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Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

1
D44

Vassily Ivanchuk
Bernardo Moran
Wch U20 Sharjah (1)

1985

D44: Semi-Slav: Botvinnik System


1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6
3.Ng1-f3 d7-d5 4.Nb1-c3 c7-c6
Diagram

rnlqkl r
pp+ +ppp
+p+pn +
+ +p+ +
+PP + +
+ N +N+
PP +PPPP
R LQKL+R

5.Bc1-g5 d5xc4 6.e2-e4 b7-b5


7.e4-e5 h7-h6 8.Bg5-h4 g7-g5
9.Nf3xg5 h6xg5 10.Bh4xg5 Nb8-d7
11.e5xf6 Diagram
(Diagram 2)
Bc8-b7 12.g2-g3 Qd8-b6 13.Bf1-g2
0-0-0 14.0-0 Bf8-h6 15.Bg5-e3
Nd7xf6 Attacks the isolani on d4
16.Qd1-f3 Bh6xe3 17.f2xe3 Rh8-h6
18.a2-a4 [RR 18.Nc3-e4 Nf6xe4
19.Qf3xe4 f7-f5 20.Qe4-e5 Qb6-c7
21.Qe5xc7+ Kc8xc7 22.Rf1-f2 c6-c5
23.d4xc5 Bb7xg2 24.Kg1xg2 Kc7-c6
25.Ra1-e1 Kc6xc5 26.e3-e4 f5xe4
27.Re1xe4 Rd8-d7 28.Re4-e5+
Rd7-d5 29.Rf2-e2 b5-b4 30.Re5-e4
Rd5-d3 31.Re4-e5+ Rd3-d5
32.Re5-e3 Rd5-d3 Kurochkin,V (2089)Brovko,A (2219)/Alushta 2007/EXT

r+lqkl r
p +n+p+
+p+pP +
+p+ + L
+pP + +
+ N + +
PP + PPP
R +QKL+R

2008/- (32) ] 18...a7-a6 19.Qf3-f4


Rd8-h8 last book move last book move
20.Rf1-f2N Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 20.Qf4-g5 Rh6-g6 21.Qg5-e5
Qb6-d8 22.a4xb5 Rh8-h5 23.b5xa6
Rh5xe5 24.a6xb7+ Kc8xb7 25.d4xe5
Nf6-d5 26.Rf1xf7+ Kb7-b6
27.Nc3-a4+ Kb6-a6 28.Rf7-d7 Qd8-g8
29.Na4-c5+ Ka6-b5 30.Rd7-b7+
Nd5-b6 31.Nc5-d7 0.98/11 ;RR
20.g3-g4 Rh6-g6 21.h2-h3 Rh8-g8
22.Rf1-f2 Rg8-g7 23.Ra1-f1 c6-c5
24.a4-a5 Qb6xa5 25.Bg2xb7+ Kc8xb7
26.Qf4-d6 c5xd4 27.e3xd4 Nf6-e8
28.Rf2xf7+ Ne8-c7 29.Nc3-e4 Qa5-b6
30.Ne4-c5+ Kb7-a7 31.Qd6xb6+
Ka7xb6 32.Nc5-d7+ Kb6-b7
33.Nd7-e5 Rg7xf7 34.Rf1xf7 Rg6-g8
Kramnik,V (2751)-Lautier,J (2613)/
Internet ICC 1999/EXT 2005/1-0 (46) ]
(Diagram 3)
20...Rh8-h7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 20...b5-b4 21.a4-a5 Qb6-d8
22.Nc3-e4 Nf6xe4 23.Bg2xe4 f7-f5
24.Be4-f3 c6-c5 25.d4xc5 Bb7xf3
26.Qf4xf3 Qd8-d5 27.Qf3xd5 e6xd5
28.Ra1-d1 Rh8-e8 29.Rd1xd5 Re8xe3
30.Rd5xf5 c4-c3 31.g3-g4 Rh6-e6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+k+ + r
+l+ +p+
pqp+pn r
+p+ + +
P+pP Q +
+ N P P
P + RLP
R + + K

32.b2xc3 b4-b3 33.g4-g5 Re3xc3


34.h2-h4 Rc3-c2 35.Rf2xc2 b3xc2
36.Rf5-f1 Kc8-c7 37.Kg1-f2 Re6-e5
38.Rf1-g1 Re5xc5 0.79/17 ]

+k+ + +
+l+ +p+r
pqp+pn r
+p+ + +
P+pP Q +
+ N P P
P + RLP
R + + K

21.Ra1-f1 Diagram [ 21.Bg2-e4


Rh7-h8 22.a4xb5 c6xb5 23.Be4xb7+
Kc8xb7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Bg2-e4 Diagram
(Diagram 5)
Rh7-h8 22.Qf4-g5 Nf6-d7 23.Rf2xf7
b5-b4 24.a4-a5 Qb6-d8 25.Qg5xd8+
Kc8xd8 26.Nc3-a4 Rh6xh2 27.Ra1-c1
Rh2-e2 28.Na4-b6 Nd7xb6 29.Rf7xb7

+k+ + +
+l+ +p+r
pqp+pn r
+p+ + +
P+pPLQ +
+ N P P
P + R P
R + + K

Nb6-c8 30.Be4xc6 Rh8-g8


31.Rb7-d7+ Kd8-e8 32.Rd7-g7+
Ke8-f8 33.Rg7xg8+ Kf8xg8 34.Bc6-b7
Nc8-d6 35.Bb7xa6 Re2xb2 36.Ba6xc4
Nd6xc4 37.Rc1xc4 b4-b3 38.Rc4-b4
Kg8-f7 39.a5-a6 Kf7-f6 40.a6-a7
Rb2-a2 41.Rb4-b7 b3-b2 42.Rb7xb2
Diagram

+ + + +
P + + +
+ +pk +
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + P P
rR + + +
+ + + K

Ra2xa7 43.Kg1-f2 Kf6-f5 44.Kf2-f3


1.03/16 ]
21...Qb6-d8 [ 21...Nf6-d5 22.Qf4-d6
Qb6-d8 23.Qd6-c5 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21...Qb6-d8 22.a4xb5 a6xb5
23.Bg2-e4 Rh7-h8 24.Be4-f3 Qd8-c7
25.Bf3-g2 Qc7xf4 26.Rf2xf4 Nf6-d5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+k+ + +
+l+ +p+r
pqp+pn r
+p+ + +
P+pP Q +
+ N P P
P + RLP
+ + +RK

27.Rf4xf7 Rh6xh2 28.Nc3-e4 Diagram

+k+ + r
+l+ +R+
+p+p+ +
+p+n+ +
+pPN+ +
+ + P P
P + +Lr
+ + +RK

Kc8-b8 29.Ne4-d6 Bb7-a8 30.e3-e4


Rh2xg2+ 31.Kg1xg2 Nd5-e3+
32.Kg2-f2 Ne3xf1 33.Kf2xf1 Rh8-h2
34.Rf7-f2 Rh2xf2+ 35.Kf1xf2 Kb8-c7
0.56/16 ] 22.Bg2-e4 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22.Bg2-e4 Rh7-h8 23.a4xb5
a6xb5 24.Be4-g2 b5-b4 25.Nc3-a4
Nf6-d7 26.Qf4-d6 e6-e5 27.Qd6xb4
Qd8-g5 28.Na4-c5 Nd7xc5 29.Qb4xc5
Rh6xh2 30.Qc5xe5 Qg5xe5 31.d4xe5
Rh2-h5 32.Rf2xf7 Rh5xe5 33.e3-e4
Re5-b5 34.Rf1-f2 Rb5-b3 35.Rf7-g7
c4-c3 36.b2xc3 Rb3xc3 0.76/15 ]
22...Rh7-h8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro

x64: 22...Rh7-h8 23.a4xb5 a6xb5


24.Be4-g2 b5-b4 25.Nc3-a4 Nf6-d7
26.Qf4-d6 e6-e5 27.Qd6xb4 Qd8-g5
28.Na4-c5 Nd7xc5 29.Qb4xc5
Rh6xh2 30.Qc5xe5 Qg5xe5 31.d4xe5
Rh2-h5 32.Rf2xf7 Rh5xe5 33.e3-e4
Re5-b5 34.Rf1-f2 Rb5-b3 35.Rf7-g7
c4-c3 36.b2xc3 Rb3xc3 1.03/14 ]

+kq + r
+l+ +p+
p+p+pn r
+p+ + +
P+pPLQ +
+ N P P
P + R P
+ + +RK

23.Qf4-g5 [ 23.a4xb5 Diagram

+kq + r
+l+ +p+
p+p+pn r
+P+ + +
+pPLQ +
+ N P P
P + R P
+ + +RK

10

a6xb5 24.Be4-f3 Qd8-c7 ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.a4-a5 Nf6-d5
24.Be4xd5 c6xd5 25.Qf4xf7 Qd8-g5
26.Nc3-d1 e6-e5 27.Rf2-f5 Qg5-d8
0.76/14 ] 23...Nf6xe4 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 23...Nf6xe4 24.Qg5xd8+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

Rh8xd8 25.Nc3xe4 f7-f5 26.Ne4-c5


Kc8-c7 27.g3-g4 Rh6-g6 28.Rf2-g2
Bb7-c8 29.g4xf5 Diagram

+lr + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+r+
+pN +P+
P+pP + +
+ + P +
P + +RP
+ + +RK

11

Rg6xg2+ 30.Kg1xg2 e6xf5 31.h2-h4


Rd8-h8 32.Rf1-h1 b5xa4 33.h4-h5
a4-a3 34.b2xa3 c4-c3 35.Kg2-f3
c3-c2 36.Rh1-c1 Rh8xh5 37.Rc1xc2
Kc7-d6 38.Kf3-f4 Rh5-h4+ 39.Kf4-g3
Rh4-h1 40.Rc2-b2 0.31/17 ]
24.Nc3xe4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24.Qg5xd8+ Rh8xd8 25.Nc3xe4
f7-f5 26.Ne4-c5 Kc8-c7 27.Rf1-c1
Bb7-c8 28.a4xb5 a6xb5 29.b2-b4
c4xb3 30.Nc5xb3 Rd8-d5 31.h2-h4
e6-e5 32.Rf2-c2 e5xd4 33.Nb3xd4
Bc8-d7 34.Nd4-e2 Kc7-b6 35.Ne2-f4
Rd5-e5 36.Kg1-f2 b5-b4 37.Nf4-d3
Re5-b5 38.Nd3-c5 Bd7-e6 0.08/19 ]
(Diagram 12)
24...f7-f5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24...f7-f5 25.Qg5xd8+ Rh8xd8
26.Ne4-c5 Kc8-c7 27.g3-g4 Rh6-g6
28.Rf2-g2 Bb7-c8 29.g4xf5 Rg6xg2+
30.Kg1xg2 e6xf5 31.h2-h4 Rd8-h8
32.Rf1-h1 b5xa4 33.h4-h5 a4-a3
34.b2xa3 c4-c3 35.Kg2-f3 c3-c2
36.Rh1-c1 Rh8xh5 37.Rc1xc2 Kc7-d6
38.Kf3-f4 Diagram

+kq + r
+l+ +p+
p+p+p+ r
+p+ + Q
P+pPN+ +
+ + P P
P + R P
+ + +RK

+l+ + +
+ + + +
p+pk + +
+ N +p+r
+ P K +
P + P +
+R+ + +
+ + + +

12

13

Kd6-d5 39.Kf4-g3 Rh5-h1 0.23/19 ]


(Diagram 14)
25.Qg5xd8+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25.Qg5xd8+ Rh8xd8 26.Ne4-c5
Kc8-c7 27.g3-g4 Rh6-g6 28.Rf2-g2
Bb7-c8 29.g4-g5 e6-e5 30.h2-h4
e5xd4 31.e3xd4 Diagram
(Diagram 15)
Rd8xd4 32.h4-h5 Rg6-g8 33.h5-h6
Rd4-h4 34.Rf1-d1 b5xa4 35.Kg1-f2
Rh4-h5 36.Rd1-g1 a4-a3 37.b2xa3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+kq + r
+l+ + +
p+p+p+ r
+p+ +pQ
P+pPN+ +
+ + P P
P + R P
+ + +RK

+lr + +
+ k + +
p+p+ +r+
+pN +pP
P+pP + P
+ + + +
P + +R+
+ + +RK

14

+kr + +
+l+ + +
p+p+p+ r
+p+ +p+
P+pPN+ +
+ + P P
P + R P
+ + +RK

16

b5xa4 31.Nc5xa4 Rd8xd4 32.Na4-b6


Diagram
15

Kc7-d6 38.Nc5-a4 0.13/17 ]


25...Rh8xd8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25...Rh8xd8 Diagram
(Diagram 16)
26.Ne4-c5 Kc8-b8 27.Rf1-c1 Bb7-c8
28.b2-b3 e6-e5 29.b3xc4 e5xd4
30.e3xd4 b5xa4 31.Nc5xa4 Rd8xd4
32.Na4-b6 f5-f4 33.Rf2xf4 Rd4xf4
34.g3xf4 Bc8-f5 35.Rc1-a1 Kb8-b7
36.c4-c5 0.25/14 ] 26.Ne4-c5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Ne4-c5
Kc8-b8 27.Rf1-c1 Bb7-c8 28.b2-b3
e6-e5 29.b3xc4 e5xd4 30.e3xd4

kl+ + +
+ + + +
pNp+ + r
+ + +p+
+Pr + +
+ + + P
+ + R P
+ R + K

17

f5-f4 33.Rf2xf4 Rd4xf4 34.g3xf4


Bc8-f5 35.Rc1-a1 Kb8-b7 36.c4-c5
0.28/13 ]
(Diagram 18)
A classical outpost 26...Kc8-b8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26...Kc8-c7
Diagram
27.Rf2-c2 c4-c3 28.Rc2xc3 b5xa4
29.Rf1-c1 Rd8-c8 30.h2-h4 0.23/14 ]
27.e3-e4 White threatens to win
material: e4xf5 [ 27.Rf1-a1 Bb7-c8=

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+kr + +
+l+ + +
p+p+p+ r
+pN +p+
P+pP + +
+ + P P
P + R P
+ + +RK

+ r + +
+lk + +
p+p+p+ r
+pN +p+
P+pP + +
+ + P P
P + R P
+ + +RK

18

19

Diagram
(Diagram 20)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27.Rf1-c1
Bb7-c8 28.b2-b3 e6-e5 29.b3xc4
e5xd4 30.e3xd4 b5xa4 31.Nc5xa4
Rd8xd4 32.Na4-b6 f5-f4 33.Rf2xf4
Rd4xf4 Diagram
(Diagram 21)
34.g3xf4 Bc8-f5 35.Rc1-a1 Kb8-b7
36.c4-c5 0.28/13 ] 27...Bb7-c8
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

klr + +
+ + + +
p+p+p+ r
+pN +p+
P+pP + +
+ + P P
P + R P
R + + K

kl+ + +
+ + + +
pNp+ + r
+ + + +
+P+ r +
+ + + P
+ + + P
+ R + K

20

21

27...Rd8xd4 28.e4xf5 e6xf5 29.Rf2xf5


Bb7-c8 30.Rf5-f4 Rd4-d2 31.Rf1-f2
Rd2xf2 32.Rf4xf2 Rh6-h5 33.Nc5-e4
Diagram
(Diagram 22)
b5xa4 34.Rf2-c2 Bc8-e6 35.Ne4-d6
Kb8-c7 36.Nd6-e8+ Kc7-b6
37.Ne8-g7 Rh5-e5 38.Ng7xe6 Re5xe6
39.h2-h4 Kb6-c5 40.h4-h5 a4-a3
-0.06/18 ]
28.Rf2-d2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28.Rf2-d2 Diagram
f5xe4 29.Nc5xe4 Rh6-h5 30.a4xb5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

kl+ + +
+ + + +
p+p+ + +
+p+ + +r
P+p+N+ +
+ + + P
P + R P
+ + + K

klr + +
+ + + +
p+p+p+ r
+pN +p+
P+pPP+ +
+ + + P
P + R P
+ + +RK

klr + +
+ + + +
p+p+p+ r
+pN +p+
P+pPP+ +
+ + + P
P R + P
+ + +RK

22

23

Rd5-f5 33.Nf6-g4 c6-c5 34.Ng4-e5


Kb8-c7 35.g3-g4 Rd8-g8 36.Rd1-e1
Rg8-g5 37.h2-h4 Rf5xe5 38.d4xe5
Rg5xg4+ 39.Kg1-f2 Rg4xh4 0.05/18 ]
28...Kb8-c7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28...f5xe4 29.Nc5xe4 Rh6-h5
30.a4xb5 a6xb5 31.Rf1-d1 Rh5-d5
32.Ne4-f6 Rd5-f5 33.Nf6-e4 Rf5-d5
34.Ne4-f6 0.10/16 ]

+lr + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ r
+pN +p+
P+pPP+ +
+ + + P
P R + P
+ + +RK

25

29.e4-e5 White has a new backward


pawn: d4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29.e4-e5 a6-a5 30.Kg1-g2 Rd8-g8
31.Rf1-f4 Bc8-d7 32.Rd2-d1 Bd7-e8
33.Rd1-c1 Kc7-b6 34.Rc1-a1 Rg8-g7
35.Ra1-f1 Be8-h5 36.Rf1-g1 0.12/15 ]
29...Rh6-h8 Diagram [ 29...Kc7-b6
30.Kg1-g2= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29...a6-a5 Diagram
24

a6xb5 31.Rf1-d1 Rh5-d5 32.Ne4-f6

(Diagram 26)
30.Kg1-g2 Rd8-g8 31.Rf1-f4 Bc8-d7
32.Rd2-d1 Bd7-e8 33.Rd1-c1 Kc7-b6
34.Rc1-a1 Rg8-g7 35.Ra1-f1 Rg7-g8
36.h2-h4 Rg8-g7 37.Rf1-c1 Be8-h5
38.Kg2-f2 Rh6-g6 0.15/16 ]
30.a4-a5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30.Kg1-g2 Rh8-g8 31.Rf1-f4 Rg8-g4
32.Kg2-f3 Rg4xf4+ 33.Kf3xf4 b5-b4
34.Kf4-e3 Rd8-h8 35.Rd2-c2 b4-b3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+lr + +
+ k + +
+p+p+ r
ppN Pp+
P+pP + +
+ + + P
P R + P
+ + +RK

+lr + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
+pN Pp+
P+pP + +
+ + + P
P R + P
+ + +RK

26

27

36.Rc2-e2 Rh8-h3 37.Ke3-f4 a6-a5


38.Re2-f2 0.38/13 Diagram
(Diagram 28)
] 30...Rd8-d5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 30...Rh8-h7 31.Kg1-g2
Rd8-h8 32.Rf1-h1 Rh8-g8 33.Kg2-f3
Rh7-h3 34.Rd2-d1 Rg8-h8 35.Kf3-g2
b5-b4 36.Rd1-c1 f5-f4 37.g3xf4 c4-c3
38.b2xc3 b4xc3 39.Rc1-c2 Rh3-h4
40.Rc2xc3 Rh4xf4 41.Rc3-g3 Rf4xd4
42.Rg3-g7+ Kc7-d8 0.35/18 ]
31.Rf1-d1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 31.Rf1-d1 f5-f4 32.g3xf4 Rh8-f8

+l+ + +
+ k + +
+p+p+ +
p N Pp+
P+pP K +
+p+ + Pr
P + R P
+ + + +

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + +
+ + + P
P R + P
+ + +RK

28

29

33.h2-h4 Rf8xf4 34.h4-h5 Rd5-d8


35.Rd1-f1 Rf4-h4 36.Rf1-f7+ Kc7-b8
37.Rf7-h7 b5-b4 38.h5-h6 Rd8-f8
39.Rh7-g7 Rf8-h8 40.Rd2-c2 c4-c3
41.b2xc3 Rh8xh6 42.c3xb4 Rh4xd4
43.Rg7-g8 Kb8-c7 44.Rc2-f2 Rh6-h7
45.Rf2-f8 Rd4-d1+ 46.Kg1-g2
Rd1-d2+ 47.Kg2-g3 0.37/19 ]
(Diagram 30)
31...Rh8-d8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31...f5-f4 Diagram
32.g3xf4 Rh8-h4 33.Rd2-f2 Rh4-h8
34.Rf2-g2 Rh8-d8 35.Rd1-d2 Rd5xd4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + +
+ + + P
P R + P
+ +R+ K

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrP +
+pP p +
+ + + P
P R + P
+ +R+ K

30

32

Kc7-d8 41.Nc5xb3 Bc8-d7 42.Rb2-c2


Kd8-e7 43.Nb3-c5 Rh8-b8 44.Nc5xa6
Rb8-a8 45.Na6-b4 Ra8xa5 Diagram
31

36.Rg2-g7+ Kc7-b8 37.Rd2xd4


Rd8xd4 38.f4-f5 Rd4-d1+ 39.Kg1-f2
e6xf5 40.e5-e6 Rd1-d2+ 41.Kf2-e3
Rd2xh2 42.Rg7-g8 Rh2-h1 43.Ke3-f4
Rh1-f1+ 44.Kf4-e5 Kb8-c7
45.Rg8-g7+ Kc7-d8 0.30/20 ]
32.Kg1-f2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.Kg1-f2 Diagram
(Diagram 32)
Rd8-h8
Rd5-d8
Rg8-d8
Rg8-h8

+lr + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + +
+ + + P
P R K P
+ +R+ +

33.Kf2-e3 Rh8-h3 34.Rd1-c1


35.Rc1-c2 Rd8-g8 36.Rd2-f2
37.Rc2-d2 Rd8-g8 38.Rd2-e2
39.b2-b4 c4xb3 40.Re2-b2

+ + + +
+ +lk +
+p+p+ +
rp+ Pp+
N P + +
+ + K Pr
+R+ R P
+ + + +

33

46.Nb4xc6+ Bd7xc6 47.Rc2xc6


Ra5-a3+ 48.Ke3-f4 Ra3-a7 0.42/22 ]
32...Rd8-h8 Black threatens to win
material: Rh8xh2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 32...Rd8-h8 Diagram
(Diagram 34)
33.Kf2-e3 Rh8-h3 34.Rd1-c1 Rd5-d8
35.Rc1-c2 Rd8-g8 36.Rd2-f2 Rg8-d8
37.Rc2-d2 Rd8-g8 38.Rd2-e2 Rg8-h8
39.b2-b4 c4xb3 40.Re2-b2 Kc7-d8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + +
+ + + P
P R K P
+ +R+ +

10

34

41.Nc5xb3 Bc8-d7 42.Rb2-c2 Kd8-e7


43.Nb3-c5 Rh8-b8 44.Nc5xa6 Rb8-a8
45.Na6-b4 Ra8xa5 46.Nb4xc6+
Bd7xc6 47.Rc2xc6 Ra5-a3+
48.Ke3-f4 Ra3-a7 0.54/20 ] 33.Kf2-g2
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33.Kf2-f3 Rd5-d8 34.Rd2-c2 Rh8-h3
35.Rd1-d2 Rd8-g8 36.Rd2-f2 Rg8-h8
37.Kf3-f4 Rh8-g8 38.Kf4-e3 Rg8-d8
39.Rf2-d2 Rd8-g8 40.Ke3-f3 Rg8-h8
41.Kf3-f4 Rh8-g8 42.Rd2-f2 Rg8-g4+
43.Kf4-e3 Rg4-h4 44.b2-b4 Rh4-h8
45.Rc2-a2 Rh8-d8 46.Rf2-c2 f5-f4+
Diagram

+lr + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpN P +
PpP p +
+ + K Pr
R+R+ + P
+ + + +

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + +
+ + + P
P R +KP
+ +R+ +

35

36

(Diagram 35)
47.Ke3xf4 Rd8xd4+ 48.Kf4-e3
0.42/17 ]
(Diagram 36)
33...Rh8-d8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Kc7-d8 34.Kg2-f3 Kd8-e7
35.Rd1-a1 Rh8-h3 36.Ra1-h1 Rd5-d8
37.Kf3-g2 Rh3-h6 38.Rh1-f1 Bc8-d7
39.h2-h4 Rd8-a8 Diagram
40.Kg2-f3 Bd7-e8 41.Kf3-f4 Be8-h5
0.42/16 ] 34.Kg2-f3 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Kg2-f3

r+ + + +
+ +lk +
p+p+p+ r
PpN Pp+
+pP + P
+ + + P
P R +K+
+ + +R+

37

Rd8-h8 35.b2-b4 c4xb3 36.Nc5xb3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Rd5-d8
Rd8-h8
Kc7-d8
Rg4-h4
Rh7-h8
Bc8-d7

11

37.Nb3-c5 Rh8-h3 38.Rd1-b1


39.Rb1-h1 Rh8-g8 40.Rh1-c1
41.Rd2-c2 Rg8-g4 42.Kf3-e3
43.Rc2-f2 Rh4-h7 44.Rc1-c2
45.Rc2-d2 Kd8-e7 46.Ke3-d3
47.Kd3-c3 Diagram

+ + + r
+ +lk +
p+p+p+ +
PpN Pp+
+ P + +
+ K + Pr
+ R R P
+ + + +

38

40

45.Rc2-d2 Kd8-e7 46.Ke3-d3 Bc8-d7


47.Kd3-c3 Rh8-a8 48.Kc3-b4 Bd7-e8
Diagram

Rh8-a8 48.Kc3-b4 Bd7-e8 49.Rf2-f1


0.44/20 ]

+lr + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + +
+ + +KP
P R + P
+ +R+ +

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + +
+ + +KP
P R + P
+ +R+ +

39

34...Rd8-h8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


34...Rd8-h8 Diagram
35.b2-b4 c4xb3 36.Nc5xb3 Rd5-d8
37.Nb3-c5 Rh8-h3 38.Rd1-b1 Rd8-h8
39.Rb1-h1 Rh8-g8 40.Rh1-c1 Kc7-d8
41.Rd2-c2 Rg8-g4 42.Kf3-e3 Rg4-h4
43.Rc2-f2 Rh4-h7 44.Rc1-c2 Rh7-h8

r+ +l+ +
+ + k +
p+p+p+ +
PpN Pp+
K P + +
+ + + Pr
+ R R P
+ + + +

41

49.Rf2-f1 0.57/19 ] 35.Rd1-h1


Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35.b2-b4 c4xb3 36.Nc5xb3 Rd5-d8
37.Nb3-c5 Rh8-h3 38.Rd1-b1 Rd8-h8
39.Rb1-h1 Rh8-g8 40.Rh1-c1 Rg8-d8
41.Kf3-g2 Rd8-h8 42.Rc1-h1 f5-f4
43.g3xf4 Rh3-a3 44.h2-h4 Ra3xa5
45.Rd2-b2 Bc8-d7 46.h4-h5 Rh8-g8+
47.Kg2-f3 Ra5-a3+ 48.Kf3-e4 0.46/19 ]
35...Rh8-h3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 35...Rh8-h3 36.Kf3-e3
Rd5-d8 37.Rh1-c1 Rd8-h8 38.Rc1-c2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + +
+ + +KP
P R + P
+ + + +R

12

42

Rh8-h4 39.Rd2-f2 Rh4-h8 40.b2-b3


c4xb3 41.Rc2-b2 Diagram

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpN Pp+
+ P + +
+p+ K Pr
R + R P
+ + + +

43

Kc7-d8 42.Nc5xb3 Bc8-d7 43.Rb2-c2


Kd8-e7 44.Nb3-c5 Rh8-b8 45.Nc5xa6
Rb8-a8 46.Na6-b4 Ra8xa5
47.Nb4xc6+ Bd7xc6 48.Rc2xc6
Ra5-a3+ 49.Ke3-f4 Ra3-a7 0.54/21 ]
(Diagram 44)
36.Kf3-g2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 36.Rh1-c1 Rd5-d8 37.Rc1-c2
Rd8-g8 38.Rd2-f2 Rg8-g4 39.Kf3-e3
Rg4-h4 40.b2-b4 c4xb3 41.Rc2-b2
Rh4-h8 42.Nc5xb3 Diagram

+l+ + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + +
+ + +KPr
P R + P
+ + + +R

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
Pp+ Pp+
+ P + +
+N+ K Pr
R + R P
+ + + +
Bc8-d7
Kc7-d8
Bd7-e8
Ra8-b8

44

45

43.Nb3-c5 Rh8-a8 44.Rb2-c2


45.Ke3-d3 Kd8-e7 46.Kd3-c3
47.Kc3-b4 Be8-h5 48.Nc5-b7
49.Nb7-d6 0.42/21 ]
(Diagram 46)

White threatens to win material:


Kg2xh3 36...Rh3-h8 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36...Rh3-h8
37.h2-h4 Rh8-h5 38.Kg2-f3 Rd5-d8
39.Kf3-e3 Rd8-g8 40.Rh1-h3 Rg8-g4
41.Rd2-f2 Rh5-h7 42.Rf2-f4 Rg4-g6
43.Rf4-f1 Rg6-g4 44.h4-h5 Rh7-h6
45.Rf1-b1 Rg4-g8 46.Rb1-c1 Rg8-h8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+l+ + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + +
+ + + Pr
P R +KP
+ + + +R

13

46

47.Rc1-h1 b5-b4 48.Rh3-h4 Rh8-g8


49.Ke3-f4 Rg8-d8 50.Rh1-d1 0.54/20
Diagram

+lr + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ r
P N Pp+P
ppP K R
+ + + P
P + + +
+ +R+ +

47

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + +
+ + + P
P R +KP
+ + + +R

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + P
+ + + P
P R +K+
+ + + +R

48

49

37...Rh8-d8 Diagram [ 37...Rh8-h5


38.Rd2-d1 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...Rh8-h5 Diagram

]
(Diagram 50)
(Diagram 48)
37.h2-h4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 37.Kg2-f2 Rh8-h3 38.Kf2-e3
Rd5-d8 39.Rh1-c1 Rd8-h8 40.Rc1-c2
Rh8-h4 41.Rd2-f2 Rh4-h5 42.Ke3-f4
Rh5-h7 43.Rf2-d2 Kc7-b8 44.Rd2-g2
Kb8-a7 45.Rg2-f2 Bc8-d7 46.Rc2-c1
Rh7-g7 0.53/19 ]
White has a new backward pawn: g3

38.Rh1-f1 Rh5-h8 39.Kg2-f3 Rd5-d8


40.Rf1-h1 Rh8-h5 41.Rh1-c1 Rd8-g8
42.Rd2-h2 Rg8-g4 43.Rc1-d1 Rh5-h8
44.h4-h5 Rh8-h6 45.Rh2-h3 b5-b4
46.Rh3-h2 c4-c3 47.b2xc3 Diagram
b4xc3 48.Rd1-c1 Rg4xd4 49.Rc1xc3
Rd4-b4 50.Rc3-c1 Rb4-b5 51.Kf3-f4
Rb5xa5 52.Kf4-g5 Rh6-h7 53.h5-h6
Ra5-a3 54.Kg5-g6 0.51/18 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+l+ + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+r
+pP + P
+ + + P
P R +K+
+ + + +R

+l+ + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ r
P N Pp+P
p P +r+
+ P +KP
+ + + R
+ +R+ +

+l+ + +
+ k + +r
p+p+p+KP
+ N Pp+
+ + + +
r + + P
+ + + R
+ R + +
]

14

50

51

+lr + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + P
+ + + P
P R +K+
+ + + +R

53

38.Rd2-d1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 38.Rd2-d1 Rd8-h8 39.h4-h5
Rd5-d8 40.Kg2-f3 Rh8-h6 41.Kf3-f4
Rd8-h8 42.Kf4-g5 Rh6-h7 43.Rh1-h4
Rh8-g8+ Diagram

+l+ +r+
+ k + +r
p+p+p+ +
PpN PpKP
+pP + R
+ + + P
P + + +
+ +R+ +

54

52

44.Kg5-f4 Rg8-h8 45.Rd1-h1 Rh8-d8


46.Kf4-e3 Rd8-h8 47.h5-h6 b5-b4
48.Ke3-f4 Diagram
(Diagram 55)
Rh8-d8 49.Rh1-c1 Rd8xd4+
50.Kf4-g5 Rd4-d2 51.Rc1xc4 Rd2-g2
52.Kg5-g6 Rh7-h8 53.Rc4xb4
Rg2xg3+ 54.Kg6-f6 0.59/22 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+l+ + r
+ k + +r
p+p+p+ P
P N Pp+
ppP K R
+ + + P
P + + +
+ + + +R

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+pK P
P N Pp+
R + + R
+ + + r
P + + +
+ + + +

15

55

56

]
(Diagram 57)
38...Rd5xd4 Diagram [ 38...Rd8-h8
39.h4-h5 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...Rd8-h8 Diagram

+lr + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + P
+ + + P
P + +K+
+ +R+ +R

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpNrPp+
+pP + P
+ + + P
P + +K+
+ +R+ +R

57

58

49.Kf4-e3 c3-c2 50.Ke3-d2 Rh8-d8


51.Nc5-b3 c6-c5 52.Rh1-c1 c5xd4
Diagram
(Diagram 59)
53.Rc1xc2+ Kc7-b8 54.Rc2-b2
Kb8-c7 55.Kd2-d3 0.56/20 ]

(Diagram 58)
(Diagram 60)
39.h4-h5 Rd5-d8 40.Kg2-f3 Rh8-h6
41.Kf3-f4 Rd8-h8 42.Kf4-g5 Rh6-h7
43.Rh1-h4 Rh8-g8+ 44.Kg5-f4 Rg8-d8
45.h5-h6 Rd8-h8 46.Rd1-h1 b5-b4
47.Rh4-h3 c4-c3 48.b2xc3 b4xc3

39.Rd1xd4+- [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


39.Rd1xd4 Rd8xd4 40.h4-h5 Rd4-d8
41.h5-h6 b5-b4 42.g3-g4 f5xg4
43.h6-h7 Rd8-h8 44.Kg2-g3 c4-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+lr + +
+ k + +r
p+ +p+ P
P + Pp+
+ p + +
+N+ + PR
+pK + +
+ R + +

+lr + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpN Pp+
+pr + P
+ + + P
P + +K+
+ +R+ +R

16

59

+ + + +
+k+r+ +
+ + + +
PpR P +
+ + +p+
+ + + K
+ + + +
+ + + +

61

44.Kg2-g3 c4-c3 45.b2xc3 b4xc3


Diagram
60

45.b2xc3 b4xc3 46.Nc5-e4 c6-c5


47.Ne4-g5 Bc8-d7 48.Rh1-c1 Bd7-b5
49.Rc1xc3 Kc7-c6 50.Ng5xe6 Rh8xh7
51.Rc3xc5+ Kc6-b7 52.Ne6-d4
Rh7-d7 53.Nd4xb5 a6xb5 Diagram
(Diagram 61)
54.e5-e6 Rd7-d3+ 55.Kg3xg4 Rd3-e3
56.Kg4-f5 Kb7-a6 57.Kf5-f6 Ka6xa5
58.e6-e7 Ka5-b6 59.Rc5-c3 Re3-e4
0.89/19 ] 39...Rd8xd4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 39...Rd8xd4
40.h4-h5 Rd4-d8 41.h5-h6 b5-b4
42.g3-g4 f5xg4 43.h6-h7 Rd8-h8

+l+ + r
+ k + +P
p+p+p+ +
P N P +
+ + +p+
+ p + K
+ + + +
+ + + +R

62

46.Nc5-e4 c6-c5 47.Ne4-g5 Bc8-d7


48.Rh1-c1 Bd7-b5 49.Rc1xc3
Diagram
(Diagram 63)
Kc7-c6 50.Ng5xe6 Rh8xh7
51.Rc3xc5+ Kc6-b7 52.Ne6-d4
Rh7-d7 53.Nd4xb5 a6xb5 54.e5-e6
Rd7-d3+ 55.Kg3xg4 Rd3-e3
56.Kg4-f5 Kb7-a6 57.Kf5-f6 Ka6xa5
58.e6-e7 Ka5-b6 59.Rc5-c3 Re3-e4
0.95/20 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + r
+ k + +P
p+ +p+ +
Plp P N
+ + +p+
+ R + K
+ + + +
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ + P +
k + K +
+p+ + +
+ +r+ +
+ R + +
+ + + +
+ + + +

17

63

64

+l+ + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpN Pp+
+pr + P
+ + + P
P + +K+
+ + + +R

+l+ + r
+ k + +P
p+ +p+ +
P p P +
+ +N+p+
+ p + K
+ + + +
+ + + +R

65

66

]
(Diagram 65)
40.h4-h5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 40.h4-h5 Rd4-d8 41.h5-h6 b5-b4
42.g3-g4 f5xg4 43.h6-h7 Rd8-h8
44.Kg2-g3 c4-c3 45.b2xc3 b4xc3
46.Nc5-e4 c6-c5 Diagram
(Diagram 66)
47.Ne4-g5 Bc8-d7 48.Rh1-c1 Bd7-b5
49.Rc1xc3 Kc7-c6 50.Ng5xe6
Diagram

+ + + r
+ + + +P
p+k+N+ +
Plp P +
+ + +p+
+ R + K
+ + + +
+ + + +
Rh8xh7 51.Rc3xc5+ Kc6-b7

67

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

18

52.Ne6-d4 Rh7-d7 53.Nd4xb5 a6xb5


54.e5-e6 Rd7-d3+ 55.Kg3xg4 Rd3-e3
56.Kg4-f5 Diagram

+ + + +
+k+ + +
+ +P+ +
PpR +K+
+ + + +
+ + r +
+ + + +
+ + + +

68

Kb7-a6 57.Kf5-f6 Ka6xa5 58.e6-e7


Ka5-b6 59.Rc5-c3 Re3-e4 0.81/21
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + P +
k + K +
+p+ + +
+ +r+ +
+ R + +
+ + + +
+ + + +

69

]
(Diagram 70)
40...Rd4-d8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 40...Rd4-d8 41.h5-h6 b5-b4
42.g3-g4 f5xg4 43.h6-h7 Rd8-h8
44.Kg2-g3 c4-c3 45.b2xc3 b4xc3
46.Nc5-e4 c6-c5 47.Ne4-g5 Bc8-d7

+l+ + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpN Pp+P
+pr + +
+ + + P
P + +K+
+ + + +R

70

48.Rh1-c1 Bd7-b5 49.Rc1xc3 Kc7-c6


50.Ng5xe6 Rh8xh7 51.Rc3xc5+
Kc6-b7 52.Ne6-d4 Rh7-d7 53.Nd4xb5
a6xb5 54.e5-e6 Diagram

+ + + +
+k+r+ +
+ +P+ +
PpR + +
+ + +p+
+ + + K
+ + + +
+ + + +

71

Rd7-d3+ 55.Kg3xg4 Rd3-e3


56.Kg4-f5 Kb7-a6 57.Kf5-f6 Ka6xa5
58.e6-e7 Ka5-b6 59.Rc5-c8 Re3-f3+
60.Kf6-e6 Rf3-e3+ 61.Ke6-d7
Re3-d3+ 62.Kd7-e8 0.93/22 ]
(Diagram 72)
41.h5-h6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 41.h5-h6 b5-b4 42.g3-g4 f5xg4
43.h6-h7 Rd8-h8 44.Kg2-g3 c4-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+lr + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ +
PpN Pp+P
+p+ + +
+ + + P
P + +K+
+ + + +R

19

72

45.b2xc3 b4xc3 46.Nc5-e4 c6-c5


47.Ne4-g5 Bc8-d7 Diagram

+ + + r
+ kl+ +P
p+ +p+ +
P p P N
+ + +p+
+ p + K
+ + + +
+ + + +R

73

48.Rh1-c1 Kc7-c6 49.Rc1xc3 Bd7-e8


50.Rc3-d3 c5-c4 51.Rd3-d8 c4-c3
52.Rd8-d3 c3-c2 53.Rd3-c3+ Kc6-d5
54.Rc3xc2 Kd5xe5 55.Kg3xg4 Ke5-f6
56.Rc2-c7 Kf6-g6 57.Rc7-e7 Be8-b5
58.Re7xe6+ Kg6-g7 59.Re6-e7+
Kg7-g6 60.Re7-f7 Bb5-c4 61.Rf7-c7
Bc4-e2+ 62.Kg4-h4 Diagram
Be2-d3 63.Rc7-b7 Bd3-b5 64.Rb7-e7
Bb5-d3 65.Re7-b7 Bd3-b5 0.91/22 ]
41...Rd8-h8?? Diagram
[ 41...b5-b4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
41...b5-b4 Diagram

+ + + r
+ R + +P
p+ + +k+
P + + N
+ + + K
+ + + +
+ +l+ +
+ + + +

+lr + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ P
PpN Pp+
+p+ + +
+ + + P
P + +K+
+ + + +R

+lr + +
+ k + +
p+p+p+ P
P N Pp+
pp+ + +
+ + + P
P + +K+
+ + + +R
42.g3-g4 f5xg4 43.h6-h7 Rd8-h8

74

75

76

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

20

44.Kg2-g3 c4-c3 45.b2xc3 b4xc3


46.Nc5-e4 c6-c5 47.Ne4-g5 Bc8-d7
48.Rh1-c1 Bd7-b5 49.Rc1xc3 Kc7-c6
50.Ng5xe6 Rh8xh7 51.Rc3xc5+
Kc6-b7 52.Ne6-d4 Rh7-d7 53.Nd4xb5
a6xb5 54.e5-e6 Rd7-d3+ 55.Kg3xg4
Rd3-e3 Diagram

+ + + +
+k+ + +
+ +P+ +
PpR + +
+ + +K+
+ + r +
+ + + +
+ + + +

77

56.Kg4-f5 Kb7-a6 57.Kf5-f6 Ka6xa5


58.e6-e7 Ka5-b6 59.Rc5-c8 Re3-f3+
60.Kf6-e5 Rf3-e3+ 61.Ke5-d6
Re3-d3+ 62.Kd6-e6 Rd3-e3+
63.Ke6-f7 Re3-f3+ 64.Kf7-g7 Rf3-g3+
65.Kg7-f6 Rg3-f3+ 66.Kf6-e5 0.73/21 ]

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ P
PpN Pp+
+p+ + +
+ + + P
P + +K+
+ + + +R

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ P
PpN Pp+
+p+ +P+
+ + + +
P + +K+
+ + + +R

78

79

(Diagram 78)
sad, but how else could Black save the
game? 42.g3-g4 Diagram [Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 42.g3-g4 f5xg4 43.Kg2-g3
Bc8-d7 44.Nc5xa6+ Kc7-c8
45.Kg3xg4 c6-c5 46.Kg4-g5 Bd7-c6
47.Rh1-h2 b5-b4 48.Na6xc5 c4-c3
49.b2xc3 b4xc3 50.Rh2-c2 Rh8-g8+
51.Kg5-f6 Rg8-f8+ 52.Kf6-g7 Rf8-f3
53.h6-h7 Rf3-g3+ 54.Kg7-h6 Rg3-h3+
55.Kh6-g6 Rh3-g3+ 56.Kg6-f7
Rg3-h3 3.07/17 ]
42...f5xg4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
42...f5xg4 Diagram
43.Kg2-g3 Bc8-b7 44.Kg3xg4 b5-b4

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ P
PpN P +
+p+ +p+
+ + + +
P + +K+
+ + + +R
45.h6-h7 c4-c3 46.b2xc3 b4xc3

80

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

21

47.Nc5xe6+ Kc7-b8 48.Ne6-g5 c6-c5


49.Rh1-c1 Diagram

k + + r
+l+ + +P
p+ + + +
P p P N
+ + +K+
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ R + +

81

Bb7-c8+ 50.e5-e6 Bc8xe6+


51.Ng5xe6 Rh8xh7 52.Rc1xc3
Rh7-h1 53.Rc3xc5 Rh1-a1 54.Kg4-g5
Kb8-b7 55.Kg5-f6 Ra1-a3 56.Kf6-e7
Kb7-a7 57.Ke7-d6 Ra3-d3+
58.Kd6-e5 Rd3-e3+ 59.Ke5-f6 Re3-a3
60.Kf6-e5 Ra3-a2 61.Ke5-f5 Ka7-b8
62.Kf5-f6 Ra2-f2+ 63.Rc5-f5 3.25/18 ]
43.Kg2-g3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 43.Kg2-g3 b5-b4 44.Kg3xg4
Bc8-b7 45.h6-h7 c4-c3 46.b2xc3
b4xc3 47.Nc5xe6+ Kc7-b8 48.Ne6-g5
c6-c5 49.Rh1-c1 Diagram
(Diagram 82)
Bb7-c8+ 50.e5-e6 Bc8xe6+
51.Ng5xe6 Rh8xh7 52.Rc1xc3
Rh7-h1 53.Rc3xc5 Rh1-a1 54.Kg4-g5
Kb8-b7 55.Kg5-f6 Ra1-a2 Diagram
(Diagram 83)
56.Kf6-e7 Ra2-a3 57.Ke7-d7
Ra3-d3+ 58.Kd7-e8 Kb7-b8
59.Rc5-c7 3.19/17 ]
43...Kc7-d8 Diagram [ 43...b5-b4
doesn't do any good 44.Kg3xg4

k + + r
+l+ + +P
p+ + + +
P p P N
+ + +K+
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ R + +

+ + + +
+k+ + +
p+ +NK +
P R + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
r+ + + +
+ + + +

+l+ + r
+ k + +
p+p+p+ P
PpN P +
+p+ +p+
+ + + K
P + + +
+ + + +R

82

83

84

Bc8-b7 45.h6-h7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

22

x64: 43...b5-b4 44.Kg3xg4 b4-b3


45.Kg4-h5 Bc8-d7 46.Nc5xa6+
Kc7-c8 47.Na6-c5 Bd7-e8+ 48.Kh5-g5
Rh8-h7 49.a5-a6 Diagram

+k+l+ +
+ + + +r
P+p+p+ P
+ N P K
+p+ + +
+p+ + +
P + + +
+ + + +R

85

Kc8-b8 50.Rh1-c1 Kb8-a7 51.Rc1xc4


Ka7-b6 52.Rc4-c3 Be8-f7 53.Nc5-d7+
Kb6xa6 54.Rc3xb3 Rh7-h8
55.Nd7-b8+ Ka6-a5 56.Nb8xc6+
Diagram

+ + + r
+ + +l+
+N+p+ P
k + P K
+ + + +
+R+ + +
P + + +
+ + + +

86

Ka5-a6 57.Rb3-b4 Bf7-e8 3.07/18 ]


44.Kg3xg4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 44.Kg3xg4 Kd8-e7 45.Kg4-g5
Ke7-f7 46.Rh1-f1+ Kf7-e7 47.Rf1-f4
b5-b4 48.Rf4xc4 b4-b3 49.Nc5xb3
Rh8-g8+ 50.Kg5-h5 Diagram

