Kd1) 15. O-O $14) (13... Rg8 14. Bd3 g4 15. hxg4 hxg4 16. Nh4 Qg5 17. O-O
Nb6 18. c4 $1 Be6 19. c5 Nc4 20. Bxc4 dxc4 21. Qa4+ c6 22. Rf4 $14) (13... Qf6
14. c4 $14) 14. Bd3 $14 {White is already better. He can play on the queenside
with a4 or opent the centre by e4, while Black has no real counterplay.} g4 ({
Non-concrete play like} 14... Be6 {is no fun either.} 15. a4 (15. e4 $5 $36)
15... Qd6 16. Qf2 Rg8 17. a5 Nd7 18. Nd2 O-O-O 19. O-O g4 20. h4 $40 {White
always profits from his ultra-secure king shelter.}) 15. hxg4 Bxg4 16. O-O Qe7
17. Ne5 Be6 18. Bf5 {quite a convincing way to a decent advantage.} (18. e4 $5
O-O-O 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Rae1 $14) 18... Nd7 (18... O-O-O $2 19. Bxe6+ fxe6 20.
Nf7 $16) (18... Nc4 19. Nxc4 dxc4 20. Qe4 $16) 19. e4 $1 {Opening the centre
and initiating an advantageous sequence.} (19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. Nxf7 Rf8 $132)
19... Nxe5 (19... dxe4 20. Bxe6 Qxe6 21. Nxf7 $16) 20. exd5 $1 {A strong
intermediate capture.} O-O-O (20... Bxd5 21. Rae1 Be6 22. Rxe5 O-O-O 23. Bxe6+
(23. Rfe1 Bxf5 24. Qxf5+ Qd7 25. Qf3 $14) 23... fxe6 24. Qe2 Rh6 25. Rb1 $36)
21. dxe6 fxe6 22. Rae1 $1 exf5 23. Rxe5 Qa3 24. Rfxf5 $16 {As the h5-pawn will
fall White is up two pawns. The seemingly weak white king will be able to hide
behind its rooks and passed pawns.} Kb8 25. Rxh5 Rxh5 26. Rxh5 a6 27. Kh2 {
It's very difficult to give Black any good advice, since he has no counterplay.
} Rf8 28. Qb3 Qe7 29. Qd5 Qe2 30. a4 Qd3 31. c4 a5 32. Rh4 Qc3 (32... Qb3 33.
Qxa5 Qxc4 34. Qc5 Qf7 35. a5 $16 {White is winning in the long run.}) 33. g4 {
Now one of the g-pawn starts advancing, while the other one secures the king
against checks from the side.} Qe1 34. Rh7 Qc1 35. Qe5 $1 {Avoiding any checks.
} Qxc4 36. g5 Rg8 37. Rh8 (37. g6 $5 $18) 37... Qf7 38. Rxg8+ Qxg8 39. Qf6 b5 (
39... Qh7+ 40. Kg3 Qd3+ 41. Kh4 Qe4+ 42. Kh5 $18) 40. axb5 a4 41. g6 a3 42. b6
(42. g7 {was a quicker road to victory.} a2 (42... Qh7+ 43. Kg1 a2 44. Qd8+ Kb7
45. Qd5+ Kb6 46. Qxa2 $18) 43. Qf8+) 42... a2 43. Qe5 Qd8 44. bxc7+ Qxc7 45. g7
Qxe5+ 46. dxe5 a1=Q 47. g8=Q+ Kc7 48. Qc4+ Kd8 49. Qd5+ Ke7 50. Qd6+ Ke8 51.
Qc6+ Ke7 52. Qc7+ Ke6 53. Qd6+ Kf7 54. Qd7+ Kf8 55. Qf5+ Ke7 56. g3 Qc3 57. Kh3
Ke8 58. Kh4 Qe1 59. Qf4 {A convincing victory by MVL!} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. e3 Bb4 4. Nge2 c6 5. a3 Ba5 6. b4 Bc7 7. Bb2 O-O 8. Ng3
d5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Qc2 Nd7 11. Bd3 N7f6 12. O-O Nxc3 13. Bxc3 Be6 14. Rab1 Kh8
15. Rfd1 Ng4 16. Nf5 g6 $1 {This position is already very complicated. White
would like to retreat his knight, but he can't!} 17. f3 (17. Ng3 Qh4 18. h3
Nxf2 19. Kxf2 Kg8 $1 {With the incoming e4 and a very strong attack for Black.}
) (17. h3 Nxf2 18. Kxf2 gxf5 $15) 17... Nxh2 $1 18. Kxh2 gxf5 19. Bxf5 Qh4+ 20.
Kg1 Rg8 {Material is still even, but there are problems here for White:
Black's rook is threatening a sacrifice on g2 and White's king would be too
exposed.} 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Qe4 $1 {An excellent resource in a position that
would have been very difficult to hold in time pressure.} (22. d3 Raf8 $36)
22... Rxg2+ 23. Kxg2 Rg8+ 24. Qg4 (24. Kf1 Qh2 $19) 24... Rxg4+ 25. fxg4 Qxg4+
26. Kf2 {The computer gives Black an edge, but that doesn't seem right. White
has better practical chances than Black, so Aronian forces the draw.} Qh4+ 27.
Ke2 Qg4+ 28. Kd3 Qf5+ 29. Ke2 Qg4+ 30. Kd3 Qf5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hammer, Jon Ludvig"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2677"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
a3 O-O 9. d3 Be6 10. Be3 Nd5 11. Bd2 f6 12. Qc2 Nb6 13. b4 Nd4 14. Nxd4 exd4
15. Na4 Bd5 16. Nxb6 cxb6 17. Bxd5+ Qxd5 18. Rfc1 Qd7 19. Qc7 Rad8 20. Rc2 Kf7
21. Rac1 g5 22. Qxd7 Rxd7 23. Rc7 Rfd8 24. g4 f5 25. h3 b5 26. Kg2 Ke6 27. Rxd7
Rxd7 28. Kf3 Kf6 29. Rg1 Bd8 30. Bc1 Kg6 31. gxf5+ Kxf5 32. Rg4 Bf6 33. Bb2 Rd8
34. Re4 h5 35. Kg3 Be5+ 36. Kg2 Bf6 37. Kf1 Rd7 38. Ke1 Rd8 39. Kd1 Rd7 40. Kc2
Rd8 41. Kb3 Kg6 42. f3 Kf5 43. a4 bxa4+ 44. Kxa4 a6 45. Kb3 b5 46. Kc2 Rc8+ 47.
Kd1 Rd8 48. Bc1 Ra8 49. Bd2 Rg8 50. Bc1 Ra8 51. Bb2 Rd8 52. Kc2 Rc8+ 53. Kd2
Rd8 54. Kd1 Rd6 55. Bc1 Rd8 56. Bb2 Rd6 57. Bc1 Rd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2798"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 {The Ragozin was a very popular choice
in Stavanger. Black essays the active bishop sortie, but he can still opt for
solid lines later on - as he does in our game.} ({The text move is more
enterprising than} 4... Be7 {- the Orthodox Queen's Gambit was absent in
Norway!}) ({Another sharp continuation is the Semi-Slav} 4... c6 {, which
however arose in Stavanger only by transposition:} 5. Bg5 (5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 (
6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O e5 9. cxd5 cxd5 10. e4 exd4 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. exd5
h6 13. Nxd4 Qh4 14. Nf3 Qh5 15. Bh7+ Kh8 16. Qf5 Qxf5 17. Bxf5 Nf6 18. Bc2 b6
19. Ba4 $146 (19. Rd1 Bb7 20. Bb3 Rad8 21. Rd3 Bc7 22. Bd2 Bxd5 23. Bxd5 Rxd5
24. Rxd5 Nxd5 25. Rc1 Rd8 $11 {Mamedyarov,S (2753)-Anand,V (2786) Moscow 2013})
19... Bb7 20. Bc6 Bxc6 21. dxc6 Rac8 22. Be3 (22. Nd4 Be5 $11) 22... Rxc6 23.
Rad1 Re8 24. Bd4 Bf8 25. g3 Kg8 26. Kg2 Ne4 27. Rfe1 Rce6 28. Re3 Nc5 $11 {
Vachier Lagrave,M (2723)-Giri,A (2773) Stavanger 2015}) 6... dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8.
Bd3 Bb7 9. O-O a6 10. e4 c5 11. d5 Qc7 12. dxe6 fxe6 13. Bc2 Bd6 14. Ng5 Nf8
15. f4 O-O-O 16. Qe1 e5 17. f5 ({More principled, but far from clear is} 17.
Nd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 exf4 19. Bd2 $5 $44 {, this has brought White a moderate
success in postal practice.}) 17... h6 18. Nf3 N8d7 19. Kh1 (19. Bd2 $142)
19... Rhe8 (19... Nb8 20. Be3 Nc6 21. Rc1 Rhe8 22. Bb1 Nd4 23. b4 c4 24. a3 Bf8
25. Rd1 Nxf3 26. gxf3 Rxd1 27. Qxd1 Rd8 28. Qe1 Bc6 29. Qf2 Kb7 $11 {Knight,T 
(2526)-Loinjak,S (2443) email 2008}) 20. Bd2 Qc6 21. Rd1 Nb6 22. Nd5 $2 ({
Premature, but} 22. a3 Bc7 $15 {[%cal Yb5b4,Yb6c4] is already comfortable for
Black.}) 22... Nbxd5 23. exd5 Qd7 24. Ba5 e4 25. Ng1 Bc7 26. d6 Bxa5 27. Qxa5
e3 28. Ne2 Qc6 {[%csl Rd6,Ge3,Rg2] 0-1, Vachier Lagrave,M (2723)-Topalov,V 
(2798) Stavanger 2015}) 5... h6 6. Bh4 (6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 8. Rc1 g6 9. Be2
Bg7 10. cxd5 exd5 11. b4 a6 12. a4 O-O 13. b5 axb5 14. axb5 Qd6 15. O-O Nb6 16.
Qb3 Rb8 17. Nd1 Bf5 18. Nb2 Rfc8 19. Nd3 Bxd3 ({Black has no problems at all
after} 19... Nc4 $142 $1) 20. Qxd3 c5 21. dxc5 Rxc5 22. h4 Na4 $6 (22... h5 23.
Ng5 Qc7 $11) 23. h5 Rbc8 24. Rxc5 Nxc5 25. Qc2 gxh5 26. Nd4 Qg6 27. Nf5 (27.
Qf5 $5 $36) 27... Bf8 {Carlsen,M (2876)-Topalov,V (2798) Stavanger 2015} 28.
Bf3 Qe6 29. Rc1 $36) {A new direction in the Anti-Moscow is} 6... g5 (6... dxc4
7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5 9. Be2 Bb7 10. e5 Nd5 11. O-O Nxc3 (11... Nd7 {is the
standard reaction}) 12. bxc3 c5 13. a4 a6 14. Qb1 g4 15. Nh4 cxd4 16. axb5 d3
17. Bxg4 a5 18. Bf3 Bxf3 19. Nxf3 Qd5 20. Ra4 Nd7 21. Qa2 Nb6 22. Rxa5 Rxa5 23.
Qxa5 Bc5 $44 {Grischuk,A (2780)-Karjakin,S (2753) Khanty-Mansiysk 2015}) 7. Bg3
{and now} Ne4 $5 (7... dxc4 {already gives White a choice, apart from} 8. e4 ({
he has the alternatives} 8. e3) (8. h4 {and}) (8. a4 $5)) {The simplest and
possibly the best reaction seems to be} 8. e3 $5 {/\} (8. Nd2 Nxg3 9. hxg3 Bg7
(9... Qb6 $5 $13) 10. e3 a6 11. Bd3 b5 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Rc1 Nd7 14. f4 Bb7 15.
Nf3 Rc8 16. O-O g4 17. Ne5 h5 18. Ne2 Rxc1 19. Qxc1 f5 20. Qc2 Nxe5 21. dxe5
Qc8 22. Qd2 $16 {Grischuk,A (2728)-Kramnik,V (2788) Moscow blitz 2008}) (8.
Nxe4 dxe4 9. Nd2 Qxd4 10. e3 Qxb2 11. Rb1 Qc3 12. Be2 Nd7 13. O-O Nc5 14. Nb3
Nd3 15. Nd2 Nc5 {½, Vachier Lagrave,M (2723)-Carlsen,M (2876) Stavanger 2015})
8... Qa5 9. Qb3 Bb4 10. Rc1) 5. Bg5 ({The main alternative is} 5. cxd5 exd5 6.
Bg5 {and now:} {Aronian preferred} h6 (6... Nbd7 7. Rc1 (7. e3 c5 ({Black can
still transpose into 6...h6 with} 7... h6) 8. dxc5 (8. Bd3 Qa5 9. Qc2 c4 10.
Bf5 O-O 11. O-O Re8 {is the older main line, here it's difficult for White to
fight for an advantage.}) 8... Qa5 ({or} 8... O-O {was the topic of an opening
survey in CBM 148.})) (7. Qc2 c5 8. g3 $5 {is another recent try to get an
opening advantage:} h6 9. Bf4 Qa5 10. Bg2 Ne4 11. Rc1 Qxa2 12. Nd2 Bxc3 13.
bxc3 Qxc2 14. Rxc2 Nxd2 15. Kxd2 Nb6 16. dxc5 Nc4+ 17. Kd3 Bf5+ $2 (17... Be6
$132) 18. e4 Bh7 19. Kd4 Na5 20. Kxd5 O-O-O+ 21. Bd6 b6 22. Ra1 Nb7 23. Rxa7
bxc5 24. Bh3+ f5 25. e5 {1-0, Vitiugov,N (2735)-Aleksandrov,A (2603) EU-ch
Jerusalem 2015}) 7... c6 8. e3 ({A more restrained way is} 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. Rxc3
O-O 10. e3 Qe8 $132) 8... Qa5 9. Bd3 Ne4 (9... Qxa2 $5 10. O-O Qa5 11. Ne5 Nxe5
12. dxe5 Ng4 13. Bf4 f6 14. exf6 Nxf6 15. Qb3 Be7 16. e4 Qb4 17. Qc2 d4 18. Ne2
Be6 19. Bd2 Bb3 20. Bxb4 Bxc2 21. Bxc2 Bxb4 22. e5 Ng4 23. Nxd4 Nxe5 24. Ne6
Ke7 25. Nxg7 Rad8 26. Rfd1 a5 $13 {/=, Khismatullin,D (2657)-Landa,K (2635)
Dagomys 2010}) 10. O-O Nxg5 11. Nxg5 Nf6 12. Qc2 h6 13. Nf3 Bd6 14. Ne5 Ng4 15.
Nf3 (15. Bf5 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Bxe5 17. Bxc8 Rxc8 18. Qf5 Qc7 19. Nxd5 Bxh2+ 20.
Kh1 Qd7 21. Nf6+ gxf6 22. Qxf6 Rg8 23. Kxh2 Rg6 $132 {Korotylev}) 15... Nf6 16.
h3 O-O 17. Ne5 a6 (17... c5 $6 18. Nb5 Bxe5 19. dxe5 Nd7 20. f4 c4 21. Bh7+ Kh8
22. Nd6 Nc5 23. Rcd1 $16 {Gelfand,B (2758)-Jakovenko,D (2736) Khanty-Mansiysk
2009}) 18. f4 (18. Na4 $5 $14) 18... c5 19. g4 cxd4 20. exd4 Be6 21. Qb3 (21.
Qf2 $13) (21. Kh1 $5) 21... b5 22. f5 Qb6 23. Nf3 $8 Bc8 24. Kg2 $6 (24. Nxd5
$1 Nxd5 25. Be4 Nc7 26. Rc6 Qb7 27. Nd2 $13) 24... Bb7 {[%csl Re4][%cal Ga8h1]}
25. Na4 Qa7 26. Nc5 Rac8 (26... Ne4 $5 $36) 27. a4 (27. Nxb7 $142 Qxb7 $15)
27... Bxc5 28. dxc5 d4 $1 29. axb5 axb5 30. Qxb5 Bc6 31. Qb6 Qd7 32. Kg1 Rfe8
$40 {[%csl Rg1] Vachier Lagrave,M (2754)-Caruana,F (2803) Khanty-Mansiysk 2015}
) 7. Bh4 Nbd7 (7... g5 8. Bg3 Ne4 9. Nd2 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Bxc3 11. Rc1 Bb2 12.
Rxc7 Na6 13. Rc2 Bxd4 14. e3 Bg7 15. h4 {Carlsen,M (2881)-Aronian,L (2815)
Flor & Fjaere blitz 2014} Bf5 $1 16. Bb5+ Kf8 $13) 8. e3 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 10. Qc2
(10. Nd2 Nxg3 11. hxg3 c6 12. Qc2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Qe7 14. O-O-O Be6 15. Kb1 O-O-O
16. a3 Bd6 17. Nb5 Kb8 18. Nxd6 Rxd6 19. Nb3 Bc8 20. Nc5 Nd7 21. Na4 Nb6 22.
Nc5 $11 {Vitiugov,N (2739)-Aronian,L (2770) Sochi 2015}) 10... h5 11. h3 $146 (
11. h4 g4 12. Ng5 Nxg3 13. fxg3 Qe7 14. O-O-O Bxc3 15. bxc3 {Rasmussen,K (2462)
-Wegerer,F (2235) Pula 2007} Rh6 $1 $17 {[%cal Yf7f6]}) 11... Qf6 (11... Bxc3+
12. bxc3 Nxg3 13. fxg3 Nb6 14. Bd3 g4 15. hxg4 Bxg4 16. O-O Qe7 17. Ne5 Be6 18.
Bf5 Nd7 19. e4 Nxe5 20. exd5 $1 O-O-O 21. dxe6 fxe6 22. Rae1 exf5 23. Rxe5 $16
{Vachier Lagrave,M (2723)-Aronian,L (2780) Stavanger 2015}) 12. Bd3 Bxc3+ 13.
bxc3 Nxg3 14. fxg3 g4 15. hxg4 hxg4 16. Nh4 Nb6 17. Qf2 (17. e4 $5 dxe4 18.
Bxe4 c6 19. Rf1 $13) 17... Qxf2+ 18. Kxf2 Be6 19. Nf5 Kd7 20. Rh4 Rhg8 21. Ke2
Nc8 22. Rf1 Nd6 23. Nxd6 Kxd6 24. Bf5 Rg5 25. Bxe6 Kxe6 26. Rh7 Rf8 27. a4 b6
28. Kd3 c5 29. Rh6+ f6 30. Rh7 Rf5 $1 $44 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2723)-Grischuk,A
(2781) Stavanger 2015}) 5... h6 ({In a later round Levon didn't repeat this
line and went somewhat surprisingly for the Vienna with} 5... dxc4 6. e4 c5 7.
Bxc4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Nbd7 11. Bxf6 Qxc3+ 12. Kf1 gxf6
13. h4 a6 14. Rh3 Qb4 ({This has replaced the older} 14... Qa5 15. Ba4 $5 b5
16. Bb3 Qb6 17. Rc1 Bb7 18. Rhc3 Ne5 19. f4 Rd8 20. fxe5 Rxd4 21. Qf3 f5 22.
Qf2 fxe4 23. Rc7 {1-0, Khalifman,A (2617)-Kachar,V (2283) Voronezh 2014}) 15.
Be2 Ne5 16. Rb1 $5 (16. h5 Qd6 17. Qd2 Nc6 18. Rd3 Qh2 19. f4 Rg8 20. Bf3 Bd7
21. Ne2 Qh1+ 22. Ng1 Nd4 23. Rxd4 Bb5+ 24. Kf2 Qh4+ 25. Ke3 e5 26. fxe5 Qg5+
27. Kf2 Qg3+ $11 {Anand,V (2770)-Kramnik,V (2787) Khanty-Mansiysk 2014}) 16...
Qd6 17. Qd2 Bd7 $5 $146 (17... b5 18. Rd1 Bb7 {0-1 (49) Bida,M (2323)-Bluebaum,
M (2521) Durban 2014} 19. Qh6 $1 Qe7 20. Rc3 {[%cal Rd4b5]} Rd8 21. f3 $44) 18.
Rxb7 Bb5 19. Rb3 Rc8 (19... Rd8 20. R3xb5 axb5 21. Bxb5+ Kf8 22. Nxe6+ Qxe6 23.
Qxd8+ Kg7 24. Qd5 Qg4 $132) 20. Bxb5+ axb5 21. Qb4 (21. R7xb5 O-O (21... Nc4 $5
22. Qc3 O-O $13) 22. Rg3+ Ng6 23. h5 Rfd8 24. hxg6 hxg6 25. Rb4 e5 26. Rd3 exd4
27. Rbxd4 Qa6 $44) 21... Qxb4 22. Rxb4 O-O (22... Nd3 23. Nxb5 Rc1+ 24. Ke2
Nxb4 25. Rb8+ Ke7 26. Rxh8 Rc2+ $11) 23. R7xb5 Rfd8 24. Ke2 Kg7 25. Ra4 (25. a4
Rc1 $132) 25... Ra8 26. Rbb4 Rdb8 27. Nb3 Rxb4 28. Rxb4 Rxa2+ $11 {Giri,A 
(2773)-Aronian,L (2780) Stavanger 2015}) 6. Bxf6 {The usual response.} ({
Without the exchange on d5} 6. Bh4 {can be rather risky:} dxc4 $5 ({White must
also reckon with} 6... g5 7. Bg3 Ne4 8. Qc2 (8. Rc1 $6 h5 9. Qa4+ Nc6 10. cxd5
exd5 11. Ne5 Bd7 12. Nxc6 Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 Bxc6 14. Qb3 h4 15. Be5 f6 16. f3 fxe5
17. fxe4 O-O 18. e3 Kg7 19. Bb5 Qd6 20. Qa4 Rae8 21. Bxc6 bxc6 22. Rf1 h3 23.
gxh3 Qh6 $40 {Michalik,P (2576)-Movsesian,S (2700) Czechia 2014}) 8... h5 9. h4
g4 $13) 7. Qa4+ (7. e3 b5 8. a4 c6 {and in practice White's compensation has
been rather nebulous.}) 7... Nc6 8. e3 Bd7 9. Qc2 b5 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Ne7
12. Ne5 Nf5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. a4 c6 16. g3 a5 17. Bg2 Ra6 18. d5
cxd5 19. axb5 Rb6 20. e4 dxe4 21. Rxa5 O-O 22. Bxe4 (22. Qxe4 $5 Rxb5 23. Rxb5
Qxb5 24. O-O $132) 22... Nd6 23. Bc6 $2 (23. O-O $15) 23... Qc7 24. Ra4 Nxb5
25. Bxb5 Qe5+ $17 {Eljanov,P (2729)-Khismatullin,D (2656) St Petersburg 2013})
6... Qxf6 7. Qa4+ {An attempt to disrupt Black's natural development and
prevent c7-c5.} ({After} 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1 dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 {Black has been
holding his own recently:} 10. O-O (10. dxc5 Bxc5 (10... Nd7 11. c6 Ne5 (11...
bxc6 $5 12. O-O Ne5 13. Be2 Nxf3+ 14. Bxf3 Ba6 15. Re1 Rab8 16. Qa4 Rb6 $132 {
Sasikiran,K (2658)-Sandipan,C (2478) Mumbai 2003}) 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. O-O (13.
Qb3 $5 Ba5 14. cxb7 Rb8 15. Ba6 Bxb7 16. Bxb7 Qc7 17. O-O Rxb7 18. Qa3 $14)
13... bxc6 14. Qe2 Rd8 15. Rfd1 Bb7 16. Rxd8+ Rxd8 17. Rd1 Rxd1+ 18. Qxd1 Qc7
19. h3 Bxc3 20. bxc3 c5 21. Qa4 Qc6 $11 {Giri,A (2790)-Carlsen,M (2863)
Shamkir 2015}) 11. Qc2 (11. O-O Rd8 (11... Qe7 12. Ne4 Rd8 13. Qc2 Bb6 14. Rfd1
Nc6 15. Rxd8+ Nxd8 16. Ne5 Bd7 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18. Rd1 Qc7 19. g3 Nc6 20. Bb5 Rc8
21. Rc1 Ne7 22. Qxc7 Rxc7 23. Rxc7 Bxc7 $11 {Aronian,L (2816)-Anand,V (2780)
Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2012}) 12. Qc2 $5 (12. Qe2 Qe7 13. a3 Bd7 14. Rfd1 Nc6 15. b4
Bb6 16. Bb3 Be8 17. Na4 Rxd1+ 18. Bxd1 Bc7 19. Nc5 Bd6 20. Bc2 a5 21. Qd3 g6
22. Ne4 Rd8 $15 {Shirov,A (2696)-Wei,Y (2551) WCup Tromsoe 2013}) 12... Bf8 (
12... Qe7 13. Rfd1 Bd7 14. Bd3 Bb6 15. Bh7+ Kh8 16. Be4 Nc6 17. Na4 f5 18. Bxc6
Bxc6 19. Ne5 Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Bxa4 21. Qxa4 Qc7 22. Ng6+ Kh7 23. Nf4 Rd8 24. Rxd8
Qxd8 25. Qb3 $11 {/+/=, Buczinski,H (2184)-Salzmann,S (2133) email 2008}) 13.
Rfd1 Nc6 14. Ne4 Qe7 15. Rxd8 Qxd8 16. Rd1 Bd7 {½, Wang,Y (2689)-Zhang,Z 
(2613) Jiangsu Wuxi 2008}) 11... Bd7 (11... Bb4 12. O-O Bxc3 13. Qxc3 Qxc3 14.
Rxc3 Bd7 15. Rd1 Rc8 16. Be2 Rxc3 17. bxc3 f6 18. Rb1 b6 19. Rd1 Kf8 20. Nh4
Bc6 {Fressinet,L (2711)-Gajewski,G (2641) Saint Quentin 2014} 21. Bh5 $36) 12.
O-O Bb6 13. Ne4 Qe7 14. Rfd1 Nc6 15. a3 Rfd8 16. Nd6 Rab8 17. Qe4 (17. Ba2 $5 {
[%cal Ya2b1]}) 17... Bc7 18. Bd3 g6 19. Nb5 Bb6 20. h4 $6 (20. Qf4 Kg7 $11)
20... e5 21. Be2 Bf5 22. Qa4 e4 23. Nfd4 Nxd4 24. Nxd4 Bd7 25. Bb5 {Ipatov,A 
(2608)-Zhukova,N (2470) Doha 2014} Bg4 $17) 10... cxd4 11. Ne4 (11. Nxd4 Bd7
12. Qb3 Nc6 13. Nxc6 Bxc3 14. Rxc3 Bxc6 15. Bb5 Bd5 16. Bc4 Bc6 17. Bb5 Bd5 18.
Bc4 {½, Topalov,V (2798)-Anand,V (2804) Stavanger 2015 This quick draw in the
last round only repeated past games, but it brought Topalov tournament victory.
}) 11... Qe7 12. Nxd4 Bd7 {This year White has tested} 13. Bd3 (13. Qh5 Nc6 14.
Nb3 f5 (14... Be8 15. a3 f5 (15... Bd6 16. Nxd6 Qxd6 17. Rfd1 Qe7 18. Qc5 Qf6
19. Bd3 {[%cal Rd3h7]} g6 20. Qc2 Ne5 {Zhukova,N (2471)-Szczepkowska,K (2414)
Chengdu 2015} 21. Be4 Ba4 22. Rd4 $14) 16. Qe2 Bxa3 17. bxa3 fxe4 18. Nc5 Ne5
19. Ba2 Nf3+ 20. Kh1 Qh4 21. gxf3 Bh5 22. Bxe6+ Kh8 23. Bg4 exf3 24. Qb2 Bxg4
25. Rg1 Rf7 26. Qd4 h5 27. Nd3 Rd8 28. Qe4 Qe7 29. Qxe7 Rxe7 30. Nf4 Kh7 31.
Rc5 $132 {So,W (2762)-Hou,Y (2673) Wijk aan Zee 2015 For more details about
this game see the notes by Ftacnik in CBM 165}) 15. a3 fxe4 (15... Ne5 $5 16.
Be2 Be8 17. Qh3 Bc6 18. axb4 Bxe4 19. Qg3 {Ramirez,A (2591)-Cornette,M (2545)
Cappelle la Grande 2012} Qg5 $5 $11) 16. axb4 Nxb4 17. Nc5 Nd3 18. Nxd3 exd3
19. Bxd3 Bc6 20. Rc4 Rf6 21. Be4 Bxe4 22. Rxe4 Rd8 23. Qe2 Rf5 24. h3 Rfd5 25.
Qg4 R8d6 26. Rc1 {Aronian,L (2804)-Anand,V (2785) Bilbao 2014 For more details
see the notes to this game by Roiz in CBM 163} Qd7 $11 {/+/=}) 13... Nc6 14.
Nb3 Na5 $5 15. Rc7 Rfd8 16. a3 ({A forcing tactical line is} 16. Nbc5 f5 $8 17.
a3 fxe4 18. axb4 exd3 19. Qxd3 (19. bxa5 $2 Rac8 20. Rxc8 Bxc8 $17 {[%csl Gd3]}
) 19... Bb5 20. Rxe7 Bxd3 21. bxa5 Bxf1 22. Kxf1 Rd1+ 23. Ke2 Rad8 24. Rxb7
R1d2+ 25. Ke1 $11 {½, Matlakov,M (2694)-Wojtaszek,R (2746) Montpellier 2015})
16... Nxb3 17. Qxb3 Ba5 18. Rxb7 Ba4 $1 19. Rxe7 Bxb3 20. Nc5 Bb6 21. Nxb3 Rxd3
22. Nd4 Bxd4 23. exd4 Rb8 24. Rxa7 Rxb2 25. Ra4 Ra2 $11 {Gelfand,B (2744)-Giri,
A (2776) Khanty-Mansiysk 2015}) 7... Nc6 8. e3 O-O 9. Be2 {Retains the central
tension.} ({Topalov spurns the Carlsbad-like} 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Be2 Be6 11. O-O
a6 12. Rfc1 Bd6 13. Qd1 (13. a3 Ne7 14. b4 c6 15. Qb3 g5 16. Qb2 Qg7 17. Na4
Rae8 18. Nc5 Bc8 19. g3 Nf5 20. Bd3 Qf6 21. Rf1 h5 22. Rac1 h4 23. Qd2 Nh6 $2 (
23... hxg3 24. hxg3 Kg7 $15) 24. e4 $16 {Aronian,L (2777)-Anand,V (2797)
Baden-Baden 2015}) 13... Ne7 14. a3 Rfd8 15. b4 Nc8 16. Na4 b6 $6 (16... b5 $5
17. Nc5 Nb6 $132) 17. Nb2 Ne7 18. Nd3 Ng6 19. a4 a5 20. b5 Re8 21. Rc3 Bf5 22.
Rac1 Rad8 23. Nd2 Rd7 24. g3 Nf8 25. Bg4 $16 {Carlsen,M (2862)-Aronian,L (2797)
Wijk aan Zee 2015 Although White won both quoted games, Krasenkow in his notes
in CBM 165 indicates ample improvements for Black. Especially Anand, who
concentrated on his kingside play, achieved a promising position.}) 9... dxc4 (
{Perhaps it's more accurate to force White's Q to move with} 9... Bd7 $5 10.
Qb3 (10. Qc2 dxc4 11. O-O Na5 12. Ne5 Qe7 13. Ne4 Bd6 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. Bxc4
Nxc4 16. Qxc4 Be7 17. Rac1 c6 18. Qb3 Rfd8 19. Nc5 Bxc5 20. Rxc5 Qe7 21. Qc3
Rd5 22. Rxd5 exd5 $11 {Zoler,D (2504)-Hammer,J (2647) Yerevan 2014}) 10... dxc4
11. Qxc4 (11. Bxc4 Bd6 $11 {[%cal Ye6e5,Rc6a5]}) 11... Qg6 ({We will have a
look at} 11... Bd6 {in the following note, it can lead to similar positions.})
12. O-O Bd6 13. Rfd1 (13. Nb5 Rfc8 14. Nxd6 cxd6 15. Rac1 e5 16. dxe5 dxe5 17.
Bd3 Bf5 18. Bxf5 Qxf5 19. Qb5 Qe6 20. Qxb7 Rab8 21. Qa6 Rxb2 22. Rc5 Rxa2 23.
Qb7 Ra5 24. Rxa5 Nxa5 25. Qxa7 Nc4 26. Rc1 Nd6 27. Rxc8+ Qxc8 28. Qa1 e4 29.
Nd4 Nf5 30. Nxf5 Qxf5 {½, Wojtaszek,R (2711)-Yu,Y (2677) Wijk aan Zee 2014}) (
13. Rac1 Na5 14. Qd3 Qxd3 15. Bxd3 Nc6 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17. Bb1 Nb4 18. Be4 c6 19.
Bb1 Be8 20. a3 Nd5 21. Ne4 Be7 22. Ba2 g5 23. h3 Kg7 24. Rd2 Nf6 25. Bb1 a5 26.
Nxf6 Bxf6 27. Be4 a4 $11 {Zhou,J (2589)-Yu,Y (2723) Xinghua 2015}) 13... Rfd8
14. Bd3 Na5 15. Qb5 Bxb5 16. Bxg6 Bc6 17. Be4 Bxe4 18. Nxe4 Nc4 19. Rdc1 Nb6
20. Kf1 c6 21. Ke2 Kf8 22. g4 Ke7 23. h4 Rac8 24. Rc2 Nd7 $11 {/+/=, Vallejo
Pons,F (2698)-Wei,Y (2634) Leon rpd 2014 Black had a solid, but rather passive
position, which he eventually managed to hold.}) 10. O-O Bd7 (10... Bd6 11.
Qxc4 (11. Bxc4 e5 $5 12. Ne4 Qe7 13. Nxd6 cxd6 $11 {/+/=}) 11... Bd7 12. Rac1
Qg6 13. Rfd1 Na5 14. Qd3 Qxd3 15. Bxd3 Nc6 16. Ne4 Nb4 17. Bb1 Ba4 18. Rd2 Bc6
19. a3 Bxe4 20. Bxe4 Nd5 21. Rdc2 c6 22. Nd2 a5 23. g3 Rfd8 24. Nc4 Be7 25. Kf1
Ra6 26. Bd3 Nb6 27. Ne5 Raa8 28. f4 Nd7 29. Nf3 a4 30. Ke2 Ra5 $11 {/+/=,
Melkumyan,H (2676)-Naroditsky,D (2633) Tsaghkadzor 2015 This position is
slightly more pleasant for White and in the end he managed to win.}) 11. Bxc4
Bxc3 {Aronian decides not to lose any more time and gives up the bishop-pair
instead. It's not so simple to equalize after the alternatives:} (11... Bd6 12.
Qc2 $5 (12. Ne4 Qe7 13. Qc2 e5 14. d5 Nd8 15. Nxd6 cxd6 16. Rac1 f5 17. Be2 Rc8
18. Qb3 f4 19. Nd2 b6 20. Qa3 fxe3 21. Qxe3 Nf7 22. Ba6 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Bf5 24.
Ne4 Rd8 25. Ng3 Bg6 26. Bd3 $36 {Wagner,D (2481)-Landa,K (2640) Germany 2013})
12... e5 13. d5 Nb4 14. Qd2 Qg6 (14... a5 $5) 15. a3 Na6 16. b4 Bh3 $6 17. Ne1
e4 18. f3 exf3 19. Nxf3 Bg4 20. Bd3 Qh5 21. Ne4 Rad8 22. Nxd6 Rxd6 23. e4 $16 {
[%csl Ra6,Gd5,Ge4] Ragger,M (2670)-Cornette,M (2552) Belfort 2012}) (11... Qg6
{[%cal Rc6d4]} 12. Qd1 $5 {[%cal Yc4d3] also seems to retain a small plus.})
12. bxc3 Rfd8 (12... Qe7 13. Be2 (13. Qc2 $5 {/\} e5 14. Rab1 b6 15. Bd5 $36)
13... e5 $1 14. Qb3 b6 15. Qc4 Rac8 16. Nd2 Na5 17. Qb4 c5 18. Qa3 Rfe8 (18...
Qe6 $5) 19. d5 e4 20. c4 Qg5 21. Kh1 Rcd8 22. Rae1 Bf5 23. Rg1 h5 24. Nf1 Bg4
$11 {Fedoseev,V (2601)-Aleksandrov,A (2586) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013}) 13. Be2 $146
{[%mdl 40] Topalov's novelty indicates a different strategy, contrary to prior
examples: White will concentrate more on queenside play.} (13. Qc2 Na5 14. Bd3
c5 15. Ne5 Be8 16. f4 Qe7 17. Qe2 Rac8 18. f5 f6 19. Ng4 exf5 (19... h5 20. Nf2
e5 $1 $36) 20. Bxf5 Rc7 21. Rad1 h5 22. Nf2 cxd4 23. cxd4 Nc4 24. Rfe1 Bf7 25.
Bd3 b5 26. Ne4 Re8 27. Qf2 Rc6 28. Nc5 Rxc5 29. dxc5 Qxc5 $44 {0-1 (44) Hansen,
C (2621)-Hammer,J (2665) Oslo 2015}) (13. Qa3 Qe7 14. Qb2 Na5 15. Bd3 c5 16. e4
Be8 17. Rad1 cxd4 18. cxd4 Rac8 19. Rfe1 Nc4 20. Qe2 Nb6 21. Rc1 Qa3 22. Rxc8
Rxc8 23. d5 Bd7 $15 {Shankland,S (2661)-Aronian,L (2770) Tsaghkadzor 2015})
13... Be8 {Follows the same plan as against Shankland, but this seems
unnecessarily passive.} (13... e5 $5 14. Qb3 b6 15. Rfd1 Bf5 $132) 14. Qa3 Qe7
15. Qb2 Na5 {[%cal Yc7c5]} 16. Qb4 $5 {[%mdl 4096] Topalov prevents c5 and
opts for a slight endgame pull.} Qxb4 17. cxb4 Nc6 18. Rab1 a5 $5 {Aronian
seeks activity.} ({Moves such as} 18... Ne7 {, or}) (18... Rac8 {enable White
to retain his space advantage and a small, but long-term edge.}) 19. bxa5 {
A controversial decision. White opens the queenside for his rooks, but
improves Black's pawn structure.} ({More natural was} 19. b5 Ne7 (19... Nb4 20.
a3 Nd5 21. Rfc1 $14) 20. Rfc1 $14) 19... Nxa5 20. Rfc1 Rdc8 21. Ne1 {[%csl Gc5,
Ge5][%cal Ye1d3]} Ra7 (21... Bc6 22. f3 (22. Nd3 Bd5 23. Nb4 c6 {[%csl Gc4]
[%cal Yb7b5]} 24. a4 Bb3 25. Nd3 Bc4 $132) 22... Bd5 23. Rb2 $14) 22. Nd3 Nc6
23. Bf3 Nd8 {[%cal Ye8c6] Black has foregone an earlier chance to activate the
Be8, but now he prepares the bishop swap.} 24. Nb4 (24. g3 Bc6 25. Bxc6 Nxc6
26. Nc5 Nd8 ({or} 26... Na5 $5 {seemed one exchange too much to Topalov.
Therefore he prevents Bc6, but the knight obstructs the open file.})) 24... Ra5
{[%cal Yc7c5]} 25. h4 Kf8 26. Rc3 c6 (26... c5 27. Rbc1 (27. Nd3 c4 28. Nc5 b5
29. a4 bxa4 30. Rxc4 Rc7 $132 {[%csl Ga4]}) 27... b6 28. a3 f6 $5 {/\} 29. Nd3
c4 $132) 27. Bd1 $5 {[%cal Yd1b3,Yb4d3] The manoeuvring continues, the bishop
will protect a2 and free the knight.} Ke7 (27... c5 $6 28. Nd3 c4 29. a4 $1 b5
(29... Bxa4 30. Bxa4 Rxa4 31. Nc5 $36 {[%csl Rb7][%cal Yc3c4]}) 30. axb5 Bxb5
31. Bf3 $14 {/+/-}) (27... f6 $5 28. Bb3 Bg6) 28. Bb3 c5 $5 {Aronian finally
decides to clarify the position.} 29. Nd3 b6 30. dxc5 (30. Bc2 Rb5 31. dxc5
Rxb1+ 32. Bxb1 Bb5 $11) 30... bxc5 (30... Bb5 $5 31. Bc4 Bxc4 32. Rxc4 bxc5 33.
a4 Rc7 {is probably a more reliable way to neutralise the pressure. The
distant passed pawn is under sufficient control.}) 31. f3 (31. Rbc1 Nb7 {
[%cal Ye8a4]} 32. e4 {is similar.}) 31... Rc7 32. e4 Nb7 33. Rbc1 Ba4 (33... f6
34. e5 Bg6 35. Nf4 Bf7) 34. e5 $1 {() The difference in comparison with the
note to move 30 is here the bishop swap will take place on b3, enabling the
Pb3 to join the attack on the vulnerable Pc5. However, Black's position is
still defensible...} Rc6 (34... Bxb3 $142 35. axb3 Ra3 36. b4 (36. Kf2 Rd7 37.
Ke3 Rd5 $11) 36... Rxc3 37. Rxc3 Kd7 38. bxc5 Kc6 $11 {[%cal Yc6b5]}) (34... g6
{also deserves attention, Black prevents further space gains.}) 35. Kh2 Rb6 36.
h5 $1 $36 {[%csl Rg7] Fixes a weakness and continues the fight.} (36. Bxa4 Rxa4
37. Nxc5 Nxc5 38. Rxc5 Rxh4+ 39. Kg3 Rd4 $11) 36... Bxb3 (36... f6 $142 $5 37.
Nb2 (37. Bc4 Bc6 $14) 37... Bxb3 38. axb3 $14) 37. axb3 {[%cal Rb3b4]} Kd7 $2 {
This doesn't stop White's main threat.} (37... Rab5 $142 {still retains
reasonable drawing chances:} 38. Nxc5 (38. b4 cxb4 39. Nxb4 (39. Rc8 $2 Rd5 $17
) (39. Rc7+ Ke8 40. Rc8+ Nd8 41. Nxb4 Rxe5 $15) 39... Rxb4 40. Rc7+ Ke8 41.
Rc8+ Nd8 42. Rd1 Ke7 43. Rcxd8 Rb7 $11) 38... Nxc5 39. Rxc5 Rb7 $5 (39... Rxc5
40. Rxc5 Rb7 $1 $14 (40... Rxb3 41. Rc7+ Kf8 42. Rc8+ Ke7 43. Rg8 {[%csl Rg7,
Rh6]} Rb5 44. f4 f6 45. Rxg7+ Kf8 46. Rh7 fxe5 47. fxe5 Rxe5 48. g4 $18 (48.
Rxh6 $2 Rg5 49. Kh3 Kg7 $11))) 40. R1c3 f6 $14) (37... f6 $2 38. b4 cxb4 39.
Rc7+ Ke8 40. Rxg7 $18) 38. b4 $1 cxb4 (38... Rab5 39. bxc5 Rc6 40. Rc4 $16 {
[%cal Yc4g4]}) 39. Rc8 {[%cal Rc1c7]} Nd8 40. R1c7+ Ke8 41. Nc5 {[%cal Rc7d7]}
Rxc5 $8 {Bitter, but true - Black must give up an exchange to stave off the
mating attack.} 42. Rxc5 b3 43. Rc1 Kd7 (43... b2 $6 44. Rd1 Ke7 45. Rcxd8 Rb7
46. Rg8 b1=Q 47. Rxb1 Rxb1 48. Rxg7 $18 {[%csl Rh6][%cal Rg7h7]}) 44. R8c7+ Ke8
45. Rc8 ({Topalov probably spurned} 45. R7c3 {due to} Rb5 (45... b2 46. Rb1 Nc6
47. f4 $18) 46. f4 f6 $16) 45... Kd7 46. R8c3 Ke7 (46... Rb5 47. Rd1+ Ke7 48.
Rc7+ Ke8 49. Rc8 Rd5 50. Rxd5 exd5 51. Rb8 $18) ({A more resilient try was} 
46... Nc6 $142 $5 47. f4 f6 $16) 47. Rd3 (47. Rb1 $1 Nc6 48. f4 Nd4 49. Rc7+
Ke8 50. Ra1 Rb8 51. Raa7 Nb5 (51... b2 52. Re7+ Kd8 53. Rxf7 Ke8 54. Rxg7 Kf8
55. Rh7 Kg8 56. Rag7+ Kf8 57. Rh8+ $18) 52. Rab7 Rxb7 53. Rxb7 Nd4 54. Rb4 Ne2
55. Rb8+ Ke7 56. Rb7+ Kf8 57. g3 Nc1 58. Kg2 $18 {[%cal Yg2f3,Yf3e3,Ye3d2]}) (
47. f4 $5 {leads to the game position.}) 47... Nb7 (47... Nc6 $142 48. Rd6 b2
49. Rb1 f6 $16) 48. Rdc3 Nd8 49. f4 $5 (49. Rb1 $1 $18 {-47.Rb1!}) 49... f6 (
49... b2 50. Rb1 {[%cal Yc3c2,Yc2b2]} f6 51. Rc7+ Ke8 52. exf6 (52. Rxg7 $2
fxe5 {/\} 53. fxe5 Nf7) 52... gxf6 53. Rc2 Rb5 54. g4 Rb4 55. Rf2 $18 {and
White will gradually win.}) 50. Rc7+ Ke8 (50... Kf8 51. Rc8 b2 52. Rb1 $18 {
- 49...b2}) 51. Rxg7 $1 fxe5 (51... Nc6 52. exf6 b2 53. Rb1 Nd4 54. g4 $1 $18 {
[%cal Rg4g5] /\} Nf3+ (54... Nc2 55. Rd1 $1 $18) 55. Kg2 Nd2 56. g5 Nxb1 57. g6
$18 {[%cal Rg7e7,Rg6g7]}) 52. Rcc7 $18 {[%cal Rg7g8] The mating attack trumps
the passed pawn and the rest is simple and straightforward.} Kf8 53. Rh7 Kg8 $8
54. Rcg7+ Kf8 55. Rd7 Kg8 56. Rxh6 Nf7 (56... b2 57. Rxd8+ Kg7 (57... Kf7 58.
Rh7+ Kf6 59. Rf8#) 58. Rg6+ Kf7 (58... Kh7 59. Rd7+ Kh8 60. f5 $1 b1=Q 61. Rh6+
Kg8 62. f6 $18 {[%cal Rf6f7,Rd7g7]}) 59. Rd7+ Ke8 (59... Kf8 60. h6 b1=Q 61. h7
$18) 60. Rc7 Kf8 61. h6 b1=Q 62. h7 $18) 57. Rg6+ Kh8 58. Rf6 $1 (58. Rf6 b2
59. Rfxf7 Kg8 60. h6 Rb8 (60... b1=Q 61. Rg7+ Kf8 62. Rd8#) 61. Rh7 b1=Q 62.
Rdg7+ Kf8 63. Rh8#) 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.21"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Illingworth,M"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 $5 {[%cal Yd2d4] It is hard to 'outbook' Caruana
these days, so Aronian doesn't try to, preferring modest play to get some
strategic middlegame. It worked in that Caruana at least started to think a
little from here.} (3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. d4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. Bf4 {
1-0 (58) Aronian,L (2812)-Caruana,F (2782) Wijk aan Zee 2014 CBM 159 
[Krasenkow,M]}) 3... e6 (3... d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 {looks quite critical, when
White could transpose to normal Symmetrical lines with Nc3, but there are
alternatives such as} 5. Bc4 $5 (5. d4 $5 cxd4 6. Bc4 $5 $146 Nb6 7. Bb3 Nc6 8.
exd4 {provides an unusual IQP position, when Black shouldn't get too ambitious,
e.g.} Bf5 9. d5 Nb4 10. O-O N4xd5 11. a4 (11. Nd4 Bxb1 $1 12. Rxb1 e6 $11)
11... a5 12. Nd4 {[%csl Yb5]} Bg6 13. Bg5 f6 14. Bd2 e5 15. Ne6 Qd7 16. Nxf8
Kxf8 17. Qf3 $44 {[%csl Rf8][%cal Yb3g8,Yf1d1,Yb1c3] and with the bishop pair,
better development and a weak enemy king for the pawn, I'd prefer White's
chances.}) 5... e6 (5... Nb6 6. Bb3 c4 $5 7. Bxc4 Nxc4 8. Qa4+ Nc6 9. Qxc4 e5
10. Nc3 Bd6 11. O-O O-O 12. d4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Qc7 {[%csl Ra1,Rc1,
Yc8,Yd6] gives Black reasonable Marshall-style compensation for the pawn, but
this won't be to everyone's liking.}) 6. O-O Be7 7. d4 cxd4 8. exd4 O-O 9. Nc3
Nc6 {transposing to a line of the Panov-Botvinnik Attack.}) (3... g6 $5 4. Nc3
Bg7 5. d4 (5. Be2 O-O 6. O-O d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Qb3 {is another option, with a
possible transposition to a Symmetrical English line after} Nxc3 9. bxc3 Nc6
10. d4) 5... cxd4 6. exd4 d5 {transposes to a nice reversed colours Tarrasch ,
when trying to be creative with} 7. Bg5 O-O 8. Bxf6 Bxf6 9. cxd5 {sees Black
obtain full compensation after} e6 $5) (3... Nc6 4. Nc3 (4. d4 cxd4 5. exd4 d5
6. Nc3 Bg4 {is a major variation of the Panov-Botvinnik, known to be fine for
Black.}) 4... e6 (4... e5 5. d4 {transposes to a very serious line of the
Symmetrical with 2...Nc6 3.Nc3 e5.}) 5. d4 d5 {would be one way to transpose
to the Semi-Tarrasch while avoiding Aronian's 5.cxd5/6.Bb5 system played in
the game.}) 4. d4 {Once again play is quite likely to transpose to another
opening from here.} d5 (4... cxd4 5. exd4 d5 6. Nc3 {for example transposes to
the Panov-Botvinnik main lines.} (6. a3 $5 {is an interesting fresh try, but
Black should be fine after} Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. c5 {[%csl Ya3][%cal Yb2b4]} Ne4
9. Qc2 f5 10. b4 Bf6 11. Bd3 Nc6 $11 {1-0 (38) Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2603)
-Peralta,F (2601) Arinsal 2011})) (4... a6 $5 {is an interesting move order
device for trying to avoid the 5.cxd5 variation.} 5. a3 $5 {White can also
play the waiting game!} (5. Nc3 d5 {[%cal Rf1b5] is Black's point.}) 5... d5 (
5... b6 $5 {would be a curious response, with the point that the standard
answer to ...b6 (d4-d5) would now allow Black to play ...b5, e.g.} 6. d5 exd5
7. cxd5 b5 8. Nc3 d6 9. e4 g6 10. h3 Bg7 11. Bd3 O-O 12. O-O {and we
transposed to a line of the Modern Benoni.}) 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. b4 Be7 8. Bb2 O-O
9. Nbd2 {and while it would be a stretch to claim White is better, his
position is quite harmonious, in the style of the Meran.}) 5. cxd5 {This is a
very safe system I played twice in 2009.} (5. Nc3 Nc6 6. a3 {is what Aronian
had opted for in a few previous games, e.g.} a6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. b4 Ba7 9. Bb2
O-O 10. Qc2 Qe7 11. Rd1 Rd8 12. Be2 d4 13. exd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 15. O-O e5
16. Na4 {1-0 (59) Aronian,L (2808)-Anand,V (2817) Monte Carlo 2011 CBM 142 
[Marin,M]}) 5... exd5 6. Bb5+ Bd7 (6... Nbd7 {is the engine's suggestion, but
it feels a bit unnatural to block the bishop in and after} 7. Nc3 a6 8. Be2 Be7
9. O-O O-O 10. b3 $5 b5 11. dxc5 Nxc5 12. Bb2 {I'd find it easier to play
White, though objectively it must be equal after} Bb7 $11) (6... Nc6 7. O-O Bd6
{is more combative, but again White has a harmonious setup after} 8. dxc5 Bxc5
9. b3 O-O 10. Bb2 {[%csl Yd4]} Bg4 11. Bxc6 (11. h3 $6 Bh5 {[%cal Gh5g6,Gb5c6,
Gb7c6] only helps Black in my view; White will usually take on c6 in such
positions, and then ...Bh5-g6 will be a very standard plan.}) 11... bxc6 12.
Nbd2 {1-0 (65) Zhou,J (2578)-Adhiban,B (2646) Hyderabad 2015} Rc8 13. Qc2 Nd7
14. Ne5 Nxe5 15. Qxc5 Nd3 16. Qd4 Nxb2 17. Qxg4 c5 {[%cal Gb2d3] and the
position is equal.}) 7. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 8. dxc5 Nxc5 (8... Bxc5 9. O-O O-O 10. Nc3
Nb6 11. b3 $14 {[%csl Rb6][%cal Yb3c4] leaves the b6-knight sorely misplaced.})
9. O-O Be7 (9... Bd6 {is playable, but after} 10. Bd2 (10. b3 O-O 11. Bb2 {
is more conventional.}) 10... O-O 11. Bc3 Nfe4 12. Bd4 {White has scored well
in practice, though Black is not objectively worse after} Rc8 13. Nc3 Ne6 $11)
10. Nc3 {Aronian was also beginning to think at this point.} ({Also quite a
valid approach is} 10. Bd2 O-O 11. Bc3 (11. Bb4 Nce4 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 $11) 11...
Nfe4 12. Bd4 Ne6 (12... Rc8 $142 13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. Bxc3 Ne4 $11) 13. Nc3 Nxd4
14. Nxd4 Nxc3 15. bxc3 Qd7 16. Qb3 Rac8 17. Rfd1 Rc5 18. Rd3 $14 {[%csl Rd5]
[%cal Ya1d1,Yd4e2,Ye2f4] ½-½ (31) Hirneise,T (2440)-Nisipeanu,L (2674)
Germany 2013, was close to equal, but clearly White is pressing.}) 10... O-O
11. b3 Nce4 {Black's most common and natural move.} (11... Qa5 $6 {1/2-1/2 (55)
Illingworth,M (2250)-Mastrovasilis,D (2580) Queenstown 2009} 12. Nxd5 Nxd5 13.
Qxd5 Rfd8 14. Qc4 b5 15. Qc2 Rac8 16. Qb1 $1 {doesn't give Black a lot for the
pawn.}) (11... Rc8 12. Bb2 Re8 13. Ne2 Qa5 14. a3 Qb5 15. Nfd4 Qd7 16. Rc1 Bd6
17. Nf4 Bxf4 (17... Be5 $5) 18. exf4 $14 {[%csl Yd4][%cal Yf2f3,Yd1d2,Yb3b4,
Yf4f5] also gives White room to press for some time.}) 12. Ne2 (12. Bb2 Qa5 ({
or} 12... Rc8 13. Ne2) 13. Ne2 {transposes to the game.}) 12... Qa5 (12... Rc8
13. Bb2 Re8 14. Rc1 Qa5 {1/2-1/2 (41) Javakhishvili,L (2475)-Zhukova,N (2427)
Porto Carras 2011} 15. a4 $5 Bb4 16. h3 $14 {[%cal Ye2f4,Yf3d4] is more
pleasant for White on account of his superior structure.}) 13. Bb2 Ba3 {
In general Black wants to avoid exchanging minor pieces when saddled with the
IQP.} (13... Rfe8 14. Nfd4 Bd6 15. f3 Nc5 16. Nf5 Be5 17. Ned4 $14 {[%csl Rc5,
Yd4,Yf5,Rf6][%cal Yf5e3] is White's dream position; Black's knights don't have
any good squares and White can steadily build up the pressure against and
around the IQP.}) ({The most common} 13... Rac8 {should be met with} 14. Nfd4
$1 Ba3 15. Bxa3 Qxa3 16. f3 Ng5 17. Qd2 Ne6 18. Rac1 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 a6 20. Rc3
$1 Rxc3 21. Qxc3 $14 {[%csl Rd5,Rf6][%cal Yc3c8] ½-½ (34) Khenkin,I (2595)
-Luther,T (2569) Osterburg 2006, and White had a very stable advantage.}) 14.
Bxa3 Qxa3 15. Qc1 $1 {Here the queen exchange makes sense as if Black takes,
White will get pressure down the open file.} (15. Nf4 Nc3 16. Qd2 Rfc8 17. Nd4
{is also better for White, but there's no real need to allow the knight to c3,
even if it doesn't threaten anything from there.}) 15... Qa6 {Caruana spent
some time on this move, although the choice of queen retreat doesn't alter the
stable nature of the position.} (15... Qxc1 $6 16. Raxc1 Rac8 17. Nfd4 $16 {
[%cal Yd4f5,Yf5e7,Gf2f3,Gf5d6] gives White ideas of Nf5 and Nf4 to harass
Black.}) ({A model game for White went} 15... Qd6 16. Qb2 Rac8 17. h3 (17. Nf4
$5) 17... Rc5 18. Rac1 Rfc8 19. Nfd4 Qd7 (19... g6 $142 {was a preferable way
to cover the f5-square, but White is still clearly for choice.}) 20. Rxc5 Rxc5
21. Rc1 Qc8 22. Rxc5 Qxc5 23. f3 Nd6 24. Kf2 $16 {[%cal Ye2f4,Yg2g4,Yh3h4] 1-0
(37) Tregubov,P (2599)-Grishchenko,S (2498) Sochi 2012, and White had an ideal
position.}) 16. Qb2 Rac8 17. Nfd4 Rc7 {We've already seen from the
illustrative games that the exchange of rooks doesn't really improve Black's
drawing chances here (contrary to the majority of IQP positions), so} (17...
Nc5 $5 {readying ...Nd3 was a worthy alternative. Even so, White is definitely
better after} 18. Rad1 g6 (18... Nd3 $2 19. Qd2) 19. Nf4 $36 {and Black had to
slightly weaken his king to prevent Nf5. White has full control of the
position.}) 18. Rac1 {The most natural move by far.} (18. f3 Nc5 {[%cal Rc5d3]
makes it harder to challenge for the c-file, although} 19. Qd2 $1 {is
naturally still promising for White.}) (18. a4 $5 {[%cal Yd4b5,Rb5a7] is
suggested by the computers to prepare Nb5, however it's quite abstract to put
this long-term pressure on a7.}) 18... Rfc8 $6 (18... Nc5 {makes sense given
the position of White's major pieces. Then} 19. Qa1 Rfc8 20. h3 Nd3 21. Rxc7
Rxc7 22. Rd1 {would be a natural way to improve White's position.}) 19. a4 {
White wants to make Black trade rooks, but} (19. Rxc7 $142 Rxc7 20. Rc1 {
à la Tregubov would be my slight preference. The difference to the game is
that after} Qb6 21. Rxc7 Qxc7 22. f3 Nd6 23. Nf4 {[%csl Ya2,Yb3][%cal Yh2h4,
Yg2g4] White doesn't have to fear counterplay against b3 as in the game. Next
up he will expand on the kingside with g4 and h4, and Black will have a very
hard time of things.}) 19... Qb6 20. Nb5 (20. Rxc7 Rxc7 21. Rc1 {was still
possible, though now Black has extra options such as} Ng4 $5) 20... Rxc1 {
In this particular case, with b3 weakened I think the exchange of rooks is
worth going for.} 21. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 22. Qxc1 g6 23. f3 Nc5 24. Qc3 $14 {White is
still better, but the pressure on b3 really limits his options compared to
what he could have had.} a6 25. Nbd4 Qd6 (25... Qc7 26. Nf5 $6 gxf5 27. Qxf6
Qa5 $1 {gives Black counterplay, but of course there's no need to go crazy in
such a position.}) 26. h4 (26. Nf4 {will probably come to the same sort of
thing.}) 26... b6 $1 {[%cal Ya6a5] Caruana defends strongly with his plan of
fixing the queenside pawns.} 27. g3 (27. Nf4 a5 28. g4 {[%cal Rd6g3,Rd6h2] is
more ambitious, but I guess Aronian was concerned his king would be vulnerable
to perpetual checks later if he moved his pawns too far.}) 27... a5 $1 {
[%csl Ya4,Ya5,Yb3,Yb6] Black has handled the position well and should be fine
as White lacks a great pawn break, though naturally only White can win such a
position.} 28. Nb5 Qe7 29. Nf4 {White doesn't have any real threat in this
position, but he can try different setups. Also it's worth noting that Caruana
was experiencing some time pressure.} h6 {Probably the best defence, so that ..
.g5-g4 becomes an aggressive option later if White dawdles too much.} 30. Nd4
Qe5 31. Nfe2 {Aronian shuffles a bit in the hope of provoking a mistake in
time trouble, but he takes the strategy a little too far and loses his
advantage.} (31. g4 $1 $14 {[%csl Rh6][%cal Yh4h5,Rg6g5,Rd4f5] is best to play
for h5 and fixing h6 as a target.}) 31... Nfd7 (31... Ne8 $1 {with ideas of ...
Nd6-f5 was even better, but the text is also okay.}) 32. Kg2 Kh7 33. Nf4 g5 $1
{[%csl Ye4][%cal Yg5g4] This is very well timed, otherwise White could play g4
and h5 and actually make some progress.} 34. hxg5 (34. Nfe2 {would prevent
Caruana's idea in the game of} g4 $6 (34... gxh4 35. gxh4 Nf8 $11 {is also
normal and fine.}) 35. Qc2+ Kg8 36. fxg4 Nf6 (36... Qxe3 $2 37. Nf5) 37. Qf5
Qe4+ $1 38. Qxe4 dxe4 {but White has some winning chances in this knight
endgame after} 39. Nf4 Nxg4 40. Nd5 Nd7 41. Nf5 $1 $16 {and both Black's
knights are bound up, in turn tying up the Black king.}) 34... hxg5 35. Nh5 g4
$1 {Now this is an effective liquidator.} 36. fxg4 (36. Qc2+ $2 Kg8 37. fxg4
Qxe3 {now doesn't work for White as Nf5 doesn't hit a pawn on h6.}) 36... Qe4+
37. Nf3 ({Clearly not} 37. Kh3 $4 Qh1#) 37... Qxg4 38. Nf6+ Nxf6 39. Qxf6 {
Now the game should be a draw, but with no time on the clock Caruana thinks he
sees a way to instantly force a draw...} Qxg3+ $2 {Winning a pawn, but the
white pieces will be far too active in the resulting ending.} (39... Qg6 {
[%cal Rc5b3,Rg6c2] was simple and good, when ideas of ...Qc2 and ...Nxb3 mean
that White will probably press the bail-out option with} 40. Qh4+ Kg8 41. Qd8+
Kg7 42. Qxd5 Qc2+ 43. Nd2 Nxb3 44. Qg5+ $11 {, or any other normal way.}) 40.
Kxg3 Ne4+ 41. Kf4 Nxf6 42. Ke5 $18 {[%csl Ye5,Yf3,Rf6,Rh7][%cal Ye5d6,Yd6c6,
Yc6b6] White is winning as his king is far more active and his pieces will
simply mop up Black's pawns.} Kg6 (42... Kg7 43. Kd6 Kg6 44. Nd4 {merely
leaves Black a tempo down on the game.}) (42... Ng4+ 43. Kxd5 Nxe3+ 44. Kc6 Kg6
({or} 44... Nc2 45. Kxb6 Na1 46. Nd4) 45. Kxb6 Kf5 46. Kxa5 Kf4 47. Nd2 $18 {
is a very straightforward win, as White is a pawn up and his passers are
faster.}) 43. Nd4 {Black's pieces are simply dominated, as he can't afford to
allow the white king to c6, taking all his pawns, and yet he's powerless to
stop it.} Kg5 (43... Ng4+ 44. Kxd5 Nxe3+ ({or} 44... Kf6 45. Kc6 Ke5 46. Kxb6
Ke4 47. Kxa5 Nxe3 48. Ne2 $1 Kd3 (48... Nd5 49. b4 Ke3 50. Ng1 Kf2 51. Nh3+ Kg3
52. Ng5 f5 53. b5 $18) 49. Nf4+ Ke4 50. Nh5 $18 {[%csl Re4][%cal Yh5f4]}) 45.
Kc6 Kf6 46. Kxb6 Ke5 47. Ne2 f5 48. Kxa5 {and Black can't do anything with his
passed pawn, e.g.} f4 49. Nxf4 Kxf4 50. Kb5 $1 Ke5 51. a5 Kd6 52. Kb6 Nd5+ 53.
Kb7 Nb4 54. a6 Nc6 55. b4 $18) 44. Kd6 Ng4 (44... Kg4 45. Kc6 Kg3 46. Kxb6 Kf2
47. Nc2 Ke2 48. Kxa5 Kd2 49. Nb4 Kxe3 50. Kb5 {gives White a game-winning
a-pawn.}) 45. Nc2 $1 {The only move. Now White can collect Black's queenside
pawns.} Kf5 (45... Kf6 46. Kxd5 Kf5 47. Nd4+ (47. Kc6 Ke4 48. Kxb6 Nxe3 49.
Nxe3 Kxe3 50. Kxa5 f5 51. b4 f4 52. b5 f3 53. b6 f2 54. b7 f1=Q 55. b8=Q {
is known to be a draw.}) 47... Kf6 48. Kc6 {transposes to the 43...Ng4 note.})
(45... f6 46. Kxd5 Ne5 47. Nd4 $1 Kg4 48. Kd6 Nf3 49. Kc7 f5 50. Kxb6 Nxd4 51.
exd4 f4 52. d5 f3 53. d6 f2 54. d7 f1=Q 55. d8=Q $18 {is a winning endgame for
White.}) 46. Kxd5 Nf6+ (46... Ne5 47. Nd4+ Kf6 48. Kd6 {is also winning.}) 47.
Kc6 Ke4 48. Kxb6 Kd3 (48... Nd5+ 49. Kxa5 Nxe3 50. Nxe3 Kxe3 51. Kb4 $1 f5 52.
a5 f4 53. a6 f3 54. a7 f2 55. a8=Q f1=Q 56. Qa7+ {[%cal Ya7b7,Yb7b6,Yb6c6,
Yc6c5] wins for White who will eventually force the queens off the board using
the 'staircase' method:} Ke4 57. Qb7+ Kd4 58. Qb6+ Ke4 59. Qc6+ Ke5 60. Qb5+
$18) 49. Ne1+ $2 {This natural move actually throws away the win, whereas} (49.
Nb4+ $1 {just wins after} Kc3 (49... axb4 50. Kc6 $1 $18 {[%csl Yd5,Yd7,Rf6]
stops Black's pieces approaching the a-pawn.}) ({else} 49... Kxe3 50. Kxa5 Nd7
51. Kb5 {and White will have Nd5 when Black's pawn reaches f4.}) 50. Kxa5 Kxb3
51. Kb5 {and Black fails to save himself as} Ne4 52. Nd5 $1 Nd6+ 53. Kc6 Nc4
54. Kc5 $1 Na5 55. Kb5 Nc4 56. a5 $18 {demonstrates.}) 49... Kxe3 50. Kxa5 Kd2
$2 {The decisive mistake; Caruana had probably written off the game as dead
lost, but actually} (50... Ke2 $2 51. Nc2 Kd2 52. Nb4 Kc3 53. Kb5 Kxb3 54. a5
$18) (50... Nd5 $1 {[%cal Ye3e2,Ye3d4] offers an unlikely draw after} 51. b4 ({
or} 51. Kb5 Kd4 52. a5 Kc3 53. Ka4 Nc7 $11 {[%csl Ya6,Yb5]}) 51... Ke2 52. Ng2
Kf3 53. b5 (53. Nh4+ Kg4 {[%csl Rg6]}) 53... Kxg2 54. b6 Nxb6 55. Kxb6 f5 56.
a5 f4 57. a6 f3 58. a7 f2 59. a8=Q+ Kg1 $11) 51. Nf3+ Kc3 52. b4 $18 {Now it
really is decided.} Nd5 53. b5 Kb3 54. Ne5 f5 55. Nd7 Ne3 (55... f4 56. b6 Nxb6
57. Nxb6 f3 58. Nd5 $18 {[%cal Yd5e3]}) 56. b6 Nc4+ 57. Kb5 Nd6+ 58. Kc6 Nc4
59. Kc5 Na5 60. Kb5 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Nbd7 11. Bxf6 Qxc3+ 12. Kf1 gxf6 13. h4 a6 14.
Rh3 Qb4 15. Be2 Ne5 16. Rb1 Qd6 17. Qd2 Bd7 18. Rxb7 Bb5 19. Rb3 Rc8 20. Bxb5+
axb5 21. Qb4 Qxb4 22. Rxb4 O-O 23. R7xb5 Rfd8 24. Ke2 Kg7 25. Ra4 Ra8 26. Rbb4
Rdb8 27. Nb3 Rxb4 28. Rxb4 Rxa2+ 29. Nd2 Kg6 30. g3 h5 31. Rd4 f5 32. exf5+
Kxf5 33. Rf4+ Kg6 34. Rd4 Kf5 35. Rf4+ Kg6 36. Rd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O e4 7. Ng5 Bxc3 8.
bxc3 Re8 9. f3 exf3 10. Nxf3 Qe7 11. e3 Ne5 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. Rb1 Rb8 14. Rb5
Qe7 15. d3 d6 16. e4 Bg4 17. Bf3 Bh3 18. Bg2 Bg4 19. Bf3 Bh3 20. Bg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2876"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 (
8. a4) ({and} 8. a3 {are the other main variations.}) 8... O-O 9. Re1 Na5 10.
Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 Nc6 (11... Re8 {is also common.}) 12. Nf1 h6 13. Ne3 {A
logical plan by Carlsen. He would like to control the important d5-square.} (
13. Ng3 {is the other setup.}) 13... Re8 14. a4 Be6 15. d4 ({Last year Adams
played} 15. h3 Bf8 16. Nh2 b4 17. Bb3 Rb8 18. Bc4 bxc3 19. bxc3 d5 20. Bxa6 Qa5
21. Bb5 (21. c4 $6 {A very smart move, but it is too much.} Qxa6 22. exd5 Bxd5
23. cxd5 Nb4 24. Ra3 Nfxd5 $17 {Adams-Caruana, London 2014, and Black has a
wonderful middlegame.}) 21... Rxb5 22. exd5 Nxd5 23. Nc4 Qa8 24. axb5 Qxa1 25.
bxc6 f6 $15 {and Black looks nicely placed too.}) 15... exd4 16. cxd4 Nb4 $146
{Aronian improves on the game which he played 12 years ago.} (16... Nxd4 17.
Nxd4 cxd4 18. Qxd4 Nd7 19. axb5 axb5 20. Bd2 Bf6 (20... Qb6 $5) 21. Qxd6 Rxa1
22. Rxa1 Bxb2 23. Rb1 Be5 24. Qd3 Qc7 25. Nd5 Bxd5 26. exd5 Nf6 27. g3 $14 {
J.Polgar-Aronian, Hoogeveen 2003, with a comfortable position for White.}) 17.
Bb1 bxa4 18. Rxa4 Bf8 19. Ra1 d5 $1 {A typical break-through in this type of
position.} 20. e5 Ne4 21. h3 Qb6 $6 {This is a slight inaccuracy, after which
White can win a P. Nevertheless Black will have some compensation for it, but
he will be fighting for equaliity.} ({After the natural} 21... Rc8 {Black
looks completely fine.}) 22. Nxd5 $1 Bxd5 23. Bxe4 Rad8 24. Bxd5 Rxd5 25. Be3
Red8 26. dxc5 Bxc5 27. Qb3 Bxe3 28. Rxe3 a5 {The previous moves were forced;
Carlsen is a P up, but Black's pieces are powerful.} 29. e6 $5 {Carlsen gives
back the P, and in doing so he creates a weakness in Black's position.} fxe6
30. Rae1 R8d6 31. Rc1 Nd3 $2 {A mistake, which allows a strong attack for
White!} (31... Rd3 $1 $11 {was the easiest reply to simplify the position and
Black doesn't have any problem.}) 32. Rc8+ Kh7 33. Qa4 $1 {A nice
repositioning of the Q. From here the Q can threaten the K with Qe8 and it
also has access to e4 with lethal checks.} Qxb2 $2 {This was an attractive
move, because of the Q attack on f2, and moreover he takes a P. Nevertheless
this is a decisive mistake.} (33... Nb4 {was correct to avoid the Qe4,} 34. Qe8
Rd1+ 35. Kh2 Rd8 36. Rxd8 Rxd8 37. Qh5 Qc7+ {and still Black can hold his
position.}) 34. Qe4+ Rf5 35. Kh2 $3 {What an excellent cool-headed move! White
avoids ...Qxf2+ and is threatening Nh4.} ({The immediate} 35. Nh4 $4 {was bad,
as} Qxf2+ 36. Kh2 Qf4+ $19 {and suddenly Black wins.}) 35... Nf4 {The best
practical chance.} (35... Qxf2 $2 {did not work because of} 36. Rxd3 $18) ({and
} 35... Nxf2 {is also losing, after} 36. Qa8 $1 $18 {with a decisive attack.})
36. Rc2 $4 {A big mistake probably in time trouble.} ({He should simply
continue the original threat with} 36. Nh4 Qxf2 37. Rg3 $1 (37. Nxf5 exf5 38.
Qxf5+ $2 Rg6 $1 {and suddenly Black has an attack on the g-file.}) 37... Rdd5
38. Nxf5 Rxf5 39. Rc7 $18 {and White is winning.}) 36... Qa1 $4 {A huge error
in reply! This move is completely based on an oversight.} (36... Qb4 37. Rc4
Qb8 {is very similar to 36...Qb8!}) (36... Qb8 $1 {was the strongest
continuation,} 37. g3 (37. g4 $2 Ng6 $1 38. gxf5 exf5 $1 $19 {and there isn't
a safe square for the white Q, because the R will win it with a discovered
check.}) (37. Nh4 Rd4 $1 {A very strong intermediate move!} 38. Rc8 $1 (38.
Qxd4 $2 Ne2+ $19 {and Black wins.}) 38... Qxc8 39. Qxd4 Rf6 $15) 37... Nd5 38.
Ree2 Nf6 $15 {and Black is a clear P up.}) 37. g4 $18 {Now White is clearly
winning.} Qf1 38. Ne1 {Perhaps this move was what Aronian missed when he
played 36...Qa1. Now everything is defended and Black is helpless against gxf5.
} ({The careless} 38. Nh4 $4 {loses, because of} Rd1 $19 {and suddenly it is
White who gets mated!}) 38... Nh5 39. gxf5 exf5 40. Qc4 {and Black can't avoid
the exchange of Qs, so he resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A25"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Nakamura,H"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Going into this critical last round, I was 1 point behind Topalov and 1/2 a
point behind Anand and on the same score as Giri. Having said that, Levon was
having a rather miserable event, so I felt like taking a shot to try and win.
Of course, considering my rather abysmal score against Levon with Black, I
wasn't ready to go insane, but I simply wanted to get a game.   However, I had
to also be realistic coming off an extremely disappointing draw against Maxime
Vachier-Lagrave the previous day where I missed several opportunities to win.} 
1. c4 {I was slightly surprised that Levon chose to play the English. After a
really terrible loss to Magnus Carlsen in round 8, I assumed that Levon would
try to be super solid.} e5 $1 {After move 1, I was already very happy as I had
achieved my goal of simply getting a position and playing chess!} 2. Nc3 Nc6 3.
g3 Bc5 $5 {A fairly unusual setup which isn't seen very often. The only high
level player who has used it consistently is GM Paco Vallejo.  I might add
that while I beat Paco, (see the notes to the game) I also recently had a game
in Gibraltar against Grandelius which I won, but the position was very unclear
at a certain point.} 4. Bg2 d6 5. e3 (5. a3 a6 6. e3 Nf6 7. Nge2 Ba7 8. b4 O-O
9. d3 Ne7 10. O-O c6 11. h3 Be6 12. Bb2 Qd7 13. Kh2 Ng6 14. Qd2 d5 15. c5 Rae8
$11 {1-0 (35) Nakamura,H (2776)-Grandelius,N (2602) Caleta 2015. While the
position is equal, I do prefer Black.}) 5... a6 6. Nge2 Ba7 7. a3 (7. b3 Nge7
8. Bb2 Rb8 9. d3 Bf5 10. Qd2 Qd7 11. h3 O-O 12. f4 Be6 13. d4 exd4 (13... Nf5
14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. O-O-O exd4 16. exd4 Ne7 17. g4 f5 18. g5 Bf7 19. Ng3 a5 20.
h4 a4 $1 21. Nxa4 Bxc4 22. bxc4 c5 $14 {1-0 (59) Nakamura,H (2753)-Vallejo
Pons,F (2716) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011}) 14. exd4 d5 15. c5 b6 16. cxb6 cxb6 17.
g4 f5 18. g5 b5 $13 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Ge7c8,Gc8d6,Gd6e4]}) 7... h5 $5 {A fairly
rare move, but I was inspired by the game of another Spanish GM, Anton
Guijarro.} 8. d4 (8. h4 Bg4 9. b3 Nge7 10. Bb2 Rb8 11. Qc2 Qd7 12. d3 O-O 13.
Rc1 Nd8 14. O-O Ne6 $11 {0-1 (39) Mwali,C (2250)-Anton Guijarro,D (2624)
Tromso 2014}) 8... h4 9. b4 Nge7 {The practical decision! Perhaps with deeper
and more concrete preparation 9...h3 will be playable, but it's too commital
without preparation.} (9... h3 $5 {This is also possible, but it's very
difficult to assess whether there is counterplay or the bishop on a7 is
completely dead.} 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. c5 {[%csl Ga7]} Qf6 12. Rf1 Qf3 13. Nb1
Qg2 (13... Nf6 14. Nd2 Qd5 15. f3 exd4 16. e4 Qh5 17. Nb3 $132 {Another very
difficult position to assess and one which is impossible to play over the
board.}) 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Bb2 f6 16. Nd2 Qxh2 17. f3 $1 Qg2 18. Rf2 Qh1+ 19.
Rf1 Qg2 20. Rf2 $11 {One of the weirdest repetitions I have ever seen!}) 10. c5
$5 {More or less forcing the action. As Levon himself has said on many
occasions, once you push your pawns forward, they can never go back!} Bf5 $8
11. Bb2 Qd7 12. Qb3 h3 13. Bf3 exd4 (13... d5 $5 {Also possible, but I didn't
really see how to proceed after 14. 0-0.} 14. O-O Bd3 (14... e4 15. Bh1 Bg4 16.
f3 exf3 17. Bxf3 Bxf3 18. Rxf3 f5 19. Raf1 $14 {[%cal Ga3a4,Gb4b5,Ge2f4] White
is substantially better as he has more space, all the pawn breaks and a clear
initiative on both sides of the board.}) 15. e4 $5 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 Bxf1 17. Nxd5
Nxd5 18. Nf5 Bg2 19. Bxg2 hxg2 20. Qxd5 Qxd5 21. exd5 f6 $13 {The computers
assess this as equal, but I'd prefer to be White.}) 14. Nxd4 Bg4 (14... Nxd4
15. exd4 Be6 16. Qc2 (16. d5 $2 Bg4 $1 17. Ne4 Qf5 18. Nd2 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 dxc5
$17) 16... O-O-O 17. O-O Bg4 18. Bh1 dxc5 19. dxc5 f6 {Again, this looks very
scary to a human, but the computers seem to think that it is no big deal.}) 15.
Bxg4 Qxg4 16. Nxc6 Nxc6 17. Qd1 (17. cxd6 Ne5 18. Qd5 cxd6 19. f4 Nc6 20. Qd3
O-O 21. O-O Rfe8 22. Rae1 Rad8 23. Ne4 d5 24. Ng5 Qh5 25. Bd4 Nxd4 26. exd4 Qg6
$11) 17... Qg6 (17... Qxd1+ 18. Rxd1 dxc5 19. Nd5 (19. Ne4 Kf8 20. Nxc5 Bxc5
21. bxc5 Rh5 $1 22. Rc1 Rd8 23. Ke2 Rdd5 24. a4 Kg8 25. Ba3 Rhe5 $1 $15 {
[%cal Gc6d4,Gc6a5,Ge5e4]}) 19... O-O $1 20. b5 axb5 21. Nxc7 Rad8 22. Nxb5 Bb8
23. Ke2 $14 {[%csl Gh3] White has to be slightly better in the long run as h3
is probably a weakness as opposed to a strength.}) 18. cxd6 O-O-O (18... Ne5 $6
19. d7+ Kd8 20. O-O $14) 19. Rc1 $2 {A serious error.} (19. Qb1 $8 Qh5 20. dxc7
Kxc7 21. Qe4 Rhe8 22. Qf4+ Kc8 23. Rc1 Rd3 24. Qh4 $1 Qf5 25. Qf4 $1 Qh5 $11)
19... Rxd6 {Another practical decision as the computer line after 20.Nd5 would
be impossible to find.} (19... Ne5 20. Nd5 (20. O-O Rxd6 21. Qc2 (21. Qe2 $2
Rd2 22. Qxd2 Nf3+ 23. Kh1 Nxd2 $19) 21... Qxc2 22. Rxc2 Nf3+ 23. Kh1 Rhd8 $19 {
[%csl Gf3,Gh1,Gh3]}) 20... Nd3+ 21. Kf1 Qe4 22. Ne7+ Kd7 $1 23. Rxc7+ Ke8 $1
24. Bxg7 Qg2+ 25. Ke2 Qxf2+ 26. Kxd3 Rxd6+ 27. Kc3 (27. Bd4 Bxd4 $19) 27...
Qxe3+ 28. Kc2 Qe4+ 29. Kb3 Qe6+ 30. Kc3 Rxd1 31. Rxd1 Qg4 $1 32. Kc2 Bb8 $1 33.
Rc8+ Kxe7 34. Rxh8 Qc4+ 35. Kd2 (35. Bc3 Be5 $19) 35... Qa2+ 36. Kc1 Qxa3+ 37.
Bb2 Qe3+ 38. Kc2 Qe4+ 39. Rd3 Qe2+ 40. Rd2 Qc4+ 41. Kb1 Bd6 42. Rh4 Qf1+ 43.
Kc2 Qf5+ 44. Kc1 f6 $15) 20. Qc2 Qh5 21. Qe2 Ne5 {After the game, Levon
claimed that he simply missed this move.} 22. Qxh5 Nd3+ 23. Ke2 $2 {A strange
decision.} (23. Kf1 Rxh5 24. Rc2 Bxe3 $1 {A move that I saw in my calculations
at the board during the game.} 25. Ne4 (25. fxe3 Rf5+ 26. Kg1 (26. Ke2 Rf2+ 27.
Kd1 Nxb4+ $1 28. Kc1 Rxc2+ 29. Kb1 Rdd2 30. Bc1 Rxh2 31. axb4 Rxh1 32. Kxc2
Rxc1+ 33. Kxc1 h2 $19) 26... Rdf6 $19) 25... Re6 26. fxe3 Rxe4 27. Ke2 Nxb2 28.
Rxb2 Rhe5 29. Rb3 g5 $17 {I saw this during the game, and while Black is up a
pawn and much better, I'm not sure that this is trivial at all.}) 23... Nxc1+
24. Rxc1 Rxh5 25. g4 Re5 $19 {All of the smoke has cleared and the rest is
simply technique.} 26. Rg1 Re8 27. Rg3 Bd4 28. Na4 (28. Rxh3 b5 $1 29. Rh7 (29.
Nd1 Bxb2 30. Nxb2 Red8 $19 {[%csl Gb5][%cal Gb5c4,Gb5a4,Gd6d2] Domination.})
29... f5 30. gxf5 Bf6 31. Nd1 Bxb2 32. Nxb2 Red8 33. Rxg7 Rd2+ 34. Kf3 Rxb2 $19
) 28... Bxb2 29. Nxb2 Red8 30. Nc4 Rc6 31. Ne5 Rc2+ 32. Ke1 (32. Kf3 Rdd2 33.
Rxh3 Rxf2+ 34. Kg3 (34. Ke4 Rxh2 35. Rf3 f6 $19) 34... Rg2+ 35. Kf3 Rxh2 36.
Rxh2 Rxh2 37. Nxf7 Ra2 $19) 32... f6 33. Nf3 Rh8 34. g5 Ra2 35. Nd4 Rxa3 36.
Ne6 (36. g6 Ra1+ 37. Ke2 Rh1 38. Nf5 Rxh2 39. Nxg7 Rg2 40. Nf5 h2 41. g7 h1=Q
42. gxh8=Q+ Qxh8 43. Rxg2 Qh5+ $19) 36... Ra1+ 37. Ke2 Rh1 38. gxf6 gxf6 39.
Nf4 b6 (39... Rxh2 40. Rg1 Rg2 41. Nxg2 Rg8 42. e4 hxg2 43. f4 c5 44. bxc5 a5
45. Kf2 a4 $19 {[%cal Ga4a3,Ga3a2] This is also winning, but what's the point
when there is a cleaner way to win.}) 40. Nxh3 Rb1 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.23"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 ({After the move-order} 1... d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Bf4 Nf6 5. e3
O-O {, White has the tricky attempt} 6. a3 $5 {Maybe the best way to meet
White's idea is} b6 $5 (6... Nbd7 7. Nb5 $1 Ne8 8. Nf3 $14 {Gelfand,B (2739)
-Aronian,L (2805) Wijk aan Zee 2012/ Practice has proven this is pleasant for
White, despite the result of the game - see the notes by Marin in CBM 147.}) ({
The idea is to induce Black to go for the older} 6... c5 {line, which is
nowadays under a cloud.} {A recent example:} 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. Qc2 Qa5
10. Rd1 Be7 11. Be2 Ne4 (11... dxc4 12. Bxc4 Nh5 13. O-O Nxf4 14. exf4 g6 15.
g3 Rd8 16. Rxd8+ Qxd8 17. Rd1 $14 {Kramnik,V (2759)-Carlsen,M (2772) Dortmund
2009/ This was one of the most important games to cause the turn away from the
...c5 lines - for more detail see the notes in CBM 131.}) 12. cxd5 Nxc3 13.
Qxc3 (13. bxc3 {also deserves attention:} exd5 14. O-O Be6 (14... Bf6 15. c4 $5
$32 Be6 16. Bg5 dxc4 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Bxc4 Qc5 19. Rc1 Qxc4 20. Qxc4 Bxc4 21.
Rxc4 Rfd8 22. Rb1 Rd7 23. g3 a6 24. Kg2 $36 {[%csl Rf6,Rf7,Rh7] Giri,A (2752)
-Kasimdzhanov,R (2700) Rosmalen rpd 2014}) 15. a4 b6 16. Bd3 g6 (16... h6 $142
$5 17. Rb1 $14 {/<=>}) 17. Qe2 Bf6 18. Bb5 Rac8 19. Ng5 $1 Bf5 20. g4 Be6 21.
Nxe6 fxe6 22. Bd6 Rfd8 23. Ba6 Rxd6 24. Bxc8 Qxa4 25. e4 Ne7 26. f4 $16 {
Paredes,C (2252)-Sage,F (2339) email 2011}) 13... Qxc3+ 14. bxc3 exd5 15. Rxd5
Bxa3 16. Nd4 Nxd4 (16... a5 $5 17. Kd2 a4 $132 {might well be better, in mail
games Black has successfully defended this position.}) 17. exd4 b6 18. Kd2 Be6
$6 {is weaker, as now} (18... a6 $142 19. Bf3 (19. Ra1 Be6 20. Re5 Bd6 21. Re4
Bxf4+ 22. Rxf4 b5 23. Bf3 Ra7 24. d5 Bc8 25. c4 bxc4 26. Ra5 Bd7 27. Rxc4 Bb5
28. Rc5 Rd7 29. Ke3 $14 {/=, Bodiroga,P (2410)-Miranovic,R (2385) Sombor 2009})
19... Be6 (19... Bb7 20. Rd7 Bxf3 21. gxf3 $14) 20. Rh5 Rac8 21. Rb1 (21. Bb7
$1 Bb2 22. Bxc8 Rxc8 23. Rb1 Bxc3+ 24. Kd3 $14) 21... g6 22. Rg5 Be7 23. Rg3 b5
24. Bb7 Rcd8 25. Rd3 b4 $1 $11 {Klemettinen,P (2428)-Glorstad,T (2362) email
2011}) 19. Rb5 Bd7 20. Rb3 Be7 21. Bf3 $36 {puts Black's queenside under heavy
pressure:} Ba4 22. Rb2 Rad8 23. Ra1 b5 24. Bc6 a6 25. Bb7 Bd6 26. Be3 a5 27.
Bc6 Rb8 28. d5 Rfd8 29. Kd3 Bf8 30. Bd4 f6 31. Ke4 Bd6 32. c4 Bb4 33. Ba7 (33.
g4 $5 $16) 33... f5+ 34. Kf3 Rbc8 35. cxb5 Bxb5 36. Bxb5 Bc3 37. Rab1 Bxb2 38.
Rxb2 Rxd5 {Carlsen,M (2853)-Nakamura,H (2814) Saint Louis 2015} 39. g3 $16) 7.
Nb5 (7. g4 c5 $5 $146 8. dxc5 Bb7 9. Bg2 Nbd7 10. cxd5 bxc5 11. Nge2 Nb6 12.
O-O Nfxd5 $132 13. Qc2 {½, Ivanchuk,V (2731)-Sargissian,G (2668) WChT
Tsaghkadzor 2015}) 7... Na6 8. Nf3 Bb7 9. Qc2 c6 10. Nc3 c5 11. Rd1 cxd4 12.
Nxd4 Nc5 13. Be2 Qc8 14. O-O dxc4 15. Bxc4 a6 16. Rc1 b5 17. Ba2 Qe8 18. f3 Rc8
19. e4 Nfd7 20. Be3 Ne5 $11 {Jobava,B (2664)-Swiercz,D (2617) Abu Dhabi 2015})
2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 Ne4 {This knight
sortie has gradually become topical, not least due to Caruana's efforts. The
former more popular alternatives are currently facing some problems:} (7... Nh5
8. Bd3 Nxf4 9. exf4 b6 10. b4 a5 11. a3 c6 12. O-O Qc7 (12... Ba6 13. Bxa6 Rxa6
14. Qe2 Ra8 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. fxe5 b5 17. Rab1 axb4 18. axb4 Qd7 19. Ra1 Ra7 20.
Ra2 Rfa8 21. Rfa1 Qb7 22. Qb2 Ra6 23. g3 f5 24. exf6 Bxf6 25. Rxa6 Rxa6 26. Ne2
Qa8 27. Rxa6 Qxa6 28. Kg2 Qa8 29. Ng1 Qa4 30. Nf3 $14 {Ding Liren (2755)
-Shankland,S (2661) WChT Tsaghkadzor 2015 See the notes to this game by Mokal
in CBM 166.}) 13. g3 Ba6 14. Re1 (14. Bxa6 Rxa6 15. Qe2 Rfa8 16. b5 cxb5 17.
Nxd5 exd5 18. Qxe7 Rc8 (18... R6a7 19. Rfb1 bxc5 20. Rxb5 cxd4 21. Nxd4 Nf6 22.
Qxc7 Rxc7 23. a4 Rc4 24. Nb3 h6 25. Nxa5 Rd4 26. f5 Kh7 27. f3 Ne8 28. Nc6
Rdxa4 29. Rxa4 Rxa4 30. Rxd5 Nf6 $14 {Bacrot,E (2694)-Istratescu,A (2619)
Saint Quentin 2015/ White has some practical winning chances, but Black held
the endgame with patient defence.}) 19. Rab1 (19. c6 Nf6 20. Qxc7 Rxc7 21. Rfb1
Ne4 22. Rxb5 Nc3 23. Rb2 {Maksimenko,A (2492)-Salvetti,A (2239) Lugano 2015}
Rxc6 $11) 19... bxc5 20. Rxb5 Re6 21. Qg5 h6 22. Qxd5 Rd6 $132 {Ivanchuk,V 
(2731)-Kramnik,V (2784) WCup Tromsoe 2013}) 14... Bf6 15. Kg2 Rfb8 $5 (15...
Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Rfb8 17. h4 Qa7 18. Ne2 g6 19. Rab1 axb4 20. axb4 Qa2 21. Rec1
bxc5 22. bxc5 h5 23. Ne5 Nxe5 24. fxe5 Bg7 25. Rb6 $16 {Anand,V (2797)
-Nakamura,H (2776) Zuerich 2015 This was a big win for White, which negatively
influenced the reputation of 7...Nh5. Possibly undeservedly, as the notes by
Krasenkow in CBM 165 indicate.}) 16. Bxa6 Rxa6 17. Qd3 Ra7 $1 18. Rab1 axb4 19.
axb4 Rba8 20. Rb3 Rb7 21. Reb1 h6 $132 {/+/=, Sasikiran,K (2642)-Riazantsev,A 
(2671) Montpellier 2015}) ({Another big point for White was} 7... c6 8. Bd3 b6
(8... Nh5 $5 {can still transpose into the above line.}) 9. b4 a5 10. a3 Ba6
11. Bxa6 Rxa6 12. b5 $1 cxb5 13. c6 Qc8 14. c7 b4 15. Nb5 a4 16. Rc1 Ne4 17.
Ng5 Ndf6 18. Nxe4 Nxe4 19. f3 Ra5 20. fxe4 Rxb5 21. Qxa4 Ra5 22. Qc6 bxa3 23.
exd5 Rxd5 24. Qxb6 $16 {Anand,V (2792)-Carlsen,M (2863) WCh Sochi 2014/ In his
notes in CBM 164 Krasenkow explains the details of this complex line.}) 8. Rc1
{The text move scores well, but we'll check the alternatives as well:} (8. Nb5
$2 c6 9. Bc7 Qe8 10. Nd6 Nxd6 11. cxd6 Bd8 {[%csl Rd6] doesn't make much sense
- the advanced pawn will fall in due course.}) (8. a3 $146 {is a profound
novelty, but the point remains unclear:} Nxc3 9. bxc3 c6 $5 {[%cal Yb7b6]} (
9... b6 10. c6 Nb8 11. Qa4 (11. Bb5 a6 12. Qa4 Bd6 13. Bg3 Ra7 $1 {[%cal Ra6b5]
}) 11... a6 12. c4 Ra7 {[%cal Yb8c6] liquidates the advanced Pc6, but White
has fair compensation after} 13. Bd3 Nxc6 14. cxd5 Qxd5 15. O-O $44) 10. Qa4 $8
g5 11. Bg3 f5 12. h3 f4 13. Bh2 e5 14. Be2 e4 15. Nd2 Nxc5 $1 16. dxc5 Bxc5 17.
O-O {Here Grischuk was allegedly still following his preparation, this
position is critical:} (17. exf4 gxf4 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Qxe4 Qg5 $5 $13 {/=/+}
(19... Bf5 20. Qc4+ Qd5 21. Qxd5+ cxd5 22. Bxf4 Be4 23. Be3 $11)) 17... b5 $2 (
17... fxe3 $142 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. fxe3 (19. Qb3+ Kg7 20. Be5+ Kg6 21. fxe3 Qd5
$17) 19... Be6 20. Rxf8+ Qxf8 21. Rf1 Qe7 (21... Qe8 $5) 22. Qxe4 Re8 $36 {
Black's activity fully compensates for the weakened g5.}) 18. Qb3 Qe7 19. Kh1
Be6 20. a4 d4 21. Qd1 d3 22. Bg4 Bd5 23. axb5 cxb5 24. Nb3 fxe3 25. Nxc5 Qxc5
26. fxe3 Qxe3 27. Re1 Qf2 28. Bg1 $40 {Grischuk,A (2771)-Caruana,F (2808)
Saint Louis 2015/ Black's pawns are stopped and White's extra piece will tell,
as the Kg8 is terminally vulnerable.}) (8. Qc2 f5 (8... g5 $143 9. Bg3 f5 10.
Nxe4 $1 dxe4 11. Nd2 f4 12. Bc4 fxg3 13. hxg3 Rf6 14. Qxe4 Nf8 15. Nf3 Rg6 16.
Ne5 Rg7 17. O-O-O Qe8 18. Rh6 Ng6 19. Rdh1 $40 {Steinitz,W-Lasker,E St
Petersburg 1895/96 (4.2) 1-0 Ehlvest,J (2627)-Saidy,A (2376) Los Angeles 2000/
For a similar piece sacrifice see already}) 9. Bd3 (9. h4 c6 10. O-O-O ({
Very optimistic, solid is} 10. a3 $13) 10... Nxc3 11. Qxc3 b6 12. Ng5 (12. h5
$142 $5 bxc5 13. h6) 12... Rf6 13. b4 $2 a5 14. a3 axb4 15. axb4 bxc5 16. bxc5
Ra5 17. Kd2 e5 18. dxe5 Rg6 19. Bd3 Ra2+ 20. Ke1 Nxc5 $40 {[%csl Re1] Markos,J
(2590)-Cvek,R (2520) Slovakia 2014}) (9. Ne5 Bf6 10. Nxd7 Bxd7 11. f3 Ng5 12.
Bxg5 Bxg5 13. f4 Bf6 14. b4 g5 15. g3 Kh8 16. Be2 Rg8 17. O-O-O b6 18. Ba6 Rb8
19. Rhg1 Qe7 20. a3 Qg7 21. Ne2 c6 22. Qc3 gxf4 23. exf4 Bc8 $15 {Fressinet,L 
(2714)-Ponomariov,R (2734) Istanbul olm 2012}) (9. h3 c6 10. Be2 b6 11. cxb6
axb6 12. O-O Ba6 13. Rfc1 Nxc3 14. Bxa6 Rxa6 15. Qxc3 c5 16. a4 Qa8 17. b3 Rc8
18. Qb2 Qb7 19. Bg5 Bd6 20. Bf4 Be7 21. Bg5 Bd6 22. Bf4 Be7 {½, Khismatullin,
D (2640)-Matlakov,M (2653) Loo 2013}) 9... c6 (9... g5 $5 10. Bg3 c6 11. Ne2 b6
12. b4 a5 13. b5 Bb7 14. bxc6 Bxc6 15. cxb6 Bb4+ 16. Kf1 Qxb6 17. Bxe4 dxe4 18.
Nxg5 Rac8 19. Kg1 Bb5 20. Qd1 Bd3 21. Nf4 Bc3 22. Rc1 Bb2 23. Nxd3 Bxc1 24. Nc5
Bxe3 25. fxe3 Nxc5 26. dxc5 Rfd8 27. Qa1 Qxc5 {1/2-1/2, Lehnhoff,H (2174)
-Harding,A (2143) email 2013} 28. h4 Qxe3+ 29. Kh2 Qc3 $11 (29... Rc3 $5)) 10.
Ne5 Bf6 11. Nxd7 Bxd7 12. f3 Ng5 13. Bxg5 Bxg5 14. f4 Be7 15. a3 b6 16. b4 g5
17. g3 Kh8 $11 {/<=>, Topalov,V (2752)-Giri,A (2711) Istanbul olm 2012 The
position is very similar to Fressinet-Ponomariov above. Krasenkow's notes in
CBM 151 show Black has nothing to complain about.}) ({Perhaps the simplest and
risk-free solution is} 8. Nxe4 dxe4 9. Ne5 (9. Nd2 $6 e5 10. Bxe5 Nxe5 11. dxe5
Qd5 12. Qc2 Qxe5 13. Rc1 Bf5 14. Be2 b6 15. Nb3 a5 $36 {Volodin,A (2506)
-Ehlvest,J (2605) Tallinn rpd 2013}) 9... Nxe5 10. Bxe5 Bd7 11. Bc4 (11. Be2
Bc6 12. O-O Bf6 13. Bg3 Bh4 14. Be5 Bf6 15. b4 Bxe5 16. dxe5 a6 17. a4 Qg5 18.
b5 axb5 19. axb5 Bd5 20. Qd4 f6 21. exf6 Qxf6 22. Qxf6 gxf6 $11 {Giri,A (2745)
-Kasimdzhanov,R (2700) Tromso olm 2014}) 11... Bc6 (11... Bf6 12. Bg3 Bc6 13.
O-O (13. Qe2 $142 {transposes to Eljanov's game below.}) 13... Bh4 (13... b5 $5
14. Bb3 a5 $11) 14. Qh5 Bxg3 15. fxg3 Bd5 16. Bxd5 Qxd5 17. Qxd5 exd5 18. g4 f6
19. b4 a6 20. a4 Kf7 21. Kf2 Ke6 22. Kg3 Rf7 $11 {Salem,A (2595)-Harika,D 
(2509) Abu Dhabi 2015}) 12. Qe2 Bf6 13. Bg3 Rc8 (13... Qd7 $142 14. Rc1 b5 15.
cxb6 axb6 16. O-O $11 {/+/=}) 14. b4 Qd7 15. a4 Rfd8 16. O-O Bd5 17. Rfc1 c6
18. Bd6 Bxc4 19. Qxc4 Be7 {Eljanov,P (2718)-Andreikin,D (2718) Havana 2015} 20.
Bg3 $14 {For more details see the notes by Eljanov in CBM 167.}) (8. Bd3 f5 9.
h3 (9. Ne5 Bf6 10. Nxd7 Bxd7 11. O-O g5 12. Bxe4 gxf4 13. Bd3 fxe3 14. fxe3 Kh8
15. Ne2 c6 16. Kh1 Qe7 17. Qb3 Rab8 18. Qa4 a6 19. Qa5 Bg5 20. Qc7 Rfc8 21. Qg3
Rg8 $11 {Amanov,M (2516)-Topalov,V (2752) Istanbul olm 2012}) (9. Bxe4 $6 fxe4
10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. Bxe5 b6 12. b4 a5 13. a3 bxc5 14. bxc5 {Esen,B (2587)-Ganguly,
S (2629) Vlissingen 2012} Bf6 $1 $40 {[%cal Rc8a6]}) 9... c6 10. O-O (10. Qa4
Bf6 11. Ne2 Nexc5 12. dxc5 e5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. O-O-O Qe7 15. Qc2 a5 (15... b6
$5 $36) 16. Nd4 g6 17. Kb1 a4 18. Rc1 Bd7 19. g4 Nxd3 20. Qxd3 Qe4 $15 {
Inarkiev,E (2672)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2706) Germany 2014}) 10... b6 11. cxb6 axb6
12. a4 Ba6 13. Rc1 Nxc3 14. Rxc3 c5 15. b3 Qc8 16. Ne5 Bf6 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18.
Bxa6 Rxa6 $11 {Gajewski,G (2653)-Swiercz,D (2622) Chorzow 2013}) 8... Nxc3 9.
Rxc3 b6 10. c6 {The principled push. In the first game White bailed out with} (
10. b4 a5 11. a3 axb4 12. axb4 bxc5 13. bxc5 Nf6 14. Nd2 Nd7 {[%cal Ye6e5]} 15.
Nf3 Nf6 16. Nd2 Nd7 17. Nf3 {1/2-1/2, Anand,V (2793)-Caruana,F (2829) London
2014}) 10... Nf6 11. a3 a5 12. Bd3 (12. Rc1 Ne4 13. Qc2 Ba6 14. Bxa6 Rxa6 15.
O-O Bd6 16. Ne5 Bxe5 17. Bxe5 Ra8 18. a4 Nd6 19. h3 Rc8 20. b3 Nf5 21. Bf4 Qe7
22. Qd3 Rfd8 23. Rfd1 Re8 24. Rc3 Rcd8 25. Qc2 f6 26. e4 dxe4 27. Qxe4 Rd5 28.
Rcd3 Nh4 29. Bh2 Ng6 $11 {Salzmann,S (2103)-Sacerdotali,S (2056) email 2014
Although White has more space, Black's set-up is very solid.}) (12. Rc2 Ba6 $6
(12... Ne4 $1 {transposes to the game, as White hardly has anything better than
} 13. Bd3 {-12.Bd3}) 13. Bxa6 Rxa6 14. Ne5 a4 15. g4 $1 Ne4 16. Nd7 Re8 17. Qd3
Ra5 18. O-O Nd6 19. Bxd6 Bxd6 20. f4 $36 {()} Re7 21. f5 e5 22. f6 Rxd7 23. Qf5
$1 $18 {Vitiugov,N (2735)-Raznikov,D (2494) Caleta 2015}) 12... Ne4 13. Rc2 f6
(13... Ba6 14. Bxa6 Rxa6 15. Ne5 Bd6 16. Nd7 Bxf4 (16... Re8 $5) 17. Nxf8 Bxe3
18. Nd7 Bg5 19. Qd3 Ra8 20. a4 Nf6 21. h4 Bh6 22. Nxf6+ Qxf6 23. h5 Bg5 24. O-O
Qf4 25. Rd1 Bf6 26. g3 Qg4 27. Qe2 Qh3 28. Rc3 Be7 29. g4 Qh4 30. f4 $14 {
/=, Giri,A (2784)-Caruana,F (2820) Wijk aan Zee 2015/ White's material
advantage is minimal amd it's difficult to effectively open the position, see
the notes by Sumets in CBM 165. In the end Caruana held a draw, but after
almost 100 moves! It's not surprising he intends to deviate earlier.}) 14. Qe2
{Aronian naturally prevents Ba6, so now Black's hope to develop his Bc8 lies
with the e5 push.} Bd6 15. O-O g5 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] An double-edged push.
Although Black will later pay for the weakening of his >>, we can't judge it
solely by the result, as his play could have been improved upon (also Fabiano
repeated 7...Ne4 in Round 6 against Grischuk).} ({A less committal alternative
is} 15... Qe7 {[%cal Ye6e5]} 16. Bxd6 (16. Nd2 Nxd2 17. Bxd6 (17. Rxd2 e5 $132)
17... Qxd6 18. Rxd2 $5 (18. Qxd2 Ba6 $11 (18... e5 $5 $11)) 18... Qxc6 19. Rc2
Qd7 20. Rfc1 Ra7 21. Rc6 $44 {, but is this more than just compensation?}) ({
It's not so easy to find an alternative to the simple swap on d6, perhaps} 16.
h3 $5 e5 17. Bh2 $13 {is worth considering, Black's centre may come under
pressure.}) 16... Nxd6 17. e4 dxe4 18. Bxe4 Nxe4 ({I don't like this swap, a
more natural way seems to be} 18... Ba6 19. Bd3 Bxd3 20. Qxd3 Qf7 $14 {/<=>})
19. Qxe4 Rd8 20. Re1 Qf7 21. b4 axb4 22. axb4 Ra4 23. Rb2 Rd5 24. Qc2 Ra3 25.
Ra2 Rxa2 26. Qxa2 Rd6 27. Qa8 Qe8 28. b5 $36 {Petrosyan,T (2441)-Johannessen,L
(2517) Sitges 2015/ This game was played roughly one month earlier, with some
help from the opponent White managed to realise his plan in an ideal form -
the Bc8 remains hemmed in.}) ({This is also why Black spurns} 15... Bxf4 $2 16.
exf4 $16 {[%csl Ge5][%cal Ge1e6] - a major positional concession, which
greatly increases White's control of the centre in general, particularly the
vital e5-square.}) 16. Bxd6 (16. Bg3 e5 $5 (16... Nxg3 17. fxg3 $5 f5 18. g4
Qf6 $132) 17. Bxe4 dxe4 18. Qc4+ Rf7 $8 19. dxe5 fxe5 20. Qxe4 (20. Nd2 $5 Ba6
21. Qxe4 $44) 20... Bf5 21. Qc4 Bxc2 22. Qxc2 Qf6 $13) 16... Nxd6 17. Re1 $5 (
17. e4 dxe4 18. Bxe4 Ba6 19. Bd3 Bxd3 20. Qxd3 g4 21. Ne1 (21. Nh4 f5 22. g3
Ne4 $13 {/=/+}) 21... Nf5 22. Qe4 Kh8 $132) (17. Nd2 e5 18. e4 f5 $132 {
Aronian makes a useful preparatory move before the central confrontation.})
17... a4 {Strategically useful in the long run, as it stops the b4-b5 squeeze.
However, with a storm brewing in the centre this is hardly a critical
consideration, moreover the follow-up in move 21 will cost Black the game.} ({
Possible improvements are} 17... Re8 18. Nd2 e5 $132) ({, as well as} 17... g4
$5 18. Nd2 e5) 18. Nd2 {[%cal Ye3e4,Yf2f4]} e5 {White is ready to expand in
the centre, so Black should act first.} (18... f5 $2 19. f4 $16 {[%csl Rc8] is
too static.}) 19. e4 f5 $5 {Increasing the tension.} (19... exd4 {Aronian
intended} 20. Rcc1 $5 {and this deserves attention. A sample line is} (20. exd5
Re8 21. Qd1 Bf5 (21... Rxe1+ 22. Qxe1 Ra5 23. Nc4 Rxd5 24. Nxd6 Rxd6 25. f4 $1
gxf4 26. Re2 $44) 22. Rxe8+ Qxe8 23. Nf3 Qf7 24. Bxf5 Nxf5 25. h4 $1 h6 (25...
Qxd5 26. hxg5 fxg5 27. Nxg5 Ng7 $5 $13) 26. g4 Nd6 27. Re2 (27. Qxd4 Re8 $44)
27... Qxd5 28. Qd3 Re8 $5 {and Black should hold - for example} 29. Qg6+ Kf8
30. Qxf6+ Nf7 31. Rxe8+ Kxe8 32. hxg5 hxg5 33. Nxd4 Ne5 34. Qe6+ Qxe6 35. Nxe6
Ke7 36. Nxg5 Nxg4 37. Ne4 Ne5 38. Nc3 Nc4 39. Nxa4 Kd6 40. f4 Kxc6 $11 {
[%cal Rb6b5]}) (20. e5 fxe5 21. Qxe5 Qf6 22. Nf3 Qxe5 23. Rxe5 Bf5 $132) 20...
Re8 21. Qf3 Qe7 22. h3 Kg7 23. exd5 Qxe1+ 24. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 25. Kh2 $32 {/+/=})
20. f3 {As the struggle heats up, Aronian holds on to the centre.} (20. exd5 $6
e4 21. Bc4 Qf6 $36) (20. dxe5 Nxe4 (20... fxe4 21. exd6 exd3 22. Qxd3 Qxd6 23.
Qe3 h6 24. Nf3 $36) 21. Nb1 (21. f3 Nc5 $132) 21... Be6 $13) 20... dxe4 $2 {
Releasing the tension is a concession, in such a volatile situation this has
dire consequences.} (20... Re8 $142 $1 21. Qf2 Ra5 (21... dxe4 22. fxe4 f4 23.
Nf3 (23. dxe5 Nf7 24. Bc4 Be6 $11) 23... exd4 24. e5 Nf5 25. Rd2 $13 {/+/=})
22. exf5 Bxf5 (22... exd4 23. g4 $16 {[%csl Rc8]}) 23. Bxf5 Nxf5 24. dxe5 d4
25. f4 gxf4 (25... Ne3 26. Ne4 $1 $14) 26. Nc4 Rc5 27. Qxf4 Qh4 {Black swaps
queens and he should survive the resulting endgame after} 28. Qxh4 Nxh4 29. Re4
Ng6 30. Rxd4 Rxc6) 21. fxe4 Ra5 $6 {This is not ideal, but White already has
an advantage:} (21... Re8 22. exf5 exd4 23. Qf2 $36) ({More testing was} 21...
exd4 22. e5 Re8 23. Qh5 Nf7 24. Nf3 g4 {, when White has a choice:} {Perhaps
even more promising is} 25. Bc4 (25. Nh4 Qg5 26. Qxg5+ Nxg5 27. Nxf5 (27. Rc4
$5) 27... Bxf5 28. Bxf5 Ra5 29. Rce2 g3 30. hxg3 Rd5 $14) 25... Be6 26. Bxe6
Rxe6 27. Qxf5 Rg6 28. e6 $1 (28. Nd2 Qh4 $132) 28... Nh6 29. Qe4 gxf3 30. e7
Qe8 31. Qxf3 $44 {[%csl Ge7] /+/- The powerful o^e7 paralyzes Black and even
the engines are not too optimistic about his defensive prospects, with the
evaluation gradually growing in White's favour. However, writing this sitting
by the monitor and deciding for the piece sacrifice over the board are two
very different things!}) 22. exf5 Nxf5 (22... exd4 23. g4 $16) 23. Bc4+ $1 (23.
dxe5 $6 Nd4 24. Qh5 Bf5 {perhaps keeps an edge, but is definitely far less
convincing.} 25. Rc3) 23... Kg7 24. d5 {[%csl Ra5,Re5,Rg7][%mdl 128] Shuts off
the hapless rook and proceeds with his attack.} Re8 (24... Nd6 25. Qxe5+ Kh6 (
25... Qf6 26. Qxf6+ Rxf6 27. Ne4 Nxe4 28. Rxe4 Bf5 29. Re7+ Kf8 30. Rce2 $16)
26. h4 $16 {is maybe more resilient, but still dreary enough.}) 25. Ne4 $1 $18
{[%mdl 512] The positionally desirable moves very often work even tactically!
This sacrifice is fully correct and decides the game.} Nd4 (25... Nd6 26. Rf1
Rf8 (26... Nxc4 27. Qh5 $18) 27. Nxd6 Rxf1+ (27... Qxd6 28. Rxf8 Kxf8 29. Qf3+
Kg7 30. Rf2 $18) 28. Qxf1 cxd6 (28... Qxd6 29. Rf2 Qe7 30. d6 Qxd6 31. Rf7+ Kg6
32. Rf8 $18) 29. Rf2 $18 (29. Bd3 $5 {/\} Rxd5 30. Rf2 $18 {[%cal Rf2f7,Rd3c4]}
)) 26. Qh5 Nxc2 (26... Bf5 27. Rf2 Bg6 28. Qg4 $1 $40 (28. Qxg5 $2 Qxg5 29.
Nxg5 Rc5 $132) 28... h6 (28... h5 29. Qg3 Bxe4 30. Rxe4 $18) 29. Nf6 $18 {
is simply hopeless, therefore Caruana accepts the challenge and takes the rook.
}) 27. Nxg5 Bf5 (27... Nxe1 28. Qxh7+ Kf6 29. Ne4#) (27... Rh8 28. Rf1 $18) 28.
Rf1 $1 {Caruana possibly overlooked/underestimated this quiet move.} (28. Qf7+
$2 Kh6 29. Qxf5 Qxg5 30. Qxc2 Rf8 $13) 28... Qf6 (28... Bg6 29. Rf7+ $1 Bxf7 (
29... Kh8 30. Rxh7+ $18) (29... Kg8 30. Qh6 $18 {[%cal Rh6g7]}) 30. Qxh7+ Kf6
31. Ne4+ Ke7 32. d6+ $18) 29. Ne6+ ({White has already more than one way, even
more incisive was} 29. Rxf5 $1 Qxf5 (29... Qg6 30. Rf7+ Kg8 31. Qh3 $18 {
[%cal Rd5d6,Rc4d3]}) 30. Ne6+ Rxe6 (30... Qxe6 31. dxe6 $18 {[%cal Rh5f7,Rf7e8]
}) (30... Kf6 31. Qxe8 e4 32. Qd8+ Kg6 (32... Ke5 33. Qxc7+ Kf6 34. Qg7#) 33.
Qg8+ Kh6 34. Qg7+ Kh5 35. Be2+ $18) 31. Qxf5 $18 {[%csl Rc2,Re6]}) 29... Rxe6
30. Rxf5 Qg6 31. dxe6 ({Levon goes for the won endgame, but there was the even
more powerful} 31. Rg5 $1 Re7 32. Bd3 $18) 31... Qxh5 32. Rxh5 Nd4 33. e7 Ra8
34. Rxe5 Re8 35. Re4 Nf5 (35... Nxc6 36. Bb5 Rxe7 37. Bxc6) 36. Be6 $1 Nd6 (
36... Nxe7 37. Bd7 $18) 37. Bd7 Nxe4 38. Bxe8 Kf6 39. Bg6 {The final touch,
winning a piece.} 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.24"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:3600+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Bb4
{[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 6. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 7. Qa4+ {[%emt 0:00:18]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 8.
e3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:
00:14]} 10. O-O {[%emt 0:00:19]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 11. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:19]}
Bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:05] After 11...Bd6 stopped giving Black optimal positions,
people have been looking at this capture on c3 to even things out. Aronian
used it against Topalov in Norway this year.} 12. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rfd8 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 13. Be2 {[%emt 0:01:35]} Be8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 14. Qa3 {[%emt 0:
02:23]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 15. Qb2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:05]
Played instantly. Aronian's improvement over 15...Na5, which he played against
Topalov.} (15... Na5 16. Qb4 Qxb4 17. cxb4 Nc6 18. Rab1 $14 {Topalov-Aronoian,
Norway 2015.}) 16. Nd2 {[%emt 0:03:53] Perhaps this is not the most
challenging, but I'm not sure what to suggest instead.} Na5 {[%emt 0:03:24]}
17. Nb3 {[%emt 0:02:05]} (17. Qb4 c5 {doesn't look anywhere near as appealing
as it did in the mentioned game.}) 17... Nxb3 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 18. axb3 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} a5 {[%emt 0:04:04]} 19. b4 {[%emt 0:12:00]} (19. Bf3 Rab8 20.
c4 {is given as slightly better by the computers, but after} c5 {the position
looks pretty equal to me.}) 19... axb4 {[%emt 0:05:29]} (19... Bc6 20. bxa5
bxa5 $11) 20. Qxb4 {[%emt 0:03:18]} (20. cxb4 {was perhaps a bit better, but
still Black should be ok.}) 20... Kf8 {[%emt 0:02:12]} 21. Bf3 {[%emt 0:10:45]}
Qxb4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 22. cxb4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rxa1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 23. Rxa1
{[%emt 0:00:10]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 24. Kf1 {[%emt 0:03:09]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} 25. Ke2 {[%emt 0:04:46] There is no reason to believe either side is
better. Even making a miniscule amount of progress looks impossible.} Bb5+ {
[%emt 0:00:53]} 26. Kd2 {[%emt 0:01:45]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 27. dxe5+ {
[%emt 0:00:54]} Kxe5+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 28. Kc3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rd3+ {[%emt 0:
02:41]} 29. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 30. Kc3 {[%emt 0:01:18]}
Rd3+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 31. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 32. Kc3 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.25"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
d3 O-O 9. Be3 Re8 10. Qd2 {A relatively rare move in a very well known
position. Aronian wants to swing his f1-rook to c1 rather than the a1 rook.}
Bf8 11. Rfc1 h6 12. a3 Bg4 13. Ne4 Nd4 (13... Bxf3 14. Bxf3) (13... a5) 14.
Bxd4 exd4 15. Qf4 Bxf3 16. exf3 $5 {Aronian went in to the confessional booth
explaining that he thought this move "was cool, just to have some fun". The
change of structure allows him to ram the f-pawn forward and eliminates his
weakness on e2.} Nd5 17. Qg4 c6 18. f4 a5 {Aronian thought he had a large
advantage, but Giri and Stockfish think that White is better, but its nothing
special at all.} 19. Nd2 a4 20. Qd1 Nb6 21. h4 Ra5 {A strange placement for
the rook, but it does control the fifth rank.} 22. Rc2 Nd7 23. Ne4 Nc5 (23...
Rb5 {was probably better than trading the knights.}) 24. Nxc5 Bxc5 25. Qd2 Bf8
{Giri thought he messed up with this move. Komodo thinks its fine. From a
human point of view it is clear that playing with White is more comfortable,
but breaking through is very difficult.} 26. Re1 Rxe1+ 27. Qxe1 Ra8 28. Qe4 Qb6
29. Re2 $14 {White is better, but it isn't clear how much.} Qc5 30. Bf3 Rd8 31.
Kg2 Bd6 32. f5 Bf8 33. f6 (33. Kh2 Qd6 34. Rc2) (33. g4 {was Carlsen's
suggestion, trying to improve the position slowly. It might have been the
strongest options. Aronian seemed to agree after the game.}) 33... gxf6 34. Qf4
Qd6 35. Qf5 Ra8 36. Rc2 (36. Re4 Bg7 37. Rf4 Qe6 38. Qc5 f5 {is still better
for White, but the endgames should be sustainable for Black.}) 36... Bg7 37.
Rc4 Qe6 38. Qf4 Qe5 39. Rb4 Qxf4 40. gxf4 Ra7 41. f5 Bf8 42. Rxd4 Ra5 {White
has nothing in this endgame.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 c5 {If Black wants to play for a win
against the Gheorghiu Samisch, this is the best way to do it.} ({The last move
features an entirely different approach than} 4... d5 {, which aims at
preventing White's central expansion.}) 5. d5 O-O 6. e4 d6 {This structure
illustrates both the merits and the shortcomings of White's system. He has
been allowed to build up a massive centre, but faces problems completing his
kingside development.} 7. Nge2 ({The ultra-solid} 7. Bd2 {was played in
Nakamura,H (2772)-Carlsen,M (2881) Shamkir 2014 CBM 160 [Stohl,I] (0-1, 52)}) (
7. Bd3 {speeds up the development, but exposes the bishop to the knight's
attack, indirectly weakening the c4- and d5-pawns. To my taste, the most
convincing continuation is} Bxc3+ (7... b5 {is interesting, too, as played in
Macedo,M (2369)-Mekhitarian,K (2566) Joao Pessoa 2013 CBM 158 [Mekhitarian,K] 
(0-1, 26)}) 8. bxc3 Nbd7 9. Ne2 ({Maybe} 9. Nh3 {is more flexible, but it does
not change much:} Ne5 10. Nf2 Qa5 11. Qc2 Nfd7 {[%csl Gc4]}) 9... Ne5 10. Ng3
Qa5 11. Qc2 b5 $1 {This comes with much greater effect than on move 7.} (11...
Nfd7 {is playable here, too.}) 12. cxb5 exd5 $36 {Malaniuk,V (2545)-Kuzmin,G 
(2470) Frunze 1987 (1-0, 30)}) 7... a6 $5 {A rare continuation. Black prepares
the typical Benko-like sacrifice ...b7-b5.} ({The immediate break} 7... b5 {
has been tested quite often, too:} {In the times I used to play this line with
White, the best continuation was cosidered} 8. Nf4 {aiming at stabilziing the
centre, even at the cost of one tempo. I still believe this is a safe way of
meeting the pawn sacrifice.} (8. dxe6 {this gives Black plenty of play.} fxe6 (
{If} 8... Bxe6 {White should take on b5 rather than} 9. Nf4 $6 bxc4 10. e5 {
when in Marin,M (2485)-Inkiov,V (2510) Stara Zagora 1990 (1-0, 35) Vegh
suggested the strong improvement} Ne8 $1 11. Nxe6 fxe6 12. exd6 Nxd6 {[%csl
Rd4][%cal Gb8c6] with an extra pawn and the better development.}) 9. e5 dxe5
10. Qxd8 Rxd8 11. cxb5 a6 $44 {Zhou,J (1938)-Wei,Y (2629) China 2014 (0-1, 73)}
) 8... e5 (8... exd5 {was played in Grischuk,A (2781)-Topalov,V (2798)
Stavanger 2015 (0-1, 39) and now White in vain refrained from} 9. Nfxd5 {
which is one of the main ideas of Ne2-f4} Nxd5 10. Qxd5 {[%csl Ga8]} Qb6 11.
Bf4 $14) 9. Nfe2 Nh5 ({One of the games I had as a model went} 9... bxc4 10.
Ng3 Ba6 11. Bg5 h6 12. Be3 {[%csl Rh6][%cal Gg3f5,Gg2g4]} Bc8 13. Bxc4 $14 {
Shirov,A (2610)-Savon,V (2460) Moscow 1991 (1-0, 43)}) 10. g4 Qh4+ 11. Kd2 Nf4
12. Nxf4 exf4 {Berkes,F (2702)-Yemelin,V (2574) Skopje 2013 (0-1, 29)} 13. cxb5
Nd7 14. Kc2 $14 {[%csl Gf4] The white king is safe enough and Black has some
worries with his f4-pawn. For instance} Qf6 15. Qd2 g5 16. h4 h6 17. hxg5 hxg5
18. Qh2 $16) 8. a4 {A natural move which seems to prevent ...b7-b5 for a long
time at least.} (8. Ng3 b5 $1 {The critical move.} ({But Black can also
transpose to some sort of Benoni structure with} 8... Re8 9. Be2 exd5 10. cxd5
Nbd7 {Sethuraman,S (2576)-Vishnu,P (2465) Sharjah 2014 (½-½, 36). The only
question is why did he need ...a7-a6 if he did not plan to play an early ...
b7-b5?}) 9. Bf4 (9. dxe6 Bxe6 10. cxb5 Qa5 $36) (9. cxb5 exd5 10. exd5 Qb6 11.
bxa6 Re8+ 12. Be2 c4 $17 {[%csl Ge1]}) 9... exd5 10. cxd5 Qb6 {[%csl Ge1][%cal
Gb8d7,Gc5c4]} 11. a4 {[%cal Ga1a8,Ga4b5]} Ba5 $1 $13) ({One of the main ideas
of 7...a6 is that} 8. Nf4 {is an early committment and does not work as well
as in the similar line with 7...b5. The main difference is that the a8-rook is
not hanging, offering Black an important tempo for his initiative.} exd5 9.
Nfxd5 ({With the knight on f4 the structure after} 9. cxd5 Nbd7 {tends to
favour Black.}) 9... Nxd5 10. Qxd5 Qh4+ 11. g3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Qf6 13. Qd3 Nc6
$15) 8... Ba5 $5 $146 {A deep novelty, aiming to transform the pin along the
a-file into a potential battery.} (8... exd5 9. cxd5 Nbd7 {would lead to
normal play.} 10. Ng3 Rb8 11. Be2 b5 12. axb5 axb5 13. O-O c4 14. Nf5 {Bandza,
A (2380)-Ilinsky,V (2350) Prague 1990 (½-½, 23)}) (8... Re8 9. Bg5 $2 (9. Ng3
$1 {is similar to the game above.}) 9... h6 10. Bh4 exd5 11. cxd5 Nbd7 12. Nc1
$2 Nxe4 $1 13. fxe4 (13. Bxd8 Nxc3+) 13... Qxh4+ 14. g3 Qxe4+ 15. Qe2 Nf6 {
Barron,P-Jeske,M Hildesheim 1996 (0-1, 15)}) 9. Bd2 {A seemingly solid move
which delays the kingside development though. But other moves allow Black
carry out his planned sacrifice:} (9. Ng3 b5 10. dxe6 (10. axb5 axb5 11. cxb5
$4 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Rxa1) 10... Bxe6 11. cxb5 d5 $36) (9. Nf4 b5 10. dxe6 (10.
cxb5 e5 11. Nd3 axb5 $132) 10... fxe6 11. axb5 axb5 12. Be3 g5 13. Nh3 (13.
Nfe2 bxc4 14. Bxg5 Nc6) 13... g4 {with good counterplay for Black in all lines
and a rather messy position.}) 9... exd5 10. cxd5 (10. exd5 {exposes the king
too much.} Re8 11. Kf2 {What else?} Nbd7 12. Ng3 Nh5 $3 $36 13. Nxh5 Qh4+ 14.
Ng3 $2 Qd4+ {followed by mate.}) (10. Nxd5 Nc6 $15 {[%csl Gd4]}) 10... Nh5 $1 {
An excellent reaction to 9.Bd2. Black's kingside counterplay is hard to stop.}
11. g3 ({The main point is that with the d2-square unavailable for the king,} 
11. g4 $2 {loses to} Qh4+) 11... Nd7 12. Bg2 b5 {[%csl Rc3][%cal Gb5b4,Gc3b1]
For the underdeveloped white army Aronian's play on both sides is very
annoying.} 13. g4 {Risky, but White had problems anyway.} (13. Qc2 {clears the
d1-square for the knight but keeps the king in the centre.} f5 ({Black should
not hurry to push the knight towards a good square:} 13... b4 14. Nd1 f5 15.
Nf2) 14. exf5 (14. O-O b4 15. Nd1 fxe4 16. fxe4 Rxf1+ 17. Bxf1 Ne5 $17) 14...
Ne5 15. g4 Qh4+ 16. Kf1 Nxg4 $1 {Rather similar to Aronian's sacrifice.} 17.
fxg4 Qxg4 18. Qe4 Bxf5 19. Qxg4 Bxg4+ 20. Ke1 (20. Kg1 Bxe2 {[%csl Gd2]}) 20...
Rae8 21. Ne4 Bxd2+ 22. Kxd2 Bxe2 23. Nxd6 (23. Kxe2 Nf4+ $19) 23... Re5 $17 {
[%cal Gf8f2]}) (13. axb5 axb5 14. b4 {White is not well prepared for this
principled pawn break} ({Maybe the greedy} 14. Nxb5 Bxd2+ 15. Kxd2 {is a bit
safer, even though Black has great compensation after} Ba6 16. Nec3 Bxb5 17.
Nxb5 Qb6 $36) 14... cxb4 15. Nxb5 ({The thematic} 15. Na2 {aiming to
consolidate with Nxb4 and Nd4, invading c6, allows Black too much activity:}
Ne5 16. O-O Nc4 17. Bxb4 Ne3 $19) 15... Ne5 16. O-O Ba6 17. Nbd4 Bb6 $15) 13...
b4 14. Nb1 $2 {After this counter-developing move only a miracle can save
White.} ({He should have gone for} 14. gxh5 bxc3 15. bxc3 Qh4+ 16. Ng3 Ne5 17.
O-O {Black surely has compensation for the pawn, but at least White's position
looks decent.}) 14... Qh4+ 15. Kf1 Ne5 $1 {Given White's awful coordination,
it is obvious that the sacrifice is good and effective.} ({I tried to analyze
the engines' slight favourite} 15... f5 {but stopped when seeing that after}
16. gxf5 {Black's best is} Bd8 {I must confess I am not deep enough to
understand and comment on this kind of lines so I will stick to annotating on
Aronian's human choice.}) 16. Be1 $6 {Just pushing the queen on a better
square.} (16. Qe1 $2 {has the same drawback:} Qf6 17. gxh5 Nxf3 $19) ({True,
White's life is not rosy after the immediate piece capture:} 16. gxh5 f5 17.
Be1 Qe7 18. exf5 (18. f4 fxe4 {[%cal Ge5d3,Ge5g4]}) 18... Bxf5 19. Nd2 (19. Bf2
Nxf3 $1 20. Bxf3 Bh3+ 21. Bg2 Bxg2+ 22. Kxg2 Qe4+ 23. Kg1 Rxf2 24. Kxf2 Rf8+
25. Kg1 Qg4+ 26. Ng3 Qxd1+ {winning the queen and, after a few more moves, the
king as well.}) 19... b3 $1 $19 {[%cal Ga5d2,Ge5f3] This way of activating the
bishop is more natural than the aforementioned ...Ba5-d8.}) 16... Qf6 17. gxh5
Nxf3 18. Bf2 Bg4 {Consequent, but not the only move.} ({There was nothing
wrong with material grabbing:} 18... Qxb2 {Strange enough, White cannot save
his rook.} 19. Bxf3 (19. Nd2 Nxd2+ 20. Qxd2 Qxa1+) 19... Qxa1) 19. Qc1 (19.
Bxf3 Qxf3 20. Rg1 Qh3+ 21. Ke1 f5 $19) ({This was the last moment when White
could have put up some resistance, based, of course, on trying to get
developed:} 19. h3 Bxh5 20. Nd2 Ne5 {[%csl Gb2,Gf2][%cal Ge5d3] Black's
initiative is overwhelming, but White still is in the game.}) 19... Nd4 (19...
Ne5 {could have transposed to a theme mentioned above:} 20. Qe3 (20. Nf4 g5 $1
21. hxg6 $2 fxg6 {[%cal Gf8f1]}) 20... Nc4 21. Qb3 Ne3+ 22. Qxe3 Qxb2 {Oh,
again that rook...}) 20. Nxd4 cxd4 21. e5 {Hoping to get the e4-square for the
knight.} (21. Nd2 {would come too late to change anything:} Rac8 22. Qb1 (22.
Nc4 d3 {[%cal Gd3d2]} 23. b3 {[%csl Gc4]} Bb6 $1 $19 {[%csl Rf2][%cal Gc8c1,
Gf6f1]}) (22. Qe1 b3 {[%cal Gc8c2,Ra5e1]}) 22... d3 $1 {[%cal Gc8c2]} 23. Qxd3
Qxb2 24. Rb1 (24. Bd4 Rc3 $1 25. Bxc3 bxc3 26. Rb1 c2 $19) 24... Rc1+ 25. Rxc1
Qxc1+ 26. Be1 b3 {[%csl Rd2][%cal Gb3b2]}) 21... dxe5 22. Nd2 Rac8 23. Qb1 b3
$1 {Activating the last reserves, the bishop.} 24. Nxb3 ({The problem is that
after the planned} 24. Ne4 Qf4 {[%csl Rb1][%cal Gc8c2] the white queen cannot
move, making the threat ...Rc2 killing.}) 24... Bb6 25. a5 Ba7 ({There was no
need already for such tricks as} 25... Rc2 $1 26. Qxc2 d3 27. Qd2 Be2+) 26. Kg1
Bf5 27. Be4 $6 {Losing on the spot.} ({But} 27. Qe1 e4 $19 {is crushing}) 27...
Qg5+ (27... d3 $19 {is another possible move order based on the same idea.} 28.
Qxd3 Bxe4 $19 {[%csl Rh1]}) 28. Kf1 Qf4 {The queen has side-stepped the own
bishop to increase the pressure on both white bishops..} (28... Qf4 29. Bxf5 d3
30. Qe1 Rc2 $19 {A fantastic attacking game by Aronian.}) 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,M"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. exd4 d5 6. Nc3 {With a different
move order they transposed to Caro-Kann Panov attack.} Bg4 {Considered as the
most solid for Black.} 7. Bg5 $5 {Rare, played only few times in the past,
that is such rarity in todays chess! A very interesting approach, let's see...}
e6 {Not the only idea at this moment. I will give here few other examples:} (
7... Bxf3 8. gxf3 dxc4 (8... e6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Qe2+ Qe7 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12.
Qxe7+ Bxe7 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Bh3+ Kb8 15. Rhg1 {with some small pressure}) 9.
d5 Ne5 10. f4 Nd3+ 11. Bxd3 cxd3 12. Qxd3 Qa5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. O-O-O O-O-O 15.
Kb1 Kb8 16. Qe4 Qc7 17. Rd4 {1-0 (36) Horvath,L (2259)-Balogh,L (2142)
Aggtelek 2005. White has here as well an initiative.}) (7... Ne4 $5 {now White
has two reasonable ways to handle this position:} 8. cxd5 (8. Be3 e6 9. h3 (9.
cxd5 exd5 10. Qb3 Bb4 $1 11. Ne5 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Nxe5 13. dxe5 O-O {black is
fine}) 9... Bh5 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Be2 Bb4 12. Rc1 O-O 13. O-O Re8 14. Re1 Rc8 {
1/2-1/2 (64) Brkljaca,A-Nikolac,J Zagreb 1977. Black has good play.}) 8... Nxg5
(8... Nxc3 9. bxc3 Qxd5 10. Qb3 Bxf3 11. gxf3 e6 (11... O-O-O 12. Rb1 Rd7 13.
Rg1 e6 14. Be3 {this type of play is also possible for both sides}) 12. Qxd5
exd5 13. Rb1 b6 14. Bb5 Kd7 15. Kd2 f6 16. Be3 Kc7 17. c4 a6 18. cxd5 axb5 19.
Rhc1 Bd6 20. Rxb5 Rxa2+ 21. Kd3 {1-0 (58) Saveliev,A (2294)-Annenkov,K (2210)
Jyvaskyla FIN 2015. White has the better chances in this endgame.}) 9. dxc6
bxc6 10. Be2 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 Nxf3+ 12. Qxf3 Rc8 13. O-O e6 14. Rac1 Be7 15. Rfd1
O-O 16. b3 Qa5 17. Na4 Rfd8 18. Rc4 {the position is balanced but White has a
bit easier play at least for the moment.}) 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Qe2+ Be6 10. Bxf6
gxf6 {An alternative was possible but it is a bit of computer type of chess to
be honest.} ({so...} 10... Qxf6 $5 11. Nxd5 Qd8 12. Nc3 Nxd4 13. Qe4 (13. Nxd4
Qxd4 14. Rd1 Qb6 15. Qb5+ Qxb5 16. Bxb5+ Ke7 17. O-O Rd8 18. Ne4 Rd5 19. Rxd5
Bxd5 20. Re1 g6 $1 {Black should be fine}) 13... Nxf3+ 14. Qxf3 Qe7 $1 15. Be2
(15. Bb5+ Bd7+ 16. Kf1 O-O-O 17. Bxd7+ Qxd7 18. Rd1 Bd6 19. h4 Kb8 20. g3 Qe6
21. Kg2 Rhe8 {with equal chances}) 15... O-O-O 16. O-O Qf6 $1 {Black reached
decent play.}) 11. Qc2 Qb6 12. a3 {Aronian has an interesting idea in his mind,
the alternative on the other hand doesn't offer much...} (12. Bb5 Bb4 13. Bxc6+
Qxc6 14. O-O Bxc3 15. bxc3 O-O-O 16. Rab1 Kb8 17. Rb3 Rc8 18. Rfb1 Rc7 19. Qd3
Ka8 20. Nd2 h5 21. Nf1 h4 22. Ne3 {with some balanced play.}) 12... O-O-O 13.
Na4 Qc7 14. Bb5 Rg8 $1 {After this move Black is ok.} 15. O-O ({The
intermediate move doesn't help:} 15. Bxc6 Rxg2 $1 {Black has good play.}) 15...
Bh3 16. Nh4 ({In case of} 16. g3 Bxf1 17. Rxf1 a6 18. Bxc6 Qxc6 19. Qxh7 Bxa3 {
White doesn't have enough for the sacrificed exchange.}) 16... Rg4 17. Bxc6
bxc6 18. Qd3 Rxh4 19. gxh3 {White can't be better here.} Qf4 $1 20. Rac1 {
Ambitious play, the alternative was better:} (20. Qa6+ Kb8 21. Qxc6 Rg4+ {
and draw by repetition.}) 20... Kd7 21. Rfe1 Bd6 22. Kf1 Qxd4 23. Qf5+ Kc7 24.
Nc3 Kb7 $2 {Practically giving White chances to escape with a draw.} ({Much
better was} 24... Kb8 $1 25. Ne2 Qe5 26. Qc2 (26. Qxe5 fxe5 {Black is better})
26... Qxh2 $1 {Black wins and that is the difference with 24...Kb7 played in
the game.}) 25. Ne2 $1 Qe5 26. Qc2 Rc4 {Still even at this stage of the game
Grischuk missed a better move:} (26... Rc8 27. Ng3 Qf4 28. Re3 Be5 29. Nf5 Qc4+
30. Qxc4 Rxc4 31. Rxc4 dxc4 32. Re4 Rb8 33. Rxc4 Bxb2 34. a4 Kc7 {still with
some advantage for Black.}) 27. Qb3+ Kc7 28. Rxc4 dxc4 29. Qxc4 Qd5 (29... Qxh2
30. Ng1 $1 Be5 31. Rc1 Qh1 32. f3 $1 Kb8 33. Qxc6 Rg8 34. Qb5+ {draw by
repetition.}) 30. Qxd5 cxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.28"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2853"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
d3 O-O 9. a3 Re8 10. b4 Bf8 11. Nd2 Be6 12. Bb2 {A normal version of a
reversed Dragon, though there are no games in the database with this exact
position!} Qd7 13. Nce4 Bh3 {Trading off the dragon bishop is very normal.
Black wastes some time on this operation, but it is more than acceptable.} 14.
Bxh3 (14. b5 Nd4 15. Bxh3 Qxh3 16. a4 {was not to Aronian's liking.}) 14...
Qxh3 15. Qb3 Qd7 16. Nf3 a5 17. b5 Nd4 18. Nxd4 (18. Bxd4 exd4 {gives Black
the ability to pressure a3 (after a4 from Black) and e2, which should give him
enough counterplay.}) 18... exd4 19. a4 Qd5 {Carlsen mentioned he didn't know
what else to do, this leads to a draw after many trades.} 20. Qxd5 Nxd5 21.
Bxd4 f5 22. Nc3 Nxc3 23. Bxc3 Rxe2 {so far forced. White has to take care of
the active rook.} 24. Rfe1 {no Rae8 because a5 is hanging} Rxe1+ 25. Rxe1 Bb4 {
more trades} 26. Rc1 {forced} (26. Bxb4 axb4 {gives Black an obvious edge in
an endgame.}) 26... c6 27. bxc6 bxc6 28. Bxb4 axb4 29. Rxc6 Rxa4 {the game is
very obviously drawn.} 30. Rb6 Ra1+ 31. Kg2 Rd1 32. Rxb4 Rxd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.30"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2814"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Illingworth,M"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This game was one of the decisive ones for the tournament standings, as going
into this round, Aronian and Carlsen were sharing the lead, however Aronian
won this game while Carlsen lost to Grischuk. Furthermore, Nakamura finished
equal second, a point behind Aronian!} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6
5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 {This is the trendiest way of meeting
the Marshall nowadays.} b4 (8... Bb7 {[%cal Yd7d6,Yc6a5,Yc7c5] has been played
in several games by Tomashevsky of late, and does constitute a means of
avoiding the game's queen exchange.}) 9. d4 d6 {There wasn't much to say about
the earlier moves as they've already been seen in other games analysed in Mega
Database/CBM, plus Nakamura and Aronian had already reached this position in
the Sinquefield Cup two years ago.} 10. dxe5 dxe5 (10... Nxe5 {was Aronian's
choice in 1-0 (41) Nakamura,H (2772)-Aronian,L (2813) Saint Louis 2013 CBM 157
[Ramirez Alvarez], but he has since switched to the pawn recapture and
contributed significantly to the development of its theory.}) 11. Qxd8 (11.
Nbd2 {is also a line, but it has been addressed before, of course.}) 11... Rxd8
12. Nbd2 {The only real try as the old} (12. Bg5 Rb8 13. Nbd2 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6
15. Bd5 Na5 $11 {offers White nothing.}) 12... h6 {The best continuation,
preventing Ng5/Bg5 ideas for good and waiting to see White's setup.} (12... Bd6
{could transpose to the game after} 13. a5 h6 14. Bc4 {.} (14. h3 $5 {[%cal
Yd2c4] however is an alternative, when playing as in the game with} Re8 $6 {
runs into} 15. Nc4 {followed by Ba4 with some annoying threats. I think this
is what Aronian wanted to avoid with his move order.})) (12... Bc5 {is another
option, but I think the following nice technical effort scared players off it:}
13. h3 Bb7 14. a5 h6 15. Ba4 Nd7 16. Nb3 Bd6 17. Be3 Ncb8 18. Nfd2 Bc6 19. Nc4
Bxa4 20. Rxa4 Nc6 21. Rd1 Be7 22. Raa1 Kf8 23. f3 Ke8 24. Kf2 Nf8 25. Rd5 f6
26. g3 Ne6 27. f4 Bd6 28. Rad1 $16 {1-0 (41) Harikrishna,P (2685)-Kamsky,G 
(2746) Istanbul 2012}) 13. Bc4 (13. a5 {occurred in 1-0 (70) Carlsen,M (2862)
-Aronian,L (2813) Saint Louis 2013 CBM 157 [Stohl,I].}) 13... Bd6 14. a5 (14.
Nb3 $5 {[%csl Rc5][%cal Yc1e3] is a very serious alternative, where I haven't
found a clear way for Black to fully equalise:} a5 ({Stohl's suggestion} 14...
Re8 {would allow} 15. Be3 $5 Be6 16. Bxe6 Rxe6 17. Nfd2 Ng4 18. Bc5 Bxc5 19.
Nxc5 Rd6 20. Ndb3 $14 {[%csl Ra6,Yc5] with an endgame advantage because of the
c5 outpost.}) (14... Bb7 15. h3 {0-1 (98) Carlsen,M (2776)-Aronian,L (2750)
Nice 2009} Re8 16. Bd3 Nd4 17. Nfxd4 exd4 18. f3 c5 19. Na5 Bc8 20. f4 $14 {
[%csl Yc4][%cal Ya5c4,Ye4e5,Yc1d2] is also pretty nice for White as Black's
majority is entirely blockaded.}) (14... Be7 {[%csl Re4][%cal Rc1e3,Rd8d5] is
the machine's advice, but giving up two tempi like this is extremely hard to
believe. After} 15. h3 g5 16. Bd2 Kg7 17. Rad1 Bd7 18. Re2 $5 {[%csl Yd5,Yf5]
[%cal Yh2f1,Yf1e3,Yf3h2,Yf2f3] I slightly prefer White's position as Black's
knight on c6 is a bit awkward.}) 15. Be3 Ne7 ({or} 15... Ba6 16. Bxa6 Rxa6 17.
Nfd2 Ng4 18. Nc4 $36 {[%csl Ra6,Rc6]}) 16. Bd3 Ng6 17. Nfd2 Ng4 18. Nc4 Nxe3
19. Rxe3 {and Black loses the a5-pawn for insufficient compensation.}) 14...
Re8 $1 {I really like this move, overprotecting e5 to avoid any tactical
issues, and also forcing White to commit to some scheme of development.} 15.
Bd3 {Nakamura went into thought on this move, even though the position has
been seen before. It also brought his opponent into a think as they both tried
to recall their home analysis.} (15. Nb3 Be6 16. Bd3 Red8 17. Bf1 Kf8 18. Nfd2
Nd7 {1/2-1/2 (22) Carlsen,M (2772)-Leko,P (2756) Dortmund 2009, was immediate
equality.}) ({I wonder if Nakamura mixed up his move order and intended} 15. b3
{which seems the most natural continuation, as now ...Nd7 runs into Bd5
options. Still, after} Bb7 16. Bb2 Rad8 17. Bd3 Nd7 $11 {[%csl Rd3][%cal Yd7c5]
0-1 (51) Ward,R (2112)-Telepnev,I (2505) ICCF email 2013, Black had similarly
good play to the game, with ...Nc5 coming.}) 15... Nd7 $1 {[%cal Yc8b7,Yc8e6]}
(15... Be6 16. Nc4 Nd7 17. Nxd6 cxd6 18. Be3 Nc5 {1/2-1/2 (28) Szabo,M (2213)
-Husemann,A (2113) LSS email 2013, was fine for Black, but Aronian's move
order is more accurate as he keeps the option of where to develop his queen's
bishop.}) 16. b3 $6 {Clearly White should get his bishop out somehow, but I
think this was inaccurate as now it will be harder to keep the a5-pawn safe.} (
16. Nb3 Nc5 17. Nxc5 Bxc5 {helps Black activate his pieces, so I would prefer})
(16. Nc4 $142 {, although} Bf8 17. Ne3 Nc5 18. Bc4 Be6 $11 {is still entirely
fine for Black.}) 16... Nc5 17. Bc4 {It's unfortunate to lose two tempi with
the bishop like this.} (17. Bf1 Be6 18. Nc4 f6 19. Nxd6 cxd6 $15 {is also more
pleasant for Black, on account of the backward c2-pawn. Also the Black
structure complements his minor pieces well.}) 17... Be6 18. Bb2 {This looks
natural, but the problem is that the bishop will be quite passive on b2 when
the e5-pawn is protected (hence why the ...Nd7-c5 manoeuvre mattered).} (18.
Bxe6 Nxe6 19. Nc4 {[%cal Yc1e3,Ye3a7] is therefore preferable, so the White
bishop may find greater activity on e3, but Black is still for choice.}) 18...
f6 19. Bxe6+ Rxe6 $15 {[%csl Ra5,Ya6] Black has the advantage as his minor
pieces are better placed, and the exchange of the light-squared bishops was a
major achievement as now the a5-pawn remains a weakness, while the a6-pawn is
entirely safe.} (19... Nxe6 {was also possible, but I like the knight better
on c5 in connection with Aronian's plan in the game.}) 20. Nc4 Rb8 $1 {[%cal
Yb8b5,Yc5b7] The plan of attacking the a5-pawn is a lot more logical than the
engine's automatic move} (20... Rd8) 21. Nfd2 (21. Nh4 $1 {[%csl Yf5,Yg6] was
a much better defence, bringing the knight to f5 to exploit the slight gaps on
the light squares.}) 21... Rb5 22. Ra2 $2 {Nakamura was clearly concerned
about losing this pawn, but one might remember the Carlsen-Aronian game from
the 2013 Sinquefield Cup, where after taking on a5 Black's pieces were tied up
because of the a-file pin. So there was no need to freeze up White's major
pieces like this, and} (22. Nf1 Nd4 $1 (22... Nb7 23. Nfe3 Ncxa5 24. Nxa5 Nxa5
25. Red1 {[%csl Ra5,Ra6][%cal Ra1a6] leaves Black too tied up to easily make
progress.}) 23. Rac1 Nb7 24. Bxd4 exd4 25. g3 Nxa5 26. Nfd2 $15 {[%csl Yc4]
[%cal Yc1a1] should allow White to keep a fortress on the light squares.})
22... Nb7 23. Rea1 {[%csl Ra1,Ra2] This move is consistent with the plan of
defending the a-pawn, the problem is the plan is too passive!} Bc5 {Obviously
the bishop is fantastic on this diagonal and White should have taken it for
himself earlier.} 24. Kf1 (24. g3 {is a move but it doesn't change much.}) (24.
Nf1 $5 {[%cal Ya1d1,Ya2a1] may be best, at least giving White a chance to
partially correct his mistake with a later Rd1.}) 24... Re7 $1 {Aronian
continues to play exceptionally, now ensuring his rook owns the d-file.} 25.
Ke2 {From here White has to be a bit careful about a knight reaching d4, so
perhaps it's best (albeit still unpleasant) to play} (25. g3 $15 {and then
shuffle, hoping Black can't break through.}) 25... Rd7 26. Nf1 (26. f3 Kf7 27.
Nf1 Ke6 28. Nfe3 Bxe3 29. Nxe3 {is the same position as after 29...Ke6 in the
game...except it is Black to move, rather than White!}) 26... Bd4 {Black wants
to get his knight to d4, but I don't think this was the most precise; rather,}
(26... Nd6 $1 27. Nfd2 Rb7 {[%csl Yd4][%cal Yd6b5,Yb5c3] with the idea of ...
Nb5-c3 was the way to secure a clear advantage. If White tries} 28. Nxd6 cxd6
$1 29. Nc4 d5 30. exd5 Rxd5 $17 {[%csl Ra5,Rc2][%cal Yf6f5,Ye5e4] his problems
only increase as now c2 is also a weakness, and it is much easier for Black to
advance his kingside pawns.}) 27. Nfe3 ({White could also start with moves
such as} 27. f3 {, although I think he'll need to play Nfe3 at some point in
any case.}) 27... Bxe3 $1 {A very shrewd positional decision - White is now
stuck with his poor bishop on b2, and Black will find it easier to win the
a5-pawn at some point with one of White's knights exchanged.} (27... Kf7 28.
Rd1 $1 {meanwhile gives White ideas of Nf5 or even Nd5 at some point. Yes,
Black can take on a5 - that would give White the activity he desires!}) 28.
Nxe3 Kf7 {Aronian continues to incrementally improve his position - his king
will go to e6 and then White has to calculate the consequences of ...g6
followed by ...f5.} (28... Nbxa5 $2 {only serves to immobilise Black's pieces 
(at some point the a5-knight will have to move, and then a6 falls).}) (28...
Nd4+ $5 {is suggested by the machine, but the endgame after} 29. Ke1 Nd6 30. f3
f5 31. Bxd4 exd4 32. Nxf5 Nxf5 33. exf5 Rxf5 34. Kd2 $15 {[%cal Yd2d3,Ya1e1]
would be far from easy for Black to make significant progress in.}) 29. f3 Ke6
30. g4 $6 {[%csl Rf4] Nakamura's natural inclination is to defend as
aggressively as possible and this element of his style shows here, but
unfortunately the weakness of the f4 square is a much bigger issue than the ...
f5 break.} ({White can't just sit and wait as} 30. Ke1 $6 g6 31. Ke2 $2 f5 {
is already much better for Black.}) ({However, inserting} 30. h4 $1 {(to meet .
..g6 with h5)} h5 {is in White's favour, and now} 31. g3 g6 32. Re1 $1 f5 (
32... Rxa5 $6 33. Rxa5 Nbxa5 34. Ra1 $11) 33. exf5+ gxf5 34. Raa1 $1 $15 {
[%cal Ye3c4,Ye2f2,Ye1e2,Ya1e1] should enable White to defend, though Black is
of course better in various ways.}) 30... Nc5 {White has enough weaknesses
here that Black does not need to take urgent measures.} 31. Nc4 {It is easier
to criticise this move than offer a convincing improvement; maybe White had to
pass?} (31. Rb1 {is Komodo's suggestion, but I really do not understand the
idea.}) 31... Ke7 {Black continues with his plan, but it was stronger to play}
(31... h5 $1 32. gxh5 Rb8 33. Kf2 Rh8 34. Rh1 Rxh5 $17 {[%csl Ra5,Rc2,Rf3,Rh2]
[%cal Yd7d8,Yd8h8,Yc5e6,Ye6f4] when the h2-pawn can be added to White's
collection of weak pawns.}) 32. Bc1 (32. h4 $5 {[%cal Yh4h5,Gg4g5] deserves
attention, trying to lock up the kingside with h5 at some point, or create
counterplay with Bc1 and g5.}) 32... Ne6 33. Be3 $15 {Now White has managed to
coordinate his minor pieces to good squares, and thus has decreased his
disadvantage.} Ncd4+ 34. Kf2 Ng5 {This is probably the best try as White is
keeping all his weaknesses well defended otherwise.} 35. Bxg5 {While not
objectively a mistake, this makes it easier for Black to attack White's
kingside pawns, and so I think it's simpler to play} (35. Bxd4 Rxd4 36. h4 Ne6
37. Rh1 {when Black can play} Nf4 {but I don't see a breakthrough after} 38.
Raa1 {[%csl Yd1,Yd2,Yd3] .}) 35... fxg5 {At least now White must be slightly
careful about the f3-pawn.} 36. Rd1 $6 {The rook ends up a bit awkward on d3,
so I would recommend} (36. Kg2 {, to meet} Ke6 {with} 37. Rf1 {, when the key
difference is that after} Rb8 38. Rf2 {[%csl Yc2][%cal Ya2a1,Ya1d1,Yd1d3,Yd1f1]
the other rook is free to come to f1 or d3 to defend the f3-pawn. Black is
still better after} Nb5 39. Ra1 Nc3 40. Rh1 $11 {but White has h4 coming and I
don't see a way through for Black.}) 36... Ke6 37. Rd3 Rf7 (37... g6 {[%cal
Yh6h5,Yh5g4] followed by ...h5 is probably more accurate, to have the option
of opening another front and thereby stretch White's defences. However
Aronian's choice to go right after f3 soon prompted a mistake from White.}) 38.
Ra1 $1 Rb8 $1 (38... Nxc2 39. Rad1 $11 {[%csl Rc2][%cal Yd3d8] is fine for
White, who either gets his rook active with Ra8 or reestablishes material
equality with} Nd4 40. Nxe5) 39. Rad1 $2 {Nakamura miscalculates in time
pressure and makes a decisive mistake.} (39. Rf1 $1 {holds the position
together, as after} Nxc2 {White saves himself with} 40. Rc1 Nd4 41. Nxe5 $1
Nxb3 (41... Kxe5 42. Rc5+) 42. Rc6+ $1 (42. Rxb3 Kxe5 43. Rc4 $11 {is also
drawing, for those wanting a bit less drama.}) 42... Kxe5 43. Rd5+ Kf4 44. e5 {
[%cal Yc6c4]} Nd2 45. e6 $1 Rf6 46. Rxd2 Ke5 {and the crazy line ends in
equality.}) 39... Rbf8 {Now there is no defence.} 40. Nxe5 (40. Nd2 Nxc2 41.
Rc1 Nd4 {leaves White without any of the resources we saw before; if} 42. Rc5
Rb8 43. Nc4 Rb5 {is solid, though even here} 44. Rxe5+ $1 Rxe5 45. Rxd4 Rc5 46.
Rd8 $17 {[%csl Yc4] will make Black work for his win.}) 40... Kxe5 41. Rxd4
Rxf3+ 42. Ke2 Rf2+ 43. Ke1 Rf1+ {Black throws in a few checks so his other
rook can reach a more advanced square with gain of time.} 44. Ke2 R8f2+ 45. Ke3
Rf3+ 46. Ke2 R1f2+ 47. Ke1 Rxh2 {White is dead lost, and} (47... Rxc2 {was
equally strong.}) 48. Rd5+ Kf4 {Avoiding the last trick.} (48... Kxe4 $4 49.
R1d4+ Ke3 50. Rd3+ {is a draw as ...Kf4 would even lose the rook to Rf5.}) 49.
R1d4 Kxg4 50. Rc5 Rg3 51. Kf1 Rc3 {White resigned.} 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.31"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O e4 7. Ng5 Bxc3 8.
bxc3 Re8 9. f3 exf3 10. Nxf3 d5 11. d4 $1 dxc4 (11... Ne4 12. Qc2 dxc4 13. Rb1
f5 {was the game Kasparov-Ivanchuk from 1988. The former World Champion
mentioned how he had prepared this position quite deeply, including the
variations that happened in the game. Back in 1988 he thought that White was
much better with his central control, while it seems that Anand played
confidently enough, perhaps trusting his engine evaluation that keeps it
around equal.}) 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. e4 $1 (14. Ne5 Qe6 15. Bxc6 (15.
Nxf7 Rf8 $11) 15... bxc6 16. Nxf7 (16. Rxf7 c5 {is messy, but not better for
White.}) 16... Qe3+ $19) 14... Bg4 15. Qa4 Qd6 16. Rae1 $6 (16. Qxc4 $14 {
Anand said he analyzed this, but not 16.Rae1.} Rxe4 $2 17. Ng5 $16) 16... Rab8
$1 17. Qxc4 b5 18. e5 {changing the character of the position, going into an
endgame. If White refused to go into this he would have to allow some
interesting pawn breaks.} (18. Qb3 Na5 (18... b4 $5) 19. Qc2 c5 $132) (18. Qd3
b4 19. e5 Qd7 $11) 18... bxc4 19. exd6 cxd6 20. Rxe8+ Rxe8 21. Nd2 {Black is
up a pawn, but he is under some pressure because c4 and d6 are weak.} Na5 22.
Ne4 Rd8 $1 23. Rb1 d5 $1 {Precise play from the Indian player. He finds a
tactical way to solve his knight on a5 problem.} 24. Nc5 Be6 25. Rb5 Nc6 26.
Na6 $11 (26. Rb7 Rb8 27. Rc7 Rb1+ {gives Black enough counterplay.}) 26... Rd7
27. a4 Kf8 28. Nc5 Rc7 29. Na6 Rd7 30. Nc5 Rc7 31. Na6 {There is simply no way
of making progress.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.09.01"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. Qa4+ Nc6 7. a3 {A
variation that scores rather badly for White, Topalov must have had some kind
of special idea.} Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Qd5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd2 {White will have some
compensation for his pawn thanks to the central majority and a slightly
weakened kingside, but it should not be enough. If anything Black has real
chances to play for an advantage, as the score of this line proves.} b5 11. Qc2
a6 12. e4 Qd7 13. g3 Bb7 14. Bg2 Ne7 {Aronian mentioned after the game that he
was very happy with the opening... "I didn't have to think! just put the
knight on e7, a rook on d8 and go c5, what else can I do?".} 15. O-O O-O 16.
Rfd1 Rad8 17. a4 c5 18. axb5 axb5 19. Nf3 Qc7 20. Rab1 f5 {Black really has no
problems, and this advance forces White to start thinking about not falling
into a clearly worse position.} 21. exf5 Nxf5 22. Rxb5 Bxf3 23. Bxf3 cxd4 24.
Qc1 dxc3 {forcing the draw} (24... Qe7 {was worth considering, but Aronian
thought he shouldn't get too clever...} 25. Be4 $1 $11 (25. Rb4 Rc8 $15)) (
24... Kh8 {was what Topalov was afraid of, but there is a clear draw here...}
25. cxd4 Nxd4 26. Rxd4 Rxd4 27. Qh6 $1 Qe7 28. Rb7 $11 Qd8) 25. Rxf5 Rxd1+ 26.
Bxd1 exf5 27. Qg5+ Kh8 28. Qf6+ Kg8 29. Qg5+ {And with that Aronian becomes
the 2015 Sinquefield Champion.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.11"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wiedenkeller, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2453"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e5 Ne4 6. Nf3 Be7 7. d4 Bb4 8. Qc2
Nc6 9. Bd3 Bg4 10. Be3 Bxf3 11. gxf3 Ng5 12. O-O-O Nxf3 13. Be2 Ng5 14. Bb5 O-O
15. f4 Bxc3 16. fxg5 Nxd4 17. Bxd4 Qxg5+ 18. Kb1 Bxd4 19. Rxd4 Qxe5 20. Rdd1 c6
21. Bd3 h6 22. Rhg1 Rae8 23. Qf2 b6 24. Rde1 Qd6 25. Ref1 Re6 26. h4 Qe7 27. a3
Re8 28. Ka2 Re5 29. Qg3 Qf8 30. Bg6 Re3 31. Qg4 R8e7 32. Rf2 Kh8 33. Bb1 R3e5
1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.12"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Wiedenkeller, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2453"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8.
Be3 Qa5 9. Qd2 Nc6 10. Rb1 a6 11. Rc1 cxd4 12. cxd4 Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 e6 14. Bc4
O-O 15. Rhd1 Bd7 16. Ke2 Rfc8 17. d5 exd5 18. Bxd5 Be8 19. Ke1 Nb4 20. Bxb7
Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Nd3+ 22. Kd2 Nxc1 23. Bxa8 Nxa2 24. Nd4 a5 25. Nc6 Bf8 26. Bd4 a4
27. f4 a3 28. g4 h5 29. h3 h4 30. Bf6 Bxc6 31. Bxc6 Nb4 32. Bb5 Bg7 33. Bxg7
Kxg7 34. Kc3 g5 35. fxg5 Kg6 36. Bc4 Nc6 37. Bd5 Ne5 38. Kb3 Nd3 39. Kxa3 Nf4
40. Kb4 Nxh3 41. e5 Nf4 42. Be4+ Kxg5 43. Kc5 Ne6+ 44. Kd6 Kf4 45. Bb7 h3 46.
Bh1 Ng5 47. Kd5 Kxg4 48. Kd4 Kf4 49. Kd5 Ke3 50. Kd6 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.14"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Areshchenko, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C25"]
[WhiteElo "2672"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 Bc5 4. Bg2 d6 5. Na4 Bd4 6. Ne2 h5 7. h3 Qf6 8. Nxd4
exd4 9. b3 Nge7 10. Nb2 Ng6 11. Nd3 h4 12. Bb2 b6 13. Qf3 Qxf3 14. Bxf3 hxg3
15. fxg3 Nce5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. Bg2 c5 18. d3 a5 19. a4 Ke7 20. Bc1 Bd7 21. Bf4
f6 22. g4 Ra6 23. Kd2 Ng6 24. Bg3 Nh4 25. Rag1 Ra7 26. Ke1 b5 27. axb5 Bxb5 28.
Kf2 Ng6 29. Ra1 Ne5 30. Ra3 Rha8 31. Rha1 a4 32. Ke2 Nc6 33. bxa4 Rxa4 34. Rxa4
Rxa4 35. Rxa4 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.15"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Areshchenko, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D97"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2672"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 a6 8. Be2
b5 9. Qb3 c5 10. dxc5 Be6 11. Qc2 Nbd7 12. Be3 Rc8 13. Rd1 b4 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15.
exd5 Nxc5 16. O-O Nce4 17. Qb3 Qd6 18. g3 Nc5 19. Qxb4 Nxd5 20. Qa3 Qc6 21. Bd4
Bxd4 22. Rxd4 Ne6 23. Rd2 Nec7 24. Rfd1 Rfd8 25. h4 Rb8 26. Ng5 Qf6 27. Qf3
Qxf3 28. Nxf3 e6 29. Ne5 Rdc8 30. Bf3 Ne8 31. Bxd5 exd5 32. Rxd5 Rxb2 33. Rd7
Nf6 34. Re7 Rxa2 35. Nxf7 Ng4 36. f3 Kf8 37. Nd6 Rcc2 38. Re8+ Kg7 39. fxg4
Rg2+ 40. Kf1 Rh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.16"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Areshchenko, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D87"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2672"]
[Annotator "Schulz,Andre"]
[PlyCount "202"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8.
Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O Bg4 11. f3 Bd7 12. Rb1 Qc7 13. Qd2 Rad8 14. Rfc1 Na5
15. Bd3 e5 16. Bh6 b6 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. f4 f6 19. fxe5 fxe5 20. Qg5 cxd4 21.
cxd4 Qd6 22. Bb5 h6 23. Qg3 Bxb5 24. Rxb5 exd4 {[#]} 25. Rc7+ $2 {Führt zu
einem schlechten Endspiel:} (25. e5 Qe7 26. e6 {mit der Idee} Qxe6 $2 27. Nf4
Qd6 (27... Rxf4 28. Qxf4 $16) 28. Rd5 {und Schwarz kann g6 nicht halten.})
25... Kg8 26. Qxd6 Rxd6 27. Rd5 Rxd5 28. exd5 d3 29. Nc3 d2 30. d6 Rd8 31. d7
Kf7 32. Kf2 a6 33. Ke2 Ke6 34. Kxd2 Rxd7+ 35. Rxd7 Kxd7 {[#] Nach dem
Turmtausch hat Weiß nun einen Bauern wenige und muss ums Remis kämpfen.} 36.
Nd5 b5 37. h4 Nc6 38. Nf4 Ne5 39. Kc3 a5 40. Kd4 Kd6 41. a3 Nc6+ 42. Ke4 Ne7
43. h5 gxh5 44. Nxh5 Kc5 45. Kd3 Nd5 46. g3 b4 47. axb4+ Kxb4 48. Kc2 a4 49.
Ng7 Ne3+ 50. Kb2 a3+ 51. Ka2 Nd5 52. Nf5 h5 53. Nd4 Ka4 54. Ka1 Nc3 55. Nf5 Ne2
56. Ka2 Kb4 57. Kb1 {[#]} Nc3+ (57... Kb3 $1 {gewinnt sofort.}) 58. Kc2 Ne4 59.
Kb1 Kb3 60. Nd4+ Kc3 61. Nf5 Kb4 62. Ka1 Nc3 63. Nd4 Kc4 64. Nf5 Ne2 65. Ka2
Kb4 66. Ne3 Nxg3 67. Nd5+ Kc4 68. Nf4 h4 69. Kxa3 {[#] Nach heldenhafter
Gegenwehr auf verlorenem Posten hat Weiß den a-Bauern erobert, es reicht aber
trotzdem nicht zum Remis.} Kd4 70. Kb2 Ke4 71. Nh3 Kf3 72. Kc3 Ne4+ 73. Kd4 Nf2
74. Ng1+ Kf4 75. Kd5 Nd1 76. Kd4 Nf2 77. Kd5 Kg4 78. Kd4 Nh3 79. Ne2 Kf3 80.
Kd3 Kf2 81. Kd2 Ng5 82. Nf4 Kf3 83. Ne2 Kf2 84. Nf4 Kf3 85. Ne2 Nh3 86. Ke1 Kg2
87. Nd4 Ng5 88. Nf5 h3 89. Ne3+ Kf3 90. Nf1 Ne4 91. Nh2+ Kg2 92. Ng4 Nf6 93.
Ne3+ Kg1 94. Nf1 Nh5 95. Ke2 Nf4+ 96. Ke1 Kg2 97. Ne3+ Kf3 98. Nf1 Nd3+ 99. Kd2
Kf2 100. Ne3 {[#]} Ne5 (100... h2 $4 101. Ng4+) 101. Nd1+ Kf3 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.16"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Areshchenko, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2672"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 a6 4. f4 b5 5. Nf3 b4 6. Nb1 Bb7 7. Bd3 c5 8. dxc5 a5
9. a3 Qc7 10. axb4 axb4 11. Rxa8 Bxa8 12. c3 Qxc5 13. Qa4 Bb7 14. Qxb4 Qxb4 15.
cxb4 Na6 16. Bd2 Nf6 17. Bc3 O-O 18. Nbd2 Nh5 19. g3 Rc8 20. Kf2 Bxc3 21. bxc3
Rxc3 22. Bxa6 Bxa6 23. Ra1 Bb7 24. Ra7 Bc6 25. Ne5 Nf6 26. Nxc6 dxc6 27. Rxe7
Ng4+ 28. Kg2 Nf6 29. Nf3 Kf8 30. Rc7 Rc2+ 31. Kg1 Rc1+ 32. Kg2 Rc2+ 33. Kg1 Ng4
34. Nd4 Rxh2 35. Nxc6 Rb2 36. Rb7 Ne3 37. b5 h5 38. Ne5 f6 39. Nxg6+ Ke8 40. b6
Ng4 41. Re7+ Kd8 42. b7 Nh2 43. b8=Q+ 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 1516"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2016.02.21"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "173"]
[EventDate "2015.09.18"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Solingen"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. d4 b6 8. b3
Bb7 9. Bb2 Na5 10. Ne5 c5 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Nd3 Be7 13. b4 Nc6 14. a3 Rc8 15.
Re1 a5 16. b5 Nb8 17. c4 Nbd7 18. Rc1 Nc5 19. Ne5 Ncd7 20. Nd3 Nc5 21. Ne5 Ncd7
22. Ndf3 Bc5 23. Qa4 Qc7 24. Nxd7 Qxd7 25. Ne5 Qe7 26. cxd5 Nxd5 27. Nd3 Bd6
28. e4 Nc7 29. Qd4 Ne8 30. Qxb6 Rxc1 31. Nxc1 Bc5 32. Qxa5 Nf6 33. Nd3 Ra8 34.
Qc3 Bb6 35. Nb4 h6 36. h3 Qd8 37. Qc2 Ra5 38. e5 Nd5 39. Nc6 Bxc6 40. Qxc6 Ne7
41. Qd6 Rxb5 42. Bd4 Nf5 43. Bxb6 Qxd6 44. exd6 Rxb6 45. d7 Rd6 46. a4 Rxd7 47.
a5 Ra7 48. Ra1 Kf8 49. a6 Ke7 50. Bf1 Kd6 51. Kg2 Nd4 52. f4 Nb3 53. Rd1+ Kc7
54. f5 exf5 55. Rd5 Kc6 56. Rxf5 Nc5 57. Kf3 Kb6 58. Bc4 f6 59. Rd5 Rc7 60.
Rd6+ Ka7 61. Bb5 Re7 62. h4 Ne4 63. Rd4 Nc5 64. Rd6 Ne4 65. Rd8 Nc5 66. Kg4 Kb6
67. Rb8+ Ka7 68. Rd8 Kb6 69. Rb8+ Ka7 70. Re8 Rc7 71. Re3 Kb6 72. Bf1 Nd7 73.
Re8 Ne5+ 74. Kf5 Ka7 75. h5 Kb6 76. Ke6 Rc6+ 77. Ke7 Rc7+ 78. Kf8 g6 79. Rxe5
fxe5 80. hxg6 Rc6 81. Kf7 Rc7+ 82. Kf6 Rc6+ 83. Kf5 e4 84. g7 Rc5+ 85. Kg6 Rg5+
86. Kxh6 Rxg3 87. Kh7 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Huzman, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2580"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Bf4 d6 4. Nc3 g6 5. h3 Bg7 6. Nf3 O-O 7. e3 a6 8. a4 a5
9. Bd3 Na6 10. Rc1 Nb4 11. Bb1 d5 12. b3 Be6 13. Qe2 Qb6 14. O-O Qa6 15. Ng5
Bd7 16. Be5 h6 17. Nf3 Be6 18. Nd2 Ne8 19. Bxg7 Nxg7 20. e4 Rad8 21. Rfd1 dxc4
22. Nxc4 b5 23. axb5 cxb5 24. Ne5 Bxb3 25. Rd2 Nc6 26. Nxc6 Qxc6 27. Qxb5 Qxb5
28. Nxb5 Rc8 29. Re1 Rfd8 30. d5 e6 31. Na7 Rc5 32. Nc6 Rd7 33. Nd4 Bc4 34. Nf3
exd5 35. Ne5 Rdc7 36. Ng4 Kf8 37. Nf6 Ne8 38. Nxe8 Kxe8 39. exd5+ Kd8 40. d6
Rb7 41. Rc1 Rd5 42. Rdc2 Rdb5 43. Rxc4 Rxb1 44. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 45. Kh2 Rb6 46. Rc7
Ra6 47. Rxf7 a4 48. Rf8+ Kd7 49. Rf7+ Ke8 50. Rf6 Ra5 51. Rxg6 a3 52. Re6+ Kd7
53. Re1 Kxd6 54. Kg3 a2 55. Ra1 Kd5 56. f4 Ke4 57. Kg4 h5+ 58. Kg3 Kf5 59. Kh4
Kxf4 60. g3+ Kf3 61. g4 hxg4 62. hxg4 Kf4 63. g5 Kf5 64. Kg3 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Khismatullin, Denis Rimovich"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E70"]
[WhiteElo "2651"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 O-O 6. Be2 b5 7. cxb5 a6 8. e5 Ne8
9. Nf3 d6 10. exd6 Nxd6 11. bxa6 Bxa6 12. O-O Nd7 13. Bxa6 Rxa6 14. Re1 Re8 15.
Bg5 h6 16. Qe2 Qc8 17. Bf4 Nf5 18. Rad1 Rb6 19. h3 Qb7 20. Bc1 Rd8 21. Qd3 Nf6
22. g4 Nd4 23. Nxd4 cxd4 24. Qxd4 Nxd5 25. Qe4 e6 26. Qf3 Rbd6 27. Nxd5 exd5
28. b3 Rf6 29. Qg2 Qb6 30. Rd3 d4 31. g5 Re6 32. Rxe6 Qxe6 33. gxh6 Bf6 34. Rd1
Rd5 35. Qg4 Qe7 36. Kf1 Rf5 37. Re1 Qc5 38. Qe4 Kh7 39. Bf4 Bh4 40. Kg2 d3 41.
Rf1 Qc2 42. Be3 Bg5 43. Bd4 Bxh6 44. b4 Qc4 45. f3 Rf4 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.10"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedov, Rauf"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2657"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. h3 e5 7. d5 Nh5 8. g3 Na6
9. Nh2 Nc5 10. b4 Nd7 11. Rb1 a5 12. a3 axb4 13. axb4 f5 14. exf5 e4 15. Nb5
Ne5 16. g4 Qh4 17. Qc2 Bxf5 18. gxf5 Rxf5 19. Be3 Raf8 20. Ng4 Ng3 21. fxg3
Qxg3+ 22. Kd2 Nxg4 23. hxg4 Rf2+ 24. Bxf2 Rxf2+ 25. Be2 Rxe2+ 26. Kxe2 Qg2+ 27.
Kd1 Qxh1+ 28. Kd2 Qg2+ 29. Kc1 Qf1+ 30. Qd1 Qxc4+ 31. Qc2 Qf1+ 32. Kd2 Qf2+ 33.
Kd1 Qf1+ 34. Kd2 Qf2+ 35. Kd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Khairullin, Ildar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E91"]
[WhiteElo "2652"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 O-O 6. Nf3 e6 7. Be2 exd5 8. exd5
d6 9. O-O Re8 10. Bd3 Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Nbd7 13. Qd1 a6 14. Bf4 Qe7 15.
Re1 Qf8 16. Qb3 Nh5 17. Bd2 Reb8 18. Be2 Nhf6 19. Qc2 Re8 20. a4 h5 21. a5 Bh6
22. f4 Qg7 23. Bf3 g5 24. Qf5 gxf4 25. Bxf4 Bxf4 26. Qxf4 Re5 27. Rxe5 Nxe5 28.
Rf1 Kf8 29. Be2 Ke7 30. Ne4 Nxe4 31. Qxe4 Rh8 32. Qh4+ f6 33. Rf5 Qg6 34. Qf2
h4 35. b3 Rh6 36. Kh2 Qg7 37. Rf4 Qg5 38. Bg4 Nd3 39. Re4+ Ne5 40. Bf5 Rh8 41.
Rf4 Kd8 42. Bc2 Ke7 43. Rf5 Qg7 44. Rf4 Qg5 45. Rf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kovalev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2546"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Be3 Nd4 11. Bxd4 exd4 12. Nd5 Nd7 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 c6
15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Qg3 Nc5 17. Ba2 a5 18. f4 Rab8 19. Qf2 Na4 20. Rab1 c5 21.
e5 dxe5 22. fxe5 Qxe5 23. Bxf7+ Kh8 24. Rbe1 Qc7 25. Re4 Nxb2 26. Qf5 h6 27.
Re6 Rb6 28. Bg6 Rg8 29. Re8 Rf6 30. Rxg8+ Kxg8 31. Qd5+ Kf8 32. Re1 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nikolic, Predrag"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2603"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bb4 7. Qb3 Bc5 8.
O-O O-O 9. Na4 Be7 10. Rd1 c6 11. Nc3 d6 12. d4 Qc7 13. Bg2 Re8 14. h3 h6 15.
Qc2 Be6 16. d5 cxd5 17. cxd5 Bd7 18. e4 b5 19. Qb3 Qb7 20. a3 a5 21. Be3 Reb8
22. Rdc1 Bd8 23. Nd1 a4 24. Qd3 b4 25. axb4 Qxb4 26. Kh2 Bb5 27. Qc2 Qb3 28.
Ra3 Qxc2 29. Rxc2 Ba5 30. Bd2 Be2 31. Ne3 Bb6 32. Be1 Bb5 33. Nf5 Bc5 34. Rac3
Bd7 35. Ne7+ Kf8 36. Nc6 Bxc6 37. dxc6 Rb6 38. f4 Bb4 39. Bf2 Rbb8 40. Rc4 a3
41. bxa3 Bxa3 42. fxe5 dxe5 43. c7 Rc8 44. Ra2 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.11"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2704"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 Nbd7 7. O-O c6 8. Qc2
O-O 9. Rd1 b6 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Nd7 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Bc3 Qc7 14. e4 d4 15.
Rxd4 Nxe5 16. Rd1 Ba6 17. Qa4 Be2 18. Re1 Bh5 19. Nd2 Rfd8 20. Qb5 Bc5 21. Nb3
a6 22. Qf1 Be7 23. Re3 Nc4 24. Ree1 b5 25. Rac1 Qb6 26. e5 Rac8 27. Re4 Bg5 28.
Rce1 Bg6 29. Rd4 h6 30. Red1 Rxd4 31. Bxd4 Qc7 32. Qe2 a5 33. h4 Be7 34. Nd2 a4
35. Nxc4 Qxc4 36. Qxc4 bxc4 37. Bc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.11"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kovalenko, Igor"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bb4 7. O-O O-O 8.
Qb3 a5 9. Rd1 Re8 10. d3 h6 11. Bg2 {A normal person would play d6 in this
position but not a creative genius like Igor Kovalenko.} Ra6 $1 {A very
interesting rook lift.} 12. h3 {I don't quite understand if there was a need
to weaken the kingside with h3, but Aronian wanted to develop his bishop on e3
without Ng4 bothering him.} Rae6 13. Be3 d6 14. Na4 b6 15. a3 Bc5 16. Bd2 Nh5 {
The bishop on c5, knight on h5, rook on e6, bishop on c8 and queen on d8 all
are ready to get into the attack. It makes sense to get rid of the c5 bishop.}
17. Nxc5 dxc5 18. Bf3 Nf6 (18... Nxg3 19. fxg3 Rg6 20. Kh2 $18 {repels the
attack.}) ({But it is surprising that Igor Kovalenko missed this move.} 18...
Nf4 $1 19. gxf4 Rg6+ 20. Kh2 Qh4 $19) 19. Qc2 Qe7 20. Bg2 e4 21. Re1 $2 (21.
dxe4 Nxe4 22. Be1 {was relatively safer.}) 21... e3 $1 22. Bc1 (22. Bxe3 Rxe3
23. fxe3 Qxe3+ 24. Kh2 Nh5 $19 {The problems of playing the h3 move become
apparent. g3 is just too weak.}) 22... Nh5 23. Rf1 exf2+ 24. Rxf2 Nxg3 {
As the official commentator Jan Gustaffson would say, "Black has just won a
pawn and also has compensation!"} 25. e4 Rg6 26. Qd1 f5 $1 27. exf5 Nxf5 28.
Kh2 Qh4 29. Qf3 Bb7 30. Qxb7 Qxf2 {An inspired game by Igor Kovalenko.} 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.11"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E08"]
[WhiteElo "2689"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 Nbd7 7. Qc2 c6 8. O-O
O-O 9. Rd1 b6 10. Bf4 Ba6 11. Ne5 Rc8 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Nc6 Bb5 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7
15. Nc3 a5 16. Rac1 Ba6 17. Qd2 h6 18. h3 Rfd8 19. Rc2 Ne8 20. Rdc1 g5 21. Be3
Nd6 22. b3 Nf5 23. g4 Nxe3 24. Qxe3 Qd6 25. Nb5 Qf4 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27. Rxc8+
Bxc8 28. Qc3 Qb8 29. Qc6 Nf6 30. Nc7 Bd7 31. Qd6 a4 32. bxa4 Bxa4 33. Qe7 Nd7
34. Nxe6 fxe6 35. Qxe6+ Kg7 36. Bxd5 Qf8 37. e4 Nf6 38. Bb7 Qb4 39. e5 Ne4 40.
Qf5 Nc3 41. Qf6+ Kh7 42. Qf7+ Kh8 43. Qf6+ Kh7 44. Bc8 Ne2+ 45. Kh2 Nxd4 46.
Qf7+ Kh8 47. Qf6+ Kh7 48. Qf7+ Kh8 49. Qf6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.11"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Onischuk, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2612"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "177"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. h4 h6 5. g4 Bd7 6. f4 h5 7. f5 hxg4 8. e6 fxe6
9. Qxg4 Qc8 10. Nf3 Nf6 11. Qg6+ Kd8 12. Ne5 Be8 13. Nf7+ Bxf7 14. Qxf7 e5 15.
Bh3 Qc7 16. Nc3 Nbd7 17. Ne2 c5 18. c3 cxd4 19. cxd4 exd4 20. Nf4 Nc5 21. O-O
Rc8 22. b4 Rxh4 23. bxc5 Kd7 24. Bg2 Qxc5 25. Qe6+ Ke8 26. Ba3 Qc6 27. Rac1
Qxe6 28. fxe6 Rc3 29. Bb2 Rc6 30. Nxd5 Kd8 31. Nf4 Rxc1 32. Bxc1 Rg4 33. Rd1 g5
34. Rxd4+ Kc8 35. Ne2 Bg7 36. Rxg4 Nxg4 37. Bxg5 Bf6 38. Bf4 Bb2 39. Bf3 Ne5
40. Be4 Kc7 41. Kf2 Kd6 42. Bxb7 Kxe6 43. Ba6 Kd5 44. Ke3 Kc5 45. Bxe5 Bxe5 46.
Ke4 Bh2 47. Kf5 Kb4 48. Ke6 Ka3 49. Bc4 Kb4 50. Bb3 a5 51. Nd4 Ka3 52. Kxe7 a4
53. Bd5 Kb2 54. Kd7 Be5 55. Nf3 Bc3 56. Kc6 a3 57. Kb5 Bg7 58. Bb3 Bf8 59. Ne5
Kc3 60. Nc4 Kd4 61. Ka4 Kc5 62. Nxa3 Kb6 63. Nc4+ Ka6 64. Ne5 Bd6 65. Nd7 Be7
66. Bc4+ Ka7 67. Kb5 Ba3 68. Bd5 Bc1 69. a4 Bd2 70. Ne5 Kb8 71. Nc6+ Kc7 72.
Nb4 Kd6 73. Bf3 Be3 74. a5 Bg1 75. Nd5 Bf2 76. a6 Ba7 77. Nb4 Kc7 78. Bb7 Bg1
79. Nd5+ Kb8 80. Kc6 Bf2 81. Kd7 Ka7 82. Ne7 Kb6 83. Bc8 Kb5 84. Kc7 Ka5 85.
Kb7 Kb4 86. Bg4 Bg1 87. Be2 Ka5 88. Nc6+ Ka4 89. Ne5 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.12"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Seirawan, Yasser"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A27"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2620"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 f5 4. g3 Nf6 5. d4 e4 6. Nh4 g6 7. Bg5 Bg7 8. e3 d6
9. Ng2 h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nf4 Qf7 12. Rc1 O-O 13. c5 g5 14. Nh5 dxc5 15. Nb5
cxd4 16. Bc4 Be6 17. Bxe6 Qxe6 18. Nxc7 Qxa2 19. Nxa8 Rxa8 20. O-O Be5 21. f4
gxf4 22. gxf4 Bh8 23. Ng3 Rf8 24. Nxf5 Kh7 25. Qh5 Rf6 26. Ng3 dxe3 27. Rcd1
Qe6 28. Qe2 Rf7 29. Qxe3 Bxb2 30. Kh1 a5 31. f5 Qe5 32. Qb3 Rc7 33. f6 Qc3 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.12"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Bogdanovich, Stanislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2590"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. Rc1 a6 7. Qa4+ Nc6 8.
Ne5 b5 9. Nxc6 Bxc3+ 10. Rxc3 Qd5 11. Qc2 Qxg5 12. Ne5 O-O 13. Rg3 Qf5 14. Qc1
Bb7 15. Rg5 Qe4 16. Rxg7+ Kxg7 17. Qg5+ Kh8 18. Qxf6+ Kg8 19. Qg5+ Kh8 20. Qf6+
1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.12"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D70"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2639"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2
Nc6 9. O-O-O Qd6 10. Kb1 Rd8 11. Nb5 Qd7 12. d5 a6 13. Nc3 Na5 14. Bd4 e5 15.
Bf2 Nbc4 16. Qc1 b5 17. h4 b4 18. Bxc4 Nxc4 19. Nce2 Qb5 20. h5 c6 21. hxg6
hxg6 22. Qg5 Be6 23. f4 b3 24. a4 Na3+ 25. Kc1 Qc4+ 26. Nc3 cxd5 27. Nf3 Rdc8
28. Kd2 dxe4 29. Nxe5 Bxe5 30. Bb6 Bg7 31. Qh4 Qb4 32. Bg1 e3+ 33. Ke2 Nc2 34.
g4 Nd4+ 35. Kxe3 Qc5 36. Qh7+ Kf8 37. Ne4 Qc2 38. Rd2 Qc4 39. Kf2 Bxg4 40. Ng5
Nf5 41. Kg2 Rd8 42. Rf2 Rd3 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.12"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Zvjaginsev, Vadim"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2660"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nf6 5. h3 Nc6 6. c3 g6 7. Nf3 Qc7 8. O-O
Bf5 9. Re1 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Nbd2 Bg7 12. Nb3 O-O 13. Be3 Ne4 14. Ng5 Nd6
15. Bf4 b6 16. Qg3 Rad8 17. Qh4 h6 18. Nf3 g5 19. Bxd6 Rxd6 20. Qg3 Rd7 21. Ne5
Nxe5 22. dxe5 f6 23. Nd4 Re7 24. Qg4 Qc4 25. Nf3 Qxg4 26. hxg4 Rc8 27. Rad1 Kf7
28. exf6 Bxf6 29. Ne5+ Bxe5 30. Rxe5 Rc4 31. f3 b5 32. a3 a5 33. Kf2 b4 34.
axb4 axb4 35. Rh1 Kg6 36. Re3 Rc6 37. Kg3 bxc3 38. bxc3 Rec7 39. Re2 Ra6 40.
Re3 Rcc6 41. Rhe1 Rab6 42. Kf2 Kf6 43. Rh1 Rb2+ 44. Kg3 Kg6 45. Rhe1 Rbb6 46.
Kf2 h5 47. gxh5+ Kxh5 48. g4+ Kg6 49. Kg3 Kf7 50. Rh1 Rb3 51. Re5 Rcxc3 52. Rf1
Kf6 53. Re2 e5 54. Kg2 d4 55. Ra1 Ra3 56. Rb1 Rcb3 57. Rc1 Ke6 58. Rc5 Re3 59.
Rxe3 Rxe3 60. Kf2 Rc3 61. Ra5 Rc2+ 62. Ke1 Kd6 63. Rb5 Rc5 64. Rb6+ Kd5 65. Rf6
Rc2 66. Kd1 d3 67. Rf5 Kd4 68. Rxg5 Ra2 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.12"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C13"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2651"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2015.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 gxf6 7. Nf3 f5 8.
Nc3 a6 9. Qe2 b5 10. O-O-O b4 11. Na4 Qd5 12. c4 Qa5 13. Qe5 Qxe5 14. Nxe5 Bd7
15. Nxd7 Nxd7 16. g3 O-O-O 17. c5 Kb7 18. Bg2+ c6 19. Rhe1 Bf6 20. Re3 a5 21.
Kc2 Kc7 22. b3 h5 23. h4 Rdg8 24. Bf3 f4 25. gxf4 Bxh4 26. Re2 Bf6 27. Nb2 h4
28. Nc4 h3 29. f5 exf5 30. d5 Nxc5 31. d6+ Kd7 32. Ne5+ Bxe5 33. Rxe5 Ne6 34.
Rxf5 f6 35. Rxa5 Ra8 36. Rxa8 Rxa8 37. Bg4 h2 38. Re1 Re8 39. Kd3 Kxd6 40. Bxe6
Rh8 41. Rh1 Kxe6 42. Ke4 f5+ 43. Kf3 Kf6 44. Kg2 Ra8 45. Rxh2 Rxa2 46. Rh6+ Kg5
47. Rxc6 Rb2 48. Kg3 Rxb3+ 49. f3 Rc3 50. Rb6 f4+ 51. Kg2 b3 52. Rb4 Kf5 53.
Rb5+ Ke6 54. Kh3 Rxf3+ 55. Kg4 Rc3 56. Kxf4 Kd6 57. Ke4 Kc6 58. Kd4 Kxb5 59.
Kxc3 Ka4 60. Kb2 Kb4 61. Kb1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Khairullin, Ildar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[PlyCount "169"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. e3 g6 4. d4 Bg7 5. d5 O-O 6. Nf3 e6 7. Be2 exd5 8. cxd5
d6 9. Nd2 Na6 10. O-O Nc7 11. e4 Re8 12. a4 b6 13. Re1 Rb8 14. Bb5 Re7 15. Bf1
a6 16. Nc4 b5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Na5 Bd7 19. Bg5 b4 20. Na4 h6 21. Bxf6 Bxf6 22.
Nc4 Bxa4 23. Rxa4 Bd4 24. Na5 Bxb2 25. Nc6 Qe8 26. Ra7 Rc8 27. Nxe7+ Qxe7 28.
Qc2 Bc3 29. Re3 Bd4 30. Rf3 Ra8 31. Rxa8+ Nxa8 32. g3 Nb6 33. Kg2 h5 34. h4 Nd7
35. Rb3 Nf6 36. f3 Qa7 37. Bc4 Nd7 38. Rb1 Ne5 39. Be2 Qa3 40. Qb3 Qa5 41. f4
Nd7 42. e5 dxe5 43. f5 Nf6 44. fxg6 fxg6 45. d6+ Kg7 46. Qe6 Qa8+ 47. Bf3 e4
48. Be2 Qa7 49. Rf1 e3 50. Bc4 Qa8+ 51. Kh3 Qd8 52. Qe7+ Qxe7 53. dxe7 e2 54.
Bxe2 Kf7 55. Bd3 b3 56. Bc4+ Kxe7 57. Bxb3 Nd7 58. Kg2 Ne5 59. Rb1 c4 60. Bc2
c3 61. Rb4 Bc5 62. Ra4 Kf6 63. Kf1 Be3 64. Ke2 Bd2 65. Ra6+ Kf7 66. Bb3+ Kg7
67. Re6 Ng4 68. Bc2 Nf6 69. Kd3 Ng4 70. Ke2 Nf6 71. Kf3 Kf7 72. Rc6 Kg7 73.
Rc7+ Kh6 74. Re7 Ng4 75. Re6 Kg7 76. Rxg6+ Kf7 77. Ra6 Ne3 78. Bb3+ Kf8 79.
Rf6+ Kg7 80. Rc6 Nf5 81. Rc4 Be1 82. Bc2 Nxg3 83. Rf4 Kh6 84. Rf6+ Kg7 85. Re6
1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anton Guijarro, David"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2634"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. Nbd2 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Re1 Re8 12. Nf1 Nc6 13. Ne3 h6 14. Bb3 Na5 15.
Bd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 Bf8 17. b4 Nb7 18. Bb2 Bd7 19. a3 a5 20. Nd2 Qg5 21. Ne4 Qg6
22. bxc5 dxc5 23. c4 b4 24. Nf1 Bg4 25. Qc2 f5 26. Ned2 Bd6 27. Kh1 e4 28. dxe4
fxe4 29. Nxe4 Bf5 30. f3 a4 31. Qd3 Na5 32. Re2 Nb3 33. Rae1 bxa3 34. Bxa3 Nd4
35. Rb2 Bxe4 36. fxe4 Rab8 37. Rxb8 Rxb8 38. Bc1 Rb3 39. Qd1 Be5 40. Be3 Qxe4
41. Bxd4 Rd3 42. Rxe4 Rxd1 43. Rxe5 cxd4 44. Kg1 a3 45. Re8+ Kf7 46. Ra8 Ra1
47. Kf2 Ra2+ 48. Kf3 Ke7 49. c5 Ra1 50. Nd2 a2 51. Ke2 Rc1 52. Rxa2 Rxc5 53.
Kd3 Rxd5 54. Nf3 Kf6 55. Ke4 Rb5 56. Ra6+ Kf7 57. Nxd4 Rb2 58. Kf3 Kg8 59. Nf5
Rb5 60. g4 Rb3+ 61. Kf4 Rb4+ 62. Kg3 Rb3+ 63. Kh4 Rb7 64. Kh5 Kh7 65. h4 Rd7
66. g5 hxg5 67. hxg5 Kh8 68. Ra8+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nielsen, Peter Heine"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A10"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 d5 2. cxd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. Nf3 e5 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 c6 7. O-O Be7 8. d3
O-O 9. Bd2 Qc7 10. Rc1 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Nh4 Rd8 13. b4 a6 14. Qb3 Nbd7 15. g4
Bg6 16. a4 Qd6 17. Nxg6 hxg6 18. Ne4 Nxe4 19. Bxe4 Rab8 20. f4 Rf8 21. fxe5
Nxe5 22. Bf4 g5 23. Bh2 Bf6 24. e3 Qe7 25. Rc2 Rbd8 26. Rcf2 Qe6 27. Qxe6 fxe6
28. Bxe5 Bxe5 29. Rxf8+ Rxf8 30. Bh7+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ragger, Markus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E70"]
[WhiteElo "2698"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 O-O 6. e5 Ne8 7. h4 d6 8. e6 fxe6
9. h5 exd5 10. Nxd5 Nc6 11. hxg6 hxg6 12. Bd3 Ne5 13. Bh6 e6 14. Bxg7 Nxg7 15.
Ne3 Qa5+ 16. Kf1 Bd7 17. Nf3 Rxf3 18. gxf3 Bc6 19. Rh3 Rf8 20. Ng4 Rxf3 21.
Nh6+ Kh7 22. Nf7+ Rxh3 23. Ng5+ Kg8 24. Nxh3 Qd8 25. Be2 Qh4 26. Qb3 Nf5 27.
Ng1 Ng4 28. Nh3 Nge3+ 29. fxe3 Qxh3+ 30. Ke1 Qh1+ 31. Bf1 Ng3 32. Qd3 Be4 33.
Qxd6 Qxf1+ 34. Kd2 Qe2+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zvjaginsev, Vadim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A50"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2660"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 b6 2. Nf3 Bb7 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 g6 5. d4 c5 6. d5 b5 7. Nfd2 bxc4 8. Nxc4
d6 9. Nc3 Bg7 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 Ba6 12. Qa4 Bxc4 13. Qxc4 Nbd7 14. Rb1 Qa5
15. a3 Rab8 16. Bd2 Ne5 17. Qa2 Qa6 18. Rec1 Qc4 19. b3 Qg4 20. h3 Qh5 21. b4
cxb4 22. axb4 Rb7 23. f4 Ned7 24. g4 Nxg4 25. hxg4 Qxg4 26. e3 h5 27. Qc4 Nb6
28. Qe2 Qd7 29. Nb5 Nxd5 30. Bxd5 Qxb5 31. Qxb5 Rxb5 32. Bc6 Rbb8 33. b5 e6 34.
Kf2 d5 35. Kf3 Bf6 36. Bb4 Rfd8 37. Bc5 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.13"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. d4 O-O 6. h3 e5 7. d5 Nh5 8. g3 Na6
9. Nh2 Nc5 10. Be3 a5 11. h4 Qe7 12. Be2 Nf6 13. Bf3 Nfd7 14. g4 f5 15. g5 Nxe4
16. Bxe4 fxe4 17. Nxe4 Nc5 18. Nxc5 dxc5 19. Ng4 Rf4 20. Nf6+ Bxf6 21. gxf6
Qxf6 22. Bxf4 exf4 23. Qe2 Bd7 24. O-O-O Re8 25. Qf3 b5 26. Rhe1 bxc4 27. Rxe8+
Bxe8 28. d6 cxd6 29. Qd5+ Bf7 30. Qxd6 Qxh4 31. Qxc5 h5 32. a4 f3 33. Qe3 c3
34. Qxc3 Qf4+ 35. Qd2 Qxa4 36. Qd8+ Kh7 37. Rd7 Qc4+ 38. Kd2 Kg7 39. Qe7 h4 40.
Qe5+ Kh7 41. Rd4 Qe2+ 42. Qxe2 fxe2 43. Rxh4+ Kg7 44. Ra4 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "2850"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. e3 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Be2 Nc6 7. Bh2 Nd7 8. a4
e5 9. a5 exd4 10. exd4 a6 11. O-O Re8 12. Nc3 Nf6 13. Re1 h6 14. d5 Ne7 15. Bf1
Nf5 16. Rxe8+ Qxe8 17. Qd2 Bd7 18. Re1 Qf8 19. b4 Re8 20. Rb1 Bc8 21. b5 axb5
22. Nxb5 Nxd5 23. Qxd5 c6 24. Qd2 cxb5 25. Bxb5 Rd8 26. Bd3 Qe7 27. Qb4 Qc7 28.
g4 Ne7 29. Qb6 Qxb6 30. Rxb6 Bc3 31. Rxd6 Bxa5 32. Bc4 Rxd6 33. Bxd6 Nc6 34.
Bd5 Bb4 35. Bf4 Kg7 36. Kg2 Be7 37. Be3 h5 38. gxh5 gxh5 39. Nd4 Nxd4 40. Bxd4+
Bf6 41. Bb6 h4 42. c4 Be5 43. Bd8 f6 44. Ba5 Kg6 45. Bd2 b6 46. Be3 Bc7 47. f3
Bd7 48. Bf2 Kg5 49. Be3+ Kg6 50. Bf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Petrosian, Tigran L"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. e4 dxe4 8.
dxe4 e5 9. c3 a5 10. a4 Bc5 11. Qc2 Be6 12. Ng5 Bd7 13. Nc4 Qe7 14. Ne3 Bxe3
15. Bxe3 Rad8 16. h3 Nb8 17. b4 b6 18. bxa5 bxa5 19. Nf3 Na6 20. Nh4 Nc5 21.
Nf5 Bxf5 22. exf5 Nd5 23. Bxd5 Rxd5 24. Rfd1 c6 25. c4 Rd7 26. Rxd7 Nxd7 27.
Qe4 Qd6 28. g4 Rb8 29. Qc2 h6 30. Rd1 Qc7 31. Qd2 Nf6 32. Qd6 Qxd6 33. Rxd6 Rb4
34. Rxc6 Rxa4 35. Rc8+ Kh7 36. Rc7 Kg8 37. Kg2 Ne4 38. Rc8+ Kh7 39. Rc7 f6 40.
h4 Nd6 41. c5 Nb5 42. Rb7 Rxg4+ 43. Kh3 Rb4 44. c6 Nd6 45. Rd7 Nxf5 46. Bc5
Rxh4+ 47. Kg2 Rg4+ 48. Kf1 Rc4 49. Rd5 Ne7 50. Bxe7 Rxc6 51. Rxa5 Kg6 52. Ra7
Rc8 53. Kg2 Kf5 54. Kg3 h5 55. Kh4 Rc3 56. Ra3 Rxa3 57. Bxa3 g6 58. Be7 Ke6 59.
Bd8 Kf7 60. Bb6 Ke7 61. Ba5 Kd7 62. Bb6 Ke6 63. Bd8 Kf7 64. Bb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.13"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2658"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 a6 7. Qb3 Be7 8.
O-O O-O 9. Nc3 c5 10. a4 Nb8 11. Ne5 Ra7 12. a5 Nfd7 13. Nc4 Nc6 14. d3 Nd4 15.
Qd1 Nb8 16. e3 Nf5 17. Qe2 Bd7 18. Rd1 Bc6 19. d4 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 cxd4 21. exd4
Qc7 22. d5 Bf6 23. Bf4 e5 24. Nxe5 Qe7 25. d6 Nxd6 26. Nd5 Qe6 27. Nxf6+ Qxf6
28. Ng4 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.13"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. e4 dxe4 8.
Nxe4 Nxe4 9. dxe4 Qxd1 10. Rxd1 e5 11. c3 f6 12. Bf1 Be6 13. Be3 Rfd8 14. Nd2
Kf7 15. f3 a6 16. Kf2 Rd7 17. Nb3 Rxd1 18. Rxd1 Rd8 19. Rxd8 Nxd8 20. Ke1 Ke8
21. Kd2 Kd7 22. Kc2 Ke8 23. Nc5 Bc8 24. Bc4 a5 25. b4 b6 26. Nd3 axb4 27. cxb4
Be6 28. Bxe6 Nxe6 29. a4 Kd7 30. Kc3 Nd8 31. Kc4 Kc6 32. a5 Kb7 33. axb6 cxb6
34. Kd5 Kc7 35. b5 Ba3 36. f4 exf4 37. gxf4 Nf7 38. e5 Nh6 39. exf6 gxf6 40.
Bd4 f5 41. Ke6 Ng4 42. h3 Nh2 43. Ne5 Nf1 44. Nc4 Bc1 45. Bxb6+ Kb7 46. Kxf5
Ng3+ 47. Ke5 Nh5 48. Be3 Bxe3 49. Nxe3 Kb6 50. f5 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.13"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bartel, Mateusz"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2622"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nf3 f5 4. g3 Nf6 5. d4 e4 6. Nh4 Be7 7. Bg5 O-O 8. e3 c6
9. Ng2 Na6 10. Nf4 Nc7 11. h4 d5 12. Rc1 Bd6 13. h5 Bxf4 14. Bxf4 Ne6 15. cxd5
Nxf4 16. gxf4 cxd5 17. Qb3 Rf7 18. Be2 Be6 19. Kd2 Rc8 20. a3 Rfc7 21. Nb5 Rxc1
22. Rxc1 Rxc1 23. Kxc1 a6 24. Nc3 Qc7 25. Kd2 Bf7 26. Qb4 g6 27. h6 Be8 28. a4
Kf7 29. Bd1 Bc6 30. Bb3 Qe7 31. Qb6 Qd7 32. Qc5 Qe7 33. Nxd5 Qxc5 34. Nxf6+
Kxf6 35. dxc5 g5 36. Bg8 Kg6 37. fxg5 Bxa4 38. Kc3 Bd7 39. Kd4 Kxg5 40. Bxh7
Kxh6 41. Bg8 Kg5 42. Ke5 Kg4 43. Bd5 Bc8 44. Be6 Bxe6 45. Kxe6 f4 46. Ke5 fxe3
47. fxe3 Kf3 48. Kd4 a5 49. b3 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.14"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O
8. O-O Re8 9. Qf3 Rb8 10. h3 Bd6 11. Rb1 Be5 12. Bf4 d6 13. Bxe5 Rxe5 14. b3
Nd7 15. Na4 Qg5 16. Qe2 Qf4 17. g3 Qh6 18. f4 Re7 19. h4 Nf6 20. Rbe1 Bh3 21.
Rf2 Rbe8 22. Qf3 Bf5 23. Nc3 Qg6 24. Re3 Bg4 25. Qg2 Qh5 26. Na4 Nd5 27. Re1 f5
28. Rff1 fxe4 29. Bc4 Kh8 30. Kh2 Bf3 31. Qh3 Nf6 32. Kg1 Qa5 33. Be2 Bxe2 34.
Rxe2 h5 35. Rfe1 e3 36. Qg2 d5 37. Qf3 Ng4 38. c3 Qb5 39. Rd1 Re4 40. Nb2 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.14"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. d4 e6 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. e4 Nxc3 8.
bxc3 cxd4 9. cxd4 Bb4+ 10. Bd2 Bxd2+ 11. Qxd2 Qa5 12. Qxa5 Nxa5 13. Rc1 Bd7 14.
Ne5 Ba4 15. Kd2 Nc6 16. Nf3 Ke7 17. Rc4 Bb5 18. Rc3 Bxf1 19. Rxf1 Rac8 20. Rfc1
Rhd8 21. Ke3 f6 22. Rc5 Kd7 23. h4 b6 24. R5c3 Ne7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.14"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d4 b5 6. Nbd2 Bb7 7. Ne5 Nbd7 8. c4
bxc4 9. Ndxc4 c5 10. Bf4 O-O 11. Rc1 Rc8 12. Qa4 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Bc6 14. Qa3 Nh5
15. Rfd1 Nxf4 16. gxf4 Bb5 17. e4 Bxc4 18. Rxc4 dxc4 19. Rxd8 Rfxd8 20. Bf3 Rd3
21. Qxa7 Rxf3 22. Qxe7 Rxf4 23. a4 Rxe4 24. a5 Rxe5 25. a6 Rd5 26. Qb7 Rdd8 27.
a7 g6 28. Kg2 Kg7 29. Kg3 h5 30. h4 Kf6 31. Kg2 Kg7 32. Kg3 Kf6 33. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.14"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 Ne7 6. O-O c5 7. Be3 cxd4 8. Nxd4
Nbc6 9. Bb5 Bg6 10. c4 a6 11. Bxc6+ Nxc6 12. Qa4 Qd7 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Nxc6
Qxc6 15. Nc3 Be7 16. Rac1 O-O 17. Rfd1 Rfd8 18. Qxc6 bxc6 19. Na4 f6 20. exf6
Bxf6 21. Bd4 Bg5 22. Rxc6 Rac8 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. Nc5 a5 25. f3 Be7 26. Ne6 Kf7
27. Nf4 Rc2 28. Nxd5 Bd8 29. Ne3 Rc8 30. Kf2 a4 31. a3 Be7 32. Rd2 Bb1 33. Ng4
Ba2 34. Ne5+ Ke8 35. Nd3 g6 36. Nb4 Kf7 37. Nxa2 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.14"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Melkumyan, Hrant"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2622"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 O-O 8.
Nc3 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 c6 10. d4 Bf6 11. Re1 Re8 12. Bf4 Rxe1 13. Qxe1 Nf5 14. d5 d6
15. Rd1 c5 16. Bd3 Nd4 17. Ne4 Bg4 18. Rd2 Be5 19. Bxe5 dxe5 20. c3 Nf5 21.
Nxc5 Nd6 22. h3 Qc7 23. Ne4 Bd7 24. c4 b6 25. b3 a5 26. Re2 Nxe4 27. Rxe4 Re8
28. Qd2 f5 29. Re1 Qd6 30. f3 h6 31. Qf2 Re7 32. Kh1 g6 33. Qh4 Kg7 34. Qg3 g5
35. Qf2 Kf6 36. a3 Qc5 37. Qb2 Qd4 38. Qxd4 exd4 39. Rxe7 Kxe7 40. b4 axb4 41.
axb4 Kd6 42. Kg1 f4 43. Kf2 h5 44. Ke2 Bc8 45. Bg6 g4 46. Bxh5 gxh3 47. gxh3
Bxh3 48. Bg4 Bxg4 49. fxg4 b5 50. c5+ Kxd5 51. g5 Ke4 52. g6 f3+ 53. Kf2 d3 54.
g7 d2 55. g8=Q d1=Q 56. Qe6+ Kf4 57. Qe3+ Kg4 58. Qe4+ Kg5 59. Qe5+ Kg4 60.
Qe4+ Kg5 61. c6 Kh6 62. Qf4+ Kg7 63. Qg4+ Kf6 64. Qf4+ Ke6 65. Qe3+ Kd6 66.
Qc5+ Kc7 67. Qxb5 Qc2+ 68. Kxf3 Qxc6+ 69. Qxc6+ Kxc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.14"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Vovk, Yuri"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E70"]
[WhiteElo "2617"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 O-O 6. f3 a6 7. a4 e6 8. Nge2 exd5
9. cxd5 Nh5 10. Be3 d6 11. Qd2 Nd7 12. Ng3 Ne5 13. Nxh5 gxh5 14. Be2 f5 15. O-O
Qf6 16. f4 Ng4 17. Bxg4 hxg4 18. e5 dxe5 19. fxe5 Qxe5 20. Bxc5 Bd7 21. Rae1
Qf6 22. Bxf8 Rxf8 23. Kh1 f4 24. Ne4 Qh6 25. g3 Bxa4 26. Rxf4 Rxf4 27. Qxf4
Qxf4 28. gxf4 Bxb2 29. Nc5 Bb5 30. Nxb7 Bc4 31. Rd1 Be2 32. Rd2 Bf3+ 33. Kg1
Bc1 34. Rd3 Be4 35. Rd1 Bxf4 36. d6 Be3+ 37. Kf1 Bb6 38. d7 Kf7 39. Nd6+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.14"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 c5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. O-O d5 6. c3 Bd6 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. Qe2
e5 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. e4 h6 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Ne4 Bb6 13. Ng3 Re8 14. Re1 Bg4 15.
h3 Be6 16. Bc2 Qc7 17. Qe4 Nf6 18. Qh4 Nh7 19. Bxh6 gxh6 20. Qxh6 f5 21. Nxf5
Bxf5 22. Bxf5 Qg7 23. Qh4 Rf8 24. Qe4 Ng5 25. Qc4+ Qf7 26. Qxf7+ Rxf7 27. Nxg5
Rxf5 28. Ne4 Rd8 29. Rad1 Rxd1 30. Rxd1 Rf4 31. Re1 Ne7 32. g3 Rf8 33. Kg2 Nd5
34. Re2 Nf6 35. Nd6 e4 36. b4 Rd8 37. Nxe4 Nxe4 38. Rxe4 Rd2 39. Rf4 Rxa2 40.
c4 a5 41. c5 Bc7 42. Rg4+ Kf7 43. bxa5 Rxa5 44. Rb4 Rxc5 45. Rxb7 Kg6 46. Rb2
Be5 47. Re2 Rb5 48. h4 Bd4 49. g4 Bf6 50. h5+ Kg5 51. Kg3 Rb3+ 52. f3 Kh6 53.
Re8 Kg7 54. Re4 Bg5 55. Re5 Bf6 56. Rf5 Rb4 57. g5 Be7 58. f4 Rd4 59. Kg4 Bd6
60. Rf6 Be7 61. h6+ Kg8 62. h7+ Kh8 63. Rf7 Ba3 64. g6 Rd6 65. Rf8+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.14"]
[Round "19"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. Nb5 Na6 6. h3 c6 7. Nc3 Nc7 8. Nf3
O-O 9. Bd3 Nd7 10. O-O Re8 11. e4 dxe4 12. Bxe4 Ne6 13. Be3 Nf6 14. Bd3 b6 15.
Re1 Bb7 16. Bc4 Nd5 17. Nxd5 cxd5 18. Bb5 Rf8 19. Qd2 Nc7 20. Bd3 Ba6 21. Bxa6
Nxa6 22. Bh6 Nc7 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24. Ne5 e6 25. Ng4 Ne8 26. Re3 Nf6 27. Rf3 Nxg4
28. hxg4 h6 29. Rh3 Qg5 30. Qe2 Rac8 31. Rf1 Rh8 32. f4 Qf6 33. c3 Rc7 34. g3
Rd7 35. Rf2 Rdd8 36. Rfh2 g5 37. Rf2 Qg6 38. Qe5+ Qf6 39. Qc7 Qg6 40. f5 exf5
41. Rxf5 Rhe8 42. Qxa7 Re1+ 43. Kg2 Qe6 44. Rh2 Re8 45. Qb7 Re7 46. Qxd5 Qe3
47. Qd6 Re6 48. Qc7 Re7 49. Qd6 Re6 50. Qc7 Re7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.14"]
[Round "20"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B15"]
[WhiteElo "2623"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 Be6 8.
Qc2 Nd7 9. Ne2 Qc7 10. h3 Nf8 11. Bd2 Bd7 12. O-O-O Ne6 13. c4 O-O-O 14. c5 Bf4
15. Bc4 Kb8 16. Kb1 Bxd2 17. Rxd2 Bc8 18. Rhd1 Rhe8 19. Qxh7 Ng5 20. Qxg7 Ne4
21. Qxf7 Nxd2+ 22. Rxd2 Qh2 23. Qxf6 Qh1+ 24. Kc2 Qxg2 25. Qf4+ Ka8 26. h4 Rf8
27. Qg3 Rxf2 28. Qxg2 Rxg2 29. h5 Bg4 30. h6 Rh2 31. Nf4 Rxh6 32. Kc3 Rf6 33.
Nd3 Rf3 34. Rf2 Rg3 35. b4 Kb8 36. a4 Bh5 37. b5 Bg6 38. Rf6 Be4 39. a5 cxb5
40. Bxb5 Bxd3 41. Bxd3 Rg4 42. Rd6 Rxd6 43. cxd6 Rg5 44. a6 b6 45. Kc4 Kc8 46.
d5 Kd7 47. Be4 Kxd6 48. Bf3 Rf5 49. Be4 Rf1 50. Bd3 Rc1+ 51. Kd4 Rd1 52. Kc4
Rxd3 53. Kxd3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz 9th"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2015.10.14"]
[Round "21"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2015.10.13"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 g6 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 Bg7 7. Bf4 O-O 8.
Nxc6 bxc6 9. Bg2 Rb8 10. Qd2 d5 11. Rd1 Be6 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Be3 a5 14. O-O c6
15. b3 Nd7 16. Na4 Rb4 17. Rc1 Qa8 18. Bh6 Bxh6 19. Qxh6 Qa6 20. Qd2 Rc8 21. e3
Rb7 22. Rfd1 Rbc7 23. Nc5 Nxc5 24. Rxc5 Ra7 25. Rdc1 a4 26. b4 a3 27. Qc3 Raa8
28. Ra5 Qb6 29. Qxa3 Rxa5 30. bxa5 Qa7 31. Rc5 Rb8 32. h4 Rb1+ 33. Kh2 Qa6 34.
Rc1 Rxc1 35. Qxc1 Qxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 31st"]
[Site "Skopje"]
[Date "2015.10.20"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2660"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2015.10.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "SHSM Legacy"]
[BlackTeam "Siberia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Qc2 c5 8. Rd1
cxd4 9. Rxd4 Qa5 10. Bg3 b5 11. cxb5 Bb7 12. Bd3 Nc5 13. Ne5 Rfc8 14. O-O Nxd3
15. Qxd3 a6 16. a4 Nh5 17. Bh4 Bc5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Rxd5 Qxa4 20. Rd8+ Rxd8
21. Bxd8 Qxb5 22. Qxb5 axb5 23. Rd1 Bd4 24. exd4 Rxd8 25. Nc6 Rd6 26. Rc1 Nf4
27. Kf1 g6 28. g3 Nd3 29. Rc2 Nxb2 30. Ne7+ Kf8 31. Nc8 Rd8 32. Rxb2 Rxc8 33.
Rxb5 Rd8 34. Rb4 g5 35. Ke2 Kg7 36. Rb5 Kg6 37. Ke3 g4 38. Re5 h5 39. Re4 Ra8
40. h4 gxh3 41. Rh4 Ra3+ 42. Ke2 f5 43. Rxh3 f4 44. f3 Re3+ 45. Kf2 Rd3 46.
gxf4 Rxd4 47. Kg3 Rd8 48. Rh1 Rg8 49. Kf2 Kh6 50. Rh2 Kg6 51. Rg2+ Kf7 52. Rg5
Rxg5 53. fxg5 Kg6 54. f4 e5 55. fxe5 Kxg5 56. Kg3 Kf5 57. Kh4 Kxe5 58. Kxh5
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 31st"]
[Site "Skopje"]
[Date "2015.10.21"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2015.10.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Siberia"]
[BlackTeam "Mednyi Vsadnik"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 b5 5. O-O Bb7 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. e4 dxe4 8.
Nfd2 h6 9. Bxf6 Nxf6 10. Qe2 a6 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. Bxe4 Nxe4 13. Qxe4 Qd5 14.
Qe3 Rd8 15. Rd1 Be7 16. Nc3 Qf5 17. Rd3 O-O 18. Rad1 Rd7 19. Ne4 Rfd8 20. a3 c6
21. f4 a5 22. c3 Qd5 23. R3d2 Qc4 24. Nf2 c5 25. Ne4 cxd4 26. cxd4 b4 27. axb4
axb4 28. Rd3 Qd5 29. Nd2 Bf6 30. Nb3 Rc7 31. Qf3 Qb5 32. R1d2 Rdc8 33. Kg2 Rc2
34. Rxc2 Rxc2+ 35. Rd2 Rc8 36. Qe4 Qc4 37. Qf3 g6 38. h4 h5 39. Kf2 Qb5 40. Qe2
Qd5 41. Qf3 Qc4 42. Kg2 Rd8 43. Qd3 Qc6+ 44. Qf3 Rd5 45. Qe4 Qd6 46. Qe3 Qd8
47. Kf2 Rd7 48. Qe4 Rc7 49. Ke3 Qc8 50. Nc5 Be7 51. Kf2 Bxc5 52. dxc5 b3 53.
Qe3 Rxc5 54. Qxb3 Rc1 55. Qf3 Qc5+ 56. Kg2 Rb1 57. Kh2 Qb5 58. Qe2 Qb7 59. Qg2
Qb6 60. Qf2 Qb7 61. Qg2 Qb6 62. Qf2 Qb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 31st"]
[Site "Skopje"]
[Date "2015.10.22"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2798"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2015.10.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Socar"]
[BlackTeam "Siberia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. e4 dxe4 8.
dxe4 e5 9. Nc4 Qxd1 10. Rxd1 Nxe4 11. Nfxe5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Nf6 13. Nc4 c6 14. c3
Nd5 15. Bxd5 cxd5 16. Ne3 Bc5 17. Nxd5 Bg4 18. Re1 Rfd8 19. c4 Bf3 20. Bg5 Rd7
21. Be3 Bf8 22. a4 h6 23. Rac1 b6 24. Bd2 Bxd5 25. cxd5 Rxd5 26. Be3 b5 27.
axb5 Rxb5 28. Bd4 Rd8 29. Bxa7 Rxb2 30. Red1 Rxd1+ 31. Rxd1 Be7 32. Re1 Bf6 33.
Rd1 Ra2 34. Bd4 Ra6 35. Bxf6 Rxf6 36. Rc1 g6 37. h4 h5 38. Kg2 Rf5 39. Rd1 Kh7
40. Rd6 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 31st"]
[Site "Skopje"]
[Date "2015.10.23"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2015.10.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Siberia"]
[BlackTeam "Alkaloid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "MKD"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 Bf5 6. Qb3 b5 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Bd2
e6 9. Rc1 Be7 10. Nh4 Bg6 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. Bd3 O-O 13. a4 b4 14. Na2 Qb6 15.
a5 Qxa5 16. Nxb4 Qb6 17. Bc2 Rc8 18. O-O Nc6 19. Nd3 Qb5 20. f3 Nd7 21. Bd1 Nb6
22. Qxb5 axb5 23. b3 Ra2 24. Rf2 Bg5 25. f4 Be7 26. Be1 Rxf2 27. Kxf2 g5 28.
Ne5 Nxe5 29. Rxc8+ Nxc8 30. fxe5 f6 31. Be2 Na7 32. Ba5 fxe5 33. dxe5 Kf7 34.
Bc7 Bb4 35. Kf3 Bd2 36. Bb6 Nc6 37. Bxb5 Nxe5+ 38. Ke2 Bb4 39. e4 Ng4 40. exd5
exd5 41. Ba6 Nf6 42. Bc8 Ke7 43. Bf5 Bd6 44. g3 Bb4 45. Bc7 g4 46. Ke3 Bc5+ 47.
Kf4 Bg1 48. Bxg4 Bxh2 49. Bf3 Bg1 50. Kf5 Bc5 51. g4 Bd6 52. Bxd6+ Kxd6 53. Kg6
Ke5 54. Kxg7 Ne4 55. b4 Kf4 56. Be2 Nc3 57. Bf1 Kxg4 58. b5 Nxb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 31st"]
[Site "Skopje"]
[Date "2015.10.24"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2015.10.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Padova"]
[BlackTeam "Siberia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ITA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. c4 Nc7 14. d4 d6
15. g3 Bf6 16. Bg2 g6 17. Qd3 d5 18. cxd5 cxd5 19. b3 Be6 20. a4 Be7 21. Ba3
Bxa3 22. Rxa3 Ne8 23. Rc1 Nf6 24. Ra2 Qd7 25. Rac2 Rfc8 26. h4 h5 27. Qd2 b6
28. Rc3 Qd6 29. Bf3 Rxc3 30. Rxc3 Rc8 31. Rxc8+ Bxc8 32. Qc3 Bd7 33. a5 Kg7 34.
Kg2 Be6 35. axb6 axb6 36. Kg1 Kg8 37. Kg2 Kg7 38. Kg1 Kg8 39. Kg2 Kg7 40. Kg1
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.13"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Stefansson, Hannes"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2602"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Iceland"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISL"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Bg2 Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bc5 7. Na4 Be7 8.
d4 d6 9. O-O O-O 10. Nc3 c6 11. Bg2 Qb6 12. d5 Bd7 13. b3 cxd5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5
15. Bxd5 Bc6 16. Qd3 Rac8 17. Rd1 a6 18. h4 Bxd5 19. Qxd5 Qc6 20. a4 Rfd8 21.
Qd3 Rb8 22. e4 Qd7 23. Qf3 Qe6 24. Ra2 g6 25. Rd5 Rd7 26. Bh6 Rc7 27. Kg2 Rc5
28. Rd1 Rc6 29. Rad2 b5 30. cxb5 axb5 31. a5 Ra8 32. Ra2 Rca6 33. Bd2 f5 34.
exf5 gxf5 35. Bb4 e4 36. Qe3 Bf6 37. Rc2 d5 38. Rc7 Be5 39. Re7 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.14"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "164"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "France"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. c3 d6 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. e4 c5 7. d5 (7. dxc5 {
is much more popular.}) 7... h6 8. Bh4 e6 9. dxe6 Bxe6 10. Be2 Nc6 11. O-O Qc7
(11... Qb6 {has also been played,} 12. Qc2 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Bg3 Bf5 15. Qc1
Rfe8 16. Re1 Na5 17. Nh4 Be6 18. Bf1 Rad8 19. Qc2 Ne7 $11 {Dvoirys-Korotylev,
Geneva 2001, with an equal position.}) ({or} 11... Re8 12. Re1 {1/2
Petkov-Spasov, Golubac 2008.}) 12. Re1 Rfe8 13. Qc2 a6 14. Nf1 $146 {A novelty
from Aronian.} (14. a4 Rab8 15. h3 b5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Bg3 Red8 18. Bf1 Nd7
19. Red1 c4 20. Be2 (20. Nd4 $5) 20... Nc5 $132 {Muha-Novak, Sibenik 2008, and
Black is active.}) 14... d5 $1 {The right reply!} 15. Bg3 Qb6 16. exd5 Nxd5 17.
Rad1 Bf5 18. Qc1 Rad8 {Black has gained some space, his pieces are active.
Nevertheless White is solid, the position is balanced.} 19. N1d2 ({In the
event of} 19. Bc4 Rxe1 20. Rxe1 Be6 $11 {with an equal middlegame.}) 19... Na5
(19... Qa5 $5) 20. h3 Qc6 21. Nh4 Bc8 22. Qc2 (22. Bf3 $5 {was also possible.})
22... b5 23. Bf1 Rxe1 24. Rxe1 Re8 (24... c4 {was an alternative,} 25. Nhf3 Qb6
$11 {followed by ...Nc6 with an equal position.}) 25. Rxe8+ Qxe8 26. Ne4 (26.
c4 Nb4) 26... Nb7 27. Qd3 Be6 28. Nf3 Bf5 29. Qxd5 Qxe4 30. Qxe4 Bxe4 $11 {
This is a symmetrical endgame, which is equal. Black is a little bit more
active, but thsat doesn't change the evaluation.} 31. Nd2 Bc6 32. Bd3 c4 33.
Bc2 f5 34. f3 Kf7 35. Kf1 Ke6 36. Ke2 Nc5 37. Bf2 Nb7 38. a3 Nd6 39. Bb6 Bf6
40. Nf1 Nc8 41. Bc5 Ne7 42. Ne3 h5 43. Bb1 h4 44. Nc2 Nd5 45. Bd4 Bg5 46. Ne3
Nf4+ 47. Kf1 Nd3 48. Bxd3 cxd3 {The structure is changed, Black has two Bs,
however White should hold.} 49. Ke1 Bd5 50. Kd2 Bc4 51. Bb6 Kd7 52. b4 Bf4 53.
Bd4 Ke6 54. Bb6 g5 55. Bd4 g4 56. hxg4 fxg4 57. fxg4 Bg5 58. Ke1 Bb3 59. Kd2
Bc4 60. Ke1 (60. Kd1 $1 {was more precise,} Bd5 61. Nxd5 Kxd5 62. Bf2 $11 {
followed by Be1.}) 60... Bd5 61. Kf2 $4 {A terrible blunder, which loses
immediately!} (61. Nxd5 $1 {was correct,} Kxd5 62. Kd1 Kc4 63. Be5 Kb3 64. Bd4
Kxa3 65. Bf2 $11 {followed by Be1 and White can hold.}) 61... d2 $1 62. Nd1 (
62. Ke2 Bxg2 $1 {This is the point!} 63. Nxg2 h3 $19 {and White can't stop the
pawn.}) 62... Bb3 63. Ke2 Bc4+ 64. Kf2 Bb3 65. Ke2 Kf7 (65... Kd5 {was also
good, for example:} 66. Bg7 Ke4 67. Nf2+ Kf4 68. Kxd2 Kg3+ $19 {and Black is
winning.}) 66. Nb2 Kg6 $2 {Error in reply!} (66... Bd5 $1 $19 {was the
strongest reply and Black's position should be winning.}) 67. c4 $1 {Aronian
immediately finds the only counterchance.} bxc4 68. Bc3 Bf4 69. Bxd2 Kg5 70.
Nd1 (70. a4 $1 {was easier, because White creates counterplay,} Kxg4 71. b5
axb5 72. Bxf4 Kxf4 73. axb5 $11 {and White survives.}) 70... Kxg4 71. Ne3+ Kh5
72. Nd5 Be5 73. Bc3 Bh2 74. Nf6+ Kg6 75. Ne4 $6 (75. Nd7 $1 {was more accurate,
} Kf5 (75... Ba4 76. Ne5+ $11) 76. Nc5 Bc2 77. Kd2 Bb1 78. Kc1 Be4 79. Nxe4
Kxe4 80. Kd2 $11 {and a draw.}) 75... Ba4 $1 76. Nd2 Kf5 77. Nf3 $6 ({White
should have played} 77. Nxc4 $1 Bb5 78. Kd3 Kg4 79. Bf6 $11 {and White can
hold.}) 77... Bg3 78. Be1 $2 {The last mistake.} (78. Bb2 {was tougher,} Bb5
79. Bc3 Kg4 80. Ke3 Bc7 81. Kf2 {and it is not yet finished.}) 78... Kg4 $19
79. Bxg3 (79. Bd2 Bc6 $19 {is also hopeless for White.}) 79... Kxg3 80. Kd2 Bc6
81. Nxh4 Kxh4 82. Kc3 Bb5 {and White resigned.} (82... Bb5 83. a4 Kg3 $1 $19)
0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.15"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2850"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "Adhiban,B"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

{An epic clash between a slightly weakened "slow poison" Carlsen and the
improved "I am a different player now" Aronian.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6
4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O (5. Bxc6 dxc6) 5... Nd4 $5 {A wise decision not allowing
Carlsen to take on c6 and get his favourite pawn structure after which you are
in for a positional grind.} (5... d6 {One more positional lesson by Carlsen was
} 6. Nbd2 $5 (6. Re1 O-O 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. h3 Re8 ({I wonder what is wrong with} 
8... Nd7 $5 9. Nbd2 f5 10. exf5 Rxf5 11. Ne4 Bb6 {Though I fully agree such an
overly aggressive attempt weakening the a2-g8 diagonal (even without the
presence of the white light-squared bishop) is strictly against the principles
of the Berlin :).}) 9. Nbd2 Nd7 10. Nc4 Bb6 11. a4 a5 12. Nxb6 cxb6 13. d4 Qc7
({Possibly Anand didn't like} 13... Qe7 {because of} 14. b3 {with annoying
pressure on the a3-f8 diagonal.}) 14. Ra3 $1 {was an instructive game 
(Carlsen-Anand 2014), though Black can equalise with accurate play.}) 6... O-O
7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. h3 h6 9. Re1 Re8 10. Nf1 a5 11. Ng3 Rb8 12. b3 {Seriously??
Didn't Mr. Carlsen show us that fixing the black pawn structure (against Anand)
with a4 is good? Well yet again he shows us that he understands the positional
concepts at a much higher level.} Bb4 ({An interesting move was} 12... a4 $5 {
but we will have to wait for another Carlsen game for a conclusion in this.})
13. Bd2 Ra8 14. c3 Bc5 15. d4 Bb6 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. c4 $14 {Carlsen-Radjabov
2015, with clear positional superiority.}) 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. c3 Bb6 8. Na3 c6 9.
Ba4 d6 10. Bb3 a5 11. Nc4 Ba7 $5 {Aronian is the first to deviate and to be
honest this seems like the way after a5.} ({Karjakin-Caruana continued} 11...
Bc7 {but then why did he play ...a5?}) 12. a4 O-O 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15.
Nxa5 {I am not at all sure that such a approach is a good idea against Aronian
who doesn't mind giving up a pawn if he can take over the intiative for it!} d5
$1 16. Bc2 (16. exd5 cxd5 17. Bxd5 Qd8 $1 18. Bxb7 Bxb7 19. Nxb7 Qc7 {and
finally the greedy knight meets its end.}) 16... dxe4 17. dxe4 Rd8 18. Qe1 (18.
Qe2 Qg5 19. Qf3 (19. Nc4 Bg4 $19 {wins on the spot.}) 19... Rd2 $17 {with a
dangerous intiative.}) 18... Qg5 19. Kh1 Rd2 20. Bd1 Be6 {Now the brave knight
can't return.} 21. b4 Rad8 22. Nxb7 $6 {It was not the time to be greedy.} (22.
Be2 $1 {was more tenacious, preparing to exchange a pair of rooks to reduce
the intensity.} R8d7 23. Rd1 Rxd1 24. Bxd1 Qc1 25. Bb3 Qxe1 26. Rxe1 Bxb3 27.
Nxb3 Bxf2 28. Rb1 $1 {Although Black is still clearly better, the fight is
just beginning.}) 22... Bc4 $1 {Now follows a forced sequence after which
Black comes out on top.} 23. Nxd8 Bxf1 24. Qxf1 Rxf2 25. Qg1 Ra2 $1 26. Rxa2
Bxg1 27. Kxg1 Qc1 {The dust has settled and it does seem like White can hope
to save the position, but unfortunately for him his pieces are uncoordinated.}
28. Kf2 Qxd1 29. Nxc6 Qb3 30. Rd2 (30. Re2 $5 Qxc3 31. b5 {White anyway can't
hope to protect his pawns hence Black goes for a quiet king move preventing
Ne7-d5.} Kf8 $5 {with a winning advantage.} (31... Qc4 {allows} 32. Rb2 $1) ({
Or} 31... Kh7)) 30... Qxc3 31. Rd6 Qb2+ 32. Ke3 Qa3+ 33. Kf2 Qxa4 34. Nxe5 Qc2+
$5 {A strong practical decision!} ({After} 34... Qxb4 35. Rd8+ Kh7 36. Nf3 {
Black would face an uphill struggle to win this position.}) 35. Kf3 f5 $1 {
Getting of the rid of the small shelter which White was hoping to have.} 36.
Rd3 fxe4+ 37. Kxe4 Qxg2+ 38. Nf3 Qg4+ 39. Ke3 g5 $5 (39... Qxb4 40. h4 $1 {
and White's chances of saving this endgame are quite high!}) 40. Kf2 (40. b5
Qf4+ {[%cal Gg5g4]}) 40... Qf5 $1 {Not allowing White to get coordinated.} 41.
Rd8+ Kg7 42. Kg2 g4 43. Nd2 Qe6 $1 {Capitalising on the loosely placed pieces.}
44. Nf1 Qc6+ {A nice effort by Aronian who has definitely made his epic
comeback after quite a while! It will be interesting to see how Carlsen will
come back to his top form and this is something I will be waiting for!} 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.16"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Ne2 Be7 12. Bg5 Be6 13. Nf4 Bd5 14. Nxd5
({Eine andere Spielweise ist} 14. Bxe7 Kxe7 15. Ng5) 14... cxd5 {Damit ist die
schwarze Bauernmehrheit am Damenflügel wieder verwertbar, das schwarze
Läuferpaar aber halbiert.} 15. Rad1 c6 16. Rfe1 h4 17. Rd3 Rh5 18. Bxe7 {
Der erste neue Zug.} (18. Bf4 g6 19. a4 Rd8 20. Red1 Ng7 21. Be3 Ne6 22. a5 a6
23. c3 {1/2-1/2 (23) Karjakin,S (2747)-Pashikian,A (2639) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010}
) 18... Kxe7 19. Red1 Rd8 20. c4 d4 21. b4 b6 22. Kf1 c5 23. bxc5 bxc5 24. Ra3
Rd7 25. Ne1 Rh6 {[#]} 26. Nd3 {Gemäß klassischer Lehre. Der Springer
blockiert den Freibauern. Weiß hat gutes Spiel am Damenflügel.} Rc6 27. Rb1
Rdc7 28. Nf4 Rd7 29. Rb8 g5 $2 {Schwächt f6.} (29... a6 30. Nd5+ Ke6 31. Re8+
Ne7 32. Ke2 f6 33. exf6 gxf6 {ist nicht schön, aber auch nicht sofort
verloren.}) 30. Nd5+ Ke6 31. Re8+ Ne7 32. Ke2 {[#] Schwarz gehen die Züge aus.
} Rb6 {Das Opferangebot lehnt Weiß erst einmal ab. [#]} 33. Kd3 {Der Plan
lautet: Kd3-e4, Tf3-f6#} Rb2 34. Ra6+ Rb6 35. Nxb6 {Nun aber...} axb6 36. Rxb6+
Kxe5 37. Rc6 Kf5 38. Rxc5+ Kf6 39. Rb8 Ng6 40. Rb6+ Ke7 41. Rxg5 Nf4+ 42. Ke4 (
42. Ke4 d3 (42... Ne2 43. Rd5 $18) 43. Kxf4 d2 44. Re5+ Kf8 45. Rb1 d1=Q 46.
Rxd1 Rxd1 47. a4 $18 {mit reichlich weißen Mehrbauern.}) 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.17"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vocaturo, Daniele"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E01"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2588"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Italy"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ITA"]
[WhiteClock "0:40:21"]
[BlackClock "0:02:06"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 c5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 cxd4 5. O-O d5 6. Nxd4 e5 7. Nf3 Nc6 8. c4
d4 9. e3 Be7 10. exd4 exd4 11. Re1 O-O 12. Bf4 Bb4 13. Bd2 Qb6 14. Bxb4 Qxb4
15. Qb3 Qxb3 16. axb3 Bf5 17. Nbd2 Rfe8 18. Rxe8+ Rxe8 19. b4 Ne4 20. Nxe4 Bxe4
21. b5 Bxf3 22. Bxf3 Ne5 23. Bd5 g5 24. Rd1 d3 25. Bxb7 Nxc4 26. Rxd3 Re7 27.
b3 Ne5 28. Rd8+ Kg7 29. Be4 h5 30. Kg2 Nd7 31. Bc6 Ne5 32. h3 Kf6 33. Rd4 Re6
34. Be4 Rb6 35. f4 gxf4 36. gxf4 Ng6 37. Bd3 Ne7 38. Kf2 h4 39. Rd7 Nc8 40. Bc4
Nd6 41. Rxa7 Nxb5 42. Rxf7+ Kg6 43. f5+ Kh6 44. f6 Nd6 45. Re7 Nxc4 46. bxc4
Kg6 47. f7 Kg7 48. Re4 Kxf7 49. Rxh4 Rb3 50. Rf4+ Ke6 51. Rf3 Rb2+ 52. Kg3 Rc2
53. Rf4 Ke5 54. h4 Rc3+ 55. Kg4 Rc1 56. Kg5 Ra1 57. h5 Ra8 58. Rf5+ Ke6 59.
Rf6+ Ke5 60. h6 Ra1 61. Kg6 Rc1 62. Rf5+ Ke6 63. h7 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.19"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Germany"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]
[WhiteClock "0:30:09"]
[BlackClock "0:31:37"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Nd5 Bc5 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 Nxd5 6. dxc5 Nf6 7. b4 O-O 8.
Ne2 b6 9. cxb6 axb6 10. Bb2 Qe7 11. a3 Rd8 12. Nc3 Bb7 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. cxd5 d6
15. Rc1 c6 16. dxc6 Nxc6 17. Qh5 g6 18. Qg4 d5 19. Bb5 Na7 20. Bd3 d4 21. exd4
Nc6 22. O-O Nxd4 23. Rfe1 Qf6 24. Bf1 Rac8 25. Qg3 Rxc1 26. Rxc1 Qe6 27. h4 h5
28. Qg5 Qd6 29. f4 Re8 30. Re1 Nf5 31. Rxe5 Rxe5 32. fxe5 Qe6 33. Bd3 (33. Bc4
$1 $18) 33... Qb3 34. Bxf5 Qxb2 35. Bh3 Qxa3 36. e6 Qxb4 37. Qd8+ Kg7 38. Qd7
Qe1+ 39. Kh2 Qe5+ 40. Kh1 Qe1+ 41. Kh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.20"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E36"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Poland"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "POL"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. Nf3 dxc4 8.
Qxc4 b6 9. Bg5 Ba6 10. Qa4 h6 11. Bh4 c5 12. dxc5 bxc5 13. Rc1 Qd7 14. Qxd7
Nbxd7 15. Bxf6 Nxf6 16. e3 Bb7 17. Ne5 Rfd8 18. f3 Nd7 19. Nxd7 Rxd7 20. Bb5
Rc7 21. Rf1 Rb8 22. Bc4 Bc6 23. Rf2 Rcb7 24. Rcc2 Ba4 25. Rcd2 Kf8 26. e4 Ke7
27. Rfe2 g5 28. Kf2 Rb6 29. e5 Bb3 30. Bxb3 Rxb3 31. Rc2 R8b5 32. Red2 Kf8 33.
Kg3 Kg7 34. h4 Kg6 35. hxg5 hxg5 36. Kg4 Re3 37. Re2 Rd3 38. Rc4 Rd4+ 39. Rxd4
cxd4 40. b4 f5+ 41. Kg3 f4+ 42. Kg4 d3 43. Rd2 Rxe5 44. Rxd3 Re1 45. Rd8 Rg1
46. Rg8+ Kf6 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.21"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]
[WhiteClock "0:38:55"]
[BlackClock "1:10:08"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nf5 8.
Nf3 O-O 9. d4 d5 10. c3 Bd6 11. Bd3 Re8 12. Rxe8+ Qxe8 13. Qb3 Nfe7 14. Nbd2 b6
15. Nf1 Bg4 16. Nh4 Be6 17. Bd2 Ng6 18. Nf5 Bf4 19. N1e3 Nce7 20. Qc2 Nxf5 21.
Nxf5 Qd7 22. Ng3 Bxd2 23. Qxd2 f6 24. Re1 Re8 25. f3 Bf7 26. Rxe8+ Qxe8 27. Kf2
Qd7 28. Nf5 Ne7 29. Nxe7+ Qxe7 30. Qe3 Qxe3+ 31. Kxe3 Kf8 32. a3 h6 33. g3 Ke7
34. h4 g5 35. f4 gxh4 36. gxh4 Be6 37. Be2 Kd6 38. Bf3 Bd7 39. Be2 Be6 40. Bf3
Bd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.22"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D16"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2668"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Georgia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GEO"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bg4 {Even in such a solid
opening as the Classical Slav, one can count on Jobava to come up with
something unusual. However, he has already played the text move in the past
more than once, so it came as no surprise to Aronian.} ({The standard
continuation is definitely} 5... Bf5 {and now:} 6. e3 ({In the sharp line} 6.
Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Qc7 8. g3 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 11. Bg2 g5 12. Ne3 gxf4
13. Nxf5 O-O-O 14. Qc2 Nc5 15. O-O fxg3 16. hxg3 a5 17. Rfd1 h5 18. Rxd8+ Qxd8
19. Rd1 Qf6 20. Bh3 Kb8 21. Qd2 {White has perhaps a slight edge, but the
position remains volatile and fully containing Black's counterplay is very
difficult after} Be7 22. Qe3 Ng6 23. Rd4 $5 (23. Nxe7 Qxe7 24. Qxe7 Nxe7 25.
Rd6 h4 26. g4 Ne6 27. Ne4 Nf4 28. Kh2 Ned5 29. Rd7 Re8 30. f3 {Gelfand,B (2723)
-Akopian,V (2673) Yerevan rpd 2008} f6 $132) 23... Ne6 24. Ne4 Qe5 25. Rd7 Rd8
26. Qd3 Rxd7 27. Qxd7 Qxe4 28. Nxe7 Nxe7 29. Qxe7 Qxe2 30. Qxf7 Qd1+ 31. Bf1 (
31. Kg2 Qd5+ 32. Kh2 Nc5 $5 $13 {/+/=}) 31... Nd4 32. Qf8+ Kc7 33. Qe7+ Kc8 {
1/2, So,W (2788)-Mamedyarov,S (2756) Shamkir 2015}) 6... e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. Nh4 Bg6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. h3 O-O (11... Qa5 $5 12. Na2 Bd6 13. b4 Qg5
14. f4 Qh4 15. Qf3 g5 16. fxg5 Qxg5 17. b5 O-O 18. Nc3 Qh4 19. Bd3 Rac8 20. Bd2
c5 21. Ne4 {½-½ (48) Kramnik,V (2781)-Le,Q (2715) Dortmund 2011} Nxe4 22.
Bxe4 cxd4 23. exd4 Rc7 24. Ba5 b6 25. Be1 Qg5 $132 {For more details about
this line see the survey in CBM 150 with notes to this game.}) 12. Qb3 Qe7 (
12... Qb6 $142 13. Rd1 a5 {is played more often and seems more to the point -
Black retains a solid position.}) 13. a5 b5 14. axb6 Nxb6 15. Be2 (15. Ba6 Rab8
16. Bd2 c5 17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. Qc2 Nbd5 19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. Rfc1 Bd6 21. b3 Nb4 22.
Bxb4 Bxb4 $11 {Semcesen,D (2431)-Hector,J (2524) Vaxjo 2013}) 15... c5 16. Bf3
Rab8 17. Na2 a5 18. Nxb4 axb4 19. Bd2 Rfd8 20. Rfc1 Nbd7 21. Ra7 Qd6 22. Rc4
Nd5 23. Qc2 cxd4 {Korobov,A (2709)-Bartel,M (2624) EU-chT Reykjavik 2015} 24.
Rxd4 $14 {[%csl Gd2,Gf3] ^^}) ({In the} 5... e6 {line Black faces some
problems after the simple} 6. e3 ({Sharper, but more double-edged is} 6. e4 Bb4
7. e5 Nd5 8. Bd2 $44) 6... c5 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. O-O cxd4 9. exd4 Be7 10. Qe2 O-O
11. Rd1 Nb4 12. Bg5 h6 (12... Bd7 13. d5 $36) 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Ne4 b6 15. Ne5
Bh4 (15... Bb7 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. Nd7 Qg6 18. d5 Rfe8 19. Ne5 Qg5 {Bacrot,E 
(2711)-Kempinski,R (2625) EU-ch Jerusalem 2015} 20. Nf3 Qg6 21. dxe6 $36) 16.
Ra3 Bb7 17. Rh3 Bd5 18. Nc3 Bxc4 19. Qxc4 Be7 20. Qe2 Rc8 21. Qg4 Kh7 22. Rg3
Bf6 23. Ne4 Rc7 24. h4 Qe7 25. Kh2 Nd5 26. Nxf6+ Qxf6 27. Rdd3 Ne7 28. Rgf3 Nf5
29. g3 Kg8 30. Qf4 Rd8 31. d5 $16 {Tomashevsky,E (2743)-Mchedlishvili,M (2618)
EU-chT Reykjavik 2015}) 6. Ne5 Bh5 7. f3 {The main and most principled
reaction, White wants to occupy the centre.} ({Baadur's most recent experience
with this line went} 7. g3 Na6 (7... e6 8. Bg2 Bb4 9. O-O O-O 10. Nxc4 a5 $11 {
/+/= is similar and very typical for the Slav - while Black's setup is solid,
it's also rather passive.}) 8. Bg2 Nb4 9. O-O a5 10. Nxc4 e6 11. h3 Nd7 $5 $146
(11... Be7 12. g4 Bg6 13. e4 Nd7 14. Be3 f6 15. Qe2 O-O 16. Rad1 f5 $2 17. d5
cxd5 18. exf5 $16 Rc8 19. fxg6 dxc4 20. gxh7+ Kh8 21. Bxb7 Rb8 22. Be4 Qc8 23.
Ba7 Rb7 24. Bxb7 Qxb7 25. Qxe6 Nf6 26. Bd4 Nd3 27. Ne2 Nd5 28. Qe4 Bb4 29. b3
N3f4 30. Nxf4 Rxf4 31. Qg2 c3 32. Bxc3 {1-0 (32) Gavrikov,V (2470)-Bronstein,D
(2490) Minsk 1983}) 12. Bf4 (12. f4 f5 $5) (12. Ne4 $5 $14 {/\} Nb6 $2 13. Bg5)
12... Nb6 13. Ne5 f6 14. Nf3 Be7 15. Rc1 O-O 16. Ne4 Bf7 17. g4 Kh8 18. Bg3 Bg8
19. e3 Na2 20. Ra1 Nb4 {and White already found nothing better than} 21. Rc1 {
½, Timofeev,A (2553)-Jobava,B (2699) RUS-chT Sochi 2015}) 7... Nfd7 {
Challenging the Ne5 is standard in the Slav and was long considered the only
plausible continuation.} ({However, even the rare and risky} 7... e6 {has
appeared recently:} {The most principled alternative is} 8. g4 (8. e4 Bb4 9.
Be2 (9. Bxc4 $2 Nxe4 $1) (9. g4 Bg6 10. h4 Nbd7 11. h5 Bxe4 12. fxe4 Nxe4 $44)
9... b5 10. Be3 Nfd7 11. g4 Bg6 $142 (11... Nxe5 12. dxe5 Qxd1+ 13. Kxd1 Bxc3 (
13... Bg6 14. axb5 {/\} Bxc3 15. b6 $1 $18) 14. bxc3 Bg6 15. Kc2 Nd7 16. axb5
cxb5 17. Rhb1 h5 18. g5 Nxe5 19. Bd4 f6 20. gxf6 gxf6 21. Rxb5 $16 {Morozevich,
A (2711)-Heberla,B (2567) Jurmala 2015 White will soon start harvesting
Black's weak pawns.}) 12. h4 (12. axb5 cxb5 13. Kf2 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Nd7 15. Nxb5
O-O $132) 12... Nxe5 13. dxe5 h5 (13... Qxd1+ 14. Kxd1 Bxc3 15. bxc3 h5 16. g5
$44) 14. Qxd8+ Kxd8 15. g5 Nd7 16. axb5 cxb5 17. Bd2 Nc5 18. Nxb5 Bxd2+ 19.
Kxd2 Nb3+ 20. Kc3 Nxa1 21. Rxa1 a5 {1/2-1/2 (38) Aronian,L (2724)-Bu,X (2637)
Beersheba 2005} 22. Bxc4 Ke7 23. Nc7 Rac8 24. Nb5 $44 {/=}) (8. h4 Nd5 $5 (8...
Be7 9. g3 $5 Nfd7 10. Nxc4 Nb6 11. e4 O-O 12. a5 Nxc4 13. Bxc4 Kh8 $2 14. Be3
e5 15. g4 Bxh4+ 16. Ke2 Bg6 17. dxe5 Nd7 18. f4 Be7 19. f5 Nxe5 20. Qxd8 Rfxd8
21. Bb3 Nxg4 22. fxg6 fxg6 23. Rag1 $16 {Tunik,G (2447)-Kashtanov,R (2341) St
Petersburg 1999}) 9. e4 Nb4 10. g4 f6 $13) {After} 8... Bg6 (8... Nd5 9. e4 $5
(9. h4 Bb4 10. Bd2 Be7 11. e4 Bxh4+ 12. Ke2 Bg6 13. exd5 cxd5 14. f4 Nc6 15.
Be3 $14 {Gustafsson,J (2607)-Tischbierek,R (2487) Bad Woerishofen 2008}) 9...
Nxc3 10. bxc3 Qh4+ 11. Ke2 f6 12. Nxc4 Bf7 13. Bf4 $1 e5 14. Bg3 Qh6 15. Kf2
$36) 9. h4 {Black has the tactical} c5 10. h5 Bd3 $5 {and now:} 11. dxc5 $1 {
seems more testing, a sample line is} (11. exd3 cxd4 12. dxc4 (12. Ne4 Nxe4 13.
dxe4 Qa5+ {[%csl Re5]}) 12... Qd6 13. Qe2 (13. Bf4 dxc3 14. bxc3 Nc6 15. Qe2
$13) 13... dxc3 14. Bg2 Nfd7 (14... Nbd7 $5) 15. Nd3 Nc5 16. Nxc5 Qxc5 (16...
Qg3+ 17. Kf1 Bxc5) 17. f4 Nc6 18. bxc3 Qa5 19. Rb1 O-O-O $132 {Khismatullin,D 
(2570)-Chuprikov,D (2394) Voronezh 2007}) (11. d5 $5 {or}) 11... Qd4 12. f4
Bxc5 13. Rh2 Nbd7 $5 (13... Be4 14. Qxd4 Bxd4 15. g5 Bxc3+ 16. bxc3 Nd5 17.
Nxc4 $16 {[%csl Rd6,Re8]}) 14. Nf3 Qd6 15. exd3 Nxg4 16. Nb5 Bb4+ 17. Bd2 Qxf4
18. Bxb4 Nxh2 19. Nxh2 Qg3+ 20. Kd2 Qxh2+ 21. Qe2 $36) 8. Nxc4 e5 {The pawn
sacrifice is consistent with the previous move.} ({Black is not interested in
the passive} 8... e6 $143 9. e4 a5 10. Be3 Na6 11. Be2 Be7 12. O-O Nb4 13. Na2
O-O 14. Nxb4 Bxb4 15. Qb3 Qb8 16. Rfd1 Re8 17. Kh1 f6 18. Bd2 Bxd2 19. Rxd2 $16
{(), Khalifman,A (2655)-Gretarsson,H (2475) Aaland-Stockholm 1997}) 9. Be3 $5 {
[%mdl 36] A rather rare move. Already early on Aronian targets Black's
queenside, where the game will be decided later on.} ({Directly accepting the
offered pawn has long been known to be inferior:} 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. dxe5 Nd7 11.
f4 (11. Bf4 $5 Qa5 12. Qb3 Bb4 13. Kf2 Bg6 $44) 11... Bb4 12. Qc2 (12. g3 Bg4
13. Bg2 Qb6 14. Bd2 a5 15. Ne4 f5 16. exf6 Nxf6 17. Nxf6+ gxf6 18. Bxb4 Qxb4+
19. Qd2 Qxd2+ 20. Kxd2 O-O-O+ 21. Kc1 Bxe2 22. Ra3 Rhe8 $32 {Osnos,V-Bronstein,
D Leningrad 1963}) 12... Qe7 13. e4 g5 $1 14. Be2 gxf4 15. e6 Qh4+ 16. Kf1
Bxe2+ 17. Qxe2 fxe6 18. Qf2 Qe7 19. e5 Nxe5 20. Bxf4 Rf8 21. Rd1 Bc5 {0-1,
Timman,J (2600)-Petrosian,T (2605) Las Palmas 1982}) ({Also the most played
continuation} 9. Ne4 Bb4+ 10. Bd2 Qe7 {doesn't seem to promise White an edge:}
11. Bxb4 (11. dxe5 O-O 12. Rc1 (12. f4 Na6 13. Qb3 Bg6 14. Ned6 Ndc5 15. Qh3 b5
16. axb5 cxb5 17. Bxb4 Nxb4 18. Na3 Rad8 19. Rd1 Ne4 20. f5 Qxe5 21. fxg6 hxg6
22. Qe3 Qxb2 23. Qxe4 Qxa3 $44 24. g3 $2 (24. Kf2 $142) 24... Qa5 25. Bg2 Rxd6
$19 {Knaak,R (2530)-Tischbierek,R (2460) Potsdam 1985}) 12... Bg6 (12... Na6
13. Bxb4 Nxb4 14. Qd6 Rfe8 15. Qxe7 (15. f4 f6 16. Ng3 Bg6 17. f5 Nxe5 18. Qxe7
Rxe7 19. Nxe5 Rxe5 20. fxg6 Nd3+ 21. Kd2 Nxc1 22. gxh7+ Kxh7 23. Kxc1 Rc5+ 24.
Kb1 Rd8 25. e3 Rd1+ 26. Ka2 Rc2 $17 {Malaniuk,V (2500)-Huzman,A (2475)
Vrnjacka Banja 1991}) 15... Rxe7 16. Ned6 Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Rxe5 18. e4 $14) 13.
Bxb4 Qxb4+ 14. Qd2 Qxa4 15. Ned6 b5 16. Qa5 Qxa5+ 17. Nxa5 Nxe5 18. f4 Nc4 19.
Naxc4 bxc4 20. e4 Bxe4 21. Nxe4 Re8 22. Rxc4 f5 23. Kf2 Rxe4 24. Rxe4 fxe4 25.
Bc4+ Kf8 26. Rd1 Ke7 27. Rd4 Nd7 28. Rxe4+ Kd6 29. Re6+ Kc5 30. Re7 Nf6 31. Be2
g6 32. Rf7 Nd5 $132 {[%cal Ya8b8] Rogemont,A (2331)-Mayer,R (2456) email 2007
The resulting endgame is just about tenable for Black.}) 11... Qxb4+ 12. Qd2
Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 exd4 14. Ned6+ Kd8 $5 (14... Ke7 15. Nf5+ (15. Nxb7 $5 Na6 16.
e3 $14) 15... Kf6 16. Nxd4 Rd8 17. e4 Nc5 18. Ke3 Rxd4 19. Kxd4 Nb3+ 20. Kc3
Nxa1 21. Be2 Ke7 22. Rxa1 Nd7 23. b4 f6 24. Rd1 Nb6 25. Na5 Nxa4+ 26. Kb3 Nb6
27. Nxb7 Bf7+ 28. Kc3 Rb8 29. Ba6 $36 {Kramnik,V (2725)-Damljanovic,B (2505)
Moscow olm 1994}) 15. Nxb7+ Kc7 16. Nba5 Na6 17. e4 dxe3+ 18. Nxe3 Nb4 19. Bc4
Rhe8 20. Rhe1 Bg6 21. Kc3 Rab8 22. Nb3 Ne5 23. Nc5 a5 24. Na6+ Nxa6 25. Bxa6
Nd7 26. Bc4 f6 27. Nc2 Bxc2 28. Kxc2 Nb6 $11 {Shipov,S (2576)-Korotylev,A 
(2609) Moscow blitz 2006}) ({White's attention has shifted to other moves,
which have been causing the defence more problems. Jobava faced} 9. g3 {
and now:} {It's difficult to say where Baadur wanted to improve Black's play;
our game indicates that maybe he intended to deviate earlier with} f6 (9... Bb4
10. dxe5 O-O 11. Bh3 $1 ({An old game went} 11. Qd4 $143 Na6 12. Bf4 Ndc5 13.
Qxd8 Raxd8 14. Nd2 Rfe8 15. O-O-O Nc7 16. Bg5 Ra8 17. e4 Rxe5 18. Bf4 Re7 19.
g4 Bg6 20. Ndb1 Nd5 $1 21. Rxd5 cxd5 22. Nxd5 Nb3+ 23. Kc2 Nd4+ 24. Kd3 Nxf3
25. Nxe7+ Bxe7 26. Nc3 Rd8+ 27. Ke3 Ng5 28. b4 {Kuzmin,G (2565)-Taimanov,M 
(2595) Leningrad izt 1973} Bf6 29. e5 Be7 $36) 11... Qe7 12. f4 Rd8 (12... f6
13. e6 Nc5 14. f5 Nba6 15. O-O Rfd8 16. Qc2 Rd4 17. Rf4 Rad8 18. Be3 Rxf4 19.
Bxf4 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Nxe6 21. fxe6 Qc5+ 22. Ne3 g5 23. Kf2 gxf4 24. gxf4 Nc7 25.
Rg1+ Kh8 26. c4 Rd4 27. Qf5 Qxf5 28. Nxf5 Rxc4 {Kasimdzhanov,R (2705)-Jobava,B
(2696) Tbilisi 2015} 29. Ne7 $18) 13. Qc2 Bg6 (13... f6 14. e6 Nc5 15. f5 Rd4
16. Nd2 Nba6 17. O-O Ba5 18. Bg2 Nb4 19. Qb1 Rad8 20. Nf3 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Nb3 22.
Ra3 Nxc1 23. Rxc1 Qc5 24. Kg2 Qe5 25. Rb3 Bb6 26. Rd1 Kf8 27. Rxd4 Rxd4 28. Kh1
Qc5 29. Kg2 a5 30. Nd1 Rd2 31. Ne3 Qd4 32. Kh3 $16 {Ward,A (1979)-Voracek,M
email 2008}) 14. f5 Bh5 15. Bf4 {Perhaps Black should try some previously
untested idea like} Na6 $5 (15... g5 16. fxg6 Bxg6 17. Bf5 $5 $14) (15... Nb6
16. Nxb6 axb6 17. O-O Nd7 18. Ne4 Nxe5 19. f6 $16) {, but even this doesn't
seem like equality after} 16. Rd1 (16. O-O-O $5) {, for example} 16... b5 17.
axb5 cxb5 18. Ne3 Nxe5 19. Ned5 Qc5 20. Be3 $36) 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8
12. Nxe5 fxe5 13. Be3 (13. Bg5+ Kc7 14. O-O-O Nd7 15. Bh3 Be8 16. Be3 Nf6 17.
f4 exf4 18. gxf4 (18. Bxf4+ Kb6 19. e4 $14) 18... c5 19. Rhg1 Bc6 20. Nb5+ Bxb5
21. axb5 Re8 22. Rd3 Kb8 23. b3 g6 24. Kb1 Bd6 25. Bc1 Bc7 26. Bb2 Rhf8 $132 {
Schmidt,T (2538)-Mayer,R (2456) email 2007}) 13... Nd7 (13... Na6 {transposes
into our game}) 14. Bh3 Nf6 15. Kf2 Bb4 16. a5 Ke7 {Mihajlovic,V (2370)-Tadic,
B (2486) Tivat 2011} 17. Rhc1 Bf7 18. Na4 $36) ({Another promising alternative
is} 9. e4 Qh4+ (9... Bb4 10. dxe5 O-O 11. h4 h6 12. Bf4 Qe7 13. Qc2 Nb6 14.
O-O-O N8d7 15. Na2 a5 16. Nxb6 Nxb6 17. Be3 Nd7 18. Kb1 Rfd8 19. Be2 Nxe5 20.
Nxb4 axb4 21. Rxd8+ Qxd8 22. Qc5 f6 23. Qxb4 Bf7 24. f4 $16 {Van Unen,H (2530)
-Dolgov,I (2506) email 2007}) (9... f6 10. Be3 Bf7 11. Be2 Nb6 12. d5 N8d7 13.
O-O Nxc4 14. Bxc4 Bc5 15. Bxc5 Nxc5 16. a5 O-O 17. b4 cxd5 18. Bxd5 Bxd5 19.
exd5 Qd6 20. Rb1 Na6 21. Ne4 Qd7 22. d6 Rac8 23. Qb3+ Qf7 24. Qe3 {Orsolic,M 
(2127)-Nemec,Z (2004) Lechenicher SchachServer 2010}) 10. g3 Qf6 11. dxe5 Qxf3
12. Nd6+ Ke7 {Mail games show} 13. Bf4 $5 {to be more dangerous:} (13. Qb3 Nxe5
(13... Qxh1 $1 14. Qxb7 Ke6 15. Qb3+ (15. Bf4 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 Bxd6 17. Bxd6 Kxd6
18. Qxa8 Qxh2 19. Qxa7 Qxg3+ 20. Qf2 Qxf2+ 21. Kxf2 Nd7 22. b4 $11) 15... Ke7
16. Qb7 Ke6 17. Qb3+ $11) 14. Qxb7+ Kf6 15. Rg1 Bxd6 16. Be2 Nbd7 17. Bxf3 Nc5
18. Nd5+ cxd5 19. Qxd5 Nxf3+ 20. Kf1 Be5 21. Qxc5 Rac8 22. Qf2 (22. Qe3 $1 $18)
22... Bd4 23. Be3 Bxe3 24. Qxe3 Nxh2+ 25. Kg2 Rc2+ 26. Kh3 Bg4+ 27. Kh4 h5 $1
$132 {Shimanov,A (2649)-Jobava,B (2716) EU-ch Yerevan 2014/ For more details
about this exciting game see the notes by Ftacnik in CBM 160.}) 13... h6 (13...
Qxd1+ 14. Nxd1 Nc5 15. Ne3 Kd8 16. Nec4 Bxd6 17. Nxd6 Ne6 18. Bh3 Kc7 19. Bd2
Nd7 20. O-O Rhf8 21. Bc3 a5 22. b4 axb4 23. Bxb4 c5 24. Bc3 $36 {Goebert,F 
(2392)-Ketelhoehn,B (2346) email 2007}) 14. Qb3 Nc5 15. Qc4 Qxh1 16. Qxc5 Nd7
17. Qf2 (17. Qb4 Rb8 18. Qd4 Rh7 19. h3 Bf3 20. Ne2 Bxe2 21. Kxe2 g5 22. Rd1
Rd8 23. Be3 Qh2+ 24. Bf2 $18 {Lehnhoff,H-Mayer,R email 2008}) 17... Kd8 18. g4
Bxd6 19. gxh5 Bc5 20. Qd2 Qg1 21. O-O-O Qg4 22. e6 Qxe6 23. Qd3 Ke8 24. Bh3 Ne5
25. Qg3 Qf6 26. Kb1 Bd6 27. Rxd6 Qxd6 28. Bxe5 $40 {Geissler,W (2314)-Arreaga
Orozco,A (2348) email 2009}) 9... Na6 (9... exd4 $143 $6 10. Qxd4 Qf6 11. O-O-O
Bg6 12. Qxf6 Nxf6 13. Bf4 Nbd7 14. e4 O-O-O 15. g3 Nc5 16. Bh3+ Ne6 17. Rxd8+
Kxd8 18. Rd1+ Kc8 19. Be3 Bb4 20. Bxa7 Bxc3 21. bxc3 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Kxd8 23. Ne5
Ng5 24. Bb6+ {1-0 (24) Granda Zuniga,J (2500)-Gonzalez,L Gran Canaria 1989}) (
9... Bb4 10. g4 (10. Qb3 $5) 10... Bg6 11. dxe5 O-O 12. h4 h6 13. g5 h5 14. Bh3
Qe7 15. f4 Rd8 16. Qc1 Nc5 17. f5 Nb3 18. Qb1 Nxa1 19. fxg6 Nb3 20. O-O Rf8 21.
Rf6 Bc5 22. gxf7+ Rxf7 23. Qg6 Na6 24. Rxf7 Qxf7 25. Be6 {1-0,Fernandez,D 
(2423)-Gonzalez,R (2470) San Diego 2006/ For more details about this
subvariation see the notes to this game by Hübner in CBM 112.}) 10. g3 (10. g4
exd4 11. Qxd4 Bg6 12. Nd6+ Bxd6 13. Qxd6 Qe7 14. Qxe7+ Kxe7 15. f4 Nb4 16.
O-O-O Bc2 17. Rd4 a5 18. Rd2 Bb3 19. Bd4 Rhd8 20. Bxg7 Nd5 21. Nxd5+ Bxd5 22.
e4 Bxe4 23. Bg2 Nc5 24. Bxe4 Rxd2 25. Kxd2 Nxe4+ 26. Ke3 Nc5 27. Bd4 Nb3 28.
Re1 Nxd4 29. Kxd4+ Kf6 $14 {/<=>,Aleksandrov,V (2490)-Mayer,R (2456) email 2007
}) 10... f6 $146 {This is a novelty, but a natural one.} ({After} 10... exd4 {
Aronian would have certainly improved with} 11. Qxd4 $1 {[%cal Rd4e4,Gd4g7,
Yf1h3]} (11. Bxd4 f6 12. Bg2 Bb4 13. O-O Bf7 14. Qd3 O-O 15. Ne4 Ndc5 16. Bxc5
Qxd3 17. exd3 Nxc5 $17 {Edes,Z (1882)-Milcova,Z (1766) Trencin 2009}) 11... Qf6
12. Qxf6 Nxf6 13. Rd1 (13. O-O-O $5) 13... Nb4 14. Kf2 $36) 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12.
Qxd8+ Kxd8 {[%csl Ra7]} 13. Nxe5 fxe5 14. Bh3 Kc7 (14... Ke8 15. Rd1 $16) 15.
Rc1 (15. Rd1 $5 {seems even more energetic:} Bd6 16. Ne4 Bb4+ 17. Kf2 $36)
15... b6 {Frees the Ra8 and prepares B(N)c5.} 16. Bf5 Bf7 (16... Bc5 17. Bxc5
Nxc5 18. b4 Nb3 19. Nb5+ Kb7 20. Rc3 cxb5 21. Be4+ Ka6 22. Bxa8 bxa4 23. Bc6 $5
Be8 24. Bd5 Kb5 25. Rc7 $14) 17. Kf2 g6 $2 {If I had to pinpoint the main
reason for Black's loss, it would be this move. Chasing the bishop to a good
square is definitely not ideal, now White's pressure will grow rapidly.} (17...
Be7 $142 18. a5 (18. Nb5+ Kb7 19. a5 Bd5 20. Nc3 Bb3 $132) 18... Bb3 19. Bc2 (
19. Ne4 g6 20. Bh3 Rad8 $132) 19... Bxc2 20. Rxc2 Nb4 21. Rcc1 $14 {is only
slightly worse for Black - the final result still remains open.}) 18. Be4 {
[%cal Rc3b5]} Kb7 (18... Nc5 19. Nb5+ Kb7 (19... cxb5 20. b4 $5 $18 {->} (20.
Bxa8 bxa4 21. Rhd1 Bb3 $16)) 20. Bxc5 bxc5 (20... Bxc5+ $2 21. Rxc5 bxc5 22.
Nd6+ $18) 21. Rhd1 Kb6 22. b4 Bb3 23. Rd7 $40) (18... Bc5 19. Nb5+ cxb5 20.
axb5 Nb4 21. Bxa8 Rxa8 22. Bxc5 bxc5 23. Rxc5+ Kd6 24. Rhc1 Be8 25. Rc8 Rxc8
26. Rxc8 Bxb5 27. Rh8 $16) 19. Rhd1 Nc5 20. Bc2 Rc8 21. Ne4 {Regains the
e4-square for the bishop. Other tempting moves to retain the initiative were} (
21. b4 Ne6 22. Bb3 Nd8 23. Bxf7 Nxf7 24. a5 $36) ({and} 21. a5 $5 $16) 21...
Nxe4+ (21... a5 22. Nxc5+ Bxc5 23. Bxc5 bxc5 24. Rd7+ Rc7 25. Rd3 $14 {/+/-})
22. Bxe4 $32 Be6 {[%cal Yf8b4]} 23. a5 $1 {[%csl Rc6,Rf8,Rh8] Given time to
consolidate his position with Bb4, Black could hope to survive. Therefore
Levon must act energetically.} bxa5 $8 (23... Bb4 24. a6+ Kb8 (24... Kxa6 25.
Bxc6 Rhf8 26. Ra1+ Ba5 27. Rd6 $18 {[%cal Rd6e6,Rb2b4]}) 25. Rxc6 $16) 24. Bc5
$5 (24. Bg5 Bb4 25. Bf6 Rhe8 26. Bxe5 Bd5 27. Bxd5 Rxe5 28. Bc4 {also favours
White, but the opposite-coloured bishops give the defence some hope.}) 24...
Bf5 (24... a4 25. Bxf8 (25. Ba3 Bf5 $14 (25... Bxa3 26. bxa3 Bd5 27. Rb1+ Bb3
28. Rd7+ $16 {/\} Rc7 29. Rxc7+ Kxc7 30. Rc1)) 25... Rhxf8 26. Rc5 Bd5 27. Bxd5
Rfd8 $5 (27... cxd5 28. Rcxd5 $16 (28. Rb5+ $5)) 28. Ke3 (28. Rxc6 Rxd5 29.
Rxd5 Rxc6 (29... Kxc6 $2 30. Ra5 $16) 30. Rxe5 Ka6 $1 $132 {[%csl Rb2][%cal
Yc6c2,Yc6b6]}) 28... Rxd5 29. Rcxd5 cxd5 30. Rxd5 Rc2 31. Rd2 $14 {/+/-}) 25.
Bxf5 gxf5 26. Rd3 Rc7 (26... e4 27. Ra3 exf3 28. Kxf3 $16 {[%csl Ra5,Ra7,Rc6,
Rf5,Rh7] The rook endgame is dreary, Black's isolated pawns will soon start
falling.}) 27. Ra3 $16 Bh6 $6 (27... Bxc5+ 28. Rxc5 Re8 29. Rcxa5 Kb8 $16 {
was more resilient. Now White's bishop stays alive and takes part in the
attack, while Bh6 won't help much.}) 28. Rc2 Rd8 29. Rxa5 a6 ({The pawn will
be even weaker now, but} 29... Kb8 30. Rc4 $40 {[%cal Yc4a4,Yc4b4,Yc4h4] is
not a major improvement.}) 30. Ra3 $1 {[%csl Ra6,Rb6][%cal Ya3b3,Yb3b6]} e4 (
30... Rd2 31. Rxd2 Bxd2 32. Bd6 $18 {[%csl Re5]}) 31. Rb3+ Ka8 (31... Kc8 32.
Bb6 $18) 32. Rb6 $18 Rd5 (32... exf3 33. Kxf3 $18 (33. e3 $5 Rd1 34. Bd4 $18))
33. b4 $1 {[%cal Rc2a2] White is in no hurry to win material.} Bd2 (33... Rd2
34. Rxa6+ Kb7 35. Rb6+ (35. Ra7+ Kc8 36. Rxc7+ Kxc7 37. Rxd2 Bxd2 38. fxe4 fxe4
39. g4 Bf4 {simplifies the position, but makes White's task more difficult.})
35... Kc8 36. Rc4 $5 exf3 37. Kxf3 Rd5 38. Rh4 Bg5 39. Rh5 $18) 34. Ra2 {
Now White has a mating attack, the rest requires no comment.} Rb7 35. Rxc6 Rbd7
36. Raxa6+ Kb7 37. Rab6+ Ka8 38. Rb5 {[%cal Rc6c8,Rc6a6]} e3+ 39. Kg2 (39. Kg2
{and the only move to avert immediate mate is the totally hopeless} Rxc5 $18)
1-0

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.04"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "7200+1690"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:23"]
[BlackClock "1:03:03"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Nc3
d6 9. a3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. d4 {weicht von ihrer Begenung in St. Louis 2014
ab, wo Caruana beginnend mit 15.Sa2 eine sensationelle Partie ablieferte.} (11.
Bxe6 fxe6 12. b4 Nc6 13. Bd2 d5 14. Re1 Qd6 15. Na2 Nd7 16. Qe2 d4 17. Reb1 Nb6
18. Nc1 Na4 19. Nb3 Rf7 20. Rc1 Rd8 21. Ng5 Rf6 22. Qh5 h6 23. Nf3 Rdf8 24. Rf1
R8f7 25. Rae1 Bf8 26. h3 g6 27. Qh4 Qe7 28. Qg3 Bg7 29. Na5 Nxa5 30. Nxe5 Nb7
31. Nxg6 Qd8 32. e5 Rf5 33. f4 c5 34. Nh4 Rh5 35. Nf3 Kh7 36. Qg4 Rhf5 37. Nh4
Kh8 38. Nxf5 Rxf5 39. Qg6 Qe7 40. g4 Rf8 41. f5 Qe8 42. Qxe8 Rxe8 43. f6 Bf8
44. f7 Re7 45. Rf6 Nb6 46. Bxh6 Nd7 47. Ref1 cxb4 48. axb4 Bxh6 49. Rxh6+ Kg7
50. Rh5 {1-0 (50) Caruana,F (2801)-Aronian,L (2805) Saint Louis 2014 CBM 162 
[Havasi,G]}) 11... Bxa2 12. Rxa2 Nc6 13. d5 Nb8 14. Be3 Qc8 15. Qe2 Nbd7 16.
Rd1 Qb7 17. Raa1 Rfc8 18. h3 Rab8 {Schwarz hat letztlich nur den Hebel ...c6
als Plan, dies würde seine weißen Felder jedoch sehr schwächen.} 19. Nh2 h5 {
verhindert Sg4 radikal, schwächt jedoch das Feld g5 unwiderruflich.} (19... c6
20. dxc6 Qxc6 21. Ng4 h6 {sieht ok aus}) 20. Nf3 (20. Bg5 $5 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 Bxg5
22. Qxh5 Bd8 {sieht vielversprechen für Weiß aus}) 20... Nb6 21. Bg5 g6 22. Na2
c6 23. dxc6 Rxc6 24. Bxf6 Bxf6 25. Nb4 Rc4 26. Nd5 Be7 27. Nxb6 Qxb6 {eine
typische Situation, die man aus der Najdorf Variante kennt. Weiß muss unter
allen Umständen an einer Umgruppierung des Springers nach d5 gehindert werden,
Schwarz steht aktiv genug um dies erreichen.} 28. c3 a5 29. Rd5 Rc5 30. Rad1 b4
31. Rxc5 Qxc5 32. Rd5 Qa7 33. axb4 axb4 34. c4 Rc8 35. b3 Rc5 36. Rxc5 Qxc5 37.
g3 Bd8 38. Qd2 Bb6 39. Kg2 Kg7 40. Ne1 Qc7 41. Nc2 Bc5 42. Ne3 Bxe3 43. Qxe3
Qc6 44. g4 hxg4 45. hxg4 Qc8 46. Kg3 Qc5 47. Qxc5 dxc5 48. g5 Kf8 49. f4 Ke7
50. f5 Kd6 51. f6 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E51"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "7200+1410"]
[WhiteClock "0:40:01"]
[BlackClock "0:31:37"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bd2 $5 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. a3 Bxc3 8.
Bxc3 Ne4 9. Qc2 (9. Bd3 {verliert ein Tempo} Nxc3 10. bxc3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Nd7) (
9. Rc1 Nxc3 10. Rxc3 cxd4 11. exd4 Nc6 12. Be2 dxc4 13. Bxc4 $11 Qf6 14. O-O
Rd8 15. Rd3 Bd7 16. Re1 Be8 17. Qd2 Ne7 18. Ng5 Nd5 19. Rf3 Qe7 20. Rg3 h6 21.
Nf3 Qf6 22. Re4 Ne7 23. Ne5 Nf5 24. Rd3 Rac8 25. h3 Nd6 26. Rf4 Nxc4 27. Nxc4
Qg5 28. Rg3 Qd5 29. Ne3 Qc6 30. Kh2 Qc1 31. Qb4 Qc7 32. d5 a5 33. Qe4 Rd6 34.
Qe5 g6 35. Qh5 Rxd5 36. Nxd5 exd5 37. Qxh6 Qe5 38. Rh4 Qg7 39. Qxg7+ {1-0 (39)
Alekhine,A-Kmoch,H San Remo 1930}) 9... Nxc3 10. bxc3 Nd7 (10... dxc4 11. Bxc4
Nd7 {wäre ebenso möglich gewesen. Kommt Schwarz vernünftig zu b6 und Lb7
sollte die Position vollkommen in Ordnung sein.} 12. O-O b6 13. d5 exd5 14.
Bxd5 Rb8 $11) 11. Bd3 h6 {wurde von Anand im post-mortem kritisiert. In der
entstehenden Struktur ist die Felderschwäche auf g6 ein mögliches Thema, zudem
ist die erwünschte Aktivierung Lg4-Lh5-Lg6 nicht mehr möglich.} 12. cxd5 exd5
13. Qb2 Qe7 14. O-O Nf6 15. Rfb1 {die Stellung ist objektiv wohl ausgeglichen,
jedoch für Weiß leichter zu spielen. Schwarz plant, den schwachen Lc8
abzutauschen, während Weiß zuerst den Damenflügel mit a4,a5 einschnürt, um
danach entweder dort den Druck zu erhöhen versucht oder in einem geeigneten
Moment das Zentrum öffnet.} c4 {Schwarz möchte unter keinen Umständen auf d4
tauschen, nimmt so jedoch ein weißes c4 für immer aus der Stellung.} 16. Bc2
Ne4 17. a4 Re8 18. a5 Nd6 {Der Springer übernimmt effizient die Deckung des b7
} 19. Qb4 Be6 {Diagramm [#]} 20. Re1 $2 {Aronian übersieht vermutlich eine
Taktik in der Variante 22.Db5} ({zum Beispiel} 20. Ne5 $14 {und Weiß kann
weiter Druck aufbauen. Langfristig reicht es freilich nicht, einzig in der
b-Linie anzugreifen, Weiß muss über kurz oder mit f3-e4 oder f3-g4-h4 eine
zweite Front eröffnen. In dieser konkreten Position ist auch der Nachteil der
Schwäche auf g6 deutlich sichtbar, Schwarz kann den Se5 nicht einfach mit f6
befragen.}) 20... Bf5 $1 {wenn dies taktisch geht, ist Anand von allen
Problemen befreit} 21. Bxf5 Nxf5 22. Qxe7 (22. Qb5 Qe6 $1 (22... Rad8 $2 23.
Reb1 Rd7 24. Ne5 Rc7 25. Qxd5 $18) (22... Qd6 23. Ne5 Rab8 24. Nxc4 $1 $16) 23.
Qxb7 $2 Reb8 24. Qc7 Nd6 {und Weiß kann wegen der Drohung Tc8 auf der b-Linie
nicht opponieren}) 22... Rxe7 $11 {jetzt kann Schwarz nicht schlechter stehen,
die einzig angreifbare Schwäche b7 ist einfach zu decken, der Springer
verhindert auf d6 ein mögliches Manöver Tb5 und aufgrund des reduzierten
Materials kann Schwrz nun am Königsflügel mit den Bauern aufrücken.} 23. h4 h5
24. g3 {Weiß nimmt bereits eine Auffangstellung ein} Nd6 25. Reb1 Rc8 26. Kg2
f6 27. Ng1 g5 28. Nf3 Ne4 29. Ra3 Rf8 30. Rb5 Rd7 31. Rb2 Rg7 32. Rb5 Rd7 33.
Rb2 Rg7 34. Rb5 {keine Seite kann Fortschritte erzielen} 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Nbd2 Bd6 13. a5 h6 14. Bc4 Re8 15.
Nb3 Be6 16. Bd3 Red8 17. Nfd2 Nd7 18. Nc4 Nc5 19. Nxc5 Bxc5 20. Be3 Bxe3 21.
Nxe3 b3 22. Bf1 Nd4 23. cxb3 Nxb3 24. Ra3 Rd2 25. Re2 Rxe2 26. Bxe2 Nd4 27. Bf1
Kf8 28. Rc3 Rb8 29. Rxc7 Rxb2 30. h4 Ra2 31. Bxa6 Rxa5 32. Bc8 Ra8 33. Bxe6
Nxe6 34. Rc2 h5 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.07"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah/CB Website"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. g3 Bb4 4. Bg2 O-O 5. e4 Bxc3 6. bxc3 Re8 {Anish had
used this move against Mamedyarov at the Qatar Masters 2014 and had won the
game. As Giri said in the press conference: I had used this move so it cannot
be bad! But I didn't really remember the analysis.} (6... c6 {was played by
Anand against Giri.}) 7. d3 c6 8. Nf3 (8. Ne2 {was played by Mamedyarov which
wasn't a great move.} d5 {Black already was completely fine.}) 8... d5 $1 {
At the post game conference, Jan Gustaffson asked Aronian a very basic
question: "I was taught since childhood that when your opponent has two
bishops you shouldn't open the position. Then Why does Black play d5 here?"
Aronian understood that Jan was asking this question for the benefit of the
audience and explained it with the following remark. Asssume that the knight
is on e2 instead of f3. Now if Black plays d6 then White would simply 0-0 and
then launch an attack with f4 which would be very strong. Hence opening the
position with d5 is a necessity and not a luxury. Besides Black is ahead in
development and must exploit it.} 9. cxd5 cxd5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Qc2 Qc7 12.
O-O Qxc3 13. Qxc3 Nxc3 14. Bb2 Na4 15. Bxe5 Nc6 {Black has a very comfortable
position out of the opening and even though the players played 20 more moves
the result of the game was never really in doubt.} 16. Rfe1 Nb6 17. Bc7 Rxe1+
18. Rxe1 Be6 19. Ne5 Rc8 20. Bxb6 Nxe5 21. Bxa7 Nxd3 22. Rd1 Nb2 23. Ra1 b5 24.
a3 h6 25. Bd4 Nc4 26. h4 Bd7 27. Kh2 Bc6 28. Bc3 Bxg2 29. Kxg2 Ne3+ 30. fxe3
Rxc3 31. Kf3 h5 32. Rb1 Rxa3 33. Rxb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.08"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. Nf3 e6 4. e3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. d4 cxd4 7. exd4 Nxc3 {
A rare but solid continuation. Black usually plays} (7... Be7) ({or} 7... Bb4)
8. bxc3 Qc7 {This immediate attack on White's c3-pawn, preventing Bf1-d3, is
the only way for Black to justify his previous move.} (8... Be7 9. Bd3 {
is comfortable for White.}) 9. Bd2 {This move looks passive but other defences
have their drawbacks, too:} (9. c4 Bb4+ 10. Bd2 Bxd2+ 11. Qxd2 b6 12. Be2 O-O
13. O-O Nd7 14. a4 Bb7 15. a5 Rfd8 16. Qe3 Rac8 17. Rfc1 bxa5 18. Nd2 Nb6 $11 {
1/2 (93) Timman,J (2615)-Fressinet,L (2711) Malmo 2014}) (9. Bb5+ Nd7 10. O-O
Bd6 11. d5 O-O 12. dxe6 fxe6 13. h3 Nf6 14. Re1 e5 15. Ba3 Bxa3 16. Qb3+ Kh8
17. Qxa3 Bd7 18. Rxe5 {1/2 (18) Ghaem Maghami,E (2596)-Kramnik,V (2777) Berlin
2015}) (9. Bb2 Nd7 (9... Bd6 10. Bd3 Nd7 11. O-O O-O 12. c4 Rd8 13. Qe2 Nf8 14.
Qe4 Bd7 15. Qg4 Ng6 16. Qh5 Bf4 17. Rfe1 Bc6 18. Ng5 Bxg5 19. Qxg5 Qf4 $11 {
1-0 (92) Khismatullin,D (2649)-Ghane Gardeh,S (2398) Moscow 2011}) 10. Bd3 Ba3
$5 11. Qb3 Bxb2 12. Qxb2 O-O 13. O-O b6 14. Be4 Rb8 15. Rac1 b5 16. Rfe1 Bb7
$11 {0-1 (44) Klimentov,E (2196)-Kharitonov,A (2553) Voronezh 2015}) (9. Qc2
Nd7 (9... b6 $5 10. Bb5+ Nd7 11. O-O a6 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. Ng5 $6 Bd6 14. f4 Nf6
15. Bd2 Rc8 16. Rae1 h6 17. Ne4 Nxe4 18. Bxe4 O-O $11 {1/2 (63) Milov,V (2669)
-Houska,J (2392) Gibraltar 2009}) 10. Bd3 b6 11. O-O Bb7 12. Ng5 (12. Re1 Bd6
13. Be4 Bxe4 14. Rxe4 Nf6 15. Rh4 Rc8 16. Bd2 h6 17. Re1 Nd5 18. Qe4 Nf6 19.
Qb1 Nd5 20. Rg4 Kf8 $13 {1-0 (33) Adams,M (2724)-Houska,J (2401) London 2007})
(12. Be4 $11) 12... Bd6 13. h3 h6 (13... Bh2+ $6 14. Kh1 Bf4 15. Re1 Bxg5 16.
Bxg5 h6 17. Bd2 Nf6 18. c4 O-O 19. a4 $14 {0-1 (36) Riazantsev,A (2646)
-Kramnik,V (2777) Berlin GER 2015}) 14. Ne4 Be7 $11) 9... Nd7 10. Bd3 b6 {
Black can develop his kingside bishop first:} (10... Be7 $5 11. O-O b6 12. Re1
Bb7 13. Ng5 Nf6 14. Re3 h6 15. Rh3 Bd6 16. Qe2 O-O 17. Ne4 Bxe4 18. Bxe4 Nxe4
19. Qxe4 Rfe8 $11 {0-1 (29) Dickenson,N (2250)-Levitt,J (2445) Maidstone 1994})
(10... Bd6 11. O-O b6 $5 (11... O-O 12. Qe2 Nf6 13. Ne5 Bxe5 14. dxe5 Nd7 15.
Rfe1 $1 (15. Rae1 Nc5 16. Bb1 b6 17. Qh5 g6 18. Qh4 Ba6 19. c4 Nd7 $13 {
0-1 (52) Hou,Y (2673)-Dimitrov,R (2445) Bastia 2014}) 15... Nc5 16. Bc2 $40)
12. Re1 (12. d5 Nc5 13. Bb5+ Bd7 14. Bxd7+ Qxd7 15. c4 O-O 16. Be3 Rac8 17. Qd4
Rfe8 18. Rad1 e5 $15 {0-1 (28) Bern,I (2345)-Ogaard,L (2395) Oslo 2006}) 12...
Bb7 13. c4 O-O 14. Rc1 (14. Bc3 Rfe8 15. Ng5 $6 h6 16. Nf3 Rad8 $15 {0-1 (60)
Rantanen,Y (2308)-Barbosa,O (2501) Pattaya 2015}) 14... Rac8 15. d5 Bf4 (15...
Nc5 $5 16. Bxh7+ $140 Kxh7 17. Ng5+ Kg6) 16. Ng5 Bxg5 17. Bxg5 Nc5 18. Re3 f6
19. Rh3 Nxd3 20. Qxd3 {1-0 (25) Nurkic,S (2415)-Majeric,Z (2345) Tuzla 2007} g6
$13) 11. Ng5 {White tries to exploit Black's delay in the development of his
kingside but doesn't gain anything.} (11. O-O Bb7 12. c4 Bd6 {- see above})
11... Nf6 12. Qf3 Rb8 13. O-O Bd6 14. Qh3 h6 15. Rfe1 (15. Nf3 $5 {is more
logical, preventing castling. However, Black's position is solid enough in any
case:} Bb7 (15... O-O $2 16. Bxh6 gxh6 17. Qxh6) (15... Bf4 {is less accurate
in view of} 16. Bxf4 Qxf4 17. Ne5 {[%csl Rf4]} O-O 18. g3 Qd2 19. Rfc1 {
[%cal Rc1c2]}) 16. Rae1 Bxf3 $1 {(the simplest: White's strong knight should
be eliminated)} 17. Qxf3 Bxh2+ 18. Kh1 Bd6 19. d5 O-O 20. dxe6 Rbe8 $11) 15...
O-O 16. Nf3 Bf4 17. Bxf4 Qxf4 18. Ne5 Bb7 {Black's queen is safe here.} 19.
Rad1 (19. g3 Qd2 20. Rec1 Qb2 21. a4 Rfc8 {etc. - Black's extra tempo is
crucial}) 19... Qg5 20. c4 Rbd8 21. Qg3 $6 ({As usualwith hanging pawns, it
was better for White to keep queens on the board:} 21. Bf1 $11) 21... Qxg3 22.
hxg3 {A marginal plus now belongs to Black as White's hanging pawns are rather
weak. Still, a draw is the most probable outcome.} Rfe8 ({The immediate} 22...
Nd7 {is more accurate as the most appropriate position of Black's rooks is yet
to be determined.}) 23. f3 Nd7 24. Kf2 Kf8 25. Bc2 Nxe5 26. Rxe5 Re7 27. Bb3
Red7 28. Ke3 {, and the World Champion failed to break down White's defences:}
g6 29. g4 Bc6 30. d5 exd5 31. cxd5 Bb7 32. f4 f6 {(forcing a draw)} 33. Re6
Bxd5 34. Rxd5 Rxd5 35. Bxd5 Rxd5 36. Rxf6+ Kg7 37. Rc6 Ra5 38. Rc2 Kf6 39. Rc6+
Kg7 40. Rc2 Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.10"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[Annotator "Sumets,A"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. c4 Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 a5 (10... Bd5 {is the main line} 11. Qc2 Be4 12. Qc1 ({
White can repeat the position after} 12. Qc4 Bd5 13. Qc2 Be4) (12. Qd1 c5 13.
dxc5 Bxc5 14. Qxd8 Rxd8 15. Nbd2 Bc6 16. Nb3 Be7 17. Na5 h6 18. Be3 Nd5 19. Bd2
Nb6 20. Bf4 Nd5 $11 {Nakamura,H (2814)-Anand,V (2816) 1-0 (43) Saint Louis USA
2015}) 12... h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Rd1 a5 15. Nbd2 Bh7 16. Nb3 c6 17. Qc3 Be7
18. Nc5 Qc7 19. Ne5 Na6 20. Nxb7 Qxb7 21. Bxc6 Qc7 {Probably Black should have
kept queens on the board.} (21... Qb8 22. Bxa8 Qxa8 23. Qxa5 Rb8) 22. Bxa8 Qxc3
23. bxc3 Rxa8 $14 {1-0 (58) Eljanov,P (2717)-Nakamura,H (2814) Baku AZE 2015})
11. Nc3 Ra6 12. e3 (12. Bxf6 {is a slightly weird continuation. Usually in the
Catalan White doesn't mind trading the dark-squared bishop but why did he
hurry to do so? I do not consider ...Ne4 to be a threat.} Bxf6 13. e3 Rb6 14.
Qe2 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 c5 $2 (15... c6 16. Rfd1 Nd7 17. Rac1 g6 18. Qc2 Qe7 {
with a very solid position}) 16. dxc5 Rb4 17. Rac1 ({White could have got a
big advantage after the computer's move} 17. Rfb1 $1 {the b2-pawn is
well-protected and White wants to trap the opponents's rook by means of Na2
and Qb5 or Qc2.} Nc6 18. Na2 Rxa4 19. Qb5 Ne5 $8 20. Be2 Qd7 21. f4 $18) 17...
Nd7 18. Rfd1 Qe7 19. Ne4 $6 (19. c6 bxc6 20. Bxc6 Nc5 21. Qc2 $16) 19... Bxb2
20. Rb1 {1/2 (20) Kunte,A (2568) -Barua,D (2494) Kolkata 2001}) ({I think that
the strongest continuation is} 12. Qd3 $5 Rb6 13. Qc2 {It is not clear what
should we recommend for Black.} Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Rb4 (14... Qxd4 $2 15. Be3 $18) (
14... Nc6 15. e3 Nb4 16. Qe2 $14 {this is a normal Catalan position with an
unusual black rook on b6.}) 15. Rfd1 c6 16. Be3 $5 {Now White prefers to keep
his bishop on the board.} Nd5 17. Bc1 Rb6 18. e4 Nb4 19. Qe2 Re8 20. Bg2 $16 {
Ruck, R (2535)-Moor,O (2377)1-0 (40) Zuerich 2005}) 12... Rb6 13. Qe2 Nbd7 (
13... Ne4 {A premature move. After natural moves such as} 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Ne5
Nxc3 16. bxc3 {Black has got some problems.} Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Nd7 18. Nc4 Ra6 19.
Rab1 $14 {Kozul,Z (2595)-Brumen, D (2359) 1-0 (45) Rijeka 2010. In this game
the idea, connected with a5, Ra6, Rb6, became ridiculous.}) 14. Rfd1 Bxf3 $1 (
14... Ne4 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. Qc2 Nxc3 17. bxc3 Bd5 18. Rab1 $2 ({White could
have got a big advantage after 18 c4} 18. c4 Rc6 ({The continuation} 18... Bxf3
19. Bxf3 Rb4 20. c5 $16 {can't be very tempting for Black}) 19. c5 f5 20. Qd3
b6 21. Qb5 bxc5 22. Ne5 Nxe5 23. Bxd5 exd5 24. dxe5 Rb6 25. Qxa5 Qxe5 26. Qxc5
$16) 18... Rxb1 19. Rxb1 {1/2 (19) Salov,V (2665)-Granda Zuniga,J (2620) Wijk
aan Zee 1997}) 15. Bxf3 c6 16. Qc2 ({Unfortunately White can't play 16 e4} 16.
e4 $2 {due to} Nxe4 17. Bxe7 Nxc3 18. bxc3 Qxe7 $17) (16. Bxf6 $5 Nxf6 17. Rac1
Qd6 18. e4 $11 {White has no advantage but the position remains complicated.})
16... Ne8 $1 {Just in time. White is forced to trade bishops and Black's rook
on b6 becomes really strong.} 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. Na2 (18. Ne4 {White can get
control over the d-file after} Nef6 19. Nc5 Nxc5 20. dxc5 {but it doesn't
bring him an advantage.} Rb4 {Black has a comfortable position. I think White
should take a draw after} 21. Rd6 Ne8 22. Rd2 Nf6 (22... Nc7 $5 23. Kg2 (23.
Rd6 $2 Qf6 $17) 23... g6 24. h4 Rd8 25. Rad1 $11) 23. Rd6 $11 (23. Rad1 e5 24.
Rd6 Ne8 25. Rd7 Qe6 26. Kg2 Nf6 $11)) 18... Nef6 19. Qc3 Ra8 $11 20. Rd2 e5 {
Levon prefers to simplify the position. He could have continued 20...Nd5 or 20.
..h6.} (20... Nd5 21. Qc1 Rd8 $11) (20... h6 21. Rb1 e5 22. dxe5 Qxe5 23. Qc2
Nc5 $11) 21. dxe5 Qxe5 22. Rad1 Qxc3 23. Nxc3 Nf8 24. Be4 $6 {Intending to
play Bc2, b3 but what would he do if Black played 24...g6?} Nxe4 {This leads
to a draw.} (24... g6 $1 25. Bd3 (25. Bf3 $5) 25... Rb4 (25... Rd8 26. Bc4 Rxd2
27. Rxd2 Ne6 28. b3 $11) 26. Rb1 Rd8 27. b3 Ne6 28. Rdd1 Kf8 29. Bc4 Rxd1+ 30.
Rxd1 Ke7 $15 31. Na2 Rb6 32. b4 $5 Ng5 33. bxa5 $2 Rb2 $17) 25. Nxe4 Rb4 26.
Nc5 g6 27. Rc2 b6 28. Nd3 Rd8 $1 ({Of course Levon shouldn't play} 28... Rxa4
$2 29. Rxc6 b5 30. Rb6 b4 31. Rb5 Rd8 32. Kf1 Ra2 33. Ke2 $16 {Black's rook on
a2 is out of play and he needs to be very cautious. White's king is heading
for the queenside.}) 29. Rxc6 Ne6 $11 {Black goes for a draw by means of a
temporary pawn sacrifice .} 30. Kg2 (30. Kf1 Nc5 31. Nxb4 Rxd1+ 32. Ke2 Rb1 $11
) 30... Nc5 31. Nxb4 Rxd1 32. Rc8+ Kg7 33. Nc6 Nxa4 34. b3 Nb2 35. Ne5 (35. Rb8
Nd3 36. Rxb6 Rd2 $11) 35... Nd3 36. Nxd3 Rxd3 37. b4 $1 axb4 38. Rc6 b5 39. Rc5
Kf6 40. Rxb5 Rb3 41. g4 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.11"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 {Every now and then Levon
plays these free flowing lines from the white side of the English and scores
some beautiful victories.} Nb4 (5... Nxc3 6. dxc3 {is much more popular as the
endgame arising after} (6. bxc3 g6 7. d4 Bg7 {takes us back to a position
which has been played well over 10,000 times.}) 6... Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Nc6 8. Be3
e6 9. Kc2 $14 {leads to a highly comfortable queenless middlegame for White.})
6. Bc4 $5 Nd3+ 7. Ke2 (7. Bxd3 Qxd3 {gives Black a perfectly fine position.})
7... Nf4+ (7... Nxc1+ 8. Rxc1 Nc6 9. Bb5 Bd7 10. d4 cxd4 11. Bxc6 Bxc6 12. Nxd4
$14) 8. Kf1 Ne6 {[%cal Gg8f6,Gf6d5,Gd5b4,Gb4d3,Gd3f4,Gf4e6] What has Black
achieved by making six knight moves out of the eight played so far? First of
all White has lost the right to 0-0 and secondly the d4 square is weak.
Meanwhile Black is behind in development, and a player like Aronian doesn't
have to be asked twice to play aggressively.} (8... Be6 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. d4 cxd4
11. Nxd4 $14) 9. b4 $1 {By far the most popular move and already played in
more than 120 games. Levon sacrifices a pawn in order to get a strong centre.}
(9. Ne5 {is the other move.}) 9... cxb4 10. Nd5 (10. Ne2 {is the other move
here. Play could continue something like this} Nc5 $1 (10... Nc7 11. d4 e6 12.
h4 $5 Be7 13. Bf4 $14) 11. Qc2 e6 12. d4 Ncd7 13. Bb2 {With a complex position.
}) 10... g6 11. d4 (11. Bb2 Bg7 12. Bxg7 Nxg7 13. d4 O-O {Black has a fine
position.}) 11... Bg7 12. Be3 Nc6 13. Rc1 Bd7 (13... O-O 14. h4 $1 {White's
position looks quite harmonious, however this had to be the best way for Black
to play. In the game he delays 0-0 but is unable to come up with anything
constructive.} h5 $1 15. g3 $1 $13 {[%cal Gf1g2]}) 14. Qd2 Qa5 15. h4 $1 {
White makes full use of the rook being on h1.} Rc8 (15... h5 16. g3 {Black
cannot really do much due to White's strong centre. Meanwhile White can
improve his position with Kg2, Rc2, Rb1 etc.}) (15... b3 $5 16. Qxa5 Nxa5 17.
axb3 Rc8 18. Ra1 Nxc4 19. bxc4 Rxc4 20. Rxa7 $14) 16. Bb3 (16. h5 b3 $1 17.
Qxa5 Nxa5 18. axb3 b5 $1 $132) 16... Qb5+ 17. Kg1 h6 18. Kh2 {Through
artificial means Levon has been able to get his king to safety. Meanwhile the
black king cannot castle as the h6 pawn is hanging.} g5 19. Rhd1 Kf8 20. Kg1 {
The king moved from e1-f1-g1-h2 and castled artificially. It really doesn't
seem like White made so many moves with his king as Black too wasn't able to
do anything concrete.} Rd8 (20... g4 21. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 22. Rxc8+ Bxc8 23. dxe5
$16) 21. hxg5 hxg5 22. Bxg5 Nxg5 $2 (22... Be8 {was relatively better but here
too White has a pleasant edge after} 23. Bc4 (23. Rxc6 Nxg5 $11) 23... Qa5 24.
Be3 $16) (22... Nexd4 $2 23. Nxd4 Bxd4 24. Rxc6 $1 Bxc6 25. Qxd4 $18) 23. Qxg5
{Rxc6 followed by Qxe7 is a strong threat. Black must do something about it.}
Bh6 24. Qh4 $1 Bg7 25. Qf4 {Ng5 is threatened with all the pieces joining in
the attack and the threat of Qc7 is also quite huge.} Bh6 26. Ng5 (26. Qh2 Bg7
27. Qc7 $18) 26... Bxg5 (26... f6 27. Nxf6 Qxg5 28. Nh7+ $18) 27. Qxg5 {
The resignation may seem premature but it is not.} (27. Qxg5 Be6 (27... f6 28.
Qf4 {[%cal Ge4e5]}) 28. Rxc6 Qxc6 (28... Bxd5 29. Rc5 $18) 29. Qxe7+ Kg7 30.
Qg5+ Kf8 (30... Kh7 31. Nf6#) 31. Qxd8+ $18) 1-0

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.12"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. b3 b6 7. Bb2 Bb7 8. cxd5
$5 {This rare continuation has been tried a few times at the very top and high
levels lately.} ({The classical treatment of the double fianchetto Reti is} 8.
e3 {[%cal Gb1c3] followed by cxd5 only under certain circumstances. See for
instance Marin,M (2589)-Kryvoruchko,Y (2717) Reykjavik 2015 CBM 170 [Marin] (1/
2-1/2, 36)}) 8... Nxd5 {The way of capturing is a matter of taste.} ({I find
the last move too unambitious and more of an attempt to equalise gradually. I
would play} 8... exd5 {without any doubt. The classical view of the tabyia
arising after} 9. d4 {Portisch,L (2625)-Karpov,A (2690) EU-chT (Men) 06th 1977
(4.1) 0-1 (White does not get anything positive by keeping his pawn on d3. A
classical example with a slightly different move order is} {)} Na6 10. Nc3 c5 {
Having grown up with so many games with hanging pawns played by Karpov, Andrey
Sokolov or Psakhis, I surely enjoy Black's position even though I could also
play this as White.}) 9. d4 Nd7 ({There is no clear refutation of the
immediate break in the centre with} 9... c5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 {True, the bishop
has been forced to occupy an exposed position, but the queen has got the
e7-square for its development, something it will miss in our main game.} 11.
Nbd2 Nf6 12. Nc4 Nbd7 13. e3 Qe7 14. Nd4 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Rfc8 {Dzagnidze,N (2559)
-Pham,L (2319) Doha 2015 (1-0, 50), with normal play for Black.}) 10. Re1 $5 {
An ambitious move, delaying the queen knight's deveopment until the enemy
knight retreats from d5.} (10. Nbd2 {fails to fight for the d5-square and
obstructs the d-file.} N5f6 11. Qc2 Rc8 12. Rac1 c5 13. Qb1 Rc7 14. dxc5 Rxc5
15. Rxc5 Bxc5 16. b4 Be7 17. a3 Qa8 $11 {Nakamura,H (2760)-Aronian,L (2815)
Beijing 2012 (1/2-1/2, 57)}) (10. Nc3 {simplifies too soon:} Nxc3 11. Bxc3 Rc8
12. Qd3 Nf6 13. Ne5 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 c5 15. dxc5 Rxc5 16. Rac1 Qxd3 $6 (16... Qa8+
$1 $11 17. Qf3 $6 Ne4 $1 18. Bb2 f6 19. Rc4 Rxc4 20. Nxc4 Rd8 $36) 17. Nxd3
Rcc8 18. Bb2 {Fernandez,D (2477)-Orosz,A (2281) Kecskemet 2015 (1-0, 58). The
"Catalan knight" on d3 ensures White the more pleasant play.}) 10... N5f6 (
10... c5 11. e4 N5f6 12. Nc3 {transposes.}) 11. Nc3 c5 ({Alternatively, Black
could fight for the e4-square with} 11... Bb4 12. Qc2 Bxc3 13. Qxc3 Be4 14.
Red1 Qc8 15. Bf1 (15. Nd2 $5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 $14 c5 $6 17. dxc5 Qxc5 18. Qf3 $36
{[%cal Gd2c4]}) 15... Nd5 16. Qe1 Bxf3 17. exf3 {[%csl Gd5]} Qb7 18. Rac1 c6
19. f4 a5 20. a3 N7f6 21. Rc2 Rfd8 22. Rdc1 Rd6 23. Qe2 Ne7 24. Bg2 Nfd5 $11 {
Grischuk,A (2774)-Kramnik,V (2777) Berlin 2015 (½-½, 46)}) 12. e4 cxd4 {
A virtually forced releasing of the tension.} ({A neutral move such as} 12...
Re8 $6 {can be met with the standard pawn break} 13. d5 $1 exd5 14. e5 $1 Ng4
15. Nxd5 $16 {Apicella,M (2541)-Brodsky,M (2558) Cappelle-la-Grande 2012 (1/
2-1/2, 30)}) 13. Nxd4 {Gligoric,S-Szabo,L Candidates Tournament 1953 (6) 0-1
White intends completing his development with Qe2, Red1 and Rac1, leaving
Black with problems finding a good square for his queen. This is a frequent
problem for Black, in many different opennigs as pointed out by Bronstein in
his famous book Zurich '53 when commenting on} Bc5 ({The alternate way of
putting pressure on the d4-knight in order to cross White's main plan is
illusory:} 13... Ne5 14. Re2 {This original regrouping is not too effective in
this position but it might have inspired Grischuk for the next phase of the
game.} (14. Qe2 $1 {[%cal Ge1d1]} Qxd4 15. Nd5 Qc5 16. Rac1 Qd6 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7
18. Bxe5 $14) 14... Qb8 15. Rd2 Rd8 {Hertneck,G (2571)-Unzicker,W (2436)
Germany 2000 (0-1, 32)}) 14. Re2 $1 $146 {The start of a very effective and
far from obsious regrouping.} (14. a3 Bxd4 15. Qxd4 Nc5 16. Qe3 (16. Qxd8 Rfxd8
17. b4 Nd3 18. Re2 Nxb2 19. Rxb2 Rac8 $17) 16... Nxb3 17. Rad1 Qe7 18. Nb5 Nc5
19. Nd6 Rad8 20. e5 Nd5 21. Qe2 Ba8 22. Qc4 $44 {Bologan,V (2654)-Kashlinskaya,
A (2448) Doha 2015 (1-0, 36)}) (14. e5 $6 Nxe5 $1) 14... Qb8 (14... Qe7 15. e5
$16) (14... a6 15. Rd2 Qc7 (15... Qb8 {transposes to the game}) 16. Rc1 $14)
15. Rd2 a6 {Preparing a contorted way of developing, but there is no simple
solution to connecting rooks.} 16. Qe2 Ra7 17. Re1 $14 {[%cal Ge4e5] White is
better developed and has several active plans based on the advance of the
kingside pawns. The immediate threat is e4-e5.} Ne5 (17... Qa8 18. a3 b5 19. b4
Bxd4 (19... Bb6 20. a4 bxa4 21. Nxa4 Bd8 22. g4 $5) 20. Rxd4 $14 {[%csl Gb2,
Gg2]}) 18. Kh1 {[%cal Rc5g1,Gf2f4]} Qa8 (18... Rd8 19. Red1 b5 20. f4 Ng6 21.
f5 $14) 19. f4 Ng6 (19... Ned7 20. g4 $40) 20. Nc2 Rd8 (20... b5 21. b4 Be7 (
21... Bb6 22. a4 $16) 22. a3 Rd8 23. Rxd8+ Qxd8 24. Rd1 Qb8 25. Nd4 $14 {
[%csl Ge7,Gg6]}) 21. Red1 (21. Rxd8+ $1 Qxd8 22. Na4 Nd7 (22... Be7 23. Bd4 Nd7
24. Nxb6 Nxb6 25. Qf2 $16) 23. f5 Nge5 24. Rd1 $16) 21... Rxd2 22. Rxd2 h5 23.
Qd1 {Now and on the next moves White in vain refrains from driving the enemy
bishop away from its active position.} (23. b4 Bf8 24. a3 $14) 23... Ng4 24.
Qe1 (24. b4 $1 Nf2+ $6 25. Rxf2 Bxf2 26. Qd2 $16) 24... Bc6 25. h3 $6 {
Weakening the f4-square.} (25. b4 Bf8 26. Qe2) 25... Nf6 26. b4 Bf8 27. Qe3 Rd7
$11 {[%csl Gf4][%cal Gh5h4] Black has finally reached complete harmony and the
worst is behind him already.} 28. Rxd7 Nxd7 29. a3 h4 {Polugaevsky,L (2620)
-Gheorghiu,F (2605) Moscow 1981 (4) 1/2 I first saw this way of undermining
the white queenside in an old game in which Black prematurely agreed to a draw,
} 30. Nd4 (30. g4 Bd6 31. Ne2 e5 32. f5 Nf4 $132) 30... Bb7 31. f5 $6 (31. g4
e5 $132) 31... exf5 32. Nxf5 Nde5 $15 33. Nd5 $6 (33. Qd4 $15) 33... Nc4 34.
Qd4 Nxb2 35. Qxb2 hxg3 $2 {Carelessly allowing a drawing combination.} (35...
Qe8 $17 36. Nh6+ $2 Kh7 $19) (35... Bxd5 36. exd5 hxg3 $17) 36. Nh6+ $3 gxh6 (
36... Kh7 37. Nxf7) 37. Nf6+ Kh8 38. Nh5+ Kg8 (38... f6 39. Qxf6+ Kh7 40. Qf7+
Kh8 41. Nf6 Bg7 42. Qxg6 Bxf6 43. Qxh6+ Kg8 44. Qxf6 $18 Bxe4 $2 45. Qe6+) 39.
Nf6+ Kh8 40. Nh5+ Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.13"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah/CB Website"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 4. e3 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} e4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 6. d5 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} exf3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 7. dxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} dxc6 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} 8. Qxd8+ {[%emt 0:00:11]} Kxd8 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 9. gxf3 {[%emt 0:00:09]
} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 10. b3 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 11. Bb2 {
[%emt 0:00:35]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:36] Both the players played quite quickly
until this point. After that Aronian sank into deep thought. Black stops 0-0-0.
Let us try to understand the various imbalances in the position. The position
somehow resembles the Berlin because Black's pawn majority on the queenside
doesn't seem so potent. White on the kingside has a working majority although
the pawns are doubled. Meanwhile Black's development is quite smooth. He can
develop his bishop to e6-f5 and connect the rooks. White has to figure out
where he would like to place his king. Let's see how the game proceeds.} 12. h4
$5 {[%emt 0:06:13] Planning to exchange the light squared bishops. Once the
bishops are exchanged the king would feel safer on e2.} g6 {[%emt 0:04:23]} 13.
Bh3 $6 {[%emt 0:05:38] This move seems logically fine but it doesn't help
White to get an advantage. After the game Levon suggested a better try was to
play Ne4!?} (13. Ne4 $5 Nxe4 14. fxe4 h5 15. Be5+ Bd6 16. Bc3 Be6 17. f4 $14 {
and it seems like White has something to bite on.}) 13... Bxh3 {[%emt 0:14:26]}
14. Rxh3 {[%emt 0:01:47]} Kd7 $1 {[%emt 0:14:08] A very strong maneuvre
underestimated by Aronian. The king stands excellently on e6.} 15. Rd1+ {
[%emt 0:11:57]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 16. Rxd8 {[%emt 0:03:26]} Bxd8 $5 {
[%emt 0:09:21]} (16... Rxd8 {would be a natural recapture but after} 17. Ke2 {
The rook has no entry points on the d-file and it has to anyway return to b8
to break on the queenside.}) 17. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:42]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:03:16]
Black plans to break on the queenside with b5. If White takes it straightens
out the pawn structure and if he doesn't then bxc4 would give the black rook a
lot of activity.} 18. Nb1 {[%emt 0:12:20] Levon comes up with the idea to
defend c4 with his knight. But it loses time.} b5 {[%emt 0:13:36]} 19. Nd2 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Ba5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 20. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:05:41]} Bxd2 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} 21. Kxd2 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Kxf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 22. Kc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]
} bxc4 {[%emt 0:04:56]} 23. Rh1 {[%emt 0:09:36]} (23. Kxc4 Rd8 {[%csl Rh3]
Look at the poor guy on h3 completely out of the game.} 24. Kxc5 Rd2 25. a4
Rxf2 $11) (23. bxc4 Rb1 $1 $15) 23... cxb3 {[%emt 0:10:15]} 24. axb3 {[%emt 0:
00:09]} h5 {[%emt 0:08:23]} 25. Ra1 {[%emt 0:02:52]} g5 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 26.
hxg5+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kxg5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 27. Rxa7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Kg6 {
[%emt 0:00:31]} 28. Ra1 {[%emt 0:08:51]} h4 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 29. Kc4 {[%emt 0:
02:35]} Rb4+ {[%emt 0:02:39]} 30. Kxc5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rxb3 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
31. Kxc6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 32. Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rxf2 {
[%emt 0:00:15]} 33. Rxh4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rxf3 {[%emt 0:00:07] The players
agreed to a draw at this point and Anish joined the leaders at the top.}
1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Opening Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2016.02.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bd6 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. Nbd2 a6 8. Ba4
b5 9. Bc2 Bf8 10. Re1 d5 11. a4 Bb7 12. h3 h6 13. exd5 Qxd5 14. b4 Qd7 15. Ne4
Nd5 16. Bb3 $16 {White's position is already very comfortable. He has pressure
all around the board, including the a-file, some tricks on the kingside and
Black's pieces need to keep constant protection over squares such as c5.} Rad8
17. axb5 axb5 18. Bxh6 $1 {A very nice trick. It doesn't win a pawn, but it
gives White a great position.} Nxc3 (18... gxh6 19. Bxd5 {and the bishop is
taboo due to Nf6+.} Bg7 20. Bb3 Qxd3 21. Qc1 $1 {Looks almost winning for
White.}) 19. Nxc3 gxh6 20. Ne4 Be7 (20... Bg7 21. Nc5 {also looks annoying.})
21. Nh2 $1 Nd4 22. Ng4 Kg7 23. Nxe5 Qf5 24. Ng3 {Aronian's position simply
collapses.} Qg5 25. Nxf7 Qg6 26. Nxd8 Bxd8 27. Rxe8 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Opening Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2016.02.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Bg4 5. Ne5 e6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Nxg4 Nxg4 8.
O-O Nf6 9. d3 Bc5 10. Qc2 Bb6 11. e4 O-O 12. Nc3 Na6 13. a3 Nc5 14. exd5 Nxd5
15. Nxd5 cxd5 16. Be3 Rc8 17. Rac1 Qd7 18. Bxc5 Rxc5 19. Qxc5 Bxc5 20. Rxc5 Rc8
21. Rxd5 Qe7 22. Bh3 Rc7 23. Rd4 g6 24. Re4 Qd6 25. Rfe1 Rc2 26. R4e2 Rxe2 27.
Rxe2 Qxd3 28. Bf1 Qd4 29. h4 Kg7 30. b4 b6 31. Re7 a5 32. bxa5 bxa5 33. Re3 Qc5
34. Rf3 f5 35. Bg2 Kf6 36. Kh2 h6 37. Kg1 g5 38. hxg5+ hxg5 39. Bh3 f4 40. gxf4
Qc1+ 41. Kh2 gxf4 42. Bg2 Qd2 43. Kg1 Ke5 44. Rh3 Qd1+ 45. Kh2 Qe1 46. Rf3 Qd2
47. Kg1 Kd4 48. Kh2 a4 49. Kg1 Qd1+ 50. Kh2 Ke5 51. Rh3 Kf5 52. Bf3 Qc1 53. Bg2
Kf6 54. Rd3 Qc5 55. Rf3 Kg5 56. Bh3 Qd4 57. Kg1 $2 (57. Bf1 $11) 57... Qd1+ $1
58. Kg2 Qd5 $1 59. Bc8 Kh4 $2 (59... Qc6 60. Bh3 {leads to the game.}) 60. Bh3
$2 (60. Ba6 $1 {Aronian didn't realize his bishop was in danger!}) 60... Kg5
61. Bc8 Qc6 $1 62. Bh3 Kh5 $2 {the triangulation idea is cool, with a zugzwang,
but the execution was not correct} (62... Kg6 63. Bg4 Kf6 {is the correct
triangulation, not letting the bishop out.}) 63. Bf5 Kh4 64. Bh3 $4 (64. Bd3
$11) 64... Kg5 {suddenly White is completely stuck!} 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Opening Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2016.02.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nf5 8.
Nf3 O-O 9. d4 d5 10. g3 Re8 11. Nc3 Be6 12. Ne2 Bd6 13. c3 f6 14. Bf4 g5 15.
Bxd6 Nxd6 16. Nc1 Qd7 17. Bg2 Ne7 18. Nd3 b6 19. h4 h6 20. hxg5 hxg5 21. Nxg5
$5 fxg5 22. Ne5 Qd8 23. Qh5 Nef5 $1 {White has compensation, but I don't think
it is sufficient for an advantage. He simply lacks pieces to attack with.} 24.
Ng4 $6 (24. Qg6+ Ng7 25. Re2 $11 {the pressure is still mounting and Black has
to find some way of not losing too much material:} Nf7 $1 26. Rae1 Nh8 27. Qh6
Nf7 {with a computeresque perpetual.}) 24... Ng7 25. Qh3 {This is a clear sign
that the attack has failed.} Bxg4 $6 26. Qxg4 $2 (26. Bxd5+ $1 $15) 26... Rxe1+
27. Rxe1 c6 28. f4 Nf7 {Now its smooth sailing for Aronian's extra knight.} 29.
c4 dxc4 30. fxg5 Qxg5 31. Qxg5 Nxg5 32. Bxc6 Rd8 33. Re5 Nf7 34. Re7 Rxd4 35.
Rxa7 Nf5 36. Kf2 Ne5 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Opening Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D12"]
[WhiteElo "2798"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "144"]
[EventDate "2016.02.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. d4 d5 3. e3 Bf5 4. c4 e6 5. Nc3 c6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Be2 Nbd7 8. O-O
Ne4 9. g3 Nd6 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Bd2 Be7 12. Nxg6 hxg6 13. Kg2 g5 14. f3 Nb6 15.
b3 Qd7 16. g4 Kf8 17. Be1 Ne8 18. Rh1 g6 19. Rc1 Kg7 20. a4 Qd8 21. Rc2 Rc8 22.
Bd3 Nd7 23. Bg3 Nb8 24. Ne2 Bd6 25. Rxc8 Qxc8 26. Bf2 Qd8 27. Bb5 Nc7 28. Bd3
Nc6 29. Bb1 Ne8 30. Qe1 Bb4 31. Qc1 a6 32. h3 Be7 33. Qb2 Qb6 34. e4 Nd6 35.
Nc3 Nb4 36. Re1 Qc6 37. exd5 Nxd5 38. Nxd5 Qxd5 39. Re5 Qc6 40. d5 Qc7 41.
Rxe6+ Kh7 42. Re1 Rc8 43. Bd4 Ne8 44. Be5 Bd6 45. Bh8 Bh2 46. Be5 Bxe5 47. Rxe5
Qd8 48. Qd2 Kg7 49. Re1 Qf6 50. Bd3 Nd6 51. Rc1 Rxc1 52. Qxc1 Qe5 53. Bc4 b5
54. axb5 axb5 55. Bf1 Qxd5 56. Qc3+ Kg8 57. Kg3 Qd1 58. Kf2 Qd5 59. Kg3 Qd1 60.
Kf2 Qd5 61. Bd3 b4 62. Qd2 Qxb3 63. Bxg6 Nc4 64. Qd8+ Kg7 65. Be4 Qe3+ 66. Kg2
Nd2 67. Ba8 Qe2+ 68. Kg1 Qe3+ 69. Kg2 b3 70. Be4 Nxe4 71. fxe4 b2 72. Qb8 Qxe4+
0-1

