- White:
- Francisco Vallejo Pons (2650)
- Black:
- Peter Svidler (2765)
- Opening
- Grunfeld
- Tournament
- Linares 2006, Moerlia/Linares, Round 2
- Date
- 19/02/2006
- ECO Code
- D85
- Result
- 0-1
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bd2
Bypassing the main lines of the exchange variation with this obscure, yet seemingly popular, side line.
5… Bg7 6. e4 Nb6 7. Be3 O-O 8. h4
Vallejo opts for a new continuation that’s audacious, and perhaps dubious. Going for an attack on the Black king whilst the White king is predominantly stuck in the centre is perhaps not the safest course of action. But this is how Vallejo has opted to play against his far stronger opponents – breathtaking audacity and hoping to provoke a mistake in complicated positions.Other continuations:
- 8. h3
- 8. Nf3
- 8. f4
- 8. Bb5
- 8. Be2
8… Nc6
Black’s thematic plan in the Grunfeld is to pressure the d4-pawn, and here is no different. White’s kingside pawn advance can turn out to be just a wasted move.
9. e5 Bf5
Black’s development is basically complete, yet White’s kingside pieces are undeveloped, and his centre already looks vulnerable.
10. Be2?!
White has committed himself to a kingside hack, and so its his best option to continue as directly as possible:Shredder 7: 10. h5 Nb4 11. Rc1 c5 12. hxg6 Bxg6 13. Rh4 Rc8 14. Nf3 N6d5 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. Bg5 Qa5+ 17. Qd2 Qxd2+ 18. Bxd2 cxd4 19. Rxd4 Rxc1+ [eval 0.31/15]
10… Nb4 11. g4
This is too aggressive. Now White’s king has nowhere to hide, and the rook on h1 has no prospects at all.A better try is 11. Rc1!? =+
11… Nc2+ -/+ 12. Kf1 Nxe3+
12… Nxa1 is no comparison 13. gxf5 c5 14. Nf3 +/- (14. Qxa1? looks tempting, but 14… cxd4 15. h5 dxe3 -+)
13. fxe3 Be6
After the initial clash of swords, Black is clearly on top. White’s pawn chain is Swiss cheese, and so the White king is out in the open.
14. Nh3 f6 15. exf6 Bxf6 16. Kg1 Bf7
To make way for the thematic …e5 break. This opens the way for all of Black’s pieces to participate in the attack against the White king.16… Bxh4?! 17. Nf4 Rxf4 18. exf4 =
17. Ng5 e5
17… Bxg5 18. hxg5 Nd5 =+
18. Nxf7 Rxf7 19. dxe5 Bxe5
Instead of 19… Bxh4 20. Qxd8+ Bxd8 21. Ne4 =
20. Ne4?
20. Qxd8+!? might be a viable alternative Rxd8 21. Rd1 Rxd1+ 22. Nxd1 =+
20… Bxb2 -/+ 21. Rb1 Qe7
Black quickly finishes mobilising his pieces, and White’s forces are still in disarray.
22. Bf3 Bg7 23. Ng5 Rff8 24. Qb3+ Kh8 25. Bxb7 Rab8 26. Be4 Bf6 27. Qc2 Rbe8 28. Rf1 Qd7
28… Nd7 29. Bc6 Bxg5 30. hxg5 Rxf1+ 31. Kxf1 Rf8+ 32. Ke2 Ne5 -+
29. Bf3?
29. Rh2 Bg7 30. Rg2 -/+
29… Rxe3 -+
30. Rh3 Bd4 31. Kg2 Nd5 32. Kh1 Nf4
32… Re5 makes it even easier for Black 33. Rb1 -+
33. Bc6?
33. Bg2 Ree8 34. Rg3 -+
33… Rxh3+ 34. Nxh3 Qxg4 35. Bg2 Nxg2
35… Be5 seems even better 36. Qe4 Rf6 -+ (36… Qxg2+? catches the eye, but 37. Qxg2 Nxg2 38. Rxf8+ Kg7 39. Re8 +-)
36. Rxf8+ Kg7 37. Qxc7+??
but even a better move would not have saved the game37. Rf3 Qxf3 38. Qxc7+ Qf7 39. Qxf7+ Kxf7 40. Kxg2 -+
37… Kxf8 38. Qd6+
38. Qb8+ Kg7 39. Qb7+ Kh6 40. Qxg2 Qd1+ 41. Ng1 Qxg1+ 42. Qxg1 Bxg1 -+
38… Kg7 39. Qe7+ Kh6 40. Qg5+ Qxg5
40… Qxg5 41. hxg5+ Kh5 -+
0-1