+lk + r
+ + + +
p+p+p+ P
PpN P +
+p+ +p+
+ + + K
P + + +
+ + + +R

+l+ +r+
+ + k +
p+p+p+ P
P + P +K
+R+ + +
+N+ + +
P + + +
+ + + +

87

88

Bc8-d7 51.Rc4-g4 Bd7-e8+


52.Kh5-h4 Be8-g6 53.h6-h7 Bg6xh7
54.Rg4xg8 Bh7xg8 55.Kh4-g5 c6-c5
56.Nb3xc5 Bg8-h7 57.Nc5xa6 Ke7-d7
58.Na6-c5+ Kd7-c6 Diagram
(Diagram 89)
59.Nc5xe6 Bh7-d3 60.Ne6-f4 Bd3-e4
61.e5-e6 Kc6-d6 62.Kg5-f6 Be4-c6
63.a5-a6 3.89/19 ]
44...Kd8-e7 Diagram [ 44...b5-b4
doesn't change anything anymore
45.Kg4-g5 b4-b3 46.h6-h7+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44...Kd8-e8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +l
+k+p+ +
P N P K
+ + + +
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + + +

+lk + r
+ + + +
p+p+p+ P
PpN P +
+p+ +K+
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + + +R

23

89

90

Diagram

+l+k+ r
+ + + +
p+p+p+ P
PpN P +
+p+ +K+
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + + +R

+ + + +
+ + +l+
+k+p+ +
P N P K
+ + + +
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + + +

91

92

65.Ng7-f5 Diagram
(Diagram 91)

45.Kg4-g5 Ke8-f7 46.Rh1-f1+ Kf7-e7


47.Rf1-f4 b5-b4 48.Rf4xc4 b4-b3
49.Nc5xb3 Rh8-g8+ 50.Kg5-h5
Bc8-d7 51.Rc4-g4 Bd7-e8+ 52.Kh5-h4
Be8-g6 53.h6-h7 Bg6xh7 54.Rg4xg8
Bh7xg8 55.Kh4-g5 c6-c5 56.Nb3xc5
Bg8-f7 57.Nc5xa6 Ke7-d7 58.Na6-c5+
Kd7-c6 Diagram
59.Kg5-f6 Bf7-h5 60.Nc5xe6 Kc6-b5
61.Ne6-g7 Bh5-g4 62.e5-e6 Bg4xe6
63.Kf6xe6 Kb5xa5 64.Ke6-d5 Ka5-b4

(Diagram 93)
Kb4-b3 4.08/20 ]
(Diagram 94)
45.Kg4-g5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 45.Kg4-g5 Ke7-f7 46.Rh1-f1+
Kf7-e7 47.Rf1-f4 b5-b4 48.Rf4xc4
b4-b3 49.Nc5xb3 Rh8-g8+ 50.Kg5-h5
Bc8-d7 51.Rc4-g4 Diagram
Bd7-e8+ 52.Kh5-h4 Be8-g6 53.h6-h7
Bg6xh7 54.Rg4xg8 Bh7xg8 55.Kh4-g5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ +K+N+
k + + +
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + + +

+l+ + r
+ + k +
p+p+p+ P
PpN P +
+p+ +K+
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + + +R

+ + +r+
+ +lk +
p+p+p+ P
P + P +K
+ + +R+
+N+ + +
P + + +
+ + + +

24
Ke7-d7 58.Na6-c5+ Kd7-c6 59.Kg5-f6
Bf7-h5 60.Nc5xe6 Kc6-b5 61.Ne6-g7
Diagram
93

+ + + +
+ + + N
+ + K +
Pk+ P +l
+ + + +
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + + +

Bh5-g4 62.e5-e6 Bg4xe6 63.Kf6xe6


Kb5xa5 64.Ke6-d5 Ka5-b4 65.Ng7-f5
Kb4-b3 3.97/19 Diagram

94

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ +K+N+
+ + + +
+k+ + +
P + + +
+ + + +

95

c6-c5 56.Nb3xc5 Bg8-f7 57.Nc5xa6

96

97

]
(Diagram 98)
45...Ke7-f7 Diagram [ 45...Rh8-g8+
hardly improves anything 46.Kg5-h5+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 45...Ke7-f7
46.Rh1-f1+ Kf7-e7 47.Rf1-f4 b5-b4
48.Rf4xc4 b4-b3 49.Nc5xb3 Rh8-g8+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+l+ + r
+ + k +
p+p+p+ P
PpN P K
+p+ + +
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + + +R

25

+l+ + r
+ + +k+
p+p+p+ P
PpN P K
+p+ + +
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + + +R

98

50.Kg5-h5 Bc8-d7 51.Rc4-g4 Diagram

+ + +r+
+ +lk +
p+p+p+ P
P + P +K
+ + +R+
+N+ + +
P + + +
+ + + +

100

b5-b4 48.Rf4xc4 b4-b3 49.Nc5xb3


Rh8-g8+ 50.Kg5-h5 Bc8-d7
51.Rc4-g4 Bd7-e8+ 52.Kh5-h4
Diagram

99

+ +l+r+
+ + k +
p+p+p+ P
P + P +
+ + +RK
+N+ + +
P + + +
+ + + +

Bd7-e8+ 52.Kh5-h4 Be8-g6 53.h6-h7


Bg6xh7 54.Rg4xg8 Bh7xg8 55.Kh4-g5
c6-c5 56.Nb3xc5 Bg8-f7 57.Nc5xa6
Ke7-d7 58.Na6-c5+ Kd7-c6 59.Kg5-f6
Bf7-h5 60.Nc5xe6 Kc6-b5 61.Ne6-g7
Bh5-g4 62.e5-e6 Bg4xe6 63.Kf6xe6
Kb5xa5 64.Ke6-d5 Ka5-b4 65.Ng7-f5
Kb4-b3 4.08/20 ]

Be8-g6 53.h6-h7 Bg6xh7 54.Rg4xg8


Bh7xg8 55.Kh4-g5 c6-c5 56.Nb3xc5
Bg8-h7 57.Nc5xa6 Ke7-d7
58.Na6-c5+ Kd7-c6 59.Nc5xe6
Bh7-d3 60.Ne6-f4 Bd3-e4 61.e5-e6
Kc6-b5 62.Kg5-f6 Kb5xa5 63.e6-e7
Be4-c6 64.Kf6-f7 Ka5-b5 65.Nf4-e6
Kb5-b6 66.b2-b4 Bc6-b5 4.23/19
Diagram

(Diagram 100)
46.Rh1-f1+ Diagram [ 46.Kg5-h5+finishes off the opponent ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 46.Rh1-f1+ Kf7-e7 47.Rf1-f4

101

]
46...Kf7-g8 [ 46...Kf7-e7+- Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + PK+
k +N+ +
+l+ + +
P + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +

+l+ + r
+ + +k+
p+p+p+ P
PpN P K
+p+ + +
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + +R+

+l+ + r
+ + k +
p+p+p+ P
PpN P K
+p+ + +
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + +R+
otherwise it's curtains at once ;

26

102

103

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46...Kf7-e7


47.Rf1-f4 b5-b4 48.Rf4xc4 b4-b3
49.Nc5xb3 Rh8-g8+ 50.Kg5-h5
Bc8-d7 51.Rc4-g4 Bd7-e8+ 52.Kh5-h4
Be8-g6 53.h6-h7 Bg6xh7 54.Rg4xg8
Bh7xg8 55.Kh4-g5 c6-c5 56.Nb3xc5
Bg8-h7 57.Nc5xa6 Ke7-d7
58.Na6-c5+ Kd7-c6 59.Nc5xe6
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +l
+k+N+ +
P + P K
+ + + +
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + + +

105

Bh7-e4 60.Kg5-f6 Kc6-b5 61.a5-a6


Kb5-b6 62.b2-b4 Be4-c6 63.Ne6-c5
Kb6-b5 64.a6-a7 Kb5-b6 65.b4-b5
Kb6xb5 66.Nc5-e6 Kb5-b6 3.94/21 ]
47.Kg5-g6 Diagram [ 47.Kg5-g6 b5-b4
48.Rf1-d1 Rh8xh6+ 49.Kg6xh6 Kg8-f7
50.Rd1-d8 Bc8-b7 51.Rd8-b8 c4-c3
52.Rb8xb7+ Kf7-e8 53.Rb7xb4 c3-c2
54.Rb4-c4 Ke8-e7 Diagram
104

(Diagram 106)
55.Nc5xa6 Ke7-d8 56.Na6-c5 Kd8-c7
57.Nc5xe6+ Kc7-b8 58.Rc4xc2
Kb8-b7 59.Ne6-d8+ Kb7-c8 60.a5-a6
Kc8-b8 61.Rc2xc6 Kb8-a7 62.Nd8-e6
Ka7-b8 63.Rc6-b6+ Kb8-c8 64.a6-a7
Kc8-d7 65.a7-a8Q Kd7-e7 66.Rb6-d6
Ke7-f7 67.Qa8-f8# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 47.Kg5-g6 b5-b4 48.Rf1-d1
Rh8xh6+ 49.Kg6xh6 Kg8-f7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + k +
p+p+p+ K
P N P +
+R+ + +
+ + + +
Pp+ + +
+ + + +

27

106

50.Rd1-d8 Bc8-b7 51.Rd8-d7+ Kf7-e8


52.Rd7xb7 c4-c3 53.Rb7xb4 Diagram

+ +k+ +
+ + + +
p+p+p+ K
P N P +
R + + +
+ p + +
P + + +
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ + P +
P+ + + K
+kN + +
+R+ + +
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + + +

108

Ke3-e4 22.88/21 ]

+l+ +kr
+ + + +
p+p+p+KP
PpN P +
+p+ + +
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + +R+

107

109

1-0
c3-c2 54.Rb4-c4 Ke8-d8 55.Rc4xc2
Kd8-e8 56.Nc5xa6 c6-c5 57.Na6xc5
Ke8-d8 58.Rc2-c1 Kd8-c7
59.Nc5xe6+ Kc7-d7 60.Ne6-c5+
Kd7-c7 61.Rc1-c2 Kc7-b8 62.a5-a6
Kb8-a8 63.Kh6-g6 Ka8-a7 64.e5-e6
Ka7-b8 65.Kg6-h6 Kb8-a7 66.e6-e7
Ka7-b6 67.Rc2-c4 Kb6-b5 Diagram
68.e7-e8Q+ Kb5xc4 69.Nc5-e6
Kc4-b3 70.a6-a7 Kb3xb2 71.a7-a8Q
Kb2-c1 72.Qe8-c6+ Kc1-d2
73.Qa8-a2+ Kd2-e3 74.Qc6-c3+

2
Kiril D Georgiev
Vassily Ivanchuk
49/549 Reggio Emilia 49/549
D88: Exchange Grnfeld: Classical
Line: 10 Be3 cxd4 11 cxd4
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 g7-g6
3.Nb1-c3 d7-d5 4.c4xd5 Nf6xd5
Diagram
5.e2-e4 Nd5xc3 6.b2xc3 Bf8-g7

D88

1989

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rnlqkl r
ppp pp+p
+ + +p+
+ +n+ +
+ P + +
+ N + +
PP +PPPP
R LQKLNR

28

110

7.Bf1-c4 c7-c5 8.Ng1-e2 0-0


9.Bc1-e3 Nb8-c6 10.0-0 Bc8-g4
11.f2-f3 Nc6-a5 Diagram

r+ q rk+
pp+ pplp
+ + +p+
n p + +
+LPP+l+
+ P LP+
P+ +N+PP
R +Q+RK

+ + rk+
pp+ + +p
q+ + +pl
+ LPp +
+n+P+P+
+ + + N
P+ + +PP
R + Q K

112

31.Qb7-d5 Na1-c2 32.Qd5-c6+ Kf6-g7


33.Qc6xc2 Qd8xd7 34.Qc2-c5
0.24/15 ] 21...Qa6-a4 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 21...Bh6-g5 Diagram

111

12.Bc4xf7+ Rf8xf7 13.f3xg4 Rf7xf1+


14.Kg1xf1 c5xd4 15.c3xd4 e7-e5
16.d4-d5 Na5-c4 17.Be3-f2 Qd8-f6
18.Kf1-g1 Ra8-f8 19.Qd1-e1 Bg7-h6
20.Ne2-g3 Qf6-a6 last book move
21.Kg1-h1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Bf2-c5 Diagram
Rf8-c8 22.Bc5-e7 Nc4-e3 23.d5-d6
Ne3-c2 24.d6-d7 Rc8-d8 25.Qe1-d1
Qa6-b6+ 26.Kg1-h1 Nc2xa1
27.Ng3-e2 Kg8-f7 28.Be7xd8 Qb6xd8
29.Qd1-d5+ Kf7-f6 30.Qd5xb7 Bh6-g5

+ + rk+
pp+ + +p
q+ + +p+
+ +Pp l
+n+P+P+
+ + + N
P+ + LPP
R + Q +K

113

22.a2-a4 Kg8-g7 23.Bf2-g1 Qa6-d6


24.a4-a5 a7-a6 25.Qe1-c3 Rf8-c8
26.Ra1-f1 Qd6-c7 27.Qc3-b4 Qc7-e7
28.Qb4xe7+ Bg5xe7 29.Bg1-b6
Nc4xb6 30.a5xb6 0.25/16 ;RR
21...Qa6-a3 22.Qe1-e2 b7-b5
23.Ng3-f1 Rf8-c8 24.h2-h4 Bh6-c1
25.Ra1-b1 Nc4-d6 26.g4-g5 Qa3-a4
27.Qe2-g4 Qa4-c2 28.Qg4-e6+
Nd6-f7 29.Rb1xb5 Rc8-d8 30.Kh1-g1
Qc2xe4 31.Nf1-g3 Qe4-d3 32.Rb5-b7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

29

Qd3xd5 33.Qe6xd5 Rd8xd5


34.Ng3-e4 Rd5-d1+ 35.Kg1-h2 a7-a5
36.Bf2-c5 Naumkin,I (2445)-Pruijssers,
R (2310)/Hoogeveen 2005/EXT 2006/
1-0 (57) ] 22.Qe1-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 22.Bf2-g1 b7-b6 23.Qe1-c3
Rf8-f7 24.Qc3-b3 (RR 24.Ra1-b1
Bh6-d2 25.Qc3-d3 Qa4xa2 26.d5-d6
Nc4xd6 27.Qd3xd6 Qa2xb1
28.Qd6xd2 a7-a5 29.Qd2-d8+ Kg8-g7
30.Qd8-g5 h7-h6 31.Qg5xe5+ Kg7-h7
32.h2-h3 Rf7-d7 33.Ng3-h5
1-0 Seirawan,Y (2635)-Popovic,P
(2520)/Manila 1990/CBM 019 (33) )
24...Qa4xb3 25.a2xb3 Nc4-d6
26.Ra1-a4 Bh6-g5 27.h2-h3 Kg8-g7
28.Ng3-e2 Diagram

+ + + +
p + +rkp
p n +p+
+ +Pp l
R+ +P+P+
+P+ + +P
+ +N+P+
+ + + LK

114

b6-b5 29.Ra4xa7 Rf7xa7 30.Bg1xa7


Nd6xe4 31.Ba7-b8 Kg7-f6 32.Bb8-c7
Bg5-e3 33.Kh1-h2 0.24/17 ] 22...b7-b6
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...b7-b6
Diagram
(Diagram 115)
23.h2-h4 Rf8-f7 24.g4-g5 Bh6-f8
25.Ra1-e1 b6-b5 26.Ng3-f1 Bf8-d6
27.Re1-c1 Bd6-f8 28.Qe2-c2 Qa4xc2
29.Rc1xc2 Rf7-f4 30.Rc2-e2 Kg8-f7
31.Kh1-h2 0.26/17 ] 23.h2-h4

+ + rk+
p + + +p
p + +pl
+ +Pp +
q+n+P+P+
+ + + N
P+ +QLPP
R + + +K

115

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.Ra1-e1


Diagram

+ + rk+
p + + +p
p + +pl
+ +Pp +
q+n+P+P+
+ + + N
P+ +QLPP
+ + R +K

116

Bh6-d2 24.Re1-b1 Qa4xa2


25.Rb1-c1 b6-b5 26.Bf2-c5 Qa2-a4
27.Rc1-f1 Rf8xf1+ 28.Ng3xf1 Bd2-b4
29.Qe2-f2 Bb4xc5 30.Qf2xc5 Qa4-a6
31.Qc5-e7 Qa6-b6 32.Qe7-e8+
Kg8-g7 33.Qe8-d7+ Kg7-g8 0.11/17 ]
23...Bh6-f4N [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...Rf8-f7 24.Ra1-e1 Bh6-d2
25.Re1-b1 Bd2-f4 26.Bf2-e1 Nc4-d6
27.Rb1-b4 Qa4-d7 28.Ng3-f1 Qd7-c8
29.g4-g5 Qc8-c5 30.g2-g3 Bf4-c1
31.Kh1-g2 Diagram
h7-h5 32.g5xh6 Bc1xh6 33.Rb4-b3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
p + +r+p
p n +p+
+ qPp P
R +P+ P
+ + + P
P+ +Q+K+
+ l LN+

30

117

Kg8-g7 0.24/17 ;RR 23...Rf8-f4


24.Bf2-e1 Bh6-f8 25.Ra1-c1 b6-b5
26.Rc1-c3 Bf8-e7 27.h4-h5 Qa4-a6
28.h5xg6 h7xg6 29.Ng3-f5 g6xf5
30.g4xf5 Qa6-h6+ 31.Rc3-h3 Qh6-g5
32.d5-d6 Be7xd6 33.Qe2-d3 Kg8-g7
34.Be1-d2 Nc4xd2 35.Qd3xd6 Rf4-f1+
36.Kh1-h2 Qg5-f4+ 37.Rh3-g3+
Qf4xg3+ 0-1 Ftacnik,L (2590)-Kudrin,S
(2510)/Reno 1991/EXT 2000 (37) ]
24.Ng3-f1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.Ra1-e1 Nc4-d6 25.g4-g5 Rf8-c8
26.Qe2-g4 Rc8-e8 27.Kh1-g1 Kg8-g7
28.h4-h5 Nd6-f7 29.Ng3-f1 Bf4xg5
30.h5xg6 h7xg6 31.Bf2-e3 Bg5xe3+
32.Nf1xe3 Qa4-b4 33.Re1-e2 Qb4-c5
34.Qg4-d7 Re8-e7 35.Qd7-c6
Re7-c7 0.20/17 ] 24...Nc4-d6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Nc4-d6
25.Ra1-e1 Rf8-c8 26.g2-g3 Bf4-h6
27.g4-g5 Bh6-g7 28.Qe2-g4 Rc8-c2
29.Kh1-g1 Qa4xa2 30.Qg4-e6+
Diagram
(Diagram 118)
Nd6-f7
Qa5-c3
Rc2-c7
Qd3-e2

31.Bf2-e3 Qa2-a5 32.Nf1-d2


33.Re1-e2 Qc3-d3 34.Re2-f2
35.Qe6-e8+ Bg7-f8 36.Rf2-f3
37.Kg1-h1 Kg8-g7 38.h4-h5

+ + +k+
p + + lp
p nQ+p+
+ +Pp P
+ +P+ P
+ + + P
q+r+ L +
+ + RNK

118

g6xh5 0.10/20 ] 25.Ra1-e1


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25.Ra1-e1
Rf8-c8 26.g2-g3 Bf4-h6 27.g4-g5
Bh6-g7 28.Qe2-g4 Rc8-c2 29.Kh1-g1
Qa4xa2 30.Bf2-e3 Qa2-c4 31.Nf1-d2
Qc4-d3 32.Qg4-e6+ Nd6-f7 33.Kg1-h1
Bg7-f8 34.Re1-f1 Rc2-c7 35.Rf1-f3
Qd3-e2 36.g3-g4 Qe2-e1+ 37.Kh1-g2
Qe1xh4 -0.03/19 Diagram

+ + lk+
p r +n+p
p +Q+p+
+ +Pp P
+ +P+Pq
+ + LR+
+ N +K+
+ + + +

119

] 25...Rf8-c8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


25...Rf8-c8 26.g4-g5 Rc8-c2
27.Qe2-f3 Rc2xa2 28.Kh1-g1 Ra2xf2
29.Qf3xf2 Nd6xe4 30.Qf2-b2 Qa4-c4
31.g2-g3 Diagram
Ne4xg3 32.d5-d6 Ng3xf1 33.d6-d7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
p + + +p
p + +p+
+ +Pp P
+q+nl P
+ + + P
Q + + +
+ + RNK

31

+ + +k+
p + + +p
p n +p+
+ +Pp +
q+ +PlPP
+ + + P
P+r+QL +
+ + RN+K

120

Qc4-d5 34.Qb2-a2 Qd5xa2


35.d7-d8Q+ Kg8-f7 36.Qd8-f6+
Kf7-g8 37.Qf6-d8+ Kg8-f7 0.06/18 ]
26.g2-g3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26.g4-g5 Rc8-c2 27.Qe2-f3
Rc2xa2 28.Kh1-g1 Qa4-a5 29.g2-g3
Bf4-d2 30.Re1-e2 Bd2-b4 31.Kg1-g2
Ra2xe2 32.Qf3xe2 Qa5-a4 33.Qe2-d3
Bb4-a5 34.Kg2-f3 Qa4-d7 35.Nf1-e3
Qd7-h3 36.Qd3-d1 Qh3-d7 0.07/17 ]

+r+ +k+
p + + +p
p n +p+
+ +Pp +
q+ +PlPP
+ + + P
P+ +QL +
+ + RN+K

29.Nf1-e3 Rc2xa2 30.Ne3-g4 Qa4-b4


31.Kh1-g1 Ra2-b2 32.Ng4-f6+ Bg7xf6
33.Qf3xf6 Nd6-f7 34.Re1-e3 Rb2-b3
35.Re3-e2 a7-a5 36.h4-h5 g6xh5
37.g5-g6 h7xg6 38.Qf6xg6+ Kg8-f8
39.Qg6xh5 0.10/19 ] 27.Qe2-f3
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27.Qe2-f3 Bf4-h6 28.g4-g5 Bh6-g7
29.Nf1-e3 Rc2xa2 30.Ne3-g4 Ra2-a1
31.Re1xa1 Qa4xa1+ 32.Kh1-h2
Qa1-a2 33.Ng4-f6+ Bg7xf6 34.Qf3xf6
Nd6xe4 35.Qf6-d8+ Kg8-f7
36.Qd8-c7+ Kf7-f8 37.Qc7-c8+ Kf8-f7
38.Qc8-d7+ Kf7-f8 39.Qd7-d8+ Kf8-f7
40.Qd8-c7+ -0.07/19 Diagram

121

26...Rc8-c2 last book move. Black


threatens to win material: Rc2xe2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26...Rc8-c2
Diagram
27.Qe2-f3 Bf4-h6 28.g4-g5 Bh6-g7

122

(Diagram 123)
]
(Diagram 124)
27...Qa4xa2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27...Bf4-h6 28.g4-g5 Bh6-g7
29.Nf1-e3 Rc2xa2 30.Ne3-g4 Qa4-b4
31.Ng4-f6+ Bg7xf6 32.Qf3xf6 Nd6xe4
33.Qf6-e6+ Kg8-f8 34.Qe6-c8+ Kf8-g7
35.Qc8-d7+ Diagram
Kg7-g8 36.Qd7-e6+ Kg8-f8 0.06/18 ]
28.Kh1-g1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
p Q +k+p
p + +p+
+ +Pp P
+ +n+ P
+ + + P
q+ + L K
+ + + +

+ + +k+
p + + +p
p n +p+
+ +Pp +
q+ +PlPP
+ + +QP
P+r+ L +
+ + RN+K

32

123

124

+ + +k+
p + + +p
p n +p+
+ +Pp +
+ +PlPP
+ + +QP
q+r+ LK+
+ + RN+

126

Bf4-c1 29.g4-g5 Qa2-a3 30.Nf1-h2


Qa3xf3+ 31.Kg2xf3 Rc2-c3+
32.Kf3-g2 a7-a5 33.Nh2-g4 Nd6-c4
34.Re1-e2 b6-b5 35.Bf2-e1 Rc3-d3
36.Re2-c2 Bc1-a3 37.Rc2-c3 Rd3-d1
38.Ng4-f6+ Kg8-f7 0.03/18 ]
28...Bf4-h6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28...Bf4-h6 29.g4-g5 Bh6-g7
30.Nf1-e3 Rc2-c7 31.Ne3-g4 Qa2-d2
32.Qf3-a3 Nd6-b5 33.Qa3-a4 Nb5-d6
34.Kg1-g2 Qd2-b2 35.Qa4-d1 Rc7-c2
36.Qd1-f3 Diagram
(Diagram 127)

+ + + +
p +Q+ kp
p + +p+
+ +Pp P
q +n+ P
+ + + P
r+ + L +
+ + R +K
28.Kh1-g2 Diagram

Qb2-b4 37.Kg2-h3 a7-a5 38.Ng4-f6+


Bg7xf6 39.g5xf6 a5-a4 40.g3-g4
a4-a3 41.Kh3-g3 0.09/19 ]
125

(Diagram 128)
29.g4-g5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 29.g4-g5 Bh6-g7 30.Nf1-e3
Rc2-c7 31.Ne3-g4 Qa2-d2 32.Qf3-a3
Nd6-b5 33.Qa3-a4 Nb5-d6 34.Kg1-g2
Qd2-b2 35.Qa4-d1 a7-a5 36.Qd1-a4
Diagram
Qb2-c2 37.Qa4xc2 Rc7xc2 38.Kg2-f3
b6-b5 39.Ng4-f6+ Kg8-f7 40.Nf6xh7
b5-b4 41.Re1-a1 Rc2-c3+ Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
p + + lp
p n +p+
+ +Pp P
+ +P+NP
+ + +QP
qr+ LK+
+ + R +

33

127

+ + + +
+ + +klN
+ n +p+
p +Pp P
p +P+ P
+ r +KP
+ + L +
R + + +

130

42.Bf2-e3 -0.05/20 ]

+ + +k+
p + + +p
p n +pl
+ +Pp +
+ +P+PP
+ + +QP
q+r+ L +
+ + RNK

+ + +k+
+ r + lp
p n +p+
p +Pp P
Q+ +P+NP
+ + + P
q + LK+
+ + R +

128

129

+ + +k+
p + + +p
p n +pl
+ +Pp P
+ +P+ P
+ + +QP
q+r+ L +
+ + RNK

131

This push gains space 29...Bh6-g7


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Bh6-g7
Diagram
(Diagram 132)
30.Nf1-e3 Rc2-b2 31.Re1-f1 Rb2-b1
32.Qf3-g4 Rb1xf1+ 33.Ne3xf1 Nd6-f7
34.Nf1-e3 Bg7-f8 35.Qg4-f3 Nf7-d6
36.Ne3-g4 Bf8-g7 37.Ng4-f6+ Bg7xf6
38.Qf3xf6 Nd6xe4 39.Qf6-d8+ Kg8-f7
40.Qd8-c7+ Kf7-g8 41.Qc7-c8+
Kg8-f7 42.Qc8-d7+ Kf7-f8 43.Qd7-d8+
Kf8-f7 44.Qd8-c7+ 0.12/21 ] 30.Nf1-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
p + + lp
p n +p+
+ +Pp P
+ +P+ P
+ + +QP
q+r+ L +
+ + RNK

34
39.Ne3-g4 Qe4-b1+ 40.Kg1-g2 a4-a3
41.Ng4-f6+ Kg8-g7 42.Nf6-e8+
Kg7-g8 43.Ne8-f6+ Kg8-g7 0.06/18 ]
132

Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


30.Nf1-e3 Rc2-b2 31.Re1-f1 Rb2-b1
32.Qf3-g4 Rb1xf1+ 33.Ne3xf1 Nd6-f7
34.Qg4-d7 Bg7-f8 35.Bf2-e3 a7-a5
36.Be3xb6 Qa2-b1 37.Bb6-f2 Qb1xe4
38.Nf1-e3 a5-a4 39.Ne3-g4 Qe4-b1+
40.Kg1-h2 a4-a3 41.Ng4-f6+ Kg8-g7
42.Qd7-c7 -0.01/18 ]

+ + +k+
p + + lp
p n +p+
+ +Pp P
+ +P+ P
+ + NQP
q+r+ L +
+ + R K

133

White threatens to win material:


Ne3xc2 30...Rc2-c7 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30...Rc2-b2
31.Re1-f1 Rb2-b1 32.Qf3-g4 Rb1xf1+
33.Ne3xf1 Nd6-f7 34.Qg4-d7 Bg7-f8
35.Bf2-e3 a7-a5 36.Be3xb6 Qa2-b1
37.Bb6-f2 Qb1xe4 38.Nf1-e3 a5-a4

+ + +k+
p r + lp
p n +p+
+ +Pp P
+ +P+ P
+ + NQP
q+ + L +
+ + R K

134

31.Ne3-g4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


31.Ne3-g4 Qa2-d2 32.Qf3-a3 Nd6-b5
33.Qa3-a4 Nb5-d6 34.Kg1-g2 Qd2-b2
35.Qa4-d1 Rc7-c2 36.Qd1-d3 Rc2-c3
37.Qd3-e2 Diagram

+ + +k+
p + + lp
p n +p+
+ +Pp P
+ +P+NP
+ r + P
q +QLK+
+ + R +

135

Qb2xe2 38.Re1xe2 Rc3-b3


39.Re2-c2 Rb3-d3 40.Rc2-c7 Rd3-a3
41.Ng4-f6+ Bg7xf6 42.g5xf6 Nd6xe4
0.00/19 ] 31...Rc7-f7 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31...Qa2-d2
32.Qf3-a3 Nd6-b5 33.Qa3-a4 Nb5-d6
34.Kg1-g2 Qd2-c3 35.Qa4-a2 Qc3-b4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

35

36.Re1-e2 Rc7-f7 37.Qa2-a6 b6-b5


38.Qa6-c6 a7-a5 39.Qc6-c5 Qb4xc5
40.Bf2xc5 Nd6-c4 41.Re2-e1 b5-b4
42.Re1-c1 b4-b3 43.Rc1xc4 b3-b2
44.Bc5-d6 b2-b1Q 45.Rc4-c8+ Rf7-f8
46.Ng4-f6+ Bg7xf6 0.10/17 ]

+ + +k+
p + +rlp
p n +p+
+ +Pp P
+ +P+NP
+ + +QP
q+ + L +
+ + R K

136

Black threatens to win material: Rf7xf3


32.Qf3-e3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 32.Qf3-e3 Diagram

+ + +k+
p + +rlp
p n +p+
+ +Pp P
+ +P+NP
+ + Q P
q+ + L +
+ + R K

137

Nd6-c4 33.Qe3-d3 Nc4-d6 34.Kg1-g2


b6-b5 35.Re1-e2 Qa2-c4 36.Qd3xc4
Nd6xc4 37.Ng4-e3 Nc4xe3+
38.Bf2xe3 b5-b4 39.d5-d6 Rf7-d7
40.Be3-c5 a7-a5 41.Re2-a2 Bg7-f8
42.Ra2xa5 Bf8xd6 43.Bc5xd6 Rd7xd6

44.Ra5xe5 Kg8-f7 45.Re5-b5


Rd6-d2+ 46.Kg2-f3 Rd2-d3+
47.Kf3-e2 0.04/18 ]

+ + +k+
p + +rlp
p n +p+
+ +Pp P
+ +P+NP
+ + Q P
q+ + L +
+ + R K

138

32...Qa2-c2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 32...Nd6-c4 33.Qe3-d3
Nc4-d6 34.Kg1-g2 b6-b5 35.Re1-e2
Qa2-c4 36.Qd3xc4 Nd6xc4 37.Ng4-e3
Nc4xe3+ 38.Bf2xe3 b5-b4 39.Be3-c5
b4-b3 40.Re2-b2 Rf7-c7 41.Bc5-a3
Rc7-b7 42.Kg2-f3 Kg8-f7 0.14/17 ]

+ + +k+
p + +rlp
p n +p+
+ +Pp P
+ +P+NP
+ + Q P
+q+ L +
+ + R K

139

33.h4-h5 [ 33.Qe3-e2 Qc2-c3= ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Kg1-g2
Diagram
Qc2-c4 34.Qe3-e2 Qc4xe2
35.Re1xe2 Kg8-f8 36.Bf2-e1 a7-a5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
p + +rlp
p n +p+
+ +Pp P
+ +P+NP
+ + Q P
+q+ LK+
+ + R +

36

140

37.Re2-c2 Rf7-d7 38.Kg2-f3 a5-a4


39.Be1-b4 Kf8-e7 40.Bb4xd6+
Rd7xd6 41.Rc2-c7+ Rd6-d7
42.Rc7-c6 Rd7-d6 0.08/16 ]
33...Nd6-c4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Nd6-c4 34.Qe3-c1 Qc2xc1
35.Re1xc1 g6xh5 36.Rc1xc4 h5xg4
37.Rc4-c8+ Bg7-f8 38.Kg1-f1 Rf7-d7
39.Kf1-e2 Kg8-f7 40.Ke2-d3 Bf8-d6
41.Bf2-e3 Diagram

+R+ + +
p +r+k+p
p l + +
+ +Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ +KL P
+ + + +
+ + + +
Rd7-c7
Rc7-e7
Rf7-d7
Rd7-c7
Ke7-d7

141

42.Rc8-h8 Kf7-g7 43.Rh8-e8


44.Re8-c8 Re7-f7 45.Rc8-c6
46.Be3-d2 Kg7-f7 47.Kd3-c4
48.Kc4-b5 Kf7-e7 49.Bd2-e1
-0.08/10 ] 34.Qe3-c1 Diagram

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Qe3-c1


Qc2xc1 35.Re1xc1 g6xh5 36.Rc1xc4
h5xg4 37.Rc4-c8+ Bg7-f8 38.Kg1-f1
Rf7-d7 39.Kf1-e2 Kg8-f7 40.Ke2-d3
Bf8-d6 41.Bf2-e3 Rd7-c7 Diagram

+R+ + +
p r +k+p
p l + +
+ +Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ +KL P
+ + + +
+ + + +
42.Rc8-h8
44.Re8-c8
46.Be3-d2
48.Kc4-b5
-0.22/23 ]

142

Kf7-g7 43.Rh8-e8 Rc7-e7


Re7-f7 45.Rc8-c6 Rf7-d7
Kg7-f7 47.Kd3-c4 Rd7-c7
Kf7-e7 49.Bd2-e1 Ke7-d7

+ + +k+
p + +rlp
p + +p+
+ +Pp PP
+n+P+N+
+ + + P
+q+ L +
+ Q R K

143

34...Qc2xc1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


34...Qc2xc1 Diagram
35.Re1xc1 g6xh5 36.Rc1xc4 h5xg4
37.Rc4-c8+ Bg7-f8 38.Kg1-f1 Rf7-d7
39.Kf1-e2 Kg8-f7 40.Ke2-d3 Bf8-d6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
p + +rlp
p + +p+
+ +Pp PP
+n+P+N+
+ + + P
+ + L +
+ q R K

37

144

41.Bf2-e3 Rd7-c7 42.Rc8-h8 Kf7-g7


43.Rh8-e8 Rc7-e7 44.Re8-d8 Bd6-b4
45.Rd8-c8 Re7-f7 46.Kd3-e2 Bb4-f8
47.Ke2-d3 Bf8-e7 48.Rc8-c7 Be7-d6
-0.10/21 ] 35.Re1xc1 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35.Re1xc1
g6xh5 36.Rc1xc4 h5xg4 37.Rc4-c8+
Bg7-f8 38.Kg1-f1 Rf7-d7 39.Kf1-e2
Kg8-f7 40.Ke2-d3 Bf8-d6 41.Bf2-e3
Rd7-c7 42.Rc8-h8 Kf7-g7 43.Rh8-e8
Rc7-e7 44.Re8-c8 Re7-f7 45.Rc8-c6
Rf7-d7 46.Be3-d2 Kg7-f7 47.Kd3-c4
Rd7-c7 48.Kc4-b5 Kf7-e7 Diagram

+ + + +
p r k +p
pRl + +
+K+Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ + + P
+ L + +
+ + + +

+ + +k+
p + +rlp
p + +p+
+ +Pp PP
+n+P+N+
+ + + P
+ + L +
+ R + K

145

146

(Diagram 145)
49.Bd2-e1 Ke7-d7 -0.18/23 ]
(Diagram 146)
35...g6xh5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 35...g6xh5 36.Rc1xc4 h5xg4
37.Rc4-c8+ Bg7-f8 38.Kg1-f1 Rf7-d7
39.Kf1-e2 Kg8-f7 40.Ke2-d3 Bf8-d6
41.Bf2-e3 Rd7-c7 42.Rc8-h8 Kf7-g7
43.Rh8-e8 Rc7-e7 44.Re8-c8 Re7-f7
45.Rc8-c6 Rf7-d7 46.Kd3-c4 Kg7-f7
47.Be3-d2 Rd7-c7 48.Kc4-b5 Kf7-e7
49.Bd2-e1 Diagram
Ke7-d7 -0.09/22 ]

+ + + +
p r k +p
pRl + +
+K+Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + L +

147

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
p + +rlp
p + + +
+ +Pp Pp
+n+P+N+
+ + + P
+ + L +
+ R + K

38

148

36.Rc1xc4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


36.Rc1xc4 Diagram

+ + +k+
p + +rlp
p + + +
+ +Pp Pp
+R+P+N+
+ + + P
+ + L +
+ + + K

+ + + +
p rk+ +p
pRl + +
+K+Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + L +
Rc7-e7
Rf7-d7
Rd7-c7
Ke7-d7

149

h5xg4 37.Rc4-c8+ Bg7-f8 38.Kg1-f1


Rf7-d7 39.Kf1-e2 Kg8-f7 40.Ke2-d3
Bf8-d6 41.Bf2-e3 Rd7-c7 42.Rc8-h8
Kf7-g7 43.Rh8-e8 Rc7-e7 44.Re8-c8
Re7-f7 45.Rc8-c6 Rf7-d7 46.Be3-d2
Kg7-f7 47.Kd3-c4 Rd7-c7 48.Kc4-b5
Kf7-e7 49.Bd2-e1 Ke7-d7 -0.17/21
Diagram
] 36...h5xg4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 36...h5xg4 37.Rc4-c8+
Bg7-f8 38.Kg1-f1 Rf7-d7 39.Kf1-e2
Kg8-f7 40.Ke2-d3 Bf8-d6 41.Bf2-e3
Rd7-c7 42.Rc8-h8 Kf7-g7 43.Rh8-e8

150

44.Re8-c8 Re7-f7 45.Rc8-c6


46.Kd3-c4 Kg7-f7 47.Be3-d2
48.Kc4-b5 Kf7-e7 49.Bd2-e1
-0.09/20 ]

+ + +k+
p + +rlp
p + + +
+ +Pp P
+R+P+p+
+ + + P
+ + L +
+ + + K

151

Black has a new backward pawn: h7


37.Rc4-c8+ Diagram [ 37.Kg1-f1
Bg7-f8 38.Kf1-e2 Bf8-d6! ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 37.Rc4-c8+ Diagram
(Diagram 152)
Bg7-f8 38.Kg1-f1 Rf7-d7 39.Kf1-e2
Kg8-f7 40.Ke2-d3 Bf8-d6 41.Bf2-e3
Rd7-c7 42.Rc8-h8 Kf7-g7 43.Rh8-e8
Rc7-e7 44.Re8-c8 Re7-f7 45.Rc8-c6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+R+ +k+
p + +rlp
p + + +
+ +Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ + + P
+ + L +
+ + + K

39

152

Rf7-d7 46.Be3-d2 Kg7-f7 47.Kd3-c4


Rd7-c7 48.Kc4-b5 Kf7-e7 49.Bd2-e1
Ke7-d7 -0.15/21 Diagram

+ + + +
p rk+ +p
pRl + +
+K+Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + L +

153

+R+ +k+
p + +rlp
p + + +
+ +Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ + + P
+ + L +
+ + + K

+R+ + +
p + r kp
p l + +
+ +Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ +KL P
+ + + +
+ + + +

154

155

Kf7-e7 49.Kd3-c3 Rd7-b7 50.Ba5-b4


Bd6xb4+ -0.10/21 ]
(Diagram 156)

(Diagram 154)
37...Bg7-f8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 37...Bg7-f8 38.Kg1-f1 Rf7-d7
39.Kf1-e2 Kg8-f7 40.Ke2-d3 Bf8-d6
41.Bf2-e3 Rd7-c7 42.Rc8-h8 Kf7-g7
43.Rh8-e8 Rc7-e7 44.Re8-c8
Diagram
Re7-f7 45.Rc8-c6 Rf7-d7 46.Be3-d2
Kg7-f7 47.Bd2-c3 b6-b5 48.Bc3-a5

38.Bf2-e1 [ 38.Kg1-g2 Diagram


(Diagram 157)
Kg8-g7! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38.Kg1-f1 Rf7-d7 39.Rc8-e8 Rd7-e7
40.Re8-c8 Kg8-f7 41.Rc8-c6 Re7-d7
42.Rc6-f6+ Kf7-e8 43.Kf1-e2 Rd7-d6
44.Rf6-f5 Diagram
Bf8-g7 45.Bf2-e1 a7-a5 46.Be1-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+R+ lk+
p + +r+p
p + + +
+ +Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ + + P
+ + L +
+ + + K

+R+ lk+
p + +r+p
p + + +
+ +Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ + + P
+ + LK+
+ + + +

+ +kl +
p + + +p
p r + +
+ +PpRP
+ +P+p+
+ + + P
+ +KL +
+ + + +

40
Ke8-d7 49.Re5-f5 Rd6-g6 50.Ke2-d3
-0.14/16 ] 38...Kg8-g7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 38...Kg8-g7 Diagram
156

+R+ l +
p + +rkp
p + + +
+ +Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + L K
157

159

39.Kg1-g2 Bf8-d6 40.Be1-c3 Rf7-c7


41.Rc8-d8 Rc7xc3 42.Rd8-d7+ Kg7-f8
43.Rd7xd6 a7-a5 44.Rd6xb6 a5-a4
45.Rb6-b8+ Kf8-f7 46.Kg2-f2 a4-a3
47.Rb8-b7+ Kf7-g6 48.d5-d6 Rc3-d3
49.Rb7-a7 Rd3xd6 50.Ra7xa3
Rd6-d2+ 51.Kf2-e1 Rd2-d4 52.Ra3-a7
Diagram
(Diagram 160)
Rd4xe4+ 53.Ke1-f2 Re4-b4
54.Ra7-e7 Rb4-b2+ 55.Kf2-e3
Rb2-b3+ 56.Ke3-e4 Rb3xg3
57.Ke4xe5 -0.27/14 Diagram

158

a5-a4 47.Bc3xe5 Bg7xe5 48.Rf5xe5+

(Diagram 161)
] 39.Be1-c3 Diagram [ 39.Kg1-g2
Diagram
(Diagram 162)
Bf8-d6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39.Kg1-g2 Bf8-d6 40.Be1-c3 Rf7-c7
41.Rc8-d8 Rc7xc3 42.Rd8-d7+ Kg7-f8
43.Rd7xd6 a7-a5 44.Rd6xb6 a5-a4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
R + + +p
+ + +k+
+ + p P
+ rP+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + K +

+ + + +
+ + R +p
+ + +k+
+ + K P
+ + +p+
+ + + r
+ + + +
+ + + +

+R+ l +
p + +rkp
p + + +
+ +Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ + + P
+ + +K+
+ + L +

41

R + k +
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ +Pp P
p+ +P+p+
+ r + P
+ + +K+
+ + + +

160

163

Kf8-f7 46.Kg2-f2 a4-a3 47.Rb8-b7+


Kf7-g6 48.d5-d6 Rc3-d3 49.Rb7-a7
Rd3xd6 Diagram
161

+ + + +
R + + +p
+ r +k+
+ + p P
+ +P+p+
p + + P
+ + K +
+ + + +

164

50.Ra7xa3 Rd6-d2+ 51.Kf2-e1


Rd2-d4 52.Ra3-a7 Rd4xe4+
53.Ke1-f2 Re4-b4 54.Ra7-e7 Rb4-b2+
55.Kf2-e3 Rb2-b3+ 56.Ke3-e4
Diagram

162

(Diagram 165)
Rb3xg3 57.Ke4xe5 -0.34/13
Diagram
]
39...Bf8-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

45.Rb6-b8+ Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + R +p
+ + +k+
+ + p P
+ +K+p+
+r+ + P
+ + + +
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ + R +p
+ + +k+
+ + K P
+ + +p+
+ + + r
+ + + +
+ + + +

+R+ l +
p + +rkp
p + + +
+ +Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ L + P
+ + + +
+ + + K
39...Bf8-d6 Diagram

42

165

166

167

+R+ + +
p + +rkp
p l + +
+ +Pp P
+ +P+p+
+ L + P
+ + + +
+ + + K

168

40.Kg1-g2 Rf7-c7 41.Rc8-d8 Rc7xc3


42.Rd8-d7+ Kg7-f8 43.Rd7xd6 a7-a5
44.Rd6xb6 a5-a4 45.Rb6-b8+ Kf8-f7
46.Kg2-f2 a4-a3 47.Rb8-b7+ Kf7-g6
48.d5-d6 Rc3-d3 49.Rb7-a7 Rd3xd6
50.Ra7xa3 Rd6-d2+ 51.Kf2-e1
Rd2-d4 52.Ra3-a7 Rd4xe4+
53.Ke1-f2 Diagram

+ + + +
R + + +p
+ + +k+
+ + p P
+ +r+p+
+ + + P
+ + K +
+ + + +

169

Re4-b4 54.Ra7-e7 Rb4-b2+


55.Kf2-e3 Rb2-b3+ 56.Ke3-e4
Rb3xg3 57.Ke4xe5 -0.27/17 ]
40.Rc8-c6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
40.Kg1-g2 Rf7-c7 41.Rc8-d8 Rc7xc3
42.Rd8-d7+ Kg7-f8 43.Rd7xd6 a7-a5
44.Rd6xb6 a5-a4 45.Rb6-b8+ Kf8-f7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

43

46.Kg2-f2 a4-a3 47.Rb8-b7+ Kf7-g6


Diagram

+ + + +
+R+ + +p
+ + +k+
+ +Pp P
+ +P+p+
p r + P
+ + K +
+ + + +

170

48.d5-d6 Rc3-d3 49.Rb7-a7 Rd3xd6


50.Ra7xa3 Rd6-d2+ 51.Kf2-e1
Rd2-d4 52.Ra3-a7 Rd4xe4+
53.Ke1-f2 Re4-b4 54.Ra7-e7 Rb4-b2+
55.Kf2-e3 Rb2-b3+ 56.Ke3-e4
Rb3xg3 57.Ke4xe5 -0.34/19 ]
40...Bd6-c5+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 40...Rf7-c7 41.Rc6xd6
Rc7xc3 42.Kg1-f2 Rc3-f3+ 43.Kf2-e2
Rf3xg3 44.Rd6-d7+ Kg7-g6 45.d5-d6
Rg3-g2+ 46.Ke2-e3 Diagram