[Event "Zuerich Opening Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.12"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2016.02.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. b3 c5 7. Bb2 Nc6 8. cxd5
exd5 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Qb6 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Nc3 Be6 13. Na4 Qb5 14. Rc1 Rac8
15. Bd4 c5 16. Nc3 Qa5 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nxd5 Qxa2 19. Nxf6+ gxf6 20. Bd5 Bxd5
21. Qxd5 Qxe2 22. Rfe1 Qb2 23. Rc4 Rfd8 24. Rg4+ Kf8 25. Qh5 Qd2 26. Rge4 Kg7
27. Re7 Rf8 28. R1e4 Rcd8 29. Qxc5 Qd1+ 30. Kg2 Qxb3 31. Rd7 Qb6 32. Rg4+ Kh8
33. Rxd8 Qxc5 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2016.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 ({Since Anand transposed to the Four Knights
Opening on the next move, one natural question is why he did not use the
genuine move order of this opening} 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 {Quite possibly, he felt
comfortable in the Marshall/Anti-Marshall lines and wanted to give Aronian a
"chance" to get there.}) 3... Nf6 4. Nc3 Bd6 $5 {Adams,M (2505)-Malaniuk,V 
(2560) GMA Baleares op 1989 (8) 0-1 A relatively rare move, but not a bad one.
For the time being the bishop is not exposed at all on d6 and it can go later
to c5 without allowing the usual Nxe5 stuff, or simply back to f8. In some
lines it can be important that the e5-pawn is over-defended, giving freedom to
the c6-knight to be transferred to g6 or to harass the white bishop with ...a6,
...b5 and ...Na5/d4. The first time I saw this curious idea was in the
classical Arkhangelsk Ruy Lopez in} 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 ({In view of the next
comment, it is also worth mentioning} 6. a3 {, preparing a bishop retreat to
a2. But in this case Black is not forced to transpose to the game with ...Re8,
as the insufficient defence of the e4-pawn allows} Nd4 $1 7. Bc4 c6 8. d3 Bc7
9. h3 d5 $11 {Szabo,K (2506)-Efimenko,Z (2677) Sarajevo 2010 (1/2-1/2, 60)})
6... Re8 {Providing the e5-pawn with an additional defence in order to free
the bishop.} ({But I believe this is a good moment for harassing the enemy
bishop already with} 6... a6 7. Ba4 b5 8. Bb3 Na5 9. Ne2 Re8 10. Ng3 Bf8 11.
Bd2 Nxb3 12. axb3 h6 (12... d5 13. Bg5 Bb7 14. Nh5 Be7) 13. c4 Rb8 14. Qc2 d6
15. d4 exd4 16. Nxd4 Bb7 17. f3 $14 {Lagno,K (2459)-Zhao,X (2530) Kemer 2007 
(1-0, 49)}) 7. a3 h6 {This move was unanimously played so far. The threat Bg5
was not too annoying yet, but it could become so a couple of moves later.} ({
For instance if} 7... Bc5 $146 8. Nd5 $5 {Black has to take measures against
Bg5 already.} Nxd5 (8... h6 9. c3 $14) (8... a6 9. Ba4 Nxd5 10. exd5 Nd4 11.
Nxd4 Bxd4 12. c3 Ba7 13. d6 $1 cxd6 14. Bb3 $32) (8... d6 $2 9. Bg5 $16) 9.
exd5 Nd4 10. Nxd4 Bxd4 (10... exd4 11. Qf3 {[%cal Gd7d6,Rb5e8]} Rf8 12. Bd2 d6
13. Rfe1 $14) 11. c3 Bb6 12. Qf3 Rf8 13. Qg3 $36 d6 $2 14. Bh6 Qf6 15. Bg5 Qg6
16. Be7 $16 {[%csl Gf8]}) ({But} 7... Nd4 $146 {looks playable even though the
e4-pawn is solidly defended and White can take on d4 without problems.} 8. Nxd4
exd4 9. Ne2 Bc5 (9... c5 10. Bc4 Bc7 {[%cal Gd7d5]} 11. Bf4 $5 {[%csl Gc4]})
10. b4 (10. Bg5 $5) 10... Bb6 11. Bb2 c6 12. Ba4 d5 $132) 8. Bc4 $5 {[%csl Gf7]
Since Black is going to waste a tempo with his king's bishop, White is
entitled to do the same with his own.} ({If} 8. Ne2 Ne7 9. Ng3 Ng6 10. Re1 c6
11. Ba4 Bc7 12. c3 d5 $15 {Degraeve,J (2523)-Bacrot,E (2691) Pau 2008 (½-½,
35), Black has regrouped perfectly.}) 8... Bc5 (8... Bf8 {is solid but
somewhat passive.} 9. h3 d6 10. Be3 (10. Nh2 Be6 11. Nd5 Bxd5 12. exd5 Ne7 13.
Qf3 $14 {Vavulin,M (2442)-Lysyj,I (2677) Sochi 2015 (1/2-1/2, 64)}) 10... a6
11. b4 Ne7 12. Bb3 Ng6 13. Re1 $14 {Zhao,J (2610)-Malakhov,V (2694) China 2014
(1/2-1/2, 41)}) 9. Be3 Bxe3 $146 {Opening the f-file after having weakened the
kingside with ...h7-h6 looks like playing with fire.} ({True,} 9... Bb6 {
wastes another tempo, allowing White to take over the initiative:} 10. Qd2 d6 (
10... Bxe3 11. fxe3 d6 12. Nh4 Be6 13. Nf5 $14) 11. Bxh6 $1 gxh6 12. Qxh6 Re6 (
12... Nh7 13. Bxf7+ $1) (12... Be6 13. Ng5 $40 Bxc4 $2 14. dxc4 Nb8 15. Nd5
Nbd7 16. Rad1 $18 {[%cal Gd1d3,Gd3g3]}) 13. Bxe6 fxe6 (13... Bxe6 14. Ng5 $18 {
[%cal Gg1h1,Gf2f4]}) 14. Qg6+ Kf8 (14... Kh8 15. Ng5 $18) 15. Qh6+ (15. Na4 Qe7
16. Nxb6 axb6 17. c3 $14) 15... Ke7 16. Qg7+ Ke8 {Saldano Dayer,H (2474)
-Flores,D (2562) Villa Martelli 2014 (0-1, 48)} 17. Na4 $5 $14) ({But the
developing} 9... d6 {looks good enough.} 10. h3 (10. Qd2 Bxe3 11. fxe3 Ne7 12.
Nh4 c6) (10. Bxc5 dxc5 $11) 10... Be6 11. Bxe6 Rxe6 12. Bxc5 dxc5 13. Nd2 {
At this moment Black should not have any serious problems.} Nd4 14. Nc4 Nd7 {
This is somewhat passive and might be the cause of Black's ulteriour
micro-problems.} (14... g6 $5 {[%cal Gf6h5]} 15. Ne2 Nh5) 15. Nd5 c6 16. Nde3
Rg6 17. c3 Ne6 18. Kh2 b5 19. Nd2 Nf4 20. Nf3 Rd6 21. d4 $14 {Goumas,G (2409)
-Iordachescu,V (2645) Korinthia 2012 (1/2-1/2, 66)}) 10. fxe3 d6 11. Nh4 Be6
12. Nf5 Bxc4 $6 {A very uninspired decision, especially coming from a player
of Aronian's calibre. Black not only opens another file for White's pressure,
allowing him to consolidate the control over the d5-square at the same time,
but also gives away an important defender of the kingside.} ({Even without the
exchange of bishops} 12... Kh7 {wouldn't have been entirely satisfactory.} 13.
Nd5 Bxd5 14. Bxd5 $14 {[%csl Gd5]} Nxd5 $2 15. exd5 $40 Ne7 (15... Nb8 16. Qh5
Qg5 (16... Rf8 17. Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 18. Rf3 $18 {[%cal Ga1f1]}) 17. Nxg7 $1 $18)
16. Qg4 Ng6 (16... g6 17. Nxh6 $1 Kxh6 18. Qh4+ Kg7 19. Qf6+ Kh6 20. Rf3 $18)
17. h4 $16) ({But since Aronian later carried out the Breyer regrouping anyway,
now was the best moment for it.} 12... Nb8 13. Qf3 (13. Nd5 Nbd7) 13... Nbd7)
13. dxc4 Kh7 ({Could he have overlooked that} 13... Nb8 {runs into} 14. c5 $14
dxc5 $6 15. Nxh6+ $1 gxh6 16. Qxd8 Rxd8 17. Rxf6 $16) (13... Re6 {solves only
part of the problem.} 14. Qf3 Nb8 15. g4 Nbd7 16. Kh1 $36) 14. Qf3 Nb8 $6 {
With such strong white pressure and such a considerable lead in development,
this counter-developing move is obviously a suicide. This mixture of classical
with rapid chess may not be the most inspired innovation ever.} ({It is also
true that there was no simple way to deal with the pressure:} 14... Ng8 15.
Rad1 {[%cal Gc4c5]} (15. c5 dxc5 16. Rad1 Qg5 17. Rd7) 15... b6 (15... g6 16.
Nxd6 $5 cxd6 17. Qxf7+ Kh8 18. Qxg6 Rf8 19. Nb5 $36) 16. Qg3 Qg5 (16... g6 17.
Nd4 $3 exd4 18. Rxf7+ Kh8 19. Qxg6 $18) 17. Nd5 Rac8 18. Qh3 {[%cal Gf1f3]} g6
19. Rf3 $5 $16 gxf5 $2 20. Rg3 Qd8 21. Qxf5+ Kh8 22. Qg4 Qg5 23. Qh3 Qd8 24.
Rf1 Rf8 25. Rxg8+ Kxg8 26. Qxh6 $18) 15. Nxh6 $1 $18 Kxh6 16. Qh3+ Kg6 17. Rf3
Nh5 18. Rf5 Nf6 (18... Rh8 19. Qg4+) 19. Qh4 {[%cal Gf5g5]} (19. Qh4 Ng8 20.
Qh5#) 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2016.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. d4 Ne4 8. c3
f5 9. Ne1 e5 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Nd3 Ng6 12. c4 Be6 13. cxd5 Nxd2 14. dxe6 Nxf1
15. Kxf1 c6 16. Qb3 Qb6 17. Qc4 Kh8 18. Be3 Qc7 19. f4 Rad8 20. Rc1 Bf6 21. Qb4
Rfe8 22. Bxa7 Ra8 23. Bb6 Qc8 24. Bd5 Nf8 25. Bb3 Nxe6 26. a4 Nf8 27. Nc5 Nd7
28. Nxd7 Qxd7 29. Rd1 Qe7 30. Qxe7 Rxe7 31. Bc2 g6 32. b4 Rae8 33. Bd8 Rf7 34.
Bb6 Rfe7 35. Bd8 Rf7 36. Bb3 Rxd8 37. Rxd8+ Bxd8 38. Bxf7 Be7 39. b5 cxb5 40.
axb5 Kg7 41. Bd5 b6 42. Kg2 g5 43. Kf3 gxf4 44. Kxf4 Kf6 45. Bc4 Bd6+ 46. Kf3
h6 47. Bd3 Ke5 48. h3 Kf6 49. Bc2 Bc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2798"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2016.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qb3 dxc4 8.
Qxc4 Nd7 9. e3 g6 10. Ne4 Qe7 11. Ne5 Qb4+ 12. Qxb4 Bxb4+ 13. Ke2 Be7 14. f4 b6
15. Kf2 Bb7 16. Rd1 Rd8 17. Be2 O-O 18. Bf3 c5 19. Ng3 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Ba6 21.
Ne4 Bd3 22. Nf6+ Kg7 23. Nd5 exd5 24. Rxd3 d4 25. exd4 Rxd4 26. Rxd4 cxd4 27.
Ke2 f6 28. Kd3 fxe5 29. fxe5 Rc8 30. Rd1 Bg5 31. Ke4 Be3 32. Rd3 Kf7 33. Ra3
Rc7 34. Be2 Ke7 35. Ra4 Bc1 36. Rxd4 Bxb2 37. Rc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2016.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Be7 10. h3 Nh4 11. Rd1+ Ke8 12. Nd4 Ng6 13. f4 h5 14. Ne4
h4 15. Be3 a6 16. c4 Rh5 17. Rd3 f6 18. exf6 gxf6 19. Rf1 Bd7 20. f5 Ne5 21.
Rc3 Kf7 22. Bf4 Rd8 {Not your usual Berlin, but you can see all of the typical
things about it: White has more pawns on the kingside, Black has the pair of
bishops. This particular version looks pretty bad for White: his pawn on f5 is
weak, h4 controls the remaining kingside and it's hard to even make a move.}
23. Bxe5 fxe5 24. Nf3 Bxf5 25. Nxh4 (25. Nxe5+ Ke6 {leaves both of White's
knights hanging}) 25... Bxh4 26. g4 Ke7 27. gxf5 Rd4 28. Nc5 Rd2 {White's
second rank is too weak now} 29. Kh1 (29. Rd3 Rg5+ 30. Kh1 Rgg2 $17) 29... Rxb2
30. Rd3 Bf6 31. Ne4 Rh4 {White has nothing to show for his material deficit
and more pawns are about to fall on the queenside.} 32. Re3 Rxa2 33. Rb1 b6 34.
Rbe1 Rc2 35. c5 b5 36. Ra3 Rf4 37. Rxa6 Bh4 38. f6+ Kf7 {The rook on e1 is
overloaded defending the mate on f1 and the knight on e4. Game over.} 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,M"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2016.02.13"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 c6 8. h3 b6
9. b4 a5 10. a3 h6 {The latest twist in the line; Black waits a bit with the
idea of Ba6.} 11. Bd3 {White has an interesting idea as well :} (11. Qc1 Bb7
12. Bd3 Qc8 13. O-O Ba6 14. Bxa6 Rxa6 15. Qb2 Qb7 16. Rfb1 axb4 17. axb4 Rxa1
18. Qxa1 Ra8 19. Qb2 Bd8 20. Ra1 Ne8 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 22. Qa2 Qxa2 23. Nxa2 b5 24.
Nc1 Bc7 25. Nb3 Bxf4 26. exf4 f6 27. Na5 Nb8 {½-½ (54) Tabatabaei,M (2470)
-Harutyunian,T (2448) Yerevan 2016 Equal chances; Black can easily defend this
endgame.}) 11... Ba6 12. O-O Bxd3 (12... Qc8 13. Rb1 axb4 14. axb4 Bxd3 15.
Qxd3 Ra3 (15... Qb7 {This transposes to the main game.}) 16. Qc2 Qb7 {is a
better option, transposing to the Van Wely -Aronian game given below.} (16...
Qa6 $6 17. Rfc1 Ra8 18. b5 $1 $16 {1/2-1/2 (49) Petrosyan,T (2423)-Harutyunian,
T (2472) Yerevan 2015})) 13. Qxd3 Qc8 14. Rfc1 Qb7 15. Rab1 axb4 16. axb4 Rfc8
{Aronian himself was on the black side of a line as well! :} (16... Ra3 17. Qc2
Rfa8 18. Nd2 bxc5 19. bxc5 Qc8 20. Rb3 Rxb3 21. Nxb3 Bd8 22. Rb1 Bc7 23. Bxc7
Qxc7 24. Ra1 Rxa1+ 25. Nxa1 Qa5 26. Nb3 Qb4 27. Nc1 e5 $11 28. Nd3 Qc4 29. Nb2
Qb4 30. Nd3 Qc4 31. Nb2 Qb4 {1/2-1/2 (31) Van Wely,L (2692)-Aronian,L (2805)
Wijk aan Zee 2012}) 17. Nd2 Bd8 {All thematic so far} 18. Nb3 {White has a few
other interesting choices:} (18. e4 Ra3 19. e5 Nh7 20. Qc2 Nhf8 21. Ra1 {
White has more space but Black is very solid.}) (18. Bd6 $5 Ne8 (18... Bc7 19.
e4 $1 Bxd6 20. cxd6 $36) 19. Bh2 Bc7 20. Bxc7 Nxc7 21. Nb3 {An interesting
position in which White has managed to slightly change the character of the
game, perhaps something to consider.}) 18... Bc7 19. Bxc7 Qxc7 20. Ra1 (20.
cxb6 Qxb6 21. Na5 Ne8 22. Qc2 Nd6 23. Rb3 Ra7 24. Na4 Qb5 25. Nc5 Nb6 $11)
20... Qb7 {The position is equal} 21. b5 $6 (21. Rxa8 Rxa8 22. b5 cxb5 23. Qxb5
(23. Nxb5 Qc6 24. Qf1 Rb8 25. Na7 Qc7 26. Nb5 Qc6 $11) 23... Qc7 24. Na4 bxc5
25. Naxc5 Qb6 $11) 21... Rxa1 22. Rxa1 bxc5 23. Na5 Qa8 24. Nb3 Qb7 25. Na5 Qa8
26. Nb3 Qb8 27. dxc5 cxb5 {Well it seems that White has lost a pawn without
any compensation.} 28. Qd4 (28. Qxb5 Qxb5 29. Nxb5 Nxc5 30. Rc1 Nfd7 31. Nd6
Rc7 32. Nb5 Rc6 33. N5d4 Rc8 $17) 28... b4 29. Na4 Qb5 30. Qb2 Ne4 31. f3 Nexc5
32. Naxc5 Nxc5 33. Rc1 Rc7 34. Qe5 Qb6 35. f4 $2 (35. Qd4 Nxb3 36. Qxb6 Rxc1+
37. Kh2 Nd2 38. Qxb4 Nf1+ 39. Kg1 Nxe3+ 40. Kf2 Nf5 41. g4 Nh4 {Black is
clearly better, still it was probably White's best chance.}) 35... Na6 36. Ra1
Rc3 37. Nd4 Nc7 38. Rb1 f6 39. Qh5 Rxe3 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2016.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. e3 Bb4 4. Nge2 c6 5. a3 Ba5 6. b4 Bc7 7. Bb2 O-O 8. Ng3
Re8 9. c5 d5 10. cxd6 Bxd6 11. Qc2 a5 12. b5 Bf8 13. Bd3 cxb5 14. Nxb5 Na6 15.
O-O Bd7 16. f4 e4 17. Be2 Rc8 18. Qb1 Nc5 19. Bd4 a4 20. Bc4 Ng4 21. h3 Nh6 22.
Nc3 Nf5 23. Nxf5 Bxf5 24. Qa2 Be6 25. Bxe6 Nxe6 26. Ne2 Nxd4 27. Nxd4 Bc5 28.
Nb5 Qd3 29. Rab1 Red8 30. Rf2 Rd5 31. Nc3 Bxe3 32. Qxd5 Rxc3 33. Rxb7 $2 (33.
Qxd3 Bxf2+ 34. Kxf2 Rxd3 35. Rxb7 f5 {is a difficult endgame for White, but if
it is lost is beyond my chess knowledge.}) 33... Bxf2+ 34. Kxf2 Qg3+ {
Unfortunately for Aronian, even though his threats are strong, he is getting
mated first} 35. Ke2 (35. Kf1 Rc1+ 36. Ke2 Re1#) 35... Qxg2+ {With mate next
move} 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2016.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. b3 b6 7. Bb2 Bb7 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. d4 c5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Nbd2 Nd7 12. a3 N5f6 13. b4 Be7 14. Rc1 Rc8 15.
Qa4 Rxc1 16. Rxc1 Qa8 17. Rc7 Bd6 18. Rxd7 Bc6 19. b5 Bxd7 20. Bxf6 gxf6 21.
Qg4+ Kh8 22. Qd4 Qd5 23. Qxf6+ Kg8 24. e4 Qc5 25. e5 Be7 26. Qh6 Qc1+ 27. Bf1
f6 28. exf6 Bxf6 29. Kg2 Bg7 30. Qe3 Qc5 31. Qe4 Qd5 32. Qe3 Bxb5 33. Bxb5 Qxb5
34. Qxe6+ Kh8 35. Ne4 Qf5 36. Qxf5 Rxf5 37. h4 Ra5 38. Nfg5 Rxa3 39. Nd6 Rd3
40. h5 h6 41. Nge4 a5 42. f4 a4 43. f5 a3 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2798"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2016.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 a5 11. Nc3 Ra6 12. e3 Rb6 13. Qe2 Nbd7 14. Rfd1 Bb4 15.
Ne5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Qa8 17. e4 Qa6 18. Qf3 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Rb3 20. Bxf6 Nxf6 21.
Rdb1 Rxb1 22. Rxb1 Qa8 23. c4 b6 24. Re1 Qe8 25. Qb3 Nd7 26. Nd3 Qe7 27. e5 f6
28. c5 bxc5 29. exf6 Rxf6 30. Nf4 Qf7 31. dxc5 e5 32. Qxf7+ Kxf7 33. Nd3 Re6
34. c6 Rxc6 35. Nxe5+ Nxe5 36. Rxe5 Rc3 37. Rxa5 Ra3 38. Kf1 Ra2 39. Rf5+ Kg6
40. Rf4 c5 41. Rc4 Kf6 42. h4 Ke6 43. h5 Kd5 44. Rg4 c4 45. Rxg7 c3 46. Rc7 Kd4
47. Kg2 c2 48. g4 Kd3 49. g5 Rxa4 50. g6 hxg6 51. hxg6 Rg4+ 52. Kh3 Rxg6 53.
Rd7+ Ke2 54. Rc7 Kd2 55. Rd7+ Kc3 56. Rc7+ Kd3 57. Rd7+ Ke2 58. Rc7 Kd1 59.
Rd7+ Kc1 60. Rc7 Rf6 61. Kg3 Rd6 62. f4 Kd2 63. Kg4 Rd3 64. Rxc2+ Kxc2 65. f5
Rd1 66. f6 Rf1 67. Kg5 Kd3 68. Kg6 Ke4 69. f7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2016.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 d4 5. O-O c5 6. e3 Nc6 7. exd4 Nxd4 8. Nxd4
Qxd4 9. d3 Be7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Be3 Qd6 12. Qe2 e5 13. h3 Be6 14. Rfe1 Rfd8 $2 (
14... Rab8 {was simple enough for about equality, but Shirov overlooks a
tactic.}) 15. Bxb7 Rab8 16. Bg2 Qxd3 17. Nd5 {Perhaps the Latvian forgot about
this move} Qxe2 18. Nxe7+ Kf8 19. Rxe2 Bxc4 (19... Kxe7 20. Bxc5+ Ke8 21. Bxa7
{is hopeless}) 20. Rc2 Bd3 21. Rxc5 Kxe7 22. Rxe5+ Kf8 23. b3 {White's up a
pawn, this combined with his pair of bishops and safer king makes his position
winning.} a6 24. Rc1 Rbc8 25. Rec5 Rxc5 26. Bxc5+ Kg8 27. Rd1 Rd7 28. Bc6 Rd8
29. Be7 Rd4 30. Bxf6 gxf6 31. Bg2 Rd7 32. Bf1 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz 5th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2016.02.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2016.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. O-O Bd6 8.
d4 Nd7 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. f4 Qd4+ 12. Kh1 Bd6 13. Qe2 O-O-O 14. f5
Bd7 15. Nf3 Qa4 16. b3 Qa5 17. Bd2 Bb4 18. Bxb4 Qxb4 19. Qf2 b6 20. Ng5 Qe7 21.
f6 gxf6 22. Qxf6 Qxf6 23. Rxf6 Be8 24. Nxf7 Bxf7 25. Rxf7 Rd2 26. Rc1 Rg8 27.
Rg1 Rxc2 28. Rxh7 {Black has to be careful here. The amount of pawns is not as
important as their quality, and White has two connected passers already.} Rxa2
(28... Rg4 $1 {makes it hard for Nakamura to push forward.} 29. h4 Rxa2 30. Kh2
Rb2 {is rather slow.}) 29. g4 Ra5 30. h4 {Now Black is in deep trouble, if not
simply lost.} Re5 31. g5 Rxe4 32. g6 Ree8 33. h5 {If you have passed pawns,
push them.} a5 34. g7 Kb7 35. Rh6 {Aronian clearly has no counterplay.
Nakamura threatens to move the rook away and push h6-h7.} Re5 36. Rh8 Rxg7 37.
Rxg7 {The game is over.} b5 38. Rg3 c5 39. h6 Rh5+ 40. Kg2 c4 41. bxc4 b4 42.
Rh3 Rg5+ 43. Kf3 b3 44. Kf4 a4 45. Kxg5 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{In this game I will avoid commenting too much about the opening as it is all
well known and many games have been played in this line. But the middlegame
and the late endgame are particularly interesting.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3
d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 c6 8. h3 (8. Bd3 {is the other main
move in this position.}) 8... b6 9. b4 a5 10. a3 h6 {Just to give you an
example of what quick learners these top players are: in Zurich Chess
Challenge just a month before this game, Nakamura played this move against
Aronian. Now Aronian tries the same idea with the black pieces.} 11. Bd3 Ba6
12. O-O Qc8 13. Rb1 axb4 14. axb4 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Qb7 {This position had been
reached, just 15 days previously in the game of Sargissian with the black
pieces against Ding Liren. Sargissian is one of Levon's seconds and there is a
high possibility that Aronian and Sarigissian worked on this line together.}
16. Rfc1 Rfc8 17. Ne1 $146 {Giri's novelty, not an earth shattering one but
just improving his f3-knight.} (17. Nd2 {Aronian with the white pieces tried
to put his knight on b3 and it wasn't too successful. Giri aims for the
d3-square.}) 17... Bd8 18. Qd1 Bc7 {Black tries to exchange a few pieces,
which is the right thing to do when you are short of space.} 19. Nd3 Bxf4 20.
exf4 Ne4 21. Ne2 (21. Nxe4 dxe4 22. Ne5 b5 $1 {with Nf6-d5 coming up, Black
shouldn't have any problems.}) 21... Ra2 22. Rc2 {As Anish mentioned after the
game, Black is comfortable here. He should only be careful not to allow b4-b5.
Aronian misses this threat and ends up with a very difficult position.} Rca8 $6
(22... Rxc2 23. Qxc2 Nef6 (23... Ra8 $6 24. b5 $1) (23... b5 24. Ra1 Ra8 25.
Ra5 Rxa5 26. bxa5 b4 27. Qa4 b3 28. a6 b2 29. axb7 b1=Q+ 30. Kh2 Qxb7 {is just
an illustrative variation of how complicated things can get.}) 24. Ra1 Ra8 25.
Rxa8+ Qxa8 {also seems pretty fine until you notice the queenside breakthrough!
} 26. b5 $1 cxb5 27. c6 Nf8 28. c7 Qc8 29. Nb4 Ne8 30. Na6 Ng6 31. Qc6 {
White is dominating and Black will have to be extremely accurate if he wants
to hold this position.}) (22... Ra4 {it seems better if you keep the rooks on
the board.} 23. Rcb2 b5 {Followed by Rca8 and Black should be completely fine.}
) 23. f3 Rxc2 (23... Nef6 {is also met with} 24. b5 $1 bxc5 25. dxc5 cxb5 26.
Nd4 $1 {White has quite some pressure.} (26. c6 Qb6+ $13)) 24. Qxc2 Nef6 25. b5
$1 {Aronian is now under a lot of pressure.} Rc8 (25... bxc5 26. dxc5 cxb5 27.
Nd4 $36 (27. c6 Qb6+ $11)) 26. Qa4 $1 {An extremely strong move by Anish who
threatens to play his queen to a6 here. This idea was missed by Levon. Anish
mentions that he found this idea after much deliberation and his thoughts were
mainly concerned with breaking on the kingside with f5. But when that didn't
work he turned his attention on the other wing and found this idea.} Qc7 (26...
bxc5 27. dxc5 cxb5 28. Rxb5 Qc7 29. Nd4 $16) (26... cxb5 27. Qxb5 $16 {it is
not at all easy for Black to untangle.}) 27. bxc6 Qxc6 28. Qxc6 Rxc6 29. Rc1 {
While this move isn't bad, White had a way to increase the pressure with Nb4.}
(29. Nb4 $1 Rc7 30. c6 Nb8 31. Nc3 $1 {The absolute star move and hats off to
Aronian for having seen this for his opponent. It just shows how good these
guys are, always looking out for opponent's threats.} (31. Ra1 Nxc6 32. Rc1
Nxd4 33. Rxc7 Nxe2+ 34. Kf2 Nxf4 $11) (31. Rc1 Ne8 32. Nc3 Nd6 {Stopping Nb5.}
33. Ncxd5 exd5 34. Nxd5 Na6 $1 35. Nxc7 (35. Ra1 Ra7 36. Nb4 Nxb4 37. Rxa7 Nxc6
$11) 35... Nxc7 36. Ra1 Kf8 37. Ra7 Nde8 $1 38. d5 Ke7 $17) 31... Nxc6 32. Nb5
Rc8 33. Nd6 Rd8 (33... Rc7 34. Rc1 $18) 34. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 35. Nxc6 $16 {The
knight comes to e5. The position might not be 100% lost, but it is really
unpleasant to be Black here.}) 29... Rc7 (29... Rc8 30. c6 Nb8 31. Nb4 Ne8 32.
f5 $1 {Once again Aronian suggested this move. One gets the feeling that the
Armenian wanted to get up from the board and switch sides! He was seeing some
really excellent winning resources for his opponent.} Nd6 33. fxe6 fxe6 34. Nf4
$16 Kf7 $2 35. c7 $1 Nd7 36. Rc6 $18) 30. Nc3 bxc5 31. dxc5 Ne8 (31... Nxc5 32.
Nb5 {Anish thought that he was winning at this point, but the computer shows
an excellent defensive resource for Black.} Nfd7 $3 {Even 2800 players can
miss such moves!} (32... Nxd3 33. Rxc7 Nxf4 34. Nd6 d4 35. Rc8+ Kh7 36. Nxf7 d3
37. Rh8+ Kg6 38. Ne5+ Kf5 39. Nc4 $18 {The pawn is caught.}) 33. Nxc7 Nxd3 $11
{The f4-pawn is lost and the rook cannot enter with the same force as it did
in the previous variation.}) 32. Nb5 Rc8 33. Kf2 $1 {Giri brings his last
resource into the game.} Nc7 34. Nxc7 (34. Nd6 Rd8 {threatening ...Nxc5 if the
rook moves from c1.}) 34... Rxc7 35. Ke3 {White is better here, but Black can
cling on by quickly bringing his king to the centre.} Kf8 36. Kd4 {Optically
White's position looks completely dominating but Levon's next move is pretty
strong.} (36. f5 $5 Ke7 (36... e5 $2 37. f4 $1 e4 38. Ne5 $1 Nxc5 39. Rxc5 Rxc5
40. Nd7+ $18) 37. fxe6 fxe6 38. Kd4 Nb8 39. Ne5 Nd7 40. c6 Nxe5 41. Kxe5 d4 $1
42. Kxd4 Kd6 $11) 36... Nb8 $1 {A nice move! Knights are always the best
blockaders of passed pawns. Suddenly it is not easy to make progress.} 37. Nb4
Rb7 (37... Nc6+ 38. Nxc6 Rxc6 39. f5 $16) 38. Kc3 Ke7 39. Ra1 Kd7 40. Nd3 f6 {
Aronian offered a draw at this point, but Giri saw that he will always have
some chances with the f5-break or the kingside pawn storm and hence decided to
continue the battle.} 41. Ra8 Kc6 42. h4 Kb5 43. Ra1 Nc6 44. Rb1+ Ka6 45. Re1
Re7 46. Ra1+ Kb7 47. Nb4 {The knight exchange would give White some chances in
the rook endgame because his king is active and he has a passed pawn on c5.} g5
$5 {Aronian defends actively in this position.} (47... Nxb4 $6 48. Kxb4 e5 {
Trying to create counterplay.} 49. fxe5 Rxe5 50. Kb5 d4 51. Rd1 Rd5 52. Rb1 Kc7
53. Kc4 Rh5 54. Ra1 {White has some chances in this position but with accurate
defence it should end in a draw.}) 48. fxg5 fxg5 49. h5 Rf7 {Trying to fix the
h6-weakness.} ({A very interesting variation showed by both the players was} 
49... Re8 50. Ra6 Nxb4 51. Rb6+ Kc7 52. Kxb4 Rb8 53. Kb5 {Both the players
thought this was lost for Black, but as always the computer begs to differ!}
Kc8 $1 {A passive, backward retreat and a difficult move for humans to see.} (
53... e5 {Aronian and Giri showed this line and this is really nice.} 54. Rxb8
Kxb8 55. Kc6 $1 d4 56. Kd7 d3 57. c6 d2 58. c7+ Ka7 59. c8=Q d1=Q+ 60. Ke7 {
and this endgame is completely winning for White}) 54. Rxb8+ (54. Kc6 $2 Rxb6+
55. cxb6 d4 $19) 54... Kxb8 55. Kc6 Kc8 $11 {and miraculously Black holds the
draw.}) 50. Ra6 (50. Nxc6 Kxc6 51. Ra6+ (51. Kd4 Rf4+ 52. Ke5 Kxc5 53. Kxe6 d4
$17 {starts to become risky for White.}) 51... Kxc5 52. Rxe6 g4 $1 {A key
point that had to be seen beforehand.} 53. fxg4 Rf2 $11) 50... Nxb4 51. Rb6+
Kc8 (51... Kc7 $2 {is losing. The point is that Black doesn't have ...Rb7 now.}
52. Kxb4 $1 g4 53. fxg4 Rf4+ 54. Kb5 Rxg4 55. Rxe6 Rxg2 56. Re7+ Kd8 57. Rh7
$18 {[%cal Gh7h6,Gc5c6]}) 52. Rxb4 (52. Kxb4 Rb7 $1 {This pawn ending is drawn.
} 53. Kb5 Rxb6+ 54. cxb6 d4 55. Kc4 e5 56. g3 Kb7 57. f4 exf4 58. gxf4 gxf4 59.
Kxd4 $11) 52... Rf4 $1 {The king and pawn ending is drawn. But it is not so
trivial. Aronian calculated all the details pretty well.} 53. Rxf4 gxf4 54. Kd4
Kd7 55. Ke5 Kc6 56. Kxf4 Kxc5 57. g4 {Threatening g5.} (57. Ke5 $2 d4 58. Ke4
Kc4 $19) 57... Kd6 $1 {The king rushes back to take measures against the
g5-break. Aronian knows that g6-h5 versus h6 is a theoretical draw. Hence all
he has to do is exchange his e6- and d5-pawns for the guy on f3.} 58. Ke3 (58.
g5 hxg5+ (58... Ke7 {is also a draw.}) 59. Kxg5 Ke7 (59... d4 $2 60. h6 d3 61.
h7 d2 62. h8=Q d1=Q 63. Qd8+ $18) 60. h6 Kf8 61. Kg6 Kg8 $11) 58... e5 $1 (
58... Ke7 $2 59. Kd4 $1 Kf6 60. f4 Kg7 61. Ke5 Kf7 62. f5 exf5 63. gxf5 $1 $18
(63. Kxf5 $2 d4 64. Ke4 Kf6 65. Kxd4 Kg5 $11)) 59. g5 Ke7 $1 60. g6 Kf6 61. Kd3
e4+ $1 {Aronian knows his endgame fortresses!} (61... Kg7 {was the less
dramatic way to draw.}) 62. fxe4 dxe4+ 63. Kxe4 Kg7 64. Kf5 Kg8 65. Kf6 Kf8 {
A superb game with some very nice resources found by both players. An entire
chapter on how to keep pressing your opponent and finding small nuances in
simplified positions can be written on this very game.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bf4 dxc4 6. e3 b5 $5 {This seems
to be the latest trend. In my article for CBM 155 I only examined three other
continuations:} (6... Nd5) (6... Nb6) (6... a6) 7. Nxb5 {White has to pick up
the gauntlet. Even though in most of the lines Black will manage to keep
material equality, the control over the c3-square and the relative
vulnerability of the c4-pawn offer him at least a theoretical advantage. But
in practice Black has usually managed to neutralise the slight pressure.} Bb4+
(7... Nd5 {sacrifices a pawn for certain compensation:} 8. Bxc4 Bb4+ 9. Kf1
Nxf4 10. exf4 O-O {White has lost the right to castle and his structure is
imperfect. But as long as he does not lose his extra pawn, he can hope for a
global regrouping leading to an advantage.} 11. g3 a6 12. Nc3 Bb7 (12... c5 13.
a3 $6 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Bb7 15. Kg2 Qa5 $44) 13. Be2 Qe7 {Defining the queen's
intentions a bit too early.} (13... c5 $5) 14. Kg2 c5 15. a3 Bxc3 16. bxc3 cxd4
17. cxd4 Nf6 18. Re1 Rfc8 19. Kg1 Ne4 20. Bf1 Rc3 21. Bg2 $14 {L'Ami,E (2645)
-Rabiega,R (2507) Germany 2013 (1-0, 41), White has completed his regrouping
and can hope to convert his extra pawn.}) 8. Nd2 ({The main alternative is} 8.
Nc3 Nd5 9. Qc2 (9. Rc1 N7b6 10. Bg3 O-O 11. Be2 c5 12. O-O cxd4 13. Nxd4 Bb7
14. Nxd5 Qxd5 15. Bf3 Qd7 {Wojtaszek,R (2727)-Grandelius,N (2635) Gibraltar
2016 (1/2-1/2, 30)}) (9. a3 Nxc3 10. Qd2 Nd5 11. axb4 Nxf4 12. exf4 Bb7 13. Be2
Nb6 14. O-O Qd6 15. Rfc1 O-O 16. Ne5 Rfd8 $132 {Gustafsson,J (2630)-Naiditsch,
A (2685) Linares 2015 (1/2-1/2, 47)}) 9... N7b6 $6 (9... Nxf4 10. exf4 Bb7 11.
Be2 Nb6 12. O-O O-O 13. Ng5 g6 14. Rad1 Qf6 15. g3 Qf5 $132) 10. Bg3 O-O 11.
Be2 c5 12. O-O cxd4 13. Nxd4 Bb7 14. Bf3 Qd7 {1/2-1/2 Karjakin,S (2762)
-Mamedyarov,S (2736) Baku 2015. The draw agreement is premature as White keeps
strong pressure with, say,} 15. Rfd1 Rfd8 16. a4 a5 17. Ndb5 $16) 8... Nd5 9.
Bg3 (9. a3 {wastes an important tempo:} Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 Nxf4 11. exf4 Nb6 12. a4
Qd7 $1 {[%csl Ga4,Gb5]} (12... a6 $2 {This returns the offered tempo and loses
the c4-pawn.} 13. Na3 a5 14. Nxc4 Nxc4 15. Bxc4 $16 {Andersen,M (2504)
-Thorsteinsson,T (2258) Reykjavik 2016 (1-0, 34)}) 13. Be2 Bb7 14. O-O O-O 15.
Na3 a5 16. Rfd1 (16. Nxc4 $2 Nxc4 17. Bxc4 Qc6 $19) 16... Bd5 {[%csl Ga4]})
9... N7b6 10. Qc2 O-O 11. Be2 Ba6 {A solid move consolidating the c4-pawn but
dooming the bishop to at least temporary passivity.} ({The more active
alternative is} 11... Bd7 12. Nc3 c5 13. dxc5 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Ba4 15. Qb2 Bxc5
16. O-O (16. Nxc4 Nxc4 17. Bxc4 h5 $5) 16... Qe7 17. Nxc4 Rfd8 {[%cal Ga8c8]
Black's activity, combined with the weakness of the c3- and a2-pawns and the
relative uselessnes of the g3-bishop leave White without an obvious plan of
converting his minimal material advantage.}) 12. Nc3 c5 13. dxc5 Nxc3 $146 (
13... Bxc5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Bxc4 Bxc4 16. Nxc4 Rc8 (16... Bb4+ 17. Ke2 Rc8 {
looks like a better or at least more restrictive move order}) 17. Qb3 (17. O-O
$5 {could have led to a position with a curious material balance:} Bxe3 18.
fxe3 Nxe3 19. Nxe3 Rxc2 20. Nxc2 Qb6+ 21. Bf2 Qxb2 22. Nd4 {Strictly speaking
the material is equal, but the position remains very interesting. Even though
they do not have active squares defended by pawns, White's well coordinated
pieces may cause Black some problems.}) 17... Bb4+ 18. Ke2 Qg5 19. Rhc1 h5 20.
Ne5 Rxc1 (20... h4 {is a better try, weakening White's structure:} 21. Nf3 Qg4
22. Bxh4 Qxg2 23. Bg3 $14) 21. Rxc1 Bd6 22. h4 Qd8 23. e4 $16 {Gelfand,B (2735)
-Grachev,B (2639) Moscow 2016 (1-0, 119)}) 14. bxc3 Bxc5 15. O-O Rc8 16. Rfd1
Qg5 {Both sides have completed their development but despite his space
advantage Black has some problems of coordination as his minor pieces are far
from optimally placed.} 17. Nf3 $6 {This defines the knight's intentions too
early. White should have kept the possibility of invading the d6-square.} ({
True,} 17. Ne4 Qg6 18. Rd2 Ba3 {looks alright for Black}) ({but} 17. a4 {
would have gained the control over the a4- and a3-squares with chances for
retaining some initiative:} Qg6 (17... Be7 18. a5 Nd5 19. Nf3 $36) (17... Nd5
18. Ne4 Qg6 19. Rd2 Be7 20. Nd6 Qxc2 21. Rxc2 Rc5 22. e4 $14) 18. Qxg6 hxg6 19.
Ne4 Be7 20. Bd6 $14) 17... Qg6 $11 {Black will manage now to either weaken the
defence of the c3-pawn or get the control over a4.} 18. Qd2 (18. Qxg6 hxg6 19.
a4 Nd5 20. Rac1 Rfd8 21. Ne5 Bb6 $11 {[%csl Rc3][%cal Gb6a5]}) (18. Qb2 Na4 19.
Qd2 f6 {[%csl Gf3]}) 18... Bb5 19. Qe1 Ba4 {The character of the position has
changed a lot and White has very little space left for his pieces. But since
he does not have any significant weakness, the position remains within the
drawing zone.} 20. Ne5 (20. Rd2 f6 21. Bd6 Bxd6 22. Rxd6 Qf7 23. Rb1 (23. Nd4
Bd7 24. Rd1 Qe7 25. Nf3 Ba4 26. R1d2 Nd5 {wins an exchange}) 23... Qe7 24. Rd2
e5 {[%csl Gf3]}) 20... Qg5 (20... Qe4 $5 {[%csl Gc4]} 21. Bf3 Qf5 22. Rd2 Rcd8)
21. Rd2 Rfd8 {This leads to global exchanges and an obvious draw.} 22. Rxd8+
Qxd8 23. Nxc4 Nxc4 24. Bxc4 Bxe3 25. Qxe3 Rxc4 26. Rb1 Rc8 27. h3 a6 28. c4
Rxc4 29. Rb8 Rc8 30. Qb6 Rxb8 31. Qxb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 {Topalov played his first white today and opened with the c-pawn.} Nf6 {
Aronian played this quite instantly, so the English Opening wasn't really a
surprise for him.} 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O {This opening
position occurred quite a few times at the Candidates 2016. In this position,
many new and interesting ideas were found in this tournament.} 6. Nd5 (6. O-O {
is the other main line.}) 6... e4 7. Nh4 {Black usually replies ...Re8. But
Aronian went for a relatively unknown move which has not been played by any
top player.} d6 $5 {This move has been played by Aronian's compatriot Minasian,
but Levond was unaware of that game. 12 days later Anand would land in the
same position as Black against Nakamura and get badly burned.} 8. Nxb4 (8.
Nxf6+ Qxf6 9. Bxe4 Re8 $1 10. Bg2 Bg4 $1 {Just have a look at the black pieces.
This is a completely winning position for Black.} 11. f3 Be6 $19) (8. a3 Bc5 9.
O-O Re8 10. e3 g5 $5 {was Nakamura-Anand, a game which the American won with
ease.}) 8... Nxb4 9. a3 Nc6 10. d3 d5 $1 {A very concrete way to approach the
position.} 11. O-O (11. cxd5 Qxd5 12. dxe4 Qxd1+ 13. Kxd1 Rd8+ 14. Kc2 Nd4+ $36
) 11... exd3 12. Qxd3 $6 (12. exd3 $11 {would have given White an entirely
viable position, but without any advantage. This was not to Topalov's liking.})
(12. cxd5 {is also fine but does not give an advantage.} dxe2 13. Qxe2 Nxd5 14.
Rd1 Be6 $11) 12... Ne5 $1 13. Qd4 $6 (13. Qc2 Nxc4 14. e4 {is a possible way
to play. The queen is of course better placed on c2 than on d4.} c6 (14... Be6
15. b3 Nb6 16. e5 $1 $44) 15. b3 Ne5 16. Bb2 Ng6 17. Nxg6 hxg6 18. Bxf6 (18. e5
Bf5 $15) 18... Qxf6 19. exd5 cxd5 20. Bxd5 Rd8 $11) 13... Nxc4 14. e4 {Topalov
thought that he had excellent compensation but that isn't the case. Aronian
makes the best move.} Be6 15. b3 Na5 $1 (15... Nb6 {is also possible but ...
Na5 attacks a pawn.}) 16. Qa4 Nc6 (16... c6 17. Bd2 b6 18. Bxa5 bxa5 19. Qxc6 (
19. exd5 cxd5 $17) 19... dxe4 20. Bxe4 Rc8 21. Qa4 Qb6 $17 {is some sort of a
computer line showing that even c6 was not so bad.}) (16... c5 {is possible
and Topalov was intending to meet it with} 17. b4 cxb4 18. axb4 Nc4 $15 {
Black seems to be slightly better.}) 17. Rd1 $2 {This was a big blunder by
Veselin, after which he is effectively two pawns down.} (17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Bb2
$44) 17... Nxe4 $1 18. Bb2 (18. Bxe4 Qf6 $1 $17 {This move, which attacks the
a1-rook, was missed by Topalov.}) 18... Qe7 $17 {Black is two pawns up and
with some care he should win the game with ease. Aronian didn't realise his
advantage in the best possible manner but it was good enough.} 19. b4 a6 20.
Qc2 f6 21. Rac1 Rad8 22. Bf1 Rd7 23. f3 Nd6 24. Re1 (24. Bd3 g5 25. Ng2 Nc4 26.
Bxc4 dxc4 27. Rxd7 Qxd7 28. Rd1 Qe7 29. f4 {was a line suggested by Aronian in
the press conference as better than what Topalov played in the game. But here
the computer comes up with an counter-intuitive move which gives Black a
strong advantage.} gxf4 $5 {Usually humans would never make such a move
because the knight on g2 was passive and on f4 it would sit very nicely. But
the engine sees that the knight on f4 cannot do much due to the bishop on f7
and Black has a huge advantage.} 30. Nxf4 Bf7 $19) 24... Qf7 25. Bd3 g5 26. Ng2
Nc4 27. f4 Nxb2 28. Qxb2 Bh3 29. a4 h6 30. b5 axb5 31. axb5 Ne7 32. Qf2 Nf5 33.
Qf3 Kg7 34. Kh1 Re7 35. Rxe7 Qxe7 36. Qh5 (36. Qxd5 {is possible, but after}
Rd8 37. Qe4 Qxe4 38. Bxe4 Nd6 39. Rxc7+ Rd7 40. Rxd7+ Bxd7 41. Bd5 Bxb5 $17 {
Black should have excellent winning chances.}) 36... Bxg2+ 37. Kxg2 Ne3+ 38.
Kg1 f5 39. Qe2 Rf6 40. Qb2 gxf4 41. gxf4 Kh7 42. Kh1 Qg7 43. Qe2 d4 44. Qf3 c6
45. bxc6 bxc6 46. h3 Rg6 47. Rb1 Rg3 48. Qh5 Qd7 49. Kh2 Rg2+ 50. Kh1 Qd5 {
One can say that this was a pretty one sided affair and Topalov didn't really
have a chance in the game after he was two pawns down post opening.} 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. g3 Bb4 4. Bg2 O-O 5. e4 Bxc3 6. bxc3 c6 7. Nf3 $5 {
Giri,A (2798)-Anand,V (2803) Grand Slam Final 8th 2015 (4) 1-0 The new trend
in an old line, launched by the game} Nxe4 ({The hyper-ambitious} 7... d5 {
seems to play into White's hands:} 8. exd5 $1 $146 (8. cxd5 {Deac,B (2486)
-Tarlev,K (2580) Alba Iulia 2016 (0-1, 39)} Nxe4 9. dxc6 Nxc6 $13) 8... Re8 (
8... e4 9. Nd4 cxd5 10. cxd5 Qxd5 11. O-O Nc6 12. d3 Re8 13. Be3) (8... cxd5 9.
Nxe5) 9. O-O (9. dxc6 Nxc6 10. O-O e4 $44 {[%csl Gc4,Gd3]}) 9... cxd5 10. cxd5
Qxd5 (10... Nxd5 11. c4 Nb6 12. d3 $36) 11. Ng5 Qa5 (11... Qd3 12. Re1 Nc6 13.
Qb3 Qg6 14. d4 $16) 12. Qb3 Qc7 13. Re1 $14) 8. O-O {"The threat is stronger
than its execution."} ({The premature} 8. Nxe5 {offers Black enough
counterplay:} Re8 9. d4 d6 10. Bxe4 dxe5 11. O-O Nd7 $6 {But this is too
passive.} (11... exd4 {is more challenging.} 12. Qc2 f5 13. Bxf5 Bxf5 14. Qxf5
dxc3 $13) 12. Bg2 (12. d5 $5 $14) 12... exd4 {Jones,G (2645)-Gupta,A (2634)
Reykjavik 2016 (1/2-1/2, 47)} 13. cxd4 $14 {[%csl Gc1,Gg2]}) 8... d6 9. Nxe5
Nc5 $146 ({Deviating from the aforementioned game which went} 9... dxe5 {
Giri,A (2798)-Anand,V (2803) Bilbao 2015 CBM 169 [Roiz,M] (1-0, 37)}) (9... Ng5
{exposes the knight whereas any targetting of h3 is illusory:} 10. Ng4 f5 11.
f4 Ne4 12. Ne3 Nf6 13. Qc2 g6 14. Ba3 Na6 15. d4 Rb8 16. Rfe1 Re8 17. Re2 Be6
18. Rae1 Bf7 19. Qd3 $14 {Wang,H (2707)-Mchedlishvili,M (2635) Al Ain 2015 
(1-0, 44). As we see, there are already a bunch of games since Giri-Anand.})
10. Ng4 {The knight is heading for e3, a good square if White finds remedies
against ...f5-f4.} (10. Nf3 {looks a bit like a loss of time, since the knight
has already been on this square. White keeps some pressure but Black should
hold his own with simple moves.} Nd3 11. Qc2 (11. Ba3 Na6 12. Qc2 Nac5) 11...
Nxc1 (11... Bf5 $6 12. Nh4 Qf6 13. Ba3 Re8 14. f4 {[%cal Gf1f3]} Re2 15. Rf3
Ne1 16. Qxf5 Rxg2+ 17. Kf1 Rg1+ 18. Kxg1 Nxf3+ 19. Kf2 Qxf5 20. Nxf5 Nxh2 21.
Re1 $16) 12. Raxc1 Nd7 13. Rfe1 Nf6 14. Rb1 Qc7 15. Nd4 Bd7 16. Qb3 Rab8 {
and it is hard to see how to make progress with White.}) 10... f5 {A very
provocative move, weakening the dark squares.} (10... Nd3 {[%csl Gg4] looks
safer but once again White's position remains more active:} 11. Ba3 (11. Qf3
Nxc1 12. Raxc1 f5 13. Ne3 Qf6 14. d4 Nd7 $132 {[%cal Gf5f4]}) 11... Na6 12. Ne3
Nac5 13. Qc2 Re8 (13... f5 14. f4 $1) 14. Rab1 {[%cal Gf2f4,Gf4f5]} h5 15. f4
h4 16. Bxc5 Nxc5 17. Rfe1 $14 {Due to White's pressure along the b-file and
the long diagonal Black faces problems completing his queenside development.})
11. Ne3 f4 {Apparently promising but White has a strong reply.} (11... Nd3 12.
f4 Na6 13. Ba3 Nac5 14. Qc2 Qa5 15. Bxc5 Nxc5 16. a4 $5 $14 {[%csl Gf5]}) 12.
d4 $1 (12. gxf4 Nd3 $15 {[%csl Gf4]}) 12... fxe3 ({There is no way back:} 12...
Ne6 13. Nc2 Qf6 14. Re1 {White has more space and the bishop pair while
Black's attack is not really dangerous. In fact, the advance of the f-pawn has
brought him only weaknesses.} f3 (14... fxg3 15. fxg3 {[%cal Ge1f1]}) (14...
Na6 15. d5 $36) 15. Bf1 Nd7 16. a4 $16) 13. dxc5 exf2+ 14. Rxf2 Rxf2 15. Kxf2
Qf8+ 16. Qf3 Qxf3+ {This looks like a micro-inaccuracy, allowing White to
activate his position slightly.} ({It is true that after} 16... dxc5 17. Qxf8+
Kxf8 18. Be3 Nd7 19. Rb1 $44 {it remains hard to suggest a way of completing
the development, while the extra pawn does not count yet.}) 17. Bxf3 dxc5 18.
Bf4 Nd7 19. Bd6 $6 {This does not really prevent ...Nb6 and actually loses an
important tempo, allowing Black to get out of the opening satisfactorily.} (19.
Re1 $5 Nb6 20. Re7 {[%cal Gf4e5]} Nxc4 21. Bh5 {[%csl Rc4,Rg8][%cal Ge7e8,
Yh5f7]} g6 22. Bf3 Nb6 {[%cal Gc8d7]} 23. Be5 $36 {Despite his extra pawns
Black's position looks very dangerous.}) (19. a4 $5 a5 (19... Nb6 20. a5 Nxc4
21. a6 $16 {leaves Black's queenside completely paralysed.}) 20. Rb1 $32) 19...
Nb6 $1 20. Re1 Bd7 21. Bxc5 Re8 $6 {This allows White to retain at least a
symbolic advantage.} ({Black could play} 21... Nxc4 $1 {for if against} 22. Re7
{he has the fantastic resource} Rf8 $3 {[%cal Gf8f7]} 23. Rxd7 Rxf3+ 24. Ke2 (
24. Kxf3 Ne5+ 25. Ke4 Nxd7 26. Bxa7 b6 {[%csl Ga5,Gb5,Gc5,Gd5,Ge5,Ge6,Gf6] The
bishop is caged and the white king cannot cross the barrier:} 27. Kf5 Kf7 28.
c4 h6 29. c5 g6+ 30. Ke4 b5) 24... Rf5 25. Bxa7 b5 $11) 22. Rb1 Be6 23. Bxb6
axb6 24. Rxb6 Bc8 25. Rb4 $14 {The extra pawn is anything but simple to
convert, but Black has to permanently watch out for the possibility of
a2-a4-a5-a6.} Re5 26. Ra4 Kf7 27. Ra8 Bf5 28. Be2 Re7 29. c5 (29. a4 Ke6 30.
Rd8 Rd7 {[%cal Ge6d6,Gd6c5]} 31. Rxd7 Kxd7 32. c5 Ke6 33. Bc4+ Ke5 34. Ke3 h6
$5) 29... Kf6 30. a4 Re5 31. Rf8+ Kg6 32. Rb8 Rxc5 (32... Re7 33. Bf3 {[%cal
Ga4a5]}) 33. Rxb7 Rxc3 34. a5 {Optically it looks as if White had made a lot
of progress, but the next accurate move reminds us that "all rook endings are
drawn".} Bd3 $1 35. Bxd3+ Rxd3 36. a6 c5 $1 {The pawn rushes to help the rook
in creating a barrier in front of the white king.} 37. a7 Ra3 38. Ke2 c4 39.
Kd2 h5 40. Kc2 c3 41. h4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.16"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A77"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. Nc3 exd5 6. cxd5 g6 7. e4 Bg7 8. Be2 {
Classical systems never lose their actuality, even though other systems (such
as h3 and Bd3 or Bf4/h3) enjoy long periods of being in the limelight.} O-O 9.
O-O Re8 10. Nd2 Nbd7 11. Qc2 {This used to be the fashion in the '70s.} ({
But after several historic games at the top level, White eventually switched to
} 11. a4 {. The main thing is that unlike most other pieces, the queen is well
placed on its initial square, keeping the control over the d1-h5 diagonal and
adding latent force to the d5-pawn. Here are two relatively recent examples:}
a6 12. Ra3 (12. h3 {1-0 (31) Atalik,S (2608)-Atanasov,R (2218) Golden Sands
2012 CBM 149 [Atalik,S]}) 12... Rb8 {1-0 (105) Drenchev,P (2511)-Atalik,S 
(2550) Paracin 2014 CBM 163 [Atalik,S]}) 11... Ne5 ({The eccentric but
possibly not entirely sound} 11... Nh5 {yielded Fischer his first win over
Spassky ever:} 12. Bxh5 gxh5 13. Nc4 Ne5 14. Ne3 Qh4 15. Bd2 Ng4 {Spassky,B 
(2660)-Fischer,R (2785) Reykjavik 1972 MainBase [ChessBase] (0-1, 41)}) ({
My perception was that the move putting an end to the 11.Qc2 line was} 11...
Nb6 {[%csl Ge2][%cal Gf6d5]} 12. Bb5 (12. Re1 {[%csl Gf2]} Ng4 13. h3 $2 Nxf2
$1 14. Kxf2 Bd4+ 15. Kf1 Qh4 16. Nd1 Bxh3 $40) (12. a4 Nfxd5 13. exd5 Bxc3 {
[%csl Ge2]}) 12... Bd7 13. a4 Bxb5 14. Nxb5 a6 15. Nc3 Nfd7 16. a5 Nc8 17. b3
Na7 18. Bb2 Nb5 {Polugaevsky,L (2620)-Mecking,H (2635) Luzern 1977 (1/2-1/2,
42)}) 12. b3 Bg4 $5 $146 {By offering the exchange of the light-squared
bishops Black wishes to solve his development problems. In the Benoni, his
minor pieces (with the exception of the g7-bishop) compete with each other for
comfortable developing squares.} ({Prior to his game with Polugaevsky, Mecking
had also tried} 12... g5 13. Bb2 g4 14. Rfe1 Nh5 15. Nd1 Nf4 16. Bb5 Rf8 17.
Ne3 Qg5 $132 {Kortschnoj,V (2670)-Mecking,H (2615) Augusta 1974 (1-0, 42)}) ({
After White has weakened the long diagonal, Fischer's idea looks sounder:} 
12... Nh5 $5 13. Bxh5 gxh5 14. Bb2 Bd7 15. Rae1 Qh4 16. f4 $2 Ng4 17. Nf3 Bd4+
$40 {Polugaevsky,L (2635)-Nunn,J (2515) Skara 1980 (0-1, 32)}) 13. Bxg4 (13. f3
{[%cal Re2h5] only apparently gains a tempo. In fact, it simplifies the
knight's access to h5.} Bd7 14. Bb2 (14. f4 $2 Neg4 15. Nc4 Nxe4 $19) 14... Nh5
$132) 13... Nfxg4 14. Bb2 a6 15. h3 Nf6 16. f4 Ned7 17. Nc4 {White has almost
completed his development and gained considerable space. His only problem is
that the b2-bishop is not optimally placed. By now, it is sort of hanging
along the long diagonal but later we will notice another negative aspect.} Nb6
{The typical reaction to the attack on d6 and a good one here!} (17... Qc7 $6 {
Offers White the needed tempo to start the same kind of attack as in the game
without allowing Black's freeing ...b7-b5.} 18. a4 Nb6 19. Rae1 Nxc4 20. bxc4
Nd7 21. e5 dxe5 22. f5 $36) ({But the provocative} 17... Qe7 $5 {[%csl Ge4]
may be playable:} 18. e5 dxe5 19. Rae1 (19. f5 $2 b5) 19... b5 (19... e4 20. d6
$14 {[%csl Ge4]} Qe6 $2 21. g4 $1 $16) 20. d6 {Of course the position looks
promising for White, but concretely things may not be entirely clear.} Qf8 $1 (
20... Qe6 $6 21. fxe5 Nh5 (21... bxc4 $2 22. exf6 $18 {[%csl Re6,Rg7]}) 22. Ne4
$3 bxc4 23. Ng5 Qd5 24. Rd1 cxb3 25. axb3 Qb7 (25... Qc6 26. Qc4 $40) 26. Rxf7
(26. Qc4 Nb6) 26... Qb5 {[%csl Gc4]} 27. e6 Bxb2 28. Qxb2 Rxe6 29. Nxe6 Kxf7
30. Nc7 Qc6 31. Nxa8 Qxa8 32. Re1 $36) 21. Nxe5 Qxd6 22. Rd1 Qe6 23. Nxd7 Nxd7
24. Nd5 Bxb2 25. Qxb2 $44) 18. Rae1 Nxc4 19. bxc4 Nd7 {In principle this
structure favours White, as the exchange on c4 has strengthened his centre.
But with the bishop on b2 he is not optimally prepared for the thematic attack
launched by Aronian. In many lines White will miss the Bg5, increasing his
kingside pressure.} 20. e5 ({It would be nice to insert} 20. a4 {before the
central break, but Black could use the offered tempo for activating his play:}
Bd4+ 21. Kh1 Qh4 $132 22. e5 $6 dxe5 23. f5 e4) 20... dxe5 21. f5 {Penrose,
J-Tal,M Leipzig ol (Men) fin-A 1960 (11) 1-0 A pawn sacrifice known ever since}
b5 $1 {Shattering White's stability in the centre before the intiative becomes
too strong.} (21... Nf6 $6 22. Bc1 $1 $36 {[%cal Gc1g5,Gc3e4]}) 22. Ne4 (22.
cxb5 axb5 23. Nxb5 Rxa2 $132) 22... Nb6 {The second knight lands on b6. A
brave decision as it seems as if Black is neglecting his kingside defence, but
the pressure on c4 and d5 forces him to rush things or sacrifice material.} ({
The ultra-cautious} 22... Nf6 {is likely to offer White an edge:} 23. fxg6 fxg6
(23... hxg6 24. Qf2 Nxe4 25. Qxf7+ Kh7 26. Rxe4 Rf8 27. Bxe5 $1 Rxf7 28. Rxf7
Qf8 (28... Qg8 $4 29. Rh4#) 29. Rxg7+ Qxg7 30. Bxg7 Kxg7 31. Kf2 $16) 24. Nxf6+
Bxf6 25. cxb5 axb5 26. Qxc5 $14) 23. Bc1 {Humanly the most natural move. In
this case the engines' scepticism shows that they are still far from
exhausting our favourite game. White finally retrieves his complete harmony
but Black's counterplay is too advanced to allow the last move to yield an
advantage.} ({The simplistic} 23. cxb5 axb5 24. fxg6 fxg6 (24... hxg6 $2 25.
Rxf7 $3 $36 Kxf7 $2 26. Rf1+ Kg8 27. Nf6+ Bxf6 28. Qxg6+ Bg7 29. Rf7 $18) 25.
Qxc5 Na4 26. Qxb5 Nxb2 27. Qxb2 Qxd5 28. Rf2 {is a worthy alternative.
Personally I prefer White due to his strong knight, but the engines 0.00
evaluation is a bit depressing. True, the a2-pawn is vulnerable and Black has
some activity, but over the board White's position should be at least easier
to play.}) 23... Nxc4 {[%csl Gd5]} 24. d6 gxf5 $5 {A clever way to more or
less force a draw.} (24... Nxd6 $2 25. Rd1 Bf8 26. fxg6 hxg6 27. Bg5 $18) (
24... Ra7 25. Bg5 f6 26. Bh4 $44) 25. Rxf5 Nxd6 26. Bg5 Qa5 $1 {[%csl Ge1]
That is the point: due to his hanging rooks White does not have anything
better than repeating the moves.} 27. Bd2 Qd8 (27... Qb6 28. Nf6+ Bxf6 29. Rxf6
{[%cal Gd2h6,Gc2f2]} c4+ 30. Be3 Qc7 31. Qf2 $36) (27... Qc7 28. Nf6+ Bxf6 29.
Rxf6 Qe7 30. Bg5 $36) 28. Bg5 Qa5 29. Bd2 Qd8 30. Bg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.17"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2790"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "166"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 c5 6. d5 exd5 7. cxd5 Bb7 8. Bg2
Nxd5 9. O-O Nc6 10. Rd1 Be7 {No doubt,this theoretical positionhad been deeply
explored by both players.} 11. Qa4 ({The other popular continuations are:} 11.
a3) ({and} 11. Qf5) 11... Nf6 {White is a pawn down, so it is necessary to
play very energetically.} 12. Nh4 {The knight is heading to f5, whereas the
Bg2 is getting more powerful.} ({Another possible plan is advancing the e-pawn:
} 12. e4 O-O 13. e5 Ne8 14. Nc3 Nc7 15. Be3 {The pressure along the d-file
offers White full compensation for a pawn, but not more. Levon had good
memories from his experience in this line, but objectively after} Qe8 (15... f5
$5 {Potkin,V (2653)-Volokitin,A (2677)/Aix-les-Bains 2011, seems an
alternative worth considering.}) 16. Nd2 Rb8 17. Nc4 b5 18. Nxb5 Nxb5 19. Qxb5
Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Bxg2 21. Qxd7 Ba8 {Aronian,L (2802)-Leko,P (2735)/Wijk aan Zee
2013/CBM 153/[Krasenkow,M], Black's position was not bad at all.}) 12... O-O ({
Another logical response -} 12... g6 13. Bh6 Bf8 14. Bxf8 Kxf8 {has also been
seen in Aronian's practice. Nowadays, the resulting positions are considered
somewhat shaky for Black.}) 13. Nc3 $146 {This innovation hardly poses Black
any problems, but this way of handling the position doesn't lead to
simplifications.} (13. Nf5 {was well known to Hikaru, who had employed it one
year earlier:} d5 14. Nc3 Nd4 $1 15. Nxd4 cxd4 16. Rxd4 (16. Qxd4 Bc5 17. Qa4
Qc8 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Bxd5 20. Rxd5 Qe6 21. e4 Rfe8 $11 {1/2 Leko,P (2739)
-Karjakin,S (2720)/Wijk aan Zee 2010/CBM 135/[Krasenkow,M] (36)}) 16... Qe8 17.
Qxe8 Rfxe8 18. Rd1 Bb4 19. Bd2 Bxc3 20. Bxc3 Rxe2 21. Bf3 Re6 22. Bxf6 Rxf6 23.
Bxd5 Bxd5 24. Rxd5 g6 $11 {1/2 Nakamura,H (2776)-Harikrishna,P (2723)/Caleta
ENG 2015 (68)}) 13... g6 {Comparing to the above-mentioned note, the
consequences of this weakening move are less scary.} 14. Bg5 Rb8 {Protecting
the light-squared bishop is the most natural reaction to White's new idea.} ({
Another possibility was} 14... a6 15. Rd2 b5 $5 {seizing some space on the
q-side. For instance,} 16. Qf4 Rb8 17. Rad1 Nd4 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Bxb7 Bg5 (
19... Rxb7 20. Ne4 Be7 21. Nf3 $44) 20. Qe4 Bxd2 21. Rxd2 Re8 22. Qd5 Qc7 23.
e3 {with complex, double-edged play.}) 15. Bf4 Rc8 16. Bh6 {The main idea
behind this move is freeing a way for the queen.} (16. Rd2 d5 17. Rad1 d4 18.
e3 Qe8 19. exd4 cxd4 20. Nb5 Nd7 {wouldn't pose Black any problems.}) 16... Re8
17. Qf4 Na5 {The exchange of bishops is clearly in Black's favour, so it makes
sense to force matters.} ({Of course, Hikaru doesn't fall into a nice trap:} 
17... Nh5 $4 18. Qxf7+ Kxf7 19. Bd5+ Kf6 20. Ne4+ Ke5 21. f4+ Nxf4 22. Bxf4#) (
17... Ba8 $5 {also deserved serious attention:} 18. Nf5 Nh5 19. Nxe7+ Nxe7 20.
Qh4 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Nf5 22. Qxd8 Rcxd8 {with approximate equality.}) 18. Nf5 (18.
Bxb7 $5 Nxb7 19. Nf5 Bf8 20. Bxf8 Rxf8 21. Ne3 $44 {would have kept the
long-term compensation for a pawn.}) 18... Bxg2 19. Nxe7+ Qxe7 20. Kxg2 Qe5 $1
{Like in most cases, the centralised queen has excellent prospects.} 21. e3 $6
{A small tactical blunder.} ({There was no way to keep the queens on the board:
} 21. Qh4 $6 Nc6 22. Bg5 Ne4 23. Nxe4 Qxe4+ 24. Qxe4 Rxe4 $15) ({However, a
better try was} 21. Bg5 Qxf4 22. gxf4 Ne4 23. Nxe4 Rxe4 24. Kf3 Rd4 25. Rxd4
cxd4 26. Rd1 Nc6 27. Bf6 $11) 21... d5 $6 {Returning the favour.} ({Both
players missed} 21... Qe6 $1 {, and then after something like} 22. Qd6 (22. Rd6
$4 Nh5 $19) 22... Qxd6 23. Rxd6 Re6 $15 {White would be forced to fight for a
draw.}) 22. Bg5 Ne4 $6 {One more mistake, which leads to an unpleasant endgame.
} ({The correct move was} 22... Kg7 23. Qxe5 Rxe5 24. Bxf6+ Kxf6 25. Nxd5+ Kg7
26. Nc3 Nc6 {and Black should be able to neutralise White's control over the
open file.}) 23. Rxd5 Qxf4 24. gxf4 {The extra pawn is gone, while White's
pieces are still much more active.} Nxc3 ({Liquadating the powerful bishop
wouldn't solve the problems:} 24... Nxg5 25. fxg5 Kf8 26. Rad1 Nc6 27. Rd7 Re7
28. h4 $14) 25. bxc3 Kg7 $6 ({Black's defensive task would be easier after
swapping one pair of rooks:} 25... Rc7 $1 26. Rad1 Kg7 27. Rd7 Rxd7 28. Rxd7 h6
29. Bh4 Nc6 30. Rc7 Re6 $14) 26. Rd7 h6 27. Be7 Nc4 {Alas, Black cannot really
benfit from having such a stable knight.} ({As the following line illustrates,
Black was doomed to a passive defence:} 27... Nc6 28. Bh4 Re4 29. Rad1 Ra4 $140
$2 30. R1d6 Rxa2 31. Bf6+ Kg8 32. Rxc6 Rxc6 33. Rd8+ Kh7 34. Rh8# $18) 28. Rad1
a5 29. R1d5 {Keeping an eye on the Pc5, so Black's pawns are not mobile
anymore.} Rc6 30. Ra7 Re6 31. Rdd7 Kg8 {Black is almost paralysed, but it's
not easy to make progress.} 32. h4 Kg7 33. Bd8 Kg8 34. Be7 Kg7 35. Rab7 {
Both players were interested in crossing the time control without committing
serious mistakes.} (35. a4 $1 {was stronger:} Kg8 36. Rab7 Kg7 37. Kf3 Nd2+ 38.
Ke2 Ne4 39. Bd8 Kg8 40. c4 $16) 35... Kg8 36. Rbc7 Na3 37. Bd8 Nc4 38. Be7 {
Levon doesn't let Black remove the knight from the q-side.} ({It was possible
to convert one type of advantage into another:} 38. Ra7 $5 {, and if} Nd6 {then
} 39. Bxb6 Nc8 40. Bxc5 Nxa7 41. Rxa7 $16) 38... Na3 39. Rb7 Nc4 40. Kf3 ({
Levon has missed the last chance to fix the favourable pawn structure:} 40. a4
$1 Kg7 41. Kf3 Nd2+ 42. Ke2 Ne4 43. Bd8 Kg8 44. Bxb6 Nxc3+ 45. Kf3 Nxa4 46.
Bxa5 Rf8 47. Bc7 $16 {the domination of White's pieces offers excellent
winning chances.}) 40... a4 $1 41. Rbc7 $6 {This inaccurate move allows Black
to liquidate into a rook endgame.} ({A better one was} 41. Ra7 $1 Na5 42. f5
gxf5 43. Bd6 h5 44. Bf4 Nc6 45. Rxa4 $16) 41... Nd2+ $1 42. Rxd2 ({A similar
type of endgame would arise after} 42. Ke2 Ne4 43. c4 Nf6 44. Bxf6 Rxf6 45. Re7
Rxe7 46. Rxe7 b5 47. cxb5 Rb6 48. Ra7 Rxb5 49. Rxa4 Rb2+ 50. Kf3 c4 {and Black
should be able to hold it.}) 42... R6xe7 43. Rc6 Re6 44. Rxe6 Rxe6 45. c4 {
Despite the major simplifications, Black's position is still difficult.} Kg7
46. e4 ({After} 46. Rd7 b5 47. cxb5 Rb6 48. Ra7 Rxb5 49. Rxa4 Rb2 50. a3 Ra2 {
it would be impossible to avoid the exchange of q-side pawns.}) 46... Re8 {
This move isn't a serious mistake yet,} ({But a more natural one would be} 
46... Re7 47. e5 Rb7 48. Rd6 b5 49. Ra6 bxc4 50. Rxa4 Rb4 51. Ra5 Kf8 52. Rxc5
Ra4 $11) 47. e5 Rb8 48. Rd7 {Now the threat of 49.e6 forces Black to spend a
tempo.} Kf8 49. f5 gxf5 50. Kf4 b5 {Still, Hikaru manages to activate his rook.
} 51. cxb5 Rxb5 52. Kxf5 a3 $4 {An unbelievable mistake.} ({Instead,} 52... Ke8
{would have secured an easy draw:} 53. Ra7 c4 54. Rc7 Rb2 55. f4 Rxa2 56. Rxc4
a3 57. Ra4 Rh2 58. Rxa3 Rxh4 $11) 53. f4 $2 {Returning the favour!} ({For some
reason, both players missed} 53. Kf6 Rb6+ 54. Rd6 {and Black loses on spot:}
Rb8 55. f4 Rc8 56. f5 c4 57. Rd7 c3 58. Rxf7+ Ke8 59. Rg7 Kf8 60. e6 $18) 53...
Rb4 54. Ra7 c4 55. Rxa3 Rb2 {Now White cannot save the Pa2, so the resulting
endgame seems drawish.} 56. Ra6 Kg7 57. a4 c3 58. Ra7 c2 59. Rc7 Rb4 60. a5 Ra4
61. Rxc2 Rxa5 {Liquidating the last q-side pawn is Black's indisputable
achivement.} 62. Rc4 Ra1 63. Rc7 Kf8 64. Rd7 Ra4 65. Rd3 Rc4 66. Re3 Ke7 67.
Re4 Rc1 68. Rb4 Kf8 69. Rb6 Kg7 70. Rb7 Kf8 71. Rb8+ Kg7 72. Rb4 Ra1 73. Rd4
Ra2 74. Rd7 {[%mdl 4096]} Kf8 $4 {Like earlier in the game, Black invites the
opponent's king into his camp! This time this blunder was dramatic - Hikaru
was forced to move his king after touching it!} ({At the same time, after} 
74... Re2 75. h5 Re1 76. Rc7 Re2 77. Rc3 Ra2 78. Rg3+ Kf8 {Black should be
able to achieve a draw.}) 75. Kf6 {This time Levon doesn't miss his chance!}
Ra6+ 76. Rd6 Ra8 77. h5 Kg8 78. f5 Rb8 79. Rd7 ({Or} 79. e6 fxe6 80. fxe6 Kf8
81. Rd7 Ra8 82. Rf7+ Kg8 83. Rg7+ Kh8 84. Rg6 $18) 79... Rb6+ 80. Ke7 Rb5 81.
Rd8+ Kh7 82. Kf6 Rb6+ 83. Rd6 Rb7 {Black resigns in view of 84.e6, promoting.}
1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[Annotator "Sadorra,J"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{In this game, a top player employs an interesting idea that could very well
take the sting out of the venomous King's Indian Attack. While there's still
plenty of room for exploration here, I have given a summary of the recent
ideas tried up until April 2016 and shown paths of improvement for the Black
side.} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 a5 $5 {
A surprise for Sergey as Levon has always played Nc6 in his recent games
including against Sergey himself. Black's idea is to quickly weaken White's
queenside first before deciding how to arrange his pieces.} (6... Nc6 7. e4 (7.
d4 b6 8. b3 Bb7 9. Bb2 Na5 10. Ne5 c5 $11 {1-0 (87) Rapport,R (2649)-Aronian,L
(2765) Munich GER 2016, with a comfortable game}) 7... dxe4 8. dxe4 e5 9. c3 a5
10. Qc2 Be6 11. Ng5 Bd7 12. Rd1 Ng4 $1 13. Ngf3 Bc5 14. Rf1 {White has lost
many tempi while Black has significantly improved his pieces} Qc8 $1 {aimed
against h2-h3:} 15. a4 h6 (15... Be6 $5 16. h3 Nf6 17. Ng5 Bd7 18. Kh2 h6 19.
Ngf3 Be6 $15) 16. Nc4 Be6 17. Qe2 b6 {0-1 (66) Karjakin,S (2760)-Aronian,L 
(2777) Zurich SUI 2015, Black has obtained a comfortable game, and even won in
the end.}) 7. e4 ({In one of the recent games in this line, White tried to
stop the a-pawn at once:} 7. a4 Nc6 $5 {going back to Aronian's Nc6 system in
the hopes of taking advantage of the fact that White has played a4 instead of
a different useful move.} (7... c5 8. e4 Nc6 {is also possible}) 8. Re1 e5 9.
e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 (10. dxe4 Bc5 $1 {is a better version of the 2015
Karjakin-Aronian game above.}) 10... Nxe4 11. Rxe4 Bf5 12. Re1 e4 $5 (12... Qd6
{keeping the tension could give Black room to fight for more.}) 13. dxe4 Qxd1
14. Rxd1 Bxe4 $11 15. c3 Bd6 16. Be3 Rfe8 17. Nd2 Bc2 18. Rdc1 Bd3 19. b3 Rab8
20. Nc4 Bxc4 21. bxc4 Rxe3 22. fxe3 Ne5 {1/2-1/2 (22) Markus,R (2647)
-Svetushkin,D (2561) Skopje MKD 2016}) 7... a4 8. a3 ({Recently, the
open-minded and imginative GM Rapport has also tried to ignore Black's
pawn-push:} 8. Re1 a3 9. e5 axb2 10. Bxb2 Nfd7 11. Nd4 (11. a4 Nc5 12. a5 Bd7
13. Bd4 Nc6 (13... Na4 $142 $1 {this move gives Black chances to obtain a
better game:} 14. Nb3 Na6 $15 {with c5 next}) 14. Bc3 b5 15. axb6 Na4 16. b7 $1
Ra7 (16... Ra6 $142 $5 17. Bd4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Qb8 19. c4 Qxb7 20. cxd5 exd5 {
[%csl Ge6][%cal Ga6e6]} 21. Qb3 Qb4 $1 $15) 17. Bd4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Bb4 $11 {
1/2-1/2 (51) Rybarczyk,K (2130)-Wittje,B Germany 1998} (18... Qb8 19. c4 Qxb7
20. cxd5 exd5 21. e6 $1 $132)) 11... Nc5 12. N2b3 Nbd7 (12... Na4 $142 $1 {
right away gives Black good play as it forces White's B to a more passive
square and gives Black flexibility in development:} 13. Bc1 c5 14. Nb5 Nc6 {
The knight is simply more active here than on d7.} 15. h4 (15. Bf4 {maybe
Levon was bothered by this possibility and that's why he delayed it?!?} Bd7 $17
16. c4 (16. Nd6 f6 $1) 16... Nb4 {and Black has nothing worry about.}) 15... f6
$1 16. exf6 Bxf6 17. Rb1 Na7 $1 $17 {this tactical possibility only underlines
the benefit of playing Na4 right away.}) 13. Bc3 Ra6 14. h4 Na4 15. Bd2 c5 16.
Nb5 f6 {similar is not the same!} 17. exf6 Bxf6 18. Rb1 {no Na7 tactic here,
but Black still has a healthy position after} Ne5 19. Qe2 c4 $5 {1-0 (35)
Rapport,R (2649)-Gajewski,G (2646) Dresden GER 2016 a complex game ensues with
chances for both sides.}) 8... c5 9. Re1 Nc6 10. h4 $146 {This is technically
the novelty in this game. Sergey may have come up with it over the board in
fear of facing preparation in the mainline.} (10. e5 Nd7 (10... Ne8 $5 11. Nf1
f6 {is worth exploring}) 11. Nf1 b5 12. h4 {transposes to standard lines of
KIA vs. Classical French. Here's an example on how play might develop, from
Sergey's game as Black:} b4 13. Bf4 bxa3 14. bxa3 Ba6 15. Ne3 Rb8 16. c4 dxc4
17. Nxc4 (17. dxc4 Nb6 18. Nd2 Nd4 {It is always a good sign when a knight is
drawn away from Black's kingside.}) 17... Nb6 18. Nd6 (18. Qc2 Nd5 $1 $146 (
18... Nd4 $6 19. Nxd4 Qxd4 (19... cxd4 20. Nd6 $15) 20. Be3 $1 Qd7 21. Nd6 $14
{1-0 (49) Skoberne,J (2544)-Kraemer,M (2570) Austria AUT 2016}) 19. Bg5 (19.
Bd2 Rb3 $36) 19... Rb3 20. Rab1 (20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. Rab1 Rfb8) (20. Nd6 f6)
20... Bxg5 21. hxg5 (21. Nxg5 Nd4 22. Qd2 h6 23. Ne4 Bxc4 24. dxc4 Nc3 $1 $17)
21... Qb8 $1 {with nice pressure on the q-side and centre.}) 18... Nd5 $1 {
a nice pawn sac for piece activity, and to deprive White of the chance of
using his N on d6 in the near future.} 19. Qxa4 Rb6 (19... Nxf4 20. gxf4 Rb6
$44) 20. Rac1 Nxf4 21. Qxf4 Nxe5 22. Nxe5 Bxd6 23. Qe3 Rb3 24. a4 Qc7 25. Nc4
Be7 (25... Rc8 $5 {preparing the Be7-f6 manoeuvre:} 26. Red1 (26. Nxd6 Qxd6 $15
) 26... Be7 27. Ne5 Bf6 $15) 26. Ne5 Bd6 (26... Bf6 $2 27. Rxc5) 27. Nc4 Be7
28. Ne5 {1/2-1/2 (28) Svidler,P (2756)-Karjakin,S (2772) Loo 2014. This shows
that Sergey is well aware of his opponent's ideas and that Black is at least
OK in the mainlines.}) 10... dxe4 11. Nxe4 (11. dxe4 $6 {the resulting pawn
structure & position are favourable for Black:} e5 $1 {[%csl Gb7,Rc4,Rg4][%cal
Gb7b5,Gb5c4,Gc8g4,Gf6g4]} 12. Nc4 Qc7 13. Ne3 (13. c3 {[%csl Rb3]} Be6 14. Qe2
h6 $15) 13... Nd4 $15) 11... Nxe4 12. Rxe4 (12. dxe4 {will once again be met
with} e5 $1) 12... b5 $1 {Levon goes ahead with the standard q-side expansion
as there is no immediate danger along the a8-h1 diagonal Levon goes ahead with
the standard q-side expansion as there is no immediate danger along the a8-h1
diagonal} 13. Ng5 Ra6 14. Qh5 $6 {too ambitious} ({In the post-mortem, both
players agreed that an objectively better move is} 14. Re1 {which should be
roughly equal. This is correct, and I believe Black's play is even easier:} h6
15. Ne4 Bb7 16. Bf4 (16. Be3 Qb6 $1 (16... Nd4 17. Nxc5 $1 $13)) 16... Rb6 $36
{with an eventual b5-b4}) 14... h6 15. Nf3 ({Originally Sergey was planning} 
15. Rg4 {and after} Ne5 {Sergey was intending to reply with} 16. Re4 {but
Aronian pointed out} Nd7 $1 $19 {with jolly grin :-)}) 15... f5 16. Re1 Bd7 (
16... Bf6 $1 {"is an easy move to make" (Aronian), but he didn't see the need
to play it as he thinks Black is just as fine after Bd7. The key thing to see
is that by placing the B right away on f6, White's pieces are restricted and
his Q will be in trouble soon!} 17. Rb1 Bd7 18. Nh2 (18. Bf4 $4 Be8 $19) 18...
Be8 19. Qd1 e5 $15 {with a nice bind and space advantage.}) 17. Ne5 Nxe5 18.
Rxe5 Bd6 19. Re1 {with the N traded off, it's easy to see that White can
breathe more freely} Qf6 20. Rb1 (20. c3 b4 $1 $36 21. Bd2 bxa3 22. bxa3 Rb8 {
and according to Levon, "Black has a wonderful position..."}) 20... f4 $6 {
logically opening up lines to exploit White's discoordinated pieces, but White
has enough resources to defend. It "spoiled the game" according to Levon as it
only leads to mass simplification of the position.} ({The straightforward
approach can give Black an edge:} 20... b4 21. Bd2 (21. f4 Rb8 $15) 21... Rb8
22. Qe2 Rab6 {taking over the b-file and the queenside.}) (20... e5 $5 {
may have also given Black better chances to obtain an edge.}) 21. Bxf4 Bxf4 22.
gxf4 Qxf4 23. Qxc5 Rf5 (23... Qxh4 24. Re4 Qf6 25. Rg4 $11 (25. Re2)) 24. Qe3
Qxh4 25. Qg3 {Now according to Levon it's important to have e5 under control.}
Qh5 ({The other queen retreat is not so convincing:} 25... Qf6 26. Qb8+ Kh7 27.
Be4 Bc6 28. Bxf5+ exf5 29. Kf1 {which Levon thought was not so clear. In fact,
Black has to be careful as White can get his king safe by running to d2} Bf3
30. Qf4 $1 Bh5 31. f3 Rc6 32. c3 g5 33. Qe3 $14 {and Black's compensation is
still in question.}) 26. Qc7 Qf7 (26... Qh4 27. Qg3 Qh5 28. Qc7) 27. Qb7 Rd6 ({
An attempt to fight on with} 27... Rg5 {can only lead to trouble for Black
after} 28. f4 $1 {so Levon didn't see any sense in going for this} (28. Kf1 $5)
(28. Re5 $5) 28... Rxg2+ 29. Qxg2 e5 30. f5 Bxf5 31. Re3 $13 {It's difficult
to clearly assess this during the game, but it's clear that Black doesn't
achieve anything special here.}) 28. Qb8+ Qf8 29. Qxf8+ Kxf8 30. Re3 Bc6 31.
Rbe1 {And in this equal ending, the players decided to split the point.}
1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qb3 dxc4 8.
Qxc4 Nd7 9. e3 g6 10. Ne4 Qe7 11. Ne5 Qb4+ 12. Qxb4 Bxb4+ 13. Ke2 Be7 14. f3 {
Im 14. Zug weicht Aronian von der unlängst zwischen beiden Partnern in
Zürich gespielten Partie ab. Alles in allem ist hier kein Kampfgeist
erkennbar - bei beiden nicht!} (14. f4 b6 15. Kf2 Bb7 16. Rd1 Rd8 17. Be2 O-O
18. Bf3 c5 19. Ng3 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Ba6 21. Ne4 Bd3 22. Nf6+ Kg7 23. Nd5 exd5 24.
Rxd3 d4 25. exd4 Rxd4 26. Rxd4 cxd4 27. Ke2 f6 28. Kd3 fxe5 29. fxe5 Rc8 30.
Rd1 Bg5 31. Ke4 Be3 32. Rd3 Kf7 33. Ra3 Rc7 34. Be2 Ke7 35. Ra4 Bc1 36. Rxd4
Bxb2 37. Rc4 {1/2-1/2 (37) Aronian,L (2792)-Giri,A (2798) Zuerich 2016}) 14...
Rg8 15. Rc1 f5 16. Nxd7 Kxd7 17. Nd2 b6 18. Kf2 Bb7 19. h4 Rac8 20. f4 {
Diagramm [#] Die Stellung ist vollkommen ausgeglichen, doch Schwarz hat
immerhin noch das Läuferpaar und die eine oder andere Hebelmöglichkeit - er
könnte den Anziehenden noch ein wenig ärgern.} Bf6 21. b4 Rg7 22. Be2 g5 23.
hxg5 hxg5 24. fxg5 (24. Rh6 Ke7 25. g3 {war ebenfalls gut.}) 24... Bxg5 25. Bf3
Ba6 26. Nc4 Bxc4 27. Rxc4 f4 28. e4 Be7 29. a3 e5 {Diagramm [#] Dies kann
jetzt eigentlich nur noch eines werden: Giris achtes Remis in der achten
Partie.} 30. dxe5 Ke6 31. Ke2 Kxe5 32. Rh5+ Bg5 33. Bg4 Rd8 34. Rxc6 Kxe4 35.
Re6+ Kd4 36. Rh3 Kc4 37. Re5 Kd4 38. Re6 Kc4 39. Bf5 Re7 40. Rxe7 Bxe7 41. Rh7
Bd6 42. Rxa7 Re8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.21"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O d6 5. d3 Nf6 6. c3 a6 7. a4 $5 {Anand
had faced this relatively unexplored line with Black recently and despite
winning the game he must have found it interesting enough to include it in his
repertoire for the Candidates tournament.} Ba7 (7... O-O 8. Re1 h6 {Giri,A 
(2798)-Anand,V (2784) Zuerich 2016 CBM 171 [Marin,M] (0-1, 45)}) 8. Na3 Ne7 9.
Nc2 ({Four rounds later he deviated with} 9. Bg5 c6 10. Nc2 (10. Bxf6 gxf6 {
[%cal Gd6d5,Gh8g8]} 11. d4 d5 12. Bd3 f5 $36) 10... O-O 11. Nh4 d5 12. exd5
Nexd5 13. Nf3 Qd6 14. Re1 Bg4 15. Bh4 Rae8 16. h3 Bh5 17. Bg3 Nf4 18. Bxf4 exf4
19. d4 c5 $36 {Anand,V (2762)-Giri,A (2793) Moscow 2016 (1/2-1/2, 52)}) 9...
Ng6 10. Be3 ({Since the knight will soon land on e3. it does not make sense to
waste a tempo on preventing ...Bg4 with} 10. h3 O-O 11. Re1 c6 12. Ba2 Re8 13.
d4 exd4 14. Ncxd4 Nxe4 15. Bxf7+ Kxf7 16. Rxe4 Rxe4 17. Ng5+ Kg8 18. Nxe4 d5
19. Ng3 Qf6 $11 {Pacher,M (2502)-Kantor,G (2418) Budapest 2016 (1-0, 33)})
10... O-O (10... Bxe3 11. Nxe3 O-O {transposes to the line from the next
comment.}) 11. Bxa7 Rxa7 12. Ne3 Ng4 $6 {Aronian probably felt like taking
advantage of Anand's omitting h2-h3, but his last move will eventually prove a
waste of time resulting in delayed development.} (12... Ra8 13. a5 c6 {[%cal
Gd6d5] looks normal for Black.}) {Anand does not seem keen to play with
doubled pawns.} 13. Qd2 ({Actually, the position resulting after} 13. a5 Ra8
14. h3 Nxe3 15. fxe3 {[%cal Gd1b3,Gd3d4];Anand,V (2784)-Aronian,L (2792)
Zuerich Chess Challenge Rapid 5th 2016 (1) 1-0 yields White some initiative.
In this structure it is useful to have the queen on d1 as it could later go to
b3 or in some cases to f3. Compare with} {If} Be6 (15... Qe7 16. Qb3) 16. Bxe6
fxe6 17. Qb3 Qc8 18. h4 Nh8 19. d4 $14 {White's chances are better despite the
almost symmetrical structure.}) 13... a5 {Black keeps neglecting his
development for the sake of strategic moves.} ({A simpler way was} 13... Ra8
14. a5 Nxe3 15. Qxe3 Qe7 {[%cal Gc8e6]}) 14. d4 Ra8 (14... Nxe3 15. Qxe3 b6 {
highlights White's advance in development after} 16. dxe5 dxe5 (16... Nxe5 17.
Nxe5 dxe5 18. Rad1 Qe8 19. b3 Be6 20. Bd5) 17. Rfd1 Qf6 (17... Qe7 18. g3) 18.
Qg5 Qxg5 19. Nxg5 $14) 15. dxe5 $1 {A principled decision: the better
developed side should open the centre.} N4xe5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. Bb3 $14 {
White has more space and is better coordinated. Black has no significant
weaknesses but needs to act with care.} Nd7 $5 {Anticipating the permanent
threat f2-f4 and aiming to trasfer the knight to a better square. But on c5
the knight will not enjoy the desired stability either.} (17... Be6 18. Bd5
Bxd5 19. Qxd5 Nd7 $14) 18. Bc2 Re8 19. f3 b6 $6 {To a certain extent the same
policy as when Black played ...a6-a5. Black's structure looks nice, but the
last move does not help developing the queenside. Moreover, the weakness of
the long diagonal will cause him huge problems in the endgame.} 20. Rfd1 Nc5
21. b4 Nd7 22. Bb3 {This knight has jumped around a lot without achieving
anything concrete.} Nf6 ({Aronian probably rejected} 22... Bb7 {because he
wanted to neutralise the enemy bishop with ...Be6. But this will not happen.})
23. Qd4 Qe7 24. Nd5 Nxd5 25. Bxd5 Ra7 ({Had Aronian anticipated the problems
with freeing this caged rook, he might have preferred} 25... Rb8 {even though
it implies weakening his queenside.} 26. bxa5 bxa5 27. Qa7 Be6 (27... Rb2 28.
Ra2 $16) 28. Bxe6 fxe6 29. Rab1 Ra8 30. Qb7 $14) 26. b5 $1 Bb7 27. c4 $1 {
After White's precise pawn moves Black can free his rook only by strenghening
White's structure with ...Bxd5, cxd5, when the c7-pawn would be chronically
weak.} Qe5 28. Rac1 Qxd4+ 29. Rxd4 {The endgame is very unpleasant for Black.
White can start a slow kingside attack, enjoying practically an extra rook!}
Kf8 30. Kf2 Ke7 31. f4 f6 32. Rc3 Kd7 33. Rh3 h6 34. Rg3 Re7 35. Rg6 Bxd5 {
A necessary concession.} ({The tortuous regrouping started with} 35... Kc8 {
is too slow:} 36. h4 Ra8 (36... h5 37. Bc6 Bxc6 38. bxc6 Ra8 39. Rd5 $18 {
[%csl Gh5]}) 37. h5 Rb8 (37... Kb8 38. Rd3 Ka7 39. Rdg3 Bxd5 40. exd5 $16 Rg8
$2 41. Rxh6 $1 $18) 38. e5 $1 fxe5 (38... dxe5 39. Rxg7 $3 {[%cal Ge7g7,Gd5e6]}
Bxd5 40. Rxe7 exd4 41. cxd5 $18) 39. Be6+ Rxe6 (39... Kd8 40. fxe5 $18) 40.
Rxe6 exd4 41. Re8+ Kd7 42. Rxb8 Be4 43. Rg8 $18) 36. cxd5 Ra8 37. Kf3 Rae8 {
Black has finally managed to regroup properly. His only chance to survive
White's crushing space advantage is the pressure on e4.} 38. Kg4 ({The most
consistent plan starts with} 38. f5 {for instance} Kc8 39. Kf4 Kd7 40. Rg3 Kc8
41. Rc4 Kd8 42. Re3 Kc8 43. Kg4 Kb7 44. Kh5 Re5 45. Kg6 R8e7 46. g4 Kc8 47. h4
Kd7 48. Rg3 Kd8 49. g5 hxg5 50. hxg5 fxg5 51. Rxg5 Rd7 52. Kh7 Ree7 53. Rg6 Kc8
54. Re6 Kd8 55. Rc2 $18 {[%cal Gc2g2]}) 38... Rxe4 39. Rxg7+ Kc8 {Evacuating
the king from the centre leaves White a free hand on the kingside.} 40. Rd2 Kb8
(40... Rxa4 41. Rc2 Re5 $2 {does not work any more due to} 42. Rgxc7+ Kd8 43.
Rc8+ Ke7 44. R2c7#) 41. Rc2 Rc8 42. Ra2 $18 {For the time being White keeps
his a-pawn. When his kingside attack will reach more advanced phases the rook
will be able to return into play.} Rd4 43. Kf5 Rxd5+ (43... Rf8 44. g3 Rxd5+
45. Ke6 Rd4 46. Ke7 $18) 44. Kxf6 Rf8+ 45. Rf7 Rxf7+ 46. Kxf7 Rf5+ 47. Kg6 Rxf4
48. g3 Rc4 49. Kxh6 {Black has a passive king and an inferior structure. With
just one passed pawn he cannot generate enough counterplay.} d5 50. Kh5 {
The simplest way to start advancing the pawns.} d4 51. g4 d3 52. h4 Rd4 (52...
Rc2 53. Ra1 d2 54. Rd1 $18) 53. Rd2 Kc8 54. g5 Kd7 55. Kg6 Rxh4 56. Rxd3+ Ke8
57. Ra3 {Same comment as on move 42.} Rc4 58. Kg7 Kd7 59. g6 c6 60. Kf6 cxb5
61. g7 Rg4 62. axb5 Rg1 63. Rd3+ Ke8 64. Re3+ Kd7 65. Re5 Rxg7 66. Rd5+ (66.
Rd5+ Ke8 67. Kxg7 {leaves the king cut off from the play, preventing any
counterplay based on advancing the passed pawn.}) 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.23"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Mekhitarian,K"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 {The English Opening, extensively discussed in the 2016 Candidates
Tournament. It can be justified by the current trend - being able to develop
your pieces and keep the game flexible without engaging in a theoretical
battle every single game.} e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O
d6 7. d3 h6 8. Na4 $5 {White simply wants to play a3-b4. This is a rare idea,
but it was also played in the very same round at the same Candidates
Tournament, by Svidler against Nakamura.} a5 {The standard reaction.} 9. b3 {
This is also possible because of Na4 (otherwise the knight would be hanging on
c3). After Bb2, e3, we go into a complex middlegame full of possibilities.} Qe7
(9... Re8 {was played in the other twin game of the round} 10. Bb2 Bf5 {
Black is not scared of e4, because that would simply weaken d4 too much} 11. e3
Qe7 12. a3 Bc5 13. Nc3 Qd7 14. Nd5 $5 {defines the position rather quickly, it
was also possible to keep everything more flexible, as did Aronian in his game.
} (14. d4 $5 exd4 15. exd4 Bb6 {and now both 16.d5 or the cool 16.Qd2 look
interesting for White}) 14... Nxd5 15. cxd5 Ne7 16. d4 exd4 17. Nxd4 Bh3 18. e4
$11 {½-½ (30) Svidler,P (2757)-Nakamura,H (2790) Moscow 2016, and after many
simplifications, the game ended in a draw at move 30.} (18. Qd3 $5 Bxg2 19.
Kxg2 c6 (19... Nxd5 $2 20. Nf5 $1 Qc6 21. Kg1 f6 22. b4 $1 axb4 23. axb4 Rxa1 (
23... Bxb4 $2 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. e4 $18 {because of Ne7+}) 24. Rxa1 Bxb4 25. Rd1
Nc3 26. Rc1 Qe4 27. Qxe4 Rxe4 (27... Nxe4 28. Rxc7 $18 {with a decisive attack}
) 28. Bxc3 Rc4 29. Bb2 Rxc1+ 30. Bxc1 $16 {should be winning for White}) 20.
dxc6 bxc6 21. Rac1 {also doesn't look much because Black has counterplay on
the b3-pawn as well} Rab8 $44)) 10. Bb2 Bc5 11. e3 {This is the spirit,
keeping a very flexible position, Black has to be watching d4 or Nh4-f4 as
well. Also, Black's dark-squared bishop becomes somewhat awkward, since White
is the one who will decide if he is going for d4, and when. I think the whole
point is that White can gradually improve his position by pushing his pawns 
(like the ones I mentioned, or even a3-b4). And that is annoying for Black,
who doesn't have a clear pawn break. His pieces eventually will lack space.}
Ba7 12. Nc3 Re8 13. Nh4 $5 {Avoiding ...Bf5 and asking Black how is he going
to develop from here.} Qd8 {A kind of mysterious way to reorganise the pieces,
the queen just came from d8!} 14. Qd2 Ne7 15. Rad1 c6 {Having developed almost
all the pieces, Aronian could start thinking about some central action.} 16.
Ne2 $5 {I think he wants to play d4 and be able to take with a piece, and then
put some pressure on d6.} (16. d4 exd4 17. exd4 d5 {probably wasn't too
attractive for White. If c5, Black is able to regroup with Bb8, and then the
d4-pawn could become a weakness.}) 16... Nf5 17. Nxf5 Bxf5 18. d4 Qc8 (18...
Qc7 {followed by Rad8 was also possible.The Qc8-Bh3 idea could be prepared
later, after bringing the rook to d8.} 19. Nc3 Rad8 $13) 19. Nc3 {The problem
for Black is that White gradually improves his position, and Black has to be
waiting. Topalov did try to take immediate action, but ended up in a worse
position.} exd4 $5 20. exd4 {Now there is a positional threat of d5, and Black
has to be creative to avoid going into a worse position.} Ne4 $2 {Seemingly
natural, this move puts Topalov in big trouble, because of his lack of
development.} (20... Bh3 $1 21. d5 {Black has to deal with the weakness of the
d6-pawn without playing ...c5 (that would simply bury the bishop on a7)} a4 $1
22. dxc6 (22. Nxa4 Ne4 23. Qd3 Qf5 $1 $132) 22... Bxg2 23. Kxg2 bxc6 24. Nxa4
Ne4 $132 {followed by ...Ng5, with counterplay.}) 21. Nxe4 Bxe4 22. Bxe4 Rxe4
23. Rfe1 $1 $16 {Simple and good, Black has problems controlling the invasion
on the e-file.} (23. d5 $6 {wouldn't be a big deal now} Bc5 $1 $11 {and Black
is fine after ...Qf5 and ...Rae8}) 23... Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 Qf5 25. Re7 Rb8 26. Kg2
Bb6 27. Qe2 d5 28. c5 $2 (28. Qf3 $1 {keeping the pressure on d5, was stronger.
It is really hard to give Black any good advice here, his pieces are paralysed
and White has a clear plan (Rd7 to threaten d5, or force Black to play ...dxc4
and give White a passed pawn on the d-file)} Qxf3+ 29. Kxf3 dxc4 (29... a4 30.
cxd5 axb3 31. axb3 cxd5 32. Rd7 $16 {with big winning chances, after taking on
d5}) (29... Bd8 30. Re8+ Kh7 31. Ba3 Bc7 32. Re7 $18) 30. bxc4 $16 {and Ke4
followed by d5 (or Ba3-Bd6) most likely will be decisive.}) 28... Bd8 29. Re8+
Kh7 30. Bc3 (30. Qf3 $5 {was a possible try, but was not going to lead White
anywhere at this point} Qxf3+ (30... Qd7 $6 31. Rf8 f6 32. Qe2 {with a strong
initiative} Bc7 $2 33. Qd3+ g6 34. Rxf6 $18) 31. Kxf3 Kg6 {threatening ...Bc7
now that f7 is defended} (31... Bc7 $2 32. Re7 $18 {wins the f7-pawn and most
likely the game}) 32. Bc3 (32. a4 {there is no time for this} Bc7 $11) 32... a4
$1 (32... Bc7 33. Rxb8 Bxb8 34. Bxa5 $18 {is an easy win after a4-b4-b5, etc})
33. bxa4 Bc7 {now Black wants to play ...Ra8 if the white rook retreats} 34.
Rxb8 (34. Re2 Ra8 35. Rb2 Ra7 $11 {and it looks like Black will not have any
kind of problems holding this}) 34... Bxb8 $11 {has to be a draw, the extra
a-pawn is useless}) (30. Qe5 Qd7 $1 {and Black holds his own after ...Rc8 and
the bishop moving to f6, for example} (30... Qxe5 $2 31. dxe5 Kg6 {here
playing ...Bc7 doesn't help that much, White has a strong central pawn mass now
} 32. f4 Bc7 33. Re7 Rc8 34. g4 $18) 31. Bc3 Rc8 32. Qe2 {White tries to
retain a little pressure, but I think this is going nowhere} g6 33. h4 h5 $11 {
it is important to notice that the d4-pawn also could be under attack (after ..
.Bf6, for example).}) 30... Rc8 31. Rf8 (31. Qf3 Qd7 32. Rf8 Bf6 $1 33. Rxc8
Qxc8 34. Bxa5 Qa8 $132 {with enough counterplay to equalise the game.}) (31. h4
$5 Bc7 32. Re7 Kg8 33. h5 {this could be a small achievement - fixing the
structure on the dark squares on the kingside.} Kf8 34. Re3 Ra8 35. a4 Qd7 $11
{with ...Re8 next, I don't see how White will pose sany problems for Black.
The weakness on a5 and the fixing of the h6-g7 structure will not be enough,
the position remains very closed.}) 31... Bc7 32. Rxc8 Qxc8 33. Qe7 Kg8 34. h4
h5 35. Bd2 Qd8 $11 {Reaching full equality; White still plays on, but the
worst has passed for Black.} 36. Qe2 g6 37. Qe1 Kg7 38. a3 Qf6 39. b4 axb4 40.
axb4 Qf5 41. Qd1 f6 42. Be1 Kf7 43. f3 g5 44. Bf2 Qg6 45. Kf1 Qf5 46. Kg2 g4
47. f4 Qe4+ 48. Kg1 Ke6 49. Qb3 Qe2 50. Qb1 f5 51. Qa1 Qa6 52. Qe1+ Kf7 53. Qb1
Kf6 54. Qe1 Qa8 55. Qe2 Qc8 56. b5 Qe6 57. Qxe6+ Kxe6 58. b6 Bd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.24"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D16"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Sumets,A"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 e6 6. e3 c5 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. O-O
cxd4 9. exd4 Be7 10. Be3 O-O 11. Qe2 ({The main line is} 11. Ne5 Bd7 {Probably
the strongest continuation. White has nothing after 12.Nxd7 so let's look at
12.Qf3 and 12.Qe2:} (11... Nb4 12. Qf3 Nfd5 13. Rac1 Bf6 (13... Rb8 $6 {
This is a bad square for Black's rook.} 14. Rfd1 $6 (14. Qg3 $1 Bd7 15. Bh6 Bf6
16. Ne4 Bxa4 (16... Bc6 17. Bxd5 Bxd5 18. Nxf6+ Qxf6 19. Bf4 $18) 17. Rc3 $3
Nxc3 (17... Bxe5 18. dxe5 g6 19. Bg5 $18) 18. bxc3 Rc8 19. Nxf6+ Qxf6 20. Bg5
Qf5 21. cxb4 $18) 14... Bd7 15. Nxd5 (15. Bd2 $14) 15... Nxd5 16. Bxd5 exd5 17.
Nxd7 Qxd7 18. Bf4 Rbc8 19. Qb3 a6 20. h3 $11 {Lalic,B (2495)-Postny,E (2651)1/
2 (41) Sibenik 2009}) 14. Ne4 Be7 15. Nc3 Bf6 16. Bb3 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 (17. fxe3
Bd7 18. Qxb7 $6 Bxe5 19. Qxb4 Qh4 $40) 17... Qb6 18. Rfd1 Bxe5 $6 (18... Nc6
19. Nxc6 bxc6 20. Ne4 Be7 $132) 19. Qxe5 Bd7 20. a5 Qa6 21. Ra1 Rac8 22. d5 $14
{Postny,E (2651)-Sedlak,N (2556) 1-0 (49) Achaea 2012}) (11... Nd5 {I don't
like this move, because it leads to passive positions where White has a small
advantage.} 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Bd3 g6 14. a5 (14. Bb5 $5 Bd7 15. Qb3 a6 16. Bxc6
Bxc6 17. Rfc1 Rb8 18. Bf4 Bg5 19. Bxg5 Qxg5 20. Rc5 $16 {Ulibin,M (2516)
-Bruzon Batista,L (2641)1-0 (34) La Laguna 2010}) (14. Rc1 $5 Nb4 15. Bb1)
14... Bf6 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Qc1 Bd7 17. Qc3 Qb8 18. g3 Be7 19. Bf4 Bb4 20. Bxb8
Bxc3 21. Bxa7 Bxb2 22. Bc5 Bxa1 23. Rxa1 $44 {1/2 (42) Aronian,L (2737)-Anand,
V (2798) Bilbao 2008; the position is rather drawish.}) 12. Nxd7 (12. Qf3 Rc8
13. Bb3 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Bc6 15. Qg3 (15. Qe2 $5 Nd5 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. Rfd1 $14)
15... Ne4 16. Nxe4 Bxe4 17. Rad1 Qc7 18. Bxa7 $6 b6 $17 {Postny,E (2658)
-Rublevsky,S (2702) 0-1 (44) World Blitz Championship Berlin GER 2015}) (12.
Qe2 Nb4 13. Rad1 Bc6 {see the game Aronian,L-Ponomariov,R}) 12... Qxd7 13. d5
exd5 14. Nxd5 Rad8 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Qxd7 Rxd7 17. Rad1 Rfd8 18. Rxd7 Rxd7 19.
Bb5 (19. b4 Nxb4 20. Bb5 Rd8 21. Bxa7 Bd4 $11 {Corrales Jimenez, F (2496)
-Perez Garcia,R (2385)1/2 (52) Havana 2006}) 19... a6 {1/2 (19) Vitiugov,N 
(2608)-Kobalia,M (2634) Krasnoyarsk 2007}) 11... Nb4 (11... b6 12. Rad1 Nb4 13.
Ne5 Bb7 (13... Nfd5 14. Bc1 $6 {I don't understand this move. Black doesn't
want to take on e3} (14. Qg4 $5 Nxe3 $2 (14... Nf6 15. Qf3 Rb8 16. Qg3 Nh5 17.
Qh3 Nf6 18. Bb3 Bb7 19. f4 Nbd5 20. Bc1 $14) 15. fxe3 Bf6 (15... Bb7 $2 16.
Nxf7 $18) 16. Ne4 Bxe5 17. dxe5 Qc7 18. Nf6+ Kh8 19. Qh4 h6 20. Qe4 g6 21. Qf4
Kg7 22. Ng4 $18) 14... Bb7 15. f4 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Nd5 17. Rf3 Rc8 18. Rh3 g6 19.
Bxd5 (19. Bd2 Bf6 20. Bb3 $13) 19... Qxd5 20. c4 Qd8 $6 (20... Qd6 21. Ba3 Qc7
$11) 21. d5 (21. Bb2 $5 f6 22. Ng4 $40) 21... exd5 22. cxd5 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Qxd5
$44 {Jankovic,A (2553)-Kobalia,M (2666)0-1 (54) Plovdiv 2012}) 14. f4 Bd5 15.
Nxd5 exd5 16. Bb3 Ne4 17. Qh5 Rc8 18. Rc1 Bf6 19. Qh3 Rxc1 20. Rxc1 Bxe5 (20...
Re8 $5) 21. fxe5 f5 22. Rf1 $14 {Ponomariov,R (2744)-Shirov,A (2722) 1/2 (71)
Wijk aan Zee 2011}) 12. Ne5 Bd7 13. Rad1 Nbd5 $146 {In other games Black
played 13...Bc6 with the idea to face f4 with ...Bd5.} (13... Bc6 14. f4 Bd5
15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Bb3 Rc8 17. Rf3 (17. Bd2 Re8 18. Bc3 Qb6 19. Kh1 Nc6 20. Qc2
Na5 21. Ba2 Nc4 22. Rf3 Bd6 23. Rh3 h6 24. Rf1 Bxe5 (24... Rc7 $5 25. g4 Bxe5
26. fxe5 Ne4) 25. fxe5 Ne4 26. Qe2 $14 {Aronian,L (2786)-Ponomariov,R (2739) 1/
2 (74)Moscow 2009}) 17... Rc7 18. Rh3 Qc8 19. Bd2 Re8 20. Rf1 Nc6 21. Bxd5 Nxd5
22. Qh5 Bf6 (22... Bh4 $8 23. Qxh4 Qf5 $44) 23. Qxh7+ Kf8 24. Qe4 Bxe5 25. fxe5
$16 {Debashis,D (2504)-Balogh,C (2656)1/2 (66) Dubai 2014}) 14. Bc1 $5 Bc6 {
Peter didn't dare to take on a4 but in any case his position remains dangerous.
I think that objectievely Black should have gained a pawn.} (14... Nxc3 15.
bxc3 Bxa4 16. Rd3 b5 17. Ba2 ({White can't play} 17. Nc6 $2 {due to} bxc4 $1
18. Nxd8 cxd3 19. Qa2 Bc2 20. Nc6 Bd6 $17 {d3-pawn is too strong.}) 17... b4
18. c4 a5 {The position which has arisen is reminiscent of the Noteboom
Variation.} 19. Bb1 {Here Black has many options and I hope that my brief
analysis will help you to wade through the innumerable details.} g6 {I believe
it is the strongest move for Black. Black is ready to play ...Nd7.} (19... Rc8
$6 20. Rh3 Qxd4 (20... g6 21. Qe3 Re8 22. Re1 $1 {After this move Black is in
danger.} (22. Nxg6 {This looks dangerous but it isn't the strongest move.} fxg6
23. Qxe6+ Kh8 24. Bxg6 Bf8 25. Bxe8 Bxe8 26. Bg5 Bg7 27. Rf3 Rc6 28. Qe5 a4 29.
d5 Ra6 30. Rd1 b3 31. d6 Nd7 $8 32. Qe3 Qc8 33. Bh6 Bxh6 34. Qxh6 Bg6 35. c5 b2
36. Qd2 a3 (36... b1=Q 37. Rxb1 Bxb1 38. Qd4+ Kg8 39. Re3 $18) 37. Qd4+ Kg8 38.
Qc4+ Kg7 39. Qd4+ $11) 22... Rc7 (22... Bf8 23. Qf3 Bg7 24. Bg5 $18) 23. Nxf7
Kxf7 24. Qxe6+ Kg7 25. Bxg6 $1 Rf8 26. Bxh7 $1 $18) 21. Bb2 Qc5 22. g4 $1 (22.
Nd7 $4 Bxd7 23. Bxf6 g6 $1 $19) (22. Nd3 Qxc4 23. Bxf6 Bxf6 24. Ne5 Qxe2 25.
Bxh7+ Kh8 26. Bg6+ $11) 22... g6 23. g5 Nd7 24. Nxg6 fxg6 25. Qxe6+ Rf7 26.
Rxh7 Qxg5+ 27. Kh1 Kxh7 28. Qxf7+ Kh6 29. Qg7+ Kh5 30. Qh7+ Kg4 31. Rg1+ $18) (
19... Ra6 {As you can see, in numerous lines White can sacrifice the knight or
bishop on f7 or g6, so Black protects the e6-pawn. Another idea of 19...Ra6 is
to play ...Rd6 and strengthen the pressure on d4.} 20. Bb2 Rd6 (20... g6 21.
Rh3 h5 22. Bxg6 fxg6 23. Nxg6 Be8 24. Nxf8 Bxf8 25. Rg3+ Bg7 26. d5 $40) 21.
Re1 Be8 22. Rh3 h5 {This computer move is the only way to survive.} (22... g6
$2 23. Qe3 a4 24. Qh6 a3 25. Ng4 $18) 23. Qd2 $1 (23. Qe3 Ng4 24. Nxg4 hxg4 25.
Bh7+ Kh8 26. Bd3+ Kg8 $11) 23... Ng4 24. d5 f5 25. Nxg4 hxg4 26. Rh8+ Kf7 $8 (
26... Kxh8 27. Qh6+ Kg8 28. Qxg7#) 27. Qd4 (27. Bxg7 Rxh8 28. Bxh8 Bf6 29. Qh6
Bxh8 30. Qxh8 Qf6 31. Qh7+ Kf8 32. Qc7 Qd8 33. Qh7 Qf6 $11) 27... Bf6 28. Qa7+
Qd7 29. Rxf8+ Kxf8 30. Qc5 $1 Bf7 31. Bxf6 gxf6 32. Qxa5 b3 33. Qb4 $14) (19...
Be8 $6 {trying to push pawns. It's too slow.} 20. Rh3 g6 (20... a4 $4 21. Bxh7+
Nxh7 22. Qh5 $18) 21. Qe3 h5 (21... Kh8 22. Bb2 a4 23. Qh6 Rg8 $8 24. d5 Rg7
25. dxe6 fxe6 26. Bxg6 $18) 22. Qh6 Bd6 23. Bg5 $2 (23. f3 Bxe5 24. dxe5 Qd4+
25. Be3 (25. Rf2 Qd1+ 26. Rf1 Qd4+ 27. Rf2 $11) 25... Qxe5 26. Rd1 Qc7 27. g4
Rd8 28. Rxd8 Qxd8 29. Kg2 $1 Qd1 30. Bc5 Qe2+ 31. Kg1 Qe1+ $11) (23. Bxg6 $1
fxg6 (23... Bxe5 24. Bh7+ Nxh7 25. Rxh5 $18) 24. Nxg6 Nh7 25. Nxf8 Nxf8 26. c5
Bb8 27. d5 $1 Be5 28. Rg3+ Bxg3 29. fxg3 $18) 23... Bxe5 24. dxe5 Ng4 $17) 20.
Bh6 (20. Qe3 $6 Ra6 21. Re1 Rd6 22. Bb2 Nh5 23. g3 Bf6 $17) (20. Re1 $6 Nd7 21.
Bh6 Nxe5 22. Qxe5 Bf6 23. Qf4 Bh8 $5 (23... Bg7 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. Rh3 h5 26.
Rxh5 gxh5 27. Qg3+ Kf6 $8 28. Qh4+ Kg7 29. Qg3+ $11) 24. Bxf8 Qxf8 25. h4 Bd7
26. h5 Bg7 $44) 20... Be8 21. h4 a4 22. h5 Nxh5 23. Qxh5 (23. d5 exd5 24. Rxd5
Qc7 25. Nd7 Bxd7 26. Qxe7 Rfe8 27. Qxd7 Qxd7 28. Rxd7 b3 29. Rb7 a3 $11) 23...
gxh5 24. Rg3+ Bg5 $8 25. Bxg5 Kh8 $1 26. Bxd8 Rxd8 $13) 15. Rd3 Nxc3 {Usualy
Black doesn't want to take on c3 but other continuations are dangerous.} (15...
Rc8 16. Rg3 g6 (16... Kh8 17. Rh3 Kg8 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Bd3 g6 20. Qe3 $16) 17.
Bh6 Re8 18. h4 Bf8 19. Bg5 Qd6 20. Bxd5 $1 Nxd5 21. Qf3 f5 (21... Rc7 22. Ne4
Qb4 23. h5 $16) 22. Qe2 Bg7 23. h5 $40) (15... Nd7 16. Bxd5 exd5 17. Rh3 g6 18.
Qe3 $16) (15... Qb6 16. Rg3 Kh8 17. Rd1 Nxc3 18. bxc3 Bxa4 19. Re1 Rac8 20. Rh3
$16 {White's attack is very dangerous.}) 16. bxc3 Bd5 17. Rg3 Bxc4 ({Another
way is} 17... Ne4 $5 {aiming to trade minor pieces.} 18. Rh3 Bxc4 (18... Ng5
19. Bxg5 Bxg5 20. Bxd5 Qxd5 (20... exd5 $2 21. f4 Bf6 22. Qh5 h6 23. Ng4 Qd6
24. Rg3 Kh8 25. Nxf6 Qxf6 26. Qxd5 $16) 21. Rh5 Qd8 22. Qb5 (22. Qg4 $5 h6 23.
f4 Bf6 24. Rxh6 Rc8 25. Rxf6 Qxf6 26. Nd7 Qe7 27. Nxf8 Kxf8 $44) 22... f6 23.
Nf3 Rc8 24. Qxb7 Qe8 25. Rh3 Bh6 26. Qxa7 Rxc3 {Black has good chances to make
a draw.}) 19. Nxc4 Qd5 20. Ne5 f5 21. Re1 Rf6 22. Rd3 $16) 18. Nxc4 g6 {
Peter doesn't want to include Bh6 Re8. Now if White plays Ne5 Black can reply .
..Nd7 and if White plays Bh6 he will meet it with ...Re8, Bf8.} ({The other
option is} 18... Qd5 $5 19. Bh6 (19. Ne5 Rac8 20. Bh6 Ne8 21. Rd1 $1 (21. Re1
Rc7 22. Qe3 Qb3 23. Bf4 (23. Bxg7 $2 Nxg7 24. Qh6 Bg5 $8 25. Qxg5 f6 $17) 23...
Bd6 $11) 21... Qb3 (21... Rc7 22. c4 Qd8 23. Bf4 Bd6 24. Rb3 b6 25. a5 $16) 22.
Nd7 Qxa4 23. Nxf8 Bxf8 24. Bd2 $14) 19... Ne8 20. Ne5 Bf6 $6 (20... Rc8 {
see the line Ne5}) 21. f4 Kh8 22. Bg5 Bxe5 23. fxe5 $16) 19. Ne5 Nd7 20. Bh6
Re8 21. f4 $1 {The forthcoming f5 is really unpleasant for Black so his next
moves are forced.} Bf8 22. Bg5 Be7 23. Ng4 h5 $5 {Other options aren't very
exciting for Black.} (23... Rc8 24. Nh6+ Kg7 25. f5 $3 Bxg5 (25... exf5 26.
Bxe7 Rxe7 27. Nxf5+ $18) 26. fxg6 f5 $8 (26... Kxh6 27. Rh3+ Bh4 28. gxf7 Rf8
29. Qg4 $18) 27. Nf7 Qe7 28. Nxg5 hxg6 29. Nh3 Rc6 30. Qb5 $16) (23... Bxg5 $2
24. fxg5 Qxg5 25. Ne5 Qd8 26. Nxf7 Qb6 27. Qg4 $18) 24. Bxe7 $6 {Despite the
fact, that his position remains better, Levon missed his chance.} (24. Nh6+ Kg7
25. h4 $1 ({White doesn't have much after} 25. Bxe7 Qxe7 26. Qxh5 Rh8 27. Qg5
Nf6 28. Ng4 Rh5 29. Qxf6+ Qxf6 30. Nxf6 Kxf6 $44 {Black has good chances to
draw}) 25... Qc7 26. Re3 Qd8 (26... Nf6 27. f5 $1 exf5 (27... gxf5 {leads to
the same consequence after} 28. Rxf5 $1) 28. Rxf5 gxf5 29. Nxf5+ Kf8 30. Bh6+
Kg8 31. Nxe7+ Kh7 32. Qf1 Qb6 33. a5 Qa6 34. Qf5+ Kxh6 35. Qg5+ Kh7 36. Nf5 $18
) 27. Nxf7 Kxf7 28. Rxe6 Bf6 29. f5 gxf5 30. Qxh5+ Kxe6 31. Re1+ Ne5 $8 (31...
Kd6 32. Bf4+ Kc6 33. Qf3+ Re4 34. Rxe4 fxe4 35. Qxe4+ Kb6 36. Qb1+ Kc6 37. Qb5#
) 32. Rxe5+ Bxe5 33. Bxd8 Raxd8 34. dxe5 $16) 24... Qxe7 25. Ne5 Kh7 26. Qc2
Rg8 $1 {Black shouldn't trade knights on e5} (26... Nxe5 $6 27. fxe5 Rac8 28.
Rf6 $16) 27. Rg5 Kh8 28. Rf3 $6 {Carelessness. Now Black can take on e5 and
White is not able to play fxe5.} (28. Qd2 $1 {Keeping control over the
g5-square.} Rg7 (28... Kh7 29. f5 exf5 30. Rfxf5 Nf6 31. Rf4 Rg7 32. h4 $16) (
28... Rac8 $2 29. f5 exf5 30. Rxh5+) 29. Rg3 Rc8 30. a5 $14) 28... Nxe5 $1 29.
Rxe5 Qd6 $11 {Now Black can exert pressure on White's weaknesses.} 30. Qd2 Kg7
31. Rg3 Rh8 32. Qb2 ({White could have tried} 32. d5 exd5 33. Rxd5 Qb6+ 34.
Qd4+ Qxd4+ 35. Rxd4 {with a slightly worse but drawish endgame}) 32... Rac8 $1
({Peter avoids} 32... b6 $6 33. c4 $1 Rac8 34. c5 Qc6 35. Rxh5 (35. a5 $5)
35... Qe4 (35... Qxa4 $2 36. d5+ f6 37. Qb1 $1 $16) 36. Re5 Qxf4 $11) 33. Qxb7
Rb8 ({Black shouldn't play} 33... Qa3 $2 {due to} 34. Rxe6 Qc1+ 35. Kf2 Qxf4+ (
35... Qd2+ 36. Re2 Qxf4+ 37. Rf3 Rc7 38. Rxf4 Rxb7 39. d5 $18) 36. Rf3 Rc7 $8
37. Rxf4 Rxb7 38. Rc6 $16) 34. Qe4 (34. Qxa7 $2 {is too greedy due to} Rb1+ 35.
Kf2 Rb2+ 36. Kf1 Rhb8 $17) 34... Rhc8 $6 {An inaccuracy which may lead to
problems.} (34... Qa3 $1 35. Qe1 Qxa4 36. Rxe6 fxe6 37. Rxg6+ Kxg6 38. Qxe6+
Kg7 39. Qe7+ Kg8 40. Qe6+ Kf8 41. Qf6+ $11) 35. Rb5 $6 (35. Rxg6+ {leads to a
draw due to} fxg6 36. Rxe6 Rb1+ 37. Kf2 Rb2+ 38. Kg1 $11) ({However White
could have prepared Rxg6 by means of} 35. h3 $1 Qc6 (35... Rb3 $2 36. Rxg6+
fxg6 37. Rxe6 Rb1+ 38. Kh2 $1 $18) (35... Kf8 $2 36. Rxg6 fxg6 37. Qxg6 Ke7 38.
d5 $18) (35... Rb6 $6 36. a5 Rbc6 37. Reg5 Rxc3 38. Rxg6+ Kf8 $8 39. Rg8+ Ke7)
36. d5 exd5 37. Rxd5 Qf6 38. Rxh5 Rxc3 39. Rxc3 Qxc3 40. Qe5+ Qxe5 41. Rxe5 Rb4
42. Ra5 Rxf4 43. Rxa7 $14 {The endgame which has arisen is drawish.}) 35...
Rxb5 36. axb5 Qa3 $44 {White must now play precisely.} 37. Qc2 $6 (37. Rxg6+ {
leads to a draw:} fxg6 38. Qb7+ Kh6 39. Qxc8 Qc1+ 40. Kf2 Qxf4+ 41. Ke2 Qe4+
$11) 37... Rb8 38. Qe2 $2 {Now White is in trouble.} Qc1+ 39. Kf2 (39. Qf1 Qb2
40. f5 exf5 41. Qxf5 Rxb5 42. Qf1 Rb7 43. Rf3 a5 {Black is slightly better but
the most likely result of the game is a draw}) 39... Qxf4+ 40. Kg1 Qc1+ 41. Kf2
Qf4+ 42. Kg1 Kg8 $1 $17 {Certainly Svidler wants to continue the game.} 43. Qb2
$6 (43. Rf3 $1 Qc1+ 44. Qf1 Qxf1+ 45. Rxf1 (45. Kxf1 Rxb5 46. c4 Rf5 $19) 45...
Rxb5 46. Ra1 Rb7 47. c4 Rd7 48. Rd1 $17 {White retains chances to draw.}) 43...
a6 $1 44. c4 $6 (44. b6 Qd6 45. b7 Qc6 $19 {gaining the b7-pawn.}) (44. Rf3 $1
Qc7 45. Qa1 Rxb5 46. Qxa6 Rb1+ 47. Rf1 (47. Kf2 Qxh2 $19) 47... Rxf1+ 48. Kxf1
Qxc3 49. Qa8+ Kg7 50. Qe4 $17 {with some chances to make a draw.}) 44... axb5
$19 45. c5 (45. cxb5 Rc8 $1 46. Rf3 Rc1+ 47. Kf2 Qh4+ 48. Rg3 Rd1 49. b6 (49.
Qc3 Qxh2 50. Ke2 Qg1 $19) 49... Qxh2 50. b7 Qg1+ 51. Kf3 Qf1+ 52. Qf2 Qd3+ 53.
Kf4 Qf5+ 54. Ke3 Rd3+ 55. Ke2 Rd2+ 56. Kxd2 Qxf2+ 57. Kc1 Qxg3 $19) 45... Qe4
46. Qd2 {Now the game is over. 46.Rf3 is more stubborn but it can't help
either.} (46. Rf3 b4 47. Rf1 b3 48. h3 Rb4 49. Rd1 Qe3+ 50. Kh2 Ra4 51. Qd2 Qe4
52. Qd3 Qf4+ 53. Qg3 Rxd4 $19) 46... Qb1+ 47. Kf2 Ra8 48. Qe1 Qb2+ 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.25"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah/CB Website"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Nc3
d6 9. a3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 (11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. b4 {was played by the same
players in Sinquefield Cup 2014.}) 11... Bxa2 12. Rxa2 Nc6 13. Bg5 {Until now
we are following the game Anand-Aronian and Dominguez-Tomashevsky but now
Aronian deviates.} Nd7 14. Be3 Nf6 15. Qb1 {Angling for a4.} d5 16. Bg5 d4 17.
Bxf6 dxc3 $5 {This was an interesting pawn sacrifice. Caruana didn't think too
highly of this move at first but later realised that it was tricky. He
commended his opponent for his play after the game.} (17... Bxf6 18. Nd5 a5 {
was a normal way to continue.}) 18. Bxe5 Nxe5 19. Nxe5 Qd6 20. Ng4 $5 (20. Nf3
$5 a5 21. Ra1 $14) (20. f4 {was what Aronian thought was the most natural move.
} Bf6 21. Kh1 Bxe5 22. fxe5 Qxe5 23. Rf5 Qd6 24. Ra1 {Black has regained the
pawn but White has much better structure and stands better.}) 20... a5 21. Ne3
c6 22. a4 $5 (22. Nf5 Qe6 23. Nxe7+ Qxe7 24. Ra1 {Would not be sufficient
compensation for Black for the pawn as after} axb4 25. Qxb4 $1 $16 {There is
no way to regain the pawn.}) 22... axb4 23. axb5 cxb5 24. Nd5 Rfb8 25. Nxe7+ $2
{A pretty poor move which reduces all of White's advantage. It was better to
keep the knight on d5 as it is not possible to dislodge it from there.} (25.
Rxa8 Rxa8 26. d4) 25... Qxe7 26. Qb3 h5 (26... Ra3 27. Rxa3 bxa3 28. Ra1 b4 29.
Rxa3 bxa3 30. Qxb8+ Qf8 31. Qb7 g6 $11) 27. Rfa1 Rxa2 28. Qxa2 Qc5 29. Rb1 Rd8
30. h3 g6 31. Qb3 Rd4 {The position is round about equal.} 32. Re1 Qa7 33. Kf1
{This plan of centralizing the king looks pretty dubious. Maybe it was better
to just stay put. The position is equal.} Kg7 34. Ke2 h4 35. Rd1 Qa5 36. Rb1
Qa6 37. Kf1 Qd6 38. Ra1 $2 {A careless move by Caruana. Aronian had a winning
move here, which could have been of the most brilliant combinations of the
entire tournament!} (38. Re1 $11) 38... Qc5 $2 (38... Rxd3 $3 {Unbelievable as
it may seem, this rook sacrifice is made not for an immediate finish but to
clear the path for the queenside pawns which just cannot be stopped!} 39. cxd3
Qxd3+ 40. Ke1 (40. Kg1 $2 Qc4 $3 $19 {And the pawns are just cruising with
b3-c2 etc.}) 40... Qxe4+ 41. Kf1 (41. Kd1 c2+ $1 42. Qxc2 Qd4+ $19) 41... Qd3+
42. Ke1 Qd2+ 43. Kf1 c2 44. Qb2+ Kh7 {The king is safe here and now the next
threat is b3, b4 followed by Qc3!} 45. Kg1 b3 46. Rf1 (46. Kh2 Qf4+ 47. Kg1 b4
$19) (46. Qxb3 c1=Q+) 46... Qf4 $19 (46... b4 $2 47. Qxb3 c1=Q 48. Qxf7+ $11))
39. Rb1 Qa7 40. Ke2 g5 $6 {This move weakens the kingside a bit and it was
quite a drastic decision to make especially on the 40th move.} 41. Rg1 Qd7 42.
Ra1 Qe7 43. Ra6 Qc7 44. Ra8 Qf4 45. Ra1 g4 (45... Rxd3 {is similar to the
previous Rxd3 variation. The only difference is that the pawn is on g5 and
this is the thing which allows White to hold.} 46. cxd3 Qd2+ 47. Kf1 Qxd3+ 48.
Kg1 Qc4 49. Qd1 c2 50. Qc1 $1 {Attacking the g5 pawn. This is the crucial
tempo.} (50. Qh5 c1=Q+) 50... Kh6 (50... f6 51. e5 $1) (50... Kg6 51. Ra6+ Kh5
52. g4+ hxg3 53. fxg3 Qe2 54. Qb2 (54. g4+ Kh4 55. Rh6+ Kg3 $19) 54... Qe1+ 55.
Kg2 Qe2+ $11) 51. Qb2 $11) 46. hxg4 Qxg4+ 47. Ke3 (47. Kf1 h3 48. gxh3 Qxh3+
49. Ke2 Qg4+ 50. Ke3 Rd6 51. Qxb4 Rf6 $2 (51... Qh3+ $11) 52. Kd4 $1 $18) 47...
Rd6 48. Qxb4 Qg5+ 49. Ke2 Rf6 $1 (49... Qd2+ 50. Kf1 Rf6 51. Qc5 $11) 50. Qxc3
Qxg2 51. Qd4 h3 (51... Qf3+ 52. Ke1 (52. Kd2 h3) 52... h3 {forces White to be
extremely accurate.} 53. e5 Re6 54. Qe4 Qxe4+ 55. dxe4 Rxe5 56. Kf1 Rxe4 57.
Kg1 {With a probable draw.}) 52. Qe3 Qg4+ 53. Kd2 (53. f3 Qg2+ 54. Qf2 Rg6 55.
Qxg2 Rxg2+ 56. Kf1 Rxc2 57. Kg1 $11) 53... Qg2 54. Ke2 Qg4+ 55. Kd2 h2 56. Rh1
Qg2 57. Qg3+ Qxg3 58. fxg3 Rf2+ 59. Kc3 {This is a complicated endgame.
Although the evaluation is equal, White is the one who has to be careful. He
must create counterplay before the Black king reaches to g3.} Kf6 60. d4 Kg5 (
60... Rg2 61. Kb4 Rxc2 62. Kxb5 $11) 61. d5 Kf6 (61... Kg4 62. d6 Kxg3 63. d7
$18) 62. g4 Ke5 63. g5 b4+ 64. Kxb4 Rxc2 65. Kb5 Kd6 66. Kb4 Ke5 67. Kb5 {
No improvement can be made and the game ends in a draw. A very interesting
battle.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.27"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "202"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 {Against Svidler in this same
tournament Karjakin had played 4...Bb4. This time he goes for the reversed
Sicilian Dragon.} 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8. d3 Be6 9. a3 O-O 10.
Be3 {This was already played by Aronian against Jon Ludvig Hammer in Norway
Chess 2015.} (10. b4 {is of course, the natural follow up.}) 10... Qd7 11. b4
f6 12. Ne4 Nd5 13. Bd2 a5 14. Nc5 (14. b5 Nd4 $11 {is completely fine for
Black.}) 14... Bxc5 15. bxc5 a4 16. Rb1 Rfb8 17. Qc2 (17. e4 Nde7 18. Be3 Bb3
19. Qd2 Rd8 {and White isn't able to get the d4-break.}) 17... Nde7 18. Rb2 {
Making a square for the queen on b1.} Bb3 19. Qb1 (19. Rxb3 axb3 20. Qxb3+ Kh8
{is surely not enough compensation.}) 19... Kh8 (19... Nf5 20. e3 Rd8 21. Bh3
Be6 22. Rxb7 Qxd3 23. Rxc7 $14) 20. Rc1 Na7 $1 {Played after a long think. The
knight will be well placed on b5 and the other knight could go to c6. This
Nc6-a7-b5 is a great manoeuvre by Sergey.} 21. Bb4 {The main idea of this move
is to clear the d2-square for the knight on f3.} Nb5 (21... Nec6 22. Nd2 Nd4
23. Nxb3 Nxb3 24. Rc4 c6 25. Rh4 h6 26. Bh3 Qd5 $11 {with a fine position for
Black.}) 22. Nd2 Bf7 $6 {After this move White is able to wrest the initiative
from Black.} (22... Nd4 $1 23. Nxb3 (23. Re1 Bd5 $15) 23... Nxb3 24. Rc4 c6 $11
) 23. e3 $1 {Taking the d4-square under control. Suddenly the knight on b5
looks misplaced. Around this point Aronian was very happy with his position.}
Bg6 (23... c6 {weakens the b6- and d6-squares.} 24. Nc4 $14 {[%cal Gc4b6]}) (
23... Bd5 {neutralising the g2-bishop might well be the best idea in this
position.} 24. c6 bxc6 25. Ne4 $44 {with excellent compensation for White} Bxe4
26. Bxe4 f5 27. Bg2 Nd5 28. Qc2 Ra6 (28... Nxb4 29. Rxb4 Nxa3 30. Rxb8+ Rxb8
31. Qxa4 $16) 29. Qc4 $14) 24. Ne4 Nd5 25. Be1 $1 {Keeping the bishop pair.
But what about the a3-pawn?} Nxa3 $6 (25... c6 {was more solid, but here White
has an interesting exchange sacrifice with} 26. Rxb5 cxb5 27. Nd6 $5 Nc7 28.
Bb4 $44 {White has full compensation for the missing exchange.}) 26. c6 $1 {
Of course this was prepared beforehand by Aronian.} Qe7 $8 (26... Qxc6 27. Qa1
$1 $18) (26... Nxb1 27. cxd7 Na3 28. Nc5 $18) 27. Qa2 bxc6 28. Rxc6 Bf7 29. Rc5
$1 {This move is not so easy to see but is extremely strong. A lot of factors
are at work here and the lining up of the g2-bishop against the a8-rook is one
of the reasons why White is clearly better.} (29. Ng5 fxg5 30. Rxb8+ Rxb8 31.
Bxd5 Be8 $1 $13) (29. Nd6 cxd6 30. Rxb8+ Rxb8 31. Bxd5 Qb7 $1 $17) 29... Nxe3
$6 {This sacrifice looks scary for White} (29... f5 30. Ng5 $1 Qxg5 (30... Bg8
31. Rxb8 Rxb8 32. Qxa3 Rb3 (32... Rb1 33. Bxd5 Rxe1+ 34. Kg2 Bxd5+ 35. Rxd5 $1
$18) 33. Qc1 $18) 31. Bxd5 Bxd5 32. Rxd5 {The knight on a3 is sort of trapped.}
c6 33. Rxb8+ Rxb8 34. Rxe5 Qf6 35. Ra5 $18) (29... Nc3 30. Qxa3 Rxb2 31. Qxb2
Nxe4 32. Bxe4 Qxc5 33. Bxa8 $18) (29... Rxb2 30. Qxb2 $18) (29... Nb5 30. Rbxb5
Rxb5 31. Rxb5 $16) 30. Qxa3 $6 (30. Rxb8+ $1 {was the better move but Aronian
was afraid of} Rxb8 31. Qxa3 Nc2 {This was the move that Levon was afraid of} (
31... Nxg2 32. Kxg2 $16) 32. Qc1 $1 {This move gives White a clearly better
position.} Nxe1 (32... Nd4 33. Rxc7 Qd8 34. Kf1 $16) 33. Rxc7 $1 (33. Qxe1 $6
f5 $1 $11) 33... Qf8 (33... Qd8 34. Rxf7 $18) (33... Qb4 34. Rxf7 Nxd3 35. Qc3
Qb1+ 36. Bf1 $18) 34. Qxe1 a3 35. Qa1 a2 36. Nc3 $18) 30... Rxb2 31. Qxb2 Nxg2
32. Kxg2 a3 33. Qb7 Qd8 34. Qxc7 Qxc7 (34... a2 35. Qxd8+ Rxd8 36. Ra5 Rxd3 37.
Ra8+ Bg8 38. Nc3 Rd8 39. Ra5 h6 40. Nxa2 $16) (34... Qxd3 35. Nxf6 $1 (35. Qxf7
Qxe4+ 36. Kf1 a2 37. Ra5 a1=Q 38. Rxa1 Qh1+ 39. Ke2 Qe4+ $11) (35. Nd6 Bd5+ 36.
Kg1 h6 $1 $19 (36... Qd1 $2 37. Qc8+ Rxc8 38. Rxc8+ Bg8 39. Nf7#)) 35... gxf6
36. Qxf7 $18) 35. Rxc7 Bd5 (35... a2 36. Bc3 Bd5 {transposes.}) 36. Rc5 (36.
Kh3 a2 37. Bc3 a1=Q 38. Bxa1 Rxa1 39. Rc8+ Bg8 $11) 36... a2 37. Bc3 Bg8 {
At first sight it may seem that the position is just winning for White as he
has extra piece against the pawn. However, it is not true. Black has some
defensive chances this because the a2-pawn is just too strong.} 38. Ba1 Rb8 39.
Ra5 $6 (39. Rc1 Rb1 40. Rf1 Rb3 (40... Bd5 41. f3 Rb3 42. Nc3 $16) 41. Nc3 $16
{and White is able to preserve the d3-pawn which makes a huge difference as
compared to the game.}) 39... Rb1 40. Bc3 Rd1 $1 {And this is the huge
difference. White loses the d3-pawn and Black is able to defend this position.}
41. Kf3 Rxd3+ {Now Black's defensive chances have improved by leaps and bounds
as he has two pawns.} 42. Ke2 Rd8 43. f4 {Aronian was pinning his hopes on
this move.} Bc4+ 44. Kf2 exf4 45. gxf4 Kg8 46. Nd2 Bf7 47. Ke3 h5 48. f5 Rc8
49. Ne4 Bd5 50. Rc5 (50. Rxd5 Rxc3+ $19) 50... Rd8 51. Nd2 Bf7 52. Ra5 Rc8 53.
Ne4 Bd5 54. Nc5 Re8+ 55. Kd3 Rd8 56. Bd4 Re8 57. Kd2 Ra8 $1 58. Rxa8+ Bxa8 {
After the rook exchange the position is drawn because while White is busy
winning the a2-pawn, his f5-pawn would fall.} 59. Ke3 Kh7 60. Kf4 Kh6 61. Ne6
Kh7 62. Nf8+ Kg8 63. Ng6 Kf7 64. Ke3 Bc6 65. Bb2 Bd7 66. Ke4 Bc6+ 67. Kd4 Bd7
68. Nh4 Ba4 69. Ng2 Bc2 70. Ne3 Bb1 71. Kc3 Kg8 72. Nc2 Kh7 73. Nd4 Kh6 74.
Bc1+ Kh7 75. Kb2 Kg8 76. Bd2 Kh7 77. Bb4 Kg8 78. Bc3 Kh7 79. Kc1 Kh6 80. h4 Kh7
81. Kd2 Kg8 82. Ke3 Kh7 83. Kf4 Bd3 84. Nc6 Kg8 85. Nb4 Bb1 86. Na6 Kf7 87. Nc5
Bc2 88. Ne4 Bd1 89. Ng3 Kg8 90. Ke3 Bc2 91. Bb2 Kh7 92. Kf4 Bd1 93. Ne4 Bc2 94.
Nd6 Kg8 95. Ke3 Kf8 96. Kd4 Ke7 97. Kc5 Kd7 98. Bc3 Bd3 99. Kd5 Bc2 100. Ne4
Bxe4+ 101. Kxe4 Kd6 {A masterful defensive effort by Karjakin. Aronian was
noticeably depressed after the game. With this draw he had lost his chance to
win the Candidates. "It is like you are in the process of making a beautiful
painting and then you just throw the brush away!"ќ was Aronian's way of
describing how the game went for him.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.28"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2790"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. e3 O-O 7. Qc2 Re8 8. Bd2
a6 9. a3 Bd6 10. h3 h6 11. Rd1 dxc4 12. Bxc4 e5 13. O-O Bd7 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15.
Nxe5 Rxe5 16. f4 Bf5 17. Qb3 Re7 18. Qxb7 Bc2 19. Rc1 Rb8 20. Qxa6 Rxb2 21. Nd1
Rb6 22. Qa5 Bb3 23. Nf2 Qb8 24. Bxb3 Rxb3 25. a4 Qb7 26. Qf5 Bb4 27. Bxb4 Qxb4
28. e4 Nxe4 29. Nxe4 Qxe4 30. Qxe4 Rxe4 31. Rxc7 Rxa4 32. Kh2 Rb2 33. Rf3
1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com gf blitz 5m+2spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B91"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nf3 a6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nf6 8. h3
O-O 9. O-O Nc6 10. Be3 Bd7 11. Nd5 Rc8 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Nxf6+ Bxf6 14. c3 c5
15. Qc2 Qa5 16. h4 Rb8 17. Bg5 Bxg5 18. hxg5 c4 19. f4 Rb6 20. Kh2 Rfb8 21. b4
cxb3 22. axb3 Qc5 23. Rfb1 a5 24. Rb2 Be6 25. Rab1 Rc8 26. c4 Rcb8 27. Bh3 Bxh3
28. Kxh3 Qe3 29. Kg2 Rb4 30. Qe2 Qxe2+ 31. Rxe2 a4 32. e5 Rxb3 33. Ra1 Rb2 34.
Rxb2 Rxb2+ 35. Kf3 Rb4 36. exd6 exd6 37. Ke4 Rxc4+ 38. Kd5 Rc5+ 39. Kxd6 Ra5
40. Ra3 Kg7 41. Kc6 h6 42. Kb6 Ra8 43. Kb7 Re8 44. Rxa4 hxg5 45. fxg5 Re3 46.
Rg4 f5 47. gxf6+ Kxf6 48. Kc6 g5 49. Rc4 Rxg3 50. Rc5 Rd3 51. Kb5 Kg6 52. Kc4
Rd8 53. Rc7 Kf5 54. Rf7+ Ke4 55. Kc3 g4 0-1

[Event "chess.com gf blitz 5m+2spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D36"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 O-O 8. Qc2
a6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bd3 c6 11. O-O Nh5 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Rfe1 Re8 14. e4 dxe4
15. Rxe4 Qf8 16. Rxe8 Qxe8 17. Re1 Qd8 18. d5 Nhf6 19. dxc6 bxc6 20. Ne4 Qc7
21. Bc4 Bb7 22. Nxf6+ Nxf6 23. Ne5 Re8 24. Qc3 Re7 25. Nd3 Nd5 26. Bxd5 cxd5
27. Qxc7 Rxc7 28. Rc1 Re7 29. f3 f6 30. Kf2 Kf7 31. Re1 d4 32. Rxe7+ Kxe7 33.
Nc5 Bc8 34. Nb3 Be6 35. Nxd4 Bxa2 36. Nf5+ Kf7 37. Ke3 Bb1 38. Nd4 Ke7 39. Nb3
Kd6 40. Kd4 Bf5 41. Na5 Bd7 42. h4 g5 43. g3 Bb5 44. Nb3 Be2 45. Nd2 Ke6 46.
Ke3 Bb5 47. hxg5 fxg5 48. f4 Kf5 49. fxg5 hxg5 50. Nf3 Kg4 51. b4 Ba4 52. Kf2
Bb3 53. Nd4 Bd5 54. Ne2 Kf5 55. Ke3 Ke5 56. Nc3 Bc6 57. Kd3 Bd7 58. Ke3 Bc6 59.
Kd3 Bd7 60. Ke3 Bc6 61. Kd3 Bd7 62. Ke3 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com gf blitz 5m+2spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. h3 c5 7. dxc5 Ne4 8. Nxe4
dxe4 9. Qxd8 Rxd8 10. Nd4 e5 11. Bg5 f6 12. Nb5 Na6 13. Bc4+ Kf8 14. Bh4 Nxc5
15. Nc3 g5 16. Bg3 f5 17. f3 exf3 18. gxf3 Be6 19. Bxe6 Nxe6 20. h4 h6 21. hxg5
hxg5 22. a4 Rac8 23. a5 e4 24. O-O Bxc3 25. bxc3 Rxc3 26. fxe4 f4 27. Bf2 Ke7
28. exf4 gxf4 29. Bh4+ Ke8 30. Bxd8 Kxd8 31. Rab1 Kc7 32. Rb5 Nd4 33. Rd5 Rg3+
34. Kh2 Nf3+ 35. Kh1 Rh3+ 36. Kg2 Rg3+ 37. Kf2 Ng5 38. Ke1 Re3+ 39. Kd1 Nxe4
40. Rd3 Rxd3+ 41. cxd3 Nc3+ 42. Kd2 Nd5 43. d4 b6 44. a6 b5 45. Kd3 Kb6 46. Ke4
Nc3+ 47. Ke5 b4 48. d5 b3 49. d6 b2 50. Ke6 Ne4 51. Rb1 Kc6 52. Rxb2 f3 53.
Rc2+ Nc5+ 54. Ke7 Kd5 55. d7 Nxd7 56. Kxd7 1-0

[Event "chess.com gf blitz 5m+2spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D61"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "267"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 O-O 8. Qc2
c6 9. Rd1 a6 10. c5 Nh5 11. Bxe7 Qxe7 12. Be2 Nhf6 13. O-O e5 14. b4 Re8 15. a4
e4 16. Nd2 Nf8 17. b5 a5 18. Rb1 N6d7 19. Qa2 Qg5 20. Nd1 Ng6 21. f4 exf3 22.
Nxf3 Qd8 23. Bd3 Nh4 24. e4 Nxf3+ 25. Rxf3 dxe4 26. Rxf7 Kh8 27. Bc4 e3 28. Nc3
Nf6 29. Ne2 Re7 30. Rxe7 Qxe7 31. Rf1 Bg4 32. Nf4 Bf5 33. Qe2 Rd8 34. Be6 Be4
35. Qxe3 Qe8 36. Bc4 Rd7 37. bxc6 bxc6 38. d5 Rb7 39. d6 Rb2 40. Bd3 Rb4 41.
Bxe4 Rxe4 42. Qd3 Kg8 43. Nh3 Qe5 44. Nf2 Rd4 45. Qc3 Qd5 46. Qxa5 Rd2 47. h3
Nh5 48. Qd8+ Kh7 49. Qh4 Rd4 50. Ng4 Qxc5 51. Qf2 Qxd6 52. Qf5+ Qg6 53. Qxg6+
Kxg6 54. Ne5+ Kh7 55. Ra1 Nf6 56. a5 Nd7 57. Nxc6 Rc4 58. Ne7 Re4 59. Nd5 Re5
60. Nb4 Rb5 61. Nd3 Rd5 62. Ra3 Nb8 63. Nb4 Rd7 64. a6 Ra7 65. Kf2 Kg6 66. Ke3
Kh5 67. Kd4 Kh4 68. Kc5 Nxa6+ 69. Nxa6 g5 70. Kb6 Re7 71. Nc5 Re2 72. g4 h5 73.
gxh5 Kxh5 74. Nd7 Kh4 75. Kc6 g4 76. hxg4 Kxg4 77. Nf6+ Kf5 78. Nd5 Rc2+ 79.
Kd6 Rd2 80. Rf3+ Ke4 81. Rf4+ Kd3 82. Rh4 Ke2 83. Ke5 Kd3 84. Nf4+ Kc4 85. Rh8
Kb5 86. Nd5 Rg2 87. Ne3 Re2 88. Kd4 Kc6 89. Rh6+ Kd7 90. Nf5 Rd2+ 91. Ke5 Kc7
92. Rh7+ Kb6 93. Nd4 Rg2 94. Rh6+ Kc7 95. Ne6+ Kb7 96. Kd5 Rd2+ 97. Nd4 Kc7 98.
Rc6+ Kd7 99. Ra6 Ke7 100. Ke5 Kf7 101. Nf3 Rf2 102. Ng5+ Kg7 103. Ne4 Rf1 104.
Ng3 Re1+ 105. Kf5 Kf7 106. Ne4 Rf1+ 107. Ke5 Kg7 108. Nd2 Rf2 109. Nc4 Rf1 110.
Ne3 Re1 111. Kf4 Kf7 112. Nd5 Rf1+ 113. Ke4 Re1+ 114. Kf5 Rf1+ 115. Nf4 Ke7
116. Ra2 Kd6 117. Rd2+ Kc5 118. Ke5 Re1+ 119. Ne2 Kc6 120. Rc2+ Kd7 121. Kd5
Rh1 122. Ng3 Rd1+ 123. Ke5 Re1+ 124. Ne4 Kd8 125. Kd5 Kd7 126. Ke5 Kd8 127. Rc4
Kd7 128. Rc3 Kd8 129. Rc2 Kd7 130. Rc4 Re2 131. Kd5 Re1 132. Nc5+ Ke7 133. Re4+
Rxe4 134. Nxe4 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com gf blitz 5m+2spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 e5 5. Nxe5 O-O 6. Nf3 Re8 7. d3 d5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Nxd5 Qxd5 10. Be2 Qd6 11. O-O c5 12. Qc2 Nc6 13. Be3 b6 14. a3 Bg4 15.
Ng5 Be6 16. Nxe6 Qxe6 17. Kh1 Rad8 18. f4 Bd4 19. f5 Qe7 20. Qd2 Bxe3 21. Qxe3
Qe5 22. Rab1 Nd4 23. Qf2 gxf5 24. Bh5 f4 25. Bg4 Ne6 26. Rbd1 Kh8 27. Qh4 Qxb2
28. d4 Ng7 29. Rxf4 Rxd4 30. Rdf1 Rdxe4 31. Rxf7 Rg8 32. h3 Qe5 33. Rxa7 c4 34.
Qh6 Re1 35. Raf7 c3 36. Qc6 Qg3 37. R7f3 Rxf1+ 38. Rxf1 Qe3 39. a4 Qd2 40. Bd1
Re8 41. Bb3 h6 42. Qg6 Re1 43. Qf7 Rxf1+ 44. Qxf1 Qd8 45. Qc4 Nf5 46. Qxc3+ Qd4
47. Qc8+ Kg7 48. Qxf5 Qa1+ 49. Kh2 1-0

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 1m+1spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A09"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 Nf6 2. Bg2 d5 3. Nf3 g6 4. c4 d4 5. b4 Bg7 6. d3 O-O 7. O-O a5 8. b5 Nfd7
9. a4 e5 10. Ba3 Re8 11. Nbd2 c5 12. Ne4 Qe7 13. e3 b6 14. exd4 exd4 15. Re1
Qf8 16. Nfg5 Ra7 17. Nxf7 Qxf7 18. Nd6 Rxe1+ 19. Qxe1 Qf8 20. Qe6+ Kh8 21. Nf7+
Kg8 22. Ng5+ Kh8 23. Nf7+ Kg8 24. Nd6+ Kh8 25. Re1 Rc7 26. Nf7+ Kg8 27. Nd6+
Kh8 28. Nf7+ Kg8 29. Nd6+ Kh8 30. Nf7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 1m+1spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 Nf6 5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. d5 Nb8 8. h3 c6
9. c4 a5 10. Nc3 Na6 11. Bg5 h6 12. Be3 Bd7 13. Qd2 g5 14. Nd4 Nc5 15. Bc2 a4
16. f4 Nh7 17. Kh1 Qa5 18. a3 Qa6 19. fxg5 hxg5 20. Qe2 e6 21. Nf3 g4 22. hxg4
Rae8 23. Bxc5 dxc5 24. d6 e5 25. Nh4 Qa5 26. Nf5 Qd8 27. g3 Qg5 28. Kg2 Re6 29.
Rh1 Rfe8 30. Rh4 Rg6 31. Ne7+ Rxe7 32. dxe7 Qxe7 33. Rd1 Ng5 34. Nxa4 Ne6 35.
Nb6 Qxh4 36. gxh4 Nf4+ 37. Kf2 Nxe2 38. Rxd7 Nd4 39. Bd1 Rf6+ 40. Ke1 Rf4 41.
Rxb7 Rxe4+ 42. Kd2 Rf4 43. Nd7 e4 44. Nxc5 Rf1 45. Nxe4 Ne6 46. g5 Be5 47. Nf6+
Kg7 48. Bh5 Nd8 49. Rd7 Rf2+ 50. Ke3 Rxb2 51. Rxd8 Rh2 1-0

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 1m+1spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 Nf6 2. Bg2 d5 3. Nf3 c6 4. c4 dxc4 5. O-O g6 6. a4 Bg7 7. Na3 Be6 8. Qc2
Qd5 9. Ne1 Qd4 10. e3 Qg4 11. h3 Qf5 12. e4 Qh5 13. g4 Qc5 14. Nd3 Qd6 15. Nxc4
Bxc4 16. Qxc4 Nbd7 17. f4 e5 18. f5 O-O 19. Nf2 Rad8 20. d3 Nc5 21. Be3 Nxd3
22. Qc3 Nxf2 23. Rxf2 Nd7 24. g5 Rfe8 25. Raf1 Kh8 26. h4 f6 27. fxg6 hxg6 28.
Qb3 Nc5 29. Qf7 fxg5 30. Bxc5 Qxc5 31. Qxg6 Rf8 32. Bh3 Rxf2 33. Rxf2 g4 34.
Bxg4 1-0

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 1m+1spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nf3 a6 4. g3 g6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Bg7 7. Bg2 Nf6 8. O-O
O-O 9. h3 Nc6 10. Nde2 Bd7 11. Nd5 Rc8 12. a4 b5 13. axb5 axb5 14. Bd2 Nxd5 15.
exd5 Ne5 16. Ba5 Qe8 17. Bc3 Qd8 18. Bd4 b4 19. f4 Nc4 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Qd4+
Kg8 22. Ra7 Bb5 23. Rf2 Rc7 24. b3 Na3 25. c4 Bxc4 26. bxc4 Rxc4 27. Qe3 Nc2
28. Qb3 Qc8 29. Rxe7 Qc5 30. f5 Ne1 31. Qe3 Rc2 32. Qxc5 dxc5 33. Nf4 b3 34.
Rxe1 1-0

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 1m+1spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "19"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A09"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 d4 4. b4 a5 5. b5 c5 6. Bg2 Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. e3 Bd6
9. d3 O-O 10. Re1 Rb8 11. exd4 exd4 12. Bg5 b6 13. Nbd2 h6 14. Bxf6 Nxf6 15.
Ne5 Bxe5 16. Rxe5 Bg4 17. Qf1 Re8 18. Rae1 Rxe5 19. Rxe5 Qd6 20. Qe1 Kf8 21. h3
Bd7 22. f4 Re8 23. g4 Rxe5 24. fxe5 Qe7 25. Nf3 Ne8 26. Qe4 Bc8 27. Qc6 Qc7 28.
Nd2 Be6 29. Qxc7 Nxc7 30. Kf2 Ke7 31. Bc6 Bd7 32. Be4 Ne6 33. h4 Nf4 34. Kf3 g5
35. hxg5 hxg5 0-1

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 1m+1spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "20"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "154"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Bb5 Bg7 5. O-O d6 6. Re1 Bd7 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8.
d4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nf6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 O-O 12. Qd2 Rc8 13. Rad1 Re8 14. Bxf6
Bxf6 15. Qxh6 Qa5 16. Nb3 Qg5 17. Qxg5 Bxg5 18. Rd3 Bf6 19. Na5 Rb8 20. Nd1 Bb5
21. Rd2 b6 22. Nb3 Rec8 23. c3 a5 24. Ne3 Kf8 25. Nd5 Bg7 26. Nd4 Be8 27. a3 b5
28. Nc2 Rc4 29. f3 Rc6 30. Rf2 Rc5 31. Rd1 Bd7 32. Nf4 Rbc8 33. Nd3 R5c7 34.
Ne3 Be6 35. Nf4 Bb3 36. Re1 Rb7 37. Nd3 Be6 38. h3 Bb3 39. f4 Bc4 40. Nc1 Be6
41. f5 gxf5 42. exf5 Bc4 43. Ne2 b4 44. axb4 axb4 45. Nxc4 Rxc4 46. Rf3 bxc3
47. bxc3 Rb5 48. Nd4 Rbc5 49. Ne2 Bxc3 50. Nxc3 Rxc3 51. Rxc3 Rxc3 52. Kf2 Ra3
53. h4 Ra4 54. g3 Rb4 55. Kf3 Rb7 56. g4 Rb3+ 57. Kf4 Rb4+ 58. Re4 Rb1 59. g5
Rf1+ 60. Kg4 f6 61. g6 e5 62. Ra4 d5 63. Ra8+ Ke7 64. Ra7+ Kd6 65. g7 Rg1+ 66.
Kh5 e4 67. Rf7 Ke5 68. Kh6 Kxf5 69. Kh7 e3 70. Re7 d4 71. g8=Q Rxg8 72. Kxg8
Kg4 73. h5 Kxh5 74. Re4 f5 75. Rxd4 e2 76. Rd5 e1=Q 77. Rxf5+ Kg6 0-1

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 1m+1spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "21"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 c6 4. d4 dxc4 5. Bg2 g6 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Qc2 Nb6 8.
Nbd2 Bg7 9. Rd1 O-O 10. a4 a5 11. e4 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Nxf3 e6 14. Be3 Nfd7
15. Nd2 Qe7 16. Nxc4 Nxc4 17. Qxc4 Ra6 18. d5 cxd5 19. exd5 Nb6 20. Qc5 Qxc5
21. Bxc5 Rc8 22. dxe6 Bxb2 23. e7 Bf6 24. Bxb7 1-0

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 1m+1spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "22"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B24"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 a6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Nge2 Nc6 6. O-O d6 7. d3 e6 8. h3
Nge7 9. Be3 Nd4 10. Qd2 O-O 11. Rae1 Rb8 12. Nc1 b5 13. Nd1 b4 14. c3 bxc3 15.
bxc3 Ndc6 16. Bh6 a5 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. f4 a4 19. Ne3 Qb6 20. Nc4 Qc7 21. g4 f6
22. Ne3 e5 23. f5 g5 24. h4 h6 25. Rf3 Bd7 26. Rh3 Be8 27. Ne2 Bf7 28. d4 cxd4
29. cxd4 Nxd4 30. Nxd4 exd4 31. Qxd4 Qc5 32. Qxc5 dxc5 33. hxg5 hxg5 34. Nd5
Nxd5 35. exd5 Rfe8 36. Rxe8 Rxe8 37. Rc3 Re2 38. a3 Rd2 39. Rxc5 Rd4 40. Bf3
Rd3 41. Kf2 Rxa3 42. Be2 Rb3 43. d6 Rb6 44. d7 Rd6 45. Bb5 a3 46. Bc4 Bxc4 47.
Rxc4 Rxd7 48. Ra4 Rd2+ 49. Ke3 Rg2 50. Kf3 Ra2 51. Ra7+ Kf8 52. Ra6 Ke7 53.
Re6+ Kf7 54. Ra6 Ra1 55. Kf2 a2 56. Kg2 Ke7 57. Re6+ Kd7 58. Ra6 Kc7 59. Ra3
Kd6 60. Ra5 Kc6 61. Ra3 Kb5 62. Ra8 Kc4 63. Ra4+ Kb3 64. Ra8 Rc1 0-1

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 1m+1spm Chess960"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnkqbbrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNKQBBRN w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 0-1

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 3m+2spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nb5 Na6 7. h3 c6 8. Nc3
Nb8 9. Bd3 c5 10. O-O b6 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. Bh2 Nc6 13. Bb5 Rc8 14. Re1 e6 15.
Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Ba6 Ra8 17. a4 Qe7 18. Nb5 Bb7 19. Bd6 Qd7 20. Bxf8 Rxf8 21. Bxb7
Qxb7 22. Nc3 Rc8 23. Qd3 a6 24. Nb1 Ne4 25. c3 f5 26. Nd2 c4 27. Qc2 Rf8 28.
Nxe4 fxe4 29. b3 cxb3 30. Qxb3 Rf5 31. c4 Qf7 32. cxd5 exd5 33. Qxb6 h5 34.
Rac1 1-0

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 3m+2spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D61"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 O-O 8. Qc2
c6 9. Rd1 a6 10. Be2 dxc4 11. Bxc4 b5 12. Be2 Bb7 13. O-O Rc8 14. Ne5 c5 15.
dxc5 Qe8 16. Nxd7 Nxd7 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. b4 Nxc5 19. bxc5 Qxc5 20. Rc1 b4 21.
Qb1 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 bxc3 23. Qe4 Rfd8 24. Rc2 Rd2 25. Rfc1 Rxc2 26. Rxc2 a5 27.
h4 h5 28. Qd4 g6 29. Qxc5 Rxc5 30. f4 Kg7 31. Kf3 f5 32. e4 fxe4+ 33. Kxe4 Kf6
34. Bd3 e5 35. fxe5+ Rxe5+ 36. Kd4 Re6 37. Rf2+ Kg7 38. Kxc3 Rc6+ 39. Kd4 Rd6+
40. Ke3 Kh6 41. Rg2 Kg7 42. a4 Kf7 43. Rg5 1-0

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 3m+2spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nb5 Na6 7. h3 c6 8. Nc3
Nb8 9. Be2 c5 10. dxc5 Nbd7 11. O-O Nxc5 12. Be5 b6 13. Nd4 Bb7 14. Bf3 a6 15.
Nb3 Ncd7 16. Bh2 e6 17. Ne2 Qe7 18. c4 Rfd8 19. Rc1 Rac8 20. cxd5 Nxd5 21. Rxc8
Rxc8 22. Nf4 N7f6 23. Nd3 a5 24. Qb1 Ba6 25. Rd1 h5 26. Nd4 Bxd3 27. Qxd3 e5
28. Bxd5 Nxd5 29. Nf5 gxf5 30. Qxd5 Qe6 31. Bg3 Qxd5 32. Rxd5 f6 33. Rb5 Rc6
34. f4 Re6 35. Kf2 Kf7 36. Ke2 Ke7 37. Rd5 Rc6 38. Kd1 Ke6 39. Rb5 e4 40. Be1
Bf8 41. Rb3 Bc5 42. Rc3 Rd6+ 43. Ke2 Kd5 44. Rc2 Kc6 45. a4 Rd7 46. b4 axb4 47.
Bxb4 Rd3 48. Bxc5 bxc5 49. Ra2 Rd7 50. a5 Kb5 51. Kf2 c4 52. a6 Ra7 53. Rb2+
Kc5 54. Kg3 c3 55. Ra2 Kb4 56. Kh4 Kb3 57. Ra1 c2 58. Kxh5 Kb2 59. Rf1 Rxa6 60.
Kg6 Ra3 61. Kxf5 Rxe3 62. h4 Rg3 63. Kxe4 Rxg2 64. Kf5 Rh2 65. Kxf6 Rxh4 66. f5
Rf4 67. Rg1 Rd4 68. Ke5 Rd1 69. Rg2 Kc3 70. Rxc2+ Kxc2 71. f6 Rf1 72. Ke6 Kd3
73. f7 Ke4 74. Ke7 Rxf7+ 75. Kxf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 3m+2spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D60"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 c6 8. Bd3
O-O 9. O-O a6 10. c5 e5 11. dxe5 Ne8 12. Bg3 Nxc5 13. Bc2 Bg4 14. Qd4 Bxf3 15.
gxf3 f5 16. exf6 Nxf6 17. Rad1 Qe8 18. e4 Ne6 19. Qd3 Ng5 20. h4 dxe4 21. fxe4
Rd8 22. Qe2 Ngh7 23. e5 Nh5 24. Qc4+ Kh8 25. Qe4 g6 26. Qxg6 Qxg6 27. Bxg6 Nxg3
28. fxg3 Rg8 29. Rxd8 Bxd8 30. Bxh7 Kxh7 31. Rf7+ Rg7 32. Rxg7+ Kxg7 33. Ne4
Kf7 34. Kg2 Ke6 35. Nc5+ Kxe5 36. Nxb7 Bb6 37. g4 c5 38. b3 Kd5 39. g5 hxg5 40.
hxg5 c4 41. bxc4+ Kxc4 42. Kf3 Bd4 43. Ke4 Bh8 44. Kf5 Kb4 45. g6 Ka3 46. Nc5
a5 47. Nb7 a4 48. Nc5 Kb4 49. Ne4 Ka3 50. Nc5 Kb4 51. Nxa4 Kxa4 52. Ke6 Ka3 53.
Kf7 Kxa2 54. g7 Bxg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 3m+2spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nb5 Na6 7. h3 c6 8. Nc3
Nb8 9. Be2 c5 10. O-O cxd4 11. exd4 Nc6 12. Ne5 Bf5 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Na4 Nd7
15. c3 a5 16. Re1 Re8 17. Bd3 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 Qc8 19. Rad1 Qb7 20. b3 e6 21. Bd6
Qb5 22. Qg3 Rac8 23. h4 h5 24. Qf4 Bf8 25. Re3 Bxd6 26. Qxd6 c5 27. Rf3 Qc6 28.
Qf4 Rf8 29. Qh6 cxd4 30. cxd4 Qc2 31. Re1 Qxa2 32. Kh2 Qc2 33. Rf4 Qxb3 34. Nc5
Nxc5 35. dxc5 Qc3 36. Qg5 Qxe1 0-1

[Event "chess.com qf blitz 3m+2spm"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2016.04.06"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D61"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "208"]
[EventDate "2016.04.06"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "26"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 Be7 7. e3 O-O 8. Qc2
c6 9. Rd1 a6 10. Be2 dxc4 11. Bxc4 b5 12. Be2 Qe8 13. O-O c5 14. dxc5 Nxc5 15.
Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nxb5 axb5 17. Qxc5 Bb7 18. Bxb5 Qc8 19. Qxc8 Rfxc8 20. a4 Bxb2
21. Rd7 Be4 22. h3 Bc2 23. Rd2 Ba3 24. Ra1 Bb4 25. Rd7 Bc3 26. Ra2 Bf6 27. Nd4
Be4 28. Ra1 Bd5 29. Rd1 Rc5 30. Kf1 h5 31. f3 h4 32. e4 Bc4+ 33. Bxc4 Rxc4 34.
Ne2 Rcxa4 35. R7d2 Bg5 36. Rc2 Be3 37. Rb2 Ra3 38. Ke1 g6 39. Rbb1 Kg7 40. Rb2
Rc8 41. Kf1 Rc4 42. Rbb1 Ra2 43. Ra1 Rac2 44. Ra3 Bc5 45. Rad3 Bb4 46. Rd4 Rxd4
47. Rxd4 Bc5 48. Rd1 Rb2 49. Rc1 Be3 50. Rd1 Kf6 51. Ke1 Ke5 52. Ra1 f5 53.
exf5 gxf5 54. Kd1 Kf6 55. Ra3 Bf2 56. Ra1 Rb8 57. Nf4 Be3 58. Nd3 Rg8 59. Ra2
Rc8 60. Ke2 Bd4 61. Kd2 Rg8 62. Kd1 Rb8 63. Ke2 Rb1 64. Ne1 Bc3 65. Nc2 Rg1 66.
Kf2 Rd1 67. Ne3 Bd4 68. Ke2 Rg1 69. Kf2 Rb1 70. Ke2 Kg5 71. Nc2 e5 72. Nxd4
exd4 73. Rd2 Rb4 74. Kf2 Kf4 75. Rd1 Rb2+ 76. Kf1 Kg3 77. Rxd4 Rf2+ 78. Ke1
Rxg2 79. f4 Kxh3 80. Kf1 Ra2 81. Rd8 Kg4 82. Rg8+ Kxf4 83. Kg1 Kf3 84. Rh8 f4
85. Kh1 Rb2 86. Rh7 Rb6 87. Kh2 Kg4 88. Rg7+ Kf5 89. Ra7 Rb3 90. Rf7+ Kg5 91.
Rg7+ Kf5 92. Rf7+ Kg4 93. Rg7+ Kf3 94. Rf7 Ke3 95. Kh3 f3 96. Kxh4 Kf2 97. Ra7
Kg2 98. Rg7+ Kf1 99. Rg3 Rb4+ 100. Kh3 Rf4 101. Rg8 f2 102. Kg3 Rf7 103. Kh2
Ke2 104. Re8+ Kf3 0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2016.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. e3 Bf5 7. Qf3 Bg6 8.
Bxf6 Qxf6 9. Qxf6 gxf6 10. Nf3 Nd7 11. Nh4 Be7 12. Kd2 f5 13. g3 Bxh4 14. gxh4
Ke7 15. Ne2 Nf6 16. Nf4 Nh5 17. Nh3 f4 18. Nxf4 Nxf4 19. exf4 Rhg8 20. Rg1 Bf5
21. Rg5 Kf6 22. Re1 h6 23. Rg3 Rg4 24. Rxg4 Bxg4 25. Bd3 Rg8 26. Rg1 Rg7 27.
Rg3 Bd7 28. f3 Be6 29. b4 b5 30. Ke3 Bd7 31. f5 Bc8 32. Kf4 Bd7 33. Rxg7 Kxg7
34. Ke5 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D03"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2016.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bg5 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. dxc5 e6 6. Bd3 Bxc5 7. Nbd2 Be7 8.
O-O O-O 9. c4 h6 10. Bh4 b6 11. Rc1 Bb7 12. a3 dxc4 13. Nxc4 b5 14. Nce5 Nxe5
15. Nxe5 Qd5 16. Qf3 Qxf3 17. Nxf3 Bxf3 18. gxf3 a6 19. Rc7 Bd6 20. Rc6 Be5 21.
b3 Rfd8 22. Rd1 g5 23. Bg3 Bxg3 24. hxg3 Kg7 25. Kf1 Nd5 26. Ke2 b4 27. axb4
Nxb4 28. Rc4 Nxd3 29. Rxd3 Rxd3 30. Kxd3 Rb8 31. b4 Rb5 32. f4 a5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Li, Chao B"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2016.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. e3 O-O 5. Be2 d6 6. O-O b6 7. c4 Nbd7 8. Nc3
Bb7 9. Nd2 h6 10. Bh4 d5 11. cxd5 Nxd5 12. Nxd5 Bxd5 13. Bf3 Bxf3 14. Nxf3 c5
15. Rc1 Rc8 16. Qe2 cxd4 17. Nxd4 Rxc1 18. Rxc1 Bxd4 19. exd4 Nf6 20. Rd1 Qd7
21. Bxf6 exf6 22. d5 Qd6 23. Qa6 Re8 24. h3 Re7 25. Qd3 Kg7 26. a3 a5 27. Qc4
Rc7 28. Qd3 h5 29. h4 Re7 30. g3 Rc7 31. Kg2 Re7 32. Qc4 Rc7 33. Qd4 Rd7 34.
Rd3 Rc7 35. Rc3 Rc5 36. Rxc5 bxc5 37. Qe4 f5 38. Qd3 Kf6 39. Kf3 Ke5 40. Qc3+
Kxd5 41. Qb3+ Ke5 42. Qxf7 Qc6+ 43. Ke3 Qe4+ 44. Kd2 Qd4+ 45. Ke1 Qe4+ 46. Kd2
Qd4+ 47. Ke1 Qe4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2016.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Bg3
Ne4 9. Nd2 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Bxc3 11. Rc1 Bb2 12. Rxc7 Na6 13. Rc2 Bxd4 14. e3 Bg7
15. Bxa6 bxa6 16. O-O O-O 17. Nb3 Be6 18. Qd3 Rc8 19. Rxc8 Qxc8 20. Rc1 Qb7 21.
Nd4 Qb2 22. Rb1 Qxa2 23. Nxe6 fxe6 24. Qg6 Kh8 25. h4 gxh4 26. Bxh4 d4 27. exd4
Qd5 28. Be7 Qf5 29. Qxf5 Rxf5 30. Bc5 Rd5 31. Rb8+ Kh7 32. Rb7 Kg6 33. Rxa7
Bxd4 34. Bxd4 Rxd4 35. Rxa6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2016.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. e3 O-O 5. Be2 d6 6. O-O c5 7. Nc3 cxd4 8.
exd4 d5 9. Nd2 Nc6 10. Nb3 b6 11. a4 Bb7 12. Re1 h6 13. Bh4 e6 14. a5 Nxa5 15.
Nxa5 bxa5 16. Na4 g5 17. Bg3 Ne4 18. c3 Bc6 19. Bd3 Nxg3 20. hxg3 Rb8 21. Re2
Re8 22. f4 gxf4 23. gxf4 Qh4 24. Qd2 Bf8 25. Qe3 Bd6 26. g3 Qf6 27. Nc5 Bxc5
28. dxc5 a4 29. Bc2 Bb5 30. Rf2 Red8 31. Qd4 Qxd4 32. cxd4 a5 33. Bxa4 Bxa4 34.
Rxa4 Rb5 35. Rc2 Rdb8 36. c6 Rc8 37. Rc5 Rb6 38. Raxa5 Rcxc6 39. b4 Rd6 40. b5
Rd8 41. Ra6 Rdb8 42. Rxb6 Rxb6 43. Kf2 Rb7 44. Ke3 Ra7 45. f5 Ra4 46. fxe6 fxe6
47. Rc7 Rb4 48. Rb7 h5 49. b6 Kf8 50. Kd3 Rb3+ 51. Kc2 Rb5 52. Kc3 Rb1 53. Kc2
Rb4 54. Kd3 Rb1 55. Ke3 Rb4 56. Kf4 Rxd4+ 57. Ke5 Rb4 58. Kxe6 d4 59. Rf7+ Ke8
60. Re7+ Kd8 61. Rd7+ Kc8 62. b7+ Rxb7 63. Rxd4 Rg7 64. Rd3 Rg4 65. Kf5 Kc7
1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2016.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 O-O 8.
Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 Bd7 10. cxd5 exd5 11. e3 g5 12. Bg3 Ne4 13. Bd3 Ne5 14. Qc2 Nxd3+
15. Qxd3 Bf5 16. Qb5 Qd7 17. Qxb7 Rab8 18. Qa6 Rb6 19. Qa5 c5 20. O-O Rb5 21.
Qa6 Rb6 22. Qa5 Rb5 23. Qa6 Rb6 24. Qa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.18"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2851"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2016.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 a6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 c6 6. e4 dxe4 7. Ng5 Be7 8. Bc4
Nh6 9. Ngxe4 Nf5 10. d5 O-O 11. O-O cxd5 12. Nxd5 Nc6 13. Qh5 Be6 14. Nxe7+
Qxe7 15. Ng5 h6 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Bd2 Nfd4 18. Rad1 Rf5 19. Qh3 Rd8 20. Be3 b5
21. Bxd4 Nxd4 22. Rxd4 Rxd4 23. Qxf5 Rxc4 24. Qd3 Qc5 25. b3 Rc2 26. a4 Rc3 27.
Qe4 Qd5 28. Qg6 Qxb3 29. axb5 axb5 30. Ra1 Qa2 31. Rd1 Qd5 32. Qb1 Qb3 33. Rd8+
Kf7 34. Qe1 Qc4 35. Rd7+ Kf6 36. Rd1 b4 37. h3 b3 38. Qd2 Kg6 39. Re1 Rc2 40.
Qd7 b2 41. Rxe6+ Kh7 42. Re1 Rc1 43. Qf5+ Kh8 0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.18"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D73"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2790"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[EventDate "2016.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 c5 5. Bg2 cxd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. O-O d5 8.
cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nb5 Be6 10. Nd4 Bc8 11. Nb5 Be6 12. Nd4 Bc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.18"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2016.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.04.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 a5 11. Nc3 Na6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. e4 Nb4 14. Rad1 g6 15.
h4 Bg7 16. Rfe1 Qd7 17. b3 Rad8 18. Qe2 Qe7 19. Rd2 Bh6 20. Rdd1 Bg7 21. Rd2
Bh6 22. Rdd1 Bg7 23. Rd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.19"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2016.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
d3 O-O 9. Be3 Be6 10. Rc1 Nd5 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. Qa4 Re8 13. Rfd1 a6 14. a3 Bf6
15. Nd2 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Nd4 17. Bxd4 exd4 18. Ne4 c6 19. b4 Be7 20. Qb3 Qb6 21.
Rc4 Rad8 22. Rb1 Rd5 23. a4 Qd8 24. Qb2 f5 25. Nd2 Bf6 26. Nf3 g5 27. Rc5 g4
28. Ne1 Be7 29. Rxd5 Qxd5+ 30. Kg1 Bg5 31. Ng2 Re5 32. Nf4 Qd6 33. b5 axb5 34.
axb5 cxb5 35. Qa2+ Kg7 36. Nh5+ Kh6 37. Nf4 Bxf4 38. gxf4 Qe6 39. Qxe6+ Rxe6
40. Rxb5 Rxe2 41. Rb6+ Kh5 42. Rxb7 Rd2 43. Rxh7+ Kg6 44. Rd7 Rxd3 45. Kf1 Rh3
46. Rxd4 Rxh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.20"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2016.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. Bxc6 bxc6 {An
interesting pawn-sacrifice.} ({"Normal" is} 6... dxc6) 7. Nxe5 Re8 8. Nef3 d5
9. O-O Bg4 10. h3 Bh5 11. Qe2 h6 ({Last year a game in the Norway Chess
tournament continued} 11... dxe4 12. Nxe4 h6 13. Be3 Nxe4 14. dxe4 Rxe4 15. Qd3
Bxf3 16. Qxd8+ Rxd8 17. Bxc5 Be2 18. Rfc1 a5 19. b3 a4 20. Re1 Rd2 21. Rac1
axb3 22. axb3 Rd5 23. Be3 Bh5 24. Ra1 Bg6 25. Ra7 Re7 26. c4 Rd8 27. Rea1 Bc2
28. b4 Rd1+ 29. Rxd1 Bxd1 30. b5 cxb5 31. cxb5 Re5 32. Rxc7 Rxb5 33. Rc5 Rxc5
34. Bxc5 Bc2 35. Bd6 Bd1 36. Bc5 Bc2 37. Bd6 Bd1 {1/2-1/2 (37) Anand,V (2804)
-Caruana,F (2805) Stavanger 2015}) 12. Re1 a5 13. Qf1 a4 14. e5 Nd7 15. d4 Bb6
16. c4 Nf8 17. c5 Ba5 18. Re3 Ne6 19. g4 Bg6 20. a3 f5 21. b4 axb3 22. Nxb3
fxg4 23. hxg4 Rf8 24. Nh2 {[#]} Be4 ({After} 24... Bc2 25. Nxa5 Rxa5 26. Rc3
Be4 27. Be3 Ra4 {the engines give Black an advantage.} 28. Qd1 $2 Qh4 29. Z0 {
with the idea} Ng5) 25. Rg3 Qe7 ({If now} 25... Bc2 26. Nxa5 Rxa5 27. Be3 Be4 {
White blocks the path to h4:} 28. g5) 26. Ra2 g5 27. Rb2 Qh7 28. Qd1 Qf7 29.
Qe2 Qg6 30. Qd1 Qf7 {Black's advantage is gone and he contents himself with a
draw.} 31. Qe2 Qg6 32. Qd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.21"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Li, Chao B"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D90"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2016.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 g6 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Bf4 Bg7 7. e3 Nc6 8. Bb5
Bd7 9. O-O O-O 10. Ne5 Ne4 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bxc6 Nxc3 13. Qd3 bxc6 14. Qxc3
Rc8 15. b4 Re8 16. Rac1 f6 17. Rc2 e5 18. Bg3 exd4 19. Qxd4 Re4 20. Qd2 d4 21.
Rd1 f5 22. Qc1 Qb6 23. exd4 Rce8 24. h3 Qxb4 25. Kh2 Rxd4 26. Rxd4 Qxd4 27.
Rxc6 Qa4 28. Rc7 Qxa2 29. Rb7 Qe6 30. Qc7 Qf6 31. Qd7 Rd8 32. Qa4 Qd4 33. Qa2+
Qd5 34. Qxa7 Bd4 35. Qa6 Rf8 36. Qb5 Qxb5 37. Rxb5 Kg7 38. Be5+ Bxe5+ 39. Rxe5
Rf7 40. Ra5 Rd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2790"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2016.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 c6 8. h3 b6
9. b4 a5 10. a3 h6 11. Bd3 Ba6 12. O-O Qc8 13. Rb1 axb4 14. axb4 Qb7 15. b5
cxb5 16. Nxb5 Rfc8 17. Ne5 Nxe5 18. Bxe5 Rc6 19. Qe2 Nd7 20. Bg3 Qc8 21. e4 Nf6
22. exd5 Nxd5 23. Qe4 Nf6 24. Qf3 Bb7 25. cxb6 Rxb6 26. Qe2 Qc6 27. f3 Nd5 28.
Rbc1 Qd7 29. Nc7 Rc8 30. Nxd5 Bxd5 31. Kh2 Bd6 32. Rxc8+ Qxc8 33. Bxd6 Rxd6 34.
Rb1 Qd8 35. Qe5 Rb6 36. Rxb6 Qxb6 37. Be4 f6 38. Qf4 Bxe4 39. Qxe4 Kf7 40. Qf4
h5 41. h4 Ke7 42. Qe4 Qc7+ 43. Kh3 Kf7 44. d5 Qd7 45. dxe6+ Qxe6+ 46. Kg3 Qxe4
47. fxe4 g5 48. hxg5 fxg5 49. Kf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D14"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2016.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. d4 cxd4 4. cxd4 d5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Bf5 7. e3 e6 8. Qb3
Bb4 9. Ne5 Qb6 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Be2 Ne4 12. f3 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Be7 14. O-O O-O
15. c4 c5 16. cxd5 Qxb3 17. axb3 exd5 18. dxc5 Bxc5 19. Rfd1 Be6 20. Kf2 a5 21.
Be5 Rfc8 22. Rdc1 Bb4 23. Bd1 Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Rc8 25. Rxc8+ Bxc8 26. g4 f6 27.
Bd4 Kf7 28. f4 f5 29. h3 g6 30. Bf3 Ke6 31. gxf5+ gxf5 32. Be2 Bd7 33. Bd1 Be8
34. h4 h5 35. Be2 Be7 36. Kg3 Bb4 37. Kf2 Be7 38. Kg3 Bb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.25"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2016.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. O-O d6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Re1
Ne7 9. d4 O-O 10. h3 Ng6 11. Bd3 Re8 12. Qc2 Bd7 13. Be3 d5 14. Nbd2 exd4 15.
cxd4 dxe4 16. Nxe4 Bc6 17. Bg5 Bxe4 18. Bxe4 c6 19. Qb3 Qb6 20. Qxb6 Bxb6 21.
Bxf6 gxf6 22. a5 Ba7 23. d5 Rab8 24. Rad1 Bc5 25. Bxg6 Rxe1+ 26. Rxe1 hxg6 27.
Rc1 Bb4 28. dxc6 Bxa5 29. Ra1 Bc7 30. cxb7 Rxb7 31. Rxa6 Rxb2 32. Ne1 Bb6 33.
Nd3 Rb1+ 34. Kh2 Rb3 35. Nc1 Rb2 36. Nd3 Rb3 37. Nc1 Rb2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.27"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2016.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 {Mekhitarian,K} e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 dxc4 4. Qa4+ Nd7 5. Qxc4 c5 6. Nc3 $5
{A rather unusual unusual move order. An old rule in this line claims that
White should not hurry with developing the queen's knight and that an early
queen retreat is essential to delay the c8-bishop's development. Aronian will
break the rule in both its essential aspects.} ({Some years ago he only
"neglected" the latter aspect:} 6. Nf3 Ngf6 7. O-O ({The usual move is} 7. Qb3)
7... b6 8. d4 $5 {Transposing to some sort of Catalan.} ({The point is that
with the queen on c4} 8. Nd4 {does not offer much:} Ne5 9. Nc6 Nxc4 10. Nxd8
Nd5 11. Nc3 Kxd8 12. Nxd5 Bb7 13. Nc3 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 {This was known many
decades ago, based on, for instance, Tal,M (2620)-Polugaevsky,L (2620)
Leningrad 1977 (0-1, 51) and was more or less confirmed by the recent game Bu,
X (2675)-Guo,Q (2431) Reykjavik 2013 (1-0, 45)}) 8... Bb7 9. Rd1 cxd4 10. Bg5
Be7 11. Nxd4 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Qc8 13. Nd2 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Rac1 Qb7+ 16. N2f3
O-O 17. Qc6 Qxc6 18. Nxc6 Nc5 19. b4 Rfc8 {Aronian,L (2782)-Gelfand,B (2750)
Nice (rapid) 2010 (1/2-1/2, 34)} 20. Nfe5 $16 Na4 (20... Bxe5 $2 21. Ne7+ $1)
21. Rd7) 6... Ngf6 7. d3 Be7 8. Nf3 b6 $146 ({There is nothing really wrong
with} 8... a6 $5 {but probably Eljanov wanted to avoid any weakening of his
queenside. Mekhitarian,K: 'one of the possible ways to develop the queenside.
In this type of structures (where Black plays a quick ...dxc4 and White gets
the pawn back with Qa4+), Black has always to try to develop the c8-bishop to
b7 somehow, so it could be challenging White's powerful g2-counterpart. This
normally happens with either a6-b5 or b6'} 9. a4 (9. O-O {Mekhitarian,K} b5 10.
Qb3 Bb7 {is the ideal setup for Black. White's only plan to create something
now is to play a4 and try to explore a possible weakness on the queenside (the
c4-square after ...b4, for example).} 11. a4 $5 $13) 9... b6 {similar to the
game.}) 9. Ng5 Rb8 10. O-O (10. Bf4 b5 $5 (10... Bb7 {could transpose to the
game.}) 11. Nxb5 $2 Qa5+ 12. Nc3 Rb4 $19 {[%csl Gc4]}) 10... Bb7 11. Bf4 Bxg2
12. Kxg2 Rb7 {[%csl Gf4,Gg5][%cal Gf6h5] Black has made progress with his
development but his queenside light squares have remained weak and due to the
domination of the f4-bishop he will have problems coordinating his major
pieces. But all these accumulated confer only a microscopic (if at all)
advantage on White.} 13. Nf3 (13. Nge4 O-O (13... Nxe4 14. dxe4 O-O 15. Rfd1
Qc8 16. Qa6 {[%csl Rb7,Rd6]}) 14. Rfd1 Qa8 15. a4 a6 16. f3 Ra7 $11) 13... O-O
14. e4 {Mekhitarian,K: '=/+/=' This thematic move is usually effective with
the light-squared bishops on the board, when it limites the black one. This is
a paradox, since in any ending the white bishop would become "bad". But the
way it is, the last move does not seem to offer White chances for anything
concrete as Black can deal with the threats in the centre, d3-d4 and e4-e5. 
Mekhitarian,K: 'The position is close to equality, but there is a lot to play
for. In general, you can say that White's position is always more flexible,
because of a wider possibility of plans. And thus, slightly better.'} (14. a4
$5 {is a thematic attempt to weaken the enemy queenside, using the fact that ..
.a7-a6 is not available yet.} Qa8 15. a5 $5 (15. Rfb1 {[%csl Gb2]} a6 $11)
15... bxa5 16. Rxa5 h6 $5 17. h3 (17. Qa2 $2 g5 18. Be3 g4 {[%cal Gb7b2,Ga8g2]}
) 17... Rxb2 18. Qa4 Rb7 19. Rb1 $5 (19. Ra1 Nb6 20. Qa2 c4 $11) 19... Rxb1 (
19... Nb6 20. Qa2 Nfd5 21. Nxd5 exd5 22. Ra6 $44 {Black's extra pawn on a7 is
not too impressive while White has the better structure and more active pieces.
}) 20. Rxa7 Rbb8 (20... Qxa7 $6 21. Qxa7 Rb3 {allows White to take over the
initiative due to the pin along the seventh rank:} 22. Ne4 {[%csl Rd7,Re7]
[%cal Ge4f6]} Re8 {[%csl Re7]} 23. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 24. Bxe5 Nxe4 $2 25. Qa4 $3 {
[%csl Rb3,Re8]}) (20... Nb6 21. Rxa8 Nxa4 22. Rxf8+ Kxf8 23. Nxb1 $14 {White's
advantage, based on the weakness of the c-pawn, may well be symbolic, but a
player like Ulf Andersson would be happy to squeeze his opponent for many
dozens of moves.}) 21. Rxa8 Rxa8 22. Qc6 $44 {Black's pieces are dominated by
the queen and f4-bishop and the c5-pawn is weak. White surely has compensation
for the slight material deficit, but despite the engines' optimism it is not
easy to prove that he has an advantage. In any case, White's play would be
easier.}) 14... Qa8 15. a4 {After the weakening of the d3-pawn, the pawn break
a4-a5 is less effective so the last move has more of a blocking effect.} Rd8
$11 {[%csl Gd3]} 16. Nb5 {[%cal Gb5c7] The threat created by this move can be
parried in several ways, but it is not easy to suggest a constructive
alternative.} (16. e5 $6 {Mekhitarian,K: 'shows that patience is demanded in
such positions, this would allow a good sequence:'} b5 $1 (16... Ne8 17. Qe4
Nc7 18. Bg5) (16... Nd5 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Qxd5 Nf8 19. Qe4 Rbd7 20. Qxa8 Rxa8
21. a5 b5 22. Rfd1 Rad8 23. a6 $36 {[%csl Gb5,Gc5][%cal Ga1a5]}) 17. axb5 (17.
Nxb5 Nd5) 17... Nb6 18. Qb3 (18. exf6 Nxc4 19. fxe7 Rxd3 $19) 18... Nfd5 $132
19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. Qc4 (20. Bd2 a6) 20... Nxf4+ 21. gxf4 Rb6 $44 {[%cal Gd8d4]})
(16. Rfd1 h6 (16... Nf8 $5) 17. e5 (17. d4 g5 18. Be3 g4 19. Ne5 cxd4 20. Bxd4
Nxe5 21. Bxe5 Rbd7 $132 {[%csl Ge4]}) 17... b5 $1 18. axb5 Nb6 19. Qb3 (19.
exf6 Nxc4 20. fxe7 Rxe7 21. dxc4 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 g5 23. Bd6 Rd7 24. g4 f5 $17)
19... Nfd5 20. Be3 {[%csl Gd3]} Qb8 $44 {[%csl Gb2,Gb5,Ge5]}) 16... Qc8 ({
White's threat is revealed after the careless} 16... a6 $2 17. Nc7 Qc8 18. Nxe6
b5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Qa2 fxe6 $2 21. Qxe6+ Kf8 $2 22. Ng5 $18 {But Black had
at least two worthy alternatives:}) (16... h6 $5 17. Bd6 (17. Nd6 $6 g5 $5 18.
Nxb7 Qxb7 19. Be3 g4 20. Ne1 Ne5 21. Qc3 Nxd3 22. Nxd3 Qxe4+ $15) (17. h4 Nf8 {
[%cal Gb7d7]} 18. Bc7 $6 a6) 17... Bxd6 18. Nxd6 Ne5 19. Nxe5 Rxd6 20. a5 Nd7
21. Nxd7 Rbxd7 22. axb6 Rxb6 $11) (16... Nf8 $5 17. Rfd1 Ng6 18. Be3 Rbd7 $15
19. a5 $2 a6 20. axb6 $2 axb5 $1) 17. Rac1 Nf8 $1 {[%csl Ge6,Gh7] Mekhitarian,
K: 'A good rearrangement, now ...Ng6 is coming.'} (17... Nb8 18. e5 Nd5 (18...
Ne8 $5) 19. Bg5 {[%csl Gd6]} Nc6 $13 {[%csl Gb4,Gd4,Ge5]}) 18. d4 {Aronian
decides to eliminate the weakness of his backward pawn.  Mekhitarian,K: 'It
looks like it's a good time for this central break, but Black is well prepared;
there are two decent responses now.'} (18. e5 Nd5 19. Bg5 Bxg5 20. Nxg5 Qc6 21.
Kg1 f6 22. Nf3 Nb4 $36) (18. b4 $5 {(Mekhitarian,K) was an option with a
complicated and tense position.}) 18... Ng6 (18... Nxe4 $2 19. dxc5 Nxc5 20. b4
$16 a6 21. Nbd4 $18 {winning a piece.}) (18... a6 $5 {Mekhitarian,K} 19. Nd6 {
could have been Levon's option, so Black does not get a comfortable exchange
of queens} (19. Nc3 cxd4 20. Qxc8 (20. Nd5 $5 Qxc4 21. Nxe7+ Rxe7 22. Rxc4 $44
{trying to build some queenside pressure, but it looks like Black should hold
that initiative and equalise}) 20... Rxc8 21. Nxd4 Rc4 $15 {and Black is more
than ok, with better prospects now that White has weakened some of his
queenside also}) 19... Bxd6 20. Bxd6 Rxd6 21. e5 Rd5 22. exf6 gxf6 23. Qxa6 $13
{a hard position to evaluate, but Black's king could always be a problem at
some point.}) 19. Bg5 $2 {Overlooking a tactical detail.} (19. Be3 $5 a6 (19...
Nxe4 $2 20. dxc5 Nxc5 21. b4 $16) 20. Nc3 b5 (20... cxd4 {Mekhitarian,K} 21.
Qxc8 Rxc8 22. Bxd4 $11 {White keeps a slight initiative, but it looks very
close to full equality.}) 21. axb5 axb5 22. Nxb5 Qb8 {[%csl Gb2,Ge4]} 23. dxc5
Rxb5 24. c6 {[%csl Rb5,Rd8][%cal Gc6c7,Ge3a7]} Ne5 $5 25. Qa4 Nxc6 26. Rxc6
Rxb2 $11) 19... a6 $2 ({Both players must have overlooked that after} 19...
Nxe4 $1 {the more or less forced exchange} 20. Bxe7 Nxe7 {allows Black to
defend the queen:} 21. dxc5 $2 (21. Rfe1 {(Mekhitarian,K) now both knight
retreats seem acceptable for Black} Nd6 (21... Nf6 22. dxc5 Qxc5 23. Qxc5 bxc5
24. Rxc5 Nfd5 $11) 22. Nxd6 Rxd6 23. dxc5 (23. b4 Rc7 24. dxc5 bxc5 25. b5 Rd5
$17 {and with ...Nf5, ...Qd7, Black is simply a pawn up}) 23... bxc5 {White
doesn't have anything better than recapturing the pawn} 24. Qxc5 Qxc5 25. Rxc5
g6 $15 {It should be a draw, but actually I prefer Black, with the better
structure, and the pressure on the b-pawn.}) 21... Nxc5 $17 22. b4 Nd3 {
[%cal Ge7c8]}) 20. Nc3 b5 (20... cxd4 {(Mekhitarian,K) again Eljanov doesn't
go for a simpler solution. He thought he could be under pressure in the
following endgame:} 21. Qxc8 Rxc8 22. Nd5 Rxc1 23. Nxe7+ Nxe7 24. Rxc1 $44 {
Indeed, the c-file is a strong asset for white, but I would feel Black should
equalise the pressure without much trouble.}) 21. axb5 axb5 22. Qe2 (22. Nxb5
Qd7 $15 {[%csl Gd4]}) 22... c4 $6 {A cautious move, leading to a position
where the queenside majority compensates for White's strong centre.
Mekhitarian,K: 'I believe this starts making Black's position more difficult
as White is left with a strong centre and many possibilities, while Black is
struggling to find something to do, as ...b4 weakens the position a lot after
Na4.'} (22... b4 $2 23. Na4 $16) (22... cxd4 $5 {Mekhitarian,K: 'Now he
probably did not want to spoil his kingside structure, but it still was very
playable'} 23. Nd5 (23. Nxb5 $2 d3 $1 24. Qd1 Qd7 $17 {[%csl Rb2,Gd3]}) 23...
Qb8 24. Nxe7+ $1 (24. Bxf6 {Mekhitarian,K} gxf6 25. Nxe7+ Rxe7 26. Rfd1 Red7
$15) 24... Nxe7 25. Rfd1 e5 26. Rc5 (26. Bxf6 gxf6 27. Ne1 $1 {a typical
position with a lot of compensation, after the harmonious blockade with Nd3.
White could add pressure on the c-file, and also start shuffling around with
his queen on the kingside} f5 $5 {trying some active play} 28. exf5 Nxf5 29.
Rc5 Re7 30. Rxb5 Rb7 $13) 26... Ng6 27. Bxf6 gxf6 28. Ne1 $44 {[%csl Rf5,Rf6]
[%cal Ge1d3]}) 23. Rfd1 h6 24. Bxf6 Bxf6 25. h4 {[%csl Gg6][%cal Gh4h5]} Qb8 {
Black starts playing without a clear plan.} (25... h5 $5 {(Mekhitarian,K) It
is not ideal to move this pawn, but as you'll see in the game, allowing White
to play h5 ended up being much more dangerous. Now White has all the pieces on
optimal squares (maybe Re1 and Rd1 would be better); the next step is to
mobilise as much as possible the pawn majority obtained in the centre/kingside
(5 vs 4)} 26. e5 (26. Ra1 $5 {similar to the game, White could want to keep
the tension and gradually improve the pressure through the queenside} b4 $5 27.
Na4 e5 $1 {now Black is in time to fight White's Nc5, and there is a very
annoying ...Qg4! coming} 28. d5 Qg4 29. Kf1 Qh3+ 30. Kg1 Qg4 31. Qe3 {avoiding
the repetition} Bxh4 32. Nh2 Qg5 {with a very complicated position, for
example:} 33. Qe1 Qh6 $5 34. gxh4 Nf4 35. Kh1 Qg6 36. Qg1 Qxe4+ 37. f3 Qf5 $44)
26... Be7 27. d5 exd5 (27... b4 $5 28. d6 bxc3 29. dxe7 Rxd1 30. Rxd1 Nxe7 31.
bxc3 Nf5 $11 {is fine for Black}) 28. Nxd5 Re8 29. Nd4 $36 {and f4 next, with
a strong initiative.}) 26. Ra1 ({Here too e5 followed by d5 was interesting:} 
26. e5 $5 {Mekhitarian,K} Be7 27. d5 b4 (27... exd5 28. e6 $1 $40) 28. dxe6 $5
{playable, now that c4 is hanging at the end of the line (a move ago it wasn't
with the queen on c8)} (28. d6 bxc3 29. dxe7 Rxd1 30. Rxd1 Nxe7 31. bxc3 Nd5
$11 {but this position is better compared with the last move analysis, because
the black pawn on h6 makes a difference (Ng5 is annoying otherwise)}) 28...
bxc3 29. exf7+ Kxf7 30. Qxc4+ Kf8 31. Rxd8+ Bxd8 32. Rxc3 Rc7 $1 $13) 26... Be7
$6 {Conceding the e5-square without being forced to.} (26... b4 $2 {
Mekhitarian,K} 27. Na4 $14 {and Black has problems dealing with Qxc4, Nc5, etc.
}) 27. h5 Nf8 28. Ne5 $5 {[%csl Gf7] Finally White has got some pressure.
Mekhitarian,K: 'Levon's plan is much more subtle than going right away for e5
and d5. And I like it very much, he keeps the flexiblity, taking in account
that Black has nothing clear to do (as said ...b4 weakens the queenside, so
there's not much left).'} Rc8 (28... Qc7 29. Ra6 $140 Rd6) 29. Ra6 {
Mekhitarian,K: 'Slowly building up pressure.'} Rb6 $6 {Mekhitarian,K: 'It is
not easy to give Black good advice, but here things start to go very wrong for
him.'} (29... b4 $6 {Mekhitarian,K} 30. Nc6 $1 Rxc6 31. Rxc6 bxc3 32. bxc3 $16
{followed by Qxc4 and d5, White is in the driver's seat, pushing for the win.})
(29... Rbc7 $5 {(Mekhitarian,K) preparing b4} 30. d5 b4 31. Na2 (31. Nc6 {
here it is not that good} Rxc6 32. Rxc6 bxc3 33. Qxc4 Rxc6 34. dxc6 cxb2 35.
Rb1 Bd6 $13) 31... Qb5 32. Rc6 Bf6 (32... exd5 $2 33. exd5 Bf6 34. Rxf6 $1 gxf6
35. Qg4+ Kh8 36. Nxf7+ Rxf7 37. Qxc8 $16) 33. Qxc4 Qxc4 34. Nxc4 exd5 35. exd5
Rxc6 36. dxc6 Rxc6 37. b3 $14 {and White stays better.}) 30. Rxb6 Qxb6 31. Qf3
$1 {Mekhitarian,K: 'Going after the weak point - f7.'} ({More ambitious than} 
31. d5 Bf6 32. Nc6 Rxc6 33. dxc6 Qxc6) 31... f6 $2 (31... Bf6 $1 {Mekhitarian,K
} 32. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 33. e5 {will be always better for White, because after
getting the piece back, Black's king always will be weak. But it was a
playable option.} Nh7 34. exf6 Nxf6 35. d5 $36) 32. Ng6 $1 Nxg6 33. hxg6 $18 {
Mekhitarian,K: 'The weaknesses around the black king are not that sensitive
now, but the plan with Ne2-g4-Ng3-d5 is decisive because of the deadly
pressure on the king, and also the power of the passed d-pawn. The first time
I saw the game I thought it couldn't be that bad, but I can say now that Black
is already on the verge of losing the game.'} b4 34. Ne2 Qd6 $6 {The queen is
badly placed on this square and will soon cause Black additonal loss of time.}
35. d5 {[%csl Re6,Rf5][%cal Ge2d4]} e5 (35... exd5 {Mekhitarian,K} 36. exd5 $18
{followed by Nf4 or Nd4, Black is in deep trouble.}) 36. g4 $1 {The weakness
of the light squares and the vulnerability of the back rank make Black's game
difficult if not lost.} Bf8 {Mekhitarian,K: 'Now in the following moves White
has many ways to increase the pressure that will lead to the win. Levon does
it precisely. '} 37. Qf5 Ra8 38. Rc1 (38. g5 $1 fxg5 (38... hxg5 39. Qh3) 39.
Qf7+ Kh8 40. Rh1 Qe7 41. Rxh6+ gxh6 42. g7+ Bxg7 43. Qxe7 $18) 38... Qa6 39.
Ng3 Kh8 40. Qe6 $1 Qa2 (40... Qxe6 {(Mekhitarian,K) the endgame is no picnic
for Black either} 41. dxe6 Re8 42. Rxc4 Rxe6 43. Rc8 Kg8 44. Nf5 {with a cute
zugzwang, Black has to move the rook at some point and allow Ne7+ followed by
mate (it is mate in 4 now).}) 41. Nf5 c3 42. Rh1 Qa7 43. d6 Qb7 44. d7 Qxe4+
45. f3 (45. f3 Qe2+ {Mekhitarian,K} 46. Kg3 {and the Rxh6+ threat followed by
Qxf6+ forces mate in a few moves.}) 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.28"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2851"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2016.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 {When replaying the first 7 moves of the game I was pleased to notice
that Aronian followed the lines given in the second volume of my English
trilogy.} ({But then everything changed when Carlsen switched to a line I
examined in CBM 170:} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. b3 Bg7 4. Bb2 d5 5. c4 dxc4 6.
bxc4 c5 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O Nc6 {The only difference is that... Carlsen played
this position with a tempo down! In the genuine ...dxc4 line Black's extra
tempo makes itself felt if play continues in the same spirit as in one of the
lines below:} 9. Ne5 Na5 10. Qc1 Ng4 11. Nxg4 Bxg4 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. d3 Rc8 14.
Nc3 Qd7 15. Nb5 b6 {With the queen on d7 instead of d8, the last move defends
the queenside properly solving most of Black's problems. In fact, in my
article I had recommended 9.d3 instead of 9.Ne5.}) 1... Nf6 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 d5
4. Nf3 g6 5. b3 Bg7 6. Bb2 O-O 7. O-O dxc4 $6 8. bxc4 c5 {Carlsen's win over a
difficult opponent (Kramnik) in the previous round might have been the reason
behind such a weird opening choice. But as we will see, there have been some
strong players who have experimented in this way before.} 9. d3 Nc6 10. Ne5 {
With an extra tempo White has no reason to refrain from this active knight
move.} Na5 $146 {This is the thematic answer, aimed at leaving the e5-knight
vulnerable.} (10... Nxe5 11. Bxe5 {frees the white knight's way to c3 forcing
Black to lose some time to exchange the dominating bishop.} Ne8 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 (
12... Nxg7 13. Nc3 Nf5 14. Rb1 Rb8 15. Qa4 a6 16. Qa3 b6 17. Rb2 Nd4 18. Rfb1
$16 {Stein,L (2605)-Shamkovich,L (2520) Leningrad 1971 (1-0, 37)}) 13. Nc3 Rb8
14. a4 Bd7 15. a5 Nd6 16. Qc1 Nf5 17. Qb2 Kg8 18. Rfb1 $36 {Radjabov,T (2734)
-Gelfand,B (2743) Beijing (blitz) 2014 (½-½, 45). In both these games
White's queenside play develops naturally, without any shadow of counterplay
for Black.}) (10... Nd4 {avoids the exchange but wastes time.} 11. e3 Nf5 12.
Qc2 (12. Nc3 Nd7 13. Nf3 b6 14. Nh4 Rb8 15. Nxf5 gxf5 {Giri,A (2722)-De Jong,J
(2424) Netherlands 2011 (1-0, 35)} 16. Qe2 $14) 12... Rb8 13. Nd2 Nd7 14. Nef3
e5 15. a4 a5 16. Ne4 b6 17. Nc3 $16 {[%csl Gd5] Giri,A (2737)-Negi,P (2662)
Linares 2013 (1/2-1/2, 64)}) 11. Qc1 {A cunning and typically English way of
developing the queen. Apart from defending the bishop thus avoiding any pin
along the long diagonal, Her Majesty is prepared to move to a3, causing Black
serious queenside problems.} Qc7 {This plan, aiming to take advantage of the
white knight's vulnerability, is too time consuming.} ({But with a tempo down,
the plan recommended in my article does not work out so well:} 11... Ng4 12.
Nxg4 Bxg4 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. Nc3 {White will try forcing the weakening of
Black's queenside with Nb5, even though this looks like a loss of time after ..
.a6, Nb5-c3.} Rb8 (14... Rc8 15. Nb5 Nc6 16. h3 Be6 17. Qa3 a6 18. Nc3 $14) 15.
Nb5 a6 (15... Nc6 16. Rb1 Qd7 17. Qa3 $14 b6 18. Bxc6 Qxc6 19. Nxa7 Qb7 20. f3
Bh3 21. Rfd1 Ra8 22. Qb2+ f6 23. Nb5 $16) 16. Nc3 $14 {In all these lines
Black faces difficulties keeping the integrity of his queenside.}) 12. Nd2 {
A natural developing move} ({But speeding up the queenside attack with} 12. Bc3
Ne8 13. Qb2 {may be even more effective:} Rb8 14. Na3 a6 (14... Nd6 15. Nb5
Nxb5 16. cxb5 $16 {[%csl Ra5]}) 15. Rab1 b6 16. f4 $16 {In order to avoid
losing material due to the threat Bxa5, Black has nothing better than taking
on e5 with an obvious advantage for White.}) 12... Ne8 13. f4 Nd6 $6 {After
this logical move Black will not manage to keep his queenside together.} ({
The insertion of the fairly unaesthetic} 13... f6 {offers better chances for
surviving:} 14. Nef3 Nd6 15. Nb3 {[%csl Ra5,Rc5][%cal Gb2c3]} ({After the
white knight's retreat} 15. Bc3 {is not dangerous due to} Nc6 $11) 15... Nxb3 {
Black will have to take on b3 after Bc3 anyway and it is questionable whether
he can find a useful move in between.} 16. axb3 a5 17. d4 $14) 14. Bc3 Rb8 ({
It is too late for} 14... f6 {already:} 15. Qa3 fxe5 16. Bxa5 $16) 15. Qa3 {
A remarkable moment for a game which started with such a peaceful opening at
this level: after only 15 moves Black cannot avoid losing material.} b6 {.} 16.
Bxa5 bxa5 17. Nb3 Nb7 {The best practical chance. In order to win the pawn
White needs to part with his g2-bishop, offering Black some chances to muddy
the waters.} (17... Nf5 {has similar ideas but after} 18. Qxc5 Qxc5+ 19. Nxc5
Rb2 20. Kf2 Bxe5 21. fxe5 Nd4 22. Bf3 Nxf3 23. Kxf3 {the absence of queens
makes White's position easier to handle than in the game.}) 18. Bxb7 Qxb7 {
Black needs to keep the queens on the board.} (18... Bxb7 19. Qxc5 {[%csl Gc7]}
) 19. Nxc5 Qc7 20. d4 Rd8 {This and the next few moves are aimed at shattering
White's stability in the centre. and clearing the path for the c8-bishop.} 21.
Rfd1 f6 22. Nf3 e5 23. fxe5 fxe5 24. Nxe5 Bxe5 ({The thematic} 24... Rxd4 {
is insufficient:} 25. Rxd4 Bxe5 26. Qe3 $1 {The only move which retauns the
advantage by centralising the queen, but not a very difficult one to find.} (
26. Rad1 Bxd4+ 27. Rxd4 Bh3 $44) (26. Rdd1 Bxa1 27. Rxa1 Qe5 28. Re1 Bh3 $19) (
26. e3 Bh3 $132) 26... Bf5 (26... Bh3 27. Rad1 Bxd4 28. Qxd4 {[%cal Gc5e4,
Ge4f6]}) (26... Qxc5 $2 27. Rd8+ {[%csl Gc5]}) 27. Rad1 Bxd4 28. Rxd4 ({
The capture with the queen is slightly less clear than in the previous line
since the e4-square is controlled.} 28. Qxd4 Qe7 $5) 28... Bh3 (28... Qxc5 29.
Rd8+) 29. Kf2 Qc6 30. Re4 {Not the only move, of course, since ...Qg2+ is not
such a big threat. But it is useful to provoke opposition of the rooks.} Rf8+
31. Rf4 Qg2+ 32. Ke1 $18 {[%cal Ge1d2,Gc5d3]}) 25. dxe5 Rxd1+ $6 {The prelude
to a suicidal idea.} (25... Bh3 $142 26. Nd3 $16 {[%csl Rg2,Rh3][%cal Gd3f4,
Gd3f2]}) 26. Rxd1 Qxe5 $2 {Losing immediately.} (26... Bh3 27. Nd3 $16) 27.
Rd8+ Kf7 ({Carlsen might have overlooked that} 27... Kg7 28. Ne6+ $1 {[%cal
Ga3f8] yields a mating attack.}) 28. Qf3+ Bf5 29. Rxb8 Qxb8 30. g4 {[%csl Gf5]}
Qb4 31. Nd3 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.29"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E43"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2016.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. e3 Bb7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. O-O c5 (7... d5
{is the other main move in this position transposing to the Petrosian
Variation.}) 8. Na4 {White threatens to disturb the bishop with a3.} cxd4 9. a3
Bd6 $5 {This has not been played by too many top players but you can be sure
that when someone plays the Candidates they always have a bagful of ideas with
themselves. The idea is to go Nc6 and prepare the move e5.} (9... Be7 {is the
more normal way to play.} 10. exd4 Nc6 11. b4) 10. exd4 Nc6 {After this move
the placement of the bishop on d6 doesn't look highly relevant.} (10... Bxf3
11. Qxf3 Nc6 {Looks like a plausible way to play as e5 is coming up.}) 11. Nc3
(11. b4 e5 $1 {This shows the main idea of the move Bd6.} 12. d5 e4 $1 $11)
11... Rc8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 Be7 {You can say that White has in some ways won
the opening battle because he forced Black to go back to e7. But for a move or
two when Black was threatening e6-e5, White had to remain careful and that was
the main idea of Bd6.} 14. Re1 (14. Bc2 Nh5 $1 15. Qd3 f5 $11) 14... d5 (14...
Na5 {Putting extra pressure on c4 was also an interesting idea.}) 15. cxd5 Nxd5
16. Nxd5 Bxh4 (16... Qxd5 17. Be4 Qd7 18. d5 exd5 19. Qxd5 Qxd5 20. Bxd5 Bxh4
21. Nxh4 $11) 17. Ne3 Bf6 {Black has absolutely no problems out of the opening.
} 18. Be4 g6 19. Qa4 a6 20. Rad1 b5 21. Qb3 Qb6 22. Ng4 Bg7 23. Qe3 Kh7 24. h4
f5 $1 {Forcing the pace of play} 25. Bxc6 Rxc6 (25... fxg4 26. Bxb7 Qxb7 27.
Ne5 $11 {is also a playable position for both sides.}) 26. Nge5 Rd6 27. Qf4
Bxf3 28. Nxf3 Rfd8 29. Rc1 Bxd4 {Mass exchanges take place and the game is
drawn.} 30. Nxd4 Qxd4 31. Qxd4 Rxd4 32. Rxe6 Rd1+ 33. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 34. Kh2 Rd2
35. Rxa6 Rxb2 36. Ra7+ Kg8 37. f3 b4 38. axb4 Rxb4 39. Kg3 {In a must win game
Harikrishna wasn't able to pose any problems to Levon.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2016.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 Nh5 8. Bd3
Nxf4 9. exf4 b6 10. b4 a5 11. a3 c6 12. O-O Qc7 13. g3 Ba6 14. Kg2 Bf6 15. Qc2
Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Qb7 17. Rfc1 axb4 18. axb4 Rxa1 19. Rxa1 Ra8 20. Qb1 h6 21. Ne5
Bxe5 22. fxe5 Rxa1 23. Qxa1 bxc5 24. bxc5 Nf8 25. Qb1 Qa6 26. Nd1 Qc4 27. Qa1
Qd3 28. Ne3 Ng6 29. h4 Ne7 30. Qa8+ Kh7 31. Qe8 Nf5 32. Nxf5 Qxf5 33. Qxc6 Qe4+
34. Kg1 Qe1+ 35. Kg2 Qe4+ 36. Kg1 Qe1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2016.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. O-O {This slightly
unusual move order, based on delaying the queen's knight's development, aims
at offering White more flexibility. Concretely, if Black leaves the knight on
d5 White could speed up d2-d4 while after a retreat to b6 he could deviate
from the usual way of developing.} Be7 ({Traditionally, the most reliable
continuation was supposed to be} 6... Nb6 {but the folloing recent game
managed to cast some doubt on it.} 7. b3 ({Previously White mainly tried} 7. d3
Be7 8. Nbd2 {without any particular success as for instance in Portisch,L 
(2533)-Almasi,Z (2646) Szekesfehervar 2006 CBM 112 [Ribli] (0-1, 42)}) 7... Be7
8. Bb2 f6 9. d4 e4 10. Ne1 f5 11. f3 $36 {Nakamura,H (2802)-Hammer,J (2677)
Stavanger 2015 CBM 167 [Sagar Shah] (1-0, 53)}) 7. d4 e4 {The most consistent
answer.} (7... exd4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 {offers White the initiative. A
recent game went} Nf6 10. Qxd8+ ({actually,} 10. Qa4+ {may be even more
effective:} c6 11. Rd1 Bd7 12. Bg5 $36 {Movsesian,S (2699)-Bryzgalin,K (2470)
Pardubice 2013 (1-0, 35)}) 10... Bxd8 11. Nc3 {This does not look too
theatening.} (11. Nd2 $5 $146 c6 12. Nc4 Bc7 13. Rd1 $14 {[%cal Gc4d6] gaining
the bishop pair.}) 11... O-O 12. Bf4 c6 13. Rad1 Be6 14. Bd6 Re8 15. e4 Bb6 16.
h3 Rad8 17. b3 Rd7 $11 18. e5 $6 (18. Bf4 $11) 18... Red8 19. Kh2 Ne8 $15 {
Kjartansson,G (2457)-Beliavsky,A (2624) Gjakova 2016 (0-1, 32). Black has
regrouped perfectly and will soon take the control over the only open file.})
8. Ne5 f5 {The only reasonable way of defending the e4-pawn.} ({Every now and
then Black falls into the trap} 8... Nxe5 9. dxe5 Bf5 10. Bxe4 $1 Bxe4 11. Qa4+
Qd7 12. Qxe4 {Chiburdanidze,M (2505)-Wang,P (2345) Shanghai 1992 (½-½, 40),
saw it played for the first time.}) 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Qc2 Qd7 11. Nc3 O-O {
Black has consolidated his space advantage and maintains a safe blockade on d5,
but in the process he has spoiled his queenside structure. White's chances for
a slight advantage depend on the possibility of activating his g2-bishop.} 12.
Re1 $146 {A rather mysterious move. I imagine that Aronian hoped to open the
e-file with f2-f3 and after ...exf3 either exf3 or Bxf3 followed by e2-e4.
Even though I know Aronian works out his plans deeply, my feeling is that the
last move is an early commitment. It is too early to know where it would be
best to place the rook.} (12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Bf4 Ba6 14. Rfc1 Rac8 15. e3 c5 $36
{Wang,H (2718)-Karjakin,S (2788) Ningbo 2011 CBM 144 [Marin,M] (1-0, 44)}) (12.
f3 $5 $146) 12... Nb4 {Apparently the main psychological merit of Aronian's
novelty is hypotising his opponent into playing for a knight fork on c2.} (
12... Rb8 $5 13. f3 c5 $5 {After the rook evacuated the dangerous long
diagonal this counterblow looks entirely playable.}) (12... Bf6 $5 {may well
force} 13. Rd1 {but the tempo gain is relative since the bishop stands better
on the a3-f8 diagonal, by figthing against the blockade on c5.}) 13. Qa4 Kh8 {
One of those neutral moves which actually worsens Black's coordination.} (13...
Qe6 $6 14. f3 exf3 15. Bxf3 {leaves the queen exposed.}) ({But Black could
have tried} 13... c5 $5 {without fearing the check} 14. Qb3+ {[%cal Gd4c5]} Qe6
15. d5 Qf7 16. a3 Nc6 17. Qd1 $5 (17. Qa2 Nd4) 17... Rd8 $1 (17... Nd4 18. e3 {
[%csl Gf3]} Nf3+ 19. Bxf3 exf3 20. Qxf3 $14) 18. Bd2 Ne5 $132) 14. Bf4 c5 $6 {
Consequently playing for winning the exchange but underestimating White's
compensation.} (14... Rb8 15. Rab1 (15. Qxa7 Ba6 {[%cal Gb4c2]}) 15... Rb7 16.
Be5 Bd6 17. a3 Nd5 18. Qc2 Qe7 19. Na4 $14 {[%csl Rb7,Gc5,Gc6]}) 15. Qxd7 Bxd7
16. dxc5 Nc2 (16... Bxc5 {offers White the nitiative for nothing:} 17. Rac1 {
[%csl Gc7][%cal Gc3e4]} Bb6 (17... Bd6 18. Bxd6 cxd6 19. a3 Nc6 20. Red1 $16)
18. a3 $16 {[%cal Ge1d1,Gc3d5]}) 17. Red1 $1 {Even though this loses a tempo,
it is the right way to give up the exchange.} (17. Rad1 $2 Nxe1 18. Rxd7 Nxg2 {
[%cal Gg2f4]} 19. Kxg2 Bxc5 20. Be5 Rfd8 21. Rxg7 Bd4 22. Bxd4 Rxd4 $13) 17...
Nxa1 18. Rxd7 Bxc5 19. Be5 {We can now see the negative effects of ...Kg8-h8.
With the king on g8 Black could have defended the seventh rank with 19...Rf7.}
Rg8 (19... Rfd8 20. Rxg7 Bd4 21. Bxd4 Rxd4 22. Rf7 {The difference with
respect to the line above s that the g2-bishop endangers the central pawns
while the black knight is "in offside".} Re8 23. Rxf5 e3 24. fxe3 Rxe3 25. Rf7
Rc4 $2 26. Nd5 $18 {[%cal Gd5f6]}) 20. Rxc7 Bb6 21. Rf7 $16 {White will soon
have three pawns for the exchange.} Rad8 (21... Raf8 $2 22. Bxg7+ $1 $18) 22.
Rxf5 Rgf8 23. Rxf8+ Rxf8 24. e3 Re8 25. Bd6 Rd8 26. Nxe4 {Black does not have
effective ways of activating his rook, making his position very difficult.} Nc2
(26... Rc8 27. h4 Rc2 28. Be5 $16) 27. Kf1 Rc8 28. Ke2 Nxe3 {Desperation.
Fressinet must have feared that the knight would be trapped anyway.} (28... Kg8
29. Kd1 Bxe3 30. Bh3 Re8 31. Kxc2 $18) 29. fxe3 Rc2+ 30. Nd2 Rxb2 31. Be5 (31.
Bd5 $2 Ba5 $1) 31... Rxa2 32. Bd5 {White has a material advantage and his
bishops dominate the whole board. It is instructive to follow Aronian's way of
using the perfect coordination of his pieces until the very end..} Ra3 33. e4
Re3+ 34. Kd1 Rd3 35. Bc4 {A nice way of expelling the intruder.} Rd8 36. Bd5 h6
37. Nc4 Bg1 38. h3 Bc5 39. Ke2 Bb4 40. Bd4 a5 41. Bb6 Rc8 42. Nxa5 Rc2+ 43. Kf3
Rc3+ 44. Kf4 g5+ 45. Kg4 h5+ 46. Kxh5 Rxg3 47. Kg6 {[%cal Gb6d4] Black's
attempts to exchange as many pawns as possible have offered White a mating
attack without major pieces!} Bc3 48. Be6 Rf3 49. Bf5 {[%csl Ge4,Rg5,Gh3]} 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.09"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2016.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d5 $5 {Recently at
the top level especially 6...d6 (as well as 6...Re8) has been the preferred
move, but Levon had prepared a surprise.} 7. exd5 Qxd5 8. Bc4 Qd6 (8... Qd7 $5
{is what he played later in the rapids against MVL, also getting a decent
position.}) 9. b4 Bb6 10. Nbd2 {The computer indicates 10.Ba3!? as a critical
reply, but it's not an easy move to play against a prepared opponent, and
Magnus sticks to commom sense chess:} Bf5 11. Qc2 Rad8 12. Ne4 Nxe4 13. dxe4
Bg4 14. Be2 a5 15. a3 {I guess the opening has to be described as an success
for Aronian. It's an equal symmetrical position, where its hard to see why
White should have any objective edge. Even so, Magnus makes it looks like it!}
Kh8 16. Bg5 f6 17. Rad1 Qe7 18. Bc1 Rxd1 19. Rxd1 Rd8 20. h3 Be6 21. Rxd8+ Qxd8
22. Nd2 {Still very minimal, but Nc4 or even Bc4, starts to bother moderately.
The bishop on b6 looks nice and better than its counterpart on c1, but it's a
target for White to attack, so Aronian decided to cover the c4-square.} Qg8 23.
Qd3 axb4 24. axb4 Qa8 $5 {The point is that now 25.Nc4 Bxc4!? 26.Qxc4 Qa1
generates strong counterplay.} 25. Nf1 Qa1 $6 {Aronian later regeretted this,
saying he got too optimistic. And its true, that while it looks active, soon
the queen will be forced back to defend, making ...Qa1 an empty shot.} 26. Be3
Bxe3 27. Qxe3 Bg8 $6 (27... Qe1 $5 {would have been an interesting way of
trying to force a queen exchange, as the queen is forced to keep the bishop on
e2 defended. White could play the endings after e.g. Bg4!? or Bb5, but Black
should hold.}) 28. Qc5 $1 Qa7 29. Qb5 $1 Qa8 30. Kh2 Qb8 31. Ne3 $2 {Magnus
has been playing true to his style - by very small means making chess look
simple and creating a serious advantage out what to most others looks like
thin air. Here however he makes an inaccuracy which Levon could have punished:}
Be6 $2 (31... Nd4 $3 {which is a beautiful tactic, forcing the exchange of
knight for bishop, as after 32.cxd4 exd4 Black has the unusual threat of ...c6
with a discovered check, attacking the white queen!}) 32. Bc4 {Now order is
restored. White has an considerable edge due to the greater activity of his
pieces and the weakness of c7.} Bd7 33. Qd5 Qc8 34. Be2 Ne7 35. Qf7 Qe8 36. Qc4
Qd8 37. Qd3 Qe8 38. Bg4 Bxg4 39. hxg4 h6 40. Qc4 c6 41. Qe6 Qf8 42. Qd7 b5 43.
Qe6 Kh7 44. g3 g6 $2 45. c4 $1 {It's a rapid game, and thus some ups and downs
are to be expected. Magnus let some of his edge slip, but Levon's last move is
a mistake, weakening his kingside, and now Magnus opens a route for his knight
to join the attack.} bxc4 {Sad, but neccesary, or else just cxb5 cxb5 Qd7
winning the pawn on b5.} 46. Nxc4 Kg7 47. Nd6 Kh7 48. Kg2 $1 {With Black being
completely tied down, the white king can safely walk to the queenside breaking
Black's resistance.} Kg7 49. Kf1 Kh7 50. Ke2 Kg7 51. Kd3 Ng8 52. Ne8+ Kh8 53.
Kc4 h5 54. gxh5 Qh6 $5 {A desperate attempt to fight for a perpetual, but
White hides his king easily.} 55. Qxc6 Qd2 56. hxg6 Qe2+ 57. Kc5 Qxf2+ 58. Kb5
Qxg3 59. Qd7 Qxg6 60. Ka5 {Even with the material being equal, it's completely
winning for White. The b-pawn queens, and Black has no counterplay whatsoever.}
Qg3 61. b5 Qc3+ 62. Ka6 Qa3+ 63. Kb7 Qg3 64. b6 Qg6 65. Ka7 f5 66. exf5 Qg3 67.
f6 Qa3+ 68. Kb8 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.09"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2016.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 Bf5 6. Qb3 Ra7 7. Nh4 Bc8 8. Bd2
e6 9. c5 Nbd7 10. Nf3 b6 11. cxb6 Qxb6 12. Na4 Qxb3 13. axb3 a5 14. Rc1 Bb7 15.
Bd3 Bd6 16. O-O Ke7 17. Rfd1 Ba6 18. Be1 Bxd3 19. Rxd3 Rc8 20. Rdc3 Ra6 21. Nd2
e5 22. R3c2 exd4 23. exd4 Nf8 24. f3 Ne6 25. Bf2 Kd7 26. g3 Rb8 27. Nc3 Rb4 28.
Na2 Rxd4 29. Re1 Rd3 30. Nc1 Nd4 31. Nxd3 Nxc2 32. Re2 Ra8 33. Ne5+ Bxe5 34.
Rxe5 Kd6 35. Re2 Nb4 36. g4 c5 37. Bg3+ Kd7 38. Nb1 Re8 39. Kf1 Kc6 40. Be5 Re6
41. h4 d4 42. Bg3 Nd3 43. Rc2 Nd5 44. Rd2 Ne3+ 45. Kg1 Nc1 46. Na3 Nxb3 47. Rd3
c4 48. Nxc4 Nxc4 49. Rxb3 Re3 50. Rxe3 Nxe3 51. b3 Nc2 52. Be5 f6 0-1

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2016.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d5 7. exd5 Qxd5 8.
Bc4 Qd7 9. Nbd2 Qf5 10. Qe2 Be6 11. b4 Bd6 12. Nh4 Qg4 13. Qxg4 Bxg4 14. h3 Bd7
15. a4 Rfe8 16. Re1 a5 17. b5 Nd8 18. Bb3 b6 19. Nhf3 Nb7 20. Ng5 Re7 21. d4
exd4 22. Rxe7 Bxe7 23. cxd4 Rf8 24. Nde4 Nxe4 25. Nxe4 Nd6 26. Ba3 Re8 27. Nc3
Nf5 28. Bxe7 Nxe7 29. Rc1 Be6 30. d5 Bd7 31. Ne4 Rc8 32. Rd1 h6 33. d6 Nf5 34.
dxc7 Rxc7 35. g4 Ne7 36. Nd6 Be6 37. Bxe6 fxe6 38. Re1 Nc8 39. Nxc8 Rxc8 40.
Rxe6 Rc4 41. Rxb6 Rxa4 42. Ra6 Ra1+ 43. Kg2 a4 44. f4 Rb1 45. Rxa4 Rxb5 46. Ra3
Kf7 47. Kg3 Kf6 48. h4 Rb1 49. Ra6+ Kf7 50. g5 hxg5 51. hxg5 Rb3+ 52. Kg4 g6
53. Ra7+ Kf8 54. Ra8+ Kf7 55. Ra7+ Kf8 56. Ra8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.10"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2016.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. O-O d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. a4
a5 9. Nbd2 Nb6 10. Bb5 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Ne4 Bd6 13. Re1 Na7 14. d4 Nxb5 15.
axb5 exd4 16. Nxd6 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qxd6 18. Bf4 Qf6 19. Bxc7 Qxf3 20. gxf3 Nd5
21. Bxa5 dxc3 22. bxc3 Rfc8 23. Red1 Nf4 24. Kh2 h6 25. Bb4 Rxa1 26. Rxa1 Nd5
27. Rd1 Nxb4 28. cxb4 g5 29. Rd4 Kg7 30. f4 Rc3 31. Kg2 Kg6 32. fxg5 hxg5 33.
h4 gxh4 34. Rxh4 Rd3 35. Rc4 Rd5 36. Rc5 Rd4 37. Rc7 Rxb4 38. Rxb7 Rb3 39. Rb8
Kf5 40. Rb6 Kf4 41. Rb8 f5 42. b6 Rb2 43. Rb7 Rb1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.10"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A09"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "Besenthal,K"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2016.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 f6 4. Na3 e5 5. Nc2 c5 6. bxc5 Bxc5 7. d3 Nc6 8. g3
Nge7 9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O Be6 11. Nd2 f5 12. Rb1 b6 13. Ba3 Bxa3 14. Nxa3 Rc8 15.
Qa4 Qd7 16. Nb5 a5 17. Qa3 Nb4 18. Nf3 Ng6 19. Ng5 Kh8 20. Nxe6 Qxe6 21. Qb2 f4
22. Na3 Rf6 23. Nc2 Nxc2 24. Qxc2 h5 25. Kh1 h4 26. g4 f3 27. Bxf3 Rcf8 28. Bd5
Qxg4 29. Rg1 Qh5 30. f3 Nf4 31. Be4 Nh3 32. Rg2 Qh6 33. c5 Rc8 34. Qa4 Rf7 {
Diagramm [#]} 35. Qb3 $2 Rf6 ({Mit} 35... Rxc5 $1 {hätte Caruana Aronjans
Fehler bestrafen können.}) 36. Qb5 Rfc6 $2 {Will den "schrecklichen" Le4
loswerden und dabei für die Qualität noch einen Bauern einstecken, doch das
hätte nicht funktionieren dürfen.} (36... Nf4 {war besser.}) 37. Bxc6 Rxc6 {
Diagramm [#]} 38. Rf1 $2 (38. Qxb6 $3 {gewinnt:} Rxb6 39. cxb6 Qd6 40. b7 Qb8
41. Rg6) 38... Rxc5 $2 {Noch ein Fehler. Weiß gewinnt jetzt ein wichtiges
Tempo und kommt dadurch mächtig in die Vorwärtsbewegung.} (38... Kh7 {
hätte dies vermieden, z.B.} 39. Rg4 ({Oder} 39. cxb6 Rc1 40. Rfg1 $11) 39...
Rxc5 40. Qd7 Qf6 $14) 39. Qe8+ Kh7 40. Qd7 Nf4 41. Rg4 Nxe2 (41... Qf6 42. Rfg1
) 42. Qe7 Rc1 43. Rxh4 Rxf1+ 44. Kg2 Nf4+ 45. Kxf1 Nh5 46. Qxe5 Qc1+ 47. Qe1
Qc5 48. Kg1 g6 49. Rg4 Nf6 50. Rg2 Nd5 51. Qh4+ Kg7 52. Qg5 Qc6 53. Qe5+ Kh7
54. Rg4 Nf6 55. Qe7+ Kh6 56. Qf8+ Kh7 57. Qf7+ Kh8 58. Rxg6 Qc1+ 59. Kg2 Qc2+
60. Kh3 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.10"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2016.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bf4 c6 7. e3 Nh5 ({
In my article published in CBM 154 I examined only} 7... Nb6 {and 6...Nb6.
Later I found out that the move played by Aronian is quite OK, too.}) 8. Bg5 {
White willingly transposes to the Bg5/...Nh5 exchange variation with a clear
tempo down. But since the position is static this is not so relevant given
that he likes playing this structure.} ({Leaving Black with the dark-squared
bishop makes the position double-edged strategically, for instance} 8. Bd3 Nxf4
9. exf4 {Gurevich,M (2610)-Parker,J (2515) England 1998 CBM 068 [Gurevich,M] 
(1-0, 44)}) ({or} 8. Be5 Nxe5 9. dxe5 (9. Nxe5 g6 10. Qf3 f6 11. Nd3 Bd6 12. g4
Ng7 13. h4 Qe7 $13 {Hoelzl,F (2415)-Byrne,R (2530) Vienna 1980 MCL [Dolmatov] 
(1/2-1/2, 44)}) 9... g6 10. Be2 Bg4 11. Qa4 Bd7 12. O-O Be7 13. Rfd1 O-O 14. e4
dxe4 15. Qxe4 Qc7 16. Rac1 Rad8 17. Qe3 Qb6 $11 {Aleksandrov,A (2591)-Smagin,S
(2605) Germany 2000}) 8... Be7 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Qc2 Nb6 ({Usually Black plays .
..g7-g6 now or on the next move, preparing the knight transfer to g7-e6.} 10...
g6 11. O-O-O Nb6 12. h3 (12. Bd3 Bg4 {Huebner,R (2620)-Milov,V (2653) Essen
2000 CBM 077 [Milov,V] (1/2-1/2, 22)}) 12... Bf5 {Just another merit of ...
g7-g6.} 13. Qb3 Nf6 $5 14. Ne5 Nfd7 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. Qa3 Qe7 17. Qxe7+ Kxe7
18. g4 {The f5-bishop was irritating, of course, but the last move offers
Black a clear kingside plan.} Be6 19. Bd3 h5 20. f3 (20. g5 h4 21. f3 Rad8 22.
Kb1 Kf8 23. b3 Kg7 24. Kb2 Nc8 {[%cal Gc8d6]}) 20... Rh7 21. Ne2 $6 (21. g5 $1
{is an improved version of the previous line since the rook will have to
return to h8.}) 21... hxg4 22. hxg4 Rah8 $36 {Miroiu,G (2335)-Lupulescu,C 
(2626) Mamaia 2015 (0-1, 25)}) 11. O-O-O Nf6 $5 $146 {As we see, Aronian has
different plans for his knight and kingside structure.} (11... g6 $5 {would
transpose above.}) ({The tempting} 11... Bg4 {ensuring that he gets rid of the
potentially bad bishop is not a one-sided decision. Given he will castle long,
Black will miss an important defender of the b7- and d7-pawns.} 12. h3 ({
White's play was less consistent in:} 12. Re1 Bxf3 13. gxf3 g6 14. Bh3 Qh4 15.
Bg2 O-O-O 16. Kb1 {1/2-1/2 Chekhov,V (2480)-Graf,A (2445) Frunze 1988}) 12...
Bxf3 13. gxf3 g6 14. Kb1 O-O-O 15. h4 Kb8 16. Qb3 Nc8 $6 ({Unnecessarily
allowing White to activate his knight.} 16... Rhe8 $5) 17. Na4 Nd6 18. Nc5 {
[%csl Gb7]} Ng7 19. Rc1 h5 20. Rc3 Ne6 (20... Rhe8) (20... Ka8) 21. Qb4 (21.
Nxe6 Qxe6 22. Rxc6 Qf5+ 23. Bd3 Qxf3 24. Rf1 Ne4 25. Rc2 Rc8 $132) 21... Ka8
22. Ra3 Nc8 23. Bd3 Rhe8 24. Rb3 Nd6 25. Rc1 Rc8 26. Ra3 {By now it has become
clear that White has excellent attacking chances.} Rcd8 27. Qa4 Nc8 28. Nxb7 $1
Qxb7 {1-0 (34) Kosic,D (2486)-Stojanovic,M (2547) Palic 2014} 29. Rxc6 $40 {
[%cal Ga3b3,Gd3a6]}) 12. Bd3 ({Preventing ...Bg4 with} 12. h3 {allows} Ne4)
12... Be6 (12... Bg4 $5) 13. h3 O-O-O 14. Kb1 Kb8 15. Nd2 $5 {A slightly
unusual plan in the Karlsbad structure with long castling on both sides.} ({
The standard treatment of this position is} 15. Rc1 Ne8 16. Na4 {for instance}
Nxa4 17. Qxa4 Nd6 18. Rc3 Rhe8 19. Ra3 Nc8 20. Rc1 Qf6 {[%cal Ge6f5,Ye6h3]
Black can strengthen the queenside defence by lifting rooks on the seventh
rank while the threat ...Bxh3 ensures the exchange of bishops with ...Bf5 on
the next move.}) 15... Rc8 16. Nb3 Nfd7 17. Ne2 {Creating the potential threat
Nc5 while bringing the reserve knight closer to the d4-square in view of the
probable ...c6-c5.} (17. f3 {[%cal Ge3e4] can be typically answered in the
same way:} c5 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Nxc5 Rxc5 20. Qf2 {[%csl Rb8,Rg7][%cal Gf2g3]}
Ka8 21. g4 Rhc8 22. Nb5 Bd7 23. Nd4 Nc4 24. Bxc4 dxc4 {[%cal Gc4c3]} 25. Ne2 b5
$132) 17... c5 {Crossing White's intentions radically.} ({Actually there was
no need to hurry with this. Black could have tried obtaining a favourable
kingside structure.} 17... h5 18. h4 {From the static point of view the right
answer, but the hanging h4-pawn and the weakening of the g4-square offer Black
some help in specific lines.} (18. Rc1 h4 19. Rhe1 g5 20. Ng1 f6 21. Nf3 Rhe8
$132) (18. Nc5 Nxc5 19. dxc5 Nd7 20. b4 Ne5 21. Nd4 h4 $132) 18... c5 {The
fact is that if White will have problems fighting for the c-file with his
h4-pawn hanging.} 19. dxc5 Nxc5 20. Nxc5 Rxc5 21. Qd2 Rhc8 22. Nd4 Bg4 23. Rde1
(23. f3 Bd7 {[%csl Ge3,Gh4]}) 23... Nc4 24. Bxc4 dxc4 25. f3 (25. Qc3 Qe4+ 26.
Qc2 Bf5 $11) 25... c3 $5 {Not the only good move of course.} 26. bxc3 Bd7 27.
Rc1 Ba4 $44) 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Nxc5 Rxc5 20. Qd2 Rhc8 {In principle this
version of Isolani, with light-squared bishops and a firm white control of d4,
should favour White. But with the king on the queenside, somewhat exposed to
the threat ...Nc4 things are not one-sided.} 21. Nd4 Nc4 22. Bxc4 dxc4 {
The structure has changed but the d4-knight still occupies a dominating
position. On the other hand, White needs to remove it from the outpost in
order to activate his major pieces. On top, he has to block the c4-pawn. In
principle it is mainly White who can try playing for a win, but his chances of
achieving anything concrete are slim.} 23. Qc3 Bd7 24. f3 f5 25. Rhe1 Rd5 {
This allows White to open the centre with some slight initiative.} (25... Re5 {
was safer, when White should look for chances with} 26. g4 $5) 26. e4 fxe4 27.
fxe4 Re5 28. Nf5 Bxf5 29. exf5 Rxe1 $6 {Another slight concession, helping
White develop his initiative.} ({True, keeping the tension with} 29... Re8 $2 {
loses a pawn:} 30. Rxe5 Qxe5 31. Rd8+ Kc7 32. Rxe8 Qxe8 33. Qxc4+ $16) ({But} 
29... Re4 $5 30. g4 Rd8 {(!!) allows Black to keep his centralised position
for instance} 31. Rxd8+ Qxd8 32. Rxe4 Qd1+ 33. Qc1 Qd3+ 34. Qc2 Qf1+ {with a
draw.}) 30. Rxe1 Qd7 {The structure is almost perfectly symmetrical, with the
important difference that White can advance his majority without weakening his
king.} 31. g4 $14 a6 32. a3 Ka8 33. Ka2 h5 34. Re6 hxg4 35. hxg4 Qd1 36. Re4
Qd7 37. Qd4 $5 {Facing Black with an interesting psychological dilemma.} Qc7 ({
The endgame arising after} 37... Qxd4 38. Rxd4 {seems to be less dagerous than
it looks at first sight.} Rc7 (38... c3 39. bxc3 Rxc3 40. Rd7 $18) 39. Rd6 Ka7
40. Kb1 b5 41. Kc2 a5 42. Kc3 Kb7 $14 {White has space advantage and a
threatening kingside majority, but cannot activate his king without losing his
control over the black majority.} 43. Rg6 (43. g5 Rc5 $11) (43. Rd5 Kc6 $11)
43... Ka7 44. g5 Kb7 {Black should simply wait} 45. f6 gxf6 46. gxf6 {Things
look dangerous for Black in view of the threat Rg7 but} Rc5 $1 {[%cal Gc5f5]
should hold without problems.}) 38. Qe3 Qd6 39. Qd4 Qc7 40. Re6 {White seems
to have increased his domination, but in fact Black's forrtress is quite solid.
} Rd8 $2 {A careless move and the more or less decisive mistake.} ({Black
should just mark time with} 40... Qg3 {[%csl Gb3]} 41. Re3 Qc7 $14) 41. Qe4 $16
{[%cal Ge6a6,Ge6e7,Re4a8]} Rc8 (41... Ka7 42. Re7 Rd7 (42... Qb6 43. Qxc4 $16)
(42... Qc8 43. Rxg7 $18) 43. Rxd7 Qxd7 44. Qxc4 $16 {with good winning chances.
}) 42. Rxa6+ Kb8 43. Re6 c3 {This is not dangerous for White since he can
exchange queens immediately.} 44. bxc3 Qxc3 45. Qe5+ Qxe5 46. Rxe5 Rc4 47. g5 {
Unlike in the endgame examined above, White can activate his king since there
is no majority to keep under control anymore.} Ka7 (47... Rf4 48. g6 Ka7 49.
Kb3 (49. Re7 $2 Rxf5 50. Rxg7 Rg5 {is drawn.}) 49... Ka6 50. Kc3 {and White
should win.}) 48. Kb3 Rc1 49. g6 Ka6 (49... Rf1 50. Kc4 $18) 50. Re7 Rc5 51.
Rxg7 Rxf5 52. Rf7 Rg5 53. g7 {With the pawn on the seventh rank defended from
the side the game is over.} b5 54. Kc3 Rg4 55. Kd3 Ka5 56. Ke3 Rg1 57. Ke4 Ka4
58. Ra7+ Kb3 59. Kf5 Rxg7 {This desperate counterplay is too slow of course.}
60. Rxg7 Kxa3 61. Ke4 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.10"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A09"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2016.06.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 f6 4. Na3 e5 5. Nc2 Na6 6. Rb1 c5 7. b5 Nc7 8. d3 Bd6
9. g3 b6 10. Bg2 Ne7 11. Nd2 Rb8 12. Ne4 O-O 13. Nxd6 Qxd6 14. O-O Bb7 15. Bxb7
Rxb7 16. e3 Ne6 17. Qf3 Rd7 18. e4 Nc8 19. Qg2 Qe7 20. f4 exf4 21. gxf4 f5 22.
e5 Qe8 23. Ne1 Ne7 24. Rb2 Qa8 25. Nf3 Ng6 26. Qg3 a6 27. bxa6 Qxa6 28. h4 Rff7
29. Bd2 Ngf8 30. Rfb1 Rb7 31. h5 Qa8 32. Qg2 Ra7 33. Ng5 Qxg2+ 34. Kxg2 Nxg5
35. fxg5 Rfe7 36. Rxb6 Rxa2 37. R1b2 Rxb2 38. Rxb2 Rxe5 39. Bf4 Re8 40. Rb7 Ne6
41. Kg3 Ra8 42. g6 hxg6 43. hxg6 Rf8 44. Be5 Re8 45. Kh4 Kf8 46. Rf7+ Kg8 47.
Kh5 f4 48. Kg4 f3 49. Bd6 Rd8 50. Be7 Re8 51. Kxf3 Nf8 52. Rxf8+ Rxf8+ 53. Bxf8
Kxf8 54. Ke4 Ke7 55. Ke5 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D12"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Nxg6 hxg6 8. h3
Nbd7 9. Bd3 a6 10. Bd2 dxc4 11. Bxc4 c5 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. O-O O-O 14. Be2 Ne5
15. Rc1 Rc8 16. Na4 Be7 17. Rxc8 Qxc8 18. Bc3 Ned7 19. Ba5 Qc6 20. Bf3 Qb5 21.
Bc3 Rd8 22. Qc2 Nd5 23. Rd1 N7f6 24. Bd4 Nb4 25. Qb3 Nc6 26. Qxb5 axb5 27. Nc3
Nxd4 28. Rxd4 Rxd4 29. exd4 b4 30. Nb5 b6 31. Kf1 Kf8 32. Bc6 Ne8 33. d5 exd5
34. Bxd5 Nd6 35. Na7 Bf6 36. b3 Bd4 37. Ke2 Bc5 38. g4 Nb5 39. Nxb5 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2687"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Nbd2 d4 11. h3 Nd7 12. a4 Bb7 13. Nb3 Nb6 14. axb5 axb5 15.
Rxa8 Bxa8 16. Bd2 Na4 17. Qc1 Bb7 18. cxd4 exd4 19. Na5 Nxa5 20. Bxa5 Nc5 21.
b4 Ne6 22. Bb3 Qd7 23. Bxe6 fxe6 24. Qxc7 Qxc7 25. Bxc7 Bxb4 26. Rb1 Bc3 27.
Bb6 b4 28. Bxd4 Ba6 29. Bxc3 bxc3 30. Ne1 Rd8 31. Rd1 Kf7 32. f3 Rb8 33. Ra1
Rb6 34. Rc1 Rb3 35. Kf2 Ke7 36. Ke3 Kd6 37. Nc2 e5 38. d4 g5 39. g3 exd4+ 40.
Kxd4 Bc8 41. h4 gxh4 42. gxh4 Rb5 43. Ne3 Rb4+ 44. Kxc3 Ra4 45. Kd2 Be6 46. Kd3
Ke5 47. Ng2 Ra3+ 48. Rc3 Rxc3+ 49. Kxc3 Bh3 50. Ne1 Kf4 51. Kd4 Be6 52. Kc5 h5
53. Kd6 Bc4 54. e5 Kg3 55. e6 Kxh4 56. e7 Bb5 57. f4 Kg4 58. f5 Kxf5 59. Nf3
Kf6 60. Nh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Bd5 11. Qd3 c5 12. Nc3 Bc6 13. Rfd1 cxd4 14. Bxf6 Bxf6
15. Nxd4 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Nc6 18. Qc5 Qa5 19. Ne4 Rfd8 20. Qxa5 Nxa5
21. Nc5 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 h6 23. Rd7 b5 24. b3 Rc8 25. Nxa6 bxa4 26. bxa4 Rc4 27.
Ra7 Rxa4 28. Nc5 Ra1 29. Ra8+ Kh7 30. Nd7 g5 31. Ne5 Nb3 32. Rxa1 Nxa1 33. Nxf7
Kg6 34. Nd6 Nb3 35. g4 Nd2 36. h3 Kf6 37. f3 Ke5 38. Nf7+ Kf6 39. Nd8 Ke7 40.
Nc6+ Kd6 41. Nb4 Ke5 42. Kf2 Nc4 43. Nc6+ Kd6 44. Nd4 Ke5 45. e3 Kd5 46. Ke2
Ne5 47. Nb5 Kc6 48. Nc3 Kd6 49. Ne4+ Ke7 50. f4 gxf4 51. exf4 Nc6 52. Ke3 Kf7
53. h4 h5 54. g5 Ne7 55. Nd6+ Kf8 56. Ke4 Ng6 57. f5 exf5+ 58. Nxf5 Kf7 59. Kd5
Nf4+ 60. Ke5 Ng6+ 61. Ke4 Ke6 62. Nd4+ Kf7 63. Nf3 Ke6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.11"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Besenthal,K"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. h3 Be6 7. Nc3 Qd6 8.
Na4 Bb6 9. O-O O-O 10. b3 h6 11. Bb2 Nd7 12. Nxb6 axb6 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 c5
15. Nb5 Qc6 16. c4 f6 17. f4 Rfe8 18. Qf3 Re7 19. a4 Nf8 20. Nc3 Qe8 21. Rae1 {
Diagramm [#] Carlsen hat seine gesamte Streitmacht zum sofortigen Losschlagen
aufgebaut. Der weiße Vorteil ist offensichtlich.} c6 22. f5 Bf7 23. e5 $1 {
Diagramm [#]} fxe5 $2 (23... Rxe5 24. Ne4 Nd7 25. Bxe5 Nxe5 26. Qg3 {war
nötig. Schwarz hätte zwar die Qualität eingebüßt, dafür aber den
Durchbruch am Königsflügel verhindert.}) 24. Ne4 {Weiß hat einen Bauern
weniger, aber spätestens jetzt stehen alle seine Figuren perfekt für den
Schlussangriff.} Nh7 25. Qg3 Rd7 (25... Kh8 {hätte nichts genützt:} 26. f6
gxf6 27. Rxf6 $1 Nxf6 28. Nxf6 $18) 26. Bxe5 Qf8 27. Kh2 b5 28. Nxc5 Rd2 29.
Ne6 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[PlyCount "179"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e4 Bg7 5. h3 O-O 6. Be3 a6 7. a4 b6 8. Qd2 Bb7
9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. O-O c5 11. d5 Qc7 12. Rad1 c4 13. Be2 Nc5 14. Bxc5 Qxc5 15. Nd4
b5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Ndxb5 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Qxb5 19. b3 Qb6 20. Bxc4 e5 21. Qe3
Qc7 22. Ra1 h6 23. Nc3 Qe7 24. Nb5 Ba6 25. Ra4 Bxb5 26. Bxb5 f5 27. Bc6 Rxa4
28. bxa4 e4 29. f4 g5 30. Kh1 gxf4 31. Qxf4 Qe5 32. a5 Qxf4 33. Rxf4 Be5 34.
Rf1 Bd4 35. g3 Kg7 36. Bd7 Kg6 37. a6 Kg5 38. Kg2 h5 39. h4+ Kg6 40. Rd1 Bc5
41. Rf1 Bd4 42. c4 Bc5 43. Ra1 Bd4 44. Ra2 Ra8 45. Bc6 Ra7 46. Bb7 Kf6 47. Kf1
Ke5 48. Ke2 Bc5 49. Ra1 Kd4 50. Rf1 Ke5 51. Rb1 Kd4 52. Rf1 Ke5 53. Rd1 Bd4 54.
Rb1 Bc5 55. Rb5 Kd4 56. Rb1 Ke5 57. Rf1 Bd4 58. Kd2 Bc5 59. Kc3 Bd4+ 60. Kd2
Bc5 61. Ke2 Bd4 62. Bc8 Rf7 63. Be6 Rf8 64. Rb1 Ra8 65. Rf1 Rf8 66. Bd7 Rf7 67.
Be8 Ra7 68. Bg6 Bc5 69. Rxf5+ Kd4 70. Rf4 Rxa6 71. Rxe4+ Kc3 72. Bxh5 Bd4 73.
Kf3 Be5 74. Kg4 Ra1 75. Bg6 Rg1 76. h5 Rxg3+ 77. Kf5 Bd4 78. Ke6 Bc5 79. Kf7
Bd4 80. Ke6 Bc5 81. Rh4 Re3+ 82. Kf7 Bd4 83. h6 Rf3+ 84. Ke8 Rg3 85. Bf7 Bf6
86. Rh5 Re3+ 87. Kf8 Kxc4 88. h7 Bh8 89. Kg8 Be5 90. Rxe5 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Ke8 10. Nc3 h6 11. Rd1 Ne7 12. Bf4 Ng6 13. Bg3 Bc5 14. e6
Bxe6 15. Bxc7 Rc8 16. Ne4 Bxf2+ 17. Kxf2 Rxc7 18. Nc5 Bc8 19. Rd2 f6 20. Re1+
Kf7 21. Ne4 Rf8 22. c4 Kg8 23. c5 Be6 24. Nd4 Bd5 25. Nc3 Bf7 26. Ne6 Bxe6 27.
Rxe6 Kf7 28. Re3 Ne5 29. b3 Rd7 30. Rxd7+ Nxd7 31. Ne4 Rb8 32. b4 Ne5 33. Ra3
a6 34. Rg3 g6 35. Rc3 Ke6 36. Ke3 Rd8 37. Nd6 b6 38. Ne4 b5 39. Nd6 h5 40. Ke4
Nf7 41. Nxf7 Kxf7 42. Ra3 Ra8 43. g4 hxg4 44. hxg4 Ke6 45. Kf4 Kd5 46. Rd3+ Kc4
47. Rd6 a5 48. a3 a4 49. Rxc6 Kb3 50. Rb6 Kxa3 51. Rxb5 Kb3 52. c6 a3 53. Ra5
Rxa5 54. bxa5 a2 55. c7 a1=Q 56. c8=Q Qd4+ 57. Kf3 Qd3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.11"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A35"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Qb3 e6 9. Bb5 Bg7 10. O-O O-O 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Na4 Qd6 13. Re1 Rb8 14. Qd1 Ne7
15. Bd2 Nf5 16. Bc3 Rd8 17. Re4 Rb5 18. Qe1 Rd5 19. Ba5 Rd7 20. Bb4 Qb8 21. Nc5
Rd8 22. Nb3 Ba6 23. Ne5 Nxd4 24. Nxd4 Bxe5 25. Nxc6 Bxh2+ 26. Kh1 Bd6 27. Nxb8
Rh5+ 28. Kg1 Bh2+ 29. Kh1 Bxb8+ 30. Kg1 Bh2+ 31. Kh1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.11"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nc3 h6 12. Bd2 a5 13. Rfd1 Bb4 14. Qd3 Qe7 15.
Be1 Rfd8 16. Qc2 Nb6 17. b3 Rac8 18. Rac1 Ba3 19. Ra1 Bb4 20. Rac1 Be8 21. Qb1
c5 22. dxc5 Rxc5 23. Rxd8 Qxd8 24. Na2 Rxc1 25. Qxc1 Bxe1 26. Nxe1 Nbd5 27. Nd3
b5 28. axb5 Bxb5 29. Qc2 Qb6 30. Nac1 Qd4 31. Bf3 g5 32. h3 Kg7 33. Qc5 Qxc5
34. Nxc5 Nc3 35. Kf1 a4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.11"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C00"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d5 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. O-O dxe4 8.
dxe4 Qe7 9. b4 Bd6 10. a3 Nd8 11. Re1 c6 12. Bf1 Bc7 13. g3 a5 14. Rb1 axb4 15.
cxb4 Ne6 16. Bb2 Rd8 17. Qc2 h6 18. Rbd1 Ng5 19. Nxg5 hxg5 20. Nc4 Bg4 21. Be2
Bh3 22. Bf1 Bg4 23. Be2 Bh3 24. Bf1 Bg4 25. Be2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.12"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A01"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. b3 Nf6 3. Bb2 Nc6 4. e3 g6 5. d3 Bg7 6. Nf3 d6 7. Be2 O-O 8. a3 Nd7
9. Nc3 a5 10. O-O Re8 11. Nd2 Nc5 12. Nd5 Be6 13. Qc2 h6 14. Rfd1 Qc8 15. b4
Nd7 16. Bc3 Nf6 17. Bf3 Bxd5 18. cxd5 Ne7 19. e4 axb4 20. axb4 c6 21. Nc4 Rxa1
22. Rxa1 Qc7 23. dxc6 Nxc6 24. b5 Nd4 25. Bxd4 exd4 26. Qb3 b6 27. g3 Nd7 28.
Kg2 Nc5 29. Qb1 h5 30. h4 Be5 31. Bd1 Rb8 32. Bf3 Kg7 33. Ra3 Qd7 34. Bd1 Bf6
35. Nd2 d5 36. Bf3 dxe4 37. Nxe4 Be7 38. Nxc5 Bxc5 39. Ra8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.12"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 b6 8. Bg5
Ba6 9. Nbd2 Nd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. Nxc4 Nd7 12. Rac1 c5 13. Qa4 Bb7 14. Qa3 N5f6
15. Rfd1 Rfd8 16. Nfe5 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Qb7+ 19. f3 Ne8 20. e4 Qc7
21. Qa4 h6 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Rc2 Kf8 24. b4 Rd4 25. Qb5 cxb4 26. Qxb4+ Qe7 27.
Qb2 Rd1 28. Ne3 Rd7 29. h4 Rc7 30. f4 Rc5 31. Kf3 Nc7 32. Rd2 Ne8 33. Qb3 Rc7
34. Qd1 Rc3 35. Rd3 Rxd3 36. Qxd3 Qc5 37. Nc4 Ke7 38. Kg2 a5 39. Qb3 Qd4 40.
Kf3 f6 41. Nxb6 fxe5 42. f5 exf5 43. exf5 e4+ 44. Kg2 Nf6 45. Qe6+ Kf8 46. Nc8
Qd3 47. Ne7 Qf3+ 48. Kg1 Qxg3+ 49. Kf1 Qf3+ 50. Ke1 Qe3+ 51. Kf1 Qd3+ 52. Ke1
Qc3+ 53. Kf1 Qd3+ 54. Ke1 Qb1+ 55. Ke2 Qb5+ 56. Kd1 Qf1+ 57. Kd2 Qf2+ 58. Kd1
Qd4+ 59. Ke2 Qd3+ 60. Ke1 Qc3+ 61. Kd1 Qd4+ 62. Ke2 Qb2+ 63. Kf1 Qb5+ 64. Kg2
Qe2+ 65. Kg1 Qg4+ 66. Kf1 Qh3+ 67. Ke2 Qf3+ 68. Ke1 Qc3+ 69. Ke2 Qb2+ 70. Kf1
Qb5+ 71. Kg2 Qe2+ 72. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.12"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D56"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7
Qxe7 9. Rc1 c6 10. Bd3 Nxc3 11. Rxc3 Nd7 12. O-O dxc4 13. Rxc4 e5 14. Bc2 Nb6
15. Rc5 Nd7 16. Rc3 exd4 17. exd4 Nf6 18. Re1 Qd6 19. Ne5 Rd8 20. Bb3 Nd5 21.
Rf3 f6 22. Nc4 Qf8 23. Qd3 Re8 24. Ne3 Kh8 25. h3 Be6 26. Bc2 Bg8 27. a3 Rad8
28. Rf1 Nxe3 29. fxe3 c5 30. Kh1 cxd4 31. exd4 Rd6 32. Rf4 Rc8 33. Bb1 Rc7 34.
Re1 Re7 35. Rfe4 Rxe4 36. Qxe4 Re6 37. Qh4 Rxe1+ 38. Qxe1 Bd5 39. Bg6 Qd8 40.
Kg1 Kg8 41. h4 Kf8 42. Qc3 b6 43. Kf2 Qd7 44. Qb4+ Qe7 45. Qc3 Qd7 46. Qe3 Qe7
47. Qf4 Qd8 48. g3 Ke7 49. Qe3+ Kd6 50. Qf4+ Ke7 51. Qe3+ Kd6 52. Qd2 Kc7 53.
Qf4+ Qd6 54. Ke3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.12"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Besenthal,K"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 c5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 cxd4 5. O-O Nc6 6. Nxd4 Bc5 7. Nb3 Be7 8.
c4 O-O 9. Nc3 b6 10. Bf4 Bb7 11. Rc1 d6 12. Nb5 Ne8 13. Qd2 a6 14. Nc3 Qb8 15.
Rfd1 Nd8 16. Ne4 e5 17. Bg5 f6 18. Be3 f5 19. Nc3 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Ne6 21. Nd5 Bd8
22. f3 Ra7 23. Nb4 Qc8 24. Qd5 {Diagramm [#]} Kh8 $6 (24... Raf7 $1 25. Nc6 Bc7
{ist der Computervorschlag. Schwarz kann alle seine Schwächen decken und
Weiß kommt nicht mehr recht voran.}) 25. Nc6 Rb7 26. Nxd8 Nxd8 27. c5 $1 {
Das ist jetzt vorteilhaft für Weiß.} bxc5 28. Bxc5 dxc5 29. Qxd8 Nf6 30. Qxc8
(30. Qd6 $1) 30... Rxc8 31. Rxc5 Rxc5 32. Rd8+ Ng8 33. Nxc5 Rxb2 34. Kf2 Rxa2
35. h4 h6 36. h5 {Diagramm [#] Jetzt sollte Schwarz eigentlich nicht mehr
verlieren.} Rc2 37. Nd3 e4 38. Ne5 exf3 39. Kxf3 Kh7 40. Ng6 a5 41. Ra8 Ra2 42.
e3 a4 43. Kf4 Rf2+ 44. Ke5 Rf3 45. Ke6 Rxe3+ 46. Kf7 Rb3 $2 (46... Rd3 $1 47.
Nf8+ Kh8) 47. Nf8+ Kh8 48. Ng6+ Kh7 49. Nf8+ Kh8 50. Nd7 {Diagramm [#] Man
stelle sich den schwarzen Turm jetzt auf d3 vor...} Rb7 51. Rxg8+ Kh7 52. Rxg7+
Kh8 53. Kg6 a3 54. Rh7+ 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.12"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. Re1 h6 7. c3 d6 8. a4 a6
9. Na3 Ba7 10. Nc2 Ne7 11. h3 Ng6 12. a5 Re8 13. Be3 Be6 14. Bxe6 Rxe6 15. Bxa7
Rxa7 16. Ne3 Qd7 17. Qb3 Re8 18. Rad1 Qe6 19. Qb4 Ne7 20. Qa4 Raa8 21. Qc2 Ng6
22. Nf5 d5 23. g3 Rad8 24. Kg2 Qc6 25. Nd2 Rd7 26. c4 Red8 27. f3 Ne7 28. Ne3
dxe4 29. Nxe4 Nxe4 30. dxe4 Qc5 31. Rxd7 Rxd7 32. Qc3 Nc6 33. Nd5 Qxa5 34. Rd1
Qxc3 35. bxc3 Kf8 36. Kf2 Na5 37. Rb1 c6 38. Nb6 Rd3 39. c5 Rxc3 40. Rd1 Ke8
41. Rd7 Rxc5 42. Rc7 Rb5 43. Na8 Nc4 44. f4 Nd6 45. fxe5 Rxe5 46. Kf3 Re7 0-1

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.12"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. d4 Qc7 4. g3 b6 5. d5 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. c4 b5
9. Nfd2 d6 10. cxb5 a6 11. b6 Qxb6 12. Nc3 Nbd7 13. a4 a5 14. Nc4 Qb4 15. Na3
Ba6 16. Ncb5 Nb6 17. Nc7 Qxa4 18. Qxa4 Nxa4 19. Nb1 Nb6 20. Nxa8 Rxa8 21. Rxa5
Bxe2 22. Rxa8+ Nxa8 23. Re1 Bd3 24. Nc3 Kf8 25. Bd2 Nb6 26. Ra1 Ke8 27. Ra7 Bc4
28. Rb7 Nfd7 29. Bf1 Bxf1 30. Kxf1 Bxc3 31. bxc3 Nxd5 32. Ke2 c4 33. g4 e5 34.
h4 h5 35. gxh5 gxh5 36. Ra7 Nc5 37. Ra8+ Ke7 38. Rh8 Ne6 39. Kf3 Ndf4 40. Ke4
d5+ 41. Kf5 Ng7+ 42. Kg5 f6+ 43. Kh6 Nf5+ 44. Kh7 Nd3 45. Kg6 Nxh4+ 46. Kxh5
Nf3 47. Bh6 Nxf2 48. Be3 Ne4 49. Kg6 d4 50. cxd4 exd4 51. Bf4 Nd6 52. Kh5 Ne5
53. Ra8 Ke6 54. Kh4 Ng6+ 55. Kg4 Nxf4 56. Kxf4 c3 57. Ra5 d3 58. Ra1 Nc4 59.
Ke4 d2 0-1

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.12"]
[Round "16"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. c4 Nc7 14. d4 d5
15. cxd5 Bb4 16. Bd2 Bxd2 17. Qxd2 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Qxd5 19. Re5 Qd6 20. Bc4 Bd7
21. Rae1 b5 22. Bb3 a5 23. a4 Rad8 24. axb5 cxb5 25. Qxa5 Qxd4 26. Qc3 Qxc3 27.
bxc3 Rc8 28. R5e3 Rfd8 29. Rf3 Be6 30. Bxe6 fxe6 31. h3 Rd6 32. Ra1 Rdc6 33.
Ra7 R6c7 34. Ra5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.12"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Ne5 Nc6 8.
Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxc6 Qe8 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Qa4 e5 12. dxe5 Qxe5 13. Qxc4 Be6 14.
Qd3 Rad8 15. Qe3 Qa5 16. Qa3 Qh5 17. f3 Rfe8 18. Nc3 Bc4 19. Rf2 h6 20. Bf4 Nd5
21. Nxd5 Qxd5 22. Re1 Bxa2 23. Qxa7 c6 24. e4 Qe6 25. Kg2 Bc4 26. Qc5 Bb5 27.
h4 Rd3 28. g4 Red8 29. h5 Rd1 30. Rxd1 Rxd1 31. g5 hxg5 32. Qxg5 Bc4 33. Kh2 f6
34. Qg6 Qf7 35. Rc2 Bb5 36. Rg2 Qxg6 37. hxg6 c5 38. Rc2 Be8 39. Rxc5 Bxg6 40.
b4 Rb1 41. Bd2 Rb2 42. Rd5 Bf7 43. Rd8+ Kh7 44. Kg3 Rb3 45. Kg4 Be6+ 46. Kf4
g5+ 47. Kg3 g4 48. Rd6 Rxf3+ 49. Kg2 Bc4 50. Rd4 Bf1+ 51. Kg1 g3 52. e5 fxe5
53. Rh4+ Kg6 54. Be1 Kg5 55. Rh7 Bd3 56. Rg7+ Kf4 57. Kg2 Bf1+ 58. Kg1 Bc4 59.
Kg2 Bd5 60. Bd2+ Kf5 61. Rf7+ Kg4 62. Rxf3 Bxf3+ 63. Kg1 Be2 64. Kg2 Bf3+ 65.
Kg1 Bc6 66. Be3 Kf3 67. Bc5 Bb5 68. Bd6 e4 69. Bc5 e3 70. Bd4 Bc6 71. Be5 Bb5
72. Bd4 Ke4 73. Bc3 Kf3 74. Be5 Bc4 75. Bd4 Bb5 76. Be5 g2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2016.06.12"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A80"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2016.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 f5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 d5 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Be7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. O-O Ne4 8. Bxe7
Qxe7 9. Ne2 c5 10. c4 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Nd6 12. Rc1 b5 13. Bd3 c4 14. Bb1 Bb7 15.
Nf4 Bd5 16. Ne5 Nd7 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. f4 Nf6 19. h3 Rac8 20. Qe1 Nfe4 21. g4 b4
22. Rc2 c3 23. Rg2 Nd2 24. Rxd2 cxd2 25. Qxd2 Ne4 26. Qg2 Qe6 27. Kh2 Rc7 28.
Nd3 fxg4 29. hxg4 g5 30. f5 Qd6+ 31. Ne5 Nf6 32. Kg1 Nd7 33. Nxd7 Qxd7 34. Bc2
Kg7 35. Bb3 Qe7 36. Qf3 Rd7 37. Bxd5 Rxd5 38. Qxd5 Qxe3+ 39. Rf2 Qg3+ 40. Qg2
Qe3 41. Qd5 Qg3+ 42. Qg2 Qe3 43. Qd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2016.06.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Ba3 O-O 8.
d4 b6 9. Bc4 Nc6 10. O-O Na5 11. Bd3 c5 12. dxc5 Qc7 13. Qe2 bxc5 14. Qe3 Bg4
15. Rfc1 Rfd8 16. Bf1 Rab8 17. Qxc5 Rdc8 18. Qxe7 Qxe7 19. Bxe7 Bxc3 20. Rab1
Rxb1 21. Rxb1 Re8 22. Bb4 Bxb4 23. Rxb4 Nc6 24. Rc4 Bd7 25. h4 h6 26. Nd2 Rb8
27. Nb3 Kf8 28. Rc5 Ke7 29. Bb5 Rb6 30. f3 a6 31. Bxc6 Bxc6 32. h5 Bd7 33. hxg6
fxg6 34. Kh2 Be6 35. Rc7+ Kd6 36. Rh7 h5 37. Kg3 Bxb3 38. axb3 Kc5 39. Kf4 Kb4
40. Kg5 Kxb3 41. f4 a5 42. f5 gxf5 43. exf5 a4 44. Ra7 Rb5 45. Kg6 a3 46. f6
Rb6 47. Ra5 a2 48. Kg5 h4 49. f7 Rb8 50. Kf6 Kb2 51. Kg7 a1=Q 52. Rxa1 Kxa1 53.
f8=Q Rxf8 54. Kxf8 Kb2 55. Kg7 Kc3 56. Kf6 Kd4 57. Kg5 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2016.06.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. c4 Nc7 14. d4 d5
15. cxd5 Nxd5 16. Nxd5 cxd5 17. Bf4 Be6 18. Qb3 Bf6 19. Be5 Bxe5 20. Rxe5 Qb6
21. Qxb6 axb6 22. Re3 Rfc8 23. Rb3 Rc6 24. Bb5 Rc7 25. Rb4 Kf8 26. Bd3 Rc6 27.
Kf1 Ke7 28. Ke1 Bd7 29. Kd2 Rf6 30. f3 Kd8 31. a3 Re6 32. h4 h6 33. Rc1 Rc8 34.
Rxc8+ Kxc8 35. Rb3 Kc7 36. Rc3+ Rc6 37. Rxc6+ bxc6 38. Kc3 c5 39. b3 g5 40. g3
Kd6 41. f4 f6 42. a4 c4 43. Bc2 cxb3 44. Kxb3 gxf4 45. gxf4 Bc8 46. Bd3 Bd7 47.
Bc2 Bc8 48. Bd3 Bd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A85"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2016.06.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 f5 3. c4 Nf6 4. Nc3 {Anand,V (2797)-Carlsen,M (2865) Grenke
Chess Classic 3rd 2015 (4) 0-1 Aronian does not seem too keen to allow the
Stonewall, possibly under the influence of the game} Bb4 {The opening has
turned into a Nimzo-Dutzh hybrid, supposed to be fine for Black, but still
complicated. The reader should compare with the lines examined in my
pseudo-Owen article for CBM 166. The main difference is the early commitment
of Black's queen.} 5. Qb3 Qe7 6. Bd2 {Unpinning the knight and preparing to
re-capture with the bishop on c3.} (6. Bg5 O-O 7. g3 c5 {This looks slightly
inconsequent with the previous play.} (7... b6 $5) 8. Bg2 Nc6 9. dxc5 Qxc5 10.
Bxf6 Rxf6 11. a3 Bxc3+ 12. Qxc3 $14 {Gelfand,B (2704)-Morovic Fernandez,I 
(2549) Cap d'Agde 2002 CBM 092 [Finkel,A] (½-½, 26), with comfortable play
for White.}) (6. a3 {transposes to some sort of 4.Qc2 Nimzo-Indian.} Bxc3+ 7.
Qxc3 O-O 8. e3 b6 9. Bd3 Bb7 10. b3 d6 11. Bb2 Nbd7 12. O-O-O Ne4 13. Qc2 {
Ivanov,J (2370)-Schmouchkovitch,M (2003) Sautron 2007 EXT 2008 [RR] (1-0, 23)}
a5 $5 $132) 6... b6 (6... Bxc3 {, played for the sake of continuing with ...
d7-d6, looks a bit premature:} 7. Bxc3 d6 8. g3 Nbd7 9. Bg2 Ne4 10. O-O Nxc3
11. Qxc3 O-O 12. Rfe1 e5 13. e4 f4 14. c5 dxc5 15. dxc5 Nxc5 16. Rac1 b6 17. b4
Na6 18. Nxe5 $14 {Wang,Y (2704)-Agdestein,S (2583) Amsterdam 2008 (1-0, 35)})
7. g3 $146 {This way of developing is familiar, but in this concrete position
the last move is a novelty.} (7. e3 Bb7 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O Bxc3 10. Bxc3 Ne4 11.
d5 {This offers Black a clear developing plan by conceding the control over
the c5-square.} ({It makes sense to keep the threat d4-d5 in reserve with
either} 11. Rad1 {or}) (11. Be1) 11... Na6 12. Rad1 d6 13. dxe6 {Another
important concession, clearing the long diagonal.} (13. Be1 Nac5 14. Qc2 a5 15.
Nd4 e5 16. Nb5 {[%cal Gf2f3]}) 13... Nac5 14. Qc2 Nxe6 15. b4 a5 16. a3 f4 $36
{Laurine,L-Keres,P Tallinn 1937 EXT 2001 (0-1, 24). In the database this game
is reported as featuring the pointless sacrifice 6...b5 instead of 6...b6.})
7... Bb7 8. Bg2 Nc6 $5 {An ambitious continuation, aiming at active piece play.
} ({The main alternative is} 8... Bxc3 9. Bxc3 Ne4 10. O-O O-O 11. Be1 d6 $13)
9. O-O (9. a3 {also leads to interesting play:} Nxd4 $1 (9... Bxc3 10. Bxc3 $14
{[%csl Rb7,Rc6]}) 10. Nxd4 Bxg2 11. axb4 Bxh1 12. f3 c5 (12... Bg2 13. Ncb5 {
[%csl Ga8,Gc7,Ge8]}) 13. bxc5 bxc5 14. Ndb5 (14. Nc2 {offers the bishop the
time to escape with} Bg2) 14... O-O 15. Kf2 a6 16. Na3 Ng4+ $1 17. Kg1 (17.
fxg4 fxg4+ 18. Kg1 Bc6 $17 {[%csl Rg1][%cal Gc6h1]}) 17... Rab8 18. Qc2 Bxf3
19. exf3 Ne5 $13 {with unbalanced play, from the strategic and material points
of view.}) 9... Na5 10. Qc2 Nxc4 11. Nb5 $1 {In view of this counter-blow the
pawn sacrifice turns into a temporary one.} Nxd2 (11... Bxd2 12. Nxc7+ Kf7 13.
Nxa8 $16) 12. Nxc7+ Kf8 13. Nxd2 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 Rc8 15. Nf3 {Removing the
knight from the attacked square and taking g5 under control.} (15. Nxe6+ $2 {
is premature due to} Kf7 16. Ng5+ Kg6 $17) 15... Qd8 ({But now Black has to
count with the aforementioned threat:} 15... Bd6 $2 16. Nxe6+ $1 Kf7 17. Neg5+
Kg6 18. Qb3 $16 {The main point is that the g5-knight is defended.}) 16. Rac1
Ke7 (16... Bd6 $2 17. Nxe6+) 17. Qa4 {A simple way of getting out of the pin.}
Rxc7 18. Qxb4+ d6 19. Qd2 {Black seems to have solved the main strategic
problems, but the king's presence in the centre invites him to caution.} h6 {
This weakens the g6-square for the sake of preventing Qg5.} (19... Qd7 20. Rxc7
Qxc7 21. Qg5 Kf7 22. d5 Nxd5 23. Qh5+ g6 24. Ng5+ Ke8 25. Qh4 $44) (19... Nd5
20. Qg5+ Ke8 $8 {[%csl Gc7,Gd8,Gg7]} 21. Qh5+ $36) 20. Kg1 Qd7 {Slightly
careless or maybe just provocative.} (20... Kf7 $5 $11) 21. Rxc7 Qxc7 22. d5 $1
{A thematic break, partly putting Black off balance.} Nxd5 23. Nh4 {[%csl Gg6]}
Rc8 ({Defending both f5 and g6 with the king does not work:} 23... Kf6 $6 24.
Qd4+ Kf7 25. Nxf5 $36) 24. Nxf5+ exf5 25. Qxd5 Qc5 26. Qd3 Qe5 27. Rd1 Rc6 $14
{White has the better structure and, despite Black's piece activity, is
entitled to count on some minimal but lasting advantage.} 28. Rd2 $6 {
Unnecessarily leaving the back rank undefended.} (28. e3) (28. Qa6) 28... Qe4
$1 {Due to the threat ...Rc1+ White cannot avoid simplifying to an endgame in
which the centralised position of the black king turns into a trump.} 29. Qxe4+
fxe4 30. f3 exf3 31. exf3 d5 $1 {The previously backward pawn suddenly starts
being threatening.} 32. Rxd5 {This leads to a worse ending.} (32. Kf2 Kd6 33.
Ke3 Rc1 34. Kd4 $11) 32... Rc1+ 33. Kg2 Rc2+ 34. Kh3 Rxb2 35. a4 a5 $1 {
Suddenly the a4-pawn is doomed in view of the threat ...Rb4.} (35... Rb4 36. a5
$11) 36. Re5+ $6 {The start of a time consuming plan.} ({As usual in the
endgame the highest priority should have been activating the king.} 36. Kg4
Rb4+ (36... Rxh2 37. Rb5 $11) 37. Kh5 Rxa4 38. Kg6 Rb4 39. Kxg7 {White has
strong counterplay which seems to be enough for reaching a draw even though
Black would not have exhausted his active ideas:} a4 40. f4 a3 41. Rd1 Ra4 (
41... b5 42. Re1+ Kd6 43. f5 $132) 42. Re1+ Kd6 43. f5 b5 44. f6 b4 45. Ra1
Ra7+ (45... b3 $2 46. f7 Ra7 47. Rxa3 $18) 46. f7 Ke6 47. Re1+ Kd5 48. Ra1 Kc4
49. h4 b3 50. Rxa3 Rxf7+ 51. Kxf7 b2 52. Ra4+ Kc5 53. Ra5+ Kc6 54. Ra6+ Kb7 55.
Rxh6 b1=Q 56. Rg6 $11 {with a reliable fortress and a draw.}) 36... Kd6 37. Rf5
Rb4 38. Rf7 Rxa4 39. Rxg7 Rc4 {With respect to the lines above the white king
is much more passive, tipping the balance in Black's favour.} 40. f4 Rc7 41.
Rg8 (41. Rg6+ Kc5 42. f5 a4 43. f6 b5 44. Rg7 Rc8) 41... Ra7 42. f5 a4 43. f6
a3 44. Rg7 Ra8 45. f7 a2 0-1

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2016.06.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. a3
Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 dxc4 10. Qxc4 Bd7 11. e3 Rc8 12. Qb4 Bc6 13. Be2 Bd5 14. Rc1 Nd7
15. O-O a5 16. Qa4 c6 17. Nd2 Qg5 18. Bf3 Bxf3 19. Nxf3 Qb5 20. Qxb5 cxb5 21.
Rfd1 b4 22. axb4 axb4 23. Kf1 Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Ra2 25. Rb1 Nb6 26. Ne5 b3 27. Ke1
f6 28. Nd3 Nc4 29. Nc1 Rxb2 30. Rxb2 Nxb2 31. Nxb3 b6 32. Kd2 Kf7 33. Kc2 Nc4
34. Kd3 Nd6 35. e4 Ke7 36. e5 fxe5 37. dxe5 Nf5 38. g4 Nh4 39. Ke4 g5 40. f4
gxf4 41. Kxf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D14"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2016.06.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. d4 cxd4 4. cxd4 d5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Bf5 7. Qb3 Na5 8.
Qa4+ Bd7 9. Qc2 e6 10. e3 Rc8 11. Bd3 Be7 12. h3 O-O 13. O-O h6 14. Ne5 Nc6 15.
a3 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Ne4 17. Bxe4 dxe4 18. Rfd1 Qc7 19. Qxe4 Bc6 20. Qc2 Rfd8 21.
Rxd8+ Rxd8 22. Nb5 Qa5 23. Nd6 Bxd6 24. exd6 e5 25. Qf5 Qd5 26. e4 Qxd6 27.
Bxe5 Qe7 28. Re1 Qg5 29. Qxg5 hxg5 30. f3 f6 31. Bc3 Kf7 32. Kf2 a6 33. Kg3 Kg6
34. h4 gxh4+ 35. Kxh4 Kf7 36. Kg3 Rd3 37. Kf2 Rd8 38. Kg3 Rd3 39. Kf4 Rd8 40.
Rh1 Kg6 41. Ba5 Rd3 42. Bb4 Rd8 43. Bc3 Kf7 44. Rh5 g5+ 45. Ke3 Kg6 46. Rh1 Bb5
47. Kf2 Bc6 48. Re1 Rd7 49. Rh1 Rd8 50. Ba5 Rd7 51. Rh8 g4 52. fxg4 Re7 53. Bc3
Rxe4 54. Rf8 Re6 55. Kg3 Kg7 56. Rd8 Kg6 57. Rd2 Kg5 58. Rf2 Re3+ 59. Kh2 Re6
60. Kh3 Re3+ 61. g3 Rf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2016.06.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 a5 12. Rfd1 h6 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. Ne5 Bxg2
15. Kxg2 Qd5+ 16. f3 c5 17. e4 Qxd4 18. Qxd4 cxd4 19. Nb3 Rfd8 20. Rxd4 Rxd4
21. Nxd4 Rd8 22. Nb3 g5 23. Kf1 h5 24. h3 g4 25. hxg4 hxg4 26. Nxg4 Nxg4 27.
fxg4 b6 28. Ke2 Bf6 29. Rb1 Kg7 30. Nd2 Rd4 31. b3 Be7 32. Rf1 Bb4 33. Nc4
Rxe4+ 34. Kd3 Re1 35. Rxe1 Bxe1 36. Nxb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.18"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2016.06.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. Qe2 Bd6 8.
Ng5 Bg4 9. f3 Bh5 10. Nc4 Nd7 11. h4 h6 12. Nh3 Qe7 13. g4 Bg6 14. h5 Bh7 15.
Bd2 f6 16. Ne3 Qf7 17. f4 O-O-O 18. Nf5 Nc5 19. Be3 Ne6 20. Nxd6+ cxd6 21. f5
Nc5 22. a4 Qc7 23. O-O a5 24. Rfb1 Na6 25. c3 Bg8 26. b4 c5 27. bxa5 Qxa5 28.
Qc2 d5 29. Nf2 Bf7 30. Rb5 Qc7 31. Rab1 d4 32. Bd2 Be8 33. R5b2 dxc3 34. Rxb7
Qxb7 35. Rxb7 Kxb7 36. Bxc3 Ka7 37. Bd2 Bf7 38. Nd1 Rd7 39. Nc3 Rc8 40. Qb1 Bc4
41. dxc4 Rxd2 42. Qb5 Rd6 43. Kf2 Rb8 44. Ke2 Ka8 45. Qa5 Rb2+ 46. Ke1 Kb7 47.
Nd5 Ka7 48. Kd1 Rb4 49. Ke2 Rb2+ 50. Kd1 Rb4 51. Kc2 Rxc4+ 52. Nc3 Rb6 53. Kd3
Rd4+ 54. Kc2 Rc4 55. Kd3 Rcb4 56. Nd5 Rd4+ 57. Kc2 Rc4+ 58. Kd3 Rd4+ 59. Kc3
Rb7 60. Qd8 Nc7 61. Qd6 Na6 62. a5 c4 63. Qc6 Rb3+ 64. Kc2 Rxd5 65. Qxc4 Rdb5
66. g5 Rc5 67. Kxb3 Rxc4 68. Kxc4 hxg5 0-1

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.18"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "Iotov,V"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2016.06.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O (4... d5 $5 {[%csl Ge8] An alternate
move order that has its benefits compared to what happens in the game. This
move allows the additional 5.Qa4 variation, but forbids ideas such as 9.Rc1...}
5. Bg5 (5. Qa4+) 5... Nbd7 6. e3 c5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. dxc5 Qa5 $1 $11) 5. Bg5 d5
6. cxd5 exd5 7. e3 c5 8. dxc5 Nbd7 (8... Bxc3+ $5 9. bxc3 Be6 $132) 9. Rc1 (9.
Be2 Qa5 10. O-O Bxc3 11. bxc3 Ne4 $1 12. Qd4 Ndxc5 $11) 9... Qa5 $6 {This
variation was quite popular about 8-10 years ago. Back then it was considered
to be bad, and unfortunately for Black, time has not changed the outcome of
the positon!} (9... Nxc5 10. Qd4 Bxc3+ (10... a5 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. Qxf6 gxf6
13. Be2 Na4 14. O-O Bxc3 15. bxc3 Be6 16. Bb5 (16. Nd4 Rfc8 17. c4 dxc4 18.
Nxe6 fxe6 19. Bxc4 Kf7 20. f4 Ke7 $15 {1/2-1/2 Tregubov,P (2598)-Jobava,B 
(2707)/Warsaw POL 2010}) 16... Nc5 17. Nd4 $16) 11. Qxc3 Nce4 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13.
Be2 Bg4 14. O-O Qb6 15. h3 (15. Rfd1) 15... Rac8 16. Qa3 Bh5 17. Rfd1 a6 18.
Nd4 Bxe2 19. Nxe2 $14 {0-1 Meier,G (2556)-Laznicka,V (2601)/Liverpool ENG 2008}
) 10. a3 (10. Nd2 $5 {An alternative, less aggressive option.} Qxc5 (10... b6
11. c6 d4 12. cxd7 dxc3 13. bxc3 Bxc3 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. dxc8=Q Raxc8 16. Bc4
Rfd8 17. O-O Bxd2 18. Rc2 Bxe3 19. Qf3 Bd4 20. Bxf7+ Kh8 21. Rxc8 Rxc8 22. Qh3
$16) (10... Ne4 11. Ndxe4 dxe4 12. a3 Qxc5 13. axb4 Qxg5 14. Nxe4 Qe7 15. Qd4
Nb6 16. Nc3 $16) 11. Nb3 Qb6 12. Be2 $14) 10... Bxc3+ 11. Rxc3 Ne4 12. b4 Nxc3
13. Qa1 Qa4 14. Qxc3 a5 (14... Re8 15. Nd4 a5 16. b5 Ne5 17. Bf4 Nc4 18. Bxc4
dxc4 19. O-O $14 {White's control over the centre and better piece placement
are more than enough to compensate for the material deficit.}) 15. b5 Nxc5 $2 {
I don't fully understand the logic behind this sacrifice. Ultimately, no
matter what happens, White will always have two pieces for the rook and the
very strong central d4-square under control. Black's position seems to be
logically flawed and to offer little counterplay from a human point of view.} (
15... Re8 $5) 16. Qxc5 Bf5 $2 (16... Bd7 $1 {The last chance to make amends!}
17. Be2 Rfc8 18. Qxd5 Rc1+ 19. Bd1 Qxb5 20. Qxb5 Bxb5 21. Nd4 Ba4 22. Ke2 Ra1
23. Rf1 Rxa3 24. Bxa4 Rxa4 25. Rb1 $14 {With still very much almost a losing
position from a human point of view. From now on, every innacuracy could cause
the position to immediately crumble. Furthermore, the saddest part is that no
matter how many mistakes White may end up making, the position remains almost
impossible to lose.}) 17. Qc3 Rfc8 18. Qa1 $18 Qc2 (18... Rc5 19. Be2 Qc2 20.
Nd4 Qc1+ 21. Qxc1 Rxc1+ 22. Bd1 Bg6 23. O-O $18) 19. Nd4 Qc1+ 20. Qxc1 Rxc1+
21. Kd2 Rac8 22. Nxf5 R8c2+ 23. Kd3 Rxf2 24. Ne7+ (24. Ng3 $142 {[%csl Gf1]
There is no need for White to sacrifice the piece.}) 24... Kh8 (24... Kf8 25.
Nxd5 Rfxf1 26. Rxf1 Rxf1 27. Bf4 $16) 25. g3 $6 (25. e4 $1 dxe4+ 26. Kxe4 Rcxf1
27. Rxf1 Rxf1 28. Be3 $18 {[%csl Gb5,Rb7] with an easily winning endgame!})
25... Ra1 (25... Rfxf1 26. Rxf1 Rxf1 27. Kc2 $1 $18 {[%csl Yb1,Gb5][%cal Gf1b1]
}) 26. Kd4 Rc1 27. Bg2 Rd2+ 28. Ke5 f6+ 29. Kd6 Rc3 30. Rf1 h6 31. Rxf6 hxg5
32. Rf8+ Kh7 33. Bh3 g4 34. Bxg4 Rxe3 35. Bf5+ g6 36. Bxg6+ Kg7 37. Rg8+ {
Overall, Nakamura lost this game purely because of his outdated opening choice.
A rapid game mentality he will surely not repeat again!} 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.18"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A26"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2016.06.17"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. a3 g6 5. g3 Bg7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O d6 8. d3 h6
9. Nd2 Ne7 10. b4 c6 11. e4 Be6 12. Bb2 Rc8 13. Ne2 Qd7 14. d4 Rfd8 15. Qc2 Bh3
16. Rad1 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 exd4 18. Bxd4 c5 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. b5 a6 21. a4 axb5 22.
axb5 Ra8 23. Nf3 Bg7 24. Nf4 Ra3 25. Rd3 Rxd3 26. Qxd3 Nc8 27. Rd1 Re8 28. Nd5
Qg4 29. Re1 Kh8 30. h3 Qd7 31. Rd1 Qd8 32. Rd2 Nb6 33. Ra2 Nxd5 34. Qxd5 Qd7
35. Ra7 Re7 36. h4 Bf6 37. h5 g5 38. Nh2 Kg7 39. f3 Bd4 40. Ng4 Qe6 41. Qxe6
fxe6 42. Ra8 Rd7 43. Rc8 Bc3 44. Kf1 Ba5 45. Ke2 Rd8 46. Rxd8 Bxd8 47. f4 Bf6
48. Kf3 Bd4 49. f5 d5 50. cxd5 exd5 51. exd5 c4 52. Ke4 Bc5 53. f6+ Kf7 54.
Ne5+ Kxf6 55. Nd7+ 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.19"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. c3 d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8.
Nbd2 Nb6 9. Bb5 Bd6 10. Re1 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Ne4 Re8 13. Bg5 f6 14. Be3 a6
15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Ng3 Bf7 17. d4 Nc4 18. dxe5 Bxe5 19. Nxe5 Rxe5 20. Qc1 Qe8
21. b3 Nxe3 22. Rxe3 Rxe3 23. Qxe3 Qxe3 24. fxe3 Rd8 25. Ne4 Rd3 26. c4 Rxe3
27. Nc5 a5 28. Rd1 Bg6 29. Kf2 Re5 30. Nb7 Be4 31. g4 h5 32. Rd8+ Kh7 33. Ra8
c5 34. Ra7 hxg4 35. hxg4 Bxb7 36. Rxb7 a4 37. Rxc7 axb3 38. axb3 Kh6 39. Kf3 g6
40. Rb7 Kg5 41. b4 cxb4 42. Rxb4 f5 43. gxf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A49"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. d4 Qc7 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 d5 8. Bf4
Qb6 9. Qb3 Nc6 10. dxc5 Qxc5 11. Nbd2 Re8 12. Be3 Qa5 13. c4 d4 14. Bg5 h6 15.
Bxf6 exf6 16. Qb5 f5 17. Qxa5 Nxa5 18. b4 Nc6 19. a3 Be6 20. Rac1 Rad8 21. Nb3
d3 22. b5 Ne5 23. Nxe5 d2 24. Nxd2 Bxe5 25. Nb3 b6 26. Bc6 Re7 27. a4 f4 28.
gxf4 Bxf4 29. e3 Be5 30. a5 Rd3 31. Nd4 Bxd4 32. exd4 Rxd4 33. axb6 axb6 34. h3
Kf8 35. c5 bxc5 36. b6 Rb4 37. b7 Rexb7 38. Bxb7 Rxb7 39. Rxc5 Bxh3 40. Rec1
Be6 41. Rc7 Rb4 42. f3 Kg7 43. Kf2 Kf6 44. R7c3 h5 45. Re1 g5 46. Rce3 Bf5 47.
Ra1 h4 48. Ra6+ Be6 49. Re2 Rf4 50. Kg2 Kf5 51. Ra5+ Kg6 52. Ree5 Bf5 53. Ra6+
f6 54. Re8 Bd7 55. Rg8+ Kf7 56. Rd8 Bb5 57. Ra7+ Kg6 58. Rg8+ Kh6 59. Rh8+ Kg6
60. Rg8+ Kh6 61. Rh8+ Kg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Besenthal,K"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Bf4 Nc6 7. d4 b6 8. c4
Bb7 9. Nc3 Na5 10. cxd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. Qc2 Rc8 13. e4 Bb7 14. Rad1 Qd7
15. Ne5 Qb5 16. Rfe1 {Diagramm [#]} Rfd8 $2 {Damit bringt sich Schwarz
überraschend in Schwierigkeiten.} 17. Bh3 $1 {Die weißen Figuren sind
hervorragend aufgestellt, was man von den schwarzen nicht behaupten kann.} Bb4
18. Re3 Bd6 19. d5 $1 {Diagramm [#]} Bxe5 20. Bxe5 Nc4 21. Rb3 Qa4 22. Rd4 Ba6
23. dxe6 Rxd4 24. Bxd4 Rd8 25. exf7+ Kf8 26. Qc3 Ne5 27. Bc5+ bxc5 28. Qxc5+
Rd6 29. Qxe5 Rd1+ {Diagramm [#] Da muss man glatt zweimal hinschauen!} 30. Bf1
(30. Kg2 $1 Bf1+ 31. Kf3 Bxh3 32. Rb8+ Kxf7 33. Qh5+ Ke7 34. Qh4+ Kf7 35. Qxh3
Rd3+ 36. Kf4 g5+ 37. Kxg5 Qxe4 38. Qh5+ $18) 30... Bxf1 $2 (30... Rxf1+ $1 31.
Kg2 Qc6 {ebenfalls mit großem Vorteil für Weiß, aber in einer Blitzpartie
wäre das nicht einfach zu realisieren gewesen.}) 31. Qc5+ Kxf7 {Diagramm [#]}
32. Rf3+ $2 (32. Qh5+ $1) 32... Ke6 33. Qf5+ Kd6 34. Qf8+ Kc6 $4 (34... Ke6 $1)
35. Qe8+ Kb7 36. Qxa4 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 c5 7. Rc1 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Nc6 9. e3 b6 10. Ndb5 a6 11. Nd6 Qe7 12. Nde4 g5 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. Bg3 d5
15. h4 g4 16. Qxg4+ Kh8 17. Qg5 Bxc3+ 18. bxc3 Qxf2+ 19. Kxf2 hxg5 20. hxg5+
Kg7 21. cxd5 exd5 22. c4 Be6 23. cxd5 Bxd5 24. Bd3 Rh8 25. Rxh8 Kxh8 26. e4 Nb4
27. Rh1+ Kg8 28. exd5 Nxd3+ 29. Ke3 Nb4 30. Be5 f6 31. Bxf6 Nxd5+ 32. Ke4 Nxf6+
33. gxf6 Rc8 34. Kf5 Rc5+ 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "176"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. c3 d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. a4
a5 9. Nbd2 Nb6 10. Bb5 Bd6 11. Re1 Bg4 12. Ne4 Na7 13. h3 Bh5 14. d4 Nxb5 15.
axb5 exd4 16. Nxd6 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qxd6 18. Rd1 Rfe8 19. Bf4 Qc5 20. Qxb7 dxc3
21. bxc3 Rac8 22. Qc6 Qxc6 23. bxc6 Re6 24. Bxc7 Rxc6 25. Bxb6 Rxb6 26. Rxa5 h6
27. Ra7 Rxc3 28. Rd8+ Kh7 29. Rxf7 Rcc6 30. Rff8 Rf6 31. Rh8+ Kg6 32. f3 Rfd6
33. Kh2 Rxd8 34. Rxd8 Kf6 35. Rd4 Rb2 36. h4 h5 37. Kg3 g6 38. Ra4 Kg7 39. Ra6
Kf7 40. Ra1 Kf6 41. Rf1 Kf5 42. Rf2 Rb3 43. Ra2 Rb4 44. Re2 Kf6 45. Kh3 Ra4 46.
g3 Ra3 47. Kg2 Ra4 48. Kf2 Ra3 49. Rd2 Kf5 50. Ke2 Kf6 51. Rd3 Ra1 52. Ke3 Ra4
53. Rd4 Ra5 54. Rc4 Kf7 55. Ke4 Kf6 56. Rb4 Re5+ 57. Kf4 Rf5+ 58. Ke3 Re5+ 59.
Re4 Ra5 60. Rc4 Re5+ 61. Kd3 Re1 62. Rf4+ Kg7 63. Re4 Rg1 64. g4 hxg4 65. fxg4
Rh1 66. g5 Kf7 67. Kd4 Ra1 68. Ke5 Ra5+ 69. Kf4 Rb5 70. Ra4 Rf5+ 71. Kg4 Rb5
72. Ra7+ Kg8 73. Ra4 Kf7 74. Re4 Ra5 75. Rf4+ Kg7 76. Rd4 Kf7 77. Kf4 Rf5+ 78.
Ke4 Ra5 79. Rc4 Rb5 80. Kd4 Ra5 81. Ke4 Rb5 82. Rc7+ Kg8 83. Rd7 Rb4+ 84. Ke5
Rxh4 85. Kf6 Ra4 86. Rd8+ Kh7 87. Rd7+ Kg8 88. Kxg6 Ra6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. O-O Nbd7 6. Qc2 Nb6 7. Na3 Be6 8.
Ne5 h5 9. Naxc4 Nxc4 10. Nxc4 h4 11. Ne5 hxg3 12. hxg3 Rc8 13. d4 Bd5 14. e4
Bxe4 15. Bxe4 Qxd4 16. Nxf7 Kxf7 17. Bg6+ Kg8 18. Rd1 Qe5 19. Bf4 Qa5 20. Bf5
g5 21. Bxc8 Kg7 22. Be3 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nd2 e6 6. Ngf3 Be7 7. h3 Bd6 8. Ne5
Qc7 9. Bb5 O-O 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. O-O Ne4 12. Re1 Rb8 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Qc2 cxd4
15. cxd4 c5 16. Ng4 h5 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 18. dxc5 Qd3 19. Qxd3 exd3 20. Ne5 d2 21.
Red1 Rxb2 22. Nc4 Rc2 23. Nxd2 Rxc5 24. Ne4 Ra5 25. Nd6 Ba6 26. Rd2 Rd8 27. Rc1
Rd7 28. Rc6 Bb7 29. Rcc2 Rd5 30. Rxd5 Bxd5 31. Nb5 Rb7 32. a4 Bb3 33. Rc8+ Kh7
34. Nc3 Kg6 35. Rc5 f6 36. f4 h4 37. e4 Rd7 38. Rb5 Bc4 39. Rc5 Bb3 40. a5 Rd4
41. Rc7 a6 42. Rc6 Rc4 43. Rxc4 Bxc4 44. Kf2 e5 45. Kf3 exf4 46. Kxf4 Kf7 47.
g3 g5+ 48. Kf3 hxg3 49. Kxg3 Ke6 50. Na4 Ke5 51. Nc5 Kd4 52. Nd7 Kxe4 53. Nxf6+
Kf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.19"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. h3 Nd7 7. Be3 Bd6 8.
Nc3 O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. Nd2 Nf8 11. Nc4 Ng6 12. Ne2 a5 13. b3 a4 14. Nxd6 cxd6
15. f4 exf4 16. Nxf4 d5 17. Nxg6 hxg6 18. Qf3 Be6 19. exd5 Bxd5 20. Qf2 axb3
21. axb3 Rxa1 22. Rxa1 Qe7 23. Bd2 f6 24. Re1 Qd7 25. Rxe8+ Qxe8 26. Qe3 Qxe3+
27. Bxe3 b5 28. c4 bxc4 29. bxc4 Be6 30. Kf2 Kf7 31. h4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.19"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
c5 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. Qxc4 b6 11. Ne5 Ra7 12. Nc3 Bb7 13. Bxb7 Rxb7 14. Bg5 h6
15. Rad1 Qe7 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. Nd3 Qd4 18. Qb3 Be7 19. e3 Qg4 20. Ne5 Qh5 21.
f4 Bf6 22. Nc4 Bxc3 23. Qxc3 Qc5 24. Qd4 Nd7 25. Rf2 Qxd4 26. Rxd4 Nc5 27. Rc2
Nxa4 28. Nd6 Rd7 29. Rc6 Nxb2 30. Rxb6 Rfd8 31. Rxa6 Na4 32. Nxf7 Rxd4 33. Nxd8
Rxd8 34. Rxa4 Rd2 35. Rd4 Ra2 36. h3 Kf7 37. Kf1 Rh2 38. h4 h5 39. e4 g6 40.
Rd3 Kf8 41. Re3 Ra2 42. Re2 Ra3 43. Kf2 Kf7 44. Re3 Ra1 45. Rd3 Rb1 46. Rd7+
Kf8 47. Ke3 Rb4 48. Rc7 Ra4 49. Kd3 Rb4 50. Rc4 Rb3+ 51. Kd4 Ke7 52. Rc7+ Kd6
53. Rc3 Rb4+ 54. Kd3 Ra4 55. Rb3 Ke7 56. Ke3 Kf6 57. Rd3 Rb4 58. Rd7 Ra4 59.
e5+ Kf5 60. Rf7+ Kg4 61. Rf6 Kxg3 62. Rxg6+ Kxh4 63. Rxe6 Ra3+ 64. Ke4 Ra4+ 65.
Kf5 Kg3 66. Rg6+ Kf3 67. Kg5 h4 68. Rh6 Rxf4 69. Rf6 Rxf6 70. exf6 h3 71. f7 h2
72. f8=Q+ Kg2 73. Qa8+ 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.20"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A90"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 f5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 c6 5. Nh3 d5 6. O-O Bd6 7. Bf4 Be7 8. Qc2
O-O 9. Rd1 h6 10. Nc3 Qe8 11. Rac1 g5 12. Be5 Nbd7 13. f3 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Nd7 15.
f4 dxc4 16. Nb1 gxf4 17. gxf4 Nb6 18. Nd2 Nd5 19. Nxc4 Kh8 20. Bf3 Bd7 21. Kh1
Rd8 22. Nd6 Bxd6 23. exd6 e5 24. fxe5 Qxe5 25. Qc5 Be6 26. Qxa7 Rf7 27. Qd4
Qxd4 28. Rxd4 Rfd7 29. Rcd1 Ne3 30. R1d3 Nc4 31. Nf4 Bf7 32. Bh5 Nxb2 33. Re3
Nc4 34. Rh3 Rxd6 35. Rxd6 Nxd6 36. Rd3 Bc4 37. Rd2 Kg7 38. a4 Kf6 39. Bf3 Bf7
40. Kg1 Ke7 41. Kf1 Ra8 42. Rd4 c5 43. Nd5+ Ke6 44. Nc7+ Kd7 45. Rxd6+ Kxc7 46.
Rxh6 Bc4 47. Rh7+ Kd6 48. Rxb7 Rxa4 49. h4 Bd5 50. Rb6+ Ke5 51. Bxd5 Kxd5 52.
h5 c4 53. Ke1 c3 54. Kd1 Ra1+ 55. Kc2 Ra2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.20"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2
b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Re1 d4 11. cxd4 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. a4 Bg4 14. Nf3 Bb4 15.
Rf1 c5 16. h3 Bh5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Qxa8 19. Bg5 Qa2 20. Qc1 Bxf3 21. Bxf6
gxf6 22. gxf3 Qe6 23. Qh6 c4 24. Kh1 Kh8 25. Rg1 Rg8 26. Rg4 Rg6 27. Qh5 Qe5
28. Qh4 Bd6 29. f4 Qe7 30. e5 fxe5 31. Qxe7 Bxe7 32. fxe5 Rxg4 33. hxg4 Bg5 34.
Kg2 Bf4 35. Kf3 Bxe5 36. Ke4 Bg7 37. Kd5 c3 38. bxc3 dxc3 39. Kc5 f5 40. f3
1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.20"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nf3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8.
cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. Rc1 b6 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. O-O Nd7 14. Qe3
Nf6 15. Ne5 Qe7 16. f3 Rfd8 17. Bb5 Rac8 18. Bc6 Ne8 19. Ba4 Nd6 20. Qa3 Nf5
21. Qxe7 Nxe7 22. Bd7 Rb8 23. Rc7 Ng6 24. Nxf7 Kxf7 25. Bc8+ Ne7 26. Bxb7 Rxd4
27. f4 Rbd8 28. e5 R8d7 29. Rxd7 Rxd7 30. Bf3 Rd2 31. Rf2 Rd4 32. g3 b5 33. Rc2
a5 34. Kf1 Nd5 35. Bxd5 Rxd5 36. Rc7+ Kg6 37. Ke2 b4 38. Re7 Kf5 39. Rxg7 Ke4
40. Re7 a4 41. Rb7 Rd4 42. Rb6 h5 43. Rxe6 Rc4 44. Kd2 b3 45. axb3 axb3 46. Rb6
Rc2+ 47. Kd1 Rxh2 48. Rxb3 h4 49. e6 hxg3 50. Rxg3 Kxf4 51. e7 Rh8 52. Rg7 Re8
1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.20"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. b3 Nf6 4. Bb2 Be7 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 b6 7. O-O Bb7 8. e3
dxc4 9. bxc4 c5 10. Qe2 Nc6 11. Nc3 Qc7 12. Ne1 a6 13. f4 Na7 14. Rb1 Bxg2 15.
Nxg2 b5 16. f5 b4 17. Nd1 Rad8 18. g4 Nc6 19. Nf2 h6 20. Rbd1 Ne5 21. fxe6 Ng6
22. Nh3 fxe6 23. Nhf4 Nxf4 24. Nxf4 Kf7 25. d4 Bd6 26. d5 Bxf4 27. dxe6+ Kxe6
28. exf4+ Kf7 29. g5 Rfe8 30. Qf3 Rxd1 31. Rxd1 Ng8 32. Rd5 Ne7 33. gxh6 Nxd5
34. Qxd5+ Kg6 35. Qg5+ Kh7 36. hxg7 Qc6 37. Qh5+ Kg8 38. Be5 Rxe5 39. Qh8+ 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.20"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Qd3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qd3 a6 8. Bg5
c5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. d5 Bb7 11. dxe6 Qxd3 12. exf7+ Kxf7 13. exd3 Rg8 14. a4 Nc6
15. axb5 Nd4 16. Nxd4 cxd4 17. Ne2 axb5 18. Rxa8 Bb4+ 19. Kd1 Rxa8 20. Nxd4 Bd5
21. Kc2 Bc5 22. Nxb5 Bxf2 23. Nc3 Bc6 24. d4 Bxd4 25. Bc4+ Kg6 26. Bd5 Bxd5 27.
Nxd5 Re8 28. b4 Re5 29. Nf4+ Kg5 30. g3 Kg4 31. Rd1 Be3 32. Nd5 Bg5 33. b5 Re2+
34. Kb3 Rxh2 35. b6 Re2 36. b7 Re8 37. Nb6 Rb8 38. Rd7 h5 39. Nd5 Kxg3 40. Ne7
Bf4 41. Nc6 Rh8 42. Rg7+ Kf2 43. Rf7 h4 44. Rxf6 Kg3 45. Rg6+ Kf2 46. Rf6 Kg3
47. Rg6+ Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.20"]
[Round "15"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. Re1 Bd6 13. d4 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15.
Qe2 Bg4 16. Qf1 Qh5 17. Nd2 Rae8 18. f3 Bh3 19. Qf2 Rxe1+ 20. Qxe1 Bf4 21. Qe2
Be3+ 22. Kh1 Re8 23. Nf1 Bxf1 24. Qxf1 Bxc1 25. Rxc1 Kf8 26. Qf2 g6 27. Kg1 Qf5
28. Bc2 Qe6 29. Bb3 Qf5 30. a3 h5 31. Bc2 Qe6 32. Bb3 Qf5 33. c4 bxc4 34. Bxc4
a5 35. Bf1 Re6 36. h4 g5 37. hxg5 Qxg5 38. Re1 h4 39. g4 Ne3 40. Bh3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.20"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. Rc1 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nc6 8.
e3 h6 9. Bh4 Be7 10. Be2 d5 11. O-O Nxd4 12. Qxd4 dxc4 13. Rfd1 Qxd4 14. Rxd4
Rd8 15. Rxd8+ Bxd8 16. Rd1 Be7 17. Rd4 Kf8 18. Bf3 g5 19. Bg3 g4 20. Be2 b6 21.
Kf1 Bb7 22. Rxc4 Rc8 23. Rxc8+ Bxc8 24. Nb5 a5 25. Nd6 Bd7 26. Bb5 Nh5 27. Bxd7
Nxg3+ 28. hxg3 Bxd6 29. Ke2 Ke7 30. Bb5 Be5 31. b3 f5 32. a4 Bc3 33. Bd3 h5 34.
e4 Kf6 35. exf5 exf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.20"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Nb6 8.
Ne5 a5 9. h4 g6 10. h5 gxh5 11. e4 Bg6 12. Be3 e6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. Nxd7 Qxd7
15. f3 Bg7 16. Qd2 O-O 17. Ne2 Rfd8 18. Bg5 c5 19. Bb5 Qc7 20. Rc1 b6 21. O-O
Rac8 22. Qe1 h6 23. Bh4 Qb8 24. Ba6 Rc7 25. Bg3 Qa7 26. Bxc7 Qxc7 27. dxc5 bxc5
28. Qf2 Nd7 29. Bb5 Bxb2 30. Rc2 Ba3 31. Qe3 Bb4 32. Qxh6 Ne5 33. Nf4 c4 34.
Nxg6 Nxg6 35. Rxc4 Qg3 36. Qxh5 Bd2 37. Qg4 Be3+ 38. Kh1 Qe5 39. f4 Qb2 40. Qg3
Bd4 41. f5 Kg7 42. Rxd4 Rh8+ 43. Kg1 Qxd4+ 44. Qf2 Qxf2+ 45. Kxf2 Ne5 46. fxe6
fxe6 47. Ke3 Rh4 48. Kd4 Nf7 49. Bc6 Rg4 50. Rf2 Rg3 51. Kc5 Rc3+ 52. Kb6 Ne5
53. Bb5 Nc4+ 54. Bxc4 Rxc4 55. Kxa5 Rxe4 56. Kb5 Re1 57. Ra2 e5 58. a5 e4 59.
a6 e3 60. a7 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2016.06.20"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2016.06.19"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 Bb4 5. Bd2 O-O 6. e3 Re8 7. Be2 Bxc3 8.
Bxc3 d5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Rc1 Bg4 11. O-O Qd6 12. a3 Rad8 13. b4 a6 14. Bb2 Qh6
15. Qb3 Rd6 16. Rc5 Nb6 17. Qc2 Nd7 18. Rc4 Be6 19. Rc3 Bg4 20. Rc4 Be6 21. Rc3
Bg4 22. Rc4 Be6 23. Rc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 4th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.08.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D63"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2016.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 Be7 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1
c5 9. dxc5 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Nxc5 11. O-O a6 12. Nd4 Nce4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. Bxe7
Qxe7 15. Qc2 Nf6 16. Bb3 Rb8 17. e4 Rd8 18. Rfd1 e5 19. Nf5 Bxf5 20. exf5 Rxd1+
21. Rxd1 e4 22. Qc3 Rd8 23. Rxd8+ Qxd8 24. h3 h5 25. Qe5 b5 26. g3 Qd7 27. g4
hxg4 28. hxg4 Nxg4 29. Qxe4 Nf6 30. Qa8+ Kh7 31. Qh1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 4th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.08.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[Annotator "Iotov,V"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2016.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nf3 b5 ({The more popular alternative
is:} 5... e6 $142 6. b3 Bb4 7. Bd2 $14) 6. b3 (6. c5 {An interesting
alternative, and my personal weapon against this variation.}) 6... Bg4 7. Qd2
$5 {A rare line which forces Black onto a narrow path! Some of the other
alternatives are: 7.Bd2, 7.h3, 7.Be2, and 7.Qc2.} (7. Qc2 e6 (7... Bxf3 $5 8.
gxf3 Nbd7 9. Bb2 e6 10. Bd3 $14) 8. Ne5 Bf5 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Nxd3 bxc4 (10...
Bd6 $6 11. c5 Be7 12. a4 bxa4 13. Rxa4 O-O 14. O-O Qc7 15. Bd2 Nbd7 16. Rfa1 e5
17. Rxa6 Rxa6 18. Rxa6 e4 19. Nf4 g5 20. Nfe2 Ng4 21. g3 $16 {1/2-1/2 Peralta,
F (2587)-Himanshu,S (2437)/Badalona ESP 2016}) 11. bxc4 dxc4 12. Ne5 Nbd7 13.
O-O Qc7 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. Ne4 Nb6 16. Rb1 Be7 17. Nd2 O-O 18. Nxc4 Nxc4 19.
Qxc4 $14 {1-0 Bacrot,E (2720)-Laznicka,V (2676)/Tromso NOR 2014}) 7... Nbd7 ({
More of a "timid" option that leads to a more comfortable position with the
intent to make a draw.} 7... Bxf3 8. gxf3 Nbd7 9. Bb2 e6 10. c5 a5 11. a4 b4
12. Ne2 g6 13. Nf4 Qc7 14. Nd3 Nh5 15. f4 Be7 16. O-O-O Bh4 17. Be2 Ng7 18. Kb1
f5 19. Ka2 Nf6 20. f3 Nd7 21. Rdg1 Nh5 {1/2-1/2 Aronian,L (2750)-Karjakin,S 
(2706)/Nice FRA 2009}) 8. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 9. dxe5 Nd7 $8 (9... Ne4 10. Nxe4 dxe4
11. Qc2 e6 12. Bd2 {[%csl Rc6,Re4][%cal Gc2c6]} Rc8 13. Be2 $1 Bxe2 14. Kxe2
Qh4 15. h3 $16) 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Qxd5 (11. Nxd5 Nxe5 12. Nb4 Qa5 13. Nd3 Qxd2+
14. Bxd2 Nxd3+ 15. Bxd3 e5 16. Be4 Rb8 17. O-O Ba3 $1 $132) 11... e6 12. Qd4 h5
$1 {[%csl Yd1,Re2,Gg4][%cal Gg4d1,Ga1d1,Gf1e2] Retaining the bishop on the
very active g4-square from where it denies both Be2 and Rd1 ideas!} (12... Bf5
$6 13. Bb2 Bc5 14. Qf4 O-O 15. g4 Bg6 16. Bg2 $16 {with a clear advantage for
White due the extra pawn, spatial advantage, and more active pieces.}) 13. Bd2
$6 {Quite an awkward positioning for this bishop. Usually, it is Black to play
...Bb4 and return to e7 only to force such a move. The bishop on d2 closes the
d-file, does not protect e5, and ultimately fails to control a3 - thus
allowing Black to potentially take control of the c-file.} (13. Bb2 $142 Bc5
14. Qd2 Nxe5 15. Qxd8+ Rxd8 16. f3 Bf5 (16... Nxf3+ 17. gxf3 Bxf3 18. Rg1 Bg4
19. Ne4 Bxe3 20. Rg3 Bh6 21. Rd3 $16) 17. e4 Bh3 $1 (17... Bg6 $6 18. Nxb5 $16)
18. Rd1 Bxg2 19. Bxg2 Nd3+ 20. Rxd3 Rxd3 21. Ke2 Rd8 22. f4 $14) 13... Qb8 ({
Leading to some quite interesting complications was the more logical:} 13...
Bc5 $5 14. Qf4 g5 15. Qg3 Bb4 16. Rc1 $13 {I am not sure that even the engine
knows what exactly is happening in this position.} Rc8 17. e4 Nc5 18. f3 h4 $5
19. Qxg4 Rg8 {[%csl Re1][%cal Gc5d3,Gb4c3,Gc8c3]} 20. g3 Nd3+ 21. Bxd3 Qxd3 22.
gxh4 Rxc3 23. Bxc3 Bxc3+ 24. Rxc3 Qxc3+ 25. Ke2 Qxe5 26. Qg3 Qb2+ 27. Ke3 Qc3+
28. Ke2 Qb2+ $11) 14. Ne4 Qxe5 15. a4 Bf5 16. Ng3 (16. Bd3 Qxd4 17. exd4 bxa4
18. Rxa4 Nb6 19. Ra1 Be7 20. f3 O-O $11) 16... Bc2 17. axb5 h4 18. Ne2 Qxb5 19.
Qc3 Bh7 20. Nd4 Qb7 21. h3 $5 {[%csl Gh3,Rh4][%cal Yh4h3] A necessary move.} (
21. Be2 Bd6 22. h3 $11 (22. O-O $6 h3 $15)) 21... Be7 (21... Bd6 $5 {The more
active option. Black attempts to utilize the weakness on g3 caused by h3.} 22.
Be2 Be4 23. f3 Bg3+ 24. Kf1 e5 25. fxe4 exd4 26. exd4 Nf6 27. Bf3 Nxe4 28. Qd3
f5 29. Bxe4 fxe4 30. Qc4 Qd7 $5 $13 {and again - with a crazy computer
position. No wonder this did not happened in the game!}) 22. Be2 O-O 23. Bf3 (
23. Qc6 $5 $11) 23... Be4 24. Bxe4 Qxe4 25. Qc6 Nc5 26. Qxe4 Nxe4 $15 27. Nc6
Bc5 {[%csl Rc5,Ye3][%cal Gc5e3]} (27... Bf6 $142 {[%csl Ya1,Gh4][%cal Gf6h4,
Gf6a1] It makes more sense to me to have the bishop on this diagonal, though
it doesn't make a huge difference. Then again, the devil's in the details!} 28.
Rc1 a5 29. Rc4 Rfc8 30. Ke2 Nxd2 31. Kxd2 Rc7 32. Rhc1 Rb7 33. Rc5 Rxb3 34.
Nxa5 Rb2+ 35. R1c2 Rxc2+ 36. Kxc2 $11) 28. Ra4 Nxd2 29. Kxd2 Rfc8 30. Na5 Be7
31. Rc1 Rxc1 32. Kxc1 Rc8+ 33. Rc4 Rxc4+ 34. Nxc4 g5 (34... f6 $142 {[%csl Ye5]
[%cal Gc4e5] Getting the king to the center as soon as possible should always
be a prioroty in such endgames!} 35. Kd2 Kf7 36. Kd3 Ke8 $11) 35. Kd2 f5 36.
Ne5 Bd6 37. Nf3 Be7 38. Ne5 Bd6 39. Nf3 Be7 40. Kd3 Kg7 41. Ne5 Bb4 $2 {
An expected mistake caused by Svidler's hasty mentality in this endgame.} ({
Black should have forced the White knight away from e5, and only then proceed
as planned.} 41... Bd6 $1 {[%csl Ye5]} 42. Nd7 Bb4 43. Kc4 Be1 {Now, there are
no more Nd3 options to save the day!} 44. f3 Bf2 45. e4 fxe4 46. fxe4 a5 47.
Kb5 Be1 $11 {[%csl Ra5,Gd7,Ge1,Re4][%cal Gg7e5] White cannot improve his
position due his highly weakened kingside.}) 42. Kc4 a5 (42... Be1 43. Nd3 Bd2
44. Nc5 $18) 43. Kb5 Kf6 44. Nc4 Be1 $4 {The second and final mistake in this
game! The better option was:} (44... f4 $1 45. e4 (45. exf4 Be1 $1 46. f3 Kf5
47. fxg5 Kxg5 48. Ne5 Kf5 49. Nd3 Bd2 $132) 45... f3 $3 {Creating a path for
the black king to the kingside!} 46. gxf3 Bc3 47. Kb6 Bb4 48. Kc6 Be1 49. Kd7
Bxf2 50. Nxa5 Ke5 $11) 45. f3 {Game over! Black has now zero chances of ever
getting his king anywhere close to White's kingside pawns.} g4 46. Nxa5 gxh3
47. gxh3 $18 {[%csl Yd4,Ge3,Ye4,Gf3,Yf4,Rf6,Yg4]} Ke5 48. Nc4+ Kd5 49. Nb6+ Kd6
50. Kc4 Kc6 51. Na4 Bf2 52. e4 fxe4 53. fxe4 Kd6 54. Nb2 {Overall, a very
unfortunate ending to a decent game. A good game by Aronian!} 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 4th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.08.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Schulz,Andre"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2016.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. O-O h6 7. d4 Bb6 8. dxe5
Nxe4 9. Bd5 {[#]} Nxf2 {Eine Neuerung. Ein ähnliches Motiv kennt man aus
einer bekannten Variante des offenenen Spaniers.} (9... Nc5 10. Bf4 Ne7 11. Bc4
Ne6 12. Bc1 d5 13. exd6 cxd6 14. Na3 d5 15. Be2 Ng6 16. Nc2 Nef4 17. Nfd4 Nxe2+
18. Qxe2 Re8 19. Qf3 Ne5 20. Qg3 Kh8 21. Bf4 Nc6 22. Nb5 Qf6 23. Be3 Ba5 24.
Nc7 Bxc7 25. Qxc7 Bf5 26. Nd4 Nxd4 27. Bxd4 Qe7 28. Qf4 Qg5 29. Qxg5 hxg5 30.
Be3 f6 31. Rfd1 Be6 32. Rd4 Kg8 33. Rb4 Re7 34. a4 a6 35. a5 Kf7 36. h4 gxh4
37. Rxh4 Bd7 38. Rd1 Bc6 39. Kf1 Rae8 40. Ke2 Re4 41. Rxe4 {1/2-1/2 (41)
Gelfand,B (2720)-Eljanov,P (2716) Moscow 2008}) 10. Rxf2 d6 11. exd6 Qxd6 12.
Bb3 Bxf2+ 13. Kxf2 Qf6 14. Qd2 g5 {Verhindert vor allem den Damentausch. g4
droht nicht so sehr, weil Weiß Sxh6 hat.} 15. Kg1 Bg4 16. Qf2 Rfe8 17. Be3 $5
{So bringt weitere Würze ins Spiel.} (17. Nbd2 {wäre der "Normalzug" gewesen.
Aber dann hat Weiß probleme mit der Entwicklung.}) 17... Bxf3 18. Nd2 {
Das war die Idee.} Rxe3 $1 {Die Rückgabe der Qualitär löst alle Probleme.} (
18... Qe5 19. Nc4 Qf5 20. gxf3 b5 21. Nd2) 19. Qxe3 Bh5 20. Qh3 Be2 21. Re1 Re8
22. Bc4 Qd8 23. Qxh6 (23. Bxf7+ Kxf7 24. Rxe2 Rxe2 25. Qh5+ {wäre eine andere
Lösung gewesen.}) 23... Bxc4 24. Rxe8+ Qxe8 25. Qxg5+ Kf8 26. Qc5+ Kg8 27.
Qg5+ Kf8 28. Qh6+ Kg8 29. Qg5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 4th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.08.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D40"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2016.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. e3 a6 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. g3 Nc6 8. Bg2
Bd6 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. O-O O-O 11. Nd4 Nxd4 12. exd4 Ba7 13. Bg5 Be6 14. Rc1 Rc8
15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. Bxd5 Rxc1 18. Qxc1 b5 19. Qc6 Bxd4 20. Qxf6
Bxf6 21. b3 Rd8 22. Rd1 Kf8 23. Kf1 a5 24. Bf3 Rxd1+ 25. Bxd1 Ke7 26. a4 bxa4
27. bxa4 Bc3 28. Bb3 Bb4 29. Ke2 Kf8 30. Bc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 4th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.08.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2016.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
Rb1 a5 9. d3 O-O 10. Be3 Be6 11. d4 exd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 c6 14. f4 f5
15. e4 Rf7 16. Bh3 Bb4 17. Bxf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 Nc4 19. Qd3 c5 20. Qxc4 Qxd4+ 21.
Qxd4 cxd4 22. Ne4 Re8 23. a3 Rxe4 24. axb4 axb4 25. Rbe1 Rxe1 26. Rxe1 Rxf5 27.
Rd1 Rc5 28. Rxd4 Rc1+ 29. Kg2 Rc2+ 30. Kh3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 4th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.08.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A37"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2819"]
[Annotator "Mokal,P"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2016.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O Nge7 7. a3 O-O 8. b4 {
Instead 8.Rb1 and 8.Ne1 are more common. The text move has been seen in a
couple of top level blitz games.} d5 (8... cxb4 9. axb4 e4 10. Ng5 f5 11. b5
Ne5 12. Qb3 h6 13. d4 $5 exd3 14. Nf3 dxe2 15. Re1 d6 16. Rxe2 Be6 $6 17. Nxe5
dxe5 18. Bxb7 $16 {1-0 Carlsen-Nakamura, Norway Blitz 2013 (62)}) 9. cxd5 Nxd5
10. Ng5 $2 {This is the result of a computer crash, according to Aronian. He
had prepared a similar sort of idea a few years ago and had it in mind but
before the game his laptop crashed and he just played without proper
preparation.} ({White has earlier tried} 10. Nxd5 Qxd5 {Here Gelfand played}
11. Rb1 $2 ({Aronian was probably intending} 11. Ng5 $142 {in this position.
It has been played twice before.} Qd4 (11... Qd8 12. Ne4 cxb4 13. axb4 f5 14.
b5 Nd4 15. Nc3 Be6 16. Ra3 $6 Qd7 $15 17. Qa4 e4 18. Bb2 $2 Nxe2+ $19 {0-1
Gutman,L (2441)-Danin,A (2589)/Bad Wiessee GER 2013}) 12. Rb1 cxb4 13. axb4 Bf5
(13... Nxb4 $5) 14. d3 Qd7 15. Ne4 Bxe4 16. Bxe4 Nd4 17. Bb2 Rfd8 18. e3 Ne6
$13 {1-0 Savchenko,S (2498)-Vuilleumier,A (2321)/Budapest HUN 2013}) 11... cxb4
12. axb4 e4 $17 {1-0 Gelfand-Karjakin, Moscow blitz 2009 (47)}) ({A couple of
games saw} 10. e4 {but not with much success} Nc7 (10... Nxc3 11. dxc3 Be6 $11)
11. bxc5 Ne6 12. a4 (12. Nd5 Nxc5 13. d3 b6 (13... Bg4 $5) 14. Be3 Ne6 15. h4
Bb7 16. Ng5 Nc7 17. Nxc7 Qxc7 18. h5 h6 19. Nf3 g5 20. Bh3 Bc8 21. Bxc8 Raxc8
22. Rc1 Qd7 $132 {1-0 Ghasi,A (2466)-Palliser,R (2456)/Leeds ENG 2013}) 12...
Nxc5 13. Ba3 b6 $15 {0-1 Czebe,A (2463)-Mihok,O (2493)/Budapest HUN 2015})
10... Nc7 (10... Ndxb4 $5 11. d3 (11. axb4 cxb4 {[%csl Rc3,Rg5]} 12. Nce4 h6
13. Nf3 (13. Nh3 $2 Qd4 $17 {[%csl Re4][%cal Gc8h3]}) 13... f5 14. Nh4 (14. Nc5
e4 $17) 14... g5 $17) 11... Na6 $15) 11. Nge4 (11. d3 $142 cxb4 12. axb4 Nxb4
$44 {was comparatively better than the game continuation.}) 11... c4 $1 (11...
cxb4 12. axb4 Nxb4 13. Nc5 $44) 12. d3 cxd3 13. Bg5 $6 {Aronian decides to
give up a pawn instead of accepting a positional disadvantage. But it makes
matters worse. Later he admitted to having missed that Black can put his Q on
d7 and then take on e2.} ({After} 13. Qxd3 Qxd3 14. exd3 Ne6 $15) ({or} 13.
exd3 Ne6 $15 {[%csl Rd3] the weakness of the isolated d3-pawn gives Black an
edge.}) 13... f6 14. Be3 f5 $1 {Giving no respite.} (14... dxe2 $6 15. Qxe2 Nd4
16. Bxd4 exd4 17. Rad1 Re8 18. Nb5 Nxb5 19. Qxb5 {with some play.}) 15. Bg5 (
15. Nc5 f4 $17 16. gxf4 $2 exf4 {[%csl Rc3]} 17. Bd2 dxe2 18. Qxe2 f3 19. Bxf3
Nd4 $19) 15... Qd4 16. Be3 Qd8 17. Bg5 Qd7 18. Nc5 dxe2 19. Nxe2 (19. Nxd7
exd1=Q 20. Rfxd1 Rf7 21. Nc5 e4 22. Rac1 Ne6 23. Nxe6 Bxe6 {is a comfortable
pawn up position for Black. White cannot achieve much with either} 24. Nb5 ({or
} 24. Rd6 Bb3 $19) 24... Bb2 25. Rb1 Be5 26. Nd6 Rd7 $17) 19... Qxd1 20. Rfxd1
f4 {[%csl Rg5][%cal Gh7h6] MVL goes for the g5-B} ({The other way, to shut out
the g2-B with} 20... e4 {also seemed good enough. After} 21. Ra2 (21. Rac1 Bb2
$17) 21... b6 22. Nxe4 (22. Nd7 Rf7 23. Rad2 Ba6 $19 {[%csl Ge4]}) 22... fxe4 {
White cannot recover the piece. For example} 23. Bxe4 Bb7 24. Rd7 Rf7 25. Rxf7
Kxf7 26. Rc2 Rc8 $1 {A nice point shown by the machine.} 27. Bxc6 $2 Ne6 $19)
21. gxf4 h6 $17 {Black is already winning. White can now rely only on
desperate attempts to sacrifice material, whether it is a piece or pawns. it
is just a matter of accuracy before Black takes home the point.} 22. b5 (22.
Nxb7 Bxb7 23. Rac1 hxg5 24. Bxc6 Rab8 $17) (22. Bh4 exf4 $19 {[%cal Gg6g5,
Gg7a1]}) 22... Nxb5 23. Rab1 Nxa3 24. Rb3 hxg5 $6 ({A more accurate move was} 
24... Nc2 $142 {with not so difficult variations. For example} 25. Nxb7 (25.
Bh4 exf4 $19) (25. Rc1 N2d4 $19) (25. Rc3 N2d4 26. Nxd4 Nxd4 $19 {[%csl Rg5]
[%cal Gd4e2]}) 25... N6d4 26. Nxd4 Nxd4 27. Rxd4 (27. Nc5 Nxb3 28. Bxa8 Nxc5
$19) 27... exd4 28. Nc5 Bf5 29. Bxa8 Rxa8 30. Bh4 a5 $19) 25. Rxa3 ({White
could have provided more resistance with} 25. Nxb7 Ne7 ({Aronian's calculation
went} 25... Bxb7 26. Rxb7 {[%csl Rc6]} Rad8 {and so on and he considered his
position lost. One cannot blame him for it is only with the machine that we
can see White's ideas in these complications.} (26... Nd4 $6 27. Nxd4 exd4 28.
Bd5+ Kh7 29. Rd3 {[%cal Gd3h3]}) (26... Na5 27. Rbd7 N5c4 (27... Rab8 28. Bd5+
Kh8 29. Rd3 g4 30. Rxa3 $11) 28. Bd5+ Kh8 29. Bxa8 Rxa8 30. fxg5 $15) (26...
Rab8 27. Rxb8 Rxb8 28. Bxc6 exf4 $17) 27. Rxd8 Nxd8 (27... Rxd8 28. Bxc6 exf4
29. Rxa7 $15) 28. Bd5+ Kh8 (28... Nf7 29. f5 gxf5 30. Ng3 Nc2 31. Nxf5 Nd4 32.
Nd6 $11) (28... Kh7 29. Rb3 exf4 (29... Nc2 30. Rh3+ Bh6 31. fxg5) 30. Rh3+ Bh6
31. Rxa3 $15 {[%csl Ra7]}) 29. Rb3 exf4 30. Rxa3 Re8 31. Rh3+ Bh6 32. Nxf4 gxf4
33. Rxh6+ Kg7 34. Rh3 Re5 $15) 26. Rxa3 (26. Nc5 Bg4 27. Bxa8 Bxe2 28. Rd7 Rxa8
29. Rxa3 Nf5 30. fxe5 (30. Raxa7 Rxa7 31. Rxa7 gxf4 $17) 30... Rb8 $19 31.
Raxa7 Rb1+ 32. Kg2 g4 $1 $19) 26... Bg4 27. Re1 gxf4 {[%csl Ra7][%cal Gg2a8]
although Black is still better, he will not have it easy. For example} 28. h3
Bh5 29. Be4 $17 {keeping a hold on things for now.}) 25... exf4 26. Bd5+ (26.
Nd7 Rd8 $1 (26... f3 $5 {Aronian} 27. Bxf3 (27. Rxf3 Rxf3 28. Bxf3 Kf7 $19)
27... Rxf3 28. Rxf3 Bxd7 29. Rxd7 Ne5 $19) 27. Bd5+ Kh8 28. Rh3+ Bh6 29. Bxc6
bxc6 $19) 26... Kh7 $19 27. Ne4 (27. Nxb7 Bxb7 28. Rh3+ Bh6 $19) 27... Kh6 28.
Nd6 Bf6 (28... Bg4 $19) 29. Bxc6 bxc6 30. Nxc8 Raxc8 31. Rd7 {[%cal Ga3h3]} (
31. Rxa7 Rfd8 $19) 31... g4 32. Nxf4 Rcd8 33. Raxa7 Rxd7 34. Rxd7 c5 {[%cal
Gf8c8] MVL has given up two of his three extra pawns but simplified to an
easily winning endgame in which his strong bishop dominates the white knight
and his doubled pawns actually make the White pawn on h2 a sitting duck.} 35.
Ne6 (35. Rc7 Be5 $19) 35... Rc8 36. Rc7 Rxc7 37. Nxc7 c4 38. Kf1 Kg5 39. Nd5
Be5 {[%csl Rh2]} 40. Ke2 (40. Kg2 c3 41. Ne3 Kf4 42. Nc2 Ke4 43. Ne1 Bf4 $19 {
[%cal Gf4d2,Gf4h2] White is helpless.}) 40... Bxh2 41. Ke3 Be5 42. Nb4 Bd6 43.
Nd5 Bc5+ 44. Ke2 Kf5 45. Nc3 Ke5 46. Nb5 Bb4 47. Ke3 g5 48. Nc7 Bc5+ 49. Ke2 c3
(49... c3 50. Kd3 Bxf2 $19 {[%cal Gg4g3,Gg3g2,Gg2g1]}) 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 4th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.08.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2016.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 a6 7. a4 d6 8. O-O
Ba7 9. h3 Ne7 10. Re1 Ng6 11. Bb3 Re8 12. d4 h6 13. Bc2 c6 14. Nf1 d5 15. Nxe5
Nxe5 16. dxe5 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 dxe4 18. Qxd8 Rxd8 19. Ng3 Bb8 20. Be3 Bxe5 21.
Nxe4 Bc7 22. a5 Bf5 23. Nc5 Rab8 24. g4 Bc2 25. Rac1 Bg6 26. b4 Bd6 27. Na4 f6
28. Ba7 Ra8 29. Bc5 Be5 30. Nb6 Rab8 31. Nc4 Bf4 32. Be3 Bxe3 33. Rxe3 b5 34.
axb6 Bf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 4th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.08.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2791"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "173"]
[EventDate "2016.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Bd3
{A seemingly harmless continuation leading to simplifications. However, White
keeps a small development advantage, and Black should be very careful.} dxc4 (
8... Nc6 9. O-O a6 10. Rc1 Ba7 11. Bg5 (11. a3 $5) 11... dxc4 12. Bxc4 b5 13.
Bd3 Bb7 14. Qe2 h6 15. Bh4 $14 {1/2 (26) Karlsson,L (2505)-Rantanen,Y (2420)
Stockholm 1983}) 9. Bxc4 {This position often arises when White plays 8.Be2.}
a6 10. Bd3 {Other options:} (10. Qe2) (10. O-O) 10... Nc6 (10... b5 {is a bit
premature due to} 11. a4 (11. O-O Bb7 12. Qe2 b4 13. Na4 Be7 14. Rac1 Nd5 15.
Bg3 Qa5 16. b3 Nd7 17. Rc4 Rfc8 18. Rfc1 $14 {0-1 (32) Wedberg,T (2475)-Van
der Wiel,J (2550) Stockholm 1987}) 11... bxa4 (11... Bb7 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8
Bxa8 14. Bxb5 Nd5 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. O-O Qb6 17. Qe2 $16 {1-0 (32) Tregubov,P 
(2556)-Kujovic,M (2344) Reykjavik 2006}) (11... b4 12. Ne4 Nbd7 13. Rc1 $36)
12. O-O $1 (12. Rxa4 Nbd7 13. O-O Bb7 14. Qe2 a5 15. Rd1 h6 16. Ne5 Qe7 17.
Nxd7 Nxd7 18. Bc2 Nf6 19. Be5 Bb4 $11 {1/2 (30) De Firmian,N (2520)-Hansen,C 
(2510) Reykjavik 1986}) 12... Bb7 13. Nxa4 Bb4 14. Rc1 Nc6 15. Nc5 Bxc5 16.
Rxc5 Qb6 17. Rc3 Rac8 18. Rb3 Qa7 19. Qe2 a5 20. Ra1 $14 {1-0 (41) Efimov,I 
(2460)-Lanzani,M (2330) Formia 1995}) (10... Nbd7 {is probably more solid than
the text move:} 11. O-O (11. Qc2 b5 12. Rd1 Qe7 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 h6 15.
O-O Bb7 16. a4 bxa4 17. Nxa4 {1-0 (18) Janosi,E (2138)-Zielinski,S (2147)
Lechenicher SchachServer 2012} Rfc8 $11) 11... b5 (11... Qe7 12. Rc1 b6 13. Ne4
e5 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6 15. Bg5 Qe6 16. Qc2 $16 {1-0 (33) Roiz,M (2600)-Babula,V 
(2554) Skopje 2015}) 12. a4 (12. Ne4 Bb7 13. Nxc5 Nxc5 14. Be2 Nd5 15. Be5 f6
16. Bd4 Na4 17. b3 Nac3 $132 {1/2 (32) Tregubov,P (2620)-Rustemov,A (2534) New
Delhi/Teheran 2000}) (12. Ne5 Bb7 13. Be4 Bxe4 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. Nxe4 Be7 16.
Qf3 Rc8 $11 {1/2 (33) Khan,V (2131)-Sacerdotali,S (2100) Lechenicher
SchachServer 2013}) (12. e4 Nh5 13. Bg5 Be7 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. e5 Nc5 16. Ne4
Nxd3 17. Qxd3 Nf4 18. Qd6 Qa7 $11 {1/2 (25) Sargissian,G (2679)-Hess,R (2635)
Wheeling 2012}) 12... b4 13. Ne4 Bb7 $1 14. Nxf6+ Nxf6 15. Qe2 Qe7 16. Rac1
Rfd8 17. Rfd1 Bd6 18. Ne5 g6 $11 {1/2 (28) Keevil,P (2136)-Koehler,J (2132)
Lechenicher SchachServer 2012}) 11. O-O (11. a3 h6 12. Qc2 Qe7 13. Rd1 Rd8 14.
Na4 Ba7 15. O-O Nd5 16. Bg3 Bd7 17. Nc3 Nxc3 18. Qxc3 Rac8 19. Bd6 Qf6 $11 {
1/2 (22) Gildred,T (2300)-Kovacs,A (2443) Lechenicher SchachServer 2010}) 11...
Nb4 (11... Qe7 12. Bg5 $5) 12. Bb1 (12. Be2 $5 {may be good, too:} Qe7 (12...
Qxd1 13. Rfxd1 Nbd5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Be5 b6 16. Nd2 $14) (12... Nbd5 $5) 13.
Bg5 Rd8 14. Qb3 e5 $6 15. Qc4 Bf5 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Nh4 Bg6 18. a3 Nc6 19. Rfd1
$16 {1-0 (42) Bichik,A (2035)-Van Rooijen,P (1708) Lechenicher SchachServer
2012}) 12... Qxd1 (12... b5 $5 13. Ne4 (13. a4 $5) (13. Qe2 $5 {[%cal Ye3e4]})
13... Be7 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6 15. Bd6 Be7 16. Be4 Ra7 17. Bxb4 Qxd1 18. Rfxd1 Bxb4
19. Rac1 Rd7 20. Rxd7 Bxd7 21. Kf1 Rd8 22. Bb7 a5 23. Ne5 Be8 $11 {1/2 (28)
Buzas,G (2196)-Girardot,P (2251) Lechenicher SchachServer 2010}) 13. Rxd1 Nbd5
14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Be4 $5 Nf6 $2 {This obvious move turns out to be a serious
mistake.} (15... Nxf4 16. exf4 Ra7 {[%cal Yb7b6,Ya6a5] should be enough for
equality.}) 16. Nd2 $1 {[%mdl 32] Now it is difficult for Black to complete
his development.} Re8 (16... Nxe4 17. Nxe4 $16 {[%cal Ya1c1]}) 17. Bf3 e5 18.
Bg3 (18. Bg5 $5) 18... Ra7 (18... Bg4 {loses a pawn after} 19. Bxb7 Rab8 20.
Bf3 Rxb2 21. Nc4 Bxf3 22. gxf3 Rc2 23. Nxe5) 19. Rac1 b6 20. a3 (20. Nb3 $5)
20... Bd7 (20... a5 21. Nb3 $1 e4 22. Be2 Bf8 23. Rc6 $16) 21. Nc4 e4 22. Be2
a5 23. Nd6 Re7 24. Nb5 Bxb5 25. Bxb5 $16 {White's strong bishop pair
guarantees him a clear advantage.} Ra8 26. Kf1 Re6 27. Ke2 g5 28. Bc4 Ree8 29.
h4 {It turned out later that the opening of the h-file was not helpful for
White.} (29. Bd6 $142 $1 Kg7 30. Bxc5 bxc5 31. Bb5 $16) 29... h6 30. hxg5 hxg5
31. Bd6 Kg7 32. Bb5 (32. Bxc5 bxc5 33. Bb5 Re5 34. Rd6 Ng4 $5 $132) 32... Bxd6
33. Rxd6 Re5 34. Rxb6 {White has won a pawn but still faces some technical
difficulties.} Rh8 $1 35. Rb7 Rf5 36. Rf1 Rh2 (36... Rc5 $1 37. Ba4 Rh2 {
is more stubborn although White keeps good winning chances after} 38. Rg1 $16 (
{but not} 38. Bb3 Rxg2 39. Bxf7 Rc2+)) 37. Bc4 Ne8 (37... Rxg2 38. Bxf7 $1 Rc5
39. Bc4+ Kh6 40. Rh1+ $1 Kg6 41. Rc1 $18 {[%cal Ye2f1]}) 38. Rb5 Rxb5 39. Bxb5
{[%mdl 4096]} Nd6 40. Bd7 Kf6 41. Rc1 Rh8 42. b3 Ke7 43. Rc7 Rh1 44. Ra7 Ra1
45. g4 {Creating a safeheaven for the king on g2.} Rxa3 46. Ba4+ Kf8 47. Rxa5
Ra2+ 48. Kf1 f6 49. Ra8+ Ke7 50. Bc6 Rb2 51. Ra7+ Ke6 52. Bd7+ Ke7 53. Bf5+ Ke8
54. Be6 Rb1+ 55. Kg2 Rb2 56. Bd5 Rb1 (56... Rc2 $142 {preventing Bd5-c6+. In
that case White can play} 57. Ra4 {[%cal Ya4d4,Yb3b4]}) 57. Bc6+ Kf8 58. Rd7
Nf7 59. Bxe4 {White's task becomes easier with two extra pawns.} Rb2 (59...
Rxb3 $2 60. Rxf7+) 60. Rb7 (60. Kg3 $142 $22 Ne5 61. Rb7) 60... Nd6 61. Rb8+
Kg7 (61... Ke7 $142) 62. Bd5 {[%csl Rg7]} Rd2 63. e4 f5 {Desperation.} 64. gxf5
Nxf5 65. Rb7+ Kh6 66. Rb6+ Kh7 67. Rb7+ Kh6 68. exf5 Rxd5 69. f6 Rd4 70. Kg3
Kg6 71. f7 Kg7 72. b4 Kf8 73. b5 Rb4 74. b6 Kg7 75. f3 Kf8 76. Kf2 Rb3 77. Ke2
Kg7 78. Kd2 Kf8 (78... Rxf3 79. Rc7 $18 {[%cal Yb6b7,Yf7f8]}) 79. Kc2 Rb5 80.
Kc3 Kg7 81. Kc4 Rb1 82. Kc5 Rc1+ 83. Kd6 Rb1 84. Ke7 Re1+ 85. Kd8 Re6 86. Kc7
Re3 87. Ra7 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 4th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.08.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "162"]
[EventDate "2016.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d5 6. exd5 Qxd5 7. Bc4 Qd6 8.
Qe2 O-O 9. Nbd2 a5 10. Ng5 Bf5 11. Nde4 Nxe4 12. Nxe4 Bxe4 13. dxe4 Nd8 14. Bd2
c6 15. a4 Ne6 16. Rd1 Qe7 17. g3 Rad8 18. O-O Rd7 19. Bc1 Rfd8 20. Rxd7 Rxd7
21. Kg2 g6 22. Bh6 Qf6 23. Qg4 Rd8 24. Bxe6 Qxe6 25. Qxe6 fxe6 26. Kf3 Kf7 27.
Ke2 Rd7 28. h4 Bf8 29. Be3 Be7 30. Rb1 c5 31. g4 h5 32. gxh5 gxh5 33. Rh1 Rd8
34. Rh3 Rg8 35. Rf3+ Ke8 36. Rg3 Kf7 37. Kd3 b6 38. Kc4 Bxh4 39. Rh3 Bg5 40.
Bxg5 Rxg5 41. Kb5 Rg2 42. Rf3+ Ke7 43. Kxb6 Rg8 44. Rh3 c4 45. Rxh5 Rb8+ 46.
Kc6 Rxb2 47. Rxe5 Rc2 48. Rxa5 Rxc3 49. Rc5 Rc2 50. Kb5 c3 51. Kb4 Rxf2 52.
Rxc3 Kd6 53. Rc4 Rf8 54. a5 Rb8+ 55. Ka3 Ra8 56. Ka4 Ra7 57. Rd4+ Kc5 58. Rd8
Rb7 59. Rc8+ Kd4 60. a6 Re7 61. Kb5 Kxe4 62. Rc4+ Kd3 63. Ra4 e5 64. Ra3+ Kd4
65. a7 Rb7+ 66. Kc6 Rxa7 67. Rxa7 e4 68. Ra4+ Kd3 69. Kd5 e3 70. Ra3+ Kd2 71.
Kd4 e2 72. Ra2+ Kd1 73. Kd3 e1=N+ 74. Kc3 Nf3 75. Rf2 Ne1 76. Rd2+ Kc1 77. Rh2
Kd1 78. Rf2 Kc1 79. Rd2 Nf3 80. Rd5 Ne1 81. Rd8 Nf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.25"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2016.09.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. e4 O-O 6. Nge2 Nc6 7. O-O d6 8. d3
a6 9. h3 Rb8 10. a4 Nd7 11. f4 Nd4 12. Kh2 b6 13. Be3 Bb7 14. Bg1 f5 15. Rb1 e6
16. b4 Ba8 17. Qd2 Qc7 18. Qa2 Rbe8 19. a5 bxa5 20. Qxa5 Qxa5 21. bxa5 Nc6 22.
Na4 Rb8 23. e5 dxe5 24. Bxc5 Rfd8 25. Bd6 Rxb1 26. Rxb1 Nxa5 27. Bc7 Bxg2 28.
Kxg2 Nc6 29. Bxd8 Nxd8 30. fxe5 Nxe5 31. Rb8 Bf6 32. Nf4 Kf7 33. Nc5 g5 34. Nh5
Be7 35. Nxa6 Nxd3 36. Nc7 Ne5 37. Rc8 Kg6 38. g4 f4 39. Nb5 Nec6 40. Nc3 Kf7
41. Ne4 Ne5 42. c5 Ndc6 43. Nd6+ Bxd6 44. cxd6 h6 45. Rc7+ Ke8 46. Ng7+ Kd8 47.
Nxe6+ Ke8 48. d7+ 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.25"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D05"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2016.09.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 c5 4. Bd3 d5 5. O-O Nbd7 6. b3 g6 7. Bb2 Bg7 8. c4
O-O 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Qe2 b6 11. Rd1 Bb7 12. Nbd2 cxd4 13. Nxd4 Nc5 14. Bc4 Qe7
15. Rac1 Rfd8 16. Ba3 Qg5 17. N2f3 Qh5 18. Bxc5 bxc5 19. Nb5 Be5 20. Nxe5 Qxe5
21. Bxd5 Rxd5 22. Nc3 Rxd1+ 23. Qxd1 Qg5 24. Qf1 Rc8 25. Na4 c4 26. Rxc4 Rxc4
27. bxc4 Qa5 28. Qd1 Bc6 29. Nb2 Qxa2 30. Qd8+ Kg7 31. Qd4+ Kg8 32. Qd8+ Kg7
33. Qd4+ Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.25"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2016.09.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. a4 h6 7. c3 a5 8. Re1 d6
9. Na3 Be6 10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. Nc2 Qe8 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Nxe3 Qg6 14. Qb3 Nd8 15.
Nf5 Qf7 16. Ng3 b6 17. Rad1 Nc6 18. Qc4 Qd7 19. h3 Rf7 20. Qb5 Raf8 21. Re2 Ne7
22. Qxd7 Nxd7 23. d4 Ng6 24. Rc2 Rxf3 25. gxf3 Nh4 26. Re2 Nxf3+ 27. Kg2 Nh4+
28. Kf1 Ng6 29. Re3 Rf4 30. Ne2 Rf7 31. Nc1 exd4 32. cxd4 e5 33. Ne2 exd4 34.
Nxd4 Nc5 35. b3 Ne5 36. Kg2 Kf8 37. f3 Ke8 38. Ne2 Kd7 39. f4 Ng6 40. Kg3 Ne7
41. Nd4 Ng6 42. Rf1 Re7 43. Rfe1 Rf7 44. Rf1 Re7 45. e5 dxe5 46. fxe5 Nxe5 47.
Nf5 Re6 48. Nxg7 Rg6+ 49. Kh2 Rxg7 50. Rxe5 Nxb3 51. Rd1+ Kc6 52. Re6+ Kc5 53.
Rxh6 Kb4 54. Rh4+ Ka3 55. Rg4 Rh7 56. Rd3 b5 57. axb5 Rh5 58. Rc4 Rxb5 59. Rxc7
a4 60. Rc2 Kb4 61. h4 a3 62. Rg3 Nd4 63. Rd2 Rd5 64. Kh3 Rd6 65. Rgd3 Kc4 66.
Rxa3 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.25"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2016.09.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 e6 7. O-O Be7 8. d4
O-O 9. e4 Ndb4 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. e5 Bb6 12. Bg5 Qxd1 13. Raxd1 h6 14. Bc1 Ne7
15. Nd2 Nbd5 16. Nc4 Bd7 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 exd5 19. Rxd5 Be6 20. Nxb6 axb6
21. Rd6 Rxa2 22. Rxb6 Bh3 23. Re1 Ra1 24. Bd2 Rxe1+ 25. Bxe1 Rc8 26. Bc3 Rd8
27. f3 Rd1+ 28. Kf2 Rf1+ 29. Ke3 Bg2 30. Rxb7 Rxf3+ 31. Ke2 Rf2+ 32. Kxf2 Bxb7
33. Bb4 Bc8 34. Be7 Kh7 35. Ke3 Kg6 36. b4 Kf5 37. Bf8 g6 38. Kd4 h5 39. Bd6
Ke6 40. Kc5 Bb7 41. Kb6 Bg2 42. Kc7 Bf1 43. h4 Be2 44. Kc6 Bf3+ 45. Kc5 Kd7 46.
b5 Kc8 47. Bf8 Bg4 48. Kb6 Be6 49. Ka7 Bc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.25"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2016.09.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bf4 dxc4 6. e3 b5 7. Nxb5 Bb4+ 8.
Nc3 Nd5 9. Rc1 Nxf4 10. exf4 Nb6 11. Bxc4 O-O 12. Be2 Nd5 13. g3 c5 14. O-O
Bxc3 15. bxc3 Qa5 16. Qd2 Rd8 17. Rfd1 Bb7 18. c4 Nb4 19. Rb1 Be4 20. Rb2 Qa3
21. Rb3 Qxa2 22. Qxa2 Nxa2 23. dxc5 Rxd1+ 24. Bxd1 Rd8 25. Kg2 h6 26. Re3 Bc6
27. Bc2 Nb4 28. Be4 Bxe4 29. Rxe4 Rc8 30. Rd4 Rxc5 31. Rd8+ Kh7 32. Rd7 f6 33.
Nd4 e5 34. Ne6 Rxc4 35. Rxg7+ Kh8 36. Rxa7 Nd3 37. Rd7 e4 38. Rd4 Rc2 39. Rxe4
Nxf2 40. Rd4 Ng4+ 41. Kf3 Nxh2+ 42. Ke4 Ng4 43. Kf5 h5 44. Kg6 Rc8 45. Nd8 Kg8
46. Kxh5 Ne3 47. Kg6 f5 48. Ne6 Re8 49. Ng7 Rf8 50. Nh5 Ng4 51. Rd5 Kh8 52. Kg5
Rg8+ 53. Kh4 Ne3 54. Rd3 Ng4 55. Rc3 Kh7 56. Rc5 Kg6 57. Rc6+ Kh7 58. Nf6+ Nxf6
59. Rxf6 Rg4+ 60. Kh3 Rg7 61. Rxf5 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.25"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D14"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[PlyCount "158"]
[EventDate "2016.09.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. d4 cxd4 4. cxd4 d5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Bf5 7. Qb3 Na5 8.
Qa4+ Bd7 9. Qc2 e6 10. e3 Nh5 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bh4 g5 13. g4 gxh4 14. gxh5 Bb4
15. Bd3 Qe7 16. a3 Bxc3+ 17. Qxc3 b6 18. Ba6 Rg8 19. Nd2 Qd6 20. Rc1 Rb8 21.
Qc2 Rg7 22. h6 Rg6 23. Bd3 Rxh6 24. Rg1 Kf7 25. Qc7 Qxc7 26. Rxc7 Rb7 27. Rc3
b5 28. b3 e5 29. Rc5 exd4 30. exd4 Rh5 31. f4 a6 32. Be4 Ke7 33. Bxd5 Rb8 34.
Rg7+ Kd8 35. Bf3 Rxc5 36. dxc5 b4 37. a4 Be6 38. c6 Rc8 39. Ne4 Rxc6 40. Nxf6
Rc3 41. Bg4 Bxg4 42. Rxg4 Nxb3 43. Rg8+ Ke7 44. Nd5+ Kf7 45. Rb8 Rc1+ 46. Kf2
Rc2+ 47. Ke3 a5 48. f5 Nc5 49. Rc8 b3 50. Rc7+ Kf8 51. Nf6 b2 52. Nxh7+ Ke8 53.
f6 Ne6 54. Rb7 Rc7 55. f7+ Rxf7 56. Rb8+ Kd7 57. Rxb2 Rxh7 58. Rb5 Rg7 59. Rd5+
Ke7 60. Rxa5 Rg2 61. Kf3 Rxh2 62. Kg4 Nf8 63. Rh5 Ng6 64. Kf5 Rg2 65. a5 Kd7
66. a6 Kc7 67. Rh7+ Kb8 68. a7+ Ka8 69. Kf6 Rg4 70. Kf5 Rg3 71. Ke4 Ra3 72. Rh6
Ra6 73. Rh7 Rxa7 74. Rh6 Ra6 75. Rh7 Rf6 76. Ke3 Kb8 77. Ke4 Kc8 78. Ke3 Kd8
79. Ke4 Ke8 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Li, Chao B"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2016.09.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bf4 dxc4 6. e3 b5 7. Nxb5 Bb4+ 8.
Nd2 Nd5 9. Bg3 N7b6 10. Rc1 O-O 11. Be2 Bd7 12. a4 a6 13. e4 axb5 14. exd5 Nxa4
15. Qc2 exd5 16. O-O Qf6 17. Be5 Qg6 18. Qxg6 hxg6 19. Nb1 Nxb2 20. Bxc7 Ra2
21. Bf3 Nd3 22. Rcd1 Be6 23. h4 Rfa8 24. g3 Rc2 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.25"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D06"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2016.09.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Bf5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bg5 c6 6. Qb3 Qb6 7. e3 Nbd7 8. Be2
dxc4 9. Bxc4 Qxb3 10. Bxb3 Ne4 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. Ke2 Bd6 13. Rhc1 a5 14. Bh4 a4
15. Bc4 Nb6 16. Bd3 Bxd3+ 17. Kxd3 f6 18. Bg3 Be7 19. Ke2 Kf7 20. Ne1 Rhc8 21.
Nd3 Nd7 22. Rc2 Ra5 23. Rac1 e5 24. dxe5 Nxe5 25. Bxe5 fxe5 26. Rc4 Ke6 27. Re4
Bd6 28. Rcc4 Rca8 29. f4 Kf5 30. g4+ Kf6 31. Kf3 exf4 32. exf4 Rd5 33. Rcd4
Rxd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[EventDate "2016.09.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. b3 b6 7. Bb2 Bb7 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. d4 c5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Nbd2 Nd7 12. a3 Rc8 13. Rc1 Be7 14. e4 Rxc1 15.
Qxc1 N5f6 16. e5 Nd5 17. Nc4 Qb8 18. Qd2 Rd8 19. b4 Nf8 20. Nd4 Nc7 21. Qe2
Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Qb7+ 23. Qf3 Nd5 24. Kg1 Ng6 25. Qe4 Qd7 26. h4 Bf8 27. h5 Nge7
28. Rc1 Rc8 29. Nd6 Rxc1+ 30. Bxc1 Nc6 31. Bb2 Nxe5 32. N6b5 Nc4 33. Bc1 a6 34.
Na7 Qxa7 35. Nc6 Nd6 36. Qxd5 exd5 37. Nxa7 Nc4 38. Kf1 a5 39. Nc6 axb4 40.
axb4 f6 41. Ke2 Kf7 42. f4 Ke6 43. Kd3 Kd7 44. b5 Bc5 45. Nd4 Bxd4 46. Kxd4 Nd6
47. Kxd5 Nxb5 48. g4 Nc7+ 49. Ke4 g6 50. Bb2 Ne8 51. h6 Kc6 52. f5 Nd6+ 53. Kf4
gxf5 54. gxf5 Ne8 55. Ke4 Kc5 56. Bd4+ Kc6 57. Bb2 b5 58. Ba3 Nd6+ 59. Kf4 Kd5
60. Bb4 Ne8 61. Be7 Kd4 62. Bf8 Kc4 63. Ke4 Nc7 64. Ba3 Nd5 65. Bb2 b4 66. Bd4
Nc3+ 67. Ke3 b3 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2016.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. g3 d5 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 dxc4 7. Nxc6 Qxd1+
8. Nxd1 bxc6 9. Bg2 Nd5 10. Ne3 e6 11. Nxc4 Ba6 12. b3 Bb4+ 13. Bd2 Ke7 14. Rc1
Rhc8 15. Ne5 c5 16. Bxb4 cxb4 17. Rxc8 Rxc8 18. Bxd5 Kd6 19. Bf3 Kxe5 20. Kd2
Rc5 21. a3 bxa3 22. Ra1 Bb5 23. Rxa3 Rc7 24. h4 h6 25. Ra2 g5 26. hxg5 hxg5 27.
Rc2 Rxc2+ 28. Kxc2 Kd4 29. e3+ Kc5 30. Kc3 a5 31. Bd1 f6 32. f4 e5 33. Bf3 Be8
34. Bd1 Bb5 35. Bf3 Be8 36. Bd1 Bb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.27"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D56"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2016.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7
Qxe7 9. Rc1 c6 10. Qc2 Nd7 11. Be2 Nxc3 12. Qxc3 dxc4 13. Qxc4 e5 14. O-O exd4
15. Nxd4 Nb6 16. Qc3 Nd5 17. Qb3 a5 18. a3 a4 19. Qc4 Nb6 20. Qc3 Nd5 21. Qc4
Nb6 22. Qc3 Nd5 23. Qc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D70"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2016.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2
Nc6 9. O-O-O Qd6 10. Kb1 Rd8 11. Nb5 Qd7 12. d5 a6 13. Nc3 Qe8 14. Qc1 Na5 15.
Bh6 Bxh6 16. Qxh6 e6 17. h4 exd5 18. h5 Qf8 19. Qf4 Qe7 20. hxg6 fxg6 21. Nge2
Be6 22. Nd4 dxe4 23. Qxe4 Rd6 24. Nxe6 Rxe6 25. Qg4 Nc6 26. Ne4 Rd8 27. Rc1 Rd5
28. Qf4 Rf5 29. Qe3 Nb4 30. Qb3 N4d5 31. a3 Ree5 32. Bd3 Kg7 33. Ka1 Nf4 34. g4
Rf8 35. Bb1 Ne6 36. Qc3 Nf4 37. Qxc7 Nfd5 38. Qxe7+ Rxe7 39. Rh2 Nf4 40. Rch1
Rh8 41. Rc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.09.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2016.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. O-O d6 6. a3 Nd7 7. Ba2 O-O 8. Nc3
Nb6 9. Ne2 Bg4 10. c3 d5 11. exd5 Bxf3 12. gxf3 Nxd5 13. f4 Qd7 14. fxe5 Nxe5
15. Ng3 Qh3 16. Qh5 Qxh5 17. Nxh5 Rad8 18. Rd1 c5 19. Kg2 Nf6 20. Re1 Ng6 21.
Nf4 Nh4+ 22. Kh3 Nf5 23. d4 Rfe8 24. Ne6 fxe6 25. Bxe6+ Kf8 26. Bxf5 cxd4 27.
cxd4 Rxd4 28. Kg2 Rd5 29. Bh3 a5 30. Be3 Bc5 31. Bf4 Rxe1 32. Rxe1 Bd6 33. Bc1
Re5 34. Rd1 Rd5 35. Rxd5 Nxd5 36. Bf5 b6 37. b3 g6 38. Be4 Nf4+ 39. Kf3 Ne6 40.
Bd5 Ke7 41. h4 Bc5 42. a4 Kd6 43. Bc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.10.01"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "166"]
[EventDate "2016.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 c5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 d5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. d4 cxd4 10. Qa4+ Qd7 11. Qxd7+ Nxd7 12. Nxd4 N7f6 13. Ncb5 O-O 14. e4
Nb4 15. a3 Nd3 16. Rd1 Nc5 17. f3 Rfc8 18. Be3 a6 19. Nc3 g6 20. Bh3 Rc7 21.
Rab1 b5 22. Bf4 Rcc8 23. Kf1 Bf8 24. Rbc1 Rd8 25. Nce2 Ne8 26. Bg5 Rd7 27. Rd2
h6 28. Be3 Rdd8 29. Rcd1 e5 30. Nc2 Rxd2 31. Rxd2 Nf6 32. Nc1 g5 33. Bxc5 Bxc5
34. Nb3 Bf8 35. Na5 Bc8 36. Bxc8 Rxc8 37. g4 h5 38. h3 hxg4 39. hxg4 Bc5 40.
Nb7 Bb6 41. Ke2 Ne8 42. Nb4 Bd4 43. Na5 Ng7 44. Nbc6 Kf8 45. Nxd4 exd4 46. Nb3
Ne6 47. Nxd4 Nxd4+ 48. Rxd4 Ke7 49. Kd2 Ke6 50. a4 bxa4 51. Rxa4 Rc6 52. b3 f6
53. Ra5 Rb6 54. Kc3 Rc6+ 55. Kb4 Rb6+ 56. Kc4 Rc6+ 57. Rc5 Rd6 58. Ra5 Rc6+ 59.
Kb4 Rd6 60. Rd5 Rb6+ 61. Kc3 Rc6+ 62. Kb2 Rc8 63. Ra5 Rc6 64. b4 Rd6 65. Kc3
Rc6+ 66. Kb3 Rd6 67. Kc4 Rc6+ 68. Rc5 Rd6 69. Kc3 Rb6 70. Kb3 Rd6 71. Ka4 Rd3
72. Rc6+ Ke5 73. Rxa6 Rxf3 74. b5 Rf1 75. Rc6 Kxe4 76. b6 f5 77. Rc3 Ra1+ 78.
Kb4 Ra6 79. Kb5 Rxb6+ 80. Kxb6 fxg4 81. Kc5 Kf4 82. Rc4+ Kf3 83. Rc3+ Kf4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.10.02"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2016.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. O-O Nb6 ({Giri
apparently did not find a convincing improvement over Aronian's previous
experience with} 6... Be7 7. d4 {Aronian,L (2792)-Fressinet,L (2687) Paris
2016 CBM 173 [Marin,M] (1-0, 49)}) 7. d3 ({The main alternative is} 7. b3 Be7 (
7... Bd6 {Aronian,L (2773)-Shirov,A (2730) Bilbao 2009 CBM 132 [Marin,M] (1-0,
43)}) 8. Bb2 {Nakamura,H (2802)-Hammer,J (2677) Stavanger 2015 CBM 167 [Sagar
Shah] (1-0, 53)}) ({And of course} 7. Nc3 {would just transpose to the main
lines but this is not what White usually wants when choosing this move order.})
7... Be7 8. Be3 $5 {The bishop frequently lands on e3 in the reversed Dragon
English, but mostly with a knight on c3. Aronian's plan, even though not
completely new, is rather exotic.} ({The normal line goes} 8. Nbd2 O-O ({
The extravagant} 8... g5 {in Korchnoi's style was also tried in Bischoff,K 
(2559)-Vallejo Pons,F (2678) Germany 2005 CBM 106 [Ribli] (1-0, 31)}) 9. a3 a5
10. b3 Be6 11. Bb2 f6 12. Qc2 Qd7 13. Rfd1 Rfd8 14. Rac1 Bf8 {[%csl Gb3][%cal
Gd7f7] Portisch,L (2533)-Almasi,Z (2646) Szekesfehervar 2006 CBM 112 [Ribli] 
(0-1, 42). Black is perfectly regrouped and even though White's position looks
flexible, too, the weakness of the b3-pawn restricts his active possibilities.}
) 8... O-O (8... Nd5 {is not too annoying yet as the bishop has a square to
which to retreat.} 9. Bd2 (9. Nc3 Nxe3 10. fxe3 O-O 11. d4 {is a double edged
alternative. White is better developed and has some initiative but if Black
consolidates the central pawns may become weak.}) 9... O-O 10. Nc3 Be6 11. Rc1
f6 ({It may have been better to delay this move with, for instance} 11... Qd7
12. Ne4 f6) 12. Qb3 {[%csl Gb7,Gd5] Suddenly Black has concrete problems.} Na5
$6 (12... Rb8 $6 13. Ng5 $1) (12... Nf4 $2 {is known to lose material from
similar Dragon positions with reversed colours. Here the line is a bit more
complex.} 13. Qxb7 Na5 14. Qa6 c6 {Hoping to trap the queen with ...Bc8.} 15.
Ne4 Nxe2+ 16. Kh1 Nxc1 17. Rxc1 $16 {The a5-knight is lost.}) ({the best
defence was} 12... Bb4 {but after} 13. Qc2 {the bishop would be misplaced. All
in all, Black would probably lose a tempo.}) 13. Qb5 c6 14. Qa4 Nb4 15. Ne4 Qb6
{Dizdarevic,E (2498)-Ascic,P (2293) Bosnjaci 2013 (1-0, 41) The awful
placement of Black's knights allowed} 16. Nc5 $1 (16. Rc5 $1 {is similar.})
16... Bxc5 17. Rxc5 Qxc5 18. Bxb4 $18) 9. Nbd2 {Quite a daring move ignoring
the threat ...Nd5.} (9. Qc1 Re8 10. Nbd2 {[%csl Gc5] is more cautious but in
principle White would prefer placing a rook on c1, as Aronian later did.} Bg4
11. Bc5 f5 12. Nb3 Bf6 $13 {Azmaiparashvili,Z (2670)-Vallejo Pons,F (2559)
Ohrid 2001 (0-1, 42)}) ({This was the last moment when White could have
transposed to a main line branch with} 9. Nc3) 9... Be6 {Not really a bad move,
but it helps White reach a natural position.} ({The critical test is} 9... Nd5
10. Nc4 ({With reversed colours, Black would probably not mind a structure
such as arose after} 10. Rc1 Nxe3 11. fxe3 Be6 12. a3 a5 13. Ne4 {but with
White the requirements are higher, so personally I would not play like this.})
10... Nxe3 11. Nxe3 Re8 12. Rc1 ({Starting the knight dance on the available
squares with} 12. Nc4 f6 13. Nfd2 {looks more to the point. It remains an open
question whether Black can use his bishop for more than the modest aim of
defending c5.}) 12... Bf8 13. Rxc6 $5 {Interesting but not really adequate.}
bxc6 14. Qc2 Rb8 15. b3 Bd7 {Artemiev,V (2663)-Matlakov,M (2691) Sochi 2016 
(½-½, 61), and White never entirely got adequate compensation for the
exchange.}) 10. Rc1 {[%cal Gd2e4,Gd2b3,Ge3c5] Now everything is in the right
place, White always has Bc5 in the event of an emergency.} Qd7 (10... Nd5 11.
Bc5 f6 12. d4 $5 Bxc5 (12... exd4 13. Nb3 $14) 13. Rxc5 Qe7 14. Qc1 exd4 15.
Rxc6 $1 bxc6 16. Nxd4 $44 {with clearer compensation than in the game quoted
above. White will at least get one pawn while retaining the better structure.})
11. a3 Bh3 $2 {A serious misunderstanding of the position. Exchanging the
bishops is good only if Black gets attacking chances as otherwise his control
in the centre and on the queenside diminishes.} ({Once again} 11... Nd5 {
is more normal, although White has fluent play after} 12. Bc5 f6 13. Bxe7 Ndxe7
14. b4) 12. Bxh3 $1 {Distracting the queen from the centre.} Qxh3 13. b4 {
Suddenly the c7- and e5-pawns are hanging.} Bd6 (13... a6 {loses a pawn to} 14.
Bxb6 cxb6 15. Nc4 {[%csl Gb6,Ge5]}) ({Even though admitting that the exchange
of bishops has been among others a mere loss of time,} 13... Qd7 {deserves
attention.} 14. Ne4 (14. b5 Na5 {[%csl Gb5] is not entirely clear}) 14... Rfd8
15. Bc5 Bd6 16. Qb3 $14) 14. Qb3 {With the light-squared bishops on the board
the queen would not have that much mobility on the queenside.} Ne7 {Black's
play looks somewhat chaotic as his moves do not make part of a coherent plan.}
({But the more natural} 14... Rad8 15. Ne4 $14 {[%cal Gf1d1,Gd3d4] also looks
pleasant for White.}) 15. d4 {A logical reaction to the passive knight retreat
but not the only good plan.} (15. Bc5 {[%csl Re7][%cal Gf3e5]} Qd7 (15... Rfe8
$2 16. Qxf7+ $1 Kxf7 17. Ng5+) (15... Rae8 16. Bxd6 cxd6 17. Rc7 $16) 16. Ne4
$36 {[%cal Gf1d1,Gd3d4]}) 15... exd4 16. Bxd4 $14 {[%cal Gd2e4,Ge4d6,Ge4c5]
White has emerged out of the opening with a dream position. He has a promising
queenside minority attack and a kingside majority which could become dangerous
if put into motion. All these are sustained by his superior piece activity.}
Nc6 17. Ne4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Qd7 {This looks like one of the least favourable
moments to return with the queen.} (18... Be5 19. Nf3 Rae8 20. Nc5 Qc8 {
is more coherent, but White retains unpleasant pressure after, say,} 21. Rfd1
$14 {anyway.}) 19. Rfd1 {Completing the development and putting pressure on
the errant queen.} Be5 (19... Rad8 20. Qf3 $1 $16 {[%csl Yb7][%cal Gd4f5,Ye4d6]
}) 20. Nc6 Qe8 21. Na5 Rb8 22. Nc5 {With precise play, White should already
count on a technical win. But Aronian shows us that perfect technique implies
a bit of accurate calculating, too.} Qc8 23. Qf3 c6 24. b5 $1 {Destroying
Black's queenside fortress.} Bb2 (24... cxb5 25. Nd7 Qxd7 26. Rxd7 Nxd7 27.
Nxb7 $18) 25. bxc6 $1 ({Even stronger than} 25. Rc2 cxb5 26. Qd3 Bf6 27. Ncxb7
Qe6 28. Qxb5 {when White is "only" a pawn up.}) 25... Bxc1 26. Rxc1 Qc7 (26...
bxc6 27. Nxc6 {[%cal Gc6e7,Gc6b8] retrieves the exchange and retains the extra
pawn and clear domination.}) 27. cxb7 {This pawn, sustained by the knights,
will end the game soon.} Na4 (27... Rfe8 28. Qc3 {[%cal Gc5a6]}) 28. Ncb3 Qe7 (
28... Qb6 29. Qc6 $5 Nb2 30. Nc5 $1 Qxa5 31. Nd7 Rxb7 32. Qxb7 Re8 33. Rc8 Qe1+
34. Kg2 Qxe2 35. Qa8 $18) 29. Nd4 Qg5 30. Qf4 $1 {The start of the final
combination.} Qxa5 (30... Qxf4 31. gxf4 {[%cal Gd4c6]}) 31. Qxb8 $1 Rxb8 32.
Rc8+ Qd8 33. Rxd8+ Rxd8 34. Nc6 (34. Nc6 {the point is that after} Re8 {
White does not have to content himself with an extra pawn in the knight ending,
which would make resignation a bit premature, but can promote his pawn with}
35. Ne7+ Kf8 36. Nc8 $1) 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.10.04"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2016.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. a3 c5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Nxc5 11. Be5 Bf5 12. Be2 Bf6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Nd4
Ne6 15. Nxf5 Qxf5 16. O-O Qe5 17. Qd2 d4 18. Bc4 dxe3 19. Qxe3 Qxe3 20. fxe3
Rae8 21. Rad1 Re7 22. Bxe6 fxe6 23. Rxf8+ Kxf8 24. Rd8+ Re8 25. Rxe8+ Kxe8 26.
Kf2 Ke7 27. Kf3 e5 28. Kg4 Kf6 29. e4 g6 30. b4 b5 31. Kh4 Kg7 32. Kg5 h6+ 33.
Kg4 Kf6 34. h3 Kf7 35. h4 Ke6 36. h5 g5 37. Kf3 Kf7 38. Kg4 Ke6 39. Kf3 Kf7 40.
Kg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.10.05"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Li, Chao B"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D06"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2016.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Bf5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. Bf4 Bd6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Nxd5 Be4 8.
Nc3 Bxf3 9. Bxd6 Qxd6 10. gxf3 Qxd4 11. e3 Qf6 12. Nd5 Qd6 13. Qb3 Nge7 14.
Nxe7 Nxe7 15. Rd1 Qf6 16. Qa4+ Nc6 17. Qe4+ Kf8 18. Bb5 Re8 19. Qc2 Qxf3 20.
Qc5+ Kg8 21. Rg1 Qf6 22. Bxc6 bxc6 23. Rd2 g6 24. Rg4 Kg7 25. Rc4 Rd8 26. Rf4
Qe6 27. Rfd4 Rb8 28. Rd7 Qf6 29. b3 Rb7 30. Qe7 a5 31. R2d4 Rf8 32. Ke2 Qxe7
33. Rxe7 Kf6 34. Ree4 Ra8 35. Rf4+ Ke7 36. Rfe4+ Kf6 37. Rf4+ Ke7 38. Rde4+ Kf8
39. Re6 g5 40. Rf3 g4 41. Rf4 Rb4 42. Ref6 Rxf4 43. Rxf4 h5 44. Rf5 a4 45. Rxh5
Ke7 46. b4 a3 47. Kd3 Rd8+ 48. Kc2 Ke6 49. Rc5 Rh8 50. Rxc6+ Ke5 51. Rxc7 Rxh2
52. Rxf7 g3 53. Kb3 Rxf2 54. Rg7 g2 55. Kxa3 Ke4 56. Rg3 Re2 57. Ka4 Rxa2+ 58.
Kb5 Kd3 59. Kc6 Rc2+ 60. Kb6 Rf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 10th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.10.06"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2016.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 a5 7. O-O d6 8. Bb3
Be6 9. Ba4 Qb8 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. d4 Ba7 12. b3 Nd7 13. Bb2 a4 14. c4 Bg4 15.
dxe5 dxe5 16. h3 Bxf3 17. Nxf3 Rd8 18. Qc2 f6 19. Bc3 Nf8 20. c5 Bxc5 21. Bxe5
Ne6 22. Bg3 Qb5 23. Rac1 axb3 24. axb3 Rd3 25. b4 Bxb4 26. Qxc6 Qxc6 27. Rxc6
Bd6 28. Bxd6 Rxd6 29. Rxd6 cxd6 30. Rd1 Ra4 31. Rxd6 Rxe4 32. g3 Ng5 33. Nxg5
fxg5 34. Rd7 Re8 35. Kg2 Rf8 36. g4 h6 37. Kg3 Kh8 38. Ra7 Kg8 39. Rb7 Kh8 40.
Rc7 Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1617"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2017.04.29"]
[Round "13.1"]
[White "Horvath, Adam"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2498"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2016.10.15"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Schwegenheim"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 d6 5. Be2 Nf6 6. O-O O-O 7. a4 b6 8. h3 Bb7
9. e5 Ne8 10. Bf4 Nd7 11. Re1 c5 12. exd6 Nxd6 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Be5 a5 15.
Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Qd4+ Kg8 17. Rad1 Qc7 18. Qe5 Rac8 19. Nd4 Rfd8 20. Bf3 Bxf3 21.
Nxf3 e6 22. Rd4 Ne8 23. Qxc7 Nxc7 24. Red1 Rxd4 25. Rxd4 Kf8 26. Ne5 Ke7 27.
Nc6+ Ke8 28. Nb5 Nxb5 29. axb5 Nb7 30. c4 Nd8 31. Ne5 Rc7 32. f4 f6 33. Ng4 Ke7
34. Nxf6 Kxf6 35. Rxd8 Rxc4 36. Rf8+ Ke7 37. Rb8 Rxf4 38. Rxb6 Rb4 39. Rb7+ Kd6
40. Rxh7 Rxb2 41. Ra7 Rxb5 42. Ra6+ Kc5 43. h4 Kb4 44. Rxe6 a4 45. Rxg6 a3 46.
Ra6 Ra5 47. Rb6+ Ka4 48. Rb1 a2 49. Ra1 Kb3 50. Kf2 Kb2 51. Rh1 Rc5 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 1617"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2017.04.30"]
[Round "14.3"]
[White "Predojevic, Borki"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2640"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2016.10.15"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Solingen"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 Nf6 5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. Re1 e5 8. h3
Re8 9. d5 Ne7 10. c4 h6 11. Nc3 Nd7 12. Rb1 a5 13. a3 f5 14. b4 b6 15. Qc2 Rf8
16. Bb2 f4 17. Nb5 g5 18. Be2 Ng6 19. Nd2 Kh8 20. Rec1 a4 21. Bg4 Nf6 22. Bxc8
Rxc8 23. f3 h5 24. Kf2 g4 25. Rh1 g3+ 26. Ke2 Nh4 27. Rhg1 Qd7 28. Na7 Rce8 29.
Nc6 Nxg2 30. Rxg2 Qxh3 31. Rgg1 Ng4 32. Kd3 h4 33. Kc3 g2 34. Qxa4 Nf2 35. Kc2
Qg3 36. Qb3 Nh3 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 32nd"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2016.11.08"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D07"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[Annotator "Bronznik,V"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2016.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SRB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Padova"]
[BlackTeam "Sveti Nikolaj Srpski"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ITA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "SRB"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 ({Nach} 4. Nf3 {ist es die
zweithäufigste Fortsetzung in dieser Stellung.}) 4... Nxd5 5. Nf3 {Das ist
nicht die verbreitetste Option hier, aber die Statistik zeigt, dass die
Spieler über 2600 ihr einen klaren Vorzug geben, und zwar mit sehr
beeindruckenden Ergebnissen. Ich meinerseits trotzdem bezweifle, dass diese
Linie objektiv gesehen für Schwarz gefährlich ist.} ({Öfter spielt man} 5.
e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 e5 7. d5 Nb8 8. Nf3) 5... e5 $1 {Meines Erachtens sind die
schwarzen Chancen nach diesem Bauernopfer keinesfalls schlechter.} 6. dxe5 Bb4
({In der früheren Partie Navara,D (2724) - Rapport,R (2671)/Biel 2015
erprobte Rapport} 6... Be6 {und bekam nach} 7. Bg5 Nxc3 8. Qxd8+ Nxd8 9. bxc3
h6 10. Bh4 ({statt dessen empfiehlt GM Krasenkow} 10. Bxd8 $5 Rxd8 11. e3 {
und meint, dass Schwarz hier um Ausgleich noch kämpfen muss - hat Aronian
vielleicht damit seine Hoffnungen auf einen Eröffnungsvorteil verbunden?)})
10... Nc6 {beträchtliche Kompensation (auch wenn er die Partie am Ende verlor)
. Jetzt wechselt er zu einer anderen, häufigeren Fortsetzung, die auch in
meinem Buch "The Chigorin Defense" empfohlen wurde.}) 7. Bd2 Nxc3 8. bxc3 Ba5
9. e3 (9. Qa4 O-O 10. e3 Bb6 {führt durch Zugumstellung zur Partie.}) (9. e4
O-O (9... Qe7 10. Bb5 Bd7 $1 (10... Qc5 11. Qa4 Bd7 {(Mikrut,D (2356) -
Kukawski,M (2284)/Szklarska Poreba 2013)} 12. Qc4 $5 $14 {Krasenkow}) 11. Qa4
Bb6 12. O-O O-O 13. Bf4 h6 $5 {[%cal Yf8d8,Ya8d8]} (13... Rfd8 $2 14. Bg5 f6
15. Bh4 $16) 14. Rfd1 Rfd8 15. Bg3 Qe8 {[%cal Rc6e5]} 16. Qc2 Nxe5 17. Bxd7
Nxf3+ 18. gxf3 Rxd7 19. Rxd7 Qxd7 20. Rd1 Qe7 $11) 10. Bb5 Bd7 11. Qe2 (11. O-O
$6 Nxe5) 11... Re8 12. Rd1 Qe7 13. O-O Nxe5 (13... Bg4 $5 14. Bxc6 bxc6 $11 {
[%cal Rg4f3,Re7e5]}) 14. Bg5 Bxb5 15. Qxb5 Nxf3+ 16. gxf3 Qa3 17. Qxb7 Bb6 (
17... Qxa2 $4 18. Ra1 $18) 18. Qd5 Qxc3 19. Rd3 Qc2 20. Rd2 Qc3 21. Rd3 Qc2 $11
) 9... O-O 10. Qa4 (10. Be2 Qe7 11. O-O Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 {mit leichtem Spiel
für Schwarz (Bontems,C (1959) - Roques,P (2354)/email 2010).}) 10... Bb6 ({
Nach} 10... Qe7 $6 11. Bb5 Qc5 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. O-O {ist die schwarze
Kompensation für den Bauern nicht ausreichend (Jarasz,P (2543) - Barletta,M 
(2211)/Arvier 2010).}) 11. Qf4 ({Oder} 11. Qe4 Qe7 12. Bd3 g6 {, und schwarze
Initiative kompensiert den geopferten Bauern völlig, z. B.} 13. Bb5 (13. Qf4
Re8 14. Bc4 Be6 15. Bb5 Bd7 16. c4 Rad8 17. O-O Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Qxe5 19. Qxe5
Rxe5 20. Bc3 Re6 21. Rad1 c6 22. Ba4 Kf8 $15 {Notkin}) 13... Bd7 14. Nd4 (14.
O-O Nxe5 15. Bxd7 Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 Qxd7 $11) 14... Nxd4 (14... Rad8 $5 $44) 15.
Bxd7 Ne6 16. Bxe6 Qxe6 17. O-O (17. c4 Rad8 $44) 17... Rad8 18. Rfd1 Rd5 19. c4
Rxe5 20. Qxb7 Qxc4 $11) 11... Qe7 12. h4 $146 {Eine Neuerung, die vermutlich
am Brett geboren wurde (ich kann mir kaum vorstellen, dass Aronian diese
Position noch vor der Partie auf dem Brett haben wollte) und die die
Einschätzung der Stellung - Schwarz ist in Ordnung - nicht ändert.} (12. Bc4
Be6 13. Bb5 Qc5 14. Bxc6 Qxc6 15. O-O Rad8 $44 {Ziegler,M (2127) - Zehnter,S 
(2176)/Gerolhofen 2011}) 12... f6 $5 {Rapports Spiel ist absolut logisch - er
hat Entwicklungsvorsprung und will die Stellung öffnen.} ({Die Idee des
letzten Zug von Aronian wir in der Variante} 12... Re8 {[%csl Re5]} 13. Bc4 Be6
14. Bxe6 Qxe6 15. Ng5 Qe7 16. Qe4 $1 {(dieser Zug ist möglich, weil der Ng5
jetzt durch den Ph4 gedeckt ist)} g6 17. f4 {(Notkin). Wenn wir aber die
Variante fortsetzen, stellt sich heraus, dass Schwarz für den geopferten
Bauern beträchtliche Kompensation besitzt:} f6 18. Qc4+ Kg7 19. exf6+ Qxf6 20.
e4 $5 (20. O-O-O h6 21. Nf3 Bxe3 22. Bxe3 Rxe3 23. Rd7+ Re7 24. Rxe7+ Qxe7 25.
Re1 Qf7 $11) (20. h5 h6 21. Ne4 Qf7 22. Qxf7+ Kxf7 23. hxg6+ Kxg6 24. Ng3 Bxe3
$11) 20... Na5 21. Qe2 Qc6 (21... Rad8 $5 22. h5 h6 23. Nf3 Qc6 24. Ne5 Qa4 $44
) (21... h6 $5 22. e5 Qc6 23. Nf3 Rad8 $44) 22. f5 Nc4 23. Rf1 (23. Ne6+ Rxe6
$5 24. fxe6 Re8 $44) 23... gxf5 24. Rxf5 Nxd2 25. Qh5 $1 (25. Kxd2 $6 Rad8+ 26.
Kc2 Bd4 {mit sehr gefährlichem Angriff für den Bauern}) 25... Rxe4+ $1 26.
Nxe4 Qxe4+ 27. Kd1 (27. Kxd2 $4 Be3+ $19) 27... Kh8 28. Re5 Qd3 29. Re8+ Rxe8
30. Qxe8+ Kg7 31. Qe5+ {, und der Kampf endet mit Dauerschach.}) 13. exf6 ({
Oder} 13. Bc4+ Be6 (13... Kh8 14. h5 $5 {/\Nh4-g6}) 14. O-O (14. Bxe6+ Qxe6 15.
exf6 Rxf6 $44) 14... h6 $1 (14... fxe5 $143 15. Qe4 Bxc4 16. Ng5 Bd3 17. Qxd3
e4 18. Qd5+ Kh8 19. Qxe4 Qxe4 20. Nxe4 $14) 15. Bxe6+ Qxe6 16. c4 (16. exf6 $6
Rxf6 17. Qg3 Rg6 18. Qh2 Rd8 {mit gefährlicher Kompensation}) (16. Nd4 Qxe5
$11) 16... fxe5 17. Qe4 Qf5 18. Qxf5 Rxf5 19. Bc3 Ba5 $1 $11) 13... Rxf6 14.
Qc4+ (14. Bc4+ Kh8 15. Qg3 Bf5 (15... Be6 $5) 16. O-O Rd8 $44) 14... Kh8 $44 {
Dank seines Entwicklungsvorsprungs hat der Nachziehende gute Kompensation für
den geopferten Bauern.} ({Die Alternative} 14... Be6 $6 15. Qe4 h6 16. Bd3 {
sieht ziemlich verdächtig aus.}) 15. Bd3 Bf5 $1 16. Bxf5 Rxf5 17. Ng5 $2 {
[%cal Rc4d3,Rc4e6,Rc4e4] Dieser Versuch, Aktivität zu zeigen, wird sich als
Bumerang erweisen.} ({Schlecht war auch} 17. O-O $2 Raf8 {[%cal Rf5f3] (Notkin)
} 18. Ng5 h6 19. Nh3 Ne5 20. Qa4 (20. Qe4 $2 Qd7 $1 21. Rad1 Nf3+ $1 22. gxf3
Rxf3 $19) 20... Rh5 $1 {[%cal Re5f3]} 21. Qe4 (21. Rad1 $2 Nf3+ 22. gxf3 Rxh4
$19) (21. f4 Qxh4 $1 22. Qd1 Ng4 23. Qe1 Rd8 $1) 21... Rxh4 22. f4 Qd7 23. Rad1
Qg4 $1 24. Qxe5 Rxh3 $17) ({Beachtung verdienten aber folgende Fortsetzungen:} 
17. Rd1 Raf8 18. Bc1 {(mit spielbarer Stellung laut IM M. Notkin)} ({keinen
gesunden Eindruck macht} 18. Rh3 $6 Ne5 19. Qe2 Nxf3+ 20. gxf3 Rd5 $1 {[%cal
Rf8d8]}) 18... Rxf3 ({in Frage kommen auch die Möglichkeiten} 18... h6 $5 {
(ein prophylaktisches Luftloch)}) ({oder} 18... Ne5 $5 19. Nxe5 Qxe5 {- in
beiden Fällen scheint die schwarze Kompensation ausreichend zu sein}) 19. gxf3
Ne5 20. Qd5 c6 21. Ba3 Qe8 22. Qb3 Nxf3+ 23. Kf1 Rf6 $44) (17. Rh3 Ne5 (17...
Rd8 $5) (17... Raf8 $5) 18. Nxe5 Rxe5 19. Kf1 Re4 20. Qe2 Rxh4 21. Rxh4 Qxh4
22. Kg1 Rd8 23. Be1 Qe4 24. Rd1 Rxd1 25. Qxd1 h6 $11) (17. Kf1 Ne5 18. Nxe5
Rxe5 19. Qe2 (19. Rh3 {- s. 17.Rh3}) 19... Rf8 {[%cal Rb6e3]} 20. Kg1 Re4 21.
h5 (21. g3 Bc5) (21. c4 Rxh4) 21... h6 22. Rh3 Rf5 {- der weiße Mehrbauer und
die Initiative des Nachziehenden wiegen sich gegenseitig auf.}) 17... Ne5 18.
Qe4 $6 {[%cal Rf2f4]} (18. Qe6 $2 Nd3+ 19. Ke2 Rxf2+ 20. Kxd3 Rd8+ 21. Ke4 Qf8
$19 {(Notkin)}) ({M. Notkin plädiert für} 18. Qe2 {. M. E. hat er recht,
auch wenn nach} Rd8 19. f4 Nd3+ 20. Kf1 {(so weit Notkin)} Rf6 {(mit der
Drohung 21...Rd6 22.Nf3 Re6-+)} 21. g3 h6 22. Rh2 Kg8 23. Nf3 Re6 24. Nd4 Bxd4
25. cxd4 Rxd4 $17 {die weiße Stellung sehr schwierig wäre.}) 18... Qd7 {
[%cal Re5d3]} 19. O-O (19. Nf3 Nxf3+ 20. gxf3 Rd8 21. Rd1 Rd5 22. Qc2 Qc6 23.
Rg1 Ba5 $1 {[%cal Rd5d2]} 24. Rg4 (24. Kf1 Qc4+ 25. Kg2 Qxh4 $19) 24... Rxd2
25. Rxd2 Bxc3 26. Rgd4 Rxd4 27. exd4 Qxf3 $19) 19... Re8 ({Sofort gewann} 19...
h6 $1 20. Qxb7 (20. Nh3 Re8 {[%cal Re5f3]} 21. Nf4 g5 $19 {Notkin}) 20... Re8
21. Ne4 Nc4 {(so weit Notkin)} 22. Rad1 Na5 $19) 20. Qc2 h6 21. Ne4 Rh5 22. Ng3
(22. g3 $2 Nf3+ 23. Kg2 Qg4 $19) 22... Rxh4 23. Rad1 Rf8 ({Noch stärker ist} 
23... Rg4 $1 {(/\Qc6, h5)}) 24. Bc1 Qg4 25. Rd5 ({Auch} 25. Qe2 Qg5 (25... Qg6
$5) 26. Ba3 Re8 {[%cal Re5g4] sieht nicht nach einer Rettung aus.}) 25... Qg5
$1 {[%cal Re5f3]} 26. Qe2 c6 (26... Nf3+ $4 27. Qxf3 $18) 27. Rd4 Rh1+ $1 (
27... Bxd4 $4 28. exd4 $18 Rh1+ $140 29. Nxh1) ({Eine gute Alternative ist die
von M. Notkin angegebene Variante} 27... Ng4 28. Re4 (28. Ba3 Re8) 28... Bc5 $1
$40 {[%cal Rc5d6]} ({schwächer wäre} 28... Bc7 29. f4 Qg6 {wegen} 30. Ba3 Rf7
31. Be7 Nf6 32. Bxf6 gxf6 33. Re8+ Kh7 34. Qc4 {, und das Spiel wird
zweischneidig})) 28. Kxh1 (28. Nxh1 $2 Nf3+ $19) 28... Bxd4 29. f3 (29. exd4
Qh4+ 30. Kg1 Ng4 31. Re1 Qh2+ 32. Kf1 Qxg3 33. Be3 b6 $1 $19 {[%cal Rh6h5] /
\h5-h4} ({aber nicht sofort} 33... h5 $6 {wegen} 34. d5 $1 cxd5 35. Bc5 Qh4 36.
Qd2 {, und Weiß kämpft noch})) 29... Bb6 30. Ne4 Qh5+ 31. Kg1 Bc7 $6 (31...
Rf4 $1 {[%cal Rf4e4]} 32. Kf2 (32. Qc2 Qg6 33. Kf2 Rh4 $17) 32... Qg6 33. Ke1
Rf7 $17 {[%cal Rf7d7]}) 32. Kf2 $2 ({Mittels} 32. Ba3 $1 {hätte Weiß zurück
ins Spiel kommen können, z. B.} Rd8 33. c4 (33. Rd1 Nxf3+ $1 34. gxf3 Qh2+ 35.
Qxh2 Rxd1+ 36. Kg2 Bxh2 37. Kxh2 Ra1 $19 {Notkin}) (33. Bc5 $6 b6 34. Bd4 $140
$2 Ng6 {[%csl Rd4][%cal Rc6c5,Rh5h2,Rc7h2]} 35. g4 Qh3 36. Qg2 Qxg2+ 37. Kxg2
c5 $19) 33... Nd3 (33... b6 $5) 34. g4 Qf7 35. c5 ({Notkin meint, dass} 35. Rd1
Qxc4 36. Kf1 {dem Weißen einige Remischancen verspricht}) 35... Rd5 36. Nc3
Rd7 37. Ne4 {- Schwarz hat Initiative und steht besser, aber das wäre für
ihn hier alles andere als einfach, seinen Vorteil in einen vollen Punkt zu
konvertieren.}) 32... Qh2 $6 (32... Qh4+ $142 33. Kg1 Nd3 $1 {, z. B.} 34. g4 (
34. f4 Nxc1 35. Rxc1 Qe7 36. Qf3 Re8 $19 {Notkin}) (34. Qxd3 $4 Bh2+ 35. Kh1
Bg3+ 36. Kg1 Qh2#) 34... Ne5 {[%cal Rh4h3] (Notkin)} 35. Ba3 Rxf3 $1 36. Rxf3
Qxg4+ 37. Kf2 Qxe4 38. Rf8+ Kh7 39. Kg1 Bb6 40. Bc1 Nd3 {, und der schwarze
Vorteil scheint entscheidend zu sein.}) 33. Ke1 $2 (33. f4 $142 Re8 $1 34. Ng3
(34. fxe5 $2 Qh4+ $19 {Notkin}) 34... Qh4 35. Qh5 Nd3+ 36. Kf3 Qe7 37. Qg6 $5 (
37. e4 Nxc1 38. Rxc1 Rf8 39. Nf5 Qd7 40. g3 Qd3+ 41. Ne3 Bb6 42. Re1 Qxc3 $19)
37... Nxc1 38. Nf5 Qe4+ 39. Kg3 Bxf4+ $1 40. exf4 (40. Rxf4 $6 Qe5 41. Nd6
Qxe3+ 42. Kg4 Qe6+ 43. Qxe6 Rxe6 44. Nxb7 Nxa2 45. Rc4 Re3 46. Rxc6 Nxc3 {
- dieses Endspiel mit zwei Mehrbauern muss für Schwarz gewonnen sein}) 40...
Ne2+ 41. Kh2 Rg8 {[%cal Re2c3,Re2f4]} 42. c4 Nd4 43. Nh4 Qe2 44. Rb1 b6 45. a4
$17) 33... Rd8 $1 $19 34. Bd2 Nd3+ 35. Kd1 Qe5 36. g4 Qb5 37. Qg2 Nb2+ 38. Kc2
Nc4 39. Bc1 Rd5 40. g5 Na5 41. Bd2 Qd3+ 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 32nd"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2016.11.09"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Abramovic, Bosko"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A00"]
[WhiteElo "2420"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2016.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SRB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Crvena Zvezda"]
[BlackTeam "Padova"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SRB"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ITA"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nbd7 4. O-O e5 5. d3 Bd6 6. Nc3 O-O 7. e4 c6 8. Nh4
Nb6 9. h3 Re8 10. Qf3 h6 11. Nf5 Bf8 12. g4 Be6 13. Bd2 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Nxe4 15.
Qxe4 Bd5 16. Qe2 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Nd5 18. Qf3 Qb6 19. Rab1 Re6 20. Rfe1 Rae8 21.
a3 Qd8 22. Ng3 Rf6 23. Qe2 Ree6 24. Nh5 Rg6 25. c4 Ne7 26. Bc3 Nf5 27. Qe4 Nh4+
28. Kf1 Rd6 29. Rbd1 Rd7 30. b4 Re6 31. Re3 Be7 32. Ng3 Bf6 33. c5 b6 34. cxb6
axb6 35. Qc4 b5 36. Qe4 Rd5 37. Ree1 Ng6 38. Qf3 Nf4 39. Ne4 Nxd3 40. Re2 Nxb4
41. Red2 Rxd2 42. Bxd2 Nd5 43. Kg2 Bg5 44. Bb4 Be7 45. Nc3 Nf4+ 46. Kh2 Qc7 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 32nd"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2016.11.10"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Parligras, Mircea Emilian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2599"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2016.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SRB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Padova"]
[BlackTeam "Timisoara Luxten"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ITA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ROU"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 Ne4 8. Rc1
Nxc3 9. Rxc3 b6 10. c6 Nf6 11. a3 Ne4 12. Rc2 a5 13. Bd3 f6 14. O-O Ba6 15. Ne1
Bd6 16. Bxa6 Rxa6 17. Qd3 Ra8 18. f3 Bxf4 19. fxe4 Bh6 20. Nf3 Qe8 21. Rc3 Qg6
22. e5 Qxd3 23. Rxd3 f5 24. g3 b5 25. Kf2 Ra6 26. Rc1 Rb8 27. Ne1 g6 28. Rdc3
Bf8 29. R3c2 b4 30. axb4 Rxb4 31. Nd3 Rbb6 32. h3 Kf7 33. g4 a4 34. Kf3 a3 35.
bxa3 Rxa3 36. Rc3 Ra2 37. R3c2 Ra3 38. Rc3 Ra2 39. R3c2 Ra3 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 32nd"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2016.11.11"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2696"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2016.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SRB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Odlar Yurdu"]
[BlackTeam "Padova"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ITA"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Ne5 Nc6 8.
Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxc6 Qe8 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Qa4 e5 12. dxe5 Qxe5 13. Nc3 Ne4 14.
Qb5 c5 15. Qxc4 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Be6 17. Qd3 Rad8 18. Qe3 Qh5 19. Re1 Rfe8 20. Qg5
Qh3 21. Qh4 Qxh4 22. gxh4 Bc4 23. f3 Rxe2 24. Rxe2 Bxe2 25. Kf2 Bc4 26. Be3 Rd3
27. Bxc5 Rxc3 28. Bxa7 Ra3 29. Bc5 Rxa2+ 30. Rxa2 Bxa2 31. Kg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 32nd"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2016.11.12"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2016.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SRB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Ashdod"]
[BlackTeam "Padova"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ISR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ITA"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bd2 Bg7 6. e4 Nxc3 7. Bxc3 O-O 8.
Qd2 Nc6 9. Ne2 e5 10. d5 Nd4 11. Nxd4 exd4 12. Bxd4 Re8 13. f3 Qxd5 14. Bxg7
Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2 Kxg7 16. Bd3 c5 17. Kc3 Bd7 18. a4 Red8 19. Rhd1 Kf6 20. Bc4 Ke7
21. b3 b6 22. Rd2 Be8 23. Rad1 Rxd2 24. Rxd2 Rd8 25. Rxd8 Kxd8 26. f4 f6 27.
Kd3 Ke7 28. h4 Bd7 29. g3 Bc8 30. Kc3 Bb7 31. Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Levon Aronian rarely starts the game with this move, but I guess,
Michael wasn't shocked and went for his usual opening.} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4
Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. c3 d6 6. Bg5 {Quite a rare contiunation. In most cases,
pinning the f6-knight is more effective after short castling.} h6 7. Bh4 a6 8.
Nbd2 (8. a4 Ba7 9. O-O {can lead to a fashinable position which was recently
tested on the top level.}) 8... Ba7 9. Bb3 {White hardly can pose Black any
problems without seizing space on the queenside.} (9. a4 {, switching to the
above-mentioned theoretical position seems more challenging.}) 9... Qe7 $1 {
Michael is leaving the king in the centre for a while, keeping in mind the
opportunity of queenside castling.} ({But} 9... Be6 $6 {seems dubious:} 10.
Bxe6 fxe6 11. Qb3 $14 {Hristodoulou,H-Markidis,K (2275) Kavala 1999}) 10. Nc4
$146 ({The previously played} 10. Qe2 {can be well met by} Bd7 (10... Nd8 $6
11. d4 g5 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Bg3 $36 {Al Modiahki,M (2571)-Nezad,H (2400) Abu
Dhabi 2013}) 11. Nc4 O-O-O 12. Ne3 g5 13. Bg3 Be6 {with comfortable play. It
would take a long time to activate the poor Bg3.}) 10... Be6 11. Ne3 g5 12. Bg3
O-O-O {Since White didn't push the q-side pawns, Black's monarch feels safe
now.} 13. Ba4 Nb8 $1 {One more excellent manoeuvre à la Breyer by GM Michael
Adams. Black's setup seems more harmonious now.} 14. Qc2 (14. b4 Nbd7 15. O-O
Nh5 $15) 14... Bxe3 ({Another possibility was} 14... Nbd7 15. Bb3 Bxe3 16. fxe3
Nh5 17. Bf2 f5 18. Bxe6 Qxe6 19. exf5 Qxf5 $15) 15. fxe3 Nh5 16. Bf2 f5 17.
exf5 Bxf5 18. Qe2 Bxd3 $6 {An untypical positional mistake by GM Michael Adams.
Perhaps, he was far from his best at the start of event.} (18... Rdf8 19. Nd2
Nf6 20. h3 Be6 $15 {Black would benefit from having the knights in the closed
position.}) 19. Qxd3 e4 20. Qd4 c5 {This is forced.} (20... exf3 $2 {runs into}
21. Qg4+ Nd7 22. Qxh5 fxg2 23. Rg1 $18) 21. Qd1 exf3 22. Qxf3 Nf6 23. Bc2 {
Obviously, now White's bishops are much stronger than a few moves ago.} Nbd7 {
Still, the control over e5-spot makes Black's position quite solid.} (23... Nc6
24. O-O-O Rhf8 25. Bg3 Kb8 26. Rhe1 Ne5 27. Qe2 d5 $132) 24. O-O-O (24. Bg3 $5
Rhf8 (24... Ne5 25. Qe2 Rhf8 26. O-O $14) 25. O-O-O Ne5 26. Qe2 Qe6 27. Rhf1
$14) 24... Ne5 25. Qe2 Qe6 {Possibly, Michael had underestimated White's
dynamic resourses.} ({Otherwise, he would have fixed the favourable pawn
structure:} 25... d5 26. Bg3 Ne4 27. Bxe4 dxe4 28. Bxe5 Qxe5 $11) 26. Bg3 $1 {
I guess, this strong move was underestimated by GM Adams. White gives up a
pawn in order to maintain the tension.} ({Instead, the natural} 26. Kb1 {
could have led to a drawish endgame:} Qg4 $1 27. Qxg4+ Nexg4 28. Bg3 Nxe3 29.
Rxd6 Rxd6 30. Bxd6 Nxc2 31. Kxc2 Ne4 $11) 26... Qxa2 27. Rhf1 (27. Bxe5 $5 dxe5
28. Qf3 Nd7 29. Bb1 Qa4 30. Rd2 {would offer White full compensation for a
pawn, at the very least.}) 27... Nd5 28. Bxe5 dxe5 29. Bb1 Qb3 30. Bc2 Qa2 31.
Qg4+ {Levon sensibly doesn't repeat the moves.} Kb8 {The position is still
equal, but Black had to find some precise moves while under time pressure.} 32.
Qe4 Nb6 (32... Ka7 33. Rf7 Qa1+ 34. Bb1 Rhf8 $1 35. Rxd5 (35. Rxf8 Nxc3 $1 36.
bxc3 Qxc3+ 37. Bc2 Qa1+ 38. Bb1 Qc3+ $11) 35... Rxf7 36. Rxd8 Rf1+ 37. Rd1 Rf2
38. Rd2 Rf1+ $11) 33. Qxe5+ Ka8 $4 {As a result, Michael commits a blunder and
loses on the spot.} ({Instead,} 33... Ka7 34. Qxc5 Qa1+ 35. Bb1 Rxd1+ 36. Rxd1
Rc8 {would leave White nothing better than accepting a draw:} 37. Qd4 Rc4 38.
Qd6 Rc6 $11) 34. Rxd8+ Rxd8 35. Qf6 {That's it! The rest is just an agony.} (
35. Qc7 $18) 35... Nc4 36. Qxd8+ Ka7 37. Qd3 Nxb2 (37... Qxb2+ 38. Kd1 Ne5 39.
Qd5 Qxc3 40. Rf5 $18) 38. Qf5 Qa1+ 39. Kd2 Nc4+ 40. Ke2 Qxc3 41. Qxc5+ 1-0

