Queen’s Gambit Declined,
Exchange Variation (D36)
GM Varuzhan Akobian (FIDE 2626, USA)
GM Arkadij Naiditsch (FIDE 2697, GER)
Montreal (6), 01.09.2009
Notes by Akobian
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. cxd5!?
The reason for the “interesting move”
annotation is because if I play 4. Nc3
dxc4, we would have entered the Vienna
Game in which GM Naiditsch is considered an authority; a reputation he proved
was earned by, only a few months prior,
when drawing versus World Champion
GM Viswanathan Anand (who did play 4.
Nc3). However, after my next move, we
entered a less theoretical position in which
the player possessing the better “feel”
(intuitive acumen) for the position would
likely have the advantage. (Recall the
advantages bestowed by having the white
pieces regarding starting with the initiative and dictation of the direction of the
game.)
4. ... exd5 5. Nc3 c6 6. Qc2
The idea behind this move is to prevent
Black from playing ... Bf5 and activating
that bishop. If Black is able to activate this
bishop and exchange it for White’s lightsquared bishop, Black will have achieved
an equal position.
6. ... Be7
6. ... g6 7. Bg5 Bf5 8. Qb3 and White
is slightly better as Black is forced to
play 8. ... b6 (the best move) which will
weaken his queenside.
7. Bg5 0-0 8. e3 Ne4?!
Not only does this violate opening principles (the tenet against move the same
piece twice in the opening), my opponent
has become prematurely and overly aggressive. Consequently, this game serves as a
vivid example for our discussion of the
pitfalls of hyper-aggressive play with the
black pieces even by a grandmaster owning a significant advantage in rating versus
an opponent who is also, nevertheless, a
grandmaster. 8. ... Nbd7 9. Bd3 Re8 10.
0-0 Nf8 This would have been consistent
with theory; typical play for Black.
9. Bf4!
This is a good move because exchanging
the dark-squared bishop will strengthen the
position of Black’s e4-knight.
9. ... f5
This move is logical after ... Ne4 because
if Black plays 9. ... Nxc3 10. bxc3, White
will play 11. Bd3 and will have a nice
advantage. However, the move weakens
the light squares for Black and Black’s
king’s castle.
uschess.org
10. Bd3 Nd7 11. h3
The idea behind this move is to play g2g4 and undermine the knight on e4. Since
my opponent’s play has been risky thus
far, I will endeavor to take full advantage
of it.
11. ... g6
A slightly dubious move which further
weakens the position of the black king.
Better would have been to play 11. ...
Ndf6 12. 0-0 when White only has a small
edge.
r+lwq-snk+
zpp+-vl-+L
-+psN-+-+
+-+p+-zp-+-zP-+p+
+-+-zPr+P
PzPQ+-zP-vL
tR-+-mK-+R
After 16. Bxh7+
12. g4!
16. ... Kg7
r+lwq-trk+
zpp+nvl-+p
-+p+-+p+
+-+p+p+-+-zPnvLP+
+-sNLzPN+P
PzPQ+-zP-+
tR-+-mK-+R
After 12. g4
I am ready to commence my attack
while still maintaining flexibility that will
allow me to castle to the queenside.
12. ... g5
My opponent continues risky, overly
aggressive play that will soon backfire.
Better and safer would have been ... 12
... Ndf6 13. Ne5 and White is clearly better, possessing the initiative and good
attacking chances.
13. Bh2 fxg4 14. Nxe4 Rxf3
If 14. ... dxe4 15. Bc4+ Kg7 16. hxg4!
Rxf3 17. Qxe4 Rh3 (17. ... Rf8 18. Be5+
Nxe5 19. Rxh7+ Kf6 20. dxe5 mate) 18.
Be5+ Nxe5 19. Rxh3 Ng6 20. 0-0-0 and
White has a big advantage and a promising attack.
15. Nd6!
A critical move. Perhaps GM Naiditsch
missed this move or underestimated its
strength.
15. ... Nf8?
This move sets up a nice tactic for
White. If Black plays 15. ... Bxd6 16.
Bxh7+ Kh8 17. Bxd6 gxh3 18. Qg6 Nf6
19. Be5 Qa5+ 20. Kf1 and White is winning with a mating attack. Black’s best
defense would have been 15. ... Nf6 16.
Bxh7+! Kf8 17. Nxc8 Qxc8 18. hxg4 Qxg4
19. 0-0-0 and White still maintains his
attacking chances.
16. Bxh7+!
(see diagram top of next column)
If 16. ... Nxh7 17. Qg6+ Kf8 (17. ...
Kh8 18. Be5+ Rf6 19. Nf7 mate) 18. Be5!
Rf6 19. Bxf6 Qxd6 20. Bxe7+ Qxe7 21.
hxg4 and White is winning.
17. Be5+ Bf6 18. hxg4
An important move that recaptures the
pawn and opens the position for the white
rook. White is winning because material
is equal and he has a winning attack.
18. ... Bxg4 19. Bf5!
A strong move. Exchanging the lightsquared bishops will help White to trap
the rook on f3.
19. ... Bxe5 20. dxe5 Qa5+ 21. Kf1 Bxf5
If 21. ... Qb4 22. a3! After this strong
“quiet” move, the queen can no longer
occupy the fourth rank to defend the
bishop on g4.
22. Nxf5+ Kf7
Black is also in bad shape after 22. ...
Kg8 23. Nh6+ Kg7 24. Kg2 g4 25. Rh4!
when White wins with the capture on g4
on the next move.
23. Nd4!, Black resigned.
“After I made this move, GM Naiditsch
immediately resigned. I was, of course,
very pleased to have defeated an opponent
of such high caliber in such an exciting
battle. As previously indicated, this game
serves as a reminder of just how dangerous overly aggressive play with the black
pieces can be even against a lower rated
opponent and even if the contest is
between grandmasters. Remember, my
caveat was against playing over-aggressively with the black pieces versus an
o