+ + + +
p +R+ +p
p P +k+
+ + p P
+ +P+p+
+ + K +
+ + +r+
+ + + +

+ + + +
R + + +p
p r +k+
+ + p P
+ +P+ +
+ + +Kp
+ + + +
+ + + +

171

172

(Diagram 171)
Rg2-g1 47.Ke3-e2 g4-g3 48.Rd7xa7
Rg1-d1 49.Ke2-f3 Rd1xd6 Diagram
(Diagram 172)
50.Kf3xg3 b6-b5 51.Ra7-b7 Kg6xg5
52.Rb7-g7+ Kg5-h6 53.Rg7-b7
Rd6-d4 54.Rb7xb5 Rd4xe4 55.Kg3-f3
Re4-e1 56.Rb5-b6+ Kh6-g5 -0.47/19 ]
41.Kg1-g2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 41.Kg1-g2 Rf7-f2+ 42.Kg2-h1
Bc5-d4 43.Bc3xd4 e5xd4 44.Rc6-c7+
Kg7-g6 45.Kh1-g1 Rf2-f8 46.Rc7xa7
b6-b5 47.Ra7-a6+ Kg6xg5 48.Ra6-b6

+ + + +
p + +rkp
pR+ + +
+ lPp P
+ +P+p+
+ L + P
+ + + +
+ + + K
Rf8-f3 49.Kg1-g2 d4-d3 50.d5-d6

173

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

44

Kg5-f6 51.Rb6xb5 Kf6-e6 52.Rb5-d5


Ke6-d7 53.e4-e5 Rf3-e3 Diagram

+ + + +
+ +k+ +p
+ P + +
+ +RP +
+ + +p+
+ +pr P
+ + +K+
+ + + +

174

54.Kg2-f2 Re3-e2+ 55.Kf2-f1 h7-h5


56.Rd5xd3 Re2xe5 57.Kf1-f2 Diagram

+ + + +
+ +k+ +
+ P + +
+ + r +p
+ + +p+
+ +R+ P
+ + K +
+ + + +

175

Re5-f5+ 58.Kf2-g2 Rf5-b5 59.Rd3-d2


Rb5-c5 60.Rd2-d3 Rc5-f5 61.Rd3-d4
Rf5-b5 62.Rd4-d2 Rb5-c5 -0.21/23
Diagram

+ + + +
+ +k+ +
+ P + +
+ r + +p
+ + +p+
+ + + P
+ R +K+
+ + + +

+ + + +
p + +rkp
pR+ + +
+ lPp P
+ +P+p+
+ L + P
+ + +K+
+ + + +

177

Kg7-g6 45.Kh1-g1 Rf2-f8 46.Rc7xa7


b6-b5 47.Ra7-a6+ Kg6xg5 48.Ra6-b6
Rf8-f3 49.Kg1-g2 d4-d3 50.Rb6xb5
Kg5-f6 51.d5-d6 Kf6-e6 52.Rb5-d5
Ke6-d7 53.e4-e5 Rf3-e3 54.Kg2-f2
Re3-e2+ 55.Kf2-f1 h7-h5 56.Rd5xd3
Re2xe5 57.Kf1-f2 Re5-f5+ 58.Kf2-g2
Rf5-b5 59.Rd3-d2 Rb5-b6 60.Rd2-d5
Rb6xd6 61.Rd5xh5 Rd6-d2+ Diagram

(Diagram 176)
(Diagram 178)
]
41...Rf7-f2+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 41...Rf7-f2+ 42.Kg2-h1
Bc5-d4 43.Bc3xd4 e5xd4 44.Rc6-c7+

176

62.Kg2-g1 Kd7-e6 -0.15/22 ]


42.Kg2-h1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
42.Kg2-h1 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ +k+ +
+ + + +
+ + + +R
+ + +p+
+ + + P
+ r +K+
+ + + +

+ + + +
p + + kp
pR+ + +
+ lPp P
+ +P+p+
+ L + P
+ + rK+
+ + + +

+ + + +
p + + kp
pR+ + +
+ lPp P
+ +P+p+
+ L + P
+ + r +
+ + + +K

45

178

179

180

Bc5-d4 43.Bc3xd4 e5xd4 44.Rc6-c7+

Kg7-g6 45.Kh1-g1 Rf2-f8 46.Rc7xa7


b6-b5 47.Ra7-a6+ Kg6xg5 48.Ra6-b6
Rf8-f3 49.Kg1-g2 d4-d3 50.Rb6xb5
Kg5-f6 51.d5-d6 Kf6-e6 52.Rb5-d5
Ke6-d7 53.e4-e5 Rf3-e3 54.Kg2-f2
Re3-e2+ 55.Kf2-f1 Diagram

+ + + +
+ +k+ +p
+ P + +
+ +RP +
+ + +p+
+ +p+ P
+ +r+ +
+ + +K+

181

h7-h5 56.Rd5xd3 Re2xe5 57.Kf1-f2


Re5-f5+ 58.Kf2-g2 Rf5-b5 59.Rd3-d2
Rb5-b6 60.Rd2-d5 Rb6xd6 61.Rd5xh5
Rd6-d2+ 62.Kg2-g1 Kd7-e6 -0.22/20 ]
42...Bc5-d4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 42...Bc5-d4 43.Bc3xd4 e5xd4
44.Rc6-c7+ Kg7-g6 45.Kh1-g1 Rf2-f8
46.Rc7xa7 b6-b5 47.Ra7-a6+ Kg6xg5
48.Ra6-b6 Rf8-f3 49.Kg1-g2 d4-d3
50.Rb6xb5 Kg5-f6 51.d5-d6 Kf6-e6
52.Rb5-d5 Ke6-d7 53.e4-e5 Rf3-e3
54.Kg2-f2 Re3-e2+ 55.Kf2-f1 h7-h5
56.Rd5xd3 Re2xe5 Diagram
(Diagram 182)
57.Kf1-f2 Re5-f5+ 58.Kf2-g2 Rf5-b5
59.Rd3-d2 Rb5-b6 60.Rd2-d5 Rb6xd6
61.Rd5xh5 Rd6-d2+ 62.Kg2-g1
Kd7-e6 -0.15/21 ]
43.Bc3-b4 Diagram [ 43.Kh1-g1!?
Rf2-d2+ 44.Bc3xd4 Rd2xd4
45.Rc6-c7+ Kg7-g6 46.Rc7xa7
Rd4xe4 47.Ra7-e7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ +k+ +
+ P + +
+ + r +p
+ + +p+
+ +R+ P
+ + + +
+ + +K+

+ + + +
p + + kp
pR+ + +
+ +Pp P
+ lP+p+
+ L + P
+ + r +
+ + + +K

46

182

183

x64: 43.Bc3xd4 Diagram

+ + + +
p + + kp
pR+ + +
+ +Pp P
+ LP+p+
+ + + P
+ + r +
+ + + +K

+ + + +
p + + kp
pR+ + +
+ +Pp P
L lP+p+
+ + + P
+ + r +
+ + + +K

184

185

Rd2xd4 49.Rc6xb6 Rd4xe4


50.Rb6-b7+ Kg7-g6 Diagram

(Diagram 184)
(Diagram 186)
e5xd4 44.Kh1-g1 Rf2-f7 45.Rc6-c4
d4-d3 46.Rc4-d4 Kg7-f8 47.Rd4xd3
a7-a5 48.Rd3-b3 Rf7-b7 49.Rb3-a3
Rb7-e7 50.Ra3-b3 a5-a4 51.Rb3xb6
Re7xe4 52.Kg1-f2 Re4-d4 53.d5-d6
a4-a3 54.Rb6-a6 Rd4-d3 55.Ra6-a7
-0.17/17 ]
43...Rf2-f7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
43...Rf2-f7 44.Kh1-g2 a7-a5
45.Bb4-c3 a5-a4 46.d5-d6 Rf7-f2+
47.Kg2-g1 Rf2-d2+ 48.Bc3xd4

51.d6-d7 Re4-d4 52.Rb7-a7 Kg6xg5


53.Kg1-f2 Kg5-f5 54.Kf2-e3 a4-a3
55.Ra7xa3 Rd4xd7 56.Ra3-a8 Rd7-d6
57.Ra8-h8 h7-h6 58.Rh8-e8 Diagram
(Diagram 187)
Rd6-b6 59.Re8-f8+ Rb6-f6 60.Rf8-e8
Rf6-d6 61.Re8-f8+ Rd6-f6 62.Rf8-e8
-0.77/19 ] 44.Rc6-e6 [ 44.Bb4-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+R+ + +p
+ P +k+
+ + p P
p+ +r+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + + K

+ +R+ +
+ + + +
+ r + p
+ + pk+
+ + +p+
+ + K P
+ + + +
+ + + +

47

186

187

+ + + +
p + +rkp
pR+ + +
+ +Pp P
+ lP+p+
+ L + P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

+ + r +
+ RP+ +p
p + +k+
+ + + P
p+ pP+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + + K

188

189

Diagram
(Diagram 188)
b6-b5 45.d5-d6 Bd4xc3 46.Rc6xc3
Rf7-f1+ 47.Kh1-g2 Rf1-d1 48.Rc3-c7+
Kg7-g6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
44.Kh1-g2 a7-a5 45.Bb4-c3 a5-a4
46.d5-d6 Rf7-f2+ 47.Kg2-g1 Rf2-f8+
48.Bc3xd4 e5xd4 49.Rc6-c7+ Kg7-g6
50.d6-d7 Diagram
Rf8-d8 51.Kg1-f2 a4-a3 52.Rc7-a7
Kg6xg5 53.Kf2-e2 Kg5-f6 54.Ke2-d3
a3-a2 55.Ra7xa2 Rd8xd7 56.Ra2-a6
Rd7-d6 57.Ra6-a7 Diagram

+ + + +
R + + +p
p r k +
+ + + +
+ pP+p+
+ +K+ P
+ + + +
+ + + +
h7-h5 58.Ra7-h7 -0.59/16 ]

190

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

48

44...Rf7-b7 Diagram [ 44...a7-a5


45.Bb4-e7 a5-a4 46.Be7-b4-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44...a7-a5
45.Bb4-e7 a5-a4 46.Be7-f6+ Kg7-f8
47.Re6-d6 Rf7-c7 48.Rd6-d8+ Kf8-f7
49.Rd8-h8 Rc7-c1+ 50.Kh1-g2
Rc1-c2+ Diagram

+ + + R
+ + +k+p
p + L +
+ +Pp P
p+ lP+p+
+ + + P
+r+ +K+
+ + + +

191

193

Kg7-g6 50.Bb4-a3 Kg6-f7 51.Re8-b8


Kf7-e6 52.Rb8xb5 Ra7-f7 53.Rb5-b8
Diagram

51.Kg2-f1 Rc2-h2 52.Rh8-d8 Kf7-g6


53.Rd8-g8+ Kg6-f7 54.Rg8-g7+
Kf7-f8 -1.44/12 ]

+ + + +
pr+ + kp
p +R+ +
+ +Pp P
L lP+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

+ + + +
pr+ + kp
p +R+ +
+ +Pp P
L lP+p+
+ + + P
+ + +K+
+ + + +

192

45.Re6-c6 Diagram [ 45.Kh1-g2 a7-a5


46.Bb4-e1 Rb7-f7-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 45.Kh1-g2 Diagram
a7-a5 46.Bb4-e1 a5-a4 47.Be1-b4
Rb7-a7 48.d5-d6 b6-b5 49.Re6-e8

R + + +
+ + +r+p
+ Pk+ +
+ + p P
p+ lP+p+
L + + P
+ + +K+
+ + + +

194

Rf7-f2+ 54.Kg2-h1 -1.20/15 ]


(Diagram 195)
45...a7-a5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45...a7-a5 Diagram
(Diagram 196)
46.Bb4-d2 Rb7-f7 47.Bd2-c3 a5-a4
48.Bc3-b4 b6-b5 49.d5-d6 Bd4-e3
50.Rc6-c7 Kg7-g6 51.d6-d7 Be3xg5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
pr+ + kp
pR+ + +
+ +Pp P
L lP+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

+ + + +
+r+ + kp
pR+ + +
p +Pp P
L lP+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

49

195

196

52.Rc7-c6+ Kg6-g7 53.Rc6-c7 Bg5-d8


54.Rc7-a7 Rf7-f3 55.Bb4-a5 Rf3-f8
56.Kh1-g2 Kg7-f6 57.Ra7-a8 Kf6-e6
58.Ra8xd8 Rf8xd8 59.Ba5xd8 Ke6xd7
60.Bd8-f6 Diagram
(Diagram 197)
Kd7-d6 -1.25/21 ] 46.d5-d6??
Diagram [ 46.Bb4-c3 Bd4xc3
47.d5-d6-+ Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46.Bb4-a3
Diagram
b6-b5 47.d5-d6 Bd4-b6 48.Ba3-c5
Bb6-d8 49.Rc6-c8 Rb7-d7 50.Kh1-g2

+ + + +
+ +k+ +p
+ + L +
+p+ p +
p+ +P+p+
+ + + P
+ + +K+
+ + + +

+ + + +
+r+ + kp
pRP + +
p + p P
+ +P+p+
+ l + P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

+ + + +
+r+ + kp
pR+ + +
p +Pp P
+ lP+p+
L + + P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

197

198

199

Kg7-g6 51.Kg2-f2 Kg6xg5 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+Rl + +
+ +r+ +p
+ P + +
ppL p k
+ +P+p+
+ + + P
+ + K +
+ + + +

50
h4-h3+ 63.Kg2-g3 Bd4-e3 64.Rd2-d1
Be3-f4+ 65.Kg3-f2 g4-g3+ 66.Kf2-g1
Bf4-e3+ 67.Kg1-h1 -8.91/18 ]
200

+ + + +
+r+ + kp
pRP + +
+ + p P
p lP+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

52.Kf2-e2 Kg5-f6 53.Ke2-d3 h7-h5


54.Rc8-b8 b5-b4 55.Kd3-c4 h5-h4
56.g3xh4 g4-g3 57.Kc4-d5 g3-g2
58.Bc5-g1 Bd8-e7 -1.19/19 ]

+ + + +
+r+ + kp
pRP + +
p + p P
L lP+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

47.Rc6-c7+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


47.Kh1-g2 b4-b3 48.Rc6-c7+ Kg7-f8
49.Rc7-c1 b3-b2 50.Rc1-b1 Rb7-d7
51.Kg2-f1 Rd7xd6 52.Kf1-e1 Kf8-f7
53.Ke1-e2 Kf7-g6 54.Ke2-d2 Kg6xg5
55.Kd2-c2 Rd6-c6+ 56.Kc2-d1 Rc6-c3
57.Rb1xb2 Rc3xg3 58.Rb2-h2 h7-h5
59.Kd1-e1 Rg3-e3+ 60.Ke1-f1
Re3xe4 61.Rh2-d2 h5-h4 62.Kf1-g2
h4-h3+ 63.Kg2-g3 Bd4-e3 64.Rd2-d1
Be3-f4+ 65.Kg3-f2 g4-g3+ 66.Kf2-g1
Bf4-e3+ 67.Kg1-h1 -8.75/19 ]
47...Kg7-f8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 47...Kg7-f8 48.Kh1-g2 b4-b3
49.Rc7-c1 b3-b2 50.Rc1-b1 Rb7-d7
51.Kg2-f1 Rd7xd6 52.Kf1-e2 Kf8-f7
53.Ke2-d2 Kf7-g6 54.Kd2-c2 Rd6-c6+
55.Kc2-d2 Kg6xg5 56.Kd2-d1 Rc6-c3
57.Rb1xb2 Rc3xg3 58.Rb2-h2 h7-h5
59.Kd1-e2 b6-b5 60.Ke2-d2 h5-h4
-7.77/15 Diagram

201

terrible, but the game is lost in any


case 46...a5xb4 Diagram [Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 46...a5xb4 47.Kh1-g2
b4-b3 48.Rc6-c7+ Kg7-f8 49.Rc7-c8+
Kf8-f7 50.Rc8-c1 b3-b2 51.Rc1-b1
Rb7-d7 52.Kg2-f1 Rd7xd6 53.Kf1-e2
Kf7-g6 54.Ke2-d2 Kg6xg5 55.Kd2-c2
Rd6-c6+ 56.Kc2-d1 Rc6-c3
57.Rb1xb2 Rc3xg3 58.Rb2-h2 h7-h5
59.Kd1-e1 Rg3-e3+ 60.Ke1-f1
Re3xe4 61.Rh2-d2 h5-h4 62.Kf1-g2

202

(Diagram 203)
]
48.Rc7xb7 Diagram [ 48.g5-g6
what else? h7xg6 49.d6-d7-+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+p+ p k
+ lP+pp
+ + + r
+ K + R
+ + + +

+ + k +
+rR + +p
p P + +
+ + p P
p lP+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

51

203

204

( 49.Rc7xb7?? Diagram
(Diagram 205)
avaricious play b4-b3 50.d6-d7 Kf8-e7
51.d7-d8Q+ Ke7xd8-+ );Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 48.Rc7-c1 b4-b3 49.Rc1-b1
b3-b2 50.Kh1-g2 Rb7-d7 51.Kg2-f1
Rd7xd6 52.Kf1-e2 Kf8-f7 53.Ke2-d2
Kf7-g6 54.Kd2-c2 Rd6-c6+ 55.Kc2-d2
Kg6xg5 56.Kd2-d1 Rc6-c3 57.Rb1xb2
Rc3xg3 58.Rb2-h2 h7-h5 59.Kd1-e2
b6-b5 60.Ke2-d2 h5-h4 -7.86/16 ]
48...b4-b3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 48...b4-b3 49.g5-g6 b3-b2

+ + k +
+R+ + +
p P +p+
+ + p +
p lP+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

+ + k +
+R+ + +p
p P + +
+ + p P
p lP+p+
+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

205

206

50.Rb7-f7+ Kf8-e8 51.d6-d7+ Ke8-d8


52.Rf7-f1 h7xg6 53.Rf1-d1 Kd8xd7
54.Kh1-g2 Kd7-d6 55.Kg2-f1 Kd6-c5
56.Kf1-e2 Kc5-c4 57.Ke2-d2 Kc4-b3
58.Kd2-d3 Bd4-f2 59.Kd3-e2 Bf2xg3
60.Rd1-h1 Kb3-a2 61.Ke2-d3 Ka2-b3
62.Kd3-e2 Kb3-a2 -10.10/11 ]
(Diagram 207)
49.Rb7-b8+ [ 49.Rb7xh7 is refuted
with a beautiful mate b3-b2
50.Rh7-h8+ Kf8-g7 51.Rh8-h7+
Kg7xh7 52.Kh1-g2 b2-b1Q 53.g5-g6+
Kh7-g7 54.d6-d7 Qb1-g1# ;

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + k +
+R+ + +p
p P + +
+ + p P
+ lP+p+
+p+ + P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

52

207

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 49.g5-g6 b3-b2


50.Rb7-f7+ Kf8-e8 51.Rf7-f1 h7xg6
52.Kh1-g2 Ke8-d7 53.Rf1-b1 Kd7xd6
54.Kg2-f1 Kd6-c5 55.Kf1-e2 Kc5-c4
56.Ke2-d2 Kc4-b3 57.Rb1-d1 Kb3-a2
58.Kd2-e1 b2-b1Q 59.Rd1xb1 Ka2xb1
60.Ke1-d2 b6-b5 61.Kd2-d3 Kb1-a2
62.Kd3-d2 Ka2-b3 63.Kd2-d3 b5-b4
64.Kd3-d2 Kb3-b2 65.Kd2-e1 Kb2-a2
66.Ke1-e2 Ka2-b1 67.Ke2-f1 Kb1-a2
68.Kf1-e2 Ka2-b1 -9.86/12 ]
49...Kf8-f7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
49...Kf8-f7 50.d6-d7 b3-b2 51.Rb8-f8+
Kf7-e6 52.d7-d8N+ Ke6-e7 53.Rf8-f1
Ke7xd8 54.Rf1-d1 Kd8-d7 55.Kh1-g2
Kd7-d6 56.Rd1-b1 Kd6-c5 57.Kg2-f1
Kc5-c4 58.Kf1-e2 Kc4-b3 59.Ke2-d3
Bd4-f2 60.Kd3-e2 Bf2xg3 61.Rb1-g1
Kb3-c2 62.g5-g6 h7xg6 63.Rg1xg3
b2-b1Q 64.Rg3-g1 Qb1-b5+
65.Ke2-f2 Qb5-c5+ 66.Kf2-f1 Qc5-c4+
67.Kf1-g2 Qc4-e2+ 68.Kg2-h1 b6-b5
69.Rg1-a1 Qe2xe4+ 70.Kh1-h2
Qe4-f4+ 71.Kh2-h1 b5-b4 72.Ra1-a2+
Kc2-c3 73.Kh1-g2 b4-b3 74.Ra2-a5
Qf4-e4+ 75.Kg2-g1 b3-b2 -10.73/26 ]
50.d6-d7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
50.d6-d7 b3-b2 51.Rb8-f8+ Kf7-e6
52.d7-d8N+ Ke6-e7 53.Rf8-f1 Ke7xd8
54.Rf1-d1 Kd8-d7 55.Kh1-g2 Kd7-d6

56.Rd1-b1 Kd6-c6 57.Kg2-f1 Kc6-c5


58.Kf1-e1 Kc5-c4 59.Ke1-d2 Kc4-b3
60.Rb1-d1 Bd4-f2 61.Kd2-e2 Bf2xg3
62.Rd1-d3+ Kb3-a2 63.Rd3xg3
b2-b1Q 64.Rg3-e3 b6-b5 65.Ke2-f2
Qb1-b2+ 66.Re3-e2 Qb2xe2+
67.Kf2xe2 b5-b4 68.Ke2-f2 b4-b3
69.Kf2-g3 b3-b2 70.Kg3xg4 b2-b1Q
71.Kg4-f5 Qb1-b2 72.g5-g6 h7xg6+
73.Kf5xg6 Ka2-b3 74.Kg6-f5 Qb2-d4
75.Kf5-e6 Qd4xe4 76.Ke6-d6 Kb3-c4
77.Kd6-e6 Qe4-d5+ 78.Ke6-f6
-10.86/27 ] 50...b3-b2 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 50...b3-b2 51.Rb8-f8+ Kf7-e6
52.d7-d8N+ Ke6-e7 53.Rf8-f1 Ke7xd8
54.Rf1-d1 Kd8-d7 55.Kh1-g2 Kd7-d6
56.Rd1-b1 Kd6-c6 57.Kg2-f1 Kc6-c5
58.Kf1-e1 Kc5-c4 59.Ke1-d2 Kc4-b3
60.Rb1-d1 Bd4-f2 61.Kd2-e2 Bf2xg3
62.Rd1-d3+ Kb3-a2 63.Rd3xg3
b2-b1Q 64.Rg3-e3 b6-b5 65.Ke2-f2
Qb1-b2+ 66.Re3-e2 Qb2xe2+
67.Kf2xe2 b5-b4 68.Ke2-f2 b4-b3
69.Kf2-g3 b3-b2 70.Kg3xg4 b2-b1Q
71.Kg4-f5 Qb1-b2 72.Kf5-f6 Qb2-h2
73.Kf6-e6 Qh2-f4 74.Ke6-d5 Ka2-b3
75.Kd5-e6 Qf4xe4 76.Ke6-d6
Qe4-d4+ 77.Kd6-e6 Kb3-c4 -10.76/25 ]
51.Rb8-f8+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 51.Rb8-f8+ Kf7-e6 52.d7-d8N+
Ke6-e7 53.Rf8-f1 Ke7xd8 54.Rf1-d1
Kd8-d7 55.Kh1-g2 Kd7-d6 56.Rd1-b1
Kd6-c6 57.Kg2-f1 Kc6-c5 58.Kf1-e1
Kc5-c4 59.Ke1-d2 Kc4-b3 60.Rb1-d1
Bd4-f2 61.Kd2-e2 Bf2xg3 62.Rd1-d3+
Kb3-a2 63.Rd3xg3 b2-b1Q 64.Rg3-e3
b6-b5 65.Ke2-f2 Qb1-b2+ 66.Re3-e2
Qb2xe2+ 67.Kf2xe2 b5-b4 68.Ke2-f2
b4-b3 69.Kf2-g3 b3-b2 70.Kg3xg4
b2-b1Q 71.Kg4-f5 Qb1-b2 72.Kf5-f6
Qb2-h2 73.Kf6-e6 Qh2-f4 74.Ke6-d5
Ka2-b3 75.Kd5-e6 Qf4xe4 76.Ke6-d6
Qe4-d4+ 77.Kd6-e6 Kb3-c4 -10.83/26 ]
51...Kf7-e6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
51...Kf7-e6 52.d7-d8N+ Ke6-e7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

53
Diagram

+ + R +
+ +P+k+p
p + + +
+ + p P
+ lP+p+
+ + + P
p + + +
+ + + +K

208

53.Rf8-f1 Ke7xd8 54.Rf1-e1 Kd8-d7


55.Re1-b1 Kd7-c6 56.Kh1-g2 Kc6-d6
57.Kg2-f1 Kd6-c5 58.Kf1-e1 Kc5-c4
59.Ke1-d2 Kc4-b3 60.Rb1-d1 Bd4-f2
61.Kd2-e2 Bf2xg3 62.Rd1-d3+ Kb3-a2
63.Rd3xg3 b2-b1Q 64.Rg3-e3 b6-b5
65.Ke2-f2 Qb1-b2+ 66.Re3-e2
Qb2xe2+ 67.Kf2xe2 b5-b4 68.Ke2-f2
b4-b3 69.Kf2-g3 b3-b2 70.Kg3xg4
b2-b1Q 71.Kg4-f5 Qb1-b2 72.Kf5-f6
Qb2-h2 73.Kf6-e6 Qh2-f4 74.Ke6-d5
Ka2-b3 75.Kd5-e6 Qf4xe4 76.Ke6-d6
Qe4-d4+ 77.Kd6-e6 Kb3-c4 -10.76/27 ]
52.d7-d8N+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
52.d7-d8N+ Ke6-e7 53.Rf8-f1 Ke7xd8
54.Rf1-d1 Kd8-d7 55.Kh1-g2 Kd7-d6
56.g5-g6 h7xg6 57.Rd1-e1 Kd6-c5
58.Kg2-f1 Kc5-c4 59.Kf1-e2 Kc4-b3
60.Re1-d1 Kb3-c3 61.Ke2-e1 Kc3-c2
62.Rd1-d2+ Kc2-b1 63.Ke1-e2
Kb1-a1 64.Rd2-d1+ b2-b1Q
65.Rd1xb1+ Ka1xb1 66.Ke2-d2
Kb1-a2 67.Kd2-d1 Ka2-b3 68.Kd1-e1
Kb3-c2 69.Ke1-f1 Kc2-b1 70.Kf1-e2
Kb1-b2 71.Ke2-d2 b6-b5 72.Kd2-d1
Kb2-b1 73.Kd1-d2 Kb1-a2 74.Kd2-e1
Bd4-c3+ 75.Ke1-e2 b5-b4 76.Ke2-d3
b4-b3 77.Kd3xc3 b3-b2 78.Kc3-c4
b2-b1Q 79.Kc4-d5 Qb1-b2 80.Kd5-d6
Qb2-c3 81.Kd6-e6 Qc3xg3 -10.89/28

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ +K+p+
+ + p +
+ +P+p+
+ + + q
k+ + + +
+ + + +

209

] 52...Ke6-e7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


52...Ke6-e7 53.Rf8-f1 Ke7xd8
54.Rf1-d1 Kd8-d7 55.Kh1-g2 Kd7-d6
56.Rd1-b1 Kd6-c6 57.Kg2-f1 Kc6-c5
58.Kf1-e1 Kc5-c4 59.Ke1-d2 Kc4-b3
60.Rb1-d1 Bd4-f2 61.Kd2-e2 Bf2xg3
62.Rd1-d3+ Kb3-a2 63.Rd3xg3
b2-b1Q 64.Rg3-e3 b6-b5 65.Ke2-f2
Qb1-b2+ 66.Re3-e2 Qb2xe2+
67.Kf2xe2 b5-b4 68.Ke2-f2 b4-b3
69.Kf2-g3 b3-b2 70.Kg3xg4 b2-b1Q
71.Kg4-f5 Qb1-b2 72.Kf5-f6 Qb2-h2
73.Kf6-e6 Qh2-f4 74.Ke6-d5 Ka2-b3
75.Kd5-e6 Qf4xe4 Diagram
(Diagram 210)
76.Ke6-d6 Qe4-d4+ 77.Kd6-e6
Kb3-c4 -10.97/28 ] 53.Rf8-f1 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 53.Rf8-f1
Ke7xd8 54.Rf1-d1 Kd8-c7 55.g5-g6
h7xg6 56.Kh1-g2 Kc7-c6 57.Kg2-f1
Kc6-c5 58.Kf1-e2 Kc5-c4 59.Ke2-d2
Kc4-b3 60.Kd2-d3 Bd4-f2 61.Kd3-e2
Bf2xg3 62.Rd1-g1 Kb3-c2 63.Rg1xg3
b2-b1Q 64.Rg3-g1 Qb1-b5+
65.Ke2-f2 Qb5-c5+ 66.Kf2-f1 Qc5-f8+
67.Kf1-e1 Qf8-b4+ 68.Ke1-f1 Qb4-c4+
69.Kf1-g2 Qc4-e2+ 70.Kg2-h1 b6-b5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ +K+ +
+ + p P
+ +q+ +
+k+ + +
+ + + +
+ + + +

54

210

71.Rg1-a1 Qe2xe4+ 72.Kh1-h2


Qe4-f4+ 73.Kh2-h1 b5-b4 74.Ra1-a2+
Kc2-c3 75.Kh1-g2 b4-b3 76.Ra2-a5
b3-b2 77.Ra5-c5+ Kc3-d4 -10.74/25 ]

+ N + +
+ + k +p
p + + +
+ + p P
+ lP+p+
+ + + P
p + + +
+ + +R+K

211

72.Kf5-e4 b2-b1Q+ 73.Ke4xe5


Qb1-d3 74.Ke5-f6 Ka2-b3 75.Kf6-e6
Qd3-d4 76.Ke6-f5 Qd4-e3 77.Kf5-f6
Qe3-f4+ 78.Kf6-e7 Qf4-e5+
79.Ke7-d7 Kb3-c4 -10.00/17 ]
54.Rf1-b1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
54.Kh1-g2 Kd8-c7 55.g5-g6 h7xg6
56.Rf1-d1 Kc7-d6 57.Kg2-f1 Kd6-c5
58.Kf1-e2 Kc5-c4 59.Ke2-d2 Kc4-b3
60.Kd2-d3 Bd4-f2 61.Kd3-e2 Bf2xg3
62.Rd1-d3+ Kb3-a2 63.Rd3xg3
b2-b1Q 64.Rg3xg4 b6-b5 65.Ke2-f2
Qb1-c2+ 66.Kf2-g3 b5-b4 67.Rg4xg6
Qc2-d3+ 68.Kg3-f2 b4-b3 69.Rg6-g7
Qd3-d4+ 70.Kf2-f3 b3-b2 71.Rg7-b7
b2-b1Q 72.Rb7xb1 Ka2xb1 73.Kf3-e2
Kb1-c2 74.Ke2-f3 Qd4-d3+ 75.Kf3-g4
Qd3xe4+ 76.Kg4-h5 Qe4-f5+
77.Kh5-h4 -10.01/18 ] 54...Kd8-c7
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
54...Kd8-c7 55.Kh1-h2 Kc7-c6
56.Kh2-g2 Kc6-c5 57.Kg2-f1 Kc5-c4
58.Kf1-e2 Kc4-b3 59.Ke2-d3 Bd4-f2
60.Kd3-e2 Bf2xg3 61.Ke2-f1 Kb3-c2
62.Rb1xb2+ Kc2xb2 63.Kf1-g2 Bg3-f4
64.g5-g6 h7xg6 65.Kg2-f1 g4-g3
66.Kf1-e1 Kb2-c2 67.Ke1-f1 b6-b5
68.Kf1-e2 Kc2-b1 69.Ke2-f1 b5-b4
70.Kf1-g2 Kb1-c2 71.Kg2-f1 Kc2-b2
72.Kf1-e2 b4-b3 73.Ke2-f3 Kb2-b1
74.Kf3-g2 Kb1-c2 75.Kg2-h3 b3-b2
-10.51/21 ]
(Diagram 212)

53...Ke7xd8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


53...Ke7xd8 54.Kh1-g2 Kd8-c7
55.Rf1-d1 Kc7-d6 56.Kg2-f1 Kd6-c5
57.Kf1-e2 Kc5-c4 58.g5-g6 h7xg6
59.Ke2-d2 Kc4-b3 60.Kd2-d3 Bd4-f2
61.Kd3-e2 Bf2xg3 62.Rd1-d3+ Kb3-a2
63.Rd3xg3 b2-b1Q 64.Rg3xg4 b6-b5
65.Ke2-f2 Qb1-c2+ 66.Kf2-g3 b5-b4
67.Rg4xg6 Qc2-d3+ 68.Kg3-g4
Qd3xe4+ 69.Kg4-g5 Qe4xg6+
70.Kg5xg6 b4-b3 71.Kg6-f5 b3-b2

55.Kh1-g2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


55.Kh1-h2 Kc7-c6 56.Kh2-g2 Kc6-c5
57.Kg2-f1 Kc5-c4 58.Kf1-e2 Kc4-b3
59.Ke2-d3 Bd4-f2 60.Kd3-e2 Bf2xg3
61.Rb1-g1 Bg3-f4 62.Ke2-f2 Kb3-c2
63.g5-g6 h7xg6 64.Kf2-e2 b2-b1Q
65.Rg1xb1 Kc2xb1 66.Ke2-f2 b6-b5
67.Kf2-f1 Kb1-b2 68.Kf1-e1 g4-g3
69.Ke1-f1 Kb2-b3 70.Kf1-g1 Kb3-c2
71.Kg1-g2 Kc2-b1 72.Kg2-f1 Kb1-b2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ k + +p
p + + +
+ + p P
+ lP+p+
+ + + P
p + + +
+R+ + +K

55

212

73.Kf1-g2 Kb2-b1 74.Kg2-f1 -10.48/19


] 55...Kc7-c6 [ 55...Kc7-d6
might be the shorter path 56.Rb1-d1-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 55...Kc7-d6
56.Kg2-f1 Kd6-c5 57.Kf1-e1 Kc5-c4
58.Ke1-d2 Kc4-b3 59.g5-g6 h7xg6
60.Rb1-d1 Bd4-f2 61.Kd2-e2 Bf2xg3
62.Rd1-d3+ Kb3-a2 63.Rd3xg3
b2-b1Q 64.Rg3xg4 b6-b5 65.Ke2-d2
Qb1-b2+ 66.Kd2-e1 Qb2-c3+
67.Ke1-f2 b5-b4 68.Rg4xg6 Qc3-d4+
69.Kf2-f1 Qd4-d3+ 70.Kf1-f2 Qd3xe4
71.Rg6-g7 Qe4-f5+ 72.Kf2-g2 b4-b3
73.Rg7-a7+ Ka2-b1 74.Ra7-g7 b3-b2
75.Kg2-h2 Qf5-f2+ 76.Kh2-h3 Qf2-f3+
77.Kh3-h2 e5-e4 78.Rg7-g1+ Kb1-c2
-9.81/16 ] 56.Kg2-f1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 56.Kg2-f1 Kc6-c5 57.Kf1-e1
Kc5-c4 58.Ke1-d2 Kc4-b3 59.Rb1-d1
Bd4-f2 60.Kd2-e2 Bf2xg3 61.Rd1-d3+
Kb3-a2 62.Rd3xg3 b2-b1Q 63.Ke2-f2
Qb1xe4 64.Rg3-g2 b6-b5 65.Rg2-h2
Qe4-f4+ 66.Kf2-g1+ Qf4xh2+
67.Kg1xh2 b5-b4 68.Kh2-g3 b4-b3
69.Kg3xg4 Diagram
b3-b2 70.Kg4-f5 b2-b1Q+ 71.Kf5xe5
Ka2-b3 72.Ke5-f4 Qb1-g6 73.Kf4-g4
Qg6-e4+ 74.Kg4-g3 Qe4-f5 75.Kg3-g2
Qf5-f4 76.Kg2-g1 Qf4xg5+ 77.Kg1-f2
Qg5-f5+ 78.Kf2-g1 h7-h5 79.Kg1-g2

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ + p P
+ + +K+
+p+ + +
k+ + + +
+ + + +

213

Qf5-e4+ -10.42/22 ] 56...Kc6-c5


Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
56...Kc6-c5 57.Kf1-e1 Kc5-c4
58.Ke1-d2 Kc4-b3 59.Rb1-d1 Bd4-f2
60.Kd2-e2 Bf2xg3 61.Rd1-d3+ Kb3-a2
62.Rd3xg3 b2-b1Q 63.Rg3-e3 b6-b5
64.Ke2-f2 Qb1-b2+ 65.Re3-e2
Qb2xe2+ 66.Kf2xe2 b5-b4 67.Ke2-f2
b4-b3 68.Kf2-g3 b3-b2 69.Kg3xg4
b2-b1Q 70.Kg4-f5 Qb1-b2 71.g5-g6
h7xg6+ 72.Kf5xg6 Ka2-b3 73.Kg6-f5
Kb3-c4 74.Kf5-e6 Kc4-d4 75.Ke6-f5
Qb2-d2 76.Kf5-e6 Kd4xe4 -10.24/22 ]
(Diagram 214)
57.Kf1-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
57.Kf1-e1 Kc5-c4 58.Ke1-d2 Kc4-b3
59.Rb1-d1 Bd4-f2 60.Kd2-e2 Bf2xg3
61.Rd1-d6 b2-b1Q 62.Rd6xb6+
Kb3-c2 63.Rb6-c6+ Kc2-b2
64.Rc6-b6+ Kb2-c1 65.Rb6xb1+
Kc1xb1 66.Ke2-f1 Bg3-f4 67.Kf1-e2
Kb1-c2 68.Ke2-f2 Kc2-d3 69.Kf2-g2
Bf4xg5 70.Kg2-g1 h7-h5 71.Kg1-f2
Kd3xe4 72.Kf2-g2 Ke4-f4 73.Kg2-f2
h5-h4 74.Kf2-g2 e5-e4 75.Kg2-f2
h4-h3 76.Kf2-f1 g4-g3 77.Kf1-g1
e4-e3 -9.39/20 ] 57...Kc5-c4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 57...Kc5-c4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p + + +
+ k p P
+ lP+p+
+ + + P
p + + +
+R+ +K+

56

214

58.Ke2-d2 Kc4-b3 59.Rb1-d1 Bd4-f2


60.Kd2-e2 Bf2xg3 61.Rd1-d6 b2-b1Q
62.Rd6xb6+ Kb3-c2 63.Rb6-c6+
Kc2-b2 64.Rc6-b6+ Kb2-c1
65.Rb6xb1+ Kc1xb1 66.Ke2-f1 Bg3-f4
67.g5-g6 h7xg6 68.Kf1-e1 Kb1-c2
69.Ke1-e2 g4-g3 70.Ke2-e1 Kc2-d3
71.Ke1-f1 Kd3xe4 72.Kf1-g2 Ke4-e3
73.Kg2-g1 Ke3-f3 -6.87/15 ]
58.Ke2-d2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 58.Ke2-d2 Kc4-b3 59.Rb1-d1
Bd4-f2 60.Kd2-e2 Bf2xg3 61.Rd1-d6
b2-b1Q 62.Rd6xb6+ Kb3-c2
63.Rb6-c6+ Kc2-b2 64.Rc6-b6+
Kb2-c1 65.Rb6xb1+ Kc1xb1 66.g5-g6
h7xg6 67.Ke2-d2 Bg3-f4+ 68.Kd2-d1
Kb1-b2 69.Kd1-e1 Kb2-c2 70.Ke1-e2
g4-g3 71.Ke2-e1 Kc2-d3 72.Ke1-f1
Kd3xe4 73.Kf1-g2 Ke4-e3 74.Kg2-g1
Ke3-f3 -6.93/16 ]
(Diagram 215)
58...Kc4-b3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
58...Kc4-b3 59.Rb1-d1 Bd4-f2
60.Kd2-e2 Bf2xg3 61.Rd1-d6 b2-b1Q
62.Rd6xb6+ Kb3-c2 63.Rb6-c6+
Kc2-b2 64.Rc6-b6+ Kb2-c1
65.Rb6xb1+ Kc1xb1 66.Ke2-f1 Bg3-f4
67.g5-g6 h7xg6 68.Kf1-f2 Kb1-c2

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p + + +
+ + p P
+klP+p+
+ + + P
p K + +
+R+ + +

215

69.Kf2-f1 Kc2-d3 70.Kf1-g2 Kd3xe4


71.Kg2-f2 g4-g3+ 72.Kf2-g2 Ke4-e3
73.Kg2-g1 Ke3-f3 -6.87/17 ] 59.Rb1-f1
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 59.Rb1-d1
Bd4-f2 60.Kd2-e2 Bf2xg3 61.Rd1-d6
b2-b1Q 62.Rd6xb6+ Kb3-c2
63.Rb6-c6+ Kc2-b2 64.Rc6-b6+
Kb2-c1 65.Rb6xb1+ Kc1xb1
66.Ke2-f1 Bg3-f4 67.Kf1-e2 Kb1-c2
68.Ke2-f2 Kc2-d3 69.Kf2-g2 Bf4xg5
70.Kg2-g3 h7-h5 71.Kg3-f2 Kd3xe4
72.Kf2-g3 Ke4-e3 73.Kg3-g2 Ke3-f4
74.Kg2-f2 h5-h4 75.Kf2-f1 h4-h3
76.Kf1-g1 g4-g3 77.Kg1-h1 e5-e4
78.Kh1-g1 e4-e3 -7.79/18 ] 59...b6-b5
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 59...b6-b5
60.Rf1-b1 Bd4-f2 61.Rb1-d1 Bf2xg3
62.Rd1-b1 Bg3-f4+ 63.Kd2-e1 Bf4xg5
64.Ke1-d1 g4-g3 65.Kd1-e2 Kb3-c2
66.Rb1-d1 b2-b1Q 67.Rd1xb1 Kc2xb1
68.Ke2-f3 b5-b4 69.Kf3xg3 b4-b3
70.Kg3-g4 b3-b2 71.Kg4xg5 Kb1-c2
72.Kg5-f5 Kc2-d3 73.Kf5xe5 b2-b1Q
74.Ke5-f4 Qb1-h1 75.Kf4-e5 Qh1xe4+
76.Ke5-d6 Qe4-e2 77.Kd6-d7
Qe2-e5 -10.68/17 ] 60.Kd2-d3
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
60.Rf1-b1 Bd4-f2 61.Rb1-d1 Bf2xg3
62.Rd1-b1 Bg3-f4+ 63.Kd2-e1 Bf4xg5
64.Ke1-d1 g4-g3 65.Kd1-e2 Kb3-c2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

57

66.Rb1-d1 b2-b1Q 67.Rd1xb1 Kc2xb1


68.Ke2-f3 b5-b4 69.Kf3xg3 b4-b3
70.Kg3-g4 b3-b2 71.Kg4xg5 Kb1-c2
72.Kg5-f5 Kc2-d3 73.Kf5xe5 b2-b1Q
74.Ke5-f4 Qb1-h1 75.Kf4-e5 Qh1xe4+
76.Ke5-d6 Qe4-e2 77.Kd6-d7
Qe2-e5 -10.74/18 ]

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+p+ p P
+ lP+p+
+k+K+ P
p + + +
+ + +R+

216

60...Kb3-a2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


60...Kb3-a2 61.Kd3-c2 b5-b4
62.Kc2-d3 b2-b1Q+ 63.Rf1xb1
Ka2xb1 64.Kd3-c4 Kb1-c2 65.Kc4xb4
Kc2-d3 66.Kb4-b5 Kd3xe4 67.Kb5-c6
Ke4-f3 68.Kc6-d5 Kf3xg3 69.Kd5-e4
Kg3-f2 70.Ke4-f5 g4-g3 71.Kf5-f6
g3-g2 72.Kf6-e6 g2-g1Q 73.Ke6-d5
Qg1-g2+ 74.Kd5-d6 Qg2xg5
75.Kd6-d5 Qg5-g1 76.Kd5-e6
Qg1-g4+ 77.Ke6-d5 Qg4-d7+
78.Kd5-c4 e5-e4 79.Kc4-b3 e4-e3
80.Kb3-c4 e3-e2 -17.07/21 ]
61.Kd3-c2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 61.Kd3-c2 b5-b4 62.Kc2-d3
b2-b1Q+ 63.Rf1xb1 Ka2xb1
64.Kd3-c4 Kb1-c2 65.Kc4xb4 Kc2-d3
66.Kb4-b5 Kd3xe4 67.Kb5-c6 Ke4-f3
68.Kc6-d5 Kf3xg3 69.Kd5-e4 Kg3-f2
70.Ke4-f5 g4-g3 71.Kf5-f6 g3-g2
72.Kf6-e6 g2-g1Q 73.Ke6-d5 Qg1-g2+
74.Kd5-d6 Qg2xg5 75.Kd6-d5 Qg5-g1
76.Kd5-e6 Qg1-g4+ 77.Ke6-d5

Qg4-d7+ 78.Kd5-c4 e5-e4 79.Kc4-b3


e4-e3 80.Kb3-c2 e3-e2 -17.47/22 ]

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+p+ p P
+ lP+p+
+ + + P
kpK+ + +
+ + +R+

217

61...b5-b4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 61...b5-b4 62.Kc2-d3 b2-b1Q+
63.Rf1xb1 Ka2xb1 64.Kd3-c4 Kb1-c2
65.Kc4xb4 Kc2-d3 66.Kb4-b5 Kd3xe4
67.Kb5-c6 Ke4-f3 68.Kc6-d5 Kf3xg3
69.Kd5-e4 Kg3-f2 70.Ke4-f5 g4-g3
71.Kf5-f6 g3-g2 72.Kf6-e6 g2-g1Q
73.Ke6-d5 Qg1-g2+ 74.Kd5-d6
Qg2xg5 75.Kd6-d5 Qg5-g1 76.Kd5-e6
Qg1-g4+ 77.Ke6-d5 Qg4-d7+
78.Kd5-c4 e5-e4 79.Kc4-b3 e4-e3
80.Kb3-c2 e3-e2 -16.71/19 ]
(Diagram 218)
62.g5-g6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
62.Kc2-d3 b2-b1Q+ 63.Rf1xb1
Ka2xb1 64.Kd3-c4 Kb1-c2 65.Kc4xb4
Kc2-d3 66.Kb4-a4 Bd4-f2 67.Ka4-b5
Bf2xg3 68.Kb5-c6 Kd3xe4 69.Kc6-d6
Bg3-f4 70.g5-g6 h7xg6 71.Kd6-e6
g4-g3 72.Ke6-f6 g3-g2 73.Kf6xg6
g2-g1Q+ 74.Kg6-f7 Qg1-a7+
75.Kf7-f6 Qa7-a6+ 76.Kf6-g7 Ke4-f3
77.Kg7-f7 e5-e4 78.Kf7-f8 Qa6-f6+
79.Kf8-e8 e4-e3 80.Ke8-d7 e3-e2
-16.92/20 ] 62...h7xg6 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 62...h7xg6 63.Kc2-d3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ + p P
p lP+p+
+ + + P
kpK+ + +
+ + +R+