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E17"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. b3 b6 7. Nc3 Bb7 8. d4
Nbd7 9. Bb2 Rc8 10. cxd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. Qd3 c5 13. e4 Bb7 14. Rad1 cxd4
15. Nxd4 Nf6 16. Qe2 Qe8 17. a3 a5 18. Rfe1 Bc5 19. Nb5 Qe7 20. e5 Bxg2 21.
exf6 Qb7 22. Nd6 Bxd6 23. Rxd6 Bh1 24. f3 Qxf3 25. Qd2 Qg2+ 26. Qxg2 Bxg2 27.
fxg7 Rfe8 28. Re2 Bf3 29. Rf2 Be4 30. Re2 Bf3 31. Rf2 Be4 32. Re2 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[Annotator "So,Wesley"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{I don't think it's posisible to fully describe my joy at the way this 2016
year turned out. First I was awarded the Samford Scholarship. As well as
helping me financially, it boosted my confidence to know great men believed in
me. Then a double Gold at the Olympiad, first place in the Sinquefield Cup,
first place in the London Classic, topped off by winning overall GCT champion.
I even did reasonably well in the Rapid and Blitz legs, time controls I am not
that experienced with. Maybe it is not possible to describe the way I feel
because they haven't invented the words yet. This year has been the greatest
in my professional chess career so far. I would like to thank the Lord and my
family for helping me achieve this level as I am fully aware it would have
been impossible on my own. Of course, never forgotten are the sponsors like
Rex Sinquefield, Jan Callewaert, Malcolm Pein, the Vivendi sponsors, and the
hundreds of staff members who make the events possible. They make it easy to
reach out to chess fans all over the world and lift up the level of interest
in our sport.  Plus I learned so much by being allowed to play against world
class chessers in the series of four events. It raised my experience and
understanding in BIG ways. I was thrilled to be a participant in the 2016 GCT 
(remember, I was a very last minute addition in 2016 ... in fact Xmas 2015 we
didn't even know yet that I was to be included. I would not have qualified if
Magnus hadn't been unavailable because of the Championship Match.)  I decided
to annotate this game as I feel that this was one of my toughest fights in
London. For this round Levon Aronian (who is a cheerfully deadly opponent)
came very determined to make use of his white pieces, chop my head off and
seize the tournament lead for good.} 1. c4 {Levon has expanded his White
opening repertoire and now succesfully plays a wide variety of moves in move 1.
Therefore I have to anticipate 1.d4, 1.Nf3 and 1.e4 from him as well.} c5 2.
Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 {Since I was intending to go for the Grünfeld, I decided to
go for this variation and open up the position right away.} (3... Nc6 {is the
trendy English Four Knights. Currently Black is not experiencing any problems
here.}) 4. cxd5 Nxd5 {Now White has many possibilities. 5.g3, 5.e3, 5.e4, 5.d4
all are possible but Levon goes for the most aggressive continuation. I told
you he is not to be fooled around with!} 5. e4 (5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Nxc3 7. bxc3
e5 8. O-O Be7 {(38) So-Eljanov Douglas Isle of Man 2016, with easy equality
for Black.}) (5. d4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. e4 Bg7 {is usually how games would
transpose to the Grünfeld.}) 5... Nb4 6. Bc4 Nd3+ ({Krasenkow,M: In old times
(mostly in the 70s)} 6... Be6 {was extremely popular. After} 7. Bxe6 Nd3+ 8.
Kf1 fxe6 9. Ng5 {Tal's novelty} Qb6 $5 {, which helped him to beat Polugaevsky
in their famous game played in the Riga Interzonal (1979), became a frequent
topic of smalltalk in chess salons :-). However, it turned out that} 10. Qf3 c4
11. b3 $1 {put Black's concept under doubt. Therefore most players of Black
came back to the knight check, which was first seen in practice in the 20s and
30s of the last century.}) 7. Ke2 Nf4+ (7... Nxc1+ 8. Rxc1 a6 {deserves
attention.} (8... Nc6 {Krasenkow,M} 9. Bb5 $14) 9. d4 {Krasenkow,M} b5 $5 10.
Bd5 Ra7 {looks bizarre due to White's huge development advantage but in fact,
it is not easy to exploit it since Black's position is quite solid.} 11. Ne5 e6
12. Bc6+ Ke7 13. Qd2 $1 f6 $1 14. Nd5+ $1 exd5 15. Rxc5 dxe4 {
Jakovenko-Sutovsky (Poikovsky 2016), led to tremendous complications in the
game which Black finally won but White could have attacked more successfully.})
8. Kf1 Nd3 {I admit to not having played 3...d5 before; as such my experience
in this variation was limited. This line is probably too risky and therefore
my choice might not be the best. Nevertheless, I decided to go for this 8...
Nd3, as it was what I had prepared.} (8... Ne6 {is safer and perhaps better.
Levon has some good experience with this though, having defeated Topalov in
the same London Classic a year ago.} 9. b4 cxb4 (9... g6 10. bxc5 Bg7 {is one
idea for future tests. The critical line goes} 11. Bxe6 Bxe6 12. d4 Nc6 13. Be3
Qa5 14. Rc1 O-O-O $132 {when Black seems to have sufficient play for his pawn.}
) 10. Nd5 g6 11. d4 Bg7 12. Be3 Nc6 13. Rc1 Bd7 14. Qd2 {the position looks to
be very unclear. However Levon won quite quickly:} Qa5 15. h4 Rc8 16. Bb3 $16
Qb5+ 17. Kg1 h6 18. Kh2 g5 19. Rhd1 Kf8 20. Kg1 Rd8 21. hxg5 hxg5 22. Bxg5 Nxg5
23. Qxg5 Bh6 24. Qh4 Bg7 25. Qf4 Bh6 26. Ng5 Bxg5 27. Qxg5 {1-0 (27) Aronian,L
(2781)-Topalov,V (2803) London 2015}) {The reason I show all these
alternatives for Black is that this line 5.e4 followed by 6.Bc4 is all very
concrete. Black has to play very accurately in order to equalize and only
future tests and analyses can show how best to do so.} 9. Qe2 ({White has no
way to punish Black's seemingly disorganized pieces.} 9. Qb3 e6 10. Qb5+ {
looks like winning pawns for White, but I checked it with the computer and it
shows a trick:} Bd7 11. Qxb7 Nc6 $1 {Black is much better.} 12. Bxd3 (12. Nb5
Rb8) 12... Rb8 13. Qa6 Nb4 14. Qc4 Nxd3 $17 15. Qxd3 $2 Bb5 $19) 9... Nxc1 10.
Rxc1 e6 11. h4 {It is clear to me that Levon has come fully armed and he
quickly went for the most critical line. In my opinion, the variation that he
played in this game is the only way to put pressure on 8...Nd3.} (11. Rd1 {
to break early in the center does not lead anywhere:} a6 12. d4 cxd4 13. Nxd4 (
13. Rxd4 Qc7) 13... Qc7 $11 {Black has a solid position and the bishop pair
too.}) 11... a6 {Krasenkow,M: 'Black wants to develop his bishop to b7 (after .
..b7-b5). The drawback of this plan is that it weakens his queenside too much.
Specifically, White will be able to undermine Black's pawns by means of a2-a4!'
} ({The other way of development is} 11... Nc6 {Krasenkow,M with idea ...
Bc8-d7, e.g.} 12. e5 Bd7 13. Rh3 Qb6 {followed by ...0-0-0 (Jakovenko-Vidit,
Gibraltar 2016). It looks quite passive to me but the young Indian GM held his
ground.}) 12. e5 {Making space on e4 for his pieces. This spearhead on e5 is
going to be really annoying for Black for a long time.} Nc6 (12... b5 13. Bd3
Bb7 14. Be4 Nc6 {is another way to get to our game.}) 13. Rh3 b5 14. Bd3 Bb7
15. Be4 {[%cal Ge4b7,Ge4h7] The bishop on e4 is in such a commanding place
that it restricts Black's mobility on the queenside as well as the kingside.
One thing I like about Black's position is his bishop pair but with my knight
on c6 pinned I don't see how I can ever activate my bishop on b7.} Qd7 {
d7 is the most natural square for the queen. It keeps all the key squares
defended and in some cases I can even castle long.} 16. Rg3 g6 17. Kg1 {
I am impressed by the way Levon organizes his pieces and does not rush into
the offensive. The king is much safer placed on g1 and it allows White extra
aggressive possibilities later on.} Be7 (17... h5 {is another possibility that
I thought was reasonable to fix his h4-pawn. But after} 18. Bxc6 Bxc6 19. Ne4
Bxe4 20. Qxe4 {White is slightly better, due to his space advantage.} Rc8 21.
Ng5 $14) 18. Qe3 {I had reached a similar position in my preparation before
the tournament, but I mostly considered lines where White goes for a quick
h4-h5. Therefore I was a little confused and decided to castle long.} O-O-O $2
{A mistake. The king is now very vulnerable on the queenside. After this Black
is in dire straits. The problem was that I remembered some lines in my
analysis where Black castles long, but in this specific position it is just
not good.} ({Instead of that Black should choose} 18... h6 19. d3 Rb8 {, now
h5 will always be met by ...g5. White has no direct threats yet, but Black has
no safe hiding place for his king either. The position is really unclear.}) ({
Or} 18... Rd8 19. Qf4 (19. Qh6 Nd4) (19. h5 Nd4) 19... Nb4 20. Ng5 $1 O-O 21.
h5 Nxa2 $1 {The computer is shouting equality, but it looks like Black is
close to getting mated. Deeper analysis is required to make 18...Rd8 work.} 22.
Nxa2 Bxg5 23. Rxg5 Bxe4 24. Qxe4 Qxd2 25. Rg3 Qxb2) (18... h5 $2 {looks okay,
but after} 19. Ng5 Bxg5 (19... Qd4 20. Qf4) 20. Rxg5 {Black's dark-squares in
particular d6 and f6 are too weak.}) (18... Na5 $2 {does not make much sense,
as my knight was just fine on c6. After} 19. Bxb7 Qxb7 20. Ne4 Nc4 21. Qf4 $18
{White is close to winning.}) 19. Rg4 $1 {The rook is very well placed on the
4th rank. I am not sure if Levon had seen this rook maneuver before. Levon is
a very imaginative player and he excels in original positions such as these,
so it is not surprising at all that he played the middlegame very well.} (19.
Qf4 Rhf8 20. d4 cxd4 21. Ne2 Kb8 22. Bxc6 Bxc6 23. Nfxd4 Bd5 $11) (19. h5 {
does not do anything after} Kb8) 19... Kb8 (19... Nb4 {does not help as White
just goes} 20. Ng5 $16 ({Or} 20. d4)) 20. Rf4 (20. a4 {looks just as good too.}
) 20... Rhf8 21. a4 b4 {I don't really have much choice here as my king is
very vulnerable on the queenside.} ({After} 21... Nb4 22. axb5 axb5 23. Ra1 Nd3
24. Ra5 {the position is in White's favour as well.}) 22. Bxc6 (22. Ne2 {
should be met apparently by} h6 $1 {preparing g6-g5.} (22... Na5 $2 23. Rxc5))
{Here I went into a long 53-minute think. The position was really difficult
and I had to make a critical decision. I decided that this was the best
occasion to use my time advantage. It is clear that something went wrong for
me in the opening and White was now in control. Very tricky and I have no
choice but to keep fighting somehow.} 22... Bxc6 ({I couldn't find any
equality either after} 22... Qxc6 23. Ne4 Rd5 (23... Rc8 24. Nf6) 24. Nf6 Bxf6
25. Rxf6 {it is very hard to play Black's position thanks to my terrible
weaknesses in the kingside.} (25. exf6 Qd6) 25... Qc7 26. Qf4 $16) 23. Ne4 Bxe4
24. Rxe4 a5 ({Unfortunately I don't win a pawn:} 24... Qxa4 25. Rxc5 {and even
after the counterblow} Rd3 26. Qxd3 Bxc5 27. Ng5 {White still has a stable
advantage.}) 25. Rec4 {In fact White has many ways to an advantage here.} (25.
d4 Qxa4 26. Kh2 $16) ({Even} 25. Rf4 {is good since} Qxa4 $2 {loses:} (25...
Qd3 26. Rxc5) 26. Rxc5 $1 Bxc5 27. Qxc5 Ka8 28. Nd4 $18) ({But not} 25. b3 Qd3
{when if Black can exchange queens and control the d-file, then he will be
doing well.}) 25... Qxa4 $1 {On arriving at this difficult position, I had no
choice but to fight back and I knew that I had a hard defense coming up ahead
of me. Not wanting to play passively and get into a strategically lost
position I took a deep breath and decided to just grab the 'free' pawn.} (25...
Qd3 {Here I was worried about} 26. Qh6 $1 {where my pawns on the kingside are
vulnerable.} (26. Rxc5 Bxc5 27. Qxc5 Qa6 28. Qc7+ Ka8 29. Rc5 Rc8 30. Qxa5 Qxa5
31. Rxa5+ Kb7 {In general Black is happy once the queens are exchanged, since
the mating threats are gone.} 32. Rb5+ Ka6 33. Rxb4 Ka5 {Black should be close
to equalizing.}) 26... Rh8 27. Qf4 (27. R1c2) 27... Qf5 28. Qe3 Rd3 29. Qh6 $14
{I like White here.}) (25... Rc8 26. b3 {looks like lost for Black to me. I
have no counterplay and my kingside pawns are really weak.}) 26. d4 (26. Rxc5
Bxc5 27. Qxc5 Rc8 28. Qb6+ Ka8 $11 {does not lead to more than a draw for
White, as I control the a-file.}) 26... Rd5 (26... Qc6 27. dxc5 Rd5 {
transposes to the game.}) 27. dxc5 (27. b3 Qc6) 27... Qc6 $1 {Black is still
much worse, but at least he is fighting.} ({Originally my intention was} 27...
Rd1+ {based on the rule that exchanges help the defender, but then I noticed}
28. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 29. Kh2 Qd5 30. c6 $1 $18 {and White just crashes through. Once
I saw this I quickly played 27...Qc6.}) 28. Nd4 (28. b3 Rfd8 29. Kh2 Qc7 $14)
28... Qc7 29. Qf3 (29. Qf4 Rfd8) 29... Rfd8 $1 {It is not too hard to make my
moves, as i'ts either this or Black is lost.} (29... Rc8 30. Nb3 $18) 30. Nb5
Qxe5 31. c6 Rc8 32. Qxf7 {Levon used almost all his remaining time, deep in
concentration, and then when he had around three minutes left he decided to
just play safely.} ({White should have gone for} 32. c7+ $1 Kb7 33. Nd4 Bd6 34.
Nc6 ({I only considered} 34. g3 Rxc7 $17) 34... Qh2+ 35. Kf1 Rxc7 $8 (35... Ka6
$2 36. b3 Rxc7 37. g3 $18 {loses for Black according to my super computer.})
36. Nxa5+ (36. g3 Kb6 37. Qe3+ Ka6 $13) 36... Kb6 37. Rxc7 Bxc7 38. Nc4+ Kb7
39. g3 {White has powerful compensation for the pawn, but when you have three
minutes and you need to make eight moves to reach the time control (remember
in London Classic you don't get the increments until move 41) things can get
out of control.}) 32... Qf6 $11 33. Rf4 (33. Qxf6 $2 Bxf6 34. Rc5 Bxb2 $19 {
even loses for White, as my two passed-pawns outweigh his strong c-pawn.})
33... Qxf7 ({I saw that} 33... Qxb2 {is also fine for me, however I did not
seriously consider going for it as my king is very vulnerable. I wanted to
trade queens!} 34. Rf1 (34. Rcc4) 34... Rxb5 35. Qxe7 Qc3 {even though
objectively Black is just fine, I still think going for the endgame is simpler.
}) 34. Rxf7 Rxb5 35. Rxe7 Rc7 36. Rxe6 Ka7 {Now we both activate our kings. I
am going to pick up his extra c-pawn sooner or later.} 37. Kf1 {Here Levon
finally offered a draw, which I accepted because I could see no real way for
either of us to generate winning chances. As they say ... rook endgames are
always drawn!} (37. Kf1 Kb6 38. Ke2 Rc5 (38... Rd5 39. b3) 39. Rxc5 Kxc5 40.
Kd3 a4 (40... Kd5) 41. h5 $11 {this draw in Round 3 against Super GM Levon was
a huge step towards my winning the London Chess Classic. Not only did I get
rid of one of my Black games but I also avoided a possible loss against one of
the main contenders for the event. This draw left me more secure in the
tournament but at the same time it inspired me to play better. I was unhappy
that in an unfamiliar position I made a mistake which left me on the verge of
a loss. I resolved at that moment to play more sharply. GM Levon Aronian
clearly came to this encounter deeply determined and he was in contention for
most of the event. Until Round 6 he was doing well but then after getting a
strong advantage with Black against MVL he missed 20...Qd7! and later on even
lost the game. That ended his chance for first place, but I have no doubt that
this friendly but dangerous opponent will once again bounce back and come
looking for my head again in some future event. Need to watch out for him!})
1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. a4 b4 8. Nbd2
Bc5 9. Nf1 d6 10. Ng3 Nd4 11. Nxd4 Bxd4 12. O-O O-O 13. Rb1 Rb8 14. c3 Ba7 15.
d4 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Be3 bxc3 18. bxc3 Rxb1 19. Qxb1 Ng4 20. h3 Nxe3 21.
fxe3 Qg5 22. Kh2 a5 23. Rxf8+ Kxf8 24. Qb7 Bb6 25. Qc8+ Kf7 26. Qd7+ Qe7 27.
Qb5 g6 28. Nf1 Qg5 29. Nd2 Qxe3 30. Qd7+ Kf8 31. Qd8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D77"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 d5 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. d4 Nf6 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 dxc4 7. Na3 c5 8. Nxc4
Be6 9. b3 Nc6 10. Bb2 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 b6 13. Rc1 Rc8 14. Rc2 b5 15.
Ne3 Rxc2 16. Nxc2 Qa5 17. Qa1 Qd2 18. Qd1 Qa5 19. Qa1 Qd2 20. Qd1 Qa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {This time Maxime deviates from his main weapon the
Ruy Lopez and goes for another fashionable opening.} Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O
6. a4 ({I guess, the more popular} 6. c3 {would be met by} d5 {which is the
most aggressive and suits Levon's style.}) 6... a5 7. c3 d5 {Still, the same
approach!} ({The more modest} 7... d6 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 {also leads
to a very complex struggle. In the following recent game White got a better
position after} Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Nbd2 Bg6 13. Bb3 Nh5 14. Bh2 Qf6 15. Nc4 Nf4
16. Ne3 $14 {Cornette,M (2597)-Hector,J (2488) London ENG 2016}) 8. exd5 Nxd5 {
The e5-pawn is a cause of problems, so Black should be careful now.} 9. Re1 Bg4
10. Nbd2 (10. h3 {hardly has any independent significance, since} Bh5 11. Nbd2
Nb6 12. Bb5 Bd6 {might transpose to the text.}) 10... Nb6 11. Bb5 Bd6 12. h3 ({
In his previous encounter in this line Levon didn't manage to fully solve his
problems after} 12. Ne4 Na7 13. h3 Bh5 14. d4 Nxb5 15. axb5 exd4 16. Nxd6 Bxf3
17. Qxf3 Qxd6 18. Rd1 Rfe8 19. Bf4 Qc5 20. Qxb7 dxc3 21. bxc3 $14 {Giri,A 
(2782)-Aronian,L (2792) Leuven BEL 2016}) 12... Bh5 13. Ne4 f5 $1 $146 {
This ambitious advance is an important novelty.} (13... Ne7 {is too passive:}
14. d4 exd4 15. g4 Bg6 16. Nxd6 Qxd6 17. Qxd4 $14 {Anand,V (2770)-So,W (2770)
Leuven BEL 2016}) (13... Na7 {would transpose to a position from the
above-mentioned note.}) 14. Ng3 (14. Bg5 {was interesting, but hardly after}
Qe8 15. Qb3+ Kh8 16. Nxd6 cxd6 17. Nd2 Bf7 18. Nc4 Nxc4 19. dxc4 Qe6 $132 {
White can be better wish such a weird placement of pieces.}) 14... Bxf3 15.
Qxf3 {Exchanging the powerful bishop and avoiding the pin of the f3-knight is
White's indisputable achievement, but...} Ne7 $1 {It turns out, that the
b5-bishop is misplaced.} 16. Bg5 $2 ({Grabbing the pawn -} 16. Qxb7 $1 {
looks scary for a human eye, but it is what Maxime should have played. The
resulting complex lines are spectacular:} Rb8 17. Qf3 c6 $1 18. Bxc6 e4 19.
dxe4 Nxc6 20. exf5 (20. Nxf5 Qf6 $132) 20... Ne5 21. Qe2 Qc7 $132) 16... c6 17.
Bc4+ Nxc4 18. dxc4 e4 {Now Black has a clear advantage due to a better pawn
structure.} 19. Nxe4 {A desperate attempt to complicate matters.} ({After} 19.
Qh5 Qd7 20. Rad1 Qe6 21. Be3 Rae8 $17 {Black would be firmly in control.})
19... fxe4 20. Qxe4 Rf7 $2 {Luckily for Maxime, his opponent doesn't manage to
handle this complex position properly.} ({Possibly, Levon had rejected} 20...
Qd7 $1 {in view of} 21. c5 (21. Bxe7 Rfe8 $19) 21... Bxc5 22. Bxe7 Bxf2+ 23.
Kh2 Bxe1 24. Bxf8 {, but in this line Black still can gain the pawn:} Bxc3 $1
25. Qc4+ Qf7 26. Qxc3 Qc7+ 27. Kh1 Rxf8 $17) 21. Rad1 Qc7 22. Rxd6 Qxd6 23.
Bxe7 Qd2 {It looks like GM Aronian was still in an aggressive mood.} (23... Qf4
{was quieter, liquidating into an equal endgame:} 24. Bc5 Qxe4 25. Rxe4 Rd7 26.
g4 $11) 24. Bc5 h6 ({After} 24... Qxb2 {White can force a draw by means of:}
25. Qe8+ Rf8 26. Qe6+ Rf7 27. Qe8+ $11) 25. Qe2 Rd8 26. Bd4 Qg5 27. Qg4 (27.
Qe6 $5) 27... Re7 28. Rxe7 Qxe7 {The resulting position is equal, but it
contains definite danger for both players.} 29. Qf5 Re8 {Levon is ready to
give up another pawn in order to activate the rook.} (29... Qc7 $11) 30. Qxa5
Qf7 31. Kh2 Qf4+ 32. g3 Qf7 33. Kg2 Re1 (33... Qxc4 {was safer:} 34. Be3 Qe4+
35. Kh2 $11) 34. g4 Rd1 $2 {Alas, this inaccurate move leads to disaster.} (
34... Kh7 35. b4 Ra1 36. Qe5 Rxa4 $11) 35. Qe5 $1 {White's pieces are
dominating over the board now, so the passers should decide the game.} Qg6 36.
b4 b6 {Desperation.} ({The most stubborn was} 36... h5 37. g5 h4 38. a5 Ra1 39.
Qb8+ Kh7 40. Qf4 {, but even then White should be able to convert the material
advantage into a full point.}) 37. Bxb6 c5 38. Bxc5 Qc6+ 39. f3 Rd3 40. Qb8+
Kh7 41. Qf4 1-0

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.16"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Bd3
dxc4 9. Bxc4 Qxd1+ 10. Rxd1 Bb4 11. Rd3 Ne4 12. O-O Bxc3 13. bxc3 Nc6 14. Bb5
f6 15. Bd6 Rd8 16. Rfd1 Rxd6 17. Rxd6 Nxd6 18. Rxd6 Kf7 19. Bxc6 Ke7 20. Bxb7
Bxb7 21. Rd4 Rc8 22. Rb4 Bd5 23. Ra4 Rxc3 24. Rxa7+ Kf8 25. h3 Rc1+ 26. Kh2 Rc2
27. Kg3 Rxa2 28. Rxa2 Bxa2 29. Nd2 e5 30. f4 exf4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.17"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. dxc5 Nc6 7. Bg5 dxc4 8.
Qxc4 Qa5 9. Rc1 Qxc5 10. Qxc5 Bxc5 11. e3 Bb4 12. a3 Bxc3+ 13. Rxc3 Ne4 14. Rc1
Nxg5 15. Nxg5 Ke7 16. Ne4 Bd7 17. Nc5 Rhc8 18. Nxd7 Kxd7 19. Bb5 a6 20. Bxc6+
Rxc6 21. Rxc6 Kxc6 22. Ke2 Rd8 23. Rc1+ Kd7 24. Rd1+ Ke7 25. Rc1 Kd7 26. Rd1+
Ke7 27. Rc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.18"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A37"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[Annotator "Mekhitarian,K"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The London Chess Classic was the last tournament of the Grand Chess Tour and
before the last round in London we already had a winner of the circuit - the
amazing Wesley So, who had a great 2016. But in the game between Levon Aronian
and Veselin Topalov, which I am discussing here, there also was a lot at stake:
Aronian had the chance to finish third in the GCT, whereas Topalov before this
game had 1.0/8 - a disastrous result after playing fighting chess throughout
the tournament. However, he did not plan to change his style to cut losses. He
repeatedly said in London that he was playing interesting chess and was trying
to have fun in all his games. After all, his creative play led to amazing
positions though Topalov failed to capitalize them.} 1. c4 $5 {The English
suits Levon's creative and original style. It often leads to unexplored
positions and he doesn't mind going into uncharted territory. It is here that
he discovers many of his brilliant ideas.} g6 2. Nc3 c5 {The Symmetrical
English, a very solid way to play with Black.} 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. Nf3 {
Now Black has a wide range of choices.} d6 ({An alternative is} 5... Nf6 {
which after} 6. O-O O-O 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 {leads to a classical position of
the Open English. But the fashionable move nowadays is} Qa5 $5 {which tries to
disturb White's development.}) (5... e5 6. O-O d6 7. d3 Nge7 {The 'Botvinnik
Triangle' is one of the safest ways to fight against the English Opening.} 8.
a3 O-O 9. Rb1 a5 {and as soon as White plays Ne1 (preparing Nc2 and Ne3 to
control d5), Black quickly goes for ...Be6 and ...d5!}) (5... e6 6. O-O Nge7 7.
d3 O-O {followed by ...d5 or first ...b6-...Bb7.}) (5... Nh6 $5 {The knight
wants to go to f5 where it controls d4. But White can be original as well:} 6.
h4 $5 {followed by h5.}) 6. O-O e6 7. e3 {White takes the chance to play d4.}
Nge7 8. d4 O-O (8... cxd4 9. exd4 d5 {trying to fix the weakness on d4 and to
establish a piece on d5 is a typical reaction but Black is too far behind in
development for such measures. But White has to be keep this idea in mind.} 10.
cxd5 $1 exd5 {gives White a slight advantage.} (10... Nxd5 $2 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12.
Ne5 $16) 11. Bg5 $14) 9. Re1 $5 {I like this move. It is very useful in case
Black tries to play ...cxd4 and ...d5.} (9. d5 $6 {is not good:} Na5 $1 {
hitting the c4-pawn, and entering a good Benoni after:} 10. Nd2 exd5 11. cxd5
Rb8 {with excellent play for Black.} 12. Nde4 a6 13. Rb1 b5 $36 {0-1 (40)
Hillarp Persson,T (2564)-Rodshtein, M (2671) Helsingor 2014}) 9... a6 (9...
cxd4 10. exd4 d5 {and 9.Re1 proves to be very useful! White has the initiative:
} 11. cxd5 Nxd5 12. Bg5 $1 $36 Qb6 {and now both Na4 and Qd2 give White a very
good and active position.} (12... f6 13. Bd2 $14) 13. Na4 $14 (13. Qd2 $5 $14))
10. Bd2 $5 Rb8 (10... cxd4 $6 {helps White.} 11. exd4 Nxd4 (11... d5 12. cxd5
Nxd5 13. Bg5 $1 {is similar to the lines arising after 9...cxd4.}) 12. Nxd4
Bxd4 13. Bh6 $1 Bg7 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Qd2 $16) 11. Rc1 b6 {Both players
improve their positions. White can still not play d5 (because with a bishop on
d2 the white queen does not defend d5) and Black is not yet ready to play ...
cxd4 followed by ...d5.} 12. Ne2 e5 $5 (12... Bb7 13. Bc3 cxd4 14. Nexd4 (14.
exd4 {looks awkward and after} d5 $1 {Black should be fine.}) 14... Nxd4 15.
Bxd4 Bxd4 16. Qxd4 $14 {and White keeps a spatial advantage.}) 13. Bc3 (13. d5
Nb4 {forces White to part with his bishop.} 14. Bxb4 cxb4 $13 {with a complex
positional struggle - but Black looks fine.}) 13... h6 {A provocative move I
do not fully understand.} (13... b5 $5 {which starts play on the queenside was
more advisable.}) 14. d5 Nb4 15. Ra1 $1 {Threatening a3. One might think that
a5 is forced now, but we all know how Topalov works:} b5 $5 {An interesting
piece sacrifice that changes the direction of the game completely.} (15... a5 {
is too passive.} 16. a3 Na6 17. Nd2 {and White can slowly expand on the
queenside and has every reason to be happy.} b5 $2 {is probably always bad
because White now obtains an amazing outpost on c4 whereas the black knights
are horribly placed.} 18. cxb5 Rxb5 19. Nc4 $16 {with a tremendous position}) (
15... e4 {is no good either} 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Nd2 Nd3 18. Rf1 b5 (18... Nxb2
$2 19. Qc2 Nd3 20. Nxe4 $16) 19. b3 $14 {and White is in the driver's seat.})
16. a3 bxc4 17. axb4 cxb4 18. Bd2 Nxd5 {Black has three pawns for the piece
and prospects on the queenside.} 19. Qc1 $1 {There is no easy way to defend c4.
} c3 (19... Be6 $5 20. Rxa6 c3 21. bxc3 b3 {Black has only one pawn for the
piece but it is not easy to control the b3-pawn.} 22. Qb1 (22. Qb2 $2 Nb6 $1
$17) 22... b2 $36) ({The natural} 19... Qc7 $2 {fails:} 20. Nxe5 $18 {now the
knight is hanging on d5.}) 20. bxc3 b3 21. Qb1 {White desperately needs to
activate his bishop on d2 and his knight on e2.} (21. Qb2 $5 {right away was
also possible.}) 21... Nf6 $1 {White was threatening to play c4.} 22. Qb2 (22.
c4 $2 b2 $19 {followed by ...Bf5.}) 22... Qc7 23. c4 $1 {White sacrifices
another pawn but gains space for his pieces.} Qxc4 24. Nc3 {Here I thought
White should be able to consolidate, get at least one pawn back and start
playing for a win. But things aren't so simple:} (24. Bc3 $5 {bringing the
knight over to d2, was another defensive setup:}) 24... Be6 25. Rec1 Nd7 $5 (
25... Rfc8 $5) 26. e4 (26. Ra4 $5) (26. Bf1 Qc6 $1 27. e4 Nc5 {forces the
black queen on to a more passive post but White still has problems to prove an
advantage.} 28. Be3 Nxe4 29. Rxa6 Qb7 $13) 26... Nc5 27. Bf1 Qb4 28. Be3 (28.
Bxa6 $2 Ra8 $1 29. Bf1 Nxe4 30. Nxe4 Qxe4 $17) 28... Rfc8 {Black is bringing
pieces to the queenside to consolidate and prepare the advance of the a-pawn.}
29. Nd2 (29. Bxa6 {was possible now:} Nxa6 30. Rxa6 Ra8 $1 31. Rxa8 Rxa8 32.
Nd2 f5 $5 $44) 29... a5 $1 30. Bxc5 {The natural reaction - White eliminates
the strong knight and stops the a-pawn.} Rxc5 31. Ra4 Qb7 32. Bc4 Qc6 $1 33.
Bd5 (33. Bxe6 $5 fxe6 {threatening ...Rxc3} 34. Raa1 Rc8 35. Ndb1 d5 $1 36.
exd5 exd5 37. Qxb3 e4 $132) 33... Bxd5 34. exd5 Qd7 35. Ra3 a4 $1 36. Nxa4 Rxd5
37. Nxb3 e4 38. Qa2 Qf5 $44 {A curious position - Black gave up his strong
passed pawns, but won White's pawn on d5. Black's d-pawn can become strong and
White has problems to coordinate his knights. Black has at least sufficient
compensation.} 39. Re1 Rdb5 40. Rc1 d5 41. Nac5 {I think Levon was playing for
a win here and rejects a number of solid options in the next moves.} (41. Nc3
$5 {bringing the knight over to the centre was another way to go.}) 41... d4
42. Ra7 (42. Ra8 $5 {was another way to control the risks - but in turn White
would have less winning chances.}) 42... d3 43. Rc7 $6 h5 $1 {With his pieces
in ideal positions Topalov now attacks on the kingside - the threat is h4-h3.}
44. Qa4 h4 45. Qxe4 $1 {White has no choice - he has to go on the defensive.}
Qxe4 46. Nxe4 Rxb3 47. gxh4 $2 {The decisive mistake.} (47. Rd7 $1 {was
necessary. After} h3 48. Rd1 $11 {White cannot take on d3 immediately but
after Kf1 a draw seems to be unavoidable.}) 47... Bh6 $1 {White is in trouble
now.} 48. Rf1 R3b4 49. f3 Rb2 50. Nf6+ (50. Rd7 Be3+ 51. Kh1 Rb1 52. Rxb1 Rxb1+
53. Kg2 d2 $1 54. Nxd2 Rb2 $19 (54... Rd1 $4 55. Ne4 $1 $11)) 50... Kg7 51. Ng4
d2 52. Rd7 (52. Nxh6 Kxh6 53. Rd7 Re8 $1 $19) 52... Re8 53. Nf2 Re1 {and White
resigned because he cannot stop ...Rb1.  This was Topalov's first win in
London. He finished with it and played a 2577 performance (which shows how
strong the tournament was - and anyone who criticises him should bear in mind
that 2600 is a grandmaster performance!). I guess it is always important to
finish the tournament with a win, and Topalov definitely was looking for one
in London. Aronian, on the other hand, had the better prospects in a very
complex position, and tried to push by keeping the tension in the end this did
not work out for him. I think we should thank the players for such a
delightful tournament (all rounds had at least one decisive result) and
congratulate Wesley So on a fantastic result: he won the London Chess Classic
2016 with 6.0/9 and a 2900+ performance! - let's see how he does in 2017!} 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mchedlishvili, Mikheil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A25"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2601"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. Rb1 f5 6. b4 Nf6 7. b5 Ne7 8. e3 O-O
9. Nge2 d6 10. O-O g5 11. f4 gxf4 12. exf4 Ng6 13. d3 Kh8 14. Bb2 a6 15. a4
axb5 16. axb5 Rb8 17. Nd5 Be6 18. Ne3 Qd7 19. Kh1 c6 20. fxe5 dxe5 21. d4 Ng4
22. Nxg4 fxg4 23. Rxf8+ Rxf8 24. bxc6 bxc6 25. d5 cxd5 26. cxd5 Bf5 27. Rc1 Rd8
28. Qd2 Qa4 29. Nc3 Qd4 30. Qe1 Qb4 31. Qe2 e4 32. Ba1 Re8 33. Qe3 Ra8 34. d6
Rxa1 35. Rxa1 Bxc3 36. Rd1 Bd7 37. Bxe4 Kg7 38. Rb1 Qa5 39. Rb7 Qa1+ 40. Bb1
Nf8 41. h4 gxh3 42. Qe7+ Kg8 43. Kh2 Bg7 44. Rxd7 Nxd7 45. Qe6+ Kh8 46. Qxd7
Qf6 47. Bf5 h5 48. Qe8+ Bf8 49. d7 Qxf5 50. d8=Q Qf2+ 51. Kxh3 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.26"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Halkias, Stelios"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2585"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Bf5 3. e3 e6 4. b3 Nf6 5. Bd3 Bxd3 6. Qxd3 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8.
dxc5 Bxc5 9. Bb2 O-O 10. a3 Qe7 11. Nbd2 e5 12. Qf5 Rfe8 13. c4 Rad8 14. b4 Bd6
15. cxd5 Nxd5 16. Nc4 b5 17. Nxd6 Rxd6 18. Rac1 Nb6 19. Rc5 Na4 20. Rc2 f6 21.
Ba1 Red8 22. Rcc1 Qd7 23. Qe4 Ne7 24. h4 h5 25. Rfe1 Nb6 26. Nh2 Nc4 27. Nf1
Nxa3 28. Ng3 Nc4 29. Nxh5 Nd2 30. Qc2 Nf5 31. Bc3 Nxh4 32. Bxd2 Qg4 33. Ng3
Rxd2 34. Qc6 a6 35. Qxa6 Rxf2 36. Kxf2 Rd2+ 37. Re2 Rxe2+ 38. Nxe2 Qxg2+ 39.
Ke1 Nf3+ 40. Kd1 Qf1+ 41. Kc2 Qxe2+ 42. Kb3 Nd2+ 43. Kc3 Ne4+ 44. Kb3 Qxe3+ 45.
Kb2 Qd2+ 46. Kb1 Nc3+ 47. Rxc3 Qxc3 48. Qxb5 g5 49. Qe8+ Kg7 50. Qd7+ Kg6 51.
b5 Qb4+ 52. Kc2 g4 53. Qc6 Qa4+ 54. Kd2 Kg5 55. Qc5 Qa2+ 56. Kc3 Qa1+ 57. Kb3
Qb1+ 58. Ka3 g3 59. Qe3+ Kg4 60. b6 Qa1+ 61. Kb4 Qb2+ 62. Kc5 Qf2 63. Qxf2 gxf2
64. b7 f1=Q 65. b8=Q e4 66. Qg8+ Kf3 67. Qg6 Qc1+ 68. Kd5 Qg5+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.26"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Amin, Bassem"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A41"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2662"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 d6 3. Bg2 g6 4. d4 Bg7 5. dxe5 dxe5 6. Qxd8+ Kxd8 7. Nc3 c6 8.
b3 Bf5 9. Ba3 Nd7 10. O-O-O Ngf6 11. Nf3 Ke8 12. h3 h5 13. Nd2 Bf8 14. Bb2 Bh6
15. e4 Be6 16. Kc2 h4 17. g4 Nh7 18. Nf3 g5 19. Nd5 f6 20. Nc7+ Kf7 21. Nxa8
Rxa8 22. Rd2 Bf8 23. Rhd1 Ke8 24. Ne1 Be7 25. Bf1 Nhf8 26. Ng2 Nc5 27. f3 a5
28. Ne3 Na6 29. Nf5 Bxf5 30. exf5 Rd8 31. Rxd8+ Bxd8 32. Bc3 Nd7 33. a3 Ke7 34.
b4 axb4 35. axb4 c5 36. bxc5 Ndxc5 37. Bd3 Bc7 38. Be4 b6 39. Bc6 Bd6 40. Rb1
Nb8 41. Rxb6 Bc7 42. Rb5 Kd6 43. Be4 Nba6 44. Rb1 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d3 Bc5 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Rxe3 d6 12. Nbd2 Na5 13. Ba2 c5 14. Nc4 Nxc4 15.
Bxc4 Be6 16. a5 Bxc4 17. dxc4 Qe7 18. Nd2 g6 19. Rd3 Kg7 20. f3 Nh5 21. g3 Rad8
22. Nf1 Kh8 23. Ne3 f5 24. Nd5 Qg7 25. Qe2 Nf6 26. Rad1 fxe4 27. fxe4 Nxd5 28.
Rxd5 Qf6 29. Rf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.26"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 d5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. d4 cxd4 10. Qa4+ Qd7 11. Qxd7+ Nxd7 12. Nxd4 N7f6 13. Ncb5 O-O 14. e4
Nb4 15. a3 Nd3 16. Rd1 Nc5 17. e5 Nd5 18. b4 Na4 19. Bxd5 Bxd5 20. Nc7 Rad8 21.
Nf5 exf5 22. Nxd5 Rde8 23. Bf4 Bd8 24. h4 Nb2 25. Rd4 b5 26. Kg2 a6 27. Re1 Re6
28. Rc1 Nc4 29. a4 h6 30. axb5 axb5 31. Nc3 g5 32. hxg5 hxg5 33. Nxb5 gxf4 34.
Rcxc4 Rxe5 35. Rc5 Bf6 36. Rxe5 Bxe5 37. Rd5 f6 38. gxf4 Bxf4 39. Nd4 Kf7 40.
Rd7+ Ke8 41. Ra7 Bd6 42. Nxf5 Bxb4 43. Ng7+ Kd8 44. Ne6+ Ke8 45. Nxf8 Kxf8 46.
f3 Bd2 47. Kg3 f5 48. Kh4 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Korobov, Anton"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2692"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. O-O Nb6 7. b3 Be7 8.
Bb2 f6 9. Qc1 O-O 10. Rd1 Qe8 11. Nc3 Bd6 12. d4 e4 13. Nd2 f5 14. Nc4 Ne7 15.
Nxd6 cxd6 16. d5 Ng6 17. a4 a6 18. f4 Nd7 19. Qe3 b6 20. a5 bxa5 21. Rxa5 Rb8
22. Nb1 Nf6 23. Na3 Qd8 24. Nc4 Rb5 25. Qc3 Bb7 26. Rxb5 axb5 27. Ne3 Qb6 28.
Bh3 Ne7 29. Kf1 b4 30. Qd4 Qxd4 31. Rxd4 Nfxd5 32. Nc4 Rc8 33. Kf2 Ba6 34. Bxf5
Nxf5 35. Rxd5 Rc5 36. Rxc5 dxc5 37. Ne3 Nxe3 38. Kxe3 Kf7 39. Kxe4 Bxe2 40. Kd5
Bd1 41. Kc4 g6 42. Bc1 Ke6 43. Be3 Kf5 44. Bxc5 Kg4 45. Bxb4 Kh3 46. Be1 Kxh2
47. b4 Bf3 48. b5 Kg2 49. b6 h5 50. Kc5 Kf1 51. Bc3 Kg2 52. Be5 Kh3 53. Kd6 Kg4
54. Ke6 Be4 55. Bd6 Bf5+ 56. Ke7 Be4 57. Kd8 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.27"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 Bc5 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. h3 Nd7 8.
Nc3 O-O 9. Be3 Bb4 10. O-O Re8 11. Nd2 Nf8 12. a3 Bd6 13. Nc4 Ng6 14. Nxd6 cxd6
15. Qh5 Be6 16. Rad1 f6 17. Kh1 Qe7 18. f4 exf4 19. Bxf4 Rad8 20. Bg3 d5 21.
exd5 Bxd5 22. Rde1 Qf7 23. Nxd5 Qxd5 24. Qxd5+ cxd5 25. Kg1 Kf7 26. Kf2 Nf8 27.
Rxe8 Rxe8 28. c4 dxc4 29. dxc4 Rc8 30. Rc1 Ne6 31. b4 Rd8 32. Ke3 Nd4 33. Bc7
Nf5+ 34. Ke2 Nd4+ 35. Ke3 Nf5+ 36. Ke2 Nd4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.27"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 g6 5. b3 Bg7 6. Bb2 O-O 7. O-O Re8 8. d4
Ne4 9. Nbd2 Bf5 10. Nh4 Nxd2 11. Qxd2 Be6 12. Rac1 a5 13. e4 a4 14. Rfe1 axb3
15. axb3 Ra2 16. exd5 cxd5 17. Rxe6 fxe6 18. Bh3 Qb6 19. Re1 e5 20. cxd5 Qxd4
21. Bxd4 Rxd2 22. Be3 Rd3 23. Be6+ Kh8 24. Nf3 Na6 25. Rc1 Nb4 26. Rc5 b6 27.
Ng5 h6 28. Nf7+ Kh7 29. Rb5 Nc2 30. Bxb6 Rb8 31. Bd7 e4 32. Bd8 Rxb5 33. Bxb5
Kg8 34. d6 exd6 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "159"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. a4 a5 7. c3 d5 8. exd5
Nxd5 9. Nbd2 Nb6 10. Bb5 Bd6 11. Re1 Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Ne4 f5
15. Ng3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Qd7 17. c4 Rae8 18. b3 Bc5 19. Ra2 Bb4 20. Rf1 Rd8 21.
Bg5 f4 22. Bxd8 fxg3 23. Qxg3 Qxd8 24. Qxe5 Qxd3 25. Re2 Qxb3 26. Re4 Qd3 27.
Qe6+ Kh8 28. Qxc6 Qd7 29. Re6 Qxc6 30. Rxc6 Rf7 31. Rd1 g6 32. Rd8+ Kg7 33. Rb8
Nd7 34. Rb5 Nb6 35. g3 Rd7 36. h4 Kf7 37. h5 Nxa4 38. hxg6+ hxg6 39. Rg5 Nb2
40. Rcxg6 Re7 41. c5 Bc3 42. Ra6 Re6 43. c6 Na4 44. Rh5 Kg6 45. Rd5 Bb4 46. f4
Nc5 47. f5+ Kf6 48. Ra8 Rxc6 49. Rg8 Kf7 50. Rh8 Rd6 51. Rh7+ Kf6 52. Rh6+ Kg5
53. Rhxd6 cxd6 54. Rxd6 Ne4 55. Ra6 Nxg3 56. f6 Kg6 57. Kf2 Ne4+ 58. Ke3 Nxf6
59. Kd4 Kf5 60. Kc4 Ne4 61. Kb5 Nc3+ 62. Kc4 Nb1 63. Kb5 Nc3+ 64. Kc4 Ke5 65.
Rb6 Na2 66. Kb3 Nc1+ 67. Ka4 Nd3 68. Rb5+ Kd4 69. Rh5 Nc5+ 70. Kb5 Ne4 71. Rh4
Kd3 72. Rh3+ Kc2 73. Rh4 Nc3+ 74. Kc4 Nb1 75. Rh2+ Kc1 76. Ra2 Na3+ 77. Kb3 Nb5
78. Rc2+ Kd1 79. Rc4 Bd2 80. Rc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2840"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Bf5 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. O-O Nc6 7. d3 e6 8. Be3
Be7 9. Qb3 Qd7 10. Nd4 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 O-O 12. Nc3 Bg6 13. Rfd1 Bd6 14. Nb5 Bb8
15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. e4 dxe4 17. dxe4 Qe7 18. Qa3 Qxa3 19. Nxa3 Rc8 20. Rd7 Bc7
21. b3 Rab8 22. Rc1 Bd8 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. Bf3 Rc1+ 25. Kg2 Bb6 26. Rxb7 Ra1 27.
Nc4 Bd4 28. Rd7 e5 29. g4 Rxa2 30. h4 Bxf2 31. h5 Be3+ 32. Kh1 Ra1+ 33. Kg2
Ra2+ 34. Kh1 Ra1+ 35. Kg2 Ra2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2689"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Nbd7 11. Bxf6 Qxc3+ 12. Kf1 gxf6 13. Nf5 exf5
14. Rc1 Qb2 15. Rxc8+ Rxc8 16. Qxd7+ Kf8 17. Qd6+ Kg7 18. Qg3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Nbd2 Bc5 12. Qe2 Qe7 13. h3 Rd8 14. Nc4 Nd4 15.
Nxd4 Rxd4 16. Be3 Rxe4 17. Qf3 Bb7 18. Na5 Rxe3 19. Qxb7 Rxe1+ 20. Rxe1 Re8 21.
Qxa6 e4 22. Nc4 e3 23. Nxe3 Ne4 24. Qc4 g6 25. Ng4 Nd2 26. Qxf7+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. d4 e4 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Nh3 Bb4 8. O-O
Bxc3 9. bxc3 O-O 10. f3 exf3 11. Rxf3 h6 12. Qf1 Nbd7 13. a4 b6 14. g4 Ne4 15.
c4 Bb7 16. cxd5 Bxd5 17. Rf5 Ndf6 18. g5 Nxg5 19. Nxg5 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Qxd4 21.
Ba3 Ng4 22. Rf4 Qd5+ 23. Qf3 Ne3+ 24. Kf2 hxg5 25. Qxd5 Nxd5 26. Rd4 Nf4 27.
Bxf8 Kxf8 28. a5 bxa5 29. Rxa5 Ne6 30. Rd7 g6 31. Kf3 a6 32. Rd6 Ke7 33. Rdxa6
Rh8 34. Kg3 g4 35. Kxg4 Rxh2 36. e3 Kf6 37. Ra1 Rg2+ 38. Kf3 Rg5 39. Rd1 Rf5+
40. Ke2 Kg7 41. Ra7 Ng5 42. Rd4 Rb5 43. Ra2 Kf6 44. Rc2 Kg7 45. Rd7 Ra5 46. Rc3
Ra2+ 47. Kd3 Ra1 48. Kc4 Ne4 49. Rcd3 Rc1+ 50. Kb4 Rb1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.28"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Howell, David"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2644"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Nbd2 Bc5 12. h3 Na5 13. Ba2 Qd6 14. Qe2 Be6 15.
Bxe6 Qxe6 16. Nf1 Nh5 17. Ng5 Qg6 18. Qg4 Rad8 19. Nf3 Rfe8 20. Be3 Bf8 21. b3
Nf6 22. Qxg6 hxg6 23. N3d2 Re6 24. Rac1 Rc6 25. f3 Nh5 26. Kf2 Nf4 27. Red1 Be7
28. Bxf4 exf4 29. Ke2 Bf6 30. Nc4 Rxd1 31. Rxd1 Nxc4 32. bxc4 Rxc4 33. Kd2 c5
34. Rb1 Bc3+ 35. Ke2 Rd4 36. Rd1 Rxd1 37. Kxd1 Kf8 38. Nh2 f5 39. exf5 gxf5 40.
Nf1 Ke7 41. g3 fxg3 42. Nxg3 Ke6 43. f4 c4 44. h4 b3 45. cxb3 cxb3 46. h5 a5
47. Ne2 Bf6 48. Kd2 Kd5 49. Ng3 Kc4 50. Nxf5 Kb4 51. Ne3 Kxa4 52. Nd5 Bd4 53.
Kd3 Ba1 54. f5 Ka3 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.28"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2689"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2016.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 dxc4 4. Qa4+ Nd7 5. Qxc4 c5 6. Nf3 Ngf6 7. O-O b6 8.
Nd4 Ne5 9. Nc6 Nxc4 10. Nxd8 Nd5 11. Nc3 Kxd8 12. Nxd5 Bb7 13. Nc3 Bxg2 14.
Kxg2 Be7 15. Rd1 Bf6 16. d4 Ke7 17. dxc5 Bxc3 18. bxc3 bxc5 19. Kf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Nbd2 Bc5 12. a5 Ng4 13. Rf1 Nf6 14. h3 Qe7 15.
Re1 Rd8 16. Ng5 Rf8 17. Ngf3 Rd8 18. Ng5 Rf8 19. Ngf3 Be6 20. Qe2 Rfd8 21. Bxe6
Qxe6 22. Nb3 Nd4 23. Nfxd4 Bxd4 24. Rb1 h6 25. Rd1 c5 26. Nd2 Qc6 27. Kf1 Ra7
28. Re1 Qb5 29. Qxb5 axb5 30. Nb3 c4 31. Nxd4 exd4 32. Bd2 c3 33. bxc3 bxc3 34.
Bf4 g5 35. Be5 Nh5 36. Rxb5 Re7 37. Bb8 Re6 38. Ra1 d3 39. cxd3 Rxd3 40. Rc5
Nf6 41. f3 Nd7 42. Rc8+ Kg7 43. a6 Nxb8 44. Rxb8 c2 45. Ke2 Rc3 46. Kd2 Rxa6
47. Rc1 Rc5 48. Rxc2 Rxc2+ 49. Kxc2 Ra1 50. Kd3 h5 51. Ke3 Ra2 52. g4 Rh2 53.
gxh5 Rxh3 54. Rb5 f6 55. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2643"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 dxc4 4. Nf3 a6 5. O-O Nc6 6. Na3 Bxa3 7. bxa3 e5 8.
Rb1 Nge7 9. Qc2 Bf5 10. e4 Bg4 11. Rxb7 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 Nd4 13. Qc3 O-O 14. Rb4
Nc8 15. Rxc4 Nd6 16. Rxd4 exd4 17. Qc5 Rb8 18. a4 d3 19. Re1 Re8 20. Kg2 a5 21.
Qxa5 Nc4 22. Qc3 Ne5 23. Bd1 Qd7 24. h3 h6 25. f4 Ng6 26. Bb3 Rbd8 27. Bb2 Ne5
28. fxe5 Qe7 29. Rf1 Rf8 30. Rf3 Qg5 31. Rxd3 Rxd3 32. Qxd3 Rd8 33. Qe3 Rxd2+
34. Kf3 Qh5+ 35. Kf4 Qg5+ 36. Kf3 Qh5+ 37. Kf4 g5+ 38. Kf5 Qg6+ 39. Kg4 h5+ 40.
Kf3 g4+ 41. Kf4 Qh6+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Belyakov, Bogdan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C51"]
[WhiteElo "2487"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "162"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bb6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. O-O d6 7. Nd5 Nxd5 8.
exd5 Ne7 9. d4 exd4 10. Nxd4 O-O 11. Bb2 Ng6 12. a4 a5 13. bxa5 Bxa5 14. Nb3
Bb6 15. a5 Ba7 16. Bd3 Qg5 17. Qf3 Ne5 18. Qg3 Qxg3 19. hxg3 Nxd3 20. cxd3 Bf5
21. Rfd1 Rfc8 22. Rac1 Bd7 23. Re1 Kf8 24. Ba3 Bb8 25. Bb4 Re8 26. Re4 Ra6 27.
Nd4 c5 28. dxc6 bxc6 29. Rxe8+ Kxe8 30. Re1+ Kd8 31. Bc3 Bc7 32. Rb1 Bxa5 33.
Bxa5+ Rxa5 34. Rb8+ Ke7 35. Rb7 Rc5 36. f3 h5 37. Kf2 g6 38. Ke3 Kd8 39. Ra7
Re5+ 40. Kd2 Rg5 41. Ne2 Rb5 42. Ke3 Rb2 43. Ra8+ Ke7 44. Ra7 d5 45. d4 Kd6 46.
Ra8 Rb3+ 47. Kf2 Bf5 48. Ra7 Rb2 49. Ke3 Rb3+ 50. Kf2 Be6 51. Nf4 Rb2+ 52. Ke3
g5 53. Nxh5 Rxg2 54. Nf6 c5 55. Ne8+ Kc6 56. Rc7+ Kb5 57. Rxc5+ Kb6 58. g4 Ra2
59. Rc3 Ra7 60. Nf6 Re7 61. Kf2 Kb5 62. Nxd5 Bxd5 63. Rc5+ Kb4 64. Rxd5 Kc4 65.
Rxg5 Kxd4 66. Rf5 Ra7 67. Kg3 Ke3 68. Re5+ Kd4 69. Re8 Kd5 70. Kf4 Ra3 71. Re7
f6 72. Re3 Ra5 73. Kf5 Kd4+ 74. Kf4 Kd5 75. Re1 Kd6 76. Kg3 Ra3 77. Re2 Rb3 78.
Kf4 Rb5 79. Re3 Ra5 80. Re2 Rb5 81. Re3 Ra5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E67"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2456"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. d4 d6 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. dxe5
dxe5 9. h3 Qe7 10. Be3 c6 11. Qc1 Re8 12. Rd1 a5 13. Ng5 Nc5 14. b3 h6 15. Nf3
Kh7 16. g4 h5 17. Ng5+ Kg8 18. Bxc5 Qxc5 19. Nge4 Qe7 20. Nxf6+ Qxf6 21. Ne4
Qh4 22. Nd6 Rd8 23. Nxc8 Raxc8 24. gxh5 Qxh5 25. Qe3 Rd4 26. Rd3 Rxd3 27. Qxd3
Qg5 28. Rd1 Qe7 29. Qd7 Rc7 30. Qxe7 Rxe7 31. Rd8+ Kh7 32. e3 e4 33. Kf1 Bc3
34. Ke2 f5 35. a3 Kg7 36. Rd6 Bb2 37. a4 Ba3 38. Rd8 Kf6 39. h4 Ke6 40. Bh3 Kf6
41. Rd4 Bc5 42. Rd8 Bb6 43. Rf8+ Rf7 44. Rxf7+ Kxf7 45. h5 Kf6 46. hxg6 Kxg6
1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Christiansen, Johan Sebastian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2429"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 a6 4. Bg2 b5 5. b3 c5 6. O-O Bb7 7. Nc3 Qb6 8. Re1
Be7 9. e4 O-O 10. d4 cxd4 11. Nxd4 bxc4 12. bxc4 Qc7 13. Rb1 Nc6 14. e5 Ne8 15.
Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Nd5 Qd8 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Bxc6 dxc6 19. Qa4 c5 20. Ba3 Qc7 21.
Rbd1 Ra7 22. Rd3 h6 23. Red1 Qxe5 24. Rd8 Nf6 25. Rxf8+ Kxf8 26. Qa5 Kg8 27.
Bxc5 Rc7 28. Bd6 Qxa5 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Flores, Diego"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B37"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2579"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. e4 Bg7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Nc2 d6 7. Be2 Nf6 8. Nc3
O-O 9. O-O Be6 10. Bd2 Nd7 11. Rc1 Nc5 12. b4 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 Nxe4 14. Ba1 a5 15.
b5 Ne5 16. Qd4 Nf6 17. Ne3 Ned7 18. Bf3 Qc7 19. g4 g5 20. h4 h6 21. hxg5 hxg5
22. Qd2 Nh7 23. Kg2 Ne5 24. Rh1 f6 25. Bd5 Qc8 26. Nf5 Rf7 27. Nh6+ Kg7 28.
Nxf7 Bxd5+ 29. Qxd5 Qxg4+ 30. Kf1 Nf3 31. Nxd6 exd6 32. Qxb7+ Kg6 33. Qxh7# 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bok, Benjamin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2598"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. O-O c6 6. a4 Na6 7. Na3 Bxa3 8.
Rxa3 O-O 9. Qc2 Qd5 10. Re3 Nb4 11. Qc3 Na2 12. Qa3 Nxc1 13. Rxc1 Rd8 14. d4
cxd3 15. Rxd3 Qa5 16. Ne5 Qc7 17. Rcd1 Rxd3 18. Rxd3 h6 19. Nc4 Bd7 20. Qe7 Re8
21. Qc5 b6 22. Qe5 Rc8 23. Nd6 Rd8 24. Nxf7 Qxe5 25. Nxe5 Kf8 26. Bxc6 Ke7 27.
Bxd7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Adly, Ahmed"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2599"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Qc2 Nbd7 7. Bg2 c6 8. O-O
O-O 9. b3 Ne4 10. Nc3 Nxd2 11. Qxd2 Bb4 12. a3 Ba5 13. b4 Bc7 14. c5 f5 15. b5
Nf6 16. Qc2 Ne4 17. a4 Bd7 18. Rab1 Be8 19. e3 Qf6 20. Ne2 g5 21. Nd2 Bg6 22.
bxc6 bxc6 23. Nxe4 fxe4 24. Rb7 Rf7 25. a5 Bh5 26. Nc3 Bf3 27. Qa4 e5 28. dxe5
Bxe5 29. Rxf7 Kxf7 30. Na2 Bxg2 31. Kxg2 h5 32. Nb4 Rc8 33. Nxd5 Qf5 34. f3 Kg7
35. Ne7 exf3+ 36. Rxf3 Qd3 37. Nxc8 h4 38. Qg4 Qe2+ 39. Kh3 Kh6 40. Rf6+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Li, Chao B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A40"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2720"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 c5 5. d4 Qa5 6. Bd3 Ng4 7. Be2 Nc6 8. d5
Nd4 9. O-O Nxe2+ 10. Qxe2 d6 11. Bf4 O-O 12. e5 dxe5 13. Nxe5 Nf6 14. Rad1 Re8
15. Rfe1 Bf5 16. g4 Bc8 17. Qf3 h5 18. h3 a6 19. Bg3 hxg4 20. hxg4 Rf8 21. Kg2
Nh7 22. Rh1 Qb6 23. Qe2 f5 24. d6 exd6 25. Nxg6 Qc6+ 26. Nd5 Re8 27. Nge7+ Rxe7
28. Qxe7 Bd7 29. Rxh7 Kxh7 30. Qf7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2694"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. g3 Bb4 4. Bg2 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. Nge2 Bc5 7. O-O Bg4 8. h3
Bxe2 9. Qxe2 Nc6 10. d3 Nd4 11. Qd1 Ne6 12. Kh2 h5 13. Ne2 h4 14. g4 g5 15. Bd2
a5 16. Bc3 Nd7 17. d4 exd4 18. Nxd4 Bxd4 19. Bxd4 Nxd4 20. Qxd4 Re8 21. f4 gxf4
22. Rxf4 Re5 23. Raf1 f6 24. Qf2 Qe7 25. Qxh4 Qe6 26. Rf5 Rf8 27. g5 Rf7 28.
gxf6 Rxf5 29. Rxf5 Rxf6 30. Rh5 Rg6 31. e5 c6 32. Be4 Nxe5 33. Rh8+ Kf7 34.
Bxg6+ Nxg6 35. Qf2+ Kg7 36. Rh5 Qxc4 37. Rf5 Qxa2 38. h4 Qe6 39. h5 Ne5 40. Qf4
Qe7 41. Rg5+ Kh8 42. Kh1 Qf7 43. Qxf7 Nxf7 44. Rxa5 d5 45. Kg2 Kg7 46. Kf3 Kh6
47. Kf4 Kxh5 48. Ra7 Nd6 49. b3 Kg6 50. Ke5 Ne4 51. Rxb7 Nc5 52. Rc7 Nxb3 53.
Rxc6+ Kg5 54. Kxd5 Nd2 55. Rc2 Nf3 56. Ke4 Nh4 57. Rc5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2705"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 g6 5. b3 Bg7 6. Bb2 O-O 7. O-O a5 8. d3 Re8
9. Qc1 Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 e6 12. Bg2 Nbd7 13. Nc3 h5 14. Nd1 Qc7 15. Qc2
Qd6 16. e3 a4 17. d4 axb3 18. axb3 Rxa1 19. Bxa1 Ra8 20. Nc3 Qb4 21. Ne2 Ne8
22. Bc3 Qe7 23. e4 dxe4 24. Bxe4 Nd6 25. Bb4 Bf8 26. Bg2 Qf6 27. Rd1 Nf5 28.
Bc3 Qg5 29. h4 Qe7 30. d5 exd5 31. cxd5 cxd5 32. Bxd5 Nf6 33. Bxf6 Qxf6 34.
Bxb7 Re8 35. Be4 Nd6 36. Bd5 Nf5 37. Be4 Nd6 38. Bd3 Qf3 39. Nd4 Qg4 40. Be2
Qh3 41. Bf3 Rc8 42. Qd2 Nf5 43. Bg2 Qg4 44. Nxf5 Qxf5 45. Bd5 Rc2 46. Qf4 Qxf4
47. gxf4 Bc5 48. Rf1 Kg7 49. Kg2 Kf6 50. Bc4 Rb2 51. Kf3 Bb6 52. Kg3 Bc5 53.
Kf3 Rd2 54. Kg3 Rb2 55. Kf3 Rd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Nguyen, Ngoc Truong Son"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2629"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 e6 6. c3 Be7 7. Bd3 Nh5 8. Be5
O-O 9. O-O Nxe5 10. Nxe5 g6 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. c4 Qf6 13. Ndf3 Bd6 14. Ng4 Qxb2
15. h3 dxc4 16. Bxg6 hxg6 17. Qxd6 Qb6 18. Qe5 f6 19. Qc3 Qc5 20. a4 e5 21.
Rfb1 b6 22. Nd2 Be6 23. Ne4 Qc6 24. f3 Rad8 25. Qb4 f5 26. Nxe5 Qc7 27. Nxg6
fxe4 28. Nxf8 Rxf8 29. f4 Nf6 30. Rd1 Nd5 31. Qe1 Qg7 32. Kh2 c3 33. Rac1 Rc8
34. Rd4 Nxf4 35. Qf1 Nd3 36. Rxe4 Nxc1 37. Rxe6 Nb3 38. Qf5 c2 39. Rg6 c1=Q 40.
Qd5+ Kf8 41. Qd6+ Qe7 42. Qf4+ Qf7 43. Qd6+ Qe7 44. Qf4+ Ke8 45. Rg8+ Kd7 46.
Qf5+ Qe6 47. Rg7+ Kd6 48. Qf4+ Qe5 49. Rg6+ Kd5 50. e4+ Kd4 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.30"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E92"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. d4 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. d5 a5 8. Bg5 h6
9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 Nh5 11. h4 g4 12. Nd2 Nxg3 13. fxg3 h5 14. Qc2 Na6 15. O-O-O
Qf6 16. Rhf1 Qh6 17. Kb1 Bd7 18. a3 a4 19. Nb5 Nc5 20. Nxc7 Rac8 21. Nb5 Qe3
22. Rfe1 Qxg3 23. Nxd6 Qxg2 24. Qc3 Qf2 25. Nf1 Qf6 26. Nxc8 Nxe4 27. Qe3 Rxc8
28. Ng3 Nxg3 29. Qxg3 e4 30. Rd2 Bf5 31. Ka1 Qb6 32. Rc2 e3 33. Rec1 Bxc2 34.
Rxc2 Qb3 35. Kb1 b5 36. d6 bxc4 37. d7 Rd8 38. Qc7 Qb8 39. Qxb8 Rxb8 40. Rxc4
Rd8 41. Rc8 Bf6 42. Kc2 Bxh4 43. Kd3 Bg5 44. Ke4 Kg7 45. Rxd8 Bxd8 46. Kxe3 f5
47. Bb5 Kf6 48. Bxa4 Bb6+ 49. Ke2 f4 50. Bc6 h4 51. a4 h3 52. b4 h2 53. Bh1 Ke7
54. a5 Bc7 55. Kd3 Kxd7 56. Ke4 f3 57. Ke3 Ke6 58. Kf2 Kf5 59. a6 Kf4 60. a7
Bb6+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.30"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2689"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 Nbd7 7. Qc2 c6 8. O-O
O-O 9. Rd1 Ne4 10. Bf4 g5 11. Bc1 f5 12. Nc3 Qe8 13. Nxe4 fxe4 14. Nxg5 Nf6 15.
f3 Qh5 16. Nh3 e5 17. Nf2 exd4 18. Rxd4 Bc5 19. Be3 Qe5 20. Qd2 exf3 21. exf3
Re8 22. b4 Bb6 23. c5 Qxe3 24. cxb6 Qxd2 25. Rxd2 axb6 26. a4 c5 27. Nd3 c4 28.
Nf4 Be6 29. Ne2 Bd7 30. a5 bxa5 31. Rxa5 b6 32. Rxa8 Rxa8 33. Nc3 Be6 34. g4
Ra3 35. Nb5 Rb3 36. Nd4 Rb1+ 37. Kf2 Bf7 38. g5 Nd7 39. b5 Nc5 40. f4 Ne4+ 41.
Bxe4 dxe4 42. f5 c3 43. Rc2 Rb2 44. Ke3 Rxc2 45. Nxc2 Bb3 46. Nd4 Bc4 47. Kxe4
Bxb5 48. h4 Bf1 49. h5 b5 50. g6 hxg6 51. hxg6 Kg7 52. Ke5 Bc4 53. Nc2 Bb3 54.
Nd4 Bc4 55. Nc2 Bd3 56. Nb4 Bb1 57. Kd4 c2 58. Nd3 c1=Q 59. Nxc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.30"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Malakhov, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. O-O g6 6. Na3 Bg7 7. Nxc4 O-O 8. b3
Nbd7 9. Bb2 Nb6 10. Qc1 Nxc4 11. bxc4 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Qc7 14. Rb1 Rab8
15. Bc3 Nd7 16. d4 c5 17. d5 Bxc3 18. Qxc3 b6 19. h4 Nf6 20. Rfd1 Rbd8 21. h5
Nd7 22. Rb3 Ne5 23. Kg2 Qd6 24. Rh1 g5 25. h6 f5 26. Rh5 Qf6 27. Kg1 Nf7 28.
Qc1 Kh8 29. Re3 Rd6 30. Qa3 a5 31. Qd3 Nxh6 32. Re6 Rxe6 33. dxe6 Ng8 34. Bd5
h6 35. f4 gxf4 36. Kf2 Qg6 37. Rh3 Nf6 38. gxf4 Ng4+ 39. Ke1 Qf6 40. Qc3 Qxc3+
41. Rxc3 Kg7 42. Rb3 Rb8 43. Rg3 h5 44. Rh3 Kh6 45. Kd2 b5 46. cxb5 Rxb5 47.
Kc3 Nf6 48. Bf3 Rb6 49. Kc4 Rxe6 50. Kxc5 Re3 51. a4 Rb3 52. Rh1 Rb4 53. Bc6
Ne4+ 54. Kd5 Nc3+ 55. Ke5 Nxe2 56. Kxf5 Ng3+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.30"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Khusnutdinov, Rustam"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B86"]
[WhiteElo "2458"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nc3 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. e4 e6 6. Bc4 Be7 7. g4 h6 8. Be3
a6 9. Bb3 b5 10. f3 b4 11. Nce2 a5 12. Qd2 a4 13. Bc4 Qc7 14. Bb5+ Bd7 15. c4
bxc3 16. Nxc3 Na6 17. Bxa4 Nc5 18. Bxd7+ Qxd7 19. b4 Na4 20. Nce2 Nb6 21. Qd3
d5 22. e5 Nh7 23. O-O Nc4 24. f4 Ra3 25. Nb3 Bxb4 26. Bd4 O-O 27. f5 Ng5 28.
Ng3 Nd2 29. h4 Nxf1 30. Rxf1 Ne4 31. Nxe4 dxe4 32. Qxe4 exf5 33. gxf5 Rxa2 34.
Qg4 Kh7 35. Rd1 Qc6 36. e6 f6 37. Qg6+ Kg8 38. Bxf6 Rxf6 39. Rd8+ Bf8 40. e7
Rxg6+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.30"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Melkumyan, Hrant"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2633"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. exf6
hxg5 9. fxg7 Rg8 10. Qc2 Rxg7 11. O-O-O c6 12. Ne4 Be7 13. Ne5 Bb7 14. Be2 Na6
15. Kb1 Qa5 16. Qc3 Qxc3 17. bxc3 O-O-O 18. a4 Nc7 19. Nc5 Bxc5 20. dxc5 Rd5
21. Rxd5 Nxd5 22. Kb2 f6 23. Ng4 Kc7 24. Bf3 Bc8 25. h4 gxh4 26. Rxh4 bxa4 27.
Rh6 Rf7 28. Ka3 Nxc3 29. Nxf6 Nd5 30. Ne8+ Kd7 31. Nd6 Rg7 32. Nxc4 Ba6 33.
Ne5+ Kc7 34. Rxe6 Bb5 35. Bxd5 cxd5 36. g4 Rh7 37. g5 Rh3+ 38. f3 d4 39. g6 Rg3
40. Re7+ Kd8 41. Rb7 a6 42. g7 d3 43. Rb8+ Kc7 44. g8=Q Rxg8 45. Rxg8 d2 46.
Rg7+ Kd8 47. Rg1 Be2 48. Kxa4 d1=Q+ 49. Rxd1+ Bxd1+ 50. Ka5 Ke7 51. Kxa6 Ke6
52. f4 Kf5 53. c6 Bb3 54. c7 Be6 55. Nd3 Bc8+ 56. Ka7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.30"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2672"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. d4 d6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O Bf5 8. Bg5
Ne4 9. Nxe4 Bxe4 10. d5 Na5 11. b3 c5 12. Rc1 Re8 13. Qd2 a6 14. Bh3 Bxf3 15.
exf3 b5 16. Rfe1 bxc4 17. bxc4 Rb8 18. Rc2 Rb4 19. Qd3 Bf6 20. Bd2 Ra4 21. Rb1
Qc7 22. Kg2 Rb8 23. Rxb8+ Qxb8 24. Bd7 Rb4 25. Bxb4 Qxb4 26. h4 Qb7 27. Bh3 Qb1
28. f4 Bd4 29. f5 Kg7 30. fxg6 hxg6 31. Bg4 Nb7 32. h5 Nd8 33. Qd1 Qb4 34. Qe2
Bf6 35. Qe3 a5 36. h6+ Kh7 37. Bd7 a4 38. Bb5 a3 39. Re2 Qb1 40. Qxa3 Kxh6 41.
Qe3+ Kg7 42. a4 Nb7 43. Re1 Qb4 44. Rh1 Kg8 45. Qh6 Bg7 46. Qh4 Bf6 47. Qh6 Na5
48. Be8 Bg7 49. Qh7+ Kf8 50. Bxf7 Kxf7 51. Rh4 Qb2 52. Rf4+ Ke8 53. Qxg6+ Kd8
54. Rf7 Bf6 55. Qg8+ Kc7 56. Qa8 Nb7 57. a5 Qd4 58. a6 Qe4+ 59. Kh2 Nd8 60. a7
Nb7 61. Qb8+ Kb6 62. a8=Q 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.30"]
[Round "19"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 c5 4. Nd2 Nc6 5. c3 e6 6. Ngf3 Be7 7. h3 Bd6 8. dxc5
Bxc5 9. Bd3 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. e4 e5 12. O-O O-O 13. exd5 Qxd5 14. Qc2 Rd8
15. Bc4 Qd6 16. Rad1 Be6 17. Ne4 Qe7 18. Bxe6 Qxe6 19. Nfg5 Qxa2 20. Nxf6+ gxf6
21. Qxh7+ Kf8 22. Ra1 Qd5 23. c4 Qxc4 24. Rac1 Qa2 25. Ne4 Ke7 26. Qh4 Qe6 27.
Nc5 Qd5 28. Kh2 Rg8 29. Ne4 Rg6 30. Rfd1 Nd4 31. Rc7+ Kd8 32. Rdc1 Nc6 33. Rxb7
Ne7 34. Rcc7 Ng8 35. Rd7+ Qxd7 36. Rxd7+ Kxd7 37. Nc5+ Ke8 38. Qe4 Rc8 39. b4
Kf8 40. Qb7 Ne7 41. Qxa7 f5 42. Nd7+ Kg7 43. Nxe5 Re6 44. Qd4 Kg8 45. Nd7 Nc6
46. Nf6+ Kf8 47. Qc5+ Ne7 48. Qd4 Nc6 49. Qh4 Ke7 50. Ne4+ Ke8 51. Qh8+ Kd7 52.
Nc5+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.30"]
[Round "20"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zhigalko, Sergei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. d4 exd4 5. Qxd4 Na6 6. Nf3 Bc5 7. Qe5+ Be7 8.
O-O O-O 9. Rd1 Re8 10. Qf4 Nc5 11. Nc3 a5 12. Be3 Ne6 13. Qf5 d6 14. Qc2 Qc7
15. h3 h6 16. Nh4 Bf8 17. Nf5 h5 18. Nd4 g6 19. Nxe6 Bxe6 20. Bd4 Bg7 21. b3
Qe7 22. e4 c5 23. Be3 Nd7 24. f4 Nb8 25. Re1 Nc6 26. Rad1 Nd4 27. Qf2 Qd7 28.
Kh2 Nxb3 29. Nb5 Nd4 30. Nxd4 cxd4 31. Bxd4 Bxd4 32. Rxd4 Qc7 33. f5 Bd7 34.
fxg6 fxg6 35. e5 Rxe5 36. Rxe5 dxe5 37. Bd5+ Kg7 38. Qf7+ Kh6 39. Be4 Qb6 40.
Rxd7 Qb2+ 41. Bg2 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2016.12.30"]
[Round "21"]
[White "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2668"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. h3 d6 7. c3 a6 8. Re1
Ba7 9. Bb3 Ne7 10. Nbd2 Ng6 11. Nf1 Nh5 12. d4 Nhf4 13. Ng3 Nh4 14. Bxf4 exf4
15. Nh5 c5 16. dxc5 Bxc5 17. Nxf4 Kh8 18. Nxh4 Qxh4 19. Qf3 Be6 20. Bd5 Rae8
21. Rad1 Bc8 22. g3 Qh6 23. h4 g5 24. hxg5 Qxg5 25. Qg2 Bg4 26. Rd3 f5 27. e5
dxe5 28. Ne6 Rxe6 29. Bxe6 e4 30. Rd5 Ba7 31. c4 Qe7 32. Bd7 Qb4 33. Rf1 Qxc4
34. Rd6 Qc7 35. Rd5 Rg8 36. Be6 Bf3 37. Rd7 Rxg3 38. Rd8+ Kg7 39. Rg8+ Kf6 40.
Qxg3 Qxg3+ 41. Rxg3 Kxe6 42. Rh3 h5 43. Rc1 Bd4 44. b3 Bg4 45. Rh2 f4 46. Kf1
Kd5 47. Rc7 b5 48. Rh7 Bc3 49. R2xh5+ Bxh5 50. Rxh5+ Kd4 51. Ke2 f3+ 52. Kd1
Kd3 53. Rd5+ Bd4 54. Rd6 a5 55. a4 b4 56. Rd5 Kc3 57. Ke1 e3 58. fxe3 Bxe3 59.
Rxa5 Kxb3 60. Ra8 Ka2 61. Rb8 b3 62. Kd1 f2 63. Ke2 b2 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 6. Re1 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:06]
} 8. c3 {[%emt 0:00:35]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nxd5 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 10. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 11. Rxe5 {
[%emt 0:00:16]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 12. d3 {[%emt 0:00:38]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:06]
} 13. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 14. Qf3 {[%emt 0:01:28]} Qh4 {
[%emt 0:00:34]} 15. g3 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Qh3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 16. Be3 {[%emt 0:
02:27]} Bxd3 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 17. Nd2 {[%emt 0:14:02]} Qf5 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 18.
Bd4 {[%emt 0:01:01]} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 19. a4 {[%emt 0:04:00]} h6 {[%emt 0:
00:22]} 20. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Qxf3+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 21. Nxf3 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} Bf5 $146 {[%emt 0:03:27]} (21... Rac8 22. axb5 axb5 23. Ne5 Bxe5 24. Rxe5
Rxe5 25. Bxe5 Re8 26. Bd4 Re2 27. Bxd5 cxd5 28. b4 h5 29. Kf3 Re4 30. h4 Kh7
31. Ra7 Kg6 32. Ra6+ Kh7 33. Ra7 Kg6 34. Ra6+ Kh7 {1/2-1/2 (34) Kokarev,D 
(2636)-Tomashevsky,E (2724) Novosibirsk 2016}) 22. Be5 {[%emt 0:10:44]} Bc5 {
[%emt 0:00:50]} 23. Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:43]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 24. axb5 {
[%emt 0:18:38]} axb5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 25. Rxa8 {[%emt 0:01:33]} Rxa8 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} 26. Nxb5 {[%emt 0:07:40]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 27. Nd4 {[%emt 0:04:33]}
Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 28. Bxd4 {[%emt 0:01:05]} Nf4+ {[%emt 0:00:10]} 29. gxf4
{[%emt 0:03:01]} Bxb3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 30. Kg3 {[%emt 0:02:00]} f6 {[%emt 0:01:
54]} 31. h4 {[%emt 0:06:00]} h5 {[%emt 0:03:29]} 32. Bc5 {[%emt 0:02:42]} Rd8 {
[%emt 0:01:43]} 33. Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 34. f3 {[%emt 0:
01:07]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:04:40]} 35. Re8+ {[%emt 0:02:14]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 36.
Re7 {[%emt 0:05:50]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 37. Re2 {[%emt 0:02:11]} Kh7 {
[%emt 0:02:49]} 38. Re7 {[%emt 0:10:36]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 39. Rb7 {[%emt 0:
03:36]} Rxb2 {[%emt 0:01:03]} 40. Rb6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:03:08]} 41.
Rxc6 {[%emt 0:07:50]} Rd2 {[%emt 0:01:50]} 42. Rc5 {[%emt 0:03:00]} Kg6 {
[%emt 0:00:56]} 43. f5+ {[%emt 0:01:41]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 44. Rc7 {[%emt 0:
00:54]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 45. Rc8+ {[%emt 0:00:34]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 46.
Rd8 {[%emt 0:01:26]} Rc2 {[%emt 0:01:29]} 47. Rd7 {[%emt 0:01:02]} Kg8 {
[%emt 0:00:13]} 48. Rd8+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 49. Rd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2706"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 3. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 4. g3 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Bb4+ {[%emt 0:00:52]} 5. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 6. Bg2
{[%emt 0:00:00]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:11]} 7. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:
15]} 8. a4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} a5 {[%emt 0:14:41]} 9. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} c6 {
[%emt 0:02:48]} 10. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Ne4 {[%emt 0:01:55]} 11. Be3 $146 {
[%emt 0:00:43]} (11. Be1 f5 12. Nbd2 Bd6 13. e3 Ra7 14. Qd1 b6 15. cxd5 cxd5
16. Nb1 Ba6 17. Na3 Qa8 18. Nb5 Bxb5 19. axb5 Rc8 20. Bf1 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Rc7 22.
Rxc7 Bxc7 23. Qa4 Qb8 24. b4 axb4 25. Bxb4 h6 26. Qc2 Bd6 27. Qc6 Ndf6 28. Bxd6
Qxd6 29. Qc8+ Kh7 30. Ne5 Qe7 31. Qc6 Ng4 32. Nxg4 fxg4 33. Bd3 g6 34. Bxe4
dxe4 35. Qxb6 {1-0 (35) Carlsen,M (2851)-Eljanov,P (2765) Stavanger 2016})
11... f5 {[%emt 0:09:56]} 12. Nc3 {[%emt 0:02:06]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:01:08]} 13. Rd1
{[%emt 0:05:23]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:02:33]} 14. Rac1 {[%emt 0:11:31]} Ndf6 {[%emt 0:
05:05]} 15. Ne5 {[%emt 0:01:17]} Bxe5 {[%emt 0:07:09]} 16. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:07]
} Ng4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 17. Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:21]} c5 {[%emt 0:02:07]} 18. Nxe4 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:25:42]} 19. Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:
51]} 20. h3 {[%emt 0:06:39]} Nh6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 21. Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Nf7
{[%emt 0:04:47]} 22. f3 {[%emt 0:01:22]} exf3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 23. exf3 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 24. f4 {[%emt 0:04:56]} Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:36]
} 25. b3 {[%emt 0:05:10]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:05:13]} 26. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:42]} Bb7 {
[%emt 0:00:13]} 27. Rxd7 {[%emt 0:01:42]} Qxd7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 28. Rd1 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 29. Bxb7 {[%emt 0:01:23]} Qxb7 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} 30. Kf2 {[%emt 0:04:12]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:06:19]} 31. Rxd8+ {[%emt 0:00:23]
} Nxd8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 32. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nf7 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 33. g4 {
[%emt 0:00:12]} Nh6 {[%emt 0:07:38]} 34. g5 {[%emt 0:02:20]} Nf7 {[%emt 0:00:
08]} 35. h4 {[%emt 0:00:58]} g6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2653"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 3. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 4. e3 {[%emt 0:00:
09]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 5. c3 {[%emt 0:05:58]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 6. Nbd2 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 7. Ne5 {[%emt 0:01:22]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:03:
31]} 8. Bd3 {[%emt 0:01:08]} O-O {[%emt 0:08:15]} 9. Qh5 {[%emt 0:06:44]} f5 {
[%emt 0:00:45]} 10. Ndf3 {[%emt 0:05:09]} Ndxe5 {[%emt 0:17:55]} 11. Nxe5 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 12. Bxe5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bd6 $146 {
[%emt 0:00:24]} (12... Bd7 13. f4 Qe8 14. Qe2 c4 15. Bc2 Qg6 16. O-O b5 17. Kh1
Be8 18. g4 Qxg4 19. Qxg4 fxg4 20. Rg1 Bf6 21. Bd6 Rf7 22. Rxg4 Rd7 23. Be5 Bxe5
24. fxe5 Bh5 25. Rh4 g6 26. Rf4 Rf8 27. Rxf8+ Kxf8 28. Rf1+ Rf7 29. Rxf7+ Kxf7
30. Kg2 h6 31. e4 g5 32. exd5 exd5 33. Bf5 Ke7 34. Kg3 Bf7 35. Kg4 Be8 36. Bc8
Bg6 37. Ba6 Be8 38. Kf5 Kf7 39. e6+ Ke7 40. Ke5 Bc6 41. Bc8 a5 42. a3 {Ernst,R
(2225)-Richert Goerttler,K Germany 1997 1-0}) 13. f4 {[%emt 0:10:36]} Bxe5 {
[%emt 0:02:02]} 14. fxe5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 15. O-O {
[%emt 0:07:10]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 16. Rf2 {[%emt 0:05:04]} Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:
33]} 17. Bxb5 {[%emt 0:10:07]} Qxb5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 18. Raf1 {[%emt 0:01:08]}
Qd3 {[%emt 0:11:48]} 19. Rf3 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Rf7 {[%emt 0:03:47]} 20. g4 {
[%emt 0:01:56]} Raf8 {[%emt 0:04:03]} 21. gxf5 {[%emt 0:01:10]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:
17]} 22. Qg5 {[%emt 0:22:39]} Rxf5 {[%emt 0:03:57]} 23. Rxf5 {[%emt 0:00:10]}
exf5 {[%emt 0:01:28]} 24. Qf4 {[%emt 0:04:38]} Qc4 {[%emt 0:21:23]} 25. a3 {
[%emt 0:05:06]} Qe2 {[%emt 0:01:21]} 26. Rf2 {[%emt 0:02:48]} Qd1+ {[%emt 0:00:
31]} 27. Kg2 {[%emt 0:01:14]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:04:23]} 28. cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:20]}
Rc8 {[%emt 0:05:20]} 29. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:49]} Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 30. h4 {
[%emt 0:01:01]} Rc1 {[%emt 0:05:28]} 31. h5 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Re1 {[%emt 0:00:
54]} 32. hxg6 {[%emt 0:01:23]} hxg6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 33. Re2 {[%emt 0:02:43]}
Rc1 {[%emt 0:04:00]} 34. Qg3 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 35. Qg5 {
[%emt 0:03:16]} Qd1 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 36. Qe7+ {[%emt 0:00:15]} Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:
26]} 37. Qh4+ {[%emt 0:00:29]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 38. Qe7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A65"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 3. f3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} c5 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 5. d5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 6. e4 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 7. Nge2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 8.
cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. a4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} O-O {[%emt 0:
00:10]} 10. Ng3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 11. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:18]}
Ne8 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 12. O-O {[%emt 0:00:12]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 13. f4 {
[%emt 0:00:48]} Nc7 {[%emt 0:01:27]} 14. e5 {[%emt 0:02:29]} dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:
23]} 15. f5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} b5 $146 {[%emt 0:00:06]} (15... Nf6 16. fxg6 fxg6
17. Bg5 Nce8 18. Nge4 Nd6 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Nxd6 Qxd6 21. Ne4 Qd8 22. d6 Bf5
23. Qd5+ Kg7 24. Nxc5 Qb6 25. Kh1 Qxb2 26. Bd3 b6 27. Bxf5 {1/2-1/2 (27)
Filgueira,H (2275)-Garcia,R Buenos Aires 1995}) 16. d6 {[%emt 0:12:25]} Ne8 {
[%emt 0:00:39]} 17. axb5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} axb5 {[%emt 0:11:26]} 18. Nce4 {
[%emt 0:00:25]} c4 {[%emt 0:07:53]} 19. Bg5 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Nef6 {[%emt 0:06:
10]} 20. Kh1 {[%emt 0:07:49]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:02:07]} 21. Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:43]}
Bxe4 {[%emt 0:06:37]} 22. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:03:21]} 23. Qe1 {
[%emt 0:14:59]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:11:43]} 24. Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:
09:50]} 25. Bh6 {[%emt 0:04:18]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:02:56]} 26. Bg5 {[%emt 0:04:06]}
Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 27. Bh6 {[%emt 0:19:27]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 28. Bg5 {
[%emt 0:08:13]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:00:
14]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 5. c4 {[%emt 0:00:18]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:06]} 6. d4 {
[%emt 0:00:16]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 8. a4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 9. Qxc4 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Bc6 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} 10. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:46]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 11. Qc1 {[%emt 0:
00:26]} Bxf4 {[%emt 0:05:41]} 12. Qxf4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Qd6 {[%emt 0:00:19]}
13. Qc1 {[%emt 0:02:42]} Bd5 $146 {[%emt 0:10:17]} (13... Qb4 14. a5 b6 15. Qc3
bxa5 16. Rxa5 Qb7 17. Rc1 Bd5 18. Nbd2 Nc6 19. Rxd5 Nxd5 20. Qxc6 Qxb2 21. e4
Nb4 22. Qxc7 a5 23. Rb1 Qc2 24. Qxc2 Nxc2 25. Rb2 Rfc8 26. Bf1 Rc3 27. Be2 a4
28. Bd1 a3 29. Rxc2 a2 30. Nb3 Rxc2 31. Bxc2 Ra3 32. Nfd2 a1=Q+ 33. Nxa1 Rxa1+
34. Bb1 Ra4 35. Nb3 Rb4 36. Bc2 Rc4 37. Bd1 e5 38. Kf1 exd4 39. Ke2 g6 40. Kd3
Rc3+ 41. Kxd4 Rc8 42. Ke3 h5 43. Nd4 {Donchenko,A (2582)-Warakomski,T (2474)
Legnica 2015 1-0}) 14. Nc3 {[%emt 0:14:16]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 15. e3 {
[%emt 0:12:59]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 16. Qb1 {[%emt 0:06:34]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:02:
11]} 17. a5 {[%emt 0:03:32]} c5 {[%emt 0:05:49]} 18. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:02:18]}
Nfxd5 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 19. e4 {[%emt 0:04:14]} Nc7 {[%emt 0:03:24]} 20. dxc5 {
[%emt 0:01:34]} Qxc5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 21. e5 {[%emt 0:03:11]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:10:
25]} 22. h4 {[%emt 0:02:56]} h6 {[%emt 0:02:51]} 23. Qe4 {[%emt 0:04:50]} Nb5 {
[%emt 0:02:08]} 24. Rfc1 {[%emt 0:11:40]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:14:01]} 25. Rc4 {
[%emt 0:06:27]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:03:08]} 26. Qf4 {[%emt 0:16:20]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:03:
09]} 27. Ne1 {[%emt 0:07:40]} Nbd4 {[%emt 0:02:21]} 28. Qe3 {[%emt 0:00:48]}
Rfd8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 29. h5 {[%emt 0:01:45]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:12:53]} 30. Qc5 {
[%emt 0:01:32]} Qg5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 31. Bxc6 {[%emt 0:02:52]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:
00:27]} 32. Qxc6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Qxh5 {[%emt 0:06:56]} 33. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:50]
} Qg5 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 34. b4 {[%emt 0:01:56]} Rd2 {[%emt 0:12:36]} 35. Qf4 {
[%emt 0:00:50]} Qxf4 {[%emt 0:01:23]} 36. Rxf4 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Rb2 {[%emt 0:
00:55]} 37. Rc1 {[%emt 0:02:17]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:01:24]} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2840"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c6 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. e3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6
{[%emt 0:00:11]} 5. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 6. Be2 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 7. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 8.
cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. Ne5 {[%emt 0:01:01]} e6 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 10. Bd2 {[%emt 0:01:49]} Be7 {[%emt 0:01:34]} 11. O-O {[%emt 0:
00:15]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:07]} 12. Rfc1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nfd7 {[%emt 0:10:26]}
13. Nxd7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qxd7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 14. Na4 {[%emt 0:00:50]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:01:20]} 15. Qb6 $146 {[%emt 0:00:37]} (15. Nc5 Qc7 16. h3 Rc8 17. a4
Bd6 18. a5 Qe7 19. Bd3 Bxd3 20. Nxd3 Raa8 21. Rc2 Na7 22. Rac1 Rxc2 23. Rxc2 {
1/2-1/2 (23) Le,Q (2702)-Vallejo Pons,F (2706) Tromsoe 2013}) 15... Rfa8 {
[%emt 0:11:04]} 16. Nc5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Qc8 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 17. a3 {[%emt 0:
01:55]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:08:40]} 18. g3 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Bc7 {[%emt 0:11:47]} 19.
Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qe8 {[%emt 0:01:50]} 20. Bf1 {[%emt 0:18:02]} Rb8 {
[%emt 0:12:14]} 21. Qc3 {[%emt 0:06:21]} Bd8 {[%emt 0:06:53]} 22. Nxa6 {
[%emt 0:05:34]} bxa6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 23. Qxc6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Qxc6 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} 24. Rxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rxb2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 25. Be1 {[%emt 0:00:08]
} Be7 {[%emt 0:01:58]} 26. Rxa6 {[%emt 0:10:32]} Rab7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 27. Rc6
{[%emt 0:00:17]} Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 28. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxc1 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 29. Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bxa3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 30. Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:07]
} Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:
00:06]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 5. d3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:07]} 6. h3
{[%emt 0:00:04]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 7. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} 8. Re1 {[%emt 0:01:29]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 9. c3 {[%emt 0:04:20]} (9.
Nbd2 f6 10. Nb3 Bb6 11. d4 Bf7 12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 fxe5 14. Bxd5 Bxd5 15.
Be3 c6 16. Qe2 Qh4 17. Nd2 Rf6 18. Qg4 Qxg4 19. hxg4 Ba5 20. a3 Bxd2 21. Bxd2
e4 22. Be3 a5 23. a4 h6 24. Reb1 Rg6 25. b4 axb4 26. Rxb4 c5 27. Bxc5 Rxg4 28.
Be3 Rg6 29. a5 Rc8 30. Rd1 Rc4 31. Rxc4 Bxc4 32. Rd7 Ba6 33. Bd4 Rg5 34. c4
Bxc4 35. Rxb7 e3 36. Bxe3 Rxg2+ 37. Kxg2 Bd5+ 38. Kg3 Bxb7 {Van Foreest,J 
(2578)-Bachmann,A (2642) Teplice 2016 1/2-1/2}) 9... Bb6 {[%emt 0:04:09]} 10.
Bb3 {[%emt 0:08:40]} f6 {[%emt 0:13:31]} 11. d4 {[%emt 0:09:21]} Bf7 {[%emt 0:
00:26]} 12. dxe5 {[%emt 0:08:39]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 13. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:02:
59]} Bxd5 {[%emt 0:03:42]} 14. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} fxe5 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 15.
Be3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:08:05]} 16. Nd2 {[%emt 0:01:38]} Qf6 {
[%emt 0:04:18]} 17. Qe2 {[%emt 0:02:22]} Qg6 {[%emt 0:02:13]} 18. f3 {[%emt 0:
02:35]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:02:57]} 19. Bxb6 {[%emt 0:03:36]} axb6 {[%emt 0:02:32]}
20. Ne4 {[%emt 0:02:03]} Rf4 {[%emt 0:03:37]} 21. Rad1 {[%emt 0:02:03]} Rdf8 {
[%emt 0:04:24]} 22. Qc4+ {[%emt 0:01:25]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:01:25]} 23. Kh2 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} h6 {[%emt 0:01:22]} 24. Rd2 {[%emt 0:01:15]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:02:
03]} 25. Qd3 {[%emt 0:03:52]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:16:12]} 26. Rde2 {[%emt 0:04:52]}
Qe6 {[%emt 0:13:26]} 27. b3 {[%emt 0:03:33]} R4f7 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 28. Qe3 {
[%emt 0:10:48]} Re7 {[%emt 0:02:25]} 29. Qf2 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:12:
22]} 30. Re3 {[%emt 0:03:45]} Qa5 {[%emt 0:01:20]} 31. Qb2 {[%emt 0:02:09]}
Rfe8 {[%emt 0:03:15]} 32. c4 {[%emt 0:03:39]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:07:39]} 33. Nc3 {
[%emt 0:08:38]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 34. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Re6 {[%emt 0:00:
40]} 35. Rd1 {[%emt 0:03:25]} Bc8 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 36. b4 {[%emt 0:01:12]} Qa8
{[%emt 0:00:21]} 37. Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:53]} R8e7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 38. Red3 {
[%emt 0:02:06]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 39. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Ree7 {[%emt 0:00:
29]} 40. Qf2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qb8 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 41. Qxb6 {[%emt 0:03:00]} e4
{[%emt 0:00:50]} 42. fxe4 {[%emt 0:01:13]} Rxe4 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 43. Qf2 {
[%emt 0:04:08]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:01:28]} 44. Qg3 {[%emt 0:04:14]} Ree7 {[%emt 0:00:
15]} 45. c5 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 46. Nf5 {[%emt 0:04:12]}
Qxg3+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} 47. Rxg3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rf7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 48. Nxh6+
{[%emt 0:00:10]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:02:15]} 49. Nxf7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rxd1 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 50. Re3 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 51. Nd6 {[%emt 0:02:05]}
Bb1 {[%emt 0:01:33]} 52. a4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Bc2 {[%emt 0:03:31]} 53. a5 {
[%emt 0:02:24]} Rb1 {[%emt 0:01:16]} 54. Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Bb3 {[%emt 0:02:
34]} 55. Nxb7 {[%emt 0:01:03]} Bd5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 56. a6 {[%emt 0:00:23]}
Rxb4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 57. Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 58. h4 {
[%emt 0:00:47]} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{In the previous round against Karjakin I played, as we say in my country,
"like a tropical ram" and had to accept defeat, whereas Giri with the help of
some of his trademark magic was drawing against Carlsen.  In der vorherigen
Runde spielte ich gegen Karjakin, wie man es bei uns sagt, "wie ein tropischer
Widder" und musste eine Niederlage einstecken, während Giri seinerseits mit
Hilfe seiner Zauberfähigkeiten gegen Carlsen remisierte.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6
3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 {It has been a long time since I used the Catalan in a
tournament game and I thought it was a good idea to start the new year with
the old song. Katalanisch habe ich in Turnierpartien bereits seit langem nicht
mehr angewendet, und dachte mir nun, dass es eine gute Idee sei, das neue Jahr
mit dem alten Lied anzufangen.} Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 {In chess one quite often
discovers beauty in everyday things. I can well imagine the satisfaction of
the first person to understand that the bishop which has been developed to d2
was worse placed there than on its original square.  Im Schach kann man
Schönheit ziemlich oft auch in gewöhnlichen Sachen entdecken. Ich kann mir
gut vorstellen, welche Genugtuung derjenige verspürte, der als Erster begriff,
dass der nach d2 entwickelte Läufer dort schlechter steht als auf seinem
Geburtsfeld.} 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 ({In the second round against me Wei Yi
decided to play In der zweiten Runde entschied sich Wei Yi gegen mich für} 
7... Nbd7 {and after und nach} 8. a4 a5 9. Qc2 c6 10. Rc1 {and the position
which arose was not typical of the Catalan Opening. There, as we shall soon
see, just as in the present encounter I tried to prevent Bc8-b7, so that Black
plays f7-f5 and the game takes on characteristics of the Stonewall. entstand
eine für die Katalanische Eröffnung untypische Position. Dort, genauso (wie
wir es bald sehen werden) wie in der aktuellen Begegnung, versuchte ich Bc8-b7
zu verhindern, damit Schwarz f7-f5 spielt und die Partie "Stonewallumrisse"
bekommt.}) 8. Na3 {Last summer I showed this idea to my good friend Boris
Gelfand when he was visiting me in San Sebastian. As I remember, the master of
opening revelations was not particularly enthusiastic about my "oddball" idea.
In fact the knight is developed to a square on which its only prospects are to
return and go to a point where it will be more or less involved in the play 
(that means - to d2 or c3). On the other hand, with this transformation of his
steed into a donkey, White completes certain global tasks: thanks to the
subsequent rapid development of the rook to c1 the c4-pawn is protected; in
the event of Bc8-b7 play becomes concrete, which happens more rarely in the 8.
Qc2 or 8.Bf4 lines. Be that as it may: despite its success on its first outing
it is only future games which will show the true worth of the move 8.Na3. Im
letzten Sommer zeigte ich diese Idee meinem guten Freund Boris Gelfand, als er
bei mir in San Sebastian zu Besuch war. Wie ich mich erinnere, war der Meister
der Eröffnungsoffenbarungen von meiner etwas "krummen" Idee nicht sonderlich
begeistert. In der Tat, der Springer wird auf ein Feld entwickelt, auf dem er
keine anderen Perspektiven hat, als zurückzukehren und dorthin zu gehen, wo
er am Spiel mehr oder weniger beteiligt sein wird (das heißt - nach d2 oder
c3). Andererseits erfüllt Weiß mit dieser Verwandlung seines Rosses in einen
Esel einige globale Aufgaben: Dank der nachfolgenden schnellen Entwicklung des
Turmes nach c1 wird der Bauer c4 gedeckt; im Falle von Bc8-b7 wird das Spiel
konkret, was in den Varianten 8.Qc2 oder 8.Bf4 seltener vorkommt. Wie dem auch
sei: Trotz der gelungenen Premiere können nur die zukünftigen Partien den
wahren Wert des Zuges 8.Na3 zeigen.} Nbd7 {This is a typical, but not the
critical, continuation. Das ist eine typische, aber nicht die kritische
Fortsetzung.} ({I was mainly paying attention to the position after Mein
Hauptaugenmerk richtete ich auf die Stellung nach} 8... b6 {, which, as I said,
would give rise to really concrete play. , was, wie gesagt, zu einem recht
konkreten Spiel führen würde.}) ({And Nicht schlecht ist} 8... Na6 {is not
bad, intending after mit der Idee, nach} 9. Rc1 Ne4 {to prepare the sortie
Nc6-b4. den Ausfall Nc6-b4 vorzubereiten.}) 9. Rc1 Ne4 (9... b6 {was still
possible, but now looked somewhat less logical than on the previous move. war
immer noch möglich, sah aber jetzt etwas weniger logisch aus, als im
vorherigen Zug.}) 10. Be3 {Black's setup suggests that he will follow up with
f7-f5. For that reason it would not be particularly clever to develop this
bishop to f4, because then the typical thrust g7-g5 would be played with gain
of tempo. Giving up the dark-squared bishops for the opposing knights is
anti-positional for positions of this sort; on the other hand, the bishop
would be too passively placed on e1. Then it will have to got to e3 and wait
to see what fate has in store for it. Der Aufbau des Schwarzen spricht dafür,
dass er f7-f5 folgen lässt. Aus diesem Grund wäre es nicht besonders klug,
diesen Läufer nach f4 zu entwickeln, weil dann der typischer Vorstoß g7-g5
mit Tempogewinn verbunden wäre. Die schwarzfeldrigen Läufer für die
gegnerischen Springer zu geben, ist für diese Stellungsart anti-positionell,
andererseits stünde der Läufer auf e1 zu passiv. Na gut, dann soll er halt
auf e3 stehen und auf den Ruf seines Schicksals warten.} Bxa3 {An unfortunate
decision. Black exchanges his good bishop for a passive piece and is left with
a bad bishop on c8 - this plan is too original and (as often happens) is
refuted in a natural manner. Eine unglückliche Entscheidung. Schwarz tauscht
seinen guten Läufer gegen eine passive Figur und verbleibt mit einem
schlechten Läufer auf c8 - diese Vorgehensweise ist zu originell und (wie es
auch oft geschieht) wird auf eine natürliche Art und Weise widerlegt.} ({
The natural Das natürliche} 10... f5 {led to a slow moving game in which both
sides would find themselves manoeuvring. führte zu einem zähfließenden
Spiel, bei dem für beide Seiten Lavieren angesagt wäre.}) 11. bxa3 Nd6 12. c5
({The idea of freeing the Bc8 with Den Bc8 mit eigenen Händen durch} 12. cxd5
exd5 {off my own bat. zu befreien}) ({or after oder mit} 12. Nd2 {of allowing
my opponent to swap off the Be3 by dem Gegner zu erlauben, den Be3 mittels} Nf5
{was not really my cup of tea. abzutauschen, gehört nicht zu meinen
Prinzipien.}) 12... Nc4 {There is nothing left for Black to do other than
continue the plan he started with 10...Bxa3. Dem Schwarzen bleibt nichts
anderes übrig, als den mit 10...Bxa3 angefangenen Plan fortzusetzen.} ({
In the event of Im Falle von} 12... Nf5 13. Bf4 {White has a big advantage
because the second player cannot develop his queenside forces and above all
the Bc8, without it costing him material. hat Weiß großen Vorteil, weil der
Nachziehende die Kräfte seines Damenflügels, und in erster Linie den Bc8,
nicht entwickeln kann, ohne dabei Material zu verlieren.}) 13. Rxc4 {The
simplest continuation. I had taken note that after a future 14.Qc2 Black gets
development problems and then did not bother to take a closer look at the
remarkable alternative 13.Bf4. Die einfachste Fortsetzung. Ich hatte
registriert, dass nach dem weiteren 14.Qc2 Schwarz Entwicklungsprobleme
bekommt, und habe dann darauf verzichtet, mir die bemerkenswerte Alternative
13.Bf4 näher anzuschauen.} dxc4 14. Qc2 {With this move Whte gains a tempo -
the opponent cannot allow the move Nf3-g5, which would lead to disharmony in
the black position (g7-g6 would then weaken the king, whilst after Nd7-f6 the
advance e6-e5 would no longer be possible). Mit diesem Zug gewinnt Weiß ein
Tempo - den Zug Nf3-g5, der zur Disharmonie in der schwarzen Stellung führen
würde (g7-g6 würde dann den König schwächen, während nach Nd7-f6 der
Vorstoß e6-e5 nicht mehr möglich wäre) darf der Gegner nicht erlauben.} h6
15. Qxc4 ({By means of Mittels} 15. Nd2 {I could have brought my knight to d6,
but I decided in such a splendid position to play simply and quickly. hätte
ich meinen Springer nach d6 bringen können, aber ich beschloss, in so einer
herrlichen Stellung schlicht und schnell zu spielen.}) 15... b6 {The decisive
mistake - there is no way Black should allow the transfer of the Be3 to d6.
Der entscheidende Fehler - die Überführung des Be3 nach d6 durfte Schwarz
keinesfalls erlauben.} ({The only possible way of staying in the game was Die
einzige Möglichkeit, im Spiel zu bleiben bestand in} 15... e5 {, although
then too after , obwohl Weiß auch dann nach} 16. dxe5 Qe7 17. Qc3 Re8 18. Rd1
{White has the better chances. über die besseren Chancen verfügt.}) 16. Bf4 {
The bishop on d6 will be worth at least a rook and a pawn. Der Läufer auf d6
wird mindestens einen Turm und einen Bauern wert sein.} Re8 17. Bd6 Bb7 18. Ne5
{After the exchange of knights Black can abandon all hopes of any activity; in
addition, he also then gets problems with the defence of his king. Nach dem
Springertausch kann Schwarz alle Hoffnungen auf Aktivität aufgeben, außerdem
bekommt er danach Probleme mit der Verteidigung seines Königs.} bxc5 ({
After Nach} 18... Nxe5 19. dxe5 {it is difficult for Black to come up with
anything against the plan of Be4, f4-f5. ist es für Schwarz schwierig, dem
Plan Be4, f4-f5 etwas entgegenzusetzen.}) 19. dxc5 ({The variation Die Variante
} 19. Nxd7 cxd4 20. Nc5 Qxd6 21. Nxb7 {winning material did not attract me
because Black would then gain hopes of becoming active. mit materiellen
Eroberungen hat mich nicht angezogen, weil Schwarz dann Hoffnungen bekäme,
aktiv zu werden.}) 19... Nxe5 20. Bxe5 {After the opening of the files Black
has even more worries than previously. On account of the potential
vulnerability of his king and the weakness of the c6-pawn he has no time to
activate the Bb7. Nach dem Öffnen der Linien hat Schwarz noch mehr Sorgen,
als zuvor. Wegen der potentiellen Anfälligkeit seines Königs und der
Schwäche des Bauern c6 hat er keine Zeit, den Bb7 zu aktivieren.} a5 21. Rb1
Ra7 ({After Nach} 21... Ba6 22. Qc2 Qd7 23. a4 {it becomes quite clear that
the freedom of the black bishop is in reality illusory. wird ganz klar, dass
die Freiheit des schwarzen Läufers in Wirklichkeit illusorisch ist.}) 22. Qc3
{The simplest. On account of the weakened position of his king it is difficult
for Black to coordinate his pieces. Das einfachste. Wegen der geschwächten
Position seines Königs ist es für Schwarz schwierig, die Figuren zu
koordinieren.} f6 23. Bd6 Ba8 24. Be4 {As one of the classics once wrote,
"with inevitable further progress". Wie jemand von den Klassikern schrieb,
"mit unvermeidlichem weiteren Progress".} f5 25. Bc2 {White prepares e2-e4 in
order to open the diagonal for the Bc2. Weiß bereitet e2-e4 vor, um die
Diagonalen für den Bc2 zu öffnen.} Rb7 ({After Auf} 25... Rd7 {the plan was
war} 26. Rb8 Qxb8 27. Bxb8 Rxb8 28. Qe5 Re8 29. Bxf5 Rd5 30. Bxe6+ Kh8 31. Qc7
{. geplant.}) 26. Rd1 {This rook will be of good use for the attack. Diesen
Turm wird man beim Angriff noch gut gebrauchen.} Rd7 27. e4 Qf6 28. Qc4 {
I decided to maintain the tension rather than hurry to gain material. Ich habe
mich entschieden, die Spannung aufrechtzuerhalten, statt mich mit
Materialgewinn zu beeilen.} Kh8 29. Re1 Qf7 30. Qd3 f4 {Anish did not feel
like being torutred any longer and now tries to fish in troubled waters. Anish
hatte keine Lust mehr, seine Qualen weiter zu leiden, und versucht nun, im
Trüben zu fischen.} ({I suspect that the specialists in fortress construction
would instead with imperturbable calm play Ich vermute, die Spezialisten im
Festungsbau würden stattdessen mit unerschütterlicher Seelenruhe} 30... Rdd8
{and wait to see what further action White would take. ziehen und auf weitere
Handlungen von Weiß warten.}) 31. gxf4 e5 32. Qh3 {One of the safest ways to
win. Because his rook on d7 is hanging, Black loses material. Einer der
sichersten Gewinnwege. Aufgrund der "hängenden" Lage der Turmes d7 verliert
Schwarz Material.} Rxd6 (32... exf4 33. e5 {looked just as dismal for Black.
sah für Schwarz genauso traurig aus.}) 33. cxd6 Qg6+ ({It would have been a
little more resilient to play Ein klein wenig hartnäckiger wäre} 33... Qxf4)
34. Qg3 Qxd6 35. Rd1 {The e5-pawn cannot be held. Der Bauer e5 lässt sich
nicht halten.} Qc5 {This hastens the end. Beschleunigt das Ende.} ({But the
ending after Aber auch das Endspiel nach} 35... exf4 {would also be hopeless
for Black. wäre für Schwarz hoffnungslos.}) 36. Rd7 Rg8 37. Bb3 exf4 38. Qg6
f3 39. h4 Qc3 40. Bxg8 {It is always pleasant to let your king take a walk
among friends. Es ist immer angenehm, dem eigenen König einen Spaziergang im
Freundeskreis zu gönnen.} Qe1+ 41. Kh2 Qxf2+ 42. Kh3 Qf1+ 43. Kg4 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 3. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. Bg5 {[%emt 0:02:30]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 6. e4 {
[%emt 0:01:58]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 7. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:03:50]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:
15]} 8. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Bxc3+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
Qa5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 10. Bb5+ {[%emt 0:00:22]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 11. Bxf6 {
[%emt 0:07:20]} Qxc3+ {[%emt 0:00:20]} 12. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:08]} gxf6 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 13. h4 {[%emt 0:15:34]} Qb4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 14. Rh3 {[%emt 0:08:38]}
a6 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 15. Be2 {[%emt 0:02:51]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 16. Rb1 {
[%emt 0:08:02]} Qd6 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 17. Qd2 {[%emt 0:06:53]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:03:
15]} 18. Rxb7 {[%emt 0:03:42]} Bb5 {[%emt 0:04:58]} 19. Rc3 $146 {[%emt 0:06:
50]} (19. Rb3 Rc8 20. Bxb5+ axb5 21. Qb4 Qxb4 22. Rxb4 O-O 23. R7xb5 Rfd8 24.
Ke2 Kg7 25. Ra4 Ra8 26. Rbb4 Rdb8 27. Nb3 Rxb4 28. Rxb4 Rxa2+ 29. Nd2 Kg6 30.
g3 h5 31. Rd4 f5 32. exf5+ Kxf5 33. Rf4+ Kg6 34. Rd4 Kf5 35. Rf4+ Kg6 36. Rd4 {
1/2-1/2 (36) Giri,A (2773)-Aronian,L (2780) Stavanger 2015}) 19... Rd8 {
[%emt 0:08:40]} 20. Nf3 {[%emt 0:10:03]} Qxd2 {[%emt 0:03:58]} 21. Bxb5+ {
[%emt 0:00:07]} axb5 {[%emt 0:01:33]} 22. Nxd2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} O-O {[%emt 0:
00:12]} 23. Nf3 {[%emt 0:03:54]} Nxf3 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 24. Rxf3 {[%emt 0:00:30]
} Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 25. Rg3+ {[%emt 0:06:41]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 26. Rxb8
{[%emt 0:03:21]} Rxb8 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 27. Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:
06:22]} 28. Rxb5 {[%emt 0:01:50]} Rxa2 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 29. Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:05]
} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 30. g3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 31. Kg2 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 32. exf5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rxf5 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} 33. g4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 34. Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} h6 {
[%emt 0:00:18]} 35. Rc4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rb5 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 36. Rd4 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 37. Rc4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rb5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 38.
Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E18"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 {Aside from the first round game against Eljanov
Rapport has been very solid with his opening choices for Black in this
tournament.} 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 ({In the previous game Richard went for} 5...
Bb4+ {and held Anish Giri to a draw!}) 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Bd2 Bf6 9. Be1
$5 {A very interesting choice. Aronian decides to avoid the closed formations
characteristic of this line, and, instead, invites a more typical QID game
even gifting Black a tempo in some lines.} ({Obviously Levon studied
So-Rapport from Round 3, the game that could have been Richard's great victory
if it wasn't for a few errors toward the end. It went} 9. Rc1 Nxd2 10. Qxd2 d6
11. d5 e5 {In the resulting closed position Wesley claimed his spatial
advantage, but, remarkably, Rapport didn't seem to mind his "bad" dark-squared
bishop. In fact he used it to invade the c1-square not once but twice!}) 9...
Re8 $6 {The purpose of this move remains unclear to me.} ({Since White doesn't
have his rook to support c3 the most logical reply appears to be} 9... c5 {
Indeed, it was played in Sokolov-Salov, 1996 and even earlier in
Timoschenko-Naumkin, 1988. Neither game showed White getting anything out of
the opening. I wonder if Levon in that case planned to take a strategic risk
and continue} 10. d5 $5 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 exd5 12. cxd5) ({Another type of play
may arise after} 9... d5 10. Qc2 c5 {which is similar to the game continuation,
but offers Black a tempo for counterplay.}) 10. Qc2 d5 $2 {Black practically
begs White to play the most natural moves and take over the game.} (10... Nxc3
11. Bxc3 d6 12. e4 e5 13. d5 {is Rapport's favorite formation, so why didn't
he go for it?}) 11. Nxe4 $1 dxe4 12. Nd2 Bxd4 ({Understandably Rapport didn't
trust} 12... Qxd4 {because after} 13. Nxe4 {he'd have to play the unsightly
move} Bc6 {Indeed, White gets a lot of play with simple means:} 14. Bc3 ({
Also possible is} 14. Rb1 a5 15. b3 {preparing Bc3.}) 14... Qxc4 15. Nxf6+ gxf6
16. b3 Qc5 17. e4 Nd7 18. Rfc1) 13. Rd1 Qc8 ({Let's see if Black could keep
his queen a little closer to the kingside:} 13... Qe7 14. Nxe4 Nc6 15. e3 Bf6 (
15... Be5 16. f4 Bd6 {is very awkward for Black, and White would go on with}
17. Ng5) 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. Bc3 Qg6 18. Qa4 Na5 {This means giving up a pawn
for no compensation at all, just some practical chances to escape to a draw in
some rook endgame. Computers don't like this strategy, but the best human
players relied on it for for decades and it worked in some percentage of cases.
Today it's called "suffering", but the only alternative to it is to lose the
game quickly, which is pretty much what happened in this game. From a certain
philisophical point cutting one's losses and hitting the restart button
tomorrow is the right approach, but there are others who take the path of
maximum resistance however hopeless it seems.}) 14. Nxe4 Bc5 15. Ng5 $5 {
Every good player welcomes a chance to attack the king rather than deal with a
routine technical task. OK, maybe Magnus is an exception, but he's rumoured to
be from another planet anyway.} ({It is remarkable how Aronian rejects a safe
advantage promised by} 15. Nxc5 bxc5 16. Be4 h6 17. f3 {etc.}) 15... f5 16.
Bxb7 Qxb7 17. Bc3 Bf8 (17... h6 18. Nxe6 Rxe6 19. Rd8+ Bf8 20. Qxf5 {is not so
difficult to see.}) 18. e4 $1 h6 19. exf5 $1 {This one is quite a bit harder,
as White would need to bring up to speed the rest of his pieces. Levon
correctly judged he'd have the time for it.} hxg5 (19... exf5 20. Rfe1 $1 {
Every move just brings another white piece into action, and Black is always on
the back foot.} Rxe1+ (20... Na6 21. Ne6 {requires no calculation.}) 21. Rxe1
hxg5 22. Qxf5 c6 (22... c5 23. Re8 Qf7 24. Qe4 {is easier.}) 23. Re8 Qf7 24.
Qc8 {The back rank pin will keep Black paralysed until White is ready with the
mop-up plan of Bd2xg5-e7 etc.}) 20. f6 c5 ({In this case as well as in the
previous note} 20... c6 {appears slightly more resilient. Still,} 21. f4 g4 22.
fxg7 Bc5+ (22... Bxg7 23. Qg6 Qf7 24. Qxg4) 23. Kh1 Bb4 24. f5 {should bring
the point home.}) 21. f4 $1 g4 22. f5 {Blowing it wide open. The game is truly
over.} gxf6 23. fxe6 Qh7 24. Qg2 Na6 25. Rd7 Qh5 26. Rxf6 Rad8 27. Rxf8+ Kxf8
28. Qf1+ {One of those game the young player has to lose once and only once
and never again!} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D19"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. O-O
O-O 9. Qe2 Nbd7 10. e4 Bg6 11. Bd3 Bh5 12. e5 {BY classical standards defining
the central situation now is slightly premature.} ({The old main line (which
still remains valid) goes} 12. Bf4 Re8 {[%cal Ge6e5] Threatening ...e6-e5.} 13.
e5 Nd5 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15. Qe3 {Optically this looks more harmonious than the
modern continuation played in the game, but White has a very concrete idea in
mind about how to use his undeveloped bishop.}) 12... Nd5 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. Qe3
Re8 {This is connected with two possible ideas. Black could meet Ng5 with
either ...Nf8 or ...Bg6 and if Bxg6 then ...fxg6.} ({The main alternative is} 
14... Be7 {also directed against Ng5 and covered by several commentators:} 15.
Ng5 (15. Bd2 Nb8 16. Ne1 (16. a5 a6 17. Rfc1 Nc6 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2715)
-Wang,H (2731) Wijk aan Zee 2011 CBM 141 [Postny,E] (½-½, 37)}) 16... Bg6 17.
f4 Nc6 {Sasikiran,K (2681)-Wang,Y (2709) Ningbo 2011 CBM 144 [Ftacnik,L] (0-1,
47)}) 15... Bxg5 16. Qxg5 Bg6 17. Be2 (17. Bxg6 fxg6 18. a5 Nb8 19. Qxd8 Rxd8
20. Be3 Rc8 21. Rfc1 Nc6 {L'Ami,E (2606)-Bailet,P (2496) Cappelle-la-Grande
2015 EXT 2016 [RR] (½-½, 31)}) 17... Nb8 (17... Qxg5 18. Bxg5 Nb8 19. a5 Nc6
20. Be3 {Cheparinov,I (2696)-Akopian,V (2679) Elista 2008 CBM 128 [Postny,E] 
(1-0, 59)}) 18. Qxd8 Rxd8 19. Bd2 Nc6 20. Bc3 Rac8 (20... f6 21. f4 {
Harikrishna,P (2659)-Bu,X (2714) China 2008 EXT 2017 [Avrukh,B/Primel,D] 
(½-½, 70)}) 21. a5 a6 22. h4 h5 {Gajewski,G (2568)-Miton,K (2629) Katowice
2010 EXT 2016 [RR] (½-½, 31)}) ({The need to deal with the threat Ng5 was
revealed in an old game of one of the greatest ever Slav specialists:} 14...
Qe7 $2 15. Ng5 h6 16. Qh3 g6 17. g4 $18 {Gligoric,S-Smyslov,V Kiev 1959 MCL 
[Notkin] (1-0, 31)}) 15. Bd2 {This is one of the main ideas of White's system.
White immediately starts the fight against the blockade on b4.} ({White could
also start using his knight for this purpose, which also causes Black some
micro problems:} 15. Ne1 Bg6 16. Bxg6 hxg6 17. Nd3 Qb6 (17... Be7 {Berry,N 
(2225)-Collins,S (2490) Lisbon 2014 (½-½, 41)}) 18. Nxb4 Qxb4 19. b3 Rac8 20.
Ba3 Qc3 21. Rac1 Qxe3 22. fxe3 f6 23. Bd6 a5 (23... g5 24. h3 {Anand,V (2783)
-Kramnik,V (2772) Bonn 2008 CBM 127 [Rogozenco,D] (½-½, 37)}) 24. Bc7 fxe5
25. dxe5 b6 26. Rc3 {Ivanchuk,V (2779)-Anand,V (2791) Linares 2009 CBM 129 
[Rogozenco,D] (½-½, 65)}) (15. Ng5 Bg6 (15... Nf8 16. Nxh7 Nxh7 17. Bxh7+
Kxh7 18. Qh3 g6 19. g4 Rh8 20. gxh5 Kg8 21. h6 Be7 22. Qg4 {Borovikov,V (2558)
-Mirzoev,A (2519) Hyderabad 2013 (1-0, 37)}) 16. Bxg6 fxg6 17. Qd3 Qb6 18. Be3
Rac8 19. h4 Nf8 {L'Ami,E (2614)-Nyback,T (2608) Germany 2015 (½-½, 75)})
15... Qa5 (15... Qe7 {may simply transpose.} 16. Bxb4 ({Actually White could
more or less force a transposition to the game with} 16. Ne1) 16... Qxb4 17.
Qd2 Qe7 {This may be a small concession.} (17... Qxd2 {transposes to the main
game.}) 18. Ne1 Rac8 19. Nc2 Bg6 20. Bxg6 fxg6 21. Rfc1 Rc7 22. Na3 Rxc1+ 23.
Rxc1 Nb8 24. Nb5 Nc6 25. Nd6 Rf8 26. g3 {L'Ami,E (2605)-Brunello,S (2540)
Reykjavik 2015 CBM 166 [Sagar Shah] (1-0, 60), With a lasting endgame
advantage.}) (15... Be7 {looks a bit passive.} 16. Rfc1 a6 17. Ng5 {Kramnik,V 
(2790)-Aronian,L (2783) Shanghai 2010 CBM 138 [CB] (½-½, 38)}) 16. Qe1 Bxd2
17. Qxd2 Qxd2 ({Just as ...Bb4-e7 above, this looks like a counter-developing
move.} 17... Qd8 18. Ng5 Bg6 19. Bxg6 (19. Be2 Nb8 20. a5 Nc6 21. f4 Rc8 {
Kasimdzhanov,R (2700)-Nyback,T (2591) Tromsoe 2014 (½-½, 48)}) 19... fxg6 20.
f4 Rc8 21. Rac1 Qb6 22. a5 {Aronian,L (2805)-Nakamura,H (2787) Saint Louis
2014 CBM 162 [Finegold,B] (½-½, 40)}) 18. Nxd2 {The centre is blocked, Black
has exchanged two minor pieces, thus solving his problems of coordination, his
bishop is outside the pawn chain and yet White retains (at least) a symbolic
advantage. Space is an important factor, of course, and the black bishop is
not completely absolved of the danger of becoming "bad" yet. Besides, Black
needs some time for recycling his knight.} Nb8 19. Rfc1 $146 {This is more
natural than the rather contorted way of defending d4:} (19. a5 Nc6 20. Ra4
Rec8 21. Rc1 Ne7 22. Raa1 Nc6 23. Ra4 Ne7 24. Raa1 Nc6 {½-½ Roiz,M (2605)
-Radjabov,T (2696) Novi Sad 2016}) 19... Nc6 20. Bb5 {The knight just arrived
on c6 and White puts it under pressure immediately.} Reb8 {Black obstinately
takes measures against the exchange on c6, preparing his counterplay along the
b-file. But if White refrains from Bxc6 the rooks will look weird on a8 and b8.
} ({The complications ensuing after} 20... Nxd4 $6 {favour White:} 21. Bxe8
Ne2+ 22. Kf1 Nxc1 23. Bxf7+ Bxf7 24. Rxc1 Be8 {Hoping to gain a tempo for
defending the c-file with ...Bc6.} 25. Rc7 Bxa4 26. Rxb7 $14 {White's rook is
more active and Black's king is more vulnerable. The d-pawn only partly
compensates for these minuses.}) ({But the natural} 20... Rec8 {may be better.}
21. Bxc6 ({If} 21. Nb3 {Black can already start neutralising the pressure
along the c-file with} Ne7 {The knight not only allows general exchanges along
the c-file but is also ready to go to f5 if the b3-knight abandons the defence
of the d4-pawn.}) 21... Rxc6 (21... bxc6 {may offer White a small plus:} 22. b4
Bg6 23. Ra3 Rab8 24. Rb3 {[%csl Gc5,Gc6]}) 22. Rxc6 bxc6 23. Ra3 {Preparing to
meet ...Rb8 with Rb3, when the rook exchange would yield a stable advantage
with a good knight against an already bad bishop.} ({If} 23. b4 Rb8 24. Rb1 {
White does not have a second rook to increase the pressure with Rc5-a5.}) 23...
Bd1 24. f3 Rb8 25. Ra1 Bb3 (25... Bc2 26. b3 $1 {soon forces the bishop into
retreating passively.}) 26. a5 g5 {and it is not obvious how White could make
progress.}) 21. Nb3 (21. Bxc6 $6 bxc6 22. b3 Rb4 $15 {[%csl Gd4]}) 21... a6 {
Aronian intends freeing the b8-rook in order to prepare ...f7-f6. Actually
White does not threaten much on the queenside, as his knight is immobile and
Bxc6 is not really a threat. Therefore he could have also considered a static
approach.} (21... g5 22. Rc3 Bg6 23. Rd1 Kg7 24. Nc5 Ne7 25. f4 g4 26. Be2 h5 {
True it is not easy deciding upon such a variation where only White can try.})
22. Bf1 (22. Bxc6 bxc6 23. Nc5 Rb4 $1 {[%csl Gd4]} ({Black does not need to
fall into the trap} 23... Rxb2 $6 24. Rcb1 {[%csl Ga6]} Rxb1+ (24... Rd2 25.
Nxa6 Rxd4 26. Nc7 {[%cal Ga4a5]}) 25. Rxb1 {with serious problems for Black.}))
22... Rf8 {Black prepares the thematic break but this will not solve all his
problems as he will still have two pawns blocked on light squares. But there
is no clear way to complete equality.} (22... Rc8 23. Rc3 Ne7 24. Rac1 Rxc3 25.
Rxc3 $14 Rc8 $2 26. Rxc8+ Nxc8 27. Nc5 $18) (22... f6 23. exf6 gxf6 24. Rc3 Re8
25. f3 Re7 26. Rd1 Bf7 27. f4 $14) 23. f3 f6 24. exf6 Rxf6 25. Rc3 g5 {Black
takes measures against White's kingside expansion, but there was no hurry with
it.} ({The multi purpose move} 25... Be8 $5 {deserves attention. Black over
defends the knight avoiding the Nxa6 issue and prepares to attack a4.} 26. a5 (
{If} 26. Rd1 b6 {followed at some point by ...Ne7 or ...Nb4.}) 26... Rc8 27. h4
Rc7 {[%cal Gc7e7] Black has many pawns blocked on light squares but White's
pawns on d4 and a5 need permanent care. It is far from clear if White can make
progress.}) 26. Rd1 Rf4 {Trying to keep the b3-knight immobile.} 27. Be2 $1 {
[%csl Gf3][%cal Gg2g3]} Bg6 28. g3 Rf7 29. Nc5 $14 {It has become clear now
that White has enduring pressure.} Re7 30. Rd2 {Wojtaszek treats the position
in the classical style, strengthening his position without taking concrete
actions yet.} (30. Nxa6 {would have led to interesting complications:} e5 (
30... Nxd4 $6 31. Rxd4 bxa6 32. a5 Rb8 33. b4 Reb7 34. Bxa6 Rxb4 35. Rxb4 Rxb4
36. Ra3 {is very dangerous for Black.}) 31. dxe5 d4 $1 32. Rxc6 $1 (32. Rc5 $2
d3 $17 {[%csl Ga6]}) (32. Bc4+ $2 Kh8 33. Rcc1 Nxe5 $17 {[%csl Ga6,Gf3]}) 32...
bxc6 33. Bc4+ Kg7 34. f4 Bf7 35. Bf1 gxf4 36. gxf4 Rb7 37. Rd2 Bd5 38. Bd3 $14
{[%csl Gc5,Ge5,Gf4] With great compensation for the exchange.}) 30... a5 31.
Bb5 Na7 32. Re2 ({Another interesting variation was} 32. Bd7 b6 $1 (32... Bf7
$2 {is too passive:} 33. Rb3 Rb8 34. Rb6 $16) 33. Bxe6+ Kh8 34. Bxd5 Rd8 35.
Be4 bxc5 36. Bxg6 hxg6 37. Rxc5 {White will have many pawns for the knight but
his structure is imperfect so Black should hold a draw.}) 32... Rc8 33. Rce3 b6
34. Nxe6 Nxb5 35. axb5 Rc1+ 36. Kf2 {Black's active rook and the weakness on
b5 should offer at least reasonable compensation for the pawn.} Rh1 (36... h6
37. h4 $1 gxh4 38. gxh4 $16 {[%cal Ge6f4]}) 37. Kg2 Rb1 $6 ({It would have
been better attacking d4, as this would retrict the knight's mobility.} 37...
Rd1 38. Re5 Bd3 39. Rxg5+ (39. R2e3 h6 40. Rxd5 Bc4 41. Rd8+ Kf7 42. Rf8+ Kg6
43. Nf4+ Kg7 44. Rxe7+ Kxf8 45. Ng6+ Kg8 {also looks close to a draw.}) 39...
Kf7 40. Nd8+ Ke8 41. Rxe7+ Kxe7 42. Nc6+ Kd6 43. Rh5 Bf1+ 44. Kf2 Bxb5 45. Rh6+
Kc7 46. Ne5 Rxd4 47. Rxh7+ Kd6 48. f4 Rd2+ 49. Kf3 Rxb2 {With very sharp play
where Black's chances are not worse since his a-pawn is fast.}) 38. Re5 {
Now this is stronger than in the line above.} Bd3 39. Rd2 Bf1+ (39... Bxb5 40.
Rxg5+ Kf7 41. Nf4) 40. Kf2 h6 {White has defended most of his pawns but
Aroni9an might have counted on winning the b5-pawn. But suddenly White starts
a kingside attack, not leaving Black the time to breathe.} 41. f4 $1 Bh3 (41...
gxf4 42. Nxf4 Rxe5 43. dxe5 Bc4 44. Kf3 Re1 45. Nxd5 Rxe5 46. Nc3 Bxb5 47. Rd6
$16) (41... Bxb5 42. fxg5 $16) 42. Nd8 Kf8 43. Rxe7 $6 {Exchanging the
centralised rook is a concession.} (43. Nc6 {would have consolidated White's
advantage:} Re8 44. Kf3 $5 $16 {[%cal Gg3g4,Rb1f1,Gd2f2]}) 43... Kxe7 44. Nc6+
Kf6 45. fxg5+ hxg5 $14 {Black has activated his play and is ready to restart
the attack against b5.} 46. Ne5 Bf1 47. Nd7+ {This grabs a pawn but causes
White to losing his coordination and more or less leads to a draw.} ({He could
have continued with his kingside attack, ofering better chances to keep some
pressure:} 47. Kf3 $5 Bxb5 48. Rf2 Kf5 (48... Rf1 $2 49. Rxf1 Bxf1 50. Nd7+ Kf5
51. Nxb6 $18 {Without rooks Black cannot generate counterplay anymore.}) 49.
Ke3+ Ke6 50. Nf7 g4 51. Nh6 Re1+ 52. Kf4 Re4+ 53. Kg5 Be2 {[%csl Gg4]} 54. Ng8
{Since the e2-bishop is hanging it is better to keep the enemy rook stuck on
e4 for one more move in order to activate the knight.} (54. Rf6+ Kd7 55. Rf4 a4
56. Rxe4 dxe4 57. Nxg4 Bxg4 58. Kxg4 b5 59. h4 b4 60. h5 a3 61. bxa3 bxa3 62.
h6 a2 63. h7 a1=Q 64. h8=Q Qd1+ {with a draw.}) 54... Bd1 55. Rf6+ Kd7 56. Rxb6
Rxd4 57. Nf6+ Kc7 58. Rb5 Kc6 59. Rxa5 Rd2 {Due to the reduced material on
board the most probable result is a draw.}) 47... Ke6 48. Nxb6 Bxb5 49. Rc2 a4
({Restricting the king with} 49... g4 {would have led to the same result, but
possibly in a simpler way:} 50. Nxd5 (50. Ke3 Re1+ 51. Kf4 Re4+ 52. Kg5 Rxd4
$11) 50... Kxd5 51. Rc5+ Kxd4 52. Rxb5 Rh1 53. Kg2 Rc1 54. Rxa5 Rc2+ 55. Kg1
Rc1+ {with an obvious draw.}) 50. Kf3 Be8 51. Re2+ Kf7 52. Nc8 Kf8 53. Rf2 (53.
Nd6 Bd7 $11) 53... Bh5+ 54. Ke3+ Kg7 55. Nd6 a3 $1 {Forcing a draw.} 56. bxa3 (
56. bxa3 Rb3+ 57. Kd2 Rb2+ 58. Ke3 Rb3+) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E81"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. Nc3 d6 6. Nge2 a6 (6... c5 {is the
most popular line.}) 7. Ng3 Nbd7 8. Be2 c6 9. O-O b5 10. Be3 Rb8 $146 {A
novelty by Van Wely.} (10... bxc4 $6 {looks dubious, as} 11. Bxc4 Rb8 12. Qe2
Qa5 13. a3 c5 14. dxc5 dxc5 15. Bf4 e5 16. Be3 Nb6 17. Ba2 $36 {Sakaev-Sepp,
Tallinn 2001, and White looks nicely placed.}) (10... e5 11. d5 (11. Qd2 {
(Zhukova-Golubev, Odessa 2006)} exd4 12. Bxd4 Nb6 $132 {with a double-edged
fight.}) 11... cxd5 12. cxd5 (12. Nxd5 $5) 12... h5 13. Nh1 h4 14. Nf2 Nh5 15.
Nd3 Ng3 $5 16. Re1 (16. hxg3 {is too dangerous,} hxg3 {followed by ...Qh4.})
16... f5 17. a4 fxe4 18. Nxe4 Nxe4 19. fxe4 $14 {Ibragimov-Kachiani Gersinska,
Fuerth 2001, and White is slightly better.}) 11. Rf2 $5 {A smart solution to
protect the b2-P.} Qc7 (11... bxc4 12. Bxc4 $14 {and White is comfortable.})
12. Rc1 b4 13. Na4 c5 14. d5 e6 15. b3 Re8 16. Qd2 exd5 17. cxd5 {This is a
Benoni structure, White has a space advantage and Black's P structure is not
flexible on the queenside. White's position is more tempting.} Nb6 (17... h5 $5
{is also a typical move.}) 18. Nxb6 Qxb6 19. Bh6 Bh8 {Usually Black wants to
hold on to the dark-squared Bs.} ({In the event of} 19... Bxh6 20. Qxh6 Bd7 21.
Bc4 $36 {and White is more comfortable.}) 20. h3 Bd7 21. Bc4 Bb5 22. Kh1 Qd8 (
22... Nd7 $5 {was the other option.}) 23. Bg5 Rb7 $6 {An inaccuracy, which
allows White's subsequent plan.} (23... Qb6 {was better to avoid the pin,} 24.
Qf4 Nd7 $13 {with a complicated position.}) 24. Qf4 $1 Qe7 25. Qh4 {White
redeploys his queen on the kingside, so he takes more pressure there.} Qe5 26.
Rd2 Bxc4 27. f4 $1 {A very strong intermediate move; the black queen is in
trouble.} Qxe4 $6 ({The engine suggests} 27... Qc3 $5 28. Rxc3 bxc3 29. Rc2 Bd3
30. Rxc3 Nxe4 31. Nxe4 Bxe4 32. Bf6 {and White is also better, but still this
was the best practical chance.}) 28. Nxe4 ({Probably} 28. bxc4 $1 {was
stronger, but in a practical game it is difficult to take the bishop instead
of the queen.} Qe7 29. Re2 Qd7 30. Bxf6 $18 {and White is a piece up.}) 28...
Nxe4 29. Re1 Bc3 $2 {The losing move!} (29... Bb5 {was the only chance, however
} 30. f5 $1 gxf5 31. g4 $16 {is also unpleasant for Black.}) 30. f5 $1 {
The strongest reply!} Bxd2 31. Bxd2 Bxd5 32. Rxe4 $1 {This is the point! After
this sacrifice, White has a mating attack on the dark squares.} Bxe4 33. Qf6
Bxg2+ 34. Kg1 $1 {A very nice victory by Aronian!} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Sumets,A"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bh5 ({Levon has played} 5... Bxf3
{several times.}) 6. Nc3 e6 7. g4 Bg6 8. Ne5 Nbd7 9. Nxg6 hxg6 10. a3 g5 (10...
Bd6 11. Bd2 a6 (11... Qe7 12. Qf3 g5 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Bd3 {1/2 (14) Roiz,M 
(2669)-Rublevsky,S (2684) Valjevo 2011} (14. Kb1 Kb8 15. Rc1 Bc7 16. Rc2 g6 17.
Bg2 a6 ({The computer recommends} 17... Nb6 $5 18. c5 Nc4 19. Bc1 e5 20. b3 Na5
$13 {It is not easy to evaluate correctly the ensuing position. Black's knight
on a5 is out of play, however it seems to me that White can't take advantage
of that fact.}) 18. Qe2 Nb6 19. c5 Nc8 20. f4 gxf4 21. exf4 $14 {Ivanchuk,V 
(2764) -Potkin,V (2642) Havana 2012 1/2 (42)}) 14... Kb8 15. Kb1 Nf8 16. e4
dxe4 17. Bxe4 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 f6 19. Ba5 $6 (19. Nxd6 Qxd6 20. h4 $1 $16) 19...
Re8 $14 {Levin,E (2512)-Zhurikhin,A (2308) St Petersburg 2013 1/2 (66)}) 12.
Bd3 b5 $6 13. c5 Bc7 14. f4 Ng8 15. Qf3 g5 16. O-O-O (16. fxg5 $5 Qxg5 17.
O-O-O Qf6 18. Qg2 $16) 16... gxf4 17. exf4 Qh4 18. Ne2 $16 {Ponomariov,R (2756)
-Morozevich, A (2739) Riga 2013 1-0 (47)}) 11. Bd2 g6 $146 {Acording to my
computer, this move is not worse than 11...Be7 and 11...Bd6, that were played
before.} (11... Be7 12. Qf3 Kf8 13. Rd1 Kg8 14. Bd3 Nb6 15. c5 Nbd7 (15... Nc4
$5 16. Bxc4 dxc4 17. O-O (17. e4 e5 $132) 17... b6 18. cxb6 axb6 19. e4 Qxd4
20. Bxg5 Qe5 $11) 16. Qg3 e5 17. dxe5 Nxc5 18. Bf5 Nfd7 19. b4 Ne6 (19... Nb3
$1 20. e6 Nxd2 21. Rxd2 Nb6 22. exf7+ Kxf7 $15) 20. Ne2 Nb6 21. O-O Nc4 $132 {
Tomashevsky,E (2710)-Eljanov,P (2683) Saratov 2011 1-0 (39)}) (11... Bd6 12.
Qf3 Qe7 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Kb1 Kb8 {White has many options.} 15. e4 (15. Qg2
Bc7 16. cxd5 exd5 17. Bd3 Nb6 18. Bc1 Nc8 19. f4 gxf4 20. exf4 Nd6 $11 {
Cheparinov,I (2678)-Potkin,V (2647) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013 1-0 (45)}) 15... dxe4
16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Qxe4 Qf6 18. Be3 Bf4 $11 {Inarkiev,E (2688)-Mamedyarov,S 
(2757) Sochi 2014 1/2 (47)}) 12. Qf3 a6 ({Black could have tried to put his
bishop on g7. In that case, after a possible move ...Nb6 White should think
twice if he wants to play c5 and b4, because it's obvious that after ...e5
Black will get a strong pressure on the d4-pawn.} 12... Bg7 13. cxd5 (13. O-O-O
Nb6 $1 14. c5 $6 Nbd7 15. Bg2 b6 16. cxb6 Qxb6 $40) (13. Bd3 Nb6 14. c5 Nbd7
15. Qg3 Qe7 (15... Qb8 $5) 16. O-O e5 17. Rae1 O-O $13) 13... exd5 14. Bd3 Nf8
15. O-O-O Ne6 16. Qg2 Qe7 17. Kb1 O-O-O $13) 13. Bd3 (13. O-O-O {seems to be a
risky alternative} b5 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. e4 b4 16. axb4 Bxb4 $132 17. e5 (17.
Bxg5 $4 Bxc3 18. bxc3 dxe4 19. Qf4 Rc8 $19) 17... Ne4 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Qxe4
Rb8 $44 {with excellent compensation for the pawn.}) 13... dxc4 $6 {This is a
risky plan. After ...b5 and ...c5 Black can't keep his king on the queenside;
short castling is quite dangerous as well.} (13... Be7 14. O-O dxc4 15. Bxc4
Qc7 16. Rfd1 (16. e4 $2 c5 {and White needs good advice.} 17. e5 Nxg4 18. Qxg4
cxd4 19. Qxd4 Rh4 $19) 16... Rh7 17. Rac1 O-O-O 18. b4 Rdh8 19. Bf1 $14) 14.
Bxc4 b5 $6 15. Bf1 $5 {It looks more natural to put the bishop on g2 but it
costs White a tempo.} (15. Be2 $5 c5 16. O-O Be7 17. b4 $1 cxd4 (17... cxb4 18.
axb4 Bxb4 19. Bxb5 $16) 18. exd4 Nb6 19. Bxg5 Nfd5 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 {with some
compensation for the sacrificed pawn.}) 15... c5 16. Bg2 Ra7 17. O-O Qb8 18.
Rfd1 Be7 19. b4 $1 {Dmitry's move is stronger than a routine continuation such
as} (19. Ne2 O-O 20. dxc5 Bxc5 21. Be1 Rc8 22. Rac1 $14) 19... cxb4 ({Probably
Levon should have preferred} 19... cxd4 $5 20. exd4 Nb6 21. Bxg5 Nfd5 {with
very little compensation.}) 20. axb4 {Black's position is very dangerous.} Nb6
(20... Bxb4 21. e4 {Black is in trouble, for example} O-O (21... Be7 22. Bxg5
$16) (21... Nh7 $6 22. Nxb5 $1 Qxb5 (22... Bxd2 23. Nxa7 $18) 23. Rdb1 $18) 22.
Bxg5 a5 23. Ne2 ({of course White will not grab the pawn:} 23. Nxb5 $2 Qxb5 24.
Bxf6 Nxf6 25. Qxf6 a4 $44) 23... Nh7 24. Bf4 Qb6 25. e5 Be7 26. Rac1 $16) 21.
e4 Nfd7 22. e5 Nc4 23. Bc1 O-O ({Black can't take on b4 due to} 23... Bxb4 24.
Bxg5 a5 25. Ne4 Kf8 26. d5 $1 {and Black's position is hopeless} Ncxe5 (26...
Ndxe5 27. Qf6 Kg8 28. dxe6 $18) 27. Qf4 $18) 24. Ne4 Qd8 25. h4 $1 ({White is
much better after} 25. Bf1 Ndb6 26. Nf6+ Bxf6 27. exf6 Rd7 28. Bxg5 Rxd4 {
and here let's say} 29. Be2 $16) 25... gxh4 26. Bh6 Re8 ({I think Levon should
have tried} 26... g5 $1 27. Qe2 $1 {White shouldn't take an exchange} (27. Bxf8
Nxf8 28. d5 Qb6 29. Nf6+ Kh8 30. Qe4 Ng6 $44) 27... Kh7 {Now White must take
on f8} (27... Kh8 28. f4 gxf4 29. g5 Rg8 30. Qh5 Rg6 31. Nf6) 28. Bxf8 Nxf8 29.
d5 exd5 30. Rxd5 Rd7 31. Nc3 Bxb4 32. Rxd7 Qxd7 33. Nd5 $16) 27. Qh3 ({Dmitry
could have got a winning position after} 27. Qf4 $1 {White wants to play g5
and Nf6+} Bf8 (27... Ncb6 28. g5 h3 29. Bxh3 Nd5 30. Qh4 $18) (27... f5 28.
gxf5 gxf5 (28... exf5 29. Ng5 Ndb6 30. Bc6 $18) 29. d5 $18) (27... f6 28. g5
fxg5 29. Nxg5 Bxg5 30. Bxg5 Qc8 31. Qxh4 Nf8 32. Bf6 Rh7 33. Qg3 {with a
winning position}) 28. Bxf8 Rxf8 29. Qh6 $18) 27... f5 28. gxf5 exf5 29. Nc5 $6
({White still could have got a winning position after} 29. Nc3 $1 {threatening
Nxb5} Qb8 (29... Bf8 30. Bxf8 Nxf8 31. Nxb5 Rd7 32. Rxa6 Nxe5 33. Qb3+ Kg7 (
33... Nf7 34. Ra8 Qe7 35. Rxe8 Qxe8 36. Bc6) 34. Ra8 $18) 30. Bc6 Ncb6 31. Qg2
Kh7 32. Bf4 Rc8 33. Nd5 Nxd5 34. Qxd5 Nb6 35. Qf7+ Kh8 36. Qe6 Rg8 37. d5 $18)
29... Bg5 $6 (29... Nxc5 $5 30. bxc5 $1 (30. dxc5 Rd7 31. Qb3 Rxd1+ 32. Rxd1
Qc7 33. Bf1 Kh7 34. Bf4 $14) 30... Bg5 $1 31. Bxg5 Qxg5 32. Kh1 Qf4 33. Qh2 $1
$16) 30. Bd5+ Kh7 31. Bxg5 Qxg5+ 32. Qg2 $1 {Despite his extra pawn, the
endgame which has arisen is very bad for Black.} (32. Kh1 {is not so clear.
For example} Nf8 33. Qf3 Nd2 34. Qc3 Rd8 35. Bg2 Nc4 36. d5 Qf4 $13) 32...
Qxg2+ 33. Kxg2 Ndb6 34. Bc6 $1 Rd8 35. Ne6 $1 ({Of course White shouldn't take
on b5:} 35. Bxb5 $2 Nxe5 $1 36. dxe5 Rxd1 37. Rxd1 axb5 38. e6 Kh6 $11) 35...
Rc8 36. Bxb5 Re7 37. Bxa6 $1 {The resulting endgame should be winning for
White.} (37. Bxc4 $2 Rxc4 38. Nf4 Rxb4 39. Rxa6 g5 40. Rxb6 Rxb6 41. Nd5 Rbe6
42. Nxe7 Rxe7 43. f4 gxf4 (43... g4 $4 44. d5 $18) 44. Kf3 Kg6 45. Kxf4 Re8 46.
d5 h3 47. d6 Rh8 48. e6 Kf6 49. e7 Ke6 $11) 37... Rxe6 38. Bxc8 Nxc8 39. Rdc1
N8b6 40. Ra7+ Kh6 41. Rc7 Na3 $6 {After this move Dmitry easily won the
endgame.} ({Levon should have tried} 41... Nb2 $1 42. R7c6 Rxc6 43. Rxc6 Nd5
44. b5 Na4 45. Rd6 Nab6 46. Kh2 Kg7 47. f4 Kh6 48. Kh3 Nxf4+ (48... Kh5 49. e6
Nxf4+ 50. Kh2 Nbd5 51. b6 Nxb6 52. Rxb6 $18) 49. Kxh4 Nfd5 50. Rc6 f4 51. Rd6
Kg7 52. Kg4 Kh7 53. Kf3 Kg7 54. Ke4 Kf7 55. Rxd5 Nxd5 56. Kxd5 f3 57. b6 f2 58.
b7 f1=Q 59. b8=Q {White should win the queen endgame.}) 42. R7c5 $1 Kh5 43. Rc6
$1 $18 {After trading rooks White will easily promote his pawns.} Rxc6 44. Rxc6
Nd5 (44... Nac4 45. e6) 45. Rc5 Nf4+ 46. Kh1 g5 47. b5 Nxb5 48. Rxb5 g4 49. d5
h3 50. e6 1-0

[Event "Sharjah FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sharjah"]
[Date "2017.02.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2711"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2017.02.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 Be7 7. Bg3 d6 8. a4
O-O 9. O-O Kh8 10. c3 Nh7 11. Nbd2 f5 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. a5 a6 14. Re1 Ng5 15.
Qb3 Rb8 16. Nxg5 Bxg5 17. Ne4 Bh4 18. Be6 Bh7 19. Bg4 Na7 20. Qd1 Nb5 21. Qe2
c5 22. Bf3 Rc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sharjah FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sharjah"]
[Date "2017.02.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2017.02.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O h6 7. Re1 O-O 8. h3
Re8 9. Nbd2 a6 10. Nf1 b5 11. Bb3 Bb6 12. Ng3 Be6 13. Bc2 d5 14. exd5 Bxd5 15.
Be3 Qd7 16. a3 Rad8 17. Bxb6 cxb6 18. Qe2 Qc7 19. Rad1 g6 20. Rd2 Kg7 21. Qd1
Re6 22. Re3 a5 23. Qe1 b4 24. axb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sharjah FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sharjah"]
[Date "2017.02.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2017.02.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a3
Bc5 9. c3 Bb6 10. d4 Re8 11. Bg5 d6 12. Qd3 Na5 13. Bd5 c6 14. Ba2 c5 15. dxc5
dxc5 16. Qxd8 Rxd8 17. b4 Nb7 18. c4 bxc4 19. Bxc4 cxb4 20. axb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sharjah FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sharjah"]
[Date "2017.02.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Riazantsev, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2017.02.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Qb3 a5 4. a3 Bxc3 5. Qxc3 Nf6 6. b3 O-O 7. Bb2 d6 8. e3
e5 9. d4 Nc6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Bd3 Bg4 12. Ne2 Bh5 13. Ng3 Bg6 14. Be2 h5 15.
h4 Re8 16. Rd1 Qe7 17. O-O Ne4 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. g3 Qf6 20. f3 Bf5 21. b4 Qg6
22. Kh2 axb4 23. axb4 Nd4 24. exd4 exd4 25. Qd2 d3 26. Rfe1 dxe2 27. Rxe2 Rxe2+
28. Qxe2 Be6 29. Rd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sharjah FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sharjah"]
[Date "2017.02.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2017.02.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 Bxd3 17. Nd2 Qf5 18. Bd4 Rfe8 19. a4 h6 20. Kg2 Qxf3+ 21.
Nxf3 Rac8 22. axb5 axb5 23. Ra6 Rxe1 24. Nxe1 Nc7 25. Rb6 Bf5 26. Bc2 Be6 27.
Be4 Nd5 28. Ra6 b4 29. c4 Nf6 30. Bf3 Bxc4 31. Rxc6 Rxc6 32. Bxc6 Kf8 33. Nc2
Nd5 34. Kf3 g6 35. Ne3 Nxe3 36. Bxe3 g5 37. Ke4 Ke7 38. Kd4 Be2 39. Bb7 f6 40.
f4 gxf4 41. Bxf4 Bxf4 42. gxf4 Kd6 43. h4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sharjah FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sharjah"]
[Date "2017.02.24"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2017.02.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 c5 7. Rb1 Be7 8.
Bb5+ Bd7 9. Bxd7+ Qxd7 10. d5 exd5 11. exd5 O-O 12. Nf3 Bf6 13. O-O b5 14. Bf4
Bxc3 15. Qd3 b4 16. Ng5 g6 17. Ne4 Qf5 18. Qf3 Nd7 19. Nxc3 bxc3 20. Rbc1 Ne5
21. Bxe5 Qxe5 22. Rxc3 Rac8 23. Rc4 Rfe8 24. h4 Qd6 25. Rd1 Re5 26. Qg3 Rce8
27. Kh2 R8e7 28. Rc3 f6 29. Re3 Kg7 30. Kg1 Rd7 31. Rxe5 Qxe5 32. Qd3 Qd6 33.
g3 Rc7 34. Qc4 Rd7 35. a4 Rb7 36. a5 Rb4 37. Qc3 a6 38. Kg2 Rb5 39. Rd2 c4 40.
Qxc4 Rxa5 41. g4 Rb5 42. g5 Rb4 43. Qc6 Qxc6 44. dxc6 fxg5 45. hxg5 Kf7 46. c7
Rc4 47. Rd7+ Ke6 48. Rxh7 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sharjah FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sharjah"]
[Date "2017.02.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2692"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2017.02.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Nc3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. d3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nd5 Na5 10. Ba2 Nxd5 11. Bxd5 c6 12. Ba2 Bf6 13. O-O Re8 14. b4 Nb7 15.
c4 Be6 16. Bb2 c5 17. Bc3 Qd7 18. cxb5 axb5 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. a4 Qd7 21. axb5
Rxa1 22. Qxa1 Qxb5 23. Qb1 Rb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sharjah FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sharjah"]
[Date "2017.02.26"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2017.02.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. a3
Nc6 9. Bd3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Qxd1+ 11. Rxd1 b6 12. g4 Bb7 13. g5 Nh5 14. Bd6 Nd4
15. Nxd4 Bxd6 16. O-O Rfc8 17. Be2 g6 18. Nxe6 Bxa3 19. bxa3 Rxc3 20. Nd8 Be4
21. Rd4 Rc5 22. Nxf7 Kxf7 23. Rxe4 Rxg5+ 24. Kh1 Rc8 25. h4 Rgc5 26. Bxh5 Rxh5
27. Rd1 Rc7 28. Kg2 Rhc5 29. Kg3 Rb7 30. Rd8 b5 31. Rf4+ Kg7 32. Rfd4 Rcc7 33.
R8d5 Rf7 34. h5 a5 35. a4 Rf5 36. Rxf5 gxf5 37. axb5 Rxb5 38. Rd7+ Kh6 39. Kh4
Rb2 40. Rd6+ Kg7 41. f4 h6 42. Rd5 Kf6 43. Rxa5 Rg2 44. Kh3 Rg1 45. Kh2 Rg4 46.
Rb5 Rh4+ 47. Kg2 Rg4+ 48. Kf3 Rh4 49. e4 fxe4+ 50. Kxe4 Rh1 51. Kf3 Rf1+ 52.
Kg3 Rg1+ 53. Kf2 Ra1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sharjah FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sharjah"]
[Date "2017.02.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2017.02.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Qc1 a5 12. Nc3 Na6 13. Bd2 Nb4 14. Qb1 Bxf3 15.
Bxf3 c6 16. Rd1 Qe7 17. Ne4 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 Rfd8 19. Bc3 Rd7 20. Rd2 Qd8 21. Rad1
Be7 22. h4 Rb8 23. e3 Nd5 24. Qc2 Qc7 25. Kg2 g6 26. h5 Bf8 27. e4 Nb4 28. Qb3
{A pretty routine play up this point kept a small advantage for White, but
here Aronian, who was for sure frustrated with the way this tournament had
gone for him, lashed out with the uncharacteristic} c5 $2 {opening up the
d-file and the light squares for the opponent.} 29. dxc5 Rxd2 30. Rxd2 Qxc5 31.
Rd7 b5 32. axb5 Qxb5 33. Qd1 {The threat of Qd4 appears for the first time,
and it won't be the last.} Nc6 34. Be2 Qb6 35. Bc4 Rb7 36. b3 Qa7 37. Rd6 $3 {
How about that} ({instead of the standard} 37. Rd3 Qc5 38. Qf3 Qe7 39. Rd1)
37... Bxd6 ({The idea is visible in} 37... Qc5 38. Rxc6 Qxc6 39. Qd4) ({
so, Black's best was} 37... Rc7) 38. Qxd6 Qb6 ({The bishops rule the roost in
case of} 38... Rc7 39. Bf6 Qb8 40. hxg6 hxg6 41. Bb5 $1 Qc8 {and it will be
over once the white queen finds her way to the h-file:} 42. Qc5 Ne7 43. Qg5 Qf8
44. Qh4) 39. Qf4 Kf8 ({No salvation was to be found in} 39... gxh5 40. Qf6 Kf8
(40... e5 41. Bd5 Rc7 42. Bxe5) 41. Bxe6 Nd8 42. Qg7+ Ke7 43. Bd5) 40. Bxe6 Nb4
41. Qf6 Nd3 (41... Qxe6 42. Qd8+ Qe8 43. Bg7+) 42. Bd4 Qd6 43. Be3 Ne1+ 44. Kf1
{A nice note for Ding to finish the tournament he started with the
disheartening loss with White to Rapport. We all know the Chinese star is
going to be a contender for the top places in the entire Grand Prix series,
while Levon's army of fans once again are left scratching their heads.} 1-0

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 4th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2017.04.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Meier, Georg"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2621"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2017.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Nf6 5. h3 Bh5 6. c4 c6 7. d3 Be7 8. cxd5
cxd5 9. Qb3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Qd7 11. Be3 O-O 12. Rc1 Nc6 13. Nd2 a5 14. a4 Ne8 15.
Bc5 Bxc5 16. Rxc5 Nd6 17. e3 h6 18. d4 Nb4 19. Rac1 Rac8 20. R5c3 Rfd8 21. Be2
Rb8 22. h4 Rdc8 23. Kg2 Qd8 24. Qa3 Rc6 25. Nf3 Ne4 26. Rxc6 Nxc6 27. Qb3 Nb4
28. Ne5 Rc8 29. Qd1 Rc7 30. Bh5 Nd6 31. Rc3 Rxc3 32. bxc3 Nc6 33. Nd3 Qc7 34.
Bf3 Nb8 35. Qc2 Nd7 36. Nb2 Nb6 37. Qb3 g6 38. Be2 Qc6 39. f3 h5 40. Kf2 Kg7
41. Qa3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 4th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2017.04.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2838"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[Annotator "Lenderman,A"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[EventDate "2017.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Welcome everyone! This is GM Aleksandr Lenderman presenting you round 2 game
of the day. I decided to choose the game between Magnus Carlsen and Levon
Aronian since not only was it arguably the top matchup of the day, but also
the game was quite an interesting fight.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4
Nf6 5. O-O Be7 ({Aronian has always played exclusively the text move, spurning
the Open Ruy Lopez with} 5... Nxe4) ({as well as the Arkhangelsk or
Neo-Arkhangelsk with} 5... b5) ({and} 5... Bc5 {respectively.}) 6. Re1 b5 7.
Bb3 O-O 8. a4 {8)a4 is a very common high level Anti-Marshall move, which
leads to quieter games and very much to Magnus Carlsen's liking. Magnus
decides not to test Levon Aronian in the Marshall Attack this game.} (8. c3 d5
{is of course the Marshall Attack, in which Aronian is considered arguably one
of the biggest experts.} 9. exd5 (9. d4 dxe4 10. Nxe5 Bb7 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bg5
Nd5 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Nd2 f5 15. f3 e3 16. c4 $2 (16. f4 $1 {/\} Kh8 17. Qf3
$14) 16... Nf4 $1 17. cxb5+ Kh8 {[%cal Re3e2,Re7e3,Re3f2]} 18. Nc4 e2 19. Qd2
Qg5 20. Rxe2 Nxe2+ 21. Qxe2 Bxb5 22. Qe3 $15 {/-/+,Carlsen,M (2835)-Kamsky,G 
(2732)/Wijk aan Zee/2012/}) 9... Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13.
Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Be3 Bxd3 18. Qxd5 Rad8 19. Qf3
Rfe8 20. Nd2 Qf5 21. Qxf5 Bxf5 22. Bd4 f6 23. f3 b4 24. Ne4 Bc7 25. Kf2 bxc3
26. bxc3 Rb8 $44 {Carlsen,M (2548)-Anand,V (2785)/Leon rpd/2005/ A typical
Marshall endgame, the bishop pair makes converting the extra pawn almost
impossible.}) ({The immediate} 8. d4 {gives Black a wider choice:} Nxd4 (8...
d6 9. c3 Bg4 {-C91 This line is not considered too dangerous for Black.}) 9.
Nxd4 (9. Bxf7+ Rxf7 10. Nxe5 Rf8 11. Qxd4 Bb7 $5 $44 12. c4 c5 13. Qd3 Qc7 14.
Nf3 bxc4 15. Qxc4+ d5 16. exd5 Bxd5 17. Qe2 Bd6 18. Nc3 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Bxh2+ 20.
Kf1 Rad8 (20... Be5 $5) 21. g3 Nh5 22. Qxh5 Rxf2+ 23. Kxf2 Qxg3+ 24. Ke2 Qg2+
25. Ke3 Qg3+ 26. Ke2 Qg2+ {1/2, Kamsky,G (2717)-Leko,P (2756)/Jermuk/2009/})
9... exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. c3 (11. Qxd4 Bb7 12. c4 c5 13. Qg4 d6 14. Nc3 (14. Bf4
{Short,N (2707)-Fressinet,L (2702)/Bastia rpd/2012/} bxc4 15. Bxc4 d5 $11)
14... dxe5 15. cxb5 axb5 16. Nxb5 {Gilabert Mallol,E (2440)-Kyhos,A (2352)/
corr/2010/} Nf6 17. Qf5 Qb6 $132) 11... dxc3 12. Nxc3 d6 13. Qf3 Be6 14. Nd5
Rc8 15. Bf4 Bxd5 $5 (15... dxe5 16. Nxe7+ (16. Bxe5 Bd6 17. Rad1 Bxe5 18. Rxe5
Bxd5 19. Rexd5 Nd6 20. Qf4 Qe7 21. Re5 Qf6 22. Qxf6 gxf6 23. Rc5 Rfd8 24. Rdc1
Re8 25. g3 Re2 26. Rxc7 Rxc7 27. Rxc7 Rxb2 28. Rc6 Ne4 29. Rxa6 Nc5 $11 {
Henrichs,T (2483)-Gustafsson, J (2584)/GER-ch Bad Koenigshofen/2007/}) 16...
Qxe7 17. Bxe5 Nd6 18. Qc3 Qg5 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Rac1 $5 (20. b3 Qg6 21. Qc6 Nf7
22. Bg3 e5 23. Rac1 Qf6 24. h3 Rfd8 {Leko,P (2756)-Aronian,L (2768)/Jermuk/
2009/}) 20... Nc4 21. Bg3 Rfe8 22. b3 Nb6 23. Qa5 Nd5 24. Rc6 e5 25. Rxa6 c6
26. h4 Qf6 27. a4 $14 {Sievilainen,T (2179)-Laine,E (2234)/corr/2010/}) 16.
Bxd5 dxe5 17. Rxe5 Bf6 18. Re2 Nd6 19. Rd1 Bg5 20. Be5 Bf6 21. Bf4 {1/2,
Becerra Rivero,J (2598)-Onischuk, A (2670)/Lubbock/2008/}) 8... b4 ({For} 8...
Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. d3 d6 11. Nbd2 {- see Carlsen-Topalov}) 9. d3 {A slight
surprise.} (9. d4 {is a much more popular move, and Magnus himself has also
played this move in the 2013 Sinquefield Cup against Aronian in that famous
game where Magnus would have taken clear first with a draw, but when he had a
somewhat better position without much risk, he declined a draw despite the
fact that it would clinch him clear first.}) 9... Bc5 (9... d6 {is also quite
a common move, and also has been played by Aronian quite frequently. However,
in his last game in the World Rapid against Yu Yangyi, he did play ...Bc5, so
most likely Magnus did expect ...Bc5 more.}) 10. c3 $146 {Amazingly this move
according to my database is already a novelty.} (10. Be3 {This was played by
Yu Yangyi.} Bxe3 11. Rxe3 d6 12. Nbd2 Na5 13. Ba2 c5 14. Nc4 Nxc4 15. Bxc4 Be6
$11 {Black has no problems here, and the game was drawn in a few moves in 1/2 
(29) Yu Yangyi (2729)-Aronian,L (2785) Doha QAT 2016}) (10. Nbd2 {has also
been tried a few times, including once by GM Wei Yi.}) 10... bxc3 {First small
think here by Aronian for about 5 minutes.} (10... d6 {is also possible, but
then Black has to count with the move d4.} 11. d4 Ba7 12. h3 {and maybe White
can hope for something with some central control.}) 11. bxc3 {And about a
10-minute think by Magnus here. So, he probably didn't expect bxc3 so much. Or
maybe more likely it's just a delayed transposition. Since bxc3 seems like the
only logical move.} (11. Nxc3 $2 {seems anti-positional, leaving Black with a
strong d4-square and leaving White with backward pawns b2 and d3, for no real
compensation.} d6 $15) 11... Rb8 12. Bg5 $5 {This is an ambitious move, which
allows Black to hunt the bishop down in return for weakening his king somewhat.
} (12. Nbd2 $11 {was of course an alternative.}) 12... h6 13. Bh4 g5 $1 {
Aronian is not the type to back down from principled continuations.} 14. Bg3 (
14. Nxg5 $2 {just did not work tactically for White:} hxg5 15. Bxg5 Rxb3 $1 {
This is the point, otherwise White can hope for some compensation.} 16. Qxb3
Bxf2+ 17. Kxf2 Ng4+ 18. Kg1 Qxg5 $19 {and Black is completely winning here.
Material is roughly equal, but Black's pieces are much better and he has a
strong attack.}) 14... Nh5 $1 {Usually the rule is: in for a penny, in for a
pound. Very energetic play by Aronian here, and he had to foresee some other
interesting possibilites from White as well here. What's also impressive is
that Aronian executed the sequence of ...g5 and ...Nh5 quite quickly, in less
than 10 minutes.} (14... d6 $6 {was probably not the best idea. Seems a bit
slow.} 15. Nbd2 g4 (15... Nh5 $2 16. Nxe5 $18) 16. Nh4 Nh5 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18.
exf5 Qg5 19. Ne4 Qxf5 20. Nxc5 dxc5 21. Bd5 Nxg3 22. hxg3 Ne7 23. Bc4 $16 {
would be very strong for White.}) 15. Nbd2 {Played after about 20 minutes of
thought and rightfully so. White certainly had interesting alternatives here
as well.} (15. Nxe5 $5 Nxg3 16. Nxc6 dxc6 17. hxg3 {Seems like it's just
winning for White, but ...} (17. d4 Nxe4 18. Rxe4 Bd6 19. Nd2 c5 $11 {is
probably roughly equal.}) 17... Rxb3 $1 18. Qxb3 Qxd3 {This strong exchange
sacrifice shatters White's centre, and suddenly here, Black has very strong
threats with his very active pieces, and White has to think about defending
now.} 19. Qd1 Qxg3 20. Qf3 Qxf3 21. gxf3 Rd8 $44 {and I'd probably prefer
Black here, since he has a 2 bishop advantage and a pawn as well as very
active pieces for the exchange.}) (15. Bd5 Nxg3 16. hxg3 Qf6 {might be
something similar to the game.}) 15... Nxg3 16. hxg3 Qf6 {A very sensible
option, activating the queen.} (16... g4 {was also a possible alternative with
complex play.} 17. Nh2 h5 18. Nxg4 hxg4 19. Qxg4+ Kh7 20. Qh5+ Kg7 21. Qg4+ $11
{was a possible line.}) 17. Nc4 (17. Bd5 $5 g4 18. d4 Ba7 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20.
dxe5 Qg5 (20... Qxf2+ $2 21. Kh2 Rb2 22. Qxg4+ Kh7 23. Re2 $16) (20... Bxf2+ $4
21. Kf1 $18) 21. Qe2 {would lead to complex play.}) 17... d6 18. Ne3 Be6 {
Aronian continues to play the most ambitious way.} (18... Bxe3 $11) 19. Bxe6 {
Played after about 25 minutes of thinking and I'm not sure if it's the best
move since now Magnus helps Levon activate his rook on f8.} (19. Nd5 {was
probably more sensible.} Bxd5 20. Bxd5 (20. exd5 $5) 20... Ne7 21. Bc4 g4 {
wasn't so scary because of...} 22. d4 Ba7 23. Nh4 exd4 24. cxd4 Bxd4 25. Qxg4+
Qg5 26. Qxg5+ hxg5 27. Rad1 Bc3 28. Re3 {with a roughly equal game.}) (19. Nd2
Na5 {might be slightly unpleasant for white.}) 19... fxe6 20. Qc2 (20. g4 $5
Qf4 21. Qc2 Bxe3 22. Rxe3 Qxg4 23. Qa2 $44 {is surprising compensation for
White since he activates his queen and can soon control the centre, whilst
Black's king is slightly weakened.}) 20... h5 21. Rab1 Rxb1 (21... Rbe8 {
perhaps keeping the rooks also deserved attention.}) 22. Rxb1 h4 {The computer
doesn't like this move, but it's not clear if Black would be able to make
sufficient progress if he played the line recommended by the computer.} (22...
g4 23. Nh4 Bb6 24. Rb2 {and even though it seems like Black is slightly better,
it does not seem so clear how Black should make progress.}) 23. gxh4 gxh4 24.
Rb7 (24. Nh2 $11) 24... h3 $6 {But this already seems to be a little bit over
ambitious. Now White will have the upper hand. Black had decent alternatives
here to maintain the balance.} (24... Qg7 25. Qe2 h3 26. g3 Bb6 27. Nh4 $1 Na5
28. Rxb6 cxb6 29. Qh5 $132 {Here White has enough counterplay for a draw.}) (
24... Rf7 25. Nh2 $11) (24... Bb6 25. Nc4 Qg7 26. Nxb6 Rxf3 27. Qe2 Rf7 28. Nc4
$11) 25. Rxc7 hxg2 26. Qe2 Ne7 27. Ne1 $1 {Could it be that Aronian missed
this defensive move when he played ...h3? Hard to say what exactly Aronian
missed or underestimated.} Rb8 $6 (27... Qh6 28. N1xg2 Rf7 {might've been a
little bit more solid but still, White is up a pawn and is probably better.})
28. Qg4+ $2 {Magnus has used up a lot of time and energy to try to solve the
difficult problems that Aronian has posed him this game, and now it's taking
its toll. At this point both players are going to make a few mistakes in this
complex position.} (28. Qf3 $1 Qxf3 29. Nxf3 Ng6 {Perhaps Magnus thought this
would be annoying counterplay for Black but in fact White is actually doing
quite well here.} 30. Ng4 $1 {Not the most natural move, maybe the key move
that Magnus missed, since without this move things are not so clear. Black
might indeed have sufficient counterplay.} (30. Nxg2 $2 Rb1+ $11) (30. Kxg2 $2
Nf4+) 30... Nf4 $2 (30... Kf8 31. Kxg2 Nf4+ 32. Kh2 Rb3 33. Ng5 $1 Ke8 34. Nf7
$1 {and White thanks to combination of threats against Black's king, as well
as his weak pawns is winning despite the fact that Black's counterplay looks
real.}) 31. Nf6+ {this is the point.} Kf8 (31... Kh8 32. Rh7#) 32. Nd7+ $18)
28... Ng6 $2 {Black errs in return.} (28... Kf8 {Seems fine for Black.} 29. Nf3
{Maybe this was Magnus's plan, but here Black has also very strong counterplay
with...} (29. Qf3 Qxf3 30. Nxf3 Ke8 {Now Black is in time with his king to
kick out the annoying rook and White has to be careful not to be worse.} 31.
Ng5 (31. d4 Bb6 32. Rc4 exd4 33. cxd4 Kd7 $11) 31... Bb6 32. Rc4 Kd7 33. Nh7
Ng6 34. Nxg2 Bd8 35. Rb4 $11) 29... Qh6 $1 30. Kxg2 (30. Ng5 $4 Qh1#) 30...
Bxe3 31. fxe3 Rb2+ 32. Kg3 Qxe3 33. Qh4 Qf2+ 34. Kg4 Qg2+ (34... Qxh4+ $11) 35.
Qg3 Qf1 $15) 29. Nf3 $1 Rb2 {Maybe Aronian thought he is fine here, since it
seems like he has sufficient counterplay, but now Magnus finds a very nice
forced sequence to get what should've been a decisive advantage.} 30. d4 $1
exd4 31. e5 $1 dxe5 32. Nc4 $1 $18 Rb1+ 33. Kxg2 e4 $5 {The best chance to
muddy the waters. And it worked!} (33... dxc3 34. Rxc5 c2 35. Ncxe5 c1=Q 36.
Rxc1 Rxc1 37. Nxg6 $18 {is completely hopeless for Black.}) 34. Qxe4 $2 {
And now unexpectedly just a few moves before reaching the time control and
converting his winning position comfortably, Magnus makes a big slip.} (34.
Nfe5 $1 {was winning. I'm sure Magnus saw this move, but maybe he saw some
ghosts in some line.} e3 (34... dxc3 35. Rxc5 c2 {The critical testing line.} (
35... Qf5 36. Nd6 Qxg4+ 37. Nxg4 $18 {is a simple technical position.}) 36.
Rc8+ $1 Kg7 37. Nd6 $1 {Without the sequence of Rc8+! followed by Nd6! White
is actually not winning, so perhaps Magnus missed this very nice idea.} Qxe5 (
37... c1=Q 38. Rxc1 Rxc1 39. Ne8+) 38. Rc7+ {and White will mate in a few
moves here.}) (34... Qf5 35. Qxg6+ Qxg6+ 36. Nxg6 dxc3 37. Nf4 c2 38. Ne2 $18 {
is an easy win for White.}) 35. Rf7 $1 $18 {Or perhaps Magnus missed this?})
34... Nf4+ $1 35. Kg3 Ne2+ $1 {Or maybe Magnus just missed ...Ne2+ here?
Because without this move, White is winning.} (35... Nh5+ $2 36. Kg4 $18 {
Here Black runs out of counterplay.}) 36. Kg4 (36. Qxe2 Qg6+ {This line will
lead to a perpetual check.} 37. Kf4 Qf5+ 38. Kg3 Qg6+ 39. Kh2 Qh5+ 40. Kg2 Qg4+
$11) 36... Qf5+ 37. Qxf5 exf5+ 38. Kxf5 dxc3 $1 {It's also possible Magnus
missed this key move from far away. Without this move Black is still losing.
But now Black has just enough counterplay.} 39. Rxc5 c2 40. Rc8+ Kg7 41. Rc7+
Kg8 42. Kf6 Rg1 (42... Rb8 {was also drawing, but Levon understandably saw the
other drawing line and perhaps didn't see the need to calculate the
consequences of ...Rb8, since after ...Rb8, White has potentially a dangerous
initiative and if you miss something subtle, it can be deadly. Here are some
variations.} 43. Rg7+ {This is much more critical.} (43. Nce5 {isn't dangerous
because} c1=Q 44. Rg7+ Kf8 45. Rf7+ Kg8 $11 {and White has no more than a
perpetual.} (45... Ke8 46. Re7+ Kd8 47. Nf7+ Kc8 48. Nd6+ $11)) 43... Kf8 $1 (
43... Kh8 $2 44. Nd6 Rb6 45. Rd7 c1=Q 46. Rd8+ Kh7 47. Ng5+ Qxg5+ 48. Kxg5 Rb4
49. Rd7+ Kg8 50. Re7 Nc3 51. a5 $16 {with good winning chances for White.}) 44.
Ng5 $5 {Again the most critical.} (44. Nfe5 Nf4 45. Rf7+ (45. Nd6 $4 Nh5+ $19)
45... Kg8 46. Rg7+ Kf8 $11) (44. Nh4 Nf4 45. Ng6+ Nxg6 46. Nd6 c1=Q 47. Rf7+
Kg8 48. Rg7+ $11) 44... Nf4 (44... c1=Q $4 45. Ne6+ Ke8 46. Re7#) 45. Nh7+ Ke8
46. Rg8+ (46. Kf5 c1=Q 47. Nf6+ Kf8 48. Rg8+ Ke7 49. Rg7+ $11) 46... Kd7 47.
Rxb8 Nd5+ $1 {And this is the key move. 47.Nh5+ also works with a similar idea
to distract the white king.} (47... c1=Q 48. Nb6+ Kd6 49. Rd8+ Kc7 50. Rc8+ $18
) (47... Nh5+ {is also good.} 48. Ke5 (48. Kf7 c1=Q 49. Nb6+ Kd6 50. Rd8+ Ke5
$1) 48... c1=Q 49. Nb6+ Ke7 $11) 48. Ke5 (48. Kf7 c1=Q) 48... c1=Q 49. Kxd5
Qh1+ 50. Kc5 Kc7 51. Rb6 Qh5+ 52. Kd4 Qxh7 53. Rxa6 Qh4+ $11 {However, this
variation is a little bit complicated and it's very easy to miscalculate a
minor detail in a line like this and that can end up being very costly.}) 43.
Nxg1 (43. Ng5 $5 {is the computer's choice, but after further investigation I
came to the conclusion that it's probably just a positional draw, and most
likely both players saw that as well.} Rxg5 44. Ne3 (44. Nd6 c1=Q 45. Rxc1 Nxc1
46. Kxg5 Nd3 {Is more or less the same thing.}) 44... c1=Q 45. Rxc1 Nxc1 46.
Kxg5 Nd3 47. Nd1 Kf7 48. f4 Nc5 49. Nc3 a5 50. f5 Kg7 51. f6+ Kf7 52. Kf5 Kg8
$1 (52... Kf8 $2 53. Kg6 Kg8 54. Nd5 Nxa4 55. f7+ Kf8 56. Nf6 $18) 53. Kg6 Kf8
54. f7 Nd7 55. Ne4 Ne5+ 56. Kf6 Nxf7 $11) 43... c1=Q 44. Nxe2 Qh6+ $1 {
Probably foreseen by Aronian in advance when he played 42...Rg1. Now Black
will win the knight on e2 by force, which practically makes the game a dead
draw.} 45. Ke7 Qh7+ 46. Kd6 Qd3+ 47. Kc5 Qxe2 48. Kb6 Qxf2+ 49. Kxa6 Kf8 50. a5
Ke8 51. Nb6 Qf5 52. Rd7 Qc5 {Of course not...} (52... Qxd7 $4 53. Nxd7 Kxd7 54.
Kb7 $18) 53. Rh7 Qe5 54. Rd7 Qc5 55. Rd5 Qc6 56. Rh5 Qc3 57. Kb7 Qg7+ 58. Ka6
Kd8 59. Rd5+ Kc7 {A neat move taking advantage of a stalemate idea.} (59... Ke8
{Of course this also draws.}) 60. Rd7+ Kb8 61. Rd8+ Kc7 62. Rc8+ {Magnus is
still playing for a win, but at this point the chance of Black making a
mistake is quite small.} Kd6 63. Nc4+ Kd7 64. Rc5 Qg1 65. Kb6 Qb1+ 66. Ka7 Qb4
67. Nb6+ Kd6 68. Rh5 Kc6 69. Rh6+ Kb5 {Still not too late to go wrong with...}
(69... Kc7 $4 70. Nd5+ $18) 70. Rh5+ Kc6 {A very nice fight between two top
players and both excellent warriors in a fighting mood. Sure, it wasn't
perfect from a mathematical standpoint of view, but it was a true battle, and
really reflects on the idea that chess is after all a sport!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 4th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2017.04.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2017.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 {Lately MVL has prefered this line; previously
the opponents had already discussed this position more than once.} ({Earlier
Vachier Lagrave used to play} 3... Nf6 4. d4 ({or} 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2
g6 $5) 4... cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6) 4. e3 ({The main alternative is} 4. g3 {, but the
Botvinnik triangle setup is doing well with Black not only in MVL's games:} g6
5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O Nge7 7. a3 (7. Ne1 a6 8. d3 Rb8 9. a4 d6 10. Nc2 O-O 11. Rb1
a5 12. Bg5 (12. b3 Nb4 13. Nxb4 axb4 14. Nd5 Nc6 15. Bb2 Be6 16. e3 Qd7 17. Nb6
Qc7 18. Nd5 Qd7 19. f4 f5 20. Qc2 Rbe8 21. Ra1 Qd8 22. Kh1 h6 23. Rf2 Kh7 $11 {
Konopka,M (2489)-Biolek,R (2454) Czechia 2005}) 12... f6 13. Bd2 f5 $11 14. f4
Be6 15. Nd5 Nb4 16. fxe5 $6 Nbxd5 17. cxd5 Nxd5 18. exd6 Qxd6 19. Bxa5 $6 f4
20. Qe1 Be5 $17 {->, Navara,D (2724)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2731) Biel 2015}) 7...
O-O 8. b4 ({Rather boring symmetry was what came after} 8. Ne1 a5 9. Nc2 d6 10.
d3 Be6 11. Nd5 Rb8 12. Nxe7+ Nxe7 13. b4 axb4 14. axb4 cxb4 15. Nxb4 b5 16.
cxb5 Rxb5 17. Rb1 Qd7 18. Bd2 Rfb8 19. Qc2 d5 20. Rfc1 h6 21. h4 Kh7 22. Na6
Rxb1 23. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 24. Qxb1 Qc8 $11 {Karjakin,S (2785)-Vachier Lagrave,M 
(2804) Doha blitz 2016}) ({After} 8. d3 {Black can try even} d5 $5 (8... d6 {
is the standard continuation}) 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxc3 11. Nxc6 Nxe2+ $1 12.
Qxe2 bxc6 13. Be3 Rb8 $132 14. Bxc5 Re8 15. Qf3 Rxb2 16. Rab1 Bd7 17. Rxb2 Bxb2
18. d4 Bf5 19. Qxc6 Bd3 20. Rd1 Bc2 21. Rf1 Bd3 22. Rd1 Bc2 23. Rf1 {½,
Radjabov,T (2738)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2758) Berlin rpd 2015}) 8... d5 $1 9. cxd5
Nxd5 {The central counterthrust is the ideal reaction, White doesn't get any
advantage:} 10. Nxd5 (10. Ng5 $6 Nc7 (10... Ndxb4 $5 11. axb4 cxb4 12. Nce4 h6
$17) 11. Nge4 c4 12. d3 cxd3 $36 13. Bg5 f6 14. Be3 f5 15. Bg5 Qd4 16. Be3 Qd8
17. Bg5 Qd7 18. Nc5 dxe2 19. Nxe2 Qxd1 20. Rfxd1 f4 $1 21. gxf4 h6 22. b5 Nxb5
23. Rab1 Nxa3 24. Rb3 hxg5 25. Rxa3 exf4 26. Bd5+ Kh7 27. Ne4 Kh6 28. Nd6 Bf6
29. Bxc6 bxc6 30. Nxc8 Raxc8 31. Rd7 g4 32. Nxf4 Rcd8 33. Raxa7 Rxd7 34. Rxd7
c5 $17 {/-+, Aronian,L (2792)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2819) Saint Louis 2016 For
more details see the notes to this game by Mokal in CBM 174.}) (10. e4 Nc7 $1
11. bxc5 Ne6 {is also quite pleasant for Black:} 12. a4 Nxc5 13. Ba3 b6 14. Qc2
Bg4 15. h3 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 Nd4 17. Qd1 Rc8 18. Bg2 Re8 19. Nd5 Nd3 20. Qb1 Nc5
21. Bb4 Bf8 22. Ra2 Nd7 23. Bc3 Bc5 24. Kh2 Nf6 25. Ne3 Ne2 26. Bb2 h5 27. Re1
Nd4 28. h4 Ng4+ 29. Kg1 Qf6 $17 {Czebe,A (2463)-Mihok,O (2493) Budapest 2015})
10... Qxd5 11. Bb2 (11. Ng5 Qd8 12. Ne4 cxb4 13. axb4 f5 14. b5 Nd4 15. Nc3 Be6
16. Ra3 $6 (16. Rb1 e4 17. e3 Nf3+ 18. Bxf3 exf3 $44) 16... Qd7 17. Qa4 e4 18.
Bb2 $2 Nxe2+ 19. Kh1 Qxd2 20. Nxe2 Qxb2 21. Nf4 Bf7 $19 {Gutman,L (2441)-Danin,
A (2589) Bad Wiessee 2013}) 11... e4 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. Ne1 cxb4 (13... Bf5 $5
14. d3 Rad8 15. Qb1 Rfe8 16. bxc5 Nd4 17. e3 Nb3 18. Qb2+ Kg8 19. Rb1 Nxc5 20.
d4 Na4 21. Qxb7 Qa2 22. Qb3 Qxb3 23. Rxb3 Be6 $44 {Solomon,K (2348)-Avrukh,B 
(2645) Gibraltar 2009}) 14. axb4 ({After} 14. d3 {White must reckon also with}
b3 $5 (14... Bf5 15. axb4 {-14.axb4} (15. Nc2 Qe6 16. Nxb4 Rfd8 17. Nxc6 bxc6
18. Re1 exd3 19. exd3 Qf6 20. Bf1 Rd4 21. Rc1 Rad8 $11 {Beliavsky,A (2668)
-Oral,T (2546) Leon 2001})) 15. Bxe4 Qb5 $13) 14... Bf5 $1 (14... Nxb4 15. d3
Bf5 16. Qb1 Qe5 17. dxe4 Bg4 18. Nf3 Bxf3 19. exf3 a5 20. f4 Qb5 21. Qb2+ Kg8
22. e5 Rac8 {Snape,I (2217)-Taylor,M (2337) Coulsdon 2006} 23. e6 $5 fxe6 24.
Bh3 $36) 15. d3 Rad8 16. Qb1 Rfe8 17. Nc2 (17. e3 a6 18. Qb2+ Kg8 19. d4 $13) (
17. b5 $2 Nd4 18. e3 Nxb5 19. Qb2+ Kg8 20. Ra4 a6 21. h3 h5 22. g4 hxg4 23.
hxg4 Bxg4 24. Bxe4 Qe5 25. Qxe5 Rxe5 26. Bxb7 Be2 $17 {Petrov,N (2512)-Edouard,
R (2611) Sitges 2016}) 17... Qb5 18. Qb2+ Kg8 19. Ne3 exd3 20. Nxf5 Qxf5 21.
exd3 Qxd3 22. b5 Nd4 23. Rxa7 Qxb5 $11 {Altounian,L (2432)-Yang,D (2416)
Lubbock 2011}) 4... Nf6 ({An alternative is} 4... f5 {, the position after} 5.
d4 e4 6. d5 exf3 7. dxc6 dxc6 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. gxf3 {resembles our game. With
the P on f5 Black has more kingside space, on the other hand his dark squares,
notably e5, can be vulnerable. In practice White has done better here, than in
the game position, but objectively said both positions seem viable.} Nf6 (9...
Bd6 10. b3 $142 {can just transpose after} (10. f4 {commits White too soon:}
Nf6 11. b3 Be6 12. Bb2 Ke7 13. Bd3 (13. Rg1 g6 14. Be2 Kf7 15. Nb1 Rhd8 16. Nd2
Ne4 17. Nf3 Bc7 18. Ne5+ Ke7 19. f3 Ba5+ 20. Kf1 Nc3 21. Bd3 Rd6 22. a3 Rad8
23. b4 cxb4 24. axb4 Bxb4 25. Rxa7 Bc8 $36 {Huber,M (2377)-Havelka,J (2277)
Prague 2016}) 13... Rhd8 14. Rd1 g6 15. Ne2 Rab8 16. Ng3 b5 17. Bc3 Bc7 18. h4
h5 19. f3 Rd7 20. Rh2 Ne8 21. cxb5 cxb5 22. Rc2 Rbd8 23. Be2 Rxd1+ 24. Bxd1 c4
25. bxc4 Bxc4 $36 {Jirovsky,M (2450)-Papp,G (2601) Germany 2016}) 10... Nf6 11.
Bb2 {- 9...Nf6}) 10. b3 Bd6 (10... g6 11. Bb2 Bg7 12. Ne2 Ke7 13. Nf4 a5 14.
Nd3 b6 15. Bg2 Bd7 16. a4 Rhd8 17. h4 Be8 18. Ke2 Ra7 19. Ne5 Ke6 20. Rad1 Raa8
21. Nd3 Nh5 22. Bxg7 Nxg7 23. f4 Nh5 24. Ne5 Rxd1 25. Rxd1 Rc8 26. Bf3 Nf6 $14
{Short,N (2670)-Hou,Y (2649) Hoogeveen 2016/ While the resulting position is
certainly pleasant for White, breaking down the fortress is very difficult.})
11. Bb2 Ke7 12. O-O-O (12. Bd3 Rg8 $6 (12... Be6 $142 13. O-O-O Rhd8 {can
transpose into Giri-So.}) 13. O-O-O Be6 14. e4 g6 15. Rhe1 Bf4+ 16. Kc2 Kf7 17.
Ne2 Bc7 18. exf5 gxf5 19. Ng3 f4 20. Rxe6 Kxe6 21. Bf5+ Kf7 22. Ne4 Nxe4 23.
Rd7+ {Timman,J (2555)-Edouard,R (2608) Antwerp 2011} Kf8 24. fxe4 $36) 12...
Be6 13. Bd3 Rhd8 (13... Rad8 14. h4 g6 15. Ne2 Rhf8 16. Kc2 Rd7 17. Rd2 Rfd8
18. Bc3 Bc7 19. Ng3 $14 {[%cal Yh4h5]} f4 $2 20. Bxf6+ Kxf6 21. Ne4+ Kg7 22.
Nxc5 $16 {Buhmann,R (2615)-Lupulescu,C (2626) Medias 2015}) 14. Kc2 Rd7 (14...
g6 15. h4 Be5 $5 (15... Nh5 16. f4 Nf6 17. Ne2 Ng4 18. Rdf1 h5 $1 $11 {/+/=} (
18... Bc7 $2 19. h5 Rd7 20. hxg6 hxg6 21. Ba3 Bd6 22. Ng1 Bg8 23. Nf3 a5 24.
Be2 a4 25. Bb2 axb3+ 26. axb3 b5 27. cxb5 Rb7 28. Bc4 Rxb5 29. Bxg8 Rxg8 30.
Rh7+ Ke8 31. Nd2 {1-0, Zvjaginsev,V (2659)-Bukavshin,I (2502) Taganrog 2011}))
16. f4 Bc7 17. f3 Nh5 18. Ne2 Rd7 19. Rhg1 Kf7 20. Ng3 Nxg3 21. Rxg3 Bd8 22. h5
Bf6 23. Be5 Rad8 24. hxg6+ hxg6 25. Rg2 Rh8 26. Rdg1 Rh6 27. Be2 b6 28. Kc3 Rd8
29. a3 a6 30. a4 Rd7 $11 {½, Flatz,H (2277)-Korze,D (2476) email 2010}) 15.
Ne2 (15. e4 $5 {is a better chance to fight for an edge.}) 15... g6 16. h3 ({
Loses time. It was better to follow in Buhmann's footsteps with} 16. h4 {, or})
(16. Ng3) 16... Rad8 17. f4 Bc7 18. Ba3 b6 19. Ng3 Kf7 20. Bb2 a6 21. Be5 b5
22. Bxf5 gxf5 23. Bxc7 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 Rxd1 25. Kxd1 bxc4 26. bxc4 Ne4 $11 {
Giri,A (2793)-So,W (2779) Saint Louis 2015}) 5. d4 {This has currently become
increasingly popular.} ({The alternative is} 5. Be2 d5 6. d4 {when Black has
lately started playing} cxd4 ({In recent years the emphasis has shifted from} 
6... exd4 7. exd4 Be6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. O-O Be7 10. dxc5 $5 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Qxd1
12. Rxd1 Bxc5 13. Ng5 O-O 14. Bf4 Rfe8 15. Kf1 Rad8 16. Nxe6 Rxd1+ 17. Rxd1
Rxe6 18. Rd7 Re7 19. Rd5 Bb6 20. g3 h6 21. h4 Bc7 22. Bc1 Re5 23. Rd7 Re7 24.
Rxe7 Nxe7 25. Bf3 b6 26. Ke2 $14 {Grachev,B (2669)-Lysyj,I (2629) Taganrog
2011/ Although there are newer examples in this branch, Black is nowadays
increasingly unwilling to play this rather unpleasant endgame.}) 7. exd4 e4 8.
Ne5 dxc4 {More testing is} 9. Qa4 (9. Bxc4 {is too soft:} Nxe5 10. dxe5 Qxd1+
11. Kxd1 Ng4 12. e6 (12. Nxe4 Nxe5 $11) 12... fxe6 $5 (12... Bxe6 13. Bxe6 fxe6
14. Nxe4 Rc8 15. Bd2 (15. h3 Nf6 16. Re1 Be7 $6 17. Nxf6+ Bxf6 18. Rxe6+ Kf7
19. Re2 Rhd8+ 20. Rd2 Bd4 21. Ke1 Rc6 22. Re2 Rdc8 23. Be3 Bxe3 24. fxe3) 15...
Be7 16. Ke2 Kf7 17. Rac1 h6 18. Rxc8 Rxc8 19. Rc1 Rxc1 20. Bxc1 Nf6 21. Nc3 e5
22. f3 Ke6 23. Kd3 Nd7 24. Be3 a6) 13. Nxe4 Bd7 14. f3 Ne5 15. Bb3 Rd8 16. Bd2
Nd3 17. Kc2 Nb4+ 18. Bxb4 Bxb4 19. Nc3 Ke7 20. Rhe1 Bxc3 21. Kxc3 Rc8+ 22. Kd2
Rhd8 23. Ke3 e5 24. Rad1 Bc6 $11 {So,W (2794)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2804) London
2016}) (9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. O-O (10. Qa4 $5 {-9.Qa4}) 10... Be7 (10... Bd6 11. Bg5
Bf5 12. Bxc4 (12. f3 $1 $36) 12... h6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Re1 O-O 15. Nxe4 Bxh2+
16. Kxh2 Qh4+ 17. Kg1 Bxe4 18. Qb3 Rad8 19. Rad1 Rd6 20. Qe3 Bd5 21. Bxd5 Rxd5
22. Qe7 Rxd4 $11 {Andreikin,D (2720)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2758) Skopje 2015}) 11.
Bxc4 O-O 12. Bf4 Bf5 13. d5 cxd5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 Rc8 16. Qb3 Bd6 17.
Bxd6 Qxd6 18. Rad1 Qe5 19. Rd2 Rb8 20. Qa3 Be6 21. Bxe6 Qxe6 22. Qxa7 Ra8 23.
Qd4 Rxa2 24. Re1 Qf6 25. Qxf6 gxf6 26. g4 Rb8 $11 {Ivanchuk,V (2720)-Vachier
Lagrave,M (2765) Reykjavik 2015}) 9... Be7 (9... Qa5 10. Qxa5 Nxa5 11. Bd2 Bd7
12. Nxd7 (12. O-O $1 $36) 12... Kxd7 13. O-O Bb4 14. Rad1 b6 15. Nxe4 Bxd2 16.
Nxd2 Rac8 17. Rc1 b5 18. b3 Rhe8 19. Rfe1 Kd6 $11 {½, Maletin,P (2527)-Landa,
K (2596) Cappelle-la-Grande 2007}) 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. d5 $1 (11. Qxc6+ Bd7 12.
Qxc4 Rb8 13. O-O O-O $44 14. a3 Qb6 15. Rd1 Rfc8 16. Qa6 Qd8 17. d5 Bc5 18. Bg5
$2 (18. Na4 $13) 18... Rb6 19. Qa5 Bxf2+ $1 $40 {Meier,G (2646)-Vachier
Lagrave,M (2705) Saint Louis 2012} {/\} 20. Kxf2 Ng4+ 21. Bxg4 Rxb2+ $19) 11...
O-O 12. dxc6 Be6 $5 ({Po} 12... Qc7 13. O-O Rb8 14. a3 Rb6 15. Bxc4 Rxc6 16.
Bf4 Bd6 17. Nb5 Rxc4 18. Nxc7 Rxa4 19. Bxd6 Rd8 20. Bb4 Be6 21. Rfd1 Rb8 22.
Rac1 a5 23. Na6 {Malakhov,V (2713)-Tregubov,P (2585) Doha rpd 2016}) (12... Qb6
13. O-O Be6 14. Bxc4 Bxc4 15. Qxc4 Rfc8 16. Be3 (16. Nxe4 $5 Rxc6 17. Qa4)
16... Qxc6 17. Qxc6 Rxc6 18. Rac1 Kf8 19. Nb5 Rxc1 20. Rxc1 Rb8 21. a4 a6 22.
Bf4 Rd8 23. Nc7 Nd5 24. Nxd5 Rxd5 $11 {Kreisl,R (2386)-Bokros,A (2501) Austria
2011}) 13. Bxc4 Bxc4 14. Qxc4 Qc7 (14... Qb6 15. Be3 Qb4 16. Qxb4 Bxb4 17. Rc1
Nd5 18. Bd2 Bxc3 19. Bxc3 Rfc8 20. Ba5 Rab8 21. Rc5 Nb4 22. Kd2 Nxc6 23. Rhc1
Ne7 24. Rxc8+ Nxc8 25. b3 $16 {Horvath,J (2509)-Campos Moreno,J (2458)
Chambery 2014}) 15. O-O Rfc8 16. Nxe4 Qxc6 17. Qxc6 Rxc6 18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 19. Rd1
Rc2 20. Rb1 h6 21. a4 Rb8 22. g3 $14 {/=, Giri,A (2782)-Vachier Lagrave,M 
(2789) Leuven rpd 2016/ Black probably could have held the resulting endgame,
but in the end Giri technically converted his extra pawn.}) 5... e4 ({After
the once topical} 5... cxd4 6. exd4 e4 7. Ne5 Bb4 8. Be2 Qa5 {White came up
with the dangerous pawn sacrifice} 9. O-O $5 (9. Nxc6 dxc6 $132) 9... Nxe5 ({
A risky line is} 9... O-O 10. c5 $1 {, if} d5 11. Nb5 Bxc5 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13.
dxc5 cxb5 14. Bg5 Qb4 15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. Qxd5 Be6 17. a3 Qxb2 18. Qxe4 $16 {
Danielian,E (2488)-Abrahamyan,T (2322) Chengdu 2015}) (9... Bxc3 10. bxc3 Qxc3
11. Nxc6 dxc6 12. Rb1 $44) 10. dxe5 Qxe5 11. Bd2 Bc5 12. Nb5 O-O 13. b4 Be7 14.
f4 $1 Qe6 15. Be3 Bxb4 $6 (15... Ne8 $142 16. f5 $36 (16. Nxa7 $5)) 16. Nc7 Qc6
17. Nxa8 b6 18. Rb1 Bc5 19. Bxc5 bxc5 20. Rb8 Bb7 21. Rxf8+ Kxf8 22. Qb3 g6 23.
Rb1 Bxa8 24. Qb8+ Kg7 25. Qxa7 e3 26. Bf3 d5 27. Re1 $18 {Aronian,L (2805)
-Caruana,F (2736) Wijk aan Zee 2012 For details see the notes to this game in
CBM 147 by Marin.}) 6. d5 ({The text move has replaced} 6. Ne5 {and now:} {
Black also has simple development with} Be7 (6... g6 7. Be2 Bg7 8. O-O O-O 9.
b3 (9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. dxc5 Qa5 11. Na4 Rd8 12. Qc2 Bg4 $5 13. b4 Qxb4 14. Bxg4
Nxg4 15. Rb1 Qa5 16. Rxb7 {Kaufman,R (2315)-Shabalov,A (2520) Bethesda 2015}
Qa6 $11 (16... Rab8 $5)) 9... Ne7 $1 $146 (9... cxd4 10. exd4 Re8 11. Bf4 d6
12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Rc1 d5 14. Qd2 Ba6 15. Rfd1 Rc8 16. h3 dxc4 17. bxc4 Nd7 18.
Na4 Bf8 19. Bf1 h5 20. Qc3 Qf6 21. Be3 c5 22. Qa5 cxd4 23. Bxd4 Qc6 24. Nc3 Bh6
25. Nd5 $1 Bxc1 26. Rxc1 $36 {Kramnik,V (2781)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2711) Moscow
2011 This game was annotated in CBM 144 by Marin, who suggested Black's
improvement in advance.}) 10. f3 d6 11. Ng4 Nxg4 12. fxg4 Nc6 13. Nxe4 f5 (
13... cxd4 $15) (13... Re8 $5 $15) 14. gxf5 Bxf5 15. Nf2 cxd4 16. Bf3 Qh4 17.
Bd5+ Kh8 18. g3 Qe7 19. e4 Be6 $132 {Ding,L (2702)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2705)
Saint Louis 2012}) 7. Be2 O-O 8. O-O Re8 {, teraz} 9. Ng4 (9. b3 cxd4 10. exd4
Qa5 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. cxd5 Nxe5 13. dxe5 d6 14. Bb2 Bf5 15. e6 fxe6 16. g4 Bg6
17. dxe6 d5 18. f4 exf3 19. Bxf3 Rad8 20. Kh1 {½, Matlakov,M (2693)-Hracek,Z 
(2598) Gjakova 2016} d4 $1 $36) 9... d6 10. d5 Nb8 11. b3 Bf5 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6
13. Bb2 Nd7 14. Qd2 Ne5 15. Kh1 Qd7 16. Rg1 Bg6 17. Raf1 a6 18. Qc2 Kh8 19.
Nxe4 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 Nxc4 21. Qxc4 Bxb2 22. g3 b5 23. Qc2 Bf6 24. Kg2 g6 25. h4
h5 26. Rc1 Kg7 $11 {Jakovenko,D (2748)-Grischuk,A (2774) Skopje 2015}) 6...
exf3 7. dxc6 dxc6 {Modestly offering the Q-swap, but until now this has
brought Black the best results:} (7... bxc6 {The most ambitious continuation is
} 8. e4 $1 (8. gxf3 d5 (8... d6 9. e4 Rb8 10. Rg1 g6 11. Qa4 Qc7 12. Bg5 Nd7
13. Qc2 Bg7 14. f4 O-O 15. Bd3 Re8 16. Kf1 Qa5 17. Rc1 Nb6 18. f5 Nd7 19. f4
Ba6 20. Rg3 Nb6 21. b3 d5 {Harikrishna,P (2727)-Dominguez Perez,L (2726)
Beijing blitz 2014} 22. exd5 $16 {/\} cxd5 23. fxg6 hxg6 24. Bxg6 $1 $18) 9.
cxd5 cxd5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Qa4 Bd6 12. Bxd7+ Qxd7 13. b3 Be5 14. Qxd7+ Kxd7 15.
Bb2 Ke6 16. Rc1 Rac8 17. Ke2 Rhd8 18. Rhd1 c4 $11 {Harikrishna,P (2727)
-Grischuk,A (2810) Beijing blitz 2014}) (8. Qxf3 Bd6 9. g4 $5 (9. Bd3 Be5 10.
O-O d5 (10... Qc7 $5 $13) 11. h3 O-O 12. Na4 Qe7 13. Rd1 Be6 14. Qe2 Ne4 $6 (
14... Rfe8 $132) (14... Rad8 $132) 15. f4 Bf6 16. Bxe4 dxe4 17. Bd2 Rad8 18.
Bc3 Bh4 19. Kh2 Bc8 20. b3 $14 {Buhmann,R (2615)-Hirneise,T (2457) Austria 2015
}) 9... O-O 10. Bd3 Rb8 (10... g6 $5) 11. h4 Be5 (11... g6 $142 $13) 12. g5
Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 Ne8 14. Qf5 g6 15. Qxc5 $16 {Georgiev,V (2538)-Yemelin,V (2540)
Hamburg 2000}) 8... Qc7 (8... g6 9. Qxf3 Bg7 10. e5 Qe7 11. Qe2 Ng8 12. f4 f6
13. Ne4 fxe5 14. fxe5 Qxe5 15. Nd6+ Ke7 16. Bf4 Qxe2+ 17. Bxe2 Bxb2 18. Rb1
Bc3+ 19. Kd1 Nf6 20. Rb3 Bd4 21. Re1 $40 {Swiercz,D (2647)-Petrov,V (2360)
Izmir 2016}) (8... fxg2 9. Bxg2 Qc7 10. O-O d6 11. f4 $32 {[%cal Re4e5]}) 9.
gxf3 ({Fighting for e5.} 9. Qxf3 Bd6 $11 {is harmless}) 9... g6 (9... Bd6 10.
Be3 O-O 11. Qd2 Re8 12. O-O-O Be5 13. Rg1 d5 $2 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. f4 d4 16.
fxe5 dxe3 17. Qxe3 Qxe5 18. Bb5 Rf8 19. Rg5 Qxh2 20. Rxg7+ $1 $18 {Aronian,L 
(2797)-Dominguez Perez,L (2726) Beijing blitz 2014}) 10. Be3 d6 11. Qd2 Be6 12.
O-O-O Nd7 (12... O-O-O $142) 13. f4 (13. Nd5 $1 $36) 13... O-O-O 14. Rg1 f5 15.
exf5 gxf5 16. Qe2 Rg8 $6 (16... Re8 $14 {/<=>}) 17. Rxg8 Bxg8 18. Qd3 Nb6 19.
Qxf5+ $14 {/+/-, Aronian,L (2815)-Caruana,F (2791) Stavanger 2014/ For details
see the notes to this game in CBM 161 by Sumets.}) (7... fxg2 8. cxd7+ Qxd7 9.
Qxd7+ Bxd7 10. Bxg2 O-O-O 11. b3 Bd6 (11... h5 12. Bb2 h4 13. O-O-O h3 14. Bf3
Bc6 15. Rxd8+ Kxd8 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. Nd1 Bd6 18. Bxf6+ (18. f3 $1 Rh6 19. Nf2
Rg6 20. Nxh3 Rg2 21. Rd1 Ke7 22. Rd2 $14 {/+/-}) 18... gxf6 19. f4 Rg8 20. Nf2
Rg2 $132 {Westerberg,J (2478)-Lokander,M (2369) Umea 2015}) 12. Bb2 Be5 13.
O-O-O Bg4 14. f3 Bh5 15. Nd5 Bxb2+ 16. Kxb2 Nxd5 17. Rxd5 Rxd5 18. cxd5 Kd7 19.
e4 Kd6 20. f4 f6 21. h4 Re8 22. Kc3 h6 23. Kd3 Re7 24. Rg1 $14 {Menezes,C 
(2398)-Sadzikowski,D (2551) Warsaw 2016}) 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. gxf3 {[%mdl 36] The
position resembles an Exchange, or Berlin Ruy Lopez. Although White's pawn
majority is more mobile, Black's pieces are sufficiently active to hinder its
advance. Aronian will manage to implement it with timely simplification,
creating a model positional game in the process.} Kc7 {MVL follows an earlier
mutual game.} (9... g6 10. b3 Bg7 11. Bb2 Ke7 12. h4 (12. O-O-O Be6 13. Bd3
Rhd8 14. Kc2 Rd7 15. Ne2 Ne8 16. Ba3 b6 17. Nf4 Nd6 18. Nxe6 Kxe6 19. Rd2 Rad8
20. Rhd1 Nc8 21. Be4 Rxd2+ 22. Rxd2 Rxd2+ 23. Kxd2 Ne7 24. f4 a5 25. Kd3 Bf6
26. Bc1 Bh4 27. Ke2 Bf6 28. Bd2 Bb2 29. Bg2 f5 30. Kf3 Ng8 31. Kg3 Kd6 32. e4
Ne7 33. exf5 Nxf5+ $11 {Ju,W (2544)-Muzychuk,A (2585) Geneve 2013 White can't
break through f5; in this case simplification favoured the defence.}) 12... Be6
13. Ne4 b6 14. Bg2 Nh5 15. Bxg7 Nxg7 16. f4 Rad8 17. Ng5 Bd7 18. O-O-O h5 19.
Be4 Nf5 20. Rd2 f6 21. Nf3 Rhg8 22. Rhd1 Nh6 23. Nh2 Nf5 24. Nf3 Nh6 25. Rg1
Nf5 26. Bc2 Be6 27. Rxd8 Kxd8 28. Bxf5 Bxf5 29. Nd2 Ke7 30. e4 Be6 $11 {
Rakhmanov,A (2654)-Deac,B (2501) Zalakaros 2016}) (9... Be6 10. b3 Kc7 11. Bb2
Be7 12. Bd3 Rhd8 13. O-O-O (13. Ke2 g6 14. h4 a6 15. Rad1 b5 16. Rc1 Kb6 $132
17. Ne4 $2 Nxe4 18. fxe4 Bg4+ 19. f3 Bxf3+ 20. Kxf3 Rxd3 $17 {Melkumyan,H 
(2633)-Khusnutdinov,R (2458) Doha blitz 2016}) 13... b6 14. Ne2 g6 15. Rd2 Nh5
16. Ng3 Nf6 17. f4 Bg4 18. Rg1 Bf3 19. Be2 Rxd2 20. Kxd2 Rd8+ 21. Ke1 Bxe2 22.
Kxe2 a5 23. Be5+ Kb7 24. Bxf6 Bxf6 25. Ne4 Be7 26. Ng5 Bxg5 27. fxg5 {
Guramishvili,S (2357)-Harika,D (2539) Teheran 2017} h6 $5 $14) 10. b3 Be7 (
10... g6 11. Bb2 Rg8 12. O-O-O Bg7 13. h4 b6 14. Ne2 Nh5 15. Ng3 Bxb2+ 16. Kxb2
Nf6 17. h5 Be6 18. Be2 Rad8 19. f4 Bg4 20. hxg6 hxg6 21. f3 Rxd1 22. Bxd1 Be6
23. Kc3 Kd6 24. Bc2 Ke7 25. e4 Nd7 26. e5 f5 $14 {/=, Danielian,E (2444)
-Padmini,R (2387) Teheran 2017 Black remains passive, but the fortress is very
solid.}) 11. Bb2 Rd8 12. h4 g6 13. Ne4 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] Aronian plays a
novelty, which he already mentioned in 2015. It's in keeping with White's
general plan, outlined in the note to move 9.} (13. Bh3 {also forces a swap,
but allows the strong} Bxh3 14. Rxh3 Kd7 $1 {[%csl Ge6][%cal Yd7e6]} 15. Rd1+
Ke6 16. Rxd8 Bxd8 17. Ke2 Rb8 18. Nb1 b5 19. Nd2 Ba5 20. Bxf6 Bxd2 21. Kxd2
Kxf6 22. Kc3 bxc4 $132 {Aronian,L (2781)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2765) London 2015}
{/\} 23. Kxc4 Rd8 $1 $132 {For more details see the notes to this game in CBM
170 by Sagar Shah.}) 13... Nxe4 {More or less forced.} (13... Nh5 $6 14. Be5+
Kb6 15. b4 $1 $40 {/\} cxb4 $2 16. c5+ Bxc5 {loses material after} 17. a4 $1 {
[%cal Ra4a5]} (17. Nxc5 Kxc5 18. Bc7 Rd7 19. Rc1+ Kd5 20. Bc4+ Kc5 $11) 17...
a5 18. Nxc5 Kxc5 19. Bc7 $18 Rd7 20. Rc1+ Kd5 21. Bc4+ Kc5 22. Bb3#) 14. fxe4 {
[%cal Yh4h5]} h5 (14... Bg4 15. Be2 $14) ({, or} 14... Be6 15. h5 g5 16. f4 $5
$14 {are more pleasant for White, so MVL stops h5 by hand.}) 15. Be5+ Bd6 16.
Bf6 Re8 17. f3 a5 $6 {Fixing the queenside is in my opinion the first step in
the wrong direction.} (17... Be5 $142 18. Bxe5+ Rxe5 19. Bd3 Re7 $132 {makes
it far more difficult to advance the kingside pawns, as} 20. f4 $6 {runs into}
Bg4) 18. a4 Be7 $6 {Now Aronian avoids the swap - White needs effective
exchanges, not just any simplification!} (18... Be5 $5 {is still better than
the text move.}) 19. Bc3 $1 Be6 20. O-O-O b6 21. Be2 Red8 22. Rdg1 {[%cal
Yf3f5] Retaining the R for the time being.} b5 23. Kc2 $1 {[%csl Ra5] For the
time being White can simply ignore Black's break - on the other hand the
weakness on a5 will in the end decide the game.} b4 (23... bxa4 24. bxa4 Rdb8
25. f4 $36 {and Black has no entry points on the b-file. This would be
different without the dark-squared bishops; see the note to move 17!}) 24. Be5+
Kb7 (24... Bd6 25. Bf6 $1 $16 {is similar.}) 25. Bf4 Rd7 26. e5 Bf8 (26... Rad8
{[%cal Rd7d2]} 27. e4 {[%cal Yg1d1,Gf4e3,Gf3f5] doesn't slow down White's
expansion. If necessary, he can always limit Black's chances by swapping one
pair of rooks (Rd1).}) 27. Rd1 Rxd1 28. Rxd1 Bg7 29. Bd3 Rd8 30. Bg5 Rd7 31. f4
Bg4 32. Be2 $1 {With the advanced pawns limiting Black's B, Aronian is again
more than willing to invite mass exchanges.} Bf5+ {Black must keep pieces on
the board.} ({The B endgame after} 32... Rxd1 33. Kxd1 Bxe2+ 34. Kxe2 Bf8 35.
e4 $18 ({or} 35. f5 $5 $18 {is hopeless})) 33. Kc1 Kc7 34. Bf3 Bf8 (34... Bd3
35. Rd2 $1 {[%cal Yf3d1,Yd1c2] prepares a transpositon into the aforementioned
endgame.}) 35. e4 Bh3 ({A more resilient try was} 35... Be6 $142 $5 36. f5 gxf5
37. exf5 Bxf5 38. Bxh5 Be6 $16) {White consistently realises his plan and the
defence cracks under the pressure.} 36. f5 $1 gxf5 37. Bxh5 $18 {Here the
direct attack against f7 is decisive due to the clever point on move 40.} (37.
exf5 $143 Bxf5 {- 35...Be6!?}) 37... fxe4 38. Rxd7+ Kxd7 39. Bxf7 Bg7 40. e6+
$1 {It seems that Black has got some <=>, but once again Aronian swaps
everything he doesn't need.} Bxe6 41. Bxe6+ Kxe6 42. Kd2 {[%csl Ra5,Re4,Gh4]
Resignation definitely isn't premature - Black can't protect all his
weaknesses and fight with the outside passed pawn at the same time.} 1-0

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 4th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2017.04.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Bluebaum, Matthias"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2634"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[Annotator "Silver,A"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2017.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Qc2 b5 6. b3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} g6 (6...
Bg4 7. Bd3 Bh5 8. Nge2 Bg6 9. Nf4 Bxd3 10. Nxd3 e6 11. O-O Nbd7 12. c5 a5 13.
b4 a4 {1/2-1/2 (63) Mamedyarov,S (2757)-Morozevich,A (2724) Sochi 2014}) 7. Bd3
Bg7 8. Nf3 {White is slightly better.} O-O 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Bb2 Bb7 11. h3 dxc4
$146 (11... Re8 12. Rfd1 Rc8 13. Qe2 Nb6 14. Rac1 Nfd7 15. c5 Na8 16. b4 {
1-0 (54) Akhmadeev,V (2429)-Kovsharev,V (2282) Nabereznye Chelny 2010}) 12.
bxc4 c5 13. Qe2 cxd4 14. exd4 bxc4 15. Bxc4 Nb6 16. Bb3 a5 17. a4 Nbd5 18. Nxd5
Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Bxd5 20. Ba3 Re8 21. Bc5 Bb7 {[%cal Gb7a6]} 22. Rfb1 ({White
should try} 22. Rfe1 $15) 22... Bxf3 $17 23. Qxf3 Bxd4 24. Bxd4 Qxd4 25. Rd1
Qe5 26. Qd5 Qf6 27. Rac1 e6 28. Qc5 Red8 29. Qc7 h5 30. Rxd8+ Qxd8 31. Qe5 Qd7
32. Rc4 Qd3 33. Rd4 Qb1+ 34. Kh2 Qb8 35. Rd6 Qe8 36. Qb5 ({White should play} 
36. Qd4 $15) 36... Qe7 $36 {Black is in control.} 37. Rd7 $2 {This is a
mistake that gives Black a clear winning path.} (37. Qe5 $17 {was worth a try.}
) 37... Qf6 $1 $19 38. Qb6 Rc8 $1 ({But not} 38... Qf4+ 39. g3 Qf5 40. Kg2 $17)
39. Qd4 Qxd4 40. Rxd4 Rc2 41. Kg3 Kg7 42. h4 Kf6 43. Rf4+ Ke7 44. Rd4 Rc3+ 45.
f3 Rc2 46. Kh3 Rb2 {White resigned here as he cannot protect his a-pawn.} (
46... Rb2 {For example:} 47. Rd1 ({White cannot keep the rook on the 4th since
after} 47. Kg3 Rb4 48. Re4 Rxe4 $1 {it's all over.} 49. fxe4 Kd6 50. Kf4 e5+
51. Kg5 Kc5 52. Kf6 Kd4) 47... Ra2 48. Rd4 f6 49. Kg3 e5 50. Re4 Ke6 51. Rc4
Kd5 {and the rook is evicted.}) 0-1

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 4th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2017.04.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2017.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 ({The continuation Die Fortsetzung} 3... dxc4 {
also makes sense, as e.g. the inventive Hungarian Berkes showed in his game
against Fressinet. After the rather "normal" moves hat auch ihren Sinn, wie z.
B. der originelle ungarische Spieler Berkes in seiner Partie gegen Fressinet
zeigte. Nach den ziemlich "normalen" Zügen} 4. Qa4+ Nd7 5. Qxc4 c5 6. Qc2 {
there then came the extravagant kam dort das extravagante} Ne7 {followed by ...
Nc6 and g6! gefolgt von ...Nc6 und g6!}) 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. O-O ({A more popular
move is Populärer ist} 5. Qa4+ {, as I too have played several times. As a
whole gambits with the "Catalan" bishop have become more and more popular in
recent years - e.g. in the Reti Opening after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.c4
or in the Slav Defence after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3. After many years
Romanishin's bold ideas are at last gaining more and more followers among the
strongest players - absolutely well deservedly! , wie auch ich selbst mehrmals
spielte. Überhaupt werden die Gambits mit dem "katalanischen" Läufer in den
letzten Jahren immer populärer - z.B. in der Reti-Eröffnung nach 1.Nf3 d5 2.
g3 c6 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.c4 oder in der Slawischen Verteidigung nach 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3. Die kühnen Konzepte von Romanishin gewinnen endlich nach
vielen Jahren immer mehr Nachfolger unter den stärksten Spielern - absolut
wohlverdient!}) 5... Nbd7 {One of the most logical continuations Einer der
logischsten Fortsetzungen.} ({The main reason for White's confidence
concerning the recovery of the c4-pawn consists in the fact that after Der
Hauptgrund der Zuversicht des Weißen bezüglich der Rückeroberung des Bauern
c4 besteht darin, dass er nach} 5... a6 6. Qc2 b5 {he has at his disposition
the interesting move über den interessanten Zug} 7. Ne1 {with the intention
of counting on his compensation after d2-d3, c4xd3, Ne1xd3 on account of the
excellent position of the knight on d3 and his good development. verfügt -
mit der Absicht, nach d2-d3, c4xd3, Ne1xd3 auf Grund der ausgezeichneten
Position des Springers auf d3 und guter Entwicklung auf Kompensation zu setzen.
}) 6. Qc2 c5 {A solid option. Eine solide Option.} ({The most aggressive is Am
aggressivsten ist} 6... Nb6 {with which Black holds on to his extra pawn.
womit Schwarz seinen Mehrbauern behält.} {Both after the following Sowohl
nach dem weiteren} 7. Na3 {and also in the event of 7.Rd1 Play is very
complicated. White can exchange the c4-pawn by means of b2-b3 or d2-d3 and
then try to exploit the activity of his pieces.. als auch im Falle von 7.Rd1
ist das Spiel sehr kompliziert. Weiß kann den Bauern c4 mittels b2-b3 oder
d2-d3 abtauschen und dann versuchen, die Aktivität seiner Figuren auszunutzen.
} (7. Rd1)) ({Another move which is not bad is Nicht schlecht ist auch} 6... a6
7. a4 Nc5 8. Qxc4 Qd5 9. Qa2 Qxa2 10. Rxa2 e5 11. Nxe5 Be6 12. b3 O-O-O {
- as an old Soviet joke used to say: "Children, you cannot understand that,
you simply have to learn it by heart". - wie man es in einem alten
sowjetischen Witz sagt: "Kinder, das kann man nicht verstehen, man muss es
auswendig lernen".}) 7. Na3 {The queen is perfectly placed on c2, so the task
of eliminating the c4-pawn is delegated to the knight. Die Dame steht auf c2
perfekt, deswegen wird die Aufgabe, den Bauern c4 zu beseitigen, an den
Springer delegiert.} Nd5 {Not a good idea. Instead of dealing with the
mobilisation of his pieces, Black makes a second move with one piece which is
already developed. Keine gute Idee. Anstatt sich mit dem Mobilisieren seiner
Kräfte zu beschäftigen, lässt Schwarz seine bereits entwickelte Figur einen
zweiten Zug machen.} ({There was an acceptable game after Zu einem akzeptablen
Spiel führte} 7... b6) ({or oder} 7... Rb8 {intending in the event of , mit
der Absicht, im Falle von} 8. Nxc4 {to continue development by means of die
Entwicklung mittels} b5 9. Nce5 Bb7 {. fortzusetzen.}) 8. Nxc4 {Natural and
strong. Natürlich und stark.} b5 9. Ne3 {Of course you should swap off the
one of the opposing knights which has made more moves Selbstverständlich muss
man denjenigen gegnerischen Springer tauschen, der mehr Züge gemacht hat.} Bb7
$6 {This is an almost decisive mistake! Das ist ein fast entscheidender Fehler!
} ({As I also thought during the game, here Wie ich während des Spiels auch
dachte, war hier} 9... Nb4 {was the strongest continuation. Although even then
after any queen retreat White would be better, he would not have been able to
dominate the centre so easily on account of the sub-optimal position of the
Ne3. die stärkste Fortsetzung. Obwohl Weiß auch dann nach jedem Damenabzug
besser stünde, hätte er wegen der nicht optimalen Lage des Ne3 nicht ohne
weiteres das Zentrum beherrschen können.}) ({On Auf} 9... Nxe3 {White's best
reply is antwortet Weiß am besten} 10. dxe3 ({the move I had planned das von
mir geplante} 10. fxe3 {is not so strong, because after ist nicht so stark,
weil Schwarz nach} Bb7 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. Bxb7 Rb8 {Black has consolidated his
position. seine Stellung konsolidiert hat}) 10... Bb7 11. Rd1 {with a more
pleasant position for White: after b2-b3 with further development he has not
only active pieces but also a slight target to attack - the c5-pawn "which is
hanging in mid air" mit für den Anziehenden angenehmer Stellung: nach b2-b3
mit der weiteren Entwicklung hat er nicht nur aktive Figuren, sondern auch ein
leichtes Angriffsziel - den "in der Luft hängenden" Bauern c5.}) 10. Nxd5 Bxd5
({In the event of Im Falle von} 10... exd5 {then wäre} 11. b4 {would be
really strong - with rapid development and a very dangerous initiative. recht
stark - mit schneller Entwicklung und sehr gefährlicher Initiative} ({I was
intending ich beabsichtigte} 11. Nh4 {, which was also okay , was auch okay
wäre})) 11. e4 {One day I heard that the chess philosopher Evgeniy Sveshnikov
said the following: "If White gets the opportunity to occupy the centre with
his pawns, as a rule this leads to problems for Black." I am in complete
agreement with this. Eines Tages habe ich gehört, wie der Schachphilosoph
Evgeniy Sveschnikov Folgendes sagte: "Wenn Weiß die Möglichkeit bekommt, mit
seinen Bauern das Zentrum zu besetzen, führt es in der Regel zu Problemen
für Schwarz." Bei diesem Thema bin ich mit ihm solidarisch.} Bb7 12. d4 cxd4 (
{The move in the game is forced, because after Der Partiezug ist erzwungen,
weil nach} 12... Be7 13. d5 exd5 14. exd5 O-O 15. d6 Bf6 16. Ng5 Bxg5 17. Bxb7
Rb8 18. Bxg5 Qxg5 19. Bc6 {the d-pawn will probably decide the outcome of the
struggle.. der d-Bauer den Kampf wahrscheinlich entscheiden wird.}) 13. Nxd4 {
White has a significant lead in development and roughly about this point I
thought that the win would now not be long in coming. Weiß hat bedeutenden
Entwicklungsvorsprung, und etwa an dieser Stelle dachte ich, dass der Gewinn
nicht mehr lange auf sich warten lässt.} Rc8 {From a practical point of view
this is an inaccuracy Aus praktischer Sicht ist es eine Ungenauigkeit.} ({
In my opinion there was a more stubborn continuation in Hartnäckiger wäre m.
E. die Fortsetzung} 13... Qb6 14. Rd1 Rc8 15. Qe2 b4 {with a bad, but at least
an active, position. mit einer schlechten, aber zumindest aktiven Stellung.})
14. Qe2 a6 15. Rd1 Bc5 ({On Auf} 15... Be7 {then ist} 16. Bh3 {is very
unpleasant - Black has problens fending off the threats Nd4xe6 or Bh3xe6 sehr
unangenehm - Schwarz hat Probleme, die Drohungen Nd4xe6 oder Bh3xe6 abzuwehren.
}) 16. Nb3 {After seven minutes deep in thought I decided to follow my
intuition. At the same time I hoped I would manage to drive my opponent into
time trouble. Nach sieben Minuten Grübeln bemerkte ich die Ressource Rd1-d3
und entschloss mich, meiner Intuition zu folgen. Gleichzeitig hoffte ich, dass
es mir gelingt, den Gegner in Zeitnot zu treiben.} Be7 ({In the event of In
Falle von} 16... Bb6 17. Bf4 O-O 18. Rd2 {Black has no satisfactory way of
escaping the threat of Rad1. hat Schwarz keine zufriedenstellende Rettung vor
der Drohung Rad1.}) (16... O-O {would lose on the spot on account of würde
wegen} 17. Nxc5 Rxc5 18. Qd3 {. sofort verlieren.}) 17. Rd3 {After this strong
move, play goes into the conversion phase of White's advantage. Nach diesem
starken Zug geht das Spiel in die Phase der Verwertung des weißen Vorteils
über.} Qc7 {Not the continuation which puts up the greatest resistance, but
it is not clear what Black should do here. Nicht die widerstandsfähigste
Fortsetzung, aber es ist unklar, was Schwarz hier machen sollte.} ({The
"normal" Das "normale"} 17... O-O {loses on account of verliert wegen} 18. Qd1
Bc6 19. Nd4 {and White wins material. und Weiß erobert Material.}) ({But
other moves too, such as Aber auch die anderen Züge, wie z B.} 17... Bc6 {
do not raise much hope. machen nicht viel Hoffnung.}) 18. Bf4 Ne5 19. Rc3 ({
There was a simpler win with Einfacher gewann} 19. Rc1 Qb8 20. Rxc8+ Bxc8 21.
Na5 {, but a surplus of good options led to me relaxing my vigilance.. , aber
Überfluss an guten Möglichkeiten führte dazu, dass ich meine Wachsamkeit
verlor.}) 19... Qb8 20. Qh5 Bd6 {At that point I had not yet discovered the
idea linked to this move. Die mit diesem Zug verbundene Idee habe ich an
dieser Stelle noch nicht entdeckt.} ({After Nach} 20... Bf6 {on account of
würde Schwarz wegen} 21. Rxc8+ Bxc8 22. Rc1 g6 23. Bxe5 Bxe5 24. Rxc8+ {
Black would go down with all hands. sang- und klanglos untergehen.}) ({The
same is the case for the variation Das gleiche betrifft die Variante} 20...
Rxc3 21. Bxe5 Rc7 22. Bxg7) 21. Rxc8+ ({When a few moves earlier I had this
position in my mind's eye I was planning to play here Als ich vor ein paar
Zügen diese Stellung vor meinem geistigen Auge hatte, plante ich hier} 21. Nc5
{Later I realised there was a brilliant defence: Später fiel mir aber eine
glanzvolle Verteidigung auf:} Rxc5 22. Rxc5 Bxc5 23. Bxe5 g6 24. Qg5 Be7 25.
Qf4 g5 {and Black has only a "lost" ending. If I had known that in the future
course of the game I would have to use every shred of my knowledge in order to
almost manage to draw the game, I would probably rather have gone into the
easily won endgame mentioned above with an extra pawn. und Schwarz hat "nur"
ein verlorenes Endspiel. Wenn ich gewusst hätte, dass ich im weiteren Verlauf
alle Besonderheiten meiner Begabung nutzen würde, um die Partie beinahe zum
Unentschieden zu bringen, würde ich mich wahrscheinlich lieber auf dieses
obengenannte, leicht gewonnene Endspiel mit einem Mehrbauern eingelassen haben.
}) 21... Bxc8 22. Rd1 Bc7 23. Na5 {I thought that brought everything to a
conclusion. But in reality things get exciting again. Ich dachte, damit wäre
das Ganze beendet. Aber in Wirklichkeit wird es wieder spannend.} Bd7 ({
Apart from this continuation which I considered to be a losing move, Black had
the possibility by means of Außer dieser Fortsetzung, die ich für einen
Verlustzug hielt, hatte Schwarz die Möglichkeit, mittels} 23... O-O 24. Bxe5
Bxe5 25. Nc6 Qc7 26. Nxe5 g6 {to buy peace for his king at the cost of a pawn.
Naturally in this case too the white position would be winning, but as Boris
Gelfand appositely remarks in such cases, play would move into the
"one-mistake-zone". für einen Bauern Ruhe für seinen König zu kaufen.
Natürlich wäre die weiße Stellung auch in diesem Fall gewonnen, aber, wie
Boris Gelfand in solchen Fällen treffend sagt, würde das Spiel dabei in die
"ein-Fehler-Zone" übergehen.}) 24. Bxe5 {This was the key point of my
calculation. Das war der Schlüsselpunkt meiner Berechnung.} Bxe5 25. Rxd7 Kxd7
26. Qxf7+ Kd6 27. Bh3 {The last moves up to here have been forced. Die letzten
Züge waren bis jetzt forciert.} Re8 {Here my astonishment was great - in my
calcualtions I had assumed that this move loses on the spot on account of 28.
f4. Hier staunte ich nicht schlecht - bei meiner Vorausberechnung ging ich
davon aus, dass dieser Zug wegen 28.f4 sofort verliert.} ({After Auf} 27... Qe8
{the move entscheidet} 28. Qa7 {is decisive - Black cannot manage to ward off
the threat of Na5-b7+ without losing the a6- and b5-pawns. - Schwarz schafft
es nicht, die Drohung Na5-b7+ abzuwehren, ohne die Bauern a6 und b5 zu
verlieren.}) 28. Nb7+ ({It was only now that I understood that in the event of
Erst jetzt habe ich verstanden, dass im Falle von} 28. f4 {even after the
simple ich sogar nach dem einfachen} Bxb2 {there was no way even in my dreams
that I could mate the black king. This was a sobering discovery for me, but as
things turned out, not totally... nicht mal im Traum den schwarzen König Matt
setzen kann. Diese Erkenntnis hatte mich ernüchtert, aber, wie es sich
später zeigte, nicht ganz.}) 28... Kc6 29. b4 $1 {This plan B brought back my
belief in the correctness of my 24th move. Dieser Plan B gab mit den Glauben
an die Richtigkeit meines 24. Zuges zurück.} Rf8 {In my previous cogitations,
I had underestimated this strong continuation.  Diese starke Fortsetzung habe
ich bei meinen vorherigen Überlegungen unterschätzt.} 30. Qe7 $2 {This
continuation is bound up with a mistake in calculation. Diese Fortsetzung ist
mit einem Rechenfehler verbunden.} ({My previous "refined" actions could
justify the continuation Meine vorangegangenen "raffinierten" Handlungen
konnte die Fortsetzung} 30. Na5+ Kb6 31. Qe7 {Moreover, in order to go into
this variation you have to see that after rechtfertigen. Übrigens, um sich
auf diese Variante einzulassen, muss man sehen, dass Weiß nach} Qc8 {White
has at his disposition the nice reply über die schöne Antwort} 32. Nc6 $3 {
: verfügt -} Kxc6 33. Bxe6 {Black is mated or will lose a lot of material .
Otherwise White recovers the exchange - the positions which might then arise,
are similar to the situation which later comes about in the game. wird Schwarz
mattgesetzt oder entscheidend viel Material verlieren. Ansonsten gewinnt Weiß
die Qualität zurück - die Positionen, die dann entstehen könnten, sind der
Lage, die später in der Partie kommt, ähnlich.}) 30... Bd6 $2 {After this
move Black's position is once again lost. Nach diesem Zug ist die schwarze
Stellung wieder verloren.} ({Although the situation of Black appeared to be
hopeless, he had available to him a wonderful save with the help of a tactical
coup: Obwohl die Lage des Nachziehenden hoffnungslos zu sein schien, verfügte
er über eine Wunderrettung mit Hilfe eines taktischen Schlags:} 30... Bc7 31.
Nc5 Qd8 32. Qxg7 {and here und hier} Rxf2 $1 {I must admit that from time to
time I overlook rook sacrifices with subsequent perpetual check. Ich muss
zugeben, dass ich Turmopfer mit nachfolgendem Dauerschach ab und an übersehe.}
) 31. Na5+ {Next comes a further series of forced moves. Nun folgt eine
weitere forcierte Zugserie.} Kb6 32. Qxe6 Re8 (32... Rf6 {is bad on account of
ist schlecht wegen} 33. Qb3 {, after which the situation of the black king is
absolutely not an enviable one. , wonach der schwarze König gar nicht zu
beneiden ist.}) 33. Qd7 Bxb4 34. Nc6 Qd6 35. Qxe8 (35. Nxb4 {would be a
mistake on account of wäre ein Fehler wegen} Qxd7 36. Bxd7 Rxe4 {with a
dangerous endgame for White. mit für Weiß gefährlichem Endspiel.}) 35...
Qxc6 {The position has calmed down and now is the correct time to draw a
conclusion. Because White is a pawn up and his passed e-pawn can be supported
in its advance, the first player has good chances of a win.  Die Stellung hat
sich beruhigt und jetzt ist die richtige Zeit, Bilanz zu ziehen. Weil Weiß
einen Mehrbauern hat und sein e-Freibauer bei seinem Vorrücken unterstützt
werden kann, verfügt der Anziehende über gute Gewinnchancen.} 36. Qb8+ {
I felt that the rook ending had to be won, but thought that this check could
not hurt. In the final analysis Black's situation is in any case very
difficult. Ich fühlte, dass das Läuferendspiel gewonnen sein muss, aber
dachte, dass dieses Schach nicht schaden kann. Letztendlich ist die schwarze
Lage in jedem Fall sehr schwierig.} ({I had almost played Beinahe hätte ich
blitzschnell und ohne daran meinen Kopf zu beteiligen} 36. Bd7 {like lightning
and without my head taking any part in the decision. But then I took some time
and after ten minutes thought convinced myself that I did not need to fear an
exchange of queens - which later turned out to be correct. gespielt. Aber dann
habe ich mir doch Zeit genommen und mich nach zehn Minuten Nachdenken
überzeugt, dass ich keine Angst vor Damentausch haben muss - was sich später
als richtig erwies.}) 36... Qb7 ({On Auf} 36... Ka5 {I intended to bring the
queen home by means of beabsichtigte ich, die Dame mittels} 37. Qd8+ Ka4 38.
Qd1+ {and after nach Hause zu bringen und nach} Ka5 39. e5 {transfer to the
main plan. zum Hauptplan überzugehen.}) 37. Qxb7+ {A committal decision, but
from the objective point of view the correct one. It is highly likely that
Black will not get enough time to swap off the a2-pawn. Eine verpflichtende,
aber objektiv gesehen die richtige Entscheidung. Schwarz wird
höchstwahrscheinlich nicht genug Zeit bekommen, den Bauern a2 abzutauschen.}
Kxb7 38. f4 {The white plan is simple: force h7-h6, achieve the pawn structure
h5-g4-f4-e5, hold up Black's queenside pawns on a5-b4 and push forward g4-g5.
Although some strong players were of the opinion that Black could hold on here,
i would gladly get this position again because of late I have had less and
less belief in fortresses. Der weiße Plan ist einfach: h7-h6 zu erzwingen,
Bauernstruktur h5-g4-f4-e5 zu erreichen, die schwarzen Bauern des
Damenflügels auf a5-b4 zu stoppen und g4-g5 vorzuschieben. Obwohl einige
starke Spieler meinten, dass sich Schwarz hier halten könnte, würde ich
diese Stellung sehr gerne wieder bekommen, weil ich in der letzten Zeit immer
weniger an Festungen glaube.} Kc6 39. Kf2 a5 40. Kf3 a4 {This leads to further
problems and hastens the end. Das führt nur zu weiteren Problemen und
beschleunigt das Ende.} 41. Bf5 {An important move: now Black must fix the
position of his pawns on the kingside. Ein wichtiger Zug: nun muss Schwarz die
Position seiner Bauern am Königsflügel festlegen.} h6 (41... g6 {does not
save him on account of retten nicht wegen} 42. Be6 Bc3 43. e5 b4 44. Ke4 h5 {
(or else by means of g3-g4 and f4-f5 White creates a pair of passed pawns) 
(sonst bildet Weiß mittels g3-g4, f4-f5 ein Freibauernpärchen)} 45. Kd3 {
followed Be6-f7 and the collection of the pawns. gefolgt von Be6-f7 und dem
Einsammeln der Bauern.}) 42. Bg6 {The bsihop is aiming for e8, from where it
would hold all together. Der Läufer strebt nach e8, wovon aus er alles halten
würde.} Kd7 43. e5 Bc5 44. Bd3 Kc6 45. Bc2 {White is in no hurry. Weiß hat
keine Eile.} Kd5 ({Although after Obwohl dem Schwarzen nach} 45... Bg1 46. h4
Kd5 47. h5 Bd4 48. Bg6 b4 49. Bf7+ Kc5 50. Ke4 {Black manages to exchange his
a- and b-pawns for the a2-pawn, he does not succeed in bring his king back to
e7 in time. gelingt, seine a- und b-Bauern gegen den Bauern a2 abzutauschen,
schafft er es dabei nicht, seinen König rechtzeitig zurück nach e7 zu
bringen.}) 46. Be4+ {This decides everything because the white king gets to e4
and pushes its pawns forward. Das entscheidet, weil der weiße König nach e4
kommt und seine Bauern vorantreibt.} Kc4 47. Bc6 {The further moves need no
comment and were played quickly by both contestants. Die weiteren Züge
brauchen kein Kommentar und wurden von den beiden Spielern schnell produziert.}
Bg1 48. h4 Kc5 49. Be8 Bd4 50. h5 Bc3 51. Ke4 Be1 52. g4 Bd2 53. Kf5 a3 54. g5
b4 55. Ba4 Kd5 56. gxh6 gxh6 57. Bb3+ Kc5 58. Ke4 1-0

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 4th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2017.04.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[Annotator "Mekhitarian,K"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2017.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 {One of the many possible moves in
this position. It has a solid reputation and was used repeatedly last year by
Vishy Anand.} 5. Qc2 {White may play almost any move here, like Bf4, Bg5, cxd5,
e3, g3. Levon chooses a flexible Qc2, keeping all the possible developments
available.} ({For example} 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 (6. Bf4 $5 {also possible}) 6...
c6 7. e3 Be7 {transposes to a standard QGD} 8. Qc2 Nh5 {this idea, forcing the
exchange of the bishops, and preparing a further O-O-O for Black (after ...Nb6)
, has acquired a good reputation. It's playable in many similar positions} (
8... O-O 9. Bd3 Re8 10. h3 Nf8 11. g4 $5 a5 12. O-O-O $40 {1-0 (41) Yu,Y (2738)
-Wang,Y (2718) China 2016}) 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. O-O-O Nb6 11. Kb1 g6 12. Bd3 Be6 {
is the classical setup} (12... Bg4 $5 {Ivanchuk proves in every game why he's
known as one of the most creative players in the world} 13. Rc1 Bxf3 14. gxf3
Qh4 15. Ka1 f5 16. Rhg1 Nf6 17. f4 Kf7 18. Rg2 Rae8 $13 {0-1 (40) Buhmann,R 
(2633)-Ivanchuk,V (2722) Germany 2016}) 13. h3 O-O-O 14. Na4 Ng7 15. Rc1 Kb8
$13 {1/2-1/2 (78) Tomashevsky,E (2722)-Inarkiev,E (2686) Sochi 2016, with a
balanced position.}) 5... dxc4 $5 (5... c6 {was more solid, inviting White
once again to take on d5 and enter typical QGD positions.}) 6. e4 c5 7. Bxc4 a6
$146 (7... cxd4 {until now they were following a recent Giri-Anand game from
the Tal Memorial, in last October. White managed to keep a very small
advantage in that game, but it wasn't enough for much:} 8. Nxd4 Bc5 9. Nb3 Bb6
10. O-O (10. Bf4 $5 O-O 11. Rd1 {was another way to try something}) 10... O-O
11. Be2 Qc7 12. Bg5 Ne5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Rac1 Rd8 15. Na4 Qxc2 16. Rxc2 Bd7
17. Nxb6 axb6 18. Rd1 Kf8 19. a3 {=/+/=, 1/2-1/2 (52) Giri,A (2755)-Anand,V 
(2776) Moscow 2016}) 8. d5 $1 Nb6 9. Be2 exd5 10. e5 $1 {A very energetic way
to try to punish Black's 7...a6.} Ne4 (10... Ng8 $5 {mentioned in the
post-mortem, was the critical move. It is very counter-intuitive, but Black
tries to keep his pawn up, hold his centre and doesn't concede an advantage to
White right away (as in the game, after 10...Ne4)} 11. a4 $1 Be6 (11... a5 $2
12. Nb5 $1 $16 {and Black has trouble developing his knight to e7 (because of
Nd6+)}) 12. Ng5 (12. a5 Nd7 13. O-O Ne7 $13) 12... Ne7 13. O-O Nc6 $13 {
White's position is attractive, but the outcome remains unclear, ...Nd4 is
coming}) 11. Nxe4 dxe4 12. Qxe4 $14 Qd5 (12... Be7 {standard development for
Black is not enough anymore, White has real pressure on the kingside} 13. O-O
O-O $2 14. Rd1 Qc7 15. Ng5 Bxg5 16. Bxg5 $16 {it will be hard to defend
against Bd3 (forcing g6, to weaken the dark squares).}) 13. Qf4 Be7 14. O-O O-O
15. Rd1 Qe6 16. Ng5 Qf5 17. Bf3 $5 {The bishop stands well in this diagonal
when Black has already moved the pawn to c5.} (17. Ne4 $5 {was another option}
Qxf4 18. Bxf4 Be6 19. Be3 $16 {followed by Rac1.}) 17... Qxf4 18. Bxf4 Nc4 $1 {
Hou finds a good way to defend actively - she will give away the bishop pair
to win a pawn.} 19. b3 Bxg5 20. Bxg5 Nxe5 21. Be4 $44 Re8 22. f3 h6 23. Bh4 c4
24. bxc4 $6 (24. Bg3 $1 {threatening Bxe5 and Rd8 with mate} Nd3 25. bxc4 Nc5
26. Bd5 Be6 {White keeps the advantage, but Black develops all his pieces at
least} 27. Rab1 $14) 24... Nxc4 25. Rac1 Be6 $6 (25... Ne3 $1 {as mentioned by
Aronian in the post-mortem, was a great chance for Black} 26. Rd2 (26. Re1 Nf5
27. Rxc8 {is not something Black should be scared of:} (27. Bf2 Nd6 $1 $15 {
Black solves the b7 problem and could even claim an advantage after ...Be6 or .
..Bf5}) 27... Raxc8 28. Bxf5 Rxe1+ 29. Bxe1 Rc1 30. Kf1 Ra1 31. Be4 {
threatening Bd5 to hold the a2-pawn} Rxa2 32. Bxb7 a5 $11 {which should be a
draw}) 26... f5 $1 {followed by ...Be6.}) 26. Bxb7 Ra7 27. Be4 $16 {With the
bishop pair in this open position, White is guaranteed a big advantage. Black
also has a problem on where to place his knight.} a5 28. Rd4 Ne5 29. Bg3 f6 30.
a3 {Threatening moves like Rc5.} Rd7 $2 {Makes it easier for White, but the
position was very unpleasant already.} (30... Bf7 31. Rc5 $16 {and most likely
the a5-pawn will fall.}) 31. Bxe5 $1 {This is one of the advantages of having
the bishop pair - normally you can choose the right time to give the pair away
in exchange for some other strategic advantage (in this case, the creation of
a serious weakness on e5).} fxe5 32. Rxd7 Bxd7 33. Rc7 Bb5 34. Rc5 Rb8 35. Rxe5
$18 {This should be hopeless, because Black's a-pawn is also problematic.} a4
36. h4 Kf7 37. Rc5 Be8 38. Bc2 Rb2 {in time trouble, Hou loses the a4-pawn,
but it doesn't make much of a difference.} (38... Ra8 {is needed to defend the
pawn, but it is too passive, and after slowly improving his king, White should
easily win the endgame.}) 39. Rc4 Ra2 40. Bxa4 Ra1+ 41. Kh2 Bxa4 42. Rxa4 {
Another great win by Levon Aronian, that guarantees him the title of the
Grenke Chess Classic 2017, since he goes into the last round 1.5 points ahead
of the 2nd place! He has scored two draws followed by an amazing sequence of
four wins to reach 1st!} 1-0

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 4th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2017.04.22"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2817"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[Annotator "Moradiabadi,E"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2017.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {Not surprised at all! It is no fun playing against
the Berlin!} Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O O-O 6. a4 $5 {A line that is becoming
fashionable thanks to Anand. In general Aronian plays actively against the
Italian, setting up immediate castling, and preparing d5. Had he gone for a6,
planning ...Ba7, instead of a5, he would have ended up in one of those 'timid'
positions, though the line is losing popularity in light of recent theoretical
developments.} a5 (6... a6 {leads to the main lines but Aronian is not
interested in a mainline theoretical battle today!} 7. c3 d6 8. Nbd2 (8. h3 h6
9. Re1 Ba7 10. Na3 (10. Nbd2)) (8. Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 {with complicated
play.}) 8... Ba7 9. Re1 Ng4 10. Re2 Kh8 11. h3 Nh6 (11... f5 $5) 12. Nf1) 7.
Bg5 $146 {A novelty according to the Online Database!} h6 8. Bh4 Be7 $1 {
I like this manoeuvre! Black loses a tempo but unpins his knight and plans to
exchange his then soon to be bad bishop!} 9. Bg3 d6 10. h3 {...Nh5 was a
threat.} Nd7 11. Nc3 Nb6 12. Bb3 Kh8 $5 {Aronian opts for ...f5. This setup is
risky. I am sure he would not have played like this if he hadn't already won
the tournament.} 13. d4 {A natural reaction.} Nxd4 14. Nxd4 exd4 15. Qxd4 Bf6
16. e5 $1 {The best reaction!} (16. Qe3 Be6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. b3 (18. e5 $2 {
runs into} Nc4) 18... Nd7 {should be ok for Black.}) 16... dxe5 (16... Bxe5 $2
17. Bxe5 dxe5 18. Qxe5 {is extremely dangerous. White is way ahead in
development and Black's pieces are awkwardly placed!}) 17. Qxd8 Rxd8 18. Rfe1 (
18. Bxf7 Bf5 19. Bb3 c5 {is not advantageous for White at all!}) 18... Be6 19.
Bxe6 fxe6 20. Ne4 (20. Bxe5 Bxe5 21. Rxe5 Rd2 22. Rc1 Nc4 23. Rc5 Nxb2 24. Rxc7
Rb8 25. Ne4 Rd4 26. Ng3 (26. Nc5 Rc4 27. Rxb7 Rxb7 28. Nxb7 Rxa4 29. Kf1 Kg8 {
and this endgame should be a draw.}) 26... Nxa4 27. Re1 Nb6 28. Rxe6 Nd5 29.
Rd7 Rd1+ 30. Kh2 Ne3 31. Rf7 Nf1+ 32. Nxf1 Rxf1 33. Ree7 a4 $1 34. Rxg7 a3 {
and White does not have more than a perpetual.}) 20... Kg8 21. Nc5 Rd5 {
Ok, draw?} 22. Nxe6 $2 {Isn't this knight going to feel uncomfortable?} Rc8 23.
b3 $4 {And trapped?} c5 $1 {Black wants to win the knight with either ...Kf7, .
..Rd6 or ...Rc6!} 24. c4 Rd6 25. Nxg7 {The best practical chance!} Kxg7 26.
Bxe5 Rd3 27. Bxf6+ Kxf6 {Black is a piece up! In an endgame!} 28. Re4 $1 {
Fabiano does not defend the pawn on b3. He realises that his only chance is to
create some play and pray for a blunder from Levon's side.} Rc7 29. Rae1 Rxb3
30. Rf4+ Kg7 31. Re6 Nxa4 {Suddenly, the two extra pawns are gone! The problem
now is that the rook and knight are a bit distant from the king.} 32. Rg4+ Kf8
(32... Kh7 {would have been my choice probably. White needs to spend some
tempi winning the h6-pawn.} 33. Rgg6 Nc3 34. Rxh6+ Kg8 35. Reg6+ Rg7 36. Rd6
Re7 (36... a4 $4 37. Rd8+ Kf7 38. Rd7+ Kg8 39. Rd8+ $11) 37. Rd8+ Kg7 38. Rhh8
a4 39. h4 a3 40. h5 a2 41. h6+ Kf6 {This is winning but it is impossible to
check every possible line to this point. I just love it when the rooks control
a rank in vain, and for that reason alone I would have opted for this line!})
33. Rxh6 Rf7 (33... Rg7 34. Rh8+ Kf7 35. Rf4+ Ke7 36. h4 Nc3 37. Kh2 a4 38. h5
a3 39. h6 Rg6 $19) 34. Rh8+ Ke7 35. h4 Nc3 36. h5 a4 37. h6 a3 38. h7 a2 39.
Re8+ Kxe8 40. h8=Q+ Kd7 41. Kh2 a1=Q 42. Rg8 {Aronian might have given up too
much counterplay but Black is winning anyway!} Qa5 $4 {After 50 minutes of
thinking Aronian plays this unfortunate move to let go of the win! It was not
easy to see the win especially when it involves giving up your queen!} (42...
Qe1 $1 43. Qh3+ Qe6 44. Rd8+ Kxd8 45. Qxe6 Rh7+ 46. Kg3 Nd5+ 47. f3 Rg7+ 48.
Kh4 Ne7 {and Komodo claims a win on depth 40!} 49. Kh3 (49. Qd6+ Ke8 50. Qxc5
Rxg2) 49... Rg6 50. Qe5 Rh6+ 51. Kg3 b6 {and material advantage is enough to
win!}) 43. Qh3+ $1 {Now it is Black who needs to play accurately to ensure the
draw!} Kc7 44. Qg3+ Kd7 45. Qd3+ Ke7 46. Qe3+ Kd6 47. Rg6+ Kc7 48. Qe5+ Kc8 49.
Rg8+ Qd8 50. Qxc5+ Rc7 51. Rxd8+ Kxd8 52. Qf8+ Kd7 53. g4 {This is very
different from what we saw in the analysis of move 42.} Rb2 54. Qf3 Ke8 $1 {
Well played by Aronian, and ensures the draw.} 55. Qxc3 Rxf2+ 56. Kg3 Rff7 {
This position is a fortress!} 57. g5 Rg7 58. Kg4 Kf8 59. Qf6+ Kg8 60. g6 Rxg6+
61. Qxg6+ {An exciting draw!} (61. Qxg6+ Rg7 62. Kg5 Rxg6+ 63. Kxg6 Kf8 64. Kf6
Ke8 65. Ke6 Kd8 66. Kd6 Kc8 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.19"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Bxa2 12. Nxa2 Nb7 13. c4 bxc4 14. dxc4 a5 15.
Qe2 Qd7 16. Bg5 Nd8 17. Nc3 Ne6 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Nd5 Bd8 20. Qd2 f5 21. Nxe5
Qe8 22. exf5 Rxf5 23. Ng4 Qg6 24. Nge3 Rf7 25. f4 Qh5 26. b5 Nc5 27. Rae1 Bf6
28. Nxf6+ gxf6 29. Nd5 f5 30. Re3 Ne4 31. Qd4 Qh4 32. Rh3 Qg4 33. Rff3 Rg7 34.
Rhg3 Nxg3 35. Rxg3 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.20"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. Nf3 d6 6. Be2 Nc6 7. O-O Bg4 8. d5
Bxf3 9. Bxf3 Na5 10. Be2 Nd7 11. Bd2 c5 12. Qe1 a6 13. Nd1 b6 14. Rb1 Nb7 15.
Ne3 b5 16. Kh1 c4 17. b3 cxb3 18. cxb3 Nbc5 19. f3 Ne5 20. Nc2 Rc8 21. Ba5 Qd7
22. Nb4 g5 23. Qd2 h6 24. Rbc1 f5 25. exf5 Qxf5 26. Nc6 Nxc6 27. dxc6 Ne6 28.
c7 Nf4 29. g3 Nxe2 30. Qxe2 Rf7 31. Qe4 Qd7 32. Qb7 Be5 33. Rfd1 Bxg3 34. hxg3
Qh3+ 35. Kg1 Qxg3+ 36. Kh1 Qh3+ 37. Kg1 Rxf3 38. Rd2 Rcf8 39. Rg2 R3f5 40. c8=Q
Qe3+ 41. Kh1 Rf4 42. Qd5+ Kh7 43. Qc2+ Kg7 44. Bc3+ e5 45. Rcg1 Rh4+ 46. Rh2
Rf2 47. Qe2 Qxe2 48. Rxh4 Rf1 49. Bxe5+ Kf8 50. Bxd6+ Ke8 51. Qc6+ Kf7 52. Qd7+
Kg6 53. Rhg4 Rxg1+ 54. Rxg1 Qf3+ 55. Rg2 Qd1+ 56. Kh2 Qh5+ 57. Qh3 Qd1 58. Qe6+
Kh5 59. Qe2+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.21"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 Bc5 6. O-O d6 7. Nc3 h6 8. Ne2
O-O 9. Ng3 b5 10. Bb3 Na5 11. c3 Nxb3 12. axb3 Bb6 13. h3 Be6 14. Re1 Re8 15.
Be3 Bxe3 16. Rxe3 c5 17. Re1 Nh7 18. d4 cxd4 19. cxd4 Ng5 20. d5 Bd7 21. b4
Nxf3+ 22. Qxf3 a5 23. Nh5 a4 24. Rac1 Ra7 25. Rc3 Qg5 26. Rec1 f5 27. Rc7 fxe4
28. Qg3 Rxc7 29. Rxc7 Re7 30. Qxg5 hxg5 31. Ng3 Kf8 32. Rb7 Be8 33. Rb8 Rc7 34.
Nxe4 Ke7 35. Nxg5 Rc1+ 36. Kh2 Rc2 37. Rb7+ Bd7 38. Ne4 Rxb2 39. Nc5 dxc5 40.
bxc5 Kd8 41. c6 Bc8 42. Rxg7 Rd2 43. c7+ Ke8 44. Rg8+ Kd7 45. Rg7+ Kd6 46. h4
Rxd5 47. h5 e4 48. g4 Bxg4 49. Rxg4 Rxh5+ 50. Kg3 Kxc7 51. Rxe4 Kb6 52. Kg4 Rc5
53. f4 Ka5 54. f5 a3 55. f6 a2 56. Re8 Kb4 57. Ra8 Rc2 58. f7 Rf2 59. Rxa2 Rxf7
60. Ra1 Kc4 61. Rc1+ Kd3 62. Rb1 Rb7 63. Kf3 b4 64. Rd1+ Kc2 65. Rd6 b3 66.
Rc6+ Kd3 67. Rd6+ Kc4 68. Rc6+ Kb5 69. Rc1 b2 70. Rb1 Kc4 71. Ke3 Kb3 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.22"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. Nf3 c6 6. e5 Nd5 7. Nxd5 cxd5 8.
Be2 Nc6 9. O-O f6 10. Bg3 Qb6 11. c4 dxc4 12. Bxc4+ Kh8 13. Bb3 Na5 14. Re1
Nxb3 15. axb3 d6 16. e6 d5 17. Qe2 a5 18. Rac1 Ra6 19. Rc7 Re8 20. h4 Qb4 21.
h5 Bxe6 22. hxg6 hxg6 23. Nh4 Bf7 24. Rxe7 Rxe7 25. Qxe7 Qxe7 26. Rxe7 Kg8 27.
Rxb7 Rc6 28. Rb5 Rc2 29. Rxa5 Rxb2 30. Rb5 Bf8 31. Rb8 Kg7 32. Nf3 g5 33. Kh2
Bg6 34. Rb7+ Kg8 35. Ng1 Be4 36. f3 Bd3 37. Nh3 Bf1 38. Nf2 f5 39. Kg1 Rb1 40.
Rc7 f4 41. Ng4 Bd3+ 42. Kf2 Rf1# 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.23"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. O-O a6 7. Rb1 Rb8 8. b4
b5 9. cxb5 axb5 10. a4 Na7 11. d3 Ne8 12. Qc2 bxa4 13. Be3 Nb5 14. Nxb5 Rxb5
15. Nd4 Rb8 16. Qxa4 Bb7 17. Bxb7 Rxb7 18. Rfc1 Nd6 19. Nb3 c6 20. Na5 Rb5 21.
Nc4 Nf5 22. Bd2 Nd4 23. Qd1 Qb8 24. e3 Ne6 25. Qe2 Rc8 26. Be1 Nc7 27. Na3 Rb7
28. Nc4 Nd5 29. Qg4 f5 30. Qd1 e6 31. Na5 Rb5 32. Qa4 Bf8 33. Nc4 Nxb4 34. Bxb4
Bxb4 35. d4 Be7 36. Qc2 Bf6 37. Ra1 c5 38. Nd2 Rc6 39. Qd3 cxd4 40. Rxc6 dxc6
41. exd4 Rd5 42. Nf3 c5 43. Qe2 Qc8 44. Ra6 cxd4 45. Rxe6 d3 46. Re8+ Kf7 47.
Rxc8 dxe2 48. Rc7+ Be7 49. Kg2 Rd1 50. Ng5+ Ke8 51. Nf3 e1=Q 52. Nxe1 Rxe1 53.
h4 Kf7 54. Rc8 Re6 55. Ra8 h5 56. Ra7 Kf6 57. Kf3 Rc6 58. Ra8 Bc5 59. Ra4 Bb6
60. Ra6 Rd6 61. Ke2 Bc5 62. Ra5 Rc6 63. Kf3 Bd4 64. Ra4 Rc3+ 65. Kg2 Rd3 66.
Ra6+ Kf7 67. Ra7+ Bxa7 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.24"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A80"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 f5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 d5 4. e3 Be6 5. Nf3 c6 6. Bd3 Nbd7 7. Ne2 g6 8. O-O
Bg7 9. Rc1 Ne4 10. c4 h6 11. Bf4 g5 12. cxd5 Bxd5 13. Bg3 O-O 14. Nd2 Nxd2 15.
Qxd2 Bxa2 16. b3 Bxb3 17. Qb4 Bd5 18. Qxb7 e5 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Bxe5 Bxe5 21.
Bc4 Rf7 22. Bxd5 cxd5 23. Qc6 Rb8 24. Rfd1 Qd6 25. Qxd5 Bxh2+ 26. Kf1 Qxd5 27.
Rxd5 Bc7 28. Nd4 f4 29. Nf5 Kh7 30. e4 Rb6 31. Ke2 Re6 32. f3 g4 33. fxg4 Rxe4+
34. Kf3 Re6 35. g5 Bb6 36. Rh1 Rg6 37. Nxh6 Rc7 38. Ng4+ Kg7 39. Nf6 Rc3+ 40.
Kg4 Rg3+ 41. Kxf4 Bc7+ 42. Ke4 R6xg5 43. Nh5+ Kg6 44. Nxg3 Rg4+ 45. Ke3 Rxg3+
46. Kf2 Rc3 47. Rhd1 Bb6+ 48. Kf1 Kf6 49. R5d3 Rc4 50. R1d2 a5 51. g3 a4 52.
Re2 Bc5 53. Rf3+ Kg7 54. Kg2 a3 55. Rf4 Rxf4 56. gxf4 Bd4 57. Re6 a2 58. Ra6
a1=Q 59. Rxa1 Bxa1 60. Kf3 Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.25"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Bd3 d6 7. Nc3 Be7 8.
h3 O-O 9. O-O Nd7 10. b3 Bf6 11. Bb2 Bd4 12. Na4 Bxb2 13. Nxb2 a5 14. a4 Nc5
15. Qd2 Re8 16. Rae1 Qf6 17. Nc4 Nxd3 18. cxd3 Qd4 19. Nxa5 Qb6 20. b4 c5 21.
Rb1 cxb4 22. Nc4 Qc6 23. a5 Be6 24. Rxb4 d5 25. exd5 Bxd5 26. Rc1 Qg6 27. Ne3
Rxa5 28. Rg4 Qb6 29. Nf5 g6 30. Qc3 f6 31. Ne3 Be6 32. Rb4 Qd6 33. Rd4 Qe5 34.
Nc4 Bxc4 35. Qxc4+ Qe6 36. Qxc7 Re7 37. Qd8+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.26"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C02"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Qg4 Ne7 5. Nf3 cxd4 6. Bd3 Nec6 7. O-O Nd7 8. Re1
Nc5 9. a3 a5 10. Bf4 Qb6 11. Nbd2 Bd7 12. Rab1 Nxd3 13. cxd3 Qb5 14. Rbd1 h6
15. Bg3 Qxb2 16. h4 Qxa3 17. h5 a4 18. Rb1 Qxd3 19. Rxb7 Qf5 20. Qh4 Be7 21.
Qh2 a3 22. Bh4 a2 23. Ra1 Bb4 24. Qg3 O-O 25. Rxd7 Qxh5 26. Rc7 Ra6 27. Bf6 g6
28. Qf4 Bc3 29. Nb3 Bxa1 30. Nxa1 g5 31. Qd2 Qg6 32. Kh2 Qh5+ 33. Kg1 Qg6 34.
Kh2 Qh5+ 35. Kg3 Qg6 36. Nxd4 Nxd4 37. Qxd4 Ra3+ 38. f3 g4 39. Kf2 gxf3 40.
gxf3 Qf5 41. Qd1 Kh7 42. Be7 Rg8 43. Bxa3 Qf4 44. Qc1 Qh2+ 45. Ke3 Qxe5+ 46.
Kd3 Qf5+ 47. Kc3 Rg2 48. Kb4 Qxf3 49. Nb3 a1=R 50. Nxa1 d4 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm Chess960 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.27"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.11"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C70"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nge7 5. c3 g6 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 b5 8. Bb3
Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. d5 Na5 11. Bc2 Nc4 12. Nc3 d6 13. Rb1 Bg4 14. h3 Bxf3 15.
Qxf3 f5 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. exf5 Nd2 19. Qg4 Nxf1 20. Kxf1 gxf5 21.
Bxf5 Qe5 22. Be6+ Kh8 23. g3 Qe3 24. Bf5 Qd2 25. Ne2 Qxd5 26. Be4 Qxa2 27. Nf4
Qc4+ 28. Bd3 Rxf4 29. Qg6 Rxf2+ 30. Kxf2 Rf8+ 31. Kg2 Qd5+ 32. Be4 Qg8 33. Rc1
c5 34. Qxd6 c4 35. Qxa6 Qf7 36. Kh1 Qd7 37. Bg2 Qd2 38. Rg1 Qxb2 39. Re1 Qc3
40. Re6 Qxg3 41. Rxh6+ Bxh6 42. Qxh6+ Kg8 43. Bd5+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 Nc6 7. O-O Bg4 8. d5
Bxf3 9. Bxf3 Ne5 10. Be2 Nfd7 11. a4 c6 12. a5 cxd5 13. exd5 a6 14. Ne4 Rc8 15.
c3 Nc4 16. Qb3 Nxa5 17. Qa2 b6 18. b4 Nb7 19. Qxa6 Qc7 20. Bb5 Ne5 21. Be3 Nc4
22. Bd4 Nd8 23. Rfd1 h6 24. Ra2 f5 25. Ng3 Nf7 26. Ne2 Nfe5 27. Nf4 Ra8 28.
Qxa8 Rxa8 29. Rxa8+ Kh7 30. Ne6 Qb7 31. Re8 Bf6 32. Bxc4 Nxc4 33. Bxf6 exf6 34.
Ra1 g5 35. h3 f4 36. Nf8+ Kg7 37. Raa8 Ne5 38. c4 b5 39. Rec8 Nf7 40. Ne6+ Kg6
41. Rg8+ Kf5 42. Nd4+ Ke4 43. Nxb5 Kd3 44. Rgf8 Qe7 45. Rae8 Qd7 46. Rc8 Ne5
47. Rc7 Qf5 48. Nxd6 Qg6 49. Ra7 Kc3 50. Ra3+ Kb2 51. Rfa8 g4 52. hxg4 Qb1+ 53.
Kh2 Nxg4+ 54. Kh3 Nxf2+ 55. Kh4 Qh1+ 56. Rh3 Qxg2 57. Raa3 Qg4# 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.13"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2
b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Re1 d4 11. Nb3 a5 12. a4 bxa4 13. Rxa4 Nd7 14. Rc4 Bb7 15.
cxd4 Nb6 16. Rxc6 Bxc6 17. Nxe5 Bb7 18. Be3 Bb4 19. Rf1 Nd7 20. Nxd7 Qxd7 21.
Bb1 a4 22. Nd2 Bxd2 23. Qxd2 Ba6 24. Ba2 Qb5 25. Bc4 Qb7 26. d5 Bxc4 27. dxc4
Qb3 28. Rc1 a3 29. bxa3 Rxa3 30. h3 Ra2 31. Qc3 Qxc3 32. Rxc3 Re8 33. Bf4 Re7
34. c5 f6 35. f3 g5 36. Bg3 f5 37. c6 Ra8 38. exf5 Rf7 39. Rc5 Rc8 40. d6 cxd6
41. Bxd6 Rf6 42. Rd5 Rxc6 43. Be7 Rf7 44. Bxg5 h5 45. Kh2 Kh7 46. g4 hxg4 47.
hxg4 Kg7 48. Kg3 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 Nfd7 7. O-O e5 8. Bg5
f6 9. Be3 Nc6 10. Qd2 Kh8 11. Rad1 f5 12. exf5 Rxf5 13. dxe5 Ndxe5 14. Nxe5
Nxe5 15. Bd4 Rf8 16. f4 Nc6 17. Bxg7+ Kxg7 18. Nd5 Be6 19. Qc3+ Kg8 20. Bc4 Qd7
21. Rfe1 Rf7 22. Rxe6 Qxe6 23. Nf6+ Rxf6 24. Bxe6+ Rxe6 25. Qb3 Rae8 26. Qxb7
Ne7 27. Qxc7 Nf5 28. Rd2 d5 29. Qxa7 d4 30. Qd7 R8e7 31. Qd5 Kg7 32. Kf2 Re1
33. Qc5 R7e4 34. a4 Rh1 35. Qc7+ Kh6 36. Re2 Ne3 37. Kf3 Re8 38. Qd7 Rf1+ 39.
Rf2 Rxf2+ 40. Kxf2 Nd1+ 41. Kf1 Re4 42. Qh3+ Kg7 43. Qf3 Ne3+ 44. Ke2 Re7 45.
Kd3 Nf5 46. Kd2 Ne3 47. b3 Rc7 48. Qe4 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.15"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nge7 5. O-O g6 6. c3 Bg7 7. d4 exd4 8.
cxd4 b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Bg5 Nde7 12. Nc3 h6 13. Bh4 g5 14. Bg3 Bg4
15. Re1 Nxd4 16. Be4 Rc8 17. Nxd4 Bxd1 18. Nc6 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Nxc6 20. Bxc6+ Kf8
21. Raxd1 Qf6 22. Bd7 Rd8 23. Be5 Qb6 24. Bxh8 f6 25. h4 c5 26. Rd5 Kg8 27.
Be6+ Kxh8 28. Bd7 Qb7 29. Bc6 Qxc6 30. Rxd8+ Kg7 31. h5 Kf7 32. Rh8 f5 33. Rh7+
Kf8 34. Ree7 Qd5 35. Rd7 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. e5 Ne8 6. h4 d6 7. h5 dxe5 8. dxe5
Qxd1+ 9. Rxd1 Nc6 10. Nf3 Bg4 11. h6 Bh8 12. Be2 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Bxe5 14. Bxe5
Nxe5 15. Bxb7 Rb8 16. f4 Nc4 17. Bf3 Rxb2 18. Nd5 Ned6 19. Nxe7+ Kh8 20. O-O
Rxa2 21. Rf2 a5 22. Bd5 Ra3 23. Bxc4 Nxc4 24. Rd7 Ne3 25. Rf3 Ra1+ 26. Kf2 Ng4+
27. Kg3 Nxh6 28. Rxc7 Re8 29. f5 gxf5 30. Nxf5 Rg8+ 31. Kf2 Ng4+ 32. Ke2 Re8+
33. Kd2 a4 34. Nd6 Rd8 35. Rd3 Ne5 36. Nxf7+ Nxf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.17"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Bxa2 12. Nxa2 Nb7 13. c4 bxc4 14. dxc4 a5 15.
Be3 axb4 16. axb4 Nxe4 17. Qd5 Rxa2 18. Rxa2 Nc3 19. Qxb7 Nxa2 20. Bd2 Qb8 21.
Qxb8 Rxb8 22. b5 Ra8 23. Rb1 Ra4 24. Rb2 e4 25. Nd4 Bf6 26. b6 cxb6 27. Rxb6 h6
28. Rxd6 Rxc4 29. Nf5 Kh7 30. g3 Nb4 31. Rd7 Nc6 32. Bf4 Kg6 33. Ne3 Rc1+ 34.
Kg2 Ne5 35. Bxe5 Bxe5 36. Re7 Rc5 37. Ng4 Bc3 38. h4 f5 39. Ne3 Bd4 40. Re6+
Kf7 41. Rd6 Bxe3 42. fxe3 Re5 43. Kh3 Re6 44. Rd5 Kf6 45. g4 Re5 46. Rd6+ Ke7
47. Ra6 fxg4+ 48. Kxg4 Re6 49. Ra7+ Kf6 50. h5 Re5 51. Ra6+ Kf7 52. Ra7+ Kg8
53. Ra8+ Kh7 54. Ra4 Rg5+ 55. Kh4 Re5 56. Kg4 Kg8 57. Ra8+ Kf7 58. Ra7+ Kf6 59.
Ra6+ Re6 60. Ra5 g5 61. hxg6 Kxg6 62. Kf4 h5 63. Rg5+ Kh6 64. Rg8 Rf6+ 65. Kxe4
h4 66. Kd5 Rf5+ 67. Kd6 Rf6+ 68. Kd5 Rf5+ 69. Kd6 Rf6+ 70. Kd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+2spm Chess960 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O e4 7. Ne1 Bxc3 8.
bxc3 d5 9. d4 exd3 10. Nxd3 dxc4 11. Nc5 Qe7 12. Ba3 Qe5 13. Qc2 Re8 14. e4 Qh5
15. f4 Bh3 16. e5 Ng4 17. Bxh3 Qxh3 18. Rae1 Rad8 19. e6 f5 20. Re2 Rd5 21.
Nxb7 Rd3 22. Bc5 Nxh2 23. Rxh2 Rxg3+ 24. Rg2 Rxe6 25. Rxg3 Qxg3+ 26. Qg2 Qxc3
27. Qd5 Qg3+ 28. Kh1 Qh3+ 29. Kg1 Qg3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. h4 c5 6. Nb5 Na6 7. c3 O-O 8. h5 Bd7
9. hxg6 fxg6 10. Nf3 Qb6 11. a4 Rac8 12. Be5 c4 13. b3 Bxb5 14. axb5 Qxb5 15.
bxc4 dxc4 16. Nd2 Nd5 17. Qg4 Bxe5 18. Qe6+ Kg7 19. Qxe5+ Rf6 20. g4 Kg8 21. g5
Rf5 22. Qe6+ Kg7 23. Qxc8 Qb2 24. Rb1 Qxc3 25. Qxc4 Qa5 26. Qb5 Qc3 27. Qb2 Qa5
28. Bd3 Rxg5 29. Qxb7 Nac7 30. Be4 Nf6 31. Rc1 Ncd5 32. Bxd5 Nxd5 33. Rc5 Qa1+
34. Qb1 Qa6 35. Ne4 Rf5 36. Ng3 Rg5 37. Ne2 Rf5 38. e4 Nf4 39. Nxf4 Rxf4 40.
Re5 h5 41. Qc1 Rf7 42. Rg1 Qa2 43. Rg2 Kh7 44. Reg5 Qe6 45. Rxg6 Qxe4+ 46. Kf1
Rxf2+ 47. Kxf2 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8.
d3 Bb6 9. Bd2 Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Re8 11. b4 Bg4 12. Nd2 Nd4 13. Bxd4 exd4 14. Re1 c6
15. a4 a6 16. Nb3 Qf6 17. Qd2 Re7 18. h3 Be6 19. Nc5 Rae8 20. Nxe6 Qxe6 21. b5
axb5 22. axb5 c5 23. h4 g6 24. Bf3 h5 25. Kg2 Kg7 26. Ra4 Qd7 27. Qb2 Kh7 28.
Rea1 Qc8 29. Qb3 Kg7 30. R1a2 Rd8 31. Qb2 Kh7 32. Qc1 Kg7 33. Qg5 Qe6 34. Bxh5
Rd5 35. Bg4 Qd6 36. Qc1 Bc7 37. Ra8 Rde5 38. Bf3 b6 39. Rc8 Re8 40. Rxe8 Rxe8
41. Ra7 Bb8 42. Ra8 Rd8 43. h5 Bc7 44. Ra7 Bb8 45. Ra6 Qf6 46. Qh1 Rh8 47. Qh3
gxh5 48. Ra8 h4 49. Be4 hxg3 50. Qg4+ Kh6 51. f4 Bd6 52. Qh3+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. h4 O-O 6. h5 c5 7. hxg6 fxg6 8. dxc5
b6 9. cxb6 Qxb6 10. Rb1 Nc6 11. Nf3 Bg4 12. Be2 Rad8 13. Ne5 Bxe2 14. Nxe2 Ne4
15. Nxc6 Qxc6 16. O-O e5 17. Bh2 Rd7 18. Ng3 Nc5 19. Qd2 Rdf7 20. Rbd1 d4 21.
exd4 exd4 22. f3 Na4 23. b3 Nc3 24. Rde1 Nd5 25. Ne4 Ne3 26. Rf2 h5 27. Qd3 h4
28. Nd6 Rf6 29. Nc4 Nxc4 30. bxc4 h3 31. Re4 hxg2 32. Be5 Rf5 33. Bxg7 Kxg7 34.
Qxd4+ Kg8 35. Kxg2 Rg5+ 36. Kf1 Rh5 37. Re7 Rf7 38. Rxf7 Kxf7 39. Qxa7+ Kg8 40.
Qd4 Qb7 41. Qe4 Qb1+ 42. Ke2 Qg1 43. Qg4 Re5+ 44. Kd3 Qd1+ 45. Rd2 Qf1+ 46. Kd4
Re7 47. Qxg6+ Kf8 48. Qf6+ Ke8 49. Kc5 Qg1+ 50. Rd4 Qe3 51. Qg6+ Kf8 52. Qf5+
Ke8 53. Qf4 Qa3+ 54. Kd5 Qa8+ 55. Kc5 Qa5+ 56. Kc6 Qa6+ 57. Kc5 Qa7+ 58. Kb4
Qb6+ 59. Kc3 Qa5+ 60. Kd3 Qe1 61. Qb8+ Kf7 62. Rf4+ Kg7 63. Qf8+ Kh7 64. Rf7+
Rxf7 65. Qxf7+ Kh8 66. Qf6+ Kh7 67. Qf5+ Kh8 68. Qh5+ Kg7 69. Qg4+ Kh8 70. Qd4+
Kg8 71. c5 Qf1+ 72. Ke4 Qe2+ 73. Kd5 Qxf3+ 74. Kd6 Qf8+ 75. Kc7 Qe7+ 76. Kb6
1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8.
d3 Bb6 9. Bd2 Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Re8 11. b4 Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 13. a4 a5 14. bxa5 Bxa5
15. Bxa5 Rxa5 16. Nd2 Qd7 17. Nc4 Ra7 18. a5 Nd4 19. g4 Bg6 20. Rb1 h5 21. e3
Nc6 22. Be4 hxg4 23. Bxg6 fxg6 24. Qxg4 Qxd3 25. Rfd1 Qf5 26. Rb5 Re7 27. Rdb1
Ra6 28. Rxb7 Qxg4+ 29. hxg4 Nxa5 30. Rb8+ Kf7 31. Nd2 Nc6 32. Rc8 Ra4 33. f3
Rb4 34. Rc1 Rb8 35. Rxb8 Nxb8 36. Ne4 Ke6 37. Kf2 Kd7 38. Kg3 Nc6 39. Rc5 Nd8
40. Rd5+ Ke8 41. Nc5 Nf7 42. Rd2 Nd6 43. Ra2 Kf7 44. Ra8 g5 45. Ra4 Kg6 46. Kf2
Re8 47. Ra7 Re7 48. Ke2 e4 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. h4 O-O 6. h5 c5 7. hxg6 fxg6 8. dxc5
b6 9. cxb6 Qxb6 10. Rb1 Nc6 11. Nf3 Qa5 12. Nd2 Ng4 13. Nxd5 Nxf2 14. Kxf2 e5
15. Bc4 Be6 16. Ne7+ Nxe7 17. Bxe6+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8.
h4 f6 9. c4 Nb6 10. Rh3 fxe5 11. Nc3 d6 12. Bg5 Qe6 13. O-O-O Be7 14. Qe4 Qg6
15. Qxc6+ Bd7 16. Qxc7 Bxg5+ 17. hxg5 Bxh3 18. c5 O-O 19. cxb6 Qxg5+ 20. Rd2
Rac8 21. Qxd6 Rfd8 22. Bc4+ Kh8 23. b7 Rxd6 24. bxc8=R+ Bxc8 25. Ne4 Qxd2+ 26.
Nxd2 h5 27. Kd1 h4 28. Ke2 g5 29. f3 Kg7 30. b3 Rd4 31. Ke3 Bb7 32. Bf1 g4 33.
fxg4 Rxg4 34. Kf2 Bd5 35. a3 Rg3 36. Nf3 Bxf3 37. gxf3 Rg6 38. b4 Rc6 39. a4
Rc2+ 40. Ke3 Rc1 41. Kf2 Ra1 42. a5 Ra4 43. Kg2 Rxb4 44. Kh3 Kf6 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 Nc6 7. O-O Bg4 8. d5
Bxf3 9. Bxf3 Ne5 10. Be2 Nfd7 11. a4 c6 12. a5 a6 13. Be3 cxd5 14. Nxd5 Rc8 15.
Bd4 e6 16. Ne3 Qe7 17. Ra3 Rfd8 18. c4 Qf8 19. Bc3 Nc5 20. Qb1 Nc6 21. b4 Bxc3
22. Rxc3 Qg7 23. Rfc1 Nd4 24. Bf1 Nd7 25. Rd3 Nf8 26. Rcd1 e5 27. Rc3 Nfe6 28.
Nd5 Kh8 29. Rg3 Rf8 30. Qc1 Nc7 31. Ne7 Rce8 32. Nf5 Qf6 33. Nxd4 exd4 34. Rf3
Qe5 35. Qh6 Ne6 36. Rh3 Qg7 37. Qd2 Qe5 38. Qh6 Qg7 39. Qd2 Qf6 40. Qh6 Qg7 41.
Qd2 Qf6 42. Qh6 Qg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+2spm 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.9"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Bxa2 12. Nxa2 Nb7 13. c4 bxc4 14. dxc4 a5 15.
Qc2 axb4 16. axb4 Qd7 17. Bg5 Nd8 18. Nc3 Ne6 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Nd5 Be7 21. b5
Rfb8 22. Qd2 Nc5 23. Qe3 Bf8 24. Nb4 f5 25. exf5 Qxf5 26. Na6 Nxa6 27. bxa6 Be7
28. c5 Rb5 29. cxd6 Bxd6 30. Nd2 Bc5 31. Qe2 Rb4 32. Ra5 e4 33. Nb3 Rxb3 34.
Qc4+ Qf7 35. Qxc5 Rb2 36. h3 h6 37. a7 Rb6 38. Rfa1 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+2spm Chess960 2017"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2017.08.23"]
[Round "1.10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "2017.05.03"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

