Aronian, L (2786) – Kramnik, V (2772) [D39]
Tal Memorial (7), 12.11.2009
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 Bb4 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Bxc4 c5 (So far, we are still in opening book. 9. 0-0 and 9. e5 are both good here, just a matter of preference.)
9. e5 Qd8 (White is better in this position because of he has space advantage and piece development.)
10. d5 exd5 11. Bxd5 O-O 12. Rc1 +=
12…Nc6 13. 0-0 (White did not take on c6 to cause Black to have double pawns. The reason for that is Black would have compensation with the pair of Bishops vs. the pair of Knight In addition, the White Bishop is located in a much better square than the Black Knight. Kramnik is spending a lot of time on this move. The dilemma for Black is to come up with a solid plan. In addition, what to do with the Bishop on b4, pawn on c5, and Knight on c6?)
13…Nd4 (Here is a quick possible line from the top of my head 14. Nxd4 Bxc3 15. Nf3 Bxb2 16. Bxf7+ Kxf7 17. Qb3+ Kg6 18. Qxb2 Rxf3 19. gxf3 Bh3 20. Qc2+ Kh5 21. Kh1 Bxf1 22. Rxf1+= to to the location of the Black King. But this position must be calculated thoroughly. It’s the key moment of this game.)
14. Be4 (Aronian chose a more quiet line. I still think the other line is pretty good. Black has 14…Re8 or Bg4. Both are OK.)
14…Re8 15. Nd5 (I like this move. This leaves Black’s Bishop on b4 out of place. Another possible line is 15. a3 Bxc3 16. Rxc3 Nxf3+ 17. Bxf3 Qb6 +=)
15…Bf5 (An excellent move by Kramnik for a few reasons: 1) Trading so so Bishop for a good Bishop. 2) Eliminate any possible future threat of Bb1 then Qc2 or Qd3. However, White does not have to relinquish his edge that easily. This position is very complicated. For example, if Black takes with 16… Nxf5 17. Qb3 Ne7 18. Ne3, White is still better because of the Bishop on b4 and pawn on c5 problem for Black.)
16. Bxf5 Qxd5 17. Nxd4 (The only move by White. Everything else would give Black an edge.)
17…Rxe5 (I do not like this move. It leads into an inferior endgame for Kramnik. Here is a possible continuation: 18. Nb5 Qxd1 19. Rfxd1 Rxf5 20. Nd6 Rg5 21. Nxb7 += / +/-. 17…Qxd4 or 17…cxd4 would be my preference.)
18. Nb5 Qxd1 19. Rfxd1 Rxf5 20. a3 (I do not like this at all. I prefer 20.Nd6. Why help White get rid of the b4 Bishop while causing a double pawn structure for yourself?)
20…c4 21. axb4 Rxb5 22. Rxc4 a5 23. g3 (White has nothing out of this position. This will most likely lead to a draw.)
As I was afraid of, the players agreed to a draw. I think 20. Nd6 would give White at least some play.
Click here to replay the game.
Susan, do you think that Fischer Random Chess will ever get more popular? More and more games are being drawn on the grandmaster level, and I do not think people will be attracted to chess if games get more of a reputation for draws.
It ended in a quick 23 move draw.
Susan, thanks for your analysis as ever – very insightful. It seems that Aronian missed Nd6, and indeed Kramniks move c4, so it disolved into a draw.
I hope it does. I would prefer to play in a serious Fischer Random tournament than a regular one. I think it is more fun and it will bring out players’ natural talent instead of 30 move opening book lines.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
3D replay
By the way, Fischer-random without castling…