58

218

b2-b1Q+ 64.Rf1xb1 Ka2xb1


65.Kd3-c4 Kb1-c2 66.Kc4xb4 Kc2-d3
67.Kb4-b5 Bd4-f2 68.Kb5-c6 Kd3xe4
69.Kc6-d6 Bf2xg3 70.Kd6-e6 Bg3-e1
71.Ke6-f6 g4-g3 72.Kf6xg6 g3-g2
73.Kg6-f6 g2-g1Q 74.Kf6-f7 Qg1-g5
75.Kf7-e6 Qg5-g8+ 76.Ke6-d7
Qg8-d5+ 77.Kd7-e7 Be1-h4+
78.Ke7-f8 Qd5-d7 79.Kf8-g8 Bh4-d8
-14.44/15 ] 63.Rf1-h1 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 63.Kc2-d3
b2-b1Q+ 64.Rf1xb1 Ka2xb1
65.Kd3-c4 Kb1-c2 66.Kc4xb4 Kc2-d3
67.Kb4-b5 Bd4-f2 68.Kb5-c6 Kd3xe4
69.Kc6-d6 Bf2xg3 70.Kd6-e6 Bg3-e1
71.Ke6-f6 g4-g3 72.Kf6xg6 g3-g2
73.Kg6-f7 g2-g1Q 74.Kf7-e6 Qg1-g8+
75.Ke6-e7 Be1-h4+ 76.Ke7-d7
Qg8-d5+ 77.Kd7-c8 Qd5-c6+
78.Kc8-b8 Bh4-d8 -14.69/16 ]
(Diagram 219)
63...b4-b3+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 63...b4-b3+ 64.Kc2-d3
b2-b1Q+ 65.Rh1xb1 Ka2xb1
66.Kd3-c4 b3-b2 67.Kc4-d5 Kb1-c1
68.Kd5-e6 b2-b1Q 69.Ke6-d7 Qb1-b6
70.Kd7-e7 Bd4-e3 71.Ke7-d7 Be3-c5
72.Kd7-c8 Qb6-c6+ 73.Kc8-b8

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +p+
+ + p +
p lP+p+
+ + + P
kpK+ + +
+ + + +R

219

Qc6-d7 74.Kb8-a8 Qd7-a7# -#12/28 ]

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +p+
+ + p +
+ lP+p+
+p+ + P
kpK+ + +
+ + + +R

220

64.Kc2-d3 [ 64.Kc2-d2 does not save


the day b2-b1Q 65.Rh1xb1 Ka2xb1
66.Kd2-d3 b3-b2 67.Kd3-c4 Kb1-c1
68.Kc4-d5 b2-b1Q 69.Kd5-e6 Qb1xe4
70.Ke6-d6 Qe4-b7 71.Kd6-e6
Qb7-c6+ 72.Ke6-e7 e5-e4 73.Ke7-f7
Qc6-f6+ 74.Kf7-e8 Qf6-e6+ 75.Ke8-f8
Qe6-d7 76.Kf8-g8 Qd7-g7# ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 64.Kc2-d2
b2-b1Q 65.Rh1xb1 Ka2xb1 66.Kd2-d3
b3-b2 67.Kd3-c4 Kb1-c1 68.Kc4-d5
b2-b1Q 69.Kd5-d6 Qb1-b6+
70.Kd6-e7 Bd4-e3 71.Ke7-d7 Be3-c5
72.Kd7-c8 Qb6-c6+ 73.Kc8-b8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

59

Qc6-d7 74.Kb8-a8 Qd7-a7# -#11/29 ]


64...b2-b1Q+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 64...b2-b1Q+ 65.Rh1xb1
Ka2xb1 66.Kd3-c4 b3-b2 67.Kc4-d5
Kb1-c1 68.Kd5-e6 b2-b1Q 69.Ke6-d7
Qb1-b6 70.Kd7-e7 Bd4-e3 71.Ke7-d7
Be3-c5 72.Kd7-c8 Qb6-c6+ 73.Kc8-b8
Qc6-d7 74.Kb8-a8 Qd7-a7# -#11/26 ]

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +p+
+ + p +
+ lP+p+
+p+K+ P
k+ + + +
+q+ + +R

221

65.Rh1xb1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


65.Rh1xb1 Ka2xb1 66.Kd3-c4 b3-b2
67.Kc4-d5 Kb1-c1 68.Kd5-e6 b2-b1Q
69.Ke6-d7 Qb1-b6 70.Kd7-e7 Bd4-e3
71.Ke7-d7 Be3-c5 72.Kd7-c8 Qb6-c6+
73.Kc8-b8 Qc6-d7 74.Kb8-a8
Qd7-a7# -#10/27 ] 65...Ka2xb1
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
65...Ka2xb1 66.Kd3-c4 b3-b2
67.Kc4-d5 Kb1-c1 68.Kd5-e6 b2-b1Q
69.Ke6-d7 Qb1-b6 70.Kd7-e7 Bd4-e3
71.Ke7-d7 Be3-c5 72.Kd7-c8 Qb6-c6+
73.Kc8-b8 Qc6-d7 74.Kb8-a8
Qd7-a7# -#10/24 ]
(Diagram 222)
66.Kd3-d2 [ 66.Kd3-c4 doesn't get the
cat off the tree b3-b2 67.Kc4-d5
Kb1-c1 68.Kd5-d6 b2-b1Q 69.Kd6-e7
Qb1-d3 70.Ke7-d7 Qd3-b5+
71.Kd7-e6 Qb5-e8+ 72.Ke6-f6

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +p+
+ + p +
+ lP+p+
+p+K+ P
+ + + +
+k+ + +

222

Qe8-c6+ 73.Kf6-e7 Bd4-c5+


74.Ke7-f7 Qc6xe4 75.Kf7-e6 Qe4-c6+
76.Ke6-f7 e5-e4 77.Kf7-g7 Bc5-d4+
78.Kg7-f7 Qc6-f6+ 79.Kf7-e8 Qf6-e6+
80.Ke8-f8 Qe6-d7 81.Kf8-g8
Qd7-g7# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
66.Kd3-c4 b3-b2 67.Kc4-d5 Kb1-c1
68.Kd5-e6 b2-b1Q 69.Ke6-d7 Qb1-b6
70.Kd7-e7 Bd4-e3 71.Ke7-d7 Be3-c5
72.Kd7-c8 Qb6-c6+ 73.Kc8-b8
Qc6-d7 74.Kb8-a8 Qd7-a7# -#9/25 ]
66...b3-b2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
66...b3-b2 67.Kd2-d3 Kb1-a2
68.Kd3-d2 b2-b1Q 69.Kd2-e2 Qb1-c1
70.Ke2-d3 Qc1-d1+ 71.Kd3-c4
Qd1-b3# -#6/21 ] 67.Kd2-d3 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 67.Kd2-d1
Kb1-a2 68.Kd1-e1 b2-b1Q+
69.Ke1-e2 Qb1-c1 70.Ke2-d3
Qc1-d1+ 71.Kd3-c4 Qd1-b3# -#5/20 ]
(Diagram 223)
67...Kb1-a2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
67...Kb1-a2 68.Kd3-d2 b2-b1Q
69.Kd2-e2 Qb1-c1 70.Ke2-d3
Qc1-d1+ 71.Kd3-c4 Qd1-b3# -#5/17 ]
68.Kd3-c4 Diagram [ 68.Kd3-d2
cannot change destiny b2-b1Q
69.Kd2-e2 Ka2-b3 70.Ke2-d2 Bd4-c3+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +p+
+ + p +
+ lP+p+
+ +K+ P
p + + +
+k+ + +

60

223

71.Kd2-e2 Qb1-e1+ 72.Ke2-d3


Qe1-d2# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
68.Kd3-e2 b2-b1Q 69.Ke2-d2 Qb1-f1
70.Kd2-c2 Qf1-e2+ 71.Kc2-c1
Bd4-e3# -#4/18 ]

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +p+
+ + p +
+KlP+p+
+ + + P
kp + + +
+ + + +

224

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +p+
+ +Kp +
+ lP+p+
+ + + P
k+ + + +
+q+ + +

225

69...Qb1-b6 70.Kd5-c4 Qb6-b3#


-#2/13 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +p+
+ + p +
+KlP+p+
+q+ + P
k+ + + +
+ + + +

226

] 70.Kd5-e6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


70.Kd5-d6 Qg1-f1 71.Kd6-e6 Qf1-f8
72.Ke6-d7 Qf8-f7+ 73.Kd7-d6 Ka2-b3
68...b2-b1Q [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
74.Kd6-c6 Qf7-e7 75.Kc6-b5 Qe7-c5+
68...b2-b1Q 69.Kc4-d5 Qb1-b6
76.Kb5-a6 Qc5-b6# -#7/24 ]
70.Kd5-c4 Qb6-b3# -#3/9 ] 69.Kc4-d5
70...Qg1xg3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 70...Qg1-f1 71.Ke6-e7
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
69.Kc4-d5 Qb1-b3+ 70.Kd5-d6 Qb3-f7 Qf1-a6 72.Ke7-f7 Bd4-c5 73.Kf7-g7
71.Kd6-c6 Qf7-e7 72.Kc6-d5 Ka2-b3
Qa6-e6 74.Kg7-h7 Bc5-f8 75.Kh7-h8
73.Kd5-c6 Kb3-b4 74.Kc6-d5
Qe6-f6+ 76.Kh8-g8 Qf6-g7# -#7/23 ]
71.Ke6-f6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
Qe7-d7# -#6/1 ]
69...Qb1-g1 [ 69...Qb1-b6 70.Kd5-c4
71.Ke6-d6 Qg3-f4 72.Kd6-e6 g4-g3
Qb6-b3# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
73.Ke6-d6 g3-g2 74.Kd6-d5 Qf4-f7+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ +K+p+
+ + p +
+ lP+p+
+ + + q
k+ + + +
+ + + +

61
g2-g1Q 76.Kc6-d6 Qg1-g4 77.Kd6-c6
Qf7-d7# -#6/22 ] 72...Qf4xe4 Diagram
[ 72...Qf4xe4 73.Kg7-f7 g4-g3
74.Kf7-e8 Qe4-b7 75.Ke8-f8 g3-g2
76.Kf8-g8 g2-g1Q 77.Kg8-f8 Qg1-g4
78.Kf8-g8 Qg4-c8# ; 72...g4-g3
73.Kg7-g8 Qf4-f6 74.Kg8-h7 g3-g2
75.Kh7-g8 g2-g1Q 76.Kg8-h7
Qg1-h2+ 77.Kh7-g8 Qh2-h8#
Diagram

227

+ + +Kq
+ + + +
+ + qp+
+ + p +
+ lP+ +
+ + + +
k+ + + +
+ + + +

75.Kd5-c6 g2-g1Q 76.Kc6-d6 Qg1-g4


77.Kd6-c6 Qf7-d7# -#7/24 ]
71...Qg3-f4+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 71...Qg3-f4+ 72.Kf6-e6 g4-g3
73.Ke6-d6 g3-g2 74.Kd6-d5 Qf4-f7+
75.Kd5-c6 g2-g1Q 76.Kc6-d6 Qg1-g4
77.Kd6-c6 Qf7-d7# -#7/23 ]

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + Kp+
+ + p +
+ lPqp+
+ + + +
k+ + + +
+ + + +

228

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 72...Bd4-c5


73.Kg7xg6 g4-g3 74.Kg6-h5 g3-g2
75.Kh5-g6 g2-g1Q+ 76.Kg6-h5
Qf4-h2# -#5/19 Diagram
(Diagram 230)
]
(Diagram 231)
0-1

72.Kf6-g7 [ 72.Kf6-e6 cannot change


what is in store for White g4-g3
73.Ke6-d7 Qf4xe4 74.Kd7-e6 g3-g2
75.Ke6-f7 Qe4-b7+ 76.Kf7-e6 g2-g1Q
77.Ke6-f6 e5-e4+ 78.Kf6-e6 Qg1-f1
79.Ke6-d6 Qf1-f6# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 72.Kf6-e6 g4-g3 73.Ke6-d6
g3-g2 74.Kd6-d5 Qf4-f7+ 75.Kd5-c6

229

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ l p +K
+ +P+ +
+ + + +
k+ + + q
+ + + q

+ + + +
+ + + K
+ + +p+
+ + p +
+ lq+p+
+ + + +
k+ + + +
+ + + +

62

230

231

rnlqklnr
pp+ pppp
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

rnlq rk+
+ + lppp
p+ ppn +
+p+ +P+
+ NP+ +
+LN + +
PPP+ +PP
R LQ+RK

232

233

Bc8-b7 13.Ne2-g3 Nb8-d7 14.Qd1-e1


[RR 14.Qd1-f3 Bb7-c6 15.Bc1-e3
3
B90 Qd8-c7 16.c2-c3 a6-a5 17.c3-c4
Viswanathan Anand
Qc7-b7 18.Bb3-c2 Ra8-c8 19.Ra1-c1
Vassily Ivanchuk
h7-h6 20.Qf3-e2 Rc8-c7 21.b2-b3
Linares (8)
1991 Bc6xa4 22.b3xa4 Qb7-c6 23.Qe2-d1
Rf8-d8 24.Rf1-e1 Nd7-c5 25.Be3-f2
B87: Sicilian Scheveningen/Najdorf: 6
Rd8-d7 26.h2-h3 Rc7-c8 27.Kg1-h2
Bc4, with early ...b5
Be7-d8 28.Bf2xc5 d6xc5 Janosevic,D
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 d7-d6
(2450)-Polugaevsky,L (2640)/Skopje
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram
1971/EXT 2001/0-1 (44) ;RR 14.Rf1-e1
Ng8-f6 5.Nb1-c3 a7-a6 6.Bf1-c4
Ra8-c8 15.Bc1-g5 Nd7-c5 16.Na4xc5
e7-e6 7.0-0 Bf8-e7 8.Bc4-b3 0-0
Qd8-b6 17.Bg5xf6 Be7xf6 18.Qd1-g4
9.f2-f4 b7-b5 10.f4-f5 Diagram
d6xc5 19.Bb3-c4 Rc8-d8 20.Ra1-d1
b5-b4 11.Nc3-a4 e6-e5 12.Nd4-e2
Rd8-d4 21.b2-b3 a6-a5 22.Ng3-h5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

63

Rf8-d8 23.Rd1-d3 Rd4xd3 24.c2xd3


Qb6-d6 25.Re1-e3 Kg8-f8 26.Re3-g3
Qd6-d4+ 27.Kg1-f1 Qd4-a1+
28.Kf1-f2 Qa1xa2+ Jozsa,C (2180)Katai,D (2211)/Hungary 2007/EXT
2008/0-1 (42) ] 14...a6-a5 15.c2-c4N
[ RR 15.Bc1-g5 Rf8-e8 16.Ra1-d1
Qd8-c7 17.Qe1-e3 Bb7-a6 18.Rf1-e1
Nf6-g4 19.Qe3-f3 Qc7-a7+ 20.Bg5-e3
Ng4xe3 21.Qf3xe3 Qa7xe3+
22.Re1xe3 Nd7-f6 23.Na4-b6 Ra8-b8
24.Nb6-d5 Nf6xd5 25.Rd1xd5 Ba6-b5
26.Rd5xb5 Rb8xb5 27.Bb3-a4 Re8-b8
28.Ba4xb5 Rb8xb5 29.Re3-d3 Rb5-c5
Armanda,I (2331)-Muhvic,D (2252)/
Rijeka 2001/EXT 2002/0-1 (65) ]
15...Qd8-c7 16.Qe1-e2 Rf8-c8
Diagram

r+r+ +k+
+lqnlppp
+ p n +
p + pP+
NpP+P+ +
+L+ + N
PP +Q+PP
R L +RK

234

Ra6-a8 23.Rc2-d2 Bb7-a6 24.Rd2-c2


Rc8-c7 25.h2-h3 Ra8-c8 26.Ng3-h5
Nf6xh5 27.Qe2xh5 Be7-g5 28.Qh5-f3
Bg5-f4 29.Re1-d1 Ba6-b7 30.Rc2-e2
-0.44/16 ]

qr+ +k+
+l+nlpp
r+ p n p
p + pP+
NpP+P+ +
+L+ + N
PPR+QLPP
+ + +RK

235

22.Rf1-e1 last book move [Houdini 2.


0c Pro x64: 22.Rc2-c1 Ra6-a8
23.Rf1-d1 Bb7-c6 24.h2-h3 Qb8-b7
25.Bb3-c2 Rc8-d8 26.Kg1-h1 Nd7-c5
27.Na4xc5 d6xc5 28.Bf2-g1 a5-a4
29.Rc1-a1 a4-a3 -0.18/14 ]
22...Qb8-a8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Bb7-c6 23.Rc2-c1
Ra6-a8 24.Bb3-c2 Qb8-c7 25.Ng3-f1
Rc8-d8 26.Nf1-d2 Ra8-c8 27.Rc1-d1
Nd7-c5 28.Na4xc5 d6xc5 29.Nd2-b3
Qc7-b6 30.Rd1-d3 -0.29/15 Diagram

17.Bc1-g5 Nd7-c5 The pressure on


(Diagram 236)
e4 grows 18.Ra1-c1 h7-h6 19.Bg5-e3
Nc5-d7 20.Be3-f2 Ra8-a6 last book
]
move 21.Rc1-c2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21.Rf1-d1 Qc7-c6 22.c4-c5
(Diagram 237)
Nd7xc5 23.Na4xc5 d6xc5 24.Bb3-d5
Nf6xd5 25.e4xd5 Qc6-f6 26.Ng3-e4
23.Qe2-d3 [ 23.Rc2-c1 Bb7-c6! ;
Qf6xf5 27.Bf2xc5 Be7-g5 28.Ne4xg5
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.h2-h3
Qf5xg5 29.Bc5-e3 Qg5-f5 30.Rd1-f1
Diagram
Qf5-g6 31.Rc1xc8+ Bb7xc8 -0.31/14 ] Nd7-c5 24.Na4xc5 d6xc5 25.Rc2-d2
21...Qc7-b8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Ra6-d6 26.Rd2xd6 Be7xd6 27.Bb3-c2
Pro x64: 21...Qc7-c6 22.Rf1-e1
Bd6-e7 28.Ng3-h5 Nf6xh5 29.Qe2xh5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+rr +k+
+ + lpp
ql+ n p
p p pP+
pP+P+ +
+N+R+ +
PPL+QLPP
+ + R K

q+r+ +k+
+l+nlpp
r+ p n p
p + pP+
NpP+P+ +
+L+ + N
PPR+QLPP
+ + R K

q+r+ +k+
+l+nlpp
r+ p n p
p + pP+
NpP+P+ +
+L+ + NP
PPR+QLP+
+ + R K

64

236

237

238

Rc8-d8 30.Qh5-g4 Rd8-d2 31.Re1-e2

Qa8-d8 32.Bf2-e3 Rd2xe2 33.Qg4xe2


Qd8-d6 34.Qe2-g4 -0.13/15 ]
23...Nf6-g4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23...Nd7-c5 24.Na4xc5 d6xc5
25.Bb3-a4 Ra6-d6 26.Qd3-f3 Bb7-c6
27.Ba4xc6 Qa8xc6 28.Qf3-e2 Rc8-d8
29.Ng3-f1 h6-h5 30.Rc2-d2 Rd6xd2
31.Nf1xd2 Nf6-g4 32.Nd2-f3 a5-a4
33.h2-h3 -0.46/16 ]

q+r+ +k+
+l+nlpp
r+ p + p
p + pP+
NpP+P+n+
+L+Q+ N
PPR+ LPP
+ + R K

239

24.Ng3-f1 [ 24.Ng3-h5!? Ng4xf2


25.Kg1xf2 Qa8-a7+ 26.Kf2-f1! ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Ng3-h5
Ng4xf2 25.Rc2xf2 Be7-g5 26.Qd3-f3
Rc8-c7 27.g2-g3 Qa8-f8 28.h2-h4
Bg5-e7 29.Qf3-g4 Nd7-f6 30.Nh5xf6+
Be7xf6 31.Rf2-d2 Qf8-e8 32.Qg4-f3
Bb7-a8 33.Re1-d1 -0.28/14 ]
24...Nd7-f6 Diagram [ 24...Bb7-c6
25.Bf2-g3 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24...Be7-g5 25.Nf1-g3 Ra6-c6
26.Qd3-f3 Ng4xf2 27.Qf3xf2 Bb7-a6
28.Re1-d1 Ba6xc4 29.Bb3xc4 Rc6xc4
30.Rc2xc4 Rc8xc4 31.b2-b3 Rc4-c6
32.h2-h3 Qa8-a6 33.Ng3-h5 Rc6-c8
34.h3-h4 Bg5-e7 -1.06/14 ]
25.Nf1-d2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25.Nf1-d2 Ng4xf2 26.Kg1xf2 Qa8-a7+
27.Kf2-f1 Nf6-d7 28.g2-g3 Nd7-c5
29.Na4xc5 d6xc5 30.Bb3-a4 Ra6-d6
31.Qd3-e2 Rd6-d4 32.Kf1-g1 Rc8-d8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

q+r+ +k+
+l+ lpp
r+ p n p
p + pP+
NpP+P+n+
+L+Q+ +
PPR+ LPP
+ + RNK

65

240

33.h2-h4 Qa7-b6 34.Kg1-g2 Qb6-d6


35.Re1-d1 Rd4xe4 36.Nd2xe4
Qd6xd1 37.Qe2xd1 Rd8xd1 -1.12/15 ]
25...Ng4xf2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25...Ng4xf2 26.Kg1xf2 Qa8-a7+
27.Kf2-f1 Qa7-d4 28.Qd3-e2 Rc8-f8
29.h2-h3 Qd4-a7 30.Qe2-e3 Qa7xe3
31.Re1xe3 Nf6-d7 32.Kf1-g1 Be7-g5
33.Re3-e1 Bg5-f4 34.Nd2-f3 Rf8-c8
-0.93/14 ] 26.Kg1xf2 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Kg1xf2
Qa8-a7+ 27.Kf2-f1 Nf6-d7 28.g2-g3
Nd7-c5 29.Na4xc5 d6xc5 30.Bb3-a4
Ra6-d6 31.Qd3-e2 Rd6-d4 32.Kf1-g1
Rc8-d8 33.Qe2-f2 Be7-f6 34.Ba4-b5
Qa7-b6 35.Qf2-e2 Qb6-d6 -1.02/13 ]
(Diagram 241)
26...Bb7-c6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...Qa8-a7+ Diagram
(Diagram 242)
27.Kf2-f1 Qa7-d4 28.Qd3-e2 Rc8-c7
29.h2-h3 Ra6-a8 30.Qe2-e3 Qd4xe3
31.Re1xe3 Nf6-d7 32.Re3-d3 Ra8-a6
33.Kf1-g1 Be7-g5 34.g2-g3 Rc7-c8
-1.06/14 ] 27.Rc2-c1 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 27.c4-c5 Qa8-a7 28.Kf2-f1

q+r+ +k+
+l+ lpp
r+ p n p
p + pP+
NpP+P+ +
+L+Q+ +
PPRN KPP
+ + R +

+r+ +k+
ql+ lpp
r+ p n p
p + pP+
NpP+P+ +
+L+Q+ +
PPRN KPP
+ + R +

241

242

Rc8-d8 29.Qd3-c4 Kg8-h8 30.Kf1-g1


d6xc5 31.Nd2-f3 Nf6xe4 32.Kg1-h1
Ne4-d6 33.Qc4xc5 Bc6xf3 34.g2xf3
Qa7-b7 35.Bb3-d5 Qb7-d7 36.Bd5-c6
Ra6xc6 37.Qc5xc6 Qd7xf5 -0.80/14 ]
27...Qa8-a7+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 27...Qa8-a7+ 28.Kf2-f1
Nf6-g4 29.c4-c5 d6xc5 30.Nd2-c4
Be7-g5 31.Rc1-d1 Ng4xh2+ 32.Kf1-g1
Nh2-g4 33.Qd3-g3 h6-h5 34.Qg3-h3
Ng4-f6 35.Bb3-c2 Rc8-e8 36.b2-b3
h5-h4 -1.70/14 ]
28.Kf2-e2 [ 28.Kf2-f1!?-+ ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 28.Kf2-f1 Nf6-g4 29.c4-c5
d6xc5 30.Nd2-c4 Be7-g5 31.Rc1-d1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +k+
q + lpp
r+lp n p
p + pP+
NpP+P+ +
+L+Q+ +
PP N KPP
+ R R +

66

243

Ng4xh2+ 32.Kf1-g1 Nh2-g4


33.Qd3-g3 h6-h5 34.Qg3-h3 Ng4-f6
35.Bb3-c2 Rc8-e8 36.b2-b3 Bc6xa4
37.b3xa4 Qa7-c7 -1.46/14 ]
28...Rc8-d8 [ 28...Nf6-g4 29.Qd3-f3
Ng4xh2-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28...Kg8-h8 29.Qd3-e3 Qa7-b7
30.Bb3-c2 Be7-d8 31.Re1-d1 Qb7-d7
32.Qe3-b3 Kh8-g8 33.c4-c5 d6-d5
34.Nd2-f3 Bd8-c7 -1.84/13 ]
29.Bb3-d1? [ 29.Ke2-f1-+ ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 29.Rc1-d1 Nf6-g4
30.Qd3-f3 Ng4xh2 31.Qf3-g3 Qa7-d7
32.Qg3xh2 Bc6xa4 33.Ke2-f1 Be7-f6
34.Nd2-f3 Ba4-c6 35.Bb3-c2 Bc6-b7
36.Kf1-g1 Qd7-c7 37.b2-b3 a5-a4
38.Qh2-h5 a4xb3 39.a2xb3 Qc7-c5+
40.Kg1-h1 -1.14/15 ] 29...d6-d5!
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29...d6-d5 30.Qd3-e3 Qa7xe3+
31.Ke2xe3 d5xc4 32.h2-h4 Rd8-d3+
33.Ke3-e2 Rd3xd2+ 34.Ke2xd2
Nf6xe4+ 35.Re1xe4 Bc6xe4
36.Rc1xc4 Be4xf5 37.Kd2-e3 Bf5-e6
38.Rc4-c7 Be7-d8 39.Rc7-c5 Be6xa2
40.Bd1-c2 g7-g6 41.g2-g3 Ra6-e6
42.b2-b3 Kg8-g7 43.Rc5-d5 Bd8-c7
-3.62/16 ]
doomsday 30.c4xd5 [ 30.c4xd5
Nf6-g4 Diagram

+ r +k+
q + lpp
r+l+ n p
p +ppP+
NpP+P+ +
+ +Q+ +
PP NK+PP
+ RLR +

+ r +k+
q + lpp
r+l+ + p
p +PpP+
Np +P+n+
+ +Q+ +
PP NK+PP
+ RLR +

244

245

Combination ; 30.e4xd5 Nf6-g4


Diagram
(Diagram 246)
Combination ; 30.-- d5xe4 Diagram
(Diagram 247)
Wins material ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30.Qd3-e3 Qa7xe3+ 31.Ke2xe3
d5xc4 32.h2-h4 Rd8-d3+ 33.Ke3-e2
Rd3xd2+ 34.Ke2xd2 Nf6xe4+
35.Re1xe4 Bc6xe4 36.Rc1xc4 Be4xf5
37.Kd2-e3 Bf5-e6 38.Rc4-c7 Be7-d8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
q + lpp
r+l+ + p
p +PpP+
NpP+ +n+
+ +Q+ +
PP NK+PP
+ RLR +

+ r +k+
q + lpp
r+l+ n p
p + pP+
NpP+p+ +
+ +Q+ +
PP NK+PP
+ RLR +

67

246

247

39.Rc7-c5 Be6xa2 40.Bd1-c2 g7-g6


41.g2-g3 Ra6-e6 42.b2-b3 Kg8-g7
43.Rc5-d5 -3.20/16 ] 30...Nf6xd5!
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30...Nf6xd5 31.e4xd5 Rd8xd5
32.Qd3-e3 Qa7xe3+ 33.Ke2xe3
Be7-g5+ 34.Ke3-f3 Rd5-c5+ 35.Kf3-f2
Rc5xc1 36.Nd2-f3 Bg5-f6 37.Bd1-b3
Rc1xe1 38.Kf2xe1 Ra6-a7 39.Ke1-e2
e5-e4 40.Nf3-d2 Ra7-c7 41.Na4-b6
Bf6xb2 42.Nb6-c4 Bc6-b5 43.Ke2-e3
Bb2-f6 44.Nc4-d6 -5.33/15 ]
leaving no more doubts 31.e4xd5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31.e4xd5
Rd8xd5 32.Qd3-c2 Be7-g5 33.Nd2-c4

+ r +k+
q + lpp
r+l+ + p
p +npP+
Np +P+ +
+ +Q+ +
PP NK+PP
+ RLR +

248

Rd5-d4 34.Ke2-f1 Bg5xc1 35.b2-b3


Bc1-g5 36.Bd1-f3 Bc6xa4 37.b3xa4
Qa7-c5 38.Nc4-e3 Qc5xc2 39.Ne3xc2
Rd4-d2 40.Bf3-e4 Ra6-d6 41.Re1-e2
Rd2xe2 42.Kf1xe2 Rd6-d2+ 43.Ke2-f3
f7-f6 44.h2-h3 Kg8-f7 45.g2-g3
Rd2-h2 -5.04/16 ] 31...Rd8xd5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31...Rd8xd5 32.Qd3-c2 Be7-g5
33.Nd2-c4 Rd5-d4 34.Ke2-f1 Bg5xc1
35.b2-b3 Bc1-g5 36.Bd1-f3 Bc6xa4
37.b3xa4 Qa7-c5 38.Nc4-e3 Qc5xc2
39.Ne3xc2 Rd4-d2 40.Bf3-e4 Ra6-d6
41.Kf1-g1 Rd2-d1 42.Kg1-f1 Rd1xe1+
43.Nc2xe1 -4.04/13 ]
(Diagram 249)
32.Qd3-b3 [ 32.Qd3-e3 does not
improve anything Qa7xe3+ 33.Ke2xe3
Be7-g5+ 34.Ke3-f3 Rd5-c5+ 35.Kf3-f2
Rc5xc1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.Qd3-c2 Be7-g5 33.Nd2-e4 Bg5xc1
34.Qc2xc1 Bc6-b5+ 35.Ke2-f3
Rd5-d3+ 36.Kf3-g4 Qa7-d7 37.g2-g3
Rd3xd1 38.Qc1xd1 Qd7xd1+
39.Re1xd1 Bb5-e2+ 40.Kg4-h4
Be2xd1 41.Na4-c5 Ra6-c6 42.a2-a4
b4xa3 43.b2xa3 Bd1-f3 44.g3-g4
Bf3xe4 45.Nc5xe4 Rc6-c4 46.Ne4-d6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
q + lpp
r+l+ + p
p +rpP+
Np + + +
+ +Q+ +
PP NK+PP
+ RLR +

68

249

Rc4-c2 -4.52/14 ] 32...Be7-g5 Diagram


[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32...Rd5xd2+
33.Ke2xd2 Qa7-f2+ 34.Bd1-e2 Bc6-e4
35.Rc1-c8+ Kg8-h7 36.Rc8-c5
Be7xc5 37.Na4xc5 Ra6-d6+
38.Nc5-d3 Be4xd3 39.Qb3xd3
Rd6xd3+ 40.Kd2xd3 Qf2xe1 41.f5-f6
g7xf6 42.Kd3-e3 Qe1-g1+ 43.Ke3-d2
Qg1xg2 -12.93/11 ]

+ + +k+
q + +pp
r+l+ + p
p +rpPl
Np + + +
+Q+ + +
PP NK+PP
+ RLR +

250

33.Rc1-c2 [ 33.Nd2-e4 the only


chance to get some counterplay
Bg5xc1 34.Ke2-f1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 33.Nd2-e4 Bg5xc1 34.Ke2-f1
Diagram
Bc1-d2 35.Re1-e2 Qa7-d4 36.Qb3-f3

+ + +k+
q + +pp
r+l+ + p
p +rpP+
Np +N+ +
+Q+ + +
PP + +PP
+ lLRK+

251

Bd2-f4 37.Bd1-b3 Bf4xh2 38.Re2-e3


Bc6-b5+ 39.Kf1-f2 Bh2-f4 40.Bb3xd5
Bf4xe3+ 41.Qf3xe3 Qd4xd5
42.Ne4-c5 Ra6-c6 43.Kf2-g3 Qd5xa2
-6.55/14 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ + +pp
+r+ + p
plN pP+
Np + + +
+ + Q K
qP + +P+
+ + + +

252

] 33...Bg5xd2 Diagram [ 33...Bg5xd2


34.Na4-c5 Bd2xe1 35.Ke2xe1
Rd5xc5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Bg5xd2 34.Rc2-c5 Bd2xe1
35.Qb3-e3 Bc6-b5+ 36.Ke2xe1
Bb5xa4 37.Bd1xa4 Qa7xc5
38.Qe3xc5 Rd5xc5 39.Ke1-e2 Rc5-d5
40.Ba4-b3 Rd5-d4 41.Ke2-e1
Rd4-e4+ 42.Ke1-f2 Ra6-d6 43.Kf2-f3
Re4-f4+ 44.Kf3-e2 Rf4xf5 45.Bb3-c2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

69

Rf5-f4 -11.92/13 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ + +pp
+ r + p
p + p +
p + r +
+ + + +
PPL+K+PP
+ + + +

253

r+lqklnr
pp+npppp
+ p + +
+Lp + +
+ PP+ +
+ + +N+
PPP+ PPP
RNLQK +R

255

7.Bb5xd7+ Bc8xd7 8.Bc1-g5 h7-h6


]
9.Bg5xf6 g7xf6 10.c2-c4 [RR
10.Nb1-c3 e7-e6 11.Ra1-d1 Bf8-e7
12.Qd4-d3 Ra8-c8 13.Nf3-d4 Rc8-c5
14.Kg1-h1 Rc5-g5 15.f2-f4 Rg5-g7
16.f4-f5 Rh8-g8 17.Rd1-d2 Qd8-c8
254
18.Qd3-h3 Rg7-h7 19.Nc3-e2 e6-e5
20.Nd4-b3 h6-h5 21.Ne2-c3 Bd7-c6
22.Qh3-f3 Rg8-g4 23.Rf1-d1 b7-b6
24.Qf3-e3 Qc8-b7 Rublevsky,S (2650)Akhmadeev,V (2440)/Kazan 1997/CBM
063/1-0 (36) ] 10...e7-e6 11.Nb1-c3
Ra8-c8 12.Kg1-h1N [RR 12.Ra1-c1
h6-h5 (RR 12...Bf8-e7 13.b2-b4
Qd8-c7 14.Nf3-d2 h6-h5 15.Rf1-e1
Ke8-f8 16.Re1-e3 Rh8-h6 17.f2-f4
d6-d5 18.c4-c5 Qc7xf4 19.Rc1-f1
0-1
Qf4-e5 20.Qd4xe5 f6xe5 21.e4xd5
Be7-g5 22.Re3-e2 e6xd5 23.Nd2-f3
Bg5-f6 24.Nf3xe5 Bd7-e6 25.Nc3-a4
4
B51 Rc8-d8 26.Na4-b6 d5-d4 27.Rf1-d1
Vassily Ivanchuk
Arngrimsson,D (2323)-Deepan
Garry Kasparov
Chakkravarthy,J (2492)/Yerevan 2007/
51/184 Linares 51/184
1991 CBM 120 ext/0-1 (38) ) 13.Rf1-d1
h5-h4 14.h2-h3 Bf8-e7 15.b2-b4
B51: Sicilian: Moscow Variation (3
Qd8-c7 16.Qd4-e3 Rh8-h5 17.Nc3-e2
Bb5+) without 3...Bd7
Be7-f8 18.Nf3-h2 Bd7-a4 19.Nh2-g4
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 d7-d6
Bf8-e7 20.Rd1-d2 f6-f5 21.e4xf5
3.Bf1-b5+ Nb8-d7 4.d2-d4 Diagram
Rh5xf5 22.Qe3-c3 Qc7-d8 23.c4-c5
Ng8-f6 5.0-0 c5xd4 6.Qd1xd4 a7-a6 d6-d5 24.Ne2-d4 Rf5-f4 25.Nd4-f3

+ + +k+
q + +pp
r+l+ + p
p +rpP+
Np + + +
+Q+ + +
PPRlK+PP
+ +LR +

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

70

a6-a5 26.a2-a3 a5xb4 Ciron (2571)Schurick (2465)/playchess.com INT


2006/EXT 2007/1-0 (63) ;RR 12.a2-a4
h6-h5 13.b2-b4 h5-h4 14.h2-h3
Rh8-h5 15.Rf1-e1 Bf8-e7 16.Re1-e3
Qd8-c7 17.Nf3-d2 Ke8-f8 18.Ra1-b1
Kf8-g8 19.Qd4-d3 Kg8-h8 20.Qd3-e2
Rh5-h7 21.Kg1-h1 Rc8-g8 22.f2-f4
Be7-f8 23.f4-f5 Bf8-h6 24.Re3-f3
Bh6-g5 25.Qe2-f2 Rh7-g7 26.Rb1-d1
Kh8-h7 Ovetchkin,R (2475)-Paragua,M
(2529)/Alushta 2004/CBM 103/0-1
(80) ] 12...h6-h5 13.a2-a4 h5-h4
14.h2-h3 Bf8-e7 15.b2-b4 a6-a5
16.b4-b5 Qd8-c7 17.Nf3-d2 Diagram

+r+k+ r
+pqllp+
+ ppp +
pP+ + +
P+PQP+ p
+ N + +P
+ N PP+
R + +R+K

256

Qc7-c5 18.Qd4-d3 Rh8-g8


19.Ra1-e1 last book move last book
move Qc5-g5 Black has a mate threat
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...Rg8-g7
20.Nc3-d1 f6-f5 21.e4xf5 Qc5xf5
22.Nd2-e4 Qf5-f4 23.Nd1-e3 f7-f5
24.Ne3xf5 e6xf5 25.Ne4xd6+ Ke8-f8
26.Nd6xc8 Bd7xc8 Diagram
(Diagram 257)
27.c4-c5 Qf4-c7 28.c5-c6 b7xc6
29.Qd3-c3 c6-c5 30.Re1-e5 c5-c4
31.Rf1-d1 Be7-b4 32.Qc3-d4 Qc7-b7
33.Qd4-d8+ Kf8-f7 0.06/16 ] 20.Rf1-g1

+l+ k +
+p+ l r
+ + + +
pP+ +p+
P+P+ q p
+ +Q+ +P
+ + PP+
+ + RR+K

257

Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


20.Rf1-g1 Ke8-f8 21.Nc3-d1 f6-f5
22.Nd1-c3 Qg5-f4 23.e4xf5 Qf4xf5
24.Nd2-e4 Bd7-e8 25.Re1-d1 Qf5-e5
26.Rd1-f1 Be8-d7 27.f2-f4 Qe5-f5
28.Qd3-d4 -0.06/16 ]

+r+k+r+
+p+llp+
+ ppp +
pP+ + q
P+P+P+ p
+ NQ+ +P
+ N PP+
+ + R RK

258

20...Qg5-f4 Diagram [ 20...b7-b6


21.Nd2-b3= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...Ke8-f8 21.Nc3-d1 f6-f5 22.Nd1-c3
Qg5-f4 23.e4xf5 Qf4xf5 24.Nd2-e4
Bd7-e8 25.Re1-d1 Qf5-e5 26.Rg1-e1
Qe5-g7 27.Re1-g1 Rc8-d8 28.Qd3-f3
f7-f5 29.Qf3-f4 Be8-h5 0.10/17 ]
Black threatens to win material: Qf4xf2
21.Re1-f1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+k+r+
+p+llp+
+ ppp +
pP+ + +
P+P+Pq p
+ NQ+ +P
+ N PP+
+ + R RK

71

259

x64: 21.Re1-e2 Ke8-f8 22.Nd2-f3


f6-f5 23.Rg1-e1 Rc8-c5 24.Re2-c2
Kf8-g7 25.e4xf5 Qf4xc4 26.Qd3-d1
Rc5xf5 27.Re1-e4 Qc4-c5 Diagram

+ + +r+
+p+llpk
+ pp+ +
pPq +r+
P+ +R+ p
+ N +N+P
+R+ PP+
+ +Q+ +K

260

28.Qd1-d2 Rf5xf3 29.g2xf3 Qc5-f5


30.Re4-g4+ Kg7-h7 31.Kh1-g2 d6-d5
32.Rc2-c1 Be7-f6 0.18/17 ]
(Diagram 261)
21...b7-b6 [ 21...Rc8-c7 22.Nd2-f3= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...f6-f5
Diagram
22.Nc3-e2 Qf4-e5 23.Rf1-d1 Ke8-f8
24.e4xf5 Qe5xf5 25.Nd2-e4 d6-d5

+r+k+r+
+p+llp+
+ ppp +
pP+ + +
P+P+Pq p
+ NQ+ +P
+ N PP+
+ + +RRK

+r+k+r+
+p+llp+
+ pp+ +
pP+ +p+
P+P+Pq p
+ NQ+ +P
+ N PP+
+ + +RRK

261

262

26.c4xd5 e6xd5 27.Qd3xd5 Qf5xd5


28.Rd1xd5 Bd7-e6 29.Rd5-d4 Rc8-c2
30.Ne2-f4 Be6-b3 31.Nf4-d5 Bb3xd5
32.Rd4xd5 Rc2-c4 33.Rg1-e1 Rc4xa4
34.Rd5-d7 0.13/16 ] 22.Nc3-e2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.Nd2-f3
Diagram
(Diagram 263)
Qf4-h6 23.Rf1-d1 Rc8-c7 24.Rd1-d2
Ke8-f8 25.Nc3-e2 Qh6-h7 26.Rg1-c1
Rc7-c5 27.Ne2-f4 Qh7-g7 28.Rc1-g1
f6-f5 29.Rg1-d1 f5xe4 30.Qd3xe4
0.30/16 ] 22...Qf4-h6 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+k+r+
+ +llp+
p ppp +
pP+ + +
P+P+Pq p
+ NQ+N+P
+ + PP+
+ + +RRK

72

263

[ 22...Qf4-e5 23.f2-f4 Qe5-c5


24.f4-f5$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Qf4-g5 23.f2-f4 Diagram

+r+k+r+
+ +llp+
p ppp +
pP+ + q
P+P+PP p
+ +Q+ +P
+ NN+P+
+ + +RRK

+r+k+r+
+ +llp+
p ppp q
pP+ + +
P+P+P+ p
+ +Q+ +P
+ NNPP+
+ + +RRK

265

33.Rg1-e1 Qh6-g6 34.Qd3-d5 0.36/16


] 23...Rc8xc5 Diagram [ 23...d6xc5!?
should be considered 24.Nd2-c4
Rc8-b8$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...d6xc5 24.Nd2-c4 Rc8-b8 25.f2-f4
Bd7-c8 Diagram
264

Qg5-c5 24.f4-f5 Qc5-b4 25.Rf1-b1


Qb4-c5 26.Rb1-f1 Qc5-b4 0.09/17 ]
(Diagram 265)
23.c4-c5 White threatens to win
material: c5xb6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.f2-f4 Ke8-f8 24.f4-f5 Rc8-c5
25.Nd2-b3 Rc5-e5 26.Nb3-d4 d6-d5
27.c4xd5 e6xd5 28.Ne2-c3 Rg8-g3
29.Rf1-f3 d5xe4 30.Nc3xe4 Rg3xf3
31.Nd4xf3 Bd7xf5 32.Nf3xe5 f6xe5

rl+k+r+
+ + lp+
p +pp q
pPp + +
P+N+PP p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+P+
+ + +RRK

266

26.f4-f5 Ke8-f8 27.Ne2-f4 Rg8-g3


28.Qd3-d1 Qh6-h7 29.f5xe6 Bc8xe6
30.Qd1-e2 Be6xc4 31.Qe2xc4 Rg3-e3
32.Rf1-e1 Re3xe1 33.Rg1xe1 Be7-d6
34.Nf4-d5 Qh7-g6 35.Re1-d1 Kf8-g8
-0.05/17 ]
24.Nd2-c4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 24.Nd2-c4 Qh6-g6
25.Nc4xb6 f6-f5 26.e4-e5 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +k+r+
+ +llp+
p ppp q
pPr + +
P+ +P+ p
+ +Q+ +P
+ NNPP+
+ + +RRK

+ +k+r+
+ +llp+
N pp+q+
pPr Pp+
P+ + + p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +NPP+
+ + +RRK

73

267

268

Rc5xe5 27.Rf1-c1 f5-f4 28.Qd3-d2


f4-f3 29.g2xf3 Re5-g5 30.Qd2xa5
Qg6-d3 31.Qa5-a8+ Be7-d8
32.Rg1xg5 Rg8xg5 33.Nb6xd7
Ke8xd7 34.Qa8-c6+ Kd7-e7
35.Qc6-e4 Qd3xe4 36.f3xe4 Rg5-e5
37.f2-f3 Ke7-d7 38.Rc1-g1 Diagram
(Diagram 269)
f7-f5 39.Ne2-d4 f5xe4 40.Rg1-g7+
Kd7-c8 41.Kh1-g2 d6-d5 42.Kg2-f2
Bd8-b6 0.58/15 ]
24...Ke8-f8 Diagram [ 24...Qh6-g6!?
Diagram

+ l + +
+ +k+p+
+ pp+ +
+P+ r +
P+ +P+ p
+ + +P+P
+ +N+ +
+ + + RK

+ +k+r+
+ +llp+
p ppp q
pPr + +
P+N+P+ p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +NPP+
+ + +RRK

+ +k+r+
+ +llp+
p pppq+
pPr + +
P+N+P+ p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +NPP+
+ + +RRK

269

270

271

25.Rf1-d1 Ke8-f8 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

74

x64: 24...Qh6-g6 25.Nc4xb6 f6-f5


26.e4-e5 Rc5xe5 27.Rf1-c1 f5-f4
28.Qd3-d2 f4-f3 29.g2xf3 Re5-g5
30.Rg1-g4 e6-e5 31.Nb6xd7 Ke8xd7
32.Qd2-d5 f7-f5 33.Rg4-d4 Rg5-g2
34.Qd5xe5 Diagram

+ + +r+
+ +kl +
+ p +q+
pP+ Qp+
P+ R + p
+ + +P+P
+ +NPr+
+ R + +K

272

274

37.Qg3xg5+ f6xg5 38.Nb3-c5 Be6-c4


39.Rg1-d1 Rh8-c8 1.03/18 ]

Kd7-d8 35.Ne2-g3 Rg2xf2 0.37/14 ]