 0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2017.06.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 Ne4 8. Rc1
Nxc3 9. Rxc3 b6 10. c6 Nf6 11. a3 a5 12. Bd3 Ne4 13. Rc1 f6 14. Qc2 f5 15. Ne5
Ba6 16. Bxa6 Rxa6 17. Nd7 Re8 18. f3 Nf6 19. Ne5 Nh5 20. Bg3 Bd6 21. Bf2 Bxe5
22. dxe5 Qg5 23. Qe2 Raa8 24. g4 fxg4 25. fxg4 Rf8 26. gxh5 Qxe5 27. O-O Qe4
28. Bg3 e5 29. Rce1 h6 30. Qg2 Rxf1+ 31. Rxf1 Qxe3+ 32. Kh1 Qd4 33. Qf3 Kh8 34.
Qf5 Re8 35. Qg6 Rg8 36. Kg2 Qxb2+ 37. Rf2 Qc3 38. Qe6 e4 39. Be5 Qxa3 40. Qxh6#
1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2017.06.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. h3 Na5 13. Ba2 Nd7 14. Bg5 Kf8 15.
Nbd2 f6 16. Be3 Nb6 17. Bxb6 cxb6 18. Bd5 Ra7 19. Nb3 Rc7 20. Nxa5 bxa5 21.
Rec1 Bd7 22. Nd2 Rdc8 23. b3 Rxc2 24. Nc4 Rc3 25. Rxc3 bxc3 26. Nb6 Rd8 27. Rc1
Bb4 28. Nxd7+ Rxd7 29. Kf1 f5 30. f3 fxe4 31. fxe4 Rd6 32. Ke2 Rf6 33. Bc4 Ke7
34. Bd3 Rg6 35. g4 Rh6 36. Rh1 g5 37. Bc2 Kd6 38. Rd1+ Kc6 39. Rd3 Rd6 40.
Rxd6+ Bxd6 41. Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.05"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2017.06.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Bd3
dxc4 9. Bxc4 Qxd1+ 10. Rxd1 Bb4 11. O-O Bxc3 12. bxc3 Bd7 13. Ne5 Rc8 14. f3
Ba4 15. Bb3 Bxb3 16. axb3 Nd5 17. c4 Nxf4 18. exf4 f6 19. Nd3 Nd7 20. Rfe1 Nf8
21. Kf2 a5 22. Nb2 b5 23. cxb5 Rcb8 24. Na4 Rxb5 25. Rd3 Ng6 26. g3 e5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.05"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E17"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2017.06.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. Nbd2 b6 7. c4 Bb7 8. b3
c5 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. Bb2 dxc4 11. Nxc4 Qe7 12. a3 a5 13. Qb1 Nbd7 14. Ng5 Bxg2
15. Kxg2 h6 16. Ne4 Rac8 17. Rd1 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 Nf6 19. Qf3 Rfd8 20. h4 Nd5 21.
Rd3 a4 22. e4 Nf6 23. Rxd8+ Qxd8 24. Rd1 Qe7 25. b4 Bxf2 26. Qe2 Bxg3 27. Kxg3
Qc7+ 28. Nd6 Qc2 29. Qxc2 Nh5+ 30. Kf3 Rxc2 31. Bd4 g5 32. hxg5 hxg5 33. Rg1 f6
34. e5 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.05"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2017.06.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. Nb5 Na6 6. e3 c6 7. Nc3 Nb8 8. h3
O-O 9. Be2 Bf5 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Qc1 Re8 12. Bh2 Ne4 13. Nxe4 Bxe4 14. Ng5 Bf5
15. g4 e5 16. Nxf7 Kxf7 17. gxf5 exd4 18. Kh1 Qh4 19. Bg4 Nf6 20. Bg3 Qh6 21.
fxg6+ Qxg6 22. exd4 Nxg4 23. hxg4 Qxg4 24. c3 Qh3+ 25. Kg1 Re4 26. Re1 Rae8 27.
Rxe4 Rxe4 28. Qd1 h5 29. Qf3+ Bf6 30. Qh1 Qf5 31. Kf1 h4 32. Be5 Bxe5 33. dxe5
h3 34. Rd1 Rf4 35. Qh2 Rg4 36. e6+ Qxe6 37. Rd3 Re4 38. Qc7+ Kg6 39. Rg3+ Rg4
40. Rxh3 d4 41. Qh7+ Kg5 42. Qg7+ Kf5 43. Rh5+ Kf4 44. Qxd4+ Qe4 45. Qf6+ 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.05"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A04"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2017.06.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. O-O e5 5. e4 Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. d3 d6 8. Kh1
Bd7 9. Ng1 Nd4 10. f4 exf4 11. gxf4 Bc6 12. Nce2 Nxe2 13. Nxe2 Re8 14. c4 b5
15. b3 Rb8 16. Nc3 bxc4 17. bxc4 Nd7 18. Bd2 Bf6 19. Rc1 Rb2 20. Rc2 Qb6 21. a4
a6 22. Bc1 Rb3 23. Nd5 Bxd5 24. cxd5 Bd4 25. Re2 Rb1 26. Bf3 g6 27. Qc2 Rb8 28.
Kg2 Qb3 29. Rd1 Ra1 30. Qxb3 Rxb3 31. Rc2 Rbb1 32. Kf1 Nb6 33. a5 Na4 34. e5
Nc3 35. Re1 dxe5 36. d6 Kf8 37. fxe5 Rxa5 38. Rxc3 Bxc3 39. Bh6+ 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.05"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2017.06.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 Bxd3 17. Nd2 Qf5 18. a4 h6 19. Bd4 Rfe8 20. Kg2 Qxf3+ 21.
Nxf3 Bf5 22. axb5 axb5 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. Be5 Bc5 25. Nd4 Bd7 26. Nxb5 Re8 27.
Bxd5 cxd5 28. Nc7 Re7 29. Nxd5 Bc6 30. c4 Bd4 31. f4 f6 32. Kf1 Bxd5 33. Bxd4
Bxc4+ 34. Kf2 Rxe1 35. Kxe1 Kf7 36. Kd2 Ke6 37. Kc3 Kd5 38. b4 h5 39. Bc5 f5
1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.05"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2017.06.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8.
cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. Rc1 b6 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. O-O Nd7 14. Qe3
Nf6 15. Ne5 Qe7 16. f3 Rfd8 17. Bb5 Rac8 18. a4 h6 19. h3 Ne8 20. Nc6 Bxc6 21.
Bxc6 Nd6 22. d5 e5 23. Qa3 Qg5 24. a5 b5 25. Qc5 Rc7 26. a6 f5 27. Rce1 fxe4
28. fxe4 Qd2 29. Qf2 Qxf2+ 30. Kxf2 Rb8 31. Ke3 Rb6 32. Ra1 b4 33. Rfb1 Rf7 34.
Ra4 b3 35. Rb2 h5 36. Kd3 Rf4 37. Bd7 Kh7 38. Ke3 h4 39. Bg4 Rf7 40. Be2 Rc7
41. Bd3 Rc8 42. Kd2 Kg6 43. Ra3 Rcb8 44. Kc3 Rc8+ 45. Kd2 Rcb8 46. Kc3 Rc8+ 47.
Kd2 Rcb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.05"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2017.06.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. a4 a5 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4
Be7 9. Bg3 d6 10. h3 Nd7 11. Re1 Kh8 12. c3 Nb6 13. Bb3 f5 14. exf5 Bxf5 15. d4
e4 16. Nfd2 d5 17. f3 Bh4 18. Bxh4 Qxh4 19. Qe2 Bxh3 20. fxe4 Bxg2 21. Kxg2
Qg5+ 22. Kh1 Qh4+ 23. Kg2 Qg5+ 24. Kh1 Qh4+ 25. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D27"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bxc4 e6 5. Nf3 c5 6. O-O a6 7. b3 {This
apparently harmless continuation brings White good practical results. White
develops his pieces, ready for the opening of the centre (to ...cxd4 he will
recapture with a piece, of course).} Nbd7 (7... b5) (7... cxd4) ({and} 7... Nc6
{are more popular.}) 8. Bb2 b5 9. Be2 Bb7 {This classic arrangement of Black's
pieces is probably insufficient for equality in this line.} 10. a4 $1 b4 {
[%mdl 4] A positionally risky continuation. The c4-square will become White's
strong point.} ({However,} 10... bxa4 {has its drawbacks, too:} 11. Rxa4 Be7 (
11... cxd4 12. Nxd4 Nc5 13. Rc4 Bd5 14. Rc1 Qb6 15. Nc3 Bb7 16. b4 $1 $16 Qxb4
$140 17. Ncb5 $1) 12. Nbd2 O-O 13. Qa1 $1 Nb6 14. Ra5 cxd4 15. Bxd4 Bb4 16. Rg5
Nbd5 17. Ne4 Be7 18. Bd3 g6 19. Nc5 $14 {1/2 (34) Teske,H (2500)-Ivanov,J 
(2365) Regensburg 1997}) 11. Nbd2 Be7 12. Rc1 O-O 13. dxc5 Bxc5 (13... Nxc5 14.
Bxf6 $1 gxf6 15. Nd4 Rc8 16. Bf3 Nd3 (16... Bd5 17. Qe2 f5 18. Bxd5 Qxd5 {
0-1 (29) Matthias,H (2386)-Jonkman,H (2372) NRW 2000} 19. Rc4 $14) 17. Rc2 Bxf3
18. N2xf3 Nc5 19. Rc4 Qd5 20. Nd2 $14 {[%cal Yd1e2,Ye3e4]} (20. Rxb4 Ne4 21.
Rb6 Bd8 22. Rxa6 Qb7 23. Qe2 Nc3 24. Qd3 e5 25. Nf5 e4 26. Qd6 Ne2+ 27. Kh1
exf3 28. Nh6+ Kg7 29. Nf5+ Kg8 $11 {1/2 (31) Sharafiev,A (2415)-Geller,J (2474)
Sochi 2015})) 14. Ne5 (14. Ne1 Be7 15. Nd3 a5 16. Nc4 Rc8 17. Bd4 Nd5 18. Nde5
Nc5 19. Nd2 f6 20. Nec4 e5 $11 {1-0 (64) Palachev,P (2358)-Igonin,T (2498)
Moscow 2016}) 14... Rc8 15. Bf3 (15. Nxd7 Nxd7 16. Bf3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Be7 18.
Rxc8 Qxc8 19. Rc1 Qd8 20. Qe2 $5 (20. Ne4 f5 21. Qg3 e5 22. Nd2 {1/2 (22)
Akesson,R (2465)-Van Wely,L (2585) Antwerp 1995}) 20... Qa5 21. Qc4) 15... Nd5
{Black avoids the exchange of light-squared bishops in order not to lose
control of the c4-square completely.} 16. Nxd7 Qxd7 17. Nc4 Qe7 18. Qe2 Ba7 19.
g3 Bb8 20. Rfd1 $14 Rfd8 21. Bg2 Bc7 22. Qg4 f6 23. h4 ({White could have won
a pawn:} 23. e4 $5 Nc3 (23... Nb6 $2 24. Bxf6 $1 Qxf6 25. e5) 24. Bxc3 bxc3 25.
Rxc3 {, which is not easy to convert, though. Instead, he prefers to launch an
attack but fails to achieve success.}) 23... a5 24. Rd2 Ba6 25. Rdc2 Rb8 26. h5
Rd7 27. Qh4 Rf8 28. Bh3 Bb7 29. Bd4 Qf7 30. Rd2 h6 31. Qg4 Re8 32. Qg6 Red8 33.
Bg2 Ba6 34. Be4 Qxg6 35. hxg6 Ne7 36. Bc5 f5 37. Bxe7 Rxe7 38. Bf3 Rxd2 39.
Nxd2 Kf8 40. Rc5 Rd7 41. Nc4 Bxc4 42. Rxc4 Ke7 {Black has successfully
defended, and the game quietly reaches a draw.} 43. Rc6 Bd8 44. Be2 Rd6 45.
Rxd6 Kxd6 46. Bc4 e5 47. f4 Bb6 48. Kf2 exf4 49. gxf4 h5 50. Kf3 h4 51. Bf1 Ke6
52. e4 fxe4+ 53. Kxe4 Kf6 54. f5 Bd8 55. Bh3 Bb6 56. Bf1 Bd8 57. Bh3 Bb6 58.
Bf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 O-O 7. e3 Bf5 8.
Qb3 Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Bd3 c6 12. Bxf5 Qxf5 13. Qb3 Qc8 14. O-O
Nd7 15. Rfe1 Qc7 16. Rac1 Qb6 17. Qc2 Rfe8 18. a3 a5 19. b3 Qc7 20. Nd2 Qd6 21.
Qb2 Re6 22. f3 f5 23. Re2 Rae8 24. Rce1 Nf6 25. b4 axb4 26. axb4 Nh5 27. Qc3
Nf4 28. Rf2 h5 29. Nf1 h4 30. Rc1 Nh5 31. b5 f4 32. e4 dxe4 33. fxe4 Rxe4 34.
bxc6 bxc6 35. Qxc6 Qxd4 36. Qc5 Nf6 37. Qxd4 Rxd4 38. g3 hxg3 39. hxg3 Nh5 40.
Rc3 Re1 41. Kg2 Kh7 42. gxf4 Nxf4+ 43. Kh2 Re6 44. Kh1 g5 45. Rc7+ Kg6 46. Rfc2
Kh5 47. Rh7+ Kg4 48. Rc1 Rd3 49. Ra1 Nh3 50. Ra4+ Kf5 51. Rf7+ Kg6 52. Rfa7
Nf2+ 53. Kg2 Ne4 54. R7a6 Nd6 55. Ra3 Re2+ 56. Kg1 Rd1 57. Ra1 Rxa1 58. Rxa1
Ne4 59. Ra3 Rb2 60. Ng3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.08"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. e3 O-O 7. Qc2 Re8 8. Bd2
a6 9. h3 Bd6 10. a3 Bd7 11. Be2 dxc4 12. Bxc4 h6 13. O-O e5 14. Rae1 Qe7 15.
Nh4 Qd8 16. Qb3 Rf8 17. Qd1 b5 18. Ba2 Kh8 19. Bc1 {Aronian's last move seems
timid, but actually it provokes Black into a strong reaction. Black has two
logical ways of exploiting the knight's position on h4.} g5 $6 (19... e4 20.
Qc2 g5 21. f3 $5 {is a huge mess. Here are some lines as an example:} gxh4 (
21... Nh5 22. fxe4 (22. Bd5 $1) 22... g4 $1 $40) 22. fxe4 Rg8 (22... Bxh3 23.
Re2 $1 $13 (23. e5 Rg8 24. Rxf6 Rxg2+ 25. Qxg2 Bxg2 26. Kxg2 Nxe5 27. dxe5 Bxe5
28. Rxh6+ Kg7 29. e4 $13)) 23. Re2 Bxh3 24. Bxf7 $1 $13) 20. dxe5 $1 (20. Nf3
g4 {gives Black some attacking chances, and was Giri's point.}) 20... Nxe5 21.
f4 {And we have a mess on our hands. Black has to take the knight on h4.} gxh4
(21... Nc6 22. fxg5 hxg5 23. Nd5 $18) (21... gxf4 22. exf4 {is not much better.
}) 22. fxe5 Bxe5 23. e4 $1 {White is down a pawn, but this is inconsequential.
He has plenty of targets on the kingside to attack. Both sides must hurry to
create threats.} Rg8 24. Bxf7 $6 {Tempting but perhaps not the most precise.
The f7 pawn was not a key part of Black's defence or offence.} (24. Bf4 $1 Bxf4
(24... Bxh3 25. Bxe5 Rxg2+ 26. Kh1 {leads to nothing}) (24... Qe7 25. Qf3 $16)
25. Rxf4 Bxh3 26. Qxd8 Raxd8 27. Kh2 $1 Nh5 $1 {Otherwise Black loses material}
28. Rxh4 Bg4 29. Bxf7 Rg5 30. Nd5 $36 {with pressure on Black's kingside.})
24... Rg7 25. Bf4 Bxf4 26. Rxf4 Bxh3 27. Kh2 (27. Qxd8+ Rxd8 28. Re3 $1 (28.
Kh2 Rxf7 29. Kxh3 $11) 28... Bxg2 (28... Rxg2+ 29. Kh1 {and Black can't save
both of his pieces, nor create a mating threat}) 29. Rxf6 $16) 27... Bd7 28.
Be6 $1 {Covering g4.} Ng4+ 29. Rxg4 Bxe6 30. Qxd8+ Rxd8 31. Rxh4 Kh7 {
Unfortunately at the end of the day we have reached an endgame that is not
much for either side, though Black is to be preferred because of the bishop.}
32. Re2 Rd4 33. Rf2 Rf7 34. Rxf7+ Bxf7 35. Rf4 Kg7 36. Rf5 Rc4 37. Kg3 c5 38.
Kf3 b4 39. axb4 cxb4 40. Nd5 b3 41. Ne3 Rd4 42. Ra5 Bg6 43. Nf5+ Bxf5 44. exf5
Rd2 45. Rxa6 Rxb2 {the draw is now trivial} 46. Rg6+ Kh7 47. Rb6 Rb1 48. Rb7+
Kg8 49. g3 b2 50. Kg2 Kf8 51. Kh2 Kg8 52. Kg2 Kf8 53. Kh2 Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 a6 {This move was not what I was
expecting, but of late my opponent has been playing the Slav Defence
frequently, so that it is easy to explain his choice. The ratio of predicting
the opening choices of my opponents is in my case one in three. Dieser Zug kam
für mich unerwartet, aber mein Gegner spielt in der letzten Zeit oft die
Slawische Verteidigung, sodass sich seine Wahl leicht erklären lässt. Die
Quote bei der Voraussage der Eröffnungswahl meiner Gegner ist bei mir etwa
eins zu drei.} 6. b3 {In 2013 I played four games with this variation (none
since then), but on every occasion I had the black pieces.. 2013 spielte ich
vier Partien mit dieser Variante (und seitdem nicht mehr), hatte dabei aber
immer Schwarz.} ({On those occasions Gelfand, Nakamura and Ding Liren
preferred the continuation with Gelfand, Nakamura und Ding Liren haben gegen
mich damals die Fortsetzung} 6. c5 {which leads to a murky strategic battle.
The move in the game is considered less "hard", but I wanted to obtain a
lively game. bevorzugt, die zu einem zähflüssigen strategischen Kampf führt.
Der Partiezug gilt als weniger "hart", aber ich wollte ein lebendiges Spiel
bekommen.}) 6... Bb4 ({I have never been able to understand the popularity of
Die Popularität von} 6... c5 {, Black has developed only one knight and yet
he makes another pawn move. A really Romantic way of playing... konnte ich nie
verstehen. Schwarz hat nur einen Springer entwickelt und trotzdem macht er
einen weiteren Bauernzug. Eine echt romantische Spielweise...}) 7. Bd2 Nbd7 8.
Bd3 O-O 9. O-O Qe7 {The second most frequently played continuation, which
offers more room for creativity. Die zweithäufigste Fortsetzung, die mehr
Raum für Kreativität bietet.} ({In the 2012 world championship the move
Anand chose against Gelfand was In der Weltmeisterschaft 2012 spielte Anand
gegen Gelfand} 9... Bd6) 10. Bc2 ({I found this in 2005 or 2006. The idea is
actually typical. Even in the variation with Das fand ich 2005 oder 2006.
Eigentlich ist diese Idee typisch, sogar in der Variante} 10. Qe1 a5 {the move
ist} 11. Bc2 {is a good option.  The move 10.Bc2 is useful for e3-e4, and in
addition it is aimed against e6-e5 (see below). eine gute Möglichkeit.  Der
Zug 10.Bc2 ist für e3-e4 nützlich, außerdem ist er gegen e6-e5 gerichtet (s.
weiter unten).}) 10... Rd8 {This logical contiuation has a hidden but
important disadvantage. Black has available to him other sound moves such as
10...b6 or 10...Re8. Then White's play would be linked either to the pawn
sacrifice 11.a3 Bxa3 12.e4 or to the preparation of the advance e3-e4 by means
of 11.Re1. Diese logische Fortsetzung hat einen versteckten, aber wesentlichen
Nachteil. Schwarz verfügte über andere gesunde Züge wie 10...b6 oder 10...
Re8 - dann wäre das weiße Spiel entweder mit dem Bauernopfer 11.a3 Bxa3 12.
e4 oder mit der Vorbereitung des Vorstoßes e3-e4 mittels 11.Re1 verbunden.} (
10... b6 11. a3 (11. Re1 {[%cal Ye3e4]}) 11... Bxa3 12. e4) (10... Re8 11. a3 (
11. Re1 {[%cal Ye3e4]}) 11... Bxa3 12. e4) ({But Auf} 10... e5 {is met by the
strong reply folgt die starke Erwiderung} 11. Nxd5 cxd5 12. Bxb4 Qxb4 13. dxe5
{with the advantage. mit Vorteil.}) 11. a3 {After thinking things over for 17
minutes I came to the conclusion that apart from 11.a3 there are few good
moves here. In doing so I assumed that it is very dangeous for Black to take
on a3. Nach 17 Minuten Nachdenken kam ich zum Schluss, dass es hier außer 11.
a3 wenige gute Züge gibt. Dabei vermutete ich, dass es für Schwarz sehr
gefährlich ist, auf a3 zu nehmen.} Bxa3 ({The lesser evil was probably Das
kleinere Übel war wahrscheinlich} 11... Bd6 12. e4 dxe4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4
Nf6 15. Bg5 {, after which Black gets a passive but solid position. But this
variation would mean that 10...Rd8 was not a good idea. , wonach Schwarz eine
passive, aber feste Stellung bekäme. Diese Variante würde aber bedeuten,
dass 10...Rd8 keine gute Idee war.}) 12. Rxa3 (12. e4 {would lead to a
position in which White would have compensation for the pawn he has sacrificed,
but one should not miss the chance to raise the stakes führte zu einer
Stellung, in der Weiß Kompensation für den geopferten Bauern hätte, aber
man darf nicht die Chance verpassen, den Einsatz zu erhöhen.}) 12... Qxa3 13.
c5 b6 ({Whilst my opponent was pondering the position, I turned my attention
to the continuation Während mein Gegner über die Stellung sinnierte, widmete
ich mich der Fortsetzung} 13... e5 {, which I considered to be the strngest. ,
die ich für die stärkste hielt.} {After the further moves Nach den weiteren
Zügen} 14. Nb1 Qa2 15. Bb4 a5 16. Nc3 Qxc2 17. Qxc2 axb4 18. Na2 {it is White
who has the advantage. gehört der Vorteil dem Weißen.}) 14. b4 {A mistake.
Ein Fehler.} ({Instead of that White had at his disposal a way to gain the
upper hand, but which simply did not occur to me: Stattdessen verfügte Weiß
über einen Weg, die Oberhand zu gewinnen, der mir aber gar nicht in den Sinn
kam:} 14. Nb1 Qa2 15. Qc1 ({I overlooked the fact that I had this option and
considered only ich habe übersehen, dass ich diese Option besitze und habe nur
} 15. Bb4 {which would lead to sharp play. in Betracht gezogen, was zu
scharfem Spiel führen würde}) 15... bxc5 16. Nc3 Qa5 17. Nxd5 Qb5 18. Nc7 Qb8
19. Nxa8 Qxa8 20. Ba5 Re8 21. dxc5 {and there is no way to heal the wounds in
the black position. und die Wunden in der schwarzen Stellung sind unheilbar.})
14... Ne4 ({The only possibility of maintaining the tension was the amazing
Die einzige Möglichkeit, die Spannung aufrechtzuerhalten, war das
verblüffende} 14... Qb2 $1 {This is actually logical - in order to save
yourself from wild animals you have to get closer to them and show that you
are not afraid of them. Easier said than done. Eigentlich ist es logisch - um
sich vor wilden Tieren zu retten, muss man ihnen näherkommen und zeigen, dass
man sie nicht fürchtet. Leichter gesagt, als getan...}) 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Bxe4
Rb8 {This came after a long period of thought. Simpler moves led to unpleasant
endgames in which the white pawns d4-c5 represent important trump cards.  Das
folgte nach langem Nachdenken. Einfachere Züge führten zu unangenehmen
Endspielen, in denen die weißen Bauern d4-c5 wichtige Trümpfe darstellen.}
17. Bxh7+ ({The consequences of Die Folgen von} 17. Bxc6 a5 {were not really
clear to me. waren mir nicht ganz klar.}) ({I also considered (the stronger)
Ich habe auch (das stärkere)} 17. Qc2 {but what worried me about it was the
possibility of betrachtet, aber dabei störte mich die Möglichkeit} Nf6 {
; If the continuation in the game had not been so tempting, I would perhaps
have taken a closer look and found the reply ; wäre die Partiefortsetzung
nicht so verlockend gewesen, hätte ich vielleicht genauer hingeschaut und die
Erwiderung} 18. Bxh7+ Nxh7 19. Ne5 {with the terrible threat of Nc4. mit der
schrecklichen Drohung Nc4 gefunden.}) 17... Kxh7 ({In the event of Im Falle von
} 17... Kf8 {there is the very strong ist} 18. Qc2 bxc5 19. Ne5 {when White's
attack brings in material dividends. sehr stark - der weiße Angriff bringt
materielle Dividenden.}) 18. Ng5+ Kg8 {The only move, after which the moves
are forced for a while. Der einzige Zug, nach dem sich das Spiel eine Zeit
lang forciert entwickelt.} ({In the event of Im Falle von} 18... Kg6 19. Qg4 f5
20. Qg3 Kf6 (20... f4 21. Qxf4 Rf8 22. Qh4 {with a decisive attack. mit
entscheidendem Angriff}) 21. d5 {the black pieces are too passive to be able
to completely defend their king. sind die schwarzen Figuren zu passiv, um
ihren König vollwertig verteidigen zu können.}) 19. Qh5 Nf6 20. Qxf7+ Kh8 21.
Qc7 Bd7 22. Nf7+ Kh7 {I too thought that the king was worse placed on g8 than
on h7. Auch ich dachte, dass der König auf g8 schlechter steht, als auf h7.}
23. Nxd8 Rc8 24. Qxb6 ({When the situation of the opposing king on h7 is taken
into account, White has the interesting option of In Anbetracht der Lage des
gegnerischen Königs auf h7 verfügte Weiß über die interessante Möglichkeit
} 24. Qf4 Rxd8 25. e4 {with the threat of 26.e5, but I steered a course
towards the position which I had calcualted in advance. mit der Drohung 26.e5,
aber ich steuerte auf die Stellung aus meiner Vorausberechnung los.}) 24... Nd5
25. Qa7 Rxd8 26. e4 Qd3 {We both considered this move to be the strongest
continuation; but in reality it is a mistake. Diesen Zug hielten wir beide
für die stärkste Fortsetzung, in Wirklichkeit aber ist es ein Fehler.} ({
When calculating 17.Bxh7+ I reached the position which would now appear after
Beim Berechnen von 17.Bxh7+ kam ich zur Position, die nun nach} 26... Nf6 27.
Bg5 Qxb4 (27... Kg6 {is bad on account of ist schlecht wegen} 28. Bxf6 Kxf6 29.
Qc7 Ke7 30. d5) 28. e5 Qxd4 29. exf6 gxf6 {and I thought I would be able to
find something in it for White. To my amazement I am obliged to admit that in
this case after aufs Brett kommen würde, und dachte, dass sich dort für
Weiß etwas finden ließe. Zu meiner Verwunderung muss ich zugeben, dass der
Anziehende in diesem Fall nach} 30. Qc7 Rf8 31. Be3 {White is only slightly
better. nur etwas besser steht.}) 27. exd5 Qxd2 28. Qc7 Qg5 29. dxc6 {It is
astonishing, but this natural move turns out to be a blunder which costs White
all of his advantage. Erstaunlich, aber dieser natürliche Zug erweist sich
als ein grober Fehler, der den Weißen seinen ganzen Vorteil kostet.} ({
After the best move Nach dem besten} 29. d6 {Black has only a few
possibilities for counterplay, so that White would be able to gradually
activate his rook and decide the game in his favour. hat Schwarz nur wenige
Gegenspielmöglichkeiten, sodass der Anziehende imstande sein würde, seinen
Turm allmählich zu aktivieren und die Partie für sich zu entscheiden.} {
As he does so, however, he must see that Dabei muss man übrigens sehen, dass}
e5 30. dxe5 Bh3 {does not work on account of wegen} 31. Qxc6 {. In the final
position the white queen has everything under control. nicht funktioniert - in
der Endstellung hält die weiße Dame alles unter Kontrolle.}) 29... Bc8 (29...
Be8 {loses material after verliert Material nach} 30. Qb7) 30. h3 Qd5 ({
After Auf} 30... e5 {then gewinnt} 31. f4 exf4 32. Qxf4 {wins, because the
white queen and rook get into the game. , weil die weißen Dame und Turm ins
Spiel kommen.}) 31. Rd1 e5 {This delay costs Black the game. Diese
Verzögerung kostet den Schwarzen die Partie.} ({He could save himself by
attacking the f2-square by means of Die Rettung bestand im Angriff auf den
Punkt f2 mittels} 31... Rf8 {- after - nach} 32. Qd6 ({or oder} 32. Rd3 Qe4)
32... Qb3 33. Qxf8 Qxd1+ 34. Kh2 Qxd4 {The struggle would end in a draw.
würde der Kampf unentschieden enden.}) 32. Rd3 {The rook disrupts the black
position. Der Turm bringt Dissonanz in die schwarze Stellung.} exd4 33. Qe7 Bf5
({There was the more resilient Zäher wäre} 33... Rg8) 34. Rg3 Bg6 35. Qh4+ {
Of course, there are several mistakes in this game but the content is worthy
of study. Natürlich gibt es in dieser Partie mehrere Fehler, dafür aber
einen würdigen Inhalt.} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 Bxd3 17. Nd2 Qf5 18. Bd4 Rfe8 19. a4 h6 20. h4 Rxe1+ 21.
Rxe1 Qxf3 22. Nxf3 Bg6 23. Be5 Bc5 24. Nd4 Nb6 25. Nxc6 bxa4 26. Ba2 Re8 27.
Ra1 Be4 28. Bd4 Bxc6 29. Bxc5 Nd7 30. Bd4 Ne5 31. Bxe5 Rxe5 32. Bc4 Bb5 33. Bf1
Kf8 34. f3 Re8 35. Bxb5 axb5 36. c4 bxc4 37. Rxa4 Rb8 38. Rxc4 Rxb2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 (5. e3 {gives Black a wider
choice:} Nc6 ({Plausible alternatives are} 5... dxc4 6. Bxc4 a6 7. O-O b5 8.
Be2 Bb7 9. dxc5 Qxd1 (9... Bxc5 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11. Nd2 Nbd7 12. Nb3 Bb6 13. a4
b4 14. a5 Ba7 15. Na2 Bd5 16. Nd4 e5 17. Nf5 Bc5 18. Bd2 Ne4 19. Rfd1 Bxa2 20.
Rxa2 g6 21. Ng3 Nxd2 22. Rxd2 Ke7 23. Ra1 Rhc8 24. Rad1 Nf6 25. b3 h5 26. Bf3
Rab8 27. Ne4 Rb5 $11 {Wojtaszek,R (2749)-Bu,X (2705) Doha rpd 2016}) 10. Rxd1
Bxc5 11. Nd2 Be7 12. Nb3 Nc6 13. e4 O-O 14. Be3 Rfd8 15. Bb6 Rxd1+ 16. Rxd1 Kf8
17. Nc5 Bc8 18. a3 Ke8 19. Nxb5 axb5 20. Bxb5 Bxc5 21. Bxc6+ Bd7 22. Bxa8 Bxb6
23. h3 e5 24. b3 Ke7 $13 {1/2-1/2 (55) Li,C (2720)-Xiong,J (2658)
Khanty-Mansiysk 2017}) ({and also} 5... a6 $5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. g3 (7. Be2 Nc6 8.
O-O Bd6 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. b3 ({or} 10. a3 {is the more usual follow-up})) 7...
Nc6 8. Bg2 Bd6 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. O-O O-O 11. Nd4 Nxd4 12. exd4 Ba7 13. Bg5 Be6
14. Rc1 Rc8 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. Bxd5 Rxc1 18. Qxc1 b5 19. Qc6 Bxd4
20. Qxf6 Bxf6 21. b3 Rd8 22. Rd1 Kf8 $11 {Aronian,L (2792)-Caruana,F (2807)
Saint Louis 2016}) 6. cxd5 (6. a3 a6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. b4 Ba7 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Qc2
Bd7 11. Be2 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Rc8 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 Nd4 15. Ne5 Bb5 16. Bxb5
Nxb5 17. O-O Qe7 18. Rad1 Rfd8 19. Nc4 Bd4 $1 20. Bxd4 Rxc4 21. Bc5 Rxd1 22.
Rxd1 Rxe4 23. Bxe7 h5 $11 {Bu,X (2712)-Wei,Y (2728) Beijing 2017}) 6... Nxd5 7.
Bd3 {and now:} Be7 (7... cxd4 8. exd4 Bb4 $6 9. O-O $1 {is extremely risky for
Black:} O-O 10. Bc2 Bd7 11. a3 Bxc3 12. Qd3 f5 13. bxc3 b5 14. a4 a6 15. Re1
Qc7 16. Ng5 (16. Bb3 $5) 16... Qd6 {Grischuk,A (2742)-Mamedyarov,S (2766)
Sharjah 2017} 17. Bb3 $1 $16 {Grischuk For more details see the notes to this
game in CBM 177 by Hillarp Persson}) 8. O-O O-O {is the more flexible
continuation - after} 9. Re1 {Black can retain the tension with} b6 $5 $132)
5... Nxd5 (5... exd5 $2 6. Bg5 $16 {is out of the question.}) ({However,
especially Chinese players have successfully employed} 5... cxd4 6. Qxd4 (6.
Qa4+ Bd7 7. Qxd4 exd5 8. Nxd5 Qa5+ 9. Nc3 Nc6 10. Qd1 Ne4 $44) 6... exd5 7. e4
({White has recently tried the less forcing} 7. Bg5 $5 Be7 8. e3) 7... Nc6 8.
Bb5 dxe4 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. Ng5 Be6 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Nxe6+ fxe6 13. Ke2 Bb4 14.
Na4 Kc7 15. Bf4+ Bd6 16. Be3 Nd5 17. Rac1 Rhf8 18. Nc5 Bxc5 19. Rxc5 Nf4+ 20.
Bxf4+ Rxf4 21. Ke3 Raf8 22. Rc2 Rg4 23. g3 Rf3+ 24. Ke2 Rg6 25. Rhc1 Rgf6 26.
Rxc6+ Kd7 27. Rc7+ Kd6 28. R1c6+ Kd5 29. Rc5+ {½, So,W (2808)-Wei,Y (2706)
Wijk aan Zee 2017}) 6. e4 {The principled main line.} ({The more modest} 6. e3
{has at least in comparison with 5.e3 the advantage of limiting Black's
options (for example White has already avoided positions, in which he would
face the isolated Pd5). This line already arose in a very important game
between the same opponents:} Nc6 7. Bd3 Be7 8. a3 O-O 9. Qc2 ({After the
standard} 9. O-O {Black can again consider} b6 $5 10. Qc2 Nxc3 11. bxc3 g6 12.
Rd1 Qc7 13. Bb2 Bb7 14. dxc5 bxc5 15. c4 f5 16. Rab1 Rad8 17. Be2 Rxd1+ 18.
Bxd1 Ba8 19. Qd2 Rd8 20. Qc3 e5 21. Ne1 Qa5 22. f3 Kf7 $11 {Wang,H (2733)
-Ponomariov,R (2751) Bucharest 2013 See the notes to this game in CBM 157 by
Wang Hao.}) 9... cxd4 10. exd4 f5 $5 11. O-O Bf6 12. Nxd5 Qxd5 13. Be3 b5 $1
14. Qe2 Bb7 15. Rac1 a6 16. Rfd1 f4 17. Rc5 Qd6 {Aronian,L (2809)-Kramnik,V 
(2810) London Candidates 2013} 18. Bxf4 Qxf4 19. Qxe6+ Kh8 20. Rh5 h6 21. Nh4
$1 $132 {For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 154 by Postny.})
6... Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O {The starting
position of a line, which has been around since the 1930s (e.g. in the
Alekhine-Euwe match). It has quite a solid reputation for Black and even 2
high-calibre wins by White in 1969 didn't discourage Black, who subsequently
found ways to sidestep the danger and hold the balance. Although White has a
mobile pawn centre, his chances for a successful attack are lessened by the
swap of two pairs of minor pieces. Further simplification may give Black a
pleasant endgame with the prospect of building a distant passed pawn on the
queenside.} 11. Bc4 {Kramnik has played the Semi-Tarrasch quite a few times
since 2013 and his games are good examples of the modern development of the
line. He played also it against Aronian, in their earlier encounters 
(including the blitz event in Norway 2017) when Levon preferred the other main
move:} (11. Rc1 {and now:} {Currently the more usual reaction is} b6 $142 (
11... Nc6 12. Bc4 {makes it more difficult for Black to fianchetto his B, but
matters are still not too clear:} (12. Bb5 $5 Bd7 13. O-O Ne5 14. Be2 Nxf3+ 15.
Bxf3 Rc8 16. d5 Qf6 17. Qa5 exd5 18. exd5 a6 19. Qa3 Rxc1 20. Rxc1 Rc8 21.
Rxc8+ Bxc8 22. h3 g6 23. Qc5 Qa1+ 24. Kh2 Qe5+ 25. g3 Bf5 26. a4 b5 27. axb5
axb5 28. Qxb5 Qd4 29. Kg2 Kg7 30. Qe8 h5 31. Qe7 Qf6 32. Qe3 Qd6 $14 {Peralta,
F (2574)-Negi,P (2645) Tromsoe olm 2014 In the end Black managed to hold his
fortress.}) 12... Na5 (12... Qa5 13. d5 $1 (13. Qxa5 Nxa5 14. Bd3 Rd8 15. Ke2
Nc6 16. Ke3 Bd7 17. Rc3 Kf8 18. Rb1 Rab8 19. Bb5 f6 20. Ra3 Ke8 21. Bxc6 Bxc6
22. Ne1 Ra8 23. Nd3 b6 24. Rc1 Rdc8 $11 {Tikkanen,H (2360)-Aagaard,J (2445)
Sweden 2002}) 13... exd5 14. Qxa5 Nxa5 15. Bxd5 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Ne5 Rfd8
18. Ke2 Rd4 19. Ke3 Ra4 20. Rhd1 Nc6 21. Nxc6 bxc6 22. Rd2 Rc8 23. Rc5 $36 {
1/2-1/2 (53) Anand,V (2797)-Naiditsch,A (2706) Baden-Baden 2015}) (12... Qd6
13. O-O Rd8 14. Rfd1 Bd7 15. Qe3 h6 16. h3 Na5 17. Bd3 Rac8 18. e5 Qd5 19. Rc5
Qxa2 20. Qe4 Rxc5 21. dxc5 Kf8 (21... Ba4 $142 $1 22. Qh7+ Kf8 {/\} 23. Re1 $1
Bc6 24. Be2 Qa4 25. Qh8+ Ke7 26. Qxg7 Qf4 $13 {Houdini}) 22. Bb5 Ke7 23. Qh4+
Ke8 24. Qd4 Qd5 25. Qa4 Qxd1+ 26. Qxd1 Bxb5 27. Qb1 $16 {Moiseenko,A (2698)
-Romanov,E (2640) Legnica 2013 See the notes to this game in CBM 155 by
Ftacnik.}) 13. Bd3 b6 $5 (13... h6 14. O-O b6 15. h4 Bb7 16. Bb1 Rc8 17. d5
exd5 18. e5 Ba6 19. Rxc8 Bxc8 20. h5 Nb7 21. Qd3 f5 22. Rd1 (22. exf6 {seems
extremely dangerous, but the engine survives the onslaught after} Qxf6 23. Qh7+
Kf7 24. Re1 Be6 25. Ne5+ Ke8 26. Ng4 Qe7 $13) 22... Qe7 23. Qxd5+ Be6 24. Qc6
Rd8 25. Nd4 Bf7 26. Bxf5 Nc5 27. f4 Qh4 28. Qf3 Bxh5 29. g4 Be8 30. Kg2 g6 31.
Bc2 Bf7 $132 {Eilmes,D (2276)-Vecek,M (2210) email 2011}) 14. h4 $5 (14. O-O
Bb7 15. Qf4 Rc8 16. Rxc8 Qxc8 17. Rc1 Qb8 18. Rc7 f6 19. d5 Rf7 20. d6 e5 21.
Qc1 Rxc7 22. dxc7 Qe8 23. Bc4+ Nxc4 24. Qxc4+ Kf8 25. Qd3 Ke7 26. Qa3+ {
½, Kucherov,D (2122)-Popov,V (2216) email 2011}) 14... Bb7 15. Rh3 f5 16. exf5
exf5 17. Qf4 Rc8 18. Rxc8 Qxc8 19. Kf1 Qe6 20. Kg1 Qxa2 21. Ne5 Qe6 22. Rg3 Be4
$132 {Nyzhnyk,I (2629)-Macieja,B (2583) Dallas 2014}) 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. O-O Nd7 (
13... h6 14. Qe3 Nc6 15. h4 $1 (15. Rfd1 Rc8 16. h4 Ne7 17. h5 Qd6 18. d5 Rxc1
19. Rxc1 Rc8 20. Re1 Rc3 21. Qd2 Rc5 22. Bb1 Kf8 23. Qd3 Rc8 24. a3 e5 (24...
Rd8 $5 $11) 25. Qb3 Rc5 26. Qb2 f6 27. Ba2 Bc8 28. Nd2 Bg4 29. Nc4 Qd7 30. d6
Nc6 31. Nxb6 {Mamedyarov,S (2756)-Kramnik,V (2783) Shamkir 2015} Qxd6 $1 32.
Qb3 Be6 $11) 15... Rc8 16. h5 Qe7 17. Bb1 Rfd8 18. d5 exd5 19. e5 Ba6 20. Rfe1
Qd7 21. Qf4 Ne7 22. Nd4 Rxc1 23. Qxc1 $36 {Giri,A (2790)-Harikrishna,P (2763)
Shamkir 2016 See the notes to this game in CBM 173 by Iotov.}) 14. Qe3 (14. Qf4
h6 (14... Nf6 15. h3 Rc8 (15... h6 16. Rc3 Rc8 17. Ra3 a6 18. Rb3 Nd7 19. Rfb1
Qc7 20. Ne5 f6 21. Ng6 Qxf4 22. Nxf4 Kf7 23. d5 (23. Be2 $5 Bxe4 24. Re1 $36)
23... exd5 24. exd5 g5 25. Bg6+ Kg7 26. Bf5 gxf4 27. Bxd7 Bxd5 28. Rxb6 Bxa2
29. Bxc8 Bxb1 30. Bxa6 Bf5 $11 {Stefanova,A (2527)-Socko,B (2637) Antwerp 2009}
) 16. Rxc8 Qxc8 17. Rc1 Qb8 18. Qh4 h6 19. e5 Nd5 20. Qe4 g6 21. Qg4 Rc8 22.
Re1 Ne7 23. Nh4 Qc7 24. Bxg6 Nxg6 25. Nxg6 fxg6 26. Qxg6+ Qg7 27. Qxe6+ Kh8 $13
{/=/+, Dragun,K (2614)-Rausis,I (2617) Teplice 2017}) 15. h4 $5 (15. e5 Rc8 16.
Nd2 Rxc1 (16... Qg5 17. Qxg5 hxg5 18. Ne4 (18. Nc4 $142 $1 Ba6 19. Nxb6 $14)
18... Bxe4 19. Bxe4 Rfd8 20. g3 b5 21. Rxc8 Rxc8 22. Rb1 Rc4 $11 {Gharamian,T 
(2672)-Gyimesi,Z (2651) Belfort 2012}) 17. Rxc1 f6 18. Qg4 Nxe5 19. Qxe6+ Rf7
20. Bf5 g6 21. Nc4 Nxc4 22. Bxg6 Nd6 23. d5 Kf8 24. Bxf7 Nxf7 25. Rd1 Qd6 $13 {
Nakamura,H (2787)-Kramnik,V (2812) Paris rpd 2016}) 15... Rc8 16. Rxc8 Qxc8 17.
Rc1 Qb8 (17... Qa8 $5) 18. Qxb8 Rxb8 19. Rc7 Nf6 20. Ne5 Bxe4 21. Bxe4 Nxe4 22.
Rxf7 (22. f3 Ng3 23. Nxf7 Ne2+ 24. Kh2 Nxd4 25. Rxa7 Rc8 $11 {Gupta,A (2643)
-Golod,V (2561) New Delhi 2012}) 22... a5 23. Rc7 {Gelfand,B (2724)-Kramnik,V 
(2811) Zuerich rpd 2017} Rd8 $132) {Later games featured} 14... Nf6 (14... Rc8
15. e5 $5 Bxf3 (15... h6 16. Nd2 Bd5 17. Ne4 Bxa2 18. Ra1 Bc4 19. Bxc4 Rxc4 20.
Rxa7 Rc7 21. Ra3 f5 {Collas,S (2287)-Cosma,E (2335) Porto Carras 2011} 22. Nc3
$36 {[%cal Yd4d5,Yc3b5,Yb5d6]}) 16. Qxf3 Qh4 17. Qe3 Rfd8 18. f4 Nf8 (18... g6
$5) 19. Rxc8 Rxc8 20. f5 exf5 21. Bxf5 Rd8 22. Rd1 Ng6 23. Bxg6 hxg6 24. d5 Qc4
25. d6 Qe6 26. Qg3 b5 27. h3 $16 {Aronian,L (2809)-Kramnik,V (2801) Paris/St
Petersburg 2013 See the notes to this game in CBM 154 by Aronian.}) 15. Ne5 Qe7
16. f3 Rfd8 17. Bb5 (17. Rc2 Rac8 18. Rfc1 h6 19. Be2 Qd6 20. a3 Rxc2 21. Rxc2
Nd7 22. Nc4 Qc7 23. Bd3 b5 24. Nd2 {½, Hammer,J (2628)-Vallejo Pons,F (2709)
Sharjah 2017} Qb6 $11) 17... Rac8 18. Bc6 (18. a4 h6 19. h3 Ne8 20. Nc6 Bxc6
21. Bxc6 Nd6 22. d5 e5 23. Qa3 Qg5 24. a5 b5 25. Qc5 Rc7 26. a6 f5 27. Rce1
fxe4 28. fxe4 Qd2 29. Qf2 Qxf2+ 30. Kxf2 Rb8 31. Ke3 Rb6 32. Ra1 b4 $36 {
Aronian,L (2793)-Kramnik,V (2808) Stavanger blitz 2017}) 18... Ne8 19. Ba4 Nd6
20. Qa3 Nf5 $6 (20... Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Qg5 22. Rd1 $14) (20... f6 $5 21. Nd3 Ba6
$132) 21. Qxe7 Nxe7 22. Bd7 Rb8 23. Rc7 Ng6 24. Nxf7 $6 (24. Nxg6 hxg6 25. Rd1
$36) 24... Kxf7 25. Bc8+ Ne7 26. Bxb7 Rxd4 27. f4 Rbd8 $11 {Aronian,L (2792)
-Kramnik,V (2812) Leuven blitz 2016}) 11... Nd7 {Currently the attention is
focussed on the text move.} (11... Nc6 {is the older line, here after} 12. O-O
b6 {the dominant continuation is} 13. Rad1 (13. Rfd1 Bb7 14. Qf4 Rc8 15. d5
exd5 16. Bxd5 Qe7 17. Ng5 Ne5 $1 18. Bxb7 Ng6 19. Qf5 Qxb7 20. Rd7 Qa6 $132 {
[%cal Ra6a2] Alekhine,A-Euwe,M WCh Netherlands 1937}) ({Interesting is} 13.
Rfe1 $5 Bb7 14. d5 Na5 15. Bd3 {/\} exd5 16. e5 $1 $44 {Declining the offer
can lead to positions mentioned below.}) 13... Bb7 14. Rfe1 (14. Qf4 Qf6 15.
Qe3 Rac8 16. e5 $6 Qh6 $1 17. Qxh6 gxh6 18. Rfe1 Nb4 19. Bb3 Rfd8 20. Re3 Nd5
21. Re4 Nc3 22. Rg4+ Kh8 23. Re1 a5 24. Nd2 b5 $36 {Gschnitzer,O (2427)-Ribli,
Z (2585) Germany 2005 This game highlights one of Black's strategic goals - an
advantageous endgame.}) 14... Rc8 15. d5 Na5 (15... exd5 16. Bxd5 Na5 $6 (16...
Qe7 $142 $14) (16... Qc7 $5 $14) 17. Qf4 Qc7 18. Qf5 Bxd5 19. exd5 Qc2 20. Qf4
Qxa2 21. d6 Rcd8 22. d7 $36 {[%csl Gd7] Spassky,B-Petrosian,T WCh Moscow 1969})
16. Bd3 Qe7 $142 $5 {is possibly the best move, Black should hold after} (16...
Qd6 17. dxe6 $5 (17. Qg5 h6 18. Qg4 Rcd8 19. h4 Kh8 20. h5 Bc8 21. Qh4 exd5 22.
e5 Qe6 23. Nd4 Qg4 24. Qxg4 Bxg4 25. f3 Bd7 26. e6 Bxe6 27. Nxe6 fxe6 28. Rxe6
Nb7 29. Re7 Nc5 $132 {Klim,K (2357)-Cyborowski,L (2546) Rewal 2012}) 17... fxe6
18. Qg5 Qd8 19. e5 Qe8 20. Nd4 Nc4 21. f4 Nb2 22. Bb5 Qf7 23. Rb1 Nc4 24. Rbc1
Na3 25. f5 $16 {Havumaki,A-Galje,H (2287) email 2012}) (16... exd5 $6 17. e5
Nc4 18. Qf4 $36 h6 (18... Nb2 $6 19. Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 20. Ng5+ Kg6 21. h4 $3 Rc4 (
21... Qe7 22. Re3 $1 Rc4 23. h5+ Kh6 24. Ne4+ Kh7 25. Qf5+ Kh6 26. Rg3 Rxe4 27.
Rg6+ Kh7 28. Re6+ Kg8 29. Rxe7 Bc8 30. Qg5 Nxd1 31. h6 Rg4 {Mehlhorn,U (2183)
-Drobusch,R (2045) email 2003} 32. Qh5 gxh6 33. e6 $18) 22. h5+ (22. Rd4 $5 $16
) 22... Kh6 23. Nxf7+ Kh7 24. Qf5+ Kg8 25. e6 Qf6 26. Qxf6 gxf6 27. Rd2 $16 {
Polugaevsky,L-Tal,M Moscow 1969}) 19. Qf5 g6 20. Qh3 (20. Qg4 $1 Kg7 21. Nd4
$40) 20... Kg7 21. e6 Qf6 22. exf7 Qxf7 23. Qg3 Rce8 {Bhat,V (2510)-Gerzhoy,L 
(2456) Palma de Mallorca 2009} 24. Nh4 $36) 17. Qf4 (17. dxe6 fxe6 (17... Qxe6
18. Nd4 Qe5 19. Nf5 g6 20. Nh6+ Kh8 21. Ng4 Qe6 22. Qf4 f6 23. Bb5 g5 24. Qg3
Rcd8 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. e5 a6 27. Bf1 Rd4 28. exf6 $1 {1-0, Dokhoian,Y (2570)
-Webb,S (2410) Tbilisi 1989}) 18. Bb5 Bc6 19. a4 Rcd8 20. Qe3 Rxd1 21. Rxd1 Rd8
22. Rxd8+ {½, Krzyzanowski,W (2128)-Van Hooff,R (1967) email 2011} Qxd8 $11)
17... Nc4 (17... Rfd8 18. h4 (18. dxe6 Qxe6 19. e5 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 g6 21. Be4
Rxd1 22. Qxd1 Rc5 23. f4 Nc6 24. Qd6 Qc4 25. g3 Qc3 26. Kf2 Nd4 27. Qd8+ {
½, Nickel,A (2579)-Golod,V (2305) Chessfriend.com 2003}) 18... h6 19. h5 Rc5
$5 20. Bb1 Nc4 21. dxe6 fxe6 22. Qg4 Rf8 23. Nd4 Bc8 24. e5 {Leitao,R (2598)
-Eliet,N (2427) Charleroi 2006} Nxe5 25. Qe4 Qf6 26. Qh7+ Kf7 27. f4 Ng4 $13)
18. Rc1 b5 19. a4 a6 20. axb5 (20. Rb1 b4 21. Rec1 e5 22. Qh4 Qxh4 23. Nxh4 Nd2
24. Nf5 Nxb1 25. Ne7+ Kh8 26. Nxc8 Rxc8 27. Rxb1 a5 $15 {Bubnov,V (2182)-Van
Hooff,R (1967) email 2010}) 20... axb5 21. Bxc4 Rxc4 22. Rxc4 bxc4 23. dxe6
fxe6 24. Qe5 Rc8 25. Rc1 Qf6 $11 {Gyimesi,Z (2652)-Pinter,J (2546) Austria 2012
}) 12. O-O b6 13. Rac1 {The placement of the R will indicate White's
middlegame plans. We'll check the alternatives:} (13. a4 Bb7 14. Rfe1 (14. Bd3
Nf6 $5 (14... Rb8 15. Rfe1 h6 16. a5 b5 17. Rac1 a6 18. Qb4 Rc8 19. Nd2 Rxc1 (
19... Nb8 $1 $132) 20. Rxc1 Ne5 $2 21. Bxb5 axb5 22. dxe5 Qd3 23. h3 $16 {
Carlsen,M (2851)-Kramnik,V (2801) Stavanger blitz 2016}) (14... e5 15. Qe3 $1
exd4 16. Nxd4 Nc5 17. Bc2 Re8 18. f3 Qf6 19. a5 Rad8 20. Rfd1 Ba6 21. axb6 axb6
22. Ba4 Nxa4 23. Rxa4 b5 24. Rb4 Rd7 25. Rc1 Red8 26. e5 Qb6 27. Rc6 Qa7 28.
Nf5 Qxe3+ 29. Nxe3 Ra8 30. Kf2 g6 31. h4 h5 32. e6 fxe6 33. Rxe6 $14 {Carlsen,
M (2855)-Kramnik,V (2812) Paris 2016 See the notes to this game in CBM 173 by
Sadorra.}) (14... Rc8 15. a5 Qc7 16. Rfb1 (16. Rfc1 Qd6 17. a6 Ba8 18. h3 h6
19. Rxc8 Rxc8 20. Rc1 Rxc1+ 21. Qxc1 Bc6 22. d5 $6 exd5 23. e5 Qc5 24. Qf4 Nf8
25. Nd4 Bd7 $17 {Melkumyan,H (2633)-Bu,X (2705) Doha blitz 2016}) 16... h6 17.
h3 Rfd8 18. Ra3 Qd6 19. Rab3 Rc7 20. axb6 Nxb6 21. Ra1 f5 22. Qe2 fxe4 23. Bxe4
Bxe4 24. Qxe4 Qd5 25. Qxd5 Nxd5 26. Rba3 Nc3 27. Rxa7 Ne2+ 28. Kh2 Rxa7 29.
Rxa7 Nxd4 $11 {Ding,L (2707)-Kramnik,V (2801) Paris/St Petersburg 2013}) 15.
Rfe1 h6 16. a5 a6 $5 (16... bxa5 17. Rxa5 Qc7 18. Rc1 (18. Ne5 Rfc8 19. f3 Qd8
20. Bf1 Nd7 21. Nc4 Nb6 22. Ne3 Rc7 23. Rea1 Rd7 24. Nc2 Nc8 25. Bb5 Rd6 26.
Qb4 Rb8 27. Bd3 Ne7 28. Rb5 a6 29. e5 {Salem,A (2633)-Hou,Y (2652) Moscow 2017}
axb5 30. Qxd6 Qxd6 31. exd6 Nc8 32. d7 Nd6 33. Ra7 Kf8 34. Bxb5 Ke7 35. Ba4 Ra8
$11) (18. Rc5 Qe7 19. h3 Rfc8 20. Ra5 Qc7 21. Rc5 Qe7 22. Ra5 {½, Schenk,A 
(2463)-Cyborowski,L (2524) Germany 2017}) 18... Qd8 19. Re1 Qc7 20. Qb4 Rfb8
21. Qa3 (21. Rc5 Qf4 22. Qd2 Qxd2 23. Nxd2 Rd8 24. Nb3 a5 25. Rxa5 Rxa5 26.
Nxa5 Rxd4 27. Nxb7 Rxd3 $11 {Wojtaszek,R (2745)-Kramnik,V (2811) Shamkir 2017})
21... Rc8 22. h3 (22. Rxa7 Rxa7 23. Qxa7 Ra8 24. Qc5 Qxc5 25. dxc5 Nd7 26. Rc1
Rc8 $11) 22... a6 (22... Qf4 23. d5 exd5 24. e5 Ne4 25. Qe7 Bc6 26. e6 Rf8 27.
exf7+ Rxf7 28. Qb4 Re8 29. Qd4 Ng5 30. Rxe8+ Bxe8 31. Qxf4 Rxf4 32. Nxg5 hxg5
33. Rxd5 g4 $11 {Radjabov,T (2710)-Karjakin,S (2783) Shamkir 2017}) 23. Ne5 Qd8
24. Nf3 Rc7 25. Ra4 a5 26. Ne5 Bc6 27. Rxa5 Bxe4 28. Bxe4 Rxa5 29. Qxa5 Nxe4
$11 {Svidler,P (2755)-Kramnik,V (2811) Sochi 2017}) 17. axb6 Qxb6 18. Rab1 Qc7
19. Rbc1 Qe7 20. Qa5 Rfc8 21. Rxc8+ Rxc8 22. Nd2 Qd7 23. Qb6 Rc3 24. Bxa6 Bxa6
25. Qxa6 Qxd4 26. Nf3 Qc5 $11 {/=/+, Topalov,V (2803)-Carlsen,M (2834) London
2015}) 14... Rc8 (14... Rb8 15. Bb5 Nf6 16. Bd3 h6 17. Rab1 Ba8 18. h3 Qe7 19.
Rb3 Rfd8 20. Qb2 Rbc8 21. a5 bxa5 22. Ra3 Rb8 23. Qa2 Qb4 24. Rb1 (24. Rxa5
Rxd4 25. Rb1 Qxb1+ 26. Bxb1 Rd1+ 27. Kh2 Rdxb1 $11) 24... Qf8 25. Re1 Qb4 26.
Rb1 Qf8 27. Re1 {½, Ponomariov,R (2706)-Kramnik,V (2812) Dortmund 2016}) 15.
Bd3 h6 16. a5 Qc7 17. axb6 axb6 18. Ra3 Rfd8 19. Qb2 Qd6 20. Rb3 Rc7 21. Ne5
Nf6 22. Nf3 Qf4 23. Qe2 Rc1 24. Qe3 Rxe1+ 25. Nxe1 Qxe3 26. fxe3 Bxe4 27. Bxe4
Nxe4 28. Rxb6 Ra8 $11 {/=/+, Deac,B (2572)-Kramnik,V (2809) Medias blitz 2016})
({The most usual follow-up has long been} 13. Rfe1 Bb7 14. Rad1 Rc8 {and now:}
15. Bb3 {supports the d5-advance:} (15. Bd3 Nf6 (15... Qc7 16. Qe3 Rfd8 17. e5
Bxf3 $5 18. Qxf3 Nf8 19. Ba6 Rb8 20. Qe2 Ng6 21. g3 Qc3 $132 {Kozul,Z (2593)
-Gyimesi,Z (2592) Murska Sobota 2008}) (15... Re8 16. h4 Nf8 17. h5 h6 18. a4
Nh7 19. Qf4 {Mamedyarov,S (2729)-Socko,B (2635) Istanbul olm 2012} Ng5 $11) 16.
Qf4 (16. d5 exd5 17. e5 Ne4 18. Qf4 Nc5 19. Bf5 Ne6 (19... Rc7 $142 $13) 20.
Qg4 Rc6 21. Qh3 g6 22. Bxe6 Rxe6 23. Nd4 $44 {Saldano Dayer,H (2345)-Magem
Badals,J (2535) Linares 1998}) (16. Bb1 Re8 17. Qf4 Qc7 18. Ne5 Red8 19. g4 Rf8
20. Rc1 Qd6 21. Rxc8 Bxc8 22. Qe3 Rd8 23. Rc1 Bb7 24. g5 Ne8 25. Nf3 Qe7 26. h3
Qb4 27. Qc3 Qa4 28. Bc2 Qd7 29. Qd3 Nd6 30. Qe2 Rc8 31. Rd1 Qc6 $17 {[%csl Rc2,
Re4] Solomon,K (2378)-Nakamura,H (2787) Tromsoe olm 2014}) 16... Qc7 17. Qh4 h6
18. h3 (18. e5 Bxf3 19. gxf3 Nd5 20. Kh1 Qe7 21. Qe4 g6 22. Rg1 Kh8 23. Rg3 Rg8
24. Rdg1 Rg7 25. Qg4 Qg5 26. Qxg5 hxg5 27. Rxg5 Rgg8 28. R5g4 Kg7 $44 {
Martinovic,S (2517)-Dragnev,V (2372) Austria 2016}) (18. d5 exd5 19. e5 Ne4 20.
Qf4 f6 21. Qf5 fxe5 22. Qe6+ Qf7 23. Qxe5 Qf6 $15 {Sadkowsky,D (2340)-Van
Herck,M (2214) Brasschaat 2008}) 18... Rfd8 19. Bb1 b5 20. d5 exd5 21. e5 Ne4
22. Nd4 Qxe5 23. Nxb5 Qb2 24. Nxa7 g5 $15 {Rausis,I (2500)-Rotstein,A (2528)
Cannes 2005}) 15... Nf6 (15... h6 16. Qf4 Qc7 17. Qh4 Rfd8 18. h3 b5 19. d5
exd5 20. e5 $6 (20. Nd4 $1 $44) 20... Re8 21. Qh5 a5 22. Rd4 a4 23. Bd1 Re6 24.
Rf4 Nc5 25. Be2 Ne4 $15 {Kovalenko,I (2700)-Kramnik,V (2777) Berlin rpd 2015})
16. d5 (16. Qf4 Qc7 17. Qxc7 (17. Qh4 h6 (17... Rfd8 $6 {Keres,P-Fine,R Ostend
1937} 18. Ng5 $1 {[%cal Re4e5]} h6 19. Nxe6 $36) 18. h3 Rfd8 $132 19. Re3 b5
20. Nh2 $6 Kf8 21. e5 Qc6 22. Rf3 Qe4 $17 {Shchekachev,A (2515)-Moussard,J 
(2439) Le Port Marly 2014}) 17... Rxc7 18. d5 exd5 19. exd5 Rd7 20. Ne5 Rd6 21.
Nc6 a6 (21... Re8 22. Rxe8+ Nxe8 23. Nxa7 Nc7 24. a4 Kf8 25. f3 Ke7 26. Rb1 $14
{Mareco,S (2655)-Mastrovasilis,A (2524) Dubai 2017}) (21... Bxc6 22. dxc6 Rxc6
23. Re7 {[%cal Re7f7,Ye7a7] Gaspar,L-Nestler,D Luxembourg 1993} g6 24. Rxa7 Ne4
25. f3 Nc5 26. Bd5 $14 {/=}) 22. Re7 Nd7 23. Ne5 Nxe5 24. Rxb7 Nd7 25. Rc7 Rd8
26. Re1 Nf6 27. Ra7 b5 28. Ree7 Nd7 29. h4 Kf8 $11 {Vitiugov,N (2692)
-Mastrovasilis,A (2510) WChT Bursa 2010}) 16... exd5 17. exd5 Rc5 $5 (17... Qd7
18. d6 Bxf3 19. gxf3 Rfe8 20. Qf4 h6 21. Rc1 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 Qh3 23. Ba4 Nd7 24.
Bxd7 Qxd7 25. Rc7 Qe6 26. d7 Rd8 $11 {Kratochvil,J (2114)-Andersen,J (2258)
email 2011 holds, but by a thin thread.}) 18. d6 (18. Re5 Qd6 19. h3 h6 20. Qf4
Nd7 21. Re4 Qxf4 22. Rxf4 Nf6 23. d6 Rd8 24. Nh4 Be4 25. Re1 Bc2 26. Bxc2 Rxc2
27. Nf5 Rxa2 28. Nxh6+ gxh6 29. Rxf6 Kg7 30. Rf4 Rxd6 $17 {Li,C (2755)
-Harikrishna,P (2763) Stavanger blitz 2016}) 18... Bd5 19. Bxd5 Rxd5 20. Qf4
Qd7 21. h3 h6 22. Rxd5 Nxd5 23. Qe5 Nf6 24. Rc1 Rd8 25. Rc7 Qxd6 26. Qxd6 Rxd6
{½, Brunello,S (2557)-Basso,P (2417) Rome 2016}) ({The immediate break} 13. d5
{gives Black a choice between} Nc5 $132 ({and} 13... Nf6 $5 14. Rad1 exd5 15.
e5 Be6 16. exf6 dxc4 17. fxg7 Kxg7 18. Nd4 Qf6 19. Nxe6+ fxe6 20. Qd7+ Kh8 21.
Qb7 Rad8 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Qxa7 c3 $44 {Beliavsky,A (2662)-Golod,V (2599)
Netanya 2009})) 13... Bb7 14. d5 (14. Bd3 {loses a tempo in comparison with
the 11.Rc1 line above (the B went to d3 immediately).}) (14. Qf4 Qb8 (14... Nf6
15. Bd3 Rc8 $132) 15. e5 $5 h6 16. Nd2 Rd8 17. Be2 Nf8 18. Bh5 Ng6 19. Qg4 (19.
Bxg6 fxg6 20. Nc4 $14) 19... Ne7 20. Nc4 Nf5 21. Rfd1 Bd5 22. Qf4 g5 23. Qg4
Qb7 24. Ne3 Be4 25. Nxf5 Bxf5 26. Qg3 Rac8 27. h4 Rxc1 28. Rxc1 Qe7 29. Qe3 Kg7
$11 {Plat,V (2454)-Hnydiuk,A (2375) Teplice 2015}) 14... Nc5 15. Rfe1 Qf6 $146
{[%mdl 8] Retaining the central tension is a novelty.} (15... exd5 16. exd5 Qf6
17. Rcd1 Rad8 18. Qe3 h6 19. Ne5 Rd6 20. Rd4 Qg5 21. f4 Qf5 22. g4 Qc8 23. h3
Re8 24. Qd2 Red8 25. a3 b5 26. Ba2 Qc7 27. Rd1 Qb6 28. Kh2 a5 29. Qc2 a4 $11 {
[%cal Yc5b3] Kaszowski,D (2299)-Hnydiuk,A (2366) Opole 2006}) 16. Qe3 Rac8 {
Kramnik opts for an ambitious, but rather risky plan by allowing the advance
of White's central pawns.} (16... exd5 17. exd5 (17. Bxd5 Bxd5 (17... Qe7 $5)
18. exd5 Qd6 $11) 17... Rad8 $11 {can transpose to Kaszowski-Hnydiuk above.}) (
16... Rad8 $5 17. e5 Qg6 18. d6 f6 $132 {is possibly a better version of the
idea from the game.}) 17. e5 {Levon accepts the challenge; his choice is very
natural.} ({White could have played} 17. h3 {, or}) (17. Rcd1 {- but then why
did he initially play 13.Rac1?}) 17... Qg6 18. d6 f6 19. Nh4 $1 (19. exf6 Rxf6
{[%csl Rf3]} 20. Nh4 Qf7 $13) 19... Qg4 $2 {[%mdl 8192] Exposing the Q is a
serious tactical error.} (19... Qg5 20. Qxg5 fxg5 21. Nf3 Bxf3 22. gxf3 Kf7 $14
{/~~ is at best only slightly better for White.} (22... Rxf3 $4 23. Bxe6+) 23.
h4 gxh4 24. f4 Kg6 $13) (19... Qh5 $5 {is also not quite clear, although
perhaps White retains a pull after} 20. Qd4 Kh8 21. g3 Rcd8 22. f4 $5 Qe8 23.
Qb2 Qc6 24. Ng2 $14) 20. g3 {[%csl Rg4]} fxe5 $6 {Seemingly natural, but now
in addition to the weakness on e6, Black's Q will be in desperate trouble.} ({
More resilient moves were:} 20... Rcd8 21. f4 g5 22. f5 gxh4 23. fxe6 Nxe6 24.
exf6 Bc8 25. Bxe6+ Bxe6 26. Qxe6+ Qxe6 27. Rxe6 Kf7 28. Rce1 Rg8 $14 {/+/-}) ({
, or} 20... Qh5 21. f4 {[%csl Gd6]} fxe5 22. Qxe5 Qxe5 23. Rxe5 $36) ({On the
other hand,} 20... g5 21. f3 $8 Qh5 22. Nf5 $16 {doesn't help.}) 21. Qxe5 {
[%csl Re6,Rg4]} Rcd8 (21... Kh8 22. f3 $5 (22. f4 $16) 22... Bxf3 23. Bxe6 Nxe6
24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. d7 Rd8 26. Qxe6 Qxe6 27. Rxe6 Bh5 28. Rc6 Bg4 $8 29. Nf3 $1
Kg8 (29... Bxd7 30. Rd6 {[%csl Rd7][%cal Yf3e5]}) 30. Ne5 $16 {/+-}) (21... g5
22. f3 (22. h3 Qxh3 23. Qxg5+ Kh8 24. Qe5+ Kg8 25. f3 $1 $18 {[%cal Rc4f1]})
22... Bxf3 23. Bxe6+ Nxe6 24. Rxc8 gxh4 (24... Rxc8 25. Nf5 $1 $18 {[%cal
Re5e6,Rf5h6]}) 25. d7 {[%cal Re5e6]} Nd8 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Qe8+ Kg7 28. Qe7+
Kg6 29. Re6+ $18) 22. f4 Rf6 {There is no easy way out anymore.} (22... Kh8 23.
Be2 Qh3 24. Qh5 {[%cal Rh4g6]} Kg8 25. Bg4 $18) (22... Ba6 23. Bxa6 Nxa6 24.
Kg2 g5 25. h3 $18) 23. Rc3 {By protecting g3, Aronian threatens to trap the
queen with Be2-f1 and h3.} Rh6 (23... Ba6 24. Bxa6 Nxa6 25. Kg2 Rh6 26. Qg5 $1
Qxg5 27. fxg5 Rxh4 28. gxh4 Rxd6 29. Ra3 $18) 24. Be2 ({White has already more
than one way to win. Even more forcing was} 24. Nf5 $1 Rg6 (24... Rh5 25. Bxe6+
Kh8 26. Bf7 $18) (24... Rf6 25. Qxf6 gxf6 26. Nh6+ $18) 25. Ne7+ $18) 24... Qh3
25. Qg5 $1 $18 {[%cal Rg5d8,Re2g4,Re2f1]} Qxh4 {Desperation, but Black gets
mated after} (25... Rxh4 26. Qxd8+ Kf7 27. Qe7+ Kg6 28. Qg5+ Kf7 29. gxh4 Qxc3
30. Qe7+ Kg6 31. Bh5+ $1 Kxh5 32. Qg5#) 26. gxh4 Rg6 27. Rd1 {White has an
extra exchange and quickly converts his advantage.} Bd5 28. f5 Rxg5+ 29. hxg5
Kf8 (29... Rxd6 30. fxe6 Rxe6 (30... Nxe6 31. Bc4 Nf4 (31... Nc7 32. Rcd3 $18)
32. Rf3 $18) 31. Bg4 Re5 32. Rxc5 $1 bxc5 33. Rxd5 Rxd5 34. Be6+ $18) 30. fxe6
Bxe6 31. Bc4 (31. Rf3+ Kg8 32. a3 $18) 31... Bf5 (31... Bxc4 32. Rxc4 Kf7 33.
Rcd4 $18 {prolongs the game, but is still hopeless for Black.}) 32. Re3 g6 33.
Re7 Rd7 34. Rde1 {[%cal Re7e8,Re8g8]} (34. Rde1 Rxe7 (34... Rxd6 35. Rf7+ Kg8
36. Re8#) 35. dxe7+ Ke8 36. Bf7+) 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Lenderman,A"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{I chose this game as the game of the day since it was not only a decisive
game but also a very high quality game by Levon who is in excellent form in
this tournament.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {These days the Italian Game has
probably taken over in popularity from the Ruy Lopez, mostly because of the
Berlin and the Marshall.} Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. a4 a5 {The Aronian
speciality. Aronian has already played this move in several games, despite it
not being the most common move. According to my database the most common move
is the less committal 6...a6} (6... a6) (6... d6) (6... h6 {have also been
played.}) 7. Bg5 (7. c3 {was also played a few times against Aronian without
great opening success.} d5 8. exd5 Nxd5 9. Re1 Bg4 10. Nbd2 Nb6 11. Bb5 Bd6 12.
h3 Bh5 13. Ne4 (13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Ne4 f5 15. Ng3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Qd7 $15 {
1/2 (80) Nepomniachtchi,I (2767)-Aronian,L (2785) Doha QAT 2016; was already
very comfortable for Black.}) 13... f5 14. Ng3 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Ne7 16. Bg5 c6 $17
{1-0 (41) Vachier Lagrave,M (2804)-Aronian,L (2785) London ENG 2016; and Black
got an excellent opening even though in the end Black lost the game.}) 7... h6
8. Bh4 Be7 9. Bg3 d6 10. h3 Kh8 $5 {This move is already a foray into rare
territory, and according to my database is a novelty. Aronian is attempting to
improve on his own play. Before, two times against the same opponent, Fabiano
Caruana, including in the prelimiarly blitz event before the main tournament
in Norway, Aronian played 10...Nd7!?} (10... Nd7 11. Nc3 {White was a tiny bit
better here but Black can probably hold this.} (11. Re1 Kh8 12. c3 Nb6 13. Bb3
f5 14. exf5 Bxf5 15. d4 (15. Na3 $5 {might've been an improvement for White.})
15... e4 16. Nfd2 d5 17. f3 Bh4 $17 {1/2 (25) Caruana,F (2808)-Aronian,L (2793)
Stavanger NOR 2017, was very good for Black....}) 11... Nb6 12. Bb3 Kh8 13. d4
Nxd4 14. Nxd4 exd4 15. Qxd4 Bf6 16. e5 (16. Qd2) (16. Qe3) 16... dxe5 17. Qxd8
Rxd8 18. Rfe1 Be6 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Ne4 (20. Bxe5) 20... Kg8 21. Nc5 Rd5 {
1/2 (61) Caruana,F (2817) -Aronian,L (2774) Karlsruhe GER 2017; was already
good for Black.}) 11. c3 Nh7 {This is the point of ...Kh8. Now Black tries to
play for the kingside initiative.} 12. Qb3 f5 $1 {According to Playchess,
Black spent 12 minutes here. This is a pawn sacrifice though.} (12... Qe8 {
Maybe Black also considered something like this but of course this is an
awkward move and a concession.} 13. Nbd2 $14) 13. exf5 Bf6 $5 (13... Bxf5 {
was also probably possible.} 14. Nbd2 (14. Qxb7 {This is a bit dangerous for
White.} Bd7 15. Bd5 (15. Qb3 Rxf3 $1 16. gxf3 Rb8 17. Qc2 Bxh3 18. Re1 Bh4 $36
(18... Qf8 $36 {Black has a strong initiative.})) 15... Rb8 16. Qa6 Rb6 17. Qc4
Nf6 {Here Black is fine.} 18. Nbd2 (18. b3 $2 Nb8 $1) 18... Nxd5 19. Qxd5 Rxb2
$11) 14... Rb8 15. Rae1 {with a playable position for both.}) 14. Be6 {The
principled move.} (14. Nbd2 $5 {was also possible.}) 14... Ne7 15. Nh4 Qe8 16.
Bxc8 Rxc8 17. Ng6+ Nxg6 18. fxg6 Qxg6 19. Qxb7 Ng5 $5 {Black continues to play
ambitiously, down a pawn for long-term compensation in the form of piece
activity and the initiative. It worked great in this game. Very brave play by
Aronian!} (19... Qxd3 20. Qb5 e4 (20... Qxb5 21. axb5 Ra8 22. Nd2 $16 {is of
course not great for Black since White simply has the better game without
facing much counterplay.} Rfb8 23. c4 Ng5 24. Ra2 $14 {and Black's pawn on a5
is weak as well as his bishop on f6. This can be a problem with all Black's
pawns on the dark squares.}) 21. Qxa5 (21. Qxd3 exd3 22. Na3 {Here only White
can be better.}) 21... e3) 20. h4 Ne6 21. Qe4 Qh5 22. Nd2 Nf4 $1 {Of course
Black has to play energetically here to try to prove he has compensation for
his pawn.} 23. Bxf4 exf4 24. Qf3 $6 {This move seems to be the first
inaccuracy by White since eventually the queen on f3 might not be ideally
placed and Black will take on h4 eventually anyway.} (24. d4 $5 g5 $1 {seems
like Black's best reply.} (24... Bxh4 25. b4 $1 $14 {The point of d4. Now
White wants to create quick counterplay thanks to a passed a-pawn and White
seems to be doing well now.}) (24... Qxh4 25. Nf3 $16) 25. Rfe1 (25. hxg5 hxg5
26. Qd5 Kg7 $36 {is a bit dangerous for White.}) 25... Qxh4 26. f3 {with a
complex game but White seems fine, if not still better.}) 24... Qxh4 25. Rfe1
Rb8 (25... g5 {This move right away was also interesting.}) 26. Nc4 (26. Rab1
g5 27. Qc6 g4 28. Qxc7 Be5 29. Rxe5 dxe5 30. Qxe5+ Kg8 {is also very unclear
and as such is unlikely to be an improvement for White.}) 26... g5 $1 {Now
Black starts his initiative. Objectively the position is roughly equal but
probably Black has the edge here since he has the initiative.} 27. Re6 Bg7 28.
Rg6 $6 {Now this is probably already a serious practical inaccuracy since now
the e-file goes to Black and Black at the very least will have a serious
initiative if not already an advantage.} (28. Qh3 $11 {This was the simplest
route to clean equality.} Qxh3 29. gxh3 d5 30. Nxa5 Rxb2 31. d4 $11) (28. Rae1
g4 29. Qe4 f3 30. g3 Qh3 31. Ne3 Rxb2 32. Re8 {is also level.}) (28. Nxa5 $4 {
On the other hand is just a blunder because of} g4 29. Qd5 (29. Qe4 d5 30. Qxd5
g3 $19) 29... g3) 28... Rbe8 $1 29. d4 Kh7 $1 30. Qd3 Kg8 {After this nice
sequence of moves White is already in some trouble. However White's next move
doesn't make it easier for him.} 31. d5 $6 (31. Qf3 $1 {Here White should've
stalled Black's initiative at least for now.} Kf7 32. Qd3 Qh5 33. Qf5+ Kg8 34.
Qd5+ Kh8 35. Re6 Rxe6 36. Qxe6 g4 37. Re1 g3 38. Qh3 Qg6 $15 {Black is a bit
better but White can still fight.} 39. Na3 f3 40. Rf1 $1 {and White is still
defending succesfully although Black has the edge.}) 31... f3 {This move is
good enough for an advantage and it's very difficult for White to play, but I
wanted to mention that Black seemed to have another interesting viable
alternative here.} (31... g4 $5 {would also be quite hard to meet.} 32. Rd1 $1
{seems like practically the only move.} (32. g3 $2 Qh5 33. Re6 Rxe6 34. dxe6
fxg3 35. Qxg3 Rf3 $19) (32. Nxa5 $2 Re5 $19) (32. Rf1 Re7 33. Re6 Ref7 $1) (32.
Rb1 Qh5 33. Re6 g3 34. Qf3 Qh2+ 35. Kf1 Qh1+ {Because of this line, it's
really important for White to play Rd1.}) 32... Kh8 $3 {This move was very
hard to find though, and after it Black would still be much better.} (32... Qh5
{is less effective.} 33. Re6 g3 34. Qf3 gxf2+ 35. Kxf2) (32... Re7 33. Re6 Rxe6
(33... Ref7 34. Nxa5 g3 35. Qf3 {Here also White defends succesfully.}) 34.
dxe6 $15) 33. Re6 (33. g3 fxg3 34. Qxg3 (34. fxg3 $2 Qh3 $19) 34... Qxg3+ 35.
fxg3 Re4 36. Nxa5 Rf3 $17) 33... Rxe6 34. dxe6 g3 35. Qf3 Re8 36. Re1 Qh2+ 37.
Kf1 Qh1+ 38. Ke2 Rxe6+ 39. Ne3 Qh4 40. fxg3 fxg3 41. Qa8+ Kh7 42. Qxa5 Qe4 43.
Kd2 d5 $17 {and Black is much better thanks to his long-lasting initiative
against White's weak king.}) 32. gxf3 $6 {This makes matters worse for White.}
(32. g3 Qh3 33. Qf1 Qf5 34. Qb1 $2 (34. Re6 Qxd5 35. Re3 $1 $15 {White is
still almost ok, only slightly worse.} (35. Rxe8 Rxe8 36. Ne3 Qd2)) 34... Qxd5)
32... Rf4 33. Kg2 $6 {Likely following a faulty plan. At this point Sergey was
already in serious time pressure and this position is very unpleasant to play.
Sergey probably missed some of Levon's ideas.} (33. Nd2 {After this more
resilient move White can still fight on, although honestly speaking probably
not for that long.} Qh3 $1 {This is probably why Sergey played Kg2.} 34. Qf1
Qh5 35. Re6 Rb8 $19 {and Black is winning but at least White doesn't have to
resign right away. He's not losing by force yet.}) 33... Ref8 $1 {The only
winning move. Which means probably Levon had to see it when he played 31... f3}
(33... g4 $2 34. Rxg4 Rxg4+ 35. fxg4 Qxg4+ 36. Kf1 $11) 34. Nd2 ({It is
important of course that} 34. Rh1 {doesn't work because of} Rg4+ 35. fxg4 Qxf2+
36. Kh3 Rf3+ 37. Qxf3 Qxf3+ 38. Kh2 Qf2+ 39. Kh3 Qh4+ 40. Kg2 Qxg4+ 41. Kh2
Qh4+ 42. Kg2 Qe4+ $19) 34... g4 {Now it's completely over.} 35. Kg1 R8f5 $1 36.
Ne4 Rxf3 37. Qd4 Re5 $1 38. Ng3 Rxg3+ $1 39. fxg3 Qxg3+ 40. Kf1 Kh7 41. Rxg7+ (
41. Rxg4 Rf5+) (41. Qxg4 Qd3+) 41... Kxg7 {And White resigned since After ...
Kg6, the only way to stop a mating attack would be to give up the queen. A
brilliant game by Levon and now he's in prime position to win such a super
tournament!} 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.15"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Nbd7 8. a4
a5 9. Qc2 c6 10. Rc1 Ne4 11. Ne1 Nd6 12. Na3 b6 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Qb3 Ba6 15.
Nb5 Rc8 16. Bf4 Bxb5 17. axb5 Nf5 18. Nf3 Bd6 19. Bxd6 Nxd6 20. e3 Rc7 21. Bf1
Qc8 22. Qd1 Rd8 23. Bd3 h6 24. Rxc7 Qxc7 25. Rc1 Qb7 26. Qa4 Rc8 27. Rc6 Ne8
28. Bh7+ Kh8 29. Bb1 Kg8 30. Bh7+ Kh8 31. Bb1 Kg8 32. Bh7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 {It seems White has totally hit
the wall in this line.} ({Perhaps, it's time to switch back to} 5. Bg5 {
particularly with the idea of meeting the popular Lasker Defence,} O-O 6. e3 h6
7. Bh4 Ne4 8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Rc1 c6 {with} 10. g4 $1 ({or} 10. h4 {first}) 10...
Nd7 11. h4 {- Aronian-Harikrishna, 2011, and Matlakov-Howell, Euro Individual
Ch 2017}) 5... O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 $1 {It's mainly about this move.} 7. a3 ({
The only way to stop c7-c5 is, well,} 7. c5 {which brought Anand success in a
World Championship match game against Carlsen in 2014, but since then White
has had precious little success with it. Wesley himself scored only 0.5-1.5 in
two tries against Nakamura a year ago.} c6) 7... c5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nxd5 exd5
10. dxc5 Nxc5 {The point of Black's play. Instead of directly challenging
White's stronghold on d4, the black knight prefers to stay active.} 11. Be5 Bf6
{The simplest.} (11... Bf5 {Mamedyarov-Kramnik, 2016, is a nice developing
move, but the game showed us how White benefits from his own complete
development more than Black. After} 12. Be2 Bf6 13. O-O $5 Bxe5 14. Nxe5 Qf6 {
Shak played the energetic} 15. b4 $1 {and was able to obtain something of an
edge.}) 12. Bxf6 (12. Be2 Bxe5 13. Nxe5 Qd6 14. Nf3 Bd7 $1 {is very similar to
the game.} 15. O-O (15. Nd4 Ba4 16. Qd2 Nb3 17. Nxb3 Bxb3 18. Rc1 Rfd8) 15...
Ba4 16. Qd4 Rac8 {The black bishop deprives the white rooks of their
birthright d1-square, effectively neutralising the pressure against the
isolated pawn.}) 12... Qxf6 13. Qd4 Qe7 14. Rd1 Rd8 15. Be2 Bf5 16. Qb4 a5 17.
Qc3 Ne4 18. Qd4 Nc5 19. Qc3 Ne4 20. Qe5 Qxe5 21. Nxe5 Rac8 22. Nf3 Nc5 23. Nd4
Bd7 $1 {The key manoeuvre.} 24. f3 Ba4 25. Rd2 Nb3 26. Nxb3 Bxb3 27. Kf2 Rd6
28. f4 g6 {If White could only airlift his Rh1 to d4, then the pressure on d5
would give him fair chances. In the real world, it is not going to happen.} 29.
e4 {Wesley knows it and decides to change the pawn structure.} Rf6 30. exd5
Rxf4+ 31. Bf3 Rd8 32. Kg3 Rf6 33. Rc1 Rfd6 {Rock solid again, and I will leave
the rest of the game without notes.} 34. Rd4 a4 35. h4 Kg7 36. Rc3 h6 37. Rc7
Bxd5 38. Rxa4 Bxf3 39. gxf3 b5 40. Rf4 R8d7 41. Rxd7 Rxd7 42. Rb4 Rd5 43. Kf4
f5 44. Ke3 Kf6 45. Rd4 Rxd4 46. Kxd4 g5 47. hxg5+ hxg5 48. b3 Ke6 49. a4 bxa4
50. bxa4 Kd6 51. a5 g4 52. fxg4 fxg4 53. a6 Kc7 54. a7 Kb7 55. a8=Q+ Kxa8 56.
Kd3 g3 57. Ke2 g2 58. Kf2 g1=Q+ 59. Kxg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.06.28"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E49"]
[WhiteElo "2851"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2017.06.28"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 dxc4 8.
Bxc4 c5 9. Ne2 Qc7 10. Ba2 b6 11. O-O Ba6 12. Bb2 Nc6 13. Rc1 Rfd8 14. c4 cxd4
15. exd4 Ng4 16. Ng3 Qf4 17. h3 Nf6 18. Ne2 Qh4 19. d5 exd5 20. cxd5 Ne7 21.
Re1 Nexd5 22. Nd4 Bb7 23. Nf3 Qh6 24. Ne5 Rf8 25. Nc6 Bxc6 26. Rxc6 Rad8 27.
Qf3 Qd2 28. Re2 Qf4 29. Rxf6 gxf6 30. Bxd5 Qxf3 31. Bxf3 Rfe8 32. Rc2 Rc8 33.
Rxc8 Rxc8 34. Bxf6 b5 35. Kf1 a5 36. Ke2 b4 37. axb4 axb4 38. Bd5 Rc5 39. Bb3
Rc6 40. Bd4 Kf8 41. Kd3 Ke7 42. Ke4 Rc1 43. Kd5 Kd7 44. h4 Re1 45. g3 f5 46.
Be3 Ke7 47. Kc4 Kf6 48. Kxb4 Ke5 49. Bc2 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.06.28"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D16"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2703"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2017.06.28"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 a5 6. e4 Bg4 7. Bxc4 e6 8. Be3
Bb4 9. Qd3 Nbd7 10. Nd2 Bh5 11. f4 O-O 12. h3 Re8 13. O-O Qc7 14. Rae1 Rad8 15.
Qc2 Nb6 16. Bb3 Nfd7 17. f5 e5 18. Kh1 exd4 19. Bxd4 Bc5 20. Be3 Bxe3 21. Rxe3
Ne5 22. g4 Bxg4 23. hxg4 Nxg4 24. Rh3 Nd7 25. Nf3 Ne3 26. Bxf7+ Kf8 27. Qf2
Nxf1 28. Bxe8 Rxe8 29. Qxf1 h6 30. Nd4 Qe5 31. Ne6+ Kg8 32. Qg2 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.06.28"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2017.06.28"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Nd5 e4 6. Nh4 O-O 7. Bg2 d6 8. b3
g5 9. Bb2 Nxd5 10. cxd5 Nb8 11. Qc2 gxh4 12. Bxe4 Re8 13. Bxh7+ Kf8 14. Qc4 Na6
15. gxh4 Re5 16. Qf4 Qe7 17. Rg1 Rxe2+ 18. Kd1 Rxd2+ 19. Qxd2 Qxh4 20. Rg8+ Ke7
21. Qe3+ Be6 22. dxe6 Qh5+ 23. Kc1 Rxg8 24. exf7+ Kxf7 25. Qf4+ Ke8 26. Bxg8
Nc5 27. Bc4 d5 28. Bb5+ c6 29. Qxb4 Qg5+ 30. Qd2 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.06.29"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2017.06.28"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Nd5 Bc5 4. b4 Bd4 5. Rb1 c6 6. e3 Bb6 7. Nxb6 axb6 8.
Nf3 e4 9. Nd4 Nf6 10. d3 d5 11. cxd5 Qxd5 12. a3 O-O 13. dxe4 Qxe4 14. Bb2 Nbd7
15. Nf3 Qe7 16. Qd4 Re8 17. Bd3 Nf8 18. Qc3 Bg4 19. Ne5 Bh5 20. O-O Rad8 21.
Qb3 N8d7 22. Nc4 b5 23. Na5 Ne5 24. Bxe5 Qxe5 25. Nxb7 Ng4 26. g3 Nxh2 27. Nxd8
Nf3+ 28. Kg2 Nd2 29. Bxh7+ Kf8 30. f4 Qf6 31. Qb2 Nxf1 32. Qxf6 Nxe3+ 33. Kg1
gxf6 34. Nxc6 Nc4 35. Nd4 Nxa3 36. Rb3 Nc4 37. Bd3 Bd1 38. Rc3 Ba4 39. Bxc4
bxc4 40. Rxc4 Re4 41. Kf2 f5 42. Rc8+ Ke7 43. Nxf5+ Ke6 44. Ng7+ Kf6 45. Nh5+
Kg6 46. g4 Rxb4 47. Rg8+ Kh6 48. Kg3 f5 49. Nf6 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.06.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2017.06.28"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O e4 7. Ne1 Bxc3 8.
bxc3 Re8 9. f3 d5 10. cxd5 Qxd5 11. fxe4 Nxe4 12. Qb3 Qh5 13. Nd3 Bd7 14. Nf4
Qc5+ 15. e3 Na5 16. Qb4 Qxb4 17. cxb4 Nc6 18. a3 Nd8 19. d3 Nd6 20. e4 Bc6 21.
a4 a6 22. Bb2 Ne6 23. Rfc1 Rad8 24. Ra3 Nc8 25. Nxe6 Rxe6 26. b5 axb5 27. axb5
Bxb5 28. Rxc7 Rc6 29. Rxc6 bxc6 30. Ra8 Re8 31. e5 Nd6 32. Ra7 Nc8 33. Rb7 Ne7
34. Ba3 Nf5 35. Be4 g6 36. Kf2 h5 37. h3 Rd8 38. g4 hxg4 39. hxg4 Bxd3 40. gxf5
Bxe4 41. e6 f6 42. Be7 c5 43. Rd7 Ra8 44. Bxf6 gxf5 45. Rg7+ Kh8 46. Ke3 Rf8
47. Be5 c4 48. Kf4 Ra8 49. e7 c3 50. Bxc3 Rc8 51. e8=Q+ 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.06.29"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2017.06.28"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. c3 a6 7. h3 Ba7 8. Re1
d6 9. Bb3 Kh8 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Rxe3 Nd7 12. d4 Qf6 13. Na3 Nb6 14. Nc2 Na5 15.
Nb4 Nxb3 16. axb3 exd4 17. cxd4 Bd7 18. Rc1 Rac8 19. Rec3 c6 20. Qd2 Rfe8 21.
Re3 c5 22. Nc2 Qg6 23. Qe1 h6 24. Rd1 Nd5 25. Nh4 Qh7 26. exd5 Qxc2 27. Rc1
Qxb2 28. dxc5 dxc5 29. Nf5 Rxe3 30. Nxe3 b5 31. Qd1 a5 32. Ra1 Ra8 33. Rb1 Qf6
34. Qc1 Qd6 35. Qb2 a4 36. bxa4 Rxa4 37. Rc1 f5 38. Rd1 Ra8 39. Nf1 f4 40. Nh2
b4 41. Nf3 c4 42. Qd4 c3 43. Ne5 Qf6 44. Re1 Re8 45. g3 fxg3 46. f4 Rxe5 47.
fxe5 Qf3 48. e6 Bb5 49. e7 c2 50. d6 b3 51. e8=Q+ Bxe8 52. Rxe8+ Kh7 53. Re1 b2
54. Qd2 Qf2+ 55. Qxf2 gxf2+ 56. Kxf2 c1=Q 0-1

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.06.30"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E18"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2017.06.28"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Bd2
f5 9. Qc2 Nxc3 10. Qxc3 Bf6 11. Rad1 Nc6 12. Qe3 Ne7 13. Bc3 Qe8 14. Ne1 Bxg2
15. Nxg2 Ng6 16. Qd3 Rd8 17. e4 fxe4 18. Qxe4 d5 19. cxd5 exd5 20. Qc2 Qd7 21.
Rd3 Rfe8 22. Qd1 Re4 23. f3 Re7 24. Bb4 Ree8 25. Bc3 c5 26. f4 c4 27. Re3 Ne7
28. g4 Nc6 29. g5 Rxe3 30. Nxe3 Re8 31. Nxc4 Bxd4+ 32. Bxd4 dxc4 33. Bc3 Qf5
34. Re1 Rxe1+ 35. Qxe1 Kf7 36. Qd1 Qe4 37. Qd7+ Ne7 38. Qxa7 Qe3+ 39. Kg2 Qe2+
40. Kg1 Qe3+ 41. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.06.30"]
[Round "8"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "169"]
[EventDate "2017.06.28"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bf5 4. O-O e6 5. c4 dxc4 6. a4 Nd7 7. Na3 Bxa3 8.
Rxa3 Ngf6 9. Nh4 O-O 10. Nxf5 exf5 11. Qc2 Re8 12. Re3 Qa5 13. Qxc4 Nb6 14. Qc2
Ng4 15. Rxe8+ Rxe8 16. e3 Nxa4 17. b3 Nb6 18. Bb2 Qb5 19. h3 Nf6 20. Ra1 Ne4
21. d3 Nf6 22. Rxa7 Nc8 23. Ra4 Nd5 24. Qc4 Nc7 25. Qc3 Ne6 26. Ra5 Qb6 27.
Rxf5 Nd6 28. Rg5 Kf8 29. Rh5 Nb5 30. Qb4+ Kg8 31. Qe4 h6 32. Qg4 Qa5 33. Rxh6
Qe1+ 34. Bf1 Nc3 35. Bxc3 Qxc3 36. Rh4 Qxb3 37. Qh5 Kf8 38. Qe5 Ke7 39. Re4 Ra8
40. Qxg7 Qd1 41. Qg5+ Kd7 42. Qf6 Ra1 43. Qxf7+ Kd8 44. Qf6+ Kc7 45. Qe5+ Kb6
46. Qxa1 Qxa1 47. Rxe6 Kc7 48. d4 b5 49. Re7+ Kd6 50. Rb7 Qa8 51. Rg7 b4 52.
Bc4 Qa3 53. Rb7 Qc1+ 54. Bf1 Qb1 55. h4 c5 56. dxc5+ Kxc5 57. h5 Kc6 58. Rb8 b3
59. h6 b2 60. h7 Qxh7 61. Rxb2 Qg7 62. Rd2 Qa1 63. Kg2 Kc5 64. Rd4 Qa8+ 65. Kg1
Qa1 66. g4 Qb1 67. g5 Qf5 68. Bg2 Qg6 69. Kh2 Qh5+ 70. Kg1 Qg6 71. Rd5+ Kc6 72.
Kh2 Kc7 73. Kg3 Qc2 74. e4 Qc3+ 75. Bf3 Qg7 76. Bg2 Qc3+ 77. Kg4 Qb2 78. Rf5
Kd6 79. g6 Ke7 80. Bh3 Qe2+ 81. f3 Qb2 82. Kg5 Qc1+ 83. f4 Qa1 84. e5 Qa8 85.
Rf7+ 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.06.30"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "175"]
[EventDate "2017.06.28"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. g3 g6 4. b3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Bg7 7. Bb2 O-O 8. d4
cxd4 9. Qxd4 Nc6 10. Qc3 Rc8 11. Rd1 Qc7 12. Qe1 Qb8 13. Nc3 Rfd8 14. Rac1 e6
15. Ng5 h6 16. Nge4 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Ne7 18. Ba3 Nf5 19. Bxf5 gxf5 20. Be7 Re8 21.
Bd6 Qa8 22. Nb5 Ba6 23. Nc7 Rxc7 24. Bxc7 Qc6 25. Bd6 Bb7 26. f3 e5 27. Qd2 e4
28. Qd5 Qc8 29. Qxf5 exf3 30. exf3 Re2 31. Qd3 Qe8 32. Bf4 Qe7 33. Rf1 Qc5+ 34.
Kh1 Rxa2 35. Rce1 Qh5 36. Re2 Rxe2 37. Qxe2 Bc6 38. Kg2 b5 39. cxb5 Bxb5 40.
Qe8+ Kh7 41. Rc1 Qd5 42. Qe4+ Qxe4 43. fxe4 Bc6 44. Rc4 Kg6 45. g4 h5 46. g5 a6
47. Kf3 f6 48. gxf6 Bxf6 49. Rc2 Kf7 50. Ke3 Bd8 51. Kd4 Ke6 52. Rg2 Bf6+ 53.
Kd3 d5 54. e5 Bb5+ 55. Kc3 Bh4 56. Rg7 Bf2 57. Rg5 h4 58. Kd2 Bc5 59. Rg6+ Kf5
60. Rf6+ Ke4 61. e6 d4 62. Bh6 Be7 63. Rf7 Bb4+ 64. Kd1 Ke5 65. e7 Ke6 66. Rf4
Bxe7 67. Rxd4 Bf6 68. Rd2 Be5 69. Rf2 Bc6 70. Bf4 Bd4 71. Rd2 Bc5 72. Rc2 Kd5
73. Ke2 Bd7 74. Rd2+ Kc6 75. Kf3 Be6 76. Rd3 Kb5 77. Ke4 h3 78. Ke5 Bg4 79. Rg3
Bd7 80. Be3 Ba3 81. Bd2 Bc5 82. Rg5 Kc6 83. Rg6+ Kb5 84. Rh6 Bb6 85. Kd6 Bg4
86. Rh4 Bc5+ 87. Kc7 Be6 88. Rh5 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2
b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Re1 d4 11. a4 Be6 12. Nf1 b4 13. cxd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Qxd4 15.
Nd2 c5 16. Nf3 Qd6 17. Be3 Rfd8 18. Rc1 Rac8 19. Bb3 Ng4 20. Bxe6 Qxe6 21. Qc2
h6 22. Red1 Rc7 23. Qc4 Qb6 24. Bd2 Bd6 25. h3 Nf6 26. Be3 Nd7 27. Nh4 Rcc8 28.
b3 Bf8 29. Nf5 h5 30. Bg5 Re8 31. Ne3 Qc6 32. Qc2 Qe6 33. Nc4 Nb8 34. Be3 Nc6
35. Qe2 g6 36. Rc2 Rcd8 37. Rdc1 Qd7 38. Nb2 Nd4 39. Bxd4 Qxd4 40. Rd1 Re6 41.
Nc4 Bh6 42. Na5 Rd7 43. g3 Kg7 44. Kg2 Qd6 45. Nc4 Qe7 46. h4 Qd8 47. Ne3 Rc7
48. Nd5 Rcc6 49. Rc4 Kg8 50. Qc2 Bf8 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.01"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A27"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2738"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 f5 4. g3 d6 5. d4 e4 6. d5 Ne5 7. Nxe5 dxe5 8. g4 g6
9. gxf5 gxf5 10. Rg1 Nf6 11. Bg5 Be7 12. e3 Rg8 13. Rg3 Rg6 14. Be2 Qd6 15. Bh5
Kf7 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Qb3 b6 18. O-O-O Bd7 19. Rdg1 Rag8 20. Qd1 Be8 21. Bxg6+
hxg6 22. Rh3 Ke7 23. Rh7+ Kd8 24. Nb5 Bxb5 25. cxb5 Kc8 26. Qc2 Bd8 27. Qc6 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.01"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C22"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2 O-O 7. O-O-O Re8
8. Qf4 Ne5 9. f3 Ng6 10. Qg3 Bd6 11. Qf2 Be5 12. h4 d5 13. h5 Nf8 14. h6 g6 15.
Be3 Bxc3 16. bxc3 c6 17. Ne2 Qa5 18. Qh4 N6d7 19. Kb1 dxe4 20. fxe4 Ne6 21. Nd4
Qxc3 22. Nxe6 Qb4+ 23. Ka1 Qc3+ 24. Kb1 Qb4+ 25. Ka1 Qc3+ 26. Kb1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.01"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 d5 3. Nd2 c6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Bxf6 exf6 6. g3 Nd7 7. Bg2 Nb6 8.
Ne2 Bd6 9. a4 a5 10. O-O O-O 11. e4 Bg4 12. Re1 Re8 13. c3 Qc7 14. exd5 Nxd5
15. Bf3 Be6 16. Nc1 f5 17. Nd3 g6 18. Kg2 Nf6 19. Qc2 f4 20. Ne4 Nxe4 21. Bxe4
fxg3 22. hxg3 Bg4 23. f4 f6 24. Nf2 Be6 25. f5 gxf5 26. Bxf5 Bd5+ 27. Be4 Rxe4
28. Nxe4 f5 29. Kh1 0-1

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.01"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Be2 Bb7 11. e4 e5 12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nh4 Bc8 14. h3 Ng6 15.
Nf5 Bxf5 16. exf5 Nf4 17. Bf3 Rc8 18. Rd1 Qe7 19. Be3 Rfd8 20. Ne4 Be5 21.
Rxd8+ Rxd8 22. Qxc6 Bxb2 23. Rb1 Nd3 24. Nxf6+ Bxf6 25. Qxb5 Ne5 26. Be2 h6 27.
Rd1 Rc8 28. Qa4 Rc7 29. Bf1 Bg5 30. Bxg5 hxg5 31. Qe4 Qe8 32. a4 Re7 33. Bb5
Qc8 34. Qb4 Rc7 35. Qd2 f6 36. Qd8+ Qxd8 37. Rxd8+ Kf7 38. Kh2 Ke7 39. Re8+ Kd6
40. Kg3 Kd5 41. f3 Kc5 42. h4 gxh4+ 43. Kxh4 Nc4 44. Bxc4 Kxc4 45. Kh5 Kb3 46.
a5 Rc5 47. Kg6 Rxa5 48. Re7 Ra2 49. g4 a5 50. Kxg7 Rf2 51. Kxf6 Rxf3 52. g5 a4
53. g6 a3 54. g7 Rg3 55. Kf7 a2 56. Ra7 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.01"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. d5 d6 4. Nc3 e5 5. Bd2 Be7 6. e4 O-O 7. Be2 Nbd7 8. Nf3
Ne8 9. a4 g6 10. Bh6 Ng7 11. Nd2 Kh8 12. h4 Nf6 13. h5 Nfxh5 14. Bxh5 Nxh5 15.
Bxf8 Qxf8 16. g3 Nf6 17. Qe2 Kg7 18. Nc4 b6 19. a5 Ba6 20. axb6 axb6 21. O-O h5
22. Rxa6 Rxa6 23. Nxd6 Ra8 24. Nc4 Qb8 25. Rd1 b5 26. d6 bxc4 27. dxe7 Qc7 28.
Qxc4 Qxe7 29. Nd5 Nxd5 30. Rxd5 Qf6 31. Qc3 h4 32. Qxe5 hxg3 33. fxg3 Ra2 34.
Qxf6+ Kxf6 35. Rxc5 Rxb2 36. Kf2 Ke6 37. Ke3 f5 38. Kd4 fxe4 39. Kxe4 Rb4+ 40.
c4 Rb3 41. g4 Rg3 42. Rc6+ Kf7 43. Kf4 Ra3 44. Kg5 Ra5+ 45. c5 Ra4 46. Rf6+ Ke7
47. Rxg6 Rc4 48. Rc6 Kd7 49. Rd6+ Ke7 50. Rd5 Ke6 51. Rf5 Ke7 52. Kh4 Ke6 53.
Kh5 Rd4 54. Rf1 Rd5+ 55. g5 Rxc5 56. Kh6 Rc2 57. g6 Rh2+ 58. Kg7 Rg2 59. Kh7
Rh2+ 60. Kg8 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.01"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qa4+ Nc6 8.
e3 O-O 9. Rd1 Rd8 10. Qc2 Bf8 11. a3 g6 12. Be2 Bg7 13. O-O a5 14. Nb5 Qe7 15.
Rc1 dxc4 16. Bxc4 Bd7 17. Nxc7 Rac8 18. Nb5 e5 19. Qb3 a4 20. Qa2 Na5 21. Be2
Rxc1 22. Rxc1 Nb3 23. Rd1 Be6 24. Qb1 Bf5 25. e4 exd4 26. exf5 Qxe2 27. Nc3 Qe7
28. Na2 gxf5 29. Nb4 Qe4 30. Nd3 Rc8 31. Re1 Qd5 32. Nh4 Qd7 33. Qd1 Bf6 34.
Qh5 Bxh4 35. Qxh4 Re8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.01"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Nbd2 d4 11. Nb3 Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 13. cxd4 exd4 14. Bf4 Bb4 15.
Nbd2 Qd7 16. a3 Be7 17. g4 Nxg4 18. hxg4 Qxg4+ 19. Bg3 f5 20. Bb3+ Kh8 21. Be6
Bd6 22. Kg2 Ne7 23. Rh1 Rf6 24. Ng5 Qxg5 25. Rxh5 Qg6 26. exf5 Nxf5 27. Bxf5
Rxf5 28. Rxf5 Qxf5 29. Qf3 Qc8 30. Bxd6 cxd6 31. Rc1 Qe8 32. Ne4 d5 33. Ng3 Qe6
34. Qf5 Qg8 35. Rc7 Re8 36. Nh5 Re6 37. Nxg7 Rg6+ 38. Kf1 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.01"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "160"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Nbd7 11. Nc3 Bd6 12. a5 Bxf4 13. gxf4 Nd5 14. e3 Nxc3
15. Qxc3 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 c6 17. Kh1 Qe7 18. Rg1 g6 19. Rg5 Rad8 20. Rag1 Nf6 21.
b4 Nd5 22. Qc5 Qf6 23. Be4 Kh8 24. R1g3 Rfe8 25. Re5 Ne7 26. Reg5 h6 27. Rh3
Kg7 28. Rg1 Nf5 29. Qe5 Qxe5 30. fxe5 Nxd4 31. exd4 Rxd4 32. Re3 Red8 33. Rb1
Rc4 34. Rd3 Rxd3 35. Bxd3 Rd4 36. Rb3 Rd5 37. Kg2 Rxe5 38. Kf3 f5 39. Bc2 Kf6
40. Rd3 Rb5 41. Rd4 c5 42. bxc5 Rxc5 43. Ba4 Rxa5 44. Be8 g5 45. Rd7 Ra3+ 46.
Kg2 Rb3 47. Rh7 b5 48. Bd7 Rd3 49. Bc8 Rd6 50. Ra7 b4 51. Rxa6 Rxa6 52. Bxa6 b3
53. Kf3 g4+ 54. Ke3 b2 55. Bd3 Kg5 56. f4+ gxf3 57. Kxf3 e5 58. Ke3 e4 59. Bc2
Kg4 60. Kf2 Kf4 61. Ke2 Ke5 62. Kd2 Kd4 63. Bb1 f4 64. Ke2 Ke5 65. Bc2 Kd4 66.
Bb1 e3 67. Bh7 Kc3 68. Bb1 Kb3 69. Kf3 Kc4 70. Ke2 Kc3 71. Bh7 Kd4 72. Bb1 Ke5
73. Kf3 Kf6 74. h4 Ke5 75. Bc2 Kd4 76. Bb1 Kc4 77. Ke2 Kc3 78. Bh7 Kb4 79. Bb1
Kb3 80. Kf3 Kc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.02"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2796"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. h3 e5 8. c3
Nd7 9. Nb3 a5 10. Be3 a4 11. Nbd2 a3 12. b3 exd4 13. Nxd4 Nc5 14. Bc2 Re8 15.
Rc1 Bd7 16. Re1 Ne6 17. N2f3 Ne5 18. Nh2 Nc6 19. Qd2 Ncxd4 20. cxd4 c5 21. Nf3
Qa5 22. Rcd1 Qxd2 23. Rxd2 cxd4 24. Nxd4 Nc5 25. f3 Rac8 26. Kf2 Na6 27. Bb1
Nb4 28. Red1 Red8 29. Bg5 Re8 30. Nc2 Bc3 31. Nxb4 Bxb4 32. Rc2 Rxc2+ 33. Bxc2
Rc8 34. Bb1 Be6 35. Bf4 Rc6 36. Ke2 Kf8 37. Bd2 Bxd2 38. Kxd2 Ke7 39. Re1 g5
40. Re3 Kf6 41. Bd3 Ke5 42. Bf1 Kf4 43. b4 Rc2+ 0-1

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.02"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 Bb7 12. d4 Bf6 13. Re1 Re8 14. Be3 c5
15. Nd2 cxd4 16. Bxd4 Rxe1+ 17. Qxe1 Nf4 18. Ne4 Bxd4 19. Rd1 Qe7 20. Rxd4 Re8
21. f3 Kh8 22. Qd2 Qe5 23. Bxf7 Rf8 24. Rd8 Ne2+ 25. Kf2 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.02"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. Bd3 d6 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Re1 e5 8. c3
a5 9. Nf1 c6 10. Ng3 Qc7 11. Bg5 Re8 12. Qd2 b5 13. Bh6 Nf8 14. h3 Ne6 15. Bxg7
Kxg7 16. Rad1 Nf4 17. Bb1 c5 18. Ne2 N6h5 19. Nxf4 Nxf4 20. Nh2 Qe7 21. Kh1 Qg5
22. Rg1 Qh5 23. h4 cxd4 24. cxd4 Ne6 25. dxe5 dxe5 26. Qd5 Rb8 27. g4 Qxh4 28.
Qxe5+ Kg8 29. Qxb8 Qxf2 30. Qxb5 Re7 31. Qe5 Re8 32. Rgf1 Qa7 33. g5 Ba6 34.
Ng4 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.02"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E94"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2707"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. e4 d6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 Na6 7. O-O e5 8. Re1
c6 9. d5 Nc5 10. Nd2 a5 11. b3 Bh6 12. Qc2 Ng4 13. Nf1 Bxc1 14. Raxc1 Nh6 15.
Qd2 Kg7 16. dxc6 bxc6 17. Red1 Ne6 18. Qxd6 Qxd6 19. Rxd6 Nd4 20. c5 Be6 21.
Nd2 a4 22. bxa4 Rxa4 23. Nf3 Nxe2+ 24. Nxe2 Rxe4 25. Ng3 Ra4 26. Nxe5 Rxa2 27.
Nxc6 Ng4 28. h3 Nxf2 29. Rf1 Nd3 30. Rxd3 Bc4 31. Rc3 Bxf1 32. Nxf1 Rc8 33. Nb4
Ra4 34. Nd3 Rc6 35. Nd2 f6 36. Nc4 h5 37. Nd6 Rd4 38. Rb3 Kh6 39. Kf2 Ra4 40.
Ke3 Kg5 41. Rb6 Rc7 42. Ne4+ Kh4 43. Nf4 Ra3+ 44. Kf2 Ra2+ 45. Kg1 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.02"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. d3 c5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. d4
Nc6 9. Nc3 h6 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Na4 Be7 12. Be3 Re8 13. Rc1 Bf8 14. Bc5 Bxc5
15. Nxc5 Qb6 16. Na4 Qa6 17. Nc3 Bg4 18. Nd4 Rad8 19. Re1 Ne4 20. Nxc6 bxc6 21.
Qa4 Qb6 22. Nxe4 dxe4 23. Qxc6 Qxb2 24. Qc2 Qxc2 25. Rxc2 e3 26. fxe3 Rxe3 27.
Kf2 Ra3 28. Rec1 Be6 29. Rb2 g5 30. Rc7 Bxa2 31. Be4 Be6 32. Bd3 Rd6 33. Rb8+
Kg7 34. Ra8 a5 35. Rca7 Rd5 36. Ra6 Re5 37. R8a7 h5 38. Rc6 Ra4 39. Rb6 h4 40.
Rb8 h3 41. Raa8 Ra1 42. Rb1 Rxb1 43. Bxb1 Bb3 44. g4 a4 45. Bf5 Rc5 46. Bd7 Rc4
47. Kg3 Rd4 48. Bc6 Kf6 49. Kxh3 Ke5 50. Kg3 Kd6 51. Be8 Kc5 52. h4 gxh4+ 53.
Kxh4 Kb4 54. Rb8+ Kc3 55. Rc8+ Kb2 56. Rb8 Kc3 57. Rc8+ Kd2 58. Ra8 Kxe2 59.
Kg5 Kd2 60. Ra7 Be6 61. Rxa4 Rxa4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.02"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 d6 5. g3 c5 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8.
O-O O-O 9. Nb3 Bb6 10. Qc2 h6 11. Rd1 Qe7 12. Nbd4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Rd8 14. b3 d5
15. cxd5 Nxd5 16. Bb2 Bd7 17. e3 Rac8 18. Qe2 Be8 19. Nf5 exf5 20. Rxd5 Bc6 21.
Rxd8+ Qxd8 22. Rd1 Qe8 23. Bxc6 Rxc6 24. Qd3 Qe6 25. Rd2 h5 26. h4 Kh7 27. Kg2
Kg6 28. Bd4 Qd5+ 29. f3 Bxd4 30. Qxd4 Qxd4 31. exd4 Kf6 32. f4 Rc3 33. Kf2 Ke6
34. Re2+ Kd6 35. Re3 Rc1 36. a4 g6 37. Ke2 Kd5 38. Re7 Rc3 39. Rxb7 a5 40. Kf2
Kxd4 41. b4 Rc2+ 42. Kf3 Rc3+ 43. Kg2 Rc2+ 44. Kh3 axb4 45. Rxb4+ Kd5 46. Rb7
Ke6 47. a5 Ra2 48. Rb6+ Kd5 49. Rb7 Rxa5 50. Rxf7 Ke6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.02"]
[Round "16"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. a4 c5 8. axb5
cxd4 9. Nxd4 h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Bxc4 O-O 12. O-O Rd8 13. Qb3 Bc5 14. Nf3 Nd7
15. Na4 Bf8 16. Qe3 Bb7 17. Rfd1 Ne5 18. Nxe5 Qxe5 19. f3 Be7 20. Rxd8+ Bxd8
21. Rd1 Bg5 22. Qf2 Qc7 23. Nc5 Rd8 24. Rxd8+ Bxd8 25. b4 Bc8 26. g3 Qe5 27.
Qd2 Bb6 28. Kg2 Bxc5 29. bxc5 Qxc5 30. Qd8+ Kh7 31. Qd3 g5 32. h4 gxh4 33. gxh4
Kg7 34. Qc3+ e5 35. f4 Be6 36. Qg3+ Kf6 37. fxe5+ Qxe5 38. Qf3+ Kg6 39. Bxe6
fxe6 40. Qg3+ Kf6 41. Qf2+ Kg6 42. Qg3+ Kf6 43. Qf2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.02"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Nd5 Bc5 4. b4 Bf8 5. Bb2 c6 6. Ne3 Bxb4 7. Bxe5 Nf6 8.
g3 O-O 9. Bg2 Re8 10. Nf3 d6 11. Bb2 Nbd7 12. O-O Ne5 13. Qb3 Nxf3+ 14. Bxf3
Bxd2 15. Rad1 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Ne4 17. Rd4 Nc5 18. Qa3 Qe7 19. e4 Be6 20. Rfd1 Nd7
21. Rxd6 Nb6 22. Qc3 Qg5 23. Ba1 Bxc4 24. Bh5 Rxe4 25. Rd8+ Re8 26. h4 Qh6 27.
R1d6 Be6 28. Rxe6 fxe6 29. Rxe8+ Rxe8 30. Bxe8 Nd5 31. Qf3 Nf6 32. Bxf6 gxf6
33. Qg4+ Kf8 34. Qxe6 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2017.07.02"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2017.07.01"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. Ne5 c5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. e3
Bf5 9. d4 Qc8 10. Nc3 Rd8 11. b3 cxd4 12. Qxd4 Bc5 13. Qf4 Bd6 14. Nxd5 Qe6 15.
Bb2 Nc6 16. Nxc6 Bxf4 17. Nxf4 Qd7 18. Nxd8 Rxd8 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Rac1 Kf8 21.
Nd5 Qd6 22. e4 Bd7 23. Rfd1 Bg4 24. Rd3 Be6 25. a4 Qe5 26. Re3 Rc8 27. Rxc8+
Bxc8 28. h4 Be6 29. Kh2 h6 30. Nf4 Qb2 31. Nxe6+ fxe6 32. Kg1 Ke7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Geneva FIDE GP"]
[Site "Geneva"]
[Date "2017.07.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Li, Chao B"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E60"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2017.07.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 e6 4. Nc3 c5 5. d5 d6 6. e4 Bg7 7. Nge2 exd5 8. cxd5
Nbd7 9. Ng3 h5 10. Be2 Nh7 11. Be3 h4 12. Nf1 O-O 13. Qd2 Re8 (13... a6 14. a4
f5 15. exf5 gxf5 16. Bh6 Re8 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Ne3 Qf6 19. g4 {Vidit-Bai, 2017,
favoured White.}) 14. Bh6 Bd4 $1 {Li Chao does well by keeping his best minor
piece on the board.} 15. Ne3 $5 a6 $1 {Great timing.} ({Aronian was inviting} 
15... g5 16. Nf5 Ne5 17. Ng7 Re7 18. Nh5 f6 19. Nb5 $1 {with great
complications that might turn out to be favourable for White.}) 16. Nc2 ({
Now, as the b5-square is covered,} 16. a4 g5 17. Nf5 Ne5 18. Ng7 Re7 19. Nh5 f6
{looks fine for Black, who plans to answer} 20. f4 {with} Ng4 $1) 16... Be5 17.
Bf4 (17. a4 g5 $1 {again traps the white bishop.}) 17... b5 {Black has
achieved this all-important advance.} 18. O-O Bxf4 19. Qxf4 Ne5 20. Qh6 g5 21.
g3 ({The logical} 21. f4 {is a double-edged proposition. Black will be happy
to sac the h4-pawn,} gxf4 22. Rxf4 Qg5 23. Qxg5+ Nxg5 24. Rxh4 {to keep full
control over the critical e5-square, along with clear queenside prospects.})
21... hxg3 22. hxg3 Qf6 23. Qh2 Ng6 24. Ne3 Bd7 25. Kg2 Kg7 26. Rh1 Rh8 27. Qg1
Qe5 28. Qf2 Nf6 29. Raf1 Nh5 30. Rfg1 {White is 100% on the defensive, and Li
Chao decided to strike while the iron was hot.} Nhf4+ $5 ({Something has to be
said in favour of} 30... Rae8 {as there isn't much White can do with his
position.}) 31. gxf4 Bh3+ 32. Rxh3 Nxf4+ 33. Kf1 Nxh3 34. Qg3 Nxg1 35. Qxe5+
dxe5 36. Kxg1 c4 37. Nf5+ Kf6 38. d6 Ke6 39. a4 {In the endgame two rooks are
usually worth more than three minor pieces, and here Black also has an extra
pawn.} Kd7 ({He needed to stay cool:} 39... Rhb8 $1 {is only a temporary
inconvenience.} 40. axb5 $2 (40. Kf2 Kd7 41. Ke3 Kc6 {liberating the rook from
its defensive duty.}) 40... axb5 41. Nxb5 Ra1+ 42. Kf2 Rc1 $1 {this one is
very easy to miss. Black keeps his c-pawn alive and because of that he can
bury the white bishop.} 43. Na3 Rxb2 $19) 40. axb5 axb5 41. Nxb5 Ra2 (41... Ra4
42. Nc3 Rb4 43. Nd5 Rxb2 44. Bxc4) 42. Bxc4 Rxb2 43. Nc7 Rhh2 44. Bb5+ Kd8 45.
Ne3 {Somewhat surprisingly the players agreed to a draw here. Despite his
inaccuracy on move 39, Li could have still gone on.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Geneva FIDE GP"]
[Site "Geneva"]
[Date "2017.07.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2017.07.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. c3 a6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Re1
d6 9. h3 b5 $5 {An active move, first played in Shankland-Tari, 2017.} ({
Routine is} 9... Ne7 {played by Nakamura at least five times. Also, Carlsen,
Karjakin and Leko have tried their hand at it.}) 10. Bb3 b4 11. a5 Rb8 12. Nbd2
Be6 13. Bxe6 $6 {I'm far from being an expert on this structure, but it seems
to be White shouldn't take on e6 unless he can immediately follow up with
d3-d4.} ({In the above mentioned game Sam played} 13. Bc4) 13... fxe6 14. Nc4
Qe8 15. Be3 (15. d4 Qg6 16. dxe5 {fails to} Nxe4 $1) 15... Bxe3 16. Rxe3 Qg6
17. Ncd2 Nh5 18. Qf1 Rb5 19. Kh2 Qh6 20. Kg1 Qg6 21. Kh2 Qh6 22. Kg1 Kh8 {
Levon says no to Dmitry's silent draw offer.} 23. d4 Nf4 24. h4 {Move of the
Day coming up.} g5 $3 {Directed against White's intended g2-g3, but how does
one come up with such an idea. Simply put, Aronian is a genius.} 25. hxg5 Qh5
26. Qc4 (26. c4 Rbb8 27. dxe5 (27. d5 Nd4) 27... dxe5 28. g3 Nh3+ 29. Kg2 Rbd8
30. Rd1 Qg4 {puts White under considerable pressure.}) 26... exd4 27. cxd4 Nxa5
{Action all over the board.} 28. Qf1 {Jakovenko is not exactly brimming with
confidence these days. Lots or rating points have been lost since his glory
days of finishing third in the Grand Prix cycle two years ago.} ({Perhaps,
Dmitry could have survived} 28. Qxc7 Rxg5 29. Nxg5 Qxg5 {based on} 30. Rg3 Ne2+
31. Kh2 Nxg3 32. fxg3 Qxd2 33. Rxa5 {and the open black king keeps the Rf8
from joining the party.}) 28... h6 29. e5 d5 30. Rc1 c6 31. Ne1 $2 {More
backward moves.} ({While} 31. gxh6 Rg8 32. g3 Rb7 33. Nh2 Rh7 {is indeed, bad
for White,}) ({The right move} 31. g6 $1 Rg8 32. Nh2 Qxg6 33. g3 {keeps him
fighting on equal terms.}) 31... hxg5 32. Nd3 g4 33. Nxf4 Rxf4 34. Rd3 g3 $6 {
Levon overdid it a bit.} ({There was no need for fireworks, when} 34... Rb7 35.
g3 Rh7 {was there. After} 36. Qg2 {Black has a killer shot in} Qf5 37. Qf1 Rxf2
38. Qxf2 Rh1+) 35. Rxg3 Rh4 36. f4 Rh1+ 37. Kf2 Rxf1+ 38. Rxf1 {Suddenly it
transpires Black is going to lose his queen back.} Nc4 39. Nb3 ({The rook
endgame after} 39. Nxc4 dxc4 40. Rh3 Qxh3 41. gxh3 c3 {is no picnic for White,
but he can fight on with} 42. b3 $1 (42. Ke2 b3 43. Kd3 ({no time for} 43. bxc3
b2 44. Rb1 a5 45. Kd2 a4 46. Kc2 a3 $19) 43... c2 44. Kc3 a5 45. h4 a4 {
has this hopeless look of gloom and doom.}) 42... a5 43. Ke3 Rd5 44. f5 exf5
45. Rxf5 Kg7 46. Rf1 c5 {is probably winning for Black though.}) 39... Qh4 40.
Kf3 a5 41. Ra1 Qh5+ 42. Kf2 Nxb2 43. Rh3 (43. Nxa5 Nd1+ 44. Kg1 Qe2 {blocks
the other white rook from ever reaching h1.}) 43... Qxh3 44. gxh3 a4 {It's
over.} 45. Nc5 b3 46. f5 exf5 47. e6 Nc4 48. e7 Nd6 49. Nxa4 Kg7 50. Nc3 Rb8
51. Ra6 Kf7 0-1

[Event "Geneva FIDE GP"]
[Site "Geneva"]
[Date "2017.07.08"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2017.07.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Na3
Ne4 9. Bf4 Nd7 10. Qc2 f5 11. Rad1 g5 12. Bc1 Nd6 13. Ne5 Qe8 14. Qb3 Nxe5 15.
dxe5 Ne4 16. Nc2 b6 17. Nd4 Bd7 18. Qc2 a5 19. Be3 Rc8 20. Nf3 b5 21. cxd5 cxd5
22. Qd3 b4 23. Nd4 f4 24. Bc1 Nc5 25. Qf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Geneva FIDE GP"]
[Site "Geneva"]
[Date "2017.07.09"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2017.07.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bd7 9. c3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Qb8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 Be6 14. Nbd2 O-O 15. Re1
cxd4 16. cxd4 Rc8 17. h3 Nc6 18. axb5 axb5 19. Rxa8 Qxa8 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. d5
Nb4 22. dxe6 Nxc2 23. exf7+ Kxf7 24. Rf1 Qa2 25. Nb1 Nd4 26. Nxd4 exd4 27. Qh5+
Kg8 28. Qxb5 Rc2 29. Na3 Rxb2 30. Qc4+ Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Geneva FIDE GP"]
[Site "Geneva"]
[Date "2017.07.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D70"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2017.07.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2
Nc6 9. O-O-O Qd6 10. Kb1 Rd8 11. Nb5 Qd7 12. d5 a6 13. Nc3 Qe8 14. Qc1 Na5 15.
h4 e6 16. Bf4 Rd7 17. Bh6 Bxh6 18. Qxh6 exd5 19. h5 Qf8 20. Qxf8+ Kxf8 21. hxg6
hxg6 22. exd5 c6 23. d6 Nd5 24. Nxd5 cxd5 25. Rxd5 b5 26. Nh3 Nb7 27. Bd3 Rxd6
28. Nf4 Rxd5 29. Nxd5 Nc5 30. Bc2 Bb7 31. Rh8+ Kg7 32. Rxa8 Bxa8 33. Nc7 Bb7
34. b4 Nd7 35. a4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Geneva FIDE GP"]
[Site "Geneva"]
[Date "2017.07.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2017.07.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
d3 O-O 9. Be3 Be6 10. Rc1 f5 {This is one of most ambitious ways of handling
the position - Black is aiming to prove that White's dark-squared bishop is
somewhat vulnerable.} ({Another common continuation -} 10... Nd5 {had been
seen in the practice of both players previously:} 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. Qa4 (12.
Nd2 $2 Bxg2 13. Kxg2 Qd5+ 14. Kg1 Qxa2 $17 {Nakamura,H (2787)-Harikrishna,P 
(2763) chess.com INT 2016}) 12... Re8 13. Rfd1 a6 14. a3 Bf6 15. Nd2 Bxg2 16.
Kxg2 Nd4 17. Bxd4 exd4 18. Ne4 c6 $11 {1/2 (46) Aronian,L (2784)-Topalov,V 
(2754) Stavanger NOR 2016}) 11. a3 Kh8 {This prophylactic move can be
automatically made in various English positions (reversed Sicilian!).} ({
The aggressive} 11... f4 {exposes the key e4-spot, and that might invite
trouble. For instance,} 12. Bd2 Qd7 13. Ne4 Rf5 14. b4 fxg3 15. Nxg3 Rff8 16.
b5 $16 {1-0 (31) Wang Yue (2723)-Mamedyarov,S (2757) Beijing CHN 2013}) ({
The following game also illustrates well how effective White's initiative on
the q-side might be:} 11... Bf6 12. Nd2 Kh8 13. b4 Rb8 14. Bc5 Ne7 15. b5 $36 {
1-0 (43) Kamsky,G (2741)-Svidler,P (2769) Thessaloniki GRE 2013}) 12. b4 a6 13.
Re1 $146 {This move looks somewhat mysterious, but its main idea was justified
in the game!} ({The previously played} 13. Bc5 Bg8 14. e3 Bxc5 15. bxc5 Nd5 16.
Qd2 Qe7 17. Ne2 Rab8 18. Nh4 Qf6 $132 {Caruana,F (2791) - Giri,A (2752)
Stavanger NOR 2014 led to a balanced play.}) 13... Qe8 {Pentala is intending
to place his queen on the kingside, so White's king might be under some
pressure.} ({Another possibility was} 13... Nd5 $5 14. Nxd5 Bxd5 15. Bc5 Bd6
16. e4 (16. Qc2 f4 17. Nd2 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Qd7 $132) 16... fxe4 17. dxe4 Be6 $11)
14. Qd2 Bd6 $6 {This natural move locks the d-file and allows White to seize
the initiative.} ({More to the point was} 14... Rd8 15. Bxb6 cxb6 16. Qe3 Bf6
17. Qxb6 Qe7 18. Qe3 Bg8 $44 {and Black's bishops provide decent compensation
for a pawn.}) 15. Bxb6 $1 cxb6 16. d4 {Levon doesn't miss the chance! Now
Black has serious problems to solve.} exd4 $6 ({In the following short line
White benefits from having the rook on the e-file:} 16... e4 17. d5 $1 exf3 18.
exf3 {and Black's position collapses.}) ({The same can be said about} 16... Rd8
17. d5 Bb8 18. e4 fxe4 19. Rxe4 Bf5 20. Re3 Bg4 $14 {even though here White's
advantage isn't that big. Indeed, it was the lesser evil!}) 17. Nxd4 Rd8 (17...
Be5 {was hardly any better:} 18. Nxc6 bxc6 19. Qe3 Bc7 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. Qxe8
Raxe8 22. Bxd5 $16 {- Even though there are bishops of different colours, the
endgame is very difficult for Black.}) 18. Nxe6 Qxe6 19. Qa2 Qh6 {Pentala is
aiming to complicate matters.} ({The alternative -} 19... Qxa2 20. Nxa2 Rc8 21.
Red1 Rfd8 22. e3 {would lead to an unpleasant endgame, where White's
light-squared bishop is extremely powerful.}) 20. f4 $2 {Luckily for GM
Harikrishna, Levon loses all sense of danger...} ({Instead, the natural} 20. e3
$1 g5 21. Nd5 b5 22. f4 gxf4 23. Nxf4 $16 {would secure White a big positional
advantage.}) 20... a5 21. b5 Bc5+ {That's the point! The vulnerablity of the
dark squares in White's camp starts to tell now.} 22. e3 $2 {Alas, Levon fails
to cope with a sudden change of course!} ({He had to play} 22. Kh1 Bf2 23. bxc6
Bxg3 24. h3 Bxe1 ({Perhaps, a stronger try is} 24... bxc6 25. Red1 Bxf4 26. e3
Bxe3 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 {obtaining 4 pawns for a piece. However, even in this event
after} 28. Rd1 Rxd1+ 29. Nxd1 Bc5 30. Qf7 {White is OK}) 25. c7 $1 Rc8 26. Rxe1
Rxc7 27. Nd5 {White would be able to maintain the balance, at the least.})
22... Ne5 $1 {Now Black has too many threats!} 23. Rcd1 (23. Nd5 Nd3 24. Rcd1
Nxe1 25. Rxe1 Rd6 $19) 23... Ng4 24. h3 Nxe3 ({There was the even simpler} 
24... Bxe3+ 25. Kf1 Nh2+ 26. Ke2 Bxf4 $1 27. gxf4 (27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. gxf4 Qh5+
29. Ke3 Qh4 $19) 27... Rfe8+ 28. Kf2 Qh4+ $19) 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Kh2 g5 {
This aggressive choice makes Black's task tougher.} (26... Qd6 27. Qe2 Nxg2 28.
Qxg2 (28. Kxg2 Bxa3 29. Rd1 Qe7 $19) 28... Bxa3 29. Rd1 Qe7 30. Rxd8+ Qxd8 31.
Qxb7 g6 $19) 27. fxg5 Qxg5 28. Qe6 ({A more stubborn try was} 28. Nd5 Nxd5 29.
Bxd5 f4 30. Qa1+ Qg7 31. Qxg7+ Kxg7 32. Rd1 fxg3+ 33. Kxg3 Bxa3 {- the
resulting edngame is winning for Black, but the task is still not trivial.})
28... f4 29. Ne4 Qg7 30. g4 Nc2 {This move doesn't spoil anything,} ({but
White would immediately resign after} 30... Nxg2 31. Kxg2 Qb2+ 32. Kh1 f3 $19)
31. Rf1 Nd4 32. Qf6 Qxf6 33. Nxf6 Bxa3 34. Bxb7 Bd6 {Eventually the a-passer
easily decides the game.} 35. h4 a4 36. g5 a3 37. Kh3 Be5 38. Kg4 Nc2 0-1

[Event "Geneva FIDE GP"]
[Site "Geneva"]
[Date "2017.07.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[EventDate "2017.07.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bxc3 6. Qxc3 Qe7 7. Be2 d5 8.
d4 exd4 9. Nxd4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 c5 11. Qh4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Be6 13. Be2 Nd5 14. Bb5+
Kf8 15. Qe4 Bd7 16. Qc4 Be6 17. Qe4 Bd7 18. Qc4 Be6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Geneva FIDE GP"]
[Site "Geneva"]
[Date "2017.07.14"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Yuffa,D"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2017.07.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Nepomniachtchi decided to use Aronian's own weapon against him.} 1. c4 Nf6 2.
Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8. a3 ({Usually
White starts with} 8. d3 O-O {and there White has an interesting and slightly
unexpected idea if Black plays too actively:} 9. Be3 Be6 10. Rc1 f5 {This
active and aggressive move provokes White into a response:} (10... f6 {is
quite solid.} 11. a3 $5 {is a positional trap} Qd7 $1 ({if} 11... a5 12. d4 $1
exd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 $16 {Marin - Strambu, 1-0, 2007}) 12. Ne4 Nd5 13.
Bc5 b6 14. Bxe7 Ndxe7 15. Qa4 $11 {and both sides have equal chances}) (10...
Nd5 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. Qa4 Re8 13. Rc3 a6 14. a3 Bf6 15. Rc5 {Tomashevsky -
Karjakin, 2015, and instead of} Nd4 16. Rxd5 Nxe2+ 17. Kh1 Qxd5 18. Nd4 Qxg2+
19. Kxg2 Nxd4 20. Bxd4 exd4 21. Qb4 Rab8 22. Re1 $16 {with big chances for
White's success Black should have played 15...Be7, offering a repetition}) (
10... Qd7 11. a3 f6 12. Nd2 Rfd8 {and the computer considers that the position
is absolutely equal}) 11. b4 $5 a6 (11... Nxb4 12. Nxe5 c6 13. Qd2 {is
slightly better for White because of the centre}) (11... Bxb4 $6 {This pawn is
poisoned} 12. Ng5 Bf7 13. Nxf7 Rxf7 14. Qb3 $1 Bxc3 15. Rxc3 Nd4 16. Bxd4 exd4
17. Rc5 c6 18. Rxf5 Qe7 (18... Qd7 19. Bh3 Nd5 20. Rf4 $1 $18) 19. Rf4 Rd8 20.
Bh3 Kf8 21. Rxf7+ Qxf7 22. Qa3+ $18) 12. a3 Kh8 (12... Bf6 13. Nd2 $14 {
is slightly better because of space on queenside and the pressure on c-file})
13. Bc5 (13. Na4 Nxa4 14. Qxa4 Bd5 15. Bc5 Bd6 16. Qc2 {Anand - Hammer, 1-0,
2015. The position is almost equal, but in my view it's a bit easier to play
White there which was proved in the game.}) (13. Re1 Qe8 14. Qd2 Bd6 15. Bxb6
cxb6 16. d4 exd4 17. Nxd4) 13... Bg8 14. e3 $5 Bxc5 15. bxc5 Nd5 16. Qd2 Qe7 {
Caruana - Giri, 1/2, 2014, with mutual chances.}) 8... a5 (8... O-O {is also a
possibility} 9. b4 Be6 10. d3 (10. Rb1 {This is almost useless} f6 $5 (10... a6
11. d3 f6 12. Ne4 Ba2 13. Rb2 Bd5 14. Nc5 {is approximately equal}) 11. d3 a5
12. b5 Nd4 13. Nd2 Qc8 14. e3 Nf5 15. Qc2 a4 {and Black has a slight edge.}) (
10. b5 $5 Nd4 11. Rb1 Nxf3+ {This can be an inaccuracy} (11... f6 $5 $13) 12.
Bxf3 Qc8 13. d3 a5 14. a4 Rd8 15. Qc2 {The position might be equal but it's a
bit more convenient to play White there.}) 10... a5 11. b5 Nd4 12. Nd2 c6 13.
bxc6 Nxc6 14. Rb1 a4 {despite the good pawn structure, White has a lack of
space}) 9. d3 O-O 10. Be3 Be6 11. Rc1 a4 $5 {The most principled and
convincing.} (11... f5 12. Na4 Nxa4 13. Qxa4 $14 {is slightly better for White
because of pressure on the c-file and the threat of an exchange sacrifice on
c6.}) 12. Nd2 ({An attempt to win the pawn immediately leads to sufficient
counterplay for Black:} 12. Bxb6 cxb6 13. Nxa4 e4 14. Ne1 Bg5 15. Rc3 {and
Black at least has a repetition after 15...Bf6} (15. Ra1 exd3 16. Nxd3 Nd4 17.
Nc3 Nb3 $44) (15. e3 $6 exd3 $36)) 12... f5 $146 {It seems to me that this
move is the first inaccuracy for Black. I think that Aronian knew that after
12...Nd5 the position becomes dry and he wanted to create a mess on the board.}
(12... Nd5 {was more solid} 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 14. Bf3 Bxf3 15. Nxf3 Qd5 $11) 13.
Bxb6 cxb6 14. Nxa4 Bg5 15. Nc3 e4 16. Rb1 Ne5 (16... Rf7 17. Nc4 Rd7 18. b3 Bf6
19. Nb5 exd3 20. exd3 Nd4 $14 {and the compensation is already sufficient.})
17. Nb3 Ng4 18. Qc2 ({Black aimed for an attack. It was better to terrorise
the knight on g4 immediately:} 18. h3 $5 Nxf2 19. Kxf2 (19. Rxf2 $2 Be3 $17 {
, threating f4}) 19... Qd6 20. h4 $16 {escaping.}) 18... Be3 19. dxe4 $2 {
Blundering.} (19. Bh3 {was the only move to maintain equality:} Nxf2 20. Rxf2
Qd7 21. Rbf1 f4 22. Bxe6+ Qxe6 23. g4 f3 24. exf3 Rxf3 25. Nxe4 Qxg4+ 26. Kh1
Rxf2 27. Rxf2 Bxf2 28. Nxf2 Qf3+ 29. Kg1 Rf8 $11) 19... Qg5 $2 {Aronian misses
a beautiful pinning idea:} (19... Nxf2 $1 20. Rxf2 fxe4 21. Rbf1 (21. Nxe4 $2
Rc8) 21... Qc7 $1 {The point of conception. The pair of bishops is pinning all
the white pieces.} 22. Bxe4 (22. Nc1 Bxf2+ 23. Rxf2 Rxf2 24. Kxf2 Qc5+ $19)
22... Rxf2 23. Rxf2 Qf7 $1 {...executing ...} 24. Bf3 Bxb3 $17) 20. fxe3 Qxe3+
21. Kh1 Qh6 22. h3 $2 {Wasting the advantage.} (22. h4 {looks a bit more risky
but it works:} f4 23. Qc1 Ne3 24. Rf3 Bxb3 25. gxf4 Nxg2 26. Kxg2 Qxh4 27. f5
$16) 22... Ne3 23. Qd2 f4 24. gxf4 Nxf1 $2 (24... Nxg2 {doesn't make a draw
because} 25. Kxg2 Qxh3+ 26. Kf2 Qh4+ 27. Ke3 Bxb3 28. Qd4 $14 Rad8 29. Qe5 {
looks a bit dangerous, but Black has nothing tangible for the pawn.}) (24...
Rxf4 $1 25. Rxf4 Qxf4 {that's a bit fantastic but Black is ok there a piece
down. White must give up that lead.} 26. Rg1 Bxb3 27. Nd5 Bxd5 28. exd5 Nxg2
29. Qc3 g6 30. Rxg2 Rd8 31. Qd3 Re8 32. Qf3 Qc1+ 33. Kh2 Qc7+ 34. Qg3 Qc4 $11)
25. Rxf1 {Now it's a technical stage. White's central pawn fist is crushing
Black's position.} Bxb3 26. e5 Rae8 (26... Rad8 $5 27. Qe3 Rd7 28. Ne4 Bd5 29.
Nd6 $16 {it's still tough, but not losing yet.}) 27. Ne4 Kh8 28. Kh2 Bg8 29. e3
Re6 30. Nd6 Qh4 31. Qd4 $18 Rg6 32. Rf3 Qe1 33. f5 Rg5 34. h4 Rh5 35. Rg3 Be6
36. fxe6 {This was a game of mutual chances, where Aronian didn't want to
agree to a peaceful flow of the game and played 12...f5!?N. That, probably,
was a mistake despite the less than smooth play of both sides.} 1-0

[Event "Geneva FIDE GP"]
[Site "Geneva"]
[Date "2017.07.15"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Salem, AR Saleh"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E97"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2638"]
[Annotator "Bronznik,V"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2017.07.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. d4 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5
Ne7 9. Bd2 {Diese Fortsetzung kommt unvergleichbar seltener vor, als
Hauptzüge 9.Ne1, 9.Nd2 und 9.b4, ist aber keinesfalls ohne Gift.} ({Im
Unterschied zum verbreiteten Abspiel} 9. Ne1 Nd7 10. Nd3 f5 11. Bd2 Nf6 12. f3
f4 13. c5 g5 14. Rc1 {fängt Aronian mit der Mobilisation seiner Kräfte am
Damenflügel an. Die Idee dieser Zugfolge besteht darin, dass solange der
weiße Springer auf f3 steht, kann f7-f5 mit Nf3-g5 (/\Ng5-e6) beantwortet
werden - es sei denn, der Gegner investiert Zeit in prophylaktische Maßnahmen.
}) 9... Nd7 {Vielleicht wäre es etwas anmaßend, diese Fortsetzung als
zweifelhaft zu bewerten, aber meiner Meinung nach lässt sie dem Weißen mehr
Hoffnungen auf einen Eröffnungsvorteil, als zwei andere Springerzüge:} (9...
Ne8 {- im Unterschied zu 9...Nd7 wird der Bc8 nicht verstellt, was für die
Varianten mit f7-f5, Nf3-g5 wichtig ist. Z. B.:} 10. Rc1 (10. Ne1 f5 11. Nd3
Nf6 {würde das Spiel in das oben genannte System 9.Ne1 überleiten} ({
außerdem muss Weiß mit} 11... fxe4 $5 {rechnen, z. B.} 12. Nxe4 c6 13. Qb3
Kh8 14. f4 b5 $1 $13 {Sosonko,G (2535) - Nijboer, F (2505)/Eindhoven 1993}))
10... f5 11. exf5 ({oder} 11. Ng5 h6 12. Ne6 Bxe6 13. dxe6 c6 14. Qb3 {(Borik,
O (2390) - McCarthy,B (2200)/Berlin 1980)} Nc7 $1 $13 (14... Qc8)) 11... gxf5
12. Ng5 (12. g3) 12... h6 {(mit dem Springer auf d7 statt e8 würde dieser Zug
natürlich nicht gehen)} 13. Ne6 Bxe6 14. dxe6 Qc8 15. Qb3 c6 $13 {Taimanov,M 
(2620) - Fischer,T (2740)/Vancouver 1971}) (9... Nh5 {- Schwarz nützt aus,
dass das Feld h5 dem Springer zugänglich geblieben ist und beabsichtigt jetzt
nicht nur f7-f5, sondern verfügt auch über die Idee Nh5-f4. Z. B.} 10. Rc1 (
10. g3 {wird in der Regel mit} f5 {beantwortet - leider sind die
dazugehörigen Varianten zu umfangreich und kompliziert, um sie hier anzugeben}
) 10... h6 $5 ({die Praxis hat gezeigt, dass auf das unverzügliche} 10... Nf4
$6 {die Reaktion} 11. Bxf4 exf4 12. Qd2 {unangenehm ist}) 11. Re1 Nf4 12. Bf1 (
12. Bxf4 $6 exf4 13. Qd2 $140 g5) 12... g5 13. h4 $5 g4 14. Nh2 f5 $13 {
Lima, D (2420) - Vescovi, G (2490)/Rio de Janeiro 1997}) 10. Rc1 h6 $6 {
Salem trifft die Entscheidung, vor f7-f5 dem Nf3 das Feld g5 zu verbieten,
aber das kostet ihn Zeit - m.E. kann man an dieser Stelle das weiße
Eröffnungskonzept eindeutig als gelungen betrachten.} ({Kritisch ist} 10... f5
{, was in dieser Stellung öfter gespielt wurde. Aber ich habe Eindruck, dass
es für Schwarz auch dann nicht so leicht ist, ausreichendes Gegenspiel zu
bekommen. Zum Beispiel:} 11. exf5 $5 (11. Ng5) 11... Nxf5 (11... gxf5 12. Ng5
Nf6 13. Qb3 c6 (13... h6 $2 14. Ne6 Bxe6 15. dxe6 $16 Qc8 $140 16. Nd5) 14.
Rfd1 $36 {Constantinou,A (2387) - Mutter,V (2475)/corr 1989}) 12. Ne4 Nf6 13.
Bg5 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. c5 $36 {Finegold,B (2497) - Felecan,F (2409)/Chicago
2009}) 11. Ne1 {Erst jetzt begibt sich der Springer nach d3.} f5 12. Nd3 {
Weiß hat den für die Linie 9.Ne1 typischen Aufbau erreicht (nur mit der
veränderten Zugfolge), während Schwarz vor der schwierigen Aufgabe steht, zu
bewesien, dass der Zug h7-h6 in dieser Position für etwas nützlich ist.} fxe4
({Viel öfter setzt Schwarz in Stellungen dieser Art auf Bauernstrurm am
Königsflügel, aber hier würde die Fortsetzung} 12... Nf6 13. f3 f4 14. c5 g5
{bedeuten, dass h7-h6 reine Zeitverschwendung war.}) 13. Nxe4 {Ohne Ra1-c1 und
h7-h6 wäre vor uns eine bekannte theoretische Position, die nach 9.Ne1 (statt
des Partiezuges 9.Bd2) 9...Nd7 10.Nd3 f5 11.Bd2 fxe4 13.Nxe4 entsteht und von
der Theorie als etwas besser für Weiß eingeschätzt wird. Das Einfließen
dieser zwei Züge begünstigt eindeutig den Weißen: sein Turm steht auf c1
angesichts der Option c4-c5 klar besser als auf a1 , während die Lage des
schwarzen h-Bauern auf h6, auch wenn sie nicht ganz nutzlos ist (dem
Anziehenden steht die Option Bd2-g5 nicht mehr zur Verfügung), bedeutende
Nachteile hat - die Bauern g6 und h6 können sich als anfällig erweisen (wie
es später in der Partie auch geschah).} Nf5 (13... Nf6 14. Nxf6+ Rxf6 15. f3
Nf5 16. Nf2 $14) 14. f3 {[%cal Yd3f2,Yf2e4] Eine typische Idee - weil der Ne4
bald abgetauscht wird, muss der andere Springer das Feld e4 besetzen.} (14. c5
$6 Nf6 15. Nxf6+ Qxf6 16. f3 Qf7 17. Nf2 (17. cxd6 cxd6 18. Nf2 b6 $132 {
[%cal Rc8b7]}) 17... dxc5 18. Rxc5 b6 19. Rc3 Bb7 $13) 14... Nf6 15. Ndf2 Nd4
16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. Bd3 Bf5 18. Ne4 Qe7 19. Be3 Rae8 $146 ({Auf} 19... Kh7 {
(Balashov,Y (2560) - Friedman,S (2200)/Graz 2002)} {kann Weiß analog unserer
Hauptpartie} 20. Qd2 $14 {spielen} ({oder sofort} 20. Ng3 $14) ({Beachtung
verdient auch} 20. c5 $5 $36)) 20. Qd2 (20. c5 $5) 20... Rf7 {Salem ist bereit,
den Bauern h6 zu geben, um die h-Linie zu öffnen.} 21. Rce1 ({Zumindest aus
praktischer Sicht lohnte es sich für Weiß nicht, sich auf die Möglichkeit} 
21. Bxh6 Bxh6 22. Qxh6 {einzulassen - nach} Rh7 {bekäme Schwarz für den
geopferten Bauern lästige Aktivität am Königsflügel.}) ({Eine interessante
Alternative war} 21. Rfe1 $5 Qf8 22. c5 {, aber wie wir gleich sehen werden,
hat Aronian einen anderen Plan in Sicht, als das Öffnen der Linien am
Damenflügel.}) 21... Qf8 22. Bxd4 $5 (22. Ng3 Bxd3 23. Qxd3 Nf5 $14) 22...
exd4 23. Ng3 $1 Rxe1 24. Rxe1 Bxd3 {Es zeigt sich der Nachteil von h7-h6 - bei
dem Bauern auf h7 hätte Schwarz diesem für ihn ungünstigen Abtausch aus dem
Weg gehen können.} 25. Qxd3 Re7 26. Rxe7 Qxe7 27. Ne2 {Jetzt ist die Idee von
Aronian endgültig klar. Weiß hat ein Endspiel erreicht, in dem sein Springer
dem gegnerischen Läufer klar überlegen ist, während sich der Pd4 als
schutzbedürftig erweist. Sehr wichtig ist dabei, dass Damentausch in vielen
Stellungen dem Verlust dieses Bauern und der ganzen Partie gleichbedeutend
sein wird. Wie wir gleich sehen werden, löst c7-c6 (bzw. c7-c5) die schwarzen
Probleme auch nicht. Es ist schwer zu sagen, ob Schwarz diese Stellung bei der
besten Verteidigung retten kann (wenn nicht, dann müssen wir vielleicht dem
Zug 10...h6 statt "?!" ein Fragezeichen geben, weil alles, was danach
passierte, scheint recht logisch zu sein), aber eins ist klar: das Endspiel
ist für ihn extrem unangehnem und zumindest am Brett ist es in jedem Fall
kaum zu halten.} c6 (27... c5 $144 28. dxc6) ({Äußerst schwierig ist die
Aufgabe des Nachziehenden auch im Falle von} 27... Qe5 28. g3 {[%cal Re2f4]} g5
29. Kg2 {- seine weißen Felder am Königsflügel sind sehr schwach, f3-f4
hängt in der Luft.}) 28. dxc6 bxc6 29. b3 ({Unvorsichtig wäre} 29. b4 $2 {
[%cal Rb4b5] (mit der Idee, am Damenflügel einen Freibauern zu bilden)} c5 (
29... d5 $5) 30. b5 (30. a3 d5 $11) 30... d5 $1 31. cxd5 $140 $2 c4 $1 32. Qxc4
Qe3+ 33. Kf1 d3 $19) 29... Kf7 (29... c5 {würde den Bauern d4 überdecken,
dafür aber die Kontrolle über das Feld d5 aufgeben. Ein möglicher Verlauf
wäre dann} 30. Kf1 {[%cal Re2f4]} Qf7 (30... Qe5 31. g3 {[%csl Rd5,Rg6][%cal
Re2f4]} g5 {sieht für Schwarz mehr als verdächtig aus, weil es seine weißen
Felder noch mehr schwächen würde}) 31. Qe4 Be5 32. g3 Kg7 33. Nc1 Bf6 34. Nd3
{mit mehreren Ideen je nach Situation: Nd3-f4-d5, Nd3-f2-e4, Qe4-d5, a2-a3
nebst b3-b4. Vielleicht kann ein Computer die schwarze Stellung noch halten,
aber für einen Menschen ist es fast eine Sache der Unmöglichkeit.}) 30. g3
Qe3+ $4 {Es ist wirklich schwer zu verstehen, was einen starken Großmeister
zu einer solchen Entscheidung bewegte. Nach dem Damentausch verliert Schwarz
zwingend einen Bauern und damit auch die Partie.} ({Stattdessen hätte er den
Bauern d4 einfach decken müssen, aber angesichts des Plans b3-b4, a2-a4,
b4-b5 usw. bliebe die schwarze Stellung schwer genug, z.B.} 30... Qf6 31. Kg2
h5 32. b4 {mit guten Gewinnchancen.}) 31. Qxe3 dxe3 32. Nf4 $18 h5 33. Kf1 Bh6
34. Nd3 Ke6 35. Nb4 Kd7 36. Ke2 a5 37. Nc2 Ke6 38. Nd4+ Kd7 39. f4 Bg7 40. Kxe3
d5 41. cxd5 cxd5 42. h3 Bf6 43. g4 hxg4 44. hxg4 g5 45. f5 Kd6 46. Ne6 Be7 47.
Kd4 Bf6+ 48. Kd3 Be7 49. Nd4 Bf6 50. a3 Kc5 51. Ne6+ Kb5 52. Nf8 Be7 53. Nh7
Bxa3 54. Nxg5 Kb4 55. Ne6 Kxb3 56. f6 a4 57. g5 Bf8 58. g6 a3 59. Nd4+ Kb2 60.
Nc2 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e3 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. h4 $5 {
White tries combining play on both wings.} ({The classical treatment of this
line is} 7. Bb5+ {for instance} Bd7 8. Rb1 {Anton Guijarro,D (2650)-Gelfand,B 
(2721) Caleta 2017 CBM 177 [Krasenkow,M] (1-0, 72)}) 7... Bg7 {Black does not
pay attention to the threat, relying on his slight advance in development.} (
7... h5 {is a bit too committal for my taste,} 8. Bc4 e6 {Lerner,K (2560)
-Romanovich,L (2350) St Petersburg 1997 CBM 062 [Hecht] (1-0, 58)}) ({I would
prefer the natural} 7... h6 8. Ba3 ({Switching to a Grünfeld structure with
the g4-square weak does not look so effective:} 8. d4 Bg7 9. Bb5+ Nd7 10. O-O
O-O 11. e4 Nf6 12. Re1 Bg4 $11 {Potkin,V (2599)-Timofeev,A (2534) Sochi 2015 
(1/2-1/2, 38)}) 8... Qc7 9. Qb3 (9. Bc4 Bg7 10. Rb1 O-O 11. Qc2 {exposed
White's pieces too much, forcing him to expose his centre soon, too.} Bf5 12.
e4 Bg4 13. Bd5 Bxf3 14. gxf3 Nc6 15. Bxc5 Ne5 16. d4 Nxf3+ 17. Kd1 b6 18. Bxa8
bxc5 $17 {Perez Garcia,A (2358)-Gopal,G (2580) Benasque 2017 (0-1, 68)}) 9...
Be6 (9... Bg7 10. d4 cxd4 $6 {Black should not clear the c-file for the white
rooks.} 11. cxd4 Nc6 12. Rc1 Be6 13. Bc4 Qa5+ 14. Ke2 $14 {Grandelius,N (2646)
-Tari,A (2553) Fagernes 2016 (1-0, 43)}) 10. Bc4 Bxc4 11. Qxc4 Nd7 12. O-O Rc8
13. Rab1 Bg7 14. d4 Qa5 15. Qb3 O-O 16. c4 e6 $11 {Yilmaz,M (2616)-Tari,A 
(2570) Baku 2016 (1/2-1/2, 55)}) 8. h5 Nc6 9. Ba3 {After having obtained
certain kingside success White switches to the other wing.} ({He could also do
it with} 9. Rb1 Qc7 10. d4 {Svidler,P (2740)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2702) Nizhnij
Novgorod 2013 CBM 157 [Gormally,D] (1-0, 66)}) ({In later games played in
Saint Louis Aronian switched to the developing:} 9. Be2 b6 (9... Bf5 10. Qb3 b6
$2 11. Ng5 e6 {Aronian,L (2809)-Svidler,P (2749) Saint Louis 2017 (1/2-1/2, 19)
} 12. Qa4 Rc8 13. Bb5 Qxg5 14. Bxc6+ Kf8 15. Bf3 $16 {[%csl Ga7]} Rc7 $2 16. e4
Bg4 17. d4 $18) 10. Kf1 Qd6 11. d4 O-O 12. Ba3 Bf5 13. Kg1 Rfd8 14. Qa4 Qf6 15.
hxg6 hxg6 16. Rf1 Rac8 {Aronian,L (2799)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2751) Saint Louis 
(rapid) 2017 (0-1, 63), with harmonious black play.}) 9... Qa5 10. Rh4 $5 {
An original way of defending the hanging bishop and attacking c5.} Bd7 $146 {
Indirectly defending the c5-pawn.} (10... Qxa3 $2 11. Ra4 Qb2 12. Rb1) (10...
Bf5 {Muradli,M (2357)-Illingworth,M (2506) Abu Dhabi 2017 (1-0, 43)} 11. Ra4
Qc7 (11... Qb6 12. Rc4 $18) 12. Bxc5 O-O 13. Ba3 {and Black does not have much
to show for the missing pawn.}) 11. Qb3 ({Pawn grabbing actually loses an
exchange:} 11. Ra4 Qc7 12. Bxc5 Ne5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Bd4 Bxa4 15. Qxa4+ Kf8
$13) 11... O-O $2 {An over-optimistic move.} (11... Nd8 $5 {[%cal Gd7c6,Gd8e6]}
) (11... Rc8 12. Bc4 Nd8 {[%cal Gd7e6,Gd7c6]}) 12. hxg6 hxg6 13. Qxb7 {White
has won a pawn and ensured some life to his a3-bishop since Black cannot
consolidate the c5-bishop with ...b7-b6 anymore. Besides, the kingside
attacing chances are intact.} Rfd8 {The alternatives are no better:} (13... Nb8
14. Bc4 (14. Qb2 Bc6 {[%cal Gb8d7,Ga8b8]}) 14... e6 (14... Qxa3 15. Ng5 Bf6 16.
Rh6 Bf5 17. Nxf7 Rxf7 18. g4 Bc2 19. Qc8+) 15. Ng5 Bc6 (15... Qxa3 16. Qc7 $16
{[%cal Gc7h2,Gh4h8]}) 16. Qe7 $18) (13... Bxc3 14. Bb2 Bxb2 (14... Rab8 $2 15.
Qxb8 $1 Rxb8 16. Bxc3 $18) 15. Qxb2 f6 16. Ng5 $5 $16) 14. Qa6 Bxc3 15. Qxa5
Bxa5 16. Bxc5 $16 {White has maintained his extra pawn and a flexible central
structure. Black's next move carelessly dooms the e7-pawn.} Be6 $2 17. Bb5 Ne5
(17... Rac8 18. Bxc6 Rxc6 19. Bxe7 $18) 18. Nd4 Rd5 19. Bxe7 {[%cal Ge7f6]} (
19. Nxe6 $4 fxe6 $19 {leaves the bishops hanging.}) 19... Kg7 20. f4 Nd7 21. f5
$1 {[%cal Gh4d4]} (21. Bc6 {is somewhat less clear:} Rxd4 22. exd4 Re8 23. Bd6
Bd5+ 24. Be5+ Rxe5+ 25. dxe5 Bxc6 {With an interesting, not really one-sided,
position.}) 21... Bxf5 (21... gxf5 22. Bc6 Rxd4 23. Rxd4 $18) 22. Bc6 {The
rest was played by pure inertia.} Re5 23. Nxf5+ gxf5 24. Bg5 Kg6 25. Bf4 Rd8
26. Bxd7 Rc5 27. Rh6+ Kg7 28. Rd6 Bc7 29. Rc6 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.03"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "220"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 ({cf.} 1. e4 c5 2. c3 ({and also} 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. d4
e6 6. Be2 Nf6 7. O-O Nc6 8. Bf4 cxd4 9. cxd4 Be7 10. Nc3 Qd8) 2... d5 3. exd5
Qxd5 4. d4 e6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Be2 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8. Na3 cxd4 9. Nb5 Qd8 10. cxd4
$6 a6 11. Nc3 {- see below}) 1... d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 dxc4 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5
6. O-O a6 7. Be2 cxd4 {This rare move leads to positions arising from the
Alapin Sicilian but with an extra tempo for White. However, it is unclear
whether the tempo gives White any real benefit.} (7... Nbd7 $5 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9.
a3 b5 10. b4 Be7 11. Bb2 Bb7 12. Nbd2 Nb6 13. Rc1 O-O 14. Ne5 Bd6 15. Ndf3 Bd5
{1/2 (15) Maisuradze,N (2308)-David,A (2602) Orsay 2009}) (7... Nc6 $5 8. dxc5
(8. Ne5 cxd4 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. exd4 Bd6 11. Nc3 Qc7 12. h3 O-O 13. Be3 Rd8 14.
Qc2 {1-0 (22) Lemos,D (2292)-Caramia,J (2187) Villa Ballester 2006} a5 $11 {
[%cal Yc8a6]}) 8... Qxd1 ({or} 8... Bxc5 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8) 9. Rxd1 Bxc5 {
transposes to the 7.dxc5 system.}) 8. exd4 Nc6 9. Nc3 Be7 {Compare this
position to the annotation to move 1!} 10. Be3 (10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 Nd5 12. Bxe7
Ncxe7 13. Qd2 Bd7 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Ne5 O-O 16. Rac1 Rc8 17. Bf3 Qe7 18. Bxd5
exd5 {1/2 (18) Teichmann,R-Blackburne,J Ostend 1905}) 10... Ng4 {A strange
manoeuvre. Fabiano Caruana definitely overlooked something. But even after
that Black's position is very solid!} (10... O-O $5 11. Rc1 Bd6 12. Bg5 (12. a3
$5) 12... h6 13. Bxf6 (13. Bh4 Bf4) 13... Qxf6 14. Ne4 Qf4 15. Nxd6 Qxd6 16.
Qb3 b5 17. Rfd1 Rd8 18. Bd3 Bb7 19. Be4 Rab8 20. Qe3 Nb4 $11 {1/2 (35) Jordaan,
W-Mujica,H LSS 2006}) 11. Bf4 Nf6 {After this move we get a position arising
from some side Sicilian lines - see, e.g. another line in the annotation to
move 1 (in brackets).} (11... Bd6 12. Qd2 $5) 12. Rc1 (12. Qd2 $6 O-O 13. Rfd1
b5 14. Ne5 Bb7 15. Bf3 Rc8 $11 {1/2 (37) Wolf,C (2148)-Muse,D (2393) Germany
2016}) (12. Qa4 O-O 13. Rfd1 Nb4 14. Ne5 Nbd5 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nxd5
{1/2 (16) Wittmann,W (2365)-Paehtz,E (2421) Germany 2006}) 12... O-O 13. Na4 {
An active move. White tries to prevent his opponent's comfortable development.
Alas, in vain.} (13. a3 Bd7 14. Ne5 Be8 15. Be3 Rc8 16. Bd3 Nd5 17. Nxd5 Qxd5
18. f4 Nxe5 19. fxe5 Rxc1 20. Qxc1 Bc6 $11 {1-0 (37) Hristodorescu,D (2267)
-Filipek,J (2416) Brasschaat 2002}) (13. Bd3 Nb4 14. Bb1 b5 15. a3 Nbd5 16. Be5
Bb7 17. Qd3 g6 18. Nxd5 Qxd5 19. Rc7 Bd8 20. Rc5 Qd7 $11 {1/2 (55) Crouch,
C-Franklin,M (2335) London 1974}) 13... Nd5 14. Bg3 Bd6 15. Bd3 (15. Ne5 Nce7
16. Qb3 Nf5 17. Rfd1 {1-0 (63) Sturc,G (2137)-Obdrzalkova,A (2153) Slovakia
2002} f6 18. Nf3 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Bd7 $11) 15... Nce7 16. Qb3 (16. Bxd6 Qxd6 17.
Nc5 b6 18. Ne4 Qd8 $11) 16... b6 17. Be4 Rb8 18. Rfe1 Bb7 19. Nc3 Nxc3 20. Bxb7
$6 {After this move White gets an isolated central pawn in a simplified
position, which is rather favourable for Black although his edge is minimal.} (
20. bxc3 $11) 20... Nxa2 $1 21. Qxa2 Rxb7 22. Qxa6 Rc7 23. b3 {A strange move.}
(23. Be5 $15 {/=}) 23... Nf5 24. Rxc7 (24. Be5 $5) 24... Qxc7 25. Qb5 h6 26. d5
$6 {This move increases Black's advantage a little bit: he gets a B vs N in an
open position; besides, White's double g-pawns will be another headache for
him.} (26. Be5 $5) 26... exd5 27. Qxd5 Nxg3 28. hxg3 Rd8 29. Qb5 g6 30. Ne5 Qc5
{With B vs N, it is usually favourable to exchange queens and not rooks.} 31.
Qxc5 Bxc5 {[%mdl 4096]} 32. Kf1 Kg7 33. Ke2 $2 {[%mdl 8192] A sudden but
typical blunder: when your position consequently deteriorates, you often lose
patience.} (33. g4 $5 {but even after that White faces a long defence.}) 33...
Bb4 $1 34. Rc1 Re8 {[%csl Re5]} 35. f4 f6 36. Rc7+ Kh8 37. Rc6 {The only
chance to create technical problems for Black.} fxe5 38. Rxb6 exf4+ 39. Kf3
Re3+ 40. Kxf4 Bd2 41. Rxg6 Kh7 42. Kf5 Rxb3 {This endgame is difficult to win
but Black's important trump is that he can trade rooks despite the "wrong"
corner!} 43. Rd6 Bg5 44. Rd7+ Kg8 45. Kg4 Bf6 46. Kf5 Bg7 47. g4 Rb2 48. g3
Rb5+ 49. Ke4 Bf6 50. Rd3 Rb4+ 51. Kf3 Bg5 52. Rd5 Rb3+ 53. Kg2 Kf7 54. Rd6 Ke7
55. Rc6 Rd3 56. Ra6 Rd6 57. Ra3 ({Here is the point:} 57. Rxd6 $2 Kxd6 58. Kf3
Ke5 59. Ke2 Kd4 60. Kf3 Be3 61. Kg2 Ke4 62. Kh2 Kf3 63. Kh3 Kf2 64. Kh2 Kf1 65.
Kh1 (65. Kh3 Kg1) 65... Bg1 $22 66. g5 hxg5 {, and there is no stalemate as
White has another g-pawn! Therefore Black wins.}) 57... Ke6 58. Kf3 Ke5 59.
Ra5+ Rd5 60. Ra3 Kd4 61. Ra4+ Kd3 62. Ra3+ Kd2 63. Ra1 Rc5 64. Kf2 Rc2 65. Rb1
Bf6 66. Kg2 Ke3+ 67. Kh3 Kf2 68. Rb5 Re2 69. Rb6 (69. Rd5 $5 Re5 {[%cal Yf6g5]}
(69... Bg5 $4 70. Rf5+ Ke1 71. Rxg5 $1 $11)) 69... Bg5 70. Rb5 Bd2 $1 71. Kh2
Kf1+ 72. Kh1 (72. Kh3 Kg1 73. Rb1+ Be1 74. g5 h5 $1 $19) 72... Re4 73. Rf5+ Ke2
74. Kg2 Rxg4 {Black has won a pawn but he can't trade rooks anymore.} 75. Rf2+
Kd3 76. Rf6 Rd4 77. Rf1 Ke4 78. Rf8 Bg5 79. Rf1 Be3 80. Rf8 Rd2+ 81. Kh3 Bg1
82. Kg4 Ke5 83. Rf5+ Ke6 84. Rf1 Bd4 85. Rh1 Bg7 86. Kf3 Kf5 87. Rh5+ Kg6 88.
Rb5 Rd3+ 89. Kf4 Bf8 90. Rb6+ Bd6+ 91. Ke4 Rd1 92. Kf3 Kf5 93. Rb5+ Be5 94. Rb6
h5 95. Rh6 Kg5 96. Re6 Bd6 97. Re8 Rc1 98. Re6 Rd1 99. Re8 Rg1 100. Kf2 Rc1
101. Kf3 Kf5 102. Re3 Bc5 103. Rd3 Ke5 104. Rd2 Rc3+ 105. Kg2 Ke6 106. Kh3 $2 {
White goes for a R vs R+B endgame but it is lost as he can't avoid the
Philidor position!} (106. Rd8 $142 Bd6 107. Rg8 {continuing resistance.})
106... Bd6 $1 107. Kh4 (107. Rg2 Kf5 {[%cal Yf5g5,Yh5h4]}) 107... Bxg3+ 108.
Kxh5 Kf5 109. Rd5+ $2 {This ends the game immediately.} (109. Rb2 $142 Rc1 110.
Rb5+ Be5 111. Rb4 {reaching the Philidor position. However, after his dramatic
game against Svidler from the Candidates tournament-2016 (which apparently
cost him a World Championship match), Fabiano Caruana must know the way to win
by heart.}) 109... Be5 110. Kh4 Rc4+ (110... Rc4+ 111. Kh3 Rc2 $19) 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. a4 a6 7. O-O Ba7 8. Re1
d6 9. h3 b5 10. Ba2 b4 11. d4 bxc3 12. bxc3 Re8 13. Be3 h6 14. Nbd2 Na5 15. Rb1
Be6 16. Qc2 Bxa2 17. Qxa2 Bb6 18. Qc2 Nd7 19. Qd3 Qe7 20. Rb2 Nc6 21. Qc4 Na5
22. Qd3 Nc6 23. Qc4 Na5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.05"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 g6 7. h4 Bg7 8. h5
Bf5 9. Ng5 e6 10. h6 Bf6 11. Nge4 Be7 12. d3 Bxe4 13. Bxe4 O-O 14. Bd2 Qd7 15.
Rc1 Rfd8 16. Bg2 b6 17. Qa4 Rab8 18. O-O Nd4 19. Qxd7 Rxd7 20. Rfe1 Rbd8 21. g4
Nb4 22. a3 Nd5 23. Nxd5 exd5 24. Rc3 Nb5 25. Rc2 Nd4 26. Rc3 Nb5 27. Rc2 Nd4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. a4 a6 7. c3 Ba7 8. Re1
d6 9. h3 b5 10. Bb3 b4 11. a5 Rb8 12. Nbd2 Be6 13. Bc2 h6 14. Nf1 d5 15. exd5
Nxd5 16. Bd2 b3 17. Bb1 Qd6 18. Qe2 Rbe8 19. Ra3 f5 20. Nxe5 Bd7 21. d4 Nxd4
22. cxd4 Bxd4 23. Rxb3 Rxe5 24. Qc4 Rxe1 25. Bxe1 Re8 26. Bb4 Qe5 27. Rd3 Bb5
28. Qxd4 Bxd3 29. Qxd3 Nxb4 30. Qc4+ Nd5 31. Ba2 Kh7 32. Qxd5 Qxd5 33. Bxd5 Re5
34. Bc4 Rxa5 35. f4 Ra1 36. Kf2 a5 37. Nd2 Kg6 38. Bd3 Kf6 39. Nc4 a4 40. g4
fxg4 41. hxg4 Ke6 42. Be4 Rc1 43. Ne3 Ra1 44. Nc4 Rc1 45. Ne3 Ra1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qa4+ Nc6 8.
e3 O-O 9. Be2 {This is less favourable here than after} (9. Rc1 Rd8 $6 {
The development of White's rook is more useful, and the f7-point becomes
vulnerable in some lines (see Navara - Leko in this issue).}) 9... dxc4 (9...
Bd7 $5 {is another common move.}) 10. O-O Bxc3 (10... Bd7 {is more accurate}
11. Bxc4 $140 Bxc3 12. bxc3 {avoiding the game line.}) (10... a6 11. Bxc4 {
is hardly satisfactory for Black, as tournament practice shows.}) 11. bxc3 Bd7
(11... e5 {doesn't solve Black's problems:} 12. Qxc4 exd4 (12... Rd8 13. dxe5
Qe7 14. Rfd1 Re8 15. Qf4 a6 16. Bc4 Be6 17. Bd3 Rad8 18. Nd4 $16 {1-0 (65)
Ragger,M (2655)-Paikidze,N (2411) Moscow 2012}) (12... Bf5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14.
Qxc7 Nd3 15. Rad1 $16 {1-0 (27) Moranda,W (2559)-Rosenthal,D (2413) Germany
2013}) (12... Qd6 13. Rfd1 Re8 14. Qa4 Qe7 15. Bb5 Bd7 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. dxe5
c6 18. Be2 Bf5 19. f4 $16 {1-0 (52) Zhukova,N (2456)-Khurtsilava,I (2212)
Chakvi 2015}) 13. cxd4 Bg4 (13... Rd8 14. Rab1 $5) 14. Rab1 Qd6 15. Rfc1 Rab8
16. Qc3 Rfc8 17. h3 Bf5 18. Rb5 Ne7 19. Ne5 $14 {1/2 (84) Gavrilov,A (2425)
-Rzayev,B (2400) Prague 2016}) 12. Qxc4 (12. Bxc4 {leads to the line usually
arising after 10...Bd7. It is more comfortable for Black, who can easily
neutralise White's small edge:} Rfd8 (12... Qe7 13. Qc2 $5 (13. Be2 e5 (13...
b6 14. Qb3 Rac8 15. Rfd1 Na5 16. Qb2 c5 $11 {0-1 (47) Fressinet,L (2687)-Giri,
A (2782) Paris 2016}) 14. Qb3 b6 15. Qc4 Rac8 16. Nd2 Na5 17. Qb4 c5 18. Qa3
Rfe8 $11 {1-0 (62) Fedoseev,V (2601)-Aleksandrov,A (2586) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013}
) 13... Na5 14. Bd3 c5 15. Ne5 Rfd8 16. f4 Be8 17. Qf2 (17. Qe2 Rac8 18. f5 f6
19. Ng4 {0-1 (44) Hansen,C (2621)-Hammer,J (2665) Oslo 2015} h5 20. Nf2 e5 $1 {
I.Stohl}) 17... Nc6 18. Qg3 f5 19. Nf3 Rac8 20. Qf2 cxd4 21. exd4 Qa3 22. Qd2
Bh5 $11 (22... Ne7 $143 23. Rac1 Bh5 24. Ne5 Nd5 25. Bc4 b5 26. Bb3 $14 {
1/2 (32) Ribli,Z (2555)-Movsesian,S (2677) Munich GER 2016})) 13. Qc2 (13. Qa3
Qe7 14. Qxe7 (14. Qb2 Na5 15. Bd3 c5 16. e4 Be8 17. Rad1 cxd4 18. cxd4 Rac8 $11
{1/2 (67) Shankland,S (2661)-Aronian,L (2770) Tsaghkadzor 2015}) 14... Nxe7 15.
Ne5 (15. a4 c5 16. Rfb1 Rab8 17. Ne5 Be8 18. a5 Rdc8 19. Bb5 Rc7 20. Bxe8 Rxe8
21. Nd3 cxd4 22. cxd4 Nd5 $11 {1/2 (45) Sargissian,G (2679)-Fressinet,L (2702)
Douglas 2015}) 15... Be8 16. Rfb1 Rab8 17. a4 b6 18. a5 Nc6 19. Nxc6 Bxc6 20.
f3 Kf8 21. Kf2 Ke7 22. Be2 f6 $11 {1/2 (46) Navara,D (2730)-So,W (2773) Wijk
aan Zee 2016}) (13. Be2 Be8 (13... e5 $5 14. Qb3 b6 15. Rfd1 Bf5 $132 {I.Stohl}
) 14. Qa3 Qe7 15. Qb2 b6 (15... Na5 16. Qb4 $5 Qxb4 17. cxb4 Nc6 18. Rab1 $14 {
1-0 (58) Topalov,V (2798)-Aronian,L (2780) Stavanger 2015 CBM 167 [Stohl,I]})
16. Nd2 Na5 17. Nb3 Nxb3 18. axb3 a5 $11 {1/2 (32) Vachier Lagrave,M (2731)
-Aronian,L (2765) Saint Louis 2015}) 13... Na5 14. Be2 (14. Bd3 c5 15. Ne5 Be8
16. f4 Rac8 17. Qf2 cxd4 18. cxd4 Qe7 $13 {1/2 (50) Sanikidze,T (2537)
-Libiszewski,F (2533) Drancy 2016}) 14... c5 15. Ne5 Be8 16. Qe4 Nc6 17. f4
Rac8 18. Rad1 Qe7 19. c4 f5 20. Nxc6 Bxc6 21. Qe5 cxd4 22. Rxd4 Kf7 23. Rfd1 g6
$11 {1/2 (35) Bu Xiangzhi (2711)-Le Quang Liem (2712) Ho Chi Minh City VIE 2017
}) 12... Rac8 (12... Rfd8 13. Nd2 (13. Bd3 $5 {[%cal Yd3e4]}) (13. Rab1 $5)
13... Rac8 14. Nb3 Qe7 15. a4 a5 16. Bf3 $14 {1-0 (43) Ushenina,A (2438)
-Milliet,S (2356) Reykjavik 2015}) 13. Rad1 (13. Bd3 $5 {[%cal Yd3e4]}) 13...
Rfd8 14. Nd2 (14. Qb3 Na5 15. Qa3 b6) 14... Na5 15. Qb4 b6 16. Ba6 Rb8 17. Ne4
Qf5 18. Bd3 Bc6 19. f3 Bxe4 $2 {[%mdl 16384] A positional mistake. Black
trades his strong bishop and opens up the f-file for White.} (19... Nb7 $14 {
[%cal Yf5a5]}) 20. fxe4 Qg5 21. Rf3 c5 22. Qb2 e5 23. Rdf1 $1 cxd4 24. cxd4 Rb7
25. d5 {[%csl Ra5]} Rc7 26. h4 $1 {Black loses his crucial e5-pawn, after
which White's central pawn avalanche starts crushing his position.} Qxh4 (26...
Qh5 27. Rf5) 27. Qxe5 Qe7 (27... Re7 28. Qc3 Nb7 29. e5 $1 Rxd5 30. Qb3 $16 {
[%csl Rf7]}) 28. Qg3 Qc5 $2 {[%mdl 8192] This loses at once.} (28... Qd6 {
was more stubborn but after} 29. e5 $1 Qxd5 30. e6 Qd6 $8 31. Bh7+ $1 Kxh7 32.
Qxd6 Rxd6 33. exf7 Rd8 34. f8=Q Rxf8 35. Rxf8 $16 {White kept good winning
chances.}) 29. Rf6 $1 {[%cal Rf6h6]} h5 (29... Kf8 30. Rg6 $1 Qc3 31. e5 Qxd3
32. Rxg7 $18) 30. Rh6 $1 Qc3 31. Rxh5 g6 32. e5 $1 (32. e5 Qxd3 33. Qh4 gxh5
34. Qxd8+ $18) 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O e4 7. Ng5 Bxc3 8.
bxc3 Re8 9. f3 e3 {The players have entered into one of the most complicated
lines of the English.} 10. d3 {Keeping the pawn structure flexible, even
though the presence of Pe3 in White's camp is not to everyone's taste.} (10.
dxe3 Qe7 11. Nh3 Qc5 12. Nf4 Qxc4 13. e4 d6 14. Qd3 Ne5 15. Qxc4 Nxc4 {
Kasparov,G - Sadvakasov,D Astana KAZ 2001, Black was OK.}) 10... d5 11. Qa4 ({
The most popular alternative -} 11. Qb3 Na5 12. Qa3 c6 (12... b6 $5 13. cxd5
Nxd5 14. f4 Bb7 {looks very interesting, but was never tried.}) 13. cxd5 cxd5
14. f4 Bg4 15. Nf3 {seems promising for White, at least according to
statistics.}) 11... h6 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Ne4 f5 14. Nc5 f4 15. Ne4 $146 {
GM Nakamura comes up with a natural novelty - the knight is perfectly placed
in the centre.} (15. Bb2 {The only preceding game was played in the Candidates
tournament, where both players played their part too:} Rb8 16. c4 $6 (16. Ne4
$142 b5 17. Qc2 $13) 16... Nde7 17. g4 b6 18. Ne4 Be6 $15 {Svidler,P -
Karjakin,S Moscow RUS 2016}) 15... Rb8 (15... Re6 $6 {is premature:} 16. Kh1 $1
Rg6 17. Rg1 fxg3 18. Nxg3 Kh8 19. f4 {, and the lack of harmony in Black's
camp starts to tell.}) 16. Qa3 {This move looks like a definite concession.} (
16. Rb1 {isn't effective, since after} Re6 17. Kh1 fxg3 {White cannot
recapture with Ne4, whereas} 18. hxg3 Rg6 19. Kh2 b6 {leads to very unbalanced
play.}) (16. Kh1 b5 17. Qd1 fxg3 18. Nxg3 Qf6 $13) 16... Re6 $1 {The rook is
heading for g6 in order to put White's king under strong pressure.} 17. c4 {
A somewhat risky decision.} ({Now, when White's queen has left the 4th rank,} 
17. Kh1 {is well met by} fxg3 $1 18. Nxg3 (18. hxg3 $2 Rg6 19. f4 Nce7 $40)
18... Nf4 19. Rg1 Kh8 20. Bf1 Re5 $132 {the strong Nf4 provides Black with 
decent counterplay. However, it would be a better practical choice.}) 17...
Nde7 18. Bb2 Nf5 {Once Black spots one of his knights on d4, he would be
firmly in a control.} 19. d4 $1 {This pawn sacrifice is forced from a
strategic point of view - White's major pieces need open files!} (19. gxf4 $6 {
is dubious:} Ncd4 {, and Black's pieces are dominating over the board. The
play might continue:} 20. Rfe1 Ra6 $1 21. Qc5 (21. Qc3 Qh4 $17) 21... b6 22.
Qe5 Ra5 23. c5 bxc5 24. Bxd4 Nxd4 $17) 19... Ncxd4 20. Bxd4 Nxd4 21. Qxa7 ({
In case of} 21. Rad1 $2 Nxe2+ ({Also good enough is} 21... b6 $5 22. Qd3 c5 23.
gxf4 Qh4 24. Qxe3 Bb7 $17) 22. Kh1 Qe8 23. Qd3 Nd4 $1 24. Qxd4 e2 25. Qxa7 Rxe4
26. fxe4 Bg4 27. Rc1 exf1=Q+ 28. Rxf1 fxg3 29. hxg3 c6 $17 {at the end of
complications White would suffer from a terrible pawn structure.}) 21... Nc6 ({
Levon is deviating from the more complicated line:} 21... Nxe2+ 22. Kh1 Bd7 23.
Rfe1 Ra8 24. Qc5 b6 25. Qd5 c6 26. Qd3 Rxe4 $1 27. Qxe4 (27. fxe4 $2 Bg4 28.
Qxd8+ Rxd8 29. gxf4 Rd2 $17) 27... Qf6 28. c5 b5 29. Qd3 Nd4 30. Rad1 $13 {
, and White manages to keep the dynamic balance.}) 22. Qa3 Qf8 (22... g5 23.
Rfd1 Qe7 24. Qxe7 Rxe7 25. h4 $1 Be6 26. Nf6+ Kh8 27. Nd5 Rf7 28. Kh2 $1 {
White would be able to solve the problem of the poor Bg2.}) 23. Qxf8+ Kxf8 {
The subsequent endgame is strategically dangerous for White, who's bishop is
completely out of play now.} 24. Rfd1 ({White's task would be easier after} 24.
gxf4 Nd4 25. Ng3 c5 (25... Ra8 26. Rfd1 Rd6 27. a4 Be6 28. c5 Rdd8 29. Bf1 $11)
26. Rfd1 Rf6 27. a4 $1 Bf5 28. Ra3 Re8 29. Rc1 $11 {, and Black's pieces are
tied with protecting the Pe3.}) 24... g5 25. Nc3 $1 {An excellent idea - the
knight is heading on d5 now, where it would attack the opponent's weak pawns.}
(25. h4 Rg6 26. Kh2 Be6 27. Nc5 b6 28. Nxe6+ Rxe6 29. Rd7 Re7 $15) 25... Re7
26. Nd5 Rf7 27. h4 $1 {White has to liberate the bishop as soon as it possible.
} Ra8 28. a4 Na5 29. gxf4 $2 {This natural exchange turns out to be a serious
mistake.} ({Instead, the precise} 29. Rab1 $1 {would enable White to hold this
unpleasant endgame:} Bf5 ({Both after} 29... Be6 30. Kh2 fxg3+ 31. Kxg3 gxh4+
32. Kh2 Nxc4 33. Rxb7 c6 34. Nc7 Bd5 35. f4 $1 $11) ({Or} 29... Nxc4 30. Rb4 c6
31. Nxf4 gxf4 32. Rxc4 Be6 33. Re4 Bd5 34. Rb4 fxg3 35. f4 $11 {White is in
time to activate the light-squared bishop.}) 30. Rb4 Nc6 31. Rb2 Be6 32. hxg5
hxg5 33. Rxb7 Rxa4 34. gxf4 gxf4 35. Rxc7 Rxc4 36. Rxf7+ Kxf7 37. Nxf4 Rxf4 38.
Rd3 $11) 29... gxf4 30. Kh2 ({In comparison to above-mentioned note,} 30. Rab1
Nxc4 31. Rb4 c6 {leaves White without compensation for a pawn:} 32. Nc7 (32.
Rxc4 cxd5 33. Rb4 Ra5 34. Rdd4 Ke7 35. Rxf4 Rxf4 36. Rxf4 Bd7 37. Rd4 Kd6 38.
f4 Bc6 $19) 32... Rxc7 33. Rxc4 Rf7 34. Rd6 Kg7 $17) 30... Nxc4 $17 31. Rac1 (
31. Bh3 Bxh3 32. Kxh3 Nd2 33. a5 c6 34. Nb6 Rd8 35. Ra4 $17) 31... Nd2 32. Nxc7
$2 {A decisive mistake. White cannot afford to remove his best piece from the
centre.} ({He had tp play} 32. Bh3 Bxh3 33. Kxh3 c6 34. Nc3 $17 {, intending
to put the rooks on the g-file. Black is a pawn up, but it wouldn't be easy to
convert it to a full point.}) 32... Rxa4 33. Bh3 Nxf3+ $1 {Levon is exploiting
the lack of harmony in the opponent's camp. This nice tactical shot decides
the game. The next few moves are forced.} 34. exf3 Ra2+ 35. Bg2 Rg7 36. Rg1 Rg3
37. Kh1 Bh3 {A funny situation - the bishop is trapped.} 38. Bf1 e2 $19 {
Regaining the piece.} 39. Bxe2 Rxe2 40. Nd5 Rxf3 ({A simpler way was} 40...
Bg2+ 41. Rxg2 Rexg2 42. Nxf4 Ra2 $19) 41. Rg6 Re6 42. Rcg1 (42. Rxe6 {was more
stubborn:} Bxe6 43. Rc5 Rh3+ 44. Kg2 Rxh4 45. Kf3 {, but} Rh3+ $1 (45... Rh5 $2
46. Nxf4 Rxc5 47. Nxe6+ Ke7 48. Nxc5 $11) 46. Kxf4 Rh5 $19 {still makes it
quite easy for Black.}) 42... Rxg6 43. Rxg6 Bd7 $1 44. Kg2 Rg3+ 45. Rxg3 fxg3
46. Kxg3 Kf7 {Despite the major simplifications, Black easily wins here.} 47.
Kf4 Ke6 48. Nb4 Be8 49. Nd3 Kd5 50. Nf2 Bd7 51. Ke3 Ke5 52. Ne4 Bc6 53. Ng3 Bd5
54. Kd3 Kf4 {The second pawn falls.} 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.10"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e3 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. h4 Bg7 8.
h5 Nc6 9. Be2 Bf5 10. Qb3 b6 11. Ng5 e6 12. f4 h6 13. Qa4 Rc8 14. Ne4 g5 15.
Bb5 Qd5 16. Nf2 Qd6 17. Ne4 Qd5 18. Nf2 Qd6 19. Ne4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.11"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2822"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. a5 d6 10. d3 Be6 11. Bxe6 {A relatively new idea. White exchanges the
bishops, opens the f-file for Black, but he hopes that the double-pawns on the
e-file will be a weakness for Black.} (11. Nbd2 {is the another main move.})
11... fxe6 12. Nbd2 Rb8 13. c3 ({In the first round Carlsen had this line with
Black too,} 13. Nb3 Qc8 14. Qe2 Nd8 15. d4 exd4 16. Nbxd4 c5 17. Nb3 e5 18.
Nbd2 Ne6 19. Nc4 Nd4 20. Nxd4 cxd4 21. Nb6 Qc6 22. Bg5 Bd8 23. Bxf6 Bxb6 24.
axb6 Rxf6 25. Rxa6 h6 26. Qd3 Rxb6 $11 {Caruana-Carlsen, Saint Louis 2017,
with an equal position.}) 13... Qe8 14. Nc4 $146 {A novelty by Carlsen.} ({
Recently} 14. d4 {was played by Topalov,} bxc3 15. bxc3 exd4 16. cxd4 Rb5 17.
Nc4 Qg6 18. Qe2 Nd7 $13 {Topalov-Adams, Shamkir 2017, with an unclear
middlegame.}) 14... Qg6 15. h3 Nd7 {A typical continuation, Black prepares for
...d5.} ({Nevertheless I prefer} 15... Nh5 $5 {like an active move to play for
...Nf4.}) 16. Be3 d5 17. Ncd2 {Of course White doesn't exchange. The e5- and
e6-pawns became weaker.} bxc3 18. bxc3 Nc5 19. Bxc5 $1 {At first this seems a
strange move. Why does White give up his nice bishop? The knight was exerting
pressure on d3; moreover after removing the knight White has an extra
possibility on the next move.} Bxc5 20. Qa4 $1 {This was the point of White's
previous move.} Rb2 $5 {Ambitious reply!} 21. Rf1 $1 {Very deep move! Carlsen
protects his f2-pawn in advance, now the c6-knight is hanging already.} ({
The careless} 21. Qxc6 $2 {loses immediately, because of} Bxf2+ $1 22. Kxf2
Rxd2+ $19 {and Black is winning.}) 21... Na7 $6 {Too passive a move!} (21...
Qe8 {should have been played, however} 22. Rab1 Rxb1 23. Rxb1 $14 {and White
is more comfortable.}) 22. Nxe5 Qh6 23. Ndf3 Nb5 24. Rae1 $1 {White doesn't
protect the c3-pawn and he solves the problem with a nice idea.} ({Moreover} 
24. Rac1 $2 {could have been met by} Rxf2 $1 25. Rxf2 Qxc1+ $19 {and Black
wins.}) 24... Nxc3 ({In the event of} 24... Bd6 25. exd5 exd5 (25... Nxc3 26.
Qa1 $1 $16 {important tempo!}) 26. Qa1 $1 Rc2 27. c4 $1 $16 {White is better
too.}) 25. Qc6 $1 {Suddenly Black has a lot of weaknesses on the queenside.
White is safe, his pieces are active, the white queen is threatening to take
the pawns.} Bb4 26. Kh1 {Probably this is not the strongest move, but a good
practical prophylactic reply. The king moves away from a possible ...Ne2+.}
dxe4 (26... Ne2 27. Rb1 $16 {is similar to the text move.}) 27. dxe4 Ne2 28.
Rb1 {White simplifies the position, so Black's pressure is decreasing.} Rxb1
29. Rxb1 Bd6 30. Qxa6 {Carlsen starts to eat the pawns.} Nf4 31. Qb5 c5 32. a6
{It's time to advance the passed pawn.} Bxe5 33. Nxe5 Qg5 34. Ng4 h5 35. Ne3 {
White is safe.} Nxg2 {Still the best practical chance, otherwise White
promotes his a-pawn without any counterplay.} 36. Nxg2 Rxf2 37. Rg1 Kh7 38. Qd3
{It is important to come back with the queen especially in time pressure.} Qe5
39. Qe3 Ra2 40. Qf4 {The best practical move. White doesn't protect his a-pawn,
he wants to exchange the queens and then he can win without any difficulties.}
Qc3 41. Ne3 Qf6 ({Or} 41... Rxa6 42. Qg5 $18 {and Black has no hope.}) 42. Qxf6
gxf6 43. Rc1 Rxa6 44. Kg2 $1 {Correct reply!} ({The greedy} 44. Rxc5 {could
have been met by} Ra3 {and Black wins the h3-pawn and he survives.}) 44... Ra2+
45. Rc2 Ra5 46. Kf3 Kg6 47. h4 Rb5 48. Ra2 Rb1 49. Rc2 Rb5 50. Rc3 f5 (50...
Ra5 51. Ng2 $18 {is also hopeless for Black.}) 51. exf5+ exf5 52. Rd3 {A very
nice victory by Carlsen!} 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2017.08.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Bg2
d5 9. cxd5 exd5 10. O-O Re8 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. Qc2 c5 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. Rad1 Qc8
15. e4 Bf8 16. f4 d4 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 f6 19. Rde1 fxe5 20. fxe5 Nd7 21. e6
Nf6 22. Rxf6 gxf6 23. Qf5 Qd8 24. Re4 Re7 25. Rg4+ Kh8 26. Be4 Rc8 27. Rh4 Kg8
28. Rxh7 Bxd5 29. Qg6+ Rg7 30. Qh5 Bxe4 31. Rh8# 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2017.08.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e3 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. h4 Bg7 8.
h5 Nc6 9. Be2 b6 10. Kf1 Qd6 11. d4 O-O 12. Ba3 Bf5 13. Kg1 Rfd8 14. Qa4 Qf6
15. hxg6 hxg6 16. Rf1 Rac8 17. Bb2 Na5 18. Ba1 c4 19. Ne5 Qe6 20. Nf3 Bd3 21.
Qd1 Qf5 22. Bxd3 Qxd3 23. Qc1 Nc6 24. Rd1 Qf5 25. Re1 Qa5 26. e4 e6 27. g3 Qxa2
28. e5 Ne7 29. Ng5 Nd5 30. Ne4 b5 31. Qg5 b4 32. cxb4 Qa3 33. Rc1 Qf3 34. Rh4
Rf8 35. Qd2 Qd3 36. Bc3 Qf3 37. Qg5 Rc7 38. Be1 Rb8 39. Nc5 c3 40. Na6 Rcc8 41.
Nxb8 Rxb8 42. Qg4 Qxg4 43. Rxg4 Rc8 44. Re4 Bf8 45. b5 Ba3 46. Rc2 Rc4 47. Ree2
Bb4 48. Ra2 Nc7 49. Rxa7 Nxb5 50. Ra8+ Kg7 51. Bxc3 Bxc3 52. Kg2 Rxd4 53. f4
Rd3 54. Rf2 Bd4 55. Rf3 Rd2+ 56. Kh3 Nc3 57. Ra1 Ne4 58. Raf1 Nf2+ 59. Kh4 Bc5
60. g4 Ne4 61. g5 Rh2+ 62. Rh3 Rg2 63. Rb3 Nf2 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2017.08.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. a4 a5 7. c3 d5 8. exd5
Nxd5 9. Nbd2 Nb6 10. Bb5 Bd6 11. Ne4 Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 13. Ng3 Bg6 14. Re1 Re8 15.
Be3 Kh8 16. Qb3 Nd7 17. Bc4 f5 18. Bg5 Nc5 19. Bxd8 Nxb3 20. Bxc7 Nxa1 21. Bxd6
Rad8 22. Bc7 Rc8 23. Nxe5 Nxe5 24. Bxe5 f4 25. Bb5 fxg3 26. Bxe8 Rxe8 27. d4
gxf2+ 28. Kxf2 Nb3 29. g4 Kg8 30. Kg3 Nd2 31. b4 Ne4+ 32. Kh4 Nxc3 33. bxa5 Nd5
34. Rc1 Be4 35. Rc5 Ne7 36. Kg3 Rc8 37. Rb5 Rc3+ 38. Kh2 Rc2+ 39. Kg1 Nd5 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kasparov, Garry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2017.08.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. dxc5 Nc6 4. Nc3 e5 5. Bg5 Bxc5 6. e3 Bb4 7. Nge2 d5 8.
a3 Bxc3+ 9. Nxc3 Be6 10. Bb5 d4 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. Ne4 Qg6 13. Ng3 O-O 14. Qd3
Qxd3 15. Bxd3 f5 16. O-O-O dxe3 17. fxe3 a6 18. Ne2 e4 19. Nf4 exd3 20. Nxe6
dxc2 21. Kxc2 Rf7 22. Rhe1 Re8 23. Nf4 Rfe7 24. Nd5 Re5 25. Rd3 Kf7 26. g3 g5
27. Red1 Rd8 28. b4 Ree8 29. Rc3 Re6 30. Rc5 Re5 31. Rd3 Rd7 32. Nc3 Rxd3 33.
Kxd3 Rxc5 34. bxc5 Ke6 35. e4 Ne5+ 36. Ke2 Nd7 37. exf5+ Kxf5 38. Kd3 Nxc5+ 39.
Kd4 Nd7 40. Ne4 Kg4 41. h3+ Kxh3 42. Nxg5+ Kxg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A56"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2017.08.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O 8. g4 g6
9. h3 Ne8 10. Nf3 Ndf6 11. Qc2 Bd7 12. a3 Kh8 13. b4 b6 14. bxc5 bxc5 15. Rb1
Ng7 16. Kf1 Ng8 17. Ke2 f5 18. Rbg1 Rb8 19. Bd2 Qc8 20. Nh2 Bh4 21. Rg2 fxe4
22. Nxe4 Qa6 23. Nf3 Ba4 24. Qc1 Be7 25. h4 Rb3 26. Bc3 Bd7 27. h5 gxh5 28.
gxh5 Nf5 29. Rhg1 Nf6 30. Qg5 Ng4 31. Qc1 Qc8 32. Ned2 Nd4+ 33. Nxd4 exd4 34.
Nxb3 dxc3 35. f3 Qe8 36. Be4 Bf6 37. Rxg4 Bxg4 38. Rxg4 Qxh5 39. Kd3 Be5 40.
Qg1 Qh6 41. Kc2 Rb8 42. Rg5 Bf6 43. Rg2 Qf8 44. Rh2 Rb7 45. Qg6 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2017.08.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8.
Nxd5 Qxd5 9. Ng5 Qd8 10. Nxh7 Re8 11. Ng5 Qxg5 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. d4 Qh5 14.
dxc5 e4 15. h4 Qg4 16. Bf4 Qh3 17. Qd4 Bg4 18. Qe3 Rad8 19. Rad1 Rd5 20. Rxd5
cxd5 21. f3 d4 22. Qf2 exf3 23. exf3 d3 24. Qg2 Qxg2+ 25. Kxg2 Re2+ 26. Rf2
Bh3+ 27. Kg1 Re1+ 28. Kh2 Bf1 29. Bxc7 Be2 30. Bf4 Kf8 31. g4 Rb1 32. c6 Rxb2
33. c7 Rc2 34. Kg3 Ke7 35. h5 f6 36. Rh2 Kf7 37. Kf2 Ke6 38. Ke3 Kd7 39. h6
gxh6 40. Rxh6 Bf1 41. Rh8 d2 42. Rd8+ Ke7 43. Rxd2 Rc3+ 44. Kd4 Rc6 45. Kd5 Rc3
46. Rh2 Ba6 47. Rh7+ Ke8 48. Bd6 Bb7+ 49. Kd4 Rc6 50. Bc5 a6 51. Re7+ Kf8 52.
Re6+ 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.16"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2017.08.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Bxa2 12. Nxa2 Nb7 13. c4 bxc4 14. dxc4 a5 15.
Bb2 Qb8 16. Nc3 axb4 17. axb4 Rxa1 18. Qxa1 Nd8 19. Qa4 Ne6 20. Nd5 Nxd5 21.
cxd5 Nf4 22. g3 Qc8 23. Qd1 Nh3+ 24. Kg2 f5 25. exf5 Qxf5 26. Bc1 g5 27. Qe2 g4
28. Nd2 Ng5 29. f3 gxf3+ 30. Nxf3 Qe4 31. Qxe4 Nxe4 32. Bh6 Rf6 33. Bd2 Rxf3
34. Rxf3 Nxd2 35. Ra3 Kf7 36. Ra8 Nc4 37. Kf3 Nb6 38. Ra5 Kg6 39. Ke4 Nd7 40.
Kd3 Kf5 41. Ra7 e4+ 42. Ke2 Bd8 43. Ra8 Bf6 44. Ra7 Nb6 45. Rxc7 Nxd5 46. Rb7
Nc3+ 47. Kd2 d5 48. b5 d4 49. b6 e3+ 50. Kd3 e2 51. Kd2 d3 52. Rf7 Ne4+ 53. Ke1
Ng5 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.16"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2017.08.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 d4 5. e3 c5 6. exd4 cxd4 7. O-O Nc6 8. d3
Be7 9. Re1 O-O 10. b3 Nd7 11. Ba3 Re8 12. Bxe7 Rxe7 13. a3 a5 14. Nbd2 Nc5 15.
Ne4 Nxe4 16. Rxe4 e5 17. Re1 Bg4 18. h3 Bh5 19. Qd2 e4 20. Rxe4 Rxe4 21. dxe4
Bxf3 22. Bxf3 a4 23. Rb1 Ne5 24. Bg2 axb3 25. Rxb3 Nxc4 26. Qb4 Ne5 27. Qxb7 d3
28. Rb1 h5 29. Qd5 Qxd5 30. exd5 Rxa3 31. d6 d2 32. Kf1 Rd3 33. Ke2 Rxd6 34.
Be4 Nd7 35. Bf5 d1=B+ 36. Rxd1 Rxd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2017.08.14"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Nbd2 Bc5 12. a5 Ng4 13. Rf1 Nf6 14. Qe2 Qe7 15.
Bc4 Bg4 16. Nb3 Nd4 17. Nbxd4 Bxd4 18. Bxa6 Qc5 19. Qc4 Nxe4 20. Nxd4 exd4 21.
Qxc5 Nxc5 22. Bc4 Be6 23. Bxe6 fxe6 24. Bd2 b3 25. Bb4 Rf5 26. g4 Rg5 27. Bxc5
Rxc5 28. cxb3 Raxa5 29. Rxa5 Rxa5 30. Rd1 e5 31. f4 Kf7 32. fxe5 Rd5 33. Kf2
Ke6 34. Ke2 Rxe5+ 35. Kd2 c5 36. Ra1 Re3 37. Ra7 Rxb3 38. Kc2 Rh3 39. Rxg7 Kd5
40. b3 Rxh2+ 41. Kd3 Rb2 42. Rd7+ Kc6 43. Rxh7 Rxb3+ 44. Ke4 Re3+ 45. Kf4 Re8
46. g5 d3 47. g6 d2 48. Rh1 Re1 49. g7 d1=Q 50. g8=Q Qd4+ 51. Kf5 Qf2+ 52. Kg6
Qg2+ 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. Nf3 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bf4 Nbd7 8.
e3 Re8 9. Bd3 c5 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. Qxc3 c4 12. Bc2 Ne4 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Nd2 b5
15. a4 Ba6 16. axb5 Bxb5 17. O-O Nb6 18. Qa5 a6 19. Rfc1 Nd5 20. Qxd8 Raxd8 21.
Bg3 Rc8 22. Bd6 c3 23. bxc3 Nxc3 24. Kh1 f5 25. h3 Rc6 26. Bc5 Nd5 27. Nc4 Bxc4
28. Rxc4 f4 29. exf4 Nxf4 30. Rca4 Nd3 31. Kg1 Nxc5 32. dxc5 Rxc5 33. Rxa6 Rce5
34. Re1 e3 35. f3 h6 36. h4 Kh7 37. Ra3 R8e7 38. g3 g5 39. h5 R5e6 40. Kg2 Kg7
41. Re2 Re5 42. Kh3 R5e6 43. Kg4 Kf6 44. Rb3 Re8 45. Rb7 R8e7 46. Rb5 Re5 47.
Rb3 R5e6 48. Ra3 Re8 49. Ra7 R8e7 50. Rxe7 Rxe7 51. f4 gxf4 52. Kxf4 Re5 53. g4
Re8 54. Rxe3 Rxe3 55. Kxe3 Ke5 56. Kf3 Ke6 57. Ke4 Kf6 58. Kf4 Ke6 59. g5 hxg5+
60. Kxg5 Kf7 61. h6 Kg8 62. Kg6 Kh8 63. h7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "294"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 cxd4 5. O-O d5 6. b3 Bc5 7. Bb2 O-O 8. Nxd4
e5 9. Nf3 e4 10. Nd4 Nc6 11. Qd2 Re8 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. e3 h5 14. h4 Be6 15. c4
dxc4 16. Rc1 Qe7 17. Qe2 cxb3 18. axb3 Bxb3 19. Ra5 Bb4 20. Rg5 c5 21. Bxe4
Qxe4 22. Bxf6 Bd5 23. f3 Qxe3+ 24. Qxe3 Rxe3 25. Bxg7 Kh7 26. Nc3 Bxf3 27. Bf6
Bg4 28. Nd5 Rxg3+ 29. Kh2 Rh3+ 30. Kg2 Re8 31. Nf4 Rf3 32. Rg7+ Kh6 33. Rxf7
Rxf4 34. Bg5+ Kg6 35. Rxf4 Re2+ 36. Rf2 Rxf2+ 37. Kxf2 a5 38. Be3 a4 39. Bxc5
Bxc5+ 40. Rxc5 Be6 41. Rg5+ Kh6 42. Ra5 Bb3 43. Ke3 Kg6 44. Kf4 Bd1 45. Ra6+
Kf7 46. Ke5 Bb3 47. Rf6+ Ke7 48. Ra6 Kf7 49. Kf5 Bc2+ 50. Ke5 Bb3 51. Ra5 Bc2
52. Ra7+ Kg6 53. Kf4 Kf6 54. Ra6+ Ke7 55. Ke5 Kd7 56. Kd4 Ke7 57. Kc3 Bb3 58.
Rh6 Bd1 59. Kd2 Bb3 60. Kc3 Bf7 61. Ra6 Bb3 62. Ra5 Bd1 63. Kd2 Bg4 64. Rxa4
Kf6 65. Ke3 Ke5 66. Ra5+ Ke6 67. Kf4 Bd1 68. Ra6+ Kd5 69. Kf5 Bg4+ 70. Kg5 Be2
71. Ra8 Bg4 72. Re8 Kd6 73. Kf6 Kd5 74. Re3 Kd4 75. Re5 Bf3 76. Kf5 Bg4+ 77.
Kf4 Kd3 78. Rd5+ Kc4 79. Ke5 Bf3 80. Rd8 Bg4 81. Kf4 Kc5 82. Kg5 Kc6 83. Kf6
Kc7 84. Rd4 Kc6 85. Ke5 Be2 86. Rd6+ Kc7 87. Kd5 Bf3+ 88. Kc5 Bg4 89. Rd4 Be2
90. Re4 Bg4 91. Re7+ Kd8 92. Kd6 Bd1 93. Re3 Bg4 94. Re5 Bd1 95. Rc5 Bg4 96.
Ra5 Ke8 97. Ra7 Kf8 98. Ke5 Ke8 99. Kf6 Kd8 100. Rh7 Ke8 101. Ke5 Kf8 102. Kd6
Ke8 103. Re7+ Kf8 104. Re3 Kf7 105. Ke5 Ke7 106. Rd3 Be2 107. Rd2 Bg4 108. Kf4
Ke6 109. Kg5 Ke5 110. Rd8 Ke6 111. Re8+ Kd7 112. Re5 Kd6 113. Kf6 Bd1 114. Re6+
Kd5 115. Re8 Bg4 116. Rd8+ Kc6 117. Kg5 Kc7 118. Rd5 Kc6 119. Rd4 Kc5 120. Rd2
Kc6 121. Kg6 Kc5 122. Rd8 Kc6 123. Rf8 Kd7 124. Kf6 Bf3 125. Ke5 Bg4 126. Rf6
Be2 127. Rd6+ Ke7 128. Rd4 Bg4 129. Rd5 Bf3 130. Ra5 Bg4 131. Ra7+ Ke8 132. Kd6
Bf3 133. Re7+ Kf8 134. Ke6 Bd1 135. Kf6 Bg4 136. Re5 Bf3 137. Re3 Bg4 138. Kg6
Bd1 139. Kf6 Kg8 140. Re8+ Kh7 141. Kg5 Kg7 142. Re7+ Kf8 143. Kf6 Bg4 144. Re5
Kg8 145. Re8+ Kh7 146. Rd8 Bf3 147. Rd7+ Kh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 d6 6. h3 O-O 7. Nf3 e6 8. Bd3 Nbd7
9. O-O e5 10. Rb1 h6 11. Re1 Nh7 12. Qc2 Kh8 13. Bd2 b6 14. b4 cxb4 15. Nb5 Nc5
16. Bxb4 f5 17. Rbd1 f4 18. a4 a5 19. Bxc5 bxc5 20. Be2 h5 21. Rb1 Bf6 22. Rb3
Rg8 23. Nh2 Rg7 24. Reb1 Rb8 25. Nc3 Rb4 26. Na2 Ra7 27. Nc3 Bd7 28. Nb5 Ra6
29. R3b2 Qf8 30. Qd1 Ng5 31. Bd3 Bd8 32. f3 Qf6 33. Be2 Bxh3 34. gxh3 Nxh3+ 35.
Kg2 Qg5+ 36. Ng4 hxg4 37. fxg4 Qh4 38. Qd3 f3+ 39. Qxf3 Nf4+ 40. Kg1 Kg7 41.
Bf1 Bg5 42. Nc7 Ra7 43. Ne6+ Nxe6 44. dxe6 Bf4 45. Qh3 Qxh3 46. Bxh3 Re7 47. g5
Bxg5 48. Kf2 Bd2 49. Ke2 Bc3 50. Rxb4 cxb4 51. Kd3 Bd4 52. Kc2 Re8 53. Rf1 Rf8
54. Rxf8 Kxf8 55. Kb3 Bb6 56. Kc2 Bd8 57. Kb3 Ke7 58. Bg4 Kf6 59. Bh3 Kg5 60.
c5 dxc5 61. Kc4 Kf4 62. Bg2 g5 63. Kxc5 b3 64. Bf1 Ke3 65. Bc4 b2 66. Ba2 g4
67. Kd6 g3 68. Kd7 Bf6 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e5 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nc3 Nb6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8.
a3 O-O 9. b4 Be6 10. d3 a5 11. b5 Nd4 12. Nxe5 Bf6 13. f4 Nb3 14. Be3 Nxa1 15.
Qxa1 Nd5 16. Bf2 Bxe5 17. fxe5 Qd7 18. Rb1 a4 19. Ne4 b6 20. Nd2 Ra5 21. Qb2
Ne7 22. Qb4 Nd5 23. Qb2 Ne7 24. Qb4 Nd5 25. Qb2 Ne7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. Re1 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 Be6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 Bg4 14. h3 Bh5 15.
g4 Bg6 16. d5 Nd7 17. b3 Bf6 18. Rb1 Bc3 19. Re3 b4 20. Nf1 c4 21. Bd2 Bxd2 22.
Qxd2 Qb6 23. Nd4 Rfe8 24. Ng3 Rac8 25. h4 c3 26. Qd1 f6 27. a3 bxa3 28. Ra1 Qb4
29. Nde2 Ne5 30. f3 Rb8 31. Qd4 Nxb3 32. Qxb4 Rxb4 33. Rxa3 Nc4 34. Rxb3 Rxb3
35. Bxb3 Nxe3 36. Nxc3 Rb8 37. Ba4 Be8 38. Bxe8 Rxe8 39. Kf2 Nc4 40. Nf5 g6 41.
Nd4 Rb8 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.17"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. dxc5 Na6 4. Qd4 Qa5+ 5. c3 Qxc5 6. e3 e6 7. Nd2 b6 8.
Nb3 Qc6 9. Nf3 Nc5 10. Ne5 Qb7 11. Nc4 d5 12. Nd6+ Bxd6 13. Bxd6 Nce4 14. Ba3
Qc7 15. f3 e5 16. Qa4+ Bd7 17. Qb4 Nc5 18. Nxc5 bxc5 19. Qxc5 Qxc5 20. Bxc5 Bc6
21. O-O-O Nd7 22. Ba3 Nb6 23. e4 dxe4 24. Rd6 Bd7 25. fxe4 O-O 26. Rxd7 Nxd7
27. Bxf8 Kxf8 28. Bd3 Ke7 29. Kc2 a5 30. b3 Nc5 31. Rd1 Rb8 32. Bc4 Nxe4 33.
Re1 f5 34. Bd3 Rf8 35. Bxe4 fxe4 36. Rxe4 Rf2+ 37. Kd3 Rxa2 38. Rxe5+ Kd6 39.
Re2 Ra1 40. Kc4 g5 41. Rd2+ Ke6 42. Kb5 Rb1 43. b4 axb4 44. cxb4 h5 45. Kc5 g4
46. g3 Kf5 47. Re2 Kg5 48. b5 h4 49. gxh4+ Kxh4 50. b6 Kh3 51. Kc6 Rc1+ 52. Kd7
Rd1+ 53. Kc7 Rc1+ 54. Kb8 Rh1 55. b7 Ra1 56. Rb2 Rf1 57. Ka7 Rf7 58. Ka8 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kasparov, Garry"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E36"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. Nf3 dxc4 8.
Qxc4 b6 9. h4 Bb7 10. Bg5 Qd5 11. Rc1 Nbd7 12. Qxd5 Bxd5 13. Ne5 c5 14. Bxf6
Nxf6 15. dxc5 bxc5 16. f3 Rab8 17. e4 Ba2 18. Rc2 Bb1 19. Rd2 Rfd8 20. Rxd8+
Rxd8 21. Bb5 Nh5 22. g4 Nf4 23. Kf2 f6 24. Nc6 Rd2+ 25. Ke3 Rxb2 26. Kxf4 Rxb5
27. Rd1 h6 28. h5 Rb3 29. e5 Bd3 30. a4 c4 31. Nxa7 Ra3 32. Nb5 Rxa4 33. Ke3
fxe5 34. Nd6 Ra3 35. Kf2 Kf8 36. Nb5 Rb3 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.17"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. Nf3 e4 5. Nd4 Qb6 6. e3 d5 7. Nc3 Bg4 8. f3
exf3 9. Bxf3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 dxc4 11. b3 cxb3 12. O-O Nbd7 13. axb3 Bb4 14. Bb2
O-O 15. Nf5 Ne5 16. Qf4 Ng6 17. Qc4 Rad8 18. Na4 Qb5 19. Bxf6 Qxc4 20. bxc4
gxf6 21. d4 Rfe8 22. c5 Rd5 23. Rab1 Bd2 24. Rb3 Rxf5 25. Rxf5 Bxe3+ 26. Kf1
Bxd4 27. Rxb7 Re3 28. Rxa7 Kg7 29. Rd7 Re4 30. Rd8 Be3 31. Nc3 Rc4 32. Nd1 Bxc5
33. Rf3 Bb6 34. Rc3 Rxc3 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.17"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Nbd2 Bc5 12. a5 Be6 13. Qe2 Qe7 14. Bc4 Nd4 15.
Nxd4 Bxd4 16. Nb3 Rfd8 17. Nxd4 Bxc4 18. Nf5 Qe6 19. Qf3 Ne8 20. b3 Bb5 21. Qg3
Rd7 22. Be3 g6 23. Bc5 Nf6 24. Bxb4 Nh5 25. Qh4 Nf4 26. Ne3 Rd4 27. Qe7 Qxe7
28. Bxe7 Rxe4 29. f3 Rd4 30. Rad1 Ne2+ 31. Kf2 Nc3 32. Rxd4 exd4 33. Ng4 f5 34.
Nh6+ Kg7 35. Bg5 Re8 36. Rxe8 Bxe8 37. g4 Bd7 38. h4 Nd5 39. Ke2 c5 40. Kd2 Be6
41. Kd3 Nb4+ 42. Kd2 Nc6 43. Bf4 Nxa5 44. g5 Nb7 45. Be5+ Kf8 46. f4 Ke7 47. c3
dxc3+ 48. Kxc3 Nd6 49. Bf6+ Kd7 50. Be5 Ne4+ 51. Kc2 Kc6 52. Kb2 Kb5 53. Ka3
Nd2 54. Bc3 Nf3 55. Kb2 Nxh4 56. Kc2 Nf3 57. Bb2 Nd4+ 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.18"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. d4 Nd7 5. O-O Ngf6 6. a4 a5 7. Re1 O-O 8. Nc3
c5 9. Nb5 b6 10. Bf4 Bb7 11. c3 Rc8 12. Na7 Ra8 13. Nb5 Rc8 14. Na7 Ra8 15. Nb5
Rc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.18"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. Rxe5 Qd6 13. Re1 Rae8 14. Nd2 c5
15. Ne4 Qc6 16. c4 Nb6 17. cxb5 axb5 18. Qf3 c4 19. dxc4 Qg6 20. Bd2 bxc4 21.
Bc2 Nd5 22. Rac1 Qb6 23. Ng5 Bxg5 24. Qf5 g6 25. Qxg5 Qxb2 26. Rxe8 Rxe8 27.
Rb1 Qxc2 28. Rxb7 Qe4 29. Rd7 c3 30. Qxd5 Qxd5 31. Rxd5 cxd2 32. Rxd2 Re1+ 33.
Kh2 Kg7 34. Kg3 h5 35. Kf4 Kf6 36. h4 Ke6 37. Kg5 Re5+ 38. Kh6 Kf5 39. g3 Ra5
40. Kg7 Ra7 41. Rd4 f6+ 42. Kh6 Ke5 43. Rf4 Rxa2 44. Kxg6 Ra6 45. Rf5+ Ke4 46.
Rxf6 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.18"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 c5 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. exd4 a6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Ne5 Bf5 8. g4
Nxe5 9. gxf5 Nc6 10. Qd3 g6 11. O-O-O Bg7 12. h4 Nb4 13. Qe2 gxf5 14. Rg1 Rg8
15. Bh3 Qd7 16. Be5 Kf8 17. Qf3 Bh6+ 18. Kb1 Ng4 19. a3 Nc6 20. Nxd5 Rd8 21.
Nb6 Qe6 22. Bc7 Rxd4 23. c3 Rxd1+ 24. Qxd1 Rg6 25. Nd7+ Kg7 26. Nc5 Qc4 27. Nd3
Kf8 28. h5 Rg8 29. Re1 Bg5 30. Qf3 e6 31. Rd1 Be7 32. Bf4 Qe4 33. Bg2 Qxf3 34.
Bxf3 Nf6 35. Bh6+ Ke8 36. Nb4 Ne4 37. Nxc6 bxc6 38. Rd4 Bg5 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.18"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2
b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. d4 exd4 11. e5 d3 12. Bxd3 Ng4 13. Qe2 f6 14. exf6 Nxf6 15. h3
Bd6 16. Re1 Re8 17. Qd1 Rxe1+ 18. Qxe1 Bd7 19. Nb3 Qf8 20. Be3 Re8 21. Qd1 Ne5
22. Nxe5 Rxe5 23. Bd4 Re8 24. Qf3 Kh8 25. Bf5 Qe7 26. Be3 Rf8 27. Bxd7 Qxd7 28.
Re1 Ne4 29. Qg4 Qf7 30. Rf1 h5 31. Qe2 Qg6 32. Rd1 c6 33. Nd4 Bb8 34. Re1 Kg8
35. Nf3 Qd6 36. Kf1 Qf6 37. Bd4 Qf5 38. Kg1 Bd6 39. Be3 Qg6 40. Nd4 Bb8 41. Nf3
Bd6 42. Nd4 Bb8 43. Nf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.18"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D79"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. O-O g6 5. c3 Bg7 6. d4 cxd4 7. cxd4 O-O 8. Nc3
Ne4 9. Ng5 Nxc3 10. bxc3 h6 11. Nh3 Nc6 12. Nf4 e6 13. e4 dxe4 14. Bxe4 Bd7 15.
d5 exd5 16. Bxd5 Ne5 17. Bxb7 Bg4 18. Qxd8 Raxd8 19. Be3 g5 20. Ng2 Rd7 21. Ba6
Nf3+ 22. Kh1 Bxc3 23. Rac1 Rc7 24. Ne1 Ba5 25. Nxf3 Bxf3+ 26. Kg1 Rd8 27. Rxc7
Bxc7 28. Rc1 Bb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.18"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. d3 h6 8. Bd2
a5 9. Rc1 Re8 10. a3 Bc5 11. Na4 Ba7 12. c5 e4 13. dxe4 Nxe4 14. Be3 Nxc5 15.
Nxc5 Bxc5 16. Bxc5 dxc5 17. Qxd8 Nxd8 18. Rxc5 Rxe2 19. Rxc7 Ne6 20. Rc4 Bd7
21. Nd4 Rxb2 22. Rfc1 Rd8 23. Nf5 Bb5 24. R4c3 Bd3 25. Ne7+ Kf8 26. Nd5 Bb5 27.
Rc8 Bc6 28. Rxd8+ Nxd8 29. Ne3 Rb3 30. Nc4 Bxg2 31. Kxg2 b5 32. Nxa5 Rxa3 33.
Nc6 Nxc6 34. Rxc6 Ke7 35. Rb6 Rb3 36. g4 b4 37. h4 Rb2 38. Kg3 b3 39. g5 hxg5
40. hxg5 Rb1 41. Kf4 Kd7 42. Rb7+ Kc6 43. Rb8 Kc5 44. Kf5 Kc4 45. Rc8+ Kd3 46.
Rb8 Rb2 47. f4 Rb1 48. Rb7 b2 49. Rxf7 Rc1 50. Rb7 b1=Q 51. Rxb1 Rxb1 52. Kg6
Ke4 53. Kxg7 Kf5 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.18"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kasparov, Garry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d6 6. Re1 Nbd7 7. e4 e5 8. Nc3
Re8 9. a4 a5 10. Be3 b6 11. h3 Bb7 12. Nh2 Rb8 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Rb1 Nc4 15.
Bd4 c5 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Qd3 Ne5 18. Qd2 Nc4 19. Qd3 Ne5 20. Qd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.18"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2807"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. b3 c5 4. g3 Nf6 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. e3 Nc6 8. Bb2 b6
9. Nc3 dxc4 10. bxc4 Bb7 11. Qe2 Qc7 12. Rac1 Rfd8 13. Rfd1 Na5 14. Ne1 Bxg2
15. Nxg2 Qb7 16. f4 a6 17. Ba1 Ne4 18. Nxe4 Qxe4 19. d3 Qg6 20. Rb1 Rab8 21. g4
f6 22. h4 b5 23. cxb5 axb5 24. h5 Qe8 25. g5 c4 26. h6 fxg5 27. Bxg7 Qg6 28.
dxc4 Nxc4 29. Rxd8+ Rxd8 30. Rxb5 gxf4 31. exf4 Rd2 32. f5 Qxf5 33. Rxf5 Rxe2
34. Rf4 Nd6 35. a4 Nf5 36. Rg4 Kf7 37. Bh8 Ra2 38. Kf1 Bc5 39. Ke1 Bf2+ 40. Kd1
Be3 41. Ke1 Bd2+ 42. Kd1 Bxh6 43. Ke1 Bd2+ 44. Kd1 h5 45. Rc4 Bg5 46. Rc7+ Kg6
47. Ne1 Rd2+ 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.18"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Bf5 3. e3 e6 4. Nf3 Bd6 5. Bg3 Nf6 6. c4 O-O 7. Nc3 dxc4 8.
Bxc4 c5 9. d5 exd5 10. Nxd5 Bxg3 11. hxg3 Nc6 12. Nc3 Qe7 13. O-O Rad8 14. Qe2
Ne5 15. Nxe5 Qxe5 16. Rad1 Bg4 17. f3 Qxg3 18. Bxf7+ Kxf7 19. fxg4 Kg8 20. Ne4
Nxe4 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Qc4+ Kh8 23. Qxe4 h6 24. Qe7 Rc8 25. Rf4 b6 26. b3 Rg8
27. a4 a6 28. Kf1 Qh2 29. Kf2 Qh1 30. g5 Qa1 31. gxh6 Qb2+ 32. Kf3 gxh6 33.
Qf6+ Qxf6 34. Rxf6 b5 35. Rxh6+ Kg7 36. Rxa6 bxa4 37. Rxa4 Rb8 38. Ra5 Rc8 39.
g4 Kf6 40. Kf4 Ke6 41. g5 Kd5 42. b4 Rf8+ 43. Kg4 Ke4 44. Rxc5 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.03"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Cawdery, Daniel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2449"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Nb6 6. d3 Bg7 7. Be3 Nc6 8.
Bxc6+ bxc6 9. Qd2 h6 10. Rc1 Be6 11. Nf3 Bh3 12. Rg1 Bg4 13. Nh4 Nd5 14. Na4
Nxe3 15. fxe3 O-O 16. b3 Qd6 17. Qc2 Rad8 18. Qc5 Qe6 19. Ng2 g5 20. Qxc6 Qe5
21. Qc3 Qd6 22. Qc4 Be6 23. Qc5 Qa6 24. Qb4 Rb8 25. Qd2 Qd6 26. Nc5 Bd5 27. Qc2
f5 28. Kf2 Kh8 29. Rgf1 f4 30. gxf4 gxf4 31. e4 f3 32. exf3 Qxh2 33. Ke1 Bd4
34. Qd2 Bg8 35. Nd7 Rbd8 36. Nxf8 Rxf8 37. Rc6 Kh7 38. Kd1 Bf7 39. Nf4 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.04"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Cawdery, Daniel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2449"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bb4+ 5. c3 Bc5 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Qg4 Nf6 8.
Qxg7 Rg8 9. Qh6 d5 10. Bb5 Bd7 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. e5 Rg6 13. Qh4 Ng4 14. Qxd8+
Rxd8 15. O-O Nxe5 16. Ne2 Bxe3 17. fxe3 Nc4 18. Nf4 Rf6 19. Rf2 Nxe3 20. Re2
Rxf4 21. Rxe3+ Kf8 22. Nd2 c5 23. g3 Rf6 24. c4 dxc4 25. Nxc4 Be6 26. Rc1 h5
27. Re2 Rd4 28. Ne5 c4 29. Rec2 h4 30. Rf1 Rh6 31. Nf3 Rg4 32. Rg2 Bd5 33. Rd2
c6 34. Ne5 Rg7 35. Re2 f6 36. Rf4 hxg3 37. h4 Re7 38. Re3 Re6 39. Nd7+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.06"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2652"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[Annotator "Quintiliano,R"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. Re1 d6 7. c3 Ne7 $5 {
Aronian came up with this different move order to surprise Hou Yifan.} 8. Nbd2
(8. d4 Bb6 9. h3 (9. dxe5 Ng4 {[%csl Ye5,Yf2] is the point which justifies 7...
Ne7}) 9... Ng6 10. Nbd2 c6 11. Bb3 {would transpose to more theoretical
positions.}) (8. a4 a5) 8... Bb6 9. Bb3 c6 10. Nf1 Ng6 {The difference is that
by playing this way Black avoided the a4 variations which are in fashion, and
quickly organised the position to play ...d5 soon.} 11. Ng3 h6 12. h3 {We have
now reached a better known path by transposition.} d5 $1 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. d4 (
14. Nxe5 $2 {is bad} Nxe5 15. Rxe5 Bxf2+ $1 16. Kxf2 Qf6+ {[%csl Re5]}) 14...
exd4 15. Nxd4 Be6 $5 {Aronian plays dynamically to solve the only problem of
his position - how to develop the Bc8.} (15... Bc7 {is more played, but after}
16. Qf3 $14 {White keeps a little pressure.}) 16. Nxe6 {The principled way to
explore Black's last move.} (16. Bc2 {has also been tried} Ndf4 (16... Bxd4 $6
17. Qxd4 Ndf4 $2 18. Re4 $1 {[%csl Gf4];Souleidis,G (2410)-Sonntag,H (2391)
Oberliga NRW 1011 2010 (8.3) 1-0 and suddenly Black is already losing material
-}) 17. Nxe6 Qxd1 18. Rxd1 Nxe6 19. Nf5 Rad8 20. Be3 Bxe3 21. Nxe3 Rxd1+ 22.
Rxd1 Rd8 23. Rxd8+ Nxd8 $14 {Brkic,A (2597)-Wagner,D (2485) Styrian op-A 2014 
(7) 1/2}) 16... fxe6 17. Rxe6 $1 {Hou Yifan accepts the challenge.} Rxf2 {
Judging by his time management, Aronian had all this stuff analysed beforehand
and knew the safer path and the danger of this position.} ({For example} 17...
Bxf2+ $2 18. Kh1 Nh4 (18... Bxg3 $2 19. Rxg6 {[%cal Gc1h6]} Bf4 20. Qd4 $1 {
[%cal Yd4f4,Yd4g7]} Qc7 21. Bxf4 Rxf4 22. Rxg7+ $1 Qxg7 23. Qxf4 $18) 19. Nh5
Qd7 20. Qg4 Nf5 21. Rg6 $1 {with a strong attack for White} (21. Rxh6 $2 Ng3+
$1 22. Nxg3 Qxg4 23. hxg4 Bxg3 $19 {[%csl Rh6][%cal Rf8f1]}) 21... Rf7 22. Bxd5
cxd5 23. Bxh6 $1 Nxh6 24. Rxg7+ $1 Rxg7 25. Nf6+ Kh8 26. Qh5 $1 Qe7 27. Qxh6+
Rh7 28. Nxh7 Qh4 $1 (28... Qxh7 29. Qf6+ $18) 29. Qxh4 Bxh4 30. g3 $8 Kxh7 31.
gxh4 $16) 18. Kh1 Nh4 {This position is a very critical one, and Hou Yifan
invested a great amount of time to calculate and evaluate the resulting
positions.} 19. Qg4 $1 {And finally, she played the best move.} Qf8 $6 {
A clever idea, as White has the possibility to play for a win, or secure the
draw - the second one is Hou Yifan's choice.} 20. Qxh4 {With less than 30
minutes for the next 20 moves, against 1:20 hour(!) for Aronian, Hou Yifan
takes the wisest decision, namely to force the draw.} (20. Bxh6 $1 {could had
been the alternative, however, many variations end in a much better position
for White, but not winning, so it is a very difficult choice to make when you
are short of time} Rxg2 21. Bxd5 cxd5 22. Bf4 {[%csl Rh4]} Qc5 (22... Qf7 23.
Rh6 $1 Rxg3 24. Bxg3 Nf5 25. Rg6 Ne3 26. Qe6 $16) 23. Re3 (23. Be3 Qc4 $1)
23... Qf8 $1 (23... Qc6 24. Qxh4 Bxe3 25. Kxg2 d4+ 26. Kh2 dxc3 27. b3 $1 Bxf4
28. Qxf4 Rf8 29. Qd4 $16) 24. Ree1 $1 Rf2 (24... Qf6 25. Re6 Qf7 26. Rh6 {
transposes to 22...Qf7}) 25. Nh5 $1 Ng2 26. Re5 $3 {a very difficult idea to
see} Nxf4 (26... Rxf4 27. Nxf4 Qxf4 28. Qe6+ $18) 27. Rf5 Nxh5 (27... Qe7 28.
Nf6+ $18) 28. Rxf8+ Raxf8 29. Qxh5 R8f5 30. Qg4 $16) (20. Qxh4 Rf1+ 21. Kh2
Bg1+ 22. Kh1 Bb6+ 23. Kh2 Bg1+ (23... Qf2 $2 24. Be3 $1)) 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.07"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E03"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 b6 8. Rd1
Bb7 9. Qxc4 c5 10. Nc3 Nbd7 11. Bg5 cxd4 12. Rxd4 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Rd2 Rc8
15. Qa4 Bc6 16. Qb4 Bxf3 17. exf3 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Qc7 19. f4 Nf6 20. Rd3 Qc4 21.
Bf1 Qc5 22. Bg2 Qc4 23. Bf1 Qc7 24. Bg2 Rfd8 25. Rad1 Rxd3 26. Rxd3 Rd8 27. Rd4
Rxd4 28. Qxd4 Qd7 29. Qxd7 Nxd7 30. Kf1 Kf8 31. Ke2 Ke7 32. Kd3 Kd6 33. Kd4 Nc5
34. Bf1 Nd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.08"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 b6 8. Ne5
Qxd4 9. Bxa8 Qxe5 10. Bf3 Nd5 11. Qxc4 Ba6 12. Qa4 c5 13. Re1 b5 14. Qe4 Nc6
15. Nc3 Rd8 16. Rd1 Qxe4 17. Bxe4 Nd4 18. Bxd5 b4 19. Bb3 bxc3 20. bxc3 Nxe2+
21. Kg2 Bb7+ 22. f3 Rxd1 23. Bxd1 Nxc3 24. Bd2 Nxd1 25. Rxd1 Bd5 26. Rb1 g5 27.
Kf2 Bxa2 28. Ra1 Bd5 29. Bc3 f6 30. Rxa7 Kf7 31. Ke3 e5 32. h4 gxh4 33. gxh4 h5
34. f4 exf4+ 35. Kxf4 Ke6 36. Ra6+ Bd6+ 37. Rxd6+ Kxd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.08"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2652"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 d6 7. c3 a6 8. Bb3
Ba7 9. h3 Kh8 10. Re1 Nh5 11. Nf1 f5 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Nxe3 Bg6
15. d4 Nf4 16. dxe5 Nd3 17. Rf1 Nxb2 18. Qd5 Nd3 19. exd6 Nf4 20. Qg5 Ne2+ 21.
Kh1 cxd6 22. Qxd8 Raxd8 23. Nd5 Na5 24. Rfe1 Nxb3 25. axb3 Nf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.08"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2652"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O
8. O-O Re8 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 Rb8 11. f4 Be7 12. b3 d6 13. Qf3 Nd7 14. Bxe7 Qxe7
15. Rae1 Nc5 16. e5 Qd8 17. exd6 cxd6 18. Rxe8+ Qxe8 19. f5 Qe5 20. f6 Qd4+ 21.
Rf2 g6 22. Ne2 Qa1+ 23. Rf1 Qe5 24. h3 Be6 25. Qf4 Qxf4 26. Nxf4 Re8 27. Kh2
Kf8 28. a3 g5 29. Nxe6+ Rxe6 30. Rf3 d5 31. b4 Nd7 32. Bf5 Ne5 33. Rc3 Rxf6 34.
g4 Ke7 35. Rc5 Nc4 36. Bd3 Nxa3 37. Ra5 Nb1 38. Rxa7+ Kd6 39. Kg2 Nc3 40. Bf5
Nb5 41. Ra6 Ke5 42. Bd3 Nc3 43. Bf5 Ne4 44. Ra7 Nd6 45. Bd3 Kd4 46. Rc7 Nc4 47.
Re7 Kc3 48. Rb7 Ne3+ 49. Kg3 Nxc2 50. Bxc2 Kxc2 51. b5 cxb5 52. Rxb5 d4 53.
Rc5+ Kd2 54. h4 gxh4+ 55. Kxh4 d3 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.08"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E14"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 c5 4. e3 b6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bd3 g6 7. d5 exd5 8. cxd5
Bg7 9. e4 a6 10. a4 Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 O-O 13. O-O Ne8 14. Bf4 Qe7 15.
Qg3 h6 16. Rae1 Nd7 17. Bc1 g5 18. Nd1 Ne5 19. Ne3 Ng6 20. Nf5 Qe5 21. Qxe5
Nxe5 22. Be2 Ng6 23. g3 Kh7 24. Kg2 Bf6 25. h4 gxh4 26. Bxh6 Ng7 27. Bxg7 Bxg7
28. b3 hxg3 29. Kxg3 Bc3 30. Rd1 Rfe8 31. Bd3 b5 32. axb5 axb5 33. f4 c4 34.
bxc4 bxc4 35. Bxc4 Rxe4 36. Nxd6 Re3+ 37. Rf3 Be1+ 38. Kg4 Rxf3 39. Kxf3 Ra3+
40. Bd3 Kg7 41. Nc4 Rb3 42. d6 Bh4 43. Kg4 Bd8 44. Bxg6 Kxg6 45. Ne5+ Kg7 46.
Nc6 Bf6 47. d7 Rb6 48. d8=Q Bxd8 49. Nxd8 Kf8 50. Rc1 Rb8 51. Nc6 Rc8 52. Rc4
1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.09"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[Annotator "Mekhitarian,K"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bxc3 (5... O-O {not taking the
knight right away gives White a very good option with} 6. Nd5 $1 Re8 7. Qf5 $5
d6 8. Nxf6+ Qxf6 (8... gxf6 {keeping a tense position is very risky for Black:}
9. Qh5 e4 10. a3 $1 (10. Nd4 $6 Nxd4 11. exd4 c6 12. a3 Ba5 13. b4 Bc7 14. d5
$13 {1/2-1/2 (23) Strikovic,A (2502)-Grigoryan,K (2568) Ruma 2017}) 10... exf3
{looks dangerous, but has to be played} (10... Bc5 $2 11. b4 Bb6 12. Bb2 $1 $18
) 11. gxf3 $44 {looks dangerous}) 9. Qxf6 gxf6 10. a3 Bc5 11. b4 Bb6 12. Bb2
$14 {1-0 (34) Grischuk,A (2785)-Giri,A (2737) Elancourt 2013 with a very
pleasant endgame for White.}) 6. bxc3 $5 {A rare continuation, going into an
interesting and unbalanced position.} (6. Qxc3 {is the most common reply} Qe7 {
Black prepares ...d5, trying to play an Open Sicilian with a good initiative,
since White lost many tempi with his queen:} 7. Be2 (7. d4 $5 Ne4 (7... d6 8.
d5 {should be normally more pleasant for White} Nb8 9. Nd2 O-O 10. Be2 $14 {
followed by 0-0 and b3, Bb2, potentially thinking about an expansion with e4
and f4 later}) 8. Qd3 exd4 9. Nxd4 O-O 10. Be2 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Qb4+ 12. Kf1 Qe7
13. f3 Nc5 14. h4 $13 {½-½ (51) Mekhitarian,K (2561)-El Debs,F (2523) Rio de
Janeiro 2017, with an interesting position.}) (7. a3 d5 8. d4 exd4 9. Nxd4 Nxd4
10. Qxd4 O-O 11. b4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 $6 (12. Qxc4 {the unnatural Qxc4 was
mandatory to avoid a worse position}) 12... Rd8 13. Qf4 a5 $1 $36 14. Rb1 $2
axb4 15. axb4 b5 $1 16. Bxb5 Nd5 17. Qd4 c5 18. bxc5 Nc7 19. Qc3 Qe4 $19 {
0-1 (63) Shtembuliak,E (2478)-Volokitin,A (2649) Rivne 2016}) 7... d5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Qb3 Nb6 10. d3 O-O 11. O-O Rd8 12. Bd2 Bf5 13. Rfd1 Rd7 14. Be1 Rad8
$11 {0-1 (35) Ahlander,B (2442)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2742) Rhodes 2013}) 6... O-O
7. d3 (7. e4 d6 8. g3 {is another way to develop the f1-bishop} Ne7 9. Bg2 Ng6
10. O-O Re8 11. Rb1 h6 12. d3 c6 13. Re1 b6 14. a4 Bd7 15. Nd2 Be6 16. d4 {
taking the initiative in the centre} (16. Nf1 {would be an ideal plan, but
Black is already in time to push} d5 $1 $11) 16... Rc8 17. a5 $5 bxa5 18. Ba3
c5 19. dxc5 dxc5 20. Red1 Qc7 21. Nf1 $1 {a typical plan in this structure -
White has isolated and doubled pawns, but there is a nice d5-square available
as well} Nd7 $6 (21... Bxc4 {was the most challenging} 22. Ne3 Ba6 23. c4 $44 {
followed by Nd5}) 22. Ne3 Nb6 23. Nd5 Qc6 24. Bf1 $16 {1-0 (34) Eljanov,P 
(2718)-Bruzon Batista,L (2677) Havana 2015, despite being a pawn down, White
has tremendous pressure with the d5-knight.}) 7... d6 8. Be2 Re8 9. e4 Ne7 10.
Nh4 Ng6 (10... Nc6 $5 {was totally counter-intuitive, but interesting - ...
Nxe4 is a threat, and Black has ...Bh3 against g3:} 11. g3 (11. Nf5 Bxf5 12.
exf5 d5 $11 {is very consistent for Black}) (11. Nf3 Ne7 {followed by ...Ng6,
avoiding Nh4}) 11... Bh3 $13) 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. O-O c6 13. f4 $36 {These
English Opening setups normally are very flexible, specially beause of the
bishop pair, and the potential to open up the position.} b5 $5 {Opening lines
on the queenside is smart, since White's structure there is not so stable.} (
13... exf4 $5 14. Bxf4 d5 {was also playable} 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. e5 Qb6+ 17. Kh1
(17. d4 Bf5 18. Qb3 Ne4 $13 {with ...Rac8 or ...Rec8 to come, hitting c3})
17... Nh5 $11 {getting back one of the bishops since the e5-pawn is hanging.})
14. cxb5 cxb5 15. h3 Qb6+ 16. Kh2 Be6 (16... Bd7 $5 {having in mind what
happened in the game, this could have been a better approach.}) 17. a4 a6 (
17... b4 $5 {was playable, opening the c-file for counterplay} 18. cxb4 Qxb4
19. Ba3 Qd4 $13) 18. Qb2 Nd7 19. Rb1 Rab8 (19... Qc7 $1 {keeping an eye on c3
and threatening bxa4} 20. f5 (20. axb5 axb5 {doesn't change much}) 20... gxf5
21. exf5 Bd5 {is perfectly fine for Black} 22. axb5 axb5 {now the a8-rook
comes into play instantly} 23. Qxb5 $2 Rab8 $1 24. Qxd5 Rxb1 $19) 20. axb5 axb5
21. Rf3 f6 $6 (21... Qc7 $1 22. f5 gxf5 23. exf5 e4 $3 {a very nice pawn
sacrifice, giving room for the d7-knight and the e8-rook} 24. dxe4 (24. fxe6
exf3 25. exf7+ Kxf7 26. Bxf3 Nf6 $13) 24... Bc4 $44 {with nice counterplay
against the e4-pawn, ...Nf6 is coming next.}) 22. f5 $1 gxf5 23. exf5 Bd5 $6 (
23... e4 $1 {was the best chance} 24. dxe4 Bc4 $132 {keeping counterplay on
the e4-pawn. And whenever the bishops come off, the king on g8 feels safer.})
24. Rg3 $16 {Now White starts to obtain a strong initiative.} Re7 25. Bh5 $5 {
This bishop restricts the king on g8 and keeps some Bg6 ideas alive for a
direct attack.} (25. Qd2 $1 {threatening Rb4-Rh4-Qh6!, and also c4 right away
- it is very hard to defend.} e4 26. dxe4 $18 {already wins a healthy pawn on
b5}) 25... e4 {I don't like to give the f4-square for White's bishop.} 26. d4 {
Making the d7-knight look very bad.} Bc4 27. Bf4 Ra8 28. Ra1 $1 Rd8 (28... Rxa1
{looked more logical, but it is hard to defend the invasions through the
a-file as well} 29. Qxa1 Qc6 {stopping Qa8+.} 30. Qa3 $16 {[%csl Rd6]}) 29. Ra3
Nf8 30. Qa1 Bf7 $2 (30... Qb7 {avoiding Ra6 for now.} 31. Ra6 $6 b4 $1 $132)
31. Ra6 $1 $18 Qc7 32. Be2 $1 {[%csl Rb5] Suddenly Black's position falls
apart - Bxb5 and Qa3 are very strong threats.} Bc4 33. Bxc4+ Qxc4 (33... bxc4
34. Qa3 $18 {[%csl Rd6]}) 34. Rxd6 {Now it's over - with an extra pawn and
attacking possibilities, White wins quickly, not to mention the very passive
knight on f8.} Nd7 35. Qa7 Kf7 36. Qb7 Ke8 37. Re6 Rxe6 38. fxe6 Qxe6 39. Rxg7
e3 40. Qf3 $1 {The beginning of a very tense match between Aronian and
Matlakov, that was decided in the last blitz game before Armageddon!} 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.10"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {Quintiliano,R} Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 c5
7. Rb1 {Quintiliano,R: 'This move order allows White to prevent the check from
b4 and the subsequent exchange of bishops, which is good for Matlakov, who is
playing only for the win.'} (7. Nf3 {Quintiliano,R} cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2
Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O {would be of course a better situation for Aronian.}) 7...
Be7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Bc4 Qc7 (9... Nc6 {is more common - see Svidler - Radjabov
in CBM 179.}) 10. Qe2 a6 (10... b6 11. O-O Bb7 12. d5 e5 $6 (12... exd5 13.
Bxd5 Bxd5 14. exd5 Bd6 15. c4 $14) 13. Rd1 Qd6 {(this blockade is too shaky)}
14. a4 a6 15. Bd3 Nd7 16. Nd2 Rfb8 17. Nc4 Qf6 18. f4 $1 exf4 19. e5 Qh6 20.
Qg4 Bc8 21. Bxf4 {1-0 (21) Wei Yi (2738)-Li,Y (2459) China CHN 2017}) 11. a4 (
11. O-O {allowed Black to comfortably develop his pieces in the recent rapid
game:} b5 12. Bd3 Nd7 13. h4 (13. a4 $5) 13... e5 14. h5 h6 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16.
dxe5 c4 17. Bc2 Qxe5 $132 {0-1 (45) Navara,D (2737)-Dominguez Perez,L (2739)
Saint Louis 2017}) 11... cxd4 12. cxd4 Bd7 (12... Qa5+ $2 {(Quintiliano,R)
wins a pawn but after} 13. Bd2 Qxa4 14. O-O $1 {Black is in trouble to develop
his pieces:} Qe8 15. Rfc1 b5 16. Ba2 Nd7 17. d5 $1 e5 18. Ba5 $1 $14) 13. O-O {
[%mdl 512] Of course, White doesn't care about his a-pawn. His initiative in
the centre is more important.} Rc8 {Hardly a useful move.} (13... Bxa4 14. Bb2
$44 {[%cal Yd4d5,Yf1c1]} (14. d5 $143 exd5 15. exd5 Re8 $13)) 14. Bd3 Bxa4 15.
d5 $1 {[%mdl 128] Quintiliano,R: 'Once the material has been accepted, White
must immediately show and use his compensation, and Matlakov takes advantage
of his better development by opening the position'} Nd7 {Quintiliano,R: 'Maybe
Aronian didn't see his opponent's strong next move.'} (15... exd5 16. exd5 Bb5
{didn't help: White kept strong pressure after} 17. Re1 $1 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 $16) (
15... e5 {(Quintiliano,R) was more solid, White has some compensation, but not
aggressive ideas like in the game} 16. Be3 (16. Bb2 Nd7 17. Rfc1 Bc5) 16... Nd7
17. Rfc1 Bc5 (17... Qb8 18. Rxc8+ Qxc8 19. Qb2 $1 {[%csl Gb7,Ge5]}) 18. h4 $5
$44 {Black has some problems like his development and the bishop misplaced on
a4, but it is not easy for White to increase the pressure, the position is
balanced}) 16. e5 exd5 $2 (16... Nc5 $1 {was the best defence. After} 17. d6
Qd7 18. Bxh7+ Kxh7 19. dxe7 Qd3 $1 ({but not} 19... Qxe7 $2 20. Ng5+ {etc.})
20. Qa2 $1 {the position remained unclear.}) 17. e6 $1 Nf8 (17... Nc5 18. exf7+
Kh8 19. Bf5 $16) 18. exf7+ Kxf7 ({Quintiliano,R: 'Not recapturing the pawn was
difficult, but it was better to play'} 18... Kh8 19. Ne5 $16 Bc2 {Quintiliano,R
} 20. Bxc2 Qxc2 21. Qxc2 Rxc2 22. Rxb7 Bd6 23. Bf4 $16) 19. Nd4 $6 {
Quintiliano,R: 'But Matlakov returns the compliment and gives Aronian the
chance to save the game.'} (19. Re1 $1 {was more precise. A nice line:} Bf6 20.
Ng5+ Bxg5 21. Bxh7 $3 Qd7 (21... Nxh7 22. Qe6+ Kf8 23. Ba3+) (21... Bxc1 22.
Qf3+) 22. Qh5+ g6 23. Bxg6+ Nxg6 24. Qh7+ Kf8 25. Ba3+ Be7 26. Re3 Bxa3 27.
Qxg6 $18 {->}) 19... Bf6 {Quintiliano,R: 'Aronian makes the last mistake and
misses the chance, which was pretty difficult.'} (19... Kg8 $142 $1 20. Nf5 Bf6
{and Black holds on.}) 20. Bxh7 $1 {The same blow (see above) decides in this
position, too.} Qe5 (20... Bxd4 21. Qf3+ $18) (20... Nxh7 21. Qe6+ Kf8 (21...
Kg6 22. Qf5+ Kf7 23. Qxd5+ Kg6 24. Ne6 $18 {[%cal Re6c7,Re6f4]}) 22. Ba3+ Be7
23. Qxd5 $18 {->}) (20... g6 21. Bxg6+ $1 Kxg6 (21... Nxg6 22. Qe6+ Kg7 23.
Nf5+) 22. Qg4+ Kh7 (22... Kf7 23. Nf5 $1) 23. Qf5+ Kg7 (23... Kg8 24. Qxf6 $18)
24. Bh6+ $1 Kxh6 25. Qxf6+ Kh7 26. Rb6 $18 {->}) 21. Rxb7+ Bd7 22. Qg4 Qxd4 (
22... Nxh7 23. Rxd7+ Kg8 24. Nf5 $18 {->}) 23. Rxd7+ Nxd7 24. Qxd7+ Be7 25. Re1
Qe5 (25... Qc5 26. Ba3 $1 Qxa3 27. Qxd5+ $18) 26. Bd2 Rd8 27. Qg4 (27. Qg4 Qf6
(27... Qd6 28. Bb4 $1) 28. Bg5 $1 Qxg5 29. Qe6+ Ke8 30. Bg6+ $18) 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.11"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8.
cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. Bc4 Nd7 12. O-O b6 13. d5 Nc5 14. Rfe1
Bb7 15. Rad1 exd5 16. exd5 Qf6 17. Qe3 Rad8 18. h4 h6 19. h5 Rd6 20. Rd4 Qf5
21. Nh4 Qd7 22. Qg3 Rf6 23. Rg4 Kh8 24. Rxg7 Bxd5 25. Ng6+ Rxg6 26. Rxg6 fxg6
27. Qe5+ Qg7 28. Qxd5 Qf6 29. f3 Rd8 30. Qf7 Qxf7 31. Bxf7 gxh5 32. Bxh5 a5 33.
Re8+ Rxe8 34. Bxe8 Kg7 35. Kf2 Kf6 36. Ke3 Ke5 37. f4+ Kf5 38. Kf3 Nd3 39. g4+
Ke6 40. a3 Ne1+ 41. Ke4 Nc2 42. a4 Nb4 43. Bb5 Kf6 44. Be2 Ke6 45. Bc4+ Kf6 46.
Bf1 Na2 47. Kd4 Nb4 48. Bd3 Ke6 49. Kc4 Nd5 50. g5 Nxf4 51. gxh6 Kf6 52. h7 Kg7
53. Bf5 Kh8 54. Be4 Kg7 55. Bf3 Ne6 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.11"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 b5 6. b3 Bg4 7. a4 bxc4 8. bxc4 e6
9. c5 a5 10. h3 Bh5 11. g4 Bg6 12. Ne5 Nfd7 13. Nxg6 hxg6 14. Rb1 Be7 15. Qf3
Bf6 16. Bd2 g5 17. Bd3 Qc8 18. Kf1 Na6 19. Bxa6 Qxa6+ 20. Kg2 Qc8 21. Rb3 Nf8
22. Rhb1 Ng6 23. Kf1 O-O 24. Ne2 Qa6 25. Rb6 Qd3 26. Ke1 Nh4 27. Qg3 e5 28. Bc3
Bd8 29. Rd1 Qc4 30. Rxc6 Qxa4 31. Rd6 e4 32. Ra1 Qc4 33. Rd7 Ra6 34. Qb8 Bf6
35. Qb7 Nf3+ 36. Kf1 Nh2+ 37. Ke1 Nf3+ 38. Kf1 Nh2+ 39. Ke1 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.11"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 c6 4. c4 e6 5. O-O Nf6 6. d3 {A flexible move
keeping the option for several different plans.} Bd6 (6... Nbd7 7. cxd5 (7. Qb3
$6 Qb6 8. Be3 Bc5 {gains a tempo for Black who has not moved with his bishop
before.}) 7... exd5 (7... Bxf3 $2 8. dxe6 $1) 8. Qc2 {(1-0, 92) Carlsen,M 
(2861)-Karjakin,S (2780) Wijk aan Zee 2013 CBM 153 [Marin,M]}) (6... dxc4 7.
dxc4 Nbd7 8. Nc3 {Wang,H (2752)-Caruana,F (2796) Dortmund 2013 CBM 156 [Marin,
M] (1-0, 39)}) (6... Be7 7. Qb3 Qc8 (7... Qb6 8. Be3 Qxb3 9. axb3 {is slightly
less active for Black than the game continuation.}) 8. Nc3 O-O 9. Bf4 Nbd7 10.
cxd5 exd5 11. Rfc1 {Rahman,Z (2512)-Bluebaum,M (2626) Baku 2016 CBM 175 [Roiz,
M] (0-1, 47)}) 7. Qb3 {Once the bishop has moved, this and the next move are
logical.} Qb6 (7... Qc7 {is a bit passive.} 8. Nc3 Nbd7 9. cxd5 exd5 10. e4
dxe4 11. dxe4 O-O 12. Be3 (12. Nd4 $5) 12... Be6 13. Qc2 Ng4 14. Bd4 c5 15. Nb5
Qb6 16. Nxd6 cxd4 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 Nge5 19. Qb3 Nc6 20. Rfd1 Rfd8 21. Rac1
Qxb3 22. axb3 Nb6 23. Ne1 Rac8 24. Nd3 $14 {Goganov,A (2598)-Bluebaum,M (2576)
Moscow 2015 (½-½, 43)}) ({But} 7... Qc8 $5 $146 {keeping the possibility of .
..Bh3 after the generally inevitable exchange on d5 deserves attention.}) 8.
Be3 Qxb3 9. axb3 {White has consolidated his centre (he could later play d3-d4)
and exerts some queenside pressure. Without queens on the board it is also
entirely safe to chase away the g4-bishop with h2-h3 and g3-g4. In principle
his advantage is microscopic, but play tends to be one-sided.} a6 (9... Na6 10.
Nc3 O-O {Summerscale,A (2410)-Berg,K (2440) Richmond 1994 (½-½, 24)} 11. Ra4
Nc5 12. Bxc5 Bxc5 13. b4 Bxf3 (13... Be7 14. Ne5 $5) 14. Bxf3 Be7 15. b5 $36)
10. h3 (10. Nbd2 Nbd7 11. h3 Bh5 12. g4 Bg6 13. Nh4 e5 $6 {Premature activity.
Black should remain solid and passive.} 14. d4 exd4 (14... e4 15. Nb1 $5 $14 {
[%cal Gb1c3]}) 15. Bxd4 Bb4 {Hammer,J (2647)-Oparin,G (2526) Yerevan 2014 
(½-½, 86)} 16. Rfd1 $14) 10... Bxf3 {It is probably best to give away the
bishop at once. Otherwise Black will get double pawns allowing White a
kingside expansion at the same time.} (10... Bh5 11. g4 Bg6 12. Nh4 Nbd7 13.
Nc3 $14) 11. Bxf3 Nbd7 12. Rc1 (12. Bg2 O-O 13. g4 Ne8 14. Nc3 Nc7 15. d4 f5 {
Wang,H (2752)-Meier,G (2610) Dortmund 2013 CBM 156 [Pavlovic,M] (1-0, 66) with
certain counterplay due to the slightly premature g3-g4.}) 12... Ke7 $146 {
A logical novelty. There are no dangers for the king in the centre and it
could be useful for coordinating the minor pieces.} (12... O-O 13. Na3 (13. Bg2
Rac8 14. Nd2 Rfe8 15. c5 Bc7 16. b4 Re7 17. Nb3 Rce8 18. Bd2 Nf8 19. Bc3 e5 20.
e3 N8d7 21. e4 d4 22. Be1 g6 23. Nd2 Nf8 24. Nc4 Ne6 25. Bd2 $14 {Vastrukhin,O
(2401)-Lushnikov,S (1953) Sochi 2016 (½-½, 73)}) 13... Rac8 14. Nc2 Rfd8 15.
Bg2 h6 16. b4 {Pavlov,S (2526)-Itkis,B (2405) Kiev 2011 (½-½, 79) with some
pressure.}) 13. Nc3 Rhc8 14. d4 $14 {It is not easy to see how White is going
to break, but his superior space and the bishop pair offer him the better
chances in the long run.} Kf8 15. Bd2 Be7 {Black anticipates the slow kingside
pawn attack.} (15... Bb4 16. g4 h6 17. h4 $14) 16. e3 $5 {Aronian keeps
manoeuvring, intending to bring the knight to d3.} (16. e4 {allows Black to
get a Caro-Kann type of position, with every chance to hold:} dxe4 17. Nxe4
Nxe4 18. Bxe4 Nf6 19. Bf3 Rd8 20. Bc3 Rd7) (16. g4 h6 17. h4 {is less
effective with the bishop on e7 due to} Nh7 18. h5 Bb4) 16... Nb6 17. Ne2 Ne4
18. Be1 f5 {A committal move, weakening the e6-pawn and the e5-square, but
Black probably had enough of passive play.} 19. Nf4 Kf7 20. Nd3 Nd7 21. Be2 Bd6
22. b4 {[%cal Gd3c5] After having regrouped optimally, White starts the pawn
attack.} dxc4 23. Nc5 Ndxc5 24. bxc5 Bc7 25. Bxc4 {White has improved his
structure and has gained even more space. It is not easy to break yet, but his
advantage starts taking shape.} Ke7 ({The attempt at blocking the white
kingside on the dark squares wastes time and weakens his own kingside:} 25...
g5 26. Kg2 h5 27. f3 Nf6 28. e4 $1 fxe4 29. fxe4 Nxe4 30. Ra3 {Suddenly Black
is awfully hanging.} Re8 31. Re3 Nf6 32. Bd2 $1 {A key regrouping move.} Re7
33. Rf3 g4 34. hxg4 hxg4 35. Rf2 Rf8 36. Rcf1 Kg6 37. Bd3+ Kg7 38. Bg5 Ref7 39.
Rh1 $18) 26. Kg2 Rd8 27. Ra4 $6 {Aronian probably thought the rook could
become active along the fourth rank after Black's logical break in the centre.}
({n fact, third rank activity would have been more effective. Let us compare
the parallel similar lines:} 27. Ra3 Rd7 28. f3 Nf6 29. Rb3 Rb8 30. Bf2 e5 31.
g4 exd4 32. exd4 Nd5 33. Re1+ Kf6 34. Bxd5 Rxd5 35. Rbe3 $16 {In the game he
will not have this quick rook switch.}) 27... Rd7 28. f3 Nf6 29. Bf2 ({Even
though this would have meant wasting a tempo,} 29. Ra3 $5 {deserves attention.}
) 29... e5 30. Rb4 Rb8 31. g4 exd4 32. exd4 Nd5 33. Re1+ Kf6 34. Bxd5 Rxd5 35.
Re2 Rd7 {Black has some problems with his backward pawn on b7, but otherwise
has good control on the light squares and is out of any danger. In some cases
White's bishop could turn "bad".} 36. b3 {A mysterious move reducing the
rook's mobility.} h5 37. gxh5 a5 $6 {Black obviously wanted to free his rook
in order to retrieve the pawn, but the last move weakens the queenside. He
probably wanted to punish b2-b3.} (37... Kf7 $5) 38. Rc4 (38. Ra4 $1 Rh8 39. b4
{is much more effective as it attacks a5 forcing} axb4 40. Rxb4 $14 {when
White's queenside play is faster than Black's on the opposite wing.}) 38... Rh8
39. b4 Rxh5 $1 40. bxa5 Bxa5 41. Ra2 Bc7 $6 (41... Bd8 $1 $11 {would have
gained an important tempo by keeping b7 defended:} 42. Ra7 g5 43. d5 {White
needs to head for mass simplifications and a draw.} (43. Rb4 $2 Rdh7 $1) 43...
cxd5 44. Rc2 Rhh7 45. c6 bxc6 46. Rxc6+ Ke5 47. Ra4 Rd6 48. Bd4+ Ke6 49. Rxd6+
Kxd6 50. Ra6+ Kd7 51. Ra7+ Bc7 52. f4 g4 53. hxg4 fxg4 54. Be5 Kc6 55. Kg3 $11)
42. Rb4 Rg5+ $6 (42... Bd8 43. Rab2 $14) 43. Kf1 Bg3 44. Ra7 Bxf2 45. Kxf2 {
White has won a pawn but the final outcome of the ending is unclear yet. Black
goes down unnecessarily quickly.} f4 46. Raxb7 Rxb7 47. Rxb7 Rd5 48. Rb4 Kg5 (
48... Ke6 49. Ke2 Rh5 $14) 49. Ke2 Kh4 50. Kd3 Kg3 $2 (50... Rd7 51. Rb6 Rc7
52. Ke4 g5 $14) 51. Rb6 $18 Kxf3 52. Rxc6 g5 53. Rg6 $18 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.11"]
[Round "3.6"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 e6 7. f3 c5 8. e4 Bg6
9. Be3 cxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd4 11. Bxd4 Nfd7 12. Nxd7 Nxd7 13. Bxc4 a6 14. h4 h6 15.
Rd1 Rg8 16. Kf2 Rc8 17. Ba2 Bb4 18. h5 Bh7 19. Rd2 Ke7 20. Rhd1 f6 21. f4 Rgd8
22. f5 Nc5 23. Kf3 exf5 24. exf5 Bxf5 25. g4 Bh7 26. Bxc5+ Bxc5 27. Nd5+ Rxd5
28. Rxd5 Bc2 29. Re1+ Kf8 30. Rd7 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.11"]
[Round "3.7"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 d6 6. Nf3 O-O 7. h3 Nbd7 8. Bd3 a6
9. a4 b6 10. O-O e5 11. a5 bxa5 12. Qa4 Rb8 13. Qxa5 Qe7 14. Rb1 Nh5 15. Bg5 f6
16. Bd2 Nf4 17. Bc2 f5 18. Bxf4 exf4 19. exf5 Ne5 20. Nxe5 Bxe5 21. f3 Qg7 22.
f6 Qxf6 23. Ne4 Qh4 24. Qe1 g5 25. Kh2 Bf5 26. b3 Qh6 27. Bd3 g4 28. fxg4 Bxg4
29. Nf2 f3+ 30. Kg1 fxg2 31. Nxg4 gxf1=Q+ 32. Bxf1 Qg6 33. Kh1 Rbe8 34. Rd1 h5
35. Bd3 Qg7 36. Nxe5 Rxe5 37. Qh4 Rg5 38. Qe4 Rg3 39. Qe6+ Kh8 40. Be4 Rf6 41.
Qc8+ Qf8 42. Qd7 Rf1+ 43. Kh2 Qf2+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.11"]
[Round "3.8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A43"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c5 3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 d6 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. a4 Na6 8. O-O
Nc7 9. h3 Nxb5 10. axb5 O-O 11. e5 dxe5 12. Nxe5 Bf5 13. Re1 Ne8 14. Bf4 Nd6
15. Qe2 Re8 16. Nc4 Nxc4 17. Qxc4 b6 18. Be5 Bh6 19. Re2 Qc8 20. Rae1 Bf8 21.
Ne4 a6 22. Bc3 axb5 23. Qxb5 Bxe4 24. Rxe4 Rd8 25. Qxb6 Rxd5 26. Re5 Rxe5 27.
Rxe5 e6 28. Qb5 Qd8 29. Re1 Qd5 30. Qe2 Rd8 31. Qe4 Qg5 32. Qe3 Qf5 33. Qe4 Be7
34. Qxf5 gxf5 35. g4 fxg4 36. hxg4 Rd5 37. Kg2 h5 38. gxh5 Rxh5 39. Rh1 Rg5+
40. Kf1 f6 41. Rg1 Rg7 42. Rxg7+ Kxg7 43. Ke2 Kg6 44. f3 Kf5 45. b3 e5 46. Bd2
Ke6 47. Kd3 f5 48. Be1 Kd5 49. Bd2 e4+ 50. fxe4+ fxe4+ 51. Ke2 c4 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.12"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2666"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Bg5 Bc6 10. Rd1 a5 11. Na3 Na6 12. Nxc4 Nb4 13. Qc1 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15.
Nfe5 Bd5 16. Qc3 b6 17. e4 Bb7 18. Ng4 Be7 19. Qb3 Qe8 20. d5 Bc5 21. d6 Qd8
22. e5 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 h5 24. Nge3 cxd6 25. Nxd6 Bxe3 26. Qxe3 Nc2 27. Qf3 Nxa1
28. Qxh5 f6 29. Rxa1 fxe5 30. Qxe5 Qf6 31. Qe3 Rad8 32. Rd1 Qe7 33. Qxb6 Rb8
34. Qc6 Qf6 35. Rd2 Rxb2 36. Ne8 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.13"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2666"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "193"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
Be3 O-O 9. Be2 {A rare move order.} b6 {A quiet continuation.} ({White's main
idea is} 9... Qa5 10. O-O $1 Qxc3 11. Rc1 Qa3 12. Rxc5 {e.g.} Qxa2 13. Bc4 Qa3
14. Bc1 Qb4 15. Bd2 Qa3 16. Re1 Bg4 17. Re3 Qb2 18. Bc3 Qb6 {1/2 (23) Lakic,N 
(2395)-Banas,J (2365) Stary Smokovec 1980} 19. Rb5 Qc7 20. Qb3 $16) 10. Qd2 (
10. h4 {looks a bit premature:} Bb7 (10... Bg4 $5 11. h5 Bxh5) 11. e5 Nc6 12.
h5 cxd4 13. cxd4 Rc8 14. hxg6 (14. h6 Bh8 15. O-O Qd7 $13 {[%cal Yf7f6]}) 14...
hxg6 15. Qd2 Qd5 16. Bg5 Rfd8 $15 {0-1 (43) San Segundo Carrillo,P (2509)
-Fluvia Poyatos,J (2467) Leon 2012}) (10. O-O {is not a dangerous plan, Black
should safely equalise:} cxd4 11. cxd4 Bb7 12. Qd3 Nc6 13. Rac1 e6 14. Rfd1 Rc8
15. d5 exd5 16. exd5 {0-1 (63) Arkhipov,S-Gorelov,S (2395) Moscow 1980} Ne7 $1
17. Rxc8 Qxc8 18. d6 Nd5) (10. Rc1 $5 {is probably the most precise move
keeping various options:} e6 (10... Bb7 $6 11. d5) (10... Nd7 11. e5 $1 (11.
O-O e6 12. e5 Bb7 13. Qd2 f6 $11 {0-1 (61) Radwan,L (2138)-Shishkin,V (2471)
Police 2010}) 11... Bb7 12. h4 cxd4 13. cxd4 Rc8 14. h5 Bd5 {0-1 (58) Zontakh,
A (2520)-Babujian,L (2451) Poti 2017} 15. h6 Bh8 16. O-O $14 {[%csl Rh8]}) 11.
h4 $5 Bb7 12. e5 Qd5 (12... h5 13. Rg1 Nc6 14. g4 hxg4 15. Rxg4 Ne7 16. Bg5 Qe8
17. h5 $16 {1-0 (20) Bosiocic,M (2586)-Greenfeld,A (2562) Novi Sad 2016}) (
12... cxd4 13. cxd4 Nc6 14. h5 Ne7 15. Bg5 (15. h6 $5) 15... Qd7 16. Qd2 Rac8
17. Rxc8 Rxc8 18. hxg6 fxg6 19. Bf6 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 Bxf6 21. exf6 Nd5 $15 {
1/2 (33) Gonzalez Garcia,J (2509)-Safarli,E (2597) Zuerich 2009}) (12... Nd7
13. h5 cxd4 14. cxd4 Rc8 15. hxg6 (15. h6 Bh8 16. O-O $14) 15... hxg6 16. Rxc8
Qxc8 17. Qd2 Qc6 18. O-O Rc8 $11 {1/2 (30) Narayanan,S (2515)-Xiong,J (2633)
Bhubaneswar 2016}) 13. h5 Nd7 14. c4 (14. h6 $5 Bh8 15. O-O {[%csl Rh8] - with
the pawn on e6, ...f7-f6 weakens Black's position}) 14... Qc6 15. hxg6 fxg6 16.
d5 Qc7 17. Ng5 exd5 18. Bg4 Rfe8 19. cxd5 Qxe5 20. Nxh7 $13 {1-0 (60) Fier,A 
(2592)-Greenfeld,A (2536) London 2014}) 10... cxd4 (10... Nd7 11. e5 Bb7 {
1-0 (37) Yuneev,A (2370)-Zdrojewski,W (2265) Leningrad 1990} 12. h4 $36) (10...
Bb7 {is more appropriate here than after 10.Rc1:} 11. d5 (11. e5 cxd4 12. cxd4
{- game}) 11... e6 12. Rd1 exd5 13. exd5 Nd7 14. c4 Nf6 15. Qc2 {0-1 (63)
Kanter,E (2349)-Charochkina,D (2309) Zvenigorod 2008} Re8 $5 16. O-O Qd6 {
[%cal Ye8e7,Ya8e8]}) 11. cxd4 Bb7 12. e5 Nc6 (12... Bd5 $5 13. Bh6 (13. h4 $5
h5) 13... Nc6 14. Rd1 Rc8 15. h4 $2 {0-1 (28) Derieux,C (2209)-Dunis,A (2347)
Marseille 2001} Bxf3 $1 16. Bxf3 Qxd4 $1 $17) 13. h4 Qd5 14. h5 Rfd8 (14... Qa5
{was quite possible. Black has no problems in the following game:} 15. Rc1
Qxd2+ 16. Bxd2 Rfd8 17. hxg6 hxg6 18. Rh4 Rac8 19. Bc4 Na5 20. Bxa5 bxa5 21.
Kd2 e6 22. Bb3 Rxc1 23. Kxc1 Bf8 24. Kd2 Be7 25. Rg4 Rc8 $132 {1/2 (43)
Urkedal,F (2517)-Turov,M (2591) Stockholm 2015}) 15. Rc1 (15. hxg6 hxg6 16. Rh4
Qa5 17. Qxa5 Nxa5 18. e6 f6 19. Rg4 g5 20. Nh4 Bd5 21. Ng6 Bxe6 22. Re4 Rd6 23.
Nxe7+ Kf7 24. d5 Bxd5 25. Nxd5 Rxd5 26. Rc1 Rad8 $11 {1/2 (37) Cuenca Jimenez,
J (2498)-Ftacnik,L (2551) Leiria POR 2017}) 15... Qa5 {Of course, the exchange
of queens levels the game.} 16. h6 $6 {This only helps Black now as his bishop
gladly goes to f8.} (16. Qxa5 Nxa5 17. Rc7 Rac8 18. Rxe7 $5 Bf8 19. Rxb7 Nxb7
20. hxg6 hxg6 21. Ng5 $44 {was an interesting way to complicate the game.})
16... Bf8 17. e6 $6 (17. Qxa5 Nxa5 18. O-O Rac8 19. Rfd1 e6 $15) 17... f6 18.
O-O Qxd2 19. Bxd2 Nxd4 $6 {Premature!} (19... Rac8 $1 20. Be3 Nb4 $17 {[%csl
Ra2,Rd4,Re6]}) 20. Nxd4 Rxd4 21. Be3 Rdd8 (21... Rd6 $1 $17 {[%cal Rb7d5] was
more energetic. After the text move White obtains counterplay.}) 22. Bb5 Bd5
23. Bd7 {[%csl Gd7,Rd8]} g5 (23... Bxa2 24. Ra1 Bc4 25. Rfc1 {is not clear
anymore. However, the text move, weakening Black's kingside, is even worsse.})
24. f4 Bxh6 25. fxg5 Bg7 {This was not easy to find} (25... fxg5 26. Rf7 Bg7 $1
27. Bxg5 (27. Rxe7 Bf6 28. Rf7 Rf8) 27... Rf8 $13 28. Rxe7 $6 Bd4+ 29. Kh2 Rf5)
26. Bd4 $1 fxg5 27. Bxg7 Kxg7 28. Rf7+ Kg6 29. Rxe7 {Now the initiative
belongs to White due to his strong e6-pawn.} Rf8 30. Re1 (30. Bb5 $6 Kf6 31.
Rxh7 Kxe6) 30... Bxa2 (30... a6 $1 31. Ba4 Rfc8 {was correct to prevent the
transfer of White's bishop to the b1-h7 diagonal.} 32. Rd7 Bxa2 $13) 31. Bb5 a6
(31... h5 32. Rb7 {[%cal Re6e7]}) 32. Bd3+ Kf6 33. Rxh7 b5 34. Rh6+ Ke7 35.
Rh7+ Kf6 36. e7 Rg8 37. Rh6+ Kf7 38. Rh7+ Kf6 39. Be4 Rae8 40. Rh6+ Kf7 41. Bc6
Bc4 42. Bxe8+ Rxe8 43. Rxa6 Rxe7 44. Rxe7+ Kxe7 {[%mdl 4096]} 45. Kf2 Kf7 46.
Rb6 Be6 {Black can't save both pawns. He gives up his b-pawn but the resulting
endgame is lost for him.} 47. Rxb5 Kf6 48. Kf3 Bf5 49. Rc5 Bd3 ({With White's
pawn on g2, Black can't successfully keep his bishop on the h3-c8 diagonal, e.
g.} 49... Kg6 50. Ke3 Kf6 51. Kd4 Bg4 52. Ke4 Bd7 53. Kd5 Be6+ 54. Kd6 Bf5 55.
Rc3 Bg4 (55... Be4 56. g4 $1) 56. Rc2 Bf5 57. Rf2 Kg6 58. Ke5 Bd7 59. Rd2 Bg4
60. Rd4 Bc8 61. g4 $18) 50. Ke3 Bf5 51. Kd4 Bb1 52. Rc1 $6 {Here and later
White misses a winning plan shown by GM Igor Kovalenko in a similar position 
(Goganov - Kovalenko Gjakova 2016 - see CBM 173). Both pawns were on the
f-file in that game, and Goganov had a drawing chance keeping his bishop in
the opposite corner, which he missed. With g-pawns that drawing chance doesn't
exist:} (52. g4 $1 Bg6 53. Rc6+ Kf7 54. Ke5 Bb1 (54... Bh7 55. Rc7+ Kg6 56. Ra7
$22 {(this zugzwang doesn't exist with the f-pawns!)} Bg8 57. Ra6+) 55. Rc7+ {
(it is essential to lure Black's king to g6, where it blocks his bishop's
diagonal)} Kg6 56. Rd7 Bc2 57. Rd2 Bb1 58. Rb2 Bd3 59. Kd4 $1 {(The point!
White ousts Black's bishop from the crucial diagonal)} Bf1 60. Ke4 $18 {
[%cal Yb2b6,Ye4f5]}) 52... Bg6 53. Rc6+ Kg7 54. Ke5 Bb1 55. Ra6 Bc2 56. Rd6 Kf7
57. Rf6+ Kg7 58. Rf2 Bb1 59. Rb2 Bd3 60. Rd2 Bb1 61. Ke6 Be4 62. Re2 Bd3 63.
Rd2 Be4 64. Ke5 Bb1 65. Rd4 Kf7 66. Ra4 Bc2 67. Ra5 Bb1 68. Rc5 Kg6 69. Rc1 Bd3
70. Rd1 Bc2 71. Rd2 Bb1 72. Ke6 Be4 73. g3 $2 {This leads to a drawish
position known from one of Mark Dvoretzky's books. However, Black misses his
chance, and further play shows that neither player is familiar with that
position.} (73. g4 {was still winning.}) 73... Bb1 $2 (73... Bf5+ 74. Ke5 Bh3 {
(With White's pawn on g3, Black's bishop has this additional square on the
h3-c8 diagonal, and White's pieces can't oust it!)} 75. Rd6+ Kh5 76. Rd4 Bc8
77. Kf6 Bh3 $1 78. Rd5 (78. Rc4 Bd7 79. Rd4 Bc8) 78... Kg4 $1 79. Rxg5+ Kf3 $11
{[%cal Yh3g4]}) 74. Rb2 $2 (74. g4 $1 {White misses this winning move again
and again.}) 74... Bd3 $2 (74... Bf5+) 75. Ke7 $2 Be4 $2 76. Rb6+ $2 Kg7 $2 (
76... Kf5 $1 77. Rb4 Bf3 {lead to a "mirror" drawish position, relative to the
g-file:} 78. Kf7 Be2 79. Kg7 Bf3 80. Kh6 Bd1 81. Rb5+ Kg4 82. Rxg5+ Kh3 $11 {
[%cal Yd1g4] - cf. the 73...Bf5+ line}) 77. Rb5 Kg6 78. Rb4 $2 (78. g4) 78...
Bc2 $2 (78... Kf5) 79. Kf8 $2 Kf6 $2 {It was not too late to play} (79... Kh5
$1 80. Ke7 Bf5 81. Kf6 Bh3) 80. Kg8 Bd3 81. Rd4 Bc2 82. Rd2 $2 Bb1 $2 (82...
Be4 $1 {[%cal Yf6f5,Ye4f3]} 83. g4 (83. Rf2+ Kg6 $1 {as} 84. g4 {is too late:}
Bd5+ 85. Kf8 Be6 86. Rg2 Kf6) 83... Ke5 84. Rf2 Kd4 85. Kg7 Ke3 {[%cal Ye4f3] ,
and Black manages to capture the g4 pawn in time.}) 83. Rf2+ Kg6 84. Rb2 $2 (
84. g4) 84... Bd3 85. Rb6+ Kf5 86. Rb4 Kf6 $2 (86... Be2) 87. Rd4 Bc2 88. Rd2
$2 Bb1 $2 (88... Be4) 89. Rf2+ Kg6 90. g4 $1 {Finally! Now White must win
easily. But...} Be4 91. Rd2 (91. Kf8 $142 $1 {bringing his king back to carry
out the Kovalenko plan.} Bb7 {[%cal Yb7c8] doesn't help due to} 92. Rb2 $1 Bc8
93. Rb6+ ({or} 93. Rb4 Kf6 $140 94. Kg8 {[%cal Rg8h7]}) 93... Kh7 94. Rb4 Kg6
95. Ke7 {etc.}) {But as we know, Levon Aronian was not familiar with the
Kovalenko plan and failed to find it over the board. Instead, he tries to
bring his king to Black's g5-pawn via g7-h6. That plan is wrong but luckily
succeeds after Black's mistake.} 91... Kf6 92. Rb2 $2 (92. Rf2+ Kg6 93. Kf8 $18
) (92. Re2 Bd3 93. Rf2+ Kg6 94. Kf8 $18) 92... Bd3 $2 {The last error.} (92...
Ke5 $1 93. Kg7 (93. Rf2 Kd4 $11 {- see above}) 93... Kf4 94. Rb4 Kxg4 $1 95.
Rxe4+ Kf3 $11) 93. Rb6+ Ke5 94. Kg7 {White attacks Black's g5-pawn with his
king, which decides the game.} Kf4 95. Rb4+ Be4 96. Rxe4+ Kxe4 97. Kg6 (97. Kg6
Kf4 98. Kh5 $18) 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.15"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:
03:23]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:01:44]} 4. Qa4+ {[%emt 0:00:07]}
(4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Qa4+ {The inclusion of knights on f3 and f6 leads to similar
kinds of position but with some differences. One can say that like in the game
Levon would not have been able to get in d4-d5!}) 4... c6 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 5.
Qxc4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} b5 {[%emt 0:03:55] Overall I consider this c6/b5 setup
to be the most active way for Black to play in this position.} 6. Qc2 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 7. Nf3 {[%emt 0:02:01]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:07:26]} (7...
Nf6 {leads to a common position. But Vassily wanted to make use of the time he
has saved on developing his g8 knight by getting his queenside pieces out and
working.}) 8. Nc3 {[%emt 0:06:33]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:14:08]} 9. O-O {[%emt 0:03:10]}
a6 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 10. d4 {[%emt 0:03:50] Black has made all the moves in
order to play the move c5 and here it would not make sense if you didn't make
that move. As Levon said after the game, that it is difficult to sometimes
admit what you did was not correct and change the plan.} c5 {[%emt 0:42:39]
Vassily made this move after 42 minutes.} (10... Ngf6 11. Ne5 $16 {is already
horror for Black.}) 11. d5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:15] Levon was instantly ready with
his reply. It just took him 15 seconds to make this move. After the game when
he was asked what he thought about the objective quality of the move, he said,
I think it is extremely strong and after this White has a clearly better
position.} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 12. Nh4 $1 {[%emt 0:03:13] Of course, the
logical folllow up.} Ndf6 $2 {[%emt 0:08:18] After this Black is huge trouble.
Look at his kingside pieces. When are they going to develop?} ({Levon
considered Black's best chance to be} 12... Ngf6 13. Rd1 Be7 (13... Nb6 14. a4
$1 (14. Nxd5 Nbxd5 15. e4 $14) 14... b4 15. a5 bxc3 16. axb6 $16) 14. Nxd5 (14.
Nf5 $1 {is a move that must be considered for sure.} O-O 15. Bxd5 $1 Nxd5 16.
Nxd5 Bxd5 17. Rxd5 $16) 14... Bxd5 $1 (14... Nxd5 15. Nf5 $1 {This is the
strongest move.} (15. Bxd5 Bxd5 16. Rxd5 Bxh4 $14 {is something that White
would have to go into if the move order by Black is correct. i.e ...Bxd5 first
instead of ...Nxd5.}) 15... g6 16. Bxd5 Bxd5 17. Ng7+ Kf8 18. Bh6 Kg8 19. Rxd5
$16) 15. Bxd5 Nxd5 16. Rxd5 Bxh4 17. gxh4 Qxh4 18. Qf5 $36) 13. Rd1 {[%emt 0:
04:31]} g6 $2 {[%emt 0:00:08] Another huge mistake. It was important to at
least complete the development somehow.} (13... Qb6 14. Nxd5 Bxd5 15. Bxd5 Nxd5
16. Rxd5 Ne7 17. Rd3 $16 {White is better, but Black can fight on.}) 14. Nxd5
$1 {[%emt 0:02:21]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 15. e4 {[%emt 0:00:50]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:
00:18]} 16. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:42]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 17. Qe2+ {[%emt 0:01:32]
} (17. Re1+ {was also possible, but Levon didn't want the rook to leave the
support of the d5-pawn.} Kf8 18. Be3 c4 19. Rad1 $16) 17... Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:01]
} (17... Qe7 18. Qxe7+ Kxe7 19. d6+ $18) 18. a4 $1 {[%emt 0:01:06] Creating a
nice little square for the knight to sit on - c4.} b4 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 19. Be3
{[%emt 0:01:09]} Qd6 {[%emt 0:01:33]} 20. Rac1 {[%emt 0:03:37]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:
00:42]} 21. Nf3 $1 {[%emt 0:00:36] The c4-square is soft and comfortable, so
what are you waiting for? Ah wait, there's also the e4-square!} h6 {[%emt 0:02:
08]} 22. Nd2 {[%emt 0:01:40]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 23. Ne4 {[%emt 0:04:08]} Qf8
{[%emt 0:00:46]} 24. d6 $18 {[%emt 0:00:57] Ivanchuk had enough of this
horrible position and he resigned. One of the main problems is the c5-pawn for
which you have to give up your b7-bishop with ...Bxe4 but after taking the
bishop back, there is nothing positive about Black's entire position.} 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.16"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:21]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 5. Qa4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 6. Qxc4 {
[%emt 0:00:01]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 7. Ne5 {[%emt 0:01:03]} Qc8 {[%emt 0:00:04]
} 8. d3 {[%emt 0:04:07]} (8. O-O) 8... Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 9. Nxd7 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} Qxd7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 10. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:08:46]} 11.
Nf3 {[%emt 0:02:52]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 12. Qc3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 13. Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 14. O-O {[%emt 0:00:42]
According to Aronian, this position is slightly more pleasant for White as
Black has to prove what has he got in return for giving his opponent the
bishop pair.} O-O {[%emt 0:01:06]} 15. Qd1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nxf3+ {[%emt 0:04:
12]} 16. Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rac8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 17. a3 {[%emt 0:02:58]}
Bf6 {[%emt 0:03:43]} 18. e3 {[%emt 0:01:32]} Rfd8 {[%emt 0:02:11]} 19. Qc2 {
[%emt 0:00:33]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:15:31]} 20. Be4 {[%emt 0:07:00]} (20. Rd1 Nc6 $11)
20... Nc6 {[%emt 0:04:51]} 21. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:43]} Be7 {[%emt 0:02:32]} 22. f4
{[%emt 0:04:09]} f5 {[%emt 0:07:39]} 23. Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:
30] White has the bishop pair, but Black's space and active pieces, give White
no hope for an advantage.} 24. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:08:39]} 25.
Be2 {[%emt 0:01:58]} e5 {[%emt 0:06:07]} 26. fxe5 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Bxe5 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 27. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:05:07]} 28. Be1 {[%emt 0:
04:48]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:04:28]} 29. Bf1 {[%emt 0:00:44] Ivanchuk is placing his
pieces on the last rank. He is trying to make use of the spring theory, where
he would like his pieces to get active all of a sudden, but I guess it is
asking for too much out of them.} Qe6 {[%emt 0:04:30]} 30. Bf2 {[%emt 0:00:26]}
Nd5 {[%emt 0:04:39]} 31. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:53]} Qh6 {[%emt 0:01:27]} 32. Re1 {
[%emt 0:01:28]} a6 {[%emt 0:04:05]} 33. d4 {[%emt 0:05:57]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:02:
46]} 34. exd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bb8 $11 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 35. Bg2 {[%emt 0:05:16]
} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 36. Re6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} f4 {[%emt 0:05:29]} 37. Rbe1 {
[%emt 0:05:47]} (37. d5 fxg3 38. hxg3 Qh5 $17) 37... fxg3 {[%emt 0:03:47]} 38.
hxg3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:01:51]} 39. d5 {[%emt 0:02:03]} Qh5 {
[%emt 0:00:38]} 40. Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qh3 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 41. Bd1 {[%emt 0:
00:29] This is stretching it, but Black is happy with a draw, and White isn't.
So the game has to continue.} Rcd8 $6 {[%emt 0:04:32]} (41... Ng4 $6 42. Bxg4
Qxg4 $11) (41... Ng8 $1 {The best move.} 42. Qe3 Rcd8 $17) 42. Qf3 {[%emt 0:02:
35]} h5 {[%emt 0:05:26]} (42... Nxd5 43. Qg4 Qxg4 44. Bxg4 $13) 43. Qg2 {
[%emt 0:30:19]} Qxg2+ {[%emt 0:01:21]} 44. Kxg2 {[%emt 0:01:08]} Rxd5 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 45. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:45]} a5 {[%emt 0:03:16]} 46. R1e2 {[%emt 0:01:38]}
Bd6 {[%emt 0:04:50]} 47. Be3 {[%emt 0:01:40]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:08:29]} 48. Bc1 {
[%emt 0:06:49]} (48. Bf4 $14) 48... g5 {[%emt 0:03:50] As Levon said after the
game, once he got in this move he was very confident about his chances to hold
the game.} 49. Ra6 {[%emt 0:05:10]} Ng4 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 50. Rae6 {[%emt 0:02:
47]} Rf2+ {[%emt 0:02:56]} 51. Rxf2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bxf2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 52.
Be4 {[%emt 0:01:38]} Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 53. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Bd4 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 54. b4 {[%emt 0:00:45]} axb4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 55. axb4 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} Re5 {[%emt 0:01:08]} 56. Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:
00:10]} 57. Bxg5 {[%emt 0:00:01] This endgame is only ever so slightly better
for White. But Ivanchuk played on until the end.} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 58. Bd2
{[%emt 0:00:19]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:01:42]} 59. Be1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:
41]} 60. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 61. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Bg5
{[%emt 0:00:27]} 62. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:44]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 63. Bc3+ {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 64. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:
23]} 65. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:37]} Kf5 {[%emt 0:01:01]} 66. Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:25]}
Ne5+ {[%emt 0:00:20]} 67. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 68. Bc3 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 69. Bxb5 {[%emt 0:00:08] A draw was
agreed and Levon advanced to the next round.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.19"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{If I had to choose someone between the two, it would be MVL. Not by a big
margin, but I do think that this format somehow suits him better. But, and
this is a big but, Levon with the white pieces is a very dangerous opening
theoretician. He always has new ideas up his sleeve. MVL has to be careful.} 1.
d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:
03]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:03] Of course, when it is MVL you
can expect the Grünfeld.} 4. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 5. e4
{[%emt 0:00:02]} Nxc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 6. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 7. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 8. Rb1 $5 {[%emt 0:00:05]
Whenever this move is played, I have a feeling that the players will blitz out
their moves and will agree to a draw somewhere around the 30th move mark! Well,
if Levon is playing it at such an important moment in the tournament, he
surely has something prepared.} O-O {[%emt 0:00:26]} 9. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 10. cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Qa5+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 11. Bd2 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Qxa2 {[%emt 0:00:05] This pawn sacrifice which surely looks
risky has been seen in nearly 1500 games before!} 12. O-O {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bg4
{[%emt 0:00:56]} 13. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:01:50]} 14. d5 {[%emt 0:
01:14]} Na5 {[%emt 0:00:19] Of course the players are still blitzing out their
moves.} 15. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} b6 {[%emt 0:01:57]} 16. Bxe7 {[%emt 0:00:09]}
Rfe8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 17. d6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 18. Bb5 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} Nxe7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 19. h3 {[%emt 0:00:57]} (19. Bxe8 {
has been seen in 10 games before this.} Rxe8 20. dxe7 Qa3 21. h3 Bxf3 22. Qxf3
Qxf3 {is an additional option that Black doesn't get in the main game.} (22...
Qxe7 {transposes to the main game.})) 19... Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 20. Qxf3 {
[%emt 0:00:05] The knight is unusually trapped!} Qe6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 21. Bxe8
{[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxe8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 22. dxe7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Qxe7 {[%emt 0:
02:13]} (22... Rxe7 23. Rfe1 Bd4 24. Rbd1 Qe5 25. Rd3 a5 26. Qd1 Bc5 27. Re2
Re6 28. g3 Rd6 29. Kg2 Rxd3 30. Qxd3 a4 31. Rd2 a3 32. Qc4 Kg7 33. Rd7 Qf6 34.
f4 Qb2+ 35. Kf3 Qf2+ 36. Kg4 h5+ 37. Kh4 g5+ 38. fxg5 Kg6 39. Qc3 f6 40. Rd5 a2
41. Rf5 Qf4+ 42. gxf4 Bf2+ 43. Qg3 Bxg3+ 44. Kxg3 a1=Q 45. Rxf6+ Kg7 46. e5 b5
47. Kh4 b4 48. Kxh5 Qd1+ 49. Kh4 b3 50. e6 b2 51. Rf7+ Kg8 52. Rb7 b1=Q 53.
Rxb1 Qxb1 54. Kg4 Qe4 {0-1 (54) Gelfand,B (2733)-Shirov,A (2699) Odessa 2007})
23. Rfd1 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 24. Rbc1 {[%emt 0:05:34] The
first new move of the game. And a good moment to take stock of things. What do
you think is happening. Well we could just take into consideration that both
near to 2800 players are playing at lightning speed and they are very well
prepared, so it should be a draw. But if we keep this aside, I think it is an
interesting position to analyse. The move 23...Bf8, clearly points out that
Black would like to put his pawn on a5 and bishop on c5. Once he gets that he
shouldn't really be worse. White's only chances are attached to his rooks
penetrating into Black's position. I would say that the position is balanced
with Black really having nothing much to worry about.} (24. Rd4 Qe6 25. Qb3
Qxb3 26. Rxb3 Bc5 27. Ra4 a5 28. Kf1 Bb4 29. Rbxb4 axb4 30. Rxb4 Re6 31. Ke2
Kf8 32. Ke3 Rc6 33. f4 {1/2-1/2 (33) Shulman,Y (2617)-Svidler,P (2739) Ningbo
2011}) 24... Qxe4 {[%emt 0:09:22]} 25. Qc3 $5 {[%emt 0:02:38] A very
interesting decision by Aronian. He realises that exchanging the queen will in
all probability lead to a draw, so he keeps the queen and his clock still
shows 1:29:59, which means this is his preparation. But as many people said
after the game, they absolutely did not understand what Aronian's preparation
was all about. He has just landed in a position where White has no real
chances to win.} (25. Qxe4 Rxe4 26. Rd7 a5 27. Rc6 (27. Rcc7 Rf4 $1 28. g3 Rf6
29. Kg2 Bc5 $15) 27... a4 (27... Bc5 28. Rf6 Re1+ 29. Kh2 a4 30. Rfxf7 a3 31.
Rg7+ Kf8 32. Rxh7 Ke8 $13) 28. Rxb6 a3 $11 {This shouldn't be anything for
White, with the pawn so far advanced and defended by the bishop.}) 25... Qb4 {
[%emt 0:13:57]} (25... Bc5 $1 {would have been a good idea.} 26. Re1 Qc6 27.
Rxe8+ Qxe8 $15) 26. Qa1 {[%emt 0:04:11]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:05:13]} (26... a5 {
was possible, but MVL is trying to get some clarity in the position by
creating threats.}) 27. Qxa7 {[%emt 0:01:22]} Qb2 {[%emt 0:00:17] The f2-pawn
is not attacked and Rf1 will be met with ...Re2.} 28. Kh1 $1 {[%emt 0:01:07] A
nice move by Levon. Now taking the f2-pawn will lead to a rook coming on f1
and attacking the f7-pawn.} Bxf2 {[%emt 0:09:20] Maxime is not really afraid
of the rook coming to f1.} 29. Qb7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} (29. Rf1 {was also
possible and White has some pressure, but nothing special.}) 29... Qe2 {
[%emt 0:04:31]} 30. Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 31. Qc6 {[%emt 0:
01:34]} Bc5 32. Rce1 {The f7-point is defended by the rook. The b6-point, by
the bishop, so in short there is no real problem for Black. Levon realised
this and offered a draw.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.20"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 6. d3 {
[%emt 0:00:22] Once the e4-pawn is defended, Black has to be careful about his
e5-pawn. The threat now is Bxc6 and Nxe5.} b5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:05] Once the e5-pawn is defended, White has to be
careful about ...Na5, winning his important Ruy Lopez bishop. It's small
points like these that help you to remember complex long lines in the opening.}
8. a3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:07]} 9. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bg4 $5 {
[%emt 0:00:05] This came as a big surprise to MVL. The main reason being Levon
has reached this position seven times and six times he has played ...Na5. On
the one occasion where he didn't play ...Na5, he had gone for ...Be6. I like
this move because it is very direct and has a clear threat - ...Nd4!?} (9...
Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 {is one of the main lines.}) (9... Be6 $5 {is also possible.})
10. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 11. Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} exd4 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 12. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} (12... Nd7 {
has been played in 50 games.} 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 c6 15. Nxe7+ (15. Nf4 {
is also possible.}) 15... Qxe7 16. Qg3 $36 {With f4 coming up, White can hope
for a slight initiative here. Aronian himself played from the white side of
this position with a good result.} Nc5 17. Ba2 a5 18. f4 Rab8 19. Qf2 Na4 20.
Rab1 c5 21. e5 dxe5 22. fxe5 Qxe5 23. Bxf7+ Kh8 24. Rbe1 Qc7 25. Re4 Nxb2 26.
Qf5 h6 27. Re6 Rb6 28. Bg6 Rg8 29. Re8 Rf6 30. Rxg8+ Kxg8 31. Qd5+ Kf8 32. Re1
{1-0 (32) Aronian,L (2784)-Kovalev,V (2546) Berlin GER 2015}) (12... c5 13. h3
Be6 14. Nf4 Bxb3 15. cxb3 {[%cal Gb3b4] with an interesting and complex
position.}) 13. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:01:02]} (13. exd5 $6 {It looks a bit odd to
block your own bishop} f5 (13... Bf6 $11) 14. h3 Bh5 15. Re1 Bf6 $15 {[%cal
Gg7g5] Black has an edge, the idea of g5-g4 is strong. Moreover White's bishop
is not participating in the game.}) 13... Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:09] The importance
of this move will become clear very soon.} (13... Rb8 {was also possible but
White is better in that case after} 14. a4 $5 $14) 14. h3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} (14.
Bb7 $6 Rb8 15. Bxa6 $4 {and the pawn on a6 is taboo.} Rb6 $19) ({When I saw
this first game of the MVL-Aronian match, I felt like this line was already
dead for White. Because everything seemed just so forced. This was the only
spot where White could improve instead of playing h3. And this MVL did in the
third game!} 14. Bc6 $5 {Not to say that this move gives White an edge, but it
keeps more possibilities in the position.} Bf6 15. a4 Bd7 (15... Rb8 16. axb5
axb5 17. Ra7 Rb6 18. Bd5 c6 19. Bb3 Qb8 20. Ra5 Qb7 21. h3 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 Ra6
23. Rxa6 Qxa6 24. Qg3 c5 25. Bd5 $16 {White got this beautifully placed bishop
on d5.}) 16. Bxd7 Qxd7 17. Qd2 Qc6 18. b3 Rfe8 19. Rfe1 Qc5 20. g4 b4 21. Re2
c6 22. Rae1 g6 23. Kg2 Re6 24. h4 Rce8 25. Ng5 R6e7 26. f4 {1-0 (64) Vachier
Lagrave,M (2804)-Aronian,L (2802) Tbilisi GEO 2017}) 14... Bd7 $1 {[%emt 0:00:
05] Keeping the bishop and controlling the important c6-square.} (14... Bxf3
15. Qxf3 $14 {[%csl Gf7] In this opposite coloured bishop endgame, White would
be happy to press for many moves, thanks to his superior bishop.}) 15. Nxd4 {
[%emt 0:09:57]} c6 $1 {[%emt 0:00:06] Now you can see the usefulness of having
the rook on c8.} 16. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:06] The bishop
attacks the knight and it cannot move as the b2-pawn is left hanging.} 17. c3 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 18. cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:
00:04] There is no way the d4-pawn can be defended.} 19. Qd2 {[%emt 0:03:35]
Maxime made this move and offered a draw, which was accepted by Levon. I think
this was a very successful opening innovation by Aronian.} (19. d5 Qxb2 {
White risks being worse here.}) (19. Qd2 Qxd4 20. a4 c5 21. axb5 axb5 22. Qc3
Qxc3 23. bxc3 Ra8 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.21"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:01]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 6. d3 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
8. a3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:02]} 9. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bg4 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} 10. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 11. Bxd4 {
[%emt 0:00:01]} exd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 12. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:
00:02]} 13. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:02] The players repeat all
their moves from the second classical game of yesterday.} 14. Bc6 $5 {[%emt 0:
00:02] This move was played by Alina Kaslinskaya and this move is in my
opinion the only way in which White can deviate from what happened yesterday
and not be dead equal.} Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 15. a4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Bd7 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} (15... Rb8 {is also possible.}) 16. Bxd7 {[%emt 0:00:48]} Qxd7
{[%emt 0:00:02]} 17. Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Qc6 {[%emt 0:01:07]} 18. b3 {[%emt 0:
01:39] I think Maxime has analysed this position in great depth, not move by
move, but by understanding the plans in the position. He realizes that his
knight is much more flexible and will use his kingside pawns to storm Black's
kingside. But first he must stabilise the queenside.} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 19.
Rfe1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qc5 {[%emt 0:01:28]} 20. g4 $5 {[%emt 0:02:17] The start
of a nice kingside pawn offensive.} b4 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 21. Re2 {[%emt 0:01:43]
} c6 {[%emt 0:01:27]} 22. Rae1 {[%emt 0:00:34]} g6 {[%emt 0:03:59]} 23. h4 Re6
24. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Rce8 {[%emt 0:02:08]} 25. Ng5 {[%emt 0:01:22]} R6e7 {
[%emt 0:00:45]} 26. f4 {[%emt 0:00:14] White is just building up the pressure.}
a5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 27. Nf3 $6 {[%emt 0:03:48]} (27. Kh1 $14 {Getting ready to
transfer the rook to the h-file and later play h5 was much better.}) 27... h5
$1 {[%emt 0:00:10]} ({If Black makes a wasted move White's idea is} 27... Kh8
28. h5 $1 gxh5 29. g5 $16) 28. g5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 29. Rf1
{[%emt 0:00:04]} Qa7 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 30. Qe1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} c5 $6 {[%emt 0:
01:55] This is a crucial waste of time.} (30... Qd7 $1 31. Qg3 d5 32. e5 c5 $11
) (30... d5 $1 31. e5 Qd7 32. Qg3 c5 $11) 31. Qg3 {[%emt 0:00:58]} Qd7 {
[%emt 0:00:40]} 32. Qh3 $1 {[%emt 0:00:24] Now there is no ...d5.} Qc6 {
[%emt 0:01:50]} (32... Qxh3+ 33. Kxh3 {White will break through with f5 at
some point which will give him the advantage.} d5 34. Nd2 $16) 33. f5 {[%emt 0:
02:32]} Ra7 {[%emt 0:02:51]} (33... d5 $1 34. Nd2 dxe4 35. Nxe4 c4 $1 36. bxc4
Rxe4 37. Rxe4 Rxe4 38. dxe4 Qxe4+ 39. Qf3 Qxc2+ 40. Rf2 Qxc4 $13) 34. Nd2 {
[%emt 0:02:37]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 35. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:34]} Ra7 {[%emt 0:02:
40]} 36. Rfe1 {[%emt 0:01:14]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:01:05]} 37. Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:41]}
Be5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 38. Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qd8 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 39. Ref2 {
[%emt 0:00:37]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 40. Qf4 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:
17]} 41. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 42. Qg3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Kg8
{[%emt 0:00:20]} 43. Rf3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} d5 {[%emt 0:01:54]} 44. exd5 {
[%emt 0:00:14]} Rxd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 45. f6 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:
03]} 46. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rxe1+ {[%emt 0:01:05]} 47. Qxe1 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 48. Qe4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Bc7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 49. Rf2 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 50. Re2 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:
12]} 51. Qg2 $6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} (51. Qf3) 51... Qf5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 52. Re4 {
[%emt 0:01:28]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 53. Qf1 $1 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 54. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Qb7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 55. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:23]}
Qc8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 56. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qb7 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 57. Kg1 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 58. Ne5 {[%emt 0:01:00]} Bxe5 {[%emt 0:00:
14]} 59. Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qd6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 60. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:11]}
Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 61. Qe4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 62. Re7 {
[%emt 0:00:17]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 63. Kh3 {[%emt 0:00:49]} Qc8 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} 64. Qe6 {[%emt 0:00:20] An excellent game by Maxime Vachier Lagrave} 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.21"]
[Round "6.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E81"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "Nadanian,A"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Mekhitarian,K: 'This was probably one of the most important games in both of
these players' careers - playing in the World Cup Semifinals, the winner of
the match would be guaranteed a spot at the 2018 Candidates. This was the
second rapid game - MVL had won the first, forcing Aronian to go all-in in
this decisive battle! He had to win, otherwise he would say goodbye to the
2018 World Championship Cycle.'} 1. d4 {Mekhitarian,K} Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 $1 c5
4. d5 d6 5. Nc3 e6 6. e4 Bg7 7. Nge2 {Mekhitarian,K: 'The white knight has to
go on to this uncomfortable square for now - the alternative would be to play
Nh3-Nf2 (in case Black plays ...Nbd7 quickly, closing in the c8-bishop)'} O-O
8. Ng3 a6 9. a4 h5 {A popular idea in this King's Indian Sämisch line. The
early march / thrust of the h-pawn has the goal to attack the knight on g3 and
thus try to clutter White's pieces on the kingside.} 10. Bg5 Qc7 {Getting rid
of the pin, Black wants to play 11...Nh7, in order to again threaten to
advance the h-pawn.} 11. Qd2 exd5 12. cxd5 Nh7 (12... Nbd7 {(Mekhitarian,K)
there were some strong precedents in this position:} 13. Be2 Rb8 14. O-O c4 15.
Be3 $1 (15. Rab1 Re8 16. b4 cxb3 17. Rxb3 Nc5 18. Rb4 Bd7 19. Rfb1 Rec8 20. Be3
h4 21. Nh1 Nh5 $36 {1/2-1/2 (57) Giri,A (2758)-Bacrot,E (2729) Bilbao 2014})
15... h4 16. Nh1 h3 (16... Nc5 $1 $132) 17. Nf2 hxg2 18. Kxg2 Nh5 19. f4 Nhf6
20. Rac1 $1 $146 (20. Bf3 $6 Re8 $13 {1/2-1/2 (33) Anand,V (2811)-Nakamura,H 
(2758) Moscow 2011} (20... Nc5 $1 $132)) 20... b5 (20... Nc5 21. Bxc4 $16) 21.
b4 $1 $16 {a typical move stopping the queenside expansion and at the same
time, removing the important c5-square: 1-0 (46) Morley,P (2351)-Kazoks,A 
(2368) ICCF 2015}) 13. Bh6 h4 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Bc4 $1 $146 {A new and very
interesting idea.  Mekhitarian,K: 'What a moment to have such an important
novelty! White plans on re-routing the knight without closing in the bishop on
f1. Naturally Black is not forced to accept the sacrifice on g3, but
Vachier-Lagrave is a principled player and it is admirable that he goes for
the most objective move (which involves a great deal of risk as well) to avoid
a worse position. I'm not saying he should do it, but the human instinct would
avoid complications when your opponent seems to be well prepared, not to
mention the importance of the game. Maybe that's why he is one of the best.'} (
{Before this game White automatically played} 15. Nge2 {which has a
significant disadvantage - blocking the f1-bishop.} Qe7 {(Mekhitarian,K)} 16.
Nf4 Nd7 17. Be2 Ne5 18. O-O f5 {here at least White didn't have time to play
Bc4} (18... Bd7 $5 {since White is not threatening to expand the kingside for
now, Black has time to develop, and supporting ...b5 once more may be useful
just in case, so White has to be watching it} 19. a5 Rae8 $13) 19. Rad1 Nf6 20.
Ne6+ Bxe6 21. dxe6 Qxe6 22. Qxd6 Qxd6 23. Rxd6 fxe4 24. fxe4 $11 {1-0 (49)
Dreev,A (2658)-Gladyszev,O (2455) France 2007}) 15... hxg3 {A principled and
correct decision. Otherwise White has good play for "free of charge". Although
Levon thinks, that 15...Qe7 is safer and more justified from a practical point
of view.} 16. hxg3 Rh8 {Somewhere around that moment, Levon realised that he
did not remember the analysis well enough and decided to just make natural
moves.} ({White has also compensation after other moves:} 16... g5 17. Bd3) ({
or} 16... f6 17. O-O-O) 17. e5 $1 {Very energetic. If White manages to open
his bishop, then his attack will become decisive. With 17.e5 White also frees
the e4-square for his knight.} ({After} 17. Qh6+ Kg8 18. e5 Qe7 19. e6 Nd7 20.
O-O-O Ndf8 {White has not enough compensation for the sacrificed piece.}) 17...
Qe7 $1 {Black's queen rushes to the epicentre of events. Other moves are bad:}
(17... Nd7 18. e6 $40) (17... dxe5 $2 18. d6 Qd7 19. Qh6+ Kg8 20. Qxg6+ $18)
18. O-O-O ({An alternative was} 18. e6 Nd7 19. O-O-O Ndf6 (19... Ndf8 20. Ne4)
20. Qh6+ Kg8 21. g4 {with an unclear position.}) 18... Nd7 (18... Qxe5 $4 {
is a fatal blunder:} 19. Rde1 Qd4 20. Qh6+ Kf6 21. Rh4) (18... b5 $5 {
Mekhitarian,K trying to initiate counterplay was possible} 19. exd6 Qd8 $1 {
with complex play, looks more logical than ...Qxd6 allowing Ne4} (19... Qxd6
20. Ne4 Qd8 21. Qc3+ f6 {the computer says Black defends, but this looks way
too dangerous to be even considered in a rapid game}) 20. Qh6+ Kg8 21. Bd3 Qf8
$1 22. Qh4 $40 {madness continues over the board.}) 19. exd6 ({Black holds
after} 19. Qh6+ Kg8 20. e6 Ndf8) 19... Qxd6 ({"Houdini" suggests} 19... Qf8 $5
{a typical computer move. After} 20. Ne4 (20. g4 Nhf6 {Black is OK}) 20... Nhf6
21. Qc3 Qe8 22. Nxf6 Nxf6 23. g4 Rxh1 24. Rxh1 Qxa4 25. g5 Qa1+ 26. Kd2 Qxh1
27. Qxf6+ Kg8 28. Qd8+ Kh7 29. Qf6 Qxg2+ 30. Be2 {White gives perpetual check.}
) 20. Ne4 {Now beside the h-file Black has a second weakness - the a1-h8
diagonal.} Qe5 ({Now} 20... Qf8 $6 {is not so good, since after} 21. d6 Nhf6
22. Qc3 {the pin is very dangerous and White threatens to push his g-pawn. i.e.
} b5 23. g4 $1) 21. d6 ({Black holds position after} 21. Rde1 Nhf8 22. Rxh8
Kxh8 23. Ng5 Qd4 24. Nxf7+ Kg8) 21... g5 $2 {A big mistake.} ({Black should
have played} 21... Ndf8 $1 {and it seems White has nothing better than a draw
after} 22. Qh6+ Kg8 23. d7 Bxd7 24. Rxd7 Nxd7 25. Qxg6+ Qg7 26. Bxf7+ Kf8 27.
Qd6+ Kxf7 28. Qxd7+ Kf8 $11) 22. Rhe1 (22. Bxf7 Kxf7 23. Rde1 Kg8 24. Rxh7 Rxh7
25. Nxg5 Qf5 26. g4 Qg6 27. Nxh7 Qxh7 28. Re8+ Nf8 $13) 22... b5 ({Other moves
also lose:} 22... Qf5 23. Qc3+ Qe5 24. Qc2 $18) (22... Nb6 23. Bxf7 Kxf7 24. d7
$18) 23. Bd5 $1 (23. Nc3 Qd4 24. Qc2 Qxc4 25. Re4 Qxe4 26. Qxe4 Rb8 $13) 23...
Rb8 ({Another chance to survive was} 23... Ra7 $5 {with the idea to use the
rook for defending the f7-square. In order to win now White should have found
a series of a difficult and precise moves:} 24. f4 Qd4 25. Qe2 Qxa4 26. Qh5 Nb6
27. Nc3 Qa5 (27... Qa1+ 28. Kc2 Qa5 29. fxg5 Bf5+ 30. Be4) 28. Ba2 $1 Bg4 29.
Qxg4 b4 30. Ne4 Qxa2 31. Nxg5 {and White wins.}) 24. f4 Qd4 $2 {The famous
American grandmaster Robert Byrne once noted, that in order to lose the game,
it is usually necessary to make two mistakes: the first that puts you in a
quandary, and the second - the fateful one, which deprives you of the chance
to get out of the a band of difficulties. If we apply this observation to the
current game, then we can state, that the move 21...g5? put Black in a
difficult position and 24...Qd4? became a fatal mistake.} ({Black was obliged
to play} 24... Qf5 25. Qc3+ (25. fxg5 Bb7 26. Qc3+ Kg8 27. Rf1 Qxf1 28. Rxf1
Bxd5) 25... Ndf6 26. d7 b4 27. dxc8=Q Rbxc8 28. Qc4 $16) 25. Qe2 (25. Qc2 {
also wins.}) 25... Qb4 (25... Qxa4 26. Qh5 $18) 26. Qh5 {Black resigns. It is
symbolic that the last decisive move in this game was made possible due to a
serious weakening of the position after 21...g5? A nice Tal-like attack by
Levon!} 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.21"]
[Round "6.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D97"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 Nc6 8.
Be2 e5 9. d5 Nd4 10. Nxd4 exd4 11. Qxd4 c6 12. Qc4 b5 13. Qxc6 Bd7 14. Qd6 Re8
15. Bg5 b4 16. Qxb4 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Qxg5 18. O-O Rab8 19. Qd6 Bh3 20. Nf4 Bg4 21.
Bxg4 Be5 22. Qd7 Qxf4 23. g3 Qf6 24. Rad1 h5 25. Be2 Re7 26. Qd5 Rxb2 27. Rd2
Rxd2 28. Qxd2 Bd4 29. Qc2 Kg7 30. Kg2 Rb7 31. Qc4 Rb2 32. f4 Bb6 33. Rd1 Qe6
34. Kh1 Qxc4 35. Bxc4 h4 36. e5 Kf8 37. a4 Rc2 38. Bb5 g5 39. fxg5 hxg3 40.
hxg3 Rc5 41. g6 fxg6 42. e6 Ke7 43. Bd7 Rc2 44. Rf1 Rf2 45. Rc1 g5 46. Rc4 Rd2
47. Rc8 Bd4 48. Rg8 Bf6 49. Kg1 Re2 50. Kf1 Re4 51. Ra8 Bd4 52. Re8+ Kd6 53.
Rg8 g4 54. a5 Ke7 55. a6 Bb6 56. Rb8 Bc5 57. Rb7 Rb4 58. Ke2 Rxb7 59. axb7 Bd6
1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.21"]
[Round "6.6"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Bxa2 12. Nxa2 Nc6 13. c4 Nd4 14. Be3 Ne6 15.
Nc3 c6 16. h3 h6 17. Qb3 Nh7 18. cxb5 axb5 19. d4 exd4 20. Nxd4 Nxd4 21. Bxd4
Bf6 22. Rfd1 Re8 23. Qc2 Ng5 24. Qd3 Ne6 25. Bxf6 Qxf6 26. Ne2 c5 27. Qxb5 Reb8
28. Qd3 cxb4 29. Qe3 Ra4 30. Rab1 Rxa3 31. Rxb4 Rxe3 32. Rxb8+ Kh7 33. fxe3 Qg5
34. Nf4 Nxf4 35. exf4 Qxf4 36. Rd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.21"]
[Round "6.7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. Nb5 Na6 6. e3 O-O 7. h3 c6 8. Nc3
Nc7 9. Be2 Bf5 10. O-O Rc8 11. Bh2 Ne4 12. Nxe4 Bxe4 13. c3 Re8 14. Qb3 Rb8 15.
Ne5 Bf5 16. Rfd1 Be6 17. Rac1 Qc8 18. c4 $1 $14 {White has a very pleasant
position.} Ra8 19. cxd5 Bxd5 20. Qa3 f6 21. Nd3 e5 22. dxe5 fxe5 23. Nc5 b6 24.
e4 Bf7 25. Nd7 c5 26. Qc3 Re7 (26... Nd5 $5 $14) 27. Bxe5 $1 Bxa2 28. Bxg7 Rxd7
29. Bh6 {This is a disaster for MVL out of the opening.} Be6 30. Qe5 Bb3 31.
Rd3 $1 Be6 32. Rcd1 Rf7 33. Bg5 (33. Bd2 {with the idea of Bc3 is possible but
is met with ...Nb5.}) 33... Rf8 34. Bh6 (34. Rd8 Rxd8 35. Rxd8+ $18) 34... Rf7
35. Bd2 Nb5 36. Be3 Qe8 37. R3d2 Nc7 38. Bg5 Bb3 39. Rd8 $1 Bxd1 {Here Aronian
thought that he was losing, when in fact he was winning. Of course he had very
little time figure out the details.} 40. Rxa8 $1 Qxa8 41. Bxd1 $2 (41. Bc4 $1
Qf8 42. Qxc7 $18) 41... Qe8 $15 42. Qc3 Qxe4 {Black is winning now.} 43. Bb3
Nd5 44. Qc1 Qd4 45. Kh1 b5 46. Be3 Nxe3 $6 (46... Qd3 $1 $19) 47. Bxf7+ Kxf7
48. fxe3 Qe5 49. Qf1+ Kg7 50. Qxb5 {Aronian manages to salvage the half point.}
Qxe3 51. Qd7+ Kh6 52. Qxa7 Qe1+ 53. Kh2 Qe5+ 54. Kh1 c4 55. Qf2 Qe4 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.21"]
[Round "6.8"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Bxa2 12. Rxa2 {Instead of the knight, this
time MVL takes with the rook.} Nc6 13. Bg5 Nd7 14. Bd2 Nf6 15. Qb1 d5 16. Bg5
dxe4 17. dxe4 Qd6 18. Qb3 $6 (18. Rd1 Nd4 $15) 18... Nd4 $1 19. Nxd4 exd4 20.
Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Ne2 (21. Nd5 Bd8 $15) 21... Rfe8 22. Ng3 c5 {Black once again
has an excellent position.} 23. bxc5 Qxc5 24. a4 h5 25. axb5 axb5 26. Rxa8 Rxa8
27. Rb1 Rc8 (27... h4 $5) 28. Qxb5 Qxb5 29. Rxb5 h4 30. Nf1 Rxc2 {Black has a
slight initiative, but it is not enough.} 31. Rd5 Re2 32. h3 Rxe4 33. g4 Re8
34. Kg2 Rd8 35. Rxd8+ Bxd8 36. Kf3 g6 37. Ke4 Kg7 38. Nd2 Bb6 39. f4 Bc7 40.
Nf3 d3 41. Kxd3 {A well played game by Aronian, who held the edge but couldn't
convert.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.21"]
[Round "6.9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "155"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. Nb5 Na6 6. e3 O-O 7. h3 c6 8. Nc3
Nc7 9. Be2 b6 10. O-O Bb7 11. Bh2 c5 12. a4 a5 13. Ne5 Nd7 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15.
Bg4 e6 16. Qd2 Bc6 17. b3 Rfc8 18. Ne2 cxd4 19. Nxd4 b5 20. axb5 Nxb5 21. c3
Nxd4 $6 (21... Bb7 $15) 22. exd4 a4 23. b4 Bb5 24. Rfc1 a3 25. Be2 Qc6 $6 {
This move let Aronian get back in the game as he is now able to bring his
bishop from h2-d6-c5.} (25... Bxe2 26. Qxe2 Bh6 $17 {I do not see how White
can win this.}) 26. Bxb5 Qxb5 27. Bd6 $1 Rc6 28. Bc5 $14 Rca6 29. Ra2 Qc4 30.
Qe2 Qxe2 31. Rxe2 a2 32. Ra1 Ra3 33. Rc2 (33. b5 $1 $14) 33... Bf8 34. Kf1 e5 (
34... Bxc5 35. dxc5 Kf8 $15) 35. Bxf8 Kxf8 36. dxe5 Ke7 37. Ke2 Ke6 38. f4 d4
$1 {A nice pawn sacrifice to activate the king.} 39. cxd4 Kd5 (39... Kf5 $44)
40. Rd2 Kc4 $6 41. d5 $1 Kxb4 42. d6 Kb3 43. Kf3 Kc3 44. Rf2 h5 45. Kg3 Kd4+
46. Kh4 Kd5 47. Kg5 (47. d7 $1 $18) 47... Ke6 48. g4 hxg4 49. hxg4 R3a5 (49...
f6+ 50. exf6 R3a5+ 51. f5+ gxf5 52. Re2+ $18) 50. Re2 f6+ 51. Kxg6 Rg8+ 52. Kh6
Rxg4 53. f5+ (53. Raxa2 Rxa2 54. Rxa2 fxe5 55. fxe5 Kxe5 $11) 53... Kxf5 54. e6
Ra8 $2 (54... Raa4 $1 {was a unique way to make a draw.} 55. e7 $2 (55. Rf1+
Raf4 56. Rxf4+ Rxf4 57. Rxa2 (57. e7 a1=Q) 57... Kxe6 $11) 55... Rg6+ 56. Kh5
Rg5+ 57. Kh6 Rh4#) 55. Rf1+ $1 Rf4 56. Rxf4+ Kxf4 57. Rxa2 Rxa2 58. e7 {
The rest is easy. Just like how Ding managed to win the queen vs rook endgame,
Aronian also managed to achieve that in style.} Rd2 59. e8=Q Rxd6 60. Qe7 Rd4
61. Qxf6+ Ke3 62. Kg5 Rd5+ 63. Kg4 Rd4+ 64. Kg3 Rd3 65. Qe5+ Kd2+ 66. Kf2 Kc2
67. Qc5+ Rc3 68. Qf5+ Kb2 69. Ke2 Rc2+ 70. Kd3 Rc3+ 71. Kd2 Rb3 72. Qe5+ Kb1
73. Qd4 Rh3 74. Qb6+ Ka1 75. Qf6+ Ka2 76. Qe6+ Rb3 77. Kc2 Ka1 78. Qa6+ 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.23"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e5 Ne4 6. Nf3 Bf5 7. Be2 d4 8.
Nxe4 Bxe4 9. Bc4 Bd5 10. Qb3 Bxc4 11. Qxc4 Nc6 12. O-O Qd7 13. d3 Qe6 14. Qxe6+
fxe6 15. Ng5 Kd7 16. f4 Be7 17. Ne4 Raf8 18. Bd2 g5 19. g3 Rhg8 20. Kh1 gxf4
21. gxf4 Rg6 22. Rac1 Rfg8 23. a3 a5 24. Rf3 b6 25. Rh3 R8g7 26. Ng3 Nd8 27. b4
axb4 28. axb4 b5 29. Kg2 Nc6 30. Rb1 Rf7 31. Rh5 Rg8 32. Rh6 Bf8 33. Rh3 Be7
34. Rh6 Bf8 35. Rh3 Be7 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.24"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {Ding Liren's first move comes as no surprise.} Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 {
It's a question to me why Ding Liren begins with 3.g3. Is he afraid of Levon
Aronian's Queen's Indian? It's true Levon used to play it quite a bit until
2008, but since then he hasn't really tried it out.} d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O
6. O-O {No b3-ideas this time around. Ding Liren sticks to the normal Catalan.}
dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4 (8. Qxc4 {There was a time when White players would go
for this move. But these days it is all about 8.a4.}) 8... Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10.
Bg5 {Ding Liren sticks to the move that gave him success against Wang Hao. But
Aronian's experience in this line is immense. He has played 20 games in this
position - 15 with White and 5 with Black.} a5 11. Nc3 Na6 12. e3 {This is
relatively rare. In fact only 13 games have been played with this move. Ding
Liren took nine minutes to play this. After the game he said that he wanted to
play 12.Rfd1 but was afraid of 12...Bd5. With 12.e3 he makes a square for his
queen on e2.} (12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. e4 {is the main line.}) (12. Rfd1 Bd5 {
This is the move that Ding was afraid of} 13. Nxd5 exd5 14. Qb5 Nb4 $11) (12.
Rac1 {is also possible.}) 12... Nb4 13. Rfd1 Nd7 $146 {Although Levon took six
minutes to make his move, it's quite possible that he had prepared it. Earlier
Black players would go for the move ...h6 and then White would take on f6.
Levon feels that his knight is much more important than the bishop. And hence,
plays 13...Nd7.} (13... h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Rac1 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 c6 {is a
normal position where White usually has a small edge.}) 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. e4
Rfd8 16. Rd2 $6 {Later Ding began to regret this move. Not only does he lose
co-ordination between his rooks, the piece is not ideally placed on d2.} (16.
Qe2 $5 Nb6 17. b3 Be8 18. Rac1 c5 19. Qe3 {is a much superior version to what
happened in the game.}) 16... Nb6 17. Qe2 Be8 $1 {If it were not for this move,
White would be clearly better. Black retreats his bishop and prepares the move
...c5.} 18. b3 c5 $1 {Levon had prepared the opening well and now breaks the
centre with ...c5. White has to be careful, not to land in a worse position.}
19. Qe3 Rac8 $5 {Black is all ready to play ...c4. His idea is to meet d5 with
...Qc5!} (19... c4 {was possible, but Ding had prepared} 20. d5 {This might be
enough to scare Black, but I think he is fine after} Qc7 $1 $15 21. dxe6 Rxd2
22. Qxd2 cxb3 $15) 20. Rc1 (20. Rad1 $6 c4 $1 21. d5 Qc5 $17) (20. dxc5 Rxd2
21. Qxd2 Rd8 $1 22. Qe2 Nd7 (22... Qxc5 $15) 23. c6 Nxc6 $15) 20... c4 21. d5
Qc5 $1 22. Qxc5 Rxc5 23. dxe6 Rxd2 (23... Rdc8 {was an interesting move.} 24.
Nb5 fxe6 $13) 24. Nxd2 fxe6 25. Bf1 cxb3 26. Nxb3 Rc7 27. Nxa5 Nxa4 28. Na2
Rxc1 29. Nxc1 Nc5 {It seemed as if the players were ready to call it a day.
Handshakes were expected, but Ding Liren's next move gives his opponent a
glimmer of hope to get a small advantage.} 30. Ncb3 $6 (30. f3 $11 {should
give White a fine position.}) 30... b6 $1 31. Nxc5 bxa5 {At this point Ding
put in a lot of thought. Out of nowhere he was suddenly in a position where he
might have to suffer. The a-pawn is very strong and he has to find accurate
ways to not let it queen.} 32. Bc4 (32. Nxe6 a4 33. Nd4 a3 34. Nb3 Bf7 35. Na1
Kf8 $15) 32... a4 33. Kf1 (33. Nxa4 Bxa4 34. Bxe6+ Kf8 35. f4 Ke7 36. Bc4 Bc6
37. e5) 33... a3 34. Nb3 (34. Ke2 a2 35. Nb3 Nc2 36. Kd2 Ba4 $1 37. Bxe6+ Kf8
38. Na1 $1 {The only move to keep the game going.} Nxa1 39. Bxa2 Nc2 $15 {
Black has decent chances to win this position.}) 34... Ba4 35. Nc1 (35. Na1 Nc2
36. Bxe6+ Kf8 37. Nxc2 Bxc2 38. Ba2 (38. f3 Bb1 $17) 38... Bxe4 $19 {The
bishop goes to f7 and it is all over.}) 35... Bc2 (35... Kf7 36. Ke2 Bc2 37. f3
Bb1 38. Kd2 a2 39. Nb3 $17) 36. Ke2 Bxe4 37. Bxe6+ Kf8 38. Kd2 Ke7 (38... Nd5
$5 {This move stops the white king from ever approaching the pawn on a3. This
was the best move, putting maximum pressure on White.}) 39. Bb3 Nd5 40. Ne2 Kd6
41. f3 Bb1 (41... Bxf3 42. Nd4 Bg4 43. Nb5+ Kc5 44. Nxa3 $11) 42. Kc1 (42. Nd4
a2 43. Bxa2 Bxa2 44. Nf5+ $19 {winning the g7-pawn. But the knight would be
precariously placed and Black wins the game with a few accurate moves.}) 42...
Bg6 43. Nd4 Nc7 44. Ne2 $2 {A key mistake by Ding.} (44. Bc2 $1 {would have
ensured the draw.} Kc5 (44... Bf7 45. Bxh7 $11) 45. Bxg6 hxg6 46. Nc2 Nb5 47.
Kb1 $11) 44... Kc5 (44... Nb5 $1 {was stronger.}) 45. Nf4 Bf5 46. g4 Bd7 47. g5
$6 (47. Nh5 g6 48. Nf6 Bc6 49. f4 $11) 47... Nb5 48. Bg8 Bf5 49. Nh5 g6 50. Ng3
(50. Nf6 Nd4 $19) 50... Bd3 51. Bxh7 Nd4 52. Ne4+ Kb4 53. Bg8 {The critical
position of the game. Aronian could have scored a win if instead of taking the
pawn on f3, he would have gone for ...Nb3+.} Nxf3 (53... Nb3+ 54. Bxb3 Kxb3 55.
Nd2+ {This looks like the only move.} (55. Nc5+ Kc3 56. Nxd3 (56. Na4+ Kb4 57.
Nb6 Kb3 $19) 56... a2 $1 $19) 55... Kb4 (55... Kc3 56. Nb1+ Kb4 57. Nxa3 Kxa3
58. Kd2 Bf5 (58... Bb1 59. Kc3 (59. Ke3 Kb3 60. Kf4 Kc4 61. Ke5 Kd3 62. Kf6 Ke3
63. h4 Kxf3 64. Kg7 Kg4 65. Kh6 Kxh4) 59... Bf5 60. h4) 59. h4 Kb3 60. Ke3 Kc4
61. Kf4 Bc2 62. Kg4 $11) 56. h4 $1 {The best try to trick Black.} (56. Ne4 Kc4
57. Nd2+ Kd4 $1 {The king comes over to the other side and takes all the white
pawns.} (57... Kc3 $4 58. Nb1+ $1 Kb3 (58... Bxb1 59. Kxb1 Kd3 60. Ka2 Ke3 61.
h4 Kxf3 62. h5 $18) 59. Nxa3 Kxa3 60. Kd2 Bb1 (60... Bf5 61. h4 Kb4 62. Ke3 Kc5
63. Kf4 Bb1 (63... Kd5 64. h5 $11) 64. Kg4 $11) 61. Kc3 $3 Ka4 62. h4 Kb5 63.
Kd4 Kc6 64. Ke5 Kd7 65. Kf6 Ke8 66. Kg7 Bf5 67. Kh6 $11) (57... Kd5 58. Nb1 $1
Bxb1 59. Kxb1 Ke5 60. Ka2 Kf4 61. h4) 58. h4 (58. h3 Ke3 59. h4 a2 60. Nb3 Bc4
(60... Kxf3 61. Kb2 Kg4 62. Nd4 Kxh4 63. Nf3+ Kg4 64. Ne5+) 61. Na1 Kxf3 62.
Kb2 Kg4 63. Nc2 Kxh4 64. Ne3 Be6 $19) (58. Nb3+ Kc3 59. Na1 a2) 58... Ke3 59.
Nb3 Bf5 $1 (59... Kxf3 60. Kd2 Bc4 (60... Bf5 61. Kc3 Kg4 62. Nd4 Kxh4 63. Nf3+
Kg4 64. Ne5+ $11) 61. Nd4+ (61. Na1 Kg4 62. Kc3 Bf7 63. Nc2 a2 64. Kb2 Kxh4 65.
Nd4 Kxg5 $19) 61... Kg4 62. Kc3 Bd5 (62... Bf7 63. Ne2 Kxh4 64. Nf4 $11) 63.
Nc2 a2 64. Kb2 Kxh4 65. Nb4 Be6 66. Nc6 Kxg5 67. Ne7 $11) (59... Bc4 60. Na1
Kxf3 61. Nc2 a2 62. Kb2 Kg3 63. Nb4 Kxh4 64. Nc6 Kxg5 65. Ne7 $11) 60. Nc5 (60.
Na5 Kxf3 (60... Kd4 61. Nb3+ Kc3) 61. Nc4 Kg4 62. Nxa3 Kxh4 63. Kd2) 60... Kxf3
$19) 56... Kc5 $1 (56... Kc3 {This would be a blunder as shown in the above
variation.}) 57. Ne4+ Kd4 58. h5 (58. Nd2 Ke3 {converts}) 58... gxh5 59. g6 h4
60. g7 Bc4 61. Nf6 Ke5 62. g8=Q Bxg8 63. Nxg8 Kf4 (63... h3 $4 64. Nh6 Kf4 65.
Ng4 Kxf3 66. Nh2+ Kg2 67. Ng4 $11) 64. Nh6 Kxf3 $19 {and wins}) 54. Nf6 Kc5 55.
h3 (55. Ba2 $17) 55... Kd4 {Levon tries to be too subtle. A simple win could
have been achieved with} (55... Nxg5 $1 56. h4 Ne4 57. Nxe4+ Bxe4 58. Bf7 Kd4
59. h5 g5 60. Be6 Bh7 $19) 56. Ba2 (56. h4 $5) 56... Nxg5 57. h4 Ne4 58. Nd7
Nc5 (58... Nc3 $1 59. Bf7 Ne2+ (59... a2 60. Kb2 $11) 60. Kd2 Ng1 61. Ne5 Be4
62. Ng4 Nf3+ 63. Kc1 Nxh4 $19) 59. Nf6 Ke5 $6 {The last mistake. Now the game
has entered the phase of 30 seconds per move and it is not easy to play such
an endgame with a high level of accuracy.} (59... Ne4 {Repeating with a chance
of improving was a better possibility.}) 60. Nd5 Bf5 61. Ne3 Nd3+ 62. Kc2 $1 {
White has managed to co-ordinate his forces and is able to make a draw from
here.} Nb4+ 63. Kb3 Nxa2 64. Kxa2 Ke4 65. Nc2 Kf4 66. Nd4 Kg4 67. Kxa3 Kxh4 68.
Kb2 Kg3 69. Kc3 Kf2 70. Kd2 Bg4 71. Nc2 g5 72. Ne3 Be2 73. Nd5 Bg4 74. Nf6 Bf5
75. Kd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.25"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00] This time
Aronian chooses a less direct way to meet Ding Liren's solid opening setup.} (
2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 {is what Aronian played in the first game of the finals.}) 2...
e6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:27]} (4... Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 {It could have been
possible to transpose the game into the line that was played in game two with
colours exchanged, but Ding Liren prefers to go for something that Aronian has
comparatively less experience in.}) 5. Qa4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} 6. Qxc4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:07] This was the same line that
was played between Ivanchuk and Aronian. Levon had played this with the black
pieces in that game, not tries it with White. This is something to learn from
the top players. They like certain openings, but are not always attached to
them. If they find a good idea, they can play it with either colour.} 7. Ne5 {
[%emt 0:00:01]} Qc8 {[%emt 0:00:05] Black's idea in this line is to aim for
rapid development and space in the centre. In the process he loses his light
squared bishop, but he hopes to base his play on the dark squares and make the
bishop on g2 shoot in darkness.} 8. Qd3 $5 {[%emt 0:00:05] This is a move that
I had not seen before. But it is still not a novelty. It has been played by
many top players like Grischuk, Yu Yangyi and a few others.} ({The main line
goes} 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. Nxd7 Qxd7 10. O-O Rc8 $11 {with a dynamically balanced
position.}) 8... Nc6 {[%emt 0:01:35]} (8... Bc6 {This is not so great as after}
9. Nxc6 Nxc6 10. Qb5 {White is able to ruin Blacks structure.}) 9. Nxd7 {
[%emt 0:00:06] And this is one of the main ideas of Qd3. The knight cannot be
recaptured by the queen. It will have to be taken by the knight which to some
extent ruins Black's co-ordination.} Nxd7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} (9... Qxd7 $6 10.
Qxd7+ Kxd7 11. Nc3 Rc8 12. O-O $14 {White has the bishop pair in this position
and this gives him a small edge for sure.}) 10. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:05] This is
Aronian's new idea. He is aiming for something similar to ...Qb5, but just
that the queen is not in danger of being kicked away with moves like a6. But
in general I do not think too highly of Aronian's idea. It is just a move that
he made. Qa4-c4-d3-b3 is not going to give you an opening advantage.} (10. Qb5
{has been seen before.} Nde5 11. f4 a6 12. Qa4 Nd7 (12... b5 13. Qe4 f5 14. Qe3
Nc4 $11) 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Na3 $14 {1-0 (72) Grischuk,A (2737)-Wojtaszek,R 
(2749) Doha 2016}) 10... Be7 {[%emt 0:02:45]} (10... Nd4 $5 {This looks like
an interesting option.} 11. Qa4 $13 (11. Qxb7 $6 Qxb7 12. Bxb7 Rb8 13. Be4 f5
14. Bd3 (14. e3 fxe4 15. exd4 cxd4 $17) 14... c4 15. e3 Ne5 $1 16. Be4 fxe4 17.
exd4 Nf3+ $15 (17... Nd3+ $15)) 11... Be7 12. Nc3 O-O 13. O-O Nb6 14. Qd1 Rd8
$11 {1-0 (58) Pantsulaia,L (2585)-Wagner,D (2563) Abu Dhabi 2017. This game
was reached with the move order Qb5 Nd4 instead of Qb3 Nd4.}) 11. Nc3 {[%emt 0:
04:05]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:36]} 12. O-O {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rd8 $6 {[%emt 0:01:29]} (
12... Nb6 {This is what Ding thought was better than what he did in the game.}
13. d3 Qd7 $11) 13. d3 {[%emt 0:05:14]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:05:28] Somehow the game
looks a bit like the second one where Aronian's knight also moved from
f6-d7-b6 and the rook came to d8.} 14. Be3 {[%emt 0:01:39]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:02:14]
} (14... c4 $5 15. dxc4 Na5 16. Qc2 Naxc4 17. Bf4 $14) 15. Bxd4 {[%emt 0:01:52]
} Rxd4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} (15... cxd4 16. Nb5 $14 {Followed by Rac1 or threats
like Nxa7 give White a pleasant edge.}) 16. Rfc1 {[%emt 0:05:42]} Rd7 $1 {
[%emt 0:10:41] A strong defensive move. Once the rook is back, the knight can
come to d5.} (16... c4 {was a possibility, but Ding was afraid of Nb5.} 17. Nb5
(17. dxc4 Rxc4 18. Rc2 $14) 17... cxb3 (17... Rxd3 $5 18. Rxc4 Rxb3 19. Rxc8+
Rxc8 20. axb3 $14) 18. Rxc8+ Rxc8 19. Nxd4 Bf6 20. Nxb3 Rc2 $132) (16... Qd7 {
This was Ding Liren's original intention, but he was afraid of something like}
17. a3 $14 {[%cal Gc3b5,Gb5a7] followed by Nb5-a7.}) 17. a4 {[%emt 0:07:27]}
Qd8 {[%emt 0:00:48]} (17... c4 $5 $11) 18. a5 {[%emt 0:10:35]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} 19. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 20. d4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:03]}
cxd4 {[%emt 0:03:27]} (20... c4 21. Qa4 $14 {Somehow with the pawns on d5 and
c4 and the bishop sitting on g2, it seems to me that White is better.}) 21. Rc2
$6 {[%emt 0:05:05] This is the move that both Aronian and Ding Liren thought
was inaccurate after the game.} (21. Bh3 $1 Rc7 22. Rxc7 Qxc7 23. Bg2 $1 {
White can definitely claim a small edge here.} (23. Qxd5 $6 Rd8 24. Qb3 d3 25.
exd3 Bc5 $44) 23... Bf6 24. Bxd5 Re8 25. Bf3 $14 {White has a small edge here,
but nothing substantial. A few accurate moves by Black and the position should
be drawn.}) 21... g6 {[%emt 0:03:19]} 22. Bh3 {[%emt 0:02:15]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:10:
49]} 23. Rac1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} (23. Rxc7 Qxc7 24. Bg2 Bf6 25. Bxd5 Re8 26. Bf3
$14) 23... Rxc2 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 24. Rxc2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} b6 {[%emt 0:01:07]
This is the human way to play.} ({A very interesting variation takes place
after} 24... Qxa5 25. Qxb7 Rf8 $1 (25... Qd8 $2 26. Rc7 (26. Bc8 $18) 26... Rb8
27. Qxa7) 26. Qxe7 Qe1+ 27. Kg2 d3 $1 {This variation is not easy for a human
to see.} 28. Rc8 Rxc8 29. Bxc8 d2 $11 {And White has to accept the perpetual.})
(24... a6) 25. Bg2 $14 {[%emt 0:01:05]} (25. a6 Bc5 $11) 25... Rc8 {[%emt 0:01:
43]} 26. Rxc8 {[%emt 0:04:50]} Qxc8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 27. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:10]}
(27. axb6 axb6 28. Qxb6 Qc1+ 29. Bf1 Qc4 $14 {was a possible variation.}) 27...
Qf5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:07] After this move Ding was confidently of holding the
game.} 28. Qc4 {[%emt 0:06:27]} bxa5 {[%emt 0:03:03] Ding made this move ...
bxa5 and after three minutes when Aronian was thinking he offered a draw in
his opponent's time. Of course this is incorrect. He should have offered it in
his own time.} 29. b3 {[%emt 0:07:45]} d3 {[%emt 0:03:41]} (29... Bd8 30. Qxd4
Bb6 31. e4 Bxd4 32. exf5 gxf5 $11) 30. exd3 {[%emt 0:01:29]} (30. e4 Qf6 31.
Qxd3 Bc5 $11) 30... Bd8 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 31. Qe4 {[%emt 0:02:33] This time
Aronian offered the draw correctly after making his move, before pressing his
clock and the players agreed to split the point and take the match into the
final classical game.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.26"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} (1... d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3
e6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 h6 $6 (6... b5 {is the best move and main line.}) 7. Bxf6
Qxf6 8. Bxc4 $14 {We reach a similar position to the game where instead of ...
c6, ...Bb4 is played, which is of course an improvement for Black.}) 2. c4 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:06]}
4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:06] Going for the Ragozin.} 5. Bg5 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:11] This was the same line that Wesley So
played against Ding Liren in their tiebreak and the game was drawn in just six
moves.} 6. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (6. a3 {was played by Ding Liren and after}
Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 c5 8. e3 cxd4 9. Bxf6 {The players agreed to a draw.}) 6... h6 {
[%emt 0:00:57]} (6... c5 {is the main line.} 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3
Qa5 {is the main line, I am sure Ding had some preparation done in those lines.
}) 7. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:01:16]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 8. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:04] I
would already feel that White has a very good position. Black has to do
something with a break in the centre or else the centre is just too strong.} c5
{[%emt 0:00:33]} (8... Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qg6 10. Qe2 Qxg2 11. Rg1 Qh3 12. Rxg7 $18)
9. O-O {[%emt 0:01:14]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:05]} (9... cxd4 10. e5 Qd8 11. Nxd4 $14
) 10. e5 {[%emt 0:00:34]} Qd8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 11. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} cxd4 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 12. Qe2 $5 {[%emt 0:00:10] This is the more ambitious way of
playing for White. He hopes to put his rook on d1 and then win the d4-pawn. In
any case, even if he doesn't win the d4-pawn, he would like to launch a
kingside attack with Ng3, Bd3 and the king on g8 is already feeling the heat.}
(12. Nxd4 Qc7 $15) (12. Qxd4 Qxd4 13. Nxd4 Nd7 $11 14. f4 Nc5 15. a3 Bxa3 16.
Nf6+ gxf6 17. Rxa3 f5 $13) 12... Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} ({A game which shows the
power of White's attacking prospects was played by Mamedyarov:} 12... Qb6 13.
Bd3 Rd8 14. Ng3 Bd7 15. Qe4 g6 16. Qg4 Be8 17. h4 Nd7 18. h5 Nf8 19. Nh4 Kh7
20. f4 Be7 21. f5 exf5 22. Ngxf5 Bg5 (22... gxf5 $13) 23. hxg6+ Nxg6 24. Nxh6
Bxh6 25. Rf6 Be3+ 26. Kh1 Qc7 27. Raf1 Qxe5 28. Rxf7+ Bxf7 29. Rxf7+ Kh8 30.
Nxg6+ {1-0 (30) Mamedyarov,S (2743)-Vallejo Pons,F (2698) Dubai 2014}) 13. Rfd1
$6 {[%emt 0:09:10] Ding already thought for nine minutes which meant that he
was out of his preparation. This move along with his next do not go well
together. If he wanted to launch an attack on the kingside with Ng3 - Bd3 and
so on like Mamedyarov, the rook is doing absolutely nothing on d1.} (13. Bd3
Nc6 14. Ng3) (13. Rad1 {could also be interesting so that later the other rook
can go to e1.}) 13... Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 14. Ng3 {[%emt 0:02:27] White is
putting his ambitions into the kingside attack.} (14. a3 Be7 15. b4 (15. Rac1)
15... Qb8 16. Ng3 b5 17. Bxb5 Nxe5 18. Bxd7 Nxd7 19. Nxd4 $14 {1/2-1/2 (101)
Grischuk,A (2736)-Aronian,L (2781) Linares 2010}) (14. Nxd4 $2 Nxe5 $17) 14...
Bc5 $1 {[%emt 0:10:11]} ({If you transfer your knight immediately to the
kingside then d4 can be taken by the rook:} 14... Ne7 $6 15. Rxd4 $14 {The
rook can also move to g4 which could lead to a strong attack.}) 15. a3 {
[%emt 0:10:51] This move was played predominantly to stop Black's ideas
related to ...Nb4 after White plays Bd3.} (15. Bd3 Nb4 $1) 15... Ne7 $1 {
[%emt 0:07:34] An excellent idea which is an extremely important one. The
knight is beautifully placed on g6. From there it attacks the e5-pawn, but
that it did from c6 as well. The more important function is that it defends
Black's king position and threatens moves like ...Nf4 and ...Nh4. Also it
frees the space for the bishop to come to c6.} 16. Ne4 {[%emt 0:11:20]} (16. b4
Bb6 17. Nxd4 Ng6 $15 {Somehow the e5-pawn is very weak and with the bishop on
b6, you can never bolster it with f4.}) (16. Nxd4 $6 Qb6 $1 17. Nf3 (17. Nb3
Ba4 18. Nxc5 Bxd1 $19) 17... Bc6 18. b4 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Bd4 $17) (16. Bd3 Bc6 {
and with the queen unable to use the e4-square, this will lead to a position
where White has many pieces on the kingside, but no good way to launch an
attack.} 17. Nh4 Nd5 18. Qe4 (18. Qg4 Qg5 $17) 18... Nf6 19. Qe2 Nd7 $17) 16...
Bb6 {[%emt 0:01:13]} 17. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:03:33]} (17. Nd6 Ng6 18. Nxb7 Qe7 19.
Nd6 Bc6 $17 20. Nxd4 Bxg2 $1 $17) 17... Ng6 $1 {[%emt 0:05:09] White is not
afraid of any discovered attacks down the d-file. This is very solid play by
Aronian.} 18. Qh5 {[%emt 0:04:25]} (18. Nf3 Qc7 $15) (18. Nd6 {might look like
a strong move but it fails to} Qg5 $1 19. Nf3 Qh5 $17 {The queen is well
placed, bishop is coming to c6 and the knight is jumping to f4.}) 18... Qh4 $1
{[%emt 0:01:11] This was the move that Ding Liren had missed. Now the queen
exchange is forced, after which the weak e5-pawn and Black's bishop pair give
him a very substantial edge.} 19. Qxh4 {[%emt 0:09:04]} Nxh4 {[%emt 0:00:05] I
was sitting in the press room discussing this position with IM Beglar Jobava 
(Baadur's brother). At first we did not think White has so many difficulties,
but the more we analysed the more we realised that the only way for White to
hold the balance is to give up a pawn and aim for activity. After the game
Ding Liren also said the same - he was looking to give up a pawn, but in
return exchange one of Black's bishops.} 20. a4 $5 {[%emt 0:04:49]} (20. Bb5
Bxd4 21. Bxd7 Bxb2 22. Rab1 Bxe5 23. Rxb7 Rfb8 $17) (20. Nd6 Ng6 21. Bb5 (21.
Nf3 Bc6 22. Be2 Nf4 23. Kf1 Nxe2 24. Kxe2 f6 $17) (21. Nxb7 Nxe5 22. Be2) 21...
Nxe5 22. Bxd7 Rfd8 $1 $17 (22... Nxd7 23. Nxb7 Rab8 24. Nd6 Bxd4 25. Rxd4 Rxb2
$17)) (20. Be2 Ng6 21. Nd6 Nxe5 22. Nxb7 Rab8 23. Nf3 Ba4) 20... Ng6 {[%emt 0:
07:17]} (20... a6 21. Nd6 Ng6 22. Be2 Nxe5 23. Nxb7 Rab8 24. Nf3 {and now ...
Bxa4 is impossible.} Nxf3+ 25. Bxf3 $13) 21. a5 {[%emt 0:00:40]} Bxd4 {[%emt 0:
02:14]} 22. Rxd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:01:09] This seemed like more
safe and cohesive.} (22... Nxe5 {was one move that was considered.} 23. f4 Nxc4
24. Rxd7 {The b7-pawn is attacked.} b6 25. a6 (25. axb6 axb6 26. Rxa8 Rxa8 27.
Nd6 Nxd6 28. Rxd6 Ra4 $5 29. f5 Rb4 30. fxe6 fxe6 31. Rxe6 Rxb2 $17) 25... Nxb2
(25... Rfd8 26. Rad1 Rxd7 27. Rxd7 Nxb2 28. Nd6 f5) 26. Rc1 Rfd8 27. Rxd8+ Rxd8
28. Rc7 Ra8 29. Nd6 f5 (29... Na4 30. Rxf7 Nc5 31. Re7 $17) (29... Nd3 30. Rxf7
Nb4 31. Re7 Nxa6 32. f5 e5 33. f6 gxf6 34. Ne4 Rf8 35. Rxa7 Nc5 36. Nxc5 bxc5
37. Rc7 $11) 30. Nb5 Na4 31. Rxa7 Rxa7 32. Nxa7 Nc5 33. Nc8 Nxa6 34. Nxb6 $11 {
Although Black can try this, it seems as if it is closer to a draw.}) 23. b4 {
[%emt 0:01:44]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:03:48]} (23... a6) (23... Rfd8 {After the game
Ding Liren said this was a better move.} 24. Rad1 Rxd4 25. Rxd4 Nxe5 26. b5
Bxe4 27. Rxe4 Rc8 $17) 24. b5 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 25. Rxe4 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:14] Levon decides to keep his knight.} (25...
Nxc4 {was a move that was considered in the analysis. But I have a feeling
that this too should be a draw.} 26. Rxc4 Rac8 27. Rac1 Rxc4 28. Rxc4 Rd8 {
An important tempo with the threat of a back rank mate.} 29. Kf1 Rd5 30. Rc8+
Kh7 31. Rc7 Rxb5 32. a6 bxa6 33. Rxf7 Kg6 34. Rxa7 a5 $15 {Black can try here
for sure, but the outcome would be mostly a draw.}) (25... Rfc8 26. Bxe6 $1 $15
{As a pair of rook has not been exchanged, there is no back rank mate.}) 26.
Rd4 {[%emt 0:01:42]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:00:57]} (26... Nf6 {was possible, but Levon
considered that his knight would be better placed on c5.} 27. Be2 Rfd8 28.
Rxd8+ (28. Rad1 Rxd4 29. Rxd4 Rc8 $17) 28... Rxd8 29. Bf3 Nd5 30. Rc1 {White
should be able to hold this.}) 27. Rad1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rfc8 {[%emt 0:04:12]
At this point everyone started to get really excited about Levon's chances.
His plan is simple get the king on f8-e7 and then ...Rd8, swap a pair of rooks
and the rest is easy. However, Ding had some other plans in his mind.} 28. h4
$1 {[%emt 0:00:08] The idea of this move is clear once it is made - to play h5
and to fix a weakness on g7 which can be attacked with the rook coming to g4.
However, it is not so easy to find the move at first instance.} (28. Be2 Kf8 (
28... Nb3 $1 29. Ra4 Rd8 $17) 29. Bf3) 28... Kf8 $6 {[%emt 0:03:21]} (28... g6
$1 {I feel this would have been the best way to continue. Concrete variations
might not be necessary here. The main point is that h5 is met with ...g5, and
there is no weakness on g7. That's the reason why ...g6 looks good.}) (28... h5
{could also be possible, but White wins an important tempo with} 29. Be2 $1 (
29. g4 hxg4 30. Rxg4 Rd8 $17) 29... g6 30. Bf3 Kf8 31. Rc4 Rab8 (31... Ke7 32.
a6 $16) 32. b6 $1 axb6 33. axb6 Ke7 34. Rdc1 Kd6 35. Rd1+ Ke7 36. Rdc1 $11) 29.
h5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:01:54]} 30. Rg4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:04] And
Black's plan of exchanging the rooks has to be stalled for the time being as
the g7-pawn is hanging. At this point it could have been a good idea to give
up the g7-pawn and just activate the rook.} Rg8 $6 {[%emt 0:02:15] Levon wants
to keep things under control and convert his extra pawn, this might not really
be the best idea.} (30... Rd8 $1 31. Rxd8 Rxd8 32. Rxg7 Rd1+ 33. Kh2 Rc1 34.
Be2 (34. Rg4 f5 35. Rh4 e5 $17) 34... Rc2 35. Bf3 Rxf2 $17 {Black has a
tangible edge.}) 31. Be2 $1 {[%emt 0:02:07]} (31. b6 axb6 32. axb6 Ra4 $17)
31... b6 {[%emt 0:00:50]} (31... Rad8 {might have been more accurate.} 32. Rc1
b6 33. axb6 axb6 34. Bf3 Rd3 $132) 32. Bf3 {[%emt 0:04:58] Attacking the rook
before taking on b6, so that the rook cannot be activated via the a-file.} Rac8
{[%emt 0:02:59]} 33. axb6 {[%emt 0:00:18]} axb6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 34. Ra1 $1 {
[%emt 0:00:13] Taking the open file.} Rc7 {[%emt 0:01:53]} 35. Bc6 {[%emt 0:00:
39] In general White has just put all his pieces on the most active squares
and asks Black what he wants to do. At this point everyone's faith in Ding's
defence increased as all of Black's pieces are really very active.} f5 {
[%emt 0:04:08]} (35... Nd3 36. Ra6 Ne5 37. Rg3 Nxc6 38. bxc6 Rxc6 39. Ra7+ $11
{would lead to a draw.}) 36. Rg3 {[%emt 0:06:09]} (36. Rg6 Nd3 $1 $17) 36...
Kf7 {[%emt 0:02:41]} 37. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:57]} Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:18]} (37... Rcc8
38. Ra1 $132) 38. Rg6 {[%emt 0:00:45] The rook now attacks the e6-pawn, and
the other rook is ready to go to d6 anytime. All in all things are looking
very promising for White from the point of view of making a draw.} Ra3 {
[%emt 0:03:34]} (38... Ra4 39. g3 $15) (38... Rf8 39. g3 Ra2 40. Rd6 $15) 39.
g4 {[%emt 0:01:20] Everyone thought that this move was not the best as it
allows Black to take on g4 and play ...Rh3 to attack the h5-pawn. But Ding has
seen it deeper.} (39. Rd6 {keeping the pressure could have been a good idea.})
(39. g3 {slowly improving the position is how many people would have played
this position. Get the king to g2 and then see what is to be done. But that's
not Ding's style. His way is to be more direct and this he does with the move
g4.} Nd3 (39... Rd3 40. Ra1 $14) (39... Rf8) (39... Rc8 {...Rf8 and ...Rc8
were two moves that Ding didn't want to calculate and hence he chose g4.}) 40.
Bd7 $11) 39... fxg4 {[%emt 0:02:43]} 40. Rxg4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (40. Rd4 Ra4 {
This was the move that Ding didn't like.} (40... Rh3 41. Rf4+ Ke7 42. Rfxg4
Rxh5 43. Rxg7+ Rxg7 44. Rxg7+ Kd6 $17) 41. Rxa4 Nxa4 42. Rxg4 Nc5 {[%cal Gg8d8]
Now the rook is coming to d8.} 43. Rf4+ Ke7 44. Rg4 Kf6 45. Rg6+ Kf7 {and
there is no perpetual check and the rook is coming to d8.}) 40... Rh3 {[%emt 0:
00:22]} 41. Be4 $1 {[%emt 0:11:24] The key move of the game that secures the
draw. Once White sees this he immediately understands that he has the half
point in his hands.} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:17:11]} (41... Rxh5 42. Bg6+ $18) 42. Rxe4 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} Rxh5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 43. Rd7+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 44. Rd6 {[%emt 0:00:04] Pawns are exchanged and it's just a draw.} Re5
{[%emt 0:00:18]} 45. Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Kxe5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 46. Rxb6 {
[%emt 0:00:04] The worst is over for Ding Liren.} g5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 47. Rb7 {
[%emt 0:00:18]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 48. b6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} h4 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
49. Rf7 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 50. b7 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Rd1+ {
[%emt 0:00:37]} 51. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 52. f3 {[%emt 0:
00:33] Black has no way to make progress. A great opening by Aronian and a
great defensive effort by Ding Liren.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.27"]
[Round "7.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[Annotator "Nadanian,A"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00] Sagar Shah} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
e6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 4. d4 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 5. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 6. Bxf6
{[%emt 0:00:02]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:02] The Moscow Variation is an all time
popular line in the Slav Defence. White provided his opponent with two bishops,
but instead got an advantage in development and the control over the e4-square.
} 7. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:02] Someone who liked to play this move was Alexander
Alekhine, favourite chess player of Levon. Preventing the black bishop's check
from the b4-square White prepares the move e4.} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 8. e4 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 9. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qf4 {[%emt 0:00:
02]} 10. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:07] To avoid getting into trouble,
Black must not play passively.} ({For example} 10... Be7 11. O-O O-O 12. Rfe1 (
12. Bc2 $5 {is also very promising, as was played by Levon in his brilliant
game against Leko in Tromso 2014}) 12... Rd8 13. Rad1 Qc7 14. Bb1 {
Smyslov-Petrosian, 1971, and White is better.}) 11. O-O {[%emt 0:00:04]} Be7 {
[%emt 0:00:12]} ({A beginner's move} 11... f5 $2 {is bad due to} 12. Rae1 fxe4
13. Rxe4 {and Black falls under a heavy attack.}) 12. Rae1 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
exd4 {[%emt 0:03:35]} 13. Bb1 {[%emt 0:00:08] Levon ignores the d4-pawn and
instead takes aim down the b1-h7 diagonal.} ({After} 13. Nxd4 O-O {it's not
easy for White to develop an initiative.}) 13... O-O {[%emt 0:00:47]} 14. Ng3 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} ({Black is OK after} 14. Qd3 g6 15. Qxd4 Nc5) 14... Bd8 $2 {
[%emt 0:05:48] Sagar Shah: 'After this Black's position becomes critical
mainly because his pieces are undeveloped.'} ({I think if this position came
up in Ding's practice one more time, he would play} 14... Nc5 {as happened in
Ivanisevic - Schenk, 2005/2006. And then a very possible line is} 15. Qa3 Bd6
16. Nh5 Qg4 17. Ng3 Qf4 18. b4 Ne6 19. c5 Bc7 20. Re4 Qf6 21. Nh5 Qg6 22. Ng3
Qf6 {with repetion of moves.}) 15. Qd3 $1 {[%emt 0:00:36]} (15. Re4 Qc7 16.
Rxd4 {is less ambitious and Black has a decent position after} Re8) 15... g6 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} (15... Nf6 $4 {is a blunder due to} 16. Nh5) 16. h4 $1 {
[%emt 0:00:02] Immediately starting to storm the position of Black's king.} Nf6
{[%emt 0:04:51]} ({Better was the more active} 16... Nc5 {after} 17. Qa3 Bb6
18. h5 Qf6 {the position is approximately equal.}) 17. h5 {[%emt 0:01:11]
Sagar Shah: 'Levon was playing very fast and had a lot of time on his clock,
while his opponent Liren was taking a lot of time for his moves.'} g5 $6 {
[%emt 0:00:01] This weakens the kingside without a fight and surrenders
important white squares on the diagonal b1-h7.} ({He had to play} 17... Bg4 18.
hxg6 (18. Ne5 Bxh5 19. Nxh5 Nxh5 20. Nxg6 fxg6 21. Qxg6+ Ng7 22. Qh7+ Kf7)
18... Bxf3 19. gxf3 Qg5 20. Qf5 fxg6 21. Qxg6+ Qxg6 22. Bxg6 {and White is
just slightly better. It is interesting to note that a similar mistake against
Levon was made by Vachier-Lagrave, when he played 21...g5? in their rapid game
and then quickly lost.}) 18. Ne5 $1 {[%emt 0:03:10] The dominating positions
of all White's pieces provide a big advantage.} ({In the event of the less
strong} 18. Nxd4 Bc7 19. Re7 Qd6 20. Rfe1 c5 {Black exchanges the queens. At
this moment, Ding had half as much time on the clock as Levon: 11 minutes to
22 and he spent another 3 important minutes for his next move. In rapid chess
such a concession in time is often crucial.}) 18... Ba5 {[%emt 0:04:38]} 19.
Ng6 $1 {[%emt 0:01:04] Beautiful move! The knight rushes to e7, from where it
will support the g3-knight for the occupation of the f5-square.} ({To be fair,
it should be noted that White had an even stronger opportunity:} 19. Re2 $1 Bc7
20. Ng6 $1) 19... Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:05] Here I will make a small digression.
Almost from the very beginning of the game in the playing hall there was a
noise associated with the repair works in the neighboring building. Both Levon
and Ding appealed to the arbiters with a request to solve the problem. However,
they were powerless. At the moment after 19...Qd2 the noise became so
unbearable, that Levon could not properly concentrate at the game and
naturally became very irritated. In this difficult situation he found a very
strong "move" - having much more time than his opponent - 18 minutes against 8
- he got up at his turn from the board and went out of the playing hall. After
washing his face and pulling himself together - what took about 1,5 minutes -
he returned to the board, concentrated and made another two strong moves -
this time on the chessboard:} 20. Ne7+ $1 {[%emt 0:06:03]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:25]}
({If} 20... Kh8 {then} 21. Qf3) 21. Qb3 $1 {[%emt 0:00:58] Of course, White
does not exchange the queens and continues a strong attack on the black king.
Suddenly appearing on the d2-square Black's queen is out of work.} Qf4 {
[%emt 0:00:53]} 22. Rd1 $2 {[%emt 0:01:14]} ({The correct move was the
energetic} 22. Ngf5+ Kh8 (22... Bxf5 23. Nxf5+ Kh8 24. Re7) 23. g3 Qg4 24. Qa3
$3 {and White wins due to the double threat 25.Qxa5 and 25.Ng6+.}) 22... Bb6 $2
{[%emt 0:01:16] This seems to be the decisive mistake.} ({Black shoud have
played} 22... c5 23. Ngf5+ Bxf5 24. Nxf5+ Kh8 25. g3 Qc7 26. Nxh6 g4 {where
White is better, but far from winning.}) 23. Ngf5+ {[%emt 0:06:03]} Bxf5 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} ({After} 23... Kh8 24. Nxc8 Raxc8 25. g3 {the position of the
rook on c8 instead of a8 (as in the game) does not help Black.}) 24. Nxf5+ {
[%emt 0:00:01]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 25. g3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qg4 {[%emt 0:03:
31]} 26. Nxh6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Qxh5 {[%emt 0:01:22] Other two alternatives are
maybe more stubborn, but White is still winning.} (26... Qh3 27. c5 $18) (26...
Qe6 27. Rfe1 Ne4 28. Rxe4 Qxh6 29. Rde1 $18) 27. Kg2 $1 {[%emt 0:00:17]
Provides the decisive join of the rook to the attack and the game immediately
ends.} d3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 28. Qc3 $1 {[%emt 0:00:48]} ({The last accurate
move. After the tempting} 28. Rh1 $4 {Black plays} Qe2 {and suddenly survives.}
) 28... Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 29. Nf5+ {[%emt 0:00:20]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 30.
Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:14] Black resigns A super-important victory!} 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.27"]
[Round "7.6"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:02]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bb4
{[%emt 0:00:07]} 5. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 6. Bf4 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 7. e3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:10]}
8. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:15]} 9. O-O {[%emt 0:00:02]} Be7 {
[%emt 0:00:03] After this move Ding was out of his preparation as he said
after the game.} 10. Nh4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Bg6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 11. Nxg6 {
[%emt 0:00:34]} hxg6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 12. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:00:
41]} 13. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} (13. Qxb6 axb6 14. a4 $5 $14) 13... a5 {[%emt 0:
00:44]} 14. g4 $5 {[%emt 0:00:45] This move is doubled edged. It gains space
and has some aggresive intentions but Black is very solid and can defend
without too much trouble.} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:01:28]} 15. g5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ne8 {
[%emt 0:01:53]} 16. e4 {[%emt 0:00:02] Something seems to be wrong with
White's play . He first pushed the pawn in front of his king and later broke
in the centre. That's what a must win game can do to you.} dxe4 {[%emt 0:03:03]
} 17. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:01:22]} (17. d5 $5 Qd8 18. Rad1 $13 Bxg5 19. Bg3 $44) 17...
Qd8 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 18. h4 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 19. Be5 {
[%emt 0:02:08]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:59] Over the last few moves Black has
consolidated his position, but White has been able to create an imbalance
which helps him continue to play ambitiously.} 20. Bg4 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Kh8 $6
{[%emt 0:08:12]} (20... Nef6 $1 21. gxf6 gxf6 22. Bh2 f5 23. Bxf5 gxf5 24. Nc3
$13) (20... Nd6 21. Nc5 $14) 21. Rae1 $1 {[%emt 0:01:29] White is not just
better. He has all his pieces well placed and we can hope that he could have
taken advantage of it. But it was not to be.} Nef6 $5 {[%emt 0:04:31] This
move is a little too late. White has a way to keep his advantage.} (21... f5
22. gxf6 gxf6 23. Ng5 fxe5 24. Ne6 Qd7 25. Qxg6 $18) 22. gxf6 {[%emt 0:03:51]}
gxf6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 23. Bh2 {[%emt 0:00:29]} (23. Bg3 f5 24. Bxf5 gxf5 25.
Nc3 $1 $16 (25. Qd1 {Ding wanted to play this during the game. This move is
also very strong.})) 23... f5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 24. Bxf5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} gxf5 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} 25. Qd1 {[%emt 0:00:31]} (25. Nc3 Bd6 26. Bxd6 Qxd6 27. Qxf5
$13) 25... Rg8+ {[%emt 0:00:42]} 26. Kh1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rg4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:
32] This move was missed by Ding Liren.} 27. Ng3 {[%emt 0:01:29]} Rxh4 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 28. Nxf5 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Rh7 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 29. Nxe7 {
[%emt 0:04:24]} Nxe7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 30. Re5 {[%emt 0:00:01] Ding would like
to exchange his rooks via h5, but Levon's next move stops that.} Nf5 $1 {
[%emt 0:01:28]} (30... Qd6 $1 $15) 31. Rfe1 {[%emt 0:04:37]} (31. Qg4 Qh4 32.
Qxh4 Nxh4 $15) 31... Qh4 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 32. Re8+ {[%emt 0:03:21]} Kg7 $1 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} (32... Rxe8 33. Rxe8+ Kg7 34. Qg1+ Kf6 $19 {also would have
won, but what Levon does is much better.}) 33. Rg1+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kf6 {
[%emt 0:00:01] A historic game. This gave us the new World Cup champion - the
first man in the history of the game to have won the World Cup twice.} 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 1718"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2018.04.29"]
[Round "13.8"]
[White "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2017.10.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hockenheim"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e5 Ne4 6. Nf3 Bf5 7. d3 Nxc3 8.
bxc3 c5 9. d4 c4 10. a4 Nc6 11. Be2 Be7 12. O-O O-O 13. Ne1 f6 14. exf6 Rxf6
15. Nc2 Be4 16. Ne3 Na5 17. Ba3 Bxa3 18. Rxa3 Qd6 19. Ra2 Raf8 20. Ng4 Re6 21.
Ne5 Nc6 22. f3 Bg6 23. f4 Nxe5 24. fxe5 Rxf1+ 25. Qxf1 Qd8 26. Qf4 Rb6 27. h4
Qf8 28. Qe3 Qe7 29. Qf4 Qf8 30. Qe3 Qe7 31. Qf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1718"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2018.04.30"]
[Round "14.8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Oleksienko, Mikhailo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2615"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2017.10.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Speyer Schwegenheim"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Be6 7. e3 Nbd7 8.
Bd3 Bd6 9. Bf4 Qe7 10. O-O O-O 11. h3 c6 12. Qc2 Rfe8 13. Rae1 g6 14. Bg5 Qf8
15. a3 Rac8 16. b4 b5 17. Nd2 Nh5 18. Nb3 h6 19. Bh4 g5 20. Qd1 Ng7 21. Bg3 f5
22. Bxd6 Qxd6 23. Nc5 Nxc5 24. dxc5 Qe5 25. Ne2 Bd7 26. Nd4 Re7 27. a4 Rce8 28.
Bc2 h5 29. axb5 axb5 30. Qd3 g4 31. hxg4 hxg4 32. g3 Ra8 33. Ra1 Ree8 34. Qc3
Qe7 35. Kg2 Kf7 36. Rh1 Qf6 37. Rh7 Rxa1 38. Qxa1 Kg8 39. Qh1 Qg5 40. Rh6 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 1718"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2018.05.01"]
[Round "15.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Schroeder, Jan Christian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E18"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2552"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2017.10.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Hofheim"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. b3 b6 7. Nc3 Bb7 8. d4 c5
9. dxc5 dxc4 10. cxb6 Qxd1 11. Rxd1 cxb3 12. axb3 axb6 13. Rxa8 Bxa8 14. Ne5
Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Rc8 16. Nb5 Nc6 17. Nxc6 Rxc6 18. Be3 Nd5 19. Bd4 f5 20. Rd2 Kf7
21. Ra2 g5 22. Ba1 Rc1 23. Bd4 Rb1 24. Rb2 Rxb2 25. Bxb2 g4 26. h3 h5 27. hxg4
hxg4 28. Kf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 21st"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2017.10.29"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Papaioannou, Ioannis"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2017.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Greece"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GRE"]
[WhiteClock "0:22:58"]
[BlackClock "0:30:35"]