+ + kr+
+ +llp+
p ppp q
pPr + +
P+N+P+ p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +NPP+
+ + +RRK

+ + +r+
+ +l+pk
+ + p +
pP+ +q+
P+ Q + p
+ + + +P
+ + +P+
+ N + RK

273

+ + kr+
+ +llp+
N ppp q
pPr + +
P+ +P+ p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +NPP+
+ + +RRK

275

25...Bd7-e8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 25...Bd7-e8 26.f2-f4 Kf8-g7
Diagram
(Diagram 276)

25.Nc4xb6+- Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 25.Nc4xb6 Bd7-e8 26.f2-f4
Kf8-g7 27.Rf1-c1 Qh6-h5 28.f4-f5
Be7-d8 29.Qd3xd6 Rc5xc1 30.Ne2xc1
Bd8xb6 31.Qd6xb6 e6xf5 32.e4xf5
Qh5xf5 33.Qb6-d4 Be8-d7 Diagram
34.Nc1-b3 Bd7-e6 35.Qd4xh4
Rg8-h8 36.Qh4-g3+ Qf5-g5

27.Rf1-c1 Qh6-h5 28.f4-f5 Be7-d8


29.Qd3xd6 Rc5xc1 30.Ne2xc1
Bd8xb6 31.Qd6xb6 e6xf5 32.e4xf5
Qh5xf5 33.Qb6-d4 Be8-d7 34.Nc1-b3
Bd7-e6 35.Qd4xh4 Rg8-h8
36.Qh4-g3+ Qf5-g5 37.Qg3xg5+
f6xg5 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +l+r+
+ + lpk
N ppp q
pPr + +
P+ +PP p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+P+
+ + +RRK

+ + + r
+ + +pk
+ +l+ +
pP+ + p
P+ + + +
+N+ + +P
+ + +P+
+ + + RK

75

276

277

38.Nb3-c5 Kg7-g6 39.Nc5xe6 f7xe6


40.b5-b6 Kg6-f5 41.Rg1-c1 1.21/17 ]

+ +lkr+
+ + lp+
N ppp q
pPr + +
P+ +P+ p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +NPP+
+ + +RRK

+ +lkr+
+ + lp+
N pp+ q
pP+ +r+
P+ + P p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+P+
+ + +RRK

278

279

34.Qd2-d6+ Kf8-g7 Diagram


(Diagram 280)

(Diagram 278)
26.f2-f4 Diagram [ 26.Rf1-c1 f6-f5
27.e4xf5 Rc5xf5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26.f2-f4 f6-f5 27.e4xf5 Rc5xf5
Diagram
(Diagram 279)
28.Rf1-c1 Rf5-c5 29.Rc1xc5 d6xc5
30.Nb6-c8 Qh6-f6 31.Qd3-d2 Qf6-f5
32.Nc8xe7 Kf8xe7 33.Rg1-d1 Ke7-f8

35.Rd1-c1 Qf5-e4 36.Qd6-e5+


Qe4xe5 37.f4xe5 f7-f6 38.Rc1xc5
Be8-f7 39.Ne2-f4 f6xe5 1.09/15 ]
(Diagram 281)
26...f6-f5 Diagram [ 26...Qh6-h7
27.f4-f5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...Qh6-h7 27.f4-f5 Diagram
Kf8-g7 28.Rf1-f4 Kg7-f8 29.f5xe6
f7xe6 30.Rg1-f1 Qh7-g7 31.Rf4-g4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

76
Rg5-c5 34.Ne2-f4 1.08/13 Diagram

+ +l+r+
+ + +pk
+ Qp+ +
pPp +q+
P+ + P p
+ + + +P
+ +N+P+
+ +R+ +K

+ +lkr+
+ + lp+
N ppp q
pPr + +
P+ +PP p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+P+
+ + +RRK

+ +lkr+
+ + lp+q
N ppp +
pPr +P+
P+ +P+ p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+P+
+ + +RRK

+ +lkr+
+ + lq+
N ppp +
pPr + +
P+ +PNPR
+ +Q+ +P
+ + + +
+ + +R+K

280

283

]
281

282

Qg7-f7 32.Rg4xh4 Rc5-g5 33.g2-g4

+ +lkr+
+ + lp+
N pp+ q
pPr +p+
P+ +PP p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+P+
+ + +RRK

284

27.e4xf5+- Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 27.e4xf5 Rc5xf5 28.Rf1-c1
Qh6-h8 29.Rc1-c8 Kf8-g7 30.Nb6-c4
Rf5-d5 31.Qd3-f3 Be7-f6 32.Ne2-c3
Rd5-c5 33.Rc8xc5 d6xc5 34.Nc4xa5
Kg7-f8 35.Nc3-e4 Diagram
(Diagram 285)
Bf6-d4 36.Rg1-c1 Qh8-g7
37.Ne4xc5 1.14/15 ]
27...Rc5xf5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 27...e6xf5 28.Rf1-e1 Be7-d8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +lkrq
+ + +p+
+ +pl +
NPp + +
P+ +NP p
+ + +Q+P
+ + +P+
+ + + RK

+ +lkr+
+ + lp+
N pp+ q
pPr +P+
P+ + P p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+P+
+ + +RRK

77

285

286

29.Nb6-c4 Bd8-c7 30.Re1-d1 Qh6-e6


31.Nc4xd6 Bc7xd6 32.Qd3xd6+
Qe6xd6 33.Rd1xd6 Rc5-c4 34.Rd6-d4
Diagram
(Diagram 287)
Rc4-c2 35.Rg1-e1 Rg8-g6 36.Kh1-g1
Rg6-e6 37.Kg1-f1 Kf8-e7 38.Rd4-d3
Be8-d7 39.Kf1-f2 Rc2-a2 40.Rd3-d4
1.00/13 ]
28.Rf1-c1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28.Rf1-c1 Rf5-c5 29.Rc1xc5
d6xc5 30.Nb6-c8 Qh6-g6 31.Qd3xg6
f7xg6 32.Rg1-c1 Be8-d7 33.Nc8xe7

+ +lkr+
+ + +p+
+ + + +
pP+ +p+
P+rR P p
+ + + +P
+ +N+P+
+ + + RK

+ +lkr+
+ + lp+
N pp+ q
pP+ +r+
P+ + P p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+P+
+ + +RRK

287

288

Kf8xe7 34.Rc1xc5 Ke7-d6 35.Rc5-c1


Rg8-e8 36.Kh1-g1 Diagram
(Diagram 289)
e6-e5 37.Kg1-f2 e5xf4 38.Ne2xf4
Re8-e4 39.Rc1-d1+ Kd6-c7
40.Nf4-d5+ Kc7-b7 1.17/16 ]
(Diagram 290)
28...Kf8-g7 Diagram [ 28...Rf5-c5
29.Rc1xc5 d6xc5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28...Rf5-c5 29.Rc1xc5 d6xc5
30.Nb6-c8 Qh6-g6 31.Qd3xg6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+ +
+ +l+ +
+ kp+p+
pP+ + +
P+ + P p
+ + + +P
+ +N+P+
+ R + K

+ +lkr+
+ + lp+
N pp+ q
pP+ +r+
P+ + P p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+P+
+ R + RK

78

289

290

Rg8xg6 32.Rg1-c1 Be8-d7 33.Nc8xe7


Kf8xe7 34.Rc1xc5 Ke7-d6 35.Rc5-c1
Rg6-g8 36.Kh1-h2 Rg8-c8 Diagram

+r+ + +
+ +l+p+
+ kp+ +
pP+ + +
P+ + P p
+ + + +P
+ +N+PK
+ R + +

+ +l+r+
+ + lpk
N pp+ q
pP+ +r+
P+ + P p
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+P+
+ R + RK

291

292

Be8xa4 35.Ne2-c3 Ba4-b3 36.Nc3xd5


Bb3xd5 37.Ne7xd5 Qb6-b7 38.Rg1-d1
a5-a4 39.Rc1-b1 Qb7-c6 40.Rb1-b6
Qc6-c2 41.Nd5-e3 2.82/15 ]

(Diagram 291)
(Diagram 293)
37.Rc1-d1+ Kd6-c7 38.Ne2-c3 f7-f5
39.Nc3-e2 1.04/14 ]

29...Rf5-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


29...Rf5-c5 30.Rc1xc5 Diagram

(Diagram 292)
(Diagram 294)
29.g2-g4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 29.Nb6-c8 Rf5-d5 30.Qd3xd5
e6xd5 31.Nc8xe7 Qh6-f6 32.Ne7xg8
Qf6-d8 33.b5-b6 Qd8xb6 34.Ng8-e7

d6xc5 31.Nb6-c4 Be7-d8 32.Qd3-e3


Qh6-h7 33.f4-f5 e6xf5 34.Nc4-d6
Be8-d7 35.Nd6xf5+ Bd7xf5 36.g4xf5+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +l+r+
+ + lpk
N pp+ q
pP+ +r+
P+ + PPp
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+ +
+ R + RK

+ +l+r+
+ + lpk
N pp+ q
pPR + +
P+ + PPp
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+ +
+ + + RK

79

+ + + +
+ + +p+k
Q + + +
p + +P+
P+ +qN p
+ + + +P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

293

+ +l+r+
+ + lpk
+ +p+ q
pPp + +
P+N+ PPp
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+ +
+ + + RK

294

Kg7-h8 37.Rg1xg8+ Qh7xg8


38.Qe3-h6+ Qg8-h7 39.Qh6-d6
Qh7-g8 40.Qd6xc5 Kh8-h7 41.Qc5-d4
Qg8-g5 42.b5-b6 Qg5-e7 43.Ne2-f4
Bd8xb6 44.Qd4xb6 Qe7-e4+ Diagram

295

296

37.Kh1-g1 Be4-d5 38.f4xg5+ Kf6xg5


39.Rd1-c1 Rg8-f8 40.a4-a5 Rf8-a8
41.Kg1-f2 Bd5xc4 42.Rc1xc4 Ra8xa5
43.Ne2-c3 Ra5-a8 44.Nc3-e4+
Kg5-g6 45.Ne4xc5 Be7xc5+
46.Rc4xc5 1.71/16 Diagram

(Diagram 295)
(Diagram 297)
45.Nf4-g2 Qe4xf5 1.85/14 ]
30.Rc1xc5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 30.Rc1xc5 d6xc5 31.Nb6-c4
Diagram
Qh6-g6 32.Qd3xg6+ f7xg6
33.Nc4xa5 g6-g5 34.Rg1-d1 Kg7-f6
35.Na5-c4 Be8-g6 36.b5-b6 Bg6-e4+

]
30...d6xc5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 30...d6xc5 31.Nb6-c8 Be7-d8
32.Rg1-c1 Qh6-f6 33.Kh1-g2 Bd8-c7
34.Nc8-d6 Qf6-e7 35.Qd3-c3+ f7-f6
36.Nd6xe8+ Rg8xe8 37.Qc3xc5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + + +
+ + + +
P +p+k+
+ R + +
+ + +Pp
+ + + +P
+ + K +
+ + + +

+ +l+r+
+ + lpk
N pp+ q
pPR + +
P+ + PPp
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+ +
+ + + RK

80

+ +r+ +
+ + q k
+Qlpp +
pP+ + +
P+ + PPp
+ + + +P
+ +N+K+
+ R + +

297

+ +l+r+
+ + lpk
N +p+ q
pPp + +
P+ + PPp
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+ +
+ + + RK

298

Bc7-d6 38.Qc5-c6 Diagram


(Diagram 299)
e6-e5 39.f4-f5 e5-e4 1.40/14 ]
(Diagram 300)
31.Nb6-c8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31.Nb6-c4 Qh6-g6 32.Qd3xg6+ f7xg6
33.Nc4xa5 g6-g5 34.Rg1-d1 Be8-g6
35.Rd1-d7 Kg7-f7 36.Na5-c4 Bg6-e4+
37.Kh1-g1 Be4-d5 38.Nc4-d6+ Kf7-f6
39.b5-b6 Bd5-c6 40.Rd7-c7 Bc6xa4
41.Nd6-e4+ Kf6-f7 42.Ne4xc5 1.54/15

299

300

] 31...Be7-f8? Diagram [ 31...Be7-d8+- ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31...Be7-d8
32.Rg1-c1 Qh6-f6 33.Kh1-g2 Qf6-b2
34.Rc1xc5 Qb2-a2 35.Qd3-c2 Qa2xc2
36.Rc5xc2 Be8-d7 37.Nc8-d6 Bd8-b6
38.Kg2-f3 Kg7-f6 39.Kf3-e4 Kf6-e7
1.29/15 Diagram
(Diagram 301)
]
32.Qd3-d8 White intends g5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32.Qd3-d8
c5-c4 33.Qd8xe8 Bf8-c5 34.Qe8-d7
Qh6-f6 35.Nc8-d6 Rg8-d8 36.Nd6-e8+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +r+
+ +lkp+
l Np+ +
pP+ + +
P+ +KPPp
+ + + +P
+R+N+ +
+ + + +

+N+llr+
+ + +pk
+ +p+ q
pPp + +
P+ + PPp
+ +Q+ +P
+ +N+ +
+ + + RK

81

301

302

Rd8xe8 37.Qd7xe8 Bc5xg1


38.Kh1xg1 Qf6-a1+ 39.Kg1-f2
Qa1xa4 40.Qe8-b8 Qa4-a3
41.Qb8-e5+ Kg7-g8 42.Qe5-g5+
Kg8-f8 43.Qg5-d8+ Kf8-g7
44.Qd8-d4+ Kg7-g8 45.b5-b6 Qa3xh3
46.b6-b7 Qh3-h2+ 47.Kf2-e3 Qh2-h3+
48.Ke3-d2 3.43/15 ] 32...Qh6-g6
Diagram [ 32...Qh6-h7 doesn't change
the outcome of the game 33.f4-f5
( 33.Qd8xe8?! is easily refuted Qh7-d3
34.Rg1-g2 Qd3xh3+ 35.Kh1-g1
Qh3-e3+ 36.Kg1-f1 c5-c4= ) 33...c5-c4
34.Qd8xe8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...Qh6-f6 Diagram

+NQllr+
+ + +pk
+ +pq +
pPp + +
P+ + PPp
+ + + +P
+ +N+ +
+ + + RK

303

33.Qd8xe8 Qf6-b2 34.Rg1-g2 Bf8-d6


35.Qe8-d7 Bd6xf4 36.Nc8-d6 Rg8-f8
37.Rg2-f2 Qb2-b1+ 38.Ne2-g1
Qb1-b4 39.b5-b6 Qb4-d4 40.Nd6-f5+
e6xf5 41.Qd7xd4+ c5xd4 42.Rf2xf4
Rf8-b8 3.08/13 ]

+NQllr+
+ + +pk
+ +p+q+
pPp + +
P+ + PPp
+ + + +P
+ +N+ +
+ + + RK

304

33.f4-f5 Diagram [ 33.Qd8xe8 Qg6-d3


34.Rg1-g2 Qd3xh3+ 35.Kh1-g1
Qh3-e3+ 36.Kg1-f1 c5-c4= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.f4-f5 Qg6-f6
34.Qd8xe8 Diagram
c5-c4 35.Qe8-d7 Bf8-c5 36.Ne2-f4
Kg7-h8 37.Nc8-d6 Bc5xd6 38.Qd7xd6
Rg8-d8 39.Qd6-c5 Qf6-d4 40.Qc5-e7
e6-e5 41.Nf4-h5 Qd4-d5+ 42.Kh1-h2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+N+Qlr+
+ + +pk
+ +pq +
pPp +P+
P+ + +Pp
+ + + +P
+ +N+ +
+ + + RK

82

305

Rd8-g8 43.Rg1-g2 e5-e4 44.b5-b6


c4-c3 45.b6-b7 e4-e3 46.Rg2-c2
4.35/12 ]

+NQllr+
+ + +pk
+ +p+q+
pPp +P+
P+ + +Pp
+ + + +P
+ +N+ +
+ + + RK

306

33...Qg6-h6 Diagram [ 33...Qg6-f6


there is nothing better in the position
34.Qd8xe8 c5-c4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 33...Qg6-f6 34.Qd8xe8 Kg7-h7
35.b5-b6 Bf8-d6 36.Qe8-c6 Bd6-b8
37.Qc6xc5 e6xf5 38.b6-b7 Rg8-g5
39.Rg1-f1 Qf6-b2 40.Qc5-e7 Qb2-b3
41.Ne2-g1 Qb3-g3 42.Qe7xf7+
Diagram
Kh7-h6 4.78/13 ]
34.g4-g5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34.g4-g5 Qh6-h5 35.Rg1-g4 Kg7-h7

lN+ + +
+P+ +Q+k
+ + + +
p + +pr
P+ + +Pp
+ + + qP
+ + + +
+ + +RNK

+NQllr+
+ + +pk
+ +p+ q
pPp +P+
P+ + +Pp
+ + + +P
+ +N+ +
+ + + RK

307

308

36.Qd8xe8 Bf8-h6 37.g5-g6+ f7xg6


38.Qe8-e7+ Kh7-h8 39.f5xg6 Rg8xg6
40.Qe7-e8+ Kh8-g7 41.Nc8-e7
Rg6xg4 42.Qe8xh5 Rg4xa4
43.Qh5xc5 Ra4-b4 44.Qc5-h5 Kg7-f8
45.Ne7-c6 Rb4-b1+ 46.Kh1-g2 Kf8-g7
47.Nc6xa5 Rb1-b4 48.Na5-c6 9.76/14
] 34...Qh6-h5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 34...Qh6-h5 35.Rg1-g4
Kg7-h8 36.Ne2-f4 Qh5-h7 37.g5-g6
f7xg6 38.Rg4xh4 e6xf5 39.Rh4xh7+
Kh8xh7 40.Qd8xe8 Bf8-h6
41.Qe8-d7+ Rg8-g7 42.Qd7-d6
Diagram
Bh6xf4 43.Qd6xf4 Rg7-f7 44.Kh1-g2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+N+ + +
+ + + rk
+ Q +pl
pPp +p+
P+ + N +
+ + + +P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

83

+NQllrk
+ + +p+
+ +p+ +
pPp +PP
P+ + Nqp
+ + + +P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

309

Rf7-d7 45.b5-b6 Rd7-b7 46.Kg2-f3


Kh7-g7 47.Qf4-e5+ Kg7-h6
48.Qe5xc5 10.77/15 ]

311

45.Qd6xc5 Rb7-b8 46.Kh1-g2


Rb8-b2+ 47.Kg2-h3 Rb2-a2
48.Kh3xh4 Kg8-h7 49.Kh4-g3 9.57/13
]

+NQllr+
+ + +pk
+ +p+ +
pPp +PPq
P+ + + p
+ + + +P
+ +N+ +
+ + + RK

310

35.Rg1-g4 Diagram [ 35.Qd8xe8?!


is a useless try Qh5xe2 36.Qe8-c6
Qe2-d3 37.f5-f6+ Kg7-h8= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35.Rg1-g4
Kg7-h8 36.Ne2-f4 Qh5xg4 Diagram
(Diagram 311)
37.h3xg4 Bf8-g7 38.Qd8xa5 Be8xb5
39.a4xb5 Rg8xc8 40.f5-f6 Bg7-f8
41.b5-b6 Kh8-g8 42.b6-b7 Rc8-b8
43.Qa5-c7 Bf8-d6 44.Qc7xd6 Rb8xb7

+NQllr+
+ + +pk
+ +p+ +
pPp +PPq
P+ + +Rp
+ + + +P
+ +N+ +
+ + + +K

312

35...e6xf5 Diagram [ 35...Kg7-h8


the last chance for counterplay
36.Qd8xe8 Bf8-d6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 35...Kg7-h7 36.Qd8xe8 Bf8-h6
37.g5-g6+ f7xg6 38.Qe8-e7+ Kh7-h8
39.f5xg6 Rg8xg6 40.Qe7-e8+ Kh8-g7
41.Nc8-e7 Rg6xg4 42.Qe8xh5
Rg4xa4 43.Qh5xc5 Ra4-b4 44.Qc5-h5
a5-a4 45.Qh5-g6+ Kg7-f8 46.Qg6xe6
Bh6-d2 47.Ne7-f5 Rb4-b1+
48.Kh1-g2 10.34/14 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+NQllr+
+ + +pk
+ + + +
pPp +pPq
P+ + +Rp
+ + + +P
+ +N+ +
+ + + +K

84

+r+ + +
+ P +p+
+ + +k+
p p +NP
P+ + + R
+ + + +P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

313

36.Ne2-f4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


36.Ne2-f4 Rg8-h8 37.Nf4xh5+
Diagram

+NQll r
+ + +pk
+ + + +
pPp +pPN
P+ + +Rp
+ + + +P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

Kg5-h5 45.Ne7xc8 f7-f5 46.Nc8-e7


f5xg4 47.h3xg4+ Kh5xg4 48.c7-c8Q+
Kg4-f4 49.Qc8xc5 Kf4-e4 50.Kh1-g2
Ke4-d3 51.Qc5xa5 Kd3-d4
52.Ne7-c6+ Kd4-c4 53.Kg2-f3 Kc4-b3
54.Qa5-b4+ Kb3-c2 55.Qb4-c4+
Kc2-d2 18.26/14 ] 37.Qd8-f6+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37.Qd8-f6+
Kg7-h7 38.Rg4xh4+ Bf8-h6 #3/9 ]
37...Kg7-h7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 37...Kg7-h7 38.Rg4xh4+ Bf8-h6
#2/1 ]

314

Rh8xh5 38.Qd8-f6+ Kg7-g8


39.Qf6xf5 c5-c4 40.Rg4-e4 Be8-d7
41.Qf5xd7 Rh5xg5 42.Qd7-d8 Rg5-g3
43.Nc8-e7+ Kg8-h7 44.Re4xh4+
Bf8-h6 45.Rh4xh6+ Kh7xh6
46.Ne7-f5+ Kh6-g6 47.Nf5xg3
16.30/13 ] 36...Qh5-h8 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 36...Kg7-h8 37.Nf4xh5
Bf8-g7 38.Nh5xg7 Be8-c6+ 39.b5xc6
Rg8xd8 40.Ng7xf5 Kh8-h7 41.c6-c7
Rd8xc8 42.Rg4xh4+ Kh7-g6 Diagram
43.Nf5-e7+ Kg6xg5 44.Rh4-g4+

315

(Diagram 316)
38.Rg4xh4+ Diagram [ 38.Rg4xh4+
Bf8-h6 39.Rh4xh6# Diagram
(Diagram 317)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.Rg4xh4+
Bf8-h6 #2/9 Diagram
(Diagram 318)
]
1-0

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+N+llrq
+ + +p+k
+ + Q +
pPp +pP
P+ + NRp
+ + + +P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

+N+l+rq
+ + +p+k
+ + Q R
pPp +pP
P+ + N +
+ + + +P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

85

+N+llrq
+ + +p+k
+ + Q +
pPp +pP
P+ + N R
+ + + +P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

316

5
317

319

E67

Vassily Ivanchuk
Artur Yusupov
Brussel Brussels (9)

1991

E67: King's Indian: Fianchetto: 6...Nbd7


1.c2-c4 e7-e5 2.g2-g3 d7-d6
3.Bf1-g2 g7-g6 4.d2-d4 Nb8-d7
Diagram
(Diagram 320)

+N+l+rq
+ + +p+k
+ + Q l
pPp +pP
P+ + N R
+ + + +P
+ + + +
+ + + +K

318

5.Nb1-c3 Bf8-g7 6.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6


7.0-0 0-0 8.Qd1-c2 Rf8-e8 9.Rf1-d1
c7-c6 10.b2-b3 Qd8-e7 11.Bc1-a3
e5-e4 12.Nf3-g5 e4-e3 13.f2-f4
Nd7-f8 14.b3-b4 Bc8-f5 15.Qc2-b3
White prepares the advance b5 h7-h6
Diagram
(Diagram 321)
16.Ng5-f3 Nf6-g4 17.b4-b5N [RR
17.d4-d5 Ng4-f2 18.Nf3-d4 Bf5-d3
19.d5xc6 Bg7xd4 20.Rd1xd3 Nf2xd3
21.Nc3-d5 Qe7-d8 22.c6xb7 Ra8-b8
23.Ra1-d1 Nd3xf4 24.Nd5xf4 Qd8-f6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+lqklnr
pppn+p+p
+ p +p+
+ + p +
+PP + +
+ + + P
PP +PPLP
RNLQK NR

r+ +rnk+
pp+ qpl
+pp npp
+ + +lN
PPP P +
LQN p P
P+ +P+LP
R +R+ K

86

320

321

25.Rd1-f1 Qf6-g5 26.c4-c5 Re8-e7


27.c5-c6 Nf8-e6 28.Nf4-d5 Re7-e8
29.Ba3-b2 Kg8-g7 30.Nd5-c7 Qg5-e5
31.Nc7xe8+ Rb8xe8 Romanishin,O
(2525)-Shchekachev,A (2265)/Gyor
1990/EXT 1997/1-0 (32) ] 17...g6-g5
18.b5xc6 b7xc6 19.Nf3-e5 g5xf4
20.Ne5xc6 Qe7-g5 last book move
last book move 21.Ba3xd6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.h2-h4
Qg5-h5 22.Ba3xd6 f4xg3 23.Bd6xg3
Ng4-f2 24.Rd1-f1 Nf8-e6 25.Nc3-d5
Ne6xd4 26.Nd5-e7+ Kg8-f8
27.Nc6xd4 Bg7xd4 28.Bg2xa8
Diagram

L+ +rk +
p + Np+
+ + + p
+ + +l+q
+Pl + P
+Q+ p L
P+ +Pn +
R + +RK

322

Re8xa8 29.Ne7xf5 Qh5xf5 30.Qb3-b7


Ra8-d8 31.Ra1-c1 Kf8-g7 32.Rc1-b1
a7-a5 0.61/14 ] 21...Nf8-g6 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...f4xg3
22.h2xg3 Qg5-h5 23.Kg1-f1 Ng4-h2+
24.Kf1-g1 Nh2-g4 25.Kg1-f1 0.28/14 ]

r+ +r+k+
p + +pl
+NL +np
+ + +lq
+PP pn+
+QN p P
P+ +P+LP
R +R+ K

323

22.Nc3-d5 [ 22.h2-h4 Diagram


(Diagram 324)
Qg5-f6 23.c4-c5 f4xg3 24.Bd6xg3
Ng6-f4 25.Bg3xf4 Bf5-e6= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.h2-h4 Qg5-f6
23.c4-c5 f4xg3 24.Bd6xg3 Ng4-f2
25.Qb3-b7 Nf2xd1 26.Ra1xd1 Ng6xh4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +r+k+
p + +pl
+NL +np
+ + +lq
+PP pnP
+QN p P
P+ +P+L+
R +R+ K

87

324

27.Nc3-d5 Qf6-g5 28.Bg3xh4 Qg5xh4


29.Rd1-f1 Bf5-e4 30.Qb7xf7+ Kg8-h8
31.Qf7-f4 Qh4xf4 32.Rf1xf4 Be4xd5
33.Bg2xd5 Re8-f8 34.Rf4-g4 Rf8-f2
0.65/13 ] 22...Qg5-h5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Qg5-h5 23.h2-h4 Ng4-f2
24.Bd6xf4 Nf2xd1 25.Qb3xd1 Ra8-c8
26.Nc6-e5 Ng6xe5 27.Bf4xe5 Qh5-g6
28.Be5xg7 Qg6xg7 29.Ra1-c1
Qg7xg3 30.Nd5-f6+ Kg8-f8 31.Qd1-f1
Bf5-e4 32.Nf6xe8 Kf8xe8 33.a2-a3
Ke8-f8 34.c4-c5 h6-h5 35.Rc1-c4
a7-a5 36.Rc4-c1 Qg3xh4 37.Bg2xe4
Qh4xe4 0.03/15 ] 23.h2-h4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.h2-h4
Diagram
(Diagram 325)
Ng4-f2 24.Bd6xf4 Nf2xd1 25.Qb3xd1
Ra8-c8 26.Bf4-c7 Bf5-g4 27.Qd1-a4
Qh5-f5 28.Nc6xa7 Qf5-f2+ 29.Kg1-h1
Qf2xe2 30.Ra1-f1 Bg7xd4 31.Na7xc8
Re8xc8 32.Bc7-b6 Bd4xb6 33.Nd5xb6
Rc8-d8 34.c4-c5 Bg4-e6 0.04/14
Diagram
] 23...Ng6xh4?? another bit of territory
lost [ 23...f4xg3 24.Bd6xg3 Ng6xh4
Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Ng4-f2

r+ +r+k+
p + +pl
+NL +np
+ +N+l+q
+PP pnP
+Q+ p P
P+ +P+L+
R +R+ K

+ r +k+
+ + +p+
N +l+np
+ P + +
Q+ + + P
+ + p P
P+ +q+L+
+ + +R+K

r+ +r+k+
p + +pl
+N+ + p
+ +N+l+q
+PP +nn
+Q+ p L
P+ +P+L+
R +R+ K

325

326

327

24.Nd5xf4 Ng6xf4 25.Bd6xf4 Nf2xd1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

88

26.Qb3xd1 Bf5-e4 27.Ra1-c1 Be4xg2


28.Kg1xg2 Re8-e4 29.Qd1-f1 Bg7xd4
30.Qf1-f3 Qh5xf3+ 31.Kg2xf3 Ra8-e8
32.Nc6xd4 Re4xd4 33.Bf4xh6 Rd4-d2
34.a2-a4 Rd2-a2 35.Bh6xe3 Ra2xa4
0.30/14 ] 24.g3xh4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.g3xh4
Bf5-e4 25.Bd6xf4 Qh5xh4 26.Rd1-f1
Re8-e6 27.Qb3-b7 Ra8-e8
28.Nc6-e7+ Re6xe7 29.Nd5xe7+
Diagram

+ +r+k+
pQ+ Npl
+ + + p
+ + + +
+PPlLnq
+ + p +
P+ +P+L+
R + +RK

r+ +r+k+
p + +pl
+NL + p
+ +N+l+q
+PP pnP
+Q+ p +
P+ +P+L+
R +R+ K

329

328

Re8xe7 30.Qb7-b8+ Kg8-h7


31.Bf4-g3 Qh4-h5 32.Qb8-d8 Be4xg2
33.Kg1xg2 Re7-e4 34.Qd8-d5 Qh5-g6
35.Rf1xf7 Ng4-f6 36.Qd5-b7 Nf6-h5
37.Rf7xg7+ Nh5xg7 38.Qb7xa7
Re4-f4 1.63/14 ]
(Diagram 329)
24...Qh5xh4 Diagram [ 24...Kg8-h8
25.Rd1-f1 Qh5xh4 26.Rf1xf4
( 26.Bd6xf4?! Bf5-e4+- );Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 24...Bf5-e4 25.Rd1-f1
Qh5xh4 26.Bd6xf4 Re8-e6 27.Qb3-b7
Ra8-e8 28.Nc6-e7+ Re8xe7
29.Nd5xe7+ Re6xe7 30.Qb7-b8+
Kg8-h7 31.Bf4-g3 Qh4-h5 32.Qb8-d8
Be4xg2 33.Kg1xg2 Re7-e4 34.Qd8-d5
Qh5xd5 35.c4xd5 Re4xd4 36.Rf1xf7

Rd4xd5 Diagram

+ + + +
p + +Rlk
+ + + p
+ +r+ +
+ + +n+
+ + p L
P+ +P+K+
R + + +

330

37.Rf7xa7 1.85/13 ]
(Diagram 331)
25.Nd5-e7+ [

25.Nc6-e7+ Diagram

(Diagram 332)
it becomes clear that White will call all
the shots Kg8-h8 26.Ne7xf5 Qh4-f2+
27.Kg1-h1 Qf2xe2 28.Nd5xf4 Ng4-f2+
29.Kh1-g1+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25.Nc6-e7+ Kg8-h8 26.Ne7xf5
Qh4-h2+ 27.Kg1-f1 Bg7-e5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +r+k+
p + +pl
+NL + p
+ +N+l+
+PP pnq
+Q+ p +
P+ +P+L+
R +R+ K

r+ +r+k+
p + Npl
+ L + p
+ +N+l+
+PP pnq
+Q+ p +
P+ +P+L+
R +R+ K

89

331

332

28.Bd6xe5+ Ng4xe5 29.d4xe5 Re8-g8


30.Nf5xe3 Diagram
(Diagram 333)
f4xe3 31.Nd5xe3 Ra8-e8 32.Qb3-c3
f7-f6 33.e5xf6 Qh2-f4+ 34.Bg2-f3
Re8xe3 35.Qc3-d4 Re3xf3+ 36.e2xf3
Qf4xf3+ 37.Kf1-e1 Rg8-e8+
38.Ke1-d2 7.65/12 Diagram
] 25...Kg8-h8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25...Kg8-h8 Diagram
26.Ne7xf5 Qh4-h2+ 27.Kg1-f1
Re8-e6 28.Nc6-e7 Re6xe7 29.Rd1-b1
Bg7xd4 30.Qb3-d1 Bd4xa1 31.Nf5xe7

r+ + +rk
p + +p+
+ + + p
+ +NP +
+P+ p +
+Q+ N +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

+ +r+ k
p + + +
+ + P p
+ + + +
+PQ + +
+ + +q+
P+ K + +
R +R+ +

r+ +r+ k
p + Npl
+NL + p
+ + +l+
+PP pnq
+Q+ p +
P+ +P+L+
R +R+ K
Qh2-h4 32.Qd1-e1 Qh4xe1+

333

334

335

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

90

33.Rb1xe1 Ra8-d8 34.c4-c5 Ba1-c3


35.Re1-d1 Bc3-f6 36.Ne7-f5 Kh8-h7
37.c5-c6 Ng4-f2 38.Rd1-b1 Diagram

+ r + +
p + +p+k
+PL l p
+ + +N+
+ + p +
+ + p +
P+ +PnL+
+R+ +K+

336

Kh7-g6 39.c6-c7 Rd8-c8 40.Rb1-b8


2.93/15 ] 26.Ne7xf5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Ne7xf5
Qh4-f2+ 27.Kg1-h1 Qf2xe2 28.Rd1-f1
Ng4-f2+ 29.Kh1-g1 Qe2-g4 30.Qb3-c2
Nf2-h3+ 31.Kg1-h2 Nh3-f2 32.Nc6-e7
Qg4-h5+ 33.Kh2-g1 f4-f3 34.Nf5xg7
Qh5-g4 35.Rf1xf2 Diagram
(Diagram 337)

r+ +r+ k
p + NpN
+ L + p
+ + + +
+PP +q+
+ + pp+
P+Q+ RL+
R + + K

r+ +r+ +
p + N k
+ + p p
+ + L +
+PP +q+
+ + +Q+
P+ + +L+
R + + K

337

338

e3xf2+ 36.Qc2xf2 Kh8xg7


37.Bd6-e5+ f7-f6 38.Qf2xf3 Diagram
(Diagram 338)
Qg4xf3 39.Bg2xf3 f6xe5 40.Bf3xa8
e5xd4 41.Ra1-d1 Re8xa8 42.Rd1xd4
Ra8-e8 43.Rd4-d7 Kg7-f6 44.Ne7-d5+
Kf6-e5 45.Kg1-f2 a7-a5 46.Rd7-f7
4.45/12 ]
(Diagram 339)
26...Qh4-h2+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 26...Qh4-f2+ 27.Kg1-h1
Qf2xe2 28.Rd1-f1 Ng4-f2+ 29.Kh1-g1

r+ +r+ k
p + +pl
+NL + p
+ + +N+
+PP pnq
+Q+ p +
P+ +P+L+
R +R+ K

339

Qe2-g4 30.Qb3-c2 Nf2-h3+ 31.Kg1-h2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

91

Nh3-f2 32.Nc6-e7 Diagram

r+ +r+ k
p + Npl
+ L + p
+ + +N+
+PP pq+
+ + p +
P+Q+ nLK
R + +R+

340

Qg4-h5+ 33.Kh2-g1 f4-f3 34.Nf5xg7


Qh5-g4 35.Rf1xf2 e3xf2+ 36.Qc2xf2
Kh8xg7 37.Bd6-e5+ f7-f6 38.Qf2xf3
Qg4xf3 39.Bg2xf3 f6xe5 40.Bf3xa8
e5xd4 Diagram

L+ +r+ +
p + N k
+ + + p
+ + + +
+Pp + +
+ + + +
P+ + + +
R + + K

341

41.Ra1-d1 Re8xa8 42.Rd1xd4


Ra8-b8 43.Rd4-d6 Kg7-f7 44.Ne7-d5
Rb8-c8 45.Nd5-e3 h6-h5 46.Rd6-d7+
Kf7-e6 47.Rd7xa7 4.55/13 ]
27.Kg1-f1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27.Kg1-f1 Diagram
Bg7-f6 28.c4-c5 7.75/1 ]
27...Re8-e6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27...Ng4-f2 28.Nc6-e7 Diagram

r+ +r+ k
p + +pl
+NL + p
+ + +N+
+PP pn+
+Q+ p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+ K

r+ +r+ k
p + +pl
+NL + p
+ + +N+
+PP pn+
+Q+ p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

r+ +r+ k
p + +pl
+NL + p
+ + +N+
+PP pn+
+Q+ p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

342

343

344

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +r+ k
p + Npl
+ L + p
+ + +N+
+PP p +
+Q+ p +
P+ +PnLq
R +R+K+

92

345

Re8xe7 29.Nf5xe7 Nf2-e4 30.Qb3xe3


Ne4-g3+ 31.Qe3xg3 f4xg3 32.Ne7-f5
Ra8-d8 33.Bd6xg3 Qh2-h5 34.Nf5xg7
Kh8xg7 35.c4-c5 Diagram

+ r + +
p + +pk
+ + + p
+ P + +q
+ P + +
+ + + L
P+ +P+L+
R +R+K+

346

r+ + + k
p + rpl
+ L + p
+ + +N+
+PP pn+
+Q+ p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

+ r + k
p + Np+
+ + + p
+ + + +
+P+ Ln+
+ l p +
P+ +P+L+
+R+ +K+

347

348

37.Bg2-f3 4.20/13 ]
(Diagram 349)

Qh5-g6 36.Bg3-d6 Rd8-e8 37.Bg2-f3


h6-h5 38.Kf1-f2 h5-h4 39.Rd1-g1
4.89/12 ] 28.Qb3-b7 Diagram
[ 28.Nc6-a5 Ra8-d8 29.Nf5xg7 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Nc6-e7
Re6xe7 Diagram
29.Rd1-b1 Bg7xd4 30.Qb3-d1
Bd4xa1 31.Nf5xe7 Qh2-h4 32.Qd1-e1
Qh4xe1+ 33.Rb1xe1 Ra8-d8
34.Bd6xf4 Ba1-c3 35.Re1-b1 Diagram
Rd8-d2 36.Ne7-d5 Bc3-d4

28...Re6-g6= Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 28...Re6-g6 29.Qb7xa8+
Kh8-h7 30.Qa8-g8+ Kh7xg8
31.Nf5-e7+ Kg8-h7 32.Ne7xg6 f7xg6
33.Nc6-e5 f4-f3 34.e2xf3 e3-e2+
35.Kf1xe2 Qh2xg2+ Diagram
36.Ke2-d3 Ng4-f2+ 37.Kd3-e3
Nf2xd1+ 38.Ra1xd1 Qg2-c2
39.Rd1-d3 Bg7xe5 Diagram
40.Bd6xe5 Qc2xc4 41.f3-f4 Qc4-c1+
42.Ke3-e2 h6-h5 43.d4-d5 Qc1-c2+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

93
46.d5-d6 Qc5-c6 -0.60/17 ]

r+ + + k
pQ+ +pl
+NLr+ p
+ + +N+
+PP pn+
+ + p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

+ + + +
p + + lk
+ L +pp
+ + N +
+PP +n+
+ + +P+
P+ +K+q+
R +R+ +

+ + + +
p + + +k
+ L +pp
+ + l +
+PP + +
+ +RKP+
P+q+ + +
+ + + +

349

350

351

44.Ke2-e3 Qc2-c5+ 45.Ke3-e2 h5-h4

r+ + + k
pQ+ +pl
+NL +rp
+ + +N+
+PP pn+
+ + p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

352

29.Qb7xa8+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 29.Qb7xa8+ Kh8-h7
30.Qa8-g8+ Kh7xg8 31.Nf5-e7+
Kg8-h7 32.Ne7xg6 f7xg6 33.Nc6-e5
f4-f3 34.e2xf3 Diagram

+ + + +
p + + lk
+ L +pp
+ + N +
+PP +n+
+ + pP+
P+ + +Lq
R +R+K+

353

e3-e2+ 35.Kf1xe2 Qh2xg2+


36.Ke2-d3 Ng4-f2+ 37.Kd3-e3
Nf2xd1+ 38.Ra1xd1 Qg2-c2
39.Rd1-d3 Bg7xe5 40.Bd6xe5 Qc2xc4
41.f3-f4 Qc4-c1+ 42.Ke3-e2 Qc1-b2+
43.Ke2-e3 h6-h5 44.d4-d5 Qb2-c1+
45.Ke3-d4 Qc1-g1+ 46.Rd3-e3
Qg1-d1+ 47.Kd4-c5 Qd1-c2+
48.Be5-c3 Qc2xa2 -0.81/18 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
p + + +k
+ + +p+
+ KP+ +p
+ + P +
+ L R +
q+ + + +
+ + + +

94

354

Q+ + + +
p + +plk
+NL +rp
+ + +N+
+PP pn+
+ + p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

356

h5-h4 47.Rd3-b3 Qf1-c1+ 48.Ke3-d3


Kh7-h6 -0.53/17 Diagram

Q+ + + k
p + +pl
+NL +rp
+ + +N+
+PP pn+
+ + p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+
29...Kh8-h7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29...Kh8-h7 Diagram

355

+ + + +
p + + +
+ + +pk
+ +PL +
+ + P p
+R+K+ +
P+ + + +
+ q + +

357

] 30.Qa8-g8+!? Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 30.Qa8-g8+ Kh7xg8
(Diagram 356)
31.Nf5-e7+ Kg8-h7 32.Ne7xg6 f7xg6
33.Nc6-e5 f4-f3 34.e2xf3 e3-e2+
30.Qa8-g8+ Kh7xg8 31.Nf5-e7+
35.Kf1xe2 Qh2xg2+ 36.Ke2-d3
Kg8-h7 32.Ne7xg6 f7xg6 33.Nc6-e5
Ng4-f2+ 37.Kd3-e3 Nf2xd1+
f4-f3 34.e2xf3 e3-e2+ 35.Kf1xe2
38.Ra1xd1 Qg2-c2 39.Rd1-d3 Bg7xe5
Qh2xg2+ 36.Ke2-d3 Ng4-f2+
40.Bd6xe5 Qc2xc4 41.f3-f4 Qc4-c1+
42.Ke3-e2 Qc1-b2+ 43.Ke2-e3 h6-h5
37.Kd3-e3 Nf2xd1+ 38.Ra1xd1
Qg2-c2 39.Rd1-d3 Bg7xe5 40.Bd6xe5 44.d4-d5 Qb2-c1+ 45.Ke3-e2
Qc2xc4 41.f3-f4 Qc4-c1+ 42.Ke3-e2
Qc1-c2+ 46.Ke2-e3 Qc2-c5+
Qc1-b2+ 43.Ke2-e3 h6-h5 44.d4-d5
47.Ke3-e2 h5-h4 48.d5-d6 Qc5-c2+
Qb2-c1+ 45.Ke3-f3 Qc1-f1+ 46.Kf3-e3 49.Rd3-d2 Qc2-c4+ 50.Ke2-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

95

-0.82/18 ]

+ + +Q+
p + +plk
+NL +rp
+ + +N+
+PP pn+
+ + p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

358

30...Kh7xg8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 30...Kh7xg8 1.18/1 ]

+ + +k+
p + +pl
+NL +rp
+ + +N+
+PP pn+
+ + p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+
31.Nc6-e7+?? Diagram [
Diagram

359

31.Nf5-e7+

+ + +k+
p + Npl
+NL +rp
+ + + +
+PP pn+
+ + p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

+ + + +
p + +plk
+NL +Np
+ + + +
+PP pn+
+ + p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

360

361

Nf2xd1+ 38.Ra1xd1 Qg2-c2


39.Rd1-d3 Bg7xe5 40.d4xe5 Qc2xc4
41.Rd3-b3 Qc4-c6 42.f3-f4 Kh7-g7
43.Rb3-a3 Qc6-c1+ 44.Ke3-e2 a7-a6
45.Ra3-b3 Kg7-f7 46.Rb3-b7+ Kf7-e6
47.Rb7-e7+ Diagram

(Diagram 360)
(Diagram 362)
had to be tried to avoid defeat Kg8-h7
32.Ne7xg6= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31.Nf5-e7+ Kg8-h7 32.Ne7xg6
Diagram
f7xg6 33.Nc6-e5 f4-f3 34.e2xf3
e3-e2+ 35.Kf1xe2 Qh2xg2+
36.Ke2-d3 Ng4-f2+ 37.Kd3-e3

Ke6-d5 -0.79/17 ]
a transit from better to worse
31...Kg8-h7-+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 31...Kg8-h7 32.Ne7xg6 f7xg6
33.Nf5xg7 Ng4-f2 34.Bd6xf4 Qh2xf4
35.Bg2-f3 Nf2xd1 36.Ng7-e8 Nd1-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + R +
p+ Lk+pp
+ + P +
+ + P +
+ + + +
P+ +K+ +
+ q + +

+ + +k+
p + Npl
+ L +rp
+ + +N+
+PP pn+
+ + p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

96

362

363

37.Ra1-c1 Qf4xd4 38.Kf1-g2 Qd4-d2


39.Rc1-f1 Diagram
(Diagram 364)
Nc3xe2 40.Ne8-f6+ Kh7-g7
41.Nf6-e8+ Kg7-h8 42.c4-c5 Ne2-d4+
43.Kg2-g3 Nd4-f5+ 44.Kg3-h3 e3-e2
-4.36/14 ]
(Diagram 365)
32.Ne7xg6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.Ne7xg6 f7xg6 33.Nf5xg7 Ng4-f2
34.Bd6xf4 Qh2xf4 35.Rd1-b1 Nf2-h3+

+ +N+ +
p + + +k
+ + +pp
+ + + +
+P+ + +
+ n pL+
P+ qP+K+
+ + +R+

+ + + +
p + Nplk
+ L +rp
+ + +N+
+PP pn+
+ + p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

364

365

36.Kf1-e1 Qf4-g3+ 37.Ke1-d1


Diagram
(Diagram 366)
Qg3xg2 38.Ng7-e6 Qg2-e4
39.Kd1-c1 Qe4xe6 40.Rb1-b7+
Kh7-g8 41.Kc1-b2 Qe6xc4 42.Ra1-c1
Qc4xe2+ 43.Rc1-c2 Qe2-g4
44.Rb7-b8+ Kg8-f7 45.Rb8-b7+
Kf7-e6 46.Rc2-c6+ Ke6-d5
47.Rc6-c5+ Kd5-e4 48.Rc5-e5+
Ke4-f3 -5.75/15 ] 32...f7xg6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32...f7xg6
33.Nf5xg7 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
p + + Nk
+ + +pp
+ + + +
+PP + +
+ + p qn
P+ +P+L+
RR+K+ +

+ + + +
p + + Nk
+ L +pp
+ + + +
+PP pn+
+ + p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

97

366

367

Ng4-f2 34.Bd6xf4 Qh2xf4 35.Rd1-b1


Nf2-h3+ 36.Kf1-e1 Qf4-f2+ 37.Ke1-d1
Qf2xg2 38.Ng7-e6 Qg2-e4 39.Rb1-b5
Qe4-h1+ 40.Kd1-c2 Qh1xa1
41.Rb5-b7+ Kh7-g8 42.Rb7xa7
Nh3-f2 43.a2-a3 Qa1-d1+ 44.Kc2-c3
Nf2-e4+ 45.Kc3-b4 Qd1-e1+
46.Kb4-b5 Qe1xe2 47.Ra7-g7+
Kg8-h8 48.d4-d5 -5.04/14 ]
33.Nf5xg7? [ 33.Nf5xh6 Kh7xh6
34.c4-c5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33.Nf5xg7 Diagram
Ng4-f2 34.Bd6xf4 Qh2xf4 35.Rd1-b1
Nf2-h3+ 36.Kf1-e1 Qf4-f2+ 37.Ke1-d1
Qf2xg2 38.Ng7-e6 Qg2-e4 39.Rb1-b5

+ + + +
p + + Nk
+ L +pp
+ + + +
+PP pn+
+ + p +
P+ +P+Lq
R +R+K+

368

Qe4-h1+ 40.Kd1-c2 Qh1xa1 41.a2-a4


Qa1xa4+ 42.Kc2-d3 Qa4-a2
43.Rb5-b7+ Kh7-g8 44.Rb7-g7+
Kg8-h8 45.Rg7-f7 h6-h5 46.Kd3xe3
Qa2xc4 47.Rf7-e7 h5-h4 48.Ne6-c5
Qc4-c3+ 49.Nc5-d3 Qc3-a3
50.Re7-c7 g6-g5 51.Ke3-f3 Nh3-f4
-4.43/15 Diagram

+ + + k
p R + +
+ + + +
+ + + p
+ P n p
q +N+K+
+ +P+ +
+ + + +

369

] 33...Ng4-f2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 33...Ng4-f2 34.Bd6xf4
Qh2xf4 35.Rd1-b1 Nf2-h3+ 36.Kf1-e1
Qf4-f2+ 37.Ke1-d1 Qf2xg2 38.Ng7-e6
Qg2-e4 39.Kd1-c1 Qe4xe6
40.Rb1-b7+ Kh7-g8 41.Kc1-b2
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
pR+ + +
+ +q+pp
+ + + +
+PP + +
+ + p +n
PK +P+ +
R + + +

98

370

Qe6xc4 42.Ra1-c1 Qc4xe2+


43.Rc1-c2 Qe2-g4 44.Rb7-b8+ Kg8-f7
45.Rb8-b7+ Kf7-e6 46.Rc2-c6+
Ke6-d5 47.Rc6-c5+ Kd5-e4
48.Rc5-e5+ Ke4-f3 -5.17/15 ]

+ + + +
p + + Nk
+ L +pp
+ + + +
+PP p +
+ + p +
P+ +PnLq
R +R+K+

+ + + +
p + + Nk
+ + +pp
+ + + +
+PP L +
+ + p +
P+ +PnLq
R +R+K+

372

43.Rc1-c2 Qe2-g4 44.Rc2-c7


Qg4xd4+ 45.Kb2-b1 Qd4-d3+
46.Kb1-b2 Qd3-d2+ 47.Kb2-a3
Qd2-d6+ 48.Ka3-b2 Qd6-f6+
49.Kb2-b3 Qf6-e6+ 50.Kb3-b2
Qe6-e5+ 51.Kb2-c1 Qe5-e8
52.Rc7-g7+ Kg8-f8 53.Rg7-h7
Qe8-c6+ 54.Kc1-b2 Qc6-g2+ Diagram

371

34.Bd6xf4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


34.Bd6xf4 Diagram
(Diagram 372)
Qh2xf4 35.Rd1-b1 Nf2-h3+ 36.Kf1-e1
Qf4-f2+ 37.Ke1-d1 Qf2xg2 38.Ng7-e6
Qg2-e4 39.Kd1-c1 Qe4xe6
40.Rb1-b7+ Kh7-g8 41.Kc1-b2
Qe6xc4 42.Ra1-c1 Qc4xe2+

+ + k +
pR+ + +R
+ + +pp
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + p +n
PK + +q+
+ + + +

373

55.Kb2-b3 -5.28/18 ] 34...Qh2xf4


[ 34...Qh2xf4 35.Ng7-h5 Combination ;
34...-- 35.Bf4xh2 Wins material ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34...Qh2xf4
35.Rd1-c1 Nf2-d3+ 36.Kf1-g1 Nd3xc1
37.Ra1xc1 Kh7xg7 38.Bg2-f1 Qf4-g4+
39.Kg1-h2 Qg4xd4 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

99
50.Rd3xe3+ Ke6-f6 -4.10/16 ]

+ + + +
p + + k
+ + +pp
+ + + +
+Pq + +
+ + p +
P+ +P+ K
+ R +L+

374

40.c4-c5 Qd4-b2 41.Rc1-d1 Qb2-e5+


42.Kh2-g1 Qe5xc5 43.Bf1-g2 Qc5-c2
44.Rd1-d7+ Kg7-f6 45.Bg2-f3 Qc2xa2
46.Rd7-d6+ Kf6-f5 47.Rd6-d3 Qa2-e6
48.Kg1-g2 Qe6-e5 49.Rd3-d5
-3.94/15 ] 35.Ng7-e6 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35.Rd1-c1
Nf2-d3+ 36.Kf1-g1 Nd3xc1 37.Ra1xc1
Kh7xg7 38.Bg2-f1 Qf4-g4+ 39.Kg1-h2
Qg4xd4 40.c4-c5 Qd4-b2 Diagram

+ + + +
p + + k
+ + +pp
+ P + +
+ + + +
+ + p +
Pq +P+ K
+ R +L+

375

41.Rc1-d1 Qb2-e5+ 42.Kh2-g1


Qe5xc5 43.Bf1-g2 Qc5-c2
44.Rd1-d7+ Kg7-f6 45.Bg2-f3 Qc2xa2
46.Rd7-d6+ Kf6-f5 47.Kg1-g2 a7-a5
48.Rd6-d5+ Kf5-e6 49.Rd5-d3 a5-a4

+ + + +
p + + +k
+ +N+pp
+ + + +
+PP q +
+ + p +
P+ +PnL+
R +R+K+

376

White threatens to win material: Ne6xf4


35...Qf4-h2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 35...Qf4-h2 36.Rd1-b1 Nf2-h3
37.Kf1-e1 Qh2xg2 38.Ke1-d1 Qg2-e4
39.Kd1-c1 Qe4xe6 40.Rb1-b7+
Kh7-g8 41.Kc1-b2 Qe6xc4 42.Ra1-c1
Qc4xe2+ 43.Rc1-c2 Qe2-g4
44.Rc2-c7 Qg4xd4+ 45.Kb2-b1
Qd4-d3+ 46.Kb1-b2 Qd3-d2+
47.Kb2-a3 Qd2-a5+ 48.Ka3-b2
Diagram
(Diagram 377)
Qa5-e5+ 49.Kb2-a3 Qe5-d6+
50.Ka3-b2 Qd6-f6+ 51.Kb2-b3
-5.20/17 ]
(Diagram 378)
36.Rd1-b1 [ 36.Ne6-f8+ Kh7-g7
37.Nf8-e6+ Kg7-f6 38.Ne6-f4 Qh2xf4
39.Kf1-g1 Nf2xd1 40.Ra1xd1 Qf4-f2+
41.Kg1-h2 Qf2xe2 42.Rd1-f1+ Kf6-g5
43.Kh2-h1 Qe2xc4 44.Rf1-g1 Qc4xd4
45.Bg2-f3+ Kg5-f4 46.Bf3-e2 Qd4-d5+
47.Kh1-h2 Qd5xa2 48.Rg1-g4+
Kf4-e5 49.Rg4-g2-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 36.Rd1-b1 Nf2-h3 37.Kf1-e1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
pRR + +
+ + +pp
q + + +
+ + + +
+ + p +n
PK + + +
+ + + +

+ + + +
p + + +k
+ +N+pp
+ + + +
+PP + +
+ + p +
P+ +PnLq
R +R+K+

100

377

378

Qh2xg2 38.Ke1-d1 Qg2-e4 39.Kd1-c1


Qe4xe6 40.Rb1-b7+ Kh7-g8
41.Kc1-b2 Qe6xc4 42.Ra1-c1
Qc4xe2+ 43.Rc1-c2 Qe2-g4
44.Rc2-c7 Qg4xd4+ 45.Kb2-b1
Qd4-d3+ 46.Kb1-b2 Qd3-e2+
]
47.Kb2-b1 Qe2-f1+ 48.Kb1-c2 Qf1-f5+
49.Kc2-b2 Qf5-f2+ 50.Kb2-b3 -5.35/18
Diagram
(Diagram 379)
] 36...Nf2-h3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36...Nf2-h3 37.Kf1-e1 Qh2xg2
38.Ke1-d1 Qg2-e4 39.Kd1-c1 Qe4xe6

+ + +k+
pRR + +
+ + +pp
+ + + +
+ + + +
+K+ p +n
P+ + q +
+ + + +

379

40.Rb1-b7+ Kh7-g8 41.Kc1-b2


Qe6xc4 42.Ra1-c1 Qc4xe2+
43.Rc1-c2 Qe2-g4 44.Rc2-c7
Qg4xd4+ 45.Kb2-b1 Qd4-d3+
46.Kb1-b2 Qd3-d2+ 47.Kb2-b1
Qd2-d1+ 48.Kb1-b2 Qd1-e2+
49.Kb2-b1 Qe2-f1+ 50.Kb1-c2 Qf1-f2+
51.Kc2-b3 -5.31/16 ] 37.Rb1-b7+
Diagram [ 37.Kf1-e1 does not solve
anything Qh2xg2 38.Ke1-d1
Qg2-e4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.Kf1-e1 Qh2xg2 38.Ke1-d1 Qg2-e4
39.Kd1-c1 Qe4xe6 40.Rb1-b7+
Kh7-g8 41.Kc1-b2 Qe6xc4 42.Ra1-c1
Qc4xe2+ 43.Rc1-c2 Qe2-g4
44.Rc2-c7 Qg4xd4+ 45.Kb2-b1
Qd4-d3+ 46.Kb1-b2 Qd3-d2+
47.Kb2-b1 Qd2-d1+ 48.Kb1-b2
Qd1-e2+ 49.Kb2-b1 Qe2-f1+
50.Kb1-c2 Qf1-f2+ 51.Kc2-b3 -5.46/17

(Diagram 380)
37...Kh7-g8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 37...Kh7-g8 38.Rb7-g7+
Kg8-h8 39.Kf1-e1 Qh2-g1+ 40.Bg2-f1
Qg1-f2+ 41.Ke1-d1 Qf2xf1+
42.Kd1-c2 Qf1xa1 Diagram
43.Rg7xa7 Nh3-f2 44.Ra7-a8+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
pR+ + +k
+ +N+pp
+ + + +
+PP + +
+ + p +n
P+ +P+Lq
R + +K+

+ + + k
p + + R
+ +N+pp
+ + + +
+PP + +
+ + p +n
P+K+P+ +
q + + +

101

380

381

Kh8-h7 45.Ra8-a7+ Kh7-g8 46.d4-d5


Qa1-d1+ 47.Kc2-c3 Qd1xe2
48.Ra7-g7+ Kg8-h8 49.Rg7-f7 h6-h5
50.Ne6-f4 Qe2xa2 51.Rf7-d7 Qa2-d2+
52.Kc3-b3 e3-e2 53.Nf4xg6+ Kh8-g8
54.Ng6-e7+ Kg8-g7 55.Ne7-c6+
Kg7-g6 56.Rd7-d6+ Kg6-f5
57.Nc6-e7+ Kf5-e4 58.Rd6-e6+
Ke4-f3 59.Re6-f6+ Kf3-e4 -5.70/14 ]
(Diagram 382)
38.Rb7-b8+ Diagram [ 38.Rb7-g7+
does not win a prize Kg8-h8 39.Kf1-e1
Qh2-g1+ 40.Bg2-f1 Nh3-g5

+ + +k+
pR+ + +
+ +N+pp
+ + + +
+PP + +
+ + p +n
P+ +P+Lq
R + +K+

382

41.Ne6xg5 Qg1-f2+ 42.Ke1-d1


Qf2xf1+ 43.Kd1-c2 Qf1xe2+
44.Kc2-b3 Qe2-d3+ 45.Kb3-b4
Kh8xg7-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38.Rb7-b8+ Qh2xb8 39.Bg2-d5
Qb8-h2 40.Ne6-f4+ Kg8-g7 41.Nf4xh3
Qh2xh3+ 42.Kf1-g1 Qh3-g4+
43.Bd5-g2 Qg4xe2 44.Ra1-f1 Qe2xc4
45.Bg2-f3 Diagram

+ + + +
p + + k
+ + +pp
+ + + +
+qP + +
+ + pL+
P+ + + +
+ + +RK

383

Qc4xd4 46.Rf1-e1 Qd4-f4 47.Kg1-g2


h6-h5 48.Re1-e2 h5-h4 49.Bf3-b7
Qf4-g4+ 50.Kg2-f1 Qg4-g3 51.Re2-c2
Qg3-f4+ 52.Kf1-e2 Qf4-f2+
53.Ke2-d3 -6.00/15 ]
38...Qh2xb8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

102
6

R + +k+
p + + +
+ +N+pp
+ + + +
+PP + +
+ + p +n
P+ +P+Lq
R + +K+

384

38...Qh2xb8 39.Bg2-d5 Qb8-h2


40.Ne6-f4+ Kg8-g7 41.Nf4xh3
Qh2xh3+ 42.Kf1-g1 Qh3-g4+
43.Bd5-g2 Qg4xe2 44.Ra1-f1 Qe2xc4
45.Bg2-f3 Qc4xd4 46.Rf1-e1 Qd4-f4
47.Re1-f1 h6-h5 48.Bf3-e2 Qf4-g3+
49.Kg1-h1 g6-g5 50.a2-a4 g5-g4
51.a4-a5 Kg7-g6 52.Be2-d3+ Kg6-g5
53.Bd3-e2 Qg3-e5 -6.17/18 ]
39.Bg2xh3 [ 39.Bg2-d5 desperation
Qb8-h2 40.Ne6-f4+ Kg8-g7 41.Nf4xh3
Qh2xh3+ 42.Bd5-g2-+ ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 39.Bg2-d5 Qb8-h2
40.Ne6-f4+ Kg8-g7 41.Nf4xh3
Qh2xh3+ 42.Kf1-g1 Qh3-g4+
43.Bd5-g2 Qg4xe2 44.Ra1-f1 Qe2xc4
45.Bg2-f3 Qc4xd4 46.Rf1-e1 Qd4-f4
47.Re1-f1 h6-h5 48.Bf3-e2 Qf4-g3+
49.Kg1-h1 g6-g5 50.a2-a4 g5-g4
51.a4-a5 Kg7-g6 52.Be2-d3+ Kg6-g5
53.Rf1-f5+ Kg5-h4 54.Bd3-f1 Qg3-e1
-6.07/19 ] 39...Qb8-g3 [ 39...Qb8-g3
40.Ra1-b1 Qg3-f2# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 39...Qb8-g3 40.Bh3-g2 Qg3-f2#
-#2/11 ]
0-1

E53

Vassily Ivanchuk
Anatoly Karpov
05 05, Linares

1991

E54: Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein: Main


Line: 7...dxc4 8 Bxc4
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6
3.Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4 4.e2-e3 0-0
Diagram

rnlq rk+
pppp+ppp
+ +pn +
+ + + +
lPP + +
+ N P +
PP + PPP
R LQKLNR

385

5.Bf1-d3 d7-d5 6.Ng1-f3 c7-c5


7.0-0 c5xd4 8.e3xd4 d5xc4
9.Bd3xc4 b7-b6 10.Bc1-g5 Bc8-b7
11.Ra1-c1 Nb8-c6 12.a2-a3 Bb4-e7
13.Qd1-d3 Nf6-d5 [RR 13...Ra8-c8
14.Rf1-d1 Nf6-d5 15.Bc4xd5 Be7xg5
16.Nf3xg5 Qd8xg5 17.Bd5-e4 h7-h6
18.Qd3-e3 Rf8-d8 19.Qe3xg5 h6xg5
20.d4-d5 e6xd5 21.Rd1xd5 Rd8xd5
22.Be4xd5 Nc6-a5 23.Bd5-a2 Na5-c4
24.Nc3-b5 Nc4-d6 25.Rc1xc8+
Nd6xc8 26.f2-f3 Kg8-f8 27.Kg1-f2
Bb7-c6 28.Ba2-c4 Portisch,L (2635)Karpov,A (2705)/Milan 1975/MCL/-
(34) ] 14.Bc4xd5 e6xd5N [RR
14...Be7xg5 15.Nf3xg5 Qd8xg5
16.Bd5-e4 Rf8-d8 (RR 16...h7-h6
17.Qd3-e3 Ra8-c8 18.d4-d5 Qg5xe3
19.f2xe3 e6xd5 20.Be4xd5 Nc6-a5
21.b2-b4 Na5-c6 22.Nc3-b5 Nc6-d8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

103

23.Rc1xc8 Bb7xc8 24.Nb5-d6 Bc8-e6


25.e3-e4 f7-f6 26.Rf1-c1 Be6xd5
27.e4xd5 Nd8-f7 28.Nd6-c8 Rf8-d8
29.Nc8xa7 Rd8xd5 30.Na7-c8 Rd5-d3
31.a3-a4 Anton,T (2175)-Baratosi,D
(2329)/Amara 2007/CBM 117 ext/1-0
(41) ) 17.Be4xh7+ Kg8-f8 18.Bh7-e4
( RR 18.Qd3-e3 Qg5-f6 19.Bh7-e4
Qf6xd4 20.Nc3-b5 Qd4-d7 21.Qe3-h3
a7-a6 22.Nb5-c3 Qd7-d4 23.Rf1-d1
Qd4-e5 24.Qh3-e3 Qe5-c7 25.Nc3-a4
Rd8xd1+ 26.Rc1xd1 Ra8-d8
27.Rd1-f1 Nc6-d4 - Jerez Perez,A
(2300)-Estremera Panos,S (2430)/St
Cugat 1997/EXT 2001 ) 18...Rd8xd4
19.Qd3-e3 Qg5xe3 20.f2xe3 Rd4-d7
21.Nc3-b5 Ra8-c8 22.Rf1-d1 Nc6-e5
23.Be4xb7 - Ibragimov,I (2555)Supatashvili,K (2465)/Ekaterinburg
1997/CBM 057 ext ] 15.Bg5xe7
Nc6xe7 16.Rf1-e1 Ra8-c8 Diagram

+rq rk+
pl+ nppp
p + + +
+ +p+ +
+ P + +
P NQ+N+
P + PPP
+ R R K

Nc7-e6 32.b2-b4 a5xb4 33.a3xb4


0.31/19 ] 21...Ba6xb5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...Rf8-e8
22.Qd3-b3 Ne7-f5 23.Nb5xa7 Ba6-c4
24.Qb3-c3 Nf5-h4 25.Nf3-e5 Nh4xg2
26.Kg1xg2 Qd8-g5+ 27.Kg2-h3
Diagram

+ +r+k+
N + +pp
p + + p
+ +pN qP
P+lP + +
+ Q + +K
P + P +
+ R + +

387

Re8xe5 28.d4xe5 Qg5-f5+ 29.Kh3-g3


Qf5-g5+ 30.Kg3-h2 Qg5-f4+
31.Kh2-h3 Qf4-f5+ 32.Kh3-g3 0.17/18

386

]
(Diagram 388)
22.Qd3xb5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.a4xb5 Rf8-e8 23.Nf3-e5 Qd8-d6
24.g2-g3 f7-f6 25.Ne5-c6 Qd6-d7
26.Kg1-g2 Ne7-c8 27.Nc6-b4 Nc8-d6
28.Nb4xd5 Diagram
(Diagram 389)

17.h2-h4 h7-h6 18.h4-h5 Rc8-c7


19.Nc3-b5 Rc7xc1 20.Re1xc1
Bb7-a6 last book move 21.a3-a4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.Qd3-b3
Ba6xb5 22.Qb3xb5 Qd8-d6 23.Nf3-e5
Rf8-d8 24.Qb5-a4 a7-a5 25.Qa4-b5
Qd6-e6 26.Rc1-c7 f7-f6 27.Ne5-d3
Ne7-f5 28.Rc7-c6 Nf5xd4 29.Rc6xe6
Nd4xb5 30.Re6xb6 Nb5-c7 31.Rb6-b7

Nd6xb5 29.Qd3-c4 Kg8-h7 30.f2-f3


Nb5-d6 31.Qc4-d3+ Nd6-f5
32.Nd5-f4 0.30/17 ] 22...Ne7-f5
last book move [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Qd8-d6 23.a4-a5 Rf8-d8
24.Nf3-e5 Ne7-f5 25.Qb5-d3 Nf5-e7
26.Qd3-a6 Qd6-b8 27.a5xb6 a7xb6
28.Qa6-b5 Qb8-a7 29.Rc1-e1 Qa7-b7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ q rk+
p + npp
p + + p
+l+p+ +P
P+ P + +
+ +Q+N+
P + PP+
+ R + K

+ +r+k+
p +q+ p
p n p p
+P+N+ +P
+ P + +
+ +Q+ P
P + PK+
+ R + +

104

388

+R+ +k+
+ + n p
pp + p p
+ +pN +P
P+ P +P+
+ + + +
P + P +
+ + + K

390

Kf7-e6 0.35/18 ] 24.Nf3-e5 [ 24.Rc1-c3


Qd8-d6$ Diagram
389

30.Qb5-d3 f7-f6 31.Ne5-g6 Ne7xg6


32.Qd3xg6 Qb7-d7 0.31/17 ] 23.g2-g3
Covers h4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.Rc1-e1 Nf5-e7 24.Nf3-e5 Qd8-c7
25.g2-g3 Rf8-c8 26.Kg1-g2 Qc7-d8
27.Qb5-d3 f7-f6 28.Ne5-g6 Ne7xg6
29.h5xg6 Qd8-d7 30.Qd3-e3 Kg8-h8
31.Qe3-e6 Qd7xe6 32.Re1xe6
0.26/17 ] 23...Nf5-e7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 23...Rf8-e8 24.g3-g4 a7-a6
25.Qb5-c6 Nf5-e7 26.Qc6-c7 Qd8-c8
27.Nf3-e5 f7-f6 28.Qc7xc8 Re8xc8
29.Rc1xc8+ Diagram
Ne7xc8 30.Ne5-c6 a6-a5 31.Kg1-g2
Kg8-f7 32.Kg2-f3 Nc8-d6 33.Kf3-f4

+ + rk+
p + npp
p q + p
+Q+p+ +P
P+ P + +
+ R +NP
P + P +
+ + + K

391

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Kg1-g2


Qd8-d6 25.Qb5-a6 Ne7-f5 26.Qa6-e2
Qd6-d7 27.Qe2-e5 Rf8-e8 28.Rc1-c7
Qd7-d8 29.Qe5-f4 Re8-e7 30.Rc7-c1
Nf5-d6 31.Nf3-e5 Qd8-e8 32.b2-b3
a7-a5 33.Qf4-f3 Nd6-e4 34.Qf3-f5
Ne4-c5 35.Rc1-c3 Nc5-e4 0.37/19 ]
24...Qd8-d6 Diagram [ 24...Ne7-f5
25.Qb5-d3 Nf5-e7 26.Qd3-c2$ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Ne7-f5
25.Qb5-d3 Nf5-d6 26.Qd3-f3 Nd6-e4
27.Kg1-g2 Ne4-f6 28.Qf3-f5 Qd8-e7
29.Rc1-c8 Qe7-b7 30.Rc8xf8+ Kg8xf8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

105

31.b2-b4 Kf8-g8 32.b4-b5 Nf6-e4


33.Ne5-c6 Ne4-c3 34.Qf5-f3 Nc3-e4
0.32/19 ]

+ + rk+
p + npp
p q + p
+Q+pN +P
P+ P + +
+ + + P
P + P +
+ R + K

392

25.Qb5-a6 Diagram [ 25.a4-a5 b6xa5


26.Qb5xa5 f7-f6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.a4-a5 Diagram

+ + rk+
p + npp
p q + p
PQ+pN +P
+ P + +
+ + + P
P + P +
+ R + K

393

Ne7-f5 26.Qb5-d3 Nf5-e7 27.a5-a6


Rf8-b8 28.Qd3-b5 Rb8-f8 29.Kg1-g2
Rf8-d8 30.Qb5-d3 Rd8-e8 31.Qd3-e2
Re8-d8 32.Qe2-g4 f7-f6 33.Ne5-d3
Rd8-e8 0.39/17 ]
White threatens to win material:
Qa6xa7 25...Ne7-f5 Diagram
[ 25...Qd6-b4 26.Qa6-d3 f7-f6
27.Ne5-g6 Ne7xg6 28.h5xg6$ ;

+ + rk+
p + npp
Qp q + p
+ +pN +P
P+ P + +
+ + + P
P + P +
+ R + K

394

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...f7-f6


26.Ne5-d3 Qd6-d7 27.a4-a5 Rf8-b8
28.Nd3-f4 Ne7-f5 29.a5xb6 a7xb6
30.Qa6-d3 Rb8-e8 31.Rc1-a1 Kg8-f7
32.Nf4-g6 Kf7-g8 33.Kg1-g2 Nf5-e7
34.Ng6xe7+ Qd7xe7 35.Qd3-f5
Qe7-f7 0.21/19 ]

+ + rk+
p + +pp
Qp q + p
+ +pNn+P
P+ P + +
+ + + P
P + P +
+ R + K

395

Black threatens to win material: Nf5xd4


26.Qa6-d3 Diagram [ 26.Qa6xa7
Nf5xd4 27.Rc1-e1 Qd6-b4 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Qa6-d3
Nf5-e7 27.Kg1-g2 f7-f6 28.Ne5-f3
Diagram
Rf8-d8 29.Rc1-e1 Ne7-c6 30.Re1-e3
Qd6-b4 31.b2-b3 Qb4-d6 32.Nf3-h4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
p + n p
p q p p
+ +p+ +P
P+ P + +
+ +Q+NP
P + PK+
+ R + +

106

396

Qd6-d7 33.Nh4-g6 Rd8-c8 34.Qd3-d1


Qd7-d6 35.Qd1-c2 Qd6-d7 0.29/20 ]

+ + rk+
p + +pp
p q + p
+ +pNn+P
P+ P + +
+ +Q+ P
P + P +
+ R + K

397

+ + rk+
p + npp
p q + p
+ +pN +P
P+ P + +
+ +Q+ P
P + P +
+ R + K

+r+ +k+
p + + p
pnq + p
+ +pNp+P
P+ P + Q
+P+ + P
+ + PK+
+ + R +

398

399

27.Kg1-g2 Diagram
White threatens to win material: Qd3xf5
26...Nf5-e7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...Nf5-e7 Diagram
(Diagram 398)
27.Kg1-g2 f7-f6 28.Ne5-f3 Rf8-d8
29.Rc1-e1 Ne7-c6 30.b2-b3 Nc6-b4
31.Qd3-g6 Nb4-c6 32.Qg6-f5 Nc6-e7
33.Qf5-g4 f6-f5 34.Qg4-h4 Ne7-c6
35.Nf3-e5 Rd8-c8 Diagram
36.Qh4-f4 Nc6xe5 37.d4xe5 0.29/20 ]
27.Qd3-f3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

(Diagram 400)
f7-f6 28.Ne5-f3 Qd6-d7 29.Nf3-h4
Rf8-e8 30.b2-b3 Re8-c8 31.Rc1-e1
Rc8-d8 32.b3-b4 Rd8-c8 33.b4-b5
Rc8-c4 34.Nh4-g6 Ne7xg6 35.h5xg6
Rc4-c8 36.Qd3-e3 h6-h5 37.Qe3-e7
Qd7xe7 38.Re1xe7 0.33/17 ]
27...a7-a5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27...f7-f6 Diagram
28.Ne5-d3 Ne7-c6 29.Qf3-e3 Qd6-d7
30.Nd3-f4 Rf8-e8 31.Qe3-c3 Re8-c8
32.Qc3-d3 Rc8-d8 33.Kg1-g2 Nc6-b4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
p + npp
p q + p
+ +pN +P
P+ P + +
+ +Q+ P
P + PK+
+ R + +

+ + rk+
p + n p
p q p p
+ +pN +P
P+ P + +
+ + +QP
P + P +
+ R + K

107

+ + rk+
+ + npp
p q + p
p +pN +P
P+ P + +
+ + +QP
P + P +
+ R + K

400

+ + rk+
+ + npp
p q + p
p +pN +P
P+ P + +
+ + +QP
P + PK+
+ R + +

401

34.Qd3-b5 Qd7-e7 35.Kg2-g1 Qe7-d6


36.Nf4-g6 a7-a6 37.Qb5-e2 Qd6-d7
0.26/20 ]

403

Re8-d8 37.Ng6-e7+ Kg8-f8 38.Ne7-f5


Rd8-d2 39.Nf5xg7 Nb3-d4 40.Ra7-b7
0.30/19 Diagram
(Diagram 404)

(Diagram 402)
28.Kg1-g2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28.Kg1-g2 Diagram

402

]
(Diagram 405)

(Diagram 403)
Qd6-e6 29.Rc1-c7 Rf8-e8 30.Qf3-f4
f7-f6 31.Ne5-g6 Ne7-f5 32.Rc7-b7
Qe6-e4+ 33.Qf4xe4 d5xe4 34.Rb7xb6
Nf5xd4 35.Rb6-a6 Nd4-b3 36.Ra6-a7

28...f7-f6 Black threatens to win


material: f6xe5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28...Qd6-e6 Diagram
29.Rc1-c7 Rf8-e8 30.Qf3-f4 f7-f6
31.Ne5-g6 Ne7-f5 32.Rc7-b7 Qe6-e4+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

108
35.Rb6-a6 Nd4-b3 Diagram

+ + k +
+R+ + N
+ + p p
p + + +P
P+ np+ +
+ + + P
P r PK+
+ + + +

+ + rk+
+ + npp
p q + p
p +pN +P
P+ P + +
+ + +QP
P + PK+
+ R + +

+ + rk+
+ + npp
p +q+ p
p +pN +P
P+ P + +
+ + +QP
P + PK+
+ R + +

+ +r+k+
+ + + p
R+ + pNp
p + + +P
P+ +p+ +
+n+ + P
P + PK+
+ + + +

404

36.Ra6-a7 Re8-d8 37.Ng6-e7+


Kg8-f8 38.Ne7-f5 Rd8-d2 39.Nf5xg7
Nb3-d4 40.Ra7-b7 0.43/20 ]
29.Ne5-d3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 29.Ne5-d3 Diagram

405

+ + rk+
+ + n p
p q p p
p +p+ +P
P+ P + +
+ +N+QP
P + PK+
+ R + +

406

408

Rf8-c8 30.Rc1xc8+ Ne7xc8


31.Nd3-f4 Nc8-e7 32.Qf3-e2 Qd6-d7
33.Qe2-a6 Qd7-c6 34.b2-b3 Kg8-h7
35.Qa6-d3+ Kh7-g8 36.Qd3-f3 Kg8-f7
37.Qf3-g4 Qc6-d6 38.Qg4-e2 Qd6-d7
39.Qe2-a6 Qd7-c7 40.Qa6-d3 Qc7-d7
41.Qd3-f3 Kf7-g8 42.Qf3-e2 Kg8-f7
43.Qe2-a6 0.39/21 Diagram
]

33.Qf4xe4 d5xe4 34.Rb7xb6 Nf5xd4

407

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ +qnkp
Qp + p p
p +p+ +P
P+ P N +
+P+ + P
+ + PK+
+ + + +

109

+ + + +
+ + n pk
pq+ p p
p +p+ +P
P+ P N +
+P+ + P
+ +QPK+
+ + + +

409

411

49.Qd3-a6 0.52/19 Diagram

+ + rk+
+ + n p
p q p p
p +p+ +P
P+ P + +
+ +N+QP
P + PK+
+ R + +

+ + +k+
+ +qn p
Qp + p p
p +p+ +P
P+ P N +
+P+ + P
+ + PK+
+ + + +

410

29...Rf8-c8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 29...Rf8-c8 30.Rc1xc8+ Ne7xc8
31.Nd3-f4 Nc8-e7 32.Qf3-e2 Qd6-d7
33.Qe2-a6 Qd7-c6 34.b2-b3 Kg8-h7
35.Qa6-e2 Diagram
(Diagram 411)
Qc6-d7 36.Qe2-c2+ Kh7-g8
37.Qc2-d3 Kg8-f7 38.Qd3-a6 Qd7-c7
39.Qa6-b5 Qc7-c6 40.Qb5-e2 Qc6-d6
41.Qe2-d3 Qd6-c7 42.Qd3-e3 Qc7-d6
43.Qe3-c3 Qd6-d7 44.Qc3-f3 Kf7-g8
45.Qf3-e2 Ne7-f5 46.Qe2-d3 Nf5-e7
47.Qd3-a6 Qd7-c6 48.Qa6-d3 Qc6-d7

412

]
(Diagram 413)
30.Rc1-e1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 30.Rc1xc8+ Diagram
(Diagram 414)
Ne7xc8 31.Nd3-f4 Nc8-e7 32.Qf3-e2
Qd6-d7 33.Qe2-a6 Qd7-c6 34.b2-b3
Kg8-h7 35.Qa6-d3+ Kh7-g8 36.Qd3-f3
Kg8-f7 37.Qf3-g4 Qc6-d6 38.Qg4-e2
Ne7-c6 39.Qe2-d3 Nc6-e7 40.Qd3-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +k+
+ + n p
p q p p
p +p+ +P
P+ P + +
+ +N+QP
P + PK+
+ R + +

+R+ +k+
+ + n p
p q p p
p +p+ +P
P+ P + +
+ +N+QP
P + PK+
+ + + +

110

413

414

Qd6-d7 41.Qe3-c3 Ne7-c6 42.Qc3-e3


Kf7-g8 43.Qe3-d3 Nc6-b4 0.39/20
Diagram
(Diagram 415)
]
(Diagram 416)
30...Rc8-c4 Diagram [ 30...Ne7-c6 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30...Ne7-c6
Diagram
31.Qf3-e3 Qd6-d7 32.Nd3-f4 Rc8-b8
33.Qe3-d3 Nc6-b4 34.Qd3-e2 b6-b5

+ + +k+
+ +q+ p
p + p p
p +p+ +P
Pn P N +
+P+Q+ P
+ + PK+
+ + + +

+r+ +k+
+ + n p
p q p p
p +p+ +P
P+ P + +
+ +N+QP
P + PK+
+ + R +

+r+ +k+
+ + + p
pnq p p
p +p+ +P
P+ P + +
+ +N+QP
P + PK+
+ + R +

415

416

417

35.a4xb5 Rb8xb5 36.Re1-a1 Kg8-h8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

111

37.Ra1-c1 Rb5-b8 38.Rc1-c5 Rb8-e8


39.Qe2-f3 Re8-e1 40.Nf4xd5 0.36/18 ]

+ + +k+
+ + n p
p q p p
p +p+ +P
P+rP + +
+ +N+QP
P + PK+
+ + R +

418

31.Nd3-f4 Diagram [ 31.Qf3-e3!?


Kg8-f7 32.b2-b3 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 31.Qf3-e3 Kg8-f7 32.b2-b3
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + nkp
p q p p
p +p+ +P
P+rP + +
+P+NQ P
+ + PK+
+ + R +

419

Rc4-c8 33.Nd3-f4 Qd6-d7 34.Qe3-e2


Ne7-f5 35.Qe2-d3 Rc8-e8 36.Re1xe8
Kf7xe8 37.Nf4-g6 Ke8-f7 38.Qd3-a6
Nf5xd4 39.Qa6xb6 Nd4-c6 40.Qb6-c5
Nc6-e5 41.Ng6xe5+ f6xe5 42.Qc5xa5
e5-e4 43.Qa5-c5 Diagram
Qd7-f5 0.70/19 ]
31...Rc4xd4= [ 31...Rc4xa4??
Black will not be able to digest the

+ + + +
+ +q+kp
+ + + p
+ Qp+ +P
P+ +p+ +
+P+ + P
+ + PK+
+ + + +

+ + +k+
+ + n p
p q p p
p +p+ +P
P+rP N +
+ + +QP
P + PK+
+ + R +

420

421

pawn 32.Qf3-e3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 31...Rc4xd4 32.Re1-e6 Diagram
(Diagram 422)
Qd6-d7 33.Re6xb6 Rd4xa4
34.Qf3-c3 Kg8-f7 35.b2-b3 Ra4xf4
36.g3xf4 Diagram
(Diagram 423)
Qd7-g4+ 37.Qc3-g3 Qg4xh5
38.Qg3-f3 Qh5xf3+ 39.Kg2xf3 Ne7-f5
40.Kf3-g4 Kf7-g6 41.Rb6-b5 h6-h5+
42.Kg4-h3 d5-d4 43.Rb5xa5 Nf5-e7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+ + n p
p qRp p
p +p+ +P
P+ r N +
+ + +QP
P + PK+
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ +qnkp
R + p p
p +p+ +P
+ + P +
+PQ + +
+ + PK+
+ + + +

112

422

423

44.Ra5-a7 Ne7-d5 45.f4-f5+ Kg6xf5


46.Ra7xg7 0.20/18 ] 32.Nf4-g6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32.Re1-e6
Qd6-d7 33.Re6xb6 Rd4xa4 34.Qf3-c3
Kg8-f7 35.Kg2-h2 Qd7-f5 36.Rb6-b7
Ra4xf4 37.g3xf4 Qf5xf4+ 38.Qc3-g3
Qf4-f5 39.Qg3-h4 Qf5-c8 40.Rb7-b5
Qc8-c2 41.Qh4-f4 Qc2-d1 42.Rb5xa5
Qd1xh5+ 43.Kh2-g2 Qh5-g5+
44.Qf4xg5 f6xg5 0.14/17 Diagram
] 32...Ne7xg6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...Ne7xg6 33.h5xg6 Qd6-c6
34.Qf3-e3 Rd4-e4 Diagram
35.Re1-c1 Qc6-e8 36.Qe3xb6
Qe8xg6 37.Qb6xa5 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + nkp
+ + + p
R +p+ p
+ + + +
+ + + +
P + PK+
+ + + +

+ + +k+
+ + + p
pq+ pPp
p +p+ +
P+ +r+ +
+ + Q P
P + PK+
+ + R +

+ + +k+
+ + + p
+ + pqp
Q +p+ +
P+ +r+ +
+ + + P
P + PK+
+ R + +

424

425

426

Qg6-f5 38.Qa5-a7 Re4-b4 39.Rc1-c7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

113

Qf5-e4+ 40.Kg2-h2 Qe4-g4 41.b2-b3


Rb4xb3 42.Qa7-a8+ Kg8-h7
43.Qa8xd5 Rb3-b1 44.Qd5-d3+
Qg4-g6 45.Qd3xg6+ Kh7xg6 Diagram

+ + + +
+ R + p
+ + pkp
+ + + +
P+ + + +
+ + + P
+ + P K
+r+ + +

427

46.a4-a5 Rb1-a1 47.Rc7-a7 Kg6-f5


48.Kh2-g2 g7-g5 49.a5-a6 Kf5-e6
50.Ra7-a8 Ra1-a2 51.Ra8-e8+
Ke6-d7 0.11/20 ] 33.h5xg6 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.h5xg6
Diagram

+ + +k+
+ + + p
p q pPp
p +p+ +
P+ r + +
+ + +QP
P + PK+
+ + R +

428

Qd6-c6 34.Qf3-e3 Rd4-e4 35.Re1-c1


Qc6-e8 36.Qe3xb6 Qe8xg6
37.Qb6xa5 Qg6-f5 38.Qa5-a7 Re4-b4
39.Rc1-c7 Qf5-e4+ 40.Kg2-h2 Qe4-g4
41.b2-b3 Rb4xb3 42.Qa7-a8+ Kg8-h7

43.Qa8xd5 Rb3-b1 44.Qd5-d3+


Qg4-g6 45.Qd3xg6+ Kh7xg6 46.a4-a5
Rb1-a1 Diagram

+ + + +
+ R + p
+ + pkp
P + + +
+ + + +
+ + + P
+ + P K
r + + +

429

47.Rc7-a7 Kg6-f5 48.Kh2-g2 g7-g5


49.a5-a6 Kf5-e6 50.Kg2-f3 0.04/18 ]

+ + +k+
+ + + p
p q pPp
p +p+ +
P+ r + +
+ + +QP
P + PK+
+ + R +

430

White has new doubled pawns: g3+g6


33...Kg8-f8 [ 33...Qd6-c6 34.Qf3-e3
Rd4-e4 35.Re1-c1= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 33...Qd6-c6 34.Qf3-e3 Rd4-e4
35.Re1-c1 Qc6-e8 36.Qe3xb6
Qe8xg6 37.Qb6xa5 Qg6-f5 38.Qa5-a7
Re4-b4 39.Rc1-c7 Diagram
Qf5-e4+ 40.Kg2-h2 Qe4-g4 41.b2-b3
Rb4xb3 42.Qa7-a8+ Kg8-h7
43.Qa8xd5 Rb3-b1 44.Qd5-d3+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
Q R + p
+ + p p
+ +p+q+
Pr + + +
+ + + P
P + PK+
+ + + +

114

431

Qg4-g6 45.Qd3xg6+ Kh7xg6 46.a4-a5


Rb1-a1 47.Rc7-a7 Kg6-f5 48.Kh2-g2
g7-g5 49.a5-a6 Kf5-e6 50.Kg2-f3
0.15/19 ] 34.Qf3-f5 White has a mate
threat [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Qf3-f5
Rd4-c4 35.Re1-e6 Diagram

+ + k +
+ + + p
p qRpPp
p +p+Q+
P+r+ + +
+ + + P
P + PK+
+ + + +

432

Qd6-d8 36.Qf5-d3 Kf8-g8 37.Qd3-e3


Rc4-e4 38.Qe3xb6 Qd8xb6
39.Re6xb6 Kg8-f8 40.b2-b3 d5-d4
41.Kg2-f3 Re4-e8 42.Rb6-b7 Kf8-g8
43.Rb7-d7 Kg8-f8 44.Rd7xd4 Re8-b8
45.Rd4-d3 Kf8-e7 46.Rd3-e3+ Ke7-d6
47.Kf3-f4 Kd6-c5 48.Re3-c3+ Kc5-d6
49.Kf4-f5 0.41/21 ] 34...Rd4-c4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34...Rd4-c4

35.Re1-e6 Qd6-d8 36.Qf5-d3 Kf8-g8


37.Qd3-e3 Rc4-e4 38.Qe3xb6
Qd8xb6 39.Re6xb6 Kg8-f8 40.b2-b3
Diagram

+ + k +
+ + + p
R + pPp
p +p+ +
P+ +r+ +
+P+ + P
+ + PK+
+ + + +

433

d5-d4 41.Kg2-f3 Re4-e8 42.Rb6-b7


Kf8-g8 43.Rb7-d7 Kg8-f8 44.Rd7xd4
Re8-b8 45.Rd4-d3 Kf8-e7 46.Rd3-e3+
Ke7-d6 47.Kf3-f4 Kd6-c5 48.Re3-c3+
Kc5-d6 0.52/18 ] 35.g3-g4
[ 35.Re1-e6!? Diagram

+ + k +
+ + + p
p qRpPp
p +p+Q+
P+r+ + +
+ + + P
P + PK+
+ + + +

434

looks like a viable alternative Qd6-d8


36.Qf5-d3= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35.Re1-e6 Qd6-d8 36.Qf5-d3 Rc4-c8
37.Qd3-b5 Rc8-b8 38.b2-b3 d5-d4
39.Qb5-c4 Qd8-d7 40.Re6-d6 Qd7-e8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

115

41.Rd6xd4 Rb8-c8 42.Qc4-d3


Qe8-c6+ 43.Kg2-h2 Rc8-e8 44.f2-f3
Qc6-c5 45.Rd4-d8 h6-h5 46.Kh2-g2
Qc5-c6 47.Qd3-d2 Qc6-c5 0.47/18 ]
35...Qd6-f4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 35...Rc4-c5 36.Qf5-e6 Diagram

+ + k +
+ + + p
p qQpPp
p rp+ +
P+ + +P+
+ + + +
P + PK+
+ + R +

+ + k +
+ + + p
+ + p p
R +p+ +
P+ + r +
+ + + +
P +KP +
+ + + +

435

+ + + +
+R+ + p
+ k p p
P + + +
+ + + +
r + + +
+ +KP +
+ + + +

Qd6xe6 37.Re1xe6 Rc5-c4


38.Re6xb6 Rc4xg4+ 39.Kg2-f3
Rg4xg6 40.Rb6-a6 Rg6-g5 41.Ra6xa5
Rg5-f5+ Diagram

+ + k +
+ + + p
+ + p p
R +p+r+
P+ + + +
+ + +K+
P + P +
+ + + +

436

42.Kf3-e2 Rf5-f4 Diagram


43.b2-b3 Rf4-b4 44.Ra5xd5 Rb4xb3
45.a4-a5 Rb3-a3 46.Rd5-b5 Kf8-e7
47.Rb5-b7+ Ke7-d6 -0.20/15
Diagram

]
(Diagram 439)
1-0

437

438

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + k +
+ + + p
p + pPp
p +p+Q+
P+r+ qP+
+ + + +
P + PK+
+ + R +