{This was for me one of the most eye-catching games of the recently concluded
2nd round, for its outplaying, fight-back and goalmouth scramble phases...} 1.
c4 e5 2. g3 c6 3. Nf3 e4 4. Nd4 {Home-made chess it is then!} d5 5. cxd5 Qxd5
6. Nc2 Nf6 7. Nc3 Qh5 8. Ne3 Bc5 9. Qc2 Qe5 10. Bg2 Bxe3 11. fxe3 Bf5 12. b4 (
12. O-O O-O 13. b3 Nbd7 14. Bb2 Qe6 15. Rxf5 Qxf5 16. Nxe4 {1-0 (51) Anand,V 
(2791)-Adams,M (2745) Shamkir 2015}) 12... O-O 13. Bb2 Nbd7 14. O-O Qe6 15. b5
Bg6 16. Qb3 Nd5 17. Rac1 N7f6 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Rc5 $16 Rfd8 20. bxc6 bxc6 21.
Qc4 Rac8 22. Rc1 h5 23. Rxc6 Rxc6 24. Qxc6 Qg4 25. Qb5 h4 $1 {Black is
managing to get a little play.} 26. gxh4 Qxh4 27. Bd4 Kh7 28. Rf1 (28. Bxa7 Nf6
$1 {illustrates why White has to keep sight of the f6-square...} 29. Bd4 Rxd4
30. exd4 e3 $3 31. d3 (31. dxe3 Ng4 32. Qb8 Qf2+ 33. Kh1 Qxe3 $11) 31... Qf2+
32. Kh1 Qxe2 $14) 28... Qg4 29. Rf2 (29. Bxa7 {This was probably the moment to
take the pawn.}) 29... Qe6 30. Qb1 Nf6 31. Qb3 (31. Bxf6 gxf6 {and White is
terribly placed to defend the d2-pawn.}) 31... Qe7 32. Rf1 Ng4 33. h3 Nh6 34.
Rf4 Qg5 35. Bc3 Qg3 36. Qb7 Bf5 $1 37. Qe7 Rb8 38. Rf1 f6 $4 {And suddenly, it
ends. After a glorious rearguard action against one of the world's absolute
best players, the Greek GM blunders a pawn...} (38... Be6 $1 {would have left
everything to play for.} 39. Kh1 Nf5 40. Qc5 Nh4 {and Black could even have
winning chances...}) 39. Bxf6 Qg6 40. Bc3 Rb5 41. Qh4 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 21st"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2017.10.30"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Saric, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2662"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2017.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Croatia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CRO"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 Bxd3 17. Nd2 Qf5 18. Bd4 Rfe8 19. a4 h6 20. h4 Rxe1+ 21.
Rxe1 Rd8 22. Qxf5 Bxf5 23. axb5 axb5 24. Bxd5 cxd5 25. Ra1 b4 26. Ra5 Be6 27.
Nf1 bxc3 28. bxc3 Rb8 29. Ne3 Bc7 30. Ra7 Bb6 31. Ra4 Bxd4 32. Rxd4 Rb3 33.
Nxd5 Bxd5 34. Rxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 21st"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2017.10.31"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2017.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Netherlands"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NED"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 c5 6. O-O Nc6 7. dxc5 Qxd1 8.
Rxd1 Bxc5 9. Nbd2 c3 10. bxc3 O-O 11. c4 Rd8 12. Bb2 Bd7 13. Nb3 Be7 14. Nfd4
Rac8 15. Nb5 b6 16. Rac1 a5 17. a4 Be8 18. Rxd8 Rxd8 19. Bf3 Rc8 20. c5 bxc5
21. Nxc5 Ne5 22. Bxe5 Rxc5 23. Rxc5 Bxc5 24. Nd6 Bxa4 25. Nb7 Bb4 26. Bc7 Bb5
27. Bxa5 Bxa5 28. Nxa5 e5 29. e3 Kf8 30. Bc6 Bd3 31. Ba4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 21st"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2017.11.01"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2679"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2017.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hungary"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "HUN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. Re1 d5 11. Bd3 c6 12. c3 Bd6 13. Nd2 g6 14. Nf3 Ng7
15. Bh6 Bg4 16. h3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qh4 18. Qe3 Rfe8 19. Qg5 Qxg5 20. Bxg5 Ne6 21.
Bd2 Bf4 22. Rxe6 Bxd2 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Kf1 Bf4 25. Re1 Rxe1+ 26. Kxe1 Bd6 27.
Ke2 Kg7 28. g3 Kf6 29. h4 h5 30. Kf3 Ke7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 21st"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2017.11.03"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A37"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2791"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2017.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1. c4 c5 {In 2017 Aronian had a very successful year and especially in the
English Opening he showed quite a number of original ideas. Note the role of
the Ph2 in the following examples:} (1... Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 (2... c5 3. Nc3 d5 4.
cxd5 Nxd5 5. e3 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. h4 $5 Bg7 8. h5 Nc6 9. Ba3 Qa5 10. Rh4 Bd7
11. Qb3 O-O $2 (11... Rc8 $13) (11... Nd8 $5) 12. hxg6 hxg6 13. Qxb7 Rfd8 (
13... Bxc3 14. Bb2 $1 $40 {/\} Rab8 $2 15. Qxb8 Rxb8 16. Bxc3 $18) 14. Qa6 Bxc3
15. Qxa5 Bxa5 16. Bxc5 Be6 17. Bb5 Ne5 18. Nd4 Rd5 19. Bxe7 Kg7 20. f4 $18 {
Aronian,L (2809)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2742) Saint Louis 2017 For details see the
notes to this game in CBM 180 by Marin.}) 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. d3 (5. g3
c5 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. h4 Bg7 8. h5 Bf5 9. Ng5 {wasn't that impressive and Black got
a solid position after} e6 10. h6 Bf6 11. Nge4 Be7 12. d3 Bxe4 13. Bxe4 O-O 14.
Bd2 Qd7 15. Rc1 Rfd8 16. Bg2 b6 17. Qa4 Rab8 18. O-O Nd4 19. Qxd7 Rxd7 20. Rfe1
Rbd8 21. g4 Nb4 22. a3 Nd5 23. Nxd5 exd5 24. Rc3 Nb5 25. Rc2 Nd4 26. Rc3 Nb5
27. Rc2 Nd4 {½, Aronian,L (2809)-Anand,V (2783) Saint Louis 2017}) 5... Bg7 6.
Bd2 O-O 7. g3 c5 8. h4 $5 $146 Nc6 (8... h5) (8... Bg4 $5) 9. h5 Nxc3 10. bxc3
c4 11. hxg6 hxg6 12. Qa4 Na5 $2 (12... cxd3 $1 13. Qh4 f6 14. Bh6 Qa5 $132) 13.
d4 b6 14. Bg2 Bb7 15. Qc2 Qd5 16. Nh4 Qd7 17. e4 e5 18. d5 Bc8 19. f4 Qe7 20.
f5 g5 21. Qd1 $1 gxh4 22. Rxh4 $18 {->, Aronian,L (2801)-Giri,A (2762) Palma
de Mallorca 2017 White whipped up a decisive attack seemingly out of nowhere;
the game is annotated in more detail in CBM 182.}) 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 (3...
e5 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 e4 6. d5 exf3 7. dxc6 {Later MVL took up} fxg2 (7... dxc6 8.
Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. gxf3 Kc7 10. b3 Be7 (10... g6 11. Bb2 Rg8 12. O-O-O Be7 13. Bg2
Be6 14. Ne2 Nd7 15. h4 h6 16. f4 a6 17. Bf3 f5 18. Rd2 b5 19. h5 g5 20. fxg5
Bxg5 {Pratyusha,B (2152)-Mammadzada,G (2393) Tarvisio 2017} 21. Rhd1 $16 {
[%cal Rd2d6]}) 11. Bb2 Rd8 12. h4 g6 13. Ne4 $1 $146 Nxe4 14. fxe4 h5 15. Be5+
Bd6 16. Bf6 Re8 17. f3 a5 18. a4 Be7 19. Bc3 Be6 20. O-O-O b6 21. Be2 Red8 22.
Rdg1 b5 23. Kc2 b4 24. Be5+ Kb7 25. Bf4 Rd7 26. e5 $16 {Aronian,L (2774)
-Vachier Lagrave,M (2803) Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden 2017 White went on to win a
model strategic game, see the notes in CBM 178.}) 8. cxd7+ Bxd7 9. Bxg2 g6 {
, but even here White retains some pressure after} 10. b3 (10. Bxb7 Rb8 11. Bg2
Bg7 $44) 10... Bg7 11. Qd6 $5 (11. Bb2 O-O 12. Qd2 Qc7 13. O-O-O Bg4 14. f3
Rad8 15. Qe2 Be6 16. f4 Qe7 17. Bf3 h5 18. Kb1 Bh6 19. a4 Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Rd8
21. Rxd8+ Qxd8 22. Ka2 Qd7 23. Nb5 Bg7 24. e4 $14 {Grischuk,A (2783)-Vachier
Lagrave,M (2804) Tbilisi 2017}) 11... Qb6 12. Qe5+ Kf8 13. Bb2 Nh5 14. Qd5 Bc6
15. Qd6+ Kg8 16. Bxc6 Rd8 17. Qe7 bxc6 18. Rd1 $1 (18. O-O Bf6 19. Qe4 Kg7 20.
Na4 Qc7 21. Rad1 Bxb2 22. Nxb2 Nf6 23. Qf3 {Grischuk,A (2750)-Vachier Lagrave,
M (2795) chess.com INT 2017} Qe5 $11) 18... Rxd1+ 19. Kxd1 Bf6 20. Qe4 Kg7 21.
Kc2 Qc7 22. h3 Rd8 23. Qf3 Be5 24. Rd1 Rxd1 25. Nxd1 Nf6 {Grischuk,A (2750)
-Vachier Lagrave,M (2795) chess.com INT 2017} 26. Bc1 $5 $14 {[%cal Yd1b2,
Yb2d3]}) ({Less impressive was} 3... Nf6 4. d4 ({In the past Aronian has
played his share of} 4. e3 {and especially}) (4. g3 {- in the notes above we
have seen the line} d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 g6) 4... cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. a3 Bc5
7. Nb3 Bb6 8. e4 d5 $5 9. exd5 exd5 10. Nxd5 Nxd5 11. cxd5 Qf6 (11... O-O 12.
Be2 Qh4 13. O-O Rd8 14. Be3 Be6 15. Bf3 Ne5 $11 {wins the P back and is also
at east equal.}) 12. Qf3 Qxf3 13. gxf3 Ne5 14. Be2 Bf5 15. Be3 Rd8 16. Bxb6
axb6 17. Nd4 Bg6 (17... Bh3 $1 $11) 18. Nb5 O-O 19. O-O-O Rfe8 20. Nc3 Bh5 21.
Rd4 Bxf3 22. Bxf3 Nxf3 23. Rf4 $14 {Aronian,L (2805)-Howell,D (2676) Riadh rpd
2017}) 4. g3 (4. e3 {is nowadays equally popular and used to be Aronian's
preference:} Nf6 (4... Bg7 $6 5. d4 $14) 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Qb3 (8. Bc4 Nb6 9. Bb3 Bg7 10. O-O O-O 11. d5 Na5 12. h3 Re8 ({Accepting the
sacrifice is dangerous, but also possible:} 12... Bxc3 13. bxc3 Nxb3 14. axb3
Qxd5 15. Bd2 Bf5 16. Re1 Be4 17. Ng5 Bxg2 18. c4 Qc6 19. Qg4 {Hammer,J (2651)
-Navara,D (2742) Novy Bor 2016} Bh1 $1 20. f3 h6 $13 {For details see the
notes to this game in CBM 175.}) 13. Re1 Bf5 14. g4 Bd7 15. Bg5 ({In the notes
to Hammer-Navara I mentioned only} 15. Bf4 {and}) (15. Ne5) 15... Nxb3 (15...
Nbc4 16. Rc1 h6 17. Qe2 hxg5 18. Bxc4 Nxc4 19. Qxc4 Qb6 20. Rc2 e6 21. dxe6
Bxe6 22. Nd5 Bxd5 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Qxd5 Rd8 25. Qxg5 {½, Alf,H (2344)
-Andersen,J (2184) email 2012} Bxb2 26. Kg2 Bf6 $11) 16. axb3 h6 17. Bh4 g5 18.
Bg3 e6 $1 19. d6 Bc6 20. Nd4 Bxd4 21. Qxd4 Nd7 22. Rxa7 Rxa7 23. Qxa7 Qf6 (
23... f5 $5 $44) 24. Qe3 e5 25. b4 $1 Re6 26. Ne4 (26. b5 $1 Bf3 27. Ne4 Bxe4
28. Qxe4 $14) 26... Qg6 27. Nc5 Rxd6 28. Nxd7 Rxd7 29. Qxe5 Kh7 $11 {Navara,D 
(2740)-Wei,Y (2743) Yancheng 2018}) {Thus the main line nowadays is} 8... e6 (
8... Nxc3 9. Bc4 Nd5 10. Bxd5 e6 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 {went out of fashion, although
the resulting positions are not completely clear:} 12. O-O Qd5 13. Be3 Be7 14.
Rfc1 f6 15. Nd2 Bd7 (15... Kf7 16. Rc2 (16. Qc3 $5) 16... a5 17. Qc4 Bb7 18.
Nb3 Ba6 19. Qxd5 cxd5 20. Nxa5 Bd3 21. Rc3 Bb5 22. Nb3 Bc4 23. Nc1 Rhc8 24. a3
{Giri,A (2771)-So,W (2812) Leuven blitz 2017} g5 $5 $44) 16. Qc3 Kf7 17. Nc4
Rhb8 18. Bf4 Rb5 19. Rd1 Be8 20. b3 Rd8 21. Qe1 Qd7 22. Bd2 Rd5 23. Ba5 Rc8 24.
Bc3 Kg7 25. Ne3 Rb5 26. Rd3 g5 27. Nc4 Rd5 28. Rad1 Bf7 29. h3 h5 30. Qe2 Re8
31. Ne3 Rb5 32. Nf1 Bd6 $6 (32... h4 $142) 33. Ng3 Bxg3 34. Rxg3 h4 35. Re3 Rd5
36. f4 $36 {[%csl Rg7] So,W (2810)-Duda,J (2707) Leon rpd 2017}) 9. Bb5 Bg7 10.
Bxc6+ bxc6 11. O-O O-O 12. Na4 Qd6 13. Re1 Rb8 {and now Black mostly quickly
gives up his Pc6 to activate the Bc8:} 14. Qd1 (14. Qc2 Nb4 15. Qc3 (15. Qd1 c5
16. Nxc5 Bb7 17. Nxb7 Rxb7 18. b3 Nc6 19. Bb2 Rd8 20. Re4 a5 21. Qe2 a4 22. d5
Bxb2 23. Qxb2 a3 24. Qf6 Qxd5 25. Rae1 Rb5 26. g4 Qd6 27. Rc4 Rd5 28. Ng5 Qe7
29. Qxf7+ Qxf7 30. Nxf7 Kxf7 31. Rxc6 Rd2 $132 {Erdos,V (2628)-Svidler,P (2751)
Tbilisi 2017}) 15... c5 (15... Nd5 16. Qd2 Re8 17. b3 f6 18. Bb2 g5 19. h3 h5
20. g3 h4 21. Kg2 Rb7 22. Nc5 Rf7 23. Rac1 Bf8 24. Re4 Rh7 25. b4 Qb8 26. a3
hxg3 27. fxg3 e5 28. dxe5 Bxh3+ 29. Kg1 Bf5 30. Ree1 {Maletin,P (2572)
-Alekseev,E (2632) Khanty-Mansiysk 2016} Bh6 31. Qf2 g4 32. Nh4 $44) 16. Nxc5
Bb7 17. a3 (17. Ne5 Qd5 18. Nxb7 Rxb7 19. b3 Rbb8 20. Bb2 Rfc8 21. Nc4 Rd8 22.
Red1 Nc6 23. Ne3 Qd7 24. Nc2 Rb5 25. Qc4 Rd5 26. Rac1 Nxd4 $11 {Matlakov,M 
(2707)-Wei,Y (2728) Khanty-Mansiysk 2017}) 17... Nd5 18. Qd3 {The latest here
from December 2017 is} Ne7 $5 (18... Ba8 19. b4 Rbc8 (19... Ne7 20. Bg5 Nf5 21.
Ne4 Bxe4 22. Qxe4 Rb5 23. Bf4 Qd7 24. Rac1 Rd5 25. Rc7 Qa4 26. Be5 Qxa3 27.
Bxg7 Nxg7 28. Ne5 Qb2 {Harutyunian,T (2515)-Vakhidov,J (2561) Moscow 2017} 29.
Nc6 $16) 20. Ne5 Ne7 21. Bb2 Nf5 22. Rad1 Rfd8 23. Qe2 Qe7 24. Ne4 Qh4 25. f3
Rd5 26. a4 h6 27. b5 Qd8 28. Rc1 Rxc1 29. Rxc1 Nxd4 30. Bxd4 Rxd4 31. Nc6 Bxc6
32. bxc6 Be5 $1 33. Qc2 Bc7 (33... Qc7 34. g3 Rb4 35. Kh1 Kg7 36. Qd1 Bd4 $2
37. Nd6 $1 $18 {[%cal Rd6e8,Rd6b5] Radjabov,T (2741)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2733)
Heraklio 2017}) 34. g3 Kg7 $132) 19. Nxb7 (19. Ne5 Nf5 {/\} 20. Ncd7 $2 Rbd8
21. Nxf8 Bxe5 22. Qh3 Bxd4 23. Nxh7 Bxf2+ 24. Kxf2 Qd4+ 25. Be3 Nxe3 26. Rxe3
Qxb2+ $17) 19... Rxb7 20. b4 Nc6 21. Be3 Rd8 22. Bg5 Rdd7 23. Rac1 h6 24. Be3
Nxd4 25. Nxd4 Bxd4 26. Rc4 Bxe3 27. Qxe3 Qd2 28. Rc8+ Kh7 $11 {Cheparinov,I 
(2710)-Wei,Y (2727) China 2017}) (14. Qd3 {is formally a novelty from
Radjabov-Nepomniachtchi, but after} c5 15. Nxc5 Nb4 16. Qc3 Bb7 $44 {we are
back to the positions from the above notes.}) 14... c5 $5 (14... Ne7 15. Bd2
Nf5 16. Bc3 Rd8 17. Nc5 Nxd4 18. Ne4 Qd5 19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Qa4 Qb5 21. Qxd4 $1
Rxd4 22. Bxd4 f5 23. Nf6+ Kf7 24. Nxh7 c5 25. Bc3 Rb7 26. Re3 Re7 27. Ng5+ Ke8
28. Rae1 $44 {Grischuk,A (2772)-Safarli,E (2639) Riadh rpd 2017}) 15. Nxc5 Bb7
16. Bg5 $5 (16. Nxb7 Rxb7 17. b3 Rd8 18. Bd2 Ne7 19. Rc1 Nf5 20. Bg5 Rdb8 21.
Rc4 Rb4 22. Rxb4 Rxb4 23. d5 e5 24. Qe2 h6 25. Bd2 Nd4 26. Nxd4 Rxd4 27. Bc3
Rxd5 $11 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2751)-Le,Q (2739) Saint Louis blitz 2017}) 16...
Ba8 17. Qd2 Rb5 18. Rac1 Nb4 (18... Ne7 $5 $132) 19. a4 Rb6 20. Bf4 Qd8 21. Ne5
Na2 22. Rcd1 Qd5 23. f3 Rd8 {Caruana,F (2807)-Le,Q (2739) Saint Louis blitz
2017} 24. Bh6 $36 {[%cal Yd2f4]}) 4... Bg7 5. Bg2 d6 {Flexible, Black doesn't
show his hand yet.} ({Mamedyarov was not interested in} 5... Nf6 6. O-O O-O 7.
d4 {, which can be an English, but also a King's Indian after} d6) ({
Botvinnik's set-up with} 5... e5 {does have fans even among the very best 
(notably MVL), but isn't everyone's cup of tea.}) ({Solid is} 5... e6 {Maybe
Aronian would have played his trademark} 6. h4 $5 (6. O-O Nge7 (6... d6 {
transposes to the game}) 7. d3 O-O 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bd2 b6 10. a3 Bb7 11. Rb1 a5
12. Nb5 d5 13. Qc1 Kh7 14. Rd1 Qd7 15. e3 Rac8 16. Qc2 e5 17. cxd5 Nxd5 18. Nc3
Nd4 19. exd4 cxd4 20. Qb3 dxc3 21. bxc3 {Almasi,Z (2682)-Ponkratov,P (2613)
Riadh rpd 2017} a4 22. Qc2 Rfe8 $13) 6... d5 (6... Nf6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 O-O
9. O-O d5 10. cxd5 Nxd5 $6 (10... exd5 $132) 11. Nxc6 (11. Bg5 $1 $14) 11...
bxc6 12. Bd2 Nxc3 13. Bxc3 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Ba6 15. Qc2 Qa5 16. Rfd1 Qc5 (16...
Rad8 $142 17. Bxc6 Rc8) 17. Rd7 Rad8 18. Rad1 Rxd7 19. Rxd7 Bc4 20. Qd2 a5 21.
Bf3 Qa3 22. h5 Qxa2 23. Qd4 c5 24. Qe3 a4 25. Kg2 Qb1 26. h6 $36 {[%csl Rg8]
Giri,A (2771)-So,W (2812) Stavanger 2017}) 7. h5 Nge7 8. d3 dxc4 ({Yuffa's
recommendation} 8... h6 $5 9. hxg6 fxg6 {is interesting, the position after}
10. Bd2 g5 11. Nh2 b6 $13 {is very double-edged.}) 9. dxc4 Qxd1+ 10. Nxd1 b6
11. h6 Bf6 12. Bg5 Bxg5 13. Nxg5 Bb7 14. Ne3 Nf5 15. Nxf5 gxf5 16. O-O-O Rb8
17. Rd2 Ne5 18. Bxb7 Rxb7 19. b3 Ke7 20. Rh4 Rd7 21. f4 Rxd2 22. Kxd2 Ng4 23.
e4 f6 24. Nf3 Kf7 $11 {Adams,M (2744)-Wei,Y (2706) Wijk aan Zee 2016}) 6. O-O
e6 {A flexible hedgehog-like system, which has recently come into the vogue.} (
6... e5 {can transpose to lines, starting with 5...e5. The drawback of this
move-order is that Black is deprived of the chance to play d7-d5 in one move:}
7. a3 a5 8. d3 Nge7 9. Bd2 O-O 10. Rb1 Be6 11. Ng5 Bc8 12. Nb5 f5 13. Nf3 h6
14. b4 axb4 15. axb4 b6 16. Ne1 Be6 17. Nc2 Rb8 18. Nc3 Kh8 19. bxc5 bxc5 20.
Rxb8 Qxb8 21. Na3 Qa7 22. Nab5 Qd7 23. Qa4 Rb8 24. Qa6 Qd8 25. Bxc6 Rb6 26. Qa8
Rb8 27. Ra1 $1 Rxa8 28. Rxa8 Bc8 29. Bg2 Kh7 30. Nd5 Nc6 31. h4 $22 $18 {
Giri,A (2762)-Lupulescu,C (2620) Heraklio 2017 The powerful queen sac put
Black practically in zugzwang.}) ({Another currently popular idea is} 6... Bf5
{Black would like to swap the light-squared B (Qd7 and Bh3), avoiding it costs
time and hasn't brought White success:} 7. h3 Qc8 (7... Rb8 8. d3 Nf6 9. Be3
O-O 10. Qd2 a6 11. Bh6 b5 12. Nd5 Re8 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. Nxf6 exf6 15. b3 bxc4
16. dxc4 Be4 17. e3 a5 18. Rfd1 Re6 19. Qc3 h6 20. Ne1 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Qc7 22.
Nd3 g5 $132 {Kuzubov,Y (2637)-Anton Guijarro,D (2660) Minsk 2017}) 8. Kh2 Nf6
9. d3 O-O 10. e4 Bd7 11. Be3 a6 12. Rc1 Rb8 13. Nd5 Qd8 14. b3 e6 15. Nc3 e5
16. Ng1 Nd4 17. Nge2 b5 18. f4 exf4 19. gxf4 $6 (19. Bxf4 $11) 19... b4 20.
Bxd4 cxd4 21. Nb1 Nh5 $36 {[%csl Gg7,Rh2][%cal Yf7f5,Yg6g5] Svidler,P (2765)
-Dubov,D (2683) St Petersburg 2017}) 7. e3 {Occupying the [+] is White's most
usual response.} (7. b3 Nge7 8. Bb2 O-O 9. e3 b6 10. d4 Bb7 11. Qd2 cxd4 12.
Nxd4 (12. exd4 $142 $5 d5 13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 exd5 15. Ne5 $11 {/+/=}) 12...
d5 $1 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14. cxd5 Nxd5 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. Bxd5 Bxb2 17. Qxb2 Qxd5 18.
Rad1 Qf3 (18... Qb7 $5 {The position is symmetrical and equal, but Black
somehow managed to create problems for himself. For example here a safe way to
hold the balance was} 19. Qf6 Rfe8 {[%cal Yb7e7]}) 19. Rd7 Rfd8 20. Qd2 Rxd7
21. Qxd7 Qe2 22. Qb7 Rd8 23. Qxa7 Rd2 24. Qxb6 Rxa2 25. Qb8+ Kg7 26. Qe5+ Kg8
27. Qb8+ Kg7 28. Qe5+ Kg8 29. Qf4 Qd2 30. h4 h5 31. b4 Kg7 32. Qe5+ Kg8 33. Qf4
Kg7 34. Rb1 Qc2 35. Qd4+ Kg8 36. Rf1 Qb2 37. Qf4 Ra4 38. Rd1 Rxb4 39. Rd8+ Kg7
40. Qd6 Kf6 {Almasi,Z (2707)-Dubov,D (2677) Heraklio 2017} 41. Ra8 $1 $18 {
[%cal Rd6d8,Ra8a5]}) (7. d3 Nge7 8. Bd2 b6 9. Qc1 h6 10. a3 Bb7 11. Rb1 Qd7 12.
b4 Rd8 13. Nb5 Ba8 14. Rd1 g5 15. bxc5 (15. Bc3 e5 16. Ba1 Nd4 17. Nbxd4 cxd4
18. e3 Qf5 19. Ne1 Bxg2 20. Nxg2 O-O 21. exd4 exd4 22. Qd2 Ng6 23. f4 Rfe8 24.
Rf1 g4 25. Rbe1 Bf6 26. Rxe8+ Rxe8 27. Re1 Re6 28. Bb2 Ne7 29. Rxe6 fxe6 30.
Qe2 Kf7 31. Ne1 h5 $15 {Predojevic,B (2604)-Carlsen,M (2877) Tromsoe 2014})
15... bxc5 16. a4 a6 17. Bc3 e5 18. Na3 O-O 19. Rb6 Nc8 20. Rb2 N8e7 21. Rb6
Qa7 22. a5 d5 23. h4 g4 24. Nh2 f5 25. Bd2 Kh7 26. Re1 d4 27. Nb5 axb5 28. cxb5
Nxa5 29. Ra6 Qd7 {Bachmann,A (2642)-Bologan,V (2654) Philadelphia 2016} 30.
Bxh6 Rf6 31. Bxg7 Rxa6 32. bxa6 Kxg7 33. Qg5+ Kf7 34. Qh5+ $11) 7... Nge7 8. d4
O-O 9. Re1 {Taking on c5 leads nowhere, only Black with the unobstructed Bg7
can claim to be somewhat better. The question is does White have any way to
retain the central tension advantageously?} (9. d5 {However, the central
advance is more effectively effectively met by} Na5 $142 $1 (9... exd5 10. cxd5
Ne5 11. Ne1 $5 (11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. e4 $14) 11... f5 12. f4 Nf7 13. Nc2 a6 14.
Bd2 Bd7 15. a4 b6 16. b4 Rc8 17. Ra3 Kh8 18. Re1 Ng8 19. Bf1 a5 20. bxa5 bxa5
21. Rb3 Nf6 22. Na3 Rb8 23. Rxb8 Qxb8 24. Bb5 Bxb5 25. axb5 h5 26. Nc4 $16 {
Ponkratov,P (2613)-Castellanos Rodriguez,R (2501) Katowice blitz 2017}) 10. Qd3
$142 (10. Nd2 $6 exd5 11. cxd5 (11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 Be6 13. Rb1 Bf5 14. e4
Bh3 15. Re1 Nc6 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. b3 f5 18. Bb2 Bxb2 19. Rxb2 Qf6 20. Rb1 Rae8
$17 {Martirosyan,H (2425)-Dubov,D (2634) Moscow 2016}) 11... Rb8 (11... b5 12.
Nxb5 Ba6 13. a4 Rb8 14. Ne4 $1 $36 (14. Qc2 Bxb5 15. axb5 Rxb5 16. Rd1 Qb6 17.
Qa4 Nb3 18. Nxb3 Rxb3 19. Qxa7 Nf5 20. Qxb6 Rxb6 $44 {Grandelius,N (2649)-Li,C
(2755) Stavanger 2016}) {/\} 14... Bxb5 15. axb5 Rxb5 16. Qa4 a6 17. Nc3 $16)
12. a4 (12. Nde4 a6 13. Rb1 b5 14. Ne2 Bf5 15. b3 Re8 16. Bb2 Nc8 17. Bxg7 Kxg7
18. Qc2 Kg8 19. f3 Nb6 20. Qd2 b4 21. Rf2 Qe7 22. Rbf1 Nb7 23. Nf4 Nd7 24. Qe2
a5 25. h4 a4 $36 {Hillarp Persson,T (2564)-Rodshtein,M (2671) Helsingor 2014})
12... a6 13. Qc2 b5 14. axb5 (14. e4 b4 15. Nd1 b3 16. Qd3 Rb4 17. Ne3 f5 18.
Ndc4 fxe4 19. Bxe4 Bh3 20. Re1 Nxc4 21. Nxc4 Bd4 22. Be3 Nf5 23. Bxd4 Nxd4 $36
{Wang,Y (2720)-Gelfand,B (2743) Beijing blitz 2014}) 14... axb5 15. e4 b4 (
15... c4 $5 $36) 16. Nd1 Ba6 17. Re1 c4 (17... Bb5 $13) 18. Qa4 Rb5 19. Nxc4
Nxc4 20. Qxa6 Rc5 21. Ne3 Nxb2 {Wang,Y (2723)-Grischuk,A (2783) Beijing blitz
2013} 22. Rb1 Ra5 23. Qf1 Na4 24. Nc4 $16) 10... a6 (10... exd5 11. cxd5 Rb8
12. e4 b5 13. Bf4 $1 (13. Re1 b4 14. Nd1 c4 15. Qe2 c3 16. Be3 Bd7 17. Nd4 Rc8
18. bxc3 bxc3 19. Rc1 Nc4 20. Nxc3 Nxe3 21. fxe3 Qa5 22. Qd3 Rc5 $44 {Brunner,
L (2454)-Vocaturo,D (2579) Skopje 2015}) 13... b4 (13... Nc4 $6 14. b3 Nb2 15.
Qd2 b4 16. Ne2 c4 17. Nfd4 c3 18. Nxc3 bxc3 19. Qxc3 Qb6 20. Be3 Ba6 21. Qxb2
$16) 14. Nd1 Rb6 (14... h6 $5) 15. Re1 Ba6 16. Qc2 f5 17. Ng5 Bc8 18. Ne6 (18.
e5 $1 $36) 18... Bxe6 19. dxe6 fxe4 20. Bxe4 d5 21. Bg2 c4 22. Qa4 Nac6 23. Ne3
Bxb2 24. Rad1 Bd4 $13 {Knoppert,E (2330)-Miedema,D (2287) Belgium 2008}) 11. e4
b5 $5 12. cxb5 exd5 13. exd5 Bf5 14. Qd1 axb5 15. Nxb5 Qd7 16. a4 Nc4 17. Qb3
Na5 18. Qd1 Nc4 19. Qb3 {½, Blask,G (2157)-Egelhof,H (1968) GER email 2011}) (
9. b3 Nf5 (9... Re8 10. Bb2 cxd4 11. Nxd4 (11. exd4 d5 12. cxd5 exd5 13. h3 Nf5
14. Ne2 b6 15. Nf4 Bb7 16. Re1 Qd6 17. h4 h6 18. Qd2 Re4 19. Ne2 Rae8 {Flores,
D (2579)-Dominguez Perez,L (2739) Doha rpd 2016} 20. Rad1 Ba6 21. Nf4 $132)
11... Nxd4 12. exd4 d5 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Re1 Be6 15. Ne2 Qd6 16. Nf4 Nc6 17.
Nxe6 Rxe6 18. Rxe6 Qxe6 19. Qd2 Re8 20. Bc3 Qf5 21. b4 h5 22. Rd1 Rc8 23. h4
Ne7 24. a3 Rc7 25. Qd3 Qc8 26. Bd2 Rc4 27. Bg5 Rxd4 28. Qb1 Rxd1+ 29. Qxd1 Qd7
30. Bxe7 Qxe7 31. Bxd5 {½, Shetty,A (2422)-Bruzon Batista,L (2650)
Philadelphia 2017}) (9... b6 10. Bb2 Bb7 $11 {is another good option,
transposing to Almasi-Dubov above.}) 10. Ne2 (10. Bb2 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Ncxd4 12.
exd4 Nxd4 13. Qd2 e5 14. Rad1 Bg4 15. f3 Be6 16. f4 Qd7 17. Nd5 Rac8 18. Qf2
Qd8 19. fxe5 dxe5 20. Nf6+ Bxf6 21. Qxf6 Qxf6 22. Rxf6 Rcd8 23. Re1 Nc6 24.
Bxe5 Nxe5 25. Rxe5 b6 26. c5 Kg7 27. Rf2 bxc5 28. Rxc5 Rd1+ $11 {Giri,A (2773)
-Grischuk,A (2781) Stavanger blitz 2015}) 10... e5 (10... b6 11. Bb2 Bb7 12.
Qd2 e5 13. dxe5 (13. d5 $5 $14) 13... dxe5 14. Rfd1 e4 15. Ne1 Ne5 16. Nc3 Qxd2
17. Rxd2 Rfe8 18. Nb5 Re7 19. Rad1 h5 $11 {Dragnev,V (2508)-Safarli,E (2668)
Minsk 2017}) 11. dxe5 (11. Bb2 cxd4 $5 12. exd4 e4 13. Ne1 d5 14. cxd5 Qxd5 15.
Nc2 Re8 16. Nc3 Qa5 17. Nxe4 Nfxd4 18. Nxd4 Nxd4 $1 $11 {/\} 19. Bxd4 Rd8)
11... dxe5 12. Qxd8 Rxd8 13. Ng5 Nfe7 14. Ba3 h6 15. Ne4 b6 16. Rad1 Be6 17.
N4c3 f5 18. Nd5 {Ris,R (2400)-Brunello,S (2591) Wijk aan Zee 2012} e4 $11) 9...
Nf5 $146 {[%mdl 8] A interesting novelty, Mamedyarov insists on changing the
central pawn structure. Black has done well with waiting moves:} (9... Rb8 $5
10. b3 Nf5 11. Ne2 cxd4 12. Nfxd4 Ncxd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. exd4 b5 15. Be3 Bb7
16. Rc1 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 bxc4 18. bxc4 Rb2 19. d5 (19. c5 $5) 19... Rxa2 20. c5
dxc5 21. Bxc5 Re8 22. dxe6 fxe6 $11 {Adams,M (2727)-Leko,P (2679) Heraklio 2017
}) (9... Re8 $5 10. b3 Nf5 11. Bb2 cxd4 12. exd4 Nfxd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Ne4 e5
15. Nxd6 Qxd6 16. Bxd4 Qc7 17. Bc3 Bd7 18. Qd5 Bc6 19. Qc5 Qb6 20. Qxb6 {
½, Svidler,P (2749)-Gelfand,B (2728) Geneve 2017}) (9... h6 10. d5 Na5 11. Qd3
b6 12. e4 Ba6 13. b3 g5 14. h4 g4 15. Nh2 h5 16. Bg5 Qd7 17. dxe6 (17. Qd2 $5
$16) 17... fxe6 18. e5 d5 19. Ne4 Bxe5 20. Nxc5 bxc5 21. Rxe5 Nac6 22. Ree1
Rae8 23. Rad1 Nf5 24. Qd2 Ncd4 $132 {Eljanov,P (2711)-Vidit,S (2715) Riadh rpd
2017}) ({The most natural, but perhaps not ideal reaction is the developing} 
9... b6 10. b3 (10. d5 Na5 11. dxe6 fxe6 12. h4 Bb7 13. Ng5 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 Qd7
15. Qg4 Nf5 16. e4 Nd4 17. h5 h6 18. hxg6 hxg5 19. Rh1 Nf3 20. Rh7 Nxc4 21.
Bxg5 Nce5 22. Qh5 Nxg5 23. Qxg5 Qe8 $19 {Zelcic,R (2390)-Patavia,A Madonna di
Campiglio 1992}) 10... Bb7 (10... d5 11. cxd5 exd5 12. Ba3 cxd4 (12... a5 $5
13. Rc1 Nb4 $13) 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. exd4 Be6 15. Bxe7 (15. Rc1 $5 $14) 15...
Qxe7 16. Bxd5 Rad8 17. Rc1 Qb4 18. Bxe6 Bxd4 19. Qc2 Qxc3 20. Qxc3 Bxc3 21.
Rxc3 fxe6 22. Rce3 Rd2 23. R1e2 Rxe2 24. Rxe2 Re8 $11 {Yilmaz,M (2614)
-Donchenko,A (2554) Reykjavik 2017}) 11. Bb2 cxd4 (11... Rc8 12. Qd2 Ba8 13.
Rad1 (13. d5 $1 exd5 14. cxd5 Ne5 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. e4 $16) 13... cxd4 14. exd4
d5 15. cxd5 Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Qxd5 17. Ne5 Qxg2+ $5 18. Kxg2 Nxe5+ 19. Kh3 Nf3 20.
Qe3 h5 21. d5 Nxe1 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Rxe1 Bxd5 $44 {Teske,H (2475)-Huzman,A 
(2580) Berlin blitz 2015}) (11... Rb8 12. d5 exd5 13. cxd5 Nb4 14. e4 b5 15.
Qd2 c4 16. Nd1 Nd3 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Re3 Kg8 {Bocharov,D (2583)-Almasi,Z (2682)
Riadh rpd 2017} 19. Nb2 $36) 12. exd4 $5 d5 13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 Qxd5 (14...
exd5 15. Ne5 $14) 15. Ne5 Qd6 16. Rc1 $14) 10. d5 (10. dxc5 dxc5 $11) (10. Ne2
Re8 $5 11. Rb1 (11. b3 e5 $1) 11... cxd4 12. Nfxd4 Nfxd4 13. Nxd4 d5 (13...
Nxd4 14. exd4 e5 15. dxe5 Bf5 16. Ra1 Rxe5 17. Bf4 $5 Rxe1+ 18. Qxe1 Qb6 $132)
14. cxd5 exd5 $11) 10... exd5 (10... Na5 11. Qd3 $1 $14) 11. Nxd5 (11. cxd5 Ne5
12. Nxe5 Bxe5 {is a not quite typical Benoni, but with the Nf5 ready to jump
to d4 after e4 Black should be doing fine after} 13. Bd2 a6 14. a4 Rb8 $13 (
14... h5 $5)) 11... Nfe7 $1 {[%mdl 32] Mamedyarov is a player who doesn't give
much about cliches. The d5-square is strategically important and it doesn't
bother him the N moves back to where it was 2 moves ago.} 12. Nh4 $6 {Aronian
wants to continue the fight for d5, but this is rather artificial and White
falls behind in development.} (12. e4 Nxd5 13. cxd5 (13. exd5 Ne5 $11) 13...
Nd4 $132) (12. Qb3 Nxd5 13. cxd5 Ne5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. Bd2 f5 (15... Qb6 16.
Bc3 Qxb3 17. axb3 $11 {/+/=}) 16. f4 Bf6 17. Bc3 Rb8 $13) 12... Ne5 13. Qc2 (
13. Qe2 {allows Black to insert the unpleasant} Bg4 $1 $15) 13... Nxd5 14. Bxd5
({Inconsistent is} 14. cxd5 c4 $36 {[%cal Ye5d3]}) 14... Be6 (14... Bf6 15. Nf3
Bf5 16. Qb3 $13 {makes White's life easier - Balck has nothing concrete after}
Qa5 17. Rf1) 15. Rd1 {Aronian insists on controlling d5 with a piece, but
other moves are no less dangerous:} (15. Bxe6 $143 $2 fxe6 16. f4 g5 $1 17.
fxg5 (17. fxe5 gxh4 $40) 17... Qxg5 $17) (15. e4 Nc6 $5 $15 {[%csl Rd4]} (15...
Bxd5 16. exd5 b5 17. cxb5 Qa5 18. Bf4 Qxb5 19. Bxe5 Bxe5 20. Rab1 Bf6 21. Nf3
c4 $15)) (15. f4 Bxd5 (15... Nc6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Bd2 $11) 16. cxd5 Ng4 17. e4
Re8 {is an attractive Benoni for Black, now} 18. Nf3 (18. Bd2 $6 Qb6 {/\} 19.
Bc3 Bxc3 20. bxc3 c4+ 21. Kh1 Nf2+ 22. Kg2 Nxe4 $1 23. Rab1 Qa5 $1 $19 {
[%csl Rd5]}) 18... f5 $1 $32 {gives him a strong initiative/attack after} 19.
exf5 Rxe1+ 20. Nxe1 Bd4+ 21. Kg2 (21. Kf1 Qd7 22. fxg6 Re8 23. a4 Nf6 $17)
21... Qe7 (21... Qe8 22. Nf3 gxf5 23. Nxd4 cxd4 24. Qxf5 Qe2+ 25. Kh3 Nf2+ 26.
Kh4 $132) 22. Nf3 Re8 23. Kh3 h5 24. fxg6 Bf6 25. Kg2 Qe2+ 26. Qxe2 Rxe2+ 27.
Kg1 Rf2 $17) (15. Bxb7 Rb8 16. Bd5 Bxd5 17. cxd5 c4 $1 $36 (17... g5 18. Nf5
Nf3+ 19. Kf1 $13)) 15... Qd7 (15... Qe7 $5 {excludes the possibility from the
following note, Black is on top after} 16. Ng2 (16. Nf3 $2 Bxd5 17. Nxe5 Be6
$17 {[%csl Rg1] /-+}) 16... Bg4 $36) 16. Rb1 $6 ({Safer seems} 16. Nf3 $142 $1
Ng4 (16... Bxd5 17. Nxe5 $11) (16... Nc6 17. Bd2 $5 $11) (16... Bg4 17. Nxe5
Bxd1 18. Nxd7 Bxc2 19. Nxf8 Kxf8 20. e4 {[%cal Yc1f4]} Ke8 21. Be3 Bxb2 22. Re1
Bd4 23. Re2 Ba4 (23... Bd1 24. Rd2 Bxe3 25. Rxd1 Bd4 26. Rb1 $11) 24. Bxd4 cxd4
25. Rd2 $11 {regains the pawn and is roughly equal.}) 17. Rb1 (17. Bd2 Bxd5 18.
cxd5 b5 $11 {/=/+}) 17... Nf6 18. Bxe6 fxe6 (18... Qxe6 19. b3 $11 {[%cal
Yc1b2]}) 19. b3 Ng4 20. Qe2 $11) 16... b5 $6 {[%mdl 512] The critical moment,
after this optimistic sacrifice the tide starts turning.} ({White would have
had problems after the simple} 16... Bxd5 17. Rxd5 Bf6 18. Qe4 (18. Ng2 $2 Nf3+
) 18... Rae8 (18... Bxh4 $6 19. Qxe5 $1) 19. Nf3 (19. b3 $2 Bxh4 20. gxh4 Qh3
21. Qg2 Qf5 $19 {->}) 19... Qa4 $1 20. Nxe5 Rxe5 21. Rxe5 Bxe5 $17 {[%cal
Ya4a2,Ya4d1]}) 17. Bxa8 Rxa8 18. f4 $1 ({Maybe there is no direct refutation of
} 18. cxb5 g5 19. f4 gxh4 20. fxe5 Bxe5 21. b3 $13 {, but from a practical
point of view it certainly makes more sense to return a pawn and finally
finish development and consolidate the position.}) 18... Nxc4 19. b3 Nb6 20.
Bb2 $13 {/+/= While Black still has compensation here, one already can't say
he is fighting for an advantage.} Bxb2 21. Rxb2 $1 {The control of e4 and the
light squares is important.} (21. Qxb2 $143 Bd5 22. Qf6 Qe8 $1 (22... Re8 $11)
23. Kf2 Qe4 $44) 21... Re8 (21... Bg4 22. Re1 Rc8 $5 (22... Re8 23. e4 Qc6 $132
{[%cal Yd6d5]}) 23. e4 d5 $44) 22. e4 Qc6 (22... Bg4 $142 $1 23. Re1 Qc6 {
transposes to the previous note and was still playable.}) 23. f5 Bc8 24. Qd3
$36 c4 (24... Bb7 25. fxg6 hxg6 26. Qxd6 Qxd6 (26... Qxe4 27. Ng2 $16 {[%cal
Rd1e1]}) (26... Rxe4 27. Qxc6 Bxc6 28. Kf2 $14 {/+/-} (28. Ng2 $5)) 27. Rxd6
Rxe4 28. Kf2 c4 $14 {/+/- Although the resulting endgames are not completely
winning for White, he is definitely pushing. One can understand that Shak
wants to keep the queens on.}) 25. Qxd6 Qxe4 26. Rf2 gxf5 $6 {Once again a
similar situation.} ({Black avoids exchanges, but more resilient was} 26... Bb7
27. Ng2 Qc6 28. Qxc6 Bxc6 $14) 27. Ng2 {White had better moves, when he could
have still made use of his N on h4:} (27. Qh6 {However, White must also reckon
with} Qg4 $5 {, which is less clear-cut.} (27... Nd5 28. Qg5+ Kf8 (28... Kh8
29. bxc4 bxc4 30. Nxf5 Bxf5 31. Qxf5 Qxf5 32. Rxf5 Ne3 33. Re1 $18) 29. Qh5 $1
$16 (29. Nxf5 $2 Bxf5 30. Rxf5 Qe3+ $1 31. Kh1 Qe4+ $11))) (27. Qf6 $142 $5 Nd5
(27... Qg4 {runs into} 28. Rd8 $1 Rxd8 29. Qxd8+ Kg7 30. Rf4 Qe2 31. Qg5+ Kf8
32. Nxf5 $18) 28. Qg5+ Kf8 29. Qh5) 27... Qe5 (27... Qe6 $5 28. Qd2 $16) 28.
Qh6 {Now White wants to retain the Q on board.} Qe6 29. Qg5+ Qg6 (29... Kh8 $6
30. Nh4) 30. Qh4 {[%cal Rd1d8]} Kg7 (30... Qg4 31. Rd8 $1 Rxd8 32. Qxd8+ Kg7
33. Nf4 $18) 31. Nf4 (31. Qf4 $5 Re4 32. Qc7 $16) 31... Qg4 32. Nh5+ Kh6 (32...
Kg6 33. Qf6+ $1 Kxh5 34. Rdf1 {[%cal Rf2f5]} Rg8 35. Rf4 Qg5 (35... Nd5 36.
Qxf7+ Qg6 37. Rxf5+ $5 (37. Qxd5 Qb6+ 38. R1f2 $18) 37... Bxf5 38. Rxf5+ Kh6
39. Qxd5 {[%cal Rd5d2]} c3 40. Qe4 $18)) 33. Qxg4 $1 {Unfortunately for Black,
White's initiative persists even in the endgame.} (33. Qf6+ Qg6 $13) 33... fxg4
34. Nf6 Re5 (34... Re6 35. bxc4 bxc4 36. Nxg4+ Kg6 37. Rdf1 Nd7 38. Rb2 $14 {
/+/-} (38. Rxf7 h5 $1 {[%csl Rg4]})) 35. bxc4 bxc4 (35... Nxc4 36. Rf4 Rg5 37.
Rd8 $36) 36. Rf4 Re2 (36... Kg5 37. Nxh7+ Kg6 38. Rd6+ $1 {/\} Kxh7 39. Rxf7+
Kg8 40. Rxa7 Nd7 41. Rc6 $18) (36... Kg7 $142 $5 37. Nxg4 (37. Rd8 Bf5) 37...
Rc5 $14) 37. Nxg4+ Kg7 (37... Bxg4 $2 38. Rxg4 c3 39. Rd6+ Kh5 40. Rg7 $18 {
[%cal Rg3g4]}) 38. Nf6 {[%cal Rd1d8] Coordinating his forces, Aronian is right
track and this time he won't let it go.} Re5 $6 ({Black had to chase the
knight away, the only way to continue the fight was} 38... Re6 $1 $16) 39. Rd8
Bf5 (39... Rf5 40. Rxf5 Bxf5 41. Nd5 Nxd5 42. Rxd5 Be6 43. Rc5 $18 {[%csl Ra7]
[%cal Ya2a3,Yc5a5]}) 40. Nh5+ Kh6 41. Rg8 Bg6 42. Nf6 Re1+ (42... Re7 43. h4 $5
Nd7 (43... c3 44. Rf5 $3 {[%cal Rf6g4]} Bxf5 45. g4 Bxg4 46. Rg5 $1 {[%cal
Rf6g8,Rf6g4]} Re1+ 47. Kf2 Re2+ 48. Kf1 $18) 44. h5 (44. Ng4+ Kh5 45. Kg2 $18 {
[%cal Rf4f5]}) 44... Nxf6 (44... c3 45. hxg6 hxg6 46. Rc8 $18) (44... Bxh5 45.
Nxh5 $18) 45. hxg6 Nxg8 46. gxf7 Rxf7 47. Rxf7 $18) 43. Kf2 Ra1 ({As in the
previous note,} 43... Re7 44. h4 Nd7 {gives White a pleasant choice between}
45. h5 $18 ({and} 45. Ng4+ $18)) 44. h4 {[%cal Rg3g5] Escaping from the mating
net will be very costly:} (44. h4 Rxa2+ 45. Kf3 Ra3+ 46. Kg2 Ra2+ 47. Kh3 Ra5 (
47... Ra3 48. Ng4+ Kh5 49. Rf5+ $1 Bxf5 50. Rg5#) 48. g4 $18 {/\} c3 49. Kg3 $1
c2 50. g5+ Rxg5+ 51. hxg5+ Kxg5 52. Nxh7+ Kh6 53. Rh4+ Bh5 54. Nf6 c1=Q 55.
Rxh5#) 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 21st"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2017.11.04"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E54"]
[WhiteElo "2672"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2017.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Germany"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 c5 8. O-O
Bd7 9. a3 Ba5 10. Qd3 Bc6 11. Ne5 cxd4 12. exd4 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Bd5 14. Bxd5 Nxd5
15. c4 Ne7 16. Rd1 Nd7 17. Nf3 Rc8 18. Bg5 Re8 19. a4 h6 20. Bxe7 Rxe7 21. a5
b6 22. axb6 axb6 23. h3 Nf6 24. Ne5 Nd7 25. Nf3 Nf6 26. Ne5 Nd7 27. Nf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 21st"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2017.11.05"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2017.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Poland"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "POL"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 O-O 8. e3
Bf5 9. Qb3 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Nbd7 11. Be2 c5 12. dxc5 g5 13. Bg3 Nxc5 14. Qb4 Nfe4
15. O-O Qe7 16. Rad1 Rfd8 17. c4 dxc4 18. Bxc4 Rxd1 19. Rxd1 Rd8 20. Rxd8+ Qxd8
21. Nd4 a5 22. Qb2 Nxg3 23. hxg3 Bd7 24. Qc2 Qb6 25. Bd5 Kf8 26. Qc4 Ne6 27.
Bxe6 Bxe6 28. Nxe6+ fxe6 29. Kh2 Kf7 30. Qc2 Kg7 31. Qc3+ Kf7 32. f4 gxf4 33.
exf4 Qb5 34. g4 Qe2 35. Qxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2721"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
Re8 9. Nbd2 Bf8 10. Nf1 b5 11. Bb3 h6 12. Ng3 Ne7 13. d4 Ng6 14. a4 Rb8 15.
axb5 axb5 16. Ra7 Bd7 17. h3 b4 18. Be3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Qc8 20. Qc2 c6 21. Qa2
Be6 22. Bxe6 Qxe6 23. Qxe6 Rxe6 24. Rc7 exd4 25. Nxd4 Re7 26. Rxc6 Nxe4 27.
Nxe4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Qc2
Nc6 9. Rd1 Qa5 10. a3 Re8 11. Nd2 e5 12. Bg5 Nd4 {This whole line has been
known since Korchnoi-Karpov, World Championship Match (21) Baguio City 1978}
13. Qb1 (13. Qc1 Bf5 14. Bxf6 Nc2+ 15. Ke2 Nd4+ {Carlsen-Nakamura, Isle of Man
2017, is a forced draw. White would pay dearly for his king's irresponsible
walk in the event of} 16. exd4 exd4+ 17. Kf3 dxc3 18. Qxc3 (18. Bxc3 Qb6) 18...
Qa4 19. b3 Qc6 $19) 13... Bf5 14. Bd3 Bxd3 ({In the above mentioned stem game
Karpov reacted with} 14... e4 {and here, according to modern computer research
White can win after} 15. Bf1 (15. Bc2 {was Victor's choice and he won anyway!})
15... Ng4 16. cxd5 Ne5 17. exd4 Nf3+ 18. gxf3 exf3+ 19. Be3 Bxb1 20. Nc4 {
He just has too much for the queen, and Black's attack is petering out soon.})
15. Qxd3 Ne4 {All book up to this point, and we were all wondering why Levon
Aronian would enter this seemingly exhausted line.} 16. Nxd5 $5 {That's why.} (
{Previously known moves were} 16. Ncxe4 dxe4 17. Qxe4 Qb6) ({and} 16. cxd5 Nxc3
17. bxc3 Nb5 18. Ne4 Nd6 19. Nxd6 Bxd6 20. e4 Rec8 {In both case Black
equalises.}) 16... Nxg5 17. b4 Qa6 {Facing new problems at the board Inarkiev
opts to keep his queen on the queenside.} ({Actually,} 17... Qd8 18. bxc5 Nde6
{made sense, just to keep the other knight safe against harassment from the
white queen.}) (17... Qxa3) 18. bxc5 Rad8 $1 {Hitting the knight thanks to the
pin on the a6-f1 diagonal.} (18... Nde6 {was no longer sufficient, as} 19. Qf5
$1 h6 20. O-O Qc6 21. h4 Nh7 22. f4 $1 {gives White a powerful initiative.} ({
Not too bad either is to snatch a pawn:} 22. Qxe5 Nxc5 23. Qb2) 22... exf4 23.
Ne4 $1 fxe3 24. Rde1 f6 25. Rxe3 Kh8 26. Nd6 {etc.}) 19. Nb4 Qa4 20. Qb1 {
White is operating strictly with 'only moves', which speaks highly of the
quality of Aronian's preparation or the high level of confidence Levon has
these days. No matter how you look at it, Levon is just playing great chess
now.} a5 $6 {Very tempting. Who would resist a chance to send the white king
on a journey away from home?} ({Objectively speaking, Black's best was} 20...
Nc6 21. Qb3 Qa5 22. O-O Qxc5 23. h4 Ne6 24. Ne4 Qe7 $14) 21. Nd5 Nc2+ 22. Ke2
Ne4 (22... Ne6 23. Nb6) 23. Nxe4 Qxc4+ 24. Kf3 Rxd5 {A quick look at this
position may be deceptive. No, Black has no attack, and his knight is stuck on
c2. The picture became clear after Levon's next move.} 25. g4 $3 {It's amazing
to see a standard positional move like this be more than sufficient to secure
White's large advantage. It's all about stopping f7-f5.} f5 $2 {I think
Ernesto was unable to come to terms with his failure to trouble Aronian's king.
This nervous attempt only speeds up Black's demise.} (25... Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Rf8
27. Qxb7 $16) ({The most challenging try is} 25... h5 $5 26. h3 Rxc5 27. Nxc5
Qxc5 {[#] Now White has to be extra careful.} (27... e4+ {is also there.}) 28.
Qb3 $1 (28. Qxb7 $2 {suddenly loses to} e4+ 29. Kg2 Nxe3+ $1 30. fxe3 Qc2+ 31.
Kg3 h4+ $1 32. Kxh4 Qf2+ 33. Kh5 g6+ 34. Kg5 Re5+ 35. Kh6 Qh4#) 28... e4+ 29.
Kg2 Nxa3 30. Qxb7 {Now everything has calmed down, and White should be able to
convert.}) 26. gxf5 Rf8 27. Qxb7 Rxf5+ 28. Kg3 Rxd1 29. Rxd1 $18 Nd4 {Nothing
helps.} ({White wins everywhere:} 29... h6 30. Rd7 Rf7 31. Nd6) ({or} 29... Rf7
30. Rd8+ Rf8 31. Qe7 Qf7 32. Qxf7+ Kxf7 33. Nd6+ Ke7 34. Rxf8 Kxf8 35. c6) 30.
exd4 Rf7 31. Qb1 Rf4 32. f3 Qe6 33. Ng5 Qh6 34. Qb8+ {How does Levon do this?}
1-0

[Event "Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Bxa2 12. Rxa2 Nc6 13. Bg5 Nd7 14. Bd2 Nf6 15.
Re1 {MVL must be analysing his own games very deeply. He likes to repeat them,
and can always be counted on for new ideas.} ({Their previous encounter in
this line, World Cup (game 8), saw Maxime embarking on a somewhat artificial
queen manoeuvre} 15. Qb1 {Levon reacted quickly,} d5 16. Bg5 dxe4 17. dxe4 Qd6
18. Qb3 {and took the initiative after} Nd4 {although the game was eventually
drawn.}) 15... Qd7 ({I wonder if} 15... d5 {was possible here.}) 16. Nd5 $5 {
A radical way of stopping Black's ambitions in the centre.} Nxd5 17. exd5 Nd8
$2 {An unexpected retreat.} ({It's hard to tell what Levon didn't like about
the natural} 17... Nd4 {Black puts his bishop on f6 and prepares c7-c6. Say,
White can try} 18. c4 {but then} Nxf3+ 19. Qxf3 bxc4 20. dxc4 f5 {seems
playable.}) 18. a4 $1 {The bad position of the d8-knight makes White's
queenside offensive much more dangerous.} Rb8 19. c4 bxc4 20. dxc4 f5 21. b5 {
There was no rush to do this.} Ra8 22. Bc3 Nb7 23. Qc2 Bf6 24. Nd2 axb5 $6 {
I sensed some nervousness in Aronian's play around these parts.} ({If White
goes for a better pawn structure with} 24... Nc5 25. Bb4 e4 26. Bxc5 dxc5 27.
Nb3 {Black will pick up some counterplay after} Qd6 28. Na5 axb5 29. axb5 Be5
30. g3 Qf6 31. Nc6 Rxa2 32. Qxa2 f4 {Importantly, White has no passed pawns,
which wasn't the case in the game continuation.}) 25. cxb5 Qf7 26. Qxf5 Qxd5
27. Qc2 Nc5 28. Ne4 $1 {Maxime executes a simple plan of taking the game into
the endgame where his a-pawn will become a major factor.} Bh4 29. g3 Nxe4 30.
Rxe4 Bd8 31. Bb4 Rf3 32. Ra3 $1 {The more trades the better.} Rf7 $5 33. Qc4
Qxc4 34. Rxc4 d5 $5 {Levon seeks counterplay} ({rather than defend passively:} 
34... Kf8 35. a5 Ke7 36. a6 Kd7) 35. Rc2 d4 36. Rc5 $6 {I don't understand the
rationale behind MVL's desire to trade bishops.} (36. a5 Rd7 37. Bd2 Kf7 38.
Rc6 {looked like a good, solid plan of further campaigning.}) 36... Be7 37. Rc4
Bxb4 ({Engines call our attention to the risky-looking} 37... c5 $5 38. bxc6 (
38. Bd2 Bd6 {is actually quite good for Black, because White cannot advance
his pawns:} 39. a5 Rb7 40. Rb3 {while the black king is marching toward the
commanding post on d5.} Kf7) 38... Bxb4 39. Rxb4 Rc7 40. Rb5 ({Also, in the
line} 40. Rc4 Kf7 41. Rb3 Ke6 42. Rb7 Rac8 {the black king's presence in the
centre of the action makes White's pawn advantage short-lived.}) 40... Rxc6 41.
Rxe5 Rd6 {Black is hoping to achieve a trade of passed pawns, but he may not
be able to force it yet after} 42. Kf1 $1 d3 43. Ke1 d2+ 44. Kd1 Rc8 45. Ra1
$16) 38. Rxb4 Rd7 39. Kg2 $2 ({Just as in the previous note, the white king
has to blockade the d-pawn for White to have any winning chances, e.g.} 39. Kf1
Kf7 40. Ke2 Ke6 41. a5 Kd5 42. b6 cxb6 43. Rxb6 e4 44. a6 $14) 39... d3 40. Ra1
d2 41. Rd1 Rd4 42. Rxd4 exd4 43. Rxd2 Rxa4 {It is funny to see the engines
still cheering White on, while any 2000+ human player knows it's a dead draw.}
44. Rc2 Ra5 45. Rxc7 Rxb5 {Maxime didn't even bother trying to win the d4-pawn.
} 46. Rc8+ Kf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 {These days White is having a nice
streak of success in the Anti-Grünfeld setups.} 5. d3 ({Also, the immediate} 
5. h4 {has been seen a lot lately.}) 5... Bg7 6. Bd2 O-O 7. g3 c5 {I'm not a
big fan of this move here. For one thing, this is not a developing move. If
you look at the similar position with reversed colours, Black is doing quite
well with this ...Bd7 and ...Qc8 thing, and here with an extra tempo White can
really cause problems for the black king.} ({Both} 7... Nc6 8. Bg2 Nb6) ({and} 
7... e5 8. Bg2 Ne7 {seem more suitable to meet White's h2-h4 offensive.}) 8. h4
$1 {Officially, a novelty. I mentioned in my previous reports how Aronian's
opening preparation blends with his style of play. Levon seems to be getting
his kind of positions nearly every time he has White.} Nc6 ({Surrendering the
g5-square is unpleasant:} 8... h5 9. Bg2 Nc6 10. Ng5 Nc7 {and now White can
even try} 11. Bxc6 $5) (8... h6 {on the other hand, gives White a tempo} 9. Qc1
Kh7 10. h5 g5 11. Bg2 {and how does Black protect his c5-pawn now?}) (8... Bg4
$5 9. Bg2 Nc6 10. Qa4 Nf6 {may be Black's best option. At least, he's well
mobilised, as can be seen from a sample line} 11. Be3 Rc8 $1 12. Bxc5 Bxf3 13.
Bxf3 Ne5) 9. h5 Nxc3 ({I wonder if Black can get away with} 9... b6 10. hxg6
hxg6 11. Bg2 (11. Qa4 Nd4) 11... Bb7 12. Ne4 Nd4 13. Nxd4 cxd4 {or some such
play.}) 10. bxc3 c4 $1 {An interesting concept from Anish. Too bad he didn't
follow through on his ideas a couple of moves later.} 11. hxg6 hxg6 12. Qa4 {
Aronian is very good in setting his opponents up with positional riddles.} ({
The immediate} 12. d4 {allows Black to strike in the centre with} e5 {and
there's d4-d5 in reply to it.}) 12... Na5 $2 {That's exactly what Levon hoped
to see.} ({The principled reply} 12... cxd3 {was most likely turned down
because of} 13. Qh4 {Indeed, this had to be the idea behind White's previous
move. It takes a lot of nerve to dismiss the other guy's ideas when he happens
to be the World's #2. Still,} f6 $1 {was fully playable. Never mind the danger
to the king: we're destroying White's centre! The most direct attacking line,}
14. Bh6 (14. exd3 {meets with} Kf7 $1 {and Black is ready to counter on the
h-file, while his light-squared bishop covers the king from e6. You know what?
White may be worse here.}) 14... Qa5 15. Qc4+ Rf7 16. Bxg7 {is countered by a
nice shot} Be6 $1 ({Anyway, from the theoretical point of view even} 16... Kxg7
17. Rh7+ Kxh7 18. Qxf7+ Kh6 {is good enough, because White is forced to give a
perpetual.}) 17. Bxf6 $5 exf6 18. Qxd3 Bf5 19. Qd2 Rd8 20. Qb2 Re7 {It looks
like Black has a lot of compensation for a pawn.}) 13. d4 $1 {Now, as the
black knight has moved away from the centre, Aronian stakes his claim in the
middle of the board.} b6 14. Bg2 Bb7 15. Qc2 {If Black could only have his
c-pawn back on c5, he would have had a normal Grünfeld. As it is, he has no
counterplay to speak of.} Qd5 16. Nh4 Qd7 17. e4 e5 18. d5 Bc8 {Giri just
cleared the b7-square for his knight, but he won't be given the time to
complete his manoeuvring.} 19. f4 $1 Qe7 (19... exf4 20. gxf4 Nb7 21. Be3 $1
Nc5 22. Bxc5 bxc5 23. Bf3 {followed by e4-e5 and, of course, Qh2 is decisive.})
({or} 19... Nb7 20. Be3 Qd6 21. Nf3 exf4 22. gxf4 Nc5 23. e5 Bf5 24. Qxf5 gxf5
25. exd6 Bxc3+ 26. Ke2 Bxa1 27. Rxa1 Rfe8 28. Ne5 $18) 20. f5 $1 {The most
energetic.} g5 21. Qd1 $3 {Levon is in the zone!} gxh4 22. Rxh4 Rd8 (22... f6
23. Qh5 Rf7 24. Qg6 {and White only needs to bring the other rook to the
h-file to force resignation.}) 23. Qh5 Kf8 (23... Qd6 24. Qh7+ Kf8 25. Bh6 Bxh6
26. Rxh6 $18) 24. Rg4 $6 {This is the one and only slip-up from Aronian in
this brilliant game.} ({The somewhat counter-intuitive} 24. Qg4 $1 {would wrap
it up soon:} Bf6 25. Rh7 Ke8 26. Bh6 Nb7 (26... Kd7 27. Qh5) 27. Qg8+ Kd7 28.
Qxf7 Qxf7 29. Rxf7+ Be7 30. f6 {etc.}) 24... Bf6 $2 {Very unfortunate.} ({
Anish had a chance to put up stiff resistance:} 24... Qd6 $1 {I can only
assume Levon planned to sacrifice more:} 25. Rxg7 Kxg7 26. Qg5+ Kf8 27. Kf2 Ke8
28. Qg7 {White's attack is formidable, but it's by no means over for Black.})
25. Bh6+ Ke8 26. Rg8+ Kd7 27. d6 1-0

[Event "Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 {This opening, commonly referred to as
the Ragozin, has gained massively in popularity in recent years. Black
combines various ideas of the Nimzo-Indian with the solid structure of the
Queen's Gambit Declined. I learned the Ragozin first from my own experiences
on the white side of it after being unable to make any headway against Gregory
Serper in our battles in the late 1990's. Then I figured, if you can't beat
them, join them, and started playing the Ragozin myself! I don't have many
wins to show for it, but I did make a lot of draws against quality opposition,
such as Onischuk, Epishin and Gulko. Of course, it all happened a long time
ago, and now there are new ideas for Black.} 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 O-O (6... h6 {
is what Serper and I always played.}) 7. e3 (7. Qc2 {transposes to a
Nimzo-Indian 4.Qc2. One example is So-Carlsen, Grand Chess Tour Blitz, Paris,
2017:} h6 8. Bh4 c5 9. dxc5 Nbd7 10. e3 Qa5 11. Bd3 Ne4 12. O-O Bxc3 13. bxc3
Ndxc5 14. Nd4 Nxd3 15. Qxd3 {Magnus wisely continued with} Re8 ({rejecting the
pawn offer,} 15... Qxc3 16. Qxc3 Nxc3 17. Rfc1 Ne4 18. f3 Nd2 19. Rc7 {where
White would have had a lot of compensation, and possibly more.}) 16. Rfc1 Bd7
17. c4 dxc4 18. Rxc4 Qd5 {and equalised comfortably.}) 7... Bf5 $5 {It's a
different ballgame here, as Black has just developed his light-squared bishop
on a great diagonal, an opportunity usually denied to him by White.} ({There
were a lot of games by Carlsen some ten years ago when the young Magnus played
} 7... c5 {As we know now, White's best reply is} 8. dxc5 $1 (8. Bd3 c4 9. Bc2
Nbd7 {is another transposition to a theoretical line, where Black's delaying
of Nbd7 allowed him to avoid the more dangerous lines with the white bishop on
f5.}) 8... Nbd7 9. Rc1 Qa5 10. a3 $1 Bxc3+ 11. Rxc3 Ne4 12. b4 Nxc3 13. Qa1 {
A great invention by Topalov, used for the first time against Carlsen in their
2007 game in Wijk aan Zee. Since then many games have followed that trend,
including a fairly recent Aronian(!)-Nakamura, GCT Rapid, Leuven 2016.
Obviously, all top players are very familiar with that line.}) ({In the
meantime,} 7... c6 $6 {is not so good. What we have here is a standard
Exchange Variation pawn structure from the QGD with the black bishop clearly
misplaced on b4.}) 8. Qb3 {appears to be the only attempt to bother Black.} (8.
Be2 Nbd7 9. O-O c6 10. Qb3 Qb6 11. Na4 Qa5 $11) 8... Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 h6 {This is
Levon's preferred move order, while some people try to throw in ...h6 some
moves earlier.} 10. Bh4 {Ding's novelty, but it just transposes to a known
position.} ({Nakamura-Aronian, Norway Chess 2017 went} 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 {and here
Hikaru thought better of capturing the pawn} 11. Qxc7 {What's the deal here?
Black will likely continue with} ({instead, he chose the rather meek} 11. Bd3 {
and was forced to defend a slightly worse position until finally reaching a
draw on move 60.}) 11... Nc6 12. Be2 Rfc8 13. Qf4 Nb4 14. O-O Rc2 {This is the
moment when White should take a close look at} 15. Nh4 $5 {Further practical
tests are in order.}) 10... g5 $5 {This is a true innovation by Levon Aronian.}
(10... Nbd7 11. Nd2 Rc8 12. Be2 c5 13. O-O Qb6 {Karjakin-Harikrishna, 2017})
11. Bg3 Ne4 {Once again, the c7-pawn is on the sacrificial altar.} 12. Qxc7 Nc6
$1 13. Qxd8 Rfxd8 14. Be2 Rac8 15. O-O h5 $1 {Nothing works for Black without
this key move. Another excellent piece of opening preparation by Levon. What's
amazing is that he isn't holding the novelties back until the Candidates.
Generosity worthy of a king.} ({The immediate} 15... Nb4 {leads Black nowhere
after} 16. a3) 16. h4 g4 17. Ne5 (17. Ng5 $2 Nxg3 18. fxg3 Bg6 {would leave
the white knight in great danger.}) 17... Nb4 18. Bf4 ({The secret would be
revealed after} 18. a3 Nc2 19. Rac1 Nxe3 $1) 18... f6 19. Nd3 {There is
nowhere else to go with that knight.} Nc3 20. bxc3 {A draw was agreed here,} ({
in view of} 20. bxc3 Nxd3 21. Bg3 Rxc3) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E80"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 c5 4. d5 Bg7 5. e4 d6 6. Nc3 e6 7. Nge2 exd5 8. cxd5
a6 9. a4 Nbd7 10. Ng3 Nh5 11. Nxh5 gxh5 12. Bd3 O-O 13. O-O f5 14. exf5 Ne5 15.
Bc2 Bxf5 16. Bxf5 Rxf5 17. Ne4 c4 18. Qc2 Qb6+ 19. Kh1 Rff8 20. Ng5 Nd3 21. Ne6
Rae8 22. Nxg7 Nf2+ 23. Kg1 Nd3+ 24. Kh1 Nf2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2692"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Sadorra,J"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. d4 dxc4 {Aronian plays
the mainline of the Open Variation against the Catalan, which is probably
still the most respectable and effective way to equalise against this solid
opening.} 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4 Bd7 9. Rd1 {This move prioritises development and
central control over taking back the pawn on c4.} ({The more popular move here
is} 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 {for more details, see my annotated games in CBM 178.})
9... Bc6 10. Bg5 {Rapport chooses a less common move but one that Aronian also
had to face in a recent game, which could help make one's prep more specific.}
({The most popular continuation here is} 10. Nc3 {which Aronian has faced
before in tournament practice} Bxf3 11. Bxf3 Nc6 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. a5 Rb8 14.
Ra4 Rb4 15. Na2 Rxa4 16. Qxa4 Qb8 (16... h6 17. Qxc4 Qd5 {1/2-1/2 (37) Gelfand,
B (2741)-Aronian,L (2783) Leon 2010 CBM 136 Extra [CB]}) 17. Qxc4 Qb7 $11 {
1/2-1/2 (30) Leko,P (2737)-Aronian,L (2816) Istanbul 2012}) 10... a5 11. Nbd2
Na6 12. Nxc4 Nb4 {Aronian had this position on the board in one of his World
Cup matches.} 13. Qb3 ({One of Russia's strong and young grandmasters Daniil
Dubov chose here} 13. Qc1 h6 14. Bxf6 (14. Bd2 $5 {Keeping more pieces may be
worth investigating for White.}) 14... Bxf6 15. Nfe5 Bd5 16. Qc3 b6 $1 $11 {
½-½ (36) Dubov,D (2666)-Aronian,L (2802) Tbilisi GEO 2017,  and Black had no
problems, and can even fight for more than equality later in the game.}) 13...
Nd7 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Qa3 $6 {This doesn't give Black any problems.} ({The
best way to obtain an edge is to fight for control of e4 and expand in the
centre:} 15. Ne1 $1 {This move also aims to remove Black's best piece on b4.}
Bxg2 (15... Bd5 16. e4) 16. Kxg2 {[%csl Rb4][%cal Ge1c2,Ge1d3]} Nb8 {Preparing
to meet White's intention to remove the knight on b4.} (16... c6 $2 17. Nd3 $14
) 17. Nd3 N8c6 18. Nxb4 Nxb4 (18... Qxb4 19. Rd3 $5) 19. Rac1 c6 20. e4 $14 {
White has a very slight edge but Black is very solid.}) 15... Rfd8 16. Rac1 Nd5
17. Qa1 {Rapport wants to keep more pieces to make the most of his space
advantage.} (17. Qxe7 Nxe7 18. b3 f6 $11) 17... N5f6 (17... Nb4 {is more solid
and may be objectively better, but Aronian wants to avoid any type of
repetition and goes for more.}) 18. b3 Qb4 $6 {Clarifying his intentions by
playing actively despite the risk involved of the black queen becoming a
future target for White's pieces.} 19. Ncd2 Rac8 20. e3 {Rapport doesn't see
any real threat from Black and decides to take it slow.} (20. Ne1 $1 {[%cal
Ge1d3,Ge2e4] is once again possible, for the same reasons!}) 20... Ne4 21. Nc4
{Once again avoiding exchanges to keep things tight and uncomfortable in
Black's camp.} (21. Nxe4 Bxe4 22. Nd2 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 c5 24. Ne4 $1 cxd4 25. Rxc8
Rxc8 26. Rxd4 Qe7 27. Qd1 $36) 21... Nd6 22. Ne1 {Rapport finally allows a
trade but only if Aronian helps him improve his structure.} (22. Ncd2 Ne4 23.
Nc4 Nd6 $11) 22... Bxg2 23. Kxg2 Nxc4 24. bxc4 Qe7 {Aronian plans the pawn
break c7-c5 next move freeing his pieces and giving him counterplay in the
centre.} 25. Nd3 ({The best way to stop or meet this break is} 25. c5 $1 {
I'm sure Rapport examined this but he might have been concerned with the other
break} e5 {[%cal Ge5e4,Ge5d4,Gd7f6,Gf6d5] with the idea of e4 or exd4 followed
by manoeuvring a knight to d5.} 26. Nf3 {Only a deeper look at the position
can enable one to see why the ensuing position give White better chances.} (26.
Nd3 exd4 27. exd4 Nf6 $1 $11) (26. c6 $5 {looks tempting but it only leads to
some simplification where Black has counterplay.} bxc6 27. Rxc6 exd4 28. Rxd4
Ne5 29. Rxd8+ Rxd8 30. Rc2 Qd6 $132) 26... exd4 {The most natural continuation.
} (26... e4 27. Nd2 Nf6 28. Rb1 Rb8 29. Rb5 $1 b6 30. cxb6 cxb6 31. Qb1 $16 {
[%csl Rb6,Re4]}) 27. exd4 Nf6 28. Re1 $1 Qf8 (28... Qd7 29. c6 $1 bxc6 30. Rc5
$16 {[%csl Ra5,Rc6,Rc7]}) 29. Qb2 {Now we see that the queenside pawns can
cause problems for Black.} (29. Qb1) 29... Rb8 (29... Nd5 {A nice blockade on
d5 isn't enough compensation for the pawn and queenside weaknesses.} 30. Qxb7
c6 31. Ne5) 30. Qb5 b6 31. cxb6 cxb6 32. Ne5 $36 {White's pieces have gained
much activity and energy from the transformation of the pawn structure, and
Black is under heavy pressure.}) 25... c5 26. Qa3 Kf8 {Aronian defends
actively.} (26... b6 27. Rb1 {[%csl Rb6]}) 27. Qb3 (27. Rb1 $6 cxd4 28. Qxe7+
Kxe7 29. Rxb7 dxe3 30. fxe3 Ke8 $11) 27... b6 28. Qb5 cxd4 29. exd4 Qd6 30. Nf4
$6 ({With Black's king slightly exposed, I think it's worth considering
keeping queens on the board. In general, it's also good to hang on to pieces
in hanging pawns structures where there's plenty of dynamic possibilities that
can happen.} 30. Kg1 $5 Qc6 31. Qb3 {But then again maybe Black can afford to
use some time to get his king back to safety!} Kg8 $5 32. d5 $1 (32. Nf4 $5)
32... Nc5 $1 {This concrete idea allows Black to hold.} (32... exd5 33. cxd5
Qd6 34. Rc6 $1 Rxc6 35. dxc6 Qxc6 36. Ne5 $18) 33. Nxc5 Qxc5 34. dxe6 fxe6 $11)
30... Qc6+ 31. Qxc6 (31. Kg1 Qxb5 32. axb5 Nf6 $15) 31... Rxc6 {Now I think
it's much easier to play Black due to the existing targets in White's position.
} 32. d5 Rd6 33. dxe6 Nc5 $1 34. e7+ {A way to keep Black's pieces from
invading.} ({If White continues normally with} 34. Rxd6 Rxd6 35. exf7 (35. Ra1
fxe6 {[%csl Ra4,Rc4]}) 35... Nxa4 $15 {White has a tough defensive task ahead
of him.}) 34... Kxe7 35. Nd5+ Kf8 36. Ra1 Rc8 {Simple and strong.} 37. Rdb1 Nd7
38. Ne3 (38. Rc1 Ne5 39. Ne3 Rd2 {transposes to the game.}) 38... Ne5 39. Rc1
Rd2 40. Rcb1 Nd3 $1 {Aronian continues to play energetically.} 41. Rf1 (41.
Rxb6 Rxf2+ 42. Kh3 (42. Kg1 Re8 43. Nd5 Rc2 $17) 42... Re8 43. Nd5 h5 $1 {
And Black must have a winning attack against the white king.}) 41... g6 $1 {
Aronian shows his great technique - he doesn't rush, but slowly improves his
pawn structure and king safety before taking any further action.} (41... Ne5
42. Rab1) (41... Nb2 42. Rfc1 Nd3 43. Rf1 {neither makes any progress.}) 42.
Ra3 Rc6 $1 {[%csl Gb6,Rf2,Gf6][%cal Gc8c6,Gc6f6,Rf6f2,Gf6b6] I like this idea.
Aronian places his rook on a position where it can both defend his pawn and
attack the enemy's!} 43. Rb3 Nc5 44. Ra3 Ne4 45. Raa1 Rf6 $17 46. Ng4 Rfd6 47.
Ne3 Rf6 48. Ng4 Rf5 49. Rfd1 Rc5 (49... Rb2 $5 {I like this idea of using the
b4-square.} 50. Rab1 Rb4 51. Rxb4 (51. f3 Nc3 52. Rxb4 axb4 $19) 51... axb4 52.
Rb1 h5 53. Re1 $1 Nc3 54. Ne3 Re5 $1 (54... Ra5 55. Nd5 Nxd5 (55... Rxa4 56.
Nxb6 Ra5 57. c5 $132) 56. cxd5 Rxd5 57. Re4 $11) 55. Rc1 Ra5 $17) 50. Rxd2 Nxd2
51. Nf6 $1 Ke7 $6 ({Aronian had to play solid and simple chess here to keep
his advantage} 51... Kg7 $1 52. Ne8+ Kh8 {But to be honest, it's difficult to
play like this during the game as it looks like it's allowing White
counterplay. Nevertheless, the engine shows that White has nothing even after
the rook joins the knight.} 53. Rd1 Nxc4 54. Rd7 (54. Rd8 h5 $17) 54... Rc8 55.
Nf6 Kg7 56. Nd5 Rc5 57. h4 h5 $17) 52. Nd5+ Kd6 53. Rd1 $1 Nxc4 54. Nxb6+ Kc6
55. Nd7 Rd5 56. Rc1 Rd4 57. Ne5+ Kc5 58. Nxf7 {Rapport's resourcefulness with
his accurate calculation has allowed him to obtain good counterplay in this
unpleasant ending. However, the ensuing positions still hold danger for White
and he has to stay resourceful!} Kb4 59. Ng5 $5 Nd2 {Preventing White's tricky
idea.} (59... Kxa4 $4 60. Ne6 Re4 61. Nc5+ $18) 60. Ne6 Rc4 61. Ra1 Kb3 62. f4
Kb2 63. Re1 $2 (63. Rd1 $1 {I'm sure Rapport noticed this} Kc2 64. Ra1 Nb3 {
But he may have missed the following idea} 65. Ra2+ Kb1 66. Rf2 $1 Rxa4 67. g4
{[%cal Gf4f5,Gf5f6,Gf6f7] and White should have enough play to hold the game.})
63... Rxa4 64. Re5 Kc3 65. f5 Nc4 $1 {An important intermezzo.} 66. Rc5 gxf5
67. Kh3 (67. Rxf5 $4 Ne3+) 67... Ra2 68. Rxf5 a4 69. Nc7 Rd2 70. Rf8 Rd7 $2 (
70... Nd6 $1) 71. Nb5+ Kb4 72. Rb8 {The game was agreed drawn here, as White
will just sacrifice his knight for the a-pawn then trade his kingside pawns
for Black's h-pawn. This game must have been disheartening for Aronian as he
knew he had great chances to convert an advantage that he obtained from the
middlegame and slowly increased in the complex ending. But this result is not
merely due to his what he did, but also to Rapport's resourceful and tenacious
efforts to hold the game. Overall, the opening line played in the Open
Variation of the Catalan is still in good shape for Black and the better
player will usually come out on top in the subsequent middlegames!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E18"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Bd2
Bf6 9. Ne5 Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Bxg2 11. Kxg2 c5 12. Nf3 cxd4 13. Bxd4 Na6 14. Bxf6
Qxf6 15. Qd4 Qxd4 16. Nxd4 Rfc8 17. b3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. Re1 Bd6 13. d3 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 Bg4 17. Qg2 cxd5 18. Qxh3 Bxh3 19. Be3 Bf5 20. d4 Rfe8 21.
Nd2 f6 22. Bf4 Bf8 23. Nf1 Rxe1 24. Rxe1 Rc8 25. f3 Kf7 26. Bd2 h5 27. Ne3 Be6
28. f4 Bd6 29. f5 Bd7 30. Rf1 Re8 31. Rf2 Bc6 32. Ng2 b4 33. cxb4 Bb5 34. Rf3
Re2 35. Bc3 Ke8 36. Rf2 Kd7 37. Nh4 Kc6 38. a3 Re8 39. Kg2 Be2 40. Nf3 Bd3 41.
Ne1 Be2 42. Nf3 Bd3 43. Ne1 Be2 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Be3 Nd4 11. Bxd4 exd4 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. Bxd5 Rc8 14. Bc6 Bf6
15. a4 Bd7 16. Bxd7 Qxd7 17. Qd2 Rfe8 18. Rfe1 h6 19. axb5 axb5 20. Ra6 c5 21.
h3 c4 22. Qb4 Qb7 23. Rea1 cxd3 24. cxd3 d5 25. Ra7 Qc6 26. R7a6 Qb7 27. Ra7
Qc6 28. R7a6 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.03"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Be3 Nd4 11. Bxd4 exd4 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. Bxd5 Rc8 14. Bc6 Bf6
15. a4 Rb8 16. h3 Be6 17. axb5 axb5 18. Qd2 Rb6 19. Bd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 b4 21. b3
Rb5 22. Ra4 Qb8 23. Re1 Qb6 24. Re4 Qc5 25. g4 g6 26. Kg2 Bg7 27. Re7 Bf6 28.
Re4 Bg7 29. Re7 Bf6 30. Re2 Bg7 31. Re7 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O Nbd7 {
Black has been solid in this line, which resembles the Closed Catalan, only
with the white bishop misplaced on d2.} 8. Na3 $5 {Aronian always seeks a new
path. The development of the knight to the edge of the board takes care of the
c4-pawn and allows White to get his major pieces out.} c6 9. Rc1 Ne4 10. Be3 f5
{Sergey took a bit of time here. Normally he's not a big fan of the Stonewall
formation.} ({Levon already had an occasion in this line to showcase his
positional skills:} 10... Bxa3 11. bxa3 Nd6 12. c5 Nc4 13. Rxc4 $1 dxc4 14. Qc2
{Aronian-Giri, Tata Steel 2017.}) (10... b6 {is supposed to be met with} 11.
cxd5 cxd5 {but White didn't get so much out the c-file in Gozzoli-Meier, 2017:}
12. Bf4 Ba6 13. Bc7 Qe8 14. Ne1 Bxa3 15. bxa3 Qe7) 11. Rc2 a5 {Sergey wanted
to stop White's expansion on the queenside.} ({Alternatively he could have
invited it:} 11... Bf6 12. b4 Qe7 13. c5 {counting on the counterplay with} b6
$1) 12. Qc1 Bf6 13. Rd1 g5 14. Nb1 (14. Ne5 $5 {is what White always wants to
do in the Stonewall. It's not really a pawn sacrifice here, as} Nxe5 (14... Qe7
$5) 15. dxe5 Bxe5 16. f3 {gets it back. The position after} Nd6 (16... f4 {
is very risky:} 17. fxe4 fxe3 18. cxd5) 17. Bxg5 Bf6 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. e3 {
is slightly better for White, who will try to get a hold of dark squares, such
as in} Bd7 20. c5 Nf7 21. f4 e5 22. Nc4) 14... Rf7 15. Nc3 Rg7 16. Ne1 {
Aronian continues to manoeuvre.} ({A standard method in such positions is} 16.
Nxe4 fxe4 17. Nd2 {I think Levon was concerned with the future of his knight
after} ({or} 17. Ne1 {with the same idea, although in that case Black can try
the surprising} b5 $5 18. cxb5 cxb5 19. f3 Bb7) 17... Rf7 (17... a4 $5) 18. f3
exf3 19. exf3 a4 {but then White can try the direct} 20. f4 $5 gxf4 21. gxf4)
16... Nd6 17. b3 ({Anotrher surprising line that didn't see the light of the
day was} 17. c5 Nc4 (17... Nf7 $11 {may have been the reason Aronian didn't
want to close the position.}) 18. Bxg5 Bxg5 19. f4 Be7 20. b3 b5 21. bxc4 bxc4
$13) 17... dxc4 18. Na4 ({After} 18. bxc4 Nxc4 19. Ne4 Nxe3 20. Nxf6+ Qxf6 21.
Qxe3 {White has enough compensation, but Black counters with} e5 {before White
can clamp down on that square.}) 18... cxb3 19. axb3 Nb5 20. Nd3 $5 {One
cannot accuse Levon Aronian of not trying. The second pawn is offered.} Qe8 {
Sergey thought better of that.} ({Both} 20... Nxd4 21. Bxd4 Bxd4 22. Rcd2 Qe7)
({and to a lesser extent} 20... Bxd4 21. Bxd4 Nxd4 22. Rb2 Qe7 23. e3 Nb5 24.
Rbd2 {were playable.}) 21. Ne5 f4 22. gxf4 gxf4 23. Bxf4 Nxd4 24. Rxd4 Nxe5 25.
Rd1 Qg6 26. Bg3 h5 {At first sight White's situation looks critical, but both
players realised that the threat of h5-h4 was only good to win a piece, not to
checkmate the white king.} 27. Nb6 Rb8 28. Rcd2 Nf7 ({Here is a line to
illustrate the point.} 28... h4 29. Rd8+ Bxd8 30. Rxd8+ Kh7 31. Nxc8 hxg3 32.
hxg3 Qf6 33. Be4+ Ng6 34. Qd2 {White is only down the exchange with a solidly
protected king, which cannot be said about its black counterpart.}) 29. Qc5 $5
{Aronian insists on "losing" a piece.} ({He could have played} 29. Qc2 {
to take care of the problem on the g-file.} Qxc2 30. Rxc2 e5 31. Nxc8 Rxc8 32.
h4 {White has compensation, but hardly more.}) 29... e5 {Agaijn, Karjakin says
thanks, but no thanks.} (29... h4 30. Nc4 hxg3 31. hxg3 b6 {otherwise it's
hard to save the Rb8 from the attack by the white queen.} 32. Qxc6 Ba6 33. Qxe6
Kh8 34. Rd7 Bxc4 35. Qxc4 {is objecively about equal, but it's harder to play
for Black, particularly when low on time.}) 30. Qc4 Kh8 31. h4 $6 {After the
game Levon expressed his regret at letting the formerly bad Bc8 live.} ({
Indeed,} 31. Nxc8 Rxc8 32. h4 {was a better choice.}) 31... Bf5 32. Nd7 Rbg8
33. Kh1 {With this move Aronian offered a draw. By his own admission, Levon
"cheated" a bit, as no such offers should remain part of chess competition.} (
33. Nxf6 Qxf6 34. Qc3 Rg4 {already slightly favours Black, who aims to have a
go at the white king, e.g} 35. Qxa5 $2 Rxh4 $1 36. Bxh4 Qxh4 $19) ({In the
game continuation} 33. Kh1 $2 {Black had a large, if not outright decisive
advantage. Karjakin said he didn't see} Be7 $1 {saving the bishop and
preparing the shot on h4.} 34. e3 (34. e4 Bxd7 35. Rxd7 Bxh4 {as the 4th rank
is now blocked.}) 34... e4 $1 35. Rg1 Bd6 $19) 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.05"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nbd2 Qd7 12. a4 Rae8 13. axb5 axb5 14. Nxe5 Nxe5
15. Rxe5 Nf6 16. Nf1 Bd6 17. Rxe8 Rxe8 18. Be3 Qf5 19. Qe2 Qg6 20. f3 Bd5 21.
c4 Be6 22. c5 Bxb3 23. cxd6 cxd6 24. Qd2 h6 25. Bf2 Rc8 26. Ne3 Nd5 27. Nxd5
Bxd5 28. Kh2 Qg5 29. Be3 Qf5 30. Rc1 Rxc1 31. Qxc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D70"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2
e5 9. d5 c6 10. Rd1 (10. h4 {is the main theoretical move but the text
continuation looks quite promising.}) 10... cxd5 (10... Re8 11. dxc6 Qxd2+ 12.
Rxd2 Nxc6 13. Bb5 Be6 14. Nd5 Rad8 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Nc7 Rxd2 17. Bxd2 Re7 18.
Nxe6 Rxe6 19. Nh3 $14 {1/2 (41) Krassowizkij,J (2438)-Vocaturo,D (2600)
Griesheim GER 2017}) 11. exd5 N8d7 {This move allows the most comfortable
development of White's knight; however, other continuations are not quite
sufficient for equality, either, according to recent practice:} (11... Nc4 {
exchanging White's undeveloped bishop, is hardly appropriate:} 12. Bxc4 Qh4+
13. Qf2 Qxc4 14. Nge2 Na6 15. b3 Qb4 16. O-O Bd7 17. d6 $14 {1-0 (50)
Polivanov,A (2383)-Zaksaite,S (2278) Katowice POL 2017}) (11... Re8 12. Ne4
N8d7 13. Nh3 Nf6 14. Nhf2 Nxe4 15. fxe4 f5 16. Be2 f4 17. Bc5 Nd7 18. Ba3 $14 {
1/2 (41) Postny,E (2620)-Sarkar,J (2415) Sitges 2016}) (11... Bf5 12. h4 h5 13.
Nh3 N8d7 (13... Qxh4+ $2 14. Nf2 Qd8 15. g4) 14. Nf2 Nf6 15. Bg5 Qd6 16. Be2
Rfe8 17. O-O Rac8 18. Nce4 $14 (18. g4 e4 19. Bf4 Qc5 20. gxf5 e3 $13 {1/2 (44)
Martinovic,S (2532)-Burnoiu,N (2400) Arad 2015})) (11... Qh4+ $5 12. Bf2 (12.
Qf2 $5) 12... Qb4 13. h4 N8d7 14. h5 Nf6 15. Rh4 e4 16. hxg6 hxg6 17. fxe4 Re8
$44 {0-1 (46) Wojtaszek,R (2744)-Dominguez Perez,L (2726) Beijing 2014}) 12.
Nh3 $1 (12. h4 Nf6 13. h5 $6 Nxh5 14. Bh6 f5 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. d6 Be6 $17 {
0-1 (37) Geirnaert,S (2451)-Hovhannisyan,M (2509) Schelle 2015}) 12... e4 {
[%mdl 512]} (12... Nc4 $6 13. Bxc4 Qh4+ 14. Nf2 Qxc4 15. b3 Qa6 16. Nd3 Nb6 {
1-0 (29) Lenaerts,L (2204)-Guido,F (2367) Vienna 2015} 17. O-O $16) (12... Nf6
13. Nf2 Bd7 14. Be2 Rc8 15. O-O Nc4 16. Bxc4 Rxc4 17. Bxa7 b6 18. Qe3 Rc5 19.
d6 $16 {1/2 (57) Van Kampen,R (2636)-Bok,B (2586) Amsterdam 2014}) 13. fxe4 (
13. f4 $6 Nf6 14. Nf2 Ng4 15. Nxg4 Bxg4 16. Be2 Bxe2 17. Qxe2 Rc8 18. O-O Bxc3
19. bxc3 Nxd5 $15 {1/2 (24) Delchev,A (2604)-Ghosh,D (2531) Kavala 2015}) 13...
Ne5 {Theoretically, Black's compensation for the pawn is not fully sufficient
but in practice this blockade is not easy to lift, and the position remains
double-edged.} 14. Nf2 f5 ({The series of exchanges after} 14... Nbc4 15. Bxc4
Nxc4 16. Qe2 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 Qb6 18. Qxb6 axb6 {is rather favourable for White,
e.g.} 19. O-O Bd7 20. h3 h5 21. Nd3 Rfe8 22. Nb4 Be5 23. Rf3 Kg7 24. Nc2 Bxc3
25. Rxc3 Rxa2 26. Rc7 Ba4 27. Rf1 $16 {1-0 (75) Bologan,V (2672)-Cheparinov,I 
(2678) Poikovsky 2013}) 15. Bc5 $6 {It was probably better to leave the bishop
on e3, preventing ...f5-f4.} (15. Bg5 $5 Qe8 16. Bb5 Bd7 17. Bxd7 Qxd7 18. O-O
f4 $6 (18... Nec4) 19. Bxf4 Nec4 20. Qc1 Nxb2 21. Qxb2 Rxf4 22. Qb3 Raf8 23.
Ne2 R4f7 24. g3 Na4 25. Nf4 Nc3 26. Ne6 $16 {1/2 (75) Georgescu,T (2468)-Gupta,
A (2630) Cappelle-la-Grande 2014}) (15. b3 $5 {, preventing ...Nb6-c4, looks
the most appropriate:} Bd7 (15... fxe4 16. Ncxe4) 16. Be2 Rc8 17. Bd4 f4 18.
Bf3 Qh4 19. Ne2 Bb5 20. Bxe5 Bxe5 21. O-O h5 22. Rfe1 Nd7 23. Nd4 Ba6 24. Rc1
$14 {1/2 (36) Heimann,A (2548)-Mikhalevski,V (2536) Lingen 2015}) 15... Rf7 16.
Be2 f4 17. Bf3 $6 {Not a good antidote to ...f4-f3 but White's position is
quite dangerous in other cases, too, e.g.} (17. O-O f3 $5) ({or} 17. b3 f3 18.
gxf3 Qh4) 17... Nbc4 18. Qe2 b6 $6 (18... Qh4 {was even more dangerous} 19. O-O
$140 g5 $40) 19. Bd4 Ne3 20. Bxe3 fxe3 21. Qxe3 {Black has excellent
compensation for two pawns: a pair of bishops, blockade, active pieces.} Qf8 {
This move practically forces a draw.} (21... Nxf3+ $5 22. gxf3 Ba6 {[%csl Re1]}
) 22. Be2 $1 {[%cal Re1g1]} (22. O-O $6 Nxf3+ 23. gxf3 Rxf3 24. Qe2 Be5 $40)
22... Bh6 23. Qd4 Bg7 24. Qe3 Bh6 25. Qd4 Bg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 {Levon has been relying on this capture} ({instead of
} 10... Nxe5 {ever since he lost to Nakamura in the Sinquefield Cup 2013.
There's a different opinion, though. Ding Liren recently won a nice game
against Inarkiev in FIDE Grand Prix in Palma, and there have been efforts from
Carlsen and Svidler to uphold this line.}) 11. Nbd2 Bc5 12. a5 Be6 $5 {The
newest idea.} ({Levon twice tried} 12... Ng4) ({While others, including
Caruana, Tomashevsky and Svidler, have preferred the restrained} 12... h6) 13.
Bxe6 {Surprisingly this has never been played before, at least not in high
profile games.} ({Dominguez-Aronian, St. Louis Blitz 2017 saw} 13. Qe2 Qe7 14.
Bc4 Nd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. Nb3 ({White doesn't get anywhere after} 16. Bxa6 Qc5)
16... Rfd8 17. Nxd4 Bxc4 18. Nf5 Qe6 19. Qf3 Ne8) 13... fxe6 14. Qe2 {It seems
like White is about to take all the commanding squares, but Black has active
counterplay.} Ng4 $5 15. Rf1 Bxf2+ ({Another option was} 15... Nd4 {but Levon
must have seen the good reply} 16. Qc4 $1 (16. Nxd4 Rxf2 $1 17. Rxf2 Qxd4 {
is Black's main idea.}) 16... Qd6 17. h3 {Now Black has to go all the way.}
Nxf3+ (17... Nf6 18. c3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Nxf3+ 20. Nxf3 $16) 18. Nxf3 Nxf2 19.
Rxf2 Qd1+ 20. Qf1 Qxc2 {he seems to be getting enough pawns, but} 21. Qe1 Bxf2+
22. Qxf2 Qxe4 23. Be3 $14 {allows White to keep enough material on the board,
which is critical for success in battles between two minor pieces and a rook.})
16. Rxf2 Nd4 17. Qc4 $2 {Wesley chooses the wrong square for his queen.} ({
Black would be under some pressure to prove his compensation after the correct
} 17. Qd3 Nxf2 18. Kxf2) 17... Nxf2 18. Kxf2 Qh4+ ({In turn, Levon misses the
best move} 18... Qg5 $1 {The only way for White to untangle would be} 19. Kg1 {
but then Black gets his material back:} Rxf3 20. Nxf3 Nxf3+ 21. Kh1 Qh5 {
The knight is taboo, as} 22. Qxe6+ Kh8 23. gxf3 {loses to} Qxf3+ 24. Kg1 Qd1+
25. Kg2 Qe2+ 26. Kg1 Qe1+ 27. Kg2 Rf8) 19. Kg1 Qg4 ({Possibly} 19... Qf4 {
was better.}) 20. h3 $6 {Again, Wesley So is not precise with his calculations.
} (20. Qd3 Rad8 21. h3 {would bring Black's attack to its end.} Nxf3+ ({Else,} 
21... Qg3 22. Nxd4 Qe1+ 23. Kh2 Rxd4 24. Qg3 Qxg3+ 25. Kxg3 Rfd8 26. Nf1 Rxe4
27. Be3 Rc4 28. Rc1 Rd5 29. Nd2 Rc6 30. b3 Rxa5 31. Nc4 {holds the black
rooks' activity in check.}) 22. Nxf3 Rxd3 23. hxg4 Rd1+ 24. Kf2 {There's a
question whether White can win this, but he'll have his chances.}) 20... Qg3
21. Qd3 Rxf3 $1 {Aronian was not going to miss that. The following is forced.}
22. Nxf3 Rf8 23. Nxd4 Qe1+ 24. Kh2 Rf1 25. Qxf1 Qxf1 26. Nf3 c5 {On paper
White has enough for a queen, and his king is safe, but the pin on the back
rank holds him down.} 27. b3 $6 {Wesley decides to address this issue, even at
the cost of some pawns.} ({Objectively, White is safe after} 27. c3 b3 28. c4
Qd1 29. Nxe5 h6 $11 {but it's impossible to play this position for a win.})
27... Qd1 28. Bb2 Qxc2 29. Bxe5 Qxb3 30. Rf1 h6 $2 {Aronian shows too much
respect to White's non-existent threats.} (30... Qc2 $1 {would have kept White
from activating his rook.} 31. Kg3 (31. Ng5 h6 $19) 31... c4 32. Rf2 Qxe4 33.
Rd2 Qg6+ 34. Kf2 Qe8 {leaving Black with decent chances of victory.}) 31. Rf2
$1 {Just at the last moment Wesley's rook breaks out into the open.} c4 32. Rd2
c3 33. Rd8+ Kf7 34. Rc8 Qb1 35. Rc7+ Ke8 36. Rc8+ Kf7 37. Rc7+ Ke8 38. Rc8+ Kf7
({There is no escape for the king, as can be seen from} 38... Kd7 39. Rc7+ Kd8
40. Nd4 Qxe4 41. Nxe6+ Ke8 42. Nxg7+) 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Qc2
Nc6 9. Rd1 Qa5 10. a3 Re8 11. Nd2 e5 12. Bg5 Nd4 13. Qb1 Bf5 14. Bd3 Bxd3 15.
Qxd3 Ne4 16. Nxd5 Nxg5 17. b4 Qd8 18. bxc5 Nde6 19. O-O Nxc5 20. Qb1 Rc8 21. f4
exf4 22. exf4 Nge4 23. Nxe4 Rxe4 24. Rde1 Rxe1 25. Rxe1 Rb8 26. Qb5 Nd7 27. h3
Nf6 28. Nxf6+ gxf6 29. Kh2 Qd6 30. Qf5 b6 31. c5 bxc5 32. Rc1 Kh8 33. Rxc5 Rg8
34. Rd5 Qb6 35. Rd7 Qc6 36. Rd2 Re8 37. Qh5 Qe4 38. Qh4 Qf5 39. Rb2 Re4 40. Qg3
Qg6 41. Qf2 Qf5 42. Rb8+ Kg7 43. Rb3 Qxf4+ 44. Rg3+ Kf8 45. Qxa7 Qe5 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.10"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2715"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Nf5 11. c3 d5 12. Bf4 c6 13. Nd2 Nh4 14. Bd3 Bf5
15. Bxf5 Nxf5 16. Nf3 Qd7 17. Ne5 Bxe5 18. Rxe5 f6 19. Re1 Rfe8 20. Qd3 Rxe1+
21. Rxe1 Re8 22. Re2 Rxe2 23. Qxe2 Kf7 24. Qh5+ Kg8 25. Qe2 Kf7 26. Qh5+ Kg8
27. Qe2 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.11"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A43"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 {Earlier on in the Festival, in the open tournament, I employed this
move order rather than ...Nf6 so as to permit the wrinkle 2.c4 Bb4+ followed
by an ...f5 setup. The order also dodges the Nc3 Dutch and allows a quick ...
c5 against Nf3 or g3. However, of course, the French must be in your
repertoire.} 2. Nf3 c5 3. g3 (3. e4 {Some kind of Sicilian that is not the
Dragon or Classical must also be in your repertoire. If you are a Najdorf
player, you must be willing to play ...e6 rather than ...e5 setups.}) 3... cxd4
4. Nxd4 Qb6 (4... d5 {is main, and seems to equalise straightforwardly since
White cannot really arrange to play c4 under desirable circumstances.}) 5. Bg2
Bc5 6. e3 (6. c3 Nf6 7. O-O d5 8. Nd2 {intending e4 is another valid way to
play, though it sacrifices a pawn in various ways}) 6... d5 7. Qg4 $6 $11 {
e3 goes with c4. In spite of this move appearing to force some concessions,
maybe White should have stuck to the plan.} (7. O-O Nf6 8. c4 $36 {was
probably the way to ask some probing questions.}) 7... Bf8 {Trying to play
without weaknesses.} (7... g6 {is not ridiculous either.}) 8. O-O Nf6 9. Qe2 e5
(9... Nc6 {avoids the doubled pawn scenario.}) 10. Qb5+ Bd7 11. Qxb6 axb6 12.
Nb3 Nc6 13. Bd2 Bd6 14. Nc3 Ne7 15. a4 O-O (15... Rc8 $11 {delays Nb5 by a
tempo which may be important. Certainly since the rook came here anyway in the
end this was a more internally consistent order.}) 16. Nb5 Bxb5 17. axb5 $14 {
It seems to me that White has nevertheless managed to get a little something,
though the position continues to be strategically confusing.} Rac8 18. Bc3 h5
19. Rfd1 Rfd8 20. Nd2 {White has an advantage, but as so often with the bishop
pair in closed positions it is hard to work with it. White chooses a logical
plan of trying to get the knight to g5.} (20. Ra7 {appeals somewhere round
here; as White I would probably like to double rooks on the a-file, exchange
one pair of them, arrange the bishops on e1 and d1 and maybe play toward g4. 
(As every grandmaster knows, the bishops control most squares from the back
rank. Thus, you will often see them win the bishop pair and then store the two
boys away on e1 and f1.)}) 20... h4 (20... Ne8 21. Nf3 f6 {deserved
consideration.}) 21. Nf3 hxg3 22. hxg3 e4 {Keeping the game strategically
messy.} (22... Ne4 $14 {was playable, but admits to being worse.}) 23. Ng5 (23.
Nd4 $14 {was a much better move, not being constrained by his own previous
plan of putting the knight on g5. For instance} Be5 24. Bh3 Rb8 25. Ra4 {
and White will ultimately play for c4.}) 23... Ng6 24. Ra7 $14 {So White has
acheived what I wanted anyway. It would have been much more fitting to
annotate this game as a White win, but Black reminds us that there is still a
lot going on in the game strategically (e.g. the idea of ...Be5.)} Rb8 25. Bd4
Bc5 26. Bxc5 bxc5 27. c4 Ne7 (27... Re8 $14 {was better according to the
engine, but would be depressing to play. As a human you want all your pieces
to be doing some work, and here the knight on g6 isn't performing well.}) 28.
cxd5 Nc8 29. Ra4 Nb6 30. Ra3 Nc4 31. Rc3 Nd6 32. Rxc5 Ra8 33. Bh3 {Probably a
step in the wrong direction, even if the computer sees no problem. The problem
is that White is now playing for strings of (albeit high level) tactical
tricks.} (33. Nh3 $14 {was the right idea, if not the right implementation:
this knight should be on f4 or d4 or something, not playing for tricks on the
kingside.}) 33... Re8 {Playing with the motif of trapping the knight.} 34. Rc7
Kf8 (34... Re5 $4 {runs into a forced piece sacrifice:} 35. Nxf7 Nxf7 36. Be6
Rf8 37. Rxb7 $18) 35. b6 (35. Be6 {was tempting but Black will just ignore it.}
Re7 36. Rxe7 Kxe7 37. Bh3 Rh8 $11) 35... Re5 36. Ne6+ (36. Nxf7 $11 {was a
better way to give up the piece and now White probably keeps dynamic equality})
36... fxe6 37. dxe6 Nfe8 38. Rd7 Raa5 {Now Black has completely turned the
tables and gets to finish the event above 50%!} 39. b4 (39. R1xd6 Nxd6 40. Rxd6
Rad5 {was objectively best but in a human game this ending would be absolute
hell to defend.}) 39... Rad5 40. Ra1 Rb5 $17 {Now the knights and e5-rook hold
White's play back while the b5-rook takes stuff.} 41. Ra8 Rxb6 42. Bg4 Rd5 43.
Kg2 Rxb4 44. Ra1 Rbb5 45. Be2 Rb2 46. Bg4 Rdd2 47. Kh3 Rxf2 48. Kh4 Rh2+ 49.
Bh3 g5+ 50. Kh5 Rxh3+ 51. Kg6 Rf2 52. e7+ Kg8 53. Rxd6 Rh7 {Finally either
taking the pawn or setting up mating tactics (...Rg7 and either ...g4 or ...
Kf7)} 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Georgiev, Kiril"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2623"]
[PlyCount "184"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 a6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Be6 7. e3 Nbd7 8.
Bd3 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. Qc2 h6 11. Bf4 c5 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. Rad1 Rc8 14. Qb1 Qb6
15. Be5 Rfd8 16. Bd4 Qc7 17. h3 b5 18. a3 Qb7 19. Nd2 b4 20. axb4 Qxb4 21. Bc2
a5 22. Ne2 Nfd7 23. Bc3 Qb6 24. Nd4 Nf6 25. Rc1 a4 26. Rfd1 Ra8 27. Bf5 Rdb8
28. Qc2 Rc8 29. Qb1 Rcb8 30. Nxe6 fxe6 31. Bg6 Nb3 32. Nxb3 Qxb3 33. Be5 Rc8
34. Rxc8+ Rxc8 35. Rc1 Rc4 36. Rxc4 Qxc4 37. Bd3 Qb3 38. Bc2 Qc4 39. Qd1 a3 40.
bxa3 Bxa3 41. Bxf6 gxf6 42. g3 f5 43. Kg2 Bf8 44. Bd3 Qc3 45. Bxf5 exf5 46.
Qxd5+ Kh8 47. Qxf5 Bg7 48. Qd5 Qb2 49. h4 Kh7 50. g4 Kh8 51. Qa8+ Kh7 52. Qe4+
Kh8 53. g5 hxg5 54. hxg5 Qb5 55. Qg4 Qd5+ 56. Kg3 Kg8 57. Qc8+ Kf7 58. f4 Qe4
59. Kf2 Bf8 60. Qc3 Be7 61. Qh8 Qc2+ 62. Kg3 Qg6 63. Qd4 Qf5 64. e4 Qe6 65. Kh4
Qh6+ 66. Kg4 Qh1 67. Qc4+ Kf8 68. Qc2 Kg7 69. e5 Qg1+ 70. Kf5 Qb6 71. Qc4 Qg6+
72. Kg4 Qb1 73. Qd5 Qg1+ 74. Kf5 Qb6 75. Qc4 Qg6+ 76. Kg4 Qb1 77. Qc3 Qe4 78.
Qh3 Qb1 79. Qh6+ Kf7 80. Qh5+ Kg7 81. Qh3 Qg1+ 82. Qg3 Qd4 83. Qf3 Qg1+ 84. Kh3
Bxg5 85. fxg5 Qxg5 86. Qd5 Qf5+ 87. Kg3 Kf8 88. Qd6+ Kf7 89. Qd5+ Ke7 90. Qd6+
Kf7 91. e6+ Qxe6 92. Qxe6+ Kxe6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.26"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kovalev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2639"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bc5 5. d3 d6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. h3 O-O 8.
O-O Kh8 9. d4 exd4 10. Nxd4 Bd7 11. Bg5 Qe8 12. Nb3 Bb6 13. a4 a5 14. Qf3 Ng8
15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 Ne7 17. Rfe1 Ng6 18. Nd4 Qb8 19. b3 Qb4 20. Rad1 Rae8 21.
Qg3 Qc5 22. Re3 Ne7 23. e5 d5 24. e6 fxe6 25. Qxc7 Bc8 26. Ncb5 Rd8 27. Rc3 Qb4
28. Nxc6 Nxc6 29. Rxc6 Qh4 30. Qg3 Qf6 31. Nd4 Bd7 32. Ra6 Rc8 33. Rd2 h6 34.
Qe3 Rf7 35. Nf3 Rc3 36. Qe2 Rf8 37. Ne5 Be8 38. Ra8 Rc7 39. Rd3 Rg8 40. Rf3 Qg5
41. Kh2 Qc1 42. Qa6 Qg5 43. Qd6 Qe7 44. Qxe7 Rxe7 45. Rxa5 Rc7 46. c3 Kh7 47.
Ra6 Re7 48. Re3 Rf8 49. f3 Rf4 50. Nd3 Rf6 51. Ne5 Rf4 52. Kg3 g5 53. Nd3 Rf6
54. Nc5 Bf7 55. b4 Kg6 56. a5 Kf5 57. Rb6 e5 58. Kf2 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.26"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Howell, David"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2676"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. a3 Bc5 7. Nb3 Bb6 8. e4
d5 9. exd5 exd5 10. Nxd5 Nxd5 11. cxd5 Qf6 12. Qf3 Qxf3 13. gxf3 Ne5 14. Be2
Bf5 15. Be3 Rd8 16. Bxb6 axb6 17. Nd4 Bg6 18. Nb5 O-O 19. O-O-O Rfe8 20. Nc3
Bh5 21. Rd4 Bxf3 22. Bxf3 Nxf3 23. Rf4 Ne5 24. Rd1 Rc8 25. Rb4 Nd7 26. Kb1 Kf8
27. Na4 Re2 28. Nxb6 Nxb6 29. Rxb6 Rc7 30. a4 Rxf2 31. a5 g5 32. d6 Rd7 33. Rc1
Rd2 34. Rc7 R2xd6 35. Rcxb7 Rxb7 36. Rxd6 Rb5 37. a6 Ke7 38. Rd3 Rb8 39. Ka2
Ra8 40. Ra3 Kd6 41. Kb3 Kc6 42. Kb4 Kb6 43. Rf3 Rxa6 44. Rf6+ Kb7 45. Rxf7+ Kc8
46. Rxh7 Rb6+ 47. Kc3 Rc6+ 48. Kd3 Rb6 49. Kc2 Rc6+ 50. Kb1 g4 51. Re7 Rh6 52.
Re2 Kc7 53. Kc2 Rh3 54. Rg2 Kd6 55. Kd1 Ke5 56. Ke1 Rb3 57. Re2+ Kd4 58. Kf2
Rf3+ 59. Kg2 Rb3 60. Kg1 Kd5 61. Rg2 Ke5 62. Kf1 Kd5 63. Ke1 Rh3 64. Kd2 Rb3
65. Kc2 Rh3 66. b3 Kc5 67. Kb2 Kb5 68. Ka3 Rh8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Christiansen, Johan Sebastian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B15"]
[WhiteElo "2495"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Be3 d5 5. Qd2 dxe4 6. Nxe4 Nd7 7. O-O-O Ngf6 8.
Ng3 Nb6 9. Bh6 Bxh6 10. Qxh6 Qd5 11. b3 Bg4 12. f3 Be6 13. Qd2 Qd6 14. c4 Qc7
15. N1e2 a5 16. Qf4 O-O-O 17. Qg5 a4 18. Nf4 h6 19. Nxe6 hxg5 20. Nxc7 Kxc7 21.
Be2 Nbd7 22. h3 Nf8 23. Ne4 Ne6 24. Nxf6 exf6 25. d5 Nf4 26. Bf1 axb3 27. axb3
cxd5 28. g3 Nh5 29. Rg1 Rhe8 30. cxd5 Re3 31. Bc4 Rxf3 32. Rge1 Kd6 33. g4 Nf4
34. Re4 Rxh3 35. Rde1 b5 36. Bxb5 Rxb3 37. Bc6 Nd3+ 38. Kc2 Nxe1+ 39. Kxb3 Nd3
40. Kc3 Ne5 41. Bb5 Rc8+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.26"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Laznicka, Viktor"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2647"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Qc2 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Bf4 O-O 8. e3
Nc6 9. Be2 Ne4 10. O-O Bf5 11. Qb3 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Na5 13. Qb4 b6 14. Nd2 e5 15.
Bg3 Re8 16. Rfe1 Bf8 17. Qb2 exd4 18. cxd4 Bd6 19. Rac1 Bxg3 20. hxg3 Qd6 21.
Ba6 Bc8 22. Bd3 Be6 23. e4 Rac8 24. Ba6 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Rb8 26. Qc3 Qd8 27. f3 b5
28. Rb1 dxe4 29. Nxe4 b4 30. Rxb4 Rxb4 31. Qxb4 Nc6 32. Qc5 Qxd4+ 33. Qxd4 Nxd4
34. Nc3 Kf8 35. Kf2 Ke7 36. g4 Kd6 37. Bd3 Kc5 38. Ke3 Nc6 39. a3 Ne5 40. Ne4+
Kb6 41. Kd4 Nxd3 42. Kxd3 Kb5 43. Kc3 h6 44. Nf6 Ka4 45. Kb2 Bc4 46. Ng8 h5 47.
gxh5 gxh5 48. g3 Be2 49. f4 Bf3 50. Ne7 Kb5 51. Nf5 Bd5 52. Ne3 Be6 53. Kc3 Ka4
54. Nc2 Bf5 55. Nd4 Bd7 56. Kb2 Bc8 57. Nc6 Bd7 58. Nd4 Bc8 59. f5 f6 60. Ne6
Kb5 61. Ng7 Kc4 62. Nxh5 Bxf5 63. Nxf6 Kd4 64. Kb3 Ke5 65. Ne8 Bd7 66. Nc7 Ke4
67. Kb4 Kf3 68. Nb5 a6 69. Nc7 Kxg3 70. Nxa6 Kf4 71. Nb8 Be8 72. Kc5 Ba4 73.
Kd4 Kf5 74. Na6 Bd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mchedlishvili, Mikheil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A42"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2603"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. e4 d6 4. Nc3 c5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. d5 Nd4 7. Nxd4 cxd4 8. Nb5
Qb6 9. Bf4 Kf8 10. b4 a6 11. c5 dxc5 12. Nc7 Rb8 13. bxc5 Qxc5 14. Rc1 Qa5+ 15.
Qd2 Qxd2+ 16. Kxd2 Bh6 17. Bxh6+ Nxh6 18. Be2 e5 19. Rb1 Ke7 20. Rb6 Rd8 21.
Rhb1 Rd6 22. a4 f5 23. Rxd6 Kxd6 24. Nxa6 Ra8 25. Rb6+ Ke7 26. d6+ Kd8 27. Nc5
fxe4 28. Bb5 Nf5 29. Nxb7+ Bxb7 30. Rxb7 e3+ 31. fxe3 dxe3+ 32. Ke2 Nd4+ 33.
Kxe3 Nxb5 34. axb5 Ra2 35. Rxh7 Rb2 36. Ke4 Rxb5 37. Rg7 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.27"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2616"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 e5 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. O-O Nf6 8. Qc2
O-O 9. Re1 Qe7 10. Nbd2 Rd8 11. Bf1 Nh5 12. g3 Bg4 13. Bg2 Be6 14. b4 h6 15. a4
Qd7 16. Bb2 Bh3 17. Rad1 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Qg4 19. Kh1 Rd6 20. b5 Na5 21. Ba3 Rd7
22. Bb4 b6 23. Ng1 Nb7 24. Nc4 Rad8 25. Ne3 Qe6 26. Nd5 Bf8 27. Rd2 Nc5 28.
Red1 Bd6 29. f3 Nf6 30. Bxc5 bxc5 31. Nxf6+ Qxf6 32. Rd5 Ra8 33. Qe2 Rdd8 34.
Nh3 Rdb8 35. Nf2 h5 36. Nd3 a6 37. Nxc5 Bxc5 38. Rxc5 axb5 39. Rxb5 Rxb5 40.
axb5 Ra2 41. Qe3 h4 42. Kg1 Kg7 43. c4 Qe6 44. Rd2 Ra1+ 45. Kg2 h3+ 46. Kf2
Qxc4 47. g4 Qc1 48. Kg3 Rb1 49. Re2 Qc4 50. Kxh3 Rxb5 51. Kg3 Rb3 52. Qf2 c5
53. Kg2 Rc3 54. Rd2 Qe6 55. Qh4 Qf6 56. Qxf6+ Kxf6 57. Rd6+ Ke7 58. Rc6 Kd7 59.
Rf6 Ke7 60. Rc6 g5 61. Kg3 c4 62. Kg2 Rc1 63. Kg3 c3 64. Kg2 Kd7 65. Rc4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.27"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. d4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nc3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Qxd4 14. Qxd4
Bxd4 15. Bxb7 Ra7 16. Bg2 Nd7 17. Rfd1 c5 18. e3 Bf6 19. Rab1 Rb8 20. Ne4 Bxb2
21. Rd2 Be5 22. Rbd1 Nf6 23. Nxc5 a5 24. Rd8+ Kh7 25. Rxb8 Bxb8 26. Nb7 Bc7 27.
Rc1 Ne8 28. Kf1 Kg8 29. Rd1 Ra6 30. Rc1 Kf8 31. Nc5 Ra7 32. Nb3 e5 33. Nc5 Bd6
34. Nb7 Bc7 35. Rc5 Ke7 36. Ke2 Ra6 37. Bc6 Ra7 38. Bd5 Bb6 39. Rc2 Nd6 40.
Nxd6 Kxd6 41. e4 Bc5 42. f4 f6 43. Kf3 Rc7 44. Kg4 Bd4 45. Rxc7 Kxc7 46. Kf5
Bg1 47. h3 Bf2 48. fxe5 fxe5 49. g4 Bh4 50. Kxe5 Kd7 51. Kf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2691"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. Nf5 Bf6 14. Qe2
d5 15. Ne7+ Kh8 16. Nxc8 Rxc8 17. d3 Nd6 18. c3 Bg5 19. Qg4 Bxc1 20. Raxc1 Qf6
21. d4 g6 22. Bd3 Rfe8 23. Qg3 Ne4 24. Bxe4 dxe4 25. Re3 Re6 26. Rce1 Rce8 27.
Rf1 Qd8 28. Rfe1 Qa5 29. a3 Qd5 30. Qf4 Kg7 31. h4 b5 32. Rg3 h6 33. Rge3 a5
34. Rg3 a4 35. Rge3 R8e7 36. Rg3 Rf6 37. Qg4 Qb3 38. Qe2 Rfe6 39. c4 e3 40.
Rxe3 Rxe3 41. fxe3 bxc4 42. Qd2 Re4 43. g3 Qb8 44. Kg2 Qd6 45. Qf2 c5 46. Qf3
f5 47. dxc5 Qxc5 48. Qd1 Qc6 49. Kf2 Qb6 50. Qd7+ Kf8 51. Re2 f4 52. gxf4 Rxf4+
53. Kg3 Rf1 54. Qc8+ Kg7 55. Qxc4 Qb7 56. e4 Qb6 57. Qc3+ Kh7 58. Qe3 Qc7+ 59.
e5 Rf5 60. Kg2 Qc6+ 61. Qe4 Qc1 62. Qe3 Qf1+ 63. Kg3 g5 64. h5 g4 65. Qe4 Qh3#
0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A47"]
[WhiteElo "2691"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "177"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6 3. Nd2 c5 4. e3 b6 5. Ngf3 Bb7 6. c3 Be7 7. Bd3 cxd4 8.
cxd4 O-O 9. O-O Nd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. Re1 Nc6 12. e4 Nf4 13. Bf1 d5 14. e5 f6
15. g3 Ng6 16. h4 fxe5 17. dxe5 Qf7 18. Bg2 Qf5 19. Qe2 Ngxe5 20. Nxe5 Nxe5 21.
f4 Nd3 22. g4 Qxf4 23. Qxd3 Qf2+ 24. Kh2 Ba6 25. Qe3 Qxh4+ 26. Kg1 Kh8 27. Nf3
Qg3 28. Nh2 Qh4 29. Qxe6 Qf2+ 30. Kh1 Qxb2 31. Qxd5 Rac8 32. Qe5 Qc2 33. Be4
Bd3 34. Bxd3 Qxd3 35. Rad1 Qg6 36. Qe6 Qxe6 37. Rxe6 Rf2 38. Red6 Rcf8 39. Rd8
Kg8 40. a3 b5 41. R8d7 a6 42. R1d2 Rxd2 43. Rxd2 Rf4 44. Kg2 Ra4 45. Rd3 a5 46.
Kg3 h6 47. Nf3 Kh7 48. Rc3 b4 49. axb4 Rxb4 50. Rc5 a4 51. Ra5 Rc4 52. Ra6 Kg8
53. Ra8+ Kh7 54. Ra7 Rb4 55. Ra6 Kg8 56. Ne5 Kh7 57. Nd7 a3 58. Nf8+ Kg8 59.
Ne6 Re4 60. Kf3 Re1 61. Nd4 Rf1+ 62. Ke4 Rg1 63. Kf5 Rf1+ 64. Ke5 Rg1 65. Kf4
Rf1+ 66. Nf3 Ra1 67. Kf5 Kh7 68. Ra7 a2 69. Kf4 Kg8 70. Ke3 Kh7 71. Ke2 Kg6 72.
Ra6+ Kh7 73. Kf2 Kg8 74. Ne1 Kh7 75. Ng2 Kg8 76. Nf4 Kh7 77. Ra7 Kg8 78. Kg2 h5
79. Nxh5 Kh7 80. Ra6 g6 81. Nf4 Re1 82. Rxa2 Kh6 83. Ra5 Rb1 84. g5+ Kg7 85.
Ra7+ Kg8 86. Ra6 Rb5 87. Rxg6+ Kf7 88. Rf6+ Ke7 89. Re6+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 e6 6. e4 Bb4 7. Qc2 b5 8. Be2
Bb7 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 c5 11. d5 exd5 12. exd5 O-O 13. axb5 Nbd7 14. O-O Bxc3
15. Qxc3 Nxd5 16. Qxc4 Qc8 17. Bg3 Re8 18. Rfe1 N5b6 19. Qc3 a6 20. Nh4 Nf6 21.
bxa6 Bxa6 22. Bf3 Bb7 23. Rxe8+ Nxe8 24. Rd1 Bxf3 25. Qxf3 Qe6 26. h3 Ra2 27.
Kh2 Rxb2 28. Qc3 Qb3 29. Qxb3 Rxb3 30. Rd8 f6 31. Rxe8+ Kf7 32. Rb8 c4 33. Nf5
c3 34. Rb7+ Kg6 35. Ne3 Rb2 36. Rc7 Na4 37. Nd5 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A10"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. e4 e5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nf3 exd4 5. e5 Ne4 6. Qxd4 Bb4+ 7. Kd1 f5 8.
exf6 Nxf6 9. Bh6 Nc6 10. Qe3+ Kf7 11. c5 d5 12. cxd6 cxd6 13. Bb5 Ng4 14. Qf4+
Bf5 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Qc4+ Be6 17. Qxb4 Nxh6 18. Qf4+ Kg7 19. Re1 Re8 20. Nd4
Bg4+ 21. f3 Rxe1+ 22. Kxe1 Qb6 23. fxg4 Re8+ 24. Kd1 Qxb2 25. Nc2 Qb5 26. Nd2
Qe2+ 27. Kc1 Qxg2 28. Rb1 Qg1+ 29. Kb2 Qxg4 30. Qxd6 Re2 31. Re1 Nf7 32. Qd3
Rxe1 33. Nxe1 Qb4+ 34. Kc2 Qa4+ 35. Qb3 Qf4 36. Nef3 Kh6 37. Qc4 Qf5+ 38. Kc1
Qf6 39. Kc2 Ne5 40. Nxe5 Qxe5 41. Nf3 Qf5+ 42. Qd3 Qc5+ 43. Kd1 Kh5 44. Qd4 Qd5
45. Qxd5+ cxd5 46. h3 g5 47. a4 g4 48. hxg4+ Kxg4 49. Ne5+ Kf4 50. Nc6 h5 51.
Ke2 h4 52. Nxa7 h3 53. Kf2 Ke5 54. Nb5 Ke6 55. Kg3 Kd7 56. Nd4 Kc7 57. Kxh3 Kb6
58. Nb3 d4 59. Kg3 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Na6 7. e3 Nb4 8. Bxc4
e6 9. O-O Bd6 10. Qe2 h6 11. e4 Bh7 12. Rd1 O-O 13. Bf4 Qe7 14. Bg3 Rad8 15.
Bh4 g5 16. Bg3 c5 17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. h4 Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 Rd8 20. Rf1 Bd4 21. Nf3
Bxc3 22. bxc3 Nc6 23. hxg5 Nxe4 24. gxh6 Nxg3 25. fxg3 Qc5+ 26. Rf2 Bf5 27. Nh4
Ne5 28. Nxf5 exf5 29. Qh5 Qe3 30. Qxf5 Rd1+ 31. Bf1 Rd6 32. Qf4 Qc5 33. Be2 Kh7
34. g4 Rxh6 35. Qd4 Rc6 36. Rf5 f6 37. g5 Kg6 38. Rxf6+ Kxg5 39. Rxc6 Qxd4+ 40.
cxd4 Nxc6 41. d5 Nd4 42. Kf2 Kf6 43. Bc4 Nf5 44. g4 Nd6 45. Bd3 Ke5 46. g5 Kxd5
47. Kg3 Ke6 48. Kf4 b6 49. Ba6 Ke7 50. Be2 Nb7 51. Ke4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.28"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C86"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Qe2 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4
Nxd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. c3 c5 12. cxd4 cxd4 13. Rd1 Qb6 14. Nd2 Nc7
15. Nf3 Ne6 16. Bd5 Rb8 17. Qe4 d6 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. exd6 Bxd6 20. Ng5 Rf5 21.
g4 Rxg5 22. Bxg5 Bb7 23. Qxd4 Qc6 24. Kf1 Bc5 25. Qf4 Rf8 26. Rd8 Rxd8 27. Bxd8
Qh1+ 28. Ke2 Qxa1 29. Qe5 Bd5 30. Ba5 Qxa2 31. Bc3 Bf8 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.28"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Quparadze, Giga"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E14"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2506"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2017.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 b6 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 Bb7 7. e3 O-O 8.
Be2 d6 9. O-O Nbd7 10. b3 Ne4 11. Qc2 f5 12. Ne1 Qe7 13. f3 Nef6 14. Bb2 c5 15.
Rd1 Rad8 16. Nd3 e5 17. d5 b5 18. f4 bxc4 19. bxc4 exf4 20. Nxf4 Qxe3+ 21. Kh1
Rde8 22. Bd3 Ng4 23. h3 Nh6 24. Rf3 Qe7 25. Ne6 Ne5 26. Re3 f4 27. Bxh7+ Kh8
28. Rxe5 dxe5 29. Bxe5 Rf6 30. Bxf6 Qxf6 31. Qg6 Rxe6 32. dxe6 Qh4 33. Kg1 f3
34. g3 f2+ 35. Kxf2 Qe7 36. Rd7 Qf8+ 37. Kg1 Bc6 38. e7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.29"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2662"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Be2 Nf6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. O-O a6 7. Re1 Nc6 8. d5
Na7 9. a4 e6 10. Be3 Re8 11. Bf1 exd5 12. exd5 Bg4 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Nd7 15.
Re2 Nc8 16. Rae1 Ncb6 17. Bc1 Rxe2 18. Rxe2 Qf8 19. a5 Nc4 20. Re1 Re8 21. Rxe8
Qxe8 22. Ne4 Nxb2 23. Nc3 Nc4 24. Ne4 Nxa5 25. Bd2 b6 26. Bxa6 Qe5 27. Bb5 Nf6
28. Nxf6+ Bxf6 29. c4 Kg7 30. g3 Nb7 31. Bf4 Qe7 32. Be3 Nc5 33. Bxc5 bxc5 34.
Kg2 Bd4 35. Ba4 f5 36. Bc6 Qe1 37. Bb7 Kf6 38. Bc8 h5 39. g4 hxg4 40. hxg4 Qe5
41. gxf5 gxf5 42. Qh5 Qe4+ 43. Qf3 Qc2 44. Be6 Kg6 45. Qg3+ Kf6 46. Qf3 Ke5 47.
Qg3+ Kf6 48. Qf3 Qe4 49. Qxe4 fxe4 50. Bd7 Ke5 51. Bb5 Kf4 52. Ba6 Bf6 53. Bb5
Bh4 54. Ba6 Ke5 55. Kf1 Kd4 56. Ke2 Bg5 57. Bb5 Kc3 58. Ba6 Bc1 59. Bb5 Kd4 60.
Ba6 Bb2 61. Bb5 Ke5 62. f3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.29"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A40"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2707"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. Nf3 Bb7 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Bxf3 6. exf3 Bxd2+ 7. Qxd2 Nc6
8. f4 Qf6 9. d5 Nd4 10. Bg2 Rd8 11. Nc3 c5 12. O-O-O Nh6 13. Ne4 Qe7 14. Rhe1
Nhf5 15. Qc3 O-O 16. h4 Nd6 17. h5 Nxe4 18. Bxe4 Qf6 19. Kb1 Rb8 20. a4 a6 21.
Qd3 h6 22. Qc3 d6 23. Bd3 exd5 24. cxd5 b5 25. axb5 axb5 26. Bc2 b4 27. Qd3
Nxc2 28. Qxc2 b3 29. Qd3 Rb4 30. Re4 Rfb8 31. Rde1 Rxe4 32. Rxe4 Qf5 33. Kc1
Qxh5 34. Kd2 Qh1 35. Re1 Qg2 36. Re2 g6 37. f5 Rb4 38. Qe3 Qxd5+ 39. Ke1 Qxf5
40. Kf1 Kg7 41. Kg1 Qd5 42. Qe7 Rd4 43. Kh2 Rd1 44. Re1 Rxe1 45. Qxe1 Qe5 46.
Qd2 c4 47. f4 Qe4 48. Qc3+ Kg8 49. Qf6 d5 50. g4 Qe6 51. Qd8+ Kg7 52. f5 gxf5
53. gxf5 Qxf5 54. Qc7 Qc2+ 55. Kh3 Qf5+ 56. Kh2 Qg5 57. Qc5 Qd2+ 58. Kh3 Qxb2
59. Qg1+ Kh7 60. Qe3 Qf6 61. Kh2 b2 62. Qe1 Qf5 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A10"]
[WhiteElo "2650"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. e4 e5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nf3 exd4 5. e5 Ne4 6. Qxd4 Bb4+ 7. Kd1 f5 8.
exf6 Nxf6 9. Bh6 Nc6 10. Qe3+ Kf7 11. c5 d5 12. cxd6 cxd6 13. Bc4+ d5 14. Bb5
Bg4 15. h3 Re8 16. Qb3 Bxf3+ 17. Qxf3 Qb6 18. Bxc6 Qxc6 19. Na3 Rac8 20. Rc1
Qa4+ 21. Nc2 Ba5 22. a3 Rc6 23. b3 Qe4 24. b4 Bb6 25. Re1 Qxf3+ 26. gxf3 Bxf2
27. Rxe8 Nxe8 28. Ke2 Bb6 29. Kd3 Nd6 30. a4 Nc4 31. a5 Ne5+ 32. Ke2 Bd8 33.
Nd4 Rxc1 34. Bxc1 a6 35. Bd2 Nc6 36. Nc2 Ke6 37. Kd3 Be7 38. Be1 Bd6 39. Bd2
Kd7 40. Be1 Ne7 41. Nd4 Be5 42. Nb3 Bd6 43. Nd4 Nc6 44. Nc2 Be7 45. Bd2 Bf6 46.
Ne3 Ne5+ 47. Ke2 Kc6 48. Nc2 Nc4 49. Be1 Kb5 50. Kd3 Nb2+ 51. Ke3 Kc4 52. Na3+
Kb3 53. Nb1 Nc4+ 54. Kd3 Be7 55. Kd4 Bxb4 56. Bh4 Bxa5 57. Kxd5 Nd2 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.29"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Georgiev, Kiril"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E17"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2623"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 e6 4. Nf3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 d5 8. cxd5
exd5 9. d4 O-O 10. Bf4 Na6 11. Rc1 h6 12. dxc5 bxc5 13. Ne5 Nc7 14. Nd3 Ne6 15.
Be5 Qd7 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Na4 Qe7 18. Naxc5 Nxc5 19. Nxc5 Bxb2 20. Rc2 Rab8 21.
Nxb7 Rxb7 22. Bxd5 Rb6 23. e4 Be5 24. Qf3 Rb2 25. Rxb2 Bxb2 26. Re2 Be5 27. h4
Rc8 28. Qf5 Rc7 29. Bxf7+ Qxf7 30. Qxe5 Rd7 31. Kg2 Rd3 32. Qf5 Qxf5 33. exf5
Ra3 34. g4 Kf7 35. h5 Kf6 36. f3 Kg5 37. Kg3 Kf6 38. Rc2 Kf7 39. Rc7+ Kf6 40.
Rc2 a5 41. Re2 Kf7 42. Kf4 Kf6 43. Re6+ Kf7 44. Re2 Kf6 45. Kg3 Kf7 46. Rf2 Kf6
47. Kh4 Ke5 48. f4+ Kf6 49. Re2 Ra4 50. Kg3 Ra3+ 51. Kf2 Kf7 52. g5 hxg5 53.
fxg5 Rh3 54. Re5 Rxh5 55. g6+ Kf6 56. Rxa5 Rh3 57. Ke2 Rg3 58. Kd2 Rf3 59. a4
Ra3 60. Kc2 Rf3 61. Rb5 Rf2+ 62. Kb3 Rf4 63. a5 Rf1 64. Kb4 Ra1 65. Rc5 Rb1+
66. Kc4 Ra1 67. Kb5 Kg5 68. Kb6 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. b3 b6 7. Bb2 Bb7 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Nc3 c5 10. Rc1 Bf6 11. d4 Nxc3 12. Bxc3 Nd7 13. b4 cxd4 14. Bxd4 a5 15.
b5 Be7 16. Qd3 Nc5 17. Bxc5 Qxd3 18. exd3 Bxc5 19. d4 Bd6 20. Ne5 Bxg2 21. Kxg2
Bxe5 22. dxe5 Rfc8 23. Kf3 Kf8 24. Ke4 Ke7 25. a4 f5+ 26. exf6+ gxf6 27. g4
Rxc1 28. Rxc1 Rd8 29. Rc7+ Rd7 30. Rxd7+ Kxd7 31. f4 Kd6 32. g5 Ke7 33. h4 Kf7
34. f5 Ke7 35. Kf4 Kf7 36. gxf6 Kxf6 37. fxe6 Kxe6 38. Kg5 Kf7 39. Kf5 Ke7 40.
Ke5 Kd7 41. Kd5 h5 42. Ke5 Ke7 43. Kf5 Kd6 44. Kg5 Kc5 45. Kxh5 Kd5 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.29"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sethuraman, SP."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nd2 Bf5 6. Qb3 Qc8 7. dxc5 e5 8. Bg5
Be6 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. c4 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Bxc5 12. Rc1 Bb4 13. Ngf3 e4 14. Nd4
Bxd2+ 15. Kxd2 Nxd4 16. exd4 Bxc4 17. Rxc4 Qd7 18. Re1 f5 19. Qg3 Qe6 20. Rc5
Kf8 21. Qe5 Rg8 22. g3 Rd8 23. Qxf5 Rxd4+ 24. Kc2 Qxf5 25. Rxf5 Rg6 26. Rc5 b6
27. Rc7 a5 28. Rd1 Rxd1 29. Kxd1 Rd6+ 30. Ke2 Rd4 31. a3 Kg7 32. Rc6 b5 33. Rc5
b4 34. Rxa5 bxa3 35. Rxa3 Kg6 36. Rc3 f5 37. Ke3 Rd1 38. f3 exf3 39. b3 Rh1 40.
h4 Rf1 41. Kf4 f2 42. Rc2 Rb1 43. Rxf2 Rxb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.29"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Quparadze, Giga"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2506"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 d6 5. Be2 Nf6 6. O-O O-O 7. a4 Qc7 8. h3 e5
9. Be3 Nbd7 10. Qd2 exd4 11. Bxd4 Re8 12. Bd3 Ne5 13. Nxe5 dxe5 14. Be3 Be6 15.
a5 Bf8 16. Na4 Nd7 17. b4 b5 18. axb6 axb6 19. c4 Ra7 20. c5 bxc5 21. Nxc5 Nxc5
22. Bxc5 Bxc5 23. bxc5 Rd8 24. Qc3 Rd4 25. f3 h5 26. Be2 Kh7 27. Rxa7 Qxa7 28.
Ra1 Qe7 29. Rd1 Qd8 30. Rxd4 exd4 31. Qd2 Qf6 32. f4 Qd8 33. Bd3 Kg8 34. f5 Bc8
35. fxg6 fxg6 36. Qh6 Qe8 37. e5 Qxe5 38. Bc4+ Be6 39. Qxg6+ Kf8 40. Qxe6 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dervishi, Erald"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A47"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2552"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 e6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 b6 5. Nf3 Bb7 6. Nbd2 Be7 7. Bd3 cxd4 8.
exd4 d6 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 Nbd7 11. Nc4 Qc7 12. Ne3 Rfe8 13. h3 Bf8 14. a4 a6
15. Bh2 g6 16. Nd2 e5 17. Bf1 Bg7 18. Qb3 Bc6 19. Rad1 b5 20. axb5 axb5 21. Qc2
Qb7 22. dxe5 dxe5 23. b4 Nb6 24. Nb3 Qe7 25. Na5 Bd7 26. Bd3 e4 27. Bf1 Rac8
28. Nb7 Na4 29. Nc5 Nxc5 30. Bd6 Qe6 31. bxc5 Bc6 32. Qb1 Nd7 33. Bxb5 Bxc3 34.
Bc4 Qf6 35. Ng4 Qg7 36. Re3 h5 37. Nh6+ Qxh6 38. Rxc3 e3 39. Rxe3 Rxe3 40. fxe3
Qxe3+ 41. Kh2 Be4 42. Qb3 Nxc5 43. Qxe3 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.29"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2628"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. h3 d6 7. c3 Bb6 8. Bb3
Ne7 9. Nbd2 c6 10. Re1 Ng6 11. d4 Re8 12. Bc2 h6 13. Nf1 d5 14. exd5 e4 15. Ne5
cxd5 16. Nxg6 fxg6 17. Bf4 Rf8 18. Ne3 Be6 19. Bh2 Bc7 20. Bxc7 Qxc7 21. Bb3
Rad8 22. a4 Nh5 23. Qd2 Nf4 24. Bc2 Bxh3 25. Nxd5 Rxd5 26. Bb3 Be6 27. Rxe4 Rd6
28. Rxf4 Bxb3 29. Rxf8+ Kxf8 30. a5 Bf7 31. Qf4 g5 32. Qe5 Qe7 33. Qc5 a6 34.
Qc8+ Rd8 35. Qf5 Kg8 36. Rf1 Bc4 37. Rd1 Rf8 38. Qc2 Qe6 39. Qd2 Bd5 40. Re1
Qg4 41. Qd1 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir1"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qb3 dxc4 8.
Qxc4 Nd7 9. e3 Qe7 10. Be2 g6 11. Ne5 Bg7 12. f4 O-O 13. Ne4 Nb6 14. Qb3 Nd5
15. O-O Qb4 16. Qxb4 Nxb4 17. Rfc1 Rd8 18. Kf2 Rb8 19. a3 Nd5 20. Nc5 Bf8 21.
b4 Kg7 22. Rab1 f6 23. Nf3 Ra8 24. g3 b6 25. Nb3 Bb7 26. h4 Rac8 27. h5 g5 28.
e4 Nc7 29. e5 Be7 30. exf6+ Bxf6 31. fxg5 hxg5 32. Ne5 Bxe5 33. dxe5 Rd5 34.
Bf3 Rf8 35. Kg2 Rxe5 36. Re1 Rxe1 37. Rxe1 Rd8 38. Rc1 Rd3 39. Bxc6 Bxc6+ 40.
Rxc6 Nd5 41. Nc1 Re3 42. Kf2 g4 43. Ne2 Kh6 44. Nd4 Kxh5 45. Rxe6 Rxe6 46. Nxe6
Kg6 47. Nd4 Kf6 48. Nc6 a6 49. Nb8 a5 50. bxa5 bxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2715"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "207"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 e6 6. c3 cxd4 7. exd4 Nh5 8.
Be3 Bd6 9. Bd3 Nf4 10. Bxf4 Bxf4 11. O-O O-O 12. Re1 Bd7 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. dxe5
g6 15. Nf3 f6 16. g3 Bh6 17. Qe2 Bg7 18. exf6 Rxf6 19. Ne5 Qc7 20. f4 Re8 21.
h4 Re7 22. Rad1 Bc6 23. Kh2 a6 24. Rd2 Be8 25. Qg4 Rf8 26. Rde2 Kh8 27. Re3 Bf6
28. Qe2 Bg7 29. Nf3 Bd7 30. Ne5 Be8 31. Qd2 Qd8 32. Bf1 Qd6 33. Bh3 Rf6 34. Nc4
Qc7 35. Ne5 Qb6 36. Qe2 Bb5 37. Qd2 Be8 38. a3 h5 39. Nf3 Bf7 40. Ng5 Bg8 41.
R1e2 Bh6 42. Re5 Bg7 43. Rxd5 exd5 44. Rxe7 Rd6 45. Re8 Bf6 46. Nf7+ Kg7 47.
Nxd6 Qxd6 48. Re2 Bf7 49. Qe3 d4 50. cxd4 Bc4 51. Rd2 b5 52. d5 a5 53. Qa7+ Kh6
54. Qe3 b4 55. axb4 axb4 56. Qe6 Qd8 57. Bg2 Kg7 58. Be4 b3 59. Qc6 Qa5 60. Rg2
Bf1 61. Rf2 Qe1 62. Qc7+ Kh6 63. Qb6 Kg7 64. Bg2 Bd3 65. d6 Bf5 66. Qa7+ Kh6
67. Rf3 Qd2 68. Qe3 Qxd6 69. Qxb3 Bd4 70. Rf1 Bd3 71. Rd1 Be2 72. Re1 Bg4 73.
Qd5 Qb6 74. Qg5+ Kg7 75. Re7+ Kf8 76. Rh7 Bg7 77. Rxg7 Kxg7 78. Qe5+ Kh7 79.
Qc3 Qf2 80. b4 Bf5 81. Qc6 Bd3 82. b5 Qb2 83. b6 Bf1 84. b7 Bxg2 85. Qxg2 Qb6
86. Qf3 Qb2+ 87. Kh3 Qb1 88. Kh2 Qb2+ 89. Qg2 Qb6 90. Qd5 Qf2+ 91. Kh3 Qf1+ 92.
Qg2 Qb1 93. g4 hxg4+ 94. Kxg4 Qd1+ 95. Kg3 Qe1+ 96. Kh3 Qe3+ 97. Qg3 Qb6 98.
Qf3 Qb5 99. h5 gxh5 100. f5 Kg7 101. Qg3+ Kf6 102. b8=Q Qxf5+ 103. Kh2 Qc2+
104. Qg2 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.30"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Demchenko, Anton"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2660"]
[PlyCount "141"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Qd2 c6 5. e4 b5 6. f3 Nbd7 7. Nge2 Nb6 8. Ng3
h5 9. Be2 Bg7 10. O-O h4 11. Nh1 h3 12. g4 a5 13. Ng3 Ba6 14. Nd1 Qc7 15. Nf2
b4 16. Bxa6 Rxa6 17. Qe2 Ra7 18. c3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Nfd7 20. Rab1 Rb7 21. Rfd1 c5
22. Rb3 a4 23. Rb5 O-O 24. Nxh3 Rc8 25. Nf2 cxd4 26. cxd4 Qc4 27. Qxc4 Rxc4 28.
Ne2 Rc2 29. Rd2 Rxd2 30. Bxd2 Rc7 31. Bc3 Nc4 32. Nd1 a3 33. Kf2 e6 34. Ne3
Ndb6 35. Nxc4 Nxc4 36. Rb8+ Kh7 37. h4 Bf6 38. g5 Bg7 39. Rb3 d5 40. Nf4 dxe4
41. fxe4 e5 42. Nd5 Rd7 43. dxe5 Nxe5 44. Ke2 Ra7 45. Rb8 Ra4 46. Rb4 Ra7 47.
Bd4 Rd7 48. Rb6 Nc4 49. Rb4 Bxd4 50. Rxc4 Bb2 51. Rc7 Rxc7 52. Nxc7 Be5 53. Nb5
Bg3 54. Kf3 Bxh4 55. Kg4 Be1 56. Nxa3 Kg7 57. e5 Bc3 58. Nc4 Kf8 59. a4 Ke7 60.
a5 Ke6 61. a6 Bd4 62. Nd6 Kxe5 63. Nxf7+ Kd5 64. Nh8 Kc6 65. Nxg6 Kb6 66. Kf5
Kxa6 67. Ne5 Bc5 68. g6 Bf8 69. Kf6 Kb5 70. Kf7 Bh6 71. Ng4 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.30"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Sjugirov, Sanan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D03"]
[WhiteElo "2650"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bg5 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 Bg4 6. dxc5 e6 7. c4 Bxc5 8.
cxd5 Qxd5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Bc4 Qh5 11. Qb3 O-O-O 12. Bb5 Ne5 13. Rc1 Kb8 14.
Be2 Bb6 15. h3 Rhg8 16. Rf1 Bxf3 17. Bxf3 Nxf3+ 18. gxf3 Ba5 19. Rc2 Rxd2 20.
Rxd2 Rd8 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.30"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D26"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2707"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 e6 4. Bxc4 Nf6 5. Nf3 c5 6. O-O cxd4 7. exd4 Be7 8.
Nc3 O-O 9. Be3 a6 10. Ne5 Nc6 11. a3 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 13. f4 b5 14. Bd3 Bb7
15. Be4 Bc5 16. Qf3 Bxe3+ 17. Qxe3 Bxe4 18. Nxe4 Nb6 19. Rad1 Nd5 20. Qg3 Qb6+
21. Kh1 Ne3 22. Nf6+ Kh8 23. Qh4 h6 24. Qf2 gxf6 25. Rd3 Rg8 26. Rxe3 f5 27.
Qh4 Rg6 28. Rg3 Rag8 29. Rxg6 Rxg6 30. Qf2 Qc6 31. Kg1 Kh7 32. Rd1 Qe4 33. g3
h5 34. h4 b4 35. axb4 Qxb4 36. Kh2 Qb3 37. Rd7 Kg7 38. Rc7 a5 39. Rc3 Qb4 40.
Qe2 a4 41. Qc2 Qd4 42. Qe2 Qb4 43. Qc2 Qd4 44. Qe2 Qd5 45. Qd3 Qb7 46. Qc2 Qb5
1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.30"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C86"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Qe2 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. d3 Re8 10. Rd1 Be6 11. Nbd2 h6 12. Nf1 Bf8 13. Ng3 d4 14. Bxe6 Rxe6 15.
Nf5 Ne8 16. a4 Rb8 17. axb5 axb5 18. h3 Bc5 19. Nh2 b4 20. c4 Bf8 21. Bd2 Ne7
22. Ra7 Nd6 23. g4 Ng6 24. Rda1 Nb7 25. Nf3 Nc5 26. g5 Nb3 27. gxh6 Nxa1 28.
Ng5 gxh6 29. Nxe6 fxe6 30. Qh5 Qf6 31. Nxh6+ Bxh6 32. Bxh6 Nc2 33. Rxc7 Ne1 34.
Kf1 Nxd3 35. f3 Rf8 36. Bxf8 Nxf8 37. Qg4+ Qg6 38. Ke2 Nxb2 39. c5 Na4 40. Rc8
Qxg4 41. fxg4 b3 42. c6 Nc3+ 43. Kd3 Nb5 44. Rb8 Nd6 45. c7 Kf7 46. c8=Q Nxc8
47. Rxc8 Ng6 48. Rb8 Nf4+ 49. Kc4 Nxh3 50. Rxb3 Ng5 51. Rb1 Nxe4 52. Kd3 Nf2+
53. Ke2 Nxg4 54. Kf3 Nf6 55. Rb6 e4+ 56. Ke2 d3+ 57. Kd2 Nd5 58. Rb1 Kf6 59.
Rf1+ Ke5 60. Ra1 Nb6 61. Rc1 Kd4 62. Rc6 Nc4+ 63. Kd1 e5 64. Rc8 e3 65. Kc1 e2
66. Rd8+ Ke3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.30"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Laznicka, Viktor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2647"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 b5 6. b3 Bg4 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Bd3
e6 9. a4 b4 10. Ne2 Bxf3 11. gxf3 Be7 12. Bd2 O-O 13. Rc1 Qd7 14. Qc2 Bd6 15.
e4 dxe4 16. fxe4 e5 17. f4 exf4 18. e5 f3 19. exf6 fxe2 20. Bxh7+ Kh8 21. fxg7+
Kxg7 22. Rg1+ Kh8 23. Bh6 f5 24. Bxf8 Bxf8 25. Qc8 Qe7 26. Qxf5 Qh4+ 27. Kxe2
Qxh2+ 28. Kf1 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.30"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Socko, Bartosz"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2593"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Nbd7 11. Rd1 Bd6 12. Qc1 Qe7 13. Nc3 Rad8 14. Bd2 Nd5
15. Qc2 f5 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. Bg5 Nf6 18. Ne5 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 h6 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21.
Nc4 f4 22. Nxd6 Rxd6 23. f3 Rxd4 24. Qxc7 Rxd1 25. Rxd1 Qxb2 26. Qc4 Qe5 27.
Rd4 b5 28. axb5 axb5 29. Qd3 Qe3 30. Qxe3 fxe3 31. Re4 Kf7 32. Rxe3 Ke7 33. f4
b4 34. Kf3 Kd6 35. Ke4 Rb8 36. Rb3 Kc5 37. Ke5 Kc4 38. Rb1 Rb6 39. e4 b3 40. g4
b2 41. h4 Kc3 42. g5 hxg5 43. hxg5 Kc2 44. Rh1 b1=Q 45. Rxb1 Rxb1 46. Kxe6 Kd3
47. f5 Kxe4 48. f6 Rb6+ 49. Ke7 Rb7+ 50. Ke6 g6 51. f7 Rxf7 52. Kxf7 Kf5 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.30"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Korobov, Anton"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E18"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Bd2
d5 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Rc1 Nd7 11. Bf4 Nxc3 12. Rxc3 c5 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. Rc1 Nf6
15. Bg5 Qb6 16. Qc2 Rfe8 17. Nd2 h6 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. e4 dxe4 20. Bxe4 Rad8 21.
Bxb7 Qxb7 22. Nb3 Bd4 23. Nxc5 Bxc5 24. Qxc5 Qxb2 25. Qxa7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.30"]
[Round "19"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A12"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "252"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 d5 2. Bb2 c6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. c4 e6 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. O-O Bd6 8. h3
Bh5 9. d4 Ne4 10. Nbd2 Nxd2 11. Nxd2 Bxe2 12. Qxe2 O-O 13. e4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Be7
15. Rad1 Nf6 16. Nd2 Qa5 17. a3 Qb6 18. Qe3 Rad8 19. Nf3 Rfe8 20. Rfe1 a5 21.
Ne5 Nd7 22. Ng4 Nf6 23. Ne5 Nd7 24. Nf3 Bf6 25. Rd2 h6 26. Red1 Qa6 27. a4 Qb6
28. g3 Be7 29. Kg2 Nf6 30. Rd3 Qc7 31. Bc3 b6 32. Qe1 Qb7 33. Kg1 c5 34. Qe3
cxd4 35. Bxd4 Nd7 36. Ne5 Nc5 37. Bxc5 Rxd3 38. Qxd3 Bxc5 39. Qd7 Rb8 40. Qxb7
Rxb7 41. Rd8+ Kh7 42. Kf1 f6 43. Nd3 Kg6 44. Rc8 Bd4 45. Ke2 Kf7 46. Rc6 e5 47.
g4 Ke7 48. Rc8 Kd7 49. Rg8 Ke6 50. Kf3 Rd7 51. Rc8 Bc3 52. Ke3 Ke7 53. Rc6 g6
54. f3 Bd4+ 55. Ke2 h5 56. gxh5 gxh5 57. Rc8 Ke6 58. Rg8 Kf5 59. Rh8 Kg5 60.
Rg8+ Kh4 61. Ne1 Kxh3 62. f4 e4 63. f5 Bc3 64. Ng2 Rd2+ 65. Kf1 Be5 66. Ne3 Bg3
67. Nd5 Rf2+ 68. Ke1 Rxf5+ 69. Ke2 h4 70. Rg6 Rf3 71. Nxf6 Rxb3 72. Nxe4 Kg2
73. c5 bxc5 74. Nxc5 Ra3 75. Nd3 Rxa4 76. Ne1+ Kh3 77. Nf3 Re4+ 78. Kf1 Re3 79.
Rf6 a4 80. Ng1+ Kg4 81. Ra6 a3 82. Ra4+ Kf5 83. Kg2 Ke5 84. Nf3+ Kd5 85. Nd4
Re4 86. Rxa3 Rxd4 87. Kh3 Ke4 88. Rf3 Rd1 89. Rf7 Ke5 90. Rf3 Rd2 91. Rf5+ Ke6
92. Rf3 Rh2+ 93. Kg4 Rh1 94. Re3+ Kf6 95. Rf3+ Kg6 96. Rb3 Bf2 97. Rb2 Bd4 98.
Rc2 Bf6 99. Rg2 Rf1 100. Kh3+ Kh5 101. Rc2 Rf3+ 102. Kg2 Ra3 103. Rc1 h3+ 104.
Kh1 Be5 105. Rf1 Kg4 106. Rg1+ Bg3 107. Rd1 Ra2 108. Rd4+ Bf4 109. Rd1 Be3 110.
Re1 Kf3 111. Rf1+ Bf2 112. Rb1 Ra3 113. Kh2 Be3 114. Kxh3 Ra8 115. Rb4 Ra1 116.
Rb2 Ra5 117. Rb4 Ra2 118. Rg4 Ra1 119. Rg3+ Ke4 120. Kg4 Bf4 121. Rg2 Re1 122.
Kh3 Kf5 123. Rf2 Rg1 124. Re2 Rg3+ 125. Kh4 Rf3 126. Rg2 Rf1 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.30"]
[Round "20"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 Nh5 8. Bd3
Nxf4 9. exf4 b6 10. b4 a5 11. a3 c6 12. O-O Qc7 13. g3 Ba6 14. Bxa6 Rxa6 15.
Qe2 Rfa8 16. b5 cxb5 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Qxe7 R6a7 19. Rab1 bxc5 20. Rxb5 cxd4
21. Rxd5 Nf6 22. Qxc7 Rxc7 23. Rxd4 Rc3 24. Rfd1 Kf8 25. R1d3 Rxd3 26. Rxd3 Rc8
27. Ne5 Ne4 28. Rd5 Rc1+ 29. Kg2 Rc2 30. Nd7+ Ke7 31. Re5+ Kxd7 32. Rxe4 f6 33.
f5 Kd8 34. Rh4 h6 35. Rg4 Rc7 36. Rd4+ Ke7 37. Rd5 a4 38. Rd4 Rc5 39. g4 h5 40.
h3 hxg4 41. hxg4 Ra5 42. Kf3 Kf7 43. Ke4 g6 44. fxg6+ Kxg6 45. f4 f5+ 46. gxf5+
Kf6 47. Rd6+ Kf7 48. Rd5 Ra8 49. Rd6 Ra5 50. Kf3 Rb5 51. Rd3 Rb3 52. Ke4 Rb5
53. Rd7+ Kf6 54. Rd6+ Kf7 55. Rd4 Ra5 56. Kf3 Kf6 57. Kg4 Ra6 58. Re4 Ra8 59.
Re6+ Kf7 60. Kg5 Rg8+ 61. Rg6 Ra8 62. Rf6+ Ke7 63. Rb6 Rg8+ 64. Rg6 Rb8 65.
Rg7+ Kf8 66. Ra7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Riadh"]
[Date "2017.12.30"]
[Round "21"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[EventDate "2017.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "SAU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.02.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 a6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Be6 7. e3 Nbd7 8.
Bd3 Bd6 9. Bf4 Qe7 10. O-O O-O 11. h3 Rfe8 12. Qc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.01.23"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Gara, Anita"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2350"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2018.01.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Be2 Nf6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. O-O a6 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bf4
Nc6 9. h3 e6 10. Qc1 Kh7 11. e5 dxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 13. Rd1 Qe7 14. Qe3 Qc5 15.
Qe4 Qb4 16. Qxb4 Nxb4 17. Rd2 Nc6 18. Re1 Ndxe5 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. Bf1 Nc6 21.
Bxc7 b5 22. Ne4 f5 23. Nd6 e5 24. c4 e4 25. cxb5 axb5 26. Bxb5 Ne5 27. Nxc8
Rfxc8 28. Bxe5 Bxe5 29. a4 h5 30. g3 Rc5 31. Kg2 Rac8 32. b3 Kh6 33. Ree2 h4
34. Bc4 hxg3 35. fxg3 R8c7 36. Rd8 Bc3 37. Rc2 Ba5 38. Rd6 Re7 39. Re2 Bc7 40.
Rd1 g5 41. Rd5 Rxd5 42. Bxd5 Re5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.01.24"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hemant, Sharma"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2348"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2018.01.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bd3 b6 6. Nbd2 Bb7 7. Ne5 a6 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. c3 O-O 10. Qf3 Ne8 11. Qh3 f5 12. Ndf3 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Nd6 14. g4 c5 15.
Kh1 Bg5 16. Bxg5 Qxg5 17. gxf5 Nxf5 18. Rg1 Qe7 19. Rxg7+ Qxg7 20. Rg1 cxd4 21.
Rxg7+ Kxg7 22. Qg4+ Kh8 23. Bxf5 dxe3 24. Qd4 Rxf5 25. Nf7+ Kg8 26. Nh6+ Kf8
27. Nxf5 exf5 28. fxe3 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.01.25"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hoolt, Sarah"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A80"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2400"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2018.01.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 f5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 d5 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Be7 6. Bd3 Ne4 7. Bxe7 Qxe7 8.
O-O O-O 9. Ne2 c5 10. b3 Nd7 11. c4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Nd6 13. Qc2 Nxc4 14. Qxc4 Re8
15. Nf4 cxd4 16. exd4 Qd6 17. Ne5 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Qxe5 19. Rfe1 Qf6 20. Rad1 Qf7
21. Qb5 a6 22. Qb6 a5 23. Nd3 Ra6 24. Qd4 b5 25. Qc5 Qb7 26. Ne5 Qb6 27. Qc1
Ra7 28. Qg5 Rae7 29. Rd3 Qc7 30. Qe3 Bb7 31. Rc1 Qb8 32. Nd7 Qa8 33. Qg5 Kh8
34. Nf6 Rc8 35. Rcd1 Rf7 36. Nd7 Rg8 37. Rh3 h6 38. Ne5 Rf6 39. Rxh6+ Rxh6 40.
Nf7+ Kh7 41. Nxh6 Bf3 42. Nf7 Rf8 43. Qh4+ 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.01.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Grigoriants, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2568"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2018.01.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 Bb7 12. d4 Bf6 13. Re1 Re8 14. Bd2 Rxe1+
15. Qxe1 Qd7 16. Na3 Re8 17. Qf1 Ne7 18. Re1 c5 19. Be3 cxd4 20. Bxd4 Bxd4 21.
cxd4 Rc8 22. Nc2 Bd5 23. Qd3 g6 24. h3 Bxb3 25. axb3 Rd8 26. Rd1 Nd5 27. Ne3
Qe6 28. Nxd5 Rxd5 29. Qe3 Qd7 30. Qe4 Kg7 31. h4 h5 32. g3 Qd6 33. Rd3 Qd8 34.
Kg2 Qd6 35. Rd1 Qd8 36. Kh2 Qd6 37. Kg1 a5 38. Kg2 Qd7 39. Rd2 Qd6 40. Rd3 Qd7
41. Qe1 a4 42. bxa4 bxa4 43. Qe4 Qd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.01.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Huzman, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2561"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2018.01.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. e4 Nc6 6. Nge2 O-O 7. O-O Ne8 8. d3
Nc7 9. Be3 Ne6 10. Qd2 Ned4 11. Bh6 d6 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. f4 Rb8 14. Nxd4 Nxd4
15. f5 b5 16. cxb5 Nxb5 17. g4 Nd4 18. Rf2 f6 19. h4 h6 20. Re1 g5 21. hxg5
hxg5 22. e5 dxe5 23. Rxe5 Qc7 24. Re3 Bb7 25. Qe1 Rbe8 26. Bxb7 Qxb7 27. Qf1
Rh8 28. Qg2 Qc7 29. Qg3 Qc6 30. Qg2 Qc7 31. Qg3 Qc6 32. Qg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.01.28"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Gagare, Shardul"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2494"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2018.01.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 O-O 5. a3 Be7 6. e4 d6 7. Qc2 Nfd7 8.
Be2 e5 9. b3 exd4 10. Nxd4 Ne5 11. f4 Nbc6 12. Nxc6 Nxc6 13. Nf3 Bf6 14. Ra2
Nd4 15. Qd3 Ne6 16. Be3 b6 17. O-O Bb7 18. Qb1 Nc5 19. e5 dxe5 20. fxe5 Be7 21.
Rd2 Qe8 22. Rd5 f5 23. b4 Ne6 24. Rfd1 Qg6 25. Qb3 Rae8 26. Kh1 Kh8 27. Qd3 h6
28. Bf1 Bg5 29. Qd2 Re7 30. Qf2 Bxe3 31. Qxe3 Bxd5 32. cxd5 Ng5 33. Nxg5 Qxg5
34. Qxg5 hxg5 35. d6 Rxe5 36. d7 Rd8 37. Kg1 c6 38. Ba6 Rd5 39. Rc1 R8xd7 40.
Rxc6 Kh7 41. h3 g6 42. a4 Rd4 43. Bc4 g4 44. hxg4 Rxg4 45. a5 Rd2 46. Bf1 Rd1
47. Rc7+ Kh6 0-1

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.01.29"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Short, Nigel D"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A27"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2681"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2018.01.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nf3 f5 4. g3 Nc6 {A risky move order.} 5. d4 ({After the
humble} 5. d3 Nf6 6. Bg2 {Black has a choice between} g6 ({and} 6... Be7)) 5...
e4 6. d5 (6. Ng5 h6 7. Nh3 g5 8. Bg2 (8. f3 exf3 9. exf3 Bg7 10. d5 Qe7+ 11.
Kf2 Ne5 12. f4 Ng4+ 13. Kg2 Bd7 14. Qe2 Bxc3 15. bxc3 Qxe2+ 16. Bxe2 gxf4 17.
Nxf4 {1-0 (50) Kortschnoj,V (2635)-Hodgson,J (2550) Groningen 1996 CBM 057 
[Ribli,Z]} N8f6 $11 {Z.Ribli}) 8... Bg7 9. d5 Ne5 10. O-O c6 11. f3 Nf6 12.
fxe4 fxe4 13. Nf2 O-O 14. dxc6 bxc6 15. Nfxe4 Nxe4 16. Rxf8+ Qxf8 17. Nxe4 Nxc4
$13 {0-1 (68) Dubov,D (2641)-Bartel,M (2638) Germany 2013}) 6... Ne5 (6... exf3
7. dxc6 bxc6 8. exf3 (8. e3 g6 9. Qxf3 Ne7 10. b3 Bg7 11. Bb2 O-O 12. Rd1 Qe8
13. Bg2 $14 f4 14. exf4 g5 15. O-O gxf4 16. Rfe1 Be5 {0-1 (43) Sorokin,M (2572)
-Vaulin,A (2540) Tula 2000} 17. Rxe5 $1 dxe5 18. Re1 $16) 8... Be7 9. Bg2 Bf6
10. O-O Ne7 11. f4 Bd7 12. c5 Qb8 13. Be3 Qxb2 14. Bd4 $16 {1-0 (23)
Mastrovasilis,A (2550)-Warakomski,T (2499) Krakow 2013}) 7. Nxe5 (7. Nd4 Nf6 (
7... h5 $6 {1/2 (43) Lautier,J (2645)-Short,N (2645) Dortmund 1995 CBM 048 
[Von Gleich,A]} 8. Bh3 g6 9. Qb3 h4 10. Bf4 $36 {A.Von Gleich}) 8. Bh3 (8. f3
Be7 9. fxe4 Nxe4 10. Nxe4 fxe4 11. Bg2 O-O 12. Bxe4 c6 13. Qb3 Qc7 14. Qc3 Qb6
15. Be3 c5 16. Ne6 Bxe6 17. dxe6 Ng4 18. Bf4 g5 19. Bd2 Nf2 20. Bb1 $1 Qc6 21.
Rg1 $16 {1-0 (25) Shaked,T (2490)-Hodgson,J (2575) Kona 1998}) 8... g6 9. f3
exf3 10. exf3 Bg7 11. f4 Neg4 12. O-O O-O 13. Bg2 Re8 14. h3 Ne3 15. Bxe3 Rxe3
$13 {0-1 (40) Izoria,Z (2610)-Short,N (2642) Dresden 2008}) 7... dxe5 8. g4 $5
(8. Bg2 Nf6 9. O-O {[%cal Yb2b4]} a5 $13 {N.Short}) 8... Bc5 {An attempt at
improvement on the following game:} (8... g6 9. gxf5 gxf5 10. Rg1 {[%cal Gg1g8]
} Nf6 11. Bg5 Be7 12. e3 Rg8 13. Rg3 Rg6 14. Be2 Qd6 15. Bh5 $16 {1-0 (27)
Aronian,L (2793)-Ivanchuk,V (2738) Leuven 2017}) 9. Qb3 Nf6 10. Qb5+ (10. Na4
$5 Be7 11. gxf5 Bxf5 12. Bh3 $14) 10... Nd7 11. h4 (11. gxf5 Qh4 12. Nd1 O-O
$132) 11... a6 12. Qb3 e3 13. Bxe3 Bxe3 14. fxe3 fxg4 15. Ne4 {[%csl Ge4][%mdl
32]} Nf6 16. Bg2 O-O $6 (16... Qe7 $5 17. O-O-O O-O (17... Nxe4 18. Bxe4 O-O
19. Qc2 h6 20. c5) 18. c5 Nxe4 19. d6+ Qe6 20. Qxe6+ Bxe6 21. Bxe4 $14) 17. c5
$16 {White's pawn centre is more important than Black's passed g4-pawn.} Kh8 (
17... Nxd5 $2 18. Nc3 c6 19. e4) 18. O-O-O Bf5 $6 {This bishop comes under
attack.} (18... a5 {[%cal Ya5a4] was probably the only way to create some
counterplay.}) 19. Ng3 Bg6 20. h5 Nxh5 {This piece sacrifice proves to be
insufficient but} (20... Bf7 21. h6 {is poor enough.}) 21. Nxh5 Rf2 22. Bf1 Qf8
23. Ng3 Qxc5+ 24. Qc3 Qe7 (24... Qxc3+ 25. bxc3 Raf8 26. Rh4 $1 Bf5 27. Kd2 $1
Bc8 28. Rh1 g6 29. Ne4 R2f7 30. Ng5 Re7 31. Bg2 $16) (24... Qd6 25. e4 Raf8 26.
Kb1 $16) 25. e4 Qg5+ 26. Kb1 Qf4 27. Ka1 Rf8 28. Rg1 Rf7 29. e3 Qg5 30. Bc4 Rd7
31. Qb4 b5 32. Nf5 h5 33. Qe1 Rf3 34. Be2 Rh3 35. Bf1 Bxf5 (35... Rf3 36. Bg2)
36. Bxh3 Bxe4 37. Bg2 Bxg2 38. Rxg2 h4 39. Qb4 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.01.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Oparin, Grigoriy"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2607"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[EventDate "2018.01.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. Bxc6 bxc6 7. Nxe5 Re8
8. Nef3 d5 9. O-O Bg4 10. h3 Bh5 11. e5 Rxe5 12. g4 Nxg4 13. Nxe5 Qh4 14. hxg4
Qg3+ 15. Kh1 Qh3+ 16. Kg1 Qg3+ 17. Kh1 Qh3+ 18. Kg1 Qg3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.01.31"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sethuraman, SP."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2018.01.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{It was the penultimate round of the Gibraltar Masters, Levon was trailing the
leaders by half a point. This was an extremely crucial game for him. He played
a line in which he had great experience from both sides.} 1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3.
Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qxc4 c5 (6... Bc6 {has gone out of fashion.}
7. O-O Be7 8. Qc2 O-O 9. Nc3 b6 10. d4 Nbd7 11. e4 Bb7 12. Rd1 a6 13. a3 Qb8
14. Bf4 Nh5 15. Be3 Nhf6 16. Bf4 Nh5 17. Be3 Nhf6 18. Rac1 Rc8 19. Qb1 b5 20.
b4 Nb6 21. Bf1 Rd8 22. h3 Qa7 23. Nd2 Rac8 24. Nb3 Qa8 25. f3 Nfd7 26. Na5 e5
27. Ne2 Bf8 28. Bg2 exd4 29. Nxd4 Ne5 30. Bg5 Re8 31. Nxb7 Qxb7 32. f4 Nec4 33.
e5 c6 34. Qe4 f6 35. Bh4 g5 36. fxg5 Rxe5 37. Qf4 fxg5 38. Bxg5 Nd5 39. Qg4 h5
40. Qxh5 Nde3 41. Nf3 c5 42. Qg6+ Bg7 43. Rxc4 bxc4 44. Bxe3 Rxe3 45. Ne5 {
1-0 (45) Giri,A (2687)-L'Ami,E (2611) Boxtel 2011}) 7. Ne5 Qc8 8. Qd3 {Taking
the bishop on d7 is more common, but Aronian had already played it before
against Ding Liren.} Nc6 9. Nxd7 Nxd7 {Black has given up the bishop pair but
in return White had to invest time to achieve that and furthermore White needs
to invest more time in transferring his queen to safety. Levon has good
experience with this line having played it in the finals of the World Cup 2017
against Ding Liren.} (9... Qxd7 10. Qxd7+ {This was the idea} Kxd7 (10... Nxd7
11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. d3 $16 {[%csl Gc5,Gc6] And White will have advantage due to
Black's wrecked pawn structure.}) 11. d3 $14 {White has the bishop pair and at
the same time the bishop on g2 is a complete monster.}) 10. Nc3 {That's a new
move.} (10. Qb3 Be7 11. Nc3 O-O 12. O-O Rd8 13. d3 Nb6 14. Be3 Nd4 15. Bxd4
Rxd4 16. Rfc1 Rd7 17. a4 Qd8 18. a5 Nd5 19. Nxd5 exd5 20. d4 cxd4 21. Rc2 g6
22. Bh3 Rc7 23. Rac1 Rxc2 24. Rxc2 b6 25. Bg2 Rc8 26. Rxc8 Qxc8 27. Bxd5 Qf5
28. Qc4 bxa5 29. b3 d3 30. exd3 Bd8 31. Qe4 {1/2-1/2 (31) Aronian,L (2799)
-Ding,L (2777) Tbilisi 2017}) 10... Be7 11. Qb5 (11. Qc2 O-O 12. O-O Nd4 13.
Qd1 Nf6 $11) 11... a6 12. Qa4 Nd4 13. O-O O-O {This is the kind of position
where understanding takes precedence over tactical and concrete ideas. Black
has well placed pieces and must make immediate use of them. The biggest worry
for Black should be that White consolidates his position and then makes the
bishop pair count.} 14. d3 {[%csl Gc1]} (14. e3 Nb6 15. Qa5 (15. Qd1 Nc6 16.
Qe2 Rd8 17. Rd1 $11) 15... Nc4 16. Qa4 Nb6 $11) 14... Nb6 15. Qd1 Rd8 16. Bd2 (
16. b3 {The double fiancheto was another option. The bishop will stand better
on a1-h8 diagonal and the important c4-square will also be under good control.}
Nb5 17. Bb2 Nxc3 18. Bxc3 Nd5 19. Bb2 Qd7 20. Rc1 Rac8 21. Qd2 Bf6 22. Bxf6
Nxf6 23. Qb2 $11 {/+= I have a feeling that theoretically White could have a
very minute edge but practically it should be around even.}) 16... Qd7 17. Rc1
Rac8 18. b3 {[%csl Gc4]} h6 19. Kh1 {Both players are biding their time. While
for White this is good news, Black shouldn't really be doing this. He has to
get his act together and find some active plan.} Nd5 (19... f5 $5 {looks
aggressive and interesting.} 20. e4 $1 $14) 20. Nxd5 exd5 21. e3 Nc6 22. Qh5 {
Levon just gets his pieces to good squares. It is still not clear what White
should be doing in this position. But when you just put all your pieces on
decent squares, there is a high chance that your opponent will go wrong and
give you chances.} Qd6 23. f4 (23. e4 dxe4 24. Bxe4 {is also possible, but
Levon chooses the right moment for this e4 break.}) 23... a5 (23... c4 $5 24.
dxc4 (24. bxc4 dxc4 25. d4 b5 $13 {This looks like an extremely complex
position with chances for both sides.}) 24... dxc4 25. Rcd1 $14 {As the
position opens up the bishops will show their power.}) 24. a4 Rb8 $6 (24... b6
{makes more sense as the pawn on a5 would not be hanging like in the game.} 25.
e4 dxe4 26. Bxe4 Nd4 $13 {Now there is no hanging pawn on b7.}) 25. e4 $1 {
I like this move very much. Levon has absolutely no prejudices. He gives up
the d4-square to his opponent's knight, but at the same time he gets the
e4-square for his bishop and the ability to launch a powerful kingside attack
with g4-g5. Yes, the knight on d4 will look pretty, but what is it doing
there? Nothing much, if you ask me.} dxe4 26. Bxe4 b6 (26... Nd4 27. Bxa5 $16 {
Hence b6 would have been more useful.}) 27. g4 $1 {The attack begins.} Nd4 28.
Bc3 f5 $5 {Sethuraman sees this as the appropriate moment to sacrifice a pawn
and at the same time disrupt the integrity of his opponent's pawn structure.
Will Black be able to hold his position after this pawn sacrifice? Let's have
a look.} (28... Nxb3 29. Be5 $16) 29. gxf5 Bf6 30. Rg1 Re8 $2 {The final error
of the game and after this it is all over. But let's see if Black could have
defended better.} (30... Kf8 31. Rg6 Qe7 32. Rcg1 Rd6 {Black looks very solid
on the dark squares. How does White break through?} 33. Be1 (33. Qh3 Rbd8 34.
Qg2 Qf7 35. Ba1 {For me it is not so clear how White will break through here.})
33... Rbd8 34. Bh4 Bxh4 35. Rxg7 Qxg7 36. Rxg7 Kxg7 37. Qxh4 Rf6 $11 {Black
doubles his rooks on the f-file and it seems impossible to make progress.}) (
30... Kh8 {is also possible.} 31. Rg6 Rd7 32. Rcg1 Qf8 {The question is, how
is White breaking through.} 33. Be1 Rd6 (33... Nxb3 $2 34. Bh4 $18) 34. Bh4
Bxh4 35. Rxd6 (35. Qxh4 Rxg6 36. Rxg6 Nxf5 $11) 35... Qxd6 36. Qxh4 Ne2 $1 37.
Rg6 Qxf4 38. Qxf4 Nxf4 39. Rd6 $14 {Black has good drawing chances here, the
edge still remains with White.}) 31. Qxh6 $1 {There was definitely something
that Sethu missed, because now it is all over.} Rbd8 32. Rce1 Re7 33. Re3 {
The rook is coming to h3 and Sethu resigned. Levon's play in this game was
quite instructive. Overall the line is very solid for Black. If White wants
anything from the opening, then he must follow Aronian's footsteps of just
creating a fresh position and playing on. It doesn't matter if the position is
equal or not as long as there are imbalances in a position.} 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.02.01"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2018.01.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. e4 g6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. Be3 Nc6 6. d5 Nb8 7. Qd2 c6 8. Be2
O-O 9. O-O cxd5 10. exd5 b6 11. Bh6 Bb7 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. Nd4 a6 14. a4 Nbd7
15. f4 b5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Bxb5 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. c4 Bb7 20. Rae1 Kg8 21.
Bxd7 Qxd7 22. f5 Qc7 23. Rf4 Qb6 24. Rh4 h5 25. Rxh5 gxh5 26. Qg5+ Kh7 27.
Qxh5+ Kg8 28. Qg4+ Kh7 29. Qh4+ Kg8 30. Qg4+ Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters playoff 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.02.01"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2700"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[Annotator "Gupta,A"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2018.02.01"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{It has to be said that going into the tiebreaks,Levon was definitely the
favourite.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 e6 4. Nf3 c5 5. Be2 Nc6 6. O-O Be7 $6 {
I somehow don't like this move but hey I am not going to argue with Aronian's
opening :)} (6... cxd4 7. exd4 Bd6 {looks more normal.}) 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. c4 O-O
9. Nc3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Qxd1 11. Rfxd1 b6 12. Ng5 Be7 13. Nge4 Rd8 14. Bb5 Bb7 15.
Nd6 Bxd6 16. Bxd6 {Richard can be very happy how the opening went, he has two
bishops no weakness and can push Levon forever in such kind of positions.} Rac8
17. f3 a6 18. Be2 b5 19. Kf2 e5 20. Rac1 (20. b4 $1 {[%cal Ga2a4] This would
have been almost winning for White:} Ne8 21. Bc5 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Rd8 23. Ra1 $1
Rd2 24. a4 bxa4 25. Nxa4 $16) 20... h6 21. h4 (21. b4 {Again the same idea
with b4 then a4 should be really nice for White.}) 21... Ne8 22. Bc5 Rxd1 23.
Rxd1 Nd8 24. a4 Ne6 25. Ba3 bxa4 26. Nxa4 Nf6 27. Rd2 e4 28. Nb6 Rb8 29. Nc4
Bc6 30. Nd6 Bb5 31. Nxb5 axb5 32. Bd6 Rb7 33. Bb4 Nc7 34. Rd8+ Kh7 35. Bc3 (35.
fxe4 {this would have sealed the deal:} Nxe4+ (35... Ne6 36. Rc8 Nxe4+ 37. Kf3)
36. Kf3 Nf6 37. Bd3+ g6 38. Bc3 Ne6 39. Ra8 Kg7 40. Ra6 h5 41. b4 {and Black
is in zugzwang.}) 35... Ne6 36. Ra8 Nd5 37. Be5 Nb6 38. Re8 $2 (38. Rb8 $1 Rxb8
39. Bxb8 exf3 40. gxf3 b4 41. Bd6 $16) 38... Nc4 {Now Black is too active to
make a draw.} 39. Bc3 Nc5 40. Bb4 Nd3+ 41. Bxd3 exd3 42. b3 Nb2 43. Rc8 $2 (43.
Ke1 {would have been a better try but it's also getting scary for White:} Ra7 (
43... Rc7 44. Bd2 $1) 44. Kd2 Ra1 45. Rd8 Rf1 46. g4 Rxf3 47. Kc1 Rf2 48. Bd2
Rg2 49. Rd4 Kg6 50. e4 Kf6 51. Rd5 b4 52. Bxb4 Rc2+ 53. Kb1 Ke6 54. Ba3 Nc4 55.
bxc4 Rxc4 56. Rxd3 Rxe4 {and Black should hold this.}) 43... Nd1+ 44. Ke1 $2 {
Mistakes don't come alone.} (44. Kg3 Nxe3 45. Rd8 Nc2 46. Bc5 $11) 44... Nxe3
45. Kf2 Nc2 46. Bc5 {This is the final mistake but things were already quite
difficult for White.} (46. Bd2 Rd7 {[%cal Gc2a1]} (46... Re7 47. Kf1) 47. Rc3 (
47. Rc5 b4 48. Re5 Kg6 $17)) 46... Rd7 47. Be3 Nxe3 {The second game of this
match was also won by Levon although with some hiccups and managed to set up
an interesting final against MVL.} 0-1

[Event "Gibraltar Masters playoff 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.02.01"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2018.02.01"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. Re1 Nbd7 7. e4 e5 8. Nc3
Re8 9. h3 b6 10. a4 a6 11. d5 a5 12. Nd2 Re7 13. Nc4 Nc5 14. Bg5 h6 15. Be3 Ba6
16. Na3 Nh7 17. Qd2 Qf8 18. Nab5 h5 19. Rf1 Rae8 20. Bxc5 dxc5 21. d6 Rd7 22.
Rfd1 Bxb5 23. Nxb5 c6 24. Na3 h4 25. Nc4 Rb8 26. Ra3 Qd8 27. Rd3 Ng5 28. f4
exf4 29. gxf4 Ne6 30. e5 Bh6 31. Rf1 b5 32. Nxa5 Nxf4 33. Nxc6 Qb6 34. Rxf4 c4+
35. Rdd4 f6 36. a5 Qc5 37. Nxb8 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters playoff 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.02.01"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2018.02.01"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. h4 h5 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Be2 Bxf3 8. Bxf3
c6 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. O-O-O b5 11. Kb1 Nb6 12. Qd3 e6 13. Ne2 a5 14. Bg5 Bh6 15.
Bxh6 Rxh6 16. e4 dxe4 17. Bxe4 Qd6 18. Bf3 Nfd5 19. Ng3 Nf6 20. Qe3 Rh8 21. Qg5
Nbd5 22. Bxd5 Nxd5 23. Ne4 Qf4 24. Rhe1 Qxg5 25. Nxg5 Ke7 26. Rd3 Rhd8 27. Rf3
Nf6 28. c3 Rd5 29. Kc2 Rf5 30. Rxf5 gxf5 31. Nf3 Nd7 32. Ng5 Nf6 33. Nf3 Nd7
34. Ng5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters playoff 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.02.01"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A06"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2018.02.01"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 d5 2. e3 Bf5 3. Bb2 e6 4. Nf3 h6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 c6 7. Be2 Be7 8. O-O
O-O 9. d3 Bh7 10. Qc2 a5 11. Rad1 Na6 12. a3 Nc5 13. Na4 Nxa4 14. bxa4 Nd7 15.
Rb1 Rb8 16. Rfd1 Re8 17. Ne5 Bf8 18. Bh5 Re7 19. c5 Ra8 20. Bd4 Nxe5 21. Bxe5
Rd7 22. f4 f6 23. Ba1 e5 24. fxe5 fxe5 25. Bg4 Re7 26. Rf1 Qe8 27. Bf5 Bxf5 28.
Rxf5 g6 29. Rf2 Bg7 30. Rbf1 Qd7 31. d4 exd4 32. Bxd4 Bxd4 33. exd4 Kh7 34. Rf6
Rg8 35. Qd2 Qg4 36. h3 Re2 37. Rf7+ Rg7 38. Qxh6+ Kxh6 39. hxg4 Rxf7 40. Rxf7
Re4 41. Rxb7 Rxd4 42. Rb6 Rxa4 43. Rxc6 Rxa3 44. Rd6 Rd3 45. Ra6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters playoff 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.02.01"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2018.02.01"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. c4 Nc7 14. d4 d5
15. cxd5 Bb4 16. Bd2 Bxd2 17. Qxd2 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Qxd5 19. Re5 Qd6 20. Bc4 b5
21. Bb3 a5 22. a3 a4 23. Ba2 Bd7 24. Rae1 Rae8 25. Qc3 Rxe5 26. dxe5 Qe7 27. h3
Be6 28. Bxe6 Qxe6 29. Rd1 f6 30. Rd6 Qxe5 31. Qxe5 fxe5 32. Rxc6 Rd8 33. Rc5 b4
34. Rxe5 Rd1+ 35. Kh2 Rd2 36. Ra5 Rxf2 37. axb4 Rxb2 38. Rxa4 Rb3 39. Ra8+ Kf7
40. Rb8 h5 41. h4 Kg6 42. Rb5 Kf6 43. g3 Rb2+ 44. Kg1 g6 45. Rb8 Kf5 46. Rb5+
Kg4 47. Rg5+ Kf3 48. Rxg6 Rxb4 49. Kh2 Rb2+ 50. Kh3 Rb1 51. Rf6+ Ke4 52. Rf8
Rb2 53. Rf4+ Ke5 54. Rf1 Ke4 55. Rf8 Rb1 56. Kg2 Rb2+ 57. Rf2 Rb5 58. Rf4+ Ke5
59. Rf8 Ke6 60. Kf3 Rf5+ 61. Rxf5 Kxf5 62. Kf2 Kf6 63. Ke3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters playoff 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.02.01"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Gupta,A"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2018.02.01"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 {Levon stucks to the line which put him
through against Maxime in the World Cup.} Bg7 5. Nb5 Na6 6. e3 c6 7. Nc3 O-O $6
(7... Nc7 8. h3 O-O 9. Bd3 {with a normal game.}) 8. Bxa6 $14 bxa6 9. h3 {
I don't think White needs h3 anymore but hey in a blitz game it's always good
to have your pawn on h3 rather than h2.} Nd7 10. O-O Bb7 11. Na4 Rc8 $6 (11...
c5 {This has to be played, after} 12. c3 {Black is still slightly worse but he
is still in there.}) 12. b4 $1 a5 13. Nc5 Nxc5 14. bxc5 {A dream position for
White especially in a blitz game.} Ba6 15. Re1 a4 16. Qd2 Bb5 17. e4 $1 dxe4
18. Rxe4 Bc4 19. Bh6 $2 (19. Re3 Bd5 20. Ne5 $16) 19... Bxh6 $2 (19... Bd5 20.
Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Re3 (21. Rh4 h5 22. Rxh5 gxh5 23. Qg5+ {is only a perpetual})
21... Bxf3 22. Rxf3 Qd5 {and all of a sudden Black has serious chances to hold.
}) 20. Qxh6 f6 21. Nd2 Bd5 22. Re3 Rb8 23. c4 Bf7 24. Re4 g5 25. Rae1 e5 (25...
Rb7 {Black can still try and resist but the odds of him holding on against
Aronian are close to zero,} 26. h4) 26. dxe5 Bg6 (26... Qxd2 27. exf6 {with
mate in 4?}) 27. R4e2 {he only thing left for Levon now is not to lose on time.
} Rb2 28. Nf3 Rxe2 29. Rxe2 fxe5 30. Rxe5 Qd1+ 31. Re1 Qc2 32. a3 Qxc4 33. Qxg5
Rf5 34. Re8+ Kg7 35. Qe7+ Kh6 36. Qe3+ Qf4 37. Qxf4+ Rxf4 38. Re6 Rc4 39. Rxc6
Kg7 40. Ne5 Rc1+ 41. Kh2 Be4 42. Ra6 Rxc5 43. Rxa7+ Kg8 44. Nd7 Rf5 45. Rxa4
Bc6 46. Rg4+ Kf7 47. Nb8 Bb7 48. f3 Rb5 49. Rb4 Rxb4 50. axb4 {After such a
terrible start in the event Levon crawled his way back to win the tournament
which shows what a true champion he is!} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "Mekhitarian,K"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 $1 {This is a good move order if your opponent
usually plays setups with ...Nf6 and ...e6. We now enter positions that don't
have a particular pattern, but are very independent from typical openings} d5
4. e5 (4. cxd5 $5 {is a different approach} exd5 5. e5 Ne4 6. Nf3 Be7 $5 {
the pawn sacrifice is interesting} (6... Bf5 7. Be2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Qb3 Nc6
10. Nxd5 Bc5 11. Ne3 $1 $16 {1-0 (41) Matlakov,M (2714)-Santos Latasa,J (2567)
Minsk 2017}) 7. Qa4+ (7. Nxe4 dxe4 8. Qa4+ Nc6 9. Qxe4 Be6 $44) 7... Bd7 8. Qb3
Nc5 9. Qc2 Bg4 10. d4 Ne6 11. Be3 Bxf3 12. gxf3 c5 $1 $132 {1-0 (73)
Kryvoruchko,Y (2703)-Debashis,D (2518) Dubai 2018}) 4... d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6.
bxc3 Qxf6 {A lot has been investigated in this line recently} 7. d4 b6 (7... e5
$5 {is a concrete approach, tried by Aronian himself in 2014 against Grischuk.
This move is fine, but Black has to be precise.} 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. Bg5 Qg6 10. d5
Nb8 11. h4 h6 $1 {Karjakin didn't have problems against Anand with this move.}
(11... Nd7 $6 12. Bd3 e4 13. h5 Qf5 14. Rh4 $3 {and suddenly the black queen
is lost.} exd3 15. Rf4 $18 {1-0 (40) Grischuk,A (2792)-Aronian,L (2815)
Stavanger 2014}) 12. h5 Qa6 $1 $146 13. Be3 Nd7 14. Bd3 Ba3 15. O-O Qd6 16. Nh4
O-O {Black wants to achieve a strategically better position with ...Nf6 and ...
Bc5} 17. Nf5 Qf6 18. Ng3 Qh4 {and a repetition of moves was agreed:} 19. Nf5
Qf6 20. Ng3 Qh4 {½-½ (20) Anand,V (2782)-Karjakin,S (2760) London 2017}) 8.
h4 $5 $146 {As expected, Aronian starts to show aggression right from the
first round in the Candidates tournament. He will play Bg5 like in the line
with 8.Nf3, but in some cases here he may play Rh3 and the knight may go to e2
as well.} (8. Nf3 Bb7 9. Be2 Bd6 10. Qc2 $6 {makes Black's life easy.} Qg6 $1
11. Qxg6 hxg6 12. h3 Nd7 $11 {½-½ (45) Mager,D (2283)-Gustafsson,J (2640)
Germany 2018, with a comfortable endgame.}) 8... Bb7 9. Bg5 Qf5 10. Bd3 Qa5 11.
Kf1 $1 {A smart way to defend the g2-pawn and to run away from ...Qxc3+. The
position becomes very original after the last few moves, and it is not easy to
find a clear and safe plan for Black, he has so many development possibilities,
that it is hard to choose. I would say White's opening experiment is going
well so far.} Nc6 (11... Bd6 $5 {preparing ...Nd7 and ...0-0 was possible.})
12. Rb1 (12. Rh3 $5 f6 13. Bd2 O-O-O 14. a4 $1 {similar to the game, the queen
feels somewhat weird on a5. A sample line would be:} e5 15. c5 {[%csl Ra5]}
bxc5 16. d5 Ba6 (16... Rxd5 $4 17. c4 $18) 17. Rb1 $1 Bxd3+ 18. Rxd3 Qa6 19.
Qg4+ Rd7 20. Rb5) 12... f6 13. Bd2 O-O-O (13... Qa3 $5 {avoiding a4 was
interesting} 14. Qh5+ g6 15. Bxg6+ hxg6 16. Qxh8 Qxa2 17. Rd1 Qc2 $1 $44 {
with decent compensation for Black.}) 14. a4 $1 {Trying to make the black
queen look uncomfortable there on a5.} e5 15. c5 (15. Rh3 $5 exd4 16. cxd4 Bb4
{was Aronian's suggestion for Black after the game on the 15.Rh3 line. White
has an interesting sequence now:} 17. d5 Bxd2 18. Rb5 $1 Qa6 19. dxc6 Bxc6 20.
Qxd2 Qxa4 21. Rb1 Qxc4 22. Ne2 {and the position remains complex} (22. Bxc4 $6
Rxd2 {is just fine for Black})) 15... Bxc5 16. Rb5 Qa6 17. Rh3 Bxd4 $1 18. Be2
(18. cxd4 $2 Rxd4 19. Ne2 Qxa4 $17 {and Black has four pawns for the piece,
and can play this position for a win.}) 18... Rd6 $6 (18... Ba8 $1 {giving b7
for the queen - a very original move} 19. Nf3 (19. Rb2 Qb7 20. cxd4 Nxd4 $132)
(19. cxd4 Nxd4 20. Rb2 Nxe2 $132) 19... Qb7 20. cxd4 Nxd4 21. Rb2 {In any case,
I feel that Black's position is great after he takes on e2 and plays with the
opposite-coloured bishops.} Nxe2 $132) 19. Rb1 (19. Rb2 $1 {is the computer
suggestion, with advantage for White. During the press conference, Aronian
said he wasn't sure how to evaluate the position after Black's 21st move:} Qa5
20. cxd4 Qd5 21. dxe5 Nxe5 22. Nf3 $16 {Black has many interesting moves here,
like ...Re8 or ...Nd3.}) 19... Qa5 20. Rb5 Qa6 (20... Bxc3 {runs into a pretty
move (that both players mentioned in the press conference)} 21. Rd3 $1 Rxd3 22.
Bxd3 Ba6 23. Bxc3 Qxc3 24. Ne2 Qa3 25. Rb3 Qxa4 26. Bf5+ Kb8 27. Rxb6+ cxb6 28.
Qxa4 Bxe2+ 29. Kg1 $16) 21. Rb1 Qa5 22. Rb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E36"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. Bg5 h6 8.
Bxf6 Qxf6 9. Nf3 c6 10. g3 Nd7 11. Bh3 b6 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Qc6 Rb8 14. O-O Rd8
15. Rfc1 Ba6 16. Bf1 Bc4 17. Qa4 a5 18. b3 b5 19. Qxa5 Bxb3 20. Rc7 Bc4 21. Qa7
Ra8 22. Qb7 Rab8 23. Qa7 Ra8 24. Qb7 Rab8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2800"]
[Annotator "Kramnik,V"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {A surprise on the very first move. I suspected that in this tournament
overwhelmingly closed openings would be played against me. And least of all
did I expect 1.e4 in my game against Aronian. Überraschung bereits im ersten
Zug. Ich vermutete, dass man in diesem Turnier gegen mich überwiegend
geschlossene Eröffnungen spielen würde. Und am wenigsten habe ich 1.e4 in
meiner Partie gegen Aronian erwartet.} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {In our
earlier encounters with 1.e4 played by Levon we continued into the main line
of the Berlin Defence, but without much success – all these games ended as
draws. In unseren früheren Begegnungen mit 1.e4 von Levon ging es weiter ins
Hauptabspiel der Berliner Variante, aber ohne großen Erfolg – alle diese
Partien endeten unentschieden.} Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 {I do not know for what
reasons Levon selected this variation. It is all the more difficult to
understand because he never again played 1.e4 in this tournament. He certainly
had his reasons for this, but his decision seemed somewhat strange to me. On
the other hand, if it had been justified it would have been called correct,
far-sighted, etc.  Ich weiß nicht, aus welchen Gründen Levon diese Variante
auswählte. Das ist umso schwieriger zu verstehen, weil er in diesem Turner 1.
e4 nicht mehr spielte. Bestimmt hatte er seine Gründe dafür, aber seine
Entscheidung kommt mir ziemlich seltsam vor. Andererseits, falls sie sich
gerechtfertigt hätte, würde man sie richtig, weitsichtig usw. nennen.} 6. O-O
{Such a treatment of the opening has always seemed dubious to me. Even after 3.
..a6 the exchange on c6 is not considered dangerous for Black - and in the
variation from our game White is playing free of any compulsion... It is clear
to me that this line is very prevalent in practice and contains some
subtleties, but I will never be able to believe that by playing like this
White can lay claim to an opening advantage. Naturally in today's theory many
variations have been analysed all the way to a draw, so that one feels the
desire to deviate at some point and simply "play chess", but in concrete terms
here White has, in my opinion, absolutely no preconditions for even a minimal
advantage and with my classical chess education I cannot take this variation
seriously. For that reason, moreover, I have also lost some games in this line;
on the other hand, not a few of them ended in a win for me. Solche
Eröffnungsbehandlung schien mir immer fraglich zu sein. Sogar nach 3...a6
gilt der Tausch auf c6 als ungefährlich für Schwarz – und in der Variante
aus unserer Partie spielt Weiß so ganz ohne Zwang... Mir ist klar, dass
dieses Abspiel in der Praxis sehr verbreitet ist und einige Feinheiten
beinhaltet, aber ich werde nie glauben können, dass Weiß bei dieser
Spielweise einen Eröffnungsvorteil für sich beanspruchen kann. Natürlich
sind in der heutigen Theorie viele Varianten bis zum Remis ausanalysiert, so
dass man den Wunsch verspürt, irgendwo abzuweichen und nur "Schach zu
spielen", aber konkret hat Weiß hier m.E. gar keine Voraussetzungen für nur
einen minimalen Vorteil und ich mit meiner klassischen Schachausbildung kann
diese Variante nicht ernstnehmen. Deswegen habe ich übrigens in diesem
Abspiel auch einige Partien verloren, andererseits endeten nicht wenige mit
meinem Gewinn.} Qe7 {There are various possibilities for Black here, but I
have often played and analysed such positions and come to the conclusion that
this queen move is very interesting. If White delays h2-h3, then Black also
holds back with the move Nf6-d7 and first develops his bishop. For example: 7.
Nbd2 Bg4 8.h3 Bh5 9.Nc4 Nd7 – in my opinion this is an ideal setup for Black,
in which he has hardly any problems.  Es gibt hier für Schwarz verschiedene
Möglichkeiten, aber ich habe solche Stellungen oft gespielt und analysiert
und kam dabei zu dem Schluss, dass dieser Damenzug sehr interessant ist. Wenn
Weiß h2-h3 zurückhält, dann hält Schwarz den Zug Nf6-d7 auch noch zurück
und entwickelt zuerst seinen Läufer. Zum Beispiel: 7.Nbd2 Bg4 8.h3 Bh5 9.Nc4
Nd7 – m. E. ist es für den Nachziehenden eine ideale Aufstellung, bei der
er gar keine Probleme hat.} 7. h3 {I analysed this variation 10 years ago,
then 7, then a few years ago – and each time something new revealed itself
to me. Of course Black can simply castle – that is not really linked to any
danger and should suffice for equality. But at some point I hit on the idea of
punishing White for the move h2-h3 and started to analyse 7...h6 with the idea
of attacking with g5-g4. For his part, White then begins with c3, d4 to play
in the centre; I found no advantage for him, and sharp and complicated
positions appear on the board.  Ich analysierte diese Variante vor zehn, dann
vor sieben, dann vor ein paar Jahren – und jedes Mal öffnete sich für mich
etwas neues. Selbstverständlich kann Schwarz einfach rochieren – das ist
mit keiner wirklichen Gefahr verbunden und sollte zum Ausgleich reichen. Aber
irgendwann kam ich auf die Idee, den Weißen für den Zug h2-h3 zu bestrafen,
und habe angefangen, 7...h6 mit der Idee des Angriffs g5-g4 zu analysieren.
Weiß beginnt seinerseits dann, mittels c3, d4 in der Mitte zu spielen; ich
habe für ihn keinen Vorteil gefunden, wobei scharfe und komplizierte
Stellungen aufs Brett kommen.} {Not that I would be dissatisfied with that,
but when I cam back to this variation a few years ago, Nicht, dass ich damit
unzufrieden wäre, aber als ich vor ein paar Jahren zu dieser Variante wieder
zurückkehrte, hat sich etwa als fünfter Computerzug...} Rg8 $1 {...had
appeared as something like the fifth computer move (today's engines award it
first or second place in their list of priorities). I thought about this and
understood that although this continuation looks absurd at first glance, it
makes perfect sense: Black will save a tempo. On further investigation it
became clear to me that it is simply the "refutation" of White's whole system.
After g7-g5 this pawn must not be taken under any circumstances, because Black
then quickly obtains a mating attack. But even if White allows the opposing
g-pawn to survive, Black pre-empts White with his threats – White's play in
the centre is too late. I cannot say whether at that time I went into the
position very deeply: Black was standing so well everywhere that I could not
believe that I would ever meet the line in practice, though if I did – then
in any case it is wonderful to get such a position. I did not go through the
relevant variations in my preparation for the game against Aronian (as I said,
I certainly wasn't expecting him to play 1.e4) and had almost nothing ready
after 7...Rg8. Moreover, when I re-opened my earlier notes after the game I
established that I had not written much at all about it.  ...blicken lassen 
(die heutigen Engines geben ihm in ihrer Prioritätenliste den ersten oder den
zweiten Platz). Ich habe mir darüber Gedanken gemacht und verstanden, dass
obwohl diese Fortsetzung auf den ersten Blick absurd aussieht, sie durchaus
sinnvoll ist: Schwarz will ein Tempo sparen. Bei der weiteren Untersuchung ist
mir klar geworden, dass es einfach die "Widerlegung" des ganzen weißen
Systems ist. Nach g7-g5 darf man diesen Bauern unter keinen Umständen nehmen,
weil Schwarz dann schnell einen Mattangriff erhält. Aber auch wenn Weiß den
gegnerischen g-Bauern am Leben lässt, kommt Schwarz mit seinen Drohungen dem
Anziehenden zuvor – das weiße Spiel in der Mitte geschieht zu spät. Ich
kann nicht sagen, dass ich mich zu jener Zeit in diese Stellung sehr vertiefte:
überall stand Schwarz so gut, dass ich nicht glauben konnte, diesem Abspiel
in der Praxis irgendwann zu begegnen, wenn aber doch – dann ist es in jedem
Fall wunderbar, so eine Stellung zu bekommen. Die entsprechenden Varianten
wiederholte ich bei meiner Vorbereitung zur Partie gegen Aronian nicht (wie
gesagt, ich erwartete von ihm überhaupt kein 1.e4) und hatte nach 7...Rg8
fast nichts parat. Übrigens, als ich nach der Partie meine früheren Notizen
wieder öffnete, habe ich festgestellt, dass ich dazu gar nicht viel
aufschrieb.} 8. Kh1 {I could still remember that this is the best and
practically the only move. If White does not play it he immediately gets a
worse position. Levon took this in no way obvious decision very quickly. So
far I have not yet talked to him on this subject, so I do not know if he had
previously had a look at this variation, but could not believe the power of 7..
.Rg8, or whether he did not want to show that he was not prepared for this
line. Daran, dass dies der beste und praktisch der einzige Zug ist, konnte ich
mich noch gut erinnern. Macht ihn Weiß nicht, bekommt er sofort eine
schlechtere Stellung. Levon traf diese keinesfalls offensichtliche
Entscheidung sehr schnell. Ich habe ihn bis jetzt auf dieses Thema nicht
angesprochen, deswegen weiß ich nicht, ob er sich diese Variante früher mal
anschaute, aber an die Kraft von 7...Rg8 nicht glauben konnte, oder ob er
nicht zeigen wollte, dass er auf dieses Abspiel nicht vorbereitet war.} Nh5 $5
({At the board I could still remember that I had previously analysed Ich
konnte mich am Brett noch daran erinnern, dass ich hier früher} 8... h6 {
here. After the game I established that I had then even somewhat preferred it
over 8...Nh5. A modern computer shows the following variation: analysierte.
Nach der Partie habe ich festgestellt, dass ich ihm damals sogar etwas den
Vorzug gegenüber 8...Nh5 gab. Der moderne Computer zeigt folgende Variante:}
9. Nbd2 g5 10. Nc4 g4 11. Nfxe5 h5 {(a cold blooded attack) (kaltblütiger
Angriff)} 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 gxh3 {and White is still hanging on, the
evaluation is approximately "=/+". But I preferred the knight move which
appeared to be ambitious and principled. From this point on my knowledge was
clearly at an end, from then on I was acting "independently". Fortunately
there is no need to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that if ...Nh5 was played,
the a future g5-g4 is being planned. Play after this was not very complicated.
und Weiß hält sich gerade noch, die Einschätzung ist etwa "=/+". Der
Springerzug gefiel mir aber besser, er schien ambitiös und prinzipiell zu
sein. Ab diesem Punkt waren meine Kenntnisse eindeutig zu Ende, weiter agierte
ich "selbständig". Zum Glück muss man kein Sherlock Holmes sein, um darauf
zu kommen, dass wenn ...Nh5 gezogen wurde, anschließend g5-g4 geplant ist.
Das weitere Spiel war nicht sehr kompliziert.}) 9. c3 $6 {The most natural but
unfortunate reaction. Die natürlichste, aber unglückliche Reaktion.} ({
The computer recommends Der Computer empfiehlt} 9. Nh2 {, but I do not like
this panicky continuation. Black replies , aber diese panische Fortsetzung
gefällt mir nicht. Schwarz antwortet} g6 {and prepares to castle long; his
position is simply one to dream about. und bereitet die lange Rochade vor,
seine Stellung ist einfach traumhaft.}) ({Here, in my view, Meines Erachtens
ist hier} 9. Nc3 {is the best move. As I later discovered, precisely this move
was taken into account as the main continuation in my earlier notes. The play
which follows is similar to the way the game went, but it is much better for
White to have a knight on c3 rather than a pawn: der beste Zug. Wie ich
später entdeckt habe, wurde gerade dieser Zug in meinen früheren Notizen als
Hauptfortsetzung erachtet. Das danach folgende Spiel ist analog dem Ablauf der
Partie, aber es ist für Weiß viel besser, auf c3 einen Springer anstatt
eines Bauern zu haben:} g5 10. Nxe5 g4 11. d4 Bd6 12. g3 Bxe5 13. dxe5 Qxe5 {
Here White may not have the resource Qd4 available to him, but on the other
hand his knight is already developed. After the further moves Zwar steht dem
Anziehenden hier die Ressource Qd4 nicht zur Verfügung, aber andererseits ist
sein Springer bereits entwickelt. Nach den weiteren Zügen} 14. h4 Bd7 {
the position is still more or less level, but playing it with Black is
considerably more pleasant: he will castle long and have the initiative –
White's king and light squares are weak. ist die Stellung noch mehr oder
weniger ausgeglichen, aber es ist wesentlich angenehmer, sie mit Schwarz zu
spielen: er wird lang rochieren und Initiative besitzen – der König und die
weißen Felder des Anziehenden sind schwach.}) 9... g5 10. Nxe5 ({After Auf} 
10. d4 {the move ist} exd4 ({During the game the continuation Während der
Partie schien mir auch die Fortsetzung} 10... g4 $5 11. hxg4 Bxg4 12. dxc5 Qf6
{with a subsequent activation of further reserves appeared to me to be
interesting and I took the decision to think more seriously about it if 10.d4
were actually played. Of course, the computer first thinks that "White is a
piece up", but then it begins to be less and less optimistic. I let it
calculate until it had evaluated the position as level, then I stopped the
analysis of this line. Probably 10...exd4 is stronger, but I cannot exclude
the fact that Black also has a great game after 10...g4. mit nachfolgender
Aktivierung weiterer Reserven interessant zu sein, und ich traf die
Entscheidung, darüber ernsthafter nachzudenken, falls 10.d4 tatsächlich
kommt. Der Computer meint zuerst natürlich, dass "Weiß eine Mehrfigur hat",
aber dann beginnt er immer weniger optimistisch zu sein. Ich ließ ihn solange
rechnen, bis er die Stellung als ausgeglichen eingeschätzt hatte, dann brach
ich die Analyse dieses Abspiels ab. Wahrscheinlich ist 10...exd4 doch stärker,
aber ich kann nicht ausschließen, dass Schwarz auch nach 10...g4 ein tolles
Spiel hat.}) 11. cxd4 Bb6 {(a wonderful place for the bishop) is the simplest.
Moreover, the computer can find nothing better than (ein wunderbarer Platz
für den Läufer) am einfachsten. Weiter findet der Computer nichts Besseres
als} 12. Nh2 Nf6 13. e5 Nd5 {It is irrelevant how great Black's advantage is
here – it is absolutely clear that White has lost the opening duel. Es ist
nebensächlich, wie groß hier der schwarze Vorteil ist – es ist absolut
klar, dass Weiß das Eröffnungsduell verloren hat.}) 10... g4 11. d4 {This is
obviously the only move, Offensichtlich ist dies der einzige Zug,} ({It is
even somewhat embarrassing for me to point out the variation es ist mir sogar
etwas peinlich, auf die Variante} 11. hxg4 Qh4+ 12. Kg1 Ng3 {with mate on h1.
mit Matt auf h1 hinzuweisen.}) 11... Bd6 12. g3 {Once more, the only
continuation according to the computer. Wieder die einzige Fortsetzung laut
dem Computer.} Bxe5 {I think it would not be really appropriate to criticise
this move. I took in the facts that I was facing no threats, but from a human
point of view it seems somewhat strange to be dealing with development when it
is possible to recover the material and be able to remain with an excellent
position. Es wäre, denke ich, nicht wirklich angebracht, diesen Zug zu tadeln.
Ich habe registriert, dass mir gar nichts droht, aber aus menschlicher Sicht
scheint es etwas seltsam zu sein, sich mit der Entwicklung zu beschäftigen,
wenn man das Material zurückerobern und mit einer ausgezeichneten Stellung
verbleiben kann.} ({In reality, after In Wirklichkeit aber beginnt der
Computer sich nach} 12... Be6 $1 {the computer begins to be very worried for
White. In the event of große Sorgen um Weiß zu machen. Im Falle von} 13. hxg4
$2 Bxe5 {White will soon be mated. Otherwise Black plays 0-0-0 and obtains a
powerful attack in return for the pawn. wird der Anziehende bald mattgesetzt,
ansonsten spielt Schwarz 0-0-0 und erhält für den Bauern einen gewaltigen
Angriff.}) 13. dxe5 Qxe5 14. Qd4 {The most logical continuation. Die
logischste Fortsetzung.} ({There is still the possibility of Es gibt noch die
Möglichkeit} 14. Kh2 {but it looks rather eccentric. aber sie sieht etwas
abwegig aus.}) ({And if Und falls} 14. h4 {then dann} Be6 {– the threat is
the capture on g3, when – es droht das Nehmen auf g3, wobei} 15. Kh2 {
can at least be met with zumindest mittels} Qxe4 {winning a pawn. mit
Bauerngewinn beantwortet werden kann.}) 14... Qe7 $5 {The decision, which is
characteristic of my play in Berlin. In this case the plan brought me success;
in a few other encounters it did not work, and in consequence I sometimes lost
half a point, sometime the whole point. Be that as it may, this game turned
out to be rather beautiful, which partially compensates for my losses. Die
Entscheidung, die für mein Spiel in Berlin charakteristisch ist. In diesem
Fall brachte mir diese Spielweise Erfolg; in ein paar anderen Kämpfen hatte
sie nicht funktioniert, wodurch ich mal einen halben, mal den ganzen Punkt
verlor. Wie dem auch sei, diese Partie ist ziemlich schön geworden, was meine
Einbuße zum Teil kompensiert.} ({My seconds wondered why I did not steer the
struggle into an endgame with an extra pawn: Meine Sekundanten wunderten sich,
dass ich den Kampf nicht ins Endspiel mit einem Mehrbauern überleitete:} 14...
Qxd4 15. cxd4 gxh3 16. Kh2 Be6 {Of course, I had also planned specifically
this liquidation a few moves before. Black gets in f7-f5, White exchanges on
f5, plays Nc3, Be3 and reacts to ...Nf6 with f2-f3. Of course Black has an
advantage but his win is still a long way away and in view of the bishops of
opposite colours White has chances of a draw.  During the game I got into a
"reckless mood" and after the moves ...Rg8 and ...Nh5 I felt it a pity to go
into an endgame. I noticed that after the retreat of the queen to e7 Black had
good chances of gradually developing a dangerous attack. To put it like this:
after the exchange of queens Black's advantage is objectively greater but
after 14...Qe7 it is harder for White to play. If Black is lucky, the game can
"win itself". That is what actually happened – my opponent did not manage to
find the best defence. Natürlich habe ich gerade diese Abwicklung vor ein
paar Zügen auch geplant. Schwarz setzt f7-f5 durch, der Anziehende tauscht
auf f5, spielt Nc3, Be3 und reagiert auf ...Nf6 mit f2-f3. Selbstverständlich
hat Schwarz Vorteil, aber sein Gewinn ist noch weit entfernt und wegen der
ungleichen Läufer hat Weiß Chancen auf Remis.  Im Lauf der Partie bin ich in
eine "Leichtsinnsstimmung" gekommen, und nach den Zügen ...Rg8 und ...Nh5 war
es mir bereits zu schade, ins Endspiel zu gehen. Ich habe bemerkt, dass
Schwarz nach dem Rückzug der Dame nach e7 über gute Chancen verfügt,
allmählich einen gefährlichen Angriff zu entwickeln. Sagen wir so: nach dem
Damentausch ist der Vorteil von Schwarz objektiv gesehen größer, aber nach
14...Qe7 ist es für Weiß schwieriger zu spielen. Wenn der Nachziehende
Glück hat, kann sich die Partie "von selbst" gewinnen. Eigentlich war es dann
auch so – meinem Gegner ist es nicht gelungen, sich optimal zu verteidigen.})
15. h4 {As good as forced. If Black were to get in ...gxh3, he would then not
only have a file for the attack but also have obtained an extra pawn. So gut
wie erzwungen. Wenn Schwarz zu ...gxh3 käme, hätte er dann nicht nur eine
Linie für den Angriff, sondern auch noch einen Mehrbauern bekommen.} c5 {
The idea behind this move is to transfer the bishop to c6, to castle and to
start the attack with f7-f5. The knight does not look best placed on h5, but
in the event of play on the light squares it will not be possible for White to
hold on to the pawn on e4, whilst the white king is very weak. I was of the
opinion that Black has very good prospects here.  Die Idee dieses Zuges
besteht darin, den Läufer nach c6 zu überführen, zu rochieren und mittels
f7-f5 den Angriff zu starten. Der Springer sieht auf h5 noch nicht optimal aus,
aber im Falle eines Spiels auf den weißen Feldern wird es dem Anziehenden
nicht möglich sein, den Bauern auf e4 zu behalten, während der weiße König
sehr schwach ist. Ich war der Meinung, dass Schwarz hier sehr gute
Perspektiven hat.} 16. Qc4 $2 {This is practically speaking the decisive
mistake. Das ist praktisch der entscheidende Fehler.} (16. Qd5 {would fail to
würde an} Nf6 {. scheitern,}) ({but during the game I had seen that aber noch
während der Partie hatte ich gesehen, dass} 16. Qd3 Bd7 17. c4 {is ok. It is
probably the only defensive idea here: plant the knight on d5 so that it
fulfils the role of a barrier along the long diagonal even if after geht.
Wahrscheinlich ist es die einzige Verteidigungsidee hier: den Springer auf d5
einpflanzen, so dass er die Rolle einer Barriere auf der großen Diagonale
spielt, auch wenn Schwarz nach} O-O-O 18. Nc3 Rge8 19. Re1 Bc6 20. Nd5 {
Black has without any doubt a wonderful position. zweifelsohne absolut klasse
steht.} {At the board I thought that Am Brett dachte ich, dass} Bxd5 ({I did,
e.g., consider Ich habe z.B.} 20... Qe5 {, but with precise moves the computer
can to some extent hang on: in Betracht gezogen, aber der Computer kann sich
mit genauen Zügen einigermaßen halten:} 21. Kg2 {because weil} f5 {is met
with mit} (21... b6) (21... Rd7) 22. Bg5 {, it suggests for Black to instead
simply improve his position with 21...b6 or 21...Rd7. Black is better, But
White's position is capable of being defended – thus we can understand the
evaluation of 0.5-0.6. beantwortet wird, schlägt er dem Nachziehenden vor,
stattdessen seine Position einfach mittels 21...b6 oder 21...Rd7 zu verbessern.
Schwarz steht besser, aber die weiße Lage ist verteidigungsfähig – so ist
die Einschätzung 0,5-0,6 zu verstehen.}) 21. cxd5 Nf6 22. Bg5 Nxe4 $5 {
was strong, but the computer starts to demonstrate some wonderful balancing
acts: stark ist, aber der Computer beginnt, Wunder der Equilibristik zu
demonstrieren:} 23. Kg1 $1 f6 24. Bf4 {with various tactical resources which
allow White to save the game. mit verschiedenen taktischen Ressourcen, die dem
Anziehenden erlauben, die Partie zu retten.} ({not nicht} 24. Bxf6 Qxf6 25.
Rxe4 Qf5 26. Rae1 h5 {and after the fall of the d5-pawn White is losing. und
nach dem Fall des Bauern d5 steht Weiß auf Verlust.})) {I suppose that Levon
did not particularly like all that and he found another, in itself very
cunning, defensive option. He is planning Bg5, because Black will not now have
the reply f7-f6. Ich vermute, dass Levon das alles nicht besonders gefiel, und
er hat eine andere, an sich recht listige Verteidigungsoption gefunden. Er
plant Bg5, weil Schwarz nun die Antwort f7-f6 nicht haben wird.} 16... Be6 17.
Qb5+ c6 18. Qa4 {And now Black deprives his bishop of the c6-square, so that
it cannot get on to the long diagonal. In addition Black cannot castle because
then the a7-pawn is hanging. As I understand things, that was Aronian's idea
and it would not be a bad one if the specific details did not reduce it to
nothing.. Und jetzt nahm Schwarz seinem Läufer das Feld c6, so dass er auf
die große Diagonale nicht kommt. Außerdem kann der Nachziehende nicht
rochieren, weil dann der Bauer a7 hängt. Wie ich verstehe, darin bestand
Aronians Idee, und sie wäre gar nicht schlecht, wenn die konkreten Details
sie nicht zunichtemachen würden.} ({18.Qa4 could be regarded as the final
mistake, but 18.Qa4 könnte man als den letzten Fehler betrachten, aber} 18.
Qe2 f5 19. Bg5 Rxg5 20. hxg5 f4 {would not help either – that would only be
a slightly better version of what happened in the game. würde auch nicht
helfen – das wäre nur eine etwas bessere Version davor, was später in der
Partie passierte.}) ({The computer recommends Der Computer empfiehlt} 18. Qd3 {
, but firstly, that does not fit in with White's last two moves and secondly
his situation would have remained terrible even then: , aber erstens passt das
mit den zwei letzten Zügen des Anziehenden nicht zusammen und zweitens wäre
seine Lage auch dann schrecklich geblieben:} Rd8 19. Qe3 (19. Qe2 f5) 19... Bc4
20. Rg1 (20. Re1 Rd3 21. Qh6 Qe5) 20... Rg6 21. Qe1 Bd3 {and White has major
strategic, tactical and soon material problems. However, he would not lose
immediately. und Weiß hat große strategische, taktische und bald auch
materielle Probleme. Jedoch würde er dabei nicht sofort verlieren.}) 18... f5
$1 {This is a typical idea, but Levon overlooked it or did not notice in time
its tactical justification – 19.exf5 Nxg3+!.  While he was thinking about
his next move, I wondered what I would do in his place and suddenly I
understood that White's position was absolutely hopeless. I was even amazed at
how bad everything was for him. The computer also recognises that – if it is
allowed some time, it gives roughly "-4" here. It was clear to me that the
business was all over, but in a situation in which all ways appear to lead to
Rome, it is also possible to make the wrong choice. So I used a lot of time
for the rest of the game in order to check over several times even the
simplest variations and not to do anything stupid – I have previously had
sufficient negative experiences in this area. But fundamentally after f5-f4
Black's attack develops on its own. Das ist eine typische Idee, aber Levon hat
sie übersehen oder ihre taktische Begründung – 19.exf5 Nxg3+! – nicht
rechtzeitig bemerkt.  Während er sich seinen nächsten Zug überlegte, habe
ich mich gefragt, was ich an seiner Stelle unternehmen würde, und plötzlich
habe ich verstanden, dass Weiß absolut hoffnungslos steht. Ich habe mich
sogar gewundert, wie schlecht das alles für ihn ist. Der Computer begreift
das auch – wenn man ihm etwas Zeit gibt, schreibt er hier etwa "-4". Mir war
klar, dass die Sache eigentlich gelaufen war, aber in einer Situation, in der
alle Wege nach Rom zu führen scheinen, kann man auch eine falsche Wahl
treffen. Deshalb habe ich für den Rest Partie viel Zeit verbraucht, um die
einfachsten Varianten mehrmals zu überprüfen und keine Dummheit zu machen
– negative Erfahrungen in diesem Sinne habe ich früher ausreichend
gesammelt. Aber im Grunde genommen entwickelt sich der schwarze Angriff nach
f5-f4 von selbst.} 19. Bg5 (19. exf5 Nxg3+ $1 20. fxg3 Bd5+ 21. Kg1 Qe2 22. Rf2
Qe1+ {with mate. mit Matt.}) 19... Rxg5 {This move can hardly be considered a
sacrifice.  Als ein Opfer darf man diesen Zug kaum betrachten.} 20. hxg5 f4 {
White has no counterplay and is simply mated. Weiß hat kein Gegenspiel und
wird einfach mattgesetzt.} 21. Qd1 Rd8 {Of course 21...fxg3 also wins.
Natürlich gewinnt auch 21...fxg3.} 22. Qc1 fxg3 23. Na3 Rd3 $1 {I suppose
that there were simpler ways, but I decided to bring the rook closer to the
main theatre of action. It later turned out that this is the computer's first
continuation.  Ich vermutete, dass es einfachere Wege gab, aber entschloss
mich, den Turm dem Hauptschauplatz näher zu bringen. Es hat sich später
herausgestellt, dass es die erste Fortsetzung des Computers ist.} 24. Rd1 Bd5
$1 {The only way to duff up such a position is by letting oneself be lulled to
sleep by the plethora of available options. So eine Stellung kann man nur dann
kaputtmachen, wenn man sich von der Menge der zur Verfügung stehenden
Möglichkeiten einlullen lässt.} ({It was clear to me that after Mir war klar,
dass Schwarz nach} 24... Rxd1+ 25. Qxd1 gxf2 {Black has an absolutely won
position.  On the other hand, some of the variations arising after 24...Bd5
were so beautiful that I felt the urge to finish the game in style. And so at
this point I spent my time above all not on uncomplicated calculations but on
an inner battle with myself: "That is beautiful! / But why do you need to play
it? Be a professional, take on d1 and f2 and win the game." In the end the
artist had the upper hand. eine absolut gewonnene Position hat.  Andererseits
waren einige nach 24...Bd5 entstehenden Varianten so schön, dass ich die Lust
verspürte, die Partie stilvoll zu beenden. Und so verbrauchte ich an dieser
Stelle meine Zeit in erster Linie nicht für unkomplizierte Rechenarbeit,
sondern für den inneren Kampf mit mir selbst: "Das ist doch schön!/Aber wozu
brauchst du das? Sei ein Profi, nimm auf d1 und f2 und gewinne die Partie." Im
Endeffekt bekam der Künstler die Oberhand.}) 25. f3 ({When looking at the
variation Beim Anschauen der Variante} 25. exd5 Qe4+ 26. Kg1 gxf2+ {for
safety's sake I calculated it out to mate, which was not particularly
difficult. rechnete ich sicherheitshalber bis zum Matt, was nicht besonders
schwierig war.}) 25... gxf3 26. exd5 ({I had been hoping for Ich hatte auf} 26.
Rxd3 {: gehofft:} Qxe4 $1 {of course I wanted to take with the queen, although
26...Bxe4 would also be more than sufficient: natürlich wollte ich mit der
Dame nehmen, obwohl 26...Bxe4 auch mehr als ausreichen würde:} 27. Re3 f2+ 28.
Rxe4+ Bxe4# {, but that would have been somewhat too masochistic of Levon.  In
the final position Black is down by a queen and an exchange. I found it a pity
that the knight is still there on h5. It was even more impressive without it.
When I discovered this variation I could no longer resist the wish to play 24..
.Bd5. , aber das wäre von Levon etwas zu masochistisch gewesen.  In der
Endposition hat Schwarz eine Dame und eine Qualität weniger. Ich fand es
schade, dass der Springer h5 noch vorhanden ist, ohne ihn wäre es noch
beeindruckender. Als ich diese Variante entdeckte, konnte ich dem Wunsch, 24...
Bd5 zu spielen, nicht mehr widerstehen.}) 26... Qe2 {This too I checked over
some five times – in the end the queen is really pinned. Auch das habe ich
etwa fünf Mal überprüft – schließlich wird die Dame doch gefesselt.} 27.
Re1 ({Or Oder} 27. Qc2 g2+ 28. Kh2 g1=Q+ 29. Kxg1 f2+ 30. Kh2 {and here the
simplest is und am einfachsten ist hier} Rh3+ $1 31. Kxh3 Qf3+ 32. Kh4 Qg3+ 33.
Kxh5 Qh3# {Again very beautiful. Wieder sehr schön.}) 27... g2+ {White
resigned. Weiß gab auf.} (27... g2+ 28. Kh2 ({After Nach} 28. Kg1 {the number
of black queens increases. erhöht sich die Anzahl der schwarzen Damen:} f2+
29. Kxg2 (29. Kh2 g1=Q+ 30. Rxg1 f1=Q+) 29... f1=Q# {a rare mating pattern.
Taking on e1 would also be mate, but I would have chosen the double check.
eine seltene Mattkonstruktion; das Nehmen auf e1 wäre auch Matt, aber ich
hätte das Doppelschach gewählt.}) 28... g1=Q+ 29. Kxg1 f2+ 30. Kh1 Rh3+ 31.
Kg2 f1=Q# {This game pleased both experts and spectators. All in all it is not
complicated, but impressive and the plan with ...Rg8 is rather "fresh" and
unexpected. It brought me aesthetic enjoyment, though all that glitters is not
gold: the game I won against Levon with White is more interesting and more
complex, so that I rate it higher from the point of view of the art of chess.
But I understand that the struggle we have just analysed looks very
spectacular and thus is not really such a usual occurrence in supertournaments
- that is why it attracted so much attention. Experten und Zuschauern hat
diese Partie gefallen. Sie ist im großen und Ganzen nicht kompliziert, aber
effektvoll, und das Konzept mit ...Rg8 ist ziemlich "frisch" und unerwartet.
Mir brachte sie einen ästhetischen Genuss, obwohl nicht alles Gold ist, was
glänzt: die Partie, die ich gegen Levon mit Weiß gewann, ist interessanter
und komplexer, so dass ich sie aus der Sicht der Schachkunst höher
einschätze. Aber ich verstehe, dass der von uns gerade analysierter Kampf
sehr spektakulär aussieht und somit für die Superturniere nicht gerade
gewöhnlich ist - daher so viel Aufsehen.}) 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 {It's always interesting to follow
Aronian's games from an event like the Candidates. So much is at stake here,
his unfulfilled ambition to get a match for the world title, it goes without
saying that the Armenian comes well prepared to his games.} 5. Bg5 dxc4 {
Now we are in Vienna territory.} (5... h6 {or Nbd7 is more common in the
Ragozin.}) 6. e4 c5 7. Bxc4 (7. e5 cxd4 8. Qa4+ (8. exf6 gxf6 9. Bh4 Nc6 $15)
8... Nc6 9. O-O-O Bd7 10. Ne4 Be7 11. exf6 gxf6 $44) 7... cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bxc3+ (
8... Qa5 {White has the additional option here to play} 9. Bd2 $5 Qc5 10. Bb5+
Bd7 11. Nb3 $11 {/+=}) 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Nbd7 11. Bxf6 (11. O-O $6 Nxe4 $15)
11... Qxc3+ 12. Kf1 gxf6 13. h4 {The main move in the position. The idea is to
activate the rook via h3.} (13. Rc1 Qb4 14. Rxc8+ (14. h4 {is another line
albeit less popular.}) 14... Rxc8 15. Bxd7+ Kxd7 16. Nf5+ Kc7 $19) 13... Qb4 $5
{This has been played before by Aronian against Wesley So in Tata Steel 2017.
Even Harikrishna had tried it against Giri in March 2017. So we can be sure
that Sergey would not have been unprepared.} 14. Rb1 $6 {Sergey mixes up his
moves.} (14. Rh3 {is the main line} a6 15. Be2 Ne5 16. Rb1 Qd6 {we reach a
position that it quite interesting and has been seen in many of the top level
games.} 17. Rc3 $13) 14... Qd6 15. Rh3 a6 16. Be2 Nc5 $1 {Aronian immediately
understands that Karjakin has made an error in the move order and takes full
advantage of the same. Let us try to understand why the knight is ideally
placed on c5. Firstly the main threat is to play e5 and hit the knight on d4
and the rook on h3 and at the same time exchange the queens. At the same time
the knight on c5 attacks the pawn on e4.} (16... Ne5 {would lead to the main
line, but now there is no need for this. The knight is much better placed on
c5.}) 17. Rc3 (17. Nb3 {is quite a timid move and after} Qxd1+ 18. Rxd1 Nxe4
19. Rhd3 Ke7 $1 $15 {Black should be better, although to convert this into a
win is an altogether different matter.}) 17... Nxe4 {As Karjakin said after
the game - It is quite depressing to have the white pieces and be worse just
ten minutes into the game!} 18. Rd3 {Black is quite underdeveloped, but White
has no real tactics. If White cannot stir up anything soon, two extra pawns
will soon tell.} O-O 19. Qc1 (19. Nf5 Qh2 $19) (19. Kg1 e5 20. Nf5 Qc5 $17)
19... Qe5 (19... Qh2 20. Rh3 Qe5 $17 {was more accurate.}) 20. Bf3 f5 21. Qh6
$6 {This allows Black to exchange the queens.} (21. Qe3 {This is of course,
not so great for White, but it keeps up the pressure and keeps the game going.}
) 21... Qf6 $1 22. Qxf6 (22. Qe3 Qxh4 $17 {Giving up another pawn would be a
bit too much.}) (22. Qf4 e5 $19) 22... Nxf6 23. Bxb7 Bxb7 24. Rxb7 {White has
recovered a pawn, but the position has simplified and this makes Aronian's
task of converting the extra pawn quite easy.} Rac8 25. Rg3+ Kh8 26. Rgb3 Ne4
27. Rb2 Rfd8 {Black is fully mobilised.} 28. Nb3 (28. Rxf7 Rxd4 29. Rbb7 Rc1+
30. Ke2 Rd2+ 31. Ke3 Re1+ 32. Kf4 Rxf2+ 33. Ke5 Rxg2 $19) 28... Rd1+ 29. Ke2
Nc3+ 30. Ke3 Kg7 $1 {Black is not only a pawn up, but also has the more active
pieces.} 31. g3 Kf6 (31... a5 $1 32. Nxa5 Rd5 $1 {Threatening the knight and
also Nd1+}) 32. Ra7 Rc6 33. Kf3 Nb5 34. Ra8 e5 35. Kg2 e4 36. a4 Na3 37. Rd2
Rxd2 38. Nxd2 e3 $1 39. Nf3 (39. fxe3 Rc2 40. Rxa6+ (40. Rd8 Nc4 $19) 40... Kg7
41. Kf3 Rxd2 42. Kf4 Rf2+ 43. Ke5 $19 {This should be winning for Black.})
39... Rc2 40. Rxa6+ Kg7 41. Nd4 Rxf2+ 42. Kg1 Nc2 43. Nxc2 Rxc2 44. Kf1 Rf2+
45. Ke1 Rg2 46. Rb6 Rxg3 47. Rb4 Rg2 48. Rf4 Kg6 49. Rf3 Rg4 50. Rxe3 Rxa4 51.
Kf2 Rxh4 {Although the remaining pawns are f- and h-pawns, the fact that Black
has doubled f-pawns means that he is clearly winning.} 52. Re8 Rg4 53. Kf3 Kg7
54. Re5 Kf6 55. Re8 h5 56. Rh8 Kg6 57. Kf2 Rg5 58. Kf3 Kg7 59. Ra8 h4 60. Kf2
h3 61. Ra3 Rh5 62. Kg1 Kg6 63. Kh2 f4 64. Ra7 f3 65. Ra1 f2 66. Rf1 Rf5 67.
Kxh3 Kg5 68. Kg3 Rf4 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A65"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. e4 e6 6. Nc3 exd5 7. cxd5 Bg7 8. Nge2
Nbd7 9. Ng3 h5 10. Be2 Nh7 11. Bf4 {This is a new try for Aronian, however it
also doesn't seem to bring him an advantage.} (11. Be3 {was an older move
played by Aronian.} h4 12. Nf1 O-O 13. Qd2 Re8 14. Bh6 Bd4 $1 15. Ne3 $5 a6 $1
{Now, it is important to cover the b5-square for its own sake, and not just
because a pawn wants to go there.} (15... g5 $6 16. Nf5 Ne5 17. Ng7 Re7 18. Nh5
f6 19. Nb5 $1 $40 {was pointed out by the annotations of the time as a reason
why the b5-square was important}) 16. Nc2 (16. a4 $6 g5 17. Nf5 Ne5 18. Ng7 Re7
19. Nh5 f6 $1 {is now good for Black, whose minor pieces are not in any
trouble at all, while the same cannot be said for White.}) 16... Be5 17. Bf4 $1
{White had to escape with his bishop. However, now Black has acheived the
desired advance.} b5 $11 {Aronian,L-Li,C Geneva 2017}) 11... Qe7 12. Qd2 h4 13.
Nf1 g5 14. Be3 Ne5 15. g3 (15. Bf2 $5 {is positionally well motivated, but it
kind of encourages an active move that perhaps White was not that keen on
seeing:} f5 $1 $132) 15... Bd7 {Not a bad move, but Black has to be more on
guard here.} (15... g4 $5 16. f4 Nf3+ 17. Bxf3 gxf3 18. e5 $13 {would have
been a great mess.}) (15... Bh3 $5 {was the move Aronian expected, but maybe
here his} 16. f4 {is still strong:} Ng6 17. e5 gxf4 18. Bb5+ Kf8 19. gxf4 $44)
16. gxh4 {A good practical decision, because Black's most natural reply is no
good.} (16. f4 {was suggested in the Spanish commentary, and it seems a more
accurate order than the one used in the game if Black has to take. However,}
Ng6 $1 (16... gxf4 17. gxf4 {is dangerous, since e5 is coming next}) 17. e5
gxf4 18. gxf4 dxe5 {and now White has to play ever more incisive moves to stay
in the opening battle:} 19. f5 $1 Bxf5 20. d6 Qd8 21. O-O-O $132) 16... gxh4 $6
(16... g4 $3 {was the unexpected extra option that kept Black fighting for
opening success.} 17. f4 Nf3+ 18. Bxf3 gxf3) 17. Rg1 $1 (17. f4 {was possible,
as in the note to move 16. Black is in considerable trouble following} Ng4 18.
e5 $3 $14 {since eventually d6 must give way, possibly following Ne4 or Nc4
from White.}) 17... f5 (17... Ng6 {could have been the lesser evil, and after}
18. f4 {perhaps the depressing pawn sacrifice} Bd4 19. Bxd4 cxd4 20. Qxd4 Qf6
21. Qxf6 Nxf6 $14) 18. f4 $1 Ng4 19. e5 $1 {The centre is now cracked open by
force and Black is already close to dead.} dxe5 (19... O-O-O 20. e6 $16 {
is not something any sane GM would sign up for.}) 20. d6 Qe6 (20... Qf6 $5 {
at least cuts out Nb5 and almost obliges White to sacrifice a second pawn.} 21.
Nd5 (21. Nb5 exf4 22. Bxf4 O-O $1 $13 {is now just as hard to play with White
as with Black.}) 21... Qxd6 22. O-O-O Rd8 $5 23. h3 Bc6 $16 {Black is still in
trouble, but the point is up for grabs due to the sheer mess in the position
and the lack of a d6-pawn for White.}) 21. Nb5 {Now White trivially wins an
exchange, and the d-pawn remains alive. The former is the least of Black's
worries, but the latter is a matter for grave concern.} Rc8 (21... O-O 22. Nc7
Qf7 23. h3 $1 Nxe3 24. Nxe3) 22. Nc7+ {Aronian pondered this move for a
considerable length of time, possibly trying to recall to mind some fragment
of preparation done in the dim and distant past.} (22. Bxg4 {is also possible,
but is not as good:} fxg4 23. Nc7+ Rxc7 24. f5 $1 (24. dxc7 $2 exf4 $1 $17)
24... Qxf5 25. dxc7 {and now Black can keep the position messy with (inter
alia)} Nf6 $16) 22... Rxc7 23. dxc7 exf4 24. Rd1 $2 (24. O-O-O $3 {was the
winning move, as everyone and their dog (and its engine) knows by now.} fxe3
25. Nxe3 (25. Qxd7+ $4 Qxd7 26. Bb5 Bxb2+ $1 $19) 25... Bh6 (25... Qxe3 26.
Qxe3+ Nxe3 27. Rxg7 Nxd1 28. Bb5 $18) (25... Bd4 $6 {was what stopped Aronian
in his tracks, not noticing the next move:} 26. Nxf5 $18) 26. Bb5 $3 O-O $5 (
26... Bxb5 27. Qd8+ Kf7 28. Qxh8 Bxe3+ 29. Kb1 Bxg1 30. Qxh7+ Kf6 31. Qh8+ Kg5
32. c8=Q Qxc8 33. Qxc8 $18) 27. Bxd7 $1 Qxe3 28. Bxf5 Qxd2+ 29. Rxd2 $18) 24...
Ng5 (24... fxe3 $5 {is interesting, but more so for White.} 25. Qxd7+ $1 Qxd7
26. Bb5 Qxb5 27. c8=Q+ Kf7 28. Qxf5+ Ngf6 29. Qg6+ Ke6 30. Rg4 $3 $16) 25.
c8=Q+ Bxc8 26. Qd8+ Kf7 27. Qc7+ $6 {This is a really remarkable position and
close to impossible to play well for either side!} ({Objectively, White should
have played} 27. Qxg5 {whereupon there is a draw:} fxe3 28. Rxg4 fxg4 29. Qf4+
Qf6 30. Bc4+ $11) 27... Kg8 $2 (27... Qe7 $1 {It was Black's turn to find a
narrow path to an advantage.} 28. Bc4+ Kf6 $1 29. Qxe7+ (29. Qxf4 Nh3 $3 30.
Qd6+ (30. Rd6+ Be6 31. Rxe6+ Qxe6 32. Qxg4 Qxe3+ 33. Nxe3 fxg4 $17 {is almost
peaceful by comparison}) 30... Qxd6 31. Rxd6+ Ke5 $1 $15 {There is no mate and
Black emerges blinking with confusion from all the complications, but with a
significant plus to his name. And yes, after Rd5+ Black is obliged to dive
deeper with ...Ke4.}) 29... Kxe7 30. Bxc5+ Ke8) (27... Kg6 {is vaguely
playable as well - the point is that the c8-bishop is protected by a rook,
unlike in the game continuation.} 28. Rd6 Be5 (28... fxe3 29. Bxg4 fxg4 30.
Rxg4 $1 $16) 29. Rxe6+ Bxe6 30. Qxb7 fxe3 $44 {Black gets excellent
compensation, particularly of the practical variety.}) 28. Rd6 $1 {Suddenly
White is winning again.} Qf7 29. Qd8+ $2 (29. Qxc8+ {is the obvious move, but
a little more calculation brings you to the critical position. The press room
was pretty unanimous that Aronian reached it but didn't see move 31.} Kh7 30.
Qxc5 Ne4 {and now it's important to notice} 31. Rxg4 $3 {which wins on the
spot! For instance,} Nxc5 32. Rxh4+ Kg8 33. Rd8+ Bf8 34. Rxh8+ Kxh8 35. Bxc5
$18) 29... Qf8 30. Bxf4 Ne6 $1 31. Bc4 $1 (31. Qxf8+ Kxf8 32. Bd2 Bd4 $17)
31... Qxd8 32. Rxd8+ Kh7 (32... Kf7 $6 33. Rxc8 Rxc8 34. h3) 33. Rxh8+ Bxh8 34.
Bd6 (34. Bb8 $1 $11) 34... Ng5 35. Rg2 Ne4 (35... b6 $15 {is maybe the
simplest move in the position, bringing Black's 4th minor piece fully into the
struggle. White faces an uphill task trying to draw this.}) 36. Bb8 Bd4 37. h3
Ne5 38. Bd5 {It is impossible to not make minor inaccuracies even here.} (38.
Bxe5 Bxe5 39. Rg8 Bd7 40. Rd8 $11) 38... Nd3+ 39. Ke2 Nc1+ (39... Nxb2 {
is a clean pawn, though seeing this with less than a minute remaining is
non-trivial!} 40. Bg8+ Kh8 41. Bf7 Bd7 $1 $15) 40. Kd1 Nd3 41. Nd2 {On move 41,
White decides not to repeat, possibly thinking that Black still wanted to play
on.} Nf6 42. Bf3 (42. Bf3 Nf2+ 43. Ke1 Nxh3 44. Rh2 Ng5 45. Rxh4+ Kg6 $11 {
was the line mentioned in the press conference.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "155"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
{Avoiding the Marshall Attack.} b4 (8... Bb7 {is the main alternative, but
Levon always prefers to seize some space on the queenside.}) 9. a5 {Preventing
Nc6-a5 and also fixing the Pa6 as potential target. On the other hand the Pa5
might also become vulnerable.} (9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 {leads to another
important tabia, where Levon also has a lot of experience. A few months ago
this line appeared in an interesting game between the same players:} 11. Nbd2
Bc5 12. a5 Be6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Qe2 Ng4 15. Rf1 Bxf2+ $2 {Perhaps this was a
small bluff from Levon or maybe he just mixed up something.} (15... Nd4 16. Qc4
Qd6 {should be played}) 16. Rxf2 Nd4 17. Qc4 $2 (17. Qd3 $1 Nxf2 18. Kxf2 {
looks like a refutation of Black's idea. The queen should take part in the
defence.}) 17... Nxf2 18. Kxf2 Qh4+ 19. Kg1 Qg4 20. h3 Qg3 21. Qd3 Rxf3 22.
Nxf3 Rf8 23. Nxd4 Qe1+ 24. Kh2 Rf1 25. Qxf1 Qxf1 26. Nf3 $13 {1/2-1/2 (38) So,
W (2788)-Aronian,L (2805) London 2017}) 9... d6 10. d3 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 {
Black has got rid of White's annoying bishop and the doubled pawns on the
e-file are not necessarily bad. The Pe6 covers the important squares d5 and f5.
} 12. Nbd2 Rb8 13. Nb3 (13. c3 Qe8 14. Nc4 Qg6 15. h3 Nd7 (15... Rb5 {looks
okay for Black. Later he can consider the aggressive manoeuvre Nf6-Nh5-Nf4})
16. Be3 d5 17. Ncd2 bxc3 18. bxc3 Nc5 19. Bxc5 Bxc5 20. Qa4 $14 {1-0 (52)
Carlsen,M (2822)-Aronian,L (2809) Saint Louis 2017}) 13... Qc8 $1 14. h3 $146 (
14. Qe2 Nd8 15. d4 exd4 16. Nbxd4 c5 17. Nb3 e5 18. Nbd2 Ne6 19. Nc4 Nd4 20.
Nxd4 cxd4 21. Nb6 Qc6 22. Bg5 Bd8 23. Bxf6 Bxb6 24. axb6 Rxf6 25. Rxa6 h6 26.
Qd3 Rxb6 $11 {1/2-1/2 (43) Caruana,F (2807)-Carlsen,M (2822) Saint Louis 2017})
14... Nd8 {Black wants to play c7-c5 and then return the knight back to c6,
getting more control in the centre.} (14... Na7 15. d4 exd4 16. e5 dxe5 17.
Nxe5 c5 18. Nc4 $44) 15. Be3 (15. d4 exd4 16. Qxd4 (16. e5 $6 {Here it doesn't
work. Compared to the line 14...Na7, the knight on d8 is more useful
protecting the Pe6.} dxe5 17. Nxe5 c5 18. Nc4 Nd5 {here White's compensation
is not sufficient.}) 16... c5 17. Qc4 d5 18. exd5 exd5 19. Qe2 Bd6 $11) 15...
c5 16. Nbd2 Nc6 17. c3 Rb5 {[%csl Ra5]} 18. d4 $1 {The Pa5 is attacked but
Wesley doesn't bother to defend it.} ({After} 18. Nc4 h6 {it's not clear what
White can do next. The d3-d4 push is not good anymore as the Pe4 and in some
lines the Nc4 will be hanging.}) 18... exd4 (18... cxd4 19. cxd4 Nxa5 20. Qe2
Qb7 21. Qd3 $14) (18... bxc3 19. bxc3 exd4 20. cxd4 c4 $1 21. Nxc4 Nxe4 22. Nb6
Qe8 23. d5 Nc3 24. Qd3 Nxd5 25. Nxd5 Rxd5 26. Qxa6 Bf6 {is okay for Black
according to an engine. Although a human player would be seriously concerned
about the a-passer.}) 19. cxd4 Nxa5 20. dxc5 (20. e5 dxe5 21. dxc5 Nd5 22. Ne4
Nxe3 23. Rxe3 Nb7 24. Nxe5 Nxc5 25. Rc1 Qd8 26. Qxd8 Rxd8 27. Nc6 Nxe4 28. Nxd8
Bg5 29. Nxe6 Bxe3 30. fxe3 a5 $11) 20... dxc5 21. Ra2 $1 {A useful and
somewhat mysterious rook move.} (21. Rc1 Rd8 22. Qa4 Qb7 {was another option,
but I like the move in the game.}) 21... Qb7 (21... Nd7 22. Qe2 Nb8 $1 {
This would be a good plan. Later Black will bring the knight from a5 to c6
back into play, then maybe rook back to b7. The knight from b8 protects the
Pa6. The position should be balanced, though it's easier to be on the White
side here.}) 22. b3 $1 {Simply playing for positional compensation. Black is
up a pawn, but he has numerous pawn weaknesses and his pieces on the queenside
are awkwardly placed. From a practical point of view it's much easier to
handle this position as White.} Kh8 {It appeares that this move is not
necessarily useful.} (22... Nxe4 23. Nxe4 Qxe4 24. Bg5 Qb7 25. Rd2 {[%cal
Gd2d7] White's forces are so harmonious, also thanks to 21.Ra2!} Qa7 $8 26.
Rde2 $1 $36) ({Again, the manoeuvre} 22... Nd7 {[%cal Ge7f6] was preferable.})
23. Qc2 Nd7 24. Rea1 Bd8 25. Nc4 Nxc4 26. Qxc4 Bf6 27. Rd1 Qc6 28. Rad2 {
The white rooks quickly switch to the d-file.} Nb6 29. Qc2 Qc7 $6 (29... Qc8
30. Rc1 Be7 31. h4 $14) 30. e5 $1 Be7 (30... Bxe5 $2 31. Ng5 $18 {[%csl Re6,
Rh7]}) 31. Nd4 {[%cal Gd4b5,Gd4e6]} Rc8 (31... Qxe5 32. Nxb5 axb5 33. Re2 Qc3
34. Rc1 Nd5 35. Qd2 Qf6 36. Bxc5 Nc3 37. Bxe7 Nxe2+ 38. Qxe2 Qxe7 39. Qxb5 $16)
32. Nxe6 {Of course. Who needs that silly rook on b5?!} ({After} 32. Nxb5 $6
axb5 {[%cal Gb6d5] Black would be okay. His pawn mass on the queenside has
potential.}) 32... Qxe5 33. Nf4 (33. Rd6 $3 {Stunning move.} c4 (33... Bxd6 $2
34. Ng5 $18 {[%cal Gc2h7,Gg5f7]}) 34. Bd4 Qxd6 35. Bxg7+ Kg8 36. Rxd6 Bxd6 37.
Qd1 $1 Rd5 38. Bd4 Kf7 39. Ng5+ $1 Rxg5 40. Bxb6 Ke7 41. Qf3 {[%cal Gf3b7] and
Black can't keep his passed pawn and coordinate his rooks.}) 33... Rf8 $2 {
This logical move is a fatal mistake.} (33... c4 $2 34. bxc4 Qf5 35. cxb5 $1
Rxc2 36. Rd8+ Bf8 37. Ne6 Rc8 38. Rxc8 Nxc8 39. Rd8 b3 40. Bd4 Kg8 41. Rxf8+
Qxf8 42. Nxf8 Kxf8 43. bxa6 $18 {[%cal Gg1f1,Gf1e2,Ge2d3]}) ({The variation
after 33...c4 underlines the drawback in Black's position - the weakness of
the back rank. Therefore, he should move his king away from h8.} 33... Kg8 $1
34. Re2 Bf8) 34. Re2 $1 Qc3 (34... Bf6 35. g3 $1 {[%cal Ge3d4]} Qc3 36. Qa2 $1
$18) 35. Qb1 (35. Qa2 $1 {was more precise, avoiding the exchange of queens
and attacking Pa6.}) 35... Qf6 36. Bc1 c4 (36... Qf7 37. Bb2 Bf6 38. Bxf6 Qxf6
39. Ne6 Rg8 40. Rd8 $1 c4 (40... Rxd8 41. Nxd8 Qxd8 42. Qe1 $18 {[%cal Ge2e8]})
{[%tqu "En","Find the best move for White.","","","e6f8","",10]} 41. Nf8 $1
Rxf8 42. Rxf8+ Qxf8 43. Qe1 {Black's pieces on the queenside are ridiculously
placed and can't help to prevent 44.Re8.} Nd7 44. Re8 Rb8 45. Rxf8+ Nxf8 46.
Qe5 Rc8 47. bxc4 b3 48. Qg3 b2 49. Qb3 Rxc4 50. Qxb2 {and White will win
eventually.}) 37. bxc4 Nxc4 38. Re6 {Black can not avoid heavy material losses.
} Qg5 (38... Qf7 39. Rd7 $18) 39. Ng6+ Qxg6 40. Rxg6 hxg6 41. Qe4 Bf6 42. Qxc4
b3 {This passed pawn is Black's last hope but White's material advantage is
just too big.} 43. Ba3 Rfb8 44. Rb1 b2 45. h4 $1 {The most accurate, fixing
the Pg6.} Ra5 46. Qd3 Rd8 47. Qb3 Rc8 48. Qb7 Rd8 49. Qb3 {Some of these queen
moves were not necessary, but the evaluation does not change - White is
winning.} Rc8 50. Qb4 Rb5 51. Qg4 Rc3 52. Bxb2 Rxb2 53. Rxb2 Rc1+ 54. Kh2 Bxb2
55. Qxg6 Ra1 56. g4 a5 57. Qh5+ Kg8 58. Qb5 Ba3 59. Qe5 Rd1 60. Qe6+ Kh7 61.
Qe4+ Kh8 62. Qa8+ Kh7 63. Qxa5 {Black's last hope has gone. Levon continued
for fifteen more pointless moves. I can easily understand his disappointment
with his overall result, but this particular game was a good achievement for
Wesley.} Bd6+ 64. Kg2 Rd4 65. Qf5+ Kh8 66. Qh5+ Kg8 67. g5 Kf8 68. Qg6 Be7 69.
Qf5+ Ke8 70. Kh3 Rd6 71. Qh7 Kf7 72. f4 Rd4 73. Qf5+ Ke8 74. Qe5 Rb4 75. Kg4
Kf8 76. Qf5+ Ke8 77. Qe6 Rd4 78. Qe5 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.18"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 {Interesting ploy from Caruana. He
goes for the Vienna Variation, the line championed by Aronian himself.} 5. e4
Bb4 6. Bg5 h6 ({Karjakin-Aronian from earlier in this tournament, and
countless other games, saw} 6... c5) 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 {This line didn't use to be
so hot until lately, when the efforts of Nisipeanu, Pelletier and Vallejo Pons
finally gained recognition.} 8. Bxc4 ({The almost forgotten idea} 8. Qa4+ {
makes some sense here. At least the black c-pawn won't be able to hit the
white centre right away. After} Nc6 9. Bxc4 O-O 10. O-O Bd7 11. Qb3 Ba5 12.
Rad1 Bb6 13. e5 Qe7 14. Qc2 Nb4 15. Qe2 Bc6 16. a3 {White is hoping to
translate his spatial gains into something meaningful.}) 8... c5 $1 9. O-O {
White states his intention to play for quick development.} ({Alternatively,} 9.
e5 Qd8 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 cxd4 12. cxd4 Nc6 13. O-O O-O 14. Qd3 b6 {would
lead to a standard pawn structure Kramnik doesn't mind defending as Black.})
9... cxd4 10. e5 Qd8 11. Ne4 O-O 12. Qe2 Be7 (12... Bd7) 13. Rad1 Qc7 14. Bd3 (
{A straight-forward pawn sac} 14. Nd6 Bxd6 15. exd6 Qxd6 16. Rxd4 Qe7 17. Rfd1
Nc6 18. Rd6 {may succeed but only in blitz.}) 14... Nd7 {This move underlines
a general problem with White's concept: his e5-pawn is insufficiently
protected due to the absence of his dark-squared bishop. Granted, Black is
behind in development, but his kingside defences are quite solid.} 15. Rc1 Qa5
{[#]} {[%tqu "En","","","","g2g4","It's hard to blame Levon for trying to turn
his luck around, but such moves tend to backfire on you more often than not.",
10,"e4g3","",0]} 16. g4 $6 {It's hard to blame Levon for trying to turn his
luck around, but such moves tend to backfire on you more often than not.} (16.
Ng3 Nc5 17. Bb1 d3 {forces White to part with the bishop, effectively ending
his attacking chances.}) 16... Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 18. f4 Qa5 19. g5 Qd8 $6 {
Caruana shows his willingness to put up a tough defence.} ({There's something
to be said in favour of the counter-attacking plan} 19... Bd7 20. gxh6 Rfc8 ({
Fabiano must have seen} 20... g6 21. Nc5 $5 Bxc5 22. Qe5 f6 23. Qxc5 Qxc5 24.
Rxc5 {and found this endgame troublesome.}) 21. hxg7 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 Bc6 {
but leaving his king without shelter is unnerving.}) 20. h4 Bd7 21. gxh6 g6 22.
h5 Kh8 23. Kh2 {Aronian just couldn't stop. Clearly, he was thinking attack,
when in reality White should be looking to escape with a draw.} ({The obvious} 
23. hxg6 fxg6 24. Nc5 {offers White compensation, albeit Black can survive:}
Rc8 {etc.}) 23... Bc6 24. Rf3 Bd6 $1 {The engines may not rate this move as
the strongest, but from a human point of view it's more than good enough.
Caruana's play is very consistent.} 25. Qf2 Bc7 26. Kh3 Qe7 (26... gxh5 27. Rg3
f5 {Again, the engines try to lead us astray.}) 27. Ng5 e5 28. Rxc6 $5 {
Probably, the best chance, although White cannot count on more than a draw in
all lines.} bxc6 29. Nxf7+ Rxf7 30. hxg6 Rf6 $2 {Fabiano's only mistake in the
overall very solidly played game.} ({He must have rejected} 30... Rxf4 {
on account of} 31. Rxf4 exf4 32. Qxd4+ Qe5 33. g7+ Kg8 34. Bc4+ Kh7 35. Qd3+
Kxh6 36. g8=Q Rxg8 37. Bxg8 {and indeed, it seemed White could survive, but
only until Black finds} Qh8 $1 38. Bb3 Kg5+ 39. Kg2 Qxb2+ 40. Bc2 Qf6 {with
decent winning chances.}) 31. g7+ $2 {In time trouble Levon misses his chance.}
(31. Qh4 $3 Qe6+ (31... e4 32. Bxe4) 32. f5 Qe7 33. Be4 {would lead to a crazy
position. Black is up a whole rook, but, positionally speaking, White is doing
just fine.}) 31... Kg8 32. Bc4+ $2 ({Again,} 32. Qh4 $1) 32... Kh7 33. Qh4 e4
34. Rg3 Bxf4 35. g8=Q+ Rxg8 36. Bxg8+ Kh8 37. Rg7 Qf8 38. Rh7+ Kxg8 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.19"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Bg2 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qxc4 c5 7. d4 Bc6 8.
dxc5 Nbd7 9. Be3 Bd5 10. Qc2 Be4 11. Qc1 Ng4 12. b4 a5 13. Bg5 f6 14. Bd2 axb4
15. Bxb4 Nxc5 16. Bxc5 Rc8 17. Qc4 Bxc5 18. Qxe6+ Kf8 19. Qxg4 Bb4+ 20. Nbd2
Bxd2+ 21. Nxd2 Bxg2 22. Rg1 Bd5 23. Rd1 Qc7 24. Ne4 Rd8 25. f3 Qe5 26. Qf4 Qxf4
27. gxf4 Kf7 28. Nc3 Bc4 29. a4 Rxd1+ 30. Kxd1 Rd8+ 31. Kc2 Rc8 32. Kd2 Ba6 33.
Ne4 Kf8 34. f5 Rd8+ 35. Ke3 Rd5 36. Rc1 Rxf5 37. Rc8+ Ke7 38. Rc7+ Kf8 39. Rc8+
Ke7 40. Rc7+ Kf8 41. Rc8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.20"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E03"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Quintiliano,R"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 b6 $5 {
Mamedyarov always comes with interesting opening ideas, and seeing this move
played I became very curious about the next moves, specially because Aronian
has faced the Bukavshin Variation recently without success, so I wondered what
was he going to try.} 8. Qxc4 {Then I was surprised to realise that basically
Aronian had nothing special against it, as this move is harmless for Black.} ({
He has tried the most principled move} 8. Ne5 Qxd4 $1 9. Bxa8 Qxe5 {but this
position offers good compensation for Black and has scored pretty well} 10. Bf3
Nd5 $1 {preventing Bf4 is more important than material} 11. Qxc4 Ba6 12. Qa4 (
12. Qb3 $5 {was a novelty played in the same tournament by Ding Liren, that
deserves a serious attention} Nc6 (12... Bf6 $5 {is still an option} 13. Nd2 c5
14. Ne4 Nc6 (14... Be7 15. Nc3 $1 {[%csl Yd5] exchanging the knight is an
important point in White's plan, that would allow an easier development}) 15.
Nxf6+ Qxf6 16. Qa4 Bb7 $13) (12... c5 $2 {would be bad because of} 13. Nc3 $1 {
[%csl Yd5] the Nd5 is an important piece, that prevents White from continuing
his development}) 13. Qa4 $1 {this way the queen's dance has prevented c5} Bb7
14. Nc3 $1 {again the idea of exchanging the strong knight is the best one} Nd4
$1 $13 {Ding Liren (2769)-Caruana,F (2784) FIDE Candidates 2018 (2.2) 1/2
Caruana finds the only move that keeps Black's chances in a complicated fight,
that eventually finished in a draw -} (14... Nxc3 15. bxc3 Qxc3 $2 16. Be3 $18
{[%cal Ga1c1]})) 12... c5 (12... Bf6 $1 {is stronger as it prevents White from
continuing development} 13. Re1 c5 14. Na3 b5 $5 15. Nxb5 Nb6 16. Qa5 Nc4 17.
Qa4 Nb6 $11 {Cheparinov,I (2677)-Bacrot,E (2692) ESP-chT Div Honor 2016 (3.3)
1/2}) 13. Re1 b5 14. Qe4 Nc6 $5 {also gave Black some compensation, even with
the exchange of queens White still has some issues to solve in development} 15.
Nc3 Rd8 16. Rd1 Qxe4 17. Bxe4 Nd4 18. Bxd5 b4 $3 {Aronian,L (2799)-Hou,Y (2652)
FIDE World Cup 2017 (2.3) 1/2 with this nice intermadiate move, Black managed
to keep things equal -}) (8. Rd1 {was also simple for Black} Bb7 9. Qxc4 c5 $1
{Aronian,L (2799)-Hou,Y (2652) FIDE World Cup 2017 (2.2) 1/2 once Black is
able to play this move without losing any tempi and also avoiding weaknesses
in his camp, he is ok -}) 8... Bb7 9. Nc3 c5 $5 {Although White has some small
advantage after this move, Black should equalise with precise play.} ({in CBM
182 I recommended the Bukavshin Variation against Catalan, and in this
position I've analysed} 9... a6 $5 {[%cal Yb6b5,Yc7c5] which is a pretty fresh
move, but detailed analysis shows that it is a realible way to continue
Black's development and maybe start some activity on the queenside by means of
b5-c5.}) (9... Nbd7 {is the most played, but I think after} 10. Ne5 $1 {
White keeps some chances. Then we can see a nice point behind 9...a6: this
move wouldn't be as strong if the knight remained on b8 one move more.}) 10.
Rd1 {We are now by transposition in the same position that Aronian played
against Hou Yifan.} (10. Bf4 $5 $146 {is a natural move that has not yet been
tried.}) (10. dxc5 {was played only once} Bxc5 {Antic,D (2478)-Livaic,L (2358)
Skopje Karposh op 2016 (7) 1/2} 11. Bf4 Nbd7 (11... Nc6 $5 {is maybe better})
12. b4 $5 Be7 13. Rac1 Rc8 (13... a5 $5) 14. Qb3 a6 15. Rfd1 {Black should be
ok here, but has still some practical problems in development.}) 10... Nbd7 11.
Ne5 ({Previously Aronian played} 11. Bg5 cxd4 12. Rxd4 (12. Nxd4 $5 {[%csl Gc6]
is a typical idea in such positions, White aims to control the c6-square, but
after} Bxg2 13. Kxg2 Qc8 {Black is ok, for example} 14. Nc6 Qb7 $1 15. f3 Bc5
$1 {[%csl Yc6] and the knight can't be supported on its nice square}) 12... h6
13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Rd2 Rc8 {after this move Black not just has solved his
problems} 15. Qa4 Bc6 16. Qb4 Bxf3 $1 17. exf3 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Qc7 {[%csl Gc3];
Aronian,L (2799)-Hou,Y (2652) FIDE World Cup 2017 (2.2) 1/2 as his game is
even easier -}) 11... Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Qc8 $146 {This seems enough to equalise,
although White keeps some small advantage.} 13. Nxd7 (13. Bf4 cxd4 14. Rxd4
Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Qb7+ {[%cal Ya8c8,Yf8d8]}) (13. Bg5 $6 cxd4 14. Qxc8 Rfxc8 15.
Nxd7 dxc3 $1 {is favourable for Black.}) 13... Qxd7 $1 (13... Nxd7 $5 {would
be careless} 14. d5 $1 {and White has the initiative.}) 14. dxc5 Qc6+ 15. f3
Qxc5 16. Qxc5 Bxc5 {White can claim some practical chances as he has more
space by playing e4 and because Black has some squares to defend on the
queenside. In some of Ulf Andersson's classical games, this minimal edge used
to be enough to win, but with accurate play Black is ok.} 17. Bf4 Rfd8 18. e4
Ne8 $1 {A good manoeuvre, since the knight became restricted in f6, and now
has more useful purposes covering some squares on the queenside.} 19. Kf1 Kf8
20. Ke2 Ke7 {Slightly inaccurate.} ({During the press conference, Mameyarov
pointed out} 20... f6 {as more precise, if} 21. Nb5 a6 {is ok for Black,
although then Aronian said} 22. Nc3 {[%cal Yc3a4] still offers some pressure
for White, then both players agreed that despite it Black should be able to
equalise with good moves.} g5 $1 23. Be3 Bxe3 24. Kxe3 Ke7 $11 {confirms it.})
21. Nb5 $1 {Now this move is a bit unpleasant for Black.} Rdc8 (21... a6 22.
Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Na7 $1 {[%cal Ya7c6] is the point} Ra8 24. Nc6+ Kd7 25. Ne5+ Ke7
26. Nd3 Bd4 27. Rc1 $14) 22. Rac1 a6 23. Nc3 {[%cal Yc3a4]} b5 24. a4 (24. e5
$5 {[%cal Yc3e4,Ye4d6] looks a good but counter-intuitive idea: White closes
in his dark-squared bishop but clears the path to the manoeuvre Ne4-d6.
Another point is that the Ne8 is considerably dominated by the pawn, and
Black's position immediately seems unpleasant to defend} h6 (24... Bb6 {
was Aronian's suggestion} 25. Ne4 h6 26. Bd2 $1 {transposes}) 25. Ne4 Bb6 26.
Bd2 $1 {[%cal Yd2b4] forcing more weakening moves in Black's camp} a5 27. Be3
$1 Bxe3 28. Kxe3 $14 {[%csl Yc5] White controls the c5-square, which is very
sensible in such positions, and enjoys more space while Black's queenside is
exposed. This position would be a tough defence for Mamedyarov.}) 24... Bd6 $1
{A good defensive idea, aiming to place the rook on b8.} 25. Be3 (25. axb5 Bxf4
26. gxf4 axb5 27. Nxb5 Rcb8 $11 {[%csl Yb2]}) (25. e5 {is not so strong as one
move earlier.} Bb4 $1 {and the pawn on a4 makes all difference}) 25... Rab8 26.
axb5 axb5 27. Ba7 {Trying to provoke the conditions for tactical ideas.} (27.
f4 f6 28. Kf3 $14 {would keep better chances for White.}) 27... Rb7 28. Bd4 {
[%cal Yc1c8]} Rc4 $6 {Aronian finds a nice idea now.} (28... f6 $11 {was safer,
since} 29. Nd5+ Kd8 $1 {remains a bit easier for White, but Black is holding
with good play.}) 29. e5 Bc5 (29... Bb8 30. b3 Rcc7 31. b4 $1 $16 {[%cal Yd4c5]
}) 30. Nd5+ $1 exd5 31. Bxc5+ Ke6 32. b3 $6 {But this move loses all the
advantage.} ({Both players agreed that after} 32. Bd4 Rbc7 33. Ra1 {would
leave Black with an unpleasant defence ahead of him, for example} Ra4 {
(Mamedyarov)} 34. b3 Rc2+ (34... Rxa1 35. Rxa1 Rc6 36. Ra7 Nc7 37. Rb7 $14) 35.
Ke3 Raa2 36. Rxa2 Rxa2 37. Ra1 $1 {the subsequent BxN endgame is also pleasant
for White} Rxa1 38. Bxa1 Kd7 39. f4 g6 40. g4 Ng7 41. Bc3 Kc6 42. b4 $16 {
and here Black's defence is also very unpleasant.}) 32... Rxc1 33. Rxc1 Kxe5
34. Kd3 Ke6 $1 {The move that Aronian missed.} (34... Kf5 $6 {was inferior} 35.
g4+ Kg6 (35... Kf4 $2 36. Be3+ $1 Kxf3 $4 37. Rg1 $1 $18 {[%cal Gg1g3]}) 36.
Be3 $36 {[%cal Yc1c6] and White has a pleasant initiative, regaining the pawn
is a matter of time and Black will continue under pressure after that.}) 35.
Bb4 Kd7 36. Kd4 ({Both players saw} 36. Re1 Nc7 $1 37. Re7+ Kc6 38. Rxf7 Na6 $1
{and Black has no problems} 39. Rf4 $11 (39. Rxb7 $2 Nxb4+ 40. Kc3 d4+ 41. Kxb4
Kxb7 42. Ka3 Kc6 43. Kb2 Kd5 44. Kc2 {seems a draw})) 36... Nc7 {Now White
regains the pawn but Black has time to improve the knight, and the position is
just equal.} 37. Ba5 Ne6+ 38. Kxd5 Ra7 39. b4 Ra6 $1 {Also improving the rook.}
40. f4 Rd6+ 41. Ke4 Rd4+ ({Mamedyarov saw a last attempt in} 41... g6 42. Ke5 (
42. f5 gxf5+ 43. Kxf5 Rd2 44. Bb6 $1 $132 {[%csl Gf2][%cal Yf5f6] (Aronian)})
42... f5 $2 {but realising that White now has} 43. Rc8 $1 $16 {decided not to
be over-ambitious.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.22"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2800"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {Recently the Italian has been successfully
employed by Kramnik on the highest level. In particular, Carlsen, Anand and
Radjabov were defeated in great style.} Bc5 4. Nc3 {This time Vladimir takes
the game into relatively unexplored territory.} Nf6 5. d3 a6 {This natural
move is only Black's 4th choice according to statisctics. It is always vital
to secure the bishop's retreat.} ({All} 5... d6) (5... O-O) ({and} 5... h6 {
are equally good.}) 6. Nd5 Nxd5 {The centralised knight should be liquidated
sooner or later.} ({Black can also afford to waste another tempo for
prophylaxis:} 6... h6 7. O-O (7. Be3 d6 8. c3 Bxe3 9. fxe3 Nxd5 10. Bxd5 Ne7
11. Bb3 O-O 12. O-O Ng6 $11 {Nikitenko,M - Kovalev,V Minsk 2015}) 7... d6 8. c3
O-O 9. Be3 Bxe3 10. fxe3 Na5 11. Nxf6+ Qxf6 $11 {Fedoseev,V - Mamedyarov,S
Sochi RUS 2017}) 7. Bxd5 {White reasonably prefers not to lock in the
light-squared bishop} (7. exd5 Nd4 8. Nxd4 Bxd4 9. c3 Bc5 10. O-O O-O {is
absolutely fine for Black.}) 7... d6 $146 {This innovation doesn't change the
assessment of position - it's equal.} ({The previously played} 7... O-O {
might lead to sharper play:} 8. Bg5 Be7 9. Be3 (9. h4 d6 10. Qd2 Bg4 $132 {
Benda,H - Kilgus,G Austria 2007}) 9... d6 10. O-O Kh8 11. c3 f5 $132) 8. Be3 {
This move is aimed at opening up the f-file.} (8. c3 Qf6 9. O-O Ba7 10. h3 h6
11. Be3 O-O 12. Bxa7 Rxa7 $11) 8... Bxe3 9. fxe3 O-O 10. O-O Nb8 $1 {Levon
manages to find an excellent plan - the knight is heading to f6, where it
would neutralise White's pressure along the f-file.} ({Less precise was} 10...
Ne7 11. Bb3 Ng6 12. Qe1 Be6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Qg3 $14 {and the Ng6 is
misplaced.}) 11. b4 {Quite a risky decision - now White's pawn structure is
getting somewhat shaky.} ({I guess, Vladimir rejected the most natural} 11. Qe1
{in view of} Nd7 12. a3 (12. Qg3 $6 c6 13. Bb3 Nc5 14. Rf2 a5 $15) 12... Nf6
13. Ba2 Be6 $11 {Now, when Black's knight is comfortably placed on f6, Black
has nothing to worry about.}) 11... Nd7 12. Qd2 (12. Qe1 c6 13. Bb3 a5 14. a3
Nf6 15. Qg3 b5 $11) 12... c6 13. Bb3 a5 $1 14. a3 {Now it is Black to decide
when to open up the a-file.} Nf6 15. h3 h6 16. Rab1 {A slight concession.} b5
$5 {This ambitious move keeps the positiion tense.} (16... Re8 17. Qf2 axb4 18.
axb4 Be6 $11) 17. Qc3 {The idea behing this somewhat awkward move is provoking
17...Qb6, after that the typical sac on f6 would be on the cards.} ({After} 17.
Rf2 Re8 18. Rbf1 axb4 19. axb4 Be6 20. Bxe6 Rxe6 $15 {White's kingside attack
is questionable, whereas Black has taken control over the open a-file.}) ({
Objectively, Vladimir should have simplified matters by means of} 17. a4 bxa4
18. Bxa4 Qc7 19. bxa5 Rxa5 20. Bb3 $11 {but such a decision wouldn't suit his
aggressive mood!}) 17... Bd7 {Levon isn't in a hurry. Indeed, the Qc3 is
misplaced anyway.} ({However, a more energetic move was} 17... Qb6 $1 18. Qe1
Be6 19. Nh4 a4 $1 20. Bxe6 fxe6 $15 {and the failure of White's approach is
obvious.}) 18. Rf2 $6 {Vladimir's brave play in the event made the Candidates
tournament much more attractive. However, this time it could have backfired.} (
{More to the point was} 18. Qe1 axb4 19. axb4 Be6 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. Ra1 $11 {
maintaining the balance.}) 18... Qb6 19. Re1 {A sad necessity - there is no
better way of protecting the Pe3.} Rfe8 20. Nh4 c5 $6 {After losing few games
in the previous rounds, Levon feels like he has nothing to lose.} ({A safer
way was} 20... a4 $1 21. Ba2 Be6 22. Bxe6 Rxe6 23. Ref1 Kh7 24. Nf5 d5 $15 {
eliminating any danger and claiming superiority in the centre.}) 21. Ref1 $1 {
This move is connected with a pawn sacrifice.} ({Black's king would be safe in
the event of} 21. Rxf6 gxf6 22. Qd2 Kg7 23. Bd5 Ra7 24. Rf1 Qd8 $15 {though
converting the material advantage into a full point isn't an easy task here.})
21... cxb4 22. Qe1 {Now all White's forces are focused on attacking the
opponent's king.} ({Of course, not} 22. axb4 $2 a4 23. Ba2 Qxe3 $19) 22... d5 {
The play is extremely sharp now!} (22... a4 $5 {deserved serious attention} 23.
Rxf6 $1 ({Only not} 23. Ba2 $2 d5 $1 {and now White is in troubles:} 24. axb4 (
24. Rxf6 gxf6 25. Bxd5 bxa3 $19) 24... dxe4 25. c4 Be6 26. c5 Qd8 $17) 23...
axb3 24. Qg3 $1 ({The timid} 24. Rxf7 $2 {runs into} Qd8 $1 25. Qg3 Qg5 26.
Qxg5 hxg5 27. Rxd7 Rf8 $1 28. Rxf8+ Kxf8 29. Ng6+ Kg8 $19 {, and Black will
promote one of his q-side pawns.}) 24... Rf8 25. cxb3 bxa3 26. Rxh6 {and the
game should end in a draw:} a2 27. Ra1 Qc5 28. Rh5 Qc3 29. Rg5 Qxa1+ 30. Kh2
Qe1 31. Rxg7+ Kh8 32. Qg5 Qxh4 33. Qxh4+ Kxg7 34. Qg5+ $11) 23. axb4 dxe4 24.
bxa5 Rxa5 25. Ng6 $5 {Vladimir is continuing to complicate matters.} ({The
immediate} 25. Rxf6 gxf6 26. dxe4 Kf8 {would offer White sufficient
compensation for an exchange, but not more than that.}) 25... Be6 {Levon is
playing with fire!} (25... Ra6 26. Rxf6 gxf6 27. Qg3 {looks extremely scary
for a human eye, though the cool-blooded} Qd6 $1 28. dxe4 Kg7 29. Nh4+ Kf8 $13
{hardly gives White anything special.}) ({Another possible way of handling the
posiution would be} 25... exd3 $5 26. Rxf6 gxf6 27. Qg3 Ra7 $1 28. cxd3 f5 29.
Nxe5+ Kf8 $13) 26. Nxe5 ({It looks like} 26. Rxf6 $1 {would pose Black the
major practical problems:} gxf6 27. Qg3 {Now it would be very difficult for
Levon to find} b4 $1 ({The more natural} 27... exd3 28. Rxf6 d2 {runs into} 29.
Nh4+ Kf8 30. Nf5 d1=Q+ 31. Kh2 Re7 32. Qg7+ Ke8 33. Bxe6 Qxe6 34. Rxe6 Rxe6 35.
Qg8+ Kd7 36. Qxf7+ Kd8 37. Qxe6 $36 {and Black is in serious danger}) 28. Bxe6
Rxe6 29. Nf4+ (29. Nxe5+ Kh7 30. Nc4 Rg5 31. Qxg5 hxg5 32. Nxb6 Rxb6 $11) 29...
Kf8 30. Nxe6+ Qxe6 31. Qh4 Ra6 32. Qxe4 Qd6 $11 {and a draw seems the most
probable result.}) 26... exd3 27. Rxf6 gxf6 28. Rxf6 {The best practical try.}
(28. Qg3+ Kf8 29. Ng6+ Kg7 30. Nf4+ Kh8 31. Nxe6 Rxe6 32. Bxe6 Qxe6 33. cxd3 b4
$11) 28... d2 $1 {This move is aimed at depriving the Qe1 of the g3-spot.} (
28... dxc2 $2 {would yield White a decisive attack:} 29. Bxc2 Kg7 30. Qf2 $18)
29. Qg3+ ({Of course, not} 29. Qxd2 $2 Ra1+ 30. Kf2 Qa5 $1 31. Qxa5 Rxa5 $17)
29... Kf8 30. Rf1 {The d2-passer is very strong now.} Ra7 31. Ng6+ Kg7 32. Nf4+
Kh8 33. Nh5 f6 {After this move White has no risk at all.} ({The situation
would be double-edged in the event of} 33... Bg4 $5 34. Qxg4 Qxe3+ 35. Kh1 Rg8
36. Qh4 Ra6 $132) 34. Nxf6 Rf8 ({There was the equally good} 34... Rd8 35. Bxe6
(35. Qf4 {Or} Bf5 $1 36. Qxf5 d1=Q 37. Qf4 Kg7 38. Qg3+ Kh8 39. Qf4 $11) 35...
d1=Q 36. Qf4 Rh7 37. Nxh7 Qxe6 38. Nf6 Qxf1+ 39. Kxf1 Qc4+ 40. Qxc4 bxc4 $11 {
with a drawish endgame.}) 35. Qf4 Rh7 {The only, but sufficient defence!} 36.
Qe5 Qc7 $4 {Alas, Levon doesn't manage to withstand the time pressure...} ({
After} 36... Rg7 {this spectacular encounter should end in a draw. For
instance,} 37. Bxe6 Rg5 38. Nh5+ Rxe5 39. Rxf8+ Kh7 40. Rf7+ Kh8 (40... Kg6 $2
41. Rg7+ Kxh5 42. Bf7+ Kh4 43. Rg4#) 41. Rf8+ $11) 37. Ne8+ $1 {A very
dramatic end!} (37. Ne8+ Qxe5 38. Rxf8+ Bg8 39. Rxg8#) 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.23"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 ({Although the game started with an
English/Reti move order, it will soon transpose to the most popular Catalan
tabyia at the Candidates tournament, arising after} 4... Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. O-O
dxc4 7. Qc2 c6 $5 {This previously non-topical move was Karjakin's secret
weapon for the Candidates tournament.} 8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qb3 Bb7 {transposing back
to the game.}) 5. Qa4+ c6 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qb3 (7. Qc2 {could transpose to
another Karjakin game from the Candidates, featuring a Catalan move order:} Bb7
8. O-O Be7 ({Actually, with the Reti move order Black could play more actively
with} 8... c5 {, so the game quoted below is of interest only for the Catalan
theory.}) 9. d4 O-O 10. Nbd2 c5 $1 {The best way of carrying out this pawn
break, taking advantage of the fact that b5 is not hanging.} (10... Nbd7 11.
Nb3 c5 12. Nxc5 $1 {In the main game White will not have this possibility.}
Nxc5 13. dxc5 Be4 14. Qb3 Bxc5 15. Qxb5 Qd5 {Tu,H (2506)-Pham,M (2358) Vung
Tau 2002 (1-0, 36) with only some compensation for Black.}) 11. dxc5 Na6 {
It will turn out that White cannot keep his extra pawn.} 12. Nb3 Be4 13. Qc3
Rc8 14. Be3 $146 (14. Qd4 Nxc5 15. Be3 Qxd4 16. Bxd4 Rfd8 17. Bxc5 Bxc5 18.
Rac1 Bb6 $11 {Narkun,M (2183)-Nicolenco,S (2126) LSS email 2010 (½-½, 40).
Black is well mobilised, preventing White from reaching one of the minimlly
better endings.}) 14... Nd5 15. Qd2 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 Nxc5 18. Nxc5
Bxc5 19. Qb3 Qb6 $11 {Caruana,F (2784)-Karjakin,S (2763) Berlin 2018 (½-½,
31) The game could well have ended in a draw here.}) 7... Bb7 8. O-O Be7 9. d4
O-O 10. Rd1 {The queen stands a bit better on b3 than on c2, as it keeps the
b5-pawn under observation, causing some problems with the thematic ...c6-c5.}
Nbd7 {The most flexible move.} 11. Ne5 ({This is a thematic move, but White
can also consider continuing the queenside development before moving forward
with his knight.} 11. Nc3 {Black can try deviating from the normal course with}
b4 (11... a6 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 14. Bf4 Qc7 15. Ne4 Nc5 (15... Nxe5 16.
Bxe5 Qxe5 17. Rd7 $18) (15... c5 16. Nf6+ Bxf6 17. exf6 e5 18. fxg7 $16) 16.
Nxc5 Bxc5 17. Be4 Be7 18. Qf3 Rab8 19. Qg4 Rfd8 20. Bg5 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Rd8 22.
Rxd8+ Qxd8 23. Bxe7 Qxe7 24. Qf3 Qd7 25. Qd3 Qxd3 26. exd3 $16 {Brynell,S 
(2486)-Rombaldoni,A (2459) Porto Carras 2011 (1-0, 36) with a very promising
ending for White.}) (11... Qb6 12. a4 bxa4 (12... b4 13. a5 $14) (12... a6 13.
Be3 Nd5 14. Bg5 $14) 13. Qc2 c5 14. Nxa4 Qc6 15. Ne1 Nd5 16. dxc5 (16. e4 Nb4
17. d5 $14) (16. Nc3 $14) 16... Nxc5 17. Nc3 Nb4 18. Bxc6 Nxc2 19. Bxb7 Nxa1
20. Bxa8 Rxa8 21. b4 Ncb3 $11 {Christiansen,J (2428)-Koziol,K (2172) Marianske
Lazne 2017 (½-½, 51)}) 12. Na4 Qa5 {for instance} 13. a3 c5 14. axb4 cxb4 15.
Bg5 {and White's advantage may be symbolic.}) ({Another logical developing
move is} 11. Bg5 {but Black seems to be doing fine:} Qb6 (11... h6 12. Bxf6
Nxf6 13. Nc3 Qb6 14. Ne5 Rfd8 15. e3 Nd7 16. Nxd7 Rxd7 17. Rac1 Rad8 18. Ne4
$16 {Adamski,J (2322)-Gasik,A (2217) Warsaw 2012 (½-½, 27)}) 12. Nc3 Rfd8 (
12... a5 {Adamski,J (2307)-Motyka,M (2359) Warsaw 2008 (0-1, 55)} 13. Bxf6 $5)
13. Rac1 a6 14. a4 Rac8 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 {Probably not bad, but offering White
some time.} (15... Nxf6 $11 16. e3 Nd7 17. Ne1 c5) (15... gxf6 $5) 16. Ne4 Be7
{0-1 (36) Grivas,E (2515)-Tsiamis,K (2282) Ermioni Argolidas 2005} 17. Ne1 $5 {
[%cal Ge2e3,Ge1d3]}) 11... Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 13. Bf4 $146 ({White was
previously successful with} 13. Nc3 {but only because of Black's inaccurate
play.} Qc7 14. Bf4 Rfd8 15. Qc2 Qb6 $6 ({This wastes time.} 15... a6 $5 {
is more natural and better.}) 16. Ne4 c5 17. Bg5 $14 Bxg5 $6 18. Nxg5 Nf8 19.
Bxb7 Qxb7 20. Qxc5 $16 {Sargissian,G (2679)-Houska,J (2372) Douglas 2015 (1-0,
35)}) 13... Qc7 14. Nd2 Rfd8 15. Rac1 (15. Ne4 {is still worth a try, but
Black is better prepared against it than in the similar line from
Brynell-Rombaldoni above.} c5 16. Nf6+ Bxf6 17. exf6 e5 {now there is no time
for fxg7, as it does not attack the rook.} 18. Be3 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Qc6+ 20. Qd5
Qxf6 21. Bxc5 Nxc5 22. Qxc5 a6 $11 {and White only has the optically more
pleasant position.}) 15... a6 ({The most solid move, but} 15... c5 $5 16. Qxb5
Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Rab8 {retrieves the pawn on b2.}) 16. Qe3 {White's main plan is
playing Ne4-d6 and creating a passed pawn with exd6 after the more or less
inevitable ...Bxd6. It would be optimal to keep all the rooks on the board in
order to have chances for a kingside attack, but apparently there is no way of
achieving the latter.} (16. Ne4 c5 17. Nd6 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Nxe5 19. Bxe5 Bxd6 $17
) 16... c5 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. Ne4 {The culminating moment of White's plan. The
knight will inevitably get to d6. But Black will manage to exchange the
light-squared bishops and put his queenside majority into motion, with
adequate counterplay.} c4 19. h4 h6 20. Rd4 ({Once again reaching the optimal
goal with} 20. Nd6 Bxd6 21. exd6 $2 {loses the bishop to} e5 $1 $17) 20... Nf8
21. b3 (21. Nd6 Bxd6 22. exd6 $2 f6 $17 {once again wins material.}) 21... Rxd4
22. Qxd4 Rd8 23. Nd6 Bxd6 24. exd6 f6 $11 {White has created an advanced
passed pawn, but the c-pawn is just as strong. In fact, the bishop will soon
be restricted to defensive functions.} 25. Be3 e5 26. Qb2 Qc6 27. bxc4 bxc4 28.
Qb4 Rc8 29. f3 h5 30. Kf2 Kf7 31. Rd1 Nd7 32. Qb1 g6 33. g4 {This whole
kingside plan helps Black improve his structure.} Rh8 34. g5 f5 35. Qc2 Rc8 36.
Qc3 Ke6 37. Kg2 Qa4 38. Qd2 Qb5 39. a4 Qc6 40. Qc2 Rb8 41. Bd2 Rb3 42. Bc3 $2 {
Losing a pawn and gradually the game.} (42. a5 {would still have offered
chances for keeping the equality:} Kxd6 {Otherwise Bc3 consolidates.} 43. Bb4+
Kc7 44. Rd6 Qb5 45. Qd2 Rxb4 46. Rxd7+ Qxd7 47. Qxb4 Qc6 48. Qe7+ {with a draw
as the king cannot escape checks without losing the c-pawn.}) 42... Qxa4 43.
Ra1 Qc6 44. Ra5 Rb5 $17 {Black is perfectly coordinated now and the least he
could achieve is exchanging one of his pawns for the d6-pawn.} 45. Qa4 Nb6 46.
Qa1 Rxa5 47. Qxa5 Qb5 48. d7 $5 {Necessary as otherwise the pawn would be lost
for good.} Kxd7 49. Qa3 Nd5 50. Bxe5 {White seems to have obtained some
counter-attacking chances but Karjakin will play accurately as usual in such
situations.} Qc6 51. Qf8 Qe6 52. Qb8 c3 53. Qb7+ Ke8 54. Qb8+ Kf7 55. Qb7+ Ne7
{Such a knight is the best defender for the king.} 56. Bxc3 Qxe2+ {It is Black
who has an attack now.} 57. Kh3 ({Keeping the f3-pawn defended with} 57. Kg3 {
runs into} f4+ $1 58. Kxf4 $6 Qc4+) 57... Qb5 $3 $19 {Sort of trapping the
enemy queen. White cannot avoid either exchanging queens or losing f3 after ...
Qc6.} 58. Qc7 Qc6 59. Qe5 Qxf3+ 60. Kh2 Qf2+ 61. Kh1 {White could well have
resigned, of course.} (61. Kh3 f4 {[%cal Gf2e3,Gf2g3]} 62. Qg7+ Ke8 63. Qh8+
Kd7 $19) 61... Qxh4+ 62. Kg1 Qxg5+ 63. Kh2 Qh4+ 64. Kg1 Qe4 65. Qg7+ Ke6 66.
Bf6 Nd5 67. Bb2 f4 68. Kh2 Kf5 69. Qf8+ Kg5 70. Qd8+ Kg4 71. Qc8+ Kh4 72. Bg7
Qe2+ 73. Kh1 Qf3+ 74. Kh2 Qg3+ (74... Qg3+ 75. Kh1 Qe1+ 76. Kg2 Qe2+ 77. Kg1
Kg3) 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.24"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[Annotator "Mekhitarian,K"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3
d6 9. Bd2 $5 {A fresh idea from Grischuk. White stops ...Na5 for now and wants
to see Black's intentions before defining how to play on the queenside.} Kh8 {
This move looks odd to me. Maybe Aronian wanted to wait to see White's
intentions, but Grischuk just continues with natural moves. Later on Black has
ideas to play ...f5, but it seems way too early to think about it.} (9... Bg4
10. c3 $1 (10. h3 {was played in the debut game of the variation. 10.c3 as in
the Caruana - Aronian game, would be more challenging} Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Nd4 12.
Qd1 a5 13. c3 Nxb3 14. axb3 $11 {0-1 (40) Calzetta Ruiz,M (2317)-Atalik,E 
(2393) Turin 2006}) 10... d5 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qe2 Rb8 13. Bg5 {inviting Black to
take on e4:} dxe4 14. dxe4 h6 15. Bc1 $1 {now White threatens the typical
Nbd2-Nf1-Ng3 plan, which is normally very annoying after Black already had the
bishop placed on either g4 or h5. That's why it was understandable that
Aronian played it when the white bishop was on d2.} Bg6 16. Nbd2 Nh5 17. Nf1
Bc5 18. g3 Kh7 19. Kg2 Qe7 20. Bc2 $16 {1-0 (39) Caruana,F (2784)-Aronian,L 
(2794) Berlin 2018, and White achieved a big positional advantage, that later
turned into a tactical mess.}) (9... Bb7 {played exactly one day after the
Caruana-Aronian game} 10. a4 Nd4 11. Nxd4 exd4 12. c3 dxc3 13. Nxc3 Qd7 14. d4
$6 {this simply weakens the position.} (14. Ne2 $1 $14 {with the idea of Ng3,
White retains better prospects}) 14... b4 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. Bxd5 Bxd5 17. exd5
Bf6 $6 (17... a5 {followed by ...Bf6 and ...Rfe8, Black is just fine.}) 18. Be3
$6 (18. Bxb4 $1 Qf5 19. Qf3 Qxf3 20. gxf3 Bxd4 21. Rac1 $14) 18... c6 19. Qb3
cxd5 20. Qxd5 Rac8 $11 {0-1 (38) Martirosyan,H (2586)-Kravtsiv,M (2685) Batumi
2018}) 10. h3 Nd7 11. Nc3 $5 (11. a4 $5 Bb7 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. Nc3
Nc5 15. Bd5 $14 (15. Nxb5 $6 {always gives decent compensation for Black after
ruining White's structure.} Nxb3 16. cxb3 Bd8 $132 {potentially followed by
f5! opening the line of the b7-bishop against the white king.})) 11... Na5 {
Black achieves a strategic goal in the Ruy Lopez, which is taking the
b3-bishop, but on the other hand, White installs a strong knight on d5.} 12.
Nd5 Nxb3 13. axb3 Bb7 14. c4 f5 (14... c6 $2 15. Ba5 $1 {is the key move,
Black is not able to play ...c6 kicking the knight away.}) 15. Ba5 Rc8 (15...
Bxd5 $2 {is always a huge strategic mistake. The light-squared bishop is
Black's pride here, he has to try to keep it at all costs.} 16. cxd5 $16 {
[%cal Ga1c1]}) 16. Rc1 (16. exf5 {looks promising, trying to open the position
when Black has somewhat passive pieces; but on the other hand, opening the
a8-h1 diagonal is usually dangerous. When we reach such conceptual dilemmas
while choosing a move, we have to strongly rely on our calculations. And we
have to remember, that we may let go of strategic advantages we have built up
to this point and change the character of a position.} Rxf5 17. d4 Nf6 $1 $132
{with complex play.} (17... Qf8 $5 $132)) 16... bxc4 (16... Nc5 $5 {similar to
the game, maybe keeping more flexibility. Black should not be scared of 17.
cxb5, opening the c-file, since the black knight will go to ...e6 next move,
controlling the c7-pawn.}) 17. bxc4 fxe4 18. dxe4 Nc5 19. Bc3 $5 (19. Re3 $5 {
not allowing Black to play ...Qe8 yet (White keeps an eye on c7). White's idea
is to play Bb4 next move, take on e7 and then play c5, ruining Black's
structure. In these lines, the rook will stand better on e3.} Ne6 {Another
standard move gets answered by a strong temporary pawn sacrifice:} 20. c5 $1
Nxc5 $2 (20... dxc5 21. Nxe7 Qxe7 22. Qb3 $1 Bc6 23. Qc3 $16 {followed by Qxe5}
) 21. Bxc7 $1 Rxc7 22. Nxc7 Qxc7 23. b4 $18) (19. Bb4 Ne6 20. Nxe7 (20. Nxe5 $2
c5 $1 $17) 20... Qxe7 21. c5 dxc5 22. Ba3 Rf4 $1 $132 {followed by ...Rcf8.})
19... Qe8 20. b4 Ne6 21. Bd2 c6 $2 (21... Bd8 {threatening c6} 22. c5 $1 {
when White retains some slight pressure.}) 22. Nxe7 Qxe7 23. Be3 $2 {White has
lost the chance to play c5 now and break Black's structure.} (23. c5 $1 dxc5
24. bxc5 {This is very dangerous in the long-term for Black - the e5-pawn is
weak, and White should win it without much trouble, after which he will have 4
pawns against 2 pawns on the kingside} Rcd8 {during the Press Conference,
Grischuk mentioned this move and said he wasn't sure how to evaluate the
position after 25.Nxe5 Nf4} 25. Re3 $1 (25. Nxe5 $6 Nf4 $1 $132) 25... Nxc5 26.
Qc2 Ne6 27. Ba5 {followed by Qb2, grabbing the e5-pawn, depending on where the
rook goes} Rd6 28. Qb2 Nd4 $2 (28... c5 29. Qxe5 $16 {[%csl Re4,Rf2,Rg2,Rg7,
Rh3,Rh7]}) 29. Bb4 $1 $18) 23... c5 $1 {Now there is no advantage for White,
Black is solid and the only weakness on d6 will not be a serious problem.} 24.
bxc5 Nxc5 25. Bxc5 Rxc5 26. Nd2 Bc8 27. Nf1 Be6 28. Ne3 $11 {The position has
simplified, both sides have improved their pieces to the best squares and the
outcome should be a draw.} Rc6 29. Qa4 Rfc8 30. Rb1 h6 31. Rb8 Rxc4 32. Rxc8+
Rxc8 33. Qxa6 Qc7 34. Rd1 Rd8 35. Qd3 Qc5 36. Kh2 Qc7 37. Kg1 Qc5 38. Rd2 Qc7
39. Qa3 Qe7 40. Rd1 Kh7 41. Qb4 Qc7 42. Rd3 Kg8 43. Qd2 Qe7 44. Kh2 Qf8 45. Kg1
Qe7 46. Qd1 Kh7 47. Rd2 Qf8 48. Rd3 Qe7 49. Rd2 Qf8 50. Nf1 Rd7 51. Ng3 Qb8 52.
Kh2 Qf8 53. Kg1 Qb8 54. Kh2 Qf8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.26"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[Annotator "Sadorra,J"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3
{The Anti-Marshall variation of the Ruy Lopez is currently the only way to
give Marshall players any theoretical problems.} d6 9. Bd2 $5 {This move was
used by Grischuk in the 12th round of the same event. Its idea is to prevent
the typical move of the Black knight to a5 while preparing to play either
a2-a4, Nc3 or c3 depending on what Black does next. According to my Megabase,
this was actually first intoduced by Andrew Muir (now IM) into tournament
practice way back in 1978!} Bg4 ({Grischuk's game in the 12th round went} 9...
Kh8 $5 10. h3 Nd7 11. Nc3 Na5 12. Nd5 Nxb3 13. axb3 Bb7 14. c4 $14 {½-½ (54)
Grischuk,A (2767)-Aronian,L (2794) Berlin GER 2018. White obtained an edge
from the opening}) ({The aforementioned first game continued} 9... Nd7 10. a4
Bb7 {which actually transposes to a line in the old Arkhangelsk Ruy Lopez!} {
Now the most precise is} 11. Nc3 $1 Nd4 (11... b4 12. Nd5) 12. Nxd4 exd4 13.
Nd5 $14) 10. c3 d5 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qe2 $5 $146 {This useful, flexible move is
Caruana's team's novelty.} ({Previously seen was} 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. g4 $6 Bg6
14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Rxe5 Nb6 16. d4 Bd6 17. Bg5 Qd7 $44 {1-0 (46) Jackson,S 
(2185)-Littlewood,P (2475) London 1984. Black had the typical Marshall
compensation, and probably even more.}) 12... Rb8 13. Bg5 $1 {Surrendering
central control is simply not part of Caruana's chosen plan.} (13. exd5 $6 Nxd5
14. g4 Bg6 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Qxe5 c6 $44 17. Bxd5 (17. d4 Bd6) 17... Bf6 $1 18.
Qg3 cxd5 19. Bf4 Rc8 20. g5 Be7 21. Nd2 f6 $1 $132) 13... dxe4 14. dxe4 h6 15.
Bc1 $1 {A tough move to make which Caruana said was still part of his preps.
On c1, the bishop will not get in the way of the other pieces. As one
principle goes, development doesn't matter much in a closed game or when the
enemy cannot easily open up the game.} ({Retreating the bishop the other way
is also not part of Caruana's plan:} 15. Bh4 Nd7 16. Bg3 {Now this bishop will
get in the way of the queen's knight later.} (16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Nbd2 Qf6 $1 {
preventing the typical knight manoeuvre to f1-g3/e3.}) 16... Bd6 17. Nbd2 Nc5
18. Bc2 a5 $132 19. Nf1 $6 {White cannot simply ignore Black's queenside
activity:} b4 (19... a4 $5 20. a3 Na5 $15) 20. Ne3 Qf6 21. Nf5 (21. Nd5 Qe6)
21... bxc3 22. bxc3 Rb2 $36) 15... Bg6 16. Nbd2 Nh5 {preventing White's
knights from coming to h4 and g3.} (16... Bc5 17. Nh4 (17. a4 $5 {it also
looks good for White to pressure Black on the queenside.}) 17... Bh7 (17... Bh5
18. Ndf3 $36 {[%cal Gg2g4,Gh4f5]}) 18. Nf5 $14) 17. Nf1 Bc5 (17... Nf4 $6 {
This active move is not according to the spirit of Black's position.} 18. Bxf4
exf4 19. Bd5 $1 (19. Rad1 Qc8 20. Qd2 $16) 19... Na5 20. Rad1 Qc8 21. Ne5 $16
Bh7 22. Qh5 $40) 18. g3 {A useful move, preventing any future possibility of
Black's knight going to f4, and preparing for White's knight to go to h4.} Kh7
19. Kg2 Qe7 (19... f5 $2 {is still premature.} 20. exf5 Rxf5 (20... Bxf5 21.
Ng5+ $1) 21. Bc2 Rf6 22. Ng5+ $1 $18) 20. Bc2 $1 {A nice double-purpose or a
"double-positional-threat" move. The first and more obvious idea is to
overprotect e4 enabling the knight to go to e3 then d5.} Rfd8 (20... a5 21. Ne3
) 21. b4 $1 {This was the second positional threat.} ({There is also nothing
wrong with} 21. Ne3 Nf6 22. Nh4 $16 {but Caurana's choice dominates Black on
both sides of the board.}) 21... Bb6 22. a4 {Caruana creates a second weakness
as his kingside play will always be there for him.} Nf6 23. Nh4 {A good
practical decision.} ({According to Caruana, he didn't want the game to go out
of control after} 23. axb5 axb5 24. Qxb5 Bxf2 25. Qxc6 Bxe1 26. Nxe1 $16 {
while White is still better, but there's a chance he could miss something or
for Black to create some counterplay.}) 23... Qe6 24. Bd3 ({Caruana also
pointed out that White also has the option} 24. Nxg6 fxg6 25. Bd3 Rf8 26. f3 {
which is very accurate and is objectively the better choice.}) 24... Bh5 $1 {
Black cannot just sit and watch White create play on both sides of the board
so Aronian tries to muddle things up and "swim against the tide."} ({If} 24...
Ne7 {Caruana was once again sharp in spotting the important idea:} 25. Nxg6
Nxg6 26. axb5 axb5 27. Bxb5 Bxf2 28. Bc4 $1 $18 (28. Kxf2 Qb6+)) 25. g4 Bxg4 {
The logical follow-up.} (25... Bg6 {doesn't make sense as it only helps White
improve his position after} 26. axb5 (26. Ng3 $16 {Caruana}) 26... axb5 27.
Nxg6 (27. Bxb5 Nxe4) 27... fxg6 28. Bxb5 $16) 26. hxg4 Nxg4 ({If} 26... Qxg4+ {
Caruana correctly thought that the ending will be technically winning for
White.} 27. Qxg4 Nxg4 28. Be2 Bxf2 (28... Nxf2 29. axb5 axb5 30. Bxb5 Ne7 31.
Bc4 f6 32. Be3 Bxe3 33. Rxe3 $18) 29. Rd1 Bxh4 30. Bxg4 {mainly because "the
black pawns are not moving and the knight on c6 is still bad." His assessment
is once again confirmed accurate by the engine!}) 27. Nf5 Nxf2 28. Bc2 g6 29.
N1e3 $6 {While this is a good practical move as it gives Black a difficult
position to play afterwards, it cannot be considered best because it allows
Black some counter-attacking ideas.} (29. N5e3 $1 {is a better way to keep the
advantage but White still has to find a few accurate moves. Both Caruana and
Aronian actually thought that this line leads to a draw, but they missed a few
important details:} Nh3 30. Nd5 Ng1 (30... Nf4+ 31. Nxf4 exf4 32. Bxf4 $16) 31.
Qd3 Ne7 {[%csl Rd5]} 32. a5 ({Both players only saw} 32. Nfe3 Qh3+ 33. Kxg1
Qg3+ 34. Kf1 Qf3+ 35. Kg1 Qg3+ $11) (32. Qg3 $5 Nxd5 33. exd5 Qxd5+ 34. Be4 Qc4
35. Nd2 $16) 32... Ba7 33. Qg3 Nxd5 34. exd5 Qxd5+ 35. Be4 Qc4 36. Nd2 $18 {
Black doesn't have enough compensation for the piece, and he is about to lose
another one.}) ({Another way is to stabilize the queenside first with} 29. a5
$1 Ba7 30. N5e3 Nh3 31. Nd5 Nf4+ (31... Ng1 32. Qd3 {transposes to the
previous note.}) 32. Nxf4 exf4 33. Bxf4 Qf6 34. Qf3 $16) 29... gxf5 30. exf5
Qf6 31. Qxf2 (31. Kxf2 $2 {loses by force to} Qh4+ 32. Kf1 Nd4 33. Qg2 (33. f6+
Kh8) (33. Qf2 Qxf2+ 34. Kxf2 Nxc2 $19) 33... Rg8 $19) {This is the most
critical moment for Black, and of the game!} 31... e4 $2 {After this, Black's
attack eventually runs out of steam and White's pieces take over.} (31... Nxb4
$1 32. cxb4 Rd4 $1 {In the post-game interview, Aronian was frustrated with
himself for not even seeing the idea of bringing the rook into the attack this
way.} 33. Kh3 $1 {Controlling h4 is the only way for the king to survive. Now
from here, Black must find some precise moves to keep things unclear, or keep
drawing chances, which is almost impossible in a practical game. Nevertheless,
let me share some beautiful tactical ideas used by the engine to show that
this ridiculously imbalanced game is still a draw with best play!} Qg5 $1 (
33... Rg8 34. Nd5 $3 {Taking control of g5 through which the enemy could
invade.} Rxd5 35. Qf3 Rd4 36. Be4 $16) 34. f6+ Kh8 35. Nf5 Qh5+ (35... Qg4+ 36.
Kh2 Qh5+ 37. Kg2 {transposes}) 36. Kg2 Rg8+ 37. Qg3 $1 (37. Ng3 $2 Rh4 $19)
37... Rc4 $1 {Another precise move.} (37... Rdg4 38. Bxh6 $18 {[%cal Gh6g7,
Ge1h1]}) (37... Rxg3+ 38. Nxg3 Rg4 39. Ra3) 38. Bd3 (38. Be4 $2 Rxe4 $1 39.
Qxg8+ Kxg8 40. Nxh6+ Kf8 41. Rxe4 Qd1 $19) 38... Rxg3+ 39. Nxg3 Rg4 40. Bf4 $3
{Just say "Woah..."} (40. Ra3 Bf2 $1 $19) {Now the only way to keep the
balance is to find the equally stunning} 40... Bg1 $3 {"Woah..."} (40... exf4
41. Re8+) (40... Rxf4 41. Nxh5) (40... Qh4 41. Rh1 $16) 41. Bxe5 Bh2 {The
point. Black gains piece coordination to create counterplay.} 42. Re3 Bxg3 43.
Bxg3 Qd5+ 44. Kh2 Qh5+ 45. Kg2 Qd5+ $11 {and White cannot avoid repetition.}
46. Kf2 $2 Rxg3 $1 47. Kxg3 Qg5+ 48. Kf2 Qxf6+ $19) (31... Nd4 {is not as
effective as after} 32. Be4 $1 Nb3 33. Rb1 bxa4 34. Kh3 $16 {White has
everything under control.}) 32. Rh1 Rd6 33. Bxe4 Rg8+ (33... Re8 {doesn't help
after the programmed} 34. Qf4 $1 Qe5 35. Qxe5 Rxe5 36. Kf3 $19) 34. Kf1 Ne5 35.
Qf4 c6 36. axb5 Rg5 ({If} 36... axb5 {I'm sure Caruana would've found the
forcing solution:} 37. Rxh6+ Qxh6 38. f6+ Rg6 39. Qxh6+ Kxh6 40. Nc4+ $1 $18 (
40. Nf5+ $6 Kh5 41. Nxd6 Rxf6+ 42. Nf5 Kg4 $132)) 37. bxa6 Qd8 {Many roads
here lead to Rome.} 38. f6+ Ng6 39. Rxh6+ {...and Aronian resigned here due to
the obvious forcing moves that can follow:} (39. Rxh6+ Kxh6 40. Qh2+ Rh5 41.
Nf5+ $18 {An impressive game by the current world #2 and winner of the
Candidates event Fabiano Caruana. His superb opening prep, understanding of
middlegame subtleties and evaluation skills that are almost as accurate as the
engine's rightfully make him a deserving challenger to the World Championship
crown!}) 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.27"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A35"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Qb3 Nxc3 9. Bc4 e6 10. bxc3 Bd7 11. Be2 Na5 12. Qc2 Bg7 13. Ba3 Bf8 14. Bb2 Bg7
15. Ba3 Bf8 16. Bb2 Bg7 17. Ba3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 5th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2018.03.31"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Meier, Georg"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re2 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. Nf5 Bf6 14. Qe1
d5 15. Ne7+ Kh8 16. Nxc8 Rxc8 17. d3 Nd6 18. Qb4 a5 19. Qg4 b5 20. c3 d4 21.
cxd4 b4 22. d5 cxd5 23. Bf4 g6 24. Be5 Bxe5 25. Rxe5 Qf6 26. Qd4 Rc2 27. Rb1
Rfc8 28. Rxd5 Qxd4 29. Rxd4 Nf5 30. Rc4 R8xc4 31. dxc4 Nd4 32. Rd1 Ne6 33. Rd5
a4 34. Ra5 Rxb2 35. Rxa4 Kg7 36. Ra5 Kf6 37. h4 Nd4 38. c5 Rc2 39. Ra6+ Ke5 40.
Rb6 Rxa2 41. Rxb4 Ra1 42. g3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 5th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2018.04.01"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E70"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2701"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. e4 d6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Nge2 {This is also a main line, but
not so popular as 5.Nf3, 5.f3 or 5.Be2. White's plan is Ng3, Be2 followed by
h4-h5 and tries to create some attack on the kingside.} O-O 6. Ng3 e5 7. d5 a5
8. Be2 Na6 9. h4 h5 {It is important to stop, otherwise after h5 White has
strong pressure on the kingside.} 10. Bg5 Qe8 11. Qd2 Kh7 {Black prepares for .
..Ng8 followed by ...f6, ...Bh6.} ({Four years ago there was a top game for} 
11... Nc5 {,} 12. O-O-O Ng4 13. Bxg4 Bxg4 14. f3 Bd7 15. Be3 b6 16. Kb1 Kh7 17.
Qc2 a4 18. Nge2 f5 19. exf5 gxf5 20. Rh3 Kh8 21. f4 Ne4 $132 {Carlsen-Radjabov,
Shamkir 2014, with a complicated position.}) 12. f3 Ng8 13. Nb5 $1 $146 {
A nice novelty by Aronian. White is threatening Qxa5.} (13. O-O-O a4 (13... Bd7
$5) 14. Rdg1 f6 15. Be3 Bd7 $13 {with an unclear middlegame.} (15... f5 $2 {
was too dangerous for Black,} 16. exf5 gxf5 17. Nxh5 $1 {Great piece sacrifice!
} Qxh5 18. g4 Qe8 19. h5 a3 20. g5 $16 {Kantor-Nitin, Budapest 2017, with a
strong attack.})) 13... b6 14. a3 Bd7 ({If Black gains some space with} 14...
a4 $6 {, White plays} 15. Bd1 $1 $16 {and Black can't protect his pawn.}) 15.
b4 $1 {Good move, the a6-knight is completely out of play.} f6 16. Be3 f5 $6 {
Black is playing a typical King's Indian plan, but now this is an inaccuracy.}
(16... Bh6 {was better to exchange the dark-squared bishops.}) 17. exf5 $1 gxf5
18. Bg5 {The g5-square is a great place for the bishop. Black has a weakness
on h5 and it is not clear how can he activate his pieces.} e4 $6 {Black tries
to play actively, but this only helps White.} ({The engine suggests the ugly} 
18... f4 19. Ne4 Nf6 {, but after} 20. Nbc3 $14 {White's position is more
promising.}) 19. Rb1 exf3 20. gxf3 axb4 21. axb4 Bxb5 ({Black didn't want to
stand with} 21... Kh8 {, because after} 22. Rg1 $16 ({or} 22. Kf2 $16 {White
is clearly better.})) 22. cxb5 Nb8 23. O-O Nd7 24. Rbc1 {The c7-pawn is also a
potential weakness.} Ra7 25. Bd3 $1 $18 {White activates his pieces, Black's
position has too many weaknesses.} Qe5 (25... Qg6 26. f4 $18 {looks also
hopeless for Black. White's plan is Rfe1-e6.}) 26. Nxh5 Qxd5 27. Nf4 Qb3 28.
Bc4 $1 {Another strong reply!} Qb2 29. Rc2 Qd4+ 30. Qxd4 Bxd4+ 31. Kg2 Be5 32.
Ne6 Rc8 33. Nd8 $1 {A smart reaction, White will put his N on c6.} d5 34. Nc6
Ra3 35. Bxd5 {and Black resigned. Nice game by Aronian!} 1-0

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 5th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2018.04.02"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. Bg5 Be7 8. Re1
d6 9. d4 Bd7 10. d5 Nb8 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. a4 Be7 13. Na3 Rf8 14. Bxd7 Nxd7 15.
Nc4 Kh8 16. b4 g6 17. a5 a6 18. Ncd2 f5 19. h3 Bg5 20. c4 Bh6 21. Nb1 fxe4 22.
Rxe4 Nf6 23. Re1 Qd7 24. Nc3 Rf7 25. Ne4 Nxe4 26. Rxe4 Raf8 27. Ra3 Rf4 28.
Rae3 R4f6 29. Rc3 Rf4 30. Rce3 R4f6 31. Rc3 Rf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 5th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2018.04.04"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
c5 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. Qxc4 b6 11. Ne5 Ra7 12. Nd3 Be7 13. Bf4 Bb7 14. Bxb7 Rxb7
15. Rc1 Nd5 16. Bxb8 b5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Qb3 Qxb8 19. Nd2 Rc8 20. Nf3 g6 21.
Nd4 Rxc1+ 22. Rxc1 Bf6 23. Nc6 Qa8 24. Ncb4 Nxb4 25. Qxb4 Kg7 26. Qe4 Qa7 27.
Qc6 Rb6 28. Qc5 Be7 29. Qe3 Qb7 30. Ne5 Ra6 31. h3 Bf6 32. Kh2 h5 33. Nd3 Ra8
34. Qc5 Ra4 35. b3 Ra2 36. Rc2 Ra1 37. Rc1 Ra2 38. Rc2 Ra1 39. Rc1 Ra2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 5th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2018.04.05"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. a5 d6 10. d3 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. h3 Qb8 13. c3 Qb5 14. c4 Qb7 15. Nbd2
Nd7 16. Nb3 Nd8 17. d4 exd4 18. Nbxd4 c5 19. Nxe6 Nxe6 20. Qd5 Qxd5 21. exd5
Rxf3 22. gxf3 Ne5 23. Rxe5 dxe5 24. dxe6 Rd8 25. Be3 g5 26. Kf1 Kg7 27. Ke2 Kf6
28. Rd1 Rxd1 29. Kxd1 Kxe6 30. Kc2 Kf5 31. Kd3 Bd6 32. b3 Be7 33. Bc1 Bd6 34.
Be3 Be7 35. Bc1 Bd6 36. Be3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 5th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2018.04.06"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e5 Ne4 6. Nf3 Bf5 7. d3 Nxc3 8.
bxc3 c5 9. d4 c4 10. g3 Be7 11. Bg2 Bd3 12. Ng1 Qa5 13. Bd2 Nc6 14. Ne2 Ba3 15.
O-O O-O 16. Re1 Rad8 17. Bg5 Bb2 18. Bxd8 Rxd8 19. Rc1 Bxe2 20. Qxe2 Bxc1 21.
Rxc1 Qa3 22. Qe3 b5 23. e6 f6 24. h4 Ne7 25. Rb1 a6 26. Qd2 Qd6 27. a4 bxa4 28.
Qa2 a3 29. Rb4 h5 30. Qxa3 Nc6 31. Ra4 Qxa3 32. Rxa3 a5 33. e7 Nxe7 34. Rxa5
Rb8 35. Bxd5+ Nxd5 36. Rxd5 Rb3 37. Rxh5 Rxc3 38. Rc5 Rc1+ 39. Kg2 c3 40. Kf3
c2 41. Kf4 Rd1 42. Rxc2 Rxd4+ 43. Kf5 Kh7 44. f4 Ra4 45. Rc5 Kh6 46. Rd5 Ra6
47. g4 g6+ 48. Ke4 Ra4+ 49. Rd4 Ra5 50. Rd5 Ra4+ 51. Ke3 Ra3+ 52. Rd3 Ra6
1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 5th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2018.04.07"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. g3 d5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. O-O Nbd7 6. Na3 Nb6 7. Qc2 g6 8.
Nxc4 Nxc4 9. Qxc4 Bg7 10. d3 O-O 11. Bd2 Nd5 12. Qc1 a5 13. Bh6 Bg4 14. Bxg7
Kxg7 15. Ne5 Be6 16. d4 Nf6 17. Rd1 Qb6 18. e4 Rfd8 19. Qc3 Kg8 20. Rd3 Rd6 21.
Rad1 Rad8 22. b3 Qb4 23. Qa1 a4 24. h3 axb3 25. axb3 Nd7 26. Nxd7 R6xd7 27. d5
cxd5 28. exd5 Bf5 29. Re3 Be6 30. Rde1 Bxd5 31. Bxd5 Rxd5 32. Rxe7 Qxe7 33.
Rxe7 Rd1+ 34. Qxd1 Rxd1+ 35. Kg2 b6 36. Kf3 Rd3+ 37. Re3 Rd2 38. Re4 Rd3+ 39.
Re3 Rd2 40. Re4 Rd3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 5th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2018.04.08"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Nf5 11. d5 Re8 12. Bd3 Rxe1+ 13. Qxe1 Qe7 14.
Qxe7 Nxe7 15. d6 cxd6 16. Na3 d5 17. Nb5 d6 18. Nxd6 Nc6 19. Bf4 Be6 20. Nxb7
Nb4 21. Nc5 Bxb2 22. Rb1 Nxd3 23. cxd3 Bd4 24. Be3 Bxc5 25. Bxc5 d4 26. Bxa7
Bxa2 27. Rb8+ Rxb8 28. Bxb8 Bb1 29. Ba7 Ba2 30. Bb8 Bb1 31. Ba7 Ba2 32. Bb8
1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 5th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2018.04.09"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bluebaum, Matthias"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2631"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Bxd7+ Nxd7 13. O-O Qxc3
14. Rc1 Qa5 15. Rb1 Rd8 16. Rxb7 Ne5 17. f4 Nc6 18. Nxc6 Qc5+ 19. Kh1 Qxc6 20.
Qb3 Qxe4 21. f5 O-O 22. fxe6 fxe6 23. Rxa7 Rf7 24. Rxf7 Kxf7 25. Qc3 Qd4 26.
Qf3 Rd5 27. h3 h5 28. a4 h4 29. Qf4 Qxf4 30. Rxf4 Rd1+ 31. Kh2 e5 32. Rxh4 f5
33. Rb4 Ra1 34. h4 Kg6 35. g4 fxg4 36. Rxg4+ Kf5 37. Rb4 e4 38. Kg2 Kf4 39. h5
Ra2+ 40. Kh3 Ra3+ 41. Kg2 Ra2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.27"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2018.05.27"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e5 Ne4 6. Nf3 Bf5 7. d3 Nxc3 8.
bxc3 c5 9. d4 c4 10. a4 Nc6 11. Be2 Be7 12. O-O O-O 13. Ne1 Na5 14. Nc2 Nb3 15.
Ra2 Qa5 16. Bb2 f6 17. Ne3 Be6 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. Qc2 Bg5 20. Ba3 Rfe8 21. Bh5
Red8 22. Bb4 Qc7 23. Re1 Bf7 24. Bf3 Re8 25. a5 Qd7 26. Qd1 Bxe3 27. fxe3 Bg6
28. Rf2 h6 29. Bh5 Qe6 30. e4 Kh7 31. Bxg6+ Qxg6 32. exd5 Rxe1+ 33. Qxe1 Re8
34. Re2 Rxe2 35. Qxe2 Qb1+ 36. Kf2 Nc1 37. Qxc4 Qe4 38. h3 Nd3+ 39. Kg1 Qe3+
40. Kh2 Qf4+ 41. Kg1 Qf2+ 0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.27"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A12"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2018.05.27"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 d5 2. Bb2 c6 3. g3 Bf5 4. Bg2 e6 5. Nf3 h6 6. O-O Nf6 7. c4 Nbd7 8. d3
Bh7 9. Nbd2 Bd6 10. a3 a5 11. Bc3 O-O 12. b4 e5 13. cxd5 axb4 14. Bxb4 Bxb4 15.
axb4 cxd5 16. Rxa8 Qxa8 17. Qb3 Rc8 18. Bh3 b6 19. Qb2 Re8 20. Nh4 e4 21. dxe4
dxe4 22. Nc4 Qb8 23. Rd1 Qc7 24. Nd6 Ra8 25. Ng2 Nf8 26. Ne3 Rd8 27. Nb5 Rxd1+
28. Nxd1 Qd8 29. Nd4 Ng6 30. Ne3 Ne7 31. b5 Nfd5 32. Nc6 Qc7 33. Nxd5 Nxd5 34.
Qa2 Qd6 35. Qa8+ Qf8 36. Qb7 e3 37. f3 Bb1 38. Qd7 Nc3 39. Bf1 Ba2 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.27"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2018.05.27"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 a6 7. a4 h6 8. Nbd2
O-O 9. Re1 Re8 10. h3 Be6 11. Bxe6 Rxe6 12. b4 Ba7 13. Qc2 Qd7 14. Nf1 d5 15.
Bd2 Rae8 16. Ng3 dxe4 17. dxe4 Ne7 18. Red1 Qc8 19. c4 Ng6 20. c5 c6 21. Nf5
Bb8 22. Be3 Ne7 23. Ng3 Nd7 24. Nd2 Nf8 25. Nc4 Rg6 26. Nd6 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.27"]
[Round "4"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2018.05.27"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. b3 d5 4. Bb2 c5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. g3 d4 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. O-O
Be7 9. Na3 O-O 10. e3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Re1 Rc8 13. g4 Bg6 14. Nc4 Nb4 15.
Nce5 Bc2 16. Qe2 Bd6 17. d3 Re8 18. a3 Bxe5 19. axb4 Bxb3 20. bxc5 Rxc5 21.
Bxd4 Rc2 22. Qd1 Rc3 23. Qb1 Bxd4 24. Nxd4 Bd5 25. Rxa7 Bxg2 26. Kxg2 Qd5+ 27.
Kg1 h5 28. Qxb7 Qxb7 29. Rxb7 hxg4 30. hxg4 Rxd3 31. g5 Rxd4 32. gxf6 gxf6 33.
Ra1 Rd6 34. Raa7 Rf8 35. Kg2 Kg7 36. Kf3 Re6 37. Rb4 Rfe8 38. Rbb7 Rf8 39. Kf4
Rc6 40. f3 Rc5 41. e4 Rh5 42. Rc7 Rh6 43. Rc6 Rg6 44. Rcc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2018.05.27"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 Bd7 5. d3 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Nbd2
Nc6 9. h3 e5 10. a3 b6 11. b4 Nh5 12. Re1 Nf4 13. Bf1 Ne6 14. Nc4 Qc7 15. Bd2
f5 16. Ne3 Ne7 17. a4 Rae8 18. Rb1 Qc6 19. a5 f4 20. Nc2 g5 21. axb6 axb6 22.
bxc5 bxc5 23. d4 cxd4 24. cxd4 exd4 25. Bb4 Qb6 26. Na3 Qc7 27. Bc4 Kh8 28.
Bxe6 Bxe6 29. Nb5 Qd7 30. Nxd6 Rb8 31. Bc5 Rxb1 32. Qxb1 g4 33. hxg4 Bxg4 34.
Nxd4 f3 35. e5 fxg2 36. e6 Qc7 37. Nf7+ Kg8 38. Ng5 Bf5 39. Nxf5 Rxf5 40. Bxe7
Qf4 41. Qc2 Bd4 42. Nh3 Qg4 43. Qd3 Rf3 44. Qxf3 Qxf3 45. Bg5 0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E48"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2018.05.27"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nge2 dxc4 7. Bxc4 c5 8.
O-O cxd4 9. exd4 Nbd7 10. a3 Be7 11. Bg5 Nb6 12. Ba2 Bd7 13. Qd3 Bc6 14. Rad1
Na4 15. Rd2 Nxc3 16. Nxc3 Qc7 17. d5 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 exd5 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Bxd5
Rad8 21. Qb3 Bxd5 22. Rxd5 Rxd5 23. Qxd5 Rd8 24. Qc4 b6 25. g3 g6 26. Rc1 Qf6
27. Qc3 Qf5 28. Re1 Rc8 29. Qd4 h5 30. h4 Qc5 31. Qxc5 Rxc5 32. b4 Rc3 33. Re3
Rxe3 34. fxe3 Kg7 35. Kf2 Kf6 36. e4 Ke5 37. Ke3 b5 38. Kd3 f6 39. Ke3 g5 40.
g4 hxg4 41. h5 Ke6 42. Kf2 Kf7 43. Kg3 Kg7 44. Kxg4 Kh6 45. Kf5 Kh7 46. Kxf6 g4
47. e5 g3 48. e6 g2 49. e7 g1=Q 50. e8=Q Qf2+ 51. Ke7 Qe3+ 52. Kd8 Qxa3 53.
Qf7+ Kh8 54. Qf6+ Kh7 55. Qg6+ Kh8 56. h6 Qc3 57. Qg7+ Qxg7 58. hxg7+ Kxg7 59.
Kc7 a5 60. bxa5 b4 61. a6 b3 62. a7 b2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.27"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2018.05.27"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. Re1 d6 7. c3 a6 8. a4 h6
9. Nbd2 Re8 10. Nf1 Ba7 11. Ng3 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. b4 d5 14. Qc2 Qd7 15. h3
Rae8 16. b5 Ne7 17. c4 d4 18. c5 Ng6 19. Bd2 Qd8 20. Rec1 Nd7 21. c6 bxc6 22.
bxc6 Nb8 23. Qa2 Nxc6 24. Rab1 a5 25. Qd5 Qa8 26. Nf5 Bb6 27. Qa2 Nge7 28. Ng3
Nc8 29. Rc2 Nd6 30. Nf5 Nxf5 31. exf5 Rf6 32. Nh4 Ne7 33. g4 e4 34. dxe4 Qxe4
35. Re1 Qa8 36. Qc4 Rc6 37. Qd3 Rxc2 38. Qxc2 Nd5 39. Rxe8+ Qxe8 40. Nf3 Qe2
41. Ne1 d3 42. Nxd3 Nf4 0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.27"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2018.05.27"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Qe2 Qe7 7. Nbd2 Bg4 8.
h3 Bh5 9. a3 Nd7 10. b4 Bb6 11. Nc4 a5 12. Rb1 axb4 13. axb4 Ra2 14. O-O O-O
15. Rb2 Rfa8 16. c3 Ra1 17. Rc2 f6 18. Rd1 Nf8 19. Nxb6 cxb6 20. Be3 Ne6 21.
Rcd2 b5 22. Rxa1 Rxa1+ 23. Rd1 Ra3 24. Qb2 Bxf3 25. gxf3 Ra4 26. Qb3 Kh8 27. d4
exd4 28. cxd4 Rxb4 29. Qd3 Ng5 30. Bxg5 fxg5 31. d5 cxd5 32. Qxd5 h6 33. Qf5
Rc4 34. Rd7 Qf6 35. Qd5 Rc8 36. Kg2 Rf8 37. Qd3 Qc6 38. Rd5 b4 39. Rb5 Qc3 40.
Qxc3 bxc3 41. Rc5 b5 42. Rxc3 b4 43. Rb3 Rb8 44. Kf1 Kg8 45. Ke2 Kf7 46. Kd3
Ke6 47. Kc4 Ke5 48. Rxb4 Rxb4+ 49. Kxb4 Kd4 50. Kb3 h5 51. Kc2 g4 52. hxg4 h4
0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2822"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2018.05.27"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd3 Nf6 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. Bd2 O-O 8.
Be2 d5 9. exd5 exd5 10. O-O h6 11. Rfe1 Be6 12. Bf1 Qd7 13. Nd4 Rac8 14. Nxc6
bxc6 15. Rad1 Bd6 16. h3 Bf5 17. Qd4 c5 18. Qh4 d4 19. Nb5 Be7 20. Qg3 Ne4 21.
Qf3 Nxd2 22. Rxd2 Bg5 23. Rde2 d3 24. cxd3 Bxd3 25. Re7 Bxe7 26. Bxd3 g6 27.
Bc4 Kg7 28. Rd1 Qc6 29. Qe2 Qf6 30. Nxa7 Ra8 31. Nb5 Rad8 32. Re1 Bd6 33. Qc2
Rfe8 34. Rf1 Bb8 35. b3 h5 36. Nc3 Qe5 37. g3 h4 38. Ne2 hxg3 39. fxg3 Qe3+ 40.
Kh1 Rd2 41. Qc3+ Qxc3 42. Nxc3 f5 43. Rg1 Re3 44. Nd5 Rxg3 45. Rxg3 Bxg3 46. a4
f4 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.28"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d5 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. O-O Re8 8.
exd5 a6 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. Ne4 Nxe4 11. dxe4 cxd5 12. Qxd5 Qxd5 13. exd5 e4 14.
Nd2 e3 15. fxe3 Bxe3+ 16. Kh1 Bg4 17. Nf3 Bxc1 18. Raxc1 Re2 19. b4 Bxf3 20.
Rxf3 Rxa2 21. Kg1 Rd2 22. c4 Rb8 23. b5 axb5 24. cxb5 Rxb5 25. Rxc7 Rb1+ 26.
Rf1 Rxf1+ 27. Kxf1 Kf8 28. Rc8+ Ke7 29. Rc7+ Kf8 30. Rc8+ Ke7 31. Rc7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.29"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Bd5 11. Qc2 Be4 12. Qd1 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nc3 Bxf3
15. Bxf3 Qxd4 16. Bxb7 Ra7 17. Bg2 Nd7 18. Ne4 c5 19. Rb1 Qxd1 20. Rfxd1 Rb8
21. b3 Be7 22. e3 c4 23. bxc4 Rxb1 24. Rxb1 Rc7 25. c5 Nxc5 26. Rc1 f5 27. Nxc5
Rxc5 28. Rb1 Kf7 29. Rb6 a5 30. Bc6 Bd8 31. Ra6 Ke7 32. Kg2 g5 33. h3 Bc7 34.
Bb5 Rc3 35. Ra8 Rc2 36. Ra6 h5 37. Rc6 Rxc6 38. Bxc6 h4 39. gxh4 gxh4 40. e4
Kd6 41. Bb7 Ke7 42. Bc6 Kd6 43. Bb7 Ke7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.30"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 {In round one Magnus won a good game against Fabiano Caruana
with 2.Bc4, but that move at top level is almost exclusively seen as an
anti-Petroff move order.} Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 $5 4. O-O ({In round one Anand
continued} 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d5 6. Bd2 O-O 7. O-O Re8 8. exd5 a6 $1 {when while
not only springing an excellent novelty, Aronian also managed to amuse in the
confession booth saying he forgot to play it at move 3, and now seemed at good
moment to correct the mistake! Even so, his switch from Marshall to Berlin
seemed more than just a fling.}) 4... Nxe4 5. Re1 {The most solid of lines,
suiting well that Magnus actually was the sole leader at this point.} Nd6 6.
Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 {By far the main move, but
in the New York match vs. Karjakin, Magnus did put the rook on e2, an idea of
Caruana's second Kasimdzhanov, and had some pressure before the game was
eventually drawn.} Nf5 $5 {Also the latest trend.} ({People used to go} 10...
Re8 {and while that still makes a solid apperance, the preference by the
experts has been for this slightly more aggressive move.}) 11. d5 {Grabbing
space, or from Black's perspective, slightly weakening White's pawn chain.
Less ambitious but more solid is 11.c3 d5, with numerous games being drawn
shortly thereafter.} Re8 {Here everybody routinely played the standard move,
till Caruana in Baden tried 12.Bd3 against Aronian. Magnus' next move was
intended to be a novelty:} 12. Rxe8+ $5 {But to my surprise this had already
been played by Palac in 2005, against me! The unimpressive continuation being
12...Qxe8 13.Nd2 d6 draw agreed.} Qxe8 13. Qd3 $5 {Putting the bishop on d3
similar to Caruana looks like a normal move, while this somewhat goes against
chess principles. First developing your queen, and only then figuring out how
to proceed next is not excactly what is recommended in the beginners' books.
But apart from the primitive threats of taking the knight on f5, more
relevantly it supports the e4-square planning to transfer the knight there
eventually as well and in general having much more scope. Aronian seemed
surprised but after some thought played the obvious reply.} d6 14. Nd2 {
Intending Ne4, followed by c3 Bd2 Re1. The good thing about White's position
is that it has a lot of room for improvement! For Black it's more difficult,
and probably, especially in light of White not being fully developed, 14...
c6!? switching the position to an isolani-style type after a white dxc6 or a
black ...cxd5 would assure counterplay. But Black has an almost perfect pawn
structure so voluntarily ruining it is not an easy over the board decision.}
Bg5 $6 {A very logical move, assuring the exchange of the dark-squared bishops
and at the same time eliminating the Ne4 threat.} 15. Nf3 {A case (the
engines!) could be made for including g3+h4 to gain a bit of time, but Magnus
Magnus either wanted to assure himself of the following favourable exchanges,
or perhaps as the games later shows the relevance of, rather would not lose
the flexibilty on how to put his pawns on the kingside.} Bxc1 16. Rxc1 Bd7 17.
Re1 {At first sight it looks like a typical quick Re1 Berlin draw is in
progress. Rooks will be exchanged in the e-line and White has absolutely
nothing constructive to do with his moderate space advantage. But details do
matter! After 17...Qf8 White will immediately attack Black's queenside with
moves like 18.Qb3 or 18.Qc4, when Black face a passive defence using his rook
to defend the weakness on especially c7. Perhaps a small difference, but with
a huge effect. Black has no way of getting the neccesary echanges and is
doomed to passive defence. His position is so solid that the chances of sucess
obviously is there, but White's edge, as indicated by the engines, is
certainly larger than it looks at first sight.} Qd8 18. Qc4 g6 19. h3 Ng7 20.
Re3 {A nice setup, the rook might be used to attack the vulnerable spots on
the queenside, or more directely, the black kingside as in the game. It does
however give Aronian a chance to change the structure play with an isolani.} a5
({After} 20... c5 $1 21. dxc6 Bxc6 {Black obviously is slightly worse, but in
a less suffocating way than the game.}) 21. a4 {Now ...c5 would leave the
b5-square weak, thus 21...c6!} Ne8 22. Qd4 {An ideal square for White's queen.
Normally ...Qf6 would chase it away, but with the pawn already on g6, White
always has the small tactic Rxe8+! meaning Black will never achieve a Qf6+Kg7
setup.} Ng7 23. g4 $5 {Logical and strong. Magnus cntrols the f5-square, not
allowing ...Nf5 attacking his queen. Weakening his own king is not a concern
due to Black's passivity, but even so the engine does seem to think White
would optimize his edge with the less compromising 23.Bd3.} c6 {At last, and
with the logical justification that White's last move has changed the battle
from a positional one to a tactical, Aronian stops caring about his pawn
structure but tries creating counterplay.} (23... Qf8 {intending 24...Re8
looks solid and logical, but} 24. Ng5 $1 {becomes alarming as if} Re8 ({
Suffice it to say that the engines suggests} 24... Qd8 $1) {then} 25. Ne4 $1 {
gets access to the f6-square with immediate disaster for Black.}) 24. c4 Ne8 {
With all this suffering , why not at least have a pawn for it?} (24... c5 25.
Qf4 Bxa4 {is possible, when White has excellent compensation in numerous ways,
the engines preferring} 26. Ra3 $5 Bd7 27. Rb3 {eyeing the b6-square!}) 25. Qf4
Kg7 {Adding to his misery, Levon was also now desperately short of time, and
Magnus now pulls off an almost basketball like trick, first looking to one
side, but the attacking fiercly on the other:} 26. Rb3 {Just a decoy.} Rb8 27.
Ng5 $1 Nf6 $2 (27... Qf6 {still defends, as while} 28. Qd2 {does attack the
a5-pawn Black can defend with} h6 29. Ne4 Qd8 {without facing disaster. Now
however swift tactics decide.}) 28. Rf3 $1 h6 {Not even a blunder, as Black
has no meaningful defence anyway.} ({The d6-pawn is attacked, and} 28... Qe7
29. Re3 Qf8 {leaves White so many options that the engine does not even
mention that 30.Qxf6+?! followed by Nxh7+ wins a pawn. Easiest is} 30. Qd4 $1 {
with a crushing pin.}) 29. Ne4 $1 Nxe4 30. Qxf7+ Kh8 31. Qxg6 {And with the
combined threats to the knight in e4 and the h6-pawn as well as Rf7 mating,
Aronian resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.06.01"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D87"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[Annotator "Sumets,A"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8.
Ne2 O-O 9. O-O Nc6 10. Be3 Na5 11. Bd3 b6 12. Rc1 {The main line. Up to the
moment, this line has been practically studied to the end.} (12. Rb1 {Recently
GM Anton Korobov, who is one of the best experts of 7.Bc4, has found a fresh
idea.} cxd4 13. cxd4 e6 14. Qa4 Bb7 15. Rfd1 Rc8 (15... Qe7 $5 16. Bd2 Nc6 17.
Rdc1 (17. d5 $6 exd5 18. exd5 Ne5 19. Bb4 $2 Qh4 $17) 17... Rfc8 18. Rc4 Qd6
$11) 16. Nf4 Qe8 17. Qa3 Qd8 18. d5 exd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 $16 {1/2 (35)
Korobov,A (2664)-Mchedlishvili,M (2600) 1/2 (35) Batumi GEO 2018}) 12... e5 13.
dxc5 Be6 14. c4 {With two ideas: 1) cxb6 axb6 c5!; 2) Ne2-c3-d5. (M. Krasenkow)
.} ({Black can easily equalise the game after} 14. cxb6 axb6 15. c4 Qb8 16. Rc3
Rc8 17. Qc2 Bf8 18. Rb1 Bc5 19. Bxc5 Rxc5 20. Nc1 Qc7 21. Nb3 Rc6 22. Nd2 {
1/2 (22) Van Wely,L (2677)-Eljanov,P (2687) Foros 2008}) 14... bxc5 15. Bxc5
Bh6 $1 (15... Re8 $6 16. Be3 Re7 17. Qc2 Rd7 18. Rfd1 Nc6 19. a3 {M. Krasenkow:
'White has consolidated his position keeping a healthy extra pawn'.} Qa5 $6 (
19... Bf8 $5 20. c5 Qa5 21. Qc3 Rad8 {and Black has some compensation for the
sacrificed pawn.}) 20. Nc3 Qxa3 21. Nd5 $16 {see the game Topalov,V-Svidler,P
Morelia/Linares 2006 annotated by M. Krasenkow.}) 16. Rc3 (16. Bxf8 Bxc1 17.
Nxc1 Qxf8 ({Black could have solved all his problems after} 17... Kxf8 $1 {
Krasenkow,M} 18. Nb3 (18. c5 $6 Rc8 $15) 18... Bxc4 19. Bxc4 Nxc4 $11) 18. Qa4
Nb7 19. Qc2 Rc8 20. Nb3 Qb4 21. Rc1 a5 22. Be2 Rd8 {Black's compensation is
enough to make a draw.} 23. Rb1 Qa4 (23... Qd6 $1 24. h3 (24. Rd1 Qb4 25. Rb1
$11) 24... a4 25. Nc1 Nc5 $44) 24. h3 Rc8 25. Rc1 $14 {Zhou,J (2566)-Sutovsky,
E (2655) Khanty-Mansiysk 2007 1-0 (55)}) (16. f4 Re8 17. Bf2 (17. Be3 Re7 {
This looks stronger than 17...Qc7} (17... Qc7 18. Qe1 Rad8 19. Qc3 Bg4 20. c5
Nc6 21. Qc4 Be6 22. Qb5 a6 23. Qb1 Bxa2 $17 {Hawkins,J (2383)-Howell,D (2597)
0-1 (41) Halifax 2009}) 18. Qc2 Rd7 19. Rcd1 Bg4 ({Black should have preferred
} 19... Nc6 $1 20. Qc3 Rc8 21. c5 Bg4 22. Rd2 (22. h3 $6 exf4 $1 23. hxg4 Bg7
24. Qb3 fxe3 25. Bc4 Rd2 $1 26. Bxf7+ Kh8 $17) 22... Bxe2 23. Bxe2 Rxd2 24.
Bxd2 Qd4+ 25. Qxd4 Nxd4 26. Ba6 Rxc5 $15) 20. h3 exf4 21. Bxf4 {1/2 (21) Zhou,
J (2580)-Li,C (2582) Beijing 2008}) (17. f5 Qc7 $1 18. Bf2 Bxc4 19. Bxc4 Nxc4
20. Nc3 Nb2 (20... Bxc1 $5 21. Qxc1 Nb6 22. Qh6 Qd6 {White still needs to
prove that he has enough compensation for an exchange.}) 21. Nd5 Qxc1 22. Nf6+
Kg7 23. Nxe8+ Rxe8 24. f6+ Kg8 25. Qxc1 Bxc1 26. Rxc1 Nd3 27. Rc3 Nxf2 28. Kxf2
h5 29. Rc6 Re6 $4 (29... g5 $11) 30. Rxe6 fxe6 31. g4 $1 $18 {Harikrishna,P 
(2664)-Sutovsky,E (2656)1-0 (40) Montreal 2007}) 17... exf4 18. Nd4 Bg7 (18...
f3 19. Qxf3 Bxc1 20. Rxc1 Bd7 21. c5 $44) 19. Be2 f3 20. Nxf3 Rc8 21. c5 Bxa2
22. Ba6 Qxd1 23. Rfxd1 Bb2 24. Bxc8 Rxc8 25. Ra1 $14 {Ponomariov,R (2754)
-Kovchan,A (2558)1-0 (47) Kiev 2011}) 16... Re8 17. Qc2 (17. Ba3 Qc7 18. Qc2 {
leads to the same position.}) (17. Be3 Bxe3 18. fxe3 Qg5 19. Qc1 Red8 20. Kh1
Nb7 21. c5 Nxc5 22. Rxc5 Rxd3 23. Nf4 Rd6 24. Qa1 (24. Rc6 Qe7 25. Qc5 Rad8 $11
) 24... Rad8 25. Rxe5 Qg4 26. h3 Qg3 27. Qe1 {1/2 (27) Giri,A (2517)-Danin,A 
(2498) Bussum 2009}) 17... Qc7 18. Ba3 Rab8 19. h3 $146 {A novelty. Levon made
an useful waiting move and Shahriyar should take a decision. Black would not
have any problems after 19.h3 if he could ask a strong computer.} (19. c5 $6
Red8 20. Bc1 $1 (20. c6 Rb6 21. Rb1 $6 (21. Bc1 $142 Bxc1 22. Rxc1 Nxc6 $15 {
Krasenkow,M}) 21... Rxc6 22. Rxc6 Nxc6 23. Bc1 Bxc1 24. Rxc1 Qd6 $1 25. Qxc6
Qxc6 $2 26. Rxc6 Rxd3 $15 {See the game Van Wely,L - Shirov,A Foros 2008
annotated by M. Krasenkow.}) 20... Bxc1 21. Nxc1 Nc6 22. Qa4 Rd4 $44 {Black
has excellent compensation for the sacrificed pawn.} 23. Qa3 Nb4 24. Re1 h5 (
24... a5 $1 25. Bf1 a4 $15) 25. h3 h4 (25... a5 $1) 26. Bb1 Nc6 $6 27. Bc2 $1
Rbb4 (27... a5 28. Ba4) 28. Nb3 Rd8 29. Qc1 $14 {Korotylev,A (2587)-Timofeev,A
(2671) Moscow 2009 1-0 (49)}) (19. Bc1 Bf8 (19... Bxc1 20. Nxc1 Nc6 $44) 20. c5
Nc6 21. Be3 Nb4 22. Qa4 Bd7 23. Qd1 Nxa2 $11 24. Ra3 Be6 25. Qa4 Red8 26. Bb1
Nb4 27. Rc1 Nc6 28. Ba2 Bxa2 {1/2 (28) Milov,V (2690)-Sutovsky,E (2642) Israel
2008. Black should have continued the game.} 29. Rxa2 Nb4 30. Raa1 Nd3 31. Rc3
Bxc5 32. Bxc5 Nxc5 33. Qc2 Rb5 34. h3 Qb6 $17) 19... Red8 (19... Rec8 20. Bc1
Bxc1 21. Rxc1 Qc5) 20. Bc1 Bf8 (20... Bxc1 $5 21. Qxc1 Qc5 22. Ng3 Rd4 23. Qh6
f6 24. Rfc1 Nc6 {Black has good chances to level the game.}) 21. Bg5 Rd7 (21...
Rdc8 22. c5) 22. c5 h6 ({Black could have tried} 22... Nc6 23. Bc4 Nb4 24. Qa4
Bxc4 25. Rxc4 Nd3 26. c6 Rd6 {but White can get a big advantage after} 27. Be3
$1 Nb2 28. Qxa7 Qxa7 29. Bxa7 Nxc4 30. Bxb8 Rxc6 31. Rc1 f6 32. a4 $16 {
White has good chances to win the game.}) 23. Be3 Nc6 24. Bc4 $16 {Levon
should be satisfied with the opening result, White has an extra pawn without
conceding any compensation.} Nd4 (24... Bxc4 $6 25. Rxc4 {with the following
Nc3, Nd5}) 25. Bxd4 exd4 26. Bxe6 dxc3 $6 ({Shahriyar should have tried} 26...
fxe6 $1 27. Rg3 {[%emt 0:00:27] This looks very tempting, White attacks the
pawn and Black can't defend it. However it is not the strongest continuation.
I think White should choose between 27.Rb3 and 27.c6} (27. Rb3 $5 Rc8 28. Qc4
Qe5 (28... Qc6 29. Rg3 g5 30. Nxd4 Qxe4 31. Rg4 Rxc5 32. Qxe6+ Qxe6 33. Nxe6
$14) 29. c6 Rd6 30. Qd3 Rdxc6 31. f4 Qg7 32. e5 $16) (27. c6 $5 dxc3 28. cxd7
Qxd7 29. Qxc3 Bg7 30. Qc4 $16) 27... Bxc5 $1 (27... Kh7 $2 28. e5 Rg7 29. Nf4
$18) 28. Rxg6+ Kh7 29. Rxe6 (29. Rg3 $2 d3 $1 30. Rxd3 Bxf2+ 31. Rxf2 Qxc2 32.
Rxd7+ Kg8 33. Rff7 Qxe4 $15) 29... d3 30. Qd2 Bxf2+ $1 31. Kh1 (31. Rxf2 Rb1+
32. Nc1 $8 (32. Rf1 $4 Rxf1+ 33. Kxf1 dxe2+ 34. Qxe2 Qc1+ 35. Kf2 Rf7+ 36. Kg3
(36. Qf3 Qb2+ 37. Kg3 Rxf3+ $19) 36... Qf4#) 32... Rxc1+ 33. Rf1 Qc5+ 34. Kh2
$8 Rxf1 35. Qxh6+ Kg8 36. Rg6+ Kf7 37. Rg7+ Ke8 38. Qe6+ Re7 39. Rg8+ Rf8 40.
Qg6+ Ref7 41. Qe6+ Qe7 42. Qc8+ Qd8 43. Qe6+ $11) 31... dxe2 32. Rxh6+ Kg8 33.
Qxe2 Bd4 34. Qg4+ Bg7 35. Qe6+ Rf7 36. Rh4 Rb6 37. Qe8+ Rf8 38. Rxf8+ Bxf8 39.
Rg4+ Kh7 40. Qh5+ Bh6 41. Qf5+ Kh8 42. e5 Bg7 $11) 27. Bxd7 Qxd7 28. Nxc3 Qd4 {
Black can regain one pawn.} 29. c6 Qc4 30. Rc1 Qxc6 31. Nd5 $16 {Levon has
excellent chances to win the game.} Qxc2 32. Rxc2 Rb1+ 33. Kh2 Kg7 34. f4 (34.
Kg3 $5 {White wants to play f4 and after Re1 he can protect the e4-pawn by
playing Kf3. For example} Rb5 35. f4 Ra5 36. Kf3 Ra3+ 37. Ne3 $16) 34... Re1
35. e5 g5 36. g3 Rd1 37. Ne3 Rd3 38. Ng4 Be7 $6 (38... gxf4 $1 39. gxf4 h5 (
39... Be7 $5 {Black might not allow White to play Nf6}) 40. Nf6 Kg6 41. Rg2+
Kf5 42. Nxh5 Ra3 {Black has good chances to make a draw.}) 39. f5 Bd8 (39...
Kf8 $8 40. f6 Bd8 41. Nxh6 $18) 40. f6+ Kh7 41. e6 $1 fxe6 42. Rf2 {White wins
the bishop for two pawns.} Bc7 43. f7 Bxg3+ 44. Kg2 Bd6 45. f8=Q Bxf8 46. Rxf8
Ra3 47. Rf2 {Shariyar got a bishop for 2 pawns and an active rook} Kg6 48. Re2
Kh5 $1 49. Nf6+ ({White shouldn't take the e-pawn} 49. Rxe6 $6 Rxa2+ 50. Kg1
Ra1+ 51. Kg2 Ra2+ 52. Kg3 Ra3+ 53. Ne3 $8 $14) 49... Kg6 50. Ne4 e5 51. Rc2 Kf5
52. Ng3+ Ke6 53. Rf2 Kd5 54. Nf5 Ra6 (54... h5 55. Rd2+ Kc5 56. Ng3 h4 57. Ne4+
Kc4 58. Kh2 Re3 59. Nxg5 {White should win the endgame.}) 55. Kf3 Ra3+ $6 ({
I believe Shahriyar should have played} 55... e4+ 56. Kg4 Ke5 57. Rb2 Kd5 58.
Rd2+ Ke5 59. Ne3 Ke6 {White has some technical problems to win the game. For
example} 60. Kh5 (60. Rd4 Rxa2 61. Rxe4+ Kd6 62. Nf5+ Kd5 63. Re1 a5 64. Nxh6
a4 65. Kxg5 a3 66. h4 Rb2 67. Ng4 a2 68. Ra1 Kc4 $11) 60... Ke5 61. Rf2 Kd4 62.
Nf5+ Kd3 63. Rb2 Re6 64. Rb3+ Kd2 65. Ne3 Ke2 66. Ra3 a6 (66... a5 67. Ng4 $18)
67. Rb3 Kf3 68. Nf5+ Kf4 69. Ng3 Rf6 70. Ne2+ Ke5 71. Ra3 Rf3 72. Ra5+ Kf6 73.
Rxa6+ Ke5 74. Ra5+ Kf6 75. Kg4 Rf2 76. Nd4 e3 {Black has good chances to make
a draw.}) 56. Kg4 $1 h5+ $8 (56... Ra6 57. Rd2+ Ke4 58. Re2+ Kd5 59. Kh5 $18)
57. Kxh5 Rxh3+ 58. Kxg5 e4 59. Kg4 Ra3 60. Re2 $18 {White's position is
winning.} Ke5 61. Ng3 $2 {Now Black could have made a draw.} (61. Ne3 $1 {
According to the computer White should have played this.} Ra6 62. Kg3 Ra3 63.
Kf2 Kf4 64. Ng2+ Ke5 65. Ke1 {White should win.}) 61... Ra4 62. Kh3 {The white
king returns to the centre to stop the e-pawn.} Kf4 63. Kg2 e3 64. Rb2 Ra3 65.
Ne2+ Ke4 66. Kf1 Kd3 $2 {The decisive mistake.} ({After} 66... Ra6 {The
computer makes it a draw.} 67. Rb3 (67. Nc1 Rf6+ 68. Ke1 Rh6 69. Kd1 Rh7 (69...
Rh1+ 70. Kc2 Rh2+ 71. Kc3 Rxb2 $4 72. Kxb2 {is winning for White}) 70. Rb8 Rd7+
71. Kc2 Rc7+ 72. Kb2 Re7 {Black should make a draw.}) 67... Rb6 68. Rxb6 axb6
69. Ke1 Kd3 70. Kd1 Kc4 71. Kc2 Kb4 72. Kb2 Kc4 73. Nf4 Kd4 74. Kb3 Ke4 75. Ng2
Kf3 76. Ne1+ Ke2 77. Nc2 Kd2 78. a3 e2 79. a4 Kc1 80. Ne1 Kb1 $11) 67. Ke1 Ra6
68. Kd1 Rh6 69. Rb3+ Ke4 70. Rb4+ 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.06.02"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. Bg2 d5 8.
cxd5 Nxd5 9. Qb3 {Predictable.} ({Perhaps, it is time for White to revisit} 9.
Bd2) 9... Nc6 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. O-O Rb8 ({The main line used to be} 11... Qa5
12. Bd2 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Ba6 14. Rfd1 Qc5) 12. Qc2 ({White has a little pull after
} 12. a3 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Bd6 14. Qa4 {known since Atalik-Ulibin, 1996(!)}) 12...
Ba6 13. Rd1 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Qa5 {Aronian uses known ideas in a different
interpretation.} 15. Bb2 {Probably this is not the kind of future MVL
visualised for his bishop.} ({but} 15. Bd2 {was no longer possible on account
of} Bxe2 16. c4 Nb4) 15... Bc4 16. Rd4 Qa6 17. e4 (17. Ba3 Qxa3 18. Rxc4 Rfc8)
17... Nb6 18. a4 e5 19. Rd2 Qa5 20. Rd6 c5 21. Bh3 {I think Maxime was already
looking for an escape. Conveniently, Levon was OK with a draw, and the players
took the first chance for a repetition.} Nc8 22. Rd2 Nb6 23. Rd6 Nc8 24. Rd2
Nb6 25. Rd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.06.03"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D24"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2822"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "60"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bxc4 Nxe4 7. O-O Nf6 8.
Qa4+ Nc6 9. Ne5 Rb8 10. d5 exd5 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Qxc6+ Qd7 14.
Bxd5 O-O 15. Qxd7 Bxd7 16. Be3 Bd6 17. b3 a5 18. Rfd1 a4 19. Rac1 axb3 20. axb3
Rfe8 21. h3 Be6 22. Bxe6 Rxe6 23. Bc5 Bxc5 24. Rxc5 g6 25. Rxc7 Rxb3 26. Rcd7
Rb8 27. Rd8+ Rxd8 28. Rxd8+ Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.06.05"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qa4+ Nc6 8.
e3 O-O 9. Be2 dxc4 10. O-O Bd7 11. Bxc4 Bxc3 12. bxc3 Rfd8 13. Qa3 Qe7 14. Qxe7
Nxe7 15. Rab1 b6 16. Ne5 Be8 17. e4 Nc8 18. f3 Nd6 19. Be2 Kf8 20. Kf2 Rac8 21.
Nd3 Nb7 22. Nf4 c5 23. Ba6 Rc7 24. Bxb7 Rxb7 25. dxc5 Rd2+ 26. Kg3 Rxa2 27.
cxb6 Rxb6 28. Rxb6 axb6 29. c4 b5 30. cxb5 g5 31. Nd3 Bxb5 32. Rf2 Rxf2 33.
Nxf2 f5 34. exf5 exf5 35. h4 f4+ 36. Kg4 Bf1 37. hxg5 hxg5 38. Kxg5 Bxg2 39.
Kxf4 Bxf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.06.07"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Qc2
Nc6 9. Rd1 Qa5 10. a3 Re8 11. Nd2 e5 12. Bg5 Nd4 13. Qb1 Bf5 14. Bd3 {So far,
nothing that interesting has happened. We have covered many of the subtleties
in the annotated games Karjakin-Anand (this page) and Mamedyarov-Anand (Tata
Steel 2018 round 13.) I believe White is slightly better in this position, but
it is of course non-trivial to prove.} Bxd3 $1 (14... e4 $6 {is well met by}
15. Bf1 $1 {giving up a queen for three pieces.} (15. Bc2 {was nevertheless
enough for a slight edge in one of the classics.} Nxc2+ 16. Qxc2 Qa6 17. Bxf6
Qxf6 18. Nb3 $14 {Kortschnoj,V-Karpov,A Baguio City 1978}) 15... Ng4 16. cxd5
$1 Ne5 17. exd4 Nf3+ 18. gxf3 exf3+ 19. Be3 Bxb1 20. Nc4 $1 Qc7 21. dxc5 $16)
15. Qxd3 Ne4 16. Nxd5 (16. Ndxe4 {Maybe not the most precise, but safe enough.}
dxe4 17. Qd2 Ne6 18. Bh4 (18. Nxe4 Qxd2+ 19. Rxd2 f5 20. Nxc5 Nxc5 $13 {
leads to an imbalance and likely quite a good one for Black, who is likely to
recover the c4-pawn quite soon.}) 18... Qa6 19. Qe2 Rac8 20. O-O Bf8 21. Qg4
Qxc4 (21... Rxc4 $11 {equalised more reliably}) 22. Nxe4 Kh8 23. h3 Nc5 24.
Nxc5 Qxg4 25. hxg4 Rxc5 26. Rd7 $14 {Mamedyarov,S-Anand,V Tata Steel Masters
2018. Now White could potentially have a small something again.}) (16. cxd5
Nxc3 17. Qxc3 Qxc3 18. bxc3 Nc2+ 19. Ke2 f6 20. Bh4 Nxa3 21. Ne4 Rac8 $11) (16.
Ncxe4 dxe4 17. Qxe4 Qb6 {could well become another theoretical battleground,
because I believe White is probably a bit better.} 18. O-O (18. Qb1 Ne6 $1 19.
Bh4 Bxe3 {Tarjan,J -Zumsande,M Douglas 2015. is a very dangerous sacrifice and
indeed Black soon triumphed}) (18. Rb1 $5 h6 19. Bh4 g5 20. b4 Bf8 21. Bg3 Rad8
$1 22. exd4 (22. Rd1 f5 23. Qb1 f4 $11) 22... exd4 23. Be5 Bg7 24. O-O Rxe5 25.
Qd3 Qg6 26. Rb3 g4 $132 {Ding, L-Nakamura,H Sharjah 2017, We had a three
result positio though soon the players agreed a draw.}) 18... Ne2+ 19. Kh1 Qxb2
{Black lacks real alternatives. Now the hard move is:} 20. Nb1 $1 Nc3 21. Nxc3
Qxc3 22. Rd7 Bxa3 23. Qd5 Rf8 24. Rxb7 {White has extremely good compensation,
probably more than is needed.}) 16... Nxg5 17. b4 Qd8 18. bxc5 Nde6 19. O-O
Nxc5 20. Qb1 Nge6 (20... Qd6 {might improve slightly, but it is much of a
muchness.}) 21. Nf3 Nf8 {In spite of White's activity, there isn't an
advantage for him here, because of Black's amazing outpost on c5 for one or
other knight.} 22. Rd2 Rc8 23. Rfd1 Qd6 (23... e4 24. Nd4 Ng6 {is ambitious,
but this could just as easily backfire.}) 24. Nc3 Qg6 25. Rd5 Qxb1 26. Rxb1 f6
27. Nb5 Ne4 (27... Red8 $5 28. Nxa7 Rxd5 29. cxd5 Rd8 30. Rd1 Na4 $132 {
is actually ambitious for Black, based on White's bad knights (especially f3)
but I'm not sure how successful he will be.}) 28. Nd2 Nxd2 29. Rxd2 Re7 $11 {
It is already clear that the game will be drawn, now it is just a question of
how!} 30. Nxa7 Rxc4 31. Nb5 Rd7 32. Rxd7 Nxd7 33. Nd6 Rc3 34. Nxb7 Rxa3 35. h3
Ra8 36. Rd1 Nf8 37. Nc5 Rc8 38. Ne4 Rc7 39. Kf1 Ne6 40. Rd6 Kf7 41. Rb6 Nc5 42.
Nxc5 Rxc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D04"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 c5 4. b3 cxd4 5. exd4 g6 6. Bb2 Bg7 7. Nbd2 O-O 8.
Bd3 Nc6 9. a3 Nh5 10. O-O Nf4 11. Bb5 Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Re1 c5
15. Qc1 c4 16. Re3 Rc8 17. Qe1 Bh6 18. Bc3 cxb3 19. cxb3 a5 20. Nf1 Bxf3 21.
Rxf3 Ne6 22. Rd1 Qd6 23. a4 Bg7 24. Re3 Rb8 25. Bb2 Qb6 26. Nh2 Nxd4 27. Bxd4
Bxd4 28. Rxe7 Bc5 29. Re5 Qxb3 30. Rexd5 Rfe8 31. Qf1 Bb4 32. Ng4 Re6 33. Rd8+
Rxd8 34. Rxd8+ Kg7 35. Qa1+ Bc3 36. Rd3 Bxa1 37. Rxb3 Re1+ 38. Kh2 Re4 39. Ra3
Bd4 40. f3 Re1 41. Rd3 Bg1+ 42. Kg3 h5 43. Nh2 h4+ 44. Kxh4 Bxh2 45. Rd5 Re5
46. Rd3 Rh5+ 0-1

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. g3 Be7 6. Bg2 Ngf6 7. Ne2 O-O 8.
O-O Nxe4 9. Bxe4 e5 10. Qd3 h6 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. Qxd8 Rxd8 13. Bf4 Bf6 14. f3
c6 15. Rad1 Be6 16. b3 a5 17. a4 Nd7 18. Bc7 Re8 19. Nf4 Nc5 20. Nxe6 Nxe6 21.
Bb6 Be7 22. Bf2 Bc5 23. Bf5 Bxf2+ 24. Kxf2 Nc5 25. Rd4 g6 26. Bh3 Rad8 27. Rfd1
Rxd4 28. Rxd4 Kf8 29. Bf1 Ne6 30. Rd2 Nc5 31. Bc4 g5 32. Rd6 Kg7 33. h4 Re7 34.
hxg5 hxg5 35. Bf1 g4 36. Be2 gxf3 37. Bxf3 Ne4+ 38. Bxe4 Rxe4 39. Kf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Nd5 Nxd5 7. Bxd5 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. b4 Ba7 10. a4 h6 11. Be3 Ne7 12. Bb3 Ng6 13. O-O Kh8 14. Bxa7 Rxa7 15.
d4 Qf6 16. Qd3 Bg4 17. Bd1 Be6 18. g3 Bh3 19. Re1 Raa8 20. Nd2 Rae8 21. Bf3 Qg5
22. Qe3 Qd8 23. Bh5 Qc8 24. Qf3 Be6 25. Nf1 Ne7 26. Ne3 Ng8 27. Qd1 Nf6 28. Bf3
Bh3 29. Qd3 Nh7 30. Bh1 Ng5 31. a5 f5 32. exf5 Bxf5 33. Nxf5 Rxf5 34. Bg2 e4
35. Qe3 Nf3+ 36. Bxf3 Rxf3 37. Qd2 d5 38. Re3 Ref8 39. Rxf3 Rxf3 40. Re1 Rd3
41. Qc2 Qf5 42. Re3 Rxe3 43. fxe3 Kg8 44. c4 Qf3 45. Qc3 c6 46. cxd5 cxd5 47.
Qb3 Kh7 48. Qxd5 Qxe3+ 49. Kg2 Qf3+ 50. Kg1 Qd1+ 51. Kg2 Qc2+ 52. Kh3 e3 53.
Qe5 Qf2 54. Qe4+ Kh8 55. Qe8+ Kh7 56. Qe4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 e6 4. Nd2 Bd6 5. Ngf3 Bxf4 6. exf4 Nbd7 7. Bd3 c5 8.
c3 Qb6 9. Rb1 Qd6 10. g3 b6 11. O-O Bb7 12. Re1 O-O 13. b4 cxb4 14. cxb4 Rac8
15. Qa4 Rc3 16. Rb3 Rxb3 17. Qxb3 Rc8 18. Ne5 Ne4 19. Nxe4 dxe4 20. Bxe4 Bxe4
21. Rxe4 Rc1+ 22. Kg2 Nf6 23. Qb2 Rd1 24. Qc2 Nxe4 25. Qxd1 f6 26. Nf3 h6 27.
Qa4 Kh7 28. Qb3 Qc6 29. b5 Qd5 30. Qc2 f5 31. a4 Nd6 32. Qc6 Ne4 33. Qxd5 exd5
34. Ne5 Nc3 35. Nc6 Nxa4 36. Nxa7 Kg6 37. Kf3 Kf6 38. Ke3 Ke6 39. Kd3 Nb2+ 40.
Kc2 Nc4 41. Kc3 Nd6 42. f3 Nc4 43. Nc6 Na3 44. Kb4 Nc2+ 45. Kb3 Ne3 46. Kc3 g5
47. fxg5 hxg5 48. Kd3 Nc4 49. h4 f4 50. hxg5 fxg3 51. Ke2 Kf5 52. f4 Nd2 53.
Ne7+ Kxf4 54. g6 g2 55. Kf2 Ne4+ 56. Kxg2 Nf6 57. Nc8 Kg5 58. g7 Kg6 59. Nxb6
Kxg7 60. Na4 Kf7 61. b6 Nd7 62. b7 Nb8 63. Kf3 Ke6 64. Kf4 Kd6 65. Nc5 Kc7 66.
Ke5 Kc6 67. Ke6 Kc7 68. Kxd5 Nc6 69. Ke4 Kb6 70. d5 Nb8 71. Kd4 Kc7 72. Kc4 Kd6
73. Kd4 Kc7 74. Ke5 Kb6 75. Kd6 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a6 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. Bb3
Re8 9. Re1 Be6 10. Bc2 Ng4 11. Re2 Bxf2+ 12. Rxf2 Ne3 13. Qe2 Nxc2 14. Rb1 Bxa2
15. b3 Bxb1 16. Nxb1 N2d4 17. cxd4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 exd4 19. Nd2 c5 20. Qg4 Qc8
21. Qg3 d5 22. Nf3 dxe4 23. Bh6 g6 24. Ng5 f5 25. dxe4 c4 26. Rxf5 gxf5 27.
Nxh7+ Kf7 28. Qg7+ Ke6 29. Qf6+ Kd7 30. Qxd4+ Kc7 31. Bf4+ Kc6 32. Qxc4+ 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. e3 Bg7 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Be2 c5 6. O-O b6 7. d5 d6 8. Nc3
Na6 9. e4 Nc7 10. a4 Re8 11. Re1 Nh5 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 g5 14. Nd2 Nf4 15. Bg3
e5 16. Bg4 Bxg4 17. Qxg4 h5 18. Qf5 Nce6 19. Bxf4 Nxf4 20. Nc4 Re6 21. Kf1 Bh6
22. dxe6 fxe6 23. Qxf4 gxf4 24. Rad1 Qh4 25. Rxd6 f3 26. gxf3 Rf8 27. Ke2 Qxh2
28. Rxe6 Qh3 29. Rg6+ Kh7 30. Rg3 Qh2 31. Reg1 h4 32. Rg4 Bf4 33. R1g2 Qh1 34.
Nd5 Bg3 35. Nce3 Rg8 36. Nf6+ 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. c3 O-O 8.
Bc2 Bg4 9. d4 Re8 10. Re1 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 d5 12. Nf1 Bd6 13. Rxe8+ Qxe8 14. Ne3
Bh5 15. Bd2 c6 16. Nf5 Bc7 17. Ng3 Bg6 18. Bxg6 hxg6 19. Qb3 Nb6 20. Re1 Qd7
21. Ne5 Bxe5 22. dxe5 Ne8 23. Qd1 Nc7 24. b3 c5 25. h4 c4 26. h5 d4 27. Qf3
dxc3 28. Bxc3 Qd3 29. Re3 Qb1+ 30. Kh2 Ncd5 31. e6 fxe6 32. Re4 Qd3 33. Qg4
Nxc3 34. Rd4 gxh5 35. Qxe6+ Kh8 36. Rxd3 cxd3 37. Qg6 d2 38. Nf5 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.15"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Bf5 4. O-O e6 5. c4 c6 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Qb3 Qb6 8.
Qxb6 axb6 9. d3 Nc6 10. Nc3 Bc5 11. Nh4 Bg6 12. Nxg6 hxg6 13. a3 Kd7 14. Bd2
Nd4 15. Rad1 Nb3 16. Bf4 Bd4 17. Nb5 Rhc8 18. Nxd4 Nxd4 19. Rfe1 Nc2 20. Rf1
Nd4 21. Rfe1 Rc2 22. Kf1 Nb3 23. e4 d4 24. Bf3 Rxb2 25. Rb1 Rxb1 26. Rxb1 Rxa3
27. Bd1 Nc5 28. Rxb6 Rxd3 29. Be2 Rb3 30. Rd6+ Ke8 31. Rxd4 Nfxe4 32. Be3 b6
33. Kg2 Rb2 34. Bf3 f5 35. h4 Ke7 36. Rc4 Nd2 37. Bxc5+ bxc5 38. Rxc5 Kf6 39.
Bc6 Rb4 40. Rc2 Nc4 41. Bf3 g5 42. hxg5+ Kxg5 43. Be2 Nb6 44. Rc7 Kf6 45. Rb7
Nd5 46. Rxb4 Nxb4 47. f4 e5 48. fxe5+ Kxe5 49. Kf3 g5 50. Bc4 Nd5 51. Bd3 Nf6
52. Bc2 Ne8 53. Bd3 Nd6 54. Bc2 Kd4 55. Bxf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.15"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B43"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 a6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Qc7 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Bb4 8. O-O
Bxc3 9. bxc3 d6 10. Ba3 O-O 11. e5 dxe5 12. Bxf8 Kxf8 13. Nb3 Bd7 14. Na5 Ra7
15. Nxb7 Ke7 16. Rb1 Bb5 17. Re1 Nbd7 18. Qc1 Nd5 19. Qa3+ Kf6 20. Bxd5 exd5
21. Rxb5 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.16"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. O-O d6 6. Nc3 Na5 7. Bb5+ c6 8. Ba4
b5 9. Bb3 Be7 10. Ne2 O-O 11. Ng3 Re8 12. Bd2 Bf8 13. Re1 Qc7 14. Bxa5 Qxa5 15.
a4 Qb6 16. Nh4 d5 17. axb5 dxe4 18. bxc6 exd3 19. Qxd3 Bc5 20. Rf1 e4 21. Qc3
e3 22. Nhf5 exf2+ 23. Kh1 Be6 24. Nxh6+ Kf8 25. Nhf5 Bxb3 26. cxb3 Rac8 27.
Nxg7 Bd4 28. Qd2 Be3 29. Qd6+ Kxg7 30. Nf5+ Kg6 31. Nh4+ Kg7 32. Nf5+ Kg6 33.
Nh4+ Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.16"]
[Round "11"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 f6
8. Be3 e5 9. Nd2 Nd7 10. Nb3 h5 11. f3 Nb6 12. Kc2 Bd7 13. Nc5 Bc6 14. b3 Bh6
15. Bxh6 Rxh6 16. a4 Ke7 17. Bb5 Nd7 18. Nd3 Nb8 19. Nb4 a5 20. Bxc6 bxc6 21.
Nd3 Nd7 22. Rhd1 Rhh8 23. Rd2 Rhd8 24. Rad1 Nb6 25. Nc5 Rd6 26. h4 Ra7 27. Nd3
Ra8 28. Nc5 Ra7 29. g3 Nd7 30. Nd3 Rb7 31. Ra1 c5 32. Nb2 Nb6 33. Rad1 Rb8 34.
Rd3 Rg8 35. Rh1 Rgd8 36. Rhd1 Rg8 37. Rh1 Rgd8 38. Rhd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.16"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 a6 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. Bb3
Re8 9. h3 h6 10. Re1 Be6 11. Bc2 d5 12. Qe2 dxe4 13. dxe4 Nh5 14. Nf1 Qf6 15.
N3h2 Qh4 16. Qf3 Rad8 17. Ne3 Nf4 18. Nf5 Bxf5 19. exf5 Nd3 20. Bxd3 Rxd3 21.
Be3 e4 22. Qg4 Qxg4 23. Nxg4 Bd6 24. Bxh6 gxh6 25. Nf6+ Kf8 26. Nxe8 Kxe8 27.
Rxe4+ Kf8 28. Rae1 Kg7 29. R4e3 Rd2 30. R1e2 Rd1+ 31. Re1 Rd2 32. R1e2 Rd1+ 33.
Re1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.16"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B25"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nge2 Nf6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. d3 Nc6 8. Bg5
Rb8 9. Nd5 Ne8 10. c3 h6 11. Bd2 b5 12. f4 e6 13. Ne3 Ne7 14. g4 d5 15. e5 a5
16. d4 cxd4 17. cxd4 b4 18. f5 f6 19. fxe6 Bxe6 20. Nf4 Qb6 21. Qb3 Rd8 22.
Nxe6 Qxe6 23. exf6 Nxf6 24. Rae1 Nxg4 25. Rxf8+ Rxf8 26. Nxg4 Qxg4 27. Rxe7
Qxd4+ 28. Be3 Qh4 29. Qxd5+ Kh8 30. Rf7 Qe1+ 31. Rf1 Qxe3+ 32. Kh1 Rxf1+ 33.
Bxf1 Qc1 34. Qc4 Qxb2 35. Bd3 Qf6 36. Qe4 Kh7 37. h4 h5 38. Kg2 Qd6 39. Bc2 Be5
40. Qd3 Qc6+ 41. Qe4 Qf6 42. Qf3 Qe6 43. Qxh5+ Kg7 44. Qg5 Qc6+ 45. Kf1 Qc4+
46. Kg1 Bd4+ 47. Kh1 Qxc2 48. Qe7+ Kh6 0-1

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.16"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Nd5 Nxd5 7. Bxd5 d6 8.
Be3 Bxe3 9. fxe3 O-O 10. O-O Nb8 11. Qd2 Nd7 12. h3 c6 13. Bb3 Nc5 14. Rf2 a5
15. c3 Nxb3 16. axb3 Be6 17. c4 b5 18. Qc3 f6 19. d4 Qb6 20. Rc2 c5 21. Kh2
Rfc8 22. d5 Bd7 23. cxb5 Bxb5 24. Nd2 Rcb8 25. Rcc1 Qd8 26. Ra3 a4 27. bxa4
Rxa4 28. Rxa4 Bxa4 29. Ra1 Bb5 30. Ra7 h6 31. b3 Kh7 32. Qa1 Qf8 33. Qa5 Qd8
34. Qxd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.16"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B89"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nge2 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Be3 Be7 8.
Qe2 a6 9. O-O-O Qc7 10. Bb3 O-O 11. g4 Nxd4 12. Rxd4 b5 13. g5 Nd7 14. Rg1 Re8
15. Rg3 Bb7 16. Rh3 g6 17. f4 Nc5 18. f5 Nxb3+ 19. axb3 exf5 20. Qf2 b4 21. Nd5
Bxd5 22. Rxd5 Qc6 23. Rd4 d5 24. exf5 Bc5 25. Qh4 h5 26. gxh6 Kh7 27. fxg6+
fxg6 28. Qf2 Rf8 29. Rf3 Rxf3 30. Qxf3 Qe6 31. Rd3 Rf8 32. Qg3 Rf1+ 33. Kd2 Bd6
34. Qg2 Rf5 35. Kc1 Bf8 36. Kb1 Rh5 37. Bd2 Qe5 38. Qf3 Qf5 39. Qe3 Qf7 40. Qe2
a5 41. Rf3 Rf5 42. Rxf5 gxf5 43. Qa6 f4 44. Qd3+ Kg8 45. h7+ Qxh7 46. Qxd5+ Kh8
47. Bxf4 Qh3 48. Be5+ Bg7 49. Qd8+ Kh7 50. Qe7 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.16"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. Qe2 a5 13. Bg5 Ba6 14. Qf3 h6 15.
Rd1 hxg5 16. Rxd8 Raxd8 17. h3 Bc5 18. Bd5 Nxd5 19. exd5 e4 20. Qd1 e3 21. fxe3
Rfe8 22. Kh1 Rxe3 23. Nd2 Rxd5 24. Qc1 Rf5 25. Nb3 Bb6 26. Qd2 Bb7 27. Kh2 Rd5
28. Qc1 Re2 29. Qf1 Rde5 30. Rd1 Rf2 31. Rd8+ Kh7 32. Qd3+ g6 0-1

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.16"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B25"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nge2 Nf6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. d3 Nc6 8. Bg5
Rb8 9. Nd5 Re8 10. a4 e6 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. c3 d5 14. f4 dxe4 15.
dxe4 e5 16. f5 Qg5 17. Qd3 b6 18. h4 Qe7 19. h5 Rd8 20. Qf3 Ba6 21. hxg6 hxg6
22. Rad1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Rd8 24. Rd5 Bc4 25. f6 Qf8 26. Qe3 Bxd5 27. exd5 Na5 28.
g4 Nc4 29. Qg5 e4 30. Ng3 e3 31. Nf5 e2 32. Kf2 Re8 33. Ne7+ Kh7 34. Kxe2 Qh6
35. Qxh6+ Kxh6 36. b3 Nd6 37. Kd3 Kg5 38. Nc6 a5 39. b4 cxb4 40. cxb4 axb4 41.
Nxb4 Ra8 0-1

[Event "Leuven GCT blitz"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.16"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. e3 Bg7 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Be2 c5 6. c3 b6 7. O-O Bb7 8. Nbd2
d6 9. h3 Na6 10. Bh2 Nc7 11. a4 Ne4 12. Nxe4 Bxe4 13. Nd2 Bc6 14. b4 Qc8 15. b5
Bd5 16. a5 f5 17. Re1 Rb8 18. Bf1 Kh8 19. Ra3 e5 20. dxe5 dxe5 21. c4 Bb7 22.
a6 Ba8 23. Rd3 Qe8 24. Nb1 Ne6 25. Rd7 Rd8 26. Rxd8 Qxd8 27. Nc3 Kg8 28. Qc2
Qe7 29. Rd1 f4 30. Nd5 Qf7 31. Bd3 f3 32. Bg3 fxg2 33. h4 Kh8 34. Be4 g5 35.
Kxg2 gxh4 36. Bxh4 h6 37. Rh1 Rg8 38. Kf1 Rf8 39. Rh3 Qd7 40. Kg2 Nc7 41. Nc3
Qg4+ 42. Bg3 Ne6 43. Rh4 Bxe4+ 44. Qxe4 Qxe4+ 45. Rxe4 Kh7 46. Bxe5 Ng5 47.
Bxg7 Kxg7 48. Re7+ Rf7 49. Rb7 Ne6 50. Nd5 h5 51. f4 Nd8 52. Rxf7+ Kxf7 53.
Nxb6 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 e6 4. Nd2 Bd6 5. Ngf3 Bxf4 6. exf4 Nbd7 7. Bd3 c5 8.
c3 Qb6 9. Rb1 Qd6 10. g3 b6 11. O-O Bb7 12. Re1 O-O 13. a3 a5 14. Rc1 Rac8 15.
Qe2 Nb8 16. Qf1 Nc6 17. Qh3 h6 18. f5 exf5 19. Qxf5 Rce8 20. Bb5 Bc8 21. Qc2
Bd7 22. Bf1 Re6 23. Rxe6 Bxe6 24. Re1 Rc8 25. Qb1 cxd4 26. cxd4 Ne4 27. Nxe4
dxe4 28. Qxe4 Bd5 29. Qg4 Rd8 30. Re3 Be6 31. Qe4 Bd5 32. Qg4 Be6 33. Qe4 Bd5
1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[PlyCount "141"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. b3 c5 7. Bb2 Nc6 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Nc3 b6 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. d4 Be6 12. Qb1 a5 13. Rd1 Ra7 14. Bc3 a4 15.
bxa4 Rxa4 16. Qb5 Rc4 17. Rac1 Bf6 18. Qxc6 cxd4 19. Bxd4 Rxc6 20. Rxc6 Qa8 21.
Rxb6 Qa4 22. Rd2 Rc8 23. h4 Bd8 24. Rb3 h6 25. Kh2 Bf5 26. Rdb2 Bc7 27. Be5
Bxe5 28. Nxe5 Qe8 29. Nf3 Be4 30. Bh3 Ra8 31. Nd4 Qe5 32. e3 g5 33. h5 Ra6 34.
Rb6 Rxb6 35. Rxb6 Qc7 36. Rxh6 Qa5 37. Bg2 Qxa2 38. Bxe4 dxe4 39. Kg2 Kg7 40.
Rd6 g4 41. Nf5+ Kh7 42. Rf6 Qb3 43. Nh6 Qd5 44. Nxf7 Kg7 45. Rf4 Kh7 46. h6 Kg6
47. Rxg4+ Kxf7 48. h7 Qh5 49. Rh4 Qf3+ 50. Kg1 Qd1+ 51. Kh2 Qe2 52. h8=Q Qxf2+
53. Kh3 Qf5+ 54. Kg2 Qf3+ 55. Kg1 Qxe3+ 56. Kf1 Qf3+ 57. Ke1 Qxg3+ 58. Kd2 Qd3+
59. Kc1 Qc4+ 60. Kb2 Qb4+ 61. Kc2 Qc5+ 62. Kd1 Qg1+ 63. Ke2 Qg2+ 64. Ke3 Qf3+
65. Kd4 Qd3+ 66. Ke5 Qc3+ 67. Kf5 Qc5+ 68. Qe5 Qc8+ 69. Kg5 Qd8+ 70. Kh5 Qd1+
71. Rg4 1-0

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. c4 Nc7 14. d4 d5
15. cxd5 Nxd5 16. Nxd5 cxd5 17. Bf4 Be6 18. Qb3 Bf6 19. Be5 Bxe5 20. Rxe5 Qb6
21. Qxb6 axb6 22. Re3 Rfc8 23. Rb3 Rc6 24. Bb5 Rc7 25. Bd3 Rc6 26. Kf1 g6 27.
a3 Rac8 28. Ke2 Kf8 29. Kd2 Ke7 30. Re1 Kd8 31. h4 h5 32. g3 Bd7 33. Re5 Rd6
34. Rc3 Rcc6 35. Be2 Be6 36. Bb5 Rc7 37. Ree3 Rxc3 38. Kxc3 Kc7 39. Bd3 Rc6+
40. Kb4 Kd6 41. Re1 Bd7 42. Bb5 Rc8 43. Bxd7 Kxd7 44. Re2 Rc4+ 45. Kb5 Rxd4 46.
Kxb6 Rd3 47. Kc5 f6 48. a4 g5 49. hxg5 fxg5 50. Re5 b6+ 51. Kxb6 Kd6 52. Rxg5
Rb3+ 53. Ka6 Rxb2 54. Rxh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. O-O d6 6. Re1 g5 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. d4
O-O 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Be3 Bg4 11. Bc5 Re8 12. Bb5 a6 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Qxd8
Raxd8 15. Be3 Bf8 16. Nd2 Bb4 17. Nb3 Be6 18. Nc5 Bc4 19. a3 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Rb8
21. h4 gxh4 22. Bxh6 Rb2 23. Bg5 Nh5 24. Bxh4 Rxc2 25. Re3 f6 26. g4 Nf4 27.
Bxf6 Kf7 28. g5 Rd2 29. Rb1 Ne2+ 30. Kg2 Nf4+ 31. Kg1 Ne2+ 32. Kg2 Nf4+ 33. Kf3
Nh5 34. Rb7 Nxf6 35. Rxc7+ Re7 36. Rxe7+ Kxe7 37. gxf6+ Kxf6 38. Kg3 Ke7 39. f4
Kd6 40. Nb7+ Kc7 41. Na5 Bg8 42. c4 Kb6 43. Nb3 exf4+ 44. Kxf4 Rf2+ 45. Rf3 Ra2
46. c5+ Kb5 47. Ke5 Bxb3 48. Rxb3+ Kxc5 49. Rc3+ Kb5 50. Ke6 c5 51. e5 c4 52.
Kf5 Rf2+ 53. Ke4 Re2+ 54. Kd4 Rd2+ 55. Ke3 Rd1 56. Ke2 Rd7 57. e6 Re7 58. Re3
Kc5 59. Kd2 Kd4 60. Re1 Kd5 61. Kc3 Rxe6 62. Rxe6 Kxe6 63. Kxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. d5 Bc5 11. Re1 d6 12. Nc3 f5 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Rxe3
Nf6 15. Qd4 Ng4 16. Ree1 f4 17. f3 Ne3 18. Rac1 Bf5 19. Qxf4 Nxf1 20. Qd4 Nxh2
21. Kxh2 Qg5 22. Ne4 Bxe4 23. Qxe4 Rf6 24. Re3 Raf8 25. Rce1 Rg6 26. R1e2 h5
27. Qe7 Qg3+ 28. Kh1 Rf4 29. Qe8+ Kh7 30. Re4 Rxf3 31. Qxg6+ Kxg6 32. gxf3
Qxf3+ 33. Kh2 Kh6 34. c4 g6 35. b3 a5 36. Re6 h4 37. Rg2 Qf5 38. Re8 Qf4+ 39.
Kh3 g5 40. Rg8 Qe5 41. Kg4 b5 42. Rf8 bxc4 43. bxc4 Qe4+ 44. Kh3 g4+ 45. Kh2
Qe5+ 46. Kg1 g3 0-1

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.13"]
[Round "6"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 b6 8. Qxc4
Bb7 9. Nc3 c5 10. Rd1 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Qc8 13. Qd3 Nc6 14. Nxc6
Qxc6+ 15. Qf3 Rfc8 16. Bf4 Qxf3+ 17. Kxf3 Rc5 18. Be3 Rf5+ 19. Kg2 Bc5 20. Bd4
Bxd4 21. Rxd4 Rc5 22. Rad1 Kf8 23. Rd8+ Rxd8 24. Rxd8+ Ke7 25. Ra8 a5 26. Ra7+
Nd7 27. h4 Kd8 28. f4 Rc7 29. Ra8+ Rc8 30. Rxc8+ Kxc8 31. Nb5 Kd8 32. Kf3 Nc5
33. g4 Kd7 34. g5 Kc6 35. Nc3 b5 36. Ke3 b4 37. Ne4 Kd5 38. Nxc5 Kxc5 39. Kd3
f6 40. gxf6 gxf6 41. b3 Kd5 42. e4+ Kc5 43. h5 h6 44. Ke3 e5 45. f5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Re1 a6 7. c3 h6 8. Nbd2
O-O 9. Bb3 Ba7 10. Nf1 Re8 11. Ng3 Be6 12. Bc2 d5 13. exd5 Bxd5 14. Be3 Bxe3
15. Rxe3 Qd7 16. h3 Re7 17. Qd2 Rae8 18. Rae1 g6 19. Nh4 Nh7 20. Nh5 Kh8 21. d4
gxh5 22. Rg3 Re6 23. dxe5 Qd8 24. Nf5 Nxe5 25. Rg7 Nf3+ 26. gxf3 Rxe1+ 27. Kh2
Rh1+ 0-1

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.14"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d5 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. O-O dxe4 8.
dxe4 a5 9. a4 Qe7 10. h3 Ne8 11. Re1 Nd6 12. Bd3 Be6 13. Nf1 f6 14. Be3 Bxe3
15. Nxe3 Qf7 16. Qe2 Rfd8 17. Red1 Ne7 18. h4 Nec8 19. Bc2 Nb6 20. Nd2 Nbc4 21.
Ndxc4 Nxc4 22. Nd5 Bxd5 23. exd5 Nd6 24. c4 b6 25. Ra3 f5 26. Rc3 e4 27. c5
bxc5 28. Rxc5 Re8 29. Rc1 Re7 30. Bd1 f4 31. Qe1 f3 32. R1c3 Rf8 33. Qf1 Qg6
34. Kh2 Qg4 35. Rxc7 Qxh4+ 36. Kg1 Re5 0-1

[Event "Leuven GCT rapid"]
[Site "Leuven"]
[Date "2018.06.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B25"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2018.06.12"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BEL"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nge2 Nf6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. d3 Nc6 8. h3
Rb8 9. f4 Nd7 10. Nd5 e6 11. Ne3 b5 12. f5 Bb7 13. c3 b4 14. Ng4 bxc3 15. bxc3
exf5 16. exf5 Nce5 17. Bxb7 Rxb7 18. Nh6+ Bxh6 19. Bxh6 Re8 20. Nf4 gxf5 21.
Qh5 Qf6 22. Rae1 Rbb8 23. Re3 Kh8 24. Bg5 Qg7 25. Nd5 f6 26. Bh6 Qg6 27. Nf4
Qf7 28. Qxf5 Rb2 29. d4 cxd4 30. cxd4 Ng6 31. Ne6 Rg8 32. Rf2 Rxf2 33. Qxf2 Rc8
34. Qf5 Ne7 35. Qg4 Qg6 36. Nf4 Qxg4 37. hxg4 Ng8 38. g5 fxg5 39. Bxg5 Kg7 40.
Re6 Rc6 41. Re8 Kf7 42. Rd8 Ngf6 43. Kg2 Rc2+ 44. Kh3 Rxa2 45. Bxf6 Nxf6 46.
Rxd6 Rd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.20"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B25"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2018.06.20"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nge2 Nf6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. O-O Bg7 7. d3 h5 8. h3
Bd7 9. Nd5 Nxd5 10. exd5 Nd4 11. c3 Nxe2+ 12. Qxe2 O-O 13. Bg5 Re8 14. Qd2 Qc8
15. Kh2 e6 16. dxe6 Bxe6 17. Bh6 Bh8 18. Rfe1 Qd7 19. Be3 Rac8 20. d4 b5 21.
Rad1 Qc7 22. b3 a5 23. dxc5 dxc5 24. Bf4 Qb6 25. Qe3 Rcd8 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Bg5
Rb8 28. Rd1 Re8 29. Bf4 Bg7 30. Rd6 Qa7 31. Bc6 Re7 32. Rd8+ Kh7 33. Bd6 c4 34.
bxc4 bxc4 35. Ra8 Qxe3 36. fxe3 Bd7 37. Bxe7 Bxc6 38. Rxa5 Be4 39. Bb4 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.20"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2018.06.20"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. h3 Be6 7. Nc3 Qd6 8.
Be3 Bb6 9. O-O O-O 10. Ne2 Nd7 11. Ng3 f6 12. Qe2 a5 13. Nd2 Bxe3 14. fxe3 g6
15. Nf3 a4 16. Qf2 c5 17. a3 Ra6 18. Rad1 Qe7 19. c3 Bb3 20. Rc1 Rd6 21. d4 b6
22. h4 Bc4 23. Rfe1 h5 24. Qc2 b5 25. Nf1 Re6 26. N1d2 Nb6 27. b3 axb3 28. Nxb3
Bxb3 29. Qxb3 c6 30. dxe5 fxe5 31. Ng5 c4 32. Qb4 Qxb4 33. axb4 Rd6 34. Red1
Rd3 35. Ne6 Rf6 36. Nc5 Rxe3 37. Rd8+ Kg7 38. Rcd1 Re2 39. Rb8 Rff2 40. Rxb6
Rxg2+ 41. Kh1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2018.06.20"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nc3 h6 6. h3 a6 7. O-O d6 8. Ne2
Na5 9. Bb3 Nxb3 10. axb3 O-O 11. Ng3 Re8 12. Re1 d5 13. exd5 Qxd5 14. Bd2 e4
15. dxe4 Nxe4 16. Be3 Qxd1 17. Raxd1 Bd6 18. Nxe4 Rxe4 19. Nd2 Re8 20. Nc4 Bf5
21. Nxd6 cxd6 22. Re2 Rac8 23. c3 Be6 24. b4 Bc4 25. Red2 Bb3 26. Ra1 Rc6 27.
Ra5 Bc4 28. Rf5 f6 29. Rf4 d5 30. h4 Rce6 31. Kh2 Re4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E36"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2018.06.20"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. Bg5 h6 8.
Bxf6 Qxf6 9. Nf3 c6 10. h4 dxc4 11. g4 Qe7 12. g5 h5 13. Qxc4 Nd7 14. e3 c5 15.
Be2 b6 16. dxc5 Nxc5 17. b4 Nd7 18. Rd1 a5 19. O-O axb4 20. Qxb4 Nc5 21. Qxb6
Ba6 22. Bxa6 Rxa6 23. Qb5 Rfa8 24. Rc1 Ra5 25. Qc6 e5 26. g6 Ne6 27. Nxe5 fxg6
28. Rfd1 Kh7 29. Nf3 Qf6 30. Rd6 R8a6 31. Qd7 Rxd6 32. Qxd6 Qxf3 33. Qxe6 Rf5
34. Qa2 Qg4+ 35. Kf1 Qh3+ 36. Ke1 Qh1+ 37. Kd2 Rxf2+ 38. Kd3 Qxh4 39. Qd5 Qa4
40. Rc3 Qd1+ 41. Kc4 Rd2 42. Qc6 h4 43. e4 Qf1+ 44. Kb3 h3 45. Qc4 Qxc4+ 46.
Kxc4 h2 47. Rh3+ Kg8 48. Kc3 Ra2 49. Kb3 Rf2 50. a4 g5 51. a5 g4 0-1

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.21"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2018.06.20"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a6 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. Bb3
Ba7 9. h3 Be6 10. Bc2 d5 11. Ng5 Qe8 12. Ndf3 Rd8 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. Qe2 Nh5 15.
Kh2 Nf4 16. Bxf4 Rxf4 17. Rae1 Qf7 18. Ba4 b5 19. Bb3 h6 20. a4 Kh8 21. axb5
axb5 22. Bc2 Rf8 23. d4 exd4 24. exd5 exd5 25. Qd3 g6 26. Re2 dxc3 27. bxc3 Bc5
28. Rfe1 Bd6 29. Kg1 Rxf3 30. gxf3 Qf4 31. Kf1 Qxf3 32. Qxg6 Qh1+ 33. Qg1 Qxh3+
34. Qg2 Qxc3 35. Re6 Qd2 36. Rd1 Qf4 37. Rd3 Bc5 38. Rxc6 Qxf2+ 39. Qxf2 Rxf2+
40. Ke1 Rxc2 41. Kd1 Rc4 42. Rxc7 Rd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2018.06.20"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. g3 Be7 6. Bg2 Ngf6 7. Nxf6+ Bxf6
8. Nf3 O-O 9. O-O e5 10. Be3 exd4 11. Bxd4 c5 12. Be3 Bxb2 13. Rb1 Bf6 14. Nd2
Bd4 15. Bxd4 cxd4 16. Nb3 Nb6 17. Nxd4 Rb8 18. c4 Qc7 19. Rc1 Nd7 20. Qa4 a6
21. Qa3 Qc5 22. Qc3 Nf6 23. Rb1 b5 24. Qb2 Bf5 25. Nxf5 Qxf5 26. Rfc1 Rfc8 27.
cxb5 Rxb5 28. Rxc8+ Qxc8 29. Rc1 Qe6 30. Qd2 g5 31. Bf1 Re5 32. Qb2 a5 33. Rc6
Qf5 34. Qd4 Kg7 35. Bd3 Rd5 36. Bxf5 Rxd4 37. Bc2 Rd2 38. Kf1 Ng4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.22"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2018.06.20"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 Bxd3 17. Nd2 Qf5 18. Bd4 Rfe8 19. a4 h6 20. Kg2 Qxf3+ 21.
Nxf3 Rac8 22. Kg1 Rxe1+ 23. Rxe1 Bg6 24. axb5 axb5 25. h4 f6 26. Ra1 Bf7 27.
Ra7 Bf8 28. Nd2 Rc7 29. Kf1 c5 30. Rxc7 Nxc7 31. Bxf7+ Kxf7 32. Be3 Ke6 33. Ke2
Kd5 34. h5 c4 35. g4 Ne6 36. f3 Bd6 37. Ne4 Be5 38. Kd2 Nf4 39. Ng3 Ne6 40. Nf5
Bd6 41. Kc2 b4 42. b3 cxb3+ 43. Kxb3 bxc3 44. Kxc3 Bf8 45. Kd3 Ng5 46. Ke2 Ne6
47. f4 Nd8 48. Kf3 Nc6 49. Bb6 Ne7 50. Ne3+ Kc6 51. Bd4 Nc8 52. g5 fxg5 53.
fxg5 hxg5 54. Kg4 Kd7 55. Kxg5 Ke6 56. Kg6 Ne7+ 57. Kh7 g6 58. hxg6 Nxg6 59.
Kxg6 Bd6 60. Be5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2018.06.20"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Bxd2+ 7. Nbxd2 a5 8.
a3 Nbd7 9. O-O a4 10. Ba2 O-O 11. Re1 Re8 12. d4 exd4 13. exd5 Rxe1+ 14. Qxe1
cxd5 15. Rb1 Qb6 16. Nf1 Nf8 17. Qd1 Ne6 18. Ng3 Bd7 19. Ne2 Re8 20. Nfxd4 h6
21. c3 Nc5 22. Qc2 Qd6 23. f3 g6 24. Rd1 Kg7 25. Qc1 b6 26. Bb1 Re5 27. Bc2 Ne8
28. Ng3 Qf6 29. f4 Re7 30. Rf1 Ne4 31. Bxe4 dxe4 32. Qe3 Qd6 33. f5 Nf6 34.
fxg6 fxg6 35. Nge2 Qxh2+ 36. Kxh2 Ng4+ 37. Kg1 Nxe3 38. Re1 Nc4 39. Nf4 Re5 40.
b3 axb3 41. Nxb3 g5 42. Ne2 e3 43. Ned4 Nxa3 44. Ra1 Nb5 45. c4 Nxd4 46. Nxd4
Re4 47. Nc2 Be6 48. Ra7+ Kf6 49. Rb7 e2 50. Kf2 Bxc4 51. Rxb6+ Kf5 52. Rxh6
e1=Q+ 53. Nxe1 Re2+ 54. Kf3 g4+ 55. Kg3 Rxe1 56. Rh5+ Kg6 57. Rc5 Re4 58. Ra5
Be6 59. Ra3 Kg5 60. Ra5+ Bf5 61. Ra8 Re3+ 62. Kf2 Rb3 63. g3 Rb2+ 64. Kg1 Rg2+
0-1

[Event "Paris GCT rapid"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2018.06.20"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bxc3 6. Qxc3 Qe7 7. Be2 d5 8.
d4 exd4 9. Nxd4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 c5 11. Qh4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Be6 13. Bb5+ Bd7 14. Bd3
Ng4 15. Qxe7+ Kxe7 16. Bd2 Ne5 17. Be2 a5 18. Bc3 f6 19. f4 Nf7 20. O-O-O b6
21. g4 Be6 22. a3 Rad8 23. g5 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Rg8 25. h4 h6 26. Rg1 hxg5 27.
fxg5 fxg5 28. hxg5 Nd6 29. g6 Nf5 30. Kd2 Rh8 31. Be5 Rd8+ 32. Ke1 Nxe3 33.
Bxg7 Nc2+ 34. Kf2 Nd4 35. Bh5 Rd5 36. Bd1 Rf5+ 37. Ke3 Rd5 38. Bh8 b5 39. b4
axb4 40. axb4 Nf5+ 41. Kf4 Nd6 42. Bg4 Bxg4 43. Kxg4 Ne8 44. Re1+ Kd7 45. bxc5
Rxc5 46. Be5 Rc2 47. Kf3 Rc6 48. Rg1 Nf6 49. g7 Ng8 50. Ke4 Rc8 51. Rf1 Re8 52.
Rf7+ Ke6 53. Rf8 Kd7 54. Kd5 Rc8 55. Bd6 Re8 56. Rf7+ Kd8 57. Ra7 Re1 58. Ra8+
Kd7 59. Rxg8 Rd1+ 60. Kc5 Rg1 61. Ra8 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.23"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. b4 Bg4 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Qa4+ Bd7 7. Qb3 e6 8.
Bb2 Nc6 9. a3 a5 10. b5 a4 11. Qd1 Na5 12. Nc3 Nb3 13. Rb1 Nc5 14. Be2 Bd6 15.
O-O O-O 16. d4 Nce4 17. Nxa4 Qa5 18. Nc5 Nxc5 19. dxc5 Bxc5 20. Bd3 Bxa3 21.
Ra1 Qb4 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. Nd4 f5 24. Qh5 Qe7 25. g4 Qf6 26. Kh1 Kh8 27. gxf5 e5
28. Nc2 Bc5 29. Rad1 Ra2 30. f3 Rb2 31. Rg1 Bxb5 32. Bxb5 Rxc2 33. Rde1 Rc3 34.
Rg3 Bxe3 35. Rh3 h6 36. Ra1 Bf4 37. Bf1 Rg8 38. Rd1 d4 39. Bd3 Qg5 40. Qxg5
Bxg5 41. Rg3 Bf4 42. Rxg8+ Kxg8 43. Be4 b5 44. Rb1 Rc5 45. Kg2 Kg7 46. h4 Kf6
47. Ra1 0-1

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.23"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. b3 Bd6 5. Bb2 O-O 6. Nc3 c5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. d4
Nc6 9. Be2 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Re8 12. Rd1 Be5 13. Qd2 Bf5 14. O-O Rc8
15. Bf3 Ne4 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Qxd8 Rcxd8 18. Rxd8 Rxd8 19. Bxe5 exf3 20. gxf3
Rd2 21. Kg2 Rxa2 22. Rc1 Rc2 23. Rxc2 Bxc2 24. b4 b6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.23"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. a3 Be7 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8.
e5 Ne8 9. Bd3 d5 10. O-O f6 11. Bf4 fxe5 12. Bxe5 Bf6 13. Qe2 Nd6 14. Rae1 Bxe5
15. Qxe5 Bf5 16. Na4 Qh4 17. Bxf5 Rxf5 18. Qe6+ Rf7 19. b3 Re8 20. Qxe8+ Nxe8
21. Rxe8+ Rf8 22. Re6 Rf6 23. Re3 h6 24. Nc5 Qg4 25. Nd3 Re6 26. h3 Qf5 27.
Rfe1 Rxe3 28. Rxe3 Qf6 29. Re5 Kh7 30. b4 Qd6 31. Re3 a5 32. g4 axb4 33. axb4
Qf6 34. Kg2 h5 35. Re5 hxg4 36. hxg4 Kg8 37. Re8+ Kf7 38. Re3 Qg5 39. Kg3 Kg8
40. Re8+ Kh7 41. Re3 Qh6 42. Kg2 Kg8 43. Re2 Qh4 44. f3 Qf6 45. Re5 Qh6 46. Re2
1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Bd3 Qc7 6. Nd2 Nf6 7. Ngf3 Bg4 8.
Nf1 e6 9. Ng3 Nh5 10. O-O Bd6 11. Re1 Nxg3 12. hxg3 Bh5 13. a4 Bg6 14. Bf1 O-O
15. Bd3 Rfe8 16. Bxg6 hxg6 17. Ng5 Qd7 18. Qg4 f6 19. Nh3 Kf7 20. Bf4 Bf8 21.
Re2 Ne7 22. Qf3 Kg8 23. Rae1 Nf5 24. g4 Nd6 25. g5 Ne4 26. Qd3 Qf7 27. f3 Nd6
28. Bxd6 Bxd6 29. f4 Re7 30. g3 Rae8 31. Qd2 a6 32. Kg2 Rf8 33. Qd3 Rfe8 34.
Qd2 Rf8 35. Re3 Qe8 36. Qd1 Kf7 37. Nf2 fxg5 38. Nh3 gxf4 39. Rxe6 Rxe6 40.
Ng5+ Kg8 41. Rxe6 Qd7 42. Qh1 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.23"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. O-O d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. a4
a5 9. Re1 Bg4 10. Nbd2 Nb6 11. Bb5 Bd6 12. Ne4 Ne7 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd6 cxd6
15. Qxd4 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nc6 17. Qg4 Qf6 18. Bg5 Qg6 19. Be3 Nd5 20. Qxg6 hxg6
21. Rad1 Nxe3 22. Rxe3 Rfd8 23. f4 Kf8 24. Kg2 Ne7 25. Red3 Nf5 26. Rd5 b6 27.
Be2 Rac8 28. Rb5 Rc6 29. Bg4 Rc4 30. Bxf5 gxf5 31. Kg3 Rxa4 32. Rxb6 Ra2 33.
Rd5 g6 34. c4 Rc8 35. Rd4 Kg7 36. h3 Ra4 37. b3 Ra3 38. f3 a4 39. bxa4 Rxa4 40.
Rbxd6 Raxc4 41. Rxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Be3 Nd4 11. Bxd4 exd4 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. Bxd5 Rc8 14. a4 c6
15. Bb3 d5 16. axb5 axb5 17. exd5 c5 18. h3 Bh5 19. Re1 Bd6 20. Ra6 Qf6 21. Rc6
Rce8 22. g4 Bg6 23. Kg2 h5 24. g5 Qd8 25. Rxe8 Rxe8 26. c3 dxc3 27. bxc3 Bf5
28. Bc2 Qd7 29. Ng1 g6 30. d4 Bxc2 31. Qxc2 Bf8 32. c4 bxc4 33. Qxc4 Rd8 34.
dxc5 Qxd5+ 35. Qxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. Nf3 h6 5. O-O d6 6. Nc3 Na5 7. Bb3 c6 8. d4
Qc7 9. Qd3 Be7 10. Ne2 O-O 11. Ng3 c5 12. dxc5 dxc5 13. Bd2 Nxb3 14. axb3 Rd8
15. Qe2 b6 16. Bc3 Bd6 17. Nd2 Bg4 18. Qe3 Nd7 19. Nc4 Nf8 20. Nf5 Bxf5 21.
exf5 f6 22. Qe4 Be7 23. Rfe1 Qc8 24. Ne3 Rd7 25. f4 Qb7 26. Qxb7 Rxb7 27. fxe5
fxe5 28. Bxe5 Nd7 29. Bc3 Rf8 30. Nd5 Bd8 31. g4 Nf6 32. Bxf6 Bxf6 33. Nxf6+
Rxf6 34. Re8+ Kh7 35. Rae1 h5 36. h3 Rd7 37. Kg2 hxg4 38. hxg4 g6 39. R1e7+ Rf7
40. f6 Kh6 41. Rxd7 Rxd7 42. Re5 g5 43. Kf3 Kg6 44. Rf5 Kf7 45. Rxg5 Kxf6 46.
Rf5+ Kg6 47. Ke3 Rd1 48. c3 Rg1 49. Rf8 Rg2 50. Kd3 Rxb2 51. Kc4 Kg5 52. Rg8+
Kf4 53. g5 Kf5 54. Rg7 Ra2 55. Rg8 Ra3 56. Rg7 a6 57. b4 cxb4 58. cxb4 Re3 59.
Ra7 b5+ 60. Kd5 Re5+ 61. Kc6 Re6+ 62. Kb7 Kxg5 63. Rxa6 Re4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Be3 Nd4 11. Bxd4 exd4 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. Bxd5 Rc8 14. a4 c6
15. Bb3 d5 16. h3 Bh5 17. axb5 axb5 18. exd5 c5 19. c4 dxc3 20. bxc3 Bd6 21. c4
bxc4 22. dxc4 Qf6 23. Bc2 Bxf3 24. Qxf3 Qxf3 25. gxf3 Ra8 26. Rfe1 g6 27. Ba4
Rfd8 28. Bb5 Rxa1 29. Rxa1 Be5 30. Ra7 Rd6 31. Rc7 Bd4 32. Kg2 Rf6 33. f4 h6
34. Rc6 Rxf4 35. f3 Be3 36. d6 Rd4 37. d7 Kg7 38. Rc8 Bg5 39. Rxc5 Rd2+ 40. Kf1
Bh4 41. Rc8 Rf2+ 42. Kg1 Rxf3 43. c5 Rc3 44. c6 Rc1+ 45. Kg2 Rc2+ 46. Kf3 f5
47. c7 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 e5 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 O-O 7. d3 Nc6 8. Nbd2
b5 9. Nf1 b4 10. Ng3 h6 11. d4 bxc3 12. bxc3 cxd4 13. cxd4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4
15. Qxd4 Ng4 16. Qd1 Nf6 17. Be3 Be6 18. Bf3 d5 19. e5 Nh7 20. Nh5 Ng5 21. Nf4
Nxf3+ 22. Qxf3 Qd7 23. Qg3 Kh7 24. h3 Rac8 25. Rad1 Rc3 26. Nh5 Rg8 27. Qf4 Rc4
28. Rd4 Qa4 29. Nf6+ Bxf6 30. exf6 g5 31. Rxc4 Qxc4 32. Qxc4 dxc4 33. Bxa7 Ra8
34. Bd4 Rxa2 35. Re3 Kg6 36. g4 Ra6 37. f3 Rd6 38. Bc3 Rd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nbd7 6. Nf3 h6 7. Nxf6+ Nxf6
8. Be3 Bd6 9. Bd3 b6 10. Qe2 Bb7 11. O-O-O Nd5 12. c4 Nxe3 13. fxe3 Qe7 14. e4
e5 15. c5 bxc5 16. dxe5 Bxe5 17. Bb5+ c6 18. Nxe5 Qxe5 19. Bc4 Bc8 20. Rhf1 Be6
21. Bxe6 Qxe6 22. Kb1 O-O 23. Rf5 Rab8 24. Rxc5 Rb4 25. Qc2 Rfb8 26. b3 Rxe4
27. Rxc6 Qe8 28. Rc1 Rd4 29. Rc8 Rd8 30. Rxb8 Rxb8 31. Qc5 Qe4+ 32. Rc2 a6 33.
Kb2 Rd8 34. g3 g6 35. Qc3 Qe6 36. Qc6 Qe5+ 37. Qc3 Rd4 38. a4 h5 39. Ka2 Qd5
40. Ka3 Rd3 41. Qc4 Qd6+ 42. Ka2 Kg7 43. Qc6 Qxc6 44. Rxc6 Rd2+ 45. Ka3 Rxh2
46. Rxa6 h4 (46... Rh3 47. a5 Rxg3 48. Rc6 h4) 47. gxh4 Rxh4 48. a5 g5 49. Rb6
g4 50. Rb4 f5 51. a6 (51. Rf4 Kf6 52. Rf1 g3 53. a6 Kg5 54. Rg1 f4 55. b4 Rh8
56. b5 {keeps the pawns on an even course, so a draw is a likely result}) 51...
Rh8 {Kramnik's winning now.} 52. Rf4 Kf6 {This endgame is too complicated for
blitz - mistakes are unavoidable.} (52... Rf8 $1 53. a7 (53. b4 g3 54. Rf1 f4
55. Rg1 Kf6 56. b5 Ke6 57. b6 f3 58. Re1+ Kd7 $19) 53... Kf6 54. b4 Ra8 $19)
53. b4 Kg5 54. Rf1 g3 55. b5 Ra8 56. Kb4 f4 57. Ka5 g2 58. Rg1 f3 59. b6 Kf4 (
59... Rf8 60. a7 Kh4 61. b7 f2 62. b8=Q fxg1=Q $19) 60. b7 Rh8 $4 {Alright,
Kramnik blew a win, but losing it?} (60... f2 61. bxa8=Q fxg1=Q $11) 61. a7 {
White threatens to queen with check.} Ke3 62. b8=Q Rh5+ 63. Ka4 Rh4+ 64. Ka3 f2
65. Qg3+ Ke2 66. Rxg2 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.24"]
[Round "11"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D13"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. Nf3 a6 7. Rc1 Nh5 8.
Bd2 Nf6 9. Bf4 Nh5 10. Bd2 Nf6 11. Bf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.24"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B42"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5 6. Nb3 Be7 7. Qg4 g6 8. Qe2
d6 9. a4 Nc6 10. O-O Ne5 11. Kh1 Nf6 12. Nc3 Bd7 13. f4 Nxd3 14. cxd3 O-O 15.
Be3 b5 16. a5 Bc6 17. Rf3 Re8 18. Rh3 Bf8 19. Rf1 Bg7 20. Na2 Bb7 21. Nb4 Rc8
22. Bd4 Qe7 23. Bc3 h5 24. Qe1 e5 25. fxe5 dxe5 26. Rhf3 Qe6 27. Na1 Rc7 28.
Nac2 Rd7 29. Ne3 Ng4 30. Ned5 f5 31. h3 Nh6 32. Qf2 f4 33. d4 g5 34. dxe5 Bxe5
35. Bxe5 Qxe5 36. Nd3 Qd6 37. Nc5 Bxd5 38. Nxd7 Bxe4 39. Qb6 Qxd7 40. Qxh6 Bxf3
41. Rxf3 Qg7 42. Qxh5 Re6 43. Rd3 Qe7 44. Rd5 Re5 45. Qg6+ Kh8 46. Rd6 Qf8 47.
Qh5+ Kg8 48. Rg6+ 1-0

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.24"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2759"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. Re1 d5 11. Bf4 Bd6 12. Bxd6 Nxd6 13. Nd2 c6 14. c3
Bf5 15. Nf3 Qb6 16. Qb3 Qxb3 17. axb3 a6 18. b4 Rfe8 19. Rxe8+ Rxe8 20. Nd2 Kf8
21. f3 Ke7 22. Re1+ Kd8 23. Rxe8+ Kxe8 24. Kf2 Bc2 25. Be2 Kd7 26. h4 Kc7 27.
Nf1 Kb6 28. Ne3 Bg6 29. Ke1 Nf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.24"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A06"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. e3 d5 3. b3 Nf6 4. Bb2 Nc6 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. O-O e6 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8.
Ne5 Rc8 9. d3 Nd7 10. Nxc6 Rxc6 11. Nd2 Nf6 12. f4 Bd6 13. Nf3 O-O 14. Ne5 Bxe5
15. fxe5 Nd7 16. Qh5 Qe8 17. Qh4 Qb8 18. Qf4 f6 19. exf6 Qxf4 20. exf4 Nxf6 21.
Rae1 d4 22. a4 Nd5 23. Bc1 b6 24. Bd2 a6 25. Re4 Nf6 26. Re5 Kf7 27. h3 Rd8 28.
f5 Re8 29. g4 h6 30. Kg2 exf5 31. Rxe8 Nxe8 32. Rxf5+ Nf6 33. Kf3 g6 34. Re5 g5
35. Be1 Nd7 36. Rf5+ Ke6 37. Bg3 b5 38. axb5 axb5 39. Ke2 b4 40. Rf1 Ra6 41.
Kd2 Ra8 42. Re1+ Kf6 43. Rf1+ Ke6 44. Re1+ Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.24"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Be2 Nf6 4. c3 g6 5. O-O Bg7 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 8.
Re1 c4 9. Na3 Rc8 10. b3 cxb3 11. axb3 O-O 12. Nb1 Qb6 13. d4 e5 14. Bb2 d5 15.
exd5 exd4 16. c4 Nc5 17. Bxd4 Qxb3 18. Bxc5 Qxd1 19. Rxd1 Rxc5 20. Rxa7 Rxc4
21. Rxb7 Nxd5 22. g3 Rc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.24"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Bg5 Nf6 5. Bxf6 gxf6 6. Nc3 e6 7. e3 Nd7 8.
Bd3 f5 9. h3 h5 10. h4 Nf6 11. Nge2 Bd6 12. Qb3 a6 13. Rc1 b5 14. a4 b4 15. Nb1
Bd7 16. Qd1 Qa5 17. b3 Ne4 18. Kf1 Ke7 19. f3 Nf6 20. Kf2 Qb6 21. Nd2 f4 22. e4
Be5 23. exd5 Bxd4+ 24. Kf1 Nxd5 25. Nc4 Ne3+ 26. Nxe3 Bxe3 27. Rc4 Rac8 28. g3
Rxc4 29. Bxc4 Bc6 30. Nxf4 Bxf4 31. gxf4 Qe3 32. Rh3 Rg8 0-1

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.24"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a6 7. Re1 h6 8. Bb3
O-O 9. h3 Re8 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. Bc2 d5 12. exd5 Qxd5 13. b4 Bf8 14. a4 b5 15.
Qe2 Rad8 16. axb5 axb5 17. Ne4 Nxe4 18. dxe4 Qc4 19. Qxc4 Bxc4 20. Be3 Bd6 21.
Nd2 Be6 22. Red1 Ra8 23. Bd3 Rxa1 24. Rxa1 Rb8 25. Ra3 f6 26. Kf1 Kf7 27. Ke2
h5 28. h4 Ke8 29. f3 Bf7 30. Kd1 Nd8 31. Nb3 Bxb3+ 32. Rxb3 Ne6 33. Kc2 Rb7 34.
Bf1 Ke7 35. g3 g6 36. Bh3 c6 37. Ra3 Nc7 38. Kb3 Ke8 39. Ra1 Ke7 40. Ba7 Ne6
41. Be3 Nc7 42. g4 hxg4 43. fxg4 Ne6 44. g5 fxg5 45. hxg5 Nf4 46. Bc8 Rc7 47.
Ra8 c5 48. Ba6 cxb4 49. cxb4 Rc4 50. Ra7+ Kf8 51. Bd2 Rxe4 52. Bxb5 Ne6 53. Bc4
Nd4+ 54. Kb2 Nc6 55. Bd5 Rd4 56. Bxc6 Rxd2+ 57. Kc3 Rd4 58. b5 Bb4+ 59. Kb3 Bc5
60. Rd7 Rxd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Paris GCT blitz"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "2018.06.24"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2018.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d5 6. exd5 Qxd5 7. Qb3 O-O 8.
O-O Qxb3 9. axb3 e4 10. dxe4 Nxe4 11. Bf4 Bb6 12. Nbd2 Nxd2 13. Nxd2 Be6 14.
Nc4 Rfd8 15. Nxb6 cxb6 16. b4 a6 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. Bc7 Rd2 19. Bxb6 Rxb2 20. h3
Ra2 21. Rxa2 Bxa2 22. Rd1 Bc4 23. Rd7 Re8 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.19"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E91"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. Be2 c5 7. O-O Re8 8. Re1
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nc6 10. Be3 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Bd7 12. Qd3 Bc6 13. Rad1 a5 14. b3 Nd7
15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Qd4+ Kg8 17. Bf1 Qb6 18. Qxb6 Nxb6 19. f4 Nd7 20. Kf2 Nc5 21.
Ke3 f6 22. g3 Kf7 23. Be2 Rac8 24. Rd2 Ra8 25. h4 h5 26. Rf1 Kg7 27. Bf3 Nd7
28. Ne2 Rec8 29. Bg2 Nc5 30. Nd4 Ra6 31. f5 Rb6 32. Rb1 Bd7 33. Bf3 Rh8 34. a3
Bc8 35. b4 axb4 36. axb4 Nd7 37. Ne6+ Kf7 38. Nf4 gxf5 39. Bxh5+ Kg7 40. exf5
Ne5 41. Be2 Bxf5 42. Rbb2 Rc8 43. Nd5 Ra6 44. Nxe7 Rxc4 45. Nxf5+ Kg6 46. Nxd6
Ra3+ 47. Kf2 Rcc3 48. Nb5 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.20"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O
8. Bc4 c6 9. O-O Nd7 10. Re1 d5 11. Bf1 Nf6 12. h3 Re8 13. a4 Bf5 14. a5 Qd7
15. Nd4 Bg6 16. b4 Bd6 17. Nb3 Ne4 18. Bd4 Bc7 19. Qf3 Qd6 20. g3 b6 21. axb6
axb6 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. Qe3 Rb8 24. Bg2 h6 25. f4 Nf6 26. Be5 Qd7 27. Bxf6 gxf6
28. Nd4 c5 29. bxc5 bxc5 30. Nb3 Bb6 31. Kh2 Bxc2 32. Nd2 d4 33. cxd4 cxd4 34.
Qe2 d3 35. Qh5 Kg7 36. Be4 Re8 37. Bf5 Qd4 38. Qg4+ Kf8 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.21"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Be3 Nf6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Qd2 Nc6 7. d5 Nb4 8. a3
Na6 9. Bxa6 bxa6 10. Bh6 c6 11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. O-O Qb6 13. Rab1 cxd5 14. exd5
Bb7 15. Rfe1 Rfe8 16. Re3 Rac8 17. b4 a5 18. bxa5 Qa6 19. h3 Rc5 20. Qd4 Bxd5
21. Rbe1 e5 22. Nxe5 Rxc3 23. Rxc3 dxe5 24. Rxe5 Rxe5 25. Qxe5 Qxa5 26. g4 h6
27. h4 Qa4 28. g5 Qg4+ 29. Kf1 Qd1+ 30. Qe1 Bg2+ 31. Kxg2 Qxe1 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.22"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 Qb6 4. Nc3 a6 5. Bc4 cxd4 6. exd4 e6 7. Nge2 d5 8.
Bb3 Bd7 9. O-O Be7 10. Qe1 O-O 11. Rd1 Nc6 12. Rd3 Rfe8 13. Qd2 Na5 14. Rh3
Nxb3 15. axb3 Bb5 16. Be5 Qc6 17. Re1 Bxe2 18. Rxe2 b5 19. Qg5 b4 20. Nd1 Qb5
21. Re1 h5 22. Ne3 Kf8 23. Rg3 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.23"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. h3 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Bd3 a6
9. a4 Nbd7 10. O-O e5 11. Bg5 h6 12. Be3 Nh7 13. Qd2 f5 14. Bxh6 f4 15. Bxg7
Kxg7 16. Nh2 Ndf6 17. Be2 Rh8 18. f3 Ng5 19. Ng4 Nxh3+ 20. gxh3 Rxh3 21. Rf2
Nxg4 22. fxg4 Qh4 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.24"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A47"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 e6 3. e3 c5 4. Nd2 cxd4 5. exd4 Be7 6. Ngf3 O-O 7. Bd3 b6 8.
O-O Bb7 9. Re1 d6 10. c3 a6 11. Ng5 h6 12. Nge4 Nxe4 13. Nxe4 Bxe4 14. Bxe4 d5
15. Bc2 Bg5 16. Qd3 g6 17. Rxe6 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.25"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E91"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. Be2 c5 7. O-O Re8 8. Re1
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nc6 10. Be3 Bd7 11. Qd2 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Bc6 13. f3 a5 14. b3 Nd7 15.
Rac1 Bxd4+ 16. Qxd4 Nc5 17. Red1 Qb6 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. cxd5 Rec8 20. Kf1 Qb4 21.
Qxb4 axb4 22. Rc2 Nd7 23. Rdc1 Rc5 24. Rxc5 Nxc5 25. Rc2 Kg7 26. Kf2 g5 27. Ke3
Kg6 28. Kd4 f5 29. exf5+ Kxf5 30. Bd1 b5 31. Re2 Kf6 32. Rd2 Nd7 33. Be2 Ra5
34. Rc2 Ne5 35. Ke3 Ng6 36. g3 Ne5 37. f4 gxf4+ 38. Kxf4 Ng6+ 39. Ke4 Ne5 40.
h4 h6 41. g4 Ra8 42. Bd1 Rg8 43. Rf2+ Kg7 44. Be2 Rc8 45. Bxb5 Nxg4 46. Rg2 h5
47. Bd7 Rc1 48. Bxg4 hxg4 49. Rxg4+ Kf6 50. Rf4+ Kg6 51. Kd3 Rc3+ 52. Kd4 Rc2
53. Re4 Kf6 54. h5 Rxa2 55. Rh4 Kg5 56. Rh3 Kh6 57. Kc4 Rd2 58. Re3 Kxh5 59.
Rxe7 Kg5 60. Re6 Kf5 61. Rxd6 Rc2+ 62. Kxb4 Ke5 63. Rd8 Rc1 64. Kb5 Kd4 65. b4
Rb1 66. d6 Kd5 67. Ka5 Kc6 68. Rc8+ Kxd6 69. b5 Kd7 70. Rc2 Ra1+ 71. Kb6 Rb1
72. Ka6 Ra1+ 73. Kb7 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.26"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "199"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 cxd4 4. exd4 e6 5. Nf3 Be7 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. Bd3 b6 8.
O-O Ba6 9. Bxa6 Nxa6 10. Re1 d6 11. h3 Qd7 12. a4 Nc7 13. Bh2 Rab8 14. c3 a6
15. Nc4 b5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Na5 Nfd5 18. Nd2 Ra8 19. Qf3 Ra6 20. Nab3 Rfa8 21.
Rab1 g6 22. Ne4 Ne8 23. Qd3 Nef6 24. Ned2 Qc6 25. Nc1 Nb6 26. Ne2 Nc4 27. Nf4
Nxd2 28. Qxd2 Nd5 29. Nd3 b4 30. Nxb4 Nxb4 31. cxb4 d5 32. Be5 Qb5 33. Rbc1
Qxb4 34. Rc3 Bd6 35. Bf6 Ra1 36. Rec1 Rxc1+ 37. Qxc1 Qb7 38. g3 Rb8 39. h4 Bf8
40. b3 Bg7 41. Bxg7 Kxg7 42. Qf4 Rc8 43. Rf3 Qe7 44. h5 gxh5 45. Qe5+ f6 46.
Qxh5 Rc6 47. Qg4+ Kf8 48. Qh4 Kg7 49. Qg4+ Kf8 50. Qh4 Kg7 51. Kg2 Rb6 52. Qg4+
Kf8 53. Qh4 Kg7 54. Rf4 Rxb3 55. Rg4+ Kh8 56. Rf4 Kg7 57. Qh5 Rb8 58. Rh4 Kg8
59. Qh6 Rf8 60. Rf4 Kh8 61. Qh5 Rg8 62. Qf3 Rg6 63. Qe3 e5 64. Rh4 Kg7 65. Qf3
e4 66. Qh5 Kg8 67. Qxd5+ Qf7 68. Qxe4 f5 69. Qe5 Qb7+ 70. d5 Qd7 71. Rd4 Rd6
72. Kh2 Qd8 73. Qe3 Qf6 74. Qe8+ Kg7 75. Rd3 Rd8 76. Qe3 Rd6 77. Kg2 Rd8 78.
Qf4 Rd6 79. Qd4 f4 80. Qxf4 Qxf4 81. gxf4 Kf6 82. Kf3 Kf5 83. Rd1 h5 84. Rh1
Rh6 85. Rh4 Rh8 86. Kg3 Rh7 87. f3 Rg7+ 88. Kh3 Rh7 89. Kg3 Rg7+ 90. Kf2 Rh7
91. Ke3 Rh8 92. Kd4 Kg6 93. Ke5 Re8+ 94. Kd6 Re3 95. Kd7 Rxf3 96. d6 Rd3 97.
Ke7 Re3+ 98. Kd8 Rd3 99. d7 Rd5 100. Ke7 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.27"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E91"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. Nf3 d6 6. Be2 c5 7. O-O Re8 8. Re1
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nc6 10. Be3 Bd7 11. Qd2 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Bc6 13. Bf1 a5 14. Rad1 a4
15. f4 Qa5 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 Nd7 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Qxa5 Rxa5 20. Kf2 Kf8
21. g3 Ra6 22. Rd2 Rb6 23. Be2 Nc5 24. Bf1 Nd7 25. Ke3 e5 26. dxe6 Rxe6+ 27.
Kf2 Nc5 28. Rxe6 fxe6 29. Ke3 Ke7 30. Kd4 a3 31. bxa3 Ra6 32. Kc3 Rxa3+ 33. Kb4
Ra6 34. Kb5 Kd7 35. Bg2 Kc7 36. Kb4 Rb6+ 37. Kc3 Rb1 38. Re2 Rc1+ 39. Kd4 Rd1+
40. Kc3 Rc1+ 41. Kd4 Rd1+ 42. Kc3 Rd3+ 43. Kb4 Na6+ 44. Kb5 Nc5 45. Bh3 Rd1 46.
Kb4 Kd7 47. Kc3 Rc1+ 48. Kb4 Rb1+ 49. Kc3 Rc1+ 50. Kb4 Ke7 51. Bg4 h6 52. Bh3
g5 53. fxg5 hxg5 54. Bg2 g4 55. Rd2 Kd7 56. Re2 Ke7 57. Rd2 Kd7 58. Re2 Ke7 59.
Rd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.28"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Nf3 Bd6 5. Bg3 O-O 6. Nbd2 b6 7. c3 Ba6 8. Bxa6
Nxa6 9. Ne5 Nb8 10. f4 c5 11. Bh4 Be7 12. O-O Nfd7 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Rf3 Nxe5
15. fxe5 Nd7 16. Qa4 f6 17. exf6 Rxf6 18. Raf1 Rxf3 19. Nxf3 Qd6 20. b4 cxb4
21. cxb4 a5 22. a3 h6 23. Rc1 e5 24. Rc6 Qe7 25. Rc7 exd4 26. Qxd7 Qxe3+ 27.
Kf1 Qd3+ 28. Kf2 Qe3+ 29. Kg3 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.29"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A49"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d6 6. b3 a5 7. Bb2 a4 8. c4 c6
9. e3 Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 Nbd7 12. Nc3 a3 13. Bc1 e5 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Bg2
Re8 16. Bd2 Nd3 17. Qe2 Nb4 18. Na4 c5 19. Bxb4 cxb4 20. Bxb7 Ra7 21. Bg2 Ne4
22. Rad1 Rxa4 23. Bxe4 Rxe4 24. bxa4 Qb6 25. Qd3 Re6 26. Qb3 Bc3 27. Rd5 h5 28.
Kg2 h4 29. gxh4 Rf6 30. Rc1 Qd8 31. Rxc3 bxc3 32. Qxc3 Re6 33. Qd4 Qa8 34. a5
Qb7 35. Qb6 Qe7 36. a6 Qxh4 37. a7 Qe4+ 38. Kg1 Re8 39. Qb7 Qxc4 40. a8=Q Rxa8
41. Qxa8+ Kg7 42. Ra5 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.21"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B11"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. h3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 e6 6. g3 Nd7 7. Bg2 g6 8. Qe2
Ne7 9. d4 Bg7 10. Be3 O-O 11. O-O dxe4 12. Nxe4 Nf5 13. Rad1 Nxe3 14. Qxe3 Nf6
15. c3 a5 16. a4 Qb6 17. Nc5 Rad8 18. Qe2 Nd7 19. Nd3 Qc7 20. Rfe1 Nb6 21. Qc2
Nd5 22. h4 h5 23. Qb3 Ne7 24. Nc5 b6 25. Ne4 Nf5 26. Ng5 Bh6 27. Nf3 Bg7 28.
Qc4 Nd6 29. Qe2 c5 30. d5 e5 31. Ng5 Rfe8 32. Qc2 Bh6 33. Re2 c4 34. Rde1 Bxg5
35. hxg5 Nb7 36. f4 Nc5 37. Rxe5 Rxe5 38. Rxe5 Nd3 39. Re4 Qc5+ 40. Kh2 Kg7 41.
Rd4 b5 42. axb5 Qxb5 43. d6 Qxb2 44. Qxb2 Nxb2 45. d7 a4 46. Bc6 a3 47. Re4 Nd1
48. Re8 a2 49. Rxd8 a1=Q 50. Rg8+ Kxg8 51. d8=Q+ Kh7 52. Qe7 Qb2+ 53. Bg2 Qxc3
54. Qxf7+ Qg7 55. Qxc4 Ne3 56. Qe2 Ng4+ 57. Kh3 Qd7 58. Bf3 Ne3+ 59. Kh2 Qe6
60. Qd3 Qb6 61. Qd7+ Kh8 62. Qe8+ Kg7 63. Qe7+ Kg8 64. Kh3 Qd4 65. Be4 Ng4 66.
Qe8+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.22"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 h5 11. Bg5 Be6 12. Ne2 Be7 13. Nf4 Bd5 14. Nxd5
cxd5 15. Rad1 c6 16. Rd3 f6 17. Bf4 Kf7 18. a4 Rhe8 19. Re1 Rad8 20. Rb3 b6 21.
Kf1 Bc5 22. Rd3 a5 23. g4 hxg4 24. hxg4 Ne7 25. c3 Ng6 26. Bg3 Re6 27. exf6
Rxe1+ 28. Nxe1 gxf6 29. f4 f5 30. gxf5 Ne7 31. Nf3 Nxf5 32. Ne5+ Ke6 33. Nxc6
Rh8 34. b4 Be3 35. Bf2 Bxf2 36. Kxf2 Rh2+ 37. Ke1 Ra2 38. bxa5 bxa5 39. Nd4+
Nxd4 40. Rxd4 Rc2 41. Rd3 Ra2 42. Rd4 Rc2 43. Rd3 Ra2 44. Rd4 Rc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.23"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C06"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. Ke2 d5 3. d3 Nc6 4. c3 Nf6 5. Qc2 e5 6. g3 g6 7. Bg2 Bg7 8. Nf3 O-O
9. Rd1 Bg4 10. h3 Be6 11. Kf1 h6 12. Kg1 a5 13. a4 Qd7 14. Kh2 Rad8 15. Re1
dxe4 16. dxe4 Nh7 17. Na3 f5 18. Nh4 Qf7 19. exf5 gxf5 20. Be3 Ng5 21. f4 exf4
22. Bxf4 Bd5 23. Nb5 Be4 24. Qf2 Rd3 25. Bxc7 Be5 26. Bxe5 Nxe5 27. Nd4 Nc4 28.
Rad1 Rxd1 29. Rxd1 Bxg2 30. Qxg2 Ne3 31. Qe2 Nxd1 32. Nhxf5 Qd7 33. Nxh6+ Kg7
34. Ng4 Qd5 35. h4 Nf3+ 36. Kh3 Ng1+ 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.24"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Be2 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. O-O f6 11. exf6 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Qxf6 13. h3 Bf5 14. a4 Rae8
15. Nh2 Na5 16. Bh5 Bg6 17. Ng4 Qf5 18. Bxg6 Qxg6 19. Ne5 Qe6 20. Ra2 Nc4 21.
Nxc4 dxc4 22. a5 Rf5 23. axb6 axb6 24. f4 Rf7 25. Raf2 Qd5 26. f5 b5 27. f6 g6
28. Qg4 b6 29. Rf5 Qd7 30. Re5 Rxe5 31. dxe5 Qd5 32. Bh6 Qxe5 33. Qc8+ Qe8 34.
Qxe8+ Rf8 35. Qxf8# 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.25"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D24"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bxc4 Nxe4 7. O-O Nxc3 8.
bxc3 Bd6 9. Bg5 Be7 10. Bf4 O-O 11. Ne5 Nd7 12. Re1 Nxe5 13. Bxe5 Bd7 14. Qg4
Bf6 15. Re3 Bxe5 16. dxe5 Bc6 17. Rg3 g6 18. h4 Qd2 19. h5 Rad8 20. hxg6 fxg6
21. Bxe6+ Kg7 22. Rf1 Qf4 23. Qxf4 Rxf4 24. Re3 a5 25. g3 Rf3 26. Rxf3 Bxf3 27.
Bb3 b5 28. a4 bxa4 29. Bxa4 Rd3 30. Re1 Kf7 31. Rc1 Ke6 32. Bc2 Rd2 33. Bb3+
Bd5 34. c4 Bf3 35. Ra1 Rb2 36. Bd1 Bxd1 37. Rxd1 a4 38. Rd5 Rb4 39. Rc5 a3 40.
Ra5 Rxc4 41. Rxa3 Kxe5 42. Rf3 Ke6 43. Rf8 Rd4 44. Re8+ Kf7 45. Rc8 Rd7 46. Kg2
Ke6 47. Kf3 Kd5 48. Ke3 c5 49. Kd3 Rb7 50. Rd8+ Kc6 51. Rc8+ Kb5 52. Kc3 Ra7
53. Rb8+ Kc6 54. Rc8+ Rc7 55. Rh8 Rf7 56. f4 Kd5 57. Kd3 c4+ 58. Kc3 Ke4 59.
Kxc4 Kf3 60. Kd5 Kxg3 61. Ke6 Rxf4 62. Rxh7 g5 63. Ke5 g4 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.26"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 O-O 7. Nbd2 a5 8. Bb3
h6 9. Re1 Be6 10. Nf1 Re8 11. Ba4 Qb8 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 Bb4 14. Re2 b5 15.
Bc2 a4 16. d5 Bg4 17. dxc6 Qb6 18. Ne3 Bxf3 19. gxf3 Qxc6 20. Bd2 Bc5 21. Bc3
Nh5 22. Ng2 b4 23. Bd4 b3 24. axb3 axb3 25. Rxa8 Rxa8 26. Bxb3 Bxd4 27. Bd5 Qa4
28. b3 Qa1 29. Re1 Ra2 30. Qxa1 Bxa1 31. b4 Ra3 32. Ne3 Nf4 33. Rc1 Ne2+ 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.27"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C06"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "176"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. Ke2 d5 3. d3 Nc6 4. c3 g6 5. Qc2 Bg7 6. g3 Nge7 7. Bg2 O-O 8. Nf3
e5 9. Rd1 f5 10. Kf1 f4 11. gxf4 Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 13. d4 dxe4 14. Qxe4 exd4 15.
cxd4 Qd5 16. Nc3 Qxe4 17. Nxe4 Nd5 18. Ng3 Nxf4 19. Bxf4 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 Rxf4 21.
Bxc6 bxc6 22. Ne2 Rf3 23. Rd2 Rxh3 24. Kg2 Rh6 25. Rc1 g5 26. Rc5 Rg6 27. Rdc2
Re8 28. Kf1 Ree6 29. Ra5 Rd6 30. Rxa7 Bxd4 31. Nxd4 Rxd4 32. Rxc7 Rdd6 33. Re2
Rge6 34. Rxe6 Rxe6 35. a4 Re4 36. a5 Ra4 37. Ra7 h5 38. b3 Ra2 39. b4 g4 40.
Rc7 Ra4 41. Kg2 h4 42. Rb7 Ra2 43. Kg1 Ra1+ 44. Kg2 Ra2 45. Kg1 Ra1+ 46. Kh2
Ra2 47. Rb8+ Kg7 48. Kg1 Ra1+ 49. Kg2 h3+ 50. Kh2 Rf1 51. Rd8 Rxf2+ 52. Kg1 g3
53. Rd1 h2+ 54. Kh1 Ra2 55. Rc1 Kf7 56. a6 Rxa6 57. Kg2 Ra3 58. Rc2 Rb3 59. Rc1
Ke7 60. Rd1 Ke6 61. Rc1 Kd6 62. Rd1+ Kc7 63. Rc1 Kb6 64. Re1 Kb5 65. Rc1 Kb6
66. Rd1 Kb5 67. Rc1 Rxb4 68. Kxg3 Rb2 69. Kh3 c5 70. Kg3 c4 71. Kf3 Kb4 72. Kg3
c3 73. Rf1 Rd2 74. Rf8 Kb3 75. Rb8+ Kc2 76. Rc8 Kb2 77. Rb8+ Kc1 78. Rh8 c2 79.
Rh7 Kd1 80. Rf7 c1=Q 81. Rf1+ Kc2 82. Rf8 Qg1+ 83. Kf4 h1=Q 84. Rc8+ Kd1 85.
Re8 Qf2+ 86. Kg5 Qhg2+ 87. Kh5 Rd5+ 88. Re5 Rxe5+ 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.28"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Be2 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. O-O f6 11. exf6 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Qxf6 13. h3 Bf5 14. a4 Rae8
15. Nh2 Na5 16. Bh5 Bg6 17. Ng4 Qe6 18. Bxg6 hxg6 19. Ba3 Rf5 20. Ne5 c6 21.
Qg4 Rf6 22. f4 Nc4 23. Nxc4 Qxg4 24. hxg4 dxc4 25. Rab1 Re3 26. Bb4 Bc7 27. Rf3
Rxf3 28. gxf3 Rxf4 29. Kf2 Bd8 30. Kg2 b6 31. Re1 Kf7 32. Bd6 Rf6 33. Be5 Re6
34. f4 b5 35. Kf3 a6 36. Ke4 Ba5 37. d5 cxd5+ 38. Kxd5 Re8 39. axb5 axb5 40.
Ra1 Bb6 41. Kc6 Be3 42. Kxb5 g5 43. Kxc4 gxf4 44. Bd4 Kg6 45. Ra5 Bxd4 46. Kxd4
Rf8 47. Ke4 f3 48. Rf5 Re8+ 49. Kxf3 Rc8 50. Kg3 Rxc3+ 51. Rf3 Rc1 52. Rf5 Rg1+
53. Kh3 Rh1+ 54. Kg3 Ra1 55. Kh3 Ra3+ 56. Kh4 Kh6 57. Rh5+ Kg6 58. Rg5+ Kf7 59.
Rf5+ Kg8 60. Kg5 Ra1 61. Re5 Ra6 62. Rf5 Kh7 63. Re5 Ra7 64. Kf4 Kh6 65. Rh5+
Kg6 66. Rg5+ Kf6 67. Rf5+ Kg6 68. Rg5+ Kh7 69. Rh5+ Kg8 70. Rf5 Ra4+ 71. Kg5
Kh7 72. Re5 Ra2 73. Rf5 Ra1 74. Re5 Ra2 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 1m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.29"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C06"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. Ke2 d5 3. d3 Nc6 4. c3 Nge7 5. Qc2 g6 6. f4 Bg7 7. e5 O-O 8. d4 f6
9. Nf3 fxe5 10. fxe5 Nf5 11. g3 b6 12. Bg2 Ba6+ 13. Ke1 Na5 14. Bg5 Qd7 15. g4
Ne7 16. Nbd2 c5 17. Bf1 Bxf1 18. Rxf1 cxd4 19. cxd4 Rac8 20. Qd3 Nc4 21. b3 Na3
22. Ke2 Nc6 23. b4 Nc4 24. a3 a5 25. b5 Ne7 26. a4 h6 27. Bxe7 Qxe7 28. Qxg6
Rf4 29. g5 Nxd2 30. Nxd2 Rh4 31. Nf3 Re4+ 32. Kf2 Rc2+ 33. Kg1 Rg4+ 34. Kh1 Rc3
35. Rac1 Rxc1 36. Rxc1 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.9"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. O-O Bd6 8.
b3 O-O 9. Nc4 Bxc4 10. bxc4 Nd7 11. g3 b5 12. cxb5 cxb5 13. a4 a6 14. Nh4 g6
15. Bh6 Re8 16. Qg4 Nf6 17. Qf3 Nd7 18. Qg4 Nf6 19. Qf3 Nd7 20. Ng2 Qf6 21. Qg4
Qe6 22. Qxe6 fxe6 23. axb5 axb5 24. f3 Nc5 25. Kf2 Na4 26. Bd2 Bc5+ 27. Ke2 Bd4
28. Ra3 Nb6 29. Rxa8 Rxa8 30. c3 Bc5 31. Rb1 c6 32. Ne1 Ra2 33. Kd1 Na4 34. Nc2
Nb2+ 35. Ke2 Na4 36. Kd1 Nb2+ 37. Ke2 Na4 38. Kd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O Bf5 8.
Re1 O-O 9. Nbd2 Nd6 10. Nf1 c6 11. Ng3 Bxd3 12. Qxd3 Na6 13. c3 Nc7 14. Re2 Re8
15. Bd2 f6 16. b3 Bf8 17. c4 Rxe2 18. Nxe2 Qd7 19. Bf4 Re8 20. Nc3 b5 21. cxd5
cxd5 22. Rc1 b4 23. Na4 Ne6 24. Bxd6 Bxd6 25. g3 Qb7 26. Re1 Qc6 27. Re2 Nc7
28. Rc2 Qd7 29. Nc5 Bxc5 30. dxc5 Qb5 31. Qd1 a5 32. Nd4 Qd7 33. Re2 Re4 34. f3
Rxe2 35. Qxe2 Kf7 36. Qd3 g6 37. Qe3 Qe8 38. Qf4 Qe5 39. Qxe5 fxe5 40. Nc6 Ke6
41. Nxa5 Na6 42. Nc6 d4 43. Kf2 Kd5 44. Ne7+ Kxc5 45. Ng8 Nc7 46. Nf6 h5 47.
Nd7+ Kd6 48. Nf8 g5 49. Nh7 Ne6 50. Nf6 h4 51. Ke2 Nc5 52. Nh7 hxg3 53. hxg3
Ne6 54. Nf6 Nc5 55. g4 Kc6 56. Nh7 Ne6 57. Nf6 Nc5 58. Nh7 Ne6 59. Nf6 Nc5
1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.11"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. d5 Bc5 11. Re1 d6 12. Nc3 f5 13. Na4 Bxf2+ 14. Kxf2
Qh4+ 15. Kg1 Qxa4 16. Re7 Qh4 17. Qe2 Nf6 18. Rxc7 Nxd5 19. Qc4 Qe4 20. Qxe4
fxe4 21. Bc4 Be6 22. Rxb7 Nf4 23. Bxe6+ Nxe6 24. Be3 d5 25. Rd1 Rfd8 26. c3 Rd6
27. a4 a6 28. a5 Rad8 29. Rb6 Kf7 30. Kf2 Ke7 31. Ke2 Kd7 32. c4 d4 33. Rxd6+
Kxd6 34. Bxd4 Kc6 35. Ke3 Nxd4 36. Rxd4 Rb8 37. Rd2 Rb4 38. Rc2 Kc5 39. Kxe4
Rb3 40. Kf4 Rd3 41. g3 Kb4 42. c5 Rd7 43. c6 Rd8 44. c7 Rc8 45. Ke5 Kxa5 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 Qb6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. exd4 a6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Nge2 d5 8.
Bb3 Bd7 9. O-O Be7 10. Qe1 O-O 11. Rd1 Nc6 12. Rd3 Na5 13. Rh3 Rfc8 14. Bg5 Qd8
15. f4 h6 16. Qh4 Kf8 17. Bxh6 gxh6 18. Qxh6+ Ke8 19. Qh8+ Bf8 20. f5 Nxb3 21.
axb3 exf5 22. Nf4 Rc6 23. Ncxd5 Nxd5 24. Nxd5 Be6 25. Nf6+ Ke7 26. Re3 Rxc2 27.
Kh1 Kd6 28. d5 Be7 29. Qh6 Bxf6 30. dxe6 fxe6 31. Rd3+ Kc6 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.13"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. d5 d6 11. Re1 Bg5 12. c4 Bxc1 13. Qxc1 Nf6 14. Nc3 a5
15. b3 b6 16. h3 Bd7 17. Qd2 Re8 18. Bd3 Rxe1+ 19. Rxe1 Qf8 20. Bc2 Re8 21. a3
Rxe1+ 22. Qxe1 g6 23. Qe3 Qe8 24. Qxe8+ Nxe8 25. f4 f5 26. Kf2 Nf6 27. b4 axb4
28. axb4 Kf7 29. Ke3 Ke7 30. Kd4 Nh5 31. Ke3 Nf6 32. Bd1 Kd8 33. Kd4 Be8 34.
Ba4 Bxa4 35. Nxa4 Nh5 36. Ke3 Kd7 37. Nc3 Nf6 38. Nb5 c5 39. dxc6+ Kxc6 40.
Nd4+ Kd7 41. Nf3 Kc6 42. Nd4+ Kd7 43. Ne2 Kc6 44. Kd4 d5 45. Nc3 dxc4 46. Kxc4
Nh5 47. Nd5 b5+ 48. Kd4 Kd6 49. g4 Ng3 50. Nc3 fxg4 51. hxg4 h5 52. gxh5 gxh5
53. Nxb5+ Kc6 54. Nc3 h4 55. Nd1 Ne2+ 56. Ke3 Nxf4 57. Kxf4 Kb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 Qb6 4. Nc3 Qxb2 5. Nge2 Qa3 6. Rb1 Qa5 7. Rb5 Qd8 8.
dxc5 b6 9. e4 Ba6 10. e5 Nh5 11. Be3 Bxb5 12. Nxb5 g6 13. Nec3 bxc5 14. Nd5 Na6
15. g4 Ng7 16. Nd6+ exd6 17. Nf6+ Ke7 18. Qxd6# 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.15"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. d5 d6 11. Re1 Bg5 12. c4 Bxc1 13. Qxc1 Nf6 14. Nc3 a5
15. Bd3 Bd7 16. Qf4 Re8 17. Bc2 b6 18. Rad1 Rxe1+ 19. Rxe1 Qf8 20. f3 Re8 21.
Rxe8 Qxe8 22. Kf2 Qd8 23. Qe3 Nh5 24. g3 g6 25. a3 Qf6 26. Kg2 Ng7 27. g4 Ne8
28. Ba4 Bxa4 29. Nxa4 Qd8 30. Nc3 Nf6 31. g5 Nh5 32. Ne4 h6 33. h4 hxg5 34.
hxg5 Kh7 35. Qd4 Qc8 36. Nf6+ Nxf6 37. Qxf6 Qe8 38. Kf2 Kg8 39. b3 b5 40. Qd4
bxc4 41. Qxc4 Qe5 42. Qxc7 Qxd5 43. Qb8+ Kg7 44. b4 axb4 45. axb4 Qd2+ 46. Kf1
Qd1+ 47. Kf2 Qd2+ 48. Kf1 Qd1+ 49. Kf2 Qd2+ 50. Kf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Bf5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Be2 Bd6 6. Bg3 O-O 7. Nbd2 c5 8. c3
Nc6 9. Qa4 Ne4 10. Nxe4 Bxe4 11. Qb5 a6 12. Qb3 b5 13. O-O Bxg3 14. hxg3 cxd4
15. cxd4 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Na5 17. Qb4 Nc4 18. a4 a5 19. Qxb5 Rb8 20. Bxc4 Rxb5 21.
Bxb5 Qd6 22. Rac1 Qb4 23. Kg2 Qxb2 24. Rc7 h5 25. Rfc1 g6 26. R1c6 Qb4 27. Ra7
Qe1 28. Rcc7 g5 29. Re7 h4 30. Be8 hxg3 31. fxg3 Qe2+ 32. Kh3 Qxf3 33. Bxf7+
Rxf7 34. Rxf7 Qh5+ 35. Kg2 Qe2+ 36. Rf2 Qxe3 37. Rb2 Qe4+ 38. Kh2 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.17"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. O-O Bd6 8.
b3 O-O 9. Ng5 Bg4 10. Qe1 Nd7 11. Ngf3 Nc5 12. h3 Bh5 13. g4 Bg6 14. Nc4 f6 15.
Kh1 Ne6 16. Nh4 b5 17. Nxd6 cxd6 18. a4 Nd4 19. Qd1 d5 20. Be3 dxe4 21. Nxg6
hxg6 22. dxe4 f5 23. Bxd4 exd4 24. gxf5 gxf5 25. Qf3 fxe4 26. Qxe4 Qd7 27. axb5
Qxh3+ 28. Kg1 Rf5 29. Qg2 Qh6 30. f4 Rxb5 31. Rae1 Qf6 32. Qe4 Rc5 33. Rf2 Rf8
34. Qe6+ Qxe6 35. Rxe6 Rc3 36. f5 c5 37. Re7 Rg3+ 38. Kf1 Rg5 39. Rxa7 Rgxf5
40. Rxf5 Rxf5+ 41. Kg2 Re5 42. Kf2 Re3 43. Ra5 Rc3 44. Ra2 g5 45. Ke2 g4 46.
Kd2 g3 47. Ra1 Kg7 48. Re1 Kf6 49. Rf1+ Kg5 50. Rg1 Kg4 51. Rf1 g2 52. Re1 Kg3
53. Rg1 Kf2 54. Rd1 g1=Q 55. Rxg1 Kxg1 56. Kd1 Kf2 57. Kd2 Kf3 58. Kd1 Ke3 59.
Kc1 d3 60. Kb2 Rxc2+ 61. Ka3 Kd4 62. Ka4 Ra2+ 63. Kb5 Rb2 64. Kc6 Rb1 65. Kd6
Rxb3 66. Ke6 d2 67. Kf5 d1=Q 68. Kf4 Qf3+ 69. Kg5 Qg3+ 70. Kh6 Rb2 71. Kh7 Rh2#
0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Nbd2 Bd6 6. Bg3 Ne4 7. Nxe4 Bxe4 8.
Nd2 Bg6 9. c4 dxc4 10. Bxc4 O-O 11. Qb3 b6 12. Bd3 Nd7 13. Bxg6 hxg6 14. Rc1
Nf6 15. Nc4 Qe7 16. Qb5 Ne4 17. Qc6 f5 18. Ke2 g5 19. Nxd6 cxd6 20. f3 Nxg3+
21. hxg3 Rad8 22. g4 fxg4 23. fxg4 d5 24. Qc2 Rf6 25. Rcf1 Qf7 26. Rxf6 gxf6
27. Rh6 Rf8 28. Qb1 Qd7 29. Qg6+ Qg7 30. Qh5 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 O-O 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4
a6 9. a4 Ba7 10. Na3 g5 11. Bg3 g4 12. Nh4 Nh5 13. Nc2 Qg5 14. Re1 Be6 15. Ne3
Bxe3 16. Rxe3 Bxc4 17. dxc4 Ne7 18. a5 Rad8 19. Qb3 Rb8 20. Rd1 Rfd8 21. Qc2
Ng7 22. Red3 Ne6 23. b4 h5 24. f3 Ng6 25. Nxg6 fxg6 26. Qd2 Qxd2 27. R1xd2 gxf3
28. gxf3 Rf8 29. c5 dxc5 30. Bxe5 cxb4 31. cxb4 Rbe8 32. Rg2 Kh7 33. Rd7+ Kh6
34. f4 Rxf4 35. Bxf4+ Nxf4 36. Rb2 Rxe4 37. b5 Ra4 38. b6 c5 39. h4 c4 40. Rxb7
c3 41. Rc2 Rxa5 42. Kh2 Nd5 43. Rf2 Rb5 44. Rff7 g5 45. Rbd7 gxh4 46. b7 c2 47.
Rd6+ Kg5 48. Rxd5+ Kg6 49. Rxb5 c1=Q 50. b8=Q Qd2+ 51. Kg1 Qe1+ 52. Rf1 Qg3+
53. Qxg3+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.13"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. d5 Bc5 11. Nd2 d6 12. Re1 Nf6 13. Nb3 Bb6 14. h3 Re8
15. a4 a5 16. c4 Rxe1 17. Qxe1 Bd7 18. Be3 Qe8 19. Bxb6 Qxe1 20. Rxe1 cxb6 21.
Ra1 Ne4 22. Nd4 Nc5 23. b3 Re8 24. f3 f5 25. Kf2 f4 26. Re1 Rxe1 27. Kxe1 Kf7
28. Kd2 Kf6 29. Bd3 h6 30. Kc3 g5 31. Bc2 Ke5 32. Bg6 Kf6 33. Bc2 h5 34. Bd1
Bf5 35. Be2 Ke5 36. Nb5 Bg6 37. Nc7 Bf5 38. Na8 Nd7 39. Nc7 Nc5 40. Na8 Nd7 41.
Nc7 Nc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "170"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 O-O 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4
a6 9. a4 Ba7 10. Na3 g5 11. Bg3 g4 12. Nh4 Nh5 13. Nc2 Qg5 14. Re1 Be6 15. Ne3
Bxe3 16. Rxe3 Bxc4 17. dxc4 Ne7 18. a5 Ng7 19. Qb3 Ne6 20. Rd1 h5 21. Ree1 Rab8
22. f3 Ng6 23. Nxg6 Qxg6 24. Kh1 gxf3 25. gxf3 Qf6 26. Re3 Kh7 27. Qc2 Rg8 28.
Qf2 Nf4 29. Bxf4 Qxf4 30. c5 dxc5 31. Rd7 Rbd8 32. Rd2 Rxd2 33. Qxd2 Qg5 34.
Qf2 Rd8 35. b4 cxb4 36. cxb4 h4 37. Re1 Rd2 38. Qg1 Qf4 39. Rf1 c6 40. Rf2 h3
41. Rxd2 Qxd2 42. Qf1 Qh6 43. Kg1 Qh4 44. Qe2 Qg5+ 45. Kf1 Kg6 46. Qc2 Qe3 47.
Qf2 Qc1+ 48. Ke2 Qb2+ 49. Kf1 Qc1+ 50. Qe1 Qxe1+ 51. Kxe1 Kg5 52. Ke2 Kf4 53.
Kf2 f6 54. Ke2 f5 55. exf5 Kxf5 56. Ke3 Kf6 57. Kf2 Ke6 58. Kg3 Kd5 59. Kxh3
Kc4 60. Kg4 Kxb4 61. h4 c5 62. h5 c4 63. h6 c3 64. h7 c2 65. h8=Q c1=Q 66. Qxe5
Qg1+ 67. Kf5 Qh1 68. f4 Qh5+ 69. Ke6 Qe8+ 70. Kf6 Qh8+ 71. Kg6 Qg8+ 72. Qg7
Qe6+ 73. Kg5 Qd5+ 74. Qe5 Qg8+ 75. Kh6 Qf8+ 76. Kg6 Qg8+ 77. Qg7 Qe8+ 78. Kg5
Qe3 79. Qe5 Qg3+ 80. Kf6 Qh4+ 81. Kf7 Qh7+ 82. Ke8 Qg6+ 83. Kd8 b5 84. axb6
Qxb6+ 85. Qc7 Qxc7+ 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.15"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B11"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. h3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 e6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O
O-O 9. Qe2 a5 10. d3 Na6 11. f4 Nc7 12. g4 dxe4 13. dxe4 Nb5 14. Nxb5 cxb5 15.
Be3 Qc7 16. Qxb5 a4 17. Bb6 Qd7 18. Qxd7 Nxd7 19. Be3 Rfc8 20. Rfd1 Nf8 21.
Rac1 e5 22. f5 Bc5 23. Kf2 f6 24. Bf1 Kf7 25. Bb5 Ke7 26. a3 g6 27. Rd5 Bxe3+
28. Kxe3 h5 29. c4 h4 30. Rcd1 Rc7 31. Rd6 gxf5 32. exf5 Rac8 33. Rb6 Nh7 34.
Rdd6 Kf7 35. Bxa4 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Be2 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. O-O f6 11. exf6 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Qxf6 13. h3 Bf5 14. a4 Rae8
15. Nh2 Ba5 16. Ra3 Ne7 17. Rb3 b6 18. Bh5 Ng6 19. Nf3 c6 20. Ba3 Rf7 21. Ne5
Nxe5 22. dxe5 Qxe5 23. Bxf7+ Kxf7 24. Bb4 Bxb4 25. cxb4 d4 26. Rg3 Kg8 27. Qh5
Bc2 28. Qh4 d3 29. Re3 Qb8 30. Qc4+ Kh8 31. Qxc6 Rc8 32. Rfe1 Rg8 33. Qc3 Qd6
34. Qd2 a5 35. bxa5 bxa5 36. Re4 Rf8 37. Rc4 Qb6 38. Ree4 h6 39. Rf4 Rb8 40.
Kh2 Qe6 41. Rce4 Qd6 42. Rd4 Qe5 43. g3 Kh7 44. Rd7 Rb6 45. Rff7 Rg6 46. h4 Rg4
47. Kg2 Qe2 48. Qc3 Qe4+ 49. f3 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.17"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nd3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. Nf4 c6 7. f3 Nf6 8.
Qxe7+ Bxe7 9. d4 d5 10. c3 Nbd7 11. Bd3 Nf8 12. Kf2 Ne6 13. Na3 Bd6 14. Nxe6
Bxe6 15. Nc2 Ng8 16. Bg5 Ne7 17. Bh4 Nf5 18. Bxf5 Bxf5 19. Ne3 Be6 20. Bg3 Be7
21. Rhe1 Kd7 22. Be5 f6 23. Bg3 a5 24. a4 Ra6 25. Re2 Rb6 26. Rae1 Bd8 27. h4
h5 28. Bf4 Rb3 29. Nf1 Bf7 30. Bc1 Bg6 31. Nd2 Rb6 32. b3 Re8 33. Rxe8 Bxe8 34.
Ba3 Bg6 35. Bc5 Ra6 36. Bf8 b5 37. Ra1 Rb6 38. axb5 Rxb5 39. b4 Ke8 40. Bc5 Bc2
41. c4 Rxb4 42. Bxb4 axb4 43. cxd5 cxd5 44. Ra2 Bd3 45. Ke3 Bc4 46. Nxc4 dxc4
47. Rc2 c3 48. Kd3 f5 49. Kc4 Bxh4 50. Kxb4 g5 51. Kxc3 g4 52. Kd3 gxf3 53.
gxf3 Bg3 54. Rc5 h4 55. Rxf5 h3 56. Rh5 h2 57. Ke4 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Be2 d3 8. exf6
dxe2 9. Qxe2+ Be6 10. fxg7 Rg8 11. b4 Bb6 12. Bg5 Qd6 13. Bf6 Nb8 14. Ne5 Nd7
15. Nxd7 Kxd7 16. Qf3 c6 17. Nd2 Bd8 18. Bd4 Bg5 19. Nb3 Bh6 20. Nc5+ Kc7 21.
Qg3 Bf4 22. Qh4 Rae8 23. O-O Be5 24. Rae1 f6 25. f4 Bxd4+ 26. cxd4 Bf5 27. Rxe8
Rxe8 28. g4 Bg6 29. f5 Bf7 30. Qxh7 Bg8 31. Qg6 Re2 32. Qh6 b6 33. Ne6+ Kb7 34.
Qf4 Qe7 35. Qh6 Qxb4 36. Qxf6 Qb2 37. Qe7+ Ka6 38. Qh4 Bxe6 39. fxe6 Qxd4+ 40.
Rf2 Re1+ 41. Kg2 Qxg7 42. Rf6 Re4 43. h3 Qe7 44. Qh6 d4 45. Rf7 Qc5 46. Rxa7+
Kb5 47. a4+ Kb4 48. Qd2+ Qc3 49. Qf2 d3 50. Rd7 Re2 51. e7 Rxf2+ 52. Kxf2 Qf6+
0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.19"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nc4 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Be7 7. d4 O-O 8.
Bd3 Nd7 9. O-O Nf6 10. Ne3 d5 11. Nf5 Bxf5 12. Bxf5 Re8 13. Re1 c6 14. Rb1 b5
15. g3 Bd6 16. Rxe8+ Nxe8 17. a4 a6 18. axb5 axb5 19. Kg2 g6 20. Bd3 Qd7 21.
Qf3 h5 22. Bg5 Qg4 23. Qxg4 hxg4 24. Re1 Ng7 25. h3 gxh3+ 26. Kxh3 Ne6 27. Bd2
Kg7 28. Kg2 Nf8 29. Rh1 Nd7 30. Bh6+ Kf6 31. Re1 Rh8 32. Bd2 Nb6 33. f4 Ra8 34.
f5 gxf5 35. Rf1 f4 36. gxf4 Nc4 37. Bxc4 bxc4 38. Rb1 Ra2 39. Kf3 Rxc2 40. Be1
Ke6 41. Rb6 Kd7 42. Rb7+ Bc7 43. f5 Kc8 44. Ra7 Rb2 45. Ra8+ Rb8 46. Ra7 Rb7
47. Ra8+ Kd7 48. Rf8 Ke7 49. Rc8 Kd7 50. Rf8 Ke7 51. Rc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.20"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Be2 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. O-O f6 11. exf6 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Qxf6 13. h3 Bf5 14. a4 Rae8
15. Nh2 Na5 16. Bh5 Bg6 17. Ng4 Qf5 18. Bxg6 Qxg6 19. Ba3 Rf4 20. Ne5 Qe6 21.
Re1 c6 22. Qd2 Re4 23. Rxe4 dxe4 24. Qe2 Bc7 25. Ng4 Nc4 26. Bc1 Ba5 27. Qc2 a6
28. Bf4 h5 29. Ne3 Nxe3 30. Bxe3 Qc4 31. Qd1 g6 32. Rc1 b5 33. axb5 axb5 34.
Qc2 Bc7 35. Ra1 Bd6 36. Qa2 Qxa2 37. Rxa2 Rc8 38. Ra6 Bf8 39. d5 cxd5 40. Rxg6+
Kf7 41. Rg5 Ke6 42. Rg6+ Kf7 43. Rg5 Ke6 44. Rg6+ Kf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A56"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "203"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7 7. Nge2 g6 8. O-O
Nh5 9. Be3 O-O 10. Qd2 Ng7 11. Bh6 Nf6 12. h3 Kh8 13. Kh1 Ng8 14. Be3 Bd7 15.
a3 Nh5 16. Ng3 Nxg3+ 17. fxg3 Kg7 18. b4 b6 19. bxc5 bxc5 20. Rab1 h6 21. Ne2
Bg5 22. Rb7 Bxe3 23. Qxe3 Bc8 24. Rb3 Nf6 25. g4 Nd7 26. Ng1 Ba6 27. Nf3 Rb8
28. Rxb8 Qxb8 29. Rb1 Qc7 30. g5 h5 31. Qd2 Rb8 32. Rxb8 Qxb8 33. Qc3 Nb6 34.
Nd2 Qc7 35. Qc1 Na4 36. Bc2 Nb6 37. Bd3 Bc8 38. Nf3 Bd7 39. Qd2 Na4 40. Bc2 Nb6
41. Bb3 Qb8 42. Qc3 Nc8 43. Bc2 Ne7 44. Kg1 Ng8 45. Qb3 Qxb3 46. Bxb3 Kf8 47.
Kf2 Ke7 48. Ke3 Kd8 49. Kd2 Kc7 50. Kc3 Kb6 51. Bc2 Ka5 52. Nd2 Ne7 53. Nb3+
Kb6 54. Nd2 Nc8 55. Bd1 Ka5 56. Nb3+ Ka6 57. Nd2 Nb6 58. Bc2 Kb7 59. Bd1 Kc7
60. Bc2 Kd8 61. Bd1 Ke7 62. h4 Bc8 63. g3 Bh3 64. Be2 f6 65. gxf6+ Kxf6 66. Kd3
Kg7 67. Ke3 Bc8 68. Bf1 Kh6 69. Kd3 g5 70. Nf3 gxh4 71. gxh4 Nxc4 72. Kxc4 Ba6+
73. Kc3 Bxf1 74. Nd2 Be2 75. Kb2 Kg6 76. Nb1 Kf6 77. Nc3 Bd3 78. Kc1 Ke7 79.
Kd2 Bc4 80. Ke3 Kd7 81. Kd2 Kc7 82. Ke3 Bf1 83. Kd2 Kb6 84. Ke3 c4 85. Kd2 Bh3
86. Ke3 Bd7 87. Kd2 Kc5 88. Ke3 Be8 89. Ne2 c3 90. Nxc3 Kc4 91. Ne2 a5 92. Ng3
Bg6 93. a4 Kb4 94. Kd3 Kc5 95. Kc3 Be8 96. Kd3 Bf7 97. Kc3 Bg6 98. Kd3 Bf7 99.
Kc3 Be8 100. Kb3 Bg6 101. Kc3 Bf7 102. Kb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. c3 O-O 8.
Bc2 Bg4 9. d4 Re8 10. Re1 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 d5 12. Nf1 Bd6 13. Rxe8+ Qxe8 14. Ne3
Bh5 15. Nf5 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Bf8 17. Bf4 Qd8 18. Qd2 Nh5 19. Bg5 Ndf6 20. Re1 Qd7
21. Re5 Re8 22. Qe3 Re6 23. a4 Ne8 24. Ng3 Nxg3 25. hxg3 g6 26. Qe2 Nd6 27. Bc1
Nc4 28. Rxe6 Qxe6 29. Qd1 c6 30. Kg2 a6 31. Bd3 Kg7 32. Qh1 Kg8 33. b3 Nd6 34.
Bd2 Be7 35. Qh6 Bf6 36. Qf4 Be7 37. g4 Qf6 38. Qg3 Qe6 39. Bf4 Bf8 40. Be5 f6
41. Bf4 Nf7 42. Bd2 Bd6 43. f4 Qe7 44. Qe3 Kg7 45. c4 Qd7 46. f5 g5 47. Qe6
Qxe6 48. fxe6 Nd8 49. Bf5 Kf8 50. Ba5 Ke7 51. Bxd8+ Kxd8 52. Bxh7 Ke7 53. Bf5
Bb4 54. Kf3 a5 55. Ke3 b6 56. Kd3 Ba3 57. Kc3 Bb4+ 58. Kd3 Ba3 59. Kc3 Bb4+ 60.
Kd3 Ba3 61. f3 Bb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D17"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Nb6 8.
Ne5 a5 9. e3 Nfd7 10. Bd3 Bxd3 11. Nxd3 e6 12. O-O Be7 13. Qb3 O-O 14. e4 Ra6
15. Be3 Qb8 16. Rac1 Rd8 17. Rfd1 h6 18. h3 Bg5 19. Bxg5 hxg5 20. Ne2 Nc8 21.
Qc3 Ne7 22. Qd2 f6 23. f4 gxf4 24. Qxf4 Rb6 25. Qg4 Nf8 26. Rc5 f5 27. Qf3 Nfg6
28. Rxa5 Nh4 29. Qe3 Rf8 30. exf5 c5 31. fxe6 Nef5 32. Qe4 Qe8 33. Rxc5 Rxe6
34. Re5 Qxa4 35. Rf1 Rxe5 36. Nxe5 Qb4 37. g3 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 O-O 8.
c3 Re8 9. h3 d5 10. Bc2 Bd6 11. Rxe8+ Qxe8 12. d4 Nbd7 13. Nbd2 Nf8 14. Nf1 Ng6
15. Ng3 Bxg3 16. fxg3 c6 17. g4 Ne4 18. Qe1 Bd7 19. Bxe4 Qxe4 20. Qxe4 dxe4 21.
Nd2 Re8 22. Nc4 b5 23. Nd6 Re6 24. Nb7 Bc8 25. Nc5 Re8 26. Be3 Ne7 27. a4 Nd5
28. Kf2 a6 29. axb5 axb5 30. Ra8 Kf8 31. Ra1 h6 32. Re1 f5 33. gxf5 Bxf5 34.
Ra1 Bc8 35. Ra7 Kg8 36. Ke2 Re7 37. Rxe7 Nxe7 38. Nxe4 Be6 39. Nc5 Bc4+ 40. Kf2
Kf7 41. Bf4 Bd5 42. Be5 h5 43. Nd3 g5 44. Bc7 Ng6 45. Bd8 g4 46. hxg4 hxg4 47.
Kg3 Ke6 48. Nf2 Kf5 49. Nxg4 Be6 50. Nf2 Nf4 51. Bc7 Nd5 52. Bd6 Ne3 53. Kf3
Nc4 54. g4+ Kg6 55. Ba3 Bd5+ 56. Kf4 Be6 57. Nd3 Bd5 58. Kg3 Be4 59. Nf4+ Kf7
60. g5 Ne3 61. Ne2 Nd5 62. Kh4 Bc2 63. Ng3 Kg6 64. Bd6 Ne3 65. Bf4 Ng2+ 66. Kg4
Bd1+ 67. Ne2 Bxe2+ 68. Kg3 Nxf4 69. Kxf4 Bc4 70. Ke5 Kxg5 71. Kd6 Bd5 72. b3
Kf5 73. c4 Bxc4 74. Kxc6 Be2 75. d5 Ke5 76. d6 Bg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E91"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. Be2 c5 7. O-O Re8 8. Re1
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nc6 10. Be3 Bd7 11. Qd2 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Bc6 13. f3 a5 14. b3 Nd7 15.
Be3 Nc5 16. Rab1 e6 17. Red1 Be5 18. Bf1 Qh4 19. h3 Qg3 20. Ne2 Qh2+ 21. Kf2
Bxe4 22. Bxc5 Bxb1 23. Be3 Bf5 24. f4 Bf6 25. Kf3 d5 26. Bg1 Be4+ 27. Ke3 Qh1
0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "189"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. c3 O-O 8.
Bc2 Re8 9. h3 d5 10. Re1 Bd6 11. d4 Nbd7 12. Nbd2 Rxe1+ 13. Qxe1 b6 14. Nf1 Bb7
15. Ng3 Bxg3 16. fxg3 Qf8 17. Bf4 Re8 18. Qf1 c5 19. Ba4 a6 20. Rd1 b5 21. Bc2
c4 22. Bf5 Bc8 23. Bc7 Ne4 24. Bxe4 dxe4 25. Ne5 Nf6 26. Re1 Qe7 27. Ba5 Qe6
28. g4 h6 29. Bb4 Bb7 30. Bc5 Nd5 31. Qf5 f6 32. Ng6 e3 33. Re2 Bc8 34. Qh5 Qf7
35. Bd6 Kh7 36. Nf4 Qxh5 37. gxh5 Bb7 38. Nxd5 Bxd5 39. Bf4 Re4 40. Bxe3 f5 41.
g3 Bf7 42. Kf2 Bxh5 43. Rd2 Be8 44. d5 Bd7 45. b3 g5 46. Bd4 f4 47. bxc4 fxg3+
48. Kxg3 bxc4 49. Rb2 Bb5 50. a4 Bxa4 51. d6 Re6 52. Rb7+ Kg6 53. d7 Bxd7 54.
Rxd7 h5 55. Rg7+ Kf5 56. Rf7+ Ke4 57. Rg7 g4 58. hxg4 hxg4 59. Rxg4+ Kd3 60.
Rg5 Rd6 61. Bg7 Rd7 62. Bf6 Rd6 63. Be5 Rd5 64. Kf4 a5 65. Rg3+ Kc2 66. Ke4 Rd3
67. Rg2+ Kb3 68. Rg8 a4 69. Rb8+ Kc2 70. Rb4 a3 71. Rxc4 Rd1 72. Ra4 Kb3 73.
Rb4+ Kc2 74. c4 Re1+ 75. Kd5 a2 76. Ra4 Kb3 77. Ra5 Rd1+ 78. Kc5 Rc1 79. Rb5+
Kc2 80. Rb2+ Kd3 81. Rb3+ Ke4 82. Bf6 Kf5 83. Bd4 a1=Q 84. Bxa1 Rxa1 85. Kc6
Ra6+ 86. Rb6 Ra1 87. c5 Ke6 88. Kc7+ Ke7 89. c6 Rc1 90. Rb3 Rh1 91. Re3+ Kf7
92. Rf3+ Ke7 93. Re3+ Kf7 94. Kd7 Rd1+ 95. Kc8 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.7"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "177"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. O-O Bd6 8.
b3 O-O 9. Nc4 Nd7 10. Ne3 a5 11. a4 b5 12. Bd2 Bb4 13. d4 f6 14. axb5 cxb5 15.
Bxb4 axb4 16. Qd2 Qe7 17. d5 Bf7 18. Rad1 Qc5 19. Ne1 Bg6 20. f3 f5 21. Nd3 Qb6
22. exf5 Bxf5 23. Nxb4 Bg6 24. Kh1 Kh8 25. Qc3 Qd6 26. Nc6 Rf4 27. Ng4 e4 28.
Nge5 Nxe5 29. Nxe5 exf3 30. Rxf3 Rxf3 31. Nxg6+ Qxg6 32. Qxf3 Re8 33. c4 bxc4
34. bxc4 Qc2 35. Rf1 h6 36. Qf4 Qd3 37. h3 Re3 38. Kh2 Kh7 39. Rf2 Re1 40. Qxc7
Rc1 41. Rf7 Qd4 42. Qf4 Qg1+ 43. Kg3 Rc3+ 44. Kh4 Qe1+ 45. g3 Qe8 46. Qf5+ Kg8
47. Rd7 Rxc4+ 48. g4 Re4 49. Rd6 Qe7+ 50. Kh5 Re5 51. Rd8+ Qxd8 52. Qxe5 Kh7
53. Qf5+ Kh8 54. g5 Qe8+ 55. g6 Qe2+ 56. Kh4 Qe1+ 57. Kg4 Qg1+ 58. Kf4 Qd4+ 59.
Qe4 Qf6+ 60. Ke3 Qc3+ 61. Ke2 Qb2+ 62. Kf3 Qc3+ 63. Kf4 Qf6+ 64. Ke3 Qc3+ 65.
Qd3 Qe5+ 66. Kf3 Qf6+ 67. Ke2 Qe5+ 68. Kd1 Qa1+ 69. Kd2 Qb2+ 70. Ke3 Qe5+ 71.
Kf3 Qf6+ 72. Kg2 Qg5+ 73. Kf2 Qf6+ 74. Ke1 Qe5+ 75. Kf2 Qf6+ 76. Kg3 Qe5+ 77.
Kf3 Qf6+ 78. Ke3 Qe5+ 79. Kd2 Qb2+ 80. Kd1 Qa1+ 81. Kc2 Qa2+ 82. Kc3 Qa3+ 83.
Kd4 Qb4+ 84. Ke5 Qe7+ 85. Kd4 Qb4+ 86. Qc4 Qb6+ 87. Qc5 Qb2+ 88. Ke4 Qe2+ 89.
Kf5 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.09.20"]
[Round "2.8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.08.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. c3 O-O 8.
Bc2 Re8 9. d4 Bg4 10. Re1 d5 11. Bf4 Bd6 12. Rxe8+ Qxe8 13. Bxd6 Bxf3 14. gxf3
cxd6 15. Nd2 Nbd7 16. Nf1 Nf8 17. Qd2 Ng6 18. Re1 Qb5 19. Bxg6 hxg6 20. Ng3 Re8
21. Re3 Qd7 22. Kg2 Re6 23. Qd3 a6 24. Qc2 Kf8 25. Qb3 Qc6 26. Qc2 Qd7 27. Qb3
Qe7 28. Rxe6 fxe6 29. Qc2 Qf7 30. Qd2 Ng8 31. b3 b5 32. Qd3 Nf6 33. a4 Qe8 34.
axb5 axb5 35. Qb1 Kf7 36. Qa2 Qc6 37. Ne2 Nh5 38. Qa7+ Kg8 39. Qe7 b4 40. Qxe6+
Kh7 41. cxb4 Qb5 42. Qe3 Qxb4 43. Ng3 Nf6 44. h4 Qb5 45. Ne2 Nh5 46. Nf4 Nxf4+
47. Qxf4 Qxb3 48. Qxd6 Qc4 49. Qe5 Qc6 50. h5 gxh5 51. Qxh5+ Kg8 52. Qg4 Qf6
53. Qc8+ Kh7 54. Qh3+ Kg8 55. Qg4 Qd6 56. Qf5 Qd8 57. Qe6+ Kh7 58. f4 Qh4 59.
Qf5+ Kh6 60. Qh3 Kh5 61. Qxh4+ Kxh4 62. f3 Kh5 63. Kg3 Kg6 64. Kg4 Kf6 65. f5
Ke7 66. Kg5 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D24"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bxc4 Nxe4 7. O-O Nxc3 8.
bxc3 Bd6 9. Ng5 h6 10. Qh5 O-O 11. Ne4 f5 12. Nxd6 cxd6 13. Bxh6 gxh6 14. Qg6+
Kh8 15. Qxh6+ Kg8 16. Qg6+ Kh8 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Bg6 13. Qb3 Ne7 14. O-O c6 15.
Bd3 Nd2 16. Nxd2 Bxd3 17. Rfd1 Bg6 18. Na4 Nf5 19. Nxb6 axb6 20. Qc3 f6 21. Bf4
Ra4 22. Nf3 Rc4 23. Qd2 fxe5 24. Bxe5 Nd6 25. Rdc1 Rxc1+ 26. Qxc1 Ne4 27. Qe3
Bh5 28. Nd2 Nxf2 29. Qg3 Bg6 30. Rf1 Nd3 31. Rxf8+ Qxf8 32. Nf3 Nxb2 33. Bd6
Qe8 34. Ne5 Nc4 35. Nxc4 dxc4 36. Be5 Qf7 37. a3 b5 38. Kh2 h6 39. d5 cxd5 40.
Bd4 Be4 41. Qe5 Qg6 42. g4 Qf7 43. Kg1 Kh7 44. g5 h5 45. h4 Qd7 46. Kf2 Qf7+
47. Ke1 Bd3 48. Kd2 Be4 49. Ke1 Qd7 50. Kd2 Kg6 51. Ke1 Kh7 52. Kd2 Qf7 53. Ke1
Qg6 54. Kd2 Bb1 55. Ke1 Be4 56. Kd2 Bh1 57. Kc1 Bf3 58. Kb2 Bd1 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D24"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bxc4 Nxe4 7. O-O Nxc3 8.
bxc3 Bd6 9. Ng5 h6 10. Qh5 O-O 11. Ne4 f5 12. Nxd6 cxd6 13. Re1 Qf6 14. Bf4 d5
15. Bd3 Nc6 16. Re3 Bd7 17. Rae1 Be8 18. Qh3 Bf7 19. Rg3 Kh8 20. Bg5 Qg6 21.
Be7 Nxe7 22. Rxg6 Nxg6 23. Qe3 Rac8 24. Rc1 Rc7 25. c4 dxc4 26. Rxc4 Rd7 27. h3
Rfd8 28. Ra4 a6 29. Bc2 Ne7 30. Bb3 Rd6 31. Rc4 Nc6 32. d5 exd5 33. Rf4 d4 34.
Qd3 Bxb3 35. axb3 Rd5 36. g4 Ne5 37. Qd2 fxg4 38. hxg4 d3 39. Kg2 Kg8 40. Re4
Ng6 41. Kg3 Re5 42. Rxe5 Nxe5 43. f4 Nc6 44. Kf2 a5 45. Ke1 Re8+ 46. Kd1 Re4
47. g5 hxg5 48. fxg5 Kf7 49. Qg2 Rd4 50. g6+ Kf6 51. Kd2 Rd8 52. Qg3 Rd4 53.
Qg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a6 7. a4 O-O 8. Bg5 h6
9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 Ba7 11. Na3 g4 12. Bh4 gxf3 13. Qxf3 Kg7 14. Nc2 Be6 15. Ne3
Nb8 16. Kh1 Nbd7 17. Nf5+ Kh7 18. g4 Rg8 19. Nxh6 Bxc4 20. dxc4 Kxh6 21. g5+
Rxg5 22. Bxg5+ Kxg5 23. Rg1+ Kh6 24. Rg3 Nf8 25. Rag1 Ng6 26. Qf5 Kg7 27. Rxg6+
fxg6 28. Qxg6+ Kf8 29. Qh6+ Ke8 30. Rg7 Qe7 31. b4 Bxf2 32. Kg2 Be1 33. Rxe7+
Kxe7 34. Qg7+ Ke6 35. Qxc7 Bxc3 36. Qxb7 Rg8+ 37. Kf1 Bd4 38. c5 Rg1+ 39. Ke2
dxc5 40. Qxa6+ Ke7 41. bxc5 Bxc5 42. Qb7+ Nd7 43. a5 Rg2+ 44. Kd3 Rxh2 45. Qd5
Bd4 46. Qg8 Rh3+ 47. Kc4 Rc3+ 48. Kb4 Nf6 49. Qg7+ Ke6 50. a6 Rc1 51. Qf8 Rb1+
52. Ka4 Nd7 53. Qg8+ Kd6 54. Ka3 Nc5 55. Qd8+ Ke6 56. Qg8+ Kd7 57. Qf7+ Kc6 58.
a7 Ra1+ 59. Kb4 Ra4# 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. c4 Nc7 14. d4 d5
15. cxd5 Bb4 16. Bd2 Bxd2 17. Qxd2 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Qxd5 19. Re5 Qd6 20. Bc4 Bd7
21. Rae1 Rae8 22. Qc3 Rxe5 23. Rxe5 Re8 24. Bb3 Rxe5 25. dxe5 Qe7 26. f4 Be6
27. Bxe6 Qxe6 28. Qd4 h6 29. Qd8+ Kh7 30. Qd3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 O-O 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4
a6 9. a4 g5 10. Bg3 Ba7 11. Na3 Ne7 12. Nc2 Ng6 13. Kh1 Be6 14. Nd2 Qd7 15. Ne3
c6 16. Qf3 Kg7 17. Rfe1 b5 18. Ba2 Rae8 19. axb5 axb5 20. Qd1 Bb6 21. f3 Nf4
22. Qb1 Ra8 23. Ndf1 Ra7 24. Bxe6 fxe6 25. Bf2 Rxa1 26. Qxa1 Nxd3 27. Re2 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. c4 Nc7 14. d4 d5
15. cxd5 Bb4 16. Bd2 Bxd2 17. Qxd2 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Qxd5 19. Re5 Qd6 20. Bc4 Bd7
21. Rae1 Rae8 22. Qc3 Rxe5 23. dxe5 Qe7 24. Rd1 Be6 25. Bxe6 Qxe6 26. a3 h6 27.
h3 Qf5 28. Qe3 b6 29. f4 Re8 30. g4 Qc2 31. Rd2 Qc4 32. Qd4 Qxd4+ 33. Rxd4 g5
34. Rd6 gxf4 35. Rxh6 Rxe5 36. Rxc6 Re2 37. Rc7 a5 38. b4 Re3 39. bxa5 bxa5 40.
a4 Re4 41. Kf2 Rxa4 42. h4 Ra3 43. Rc4 f3 44. Rc5 Kg7 45. Rg5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. c3 e6 6. Nbd2 cxd4 7. exd4 Nh5 8.
Bg5 f6 9. Be3 Bd6 10. g3 O-O 11. Nh4 g6 12. Be2 Ng7 13. O-O e5 14. dxe5 fxe5
15. Nb3 Be7 16. Bc5 Bh3 17. Bxe7 Nxe7 18. Ng2 Qb6 19. Bg4 Bxg4 20. Qxg4 e4 21.
Rad1 Ngf5 22. Qe2 a5 23. Nd4 Rf6 24. Nxf5 Rxf5 25. Ne3 Re5 26. Rd4 Rf8 27. Rfd1
Qe6 28. c4 dxc4 29. Nxc4 Rd5 30. a3 Rfd8 31. Rxd5 Rxd5 32. Re1 Rd4 33. Nd2 e3
34. fxe3 Rd8 35. Qc4 Qxc4 36. Nxc4 Nc6 37. Re2 b5 38. Nd2 Ne5 39. Nb3 Rd1+ 40.
Kg2 Nc4 41. Kf3 Rb1 42. Nd4 Nxb2 43. Nxb5 Nc4 44. a4 Rb4 45. Nc3 Ne5+ 46. Kg2
Rc4 47. Nd5 Rxa4 48. Rb2 Kf7 49. Rb7+ Ke6 50. Nf4+ Kf5 51. Rxh7 Ra2+ 52. Kh3 g5
53. g4+ Ke4 54. Ne6 Nf3 55. Kg3 Kxe3 56. Re7 Nxh2 57. Nxg5+ Kd3 58. Rd7+ Ke3
59. Re7+ Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.9"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. d5 Bc5 11. Nd2 d6 12. Re1 Nf6 13. Nb3 Bb6 14. h3 Re8
15. a4 a6 16. a5 Ba7 17. c4 Bf5 18. Rxe8+ Qxe8 19. Nd4 Bg6 20. Ra3 c6 21. dxc6
bxc6 22. Be3 d5 23. Nf3 Bb8 24. Bb6 Be4 25. Re3 Qd7 26. Nd2 Bg6 27. Nb3 Ne4 28.
cxd5 cxd5 29. Nc5 Nxc5 30. Bxc5 Bh2+ 31. Kh1 Bf4 32. Re1 h6 33. b4 d4 34. Bd3
Rd8 35. Bxg6 fxg6 36. Qd3 Qf5 37. Rd1 Qxd3 38. Rxd3 Be5 39. f4 Bf6 40. g4 Kf7
41. f5 gxf5 42. gxf5 Rd5 43. Kg2 Rxf5 44. Rd2 Rd5 45. Kf3 Ke6 46. Re2+ Kd7 47.
Ra2 Kc6 48. Ke4 d3 49. Rd2 Bg5 50. Rxd3 Rxd3 51. Kxd3 Kb5 52. Bf8 g6 53. Ke4 h5
54. Ke5 Bd2 55. Kf6 Bxb4 56. Bh6 Bxa5 57. Kxg6 Bc3 58. Kxh5 a5 59. Kg4 a4 60.
Bc1 Kc4 61. h4 Kb3 62. h5 Kc2 63. Ba3 Kb3 64. Be7 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 O-O 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4
a6 9. Nbd2 Ba7 10. Kh1 g5 11. Nxg5 hxg5 12. Bxg5 Kg7 13. f4 Rh8 14. d4 exd4 15.
e5 Ng4 16. h3 Qg8 17. Ne4 Ne3 18. Qf3 Nxc4 19. Nf6 Bxh3 20. gxh3 Qc8 21. Kh2
Nd2 22. Qg2 Nxf1+ 23. Rxf1 Kf8 24. f5 Nxe5 25. Nd5 Qd7 26. Be7+ Qxe7 27. Nxe7
Kxe7 28. Qxb7 Kd7 29. Qxa6 dxc3 30. Qb5+ Kc8 31. bxc3 Bb6 32. Qe2 Ra4 33. Qg2
Ng4+ 34. Kh1 Ne3 35. Qc6 Rxh3+ 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2018.12.01"]
[Round "3.11"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2018.07.24"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Be7 6. Nxe5 Qd4 7. Qh5 Be6 8.
d3 Qc5 9. Be3 Qxc2 10. Nc3 Nf6 11. Qf3 Qxb2 12. Rfc1 Qa3 13. Rab1 Bd6 14. Nc4
Bxc4 15. dxc4 Be5 16. Rxb7 O-O 17. Rb3 Qa5 18. Bf4 Rfe8 19. Bxe5 Qxe5 20. Qg3
Qxg3 21. hxg3 Nxe4 22. Nxe4 Rxe4 23. Rd1 Kf8 24. Rbd3 Ke8 25. f3 Rxc4 26. Re1+
Kf8 27. Rd7 Re8 28. Red1 Rc8 29. Re1 Rc5 30. Ree7 Rf5 31. g4 Rf4 32. Rxc7 Rxc7
33. Rxc7 Rc4 34. Ra7 Ra4 35. Rc7 Rxa2 36. Rxc6 g6 37. Rc7 Kg7 38. g5 Ra5 39.
Ra7 Rxg5 40. Rxa6 h5 41. Kh2 Rb5 42. Ra7 Rb2 43. Rc7 Kf6 44. Ra7 Ke6 45. Kh3 f6
46. Ra6+ Kf5 47. Ra5+ Ke6 48. Ra6+ Kf5 49. Ra5+ Kf4 50. Ra6 Kg5 51. Ra5+ f5 52.
Ra6 Rb1 53. g3 h4 54. f4+ Kh6 55. g4 fxg4+ 56. Kxg4 Rb4 57. Kxh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 d6 7. O-O Ne7 8. d4
exd4 9. cxd4 Bb6 10. e5 Ne8 11. a4 Nf5 12. Nb3 dxe5 13. dxe5 Qxd1 14. Rxd1 a5
15. h3 c6 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bd8 Bxd8 18. Rxd8 Nc7 19. Rxf8+ Kxf8 20. Nbd4 Bd7 21.
Rd1 Ke8 22. g4 Ne7 23. Kh2 Rd8 24. Kg3 Bc8 25. Rd2 Ncd5 26. Bb3 Nb4 27. Bc4 g6
28. Nb3 Rxd2 29. Nfxd2 b6 30. Ne4 Be6 31. Nbd2 Bxc4 32. Nxc4 Ned5 33. f4 Nd3
34. f5 gxf5 35. gxf5 Kf8 36. Kf3 b5 37. axb5 cxb5 38. Nxa5 Nxe5+ 39. Kg3 Nd3
40. b3 Nc1 41. Kf3 Kg7 42. Nd6 b4 43. Ne4 h5 44. h4 Nd3 45. Nc6 Nc1 46. Nd4 Nd3
47. Nc6 Nc1 48. Nd4 Nd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A26"]
[WhiteElo "2822"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "161"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. a3 g6 5. d3 Bg7 6. g3 O-O 7. Bg2 d6 8. O-O
Nd4 9. Ne1 c6 10. b4 Re8 11. e3 Ne6 12. Bb2 h5 13. Nf3 Bd7 14. Rc1 Rc8 15. c5
Nf8 16. cxd6 Bg4 17. h3 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Qxd6 19. Rfd1 a6 20. Qe2 Ne6 21. h4 Rcd8
22. Bh3 Qb8 23. Qf3 Nd5 24. Ne4 f5 25. Nc5 Nxc5 26. bxc5 Nf6 27. Qe2 Ng4 28.
Bc3 Qc7 29. Rb1 Qf7 30. Rb2 Rd5 31. Rdb1 Re7 32. e4 Rd8 33. Bd2 f4 34. Rb3 Red7
35. Bxg4 hxg4 36. Qxg4 Rxd3 37. Rxb7 Qf6 38. Be1 fxg3 39. fxg3 Rf3 40. Kg2 Rf8
41. Rb8 Rxa3 42. Rxf8+ Bxf8 43. Rb2 a5 44. Rf2 Qg7 45. Qe6+ Kh8 46. Rf7 Qh6 47.
Qxe5+ Bg7 48. Qe8+ Kh7 49. Kh3 g5 50. Qd7 Qxh4+ 51. Kg2 Ra2+ 52. Bf2 Qxe4+ 53.
Kh2 Qg6 54. Qh3+ Qh6 55. Qxh6+ Kxh6 56. Kg1 a4 57. Rc7 a3 58. Rxc6+ Kh5 59. Ra6
Bb2 60. c6 Ra1+ 61. Kg2 Rc1 62. Be3 Rc2+ 63. Kf3 Rc4 64. Ke2 Kg4 65. Kd3 Rc3+
66. Kd2 Kxg3 67. Bd4 Rc4 68. Ba7 Bf6 69. Rxa3+ Kg4 70. Ra6 Bd8 71. Kd3 Rc1 72.
Be3 Rd1+ 73. Kc2 Rd5 74. Kc3 Kf5 75. Kc4 Rd1 76. Ra8 g4 77. Bd4 Bc7 78. Rc8 Bg3
79. Rf8+ Ke6 80. Re8+ Kf5 81. Rf8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c3 Nf6 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. h3 g6 7. Nf3 Bf5 8. O-O
Bg7 9. Re1 O-O 10. Bf1 a6 11. Bf4 Ne4 12. Nbd2 Re8 13. Nxe4 Bxe4 14. Nd2 Bf5
15. Nb3 Qb6 16. a4 Na5 17. Nxa5 Qxa5 18. Qb3 Ra7 19. Bd6 Qd8 20. Bc5 Ra8 21.
Qxb7 Rb8 22. Qxa6 Rxb2 23. Bb5 Bd7 24. Rab1 Ra2 25. Bxd7 Qxd7 26. Qb5 Qc8 27.
Bxe7 h5 28. a5 Kh7 29. Qxd5 Rc2 30. Bb4 Rxe1+ 31. Rxe1 Qc7 32. a6 Qf4 33. Rf1
Rc1 34. g3 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Be7 10. Nc3 Nh4 11. Nxh4 Bxh4 12. Be3 h5 13. Rad1+ Ke8 14.
Ne2 Be7 15. Rd2 h4 16. Rfd1 Rh5 17. Bf4 a6 18. Bh2 Rh6 19. a3 Be6 20. Nd4 c5
21. Nxe6 Rxe6 22. a4 c4 23. Rd4 b5 24. Kf1 f5 25. exf6 Bxf6 26. Rd7 bxa4 27.
Rxc7 Bxb2 28. Rxc4 a3 29. Ra4 Rc8 30. Rd6 Rc6 31. Rxe6+ Rxe6 32. Bf4 Kd7 33.
Be3 Rc6 34. c4 Rxc4 35. Rxc4 a2 36. Ra4 a1=Q+ 37. Rxa1 Bxa1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.14"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. h3 d6 7. c3 a6 8. a4 h6
9. Re1 a5 10. Na3 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nc2 Ba7 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Nxe3 Qd7 15.
Qb3 b6 16. Qb5 Rf7 17. Nd2 Raf8 18. Re2 Qe8 19. g3 Qa8 20. Kg2 Kh7 21. Rh1 Ng8
22. h4 Nf6 23. h5 Ne7 24. Kg1 Kh8 25. Rh4 Nh7 26. d4 exd4 27. cxd4 Nc6 28. Qc4
e5 29. dxe5 Nxe5 30. Qd5 Qa6 31. Qb5 Qxb5 32. axb5 Ng5 33. Kg2 Ngf3 34. Nxf3
Nxf3 35. Rg4 Nd4 36. Rd2 Nxb5 37. f4 Re8 38. Kf3 Na7 39. Rc2 Nb5 40. Rd2 Kh7
41. Rg6 Rf6 42. Rxf6 gxf6 43. Nf5 a4 44. Rd5 a3 45. bxa3 Nxa3 46. Rd4 b5 47.
Ne3 Kg7 48. Nf5+ Kh7 49. Ne3 Rf8 50. g4 Kg7 51. Nf5+ Kh7 52. Ne3 Kg7 53. Nf5+
Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.14"]
[Round "6"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. g3 c5 5. Nf3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. Bg2 d5 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Qa4 Na6 10. Rd1 Qe8 11. Qc2 Nc7 12. Ne4 Nxe4 13. Bxe4 e5 14. Bxh7+ Kh8
15. Nf3 b5 16. Qe4 Qe6 17. Ng5 Qg4 18. Qc6 Ne6 19. Qxa8 Nxg5 20. Bxg5 Kxh7 21.
Rd8 Rxd8 22. Bxd8 Bf5 23. Qxa7 Qxe2 24. Qxf7 Bg6 25. Qd7 Bc5 26. Qh3+ Kg8 27.
Qe6+ Bf7 28. Qf5 Bg6 29. Qe6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bc1 Nf6 8. f3
e6 9. Be3 b5 10. Qd2 Bb7 11. g4 Nfd7 12. O-O-O Nb6 13. Nb3 N8d7 14. Na5 Rb8 15.
Bd4 Ba8 16. h4 Qc7 17. g5 b4 18. Nb1 e5 19. Bxb6 Rxb6 20. Nc4 Rc6 21. Ne3 Rc5
22. Bxa6 d5 23. exd5 Bd6 24. Qe2 O-O 25. Nd2 Ra5 26. Bc4 Nc5 27. Ne4 b3 28.
Bxb3 Nxb3+ 29. axb3 Ra1+ 30. Kd2 Ra2 31. Nc4 Bc5 32. Qd3 Bxd5 33. Qxd5 Rd8 34.
Qxd8+ Qxd8+ 35. Ke2 Bd4 36. c3 Qb8 37. cxd4 Qxb3 38. Ned2 Qa4 39. dxe5 Qa6 40.
Kf2 h6 41. Rhg1 Qa7+ 42. Kg3 hxg5 43. hxg5 Qc7 44. Ra1 Qa7 45. Rac1 Ra6 46. Ne4
Qe7 47. Rgd1 Ra8 48. Rd6 Rc8 49. b3 Rb8 50. Rc3 Qa7 51. Rd1 Qe7 52. Rcd3 Rc8
53. Rd6 Rb8 54. R1d5 Qa7 55. Rd8+ Rxd8 56. Rxd8+ Kh7 57. Rd1 Qa2 58. Ncd2 Qc2
59. Rh1+ Kg6 60. Nc4 Qxb3 61. Ncd6 Qa3 62. Rb1 Qa5 63. Kf4 Qa2 64. Rh1 Qa5 65.
Nf5 f6 66. gxf6 gxf6 67. exf6 Qc7+ 68. Nfd6 Qa5 69. Rg1+ Kh6 70. Nf7+ 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.14"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. Nc3 Bf6 11. Re1 d5 12. Ne2 c6 13. c3 g6 14. Nf4 Ng7
15. g3 Bf5 16. Ng2 Qb6 17. Ne3 Rfe8 18. Nxf5 Nxf5 19. Bd3 Rxe1+ 20. Qxe1 Ng7
21. Qd1 Re8 22. Rb1 Ne6 23. Bd2 Bg5 24. h4 Bxd2 25. Qxd2 Qa5 26. b4 Qd8 27. a4
h5 28. Kg2 a6 29. Re1 Ng7 30. Rxe8+ Nxe8 31. a5 Qf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bc1 Nf6 8. f3
e6 9. Be3 b5 10. Qd2 Nbd7 11. g4 b4 12. Nd1 h6 13. c4 bxc3 14. Nxc3 Bb7 15. h4
d5 16. Rg1 dxe4 17. g5 hxg5 18. hxg5 Nd5 19. g6 Nxe3 20. gxf7+ Kxf7 21. Qxe3
Qh4+ 22. Kd1 Ne5 23. Kc2 Nxf3 24. Nxf3 exf3 25. Rd1 Rd8 26. Rxd8 Qxd8 27. Qf4+
Kg8 28. Bc4 Qe7 29. Rg6 Rh4 30. Qe3 Rxc4 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.15"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3
h5 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. O-O-O Be7 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Bf5 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. Qxd3
Bg5 15. Kb1 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 Rc8 17. h4 Nf6 18. Qd3 Qc7 19. Nd2 b5 20. Rhe1 O-O
21. Nf1 Qc4 22. Ne3 Qxd3 23. Rxd3 g6 24. Ra3 Ra8 25. Ra5 Rfc8 26. c3 Nd7 27. a4
bxa4 28. Rxa4 Nb6 29. Ra5 f5 30. g3 Nc4 31. Nxc4 Rxc4 32. Kc2 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.15"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2822"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 Nc6
8. Qd2 Be6 9. O-O-O Qd7 10. Kb1 Bf6 11. h4 O-O-O 12. Ng5 Bf5 13. Qd5 h6 14. Ne4
Be5 15. Bd3 Be6 16. Qb5 f5 17. Nd2 f4 18. Bd4 Nxd4 19. cxd4 Qxb5 20. Bxb5 Bxd4
21. Rhe1 Bf5 22. Ne4 Bb6 23. Bd3 Rhf8 24. f3 d5 25. Nc3 Bxd3 26. Rxd3 c6 27.
Kc1 Bf2 28. Rh1 Rde8 29. Kd1 Re5 30. Ne2 Rh5 31. Rf1 Bb6 32. Rh1 Bd8 33. Rd4 g5
34. b3 Bf6 35. Rd3 Be5 36. Ke1 gxh4 37. Kf1 Rg8 38. Rd2 Kc7 39. Rh3 Bd6 40. Nc1
Bc5 41. Nd3 Be3 42. Re2 d4 43. a4 b5 44. a5 c5 45. Nb2 Kc6 46. Re1 a6 47. Rh1
Kd5 48. Nd3 Rf8 49. Rh3 Kd6 50. Nb2 Rc8 51. Nd3 c4 52. Nb4 cxb3 53. cxb3 Rc3
54. Rd1 Rxb3 55. Nd3 b4 56. Ke2 Rxa5 57. Rxh4 h5 58. Nxf4 Ra2+ 59. Kf1 Rbb2 60.
Nd3 Rxg2 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.15"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. e3 d5 4. b3 c5 5. Bb2 Nc6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Nc3 Bd6 8. Rc1
O-O 9. Na4 b6 10. d4 Ne4 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Bb5 Ne7 13. O-O Bg4 14. h3 Bh5 15.
Be2 Rc8 16. Nd2 Bxe2 17. Qxe2 Nxd2 18. Qxd2 Bd6 19. Qd4 Nf5 20. Rxc8 Qxc8 21.
Qxd5 Rd8 22. Qe4 Bb8 23. Nc3 Re8 24. Qg4 Be5 25. Rc1 Qe6 26. Rd1 g6 27. Qe4 h5
28. Rd3 Qc8 29. Qa4 a6 30. Qd7 b5 31. Qxc8 Rxc8 32. Nd5 Bxb2 33. g4 Rc1+ 34.
Kg2 hxg4 35. hxg4 Nh4+ 36. Kg3 g5 37. f4 Rg1+ 38. Kh3 Nf3 39. Ne7+ Kh7 40. Nf5
Bf6 41. Rd7 Kg6 42. Rd6 Rc1 43. Ne7+ Kg7 44. Nf5+ Kg6 45. Rxa6 Nd2 46. Ng3 Rc3
47. f5+ Kg7 48. Nh5+ Kf8 49. Nxf6 Rxe3+ 50. Kg2 Ne4 51. Ra8+ Kg7 52. Nh5+ Kh7
53. Re8 Re2+ 54. Kf3 Rf2+ 55. Ke3 Rxa2 56. Kxe4 Re2+ 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.15"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bc1 Nf6 8. f3
e5 9. Nb3 Be6 10. Be3 Nbd7 11. g4 Be7 12. Qd2 b5 13. g5 b4 14. Ne2 Nh5 15. Ng3
Nf4 16. Bxf4 exf4 17. Nh5 O-O 18. h4 Ne5 19. Qxf4 Qc7 20. O-O-O Rfc8 21. Rh2 a5
22. Kb1 a4 23. Nd4 Bxa2+ 24. Kxa2 b3+ 25. Kb1 a3 26. cxb3 Qa5 27. Qd2 Qb6 28.
Nf4 Nxf3 29. Nxf3 Qxb3 30. Nd4 Qb7 31. Nd5 Bd8 32. b4 a2+ 33. Ka1 Bb6 34. Nf5
1-0

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.15"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "179"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c3 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. cxd4 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bf4 Bd6 6. Bxd6 Qxd6 7. e3 Ne7 8.
Bd3 Bf5 9. Nge2 Nd7 10. O-O O-O 11. Nf4 Rfe8 12. Qd2 Nb6 13. b3 a5 14. a4 Qh6
15. Nce2 Nbc8 16. b4 axb4 17. Qxb4 Qd6 18. Qxb7 Rb8 19. Qa6 g5 20. Bxf5 Nxf5
21. Nd3 Nb6 22. Ne5 f6 23. Nxc6 Qxc6 24. a5 Nd6 25. axb6 Rxb6 26. Qd3 Qc4 27.
Qxc4 dxc4 28. Nc3 Rb3 29. Rfc1 f5 30. Ra5 h6 31. h4 f4 32. Nd5 Kf7 33. Ra7+ Kf8
34. Ra6 Rd8 35. exf4 Ne4 36. Nc7 Kf7 37. hxg5 hxg5 38. Ne6 Rc8 39. fxg5 c3 40.
g6+ Ke7 41. g7 Kf7 42. d5 Nf6 43. Ra7+ Kg8 44. d6 Rb6 45. Rc7 Rxc7 46. dxc7 Rc6
47. Nd4 Rxc7 48. Nb5 Rc5 49. Nxc3 Kxg7 50. Ne2 Re5 51. Nf4 Ra5 52. g3 Ne4 53.
Re1 Nd2 54. Kg2 Nc4 55. Re4 Nd6 56. Re7+ Kf8 57. Re6 Nf7 58. Nd3 Rb5 59. Re3
Kg7 60. Nf4 Ra5 61. Rb3 Nd6 62. Ne6+ Kf7 63. Nd4 Ra4 64. Rd3 Kf6 65. f4 Ne4 66.
Ne2 Ra2 67. Re3 Nd6 68. Kf3 Nf5 69. Rd3 Ne7 70. Nc3 Ra5 71. Ne4+ Kf7 72. g4 Ng6
73. Kg3 Ra4 74. Re3 Kf8 75. f5 Ne5 76. Kf4 Nf7 77. Rd3 Ra1 78. g5 Rf1+ 79. Rf3
Rh1 80. Rg3 Rf1+ 81. Rf3 Rh1 82. g6 Rh4+ 83. Ke3 Ne5 84. Rf4 Nc4+ 85. Kf3 Rh6
86. Kg4 Ne5+ 87. Kg5 Rh1 88. Kf6 Nd7+ 89. Ke6 Nb6 90. f6 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.15"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3
Nbd7 9. g4 b5 10. g5 b4 11. Ne2 Ng8 12. f4 h6 13. f5 Bc4 14. g6 fxg6 15. Ng3
Bxf1 16. Rxf1 Ngf6 17. fxg6 Qc7 18. Qd3 Rc8 19. O-O-O Qc4 20. Kb1 Qxd3 21. cxd3
Be7 22. Nf5 Bf8 23. Rc1 Ra8 24. Rc6 d5 25. Re6+ Kd8 26. Na5 d4 27. Bxh6 gxh6
28. Rc1 Nc5 29. g7 Bxg7 30. Rxc5 Bf8 31. Nb7+ Kd7 32. Rxf6 Bxc5 33. Nxc5+ Kd8
34. Rf7 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.15"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O
8. O-O Re8 9. Bg5 Rb8 10. Re1 h6 11. Bh4 Bd6 12. Rb1 g5 13. Bg3 Bxg3 14. hxg3
d6 15. Qd2 Kg7 16. b3 Qe7 17. Nd1 Qe5 18. Ne3 Be6 19. f4 Qd4 20. Rbd1 Ng4 21.
c3 Qb6 22. Kh1 f6 23. Bc2 Re7 24. Re2 Nxe3 25. Rxe3 Bf5 26. Rf1 Rh8 27. e5 Be6
28. exf6+ Kxf6 29. fxg5+ Kg7 30. g6 Rhe8 31. Qf2 Kg8 32. Qf4 Qc5 33. Rxe6 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.15"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 Nd7
8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O c6 10. h4 d5 11. Kb1 Nf6 12. Bd3 Re8 13. Ng5 h6 14. f3 c5
15. g4 c4 16. Bf1 b5 17. Nh3 b4 18. g5 Nh5 19. Nf4 Ng3 20. Rg1 hxg5 21. hxg5
Nxf1 22. Rdxf1 Bf5 23. Qh2 Bxg5 24. Bd4 b3 25. Nh5 bxc2+ 26. Ka1 Bg6 27. Nxg7
Be3 28. Rh1 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.15"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "243"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Bf5 4. c4 c6 5. O-O e6 6. Qb3 Qb6 7. d3 Nbd7 8. cxd5
Qxb3 9. axb3 exd5 10. Bd2 Bg4 11. Bc3 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 Bd6 13. b4 O-O 14. Nd2 a6
15. Nb3 Rab8 16. Rfe1 Rfd8 17. Rad1 Ne8 18. e4 Nc7 19. e5 Bf8 20. d4 Nb6 21.
Kg2 Na4 22. Ra1 Nxc3 23. bxc3 f6 24. exf6 gxf6 25. Be2 Re8 26. Bd3 Rxe1 27.
Rxe1 Re8 28. Rd1 Re7 29. f4 Ne8 30. Kf3 Nd6 31. g4 Nb5 32. Bxb5 cxb5 33. h4 Rc7
34. Rd3 b6 35. g5 Ra7 36. Na1 a5 37. Nc2 Kf7 38. Kg4 Rc7 39. Kf5 Bd6 40. Na3
Rc6 41. Nxb5 Bf8 42. Rd1 fxg5 43. hxg5 h6 44. bxa5 bxa5 45. Ra1 hxg5 46. fxg5
Be7 47. Rxa5 Rg6 48. Ra7 Rxg5+ 49. Kf4 Rh5 50. Nc7 Kf6 51. Ra6+ Kf7 52. Ra7 Kf6
53. Ra6+ Kf7 54. Rc6 Bd8 55. Na6 Be7 56. Nc7 Bd8 57. Nb5 Be7 58. Kg4 Rg5+ 59.
Kf4 Rh5 60. Nc7 Bd8 61. Na6 Be7 62. Nb4 Ke8 63. Nd3 Kd7 64. Ra6 Bd6+ 65. Ne5+
Ke6 66. Kg4 Rh7 67. Nd3 Rg7+ 68. Kf3 Rc7 69. Nf4+ Kd7 70. Nxd5 Rb7 71. Ke4 Rb1
72. Kd3 Rc1 73. Kc4 Rb1 74. Nf6+ Ke7 75. Ne4 Bf4 76. Ra7+ Ke6 77. Nc5+ Kf6 78.
Rb7 Ra1 79. Nd3 Bd6 80. Rb6 Ke7 81. Nc5 Bg3 82. Rg6 Bf4 83. Nd3 Bd6 84. Nb4 Kd7
85. Nd5 Ra5 86. Rg7+ Kc8 87. Nb6+ Kb8 88. Nd5 Bh2 89. Nb4 Rh5 90. Nc6+ Kc8 91.
Ne7+ Kb8 92. Nd5 Bd6 93. Rd7 Bh2 94. Kc5 Kc8 95. Rf7 Rh6 96. Nb6+ Kd8 97. Rd7+
Ke8 98. Rb7 Bd6+ 99. Kb5 Rh5+ 100. Kc6 Ba3 101. Nc4 Bc1 102. Nd6+ Kf8 103. Rf7+
Kg8 104. Rf3 Ra5 105. c4 Ra6+ 106. Kd5 Bb2 107. c5 Ra8 108. Rf4 Rd8 109. Kc6
Ra8 110. d5 Be5 111. Rf5 Bd4 112. Kb5 Ra1 113. Ne4 Re1 114. Rf4 Be3 115. Rg4+
Kf7 116. Nd6+ Kf8 117. Re4 Rb1+ 118. Kc6 Bg1 119. Nc4 Rb8 120. Nd6 Rb1 121. Nb7
Rc1 122. d6 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Bf5 4. c4 c6 5. O-O e6 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Qb3 Qb6 8.
Qxb6 axb6 9. d3 Nc6 10. Nc3 Bc5 11. Bd2 Ke7 12. Rfc1 Rhc8 13. Nb5 Bg4 14. a3
Ne8 15. h3 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 Nd6 17. Nxd6 Bxd6 18. e3 b5 19. d4 b4 20. axb4 Rxa1
21. Rxa1 Bxb4 22. Bc3 Bxc3 23. bxc3 b5 24. Rb1 Rb8 25. Be2 b4 26. cxb4 Rxb4 27.
Rxb4 Nxb4 28. Kf1 Kd6 29. Ke1 e5 30. dxe5+ Kxe5 31. h4 d4 32. exd4+ Kxd4 33.
Kf1 Nc6 34. Bf3 Ne5 35. Be2 Kc3 36. Ba6 Kd2 37. Bb5 f6 38. Ba6 h6 39. Bb5 g6
40. Be8 g5 41. hxg5 hxg5 42. f4 gxf4 43. gxf4 Nd3 44. f5 Ke3 45. Bd7 Nc5 46.
Bc8 Ne4 47. Kg2 Kf4 48. Be6 Ng3 49. Kf2 Nxf5 50. Bxf5 Kxf5 51. Kf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2822"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Nf6 6. Bf4 Bg4 7. Qb3 Qd7 8.
Nd2 e6 9. Ngf3 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. Qxb7 Rb8 12. Qa6 O-O 13. Bb5 Rb6 14. Qa4
Ne7 15. Ne5 Ng6 16. Nxg4 Nxg4 17. h3 Nf6 18. Nb3 e5 19. O-O e4 20. Rfe1 Nh5 21.
Bf1 Nh4 22. Qa5 Qg6 23. Qxd5 Nf3+ 24. Kh1 Ng3+ 25. fxg3 Qxg3 26. Qe5 Nxe5 27.
dxe5 Qxe5 28. Rad1 f5 29. Rd7 Rd6 30. Rxa7 Qg3 31. Rb1 f4 32. Nc5 Qe3 33. b4 f3
34. Re7 fxg2+ 35. Bxg2 Rh6 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 b6 8. Ne5
Qxd4 9. Bxa8 Qxe5 10. Bf3 Nd5 11. Qxc4 Ba6 12. Qa4 Bf6 13. Re1 Qd4 14. Qxd4
Bxd4 15. Rd1 Nc6 16. e3 Bf6 17. Bxd5 exd5 18. Rxd5 Ne5 19. Nc3 Nf3+ 20. Kg2
Ne1+ 21. Kg1 Nf3+ 22. Kg2 Ne1+ 23. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c3 Nf6 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. Bd3 Bg4 7. Qb3 Qd7 8.
Nd2 e6 9. Ngf3 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. O-O O-O 12. Rae1 Rab8 13. Ne5 b5 14. Bxb5
a6 15. Bxc6 Rxb3 16. axb3 Bf5 17. b4 Ng4 18. Ba4 h5 19. h3 Nxe5 20. Rxe5 f6 21.
Re3 e5 22. Nb3 Bc2 23. Ra1 h4 24. Nc5 Bxa4 25. Rxa4 exd4 26. cxd4 Qb6 27. b3
Ra8 28. Re7 Qd6 29. Rd7 Qc6 30. Rb7 Qd6 31. Rd7 Qc6 32. Rb7 Qe8 33. Ra1 Rb8 34.
Rd7 Rd8 35. Rb7 Rb8 36. Rd7 Rd8 37. Rb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.12"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Bc7 13. Nf5 d5 14. Ne7+
Kh8 15. Nxc8 Rxc8 16. d3 Qf6 17. Qg4 Bb6 18. Qf4 Qd8 19. c3 Nc7 20. d4 Ne6 21.
Qf3 Ng5 22. Bxg5 Qxg5 23. Re5 Qd8 24. Rae1 Kg8 25. g3 Rc7 26. h4 f6 27. Re6 f5
28. Bd3 Rcf7 29. h5 Qg5 30. Kg2 Bc7 31. c4 g6 32. hxg6 hxg6 33. cxd5 cxd5 34.
Bb5 f4 35. g4 Rh7 36. Bd3 Qh4 37. Rxg6+ Kh8 38. g5 Qh2+ 39. Kf1 Qh1+ 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 a6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bc1 Nf6 8. f3
e5 9. Nb3 Be6 10. Be3 h5 11. Qd2 Nbd7 12. O-O-O Rc8 13. Kb1 b5 14. g3 Be7 15.
Nd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 Nb6 17. Bxb6 Qxb6 18. Bh3 Rc7 19. Rhe1 h4 20. Qg2 a5 21. f4
a4 22. Nc1 O-O 23. fxe5 dxe5 24. gxh4 a3 25. Rg1 Ne8 26. Nd3 Bf6 27. Nf2 e4 28.
Nxe4 Bxb2 29. d6 Rc4 30. d7 Rb4 31. Rd3 Bf6+ 32. Kc1 Rxe4 33. Rgd1 Rxh4 34. Bg4
Nc7 35. d8=Q Bxd8 36. Rxd8 Qe3+ 37. Kb1 Qc3 38. Rxf8+ Kxf8 39. Rd8+ Ne8 40.
Rxe8+ Kxe8 41. Qe4+ Kf8 42. Qa8+ Ke7 43. Qe4+ Kd6 44. Qf4+ Qe5 45. Qb4+ Kc6 46.
Qxa3 Rxg4 47. Qa6+ Kd7 48. Qb7+ Kd8 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. b3 d5 4. Bb2 c5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. g3 Nc6 7. Bg2 d4 8. O-O
Be7 9. Na3 O-O 10. Nc4 Bf5 11. Rc1 Rc8 12. Nfe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Be4 14. Bh3 Rc7
15. f3 Qd5 16. fxe4 Qxe5 17. d3 Ne8 18. Kg2 Qd6 19. Rc2 Bf6 20. Qd2 Be5 21.
Rfc1 b6 22. a3 f5 23. exf5 Nf6 24. e4 dxe3 25. Qxe3 Bxb2 26. Rxb2 Re7 27. Qf4
Qxf4 28. gxf4 Rd8 29. Kg1 Rd4 30. b4 cxb4 31. axb4 Rxf4 32. Ra1 Nd5 33. Rba2
Rxb4 34. Rxa7 Kf7 35. Bg2 Nc3 36. Rxe7+ Kxe7 37. Ra3 Nb5 38. Ra2 Kf6 39. Be4
Nc3 40. Rc2 Rb3 41. Kf2 b5 42. Ke3 b4 43. Kd4 Nb5+ 44. Ke3 Rc3 45. Rb2 b3 46.
Bd5 Nd6 47. Bxb3 Nxf5+ 48. Ke4 Rc7 49. Bc4 Re7+ 50. Kf4 g5+ 51. Kg4 Ne3+ 52.
Kh5 Nxc4 53. dxc4 Re4 54. Rf2+ Kg7 55. Kxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nge2 Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bc1 Nf6 8.
f3 e5 9. Nb3 Be6 10. Be3 h5 11. Qd2 Nbd7 12. O-O-O b5 13. Kb1 Rc8 14. g3 Be7
15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 Bf5 17. Bd3 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 O-O 19. Rhg1 f5 20. h3 Qc7 21.
c3 Qc4 22. Qc2 Qa4 23. g4 fxg4 24. fxg4 Rf3 25. Bc1 h4 26. g5 Nf8 27. Qe2 Rxh3
28. Rg4 Rc4 29. Nc5 Rh2 30. Qd3 dxc5 31. d6 Bxd6 32. Qd5+ Kh7 33. g6+ Nxg6 34.
Rg5 Qc2+ 35. Ka1 Kh6 36. Rg2+ Qxc1+ 37. Rxc1 Rxg2 38. Qxg2 Rf4 39. Rg1 Rf6 40.
Qg5+ Kh7 41. a4 Kg8 42. Qh5 Kf7 43. a5 c4 44. Ka2 Bc7 45. Qg4 Bxa5 46. Qd7+ Ne7
47. Rg5 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.13"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2018.08.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. Bg2 c6 6. e4 d5 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. e5
Ne4 9. O-O Qa5 10. Ne2 Nc6 11. d3 Nc5 12. d4 Ne6 13. Be3 Rd8 14. h4 h5 15. Re1
Bd7 16. Nc3 Nc7 17. a3 Nb5 18. Ne2 Bg4 19. b4 Qb6 20. Qd2 a5 21. a4 Nc7 22. b5
Nb4 23. Rec1 Ne6 24. Ra3 Rdc8 25. Rac3 Rxc3 26. Rxc3 Qd8 27. Nf4 Nxf4 28. Bxf4
Rc8 29. Ng5 Bf5 30. Qc1 Rxc3 31. Qxc3 e6 32. Bh3 Bc2 33. Bxe6 fxe6 34. Nxe6 Qd7
35. Nxg7 Kxg7 36. e6 Qxe6 37. Qc7+ Kf8 38. Bd6+ Ke8 39. Qb8+ Kd7 40. Qc7+ Ke8
41. Qb8+ Kd7 42. Qc7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 6th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2018.08.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 h5 11. Bg5 Be6 12. Rfd1 Be7 13. Rd2 Rd8 14.
Rxd8+ Kxd8 15. Rd1+ Ke8 16. b3 h4 17. Bc1 a5 18. Ne2 Bd5 19. Ne1 Be6 20. Nf4
Bc8 21. Nf3 Rh6 22. Nh2 Rh8 23. Ng4 Nh6 24. Ne3 Nf5 25. Nc4 g5 26. Ne2 b6 27.
Nd2 Ng7 28. Ne4 Ne6 29. Nf6+ Bxf6 30. exf6 Rg8 31. f3 Rg6 32. Bb2 Bd7 33. Nc1
c5 34. Be5 Kd8 35. Nd3 Kc8 36. Bb2 Be8 37. Re1 Rg8 38. Re4 Kd8 39. Kf2 Nf8 40.
Ne5 Nh7 41. f4 Rh8 42. Nf3 gxf4 43. Rxf4 Nf8 44. Rxh4 Rxh4 45. Nxh4 Bc6 46. Ke3
Kd7 47. g4 Ng6 48. Nxg6 fxg6 49. Be5 b5 50. Bxc7 a4 51. Bb6 axb3 52. cxb3 g5
53. Bxc5 Ke6 54. Bd4 Bg2 55. h4 gxh4 56. Kf4 Kf7 57. g5 h3 58. Kg3 Kg6 59. Be3
Kf7 60. Bd2 Kg6 61. a4 bxa4 62. bxa4 Kf7 63. a5 Bf1 64. Bf4 Kg6 65. Kg4 Kf7 66.
Kf5 Bd3+ 67. Ke5 Be2 68. Kd6 Bd3 69. Kc5 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 6th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2822"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2018.08.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Qb3 e6 5. g3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qb3 Bb7 8. Bg2
a6 9. a4 c5 10. axb5 c4 11. Qd1 axb5 12. Rxa8 Bxa8 13. O-O Be7 14. b3 cxb3 15.
Qxb3 b4 16. Bb2 Nbd7 17. Nbd2 O-O 18. Ra1 Qb8 19. Ne1 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Rc8 21. e4
h5 22. Nd3 h4 23. Rc1 Rxc1 24. Nxc1 Qb5 25. Qd3 Qxd3 26. Nxd3 hxg3 27. hxg3 Nb6
28. Kf3 Nfd7 29. Nb3 Nc4 30. Bc1 e5 31. dxe5 Ncxe5+ 32. Nxe5 Nxe5+ 33. Ke2 Kf8
34. f4 Ng4 35. Kf3 Nh2+ 36. Kg2 Ng4 37. Kf3 Nh2+ 38. Kg2 Ng4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 6th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2842"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2018.08.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a6 7. Re1 h6 8. b4 Ba7
9. a4 O-O 10. Nbd2 Re8 11. Nf1 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. Ng3 Ne7 14. d4 Ng6 15. Qc2
c6 16. h3 Qc7 17. Be3 d5 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Qxe5 20. exd5 cxd5 21. Rad1
Bxe3 22. Rxe3 Qc7 23. Nf5 Rae8 24. Qd3 Qf4 25. g3 Qc7 26. a5 Rxe3 27. Nxe3 Qc6
28. Nxd5 Nxd5 29. Qxd5 Re1+ 30. Kh2 Rxd1 31. Qxd1 Qxc3 32. Qd8+ Kh7 33. Qd5
Qxb4 34. Qf5+ Kg8 35. Qc8+ Kh7 36. Qf5+ Kg8 37. Qc8+ Kh7 38. Qf5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 6th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2018.08.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 c6 8. Bd3
b6 9. b4 a5 10. a3 Ba6 11. O-O Qc8 12. h3 Qb7 13. Qc2 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 axb4 15.
axb4 Rxa1 16. Rxa1 Ra8 17. Qb1 Rxa1 18. Qxa1 bxc5 19. bxc5 h6 20. Qb1 Qa8 21.
Qa2 Qb7 22. Qb1 Qa8 23. Qa2 Qb7 24. Qb1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 6th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2018.08.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8.
cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. a3 Nc6 11. Bd3 Bb6 12. O-O Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. b4 d4
15. b5 Na5 16. exd4 Qf6 17. Be3 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Qxf3 19. gxf3 Rfd8 20. Rfd1 Nb3
21. Rab1 Nxd4 22. Kg2 Ne6 23. Bf5 Bxe3 24. Bxe6 Rxd1 25. Rxd1 Bb6 26. Bb3 Rd8
27. Rxd8+ Bxd8 28. f4 Kf8 29. f5 a6 30. b6 Bxb6 31. Bd5 Bc5 32. Bxb7 Bxa3 33.
Bxa6 Bb2 34. Bf1 Ba3 35. Ba6 Bb2 36. Bf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 6th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.24"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2018.08.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 {Thus Nakamura, a noted Dragon
specialist, gets to play it with an extra tempo.} 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Bc5 7.
O-O O-O 8. Nxd5 {Not necessarily the most normal Dragon move, but known in
this position.} (8. Nxe5 {should always be looked at, but here it gives
nothing.} Nxc3 9. bxc3 Nxe5 10. d4 Bd6 11. dxe5 Bxe5 12. Rb1 c6 13. c4 Qc7 $11)
(8. a3) (8. d3 Re8 9. Bd2 {is true to Dragon precepts, but so is} Nxc3 10. Bxc3
Bb6 $11 {and Black is fine.}) 8... Qxd5 9. d3 (9. Ng5 Qd8 10. Nxh7 Re8 11. Ng5
$1 {(Exclamation mark for visual effect.)} Qxg5 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. d4 Qh5 14.
dxc5 $11 {Aronian,L-Caruana,F Saint Louis 2017, so presumably Aronian had some
idea how to handle Black's play.}) 9... Qd8 {Avoiding tricks, but that doesn't
make a move necessarily strong.} (9... Re8 {is natural. Then, I assume White's
idea was:} 10. Ng5 Qd8 11. Ne4 Bf8 12. Bd2 {with some kind of emergent clamp
on the c5-square. Black can however deal with this in typical English style by
playing for ...Bh3.} Be6 $11) 10. Be3 $5 Bxe3 11. fxe3 e4 $5 {Quite
enterprising by Levon, who possibly didn't want this break to be met with Nd4
at all.} (11... Qe7 12. Qb3 e4 {has much the same effect.}) 12. dxe4 (12. Ne1
exd3 13. exd3 Qe7 14. Nc2 Nb4 $11 {White is too poorly developed to make use
of his structural plus.}) 12... Qe7 13. Qc2 Bg4 14. Rac1 {Playing against ...
Ne5.} (14. Nd4 Ne5 {and even though White can 'untriple' his pawns, there
won't be any advantage after} 15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. exf5 c6 $11) 14... Rad8 15. h3
$1 Bc8 $1 {Both sides, of course, understand that ...Bxf3 would be suicidal.}
16. a3 (16. Nd4 {is interesting, in fact so much so that Black is best advised
to leave it exactly where it stands.} Qg5 (16... Ne5 $5 17. Qxc7 Qg5 $44) 17.
Nxc6 bxc6 18. Kh2 Qxe3 19. Rf3 Qb6 20. Qxc6 Rd2 $11) 16... Rde8 17. e5 h6 {
A very grandmasterly move, of a type particularly notable in the play of
Aronian and McShane.} (17... Nxe5 18. Qxc7 Nxf3+ 19. Rxf3 {is obviously
possible, and Black has better compensation here than in the endgame reached
in the game, in my opinion.}) 18. Qc5 Qxc5 (18... Qe6 $5 {was possible, but it
is now not clear what Black wants to play next. For instance, the engine
suggests the rather facetious-looking} 19. Kf2 $5 $14 {and Black needs to
think of something to do before White gets in Rfd1, b4 and a4.}) 19. Rxc5 Ne7
20. Rxc7 $1 (20. Nd4 c6 $11 {looks logical, but there's no way to stop Black
playing ...Ng6.}) 20... Nd5 21. Rc5 Nxe3 22. Rfc1 $14 {Black faces an
unenviable defensive task.} Rd8 23. R1c3 Nxg2 24. Kxg2 Bf5 25. Rc7 Be4 26. Kf2
Rfe8 27. R3c4 (27. b4 $16 {may have been preferable, since Black can't yet
liquidate on f3 due to the rook recapture.}) 27... Bxf3 28. Kxf3 Rxe5 29. Rxb7
Rd2 30. e3 {This kind of thing arises almost by force after the queen swap.
Now we shall suspend commentary during the rest of the phase when both sides
have numerous alternatives of approximately equal value.} g5 31. Rd4 Rc2 32.
Rdd7 Rf5+ 33. Ke4 Rf6 34. Rb8+ $2 {Signing away the advantage, though this is
impossible to know.} (34. b4 $1 $16 Rg2 35. g4 {and Black will be too slow in
pawn races; besides, there is the option of defending White's last bulwark
with Rd4.}) 34... Kg7 35. Rxa7 Re6+ 36. Kf3 Rf6+ 37. Ke4 Re6+ 38. Kd3 Rg2 39.
g4 Rg3 40. Rbb7 Rexe3+ 41. Kc2 Ref3 42. a4 Rxh3 43. a5 $2 (43. Rb4 $11) 43...
Rh4 $1 {Now both sides play to win!} 44. a6 Rxg4 45. Ra8 Ra4 (45... Rg2+ 46.
Kb1 Rf1+ 47. Ka2 Rg4 {was critical, doubling by force on the a-file. I suspect
Aronian saw this and rejected it in view of} 48. Rb3 $4 {but now Black can
stop the pawn by the more conventional method of} (48. a7 Ra4+ 49. Kb3 Rfa1 $17
{is great fun for Black}) 48... Ra4+ 49. Ra3 Rxa3+ 50. bxa3 Rf6 $1 $19) 46. a7
g4 $2 {This is an impossible position for humans to play, and the machine
delights in such positions.} (46... Rf6 $1 {is apparently correct, and White
cannot do more than force a draw after} 47. Rc8 Rfa6 48. Rcc7 Rf6 $11) 47. Rc8
g3 48. a8=Q Rxa8 49. Rxa8 h5 50. Rbb8 Kf6 51. Rg8 (51. Rb4 $1 {White succeeds
in halting the pawn by a combination of frontal and sideways tactics. Now Rg7
is the threat.} Kg7 52. Kd2 $1 g2 (52... Rf1 53. Ra3 $18) 53. Rbb8 $3 $18)
51... h4 52. Ra6+ $2 (52. Ra3 Rf2+ 53. Kd3 Rxb2 54. Ke4 {apparently still wins,
but this is hard to play.}) 52... Ke7 53. Rh6 Rf2+ 54. Kd3 Rh2 $1 {There were
no further adventures!} 55. Ke4 g2 56. Ke5 h3 57. Rc6 f6+ 58. Kd5 Kf7 59. Rg3
Rh1 60. Rc7+ Kf8 61. Rc8+ Kf7 62. Rc7+ Kf8 63. Ke6 Re1+ 64. Kxf6 Rf1+ 65. Ke6
Re1+ 66. Kf6 Rf1+ 67. Ke6 Re1+ 68. Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 6th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2018.08.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Nc3 Bxf4 12. gxf4 a5 13. e3 Nbd7 14. Kh1 Ra6
15. Rg1 Rb6 16. Qe2 Ne4 17. Qc2 f5 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. Qc3 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 Nf6 21.
Qxa5 Rxb2 22. Rg2 Nd5 23. Bxd5 exd5 24. Qc3 Rb6 25. a5 Rb5 26. Rg5 Rf6 27. Qc2
g6 28. h4 Qe7 29. h5 Qe4+ 30. Qxe4 dxe4 31. Rgg1 c5 32. dxc5 Rxc5 33. Rab1 Rxa5
34. Rxb7 Rfa6 35. Rbb1 Kg7 36. Kg2 Ra7 37. Rh1 h6 38. Kg3 R5a6 39. Kh4 gxh5 40.
Kxh5 Rg6 41. Rhg1 Rxg1 42. Rxg1+ Kh7 43. Rg6 Ra1 44. Rxh6+ Kg7 45. Rb6 Rg1 46.
Kh4 Kf7 47. Kh3 Rg8 48. Kh2 Ke7 49. Rh6 Kf7 50. Rh3 Kf6 51. Rg3 Rh8+ 52. Kg2
Ra8 53. Rh3 Rg8+ 54. Kf1 Ra8 55. Rh6+ Ke7 56. Rc6 Ra1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 6th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.26"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2018.08.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Rd1+ Ke8 10. Nc3 Be7 11. Ne2 $5 {I will hold my hands up and
admit I don't know much about the Berlin, but it seems obvious to me that this
move is not a critical one.} (11. Bg5 {is a move I'd seen before.} h6 $1 (11...
Bxg5 12. Nxg5 h6 (12... Ke7 $5 {Anand,V-Ponomariov,R Linares 2003}) 13. Nge4 g5
$5 (13... b6 $11) 14. b4 a6 (14... Ke7 15. b5 Be6 $1 $11 {is strategically
brave, but then so is the whole opening, and only Black can be better here.})
15. a4 Ke7 16. a5 Nh4 17. Nc5 $14 {Vachier Lagrave,M-Eljanov,P Biel 2015;
White had achieved his bind, which later became quite a significant advantage.}
) 12. Bxe7 Nxe7 13. Nd4 Bd7 (13... Nf5 $11) 14. Rd3 Rd8 15. Rad1 Nd5 16. Ne4 (
16. Nxd5 cxd5 17. Nb3 $14) 16... Nf4 17. R3d2 Ke7 18. f3 Bc8 19. Kf2 $14 {
Gashimov, V-Nielsen,P Khanty-Mansiysk 2011}) 11... Nh4 (11... b6 {and ...Ba6
also seems logical, notwithstanding that certain classic games have given
Black a phobia of the move e6 from White.} 12. Nf4 h5 $1 (12... Rg8 13. a4 g5
14. Nh5 h6 15. b3 Rg6 16. Bb2 c5 17. Nf6+ Kf8 18. a5 $14 {Bruzon Batista,
L-Anton Guijarro,D Tbilisi 2017; was indeed something for White.}) 13. b3 g5
14. Ne2 Rg8 $11) 12. Nxh4 Bxh4 13. Nd4 a6 $1 $11 {Black is preparing ...c5,
and there is little chance of White's majority becoming particularly useful in
this game. Indeed, he proceeds to slide into a marginally worse position, as
quite often with the Berlin.} 14. Bf4 c5 15. Ne2 Bf5 16. c4 Rd8 17. Nc3 Rd7 18.
Be3 (18. Rxd7 Kxd7 19. Rd1+ Kc6 $15 {is vintage Berlin stuff.}) 18... b6 19.
Nd5 Kd8 (19... a5 $5 {fights for an advantage; Black never actually wants to
play ...c6, but he would like White to believe that he might.}) 20. g3 Be7 21.
a3 $6 (21. f3 {makes sense, patching the light-squared holes first.}) 21... Bc2
(21... Bg4 22. Rd2 Bf3 {is almost certainly something for Black (whose next
idea could be ... Re8, ...Bf8.)} 23. b4 b5 $5 24. Nxe7 Rxd2 25. Bxd2 Kxe7 26.
cxb5 axb5 27. bxc5 Ke6 $15) 22. Rd2 Bb3 {This is also maximalist, but not
quite as strong as the idea in the previous note.} 23. Rc1 a5 24. Rc3 a4 25. e6
$1 {White has to bail out, because he's getting tied up.} (25. Bf4 h6 $1 $15)
25... fxe6 26. Nxe7 Kxe7 27. Bg5+ Ke8 28. Rcd3 Rxd3 29. Rxd3 $11 {The exchange
of rooks is forced if White wants it, and Black has too many pawns on dark
squares to think about using his majority.} Rf8 30. Rd8+ Kf7 31. Rxf8+ Kxf8 32.
Bd8 Bxc4 33. Bxc7 b5 34. Bd6+ Kf7 35. Bxc5 e5 36. f3 Bd5 37. Kf2 g6 38. Bb4 Bc6
39. Bc5 Bd5 40. Bb4 Bc6 41. Bc5 Bb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 6th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2018.08.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d6 3. g3 ({White could have avoided the line introduced by 6..
.e4 with the move order} 3. c4 Nbd7 4. Nc3 e5 5. g3 c6 (5... e4 $2 6. Ng5 {
[%csl Ge4][%cal Gf1g2]}) 6. e4 {, transposing to the Old Indian or King's
Indian Defences, depending on where would Black develop his dark-squared
bishop.}) 3... Nbd7 4. Bg2 e5 5. c4 c6 6. Nc3 e4 $5 {Black uses the move order
chosen by White to gain space in the centre and give the game an original turn.
This is a rare variation at grandmaster level, probably because optically
White gets very good play for his knights and dark-squared bishop. But if
after the probable ...d6-d5 Black manages to defend d5 properly, White will
have problems activating his other bishop. Typically, he would play f2-f3 but
the consequences of this break are far from one-sided.} 7. Nh4 {With the
exception of the awkward looking Ng1, the least popular continuation (even
though this does not reveal much, as many games are between players with lower
ratings). Abstractly, I like it best, as White does not need this knight for
attacking e4 since Black is going to play ...d6-d5 anyway. The knight causes
some problems to the f8-bishop as ...Be7 runs into Nf5 and ...g7-g6 followed
by ...Bg7 is a bit too slow, making f2-f3 more effective.} (7. Ng5 d5 8. cxd5 (
8. h4 h6 9. Nh3 {Grigoryan,A (2616)-Kanarek,M (2474) Legnica 2013 (1-0, 48)}
Bb4 $5 {In the spirit of the main game.} 10. cxd5 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 cxd5 12. Ba3
Nb6 13. Qb3 Nc4 {Black has a firm blockade on c4 and the h3-knight is far from
the critical squares. If anything, after making a few constructuve moves (...
b7-b6, ...Ba6) Black can simply take on a3 and play ...Qe7, thus eliminating
the king's isolation in the centre.}) 8... cxd5 9. Qb3 h6 10. Nh3 Nb6 11. O-O
Be7 12. Bf4 O-O 13. Be5 Nh5 14. Rfc1 Bd6 15. Bxd6 Qxd6 16. Nb5 Qd8 17. f3 exf3
18. exf3 Nc4 19. Nf2 Nf6 20. Nc3 Be6 21. Nd3 Na5 22. Qd1 Qb6 23. Ne2 Bf5 {
Zhao,Z (2564)-Kazhgaleyev,M (2573) Sydney 2015 (0-1, 61), and Black has little
to fear.}) (7. Nd2 d5 8. cxd5 cxd5 9. Qb3 Nb6 10. f3 exf3 11. Nxf3 Be7 12. O-O
O-O 13. a4 Nc4 14. Ng5 h6 15. Nh3 {We can notice that White has wasted a lot
of time with moving this knight around.} Na5 16. Qd1 Bxh3 17. Bxh3 Qb6 18. e3
Rad8 $11 {Portisch,L (2625)-Qi,J Luzern 1985 (½-½, 46)}) 7... d5 ({The only
way of avoiding this is} 7... Nb6 8. Nxe4 $5 (8. b3 d5 9. c5 h6 10. f3 g5 11.
fxe4 gxh4 12. e5 Ne4 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. cxb6 Bb4 $13 {Ninov,K (2395)-Ikonnikov,
V (2485) Douai 1993 (0-1, 25)}) 8... Nxe4 9. Bxe4 Nxc4 10. d5 Qa5+ 11. Kf1 Bh3+
({This only helps White continuing his regrouping, but Black needs to deal
with the pressure on c6. If} 11... Qb4 {[%csl Re4][%cal Gc4d2,Gc4e3]} 12. Qc2
$14) 12. Bg2 Bxg2+ 13. Kxg2 Qxd5+ 14. Qxd5 cxd5 15. Rd1 (15. b3 Nb6 16. Bb2 $16
) 15... g6 16. Rxd5 $14 {Fominyh,A (2515)-Prokopchuk,E (2365) Kazan 1995 CBM
051 [Ribli,Z] (1-0, 39)}) 8. O-O Bb4 (8... g6 $146 9. cxd5 cxd5 10. Qb3 Nb6 11.
f3 exf3 12. Nxf3 Bg7 13. Qb4 $5 $14 {[%cal Gf3e5]}) (8... Nb6 {saves White the
tempo b2-b3 with respect to a line above.} 9. c5 Nc4 $2 ({The knight stands
awfully bad here, the same as after} 9... Nbd7 $6 10. f3 exf3 11. exf3 Be7 12.
Nf5 $16) ({The only chance for a normal position is the familiar} 9... h6 10.
cxb6 g5 11. Nf3 exf3 12. exf3 axb6 13. f4 g4 14. Qd3 Be7 15. Bd2 O-O $6 16. f5
$36) 10. b3 Na5 11. f3 exf3 12. exf3 Be7 13. Re1 O-O 14. Qd3 g6 15. Bg5 $16 {
[%csl Ga5] Romanishin,O (2579)-Werner,C (2395) Vlissingen 2001 (1-0, 22)}) 9.
cxd5 (9. f3 exf3 10. Bxf3 Qa5 $6 ({Black wastes too much time.} 10... Bxc3 11.
bxc3 O-O {is likely to lead to similar play as in the main game.}) 11. e4 $5 {
Not the only move, but quite a principled one!} Bxc3 12. exd5 Bb4 13. Qe2+ (13.
dxc6 $1 bxc6 14. a3 O-O 15. Bf4 Be7 16. Re1 Qd8 17. Nf5 Re8 18. Bxc6 $16) 13...
Kd8 14. c5 Re8 {It appears that the check on e2 has just helped Black with his
development.} 15. Qg2 cxd5 $13 {½-½ (41) Jussupow,A (2575)-Vaganian,R (2565)
Moscow (Russia) 1981}) (9. Qb3 Bxc3 10. bxc3 Nb6 11. cxd5 cxd5 (11... Qxd5 $5 {
is another way of playing for a blockade.}) 12. f3 exf3 $2 (12... O-O $5 {
may be better, as after the critical} 13. Bg5 {Black can try} e3 $5 14. Bxe3
Re8 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. e4 g5 18. Nf5 Bxf5 19. exf5 Re2 $132) 13. Rxf3
$1 Ne4 14. Ba3 $16 Nd2 15. Qb5+ Qd7 16. Re3+ Kd8 17. Be7+ Kc7 18. Qc5+ Qc6 19.
Bd6+ Kd8 20. Bf4 Ne4 21. Bxe4 dxe4 22. Qg5+ $18 {Keene,R-Minic,D Zagreb 1975 
(1-0, 28)}) 9... cxd5 10. f3 $146 {White cannot do without this move anyway.} (
10. Nf5 {led to apparently pleasant play on the dark squares, without solving
the problem of the bishop on g2.} O-O 11. Qb3 Bxc3 12. Qxc3 Nb6 13. Ne3 Be6 14.
b3 Qd7 15. a4 Rfc8 16. Qb4 Rc6 17. Ba3 a5 18. Qd2 $13 {Kovalenko,I (2642)
-Kabanov,N (2501) Moscow 2014 (0-1, 57)}) 10... Bxc3 11. bxc3 O-O 12. Ba3 Re8 {
An interesting position has arisen. White has active play, but if Black
manages to keep up the blockade on the light squares the future will be his.}
13. Nf5 Nb6 (13... exf3 14. exf3 Nb6 {is also possible.} 15. Nd6 Re6 16. Nxc8
Nxc8 17. Bh3 Re8 18. Qb3 Nb6 19. Rae1 Nc4 {The strong knight on c4 may
compensate for the bishop pair.}) 14. Nd6 {The game becomes very complicated
and for Black it will be not easy to decide between alternatives with similar
merits.} Nc4 $5 (14... Re6 $5 15. fxe4 dxe4 (15... Rxd6 $2 16. Bxd6 $16 Qxd6 $2
17. e5 $18) 16. c4 Rxd6 17. Bxd6 Nxc4 (17... Qxd6 18. c5 $14) 18. Bf4 Qd5 $44 {
Black has a pawn for the exchange and an excellent blockade on the light
squares.}) 15. Nxc4 ({If} 15. Nxe8 Qxe8 16. Bc1 (16. Qb3 Nd2) 16... e3 $44 {
White would be almost paralysed, making his material advantage irrelevant, at
least at this stage of the game.}) 15... dxc4 (15... exf3 16. Rxf3 dxc4 17. Qc2
Qa5 {[%cal Ga5h5]} 18. Bc5 $5 {offers White chances to start advancing his
centre with e2-e4.}) 16. fxe4 Nxe4 17. Qc2 Qd5 $1 {The best way of keeping the
blockade.} (17... f5 $2 {weakens the kingside offering White a clear target on
f5.} 18. Rf4 Qd5 19. Raf1 Bd7 20. g4 $16) {After the last move the position
starts looking promising for Black, as White has no obvious way of questioning
his stability on the light squares. This induced Aronian to go for a thematic,
but apparently unsound, combination.} 18. Rxf7 $5 (18. Rf4 Bf5 19. Raf1 Bg6 $15
) (18. Rf3 $5 Bf5 19. Raf1 Bg6 20. Re3 Re6 21. Rf4 Rae8 {and the position is
balanced, as none of the players has obvious ways of making progress. But in
principle, it may be only Black who could have some hopes.}) 18... Kxf7 (18...
Qxf7 19. Bxe4 Qh5 {is unclear, but the game move should offer an advantage.})
19. Rf1+ Bf5 $1 (19... Kg8 20. Bxe4 Qh5 (20... Qxe4 $2 21. Qxe4 Rxe4 22. Rf8#)
21. Rf4 {is similar to the line above, but with an extra tempo for White, who
already has the initiative. He could later look for a way to set his centre in
motion.}) (19... Kg6 20. Rf4 $16 {[%cal Gc2g6] retrieves part of the material.}
Bf5 $2 21. g4 $18) 20. g4 g6 21. Qc1 Kg7 {This is not a mistake yet, but it
marks the start of Grischuk's losing sequence. He has got a great position by
playing on the light squares and now he stops doing that.} (21... Re6 $1 22.
Qh6 Kg8 $17 {leaves White with no obvious compensation for the exchange.}) 22.
gxf5 gxf5 23. Bxe4 fxe4 (23... Rxe4 24. Qg5+ Kh8 25. Qf6+ Kg8 26. Rxf5 Rg4+ 27.
Kf2 Rg2+ 28. Kf1 Qe4 29. Qf7+ Kh8 {White can force a draw by perpetual or else
try} 30. Re5 Qg6 31. Qxg6 Rxg6 $13 {with good compensation for the exchange.})
24. Qf4 h6 $1 {Clearing the h7-square for the king.} 25. Qc7+ Kh8 $6 {Now
White gets full compensation for the exchange as the black king is not secure.}
(25... Kg8 $6 {has the same problem:} 26. Kf2 $1 {[%cal Gf1g1]} Qf7+ 27. Qxf7+
Kxf7 28. Ke3+ Kg6 29. Bd6 Rad8 30. Be5 $44) ({Once again, the light squares
would have ensured Black an advantage:} 25... Kg6 $1 26. Kf2 e3+ 27. Ke1 Rad8
28. Rg1+ Kh5 $1 29. Qf4 Rg8 $17 {and White has no threats, as his beautiful
bishop is a mere spectator.}) 26. Bd6 Rg8+ 27. Kf2 $1 Rg6 28. Be5+ Kg8 29. Ke3
$3 {Unlike his rival, the white king has no fear of advancing on the dark
squares. The e4-pawn offers him perfect defence and in the endgame he could
even take it.} Rd8 $4 {The fatal move on a dark square!} (29... Rf8 $2 {
is similar from all points of view even though objectively less bad as the
game move.} 30. Qe7 $1 Qd8 (30... Rxf1 31. Qe8+ Rf8 32. Qxg6#) 31. Rxf8+ Qxf8
32. Qxb7 $16) (29... Re8 $5 30. h4 {and unexpectedly} Rf8 $5 {works now} (30...
h5 $11 {is also good.}) 31. Qe7 Rg3+ $1 32. Bxg3 Rxf1 33. Qe8+ Kh7 34. Bf4 $11
{After cutting the rook off, White can start giving perpetual check or if} Rg1
35. Be5 $1 Rf1 36. Bf4 $11) ({Even a neutral move such as} 29... b5 {would
have maintained approximate equality:} 30. Qe7 Qe6 31. Qb7 Rd8 32. Qxe4 a6 $5 {
and White has no obvious progress despite his central domination.}) 30. Qe7 $3
{Suddenly Black is completely paralysed} b5 (30... Qd7 31. Rf8+ $1) ({Black
does not have the time to repair his mistake with} 30... Rc8 {[%cal Gd5e6] due
to} 31. Rf6 $1 Rxf6 32. Qxf6 {[%csl Gc7]} Qd7 33. Qg6+ Kf8 34. Bd6+ {wins the
queen.}) 31. h4 $1 {[%csl Rg6][%cal Gh4h5]} ({With the rook on d8} 31. Rf6 {
does not offer anything due to} Rxf6 32. Qxf6 Rd7 $11) 31... a5 (31... h5 32.
Rf5 {[%cal Gf5h5]} Rg3+ 33. Bxg3 Qxf5 34. Qxd8+) 32. h5 Rg5 33. Rf6 {[%cal
Gf6h6]} Rxe5 34. Rg6+ (34. Rg6+ Kh8 35. Qg7#) 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.11"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nqbbrkrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NQBBRKRN w GEge - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Qxh7 Ng6 3. Qh3 Rh8 4. Qg3 b5 5. b3 c6 6. h3 d5 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. d4
Bc7 9. Nc2 e4 10. Qc3 a5 11. Ne3 Be6 12. Ng3 Kg8 13. Ngf5 Rh5 14. g4 Rxh3 15.
Bc2 b4 16. Qc6 Rd8 17. Bd2 Bf4 18. O-O-O Rc8 19. Qa6 Qc7 20. Kb1 Bxe3 21. Nxe3
Rxe3 22. fxe3 Qxc2+ 23. Ka1 Nc7 24. Qb7 a4 25. Qxb4 axb3 26. Qxb3 Qc6 27. Rc1
Qa8 28. Bb4 Qb7 29. Bd6 Nb5 30. Rxc8+ Bxc8 31. Bc5 Bd7 32. Kb2 Qa8 33. g5 Nc7
34. Bd6 Nb5 35. Bc5 Nc7 36. Bd6 Ne8 37. Bc5 Qa6 38. Re1 Bb5 39. Qb4 Nc7 40. Rc1
Ne6 41. Bd6 Nxg5 42. Rc7 Ne6 43. Rc3 Bc4 44. Ra3 Qc6 45. Ra7 Ngf8 46. Bxf8 Nxf8
47. a4 Ne6 48. a5 Bxe2 49. Qb7 Qc4 50. Qxf7+ Kh7 51. Qf5+ Kh6 52. Qxe6+ g6 53.
Qh3+ Bh5 54. Qg3 Qb4+ 55. Ka2 Qa4+ 56. Kb2 Qb4+ 57. Ka2 Qa4+ 58. Kb2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.11"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nqbbrkrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NQBBRKRN w GEge - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Ng3 b5 3. O-O Ng6 4. b4 c4 5. d4 e5 6. dxe5 Qxe5 7. f4 Qc7 8. c3
Nb6 9. Nc2 Na4 10. Bd2 Bb7 11. Nd4 a6 12. e5 Bh4 13. Ndf5 f6 14. Nxh4 Nxh4 15.
Qxh7 Nxg2 16. Re4 O-O-O 17. Bxa4 Rh8 18. Qxg7 Rdg8 19. Qxf6 Bxe4 20. Qxa6+ Bb7
21. Qxb5 Nh4 22. Be3 Nf5 23. Bb6 Nxg3 24. hxg3 Rxg3+ 25. Kf2 Rg2+ 26. Ke1 Qc6
27. Qxc6+ Bxc6 28. Bxc6 dxc6 29. Rf2 Rg3 30. Bd4 Kd7 31. e6+ 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.12"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rbnnqkbr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RBNNQKBR w HAha - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Qxe4 Nd6 4. Qe2 Ne6 5. f3 Nf4 6. Qe3 Qb5+ 7. Ne2 Nxe2 8.
Qxe2 Qxe2+ 9. Kxe2 c6 10. Ne3 e6 11. c4 Bc7 12. Bf2 O-O-O 13. Rd1 h5 14. a4 Bh7
15. Bxh7 Rxh7 16. b4 f5 17. Bg3 f4 18. Bxf4 Nxc4 19. Bxc7 Nxe3 20. Bxd8 Nxd1
21. Rxd1 Kxd8 22. Kd3 g6 23. Re1 Ke7 24. Re5 Kf6 25. h4 b6 26. a5 Rb7 27. axb6
axb6 28. b5 Rc7 29. bxc6 Rxc6 30. Rb5 Rd6 31. Ke4 Rc6 32. g4 hxg4 33. fxg4 Rd6
34. Rb3 Rc6 35. Rb5 Rd6 36. h5 gxh5 37. Rxh5 Kg6 38. Rb5 Kf6 39. Rh5 Kg6 40.
Rb5 Kf6 41. Rh5 Kg6 42. Rh8 Rc6 43. Rg8+ Kf6 44. Rf8+ Kg5 45. Rg8+ Kf6 46. Rb8
Rd6 47. Rf8+ Kg5 48. Rg8+ Kf6 49. Rb8 Kg5 50. Rg8+ Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.12"]
[Round "4.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rbnnqkbr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RBNNQKBR w HAha - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 f6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 Bxd5 4. Ne3 Bf7 5. c3 c6 6. f3 e5 7. dxe5 Bxe5 8. Nd3
Bc7 9. Bc2 O-O 10. Qh4 Ne7 11. Ne5 Ng6 12. Nxg6 Bxg6 13. O-O-O Bxc2 14. Nxc2
Qf7 15. Qa4 Ne6 16. Be3 a6 17. Qb3 Bf4 18. Bxf4 Nxf4 19. g3 Ng6 20. Nd4 Rfe8
21. Qxf7+ Kxf7 22. Nf5 Kf8 23. Rd7 Rad8 24. Rxb7 Re2 25. Nd4 Re3 26. f4 c5 27.
Nf5 Re2 28. Rd1 Rxd1+ 29. Kxd1 Rxh2 30. Nxg7 Ne7 31. Ne6+ Ke8 32. Nxc5 Nd5 33.
a4 Ne3+ 34. Kc1 h5 35. Ne4 f5 36. Nf6+ Kd8 37. a5 Nc4 38. b4 Na3 39. Nd5 Nc4
40. Rh7 Na3 41. Ne3 Re2 42. Nxf5 Rc2+ 43. Kd1 Rxc3 44. Rxh5 Rc4 45. Rh6 Rxb4
46. Rd6+ Kc7 47. Rxa6 Rb2 48. Ne3 Nb1 49. Nd5+ Kd7 50. Rb6 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.13"]
[Round "5.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brkqnbrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRKQNBRN w GBgb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Ng3 Ng6 4. Nf3 d5 5. b4 Qe8 6. Qb3 b6 7. cxd5 O-O-O 8. e4
Nxe4 9. Nxe4 Bxd5 10. Qc2 Kb8 11. Bc4 Bb7 12. O-O f5 13. Ng3 e4 14. Nd4 Rh8 15.
Bb5 Qf7 16. Nc6+ Bxc6 17. Bxc6 Bd6 18. Qb3 Qf8 19. f3 Bxg3 20. hxg3 Qd6 21.
Rbc1 h5 22. fxe4 h4 23. e5 Nxe5 24. Bxe5 Qxe5 25. Qe3 Qd6 26. gxh4 Rxh4 27. g3
Rh3 28. Rc3 Qxb4 29. Bg2 Rh6 30. Qf3 Qd4+ 31. Rf2 c6 32. Rxc6 Qa1+ 33. Rf1 Qd4+
34. Qe3 Rxc6 35. Bxc6 Qxd2 36. Qe5+ Qd6 37. Rxf5 Qxe5 38. Rxe5 Rd2 39. a4 Kc7
40. Bb5 Kd6 41. Rg5 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.13"]
[Round "6.5"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brkqnbrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRKQNBRN w GBgb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d5 2. e5 e6 3. d4 c5 4. b3 Qa5 5. Qd2 Qxd2+ 6. Kxd2 f6 7. Nd3 b6 8. Re1
Nf7 9. f4 g5 10. g3 gxf4 11. Nxf4 cxd4 12. Bxd4 Bh6 13. Bh3 Ng5 14. Bg2 f5 15.
Nf2 Nc7 16. Ke2 Bb7 17. Nh5 Ne4 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. c4 b5 20. Be3 Bf8 21. Nf6 Rh8
22. g4 bxc4 23. gxf5 cxb3 24. axb3 Ba6+ 25. Kf2 Rxb3 26. fxe6 Rb2+ 27. Kg3 Rb3
28. Bh3 Bb4 29. Kf4 Bxe1 30. e7+ Kb7 31. Rxe1 Bb5 32. Rc1 a5 33. Bd7 Bxd7 34.
Nxd7 Ra3 35. Rxc7+ Kxc7 36. Nf8 Ra1 37. Kxe4 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.14"]
[Round "7.5"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brkbnrqn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRKBNRQN w FBfb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 b6 2. b3 f5 3. e3 e6 4. g4 Bf6 5. Bxf6 Nxf6 6. g5 Ne4 7. Ng3 Ng6 8. Nxe4
fxe4 9. Ng2 Rf5 10. c3 Qf8 11. Kb2 Ne5 12. Be2 Nd3+ 13. Bxd3 exd3 14. Ra1 Be4
15. Nh4 Ra5 16. a3 c5 17. f5 exf5 18. Nxf5 Bxf5 19. e4 c4 20. b4 Re5 21. Qd4
Qc5 22. exf5 Re2 23. Rad1 Qxd4 24. cxd4 Rxh2 25. Kc3 O-O-O 26. Kxc4 Rf8 27. f6
gxf6 28. Rxf6 Rxf6 29. gxf6 Rf2 30. Rh1 Rxf6 31. Rxh7 Rf2 32. Kc3 Rf1 33. Rh3
Kc7 34. Kxd3 Kc6 35. Rh6+ d6 36. Kc4 b5+ 37. Kb3 Rf3+ 38. Kb2 Rd3 39. Rh2 Kd5
40. Rh5+ Kc4 41. Rh2 Rb3+ 42. Ka2 Rd3 43. Kb2 a6 44. Rg2 Rb3+ 45. Ka2 Rh3 46.
Kb2 Kxd4 47. Rg6 Kd5 48. Rg5+ Kc4 49. Rg4+ Kd3 50. Rg6 d5 51. Rxa6 d4 52. Rb6
Rh5 53. Rd6 Rh4 54. Rd5 Kxd2 55. Rxb5 d3 56. Rd5 Rc4 57. b5 Ke3 58. Kb3 Rc1 59.
a4 d2 60. Kb4 d1=Q 61. Rxd1 Rxd1 62. Kc5 Rc1+ 63. Kd6 Ra1 64. b6 Rxa4 65. b7
Rb4 66. Kc7 Rxb7+ 67. Kxb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.14"]
[Round "8.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brkbnrqn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRKBNRQN w FBfb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "26"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 b6 2. Ng3 e6 3. Be2 Bb7 4. b3 Ng6 5. f4 f5 6. exf5 exf5 7. Nd3 Nh4 8. Ne5
d6 9. Bc4 Bd5 10. Ba6+ Bb7 11. Bc4 Bd5 12. Ba6+ Bb7 13. Bc4 Bd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.14"]
[Round "9.5"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brkbnrqn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRKBNRQN w FBfb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 b6 2. g4 f5 3. gxf5 Rxf5 4. b3 Ra5 5. a4 e6 6. Bc3 Rc5 7. Bd4 Be7 8. e3
Rf5 9. Ng3 Ba3+ 10. Bb2 Bxb2+ 11. Kxb2 Rf7 12. Bf3 g5 13. Bxa8 Rxa8 14. Qg2 c6
15. Nd3 gxf4 16. Nxf4 Ng6 17. Nge2 Qg7+ 18. c3 Nxf4 19. Nxf4 Qxg2 20. Nxg2 Rg7
21. Nf4 Kb7 22. Rg1 Rf7 23. Rg2 Nd6 24. Rbg1 Raf8 25. Kc2 Kc7 26. Rg7 Rxg7 27.
Rxg7 Rf7 28. Rxf7 Nxf7 29. Kd3 Kd6 30. Ke2 e5 31. Nh5 Ke6 32. e4 d5 33. d3 d4
34. c4 Nd8 35. b4 Nb7 36. Ng7+ Kf6 37. Ne8+ Ke7 38. Ng7 a5 39. b5 cxb5 40. axb5
Nc5 41. Nf5+ Ke6 42. Ng7+ Kd7 43. Kd2 a4 44. Kc2 a3 45. Nh5 Ke7 46. Ng3 Kd6 47.
Nf1 Nxd3 48. Kb3 Nc5+ 49. Kxa3 Nxe4 50. Kb4 Ke6 51. Kb3 Nc5+ 52. Kb4 e4 53. Nd2
Ke5 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.14"]
[Round "10.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brkbnrqn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRKBNRQN w FBfb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 b6 2. Ng3 e6 3. Be2 Bb7 4. b3 f5 5. exf5 exf5 6. f3 g6 7. Nd3 Nf7 8. a4
Bf6 9. a5 Qg7 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Qf2 Ng7 12. O-O O-O 13. Rfe1 Rfe8 14. c3 Re7
15. Bf1 Ne6 16. Ra1 Rbe8 17. axb6 axb6 18. Ra7 Ned8 19. Rea1 Nd6 20. Nb4 Qe5
21. Ne2 c5 22. Nd3 Qd5 23. Nec1 Nc6 24. Nf4 Qe5 25. Ncd3 Qg7 26. R7a2 Nd8 27.
b4 c4 28. Nc1 b5 29. Nce2 Qe5 30. Qc5 g5 31. Nh5 Kf7 32. f4 Qxc5+ 33. bxc5 Ne4
34. Nd4 Kg6 35. Ng3 gxf4 36. Ngxf5 Re5 37. Nh4+ Kf6 38. Nxb5 Rxc5 39. Nd4 Ng5
40. Rb2 Rg8 41. Kf2 Ne4+ 42. Kg1 Ng5 43. Be2 Be4 44. Kf1 Nde6 45. Ndf3 Nf7 46.
Ra6 Ra8 47. Rxa8 Bxa8 48. Ra2 Be4 49. Ra4 d5 50. Ra6 Ke7 51. Ne1 Rb5 52. d3
cxd3 53. Bxd3 Rb2 54. Bxe4 dxe4 55. Nf5+ Kd7 56. Ra7+ Nc7 57. Nd4 Ne5 58. Ne2
Nd3 59. Ra1 Nxe1 60. Rxe1 Ne6 61. Rd1+ Ke7 62. Nd4 e3 63. Re1 Nxd4 64. cxd4 Ke6
65. g3 Rf2+ 66. Kg1 Kf5 67. gxf4 Kxf4 68. Rf1 Rxf1+ 69. Kxf1 Ke4 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.14"]
[Round "11.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brnbkrqn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRNBKRQN w FBfb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 b6 2. f3 e6 3. b3 f5 4. exf5 exf5 5. Qe3+ Ne7 6. Nd3 Nhg6 7. Qd4 Qe6+ 8.
Kf2 Rf7 9. Re1 Qd5 10. Qxd5 Bxd5 11. Ng3 Kf8 12. Nh5 Bb7 13. g3 Nd5 14. c4 Nf6
15. Nhf4 Nxf4 16. Nxf4 Be7 17. d4 Bb4 18. Re2 Bd6 19. Nd3 Ne4+ 20. Kg2 Ng5 21.
d5 Re7 22. Rxe7 Bxe7 23. Ne5 Rd8 24. Bc2 g6 25. Re1 c6 26. dxc6 dxc6 27. Bc3 c5
28. h4 Nf7 29. Nd3 Bd6 30. Kf2 Rd7 31. Re2 Re7 32. Rd2 Ke8 33. b4 cxb4 34. Bxb4
Bxb4 35. Nxb4 Ne5 36. Nd5 Bxd5 37. cxd5 Nc4 38. Ba4+ Kd8 39. Rc2 Rc7 40. Bc6
Ne5 41. Ke3 Nxc6 42. dxc6 Ke7 43. Kf4 Kd6 44. Kg5 b5 45. h5 gxh5 46. Kxf5 a5
47. f4 b4 48. Rd2+ Kxc6 49. Ke6 Kb5 50. f5 Rc6+ 51. Ke5 Rc1 52. f6 Rf1 53. Ke6
a4 54. f7 b3 55. axb3 axb3 56. Rd8 Kc4 57. f8=Q Rxf8 58. Rxf8 b2 59. Rb8 Kc3
60. Kf5 Kc2 61. Kg5 b1=Q 62. Rxb1 Kxb1 63. Kxh5 Kc2 64. Kh6 Kd3 65. Kxh7 Ke4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.14"]
[Round "12.5"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brnbkrqn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRNBKRQN w FBfb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 b5 2. b3 f6 3. Ng3 c5 4. e4 Bb6 5. Qf2 d5 6. Bf3 Nd6 7. exd5 Bxd5 8. O-O
Qf7 9. Nce2 O-O 10. f5 e5 11. fxe6 Bxe6 12. Nf4 Ng6 13. Nxe6 Qxe6 14. Rbe1 Qd7
15. Bd5+ Kh8 16. Qf3 c4+ 17. Kh1 cxb3 18. axb3 Nf7 19. Qf5 Rbd8 20. Be6 Qxd2
21. Bxf6 Nh6 22. Bg5 Nxf5 23. Bxd2 Nxg3+ 24. hxg3 Rxd2 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.14"]
[Round "13.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brnbkrqn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRNBKRQN w FBfb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b4 f5 2. c4 b6 3. f3 Ng6 4. Ng3 e5 5. Nh5 Qf7 6. Nd3 d6 7. Ba4+ b5 8. Bxb5+
Rxb5 9. cxb5 O-O 10. Qf2 f4 11. O-O Nh4 12. g4 Qg6 13. Ndxf4 exf4 14. Bxg7 Rf5
15. Kh1 Qxg4 16. Nf6+ Bxf6 17. Bxf6 Ng6 18. Rg1 Qh5 19. Ba1 Nce7 20. Rbc1 Nd5
21. Qxa7 Rf8 22. b6 Nxb6 23. Qxc7 Bxf3+ 24. exf3 Qxf3+ 25. Rg2 Rf7 26. Qxb6 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G05"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.14"]
[Round "14.5"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brnbkrqn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRNBKRQN w FBfb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 b5 2. b3 f6 3. Ng3 c5 4. e4 Bb6 5. Qf2 d5 6. Bf3 d4 7. O-O e5 8. Nce2 Nd6
9. d3 g6 10. Kh1 Qg7 11. c4 Bc6 12. Bb2 Nhf7 13. Bc1 O-O 14. Bd2 Kh8 15. f5 Nh6
16. Qe1 Bd7 17. Qc1 Ng8 18. Qc2 bxc4 19. bxc4 gxf5 20. Nxf5 Nxf5 21. exf5 Bxf5
22. Ng3 Bg6 23. Be4 Ne7 24. Qc1 Rf7 25. Bh6 Qg8 26. Qe1 Re8 27. a4 f5 28. a5
Bc7 29. Bb7 e4 30. dxe4 f4 31. Ne2 f3 32. gxf3 Bh5 33. Rb3 Ng6 34. Ng3 Nh4 35.
f4 Qg6 36. Bg5 Bf3+ 37. Rbxf3 Nxf3 38. Rxf3 h6 39. Bd5 hxg5 40. Bxf7 Qxf7 41.
Nf5 Qxf5 42. e5 Rxe5 43. Qf1 Re3 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G30"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.11"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nqbbrkrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NQBBRKRN w GEge - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Ng6 2. d4 O-O 3. O-O e5 4. dxe5 Nxe5 5. Bc2 h6 6. b3 b5 7. cxb5 Qxb5 8.
Ng3 d5 9. Rd1 c6 10. Bf5 Be6 11. Bb2 Qb8 12. e4 Nb6 13. Nc2 c5 14. exd5 Bxd5
15. Ne3 Bb7 16. Bh7+ Kh8 17. Be4 Ba6 18. Rfe1 c4 19. Nef5 f6 20. Nh4 Nbd7 21.
Rxd7 Nxd7 22. Ng6+ 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G30"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.11"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nqbbrkrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NQBBRKRN w GEge - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Ng3 Ng6 3. d4 d5 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. O-O O-O 6. e3 e6 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Bd2
Bd7 9. Be2 b6 10. Nc1 Nc7 11. Nd3 Rc8 12. Rc1 Nb5 13. Bb4 Bxb4 14. Nxb4 a5 15.
Nd3 Nd6 16. Rxc8 Rxc8 17. Rc1 Ne7 18. Ne5 Be8 19. Bd3 Rxc1+ 20. Qxc1 f6 21. Nf3
Bg6 22. Ne1 Qc8 23. Qxc8+ Nexc8 24. Bxg6 hxg6 25. h4 Ne7 26. Nd3 Kf7 27. Ne2
Nc6 28. Nef4 Ne4 29. f3 Ng3 30. Kf2 Nh1+ 31. Ke1 Ng3 32. Kf2 Nh1+ 33. Ke1 Ng3
1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G30"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.12"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rbnnqkbr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RBNNQKBR w HAha - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Qxe4 Nd6 4. Qe2 Ne6 5. c3 c5 6. dxc5 Nxc5 7. f3 Qc8 8.
Nd3 Nxd3 9. Bxd3 f6 10. Ne3 Bf7 11. Bf2 O-O 12. Qc2 g6 13. O-O-O Qe6 14. a3 Rc8
15. Ng4 Nf5 16. g3 Kf8 17. Be4 Nd6 18. Bd5 Qf5 19. Ne3 Qxc2+ 20. Kxc2 a5 21.
Bxf7 Kxf7 22. Nd5 Ra6 23. a4 e6 24. Nb6 Rc6 25. Nd7 Ba7 26. Bxa7 Rxa7 27. Nb8
Rb6 28. Nd7 Rc6 29. Nb8 Rb6 30. Nd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G30"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.12"]
[Round "4.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rbnnqkbr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RBNNQKBR w HAha - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. c3 f6 3. Ne3 c6 4. d4 exd4 5. cxd4 d5 6. exd5 cxd5 7. f3 Bf7 8. Bf2
Nc6 9. Ne2 N8e7 10. Bg3 Bg6 11. Qd2 Qd7 12. O-O O-O 13. Re1 Re8 14. Nc3 Bxg3
15. hxg3 Bxb1 16. Raxb1 Nf5 17. Nxf5 Qxf5 18. g4 Qd7 19. Kf2 Qd6 20. Rh1 h6 21.
Rh5 Ne7 22. Qd3 Rad8 23. Rbh1 Qb6 24. b3 Nc6 25. Rxh6 Ne5 26. Qh7+ Kf8 27. Kg3
Nf7 28. Rg6 Qc7+ 29. Kh4 Qxc3 30. Rxg7 Ke7 31. Rxf7+ Ke6 32. f4 Qxd4 33. Re1+
Kd6 34. Rxe8 Rxe8 35. Rxb7 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G30"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.13"]
[Round "5.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brkqnbrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRKQNBRN w GBgb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 e6 2. Bb2 d5 3. e3 Bd6 4. g3 Qe7 5. f4 Ba3 6. Nf3 Bxb2+ 7. Rxb2 Nd6 8. c4
b6 9. cxd5 Bxd5 10. Ba6+ Nb7 11. Nf2 O-O 12. Qe2 Nc5 13. Bc4 Bb7 14. d4 b5 15.
Bd3 Nxd3+ 16. Nxd3 Ng6 17. Nc5 Ba8 18. h4 Rfd8 19. Rc2 Nf8 20. Ne5 f6 21. Ned3
Rb6 22. g4 e5 23. fxe5 fxe5 24. Nxe5 Qxh4 25. Rf1 Ng6 26. Ncd7 Be4 27. Rxc7 Qg3
28. Qf2 Qxf2 29. Rxf2 Nxe5 30. Nxe5 Rh6 31. Rf4 Rh1+ 32. Kd2 Rh2+ 33. Ke1 Bb1
34. Nc6 Re8 35. Ne7+ Kh8 36. d5 g5 37. Rf2 Rh1+ 38. Ke2 Rh6 39. Rxa7 Be4 40.
Nf5 Rf6 41. d6 Rd8 42. Rh2 Bxf5 43. gxf5 h6 44. d7 Kg7 45. e4 Rd6 46. a4 R6xd7
47. Rxd7+ Rxd7 48. Ke3 bxa4 49. bxa4 Ra7 50. Ra2 Kf6 51. a5 Ra6 52. Kf3 h5 53.
Rh2 h4 54. Ra2 Ke5 55. Ra4 h3 56. Kg3 g4 57. Kxg4 h2 58. Ra1 Kxe4 59. Re1+ Kd5
60. Rh1 Rxa5 61. Rxh2 Kd6 62. Kg5 Ke7 63. Kg6 Ra6+ 64. Kg7 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Champions Chess960 G30"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.09.13"]
[Round "6.5"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brkqnbrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRKQNBRN w GBgb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2018.09.11"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d5 2. e5 e6 3. d4 c5 4. dxc5 Qg5+ 5. Qd2 Qxd2+ 6. Kxd2 Bxc5 7. b4 Be7 8.
Bd3 Rf8 9. f4 f6 10. Nf3 fxe5 11. Bxe5 Bd6 12. g3 Bxe5 13. Nxe5 Nf6 14. Nf2
O-O-O 15. Rge1 b6 16. Re2 g5 17. fxg5 Ne4+ 18. Bxe4 dxe4+ 19. Kc3 Rf5 20. Nc4
Rf3+ 21. Ne3 Nf7 22. Nh3 Bb7 23. Rbe1 Rg8 24. Rd2 Ne5 25. Ng1 Rf7 26. h4 h6 27.
gxh6 Rxg3 28. Rg2 Rxg2 29. Nxg2 Rh7 30. Nh3 Rxh6 31. Ng5 Nf3 32. Re3 e5 33.
Nxe4 Nd4 34. Kb2 Kb8 35. Ne1 Nf5 36. Re2 Rxh4 37. Nc3 Rxb4+ 38. Kc1 e4 39. Ng2
Rc4 40. Kb2 Nd6 41. Ne3 Rc8 42. Rf2 Nc4+ 43. Nxc4 Rxc4 44. Rf8+ Rc8 45. Rxc8+
Kxc8 46. Nd1 Kd7 47. Ne3 Kd6 48. c3 Bc8 49. a3 Ba6 50. Kc1 Bd3 51. Kb2 Bb5 52.
Kc1 Bd7 53. Kb2 Be6 54. Kc1 Ke5 55. Kd2 Kf4 56. Ke2 Bb3 57. Kd2 Kf3 58. Nf5 Kf4
59. Ne3 Ba4 60. Nd5+ Ke5 61. Ne3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-43"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2018.09.25"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jumabayev, Rinat"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B42"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2605"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2018.09.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Kazakhstan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "KAZ"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5 6. Nb3 Be7 7. Qg4 g6 8. Qe2
d6 9. O-O Nd7 10. a4 b6 11. Na3 Bb7 12. Nc4 Qc7 13. a5 b5 14. Nb6 Rb8 15. c4
bxc4 16. Bxc4 Ngf6 17. Be3 Nxe4 18. Bxa6 Bxa6 19. Qxa6 O-O 20. Qb5 Rfd8 21. Qa4
Nec5 22. Nxc5 dxc5 23. Bf4 Bd6 24. Nxd7 Rxd7 25. Rfd1 Rb4 26. Qxd7 Qxd7 27.
Bxd6 Ra4 28. Be5 Rxa5 29. Rac1 Qe7 30. b4 Ra8 31. bxc5 f6 32. Bd6 Qa7 33. c6
Rc8 34. c7 Kg7 35. Bf4 Qa4 36. Be3 Qa5 37. Rd7+ Kg8 38. h3 g5 39. Rb1 Qa8 40.
Ba7 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-43"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2018.09.26"]
[Round "3.13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yilmaz, Mustafa"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A09"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2018.09.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Turkey"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "TUR"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 d4 5. O-O c5 6. d3 Nc6 7. e3 Bd6 8. a3 a5
9. Nbd2 O-O 10. e4 e5 11. h3 Bd7 12. Nh2 Qc8 13. f4 Bxh3 14. f5 Bxg2 15. Kxg2
Re8 16. g4 h6 17. Ndf3 Kf8 18. g5 hxg5 19. Bxg5 Nb8 20. Rh1 Nbd7 21. Ng4 Ke7
22. Qe1 Rg8 23. Qg3 Qc7 24. Rag1 Rh8 25. Rh4 Qb6 26. Rb1 Qb3 27. Nd2 Qb6 28.
Kf3 Rag8 29. Qh3 Qd8 30. Rh1 Rxh4 31. Qxh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-43"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2018.09.27"]
[Round "4.7"]
[White "Banikas, Hristos"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A35"]
[WhiteElo "2601"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2018.09.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Greece"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GRE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 c5 5. e3 Nc6 6. h3 e6 7. d5 exd5 8. cxd5
Ne5 9. Nxe5 Bxe5 10. e4 f5 11. exf5 Bxf5 12. Bf4 Bxf4 13. Qa4+ Bd7 14. Qxf4
Qe7+ 15. Be2 Nf6 16. O-O O-O 17. Rae1 Rae8 18. Qd2 Qd8 19. Bd3 a6 20. a3 b5 21.
b4 Bc8 22. Bb1 Qc7 23. f4 a5 24. Kh2 axb4 25. axb4 Bd7 26. bxc5 Qxc5 27. f5
Rxe1 28. Qxe1 b4 29. Ne4 Nxe4 30. Bxe4 gxf5 31. Bb1 Qc3 32. Qh4 Kh8 33. Kh1 Qb2
34. Bd3 Rg8 35. Rf2 Qa1+ 36. Rf1 Qg7 37. Rf2 Qa1+ 38. Rf1 Qg7 39. Rf2 b3 40.
Qb4 f4 41. Qxb3 f3 42. Qb2 Qxb2 43. Rxb2 fxg2+ 44. Rxg2 Bxh3 45. Rb2 Rg5 46.
Be4 Bf5 47. Bf3 Kg7 48. Rb6 Rg6 49. Rb7+ Kf6 50. Kh2 Rg5 51. Rb8 Ke5 52. Bg2
Rg6 53. Re8+ Kd4 54. Rf8 Be4 55. Bh3 Kxd5 56. Rf7 Rg5 57. Bc8 Ke5 58. Re7+ Kd4
59. Kh3 Bf5+ 60. Bxf5 Rxf5 61. Kg4 Rf1 62. Rxh7 d5 63. Kg3 Kd3 64. Rh3 Rf8 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-43"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2018.09.28"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2820"]
[Annotator "Ganguly, Surya Sekhar "]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2018.09.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1. e4 {Levon recently started playing 1.e4 thus it was not surprising to see
him coming out with it in one of the most crucial games in the Olympiad.} e5 2.
Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7 $5 {This is an interesting
alternative to the main line b5. Piket has been playing this a lot and
recently it was played by Radjabov a few times. We can be assured about the
source/inspiration Mamedyarov got to enter this line.} (6... b5 {is far more
common} 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 {would be the normal move order for the Open Ruy
Lopez.} Be6) 7. Re1 b5 8. Rxe4 {The most principled approach.} (8. Bb3 {
would transpose to the main Open Spanish but White makes a concession by
committing Re1; thus Black manages to bypass a number of critical systems.} d5
9. dxe5 Be6) 8... d5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. Rxe5 bxa4 {The main tabiya of this line.
Radjabov had this position twice as Black and in both games b3 was played} 11.
Qe1 f6 12. Re3 $146 (12. Re2 {½-½ (22) Van Kampen,R (2637)-L'Ami,E (2630)
Netherlands 2014}) 12... c5 {played instantly} 13. Qd1 O-O {It was only here
that Mamedyarov started to consume more time} 14. Nc3 Rb8 (14... a3 $5 15. b3
cxd4 16. Qxd4 Bb7 {is doable but Mamedyarov was not really in a mood to play
like this after all.}) 15. b3 cxd4 {For his last two moves Mamedyarov thought
40 min. It was a very crucial moment as his next moves would change the nature
of the position drastically.} 16. Qxd4 Bd6 $5 {changing the course of the game
dynamically.} (16... axb3 17. axb3 Bb7 {Once again possible and could easily
be the best in computer or correspondence chess but clearly Mamedyarov didn't
want a position like this where White has zero risk. True to his style he
opted for the most aggressive way and got into a position which might be worse
but gives White much more difficult options to choose from.}) 17. Qxd5+ {
Or else Bd6 is totally justified} Kh8 18. Rd3 {Most natural once again} Qe8 19.
Bb2 {As of now White is a pawn up and the compensation for Black is not that
obvious} Be5 $1 {The most practical approach. By sacrificing the second pawn
Black makes sure that the knight goes out of play. It is of course also based
on heavy calculation and had tremendous practical value.} 20. Nxa4 Rb5 {
According to the computer White is outright winning. During the game such
things make very little impact. Right now, White has two obvious moves Qf3 and
Qc4 and the important thing is to make the correct decision.} 21. Qf3 $6 {
Still fine according to the computer world but I am certain that had Levon
spotted Mamedyarov's upcoming piece sacrifice then he would not have opted for
this.} (21. Qc4 {This actually made a lot more sense as here the tempo would
come from e6 and from that diagonal the black bishop doesn't look so
threatening as compared with b7.} Be6 22. Qh4 Bc7 {[%cal Gb5h5]} 23. g3 $16 {
with the bishop on e6 White gets ample time to consolidate.}) 21... Bb7 22. Qe3
Be4 $3 {With a very deep idea in mind.} (22... Bxg2 $2 {This is however
premature.} 23. Kxg2 Qg6+ 24. Kf1 Bxh2 25. Re1 Rg5 26. Ke2 Re8 27. Kd2 {
The difference! It is astonishing to see the precision of Mamedyarov's
calculation in such a complex position. Why is the king better placed on d2
than d1? We will see that soon as it occurred in the game.}) 23. Rd2 (23. Bxe5
{this could have led to a draw.} Rxe5 (23... Bxd3 24. Bd6 Qxe3 25. fxe3 Rd8 26.
cxd3 Rxd6 27. Rc1) 24. f4 Re7 25. Re1 Rff7 26. Qxe4 Rxe4 27. Rxe4 Re7 28. Rxe7
Qxe7 {should be about equal}) 23... Bxg2 $1 {The sacrifice only works now with
the rook placed on d2.} 24. Kxg2 $6 (24. f4 $1 {Apparently White is still
clearly better here according to the computer, but that really doesn't count
during a tournament game. It is immensely difficult to make the right call
specially in such wild positions with an open king.} Ba8 $1 {Not a good move
says the machine but clearly any human would go for this rather than getting
into some depressing endgame.} (24... Bxb2 {The computers say this is Black's
best move but I am ready to bet any amount that this was not the move which
bothered Levon.} 25. Qxe8 Rxe8 26. Nxb2 $16) 25. fxe5 Qc6 {Would someone get
into this position as White thinking he is winning unless he knows that the
computer says this is winning? If Levon got this position as a problem and not
during the game then surely, he would find the best moves for the white side
but when one doesn't know whether this position is winning or not then things
get incredibly difficult.} 26. Qf4 $3 {[%csl Rf8,Gh2] The only move that keeps
the advantage. It stops both Qh1-K2-Qh2 and Qh1-Kf2-fe5} Rbb8 $5 {[%csl Gf8]
[%cal Gc6h1,Gf6e5]} (26... Rd5 27. Rad1) 27. exf6 Qh1+ 28. Kf2 Qg2+ 29. Ke3
Qh3+ 30. Qg3 Qe6+ (30... Rbe8+ 31. Kf2) 31. Be5 gxf6 32. Nc5 {and White is
winning. Once again…all these lines are very easy to create with computers 
(even there could be some mistakes!) but during a game things look totally
different.}) 24... Qg6+ 25. Kf1 Bxh2 26. Re1 (26. Nc5 {would lead to an equal
position but mostly Levon was ambitious here and most likely he missed Black's
28th move} Re8 27. Ne6 Qg1+ 28. Ke2 Qg4+ 29. f3 Qxe6 30. Qxe6 Rxe6+ 31. Kf1 $11
) 26... Rg5 27. Ke2 $2 {The final mistake!} (27. Nc3 {would still keep White
in the game}) 27... Re8 {Now it becomes clear why including Rd2 was important
when playing 23...Be4. White is forced to play Kd1 now...} 28. Kd1 Rg1 $1 {
Brilliant imagination by Mamedyarov who must have seen this from way back and
perhaps it was this move that Levon spotted a bit too late. Incredible bold
and imaginative play by Mamedyarov.} 29. Be5 (29. Qxe8+ Qxe8 {[%csl Rd1][%cal
Gg1d1] Hence the king should be on d1! The point of including Be4-Rd2 becomes
clear now.}) 29... Bxe5 {Now it gets technical.} 30. Rde2 h5 (30... Rd8+ 31.
Kc1 Qf5 {would have expedited things.}) 31. Qd3 Qg2 32. Nb6 Rxe1+ 33. Rxe1 Qxf2
34. Nd5 Rd8 35. c4 Qxa2 36. Qf3 g6 37. Re3 Kg7 38. Qh3 Qf2 39. Rd3 Qg1+ 40. Kc2
Qh2+ 41. Qxh2 Bxh2 42. Rh3 Be5 43. Kd3 a5 44. Ke4 Kf7 45. Kf3 Rh8 46. Kg2 g5
47. Ne3 Ke6 48. Kf1 f5 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-43"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2018.09.30"]
[Round "6.11"]
[White "Georgiev, Kiril"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A84"]
[WhiteElo "2590"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2018.09.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Macedonia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "MKD"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Nc3 f5 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 b6 8. b3 Ba6
9. Qd3 b5 10. Nd2 bxc4 11. bxc4 Nbd7 12. Qc2 Ne4 13. Ncxe4 dxe4 14. O-O c5 15.
Qa4 Qc8 16. Ba3 O-O 17. Rfd1 Rd8 18. dxc5 Bxc5 19. Nb3 Bxa3 20. Qxa3 Bxc4 21.
Rdc1 Qa6 22. Qxa6 Bxa6 23. Rc6 Bd3 24. Rxe6 Bc4 25. Rc6 Ne5 26. Rc5 Rd5 27. Rc7
Bxb3 28. axb3 Nf3+ 29. Bxf3 exf3 30. b4 Rad8 31. h3 Rd1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-43"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2018.10.01"]
[Round "7.6"]
[White "Kovalev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2664"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2018.09.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Belarus"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "BLR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bc5 5. O-O O-O 6. Nxe5 Nxe5 7. d4 Bd6 8.
f4 Neg4 9. e5 Bb4 10. f5 Re8 11. Nd5 Nxe5 12. Nxb4 Nc6 13. a3 a6 14. Bd3 a5 15.
Nxc6 dxc6 16. c3 c5 17. dxc5 Bd7 18. Bg5 Bc6 19. Qc2 Qd5 20. Bxf6 gxf6 21. Rfe1
Rad8 22. Rxe8+ Bxe8 23. Re1 Qxc5+ 24. Qf2 Qxf2+ 25. Kxf2 c5 26. Re3 Kf8 27. Ke2
Rd6 28. Ke1 Ba4 29. Kf2 Be8 30. Ke1 Ba4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-43"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2018.10.02"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A25"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2018.09.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Poland"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "POL"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Rb1 d6 6. b4 f5 7. b5 Nce7 8. d3 Nf6
9. e3 O-O 10. Nge2 g5 11. f4 exf4 12. exf4 g4 13. O-O h5 14. Re1 h4 15. Be3 a6
16. a4 axb5 17. axb5 c6 18. Na4 Rf7 19. Bf2 Nh5 20. Nb6 Ra3 21. bxc6 bxc6 22.
Nd4 hxg3 23. hxg3 Ra2 24. Nxc6 Nxc6 25. Bxc6 Rxf2 26. Kxf2 Bd4+ 27. Kg2 Nxf4+
28. Kf1 Bb7 29. Bxb7 Nh5 30. Kg2 Nf4+ 31. Kf1 Nh5 32. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-43"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2018.10.03"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2018.09.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Re1 a6 8. a4
Ba7 9. h3 Kh8 10. d4 h6 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 dxe5 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Nd2 Kg8
15. Nf3 Re8 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 Be6 18. Nxe5 Bxc4 19. Nxc4 Rxe4 20. Rxe4 Nxe4
21. f3 Nc5 22. b4 Ne6 23. Rd1 Kf8 24. Kf2 Ke7 25. Ke3 Rd8 26. Rxd8 Nxd8 27. f4
Ke6 28. Nd2 Nc6 29. Nc4 Nd8 30. Ke4 f5+ 31. Kd3 Nc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-43"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2018.10.04"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2827"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2018.09.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "US of America"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O
8. Qd2 Nd7 9. O-O-O c6 10. h4 d5 11. Kb1 Re8 12. Bd3 Bc5 13. Rde1 Bxe3 14. Rxe3
Rxe3 15. Qxe3 Nf6 16. Re1 Qd6 17. Qe8+ Qf8 18. Qxf8+ Kxf8 19. Kc1 Bd7 20. c4
dxc4 21. Bxc4 Re8 22. Rxe8+ Bxe8 23. Kd2 Ke7 24. Ne5 Nd7 25. Nf3 Nf6 26. Ne5
Nd7 27. Nf3 Nf6 28. Ne5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-43"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2018.10.05"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2661"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2018.09.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Germany"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Bc7 13. Nf5 d5 14. Ne7+
Kh8 15. Nxc8 Rxc8 16. d3 f5 17. Qf3 Qf6 18. Rb1 Nd6 19. Bf4 Nf7 20. Bxc7 Rxc7
21. Qe3 a6 22. Qe6 Nd6 23. Qxf6 Rxf6 24. Re5 g6 25. Rbe1 Kg7 26. d4 Rff7 27. f3
Kf8 28. Kf2 Rfe7 29. Bd3 Nf7 30. Rxe7 Rxe7 31. Rh1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Douglas IoM op"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2018.10.20"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kolosowski, Mateusz"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B47"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2448"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2018.10.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. g3 a6 7. Bg2 d6 8. O-O
Bd7 9. Nce2 Nf6 10. c4 g6 11. b3 Bg7 12. Ba3 Rd8 13. Qd2 O-O 14. Rfd1 Nxd4 15.
Nxd4 Rfe8 16. Rac1 Bc8 17. Nc2 Bf8 18. Bb2 Bg7 19. Ne3 b6 20. Bd4 Qb8 21. Bc3
b5 22. e5 b4 23. Bxb4 dxe5 24. Qxd8 Qxb4 25. Qd2 Qb8 26. c5 e4 27. Qd6 Qa7 28.
c6 Nd5 29. Nxd5 exd5 30. Qxd5 e3 31. fxe3 Bh6 32. Kh1 Bxe3 33. Rc2 Bf5 34. Re2
Be6 35. Qf3 Bb6 36. Rxe6 1-0

[Event "Douglas IoM op"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2018.10.21"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Wagner, Dennis"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B15"]
[WhiteElo "2572"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2018.10.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. f4 d5 5. e5 Nh6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3
Nf5 9. Ne2 e6 10. g4 Ne7 11. Ng3 f6 12. exf6 Bxf6 13. c3 Bh4 14. Bd2 Qd6 15.
O-O-O Nd7 16. Bd3 O-O-O 17. Ne2 Rhf8 18. Qe3 Bf6 19. Rhe1 Bh4 20. Rf1 Bf6 21.
Ng1 c5 22. Nf3 Nc6 23. Kb1 Kb8 24. h4 cxd4 25. cxd4 Nb6 26. Rc1 Qe7 27. Bb5 Rc8
28. Bxc6 bxc6 29. Ne5 Bxe5 30. Qxe5+ Ka8 31. Qe1 Qf6 32. Bb4 Rf7 33. Qf2 Nc4
34. b3 Rb8 35. Bc5 Rb5 36. Kc2 Rxc5 37. dxc5 Na3+ 38. Kd1 Nb5 39. Qe3 e5 40. f5
Qxh4 41. Kc2 gxf5 42. gxf5 Qf6 43. Kb1 e4 44. a4 Nd4 45. Rg1 Rf8 46. Qc3 e3 47.
Rcf1 Qe5 48. Ka2 Qe4 49. Rg7 Rb8 50. Rfg1 Nxb3 51. Ka3 d4 52. Qc4 Na5 0-1

[Event "Douglas IoM op"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2018.10.22"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2634"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2018.10.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Ba5 6. Bd2 Nc6 7. Nb5 Nxd4 8. Nxd4
cxd4 9. f4 Ne7 10. Bd3 Bd7 11. Nf3 h6 12. O-O Bxd2 13. Qxd2 Qb6 14. Qb4 Nc6 15.
Qxb6 axb6 16. b4 Ra4 17. Bb5 Ra7 18. Bd3 O-O 19. b5 Ne7 20. Nxd4 Rfa8 21. Kf2
Rxa3 22. Rxa3 Rxa3 23. h4 h5 24. Rb1 Kf8 25. Ke2 Ke8 26. Kd2 Ra4 27. Kc3 Ng8
28. Rb4 Ra8 29. Kb2 Ne7 30. Be2 g6 31. Bd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Douglas IoM op"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2018.10.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2701"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[EventDate "2018.10.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Qc1 Bd5 12. Nc3 Nc6 13. Rd1 Na5 14. Rb1 Bb3 15.
Rd3 Bc4 16. Rd1 Bb3 17. Rd3 Bc4 18. Rd1 Bb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Douglas IoM op"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2018.10.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kovalev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2664"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2018.10.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. Bg5 c5 12. Re1 Nc6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nd5 g6 15.
c3 Bg7 16. a4 Ne7 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Bxe6 Qxe6 19. b4 Rfd8 20. Qe2 cxb4 21.
cxb4 d5 22. Qa2 Rab8 23. axb5 Rxb5 24. Qxa6 Qxa6 25. Rxa6 Rxb4 26. exd5 Rb5 27.
d6 Rd5 28. Kf1 Rxd3 29. Nxe5 Bxe5 30. Rxe5 R3xd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Douglas IoM op"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2018.10.25"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C49"]
[WhiteElo "2668"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2018.10.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7. Ne2 Ne7 8. c3
Ba5 9. Ng3 c6 10. Ba4 Ng6 11. d4 Re8 12. Bc2 h6 13. h3 Bc7 14. Re1 d5 15. Nxe5
Nxe5 16. dxe5 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Qxd8 Rxd8 19. Bxe4 Bxe5 20. Be3 Be6 21.
Bf3 Bc7 22. a3 Bb6 23. Bxb6 axb6 24. Rad1 Kf8 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8 26. Rd1 Re8 27. h4
b5 28. Be2 Bd5 29. Rd2 Bc4 30. Kf1 Re5 31. Bxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Douglas IoM op"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2018.10.26"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Short, Nigel D"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2018.10.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nf3 f5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 Nf6 6. d3 O-O 7. O-O Kh8 8. b4
Qe8 9. Bg5 Nbd7 10. Rc1 h6 11. Bd2 c6 12. e3 g5 13. Ne2 e4 14. Ne1 Ne5 15. Bc3
g4 16. dxe4 fxe4 17. Nf4 Nf3+ 18. Bxf3 gxf3 19. Qc2 Kg8 20. Rd1 a5 21. b5 a4
22. Bxf6 Bxf6 23. Rxd6 Be5 24. Rxh6 Bf5 25. g4 Bh7 26. Rxh7 Kxh7 27. Qxe4+ Kg7
28. Qxf3 Bxf4 29. exf4 Rd8 30. Ng2 Rd4 31. Qc3 Qd7 32. bxc6 bxc6 33. Qa5 Kg8
34. h3 Rxc4 35. Re1 Qd5 36. Qc7 Re4 37. Rc1 Rf7 38. Qb6 Rc4 39. Re1 Re4 40. Ne3
Qd6 41. f5 Rb4 42. Qa6 Re7 43. Rd1 Qc7 44. Qd3 Rbe4 45. f6 R7e5 46. Nf5 Re1+
47. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 48. Kg2 Kf7 49. Nd6+ 1-0

[Event "Douglas IoM op"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2018.10.27"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2018.10.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Bg6 13. Qb3 Ne7 14. O-O c6 15.
Bd3 Kh8 16. Nh4 c5 17. Nxg6+ fxg6 18. Bxe4 cxd4 19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. Bd2 Nf4 21.
Bb4 Qg5 22. Bxf8 Rxf8 23. e6 Bc7 24. Kh1 Qe5 25. Bxb7 Nxe6 26. g3 Nc5 27. Qd5
Rd8 28. Qxe5 Bxe5 29. Rae1 Bf6 30. Bc6 d3 31. Re8+ Rxe8 32. Bxe8 Bxb2 33. Rd1
Bc3 34. Bf7 g5 35. Bc4 d2 36. Rb1 g6 37. Rb8+ Kg7 38. Rd8 Kf6 39. Be2 Ke5 40.
Bf3 Ne6 41. Rd7 Bd4 42. Kg2 h5 43. Kf1 Kf6 44. Bd1 Ke5 45. Ke2 g4 46. hxg4 hxg4
47. Bb3 Nc5 48. Rd5+ Ke4 49. Rg5 Bxf2 50. Bc2+ Kd4 51. Rxc5 1-0

[Event "Douglas IoM op"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2018.10.28"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Deac, Bogdan Daniel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2594"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2018.10.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 O-O 8. e3
Bf5 9. Qb3 Bxc3+ 10. Qxc3 Nbd7 11. Qa3 c6 12. Be2 Qb6 13. Nd2 a5 14. O-O Rfe8
15. Rfe1 Ne4 16. Nf1 g5 17. Ng3 Be6 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Bg3 Qb4 20. f3 Bd5 21. f4
Qxa3 22. bxa3 a4 23. fxg5 hxg5 24. Rf1 Be6 25. Rab1 b5 26. Rbc1 Rac8 27. h4
gxh4 28. Bxh4 Nb6 29. Rc5 Nd5 30. Kf2 Kg7 31. Rfc1 Bd7 32. Rh1 Be6 33. Bg3 Rh8
34. Rhc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. c4 Nc7 14. d4 d5
15. cxd5 Bb4 16. Bd2 Bxd2 17. Qxd2 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Qxd5 19. Re5 Qd6 20. Bc4 Bd7
21. Rae1 Rfe8 22. Qc3 Rxe5 23. dxe5 Qe7 24. Rd1 Be6 25. Bxe6 Qxe6 26. a3 Qf5
27. h3 h5 28. Qc5 Re8 29. Qxa7 Qc2 30. Qd4 Rxe5 31. Qxe5 Qxd1+ 32. Kh2 Qb3 33.
h4 g6 34. f3 b5 35. Kg3 Qd1 36. Qe3 Qd6+ 37. f4 f6 38. Qe4 Kf7 39. Kh2 f5 40.
Qe3 Qf6 41. Qb3+ Ke7 42. Qe3+ Kf8 43. Qf2 Qd6 44. Kg3 Qd3+ 45. Kh2 Qd6 46. Kg3
Qd3+ 47. Kh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nihal, Sarin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2576"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d3 fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 6. Bg5 Bc5 7. Nc3 d6 8.
Nd5 Be6 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. b4 Bxd5 11. exd5 Bxb4+ 12. Kf1 a6 13. Ba4 b5 14. dxc6
bxa4 15. Nh4 Qe7 16. Qg4 Bc5 17. Nf5 Qf7 18. Ng7+ Ke7 19. Qd7+ Kf8 20. Ne6+ Kg8
21. Nxc5 dxc5 22. Rd1 h5 23. Ke2 Rh7 24. Qxf7+ Rxf7 25. Rd5 Rb8 26. Rxc5 Rb2
27. a3 Re7 28. Rd1 Kf7 29. Rd8 Rb6 30. Rh8 Ke6 31. Rxh5 Kd6 32. Rc3 Rxc6 33.
Rxc6+ Kxc6 34. Rh4 Re6 35. Rxa4 Kd7 36. Rc4 Kd6 37. g4 Kd5 38. Rxc7 e4 39. h4
Rb6 40. Ke3 Rb1 41. Rd7+ Ke6 42. Rd4 f5 43. Kf4 fxg4 44. Rxe4+ Kf6 45. Kxg4 Rb2
46. Rc4 Ra2 47. Rc3 a5 48. h5 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.09"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. c4 Bf6 11. Re1 d5 12. cxd5 Qxd5 13. Be3 Qd8 14. Nc3
Bg5 15. Bxg5 Qxg5 16. Re5 Qd8 17. Qd2 Nf6 18. Bc4 Ng4 19. Re2 Qd6 20. g3 Nf6
21. Rae1 Bd7 22. Re5 Rad8 23. Ne4 Nxe4 24. R1xe4 Bc6 25. d5 Bd7 26. Qc3 a6 27.
Bb3 Rfe8 28. h4 Rxe5 29. Qxe5 Qxe5 30. Rxe5 Kf8 31. f4 f6 32. Re3 Be8 33. Rc3
c6 34. dxc6 Bxc6 35. Bc2 Rd2 36. b4 h6 37. Kf1 Ke7 38. Ke1 Rh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A17"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bxc4 a6 6. Be2 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d4
cxd4 9. exd4 Be7 10. Be3 b5 11. Ne5 Bd7 12. Bf3 Rc8 13. a4 b4 14. Ne2 O-O 15.
Qd3 a5 16. Rfc1 Nb8 17. b3 Rxc1+ 18. Rxc1 Bc8 19. Nf4 Bd6 20. Nc4 Ba6 21. Qd2
Bc7 22. d5 Bxc4 23. Rxc4 e5 24. d6 Bxd6 25. Nd5 Nbd7 26. Rc6 Be7 27. Nxf6+ Nxf6
28. Qxd8 Rxd8 29. Bb6 Rd3 30. Rc8+ Bf8 31. h3 Rxb3 32. Bxa5 Rb1+ 33. Kh2 e4 34.
Be2 g5 35. Bb6 Kg7 36. Bd4 Bd6+ 37. g3 Re1 38. Rc6 Be7 39. Bc4 Rc1 40. a5 b3
41. a6 e3 42. a7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. d5 Bc5 11. Re1 d6 12. Nc3 f5 13. Na4 Bxf2+ 14. Kxf2
Qh4+ 15. Kg1 Qxa4 16. Re7 Qh4 17. Qe2 Nf6 18. Rxc7 Nxd5 19. Qc4 Qe4 20. Qxe4
fxe4 21. Bc4 Be6 22. Rxb7 Rac8 23. Bb3 Rf7 24. Rxf7 Kxf7 25. c3 Rb8 26. Bxd5
Bxd5 27. b3 Bc6 28. Bf4 Rd8 29. Kf2 d5 30. Be3 a6 31. a4 Ke6 32. Bd4 Rf8+ 33.
Ke3 Rf7 34. Kd2 Kd6 35. Kc2 h5 36. Kb2 g5 37. Ka3 g4 38. Rb1 Kc7 39. Kb4 Rf8
40. Ka5 e3 41. Bxe3 d4 42. Bxd4 Rf5+ 43. Kb4 Bxg2 44. Re1 a5+ 45. Ka3 Kd7 46.
Re2 Bf3 47. Rd2 Rd5 48. Kb2 h4 49. Kc1 h3 50. Bf2 Rxd2 51. Kxd2 Bd5 52. Kc2 Bf3
53. b4 Kc6 54. bxa5 Kb7 55. Kb3 Ka6 56. Kb4 Bc6 57. c4 Be8 58. Bg3 Bd7 59. Bh4
Be8 60. Bf2 Bd7 61. Be1 Be8 62. c5 Bc6 63. Kc4 g3 64. Bxg3 Kxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.10"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2615"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. O-O d6 7. Nbd2 Ba7 8. Bb3
O-O 9. Nc4 Kh8 10. a4 h6 11. a5 Nh7 12. Ne3 Bxe3 13. fxe3 Ng5 14. Nxg5 Qxg5 15.
Bxf7 Bg4 16. Qe1 Nd8 17. Bc4 Rxf1+ 18. Qxf1 Ne6 19. Bd2 Rf8 20. Qe1 Qh5 21. Qg3
Ng5 22. Rf1 Rxf1+ 23. Kxf1 Be6 24. Bxe6 Nxe6 25. b4 c5 26. h3 Qd1+ 27. Qe1 Qc2
28. Qe2 c4 29. dxc4 Ng5 30. Be1 Qb1 31. Kg1 Nxe4 32. Kh2 Kh7 33. b5 Nc5 34. Bh4
g5 35. Bg3 Qe4 36. Qd2 Qd3 37. Qf2 Kg7 38. h4 g4 39. h5 Qxc4 40. bxa6 bxa6 41.
Bh4 Qf7 42. Qxf7+ Kxf7 43. Kg3 Nb7 44. Kxg4 Nxa5 45. Kf5 Nc4 46. Ke4 a5 47. Kd3
d5 48. Kc2 Nxe3+ 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.11"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D42"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. d4 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bd3 Be7 8. a3
cxd4 9. exd4 O-O 10. O-O Bf6 11. Qc2 h6 12. Rd1 Qb6 13. Be3 Rd8 14. Rac1 Bd7
15. Nxd5 exd5 16. h3 Rac8 17. Qb1 Ne7 18. Ne5 Rxc1 19. Bh7+ Kf8 20. Rxc1 Be6
21. Bd3 Bg5 22. Bxg5 hxg5 23. Rc5 Rc8 24. b4 Qd8 25. Qc1 f6 26. Ng6+ Nxg6 27.
Bxg6 b6 28. Rxc8 Qxc8 29. Qxc8+ Bxc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.11"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "189"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. c4 Bf6 11. Re1 d5 12. cxd5 Qxd5 13. Be3 Be6 14. Nc3
Qd7 15. d5 Bf5 16. h3 Nd6 17. Bd4 Bxd4 18. Qxd4 a6 19. a4 Rfe8 20. a5 Rxe1 21.
Rxe1 Re8 22. Re3 Rxe3 23. Qxe3 Qd8 24. b4 h6 25. Qe5 Qg5 26. b5 axb5 27. Nxb5
Bd7 28. Qxg5 hxg5 29. Nxc7 Kf8 30. f3 Ke7 31. Kf2 Kf6 32. Na8 Ba4 33. Nb6 Bb3
34. g4 Ke5 35. Ke3 f5 36. gxf5 Nxf5+ 37. Kf2 Kd4 38. Be2 Bc2 39. Bb5 Nd6 40.
Bd7 Bf5 41. Be6 Bxe6 42. dxe6 Ke5 43. Nd7+ Kxe6 44. Nc5+ Kd5 45. Nxb7 Nc4 46.
a6 Kc6 47. Nd8+ Kb6 48. Ne6 g6 49. Nxg5 Kxa6 50. Nf7 Kb5 51. Nh8 Kc5 52. Nxg6
Kd5 53. h4 Ke6 54. Nf4+ Kf5 55. Ne2 Nd2 56. Ng3+ Kg6 57. Ke3 Nc4+ 58. Kf4 Kh6
59. Kf5 Ne3+ 60. Ke4 Ng2 61. f4 Kh7 62. h5 Kg7 63. Ke5 Ne1 64. f5 Nf3+ 65. Ke4
Ng5+ 66. Kf4 Nf7 67. Ke4 Kf6 68. Kf4 Kg7 69. Kf3 Ne5+ 70. Ke4 Kf6 71. Ne2 Nf7
72. Kf4 Ne5 73. Nc1 Nc6 74. Nb3 Ne7 75. Nd4 Nd5+ 76. Kg4 Ne3+ 77. Kf4 Nd5+ 78.
Ke4 Nc3+ 79. Kd3 Nd5 80. h6 Kf7 81. Ke4 Nf6+ 82. Kf4 Kg8 83. Kg5 Kf7 84. Ne6
Nh7+ 85. Kg4 Nf6+ 86. Kf4 Kg8 87. Kg5 Nd7 88. f6 Ne5 89. Kf5 Nf7 90. Ng5 Nh8
91. Ke6 Ng6 92. f7+ Kh8 93. Kf6 Nf8 94. Ne6 Ng6 95. f8=Q+ 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.11"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2817"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Qc2 c5 8.
g3 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Qb6 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Ne4 12. Bf4 Ndf6 13. Rb1 Qc5 14. f3
Nd6 15. Qa4+ Bd7 16. Qb4 Qxb4 17. axb4 Ke7 18. e3 Rhc8 19. Bxd6+ Kxd6 20. Kd2
g6 21. Bd3 Ne8 22. Rhe1 Nc7 23. e4 dxe4 24. Bxe4 Rab8 25. Ra1 a6 26. c4 Ne6 27.
c5+ Kc7 28. Nxe6+ Bxe6 29. Kc3 Rd8 30. f4 Re8 31. Bd3 Rbd8 32. b5 axb5 33. Bxb5
Bd7 34. Bc4 Be6 35. Bxe6 Rxe6 36. Rxe6 fxe6 37. Re1 Rd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1819"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2019.03.01"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Meier, Georg"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2622"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2018.11.10"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Deizisau"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. c3 c5 8.
Bf4 a6 9. Be2 Bd6 10. Ne5 Qc7 11. Bf3 Nd7 12. O-O Nxe5 13. dxe5 Bxe5 14. Qa4+
b5 15. Bxe5 Qxe5 16. Qa5 Ra7 17. Bc6+ Ke7 18. Qb6 Rc7 19. Rad1 Rd8 20. f4 Qe3+
21. Kh1 Rdd7 22. Bxd7 Rxd7 23. Rxd7+ Bxd7 24. Rd1 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 1819"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2019.03.02"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Fedoseev, Vladimir1"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2018.11.10"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hockenheim"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Qc1 Bd5 12. Nc3 Nc6 13. Rd1 Nb4 14. Bg5 Be7 15.
Nxd5 exd5 16. a5 Nc6 17. Ne5 Na7 18. Nd3 Nb5 19. Ra4 c6 20. Qc2 Re8 21. Bc1 Rc8
1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1819"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2019.03.03"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Amin, Bassem"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2018.11.10"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Viernheim"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8.
c4 Ba6 9. b3 g6 10. g3 Bg7 11. Bb2 O-O 12. Bg2 Rae8 13. O-O Bxe5 14. Qxe5 Qxe5
15. Bxe5 Rxe5 16. cxd5 Bxf1 17. Kxf1 cxd5 18. Nc3 c6 19. Rd1 Rfe8 20. Bf3 Kf8
21. Ne2 Ke7 22. Rd4 Kd6 23. Ra4 Ra8 24. Nf4 Kc7 25. Nd3 Ree8 26. Ra6 Kb7 27.
Nc5+ Kc7 28. b4 Reb8 29. a3 Re8 30. Bd1 Reb8 31. Be2 f5 32. Ke1 Rf8 33. f4 Rfe8
34. Kd2 d6 35. Nb3 Reb8 36. Nd4 Rb6 37. Ra5 a6 38. Bd3 Kb7 39. Ne2 Kc7 40. Nc3
Rbb8 41. Bf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1819"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2019.04.06"]
[Round "14.2"]
[White "Ragger, Markus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2701"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2018.11.10"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Solingen"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O O-O 6. c3 d6 7. Re1 a6 8. h3
Ba7 9. Bb3 Re8 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. Nf1 Bxb3 12. Qxb3 Rb8 13. Ng3 Qd7 14. Nh4 Kh8
15. Nhf5 Qe6 16. Be3 Qxb3 17. axb3 g6 18. Bxa7 Nxa7 19. Ne3 Kg7 20. f3 Rbd8 21.
Nc4 Nc6 22. Na5 Nxa5 23. Rxa5 c6 24. Kf2 d5 25. b4 Re6 26. Re2 Kf8 27. Ra1 Ke7
28. Nf1 Kd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Bg6 13. Qb3 Ne7 14. O-O c6 15.
Bd3 Nd2 16. Bxd2 Bxd3 17. Rfe1 Bg6 18. Na4 Be4 19. Nxb6 axb6 20. Bb4 Re8 21.
Bxe7 Rxe7 22. Nd2 Bg6 23. Qc3 c5 24. dxc5 Rc8 25. b4 bxc5 26. bxc5 b6 27. c6
Rec7 28. Nf3 Rxc6 29. Qe3 Rc3 30. Qe2 Bh5 31. g4 Bg6 32. e6 Be4 33. exf7+ Kxf7
34. Ne5+ Kg8 35. f3 Qf6 36. Qh2 Bxf3 37. Rf1 Re3 38. Rae1 Rxe1 39. Rxe1 Be4 40.
Rf1 Qe7 41. Qf4 h6 42. Rf2 Re8 43. Nc6 Qd7 44. Nd4 Bg6 45. Nf3 Qe6 46. Qc7 Qe3
47. Qc6 Bf7 48. Kf1 Qc5 49. Qd7 Re7 50. Qf5 d4 51. Rd2 Bc4+ 52. Kf2 d3+ 53.
Qxc5 bxc5 54. Ne1 Rd7 55. Ke3 Re7+ 56. Kf2 Ra7 57. Nxd3 Bxd3 58. Rxd3 Rxa2+ 59.
Ke3 c4 60. Rc3 Ra4 61. Kd4 Kf7 62. Kc5 Kg6 63. Kb5 Ra8 64. Rxc4 Rb8+ 65. Ka4
Kg5 66. Rc7 g6 67. Rc6 Rg8 68. Kb3 Kh4 69. Rc3 Rd8 70. Rc6 Rg8 71. Rc3 h5 72.
gxh5 gxh5 73. Kc2 Rg2+ 74. Kd1 Rg3 75. Rxg3 Kxg3 76. Ke2 Kxh3 77. Kf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, Rameshbabu"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2530"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 f6 7. Be3 Bg4 8.
Nbd2 g5 9. b4 Nh6 10. Qb1 Nf7 11. a4 Qd7 12. b5 axb5 13. axb5 Rxa1 14. bxc6
Rxb1 15. cxd7+ Kxd7 16. Rxb1 b6 17. Ra1 Nd6 18. Ne1 Nb5 19. Nb3 Nc3 20. d4 Ne2+
21. Kf1 exd4 22. Nxd4 Nxd4 23. Bxd4 Rc8 24. Nd3 c5 25. Bc3 Be6 26. Ke2 b5 27.
f4 b4 28. Be1 Rb8 29. Ra7+ Ke8 30. fxg5 fxg5 31. Bg3 Rc8 32. Be1 Bd7 33. Kd1
Bc6 34. Nf2 c4 35. Kc1 c3 36. e5 Bxg2 37. Ng4 Ra8 38. Rxa8+ Bxa8 39. Nf6+ Kf7
40. Nxh7 Ke6 41. Bg3 b3 42. Nf6 Bd5 43. Nxd5 b2+ 44. Kb1 Kxd5 45. Be1 Bb4 46.
Bg3 g4 47. Bf4 Bc5 48. Bg3 Bd4 49. Be1 Bxe5 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 cxd4 5. O-O d5 6. Nxd4 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Qd3
Nc6 9. Rd1 Be6 10. Bg5 e4 11. Qb5 a6 12. Qxb7 Nb4 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Bxe4 Rb8
15. Qa7 Rb6 16. c4 Nc6 17. Qxb6 Qxb6 18. cxd5 Ne5 19. dxe6 fxe6 20. N1d2 f5 21.
Bf3 O-O 22. Rac1 Rd8 23. Kg2 Qb5 24. Nb1 Rxd1 25. Rxd1 Bb4 26. Rc1 Qb6 27. Nc3
Bxc3 28. Rxc3 a5 29. Rc5 Nxf3 30. exf3 a4 31. Rc8+ Kf7 32. Nc5 Qb5 33. Rc7+ Ke8
34. b3 a3 35. Nxe6 Qe2 36. Nd4 Qxa2 37. Nb5 Qxb3 38. Nxa3 Qxa3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4
Nxd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. c3 dxc3 12. Nxc3 Bb7 13. Bf4 c5 14. Qg4 d5 15.
Bxd5 Bxd5 16. Rad1 Qc8 17. Qxc8 Rxc8 18. Nxd5 Bd8 19. h3 Rc6 20. Nb4 cxb4 21.
Rxd8 Nc7 22. Rd6 Rc4 23. Be3 h5 24. b3 Rc2 25. Rc1 Rxc1+ 26. Bxc1 a5 27. Be3
Ra8 28. g4 hxg4 29. hxg4 a4 30. f4 axb3 31. axb3 Ra3 32. Rd3 g6 33. f5 gxf5 34.
gxf5 Kg7 35. Kf2 Ra2+ 36. Kf3 Rc2 37. Rd7 Kg8 38. Bg5 Rc6 39. Rd8+ Kg7 40. Ke4
Ra6 41. Rc8 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2615"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O O-O 6. Nc3 h6 7. Ne2 d6 8. Ng3
Na5 9. Bb5 c6 10. Ba4 b5 11. Bb3 Nxb3 12. axb3 Re8 13. Re1 d5 14. exd5 cxd5 15.
Nxe5 Bxf2+ 16. Kxf2 Rxe5 17. Rxe5 Ng4+ 18. Kg1 Nxe5 19. Qe1 Ng4 20. h3 Qb6+ 21.
Kh1 Nf6 22. Bf4 Bd7 23. Be5 Re8 24. Qc3 Rc8 25. Qd2 Re8 26. Qf4 Nh7 27. Qd4
Bxh3 28. Bxg7 Qe6 29. Rf1 Ng5 30. Qh4 Kxg7 31. gxh3 Qxh3+ 32. Qxh3 Nxh3 33.
Nf5+ Kg6 34. Nd6 Re2 35. Rxf7 Ng5 36. Rf4 Rxc2 37. Nxb5 Rxb2 38. Nxa7 Rxb3 39.
Nc6 Rb2 40. Ne7+ Kg7 41. Nxd5 Rd2 42. d4 Ne6 43. Rg4+ Kf7 44. Rh4 Nxd4 45. Rxh6
Kg7 46. Rh3 Nf5 47. Ne3 Nxe3 48. Rxe3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A17"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Bd6 5. b3 O-O 6. g3 c5 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. cxd5
exd5 9. O-O Re8 10. Bb2 d4 11. Ne2 Qe7 12. Re1 dxe3 13. dxe3 Bf5 14. Nh4 Bd7
15. Qb1 Be5 16. Bxe5 Qxe5 17. a3 Qe7 18. Qc2 Rac8 19. Rad1 g6 20. Nc3 Bg4 21.
Rc1 Red8 22. Qb1 Ne5 23. h3 Be6 24. Red1 b6 25. f4 Nc6 26. Rxd8+ Qxd8 27. Rd1
Qe7 28. Nb5 Na5 29. e4 Bxb3 30. Re1 Nh5 31. Kh2 Nxf4 32. Nf5 gxf5 33. gxf4 a6
34. Nc3 Qh4 35. Qc1 Kh8 36. exf5 Rg8 37. Ne4 f6 38. Qc3 Bd5 39. Re3 Bxe4 40.
Rxe4 Nc6 41. Qe3 Qh6 42. Re6 Nd4 43. Rxb6 Qg7 44. Qf2 c4 45. Bd5 Re8 46. Be6
Nxe6 47. Rxe6 Rc8 48. Re3 c3 49. Rg3 Qd7 50. Qb6 Qd2+ 51. Kh1 Qd1+ 52. Kh2 Qd2+
53. Kh1 Qd5+ 54. Kh2 Qc6 55. Qa7 Rg8 56. Qf7 Rxg3 57. Kxg3 Qd6 58. Qc4 Qxa3 59.
Kh4 Kg7 60. Qc7+ Kh6 61. Qd8 Kg7 62. Qc7+ Kh6 63. Qd8 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2817"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 c5 5. d5 O-O 6. e4 d6 7. Bg5 exd5 8. cxd5
Nbd7 9. Bd3 Ne5 10. Nge2 c4 11. Bc2 Bc5 12. Qd2 h6 13. Be3 Qb6 14. Bxc5 Qxc5
15. Qd4 b5 16. Qxc5 dxc5 17. Nxb5 Rb8 18. Nbc3 Rxb2 19. Kd2 Nfd7 20. Rhb1 Rb4
21. a3 Rb6 22. f4 Nd3 23. Rxb6 axb6 24. Bxd3 cxd3 25. Kxd3 Ba6+ 26. Kd2 f6 27.
Rb1 Ra8 28. a4 Kf7 29. h4 g5 30. hxg5 hxg5 31. fxg5 Rg8 32. Ke3 Rxg5 33. g3 Ne5
34. Kf2 Nc4 35. Rh1 Bc8 36. Nf4 Bd7 37. Rb1 Ke7 38. a5 bxa5 39. Rb7 Rg8 40. Nd3
Rc8 41. Na4 Nd6 42. Ra7 Nxe4+ 43. Ke3 c4 44. Nb6 Rd8 45. Nxc4 Nd6 46. Nxa5 Nb5
47. Ra6 Rg8 48. Kf2 Rg5 49. Nf4 Nd6 50. Ra7 Ke8 51. Nb3 Ne4+ 52. Kf3 Rxg3+ 53.
Kxe4 Rxb3 54. d6 Rb4+ 55. Ke3 Rb6 56. Ra8+ Kf7 57. Ra7 Rxd6 58. Ra5 Bg4 59.
Ra7+ Ke8 60. Ra8+ Kd7 61. Ra7+ Kc8 62. Rg7 Bd7 63. Rf7 Be8 64. Ra7 Kd8 65. Ra8+
Ke7 66. Ra7+ Bd7 67. Ra5 f5 68. Re5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[PlyCount "163"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c3 Nf6 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Bg4 7. Qb3 Na5 8.
Qa4+ Bd7 9. Qc2 a6 10. Nd2 e6 11. Ngf3 Bb5 12. Bxb5+ axb5 13. a3 Be7 14. O-O
O-O 15. Rae1 Nc4 16. Ne5 Ra6 17. Nd3 Rc6 18. Qd1 Rb6 19. Nf3 Ne4 20. Nfe5 Bf6
21. f3 Ned6 22. Ng4 Bh4 23. g3 Bg5 24. Bxd6 Nxd6 25. h4 Be7 26. h5 Re8 27. Kg2
Bf8 28. Qc1 Nf5 29. Ne3 Nd6 30. Rh1 Be7 31. Ng4 Bg5 32. Qc2 Be7 33. Qf2 Nf5 34.
Ne3 Nd6 35. Re2 h6 36. Ng4 Nf5 37. Nge5 Ra6 38. Rh3 Nd6 39. Qe1 Ra8 40. Rh1 Rc8
41. Rf1 Bf6 42. Ng4 Be7 43. Qd1 Nc4 44. Nge5 Nd6 45. g4 Bf6 46. f4 Ne4 47. Re3
Bxe5 48. Nxe5 f6 49. Ng6 f5 50. Qf3 Qf6 51. Qh3 Rc7 52. Kh1 Rf7 53. Re2 fxg4
54. Qxg4 Qf5 55. Qf3 Qxh5+ 56. Qxh5 Ng3+ 57. Kh2 Nxh5 58. f5 Rf6 59. Rf3 Kf7
60. Ne5+ Ke7 61. Ng4 Rff8 62. Rxe6+ Kd7 63. Ne5+ Kc7 64. Rg6 Re7 65. Rg2 Nf6
66. Ng6 Rfe8 67. Nxe7 Rxe7 68. Rfg3 Ne8 69. Rg6 Rf7 70. Re2 Nd6 71. Re5 Nxf5
72. Rxd5 Ne7 73. Rc5+ Kb8 74. Rg2 g5 75. Rxb5 Rf6 76. c4 Ng6 77. d5 Rf3 78. c5
Kc8 79. Rb6 Nf4 80. Rxh6 Nxg2 81. Kxg2 Rb3 82. Rb6 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.13"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Bxa2 12. Rxa2 Nc6 13. Bg5 Nd7 14. Bd2 Nf6 15.
Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 Nb8 17. c4 Nd7 18. Qb3 f5 19. Rc2 Bf6 20. Be3 g5 21. h3 h5
22. cxb5 g4 23. hxg4 hxg4 24. Nh2 axb5 25. Rfc1 Bg5 26. Rxc7 g3 27. Nf1 gxf2+
28. Kxf2 Bxe3+ 29. Nxe3 Qh4+ 30. Ke2 f4 31. Nd1 f3+ 32. gxf3 Rxf3 33. Rc8+ Rf8
34. Rxa8 Qh2+ 35. Ke1 Rxa8 36. Rc2 Qg3+ 37. Rf2 Nf6 38. Kf1 Ng4 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 a6 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Be6 7. e3 Nbd7 8.
Bd3 c6 9. O-O Bd6 10. Bf4 Qb8 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 12. Rc1 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. Be2 O-O
15. Ne1 Bg6 16. Bd3 Rfe8 17. Bxg6 hxg6 18. Nd3 Ne4 19. Nxe4 Rxe4 20. Qb3 Rb8
21. Rc3 g5 22. Rfc1 Qh6 23. Nc5 Nxc5 24. Rxc5 Qd6 25. Re1 f5 26. f3 Rh4 27. Qc2
Rf8 28. Qf2 Rh6 29. Rc3 Re8 30. Rc2 g4 31. hxg4 Qh2+ 32. Kf1 fxg4 33. f4 g3 34.
Qf3 Rhe6 35. Rc3 g5 36. Ke2 gxf4 37. Qg4+ Kf7 38. Kd1 Qxg2 39. Qxf4+ Rf6 40.
Qg4 Qf3+ 41. Qxf3 Rxf3 42. Kd2 Kg6 43. Rb3 Re7 44. Rh1 Kg5 45. Rh8 Rg7 46. Rc3
g2 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, Rameshbabu"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2530"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Bd3 Qc7 6. h3 Nf6 7. Nf3 g6 8. Qc2
Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 Nh5 11. Be3 Re8 12. Nbd2 Nf4 13. Bf1 Bf5 14. Qb3 h5 15.
Bxf4 Qxf4 16. Qxd5 e5 17. g3 Qh6 18. h4 Be6 19. Qc5 exd4 20. Ng5 dxc3 21. bxc3
Rad8 22. Nde4 Be5 23. Nxe6 Rxe6 24. Ng5 Re7 25. Rad1 Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Qg7 27. Bc4
Qf6 28. Nxf7 Kg7 29. Ng5 Bxc3 30. Qd5 Bd4 31. Qg8+ Kh6 32. Nf7+ Rxf7 33. Qxf7
Bxf2+ 34. Kg2 Qxf7 35. Bxf7 Bc5 36. Bd5 Ne5 37. Bxb7 Bb6 38. Be4 Kg7 39. Rd6
Kf7 40. Bd5+ Kg7 41. Re6 Ng4 42. Be4 Nf6 43. Bc2 Kf7 44. Bb3 Kg7 45. Re7+ Kh6
46. Kf3 g5 47. Bc2 g4+ 48. Ke2 Bc5 49. Rf7 Bd4 50. Bf5 a5 51. Kd3 Be5 52. Kc4
Bb2 53. Kb5 Bc3 54. a4 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Be7 6. Nxe5 Qd4 7. Qh5 Be6 8.
d3 Nf6 9. Nf3 Qxf2+ 10. Kxf2 Nxh5 11. h3 Nf6 12. Bf4 O-O-O 13. Nbd2 Nd7 14. Nd4
Bc5 15. Be3 Bxd4 16. Bxd4 f6 17. Bc3 c5 18. g4 b5 19. b3 Nb8 20. Kg3 Nc6 21.
Nf3 Rhe8 22. Rae1 Nb4 23. Bxb4 cxb4 24. g5 Rd6 25. gxf6 gxf6 26. Nh4 Rg8+ 27.
Kh2 Bd7 28. Ng2 a5 29. Ne3 Kb7 30. Rf2 Rg5 31. Ref1 Rh5 32. Rf3 Rc6 33. R1f2
Be6 34. Ng2 a4 35. Nf4 Rh6 36. d4 Bf7 37. Nd3 Bg6 38. Rxf6 Bxe4 39. Rxh6 Rxh6
40. Nc5+ Kc6 41. Nxe4 Kd5 42. Ng3 Re6 43. Rd2 Re1 44. Kg2 Ra1 45. Ne2 Ke4 46.
Ng3+ Kd5 47. bxa4 bxa4 48. Ne2 Kc4 49. c3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Be2 d3 8. exf6
dxe2 9. Qxe2+ Be6 10. b4 Bd6 11. b5 Na5 12. fxg7 Rg8 13. Bg5 Be7 14. Bxe7 Qxe7
15. Nd4 Rxg7 16. g3 Bh3 17. Nd2 a6 18. a4 c5 19. bxc6 bxc6 20. Rb1 c5 21. Qxe7+
Kxe7 22. Ne2 Bf5 23. Rb2 Rgg8 24. Nf4 Kd6 25. O-O Rab8 26. Ra2 Kc6 27. Rd1 Rgd8
28. Nf3 f6 29. Nh4 Bc8 30. Rad2 d4 31. cxd4 Rxd4 32. Rxd4 cxd4 33. Nf3 Rb4 34.
Nxd4+ Kb7 35. Nd5 Rxa4 36. Nxf6 Nc4 37. h4 Nb2 38. Rb1 Rxd4 39. Rxb2+ Kc7 40.
Nxh7 a5 41. Ng5 a4 42. Ra2 Bb7 43. f4 Bd5 44. Ra3 Bb3 45. h5 Rd6 46. Ne4 Rc6
47. Nd2 Rc3 48. Kf2 Rc2 49. Ke3 Rc3+ 50. Kf2 Rc2 51. Ke2 Rc3 52. Kf2 Rc2 53.
Ke3 Rc3+ 54. Kd4 Rxg3 55. h6 Rh3 56. h7 Rxh7 57. Nxb3 axb3 58. Ra7+ 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2615"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. O-O e6 5. h3 Bh5 6. d4 Bd6 7. c4 Nd7 8. Qb3
Qb6 9. Nc3 Qxb3 10. axb3 a6 11. e4 dxe4 12. Nxe4 Bc7 13. g4 Bg6 14. Nh4 Bxe4
15. Bxe4 Ne7 16. Bd2 O-O 17. Bb4 Rfe8 18. Rfe1 Rad8 19. Rad1 Nf6 20. Bg2 h6 21.
Bc3 Nh7 22. Bb4 Nf8 23. d5 cxd5 24. cxd5 Nxd5 25. Bxd5 exd5 26. Rxe8 Rxe8 27.
Rxd5 Ne6 28. Nf5 Rd8 29. Rxd8+ Bxd8 30. Bc3 Bg5 31. Kg2 g6 32. Nd6 b5 33. Ne4
Kf8 34. Nxg5 Nxg5 35. h4 Ne6 36. Kf3 f5 37. h5 Kf7 38. Bd2 Nd4+ 39. Kg3 fxg4
40. Kxg4 gxh5+ 41. Kxh5 Nxb3 42. Bxh6 a5 43. Kg4 a4 44. Bf4 Ke6 45. Bh6 Nc5 46.
Kf3 Nd3 47. Bg7 b4 48. Ke3 Ne1 49. Kd4 a3 50. bxa3 bxa3 51. Kc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "15"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bxc3 6. Qxc3 Qe7 7. d4 Ne4 8.
Qd3 exd4 9. Nxd4 O-O 10. Be2 Qb4+ 11. Kf1 Qe7 12. f3 Nc5 13. Qd2 d6 14. b4 Nxd4
15. exd4 Nd7 16. Bb2 d5 17. c5 Qh4 18. g3 Qh3+ 19. Kf2 c6 20. Qf4 Re8 21. Bf1
Qe6 22. Bd3 Nf8 23. Rhe1 Qd7 24. a4 a6 25. Rxe8 Qxe8 26. Re1 Qd8 27. Bc3 Be6
28. h4 f6 29. g4 Bf7 30. h5 Ne6 31. Qg3 Qb8 32. Qxb8+ Rxb8 33. Kg3 Re8 34. f4
g6 35. f5 gxf5 36. Bxf5 Kg7 37. Re3 Nd8 38. Rxe8 Bxe8 39. Bd2 Bf7 40. h6+ Kg8
41. g5 Be6 42. Bd3 fxg5 43. Bxg5 Nf7 44. Bf4 Bd7 45. Kh4 Nd8 46. Be3 Nf7 47.
Bf4 Nd8 48. Bd2 Ne6 49. Be3 Kh8 50. Bc2 Kg8 51. Bb1 Kh8 52. Bf2 Kg8 53. Bc2 Kh8
54. Bg3 Kg8 55. Be5 Nf8 56. Bd6 Ne6 57. Be5 Nf8 58. Kg5 Kf7 59. Bd3 Ne6+ 60.
Kh5 Kg8 61. Bc2 Be8+ 62. Kh4 Bg6 63. Bd1 Kf7 64. Be2 Bc2 65. b5 axb5 66. axb5
cxb5 67. Bxb5 Nd8 68. Kg5 Ke6 69. Bg7 Nc6 70. Be2 Bf5 71. Bh5 Bh3 72. Bg6 hxg6
73. h7 Nd8 74. h8=Q Nf7+ 75. Kxg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A31"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2817"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c5 4. cxd5 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Qxd5 6. Nc3 Qa5 7. Nb3 Qc7 8.
g3 e5 9. Bg2 Bb4 10. Bd2 O-O 11. Rc1 Rd8 12. Nd5 Bxd2+ 13. Nxd2 Qd6 14. Nc7 Nc6
15. Nxa8 Be6 16. O-O Qb4 17. a3 Qxb2 18. Rc2 Qxa3 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Nc7 Bb3 21.
Qc1 Qxc1 22. Rfxc1 Bxc2 23. Rxc2 a5 24. Nc4 a4 25. Nxe5 Ne4 26. Nxc6 Rd1+ 27.
Kg2 a3 28. Nb5 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bd7 9. c3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Qb8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 Be6 14. axb5 axb5 15.
Nbd2 O-O 16. Re1 Rc8 17. h3 cxd4 18. cxd4 Qb6 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. Bd3 Nc6 21. Qe2
Rab8 22. Rac1 Rd8 23. Red1 Nb4 24. Nxe5 Nxd3 25. Nxd3 Rbc8 26. Rxc8 Bxc8 27. e5
Nd5 28. Bxe7 Nxe7 29. Ne4 Nf5 30. Ndc5 Re8 31. f4 f6 32. Qh5 Re7 33. Qg6 Nh4
34. Qh5 Nf5 35. b4 fxe5 36. fxe5 Rxe5 37. Nd6 Qc7 38. Nxc8 Qxc8 39. g4 Qc7 40.
gxf5 Re3 41. Ne4 Rxe4 42. f6 Qg3+ 43. Kh1 Re1+ 44. Rxe1 Qxe1+ 45. Kg2 Qd2+ 46.
Kh1 Qc1+ 47. Kg2 Qb2+ 48. Kh1 Qc1+ 49. Kh2 Qf4+ 50. Kg2 Qe4+ 51. Kh2 Qc2+ 52.
Kg3 Qd3+ 53. Kg2 gxf6 54. Qxh6 Qe4+ 55. Kg3 Qxb4 56. Qg6+ Kh8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2018.11.14"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2018.11.13"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Be2 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 f6 11. exf6 Nxf6 12. h3 Ne7 13. O-O Nf5 14. Bd3 Nxe3 15.
fxe3 Qe7 16. Qd2 c6 17. Rae1 Bd7 18. e4 dxe4 19. Nxe4 Nxe4 20. Rxe4 Qd6 21.
Bc4+ Kh8 22. Ng5 Rxf1+ 23. Kxf1 Qf6+ 24. Qf4 Be8 25. Qxf6 gxf6 26. Nf3 Bh5 27.
g4 Re8 28. Rf4 Bg6 29. Rxf6 Kg7 30. Rd6 Rd8 31. Rxd8 Bxd8 32. Ne5 Bb6 33. d5
cxd5 34. Bxd5 Bd4 35. Nf3 Bxb2 36. Bxb7 Bf7 37. a4 Be8 38. a5 Bb5+ 39. Kf2 a6
1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.11"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. a5 d6 10. d3 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nbd2 Qb8 {A new plan.} (12... Rb8 {
[%cal Yb8b5] was played in a number of games. However, Magnus Carlsen
outplayed the same opponent in the following game:} 13. c3 Qe8 {Probably Black
should choose one of the other continuations:} (13... bxc3 14. bxc3 Rb5 15. Nc4
(15. Nf1 $6 Qd7 16. Bg5 Rxa5 17. Rxa5 Nxa5 18. d4 exd4 19. cxd4 h6 20. Bh4 Nc6
$15 {1/2 (60) Vachier Lagrave,M (2791)-Wojtaszek,R (2736) Dortmund 2017}) (15.
d4 {- 13...bxc3} exd4 16. cxd4 Nb4 (16... Nxa5 17. d5 e5 18. Qc2 Nd7 19. Qc3
Rc5 20. Qd3 Qc8 21. Rb1 Rb5 22. Rxb5 axb5 23. Qxb5 Nb7 24. Nb3 $16 {1-0 (60)
Smith,A (2499)-Hammer,J (2689) Drancy 2016}) 17. Nb1 c5 18. Na3 {1-0 (60)
Sasikiran,K (2666)-Mikaelyan,A (2500) Yerevan 2018} Rxa5 19. dxc5 d5 $13) 15...
Nd7 (15... Qe8 $5) 16. Be3 d5 17. Ncd2 Nc5 18. exd5 exd5 19. Qc2 Kh8 20. d4 $14
{1-0 (39) Kulaots,K (2571)-Nyback,T (2575) Finland 2017}) (13... Rb5 14. c4 (
14. d4 bxc3 15. bxc3 {- 13...bxc3}) (14. Nc4 $5) 14... Rb8 15. Nb3 Qc8 16. Qe2
Nd7 17. d4 exd4 18. Nbxd4 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Ne5 20. f4 c5 21. Nb3 Nc6 22. Be3 e5
$11 {1/2 (44) Adams,M (2761)-Wojtaszek,R (2745) Shamkir 2017}) (13... d5 $5 14.
Qe2 (14. exd5 exd5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Rxe5 {needs checking}) 14... bxc3 15. bxc3
Rb5 16. exd5 exd5 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. Qxe5 Bd6 $44 {1/2 (79) Robson,R (2676)
-Sasikiran,K (2671) Saint Louis 2018}) (13... Nd7 14. Nb3 (14. d4 $5) 14... d5
15. Be3 bxc3 16. bxc3 dxe4 $6 (16... Bd6 $1 17. Rb1 h6 18. Qc2 Qe7 19. h3 $14 {
M.Roiz}) 17. dxe4 Rb5 $6 18. Qe2 $1 Qb8 19. Qc4 $16 {1-0 (64) Svidler,P (2751)
-Onischuk,A (2682) Tbilisi 2017 CBM 181 [Roiz,M]}) 14. Nc4 Qg6 15. h3 Nd7 (
15... Nh5 $5 {Kr.Szabo}) 16. Be3 d5 17. Ncd2 bxc3 18. bxc3 Nc5 19. Bxc5 $1 Bxc5
20. Qa4 $1 Rb2 21. Rf1 $1 $14 {1-0 (52) Carlsen,M (2822)-Aronian,L (2809)
Saint Louis 2017 CBM 180 [Szabo,Kr]}) (12... Qe8 13. c3 Rb8 {- see 12...Rb8}) (
12... d5 $5 13. c3 Bc5 14. Nb3 Ba7 15. Be3 bxc3 16. bxc3 dxe4 17. dxe4 Qxd1 18.
Raxd1 Rab8 $11 {1/2 (46) Howell,D (2696)-Adams,M (2703) London 2018}) {Levon
Aronian moves his queen in a different direction.} 13. Nb3 {Of course, White
has a lot of other options like} (13. c3 {[%cal Yd3d4]}) ({or} 13. Nc4) 13...
Nd8 (13... Qb5 $5 {looks more logical.}) 14. d4 (14. c3 $5 {was probably more
solid.}) 14... exd4 15. Qxd4 c5 16. Qc4 Nd7 17. Be3 Bf6 18. Ra2 Re8 19. Nbd2
Nf7 {Black has successfully rearranged his pieces and obtained a good position.
} 20. Qb3 (20. Bf4 $142 $11) 20... Qb5 21. Rd1 Nde5 22. Nxe5 Nxe5 $15 23. Qa4 (
23. h3 $5 Qe2 24. Raa1 $15) 23... Qxa4 24. Rxa4 Rac8 25. h3 g5 26. c3 d5 {
Black gradually outplays his opponent. His pieces are centralized, and his
central pawns are powerful.} 27. exd5 exd5 28. cxb4 Nd3 29. Bxc5 Nxb2 30. Raa1
Nxd1 31. Rxd1 Bc3 $6 {Probably too early. It was better to gradually improve
Black's position:} (31... h5) (31... Kf7) (31... Rcd8) 32. Nf3 d4 $6 (32... h6
$5 33. Rd3 (33. Rxd5 $143 $6 Rcd8) 33... Bf6 34. Rxd5 $140 Red8 {Even with two
pawns for the exchange White is worse as the position is open, and Black's
rook is very strong.}) 33. Nxg5 $6 (33. Rd3 $142 $1 Rb8 34. Bxd4 Bxb4 35. Bb6 {
with good drawing chances.}) 33... Rb8 $2 {Black misses his last chance:} (
33... Re1+ 34. Rxe1 Bxe1 35. Kf1 (35. Bxd4 $2 Bxb4 36. Bb6 Rc1+ 37. Kh2 Ra1) (
35. Nf3 $2 d3) 35... Bc3 36. Ke2 Rb8 {[%cal Rc3b4] - see annotation to move 32.
..d4}) 34. Nf3 Bxb4 35. Bb6 Re4 36. Nxd4 Re1+ 37. Rxe1 Bxe1 38. Ne6 Re8 39. Nc5
Rc8 40. Nxa6 {After the fall of this pawn White is out of danger.} Bxa5 41.
Bxa5 Ra8 42. Bd2 Rxa6 {White even tries to play this position for a win but it
is an easy draw, of course.} 43. g4 Kf7 44. Kg2 Kg6 45. Be3 h5 46. f4 hxg4 47.
hxg4 Rf6 48. Kf3 Rf7 49. Bc5 Rf6 50. Bb4 Rf7 51. Ke4 Rb7 52. Bc5 Rb3 53. Be3
Rb4+ 54. Ke5 Kf7 55. Kf5 Rb5+ 56. Ke4 Kf6 57. Bd2 Rc5 58. Be1 Rc4+ 59. Kf3 Rc5
60. Bh4+ Kg6 61. Be7 Ra5 62. Kg3 Kf7 63. Bd6 Kg6 64. Kh4 Ra1 65. Bc5 Rd1 66.
f5+ Kf6 67. Be3 Rh1+ 68. Kg3 Rb1 69. Bc5 Rb5 70. Bd4+ Kg5 71. Be3+ Kf6 72. Bd4+
Kg5 73. Be3+ Kf6 74. Bd4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.12"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb4 6. Bc4 Nd3+ 7. Ke2 Nf4+ 8.
Kf1 Ne6 9. d4 $5 {A rare but quite possible continuation.} cxd4 (9... Nxd4 $6
10. Bf4 Nbc6 (10... e6 11. Nxd4 cxd4 12. Nb5 Na6 13. Be5 $5 $16) 11. Nxd4 $1 (
11. Nd5 $143 Ne6 12. Bg3 Bd7 13. h4 Rc8 $13 {0-1 (40) Meskovs,N (2546)-Kantans,
T (2478) Tallinn 2018}) 11... Qxd4 (11... Nxd4 12. Nd5 $16) (11... cxd4 12. Qb3
e6 13. Nb5 $16) 12. Qb3 e6 13. Nb5 Qxe4 14. Nc7+ Kd8 15. Bg3 $16) 10. Bxe6 Bxe6
11. Nxd4 Nc6 (11... Bc4+ 12. Kg1 Nc6 13. Nxc6 Qxd1+ 14. Nxd1 bxc6 15. f3 {
with a typical endgame, slightly better for White due to his pawn structure, e.
g.} e5 16. Be3 Be7 17. b3 Be6 18. Rc1 O-O 19. Kf2 Rfc8 20. Bc5 Bg5 21. Rc2 $14
{1-0 (41) Vul,A (2410)-Van Beers,E (2205) Cappelle-la-Grande 1995}) (11... Bd7
$5 {[%cal Yb8c6,Ye7e6] is probably the most solid option for Black.}) {After
the game move White can choose between two pleasant positions, with a superior
pawn structure.} 12. Nxe6 (12. Nxc6 Qxd1+ 13. Nxd1 bxc6 14. b3 $14) 12... Qxd1+
13. Nxd1 fxe6 $14 14. Bd2 e5 15. f3 e6 ({It is hard to say whether} 15... g6 {
was more stubborn.}) 16. Be3 Bb4 17. Nf2 Ba5 18. Ke2 Bb6 19. Rhd1 Bxe3 20. Kxe3
Ke7 21. Rac1 Rhd8 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 {[%mdl 4096]} 23. Nd3 Kd6 24. Nc5 Rb8 25. h4
Nb4 {Black doesn't want to wait passively; he gives up a pawn to exchange
knights but the rook endgame is difficult for him.} 26. a3 b6 27. Nxe6 Na2 28.
Ra1 Kxe6 29. Rxa2 Rc8 30. Kd2 Rd8+ 31. Ke2 Rc8 32. b3 Rc1 33. Rd2 $6 {This
move lets White's advantage slip.} (33. Kd3 $142 Rh1 34. Rc2 Kd6 35. Kc4 Kc6 (
35... Rxh4 36. Kb5) (35... a6 36. Rd2+ Ke6 37. Rd8) 36. Kb4+ Kb7 37. Rd2 Kc6
38. Rd5 $16 {(chesspro.ru)}) 33... Ra1 34. a4 Rb1 35. Rd3 Rb2+ 36. Kf1 a6 {
White's pieces are tied up, and he can't expect more than an endgame with 4
pawns versus 3 on the kingside (which is drawn if Black plays accurately).} 37.
Kg1 b5 38. Rd8 ({The immediate} 38. h5 $5 {deserved more attention but Black
should not lose after} h6 {anyway.}) 38... bxa4 39. bxa4 Ra2 40. Rh8 h6 41.
Re8+ Kf6 42. Rb8 Rxa4 43. Rb6+ Kf7 44. h5 a5 45. Ra6 Ra2 46. Kh2 a4 47. Kh3 a3
48. g3 Ra1 49. Kg4 a2 50. Kf5 Rf1 51. Rxa2 Rxf3+ 52. Kxe5 Rxg3 53. Ra7+ Kg8 54.
Kd6 g6 55. Ra8+ Kf7 56. Ra7+ Kg8 57. Ra8+ Kf7 58. Ra7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.13"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e3 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. Bb5+ Bd7 8.
Be2 Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. d4 Nc6 11. Rb1 Qc7 12. e4 Bg4 13. d5 Ne5 14. c4 b6 15.
Nxe5 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Bxe5 17. f4 Bd4+ 18. Kh1 e6 19. e5 exd5 20. cxd5 Qd7 21. Qc4
Rad8 22. d6 Rfe8 23. Bb2 Bxb2 24. Rxb2 Qe6 25. Qa4 Qd7 26. Qa6 f6 27. Re2 Re6
28. a4 Qf7 29. Rd2 fxe5 30. fxe5 Qg7 31. d7 Rxe5 32. Qxa7 Qf6 33. Kg1 Qc6 34.
Rb1 Re7 35. Qxb6 Qxb6 36. Rxb6 Rexd7 37. Rxd7 Rxd7 38. a5 c4 39. a6 c3 40. Rc6
Ra7 41. h3 c2 42. Rxc2 Rxa6 43. Kh2 Ra7 44. Rc1 Kg7 45. Rc2 Kg8 46. Rc1 Kg7 47.
Rc2 Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.13"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Be7 10. Nc3 Nh4 11. Nxh4 Bxh4 12. Re1 b6 13. g4 Be7 14. Be3
Bd7 15. Rad1 Kc8 16. Ne2 Re8 17. Nf4 Bf8 18. Bc1 g6 19. Re2 Bg7 20. Rde1 Kb7
21. e6 fxe6 22. Nxe6 Bf6 23. c3 c5 24. Bf4 Bxe6 25. Rxe6 Rf8 26. R1e4 Rf7 27.
g5 Bd8 28. h4 b5 29. c4 bxc4 30. Be3 Rb8 31. Bxc5 Kc8 32. Bd4 Rb5 33. Rc6 Kd7
34. Rxc4 c6 35. a4 Rb3 36. Bxa7 Rxb2 37. Bd4 Rd2 38. Be3 Rd5 39. Rb4 Bc7 40.
Kg2 Rf8 41. Rb7 c5 42. a5 Kc6 43. a6 Ra8 44. Re6+ Bd6 45. Rxh7 Rxa6 46. Rxg6 c4
47. Rg8 Rf5 48. g6 Be5 49. g7 1-0

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.13"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. c3 Ngf6 5. Bd3 Ne5 6. Be2 Nxf3+ 7. Bxf3 e5 8.
d4 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. Be3 b6 11. Nd2 Qc7 12. Re1 Bd7 13. a4 a6 14. b4 cxd4 15.
cxd4 Rfc8 16. h3 b5 17. axb5 Bxb5 18. Nb3 Qc2 19. d5 Qxd1 20. Rexd1 Rc4 21. Na5
Rxb4 22. Rdc1 Ra4 23. Nc6 Rxa1 24. Rxa1 Kf8 25. g3 Bd3 26. Bg5 h6 27. Bxf6 Bxf6
28. Ra3 Bb5 29. Bg4 Bd8 30. h4 Bb6 31. Rf3 Be2 32. Rb3 Bxf2+ 33. Kxf2 Bxg4 34.
Ra3 Bd7 35. Na5 Ke7 36. Rc3 Rc8 37. Rb3 Bb5 38. Rb2 Rc3 39. Nb3 g6 40. g4 Rh3
41. Nd2 Rxh4 42. Kg3 Rh1 43. Rc2 Kd7 44. Nf3 Rb1 45. Nd2 Rb4 46. Kf3 a5 47. Ke3
a4 48. Ra2 Ke7 49. Ra1 Bd7 50. Kf3 h5 51. gxh5 gxh5 52. Ra3 f5 53. exf5 Bxf5
54. Nf1 Be4+ 55. Ke2 Bxd5 0-1

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.13"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bc4 e6 5. Bb3 Ne7 6. c3 b6 7. O-O Bb7 8. Re1
Nd7 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Nf1 c5 11. Ng3 Qc7 12. Bg5 Nc6 13. Qd2 Rac8 14. Bh6 Na5 15.
Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Rad1 Nxb3 17. axb3 Nf6 18. e5 dxe5 19. dxe5 Ng8 20. Ng5 Rcd8 21.
Qf4 Rd5 22. c4 Rd7 23. h4 Rfd8 24. Rd6 Rxd6 25. exd6 Rxd6 26. Nxf7 Rd7 27. Ne5
Rd4 28. Qg5 Qe7 29. Nf3 Qxg5 30. Nxg5 Bc8 31. Nxe6+ Bxe6 32. Rxe6 Kf7 33. Re4
Rd1+ 34. Kh2 Rd2 35. Re2 Rd3 36. Re3 Rd2 37. Re2 Rd4 38. Ne4 h6 39. Kg3 Ne7 40.
Kf3 Nf5 41. g3 Rd3+ 42. Kf4 Rxb3 43. g4 Nxh4 44. Nd6+ Kf6 45. Ne8+ Kf7 46. Nd6+
Kf8 47. Ke5 Ke7 48. f4 Nf3+ 49. Kd5+ Kd7 50. Nf7 Nd4 51. Rh2 Rd3 52. Ne5+ 1-0

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.13"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. c3 Ngf6 5. Bd3 Ne5 6. Be2 Nxf3+ 7. Bxf3 e5 8.
d4 Be7 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Qxd8+ Bxd8 11. Nd2 Be6 12. Be2 Bc7 13. f3 Ke7 14. a4 h5
15. h4 Rhd8 16. Nc4 Ne8 17. Be3 b6 18. Bf2 f6 19. O-O g6 20. Rfc1 Nd6 21. Ne3
f5 22. Nd5+ Bxd5 23. exd5 c4 24. Be3 Kd7 25. Rab1 Rf8 26. b3 f4 27. Bf2 e4 28.
fxe4 Rae8 29. bxc4 Nxe4 30. c5 Nxc3 31. Rxc3 Rxe2 32. d6 Bd8 33. c6+ Kc8 34. a5
Rxf2 35. Kxf2 Rf5 36. c7 Bxh4+ 37. Kf3 Rd5 38. axb6 1-0

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.13"]
[Round "1.8"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C02"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Bd7 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. a3 Bb5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Bxb5+
Qxb5 9. b4 Bb6 10. a4 Qc4 11. a5 Qe4+ 12. Qe2 Qxe2+ 13. Kxe2 Bc7 14. c4 Ne7 15.
Bg5 Nbc6 16. Bxe7 Kxe7 17. cxd5 exd5 18. Nc3 Rhd8 19. Rhd1 d4 20. Nb5 Bxe5 21.
Nxe5 Nxe5 22. Nxd4 Rac8 23. a6 bxa6 24. Rxa6 Ke8 25. Ra5 f6 26. f4 Ng6 27. g3
Rd7 28. Nf5 Rc2+ 29. Ke1 Rdc7 30. Rd2 Rc1+ 31. Ke2 Ne7 32. Nd6+ Kf8 33. Nb5 Rc8
34. Rxa7 Nc6 35. Rb7 Re8+ 36. Kf3 Nd8 37. Rc7 Rf1+ 38. Kg2 Rb1 39. Nd6 Re7 40.
Rxe7 Kxe7 41. Nf5+ Ke8 42. Nxg7+ Ke7 43. Nf5+ Ke8 44. Re2+ Kf8 45. Nd6 Nc6 46.
b5 Nd4 47. Re8+ Kg7 48. Re7+ Kg6 49. g4 Rb2+ 50. Kf1 h5 51. h3 Nf3 52. Nf5 hxg4
53. hxg4 Nh2+ 54. Ke1 Nxg4 55. Nd6 Nh2 56. Re2 Rb1+ 57. Kd2 Nf3+ 58. Kc3 Kh5
59. Rb2 Rxb2 60. Kxb2 Kg4 61. b6 Nd4 62. Kc3 Nc6 63. f5 Kf4 64. Kc4 Ke5 65. Kc5
Nd8 66. Nf7+ 1-0

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.15"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d5 {This sharp move has
recently become popular.} 6. exd5 (6. Nxe5 {leads to a real gambit after} O-O
$1) (6. Nbd2 {Vachier Lagrave-Hou Yifan, Grenke 2017, is a quiet, not too
promising alternative, a practical choice.}) 6... Qxd5 7. Bc4 (7. Qb3 {is
harmless:} O-O 8. O-O Qd6 (8... Qxb3 9. axb3 e4 10. dxe4 Nxe4 11. Bf4 Bb6 12.
Nbd2 Nxd2 13. Nxd2 Be6 14. Nc4 Rfd8 15. Nxb6 cxb6 16. b4 a6 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18.
Bc7 Rd2 19. Bxb6 Rxb2 $11 {1/2 (23) Grischuk,A (2766)-Aronian,L (2764) Paris
2018}) 9. Nbd2 Be6 10. Qa4 Ne7 11. Ne4 Nxe4 12. Qxe4 Ng6 13. Bc4 c6 14. Bxe6
Qxe6 15. Re1 Rad8 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Qxe3 Qd5 18. Qxa7 Qb5 $132 {1/2 (34)
Vachier Lagrave,M (2780)-Eljanov,P (2703) Batumi GEO 2018}) 7... Qd6 8. Nbd2 (
8. O-O e4 $5 9. Qe2 O-O 10. dxe4 Bg4 11. Rd1 Qe7 12. Bg5 Bxf3 13. gxf3 h6 14.
Bh4 Ne5 15. f4 Ng6 16. Bg3 Nxe4 $11 {1/2 (40) Prizant,J (2511)-Lysyj,I (2663)
Kolomna 2016}) (8. Qe2 O-O 9. Bg5 h6 (9... Bf5 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nbd2 Bd6 12.
O-O Rae8 13. Rfe1 Bd7 14. Bd5 Re7 15. a4 Nd8 16. a5 Kh8 17. Qe3 a6 18. g3 $14 {
1/2 (37) Lu,S (2629)-Yakubboev,N (2512) Hamedan 2018}) (9... Be6 10. Nbd2 Bxc4
11. Nxc4 Qe6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Nfd2 b5 14. Ne3 f5 $13 {1/2 (53) Caruana,F 
(2808)-Kramnik,V (2808) Stavanger 2017}) 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nbd2 Bd6 12. O-O a6
13. Rfe1 Re8 14. Ne4 {1/2 (30) Grandelius,N (2655)-Ragger,M (2686) Batumi GEO
2018} Qg6 $11) 8... O-O 9. b4 (9. Qe2 Bf5 $1 (9... a5 10. Ng5 Qe7 (10... Bf5
11. Nde4 Nxe4 12. Nxe4 Bxe4 13. dxe4 Nd8 14. Bd2 c6 15. a4 Ne6 $11 {1/2 (81)
Topalov,V (2761)-Aronian,L (2792) Saint Louis 2016}) 11. Nde4 Bd6 12. a4 h6 13.
h4 Nd8 14. Qf3 Ng4 15. Qe2 Kh8 16. f3 Nf6 17. Nxf6 Qxf6 18. g4 $36 {1-0 (59)
Svidler,P (2745)-Inarkiev,E (2732) Novosibirsk 2016}) (9... a6 10. Ng5 Ba7 11.
Nde4 Nxe4 12. Qxe4 Qg6 13. Qxg6 hxg6 14. Be3 b5 15. Bd5 Bb7 16. Bxa7 Rxa7 17.
O-O-O Na5 18. Bxb7 Nxb7 19. Rhe1 Nd6 20. Ne4 $14 {1-0 (44) Kulaots,K (2590)
-Vicas,M (2190) Tallinn 2018}) 10. Ng5 Na5 $5 (10... Bb6 11. Nde4 Qe7 12. Nxf6+
Qxf6 13. g4 Bd7 14. h4 Na5 15. Bd5 Bc6 16. Ne4 Qd8 17. Bxc6 Nxc6 18. g5 $14 {
1-0 (39) Inarkiev,E (2684)-Lopez Martinez,J (2584) Batumi 2018}) (10... Bg4 11.
f3 Bf5 12. Nde4 Nxe4 13. fxe4 Bg6 14. h4 h6 15. h5 Bh7 16. Nxh7 Kxh7 17. Rf1
$14 {1-0 (43) Perunovic,M (2604)-Sousa,A (2380) Lisbon 2017}) 11. b4 (11. Nge4
Bxe4 12. dxe4 Nxc4 13. Nxc4 Qe6 $11) 11... Nxc4 12. Nxc4 Qd8 $1 $15 (12... Qxd3
13. Qxd3 Bxd3 14. Nb2 $16 {1-0 (33) Vachier Lagrave,M (2795)-Grischuk,A (2750)
chess.com INT 2017})) 9... Bb6 10. a4 (10. O-O Bf5 11. Qc2 (11. Qe2 $6 Nd5 $15
{1/2 (55) Smirnov,A (2464)-Melkumyan,H (2653) Canberra 2016}) 11... Rad8 12. a4
a5 13. b5 Ne7 (13... Nb8 $6 14. Ba3 Bc5 15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16. Rfe1 Nbd7 17. Nh4 Bg4
18. h3 Bh5 19. Nb3 $16 {1/2 (42) Caruana,F (2799)-Grischuk,A (2782) Saint
Louis 2017}) 14. Qa2 (14. Qb3 Ng6 15. Ba3 Bc5 16. Bxc5 Qxc5 17. d4 Qd6 18. Rfe1
Rde8 $11 {1-0 (44) Caruana,F (2799)-Grischuk,A (2782) Saint Louis 2017}) 14...
Ng6 15. Ba3 Bc5 16. Bxc5 Qxc5 17. d4 Qd6 18. Rfe1 exd4 19. cxd4 Nf4 20. Rac1
N6d5 $11 {0-1 (53) Caruana,F (2799)-Grischuk,A (2782) Saint Louis USA 2017})
10... a5 $5 (10... e4 {(this pawn sacrifice, in order to activate his c6
knight, is Black's key idea)} 11. Nxe4 $5 (11. dxe4 Ne5 12. Qe2 a5 13. O-O Bg4
14. bxa5 Rxa5 15. Ba3 Bc5 $44 {1/2 (31) Caruana,F (2807)-Karjakin,S (2773)
Saint Louis 2017}) 11... Nxe4 12. dxe4 Qf6 (12... Qxd1+ 13. Kxd1 Bxf2 $4 14.
Rf1 Bb6 15. a5) 13. Qc2 a5 14. b5 Ne5 15. Nxe5 Qxe5 16. O-O $14 {- this is a
more favorable position for White than it happened in the game.}) (10... Bf5 $5
{was played by Levon in the later rapid game but without success:} 11. Ba3 e4
12. dxe4 Nxe4 13. Nxe4 Bxe4 14. Qxd6 cxd6 15. O-O-O Rac8 16. Bd5 Bxd5 17. Rxd5
Ne5 18. Nxe5 dxe5 19. Kb2 Bxf2 20. Rxe5 Bh4 21. Rd1 $14 {1-0 (53) Caruana,F 
(2832)-Aronian,L (2765) London ENG 2018}) 11. b5 e4 $5 {[%mdl 512] A tricky
order of moves.} 12. Ba3 (12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. dxe4 {is now satisfactory for
Black in view of} Qc5 $1 14. Qe2 Be6 $1 15. Nd2 Bxc4 16. Nxc4 Ne5 $1 17. Nxb6
Qxc3+ 18. Qd2 Qxa1 19. Nxa8 Rxa8 20. O-O Qxa4 $13) (12. dxe4 Ne5 13. Ba3 Bc5 {
- see game}) 12... Bc5 13. dxe4 (13. Bxc5 Qxc5 14. dxe4 Nxe4 $5 15. Bxf7+ $1
Rxf7 16. Nxe4 Re7 17. Qe2 Qd5 18. Nfg5 $5 Bf5 19. f3 Ne5 $44) 13... Ne5 (13...
Bxa3 14. bxc6 Bb2 15. Ra2 Bxc3 {looks simpler; Black is not worse in that case.
}) 14. Nxe5 (14. Bxc5 $5 Qxc5 15. Nxe5 Qxe5 16. O-O {was a senseful
alternative: Black can regain the pawn but after} Qxc3 (16... Nxe4 $4 17. Re1
Bf5 18. Bd3) 17. Rc1 Qe5 18. Re1 {White has the better prospects as Black's c7
pawn is weak.}) 14... Qxe5 15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16. Qe2 $6 (16. O-O {was a must. If}
Bg4 (16... Nxe4 17. Bxf7+ Rxf7 18. Nxe4 $16) (16... Rd8 17. Nb3 $1) {then} 17.
Qc1 $1 Rad8 18. Ba2 {, and} Qg5 {is not dangerous in view of} 19. Nc4 $1 {
All this is not easy to find, of course, but understanding that no other move
could be better than castling should have helped Fabiano.}) 16... Re8 17. f3 (
17. O-O {is too late. Black gets a good position, e.g.} Bg4 (17... Bf5 $5) 18.
Qd3 Rad8 19. Nb3 Qg5 20. Nd4 Nxe4 21. f3 Nc5 22. Bxf7+ Kxf7 23. fxg4+ Kg8 $44)
17... Be6 18. Bxe6 (18. Qf2 Qxf2+ 19. Kxf2 Rad8 20. Ke3 Rxd2 21. Bxe6 Rxg2 $15)
18... Rxe6 19. Rc1 Nd7 20. Nb3 Qa3 21. Rb1 Nc5 (21... Qxa4 $5 $13) 22. Nxc5
Qxc5 23. Rd1 f5 24. Rd4 Qxc3+ 25. Qd2 Qa1+ 26. Qd1 Qc3+ 27. Qd2 Qa1+ 28. Qd1
Qc3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.16"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O
8. Qd2 Nd7 9. O-O-O c6 10. Kb1 d5 11. Bd3 Nc5 12. h4 Nxd3 13. Qxd3 Qd6 14. c4
Rd8 15. cxd5 Qxd5 16. Qxd5 cxd5 17. Nd4 Bd7 18. Nb3 Bf5 19. Nd4 Bd7 20. Nb3 Bf5
21. Nd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.17"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Qc2
Nc6 9. Rd1 Qa5 10. a3 Rd8 11. Nd2 d4 12. Nb3 Qb6 13. Na4 Bb4+ 14. axb4 Qxb4+
15. Nd2 Qa5 16. Qb3 e5 17. Bg5 Nb4 18. Be2 Bd7 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Ra1 dxe3 21.
fxe3 b5 22. O-O bxa4 23. Qc3 f5 24. Nf3 f6 25. Nh4 Nc6 26. Qa3 e4 27. Bd1 Ne5
28. Bxa4 Qxa4 29. Qxa4 Bxa4 30. Rxa4 f4 31. Rxf4 Rd1+ 32. Rf1 Rxf1+ 33. Kxf1
Rb8 34. b4 Nxc4 35. Nf5 Rb5 36. g4 h5 37. h3 hxg4 38. hxg4 Ne5 39. Rxa7 Rxb4
40. Kg2 Rb1 41. Re7 Rb2+ 42. Kh3 Rf2 43. Re8+ Kh7 44. Re7+ Kg8 45. Re8+ Kh7 46.
Re7+ Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.17"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d5 6. exd5 Qxd5 7. Bc4 Qd6 8. b4
Bb6 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. a4 Bf5 11. Ba3 e4 12. dxe4 Nxe4 13. Nxe4 Bxe4 14. Qxd6 cxd6
15. O-O-O Rac8 16. Bd5 Bxd5 17. Rxd5 Ne5 18. Nxe5 dxe5 19. Kb2 Bxf2 20. Rxe5
Bh4 21. Rd1 Bf6 22. Re3 Rc7 23. b5 Rfc8 24. Bb4 h5 25. Kb3 b6 26. Rdd3 g6 27.
Re4 Bg7 28. Rde3 f5 29. Re8+ Rxe8 30. Rxe8+ Kf7 31. Ra8 g5 32. c4 Be5 33. h3 g4
34. a5 f4 35. hxg4 hxg4 36. Rf8+ Ke6 37. Bd2 f3 38. gxf3 g3 39. axb6 axb6 40.
Be3 Rd7 41. Re8+ Kf5 42. Bxb6 Rd3+ 43. Kb4 Rxf3 44. Rf8+ Ke4 45. Rxf3 Kxf3 46.
Bg1 Kg2 47. Bc5 Kf3 48. b6 Ke4 49. b7 g2 50. Kb5 Bf4 51. Bg1 Bg3 52. Kc6 Be5
53. Kd7 1-0

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.17"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nd2 Qb6 6. Qb3 Nh5 7. Qxb6 axb6 8.
Bc7 cxd4 9. exd4 e5 10. Bxe5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Bc5 12. g3 O-O 13. Be2 g6 14. Bxh5
gxh5 15. Ngf3 f6 16. b4 Be7 17. e6 Bxe6 18. Nd4 Bd7 19. N2b3 f5 20. f4 Bf6 21.
Kd2 Rfe8 22. Rhe1 Re4 23. h4 Kf7 24. Re3 Ra3 25. Nc2 Ra8 26. Nbd4 Kg6 27. Rd3
Rae8 28. Re1 Rxe1 29. Nxe1 Ra8 30. Ndc2 Rxa2 31. Rxd5 Bc6 32. Rd6 Kf7 33. Rd3
Ke6 34. Kc1 Be4 35. Re3 Kd6 36. Kb1 Ra8 37. Kb2 Kc6 38. Na3 Rd8 39. Kc1 b5 40.
Nf3 h6 41. Nc2 Ra8 42. Nfd4+ Kb6 43. Kb2 Rd8 44. Nb3 Be7 45. Ncd4 Bd6 46. Nc5
Bxc5 47. bxc5+ Ka7 48. Nxb5+ Kb8 49. Nd6 Rg8 50. Nxe4 fxe4 51. c4 Kc7 52. Kc3
Kc6 53. Kd4 Rd8+ 54. Kxe4 Kxc5 55. Rb3 Rd7 56. Rc3 Rd2 57. Kf5 Kb4 58. Rc1 Rg2
59. Kg6 Rxg3+ 60. Kxh5 Rf3 61. Kxh6 Rxf4 62. Kg5 Rf2 63. h5 Rg2+ 64. Kf6 Rf2+
65. Kg6 Rg2+ 66. Kf6 Rf2+ 67. Kg7 Rg2+ 68. Kh7 Kc5 69. h6 b6 70. Kh8 Rg6 71. h7
Rg2 72. Rb1 Rg4 73. Rb5+ Kc6 74. Rf5 Rxc4 75. Kg7 Rh4 76. Rf6+ 1-0

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.17"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "154"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d3 fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 6. O-O d6 7. Bc4 Bg4 8. h3
Bh5 9. Nc3 Nd4 10. g4 Nxf3+ 11. Qxf3 Bg6 12. Be6 c6 13. Be3 Qe7 14. Bb3 Bf7 15.
Rfd1 a6 16. Qg3 b5 17. f4 Bxb3 18. axb3 g6 19. b4 Qe6 20. Qf3 exf4 21. Bxf4 Nd7
22. e5 d5 23. Rd4 Bg7 24. Bg3 Bxe5 25. Rd3 Bxg3 26. Qxg3 O-O 27. Re1 Qf6 28.
Rd2 Rae8 29. Rxe8 Rxe8 30. Rf2 Qe5 31. Qxe5 Rxe5 32. Ne2 c5 33. bxc5 Nxc5 34.
Nd4 Kg7 35. Kg2 Ne6 36. Nxe6+ Rxe6 37. Rd2 Rd6 38. Kf3 Kf6 39. c3 Ke5 40. Re2+
Kf6 41. Re8 d4 42. cxd4 Rxd4 43. Ra8 Rd6 44. Ke4 Kg5 45. Rh8 Rd7 46. Ra8 Rd6
47. Rh8 h6 48. b4 Rc6 49. Kd5 Rc4 50. Ra8 Rxb4 51. Rxa6 Rb3 52. h4+ Kxg4 53.
Rxg6+ Kh5 54. Rb6 b4 55. Ke4 Rh3 56. Rb5+ Kg6 57. Rb6+ Kg7 58. Rb7+ Kf8 59. Kf5
Rxh4 60. Kf6 Ke8 61. Ke6 Re4+ 62. Kf5 Rc4 63. Rb6 h5 64. Ke6 Kd8 65. Kd6 Kc8
66. Kd5 Kc7 67. Rh6 Rh4 68. Kc5 Kd7 69. Kd5 b3 70. Rh7+ Kc8 71. Kc6 Rc4+ 72.
Kd5 Rb4 73. Kc6 Rc4+ 74. Kd5 b2 75. Kxc4 b1=Q 76. Rxh5 Qc2+ 77. Kd4 Qd1+ 0-1

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.17"]
[Round "2.7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. f3 e6 5. e4 c4 6. a4 exd5 7. exd5 Bb4+ 8. c3
Qe7+ 9. Qe2 Bc5 10. d6 Qxe2+ 11. Nxe2 b4 12. Nd2 Ba6 13. cxb4 Bxb4 14. Nc3 O-O
15. Rc1 Re8+ 16. Kd1 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Nd5 18. Bg3 Ne3+ 19. Ke2 Nc6 20. Ne4 Nxf1
21. Kxf1 Na5 22. Kf2 Nb3 23. Rc2 Bb7 24. Nd2 Bd5 25. Rd1 Nc5 26. Kg1 Bc6 27.
Rb2 Nxa4 28. Rc2 Nc5 29. Ra2 Re2 30. Kf1 Re6 31. Rb1 h5 32. Ra5 Nb7 33. Rxh5
Nxd6 34. Ra5 Nb7 35. Ra3 d5 36. Bf2 a5 37. Rb6 a4 38. Bd4 Na5 39. f4 Bd7 40.
Rxe6 fxe6 41. Nf3 Rb8 42. Ne5 Be8 43. Ra2 Rb1+ 44. Ke2 Nb3 45. Be3 Kh7 46. h3
Bb5 47. Kf2 d4 48. Bxd4 Nxd4 49. cxd4 c3 50. Nf3 Rb2+ 0-1