116

439

C89

Gata Kamsky
Vassily Ivanchuk
51/346 Linares 51/346

1991

C89: Closed Ruy Lopez: Marshall


Attack
1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3.Bf1-b5 a7-a6 4.Bb5-a4 Diagram
(Diagram 440)
Ng8-f6 5.0-0 Bf8-e7 6.Rf1-e1 b7-b5
7.Ba4-b3 0-0 8.c2-c3 d7-d5 9.e4xd5
Nf6xd5 10.Nf3xe5 Nc6xe5
11.Re1xe5 c7-c6 12.d2-d4 Be7-d6
13.Re5-e2 Bc8-g4 14.f2-f3 Bg4-h5
15.Bb3xd5 c6xd5 16.Nb1-d2 f7-f5
Diagram
(Diagram 441)
17.Qd1-b3 Bh5-f7 18.Nd2-f1 f5-f4
19.Bc1-d2N [RR 19.a2-a4 b5-b4
20.c3xb4 Qd8-b6 21.Qb3-d1 Rf8-e8
22.Re2xe8+ Ra8xe8 23.b4-b5 Bd6-e5
24.Kg1-h1 Be5xd4 25.Bc1xf4 Bd4xb2
26.Ra1-b1 Bb2-c3 27.Qd1-d3 d5-d4

r+lqklnr
+ppp+ppp
p+n+ + +
+ + p +
L+ +P+ +
+ + +N+
PPPP PPP
RNLQK +R

r+ q rk+
+ + + pp
p+ l + +
+p+p+p+l
+ P + +
+ P +P+
PP NR+PP
R LQ+ K

440

441

28.b5xa6 Qb6-c6 29.Qd3-b5 Bf7-d5


30.Nf1-g3 Qc6-e6 31.Ng3-e4 Bd5-c6
32.Qb5-b6 h7-h6 33.a6-a7 Kg8-h7
Wahls,M (2550)-Enklaar,B (2400)/
Velden 1995/EXT 1997/1-0 (44) ]
19...Qd8-d7 20.Ra1-e1 a6-a5
last book move 21.a2-a3 [Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 21.h2-h3 a5-a4
22.Qb3-d1 Bf7-g6 23.Qd1-c1 Ra8-c8
24.Nf1-h2 Bg6-d3 25.Re2-e6 h7-h5
26.Nh2-f1 a4-a3 27.b2xa3 Rc8-a8
28.Qc1-b2 Bd6xa3 29.Qb2-b3 Bd3-c4
30.Qb3-c2 -0.13/14 ] 21...a5-a4
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...Qd7-c6 22.h2-h3 Bf7-g6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

117

23.Nf1-h2 a5-a4 24.Qb3-a2 Bg6-d3


25.Re2-e6 Bd3-f5 26.Re6-e2 h7-h5
27.Nh2-f1 Bf5-d3 Diagram

r+ + rk+
+ + + p
+ql + +
+p+p+ +p
p+ P p +
P Pl+P+P
QP LR+P+
+ + RNK

442

28.Re2-e6 Ra8-d8 29.Bd2-c1 Bd3-f5


30.Re6-e2 Rf8-f7 31.Nf1-d2 Bf5-d3
32.Re2-e6 -0.05/16 ]

r+ + rk+
+ +q+lpp
+ l + +
+p+p+ +
p+ P p +
PQP +P+
P LR+PP
+ + RNK

443

22.Qb3-d1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


22.Qb3-a2 Qd7-c6 23.g2-g4 Bf7-g6
24.Bd2-c1 Bg6-d3 25.Re2-e6 Rf8-f7
26.Nf1-d2 Ra8-d8 27.h2-h3 Rd8-c8
28.h3-h4 Diagram
Rc8-d8 29.h4-h5 Rd8-c8 30.Kg1-g2
-0.05/16 ] 22...Bf7-g6 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Ra8-b8 23.Qd1-c1
Qd7-c7 24.h2-h4 Bf7-g6 25.Re2-e6

+r+ +k+
+ + +rpp
+qlR+ +
+p+p+ +
p+ P pPP
P Pl+P+
QP N + +
+ L R K

444

Bg6-d3 26.Nf1-h2 h7-h5 27.Nh2-f1


Qc7-b6 28.Re1-e5 Bd3-f5 29.Re6xd6
Qb6xd6 30.Bd2xf4 -0.03/14 ]
23.Bd2-c1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.Qd1-c1 Bg6-d3 24.Re2-e6 Ra8-c8
25.h2-h3 h7-h5 26.Nf1-h2 Rc8-c6
27.Kg1-h1 Rf8-c8 28.Kh1-g1 Rc8-f8
29.Kg1-h1 -0.09/15 ] 23...Rf8-f7
last book move [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...Ra8-c8 24.Qd1-d2 Bg6-f5
25.h2-h3 Qd7-f7 26.Kg1-h1 Qf7-g6
27.Qd2-d1 Rc8-c7 28.Nf1-h2 h7-h5
29.Nh2-f1 Rc7-d7 Diagram
(Diagram 445)
30.Bc1-d2 Rd7-d8 31.Qd1-a1 Qg6-g5
32.Qa1-a2 Bf5-d3 33.Re2-e6 Bd3-c4
-0.18/15 ] 24.h2-h3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24.Qd1-d2 Diagram
(Diagram 446)
Rf7-f6 25.Re1-d1 Ra8-c8 26.Qd2-e1
Bg6-f5 27.h2-h3 Rf6-g6 28.Kg1-h1
Rg6-f6 29.Nf1-h2 Rf6-h6 30.Qe1-f2
Bd6-b8 31.Rd1-e1 -0.07/15 ]
24...Bg6-f5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24...Ra8-c8 Diagram
25.Qd1-d2 Rf7-f6 26.Nf1-h2 h7-h5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
+ +r+ p
+ l +q+
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P +R+P+
+ LQRN+K

r+ + +k+
+ +q+rpp
+ l +l+
+p+p+ +
p+ P p +
P P +P+
P QR+PP
+ L RNK

+r+ +k+
+ +q+rpp
+ l +l+
+p+p+ +
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P +R+P+
+ LQRNK

118

445

446

29.Kh1-g1 Qd7-c6 30.Re2-e6 Bg6-f5


31.Re6-e2 Qc6-b7 32.Re1-d1 Bf5-g6
33.Rd1-e1 Bg6-h7 34.Qd2-d1 Bh7-f5
35.h3-h4 Qb7-f7 36.Kg1-h1 Qf7-f6
-0.08/15 ] 25.Nf1-h2 [ 25.Bc1-d2
Rf7-f6! Diagram

r+ + +k+
+ +q+ pp
+ l r +
+p+p+l+
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P LR+P+
+ +QRNK

448

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25.Qd1-d2


Ra8-f8 26.Re1-d1 Rf8-e8 27.Re2xe8+
Qd7xe8 28.Rd1-e1 Rf7-e7 29.Re1xe7
Qe8xe7 30.Qd2-f2 Bf5-d3 31.Bc1-d2
Diagram
(Diagram 449)

447

27.Nh2-f1 Rf6-f8 28.Kg1-h1 Rc8-d8

Bd3-c4 32.Qf2-e1 Qe7-f7 33.Qe1-h4


Bd6-c7 34.Qh4-g4 Qf7-f6 35.Qg4-c8+
Bc7-d8 -0.06/15 ] 25...h7-h5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...h7-h5
26.Nh2-f1 Diagram
(Diagram 450)
Rf7-f8 27.Bc1-d2 Rf8-f6 28.Bd2-c1
Qd7-f7 29.h3-h4 Rf6-g6 30.Kg1-h1
Ra8-c8 31.Kh1-g1 Qf7-d7 32.Re2-f2
Rc8-c7 33.Rf2-e2 -0.13/16 ] 26.Re2-f2
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Qd1-d2
Rf7-f8 27.Re1-d1 Qd7-f7 28.Kg1-h1
Qf7-f6 29.Re2-e1 Bd6-c7 30.Qd2-e2
Qf6-c6 31.Qe2-e7 Ra8-e8 32.Qe7-c5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+ + q pp
+ l + +
+p+p+ +
p+ P p +
P Pl+P+P
P L QP+
+ + +NK

r+ + +k+
+ +q+rp
+ l + +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P +R+P+
+ LQRNK

119

449

450

Diagram

+ +rrk+
+ l + p
+q+ + +
+pQp+l+p
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P + +PN
+ LRR +K

+ r rk+
+ +q+ p
+ l + +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P +R+P+
+ LQRNK

451

452

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27.Rf2-e2


Diagram
(Diagram 451)
(Diagram 453)

Qc6-d7 33.Nh2-f1 -0.13/15 ]


26...Ra8-f8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...Rf7-f8 27.Nh2-f1 Ra8-d8
28.Rf2-e2 Diagram
(Diagram 452)
Qd7-f7 29.Kg1-h1 Rd8-d7 30.Nf1-d2
Qf7-g6 31.Nd2-f1 Bd6-c7 32.Re2-e7
Bc7-d8 33.Re7xd7 Bf5xd7
34.Re1-e5 -0.20/15 ] 27.Nh2-f1

Rf8-c8 28.Kg1-h1 Rf7-f8 29.Bc1-d2


Bf5-d3 30.Re2-e6 Bd3-f5 31.Re6-e2
Bf5-d3 -0.23/14 Diagram
(Diagram 454)
] 27...Rf7-f6 Diagram [ 27...Rf8-c8
28.Bc1-d2 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27...Qd7-d8 Diagram
28.Rf2-e2 Rf7-c7 29.Kg1-h1 Rc7-c8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

120
32.b2-b3 Rf8-c8 33.Bc1-b2 Diagram

+ + rk+
+ +q+rp
+ l + +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P +R+PN
+ LQR K

+r+ rk+
+ +q+ p
+ l + +
+p+p+ +p
p+ P p +
P Pl+P+P
P LR+PN
+ +QR +K

+ q rk+
+ + +rp
+ l + +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P + RP+
+ LQRNK

453

rr+ +k+
+ + + p
+ l q +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L +R+P+
+ +QRN+K

456

Qf6-g5 34.Nf1-d2 Rc8-f8 35.Qd1-c1


a4xb3 36.Nd2xb3 -0.13/16 ]
454

+ + rk+
+ +q+ p
+ l r +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P + RP+
+ LQRNK
455

30.Re2-d2 Rc8-b8 31.Rd2-e2 Qd8-f6

457

28.Nf1-h2 [ 28.Re1-e5 Bd6xe5


29.d4xe5 Rf6-g6 30.Bc1xf4 Bf5xh3=
Diagram
(Diagram 458)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Kg1-h1
Diagram
Qd7-d8 29.Qd1-e2 Rf6-e6 30.Qe2-d2
Re6-g6 31.Rf2-e2 Kg8-h7 32.Nf1-h2
Kh7-h8 33.Qd2-d1 Kh8-h7 34.Nh2-f1
Kh7-h8 35.Qd1-d2 Kh8-g8 36.Qd2-d1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
+ +q+ p
+ + +r+
+p+pP +p
p+ + L +
P P +P+l
P + RP+
+ +Q+NK

+ + rk+
+ +q+ p
+ l r +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P + RP+
+ LQRN+K

121

458

459

Bd6-c7 37.Nf1-h2 Qd8-f6 38.Re2-e8


-0.11/16 ] 28...Kg8-h8 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Qd7-f7
29.Kg1-h1 Qf7-g6 30.Rf2-d2 Rf8-d8
31.Nh2-f1 Rf6-f8 32.Rd2-e2 Rd8-d7
33.Re2-d2 Rd7-c7 34.Rd2-e2
Diagram
(Diagram 460)
Rc7-c8 35.Nf1-h2 Qg6-g5 36.Nh2-f1
Qg5-g6 37.Nf1-h2 -0.23/14 ]
29.b2-b3 Diagram [ 29.Re1-e5
Bd6xe5 30.d4xe5 Rf6-g6 31.Bc1xf4
Bf5xh3! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

+ + rk+
+ r + p
+ l +q+
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P +R+P+
+ LQRN+K

+ + r k
+ +q+ p
+ l r +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P + RPN
+ LQR K

460

461

29.Kg1-h1 Diagram
(Diagram 462)
Rf6-g6 30.Rf2-e2 Qd7-d8 31.Nh2-f1
Kh8-g8 32.Qd1-d2 Kg8-h7 33.Nf1-h2
Kh7-h8 34.Qd2-d1 Diagram
(Diagram 463)
Kh8-h7 35.Nh2-f1 Kh7-h8 36.Qd1-d2
Kh8-g8 37.Qd2-d1 Qd8-d7 38.Nf1-h2
Qd7-c6 39.Qd1-d2 Qc6-d7 40.Nh2-f1
Qd7-d8 41.Qd2-d1 -0.11/16 ]
29...Rf8-c8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

122
31.Kg1-h1 Diagram

+ + r k
+ +q+ p
+ l r +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P + RPN
+ LQR +K

+ q r k
+ + + p
+ l +r+
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
P +R+PN
+ LQR +K

+ + r k
+ +q+ p
+ l r +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
+ + RPN
+ LQR K

462

463

+ + r k
+ +q+ p
+ l +r+
+ +p+l+p
p+ P p +
P P +P+P
+ + RPN
+ LQR +K

465

Qd7-b5 32.Rf2-e2 Kh8-g8 33.h3-h4


Rf8-d8 34.Qd1-d2 Bf5-d3 35.Re2-e6
Rg6xe6 36.Re1xe6 Bd3-f5 37.Qd2-e2
Qb5-c6 -0.40/14 ]

+r+ + k
+ +q+ p
+ l r +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
+ + RPN
+ LQR K

466

464

Pro x64: 29...Rf6-g6 30.b3xa4 b5xa4

30.Bc1-b2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 30.b3xa4 b5xa4 31.Qd1-d2
Qd7-c6 32.Bc1-b2 Rf6-g6 33.Kg1-h1
Rc8-b8 34.Rf2-e2 Kh8-h7 35.Bb2-c1
Rb8-c8 36.Bc1-b2 Kh7-g8 37.h3-h4
Rc8-b8 38.Bb2-c1 Rg6-f6 Diagram
39.Kh1-g1 Rf6-g6 40.Bc1-b2 Qc6-b5
41.Kg1-h1 Bf5-d3 -0.45/15 ]
30...Kh8-h7 Diagram [ 30...Rf6-g6
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + +k+
+ + + p
+ql r +
+ +p+l+p
p+ P p P
P P +P+
+ QR+PN
+ L R +K

+r+ + k
+ +q+ p
+ l r +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L + RPN
+ +QR K

+r+ + k
+ +q+ p
+ l +r+
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L + RPN
+ +QR K
31.Kg1-h1 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

123

467

30...Rf6-g6 31.Kg1-h1 Bd6-e7


32.Rf2-e2 Be7-h4 33.Re1-g1 Rg6-b6
34.Nh2-f1 Bh4-e7 35.Qd1-d2 Be7-d6
36.Qd2-d1 a4xb3 37.Qd1xb3 Bf5-d3
38.Re2-e1 Diagram

+r+ + k
+ +q+ p
r l + +
+p+p+ +p
+ P p +
PQPl+P+P
L + +P+
+ + RNRK

470

468

Bd3-c4 39.Qb3-c2 -0.51/14 ]

469

+r+ + +
+ +q+ pk
+ l r +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L + RPN
+ +QR K

471

31.Nh2-f1 Diagram [ 31.Rf2-e2


Rf6-g6 32.Kg1-h1 Rg6-h6 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31.Kg1-h1
Diagram
Kh7-g8 32.Rf2-e2 Rf6-g6 33.Nh2-f1
Kg8-h7 34.Nf1-h2 Qd7-c6 35.b3xa4
b5xa4 36.Re2-f2 Qc6-b5 37.Nh2-f1
Kh7-g8 38.Bb2-a1 Qb5-d7 39.Qd1-d2
Rc8-b8 40.Qd2-a2 Qd7-c6 -0.45/15 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ + +
+ +q+ pk
+ l r +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L + RPN
+ +QR +K

+r+ + +
+ +q+ pk
+ l r +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L + RP+
+ +QRNK

124

472

473

31...Rf6-f8 Diagram [ 31...Rf6-g6!? ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31...Rf6-g6
32.Kg1-h1 Diagram
(Diagram 474)
Bd6-e7 33.Rf2-d2 Be7-h4 34.Re1-e2
Kh7-h8 35.Re2-e5 Kh8-g8 36.Re5-e2
a4xb3 37.Qd1xb3 Rc8-c4 38.Re2-e5
Bh4-f6 39.Re5-e1 -0.51/15 ]
32.Rf2-e2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 32.Rf2-d2 Kh7-g8 33.Re1-e2
Rc8-b8 34.Kg1-h1 Qd7-c6 35.Re2-e1
Rb8-c8 36.h3-h4 Rf8-f6 37.Rd2-f2
a4xb3 38.Qd1xb3 Bf5-d3 39.Bb2-c1

+r+ + +
+ +q+ pk
+ l +r+
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L + RP+
+ +QRN+K

+r+ r +
+ +q+ pk
+ l + +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L + RP+
+ +QRNK

474

475

Qc6-b7 -0.34/14 ]
(Diagram 476)
32...Rc8-c7 Diagram [ 32...Kh7-g8
Diagram
(Diagram 477)
33.Nf1-d2 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...Kh7-g8 33.b3xa4 b5xa4
34.Nf1-d2 Bf5-d3 35.Re2-e6 Rc8-b8
36.Qd1-c1 Bd3-f5 37.Re6-e2 Qd7-b5
38.Bb2-a1 Bf5-d3 39.Re2-e6 Qb5-c6
40.c3-c4 d5xc4 41.Nd2-e4 -0.37/14 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ r +
+ +q+ pk
+ l + +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L +R+P+
+ +QRNK

+r+ rk+
+ +q+ p
+ l + +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L +R+P+
+ +QRNK

+ + r +
+ rq+ pk
+ l + +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L +R+P+
+ +QRNK
33.Nf1-h2 [ 33.Nf1-d2 Kh7-g6! ;

125
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Nf1-d2
Bf5-d3 34.Re2-f2 Diagram
476

477

478

+ + r +
+ rq+ pk
+ l + +
+p+p+ +p
p+ P p +
PPPl+P+P
L N RP+
+ +QR K

479

Qd7-f5 35.b3xa4 b5xa4 36.Qd1xa4


Rf8-b8 37.Bb2-a1 Rc7-e7 38.Re1xe7
Bd6xe7 39.Qa4-a7 Rb8-e8 40.Qa7-a4
Qf5-g6 41.c3-c4 Be7-h4 -0.19/13 ]
33...Rf8-c8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 33...Rf8-f6 Diagram

+ + + +
+ rq+ pk
+ l r +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L +R+PN
+ +QR K

480

34.Kg1-h1 a4xb3 35.Qd1xb3 Bf5-d3


36.Re2-e8 Qd7-f5 37.Qb3-d1 Bd3-c4
38.Qd1-d2 Rf6-g6 39.Nh2-f1 Qf5-f7
40.Re8-d8 Rc7-e7 41.h3-h4 Diagram
Bd6-c7 -0.36/14 ]
34.Nh2-f1 [ 34.b3-b4 Qd7-d8!
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

126
Diagram

+ R + +
+ + rqpk
+ l +r+
+p+p+ +p
+lP p P
P P +P+
L Q +P+
+ + RN+K

+r+ + +
+ rq+ pk
+ l + +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L +R+PN
+ +QR K

+rq + +
+ r + pk
+ l + +
+p+p+l+p
pP P p +
P P +P+P
L +R+PN
+ +QR K
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Kg1-h1

481

482

+r+ + +
+ rq+ pk
+ l + +
+p+p+l+p
p+ P p +
PPP +P+P
L +R+PN
+ +QR +K

484

b5-b4 35.a3xb4 a4-a3 36.Bb2xa3


Rc7xc3 37.Re2-a2 Rc3-d3 38.Qd1-a1
Rd3xb3 39.b4-b5 Bd6-c7 40.Ba3-c5
Qd7xb5 41.Ra2-a7 Rb3-b2 42.Nh2-f1
Rb2-e2 43.Qa1-c3 Qb5-b2 44.Qc3xb2
Re2xb2 -0.41/14 ] 34...b5-b4
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34...a4xb3 35.Qd1xb3 Qd7-c6
36.Nf1-d2 Rc8-a8 37.Nd2-f1 Ra8-a7
38.Bb2-c1 Rc7-c8 39.h3-h4 Ra7-a8
40.Nf1-d2 Ra8-a4 41.Bc1-b2 Rc8-a8
42.Qb3-a2 Ra4-a6 43.Qa2-b3 Ra6-a7
44.Qb3-d1 Kh7-h8 45.Qd1-b3 Bd6xa3
46.Bb2xa3 Ra7xa3 -0.22/15 ]
(Diagram 485)

483

35.a3xb4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 35.c3xb4 Bf5-c2 36.Qd1-a1
a4xb3 37.Nf1-d2 Rc8-a8 38.Bb2-c3
Kh7-g8 39.Re2-e6 Rc7-a7 40.Nd2-b1
Bc2-f5 41.Re6-e2 Qd7-c6 42.Bc3-d2
Bf5-d3 43.Re2-e6 -0.47/14 ]
(Diagram 486)
35...a4-a3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 35...a4-a3 36.Bb2xa3 Rc7xc3
37.Re2-a2 Qd7-b5 38.Re1-e2 Rc8-a8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ + +
+ rq+ pk
+ l + +
+ +p+l+p
pp P p +
PPP +P+P
L +R+P+
+ +QRNK

+r+ + +
+ rq+ pk
+ l + +
+ +p+l+p
pP P p +
+PP +P+P
L +R+P+
+ +QRNK

127

485

486

39.Re2-e1 Rc3-c7 40.Qd1-d2 Rc7-a7


41.Re1-a1 Kh7-g8 42.Qd2-f2 Bf5-d3
43.h3-h4 Ra8-c8 44.Ra1-e1 -0.39/14 ]
(Diagram 487)
36.Bb2xa3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36.Bb2-c1 Rc7xc3 37.Bc1xa3 Qd7-a7
38.Ba3-b2 Rc3-d3 39.Qd1-a1 Qa7xa1
40.Re1xa1 Rd3xb3 41.Bb2-a3 Bf5-d3
42.Re2-e6 Diagram
Bd6xb4 43.Ba3xb4 Rb3xb4
44.Re6-e5 Rb4xd4 45.Re5xh5+
Kh7-g6 46.Rh5-e5 -0.41/13 ]
36...Rc7xc3 White has a cramped

+r+ + +
+ rq+ pk
+ l + +
+ +p+l+p
P P p +
pPP +P+P
L +R+P+
+ +QRNK

+r+ + +
+ + + pk
+ lR+ +
+ +p+ +p
P P p +
Lr+l+P+P
+ + +P+
R + +NK

487

488

position [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


36...Rc7xc3 37.Re2-a2 Qd7-b5
38.Re1-e2 Kh7-g8 39.Ba3-b2 Rc3-d3
40.Re2-d2 Bd6xb4 41.Rd2xd3 Bf5xd3
42.Ra2-a7 Rc8-c2 43.Bb2-a1 Kg8-h7
44.Ra7-f7 Diagram
(Diagram 489)
Bb4-d6 -0.34/14 ] 37.Kg1-h2
[ 37.Re2-a2 Diagram
Qd7-a7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.Re2-a2 Qd7-a7 38.Kg1-h1 Rc3-d3
39.Qd1-b1 Rc8-f8 40.Ba3-b2 Qa7-b6
41.Qb1-a1 Rd3xb3 42.Nf1-d2 Rb3-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + +Rpk
+ + + +
+q+p+ +p
l P p +
+P+l+P+P
+r+ +P+
L +Q+NK

+r+ + +
+ +q+ pk
+ l + +
+ +p+l+p
P P p +
LPr +P+P
R+ + +P+
+ +QRNK

128

489

490

43.Bb2-c3 Rf8-c8 -0.25/13 Diagram


(Diagram 491)
] 37...Rc8-a8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...Bf5-d3 38.Re2-a2 Kh7-g8
39.Ra2-a1 Qd7-b5 40.Kh2-h1 Bd6xb4
41.Ba3xb4 Qb5xb4 42.Re1-e5
Qb4xd4 43.Re5xh5 Diagram
(Diagram 492)
Rc3-c2 44.Ra1-a5 Rc2-c1 -0.47/12 ]
38.Ba3-b2? [ 38.Re2-a2!? ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.Re2-a2

+r+ + +
+ + + pk
q l + +
+ +p+l+p
P P p +
+ L rP+P
R+ N +P+
Q + R +K

+r+ +k+
+ + + p
+ + + +
+ +p+ +R
+ q p +
+Prl+P+P
+ + +P+
R +Q+N+K

491

492

Rc3-d3 39.Qd1-a1 Diagram


(Diagram 493)
Qd7-a7 40.Qa1-c1 Qa7-b6
41.Qc1-b2 Qb6xd4 42.Qb2xd4
Rd3xd4 43.Ba3-b2 Ra8xa2
44.Bb2xd4 Bd6xb4 45.Re1-e5 Bf5-d3
46.Re5xh5+ Kh7-g6 -0.40/14 ]
38...Rc3-d3-+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...Rc3-d3 39.Qd1-c1 Rd3xb3
40.Kh2-g1 Rb3xb4 41.Bb2-c3 Ra8-c8
42.Qc1-d2 Rb4-b3 43.Bc3-a1 Bf5-d3
44.Qd2-d1 Rb3-a3 45.Re2-d2 Bd3-g6
46.Rd2-e2 Bd6-b4 47.Nf1-d2 -1.15/16

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + + +
+ +q+ pk
+ l + +
+ +p+l+p
P P p +
LP+r+P+P
R+ + +PK
Q + RN+

129

493

] 39.Qd1-c1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 39.Qd1-c1 Rd3xb3 40.Kh2-g1
Bd6xb4 41.Nf1-d2 Rb3-d3 42.Qc1-d1
Ra8-a2 43.Qd1-c1 Qd7-a4 44.Kg1-h2
Qa4-a5 45.Re1-d1 Rd3-e3 46.Re2-f2
Qa5-b6 47.Kh2-g1 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + pk
q + + +
+ +p+l+p
l P p +
+ + rP+P
rL N RP+
+ QR+ K

494

Bf5-d3 -1.37/13 ]

r+ + + +
+ +q+ pk
+ l + +
+ +p+l+p
P P p +
+P+r+P+P
L +R+PK
+ Q RN+

r+ + + +
+ +q+ pk
+ l + +
+ +p+l+p
P P p +
+r+ +P+P
L +R+PK
+ Q RN+

495

496

Rb3-a3 45.Re2-d2 Bd3-g6 46.Rd2-e2


Bd6-b4 47.Nf1-d2 -1.15/14 Diagram
(Diagram 497)
] 40.Re2-c2? [ 40.Qc1-a1-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40.Qc1-a1
Diagram

(Diagram 495)
(Diagram 498)
39...Ra8-c8 [ 39...Rd3xb3 Diagram
40.Kh2-g1 Rb3xb4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 39...Rd3xb3 40.Kh2-g1
Rb3xb4 41.Bb2-c3 Ra8-c8 42.Qc1-d2
Rb4-b3 43.Bc3-a1 Bf5-d3 44.Qd2-d1

Bd6xb4 41.Re1-c1 Rc8xc1


42.Qa1xc1 Rd3xb3 43.Qc1-d1 Rb3-d3
44.Qd1-a1 Bb4-d6 45.Kh2-g1 Rd3-b3
46.Re2-e1 Qd7-b7 47.Bb2-c1 Qb7-c7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ + +
+ +q+ pk
+ + +l+
+ +p+ +p
l P p +
r + +P+P
+ NR+P+
L +QR K

+r+ + +
+ +q+ pk
+ l + +
+ +p+l+p
P P p +
+P+r+P+P
L +R+PK
Q + RN+

130

497

498

48.Nf1-d2 Rb3-e3 49.Bc1-b2 Bf5-d3


-0.57/15 ] 40...Rc8xc2 [ 40...Bd6xb4?!
is the less attractive alternative
41.Rc2xc8 Qd7xc8 42.Re1-e5
Rd3xb3 43.Re5xd5 Qc8xc1
44.Bb2xc1! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
40...Rc8xc2 41.Qc1xc2 Rd3xf3
42.Qc2-e2 Rf3xh3+ 43.Kh2-g1 f4-f3
44.g2xf3 Bd6xb4 45.Re1-a1 Qd7-c7
46.Ra1-a4 Bb4-c3 47.Bb2xc3 Qc7xc3
48.Qe2-e3 Rh3xf3 49.Qe3xc3 Rf3xc3
50.b3-b4 Rc3-b3 51.Ra4-a5 Rb3xb4
52.Ra5xd5 Kh7-g6 53.Nf1-e3 Bf5-e4
54.Rd5-d7 Rb4-b7 55.Rd7-d6+
Kg6-g5 -2.37/15 Diagram

+ + + +
+r+ + p
+ R + +
+ + + kp
+ Pl+ +
+ + N +
+ + + +
+ + + K

499

] 41.Qc1xc2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


41.Qc1xc2 Rd3xf3 42.Qc2-e2
Rf3xh3+ 43.Kh2-g1 f4-f3 44.g2xf3
Bd6xb4 45.Re1-a1 Qd7-d6 46.Ra1-a4
Qd6-b6 47.Ra4-a6 Qb6-c7 48.Qe2-g2
Bb4-d6 49.Qg2-e2 Bf5-c8 50.Ra6-a8
h5-h4 51.Bb2-a3 Bd6-f4 52.Qe2-d3+
g7-g6 -1.46/12 ] 41...Bf5-g6??
letting the wind out of his own sails
[ 41...Rd3xf3 42.Qc2-e2 Diagram

+ + + +
+ +q+ pk
+ l + +
+ +p+l+p
P P p +
+P+ +r+P
L +Q+PK
+ + RN+

500

Rf3xh3+ ( 42...Rf3xb3?! is clearly


weaker 43.Qe2xh5+ Kh7-g8
44.Re1-e8+ Bd6-f8 45.Bb2-c1 )
43.Kh2-g1 f4-f3 44.g2xf3 Qd7-d8-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41...Rd3xf3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

131

42.Qc2-e2 Rf3xh3+ 43.Kh2-g1 f4-f3


44.g2xf3 Bd6xb4 45.Re1-a1 Qd7-c7
46.Ra1-a4 Bb4-c3 47.Bb2xc3 Qc7xc3
48.Qe2-e3 Rh3xf3 49.Qe3xc3 Rf3xc3
50.b3-b4 Rc3-b3 51.Kg1-g2 h5-h4
52.Kg2-f2 Kh7-g6 53.Nf1-e3 -1.36/13 ]
42.Qc2-f2 [ 42.Qc2-c1!? Diagram

+ + + +
+ +q+ pk
+ l +l+
+ +p+ +p
P P p +
+P+r+P+P
L + +PK
+ Q RN+

501

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42.Qc2-c1


Rd3xb3 43.Nf1-d2 Rb3xb4 44.Qc1-c3
Qd7-c7 45.Re1-e6 Rb4-b8 46.Qc3xc7
Bd6xc7 47.Bb2-c3 Bg6-f5 48.Re6-e7
Diagram

r + + +
+ l R pk
+ + + +
+ +p+l+p
+ P p +
+ L +P+P
+ N +PK
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ + + pk
q+ + + +
+ +p+ +p
l P p +
+ +l+P+P
L N +P+
+ Q + K

502

503

(Diagram 502)
Bc7-d6 49.Re7-a7 Rb8-c8 50.Bc3-a5
Kh7-g6 51.h3-h4 -0.40/16 ]
42...Bd6xb4-+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
42...Rd3xb3 43.Re1-c1 Rb3xb4
44.Kh2-g1 Rb4-c4 45.Qf2-d2 Qd7-c8
46.Rc1-c3 Rc4xc3 47.Qd2xc3 Qc8-a6
48.Qc3-c1 Bg6-d3 49.Nf1-d2 Bd6-b4
Diagram
(Diagram 503)
50.Nd2-b3 -0.59/14 ] 43.Re1-e5
[ 43.Re1-c1!?-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 43.Re1-a1 Rd3xb3 44.Qf2-e2
Bb4-d6 45.Qe2-f2 Bg6-d3 46.Bb2-c1

Qd7-f7 47.Kh2-g1 Qf7-g6 48.Ra1-a7


Rb3-c3 49.Bc1-d2 Rc3-c7 50.Ra7xc7
Bd6xc7 51.Bd2-b4 Diagram
(Diagram 504)
Bc7-d8 -0.63/16 ] 43...Rd3-d1
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43...Rd3-d1
44.Qf2-e2 Rd1-e1 45.Qe2xe1 Bb4xe1
46.Re5xe1 Qd7-b5 47.Bb2-c3 Bg6-c2
48.Re1-c1 Qb5xb3 49.Bc3-d2 Qb3-d3
50.Bd2xf4 Qd3xd4 51.Bf4-d6 Qd4-f6
52.Bd6-g3 Qf6-b2 53.Rc1-e1 d5-d4
54.Bg3-f4 Bc2-g6 55.Nf1-d2 d4-d3
56.h3-h4 Bg6-f7 57.Re1-b1 Qb2-d4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ l + pk
+ + +q+
+ +p+ +p
L P p +
+ +l+P+P
+ + QP+
+ + +NK

132

504

58.Kh2-g3 -1.49/17 ] 44.Qf2-e2


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44.Qf2-e2
Rd1-e1 45.Qe2xe1 Bb4xe1
46.Re5xe1 Qd7-b5 47.Bb2-c3 Bg6-c2
48.Re1-c1 Qb5xb3 49.Bc3-d2 Qb3-d3
50.h3-h4 Qd3-f5 51.g2-g3 f4xg3+
52.Kh2xg3 Bc2-d3 53.Bd2-f4 Qf5-g6+
54.Bf4-g5 Qg6-d6+ 55.Kg3-g2
-1.64/13 ] 44...Rd1-b1 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 44...Rd1-e1 45.Qe2xe1
Bb4xe1 46.Re5xe1 Qd7-b5 47.Bb2-c3
Bg6-c2 48.Re1-c1 Qb5xb3 49.Bc3-d2
Qb3-d3 50.h3-h4 Qd3-f5 51.g2-g3
f4xg3+ 52.Kh2xg3 Bc2-d3 53.Bd2-f4
Qf5-g6+ 54.Bf4-g5 Qg6-d6+
55.Kg3-g2 -1.39/13 ] 45.Re5-g5?
[ 45.h3-h4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45.h3-h4 Bb4-e1 46.Bb2-a3 Be1xh4
47.Ba3-c5 Bh4-f6 48.Re5-e6 Rb1xb3
49.Re6-d6 Qd7-f5 50.Qe2-f2 Rb3-b1
51.Kh2-g1 Qf5-g5 52.Qf2-e2 h5-h4
53.Kg1-h1 Qg5-f5 54.Kh1-g1 Bg6-f7
-1.25/14 ] 45...Qd7-c6 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 45...Qd7-c6 46.Qe2-f2
Qc6-c2 47.Qf2xc2 Bg6xc2
48.Rg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 49.Rh5xd5
Rb1xb2 50.Rd5-b5 Rb2xb3 51.d4-d5
Bb4-d6 52.Rb5-a5 Rb3-d3 53.Ra5-a6
Bd6-e7 54.Ra6-a2 Bc2-b3 55.Ra2-d2
Rd3xd2 56.Nf1xd2 Bb3xd5 57.Kh2-g1

Bd5-b7 58.Kg1-f2 Kg8-f7 59.Nd2-e4


Bb7-c6 60.Ne4-c3 Kf7-e6 61.Kf2-e2
Ke6-e5 62.Ke2-d3 Bc6-e8 63.Nc3-e4
Be8-b5+ 64.Kd3-c3 -3.14/17 ]
46.Rg5-e5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
46.h3-h4 Qc6-c2 47.Qe2xc2 Bg6xc2
48.Rg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 49.Rh5xd5
Rb1xb2 50.Kh2-h3 Bc2xb3 51.Rd5-e5
Bb4-d6 52.Re5-e1 Kg8-f7 53.Kh3-h2
g7-g6 54.Kh2-g1 Bb3-d5 55.Re1-a1
Bd6-f8 56.Ra1-a7+ Kf7-e6
57.Ra7-a6+ Ke6-f5 -3.06/15 ]
46...Qc6-c2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
46...Qc6-c2 47.Qe2xc2 Bg6xc2
48.Re5xh5+ Kh7-g8 49.Rh5xd5
Rb1xb2 50.Rd5-b5 Rb2xb3 51.d4-d5
Bb4-d6 52.Rb5-a5 Rb3-d3 53.Ra5-a6
Bd6-e7 54.Ra6-a2 Bc2-b3 55.Ra2-d2
Rd3xd2 56.Nf1xd2 Bb3xd5 57.Kh2-g1
Bd5-b7 58.Kg1-f2 Kg8-f7 59.Nd2-e4
Bb7-c6 60.Ne4-c3 Kf7-e6 61.Kf2-e2
Ke6-e5 62.Ke2-d3 Bc6-e8 63.Nc3-e4
Be8-b5+ 64.Kd3-c3 -3.25/16 ]
47.Re5xh5+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47.Qe2xc2 Bg6xc2 48.Re5xh5+
Kh7-g8 49.Rh5xd5 Rb1xb2 50.Rd5-b5
Rb2xb3 51.d4-d5 Bb4-d6 52.Rb5-a5
Rb3-d3 53.Ra5-a6 Bd6-e7 54.Ra6-a2
Bc2-b3 55.Ra2-d2 Rd3xd2 56.Nf1xd2
Bb3xd5 57.Kh2-g1 Bd5-b7 58.Kg1-f2
Kg8-f7 59.Nd2-e4 Bb7-c6 60.Ne4-c3
Kf7-e6 61.Kf2-e2 Ke6-e5 62.Ke2-d3
Bc6-e8 63.Nc3-e4 Be8-b5+
64.Kd3-c3 -3.49/17 ] 47...Kh7-g8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 47...Kh7-g8
48.Qe2xc2 Bg6xc2 49.Rh5xd5
Rb1xb2 50.Rd5-b5 Rb2xb3 51.h3-h4
Bb4-c3 52.Rb5xb3 Bc2xb3 53.g2-g3
f4xg3+ 54.Kh2xg3 Bc3xd4 55.Nf1-d2
Bb3-d5 56.Kg3-f4 Bd4-f6 57.h4-h5
Kg8-f7 58.Nd2-e4 Bf6-d4 59.Kf4-g5
Kf7-e6 60.Kg5-f4 Bd5-c6 61.Ne4-g5+
Ke6-d5 62.Ng5-e4 Bc6-d7 -3.24/15 ]
48.Qe2-e6+ [ 48.Qe2xc2 is not the
saving move Bg6xc2 49.Rh5xd5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

133

56.Qd5-f5+ Kf8-e7 57.Qf5-e4+


Rb1xb2-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
Ke7-d8 58.Qe4-d5+ Kd8-c7
48.Qe2xc2 Bg6xc2 49.Rh5xd5
59.Qd5-f7+ Kc7-b6 60.Qf7-e6+
Rb1xb2 50.Rd5-b5 Rb2xb3 51.h3-h4
Kb6-a5 61.Qe6-e5+ Qf1-b5
Bb4-c3 52.Rb5xb3 Bc2xb3 53.g2-g3
62.Qe5xg7 Bb4-d6 63.h3-h4 Rb2xb3
f4xg3+ 54.Kh2xg3 Bc3xd4 55.Nf1-d2
64.Qg7-g6 Qb5-d5 -5.70/14 ]
Bb3-d5 56.Kg3-f4 Kg8-f7 57.h4-h5
Kf7-e6 58.Nd2-e4 Bd5-c4 59.Ne4-g5+ 50...Qc2-c6 [ 50...Qc2xb2?!
Ke6-d5 60.Ng5-e4 Bd4-e5+
is impossible 51.Qf7-h5+ Kh8-g8
61.Kf4-f5 -3.54/16 ] 48...Bg6-f7
52.Qh5xd5+ Kg8-f8 53.Qd5-f5+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 48...Bg6-f7
Kf8-e7 54.Qf5-e5+ Ke7-d8
49.Qe6-f5 Qc2xf5 50.Rh5xf5 Rb1xb2
55.Qe5-d5+ Kd8-c7 56.Qd5-c4+
51.Kh2-g1 Bb4-d6 52.Nf1-h2 Bf7-e6
Kc7-d7 57.Qc4-b5+ Kd7-e6
53.Rf5-g5 Rb2-b1+ 54.Kg1-f2 Bd6-e7
58.Qb5-e5+ Ke6-f7 59.Qe5-f5+
55.Rg5-h5 Be7-f6 56.Nh2-g4 Bf6xd4+ Kf7-e8 60.Qf5-b5+ Ke8-f7 61.Qb5-f5+
57.Kf2-e2 Rb1xb3 58.h3-h4 Rb3-a3
Kf7-g8 62.Qf5-d5+ Kg8-h7
59.Rh5-g5 Kg8-f7 60.Ng4-e5+
63.Qd5-h5+ Kh7-g8 64.Qh5-d5+= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 50...Qc2-c6
Bd4xe5 61.Rg5xe5 Ra3-a2+
62.Ke2-f1 Kf7-f6 63.Re5-e2 d5-d4
51.Kh2-g1 Qc6-b5 52.Kg1-h2 Rb1xb2
53.Qf7-h5+ Kh8-g8 54.Qh5-f5 Qb5-c6
64.Re2xa2 Be6xa2 -4.56/16 ]
55.Kh2-g1 Bb4-c3 56.Qf5xf4 Qc6-f6
49.Rh5-h8+ [ 49.Qe6-e5 cannot undo
what has already been done Bf7xh5
57.Qf4xf6 g7xf6 58.Kg1-h2 Bc3xd4
59.Kh2-g3 Kg8-g7 60.h3-h4 Kg7-g6
( 49...Rb1xb2?! 50.Rh5-g5 Qc2-h7
51.Qe5-b8+ Bb4-f8 52.Qb8xf4-+ ;
61.Kg3-h3 Bd4-e5 62.g2-g4 Rb2xb3
63.Nf1-d2 Rb3-a3 64.Kh3-g2 -5.99/15
49...Qc2xb2 50.Qe5-b8+ Bb4-f8
51.Rh5-h8+ Kg8xh8 52.Qb8xf8+
] 51.Bb2-c3 [ 51.Qf7-f5 is still a small
Bf7-g8 53.Qf8xf4-+ ; 49...Rb1xf1
chance Rb1xb2 52.Kh2-g1-+ ;
50.Qe5-b8+ Bb4-f8 51.Rh5-h8+
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 51.h3-h4
Kg8xh8 52.Qb8xf8+ Bf7-g8
Rb1xb2 52.Kh2-h3 Qc6-c8+
53.Qf8xf4-+ ) 50.Qe5xd5+ Kg8-f8-+ ;
53.Kh3-h2 Qc8-d8 54.Kh2-h3 Rb2-b1
55.Qf7-h5+ Kh8-g8 56.Nf1-h2 Bb4-d2
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 49.Qe6-e5
Bb4-f8 50.Qe5-f5 Qc2xf5 51.Rh5xf5
57.Qh5-g4 Bd2-e3 58.b3-b4 Rb1xb4
59.h4-h5 Be3xd4 60.Nh2-f1 Bd4-f6
Rb1xb2 52.Kh2-g1 Bf8-d6 53.Nf1-h2
61.Kh3-h2 Qd8-d6 62.Qg4-c8+ Bf6-d8
Bf7-e6 54.Rf5-g5 Rb2-b1+ 55.Kg1-f2
Bd6-e7 56.Rg5-h5 Be7-f6 57.Nh2-g4
63.Nf1-d2 Rb4-b2 64.Qc8-c3 Bd8-f6
-6.32/16 ] 51...Bb4xc3 [Worse is
Bf6xd4+ 58.Kf2-e2 Rb1xb3 59.h3-h4
Rb3-a3 60.Rh5-g5 Kg8-f7 61.Ng4-e5+ 51...Qc6xc3 52.Qf7-h5+ Kh8-g8
Bd4xe5 62.Rg5xe5 Ra3-a2+
53.Qh5xd5+ Kg8-h7 54.Qd5-e4+
Kh7-g8 55.Qe4xb1 Qc3xd4
63.Ke2-f1 Kf7-f6 64.Re5-e2 d5-d4
65.Re2xa2 Be6xa2 -4.80/17 ]
56.Qb1-c2+- ; 51...Rb1xf1?! 52.Bc3xb4
49...Kg8xh8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
Qc6-c1 53.Qf7-e8+ Kh8-h7
49...Kg8xh8 -5.10/1 ] 50.Qe6xf7
54.Qe8-h5+ Kh7-g8 55.Qh5xd5+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 50.Qe6xf7
Kg8-h7 56.Qd5-f5+ Kh7-h8
Qc2-c6 51.Kh2-g1 Qc6-b5 52.Kg1-h2
57.Qf5-h5+ Kh8-g8 58.Qh5-d5+
Rb1xb2 53.Qf7-h5+ Kh8-g8 54.Qh5-f5 Kg8-h7 59.Qd5-e4+ Kh7-h6
Qb5xf1 55.Qf5xd5+ Kg8-f8
60.Qe4-e6+ Kh6-h7 61.Qe6-f5+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Kh7-h6 62.Qf5-e6+ Kh6-h7
63.Qe6-f5+= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
51...Bb4xc3 52.Qf7-h5+ Kh8-g8
53.Qh5-e5 Rb1xf1 54.Qe5-e2 Rf1-c1
55.Qe2-e5 Rc1-d1 56.Qe5xf4 Bc3xd4
57.h3-h4 Qc6-f6 58.Qf4-g4 Qf6-e5+
59.f3-f4 Bd4-g1+ 60.Kh2-h3 Rd1-d3+
61.g2-g3 Qe5-e4 62.Qg4-g5 Rd3xb3
63.Qg5-d8+ Kg8-h7 64.Qd8-c7
Qe4-h1+ 65.Kh3-g4 Qh1-f3+
66.Kg4-f5 Qf3xg3 -9.23/14 ]
52.Qf7-f8+ [ 52.Qf7xf4 doesn't get the
bull off the ice Rb1xf1 53.h3-h4
Rf1-d1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
52.Qf7-h5+ Kh8-g8 53.Qh5-e5 Rb1xf1
54.Qe5-e2 Rf1-c1 55.Qe2-e5 Rc1-d1
56.Qe5xf4 Bc3xd4 57.h3-h4 Qc6-f6
58.Qf4-g4 Qf6-e5+ 59.f3-f4 Bd4-g1+
60.Kh2-h3 Rd1-d3+ 61.g2-g3 Qe5-e4
62.Qg4-g5 Rd3xb3 63.Qg5-d8+
Kg8-h7 64.Qd8-c7 Qe4-h1+
65.Kh3-g4 Qh1-f3+ 66.Kg4-f5
Qf3xg3 -9.23/15 ] 52...Kh8-h7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 52...Kh8-h7
-4.52/1 ] 53.Qf8-f5+ [ 53.Qf8xf4
a fruitless try to alter the course of the
game Rb1xf1 54.Qf4-e3 Qc6-d6+
55.f3-f4 Qd6xf4+ 56.Qe3xf4 Rf1xf4-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 53.Qf8xf4
Rb1xf1 54.Qf4-e5 Rf1-d1 55.h3-h4
Bc3xd4 56.Qe5-g5 Qc6-g6 57.Kh2-g3
Qg6xg5+ 58.h4xg5 Rd1-b1 59.Kg3-g4
Rb1xb3 60.f3-f4 Bd4-f2 61.f4-f5
d5-d4 62.Kg4-f4 d4-d3 63.Kf4-f3
Bf2-d4 64.g2-g3 Rb3-b1 65.g5-g6+
Kh7-h6 -10.49/17 ] 53...Qc6-g6
[ 53...Qc6-g6 54.Qf5xf4 Rb1xf1
55.Qf4-h4+ Qg6-h6 56.Qh4xh6+
Kh7xh6-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
53...Qc6-g6 54.Qf5xf4 Rb1xf1
55.Qf4-h4+ Qg6-h6 56.Qh4xh6+
Kh7xh6 57.Kh2-g3 Bc3xd4 58.Kg3-f4
Rf1-b1 59.Kf4-f5 Bd4-c3 60.g2-g4
Rb1xb3 61.h3-h4 g7-g6+ 62.Kf5-f4
Bc3-e1 63.Kf4-e5 Rb3xf3 64.h4-h5