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.17"]
[Round "2.8"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be3 c6 5. a4 d5 6. h3 dxe4 7. Nxe4 Bf5 8. Ng3
Be6 9. Nf3 Nf6 10. Be2 Nd5 11. Bd2 Qc7 12. Qc1 h6 13. c4 Nf6 14. O-O Nbd7 15.
a5 g5 16. Bd3 g4 17. hxg4 Bxg4 18. Bf4 Qc8 19. Nh4 Nh5 20. Nxh5 Bxh5 21. Nf5
Bf6 22. Re1 Kd8 23. Qe3 Nf8 24. Nxe7 Qd7 25. Nf5 Ng6 26. Bh2 Bg4 27. Nd6 Bg5
28. Qe4 Nh4 29. Nxf7+ Qxf7 30. Qxg4 Rf8 31. Bg3 Nf5 32. Bxf5 Qxf5 33. Qxf5 Rxf5
34. a6 b5 35. Re6 bxc4 36. Rd6+ Ke8 37. Re1+ Kf8 38. Rxc6 Rb5 39. Rxc4 Rxb2 40.
d5 Ra2 41. Rc6 Rd8 42. d6 Ra4 43. Rb1 Rd7 44. Rb7 Rxa6 45. Rc8+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Hovhannisyan, Robert"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2637"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 d6 5. h3 Nf6 6. Bd3 O-O 7. O-O Re8 8. Bf4
Qb6 9. Rb1 Nbd7 10. e5 dxe5 11. dxe5 Nd5 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Qd2 Nc5 14. Rfe1
Nxd3 15. cxd3 d4 16. Bh6 Bf5 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Rbc1 Rad8 19. Rc4 a5 20. b4 a4
21. a3 Rd5 22. Rec1 Red8 23. Rc7 R8d7 24. Rxd7 Rxd7 25. Rc5 h6 26. g4 Be6 27.
Qf4 Qd8 28. Kh2 b6 29. Rc1 Bd5 30. h4 Bxf3 31. Qxf3 e6 32. Kg3 Rd5 33. Qe4 Qb8
34. f4 b5 35. Kf3 Qd8 36. g5 hxg5 37. hxg5 Qh8 38. Kg3 Qb8 39. Qh1 Qh8 40.
Qxh8+ Kxh8 41. Rc8+ Kg7 42. Kf3 Kh7 43. Ke4 Kg7 44. Rb8 Kh7 45. Ra8 Kg7 46. Rc8
Rd7 47. Rc5 Rb7 48. Kxd4 Kf8 49. Rc6 Rd7+ 50. Ke4 Ke7 51. Rb6 Rc7 52. Kd4 Rd7+
53. Kc3 Rd5 54. Rb7+ Kf8 55. d4 Ke8 56. Kd3 Kf8 57. Rc7 Ke8 58. Ke3 Kf8 59. Ke4
Ke8 60. Kd3 Kf8 61. Rc5 Ke7 62. Rxd5 exd5 63. Ke3 Kd7 64. Kf3 Ke7 65. Kg4 Ke6
66. f5+ Ke7 67. Kf4 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.26"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dzhumagaliev, Yan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2410"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 e6 5. Nf3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Be7 8. d4
cxd4 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. Nxd4 O-O 11. Be3 Ne5 12. Qb3 Nc4 13. Rfd1 Nxe3 14. Qxe3
Bf6 15. Qb3 Qb6 16. Qxb6 axb6 17. Bxd5 Rd8 18. e4 Ra4 19. Nf3 g5 20. e5 Be7 21.
Bb3 Rxd1+ 22. Rxd1 Rb4 23. Rc1 Bg4 24. Ne1 Rd4 25. Nc2 Rd2 26. Ne3 Be6 27. Bxe6
fxe6 28. Nc4 Re2 29. Kf1 Re4 30. Nxb6 Rxe5 31. a4 g4 32. Rc7 Bb4 33. Rc4 Re1+
34. Kg2 Bd6 35. Rxg4+ Kf7 36. Rc4 Re2 37. b3 Rb2 38. Rc3 Bb4 39. Rf3+ Ke7 40.
Nc4 Rc2 41. g4 Bc5 42. g5 Bd4 43. h4 e5 44. Ne3 Rd2 45. Nf5+ Ke6 46. Nxd4+ exd4
47. h5 Rc2 48. g6 hxg6 49. hxg6 Rc7 50. Rg3 Rg7 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.26"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Tukhaev, Adam"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2527"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. h4 d5 5. exd5 Nf6 6. dxc6 Nxc6 7. d5 Nb4 8. Bc4
Bf5 9. Bb3 a5 10. a3 a4 11. axb4 axb3 12. Rxa8 Qxa8 13. cxb3 O-O 14. Nge2 Rd8
15. Ng3 Be6 16. O-O Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. Qe2 b6 19. f3 Qb8 20. Qxe7 Re8 21.
Bf4 Rxe7 22. Bxb8 Bxb2 23. Rd1 Rd7 24. Ne2 Bf6 25. Nf4 Be6 26. Rxd7 Bxd7 27.
Nd5 Bd4+ 28. Kh2 Be6 29. Ne7+ Kf8 30. Nc6 Be3 31. Kg3 Bxb3 32. Bf4 Bg1 33. Be5
Ba4 34. Bd4 Bxd4 35. Nxd4 Ke7 36. Kf4 Kd6 37. Ne2 h6 38. Nc3 Bc2 39. Ke3 Ke5
40. f4+ Ke6 41. g4 h5 42. g5 Kf5 43. Nd5 Kg4 44. Nxb6 Kxh4 45. b5 Bb3 46. Nc8
Bd5 47. b6 Kg3 48. Nd6 h4 49. b7 Bxb7 50. Nxb7 h3 51. Nc5 h2 52. Ne4+ Kg2 53.
Nf2 h1=Q 54. Nxh1 Kxh1 55. f5 Kg2 56. Kf4 Kh3 57. Kf3 Kh4 58. Kf4 Kh5 59. fxg6
fxg6 60. Kf3 Kxg5 61. Kg3 Kf5 62. Kf3 g5 63. Kg3 g4 64. Kg2 Kf4 65. Kf2 g3+ 66.
Kg2 Kg4 67. Kg1 Kf3 68. Kf1 g2+ 69. Kg1 Kg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tari, Aryan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2620"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Qc7 6. h3 Nf6 7. Nf3 g6 8. Qc2
Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 Nh5 11. Be3 a6 12. Nbd2 Nf4 13. Bf1 Bf5 14. Qc1 Nd3 15.
Bxd3 Bxd3 16. Nb3 Be4 17. Bf4 Qd8 18. Ne5 Rc8 19. Nxc6 Rxc6 20. Nc5 e5 21. Bg5
Qc7 22. Qe3 Bf5 23. Rad1 Ra8 24. Bh6 Bxh6 25. Qxh6 b6 26. Nb3 Bc2 27. Rd2 Bxb3
28. axb3 e4 29. f3 exf3 30. Qg5 Re6 31. Rxe6 fxe6 32. Qe3 Re8 33. Qxf3 b5 34.
Re2 Qf7 35. Qg3 Qd7 36. Qe5 Qe7 37. b4 h5 38. Re1 Qd7 39. Rf1 Qe7 40. Rf6 Kh7
41. g4 hxg4 42. hxg4 Qd7 43. Qh2+ Kg7 44. g5 Rh8 45. Qe5 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.26"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Amin, Bassem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 a5 7. e4 a4 8. a3 c5
9. Re1 Nc6 10. e5 Nd7 11. Nf1 f6 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Bf4 Bd6 14. Ne5 Qc7 15. Qe2
Nd4 16. Qd2 Nd7 17. Nxd7 Bxf4 18. gxf4 Bxd7 19. Re5 Nc6 20. Rae1 Nxe5 21. fxe5
Rf7 22. Ng3 Raf8 23. Re2 Qd8 24. Qe3 b6 25. c4 Bc6 26. Bh3 Rf3 27. Bxe6+ Kh8
28. Qd2 dxc4 29. Bxc4 b5 30. e6 bxc4 31. e7 Qd5 32. exf8=Q+ Rxf8 33. Ne4 cxd3
34. Re3 h6 35. Qc3 c4 36. Rg3 Qf7 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sargissian, Gabriel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2689"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Bf1 Be7 7. Nxe5 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re2 Re8 11. c3 Rxe2 12. Qxe2 Nf5 13. Bf4 c6 14. Qc2
d5 15. Bd3 g6 16. Nd2 Ng7 17. Re1 Bf5 18. Bxf5 Nxf5 19. Nf3 Qd7 20. h3 Re8
1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.27"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Savchenko, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C33"]
[WhiteElo "2562"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bb3 d5 6. exd5 cxd5 7. d4 Bd6 8.
Nge2 Bg4 9. O-O g5 10. Nxd5 Nxd5 11. Bxd5 Nc6 12. Qd3 Qb6 13. Kh1 O-O-O 14. c3
Bc7 15. Bf3 h5 16. Bxg4+ hxg4 17. Qf5+ Kb8 18. Qxg4 Qb5 19. a4 Qd3 20. Qf3 Qh7
21. h3 Rdg8 22. Nxf4 g4 23. Qd3 f5 24. Bd2 gxh3 25. g3 Rd8 26. Ne6 Ne5 27. Qxf5
Qd7 28. Nxc7 Qc6+ 29. d5 Rxd5 30. Nxd5 Qxd5+ 31. Rf3 Re8 32. Rd1 a6 33. c4
Qxf3+ 34. Qxf3 Nxf3 35. Bf4+ Kc8 36. Rf1 Re1 37. Rxe1 Nxe1 38. Kh2 Nd3 39. b3
Nc5 40. b4 Nxa4 41. g4 Nb2 42. g5 Kd7 43. c5 Nd3 44. Bd2 Nf2 45. Be1 Nd3 46.
Bc3 Nf2 47. Bd4 Nd3 48. Kxh3 Nxb4 49. g6 Ke6 50. Kg4 Nc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.27"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2639"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. e4 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. g3 d6 7. Bg2 Bd7 8. O-O
Nf6 9. Nce2 b5 10. a4 b4 11. b3 Rc8 12. Re1 Be7 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14. Nd4 Ba8 15.
Qd3 Qa5 16. Bb2 O-O 17. e5 dxe5 18. Bxa8 Rxa8 19. Nc6 Qc7 20. Nxe7+ Qxe7 21.
Bxe5 Rfd8 22. Qe2 Qb7 23. Rad1 Rac8 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Rd1 Rxd1+ 26. Qxd1 Nd5
27. Qg4 g6 28. Qd4 Qe7 29. Qc4 Qb7 30. Qc5 f6 31. Bd4 Kf7 32. Qd6 g5 33. Bc5 e5
34. Qf8+ Ke6 35. Qg8+ Kf5 36. f3 h5 37. Kf2 Nc3 38. Qc4 a5 39. h3 Qd5 40. Qxd5
Nxd5 41. Ke2 h4 42. gxh4 gxh4 43. Bf2 Kg5 44. Kf1 Kf4 45. Ke2 Nc3+ 46. Ke1 Kxf3
47. Bb6 f5 48. Bxa5 Nd5 49. Bd8 Kg3 50. a5 f4 51. Bb6 e4 52. Bc5 f3 53. Bf2+
Kg2 54. a6 e3 55. Bxe3 Nxe3 56. a7 f2+ 57. Kd2 f1=Q 58. a8=Q+ Qf3 59. Qb8 Nd5
60. Qg8+ Kxh3 61. Kc1 Kh2 62. Kb1 Qe4 63. Qb8+ Nf4 64. Qg8 h3 65. Qg4 Qe3 66.
Qf5 Kg2 67. Qg4+ Qg3 68. Qd1 h2 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Rakhmanov, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2629"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. e3 Bb4 4. Nge2 O-O 5. a3 Be7 6. d4 exd4 7. exd4 d5 8.
Nf4 Re8 9. Be3 Ng4 10. Qf3 c5 11. O-O-O Nc6 12. Ncxd5 cxd4 13. Nxe7+ Rxe7 14.
Bd2 Nce5 15. Qg3 Nf6 16. Bb4 Re8 17. Nd5 Ne4 18. Qf4 Ng6 19. Qc7 Qh4 20. Rxd4
Bf5 21. Bd3 Qxf2 22. Bxe4 Rxe4 23. Rd2 Qh4 24. b3 Rae8 25. Rhd1 Kh8 26. Qxf7
Bg4 27. Bc3 Qh6 28. Rf1 Re2 29. h3 Bc8 30. Nf4 R2e7 31. Nxg6+ hxg6 32. Qf4 Kh7
33. Qxh6+ gxh6 34. a4 h5 35. Kb2 Bf5 36. Bd4 a6 37. Kc3 Rd7 38. Rf4 Re4 39.
Rxe4 Bxe4 40. b4 g5 41. Re2 Bf5 42. b5 axb5 43. axb5 Kg6 44. Re5 Rd6 45. Re7
Rd7 46. Re8 g4 47. h4 Rd6 48. g3 Kf7 49. Re5 Bg6 50. Rc5 Re6 51. Be5 Re7 52.
Bf4 Ke6 53. Kb4 Kd7 54. Ka5 Rh7 55. Kb6 Ke6 56. Bc7 Kd7 57. Kxb7 Be4+ 58. Kb6
Rh6+ 59. Ka5 Rh8 60. Bf4 Bf3 61. Rc7+ Ke6 62. c5 Kd5 63. c6 Kc5 64. Be3+ Kc4
65. Rf7 Re8 66. Ba7 Re5 67. Rf4+ Kd5 68. c7 Re8 69. Rd4+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gabrielian, Artur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2499"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nb5 Na6 5. e3 c6 6. Nc3 Nc7 7. h3 Bg7 8. Nf3
O-O 9. Be2 Bf5 10. O-O Ne4 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. Nd2 Bf5 13. Bh2 a5 14. c4 Be6 15.
Qb3 Qc8 16. Rac1 Rd8 17. Rfd1 Ne8 18. Qa3 Nd6 19. cxd5 Bxd5 20. Bg4 Be6 21. Bf3
Qd7 22. Qa4 h5 23. Rc5 Qe8 24. a3 Bf5 25. Rdc1 Nb5 26. Nc4 Be6 27. Ne5 Ra6 28.
Be2 Rd5 29. Nd3 Ra8 30. Rxd5 Bxd5 31. Nf4 Nd6 32. Nxd5 cxd5 33. Qb3 Rc8 34. Rc5
Ne4 35. Rc2 a4 36. Qb5 Qd8 37. Qxa4 Rxc2 38. Qxc2 Qa5 39. Qc1 Bh6 40. Bd3 h4
41. Kf1 Kg7 42. Ke2 e6 43. Qc2 Nf6 44. Qc5 Qa4 45. Be5 Qb3 46. Qc2 Qa2 47. f4
g5 48. Kf3 b6 49. g4 hxg3 50. Kxg3 b5 51. Kf3 b4 52. fxg5 Bxg5 53. Qg2 Kh6 54.
h4 Ne4 55. hxg5+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A56"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "161"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7 7. Nge2 g6 8. h4 a6
9. Bg5 h6 10. Bd2 Kf8 11. f3 Kg7 12. Be3 h5 13. Qd2 Ne8 14. g3 Ndf6 15. a3 Bd7
16. b4 b6 17. Rb1 Rg8 18. Rb2 Kh8 19. bxc5 bxc5 20. Kd1 Nh7 21. Kc2 f5 22. Rhb1
Nef6 23. Kb3 Rf8 24. exf5 gxf5 25. Ka2 Ne8 26. Rb7 Bf6 27. Bc2 Bc8 28. R7b3 Bd7
29. Rb7 Bc8 30. R7b2 Bd7 31. Na4 e4 32. Nf4 Bxb2 33. Ng6+ Kg8 34. Nxf8 Nxf8 35.
Rxb2 Nf6 36. Bg5 N8h7 37. Qc3 exf3 38. Qxf3 Nxg5 39. hxg5 Ng4 40. Qf4 Ne5 41.
Nxc5 Qe7 42. Nxd7 Qxd7 43. Bxf5 Qg7 44. Be6+ Kh8 45. Rh2 Qg6 46. Bf5 Qe8 47. g6
Kg7 48. Rxh5 Nxg6 49. Qh6+ Kf6 50. Bxg6 Qxg6 51. Qf4+ Ke7 52. Qg5+ Qxg5 53.
Rxg5 Kf6 54. Rg4 Rb8 55. Re4 Kf5 56. Re6 Rb6 57. c5 Rb5 58. c6 Rxd5 59. Rh6 Kg5
60. c7 Rc5 61. Rxd6 Rxc7 62. Rxa6 Rc2+ 63. Kb3 Rg2 64. Re6 Rxg3+ 65. Kb4 Kf5
66. Re8 Kf6 67. a4 Rg4+ 68. Kb5 Rg5+ 69. Kb6 Kf7 70. Re4 Rg6+ 71. Kb5 Rg5+ 72.
Kb4 Rg8 73. a5 Rb8+ 74. Kc5 Ra8 75. Kb5 Rb8+ 76. Kc6 Ra8 77. Ra4 Ra6+ 78. Kb7
Re6 79. a6 Re7+ 80. Kc6 Re6+ 81. Kd5 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kevlishvili, Robby"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2451"]
[PlyCount "186"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nbd2 Bf5 5. Nh4 Be6 6. e3 g6 7. Nhf3 Bg7 8. Qb3
Qb6 9. Qa3 Nbd7 10. b3 a5 11. Bb2 Qb4 12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O Bg4 14. cxd5 Nxd5 15.
Bc4 N7b6 16. Rfc1 Rfe8 17. Bf1 Nd7 18. Nc4 Bxf3 19. gxf3 Qxa3 20. Nxa3 e5 21.
Nc2 exd4 22. Bxd4 Bxd4 23. Nxd4 Nf8 24. a3 Ne6 25. Nxe6 Rxe6 26. Rd1 Re7 27.
Rac1 Kf8 28. f4 Nb6 29. Bh3 Ke8 30. Rc5 a4 31. b4 Rd8 32. Rdc1 Rd5 33. b5 Rxc5
34. Rxc5 Rc7 35. Bg2 Kd7 36. bxc6+ bxc6 37. Kf1 Kd6 38. Ra5 f5 39. h4 Rc8 40.
h5 Ra8 41. Rxa8 Nxa8 42. hxg6 hxg6 43. Ke2 Nc7 44. Kd3 Nb5 45. Bf3 Nxa3 46. Bd1
Nb5 47. Bxa4 Nc7 48. Bb3 Ke7 49. Kd4 Kf6 50. Kc5 g5 51. Kxc6 gxf4 52. exf4 Ne8
53. Kd5 Ng7 54. Kd4 Nh5 55. Ke3 Ke7 56. Bd1 Nf6 57. Bb3 Kd6 58. Kf3 Nh5 59. Bf7
Nf6 60. Bc4 Nh5 61. Ke3 Nf6 62. Ba6 Nd5+ 63. Kf3 Ke7 64. Bc4 Nf6 65. Bd3 Ke6
66. Bc2 Ne8 67. Ba4 Nd6 68. Ke3 Kf6 69. Bc6 Ke6 70. Kd4 Nc8 71. Kc5 Ne7 72. Be8
Ng8 73. Bb5 Ne7 74. Kd4 Ng6 75. Ke3 Nf8 76. Kf3 Kf6 77. Kg3 Ne6 78. Bc4 Nd4 79.
Bd5 Ke7 80. Kg2 Kd6 81. Bc4 Kc5 82. Ba2 Kd6 83. Kf1 Nc6 84. Ke2 Ne7 85. Ke3 Ng6
86. Bf7 Nf8 87. Bh5 Ke6 88. Kf3 Kf6 89. Be8 Ke7 90. Bc6 Ke6 91. Ke3 Ng6 92. Be8
Nf8 93. Bb5 Ng6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Indjic, Aleksandar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2620"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 a6 5. c5 Nc6 6. Bf4 Be7 7. e3 Nh5 8. h4
Nxf4 9. exf4 b6 10. cxb6 cxb6 11. Bd3 Bb7 12. g3 Bf6 13. Ne2 Qd6 14. Kf1 Nb4
15. Bb1 a5 16. a3 Nc6 17. Bd3 h5 18. Kg2 g6 19. Nc3 Kf8 20. Nb5 Qd8 21. Rc1 Kg7
22. Rc3 Na7 23. Nxa7 Rxa7 24. Qc2 Bc8 25. Bb5 Bd7 26. Bxd7 Qxd7 27. Rc1 b5 28.
Rc6 Rb8 29. b3 Qe7 30. Rc5 Qf8 31. Ne5 Be7 32. Nc6 Bxc5 33. dxc5 Raa8 34. Nxb8
Qxb8 35. c6 Qc7 36. Qc3+ Kg8 37. Qc5 Rb8 38. b4 a4 39. Kf3 e5 40. Qxd5 Rd8 41.
Qxe5 Qc8 42. Kg2 Re8 43. Qxb5 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.28"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Popov, Ivan1"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B29"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2592"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nc3 Nxc3 5. dxc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 e6 7. Qd2 h6 8. h4
Qc7 9. Rh3 a6 10. Qe3 b5 11. a4 b4 12. Nd2 bxc3 13. bxc3 Ne7 14. Nc4 Nd5 15.
Qd2 Bb7 16. Rg3 Qd8 17. Rg4 h5 18. Rg5 g6 19. Bd3 Rg8 20. Bg3 Bc6 21. Kf1 Be7
22. f4 Nb6 23. Nd6+ Bxd6 24. exd6 f5 25. Qe3 Kf7 26. Qxc5 Nd5 27. c4 Nf6 28.
Bf2 Ne4 29. Qe5 Qf6 30. Bxe4 Qxe5 31. fxe5 Bxe4 32. Rg3 Bxc2 33. Bb6 Rab8 34.
c5 Be4 35. Rg5 Bc6 36. Ke2 Rh8 37. Ke3 Rhg8 38. Kf4 Rh8 39. Rg3 Rhg8 40. Ra2
Kg7 41. a5 Kh6 42. Rb2 Rb7 43. Rg5 Rf8 44. Rb4 Rg8 45. Kg3 Rf8 46. Kf2 Rg8 47.
Rf4 Rbb8 48. Ke3 Rgf8 49. Rf3 Bxf3 50. gxf3 Rfc8 51. Kf4 Rc6 52. Rg1 Rbc8 53.
Rc1 Rb8 54. Rg1 Rbc8 55. Rc1 Rb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.28"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Mikhalevski, Victor"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2579"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2018.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. Qa4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Nd5 8.
Bxb4 Ndxb4 9. Na3 O-O 10. O-O a6 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Qe7 13. Nxc4 Bd7 14. Qb3
Rab8 15. a3 Nc6 16. Qc3 Rfd8 17. Rac1 Be8 18. e3 h6 19. h4 Na7 20. Na5 c5 21.
Nc4 Bc6 22. Bxc6 Nxc6 23. Nb6 Qc7 24. Qxc5 Qxe5 25. Qxe5 Nxe5 26. Rfd1 g5 27.
hxg5 hxg5 28. Kf1 Kg7 29. Ke2 Rxd1 30. Rxd1 Rh8 31. Rd4 f5 32. Nc4 Ng4 33. Rd7+
Kf6 34. f3 Rh2+ 35. Ke1 b5 36. fxg4 bxc4 37. gxf5 Kxf5 38. Rd4 Rxb2 39. Rxc4
Rb3 40. Ra4 Rxe3+ 41. Kf2 Rb3 42. Rxa6 e5 43. Ra4 e4 44. Ra5+ Kg4 45. Re5 Rf3+
46. Ke2 Rxa3 47. Kf2 Rf3+ 48. Ke2 Rf5 49. Rxe4+ Kxg3 50. Re3+ Kg2 51. Re4 Rf4
0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.29"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jumabayev, Rinat"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C11"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2602"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 a6 8. Ne2
Qb6 9. Qc1 Be7 10. c3 O-O 11. g3 Qc7 12. h4 b5 13. Qc2 f5 14. Ng5 Nb6 15. dxc5
Nc4 16. Bf2 h6 17. b3 Na3 18. Qb2 b4 19. Nf3 a5 20. Rc1 Qa7 21. cxb4 axb4 22.
Ned4 Bd7 23. Nxc6 Bxc6 24. Nd4 Qd7 25. Qd2 Rab8 26. Ba6 h5 27. O-O g6 28. Kh2
Kf7 29. Be3 Ra8 30. Bd3 Rfb8 31. Qe2 Kg7 32. Rg1 Rh8 33. Bd2 Rab8 34. Qe1 Nb5
35. Bxb5 Bxb5 36. Bxb4 Bd3 37. c6 Bxb4 38. cxd7 Bxe1 39. Rgxe1 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.29"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2620"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O
8. O-O Re8 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. Bg3 Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nxe4 13. Qh5 d6 14. Rae1
Bf5 15. Qxh6 Re6 16. Qh5 Qf6 17. Bxe4 Bxe4 18. h4 gxh4 19. Qg4+ Qg7 20. Qxh4
Rae8 21. Re2 Bd5 22. Rxe6 Bxe6 23. Re1 Qxc3 24. Qg5+ Qg7 25. Qa5 Rc8 26. Qxa7
Qc3 27. Qe3 Qxe3 28. Rxe3 Bxa2 29. Re7 Be6 30. Bf4 Kg7 31. Bg5 Kg6 32. Bh4 c5
33. c3 Kf5 34. f3 Ke5 35. Kf2 Kd5 36. Ke3 Kc4 37. g4 Kxc3 38. Bf6+ Kc4 39. g5
Bd5 40. f4 Ra8 41. f5 Ra3+ 42. Kf4 Rf3+ 43. Kg4 Rf1 44. Rxc7 Be4 45. Rxf7 Bxf5+
46. Kg3 Be4 47. Rc7 Kd5 48. Be7 Ke6 49. Bf6 Kd5 50. Be7 Rf7 51. Bxd6 Rf3+ 52.
Kg4 Kxd6 53. Ra7 Rf1 54. Kh5 Rg1 55. Kh6 c4 56. Ra5 c3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B68"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2607"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8.
O-O-O Be7 9. f4 Bd7 10. Nf3 b5 11. Kb1 b4 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Ne2 h5 14. f5 e5
15. Rg1 Qb6 16. g4 hxg4 17. Rxg4 Na5 18. Nc1 Bf8 19. Nb3 Nb7 20. Bc4 Rc8 21.
Bd5 Bh6 22. Qg2 Bc6 23. Rh4 Bxd5 24. exd5 Ke7 25. Qh3 Qf2 26. Nbd2 Bxd2 27.
Rxh8 Rxh8 28. Qxh8 Qxf3 29. Rg1 Be3 30. Re1 Qxd5 31. Qc8 Bf2 32. Rf1 Bb6 33. b3
Nc5 34. Re1 Ne4 35. Qxa6 Nc3+ 36. Kb2 Bd4 37. Qc8 Nb5+ 38. Kc1 Bc3 39. Rd1 Nd4
40. Qc7+ Ke8 41. Qc8+ Ke7 42. Qc7+ Ke8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.29"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Riazantsev, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 O-O 8. Bd3
f5 9. exf6 Rxf6 10. Bg5 Rf7 11. Qh5 g6 12. Qd1 Qa5 13. Bd2 e5 14. h4 e4 15. Be2
e3 16. Bxe3 Qxc3+ 17. Bd2 Qxd4 18. Nf3 Qf6 19. Bg5 Qc3+ 20. Bd2 Qf6 21. Bg5
Qc3+ 22. Bd2 Qf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Bilguun, Sumiya"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2497"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. a4 a5 7. h3 O-O 8. Bg5 h6
9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 Nh5 11. Bh2 Nf4 12. c3 Qf6 13. Bxf4 gxf4 14. Bd5 Ne7 15. d4
Ba7 16. Bb3 Kh8 17. Kh1 Rg8 18. Rg1 Nc6 19. Bd5 Ne7 20. Bb3 Ng6 21. Qd3 Bd7 22.
Nbd2 Rad8 23. Rad1 Bc8 24. Nf1 Rg7 25. N1h2 Rdg8 26. Qe2 Nh4 27. Qf1 Nxg2 28.
Rxg2 Rxg2 29. Qxg2 Rxg2 30. Kxg2 exd4 31. cxd4 Qg6+ 32. Kh1 Bxh3 33. Rg1 Qxe4
34. Bxf7 Be6 35. Bg6 Qc6 36. Re1 Bd5 37. Kg2 Bxd4 38. Be8 Qc2 39. Re7 Qxf2+ 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.29"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Adly, Ahmed"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2626"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "150"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. c4 dxc4 7. Qa4 Qd5 8. Nc3
Qc6 9. Qc2 Qa6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Ne4 Be7 13. Rfc1 Rd8 14. e3 Nd7 15.
a4 c5 16. Bf1 cxd4 17. Bxc4 Qa5 18. Nxd4 Ne5 19. Be2 Bd7 20. Qc7 Qxc7 21. Rxc7
Rab8 22. Bb5 a6 23. Bxd7 Rxd7 24. Rxd7 Nxd7 25. Rc1 Kf8 26. f4 g6 27. Kf2 Ke8
28. Ke2 Nb6 29. b3 Rc8 30. Rxc8+ Nxc8 31. g4 Nb6 32. f5 exf5 33. gxf5 Nd5 34.
fxg6 fxg6 35. Ne6 Kd7 36. Nd4 Nf6 37. Nd2 Ng4 38. h3 Ne5 39. Ne4 Nf7 40. Nf3
Ke6 41. Kd3 Ne5+ 42. Nxe5 Kxe5 43. Nf2 h5 44. Ke2 g5 45. Kf3 Kf5 46. Kg3 Bd6+
47. Kf3 Be7 48. Kg3 Bc5 49. Kf3 Bd6 50. Ke2 g4 51. hxg4+ hxg4 52. Nd1 Be5 53.
Nf2 g3 54. Nd3 Bd6 55. Kf3 b6 56. e4+ Ke6 57. Kg2 Bc7 58. Kf3 Bd6 59. Ke2 Bc7
60. Ke3 Bd6 61. Kf3 Bc7 62. Nc1 Ke5 63. Ne2 g2 64. Kxg2 Kxe4 65. Nc3+ Kd4 66.
Na2 Bd6 67. Kf3 Kd3 68. Nc1+ Kc2 69. Ne2 Kxb3 70. a5 bxa5 71. Ke4 a4 72. Nc1+
Kc2 73. Ne2 a3 74. Kd5 a2 75. Kxd6 a1=Q 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.29"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zubov, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B00"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2597"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 g6 5. d5 Nb8 6. h3 Bg7 7. Bc4 O-O 8. O-O
a6 9. a4 e5 10. dxe6 Bxe6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. e5 dxe5 13. Nxe5 Qxd1 14. Nxd1 Nd5
15. Nd3 Nc6 16. c3 Na5 17. Nc5 Rfe8 18. Ne3 Nf4 19. Re1 b6 20. Ng4 Nxg2 21.
Kxg2 bxc5 22. Bf4 Nc4 23. Rad1 e5 24. Bg5 Nxb2 25. Rd7 Re6 26. Bh6 Bf8 27. Bxf8
Rxf8 28. Nh6+ Kh8 29. Nf7+ Kg8 30. Nh6+ Kh8 31. Nf7+ Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A03"]
[WhiteElo "2627"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 d5 2. Bb2 c6 3. e3 Bf5 4. f4 e6 5. Nf3 Nd7 6. g3 Ngf6 7. Bg2 Bd6 8. O-O
O-O 9. h3 h6 10. g4 Bh7 11. d3 Qb6 12. d4 Ne4 13. Nbd2 Bb4 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. c4
Be7 16. c5 Qc7 17. b4 a5 18. a3 b6 19. Nd2 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Qb7 21. Qc2 f5 22. Bc3
Qa6 23. Nf3 Qc4 24. Qd2 axb4 25. axb4 Qb5 26. Qc2 fxg4 27. hxg4 Nf6 28. Ne5 Ne4
29. Ng6 Rxa1 30. Nxe7+ Kf7 31. Rxa1 Kxe7 32. Be1 Kf6 33. cxb6 Qxb6 34. Qa4 g5
35. Rc1 Qb5 36. Qxb5 cxb5 37. Rc6 Ra8 38. f5 Re8 39. Rb6 h5 40. Kf3 h4 41. Kg2
Kf7 42. fxe6+ Rxe6 43. Rxb5 Nf6 44. Bf2 Nxg4 45. Rxd5 Kg6 46. b5 Nxe3+ 47. Bxe3
Rxe3 48. Rc5 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.29"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B68"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8.
O-O-O Bd7 9. f4 Be7 10. Nf3 b5 11. Kb1 b4 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Ne2 Be7 14. f5 e5
15. Ng3 Qa5 16. Bc4 Qc5 17. Bd5 Rc8 18. Nh5 g6 19. Ng7+ Kf8 20. Qh6 Kg8 21. Nh5
gxh5 22. f6 Bxf6 23. Qxf6 Nd8 24. Rd2 h6 25. Nh4 Rh7 26. Rf1 Be6 27. Ng6 Bxd5
28. Ne7+ Kf8 29. Nxc8 Nb7 30. Nxd6 Qxd6 31. Rxd5 Qxf6 32. Rxf6 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2730"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. Nf5 Bf6 14. Qe2
d5 15. Ne7+ Bxe7 16. Qxe7 Qxe7 17. Rxe7 Nd6 18. Re1 Nf5 19. c3 Bd7 20. d4 Rfe8
21. Bf4 f6 22. f3 g5 23. Bd2 h5 24. Kf2 Kf7 25. b3 Rxe1 26. Rxe1 Re8 27. Rc1 h4
28. Bd3 Ng7 29. a4 a6 30. Bf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[PlyCount "178"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 d6 6. O-O Nf6 7. h3 O-O 8. Ne2
a6 9. a3 b5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Ng3 d5 13. Re1 d4 14. c3 Kh8 15. Qe2
Nd7 16. Bd2 Na5 17. cxd4 Nb3 18. dxe5 Rxf3 19. gxf3 Nxd2 20. Qxd2 Nxe5 21. Qe3
Nxd3 22. Rad1 c4 23. Rxd3 Qxd3 24. Qxd3 cxd3 25. Rd1 Rd8 26. f4 b4 27. axb4
Bxb4 28. Kg2 d2 29. Kf3 Rd3+ 30. Ke2 Rb3 31. Rb1 Kg8 32. Nf1 d1=Q+ 33. Kxd1 Rf3
34. Ke2 Rxf4 35. Ng3 Bc5 36. f3 Rh4 37. Rh1 Kf7 38. Nf1 Kf6 39. Nd2 Ke5 40. Nb3
Bb6 41. Nc1 Kf6 42. Nd3 a5 43. f4 g5 44. Kf3 gxf4 45. Nxf4 Bc7 46. Nd3 Rh5 47.
Rf1 Ke7 48. Kg4 Rb5 49. Rc1 h5+ 50. Kf3 Bd6 51. Rc3 Rg5 52. Kf2 h4 53. Rb3 Rg3
54. Nc1 Bc5+ 55. Ke2 Bd4 56. Rb7+ Kf6 57. Nb3 Bxb2 58. Nxa5 Rxh3 59. Nc4 Bd4
60. Rd7 e5 61. Nd2 Re3+ 62. Kf1 h3 63. Rh7 Kg5 64. Nc4 Rf3+ 65. Ke2 Rf2+ 66.
Ke1 Rh2 67. Nd6 Kf4 68. Rf7+ Ke3 69. Nf5+ Kxe4 70. Ng3+ Kd5 71. Ne2 Rh1+ 72.
Kd2 Ra1 73. Rh7 Ra2+ 74. Kd1 Ra3 75. Rh5 Ke6 76. Kd2 Kf6 77. Rh8 Kg5 78. Rg8+
Kf5 79. Ng3+ Ke6 80. Ne2 h2 81. Rh8 Be3+ 82. Kc2 Ra2+ 83. Kd3 Bf4 84. Nxf4+
exf4 85. Ke4 Rf2 86. Rh3 Kf6 87. Rh8 Kg5 88. Rh7 Kg4 89. Rg7+ Kh3 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 Bf5 4. c4 c6 5. Qb3 Qb6 6. d3 e6 7. Be3 Qxb3 8. axb3
a6 9. Bd2 Nbd7 10. Bc3 Be7 11. Nbd2 c5 12. Ne5 d4 13. Nxd7 Nxd7 14. Ba5 Ra7 15.
Nb1 b6 16. Bd2 Ne5 17. Na3 Rc7 18. Bf4 Bf6 19. Nb5 axb5 20. Ra8+ Ke7 21. Rxh8
Ra7 22. O-O Ra2 23. Bxe5 Bxe5 24. Rb1 b4 25. h3 g5 26. Rg8 Bg6 27. Bc6 Kd6 28.
Bb5 f5 29. Rc8 Ke7 30. Rc6 f4 31. gxf4 gxf4 32. f3 Bf5 33. Kh2 Bf6 34. Rxb6 Bh4
35. Ra6 Rxa6 36. Bxa6 Kd6 37. Bb7 e5 38. Be4 Bxe4 39. fxe4 Bg3+ 40. Kg2 h5 41.
Ra1 Kc6 42. Ra6+ Kb7 43. Rh6 h4 44. Kf3 Be1 45. Re6 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.30"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Korobov, Anton"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B47"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2698"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Qc7 6. Ndb5 Qb8 7. f4 a6 8.
Nd4 Nge7 9. Be3 b5 10. a3 Bb7 11. Nb3 Ng6 12. Qd2 d6 13. h4 h5 14. Be2 Be7 15.
g3 Qc7 16. O-O-O Rd8 17. Kb1 Bf6 18. Na2 Nge7 19. Qe1 g6 20. Qf2 Rc8 21. Rd2
Bg7 22. Rhd1 d5 23. e5 Nf5 24. Bb6 Qb8 25. Bc5 Nce7 26. Nb4 Kf8 27. g4 hxg4 28.
Bxg4 Kg8 29. h5 gxh5 30. Bh3 Rh6 31. Nd3 Kh7 32. Bxe7 Nxe7 33. f5 exf5 34.
Bxf5+ Nxf5 35. Qxf5+ Kh8 36. Rh2 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.30"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A12"]
[WhiteElo "2688"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 c6 3. Bb2 Bf5 4. d3 e6 5. Nbd2 h6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O
O-O 9. c4 Bh7 10. a3 a5 11. Qc2 Na6 12. Bc3 c5 13. Rad1 d4 14. Bb2 Nd7 15. e3
e5 16. Rfe1 Re8 17. exd4 exd4 18. h3 Qc7 19. Bc1 Nf6 20. Nh2 Qd7 21. Ndf1 Nb8
22. g4 Nc6 23. f4 Bd6 24. f5 Qc7 25. Qf2 a4 26. bxa4 Rxa4 27. h4 Rxe1 28. Rxe1
Ne5 29. Qe2 Nfd7 30. Be4 Nf6 31. Bg2 Nfd7 32. Be4 Nf6 33. Bg2 Nfd7 34. Bh3 b5
35. cxb5 c4 36. g5 Nxd3 37. Qc2 Bxh2+ 38. Kh1 Ra8 39. Rd1 Bf4 40. Rxd3 cxd3 41.
Qxc7 Bxc7 42. g6 Bd6 43. gxh7+ Kxh7 44. Bg2 Rc8 45. Bd2 Bxa3 46. f6 Bc1 47. Bh3
Bxd2 48. Bxd7 Rc1 49. Kg2 g6 50. b6 Bf4 51. Bb5 d2 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.30"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A17"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. b3 c5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bb2 Nc6 8. d4
Bg4 9. Be2 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 cxd4 11. exd4 O-O 12. O-O Qd7 13. a3 Bd8 14. Na4 Qf5
15. Re1 Bb6 16. b4 Rfe8 17. Nc5 Rxe1+ 18. Qxe1 Re8 19. Qb1 Qf4 20. Qd3 h6 21.
g3 Qc7 22. Rc1 Qe7 23. Kg2 Nd8 24. Rc2 Ne6 25. Re2 Nxc5 26. dxc5 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.30"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sjugirov, Sanan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. c3 Ngf6 5. Bd3 g6 6. Bc2 Bg7 7. d4 O-O 8. O-O
Qc7 9. Re1 e5 10. a4 b6 11. Na3 a6 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 Re8 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15.
Nxe5 dxe5 16. Nc4 Be6 17. Ne3 Qc6 18. Qf3 Nh5 19. Red1 Nf4 20. Bg3 g5 21. Nd5
c4 22. Bxf4 exf4 23. g3 Bxd5 24. exd5 Qd6 25. gxf4 gxf4 26. Kh1 Kf8 27. Rg1
Rad8 28. Rad1 Re5 29. Rd4 Rg5 30. Rxc4 Qxd5 31. Re4 Be5 32. Rd1 Qa8 33. Rxd8+
Qxd8 34. Bd3 Qd5 35. h4 Rf5 36. Kg2 Rf6 37. Rc4 Qxf3+ 38. Kxf3 Rd6 39. Rc8+ Kg7
40. Bxa6 Rd2 41. b4 Ra2 42. Ke4 Bf6 43. Rc7 Rxa4 44. Bc4 Bxh4 45. Kf5 Ra3 46.
Rxf7+ Kh8 47. Kg6 Ra8 48. Rh7# 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.30"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Ba4 O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. Nbd2 Bf8 8.
h3 d6 9. Re1 Bd7 10. c3 Ne7 11. Bc2 Ng6 12. d4 c5 13. Nf1 h6 14. Ng3 Rc8 15.
dxe5 dxe5 16. Be3 Qb6 17. Bb3 Be6 18. Nd2 Qc6 19. Bxe6 Rxe6 20. c4 Nf4 21. Qc2
Ree8 22. Ne2 Ne6 23. Nc3 Nd4 24. Qd3 Be7 25. Nd5 Bd8 26. Red1 a6 27. Rac1 Nh7
28. b4 Bg5 29. Bxd4 cxd4 30. c5 Nf6 31. Nb6 Rcd8 32. Nbc4 Re6 33. Rc2 Qb5 34.
Nf3 Qxb4 35. Ncxe5 Qa4 36. c6 bxc6 37. Rc4 Qxa2 38. Nxc6 Rde8 39. e5 Nd5 40.
Nfxd4 Rg6 41. e6 Rf6 42. exf7+ Rxf7 43. Rc2 Qa4 44. Nf3 Nf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.30"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Be2 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. O-O Be6 11. Be3 f6 12. exf6 Qxf6 13. h3 Rae8 14. Rc1 Kh8 15.
Na4 Bf7 16. Nxb6 axb6 17. b4 Bh5 18. b5 Ne7 19. Rxc7 Nf5 20. Bc1 Bxf3 21. Bxf3
Nxd4 22. Bxe4 dxe4 23. Rxb7 Nxb5 24. Be3 Nc3 25. Qg4 Nd5 26. Rd1 Nxe3 27. fxe3
Re5 28. Rd6 Qf2+ 29. Kh2 Rg8 30. Rd8 Qf6 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.30"]
[Round "19"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. d5 Bc5 11. Re1 d6 12. Nc3 f5 13. Na4 Bxf2+ 14. Kxf2
Qh4+ 15. Kg1 Qxa4 16. Re7 Qh4 17. Qe2 Nf6 18. Rxc7 Nxd5 19. Qc4 Qxc4 20. Bxc4
Be6 21. Rxb7 Rac8 22. b3 Rf7 23. Rxf7 Kxf7 24. Bxd5 Bxd5 25. c4 Be4 26. Be3 a6
27. Rd1 Ke6 28. h4 d5 29. c5 f4 30. Bd4 g5 31. hxg5 Rg8 32. Rf1 Rxg5 33. Rxf4
Rxg2+ 34. Kf1 Rxa2 35. Rf6+ Ke7 36. Rb6 Bd3+ 37. Ke1 h5 38. Rh6 Re2+ 39. Kd1
Re6 40. Rh8 Kd7 41. Kd2 Bg6 42. Kc3 Kc7 43. Rh6 Kb7 44. Kb4 Kc6 45. Ka5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.30"]
[Round "20"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2719"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Ba5 6. dxc5 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 Qc7 8.
Be3 Qxe5 9. Qd4 Nc6 10. Bb5 Qxd4 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 12. cxd4 Ne7 13. Nf3 Ng6 14. h4
h5 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Rb8 17. Kd2 f6 18. Bd4 O-O 19. f3 Ba6 20. Rhe1 Kf7 21.
Re3 f5 22. Rb3 Bc4 23. Rb4 Rxb4 24. axb4 a6 25. Be3 Kg6 26. Bg5 Kf7 27. Kc3 Kg6
28. Bf4 Bb5 29. Kd4 Rf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2018.12.30"]
[Round "21"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2018.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. b3 c5 5. Bb2 Nc6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Be2 d4 8. exd4
cxd4 9. Bb5 Qe7+ 10. Qe2 Qxe2+ 11. Kxe2 Bd7 12. Re1 O-O-O 13. Kf1 a6 14. Bxc6
Bxc6 15. Nxd4 Be4 16. Nf3 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Bd6 18. Bxf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 17th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2019.01.22"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sukandar, Irine Kharisma"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2397"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2019.01.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. O-O Nb6 7. Nc3 Be7 8.
d3 O-O 9. a3 Re8 10. b4 a5 11. b5 Nd4 12. Bb2 Bf8 13. e3 Nxf3+ 14. Bxf3 a4 15.
Rc1 f5 16. Kh1 Kh8 17. e4 Ra5 18. Qe2 Bc5 19. exf5 Bxf5 20. Be4 Bxe4+ 21. Nxe4
Bd4 22. Bxd4 exd4 23. Qh5 Re7 24. Ng5 g6 25. Qh4 Kg8 26. Rce1 Ra8 27. Re4 Qd5
28. Kg1 Rd7 29. Rfe1 Rf8 30. Re7 h5 31. Nh7 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 17th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2019.01.23"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Muzychuk, Mariya"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2540"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2019.01.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 e5 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. d3 Be7 8.
O-O Bd8 9. a3 Nge7 10. Rb1 a5 11. Bd2 O-O 12. b3 h6 13. Nd5 f5 14. b4 fxe4 15.
dxe4 axb4 16. axb4 Nd4 17. Nxd4 cxd4 18. f4 Nxd5 19. cxd5 Bf6 20. fxe5 Bxe5 21.
Rxf8+ Rxf8 22. Qe2 Qa4 23. Qd3 Qa2 24. Rc1 Ra8 25. g3 Kh7 26. Kf2 Rf8+ 27. Ke2
Qa8 28. Rf1 Rc8 29. Kf2 Qa2 30. Kg1 Rc2 31. Rf2 Qa1+ 32. Rf1 Qa4 33. Rf2 Qa1+
34. Rf1 Qa2 35. Rf2 Rb2 36. Kg2 b5 37. Qe2 Bf6 38. Qg4 Rc2 39. Qf4 Be5 40. Qf5+
Kh8 41. Qf8+ Kh7 42. Qf5+ Kh8 43. Qf8+ Kh7 44. Qf5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 17th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2019.01.24"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Cuenca Jimenez, Jose Fernando"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2512"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2019.01.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bg4 9. c3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 O-O 13. Nd2 b4 14. cxb4 cxb4 15.
Nb3 Nc6 16. Be3 Ne8 17. d4 Bg5 18. Rfd1 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 a5 20. dxe5 Nxe5 21. Nd4
Qb6 22. Bb3 Nf6 23. Nf5 Qxe3 24. Nxe3 Ra6 25. f3 Nfd7 26. Bc4 Nxc4 27. Nxc4 Nc5
28. Rd5 Nb7 29. Rb5 Ra7 30. Rd1 Rc8 31. b3 f6 32. Kh2 Kf8 33. Rdd5 Rc7 34. Kg3
Ke7 35. Nxa5 Nxa5 36. Rxa5 Rxa5 37. Rxa5 Rc3 38. Ra7+ Kf8 39. Kf4 Rxb3 40. Kf5
Kg8 41. h4 Rc3 42. h5 b3 43. h6 Rc5+ 44. Ke6 Re5+ 45. Kxd6 gxh6 46. Rb7 Rg5 47.
Rxb3 Rxg2 48. Ra3 Kf7 49. a5 Rd2+ 50. Kc5 Ke6 51. a6 Rc2+ 52. Kb6 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 17th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2019.01.25"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Khademalsharieh, Sarasadat"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2468"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2019.01.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e5 Ne4 6. Nf3 Bf5 7. d3 Nxc3 8.
bxc3 c5 9. d4 Nc6 10. Bd3 Bxd3 11. Qxd3 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. cxd4 Bb4+ 14.
Ke2 Qd7 15. Rb1 Be7 16. Qb5 Rd8 17. Be3 O-O 18. Rhc1 Qg4+ 19. Kf1 Rd7 20. Qa4
f6 21. e6 Qxe6 22. Qxa7 b5 23. Qa5 b4 24. Bd2 Qe4 25. Qb5 Rfd8 26. Bxb4 Bxb4
27. Qxb4 Ra8 28. a4 Rda7 29. Ra1 Qf4 30. g3 Qf3 31. Kg1 h5 32. Rc3 Qg4 33. h4
Rxa4 34. Rxa4 Qd1+ 35. Kh2 Rxa4 36. Qb5 Rxd4 37. Qd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 17th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2019.01.26"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Peralta, Fernando"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E54"]
[WhiteElo "2580"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2019.01.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 c5 8. O-O
cxd4 9. exd4 b6 10. Re1 Bb7 11. Bd3 Nc6 12. a3 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Rc8 14. c4 Na5 15.
Ne5 Nd7 16. Qh5 g6 17. Qh3 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Nb3 19. Bxg6 fxg6 20. Qxb3 Qd4 21. Ra2
Rxc4 22. Qg3 Rf5 23. h3 Rc3 24. Qg4 Qd5 25. Rae2 Qc6 26. Bb2 Rc4 27. Qg3 Qc5
28. Rd2 Bd5 29. Red1 g5 30. Bd4 Qc7 31. f3 h5 32. Kh2 Qg7 33. h4 gxh4 34. Qxh4
Qxe5+ 35. Bxe5 Rxh4+ 36. Kg3 Rc4 37. Bb2 Kf7 38. Rh1 Ke7 39. Rh4 Rc8 40. Kf2
Kd6 41. Ke3 a5 42. a4 Rc6 43. Re2 Kc7 44. Re1 Rg5 45. g4 hxg4 46. fxg4 Rc4 47.
Rc1 Rxc1 48. Bxc1 Re5+ 49. Kf2 Re4 50. Rh7+ Kc6 51. g5 Rxa4 52. g6 Ra2+ 53. Ke1
Rg2 54. g7 e5 55. Rh6+ Kb5 56. Rd6 Bc4 57. Bh6 a4 0-1

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 17th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2019.01.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Short, Nigel D"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2019.01.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. a3 e5 7. Nf3 h6 8. Bc4
Be6 9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Ne1 Be7 12. Nd3 O-O 13. f4 Qc7 14. Kh1 Qc4
15. Qe1 Nc5 16. Nxc5 Qxc5 17. Bd2 exf4 18. Rxf4 g5 19. Rf3 Ng4 20. Be3 Nxe3 21.
Rxe3 Bf6 22. Rd1 Be5 23. Rdd3 Rac8 24. h3 Qb6 25. b4 a5 26. Qd1 axb4 27. axb4
Rf6 28. Ne2 Rcf8 29. Rf3 Rxf3 30. gxf3 Qf2 31. f4 gxf4 32. Qg1+ Qxg1+ 33. Nxg1
Rc8 34. Nf3 Rxc2 35. b5 Rb2 36. Nxe5 dxe5 37. Rd8+ Kf7 38. Rd7+ Kf6 39. Rxb7
Rb4 40. b6 Rxe4 41. Rb8 Rb4 42. b7 Kg7 43. Re8 Rxb7 44. Rxe6 Rb1+ 45. Kg2 Re1
46. Kf3 h5 47. h4 Re3+ 48. Kf2 e4 49. Kf1 f3 50. Re5 Kf6 51. Rxh5 Ra3 52. Rh8
Kg7 0-1

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 17th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2019.01.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2019.01.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 g6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. Bd2
Bg4 9. Qb3 Ra7 10. Rfd1 e6 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 Nbd7 13. Ne2 Re8 14. Be1 a5 15.
Qc2 Nb6 16. b3 Nc8 17. Nf4 Nd6 18. Nd3 Nd7 19. Rac1 Qe7 20. a4 h5 21. cxd5 exd5
22. b4 axb4 23. Bxb4 Rea8 24. a5 Bf8 25. Rb1 Qe8 26. Bxd6 Bxd6 27. Rb3 Qd8 28.
a6 Rxa6 29. Rxb7 Qc8 30. Rb3 Ra1 31. Rbb1 R8a2 32. Qc3 Rxb1 33. Rxb1 Ra3 34.
Qc2 Qa8 35. g3 Ra1 36. Rxa1 Qxa1+ 37. Kg2 Qa6 38. e4 Qc4 39. Qxc4 dxc4 40. Ne1
c5 41. Be2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 17th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2019.01.30"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Saric, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2019.01.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Na4 Bb6 7. a3 O-O 8. O-O
Kh8 9. Nxb6 axb6 10. Ng5 Qe7 11. f4 h6 12. Nf3 Bg4 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 b5 15.
Ba2 b4 16. Qf2 exf4 17. Qxf4 Nd7 18. Bd5 Nb6 19. Be3 bxa3 20. Bxb6 axb2 21.
Rab1 cxb6 22. Rxb2 Rac8 23. Rxb6 Nd4 24. Kh2 Rxc2 25. Qxd6 Qxd6+ 26. Rxd6 f6
27. Bxb7 Rb8 28. Rb6 Rc3 29. Rd1 Nb3 30. Rb1 Nc5 31. d4 Nxb7 32. Rxb7 Rxb7 33.
Rxb7 Re3 34. Rb8+ Kh7 35. Re8 Rd3 36. d5 f5 37. exf5 Rxd5 38. g4 Rd2+ 39. Kg3
Rd3+ 40. Kg2 Rd2+ 41. Kf3 Rd1 42. Re7 Kg8 43. Kg3 Rd3+ 44. Kh4 Rd5 45. Kh5 Kh7
46. Kh4 Kg8 47. Kg3 Rd3+ 48. Kg2 Rd2+ 49. Kf3 Rd1 50. h4 h5 51. gxh5 Rf1+ 52.
Kg4 Rg1+ 53. Kf4 Rf1+ 54. Ke5 Re1+ 55. Kd6 Rd1+ 56. Ke6 Re1+ 57. Kd7 Rd1+ 58.
Ke8 Rd5 59. h6 Rxf5 60. Rxg7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 17th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2019.01.31"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Howell, David"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2685"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2019.01.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.02.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Qc7 6. h3 g6 7. Qc2 f6 8. Ne2
e5 9. O-O Nge7 10. dxe5 fxe5 11. c4 e4 12. Bxe4 dxe4 13. Nbc3 Bg7 14. Nd5 Qd6
15. Bf4 Be5 16. Rad1 Bxf4 17. Ndxf4 Qe5 18. b4 Nxb4 19. Qb3 Nbc6 20. c5 Qxc5
21. Nc3 Qb4 22. Qc2 O-O 23. Ncd5 Nxd5 24. Nxd5 Qa3 25. Rfe1 Bf5 26. Re3 Qa5 27.
Qc4 Rf7 28. Nf6+ Kg7 29. Rd5 Be6 0-1

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 6th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden Baden"]
[Date "2019.04.20"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2019.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Qc7 8. a4
Be7 9. a5 O-O 10. Be2 Nbd7 11. Nd2 b5 12. axb6 Nxb6 13. O-O a5 14. Nb5 Qb8 15.
c4 Be6 16. Qb3 Rc8 17. Rfc1 Bd8 18. Qd1 Nbd7 19. f3 Bb6 20. Nf1 Ne8 21. Rc3 Bc5
22. Kh1 Rc6 23. Bd2 Bb4 24. Rcc1 Bxd2 25. Nxd2 Nc7 26. Ra3 Nc5 27. Rca1 Rca6
28. Nb1 Bd7 29. N1c3 N7e6 30. Nd5 a4 31. b4 axb3 32. Rxa6 Rxa6 33. Rxa6 Nxa6
34. Qxb3 Nac5 35. Qd1 Nd8 36. Ne3 Ndb7 37. h3 g6 38. Bf1 Be6 39. Nc2 Qd8 40.
Qe1 h5 41. Ne3 h4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 6th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden Baden"]
[Date "2019.04.21"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Meier, Georg"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2628"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2019.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Nxd7 5. O-O Ngf6 6. Qe2 e6 7. c3 Be7 8.
d4 O-O 9. e5 dxe5 10. dxe5 Nd5 11. c4 Nb4 12. Nc3 Nc6 13. Rd1 a6 14. Bf4 Qc7
15. h4 Rfd8 16. h5 h6 17. b3 Nf8 18. Ne4 Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 Rd8 20. Rxd8 Qxd8 21.
Ned2 Qa5 22. Ne4 Nd7 23. g3 Kf8 24. Kg2 Ke8 25. g4 Qc7 26. Kg3 Qa5 27. Kg2 Qc7
28. Kg3 Qa5 29. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 6th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden Baden"]
[Date "2019.04.22"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C11"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2019.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 cxd4 8. Nxd4
Qb6 9. Qd2 Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3 11. Bb5 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 a6 13. Bxd7+ Bxd7 14. Rb3 Qe7
15. Rxb7 Rc8 16. Qe3 Qd8 17. O-O Rc4 18. Rfb1 Be7 19. f5 Bg5 20. Qf2 exf5 21.
e6 fxe6 22. Bxg7 Rg8 23. Be5 d4 24. Qe2 Be3+ 25. Kf1 Qh4 26. Rxd7 Kxd7 27. Rb7+
Ke8 28. Rb8+ Kf7 29. Rb7+ Ke8 30. Rb8+ Kf7 31. Rb7+ Ke8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 6th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden Baden"]
[Date "2019.04.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2019.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Nbd2 Bc5 12. a5 h6 13. h3 Qd6 14. Qe2 Be6 15. Nc4
Qe7 16. Be3 Rab8 17. Bxc5 Qxc5 18. Ncd2 Rfe8 19. Qxa6 Ra8 20. Qe2 Nxa5 21. Bxe6
fxe6 22. Ra4 Ra7 23. Qe3 Qxe3 24. Rxe3 c5 25. Nxe5 Nc6 26. Rxa7 Nxa7 27. Rd3
Nb5 28. f3 Ra8 29. Nb3 Rc8 30. Nc4 Kf8 31. Kf2 Ke7 32. Rd1 g5 33. Ra1 Nd7 34.
Ke3 Nd6 35. Nxd6 Kxd6 36. Ra6+ Ke7 37. Na5 Ne5 38. g3 1-0

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 6th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden Baden"]
[Date "2019.04.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2019.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. a5 d6 10. d3 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nbd2 d5 13. Nb3 d4 14. Bd2 Rb8 15. Rc1
Rb5 16. h3 Qd6 17. Bg5 Nd7 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. Nfd2 Nc5 20. Nc4 Nb7 21. Ra1 Nd6
22. Ncd2 Nb7 23. Nc4 Nd6 24. Ncd2 Nb7 25. Nc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 6th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden Baden"]
[Date "2019.04.26"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2516"]
[Annotator "Keymer,V"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2019.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,104,25,25,57,53,73,73,70,25,27,30,30,29,52,52,54,48,40,36,35,31,35,
-17,-24,-22,-22,-32,-9,-39,-39,-35,-19,-21,-17,-10,0,0,1,0,0,-21,0,0,0,-41,-4,
-4,0,0,0,-7,6,6,0,0,4,3,0,6,1,-25,-27,-34,-31,-30,-24,-34,-27,-31,-46,-48,-38,
-69,-72,-77,-77,-59,-69,-64,-86,-66,-66,-31,-38,-43,0,0,0,48,50,39,44,44,21,
-18,21,21,0,0,25,21,44,74,72,17,72]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 a6 3. Nge2 d6 4. g3 Nf6 5.
Bg2 Nc6 6. O-O e6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bd7 9. Re1 Be7 10. Nxc6 Bxc6 11. e5 {
Somewhat unexpected. Normally, whenever he takes on c6 White follows up with
a4, Be3 and a5 Etwas unerwartet. Normalerweise spielt Weiß, wenn er auf c6
nimmt, mit a4, Le3 und a5} dxe5 12. Bxc6+ bxc6 13. Rxe5 {In the long term
White may have an advatageous pawn structure, but Black has the outpost on d5
and also a few tempi of an advance. Weiß hat zwar langfristig eine
vorteilhafte Bauernstruktur, aber Schwarz hat den Vorposten d5 und auch ein
paar Tempi Vorsprung.} O-O (13... Nd5 {Is an interesting alternative. Ist eine
interessante Alternative.} 14. Na4 $1 {Otherwise Black is fighting for an
advantage! Ansonsten kämpft Schwarz um Vorteil!} O-O 15. Re4 $1 {prepares c4
and sidesteps the tempo gaining Bf6 bereitet c4 vor und geht aus dem Lf6-Tempo}
(15. c4 Nb4 16. Be3 Qxd1+ 17. Rxd1 Rfd8 18. Rxd8+ Rxd8 19. Ra5 (19. a3 Nc2 20.
Ra5 Rd1+ 21. Kg2 Nxe3+ 22. fxe3 Rd2+ 23. Kf1 Rxh2 24. Rxa6 h5 25. Rxc6 g5 {
is unclear, but according to the engine a draw ist unklar aber laut Engine
Remis}) 19... Rd1+ 20. Kg2 Bd8 21. Nb6 f5 $13) 15... Qc7 (15... Nf6 16. Rd4 (
16. Qxd8 Rfxd8 17. Re1 {is not a serious attempt ist kein ernsthafter Versuch})
16... Qc7 (16... Qa5 17. Qe2 Rfd8 18. Rc4 c5 19. Be3 {Here White is completely
safe and can slowly exert pressure against the weak pawns. Hier ist Weiß
komplett sicher und kann langsam auf die schwachen Bauern drücken.}) 17. Rc4
Rfd8 18. Qf3 Rac8 19. b3 Nd5) 16. b3 Bf6 17. Rb1) (13... Qxd1+ 14. Nxd1 O-O 15.
Ra5 (15. Ne3 Nd5 16. Re4 Rfd8 {must be ok muss ok sein}) 15... Rfd8 (15... Nd5
16. Bd2 Rfd8) 16. Ne3 (16. Be3 Nd5) 16... Bb4 17. Ra4 Rd4 (17... Be7) 18. Kf1 (
18. Bd2 Rxd2 19. Rxb4 Nd5 $11) 18... Ne4 19. a3 Bc5 20. Rxd4 Bxd4 $11) 14. Qxd8
Rfxd8 15. Re2 {Here Black has many different possibilities, which was also the
reason for my long pause for thought. Hier hat Schwarz viele verschiedene
Möglichkeiten, was auch der Grund für mein langes Überlegen war.} c5 $5 {
I wanted to get my pawn to c4, firstly in order to prevent c4 by White and
also after b3 to always have available to me the possibility of an exchange.
Ich wollte meinen Bauern nach c4 bringen, um erstens c4 von Weiß zu
verhindern und auch nach b3 immer die Möglichkeit des Abtauschs zur
Verfügung zu haben.} (15... Nd5 16. Na4 {and White manages to stabilise his
position which I did not want to allow. und Weiß kommt dazu, sich zu
stabilisieren, was ich nicht zulassen wollte.}) (15... Bb4 16. Na4 Rd1+ 17. Kg2
Rad8 (17... Nd5 18. c4 {During the game I did not really fancy this. Hat mir
während der Partie auch nicht wirklich gefallen.}) 18. b3 {here too White
gets some play. auch hier bekommt Weiß sein Spiel}) 16. Na4 $1 {The only move
to prevent the idea of c4. Der einzige Zug, der die c4-Idee verhindert.} Rd1+
17. Kg2 Rad8 18. b3 (18. c4 $5 {prevents Nd5 and in any case secures a safe
position for White. verhindert Sd5 und sichert Weiß in jedem Fall eine
sichere Stellung} Nd7 19. b3 Nb8 (19... Bf6 20. Nb2) 20. Bb2 Rxa1 21. Bxa1 Rd1
22. Bb2 Kf8 23. f4 {is more pleasant for White, but should be relatively easy
to hold. ist angenehmer für Weiß, sollte aber relativ leicht zu halten sein.}
) 18... Nd5 19. c3 (19. Nb2 Nc3 20. Re3 Bf6 21. Nxd1 Nxd1 22. Rb1 Nc3 23. Rxc3
Bxc3 24. Be3 Rd5 {does not appear to be dangerous scheint nicht gefährlich zu
sein} 25. Kf1 Kf8 26. Ke2 Ke7 27. Rd1 Rxd1 28. Kxd1 Kd6 29. Ke2 Kd5 30. Kd3 Be5
31. f4 Bf6 $11) (19. c4 Bf6 20. Bb2 Rxa1 21. Bxa1 Bxa1 22. cxd5 Rxd5 23. Rc2 g5
24. Nxc5 a5 {is not a real problem either. ist auch kein wirkliches Problem}) (
19. Bb2 $5 Nb4 20. Rxd1 (20. a3 Rxa1 21. Bxa1 Nc6 {With the knight on c6 and
the weak point on a3, Black should have no problems. Mit dem Springer auf c6
und der Schwäche a3 sollte Schwarz keine Probleme haben.}) 20... Rxd1 21. a3
Nc6 22. Re3 {[%cal Ge3c3] may be an original idea, but unfortunately it does
not achieve anything. ist zwar eine originelle Idee, bringt aber leider nichts
ein} g5 23. Rc3 Rb1 {paralyses the white pieces legt die weißen Figuren lahm}
(23... f5 24. Nxc5 Bf6 25. Rd3 Rxd3 26. Nxd3 Bxb2 27. Nxb2 Nd4) 24. b4 g4 (
24... cxb4 25. Rxc6) 25. Rc4 h5 26. h3 (26. Nxc5 Rxb2 27. Nd3 Ra2 28. Rxc6 Rxa3
$11) 26... gxh3+ 27. Kxh3 cxb4 28. Rxc6 bxa3 29. Bxa3 Bxa3 30. Rxa6 Be7 $11)
19... Rc8 $1 {From a practical point of view, an important move. aus
praktischer Sicht ein wichtiger Zug} (19... Rd3 20. c4) 20. Re4 (20. c4 Bf6 21.
Bb2 Rxa1 22. Bxa1 Nf4+ (22... Bxa1 $2 23. cxd5 exd5 24. Nxc5 {is good for
White ist gut für Weiß}) 23. gxf4 Bxa1 24. f5 Rc6 (24... exf5 $2 25. Nxc5 $18
) 25. Rd2 Bd4 26. b4 Kf8 27. b5 Rc7 $1 28. b6 Rc8 {and Black is ok und Schwarz
ist ok}) (20. Nb2 {leads by force to a draw führt forciert zum Remis} Nxc3 21.
Rc2 Bf6 22. Nxd1 Nxd1 23. Rb1 Nc3 $11) 20... Nf6 21. Re2 {White has nothing
better Weiß hat nichts Besseres} Nd5 22. Rd2 Rxd2 23. Bxd2 c4 {Now Black has
implemented his idea and by doing so also solved all his problems.  Jetzt hat
Schwarz seine Idee durchgesetzt und somit auch alle Probleme gelöst.} 24. Nb2
Bf6 (24... cxb3 $6 25. axb3 Bf6 26. Nd1 {Here White can still hope for an
advantage. Hier kann Weiß noch auf Vorteil hoffen.}) 25. Nxc4 Bxc3 26. Rd1
Bxd2 27. Rxd2 g5 {From a practical point of view the last important move.
White can no longer play f4 and thus no longer has a possibility of making any
progress. . praktisch gesehen der letzte wichtige Zug. Weiß kann nun kein f4
mehr spielen und hat somit keine Möglichkeit mehr Fortschritte zu machen.} 28.
Kf3 Kg7 29. Ne3 {I suppose there was no longer any attempt to play for a win,
but he was simply trying to steer the game to a draw as soon as possible. Ich
vermute, dass das schon kein Gewinnversuch mehr war, sondern der Versuch, die
Partie so schnell wie möglich ins Remis zu führen.} Rc3 (29... Nxe3 30. Kxe3
Kf6 {is of course also an easy draw but I considered Rc3 to be the neater
solution. ist natürlich auch locker Remis aber ich hielt Tc3 für die
sauberere Lösung.}) 30. Rc2 $6 {This move suddenly gives Black good chances
of an advantage. Dieser Zug gibt Schwarz auf einmal gute Chancen auf Vorteil.}
f5 31. Rxc3 (31. Ke2 $2 f4 $19) 31... Nxc3 32. a4 (32. a3 g4+ 33. Kg2 Kf6 34.
Nc4 {should easily be drawn sollte leicht Remis sein}) 32... g4+ 33. Kg2 Kf6
34. Nc2 {imprecise ungenau} (34. f3 $5 gxf3+ 35. Kxf3 e5 (35... Ke5 36. g4 $1
fxg4+ 37. Nxg4+ Kd4 38. Nf6 e5 39. Nxh7 e4+ 40. Kf2 e3+ 41. Ke1 {is a dead
draw according to the engine ist laut Engine totremis}) 36. g4 e4+ 37. Kg3 fxg4
38. Kxg4 Ke5 39. Nc2 $11) 34... Ne4 $1 {Important! The knight is threatening
to get to c5 and at the same time f3 is also prevented.  Wichtig! Der Springer
droht nach c5 zu gelangen und gleichzeitig wird auch f3 verhindert} 35. b4 Nc3
36. b5 $5 (36. a5 Ke5 37. f3 h5 (37... Kd5 38. fxg4 fxg4 39. Ne3+ Kd4 40. Nxg4
Nd5 41. Kf3 Kc4 42. Ne3+ Kxb4 43. h4 Ne7 44. Ke4 Kxa5 45. Ke5 $11) 38. h3 gxf3+
39. Kxf3 {should be a draw sollte Remis sein}) 36... axb5 37. a5 {The active
defence die aktive Verteidigung} Nd5 38. a6 Nc7 39. a7 Ke5 40. Kf1 Kd5 41. Nb4+
$1 {The only move  einziger Zug} (41. Ke2 $2 Kc5 42. Kd3 Kb6 $19) 41... Kc4 42.
Nc6 {Once again the only move. Here Black has a lot of options, but
unfortunately none of them lead to an advantage let alone a win. wieder
einziger Zug. Hier hat Schwarz viele Möglichkeiten, die aber leider alle
keinen Vorteil oder gar einen Gewinn bringen.} Kd3 {I wanted to bring my king
to e4 and then try to make progress with e5. Ich wollte meinen König nach e4
bringen und dann mit e5, f4 probieren Fortschritte zu machen.} (42... b4 43.
Ke2 b3 44. Kd2 Kc5 45. Nd8 Kd6 46. Nf7+ Ke7 47. Ne5 Kd6 48. Nf7+ Kd5 49. Kc1
$11) (42... Kc5 43. Nd8 Kd6 44. Ke2 Kd7 45. Nf7 Kc6 46. Nd8+ Kd7 (46... Kb6 $2
47. Nxe6 Na8 48. Nd4 {with advantage to White mit weißem Vorteil}) 47. Nf7 $11
) 43. Ke1 Na8 {The knight on c7 can often be driven away with tempo, so in
many variations it is often better placed on a8.  Der Springer auf c7 kann oft
mit Tempo vertrieben werden, weshalb er auf a8 in manchen Varianten besser
steht.} 44. Nd8 (44. Kd1 Ke4 45. Ke2 e5 {was my plan, but there is no chance
of achieving an adantage here either. war mein Plan, aber auch hier gibt es
keine Möglichkeit Vorteil zu erlangen.} 46. Nb4 h5 47. Nc6 f4 48. gxf4 exf4
49. f3+ gxf3+ 50. Kf2 $11) 44... e5 45. Nc6 Ke4 46. Kd2 {The king is now
threatening to get to b4. This means that Black could no longer play for a win
without taking risks; on the contrary each attempt at winning can now only
backfire. Der König droht nun nach b4 vorzudringen. Dadurch kann Schwarz nun
nicht mehr risikolos auf Gewinn spielen, im Gegenteil, jeder Gewinnversuch
kann nur nach hinten losgehen.} Kd5 (46... f4 47. Kc3 f3 48. Kb4 h5 49. Kxb5
Kd3 50. Nxe5+ Ke2 51. Ka6 Kxf2 52. Kb7 Ke3 53. Kxa8 f2 54. Nc4+ Ke2 55. Kb8
f1=Q 56. a8=Q Qf8+ 57. Ka7 Qf7+ 58. Kb6 Qxc4 $11) 47. Nb4+ Kc4 48. Nc6 Kd5 49.
Nb4+ Ke4 50. Nc6 f4 (50... Kf3 {achieves nothing bringt nichts} 51. Nxe5+ Kxf2
52. Kc3 Kg2 53. Kb4 Kxh2 54. Kxb5 {even looks dangerous for Black sieht sogar
gefährlich für Schwarz aus} Kxg3 55. Kc6 f4 56. Kb7 f3 57. Nd3 f2 58. Nxf2
Kxf2 59. Kxa8 g3 60. Kb8 g2 61. a8=Q g1=Q 62. Qa7+ $11) 51. Kc3 Kd5 (51... Kf3
$4 52. Nxe5+ Kxf2 53. gxf4 $18) 52. Nb4+ Ke4 {Here I decided to offer a draw
since I saw no possibility of making any progress without taking the risk of
losing. Ich entschied mich hier Remis anzubieten, da ich keine Möglichkeit
sah, Fortschritte zu machen ohne das Risiko eines Verlustes einzugehen.}
1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 6th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden Baden"]
[Date "2019.04.27"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2845"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2019.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,75,19,8,20,-14,3,4,4,4,64,46,44,54,68,58,43,17,35,35,82,-20,28,51,39,
6,23,22,37,38,37,30,33,29,17,17,24,19,23,5,27,0,1,0,0,-16,-13,-1,0,-1,2,16,26,
31,76,95,88,76,77,82,132,125,128,117,117,108,163,165,174,167,198,176,270,170,
223,229,256,249]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5
7. Bxc4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bd2 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] An absolutely
new move in this well-known position!} (10. Bb5+) (10. Bxf6) (10. Nb5 {have
been seen in hundreds or even thousands of games.}) 10... O-O (10... Nxe4 11.
Qg4 $1 Nxd2 12. Qxg7 {is White's idea although the position after} Rf8 (12...
Nxc4 13. Qxh8+ Ke7 $1 14. O-O {[%csl Re7] with good attacking prospects for
White}) 13. Kxd2 Qc5 {is far from clear}) 11. Qe2 e5 12. Nb3 Qc7 13. O-O Bg4 $6
{Black has a lot of other options like} (13... Re8 {[%cal Yc8e6]}) ({or} 13...
b6) {The position he goes for is strategically risky.} 14. f3 Rc8 15. Bd5 Nxd5
16. exd5 {[%csl Gd5]} Bh5 (16... Bf5 17. Rac1 {[%cal Yc3c4]}) 17. c4 $1 {
The pointe! This pawn is invulnerable, and White's protected d5 passer becomes
strong.} Nd7 18. Rfc1 b6 19. a4 $36 {<<} a5 {[%csl Rb6]} (19... Qd6 $5 20. a5
$140 $6 b5) 20. Qf2 Qd6 21. Be3 Bg6 22. Qd2 f6 23. Qb2 Rc7 24. Nd2 Nc5 25. Qa3
Rd8 $6 (25... Qf8 $1 26. Rc3 Rb8 $14 {A.Tukhaev}) 26. Rc3 f5 $6 {This wrong
advance weakens Black's position.} (26... Rb7) 27. Re1 $1 {[%csl Re5]} e4 28.
fxe4 fxe4 29. Bxc5 Rxc5 30. Nxe4 Qe5 31. Rce3 {Black has lost a pawn without
compensation.} Rcc8 (31... Rxc4 32. Nd2 $18) 32. h3 Qc7 (32... Qd4 33. Nd6) 33.
Nd2 Re8 34. Re7 $1 Rxe7 35. Rxe7 Qd8 (35... Qf4 36. Qc3 Bf7 {was better but
hopeless enough.}) 36. Qe3 Rc7 37. Re6 Rc5 38. Qb3 {[%csl Rb6]} 1-0

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 6th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden Baden"]
[Date "2019.04.28"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2019.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Qe2 Qe7 7. h3 Bd6 8.
Nbd2 Nd7 9. O-O O-O 10. Nc4 Re8 11. Re1 c5 12. Nh2 Nf8 13. f4 exf4 14. Qf2 Ng6
15. Rf1 Be6 16. Nxd6 cxd6 17. Bxf4 d5 18. exd5 Bxd5 19. Bd2 b6 20. Ng4 Qe2 21.
Ne3 Qxf2+ 22. Kxf2 Be6 23. Bc3 Ne7 24. Rfe1 Nd5 25. Nxd5 Bxd5 26. b3 f6 27.
Rxe8+ Rxe8 28. Re1 Kf7 29. Rxe8 Kxe8 30. Bd2 Kd7 31. Bc3 Ke8 32. Bd2 Kd7 33.
Bc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 6th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden Baden"]
[Date "2019.04.29"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2819"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2019.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Nd2 Rae8 17. Ne4 Bg4 18. Qg2 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 f5 20. h3 Bh5 21.
Bf4 Bxf4 22. gxf4 fxe4 23. dxe4 Bf3+ 24. Kxf3 Rxf4+ 25. Kg3 Rfxe4 26. Rxe4 Rxe4
27. f3 Re5 28. c4 bxc4 29. Bxc4 a5 30. Rc1 Rg5+ 31. Kf2 Kf8 32. Bd3 Ne7 33. Rc4
Rh5 34. h4 Ke8 35. b4 axb4 36. Rxb4 Kd7 37. a4 g6 38. Kg3 Ra5 39. Rd4+ Ke6 40.
Kg4 Nd5 41. Kg3 Ne7 42. Kg4 Nd5 43. Kg3 Ne7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow FIDE GP"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.05.17"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[Annotator "Nepomniachtchi,I"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "2019.05.17"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,143,19,38,25,16,14,23,25,0,10,12,19,-11,10,-4,22,18,26,51,45,40,40,40,
40,34,12,29,20,29,39,40,22,9,44,0,86,15,15,16,76,86,90,97,97,96,88,88,59,87,
378,158,158,60,53,62,62,31,31,45,56,47,51,42,44,47,42,53,53,49,73,54,52,61,54,
43,93,70,101,60,101,80,101,101,292,241,321,258,321,138,134,133,150,201,209,212,
212,212,235,243,284,112,219,218,319,252,252,253,236,220,220,212,214,176,190,
206,209,146,158,155,121,164,164,169,178,183,183,183,226,183,183,183,183,183,
183,140,183,204,224,241,304,332,427,424,343,349]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4 {Astonishingly this
continuation has rarely been employed against the main proponent of the
Marshall Counter-attack - against Aronian various questions have been posed in
the central files. Erstaunlich, aber gegen den Hauptverfechter des
Marshall-Gegenangriffs wurde diese Fortsetzung ziemlich selten angewendet -
öfter bevorzugte man gegen Aronian verschiedene Prüfungen in zentralen
Linien.} Nxd4 9. Bxf7+ $5 ({A more popular move is Populärer ist} 9. Nxd4 exd4
10. e5 Ne8 11. c3 {as, e.g., in the game Harikrishna - Aronian (Tata Steel
India blitz, 2018). wie es z. B. in der Partie Harikrishna - Aronian (Tata
Steel India blitz, 2018) gespielt wurde.}) 9... Rxf7 10. Nxe5 Rf8 ({All
attempts to get two pieces for the rook are doomed. Alle Versuche, zwei
Figuren für den Turm zu erhalten, sind zum Scheitern verurteilt:} 10... Ne6
11. Nxf7 Kxf7 12. e5) (10... Nc6 11. Nxf7 Kxf7 12. e5) (10... c5 11. Nxf7 Kxf7
12. e5) 11. Qxd4 {Peter Leko had to face this somewhat forgotten variation at
least three times with Black. When it became clear to me that even such a
meticulous theoretician had some problems to deal with here, the reputation of
the whole system rose in leaps and bounds. Peter Leko musste gegen diese etwas
in Vergessenheit geratene Variante mindestens drei Mal mit Schwarz antreten.
Als es mir klar wurde, dass sogar so ein sorgfältiger Theoretiker hier mit
einigen Problemen zu kämpfen hatte, stieg für mich die Reputation des ganzen
Systems um das Vielfache.} Bb7 ({Black also has another plan available to him:
Schwarz verfügt auch über einen anderen Plan:} 11... c5 12. Qd1 (12. Qc3 Qc7
13. a4 Bb7 14. axb5 Nxe4 15. Qb3+ c4 16. Qxc4+ Qxc4 17. Nxc4 axb5 18. Rxa8 Rxa8
19. Ncd2 Ra1 $11 {, Kamsky - Anand, Amber-blindfold 2009}) 12... Qc7 (12... Bb7
13. Nc3 {leads to the main game by transposition of moves. führt durch
Zugumstellung zur Hauptpartie}) 13. Ng4 Nxg4 14. Qxg4 d5 15. Qh5 dxe4 16. Qd5+
Kh8 17. Qxa8 Bb7 18. Qa7 Ra8 19. Bf4 $5 Qc6 20. Qxa8+ Bxa8 21. Be3 {Ivanchuk -
Leko, Morelia/Linares 2008 , where White's two rooks turned out to be stronger
than his opponent's queen. , und dort erwiesen sich zwei Türme des
Anziehenden stärker als die gegnerische Dame.}) 12. Nc3 c5 13. Qd1 b4 ({
In the event of Im Falle von} 13... Qc7) ({or oder} 13... Qe8 {the struggle
would have less of a forcing nature. It should be pointed out that almost
everywhere Black has considerable compensation for the pawn. wäre der Kampf
weniger forciert. Es sei zu erwähnen, dass Schwarz fast überall
beträchtliche Kompensation für den Bauern hat.}) 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bd6
16. c4 ({Here White has mainly played Hauptsächlich spielte Weiß hier} 16. f4
{, after which it is difficult to avoid simplifications: , wonach es schwer
ist, Vereinfachungen aus dem Weg zu gehen:} Bxe5 17. fxe5 (17. Rxe5 d6 18. Re6
Rf5 $11) 17... Qh4 18. Be3 Qc4 19. b3 Qxd5 20. Qxd5+ Bxd5 21. Red1 Be6 22. Bxc5
Rfc8 23. Bxb4 Rxc2 {Amin - Leko, Ningbo 2011 which was soon drawn. mit
baldigem Remis.}) 16... bxc3 ({For the first time in this game Levon had a
long think. It is difficult to explain that - there are no alternatives to
taking en passant. For example, Hier dachte Levon das erste Mal in dieser
Partie lange nach. Schwer zu sagen, womit das zu erklären ist - das Nehmen en
passant hat doch keine Alternativen. Zum Beispiel,} 16... Bxe5 $2 17. Rxe5 Rxf2
(17... Qf6 18. Qe1) 18. Bg5 Qf8 19. Qg4 {, and Black is in a bad way. , und um
Schwarz ist recht schlecht bestellt.}) 17. bxc3 a5 $2 {There are many levels
to this move but it does not correspond to the rhythm of the position.
Although the comfortable a6-square has now become available for the bishop (or
the rook), Black should instead have acted more quickly: the white pieces are
ready to get into the game and then Black's compensation will evaporate.
Dieser Zug ist vielschichtig, aber er entspricht nicht dem Rhythmus der
Stellung. Obwohl für den Läufer (oder den Turm) das bequeme Feld a6 jetzt
zuganglich wird, hätte der Nachziehende statt dessen schneller agieren
müssen: die weißen Figuren sind bereit, ins Spiel zu kommen, und dann wird
die schwarze Kompensation sich in Luft auflösen.} ({The principled
continuation is Die prinzipielle Fortsetzung ist} 17... Qf6 {. After the game
Levon said that he turned it down on account of the variation . Nach der
Partie sagte Levon, dass er darauf wegen der Variante} 18. Ng4 (18. f4 Rae8 19.
Be3 Bxe5 20. fxe5 Rxe5 $11) (18. Nf3 Qxc3 19. Rb1 Rab8 $13) 18... Qxc3 (18...
Qf5 $1) 19. Rb1 Rab8 20. Rb6 {with a crushing initiative for White. But a
stronger move is the quiet 18...Qf5! (instead of taking on c3), after which
Black obtains excellent counterplay. mit vernichtender weißer Initiative
verzichtete. Aber stärker ist der ruhige Zug 18...Qf5! (statt des Nehmens auf
c3), wonach Schwarz vorzügliches Gegenspiel erhält.}) 18. Nf3 $5 ({Perhaps
Vielleicht ist} 18. f4 {is better, but I considered that compared to the line
17...Qf6 18.Nf3 Black has in practical terms been gifted a move in the game.
besser, aber mir hat zugesagt, dass im Vergleich zum Abspiel 17...Qf6 18.Nf3
Schwarz in der Partie einen Zug praktisch geschenkt hat.}) 18... Qf6 {The most
logical reply. The threat was c3-c4.  Die logischste Antwort. Es drohte c3-c4.}
19. Bg5 {White plays actively without hanging on to material. Weiß spielt
aktiv, ohne sich ans Material zu klammern.} Qg6 ({As Homer's Iliad taught us,
it is dangerous to accept gifts from Greeks: after Wie die "Ilias" lehrt, ist
es gefährlich, die Danaergeschenke anzunehmen: nach} 19... Qxc3 20. Rb1 (20.
Rc1 Qa3 21. Be7 Bxe7 22. Rxe7 $36) 20... Ba6 21. Rb3 Qc4 22. Be7 Bxe7 23. Rxe7
$16 {the white pieces force their way into Troy. dringen die weißen Figuren
in Troja ein.}) 20. Be7 {The predatory sight sof the black bishops fixed on
the kingside made me nervous, So I considered it urgent to swap off one of
them. Die raubgierigen, auf den Königsflügel gerichteten Blicke der
schwarzen Läufer machten mich nervös, deshalb hielt ich es für dringend,
einen von denen abzutauschen.} Bxe7 21. Rxe7 Qd6 ({It is easy to win the white
pawns, but doing so turns out to have serious consequences. It was perhaps
better to devote his energies to the struggle for the e-file: Die weißen
Bauern sind leicht zu erobern, aber das zu machen erweist sich als
folgenschwer. Vielleicht lohnte es sich, sich dem Kampf um die e-Linie zu
widmen:} 21... Rae8 22. Rxe8 (22. Rxd7 $2 Bc8 23. Rc7 Bh3 $40) 22... Rxe8 23.
c4 d6 24. Nd2 Bc8 25. Nf1 Bf5 $14 {with certain though not quite sufficient
compensation. mit gewisser, obwohl nicht ganz ausreichender Kompensation.}) 22.
Qe2 ({The artificial Das gekünstelte} 22. Qe1 $2 {, so that the queen does
not come under attack in certain variations led to a change of scenery: ,
damit die Dame in einigen Varianten nicht angegriffen wird, führte zum
Kulissenwechsel:} Rxf3 $1 23. gxf3 Qg6+ 24. Kh1 Bxd5 {, and White has to look
for ways of saving the game. , und Weiß muss nach Rettungsmöglichkeiten
suchen.}) 22... Bxd5 (22... Rxf3 $2 {does not work on account of funktioniert
nicht wegen} 23. gxf3 Qg6+ 24. Kh1 Bxd5 25. Rg1 $18) 23. Rd1 Rab8 (23... Bxf3
$6 24. Qc4+ ({The endgame which arises after das nach} 24. Rxd6 Bxe2 25. Rxe2
Ra7 {is rather unpleasant, but in no way hopeless: entstehende Endspiel ist
ziemlich unangenehm, aber keineswegs hoffnungslos:} (25... Rfe8 26. Kf1 $14))
24... Bd5 25. Rxd5 (25. Qxd5+ Qxd5 26. Rxd5 Rfe8 {with good chances of a draw.
mit guten Remischancen}) 25... Qxe7 26. Rxd7+ Qf7 27. Rxf7 Rxf7 28. a4 $1 $16 {
and the white queen has good reason to hope it will annihilate the opposing
weak pawns. und die weiße Dame hat gute Gründe zu hoffen, die gegnerischen
schwachen Bauern zu vernichten.}) 24. Ne1 $6 ({After Nach} 24. h3 Bxf3 25. Qc4+
Bd5 26. Qxd5+ ({In the event of im Falle von} 26. Rxd5 Rb1+ $1 27. Rd1+ Kh8 {
Black has survived the worst. hat Schwarz das Schlimmste überstanden}) 26...
Qxd5 27. Rxd5 Rf7 28. Re2 {White has a significant advantage in the rook
ending, but with my opponent approaching time trouble I did not want to allow
any simplifications of the position. besitzt Weiß einen bedeutenden Vorteil
im Turmendspiel, aber vor der sich nähernden Zeitnot des Gegners wollte ich
keine Stellungsvereinfachungen zulassen.}) (24. Re5 Bxf3 25. Qc4+ Bd5 26. Rexd5
Qe6 {leads to similar positions: it may be that White's advantage is not
sufficient and that the result will be the appearance on the board of the
well-known drawing position "3 against 2". führt zu ähnlichen
Stellungsbildern: es kann sein, dass sich der weiße Vorteil als nicht
ausreichend erweist und im Endeffekt die bekannte Remisposition "3 gegen 2"
aufs Brett kommt.}) 24... Qc6 $8 25. Qe5 Bf7 {Suddenly this pussy-footing
bishop has taken aim at the a2-pawn and White has to demonstrate incredible
legerdemain so as not to let his advantage finally slip through his fingers.
Plötzlich hat dieser Läufer-Leisetreter den Bauern a2 aufs Korn genommen,
und Weiß muss unglaubliche Fingerfertigkeit demonstrieren, um seinen Vorteil
nicht endgültig zu verschütten.} 26. Rdxd7 ({But Nichts verspricht} 26. Rd6
Qc7 {promises nothing, and Black is close to equality. , und Schwarz ist dem
Ausgleich nahe.}) 26... Rfe8 27. Qf4 (27. Qf5 $142 Rxe7 (27... Qf6 28. Qxc5)
28. Rxe7 Qd5 29. Qf4 Rb7 30. Re2 $14) 27... Qf6 28. Rxe8+ Rxe8 29. Qd2 Qe6 $2 {
A serious mistake - Black allows the exchange of rooks in circumstances which
are unfavourable to him. Ein schwerer Fehler - der Nachziehende erlaubt
Turmtausch unter für ihn ungünstigen Umständen.} ({After Nach} 29... Qb6 30.
h3 Qb1 31. Rd8 h6 {Black would have been ok. wäre Schwarz in Ordnung gewesen.}
) ({But there is the more accurate Aber noch genauer ist} 29... Qf4 $1 30. Nf3
Qxd2 31. Rxd2 a4 32. a3 Bh5 {with equality. mit Ausgleich.}) 30. Rd8 $14 h6 31.
Rxe8+ Qxe8 32. a3 {White has a sound extra pawn. As for the knight, it will
find a good square sooner or later. Additionally, Black was in time trouble
which made his task even more difficult. Weiß besitzt einen gesunden
Mehrbauern. Was den Springer betrifft, wird er früher oder später einen
guten Platz finden. Außerdem befand sich Schwarz in Zeitnot, was seine
Aufgabe zusätzlich erschwerte.} Qa4 33. Qc1 Bg6 (33... Bd5 34. Nc2 Be4 35. Ne3
$14) 34. Nf3 Qb3 35. Ne5 Bc2 36. Ng4 {Now the c3-pawn is protected indirectly.
Jetzt ist der Bauer c3 indirekt gedeckt.} a4 (36... Qxc3 $4 37. Ne3) 37. h3 Bf5
38. Ne5 Kh7 39. Kh2 Qa2 40. Kg1 Kg8 {The time control has been reached. Levon
managef to get in his final move literally one second before his clock ran out,
so it does not make much sense to look into the quality of the final decisions
taken by the players.  Die Zeitkontrolle ist geschafft. Levon ist gelungen,
seinen letzten Zug wortwörtlich eine Sekunde vor dem Zeitablauf auszuführen,
deshalb macht es keinen großen Sinn, sich mit der Qualität der letzten
Entscheidungen der Gegner zu beschäftigen.} 41. Qf4 (41. c4 {would also have
very much been in tune with the position, but I wanted to clarify whether my
opponent was going to sacrifice his bishop and thus make it easier for me to
convert my advantage. O sancta simplicitas! wäre auch sehr stellungskonform,
aber ich wollte klären, ob mein Gegner nicht seinen Läufer opfern und mir
damit die Verwertung meines Vorteiles erleichtern möchte. O sancta
simplicitas!}) 41... Qxa3 ({Also after Auch nach} 41... Bc2 42. Qc4+ (42. Qd2
Qb3 (42... Qa1+ 43. Kh2 Bb3 44. h4 $1 Qxa3 45. c4 $1 {with a decisive attack
mit entscheidendem Angriff}) 43. Kh2 $16) 42... Qxc4 43. Nxc4 Kf7 44. f4 Bb3
45. Nd2 {Black's fate would not be enviable. wäre das schwarze Schicksal
nicht beneidenswert.}) 42. Qxf5 Qxc3 (42... Qb3 {would not, on account of the
variation hätte dem Schwarzen wegen der Variante} 43. Nd3 a3 44. Nxc5 Qd1+ 45.
Kh2 a2 46. Qe6+ Kh7 47. Qxa2 Qd6+ 48. g3 Qxc5 49. Qc2+ {have helped Black to
maintain the tension. nicht geholfen, die Spannung aufrechtzuerhalten.}) 43.
Nc6 $2 {"For the first time he cast his net into the sea - but all he hauled
back to the bank was mud." (Here and later Nepomniachtchi quotes from the work
by A. Pushkin "The tale of the fisherman and the fish", in which an old
fisherman after two failed attempts caught a golden fish in his net / Note by
the translater) "Einstmals warf er sein Sacknetz ins Meer aus- doch nur
Schlamm zog das Netz ans Ufer." (Hier und weiter zitiert Nepomniachtchi das
Werk von A. Puschkin "Märchen vom Fischer und dem Fischlein", in dem ein
alter Fischer nach den ersten zwei unglücklichen Versuchen bei seinem dritten
Netzwurf ein goldenes Fischlein fing/ Anm. d. Übers.)} ({As has long been
known mate is of greater value than anything else! It is a pity that I first
found the nice idea Wie es seit langem bekannt ist, besitzt Matt einen
höheren Wert als alles andere! Schade, dass ich die sympathische Idee} 43.
Qe6+ Kh8 44. Ng6+ Kh7 45. Qe8 a3 46. h4 $1 a2 47. h5 a1=Q+ 48. Kh2 {but could
not believe my luck. fast sofort fand, aber an mein Glück nicht glauben
konnte.}) 43... Kh8 44. Qf7 Qb3 45. Qe8+ Kh7 46. Qe4+ Kh8 47. Na5 {After some
tricky manoeuvres White has managed to stop his opponent's pawns. In der Folge
von kniffligen Manövern ist dem Weißen doch gelungen, die gegnerischen
Bauern zu stoppen.} Qd1+ 48. Kh2 Qd6+ 49. f4 a3 (49... Qd4 50. Qxd4 cxd4 51.
Kg3 a3 52. Nb3 $18) 50. Qa4 $2 {"Once more he cast his net into the sea - But
all it brought out was seaweed." "Wieder warf er das Sacknetz ins Meer aus -
doch nur Seegras brachte das Sacknetz."} ({It turned out to be anything but
simple to find the continuation Es erwies sich alles andere als einfach, in
der sechsten Spielstunde die Fortsetzung} 50. Nc4 $1 Qa6 51. Ne5 $1 a2 52. Nf7+
Kg8 53. Qe8+ Kh7 54. f5 {in the sixth hour of play. In any case the desire to
liquidate the dangerous pawns is easily achievable. zu entdecken. In jedem
Fall ist der Wunsch, die gefährlichen Bauern zu liquidieren, leicht
nachvollziehbar.}) 50... c4 (50... Qd3 {does not save him either: rettet auch
nicht:} 51. Qb3 c4 52. Qa2 h5 53. Nxc4 h4 54. Qxa3 Qxc4 55. Qf8+ Kh7 56. Qf5+
Kg8 57. Qg5 $18) 51. Qxc4 Qd2 52. Nb3 ({The typical combination when playing
with queens Die für das Damenspiel typische Kombination} 52. Qc8+ Kh7 53. Qf5+
Kg8 (53... Kh8 54. Qf8+ Kh7 55. Qxa3 $18) 54. Nc4 Qb4 (54... Qc3 55. Qd5+ Kh7
56. Qe4+ Kh8 57. Qa8+ Kh7 58. Nxa3) 55. Qd5+ Kh7 56. Qd3+ Kh8 57. Nxa3 {
could have crowned this long suffering game. hätte diese Partie leidgeprüfte
Partie krönen können.}) 52... Qe3 53. Nc1 h5 {Of course Black has no real
chance of saving the day, but such a "psycho-attack" is also a weapon and to
be sure a really effective one.  Selbstverständlich hat Schwarz keine realen
Rettungschancen, aber ein solcher "Psycho-Angriff" ist auch eine Waffe, und
zwar recht wirksame.} 54. h4 $6 ({There was the stronger Stärker war} 54. Ne2
h4 55. Ng1 {, and the knight heads to g5. , und der Springer begibt sich nach
g5.}) 54... Qe7 55. Qc8+ Kh7 56. Qf5+ g6 57. Qh3 Qf7 {Here I was really no
longer amused. Firstly, the ending "queen and g- and h-pawns against queen" is
according to the endgame tablebases fundamentally drawn (although when the
weaker side is being defended by a human, it is practically impossible for him
to achieve this result). Secondly, such series of mistakes and failings seldom
go unpunished.  Hier war ich gar nicht mehr zu Scherzen aufgelegt. Erstens ist
das Endspiel "Dame mit g- und h-Bauern gegen Dame" laut Endspieltabellen
grundsätzlich Remis (obwohl es, wenn die schwächere Seite ein Mensch
vertritt, für ihn praktisch unmöglich ist, dieses Ergebnis zu erreichen).
Zweitens bleiben solche Reihen von Fehlern und Versäumnissen selten
ungestraft.} 58. f5 $2 (58. Qe3 a2 59. Nxa2 Qxa2 60. Qe7+ Kg8 61. f5 gxf5 (
61... Qf7 62. Qxf7+ Kxf7 63. Kg3 $1 $18) 62. Qg5+ {leads to the aforementioned
queen ending with g- and h-pawns against bare queen. führt zum oben
erwähnten Damenendspiel mit den g- und h- Mehrbauern.}) (58. Qxa3 Qxf4+ 59.
Kg1 Qd4+ 60. Kf1 Qf4+ 61. Ke2 Qe4+ 62. Kd1 Qxh4 (62... Qxg2 63. Qe7+ Kh6 64.
Qf8+ Kh7 65. Qf7+ Kh6 66. Qf4+ Kh7 67. Ne2 $18) 63. Qf3 {should bring the win
without major difficulties, whilst according to all appearances the move
played in the game could lead to a sharing of the points. sollte den Gewinn
ohne große Schwierigkeiten bringen, während der Partiezug allem Anschein
nach zu einer Punktteilung führen könnte.}) 58... Qc7+ 59. Qg3 Qxc1 60. Qxg6+
Kh8 61. Qxh5+ Kg7 62. Qg6+ Kf8 63. Qf6+ Ke8 $2 {The wrong square!  Das falsche
Feld!} 64. Qe6+ $2 ({After Nach} 64. Qe5+ $1 Kf7 65. f6 Qh6 66. Qe7+ Kg6 67. f7
Qf4+ 68. Kh3 Qf5+ 69. Kg3 Qxf7 70. Qxa3 {the aforementioned queen ending would
have arisen. wäre der besagte Damenendspiel entstanden.}) 64... Kf8 65. Qd6+
Kf7 66. Qe6+ Kf8 67. Qf6+ Kg8 $1 {There is no need to ask Levon twice - now he
chooses the lesser evil.  Das zweite Mal muss man Levon nicht bitten - jetzt
wählt er das kleinere Übel.} 68. Qe5 Kf7 $2 ({The move Der Zug} 68... Qh6 $1
{looks counter-intuitive, because it leaves the a3-pawn unprotected, but this
is precisely the continuation which forces a draw. An important variation, for
example, is sieht antiintuitiv aus, weil er den Bauern a3 ohne Schütz lässt,
aber gerade diese Fortsetzung forciert Remis. Eine wichtige Variante ist zum
Beispiel} 69. Qg3+ Kf7 $8 70. Qb3+ Ke8 $8 71. Qxa3 Qxh4+ 72. Qh3 Qf4+ 73. Kg1
Qc1+ 74. Kf2 Qd2+ 75. Kg3 Qe3+ 76. Kg4 Qd4+ {, and Black saves the day. , und
Schwarz rettet sich.}) 69. f6 {"And for the third time he cast his net - lo
and behold! the net brought him a little fish, a very rare little fish, a
golden one." "Und zum dritten Mal warf er das Netz aus - sieh, da brachte das
Netz ihm ein Fischlein, ein ganz seltenes Fischlein, ein goldenes."} Qc4 (69...
Qh6 70. Qe7+ Kg6 71. f7 Qf4+ 72. Kh3 Qf5+ 73. Kg3 Qxf7 74. Qxa3 {would be a
relatively better option. wäre eine verhältnismäßig bessere Option.}) 70.
Qe7+ Kg6 71. Qg7+ Kf5 72. Qg5+ {Black resigned. A game characterised by nerves,
well conveying the atmosphere of knockout tournaments. Schwarz gab auf. Eine
von Nervosität sehr kennzeichnete Partie, die die Atmosphäre der
Knockout-Turniere gut überträgt.} ({With the king exiled on the other flank
resistance is futile: Bei dem zum anderen Flügel verbannten König ist
Widerstand sinnlos:} 72. Qg5+ Ke4 73. Qg4+ Kd5 74. Qxc4+ Kxc4 75. f7 a2 76.
f8=Q a1=Q 77. Qf4+ {with an easy win. mit leichtem Gewinn.}) 1-0

[Event "Moscow FIDE GP"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.05.18"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2019.05.17"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nc3 Nb6 6. e3 Nc6 7. Nge2 Qd3 8.
f4 Bb4 9. fxe5 Nxe5 10. Nf4 Qa6 11. Qc2 O-O 12. d4 Ng4 13. Nd3 Bxc3+ 14. Qxc3
Na4 15. Qb3 c5 16. dxc5 Bf5 17. Nb4 Qa5 18. O-O Nxc5 19. Qc4 Ne5 20. Qd4 Bd3
21. Rd1 Be2 22. Qxe5 Rae8 23. Qf5 Qxb4 24. Bd2 Qb6 25. Rdc1 Nd3 26. Rc2 Rxe3
27. Qa5 Qxa5 28. Bxa5 b6 29. Bd2 Re7 30. a4 h6 31. a5 bxa5 32. Bxa5 Rb8 33. Bc3
Bh5 34. Bf1 Bg6 35. Rd2 Nc5 36. Rdd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2875"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2019.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 g6 2. e4 d6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Bd3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c3 Nc6 7. Re1 e5 8. h3
Re8 9. d5 Nb8 10. c4 a5 11. Nc3 Na6 12. a3 Bd7 13. Rb1 Nc5 14. Bc2 a4 15. Be3
Nb3 16. Bxb3 axb3 17. c5 c6 18. Qxb3 cxd5 19. exd5 dxc5 20. Bxc5 Bf5 21. Rbd1
Nd7 22. Be3 e4 23. Nd4 Nc5 24. Qc2 Nd3 25. Rf1 Rc8 26. Qd2 h5 27. f3 Ne5 28.
Nxf5 Nc4 29. Qf2 gxf5 30. fxe4 Nxb2 31. Qxb2 Bxc3 32. Qf2 Rxe4 33. Qxf5 Rxe3
34. Qxf7+ Kh8 35. Qxh5+ Kg8 36. Qf7+ Kh8 37. Rf5 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.03"]
[Round "2"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2019.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. O-O d6 7. a4 O-O 8. Re1
Ba7 9. h3 Kh8 10. Bb3 Nh5 11. d4 f5 12. Ng5 Nf6 13. exf5 Bxf5 14. Nf7+ Rxf7 15.
Bxf7 Qd7 16. Bb3 exd4 17. cxd4 Bxd4 18. Be3 Bxb2 19. Ra2 Be5 20. f4 Bxb1 21.
Qxb1 Bc3 22. Rd1 Re8 23. Qd3 Ba5 24. Re2 Qe7 25. Bc4 d5 26. Bb3 d4 27. Qf5 dxe3
0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.03"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2019.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Nf6 6. Bf4 Bg4 7. Qb3 Qd7 8.
Nd2 e6 9. Ngf3 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. O-O O-O 12. Rfe1 Rab8 13. Ne5 Bh5 14. a4
Bg6 15. Bxg6 hxg6 16. Re3 Nd7 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18. Nf3 f6 19. Rae1 Rfe8 20. h4 Qf7
21. g3 Na5 22. Qc2 Nc4 23. R3e2 b5 24. axb5 Rxb5 25. b3 Nd6 26. c4 Rbb8 27.
cxd5 exd5 28. Rxe8+ Rxe8 29. Rxe8+ Qxe8 30. Qc5 Qe4 31. Qxd6 Qxf3 32. Qb8+ Kh7
33. Qxa7 Qxb3 34. Qc5 Qf3 35. Qc2 Qg4 36. Qd3 Kh6 37. Kg2 Kh7 38. f3 Qe6 39. g4
f5 40. g5 Qc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.03"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[EventDate "2019.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. O-O d6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Re1
O-O 9. h3 Kh8 10. b4 Ng8 11. Ng5 Qf6 12. Qf3 Qxf3 13. Nxf3 f5 14. Be3 fxe4 15.
dxe4 Bxe3 16. Rxe3 Nf6 17. a5 h6 18. Nbd2 g5 19. Ne1 Bd7 20. Nc2 Nd8 21. Ree1
Ne6 22. Bxe6 Bxe6 23. Ne3 Nh5 24. c4 Nf4 25. Ra3 c6 26. f3 Rad8 27. Kh2 h5 28.
Rc3 Kg7 29. Ndf1 Kg6 30. Ng3 h4 31. Ne2 Rf7 32. Kg1 Rfd7 33. Kf2 Kf7 34. Rd1
Ke7 35. Rd2 Rf8 36. Rc1 Rfd8 37. Rcd1 Kf6 38. Nc3 Ke7 39. Na4 Rf8 40. Nb6 Rdd8
41. Ke1 Ng6 42. Rc1 Nf4 43. Rc3 Rf6 44. Kd1 Rff8 45. Kc2 Kf6 46. Kb2 Ke7 47.
Rc1 Rf6 48. Rcd1 Rff8 49. Kc3 Ng6 50. Kb3 Nf4 51. Ka4 Ng6 52. b5 Nf4 53. bxa6
bxa6 54. Kb4 c5+ 55. Kc3 Rf6 56. Rb1 Ke8 57. Nbd5 Bxd5 58. cxd5 Kd7 59. Rb7+
Ke8 60. Ra7 Rf7 61. Rxa6 Rb7 62. Rb6 Rxb6 63. axb6 Ra8 64. Ra2 Rxa2 65. b7 Ne2+
66. Kb3 Nc1+ 67. Kc3 Ra3+ 68. Kc2 Rb3 69. Nc4 Kd7 70. Kxc1 Rxb7 0-1

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.03"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C16"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2819"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2019.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Qd7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 b6 7. Qg4 f5 8. Qg3
Nc6 9. Nh3 Bb7 10. Qh4 Nge7 11. Qh5+ Ng6 12. Nf4 Qf7 13. Nxg6 Qxg6 14. Qxg6+
hxg6 15. h4 Na5 16. Bg5 Bc6 17. g4 Ba4 18. Kd2 Nc4+ 19. Bxc4 dxc4 20. Rag1 Bc6
21. Rh3 Kf7 22. f3 b5 23. Rhg3 Raf8 24. gxf5 gxf5 25. Ke3 Rh7 26. R3g2 Rb8 27.
Rb1 Rb6 28. Kf4 Ra6 29. Ra1 Ra4 30. Kg3 a5 31. Bd2 Bd5 32. Rgg1 Rh8 33. Be3 Ra8
34. Bd2 Rc8 35. Be3 Ra8 36. Bd2 c6 37. Kf4 Rh8 38. Kg3 Ra8 39. Kf4 Rh8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.03"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2019.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Nc3
d6 9. a4 b4 10. Nd5 Na5 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. Bd5 c6 13. Ba2 c5 14. Nd2 Be6 15.
Bxe6 fxe6 16. Qg4 Qe8 17. b3 Nc6 18. Bb2 a5 19. g3 Kh8 20. Rae1 Qd7 21. Nc4
Rae8 22. h4 Qc7 23. h5 Nd4 24. Ne3 Qd8 25. Kg2 Bg5 26. Bxd4 cxd4 27. Nc4 Bh6
28. f4 exf4 29. gxf4 Re7 30. Rf2 Ref7 31. Ref1 Rf6 32. e5 dxe5 33. fxe5 Rxf2+
34. Rxf2 Rxf2+ 35. Kxf2 Qe8 36. Nxa5 Qf8+ 37. Qf3 Qd8 38. Nc6 Qh4+ 39. Kf1 Kg8
40. a5 Bd2 41. a6 h6 42. a7 1-0

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.03"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2019.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Bf4 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13. c3 d5 14. Nd2
g6 15. Nf3 Ng7 16. Qd2 Ne6 17. Bh6 Bg7 18. Re1 c6 19. g3 Qf8 20. Be3 Bd7 21.
Ne5 Qd6 22. Bh6 Re8 23. h4 f6 24. Nd3 Bxh6 25. Qxh6 Ng7 26. Rxe8+ Bxe8 27. Bh3
Bf7 28. Qf4 Qxf4 29. Nxf4 Ne8 30. Kf1 Nd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.03"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2019.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 Bg4 17. Qg2 cxd5 18. Qxh3 Bxh3 19. Nd2 b4 20. cxb4 Bxb4 21.
a3 Bd6 22. Nf3 Rfb8 23. b4 a5 24. Bd2 axb4 25. Bxb4 Bxb4 26. axb4 Rxa1 27. Rxa1
Kf8 28. Nd4 Ke8 29. b5 Bd7 30. Re1+ Kf8 31. f4 Rb7 32. Rb1 Ke7 33. Kf2 Kd6 34.
Ke3 Kc5 35. Rc1+ Kd6 36. Ra1 g6 37. Ra6+ Kc5 38. Rf6 Bxb5 39. Nxb5 Re7+ 40. Kd2
Kxb5 41. g4 Kc5 42. Kc3 d4+ 43. Kd2 Kd5 44. h4 Ra7 45. h5 gxh5 46. Rf5+ Ke6 47.
Re5+ Kf6 48. Rxh5 Ra2+ 49. Ke1 Rg2 50. g5+ Kf5 51. Rxh7 Kxf4 52. Rxf7+ Ke3 53.
Re7+ Kxd3 54. Re5 Kc3 55. Rc5+ Kb4 56. Rc8 Rxg5 57. Kd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Masters blitz 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.03"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2019.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Nc3
d6 9. a3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Nc6 12. Be3 Bxa2 13. Rxa2 d5 14. Bg5 dxe4 15.
dxe4 a5 16. Qb1 axb4 17. Rd1 bxc3 18. Rxd8 Rfxd8 19. g3 Ra5 20. Kg2 Rda8 21.
Qb3 b4 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. a4 Nd4 24. Nxd4 exd4 25. Ra1 c5 26. h4 Rd8 27. Rd1
Rda8 28. e5 fxe5 29. Re1 Bf6 30. Qd5 Rxa4 31. Re4 h5 32. Qxc5 b3 33. cxb3 Ra2
34. g4 Bxh4 35. gxh5 Rxf2+ 36. Kh3 Bf6 37. Rg4+ Kh8 38. Qd5 Rf8 39. Qd6 Rg8 40.
Rxg8+ Kxg8 41. Qc6 c2 42. Kg3 Bg5 43. Qc8+ Kg7 44. h6+ Bxh6 45. Qg4+ Kh7 46.
Qe4+ Kg8 47. Qg4+ Kh8 48. Qh5 c1=Q 49. Kxf2 Qe3+ 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.04"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Lupulescu,C"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. d3 d6 6. Qd2 {This strange move
already occurred in 38 games according to my database. It is the kind of move
you can explain to kids by saying "super grandmasters can do it." White's idea
is to prepare the development of his dark squared B on b2 while keeping
options on the kingside.} Qd7 {Black reckons that if White can play like this
he is also allowed to do the same} 7. b3 b6 8. Bb2 Bb7 {Continuing the
"imitation game".} 9. Nd5 {White has probably had enough of Black's mirroring
his moves and he dares him to continue it.} e5 (9... Nd4 {would not end well
for Black after the ridiculous variation} 10. e3 e6 11. Nf4 Nf5 12. g4 $16) 10.
f4 {A sensible plan to disturb the balance.} (10. e4 Nd4 {and we are back into
copycat mode.}) 10... Nge7 11. e4 Nxd5 12. cxd5 Nd4 13. Nf3 Nxf3+ 14. Bxf3 {
After 12.cxd5 White has at least managed to place a foot soldier in the
enemy's territory. However, considering all knight swaps, Black doesn't have
problems with space.} Qe7 15. h4 {White is eager to open the h-file.} (15. O-O
{was another sensible plan.} O-O 16. f5 {Looks a bit dangerous for Black
alhough he has his resources:} gxf5 (16... a5 17. Bg4 a4 18. Qf2 Qe8 19. f6 Bh8
{with a "complex" evaluation is one of the lines where you still feel there
could still be some hopes in a human vs machine fight.}) 17. exf5 Qf6 18. Be4
Bh6 19. Qe2 Kh8 20. Rf2 Rg8 {White seems easier to play but also Black is
quite solid.}) 15... f5 $1 {Although Black had other options I like this
principled approach.} 16. h5 {continuing his idea but it seems like White
overplayed his hand} (16. O-O-O {was more natural with a likely transposition
to the game after} O-O-O 17. h5) 16... O-O-O (16... exf4 $1 {could have tried
to take advantage of White's innacuracy:} 17. gxf4 (17. O-O-O fxg3 18. hxg6 (
18. exf5 $2 Bxb2+ 19. Qxb2 O-O-O $19 {[%cal Ge7e3]}) 18... O-O-O 19. gxh7 Rxh7
20. Rxh7 Bxb2+ 21. Qxb2 Qxh7 {and again White needs to be careful}) 17... fxe4
18. Bxe4 $1 ({The compliant} 18. dxe4 {gives Black an advantage:} Bxb2 19. Qxb2
Rf8 20. hxg6 hxg6 21. Qd2 (21. O-O-O Rxf4 22. Rh8+ Kd7 $17) 21... O-O-O 22.
O-O-O Qf6 23. Kc2 Qxf4 24. Qxf4 Rxf4 $15) 18... Bxd5 19. O-O-O Bxe4 20. dxe4
O-O-O 21. hxg6 hxg6 22. Rxh8 Bxh8 23. Bxh8 Rxh8 24. Qxd6 Qxe4 25. Qd7+ Kb8 26.
Qd6+ Kb7 27. Qd5+ {with a theoretical draw after the g- and f-pawns are
swapped.}) 17. O-O-O {The bishop b7 looks like a clumsy piece but at least is
keeping the black king protected} exf4 18. gxf4 Bxb2+ 19. Qxb2 Rhf8 {White has
more pawns in the centre but also more potential weaknesses.} 20. Rde1 Qf7 21.
Rh4 Qe7 (21... fxe4 $5 22. dxe4 Qe7 23. Qf2 {luring the white queen away from
the queenside was worth mentioning.} (23. Reh1 $2 g5 $17 {is Black's point}))
22. Rhh1 Qf7 23. Ref1 {The position is level but Aronian decides to play on.}
Kb8 (23... fxe4 $2 24. Bg4+ Kb8 25. Be6 {would be playing into White's hands})
24. Rhg1 fxe4 {Forcing simplifications.} 25. Bxe4 Bxd5 26. hxg6 hxg6 27. Bxg6
Qf6 28. f5 Rd7 29. Qxf6 Rxf6 30. Bh5 Kc7 {White has no way to remove Black's
blockade on f6} 31. Rg6 Rdf7 32. Rxf6 Rxf6 33. Bg6 Kd7 34. Kd2 Rf8 35. d4 {
A very original game that still couldn't help the players from reaching the
5th Armageddon of the round.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2875"]
[Annotator "Lupulescu,C"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 {when faced with this move against the same opponent in a
blitz game in 2018 Aronian chose 3.Nc3} 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 {Carlsen has
had quite an extensive experience in this positions from his match with Caruana
} 5. d3 Qc7 {Black's idea is to play a quick e5 and then perhaps Nf6-h5 to
prevent in advance f4 ideas. Compared to the previous game where he chose 6...
Qc7, he keeps his B on f8 to protect c5} (5... Bg7 6. O-O Qc7 {was the similar
idea played in the World Championship match} 7. Re1 e5 8. a3 Nf6 9. b4 O-O 10.
Nbd2 Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Nxf3 cxb4 13. axb4 a5 14. bxa5 Rxa5 15. Bd2 (15. Rxa5
Qxa5 16. Bd2 {was at least interesting}) 15... Raa8 16. Qb1 Nd7 17. Qb4 Rfe8
18. Bc3 b5 $11 {1/2-1/2 (49) Caruana,F (2832)-Carlsen,M (2835) London 2018}) 6.
O-O e5 7. Be3 Nf6 8. Qe1 $5 {practically a novelty. White's idea is the
typical Qc3 putting some pressure on e5.} (8. Nbd2 $6 Ng4 {White has to give
up his pride and joy}) (8. h3 {was possible as well}) 8... Bg4 {of course
Carlsen doesn't allow his opponent to execute his idea} (8... Be7 $143 9. Qc3
Nd7 10. a4 {[%cal Gb1d2] White has a harmonious position}) 9. Nbd2 Nh5 $1 {
a strong move that is keeping an eye of f4 breaks while also preparing f6} (
9... Be7 $6 10. h3 Bxf3 (10... Be6 11. Ng5 $16) 11. Nxf3 O-O 12. Nh2) 10. a3 (
10. h3 Be6 11. Ng5 Bd7) 10... Be7 $2 ({a move like} 10... f6 $1 {to
consolidate e5 was needed for exemple} 11. Qb1 (11. h3 Be6 12. Qe2 {does not
make a lot of use of 8.Qe1}) 11... a5 12. b4 cxb4 13. axb4 Bxb4 14. Qb3 (14.
Qxb4 {it's interesting but doesn't give White more than compensation} axb4 15.
Rxa8+ Bc8 16. Nc4 Kf7 17. Bc5 Kg7 $15 {Black's K is quite safe}) 14... Qc8 $13
{[%cal Gg4e6]}) 11. Qb1 $1 {not only original but also very strong. Now Black
cannot stop the thematic b4 and he faces serious problems} (11. Rb1 a5 {
goes nowhere}) 11... Nf4 {Black is also trying to get some counterplay} ({
we can see White idea after} 11... a5 12. b4 axb4 (12... cxb4 13. axb4 a4 14.
Qb2 f6 15. d4 $16) 13. axb4 Rxa1 14. Qxa1 cxb4 15. Nxe5 Bf6 16. Bd4 $16) 12. b4
Ne2+ (12... b6 13. bxc5 bxc5 {the engine claims just a small edge but I am
pretty sure nobody would really enjoy his time as Black in this position.
However, it was probably the lesser evil as Black's activity after 12...Ne2
will not amount to much}) 13. Kh1 Nd4 14. Ng1 $1 {Also introducing c3 ideas
and the N cannot go back to e6} (14. bxc5 Nxf3 15. Nxf3 Bxf3 16. gxf3 {was
also possible but it is understandable that Aronian didn't want to spoil the
pawn strucuture around his K}) 14... g5 {since his strategical position is
compromised Black needs to try something} (14... cxb4 15. axb4 g5 {preventing
f4} (15... O-O 16. f4 $36) 16. c3 Ne6 {would for exemple keep the material
equal but Black is still facing a difficult struggle} 17. Nc4 b5 (17... O-O 18.
Bxa7 {is already possible} b5 19. Bb6 Rxa1 20. Qxa1 Qb8 21. Ne3 Bh5 22. Qa6 $16
) 18. Na5 $16) 15. bxc5 Bxc5 16. Bxg5 {White needs to accept the gift one way
or the other. However it's not at all clear how Black will take advantage of
the opening of the g file} Rg8 17. Bh4 Be7 18. Bg3 (18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. f3 Be6 (
19... Bh5 20. Nb3 Qg5 21. Rf2 Qe3 22. Nh3 {Black's attack ends here}) 20. c3
$16 {also looked grim for Black}) 18... O-O-O {Black needs also a shelter for
his K} 19. Nc4 f6 20. a4 (20. f4 Be6 21. fxe5 Rxg3 {even though White would
still be close to winning, it would create some unnecessary mess}) 20... Ne6 (
20... h5 {was perhaps worth a try to muddy the waters a little for exemple} 21.
f3 Be6 22. c3 Bxc4 23. cxd4 Ba6 {and at least Black has some active play}) 21.
f3 Bh5 22. Bf2 {now, after all the dust has settled, White is a clear pawn up
with easier play} Bc5 (22... Kb8 23. a5 {doesn't make Black's life any easier})
23. Bxc5 Nxc5 24. Ne2 {getting the second N back into play} Bf7 25. Ne3 Qa5 (
25... h5 26. a5 h4 {is not doing much after} 27. h3 {White's two N around his
K assure him against any attacking Black options}) 26. Qe1 Qxe1 {the Q swap
was the only chance for Black to create some resemblance of counterplay on the
queenside} 27. Rfxe1 a5 28. Kg1 {White continues the logical play activating
his K} h5 29. h4 {White could allow the pawn to get to h4 but it is more
logical to block in on a light square} Kc7 30. Kf2 Be6 {now White makes a few
passing moves with the R before returning to the right plan of the d4 break}
31. Rg1 Rh8 32. Rh1 Rd7 33. Rhd1 Bf7 (33... Rhd8 34. Ng3 Bf7 {it was an idea
to make it harder for White to achieve the central break although it would
still be a rather desperate fight} 35. Ngf5 Ne6 36. Rdb1 {now White can play
at his leisure combining play on the queenside with a g4 break at the right
moment}) 34. d4 exd4 35. Rxd4 Rxd4 36. Nxd4 Rd8 37. Ne2 {a good regrouping} (
37. Nef5 Bg6 38. Ke3 {was also nice for White}) 37... Rd2 38. Ke1 Rd8 39. Nf5
Ra8 {Black tries to activate his R via a6, b6} 40. Nc3 Be6 41. Ne3 Kd6 {
Black take his K closer to the kingside to be better place against g4 ideas} (
41... Ra6 {doesn't achieve its aim} 42. Kf2 Rb6 43. Rh1 $1 $18 {[%cal Gg2g4]
the White Knights are doing a very good job protecting White's weaknesses and
now g4 become unstoppable} (43. g4 hxg4 44. fxg4 Rb4 45. Kf3 Bg8 {would give
Black some chances})) 42. Rd1+ Ke7 43. Rd4 {White has centralised his pieces
and is ready for the winning Nf5 following by g4} Ra6 44. Kd2 Rb6 45. Nf5+ {
this is also winning} (45. Rd5 $1 {would finish off the world champion in style
} cxd5 46. Nexd5+) 45... Bxf5 46. exf5 Rb2 47. Rc4 Kd6 48. Ne4+ {here it is, I
believe, where things started to go wrong for Aronian. Objectively 48.Ne4 was
the best choice. However, playing with such a demanding time control, it feels
like he invested too much of his remaining time on this move} (48. g4 {was
also a valid choice} b5 (48... Rb4 49. Rxb4 axb4 50. Na2 Nxa4 51. Nxb4 {
also White looks totally winning}) 49. axb5 cxb5 50. Rd4+ Ke7 51. Rd5 $18)
48... Nxe4+ 49. Rxe4 Ra2 50. g4 hxg4 51. fxg4 Kd5 52. Kd3 Ra3+ 53. c3 b5 54. h5
$2 {left with just a few minutes on the clock White goes wrong} (54. g5 b4 55.
Rg4 $1 b3 56. g6 Ra1 57. g7 {perhaps Aronian forgot he would be queening with
check?!}) 54... b4 $2 {very tempting but giving White chances again} (54... Ra1
55. axb5 cxb5 56. Re6 (56. Re8 Rd1+ 57. Ke2 Rh1 58. Kf3 a4 {Black has enough
activity to draw}) 56... Rg1 57. Rxf6 Rxg4 58. Rb6 Rg3+ 59. Kd2 b4 60. cxb4
axb4 61. f6 Ra3 62. Ke2 Ra7 63. Kf3 Kc5 $8 64. Re6 b3 65. Kg4 b2 66. Re1 Kd5 (
66... Ra1 $2 67. f7 $18) 67. Rb1 Ke6 {was not such a trivial draw}) 55. Rd4+
Ke5 56. Rc4 Rxa4 (56... b3 57. Re4+ Kd6 58. h6 Ra1 59. Re2 Rh1 60. Kc4 Rxh6 61.
Re6+ Kc7 62. Kxb3 {would be very difficult for Black}) 57. h6 $6 {White misses
his last winning chance} (57. Re4+ $1 Kd5 58. g5 Ra3 (58... fxg5 59. f6 $18)
59. Re3 $3 $18 {would be not that easy to find even with time on the clock} (
59. gxf6 $4 Rxc3+ 60. Kd2 Kxe4 61. f7 Rd3+ 62. Kc2 Rd8 {would end tragic for
White})) 57... Ra1 58. cxb4 (58. Re4+ $1 {was the last practical chance that
would still be a draw if both players found amazing resources} Kd5 59. g5 b3 (
59... fxg5 60. c4+ Kd6 61. f6 $18) 60. Re2 fxg5 61. c4+ Kd6 62. c5+ Kd5 63. f6
b2 64. Rxb2 Ke6 65. Rb6 Kxf6 66. Rxc6+ Kf5 (66... Ke5 $2 {allows White to push
his h pawn to the 7th rank} 67. Rg6 Kf5 68. h7 Rh1 69. Rg7 $18) 67. Rd6 Rh1 68.
Kd2 Rh2+ 69. Kc3 Ke5 (69... Rh1 $2 70. Kb3 Rh4 71. c6 $18) 70. Kb3 Rh4 71. Rg6
Kf5 72. c6 Kxg6 73. c7 Rxh6 (73... Rh3+ 74. Kc2 Rh2+ $11) 74. c8=Q Rh4 $1 {
would still be a draw}) 58... axb4 59. Rxc6 {now is very easy for Black} (59.
Re4+ Kd5 60. g5 fxg5 61. f6 $4 Ra3+ $19 {is where we see the difference with
58.cb4 included}) 59... Ra3+ 60. Kc4 Rc3+ 61. Kb5 Rh3 62. Kxb4 Rxh6 63. Kc5 Rh1
64. Re6+ Kf4 65. Rxf6 Kxg4 66. Kd6 Kg5 67. Ke7 Ra1 68. Rf8 Ra7+ {After
Aronian's brilliant 11.Qb1! the World champion looked in very big danger. To
say he managed a miraculous escape it would probably be a small understatement.
} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,62,20,-12,-5,0,-6,-6,-16,-31,-31,-26,-13,-37,-18,-18,-24,-24,-24,-24,
-34,-34,20,20,14,14,17,5,-2,0,14,-7,19,38,78,22,39,39,51,-36,-43,-25,-42,-50,
-51,-52,-52,-37,-44,-53,-34,-39,-42,-42,-33,-33,-38,-38,20,-125,-108,-125,-138,
-331,-338]} 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 $5 ({Deviating from the
heavily analyzed main line} 4. g3 {. But there are some big theory after the
last move, too.}) 4... Bb4 5. Qc2 Bxc3 $5 {For decades, this has been
considered Black's best chance for equalizing, and quite a reliable one. All
these systems with ...Bb4 should be compared with similar positions from the
Nimzoindian in order to get a full picture. In this case, the last exchange
would be considered premature after Qc2 as Black usually wishes to induce the
waste of time a2-a3, which also weakens the light squares.} ({But in this line,
if} 5... O-O {White can turn things more dynamic with} 6. Nd5 {Here are just
two recent examples.} Re8 7. Ng5 (7. Qf5 Be7 $5 {Introduced by Kortschnoj in
1977, this moves aims at maintaining the structural integrity after the
exchange on f6, while hoping to get enough compensation for the pawn in view
of his light advance in development.} 8. Nxe5 Nb4 9. Nxb4 Bxb4 10. Nf3 d5 11.
Qd3 Bf8 12. Be2 c5 13. O-O b6 14. b3 Bb7 15. Bb2 {Even if White has moved a
lot with his queen, his development is reasonable, casting some doubt about
Black's compensation, So,W (2776)-Melkumyan,H (2660) Douglas 2018 (½-½, 27)})
7... g6 8. h4 Bf8 9. a3 h6 10. Nxf6+ Qxf6 11. Ne4 Qe6 12. h5 {with certain
initiative in Harika,D (2504)-Kosteniuk,A (2557) Huaian 2017 (½-½, 59)}) 6.
Qxc3 Qe7 7. d4 {Everything logical. If White delays this move, Black could
become ambitious in the centre with ...d7-d5 himself. The plot is relatively
typical for the 4.Qc2 Nimzoindian. White has more space and two bishops, but
Black is better developed, having two active knights.} Ne4 8. Qd3 exd4 9. Nxd4
O-O {The most ambitious move. Black intends to use his advance in development
and the active knight on e4 for building up a kingside attack.} (9... Qb4+ {
is an obstinate way to fight for a draw, with reasonable chances to actually
achieve it:} 10. Bd2 Qxd2+ 11. Qxd2 Nxd2 12. Kxd2 d6 (12... Nxd4 13. exd4 d6
14. Re1+ Kd8 15. Bd3 $14 {also offers White some light endgame initiative.})
13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. c5 ({Gaining space with} 14. b4 $5 {may be a better way to
keep a slight advantage.}) 14... a5 15. Kc3 Be6 16. Be2 Kd7 {Black had little
to fear in So,W (2765)-Navara,D (2738) Saint Louis 2019 (½-½, 41)}) 10. Be2
Nxd4 (10... Qb4+ {does not force the exchanges anymore as White has} 11. Kf1 {
Aronian must have not been entirely content about the opening's outcome in an
earlier game of his:} Qe7 12. f3 Nc5 13. Qd2 d6 14. b4 Nxd4 15. exd4 Nd7 16.
Bb2 d5 17. c5 Qh4 18. g3 Qh3+ 19. Kf2 c6 {In So,W (2765)-Aronian,L (2765)
Kolkata 2018 (½-½, 75) White could have consolidated his advantage, based on
the two bishops and more space, with} 20. Bf1 Qh5 21. Re1 $16 {[%cal Gh2h4]})
11. Qxd4 (11. exd4 {is inoffensive for several reasons. The most coherent line
is} Re8 12. O-O d5 13. cxd5 (13. c5 Nxc5 $1) 13... Nf6 14. Bf3 Qd6 {retrieving
the pawn with a solid blockade, as if} 15. Qb3 Bg4 $1) 11... b6 ({The check} 
11... Qb4+ {is as earlier an alternative:} 12. Kf1 Qe7 13. f3 Nc5 14. Bd2 d6
15. Bc3 f5 16. Kf2 a5 17. Rhe1 Bd7 18. b3 Bc6 19. Bf1 b6 20. Kg1 Rae8 21. Rab1
Qg5 {Black's perfect coordination and kingside pressure eventually matched
White's two bishops in Duda,J (2738)-Harikrishna,P (2725) St Petersburg 2018 
(½-½, 87)}) 12. O-O $146 ({Castling long offers Black a clearer target:} 12.
f3 Nc5 13. h4 Bb7 14. Bd2 f5 15. h5 h6 16. O-O-O Rae8 17. Rde1 Rd8 $5 {AFter
the white rook has left the d-file, preparing ...d7-d5 makes sense.} 18. Qh4
Qf7 19. Rhg1 Ne6 20. Bc3 d5 21. Rd1 f4 {with initiative in Jumabayev,R (2604)
-Vitiugov,N (2720) Caleta 2019 (0-1, 51)}) 12... Bb7 13. Rd1 $5 {At this
height of the game, the other rook seems to belong to d1.} ({But if} 13. b3 a5
14. Bb2 f5 {followed by ...Rae8 Black does not have immediate worries.}) 13...
d6 {A curious decision.} (13... Qh4 $11 {would have more or less forced the
rook to return to f1 as if} 14. g3 $6 Qh3 {Black has the initiative:} 15. Qxd7
(15. f3 Nxg3 16. hxg3 Qxg3+ 17. Kf1 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Qxf3+ 19. Ke1 Rae8 {offers
at least enough compensation for the bishop.}) 15... Nxf2 $1 16. Qxh3 (16. Kxf2
{leads to disaster:} Qxh2+ 17. Kf1 Rad8 18. Qxd8 Bg2+ 19. Ke1 Qg1+ {wins the
queen.}) 16... Nxh3+ 17. Kf1 Ng5 $15) 14. f3 Ng5 15. b4 {White's experiment on
move 13 has been crowned by success as his attack develops faster than Black's.
} Rae8 ({It would have been safer to slow down White's initiative with} 15...
a5 16. a3 f5 {but in this case the rook would have had to stay on a8 instead
of joining the attack.}) 16. a4 f5 17. c5 (17. a5 {was an important
alternative. All of a suden the white rooks are optimally placed while Black's
optically excellent coordination is marred by White's play along the a-file.}
Rf6 18. axb6 Rg6 $5 19. Kh1 axb6 20. Ra7 $14) 17... dxc5 18. bxc5 Ne6 19. Bc4
$2 {Hard to believe that Mamedyarov blundered Black's obvious answer. It looks
more probable that he evaluated the resulting position wrongly.} ({Better was} 
19. Qc4 $1 bxc5 20. Ba3 $14 {when Black would have serious structural problems.
}) 19... Rd8 20. Bxe6+ Qxe6 21. Qxd8 Rxd8 22. Rxd8+ Kf7 $15 {Strictly speaking,
White has won a small amount of material, but his delay in development makes
the queen stronger than the two rooks. Besides, the presence of
opposite-coloured bishops offers Black chances for an attack.} 23. Rd1 {
Quite passive, but it was not easy to complete the development.} (23. Bd2 $2 {
runs into the double attack} Qf6 $1 24. Rd7+ Ke8 25. Rd1 Bxf3 26. gxf3 Qg6+ 27.
Kf2 Kxd7 $19) (23. Bb2 {is not by much better:} Qxe3+ 24. Kh1 Qe2 25. Rd7+ Ke6
26. Rxc7 Bxf3 27. gxf3 Qxb2 $17) (23. Ba3 {may have offered the best chances
for survival in a worse position.} Bxf3 $5 (23... Qxe3+ 24. Kh1 g5 {is also
promising}) 24. gxf3 Qxe3+ 25. Kh1 Qxf3+ 26. Kg1 Qe3+ 27. Kh1 f4 $15 {The
queen is likely to cause a lot of problems to the white uncoordinated army,
but the game is very much on.}) 23... bxc5 {Creating a dangerous passed pawn,
while its colleague on c7 can prove useful in certain moments, too.} 24. Re1 c4
25. Bd2 g5 $1 {Black is attacking with simple moves, while White is just
trying to get a decent coordination.} 26. Bc3 g4 27. fxg4 Qe4 28. Ra2 Qd3 $5 (
28... fxg4 $17 {[%cal Gh7h5,Gh5h4,Gh4h3]}) 29. Ba1 $2 {Very passive.} (29. Bd4
$5 {looks more natural, but it is not entirely satisfactory either:} h5 $3 (
29... fxg4 {is of course good for maintaining an advantage but the main move
is even stronger.}) ({The point is that after} 29... c3 $2 30. Rc1 $11 c5 31.
Bxc5 {the double attack} Qd5 {is ineffective due to} 32. Rf2 $3 $16) {The main
move forces White to release the latent pressure on f5:} 30. gxh5 c3 31. Rc1 c5
$1 32. Bxc5 Qd5 $19) 29... c3 30. Rf2 Be4 31. Rc1 c2 {With all his pieces
passive, White cannot fight against the passed pawn and defend g2 properly.} (
31... c2 {For instance:} 32. gxf5 Qd1+ 33. Rf1 Qd2 $19) 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. d3 e6 6. h4 h6 7. h5 g5 8. f4 Qc7 9.
e4 Nge7 10. Nge2 gxf4 11. gxf4 d6 12. Be3 Bd7 13. Qd2 Nd4 14. Rc1 Rg8 15. b4
cxb4 16. Bxd4 Bxd4 17. Nxd4 bxc3 18. Rxc3 e5 19. Nb3 O-O-O 20. c5 Kb8 21. cxd6
Qxd6 22. fxe5 Qxe5 23. d4 Qg5 24. Bf3 f5 25. Qxg5 Rxg5 26. e5 Bc6 27. Kf2 Bxf3
28. Rxf3 Rdg8 29. Rh2 b6 30. Nc1 Rc8 31. Ne2 Rc2 32. a3 Nd5 33. Ke1 Kc7 34.
Rhf2 Rxh5 35. Ng3 Rxf2 36. Kxf2 Rh2+ 37. Kg1 Rd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. Nbd2 b6 7. c4 Bb7 8. cxd5
exd5 9. b3 a5 10. Ne5 a4 11. bxa4 Qe8 12. Qc2 Nc6 13. Bb2 Bd6 14. Rfc1 Nd8 15.
a5 Rxa5 16. a4 Ra7 17. e3 Ne6 18. h4 Qa8 19. Ndf3 Re8 20. Bf1 c5 21. Bb5 Re7
22. dxc5 bxc5 23. Qd1 h6 24. a5 Nd8 25. a6 Bxa6 26. Bxa6 Rxa6 27. Nc4 dxc4 28.
Qxd6 Rxa1 29. Rxa1 Qxf3 30. Qxe7 Ne4 31. Qxd8+ Kh7 32. Rf1 Nxg3 33. fxg3
1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.10"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. d3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. a3 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. e3 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Bd2
O-O 9. Be2 Nxc3 10. Bxc3 a5 11. O-O a4 12. Rc1 Be6 13. Nd2 Na5 14. f4 Nb3 15.
Nxb3 Bxb3 16. Qe1 Re8 17. Qg3 exf4 18. Qxf4 Bxc3 19. Rxc3 Qe7 20. Bd1 Bxd1 21.
Rxc7 Qxe3+ 22. Qxe3 Rxe3 23. Rxd1 Rd8 24. Rxb7 Rexd3 25. Rxd3 Rxd3 26. Rb4 Rd2
27. h4 Kg7 28. Kh2 h5 29. Kg3 f6 30. Kf3 g5 31. hxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8.
exd5 O-O 9. O-O Bg4 10. f3 Bh5 11. dxc6 Qd4+ 12. Kh1 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Qxc3 14. Bf4
Qxc6 15. Qd2 Bg6 16. Rac1 Rfd8 17. Rfe1 a5 18. Be5 Nd5 19. a3 Qa4 20. Bxg6 hxg6
21. Qd3 Rd7 22. h3 Rad8 23. Qb3 Qxb3 24. cxb3 Rb8 25. Rc5 Rxb3 26. Rxa5 f6 27.
Bg3 Ne3 28. Bf4 Nc2 29. Rc1 Rxa3 30. Rxa3 Nxa3 31. Rxc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2819"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e4 Bxc3 5. dxc3 d6 6. Qc2 O-O 7. Nf3 Be6 8.
Ng5 Bd7 9. f3 a5 10. Nh3 a4 11. Nf2 Nc6 12. Be2 Na5 13. b4 axb3 14. axb3 Nc6
15. Rb1 Be6 16. Nd1 Ne7 17. O-O c6 18. Bg5 Nd7 19. Qd2 h6 20. Be3 Nf6 21. Nf2
d5 22. Rfd1 Qc7 23. Bc5 b6 24. Bxe7 Qxe7 25. cxd5 cxd5 26. exd5 Bxd5 27. c4 Bc6
28. Qe3 Ra2 29. Ra1 Rxa1 30. Rxa1 Nd7 31. Bd3 f5 32. Bc2 e4 33. fxe4 Ne5 34.
Bd1 fxe4 35. Be2 Nf3+ 36. Bxf3 Rxf3 37. Qxb6 Qf6 38. Rd1 e3 39. Ng4 Qe6 40.
Qb8+ Kh7 41. Ne5 Qh3 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Nxc3 13. bxc3 f6 14. exf6 Qxf6
15. Be2 Na5 16. O-O Bxf3 17. Bxf3 c6 18. Rae1 Nc4 19. Bc1 Rae8 20. Be2 Re6 21.
Bd3 g6 22. Re2 Rxe2 23. Qxe2 Nd6 24. Re1 Re8 25. Qd1 Rxe1+ 26. Qxe1 c5 27. dxc5
Bxc5 28. Bd2 b6 29. Qe2 Kf7 30. Be1 Qf4 31. Kf1 Ne4 32. Qg4 Qxg4 33. hxg4 Be7
34. Ke2 Nc5 35. Bc2 Bf6 36. Bd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess Armageddon 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.04"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nc3 Nb6 6. d3 Bc5 7. Bd2 O-O 8.
Rc1 Re8 9. Nb5 Bd6 10. h4 Nc6 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Nc3 a5 13. Nf3 a4 14. Qc2 h6
15. Rg1 f5 16. Nd1 c5 17. Ne3 Be6 18. Bc3 Nd7 19. Nd2 Qe7 20. Ndc4 Qf7 21. f4
Bxc4 22. Nxc4 e4 23. Rd1 Ra6 24. Kf2 Bf8 25. e3 Rae6 26. Qe2 exd3 27. Qxd3 Re4
28. Qxd7 Qxc4 29. Rge1 a3 30. Rd2 R4e6 31. Qd5 Qxd5 32. Rxd5 axb2 33. Bxb2 Ra6
34. a3 c4 35. Rxf5 Rb8 36. Re2 Rb3 37. Rc2 c3 38. Bc1 Rb1 39. Kf3 Rc6 40. Rd5
Ra1 41. Rd3 Bxa3 42. Bxa3 Rxa3 43. e4 Kf7 44. e5 h5 45. f5 Rc5 46. Ke4 Raa5 47.
e6+ Kf6 48. Rd7 Rxf5 49. Rf7+ Kxe6 50. Rxc7 Rfe5+ 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess Armageddon 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2875"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Armageddon was an interesting experiment, posing lots of challenges to the
players. Less than 30 minutes after often, like in this example, a gruelling
classical game with emotional ups and downs, the players have to re-adjust and
get ready for completely new circumstances.The slow pace of the previous game
is changed to a much faster format, the scoring of the game has changed in the
sense that only 2 results are possible, White winning the game, or Black
taking the full point with either a draw or a win, and as well the colors are
not reversed meaning often a repetition of the opening duel from the classical
might be repeated with the players either haven gotten a few pointers from
their on-site or online seconds, or rush to their rooms to briefly check it
wth their engines. Considerig the players also have basic human needs, like
getting something to eat in the brief break between games, despite the focus
on the Armageddon blunders, one can only be impressed with the level of play
in general, and this game specifically.} 1. e4 $5 {Aronian has been known as a
1 d4/c4/Nf3 player, but has recently managed to add 1 e4 succesfully to his
repertoire.} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {Caruana's choice in the first 3 white games
in the WCh match. As Black did well against it in the match, the pendulum
swung to 3 d4. but now in Norway Chess both Aronian and later Caruana managed
to pose Magnus opening problems.} g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 $5 {By far the
main move.} ({But in the classical game Magnus had experimented with the much
rarer} 5... Qc7 $5 6. O-O e5 {The point of omitting 5...Bg7 is exactly that
Blacks bishop thus keeps a choice, and, like in the game, gives Black the
flexibility of using it on the f8-a3 diagonal. But Aronian manages to put his
finger at a sore spot:} 7. Be3 Nf6 8. Qe1 Bg4 9. Nbd2 Nh5 10. a3 Be7 {Around
here Magnus went to the confession booth, saying he quite liked his position,
as it wasn't really clear what White could do next?} 11. Qb1 $1 {However,
convincingly answered that question. The problem with the bishop not being on
g7 is highlighted after} a5 12. b4 $1 axb4 ({even worse,} 12... cxb4 13. axb4
Bxb4 $2 14. Qxb4 $1 axb4 15. Rxa8+ {wins also the rook on h8 again due to the
bishop missing on g7.}) 13. axb4 Rxa1 {when} 14. Qxa1 {now attacks the e5 pawn.
}) 6. h3 e5 7. O-O Qc7 $5 {Different timing, but the same idea. Black wants to
protect the e5-pawn, giving himself the option of putting the knight on f6.
Aronian had to battle it twice, but seemed to like it so much that he actually
tried it out with colors reversed against Caruana!} 8. Be3 ({Not only having 2
hours for the whole game, unlike Aronian's 10 minutes, Caruana in round 9 came
up with} 8. a3 $5 {against Magnus. It seems innocent, but after} Nf6 9. Be3 c4
10. Nc3 cxd3 11. Qxd3 O-O 12. Rfd1 Re8 13. Bc5 Bf8 14. Bxf8 Kxf8 15. Rd2 {
Caruana did pose some opening problems.}) 8... b6 9. Nbd2 Ne7 $1 {This might
seem illogical, but as White has set himself up for attacking the e5-pawn
after a black ...Nf6 with Nc4, Magnus switches plans, aiming for an attack
with ...f5, as Whites misplaced bishop on e3 will win him some time based on
the ...f4 threat.} 10. a3 O-O 11. b4 cxb4 12. axb4 f5 13. Nc4 Be6 14. Ng5 Bd7
15. Qe2 $6 {My main point is that this game generally very much have the
quality of a classical game, but this move might still illustrate some
difference. While looking logical, it serves no specific purpose and plays
into Black's hands.} ({Given more time Aronian would likely have played} 15.
Ra3 $1 {when Qa1 next both puts pressure on e5, as well along the a-line. And
if} h6 16. Nf3 f4 17. Bd2 g5 18. Bc3 Ng6 {then} 19. d4 {has quite more force
than in the game.}) 15... h6 16. Nf3 f4 17. Bd2 g5 18. Bc3 Ng6 19. d4 {The
passive 19.Nh2 was to be considered, but Aronian logically plays in the centre
to counter Black's attack on the flank.} exd4 20. Bxd4 g4 $1 {In an ideal
world Black would like ...h5 and ...g4, but in a sharp battle very every tempo
counts, one cannot care about trifles such as pawn structure, so the World
Champion hurries to create some threats.} 21. hxg4 Bxg4 22. c3 $6 {Like in
move 15 a logical move, covering the d4 bishop.} ({However,} 22. Ncd2 $1 {
while looking like a retreat, protects the colleague on f3 and meets} Bxd4 {
with} 23. Qc4+ $1) 22... c5 23. bxc5 bxc5 24. Bxg7 Qxg7 25. Nd6 {The point of
White's play is that 25...Nh4? now is met by 26.Qc4+, and after} Kh8 $1 26. Nf5
$5 {This pawn sacrifice seem to deflect Black's attention from the kingside
just in time, as after 26...Bxf5 27 exf5 Rxf5 Black's threats have dissapeared
and e.g. 28 Qd3 gives full compensation.} Rxf5 $1 {This, however, is a cold
awakening. Black now keeps the bishop on g4 instead of the rook on f8, which
means imminent threats to the white king, with 28...Bxf3 as the obvious, but
hard to prevent threat.} 27. exf5 Nh4 28. f6 $1 {Objectively the best move, but
} (28. Rxa7 $5 {deserves to be mentioned, as} Bxf3 $1 29. Rxa8+ Kh7 {while
looking crushing, actually allows the funny} 30. Ra7 $1 {when White very much
stays in the game, even if Black is better after} Qxa7 31. Qd3 $5 (31. gxf3 $2
Qg7+ {mates.})) 28... Qxf6 29. Ra6 $6 {Black again threatens ...Bxf3 followed
by mating in the g-line, and Aronian tries to maximise his counterplay as
quickly as possible.} ({Objectively better, however, was} 29. Rfe1 $1 Bxf3 30.
Ra6 $3 {Now easiest is} Bxe2 (30... Qg7) ({or} 30... Qg5 31. Qe5+ {keeps White
very much in the game.}) 31. Rxf6 Kg7 32. Rxf4 Ng6 33. Rf5 Bd3 34. Rxc5 a5 {
when stopping Black's passed pawn will take so much effort that White has no
realistic hopes of winning - asking the question of is it even relevant to
discuss lines where White saves a draw in an Armageddon game!?}) 29... Qg7 30.
Rxh6+ Qxh6 31. Qe5+ Qg7 32. Qxg7+ $6 ({Much better was} 32. Nxh4 {as after}
Qxe5 33. Ng6+ Kg7 34. Nxe5 {unlike in the game, White's knight will not get
into trouble, but nevertheless Black easily will get the desired draw anyway.})
32... Kxg7 33. Nxh4 a5 $1 34. Ra1 a4 35. Ra3 Kf6 36. Kf1 ({The computer says
that White's best chance by far is} 36. Nf3 {, but that's a chance to make a
worthless draw as after} Bxf3 37. gxf3 {obviously Whites winning chances are
zero. Aronian does what one has to do, but so does Magnus.}) 36... Ke5 37. Ke1
Kd5 38. f3 Bh5 39. Kd2 Be8 40. Kc1 Kc4 41. Nf5 Ra6 42. Ng7 Bg6 43. Kd2 Kd5 {
The confusion he tried to create only got his knight trapped, and White
resigned.  The question is to what standard we should just evaluate such
games? That it was great television Norwegian TV2 had no doubts about during
their national broadcast.} 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess Armageddon 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. d3 Nf6 6. Rb1 e6 7. a3 d5 8. Bg5
dxc4 9. dxc4 Qxd1+ 10. Rxd1 Bd7 11. Nb5 Ke7 12. Nd6 h6 13. Bf4 g5 14. Be3 b6
15. h4 g4 16. b4 cxb4 17. axb4 Nxb4 18. Bxa8 Nc2+ 19. Kd2 Nxe3 20. Kxe3 Rxa8
21. f3 Bc6 22. Nb5 Nd7 23. Kf2 Ne5 24. Rc1 gxf3 25. Nxf3 Bxf3 26. exf3 Nd3+ 27.
Ke3 Nxc1 28. Rxc1 a6 29. Nc3 Rc8 30. Ne4 f5 31. Nd2 Be5 32. Rb1 b5 33. cxb5
axb5 34. g4 Rc3+ 35. Ke2 Bf4 36. Nb3 fxg4 37. fxg4 e5 38. Na5 e4 39. Rb4 Rc2+
40. Kd1 Rc1+ 41. Ke2 Rc2+ 42. Kd1 Rc1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess Armageddon 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "194"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bxc3 6. bxc3 O-O 7. d3 d6 8.
Be2 e4 9. dxe4 Re8 10. Nd2 Ng4 11. h3 Qh4 12. g3 Qh6 13. Ba3 b6 14. f4 Nf6 15.
Bf3 Bb7 16. O-O-O Na5 17. g4 Nd7 18. g5 Qe6 19. f5 Qe5 20. Rhg1 Nc5 21. Rg4 Bc6
22. Bxc5 Qxc5 23. Qd3 Qa3+ 24. Kb1 b5 25. Ka1 Rab8 26. Qc2 Nxc4 27. Nxc4 bxc4
28. Qc1 Qxc1+ 29. Rxc1 g6 30. f6 Re5 31. Rb1 Rxb1+ 32. Kxb1 h5 33. Rg2 Bxe4+
34. Bxe4 Rxe4 35. Rb2 Kf8 36. Rb8+ Re8 37. Rb7 Rxe3 38. Rxa7 Ke8 39. Ra8+ Kd7
40. Rf8 Rxh3 41. Rxf7+ Ke6 42. Re7+ Kd5 43. a4 h4 44. a5 Kc6 45. Rg7 Rxc3 46.
Rxg6 Rf3 47. Rh6 h3 48. Rxh3 Rxh3 49. f7 Rf3 50. g6 Kb5 51. g7 Rxf7 52. g8=Q
Rf1+ 53. Kc2 Rf2+ 54. Kc3 Rf3+ 55. Kd4 Rd3+ 56. Ke4 d5+ 57. Ke5 Kxa5 58. Qb8
Ka4 59. Qxc7 Kb3 60. Qb6+ Kc2 61. Qf2+ Kb3 62. Qb6+ Kc2 63. Qf2+ Kd1 64. Qf5
Kd2 65. Qf4+ Kd1 66. Qg4+ Kd2 67. Qg2+ Kd1 68. Qg1+ Kd2 69. Qf2+ Kd1 70. Qg1+
Kd2 71. Qh2+ Kd1 72. Qh5+ Kd2 73. Qh6+ Kd1 74. Qa6 Kd2 75. Qa2+ Kd1 76. Qb1+
Kd2 77. Qb2+ Kd1 78. Qa1+ Kd2 79. Qb2+ Kd1 80. Qb1+ Kd2 81. Qb2+ Kd1 82. Kd6 c3
83. Qb3+ Kd2 84. Qb4 Kd1 85. Qg4+ Kd2 86. Qg2+ Kd1 87. Qf1+ Kd2 88. Qf2+ Kd1
89. Qf5 Kd2 90. Qf4+ Kd1 91. Qg4+ Kd2 92. Qb4 Kd1 93. Qb1+ Kd2 94. Qb4 Kd1 95.
Qb5 Kd2 96. Qa5 Kd1 97. Qb5 Kd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess Armageddon 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.10"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A25"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e4 O-O 5. Nge2 Nc6 6. Bg2 Bc5 7. O-O d6 8. d3
Bg4 9. Kh1 Bxe2 10. Qxe2 Nd4 11. Qd1 c6 12. f4 h6 13. Na4 Bb4 14. a3 Ba5 15.
Be3 b5 16. cxb5 cxb5 17. Nc3 Bb6 18. Rc1 a6 19. Bh3 Re8 20. g4 Ne6 21. Bxb6
Qxb6 22. g5 hxg5 23. Bxe6 fxe6 24. fxg5 Nh7 25. Qg4 Qe3 26. h4 Rf8 27. g6 Rxf1+
28. Rxf1 Nf8 29. h5 Qxd3 30. Kg2 Qd2+ 31. Rf2 Qe3 32. Nd1 Qc1 33. Qf3 Qg5+ 34.
Kf1 Qe7 35. Ke2 b4 36. a4 Nd7 37. Qf7+ Qxf7 38. Rxf7 Nc5 39. Nf2 Rf8 40. Rc7 b3
41. Ng4 Nxe4 42. h6 Ng3+ 43. Ke1 Nf5 44. hxg7 Nxg7 45. Nh6+ Kh8 46. Ra7 Nf5 47.
Rh7# 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess Armageddon 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. e4 d5 6. e5 Ne4 7. Bd3 c5 8. Nf3
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nd7 10. Bf4 Qh4 11. g3 Qh5 12. cxd5 exd5 13. f3 Bxc3+ 14. bxc3
Nec5 15. g4 Qh4+ 16. Bg3 Qh6 17. Nf5 Qe6 18. O-O Nxe5 19. Nd4 Qh6 20. Bxh7+
Qxh7 21. Qxh7+ Kxh7 22. Bxe5 Re8 23. Bg3 Bd7 24. Rfe1 Na4 25. Rac1 Rac8 26.
Rxe8 Bxe8 27. Be1 Bd7 28. h4 b6 29. Bd2 Nb2 30. Re1 Re8 31. Rxe8 Bxe8 32. Kf2
Bd7 33. h5 f6 34. Kg3 Nc4 35. Bc1 Kg8 36. f4 Nd6 37. Kh4 Nb5 38. Ne2 Be6 39. f5
Bf7 40. a3 Kf8 41. a4 Nc7 42. Nd4 Be8 43. Bf4 Na6 44. Ne6+ Kf7 45. g5 fxg5+ 46.
Kxg5 Nc5 47. Nxc5 bxc5 48. a5 d4 49. cxd4 cxd4 50. Be5 d3 51. Bc3 a6 52. Kf4
Bd7 53. Kg5 Bc6 54. Kf4 Bd7 55. Bd2 Kf6 56. Bc3+ Kf7 57. Ke4 Bc8 58. Ke5 Bd7
59. Kf4 Bc8 60. Kg5 Bb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess Armageddon 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. O-O a6 7. a4 d6 8. Nbd2
Ba7 9. h3 Kh8 10. b4 Ng8 11. Bb3 f5 12. b5 axb5 13. axb5 Bxf2+ 14. Rxf2 Rxa1
15. bxc6 bxc6 16. Qc2 Qe7 17. Ba2 Be6 18. Nb3 Bxb3 19. Bxb3 f4 20. Kh2 Nf6 21.
Bb2 Raa8 22. d4 exd4 23. Re2 d3 24. Qxd3 Nd7 25. c4 Rab8 26. Qc3 Qf6 27. Qc1
Qe6 28. Ba4 Nc5 29. Bxc6 Rb6 30. Bd5 Qg6 31. Bd4 c6 32. Bxc5 dxc5 33. Qe1 cxd5
34. cxd5 h6 35. e5 Rb3 36. e6 Rd3 37. Ne5 Qg3+ 38. Kg1 Rxd5 39. Qxg3 fxg3 40.
Ng6+ Kh7 41. Nxf8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.06.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Ne7 10. Rd1+ Ke8 11. Nc3 Ng6 12. b3 Be7 13. Ne4 h5 14. Re1
Kf8 15. Bb2 c5 16. Rad1 Bf5 17. c4 Nf4 18. Bc1 Ne6 19. Neg5 Rh6 20. Ne4 Rh8 21.
Neg5 Rh6 22. Nxe6+ Rxe6 23. Bg5 Re8 24. Rd5 b6 25. Kh2 a5 26. Kg3 a4 27. Kf4
Bc2 28. Bxe7+ Kxe7 29. Re3 axb3 30. axb3 f6 31. h4 Ra8 32. b4 Ra4 33. Rc3 c6
34. Rd2 Bg6 35. bxc5 bxc5 36. Rb2 Kf8 37. Rb8+ Re8 38. Rb6 Re6 39. Kg3 Bf7 40.
exf6 gxf6 41. Nd2 Re2 42. Rb8+ Kg7 43. Rd8 Ra2 44. Rcd3 Be6 45. Re3 Rexd2 46.
Rxd2 Rxd2 47. Rxe6 Rd4 48. Rxc6 Rxc4 49. Kf3 Rxh4 50. Rxc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.06.27"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Bg2 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Bg5 Nbd7 12. Nbd2 h6 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. Rfd1 Qe7
15. Ne1 Bd5 16. Qc2 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 c5 18. dxc5 Bxc5 19. Rac1 Bb4 20. Qc7 Qe8 21.
Qxb7 Bxd2 22. Rxd2 Qxa4 23. Nd3 Nd5 24. Qc6 Qa5 25. Rdd1 Rfb8 26. Qc4 Ra7 27.
Qc5 Qxc5 28. Rxc5 g5 29. Rdc1 Kg7 30. R1c4 Rab7 31. h4 Rb3 32. hxg5 hxg5 33.
Ra5 Nb4 34. Ne5 Rb7 35. Nf3 f6 36. Nd4 Rxb2 37. Nxe6+ Kg6 38. Nd4 Rd2 39. Rac5
a5 40. Rxa5 Rxd4 41. Rxd4 Nc6 42. Raa4 Nxd4 43. Rxd4 Rb2 44. Kf3 Kf7 45. e4 Ke6
46. Ke3 f5 47. Rd5 Rb3+ 48. Rd3 Rb2 49. f3 Rg2 50. exf5+ Kxf5 51. g4+ Kg6 52.
Rd6+ Kg7 53. Ke4 Rf2 54. Kf5 Rxf3+ 55. Kxg5 Ra3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.06.28"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. O-O d6 7. Re1 O-O 8. Nbd2
Ba7 9. Nf1 Na5 10. Bb3 Nxb3 11. axb3 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Qe8 14. b4 Qe6
15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Nxe3 c6 17. Qf5 Qxf5 18. Nxf5 Rad8 19. Rad1 Rfe8 20. Ne3 Kf8
21. f3 d5 22. Kf2 Rd7 23. Ng4 Nxg4+ 24. hxg4 Red8 25. exd5 Rxd5 26. Ke2 Rb5 27.
Rd2 a5 28. bxa5 Rxa5 29. Red1 Ke7 30. g5 e4 31. f4 exd3+ 32. Rxd3 Rxd3 33. Rxd3
Ra2 34. Rd2 f6 35. gxf6+ Kxf6 36. g4 h6 37. Kf3 Ke6 38. Ke4 Ra4+ 39. Kf3 Ra2
40. Ke4 Ra4+ 41. Kf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.06.29"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D04"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2819"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 c5 4. Nbd2 cxd4 5. exd4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Ndf3 e6 8.
c3 Be7 9. Bf4 O-O 10. Qb3 Nxe5 11. Bxe5 Ne4 12. Be2 f6 13. Bf4 g5 14. Be3 b5
15. a4 bxa4 16. Qxa4 Bd6 17. Ra2 a5 18. O-O Qb8 19. Kh1 h5 20. c4 h4 21. h3 Bb4
22. Raa1 Ra7 23. Rac1 Rg7 24. cxd5 exd5 25. Qb5 Qd6 26. Qa6 Qe7 27. Bd3 Kh8 28.
Ng1 Bh7 29. Bxe4 Qxe4 30. Rc8 Rxc8 31. Qxc8+ Rg8 32. Qa6 Be7 33. Re1 Bd8 34.
Qd6 Be7 35. Qa6 Bd8 36. Qd6 Be7 37. Qa6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.06.30"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Pelletier,Y"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 d5 5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. Bg5 dxc4 {Levon Aronian
really enjoys playing the Vienna Variation of the Queen's Gambit, but only
under certain conditions. For instance, he does not play the classical move
order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 dxc4, because of the dangerous pawn
sacrifice 5.e4 Bb4 6.Bxc4 which has become so fashionable at the highest level.
Reaching the Vienna through the Ragozin move order is indeed popular nowadays,
especially with the move order 5.Bg5 dxc4. The line with Qa4+ is a specialty
of Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, but it has a dubious reputation. Only a player with
such a refined sense of the initiative as the Azeri star can actually hope to
fall back on his feet in these positions.} 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Qd5 {If White
were to gain back the c4 pawn without effort, he would stand better. The
weakening of the pawn structure after the exchange on f6 is not troublesome
for Black, who intends to strenghten his extra pawn with b5.} 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10.
g3 Bd7 ({In my recent Chessbase DVD on the Vienna, I rather recommend} 10... e5
{here, following a game Jurcik,M (2474)-Winants,L (2540) Rogaska Slatina 2011.
I haven't managed to find full equality for White, but I am sure that
Mamedyarov had an idea on how to keep the game in muddy waters in order to get
decent practical counter chances.}) 11. Qc2 Na5 12. e4 (12. Bg2 Nb3 13. Rb1 Bc6
14. O-O O-O-O $15 {leads to a rather healthy advantage for Black.}) 12... Qd6
13. Bg2 Nb3 14. Rd1 ({Mamedyarov is not the kind of players who would put his
rook on a sad sqaure in order to protect a poor little pawn. Indeed, after} 14.
Ra2 e5 $5 15. O-O O-O-O {, White lacks activity.}) 14... Qxa3 15. O-O O-O-O ({
Pushing the newly created passed pawn with} 15... a5 {is tempting, but Aronian
is rightly concerned about the safety of his king.}) 16. Qe2 Bb5 17. Rb1 c6 (
17... a6 {looks like a natural and compact way of organizing Black's play. A
sensible plan could, then, consist in preparing c5 with Kb8 and a queen
retreat.}) 18. Rfd1 a5 19. Nd2 Nxd4 $5 ({Levon Aronian plays very consistently.
Even though} 19... Nxd2 20. Qxd2 Qe7 {may secure Black an edge, trading
knights is not quite in the spirit of the position.}) ({After} 19... Qa2 20.
Qe1 {the black queen seems to have lost its way near the corner.}) 20. cxd4
Rxd4 {In return for the knight, Black has now 4 pawns and dominates the board.
He is clearly better, but the position is messy enough.} 21. Ra1 (21. Qe3 Rd3
$5 (21... Qxe3 22. fxe3 Rd7 $17) 22. Qa7 Rhd8 {is almost winning. The lonely
Qa7 should not worry Black, provided he has spotted the resource} 23. Rxb5 cxb5
24. e5 R8d5 $1 25. Bxd5 Rxd5 {, which leaves White without hope for salvation.}
) 21... Qb2 (21... Qb4 $5 {was perhaps a tad more accurate, as Black's queen
sacrifice is more effective in the variation} 22. Rab1 c3 23. Qf3 Rhd8 $1 24.
Rxb4 axb4 25. Qxf6 Rxd2 26. Rxd2 Rxd2 $1 27. Bf3 c2 28. Qa1 Rd3 29. Kg2 Rc3 30.
Qc1 b3 $19 {It is easy to find this line with an engine showing -5 at around
move 24... Over the board, understanding that Black is winning before going
for 21...Qb4 is far from obvious.}) 22. Rab1 c3 23. Qf3 Rxd2 24. Rxb2 cxb2 25.
Bf1 $6 (25. Rb1 $142 Rhd8 26. Bf1 {leading to the game}) 25... Rhd8 ({I am not
sure if Aronian missed} 25... Be2 $1 {altogether, or if he thought that the
game continuation was easier. In any case, Black is winning after} 26. Qxf6 (
26. Bxe2 $2 Rxd1+ 27. Bxd1 b1=Q) (26. Rxd2 Bxf3 27. Rxb2 Rd8 $19) 26... Bxd1
27. Qxh8+ Kd7 28. Qc3 b1=Q 29. Qxd2+ Kc8) 26. Rb1 Bxf1 (26... Bd3 27. Bxd3
R8xd3 28. Qg4 Rc3 $19) 27. Kxf1 Rc2 $2 ({The danger when everything seems to
be winning is that you start being careless and forget hidden ressources.
Things become more complicated now for the Armenian.} 27... R8d3 {would have
won in similar fashion as 26...Bd3}) 28. Kg2 Rdd2 29. Qxf6 $1 a4 {Threatening
to take on f2. But this move also weakens some squares which can be used by
the white queen to harass the enemy king.} 30. Kh3 $1 Rxf2 ({Perpetual check
will be delivered after} 30... a3 31. Qxf7 Rc1 (31... a2 $2 32. Qxe6+ $18 {
[%cal Ge6a2]}) 32. Qxe6+ Kc7 33. Qe7+ Kc8 (33... Rd7 $6 34. Qe5+ $16 {[%cal
Gb1b2]}) 34. Qe6+ Kb8 35. Qe5+ {etc}) 31. Qh8+ Kc7 32. Qd4 f6 ({Things have
clearly gone out of control with Black's king exposed, and Aronian plays a
line which leads to perpetual check. He did not feel like going for an
adventurous king march with} 32... b5 33. Qa7+ Kd6 {, even though this still
allows Black to play for a win .}) 33. Qxa4 $6 (33. Kg4 $1 {was the right way
to play,} a3 $140 34. Qb4 $1 $11) 33... Rxh2+ ({It is hard to tell if Aronian
had already resigned himself to a draw. The complications following} 33... h5
34. Qa5+ b6 $1 {are enormous, but Black seems to keep good winning chances, e.
g.} 35. Qa7+ Kd6 36. e5+ (36. Rd1+ Ke5 37. Qc7+ Kxe4 38. Re1+ Kd5 $1 39. Rd1+
Rfd2 40. Rxd2+ Rxd2 41. Qxb6 c5 $17) 36... Kc5 37. Qa3+ Kd4 38. Qd6+ Ke4 39.
Re1+ Kf5 40. Rf1 $1 Rxf1 41. Qd3+ Kxe5 42. Qxf1 c5 $17) 34. Kg4 h5+ 35. Kf4
Rhf2+ 36. Ke3 Rfe2+ 37. Kf3 Rf2+ 38. Ke3 Rfe2+ 39. Kf3 Rf2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.07.01"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Be7 10. Nc3 Nh4 11. Nxh4 Bxh4 12. f4 Bd7 13. Bd2 Kc8 14.
Be1 Be7 15. f5 Bc5+ 16. Bf2 Bb4 17. g4 Re8 18. Bg3 Bc5+ 19. Kh2 Bd4 20. Rae1 b6
21. Nd1 Kb7 22. c3 Bc5 23. Nf2 Be7 24. e6 fxe6 25. fxe6 Bc8 26. Nd3 Bf6 27.
Rxf6 gxf6 28. Nf4 Rd8 29. Re2 Rd1 30. Bh4 c5 31. Bxf6 Kc6 32. e7 Bd7 33. g5 Be8
34. Ne6 Bh5 35. Rf2 Bg6 36. h4 Kd7 37. Nf4 Bb1 38. a3 Rg8 39. Ng2 Re8 40. Ne3
Rd3 41. Re2 Ke6 42. Kg3 Kf7 43. Kf4 h6 44. Re1 hxg5+ 45. hxg5 Ba2 46. Ng4 Rh3
47. Ne5+ Ke6 48. Kg4 Rh7 49. Nf3+ Kf7 50. Kf5 Kg8 51. g6 Rh5+ 52. Kg4 Rh6 53.
Nh4 Bf7 54. gxf7+ Kxf7 55. Bg5 1-0

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.07.03"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nbd2 Nd4 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. c3 Bb6 8.
d4 c6 9. dxe5 cxb5 10. exf6 Qxf6 11. O-O O-O 12. Nf3 d6 13. Re1 Bg4 14. Be3 b4
15. Bxb6 axb6 16. Qd4 Bxf3 17. Qxf6 gxf6 18. gxf3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Rfc8 20. Reb1
Rxc3 21. Rxb6 Rxf3 22. Rxb7 f5 23. exf5 Ra4 24. Rb5 Kg7 25. Rd5 Rfa3 26. Rxd6
Rxa2 27. Rxa2 Rxa2 28. Rd3 h5 29. Rb3 Ra5 30. Rc3 Rxf5 31. Rb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.07.04"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 Ne4 6. Bf4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c6 8. e3
O-O 9. Qb3 b6 10. Be2 Ba6 11. a4 e6 12. O-O Nd7 13. Rfc1 Qe7 14. Bf1 Bxc4 15.
Bxc4 dxc4 16. Qxc4 e5 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Bxe5 Bxe5 19. a5 Rac8 20. Qa6 Bc7 21.
Kf1 bxa5 22. Qxa7 Ra8 23. Qd4 Qe6 24. Qc5 Qe4 25. Qd4 Qe6 26. Qc5 Qe4 27. Qd4
Qe6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.07.05"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2875"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 c5 7. e5 cxd4 8. Nxd4
Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. exf6 Qxg5 11. fxg7 Qxg7 12. Qd2 O-O 13. Bxc4 Rd8 14. Qe3
Bd7 15. O-O-O Nc6 16. Bb3 Be8 17. Nxc6 Bxc6 18. h4 Qf6 19. Rh3 b5 20. Rg3+ Kh8
21. Rg4 a5 22. Rf4 Qg7 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. g4 b4 25. g5 bxc3 26. Bc2 Bd5 27. Rf6
Qf8 28. Qxc3 Rc8 29. Qd3 Qg7 30. f4 Kg8 31. Kd2 h6 32. a3 hxg5 33. fxg5 Rc4 34.
Qg3 Be4 35. Bb3 Rd4+ 36. Ke1 Bf5 37. h5 Rd3 38. Qb8+ Qf8 39. Qxf8+ Kxf8 40. Bc2
Rh3 41. Bxf5 exf5 42. h6 Kg8 43. a4 Rh4 44. Rxf5 Rxa4 45. Kf2 Rg4 46. Kf3 Rg1
47. Kf2 Rg4 48. Kf3 Rg1 49. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.07.06"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. b3 c5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Bb2
Nc6 9. Nc3 Bf6 10. Qc2 Ndb4 11. Qc1 b6 12. a3 Nd5 13. b4 Nxc3 14. Bxc3 Ba6 15.
d3 Rc8 16. bxc5 Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Na5 18. Rac1 Rxc5 19. Qb2 Rb5 20. Qa2 Bb7 21. Rc3
Bd5 22. Qc2 Rb3 23. Rxb3 Bxb3 24. Qc3 Bd5 25. Rc1 Nb3 26. Rc2 Bxf3 27. Qxb3
Bxg2 28. Kxg2 Qa8+ 29. e4 Qd8 30. Rc6 h5 31. h4 Qd7 32. Qc4 Rd8 33. Rc7 Qxd3
34. Qxd3 Rxd3 35. Rxa7 b5 36. Ra5 g6 37. Rxb5 Rxa3 38. e5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.07.07"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Nxc3 13. bxc3 f6 14. exf6 Qxf6
15. Be2 Na5 16. O-O Rae8 17. Ne5 Bxe2 18. Qxe2 Qe6 19. Rae1 Nc4 20. Nxc4 dxc4
21. Qd1 Qd5 22. Bc1 Ba5 23. Qc2 Re6 24. Rxe6 Qxe6 25. Qb2 b6 26. Be3 Qd5 27. a4
c6 28. Qa3 Rf6 29. Bd2 Rg6 30. f3 c5 31. Be3 Qe6 32. Qc1 Qxh3 33. Qc2 Qe6 34.
Kf2 Qd6 35. Qe4 h6 36. dxc5 bxc5 37. Qxc4+ Kh7 38. f4 Qf6 39. Qe4 Bxc3 40. Bxc5
Qc6 41. Qxc6 Rxc6 42. Bxa7 Ra6 43. Be3 Rxa4 44. g4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Riga FIDE GP"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.12"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2019.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Bf4 Nc6 5. e3 Nf6 6. Nc3 Bf5 7. Qb3 Na5 8.
Qa4+ Bd7 9. Qc2 e6 10. Nf3 Be7 11. Bd3 Nc6 12. Qe2 Nh5 13. Be5 f6 14. Bg3 f5
15. Nd2 g6 16. Nb3 Nxg3 17. hxg3 Nb4 18. Bb1 Qb6 19. g4 O-O-O 20. gxf5 gxf5 21.
a3 Nd3+ 22. Bxd3 Qxb3 23. Bb5 h5 24. Rc1 Kb8 25. Bxd7 Rxd7 26. Qc2 Qb6 27. Na4
Qd8 28. Nc5 Bxc5 29. dxc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Riga FIDE GP"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.13"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2019.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Ne5 Nc6 8.
Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxc6 Qe8 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Qc2 c5 12. dxc5 Qxc5 13. Be3 Qc6 14.
f3 a5 15. Nc3 e5 16. Qa4 Qe6 17. Rad1 e4 18. Bd4 exf3 19. exf3 Bb7 20. Qb5 Bc6
21. Qe5 Rab8 22. Rd2 Rbd8 23. Qxe6 fxe6 24. Rff2 Nd5 25. a3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Riga FIDE GP"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.14"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2019.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 d6 7. c3 a6 8. Nbd2
Ba7 9. a4 Qe7 10. Qe2 Be6 11. b4 Bxc4 12. Nxc4 Qe6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. O-O O-O
15. b5 Nd8 16. Rfb1 axb5 17. axb5 Ne6 18. g3 Bc5 19. Ne3 c6 20. bxc6 bxc6 21.
Nf5 Rxa1 22. Rxa1 h5 23. Ra6 g6 24. Ne3 Qe7 25. Nc2 Qb7 26. d4 exd4 27. cxd4
Bb6 28. Ra1 Ra8 29. Rb1 Qa6 30. Qxa6 Rxa6 31. Nb4 Ra4 32. Nxc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Riga FIDE GP"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.14"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2019.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. d4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4
Bg4 9. Be2 Nbd7 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 e5 12. d5 cxd5 13. Bxd5 Nc5 14. Bc4 e4 15.
Qe2 Qe7 16. b3 Nd3 17. a4 Nxc1 18. Raxc1 Rad8 19. Rfd1 Qe5 20. Rc2 Rfe8 21.
Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Rd2 Rxd2 23. Qxd2 Bf8 24. Nd5 Nxd5 25. Bxd5 b6 26. g3 Kg7 27. Kg2
Bb4 28. Qd1 Bc5 29. Bc4 a5 30. h4 h5 31. Qc2 Bb4 32. Bb5 Bc5 33. Bc6 f5 34. Bb5
Kf6 35. Be2 Qd5 36. Kg1 Qd6 37. Qc1 Qd5 38. Bc4 Qd6 39. Kf1 Bb4 40. Be2 Qc5 41.
Qd1 Qd6 42. Qc2 Qc5 43. Bc4 Qe5 44. Qd1 Qd6 45. Qa1+ Qe5 46. Qxe5+ Kxe5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Riga FIDE GP"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.14"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2019.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. d4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O a6 8. h3 e6
9. b3 Nbd7 10. Ba3 Re8 11. Rc1 b6 12. Nd2 Bb7 13. Bf3 e5 14. Re1 e4 15. Be2 Nf8
16. Bb2 Ne6 17. a4 h5 18. b4 Rc8 19. b5 axb5 20. axb5 c5 21. dxc5 Nxc5 22. Na4
Nfd7 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24. Nxc5 Nxc5 25. Nb3 dxc4 26. Nxc5 Rxc5 27. Rxc4 Rxc4 28.
Bxc4 Qf6 29. Qd7 Re7 30. Qd8 Re5 31. Rd1 Qxd8 32. Rxd8 Rc5 33. Rd7 Rxc4 34.
Rxb7 Rc1+ 35. Kh2 Rc2 36. Kg3 h4+ 37. Kxh4 Rxf2 38. Kg3 Rf6 39. h4 Kh7 40. Kh2
Kg7 41. Kh3 Kg8 42. Kh2 Kg7 43. Kg3 Kh7 44. Kh3 Kg7 45. Kh2 Kg8 46. Kg1 Kg7 47.
Kh1 Kg8 48. Kh2 Kf8 49. Kh3 Kg7 50. g3 Rf3 51. Rxb6 Rxe3 52. Rc6 Rb3 53. b6 f5
54. h5 gxh5 55. Kh4 e3 56. Kg5 Kf7 57. Kxf5 Rb5+ 58. Kf4 e2 59. Rc1 Rxb6 60.
Re1 Re6 61. Kf3 Kf6 62. Rxe2 Rxe2 63. Kxe2 Kg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Riga FIDE GP"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.14"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2019.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Ne5 Nc6 8.
Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxc6 Qe8 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Nc3 Rd8 12. Qa4 a5 13. Qxc4 Ba6 14.
Qc6 Qb4 15. Bg5 Bb7 16. Qb5 Rxd4 17. a3 Qxb5 18. Nxb5 Rd7 19. Rfd1 Rad8 20.
Rxd7 Rxd7 21. Rc1 Ba6 22. Nxc7 Bxe2 23. Nd5 h5 24. Nxf6+ gxf6 25. Bxf6 Rd1+ 26.
Rxd1 Bxd1 27. b4 axb4 28. axb4 Ba4 29. f3 Kh7 30. Kf2 Kg6 31. Bd8 Kf5 32. Ke3
e5 33. h3 Bc6 34. g4+ Kg6 35. h4 f5 36. gxh5+ Kxh5 37. Bf6 f4+ 38. Kf2 e4 39.
fxe4 Bxe4 40. b5 Kg4 41. b6 Bb7 42. Bg5 f3 43. Bd8 Bc6 44. Be7 Bb7 45. Bd8
1/2-1/2

[Event "Riga FIDE GP"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.14"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2019.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. d4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O a6 8. a4 a5
9. cxd5 cxd5 10. Bd2 Nc6 11. Qb3 Bf5 12. Rfc1 Qd7 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Ne4 15.
Nxe4 dxe4 16. Bc3 Be6 17. Bc4 Bxc4 18. Qxc4 Qf5 19. Qb5 Rfc8 20. Rd1 Rc7 21.
Rd5 h5 22. Rad1 Rac8 23. Qxa5 Kh7 24. h3 Qe6 25. Qb4 Rc4 26. Qxb7 Rxa4 27. Rd7
Re8 28. R7d4 Ra2 29. Rxe4 Rea8 30. Qd7 Ra1 31. Red4 Qxe5 32. R4d2 Qc5 33. Bxg7
Kxg7 34. Qd4+ Qxd4 35. exd4 R1a4 36. b3 Rb4 37. Rb1 Rd8 38. Kf1 Rd5 39. Ke2 h4
40. Kd1 Rdxd4 41. Rxd4 Rxd4+ 42. Kc2 Rf4 43. f3 Rb4 44. Kc3 Rb8 45. b4 Kf6 46.
b5 Ke5 47. Kb4 Kf4 48. Rb2 e5 49. Kc5 f5 50. b6 e4 51. fxe4 Kxe4 52. b7 g5 53.
Kc6 Kf4 54. Rb3 g4 55. Kc7 Rh8 56. b8=Q Rxb8 57. Kxb8 1-0

[Event "Riga FIDE GP"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.14"]
[Round "1.8"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2019.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. e4 d5 6. e5 Ne4 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3
c5 9. Bb2 Nc6 10. Bd3 f5 11. Ne2 dxc4 12. Bxe4 fxe4 13. O-O b5 14. Qxe4 Bb7 15.
Qg4 Qd5 16. f3 a5 17. Nf4 Rxf4 18. Qxf4 cxd4 19. cxd4 b4 20. axb4 axb4 21.
Rxa8+ Bxa8 22. Rc1 Bb7 23. Kf2 c3 24. Bxc3 bxc3 25. Rxc3 h6 26. h4 Ba6 27. Ra3
Qb5 28. Kg3 Ne7 29. Kh2 Qb6 30. h5 Bb7 31. Rd3 Bd5 32. Rc3 Nf5 33. Rc8+ Kh7 34.
Qg4 Ne7 35. Re8 Qc7 36. Rf8 Qc1 37. Re8 Qc7 38. Qg3 Bb3 39. Rf8 Qc1 40. Rf7 Nf5
41. Qg6+ Kg8 42. Rb7 Qf4+ 43. g3 Qd2+ 44. Kh3 1-0

[Event "Riga FIDE GP"]
[Site "Riga"]
[Date "2019.07.14"]
[Round "1.9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2019.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "LAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. d4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O dxc4 8. Bxc4
Bg4 9. Be2 Nbd7 10. e4 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 e5 12. d5 cxd5 13. exd5 Re8 14. Bg5 h6 15.
Be3 e4 16. Be2 Nb6 17. Qb3 Nfxd5 18. Rad1 Nxc3 19. bxc3 Qc7 20. Bb5 Red8 21. c4
Nd7 22. Bxd7 Rxd7 23. Bf4 Qc6 24. Rxd7 Qxd7 25. Rd1 Qg4 26. Be3 Rc8 27. h3 Qe6
28. Qxb7 Qxc4 29. Qxa7 Qe2 30. Rb1 Qd3 31. Re1 Qd5 32. Qa4 Ra8 33. Qb3 Qxb3 34.
axb3 Rb8 35. Rb1 f5 36. Kf1 Kf7 37. b4 Rb5 38. Bc5 f4 39. Re1 e3 40. fxe3 Bc3
41. Rb1 fxe3 42. Ke2 Bd2 43. Kd3 Ke6 44. Bxe3 Rxb4 45. Rxb4 Bxb4 46. Bxh6 Kf7
47. g4 Ke6 48. Ke4 Kf7 49. Kd5 Be7 50. Bf4 Bf6 51. Be5 Be7 52. Ke4 Bf8 53. h4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 h5 11. Bg5 Be6 12. Rfd1 Be7 13. Rd2 Rd8 14.
Rxd8+ Bxd8 15. Rd1 Be7 16. b3 h4 17. Kf1 Rh5 18. Bc1 b6 19. Ne2 Bc8 20. Nf4 Rh6
21. Nh2 Bg5 22. Ng4 Bxf4 23. Bxf4 Rh5 24. e6 Bxe6 25. Bxc7 f6 26. Rd8+ Ke7 27.
Ra8 Nd4 28. Bd8+ Kd6 29. Rxa7 Ra5 30. Be7+ Kd5 31. Ne3+ Ke4 32. Rxa5 bxa5 33.
Bc5 Nf5 34. Nd1 g5 35. Nc3+ Ke5 36. Bb6 Nd4 37. Bc7+ Kf5 38. Bxa5 Nxc2 39. Nd1
Bc8 40. f3 Ba6+ 41. Kf2 Ke6 42. Bc3 Na3 43. Ne3 Bd3 44. Bb4 Nc2 45. Bc5 Nxe3
46. Kxe3 Bf1 47. Kf2 Bd3 48. a3 Ba6 49. a4 f5 50. b4 f4 51. Bb6 Kf5 52. Bd8 Bc4
53. a5 Bb5 54. Ke1 Kg6 55. Kd2 Bf1 56. Ke1 Bxg2 57. a6 Bxf3 58. a7 c5 59. bxc5
Bc6 60. Kf2 Kh5 61. Bc7 Kg6 62. Bd8 g4 63. hxg4 h3 64. Kg1 f3 65. Bh4 f2+ 66.
Bxf2 Kg5 67. Kh2 Kxg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "164"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 dxc4 7. Ne5 Nc6 8.
Nxc6 bxc6 9. Na3 Bxa3 10. bxa3 Ba6 11. Qd2 Rb8 12. Qa5 Qc8 13. a4 Rd8 14. Rd1
c3 15. Bg5 Bxe2 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Re1 Bc4 18. Qh5 Bd5 19. Bf1 Rd6 20. Qh6 f5
21. Rac1 Qf8 22. Qe3 Qg7 23. Rxc3 Bxa2 24. d5 Bxd5 25. Rc5 Qg4 26. Ra5 Qf3 27.
Qxf3 Bxf3 28. Rxa7 Rbd8 29. Re3 Be4 30. f3 Bd3 31. Rxc7 Bxf1 32. Kxf1 Rd1+ 33.
Re1 Rxe1+ 34. Kxe1 Ra8 35. Rxc6 Rxa4 36. Rc2 f4 37. Kf2 Kg7 38. Kg2 h5 39. Rc5
Kg6 40. Rc3 f6 41. gxf4 Rxf4 42. Rc8 Ra4 43. Rg8+ Kh7 44. Re8 e5 45. Rc8 Kg7
46. Kg3 h4+ 47. Kh3 Rf4 48. Kg2 Kf7 49. Ra8 Ke6 50. Ra6+ Kd5 51. Ra5+ Kd4 52.
Ra4+ Ke3 53. Ra3+ Kd2 54. Ra2+ Kc3 55. Ra3+ Kb4 56. Ra6 Kb5 57. Ra8 Kc5 58.
Ra5+ Kd6 59. Ra6+ Ke7 60. Ra7+ Ke6 61. Ra6+ Kf5 62. Ra8 Rb4 63. Ra3 Rb2+ 64.
Kh3 Kf4 65. Ra4+ Kxf3 66. Rxh4 f5 67. Rh5 Kf4 68. Rh4+ Kg5 69. Rh8 Rb3+ 70. Kg2
e4 71. Rg8+ Kf4 72. h4 Rb2+ 73. Kh3 Rb1 74. Kg2 e3 75. Re8 Rb2+ 76. Kh3 Kf3 77.
h5 Rb1 78. Kh4 Kf4 79. Kh3 Rh1+ 80. Kg2 Rxh5 81. Ra8 Rg5+ 82. Kf1 Kf3 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Nc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 g6 8. Nc3
Bg7 9. Qd1 O-O 10. a3 a6 11. Bg5 b5 12. Ba2 Rb8 13. Qd2 a5 14. Rae1 b4 15. axb4
axb4 16. Nd5 e6 17. Ne3 h6 18. Bh4 g5 19. Bg3 Nh5 20. Bh2 Bxb2 21. Qd1 Nf4 22.
g3 Ng6 23. f4 Kh7 24. f5 Nge5 25. fxe6 fxe6 26. Bxe6 Nd4 27. Rxf8 Qxf8 28. Rf1
Qe7 29. Bf5+ Kg7 30. h4 Ra8 31. Nd5 Qf7 32. Bg4 Ra1 33. Rxf7+ Kxf7 34. Kg2 Rxd1
35. Bxd1 b3 36. cxb3 Nxd3 37. Bg1 Nc1 38. hxg5 hxg5 39. b4 Nd3 40. bxc5 dxc5
41. Be3 c4 42. Nb6 Ne5 43. Na4 Ba1 44. Bxg5 c3 45. Bh5+ Kg7 46. Nxc3 Bxc3 47.
Bf4 Ne6 48. Bxe5+ Bxe5 49. Bg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2818"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bxc3 6. Qxc3 Qe7 7. a3 d5 8. b4
d4 9. Qc2 Bg4 10. b5 Nd8 11. Bb2 c5 12. O-O-O O-O 13. Re1 Qc7 14. Bd3 a6 15.
exd4 exd4 16. Ne5 Bc8 17. f4 h6 18. Rhf1 b6 19. h3 Bb7 20. g4 Re8 21. h4 Ne6
22. g5 Nxf4 23. bxa6 Rxa6 24. gxf6 Rxe5 25. Bh7+ Kh8 26. fxg7+ Kxg7 27. Rg1+
Kf8 28. Rg8+ Ke7 29. Rf1 Ra8 30. Rg7 Kf8 31. Rg8+ Ke7 32. Rg4 Ne6 33. Bf5 Rf8
34. Bxe6 Rxe6 35. Qh7 Ke8 36. Rg8 Qe7 37. a4 Be4 38. Qg7 Rxg8 39. Qxg8+ Qf8 40.
Qg4 Bd3 41. Rg1 Qe7 42. Qg3 Rg6 43. Qb8+ Kd7 44. Qb7+ Kd8 45. Qb8+ Kd7 46. Qb7+
Kd8 47. Qb8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "162"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. d4 g6 5. b4 Bg7 6. Bb2 O-O 7. Nbd2 a5 8. b5 a4
9. Rc1 Bf5 10. Be2 dxc4 11. Bxc4 cxb5 12. Bxb5 Qb6 13. Qe2 Ra5 14. Rc5 Nbd7 15.
Nc4 Qd8 16. Rxf5 gxf5 17. Bxd7 Nxd7 18. Nxa5 Qxa5+ 19. Qd2 Qb5 20. Qe2 Qb4+ 21.
Qd2 Qc4 22. Qc3 Qxa2 23. O-O Nb6 24. Ra1 Qc4 25. Qa5 Qb3 26. Qxf5 e6 27. Qb1
Nc4 28. Bc1 Qxb1 29. Rxb1 Ra8 30. Rxb7 a3 31. Rb1 a2 32. Ra1 e5 33. Kf1 exd4
34. exd4 Nb6 35. Ke2 Nd5 36. Bd2 Ra3 37. Kd1 Ra4 38. Kc2 Bxd4 39. Nxd4 Rxd4 40.
Rxa2 Rc4+ 41. Kd3 Rg4 42. Ra5 Nf4+ 43. Bxf4 Rxf4 44. f3 Rb4 45. Rg5+ Kf8 46.
Ke3 h6 47. Rg4 Rb2 48. Kf4 Rb5 49. Kg3 Ra5 50. Kh4 Rb5 51. Re4 Kg7 52. g3 Rb2
53. Kh3 Rf2 54. Rg4+ Kh7 55. Rf4 Kg6 56. g4 Ra2 57. Kg3 Ra1 58. h4 Rg1+ 59. Kf2
Ra1 60. h5+ Kg7 61. Rf5 Ra2+ 62. Kg3 Ra3 63. Re5 Rb3 64. Kf4 Ra3 65. Re3 Ra4+
66. Kf5 Ra5+ 67. Re5 Ra3 68. f4 Rf3 69. Re2 Rf1 70. Rg2 Rf3 71. g5 hxg5 72.
Kxg5 Rf1 73. h6+ Kh7 74. f5 Ra1 75. Kf6 Ra6+ 76. Kxf7 Ra7+ 77. Kf6 Ra6+ 78. Kg5
Rxh6 79. Re2 Ra6 80. Re7+ Kg8 81. f6 Ra1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.13"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2763"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. O-O Bd6 8.
Nb3 a5 9. Qe1 a4 10. Na5 Qb8 11. b4 Bg4 12. Nh4 O-O 13. Nc4 Be6 14. Nxd6 cxd6
15. f4 exf4 16. Bxf4 Re8 17. a3 Nh5 18. Bd2 d5 19. Qe2 Nf6 20. Rxf6 gxf6 21.
Rf1 dxe4 22. Bc3 Qd6 23. Bxf6 h6 24. Qh5 Kh7 25. Nf5 Qf8 26. dxe4 Rad8 27. Rf4
Rd2 28. Rg4 Rd1+ 29. Kf2 Rd2+ 30. Ke1 Rxc2 31. Bg7 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A27"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 g6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. g3 O-O 8.
Bg2 Ng4 9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. Bc5 Re8 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Rc1 Be6 13. b3 Bh6 14. f4
Bf8 15. Bxf8 Kxf8 16. Ne4 Ke7 17. Nc5 Bc8 18. Bf3 h5 19. h3 Nf6 20. Kf2 a5 21.
Rcd1 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 b6 23. Nd3 Bxh3 24. Ne5 Ng4+ 25. Bxg4 Bxg4 26. Nxc6+ Ke8 27.
Rd3 Bd7 28. Ne5 Be6 29. Nc6 Bd7 30. Ne5 Be6 31. Nc6 a4 32. Nd4 Bd7 33. b4 c5
34. bxc5 bxc5 35. Nc2 Bf5 36. Re3+ Kd7 37. Na3 Rb8 38. Nb5 Be6 39. Rd3+ Ke7 40.
Rc3 Kd7 41. Rd3+ Ke7 42. Rc3 Kd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2882"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nc3 Ne7 5. e4 c5 6. d3 Nbc6 7. Be3 d6 8. h4 h6
9. f4 h5 10. Nf3 Nd4 11. O-O Nec6 12. Rb1 b6 13. Ne2 Nxf3+ 14. Bxf3 e5 15. Bf2
exf4 16. gxf4 Bg4 17. Nc3 Bd4 18. e5 Rc8 19. exd6 Qxh4 20. Qe1+ Kd7 21. Bxc6+
Rxc6 22. Bxd4 Qxe1 23. Rbxe1 cxd4 24. Nb5 a6 25. Re7+ Kd8 26. Nc7 Rxd6 27. Rxf7
Bf5 28. Re1 Rd7 29. Rxd7+ Kxd7 30. Nd5 Bxd3 31. Rd1 Bf5 32. Rxd4 Kd6 33. b4 Kc6
34. Ne7+ Kc7 35. Nxf5 gxf5 36. Rd5 Re8 37. Rxf5 Re4 38. c5 Rxb4 39. cxb6+ Kxb6
40. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.13"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. O-O d6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Re1
O-O 9. h3 b5 10. Bb3 b4 11. Nbd2 bxc3 12. bxc3 Na5 13. Bc2 Rb8 14. Nf1 Be6 15.
Bg5 h6 16. Bh4 g5 17. Nxg5 hxg5 18. Bxg5 Kg7 19. Qf3 Rh8 20. Ne3 Rb2 21. Re2
Kg6 22. Nf5 Kxg5 23. Qg3+ Kh5 24. Bd1 Bxf5 25. Rxb2+ Kh6 26. exf5 Nh7 27. Rb4
Ng5 28. Rg4 f6 29. h4 Rh7 30. Rb1 Kg7 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.14"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O
8. O-O d5 9. Bd2 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 dxe4 12. Qh5 Qd6 13. Rfe1 Re8 14.
Re3 Re6 15. Rd1 Qe7 16. Rg3 Rg6 17. Qe5 Be6 18. Rxg6 fxg6 19. Qxe4 Re8 20. Qxc6
Bg4 21. Qc4+ Qe6 22. Qxc7 Qf7 23. Qxf7+ Kxf7 24. Rd5 Bf5 25. f3 Bxc2 26. Ra5
Re7 27. Bd4 Bd3 28. Rxa7 Rxa7 29. Bxa7 g5 30. Kf2 Ke6 31. Ke3 Bf1 32. g3 h5 33.
Kd4 Be2 34. Kc5 Bxf3 35. a4 Kd7 36. a5 Kc7 37. b4 h4 38. b5 Be2 39. Bb6+ Kc8
40. a6 Kd7 41. Ba5 h3 42. g4 Kc8 43. Be1 Kb8 44. Kb6 Bxg4 45. Bg3+ Ka8 46. Ka5
Bc8 47. b6 g4 48. Be5 g5 49. Bd6 g3 50. Bxg3 g4 51. Bf4 g3 52. b7+ 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.14"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 Bg7 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8.
e5 Qe7 9. Qe2 Ng8 10. Bf4 Qe6 11. Ne4 Ne7 12. Ng5 Qf5 13. g3 d5 14. Bh3 Qxh3
15. Nxh3 Bxh3 16. e6 Bxe6 17. Be5 Bxe5 18. Qxe5 O-O-O 19. O-O-O dxc4 20. Qc5
Nd5 21. Qxc6 Nb6 22. Rhe1 Rd3 23. Rxd3 cxd3 24. Rxe6 fxe6 25. Qxe6+ Kb8 26. Qe7
Kc8 27. Qe6+ Kb8 28. Qf6 Re8 29. Kd2 Re5 30. Kxd3 Rf5 31. Qh8+ Kb7 32. f4 Rf7
33. Ke2 a5 34. b3 a4 35. bxa4 Re7+ 36. Kf3 Nxa4 37. Qd8 Re6 38. Qd7 Rc6 39.
Qxh7 Kb6 40. h4 Nc3 41. Qf7 Nb5 42. h5 Nd4+ 43. Ke4 Nb5 44. Kf3 gxh5 45. Qxh5
Rc3+ 46. Kg4 c5 47. f5 Rc2 48. Qh6+ Ka5 49. Qe3 Rc4+ 50. Kh3 Rc3 51. Qf4 Nd4
52. f6 Rf3 53. Qc7+ Kb4 54. f7 Kc4 55. Qe7 Nf5 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.14"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bf4 dxc4 6. e3 b5 7. Nxb5 Bb4+ 8.
Nc3 Nd5 9. Rc1 N7b6 10. Bg3 c5 11. Be2 O-O 12. O-O Bb7 13. Nxd5 Qxd5 14. a3
cxd4 15. Qxd4 Be7 16. Qxd5 Bxd5 17. Nd2 Rac8 18. e4 c3 19. Nb1 c2 20. exd5
cxb1=Q 21. Rxb1 Nxd5 22. Rfd1 Bf6 23. Bf3 Rfd8 24. b4 g6 25. Bxd5 exd5 26. a4
Rc4 27. f3 Bc3 28. Be1 Bxe1 29. Rxe1 Rb8 30. Re7 a5 31. b5 Rxa4 32. b6 Rb4 33.
Ra1 R8xb6 34. Rxa5 Rb1+ 35. Kf2 R1b2+ 36. Kg3 Rd2 37. Ra8+ Kg7 38. Raa7 Rf6 39.
Red7 Rf5 40. h4 h5 41. Ra5 g5 42. Ra4 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.14"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2818"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. O-O g6 6. Qc2 Bg7 7. Qxc4 O-O 8.
Qc2 Bf5 9. d3 Qc8 10. Nc3 Bh3 11. d4 Na6 12. Rd1 Bxg2 13. Kxg2 Nd5 14. e4 Nxc3
15. bxc3 b5 16. a4 Nc7 17. Be3 a6 18. h4 h6 19. c4 Ne6 20. Rac1 bxa4 21. d5
cxd5 22. cxd5 Qxc2 23. Rxc2 Nd8 24. Ra2 Nb7 25. Rxa4 a5 26. Rb1 Nd6 27. e5 Nf5
28. Bd2 g5 29. hxg5 hxg5 30. Bxg5 f6 31. Bf4 fxe5 32. Bxe5 Ra6 33. Rb5 Rfa8 34.
g4 Nd6 35. Bxd6 exd6 36. Nd2 Bc3 37. Nc4 Bb4 38. f4 Bc3 39. Kf3 Re8 40. Ne3 Bd2
41. Nf5 Re1 42. Rc4 Ra8 43. Rb7 Rc1 44. Rxc1 Bxc1 45. Nxd6 a4 46. Rb1 Ba3 47.
Nc4 Bc5 48. g5 a3 49. Nxa3 Rxa3+ 50. Kg4 Ra4 51. Kf5 Bd6 52. Kg6 Rxf4 53. Rb6
Bf8 54. Rb8 Ra4 55. Rd8 Ra6+ 56. d6 Rxd6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.14"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Bc4 Bc5 6. Nxe5 Qe7 7. Nf3 d5 8.
Nxd5 Qxe4+ 9. Ne3 Bg4 10. Be2 Nxe2 11. Qxe2 Bxe3 12. Qxe3 O-O-O 13. Qxe4 Nxe4
14. d3 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Nc5 16. Be3 Ne6 17. h4 h5 18. Kd2 Rd5 19. Rag1 Rhd8 20. a4
c5 21. b3 b6 22. Ke2 Kb7 23. Kd2 Kc6 24. Rg3 Rf5 25. Ke2 g6 26. Kd2 Rd7 27. Ke2
1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.14"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
c5 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. Qxc4 b6 11. Ne5 Ra7 12. Nd3 Be7 13. Bf4 Bb7 14. Bxb7 Rxb7
15. Rc1 Nd5 16. Bxb8 b5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Qb3 Qxb8 19. Nd2 Rc8 20. Nf3 g6 21.
Rxc8+ Qxc8 22. Rc1 Rc7 23. Rxc7 Nxc7 24. Qc3 Qb7 25. Nfe5 Ne8 26. Nc6 Bf8 27.
Nde5 Qc7 28. Qa5 Qxa5 29. Nxa5 Bg7 30. Nac6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.14"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 d5 3. e3 c5 4. c3 cxd4 5. Bxf6 gxf6 6. cxd4 e6 7. Nc3 Nd7 8.
Bd3 f5 9. Nge2 Nf6 10. Qb3 a6 11. O-O-O Bd7 12. Kb1 Bc6 13. h3 h5 14. h4 Ng4
15. Rdf1 Bd6 16. g3 Qa5 17. Nf4 O-O-O 18. Be2 Kb8 19. Nd3 Rc8 20. Rc1 Bd7 21.
a3 Rc6 22. Bxg4 fxg4 23. Ne5 Bxe5 24. dxe5 Qc7 25. Na2 Qxe5 26. Nb4 Rb6 27. Nd3
Rxb3 28. Nxe5 Be8 29. Ka2 Rb6 30. b4 f6 31. Nd3 e5 32. Nc5 Rd6 33. Rhd1 Bg6 34.
a4 Rhd8 35. a5 d4 36. exd4 Rxd4 37. Rxd4 Rxd4 38. Kb3 Bf7+ 39. Kc3 Kc7 40. Na4
Kd6 41. Nb6 Be8 42. Nc4+ Kd5 43. Nd2 Bg6 44. Rd1 Kc6 45. Rc1 Kb5 46. Nb3 Rc4+
47. Kb2 Rxc1 48. Nxc1 Kxb4 49. Nb3 Bf7 50. Nd2 Bd5 51. Nf1 Kxa5 52. Ne3 Be6 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.14"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E24"]
[WhiteElo "2882"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 b6 6. f3 Nc6 7. e4 Na5 8. Bd3
d6 9. Nh3 Ba6 10. Qe2 e5 11. Be3 Qd7 12. a4 Qc6 13. d5 Qd7 14. O-O Qe7 15. Nf2
Nd7 16. Rab1 O-O 17. g4 Rac8 18. Nh1 c6 19. Ng3 g6 20. c5 Bxd3 21. cxd6 Bxe2
22. dxe7 Bxf1 23. exf8=Q+ Kxf8 24. Kxf1 cxd5 25. exd5 Rxc3 26. Bd2 Rxf3+ 27.
Ke2 Rb3 28. Rc1 Rb2 29. Rc7 Nf6 30. Kd3 Nxd5 31. Bh6+ Ke8 32. Rxa7 Rb3+ 33. Kc2
Ne3+ 34. Bxe3 Rxe3 35. g5 Nc6 36. Rb7 Nb4+ 37. Kd2 Rd3+ 38. Ke2 Rd4 39. Rxb6
Nd5 40. Ra6 Nc3+ 41. Ke3 Nxa4 42. Ra5 Rb4 43. Ne4 Nb6 44. Rxe5+ Kf8 45. Rc5 Rc4
46. Rb5 Nd7 47. h4 Ra4 48. Kf4 Rc4 49. Ra5 Rb4 50. Ra8+ Ke7 51. Ra7 Ke6 52.
Ra6+ Ke7 53. Ra7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.14"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A50"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2019.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b6 3. g3 Bb7 4. Bg2 c5 5. c4 cxd4 6. O-O e6 7. b3 Bc5 8. Bb2
O-O 9. Bxd4 Na6 10. Nc3 Qe7 11. Ne1 Bxg2 12. Nxg2 Rfd8 13. Rc1 Rac8 14. Nb5 d5
15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Nxa7 dxc4 17. Nxc8 Rxd1 18. Rcxd1 c3 19. Nd6 h5 20. Ne4 Qe5
21. Nxc5 Nxc5 22. Ne3 b5 23. b4 Ne4 24. Rd3 h4 25. gxh4 Qf6 26. f3 Nd2 27. Rc1
Nxf3+ 28. Kh1 Nd4 29. Rf1 Qxh4 30. Ng2 Qe4 31. Rxc3 Qxe2 32. Rc8+ Kh7 33. Rcc1
f6 34. Rce1 Qxa2 35. Re3 e5 36. Rh3+ Kg8 37. Ne3 Qa8+ 38. Kg1 Ne2+ 39. Kf2 Nf4
40. Rf3 Qa2+ 41. Kg1 Qd2 42. Rd1 Qxb4 43. Nf5 Qe4 44. Nh4 Ne2+ 45. Kf2 Nd4 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2019.08.10"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Re1 a6 8. a4
Ba7 9. h3 Kh8 10. d4 Ng8 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 dxe5 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Nd2 g6
15. Nf3 f6 16. b3 Bd7 17. Ba3 Bc6 18. g4 g5 19. Kg2 Kg7 20. a5 Nh6 21. Kg3 Nf7
22. Rad1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Rd8 24. Rxd8 Nxd8 25. Be7 Nf7 26. Nd2 Nh8 27. Bd8 Bb8
28. Bd5 Ng6 29. Nc4 Bxd5 30. exd5 Nf4 31. Ne3 Ne2+ 32. Kf3 Nxc3 33. Be7 Ba7 34.
d6 cxd6 35. Nf5+ Kf7 36. Bxd6 e4+ 37. Kg2 Ke6 38. Ba3 Nd5 39. Nd6 e3 40. fxe3
Nxe3+ 41. Kf3 Nc2 42. Nc4 Nd4+ 43. Ke4 Nxb3 44. Bb4 Nc5+ 45. Kf3 Nd3 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2019.08.10"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 e6 4. Nbd2 c5 5. b3 b6 6. Bb2 Bb7 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. O-O
Bd6 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. c4 dxc4 11. Nxc4 O-O 12. Qe2 Qe7 13. Rfd1 Rfd8 14. Rac1
Nf8 15. Nce5 Ng6 16. Bxg6 fxg6 17. Nd3 Bd6 18. Be5 Ba6 19. Qe1 Bb7 20. Bxd6
Rxd6 21. Nde5 Rad8 22. Rxd6 Qxd6 23. h3 g5 24. Qc3 h6 25. Qc7 Qxc7 26. Rxc7
Rd1+ 27. Kh2 Bxf3 28. Nxf3 Rf1 29. Nd4 Rxf2 30. Nxe6 Rxa2 31. Rxg7+ Kh8 32. Rg6
Ng8 33. Kg3 Rc2 34. Nd4 Rc7 35. Kf3 Rf7+ 36. Ke2 Kh7 37. Rd6 Nf6 38. Kd3 h5 39.
Nf3 Kg7 40. Nxg5 Re7 41. Kd4 Kg6 42. Nf3 Kg7 43. Ne5 Rc7 44. Rc6 Re7 45. g4
hxg4 46. hxg4 Nh7 47. g5 Nf8 48. Kd5 b5 49. b4 Kg8 50. e4 Re8 51. g6 Rd8+ 52.
Rd6 Re8 53. Nd7 Ra8 54. Nxf8 Kxf8 55. Ra6 Kg7 56. Kc5 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.10"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2019.08.10"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8.
e3 O-O 9. Be2 dxc4 10. O-O Bd7 11. Bxc4 Bxc3 12. bxc3 Rfd8 13. Be2 Be8 14. Qa3
Qe7 15. Qb2 b6 16. c4 Na5 17. e4 f6 18. e5 Rac8 19. Rad1 c5 20. d5 Bh5 21. exf6
Qxf6 22. Ne5 Bxe2 23. Qxe2 exd5 24. cxd5 c4 25. Ng4 Qg6 26. Rd4 b5 27. Ne3 Nb7
28. h4 h5 29. g4 Nd6 30. Qf3 Rf8 31. Qg2 Rce8 32. gxh5 Qxg2+ 33. Kxg2 Re5 34.
a4 a6 35. axb5 axb5 36. Ra1 Rxh5 37. Ra6 Nf5 38. Nxf5 Rhxf5 39. Ra2 c3 40. d6
Rc5 41. Rc2 Rd8 42. f4 Kf7 43. Kf3 Ke6 44. Re2+ Kd7 45. Rd1 Kc6 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.11"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B11"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2019.08.10"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e5 Ne4 5. Be2 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Bg4 7. Nd4 Bxe2 8.
Qxe2 e6 9. Qg4 Nd7 10. Nf3 h5 11. Qf4 Be7 12. h4 Nf8 13. Qg3 Ng6 14. Bg5 Qc7
15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. O-O-O O-O-O 17. Rhe1 Qf8 18. Rd3 Ne7 19. Qf4 Nf5 20. Nd4 g6
21. Qg5 Qh6 22. Qxh6 Rxh6 23. g3 Rhh8 24. Nf3 Kd7 25. c4 Ke7 26. Ra3 Ra8 27. c5
b6 28. Rc3 d4 29. Ra3 Rhb8 30. Ra4 bxc5 31. Rc4 Rb5 32. b3 Rd8 33. Ra4 a5 34.
Nd2 Ra8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2882"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2019.08.10"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 e6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bg3 O-O 6. Nbd2 b6 7. c3 Bb7 8. Bd3
Nbd7 9. Qc2 Bxg3 10. hxg3 h6 11. Rh4 c5 12. Ne5 Rc8 13. f4 a6 14. a4 cxd4 15.
exd4 Nxe5 16. fxe5 Nd7 17. Nf3 f6 18. exf6 Qxf6 19. Rf4 Qe7 20. Bh7+ Kh8 21.
Nh4 Rxf4 22. Ng6+ Kxh7 23. Nxe7+ Re4+ 24. Qxe4+ dxe4 25. Nxc8 Bxc8 26. b4 Kg6
27. c4 Kf7 28. b5 e5 29. dxe5 a5 30. Rd1 Nxe5 31. Rd4 Be6 32. Rxe4 Nxc4 33. Ke2
Nd6 34. Rf4+ Ke7 35. Kd3 Nb7 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2019.08.10"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 h6 10. h3 Bd7 11. b3 Kc8 12. Bb2 b6 13. Rad1 c5 14. Nd5 a5
15. Rd3 Ne7 16. Ne3 Be6 17. Nd2 a4 18. f4 axb3 19. axb3 Ra2 20. Rb1 Nf5 21. Ne4
Nxe3 22. Rxe3 c4 23. bxc4 Ra4 24. c5 Bxc5 25. Nxc5 bxc5 26. Ra3 Rxa3 27. Bxa3
Rd8 28. Bxc5 Rd2 29. Bf8 Bd5 30. g4 Rg2+ 31. Kf1 Rxc2 32. Bxg7 Bg2+ 33. Ke1
Bxh3 34. Rb3 Bxg4 35. Bxh6 Kd7 36. Rg3 Bf5 37. Rg8 c5 38. Bg5 c4 39. Rd8+ Kc6
40. Rd6+ Kb5 41. Rf6 Bg4 42. f5 Re2+ 43. Kf1 Rxe5 44. Rxf7 Bxf5 45. Bf6 Bd3+
46. Kf2 Re2+ 47. Kf3 Re1 48. Rf8 Kc6 49. Kf2 Re2+ 50. Kf3 Re1 51. Kf2 Rf1+ 52.
Ke3 Kb5 53. Bg7 Re1+ 54. Kd4 Re4+ 55. Kd5 Rg4 56. Rb8+ Ka4 57. Bc3 Rg5+ 58. Kd4
Rg4+ 59. Kd5 Ka3 60. Kc5 Rg5+ 61. Kd4 Rg4+ 62. Kc5 Rh4 63. Kd5 Rh5+ 64. Kd4
Rh4+ 65. Kc5 Be2 66. Bb4+ Ka2 67. Bc3 Rh5+ 68. Kd4 Rh4+ 69. Kc5 Rh5+ 70. Kd4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2818"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2019.08.10"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. a5 d6 10. c3 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. d4 bxc3 13. bxc3 exd4 14. cxd4 d5 15.
e5 Nd7 16. Nbd2 Rb8 17. Ba3 Bxa3 18. Rxa3 Rb5 19. Qe2 h6 20. h3 Rf7 21. Rc1
Ndb8 22. Qd3 Nxa5 23. Rac3 Nd7 24. Qg6 Nf8 25. Qc2 c6 26. Ra1 Qb6 27. Rca3 Ra7
28. Nh2 c5 29. dxc5 Rxc5 30. Rc3 Rac7 31. Rxc5 Rxc5 32. Qd1 Nc6 33. Nhf3 Ng6
34. Rb1 Rb5 35. Rc1 Rb4 36. Nf1 Nf4 37. Qd2 Nd4 38. Nxd4 Qxd4 39. Qxd4 Ne2+ 40.
Kh2 Nxd4 41. Ra1 Rb6 42. f4 Nb3 43. Ra3 a5 44. Kg3 Rb4 45. Ne3 a4 46. f5 d4 47.
Nd1 exf5 48. Kf4 g6 49. e6 Kf8 50. Ke5 Ke7 51. Kd5 d3 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.12"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C28"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "177"]
[EventDate "2019.08.10"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. Nc3 Na5 5. Bb3 Bb4 6. Nf3 Nxb3 7. axb3 d5 8.
exd5 Nxd5 9. Bd2 Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 O-O 12. O-O Re8 13. Re1 f6 14. d4
Bg4 15. h3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 c6 17. dxe5 fxe5 18. Qe3 a5 19. Ra4 b5 20. Ra3 e4 21.
Rea1 h6 22. c4 bxc4 23. b4 a4 24. Qc3 Qd5 25. Rxa4 Rxa4 26. Rxa4 Qd1+ 27. Kh2
Qd6+ 28. Kg1 Qd1+ 29. Kh2 Qd6+ 30. g3 Qf6 31. Qxc4+ Kh8 32. Qe2 e3 33. Ra3
Qxf2+ 34. Qxf2 exf2 35. Kg2 Rf8 36. Kf1 h5 37. Ra5 g6 38. Ra6 c5 39. b5 Kg7 40.
Rc6 Rf5 41. b6 h4 42. g4 Rd5 43. b7 Rd1+ 44. Kxf2 Rb1 45. Rc7+ Kf6 46. Ke3 Ke6
47. Kf4 Kf6 48. Rc6+ Kf7 49. Kg5 Rxb7 50. Rxc5 Re7 51. Kxh4 Kf6 52. Rc6+ Kg7
53. Kg5 Re5+ 54. Kf4 Re1 55. h4 Rd1 56. c4 Re1 57. Rd6 Rc1 58. Kg5 Rxc4 59.
Rxg6+ Kh7 60. Rf6 Kg7 61. Rf5 Rc6 62. h5 Ra6 63. Rb5 Ra7 64. h6+ Kh7 65. Kh5
Ra1 66. Rb7+ Kg8 67. g5 Ra5 68. Re7 Rb5 69. Kg4 Rb1 70. g6 Rg1+ 71. Kf5 Rf1+
72. Ke6 Re1+ 73. Kd7 Rd1+ 74. Kc6 Rc1+ 75. Kd6 Rd1+ 76. Kc7 Rc1+ 77. Kd8 Rd1+
78. Rd7 Rg1 79. Rd6 Rh1 80. g7 Rg1 81. Rf6 Rd1+ 82. Kc7 Rc1+ 83. Kd6 Rd1+ 84.
Ke5 Re1+ 85. Kf4 Rf1+ 86. Kg5 Rg1+ 87. Kh4 Kh7 88. Rf8 Rh1+ 89. Kg3 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.12"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D70"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2019.08.10"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. d4 g6 5. Nbd2 a5 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Ne5 Bg7 8.
Bb5+ Nbd7 9. O-O O-O 10. Ndf3 Ne4 11. Be2 a4 12. Nd3 Nb6 13. Bd2 Nxd2 14. Qxd2
Qd6 15. Rfc1 Nc4 16. Qb4 Bf5 17. Qxd6 Nxd6 18. Nb4 e6 19. h3 Rfc8 20. Ne5
1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. b4 a5 6. b5 c5 7. bxc6 Nxc6 8. Be2
O-O 9. O-O Bf5 10. c3 Qc7 11. a4 e5 12. Ba3 Rfc8 13. Rc1 e4 14. Nh4 Be6 15. g3
g5 16. Ng2 Qd7 17. f3 exf3 18. Bxf3 Bf5 19. Qb3 Bd3 20. Rf2 Qe6 21. Qd1 b6 22.
Nf1 Be4 23. Nd2 Bd3 24. Nf1 Be4 25. Nd2 Bd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a6 7. a4 O-O 8. Nbd2
Ba7 9. h3 h6 10. Re1 Re8 11. b4 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. Qc2 Qd7 14. Nf1 d5 15.
Be3 d4 16. cxd4 Nxd4 17. Bxd4 Bxd4 18. Nxd4 Qxd4 19. Qxc7 Qxd3 20. Qxb7 Qd8 21.
Red1 Qb8 22. Qxb8+ Rxb8 23. f3 Rxb4 24. Ne3 g6 25. a5 Rb5 26. Rdb1 Rc5 27. Rb6
Kf8 28. Ra2 h5 29. h4 Nd7 30. Rb7 Rc1+ 31. Kh2 Nc5 32. Rb8+ Re8 33. Rb6 Re6 34.
Nd5 Rxb6 35. axb6 Rb1 36. Ra5 Nd7 37. Rxa6 Rb2 38. Kg1 Kg7 39. Kh2 Kf8 40. Kg3
Kg7 41. Kh3 Kf8 42. g4 hxg4+ 43. fxg4 Nc5 44. Ra8+ Kg7 45. g5 Nxe4 46. Rd8 Kh7
47. Rb8 Rb5 48. b7 Rb2 49. Ne7 Nd6 50. Ng8 Ne4 51. Ne7 Nd6 52. Nd5 Ne4 53. Ne7
1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O h6 6. c3 d6 7. Re1 O-O 8. h3 a6
9. a4 a5 10. d4 Bb6 11. Be3 exd4 12. cxd4 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Qxd5 15.
Nc3 Qd8 16. d5 Bxe3 17. dxc6 Qxd1 18. Raxd1 Bc5 19. Ne5 bxc6 20. Nxc6 Bb7 21.
Ne7+ Kh7 22. Rd7 Bd6 23. Rd1 Rab8 24. Nb5 Bxe7 25. Rxe7 Bc6 26. Nc3 Rb4 27.
Rxc7 Bxa4 28. Nxa4 Rxa4 29. Rb7 Rf4 30. g3 Rf6 31. Rb5 Ra8 32. Ra1 Rc8 33.
Raxa5 Rc2 34. Rf5 Rxb2 35. Rxf6 gxf6 36. Ra4 Rb3 37. Kg2 Kg7 38. Rg4+ Kh7 39.
Rf4 Kg7 40. Rg4+ Kh7 41. Rf4 Kg7 42. Rg4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2818"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. d4 Bb6 8. d5
Ne7 9. Nxe5 Nxe4 10. Qf3 Nf6 11. d6 cxd6 12. Nc4 d5 13. Nd6 Rf8 14. Bg5 Ne4 15.
Nxe4 dxe4 16. Qxe4 f6 17. Be3 d5 18. Qf3 Ng6 19. Na3 Bc7 20. Rad1 Ne5 21. Qe2
a6 22. Ba4 Bg4 23. f3 Be6 24. Bb3 Re8 25. f4 Nc6 26. Qf3 Bb6 27. Nc2 Na5 28.
Bxd5 Bxd5 29. Rxd5 Bxe3+ 30. Nxe3 Qb6 31. Rd3 Nc4 32. Qd5+ Kf8 33. Qxc4 Rxe3
34. Rxe3 Qxe3+ 35. Kh1 Rd8 36. h3 b5 37. Qc6 Qe2 38. Rf3 Qxb2 39. Qxa6 h5 40.
Kh2 h4 41. Qa7 Kg8 42. Qe7 Qd2 43. Re3 Qd6 44. Qe4 Qd5 45. Qb4 Rc8 46. a4 Qc5
47. Re8+ Kh7 48. Rxc8 Qxc8 49. axb5 Qf5 50. b6 Qd3 51. c4 Qg3+ 52. Kh1 Qd3 53.
c5 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.21"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. c3 O-O 8.
Bc2 Bg4 9. d4 Re8 10. Bf4 d5 11. Nbd2 Bd6 12. Bg5 Nbd7 13. Qb1 h6 14. Bh4 c6
15. Bh7+ Kh8 16. Bd3 Qc7 17. Qc2 Re6 18. Rfe1 Rae8 19. Bg3 Rxe1+ 20. Rxe1 Rxe1+
21. Nxe1 Bxg3 22. hxg3 g6 23. Qa4 b6 24. Qa3 Kg7 25. Nc2 Be6 26. Ne3 Ne8 27.
Nf3 Nd6 28. Qa4 a5 29. Qc2 c5 30. Qd1 c4 31. Bc2 b5 32. a3 Nc8 33. Qd2 Qb8 34.
Ne1 Ne7 35. Bd1 Nf6 36. Bf3 h5 37. N1c2 Qh8 38. Nd1 Bf5 39. Ne1 Qh6 40. Qxh6+
Kxh6 41. Ne3 Bd7 42. Kf1 Kg7 43. Bd1 Ng4 44. Nxg4 Bxg4 45. Bxg4 hxg4 46. Nc2 f5
47. Ke2 Ng8 48. Ne3 Nf6 49. f3 Kf7 50. fxg4 fxg4 51. Ke1 Ke6 52. Ke2 Kf7 53.
Ke1 Ke6 54. Ke2 Kf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. a3 c5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Nxc5 11. Be5 Bg4 12. Be2 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Bf6 14. Bxf6
Qxf6 15. Qc2 Ne6 16. Bxd5 Rac8 17. Qd2 Rfd8 18. O-O Nc7 19. e4 Nxd5 20. exd5
Rc5 21. Rad1 g6 22. b4 Rc3 23. a4 Rc4 24. d6 Rd7 25. g3 Kg7 26. b5 Re4 27. Rfe1
Rxe1+ 28. Qxe1 Rxd6 29. Rxd6 Qxd6 30. Qc3+ Qf6 31. Qc7 Qa1+ 32. Kg2 Qxa4 33.
Qxb7 Qc4 34. Qxa7 Qd5+ 35. Kg1 Qd1+ 36. Kg2 Qd5+ 37. Kg1 Qd1+ 38. Kg2 Qd5+
1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.24"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 g6 7. O-O Bg7 8. Re1
O-O 9. Bf1 Nc6 10. Nb3 b5 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4 g5 13. Bg3 Bg4 14. f3 Be6 15. Bf2
d5 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Qxd5 18. c3 b4 19. Nc5 Qxd1 20. Rexd1 bxc3 21. bxc3
Bf5 22. Bxa6 Bxc3 23. Bb7 Nb4 24. Bxa8 Rxa8 25. a4 Bxa1 26. Rxa1 f6 27. a5 Bc8
28. h3 Kf7 29. Rb1 Na6 30. Ne4 Rb8 31. Rc1 Bd7 32. Bd4 h5 33. Bb6 Rc8 34. Rxc8
Bxc8 35. Nc5 Nxc5 36. Bxc5 h4 37. Bb4 Ba6 38. Bc5 Bc8 39. Bb4 Ba6 40. Bc5 Bc8
1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.25"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a6 7. Re1 Ba7 8. Bb3
O-O 9. h3 Re8 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. Ba4 b5 12. Bc2 h6 13. Nf1 d5 14. exd5 Bxd5 15.
Ng3 Nh7 16. a4 Nf8 17. b4 Ng6 18. Be3 Bxe3 19. fxe3 Qd7 20. Nd2 Nce7 21. Nb3
Qc6 22. Qd2 Nh4 23. e4 Qg6 24. Kh2 Bc6 25. Nc5 f5 26. exf5 Nexf5 27. Nge4 Bd5
28. Re2 Rad8 29. Rf1 Nd6 30. Qe1 Nhf5 31. a5 Rf8 32. Ref2 Rf7 33. Rf3 h5 34.
Nxa6 h4 35. Nac5 Rdf8 36. Kg1 Qh6 37. Qc1 Ne3 38. Rxf7 Rxf7 39. Rxf7 Kxf7 40.
Qe1 Nxc2 41. Qf2+ Ke8 42. Qxc2 Bxe4 43. Nxe4 Nxe4 44. dxe4 Qe3+ 45. Kf1 Qf4+
46. Qf2 Qc1+ 47. Qe1 Qf4+ 48. Kg1 Kd8 49. Qf2 Qc1+ 50. Kh2 Qxc3 51. a6 Ke8 52.
Qxh4 Qa3 53. Qh5+ Kf8 54. Qf3+ 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.26"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2882"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. c3 Nf6 5. Qe2 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. d4 cxd4 8.
cxd4 d6 9. h3 Nd7 10. Rd1 a6 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Be3 a5 13. Qc2 c5 14. Nc3 cxd4
15. Bxd4 Bb7 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Nd4 Rc8 18. Qd2 Re8 19. Qe3 Qb6 20. e5 dxe5 21.
Nb3 Nc5 22. Qxe5+ Kg8 23. Qe3 Qc6 24. Nd5 Nxb3 25. axb3 Qc5 26. Rac1 Qxe3 27.
Nxe3 Rxc1 28. Rxc1 Rb8 29. Rc5 Bc8 30. Nd5 Be6 31. Nxe7+ Kf8 32. Nc6 Rxb3 33.
Nd4 Rxb2 34. Nxe6+ fxe6 35. Rxa5 h5 36. Ra6 Kf7 37. Ra5 Rb1+ 38. Kh2 Rb2 39.
Kg1 Rb1+ 40. Kh2 Rb2 41. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C58"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8.
Bd3 Nd5 9. Nf3 Bd6 10. O-O Nf4 11. Nc3 Nxd3 12. cxd3 O-O 13. b3 c5 14. Ba3 Nc6
15. Ne4 Nb4 16. Bxb4 cxb4 17. Re1 Bb8 18. Ng3 Qxd3 19. Nxe5 Bxe5 20. Rxe5 Be6
21. Re3 Qd4 22. Ne2 Qd6 23. d4 a5 24. h4 Rfd8 25. Qd2 a4 26. Rd1 axb3 27. axb3
Ra5 28. Rg3 Rf5 29. Ra1 Bd5 30. Qe3 h6 31. Rg4 Rf6 32. Ng3 Qe6 33. Qxe6 Bxe6
34. Re4 Bxb3 35. d5 Rb6 36. Rb1 Bxd5 37. Rexb4 Rxb4 38. Rxb4 Be6 39. f3 Ra8 40.
Kh1 Rd8 41. Kg1 Ra8 42. Kh1 Rd8 43. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Ne5 Nc6 8.
Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxc6 Qe8 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Qa4 e5 12. dxe5 Qxe5 13. Nc3 Ne4 14.
Qxc4 Nxc3 15. bxc3 Be6 16. Bf4 Bxc4 17. Bxe5 Rfe8 18. Bxc7 Rxe2 19. a4 Rc8 20.
Bf4 Rc2 21. Rfc1 Rxc1+ 22. Rxc1 a5 23. Rb1 f6 24. Rb8 Rxb8 25. Bxb8 Bb3 26. Bc7
Bxa4 27. Bxa5 Kf7 28. f3 Ke6 29. Kf2 Kd5 30. Bb6 g6 31. Bd4 f5 32. Bh8 Bb5 33.
Bd4 Ba4 34. Bg7 Bb5 35. Bd4 Ba4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nrkrqbbn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NRKRQBBN w DBdb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "26"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 Nb6 2. e4 f6 3. Nb3 e5 4. g3 Ng6 5. Qe3 Bd6 6. f5 Ne7 7. d3 c6 8. a4 Bxb3
9. a5 Bxc2 10. Kxc2 Na8 11. Qxa7 c5 12. Bxc5 Nc6 13. Qxa8 Bxc5 0-1

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nrkrqbbn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NRKRQBBN w DBdb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nb3 d5 2. d4 e6 3. e4 Nb6 4. e5 f6 5. f4 Bf7 6. g3 Bg6 7. Nf2 fxe5 8. Qxe5
Bd6 9. Qe1 Nf7 10. Bh3 Bf5 11. Nc5 Bxh3 12. Nxh3 Bxc5 13. dxc5 Nd7 14. Qa5 Nf6
15. Bd4 Ne4 16. Bxg7 b6 17. Qa6+ Rb7 18. cxb6 axb6 19. Qa8+ Rb8 20. Qa6+ Rb7
21. Qa8+ Rb8 22. Qa6+ Kd7 23. f5 Nfd6 24. fxe6+ Qxe6 25. Nf4 Qf7 26. Be5 Ra8
27. Qe2 c6 28. Bxd6 Nxd6 29. O-O Re8 30. Qg4+ Kc7 31. Nd3 Qe7 32. Rbe1 Ne4 33.
a3 Rf8 34. Rxf8 Rxf8 35. Rf1 Nf6 36. Qg5 c5 37. Qe5+ Qd6 38. Rf5 d4 39. g4 Nd7
40. Qxd6+ Kxd6 41. Rxf8 Nxf8 42. Kf2 c4 43. Nf4 Nd7 44. g5 Ke5 45. g6 hxg6 46.
Nxg6+ Ke4 47. Ne7 b5 48. h4 Ne5 49. Ke2 d3+ 50. cxd3+ cxd3+ 51. Kd1 Nc4 52. b3
Ne3+ 53. Kd2 Nf1+ 54. Kd1 d2 55. h5 Ng3 56. h6 Kd3 57. Nd5 Ne4 58. Nb4+ Kc3 59.
Nd5+ Kd3 60. Nf4+ Ke3 61. Nd5+ Kd3 62. Nb4+ Ke3 63. Nd5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.03"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brqknbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRQKNBNR w HBhb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b4 d5 2. e3 Nd6 3. Ngf3 f6 4. c4 dxc4 5. Bxc4 e5 6. Bb3 b6 7. Rb2 Qd7 8. Rc2
Nh6 9. Bxe5 fxe5 10. Nxe5 Qf5 11. N1f3 Ng4 12. d4 Bxf3+ 13. gxf3 Nxe5 14. dxe5
Qxf3+ 15. Kd2 Ne4+ 16. Kd3 O-O-O+ 17. Kc4 a6 0-1

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.03"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brqknbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRQKNBNR w HBhb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "146"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 b5 2. d3 e6 3. Ngf3 Be7 4. b3 f6 5. c4 bxc4 6. bxc4 Nh6 7. h3 Rb6 8. Bd4
c5 9. Bc3 Nc7 10. Be2 Qb8 11. Rxb6 axb6 12. Nc2 Qa7 13. O-O O-O 14. Bd2 Nf7 15.
a3 Bc6 16. Re1 b5 17. cxb5 Nxb5 18. Be3 Ne5 19. Nd2 Ra8 20. f4 Nf7 21. Qb2 Qa5
22. Nc4 Qc7 23. Nd2 d5 24. Bg4 d4 25. Bf2 e5 26. fxe5 Nxe5 27. Bg3 Bd6 28. Bxe5
Bxe5 29. Nc4 Bg3 30. Ra1 Nc3 31. Qb6 Qxb6 32. Nxb6 Rb8 33. Be6+ Kf8 34. Nd7+
Bxd7 35. Bxd7 Rb2 36. Ne1 Ke7 37. Bg4 Bxe1 38. Rxe1 Rd2 39. Ra1 Kd6 40. a4 Kc7
41. a5 Kb7 42. a6+ Ka7 43. Ra5 Rxd3 44. Rxc5 Kxa6 45. Rc7 g5 46. Rxh7 Re3 47.
Rd7 Rxe4 48. Rd6+ Kb5 49. Rxf6 Re5 50. Bf5 Kc4 51. Rc6+ Kd5 52. Rf6 Ne4 53. Rf8
d3 54. Rd8+ Kc4 55. Bg4 Kc3 56. Bf3 Nd2 57. Bg4 Nc4 58. Kf2 Ne3 59. Bf3 Kd2 60.
Rd7 Rf5 61. Kg3 Rf4 62. Kf2 Nf5 63. Rd5 Nd4 64. Rxg5 Nxf3 65. gxf3 Rf7 66. h4
Rc7 67. Ra5 Kc2 68. Ra2+ Kc3 69. Ra3+ Kc2 70. Ra2+ Kc3 71. Ra3+ Kc2 72. Ra2+
Kb3 73. Ra8 Kc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.04"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nrnkqrbb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NRNKQRBB w FBfb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 f5 2. g3 g6 3. d3 c6 4. c4 Nc7 5. Nc2 b5 6. cxb5 Rxb5 7. Bd4 e5 8. Bc3
Bd5 9. Bxd5 Nxd5 10. Ba5+ Nc7 11. Na3 Rd5 12. fxe5 Nb6 13. Bb4 c5 14. Bc3 Bxe5
15. Qd2 Qe7 16. O-O O-O 17. e3 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Re5 19. Nc2 Ncd5 20. Nb3 Nxe3 21.
Nxe3 Rxe3 22. Rfe1 Re6 23. d4 cxd4 24. Nxd4 Rxe1+ 25. Rxe1 Qf6 26. Nb5 f4 27.
Qxf4 Qxf4 28. gxf4 Rxf4 29. Nd6 Nd5 30. c4 Nb6 31. Re8+ Rf8 32. Re7 Rf6 33. c5
Na4 34. Ne4 Rf7 35. Re8+ Kg7 36. Nd6 Rf6 37. Re7+ Kg8 38. Ne4 Rf7 39. Re8+ Kg7
40. Kg2 h6 41. h4 g5 42. hxg5 hxg5 43. Kg3 Rf5 44. Re7+ Kg6 45. Rxd7 Nxc5 46.
Rd6+ Kf7 47. Nxc5 Rxc5 48. Rd7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.04"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nrnkqrbb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NRNKQRBB w FBfb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 f5 2. g3 g6 3. Nab3 b6 4. d4 Nd6 5. Nd2 c6 6. e4 fxe4 7. Nxe4 Nc7 8. Nb3
Bc4 9. Rf2 Qf7 10. Ng5 Qg8 11. Nf3 Bd5 12. Bg2 a5 13. Ne5 Bxg2 14. Rxg2 a4 15.
Nc1 g5 16. fxg5 Qd5 17. Re2 Ne6 18. h4 Bxe5 19. Rxe5 Qf3+ 20. Ne2 Nc4 21. Rxe6
dxe6 22. O-O-O a3 23. Nf4 Rxf4 24. gxf4 axb2+ 25. Kb1 Ra8 26. Rd3 Qxf4 27. Be3
Qe4 28. Bd2 Qd5 29. Bb4 Nd2+ 30. Kxb2 Rxa2+ 31. Kc1 Ra1+ 32. Kxd2 Rxe1 33. Kxe1
Qe4+ 34. Kd1 Qxh4 35. Bd2 Qh1+ 36. Ke2 Qg2+ 37. Ke1 e5 38. dxe5+ Ke8 39. e6
Qg1+ 40. Ke2 Qg4+ 41. Ke1 Qxe6+ 42. Be3 c5 43. Kd2 Qe4 44. Rb3 Qc6 45. Kc1 b5
46. Bd2 b4 47. Rh3 Qa8 48. Be3 0-1

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.05"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "bbrqknrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BBRQKNRN w GCgc - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. b3 b6 3. Nhg3 g6 4. e3 f5 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 Nf7 7. d5 e6 8. Ne3
Be5 9. Bxe5 Nxe5 10. f4 Nf7 11. O-O Qc7 12. b4 g5 13. Nh5 Rg6 14. Qe2 O-O-O 15.
c5 Kb8 16. d6 Qb7 17. Bd3 gxf4 18. Nxf4 Rg8 19. Ned5 Ng6 20. c6 dxc6 21. Nf6
Nxf4 22. Rxf4 c5 23. Nxg8 Rxg8 24. Rf2 Qd5 25. Bc4 Qd4 26. Kh1 Nxd6 27. Rd1
Qxc4 28. Qe5 Bd5 29. Qxd6+ Ka8 30. bxc5 Qxc5 31. Qxc5 bxc5 32. h3 Kb7 33. Kh2
c4 34. Rg1 h5 35. Rf4 Kc6 36. Rh4 c3 37. Rxh5 Rxg2+ 38. Rxg2 Bxg2 39. Rh8 Kd7
40. Rh4 Be4 41. Rf4 c2 42. Rf1 f4 43. Kg1 Bd3 44. Rc1 e5 45. Kf2 e4 46. h4 Ke6
47. h5 Kf5 48. a3 Kg4 49. h6 e3+ 50. Kg2 f3+ 51. Kh2 f2 0-1

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.05"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "bbrqknrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BBRQKNRN w GCgc - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. b3 b6 3. e3 e6 4. Nfg3 Qe7 5. f4 f5 6. Nf2 g6 7. d4 Nf7 8. Qd2 cxd4
9. Bxd4 h5 10. Bb2 Nh7 11. Ne2 Nf6 12. Bd3 Ng4 13. Nxg4 hxg4 14. O-O-O b5 15.
Kb1 bxc4 16. Bxc4 Nd6 17. Bd3 Ne4 18. Qe1 Bd6 19. Rc1 Kf7 20. Bxe4 Bxe4+ 21.
Ka1 Bb4 22. Qd1 Qd6 23. Nd4 Rxc1+ 24. Qxc1 Qc5 25. Qxc5 Bxc5 26. Rc1 Bb6 27. g3
g5 28. a4 gxf4 29. exf4 a6 30. b4 Rb8 31. Rd1 Rc8 32. a5 Bxd4 33. Rxd4 Ke8 34.
Ka2 Rc2 35. Kb3 Rxh2 36. b5 axb5 37. Rxe4 Kd8 38. Re3 Kc7 39. Be5+ d6 40. Rc3+
Kd7 41. Rd3 Kc6 42. Rxd6+ Kc5 43. a6 1-0

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.05"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "bbrqknrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BBRQKNRN w GCgc - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. b3 b6 3. e3 e6 4. f4 d5 5. cxd5 Bxd5 6. Nhg3 Qe7 7. Nh5 f6 8. g4
Nhg6 9. g5 f5 10. Qe2 Nh4 11. Rg3 Nd7 12. Rh3 Ng6 13. Nfg3 O-O-O 14. Bd3 Kb7
15. Ba6+ Ka8 16. Bc4 Bb7 17. Ba6 Bd5 18. O-O-O h6 19. Bc4 Bb7 20. gxh6 gxh6 21.
Qf2 a6 22. a4 Rdf8 23. Ne2 Qf7 24. Nhg3 Nf6 25. Qf1 Ng4 26. Rh5 Qe8 27. h3 Nf6
28. Rxh6 Nd5 29. Nc3 Ngxf4 30. exf4 Rxg3 31. Bxa6 Nxf4 32. Bxb7+ Kxb7 33. Qh1+
Rg2 34. Rg1 Rfg8 35. Rh7+ Kc8 36. Rxg2 Rxg2 37. Qf1 b5 38. Qxb5 Rg1+ 39. Kb2
Qxb5 40. axb5 Nd3+ 41. Ka2 Nb4+ 42. Kb2 Be5 43. Re7 f4 44. b6 f3 45. Rf7 f2 46.
b7+ Kb8 47. Rxf2 Nd3+ 0-1

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.05"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "bbrqknrn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BBRQKNRN w GCgc - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. b3 b6 3. e3 Nhg6 4. Qh5 d5 5. cxd5 Qxd5 6. Qxd5 Bxd5 7. d4 Nd7 8.
dxc5 Nxc5 9. Rd1 Bb7 10. Nfg3 Nh4 11. f3 O-O 12. O-O b5 13. Nf2 a5 14. Rc1 Ne6
15. Nf5 Nxf5 16. Bxf5 Ba7 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Bd4 Bxd4 19. exd4 Rfd8 20. Nd3 Rxd4
21. Rxc8+ Bxc8 22. Ne5 Bb7 23. Rc1 h5 24. Rc5 Rd5 25. Rxd5 exd5 26. h4 g6 27.
Kf2 Kg7 28. Ke3 Kf6 29. Kf4 Bc8 30. g4 a4 31. g5+ Kg7 32. bxa4 bxa4 33. a3 Bf5
34. Ke3 Kf8 35. Kd4 e6 36. Kc5 Ke7 37. f4 Bc2 38. Nc6+ Kd7 39. Ne5+ Kc7 40. Nf3
Kd7 41. Nd4 Bd1 42. Nc6 Bc2 43. Ne5+ Kc7 44. Nf3 Bd1 45. Ne5 Bc2 46. Nc6 Kd7
47. Nd4 Bd1 48. Nc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.05"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nbbrkrnq/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NBBRKRNQ w FDfd - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "223"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. h3 Bf5 4. Nb3 c6 5. Qh2 O-O 6. Na5 Be4 7. Nxb7 Bxf4 8.
Qxf4 Rb8 9. Na5 Bxg2 10. Nxc6 Rb7 11. O-O-O Bxf1 12. Rxf1 Rc8 13. Ne5 Nb6 14.
b3 g6 15. e3 Qg7 16. Ne2 Nbd7 17. c3 e6 18. Kb2 Qf8 19. e4 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Nd7
21. exd5 exd5 22. Rd1 Nb6 23. Ka1 Qa3 24. Qc1 Qxc1 25. Rxc1 Re7 26. f4 f6 27.
Rg1 fxe5 28. f5 e4 29. fxg6 Rg7 30. gxh7+ Kxh7 31. Rd1 Kh6 32. c4 dxc4 33. Bxe4
Re8 34. Rd6+ Kg5 35. Nc3 Kf4 36. Rf6+ Ke3 37. Rf3+ Kd4 38. Bb1 a6 39. bxc4 Nxc4
40. Na4 Ne3 41. Rf4+ Kd5 42. Nc3+ Kc5 43. Ne4+ Kb6 44. Rf6+ Ka5 45. Rf3 Nc4 46.
Rc3 Rc8 47. Nd2 Rgc7 48. Nxc4+ Rxc4 49. Ra3+ Ra4 50. Rg3 Rb4 51. a3 Rbc4 52.
Ka2 R4c5 53. Bd3 R8c6 54. h4 Rh6 55. Rg5 Kb6 56. Rg6+ Rc6 57. Rxc6+ Rxc6 58. h5
Rc3 59. Bg6 Rh3 60. Be8 Kc5 61. Kb2 a5 62. a4 Kc4 63. Bf7+ Kb4 64. Be8 Re3 65.
Bg6 Re6 66. Kc2 Rd6 67. Be8 Rd8 68. Bg6 Rd6 69. Be8 Re6 70. Bf7 Rf6 71. Be8 Rf8
72. Bg6 Kxa4 73. h6 Rf2+ 74. Kc3 Kb5 75. Be8+ Kc5 76. h7 Rf3+ 77. Kb2 Rh3 78.
Bg6 Kb4 79. Bf5 Rh2+ 80. Kb1 Kc3 81. Bg6 a4 82. Bf5 a3 83. Ka1 Kb4 84. Bg6 a2
85. h8=Q Rxh8 86. Kxa2 Rh2+ 87. Kb1 Rg2 88. Bf7 Rf2 89. Bg8 Kc3 90. Ka1 Rf8 91.
Bd5 Rd8 92. Bf7 Rd6 93. Kb1 Rf6 94. Bg8 Rb6+ 95. Ka1 Rg6 96. Ba2 Rg1+ 97. Bb1
Rg5 98. Bh7 Ra5+ 99. Kb1 Rb5+ 100. Ka1 Kb3 101. Kb1 Rb8 102. Kc1 Kc3 103. Kd1
Rh8 104. Bg6 Rh6 105. Bf5 Rh2 106. Bg6 Rg2 107. Bh7 Kd4 108. Kc1 Rg7 109. Bf5
Rf7 110. Bg6 Rf2 111. Bh7 Rh2 112. Bg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.05"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nbbrkrnq/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NBBRKRNQ w FDfd - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nb6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Nh5 5. Bg3 h6 6. Nb3 Nxg3 7. hxg3 c6 8. e4
dxe4 9. Bxe4 Bg4 10. Nc5 O-O-O 11. O-O g5 12. Rde1 e6 13. Nh2 h5 14. f4 gxf4
15. Nxg4 hxg4 16. Qxh8 Rxh8 17. gxf4 g3 18. Rf3 Rdg8 19. f5 e5 20. f6 Bd6 21.
Bf5+ Kc7 22. Ne4 exd4 23. cxd4 Nd5 24. Nc3 Nxf6 25. Bh3 Rh6 26. d5 Bc5+ 27. Kf1
Rxh3 28. Rxf6 Rh1+ 29. Ke2 Re8+ 0-1

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.05"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nbbrkrnq/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NBBRKRNQ w FDfd - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. c3 Nh5 4. Be5 f6 5. Bg3 g6 6. Nb3 Nb6 7. Nc5 Qg7 8. e4
O-O 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Ne2 b6 11. Nb3 Bg4 12. Bd3 e5 13. dxe5 fxe5 14. Bc4 c6 15.
f3 Bc8 16. Bh4 g5 17. Bf2 b5 18. Bxd5+ cxd5 19. g4 Nf4 20. Nxf4 gxf4 21. O-O-O
b4 22. cxb4 d4 23. Kb1 Bd6 24. Nc5 a5 25. Bh4 axb4 26. Ne4 Be7 27. Bxe7 Qxe7
28. Rfe1 Be6 29. b3 Ra8 30. Re2 Ra3 31. Rb2 Rc8 32. Qe1 Bd5 33. g5 Kg7 34. Nf6
Bxf3 35. Rxd4 Ra7 36. Rc4 Rxc4 37. bxc4 Qc5 38. Rxb4 Kg6 39. h4 Qa5 40. Qd2 Rb7
41. Qc2+ Kf7 42. Rxb7+ Bxb7 43. Qxh7+ Kf8 44. Qxb7 Qe1+ 45. Kb2 Qd2+ 46. Ka3
Qc3+ 47. Ka4 1-0

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX blitz"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.05"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nbbrkrnq/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NBBRKRNQ w FDfd - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Bd3 g6 4. Nf3 Bf5 5. Bxf5 gxf5 6. Nb3 Nb6 7. Na5 O-O-O 8.
c5 Nc4 9. Nxc4 dxc4 10. Bg5 f6 11. Bh4 e5 12. e3 Qg7 13. g3 Ne7 14. Qg2 Ng6 15.
Qh3 Qd7 16. O-O-O f4 17. Qxd7+ Rxd7 18. gxf4 e4 19. f5 exf3 20. fxg6 hxg6 21.
Bg3 g5 22. Bxb8 Kxb8 23. Rg1 Rh7 24. Rg3 Rxh2 25. Rxf3 Kc7 26. Rg1 Rhh8 27. Kc2
b5 28. b3 cxb3+ 29. axb3 a6 30. Kd3 Rhg8 31. e4 a5 32. d5 a4 33. bxa4 bxa4 34.
Rh3 Rf7 35. Ra1 Ra8 36. Kd4 Rg7 37. Rha3 cxd5 38. Rxa4 1-0

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nrkrqbbn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NRKRQBBN w DBdb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 Nb6 2. e4 f5 3. Nb3 fxe4 4. Qxe4 Nf7 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Qe5 Qf7 7. d3 g6 8. g3
Nd5 9. Bg2 Nf5 10. Qe4 Bh6 11. Nf2 g5 12. Ng4 gxf4 13. Nxh6 Nxh6 14. Bxa7 Ra8
15. Bg1 fxg3 16. hxg3 c6 17. a3 Qg7 18. Qe5 Qg6 19. O-O-O d6 20. Qe2 Nf5 21.
Bxd5 Bxd5 22. g4 Ng7 23. Qxe7 Re8 24. Qh4 Bxb3 25. Rxe8+ Nxe8 26. cxb3 Kd7 27.
Bd4 c5 28. Bc3 Nc7 29. Rh1 Kc6 30. Qh3 Rf8 31. Bd2 Nb5 32. b4 Nd4 33. Qg2+ Rf3
34. Bc3 Nb3+ 35. Kc2 Qxd3+ 36. Kxb3 Qd5+ 37. Ka4 Kb6 38. Qd2 Rd3 39. bxc5+ Ka6
40. Qf4 b5+ 0-1

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nrkrqbbn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NRKRQBBN w DBdb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nb3 Nb6 2. e4 e5 3. d4 g6 4. f3 d5 5. g3 f6 6. dxe5 fxe5 7. Nc5 Ra8 8. c3 c6
9. exd5 cxd5 10. Be3 d4 11. cxd4 exd4 12. Bh3+ Kc7 13. Bf4+ Bd6 14. Qd2 Qf8 15.
Re1 Bxf4 16. Qxf4+ Qxf4+ 17. gxf4 Nd5 18. Re4 Re8 19. Nd3 Ne3 20. b3 Rad8 21.
Kd2 Bd5 22. Rxd4 Bxf3 23. Rxd8 Kxd8 24. Ne5 Bxh1 25. Kxe3 Bc6 26. Kf2 Kc7 27.
Rc1 Rf8 28. Kg3 Nf7 29. Nxc6 bxc6 30. Bg2 Nd8 31. Re1 Rf7 32. h4 Nb7 33. Rc1
Rf6 34. Bf3 h5 35. f5 gxf5 36. Kf4 Nd8 37. Bxh5 Rh6 38. Kg5 Rh8 39. Bg6 f4 40.
h5 f3 41. Kg4 Ne6 42. Kxf3 Rf8+ 43. Kg3 Nf4 44. Rh1 Nxg6 45. hxg6 Kd6 46. Rd1+
Kc5 47. Kh4 Kb4 48. Kg5 Ka3 49. Rd2 a5 50. g7 Rc8 51. Kg6 a4 52. bxa4 c5 53.
Kh7 1-0

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.03"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brqknbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRQKNBNR w HBhb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b4 d5 2. f4 Nd6 3. e3 b6 4. Ngf3 e6 5. Be2 Nh6 6. Nd3 f6 7. Nd4 Nhf5 8. Nxf5
Nxf5 9. g4 Nd6 10. g5 Be7 11. gxf6 gxf6 12. Rg1 Qd7 13. Qa3 Bb7 14. Rg7 Qe8 15.
O-O-O Nf5 16. Rgg1 a5 17. Bc3 axb4 18. Nxb4 Ra8 19. Qb2 Rf8 20. Bg4 Qf7 21.
Bxf5 exf5 22. Rg3 c5 23. Nd3 Qe6 24. Rg7 d4 25. exd4 Rxa2 26. Qb1 Be4 27. Re1
cxd4 28. Bb4 Bxb4 29. Nxb4 Ra4 30. d3 Qd6 31. dxe4 Qxf4+ 32. Kd1 Qf3+ 33. Re2
Qf1+ 34. Re1 Qf3+ 35. Re2 Qf1+ 36. Re1 Qb5 37. Qb3 Rxb4 38. Qd5+ Qxd5 39. exd5
Rb1+ 40. Kd2 Rxe1 41. Kxe1 Re8+ 42. Kd2 Re7 43. Rg8+ Re8 44. Rg7 Re7 45. Rg8+
Kc7 46. Rf8 Kd6 47. Rxf6+ Ke5 48. Rf8 Rd7 49. Re8+ Kxd5 50. Kd3 Ra7 51. Rd8+
Ke5 52. Rxd4 f4 53. Rb4 Kf5 54. Rxb6 Re7 55. c4 Re3+ 56. Kd4 Re2 57. Rb3 Rxh2
58. c5 Rd2+ 59. Kc4 Rc2+ 60. Rc3 Re2 61. c6 Kg4 62. c7 Re8 63. Rd3 f3 64. Rd8
f2 65. c8=Q+ 1-0

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.03"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "brqknbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BRQKNBNR w HBhb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Ngf6 2. d3 d5 3. exd5 Nxd5 4. g3 b5 5. Bg2 Nd6 6. b4 Qf5 7. Nef3 f6 8.
Ne2 Nc3+ 9. Bxc3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Qxf3 11. Rf1 Qg2 12. Ke1 e5 13. f4 e4 14. Rf2
Qh1+ 15. Kd2 Qxc1+ 16. Rxc1 Rb6 17. Nd4 Ra6 18. Ra1 Be7 19. Re2 O-O 20. Ne6
Nc4+ 21. dxc4 Rxe6 22. f5 Rd6+ 23. Kc1 bxc4 24. Rxe4 Rd7 25. Rxc4 Rb8 26. a4 a6
27. Rb1 Kf7 28. Rb3 g6 29. g4 Bd6 30. h3 Re7 31. Bd2 gxf5 32. gxf5 Re5 33. Rf3
h5 34. c3 Rd5 35. Rc6 Rb6 36. Rxb6 cxb6 37. Kc2 b5 38. axb5 axb5 39. Rd3 Rxd3
40. Kxd3 Ke7 41. c4 1-0

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.04"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nrnkqrbb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NRNKQRBB w FBfb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g5 2. f4 f5 3. fxg5 fxe4 4. Rxf8 Qxf8 5. Qxe4 Nd6 6. Qe2 Be6 7. h3 Qg8 8.
Ncb3 Nb6 9. g4 Qxg5 10. O-O-O O-O-O 11. c3 c6 12. Nc2 Bf6 13. Nc5 Bc4 14. Qe3
Qg6 15. b3 Bd5 16. Bh2 Bxh1 17. Rxh1 Nd5 18. Qf3 Rf8 19. Ne3 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 b6
21. Bxd6 exd6 22. Nd3 Bg5 23. Qe2 Re8 24. Qf1 d5 25. Rh2 Kc7 26. Qf3 Qe4 27.
Qg3+ Kc8 28. Kc2 c5 29. Qg2 Kc7 30. h4 Qxg2 31. Rxg2 Bxh4 32. g5 Re4 33. g6
hxg6 34. Rxg6 Be7 35. Kd1 a5 36. Ne1 Re6 37. Rg4 b5 38. Ng2 Kc6 39. Ne3 Bf6 40.
Nc2 b4 41. cxb4 axb4 42. a3 bxa3 43. Nxa3 Re4 44. Rg6 Rf4 45. Nc2 d4 46. Ne1
Kb5 47. Nd3 Rf5 48. Rg8 Be5 49. Kc2 Bc7 50. Rg7 Kc6 51. Rg6+ d6 52. Rh6 Kb5 53.
Rh7 Bb6 54. Re7 d5 55. Re5 Rxe5 56. Nxe5 Bc7 57. Nf3 Kb4 58. Ne1 c4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX rapid"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.09.04"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nrnkqrbb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NRNKQRBB w FBfb - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "match (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 f5 2. g3 g6 3. Nab3 d6 4. d3 Nab6 5. Na5 c6 6. Ncb3 Qd7 7. c4 Qc7 8. c5
Nd7 9. Qd2 Bf7 10. cxd6 exd6 11. Bd4 O-O 12. Bxh8 Kxh8 13. Qc3+ Kg8 14. Nd4
Ndb6 15. b4 Bxa2 16. Rc1 Bf7 17. e4 Ne7 18. Bg2 Qd7 19. O-O c5 20. bxc5 Na4 21.
Qa1 Nxc5 22. Rcd1 fxe4 23. f5 Nxf5 24. Nxf5 gxf5 25. dxe4 fxe4 26. Qc1 Qe7 27.
Qe3 Qe5 28. Rf4 Be6 29. Rh4 Rf7 30. Bxe4 Rbf8 31. Re1 Kh8 32. Qh6 Qd4+ 33. Qe3
Rf1+ 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Nc6 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 e6 6. Bb3 Be7 7. Re1 O-O 8. c3
b6 9. d4 Bb7 10. Nbd2 Rc8 11. Nf1 cxd4 12. cxd4 Qc7 13. Bd2 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5
15. Bxd5 exd5 16. Ne3 Qd7 17. Bc3 Rfe8 18. Ne5 Qe6 19. Qh5 g6 20. Qh6 Nxe5 21.
dxe5 Rcd8 22. Rad1 Bc5 23. h3 d4 24. Ng4 Bf8 25. Qg5 Be7 26. Nf6+ Bxf6 27. exf6
dxc3 28. bxc3 Rxd1 29. Rxd1 h6 30. Qh4 Qe4 31. Qg3 Bd5 32. Rd4 Qf5 33. c4 Be6
34. Qh4 Qg5 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bd6 5. Nbd2 a6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nc4 Nd7 8.
h4 b5 9. Ne3 Nc5 10. h5 Be6 11. Bd2 a5 12. Nh4 g6 13. Nf3 g5 14. h6 Rg8 15. Ng1
Na4 16. Qc1 Bb4 17. Ne2 Rg6 18. Ng3 Bxd2+ 19. Qxd2 Qd4 20. c3 Qd7 21. d4 O-O-O
22. Ngf5 exd4 23. cxd4 Bxf5 24. Nxf5 Re8 25. O-O Rxe4 26. Ng3 Rxd4 27. Qxa5 Kb7
28. b3 Nb6 29. a4 b4 30. Qc5 Qd5 31. Qf8 Nd7 32. Qh8 Nc5 33. Rae1 Re6 34. Rxe6
fxe6 35. Qxh7 Rh4 36. a5 Qxb3 37. Qe7 Qd5 38. h7 b3 39. Qg7 Qd8 40. Qc3 Qf8 41.
Rc1 Rxh7 42. Qb4+ Ka7 43. Rxc5 b2 44. Rb5 cxb5 45. Qxb2 Qc5 46. Qe2 Rd7 47.
Qxe6 Qc1+ 48. Nf1 Rd1 49. Qe2 Rxf1+ 50. Qxf1 Qxf1+ 51. Kxf1 b4 52. Ke2 Ka6 53.
g4 Kxa5 54. f4 b3 55. Kd2 b2 56. Kc2 gxf4 57. g5 b1=Q+ 58. Kxb1 f3 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O e4 7. Ne1 Bxc3 8.
bxc3 b6 9. f3 Re8 10. fxe4 Nxe4 11. Qc2 Qe7 12. d3 Nc5 13. e4 Bb7 14. Nf3 Qd6
15. Rd1 Qg6 16. Nh4 Qf6 17. Rf1 Qd6 18. Rd1 Na5 19. Nf5 Qg6 20. Rf1 d6 21. Qd1
Rad8 22. Bh3 Bc8 23. Rf4 Ne6 24. Rf2 Ng5 25. Bg2 f6 26. Nh4 Qh6 27. Kh1 Nc6 28.
a4 Ne5 29. a5 Bg4 30. Qf1 Qh5 31. Nf5 Nef3 32. h4 Bxf5 33. Bxg5 Bxe4 34. Bf4
Nxh4 35. Bxe4 f5 36. Bd5+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d3 Bc5 10. Nbd2 d6 11. Nc4 Nd4 12. Nxd4 Bxd4 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Nxe3 Be6
15. Bc4 Bxc4 16. Nxc4 Nd7 17. Ne3 Nc5 18. d4 exd4 19. Qxd4 a5 20. Nf5 Ne6 21.
Qc4 Qf6 22. b3 g6 23. Ne3 Qd4 24. Rad1 Qxc4 25. Nxc4 Nc5 26. e5 Nb7 27. exd6
Nxd6 28. Nxd6 cxd6 29. Rxd6 Rfc8 30. Re2 Rc5 31. Kf1 Rac8 32. Rdd2 h5 33. Ke1
h4 34. Kd1 Rg5 35. g3 hxg3 36. hxg3 Rcc5 37. Kc1 Rgf5 38. Kb2 Rf3 39. Rd8+ Kg7
40. Red2 Rcf5 41. R8d3 Rxd3 42. Rxd3 Kh6 43. f3 Rg5 44. f4 Rh5 45. c4 Kg7 46.
Kc2 Rh2+ 47. Rd2 Rh3 48. Rg2 Rh1 49. Kd3 Rb1 50. c5 Rxb3+ 51. Kc4 Rc3+ 52. Kb5
b3 53. Rb2 Kf6 54. c6 Ke6 55. Kb6 Rxg3 56. Kxa5 g5 57. fxg5 Rxg5+ 58. Kb6 Rg4
59. a5 Rb4+ 60. Kc5 Ra4 61. Kb5 Ra3 62. Rd2 Ra2 63. c7 Rxd2 64. c8=Q+ Ke7 65.
Qc5+ Ke8 66. Qe3+ Kf8 67. Qxd2 b2 68. Qxb2 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
d3 O-O 9. a3 Be6 10. Be3 f6 11. Rc1 a5 12. Na4 Nd5 13. Bc5 Bf7 14. Qc2 Kh8 15.
Rfd1 Bh5 16. d4 Bxc5 17. dxc5 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Nd4 19. Qc4 c6 20. Bg2 Qe8 21. e3
Ne6 22. Bxd5 cxd5 23. Rxd5 Qh5 24. Nb6 Rae8 25. h4 g5 26. Rd6 gxh4 27. Qxh4 Qf5
28. e4 Qg6 29. Kg2 Nf4+ 30. Kh2 Ne6 31. Rc3 Ng5 32. f3 Qg8 33. Nd5 Rd8 34. Rxd8
Rxd8 35. Qh6 Qf7 36. g4 Rg8 37. Kg2 Rg6 38. Qh4 Kg7 39. Ne3 Qa2 40. Qf2 Ne6 41.
Qd2 Nf4+ 42. Kf2 Qb1 43. c6 Nh3+ 44. Kg3 Qg1+ 45. Qg2 Qe1+ 46. Kh2 Nf4 47. Nf5+
Kf7 48. cxb7 Nxg2 49. b8=Q Rh6+ 50. Nxh6+ Kg6 51. Qg8+ Kxh6 52. g5+ Kh5 53.
Qxh7+ Kxg5 54. Qg7+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Be3 Nd4 11. Bxd4 exd4 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. Bxd5 Rc8 14. Bc6 Bf6
15. a4 Rb8 16. axb5 axb5 17. h3 Bc8 18. Ra7 Rb6 19. Bd5 c6 20. Bb3 Ra6 21. Rxa6
Bxa6 22. Nh2 d5 23. Qa1 Qc8 24. exd5 c5 25. Ng4 Be7 26. Ne5 Bd6 27. Nc6 Re8 28.
Qa5 Bc7 29. Qa2 Bd6 30. Ra1 h5 31. Qa5 h4 32. Re1 c4 33. Ba2 b4 34. Rxe8+ Qxe8
35. Kf1 cxd3 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A65"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. e4 d6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Nge2 O-O 6. f3 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Ng3
exd5 9. cxd5 a6 10. a4 Nbd7 11. Be2 Ne8 12. O-O Rb8 13. Be3 Nc7 14. Qd2 b5 15.
Bh6 Re8 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. f4 Nf6 18. e5 dxe5 19. d6 Rb6 20. Rad1 b4 21. fxe5
Rxe5 22. Qf4 bxc3 23. Qxe5 Nce8 24. bxc3 Rxd6 25. Ne4 Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Qb6 27.
Nxf6 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.8"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Bxa2 12. Rxa2 Nc6 13. Bg5 Nd7 14. Bd2 Nf6 15.
Re1 d5 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. Rxe5 Nxc3 19. Bxc3 Bf6 20. Rc5 Bxc3 21.
Rxc3 a5 22. bxa5 Rxa5 23. g3 b4 24. Rc4 bxa3 25. Qa1 Qd6 26. Qc3 Ra7 27. Qb4 h5
28. Qxd6 cxd6 29. Rc3 Rfa8 30. Kf1 g5 31. Rb3 Kg7 32. Ke2 g4 33. c4 Ra5 34. Ke3
d5 35. cxd5 Rxd5 36. Rbxa3 Re8+ 37. Kd2 Rf5 38. Kc3 Rf3 39. Ra5 Kg6 40. Rd2 Re1
41. Kd4 Rh1 42. Raa2 Rxh2 43. Rac2 f5 44. Kc5 f4 45. gxf4 h4 46. d4 h3 47. d5
Rfxf2 48. Rxf2 Rxf2 49. Rxf2 g3 50. Rf3 g2 51. Rg3+ Kf7 52. d6 h2 53. Rxg2 h1=Q
54. Rg5 Qc1+ 55. Kd5 Qxf4 56. Re5 Kf6 57. Re7 Qa4 58. Kc5 Qa5+ 59. Kc6 Qb4 60.
Kd7 Qc4 61. Re8 Qb5+ 62. Kd8 Qc6 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
c5 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. Qxc4 b6 11. Ne1 Ra7 12. Nd3 Bd6 13. Be3 Bb7 14. a5 b5 15.
Qd4 Bxg2 16. Qxa7 Bxf1 17. Kxf1 Qc8 18. Qd4 Rd8 19. Qh4 Be7 20. Nd2 Nc6 21. Nb3
e5 22. Rc1 Qf5 23. Kg1 Nd5 24. g4 Qe6 25. Nbc5 Bxh4 26. Nxe6 Rc8 27. Nxe5 Nce7
28. Rxc8+ Nxc8 29. Nc5 Nxe3 30. fxe3 Bf6 31. Ned3 Nd6 32. Nxa6 Bg5 33. Kf2 Nc4
34. b3 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.10"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Nc3 Nbd7 7. Qd3 b6 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. O-O Bb7 11. Bf4 c5 12. dxc5 bxc5 13. Rfd1 Re8 14. b3 a5
15. Rac1 a4 16. Ne1 Nf6 17. Bg5 axb3 18. Qxb3 Rb8 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Bxd5 Bxd5
21. Qxd5 Qxd5 22. Rxd5 Rxe2 23. Rdxc5 g6 24. R5c2 Re7 25. Nf3 Kg7 26. Kg2 Ra8
27. Re1 Rd7 28. Ree2 Ra3 29. Nd2 h5 30. Ne4 Rda7 31. Nd6 R7a6 32. Ne8+ Kh6 33.
h4 Bd4 34. Nc7 R6a4 35. Red2 Bc3 36. Rd7 Ba1 37. Rxf7 Rxa2 38. Rc6 Ra7 39. Rf8
Be5 40. Ne6 Ra8 41. Rf7 R8a7 42. Ng5 Bg7 43. Rcc7 Rxc7 44. Rxc7 Ra8 45. Kf3
Rf8+ 46. Kg2 Ra8 47. Rd7 Ra5 48. f3 Ra2+ 49. Kh3 Ra3 50. Rb7 Rc3 51. Kg2 Rc2+
52. Kf1 Rb2 53. f4 Rxb7 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A65"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. e4 d6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Nge2 O-O 6. f3 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Ng3
exd5 9. cxd5 Nbd7 10. Be2 a6 11. a4 Rb8 12. Bf4 Ne8 13. Qd2 h5 14. Nf1 Ne5 15.
Bg5 Nf6 16. Ne3 Qc7 17. O-O Nh7 18. Bh4 Re8 19. f4 Ng4 20. Bxg4 hxg4 21. e5 f5
22. Nc4 Bf8 23. a5 Bd7 24. Rfe1 Bb5 25. Nb6 Bg7 26. e6 Nf6 27. Ra3 Nh5 28. Bf2
Bh6 29. g3 Nf6 30. Rb3 Bg7 31. Nxb5 axb5 32. Rxb5 Ne4 33. Rxe4 fxe4 34. Nc4 Rf8
35. Qe2 Rf5 36. Qxe4 Qe7 37. Ne3 Qe8 38. Rb6 Rf8 39. Rxd6 Ra8 40. Nc4 Qb5 41.
Rb6 Qa4 42. e7 Rf5 43. d6 Qd1+ 44. Qe1 Qf3 45. e8=Q+ Rxe8 46. Qxe8+ Kh7 47. Ne3
Bd4 48. d7 Rd5 49. Qxg6+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.12"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Bxa2 12. Nxa2 Nb7 13. c4 c6 14. Nc3 Qd7 15.
h3 Rfe8 16. Be3 Bf8 17. Qb3 h6 18. a4 bxc4 19. dxc4 Qe6 20. Rfd1 Rec8 21. Nd2
Nd8 22. Rab1 Qe8 23. b5 Ne6 24. b6 Rab8 25. a5 Nd4 26. Qa4 Qe6 27. Nf1 c5 28.
Ng3 g6 29. Nd5 Rb7 30. Nc7 Rcxc7 31. bxc7 Qc8 32. Rb6 Rxc7 33. Rdb1 Nd7 34.
R6b2 h5 35. Ne2 Nc6 36. Nc3 Nb4 37. Rb3 Kh7 38. Bc1 Nf6 39. Bg5 Nd7 40. Nd5
Nxd5 41. exd5 f6 42. Bd2 Bh6 43. Bxh6 Kxh6 44. Qa2 Kg7 45. Qb2 f5 46. Rb7 Kh6
47. Rxc7 Qxc7 48. Qb7 Qd8 49. Qxa6 Qe7 50. Qb7 e4 51. a6 e3 52. a7 exf2+ 53.
Kf1 Qe3 54. a8=Q Qd3+ 55. Kxf2 Qd4+ 56. Kf1 Ne5 57. Qh8+ Kg5 58. Qe7+ Kf4 59.
Qh4+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 Nh5 8. Bd3
Nxf4 9. exf4 c6 10. Qc2 h6 11. O-O b6 12. b4 a5 13. a3 Qc7 14. g3 Bf6 15. Na4
b5 16. Nb2 Bb7 17. Be2 Ra7 18. Nd3 Rfa8 19. Rab1 axb4 20. axb4 Ra3 21. Nfe5 Be7
22. Bh5 g6 23. Nxd7 Qxd7 24. Ne5 Qe8 25. Be2 Bf6 26. Rfe1 Kg7 27. Rb3 h5 28.
Bd3 Rxb3 29. Qxb3 Ra4 30. Bc2 Qa8 31. Qc3 Ra3 32. Bb3 Qa4 33. Rb1 Qa8 34. Qb2
Kg8 35. Re1 Bg7 36. Kg2 Bf6 37. h3 Bg7 38. g4 hxg4 39. hxg4 Ra6 40. Rh1 Qd8 41.
Qc1 Qe8 42. Bc2 Ra2 43. Qb1 Ra3 44. Qb2 Qa8 45. Bb3 Bf6 46. Rh3 Bg7 47. Qd2 Ra1
48. f5 exf5 49. gxf5 Bc8 50. Bc2 Ra2 51. Qg5 Bd7 52. Nxd7 Rxc2 53. f6 Qa2 54.
Qf4 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.14"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Bxa2 12. Nxa2 Nb7 13. c4 Qd7 14. Nc3 c5 15.
Bg5 Rfc8 16. Qb3 Nd8 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nd5 Rab8 19. bxc5 Rxc5 20. Rab1 Nc6 21.
Nxf6+ gxf6 22. Qd1 f5 23. cxb5 Rbxb5 24. Rxb5 axb5 25. Nh4 fxe4 26. dxe4 Nd4
27. Qh5 Qe6 28. h3 h6 29. Re1 Qf6 30. Re3 Kf8 31. Nf3 Rc2 32. Qg4 Ne2+ 33. Kh2
Qf4+ 34. Qxf4 Nxf4 35. Kg1 Rc1+ 36. Kh2 Rf1 37. Kg3 Nh5+ 38. Kh4 Nf4 39. Kg3
Nh5+ 40. Kh4 Nf4 41. Kg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. Nf3 e4 5. Nd4 Qb6 6. e3 c5 7. Ne2 Qe6 8. b3 Bd6
9. Nbc3 Nc6 10. O-O O-O 11. Bb2 Re8 12. d3 exd3 13. Nf4 Bxf4 14. exf4 Qf5 15.
Nb5 Re2 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Re1 a6 18. Nc7 Rxe1+ 19. Qxe1 Rb8 20. Be4 Qh5 21. Ne8
Qh6 22. Nd6 Nd4 23. Bxd3 Nf3+ 24. Kg2 Nxe1+ 25. Rxe1 Qf8 26. Re8 Qxe8 27. Nxe8
b5 28. Nxf6+ Kf8 29. Nxh7+ Kg7 30. Ng5 Bb7+ 31. f3 bxc4 32. Bxc4 d5 33. Bd3 a5
34. Kf2 Bc6 35. h4 a4 36. h5 axb3 37. axb3 Rxb3 38. h6+ Kxh6 39. Nxf7+ Kg7 40.
Ne5 Be8 41. g4 c4 42. Bf5 Bf7 43. Nc6 Bg6 44. Nd4 Rb2+ 45. Ke3 Bf7 46. g5 Ra2
47. Bc2 Ra3+ 48. Kd2 Bh5 49. f5 Bxf3 50. f6+ Kf7 51. Nb5 Ra6 52. Ke3 Bh5 53.
Bf5 Ra2 54. Nd6+ Kf8 55. g6 Bxg6 56. Bxg6 c3 57. Nb5 c2 58. Kd2 Ra6 59. Bxc2
Rxf6 60. Nd4 Rh6 61. Kc3 Rh4 62. Bd3 Rh3 63. Ne2 Ke7 64. Nd4 Kd6 65. Kd2 Ke5
66. Nc2 d4 67. Be2 Rh2 68. Ne1 Rh3 69. Nd3+ Rxd3+ 70. Bxd3 Kd6 71. Kc2 Ke7 72.
Kb3 Kf6 73. Kc4 Kg7 74. Kxd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.16"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Bxa2 12. Nxa2 Nb7 13. c4 Qd7 14. Nc3 c5 15.
Qb3 Rfb8 16. h3 bxc4 17. Qxc4 cxb4 18. axb4 a5 19. Bg5 Rc8 20. Qb3 Qe6 21. Qb2
axb4 22. Qxb4 Nc5 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. Bxf6 Bxf6 25. Qb5 Qe8 26. Qxe8+ Rxe8 27.
Rd1 Ra8 28. Nd5 Ra3 29. Rb1 h5 30. Nxf6+ gxf6 31. Nh4 Rxd3 32. f3 Nb3 33. Nf5
Kh7 34. Kh2 Nd4 35. Nh4 Nb3 36. Rb2 Nc5 37. Nf5 Nb3 38. Ra2 d5 39. Ra7 dxe4 40.
fxe4 Nc5 41. Rxf7+ Kg8 42. Rxf6 Nxe4 43. Re6 Kf7 44. Rxe5 Kf6 45. Ra5 Rc3 46.
Nh4 Rc5 47. Ra4 Nd6 48. Ra6 Rd5 49. Nf3 Kg7 50. Ra7+ Kg6 51. Kg3 Ne4+ 52. Kf4
Nc5 53. Ne5+ Kf6 54. Nf3 Ne6+ 55. Kg3 Rb5 56. Ra6 Rd5 57. Kh4 Kf7 58. Ra7+ Kf6
59. Ra6 Kf7 60. Rb6 Nf4 61. Ng5+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.17"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 Bb4 5. Bd2 O-O 6. g3 d6 7. Bg2 Be6 8. O-O
Qc8 9. a3 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 Bh3 11. b4 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Ne7 13. e4 Ng6 14. Re1 Re8 15.
Rc1 c5 16. bxc5 dxc5 17. Nd2 Qd7 18. Re3 Rad8 19. h3 b6 20. Bb2 Qc6 21. Qe2 h6
22. Nb1 Nh7 23. Kh2 Ng5 24. Nc3 Qd7 25. Qf1 f5 26. exf5 Qxf5 27. Ne4 Nxe4 28.
Rxe4 Rf8 29. Kg1 Qf3 30. Rd1 Rd7 31. Bc1 Rfd8 32. Re3 Qf5 33. h4 b5 34. cxb5 c4
35. d4 exd4 36. Qxc4+ Kh8 37. Rb3 Ne5 38. Qf1 d3 39. Bf4 Nf3+ 40. Kh1 Nxh4 41.
gxh4 Qxf4 42. Rdxd3 Rxd3 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.18"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. c3 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nbd2 a6 8. Ba4
b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. exd5 Qxd5 11. Re1 Bf5 12. Qe2 Rfe8 13. Ne4 Rad8 14. Nfg5 Bg6
15. h3 Qd7 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. Ne4 Be7 18. Be3 f5 19. Nc5 Bxc5 20. Bxc5 f4 21.
Rad1 Kh8 22. a4 b4 23. Qf3 Rb8 24. a5 b3 25. Bb1 Rb5 26. Ba3 Rxa5 27. Rd2 Rd5
28. Qd1 Na5 29. Qc1 h6 30. Rde2 Bxd3 31. Bxd3 Rxd3 32. c4 Qd4 33. Bb4 Nc6 34.
Bc3 Qxc4 35. Qb1 Qd5 36. Qa1 a5 37. Qa4 Rb8 38. Bxe5 Rb4 39. Qa1 f3 40. gxf3
Nxe5 41. Rxe5 Qxf3 42. Qc1 Qxh3 43. Re8+ Kh7 44. R1e4 Rxe4 45. Rxe4 Rg3+ 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.19"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "207"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 d6 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O Bxc3 8.
Qxc3 e4 9. Nd4 Ne5 10. b3 c5 11. Nc2 Re8 12. Bb2 Bf5 13. Ne1 d5 14. f4 Ng6 15.
cxd5 Qxd5 16. g4 Nh4 17. gxf5 Qxf5 18. Ng2 Qg6 19. Rf2 Rad8 20. Kh1 Nf3 21.
Bxf3 exf3 22. Nh4 Qh5 23. Rg1 Re6 24. Nxf3 Kf8 25. Rg5 Qh3 26. Rg3 Qh5 27. Ng5
Red6 28. Qc4 Rxd2 29. Rxd2 Rxd2 30. Qxc5+ Ke8 31. Qc8+ Rd8 32. Qh3 Rd1+ 33. Rg1
Qe2 34. Bxf6 gxf6 35. Nxh7 Ke7 36. Qg3 Qd3 37. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 38. Kg2 Qe2+ 39. Qf2
Qg4+ 40. Kf1 Qd1+ 41. Kg2 Qg4+ 42. Qg3 Qd1 43. h4 Qc2+ 44. Kh3 Qxh7 45. Qf3
Qf5+ 46. Kg3 b6 47. Qb7+ Kf8 48. Qxa7 Qg6+ 49. Kf2 Qh5 50. Qxb6 Qxh4+ 51. Ke2
Qh2+ 52. Kd3 Qxa2 53. Qc5+ Kg7 54. Qc2 Qa6+ 55. Kd2 Qd6+ 56. Kc1 Qb6 57. Qd3
Qc5+ 58. Kb2 Qb4 59. Qc3 Qe4 60. b4 Qg2+ 61. Ka3 Qa8+ 62. Kb3 Qd5+ 63. Qc4 Qd1+
64. Qc2 Qd5+ 65. Kb2 Qf3 66. Qd3 Qg2+ 67. Kb3 Qc6 68. b5 Qe6+ 69. Kb4 Qe7+ 70.
Kb3 Qe6+ 71. Kc3 Qe7 72. Kc4 Qe6+ 73. Kc5 Qe7+ 74. Kc6 Qe8+ 75. Kb7 Qe7+ 76.
Ka6 Qe6+ 77. b6 Qa2+ 78. Kb7 Qe6 79. f5 Qe7+ 80. Ka6 Qc5 81. e4 Qc6 82. Ka7
Qa4+ 83. Kb7 Qe8 84. Qg3+ Kh7 85. Qh4+ Kg7 86. Qg3+ Kh7 87. Qd3 Kg7 88. Kc7
Qe7+ 89. Kc6 Qe8+ 90. Kc5 Qc8+ 91. Kb5 Qe8+ 92. Ka5 Qa8+ 93. Kb4 Qc6 94. Qd4
Qc1 95. Kb5 Qb1+ 96. Kc6 Qc2+ 97. Kd6 Qb3 98. Kc7 Qc2+ 99. Kb8 Qh2+ 100. Kc8
Qc2+ 101. Kd7 Qb3 102. Qc5 Qa4+ 103. Qc6 Qd4+ 104. Kc8 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.20"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D29"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. e3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bxc4 a6 6. O-O b5 7. Bb3 Bb7 8. d4
Nbd7 9. Qe2 c5 10. Rd1 Qb8 11. h3 Be7 12. d5 c4 13. dxe6 fxe6 14. Bc2 O-O 15.
e4 e5 16. a4 b4 17. Qxc4+ Kh8 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. exd5 Bc5 20. Qh4 Qb6 21. Ng5 e4
22. Ne6 Ne5 23. a5 Qa7 24. Nxc5 Qxc5 25. Bxe4 Nxe4 26. Qxe4 Qxf2+ 27. Kh1 Rae8
28. Be3 Qe2 29. Re1 Nd3 30. Qc4 Qxe1+ 31. Rxe1 Nxe1 32. Bc5 Rc8 33. d6 Rfd8 34.
Qd5 Nd3 35. Bb6 Rc7 36. dxc7 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.21"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E67"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 d6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O e5 7. d4 Nbd7 8. Qc2
c6 9. b3 exd4 10. Nxd4 Re8 11. Bb2 Nc5 12. Rad1 Qe7 13. Rfe1 h5 14. h3 a5 15.
Qc1 Bd7 16. Qf4 a4 17. b4 Ne6 18. Nxe6 Bxe6 19. Ba3 Nd7 20. Ne4 Be5 21. Qc1 Bf5
22. Ng5 Nb6 23. c5 dxc5 24. bxc5 Nc4 25. Qxc4 Qxg5 26. f4 Qxg3 27. fxe5 Qxa3
28. Rd6 Be6 29. Qd4 Qxa2 30. Be4 a3 31. Bd3 Qb2 32. Kf2 Qxd4+ 33. Rxd4 Ra5 34.
Rb4 Rxc5 35. Rxb7 Rxe5 36. Ra7 a2 37. Rc1 Rb8 38. Rxc6 Rb1 39. Rca6 Rh1 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.22"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D39"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 h6 8. Bxf6
Qxf6 9. O-O O-O 10. e5 Qe7 11. Ne4 cxd4 12. Qe2 Bd7 13. Rfd1 Bc6 14. Nxd4 Bxe4
15. Qxe4 Bc5 16. Bd3 g6 17. Nf3 Nc6 18. h4 h5 19. g4 f5 20. exf6 Qxf6 21. Kg2
Nd4 22. Nxd4 Bxd4 23. f3 hxg4 24. Qxg4 e5 25. Bxg6 Rad8 26. Rac1 Qf4 27. Qh5
Rd7 28. Be4 Rg7+ 29. Kh1 Qg3 30. Bd5+ Rff7 31. Rc8# 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.23"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 d6 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O Bxc3 8.
Qxc3 Ne4 9. Qc2 f5 10. d4 Qe7 11. b3 g5 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Nd2 Nb4 14. Qb2 Nf6
15. Qc3 c5 16. Bb2 Nc6 17. Rae1 g4 18. f3 h5 19. f4 e4 20. h4 g3 21. Nf3 exf3
22. Rxf3 Kh7 23. Rxg3 Ng4 24. e4 Nd4 25. exf5 Qxe2 26. Kh1 Qf2 27. Re7+ Kh6 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.24"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D53"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. Qc2 dxc4 8.
e3 c5 9. dxc5 Qa5 10. Bxc4 Nd7 11. O-O Bxc3 12. bxc3 Qxc5 13. Bd3 O-O 14. Rad1
Nf6 15. Qb2 b6 16. Qb4 Qc7 17. Nd4 Bb7 18. Nb5 Qc6 19. f3 Rfd8 20. e4 a6 21.
Nd4 Qc7 22. a4 Rac8 23. Be2 Nd7 24. Rc1 Ne5 25. Rfd1 g5 26. Kh1 Qc5 27. Qb2 Rd6
28. a5 b5 29. c4 b4 30. Nb3 Rxd1+ 31. Rxd1 Qc7 32. c5 Rd8 33. Rxd8+ Qxd8 34.
Qxe5 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.25"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nb6 7. Be2 Be7 8.
O-O O-O 9. Be3 Be6 10. a3 Bf6 11. Rc1 Nd4 12. Bxd4 exd4 13. Na4 Nxa4 14. Qxa4
b6 15. Nd2 c5 16. f4 g6 17. Qd1 Rc8 18. Bg4 Qe7 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. Qf3 b5 21. e5
Be7 22. f5 Qxe5 23. Rce1 Qf6 24. Qh3 Rce8 25. Ne4 Qh4 26. Qxh4 Bxh4 27. g3 Bd8
28. Nxc5 Bg5 29. Kg2 Rxe1 30. Rxe1 Rc8 31. b4 Be3 32. g4 gxf5 33. gxf5 Kg7 34.
Kf3 Kf6 35. Ke4 Re8+ 36. Kd5 Kxf5 37. Kc6 Kg4 38. Kxb5 f5 39. Ka6 f4 40. Kxa7
f3 41. b5 Re7+ 42. Ka6 Bf4 43. Rf1 Bxh2 44. b6 h5 45. Ne4 h4 46. a4 h3 47. a5
Bf4 48. Nf2+ Kg3 49. Nxh3 Bd2 50. b7 Re8 51. Ka7 Bxa5 52. b8=Q+ Rxb8 53. Kxb8
Bd2 54. Ng1 f2 55. Ne2+ Kg2 56. Rxf2+ Kxf2 57. Nxd4 Ke3 58. Ne6 Kxd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.10.03"]
[Round "1.26"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C85"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. d3 Qd6 8.
Nbd2 Be6 9. Ng5 Bg4 10. Qe1 Nd7 11. Ngf3 Qg6 12. Kh1 h5 13. b3 O-O-O 14. Bb2 f6
15. d4 Bb4 16. c3 Bd6 17. Nh4 Qh7 18. Nc4 g5 19. Nf3 Bxf3 20. gxf3 f5 21. Rd1
g4 22. f4 exf4 23. e5 Be7 24. Bc1 f3 25. Bf4 Nf8 26. e6 Ng6 27. Be5 Rhe8 28.
Qe3 Qg8 29. d5 cxd5 30. Qa7 Qxe6 31. Qa8+ Kd7 32. Qxb7 Nxe5 33. Rxd5+ Qxd5 34.
Qxd5+ Bd6 35. Rd1 Re6 36. Nxe5+ Ke7 37. Nc6+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 Nc6 7. Be3 e6 8. Qd2
Be7 9. g4 O-O 10. g5 Nd7 11. h4 Nde5 12. Be2 Nxd4 13. Qxd4 b5 14. O-O-O Qa5 15.
a3 Rb8 16. Na2 Nc6 17. Qc3 Bb7 18. Qxa5 Nxa5 19. Bb6 Nc4 20. Bxc4 bxc4 21. Bc7
d5 22. Bxb8 Rxb8 23. Nc3 dxe4 24. Rd7 Kf8 25. Nxe4 c3 26. Nxc3 Bxf3 27. Rf1 Bg2
28. Rf4 Ke8 29. Ra7 Bb7 30. Rc4 Kd8 31. Ne4 f5 32. gxf6 gxf6 33. Nc5 Bxc5 34.
Rxc5 f5 35. b4 Kd7 36. a4 Kd6 37. Rc4 e5 38. b5 axb5 39. axb5 f4 40. Kd2 Bd5
41. Ra6+ Ke7 42. Rc7+ Kf8 43. c4 Be4 44. Rf6+ Kg8 45. Re6 f3 46. Ke3 Rf8 47.
Kf2 Rd8 48. Rxe5 Rd2+ 49. Kg3 Rg2+ 50. Kf4 Kf8 51. Kxe4 Re2+ 52. Kxf3 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A17"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bxc4 a6 6. b3 b5 7. Be2 Bb7 8. Bb2
Nbd7 9. O-O Bd6 10. a4 b4 11. Nb1 c5 12. d3 O-O 13. Nbd2 Qc7 14. Rc1 Rac8 15.
Qc2 Qb8 16. Qb1 Ng4 17. h3 Nh2 18. Rfd1 Nxf3+ 19. Bxf3 Bd5 20. Bxd5 exd5 21. d4
Rfd8 22. Qf5 Qb7 23. dxc5 Nxc5 24. Rc2 Qd7 25. Qxd7 Rxd7 26. Nf3 Rdc7 27. Rxd5
Nxb3 28. Rxc7 Bxc7 29. Kf1 f6 30. Ke2 Bb6 31. Nd4 Nxd4+ 32. Bxd4 b3 33. Bb2
Rc2+ 34. Rd2 Rc4 35. Rd3 Rc2+ 36. Rd2 Rc4 37. Rd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B28"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. d4 Bg4 6. dxc5 Qxc5 7. Be3 Qc7 8.
Qa4+ Bd7 9. Qf4 Qxf4 10. Bxf4 Nc6 11. Nbd2 Nf6 12. Nc4 Nd5 13. Bg3 g6 14. Rd1
Be6 15. Ng5 Bg7 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Be2 Kf7 18. Bf3 Rad8 19. O-O b5 20. Ne3 Nxe3
21. fxe3 Rxd1 22. Bxd1+ Bf6 23. Bb3 Rd8 24. e4 Kg7 25. Rd1 Rxd1+ 26. Bxd1 Bg5
27. Be1 Kf6 28. a4 bxa4 29. Bxa4 Ne5 30. Bc2 a5 31. b3 Be3+ 32. Kf1 g5 33. Ke2
Bb6 34. Bd3 h6 35. Bb5 Nf7 36. Bg3 Bc5 37. Bc7 Bd6 38. Bxa5 Bxh2 39. b4 Be5 40.
Kd3 h5 41. Be8 h4 42. Bxf7 Kxf7 43. c4 g4 44. Ke2 Bc3 45. c5 e5 46. c6 Ke6 47.
Kf1 Kd6 48. c7 Kd7 49. Ke2 e6 50. Kf1 Kc8 51. Ke2 Kb7 52. Kf1 Kc8 53. Ke2 Kb7
54. Kf1 Kc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 cxd4 5. exd4 a6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8.
Qxf3 Nc6 9. O-O-O e6 10. g4 Rc8 11. g5 Nd7 12. h4 Qb6 13. Qe3 Bb4 14. Nxd5 Qa5
15. Bc4 O-O 16. Nf6+ gxf6 17. gxf6 Kh8 18. Bh6 Nxf6 19. d5 Ng4 20. Rhg1 Rg8 21.
Qf4 Nce5 22. Bg5 Rxg5 23. Qxg5 h6 24. Qh5 Rxc4 25. Kb1 Bc3 26. dxe6 Qb4 27.
Rd8+ Kg7 28. b3 Qa3 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "161"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 Nc6 7. Be3 e6 8. Qd2
Be7 9. g4 O-O 10. g5 Nd7 11. h4 Nde5 12. Be2 b5 13. Nxc6 Nxc6 14. h5 Qa5 15. a3
b4 16. Na2 d5 17. axb4 Qc7 18. O-O-O d4 19. Bxd4 Nxd4 20. Qxd4 Bxg5+ 21. Kb1
Bf6 22. Qc5 Qb8 23. Qd6 Qa7 24. e5 Be7 25. Qd4 Qc7 26. Rhg1 Rd8 27. Qc3 Qb6 28.
f4 Bb7 29. Qg3 Bf8 30. Bf3 Bxf3 31. Qxf3 a5 32. b5 Qxb5 33. Nc3 Qb4 34. Qe4
Rdb8 35. Qxb4 Rxb4 36. Rgf1 Rab8 37. b3 a4 38. Na2 R4b6 39. Nc1 Ba3 40. Rf3 Kf8
41. Rdd3 Rc8 42. Ne2 Be7 43. Rc3 Ra8 44. Nd4 Rba6 45. Rc7 axb3 46. Nxb3 Rd8 47.
f5 exf5 48. Rxf5 Rd1+ 49. Kb2 Ke8 50. c3 Rg1 51. Nd4 Rg2+ 52. Kb3 Ra3+ 53. Kc4
Rg3 54. Nb5 Ra4+ 55. Kd5 Rd3+ 56. Nd4 Rd1 57. Rc8+ Bd8 58. e6 Ra5+ 59. Kc6 Rxf5
60. Nxf5 fxe6 61. Nxg7+ Ke7 62. h6 Rd6+ 63. Kb5 Rd5+ 64. Rc5 Rxc5+ 65. Kxc5 Bc7
66. Nh5 Kf7 67. c4 Kg6 68. Ng7 e5 69. Kd5 Kxh6 70. Ne6 Bb8 71. c5 Kg6 72. c6 h5
73. c7 Bxc7 74. Nxc7 h4 75. Ke4 h3 76. Kf3 e4+ 77. Kg3 e3 78. Nd5 e2 79. Nf4+
Kf5 80. Nxe2 h2 81. Kxh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C25"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 Bc5 4. Bg2 d6 5. Nge2 h5 6. h3 a6 7. d3 Be6 8. O-O
Qd7 9. Kh2 Nge7 10. Nd5 Nd4 11. Nxd4 Bxd4 12. c3 Ba7 13. f4 f6 14. Nxe7 Qxe7
15. d4 O-O-O 16. Be3 d5 17. fxe5 fxe5 18. Qc1 Qd7 19. dxe5 d4 20. cxd4 Bxd4 21.
Rd1 Qa4 22. b3 Qb4 23. Rxd4 Rxd4 24. a3 Qb6 25. Qc3 Rhd8 26. Rd1 Rxd1 27. Bxb6
R8d7 28. Qc5 Rf7 29. Qc3 Rb1 30. b4 Rb3 31. Qc1 Kb8 32. Be3 Rd7 33. Qc5 b6 34.
Qf8+ Kb7 35. Qe8 Rxe3 36. Qxe6 Rd2 37. Qf5 Ree2 38. Qf3 Kc6 39. Qc3+ Kb7 40. e6
Rxg2+ 41. Kh1 Rh2+ 42. Kg1 Rdg2+ 43. Kf1 Ra2 44. Kg1 Rhg2+ 45. Kf1 Raf2+ 46.
Ke1 Ra2 47. Kf1 Rgf2+ 48. Ke1 Rh2 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 g6 5. O-O Bg7 6. d3 O-O 7. Re1 Nc6 8. Be3
b6 9. Nbd2 d5 10. h3 e5 11. Bg5 h6 12. exd5 Qxd5 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nh2 Bb7 15.
Bf3 Qd7 16. Qa4 Rad8 17. Rad1 Bg7 18. Qh4 f5 19. Nc4 b5 20. Nd2 Kh7 21. Nb3 Qd6
22. g4 fxg4 23. hxg4 Rf4 24. Be4 c4 25. Nc1 Rdf8 26. f3 Na5 27. Ne2 R4f7 28.
Ng3 Bf6 29. Qh3 Bc8 30. Kg2 Qb6 31. Bd5 Rd7 32. Be4 Bg5 33. Nhf1 Rfd8 34. b4
cxb3 35. axb3 Nxb3 36. d4 exd4 37. Bc2 Na5 38. Re5 d3 39. Bb1 Bf4 40. Re4 Qf6
41. Ne3 Bb7 42. g5 Qxg5 43. Ng4 Bxg3 44. Kxg3 Bxe4 45. f4 Qf5 46. Qxh6+ Kg8 47.
Ba2+ Nc4 48. Bxc4+ bxc4 49. Qh4 Kg7 50. Qh6+ Kf7 51. Qh7+ Ke6 52. Qh4 d2 53.
Ne3 Rd3 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.8"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 d5 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. Nf3 e6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O c5 7. c4 Nc6 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Nc3 Bf6 10. Qb1 b6 11. Nxd5 exd5 12. d4 Ba6 13. Qd1 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4
15. Bxd4 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Nxd4 17. Qd3 Qf6 18. Rad1 Ne6 19. Qxd5 Rac8 20. Qe4 Qb2
21. Qa4 a5 22. Bd5 Rc2 23. Qg4 Nc7 24. Be4 Rc5 25. Qf4 Qxa2 26. Qd6 Ne6 27.
Qxb6 Qa3 28. Bd5 Qb4 29. Qxb4 axb4 30. Rfe1 Rc3 31. Re4 Rd8 32. Rxe6 fxe6 33.
Bxe6+ Kf8 34. Rxd8+ Ke7 35. Rb8 Kxe6 36. Rxb4 g5 37. h4 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bc1 Nc6 8. f3
Qb6 9. Nd5 Qxd4 10. Qxd4 Nxd4 11. Nc7+ Kd8 12. Nxa8 Nxc2+ 13. Kd2 Nxa1 14. fxg4
g6 15. h3 Bh6+ 16. Kd1 Bg7 17. Nb6 Be6 18. b3 Bd4 19. Nd5 Kd7 20. Bd3 Rc8 21.
Re1 Bxd5 22. exd5 Rc3 23. Be4 Nxb3 24. axb3 Rxb3 25. Re2 Be5 26. Ra2 Rb4 27.
Bf3 Rd4+ 28. Kc2 Rc4+ 29. Kd1 Rd4+ 30. Rd2 Rc4 31. Rc2 Ra4 32. Be3 b5 33. Rc6
Ra1+ 34. Kc2 f6 35. Be2 Ra2+ 36. Kd1 Ra1+ 37. Rc1 Ra3 38. Bb6 Ke8 39. Rc8+ Kf7
40. Ra8 Ra1+ 41. Kd2 Ra2+ 42. Ke3 Ra3+ 43. Kd2 Ra2+ 44. Ke3 Ra3+ 45. Kf2 Bg3+
46. Kg1 Ra1+ 47. Bf1 f5 48. Ra7 fxg4 49. hxg4 h5 50. Bd8 Bh4 51. gxh5 gxh5 52.
g3 Bf6 53. Kg2 Ra2+ 54. Kh3 Ra1 55. Be2 b4 56. Bxh5+ Kf8 57. Rb7 a5 58. Kg4 Rd1
59. Rb5 b3 60. Rxb3 Rd4+ 61. Kh3 Rxd5 62. Bg4 Kg7 63. Rb7 a4 64. Bxe7 Bxe7 65.
Rxe7+ Kf6 66. Ra7 Rd4 67. Bd7 d5 68. Rxa4 Rd1 69. Kg4 Ke5 70. Bb5 d4 71. Ra5
Ke4 72. Bc6+ Ke3 73. Re5+ Kf2 74. Rf5+ Ke2 75. Bf3+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.10"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 d5 3. Nf3 e6 4. e3 Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. Bd3 b6 7. O-O Bb7 8. Nbd2
Nbd7 9. Qe2 Ne4 10. c4 Nxd2 11. Nxd2 a5 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Nf3 Re8 14. Rac1 Bd6
15. Qc2 g6 16. Ne5 Nf6 17. Bb5 Re6 18. Nc6 Bxh2+ 19. Kxh2 Ng4+ 20. Kg3 Qg5 21.
f4 Qh5 22. Ne5 Nxe3 23. Qxc7 g5 24. Rh1 gxf4+ 25. Kf2 Qf5 26. Bd3 Qf6 27. Qxb7
Rae8 28. Rc8 Rxc8 29. Qxc8+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D13"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 a6 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Bf4 Nc6 7. e3 Nh5 8. Be5
e6 9. h3 Bd6 10. Bd3 f5 11. g4 Nf6 12. gxf5 exf5 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Nxd5 Qd8 15.
Qb3 b5 16. Qc2 Bb4+ 17. Nc3 O-O 18. Rg1 Kh8 19. O-O-O Bb7 20. Kb1 Rc8 21. Ng5
Bxc3 22. Qxc3 Ne5 23. Qb3 Nxd3 24. Rxd3 Qe7 25. Ne6 Rf7 26. Nc5 Bf3 27. Rc3
Rff8 28. a3 Rce8 29. Nd3 Be4 30. Ka1 Bxd3 31. Rxd3 Qh4 32. Rg3 f4 33. Rf3 Qh5
34. exf4 Re1+ 35. Ka2 Qg6 36. Rg3 Qd6 37. Rde3 Rf1 38. Qe6 Qxd4 39. Qe5 Qc4+
40. Rb3 Rg8 41. Rgc3 Qf7 42. Rc7 Qg6 43. Rg3 Qb1+ 44. Kb3 Qd1+ 45. Kb4 Qd2+ 46.
Qc3 Qxf4+ 47. Ka5 b4 48. axb4 Qf5+ 49. Qc5 Qf4 50. Rgxg7 Rxg7 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.12"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nf3 c5 6. c4 Nc6 7. O-O d5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Bxg7 Kxg7 10. d4 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. Qxd4+ Nf6 13. Qe5 a5 14. Nc3
Ra6 15. Rfd1 Qe8 16. Nd5 Re6 17. Qb2 Rd6 18. Rd3 Kg8 19. Nxf6+ Rxf6 20. Rc1 Bf5
21. Rd2 Qb8 22. Qa3 Rd8 23. Qxa5 b6 24. Qb4 Rxd2 25. Qxd2 Rd6 26. Qe3 Qd8 27.
h4 h5 28. Kh2 Bg4 29. Rc2 Bf5 30. Rc4 Bg4 31. a4 Rd2 32. Bf3 Bxf3 33. Qxf3 Qd6
34. Qc3 f6 35. Qe3 Rb2 36. Qh6 Kf7 37. Re4 f5 38. Qh7+ Kf6 39. Qh8+ Kf7 40.
Rxe7+ Qxe7 41. Qxb2 f4 42. Qd2 fxg3+ 43. Kxg3 Qe6 44. Qf4+ Kg7 45. Qd4+ Kh7 46.
Qc4 Qe5+ 47. Kg2 Qf6 48. e3 Qd8 49. Qf7+ Kh6 50. Qf4+ Kh7 51. Qe4 Qd7 52. Kg3
Qd6+ 53. f4 Qd7 54. Kf2 Qh3 55. Qe7+ Kh6 56. Qg5+ Kh7 57. f5 gxf5 58. Qxh5+ Kg7
59. Qg5+ Kh7 60. b4 Qh2+ 61. Kf3 Qh1+ 62. Kf4 Qe4+ 63. Kg3 Qe5+ 64. Qf4 Qg7+
65. Kh3 Qd7 66. h5 Qd5 67. Kh4 Qh1+ 68. Kg5 Qg2+ 69. Kxf5 Qd5+ 70. Kf6 Qd8+ 71.
Ke6 Qe8+ 72. Kd6 Qxa4 73. Qe4+ Kh8 74. Kc7 Qb5 75. h6 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 Bg4 4. h3 Bh5 5. Qe2 Nd7 6. Nc3 d4 7. g4 dxc3 8. gxh5
cxb2 9. Bxb2 Qa5+ 10. Nd2 Ngf6 11. h6 e6 12. hxg7 Bxg7 13. Rg1 Bh6 14. Bd4
O-O-O 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 Ne5 17. f4 Qc3 18. Rd1 Nc4 19. Qc5 Rd4 20. Kf2 Nb2
21. Qxa7 Nxd1+ 22. Ke2 Qxc2 23. Qa8+ Kc7 24. Qa5+ Kd7 25. Ke1 Nc3 26. Nb3 Rxe4+
27. dxe4 Qd1+ 28. Kf2 Nfxe4+ 29. Ke3 Qe1+ 30. Kd3 Rd8 31. Kc2 Qf2+ 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.14"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "167"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4 a6 6. Bf4 Nd5 7. Bg5 Be7 8.
Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Nc3 Nb6 10. Qb3 Nc6 11. e3 e5 12. d5 Na5 13. Qc2 Nac4 14. Bxc4
Nxc4 15. Qa4+ b5 16. Nxb5 axb5 17. Qxb5+ Qd7 18. Qxc4 Ba6 19. Qc6 Qxc6 20. dxc6
f6 21. Kd2 O-O-O+ 22. Kc3 Rd6 23. b3 Rhd8 24. Rac1 Bb5 25. Rc2 Bxc6 26. Rd2
Bxf3 27. Rxd6 Rxd6 28. gxf3 Rc6+ 29. Kb2 Rd6 30. Kc2 Rc6+ 31. Kd3 Rd6+ 32. Ke2
Rc6 33. Rd1 Rc2+ 34. Rd2 Rc1 35. b4 Rh1 36. a4 Rxh2 37. b5 Rh4 38. e4 Rh1 39.
Rb2 Ra1 40. b6 Rxa4 41. bxc7 Kxc7 42. Kf1 g5 43. Kg2 h5 44. Rc2+ Kd6 45. Rb2
Ra7 46. Rb6+ Ke7 47. Rb8 Kf7 48. Rh8 Kg6 49. Rg8+ Rg7 50. Rh8 Rh7 51. Rg8+ Kh6
52. Rf8 Kg7 53. Rb8 Rh8 54. Rb7+ Kg6 55. Rc7 Ra8 56. Rd7 Ra4 57. Rd8 g4 58.
fxg4 hxg4 59. Rg8+ Kh5 60. Rh8+ Kg5 61. Rg8+ Kf4 62. Rg6 Ra6 63. Rg8 Ra7 64.
Rg6 Rf7 65. Rg8 Kxe4 66. Rxg4+ Kd3 67. Ra4 e4 68. Ra3+ Kd4 69. Ra4+ Ke5 70. f3
f5 71. Kf2 Kf4 72. fxe4 fxe4 73. Ra3 Rh7 74. Ke2 Rh2+ 75. Ke1 Rh1+ 76. Ke2 Rb1
77. Rc3 Rb2+ 78. Ke1 Rg2 79. Rb3 Rg1+ 80. Ke2 Rg2+ 81. Ke1 Rg3 82. Rxg3 Kxg3
83. Ke2 e3 84. Kxe3 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 g6 4. Qe2 Bg7 5. g3 Qa5+ 6. Nbd2 Na6 7. Bg2 dxe4 8.
dxe4 Nb4 9. O-O Qa6 10. Qd1 Be6 11. Ng5 c5 12. a3 Nc6 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. Nf3 Rd8
15. Qe1 Nf6 16. c3 O-O 17. Bh3 Kh8 18. Ng5 Ne5 19. f4 Nd3 20. Qe3 e5 21. Ne6
exf4 22. gxf4 Bh6 23. Nxd8 Rxd8 24. e5 Nh5 25. Qe4 Rf8 26. f5 Nxc1 27. Raxc1
Bxc1 28. Rxc1 gxf5 29. Bxf5 Qh6 30. Rf1 Rg8+ 31. Bg4 Qg5 32. h3 Ng3 33. Qxb7
Nxf1 34. Kxf1 h5 35. Bf3 Rf8 36. Ke2 Qxe5+ 37. Be4 Rb8 38. Qc6 Rxb2+ 39. Kd3
Qd6+ 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.16"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O e4 7. Ne1 Bxc3 8.
bxc3 Re8 9. Nc2 d5 10. cxd5 Qxd5 11. Ne3 Qh5 12. Rb1 b6 13. f3 Bb7 14. fxe4
Nxe4 15. Qc2 Nd6 16. Ba3 Rad8 17. Rf2 Na5 18. Bxd6 Rxd6 19. Bxb7 Nxb7 20. Rbf1
Rd7 21. Nf5 Nc5 22. d3 g6 23. Nd4 f5 24. Qd2 Rde7 25. Qf4 Ne6 26. Nxe6 Rxe6 27.
e4 fxe4 28. Qf7+ Kh8 29. Qxc7 Qc5 30. Qxc5 bxc5 31. dxe4 Rxe4 32. Rf7 Ra4 33.
R1f2 Kg8 34. Rc7 Rf8 35. Rd2 Rc4 36. Rdd7 Re8 37. Rg7+ Kh8 38. Rxh7+ Kg8 39.
Rcg7+ Kf8 40. Rxa7 Kg8 41. Rag7+ Kf8 42. Rxg6 Re2 43. Rb6 Kg8 44. Rc7 Re8 45.
Rb5 Rxc3 46. Rbxc5 Ra3 47. Rc8 Rf8 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.17"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 dxe4 4. dxe4 Qxd1+ 5. Kxd1 Nd7 6. Ne1 g6 7. Nd2 f5 8.
exf5 gxf5 9. Nc4 e5 10. Nd3 e4 11. Nf4 b5 12. Ne3 Ne5 13. Bd2 Nf6 14. Bc3 Bd6
15. Ke1 Ke7 16. Rd1 b4 17. Bd2 Rd8 18. Ne2 Bc5 19. Nc1 f4 20. Nc4 Nxc4 21. Bxc4
e3 22. fxe3 fxe3 23. Nd3 exd2+ 24. Rxd2 Rd4 25. Re2+ Kd6 26. Rf1 Ne4 27. Bb3
Bg4 28. Re3 Re8 29. Rf7 Be6 30. Rxh7 Bxb3 31. axb3 Re6 32. Nf4 Rf6 33. Nd3 Bb6
34. h4 Re6 35. Nf4 Rf6 36. Nd3 Re6 37. Nf4 Rf6 38. Nd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.18"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C28"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d3 Na5 5. Qf3 Nxc4 6. dxc4 Bc5 7. Nge2 d6 8.
Ng3 Bg4 9. Qd3 h6 10. O-O Be6 11. b3 a6 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Qxe3 Ng4 14. Qe2 Qh4
15. h3 Nf6 16. Rad1 O-O 17. a4 g6 18. Qe3 Qg5 19. f4 exf4 20. Rxf4 Nd7 21. Rdf1
Ne5 22. Nge2 h5 23. Kh1 Rae8 24. Qa7 Rb8 25. Qf2 c5 26. Rd1 Rbd8 27. Rf1 Kg7
28. Kh2 Qh6 29. Qg3 g5 30. Rf6 Qxf6 31. Rxf6 Kxf6 32. Nc1 h4 33. Qf2+ Kg6 34.
Nd3 Nxd3 35. cxd3 f5 36. exf5+ Rxf5 37. Qe3 Re5 38. Qf3 d5 39. d4 cxd4 40. Qd3+
Rf5 41. Qxd4 Kf7 42. c5 Rf4 43. Qe5 Rf5 44. Qd4 Rf4 45. Qe5 Rf5 46. Qd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.19"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 g6 5. O-O Bg7 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 8.
Re1 O-O 9. d4 Rc8 10. Nbd2 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qc7 12. Nb3 Qc2 13. Qe2 Nb6 14. Na5
Qxe2 15. Rxe2 Rc7 16. b3 Rfc8 17. Bd2 Nbd7 18. Rae1 d5 19. Bf4 b6 20. Bxc7 Rxc7
21. exd5 bxa5 22. Rxe7 Nxd5 23. Re8+ Bf8 24. g3 Kg7 25. Rd8 Bb4 26. Re2 N7f6
27. Re5 Rc1+ 28. Kg2 Rc2 29. Rdxd5 Nxd5 30. Rxd5 Rxa2 31. Rd7 Rb2 32. Ne5 Kf6
33. Rxf7+ Ke6 34. Rxa7 Rxb3 35. Nc6 Rd3 36. Rxh7 Kd5 37. Nxb4+ axb4 38. Rb7
Rxd4 39. h4 Kc4 40. Rb6 b3 41. Rxg6 Rd5 42. Re6 b2 43. Re1 Rb5 44. Rb1 Kc3 45.
g4 Kc2 46. Rf1 b1=Q 47. Rxb1 Rxb1 48. h5 Kd3 49. g5 Ke4 50. g6 Kf5 51. f4 Rb7
52. Kg3 Rc7 53. Kg2 Kf6 54. Kg3 Rc1 55. Kg2 Rd1 56. Kh2 Rf1 57. Kg3 Kf5 58. Kg2
Rxf4 59. Kh3 Rg4 0-1

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.20"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. e3 cxd4 5. exd4 Qb6 6. Nb3 Bg4 7. Be2 Bxe2 8.
Qxe2 e6 9. Nf3 Nc6 10. O-O Be7 11. Ne5 a5 12. a4 Rc8 13. Rad1 Qb4 14. f4 Ne4
15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16. Nc5 Nxc5 17. c3 Qb6 18. dxc5 Qxc5+ 19. Kh1 f6 20. Nf3 Qb6 21.
Rde1 O-O 22. Nd4 Rf7 23. Nxe6 Ng6 24. Qd2 Qd6 25. Nd4 Nf8 26. Re3 Qd7 27. b3
Re8 28. Rfe1 Rfe7 29. Rxe7 Rxe7 30. Rxe7 Qxe7 31. Nf5 Qe4 32. Qxd5+ Qxd5 33.
Ne7+ Kf7 34. Nxd5 Ne6 35. b4 axb4 36. cxb4 Nd4 37. Kg1 Ke6 38. Nc3 Nc6 39. b5
Nb4 40. Kf2 Nd5 41. Nxd5 Kxd5 42. a5 Kc5 43. a6 bxa6 44. bxa6 Kb6 45. Ke3 Kxa6
46. Kd4 Kb5 47. Kd5 f5 48. Ke6 Kc4 49. Kf7 Kd4 50. Kxg7 Ke3 51. g3 h5 52. Kg6
h4 53. Kxf5 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.21"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 Qb6 7. Nb3 e6 8. Bf4
Nbd7 9. Qd2 Qc7 10. O-O-O Ne5 11. Bg5 b5 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. f4 Nc4 14. Bxc4 bxc4
15. Nd4 Rb8 16. Rhe1 h5 17. Kb1 Qb6 18. b3 Qc5 19. f5 Bh6 20. Qf2 cxb3 21. Rd3
bxc2+ 22. Kxc2 Bd7 23. Qf3 Ba4+ 24. Nb3 Ke7 25. fxe6 fxe6 26. e5 Bxb3+ 27. axb3
dxe5 28. Red1 Rhd8 29. Rxd8 Rxd8 30. Rxd8 e4 31. Qd1 Qc7 32. Rd5 exd5 33. Qxd5
Qxh2 34. Qxe4+ Kf8 35. Nd5 Qd6 36. Qf5 Bg5 37. Kd3 Qb8 38. b4 Qb5+ 39. Kd4 Kg7
40. Qe6 a5 41. Qe7+ Kg6 42. Qf8 Kf5 43. Qc8+ Kg6 44. Qg8+ Kf5 45. Qc8+ Kg6 46.
Qe6 axb4 47. Ne7+ Kh6 48. Qf7 Qe5+ 49. Kc4 Qc3+ 50. Kb5 Qd3+ 51. Ka5 Bh4 52.
Ng8+ Kg5 53. Qxf6+ Kg4 54. Nh6+ Kg3 55. Nf5+ Kxg2 56. Nxh4+ Kh3 57. Nf5 Qa3+
58. Kb5 Qd3+ 59. Kxb4 Qe4+ 60. Kc5 Qf4 61. Qg6 Qe5+ 62. Kc4 h4 63. Qg5 Qe4+ 64.
Kc3 Qf3+ 65. Kd4 Qg4+ 66. Qxg4+ Kxg4 67. Nxh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.22"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A16"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 b6 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 Bb4 7. Nxc6 dxc6 8.
Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Bd2 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 Nxe4 11. Bxg7 Re8 12. O-O-O+ Bd7 13. Bd4 c5 14.
Be3 Kc8 15. Bd3 Bc6 16. Rhe1 Kb7 17. f3 Nd6 18. Bf4 h5 19. h4 a5 20. Kc2 a4 21.
Re5 Rxe5 22. Bxe5 Rg8 23. Rd2 Bd7 24. Bh7 Rd8 25. b3 Be6 26. Kc3 Kc6 27. Bc2
Rg8 28. Bh7 Rd8 29. Bf6 Re8 30. Re2 b5 31. Bd3 bxc4 32. bxc4 Rb8 33. Be5 Rb4
34. Bxd6 cxd6 35. f4 d5 36. f5 dxc4 37. fxe6 cxd3 38. e7 dxe2 39. e8=Q+ Kb6 40.
Qxe2 Rxh4 41. Qf2 Rg4 42. Qf6+ Kb5 43. Qf3 f5 44. Qb7+ Ka5 45. a3 h4 46. Qa7+
Kb5 47. Qb7+ Ka5 48. Qc6 f4 49. Qxc5+ Ka6 50. Qc6+ Ka5 51. Qd5+ Ka6 52. Qe6+
1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.23"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B67"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bd7 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 h6 8.
Bxf6 Qxf6 9. O-O-O a6 10. f4 Nc6 11. Nf3 O-O-O 12. Na4 g5 13. f5 g4 14. Ne1 Qg5
15. fxe6 fxe6 16. Qxg5 hxg5 17. Nb6+ Kc7 18. Nxd7 Rxd7 19. Be2 g3 20. h3 Bg7
21. Nd3 Ne5 22. Rhf1 Rh6 23. c3 Rf6 24. Nxe5 Rxf1 25. Rxf1 Bxe5 26. Bg4 Bf4+
27. Kc2 Re7 28. Kd3 d5 29. Re1 Kd6 30. exd5 exd5 31. Rxe7 Kxe7 32. Bc8 b6 33.
Bxa6 Kd6 34. Ke2 Bc1 35. b3 Bb2 36. Kd2 Ba3 37. Kc2 Bc5 38. Kd3 Ke5 39. Ke2 Ke4
40. Bb7 Ke5 41. Kf3 Bf2 42. Kg4 Kf6 43. Bxd5 Be1 44. c4 Bf2 45. b4 Kg6 46. c5
bxc5 47. b5 Kf6 48. b6 c4 49. b7 Ba7 50. Kxg3 c3 51. Be4 Ke5 52. Kf3 Kd4 53. g3
Bb8 54. Bc2 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.24"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 c5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Qc7 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. Nbd2 Bf5 8.
Nh4 Be4 9. Nxe4 dxe4 10. Nf5 O-O-O 11. Qd2 e5 12. O-O-O exd4 13. Bb5 Rd5 14.
Bxc6 Rxf5 15. Bxb7+ Kxb7 16. Bxd4 Ba3+ 17. Kb1 Rd8 18. Qe3 Rfd5 19. c3 Bc5 20.
Qe2 Bxd4 21. cxd4 Rxd4 22. Rxd4 Rxd4 23. Rc1 Qb6 24. Qc2 Rd8 25. Qc4 Qe6 26.
Qc7+ 1-0

[Event "chess.com Speed"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2019.11.14"]
[Round "2.25"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2019.09.02"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 Bg4 4. h3 Bh5 5. Qe2 e6 6. g4 Bg6 7. h4 h6 8. h5 Bh7
9. g5 hxg5 10. Nxg5 Be7 11. f4 Nd7 12. Bh3 Qa5+ 13. Bd2 Qb6 14. Nc3 d4 15. Nd1
Ngf6 16. Rg1 Bg8 17. f5 e5 18. Bg4 Nxg4 19. Qxg4 Nf6 20. Qg3 Nxh5 21. Qh2 O-O-O
22. Qxe5 Bxg5 23. Ba5 Bh4+ 24. Ke2 Bf6 25. Bxb6 Bxe5 26. Bxd8 Kxd8 27. Kf3 Nf6
28. Nf2 g6 29. Rh1 Rxh1 30. Rxh1 gxf5 31. exf5 Ke7 32. Rg1 Bh7 33. Rg5 Nd5 34.
Rh5 Nf6 35. Rg5 Nd5 36. Rh5 Nf6 37. Rg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.12"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "El Gindy, Essam"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2431"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. Qd2 Nf6 7. b3 O-O 8. Bb2
Rb8 9. f4 e5 10. Nf3 Nd4 11. O-O b6 12. Rae1 Re8 13. Ng5 Bb7 14. e3 Nf5 15.
Nge4 exf4 16. Rxf4 Nh5 17. Rff1 Nh6 18. Nf2 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Nf6 20. e4 Nhg4 21.
Nd5 Ne5 22. Bxe5 dxe5 23. g4 h6 24. h4 Nh7 25. Rh1 Rb7 26. Nd1 Nf8 27. N1e3 Ne6
28. Rh2 Rd7 29. Kh1 Nf4 30. Rf1 Rd6 31. Rf3 Qd7 32. Qd1 a6 33. Qf1 b5 34. g5 h5
35. Nxf4 exf4 36. Nd5 Be5 37. Rxf4 bxc4 38. bxc4 Rb8 39. Rff2 Bxh2 40. Rxh2
Rdb6 41. Nxb6 Rxb6 42. Rd2 Qg4 43. Qe1 a5 44. Kh2 Qf4+ 45. Kg2 a4 46. Qf2 Qe5
47. Qf3 a3 48. Rf2 Qe6 49. Qg3 Kg7 50. Kf3 Kg8 51. Kg2 Rb1 52. Qf4 Qd7 53. Kh2
Rb7 54. Qe5 Qg4 55. Qe8+ Kg7 56. Qe5+ Kh7 57. Qg3 Qd1 58. Qe5 Qg4 59. Qg3 Qd7
60. Qe5 Qg4 61. Qg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.12"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "El Gindy, Essam"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E24"]
[WhiteElo "2431"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 Nc6 6. f3 b6 7. e4 d6 8. Bd3
Na5 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 Ba6 11. Qe2 Qd7 12. a4 Qc6 13. d5 Qb7 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15.
Rb1 Qc8 16. Nh3 Nb7 17. Nf4 h5 18. g4 hxg4 19. fxg4 Nc5 20. Nh5 Ke7 21. O-O Rh6
22. Qe3 Qh8 23. Rf2 Rg8 24. Rg2 Nxd3 25. Qxd3 Rhg6 26. Qf3 Bxc4 27. Rd1 Rxg4
28. Rxg4 Qxh5 29. h3 Rxg4+ 30. hxg4 Qg5 31. Kf2 Bb3 32. Rh1 exd5 33. exd5 Bxd5
34. Re1+ Be6 35. Re4 a5 36. Qe3 Kd7 37. Kg3 Qg6 38. Kf2 f5 39. gxf5 Qxf5+ 40.
Ke1 Qd5 41. Rf4 Qb3 42. Qd3 Qb2 43. Rh4 Qc1+ 44. Kf2 Qg5 45. Qd4 Qe5 46. Qd2
Bd5 47. Qd3 Qf6+ 48. Kg3 Qg5+ 49. Rg4 Qe5+ 50. Rf4 Qe1+ 51. Kh2 Qh1+ 52. Kg3
Qg2+ 53. Kh4 Be6 54. Qb5+ Kc8 55. Qd3 Qg7 56. Qf3 Kd7 57. Rd4 f6 58. Qh5 Qg2
59. Qh7+ Kc8 60. Qh8+ Kb7 61. Qxf6 Qh3+ 62. Kg5 Qg3+ 63. Kh6 Qxc3 64. Qf4 Bd7
65. Kg6 Bc6 66. Kf6 Bxa4 67. Ke7 Bc6 68. Kd8 Qh3 69. Qg4 Qh8+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.13"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2664"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. Bg5 a6 8. Ba4
h6 9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 b5 11. Bb3 d6 12. Nbd2 Bb6 13. Re1 Ne7 14. a4 Rb8 15. d4
Ng6 16. a5 Ba7 17. h3 Bd7 18. Qc2 Nh5 19. Nf1 c5 20. dxc5 Bxc5 21. N3h2 b4 22.
Ng4 bxc3 23. bxc3 Bxg4 24. hxg4 Nf6 25. Bc4 Nxg4 26. Bxa6 h5 27. Be2 Nf6 28.
Bh2 h4 29. Bd1 g4 30. Ne3 g3 31. fxg3 d5 32. gxh4 d4 33. cxd4 Bxd4 34. Ra3 Rb2
35. Qc1 Nxe4 36. Qc6 Nd6 37. Kh1 Qxh4 38. Rf1 Rf2 39. Qxd6 Bxe3 40. Qa6 Re6 41.
Qc8+ Kg7 42. Rg1 Bf4 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.14"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C01"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2664"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bd3 Bd6 6. Nc3 Nge7 7. Nb5 Bg4 8.
c3 Qd7 9. Be3 O-O-O 10. h3 Bf5 11. Nh4 Bxd3 12. Qxd3 h6 13. Nxd6+ cxd6 14. g3
Kb8 15. O-O-O Ka8 16. Bd2 b5 17. Kb1 Rb8 18. Rc1 b4 19. cxb4 Nxb4 20. Bxb4 Rxb4
21. Rc3 Rhb8 22. b3 g5 23. Nf3 Nc6 24. Rhc1 R4b6 25. Ne1 Nb4 26. Qf3 Ra6 27.
Nd3 Nxa2 28. Qxd5+ Qb7 29. Qxb7+ Kxb7 30. Rc7+ Ka8 31. R1c4 Rxb3+ 32. Kc2 Raa3
33. Rd7 Rc3+ 34. Rxc3 Nxc3 35. Rd8+ Kb7 36. Rxd6 Ne4 37. Nc5+ Nxc5 38. dxc5 Ra6
39. Rd7+ Kc6 40. Rxf7 Kxc5 41. f4 gxf4 42. Rxf4 Ra2+ 43. Kb3 Rg2 44. Rg4 Rd2
45. Kc3 Rd6 46. Rc4+ Kd5 47. Rd4+ Ke5 48. Rxd6 Kxd6 49. g4 Ke5 50. h4 a5 51. g5
hxg5 52. hxg5 Kf5 53. Kc4 Kxg5 54. Kb5 Kf5 55. Kxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.16"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A09"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 c5 4. Bb2 Nf6 5. g3 Qc7 6. Bg2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. b5 Ne7
9. e3 Ng6 10. a4 Be7 11. a5 Rb8 12. d3 O-O 13. Nbd2 Bf5 14. Qb3 h6 15. Rfe1 b6
16. Ra3 Rfd8 17. Qa2 Rd7 18. Nf1 Rbd8 19. N3d2 Bf8 20. exd4 cxd4 21. axb6 axb6
22. Rb3 Re7 23. Ra3 Red7 24. Rb3 Re7 25. Ra3 Red7 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.17"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8.
Re1 Bg4 9. Nbd2 Nb6 10. h3 Bh5 11. Bb3 Kh8 12. Ne4 Be7 13. Ng3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 f5
15. a4 a5 16. d4 f4 17. Nh5 g6 18. dxe5 gxh5 19. Qxh5 Qd3 20. Bf7 Rxf7 21. Qxf7
Rf8 22. Qh5 Bc5 23. Qf3 Qxf3 24. gxf3 Rf5 25. Re4 Nxe5 26. Bxf4 Bd6 27. Kg2 Nd5
28. Bg3 Ng6 29. Rd1 Kg7 30. h4 Kf7 31. Rd2 Nf6 32. Red4 Nf4+ 33. Kh2 Ne6 34.
Rc4 Bxg3+ 35. fxg3 Rxf3 36. Kg2 Re3 37. g4 Ke7 38. Rf2 Ne4 39. Rf5 Nd6 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.20"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Nbd2 Nxf3+ 12. Nxf3 Bb7 13. e5 Nd7 14. Bf4 Nc5
15. exd6 Bxd6 16. Bxd6 cxd6 17. Bd5 Bxd5 18. Qxd5 Ne6 19. Nd4 Nxd4 20. Qxd4 Rc8
21. Re2 a5 22. g3 h6 23. b3 Rc6 24. Rd1 Qc7 25. Rdd2 Rc8 26. h4 Rc5 27. Qxd6
Qxd6 28. Rxd6 Rxc2 29. Rxc2 Rxc2 30. Rd5 Rc3 31. Rxa5 Rxb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.21"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2708"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. c3 Nf6 5. Qe2 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. d4 cxd4 8.
cxd4 d5 9. e5 Ne4 10. Nc3 Bf5 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Nh4 e6 13. Nxf5 exf5 14. Na4 c5
15. Nxc5 Nxc5 16. dxc5 Qc7 17. f4 Qxc5+ 18. Be3 d4 19. Rac1 Qd5 20. Rfd1 Qxa2
21. Ra1 Qb3 22. Rxd4 Rfb8 23. Rd3 Qb7 24. Bc5 Bf8 25. b4 a5 26. Bxf8 Rxf8 27.
bxa5 Rxa5 28. Rxa5 Qb6+ 29. Qf2 Qb1+ 30. Qf1 Qb6+ 31. Qf2 Qb1+ 32. Qf1 Qb6+
1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.22"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2708"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Bxc6 bxc6 6. Re1 Nh6 7. c3 O-O 8.
d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 d5 10. e5 f6 11. exf6 exf6 12. Nbd2 Re8 13. Nb3 Rxe1+ 14. Qxe1
Nf5 15. Bd2 Bd7 16. Nc5 Qc7 17. Rc1 Re8 18. Qd1 Bc8 19. h3 Bf8 20. Qa4 Qb6 21.
b3 Nd6 22. Ba5 Qb5 23. Qxb5 Nxb5 24. a4 Nd6 25. Bd2 g5 26. Nd3 Bd7 27. Nc5 Bc8
28. Nd3 Bf5 29. Nfe1 Rc8 30. g4 Bg6 31. f3 Rb8 32. Nc5 Be7 33. Rc3 Kf7 34. Ned3
Bxd3 35. Nxd3 Ke8 36. Be1 Nf7 37. Bg3 Rb7 38. Kf1 Kd7 39. Bf2 Nd8 40. f4 gxf4
41. Nxf4 Nf7 42. Nh5 Ng5 43. Ke2 Rb4 44. Rd3 Rb8 45. Ng7 Ne6 46. Nxe6 Kxe6 47.
Re3+ Kd7 48. Rf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.22"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Na3 Bxa3 8.
bxa3 b5 9. a4 a6 10. Ba3 Re8 11. Ne5 Nd5 12. e4 Ne7 13. Qh5 Ng6 14. Rad1 Nd7
15. Nc6 Nf6 16. Nxd8 Nxh5 17. e5 Rb8 18. Nc6 Ra8 19. Na5 Rb8 20. Bf3 Bd7 21.
axb5 axb5 22. Bb4 Nhf4 23. gxf4 Nxf4 24. Rd2 Nd5 25. Rb1 Rb6 26. Rdb2 Ra8 27.
Be1 Ra7 28. Bxd5 exd5 29. f3 Bf5 30. Ra1 Bd7 31. Rab1 Bf5 32. Ra1 Bd7 33. Rab1
1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.22"]
[Round "4.5"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bxc3 6. bxc3 O-O 7. d3 d6 8.
Be2 Ne8 9. O-O f5 10. Ne1 Nf6 11. c5 d5 12. d4 e4 13. c4 Be6 14. Rb1 Rb8 15. f4
Na5 16. cxd5 Qxd5 17. Qc3 b6 18. Ba3 Qxa2 19. cxb6 Nd5 20. Qb2 Qxb2 21. Rxb2
Rfe8 22. bxc7 Rxb2 23. Bxb2 Nxe3 24. d5 Bxd5 25. Rf2 Nec4 26. Be5 Rc8 27. g4
Nxe5 28. fxe5 fxg4 29. Bxg4 Rxc7 30. Rd2 Bb7 31. Nc2 Nc6 32. e6 g6 33. Ne3 Ne5
34. Kf2 Kf8 35. Bh3 Ke7 36. Ra2 a6 37. Ra4 Nd3+ 38. Kg3 Rc3 39. Ra5 Kd6 40. Ra1
Nc5 41. Kf2 Nxe6 42. Rb1 Nc5 43. Rb6+ Kc7 44. Rf6 a5 45. Rf7+ Kb6 46. Rxh7 a4
47. Rg7 Nd3+ 48. Kg3 a3 49. Rxg6+ Ka7 50. Rg5 Nc5 51. Rxc5 Rxc5 52. Be6 Bd5 53.
Bxd5 Rxd5 54. Nxd5 a2 55. Kf4 a1=Q 56. Kxe4 Qh1+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.22"]
[Round "4.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2708"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 g6 2. e4 d6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Bd3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. Re1 Nc6 7. d5 Nb4 8. Bf1
c6 9. a3 Na6 10. Nc3 Bd7 11. Be3 Qc7 12. Bd4 Rac8 13. dxc6 Bxc6 14. Bxa7 Nc5
15. e5 dxe5 16. Bxc5 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qxc5 18. Qxb7 Ng4 19. Re2 Rb8 20. Qf3 f5 21.
Qd5+ Qxd5 22. Nxd5 Rxb2 23. h3 Nf6 24. Nxe7+ Kf7 25. Nc6 e4 26. Ne5+ Ke7 27.
Nc4 Rb5 28. Ree1 Rc5 29. Rab1 Rc7 30. f3 Rfc8 31. Nb6 Rd8 32. fxe4 Nxe4 33. Bd3
Rd4 34. Bxe4 fxe4 35. Re2 Kd6 36. a4 Rc5 37. a5 Kc6 38. a6 Ra5 39. c3 Rd3 40.
Rxe4 Rxc3 41. Rc4+ Rxc4 42. Nxc4 Rxa6 43. Nd2 Be5 44. Kf1 Ra2 45. Rd1 Bd4 46.
Ne4 Bb6 47. Rd2 Ra4 48. Rc2+ Kd7 49. Nc5+ Bxc5 50. Rxc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.23"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D80"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 Ne4 6. Bf4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8.
cxd5 Qxd5 9. e3 O-O 10. Be2 cxd4 11. cxd4 Nc6 12. O-O Bf5 13. Qa4 Qa5 14. Qxa5
Nxa5 15. Nd2 Rac8 16. Rfc1 Rxc1+ 17. Rxc1 Rc8 18. Rxc8+ Bxc8 19. Bf3 Nc6 20.
Bxc6 bxc6 21. Bb8 a6 22. Ne4 f6 23. f3 Kf7 24. Kf2 Bf8 25. Ba7 f5 26. Ng5+ Ke8
27. f4 Bh6 28. Nxh7 Be6 29. a3 a5 30. Ke2 Bg8 31. Ng5 Bxg5 32. fxg5 a4 33. Kd3
Bb3 34. Kc3 Kf7 35. Kb4 Bc2 36. Bb8 Bb3 37. h4 Kg7 38. e4 fxe4 39. Bf4 e3 40.
Bxe3 Kf7 41. g4 Bd1 42. h5 e6 43. Bf4 Kg7 44. Be5+ Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.24"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8.
Re1 Bg4 9. Nbd2 Nb6 10. h3 Bh5 11. Bb3 Qxd3 12. Nxe5 Qf5 13. Nef3 Rad8 14. Qe2
Nd5 15. Ne4 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Qxf3 17. gxf3 Bb6 18. Kf1 Nde7 19. Bg5 h6 20. Bxe7
Nxe7 21. Nf6+ gxf6 22. Rxe7 Rd2 23. Re2 Rfd8 24. Rae1 Kf8 25. Rxd2 Rxd2 26. Re2
Rxe2 27. Kxe2 Ke7 28. f4 f5 29. Kf3 Kf6 30. Bd5 c6 31. Bb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.25"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nc3 g6 7. d3 Bg7 8. Bd2
O-O 9. h4 Nf6 10. Qc1 Bg4 11. Nh2 Bd7 12. Bh6 Bxh6 13. Qxh6 Nd4 14. Qd2 Qc7 15.
e3 Bc6 16. Ne4 Bxe4 17. dxe4 Nc6 18. Qc3 Qe5 19. Rc1 Rfd8 20. Qxe5 Nxe5 21. Ke2
Rac8 22. Rhd1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 c4 24. f4 Nd3 25. e5 Nh5 26. Nf1 Nxb2 27. Rb1 c3
28. Bxb7 Rc5 29. Rc1 Ng7 30. Be4 Ne6 31. Nh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty Mansiysk"]
[Date "2019.09.25"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2019.09.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 a6 6. O-O d6 7. a4 O-O 8. Re1
Ba7 9. h3 h6 10. Nbd2 Re8 11. b4 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. Nf1 Qd7 14. Be3 Bxe3 15.
Nxe3 d5 16. b5 Ne7 17. c4 d4 18. Nf5 Re8 19. N3h4 Ng6 20. g3 Nxh4 21. Nxh4 Qe7
22. Qc1 Nd7 23. Qa3 Nc5 24. f4 exf4 25. Nf5 Qf8 26. gxf4 Rf6 27. Rf1 Rxf5 28.
exf5 Re3 29. Rae1 Qe7 30. Rxe3 Qxe3+ 31. Kh2 Qe2+ 32. Kg1 Nxd3 33. bxa6 bxa6
34. Qb3 Qe3+ 35. Kh2 Qd2+ 36. Kg1 Qe3+ 37. Kh2 h5 38. Qd1 h4 39. Rf3 Nb2 40.
Rxe3 Nxd1 41. Rd3 Nb2 42. Rxd4 c5 43. Rd5 Nxa4 44. Kg2 Kf8 45. Kf3 Ke7 46. Kg4
Nb6 47. Rxc5 Kd6 48. Ra5 Nxc4 49. Rxa6+ Ke7 50. Kxh4 Nd6 51. Rxd6 Kxd6 52. Kg5
Ke7 53. f6+ 1-0

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2630"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Rxe8+ Nxe8 12. d5 d6 13. Nd2 Bg5 14. c4
Bd7 15. h3 a5 16. Nf3 Bxc1 17. Rxc1 Nf6 18. Qd4 b6 19. Bd3 Qf8 20. b3 h6 21. a3
Re8 22. Ra1 Qe7 23. Kh2 Qd8 24. b4 Qa8 25. Nd2 Qa7 26. Nb3 axb4 27. axb4 Qb7
28. Nd2 b5 29. Qa7 Qc8 30. cxb5 Nxd5 31. Qd4 Be6 32. Be4 Nb6 33. Ra3 Re7 34.
Bc6 f5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Abasov, Nijat Azad"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2632"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bd2 O-O 7. Rc1 c5 8.
Nxd5 Qxd5 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. g3 Be7 11. Bc3 Qxa2 12. e4 e5 13. Nxe5 Rd8 14. Bd3
Be6 15. O-O Nd7 16. Ra1 Qb3 17. Bc2 Qb6 18. Ba5 Qxb2 19. Nd3 Qf6 20. Bxd8 Rxd8
21. Nf4 Ne5 22. Nd5 Rxd5 23. exd5 Bg4 24. f3 Bxf3 25. Rxf3 Nxf3+ 26. Kg2 Nd4
27. Rxa7 Qe5 28. Ra8+ Bf8 29. Rd8 g6 30. Bb1 Kg7 31. Rd7 Nb5 32. Rxb7 Nd6 33.
Rb3 Be7 34. Qf3 Bf6 35. Bd3 h5 36. Rb1 h4 37. gxh4 Bxh4 38. Kh1 Bf6 39. Rg1 Bd8
40. Qg2 Bb6 41. Rb1 Bd4 42. Qf3 Bc3 43. h4 Be1 44. h5 gxh5 45. Be2 Bg3 46. Bd3
h4 47. Rf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2624"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Seyb,A"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 Nh5 8. Bd3
Nxf4 9. exf4 b6 {So far, both sides played an opening known to be really solid.
Now comes the move you should pay attention to:} 10. c6 $5 {Technically
speaking not a new move, but connected with a new concept. White spent about
two minutes for that, so it was clearly no over-the-board improvement.} (10. b4
a5 11. a3 c6 {is the "normal way of life". Both sides continue to play solidly.
You may say it is curious that the young Russian didn't choose this line as he
shouldn't lose with normal play out of this position. But he clearly saw the
chance to surprise his top-class opponent and smelled blood.} 12. O-O Qc7 13.
g3 Ba6 14. Kg2 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Ra7 16. Rfc1 Rfa8 17. Qd1 b5 18. Rab1 axb4 19.
axb4 $11 {has been a recent draw from two of the world's most solid players.}
Ra3 20. Rb3 R3a7 21. Qe2 Bf6 22. h4 h5 23. Rc2 g6 24. Ra2 Rxa2 25. Nxa2 Qa7 26.
Rb2 Qa3 27. Qd2 Qa6 28. Nc1 Qb7 29. Nd3 Ra7 30. Nde5 Qa8 31. Qe3 Kg7 32. Rb3
Kg8 33. Ng5 Nxe5 34. fxe5 Bxg5 35. Qxg5 Ra3 36. Rxa3 Qxa3 37. Qd8+ Kg7 38. Qf6+
Kg8 39. Qd8+ Kg7 40. Qf6+ Kg8 {1/2-1/2 Giri,A (2797)-Radjabov,T (2756)/Shamkir
2019/CBM 190}) 10... Nb8 11. Ne5 (11. Qa4 $6 Qe8 (11... Qd6 $1 12. Ne5 f6 $17)
12. Rc1 Qxc6 13. Qc2 h6 14. Ne5 Qb7 (14... Qe8 $142) 15. Bh7+ Kh8 16. Bg6 Kg8
17. Bh7+ Kh8 18. Bg6 Kg8 {1/2-1/2 Delithanasis,D (2211)-Tassopoulos,M (2238)/
Heraklio 2007/EXT 2008}) (11. Qc2 {was seen in a game from another creative
player. But the result was bad and no one has been following his footsteps so
far.} g6 (11... Nxc6 {looks easier and more promising for Black} 12. Bxh7+ Kh8
{Now White has to justify his attack.} 13. h4 $1 {connected with some nasty
mating threats, Ng5, Qe2-h5} (13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 (14. fxe5 c5 $17) 14... g6
15. Bxg6 fxg6 16. Qxg6 Qe8 $19 {and Black's defense is in time.} 17. Qh6+ Kg8
18. h4 Qf7 19. Rh3 Qh7) (13. a3 g6 14. Bxg6 fxg6 15. Qxg6 Rf6 $19) (13. Bd3 {
This is computer's first choice, but no human would play this way.} Nb4 14. Qe2
c5 $15 (14... Nxd3+ $15)) 13... Bd6 {Eyeing e5 and preparing f5.} (13... Nb4
14. Qb1 c5 (14... f5 15. Bg6) 15. a3 cxd4 16. Ne2 Nc6 17. Ng5 $40) (13... f5
14. Bg6) 14. a3 (14. Ne2 Nb4 15. Qb1 c5) (14. O-O-O $4 Nb4) 14... f5 $1 (14...
Bxf4 $4 15. Ne2 $16) 15. Ne2 (15. Bg6 Qf6 16. h5 Nxd4 $19) 15... Nxd4 16. Nexd4
Kxh7 $17) 12. Ne2 a5 13. Rc1 $6 {Not going for it!} (13. h4 $1 {and White
should have good attacking perspectives.}) 13... Ba6 14. Bxa6 Rxa6 15. a4 Qd6
16. O-O Ra8 17. Ne5 Bf6 18. Qd1 Qb4 19. Rc3 Bg7 20. Qc2 Qd6 21. Rc1 Na6 22. Qb1
Nb4 23. h4 f6 24. Nd7 Rf7 25. g3 e5 26. f5 gxf5 27. Qxf5 Na2 28. f4 Nxc3 29.
Rxc3 Re8 30. Qh5 Qb4 31. Re3 Qxa4 32. dxe5 Qxc6 33. Nd4 Qc1+ 34. Kf2 Qxb2+ 35.
Ne2 fxe5 36. Nxe5 Rxe5 37. Rxe5 Bxe5 38. Qg5+ Bg7 {0-1 Adhiban,B (2627)
-Fridman,D (2639)/Biel 2015/CBM 167 Extra}) 11... Bd6 (11... f6 12. Qh5 g6 $2 (
12... f5 $16) 13. Bxg6 $1 hxg6 14. Qxg6+ Kh8 15. O-O-O Ba6 16. Rhe1 $18 {
and the deadly rook shift is about to come.}) (11... Qe8 $2 12. Nb5 Bd8 13. Qc2
a6 14. Bxh7+ Kh8 15. Na3 Bf6 16. Bd3 Bxe5 17. fxe5 Nxc6 18. Rc1 Bb7 (18... Nxd4
19. Qxc7 $16) 19. Qe2 $16 {and White is clearly better. He will protect his
d4-pawn with Na3-c2. Black will suffer from his "French" bishop.}) 12. a3 $1 {
The really mysterious move, blitzed out by Esipenko! After examining it with
the help of the computer for some time, I will try a first explanation: White
will loose his c6-pawn, so it is obvious that he has to prove his compensation.
But all of the "normal" attacking moves seem to backfire. White needs Black's
exchange on e5 for setting out his attack in the perfect way. On the other
hand he has to make sure that Black has no waiting move on his own.} (12. Qc2
Bxe5 13. dxe5 Nxc6 14. Bxh7+ (14. a3 $2 {Now the queen is on the wrong square.}
) 14... Kh8 $15 {White won back his sacrificed pawn, but has to allow the
exchange of his proud bishop.}) (12. Qh5 $5 {would have been the "human"
attacking move} g6 $1 (12... h6 $6 13. O-O-O Bxe5 14. dxe5 Nxc6 (14... Qe7 15.
g4) 15. g4 $40 {is exactly the kind of compensation White is aiming for.}) 13.
Qh6 f6 {and it becomes clear that White would have done much better if Black
had exchanged on e5 already.} 14. Nxg6 (14. Bxg6 Qe7 $19) (14. h4 fxe5 15. fxe5
Bxe5 16. dxe5 Nxc6 17. f4 (17. h5 Nxe5 18. hxg6 (18. Bc2 Ng4 $19) 18... Nxd3+
19. Kd2 Qe7 $19) 17... Qe7 18. h5 g5 19. O-O-O (19. fxg5 Nxe5 $19) 19... Qg7
$17) 14... Rf7) (12. Rc1 {At first sight seems to be a better "waiting" move.}
Bxe5 13. dxe5 Nxc6 14. Qh5 h6 15. g4 Nb4 $1 {But now it becomes clear that
Black gets counterplay very soon, connected with d5-d4-d3. Also White lost the
possibility of castling to the queenside.} 16. Bb1 d4) (12. h4 Bxe5 13. dxe5
Nxc6 14. Qh5 h6 15. g4 Nb4 16. Bb1 d4 17. Ne4 d3 18. Nf6+ Kh8 $19) 12... Bxe5 {
Picking up the gauntlet.} (12... Ba6 13. Bxa6 Nxa6 14. b4 $1 {The point of
a2-a3 comes clear: White will establish b4-b5 and technically be a piece up} (
14. Rc1) 14... Nb8 15. b5 a6 16. a4 Bxe5 17. fxe5 f6 {is rated as equal by the
computer. Ridiculous...}) (12... Qe8 $5 {is maybe an easier way to solve the
problems:} 13. Rc1 Nxc6 14. Nb5 Bd7 15. Nxd6 cxd6 16. Nxd7 Qxd7 17. Qa4 Rfc8
18. Bb5 (18. O-O a6 19. Bxa6 Qe8 $1 20. Rfd1 Nxd4 $11) 18... Ne7 $1 {and due
to this nice litte trick Black is absolutely fine.}) 13. dxe5 Nxc6 (13... Ba6
$2 14. Bxa6 Nxa6 15. Nb5 Nc5 16. b4 Ne4 17. O-O $16) 14. Qh5 g6 (14... h6 15.
g4 {looks way to dangerous.}) 15. Qh6 {This is the point where Black has to
show the best way of defence. Not an easy task if you don't know what the
computer knows.} f5 $5 (15... Ne7 {seems also a reasonable defence:} 16. h4 (
16. g4 f5) 16... Kh8 {threatening Ng8, after which White would be forced to
exchange queens.} (16... Nf5 17. Bxf5 gxf5 (17... exf5 $4 18. h5 $18) 18. O-O-O
Kh8 19. g4 $40) 17. h5 Nf5 (17... Ng8 $4 18. Qxh7+ Kxh7 19. hxg6+ Kg7 20. Rh7#)
18. Bxf5 gxf5 19. Nb5 (19. O-O-O f6) 19... Bd7 (19... Rg8 20. Nxc7 $1) (19...
c5 {is the favourite move of the computer, but I believe White has always
enough compensation establishing his knight on d6.}) 20. Nd4 (20. Nxc7 $2 Rc8
$1 (20... Qxc7 $4 21. Qf6+ Kg8 22. h6 $18)) 20... Rg8 (20... c5 21. Nf3) 21.
Nf3 Qf8 22. Qf6+ Qg7 23. Qe7 f6 (23... Bb5 24. h6 Qg6 25. Ng5 $16) 24. Qxf6 $11
) (15... Kh8 16. h4 Ne7 {is of course the same story.}) 16. h4 $1 Rf7 {The
move that made Esipenko to start thinking on his own.} (16... Bd7 {is the
first choice of my computer.}) (16... Qd7 {the idea of a queen shift looks
normal.} 17. h5 (17. Bb5 $5 Bb7 18. Ne2 Rf7 $13 (18... Qg7 $2 19. Qxg7+ Kxg7
20. Rc1 $16)) 17... Qg7 18. hxg6 hxg6 19. O-O-O $44 {and White seems to have
long-term compensation.}) 17. h5 (17. Ne2 Qf8 18. Qxf8+ Kxf8 19. Rc1 Nd8 20. h5
c5 $15) (17. O-O-O Qf8) 17... g5 $1 {This has been Aronian's idea.} 18. g4 $5 (
18. fxg5 Nxe5 19. Be2 Qf8) (18. O-O-O gxf4 19. Qxf4 Qf8 $15 {and the attack
also seems to be over.}) 18... Qf8 $6 (18... fxg4 19. O-O-O Qe7 {, and now
there is an incredible strong move:} (19... gxf4 20. Bg6 Rg7 21. Ne4 $44) 20.
Bg6 $3 {Pushing away the rook from the 7th rank.} (20. Rdg1 gxf4 21. Rxg4+ Kh8
22. Nxd5 (22. Rhg1 Bd7) 22... exd5 23. Qxc6 Qc5+ 24. Qxc5 bxc5 25. Rg5 $15)
20... Rf8 (20... Rg7 {to be fair I have to confess that Black also seems to
hold after this. But he has to find some only-moves.} 21. f5 $1 (21. Rdg1 gxf4
22. Rxg4 Kh8 23. Rxf4 Bd7) 21... Nxe5 $8 22. Rhe1 d4 $8 (22... Nf3 23. f6 Qxf6
24. Nxd5) (22... hxg6 23. Rxe5 c6 24. hxg6 Qf6 25. Rh1 $40) 23. Rxd4 Nf3 $8 24.
Nd5 Qc5+ 25. Kb1 hxg6 $8 26. f6 Qf8 27. Ne7+ (27. fxg7 Qxg7 28. Ne7+ Qxe7 29.
Rd8+ Qxd8 30. Qxg6+ $11) 27... Rxe7 28. fxe7 Qxh6 (28... Qxe7 29. Rd8+ Qxd8 30.
Qxg6+ Kh8 31. Qh6+ Kg8 $11)) 21. Rdg1 Qg7 (21... hxg6 22. hxg6 Qg7 23. Qxg5 $18
) 22. Qxg5 $13) ({After} 18... gxf4 $1 {I wasn't able to make the story go on.
Black's defence seems to hold:} 19. gxf5 (19. Qxf4 fxg4 20. Qxg4+ Rg7 $17)
19... Nxe5 20. fxe6 (20. O-O-O Nxd3+ 21. Rxd3 Qf6) 20... Qe7 $1 (20... Nxd3+
21. Kd2 Rg7 22. Rag1 Qf8 23. Nxd5 $18) (20... Nf3+ 21. Kf1 Rg7 22. Qxf4 Qf8 23.
Nxd5 Qxf4 24. Nxf4 Bb7 $15) 21. O-O-O Bxe6 22. Rhe1 Bd7 $17) 19. Qxg5+ Rg7 20.
Qh4 $2 {After this, the game has gone. White will find himself in a passive
position.} (20. Qf6 Qxf6 (20... Rf7 21. Qg5+ Rg7 22. Qf6 $11) 21. exf6 Rxg4 22.
Ne2 {would have been far from clear as White manages to penetrate via the
c-file.} Kf7 (22... Nd8 23. f3 Rg2 24. Kf1 {and suddenly Blacks rook is
trapped on an open file!} Rxe2 25. Kxe2 $14) 23. Rc1 Bb7 24. Bb5 Nd8 25. Rxc7+
Kxf6 26. Kd2 $13) 20... Rxg4 21. Qh2 Qh6 22. Ne2 Bb7 $17 {The rest is a matter
of technique. So you can trust Aronian} 23. Rc1 Rc8 24. b4 Kh8 25. f3 Rgg8 26.
Kf2 Qf8 27. Bb5 Nb8 28. Nd4 c5 29. Nxe6 Qe7 30. Ng5 h6 31. e6 hxg5 32. fxg5
Qxg5 33. Qe5+ Qg7 34. Rhe1 Nc6 35. Bxc6 Rxc6 36. Qxg7+ Kxg7 37. Rg1+ Kh7 38.
Rxg8 Kxg8 39. Rg1+ Kh7 {In summary, it can be said that the idea Esipenko
showed on the tenth move will certainly not lead to a reassessment of the
variation. Objectively, Black should even be better. White must be prepared to
prove a somewhat dubious compensation. However, the variation is a
comprehensible choice if you want to surprise your opponent and are willing to
take risks. If you want to play with Black like this, you have to be prepared
for 10.c6 in any case.} 0-1

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sevian, Samuel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Be2 a6 11. Ng5 Qc7 12. e4 Bxh2+ 13. Kh1 c5 14. e5 cxd4 15.
exf6 Nxf6 16. f4 Bg3 17. Rf3 Be1 18. Bd3 h6 19. Nh7 Nxh7 20. Bxh7+ Kh8 21. Ne2
Qxc2 22. Bxc2 Bb7 23. Rf1 Rac8 24. Bd3 Bh4 25. Bd2 Bd5 26. b3 Be7 27. Rfd1 Ba3
28. Bc1 Bb4 29. Bb2 Bc3 30. Nxc3 dxc3 31. Ba3 Rfd8 32. Rac1 Bb7 33. Bb4 Rd4 34.
Bxc3 Rxf4 35. Kg1 Rg4 36. Bf1 Kg8 37. Be1 Rxc1 38. Rxc1 Rd4 39. Rc7 Bd5 40. Be2
Be4 41. Bh5 f6 42. Bf7+ Kh8 43. Bxe6 Rd1 44. Kf2 Rb1 45. Bb4 Rb2+ 46. Ke3 Bb1
47. g4 1-0

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.14"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kryvoruchko, Yuriy"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2669"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 Bxd3 17. Nd2 Qf5 18. Bd4 Rfe8 19. a4 h6 20. a5 Kf8 21. Qxf5
Bxf5 22. Bxd5 cxd5 23. b4 f6 24. f3 Kf7 25. Kf2 h5 26. Nb3 Bc2 27. Nc5 Bxc5 28.
Bxc5 g5 29. h4 gxh4 30. gxh4 Rxe1 31. Rxe1 Re8 32. Rxe8 Kxe8 33. Ke3 Kd7 34.
Kd4 Bd1 35. f4 Kc6 36. Be7 f5 37. Ke5 Bg4 38. Bc5 Kb7 39. Kxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dreev, Alexey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2662"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bg2 Qe7+ 6. Kf1 Nc6 7. d4 Qd8 8. c4
dxc4 9. d5 Nb4 10. Nc3 Nf6 11. Ne5 Bd6 12. Nxc4 Bf5 13. Ne3 Bg6 14. a3 Nd3 15.
f4 O-O 16. f5 c4 17. fxg6 fxg6 18. Bf3 Nd7 19. Kg2 N7e5 20. Nxc4 Rxf3 21. Nxe5
Rf2+ 22. Kg1 Qb6 23. Be3 Qxb2 24. Nxd3 Rg2+ 25. Kf1 Rf8+ 26. Bf4 1-0

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D42"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e3 Nc6 7. Bd3 Be7 8. a3
Nxc3 9. bxc3 O-O 10. Qc2 h6 11. O-O b6 12. Rd1 Bf6 13. dxc5 Qc7 14. cxb6 axb6
15. Bb2 Ne5 16. Bh7+ Kh8 17. Be4 Ra5 18. c4 Nxf3+ 19. Bxf3 Bxb2 20. Qxb2 Ba6
21. Be2 Bxc4 22. Bxc4 Qxc4 23. Qxb6 Raa8 24. Qb4 Qc7 25. h3 Qa5 26. Qf4 Qf5 27.
Qxf5 exf5 28. Rd5 g6 29. a4 Rfc8 30. Ra2 Rc1+ 31. Kh2 h5 32. a5 Ra6 33. g3 Kg7
34. Kg2 Rb1 35. Kf3 Kf6 36. Rc5 Ke6 37. h4 Rb4 38. Rd2 Rb7 39. Kf4 Kf6 40. Rcd5
Ke6 41. Kg5 Rba7 42. Kh6 Rxa5 43. Rd6+ Ke7 44. Kg7 R5a6 45. R6d5 Ra5 46. Rxa5
Rxa5 47. Rb2 Ra7 48. Rb5 Ra2 49. Rb7+ Ke6 50. Rxf7 Rxf2 51. Rf6+ Ke5 52. Rxg6
Rf3 53. Kh6 Rxe3 54. Kxh5 f4 55. g4 f3 56. Kg5 Ra3 57. Rf6 Ra8 58. Rf5+ Ke4 59.
h5 1-0

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.18"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2812"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
b3 O-O 9. Bb2 Re8 10. Rc1 Bf8 11. Ne4 f6 12. d4 f5 13. Nc5 e4 14. Ne5 Nxe5 15.
dxe5 Qxd1 16. Rfxd1 c6 17. g4 g6 18. gxf5 gxf5 19. f3 Bh6 20. Rc2 e3 21. e6
Bxe6 22. Nxb7 Nd5 23. Rxc6 Rac8 24. Rdc1 Rxc6 25. Rxc6 Nf4 26. Bf1 Bf8 27. Nc5
Bd5 28. Rc7 Bxc5 29. Rxc5 Bxf3 30. exf3 e2 31. Bc3 Re3 32. Ba5 exf1=Q+ 33. Kxf1
Rxf3+ 34. Kg1 h5 35. h4 Rh3 36. Rxf5 Rxh4 37. Kf2 Ne6 38. Bc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.19"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anton Guijarro, David"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2674"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O a5 7. Re1 O-O 8. h3 h6
9. Nbd2 Be6 10. Bb5 Qb8 11. Nf1 Qa7 12. d4 exd4 13. Bxc6 dxc3 14. Ba4 Bxf2+ 15.
Kh2 Bxe1 16. Qxe1 d5 17. Be3 c5 18. e5 Ne4 19. bxc3 f5 20. exf6 Rxf6 21. Bc2
Qb8+ 22. Kh1 Bxh3 23. N3d2 Bf5 24. Nxe4 Bxe4 25. Bxe4 dxe4 26. Bxc5 Qe5 27. Bd4
Qh5+ 28. Kg1 Rf4 29. Qd1 Qxd1 30. Rxd1 b5 31. a3 Rc8 32. Ne3 Rf7 33. Rb1 Rb7
34. Kf2 Kh7 35. Nc2 Rc6 36. Rh1 Rf7+ 37. Kg1 Rfc7 38. Rh3 g5 39. Re3 Re7 40.
Re1 Kg6 41. Rb1 Rb7 42. Kf2 h5 43. Ke3 Rbc7 44. Kxe4 Rxc3 45. Bxc3 Rxc3 46. Ne3
Rxa3 47. Rxb5 h4 48. Rb8 Ra4+ 49. Ke5 Rb4 50. Rg8+ Kh5 51. Rd8 a4 52. Kf6 Rb6+
53. Kf5 Rb5+ 54. Nd5 Kh6 55. Kg4 a3 56. Rd6+ Kg7 57. Nc7 Ra5 58. Ne6+ Kf6 59.
Nxg5+ Ke5 60. Nf7+ Ke4 61. Rd1 Ra4 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.20"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d5 6. exd5 Qxd5 7. Bc4 Qd6 8. b4
Bb6 9. a4 O-O 10. Nbd2 Bf5 11. Ba3 e4 12. dxe4 Nxe4 13. Nxe4 Bxe4 14. Qxd6 cxd6
15. O-O-O Rac8 16. Bb3 Rfd8 17. Bxf7+ Kxf7 18. Ng5+ Kg6 19. Nxe4 d5 20. Nc5
Bxc5 21. bxc5 Na5 22. Kc2 Nc4 23. Kb3 Nxa3 24. Kxa3 Rxc5 25. Rd3 b5 26. a5 Rb8
27. Rb1 Rbc8 28. Kb3 Rb8 29. Ka3 Rbc8 30. Kb3 Rb8 31. Ka3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.21"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2876"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 c5 5. d5 b5 6. e4 d6 7. Bd2 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 b4
9. Bd2 O-O 10. Be3 exd5 11. cxd5 Nfd7 12. Ne2 f5 13. exf5 Rxf5 14. Ng3 Re5 15.
Kf2 Qh4 16. Qd2 Nf6 17. Rc1 Ba6 18. b3 Nxd5 19. Rc4 Qe7 20. Re4 Qe6 21. Bf4
Nxf4 22. Qxf4 Bxf1 23. Rxe5 dxe5 24. Qe4 Nc6 25. Rxf1 c4 26. Nf5 cxb3 27. Qxc6
Qxc6 28. Ne7+ Kf8 29. Nxc6 bxa2 30. Nxb4 Rb8 31. Ra1 Rxb4 32. Rxa2 Rb7 33. Ke3
Ke7 34. Ra6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT 22nd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2019.10.25"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Saric, Ivan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2667"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2019.10.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Croatia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CRO"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O O-O 6. c3 d6 7. Re1 Ng4 8. Re2
Kh8 9. d4 Bb6 10. h3 Nf6 11. a4 a5 12. Be3 exd4 13. cxd4 Nb4 14. Nc3 Nxe4 15.
Nxe4 d5 16. Ned2 dxc4 17. Nxc4 Nd5 18. Nxb6 cxb6 19. Qd3 f6 20. Bd2 Bd7 21. Qa3
Bc6 22. Rae1 Qd7 23. Re6 Qf7 24. b3 Rfd8 25. Qb2 Rd7 26. Nh2 Ne7 27. Ng4 h5 28.
Nh2 Ng6 29. f3 Rad8 30. Nf1 Ne5 31. R6xe5 fxe5 32. dxe5 Rd3 33. e6 Qg6 34. e7
Re8 35. Re5 Bxf3 36. Bg5 Bc6 37. Ne3 Rd6 38. Nc4 Rd5 39. h4 Kg8 40. Ne3 Rxe5
41. Qxe5 Qb1+ 42. Kh2 Qxb3 43. Nf5 Qf7 44. Kg1 Qg6 45. Qf4 Kh7 46. Kh2 Qe6 47.
Ng3 Kg8 48. Qf2 g6 49. Ne2 Rxe7 50. Nf4 Rf7 51. Qxb6 Qd6 52. Kg3 Rf5 53. Qe3
Qe5 54. Qd2 Kf7 55. Kh3 Bd5 56. Kh2 Ke8 57. Kg1 Qd6 58. Qxa5 Bc6 59. Qe1+ Kd7
60. Qe3 Qc5 61. Qxc5 Rxc5 62. Nxg6 Bxa4 63. Nf4 Bd1 64. Nd3 Rd5 65. Nf2 Ke6 66.
Ne4 Kf5 67. Ng3+ Ke5 68. Kf2 b5 69. Be7 Ke6 70. Bf8 Rd8 71. Ba3 Rd2+ 0-1

[Event "EU-chT 22nd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2019.10.26"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2019.10.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Czech Republic"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CZE"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 dxe4 4. dxe4 Qxd1+ 5. Kxd1 f6 6. Ne1 e5 7. Bc4 Nd7 8.
f3 Nc5 9. Be3 Be6 10. Nd2 Bxc4 11. Nxc4 O-O-O+ 12. Ke2 Kb8 13. Nd3 Nxd3 14.
Rad1 Ne7 15. cxd3 Ng6 16. g3 Bd6 17. Nxd6 Rxd6 18. h4 h5 19. f4 Rd7 20. f5 Ne7
21. g4 hxg4 22. Rdg1 Nc8 23. Rxg4 Nd6 24. Rhg1 Ne8 25. Rd1 b6 26. d4 exd4 27.
Rxd4 Rxd4 28. Bxd4 c5 29. Bf2 Kc7 30. Kf3 Kc6 31. Rg6 c4 32. Rg4 a6 33. e5 b5
34. Ke4 Rh5 35. Bg3 b4 36. Ke3 fxe5 37. Rxc4+ Kd5 38. Re4 Rxf5 39. Rxb4 Nd6 40.
Ra4 Nc4+ 41. Ke2 Nxb2 42. Rxa6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT 22nd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2019.10.27"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2686"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2019.10.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Ukraine"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "UKR"]

1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. d3 d6 6. Qd2 Qa5 7. Nd5 Qd8 8. Nc3
Qa5 9. e3 Bxc3 10. bxc3 f5 11. Nh3 Nf6 12. Rb1 Qc7 13. O-O Bd7 14. Qe2 e5 15.
f3 O-O 16. e4 fxe4 17. fxe4 Kg7 18. Bg5 Be6 19. Nf2 Rf7 20. Nd1 Raf8 21. Ne3 h6
22. Bxf6+ Rxf6 23. Rxf6 Rxf6 24. Bf3 h5 25. h4 Qf7 26. Bg2 Qd7 27. Bf3 b6 28.
Qg2 Ne7 29. Bd1 Ng8 30. Rb2 Nh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT 22nd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2019.10.28"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2019.10.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nc3 h6 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. b4 Bd5 14. Nxd5 exd5
15. Qb3 c6 16. e3 h5 17. b5 axb5 18. axb5 Qb6 19. Rxa8 Rxa8 20. Rb1 c5 21. dxc5
Bxc5 22. h3 Qe6 23. Qc2 Qe4 24. Qxe4 Nxe4 25. Rd1 Rd8 26. Rd3 Kf8 27. Nd2 Nxd2
28. Rxd2 Ke7 29. Bxd5 f5 30. Kf1 b6 31. Ke2 Kf6 32. h4 g6 33. f3 Ke5 34. f4+
Kf6 35. Kf3 Rd7 36. Rd3 Rd8 37. e4 fxe4+ 38. Kxe4 Re8+ 39. Kf3 Rd8 40. g4 hxg4+
41. Kxg4 Rd6 42. Bc4 Rxd3 43. Bxd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT 22nd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2019.10.30"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Lenic, Luka"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D24"]
[WhiteElo "2644"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2019.10.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Slovenia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SLO"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bxc4 Nxe4 7. O-O Nxc3 8.
bxc3 Bd6 9. Ng5 h6 10. Qh5 O-O 11. Ne4 f5 12. Nxd6 cxd6 13. Bxh6 gxh6 14. Qg6+
Kh8 15. Qxh6+ Kg8 16. Qg6+ Kh8 17. Qh6+ Kg8 18. Qg6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT 22nd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2019.10.31"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2694"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2019.10.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "England"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ENG"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Bg6 13. Qb3 Ne7 14. O-O c6 15.
Bd3 Nf5 16. Qc2 Nxe3 17. fxe3 Ng3 18. Bxg6 hxg6 19. Rf2 f5 20. Ne2 Ne4 21. Rff1
g5 22. Nd2 Qd7 23. a4 Ba5 24. Nc3 Rae8 25. Ndxe4 fxe4 26. Qe2 Qe6 27. Qh5 Bd8
28. a5 Rxf1+ 29. Rxf1 Bxa5 30. Qxg5 Bxc3 31. bxc3 a5 32. Ra1 Ra8 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT 22nd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2019.11.01"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E36"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2019.10.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. Nf3 dxc4 8.
Qxc4 b6 9. Bg5 Bb7 10. e3 Nbd7 11. Be2 c5 12. O-O h6 13. Bh4 g5 14. Bg3 Ne4 15.
Rfd1 Nxg3 16. hxg3 Qe7 17. Rac1 Rfd8 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Nd4 Qf6 20. Qc3 Rac8 21.
Qe1 a5 22. b4 axb4 23. axb4 Ne4 24. Bf3 Bd5 25. b5 Rxc1 26. Rxc1 Nc5 27. Nc6
Rd7 28. Qe2 Be4 29. Bxe4 Nxe4 30. Nd4 Nc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT 22nd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2019.11.02"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Papaioannou, Ioannis"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2019.10.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Greece"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GRE"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+ c6 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qc2 Bb7 8.
O-O Nbd7 9. Nc3 Rc8 10. Rd1 a6 11. a4 Be7 12. d3 O-O 13. e4 a5 14. h3 b4 15.
Nb1 c5 16. Nbd2 Nb8 17. Nb3 Nc6 18. Be3 Nd7 19. Qe2 Ba6 20. Rac1 Qb6 21. Nfd2
Bf6 22. Nc4 Bxc4 23. Rxc4 Nd4 24. Bxd4 Bxd4 25. Kh2 Ne5 26. Rc2 Rcd8 27. f4 Nc6
28. Rdc1 e5 29. f5 Rd6 30. h4 Qd8 31. Nxc5 Bxc5 32. Rxc5 Nd4 33. Qd1 b3 34.
R1c3 Re8 35. Qd2 h6 36. R3c4 Nc2 37. Bf1 Rd4 38. Qf2 Rxd3 39. Bxd3 Qxd3 40. Rc3
Qxe4 41. Rxb3 Nd4 42. Re3 Qg4 43. Rec3 e4 44. Qxd4 Qe2+ 45. Kg1 e3 46. Rc2 Qf3
47. R5c3 Re4 48. Qd8+ Kh7 49. Rg2 Rxa4 50. Rc8 1-0

[Event "Bucharest Superbet rapid"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2822"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2019.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Nd5 e4 7. Nh4 d6 8. O-O
g5 9. d4 h6 10. Be3 gxh4 11. Bxh6 Nxd5 12. cxd5 Ne7 13. Bxe4 Re8 14. Qd3 Qd7
15. Kh1 Nf5 16. Bg5 f6 17. Bxh4 Qh7 18. Rg1 Bd7 19. Qf3 Rxe4 20. Qxe4 Re8 21.
Qd3 Kf7 22. Rad1 Qh5 23. f3 Ne3 24. Rc1 Ba5 25. b4 Bb6 26. b5 Kg7 27. a4 Qxd5
28. g4 c6 29. g5 f5 30. Bf2 f4 31. bxc6 bxc6 32. Qa6 Bc8 33. Qd3 c5 34. a5 c4
35. Qa3 Bxd4 36. Rgd1 Nxd1 37. Rxd1 Bc5 38. Qa4 Qe6 39. Bxc5 dxc5 40. Re1 Bb7
41. Kg2 Bc6 42. Qc2 Qe3 43. Qf5 Qe5 44. Qg4 Qd4 45. Qf5 Qe5 46. Qg4 c3 47. h4
c2 48. Kh3 Qd4 49. Kg2 Bd7 0-1

[Event "Bucharest Superbet rapid"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2019.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. O-O Re8 8.
Nc4 Nd7 9. a4 a5 10. Kh1 b6 11. b3 f6 12. Ng1 Nf8 13. f4 exf4 14. Bxf4 Ng6 15.
Bg3 Be6 16. Ne2 Qd7 17. Qd2 Bb4 18. Qc1 f5 19. exf5 Bxf5 20. Nf4 Bc3 21. Rb1
Rac8 22. Nb2 Bd4 23. Nc4 Re7 24. Qd2 Rce8 25. Rbe1 h6 26. Nxg6 Bxg6 27. Rxe7
Rxe7 28. Re1 Bf7 29. Ne5 Bxe5 30. Rxe5 c5 31. Qe3 Rxe5 32. Bxe5 c6 33. h3 Kh7
34. Kg1 Bg6 35. Bc3 Bh5 36. Qe4+ Kg8 37. g4 Bf7 38. Qe5 Bd5 39. Kf2 Qf7+ 40.
Ke1 Bg2 41. h4 Kh7 42. Qf5+ Qxf5 43. gxf5 Kg8 44. Be5 b5 45. c4 bxa4 46. bxa4
Kf7 47. Bc3 Bh3 48. f6 g5 49. hxg5 hxg5 50. Bxa5 Kxf6 51. Bd8+ Ke6 52. Bxg5 Kd7
53. Be3 Kc7 54. Bxc5 Kb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet rapid"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2019.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 O-O 7. h3 Bb6 8. Re1
Ne7 9. d4 Ng6 10. Nbd2 c6 11. Bf1 Re8 12. a4 d5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. exd5 Nxf3+
15. Nxf3 Rxe1 16. Qxe1 Qxd5 17. c4 Qe6 18. a5 Bc5 19. Bd2 a6 20. Bc3 Qxe1 21.
Rxe1 Bd7 22. Bd3 Rd8 23. Bc2 Be6 24. b3 h6 25. Kf1 Kf8 26. Re2 Ng8 27. Rd2 Rxd2
28. Nxd2 Nf6 29. Nf3 Ne8 30. Nd4 Bd7 31. Nf5 h5 32. Ng3 g6 33. Ne4 Be7 34. Ke2
Bf5 35. Bd3 Nc7 36. Nf6 Bxd3+ 37. Kxd3 Ne6 38. g3 Nc5+ 39. Kc2 Bxf6 40. Bxf6
Ne4 41. Bd4 Ng5 42. h4 Ne6 43. Bf6 Nc5 44. b4 Nd7 45. Bd4 Ke7 46. Kd3 Kd6 47.
Be3 c5 48. b5 Ne5+ 49. Kc3 Ng4 50. Bf4+ Ke6 51. f3 Nh2 52. Be3 Kd6 53. Bf4+ Ke6
54. Be3 Kd6 55. Bf4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet rapid"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.07"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C00"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2019.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. Qe2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. e5 Nd5 8. c4
Nc7 9. b3 b6 10. Bb2 Bb7 11. Rd1 Qc8 12. d4 cxd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Rxd4 Bxg2
15. Kxg2 f6 16. Rd3 fxe5 17. Bxe5 Qb7+ 18. f3 Na6 19. Nc3 Nb4 20. Rd2 Bg5 21.
Ne4 Bxd2 22. Qxd2 Nc6 23. Nd6 Qc7 24. Bc3 Ne7 25. Qg5 Ng6 26. Rd1 Qc6 27. Qg4
Qc5 28. f4 Qc6+ 29. Kg1 Qc5+ 30. Kf1 Qc6 31. h4 Qh1+ 32. Kf2 Qh2+ 33. Ke3 Qg2
34. Qg5 Qc2 35. Rd3 Qc1+ 36. Kf2 Qc2+ 37. Ke3 Qc1+ 38. Kf2 Qc2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet rapid"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.07"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[EventDate "2019.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 a6 6. a4 O-O 7. O-O Ba7 8. Re1
d6 9. h3 Re8 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. Bxe6 Rxe6 12. b4 d5 13. Qc2 Ne7 14. exd5 Nfxd5
15. Nc4 Ng6 16. Ncxe5 Nxe5 17. Rxe5 Rxe5 18. Nxe5 Nxc3 19. Nxf7 Qd5 20. Be3 Bd4
21. Bxd4 Qxd4 22. Ng5 Re8 23. Qb3+ Nd5 24. Rf1 c6 25. b5 axb5 26. axb5 Qb4 27.
Qxb4 Nxb4 28. bxc6 bxc6 29. d4 Rd8 30. Ne6 Rd6 31. Re1 Kf7 32. Ng5+ Kg6 33. Nf3
Kf6 34. Kf1 Na6 35. Rc1 Nc7 36. Ke2 Ne6 37. Ke3 Ke7 38. Ke4 Nd8 39. Ne5 g5 40.
Ra1 Rf6 41. f3 h6 42. Ra7+ Ke8 43. g3 Rd6 44. f4 gxf4 45. gxf4 Ne6 46. Nf3 Nf8
47. Ne5 Ne6 48. Nf3 Nf8 49. f5 Nd7 50. Ra5 Ke7 51. Ra7 Ke8 52. Ne5 Nf6+ 53. Ke3
Nd5+ 54. Kd3 Rf6 55. Ra8+ Ke7 56. Ng6+ Kf7 57. Ke4 Nb6 58. Ra7+ Ke8 59. Ne5 Nc8
60. Ra8 Kd8 61. Ng4 Rf8 62. Nxh6 Kc7 63. Kf4 Rd8 64. Ra4 Nb6 65. Ra7+ Kb8 66.
Rg7 Rxd4+ 67. Kg5 c5 68. f6 c4 69. f7 Nd7 70. Rg8+ Kc7 71. f8=Q Nxf8 72. Rxf8
Rd3 73. h4 Rg3+ 74. Ng4 Kb6 75. h5 Kb5 76. h6 Rh3 77. Kg6 c3 78. h7 Kb4 79.
h8=Q 1-0

[Event "Bucharest Superbet rapid"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.07"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2019.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 f5 11. exf6 Rxf6 12. Rc1 Nxc3 13. bxc3 h6 14. O-O Bg4
15. Be2 Ne7 16. Ne5 Bxe2 17. Qxe2 c6 18. g4 Ng6 19. f4 Nxe5 20. fxe5 Rxf1+ 21.
Rxf1 Qe7 22. g5 hxg5 23. Qg4 Rf8 24. Rxf8+ Kxf8 25. Qf5+ Qf7 26. Qc8+ Qe8 27.
Qxb7 Qe6 28. Kf2 Qf5+ 29. Ke2 Qc2+ 30. Bd2 Qe4+ 31. Be3 Qc2+ 32. Bd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet rapid"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.08"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Korobov, Anton"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E54"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2019.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 c5 8. O-O
Bd7 9. Qe2 Qc7 10. Nb5 Bxb5 11. Bxb5 cxd4 12. Nxd4 a6 13. Bd3 Nc6 14. Nxc6 Qxc6
15. a3 Bd6 16. Bd2 Rfd8 17. f4 Bc5 18. Rfd1 Nd5 19. Kh1 Qb6 20. e4 Ne3 21. Bxe3
Bxe3 22. f5 exf5 23. exf5 Bf4 24. Qf3 Be5 25. Bc4 h6 26. Bd5 Rd7 27. Rab1 Re8
28. b4 Bf6 29. Re1 Red8 30. Rbd1 Qb5 31. Be4 b6 32. Rxd7 Qxd7 33. g3 a5 34.
bxa5 bxa5 35. Kg2 Qb5 36. Kh3 Qc4 37. Re2 a4 38. Rc2 Qb3 39. Rc7 Qxf3 40. Bxf3
Bb2 41. Bh5 Rf8 42. Ra7 Bxa3 43. Rxa4 Bc5 44. Ra5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet rapid"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.08"]
[Round "8"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2019.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 Bb6 8. a4
Ng4 9. Rf1 Kh8 10. h3 Nh6 11. b4 a6 12. Bb3 f5 13. Nbd2 Qf6 14. Ra2 a5 15. b5
Nd8 16. Nc4 fxe4 17. dxe4 Bc5 18. Bg5 Qg6 19. Bxd8 Bxh3 20. Bg5 Bg4 21. Ncd2
Rxf3 22. Nxf3 Rf8 23. Nxe5 Qxg5 24. Nxg4 Nxg4 25. Be6 Ne5 26. Kh1 Qh4+ 27. Kg1
Rf6 28. Bh3 g5 29. Qd5 g4 30. Qxb7 gxh3 31. Qc8+ Kg7 32. Qxh3 Nf3+ 33. Kh1 Rh6
0-1

[Event "Bucharest Superbet rapid"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.08"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2019.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3
Be7 9. Qd2 h5 10. Nd5 Bxd5 11. exd5 Nbd7 12. O-O-O Qc7 13. Kb1 Nb6 14. Qa5 Rc8
15. c3 Bd8 16. h4 Nbxd5 17. Qxc7 Bxc7 18. Bg5 O-O 19. g3 Ne7 20. Bg2 Rb8 21. f4
exf4 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. gxf4 Rfd8 24. Nd4 d5 25. Ne2 b5 26. b4 a5 27. Rh3 Kf8
28. Rhd3 Re8 29. Bf3 Nf5 30. Bxh5 Nxh4 31. Rxd5 axb4 32. cxb4 Ng2 33. Rd7 Re7
34. Rxe7 Kxe7 35. Nd4 Kf8 36. Nf5 Nxf4 37. Bf3 Rd8 38. Rxd8+ Bxd8 39. Bc6 Bb6
40. Kb2 Ne2 41. Bxb5 Nd4 42. Nxd4 Bxd4+ 43. Kb3 Ke7 44. Kc4 Be3 45. Kd5 Kd8 46.
Kc6 Kc8 47. a4 Bd2 48. a5 Kb8 49. Kc5 Be3+ 50. Kc4 Bd2 51. Bd7 Kc7 52. Bf5 Be1
53. Kb5 Bd2 54. Ka4 Kd6 55. b5 Kc5 56. b6 Bc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E39"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 O-O 6. Nf3 Na6 7. g3 Nxc5 8.
Bg2 Nce4 9. O-O Nxc3 10. bxc3 Be7 11. Rd1 Qc7 12. Qd3 d6 13. Rb1 Rb8 14. Be3 b6
15. Nd4 Bd7 16. Nb5 Bxb5 17. cxb5 Rbc8 18. Bc6 Ng4 19. Bf4 Ne5 20. Bxe5 dxe5
21. Qd7 Bc5 22. Kg2 Qb8 23. Qb7 Qxb7 24. Bxb7 Rcd8 25. a4 f5 26. e3 Kf7 27. Kf1
Ke7 28. Ke2 Rxd1 29. Rxd1 Rd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Korobov, Anton"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Be2 Bb7 11. Rd1 Qc7 12. h3 Rfe8 13. Nd2 a6 14. Nce4 c5 15.
Nxd6 Qxd6 16. dxc5 Qxc5 17. Qxc5 Nxc5 18. b3 Red8 19. Ba3 Nd3 20. Nb1 Ne5 21.
Nc3 Rac8 22. Rac1 h6 23. f3 Rxd1+ 24. Nxd1 Rd8 25. Bb4 Nd3 26. Bxd3 Rxd3 27.
Kf2 Rd7 28. e4 Nh5 29. Nb2 f5 30. exf5 exf5 31. Rd1 Rxd1 32. Nxd1 Nf4 33. Nb2
Kf7 34. Bd2 Ne6 35. Nd3 g5 36. h4 f4 37. Ne5+ Kf6 38. Ng4+ Kg6 39. Ne5+ Kf6 40.
Ng4+ Kg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.09"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bf4 c6 7. e3 Bf5 8. Qb3
Qb6 9. Be2 Be7 10. Nd2 Nbd7 11. O-O O-O 12. Rac1 a5 13. h3 Qxb3 14. Nxb3 a4 15.
Nd2 a3 16. b3 Bb4 17. Rfd1 h5 18. Nf1 Rfe8 19. Ng3 Bg6 20. Bd3 Bxd3 21. Rxd3
Nf8 22. Na4 Ne6 23. Be5 Nd7 24. Nxh5 b5 25. Nc3 Nxe5 26. dxe5 Nc5 27. Rdd1 Rxe5
28. Nf4 g5 29. Nh5 Na6 30. Ne2 Bf8 31. Nd4 c5 32. Nxb5 Nb4 33. Nc3 Ra6 34. Rd2
f5 35. Rcd1 d4 36. exd4 cxd4 37. Rxd4 Rc6 38. Rc4 Rxc4 39. bxc4 Kf7 40. Ng3 Rc5
41. Nb5 Nc2 42. Rd5 Rxd5 43. cxd5 Kf6 44. d6 Ke6 45. d7 Kxd7 46. Nxf5 Bc5 47.
Kf1 Ke6 48. g4 Kd5 49. Ke2 Kc4 50. Nbd6+ Kd5 51. Nb5 Kc4 52. Nbd6+ Kd5 53. Nb5
1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.09"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8.
Bd2 Bg4 9. f3 Be6 10. O-O dxe4 11. Bxe4 Qd4+ 12. Kh1 O-O 13. a3 Bd6 14. Ne2
Qxb2 15. Bc3 Qb5 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. f4 Qh5 18. Bxc6 Rad8 19. Bf3 Qg6 20. Qc1 Bc4
21. Rd1 Bxe2 22. Bxe2 Qe4 23. Bf3 Qxf4 24. Qxf4 Bxf4 25. g3 Be5 26. Rxd8 Rxd8
27. Rd1 Bd6 28. Rd5 Re8 29. a4 Re3 30. Rd3 Re1+ 31. Kg2 f5 32. Rd5 Rc1 33. Rxf5
Rxc2+ 34. Kh3 Kg7 35. Rg5+ Kh8 36. Rf5 Kg7 37. Rg5+ Kh8 38. Rf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. Rd1 Ne7 11. h3 Ng6 12. Ne2 Be7 13. Bd2 Bd7 14. Bc3
c5 15. Ng3 Nf4 16. Bd2 Ne6 17. Nf5 Bc6 18. Ne1 h5 19. Nxe7 Kxe7 20. h4 Rad8 21.
Be3 b6 22. f3 Nd4 23. c3 Nf5 24. Bg5+ f6 25. exf6+ gxf6 26. Bf4 Nxh4 27. Bxc7
Rc8 28. Bg3 Ng6 29. Kf2 h4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.09"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "176"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Bg2 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. cxd5 exd5 7. b3 Bg4 8.
Bb2 c6 9. d3 Nbd7 10. Nbd2 a5 11. a3 Ne8 12. Qc2 Bf6 13. b4 Nd6 14. Nb3 Bxb2
15. Qxb2 axb4 16. axb4 Qb6 17. Qd4 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Qxd4 19. Nxd4 Rxa1 20. Rxa1
Nb6 21. Rc1 Rc8 22. Kg2 g6 23. g4 Kg7 24. Kg3 Kf6 25. h4 h6 26. e3 Ke7 27. Nb3
Ra8 28. Na5 Nd7 29. Be2 Kd8 30. h5 gxh5 31. gxh5 Kc7 32. Kh2 Rg8 33. Nb3 Nf6
34. Nd4 Kb6 35. Kh3 Rg5 36. f4 Rg8 37. Bf3 Nfe8 38. e4 dxe4 39. dxe4 Ng7 40.
Rg1 Nde8 41. Nf5 Kb5 42. Nxh6 Rf8 43. e5 Kxb4 44. Rb1+ Kc5 45. Rxb7 f6 46. Ng4
Nxh5 47. exf6 Nxf4+ 48. Kg3 Nh5+ 49. Kf2 Nhxf6 50. Nxf6 Nxf6 51. Ke2 Nd5 52.
Bxd5 Kxd5 53. Rb3 Kc4 54. Rb1 Rd8 55. Rc1+ Kb5 56. Rb1+ Ka6 57. Ra1+ Kb7 58.
Rb1+ Kc7 59. Rc1 Rd5 60. Rc3 Kb6 61. Rb3+ Ka5 62. Rc3 Kb5 63. Rb3+ Kc4 64. Rb1
c5 65. Rc1+ Kb3 66. Rb1+ Kc2 67. Rb5 Re5+ 68. Kf3 Kc3 69. Kf4 Kd4 70. Rb1 Re2
71. Rd1+ Kc3 72. Kf3 Re8 73. Rc1+ Kb4 74. Rb1+ Kc4 75. Rc1+ Kb5 76. Rb1+ Kc6
77. Rc1 Re7 78. Rc3 Kb5 79. Rc2 c4 80. Re2 Rd7 81. Rb2+ Ka4 82. Ke2 c3 83. Rb8
Ka3 84. Rb6 c2 85. Rc6 Kb2 86. Rb6+ Kc1 87. Rc6 Re7+ 88. Kd3 Kd1 0-1

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3
h5 9. Nd5 Bxd5 10. exd5 Nbd7 11. Qd2 g6 12. O-O-O Nb6 13. Kb1 Nbxd5 14. Bg5 Be7
15. Bd3 Rc8 16. Rhe1 O-O 17. h4 Nb6 18. g4 Nc4 19. Qg2 Kh8 20. Nd2 b5 21. Bxc4
bxc4 22. Bxf6+ Bxf6 23. Ne4 Bg7 24. Nxd6 Qa5 25. Nxc8 c3 26. Nd6 Rc8 27. Re4
Rc6 28. Qe2 Qb6 29. Nxf7+ Kg8 30. b3 1-0

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.09"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nc3 a5 12. Rfd1 h6 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. e3 Bb4
15. Qe2 Qe7 16. Qc2 Rfd8 17. Rac1 Nd7 18. Ne1 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 c6 20. Nd3 Bd6 21.
Ne4 Nf6 22. Nxd6 Qxd6 23. Qb3 Qd5+ 24. Qxd5 exd5 25. Nc5 Ra7 26. Rc3 Nd7 27.
Nd3 Nb6 28. b3 Kf8 29. Rb1 Ke7 30. g4 Nd7 31. h3 Kd6 32. Rbc1 Re8 33. R3c2 Raa8
34. Rb1 Re7 35. Rbc1 Ree8 36. Rb1 Re7 37. Rbc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.09"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C58"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2822"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8.
Bd3 h6 9. Ne4 Nd5 10. Nbc3 Be7 11. Ng3 O-O 12. Bf5 Bxf5 13. Nxf5 Bg5 14. d3 Rb8
15. O-O Bxc1 16. Qxc1 Nf4 17. Re1 Qg5 18. Ng3 c5 19. Nce2 Nc6 20. Nxf4 exf4 21.
Ne4 Qf5 22. f3 Nd4 23. c3 Ne6 24. Qc2 Rfd8 25. a3 a5 26. Rad1 Rd7 27. Re2 Qd5
28. Qa4 Rdb7 29. Rdd2 Qd8 30. Qc4 Qb6 31. Nf2 Rd8 32. Ng4 Rbd7 33. Ne5 Rd5 34.
Qa4 Qc7 35. Qc6 Qe7 36. Qa6 Qf6 37. Ng4 Qg5 38. Nf2 Qf5 39. Qb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.10"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 f5 11. exf6 Rxf6 12. Rc1 Ne7 13. O-O c6 14. Be2 h6 15.
Ne5 Nd6 16. g4 Nf7 17. f4 Nxe5 18. fxe5 Rxf1+ 19. Qxf1 Be6 20. Qf2 Ng6 21. Na4
Qe7 22. a3 Rf8 23. Qg3 Bc7 24. Nc5 Bc8 25. Nd3 Qh4 26. Qxh4 Nxh4 27. Rf1 Re8
28. Nf4 Bb6 29. Bf2 Rf8 30. Be3 g5 31. Nh5 Rxf1+ 32. Kxf1 Kf7 33. h3 a5 34. Kf2
Ng6 35. Ng3 Nf4 36. Bf1 a4 37. Kf3 Kg6 38. h4 Be6 39. h5+ Kh7 40. Bxf4 gxf4 41.
Ne2 Bd7 42. Kxf4 Bd8 43. Kf3 Kg7 44. Nf4 Bb6 45. Ne2 Be6 46. Bh3 Ba5 47. Nf4
Bg8 48. Ke3 b5 49. Nd3 Be6 50. Nf4 Bc8 51. g5 hxg5 52. Bxc8 gxf4+ 53. Kxf4 Bd2+
54. Kf5 b4 55. e6 Bc3 56. h6+ Kf8 57. bxc3 1-0

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.10"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Korobov, Anton"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E39"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 O-O 6. Nf3 Na6 7. g3 Nxc5 8.
Bg2 Nce4 9. O-O Nxc3 10. bxc3 Be7 11. e4 d6 12. e5 dxe5 13. Nxe5 Qc7 14. Re1
Bd6 15. Bf4 Nh5 16. Rad1 Nxf4 17. gxf4 f6 18. Qd3 Be7 19. Be4 fxe5 20. Bxh7+
Kh8 21. Rxe5 Rxf4 22. Rh5 Rh4 23. Rxh4 Bxh4 24. Bg6 Qe7 25. Kf1 Qf6 26. Qe4 0-1

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.10"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 e6 6. h4 h6 7. h5 g5 8. f4 d6 9.
Bxc6+ bxc6 10. Nf3 g4 11. Nd2 f5 12. Qa4 Ne7 13. Nb3 O-O 14. Bd2 Bd7 15. Qa5
Qb8 16. O-O-O Kh7 17. e4 e5 18. Rhf1 fxe4 19. Nxe4 Nf5 20. fxe5 Bxe5 21. Bf4
Qe8 22. Rde1 Bxf4+ 23. Rxf4 Qd8 24. Qc3 Rf7 25. d4 cxd4 26. Nxd4 Qh8 27. Nxf5
Qxc3+ 28. bxc3 Rxf5 29. Nf6+ Kg7 30. Nxd7 Rxf4 31. gxf4 Kf7 32. c5 Rd8 33. Rg1
Rxd7 34. Rxg4 dxc5 35. Rg6 Rd3 36. Kb2 Rd2+ 37. Ka3 Rd3 38. Kb3 Rf3 39. Rxh6
c4+ 40. Kxc4 Rxf4+ 41. Kc5 Ra4 42. Rxc6 Rxa2 43. c4 a5 44. Ra6 Ke7 45. h6 Rh2
46. h7 Rh5+ 47. Kb6 Kd6 48. c5+ Kd5 49. c6 Kd6 50. Rxa5 Rxh7 51. Ra1 Rh2 52.
Rd1+ Ke7 53. c7 Rb2+ 54. Kc6 Rc2+ 55. Kb7 Rb2+ 56. Kc8 Rb4 57. Re1+ Kf7 58. Kd7
Rd4+ 59. Kc6 Rc4+ 60. Kd6 Rc2 61. Re5 Rd2+ 62. Rd5 1-0

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.10"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Nxc3 13. bxc3 f6 14. exf6 Qxf6
15. Be2 Rae8 16. O-O h6 17. Rae1 Qd6 18. Bc1 Re6 19. Nh4 Bxe2 20. Rxe2 Rxe2 21.
Qxe2 Qf6 22. Nf3 Na5 23. Ba3 Rb8 24. Ne5 Re8 25. Qh5 Re6 26. f4 Nc4 27. Nxc4
dxc4 28. Qd5 Kh8 29. Bc1 Re2 30. Qxc4 Rc2 31. Be3 Qc6 32. Qxc6 bxc6 33. a4 Rxc3
34. Kf2 Rc4 35. Ra1 Rxd4 36. a5 Rxf4+ 37. Ke2 Bxe3 38. Kxe3 Rf5 39. Rc1 Rxa5
40. Rxc6 Re5+ 41. Kd4 Re2 42. g4 Rh2 43. Rxc7 Rxh3 44. g5 hxg5 45. Rxa7 Kh7 46.
Ra6 Rf3 47. Ke4 Rf6 48. Ra1 Kg6 49. Ke3 g4 50. Rg1 Kg5 51. Ke2 Kh4 52. Rh1+ Kg3
53. Rh7 g6 54. Rh6 Kg2 55. Rh4 g3 56. Rg4 Kh3 57. Rg5 g2 0-1

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.10"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Bf4 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13. c3 d5 14. Nd2
c6 15. Bd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.10"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 Qb6 7. Nb3 e6 8. Bf4
Nh5 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 Nc6 11. Qd2 Qc7 12. a4 b6 13. g4 g5 14. Bg3 Nxg3 15. hxg3
Bb7 16. Be2 Bg7 17. Nd1 Ne7 18. c4 d5 19. cxd5 Qxg3+ 20. Nf2 exd5 21. Qb4 dxe4
22. Qxb6 Bd5 23. Nc5 e3 24. O-O-O Qxf2 25. Rxd5 Qxe2 26. Rd7 O-O 27. Rxe7 Rab8
28. Rb7 Rxb7 29. Nxb7 Rc8+ 30. Kb1 Rc2 0-1

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.10"]
[Round "16"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 e6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nc3 a5 12. Rfe1 Bd5 13. Qd3 Bxf3 14. Bxf3 c6
15. Red1 Nd5 16. Bd2 Nb4 17. Qb1 Qb6 18. e3 Rfd8 19. Na2 Nd5 20. Qc2 Nb4 21.
Nxb4 Bxb4 22. Bc3 g6 23. h4 h5 24. Kg2 Bf8 25. e4 Bg7 26. e5 Qc7 27. Be4 Nb6
28. Rd3 Nd5 29. Bd2 Qb6 30. Rd1 Rac8 31. Qb3 Qa7 32. Be1 Rd7 33. Bd2 Qa6 34.
Bc3 b5 35. Bd2 Nb6 36. Rc1 Nxa4 37. Qa2 Nb6 38. Qxa5 Qxa5 39. Bxa5 Nd5 40. Rb3
Rb7 41. Bxd5 exd5 42. Rbc3 Ra8 43. b4 Bh6 44. f4 Bf8 45. Rxc6 Kg7 46. Kf3 Rd7
47. Rc7 Ra7 48. Rxd7 Rxd7 49. Rc6 Be7 50. f5 gxf5 51. Kf4 Bd8 52. Rd6 Rxd6 53.
exd6 1-0

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.10"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[PlyCount "25"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. a3 c5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Nxc5 11. Be5 Bf5 12. Be2 Bf6 13. Bd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.10"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2822"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2019.11.09"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Qe2 Nd7 7. Nbd2 f6 8.
Nc4 Nb6 9. Ne3 Be6 10. b3 a5 11. a4 Bb4+ 12. Bd2 Bxd2+ 13. Nxd2 Qd4 14. O-O O-O
15. Kh1 Nc8 16. Rae1 Ne7 17. f4 exf4 18. Rxf4 Ng6 19. Rf2 b5 20. Nf3 Qc3 21.
Qd2 Qxd2 22. Rxd2 bxa4 23. Nd4 Bd7 24. bxa4 Rfb8 25. Nb3 Be6 26. Nc5 Nf8 27. c4
Kf7 28. h3 Nd7 29. Nxe6 Kxe6 30. d4 Kf7 31. Nf5 g6 32. Nh6+ Kg7 33. Ng4 h5 34.
Nf2 Rb4 35. e5 fxe5 36. dxe5 Nc5 37. Nd3 Nxd3 38. Rxd3 Rxc4 39. Rd7+ Kh6 40. e6
Re8 41. Rxc7 Rxa4 42. Rxc6 Rf4 43. e7 Rf7 44. Rc7 a4 45. Ra7 a3 46. Rxa3 Rexe7
47. Rxe7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz playoff"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2019.11.10"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O Nd4 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. Ba4 c6 8.
c3 Bb6 9. Na3 d6 10. Bb3 a5 11. Nc4 Ba7 12. Kh1 a4 13. Bc2 Ng4 14. Ne3 Bxe3 15.
Bxe3 Qh4 16. h3 Nxe3 17. fxe3 Bxh3 18. gxh3 Qxh3+ 19. Kg1 Qg3+ 20. Kh1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bucharest Superbet blitz playoff"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "2019.11.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2019.11.10"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192 Extra"]
[Source "Chessbase"]
[SourceDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.11.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Nxc3 13. bxc3 f6 14. exf6 Qxf6
15. Be2 Rae8 16. O-O h6 17. Rae1 Qd6 18. Bc1 Ba5 19. Qd2 Re4 20. Bd1 Bxf3 21.
Bxf3 Rxd4 22. Qc2 Rc4 23. Ba3 Bb4 24. Qd3 Rxf3 25. Qxf3 Bxa3 26. Re8+ Kh7 27.
Qf5+ 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.22"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2019.11.22"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Be3 O-O 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Nxc3 13. bxc3 f6 14. exf6 Qxf6
15. Be2 Bg6 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Rae8 18. O-O Qf5 19. Qe2 Qh5 20. Rae1 Na5 21.
Qc2 Nc4 22. Nd2 Qf5 23. Qxf5 Rxf5 24. g4 Nxd2 25. Bxd2 Rxe1 26. Rxe1 Rf3 27.
Re3 Rxe3 28. Bxe3 Ba5 29. Bd2 Kf7 30. Kf1 c6 31. Ke2 Bc7 32. Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2019.11.22"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Bc7 13. Nf5 d5 14. Ne7+
Kh8 15. Nxc8 Rxc8 16. d3 f5 17. Qf3 Nf6 18. g3 Ng4 19. d4 Qf6 20. h3 Nh6 21.
Bxh6 Qxh6 22. c3 Qf6 23. Bd3 g6 24. Re2 Rce8 25. Rae1 Rxe2 26. Rxe2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.22"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2870"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2019.11.22"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3
Nbd7 9. g4 Be7 10. Qd2 O-O 11. O-O-O b5 12. g5 Nh5 13. Kb1 Nb6 14. Na5 Rc8 15.
a3 g6 16. h4 Ng3 17. Rg1 Nxf1 18. Rgxf1 Na4 19. Nxa4 bxa4 20. h5 Qd7 21. Rh1
Rfe8 22. Qh2 Bf8 23. Bd2 Rc7 24. Bb4 Rb8 25. Rd3 Qb5 26. Rc3 Rbc8 27. Rxc7 Rxc7
28. Rd1 Rd7 29. Rd3 Be7 30. hxg6 fxg6 31. Qd2 Qb6 32. Qc1 Bd8 33. c4 Qf2 34.
Nc6 Bxg5 35. Qxg5 Qf1+ 36. Kc2 Bxc4 37. Qe3 Bxd3+ 38. Qxd3 Qxd3+ 39. Kxd3 h5
40. Ke3 Kf7 41. Bc3 Ke6 42. Nb4 g5 43. Kf2 Rf7 44. Kg2 g4 45. fxg4 Rg7 46. Nd5
Rxg4+ 47. Kf3 Rg1 48. Kf2 Rg7 49. Kf3 h4 50. Be1 h3 51. Bg3 Rb7 52. Nb4 a5 53.
Nd3 Rb3 54. Ke2 Kf6 55. Bh2 Kg5 56. Bg3 Kg4 57. Bh2 Rxd3 58. Kxd3 Kf3 59. Kd2
Kxe4 60. Ke2 d5 61. Bg3 d4 62. Bh2 Kd5 63. Kd2 e4 64. Ke2 Kc4 65. Be5 Kb3 66.
Kd2 d3 67. Kd1 e3 68. Kc1 Kc4 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2019.11.22"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O O-O 6. c3 d6 7. Re1 Bb6 8. h3
Kh8 9. a4 Ng8 10. b4 a6 11. a5 Ba7 12. d4 f5 13. exf5 Bxf5 14. Be3 exd4 15.
Nxd4 Bxd4 16. Bxd4 Qg5 17. Re3 Nf6 18. Rg3 Qh4 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Nd2 Ne5 21.
Bf1 Rae8 22. Re3 Bd7 23. Ne4 Qf4 24. Ra2 Ng6 25. Qd4 Bc6 26. Rae2 Re5 27. g3
Qf5 28. c4 d5 29. Nc5 Rxe3 30. Qxe3 dxc4 31. f4 h5 32. Qd4 h4 33. Ne6 Qf6 34.
f5 hxg3 35. Qxf6 Rxf6 36. fxg6 Rxg6 37. Re3 b5 38. axb6 cxb6 39. Bxc4 a5 40. b5
Bd7 41. Nf8 Rd6 42. Nxd7 Rxd7 43. Re6 Rd4 44. Bf1 Rd2 45. Rxb6 a4 46. Ra6 Ra2
47. Bd3 g5 48. b6 Rb2 49. Be4 a3 50. b7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.23"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2019.11.22"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. Re1 Bd6 13. d3 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Qxd5 Rad8 18. Qg2 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 Bxd3 20. Be3 Rfe8
21. Nd2 b4 22. Bb6 Rc8 23. Ba5 bxc3 24. Bxc3 f6 25. Rad1 Bf8 26. f3 Kf7 27. Ne4
Red8 28. g4 Bc4 29. a3 Bb3 30. Rc1 Rb8 31. h4 Be7 32. h5 Rb5 33. Bb4 Bxb4 34.
Rc7+ Kf8 35. axb4 Re5 36. h6 gxh6 37. Rh1 f5 38. gxf5 Rxf5 39. Rxh6 Rf7 40. Rc3
Bd5 41. Nc5 Rb8 42. Rd6 Ba2 43. Rxa6 Bb1 44. b5 Bf5 45. b6 Rf6 46. Rb3 Rg6+ 47.
Kf2 Bc8 48. b7 Rxb7 49. Rxb7 Rxa6 50. Rxh7 Rc6 51. b4 Bf5 52. Rh4 Ke7 53. Ke3
Rb6 54. Rd4 Bh3 55. Nd3 Bf5 56. Nf4 Rb8 57. Kd2 Kf6 58. Kc3 Ra8 59. Nd5+ Kg7
60. Rf4 Be6 61. Ne7 Ra3+ 62. Kd4 Bh3 63. Nc6 Rb3 64. Kc5 Bf1 65. Ne5 Rc3+ 66.
Kd6 Rb3 67. Ke7 Bh3 68. Rd4 Re3 69. f4 Bf1 70. Rd1 Bh3 71. Rg1+ Kh7 72. Rg5 Bf1
73. Kf6 Re4 74. Rh5+ 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2019.11.22"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Bxd2+ 6. Nxd2 O-O 7. Ngf3 c6 8.
O-O b6 9. Qc2 Ba6 10. Rfd1 Nbd7 11. Rac1 Rc8 12. e3 h6 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Qa4
Be2 15. Re1 Rxc1 16. Rxc1 Qb8 17. Qc6 Ba6 18. Qc7 Rc8 19. Qxb8 Nxb8 20. Rxc8+
Bxc8 21. Ne5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.24"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2019.11.22"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Bd7 10. b3 Kc8 11. Bb2 h6 12. h3 b6 13. Rad1 Ne7 14. Ne2
Ng6 15. Ne1 h5 16. Nd3 a5 17. a4 Be7 18. Rfe1 Nf8 19. Ndf4 Bg5 20. e6 Nxe6 21.
Nxe6 Bxe6 22. Bxg7 Rg8 23. Be5 c5 24. Bf4 Bf6 25. Ng3 h4 26. Ne4 Be7 27. Nc3 c6
28. Kh2 Ra7 29. Ne4 Rd7 30. Rxd7 Kxd7 31. Rd1+ Kc8 32. c4 Rd8 33. Rxd8+ Kxd8
34. g4 hxg3+ 35. Kxg3 Kd7 36. Bd2 f5 37. Nc3 Bf6 38. Kf3 Bf7 39. Ke2 Bh5+ 40.
f3 Bg6 41. Kd3 Bh5 42. Ke2 Bg6 43. Kd3 Bh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "25"]
[EventDate "2019.11.22"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. d4 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Nc3 Nbd7 7. b3 dxc4 8.
bxc4 c5 9. O-O cxd4 10. Nxd4 Ne5 11. Rb1 Nxc4 12. Bxb7 Bxb7 13. Rxb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India rapid"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C58"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2722"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2019.11.22"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8.
Bd3 Nd5 9. Nf3 Bd6 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 f5 12. Nxe5 Qf6 13. Nf3 g5 14. c4 Nf4
15. Bf1 g4 16. d4 gxf3 17. Qxf3 Ne6 18. c5 Bc7 19. b4 Qxd4 20. Qc3 Qxc3 21.
Nxc3 Nb7 22. Bc4 Re8 23. Bb2 a5 24. b5 Nbxc5 25. Ba3 Ne4 26. Nxe4 fxe4 27. b6
Bxb6 28. Rxe4 Kf7 29. Rae1 Ra7 30. Kh1 a4 31. f4 Ra5 32. g4 Bc5 33. Bxc5 Rxc5
34. f5 h5 35. Bxe6+ Bxe6 36. fxe6+ Ke7 37. Rxa4 h4 38. Rf4 Rc2 39. Rf7+ Kd6 40.
Rd7+ Kc5 41. Rh7 Kd6 42. e7 Rd2 43. Rxh4 Rxe7 44. Rh6+ Kd7 45. Rxe7+ Kxe7 46.
Rxc6 Rxa2 47. Rc3 Kf6 48. h4 Ke5 49. Rf3 Ra4 50. Rg3 Kf4 51. Rg2 Kf3 52. h5 Kf4
53. g5 Kf5 54. g6 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.25"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. d3 Bg4 8.
h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nd7 10. Nd2 Qe7 11. Nc4 Nf8 12. Qh5 Ng6 13. g3 O-O-O 14. Bd2
Qe6 15. b4 Bd4 16. Rab1 Rhf8 17. Qf5 Qxf5 18. exf5 Ne7 19. g4 Nd5 20. Kg2 f6
21. a3 Bc3 22. Be3 Bd4 23. Kf3 Nc3 24. Rbe1 Rfe8 25. Bd2 Nd5 26. Re4 c5 27.
bxc5 Bxc5 28. a4 b6 29. h4 a5 30. Rc1 Bb4 31. Ke2 Bxd2 32. Kxd2 Nf4 33. h5 h6
34. Rb1 Nd5 35. Ne3 Nb4 36. f3 Na6 37. Rc4 Rd6 38. Rb5 Red8 39. f4 exf4 40.
Rxf4 Rd4 41. Ng2 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.25"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Nxc3 13. bxc3 f6 14. exf6 Qxf6
15. Be2 Bg6 16. Qd2 Rae8 17. O-O Qd6 18. Rfe1 a6 19. Nh2 Na5 20. Ng4 Nc4 21.
Bxc4 dxc4 22. Ne5 Rxe5 23. dxe5 Qxd2 24. Bxd2 Bxf2+ 25. Kh2 Bxe1 26. Rxe1 Rf2
27. Be3 Rxa2 28. e6 Be4 29. Kg3 Rxg2+ 30. Kf4 Bd3 31. Ba7 Re2 32. Rxe2 Bxe2 33.
Bb8 c5 34. Ba7 Kf8 35. Bxc5+ Ke8 36. Bb6 Ke7 37. Ke5 g5 38. Bc5+ Ke8 39. Kf5
Bf1 40. Kg4 a5 41. Bb6 a4 42. Bc5 b6 43. Bb4 Bg2 44. Bd6 h6 45. Bb4 Bf1 46. Ba3
Be2+ 47. Kf5 Bd3+ 48. Kg4 Bg6 49. h4 gxh4 50. Kxh4 Kd8 51. Bd6 Kc8 52. Kg4 Kb7
53. Kf4 Kc6 54. Ba3 Kd5 55. e7 h5 56. Bb4 Be8 57. Kf5 b5 58. Kf4 h4 59. Kg4 Ke4
60. Kxh4 Kd3 61. Kg5 Kc2 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.25"]
[Round "3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nc6 3. d4 Bf5 4. Bg2 e6 5. O-O Nb4 6. Na3 c6 7. Nh4 Bg4 8. c3
Na6 9. Nc2 Be7 10. Nf3 Nf6 11. h3 Bh5 12. Ne5 Nd7 13. Nd3 g5 14. Qe1 f5 15. f3
O-O 16. e4 Nc7 17. Be3 fxe4 18. fxe4 Bg6 19. Qe2 dxe4 20. Nf2 Nd5 21. Bxe4 Qc7
22. Kg2 c5 23. Bxg6 hxg6 24. c4 Nxe3+ 25. Qxe3 Qc6+ 26. d5 exd5 27. Qxe7 Rae8
28. Qxg5 d4+ 29. Qd5+ Qxd5+ 30. cxd5 Re2 31. Na3 Ne5 32. Kg1 Nf3+ 33. Kg2 Ne5
34. Kg1 Nf3+ 35. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.25"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C80"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2722"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. Nxe5
Nxe5 9. dxe5 c6 10. Be3 Be7 11. c3 O-O 12. Bc2 f5 13. exf6 Nxf6 14. h3 Bd6 15.
Nd2 Be6 16. f4 Re8 17. Qf3 c5 18. Rae1 Bf7 19. Bf2 Qc7 20. g3 Bh5 21. Qg2 Be2
22. Ne4 Bxf1 23. Nxf6+ gxf6 24. Qxd5+ Kh8 25. Rxf1 Rad8 26. Qh5 Bf8 27. Rd1
Rxd1+ 28. Qxd1 Qf7 29. b3 c4 30. bxc4 bxc4 31. h4 f5 32. Qf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.25"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Be4 11. Qc1 Nc6 12. Be3 b4 13. Nbd2 Bd5 14. Bg5 Nxd4 15.
Nxd4 Bxg2 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Kxg2 Qd5+ 18. Nf3 c5 19. Qc2 c4 20. Rad1 Qb5 21.
Rd4 Rac8 22. Rh4 c3 23. Bxf6 Bxf6 24. Qxh7+ Kf7 25. Rh5 Qxe2 26. Re1 Qxe1 27.
Nxe1 cxb2 28. Nd3 Rh8 29. Qe4 Rxh5 30. Qb7+ Be7 31. Nxb2 Rc2 32. Nd3 Rxa2 33.
g4 Rd5 34. Nxb4 Rb5 35. Qf3+ Kg8 36. Nxa2 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.25"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 O-O 7. Re1 h6 8. Nbd2
a5 9. Nf1 Ne7 10. Ng3 Ng6 11. Bb3 c6 12. d4 Bb6 13. h3 Re8 14. Be3 exd4 15.
Bxd4 Bc7 16. Qd2 a4 17. Bc2 Ne5 18. Nh2 c5 19. Bxe5 dxe5 20. Qe2 Be6 21. Bd3 a3
22. b3 Ba5 23. Rac1 g6 24. Bc4 Kg7 25. Nf3 Bd7 26. Bb5 Qc7 27. Nf1 Bc6 28. N1d2
Qd7 29. Bxc6 Qxc6 30. b4 Bc7 31. b5 Qe6 32. Qc4 Qxc4 33. Nxc4 Ra4 34. Nfd2 Nd7
35. Kf1 Nb6 36. Ne3 Bd8 37. c4 Bg5 38. Ke2 Bxe3 39. fxe3 Rb4 40. Rc2 Rd8 41.
Rec1 Rb2 42. g4 Na4 43. Nb1 Ra8 44. Kd3 Rb4 45. Ke2 Nb6 46. Nd2 Rb2 47. Kd3
Rd8+ 48. Ke2 Kf6 49. Rxb2 axb2 50. Rb1 Na4 51. Rf1+ Ke6 52. Nb1 Nb6 53. Nd2 Ra8
54. Rb1 Rxa2 55. Kd3 Ra3+ 56. Kc2 Rxe3 57. Rxb2 Rxh3 58. Rb1 Nc8 59. Nb3 b6 60.
Ra1 Rh4 61. Ra6 Kd7 62. Kd3 Rxg4 63. Ra1 Rg3+ 64. Kc2 h5 65. Rf1 Ke6 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2870"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nb6 7. Be2 Be7 8.
Be3 O-O 9. O-O Be6 10. a4 a6 11. a5 Nd7 12. d4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Nc5
15. Be3 Qxd1 16. Rfxd1 Rfd8 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 Nd7 19. Bf4 Bd6 20. Bxd6 cxd6
21. Rac1 Nf6 22. Rc7 Rab8 23. Bf3 b6 24. b4 bxa5 25. bxa5 Rb5 26. Ra1 Nxd5 27.
Bxd5 Rxd5 28. Ra7 g6 29. h3 Rb8 30. Rxa6 Kg7 31. Rc6 Rb2 32. a6 Rdd2 33. a7
Rxf2 34. Rc2 Rbxc2 35. a8=Q h5 36. Qe4 Rce2 37. Qd4+ Rf6 38. Rf1 Re5 39. Rxf6
Kxf6 40. Qxd6+ Re6 41. Qf8 Re5 42. Kf2 Rf5+ 43. Ke3 Re5+ 44. Kd4 Re2 45. g4
hxg4 46. hxg4 Rg2 47. Qh8+ Ke7 48. Qh3 Rd2+ 49. Ke5 Re2+ 50. Kf4 Re6 51. Kg5
Re5+ 52. Kh6 g5 53. Kg7 Re6 54. Qa3+ Ke8 55. Qa8+ Ke7 56. Qb7+ 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.25"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C59"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8.
Be2 h6 9. Nh3 Bd6 10. d3 O-O 11. Nc3 Nb7 12. O-O Nc5 13. Kh1 Bf5 14. Ng1 e4 15.
dxe4 Ncxe4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Be3 Qc7 18. Bd3 Rfe8 19. h3 Rad8 20. Qf3 Bg6 21.
Rad1 c5 22. Bc4 Nf6 23. Bd3 Ne4 24. Bc4 Nf6 25. Qe2 Rb8 26. b3 Ne4 27. Qf3 Rb6
28. Ne2 Be5 29. Nf4 Ng5 30. Qg4 Bxc2 31. Nd5 Qc6 32. Rd2 Be4 33. Bxg5 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e4 Bc5 5. Nxe5 Nxe5 6. d4 Bb4 7. dxe5 Nxe4 8.
Qf3 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Ba5 10. Bf4 O-O 11. O-O-O Rb8 12. Qe3 Qe7 13. Kb2 b5 14. c5 b4
15. c4 b3 16. a3 f6 17. f3 Re8 18. Bd3 Bb7 19. Bf5 Bc6 20. Qd3 fxe5 21. Bxh7+
Kh8 22. Bd2 Bxd2 23. Rxd2 Qxc5 24. Re1 Re6 25. Be4 Rd6 26. Bd5 Bxd5 27. cxd5
Re8 28. Re4 Kg8 29. Rh4 Rf6 30. Qh7+ Kf7 31. Rg4 Rg8 32. Qh5+ g6 33. Qxe5 Re8
34. Qd4 Qxd4+ 35. Rgxd4 Rb6 36. R4d3 Reb8 37. Rc3 R8b7 38. h4 a5 39. Rd4 Kf6
40. Re3 Rb5 41. Rf4+ Kg7 42. Re7+ Kg8 43. Re8+ Kg7 44. Ref8 g5 45. R4f7+ Kg6
46. Rf6+ Kh7 47. R8f7+ Kg8 48. h5 Rb8 49. Rxd7 Re8 50. h6 Re2+ 51. Kc3 Re8 52.
Rg7+ Kh8 53. Rff7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nc3 a5 12. Rfe1 Bd5 13. Qd3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 c6
15. e4 Re8 16. Be3 Bb4 17. Red1 Nb6 18. Qe2 Qc7 19. Rac1 Rad8 20. b3 h6 21. Rc2
Qe7 22. h3 Nbd7 23. Na2 e5 24. Nxb4 Qxb4 25. Qc4 Qxc4 26. Rxc4 Nb6 27. Rcc1
exd4 28. Rxd4 Rxd4 29. Bxd4 Nbd7 30. f3 Nh7 31. f4 Nhf8 32. Rd1 Ne6 33. Bxg7
Kxg7 34. Rxd7 Nc5 35. Rc7 Kf8 36. e5 Re7 37. Rc8+ Re8 38. Rc7 Re7 39. Rc8+ Re8
1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Nd7 7. c3 O-O 8.
O-O Re8 9. Nc4 Bf8 10. Be3 a5 11. Qc2 a4 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 Nb6 14. Ncd2 h6
15. Ne5 Bb4 16. f3 Be6 17. Nd3 Bxd2 18. Qxd2 Nc4 19. Qe2 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 Bc4 21.
Rfc1 Bxd3 22. Qxd3 Ra5 23. Rc4 Qd6 24. Qc3 Rh5 25. g3 Ra8 26. e5 Qe6 27. Re1 f5
28. Qc2 f4 29. g4 Rh4 30. Rxa4 Rxg4+ 31. fxg4 Qxg4+ 32. Kh1 Qf3+ 33. Kg1 Qg4+
1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.26"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8.
d3 Re8 9. Bd2 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Bb6 11. Qc2 Bf5 12. Nh4 Bg4 13. Rae1 Qd7 14. Kh1
Rad8 15. Bg5 f6 16. Be3 Bh3 17. Rg1 Bxg2+ 18. Rxg2 Bxe3 19. fxe3 e4 20. dxe4
Qe6 21. Nf3 Kh8 22. Rb1 b6 23. Nd4 Qc4 24. g4 h6 25. h4 Ne5 26. g5 fxg5 27.
hxg5 h5 28. g6 c5 29. Rg5 Kg8 30. Nf5 Ng4 31. Rxh5 Nf6 32. Rh4 Rxe4 33. Rxe4
Nxe4 34. Qb3 Qxb3 35. axb3 Nxc3 36. Ne7+ Kf8 37. Nc6 Nxb1 38. Nxd8 Nd2 39. Kg2
Nxb3 40. Kf3 a5 41. Ne6+ Ke7 42. Nxg7 a4 43. Nf5+ Kf6 44. g7 Kf7 45. Nd6+ Kxg7
46. Nb5 Nd2+ 47. Kf4 Kf6 48. e4 Nc4 49. e5+ Ke6 50. Ke4 a3 51. Nc3 Nxe5 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.26"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A31"]
[WhiteElo "2722"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 b6 5. Nc3 Bb7 6. f3 a6 7. e4 e6 8. Be2
Qc7 9. Be3 Bd6 10. g3 Nc6 11. Qd2 Be5 12. Nb3 O-O 13. Na4 b5 14. cxb5 axb5 15.
Bxb5 d5 16. Rc1 Qb8 17. Nbc5 Ne7 18. f4 Bc7 19. O-O Rd8 20. e5 Ne4 21. Qd3 Nf5
22. Nxb7 Nxe3 23. Nxd8 Bxd8 24. Qxe3 Rxa4 25. Bxa4 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.26"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8.
d3 h6 9. Bd2 Nf6 10. Rc1 Re8 11. Nh4 Nd4 12. e3 Nf5 13. Nxf5 Bxf5 14. Bxb7 Rb8
15. Be4 Bxe4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. dxe4 Rxb2 18. Rc2 Rxc2 19. Qxc2 Qd6 20. Rc1 Bb6
21. a4 a5 22. Rb1 Rd8 23. Be1 f6 24. Kg2 Qd3 25. Qxd3 Rxd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.26"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E39"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 O-O 6. Nf3 Na6 7. g3 Nxc5 8.
Bg2 Nce4 9. O-O Nxc3 10. bxc3 Be7 11. e4 d6 12. e5 dxe5 13. Nxe5 Qc7 14. Re1
Bd6 15. Qe2 Nd7 16. Bf4 Bxe5 17. Bxe5 Nxe5 18. Qxe5 Qxe5 19. Rxe5 Rb8 20. Ra5
Bd7 21. Rxa7 Bc6 22. Bxc6 bxc6 23. Ra6 Rfd8 24. Rxc6 g6 25. c5 Rb5 26. a4 Ra5
27. Rb6 Rxc5 28. a5 Rxc3 29. a6 Ra8 30. a7 Rcc8 31. Rb7 Kg7 32. Rd1 h5 33. Rdd7
Rf8 34. h4 Kf6 35. Rdc7 e5 36. Kf1 Ke6 37. Re7+ Kf6 38. Rec7 Ke6 39. Re7+ Kf6
40. Kg2 Rac8 41. Red7 Ke6 42. Rd3 f6 43. Rb6+ Ke7 44. Ra3 Ra8 45. Raa6 Rfd8 46.
Re6+ 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.26"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2870"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. d3 d6 6. Qd2 e5 7. b3 Nge7 8. Bb2
Be6 9. Nd5 Qd7 10. e3 O-O 11. Ne2 Bh3 12. Bxh3 Qxh3 13. Nec3 Rab8 14. O-O-O
Nxd5 15. Nxd5 b5 16. f4 a5 17. Rhf1 a4 18. f5 axb3 19. axb3 bxc4 20. bxc4 Rb3
21. f6 Bh6 22. Kc2 Rfb8 23. Bc3 Qd7 24. Ra1 Nd4+ 25. Bxd4 cxd4 26. Ra2 Qb7 27.
Qc1 Rc3+ 28. Nxc3 Qb3+ 29. Kd2 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.26"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A56"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7 7. Nge2 g6 8. h4 a6
9. a4 b6 10. g3 Rb8 11. f3 Nh5 12. Bh6 Bf8 13. Be3 Be7 14. Kd2 Ng7 15. Bh6 O-O
16. Kc2 f5 17. h5 Nf6 18. hxg6 hxg6 19. Qd2 Rf7 20. Rh2 b5 21. Rah1 b4 22. Bxg7
Nh5 23. Nd1 Bg5 24. f4 exf4 25. gxf4 Qe8 26. exf5 Bxf5 27. fxg5 Bxd3+ 28. Qxd3
Rxg7 29. Ne3 Qxa4+ 30. Kb1 Re8 31. Ng4 Rxe2 32. Rxe2 b3 33. Nf6+ Kf7 34. Nxh5
Qa2+ 35. Kc1 Qa1+ 36. Qb1 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel India blitz"]
[Site "Kolkata"]
[Date "2019.11.26"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[EventDate "2019.11.25"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nd4 5. Ng1 Nc6 6. Nf3 Nd4 7. Ng1 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.02"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. g3 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8.
cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 b6 11. Bg2 Bb7 12. O-O O-O 13. Rfc1 Nd7 14. Qd3
Nf6 15. Ne5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Qd5+ 17. f3 Rac8 18. e4 Qb7 19. Qa3 h5 20. h4 Rfd8
21. Rxc8 Rxc8 22. Rc1 Rc7 23. Rc3 Qc8 24. Qxa7 Rxc3 25. Qxf7+ Kh7 26. Qg6+ Kg8
27. Qf7+ Kh7 28. Qg6+ Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.03"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B14"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Nf3 c5 6. Bd3 cxd4 7. exd4 d5 8.
cxd5 exd5 9. O-O Bg4 10. h3 Bh5 11. g4 Bg6 12. Ne2 Nc6 13. Bg5 Re8 14. Bxg6
hxg6 15. Rc1 Qd7 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Qd3 Re4 18. Ng3 Re7 19. a3 Bd6 20. Rfe1
Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 Kg7 22. Kg2 Nd8 23. Ne2 Ne6 24. Nd2 Rh8 25. Rh1 Rh4 26. Nf3 Rh8
27. Nd2 Rh4 28. Nf3 Rh8 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.04"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Be2 dxc4 8.
O-O {The best move order.} a6 (8... c5 9. dxc5 Nxc5 10. Bxc4 Qxd1 11. Rfxd1 b6
12. Bd6 Bxd6 13. Rxd6 Bb7 14. Rad1 $36 {1-0 (67) Ding Liren (2811)-Firouzja,A 
(2702) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019}) (8... Nb6 9. Ne5 (9. e4 $5) 9... Nfd5 10. Bg3 $14
) 9. a4 Nd5 (9... c5 10. d5 $1 {This explains why White starts with 8.0-0.}
exd5 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. Qxd5 Nf6 13. Qxd8 (13. Qe5 $5) 13... Rxd8 14. Bc7 Rd7
15. Ba5 {That endgame is known to be a little unpleasant for Black.} Rd6 (15...
b5 16. Ne5 Rd5 17. Bf3 Be6 18. Bxd5 Nxd5 19. Nc6 Bf8 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rfd1 $16
{0-1 (37) Jumabayev,R (2630)-Andreikin,D (2741) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019}) (15...
Bd8 $5 $146 {might be a good novelty.}) 16. Ne5 b6 17. Bc3 Bb7 18. Nxc4 Re6 19.
Rfd1 Ne4 20. Be1 Nf6 21. Bc3 Ne4 22. Be5 $1 b5 23. Bg4 Rg6 24. Rd7 Rxg4 25.
Rxb7 bxc4 26. Rxe7 $16 {1-0 (31) Cheparinov,I (2670)-Bacrot,E (2671) Linares
2019}) 10. Bxc4 Nxf4 11. exf4 c5 12. dxc5 Bxc5 (12... Nxc5 13. Ne5 (13. Qe2 $5)
13... Nd7 14. Nxf7 $1 $146 (14. Qe2 Nxe5 15. fxe5 Bd7 16. Bd3 Bc6 17. Rfd1 Qc7
18. Be4 Rfd8 19. Bxc6 {½-½ (19) Fedorovsky,M (2478)-Feldmann,J (2208) Munich
2017}) 14... Rxf7 (14... Kxf7 $2 15. Bxe6+ $1 Kxe6 16. Qd5+ Kf6 17. Qh5 $3 $18
{Without this last move, Black wins!}) 15. Bxe6 Nf6 16. Bxf7+ Kxf7 17. Qb3+ Be6
18. Qxb7 {and Black's position is unpleasant.}) 13. Qe2 b6 14. Rad1 Qe7 15.
Rfe1 g6 16. Nd5 Qd8 17. Ng5 $1 {How inspired!} exd5 $5 (17... Nf6 $1 {was the
best and most solid option. For example:} 18. Nxf6+ Qxf6 19. g3 Bb7 20. Rd7 Bc6
21. Rc7 Bxa4 22. b3 Bb5 23. Bxb5 axb5 24. Ne4 Qg7 25. Nxc5 bxc5 26. Rxc5 b4 {
and Black is close to making a draw.}) 18. Bxd5 Ra7 $2 {Tough decision - wrong
choice!} (18... Rb8 $1 19. b4 $1 Bxb4 20. Bxf7+ Rxf7 21. Nxf7 Qf8 22. Ng5 ({If
} 22. Nd6 {as in the game, after} Bxe1 {the c8-bishop is no longer hanging!
And this makes all the difference.}) 22... Bxe1 23. Qe6+ Kh8 24. Rxd7 Bxd7 25.
Qe5+ ({Funnily,} 25. Qxd7 {also holds:} Bxf2+ 26. Kf1 $8 (26. Kh1 $4 Qg7 27.
Nf7+ Kg8 28. Nh6+ Kf8 $1 29. Qd6+ Qe7 30. Qxb8+ Kg7 $19) 26... Qg7 27. Nf7+ Kg8
28. Nh6+ Qxh6 29. Qe6+ Kh8 30. Qe5+ $11) 25... Kg8 26. Qd5+ {and White has a
perpetual check.}) 19. b4 $1 Bxb4 20. Bxf7+ Rxf7 21. Nxf7 Qf8 (21... Kxf7 22.
Qc4+ $18) 22. Nd6 $3 {Pure brillancy.} (22. Qc4 {would allow} b5 $1 $13) (22.
Ng5 $2 Bxe1 23. Qc4+ Kh8 $17) 22... Bxd6 $2 (22... Bxe1 {was necessary:} 23.
Qc4+ Kg7 24. Nxc8 Bxf2+ ({or} 24... Ne5 25. Qd4 Bxf2+ 26. Kxf2 {transposing})
25. Kxf2 Ne5 26. Qd4 Qxc8 27. Qxe5+ Kh6 $1 {and Black may survive.}) 23. Qe6+
Kg7 $6 (23... Qf7 24. Qxd6 Nf8 25. Qxb6 $16) 24. Rxd6 Rc7 25. g3 $5 (25. Rc6
Rxc6 26. Qxc6 Nf6 27. Qxb6 $16) 25... Qf7 $4 (25... b5 $1 26. axb5 axb5 27. Rc6
Rxc6 28. Qxc6 Nf6 29. Qxb5 {and Black will suffer but does have drawing
chances.}) 26. Rc6 $1 {Cool, beautiful and brilliant! White wins.} Rxc6 (26...
Qxe6 27. Rexe6 Rxc6 28. Rxc6 Bb7 29. Rc7 $18) 27. Qxc6 Qf8 28. Rc1 Nc5 29. Qxb6
Ne6 30. Qc6 Nd4 31. Qc7+ (31. Qxc8 Ne2+ 32. Kf1 {would also win, but Ding's
move is stronger.}) 31... Kh6 (31... Qf7 32. Qe5+ $18) 32. Qxc8 Qe7 33. Rd1
Nf3+ 34. Kg2 Qe4 35. Kh3 Nd4 ({Black lost on time playing his last move, but
it's mate in two anyway:} 35... Nd4 36. Qf8+ Kh5 37. g4#) 1-0

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.04"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e3 Be7 7. Be2 O-O 8.
Bd2 Be6 9. a3 a5 10. Qc2 Nb6 11. b3 f5 12. Bc1 Bf6 13. Bb2 g5 14. Nd2 Bg7 15.
h3 Qe7 16. g4 f4 17. Nde4 Nd5 18. O-O-O a4 19. b4 Ndxb4 20. axb4 a3 21. Ba1
Nxb4 22. Qb1 f3 23. Bf1 Ra6 24. Nxg5 a2 25. Qb2 Rb6 26. Nxe6 Qxe6 27. Qa3 Rd8
28. Rd2 c5 29. Ne4 Bf8 30. Qc3 Nd5 31. Qc2 Rb1+ 32. Qxb1 axb1=Q+ 33. Kxb1 Nb4
34. g5 Qb3+ 35. Bb2 Ra8 36. Nc3 e4 37. g6 Bg7 38. d4 cxd4 39. exd4 Bxd4 0-1

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.04"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A56"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7 7. Nge2 g6 8. h4 a6
9. a4 b6 10. g3 Rb8 11. f3 Rb7 12. Bh6 Bf8 13. Be3 h5 14. Qd2 Bg7 15. Kd1 Kf8
16. Kc2 Ne8 17. Nd1 Nc7 18. Nec3 Nf6 19. Nf2 Bd7 20. b3 Kg8 21. Rhb1 Kh7 22. b4
Qb8 23. b5 a5 24. Rh1 Qf8 25. Nh3 Kg8 26. Ng5 Nfe8 27. f4 Nf6 28. f5 gxf5 29.
exf5 Nce8 30. Raf1 Ng4 31. Nce4 Nef6 32. Be2 Nxe4 33. Nxe4 Nxe3+ 34. Qxe3 f6
35. Qd3 Be8 36. Qd1 Rd7 37. Rh2 Qf7 38. Rg1 Kf8 39. g4 hxg4 40. Rxg4 Ke7 41. h5
Kd8 42. Rg6 Qe7 43. Bg4 Qf8 44. Qf3 Rh6 45. Rf2 Kc7 46. Kd3 Re7 47. Rf1 Rd7 48.
Rf2 Re7 49. Rf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.04"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Qc2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Nd5 Ba5 6. a3 d6 7. e3 Nxd5 8.
cxd5 Ne7 9. Bc4 O-O 10. b4 Bb6 11. Bb2 Bf5 12. d3 Ng6 13. h4 h6 14. h5 Ne7 15.
e4 Bg4 16. a4 a5 17. b5 Rc8 18. d4 c6 19. dxc6 bxc6 20. Qd2 Bxf3 21. gxf3 d5
22. Rg1 dxc4 23. Qxh6 Ng6 24. Qd2 Nf4 25. d5 Nd3+ 26. Ke2 Qh4 27. Raf1 Qf4 28.
Qxf4 Nxf4+ 29. Kd2 cxd5 30. Bxe5 Nxh5 31. exd5 Rc5 32. Kc3 Rxd5 33. Bh2 Rfd8
34. Rg4 Rd3+ 35. Kxc4 Nf6 36. Rh4 Rxf3 0-1

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.04"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 O-O 7. Re1 Bb6 8. Nbd2
Ng4 9. Re2 Kh8 10. h3 f5 11. exf5 Nxf2 12. Rxf2 Bxf2+ 13. Kxf2 Bxf5 14. Nf1 d5
15. Bb3 e4 16. dxe4 Bxe4 17. Kg1 Bxf3 18. gxf3 Qh4 19. Kg2 Ne5 20. f4 Rf6 21.
Bc2 Rh6 22. Bf5 Ng6 23. Bg4 Qe7 24. f5 Nh4+ 25. Kh2 Rb6 26. Ng3 Re8 27. Bh5 Rf8
28. Qg4 g6 29. Bg5 Rxb2+ 30. Kh1 gxh5 31. Qxh4 Qe5 32. Rf1 d4 33. Qxd4 Qxd4 34.
cxd4 Rxa2 35. Nxh5 Kg8 36. Bh6 Ra5 1-0

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.04"]
[Round "1.8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Be2 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Nxd2 10. Nbxd2 O-O 11. O-O f6 12. Nb3 fxe5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. dxe5
c6 15. f4 Bf5 16. Bd3 Ba5 17. Bxf5 Bb6+ 18. Kh1 Rxf5 19. g4 Rf8 20. f5 Qg5 21.
Qf3 Rae8 22. Rae1 h5 23. gxh5 Bc7 24. Nc5 Rxe5 25. Rxe5 Bxe5 26. Nd7 Re8 27.
Re1 Qd2 28. Qe2 Qf4 29. Nxe5 Qxf5 30. h6 gxh6 31. Qg2+ Kh7 32. Rg1 Qe4 1-0

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.06"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 $5 {An interesting move order,
threatening to take on c5.} cxd4 {Let's see two major nuances between the
moves 5.c3 and 5.Nbd2.} (5... Qb6 6. dxc5 $1 Qxb2 (6... Qxc5 7. c4 e6 8. a3 Be7
9. b4 Qb6 10. Bd3 $14 {1-0 (39) Wei Yi (2748)-Le Tuan Minh (2485) Ashgabat 2017
}) 7. Rb1 Qc3 (7... Qa3 8. Bb5 (8. Nd4 $2 e5 9. Nb5 Qa5 10. Bg3 Bxc5 $19 {
0-1 (36) Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (2630)-Sethuraman,S (2646) Riyadh 2017}) 8...
a6 9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. O-O g6 11. c4 $1 $146 Bg7 (11... Qxc5 12. Qa4 $16) 12.
cxd5 Nxd5 13. Be5 O-O 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Qc2 $14) 8. Bb5 (8. Rb3 Qxc5 9. Qb1 e6
10. Rxb7 Bd6 11. Rb5 Qa3 12. Rb3 Qc5 $11 {½-½ (44) Gupta,A (2626)-Kollars,D 
(2503) Zalakaros 2017}) 8... e6 (8... Bd7 9. O-O e6 10. Be2 Na5 11. Ne5 Bxc5
12. Nb3 $36 {0-1 (49) Harikrishna,P (2726)-Caruana,F (2828) Saint Louis 2019})
9. O-O Be7 (9... Qxc5 $6 10. c4 Be7 (10... a6 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 12. Ne5 Bd6 13.
Nd3 {1-0 (13) Mikaelyan,A (2474)-Tabatabaei,M (2548) Yerevan ARM 2017}) 11. Nb3
Qa3 12. Ne5 a6 13. Bxc6+ bxc6 14. Nxc6 Bd7 15. Nxe7 Qxe7 16. Be5 O-O 17. cxd5
Nxd5 18. e4 f6 19. Bd4 Nf4 20. Bc5 $16 {1-0 (29) Naiditsch,A (2702)-Wells,P 
(2447) Antalya 2017}) (9... Bxc5 $6 10. Be5 Qa3 11. Bb2 Qa5 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13.
c4 $44 {1-0 (54) Deac,B (2549)-Schnider,G (2430) Graz 2018}) 10. Ne5 (10. Nd4
Qxc5 11. N2b3 Qb6 12. Nd2 Qc5 13. N2b3 Qb6 14. Nd2 Qc5 $11 {½-½ (15) Li
Shilong (2495)-Harikrishna,P (2734) China 2018}) 10... Bd7 11. Nd3 {The latest
trend.} (11. Ndf3 Qxc5 (11... O-O 12. e4 Rfd8 13. Nxd7 Nxd7 14. exd5 exd5 15.
Re1 Qxc5 16. Bd3 Nb6 17. Rb5 Qa3 18. Rb3 Qc5 19. Ne5 $36 {1-0 (24) Kravtsiv,M 
(2655)-Ghosh,D (2536) Bhubaneswar 2018}) 12. c4 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Bxb5 14. Rxb5 Qc8
15. Qb1 O-O 16. Rxb7 Bc5 $11 {½-½ (38) Kravtsiv,M (2635)-Csonka,B (2481)
Hungary 2019}) (11. Nxd7 Nxd7 12. e4 O-O $6 (12... a6 $1 $13) 13. exd5 exd5 14.
Ne4 dxe4 15. Qxd7 Qxc5 16. Qxb7 Nd4 17. Be3 $14 {½-½ (49) Livaic,L (2474)
-Loiseau,Q (2443) Zadar 2018}) 11... O-O (11... Rc8 12. Nb3 O-O 13. a3 $5 $146
{avoiding ...Nb4; White wants to go 14.f3 with the idea Bg3-Be1.}) 12. Bc7 $1 {
White is trying to trap the black queen!} b6 $1 {With this move, Black seems
to hold.} (12... Ne8 $6 13. Rb3 Qf6 14. Bg3 $1 {is already bad for Black, and
was played in many games.}) (12... Rac8 $2 13. Rb3 $18) 13. a4 $5 Ne8 14. Be5
$5 (14. Rb3 $6 Qa5 15. Nb2 Nxc7 16. Ndc4 {White gets the black queen, but at
the cost of too many pieces.} dxc4 17. Nxc4 Be8 18. Nxa5 Nxa5 19. Rb1 Nxb5 20.
axb5 Bxc5 $15 {0-1 (41) Tang,A (2507)-Balakrishnan,P (2411) Saint Louis 2018})
14... Nxe5 15. Rb3 Qa5 16. Nxe5 Bxb5 17. axb5 Bxc5 (17... bxc5 18. Nd7 c4 $44)
18. Nd7 Nd6 19. Nxf8 Rxf8 20. c3 Nxb5 21. Qa1 Na3 (21... Nd6 $1 $11) 22. Qb2
Nc4 23. Nxc4 dxc4 24. Rb5 Qa6 25. Ra1 Rd8 26. h4 Qc8 27. Qa2 a5 28. Qxc4 $14 {
1-0 (54) Nabaty,T (2639)-Fridman,D (2627) Bremen 2019}) (5... Nh5 6. dxc5 Nxf4
7. exf4 Qa5 (7... e6 8. Nb3 Bxc5 9. Nxc5 Qa5+ 10. c3 Qxc5 11. Bd3 g6 12. g3 Bd7
13. Qe2 d4 14. Rc1 O-O 15. O-O $14 {½-½ (56) Blohberger,F (2447)-Blagojevic,
D (2497) Skopje 2018}) 8. c4 $5 $146 (8. Bd3 Qxc5 9. O-O g6 $132 {0-1 (33)
Gajewski,G (2623)-Santos Ruiz,M (2583) Dresden 2019}) 8... Qxc5 9. a3 e6 10.
Bd3 Be7 11. O-O O-O 12. Rc1 Qd6 13. g3 {and White's position looks more
pleasant.}) 6. exd4 Qb6 $5 {Why not!? Against almost any move, White would
follow with c3 and transpose into a regular London opening position.} 7. Nb3
Bg4 ({Later in the match, Aronian tried to improve on this game with} 7... a6 {
but also failed to equalize:} 8. Be2 Bg4 9. a4 e6 10. a5 Qd8 11. Ne5 Bxe2 12.
Qxe2 Rc8 13. c3 $36 {1-0 (36) Carlsen,M (2872)-Aronian,L (2775) London 2019}) (
7... Bf5 8. a4 $5 a6 9. a5 Qd8 10. c3 (10. Bd3 Bxd3 11. Qxd3 e6 12. O-O Be7 13.
Ne5 O-O 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Rfc1 Qd7 16. c4 Qb7 $11 {0-1 (45) Kravtsiv,M (2685)
-Bok,B (2622) Batumi 2018}) 10... e6 11. Ne5 Be7 12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O Nd7 14.
Nd3 {could be the kind of positions Magnus wanted to play.}) 8. a4 $5 a6 (8...
a5 $6 9. Bb5 e6 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Bb4+ 12. c3 Be7 13. Nd2 $14 {1-0 (66)
Unuk,L (2343)-Pychova,N (2201) Rymanow-Zdroj 2017}) 9. a5 Qa7 $6 (9... Qd8 {
was certainly a bit more natural.}) 10. c3 e6 11. Be2 ({I couldn't see a good
reason not to play} 11. h3 $5 {except that after} Bxf3 12. Qxf3 b5 13. axb6
Qxb6 {the b3-knight is unprotected, but it isn't a big deal:} 14. Qd1 {and
White is definitely better.}) 11... Nh5 12. Be3 (12. Be5 $5 $14) 12... Qb8 13.
h3 Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Nf6 15. Be2 Bd6 16. Bd3 O-O 17. O-O Qc7 18. Re1 {Black's
position is almost equal, but he's simply running out of useful moves. In
order to get counterplay, he should play ...b6 or ...e5 at some point, but in
the game he could never do it under good conditions.} Kh8 19. Qf3 Rae8 (19...
e5 20. dxe5 Nxe5 21. Qf5 $14) 20. Bg5 Ng8 21. Re2 Nge7 (21... f6 22. Bd2 f5 $5
{is a good try.} (22... e5 $2 23. Qxd5 $18) 23. Rae1 Nf6 $1 24. Rxe6 Rxe6 25.
Rxe6 Ne4 26. Bxe4 $1 dxe4 27. Qh5 Qd7 28. d5 Nd8 29. Rxd6 Qxd6 30. c4 $14) 22.
Qh5 Ng6 23. Bc2 Kg8 24. Bd2 $5 {Not giving Black time for ...f6 and ...Qf7.}
Nb4 25. Bb1 Nc6 26. Bd3 Rb8 (26... e5 27. Rae1 $1 e4 $2 28. Qxd5 $18) 27. Be3
Rfe8 $6 (27... b6 28. axb6 Rxb6 29. Nc5 $16) (27... Rbe8 $1 28. g3 f5 $1 29.
Rae1 Rf7 30. Bd2 Nf8 $132 {The f-rook is important to prevent Bxf5 ideas.}) 28.
g3 $1 {White slowly makes progress.} Nf8 (28... f5 29. Rae1 $16) 29. Bc2 b6 {
Aronian probably felt like he had waited enough!} (29... Re7 30. h4 $14) 30.
axb6 Rxb6 31. Bc1 $5 (31. Nc5 $5) 31... Reb8 32. Nc5 e5 {Again - this looks
like desperation! But White's position is no longer that easy to play.} (32...
a5 33. Nd3 $16) 33. Nxa6 Qa7 34. dxe5 g6 35. Qg4 Nxe5 36. Qa4 Rc8 37. Be3 d4 $1
38. Bxd4 $2 {And Carlsen blunders with an extra hour on the clock!} (38. Nc5 $1
{was the right move, with the idea of 39.cxd4, while} Qxa4 39. Nxa4 {is just
bad for Black.}) (38. cxd4 $2 Nf3+ 39. Kh1 Qb7 $44) 38... Nf3+ $2 ({Missing} 
38... Rc4 $1 39. b4 (39. Qa2 Nf3+ 40. Kg2 Nxd4 41. cxd4 Rxd4 42. Be4 Ne6 $44)
39... Nf3+ 40. Kg2 Nxd4 41. cxd4 Rxd4 $11) 39. Kg2 Nxd4 40. Qxd4 Ne6 41. Rxe6
$5 (41. Qe3 {is close to a win, but Black seems to hold with a series of only
moves:} Bc5 $8 42. Nxc5 Qxa1 43. Nd7 Rxb2 44. Qh6 Kh8 45. Nf6 Nf8 46. Ne8 Qa8+
$8 47. Be4 Rxe8 48. Bxa8 Rbxe2 {with serious drawing chances for Black.}) 41...
fxe6 42. Be4 Rf8 43. Ra2 Rb7 44. Qxa7 Rxa7 45. b4 Rb8 $2 {In time trouble,
Aronian couldn't find how to limit the damage of the white pawns.} (45... Rc8
$1 {would have made White's task far more difficult:} 46. b5 Rxc3 47. b6 Rf7
48. Rd2 Rc4 $8 49. Bf3 Rc3 $8 {and there is no win for White, e.g.} 50. Bg4 Rc6
51. Bxe6 Rxb6 52. Bxf7+ Kxf7 $14) 46. c4 $1 {Now White pushes his pawn and
wins.} Rb6 (46... Bxb4 47. Nxb4 $18) 47. b5 Kf7 48. Rc2 (48. Ra4 {with the
idea Bc6 and c5 might have been stronger. A very instructive manoeuvre by the
way!}) 48... Rbxa6 49. bxa6 Rxa6 50. c5 Be5 51. c6 Ra7 52. h4 {With a few
minutes left and an hour less against the World Champion, chances to hold this
endgame are close to zero.} Kf6 53. Rd2 Bc3 54. Rd3 Bb4 55. Kh3 Be7 56. f3 e5
57. Rc3 Bd6 58. Rc1 h6 59. Rd1 Be7 60. Kg4 Kf7 (60... h5+ 61. Kh3 {would be a
success for White: he managed to get the black pawns on light squares and will
now go the other way around with his king, or push g4.}) 61. Rb1 Bd6 62. h5 $1
{This is even worse for Black.} gxh5+ 63. Kxh5 Kg7 64. Rd1 Bb4 65. Rd5 Re7 66.
Bf5 {The bishop goes to d7 and the gave is over.} 1-0

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.07"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E60"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "162"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 Nc6 $5 4. d5 Ne5 5. e4 d6 6. Nc3 Bg7 (6... c6 7. f4
Ned7 8. Nh3 Nc5 9. Nf2 Bg7 10. Be2 O-O 11. Be3 cxd5 12. cxd5 Qa5 13. O-O $14 {
wasn't satisfying for Black in the game Ding Liren (2804)-Svidler,P (2756)
Porto Carras 2018, 1-0 (41).}) 7. f4 Ned7 8. Be3 $5 (8. Nh3 O-O 9. Be2 Nc5 10.
Nf2 {used to be the main line, but then Black found} e5 $5 11. fxe5 (11. dxe6
fxe6 12. Be3 b6 13. Qc2 Bb7 14. O-O-O Nfd7 $13 {½-½ (51) Cheparinov,I (2703)
-Najer,E (2706) Kocaeli 2017}) 11... Ne8 $1 12. Bf4 (12. exd6 Nxd6 $44 {
0-1 (32) Laznicka,V (2679)-Salgado Lopez,I (2622) Dubai 2014}) 12... Qe7 $1 13.
Rc1 Bxe5 14. Bxe5 Qxe5 15. b4 Nd7 16. O-O a5 17. a3 axb4 18. axb4 c5 $5 19.
dxc6 bxc6 $13 {½-½ (33) Moiseenko,A (2635)-Baron,T (2531) Douglas 2019.})
8... O-O 9. Be2 e6 10. dxe6 fxe6 11. h4 $5 ({Black could never prove equality
after} 11. Nh3 {- so I actually wonder what was Magnus' idea.} b6 12. O-O Bb7
13. Qc2 (13. Bf3 $5 Rb8 14. Qc2 Qe7 15. Rad1 a6 16. b4 Ba8 17. a3 Bh6 18. Bc1
$14 {0-1 (50) Vocaturo,D (2607)-Svidler,P (2760) Antalya 2017}) 13... Nc5 14.
Bf3 e5 (14... Nfd7 15. b4 Na6 16. a3 Qe7 17. Rad1 $16 {½-½ (58) Dziuba,M 
(2556)-Tomczak,J (2615) Poland 2017}) (14... Rb8 15. b4 Ncd7 16. Rae1 Qe7 17.
a3 $14 {½-½ (35) Baldauf,M (2493)-Esipenko,A (2616) Karlsruhe 2019}) 15. f5
a5 16. g4 h6 17. Rad1 Nh7 18. Qg2 g5 19. Nf2 Bf6 20. Nh1 Bc6 21. Ng3 $16 {
1-0 (69) Fedoseev,V (2680)-Trjapishko,A (2512) Yaroslavl 2019}) 11... b5 $146 (
11... b6 12. h5 Bb7 (12... Nxh5 13. Bxh5 gxh5 14. Qxh5 Bxc3+ 15. bxc3 Qe7 {
may be playable}) 13. hxg6 hxg6 14. Qc2 e5 15. f5 Nc5 16. Bxc5 dxc5 17. Rd1 Qe7
18. g4 Ne8 19. Nf3 $16 {1-0 (28) De Jong,J (2454)-Wagner,D (2490) Netherlands
2014}) (11... e5 $6 12. f5 $16) (11... Qe7 $5 $146 {may also be playable:} 12.
h5 (12. g4 $5) 12... gxh5 13. Bxh5 Nxh5 14. Qxh5 Bxc3+ 15. bxc3 Rf7 $132) 12.
cxb5 Bb7 13. Qb3 $1 Kh8 (13... Nxe4 $4 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. Qxe6+ $18) 14. Bf3 e5
15. Nh3 $1 {Black has practical compensation for the pawn, but not enough of
it objectively.} Nh5 (15... a6 {looked natural. After} 16. O-O-O $5 (16. Ng5
exf4 17. Ne6 Qe7 18. Nxf8 fxe3 19. Ne6 Ne5 $44) 16... axb5 17. h5 gxh5 18. f5 {
Black's position remains difficult.}) 16. Bxh5 gxh5 ({Better may have been} 
16... exf4 17. Nxf4 Nc5 $1 18. Bxc5 Rxf4 19. g3 Rf8 20. O-O-O gxh5 $16) 17. f5
Nf6 18. Nf2 {A good but timid move.} ({When watching the game, I was thinking
Aronian would definitely have dared to play} 18. Ng5 {if his opponent wasn't
Magnus Calsen!}) 18... a6 19. b6 $5 (19. bxa6 Bxa6 {opens columns and
diagonals, which White prefer to avoid.}) 19... cxb6 20. Bxb6 (20. Rd1 b5 21.
O-O {was enough for a clear advantage.}) 20... Qd7 21. Rd1 Rac8 (21... Rfb8 22.
Qe6 $5 (22. Qc2 $5) 22... Qxe6 23. fxe6 Re8 24. Bc7 Rxe6 25. Rxd6 Rxd6 26. Bxd6
Rd8 27. Bxe5 Re8 28. Bd4 Bxe4 29. O-O {and Black is far from equalizing, for
example:} Bg6 30. Nh3 Ne4 31. Bxg7+ Kxg7 32. Nxe4 Rxe4 33. Rf4 Re2 34. Rf2 Re4
35. Nf4 $16) (21... Rab8 22. Ba7 Rbc8 23. Be3 $16) (21... d5 22. exd5 Qxf5 23.
O-O {doesn't bring Black enough compensation either.}) 22. Be3 h6 23. Rh3 d5 $5
(23... Ba8 24. Qe6 $16) 24. exd5 Ba8 25. Rf3 Rb8 26. Qc2 Rfc8 27. Qe2 (27. Qd2
Kh7 28. Nfe4 Nxe4 29. Nxe4 {looked winning to me, but after} Rb5 $1 {Black
does keep some chances.}) 27... Qf7 28. Qd2 (28. Rg3 $1 {would have won the
game:} Nxd5 (28... Bxd5 29. Qd2 $18) 29. Nxd5 Bxd5 30. Bxh6 $1 Bxh6 31. Rg6 $1
$18) 28... Kh7 29. Nfe4 Nxe4 30. Nxe4 Rd8 31. f6 Bf8 32. Qc2 Kh8 33. Nc3 Rb4
34. Qf2 Bxd5 35. Bc5 $2 {Tempting, but bad!} (35. Rf5 $5 {was strong.}) ({
So was the clever} 35. Bb6 $5 Rd7 36. Bc5 $1 Bxf3 (36... Rd4 {no longer works
due to} 37. Bxf8 $18) 37. Rxd7 Qxd7 38. Bxb4 Bxb4 39. Qxf3 Qd4 40. Qg3 $18)
35... Rd4 $3 {Suddenly Black is back in the game.} 36. Bxd4 Bxf3 37. gxf3 exd4
38. Rxd4 Rb8 $2 (38... Qxf6 39. Rxd8 Qxd8 {with great drawing chances for
Black, due to the weakness of the h4-pawn.}) 39. Qh2 Rb6 40. Nd5 Qe6+ 41. Qe2
Qg8 42. Kf1 Re6 43. f7 $2 {At first, that looked to me like an amazing shot -
but it is a bad move!} (43. Qh2 Rc6 44. Rd1 {and Black doesn't have any
compensation.}) 43... Qxf7 44. Rf4 Qg6 $1 {Probably the ressource overlooked
by Aronian.} 45. Rxf8+ (45. Re4 Rc6 $132) 45... Kg7 46. Qd1 (46. Rg8+ Kxg8 47.
Ne7+ Rxe7 48. Qxe7 Qb1+ $11) 46... Kxf8 47. Nf4 Qe8 48. Nxe6+ Qxe6 {White has
an extra pawn, but can't pary both of Black's threats: ...Qxa2 and ...Qh3+.}
49. Qd8+ Kf7 50. Qc7+ Ke8 51. Qb8+ Kd7 52. Qb7+ Kd8 53. Qb8+ Kd7 54. Qa7+ Ke8
55. b3 Qh3+ 56. Ke2 Qxh4 {The only thing Black should be careful of is not to
exchange queens under bad circumstances. But it is certainly not going to
happen!} 57. Qb8+ (57. Qxa6 Qh2+ 58. Kd3 h4 $11) 57... Ke7 58. Qc7+ Kf8 59.
Qc5+ Kg7 60. Qe5+ Kg8 61. a4 Qh1 62. Qb8+ Kf7 63. Qf4+ Ke8 64. Qb8+ Kd7 65.
Qa7+ Kd8 66. Qd4+ Ke8 67. Qe5+ Kd7 68. Qd4+ Ke8 69. b4 Qg2+ $5 ({There was
nothing wrong with} 69... h4 {either.}) 70. Qf2 Qg5 $1 {Now it's an easy draw.}
71. f4 (71. Qe3+ Kd7 $11) 71... Qd5 72. Qe3+ Kf7 73. Qa7+ Ke8 74. Qc5 Qa2+ 75.
Kf3 Qxa4 76. Qxh5+ Ke7 77. Qe5+ Kf7 78. Qd5+ Kg7 79. Qd4+ Kf7 80. Qd5+ Kg7 81.
Qd4+ Kf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.08"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A09"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 c5 4. g3 cxb4 5. a3 b3 6. d3 Nc6 7. Nbd2 a5 8. Qxb3 a4
9. Qc2 e5 10. Bg2 Nf6 11. O-O Be7 12. Rb1 O-O 13. Rb5 Nd7 14. Bb2 Nc5 15. Rb1
Qc7 16. Bc1 Na5 17. R5b2 Bd7 18. Qd1 Bc6 19. Ne1 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Ncb3 21. Nc2 b5
22. cxb5 Rfb8 23. Nxb3 axb3 24. Nb4 Rxb5 25. e4 dxe3 26. Qf3 Rd8 27. Bxe3 Qd7
28. Rc1 f5 29. Rbb1 Qe6 30. Bd2 e4 31. Qe3 Bxb4 32. Bxb4 Rxd3 33. Qa7 Nc4 34.
Rxc4 Qxc4 35. Qa8+ Kf7 36. Qf8+ Kg6 37. Rc1 Qxc1 38. Qe8+ Kh6 39. Qe6+ g6 40.
Bf8+ Kh5 41. Qe7 1-0

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.08"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 cxd4 6. exd4 Qb6 7. Nb3 a6 8.
Be2 Bg4 9. a4 e6 10. a5 Qd8 11. Ne5 Bxe2 12. Qxe2 Rc8 13. c3 Be7 14. h4 Nxe5
15. Bxe5 Nd7 16. h5 Nxe5 17. dxe5 O-O 18. Ra4 Qd7 19. Rg4 f5 20. exf6 Bxf6 21.
O-O e5 22. h6 Kh8 23. hxg7+ Bxg7 24. Rd1 Qf7 25. Rd3 e4 26. Rh3 Rc6 27. Rgh4 h6
28. Qe3 Rf6 29. Nd4 Rxf2 30. Rxh6+ Kg8 31. Qg3 Rf1+ 32. Kh2 Qf4 33. Ne6 Qxg3+
34. Rxg3 R8f7 35. Rhg6 e3 36. Rxe3 1-0

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.08"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 a6 5. Qc2 Bg4 6. Ne5 e6 7. cxd5 exd5 8.
Nxg4 Nxg4 9. h3 Nf6 10. g3 g6 11. Bg2 Bg7 12. Ne2 O-O 13. b3 Nbd7 14. Bb2 Re8
15. d3 Nh5 16. O-O Bxb2 17. Qxb2 Qf6 18. Qc2 a5 19. e4 dxe4 20. dxe4 Qe7 21.
Rad1 Nc5 22. Nc3 Rad8 23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24. Rd1 Ng7 25. Rxd8+ Qxd8 26. Qd1 Qf6 27.
Qd2 Nge6 28. f4 h5 29. h4 Kg7 30. Kf2 Nd7 31. Ne2 Ne5 32. Ke1 Ng4 33. Qc3 Qxc3+
34. Nxc3 Ne3 35. Bh3 Nc2+ 36. Kd2 Ncd4 37. Ke3 f5 38. e5 Kf7 39. Bf1 Ke7 40.
Bd3 b5 41. Nb1 Kd7 42. Nd2 Kc7 43. Bf1 Kb6 44. Kd3 Kc5 45. Kc3 Nc7 46. a3 Nd5+
47. Kd3 b4 48. a4 Nc7 49. Ke3 Nd5+ 50. Kd3 Nc7 51. Ke3 Nd5+ 52. Kd3 Nc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.08"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. a3 g6 7. f3 Bg7 8. Be3
b5 9. Qd2 h5 10. a4 b4 11. Na2 a5 12. c3 bxc3 13. Bb5+ Bd7 14. Nxc3 O-O 15. O-O
Na6 16. Nc6 Bxc6 17. Bxc6 Rb8 18. Bb5 Nc5 19. Rad1 Qc7 20. Kh1 Rfd8 21. Bg5 Qa7
22. Qf2 Rdc8 23. Be3 Qc7 24. e5 Nh7 25. Nd5 Qa7 26. Nxe7+ Qxe7 27. exd6 Qe5 28.
f4 Qf5 29. d7 Ne4 30. dxc8=Q+ Qxc8 31. Qf3 Nhf6 32. Bd4 Qf8 33. Rfe1 Qb4 34. b3
Rd8 35. Bxf6 Rxd1 36. Rxd1 Bxf6 37. Bc4 Nd6 38. Qd5 Be7 39. Bd3 Kg7 40. g3 Qc3
41. Qe5+ Qxe5 42. fxe5 Nb7 43. Bc4 Nc5 44. Rf1 f5 45. exf6+ Bxf6 46. Rd1 Be7
47. Rd5 g5 48. Kg2 Kf6 49. Kf3 Kg6 50. Ke3 Kf6 51. h3 Kg6 52. g4 hxg4 53. hxg4
Kf6 54. Rf5+ Kg6 55. Kd4 1-0

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.08"]
[Round "2.7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C16"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Qd7 5. Nh3 b6 6. Nf4 Ba6 7. Bxa6 Nxa6 8. O-O
Bxc3 9. bxc3 Ne7 10. Nh5 Kf8 11. a4 Nb8 12. g4 Nbc6 13. f4 Rg8 14. Qd3 Ke8 15.
f5 exf5 16. gxf5 Kd8 17. Kh1 Kc8 18. f6 g6 19. Ng3 Nf5 20. Nxf5 gxf5 21. Qxf5
Nd8 22. Qxd7+ Kxd7 23. Rf3 Ne6 24. Rh3 Rh8 25. Be3 Rag8 26. Rg1 Rxg1+ 27. Kxg1
h5 28. Kf2 c5 29. Ke2 a5 30. Rg3 Kc6 31. dxc5 bxc5 32. Kd3 h4 33. Rg4 h3 34. c4
Rb8 35. Bd2 Rb1 36. Rh4 dxc4+ 37. Kxc4 Ra1 38. Kd3 Ra3+ 39. c3 Kd5 40. Rxh3 c4+
41. Ke3 Rxa4 42. Rh7 Kxe5 43. Rxf7 Ra1 44. h4 a4 45. h5 a3 46. Ra7 Kxf6 47. h6
Rh1 48. Rxa3 Rxh6 49. Ke4 Rh5 50. Be3 Re5+ 51. Kf3 Rf5+ 52. Ke2 Ke5 53. Ra5+
Ke4 54. Ra4 Kd5 55. Ra5+ Ke4 56. Ra4 Kd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.08"]
[Round "2.8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C44"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. g3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nc3 Qd6 6. Bg2 Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8. g4
Bg6 9. Nh4 O-O-O 10. d3 Nd4 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. Ne4 Qd7 13. c3 Ne6 14. Qb3 Qxd3
15. Be3 Qa6 16. Bf1 Qc6 17. Bg2 Qa6 18. Bf1 Qc6 19. Qc4 Nf6 20. Qxc6 bxc6 21.
Ba6+ Kb8 22. Ng5 Nxg5 23. Bxg5 Bc5 24. Ke2 Rd6 25. f3 Nd5 26. Rad1 f6 27. Bc1
g5 28. Rd3 Nf4+ 29. Bxf4 exf4 30. Kd2 Be3+ 31. Kc2 c5 32. Rxd6 cxd6 33. Bc4 Kc7
34. Bd5 a5 35. Kd3 Kb6 36. Kc4 Bf2 37. Rh2 Be3 38. Be4 Bg1 39. Rd2 Kc7 40. Kb5
Rxh3 41. Kxa5 g6 42. Rd1 Be3 43. Rf1 Rh2 44. b4 Rxa2+ 45. Kb5 cxb4 46. cxb4 f5
47. gxf5 gxf5 48. Bxf5 d5 49. Rh1 Kd6 50. Rh5 Rb2 51. Rxg5 Bd2 52. Rg6+ Ke5 53.
Bd3 Kd4 54. Bf5 Bxb4 55. Kc6 Ra2 56. Rg4 Bd2 57. Rg1 Ra6+ 58. Kb5 Ra3 59. Bg4
Rc3 60. Rh1 Ke3 61. Rh8 d4 62. Rd8 d3 63. Bf5 Be1 64. Re8+ Kf2 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Gasanov, Eldar"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E51"]
[WhiteElo "2481"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd2 d5 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 Re8 8. Qc2
a6 9. Bd3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 b5 11. Be2 Bb7 12. O-O Rc8 13. a3 Bd6 14. b4 e5 15.
dxe5 Nxe5 16. Nd4 c5 17. bxc5 Bxc5 18. Qa2 Bxd4 19. exd4 Qxd4 20. Be3 Qh4 21.
h3 Nc4 22. Nd1 Bd5 23. Qa1 Qe4 24. Bf3 Qe7 25. Bxd5 Nxd5 26. a4 Ndxe3 27. Nxe3
Nxe3 28. Rxc8 Nxf1 29. Rxe8+ Qxe8 30. Qxf1 h6 31. axb5 axb5 32. Qb1 Qc6 33. h4
h5 34. g3 Qc4 35. Qf5 g6 36. Qe5 b4 37. Qe8+ Kh7 38. Qd7 b3 39. Qb7 Kg7 40. Kg2
Qc3 41. Qd5 b2 42. Qb5 Qc2 43. Qe5+ Kh7 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.26"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Amin, Bassem"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C58"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8.
Bd3 Nd5 9. Nf3 Bd6 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 Re8 12. Nc3 f5 13. Bf1 e4 14. Nd4 Bc5
15. Nb3 Nxb3 16. axb3 Qb6 17. Re2 Bd4 18. Nxd5 cxd5 19. d3 Bb7 20. dxe4 dxe4
21. Be3 Bxe3 22. fxe3 Rad8 23. Qe1 f4 24. Qa5 Qxa5 25. Rxa5 f3 26. Rf2 Rd1 27.
Rxa7 Bc6 28. h4 Re1 29. Rc7 Ba8 30. Rd2 Rf8 31. Rdd7 f2+ 32. Kh2 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.26"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Ponkratov, Pavel"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2632"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. d4 dxe4 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Qxd1 12. Bxd1 Nd7 13. Rxe4 Nc5 14. Re2 Bg4
15. f3 Bf5 16. Be3 Rfd8 17. Nd2 Bd3 18. Rf2 Bg6 19. f4 Nd3 20. Rf1 Nxb2 21. Bf3
Bd3 22. Rf2 Rac8 23. Nb3 Na4 24. Na5 c5 25. c4 Nb6 26. cxb5 Bxb5 27. Rc1 Nd5
28. Bxd5 Rxd5 29. Nc4 Rcd8 30. Rfc2 f6 31. Nb6 Rd1+ 32. Kf2 fxe5 33. Rxd1 Rxd1
34. fxe5 Bh4+ 35. g3 Bd8 36. Bxc5 Rf1+ 37. Ke3 Re1+ 38. Kd4 Rd1+ 39. Kc3 Kf7
40. a4 Bxb6 41. Bxb6 Bxa4 42. Rd2 Rc1+ 43. Kb4 Rb1+ 44. Ka5 Rb5+ 45. Kxa6 Rxe5
46. Bd4 Rd5 47. Bc3 Rxd2 48. Bxd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Shimanov, Aleksandr"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2587"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 Qc7 4. g3 dxe4 5. dxe4 e5 6. Bg2 Nf6 7. O-O Bg4 8.
Nbd2 Bc5 9. h3 Bh5 10. Qe1 O-O 11. Nb3 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 Bb6 13. Qe2 Nbd7 14. Nd2
Rfe8 15. Rd1 Bc5 16. Nb3 Bb6 17. Kg2 a5 18. a4 Nc5 19. Nxc5 Bxc5 20. Bg5 Nd7
21. Bg4 Nf8 22. Qc4 Bb6 23. Ra3 h6 24. Bc1 Rad8 25. h4 Rxd1 26. Bxd1 Rd8 27.
Rd3 Rxd3 28. Qxd3 Nd7 29. Bg4 Nf6 30. Bh3 Qe7 31. c3 Bc5 32. Kf1 Qc7 33. Ke1
Qb6 34. Qc2 Qd8 35. Qe2 Qc7 36. Qd3 Qb6 37. Qc2 Qd8 38. Qe2 Qc7 39. Qd3 Qb6 40.
Qc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.26"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Melkumyan, Hrant"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2668"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nd7 4. Nc3 Ngf6 5. Bf4 dxc4 6. e3 b5 7. Nxb5 Bb4+ 8.
Nc3 Nd5 9. Rc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3
h5 9. Nd5 Bxd5 10. exd5 Nbd7 11. Qd2 g6 12. O-O-O Qc7 13. Kb1 Bg7 14. Be2 a5
15. a4 O-O 16. Bb5 Nb6 17. h4 Rfc8 18. Bxb6 Qxb6 19. Rhg1 e4 20. Rge1 Rc7 21.
fxe4 Ng4 22. Re2 Rcc8 23. Qe1 Ne5 24. Qf2 Qd8 25. g3 Nc4 26. c3 Qe7 27. Nc1 Rc7
28. Nd3 Rac8 29. Ka2 Ne5 30. Nxe5 Bxe5 31. Re3 Kg7 32. Rf3 Rc5 33. Rf1 f6 34.
Rg1 Rxb5 35. axb5 Qd7 36. Qe2 Rc5 37. c4 Qc8 38. Rc1 Rxb5 39. cxb5 Qxc1 40. Ra3
b6 41. Ra4 Qg1 42. Rc4 Qxg3 43. Rc6 Qg1 44. Rc8 Qg4 45. Rc7+ Kh6 46. Qe3+ g5
47. Rc2 Qxh4 48. Qxb6 Qxe4 49. Qc6 a4 50. b6 Qb4 51. b7 Qb3+ 52. Kb1 a3 53. Qc8
Bxb2 54. Qh8+ Kg6 55. Qg8+ Kh6 56. Qh8+ Kg6 57. Qg8+ Kh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.27"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Bocharov, Dmitry"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2524"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. b3 c5 5. Bb2 Nc6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Be2 d4 8. Bb5
Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. h3 Nd5 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Na3 Re8 13. Nc4 Re6 14. Nxd6 Qxd6
15. exd4 Nf4 16. dxc5 Nxh3+ 17. gxh3 Rg6+ 18. Kh1 Qd5 19. Rg1 Bxh3 20. Qe2 Qh5
21. Rxg6 Bf1+ 22. Kg1 Bxe2 23. Rxg7+ Kf8 24. Ng5 Qg4+ 25. Kh2 Qh4+ 26. Kg2 Qg4+
27. Kh2 Qh4+ 28. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.27"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Sarana, Alexey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3
Nbd7 9. g4 b5 10. a4 b4 11. Nd5 Bxd5 12. exd5 Nb6 13. Bg1 h6 14. f4 Be7 15. a5
Nbd7 16. fxe5 Nxe5 17. Qe2 Nfxg4 18. O-O-O O-O 19. Kb1 Re8 20. h3 Nf6 21. Be3
Nh7 22. Qg2 Bg5 23. Bb6 Qf6 24. Nd4 Be3 25. Nc6 Nd7 26. Bxe3 Rxe3 27. Qd2 Rg3
28. Qxb4 Nc5 29. Qd4 Qf3 30. Bc4 Re8 31. Rhf1 Qe4 32. b4 Na4 33. Qxe4 Rxe4 34.
Rd3 Nc3+ 35. Rxc3 Rxc3 36. Bxa6 Nf6 37. Bd3 Re8 38. Rxf6 gxf6 39. a6 Rxd3 40.
cxd3 f5 41. b5 f4 42. Nd4 Ra8 43. Kc2 Kg7 44. Kb3 Kf6 45. Nf3 Ke7 46. Kb4 Kd7
47. Ka5 Rc8 48. a7 Rc2 49. Kb6 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zubov, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A41"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2601"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. d5 Ne5 5. Nxe5 dxe5 6. Nc3 g6 7. Bc4 Bg7 8.
Be3 a6 9. a4 Ng4 10. Bc5 b6 11. Ba3 O-O 12. Qe2 Bh6 13. Na2 a5 14. Nc3 Nf6 15.
O-O Ne8 16. Bb5 Nd6 17. Bc6 Rb8 18. Nb5 Bg7 19. c4 f5 20. f3 h5 21. b4 axb4 22.
Bxb4 fxe4 23. fxe4 Bg4 24. Qd3 Rf4 25. a5 bxa5 26. Bxa5 Nxb5 27. cxb5 Qd6 28.
Qc4 Rbf8 29. Rxf4 exf4 30. Bxc7 Qf6 31. e5 Qg5 32. d6+ Kh7 33. dxe7 Qxe7 34.
Bd6 Qd8 35. Bxf8 Qxf8 36. h3 Bf5 37. Ra7 Qb8 38. Qf7 Qxe5 39. Qxg7+ Qxg7 40.
Rxg7+ Kxg7 41. b6 1-0

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nc3 h6 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. Rfd1 Qd6 14. Qd3 Rfd8
15. e4 Qb4 16. Qc2 Rac8 17. Rd2 Qb6 18. Rad1 Bb4 19. Ne5 Be8 20. Nc4 Qa7 21.
Ne3 c6 22. h4 b5 23. Qb3 c5 24. axb5 axb5 25. d5 Qe7 26. d6 Qa7 27. e5 Nd7 28.
f4 Qa5 29. Nc2 Bxc3 30. Qxc3 b4 31. Qe3 Nb6 32. Ra1 Qb5 33. Qe2 Nc4 34. Rdd1
Nxb2 35. Qxb5 Bxb5 36. Rdb1 Na4 37. Na3 Bd3 38. Rb3 Nc3 39. Rxc3 bxc3 40. Rc1
f6 41. Rxc3 c4 42. Bh3 Kf7 43. Bf1 fxe5 44. fxe5 Rc5 45. Nxc4 Bxc4 46. Bxc4
Rxe5 47. Rd3 Kf6 48. Bb3 Re4 49. Bc2 Ke5 50. d7 Rd4 51. Rxd4 Kxd4 52. Ba4 Kc5
53. Kf2 Kd6 54. Ke3 Rxd7 55. Bxd7 Kxd7 56. Ke4 Kd6 57. h5 Ke7 58. Ke5 Kf7 59.
g4 Ke7 60. Ke4 Kf6 0-1

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bg3 O-O 6. Nbd2 c5 7. c3 Qc7 8. dxc5
Qxc5 9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. Qe2 Rd8 11. e4 dxe4 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Bxe4 Bxg3 14. Bxh7+
Kxh7 15. hxg3+ Kg8 16. O-O-O Re8 17. Rxd7 Bxd7 18. Ne5 f6 19. Rh8+ Kxh8 20.
Qh5+ Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.28"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Anton Guijarro, David"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2685"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 Bg4 3. Bb2 e6 4. g3 Nd7 5. Bg2 Ngf6 6. O-O Be7 7. h3 Bh5 8. d3
O-O 9. g4 Bg6 10. Nh4 Ne8 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. c4 c6 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Nd2 Nc7 15.
e3 Re8 16. Nf3 a5 17. a3 Ne6 18. Bc3 Bd6 19. b4 axb4 20. axb4 Qb6 21. Qd2 Nc7
22. Nd4 Nb5 23. Nxb5 Qxb5 24. Rfd1 Nb6 25. Bf1 d4 26. Bxd4 Bxb4 27. Qc2 Na4 28.
Rab1 Qa5 29. Qc4 c5 30. Ba1 b5 31. Qb3 Rec8 32. d4 Bc3 33. Bxb5 cxd4 34. exd4
Nb6 35. Bf1 Rab8 36. Bxc3 Rxc3 37. Qb4 Qxb4 38. Rxb4 Rcc8 39. Rdb1 Nd7 40. Rxb8
Nxb8 41. Rb7 Nc6 42. d5 Nd4 43. Kg2 Kf8 44. Rb4 Nc2 45. Re4 Rc5 46. Bd3 f5 47.
Re6 Nb4 48. Bf1 Nxd5 49. Ra6 Rc3 50. gxf5 gxf5 51. Ra7 Nf4+ 52. Kh2 Rf3 53. Kg1
g6 54. Ra4 Nxh3+ 55. Bxh3 Rxh3 56. Kg2 Rc3 57. f4 Kg7 58. Ra8 Re3 59. Kf2 Rd3
60. Rb8 Rd6 61. Kg3 Kf6 62. Re8 Kf7 63. Ra8 Rd3+ 64. Kf2 Rd6 65. Kg3 Ke6 66.
Re8+ Kd7 67. Re5 Rd3+ 68. Kf2 Rh3 69. Ra5 Ke6 70. Ra6+ Kf7 71. Ra7+ Kf6 72.
Ra6+ Kg7 73. Ra8 Rb3 74. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Rapid"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.28"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 e6 6. c3 cxd4 7. exd4 Nh5 8.
Be3 Bd6 9. Bd3 Nf4 10. Bxf4 Bxf4 11. h4 Bd7 12. g3 Bd6 13. Nf1 Rb8 14. Ne3 b5
15. b4 Qc7 16. Rc1 h6 17. Nd2 a5 18. a3 a4 19. f4 Ne7 20. Nf3 f6 21. Qe2 O-O
22. O-O e5 23. fxe5 fxe5 24. dxe5 Bxe5 25. Nxd5 Bd4+ 26. Kg2 Nxd5 27. cxd4 Qd6
28. Ne5 Nf6 29. Rf4 Bc8 30. Kh2 g5 31. Rc6 Qe7 32. Rf1 Bb7 33. Qa2+ Kg7 34. Qe6
Rbe8 35. Qxe7+ Rxe7 36. Rb6 Rc7 37. Kg1 Ba8 38. Rxb5 Rc3 39. Ra5 Be4 40. Ra7+
Kg8 41. Rxf6 Rxf6 42. Bxe4 Rxg3+ 43. Kh2 gxh4 44. Bh7+ Kh8 45. Ng6+ Rfxg6 46.
Bxg6 1-0

[Event "World Rapid 2019"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.28"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D33"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2019.12.26"]
[EventType "rapid"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,118,43,27,27,15,15,15,10,20,38,31,30,8,11,17,30,15,14,-17,-17,-21,-14,
-14,-5,-5,-4,-7,-4,-9,34,7,19,19,38,42,7,7,55,63,59,44,58,52,65,51,51,55,44,49,
49,16,50,30,51,51,54,68,57,8,59,65,69,-101,-101,-93,-118,-118,-118,-144,-144,
-140,-137,-150,-137,-137,-148,-148,-151,-151,-159,-268,-287,-287,-270,-270,
-270,-270,-200,-234,-277,-256,-258,-253,-253,-284,-324,-324,-205,-205,-175,
-175,-227,-181,-173,-279,-73,-73,0,0,0,-26,-23,-103,-77,-132,-161,-198,-160,
-29989,-29990]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 exd5 $5 {
Generally known to be a mistaken move order, but as the world champion played
it 4 times recently in rapid and blitz games, he might not fully agree. The
"refutation" is supposed to be 6.Bg5, but against Vidit and Wojtaszek Magnus
scored 1½/2 even if both times he was somewhat worse after the opening.
Aronian, like his compratiot and second Melkumyan, chooses just to transpose
to the standard lines of the Tarrasch defence.} 6. g3 Nc6 7. Bg2 cxd4 $5 {
Kasparov, and thus everybody else following him, used to play 7...Be7 back in
the days, but recently Dubov has brought attention to this rare idea,
employing it in numerous games.} 8. Nxd4 Bc5 9. Nxc6 (9. Nb3 {is also a
relevant move, as after} Bb6 {White can win a pawn in numerous way, but with
Black always getting good practical compensation. Even so, Magnus played like
this as White excactly against Dubov on the final day of the blitz, managing
to tame the black initiative and eventually win the game.}) 9... bxc6 10. O-O
O-O 11. Qc2 Bb6 12. Na4 Bd7 13. b3 $5 {Melkumyan took on b6 followed by b4,
but Levon has a different concept in mind, just playing very logical
common-sense moves.} Re8 14. Bb2 {It would be easy to describe this position
as just pleasant for White. Finachettoed bishops, the knight well placed
dominating Black's bishop and controlling the weak square on c5. Black has
"hanging" pawns, and even should he get ready for e.g. ...Rc8 and ...c5, there
will be Bxf6 followed by Bxd5. Pleasant position for White, with no real
counterplay for Black? Well, these days we know better:} h5 $1 15. h4 $5 {
Aronian take measures to prevent the black pawn from reaching h3.} (15. Rfd1 h4
16. Nxb6 axb6 17. Rd4 h3 18. Bf3 {was another interesting option, with the
computer suggesting} c5 $5 19. Rxd5 Nxd5 20. Bxd5 Qg5 21. Bxa8 Rxa8 {as the
optimal line of play, with Black having just about sufficient compensation for
the pawn.}) 15... Ne4 16. e3 Rc8 17. Nxb6 axb6 18. Qd1 $1 {Taking White's
perspective, one might say that first he fixed Black's weak pawn, and now he
attacks it! As 18... g6 is out of the question due to the a1-h8 diagonal,
Black has to find a tactical way to justify his play.} Bf5 $5 ({The computers
suggest} 18... Bg4 19. f3 Nxg3 20. fxg4 Qxh4 21. Qf3 f5 {which indeed leads to
an interesting positions, but Magnus has another idea in mind.}) 19. Qxh5 Qd7 {
Ulf Andersson once jokingly stated that if you have an isolated pawn and
blunder it, the good news is that you have no more weaknesses! While if you
blunder one of your hanging pawns, then things are indeed really bad.....
Maybe there is a similar logic to attacking with your flank pawn, in the sense
that if you lose it, no big deal, it was after all just a flank pawn! White
now indeed is a full pawn up, but the knnight on e4 is dominating, with h4
having weakened the g3 pawn, meaning f3 never really is possible.} 20. Qd1 (20.
Bxe4 {would lead to a very interesting position after} dxe4 $5 21. Qg5 f6 $1
22. Bxf6 Bg4 $1 {White now is two full pawns up, but the white squares around
his own king are permanently damaged, and the bishop on g4 also making sure d1
is covered, meaning White can not really access the d-line. The computer calls
it slightly better for White, but from a practical point of view, it could be
easier to play for Black.}) 20... c5 21. Re1 Rcd8 $6 {Too much common sense!} (
21... Rc6 $1 {was stronger, caveman style, swinging the rook to g6 or even h6
attacking the weakened structure. With the computer saying Black is already
better!}) 22. Rc1 Bh3 23. Qf3 f6 24. Bxh3 Qxh3 25. Rcd1 b5 $5 {Just to sit and
wait was also fine, but Magnus, as always, has bigger ambitions than just
splitting the point.} 26. Qg2 Qe6 27. f3 Nd6 28. g4 d4 29. Qd2 ({At first the
engines says that Aronian missed} 29. Qc2 $1 {with a major edge, but then
moderates its statement to Black having quite decent compensation after} Qd5
30. Kg2 f5 $1 31. g5 f4 $1 32. e4 Qe5 {where indeed his prospects again seem
no worse.}) 29... Qd5 30. exd4 c4 31. Ba3 $2 {A peculiar blunder, but most
likely Aronian thought the f3 pawn untouchable as Bxd6 would then win a piece,
having confused that Black can just exchange on e1 first, and then retake on
d6.} (31. Kf2 $1 {was the better move, leading to equality and a likely draw.})
31... Qxf3 32. Qg2 Rxe1+ 33. Rxe1 Qc3 $1 34. Rd1 b4 35. Bb2 {The obvious move,
but} (35. Bc1 $1 {covering e3 would put up a better fight.}) 35... Qe3+ 36. Qf2
Qh3 37. Qg2 Qe3+ 38. Qf2 Qe4 39. Qg2 c3 40. Bc1 c2 $1 41. Rf1 Qxd4+ 42. Kh2
Qe5+ 43. Kg1 Qc5+ 44. Kh2 Nf7 {Materially technically its equal, but the
c2-pawn is such a big trump that Black is winning.} 45. g5 Qe5+ 46. Kh1 Rd1 47.
g6 Nd8 48. Qf3 Rxf1+ 49. Qxf1 Qe4+ 50. Qg2 Qxh4+ 51. Kg1 Qd4+ 52. Kh2 Qd1 $2
53. Qe4 $1 {Following the game online, the spectators suddenly got a surprise
here, as from Magnus for a while being around +5, the engine-evaluation
dropped to 0.00!White threatens mate on e8, and retreating the queen, would
mean losing the c2-pawn so Magnus only chance is taking his king for a walk.}
Kf8 54. Qxb4+ Ke8 55. Qb5+ $6 {Nothing wrong with the move itself, but
complicating things.} (55. Qa4+ Ke7 56. Ba3+ Ke6 57. Qe4+ $1 {would eventually
lead to a draw by perpetual check.}) 55... Ke7 56. Qc5+ $2 Ke6 57. Qc8+ Ke5 58.
Bb2+ $2 Ke4 {Things have gotten difficult, but 59 a4! might still actually
hold. However, the game came to a for Aronian very brutal end:} 59. Qb7+ $4 (
59. a4 $1) 59... Nxb7 $1 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.29"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bartel, Mateusz"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2634"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. Bg2 c5 7. d5 exd5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. O-O Be7 10. Rd1 Nc6 11. a3 Nf6 12. e4 O-O 13. e5 Ne8 14. Nc3 Nc7 15.
Be3 Rc8 16. Rd2 Ne6 17. Rad1 Ncd4 18. Nxd4 cxd4 19. Bxd4 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Qc7 21.
Qe4 Rfe8 22. Be3 Nc5 23. Bxc5 Bxc5 24. f4 d6 25. Nb5 Qb8 26. b4 d5 27. Rxd5 Bf8
28. Rd7 a6 29. Nd4 b5 30. Qd5 Be7 31. Nc6 Qa8 32. Nxe7+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.29"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Iljiushenok, Ilia"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2521"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8.
c4 Ba6 9. b3 g6 10. f4 d6 11. Qf2 Nf6 12. Be2 dxe5 13. O-O Qc5 14. Be3 Ne4 15.
Bxc5 Bxc5 16. Qxc5 Nxc5 17. fxe5 O-O 18. Bf3 Rae8 19. Bxc6 Rxe5 20. Nc3 Kg7 21.
Rae1 Nd3 22. Rd1 Nb4 23. Bf3 Bc8 24. Rd2 Ra5 25. Nd5 Nxd5 26. cxd5 Rc5 27. Rdd1
Ra5 28. Rd2 Rc5 29. Rdd1 Ra5 30. Rd2 Rc5 31. Rdd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 cxd4 6. exd4 Bf5 7. Bb5 e6 8.
Ne5 Qb6 9. c4 dxc4 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. Ndxc4 Qa6 12. Qe2 Bb4+ 13. Bd2 Bxd2+ 14.
Nxd2 Qb5 15. Nb3 O-O 16. Rc1 Rfc8 17. Rxc6 Qa4 18. Rxc8+ Rxc8 19. O-O Qxa2 20.
Nc5 Qd5 21. Qa6 Rf8 22. Nc6 Kh8 23. b4 Ne4 24. Rc1 Ng5 25. h4 Nh3+ 26. Kf1 Nf4
27. f3 Bh3 28. gxh3 Qxf3+ 29. Ke1 Qe3+ 30. Kd1 Qxh3 31. Kc2 Qxh4 32. Kb1 Qf2
33. Rc2 Qg1+ 34. Ka2 h5 35. Qxa7 Qg3 36. b5 Nd5 37. b6 Qd6 38. Nd3 Qg3 39. Nde5
f6 40. b7 fxe5 41. b8=Q Rxb8 42. Qxb8+ Kh7 43. Qxe5 Qf3 44. Qxe6 Nc3+ 45. Rxc3
Qxc3 46. Qf5+ Kh6 47. d5 h4 48. Ne5 Qd2+ 49. Ka3 Qe3+ 50. Kb2 Qd2+ 51. Ka3 Qe3+
52. Kb4 Qd4+ 53. Ka3 Qe3+ 54. Ka2 Qd2+ 55. Kb1 Qd1+ 56. Kb2 Qd2+ 57. Ka3 Qe3+
58. Kb4 Qd4+ 59. Nc4 g5 60. d6 g4 61. d7 h3 62. Qf8+ 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.29"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Sakaev, Konstantin"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2596"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qa4 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Rc8 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. Nb3 Be4 14. Qd2 c5
15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Nxc5 Rxc5 17. Rac1 Rxc1 18. Rxc1 Qa8 19. Qe3 Rd8 20. Ne1 Bxg2
21. Nxg2 h6 22. Nf4 Nd5 23. Nxd5 Qxd5 24. a3 Qd2 25. Qxd2 Rxd2 26. Rc8+ Kh7 27.
b4 Rxe2 28. Rc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.29"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Khusnutdinov, Rustam"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2491"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 Qb6 6. dxc5 Qxb2 7. Rb1 Qc3 8.
Bb5 e6 9. O-O Be7 10. Ne5 Bd7 11. Rb3 Qa5 12. c4 O-O 13. Ndf3 Rfd8 14. cxd5
Nxe5 15. Bxd7 Nexd7 16. c6 bxc6 17. dxc6 Nc5 18. c7 Rxd1 19. Rb8+ Rd8 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.29"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Petrosian, Tigran L"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2601"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. a4 Be6 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3
Rc8 9. Bc4 Nf6 10. Bg5 Be7 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nd5 O-O 13. O-O g6 14. c3 Bg7 15.
Qd3 Kh8 16. Rad1 Qg5 17. Nc2 f5 18. Nb6 fxe4 19. Qe3 Qxe3 20. Nxe3 Bxc4 21.
Nexc4 Rcd8 22. Nxd6 e3 23. fxe3 Bh6 24. Nbc4 Rxf1+ 25. Kxf1 Rd7 26. Ke2 Bf8 27.
b4 Kg8 28. Ne4 Rc7 29. Rd7 Rxd7 30. Nf6+ Kf7 31. Nxd7 Bg7 32. Nc5 Nd8 33. Nd6+
Ke7 34. Ndxb7 Nxb7 35. Nxb7 e4 36. c4 Bc3 37. b5 axb5 38. cxb5 Bb4 39. a5 Kd7
40. a6 Kc7 41. g4 g5 42. Kd1 h6 43. Kc2 Kb6 44. Kb3 Bd2 45. Nd6 Ka7 46. Nxe4
Bxe3 47. Kc4 Kb6 48. Nf6 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.29"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Piorun, Kacper"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2611"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 g6 2. e4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 Nf6 5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. h3 e5 8. Re1
Nh5 9. Be3 h6 10. Nbd2 Qf6 11. d5 Ne7 12. c4 Nf4 13. Bf1 g5 14. c5 Neg6 15. Rc1
g4 16. hxg4 Bxg4 17. Qb3 Qe7 18. Qxb7 Rab8 19. Qxa7 f5 20. cxd6 Qxd6 21. Rxc7
Qf6 22. Rc6 Qd8 23. Nh2 h5 24. g3 Qg5 25. Ndf3 Bxf3 26. Nxf3 Qg4 27. Nh2 Nh3+
28. Bxh3 Qxh3 29. Rxg6 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Yuffa, Daniil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E46"]
[WhiteElo "2566"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd2 c5 6. a3 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Ne4 8. Ne2
b6 9. d5 Ba6 10. b3 b5 11. Qd3 exd5 12. Qxd5 Nxc3 13. Nxc3 Qa5 14. Qd2 bxc4 15.
Bxc4 Nc6 16. O-O Bxc4 17. bxc4 Ne5 18. Ne4 Qxd2 19. Nxd2 Rfb8 20. Rfb1 Kf8 21.
Kf1 Ke7 22. Ke2 Rb6 23. f4 Nc6 24. Kd3 Rab8 25. Kc3 d6 26. Rxb6 Rxb6 27. Rb1
Ke6 28. Rb3 Ne7 29. Kd3 h5 30. Rxb6 axb6 31. Ne4 f6 32. Nc3 Kd7 33. e4 Kc6 34.
Nd5 Ng6 35. g3 b5 36. cxb5+ Kxb5 37. Nc7+ Ka4 38. Ne8 Kxa3 39. Kc4 h4 40. Nxd6
hxg3 41. hxg3 Kb2 42. Nf5 Kc2 43. Nxg7 Kd2 44. Nh5 Ke3 45. Nxf6 Kf3 46. e5 Kxg3
47. e6 Kxf4 48. Kxc5 Ke5 49. Nd7+ Kxe6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.29"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Bosiocic, Marin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2623"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 c5 7. Rb1 Be7 8.
Nf3 O-O 9. h4 b6 10. h5 h6 11. Bd3 cxd4 12. cxd4 e5 13. dxe5 Na6 14. Bc4 Qxd1+
15. Kxd1 Nc5 16. Bd5 Rd8 17. Nd4 Bb7 18. Ke2 Bxd5 19. exd5 Rxd5 20. Nc6 Bf8 21.
f4 Ne4 22. Kf3 Nc3 23. Rb3 Rc5 24. Nd4 Rd8 25. Be3 Rc4 26. Rc1 Rdc8 27. Nb5
Nxb5 28. Rxc4 Rxc4 29. Rxb5 Ra4 30. Rb2 Be7 31. Rc2 f5 32. g4 Ra3 33. gxf5 Bc5
34. Re2 b5 35. Ke4 Bxe3 36. Rxe3 Rxa2 37. e6 Kf8 38. f6 gxf6 39. Kf5 Ra4 40.
Rd3 a5 41. Rd8+ Ke7 42. Rd7+ Ke8 43. Rh7 Rc4 44. Rxh6 a4 45. Rh8+ Ke7 46. Rh7+
Ke8 47. h6 a3 48. Ra7 b4 49. h7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Donchenko, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2644"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nc3 Nb6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8.
b3 O-O 9. Bb2 Re8 10. Rc1 Bf8 11. d3 Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 13. Ne4 f6 14. Nc5 Bxc5 15.
Rxc5 Qd7 16. b4 a6 17. a3 Rad8 18. Qc2 Re7 19. Rc1 Qe8 20. Nh4 Re6 21. g4 Bf7
22. Bxc6 bxc6 23. Rxc6 Nd5 24. e3 h5 25. Nf5 hxg4 26. hxg4 Ne7 27. Rxc7 Nxf5
28. gxf5 Red6 29. Rc8 Rxc8 30. Qxc8 Rxd3 31. Qxe8+ Bxe8 32. Rc8 Kf7 33. Rc7+
Rd7 34. Rxd7+ Bxd7 35. f4 exf4 36. exf4 Bxf5 37. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Zvjaginsev, Vadim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E62"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2627"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 Bf5 7. Nc3 c6 8. Ng5
e5 9. d5 h6 10. e4 Bg4 11. f3 Bd7 12. Nh3 cxd5 13. cxd5 b5 14. a3 Qb6+ 15. Nf2
a5 16. Qe2 Na6 17. Be3 Qb7 18. Rfc1 Nc5 19. Bxc5 dxc5 20. a4 bxa4 21. Nxa4 Bxa4
22. Rxa4 Rfc8 23. Nd3 Ne8 24. f4 Qb5 25. Rac4 exf4 26. e5 fxg3 27. hxg3 a4 28.
d6 Rab8 29. Bd5 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d5 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. O-O Re8 8. Re1
dxe4 9. dxe4 Qe7 10. Nf1 Bxf2+ 11. Kxf2 Qc5+ 12. Ne3 Nxe4+ 13. Kg1 Qxb5 14. Nd5
Rd8 15. Rxe4 Qxd5 16. Qe1 f6 17. b3 Bf5 18. Re3 Qd1 19. Bb2 Qxe1+ 20. Raxe1 Bg4
21. Bc1 Bxf3 22. gxf3 Rd7 23. Kf2 Rad8 24. R3e2 Rd3 25. Rc2 Kf7 26. Ke2 R3d5
27. Be3 a6 28. b4 Ne7 29. a4 Nf5 30. Bf2 h5 31. Rb1 c6 32. Rcb2 Nd6 33. Ra2 Nc4
34. b5 axb5 35. axb5 Rxb5 36. Rxb5 cxb5 37. Ra7 Rd2+ 38. Ke1 Rd7 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.30"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gareyev, Timur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2598"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. b4 c6 6. Bb2 a5 7. b5 O-O 8. a4 Bf5
9. c4 Ne4 10. Qb3 Nxd2 11. Nxd2 Nd7 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Qxd5 Rc8 14. Be2 Nb6 15.
Qxd8 Rfxd8 16. Nb3 Rc2 17. Bc1 e5 18. Bd1 Rc3 19. O-O Nc4 20. Re1 b6 21. e4
exd4 22. exf5 d3 23. Bg5 f6 24. Bd2 Nxd2 25. Nxd2 gxf5 26. Rc1 Rxc1 27. Bb3+
Kf8 28. Rxc1 Bh6 29. Rd1 Rc8 30. Nc4 Re8 31. Kf1 d2 32. Nxd2 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.30"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. b3 O-O 6. Bb2 c5 7. e3 Nc6 8. d4
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bd7 10. Nd2 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Bc6 12. c4 Rc8 13. Rc1 Qa5 14. a4 Rfd8
15. Qe2 Ne4 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Qb2 f6 18. Rfd1 Bb4 19. Qc2 Qf5 20. Bxa7 Rd3 21.
Bb6 h5 22. h3 h4 23. g4 Qg6 24. Bf1 Rc3 25. Qb2 Rd3 26. c5 f5 27. Bxd3 exd3 28.
Qd4 d2 29. Rc4 Bf3 30. Rxb4 Bxd1 31. Qxd2 fxg4 32. Qxd1 g3 33. Rxh4 Rf8 34. Rf4
Rxf4 35. exf4 gxf2+ 36. Kxf2 Qf5 37. Qd8+ Kf7 38. Qd4 Qc2+ 39. Ke3 Qxb3+ 40.
Qd3 Qxa4 41. Bc7 Qb4 42. Qd7+ Kg6 43. Qxe6+ Kh5 44. Qg4+ Kh6 45. Qg5+ Kh7 46.
Qh5+ Kg8 47. Qd5+ Kh8 48. Be5 Qe1+ 49. Kd3 Qd1+ 50. Kc4 Qa4+ 51. Kc3 Qa3+ 52.
Kc2 Qa4+ 53. Qb3 Qe4+ 54. Kb2 Qg2+ 55. Ka3 Qc6 56. Bd6 Qa6+ 57. Kb4 Qe2 58. Qc4
Qb2+ 59. Ka5 Qb1 60. Be5 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.30"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Salem, AR Saleh"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. Nb5 Na6 6. e3 O-O 7. h3 Ne4 8. c3
c6 9. Na3 Nc7 10. Be2 f6 11. Bh2 Re8 12. O-O e5 13. c4 exd4 14. Nxd4 a6 15. Rc1
Ne6 16. cxd5 cxd5 17. Nac2 N6g5 18. Nb4 Kh8 19. Bc7 Qd7 20. Bf4 Qd8 21. f3 a5
22. Bb5 Rf8 23. Bc7 Qe7 24. Nxd5 Qf7 25. fxe4 Nxe4 26. Nb6 Bh6 27. Bf4 g5 28.
Rc7 Qg6 29. Nxc8 gxf4 30. Ne7 Qg3 31. Ndf5 Qg5 32. exf4 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.30"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2699"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 e6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bg3 c5 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. c3 Qc7 8. dxc5
Qxc5 9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. Qe2 h6 11. O-O-O Rb8 12. e4 dxe4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4
Nf6 15. Bxd6 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 Qxf2 17. Rd2 Qb6 18. Bxb8 Qa5 19. Bd6 Re8 20. Ba3 f5
21. Bc2 e5 22. Re1 e4 23. Nd4 e3 24. Rde2 f4 25. g3 Bg4 26. gxf4 Bxe2 27. Rxe2
Qh5 28. f5 Qg4 29. Bd3 Rd8 30. Rxe3 Qf4 31. Kd2 Qxh2+ 32. Re2 Qf4+ 33. Kc2 Rc8
34. Ne6 Qf3 35. Bd6 b5 36. Be5 b4 37. Bxg7 bxc3 38. Bxc3 h5 39. Ng5 Qd5 40. Ne4
Kf7 41. Rg2 Kf8 42. Rg5 Rd8 43. Rg3 h4 44. Rf3 Qxa2 45. Bb4+ Kf7 46. Ng5+ Kf6
47. Ne4+ Kf7 48. Nc3 Rc8 49. Re3 Qa4+ 50. Kb1 Qxb4 51. Nd5 Qd4 52. Re7+ Kf8 53.
Be4 Qxd5 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.30"]
[Round "17"]
[White "Golubov, Saveliy"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A48"]
[WhiteElo "2469"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. Nbd2 d6 5. c3 O-O 6. e4 c5 7. dxc5 dxc5 8.
Bc4 Nc6 9. O-O h6 10. Bh4 Nh5 11. a4 Qc7 12. Qe2 Bg4 13. Qe3 b6 14. Rfe1 Rad8
15. Bg3 Nxg3 16. hxg3 Bc8 17. Nf1 Na5 18. Ba2 Ba6 19. Rad1 Qc6 20. Bd5 Qxa4 21.
b4 cxb4 22. cxb4 Qxb4 23. Rb1 Qd6 24. Ba2 e6 25. e5 Qd3 26. Qf4 Qa3 27. Ra1 Qe7
28. Ne3 Bb7 29. Rac1 Nc6 30. Ng4 Nb4 31. Bc4 g5 32. Nf6+ Qxf6 33. exf6 gxf4 34.
fxg7 Kxg7 35. Ne5 fxg3 36. Re3 gxf2+ 37. Kxf2 Rd2+ 38. Kf1 Rxg2 39. Rd1 Rg5 40.
Rd7 Bg2+ 41. Kf2 Bd5 42. Be2 a5 43. Ng4 Nc6 44. Rc7 Nd4 45. Bd1 Nf5 46. Rh3 a4
47. Ra7 b5 48. Ne5 Nd6 49. Nd3 Ra8 50. Rc7 a3 51. Nf4 a2 0-1

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.30"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2705"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Nd5 e4 6. Nh4 O-O 7. Bg2 d6 8. Nxb4
Nxb4 9. a3 Nc6 10. d3 d5 11. O-O exd3 12. exd3 Bg4 13. Bf3 Bh3 14. Re1 Nd4 15.
Bh1 Bg4 16. f3 Be6 17. Be3 Nc6 18. b3 a5 19. Rc1 Re8 20. f4 Bg4 21. Qd2 Qd6 22.
Bg2 dxc4 23. dxc4 Qxa3 24. h3 Rad8 25. Qc3 Bc8 26. g4 Ne4 27. Qc2 Nb4 28. Qb1
Nd3 29. Bxe4 Rxe4 30. Rcd1 Qd6 31. Nf3 b6 32. Ne5 Rxe5 33. fxe5 Qxe5 34. Rxd3
Qg3+ 35. Kf1 Qxh3+ 36. Ke2 Bxg4+ 37. Kd2 Re8 38. Rd4 Bf5 39. Bf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.30"]
[Round "19"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bg3 O-O 6. Nbd2 b6 7. c3 c5 8. Ne5
Qc7 9. f4 Ba6 10. Bxa6 Nxa6 11. Bh4 Nd7 12. Qg4 f5 13. Qe2 Nab8 14. O-O Nc6 15.
g4 Bxe5 16. fxe5 f4 17. Nf3 Rae8 18. e4 b5 19. exd5 exd5 20. Qxb5 Rb8 21. Qd3
cxd4 22. cxd4 Rxb2 23. Ng5 g6 24. Ne6 Qb6 25. Rf2 Ncxe5 26. dxe5 Rxf2 27. Qxd5
Rd2+ 28. Nd4+ Kh8 29. Bf2 Nc5 30. e6 Rxf2 31. e7 1-0

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.30"]
[Round "20"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 Nbd7 7. Qd3 b6 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. O-O Bb7 10. Nxd5 Bxd5 11. e4 Bb7 12. Rd1 c5 13. Qe2 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Qe8
15. Nb5 Ba6 16. a4 Nc5 17. Qg4 Rd8 18. Bh6 Bf6 19. Nc7 Rxd1+ 20. Qxd1 Qc8 21.
Nxa6 Qxa6 22. Be3 Bxb2 23. Ra2 Bf6 24. a5 Qc4 25. Qc2 Qxc2 26. Rxc2 Rc8 27. f4
Be7 28. axb6 axb6 29. e5 g6 30. Bf1 Ra8 31. Rb2 Nd7 32. Kg2 Bc5 33. Bxc5 Nxc5
34. Rxb6 Ra2+ 35. Kg1 Ra1 36. Kg2 Ra2+ 37. Kg1 Ra1 38. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Wch Blitz"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.12.30"]
[Round "21"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D13"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "20"]
[EventDate "2019.12.29"]
[EventType "swiss (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "21"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Bf4 Nc6 7. Rc1 Nh5 8.
Bd2 Nf6 9. Bf4 Nh5 10. Bd2 Nf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nations Cup Online Prelim"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.05"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2020.05.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "Europe"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]

{[%evp 0,95,19,31,14,-14,-11,4,33,33,27,36,28,19,33,26,41,16,6,-13,0,11,11,9,
16,25,25,22,22,9,22,10,21,15,35,36,28,28,21,12,6,9,3,0,6,3,15,3,48,47,34,31,31,
38,34,31,31,34,35,41,49,34,132,74,115,171,159,181,181,85,245,460,447,244,417,
481,492,470,490,478,508,508,536,547,561,441,560,433,531,563,593,573,624,636,
748,827,843,843]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd2 {Not the most
aggressive variation against the Nimzo-Indian!} O-O 5. Nf3 c5 $5 (5... b6 {
and 5...d5 are also reasonable moves.}) 6. a3 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Ne4 {A necessary
move, to recapture the bishop pair.} 8. Rc1 $5 ({Usually White goes} 8. Qc2 {
but I do not think that it promises White any kind of advantage:} Nxc3 9. Qxc3
d6 (9... b6 10. e3 Bb7 11. Be2 d6 12. O-O Qe7 13. Rfd1 Nd7 14. Qd2 Rad8 15. b4
Nf6 $11 {0-1 (93) Kaczorowska,B (2210)-Voloshin,L (2423) Koszalin 1999}) (9...
Qf6 $5) 10. dxc5 dxc5 11. Rd1 Qe7 12. g3 Nc6 13. Bg2 e5 14. O-O e4 15. Nd2 Bf5
$11 {½-½ (80) Karthik,R (2212)-Schoppen,C (2507) Stockholm 2020}) 8... b6 9.
g3 Bb7 10. Bg2 Nxc3 (10... d6 {just looks fine for Black:} 11. O-O Nd7 12. Qd3
(12. Be1 Qc7 $132) 12... Qc7 13. Rfd1 f5 14. Bd2 Ndf6 $13 {1-0 (37) Abolianin,
A-David,A (2425) Antwerp 1994}) 11. Rxc3 cxd4 $6 {Helping White a lot!} ({
I can't see any problem for Black after} 11... d6 12. Rd3 Be4 13. Rd2 (13. dxc5
Bxd3 14. Qxd3 bxc5 15. Nd2 Nd7 16. Bxa8 Ne5 $11) 13... Qe7 $11) 12. Qxd4 Nc6
13. Qd2 $14 {We did not have the most fascinating opening investigation ever -
but the rest of the game is worth staying awake for!} Qe7 14. O-O Rfd8 15. e4
Rac8 16. Rd1 d6 17. b3 Ne5 18. Nd4 a6 19. Re3 Qc7 {Not much Black can do -
just wait.} 20. h3 h6 21. Qb2 {White takes his time - he is not in a hurry to
weaken himself with f4.} Qc5 22. a4 $1 {Preventing ...b5.} Kf8 23. Kh2 a5 $6 {
Not a good move - not because it gives away the b5-square, but because Black
is depriving himself of any counterplay with ...b5, ever.} (23... Qc7 $142) 24.
Qe2 Nc6 25. Red3 $1 (25. Nb5 Nb4 $132) 25... Nxd4 26. Rxd4 {A good exchange
for White. Black is simply worse in the long term.} Rc7 27. Qd2 Rcd7 28. Rd3
Ke7 29. f4 Bc6 30. Rf1 g5 $2 ({Black should have been more patient and played
something like} 30... f6) 31. fxg5 hxg5 $6 (31... Qxg5 32. Qf2 {would attack
both the b6- and f7-pawns.}) 32. Rd5 $3 {The fireworks start!} Bxd5 (32... exd5
33. Qxg5+ Kf8 34. Qh6+ Ke8 (34... Kg8 35. Rf4 $18) 35. exd5 (35. Qh8+ Ke7 36.
Qh4+ Ke8 37. exd5 {is even stronger.}) {and White wins, as} 35... Bb7 {allows}
36. Qh8+ Ke7 37. Re1+ Qe3 38. Rxe3#) 33. Qxg5+ Kf8 34. cxd5 $1 (34. exd5 {
is also good - but Artemiev continues playing the best moves!}) 34... Re7 (
34... exd5 35. Qh6+ Ke8 36. Qh8+ Ke7 37. Qf6+ Ke8 38. Rf5 $1 Re7 39. Bf1 $1 {
could have been another awesome finish.}) 35. e5 $3 $18 {Absolutely beautiful
- unpinning the d5-pawn! Black has no defence.} (35. Rf4 $2 Ke8 $132) (35. dxe6
$4 Qxg5 $19) 35... Rc8 (35... Ke8 36. Rc1 Qb4 37. dxe6 $18) (35... exd5 36. e6
Qc7 37. Qh6+ Kg8 38. exf7+ Rxf7 39. Bxd5 $18) (35... dxe5 36. dxe6 $18) 36. Rf4
$1 (36. Qh5 Ke8 37. dxe6 Qxe5 38. exf7+ Kf8 39. Qg4 {was another way to win.
White threatens Qxc8 and Qg8.}) 36... dxe5 (36... Qc3 37. exd6 $18) 37. Rc4 $18
exd5 38. Qh6+ Ke8 39. Rxc5 Rxc5 40. Qxb6 Rec7 41. Bxd5 Rc2+ 42. Bg2 e4 43. Qb5+
R7c6 44. h4 Kf8 45. Qb8+ Ke7 46. Kh3 f5 47. Qe5+ Re6 48. Qxf5 1-0

[Event "Nations Cup Online Prelim"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.05"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2020.05.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "China"]
[BlackTeam "Europe"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CHN"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O
8. Qd2 Nd7 9. O-O-O c6 10. h4 Re8 11. Bd3 d5 12. h5 Nc5 13. Kb1 Bg4 14. Bxc5
Bxc5 15. Qf4 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Qf6 17. Qxf6 gxf6 18. Rh4 Bxf2 19. Rf4 Be3 20. Rxf6
Re5 21. Rdf1 Rf8 22. R6f5 Rxf5 23. Rxf5 h6 24. c4 Rd8 25. cxd5 Rxd5 26. Rxd5
cxd5 27. g4 Kf8 28. Bf5 Ke7 29. Bd3 a5 30. a4 b6 31. Bf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nations Cup Online Prelim"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.06"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A09"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2020.05.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Europe"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]

{[%evp 0,111,19,29,23,12,37,14,-4,4,9,5,-21,-26,-4,-67,-22,-41,-28,-2,-12,-35,
-30,-1,36,-37,-25,-40,-26,-13,13,-18,-18,-18,-18,-15,-30,-19,-35,-47,-37,-62,4,
-16,-7,-20,-20,12,-14,-49,-5,-47,-5,6,14,-36,-57,-97,-23,-23,40,45,43,21,45,-8,
86,0,-1,2,22,0,0,0,1,-17,-15,0,0,0,0,0,27,21,12,39,40,42,42,16,42,43,43,0,43,
35,33,540,839,934,1022,1032,1075,1092,1105,1122,1157,1281,1283,1330,1330,1300,
1894,1894]} 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 c5 3. c4 d4 4. exd4 cxd4 5. Bd3 $5 {A reversed
Schmid-Benoni! To be honest, I had never seen it.} Nc6 6. O-O Nf6 (6... g6 {
went very well for Black in another game:} 7. Re1 Bg7 8. a3 a5 9. Bc2 (9. Qe2
$5 {and then Bc2 might be the right solution}) 9... d3 $1 10. Ba4 Nh6 $1 11.
Nc3 O-O $15 {0-1 (39) Agayev,N (2350)-Stupak,K (2586) Baku AZE 2017}) 7. Bc2
Bg4 8. Ba4 Nd7 {The most solid move.} (8... e5 9. h3 (9. d3 Bd6 $132) 9... Bxf3
10. Qxf3 e4 11. Qb3 Rb8 12. d3 $36) 9. h3 Bh5 10. d3 e5 11. Re1 Be7 12. Nbd2 (
12. g4 Bg6 13. Nxe5 Ndxe5 14. Rxe5 O-O {would give Black full compensation for
the pawn.}) 12... O-O 13. Ne4 Qc7 14. a3 a5 15. Ng3 Bg6 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. Nxd4
exd4 18. Rxe7 Qd6 19. Re2 Nc5 {Here as well Black has more than enough
compensation!} 20. Ne4 (20. Rd2 $6 a4 $17) (20. a4 $1 {in order to play Ra3,
or answer Nxd3 or Bxd3 with Rd2, was perhaps what White had to do.}) 20... Nxe4
(20... Bxe4 $5 21. dxe4 Rfe8 22. f3 a4 $15) 21. dxe4 Rfe8 22. f3 a4 23. c5 Qxc5
24. Bf4 Qb6 25. Rc1 c5 (25... f5 $5 26. e5 d3+ 27. Rf2 Qd4 28. Qd2 c5 $15) 26.
Rc4 f6 27. Qc1 $2 ({Some timid move like} 27. Rd2 {was better. The a4-pawn is
hanging, by the way...}) 27... Ra5 $1 28. Rec2 f5 $2 (28... Bf7 $1 29. Rxc5 d3
30. Bc7 $8 (30. R2c3 Rxc5 31. Rxc5 Rc8 32. Be3 Rxc5 33. Bxc5 d2 $1 $19) 30...
Rxc5 31. Bxb6 Rxc2 {would surely have brought Black the full point.}) 29. Rxc5
Rxc5 30. Rxc5 fxe4 31. fxe4 d3 32. Be3 Qe6 33. Rc7 Qxe4 34. Bd2 {Suddenly,
it's unclear who is playing for a win!} h6 35. Qc5 Bf7 36. Bc3 Qg6 37. Re7 Rxe7
38. Qxe7 Kh7 39. Qe5 Be8 40. Kf2 {Unbelievably enough, Black never took a
decision to swap queens. True, it was hard to see Levon's winning idea coming.}
Bf7 ({But} 40... Qf6+ {was an easy draw:} 41. Qxf6 gxf6 42. Bxf6 Bf7 (42... Bc6
$5 43. g4 Kg6 44. Bc3 h5 $11) 43. Ke3 (43. b4 axb3 44. a4 Kg6 45. Bc3 Bd5 $11)
43... Bb3 44. Kxd3 Kg6 $11) 41. g4 Bb3 42. Ke3 Bc2 $2 (42... Qg5+ $11) 43. Kd2
Bb3 ({It's now too late for} 43... Qg5+ $4 44. Qxg5 hxg5 {because of} 45. b4 $3
axb3 46. Bb2 {and White wins!}) 44. Ke3 Bc2 (44... Qg5+ $1 $11) 45. Kd2 Bb3 46.
Qe7 Bc2 $4 47. b4 $3 {Finally Levon has got what he wanted, and it's a
masterpiece! He's going to queen one of his queenside pawns, as Black is
totally paralysed on the kingside, while his bishop is stuck on c2!} axb3 (
47... h5 $5 48. g5 Bb3 49. b5 Bf7 50. b6 Qf5 51. Qe5 $18) 48. Bb2 h5 49. g5 h4
50. a4 Kg8 51. a5 Kh7 52. a6 Bd1 53. Kxd1 d2 54. Qxg7+ Qxg7 55. Bxg7 Kxg7 56.
Kxd2 {A tough one for Vidit!} 1-0

[Event "Nations Cup Online Prelim"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.06"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2020.05.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "USA"]
[BlackTeam "Europe"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4
c6 9. Qc2 h6 10. Re1 Be6 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Bxe4 dxe4 13. Qxe4 Bd5 14. Qg4 Qd7
15. Qxd7 Nxd7 16. Nc3 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Bb4 18. Bd2 Rfd8 19. Ne4 Bxd2 20. Nxd2 Nf6
21. Nb3 b6 22. Rac1 Nd5 23. a3 Rd6 24. Re4 Rad8 25. Kf1 a5 26. a4 g5 27. Rc4
Kg7 28. Re1 Kg6 29. Nd2 Nb4 30. Nb3 Nd3 31. Re2 Nf4 32. Re1 Rf6 33. Nd2 Nd3 34.
Rb1 Rf4 35. Rc6+ Kg7 36. Rxb6 Rdxd4 37. b3 Nxf2 38. Ke2 Rh4 39. Nf1 Nd3 40. Rb5
Nf4+ 41. Kf2 Rd3 42. Re5 Rc3 43. Rxa5 Rh3 44. Rb5 Rhxf3+ 45. Kg1 Rc2 46. Rb6
Rff2 47. a5 Rg2+ 48. Kh1 Nh3 0-1

[Event "Nations Cup Online Prelim"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.07"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[PlyCount "175"]
[EventDate "2020.05.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Europe"]
[BlackTeam "Rest of the World"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. b3 c5 5. Bb2 Nc6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bb5 Bd6 8. d4
cxd4 9. Nxd4 O-O 10. O-O Nxd4 11. Qxd4 a6 12. Be2 Re8 13. Qd1 Qc7 14. h3 Ne4
15. Nd2 Nc3 16. Bxc3 Qxc3 17. Rc1 Qf6 18. Bg4 Bxg4 19. Qxg4 Qb2 20. Nf3 Qxa2
21. Qd7 Bf8 22. Qxb7 Rab8 23. Qc6 Qxb3 24. Qxa6 Qb6 25. Qa2 Rbd8 26. Rfd1 Qe6
27. Rc2 Rd7 28. Qa4 Red8 29. Nd4 Qe4 30. Rdc1 g6 31. Qb5 Rd6 32. Rc8 Kg7 33.
Qb2 Rxc8 34. Rxc8 Rf6 35. Rd8 Bc5 36. Nf3 Be7 37. Rd7 Qe6 38. Rb7 Bd6 39. Ng5
Qe5 40. Qxe5 Bxe5 41. Rd7 h6 42. Nf3 Bd6 43. Nd4 Kf8 44. Nb5 Bb4 45. Rxd5 Be1
46. f3 Re6 47. Rd3 Bg3 48. Kf1 Rb6 49. Rd5 Rc6 50. Ke2 Rc1 51. Rd1 Rc2+ 52. Rd2
Rc1 53. Kd3 Be5 54. Ke4 Bf6 55. Nd4 Bxd4 56. exd4 Ke7 57. Ra2 h5 58. Kd5 Rd1
59. Re2+ Kd7 60. Ke5 Ke7 61. f4 Rf1 62. h4 f6+ 63. Kd5+ Kd7 64. g3 Ra1 65. Rb2
Ra5+ 66. Kc4 Kc6 67. d5+ Kc7 68. Re2 Ra4+ 69. Kb5 Ra3 70. Re6 Rxg3 71. Rxf6 Rg1
72. Ra6 Kd7 73. Kc5 Rc1+ 74. Kd4 Rd1+ 75. Ke5 Re1+ 76. Kf6 Rg1 77. Ra7+ Kd6 78.
Rg7 Rg4 79. Rxg6 Rxf4+ 80. Kg5+ Ke5 81. d6 Rd4 82. Kxh5 Kf5 83. Kh6 Rxh4+ 84.
Kg7 Ra4 85. Rh6 Kg5 86. Re6 Kf5 87. Kf7 Rh4 88. Re1 1-0

[Event "Nations Cup Online Prelim"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.07"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2020.05.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Europe"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 e5 10. b3 exd4 11. Nxd4 Ne5 12. Be2 Qe7 13. Bb2 Ba3 14. Bxa3 Qxa3
15. Rfd1 Re8 16. Rd2 Qe7 17. Rad1 Ng6 18. Qb1 Qe5 19. Qb2 a5 20. Nf3 Qe7 21. h3
b5 22. Bd3 Bb7 23. Ne2 c5 24. Ng3 Bxf3 25. gxf3 Qe6 26. Bf5 Qe7 27. Bd3 Qe6 28.
Bf5 Qe7 29. Bd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nations Cup Online Prelim"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.08"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2020.05.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Europe"]
[BlackTeam "China"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CHN"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. c3 Nf6 5. Qe2 Bg7 6. d4 cxd4 7. cxd4 O-O 8. d5
a6 9. Bd3 Nb4 10. Bd2 Nxd3+ 11. Qxd3 d6 12. O-O e6 13. dxe6 Bxe6 14. Re1 Nd7
15. Nc3 Ne5 16. Nxe5 dxe5 17. Nd5 f5 18. f3 fxe4 19. fxe4 Bxd5 20. exd5 Qd6 21.
Qb3 Rfd8 22. Bg5 Rd7 23. Rad1 h6 24. Be3 Rc8 25. Bb6 Kh7 26. a4 Rf8 27. a5 Rdf7
28. Rc1 Re8 29. Re4 Rf4 30. Qd3 Rf7 31. b4 Rd7 32. h3 h5 33. Rec4 Bh6 34. Rf1
Bf4 35. Re4 Rc8 36. g3 Bh6 37. Bc5 Qxd5 38. Qxd5 Rxd5 39. Rf7+ Kg8 40. Rxb7 Bf8
41. Bxf8 Rxf8 42. Re2 Rd3 43. Kh2 e4 44. Rb6 Kg7 45. Rxa6 Rff3 46. Re6 Rxg3 47.
a6 Rxh3+ 48. Kg1 Ra3 49. b5 Rhb3 50. Rb6 h4 51. Rb7+ Kh6 52. a7 Rg3+ 53. Rg2
Rh3 54. Rg4 Kh5 55. Rxe4 Rag3+ 56. Kf1 Rh1+ 57. Ke2 Rh2+ 58. Kd1 Ra3 59. Rxh4+
Rxh4 60. Rh7+ Kg5 61. Rxh4 Rxa7 62. Rb4 Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nations Cup Online Prelim"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.08"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2020.05.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "Europe"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 d5 5. a3 Be7 6. e4 dxe4 7. fxe4 c5 8. d5
exd5 9. exd5 O-O 10. Be2 Re8 11. Nf3 Bg4 12. O-O Nbd7 13. d6 Bf8 14. h3 Bh5 15.
Nb5 Rb8 16. Bf4 a6 17. Nc7 Re4 18. Bg3 Bxf3 19. Bxf3 Rd4 20. Qe1 Bxd6 21. Nd5
Bxg3 22. Qxg3 Kh8 23. Rad1 Qf8 24. Rxd4 cxd4 25. b4 Nxd5 26. Bxd5 Nf6 27. Qe5
Nxd5 28. cxd5 f6 29. Qxd4 Rd8 30. Re1 h6 31. Re6 Qf7 32. Qe4 Qc7 33. a4 Kg8 34.
Re7 Qb6+ 35. Kh1 Qd6 36. a5 f5 37. Qe6+ Qxe6 38. dxe6 Rd1+ 39. Kh2 Re1 40. Kg3
Re4 41. Rxb7 Rxe6 42. Kf4 g6 43. Kf3 Kf8 44. Rb6 Re4 45. Rxa6 Rxb4 46. Rxg6 Rb5
47. a6 h5 48. Kf4 Kf7 49. Rc6 h4 50. Kg5 Rb2 51. Kxf5 Rf2+ 52. Kg4 Rxg2+ 53.
Kxh4 Rg1 54. Kh5 Rg3 55. h4 Kg7 56. Rc7+ Kf6 57. a7 Ra3 58. Kg4 Ra4+ 59. Kf3
Kg6 60. Ke3 Kh5 61. Kd3 Ra1 62. Kd4 Kxh4 63. Kc5 Kg5 64. Kb6 Kf6 65. Kb7 Rb1+
66. Kc8 1-0

[Event "Nations Cup Online Prelim"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.09"]
[Round "9.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2020.05.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Europe"]
[BlackTeam "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. d3 Be7 8. Nc3
d6 9. a3 O-O 10. Ne2 Qd7 11. Ng3 Nd8 12. Nf5 Ne6 13. Ng5 Bd8 14. f4 Nxf4 15.
Bxf4 exf4 16. Rxf4 h6 17. Nh3 Kh8 18. Qf3 d5 19. e5 Nh7 20. d4 Bg5 21. Qg4 g6
22. Nxh6 Qxg4 23. Nxg4 Bxf4 24. Nxf4 Bc8 25. Nf2 c6 26. c3 Kg7 27. Bc2 Ng5 28.
Re1 Bd7 29. Re3 Rh8 30. Rg3 Ne6 31. N4d3 Rh4 32. Bd1 c5 33. Nxc5 Nxc5 34. dxc5
Re8 35. Re3 d4 36. cxd4 Rxd4 37. b4 a5 38. bxa5 Ra8 39. Bf3 Rxa5 40. c6 Be6 41.
Ne4 b4 42. axb4 Rxe5 43. Rc3 Bc8 44. Ra3 Rxb4 45. Nd6 Be6 46. c7 Rb1+ 47. Kf2
Rc1 48. Ra7 Rec5 49. h3 Kh6 50. Nxf7+ Bxf7 51. c8=Q Rxc8 52. Rxf7 R8c4 53. Kg3
Rc7 54. Rxc7 Rxc7 55. h4 Kg7 56. Kh3 Kf6 57. g3 Rc3 58. Be4 Re3 59. Bc6 Kf5 60.
Bd7+ Ke5 61. Kg4 Kf6 62. Bc6 Rc3 63. Bb7 Rc4+ 64. Kh3 Ke5 65. Bf3 Kd4 66. Kg2
Ke3 67. Bb7 Rb4 68. Bc6 Rb2+ 69. Kg1 Ke2 70. Be4 Rb4 71. Bxg6 Kf3 72. Kh2 Kf2
73. Kh3 Rb3 74. Kg4 Rxg3+ 75. Kf5 Rh3 76. h5 Rxh5+ 77. Bxh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nations Cup Online Prelim"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.09"]
[Round "10.2"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C27"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2020.05.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Rest of the World"]
[BlackTeam "Europe"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Nxe4 4. Qh5 Nd6 5. Bb3 Be7 6. Qxe5 O-O 7. d4 Nc6 8.
Qf4 Na5 9. Bd5 Ne8 10. Bf3 Bb4 11. a3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 d5 13. Ne2 c6 14. O-O Nc4
15. Ng3 Qf6 16. Be2 Qxf4 17. Bxf4 Ned6 18. Bd3 Bd7 19. a4 b6 20. f3 Rfe8 21.
Kf2 f6 22. h4 Re6 23. Rfb1 g6 24. Ne2 Rae8 25. g4 R6e7 26. Ng3 Be6 27. Rh1 Bf7
28. g5 fxg5 29. Bxg5 Rd7 30. h5 Nb2 31. Be2 Be6 32. hxg6 hxg6 33. a5 b5 34. Rh6
Kg7 35. Rah1 Bg8 36. Bc1 Nbc4 37. Bd3 Re6 38. Rg1 Rf7 39. Bxg6 Rc7 40. Nh5+ Kf8
41. Rh8 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.19"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D05"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2020.05.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 e6 4. Nbd2 c5 5. b3 Bd6 6. Bb2 O-O 7. Bd3 Nc6 8. O-O
Qc7 9. c4 cxd4 10. exd4 Bd7 11. Re1 Rfd8 12. c5 Bf4 13. g3 Bh6 14. a3 g6 15. b4
Bg7 16. Rc1 Rac8 17. b5 Ne7 18. a4 Be8 19. Rc2 Nf5 20. Qe2 Qb8 21. Bc3 h5 22.
Ra1 h4 23. a5 hxg3 24. hxg3 Nh5 25. Nf1 Nf6 26. Rb1 Ne4 27. Bxe4 dxe4 28. Qxe4
a6 29. bxa6 Bc6 30. Qe2 Qa8 31. Ne3 bxa6 32. d5 Nxe3 33. Qxe3 Rxd5 34. Bxg7 Rh5
35. Nh2 Kxg7 36. f3 Rch8 37. Rb6 Qd8 38. Rd2 Qf6 39. Rbb2 Rh3 40. f4 R8h5 41.
Ng4 Rh1+ 42. Kf2 g5 43. Qe5 Qxe5 44. Nxe5 Bd5 45. Ke3 R5h3 46. Kd4 Rxg3 47. c6
f6 48. Rb7+ Kh6 49. fxg5+ fxg5 50. Kc5 Re3 51. Ng4+ 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2020.05.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O
8. Qd2 Nd7 9. O-O-O c6 10. h4 d5 11. Bd3 Re8 12. Rde1 Nf6 13. Ng5 c5 14. c4 h6
15. cxd5 c4 16. Bxc4 hxg5 17. hxg5 Ne4 18. Qd1 Bxg5 19. Qh5 Bxe3+ 20. Rxe3 f5
21. d6+ Be6 22. Qh7+ 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D04"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2020.05.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 c5 4. Nbd2 cxd4 5. exd4 Bf5 6. c3 e6 7. Nh4 Bg4 8.
Be2 Bxe2 9. Qxe2 Qc7 10. Nb3 Nbd7 11. g3 Be7 12. Bf4 Qb6 13. O-O a5 14. Nc1 Qa6
15. Qxa6 Rxa6 16. a4 Ne4 17. Ng2 g5 18. Be3 h5 19. Nd3 h4 20. f3 Nd6 21. Bf2
Nc4 22. Rfd1 Rb6 23. Ra2 hxg3 24. hxg3 Bd6 25. Ne3 Bxg3 26. Nxc4 Bxf2+ 27. Nxf2
dxc4 28. Ng4 Ke7 29. Ne3 Rc6 30. Ra3 Nf6 31. b3 Nd5 32. Nxd5+ exd5 33. bxc4
Rxc4 34. Rb1 Rhc8 35. Rxb7+ Ke6 36. Ra2 f6 37. Re2+ Kf5 38. Rb5 Rxc3 39. Rxd5+
Kf4 40. Rxa5 Rxf3 41. Rc5 Rxc5 42. dxc5 Rc3 43. a5 Rxc5 44. Ra2 Rc7 45. a6 Ra7
46. Kg2 Ke5 47. Kf3 Kd5 48. Kg4 Kc5 49. Kf5 Kb5 50. Kxf6 Rxa6+ 51. Rxa6 Kxa6
52. Kxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lindores Abbey Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2791"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2020.05.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 g6 5. O-O Bg7 6. d3 Nc6 7. h3 O-O 8. Be3 e5
9. Nbd2 Re8 10. a3 a5 11. a4 b6 12. Re1 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Bg5 Qc7 15. Bh4
Nf4 16. Bf1 Ba6 17. Qc2 h6 18. Rad1 Nh5 19. Qb3 Rab8 20. Ne4 Bb7 21. Ng3 Nf4
22. Ne4 Nh5 23. Ng3 Nf4 24. Ne4 Nh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lindores Abbey Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C01"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2020.05.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d3 Nf6 6. d4 d5 7. h3 Bd6 8. Bd3
O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. Nc3 c6 11. Bg5 Nbd7 12. Re1 Rxe1+ 13. Qxe1 Nf8 14. Ne2 h6
15. Bf4 Bxf4 16. Nxf4 Qb6 17. b3 Bd7 18. Qd2 Re8 19. Ne5 Bc8 20. Re1 Qc7 21. c4
dxc4 22. Bxc4 Re7 23. Nfg6 Nxg6 24. Nxg6 Re8 25. Rxe8+ Nxe8 26. Qe3 Nd6 27. Qe5
Qd7 28. Ne7+ Kf8 29. Nxc8 Nxc8 30. Qb8 g6 31. Qf4 Kg7 32. Qe5+ f6 33. Qb8 b5
34. Bd3 Ne7 35. Qf4 c5 36. Qe4 cxd4 37. Bxb5 Qd6 38. Qb7 Qb4 39. Qxa7 Qe1+ 40.
Kh2 Qe5+ 41. g3 h5 42. h4 g5 43. hxg5 fxg5 44. Kg1 h4 45. gxh4 gxh4 46. Qd7 Kf6
47. Bd3 Qg5+ 48. Kf1 Qc1+ 49. Ke2 Qb2+ 50. Kf3 Qc3 51. Qd6+ Kf7 52. Qf4+ Ke6
53. Qe4+ Kd6 54. Kg4 Qc8+ 55. Kxh4 Qh8+ 56. Kg3 Nd5 57. a3 Nc3 58. Qg6+ Kc7 59.
Qh7+ Qxh7 60. Bxh7 Kd6 61. Bd3 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2020.05.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Nf3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 d5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. d4 cxd4 10. Qa4+ Nd7 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. Nxd4 Bxg2 13. Kxg2 O-O 14. Nc6
Nc5 15. Qc4 Qd7 16. Nxe7+ Qxe7 17. Be3 Rac8 18. Rac1 Rfd8 19. Qg4 f5 20. Qb4
Rd5 21. Red1 Qd7 22. Rxd5 Qxd5+ 23. f3 Qxa2 24. Qb5 h6 25. b4 Qb3 26. Bxc5 bxc5
27. Qd7 Rb8 28. bxc5 Qe3 29. Qd1 Kh7 30. Rc2 Rc8 31. c6 Qb3 32. Qd2 a5 33. Rc5
Qb4 34. Qd6 Rc7 35. g4 a4 36. gxf5 exf5 37. Qe5 a3 38. Qxf5+ g6 39. Qe5 Qb6 40.
Rc2 h5 41. h4 Qa7 42. Qd6 Kh6 43. Qe5 Kh7 44. Qd6 Kh6 45. Ra2 Re7 46. e4 Qc7
47. Qf6 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2020.05.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nd3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. b3 c6 8.
Bb2 Qxe2+ 9. Nxe2 Be7 10. O-O-O O-O 11. Re1 Nbd7 12. Ng3 Re8 13. Nf5 Bf8 14.
Rxe8 Nxe8 15. Be2 Ne5 16. Ng3 Nxd3+ 17. Bxd3 g6 18. Re1 Bd7 19. Ne4 d5 20. Nf6+
Nxf6 21. Bxf6 Bc5 22. f3 Kf8 23. c3 Re8 24. Rxe8+ Kxe8 25. h4 Bd6 26. g4 h5 27.
gxh5 gxh5 28. Kd1 Bh3 29. Ke2 Kd7 30. Bd4 a6 31. b4 Be7 32. Bf2 Ke6 33. Bc2 Bf5
34. Bb3 Bd6 35. a4 b5 36. axb5 axb5 37. d3 Be5 38. Be1 Bf6 39. Ba2 Be5 40. Bb3
Bf6 41. Ba2 Be5 42. Bb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lindores Abbey Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2020.05.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. Nf3 b6 8. g3
Bb7 9. Bg2 Bd6 10. d4 h6 11. O-O O-O 12. Qd3 Rd8 13. Re1 Nd7 14. a4 e5 15. Ra2
exd4 16. cxd4 Bb4 17. Re3 Nc5 18. Qe2 Ne6 19. d5 Nf8 20. Bb2 Qf5 21. Re4 Re8
22. Nh4 Qh7 23. Ra1 Rxe4 24. Bxe4 g6 25. Bc2 a5 26. Rd1 Bc5 27. Rd3 Bc8 28. Qe5
Bd6 29. Qf6 Bh3 30. Re3 Nd7 31. Qf3 h5 32. Qd1 Qh6 33. Nf3 Bg4 34. Kg2 Bc5 35.
Re1 Bb4 36. Re3 Bc5 37. Re1 Bb4 38. Re3 Bc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lindores Abbey Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.21"]
[Round "9"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2020.05.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bf4 Bd6 12. Nc3 Nbd7 13. Bd2 Ne4 14. Rfd1 Nb6
15. Qd3 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Bxa4 17. Rdc1 c5 18. c4 Bc6 19. e4 Re8 20. Ba5 Bc7 21. d5
exd5 22. exd5 Nxd5 23. cxd5 Bxa5 24. Rxa5 Qxa5 25. dxc6 bxc6 26. Qf5 Re6 27.
Rxc5 Qa3 28. Ra5 Qc3 29. Rc5 Qa3 30. Ra5 Qc3 31. Rc5 Qa3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lindores Abbey Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.21"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2020.05.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Nd5 Bc5 6. Bg2 d6 7. O-O O-O 8. d3
h6 9. e3 a6 10. Bd2 Ba7 11. Bc3 Re8 12. Rc1 Bf5 13. Nh4 Bh7 14. Kh1 Nxd5 15.
Bxd5 Rb8 16. Qd2 Ne7 17. Bg2 b5 18. b3 Qd7 19. Rce1 Nf5 20. Nxf5 Bxf5 21. f4
bxc4 22. bxc4 Bh3 23. Bxh3 Qxh3 24. f5 Rb7 25. Qe2 Reb8 26. Qf3 Bc5 27. Rd1 Bb4
28. Ba1 Ba3 29. Bc3 h5 30. f6 g6 31. d4 exd4 32. exd4 Bb2 33. Qf4 Qc8 34. Ba5
Qg4 35. Qh6 Qe4+ 36. Kg1 Bxd4+ 37. Rxd4 Qxd4+ 38. Kh1 Qe4+ 39. Kg1 Qd4+ 40. Kh1
Qe4+ 41. Kg1 Qd4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lindores Abbey Prelim"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.21"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2020.05.19"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 Nh5 8. Bd3
Nxf4 9. exf4 b6 10. b4 a5 11. a3 c6 12. O-O Ba6 13. Bxa6 Rxa6 14. Qc2 Qc7 15.
g3 Rfa8 16. Rab1 axb4 17. axb4 Bf6 18. Kg2 h6 19. h4 bxc5 20. bxc5 Ra3 21. Rb3
Rxb3 22. Qxb3 Qa5 23. Rc1 Rb8 24. Qa2 Qxa2 25. Nxa2 Rb2 26. Nc3 Kf8 27. Rb1
Rxb1 28. Nxb1 Ke7 29. Na3 Nb8 30. Nc2 Na6 31. Kf1 h5 32. Ke2 Kd7 33. Kd3 Ke7
34. Ke2 Kd7 35. Kd3 Ke7 36. Ke2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lindores Abbey Final 8"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.23"]
[Round "1.11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[Annotator "Mueller,Karsten"]
[PlyCount "241"]
[EventDate "2020.05.23"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,235,25,19,26,6,6,6,6,6,25,22,25,21,50,29,52,16,0,0,0,7,43,43,40,37,52,
37,40,31,23,1,31,22,29,29,28,32,36,16,33,17,76,42,26,25,33,36,66,56,83,36,36,
29,39,31,43,39,28,28,67,64,67,67,73,67,75,59,72,75,93,109,60,41,49,3,3,3,12,12,
20,9,0,0,40,37,41,-73,14,7,7,7,8,14,6,0,1,1,8,0,41,40,40,41,68,62,66,41,13,16,
16,0,0,0,6,0,31,40,37,38,40,41,43,41,111,41,41,41,112,41,40,41,112,116,114,106,
139,43,94,101,99,91,95,95,100,40,40,40,40,40,40,40,46,41,41,41,41,40,40,40,40,
40,41,40,40,41,40,40,40,40,41,40,43,44,43,44,44,43,41,41,44,43,43,43,42,41,40,
42,43,43,44,41,43,4,41,41,43,43,41,43,45,44,43,43,44,43,43,41,41,44,45,44,43,
45,41,43,40,42,42,44,44,44,44,44,44,44,43,43,527,265,51,51,50,50,817,827,827,
847]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 c6 8.
h3 b6 9. b4 a5 10. a3 h6 11. Bd3 Ba6 12. O-O Qc8 13. Na4 Qb7 14. Qc2 Bxd3 15.
Qxd3 Ne4 16. Rfb1 axb4 17. axb4 b5 18. Nc3 f5 19. Ne2 Bf6 20. Ne5 Ng5 21. Nxd7
Qxd7 22. Nc1 Nf7 23. Qc3 Rfe8 24. Nd3 Qb7 25. Rb3 Ra4 26. Rxa4 bxa4 27. Ra3 Qb5
28. Qc2 Ra8 29. Bc7 Bd8 30. Ba5 Bf6 31. f4 g5 32. g3 h5 33. Qxa4 Qxa4 34. Rxa4
h4 35. gxh4 gxf4 36. Nxf4 e5 37. Ng6 exd4 38. exd4 Bxd4+ 39. Kf1 Bf6 40. Ra2
Kh7 41. h5 Ng5 42. Nf4 Ne4 43. Nd3 Bd4 44. Rg2 f4 45. Nxf4 Rf8 46. Bc7 Rf7 47.
Ke2 Bc3 48. Ne6 Bxb4 49. Bd6 Bc3 50. Ng5+ Nxg5 51. Rxg5 Bb4 52. Rg4 Rb7 53. Kd3
Rb5 54. Kd4 Ba3 55. Rg6 Rb3 56. Ke5 Rxh3 57. Ke6 Rxh5 58. Rg3 Bb4 59. Kd7 d4
60. Kxc6 Rf5 61. Rd3 Bc3 62. Kd7 Bb4 63. Kc6 Bc3 64. Rg3 Bb4 65. Kb5 Be1 66.
Rh3+ Kg6 67. Kc4 Ba5 68. Kxd4 Kf7 69. Rh7+ Kf6 70. Ke4 Rf1 71. Kd5 Rd1+ 72. Kc6
Bb4 73. Rh4 Ba3 74. Rh3 Bb4 75. Rb3 Rd4 76. Kb5 Bxc5 77. Kxc5 Rd1 78. Re3 Rc1+
79. Kd5 Rd1+ 80. Kc6 Kf5 81. Rf3+ Ke4 82. Rf4+ Ke3 83. Rh4 Kf3 84. Kc5 Ke3 85.
Be5 Rd8 86. Bd6 Ra8 87. Kd5 Ra5+ 88. Bc5+ Kf3 89. Rc4 Rb5 90. Ke5 Rb8 91. Rc2
Re8+ 92. Kf5 Rc8 93. Rc3+ Ke2 94. Ke4 Re8+ 95. Kf4 Rd8 96. Rh3 Re8 97. Bd4 Kd2
98. Be5 Kc2 99. Ke4 Rd8 100. Rc3+ Kd2 101. Rb3 Rc8 102. Rh3 Kc2 103. Rh2+ Kb3
104. Rb2+ Ka3 105. Rb7 Re8 106. Kd5 Rc8 107. Bc7 Rh8 108. Bd6+ Ka2 109. Kc4
Rc8+ 110. Bc7 Rf8 111. Be5 Rc8+ 112. Kd3 Rc1 {The pawnless endgame of rook and
bishop against rook is normally drawn. However, if the defending side can set
up neither of the two standard drawing procedures, the Cochrane Defence or the
2nd rank defence, then it is often lost in practice as happened in the present
case: Das bauernlose Endspiel Turm und Läufer gegen Turm ist normalerweise
remis. Wenn der Verteidiger allerdings keine der beiden Standardremisverfahren,
die Cochrane Verteidigung oder die Verteidigung auf der 2.Reihe errichten kann,
dann wird es in der Praxis oft verloren, wie auch im vorliegenden Fall:} 113.
Rb2+ $5 Ka1 (113... Ka3 {still holds things together, e.g. hält den Laden
noch zusammen, z.B.} 114. Rb8 Ka2 115. Kd2 Rh1 116. Kc2 Ka3 117. Bc3 Rh4 $11 {
and Black has reached a version of Szen's drawing position. und Schwraz hat
eine Version von Szens Remisstellung erreicht.}) 114. Rf2+ Kb1 115. Bd4 Rd1+ (
115... Rc8 116. Rb2+ Kc1 117. Ra2 Kd1 {White has reached Philidor's winning
position and now wins in typical fashion: Weiß hat die Philidor
Gewinnstellung erreicht und gewinnt nun in typischer Weise:} 118. Rf2 Re8 119.
Bf6 Re6 120. Bc3 Rd6+ 121. Bd4 Re6 122. Rd2+ Ke1 123. Ra2 Kf1 124. Rf2+ Ke1
125. Rf5 Kd1 126. Be5 Ke1 127. Bc3+ Kd1 128. Rf1+ Re1 129. Rxe1#) 116. Kc3 Re1
$6 117. Kb3 $1 Kc1 (117... Rh1 118. Bb2 Rg1 119. Rf8 Rg3+ 120. Bc3 Rg1 121. Ra8
Kc1 122. Ra1#) 118. Bc3 Rg1 (118... Re8 119. Rf1+ (119. Kc4 $6 {is moreover
mate in 52, but in view of what we saw before would of course only be a draw
under the 50 move rule. setzt übrigens in 52 Zügen matt, wäre aber mit 50
Züge Regel aufgrund der Vorgeschichte natürlich nur remis.}) 119... Re1 120.
Rxe1#) (118... Rd1 119. Ra2 Kb1 120. Ra1#) 119. Ra2 Kd1 120. Ra1+ Ke2 121. Rxg1
$18 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Final 8"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.23"]
[Round "1.12"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2020.05.23"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O
8. Qd2 Nd7 9. O-O-O c6 10. h4 d5 11. Bd3 Nc5 12. Ng5 h6 13. Rde1 Nxd3+ 14. Qxd3
f5 15. f4 Bd6 16. Nf3 Re8 17. g3 Re4 18. Nd2 Be6 19. Nxe4 fxe4 20. Qd2 Qa5 21.
Kb1 h5 22. f5 Bxf5 23. Bf4 Bf8 24. Rhf1 Bg4 25. Be5 Bf3 26. Qf4 Qd8 27. Bd4 c5
28. Be5 Qd7 29. Rxf3 exf3 30. Qxf3 Re8 31. Rf1 Qe6 32. Bf4 g6 33. a3 Qe4 34.
Qd1 Bg7 35. Bc1 b6 36. g4 Qxg4 37. Qxd5+ Qe6 38. Qg2 Qe4 39. Qg3 Be5 40. Qg5
Qg4 41. Qd2 Bg7 42. Qd3 Qe4 43. Qd7 Re7 44. Qd6 Kh7 45. Bg5 Qc4 46. Rg1 Rf7 47.
Qd1 Qb5 48. Qd5 Rf1+ 49. Rxf1 Qxf1+ 50. Ka2 Qf5 51. Qb7 Qe6+ 52. Kb1 Qe1+ 53.
Ka2 Qe6+ 54. Kb1 Qe1+ 55. Ka2 Qe6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lindores Abbey Final 8"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.23"]
[Round "1.13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2020.05.23"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 c6 8. h3 b6
9. b4 a5 10. a3 h6 11. Qb1 Ne4 12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Qd5 15. Qb2
b5 16. Be2 a4 17. O-O Bd7 18. f3 f5 19. Qd2 Be8 20. fxe4 fxe4 21. Rxf8+ Bxf8
22. Bd1 Bg6 23. Bc2 Be7 24. Bb1 Rf8 25. Ba2 Qd7 26. Qe1 Kh7 27. Qg3 Bd8 28. Rf1
Rxf1+ 29. Kxf1 Qf7+ 30. Ke1 Qf5 31. Qf4 Qf7 32. Bb1 Kg8 33. Qxf7+ Kxf7 34. Kf2
Bf5 35. g4 Bh7 36. Kg3 g5 37. Bc2 Bg6 38. Bd1 Kg8 39. Be2 Be8 40. Bf1 Kf8 41.
Bg2 Bg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lindores Abbey Final 8"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.23"]
[Round "1.14"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2020.05.23"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O
8. Qd2 Nd7 9. O-O-O c6 10. h4 Re8 11. Bd3 Nf6 12. h5 Bg4 13. Rde1 Qd7 14. h6 g6
15. Nd4 a6 16. f3 Be6 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Kb1 b5 19. g4 e5 20. c4 Qe6 21. Qe2
Rab8 22. g5 Nd7 23. Ka1 bxc4 24. Bxc4 d5 25. Bb3 Nc5 26. Bxc5 Bxc5 27. Qxa6 Bf2
28. Re2 Bg3 29. c4 d4 30. c5 Rxb3 31. axb3 Qxb3 32. Qxc6 Rb8 33. Kb1 Qf7 34.
Qf6 Qxf6 35. gxf6 Kf7 36. c6 Kxf6 37. c7 Rc8 38. Rc1 Ke7 39. Rc4 Kd7 40. Rec2
g5 41. b4 g4 42. fxg4 Be1 43. Re2 Bg3 44. b5 Rxc7 45. Rxc7+ Kxc7 46. g5 d3 47.
Re4 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Final 8"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.23"]
[Round "1.15"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2020.05.23"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8.
d3 O-O 9. Be3 Be6 10. Qd2 Nd5 11. Rfc1 f6 12. Na4 Re8 13. Bc5 Bd6 14. a3 Nb6
15. Qd1 Bd5 16. Be3 Bf8 17. b4 Nd4 18. Bxd4 exd4 19. Nc5 Rb8 20. Nb3 Bxf3 21.
exf3 c6 22. f4 Na4 23. Nd2 Nc3 24. Qb3+ Kh8 25. Re1 Qd7 26. Ne4 Nxe4 27. dxe4
c5 28. bxc5 Bxc5 29. Bf1 g6 30. Bb5 Qe6 31. Bc4 Qd6 32. Kg2 Re7 33. Qf3 Rbe8
34. h4 a6 35. a4 Bb4 36. Re2 Qc6 37. Bd5 Qc3 38. Rd1 Qxf3+ 39. Kxf3 Bc3 40. Rb1
Rd8 41. Bc4 d3 42. Re3 d2 43. Bd5 Ba5 44. Ke2 Rc7 45. Rd1 b5 46. axb5 axb5 47.
g4 Bc3 48. Bb3 b4 49. g5 fxg5 50. hxg5 Rf8 51. Rf3 Re7 52. e5 Kg7 53. e6 h6 54.
gxh6+ Kxh6 55. Rg1 Rf6 56. Rfg3 Rexe6+ 57. Bxe6 Rxe6+ 58. Re3 Rf6 59. Re4 Kg7
60. Rc4 Re6+ 0-1

[Event "Lindores Abbey Final 8"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.25"]
[Round "1.21"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2020.05.23"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4
c6 9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Bf5 12. Bg5 Qa5 13. Re1 Nd7 14. Nh4 Nb6
15. Bb3 Rae8 16. Nxf5 Rxe1+ 17. Qxe1 Qxf5 18. Bd2 Nd5 19. Qe2 Nf6 20. Re1 h6
21. f3 Re8 22. Qd1 Rxe1+ 23. Bxe1 Nd5 24. g3 b5 25. Qe2 Qd7 26. a4 a6 27. c4
Nc7 28. Kg2 Ne6 29. Bf2 Qe7 30. Qe4 bxa4 31. Bc2 Qg5 32. c5 Bc7 33. Bxa4 h5 34.
h4 Qd2 35. Bb3 Nd8 36. Qe8+ Kh7 37. Bxf7 Nxf7 38. Qxf7 Ba5 39. Qf5+ 1-0

[Event "Lindores Abbey Final 8"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.25"]
[Round "1.22"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2020.05.23"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 c6 8. h3 b6
9. b4 a5 10. a3 h6 11. Qc1 Bb7 12. Be2 Qc8 13. O-O Ba6 14. Re1 Qb7 15. Rb1 axb4
16. axb4 Bxe2 17. Rxe2 Ra7 18. Rc2 b5 19. Nd2 Rfa8 20. g4 Bd8 21. Bg3 Bc7 22.
f4 Ra3 23. Kg2 R8a7 24. Nb3 Qa8 25. Na5 Rxc3 26. Rxc3 Bxa5 27. bxa5 Rxa5 28.
Be1 Ne4 29. Rcb3 Ra2+ 30. R1b2 Ra1 31. Rb1 Ra2+ 32. R1b2 Ra1 33. Rb1 Ra2+
1/2-1/2

[Event "Lindores Abbey Final 8"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.25"]
[Round "1.23"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2020.05.23"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4
c6 9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Bf5 12. Bg5 Qa5 13. Re1 Nd7 14. Nh4 Rae8
15. Nxf5 Qxf5 16. Be3 Nf6 17. Bd3 Qd7 18. Qf3 Qg4 19. Qxg4 Nxg4 20. g3 Nxe3 21.
Rxe3 c5 22. Be4 cxd4 23. cxd4 Re7 24. Rae1 g6 25. Bd5 Rd7 26. Bb3 Bb4 27. Rd1
Kg7 28. d5 Bc5 29. Rc3 b6 30. Ba4 Rd6 31. Kg2 Rc8 32. Bc6 Rc7 33. Rc2 Re7 34.
Rdd2 Rd8 35. Re2 Kf8 36. a4 Rc8 37. Rxe7 Kxe7 38. a5 Kd6 39. axb6 Bxb6 40. f4
Rc7 41. Kf3 Re7 42. Re2 Rxe2 43. Kxe2 a5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lindores Abbey Final 8"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.25"]
[Round "1.24"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2020.05.23"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Bd6 7. Bg5 h6 8.
Bh4 Bg4 9. Nbd2 g5 10. Bg3 Nh5 11. Nc4 Nxg3 12. fxg3 Qe7 13. c3 O-O-O 14. b4
Kb8 15. a3 h5 16. Ne3 Bc8 17. c4 f5 18. Nxf5 Bxf5 19. exf5 e4 20. Re1 e3 21.
Qc1 g4 22. Nh4 Rhe8 23. c5 Be5 24. Qxe3 Qd7 25. Qc1 Bd4+ 26. Kh1 Rxe1+ 27. Qxe1
Bxa1 28. Qxa1 Qxd3 0-1

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.07"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "146"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8.
cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. Bc4 Nd7 12. O-O b6 13. Rad1 Bb7 14.
Rfe1 Rc8 15. Bb3 Re8 16. h3 Nf6 17. Qf4 Qc7 18. Ne5 Re7 19. Qh4 Qd8 20. f3 h6
21. Qf2 Rec7 22. h4 Rc3 23. d5 exd5 24. exd5 Qd6 25. Qd4 R3c5 26. Nc4 Qg3 27.
Ne3 Re8 28. Re2 Qe5 29. Kf2 Qxd4 30. Rxd4 Kf8 31. g4 g6 32. Red2 Nd7 33. Nc4
Ba8 34. Nd6 Rd8 35. Ne4 Ra5 36. g5 hxg5 37. hxg5 Kg7 38. Rc2 Nc5 39. Nf6 Nd7
40. Rc7 Nxf6 41. gxf6+ Kxf6 42. d6 Ke5 43. Rd3 Bd5 44. d7 Bxb3 45. Rc8 Rxd7 46.
Rxd7 Rxa2+ 47. Kg3 Be6 48. Re8 Kf6 49. Rb7 Ra3 50. Rd8 g5 51. Kf2 Ke5 52. Rc7
a5 53. Rc1 a4 54. Re1+ Kf6 55. Re4 b5 56. Rb4 Rb3 57. Rxb3 Bxb3 58. Ra8 Ke5 59.
Ke3 f5 60. Re8+ Be6 61. Rb8 f4+ 62. Kd3 Bc4+ 63. Kc3 a3 64. Re8+ Kf5 65. Rf8+
Kg6 66. Rh8 a2 67. Kb2 Kf5 68. Rf8+ Ke5 69. Rd8 Bd5 70. Rb8 Bxf3 71. Kxa2 Bd5+
72. Kb2 Bc4 73. Kc3 Ke4 0-1

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.07"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E49"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 dxc4 8.
Bxc4 c5 9. Bd3 Qc7 10. Bb2 b6 11. Qe2 Bb7 12. Nf3 Be4 13. c4 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 Rd8
15. O-O cxd4 16. exd4 Nc6 17. d5 exd5 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. cxd5 Ne7 20. Rac1 Qd6
21. Rc4 Rac8 22. Rg4+ Kh8 23. Rh4 Ng6 24. Rh5 Rc5 25. Rd1 Qf4 26. h3 Qc4 27.
Qf5 Kg7 28. Rd4 Qc1+ 29. Kh2 Qc2 30. Rxh7+ Kxh7 31. Qxf6 Rf8 32. Ne5 Kg8 33.
Rg4 Qc3 34. f4 Rxd5 35. Rxg6+ fxg6 36. Qxg6+ Kh8 37. Qh6+ Kg8 38. Qe6+ Kg7 39.
Qxd5 Rxf4 40. Qd6 Rf8 41. Qe7+ Kg8 42. Qg5+ Kh7 43. Qe7+ Kg8 44. Qg5+ Kh7 45.
Qh5+ Kg7 46. Qg6+ Kh8 47. Qh6+ Kg8 48. Qg6+ Kh8 49. Nf7+ Rxf7 50. Qxf7 Qxa3 51.
h4 Qd6+ 52. Kh3 a5 53. h5 Qe5 54. g4 a4 55. Kh4 Qh2+ 56. Kg5 Qe5+ 57. Kh4 Qh2+
58. Kg5 Qe5+ 59. Kh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.07"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. Rd1 a6 11. a4 cxd4 12. exd4 Nb6 13. Bb3 Bd7 14. Bg5 Rc8 15.
Qd3 Bc6 16. Bc2 g6 17. Ne5 Be7 18. Bh6 Re8 19. Qh3 Nbd5 20. Re1 Bf8 21. Bb3 Nh5
22. Bxd5 Bxd5 23. Bxf8 Rxf8 24. Rad1 Rc7 25. Re3 Re8 26. Ng4 Kg7 27. Re5 f6 28.
Rxh5 gxh5 29. Qxh5 Rf8 30. Nxd5 exd5 31. Ne3 Kh8 32. Nxd5 Rg7 33. Nf4 Qd6 34.
Qf3 Re8 35. g3 Rge7 36. Kg2 Re4 37. d5 f5 38. Ne6 Re5 39. Qc3 Kg8 40. Rd3 Re7
41. Qc8+ Kf7 42. Qf8+ Kg6 43. Nf4+ 1-0

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.07"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Nc3 Nbd7 7. Qd3 b6 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. O-O Bb7 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. Bf4 c5 12. b3 a5 13. a4 Bf6 14. Rfd1 cxd4 15.
Nxd4 Nc5 16. Qb1 Re8 17. Ra2 Qd7 18. Nb5 Be5 19. Bxe5 Rxe5 20. Rad2 Rd8 21. e4
Ba6 22. Rxd5 Rxd5 23. Rxd5 Qe7 24. Qd1 Rxd5 25. Qxd5 Bxb5 26. axb5 g6 27. e5
Kg7 28. Bf1 Nd7 29. Qd4 Kg8 30. f4 g5 31. Bc4 gxf4 32. gxf4 Nc5 33. Kg2 Qh4 34.
Qe3 Kf8 35. h3 Qh5 36. Qd2 Qg6+ 37. Kh2 Qf5 38. Qd8+ Kg7 39. Qg5+ Qxg5 40. fxg5
Nd7 41. e6 fxe6 42. Bxe6 Nc5 43. Bd5 h6 44. gxh6+ Kxh6 45. Kg3 a4 46. bxa4 Nxa4
47. Kg4 Nc3 48. Bc4 Kg7 49. Kg5 Kh8 50. h4 Kg7 51. h5 Kh8 52. h6 Nxb5 53. Bxb5
Kh7 54. Bd3+ Kh8 55. Kg6 b5 56. Bxb5 Kg8 57. h7+ Kh8 58. Kh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.07"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "164"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. Rd1 a6 11. Bd3 Qc7 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. e4 b6 14. Bc4 Ng4 15.
h3 Ne5 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 17. Be3 Bb7 18. f3 Rac8 19. Rac1 b5 20. Bb3 Qe7 21. Nd5
exd5 22. Bxc5 Bd6 23. Bxd6 Qxd6 24. Qd2 Qb6+ 25. Qf2 Qxf2+ 26. Kxf2 Rxc1 27.
Rxc1 dxe4 28. Rc7 Ba8 29. Ra7 g6 30. Bxf7+ Rxf7 31. Rxa8+ Kg7 32. Rxa6 exf3 33.
g4 Rd7 34. b4 h5 35. gxh5 gxh5 36. Ra5 Kg6 37. Kxf3 Rd2 38. h4 Rh2 39. Kg3 Rd2
40. Rxb5 Rxa2 41. Rg5+ Kh6 42. Rf5 Ra8 43. Rf6+ Kg7 44. Rf3 Rb8 45. Rb3 Rb5 46.
Kf4 Kf6 47. Ke4 Ke6 48. Kd4 Kd6 49. Kc4 Rf5 50. Rd3+ Kc6 51. Rd4 Kb6 52. Rd6+
Kc7 53. Rd5 Rf4+ 54. Rd4 Rf5 55. b5 Kb6 56. Rd6+ Kb7 57. Rh6 Rf4+ 58. Kc5 Rxh4
59. Rh7+ Kc8 60. Kb6 Rh3 61. Rc7+ Kb8 62. Rh7 Kc8 63. Rc7+ Kb8 64. Rf7 Kc8 65.
Rf8+ Kd7 66. Kb7 h4 67. b6 Rb3 68. Ka7 Ra3+ 69. Kb8 h3 70. b7 h2 71. Rf7+ Ke6
72. Rh7 Ra2 73. Rh5 Rc2 74. Rh3 Ke7 75. Re3+ Kf6 76. Re1 Kg5 77. Rb1 Kg4 78.
Ka7 Rc7 79. Rh1 Kg3 80. Ka8 Rxb7 81. Kxb7 Kg2 82. Rxh2+ Kxh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.07"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "266"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Be7 10. Bf4 Nh4 11. Rad1+ Ke8 12. Nxh4 Bxh4 13. Ne2 Be7
14. Nd4 a6 15. e6 Bxe6 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Rfe1 Bf6 18. b3 Ke7 19. Bxc7 Rhc8 20.
Bd6+ Kf7 21. Bc5 Rd8 22. Bb6 Rd5 23. c4 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 Ke8 25. Rd6 Ke7 26. Rd3
Rc8 27. b4 e5 28. Bc5+ Ke6 29. Rd6+ Kf5 30. Bb6 Re8 31. Kf1 h5 32. Ke2 Re6 33.
Rd1 Re8 34. a4 Ke6 35. h3 Be7 36. Rb1 Rf8 37. b5 Rf4 38. bxa6 bxa6 39. Rc1 c5
40. Ba5 Re4+ 41. Kd3 Rd4+ 42. Ke2 e4 43. Rc2 Bf6 44. Bb6 Kd6 45. Ba5 Kc6 46.
Bd2 Rd3 47. a5 Rb3 48. Be3 Bc3 49. Bd2 Bb4 50. Ra2 g6 51. Kd1 Rd3 52. Ke2 Rd4
53. Rc2 Bxd2 54. Rxd2 Rxc4 55. Ke3 Ra4 56. Rd8 Rxa5 57. Kxe4 Ra4+ 58. Ke5 Ra2
59. Rd6+ Kb5 60. Rxg6 Re2+ 61. Kd5 Rxf2 62. g4 hxg4 63. hxg4 a5 64. g5 a4 65.
Rg8 Rd2+ 66. Ke5 a3 67. g6 Rg2 68. Kf6 Kc4 69. Ra8 Kb3 70. Rb8+ Kc3 71. Ra8
Rf2+ 72. Ke7 Re2+ 73. Kf7 Rf2+ 74. Ke7 Re2+ 75. Kf7 a2 76. g7 Rf2+ 77. Ke7 Rg2
78. Kf7 Kb2 79. Rb8+ Ka1 80. g8=Q Rxg8 81. Kxg8 c4 82. Rc8 c3 83. Kf7 Kb2 84.
Rb8+ Kc2 85. Ra8 Kb3 86. Rb8+ Kc4 87. Rc8+ Kd3 88. Rd8+ Ke3 89. Re8+ Kf3 90.
Re1 c2 91. Ke6 Kf2 92. Rh1 Ke3 93. Kd5 Kd2 94. Ra1 c1=Q 95. Rxa2+ Ke3 96. Ra6
Qd1+ 97. Ke6 Ke4 98. Ke7 Qb3 99. Rh6 Qb7+ 100. Ke8 Qg7 101. Ra6 Qe5+ 102. Kf7
Kf5 103. Rh6 Qc7+ 104. Ke8 Qg7 105. Ra6 Qb7 106. Rh6 Qc7 107. Rh3 Qc6+ 108. Ke7
Qc7+ 109. Ke8 Kg6 110. Rd3 Qe5+ 111. Kd8 Qa5+ 112. Ke7 Qc7+ 113. Ke8 Qe5+ 114.
Kd8 Qe4 115. Rd6+ Kf7 116. Kc7 Qc4+ 117. Rc6 Qf4+ 118. Kb6 Ke7 119. Kb5 Kd7
120. Rc4 Qe3 121. Kb4 Kd6 122. Ka4 Kd5 123. Rc2 Qb6 124. Rc3 Kd4 125. Rc2 Kd3
126. Rc1 Qd4+ 127. Kb3 Qd5+ 128. Kb4 Qb7+ 129. Ka3 Qb5 130. Rf1 Qa6+ 131. Kb3
Qb6+ 132. Ka3 Kc2 133. Rf3 Qa5# 0-1

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.09"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Nc3 Nbd7 7. Qd3 b6 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. O-O Bb7 10. Rd1 N7f6 11. Nxd5 exd5 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. b4 c6
15. Rab1 Qe7 16. a4 Rfc8 17. Rdc1 Rc7 18. e3 g6 19. Qb3 Rd8 20. Ne1 Bc8 21. Nd3
Bf5 22. Rc2 c5 23. bxc5 bxc5 24. Rxc5 Rxc5 25. dxc5 Bxd3 26. Qxd3 Qxc5 27. h4
Qc4 28. Rd1 Qxd3 29. Rxd3 d4 30. exd4 Rxd4 31. Rxd4 Bxd4 32. Kf1 h5 33. Ke2 a5
34. Kf1 Kf8 35. Ke2 Kg8 36. Kf1 Kf8 37. Ke2 Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.09"]
[Round "1.8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A80"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 f5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bg5 e6 4. Nbd2 Be7 5. Bxf6 Bxf6 6. e4 d5 7. exf5 exf5 8.
Bd3 Qe7+ 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O Be6 11. Re1 Nd7 12. c4 Qf7 13. Qb3 Rab8 14. a4 c5
15. dxc5 Nxc5 16. Qa3 Ne4 17. cxd5 Bxd5 18. Rad1 Rbd8 19. Qb4 Be7 20. Qa5 b6
21. Qxa7 Nxf2 22. Bc4 Bc5 23. Qxf7+ Rxf7 24. b4 Nxd1+ 25. bxc5 Bxc4 26. cxb6
Nb2 27. Rb1 Nxa4 28. Nxc4 Rb7 29. Rb4 Nc5 30. h3 Ra8 31. Rb5 Ne4 32. Na5 Nd6
33. Nxb7 Nxb5 34. Nc5 Nd6 35. Ne5 Ra1+ 36. Kf2 Rb1 37. Ned7 Kf7 38. g4 Ne4+ 39.
Nxe4 fxe4 40. Ke3 Ke7 41. Nc5 Rxb6 42. h4 Kd6 43. Nxe4+ Ke5 44. Nd2 Rb4 45.
Nf3+ Kd5 46. Nh2 Re4+ 47. Kf3 Ke5 48. h5 Ra4 0-1

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.09"]
[Round "1.9"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,80,21,30,23,-11,3,11,11,-17,-10,3,13,9,9,18,18,28,24,14,9,0,2,13,27,
12,13,-9,-3,-23,-30,-16,26,-27,-13,-35,-54,-28,-36,-17,-35,-27,-38,-39,-16,6,
-5,-6,5,0,65,-37,-18,0,-5,-9,0,0,0,0,0,-41,0,1,-2,-24,-34,-79,-77,-67,-59,-119,
-77,-83,-81,-130,-124,-203,-222,-234,-240,-1775,-2020]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3.
Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Nc3 Nbd7 7. Qd3 {Not just protecting the c4
pawn but also preparing e2-e4. On the other hand, White's queen is more
exposed to attacks here than on b3.} b6 {[%cal Rc8a6] Alternatives:} (7... c6)
(7... a6) 8. cxd5 Nxd5 (8... exd5 9. O-O Bb7 10. Bf4 Nh5 (10... c5 11. Ne5 Re8
12. e3 c4 13. Qc2 Rc8 14. Rfd1 a6 15. b3 $14 {1-0 (20) Rahul,S (2430)
-Barsegyan,H (2498) Montebelluna 2019}) 11. Bd2 Nhf6 12. Rac1 Re8 13. Rfd1 c5
14. Bf4 Ne4 15. Ne5 $14 {1/2 (24) Oparin,G (2613)-Van Foreest,L (2515) Skopje
2019}) 9. O-O Bb7 10. Rd1 {Preparing e2-e4, which didn't work at once:} (10. e4
$2 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Nc5) (10. Nxd5 {is rather harmless:} exd5 (10... Bxd5 $5 11.
e4 Bb7 12. Rd1 c5 13. Qe2 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Qe8 15. Nb5 Ba6 16. a4 Nc5 17. Qg4 Rd8
$11 {1/2 (38) Yu,Y (2738)-Aronian,L (2775) Moscow 2019}) 11. Bf4 c5 12. b3 (12.
dxc5 bxc5 13. Rfd1 Re8 (13... Nb6 14. Rac1 Re8 15. h4 h6 16. Ne5 Bd6 17. Qf5
Bxe5 18. Bxe5 Qe7 19. Bf4 Qxe2 $13 {1/2 (32) Nalbandian,T (2478)-Aroshidze,L 
(2393) Batumi 2003}) 14. b3 a5 15. Rac1 a4 16. Ne1 {0-1 (53) Firouzja,A (2702)
-Aronian,L (2758) chess.com INT 2019} Nb6 $11) 12... a5 (12... Bf6 13. Rac1 Re8
14. Rfd1 a5 15. e3 a4 16. h4 h6 17. Bh3 $36 {[%csl Rd7] 1-0 (48) Dominguez
Perez,L (2732)-Sargissian,G (2702) Huaian 2016}) 13. a4 (13. Rac1 a4 $11) 13...
Bf6 14. Rfd1 cxd4 15. Nxd4 Nc5 16. Qb1 Re8 17. Ra2 {1/2 (58) Grischuk,A (2777)
-Aronian,L (2773) lichess.org INT 2020} Bxd4 18. Rxd4 Ne6 $11) 10... N7f6 (
10... c5 11. e4 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Rc8 13. Bb2 Qc7 14. Rac1 Rfd8 15. Qe2 cxd4 $6 (
15... b5 $11) 16. cxd4 Qb8 17. Bh3 Rxc1 18. Rxc1 a6 19. d5 exd5 20. e5 $36 {
1-0 (29) Navara,D (2717)-Buksa,N (2403) Caleta 2020}) 11. Nxd5 exd5 12. Bg5 h6
13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. b4 c6 (14... c5 $6 15. bxc5 bxc5 16. Qa3 c4 17. Ne5 $14) 15.
Rab1 b5 {[%cal Ya7a5] Black improves on the previous online game of the same
players:} (15... Qe7 16. a4 Rfc8 17. Rdc1 Rc7 18. e3 g6 19. Qb3 Rd8 20. Ne1 Bc8
21. Nd3 Bf5 22. Rc2 c5 23. bxc5 bxc5 24. Rxc5 Rxc5 25. dxc5 Bxd3 26. Qxd3 Qxc5
$14 {1/2 (37) Grischuk,A (2777)-Aronian,L (2773) lichess.org INT 2020}) 16. a4
bxa4 17. Ra1 a5 18. Rxa4 axb4 19. Rxb4 Ba6 {The position has simplified.
Black's backward c6 pawn is not enough for White to claim an advantage.} 20.
Qd2 Qe7 21. e3 Bc4 22. Rdb1 Ra2 23. Qc1 c5 24. dxc5 (24. Rb7 Qd8 25. dxc5 Qc8
$11) 24... Qxc5 {Both sides play inaccurately, which is normal for a rapid
game. The pin along the c-file will be annoying for Black.} (24... Bd3 $142 25.
Rb7 Qe8 26. R1b3 Qa8 (26... Ra1 $6 27. Qxa1 Bxa1 28. Rxd3 {wins a queen but
the resulting position is rather favorable for White, whose well-coordinated
pieces will be stronger than Black's queen.}) 27. Bf1 Be4 $44) 25. Bf1 (25. Nd2
$142 $1 {, after which Black must play very accurately:} Rc8 26. Bh3 $1 Rf8 $1
(26... Rc7 $2 27. Rxc4 $1 dxc4 28. Rb8+ Kh7 29. Qb1+) 27. Nxc4 (27. Bf1 Rxd2 $1
{(a nice tactical trick; otherwise Black just loses a pawn)} 28. Rb5 $1 (28.
Qxd2 Bxf1 29. Rxf1 Bc3 30. Rb5 $8 $11) 28... Qc7 $1 29. Qxd2 (29. Bxc4 Rxf2 $1
30. Kxf2 dxc4 $44 {[%csl Rf2]}) 29... Bxb5 30. Rxb5 d4 $5 ({even more accurate
than} 30... Rd8) 31. exd4 Rb8 {, and Black reaches a draw without problems.})
27... Ra1 $3 {(What??? Imagine finding this in a rapid game!)} (27... dxc4 28.
Rxc4 {is a long torture}) 28. Rxa1 Qxb4 {- Black regains material and equalizes
}) 25... Rc8 26. Rb8 Ra8 27. Rxa8 Rxa8 $11 {White can't make use of the pin
anymore.} 28. Nd2 Rc8 29. Qc2 Qc6 30. Bh3 Ra8 (30... Be2 $11) 31. Rc1 Ra3 32.
Qb1 Qa8 33. Bg2 {White tries to get something; instead, he faces problems.} Bd3
34. Qb4 (34. Qb6 $1 Ra1 35. Qc5 $11) 34... Ra1 (34... Bc3 $1 35. Qg4 $1 (35.
Rxc3 Ra1+ 36. Bf1 Bxf1 37. Rb3 $1 (37. Nxf1 $4 Qa6 $19) 37... Bh3+ 38. Rb1 d4
$1 39. e4 $8 Qa6 $17 {[%csl Gd4,Rg1,Gh3]}) 35... Ra1 36. Rxa1 Qxa1+ 37. Nf1 g6
$15) 35. Rxa1 (35. Qc5 $11) 35... Qxa1+ 36. Bf1 (36. Nf1 $142) 36... Bc3 37.
Qb3 (37. Qb8+ Kh7 38. Kg2 $1 Bf5 39. Qf4 $1 ({but not} 39. Nf3 $2 Bh3+) 39...
g6 40. g4 $1 Be6 41. Nf3 $11 {was impossible to find under time pressure, of
course.}) 37... d4 $1 (37... Qc1 {doesn't work due to} 38. Qxd5) 38. exd4 $2 {
[%mdl 8192] Obvious but wrong.} (38. Kg2 $1 Qa8+ 39. Kg1 {was possible}) ({
Another option was} 38. e4 Qc1 (38... Bxf1 39. Nxf1 {, and White should not
lose}) 39. Qb8+ Kh7 40. Qc8 $1 g6 (40... Qxd2 41. Qf5+ $11) 41. Qf8 Bxd2 42.
Qxf7+ {with a perpetual}) 38... Qc1 $1 $19 {This move perfectly works now and
wins a piece.} 39. Qb8+ Kh7 40. Qf4 Bxd2 0-1

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.09"]
[Round "1.10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E73"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "223"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Be3 Na6 7. h4 e5 8. d5 h5
9. Qd2 Nc5 10. f3 Bd7 11. Bd1 a5 12. b3 Qb8 13. Nge2 b5 14. cxb5 Bxb5 15. Nxb5
Qxb5 16. O-O Rfb8 17. Rc1 Kh7 18. Nc3 Qd3 19. Qxd3 Nxd3 20. Rc2 Bh6 21. Bxh6
Kxh6 22. Na4 Ra7 23. Be2 Nb4 24. Rd2 Nd7 25. Rc1 Rbb7 26. Kf2 f5 27. Ke3 f4+
28. Kf2 g5 29. Rc6 Rb8 30. hxg5+ Kxg5 31. Rc3 Rbb7 32. g3 fxg3+ 33. Kxg3 h4+
34. Kf2 Ra8 35. Rc1 Nf6 36. Rg1+ Kh6 37. Rh1 Kg5 38. Rdd1 Nh5 39. f4+ exf4 40.
Bxh5 Kxh5 41. Kf3 Rg8 42. Rxh4+ Kxh4 43. Rh1+ Kg5 44. Rg1+ Kf6 45. Rxg8 Nxa2
46. Kxf4 Nc1 47. Rf8+ Ke7 48. Rh8 Rxb3 49. Rh7+ Kd8 50. Kf5 Ne2 51. e5 Nd4+ 52.
Ke4 Rb4 53. Rh8+ Kd7 54. Rh7+ Kc8 55. Nc3 Nb5+ 56. Kd3 Rb3 57. Rh8+ Kb7 58. e6
Rxc3+ 59. Kd2 Rc5 60. e7 Rxd5+ 61. Kc2 Re5 62. e8=Q Rxe8 63. Rxe8 d5 64. Kb3
Nd6 65. Rd8 Kc6 66. Ra8 Nc4 67. Rh8 Kb5 68. Rh7 c6 69. Rb7+ Kc5 70. Ka4 d4 71.
Kb3 Nb6 72. Ra7 Kb5 73. Kc2 c5 74. Kd3 a4 75. Rh7 a3 76. Ra7 Na4 77. Rb7+ Kc6
78. Ra7 Kb5 79. Rb7+ Ka6 80. Rb3 Nb2+ 81. Kc2 Nc4 82. Rb8 Ka7 83. Rb1 Ka6 84.
Rb8 Na5 85. Rb1 c4 86. Rb4 a2 87. Ra4 Kb5 88. Rxa2 Nc6 89. Ra3 Kb4 90. Ra8 Kc5
91. Rc8 Kd5 92. Rc7 Ne5 93. Kd2 Ke4 94. Re7 Kd5 95. Rc7 Nc6 96. Kc2 Kd6 97. Rc8
Kc5 98. Rc7 Kd5 99. Rc8 Ne7 100. Rd8+ Kc5 101. Re8 d3+ 102. Kd2 Nd5 103. Rh8
Nf6 104. Rd8 Ne4+ 105. Ke3 Nd6 106. Kd2 Kd5 107. Kc3 Kc6 108. Rh8 Kd5 109. Rh5+
Ke4 110. Rh4+ Ke5 111. Rxc4 Nxc4 112. Kxd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.09"]
[Round "1.11"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E48"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 c5 6. Nge2 cxd4 7. exd4 d5 8.
cxd5 Nxd5 9. Bc2 Nc6 10. Qd3 Qh4 11. Bg5 Qh5 12. g4 Qg6 13. Qd2 f5 14. Rg1 e5
15. gxf5 Bxf5 16. Bb3 Be6 17. Be7 Qf5 18. Bxf8 Rxf8 19. O-O-O Nxc3 20. Bxe6+
Qxe6 21. bxc3 Ba3+ 22. Kb1 Rxf2 23. d5 Qf5+ 24. Ka1 Na5 25. d6 Nc6 26. d7 Be7
27. Qd5+ Qf7 28. Ng3 Qxd5 29. Rxd5 Kf7 30. Rf1 Rxf1+ 31. Nxf1 Ke6 32. c4 Bd8
33. Kb2 Nb8 34. Ng3 Nxd7 35. Nf5 Nb6 36. Nxg7+ Ke7 37. Nf5+ Ke6 38. Rxd8 Kxf5
39. Kc3 Na4+ 40. Kb4 b5 41. cxb5 Nb6 42. a4 Ke6 43. a5 Nd5+ 44. Kc5 Nf6 45. b6
axb6+ 46. axb6 1-0

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.09"]
[Round "1.12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B53"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,57,19,28,72,50,90,77,77,57,66,49,41,41,41,37,56,22,34,30,21,21,20,-14,
-16,-31,-33,-32,8,7,6,35,25,0,10,-20,-20,-31,-30,-79,-75,-59,-75,-57,1,-88,89,
98,89,89,423,509,509,528,528,487,528,528,536,547]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3
Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qe3 {An unusual move order and an unusual
retreat.} (6. Bb5 {is common.}) 6... d5 $6 $146 {A risky idea. Black opens up
the position with the second move of the same pawn.} (6... g6 {is quite safe.
A practical example:} 7. Be2 Nb4 8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. Qe2 a6 10. Bc4 b5 11. Bb3 Nc6
12. h3 Bg7 13. O-O O-O 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bd2 Na5 $11 {Savicevic,V (2352)-Banovic,
I (2214) Zrenjanin 2018}) 7. Bb5 $32 {Development is White's main motto!} Nxe4
(7... a6 {is more solid but after} 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 9. e5 {White keeps pressure.})
8. Nd4 ({After} 8. Ne5 Bd7 9. Nxd5 Nxe5 10. Qxe4 f6 {Black holds on somehow.})
8... Bd7 9. Nxe4 dxe4 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Qxe4 (11. Bd2 $142 $14 {preventing ...
Qa5+}) 11... Qa5+ 12. Bd2 Qd5 13. Qe3 c5 $6 {This move doesn't contribute to
Black's development.} (13... Qxg2 $6 14. O-O-O {[%csl Re8]}) (13... e5 $142 {
, e.g.} 14. Nb3 f6 $5 15. O-O-O Bf5 $1 16. Bc3 Qe4 {with good chances to
equalize.}) 14. Ne2 {Too soft.} (14. Nb3 $5 {[%cal Ye1c1]} c4 15. Na5 $1 {
[%csl Rc4]}) 14... e6 (14... Qxg2 15. O-O-O $44) (14... Bc6 15. f3 e6 16. Bc3 {
- game}) 15. Bc3 Bc6 16. f3 Be7 $1 17. Nf4 (17. Bxg7 Rg8 {is favorable for
Black, e.g.} 18. Bc3 (18. Rd1 Qc4 19. Qe5 Qxc2) 18... Rxg2 19. Nf4 Bh4+ 20. Kf1
Rf2+ 21. Qxf2 Bb5+ 22. Kg2 Qg5+ {, and Black wins a queen.}) 17... Qf5 18. h4 (
18. O-O-O {was quite possible. If} Bg5 {then} 19. Be5 {Still, Black equalizes
after} f6 20. Bd6 Bxf4 21. Bxf4 e5 22. Bg3 O-O) 18... Bd6 19. Ne2 (19. Nd3 Bg3+
{[%csl Re1]}) 19... Qxc2 20. Rd1 {White keeps playing aggressively but it was
probably time to thing about equality:} (20. O-O $5 O-O $140 21. Nd4 $1 Qa4 (
21... cxd4 22. Qxd4 $11 {[%cal Rd4g7,Rd4d6]}) 22. Nxc6 Qxc6 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24.
Qg5+ $11) 20... Be7 (20... O-O-O $5) 21. Nf4 $6 (21. Qe5 $1 $44) 21... O-O 22.
O-O Rfd8 $4 {[%mdl 8192] Which move could be more obvious? And yet this is a
huge blunder.} (22... Bxh4 {was quite good, keeping material advantage in all
cases, e.g.} 23. Nxe6 (23. Qxc5 Rfc8 $17) 23... Rfe8 24. Qf4 Qa4 $1 ({stronger
than} 24... Rxe6 25. Qxh4) 25. b4 Rxe6 26. Qxh4 h6 $17) 23. Rc1 Qa4 $8 (23...
Qf5 24. g4 $18) 24. Nxe6 $1 fxe6 {This loses at once but Black suffers
decisive material losses in any case.} 25. Qxe6+ Kf8 26. Bxg7+ $1 Kxg7 (26...
Ke8 27. Bf6 $18) 27. Qxe7+ Kg8 28. Qe6+ Kh8 29. Rc4 1-0

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.11"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 a5 7. c4 a4 8. Ne5
Nbd7 9. Ndf3 c5 10. Bf4 d4 11. Nxd7 Nxd7 12. e4 b5 13. b3 Qb6 14. Rb1 axb3 15.
axb3 Bb7 16. h4 Bc6 17. h5 Ra2 18. Bh3 Rfa8 19. Ne5 Nxe5 20. Bxe5 Bd7 21. h6 g6
22. Qf3 Qd8 23. Bg7 b4 24. e5 Bf8 25. Bxf8 Kxf8 26. Bg2 R8a6 27. Qf4 Bc6 28.
Bxc6 Rxc6 29. Rfe1 Rca6 30. Re4 Rc2 31. Qf3 Raa2 32. Rf1 Rcb2 33. Rf4 Qc7 34.
Rg4 Qxe5 35. Re4 Qh5 36. Qf6 Qxh6 37. Rxe6 1-0

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.11"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. d4 d6 5. exd6 cxd6 6. Nc3 g6 7. Be3 Bg7 8. h3
O-O 9. Nf3 Nc6 10. d5 Na5 11. Bd4 Bxd4 12. Qxd4 e5 13. dxe6 Bxe6 14. Ne4 Nc6
15. Nf6+ Kh8 16. Qf4 Bf5 17. Ng4 Re8+ 18. Be2 Bd3 19. Ne3 Bxe2 20. Kxe2 d5 21.
Ng5 Qe7 22. Rhe1 d4 23. Kf1 dxe3 24. Rxe3 Qd7 25. Nxf7+ Kg7 26. Rf3 Qd4 27. Nd6
Re7 28. Qxd4+ Nxd4 29. Rd3 Nc6 30. b3 Nd7 31. Rad1 Nc5 32. R3d2 a5 33. g3 a4
34. Rb2 Nb4 35. bxa4 Rxa4 36. a3 Nbd3 37. Rb3 Nxb3 0-1

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.11"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. g3 Bb4 4. e4 Bxc3 5. bxc3 O-O 6. f3 Re8 7. Nh3 c6 8. Nf2
d5 9. cxd5 cxd5 10. Bg2 b6 11. O-O Ba6 12. Re1 Nc6 13. d3 h6 14. exd5 Nxd5 15.
f4 Rc8 16. c4 Nf6 17. fxe5 Rxe5 18. Rxe5 Nxe5 19. Bb2 Ned7 20. Qa4 Nc5 21. Qa3
Bb7 22. Bxb7 Nxb7 23. Qxa7 Nc5 24. Qa3 h5 25. Re1 Ng4 26. Nxg4 hxg4 27. Qc3 f6
28. Re3 Qd7 29. Qd4 Rd8 30. Qxd7 Rxd7 31. d4 Na4 32. Ba1 Rc7 33. c5 bxc5 34.
Ra3 cxd4 35. Bxd4 Rc4 36. Be3 Nc3 37. Kf1 Kh7 38. Ke1 Kg6 39. Ra7 Rb4 40. Kd2
Nd5 41. Bc5 Rb2+ 42. Kd3 Rxh2 43. Rd7 Rh5 44. Bf8 Re5 45. Kd4 Nb6 46. Rxg7+ Kf5
47. Ra7 Re4+ 48. Kd3 Nc4 49. Bh6 Ne5+ 50. Kc3 Rc4+ 51. Kb3 Rd4 52. Rc7 Ke4 53.
a4 Rd3+ 54. Rc3 Rxc3+ 55. Kxc3 Kd5 56. Bg7 Nf3 57. Bxf6 Nh2 58. Kb4 Kc6 59. Bd4
Kb7 60. Bg1 Nf3 61. Bf2 Nh2 62. Kb5 Ka8 63. a5 Kb7 64. a6+ Ka8 65. Kc6 Nf1 66.
Kd5 Nxg3 67. Bxg3 Ka7 68. Ke4 Kxa6 69. Kf4 Kb5 70. Kxg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.11"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 a6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8.
Be2 Ng6 9. c4 Bc5 10. Nc3 Ba7 11. Kh1 O-O 12. f4 f5 13. e5 Qc7 14. Qd3 Rd8 15.
Rd1 Bb7 16. Be3 c5 17. Qd6 Qc8 18. Na4 Bc6 19. b3 Qb7 20. Bf1 Rac8 21. Qd2 Bxa4
22. bxa4 Qc6 23. Rab1 Bb8 24. Be2 Nh4 25. Bh5 Qxa4 26. Qf2 Ng6 27. Bxg6 hxg6
28. Bxc5 Qxc4 29. Bb6 Bc7 30. h3 Bxb6 31. Rxb6 a5 32. Rbd6 Qa4 33. Kh2 g5 34.
R1d4 Rc4 35. fxg5 Kf7 36. g6+ Kxg6 37. Qh4 Rxd4 38. Rxd4 Qb5 39. Qg3+ Kf7 40.
Rh4 Qc5 41. Rh7 Rg8 42. h4 Qd4 43. h5 Kf8 44. Kh3 a4 45. Qa3+ Kf7 46. Qg3 Kf8
47. Qa3+ Ke8 48. Qg3 f4 49. Qg6+ Kf8 50. Qg5 Qd3+ 51. Kh4 Qxh7 52. Qd8+ Kf7 53.
Qxd7+ Kf8 54. Qd8+ Kf7 55. Qd7+ Kf8 56. Qd8+ Kf7 57. Qd7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.11"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. g3 Bb4 4. e4 Bxc3 5. dxc3 d6 6. f3 Be6 7. Nh3 a5 8. a4
O-O 9. b3 Na6 10. Ng5 Bd7 11. Be3 Nc5 12. Ra2 Ra6 13. Rd2 Rb6 14. Bxc5 dxc5 15.
Bh3 h6 16. Bxd7 hxg5 17. h4 Rd6 18. Rxd6 cxd6 19. Bf5 Nh5 20. Kf2 g6 21. Bg4
Nf6 22. Qd2 Nxg4+ 23. fxg4 Kg7 24. h5 Rh8 25. Ke2 f6 26. Kd1 Qd7 27. Qe2 b6 28.
Qf3 Rh6 29. Kc2 Qe6 30. Kb2 Qd7 31. Ka3 Qe6 32. Rd1 Rh8 33. Rd5 Rd8 34. Rd2 Rd7
35. Rh2 Rd8 36. hxg6 Kxg6 37. Qh1 Qg8 38. Rh6+ Kf7 39. Qh5+ Ke6 40. Rg6 Qf7 41.
Qxg5 Ke7 42. Qf5 Rg8 43. Rh6 Rg5 44. Qc8 Rg8 45. Qc7+ Ke6 46. Qc6 Re8 1-0

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.11"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Qb6 7. Nxc6 bxc6
8. Be2 Ng6 9. c4 Be7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. b3 c5 12. f4 Bb7 13. Bd3 d5 14. e5 Nh4 15.
g3 d4 16. Ne4 Nf5 17. g4 Ne3 18. Bxe3 dxe3 19. Qe2 Qc6 20. Ng3 f5 21. exf6 Bxf6
22. Be4 Qc7 23. Rad1 Bxe4 24. Nxe4 Bd4 25. b4 e5 26. f5 cxb4 27. Ng5 Rac8 28.
Rc1 Qc6 29. c5 Qd5 30. Ne6 Rf6 31. h3 a5 32. Kh2 Rxe6 33. fxe6 Qxe6 34. c6 h6
35. g5 hxg5 36. c7 a4 37. Qb5 Qxa2+ 38. Kg3 e2 39. Qd7 exf1=N+ 40. Rxf1 Rxc7
41. Qe8+ Kh7 42. Qh5+ Kg8 43. Qe8+ Kh7 44. Qh5+ Kg8 45. Qe8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.12"]
[Round "2.7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. O-O a6 7. Ba4 Nf6 8.
d3 O-O-O 9. Ng5 Bg4 10. Qd2 Bh5 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Qe1 h6 13. Nge4 e6 14. Bd2
Be7 15. b3 Bg6 16. Na4 Qd5 17. Ng3 c5 18. Be3 Ng4 19. Qa5 Nxe3 20. Qxa6+ Qb7
21. Qxb7+ Kxb7 22. fxe3 Ra8 23. Rf4 Bg5 24. Rf3 c4 25. dxc4 Kc6 26. Ne2 Rxa4
27. bxa4 Ra8 28. Nd4+ Kc5 29. Nb3+ Kxc4 30. h4 Bf6 31. Rd1 Be5 32. a5 Bh5 33.
Rd7 Bxf3 34. gxf3 Rf8 35. f4 Bd6 36. a6 Ra8 37. Rxf7 Rxa6 38. Rxg7 Rxa2 39. Rg2
e5 40. f5 Kc3 41. Nd2 Ra1+ 42. Kh2 Kxc2 43. Ne4+ Kd3 44. Nxd6 cxd6 45. Rg6 d5
46. Rxh6 Kxe3 47. h5 d4 48. Re6 e4 49. f6 d3 50. Kg2 d2 0-1

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.12"]
[Round "2.8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. g3 Bb4 4. e4 O-O 5. Nge2 d6 6. h3 Nc6 7. Bg2 a6 8. O-O
b5 9. d3 bxc4 10. dxc4 Bc5 11. Kh2 Rb8 12. b3 a5 13. Nd5 a4 14. Be3 axb3 15.
axb3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Nd7 17. Nec3 Nc5 18. Nb5 Ne6 19. h4 Bd7 20. Bh3 Rb7 21. b4
Ne7 22. Ra2 Nc8 23. Ra8 Kh8 24. Qh5 Qe8 25. Bf5 h6 26. Bh3 c6 27. Nxd6 Nxd6 28.
Rxe8 Rxe8 29. Nf6 Re7 30. c5 Nc4 31. Nxd7 Rbxd7 32. Rxf7 Rxf7 33. Bxe6 Rf2+ 34.
Kh3 1-0

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.12"]
[Round "2.9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 Nd4 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. c3 Nc6 8.
d3 a6 9. Bxc6 dxc6 10. cxd4 Qxd4 11. Be3 Qd8 12. d4 Be7 13. Nd2 O-O 14. Rc1 f5
15. f4 Bb4 16. Qb3 a5 17. a3 Bxd2 18. Bxd2 Qxd4+ 19. Be3 a4 20. Qxe6+ Bxe6 21.
Bxd4 fxe4 22. Rxe4 Bd5 23. Re7 Rf7 24. Rce1 Raf8 25. Rxf7 Kxf7 26. Bc5 Re8 27.
Rxe8 Kxe8 28. Kf2 h5 29. h3 g6 30. g4 hxg4 31. hxg4 Be6 32. f5 gxf5 33. gxf5
Bxf5 34. Ke3 Bc2 35. Kd4 Bb3 36. Bb6 Kd7 37. Kc5 Bd5 38. Ba5 Bb3 39. Bb6 Bd5
40. Ba5 Bb3 41. Bb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.12"]
[Round "2.10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 a5 7. e4 a4 8. a3 c5
9. Re1 Nc6 10. e5 Nd7 11. Nf1 f6 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. c3 Bd6 14. d4 cxd4 15. cxd4
Bd7 16. Ne5 Bxe5 17. dxe5 Ne4 18. f4 Be8 19. Bxe4 dxe4 20. Qxd8 Rxd8 21. Be3
Rd5 22. Rac1 g5 23. Bc5 Rf7 24. Rxe4 gxf4 25. gxf4 Na5 26. Bb4 Bc6 27. Re3 Nb3
28. Rg3+ Kh8 29. Re1 Nd4 30. Ne3 Rdd7 31. f5 Nxf5 32. Nxf5 Rxf5 33. Rf1 Rxf1+
34. Kxf1 Rg7 35. Rxg7 Kxg7 36. Ke2 Kg6 37. Be1 Kf5 38. Bg3 Ke4 39. Kd2 Kd4 40.
Kc2 Be4+ 41. Kd2 Bc6 42. Bf4 Be4 43. Bg3 Bc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.12"]
[Round "2.11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 a6 6. Bf1 d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8.
d4 Nf6 9. Be3 Be7 10. c4 O-O 11. Nc3 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Ne5 13. h3 Bd7 14. Bf4 Ng6
15. Bg3 Qb6 16. Nb3 Bc6 17. Qd4 Qb4 18. Rad1 a5 19. Bd6 Bxd6 20. Qxd6 Rfd8 21.
Qxd8+ Rxd8 22. Rxd8+ Nf8 23. Rd2 a4 24. Nc1 a3 25. Nd3 Qxc4 26. Rc1 axb2 27.
Rxb2 Qd4 28. Nb5 Bxb5 29. Rxb5 b6 30. a4 Nd5 31. a5 bxa5 32. Rxa5 g5 33. Rac5
Ng6 34. R5c4 Qa7 35. Nb4 Nxb4 36. Rxb4 Kg7 37. Rb5 Kf6 38. Rc3 h6 39. Rf3+ Kg7
40. g3 Ne7 41. Re5 Nc6 42. Re4 Qc5 43. h4 Nd4 44. Rd3 e5 45. hxg5 hxg5 46.
Rexd4 exd4 47. g4 Kf6 48. Rf3+ Ke7 49. Rg3 Qc1 50. Kg2 Qc6+ 51. Kg1 Qc1 52. Kg2
Qd1 53. Bd3 Kd6 54. Bf5 Kc5 55. Rh3 Kc4 56. Rg3 d3 57. Rxd3 Qxd3 58. Bxd3+ Kxd3
59. f4 gxf4 60. Kf3 f6 61. Kxf4 Ke2 62. g5 fxg5+ 63. Kxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Clutch-ch June"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.06.12"]
[Round "2.12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2020.06.06"]
[EventType "k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. c3 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13. Bf4 d5 14. Bd3
g6 15. Nd2 Ng7 16. Nf3 c6 17. Qe2 Nh5 18. Bh6 Bg4 19. Re1 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 Bg5 21.
Bxg5 Qxg5 22. g3 Rf8 23. h4 Qd8 24. Qe3 Nf6 25. Qe7 Re8 26. Qxd8 Rxd8 27. Re7
Rd7 28. Re5 Kf8 29. Kg2 Ng4 30. Re2 Re7 31. Kf3 Nf6 32. Rxe7 Kxe7 33. Kf4 h6
34. g4 Ne8 35. g5 hxg5+ 36. hxg5 Kd6 37. Kg4 Ng7 38. f4 Ke6 39. b4 b5 40. Bc2
f5+ 41. Kf3 Ne8 42. Ke3 Nd6 43. Bd1 Ne4 44. Kd3 Nf2+ 45. Kd2 Nxd1 46. Kxd1 Kd7
47. Kc2 Kc7 48. Kb3 Kb6 49. a3 a6 50. Kb2 Kb7 51. Kb1 Kb8 52. Kb2 Kb7 53. Kb1
Kb8 54. Kb2 Kb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Online Olym Div Top-C"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.21"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Lupulescu, Constantin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2020.08.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Romania"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ROU"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 cxd4 6. exd4 Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8.
g4 Bg6 9. Bb5 Nd7 10. c4 e6 11. cxd5 exd5 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Qa4 Qf6 14. Be5 Nb6
15. Qb3 Qe6 16. O-O f6 17. Rfe1 Kf7 18. Rac1 Qd7 19. Bg3 h5 20. a4 hxg4 21.
hxg4 Bd6 22. Ne5+ fxe5 23. dxe5 Bxe5 24. Rxe5 Qxg4 25. Rxc6 Rac8 26. Rxb6 Rc1+
27. Kg2 Qh3+ 28. Kf3 Bh5+ 29. Ke3 Re1+ 30. Kd4 Rxe5 31. Rb7+ Re7 32. Rxe7+ Kxe7
33. Bd6+ 1-0

[Event "Online Olym Div Top-C"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.21"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Delchev, Aleksander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A28"]
[WhiteElo "2543"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2020.08.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Bulgaria"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "BUL"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. a3 g6 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 Bg7 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8.
g3 O-O 9. Bg2 Ng4 10. O-O Ne5 11. c5 Qe7 12. b4 a5 13. Rb1 Rb8 14. Ne4 Ba6 15.
Re1 f5 16. Ng5 axb4 17. axb4 Bc4 18. Bd2 Bd5 19. Bxd5+ cxd5 20. Bf4 c6 21. Nf3
Rb7 22. Nxe5 Bxe5 23. Bd2 Ra8 24. Qc2 Rb5 25. Rb3 Bf6 26. Qd3 Qe4 27. Ra3 Rbb8
28. Qb3 Qd4 29. Rxa8 Rxa8 30. Rd1 Qc4 31. Qd3 Ra2 32. Kf1 Qe4 33. f3 Qxd3 34.
exd3 Kf7 35. h4 Bd4 36. Be1 Rh2 37. Rb1 Rh1+ 38. Ke2 Bc3 39. Rd1 Rh2+ 40. Kf1
Bxe1 41. Kxe1 f4 42. g4 Rxh4 43. Kd2 Rh2+ 44. Kc3 Rf2 45. Kd4 Rxf3 46. Ke5 Ke7
47. Rh1 h5 48. gxh5 gxh5 49. Rxh5 Re3+ 50. Kxf4 Rxd3 51. Ke5 Kd8 52. Kd6 Re3
53. Rh8+ Re8 54. Rxe8+ Kxe8 55. b5 cxb5 56. Kxd5 Kf7 57. Kd6 Ke8 58. Kd5 Ke7
59. Ke5 Kf7 60. Kd6 Ke8 61. Kd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Online Olym Div Top-C"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.21"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Solak, Dragan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2594"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2020.08.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Turkey"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "TUR"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Bd3 Bxd3 5. Qxd3 e6 6. Ne2 Ne7 7. O-O Nf5 8. Nd2
Be7 9. Nf3 h5 10. c3 Nd7 11. g3 g5 12. a4 Nf8 13. a5 Ng6 14. b4 a6 15. Bd2 g4
16. Ne1 Bg5 17. f3 gxf3 18. Rxf3 Qe7 19. Ng2 O-O-O 20. Raf1 Bxd2 21. Qxd2 Rdg8
22. Kh1 Rg7 23. Rxf5 exf5 24. Ne3 Qg5 25. Rxf5 Qh6 26. Qd3 h4 27. Ng4 Qh7 28.
Nf6 Qh6 29. g4 Rgh7 30. Rh5 Qg7 31. Qf5+ Kb8 32. Nxh7 Rxh7 33. h3 Rxh5 34. Qxh5
f6 35. e6 Kc7 36. Kg2 Kd6 37. Kf3 Qg8 38. Qf5 Qg7 39. Qh5 Qg8 40. Nc1 Kxe6 41.
Nd3 Kd6 42. Nc5 Kc7 43. Qf5 Qf7 44. g5 Qh7 45. gxf6 Qf7 46. Ne6+ Kd6 47. Ng5
Qe8 48. f7 Qe7 1-0

[Event "Online Olym Div Top-C"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.22"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Brkic, Ante"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2595"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2020.08.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Croatia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CRO"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4
c6 9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Bf5 12. Re1 Nd7 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 Re8
15. Bd2 Qf6 16. g3 Qg6 17. Qxg6 hxg6 18. c4 c5 19. d5 Nb6 20. Rac1 a6 21. Rb1
Nxc4 22. Rxb7 Reb8 23. Reb1 f6 24. Bc3 Rxb7 25. Rxb7 Bf8 26. Kg2 Nd6 27. Rd7
Rb8 28. Nh4 g5 29. Ng6 Ne4 30. Ba5 Bd6 31. Ne7+ Bxe7 32. Rxe7 f5 33. Bc7 Rb2
34. d6 Nxf2 35. d7 Ng4+ 36. Kg1 Rb1+ 37. Kg2 Rb2+ 38. Kf1 Nxh2+ 39. Ke1 Nf3+
40. Kd1 Rd2+ 41. Kc1 f4 42. Re8+ Kf7 43. d8=Q Rxd8 44. Rxd8 Nd4 45. gxf4 gxf4
46. Kd1 Ne6 47. Rc8 g5 48. Bb6 Kf6 49. Bxc5 Kf5 50. Ke2 g4 51. Bg1 g3 52. Rc6
Ng5 53. Rxa6 Nh3 54. Ba7 Kg4 55. Rg6+ Kf5 56. Rg8 Ng5 57. Bg1 f3+ 58. Ke3 f2
59. Bxf2 gxf2 60. Kxf2 Ne4+ 61. Ke3 Nc3 62. a3 Ke5 63. Kd3 Na4 64. Kc4 Kd6 65.
Rg6+ Kc7 66. Kb4 Nb6 67. a4 Kb7 68. Kb5 Nd5 69. Rg7+ Kb8 70. a5 Nc7+ 71. Kc6
Ne6 72. Re7 Nf4 73. a6 Ka8 74. Rd7 1-0

[Event "Online Olym Div Top-C"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.23"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2701"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2020.08.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "England"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ENG"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 a6 5. c5 b6 6. cxb6 cxb6 7. Bf4 Nh5 8. Bg5
Be7 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. e3 Nf6 11. Rc1 Bb7 12. Bd3 Nbd7 13. O-O O-O 14. Ne5 Rfc8
15. f4 Ne4 16. Bxe4 dxe4 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18. Rf2 Rc7 19. Rfc2 Rac8 20. Nb1 h6 21.
a3 Bd5 22. Rxc7 Rxc7 23. Rxc7 Qxc7 24. Nc3 b5 25. f5 Qc4 26. fxe6 fxe6 27. Kf2
Qc7 28. Qh5 Qc4 29. Qd1 Qc7 30. Qh5 Qc4 31. Qd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Online Olym Div Top-C"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.23"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2020.08.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb3 Bb4+ 6. c3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. exd5
cxd5 9. Bg5 Be6 10. Re1 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Qb8 12. Bh4 b5 13. Bg3 a5 14. a3 Re8 15.
Nf1 Nh5 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 17. Qxh5 Bxg3 18. hxg3 Nf6 19. Qh4 Qb6 20. Nd2 b4 21.
axb4 axb4 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. Qxb4 Qxb4 24. cxb4 Rb8 25. Ra1 g5 26. Ra4 Kg7 27.
Nf3 Bd7 28. Ra7 Rxb4 29. Bxd5 Rxb2 30. Kf1 Rb1+ 31. Ke2 Rb2+ 32. Ke1 Rb1+ 33.
Ke2 Rb2+ 34. Kf1 Rb1+ 35. Ne1 Bb5 36. Bc4 Bxc4 37. dxc4 Ne4 38. Ra2 Rc1 39. Rc2
Rxc2 40. Nxc2 Nd2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Online Olym Div Top-C"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.23"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Amin, Bassem"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2667"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2020.08.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Egypt"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "EGY"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. O-O d6 6. Nc3 Na5 7. Bb3 Nxb3 8.
axb3 c5 9. Nd2 Be6 10. Nc4 Be7 11. f4 exf4 12. Bxf4 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5
Bxd5 15. Qg4 Bxc4 16. dxc4 Qd4+ 17. Rf2 h5 18. Qe2 Qd7 19. Re1 Kf8 20. Qf3 Rc8
21. Rd2 Qc6 22. Qxc6 Rxc6 23. Rd7 Bf6 24. Rxb7 g5 25. Be5 1-0

[Event "Online Olym KO Stage"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.27"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Banikas, Hristos"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2601"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2020.08.27"]
[EventType "team-k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Greece"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GRE"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. Nb5 Na6 6. e3 Nh5 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4
c6 9. Na3 Bg4 10. Be2 Nc7 11. c4 O-O 12. Qb3 Rb8 13. Rc1 g5 14. Bg3 Nxg3 15.
hxg3 Bxf3 16. gxf3 c5 17. cxd5 cxd4 18. e4 e6 19. Nb5 Nxb5 20. Bxb5 exd5 21.
exd5 Qb6 22. O-O Rfd8 23. Kg2 Qd6 24. Rfe1 Bf6 25. Qd3 Kg7 26. Bc4 Rbc8 27.
Rcd1 Qb4 28. Bb3 a5 29. a3 Qb6 30. Re2 Qa6 31. Qd2 Qb5 32. Ba2 a4 33. Re4 Qc5
34. f4 Qc2 35. Rxd4 Qxd2 36. R4xd2 gxf4 37. gxf4 Rd6 38. Re1 Rb6 39. d6 Rd8 40.
d7 Rxb2 41. Rxb2 Bxb2 42. Re7 Bxa3 43. Rxf7+ Kg6 44. Kg3 h5 45. f5+ Kh6 46. f4
Bc5 47. Bb1 Rg8+ 48. Kh3 Bb6 49. Rf6+ 1-0

[Event "Online Olym KO Stage"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.27"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Mastrovasilis, Dimitrios"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2604"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2020.08.27"]
[EventType "team-k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Greece"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GRE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O
8. O-O d5 9. exd5 cxd5 10. h3 Rb8 11. Qf3 Be6 12. Ne2 Bd6 13. Nd4 Rb6 14. Nxe6
fxe6 15. c4 c6 16. Qe2 e5 17. Be3 Rb7 18. Rad1 e4 19. Bb1 Bb8 20. cxd5 cxd5 21.
Rd2 h5 22. Bg5 Qd6 23. g3 Qe5 24. h4 Ng4 25. f4 exf3 26. Rxf3 Rxf3 27. Qxf3 Rf7
28. Bh7+ Kf8 29. Bf4 Qe1+ 30. Kg2 Rxf4 31. Qa3+ Kf7 0-1

[Event "Online Olym KO Stage"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.28"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2020.08.27"]
[EventType "team-k.o. (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4
c6 9. Qc2 h6 10. Re1 Be6 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Bxe4 dxe4 13. Qxe4 Bd5 14. Qg4 Qd7
15. Qxd7 Nxd7 16. Nc3 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Bb4 18. Kf1 Nb6 19. Be3 Rac8 20. Rec1 Bxc3
21. Rxc3 Nd5 22. Rc5 Rcd8 23. Rac1 Rfe8 24. Ke2 Kh7 25. a3 Nf4+ 26. Kd2 Ne6 27.
R5c4 b5 28. R4c3 Nxd4 29. Bxd4 Rxd4+ 30. Rd3 Rh4 31. Re3 Rd8+ 32. Ke2 Rd7 33.
Rc5 a6 34. Rc6 Ra7 35. Rec3 Rxh2 36. Rc7 Rxc7 37. Rxc7 Rh1 38. Rxf7 Rb1 39. Ra7
Rxb2+ 40. Kf1 Rb3 41. Rxa6 Rxf3 42. a4 bxa4 43. Rxa4 g5 44. Kg2 Rf6 45. Kg3 h5
46. f4 g4 47. Ra5 Rh6 48. Kh4 Kg6 49. Ra6+ Kg7 50. Ra7+ Kf8 51. f5 Rf6 52. Kxh5
Rxf5+ 53. Kxg4 Rf7 54. Rxf7+ Kxf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nnbrkqrb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NNBRKQRB w GDgd - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "2020.09.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nb3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nxd4 5. Rxd4 g6 6. Rd3 Qe7 7. Qe2 O-O 8.
Nc3 Nb6 9. O-O d5 10. exd5 Qxe2 11. Nxe2 Bf5 12. Ra3 Bxc2 13. g3 a6 14. d6 c6
15. Bg5 Rxd6 16. Be7 Rd2 17. Bxf8 Kxf8 18. Nf4 Bxb2 19. Rf3 Bf5 20. Bg2 Nc4 21.
Bh3 Ne5 22. Rb3 Bxh3 23. Nxh3 b5 24. Ng5 a5 25. f4 Nc4 26. f5 Bd4+ 27. Kh1 Ne3
28. Re1 Nxf5 29. g4 Bf2 30. Rc1 Nd4 31. Rh3 h6 32. Ne4 Re2 33. Nc3 Re3 34. Rxe3
Bxe3 35. Rd1 c5 36. Kg2 Bg5 37. Ne4 Be7 38. a4 b4 39. Nd2 Bd8 40. Nc4 Bc7 41.
h3 Ke7 42. Kf2 Ke6 43. Ke3 f5 44. gxf5+ gxf5 45. Kd3 Nf3 46. h4 h5 47. Rc1 Nxh4
48. Nxa5 Bxa5 49. Rxc5 Bd8 50. a5 Ng6 51. a6 Kd6 52. a7 Kxc5 53. a8=Q Ne5+ 54.
Kc2 Nc6 55. Qc8 Kb6 56. Kb1 f4 57. Qf5 Bc7 58. Qxh5 Be5 59. Qf5 b3 60. Qd3 b2
61. Qd5 Kc7 62. Qc5 Bd6 63. Qc4 Be5 64. Ka2 Kb6 65. Qe4 Kc5 66. Kb1 Kb6 67. Qd5
Kc7 68. Qc5 Bd6 69. Qd5 Be5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnkqbbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNKQBBNR w HAha - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2020.09.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Bc3 Nf6 6. Nd2 d5 7. g3 dxe4 8.
Bh3+ e6 9. N4b3 Bb4 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nxe4 Qe5 12. Bg2 O-O-O 13. Qe2 g5 14. c3
Be7 15. Re1 Qc7 16. O-O-O Rxd1+ 17. Rxd1 Ne5 18. Qe3 b6 19. Nd4 Ba4 20. b3 Bd7
21. Kb2 g4 22. Nd2 Rd8 23. Qe4 f5 24. Qe2 Bf6 25. Nb1 b5 26. Nxb5 Bxb5 27.
Rxd8+ Kxd8 28. Qxb5 a5 29. Kc2 Be7 30. Qe2 Bc5 31. f4 gxf3 32. Bxf3 Ke7 33. a4
Kf6 34. Bh5 Qc6 35. Kb2 Bf8 36. Nd2 Bh6 37. Nf3 Nxf3 38. Bxf3 Qc5 39. g4 Bf4
40. gxf5 exf5 41. h3 Qg1 42. b4 axb4 43. cxb4 Be5+ 44. Kc2 Qa1 45. Qc4 Qxa4+
46. Kd2 Qd7+ 47. Ke2 Qd4 48. Qc6+ Kg5 49. Qd5 Qb2+ 50. Qd2+ Qxd2+ 51. Kxd2 Kh4
52. Ke2 Kxh3 53. b5 Bd4 54. Bc6 Kg3 55. Bd7 f4 56. Bc6 h5 57. Bf3 h4 58. Bc6
Bb6 59. Bd5 Bc5 60. Bc6 Bb6 61. Bd5 Bc5 62. Bc6 Bb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "qnrkbrnb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/QNRKBRNB w FCfc - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "27"]
[EventDate "2020.09.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 g6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 dxc4 4. Rxc4 Nf6 5. Bd2 Bg7 6. Rc1 b6 7. O-O Bc6 8.
Bf4 O-O 9. Nbd2 Nbd7 10. Qb1 Ne4 11. Nb3 Nef6 12. Nbd2 Ne4 13. Nb3 Nef6 14.
Nbd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "bbrqnknr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BBRQNKNR w HChc - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2020.09.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. b3 b6 3. e4 e5 4. Ne2 Ne7 5. O-O Ng6 6. Nc3 Nc7 7. Nd5 Ne6 8. g3
Nd4 9. Ng2 O-O 10. Qh5 Rc6 11. f4 exf4 12. gxf4 Ne7 13. Bxd4 cxd4 14. Qh4 Re8
15. e5 Rh6 16. Nf6+ Kh8 17. Qg5 Rf8 18. Ng4 Rh3 19. Nf2 f6 20. Qg4 Rh6 21. Nh1
fxe5 22. fxe5 Bxe5 23. Ng3 Ng8 24. Rxf8 Qxf8 25. Rf1 Nf6 26. Qg5 d6 27. Bd3
Bxg2 28. Kxg2 Qc8 29. h4 a5 30. Rf3 Ng8 31. Rf7 Bf6 32. Qd5 Rxh4 33. Bf5 Qe8
34. Qe6 Qb8 35. Rd7 Be5 36. Ne4 Qa8 37. d3 g6 38. Bg4 Qf8 39. Rc7 Qf4 40. Bh3
Qh2+ 0-1

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.12"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "nnrkrqbb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NNRKRQBB w ECec - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2020.09.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 Nc6 2. Nc3 f5 3. g3 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d4 O-O-O 6. O-O-O c5 7. dxc5 Bxc3
8. bxc3 Qf6 9. Kb2 a5 10. a4 Qc6 11. Nb3 b6 12. e4 bxc5 13. Nxa5 Qb6+ 14. Nb3
Qc6 15. Nxc5 Nb6 16. Qa6+ Kb8 17. Ka1 fxe4 18. Rb1 Rd2 19. a5 Rxc2 20. Re2 1-0

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnkbbrnq/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNKBBRNQ w FAfa - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2020.09.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. f4 d5 2. g4 e6 3. e4 Bc6 4. exd5 Bxd5 5. Bf3 Nf6 6. Nc3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 Nc6 8.
O-O-O Be7 9. g5 Nd7 10. d4 O-O-O 11. d5 exd5 12. Nxd5 f6 13. Nxe7+ Nxe7 14. Bb4
Rfe8 15. Bxe7 Rxe7 16. Qa3 Re6 17. Nf3 Qg8 18. Qb3 Nc5 19. Qc4 Nd3+ 20. Kb1
Nxb2 21. Rxd8+ Kxd8 22. Qd4+ Rd6 23. Qxa7 Qc4 24. Re1 Rd1+ 25. Rxd1+ Nxd1 26.
Qd4+ Qxd4 27. Nxd4 Ke7 28. Kc1 Ne3 29. Kd2 Ng2 30. Ne2 Ke6 31. Kd3 Kf5 32. Nd4+
Kg4 33. Ke4 Nxf4 34. gxf6 gxf6 35. c4 Ng6 36. c5 Ne7 37. a4 f5+ 38. Ke5 f4 39.
Ke4 h5 40. a5 c6 41. Nf3 Ng6 42. Nd4 Nf8 43. a6 bxa6 44. Nxc6 Nd7 45. Ne5+ Nxe5
46. Kxe5 f3 47. c6 f2 48. c7 f1=Q 49. c8=Q+ Kh4 50. Qc2 Kh3 51. Qg6 h4 52. Qh6
Qe2+ 53. Kd4 a5 54. Qg5 Qg4+ 0-1

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kasparov, Garry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rnbnqkrb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBNQKRB w GAga - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2020.09.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 O-O 2. c4 Ndc6 3. d5 Ne5 4. b3 e6 5. O-O d6 6. Nbc3 Na6 7. g3 exd5 8.
Nxd5 Bh3 9. Bg2 Bxg2 10. Kxg2 c6 11. N5c3 f5 12. f3 Rd8 13. Nf2 Nb4 14. Rb1 g6
15. Bh6 Rf7 16. Rd1 Rfd7 17. Bg5 Nf7 18. Bxd8 Nc2 19. Qd2 Ne3+ 20. Kg1 Rxd8 21.
Rc1 Nxf1 22. Kxf1 Qe7 23. Kg2 Ng5 24. f4 Ne6 25. e4 Nd4 26. Re1 Re8 27. Ne2 Qg7
28. Nxd4 Qxd4 29. Qc2 Qc3 30. Qxc3 Bxc3 31. Re2 Bd4 32. Rd2 Bxf2 33. Kxf2 Rxe4
34. Rxd6 Kf7 35. Rd7+ Re7 36. Rxe7+ Kxe7 37. Ke3 c5 38. Kd3 Kd6 39. Kc3 a5 40.
a4 b6 41. Kd3 Ke6 42. Ke3 Kf6 43. Kf3 h6 44. h4 h5 45. Ke3 Ke6 46. Kf3 Kf6 47.
Ke3 Ke6 48. Kf3 Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "bnrknbrq/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/BNRKNBRQ w GCgc - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2020.09.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. g3 g6 2. Bg2 c6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 e6 5. c5 Na6 6. Nd3 d5 7. cxd6 Nxd6 8. b4
O-O 9. O-O Rfd8 10. a4 Nc7 11. Ne4 Nf5 12. Bxg7 Qxg7 13. Rfd1 Nd4 14. Kf1 b6
15. e3 Nf5 16. Ne1 Nd5 17. Rb1 c5 18. bxc5 bxc5 19. Rdc1 c4 20. h4 h5 21. Kg1
a5 22. Nc2 c3 23. dxc3 Nxc3 24. Nxc3 Bxg2 25. Kxg2 Rxc3 26. Qe1 Qe5 27. Kg1 Rc4
28. Na3 Rxa4 29. Nc4 Qe4 30. Nd2 Qg4 31. Qd1 Nxg3 0-1

[Event "Champ Showdown 9LX"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.12"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rkbqrbnn/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RKBQRBNN w EAea - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2020.09.11"]
[EventType "tourn (rapid)"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Qf6 4. Qd1 Bb4 5. c3 Bc5 6. Bd3 d6 7. f4 Ng6 8. g3
Qd8 9. Be3 Bxe3 10. Rxe3 d5 11. Bc2 dxe4 12. Qxd8 Rxd8 13. Rxe4 Bf5 14. Re1 Nh6
15. Nf3 a6 16. Nf2 Rd7 17. O-O-O O-O-O 18. Rxd7 Rxd7 19. Ne4 Re7 20. Nd4 Bg4
21. Kd2 f6 22. b4 Nf7 23. a4 Nd8 24. Bb3 Bd7 25. Bg8 Bxa4 26. Bxh7 Nf8 27. Bg8
Kb8 28. Re3 b6 29. Bc4 Ka7 30. Nf5 Rd7+ 31. Rd3 Nfe6 32. h4 Rxd3+ 33. Kxd3 Be8
34. Ne7 a5 35. f5 Nf8 36. g4 Nd7 37. Kd2 Ne5 38. Be2 Bf7 39. g5 fxg5 40. hxg5
axb4 41. cxb4 Ndc6 42. g6 Nxe7 43. gxf7 Nxf7 44. f6 gxf6 45. Nxf6 Nd6 46. Kc3
b5 47. Bf3 c6 48. Kd4 Kb6 49. Nd7+ Kc7 50. Ne5 Nb7 51. Bg2 Kd6 52. Nf7+ Ke6 53.
Ne5 Nd8 54. Nxc6 Ndxc6+ 55. Kc5 Na7 56. Bf1 Nd5 57. Bxb5 Nxb5 58. Kxb5 Nxb4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2020.09.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. d4 O-O 6. c4 c6 7. Qb3 Qb6 8. Rd1
Bf5 9. Qa3 dxc4 10. Ne5 Be6 11. Qxe7 Na6 12. Nc3 Rad8 13. Qa3 Rfe8 14. Bg5 h6
15. Be3 Bf8 16. d5 Qxe3 17. fxe3 Bxa3 18. dxe6 Rxd1+ 19. Nxd1 Rxe6 20. Nxc6
Bxb2 21. Nxb2 c3 22. Nxa7 cxb2 23. Rb1 Rb6 24. Nc8 Rb4 25. Ne7+ Kf8 26. Nd5 Rc4
27. Rxb2 Rc1+ 28. Kf2 Ng4+ 29. Kf3 Nxh2+ 30. Kf4 Rg1 31. Bf3 Nc5 32. g4 h5 33.
gxh5 g5+ 34. Kf5 g4 35. Be4 g3 36. Nf4 Nf1 37. Bf3 Nxe3+ 38. Kf6 Rd1 39. h6 g2
40. h7 Nd7+ 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2020.09.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 c5 5. d5 b5 6. e4 d6 7. Bd2 a6 8. Nge2 O-O
9. Nf4 exd5 10. Ncxd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Bxd2+ 12. Qxd2 Nc6 13. cxb5 Nd4 14. bxa6
Qh4+ 15. Kd1 Bxa6 16. Qf4 Qd8 17. Qe3 Kh8 18. Qc3 Bb7 19. Bc4 f5 20. exf5 Rxf5
21. Ne3 Re5 22. Nc2 d5 23. Bb5 Qg5 24. Nxd4 Qxg2 25. Rf1 cxd4 26. Qxd4 Rae8 27.
Qf2 Qxf2 28. Rxf2 Re1+ 29. Kd2 Rxa1 30. Bxe8 Rxa2 31. Kc3 g6 32. f4 Kg7 33. Bd7
Kf6 34. Re2 Ra6 35. Kd4 Rb6 36. Kc5 Rb3 37. Rf2 d4 38. Kxd4 Ke7 39. Bg4 Kd6 40.
Bd1 Rb4+ 41. Kc3 Re4 42. Bc2 Re3+ 43. Kd4 Rh3 44. f5 Rh4+ 45. Ke3 gxf5 46. Bxf5
Ke5 47. Kd2 h6 48. Bd3 Bd5 49. Bf1 Kd4 50. h3 Be6 51. Rf3 Ke5 52. Kc3 Bd5 53.
Re3+ Re4 54. Rxe4+ Bxe4 55. Kc4 h5 56. b4 Bc6 57. Kc5 Bd7 58. h4 Kf4 59. Kd6
Be8 60. Ke7 Ba4 61. Be2 Kg3 62. Bxh5 Kxh4 63. Be8 Bc2 64. b5 Kg3 65. Kd6 Bd3
66. b6 Ba6 67. Kc7 Kf4 68. Bb5 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C44"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2020.09.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. g3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nc3 Qd6 6. Bg2 Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8. g4
Bg6 9. d3 Nge7 10. Be3 O-O-O 11. Nd2 f5 12. Nb3 Bf7 13. Qf3 Qg6 14. O-O-O f4
15. Bd2 Nd5 16. Qe4 Qf6 17. Qe2 Nxc3 18. Bxc3 Nd4 19. Bxd4 exd4 20. Kb1 g5 21.
Be4 h6 22. Qf3 c6 23. h4 gxh4 24. Qh3 Kc7 25. Qxh4 Qxh4 26. Rxh4 Be7 27. Rh2
Bxb3 28. axb3 a5 29. Kc1 Bg5 30. Kd2 f3+ 31. Ke1 Rhf8 32. Rh3 Rde8 33. Kf1 Re5
34. Rxf3 Rxf3 35. Bxf3 Rc5 36. Re1 Rxc2 37. Re2 Rxe2 38. Kxe2 Bc1 39. Be4 Bxb2
40. Kd2 Ba3 41. Kc2 Bd6 42. Bf5 Bf4 43. Be6 Kd6 44. Bc8 b5 45. Kb2 c5 46. Ba6
Kc6 47. Kc2 Kb6 48. Bc8 c4 49. dxc4 bxc4 50. bxc4 a4 51. Bd7 a3 52. Kb3 Bc1 53.
Bf5 Kc5 54. Bd3 Kd6 55. f4 Bxf4 56. Kxa3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D97"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2020.09.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 a6 8. e5
b5 9. Qb3 Ng4 10. h3 Nh6 11. Bd3 Be6 12. d5 Nd7 13. Bb1 Bf5 14. Bxh6 Bxh6 15.
Bxf5 gxf5 16. O-O e6 17. dxe6 Nc5 18. exf7+ Rxf7 19. Qa3 Ne6 20. Rad1 Qf8 21.
Qb3 Re8 22. Nd5 Bg7 23. Rfe1 c5 24. Qa3 Ra7 25. Qa5 c4 26. a4 b4 27. Nf6+ Bxf6
28. exf6 Qxf6 29. Qxb4 Rg7 30. Qxc4 Kh8 31. Rd6 Reg8 32. Rexe6 Rxg2+ 33. Kf1
Qxb2 34. Qd4+ 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.16"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2020.09.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Bd3 Bxd3 5. Qxd3 e6 6. Ne2 Qa5+ 7. c3 Qa6 8. Qd1
c5 9. Be3 Nd7 10. O-O Ne7 11. Ng3 cxd4 12. cxd4 f6 13. exf6 Nxf6 14. Bg5 Ng6
15. Nc3 Be7 16. f4 O-O 17. f5 Nd7 18. Re1 Bxg5 19. Rxe6 Qc4 20. fxg6 hxg6 21.
Rxg6 Be3+ 22. Kh1 Rf7 23. Nh5 Qxd4 24. Nxd5 Qxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Bd4 26. b3 Raf8 27.
g3 Rf1+ 28. Rxf1 Rxf1+ 29. Kg2 Rf2+ 30. Kh3 Rxa2 31. Rd6 Ne5 32. Ne7+ Kf7 33.
Rxd4 Rxh2+ 34. Kxh2 Nf3+ 35. Kg2 Nxd4 36. Nc8 Nxb3 37. Nxa7 g6 38. Nf4 g5 39.
Ne2 g4 40. Nb5 Nd2 41. Nec3 Ke6 42. Kf2 Kd7 43. Ke2 Nf3 44. Ke3 Nh2 45. Kf2 Nf3
46. Ke3 Nh2 47. Ke2 Kc6 48. Nd4+ Kc5 49. Ndb5 Kc4 50. Ke3 b6 51. Kf4 Kb4 52.
Ke3 Kc4 53. Ke4 Nf1 54. Kf4 Nh2 55. Kf5 Kb4 56. Ke4 Kc4 57. Kf4 Kb4 58. Ke3 Kc4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D92"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2020.09.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. Rc1 dxc4 7. e3 c5 8. Bxc4
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nbd7 10. Bg3 Nb6 11. Be2 Nfd5 12. O-O e5 13. Ndb5 a6 14. Nxd5 Nxd5
15. Nc7 Nxc7 16. Qxd8 Rxd8 17. Rxc7 b5 18. Bh4 Rd2 19. Bf3 Rb8 20. Rd1 Rxd1+
21. Bxd1 Be6 22. Bb3 Bxb3 23. axb3 f6 24. Kf1 Rd8 25. Ke2 g5 26. Bg3 f5 27. f3
e4 28. Ra7 Rd3 29. Ra8+ Kf7 30. Ra7+ Kg8 31. Ra8+ Kf7 32. Ra7+ Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E48"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2020.09.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 c5 6. Nge2 d5 7. cxd5 cxd4 8.
exd4 Nxd5 9. Qc2 h6 10. O-O Nc6 11. Rd1 Bd6 12. Bh7+ Kh8 13. Be4 Nce7 14. Bd2
Bd7 15. Qc1 Kg8 16. Bxh6 Nxc3 17. Nxc3 gxh6 18. Qxh6 f5 19. d5 fxe4 20. Qg5+
Kh7 21. Nxe4 exd5 22. Nxd6 Ng6 23. Qh5+ Kg7 24. Rxd5 Qf6 25. Ne4 Qe7 26. Ng3
Qf7 27. f3 Be6 28. Rd6 Rad8 29. Rad1 Qc7 30. Ne4 Rxd6 31. Rxd6 Qc1+ 32. Kf2
Qxb2+ 33. Rd2 Qb4 34. Qc5 Qxc5+ 35. Nxc5 Bc8 36. Kg3 Ne7 37. Kf2 b6 38. Ne4 Be6
39. h4 Bd5 40. Nc3 Bc6 41. Ne2 Rh8 42. g3 Kf7 43. Nf4 b5 44. h5 a5 45. g4 b4
46. g5 a4 47. Rd4 Rb8 48. Nd3 b3 49. axb3 axb3 50. Nb2 Bd5 51. Rf4+ Kg7 52. Ke3
Rh8 53. h6+ Kg6 54. Rg4 Re8 55. f4 Nf5+ 56. Kd3 Rd8 57. Rg1 Bf7+ 58. Kc3 Rc8+
59. Kb4 Ne3 60. Nd3 Nd5+ 61. Kb5 Be8+ 62. Ka6 b2 63. Rb1 Bb5+ 64. Kxb5 Nc3+ 65.
Kb4 Nxb1 66. Nxb2 Rb8+ 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.17"]
[Round "8"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "2020.09.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5
8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. c3 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13. a4 d5 14. a5 c6
15. Bf4 g6 16. Nd2 Ng7 17. Be5 Be7 18. h3 Be6 19. Nb3 Qf8 20. Qd2 Re8 21. Re1
Bc8 22. Bb8 a6 23. Bf4 Bd8 24. Bh6 Rxe1 25. Qxe1 Qd6 26. Qe3 Qe7 27. Qxe7 Bxe7
28. Nc5 g5 29. Bd3 Ne8 30. h4 gxh4 31. Bf4 Bd8 32. b4 Nc7 33. Kh2 Nb5 34. Na4
Be7 35. Bh6 Nd6 36. Nc5 Bf5 37. Bxf5 Nxf5 38. Bf4 Bxc5 39. bxc5 Kg7 40. Kh3 Kg6
41. Kg4 h5+ 42. Kh3 Ng7 43. Kxh4 Ne6 44. Bd6 Ng5 45. f3 Ne6 46. Be5 Nf8 47. Bd6
Nd7 48. Be7 Kh6 49. Bg5+ Kg6 50. Be7 Kh6 51. Kg3 Kg7 52. Kf4 Kg6 53. g3 Nf6 54.
Ke5 Ne8 55. Bd8 Kg7 56. Kf5 h4 57. Bxh4 Nc7 58. Bf6+ Kf8 59. Ke5 Nb5 60. g4 Ke8
61. g5 Na3 62. Kf5 Nc4 63. g6 Kf8 64. Be5 Nd2 65. Kf6 fxg6 66. Bd6+ Ke8 67. f4
Nf3 68. Kxg6 Nh4+ 69. Kf6 Kd7 70. f5 Nf3 71. Kg7 Ng5 72. Bf4 Nh3 73. Be3 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Rapid"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.17"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2020.09.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8.
Re1 Bg4 9. Nbd2 Nb6 10. h3 Bh5 11. Bb3 Qxd3 12. Nxe5 Qf5 13. Nef3 Rad8 14. Qe2
Qc8 15. Qf1 Rfe8 16. Ne4 Be7 17. Bf4 Nd5 18. Bg3 Bxf3 19. gxf3 a6 20. Rad1 Qf5
21. Qc4 Nb6 22. Qe2 Ne5 23. f4 Ng6 24. Ng5 Nd5 25. Qg4 Qxg4 26. hxg4 c6 27. Nf3
Bf8 28. Rxe8 Rxe8 29. Bxd5 cxd5 30. Rxd5 Re2 31. Rd8 f6 32. f5 Ne7 33. Nd4 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 1920 final"]
[Site "Karlsruhe"]
[Date "2020.09.16"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Meier, Georg"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D79"]
[WhiteElo "2622"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2020.09.16"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Deizisau"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. d4 O-O 6. c4 c6 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Nc3
Ne4 9. Ne5 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Nc6 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Qa4 Qb6 13. Ba3 Qa6 14. Qxa6
Bxa6 15. Rfb1 Rfb8 16. Bf1 e6 17. e3 Bxf1 18. Kxf1 Bf8 19. Bxf8 Kxf8 20. Ke2
Ke7 21. Kd3 Kd6 22. c4 c5 23. cxd5 Kxd5 24. e4+ Kd6 25. dxc5+ Kxc5 26. Rc1+ Kd6
27. Rc2 Rc8 28. Rxc8 Rxc8 29. Rb1 Rc7 30. a4 Rd7 31. Kc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1920 final"]
[Site "Karlsruhe"]
[Date "2020.09.18"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2682"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2020.09.16"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Solingen"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. a4 h6 6. a5 a6 7. O-O O-O 8. c3 d6
9. h3 Kh8 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. fxe3 Qe7 12. Nbd2 Be6 13. Bxe6 Qxe6 14. Qe2 Rad8 15.
d4 Qe7 16. Rf2 Nb8 17. Qc4 c6 18. dxe5 dxe5 19. Nb3 Nbd7 20. Rd2 Rc8 21. Rad1
Rc7 22. Rd6 Ne8 23. R6d2 Nef6 24. Rd6 Ne8 25. R6d2 Nef6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1920 final"]
[Site "Karlsruhe"]
[Date "2020.09.19"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Areshchenko, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A36"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2678"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2020.09.16"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. d3 d6 6. Qd2 Nf6 7. b3 O-O 8. Bb2 e6
9. e3 d5 10. Nge2 dxc4 11. bxc4 Qd7 12. Rd1 b6 13. d4 Bb7 14. dxc5 Qxd2+ 15.
Rxd2 Na5 16. Bxb7 Nxb7 17. cxb6 axb6 18. O-O Na5 19. c5 Nc4 20. Rc2 Nxb2 21.
Rxb2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1920 final"]
[Site "Karlsruhe"]
[Date "2020.09.20"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kryvoruchko, Yuriy"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2682"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2020.09.16"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Viernheim"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Na3 h6
9. Nc2 O-O 10. Be3 Re8 11. Bxa7 Rxa7 12. Ne3 Be6 13. Bxe6 Rxe6 14. Qb3 a5 15.
Nd2 Ne7 16. f4 exf4 17. Rxf4 d5 18. Raf1 c6 19. R4f2 b5 20. axb5 Qb6 21. Nf5
1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E73"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. d5 Na6 8. g4 Nc5
9. Bf3 Bd7 10. b4 Na6 11. Rb1 Qc8 12. g5 Ne8 13. h4 f6 14. Be2 fxg5 15. hxg5
Rf7 16. c5 Nb8 17. Nf3 a5 18. a3 axb4 19. axb4 Qd8 20. Nd2 Bf8 21. Nc4 Na6 22.
c6 bxc6 23. dxc6 Be6 24. b5 Nc5 25. Bxc5 dxc5 26. Qxd8 Rxd8 27. Nd5 Bxd5 28.
exd5 Nd6 29. b6 cxb6 30. Rxb6 Ra8 31. O-O Nxc4 32. Bxc4 Bd6 33. Rfb1 Ra4 34.
Rb8+ Kg7 35. Rd8 Rxc4 36. Rxd6 Rg4+ 37. Kf1 Rb4 38. Rxb4 cxb4 39. Rd7 b3 40.
Rb7 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Bd7 10. Rd1 Ke8 11. Nc3 Ne7 12. Bf4 Ng6 13. Bh2 Be7 14. Rd2
Rd8 15. Rad1 Bc8 16. Nd4 Nf8 17. a4 h5 18. a5 a6 19. e6 Nxe6 20. Nxe6 Bxe6 21.
Bxc7 Rxd2 22. Rxd2 Rh6 23. Ne4 Bd5 24. Nc3 Bb4 25. Rd3 Bxc3 26. Rxc3 Re6 27.
Kf1 Kd7 28. Bb6 Be4 29. Rc4 Bg6 30. Rd4+ Rd6 31. Rxd6+ Kxd6 32. c3 Bd3+ 33. Ke1
Kd5 34. h4 f6 35. g3 Ke4 36. Bd4 Bc4 37. Kd2 Kf3 38. b4 Ke4 39. Ke1 Kf3 40. Kd2
Ke4 41. Be3 Kf3 42. Bd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. c3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Nbd2 a6 8. Bb3
h6 9. Re1 Re8 10. Nf1 Ba7 11. Ng3 Be6 12. Ba4 b5 13. Bc2 d5 14. exd5 Bxd5 15.
Be3 Bxe3 16. Rxe3 Qd7 17. h3 Re6 18. Ne4 Bxe4 19. dxe4 Rd6 20. Qf1 Qe7 21. a4
b4 22. a5 bxc3 23. bxc3 Rb8 24. Bd3 Ra8 25. Bxa6 Nd7 26. Bb7 Ra7 27. Bxc6 Rxc6
28. Qb5 Rb6 29. Qc4 Rba6 30. Rd3 Nc5 31. Rd5 Rxa5 32. Rxa5 Rxa5 33. Rxe5 Qd6
34. Qd4 f6 35. Qxd6 cxd6 36. Re7 Kf8 37. Rc7 Nxe4 38. Nd4 Re5 39. f3 Nc5 40.
Rc8+ Kf7 41. Rc7+ Kf8 42. Rc6 Ke7 43. f4 Re1+ 44. Kf2 Nd3+ 45. Kg3 Re3+ 46. Kh2
g6 47. f5 g5 48. Rc7+ Ke8 49. Rh7 g4 50. hxg4 Ne5 51. g3 Nxg4+ 52. Kh3 Nf2+ 53.
Kg2 Ne4 54. Rh8+ Ke7 55. Rh7+ Ke8 56. Rh8+ Ke7 57. Rh7+ Ke8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "159"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. e3 Bb4 4. Nge2 O-O 5. a3 Be7 6. d4 exd4 7. Qxd4 Nc6 8.
Qd1 Re8 9. Nf4 Bd6 10. Nfd5 Be5 11. Be2 Nxd5 12. cxd5 Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 Ne5 14.
O-O d6 15. c4 Qh4 16. Qc2 b6 17. Bb2 Qh6 18. e4 Nd7 19. Rae1 Nc5 20. Bd1 Qg6
21. Re3 Nxe4 22. Rfe1 Bf5 23. g4 Bxg4 24. Bxg4 Qxg4+ 25. Kh1 f5 26. f3 Qh4 27.
fxe4 f4 28. Qg2 Re7 29. R3e2 Qh5 30. Rf2 Rf8 31. Rg1 Rff7 32. Bd4 f3 33. Qg4
Qxg4 34. Rxg4 h5 35. Rh4 g6 36. Kg1 Kh7 37. Rd2 Kh6 38. e5 dxe5 39. Be3+ g5 40.
Re4 Kg6 41. c5 Kf5 42. Rc4 bxc5 43. Rxc5 Re8 44. Kf2 g4 45. Rc6 Rh8 46. Bxa7 h4
47. Be3 Rg7 48. a4 e4 49. d6 g3+ 50. Kf1 cxd6 51. h3 Rd8 52. Rd5+ Ke6 53. Rh5
Rb7 54. Rh6+ Kd5 55. Rc1 Rb3 56. Bg5 Re8 57. Bxh4 g2+ 58. Kg1 e3 59. Rd1+ Kc4
60. Rhxd6 f2+ 61. Kxg2 Rg8+ 62. Kf3 Rg1 63. R6d4+ Kc3 64. Bxf2 exf2 65. Kxf2
Rxd1 66. Rxd1 Kc2 67. Rh1 Ra3 68. h4 Kd3 69. Kf3 Kd4+ 70. Kf4 Rxa4 71. h5 Kd5+
72. Kf5 Ra2 73. h6 Rf2+ 74. Kg6 Rg2+ 75. Kf6 Rf2+ 76. Ke7 Re2+ 77. Kd7 Ra2 78.
Rh5+ Ke4 79. h7 Ra7+ 80. Ke6 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A57"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. Nf3 g6 5. Qc2 bxc4 6. e4 Bg7 7. Bxc4 d6 8. O-O
O-O 9. Nc3 Nfd7 10. Re1 a5 11. Bf4 Ba6 12. Bxa6 Nxa6 13. Qd2 Qb8 14. Bh6 Qb4
15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. a3 Qb3 17. e5 Rae8 18. Re3 Nc7 19. Rae1 dxe5 20. Nxe5 Nf6 21.
Rh3 h5 22. g4 h4 23. Rxh4 Rh8 24. Rxh8 Rxh8 25. d6 exd6 26. Qxd6 Ne6 27. Qe7
Ng5 28. Re3 Qxb2 29. Nd7 Nxg4 30. Ne4 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "163"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 5. O-O O-O 6. Bf4 c5 7. dxc5 Na6 8. c4
Nxc5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Be5 Bxe5 11. Nxe5 Nf6 12. Qc1 Qd6 13. Nc4 Qa6 14. b4 Nb3
15. b5 Nxc1 16. bxa6 Nxe2+ 17. Kh1 Rb8 18. Nbd2 Nd4 19. axb7 Bxb7 20. Nb3 Bxg2+
21. Kxg2 Rfc8 22. Nca5 Nc6 23. Nxc6 Rxc6 24. Rac1 Ra6 25. Rc2 Nd5 26. Rd2 e6
27. h4 h5 28. Rc1 Kg7 29. Nd4 Rb4 30. Nf3 Rba4 31. Rcc2 Rb6 32. Ng5 Rb7 33. Rd3
Rab4 34. Rdd2 Rd7 35. Re2 Rbb7 36. Rc8 Rbc7 37. Rb8 Nf6 38. Reb2 Re7 39. Rd8
Rcd7 40. Rc8 Rc7 41. Rd8 Rb7 42. Rc2 Rec7 43. Re2 Rd7 44. Rc8 Rbc7 45. Rxc7
Rxc7 46. Rxe6 Nh7 47. Ra6 Nxg5 48. hxg5 Kf8 49. Kh3 Ke7 50. f4 Kf8 51. Ra4 Kg7
52. g4 hxg4+ 53. Kxg4 Rb7 54. Ra6 Rc7 55. a4 Re7 56. a5 Rc7 57. Kf3 Re7 58. Rc6
Kf8 59. Rc8+ Kg7 60. Rc6 Kf8 61. Rc5 Kg7 62. f5 gxf5 63. Rxf5 Kg6 64. Rc5 Re6
65. Kf4 a6 66. Rd5 Rc6 67. Re5 Rc4+ 68. Kf3 Rc1 69. Rd5 Rc4 70. Rd6+ Kxg5 71.
Rxa6 Ra4 72. Ra8 Kf5 73. a6 Ra3+ 74. Ke2 Kf4 75. a7 f5 76. Kd2 Kf3 77. Rf8 Ra2+
78. Kc3 Ra3+ 79. Kb4 Rxa7 80. Rxf5+ Ke4 81. Ra5 Rxa5 82. Kxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.18"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Nc3 Bxf4 12. gxf4 a5 13. Kh1 Na6 14. e3 Nb4 15.
Qe2 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 c6 17. Rg1 Qe7 18. Rg5 Kh8 19. Rag1 g6 20. Qc2 Nxc2 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.18"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D84"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Nxd5 Qxd5 8.
Bxc7 Na6 9. Bxa6 Qxg2 10. Qf3 Qxf3 11. Nxf3 bxa6 12. O-O f6 13. Nd2 Bb7 14.
Rfc1 Rac8 15. Ba5 e5 16. Bb4 Rfd8 17. Be7 Rxc1+ 18. Rxc1 Rd7 19. Bc5 f5 20. Nb3
Bd5 21. dxe5 Bxb3 22. axb3 Bxe5 23. Ra1 Rb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.18"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A09"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. c4 dxc4 5. Na3 Bg7 6. Nxc4 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. b3
O-O 9. Bb2 Be6 10. Rc1 Rc8 11. d4 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Qxd4 b6 14. Na3 Qxd4
15. Bxd4 Rfd8 16. Rxc8 Bxc8 17. e3 Ba6 18. Rc1 Ne8 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Bf1 Bxf1
21. Kxf1 Rd5 22. Rc2 Nd6 23. Ke2 Ra5 24. Nb1 g5 25. h3 Kf6 26. Nd2 Ke6 27. g4
Kd7 28. a4 f6 29. f3 Nb7 30. Ne4 Rd5 31. Rc1 Nd6 32. Nxd6 Rxd6 33. h4 h6 34. h5
Rc6 35. Rd1+ Kc7 36. Rd4 Rc5 37. Kd3 e5 38. Rc4 Rxc4 39. Kxc4 Kc6 40. b4 a6 41.
b5+ axb5+ 42. axb5+ Kd6 43. e4 Ke6 44. Kb4 Kd6 45. Kc4 Ke6 46. Kb4 Kd6 47. Kc4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.19"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Qe7 7. Nbd2 Bg4 8.
a3 a5 9. h3 Bh5 10. Nc4 Nd7 11. g4 Bg6 12. b4 Bb6 13. Bd2 a4 14. Kg2 h5 15. Qe2
O-O-O 16. Rh1 f6 17. Nb2 Bf7 18. Nxa4 g5 19. Nxb6+ cxb6 20. Be3 Kc7 21. c3 Nf8
22. Nd2 Ne6 23. a4 Qd7 24. a5 bxa5 25. bxa5 Qxd3 26. Qxd3 Rxd3 27. a6 Nf4+ 28.
Kg1 Ra8 29. a7 h4 30. c4 b6 31. Kh2 c5 32. Rhb1 Be6 33. Rb2 Rd6 34. Bxf4 exf4
35. e5 fxe5 36. Ne4 Rd4 37. Nxg5 Bxc4 38. Nf3 Rd5 39. Nxh4 b5 40. Nf5 Bd3 41.
Ng7 c4 42. Nh5 Kb6 43. Rba2 c3 44. Ra6+ Kc5 45. Nf6 Rd6 46. Rxd6 Kxd6 47. Ne8+
Rxe8 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.19"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Bd3 Bxd3 5. Qxd3 e6 6. Ne2 c5 7. c3 Nc6 8. O-O
Qb6 9. Nd2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Nb4 11. Qb3 Nc6 12. Qxb6 axb6 13. Nf3 b5 14. Be3 b4
15. Rfc1 Nge7 16. g4 Nc8 17. Nf4 Nb6 18. b3 Be7 19. Nh5 Rg8 20. Rc2 f6 21. Bf4
Kf7 22. Re1 Rae8 23. Rce2 Bd8 24. h3 Nd7 25. Kg2 Bb6 26. Be3 Bc7 27. Bd2 Bb6
28. exf6 gxf6 29. Nf4 Nxd4 30. Nxd4 Bxd4 31. Nxe6 Be5 32. Nf4 Bxf4 33. Bxf4 Nc5
34. Rxe8 Rxe8 35. Rxe8 Kxe8 36. Bd2 Ne4 37. Bxb4 d4 38. Kf1 Kd7 39. f3 Ng5 40.
Kg2 Kc6 41. h4 Ne6 42. Bd2 Kd5 43. Kf2 Ke5 44. Ke2 f5 45. gxf5 Kxf5 46. Kd3 Ke5
47. a4 Kd5 48. b4 h5 49. Bh6 Nd8 50. Bf8 Ne6 51. Bh6 Nd8 52. Bd2 Nf7 53. Bf4
Nd8 54. Bd2 Ne6 55. f4 Ng7 56. b5 Ne6 57. a5 Nc5+ 58. Ke2 Ke4 59. Bb4 d3+ 60.
Kd1 Ne6 61. a6 bxa6 62. bxa6 Nc7 63. a7 Na8 64. Kd2 Nb6 65. Ba5 Na8 66. f5 Kxf5
67. Kxd3 Ke6 68. Kc4 Kd7 69. Kb5 Kc8 70. Ka6 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.19"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A01"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. b3 d5 2. Bb2 Bf5 3. d3 e6 4. Nd2 Nf6 5. g3 h6 6. Bg2 Bh7 7. a3 Be7 8. e4 O-O
9. Qe2 c5 10. Ngf3 Nc6 11. O-O Qc7 12. Rfe1 Rfd8 13. Rad1 a5 14. a4 Nb4 15. Rc1
Rac8 16. Ne5 Na2 17. Ra1 Nb4 18. Rac1 Na2 19. Rcd1 Nb4 20. Nf1 c4 21. bxc4 dxe4
22. dxe4 Na6 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Ng4 Nxg4 25. Qxg4 Bf8 26. Ne3 Nc5 27. Ra1 Qc6
28. e5 Be4 29. Bxe4 Nxe4 30. Qf3 Rd2 31. Rf1 Bc5 32. Bc1 Bxe3 33. Bxd2 Bxd2 34.
Rd1 Qxc4 35. Qd3 Qc6 36. Rxd2 Nxd2 37. Qxd2 Qxa4 38. Qd8+ Kh7 39. Qc7 Qc6 40.
Qxa5 Qxc2 41. h4 Qb1+ 42. Kh2 b5 43. Qa7 Qf5 44. Qd4 b4 45. Qxb4 Qxf2+ 46. Kh3
Qf5+ 47. Kh2 Qxe5 48. Qb7 Qf5 49. Qd7 h5 50. Kg2 Qd5+ 51. Kf2 Qxd7 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.19"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 f5 13. Nxd5 Ba5+ 14. Ke2 Nxd4+
15. Bxd4 Nd2 16. Qc5 Ne4 17. Qc2 Nd2 18. Qc5 Ne4 19. Qc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.19"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. h3 g6 5. Bd3 Bg7 6. Bc2 e5 7. d4 exd4 8. cxd4
O-O 9. O-O cxd4 10. Nxd4 d5 11. e5 Ne4 12. Bf4 Nc6 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Bxe4 dxe4
15. Qxd8 Rxd8 16. Nc3 e3 17. fxe3 Bf5 18. Rac1 Bd3 19. Rfd1 c5 20. Na4 c4 21.
b3 cxb3 22. axb3 Be2 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Rc7 h6 25. Nc5 Re8 26. Kf2 Bb5 27. Rxa7
g5 28. Bg3 Rc8 29. b4 Bf8 30. Ra5 Bc4 31. Kg1 Rb8 32. Nd7 Bxb4 33. Ra4 Bb3 34.
Ra6 Rd8 35. Nf6+ Kg7 36. Rb6 Rd1+ 37. Kh2 Bc3 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.19"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2709"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8.
c4 Ba6 9. f4 Nb6 10. b3 d5 11. exd6 cxd6 12. Bb2 O-O-O 13. Qxe7 Bxe7 14. Nd2 d5
15. O-O-O dxc4 16. Bxc4 Nxc4 17. Nxc4 f6 18. Kc2 Bxc4 19. bxc4 Bb4 20. Bc3 Bxc3
21. Kxc3 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Re8 23. g3 Kc7 24. Rd2 a5 25. c5 Re3+ 26. Kc4 Re4+ 27.
Kc3 Re3+ 28. Kc4 Re4+ 29. Kc3 Re3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.19"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. dxe5 Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 8.
Nxd4 d6 9. exd6 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd6 11. Qe4+ Qe6 12. Qd4 Qd6 13. Qe4+ Qe6 14.
Qd4 Qd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.19"]
[Round "17"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. b3 c5 5. Bb2 Nc6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bb5 Bd6 8. O-O
O-O 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bc7 11. Nd2 Qd6 12. N4f3 Bg4 13. Rc1 Rfe8 14. h3 Bh5
15. Re1 Rac8 16. Nf1 Ba5 17. Re2 Bxf3 18. gxf3 Nh5 19. Rec2 Qg6+ 20. Kh1 Qf5
21. Kg2 Re6 22. f4 Rg6+ 23. Kh2 Qe4 24. Ng3 Nxg3 25. Bd3 Qe6 26. Bxg6 hxg6 27.
Kxg3 Re8 28. Rc5 d4 29. Rxc6 bxc6 30. Qxd4 f6 31. Qxa7 Bd2 32. Rd1 Bb4 33. Qd7
Qxd7 34. Rxd7 Ra8 35. a4 Rb8 36. Rc7 c5 37. Rd7 Ba5 38. Rd5 Rxb3 39. Rxc5 Bb6
40. Rb5 Rxb5 41. axb5 Kf7 42. e4 Ke6 43. Ba3 f5 44. f3 Bd4 45. Bb4 Kd7 46. exf5
gxf5 47. Kh4 Kc7 48. Kg5 Kb6 49. Bd6 Kxb5 50. Be5 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Blitz"]
[Site "Lichess.org INT"]
[Date "2020.09.19"]
[Round "18"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2020.09.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. Bc4
O-O 9. O-O Nc6 10. Qe2 Na5 11. Bd5 Bd7 12. Rfd1 Rc8 13. a4 Qc7 14. Bg5 Be6 15.
Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nd2 Nc6 17. Bb3 Nd4 18. Qd3 h6 19. h3 Bg5 20. Ra3 Bxd2 21. Rxd2
Bxb3 22. cxb3 b5 23. axb5 axb5 24. Ne2 Nc2 25. Qxb5 Nxa3 26. bxa3 Rb8 27. Qd3
Rfc8 28. b4 Ra8 29. Rb2 Qc4 30. Qe3 Rab8 31. Rb3 d5 32. exd5 Qxd5 33. Rd3 Qc4
34. Ng3 Qc1+ 35. Kh2 Qxe3 36. Rxe3 Rc2 37. Ne4 f5 38. Nc5 e4 39. f3 exf3 40.
Rxf3 Ra2 41. h4 Re8 42. Kg3 Ree2 43. Kf4 Rxg2 44. Kxf5 Rge2 45. a4 Reb2 46. Rf4
Kf7 47. Ke5+ Ke7 48. Kd5 Rf2 49. Re4+ Kf6 50. a5 g5 51. hxg5+ hxg5 52. a6 Rfc2
53. Kd6 Kf5 54. Re8 Rxc5 55. bxc5 Rxa6+ 56. c6 g4 57. Rf8+ Ke4 58. Kc5 Rxc6+
59. Kxc6 g3 60. Rg8 Kf3 61. Kd5 g2 62. Kd4 Kf2 63. Rxg2+ Kxg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.22"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. h3 Nc6 5. Bd3 e5 6. Bc2 d5 7. exd5 Qxd5 8. d3
Be6 9. O-O h6 10. Qe2 c4 11. Nbd2 cxd3 12. Bxd3 O-O-O 13. Bc4 Qd6 14. Re1 g5
15. Bb5 Bg7 16. Nc4 Bxc4 17. Qxc4 Rhe8 18. Qxf7 Re7 19. Qc4 Rc7 20. Bxc6 Rxc6
21. Qa4 Ra6 22. Qc2 Nd5 23. Be3 Nxe3 24. Rxe3 Kb8 25. a3 Qd5 26. Rae1 Re6 27.
Qe4 a5 28. a4 Rb6 29. Qxd5 Rxd5 30. c4 Rd7 31. b3 e4 32. Rxe4 Rxb3 33. h4 gxh4
34. Nxh4 Rb4 35. c5 Bc3 36. R1e2 Rdd4 37. Re8+ Ka7 38. Nf5 Rd5 39. Nd6 Rxc5 40.
Nb5+ Ka6 41. R2e6+ Rc6 42. Nc7+ Ka7 43. Ra8+ Kb6 44. Nd5+ Kc5 45. Rxc6+ bxc6
46. Nxc3 Kc4 47. Ne4 Rxa4 48. f3 Ra1+ 49. Kh2 a4 50. Rc8 Kd5 51. Rd8+ Ke5 52.
Re8+ Kd4 53. Re6 c5 54. Rd6+ Ke5 55. Rc6 a3 56. Rxc5+ Kf4 57. Ra5 Ke3 58. Nd6
Kf2 59. f4 Rg1 60. Ne4+ Kf1 61. Ng3+ Kf2 62. Rxa3 Rxg2+ 63. Kh3 Rg1 64. f5 Rb1
65. f6 Rb6 66. f7 Rb8 67. Ra5 Rf8 68. Rf5+ Ke3 69. Kg4 1-0

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.22"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C43"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Nxe5 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. Nf3 O-O 8.
c3 d6 9. h3 Re8 10. Re1 h6 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. Nf1 Rxe1 13. Qxe1 Be6 14. Ng3 Qd7
15. Be3 Re8 16. Qd1 Ne7 17. c4 d5 18. Ne5 Qc8 19. c5 Nf5 20. Nxf5 Bxf5 21. b4
c6 22. a4 Bxd3 23. Qxd3 a6 24. Bf4 Nd7 25. b5 axb5 26. axb5 Nxe5 27. Bxe5 Bxc5
28. Bxg7 Kxg7 29. dxc5 Qe6 30. b6 Qf6 31. Qg3+ Kh7 32. Ra7 Re7 33. Ra8 Qg7 34.
Qd3+ Qg6 35. Qd4 Qg7 36. Qf4 Re1+ 37. Kh2 Qe5 38. Kg3 Qg7+ 39. Kh2 Qe5 40. Kg3
Qg7+ 41. Qg4 Rc1 42. Rb8 Rxc5 43. Rxb7 Rb5 44. Qxg7+ Kxg7 45. Kf4 d4 46. Ke4
Rb4 47. g4 c5 48. Kd5 d3 49. Kxc5 Rd4 50. Kxd4 d2 51. Rc7 d1=Q+ 52. Kc5 Qc2+
53. Kd6 Qd2+ 54. Kc6 Qc2+ 55. Kd7 Qxf2 56. b7 Qb6 57. Kc8 Qa6 58. Kd8 Qd6+ 59.
Kc8 Qa6 60. h4 Kg6 61. Kd7 Qb5+ 62. Rc6+ Kg7 63. Kc7 Qe5+ 64. Kc8 Qe8+ 65. Kc7
Qe5+ 66. Kc8 Qe8+ 67. Kc7 Qe5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.22"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[PlyCount "242"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. h3 Nc6 5. Bd3 e5 6. Bc2 d5 7. exd5 Qxd5 8. d3
Bf5 9. O-O O-O-O 10. Re1 Bxd3 11. Bxd3 Qxd3 12. Qxd3 Rxd3 13. Nbd2 Bd6 14. Ng5
Rf8 15. Nc4 h6 16. Nf3 Re8 17. Be3 Bf8 18. Rad1 Rd5 19. Bc1 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 b5
21. Ne3 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Kxd8 23. Kf1 c4 24. Nf5 Kd7 25. g4 Ke6 26. Ke2 Ne7 27.
Nxe7 Bxe7 28. g5 Ng8 29. gxh6 Nxh6 30. Bxh6 gxh6 31. Ne1 Bc5 32. Nc2 Kf5 33.
Ne1 e4 34. Ng2 Ke5 35. f3 a6 36. fxe4 Kxe4 37. Nh4 Be3 38. Nf3 Bc1 39. b3 Bb2
40. bxc4 bxc4 41. Nd2+ Kd5 42. Nb1 Bc1 43. Kd1 Bg5 44. Ke2 f5 45. Na3 Bf6 46.
Nc2 f4 47. Nb4+ Ke4 48. Nxa6 f3+ 49. Kf2 Bh4+ 50. Kf1 Kd3 51. a4 Kxc3 52. a5
Bd8 53. Kf2 Bxa5 54. Kxf3 Bb6 55. Nb8 Kb3 56. Nd7 c3 57. Ne5 c2 58. Nd3 Kc3 59.
Ke2 Bc5 60. Nc1 Ba3 61. Nd3 Be7 62. Nc1 Bf6 63. Na2+ Kb3 64. Nc1+ Kb2 65. Nd3+
Kb1 66. Ke3 Bc3 67. Ke4 Ka2 68. Nc1+ Kb2 69. Ne2 Kb3 70. Kd3 Bf6 71. Nc1+ Kb2
72. Ne2 Bg5 73. Kc4 Bd2 74. Kd3 Bf4 75. Kd4 Kb3 76. Kd3 Be5 77. Nc1+ Kb2 78.
Ne2 Bc3 79. Kc4 h5 80. Kd3 Bg7 81. Kd2 Bh6+ 82. Kd3 Bg5 83. Ke4 Bf6 84. Kd3 Kb3
85. Nc1+ Kb2 86. Ne2 Bd8 87. Ke4 Bb6 88. Kd3 Bc5 89. Ke4 Kb3 90. Kd3 Bf2 91.
Nc1+ Kb2 92. Ne2 Be1 93. Ke4 h4 94. Kd3 Bg3 95. Ke4 Bc7 96. Kd3 Bb6 97. Kd2
Ba5+ 98. Kd3 Bc3 99. Kc4 Bf6 100. Kd3 Bg5 101. Ke4 Bh6 102. Kd3 Kb1 103. Ke4
Bg7 104. Kd3 Kb2 105. Kd2 Kb3 106. Nc1+ Kb2 107. Ne2 Bc3+ 108. Kd3 Ba5 109. Ke4
Bb6 110. Kd3 Bf2 111. Ke4 Be1 112. Kd3 Ba5 113. Ke4 Bb6 114. Kd3 c1=Q 115. Nxc1
Kxc1 116. Ke2 Kc2 117. Kf3 Kd3 118. Kg2 Ke2 119. Kh1 Kf1 120. Kh2 Bg1+ 121. Kh1
Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.22"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C43"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Nxe5 Nxe5 6. dxe5 Nc5 7. Bc4 d6 8.
Qf3 Ne6 9. exd6 Bxd6 10. Be3 O-O 11. Nc3 Be5 12. O-O Qh4 13. g3 Qxc4 14. Nd5
Re8 15. c3 Bd7 16. b3 Qa6 17. Nb4 Qa5 18. Bd2 c5 19. Nd5 Bc6 20. Rfe1 Bxd5 21.
Qxd5 Bxc3 22. Bxc3 Qxc3 23. Qxb7 Nd4 24. Kg2 h6 25. Rac1 Qa5 26. Red1 Qb6 27.
Qd5 Rad8 28. Qxc5 Qb7+ 29. Kh3 Rd5 30. Rxd4 Qd7+ 0-1

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.22"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. h3 Nc6 5. Bd3 e5 6. Bc2 d5 7. exd5 Qxd5 8. Qe2
Be6 9. d3 O-O-O 10. O-O c4 11. Rd1 Bc5 12. b4 Bb6 13. Na3 e4 14. dxe4 Qh5 15.
Bf4 Bxh3 16. gxh3 Qxh3 17. Nh2 g5 18. Be3 Bc7 19. f3 g4 20. Qg2 Qh5 21. Rxd8+
Rxd8 22. f4 g3 23. Nf1 Ng4 24. Nxc4 Nxe3 25. Ncxe3 Bxf4 26. Rd1 Rg8 27. Rd5 Ne5
28. Bd1 Qh6 29. Nf5 Qb6+ 30. Kh1 Kb8 31. N1xg3 Bxg3 32. Nxg3 Qh6+ 33. Qh2 Qf4
34. Rxe5 Qxe5 35. Nf5 Qxh2+ 36. Kxh2 Rc8 37. Bb3 Rxc3 38. Bxf7 Kc7 39. Bd5 b6
40. Nd4 Rd3 41. Nb5+ Kb8 42. Kg2 a6 43. Nd6 Rd4 44. b5 a5 45. Nc4 Kc7 46. Kf3
h5 47. Kg3 a4 48. Kh4 Rd1 49. Kxh5 Rb1 50. Kg6 Rxb5 51. Kf6 Rb1 52. e5 b5 53.
Na3 Rf1+ 54. Ke6 b4 55. Nc2 Rf4 56. Ne3 Kb6 57. Nc4+ Kc5 58. Nd6 Rd4 59. Ne4+
Kb6 60. Nf6 Rd2 61. Kf7 b3 62. Bxb3 axb3 63. axb3 Re2 64. e6 Kc5 65. e7 Rxe7+
66. Kxe7 Kb4 67. Ke6 Kxb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.22"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bb4+ 5. c3 Bc5 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Nf5 g6 8.
Bxb6 axb6 9. Ne3 Nf6 10. f3 Qe7 11. c4 Qb4+ 12. Qd2 Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 d6 14. Nc3
Kd8 15. Be2 h5 16. Rhd1 Re8 17. Ke1 Bd7 18. Rac1 Ra5 19. a3 h4 20. Nb5 Ra8 21.
Nd5 Nxd5 22. cxd5 h3 23. gxh3 Rh8 24. dxc6 bxc6 25. Nc3 Rxh3 26. Kd2 Ke7 27.
Ke3 Rxh2 28. Rh1 Rhh8 29. f4 b5 30. Bf3 Rxh1 31. Rxh1 Rb8 32. Na2 c5 33. Nc3 c6
34. Kd2 b4 35. axb4 cxb4 36. Nd1 Ra8 37. Ne3 Ra2 38. Kc2 Ra5 39. Rh8 Be6 40.
Rb8 Ra4 41. Rb7+ Kf6 42. Rb6 d5 43. exd5 cxd5 44. Bxd5 b3+ 45. Bxb3 Rd4 46. Kc3
Rd8 47. Bxe6 fxe6 48. b4 Ra8 49. Kd4 Rd8+ 50. Ke4 Rd2 51. b5 Rb2 52. Ng4+ Ke7
53. Ne5 Rb4+ 54. Kf3 1-0

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.22"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. h3 Nc6 5. Bd3 e5 6. Bc2 d5 7. exd5 Qxd5 8. Qe2
Be7 9. d3 O-O 10. O-O Bf5 11. Nbd2 Rad8 12. Ne4 Qd7 13. Rd1 h6 14. Ng3 Bg6 15.
Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Qxe5 Rfe8 17. Qe2 Qc6 18. Ne4 Nxe4 19. dxe4 Rxd1+ 20. Qxd1 Bxe4
21. Bxe4 Qxe4 22. Be3 Rd8 23. Qg4 Qxg4 24. hxg4 a6 25. a4 b6 26. Kf1 Kf8 27.
Ke2 Ke8 28. Rh1 Rd5 29. Rh5 Rxh5 30. gxh5 Kd7 31. c4 Bd6 32. g4 Ke6 33. b3 f5
34. f3 Kf6 35. Kd3 a5 36. Bc1 Be5 37. Be3 Bd6 38. Bd2 Be5 39. Bc1 Ke6 40. g5
hxg5 41. Bxg5 Bc7 42. Ke3 Kd7 43. Kf2 Ke6 44. Ke3 Kd7 45. h6 gxh6 46. Bxh6 Be5
47. Bg5 Kc6 48. Ke2 Kd7 49. Kf2 Bc7 50. Kg2 Ke6 51. Kh3 Ke5 52. Be3 f4 53. Bf2
Kf5 54. Kh4 Bd8+ 55. Kh5 Bg5 56. Be1 Be7 57. Kh6 Bf6 58. Kh7 Be7 59. Kg7 Ke6
60. Kg6 Bd6 61. Bh4 Bc7 62. Bf6 Bd6 63. Bd8 Ke5 64. Bxb6 Kd4 65. Kf5 Kc3 66.
Ke6 Bb8 67. Bxa5+ Kxb3 68. Kd5 Kxa4 69. Bb6 Kb3 70. Bxc5 Kc3 71. Bd4+ Kd3 72.
c5 Bc7 73. c6 Bb8 74. Be5 1-0

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.21"]
[Round "1.8"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C43"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Nxe5 Nxe5 6. dxe5 Nc5 7. O-O d5 8.
Nc3 c6 9. Be2 d4 10. Nb1 Bf5 11. Bg4 Bxg4 12. Qxg4 Qd5 13. Bf4 h5 14. Qg3 Qe4
15. Nd2 Qxc2 16. Nf3 Ne6 17. Rfd1 h4 18. Nxh4 Qe4 19. Qb3 Nxf4 20. Qxb7 Rd8 21.
e6 Nxe6 22. Nf3 Bd6 23. Re1 Qd5 24. Qxa7 O-O 25. a4 Ra8 26. Qd7 Bxh2+ 0-1

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.24"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "194"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. c4 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nfd7 6. Qxc4 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8.
d3 c5 9. Nc3 Nc6 10. Be3 b6 11. Qh4 Bb7 12. d4 cxd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Bxg2
15. Kxg2 Nf6 16. Rfd1 Qc7 17. Rac1 Qb7+ 18. f3 Rfd8 19. Qf4 Rac8 20. Qe3 h5 21.
h3 Rd6 22. Rd3 Re6 23. Qf2 b5 24. Rcd1 b4 25. Bxf6 Bxf6 26. Ne4 Rxe4 27. fxe4
Qxe4+ 28. Qf3 Qe6 29. Rd8+ Rxd8 30. Rxd8+ Kg7 31. b3 a5 32. Rd5 Qa6 33. g4 hxg4
34. hxg4 g5 35. Qd3 Qa8 36. Qf3 Qa6 37. Rf5 a4 38. Qd3 Qc6+ 39. Qf3 Qc2 40.
bxa4 Qxa2 41. a5 b3 42. Rb5 b2 43. Qd3 Qa4 44. Kf3 Qf4+ 45. Kg2 Qxg4+ 46. Kf1
Qf4+ 47. Kg2 Qg4+ 48. Kf1 Qa4 49. Kg2 Qa2 50. Kf3 Qe6 51. Kg2 Qc6+ 52. Kf2 Qe6
53. Kg2 Qa2 54. Kf3 Qa1 55. Kg2 Qa4 56. Kf3 Qa2 57. Kg2 b1=Q 58. Rxb1 Qxa5 59.
Rb5 Qa4 60. Rd5 Qg4+ 61. Kf1 Qe6 62. Kg2 Be5 63. Qe4 f6 64. Rd3 Qf7 65. Rh3 Qg6
66. Qxg6+ Kxg6 67. Rb3 Kf5 68. Rb4 g4 69. Ra4 Bd6 70. Rc4 Kg5 71. Ra4 f5 72.
Rc4 Be5 73. Ra4 Bc3 74. Rc4 Bd2 75. Rd4 Be3 76. Rc4 e5 77. Ra4 f4 78. Rb4 Kf5
79. Rb5 Bd4 80. Ra5 Ke4 81. Ra3 Bc5 82. Rc3 Bd4 83. Ra3 Bc5 84. Rc3 Kd5 85.
Rd3+ Bd4 86. Ra3 Kc4 87. Rd3 f3+ 88. Kf1 e4 89. Ra3 Bc5 90. Ra4+ Kd5 91. exf3
gxf3 92. Ra8 e3 93. Re8 Kd4 94. Rd8+ Ke4 95. Re8+ Kd3 96. Rd8+ Bd4 97. Re8 e2+
0-1

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.24"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. c3 c5 6. Be3 Qb6 7. Qa4+ Nc6 8. Bb5 a6
9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. Nbd2 Rb8 11. O-O c4 12. Rfc1 Qb5 13. Qd1 Nh6 14. b3 Ba3 15.
bxc4 dxc4 16. Rab1 Bxb1 17. Rxb1 Bb2 18. Bxh6 gxh6 19. Qc2 Ke7 20. a4 Qb7 21.
h3 c5 22. dxc5 Rhc8 23. Nxc4 Qb3 24. Qxb3 Rxb3 25. Rxb2 Rxb2 26. Nxb2 Rxc5 27.
c4 Rc7 28. Ne1 Rb7 29. Ned3 Rb3 30. g4 h5 31. gxh5 Rc3 32. Kg2 f6 33. exf6+
Kxf6 34. Kf3 Kf5 35. Ke3 e5 36. f3 Rc2 37. c5 Ke6 38. Nd1 1-0

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.24"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "185"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. c4 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nfd7 6. Qxc4 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8.
d3 c5 9. Nc3 Nc6 10. Qh4 e5 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bh6 Bxh6 13. Qxh6 Qe7 14. Rfc1 Rb8
15. a3 Rd8 16. b4 cxb4 17. Nd5 Qf8 18. Qxf8+ Kxf8 19. axb4 a6 20. Rab1 Ne7 21.
Nxe7 Kxe7 22. b5 axb5 23. Rxb5 b6 24. Nd2 Ba6 25. Rb4 Rdc8 26. Ra1 Bb7 27. Nc4
Bxg2 28. Kxg2 b5 29. Na3 Ra8 30. Rxb5 Nc5 31. Rc1 Rxa3 32. Rbxc5 Rxc5 33. Rxc5
h5 34. Rc7+ Kd6 35. Rg7 g5 36. Rh7 Ra2 37. Kf3 g4+ 38. Ke3 Ra1 39. Rxh5 Rh1 40.
d4 exd4+ 41. Kxd4 Ke6 42. Ke4 Ra1 43. f3 Ra4+ 44. Ke3 Ra3+ 45. Kf2 gxf3 46.
exf3 Ra2+ 47. Kg1 f5 48. g4 fxg4 49. fxg4 Kf6 50. Rf5+ Kg6 51. h3 Rb2 52. Rf2
Rb5 53. Kg2 Kg5 54. Kg3 Rb3+ 55. Rf3 Rb1 56. h4+ Kg6 57. Rc3 Rg1+ 58. Kf3 Rf1+
59. Kg2 Rb1 60. Rc6+ Kg7 61. Re6 Rb3 62. Rd6 Ra3 63. Rc6 Rd3 64. Rb6 Rc3 65.
Re6 Rb3 66. Kf2 Rh3 67. h5 Kf7 68. Re3 Rh1 69. Kg2 Ra1 70. Kg3 Kf6 71. Kf4 Rf1+
72. Rf3 Rg1 73. Rf2 Rh1 74. Kg3+ Kg5 75. Rf5+ Kh6 76. Rf6+ Kg7 77. Ra6 Kh7 78.
Kf4 Kg7 79. Kg5 Rb1 80. Ra7+ Kg8 81. h6 Rb5+ 82. Kg6 Rb6+ 83. Kh5 Rd6 84. g5
Rc6 85. Re7 Rc5 86. Kg6 Rc6+ 87. Kf5 Rc5+ 88. Re5 Rc1 89. Re6 Kh7 90. Re7+ Kg8
91. Kf6 Rc6+ 92. Re6 Rc1 93. Re8+ 1-0

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.24"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. c3 Nd7 6. Be2 h6 7. O-O Ne7 8. Nh4 Bh7
9. f4 c5 10. Be3 Qb6 11. Qd2 Nf5 12. Nxf5 Bxf5 13. Na3 a6 14. g4 Be4 15. Bf3
Bxf3 16. Rxf3 h5 17. Rh3 g6 18. Rf1 O-O-O 19. gxh5 Kb8 20. Kh1 Ka8 21. c4 cxd4
22. Bxd4 Bc5 23. Nc2 dxc4 24. Rd1 gxh5 25. Qg2 Nxe5 26. fxe5 Bxd4 27. b3 Bxe5
28. Re1 Rhg8 29. Qe4 Qf2 0-1

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.24"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. c4 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nfd7 6. Qxc4 Bg7 7. O-O c5 8.
Nc3 Nc6 9. d3 h6 10. Be3 b6 11. d4 Na5 12. Qa4 Bb7 13. Rad1 Bc6 14. Qc2 Nc4 15.
Bc1 O-O 16. dxc5 bxc5 17. Ne4 Bxe4 18. Qxc4 Bc6 19. Qh4 e6 20. Bxh6 Bxf3 21.
Bxf3 Qxh4 22. gxh4 Rad8 23. Bg5 Bf6 24. Kg2 Kg7 25. b3 Nb6 26. Rc1 Rc8 27. Be3
c4 28. Bxb6 axb6 29. Rxc4 Rxc4 30. bxc4 Rc8 31. h5 gxh5 32. Bxh5 Rxc4 33. Rb1
Bd8 34. Rd1 Be7 35. Rd7 Kf8 36. Rb7 Rc5 37. Bf3 b5 38. Be4 Bd6 39. h4 Rh5 40.
Bd3 b4 41. Kh3 Be7 42. Rb8+ Kg7 43. Rb7 Kf8 44. Rb8+ Kg7 45. Rb7 Kf8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.24"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. c3 Nd7 6. Be2 h6 7. O-O Ne7 8. a4 a6
9. b4 a5 10. b5 c5 11. dxc5 Nxc5 12. Be3 Rc8 13. c4 Ne4 14. Qb3 dxc4 15. Bxc4
Nd5 16. Rd1 Bb4 17. Bxd5 exd5 18. Nd4 Bg6 19. Nd2 Nc5 20. Qa2 O-O 21. Rac1 Qe7
22. N2f3 Ne4 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. Rc1 Rxc1+ 25. Bxc1 Qc5 26. Bb2 Qc4 27. Qa1 Nc3
28. e6 fxe6 29. Nxe6 Qd3 30. Nf4 Qb1+ 31. Qxb1 Bxb1 32. Bxc3 Bxc3 33. Nxd5 Ba1
34. Nd2 Bc2 35. Nc4 Bxa4 36. Nxa5 Bxb5 37. Ne3 Ba6 38. Nb3 Bf6 39. Nd5 Kf7 40.
Nxf6 Kxf6 41. f3 Bc4 42. Nd2 Bd5 43. Kf2 b5 44. Ke3 Ke5 45. Kd3 g5 46. g3 h5
47. Ke3 b4 48. f4+ gxf4+ 49. gxf4+ Kf5 50. Kd4 Bf7 51. Ke3 b3 52. Kd3 Kxf4 53.
Kc3 h4 0-1

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.24"]
[Round "2.7"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. c4 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nfd7 6. Qxc4 Bg7 7. O-O Nc6 8.
Qc2 O-O 9. Nc3 e5 10. d3 h6 11. Be3 Re8 12. Rfc1 Nb6 13. a3 Nd4 14. Qd1 Nf5 15.
Bc5 Nd7 16. Ne4 a5 17. a4 b6 18. Ba3 c5 19. b3 Bb7 20. Nfd2 Rb8 21. Nc4 Ba8 22.
Bb2 Qc7 23. e3 Rbd8 24. Qe2 Nf8 25. h4 h5 26. Rd1 Nh6 27. Ng5 Bxg2 28. Kxg2 Ne6
29. Qf3 Ng4 30. Rd2 f5 31. Qe2 Nxg5 32. hxg5 f4 33. e4 Rd4 34. f3 Rxc4 35. fxg4
Rb4 36. gxh5 Rxb3 37. hxg6 Qd6 38. Qh5 Rxd3 39. Rxd3 Qxd3 40. gxf4 Qxe4+ 41.
Qf3 Qxf3+ 42. Kxf3 e4+ 43. Kg4 Bxb2 44. Rb1 e3 45. f5 e2 46. f6 e1=Q 47. f7+
Kg7 0-1

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.24"]
[Round "2.8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. c3 Nd7 6. Be2 h6 7. O-O Ne7 8. Nbd2 a5
9. a4 Bg6 10. Ne1 c5 11. Ndf3 Nc6 12. Be3 Qb6 13. Bb5 Na7 14. Bxd7+ Kxd7 15. c4
Be4 16. Nd2 Bg6 17. cxd5 exd5 18. dxc5 Qxb2 19. Nc4 1-0

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.24"]
[Round "2.9"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. c4 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nfd7 6. Qxc4 Bg7 7. O-O Nc6 8.
Qc2 O-O 9. Nc3 e5 10. d3 h6 11. Be3 Re8 12. Rfc1 Nb6 13. Qd1 Nd4 14. Nd2 a5 15.
a3 c6 16. Rab1 a4 17. Nce4 Nd5 18. Bxd4 exd4 19. Nc5 b5 20. Rc2 Ra7 21. Rbc1
Rae7 22. Nce4 Bb7 23. Rxc6 Bxc6 24. Rxc6 Rc7 25. Qc2 Qd7 26. Rxc7 Qxc7 27. Qb1
Rc8 28. Qa2 Nc3 29. bxc3 dxc3 30. Nxc3 Qxc3 31. Bd5 Qa1+ 32. Qxa1 Bxa1 0-1

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.26"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D90"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. h4 c6 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Bf4 Nc6 8. e3
O-O 9. Qb3 b6 10. Be2 Bb7 11. O-O Ne4 12. Rfc1 e6 13. Bd3 Nd6 14. Nb5 Nc4 15.
Bxc4 Na5 16. Qd1 dxc4 17. Nd6 Bd5 18. e4 Bc6 19. b4 Nb7 20. b5 Bd5 21. exd5
Nxd6 22. dxe6 Nxb5 23. a4 Nxd4 24. Bg5 Nxf3+ 25. Qxf3 fxe6 26. Bxd8 Rxf3 27.
gxf3 Bxa1 28. Bg5 Bd4 29. Rxc4 Bc5 30. Be3 Rc8 31. a5 Kf7 32. axb6 axb6 33. Kg2
Ke7 34. h5 gxh5 35. Rh4 Rg8+ 36. Kh3 Rf8 37. Bxc5+ bxc5 38. Rxh5 Rxf3+ 39. Kg4
Rf5 40. Rxh7+ Kd6 41. f4 c4 42. Rh8 c3 43. Rd8+ Kc5 44. Kf3 Kc4 45. Ke3 Rd5 46.
Rc8+ Rc5 47. Rb8 Rc6 48. Ke2 Rd6 49. Rc8+ Kb3 50. Rb8+ Ka2 51. Ra8+ Kb2 52.
Rb8+ Kc1 53. Rc8 c2 54. Rb8 Rd4 55. Ke3 Rc4 56. Rb6 Kd1 57. Rd6+ Ke1 58. Rxe6
c1=Q+ 59. Kd3+ Kd1 0-1

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.26"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B53"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Qe3 g6 7. Bc4 Bg7 8. h3
O-O 9. O-O Nd7 10. Rd1 b6 11. Nd5 Bb7 12. c3 Rc8 13. Bb3 Nc5 14. Bc2 e6 15. Nf4
Qe7 16. Qe2 Rfd8 17. Rb1 Ne5 18. Nd4 a6 19. a4 h5 20. f3 Qf6 21. Qf2 h4 22. b3
d5 23. exd5 Bxd5 24. Nxd5 exd5 25. Be3 Nc6 26. b4 Nd7 27. Bb3 Ne7 28. Ne2 a5
29. Bd4 Qg5 30. Bxg7 Kxg7 31. f4 Qf6 32. Bxd5 Nxd5 33. Rxd5 Nf8 34. Rbd1 Rxd5
35. Rxd5 axb4 36. cxb4 Rc2 37. Qe3 Ne6 38. Qe5 Rb2 39. a5 Rxb4 40. axb6 Rxb6
41. Qxf6+ Kxf6 42. Rd2 Rb4 43. Kf2 Nc5 44. Rc2 Ne4+ 45. Ke3 Nd6 46. Kf2 Nf5 47.
Rd2 Ra4 48. Rc2 Nd6 49. Rc6 Ke6 50. Rc2 Ne4+ 51. Ke3 f5 52. Nd4+ Kd5 53. Nf3
Ra3+ 54. Ke2 Nc3+ 55. Kf2 Nd1+ 56. Kg1 Ne3 57. Rd2+ Ke4 58. Rd4# 1-0

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.26"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e3 c5 5. c3 cxd4 6. cxd4 O-O 7. Nc3 d6 8. Be2
Nc6 9. O-O Nh5 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. d5 gxh4 13. Nxh4 Nf6 14. dxc6 bxc6 15.
Rc1 Rb8 16. b3 Qa5 17. Na4 c5 18. Qd3 Rd8 19. Rfd1 Bd7 20. Nf5 c4 21. Nxe7+ Kf8
22. Rxc4 Kxe7 23. Qxd6+ Ke8 24. Rc5 Qb4 25. Re5+ Be6 26. Bb5+ Qxb5 27. Rxb5
Rxd6 28. Rxb8+ Ke7 29. Rb7+ Nd7 30. Rxd6 Kxd6 31. Rxa7 Bd5 32. Kf1 h5 33. Rxd7+
Kxd7 34. Nb6+ Kc6 35. Nxd5 Kxd5 36. Ke2 Bf8 37. Kd3 f5 38. f3 Ba3 39. g3 Bd6
40. a4 Bb4 41. h3 Be1 42. g4 fxg4 43. fxg4 h4 44. e4+ Ke5 45. g5 Ba5 46. Kc4
Bd2 47. g6 Kf6 48. b4 Kxg6 49. a5 Kg5 50. a6 Be3 51. e5 Kf4 52. e6 1-0

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.26"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B53"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Qe3 a6 7. Nd5 e6 8.
Nxf6+ Qxf6 9. c3 Qd8 10. Bd3 Be7 11. O-O O-O 12. Rd1 Qc7 13. a4 b6 14. Qe2 Bb7
15. Bf4 Rfd8 16. h4 h6 17. g4 Ne5 18. Nxe5 dxe5 19. Bg3 Bc6 20. f3 b5 21. axb5
axb5 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. b4 Be8 24. Qb2 Rc8 25. Rc1 Qd8 26. Rd1 Bxh4 27. Bxe5 Bf6
28. Be2 Qe7 29. Bd6 Qa7+ 30. Bc5 Qc7 31. Kg2 h5 32. gxh5 Qe5 33. Qd2 Qxh5 34.
Rh1 Qg6+ 35. Kf2 Be5 36. Rg1 Qf6 37. Qg5 Qxg5 38. Rxg5 Bxc3 39. Be7 Bd4+ 40.
Ke1 Be3 41. Rg2 Rc1+ 42. Bd1 f5 43. Rc2 Ra1 44. Rc8 Kf7 45. Rc7 Kg6 46. Ke2 Bf4
47. Rc5 fxe4 48. Bc2 Ra2 49. fxe4 Kf7 50. Bd8 Bd6 51. Rc3 Bxb4 52. Rc7+ Kg8 53.
Kf3 Ba5 54. Rc8 Bxd8 55. Rxd8 Rxc2 56. Rxe8+ Kf7 57. Rb8 Rc5 58. Kf4 g5+ 59.
Kg4 Kf6 60. Rg8 Ke5 61. Rxg5+ Kd4 62. Rg6 Kxe4 63. Rxe6+ Kd3 64. Kf3 b4 65.
Rd6+ Kc2 66. Ke3 Rc3+ 0-1

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.26"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A37"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. O-O e6 7. e3 Nge7 8. d4
O-O 9. Bd2 a6 10. d5 Na5 11. b3 b5 12. dxe6 fxe6 13. Ne4 bxc4 14. Bxa5 Qxa5 15.
Qxd6 Nf5 16. Qxc5 Qxc5 17. Nxc5 Bxa1 18. Rxa1 cxb3 19. axb3 Rb8 20. Ne5 Rb5 21.
Rc1 Rd8 22. Nc6 Re8 23. Ne4 Rf8 24. g4 Nh4 25. Ne7+ Kh8 26. Nxc8 Rxb3 27. Ncd6
a5 28. Ra1 a4 29. Rxa4 Rb1+ 30. Bf1 Nf3+ 31. Kg2 g5 32. Ra7 Nh4+ 33. Kh3 Rf3+
34. Ng3 Rxf1 35. Nf7+ Kg8 36. Nxg5 R1xf2 37. Nxf3 Nxf3 38. Ne4 Re2 39. Kg3 Nxh2
40. Nf6+ Kf8 41. Nxh7+ Ke8 42. Nf6+ Kf8 43. e4 Nf1+ 44. Kf4 Ne3 45. Kg5 Nc4 46.
Nd7+ Ke8 47. Nc5 Nd6 48. Kf6 Nxe4+ 49. Nxe4 Rxe4 50. g5 Rf4+ 51. Kg7 e5 52. g6
e4 53. Kh6 e3 54. g7 Rg4 55. Ra8+ Kf7 56. Rf8+ Ke6 57. g8=Q+ Rxg8 58. Rxg8 Kf5
59. Kh5 Kf4 60. Kh4 e2 61. Re8 Kf3 62. Kh3 Kf2 63. Rxe2+ Kxe2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.26"]
[Round "3.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4
Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Bg6 13. Qb3 Ne7 14. O-O c6 15.
Bd3 Qd7 16. Rfe1 Nxc3 17. Qxc3 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 Ng6 19. Bd2 f6 20. e6 Qd6 21. Re2
Rfe8 22. Rae1 Re7 23. Qb3 Nf4 24. Bxf4 Qxf4 25. g3 Qd6 26. a3 Ba5 27. Rd1 Rae8
28. Nh4 Qb8 29. Qa4 Qd8 30. b4 Bb6 31. Rde1 g6 32. b5 Qd6 33. bxc6 bxc6 34. Ng2
Rxe6 35. Rxe6 Rxe6 36. Rxe6 Qxe6 37. Nf4 Qe1+ 38. Kg2 Qe4+ 39. Kg1 Qxd4 40. Qc2
Kf7 41. Qe2 Qe4 42. Qd1 Ke7 43. h4 Kd6 44. h5 g5 45. Nd3 c5 46. Qd2 c4 47. Qb4+
Kc6 48. Qa4+ Kc7 49. Nb4 Qe1+ 50. Kg2 Qxf2+ 51. Kh3 Qf1+ 52. Kg4 Qe2+ 53. Kf5
Qe5+ 54. Kg4 Qe6+ 0-1

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.26"]
[Round "3.7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D86"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 O-O 8.
Ne2 Nc6 9. O-O e5 10. Be3 Qe7 11. Qc2 Rd8 12. d5 Na5 13. Bd3 b6 14. Rad1 Bd7
15. f4 exf4 16. Nxf4 c5 17. c4 Nb7 18. Bd2 Nd6 19. Rde1 Be5 20. a4 a5 21. Kh1
Re8 22. Ne2 Qh4 23. Bf4 f6 24. Bxe5 fxe5 25. Ng1 Qe7 26. Nf3 Bg4 27. Nd2 Rf8
28. Qb2 Rxf1+ 29. Rxf1 Rb8 30. h3 Bd7 31. Nf3 Nf7 32. Bc2 Qd6 33. Ne1 Re8 34.
Nd3 Kg7 35. Rb1 Rb8 36. Qc3 h5 37. Kg1 Qe7 38. Rf1 Re8 39. Qb2 Qd6 40. Rf3 Ng5
41. Re3 Nf7 42. Bd1 Rb8 43. Ne1 Re8 44. Rg3 Kh7 45. Qf2 Rf8 46. Rf3 Kg7 47. Nd3
Qe7 48. Bc2 h4 49. Bd1 g5 50. Qb2 Qd6 51. Rf1 Re8 52. Bh5 Re7 53. Bxf7 Rxf7 54.
Rxf7+ Kxf7 55. Nxe5+ Ke8 56. Nxd7 Kxd7 57. e5 Qg6 58. e6+ Ke7 59. Qxb6 Qe4 60.
Qxc5+ Kf6 61. Qf8+ Kg6 62. Qf7+ Kh6 63. Qf6+ Kh7 64. Qxg5 Qe1+ 65. Kh2 1-0

[Event "Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.09.26"]
[Round "3.8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B53"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2020.09.21"]
[EventType "k.o. (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Qe3 e6 7. b3 d5 8. exd5
Nxd5 9. Nxd5 Qxd5 10. Bc4 Qc5 11. Qe2 Qa5+ 12. Kf1 Be7 13. Bb2 Bf6 14. Bxf6
gxf6 15. Nd2 Bd7 16. Ne4 Ke7 17. Qe3 Rad8 18. Ke2 Rhg8 19. g3 Ne5 20. Qf4 Rg6
21. Rhd1 Nxc4 22. bxc4 Qe5 23. Qe3 f5 24. Nd6 Qxe3+ 25. Kxe3 Bc6 26. c5 Rh6 27.
h4 f4+ 28. Kxf4 Rf6+ 29. Ke3 Rf3+ 30. Kd4 Rxf2 31. Rf1 Rxf1 32. Rxf1 f6 33. g4
e5+ 34. Kc4 Ke6 35. g5 Rf8 36. gxf6 Rxf6 37. Rxf6+ Kxf6 38. Kd3 Kg6 39. Ke3 Kh5
40. Nc4 Kxh4 41. Nxe5 Kg3 42. Nc4 h5 43. Nd6 h4 44. Nf5+ Kg4 45. Nh6+ Kg5 46.
Nf7+ Kf6 47. Nh6 Kg5 48. Nf7+ Kg6 49. Ne5+ Kf5 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E51"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. e3 O-O 6. Bd2 b6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Rc1
Re8 9. Bd3 Ba6 10. Bxa6 Nxa6 11. O-O Bf8 12. Ne2 Qc8 13. Qa4 c5 14. Ng3 Qb7 15.
dxc5 Nxc5 16. Qb5 Rac8 17. Rfd1 a6 18. Qf1 Nfe4 19. Be1 g6 20. Ne2 Na4 21. Rb1
Bg7 22. Nfd4 Nac5 23. Nf3 Ne6 24. Ned4 Nxd4 25. Nxd4 Rc4 26. b3 Rc7 27. Qd3 Nc5
28. Qd2 Ne4 29. Qd3 Nc5 30. Qd2 Ne4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Tari, Aryan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. Re1 Bd6 13. g3 Bf5 14. d4 Qf6 15.
Be3 Qg6 16. Nd2 Rae8 17. Qf3 Bg4 18. Qg2 Qh5 19. h4 Be2 20. Nf1 Re6 21. Bd2
Rfe8 22. a4 Bf3 23. Rxe6 Rxe6 24. Qh3 Bg4 25. Qh2 h6 26. axb5 axb5 27. Ne3 Bf3
28. Qh3 Be4 29. Qg4 Qxg4 30. Nxg4 f5 31. Ne5 Bxe5 32. dxe5 Kf8 33. f4 Re7 34.
Bxd5 cxd5 35. Be3 Rc7 36. Ra5 Bd3 37. Bd4 Rc6 38. Kf2 h5 39. Ke3 Bc4 40. Ra3
Rg6 41. b3 Bf1 42. Bc5+ Ke8 43. Bb4 Bg2 44. Kd4 Rc6 45. Ra7 g6 46. Re7+ Kd8 47.
e6 Rc7 48. Rf7 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. e5 dxc3 7. exf6 Qxf6
8. dxc3 Qe5+ 9. Qe2 Qxe2+ 10. Kxe2 c6 11. Bd3 d5 12. Re1 Bd6 13. Bf4 Ke7 14.
Kf3+ Be6 15. c4 dxc4 16. Bxc4 Bxf4 17. Kxf4 Rad8 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Re2 Rd4+ 20.
Kg3 Rhd8 21. Rae1 R8d6 22. f4 Kf6 23. Kf3 h5 24. Re3 Rd2 25. R1e2 Rd1 26. g3 g6
27. Re5 b6 28. b3 c5 29. c4 a5 30. Kf2 R1d3 31. R5e3 Rxe3 32. Rxe3 Rd2+ 33. Re2
Rd1 34. Kf3 a4 35. bxa4 Rc1 36. Re3 Rxc4 37. Ra3 Kf5 38. a5 bxa5 39. Rxa5 Rc3+
40. Ke2 h4 41. gxh4 Kxf4 42. Kd2 Rh3 43. Rxc5 Rxh2+ 44. Ke1 e5 45. Rc4+ e4 46.
Rc6 Kf3 47. Rf6+ Ke3 48. Kf1 Rh1+ 49. Kg2 Rxh4 50. Rxg6 Ke2 51. Kg3 Rh7 52. Rb6
e3 53. Rb2+ Kd1 54. Rb1+ Kc2 55. Ra1 Rf7 56. a4 e2 57. Kg2 Rf5 58. Ra2+ Kd3 59.
Ra1 Ke3 60. Ra3+ Ke4 61. Ra1 Rd5 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. Bd3
Bxd3 9. Qxd3 e6 10. Bf4 Ngf6 11. O-O-O Be7 12. Nf1 Ng4 13. Qe2 Qa5 14. Kb1 Qb5
15. Rd3 Nb6 16. N3d2 Nf6 17. Ne3 Nfd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Qe4 Nxf4 20. Qxf4 Qd5
21. Nf3 O-O 22. Ne5 f6 23. Ng4 Bd6 24. Qc1 Rad8 25. Qd1 Bc7 26. Re1 Bb6 27. f3
Qf5 28. Re4 Rfe8 29. Qe2 Kh8 30. a3 Qd5 31. Ne3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 c5 5. d5 b5 6. e4 d6 7. Bd2 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 b4
9. Bd2 O-O 10. Ne2 Nh5 11. Be3 f5 12. dxe6 Bxe6 13. exf5 Rxf5 14. Qd2 Nd7 15.
O-O-O Qa5 16. Kb1 Bxc4 17. Nc1 Bf7 18. Qxd6 Nhf6 19. Qc6 Re8 20. Bf2 Nb8 21.
Qb5 c4 22. Qxa5 Rxa5 23. Rd4 Rc8 24. b3 Nc6 25. Rxc4 Bxc4 26. Bxc4+ Kh8 27. Rd1
Re5 28. Rd6 Ne8 29. Rd2 Nc7 30. Ne2 Nb5 31. Kb2 Na3 32. Ba6 Rd8 33. Rxd8+ Nxd8
34. Kc1 Ne6 35. Bd3 Nc5 36. Kd2 Nxd3 37. Kxd3 Rd5+ 38. Nd4 Rd7 39. g4 a5 40.
Bg3 Kg8 41. Be5 g5 42. Ke4 Nb1 43. Kf5 Nc3 44. Nc6 Rd3 45. Ke6 Nxa2 46. Nxa5
Rxf3 47. Bd6 Rd3 48. Nc6 Re3+ 49. Kf6 Rxb3 50. Nd4 Rh3 51. Nf5 b3 52. Ba3 Rxh2
0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. d4 Nf6 6. Na3 Nc6 7. Be3 cxd4 8.
Nb5 Qd7 9. Nbxd4 a6 10. Bd3 Bd6 11. O-O Ne7 12. Qc2 O-O 13. Bg5 Ng6 14. Rad1
Qc7 15. Rfe1 Bd7 16. g3 Rfe8 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. h4 Kh8 19. Qd2 Bf8 20. h5 Ne7
21. Bc2 Red8 22. Qd3 f5 23. g4 f6 24. g5 Qf4 25. gxf6 Qg4+ 26. Kf1 Qh3+ 27. Ke2
Nd5 28. Qd2 Bb5+ 29. Nxb5 Qg4 30. Qg5 Nf4+ 31. Ke3 Ng2+ 32. Ke2 Qc4+ 33. Bd3
Rxd3 34. Rxd3 Nf4+ 35. Ke3 Qe4+ 36. Kd2 Qxd3+ 37. Kc1 Qxf3 38. f7 Qg4 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D79"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. d4 O-O 6. c4 c6 7. Ne5 Ng4 8. cxd5
cxd5 9. Bf4 Nxe5 10. Bxe5 Nc6 11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. Nc3 e6 13. Qd2 b6 14. Rad1 Bb7
15. e4 dxe4 16. Bxe4 Re8 17. d5 exd5 18. Bxd5 Rc8 19. f4 Ba6 20. Rf2 Qe7 21. f5
f6 22. Be6 Rcd8 23. Nd5 Qf8 24. Qc3 Ne5 25. Rd4 Qc5 26. Qxc5 bxc5 27. Ra4 Rd6
28. Rxa6 Rxa6 29. Nc7 Raxe6 30. Nxe6+ Kh6 31. Nxc5 Ng4 32. Rf4 Re1+ 33. Kg2 Rc1
34. Rxg4 Rxc5 35. Rh4+ Kg5 36. Rxh7 Rc2+ 37. Kf3 Rxb2 38. h4+ Kxf5 39. Rxa7 Ke6
40. g4 Rc2 41. Ra6+ Ke5 42. Ra5+ Ke6 43. g5 Rc3+ 44. Ke2 Rh3 45. Ra6+ Ke7 46.
Rxf6 Rxh4 47. Ra6 Rf4 48. Ra5 Kd6 49. Ke3 Rg4 50. a4 Rh4 51. Kd3 Rg4 52. Ke3
Rh4 53. Kf3 Ke6 54. Ke3 Kd6 55. Kd3 Rg4 56. Ra6+ Ke7 57. Ra5 Kd6 58. Ke2 Ke6
59. Kf3 Rb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B36"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 d6 8.
Be3 Bg7 9. f3 O-O 10. Qd2 Be6 11. Rc1 Qa5 12. b3 Rfc8 13. Be2 a6 14. Na4 Qxd2+
15. Kxd2 Nd7 16. g4 Rcb8 17. Nc3 b5 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. cxd5 Nc5 20. g5 Bb2 21.
Rc2 Ba3 22. Rb1 a5 23. Kd1 Na6 24. Bf1 Nb4 25. Rd2 Rb7 26. f4 Na6 27. Rc2 Nb4
28. Rd2 Na6 29. Rc2 Nb4 30. Rd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.15"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2633"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nf6 5. h3 g6 6. Nf3 Bf5 7. Be2 Nbd7 8.
O-O e6 9. Bf4 Qb6 10. b3 g5 11. Bxg5 Ne4 12. Bh4 Rg8 13. Kh1 e5 14. dxe5 Qg6
15. Rg1 Bc5 16. Qe1 Rc8 17. Nbd2 Qb6 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Nh2 Nxe5 20. Rd1 Qh6 21.
Bg3 Rxg3 22. fxg3 Bxg1 23. Qxg1 Qb6 24. Qf1 Bg6 25. Qf4 f6 26. Ng4 Nxg4 27.
Bxg4 Rd8 28. Rf1 Qd6 29. Qh6 Qe5 30. Qg7 Qe7 31. Qg8+ Qf8 32. Qc4 Qe7 33. Qg8+
Qf8 34. Qc4 Qe7 35. Bf5 Kf8 36. Qc3 Kg7 37. Qe3 Rd5 38. g4 b5 39. Rf4 Re5 40.
c4 bxc4 41. bxc4 a5 42. h4 Bxf5 43. gxf5 h5 44. Rf1 Kh7 45. Qe2 Qe8 46. Qe3 Qe7
47. Rf2 Qc5 48. Qxc5 Rxc5 49. Rc2 e3 50. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.16"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bf4 c6 7. Qc2 g6 8. e3
Bf5 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Nbd7 11. h4 a5 12. Kf1 a4 13. a3 Qb6 14. Qc2 h5 15.
Bg5 O-O 16. Ne5 Rfe8 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. Rh3 Qb3 19. Qb1 Ne4 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21.
Qxe4 Bd6 22. Rg3 Bxe5 23. dxe5 Qb5+ 24. Kg1 Rxe5 25. Qd4 Rd5 26. Qf6 Rf5 27.
Qd4 Qe2 28. e4 Rb5 29. Rb1 Qc2 30. Qd3 Rc5 31. Qxc2 Rxc2 32. b3 b5 33. Rd3 axb3
34. Rbxb3 Ra4 35. Rdc3 Rc4 36. Rxc2 Rxc2 37. f3 Kf8 38. Kh2 Ke7 39. Kh3 Ke6 40.
Rd3 Rc4 41. Kg3 Ke5 42. Rd7 Rc3 43. Ra7 f6 44. Ra8 Kd6 45. Kf4 Kc7 46. g4 Kb7
47. Rg8 hxg4 48. fxg4 Rxa3 49. Rxg6 b4 50. Rxf6 b3 51. Rf7+ Kb6 52. Rf8 Ra7 53.
Rb8+ Rb7 54. Rd8 c5 55. Ke3 c4 56. Rd1 c3 57. Rb1 Kc5 58. Kd3 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess Armageddon 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 a6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Be6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8.
Qb3 b6 9. g3 Qd8 10. h4 Be7 11. Bh3 O-O 12. O-O-O Bxh3 13. Rxh3 c6 14. e4 dxe4
15. Nxe4 Nd7 16. Qc2 Nf6 17. Ne5 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 Bf6 19. g4 Re8 20. g5 Bxe5 21.
dxe5 Qe7 22. f4 Rad8 23. Rhd3 Rxd3 24. Qxd3 Qe6 25. b3 Qg4 26. Qe4 g6 27. Rd2
c5 28. Qc6 Rf8 29. Qf6 Qxh4 30. Kc2 Qe1 31. Qc6 Qe3 32. Qf6 b5 33. Rd3 Qe2+ 34.
Rd2 Qe4+ 35. Kb2 c4 36. bxc4 bxc4 37. Ka3 Qe3+ 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess Armageddon 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. Bd3
Bxd3 9. Qxd3 e6 10. Bf4 Ngf6 11. O-O-O Be7 12. Nf1 Qa5 13. Kb1 Rd8 14. Bc1 Nc5
15. Qe2 Na4 16. c4 O-O 17. Qc2 c5 18. Bd2 Qa6 19. b3 Nb6 20. Bc3 cxd4 21. Nxd4
Nbd7 22. Ne3 Nc5 23. g4 Nfe4 24. Bb2 Nd6 25. g5 h5 26. Qe2 Nce4 27. Rhg1 Qa5
28. Rd3 Nc5 29. Rd2 Nce4 30. Rc2 Rfe8 31. Qxh5 Nd2+ 32. Kc1 N6e4 33. c5 g6 34.
Qh8+ Kxh8 35. Nc6+ Kg8 36. Nxa5 Nf3 37. Rd1 Nxc5 38. Rxd8 Rxd8 39. Bf6 Bxf6 40.
gxf6 b6 41. Nc6 Rd7 42. Rc4 Kh7 43. Kb2 Nd2 44. Rd4 Rxd4 45. Nxd4 Nde4 46. Ng4
Nd3+ 47. Kc2 Ndxf2 48. Nxf2 Nxf2 49. Nc6 Ne4 50. Nxa7 Nxf6 51. a4 Nd5 52. Nc6
f6 53. b4 g5 54. hxg5 fxg5 55. Kd3 g4 56. a5 Nxb4+ 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess Armageddon 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. h3 Be7 5. Bb5 d6 6. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8.
Nde2 O-O 9. O-O a6 10. Bd3 b5 11. a3 Ne5 12. Ng3 Nxd3 13. cxd3 c5 14. Qf3 Be6
15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. Qxf5 Qd7 17. Qf3 Rfe8 18. Ne2 Rac8 19. Ng3 g6 20. Re1 Qe6 21.
Bd2 Nd7 22. Bc3 Bf6 23. Ne2 Bxc3 24. bxc3 Qf6 25. Qg3 c4 26. dxc4 Rxc4 27. f3
Qe5 28. Qf2 Qc5 29. Red1 Qxf2+ 30. Kxf2 Nc5 31. Rd4 Rxd4 32. cxd4 Nd3+ 33. Ke3
Nb2 34. Ra2 Nc4+ 35. Kd3 Nb6 36. Nc3 Rc8 37. f4 f5 38. e5 Kf7 39. g4 Ke6 40.
gxf5+ gxf5 41. Rg2 Nd5 42. Ne2 Rc2 43. Rg7 Ra2 44. Rxh7 Rxa3+ 45. Kd2 Ra2+ 46.
Ke1 dxe5 47. Rh6+ Ke7 48. dxe5 Ra4 49. Kd2 Nxf4 50. Ng3 Ra2+ 51. Ke3 Nd5+ 52.
Kd4 Rd2+ 53. Kc5 Ne3 54. Rxa6 Rd5+ 55. Kc6 Rxe5 56. Ra7+ Kf6 57. Ne2 Nc2 58.
Nf4 Nb4+ 59. Kd6 Re4 60. Nh5+ Kg5 61. Ng7 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess Armageddon 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7 5. Nf3 Bc6 6. Bd3 Nd7 7. O-O Ngf6 8.
Ng3 g6 9. b3 Bg7 10. Ba3 Bf8 11. Bxf8 Kxf8 12. Re1 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 c6 14. c3 Kg7
15. Rad1 a5 16. Nf1 Qc7 17. Ne3 Rhe8 18. g4 Nd5 19. c4 Qf4 20. Qg3 Qxg3+ 21.
hxg3 Nxe3 22. Rxe3 h6 23. Be2 Nf6 24. f4 Red8 25. Kf2 Rd6 26. Bf3 Rad8 27. Red3
b6 28. Ke3 c5 29. a3 Kf8 30. b4 axb4 31. axb4 cxd4+ 32. Rxd4 Rxd4 33. Rxd4 Ke7
34. Rxd8 Kxd8 35. Kd4 g5 36. Ke5 Ke7 37. f5 Nd7+ 38. Kd4 Kd6 39. fxe6 fxe6 40.
Bd1 e5+ 41. Ke4 Ke6 42. Bc2 Nf6+ 43. Kf3 Kd6 44. Be4 Nd7 45. Bf5 Nf6 46. Ke3
Kc6 47. Kd3 Kd6 48. Ke3 Kc6 49. Be4+ Kd6 50. Bf3 Nd7 51. Ke4 Ke6 52. Kd3 Kd6
53. Bb7 Nf6 54. Bc8 Kc7 55. Bf5 Kd6 56. Kc3 Kc6 57. Kc2 h5 58. gxh5 Nxh5 59. g4
Nf6 60. Kb3 Kd6 61. Ka4 Kc6 62. Kb3 Kd6 63. Ka3 Kc6 64. Ka4 Kc7 65. Kb5 e4 66.
Ka6 e3 67. Bd3 Nxg4 68. Be2 Ne5 69. c5 bxc5 70. b5 Nd7 71. Bg4 Nb6 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess Armageddon 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.15"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2633"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn (blitz)"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8.
h4 Qe6 9. g3 Bc5 10. c4 Nb6 11. Nd2 O-O 12. Bh3 Qe7 13. O-O Ba6 14. Re1 Rae8
15. Ne4 Bd4 16. Nf6+ gxf6 17. Qg4+ Kh8 18. Qxd4 fxe5 19. Qc3 Bxc4 20. b3 Bd5
21. a4 f6 22. a5 Nc8 23. Be3 Nd6 24. Bc5 Qf7 25. b4 Rg8 26. a6 Nb5 27. Qd2 d6
28. Be3 f5 29. Bg5 f4 30. Kh2 Qg7 31. gxf4 h6 32. Rg1 hxg5 33. Rxg5 Qh7 34.
Rag1 Nd4 0-1