134
g6xh5 65.g4xh5 Rf3-d3 66.Ke5-e6
Kh6xh5 67.Ke6-f5 Rd3-e3 68.Kf5-f4
d5-d4 -11.15/17 ]
0-1

E43

Artur Yusupov
Vassily Ivanchuk
Bruxelles 52/573 (8)

1991

E43: Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein: 4...b6


1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6
3.Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4 4.e2-e3 b7-b6
Diagram

rnlqk+ r
p pp+ppp
p +pn +
+ + + +
lPP + +
+ N P +
PP + PPP
R LQKLNR

505

5.Bf1-d3 Bc8-b7 6.Ng1-f3 0-0 7.0-0


c7-c5 8.Bc1-d2 c5xd4 9.e3xd4
d7-d5 10.c4xd5 Nf6xd5 11.Ra1-c1
[ RR 11.Nc3-e4 Nb8-c6 12.Ra1-c1
Bb4-e7 13.Bd2-e3 Ra8-c8 14.a2-a3
Rc8-c7 15.Qd1-e2 Qd8-a8 16.Ne4-c3
Nd5xc3 17.Rc1xc3 Be7-f6 18.Rf1-c1
Rc7-c8 19.Qe2-c2 g7-g6 20.Qc2-a4
Nc6-e7 21.Rc3xc8 Ne7xc8 22.Nf3-e1
Nc8-e7 23.Bd3-a6 Ne7-d5 24.Ba6xb7
Qa8xb7 25.Qa4-c6 Qb7xc6
Stettler,M (2263)-Schmidt,J (2319)/
Germany 2006/EXT 2007/- (34) ]
11...Nb8-c6N [RR 11...Nd5-f6
12.a2-a3 Bb4-e7 13.Rf1-e1 Nb8-c6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

135

14.Bd2-f4 Ra8-c8 15.Bd3-b1 Nc6-a5


16.Nf3-e5 Na5-c4 17.Ne5xc4 Rc8xc4
18.Bf4-e5 Rc4-c8 19.Qd1-d3 g7-g6
20.Qd3-h3 Nf6-d7 21.Be5-g3 Nd7-f6
22.Bg3-e5 Nf6-d7 23.Be5-g3 Nd7-f6
24.Bg3-e5 Nf6-d7 - Bareev,E
(2675)-Timman,J (2635)/Wijk aan Zee
1995/CBM 045 ] 12.Rf1-e1 Ra8-c8
13.Re1-e4 Nc6-e7 14.Nc3xd5
Ne7xd5 15.Re4-h4 g7-g6 16.Rc1xc8
Qd8xc8 Diagram

+q+ rk+
pl+ +p+p
p +p+p+
+ +n+ +
l P + R
+ +L+N+
PP L PPP
+ +Q+ K

+ + k +
p q +r+
lp +L+Q+
+ +n+ +
l P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

507

506

Pro x64: 21.Bd3-h7+ Kg8-g7


22.Qh3xh5 Be7xg5 23.Qh5xg5+
Kg7xh7 24.Qg5-h4+ Kh7-g8
25.Qh4-g3+ Kg8-h7 26.Qg3-h3+
Kh7-g7 27.Qh3-g4+ Kg7-h8
28.Qg4-h4+ Kh8-g7 29.Bd2-h6+
Kg7-h8 30.Bh6-f4+ Kh8-g8
31.Qh4-g5+ Kg8-h7 32.Qg5-h5+
Kh7-g8 33.Qh5-g4+ Diagram

(Diagram 507)

+q+ rk+
p + +p+
lp +p+ +
+ +n+ +
+ P LQ+
+ + + +
PP + PPP
+ + + K

28.Bd2-h6+ Rf7-g7 29.Qg6-f5+


Kf8-e8 30.Be6xd5 Rg7-e7 31.Bd5-e6
Re7xe6 32.Qf5xe6+ Qc7-e7
33.Qe6-c6+ Ke8-f7 34.Qc6-f3+ Kf7-g6
35.Bh6-e3 Bb4-d6 36.Qf3-g4+ Kg6-f7
37.Qg4-f5+ Kf7-e8 38.a2-a3 0.13/16 ]
21.Bd3-h7+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c

Kg8-h7 34.Qg4-h4+ Kh7-g7


35.Qh4-g3+ Kg7-h7 36.Qg3-h3+
Kh7-g7 37.Qh3-g4+ Kg7-h8
38.Qg4-h5+ Kh8-g8 39.Qh5-g4+
-0.06/17 ]
21...Kg8-g7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

17.Nf3-g5 Bb4-e7 18.Qd1-g4


Bb7-a6 19.Qg4-h3 h7-h5 20.Rh4xh5
last book move last book move g6xh5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...g6xh5
21.Bd3-h7+ Kg8-g7 22.Qh3xh5
Be7-b4 23.Ng5xf7 Rf8xf7 24.Qh5-h6+
Kg7-h8 25.Bh7-f5+ Kh8-g8
26.Qh6-g6+ Kg8-f8 27.Bf5xe6 Qc8-c7
Diagram

508

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+q+ rk+
p + lp+L
lp +p+ +
+ +n+ Np
+ P + +
+ + + +Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

136

509

21...Kg8-g7 22.Qh3xh5 Be7xg5


23.Qh5xg5+ Kg7xh7 24.Qg5-h4+
Kh7-g8 25.Qh4-g5+ Kg8-h7
26.Qg5-h4+ 0.00/18 ] 22.Qh3xh5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.Qh3xh5
Be7xg5 23.Qh5xg5+ Kg7xh7
24.Qg5-h4+ Kh7-g8 25.Qh4-g3+
Kg8-h7 26.Qg3-h3+ Kh7-g7
27.Qh3-g4+ Kg7-h7 28.Qg4-h5+
Kh7-g8 29.Qh5-g5+ Kg8-h7
30.Qg5-h4+ -0.06/17 ] 22...Nd5-f6
[ 22...Be7-b4!? Diagram

+q+ r +
p + +pkL
lp +p+ +
+ +n+ NQ
l P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

+ + + +
pkl +Q+
lp + + +
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + + +
PPqL PPP
+ + + K

510

511

(Diagram 510)
23.Ng5xf7 Rf8xf7 24.Qh5-h6+
Kg7-h8 25.Bh7-f5+ Kh8-g8 26.Bf5xe6
Qc8-c2 27.Be6xf7+ Kg8xf7
28.Qh6-h5+ Kf7-e7 29.Qh5-e5+
Ke7-d7 30.Qe5xd5+ Bb4-d6
31.Qd5-f7+ Kd7-c8 32.Qf7-e6+
Kc8-c7 33.Qe6-f7+ Kc7-b8
34.Qf7-e8+ Kb8-b7 35.Qe8-f7+
Bd6-c7 Diagram
(Diagram 511)
36.Qf7-f3+ Kb7-b8 37.Qf3-f8+
Ba6-c8 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Be7-b4 23.Ng5xf7 Rf8xf7

24.Qh5-h6+ Kg7-h8 25.Bh7-f5+


Kh8-g8 26.Qh6-g6+ Kg8-f8 27.Bf5xe6
Qc8-c7 28.Bd2-h6+ Rf7-g7
29.Qg6-f5+ Kf8-e8 30.Be6xd5 Rg7-e7
31.Bd5-e6 Re7xe6 32.Qf5xe6+
Qc7-e7 33.Qe6-c6+ Ke8-f7
34.Qc6-f3+ Kf7-g6 35.Bh6-e3 Bb4-d6
36.Qf3-g4+ Kg6-f7 37.Qg4-f5+
Diagram
(Diagram 512)
Kf7-g7 38.Qf5-g4+ Kg7-f7
39.Qg4-f5+ 0.16/14 ] 23.Ng5xe6+=
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.Ng5xe6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
p + qk+
lp l + +
+ + +Q+
+ P + +
+ + L +
PP + PPP
+ + + K

137
28.Qh4-g3+ Kg7-h8 29.Qg3-h3+
Kh8-g7 30.Bf5xe6 Qc8xe6 31.Qh3xe6
Diagram
512

f7xe6 24.Qh5-h6+ Kg7-h8 25.Bh7-f5+


Kh8-g8 26.Qh6-g5+ Kg8-h8
27.Qg5-h4+ Kh8-g7 28.Qh4-g3+
Kg7-h8 29.Qg3-h3+ Kh8-g7
30.Bf5xe6 Qc8xe6 31.Qh3xe6 Rf8-e8
32.Bd2-g5 Ba6-b5 33.h2-h4 a7-a6
34.Qe6xb6 Be7-d8 35.Qb6-b7+
Kg7-g6 36.Bg5-e3 Re8-e7 Diagram

+ l + +
+Q+ r +
p+ + nk+
+l+ + +
+ P + P
+ + L +
PP + PP+
+ + + K

513

37.Qb7-f3 Re7-h7 38.Qf3-g3+ Kg6-f7


39.Be3-d2 Nf6-e4 40.Qg3-b8 Bd8-e7
41.Qb8-f4+ Ne4-f6 2.30/16 ] 23...f7xe6
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...f7xe6 24.Qh5-h6+ Kg7-h8
25.Bh7-f5+ Kh8-g8 26.Qh6-g5+
Kg8-h8 27.Qg5-h4+ Kh8-g7

+ + r +
p + l k
lp +Qn +
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

514

Rf8-e8 32.Bd2-g5 Ba6-b5 33.h2-h4


a7-a6 34.Qe6xb6 Be7-d8 35.Qb6-b7+
Kg7-g6 36.Bg5-e3 Re8-e7 37.Qb7-f3
Re7-h7 38.Qf3-g3+ Kg6-f7 39.Be3-d2
Nf6-e4 40.Qg3-b8 Bd8-e7 41.Qb8-f4+
Ne4-f6 2.54/17 ]

+q+ r +
p + l kL
lp +pn +
+ + + +Q
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

515

24.Qh5-h6+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


24.Qh5-h6+ Diagram
Kg7-h8 25.Bh7-f5+ Kh8-g8
26.Qh6-g5+ Kg8-h8 27.Qg5-h4+
Kh8-g7 28.Qh4-g3+ Kg7-h8
29.Qg3-h3+ Kh8-g8 30.Bf5xe6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+q+ r +
p + l kL
lp +pn Q
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

138

516

Qc8xe6 31.Qh3xe6+ Rf8-f7 32.d4-d5


Ba6-b5 33.Bd2-c3 Bb5-d7 34.Qe6-e5
Be7-f8 35.f2-f3 Bf8-g7 36.g2-g4
Nf6xg4 37.Qe5-b8+ Rf7-f8 38.Qb8xa7
Bg7xc3 39.b2xc3 Ng4-e5 Diagram

+ + rk+
Q +l+ +
p + + +
+ +Pn +
+ + + +
+ P +P+
P+ + + P
+ + + K

517

40.Kg1-g2 Kg8-h7 41.Qa7-c7


Rf8-g8+ 42.Kg2-f2 Rg8-g5 43.d5-d6
2.24/14 ] 24...Kg7-h8 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 24...Kg7-h8 Diagram
(Diagram 518)
25.Bh7-f5+ Kh8-g8 26.Qh6-g5+
Kg8-h8 27.Qg5-h4+ Kh8-g7
28.Qh4-g3+ Kg7-h8 29.Qg3-h3+

+q+ r k
p + l +L
lp +pn Q
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

518

Kh8-g8 30.Bf5xe6+ Qc8xe6


31.Qh3xe6+ Rf8-f7 32.d4-d5 Ba6-b5
Diagram

+ + +k+
p + lr+
p +Qn +
+l+P+ +
+ + + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

519

33.Bd2-c3 Bb5-d7 34.Qe6-e5 Be7-f8


35.f2-f3 Bf8-g7 36.g2-g4 Nf6xg4
37.Qe5-b8+ Rf7-f8 38.Qb8xa7
Bg7xc3 39.b2xc3 Ng4-e5 40.Kg1-g2
Kg8-h7 41.Qa7-c7 Rf8-g8+ 42.Kg2-f2
Rg8-g5 43.d5-d6 2.46/15 Diagram
(Diagram 520)
] 25.Bh7-f5+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25.Bh7-f5+ Diagram
Kh8-g8 26.Qh6-g5+ Kg8-h8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ Ql+ +k
p P + +
+ + n r
+ + + +
+ P +P+
P+ + K P
+ + + +

+q+ r k
p + l +
lp +pn Q
+ + +L+
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

139

520

521

27.Qg5-h4+ Kh8-g7 28.Qh4-g3+


Kg7-h8 29.Qg3-h3+ Kh8-g7
30.Bf5xe6 Diagram
(Diagram 522)
Qc8xe6 31.Qh3xe6 Rf8-e8 32.Bd2-g5
Ba6-b5 33.h2-h4 a7-a6 34.Qe6xb6
Be7-d8 35.Qb6-b7+ Kg7-g6
36.Bg5-e3 Re8-e7 37.Qb7-f3 Re7-h7
38.Qf3-g3+ Kg6-f7 39.Be3-g5 Rh7-h8
40.Qg3-e5 Rh8-e8 2.36/16 ]
25...Kh8-g8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25...Kh8-g8 Diagram
26.Qh6-g5+ Kg8-h8 27.Qg5-h4+

+q+ r +
p + l k
lp +Ln +
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + + +Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

+q+ rk+
p + l +
lp +pn Q
+ + +L+
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

522

523

Kh8-g7 28.Qh4-g3+ Kg7-h8


29.Qg3-h3+ Kh8-g8 30.Bf5xe6+
Qc8xe6 31.Qh3xe6+ Rf8-f7 32.d4-d5
Ba6-b5 33.Bd2-c3 Bb5-d7 34.Qe6-e5
Be7-f8 35.f2-f3 Bf8-g7 36.g2-g4
Nf6-e8 37.Qe5-e2 Bg7-h6 38.h2-h4
Bh6-f4 39.Kg1-g2 Ne8-f6 40.Qe2-c4
Bf4-d6 Diagram
(Diagram 524)
41.h4-h5 2.43/14 ]
26.Qh6-g5+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26.Qh6-g5+ Diagram
Kg8-h8 27.Qg5-h4+ Kh8-g7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
p +l+r+
p l n +
+ +P+ +
+Q+ +PP
+ L +P+
PP + +K+
+ + + +

+q+ rk+
p + l +
lp +pn Q
+ + +L+
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

+q+ rk+
p + l +
lp +pn +
+ + +LQ
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K
28.Qh4-g3+ Kg7-h8 29.Qg3-h3+

140
Kh8-g8 30.Bf5xe6+ Qc8xe6
31.Qh3xe6+ Rf8-f7 32.d4-d5 Ba6-b5
Diagram
524

+ + +k+
p + lr+
p +Qn +
+l+P+ +
+ + + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K
525

526

527

33.Bd2-c3 Bb5-d7 34.Qe6-e5 Be7-f8


35.f2-f3 Bf8-g7 36.g2-g4 Nf6-e8
37.Qe5-e2 Bg7-f8 38.Qe2-d3 Bf8-d6
39.Kg1-g2 Kg8-f8 40.h2-h4 Kf8-e7
41.Qd3-e3+ Ke7-f8 42.g4-g5 2.24/15 ]
26...Kg8-h8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26...Kg8-h8 Diagram

+q+ r k
p + l +
lp +pn +
+ + +LQ
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

528

27.Qg5-h4+ Kh8-g7 28.Qh4-g3+


Kg7-h8 29.Qg3-h3+ Kh8-g8
30.Bf5xe6+ Qc8xe6 31.Qh3xe6+
Rf8-f7 32.d4-d5 Ba6-b5 33.Bd2-c3
Bb5-d7 34.Qe6-e5 Be7-f8 35.f2-f3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

141

Bf8-g7 36.g2-g4 Nf6-e8 37.Qe5-e2


Bg7-f8 38.Qe2-d3 Bf8-d6 39.Kg1-g2
Kg8-f8 40.h2-h4 Kf8-e7 41.Qd3-e3+
Ke7-f8 Diagram

+ +nk +
p +l+r+
p l + +
+ +P+ +
+ + +PP
+ L QP+
PP + +K+
+ + + +

529

531

Rf7-d7 43.Bc3xg7 Kg6xg7 44.Kg1-f2


2.34/17 ]

42.g4-g5 2.46/16 ]

+q+ r k
p + l +
lp +pn +
+ + +LQ
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

+ + +k+
p + lr+
lp +Qn +
+ +P+ +
+ + + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

530

27.Qg5-h4+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 27.Qg5-h4+ Kh8-g7
28.Qh4-g3+ Kg7-h8 29.Qg3-h3+
Kh8-g8 30.Bf5xe6+ Qc8xe6
31.Qh3xe6+ Rf8-f7 32.d4-d5 Diagram
Ba6-b5 33.Bd2-c3 Bb5-d7 34.Qe6-e5
Be7-f8 35.f2-f3 Bf8-g7 36.g2-g4
Kg8-h7 37.g4-g5 Nf6-h5 38.Qe5-e4+
Bd7-f5 39.Qe4-e8 Kh7-g6 40.h2-h4
Bf5-d7 41.Qe8-e4+ Bd7-f5 42.Qe4-a4

+q+ r k
p + l +
lp +pn +
+ + +L+
+ P + Q
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

532

27...Kh8-g8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 27...Kh8-g7 28.Qh4-h6+
Diagram
(Diagram 533)
Kg7-g8 0.15/14 ]
(Diagram 534)
28.Qh4-g5+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 28.Qh4-g3+ Kg8-h8
29.Qg3-h3+ Kh8-g8 30.Bf5xe6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+q+ r +
p + l k
lp +pn Q
+ + +L+
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

+q+ rk+
p + l +
lp +pn +
+ + +L+
+ P + Q
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

142

533

534

Qc8xe6 31.Qh3xe6+ Rf8-f7 32.d4-d5


Ba6-b5 33.Bd2-c3 Bb5-d7 34.Qe6-e5
Be7-f8 35.f2-f3 Bf8-g7 Diagram
(Diagram 535)
36.g2-g4 Nf6-e8 37.Qe5-e2 Bg7-f8
38.Qe2-d3 Bf8-d6 39.Kg1-g2 Kg8-f8
40.h2-h4 Diagram
(Diagram 536)
Kf8-e7 41.Qd3-e3+ Ke7-f8 2.24/15 ]
28...Kg8-h8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28...Kg8-h8 0.15/17 Diagram

+ + +k+
p +l+rl
p + n +
+ +PQ +
+ + + +
+ L +P+
PP + +PP
+ + + K

+ +nk +
p +l+r+
p l + +
+ +P+ +
+ + +PP
+ LQ+P+
PP + +K+
+ + + +

+q+ rk+
p + l +
lp +pn +
+ + +LQ
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

535

536

537

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+q+ r k
p + l +
lp +pn +
+ + +LQ
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

143

538

] 29.Qg5-h4+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


29.Qg5-h6+ Diagram

+q+ r k
p + l +
lp +pn Q
+ + +L+
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

539

Kh8-g8 -0.14/18 ] 29...Kh8-g8??


hands over the advantage to the
opponent [ 29...Kh8-g7 30.Qh4-g3+
Kg7-h8 31.Qg3-h3+ Kh8-g8 Diagram
(Diagram 540)
32.Bf5xe6+ Qc8xe6 33.Qh3xe6+
Rf8-f7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29...Kh8-g8 30.Qh4-g3+ Kg8-h8
31.Qg3-h3+ Kh8-g8 32.Bf5xe6+
Qc8xe6 33.Qh3xe6+ Rf8-f7 34.d4-d5
Ba6-b5 35.d5-d6 Diagram

+q+ rk+
p + l +
lp +pn +
+ + +L+
+ P + +
+ + + +Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

+ + +k+
p + lr+
p PQn +
+l+ + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

540

541

Bb5-d7 36.Qe6-e5 Nf6-g4 37.Qe5-d5


Be7-h4 38.g2-g3 Bh4-f6 39.Qd5-a8+
Kg8-g7 40.Qa8xa7 Bf6xb2
41.Qa7xb6 0.15/26 ] 30.Qh4-g3++[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.Qh4-g3+
Kg8-h8 Diagram
(Diagram 542)
31.Qg3-h3+ Kh8-g8 32.Bf5xe6+
Qc8xe6 33.Qh3xe6+ Rf8-f7 34.d4-d5
Ba6-b5 Diagram
35.d5-d6 Bb5-d7 36.Qe6-e5 Nf6-g4
37.Qe5-d5 Be7-h4 38.g2-g3 Bh4-f6
39.Qd5-a8+ Kg8-g7 40.Qa8xa7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+q+ r k
p + l +
lp +pn +
+ + +L+
+ P + +
+ + + Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

+ + +k+
p + lr+
p +Qn +
+l+P+ +
+ + + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

144
Ne8-f6 40.Qe2-d3 Bg7-h6 41.Kg1-g2
Diagram
542

+ + +k+
p +l+r+
p + n l
+ +P+ +
+ + +P+
+ LQ+P+
PP + +KP
+ + + +

544

Kg8-g7 42.Bc3-e5 Bh6-g5 2.06/13 ]


543

Bf6xb2 41.Qa7xb6 1.89/11 ]


30...Kg8-h8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30...Kg8-h8 31.Qg3-h3+ Kh8-g8
32.Bf5xe6+ Qc8xe6 33.Qh3xe6+
Rf8-f7 34.d4-d5 Ba6-b5 35.Bd2-c3
Bb5-d7 36.Qe6-e5 Be7-f8 37.f2-f3
Bf8-g7 38.g2-g4 Nf6-e8 39.Qe5-e2
Ne8-f6 40.Qe2-d3 Bg7-h6 41.Kg1-g2
Kg8-g7 42.Bc3-e5 Bh6-g5 2.29/12 ]
31.Qg3-h3+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 31.Qg3-h3+ Kh8-g8
32.Bf5xe6+ Qc8xe6 33.Qh3xe6+
Rf8-f7 34.d4-d5 Ba6-b5 35.Bd2-c3
Bb5-d7 36.Qe6-e5 Be7-f8 37.f2-f3
Bf8-g7 38.g2-g4 Nf6-e8 39.Qe5-e2

+q+ r k
p + l +
lp +pn +
+ + +L+
+ P + +
+ + + +Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

545

31...Kh8-g7 Diagram [ 31...Kh8-g8


doesn't get the bull off the ice
32.Bf5xe6+ Diagram
(Diagram 546)
Qc8xe6 33.Qh3xe6+ Rf8-f7+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31...Kh8-g8
32.Bf5xe6+ Qc8xe6 33.Qh3xe6+
Rf8-f7 34.d4-d5 Ba6-b5 35.Bd2-c3
Bb5-d7 36.Qe6-e5 Be7-f8 37.f2-f3
Bf8-g7 38.g2-g4 Nf6-e8 39.Qe5-e2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+q+ rk+
p + l +
lp +Ln +
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + + +Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

145

546

Ne8-f6 40.Qe2-d3 Bg7-h6 41.Kg1-g2


Kg8-g7 Diagram

+ + + +
p +l+rk
p + n l
+ +P+ +
+ + +P+
+ LQ+P+
PP + +KP
+ + + +

547

42.Bc3-e5 Bh6-g5 2.29/14 ]


(Diagram 548)
32.Qh3-g3+ Diagram [ 32.Bf5xe6
and White has reached his goal Nf6-g8
33.Qh3-g3+ ( 33.Be6xc8 Ba6xc8
34.Qh3-g3+ Kg7-f7+- ) 33...Kg7-h7
34.Be6xc8 Ba6xc8 35.d4-d5+Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32.Bf5xe6
Qc8xe6 33.Qh3xe6 Rf8-e8 34.Bd2-g5
Ba6-b5 35.h2-h4 a7-a6 36.Qe6xb6

+q+ r +
p + l k
lp +pn +
+ + +L+
+ P + +
+ + + +Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

+l+ rn+
p + l +k
p + + +
+ +P+ +
+ + + +
+ + + Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

548

549

Be7-d8 37.Qb6-b7+ Kg7-g6


38.Bg5-e3 Re8-e7 39.Qb7-f3 Re7-h7
40.Qf3-g3+ Kg6-f7 41.Be3-d2 Rh7-h8
42.Qg3-b8 Nf6-d7 43.Qb8-f4+ Bd8-f6
44.g2-g3 2.27/15 ]
(Diagram 550)
32...Kg7-h8= Twofold repetition
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32...Kg7-h8
Diagram
33.Qg3-h3+ Kh8-g7 34.Bf5xe6
Qc8xe6 35.Qh3xe6 Rf8-e8 36.Bd2-g5
Ba6-b5 37.h2-h4 a7-a6 38.Qe6xb6
Be7-d8 39.Qb6-b7+ Kg7-g6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+q+ r +
p + l k
lp +pn +
+ + +L+
+ P + +
+ + + Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

+q+ r k
p + l +
lp +pn +
+ + +L+
+ P + +
+ + + Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

146

550

551

40.Bg5-e3 Re8-e7 41.Qb7-f3 Re7-h7


42.Qf3-g3+ Kg6-f7 43.Be3-d2 Rh7-h8
44.Qg3-b8 Nf6-d7 45.Qb8-f4+ Bd8-f6
46.g2-g3 0.15/16 ] 33.Qg3-h3+
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33.Qg3-h3+ Kh8-g7 34.Bf5xe6
Qc8xe6 35.Qh3xe6 Rf8-e8 36.Bd2-g5
Ba6-b5 37.h2-h4 a7-a6 38.Qe6xb6
Be7-d8 39.Qb6-b7+ Kg7-g6
40.Bg5-e3 Re8-e7 41.Qb7-f3 Re7-h7
42.Qf3-g3+ Kg6-f7 43.Be3-d2 Rh7-h8
44.Qg3-b8 Nf6-d7 45.Qb8-f4+ Bd8-f6
46.g2-g3 -0.14/17 ]
33...Kh8-g7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Kh8-g7 Diagram

+q+ r k
p + l +
lp +pn +
+ + +L+
+ P + +
+ + + +Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

+q+ r +
p + l k
lp +pn +
+ + +L+
+ P + +
+ + + +Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

552

553

34.Bf5xe6 Qc8xe6 35.Qh3xe6 Rf8-e8


36.Bd2-g5 Ba6-b5 37.h2-h4 a7-a6
38.Qe6xb6 Be7-d8 39.Qb6-b7+
Kg7-g6 40.Bg5-e3 Re8-e7 41.Qb7-f3
Re7-h7 42.Qf3-g3+ Kg6-f7 43.Be3-d2
Rh7-h8 44.Qg3-b8 Nf6-d7 45.Qb8-f4+
Bd8-f6 46.g2-g3 0.15/13 ] 34.Bf5xe6
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34.Bf5xe6 Qc8xe6 35.Qh3xe6 Rf8-e8
36.Bd2-g5 Ba6-b5 37.h2-h4 a7-a6
38.Qe6xb6 Be7-d8 39.Qb6-b7+
Kg7-g6 Diagram
40.Bg5-e3 Re8-e7 41.Qb7-f3 Re7-h7
42.Qf3-g3+ Kg6-f7 43.Be3-d2 Rh7-h8
44.Qg3-b8 Nf6-d7 45.Qb8-f4+ Bd8-f6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ lr+ +
+Q+ + +
p+ + nk+
+l+ + L
+ P + P
+ + + +
PP + PP+
+ + + K

147

554

46.g2-g3 2.27/14 ]

+q+ r +
p + l k
lp +Ln +
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + + +Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

+ + r +
p + l k
lp +qn +
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + + +Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

556

Kg6-f7 43.Be3-d2 Rh7-h8 44.Qg3-b8


Nf6-d7 45.Qb8-f4+ Bd8-f6 46.g2-g3
2.49/15 ]
555

34...Qc8xe6 Diagram [ 34...Nf6-g8


a fruitless try to alter the course of the
game 35.Qh3-g3+ ( 35.Be6xc8
Ba6xc8 36.Qh3-g3+ Kg7-f7+- )
35...Kg7-h7 36.Be6xc8 Ba6xc8
37.Qg3-c7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34...Qc8xe6 Diagram
(Diagram 556)
35.Qh3xe6 Rf8-e8 36.Bd2-g5 Ba6-b5
37.h2-h4 a7-a6 38.Qe6xb6 Be7-d8
39.Qb6-b7+ Kg7-g6 40.Bg5-e3
Re8-e7 41.Qb7-f3 Re7-h7 42.Qf3-g3+

+ + r +
p + l k
lp +qn +
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + + +Q
PP L PPP
+ + + K

557

35.Qh3xe6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 35.Qh3xe6 Rf8-e8 36.Bd2-g5
Ba6-b5 37.h2-h4 a7-a6 38.Qe6xb6
Be7-d8 39.Qb6-b7+ Kg7-g6
40.Bg5-e3 Re8-h8 41.Qb7-c8 Bb5-d7
42.Qc8xa6 Rh8xh4 43.d4-d5 Kg6-f7
44.Qa6-b7 Kf7-g6 45.d5-d6 2.42/14 ]
35...Be7-d8 [ 35...Rf8-e8
doesn't improve anything 36.Bd2-g5
Nf6-g8 37.h2-h4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 35...Rf8-e8 Diagram
36.Bd2-g5 Ba6-b5 37.h2-h4 a7-a6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + r +
p + l k
lp +Qn +
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

+ +r+ +
p + l k
lp +Qn +
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + + +
PP L PPP
+ + + K

148

558

559

38.Qe6xb6 Be7-d8 39.Qb6-b7+


Kg7-g6 40.Bg5-e3 Re8-h8 41.Qb7-a8
Bb5-c4 42.g2-g4 Bc4-d5 43.h4-h5+
Kg6-f7 44.Qa8-c8 Rh8-g8 45.g4-g5
Bd8-e7 46.g5-g6+ Kf7-g7 2.07/15 ]
36.g2-g4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 36.g2-g4 Ba6-b7 37.g4-g5
Rf8-g8 38.f2-f3 Bb7-d5 39.Qe6-e5
Kg7-f7 40.Kg1-f2 Rg8-e8 41.Qe5-b8
Nf6-g8 42.Qb8xa7+ Diagram
Ng8-e7 43.Bd2-b4 Bd5-e6 44.h2-h4
Kf7-g6 45.Bb4xe7 Re8xe7 46.Qa7-a8
Bd8-c7 47.Qa8-e4+ Kg6-g7 48.d4-d5
2.70/14 ]
36...Rf8-e8 Diagram [ 36...Ba6-b7

+ lr+n+
Q + +k+
p + + +
+ +l+ P
+ P + +
+ + +P+
PP L K P
+ + + +

+ l r +
p + + k
lp +Qn +
+ + + +
+ P +P+
+ + + +
PP L P P
+ + + K

560

561

is not much help 37.g4-g5 Rf8-g8


38.h2-h4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36...Ba6-b7 37.g4-g5 Rf8-g8 38.f2-f3
Bb7-d5 39.Qe6-e5 Kg7-f7 40.Kg1-f2
Rg8-e8 41.Qe5-b8 Nf6-g8
42.Qb8xa7+ Ng8-e7 43.Bd2-b4
Diagram
(Diagram 562)
Bd5-e6 44.h2-h4 Kf7-g6 45.Bb4xe7
Re8xe7 46.Qa7-a8 Bd8-c7
47.Qa8-e4+ Kg6-g7 2.49/12 ]
37.Qe6-f5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.Qe6-f5 Ba6-c4 38.g4-g5 Bc4xa2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ lr+ +
Q + nk+
p + + +
+ +l+ P
L P + +
+ + +P+
PP + K P
+ + + +

+ lr+ +
p + + k
lp +Qn +
+ + + +
+ P +P+
+ + + +
PP L P P
+ + + K

149

562

563

39.g5xf6+ Bd8xf6 40.Bd2-h6+ Kg7-f7


41.Bh6-g5 Re8-e6 42.f2-f4 Kf7-g7
43.Bg5xf6+ Re6xf6 44.Qf5-e5 Ba2-e6
45.d4-d5 Be6-f5 46.d5-d6 Bf5-e6
47.Kg1-g2 Kg7-f7 48.Kg2-f3 Rf6-f5
49.Qe5-e4 3.40/14 ] 37...Ba6-c4
[ 37...Re8-g8 doesn't improve anything
38.g4-g5 Bd8-e7 39.g5xf6+ Be7xf6
40.Qf5-d7+ Kg7-h8+ 41.Kg1-h1+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37...Re8-e2
38.d4-d5 Nf6-h7 Diagram
39.Bd2-c3+ Bd8-f6 40.d5-d6 Bf6xc3
41.b2xc3 Nh7-f6 42.g4-g5 Re2-e1+
43.Kg1-g2 Nf6-h5 44.Qf5-d7+ Kg7-g6
45.Qd7xa7 Ba6-f1+ 46.Kg2-f3

+ l + +
p + + kn
lp + + +
+ +P+Q+
+ + +P+
+ + + +
PP LrP P
+ + + K

564

Bf1-e2+ 47.Kf3-e3 Be2-g4+


48.Ke3-d4 Kg6xg5 49.Qa7xb6 Nh5-f4
50.c3-c4 Re1-d1+ 51.Kd4-c3 3.08/13 ]
38.g4-g5 [ 38.g4-g5 Diagram

+ lr+ +
p + + k
p + n +
+ + +QP
+lP + +
+ + + +
PP L P P
+ + + K

565

Nf6-e4 39.Bd2-f4 Bd8xg5 40.Bf4-e5+


Bg5-f6 41.Qf5xe4 Bf6xe5 42.d4xe5
Bc4xa2 43.f2-f4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 38.g4-g5 Diagram
(Diagram 566)
Bc4xa2 39.g5xf6+ Bd8xf6
40.Bd2-h6+ Kg7-f7 41.Bh6-g5 Re8-e6
42.f2-f4 Kf7-g7 43.Bg5xf6+ Re6xf6
44.Qf5-e5 Ba2-e6 45.d4-d5 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ lr+ +
p + + k
p + n +
+ + +QP
+lP + +
+ + + +
PP L P P
+ + + K

+ + + +
p + + k
p +lr +
+ +PQ +
+ + P +
+ + + +
P + + P
+ + + K

150

566

567

Be6-f5 46.d5-d6 Bf5-e6 47.Kg1-g2


Kg7-f7 48.Kg2-f3 Rf6-f5 49.Qe5-e4
3.40/11 ]
1-0

r+lqklnr
+ppp+ppp
p+n+ + +
+ + p +
L+ +P+ +
+ + +N+
PPPP PPP
RNLQK +R

568

Ng8-f6 5.0-0 Bf8-e7 6.Rf1-e1 b7-b5


7.Ba4-b3 0-0 8.c2-c3 d7-d5 9.e4xd5
Nf6xd5 10.Nf3xe5 Nc6xe5
11.Re1xe5 c7-c6 12.Re5-e1 Be7-d6
13.d2-d3 Qd8-h4 14.g2-g3 Qh4-h3
15.Re1-e4 Bc8-d7 16.Nb1-d2 g7-g5
Diagram [RR 16...Ra8-e8 17.Re4xe8
Rf8xe8 18.Nd2-e4 Bd6-c7 19.Bc1-d2
Bd7-g4 20.Qd1-f1 Qh3-h5 21.Ra1-e1
h7-h6 22.Bb3xd5 c6xd5 23.Ne4-f6+
g7xf6 24.Re1xe8+ Kg8-g7 25.f2-f3
Bg4xf3 26.Bd2xh6+ Kg7-h7
27.Re8-e3 Bf3-e4 28.d3xe4 Qh5xh6
29.Re3-e2 Qh6-h5 30.Qf1-f5+ Qh5xf5
31.e4xf5 Gainullin,Y-Paley,A (1974)/
Penza 2006/EXT 2007/1-0 (35) ]
(Diagram 569)

17.Re4-e2 f7-f5 18.c3-c4N [RR


18.Nd2-e4 f5xe4 19.d3xe4 Bd7-g4
9
C89 20.e4xd5 c6-c5 21.Qd1-f1 Qh3-h5
Vassily Ivanchuk
22.Re2-e3 c5-c4 23.Bb3-c2 Bd6-c5
Gata Kamsky
24.Bc1-d2 Bc5xe3 25.Bd2xe3 Ra8-e8
56/379 Tilburg 56/379
1992 26.Ra1-e1 Bg4-f3 27.d5-d6 Bf3-c6
28.Qf1-e2 Qh5-h3 29.Qe2-f1 Qh3-e6
C89: Closed Ruy Lopez: Marshall
30.Bc2-d1 Qe6-d5 31.f2-f3 Qd5xd6
Attack
32.Be3-d4 Re8xe1 Anand,V (2670)1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
Kamsky,G (2655)/Dortmund 1992/CBM
3.Bf1-b5 a7-a6 4.Bb5-a4 Diagram
029/- (58) ] 18...f5-f4 19.Qd1-f1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + rk+
+ +l+p+p
p+pl + +
+p+n+ p
+ +R+ +
+LPP+ Pq
PP N P P
R LQ+ K

151

569

f4xg3 20.h2xg3 Qh3-h5 last book


move 21.c4xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.c4xd5 Bd6xg3 22.Qf1-g2 Qh5xe2
23.Qg2xg3 c6-c5 24.Nd2-e4 Ra8-e8
25.Bc1xg5 Rf8-f3 26.Qg3-h4 Rf3-h3
27.Qh4-f4 Rh3-f3 28.Qf4-d2 Qe2xd2
29.Bg5xd2 c5-c4 30.Bb3-d1 Rf3xd3
31.Ne4-f6+ Kg8-f7 32.Bd2-c3 Rd3xc3
33.Nf6xe8 Rc3-d3 34.Bd1-h5+ Kf7-f8
3.05/12 Diagram

+ +Nk +
+ +l+ +p
p+ + + +
+p+P+ +L
+p+ + +
+ +r+ +
PP + P +
R + + K

570

] 21...Bd7-g4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


21...Bd6xg3 Diagram
22.Qf1-g2 Qh5xe2 23.Qg2xg3 Rf8-f7
24.d5xc6 Bd7-e6 25.Nd2-e4 Be6xb3
26.a2xb3 Qe2-d1+ 27.Kg1-g2 g5-g4

r+ + rk+
+ +l+ +p
p+p+ + +
+p+P+ pq
+ + + +
+L+P+ l
PP NRP +
R L +QK

571

28.Qg3-e5 Ra8-f8 29.Qe5-g5+


Kg8-h8 30.Bc1-e3 Qd1xd3 31.Qg5xg4
Rf8-g8 32.Ne4-g5 Qd3-d5+ 33.Kg2-h2
Qd5-d6+ 34.Qg4-g3 Qd6-h6+ 3.07/13 ]
22.d5xc6+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 22.d5xc6+ Kg8-g7 23.Re2-e3
Ra8-c8 24.Nd2-e4 Bd6-e7 25.Bc1-d2
Rc8xc6 26.Bd2-c3+ Kg7-g6
27.Bb3-d1 Bg4xd1 28.Ra1xd1 h7-h6
29.Rd1-c1 Kg6-h7 30.a2-a3 g5-g4
31.Qf1-e2 Qh5-f5 32.Rc1-e1 Kh7-g8
5.61/16 ]
(Diagram 572)
22...Kg8-g7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Kg8-h8 23.Re2-e3 Bd6-c5
24.Nd2-e4 Bc5-d4 25.Bc1-d2 Ra8-e8
26.Bb3-d1 h7-h6 27.Bd1xg4 Qh5xg4
28.Bd2-c3 Bd4xc3 29.b2xc3 Re8-c8
30.a2-a4 Rc8xc6 31.a4xb5 a6xb5
32.Ra1-a7 Qg4-f5 33.Kg1-h2 6.00/14 ]
23.Re2-e4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.Re2-e3 Ra8-c8 24.Nd2-e4 Bd6-e7
25.Bc1-d2 Rc8xc6 26.Bd2-c3+
Kg7-g6 27.Bb3-d1 Bg4xd1 28.Ra1xd1
h7-h6 29.Rd1-c1 Kg6-h7 30.a2-a3
g5-g4 31.Qf1-e2 Qh5-f5 32.Rc1-e1
Kh7-g8 5.61/15 ] 23...Bd6xg3 Diagram
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Bd6xg3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + rk+
+ + + +p
p+Pl + +
+p+ + pq
+ + +l+
+L+P+ P
PP NRP +
R L +QK

152

572

24.f2xg3 Rf8xf1+ 25.Nd2xf1 Bg4-f3


26.Re4-e7+ Kg7-f6 27.Bc1xg5+
Qh5xg5 28.Re7-f7+ Kf6-g6 29.Rf7xf3
Diagram

r+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+P+ +k+
+p+ + q
+ + + +
+L+P+RP
PP + + +
R + +NK

573

Ra8-c8 30.Nf1-e3 Rc8xc6 31.Bb3-f7+


Kg6-g7 32.d3-d4 Rc6-f6 33.Ra1-f1
Rf6xf3 34.Rf1xf3 Qg5-d8 35.Bf7-d5
Qd8-a5 36.Ne3-f5+ Kg7-f6 37.Kg1-g2
Kf6-g5 38.Rf3-f1 Qa5-d2+ 39.Rf1-f2
Qd2-d3 40.a2-a3 3.94/16 ]
24.f2xg3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.f2xg3 Diagram
Rf8xf1+ 25.Nd2xf1 Bg4-f3
26.Re4-e7+ Kg7-f6 27.Bc1xg5+
Qh5xg5 28.Re7-f7+ Kf6-g6 29.Rf7xf3

r+ + r +
+ + + kp
p+P+ + +
+p+ + pq
+ +R+l+
+L+P+ l
PP N P +
R L +QK

r+ + r +
+ + + kp
p+P+ + +
+p+ + pq
+ +R+l+
+L+P+ P
PP N + +
R L +QK

574

575

Ra8-c8 30.Bb3-f7+ Kg6-g7 31.Nf1-e3


Rc8xc6 32.d3-d4 Rc6-f6 33.Ra1-f1
Rf6xf3 34.Rf1xf3 Qg5-d8 35.Bf7-d5
Qd8-a5 36.Ne3-f5+ Kg7-f6 37.Rf3-f1
Qa5-d8 38.Bd5-e4 Qd8-b6 39.Kg1-g2
Qb6-e6 40.Nf5-d6+ Kf6-e7 3.94/14 ]
24...Rf8xf1+ last book move
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Rf8xf1+
Diagram
(Diagram 576)
25.Nd2xf1 Bg4-f3 26.Re4-e7+ Kg7-f8
27.Re7-f7+ Kf8-e8 28.Bc1xg5
Qh5-h1+ 29.Kg1-f2 Qh1-g2+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + + +
+ + + kp
p+P+ + +
+p+ + pq
+ +R+l+
+L+P+ P
PP N + +
R L +rK

153

576

30.Kf2-e3 Qg2-e2+ 31.Ke3-f4 Qe2-f2


32.Rf7-e7+ Ke8-f8 33.Nf1-d2 Bf3-d1+
34.Kf4-e5 Qf2xg3+ 35.Bg5-f4
Qg3-e1+ 36.Nd2-e4 Diagram

r+ + k +
+ + R +p
p+P+ + +
+p+ K +
+ +NL +
+L+P+ +
PP + + +
R +lq +

577

Kf8xe7 37.Ra1xd1 Qe1-e2


38.Bf4-g5+ Ke7-e8 39.Rd1-d2
Qe2-e1 3.07/11 ] 25.Nd2xf1
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25.Nd2xf1
Ra8-e8 Diagram
(Diagram 578)
26.Bc1-d2 Re8xe4 27.d3xe4 Bg4-f3
28.Bb3-d5 Qh5-h1+ 29.Kg1-f2 Bf3-g4
30.Kf2-e3 Qh1-g1+ 31.Ke3-d3 Bg4-h3

+ +r+ +
+ + + kp
p+P+ + +
+p+ + pq
+ +R+l+
+L+P+ P
PP + + +
R L +NK

578

32.Kd3-c2 Bh3xf1 33.c6-c7 Bf1-d3+


34.Kc2xd3 Qg1xg3+ 35.Bd2-e3
Qg3xc7 36.Be3xg5 Qc7-g3+
37.Bg5-e3 Qg3-h3 38.Ra1-c1 a6-a5
39.Rc1-c7+ Kg7-f6 40.Rc7-f7+ Kf6-e5
41.Rf7-e7+ Ke5-d6 42.Re7-a7
Qh3-h2 3.10/12 ] 25...Qh5-h3
[ 25...Bg4-f3 Diagram

r+ + + +
+ + + kp
p+P+ + +
+p+ + pq
+ +R+ +
+L+P+lP
PP + + +
R L +NK

579

cannot change destiny 26.Re4-e7+


Kg7-f6 27.Bc1xg5+ Qh5xg5
28.Re7-f7+ Kf6-g6 29.Rf7xf3+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...Ra8-e8
26.Bc1-d2 Re8xe4 27.d3xe4 Bg4-f3
28.Bb3-d5 Qh5-h1+ 29.Kg1-f2 Bf3-g4
30.Kf2-e3 Qh1-g1+ 31.Ke3-d3 Bg4-h3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

154

32.Kd3-c2 Bh3xf1 33.c6-c7 Bf1-d3+


34.Kc2xd3 Qg1xg3+ Diagram

+ + + +
+ P + kp
p+ + + +
+p+L+ p
+ +P+ +
+ +K+ q
PP L + +
R + + +

580

35.Bd2-e3 Qg3xc7 36.Be3xg5 h7-h5


37.Ra1-g1 Qc7-h2 38.Bg5-e3+ Kg7-f6
39.Be3-d4+ Kf6-e7 40.Rg1-g7+
Ke7-e8 41.Rg7-g6 3.14/13 ]
26.Re4-e7+ [ 26.Bc1xg5?! Diagram

r+ + + +
+ + + kp
p+P+ + +
+p+ + L
+ +R+l+
+L+P+ Pq
PP + + +
R + +NK

581

succumbs to Bg4-f3 27.Re4-e7+


Kg7-g6= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26.Bb3-d5 Ra8-f8 27.Re4-e7+ Kg7-g6
28.Bd5-g2 Diagram
Rf8xf1+ 29.Kg1xf1 Qh3xg3
30.Re7-e3 Qg3-f4+ 31.Kf1-g1 Qf4-d4
32.a2-a4 b5-b4 33.Bg2-e4+ Bg4-f5
34.c6-c7 Qd4-c5 35.Be4xf5+ Kg6xf5

+ + r +
+ + R +p
p+P+ +k+
+p+ + p
+ + +l+
+ +P+ Pq
PP + +L+
R L +NK

582

36.d3-d4 Qc5xc7 37.Re3-e5+ Kf5-g4


38.Bc1xg5 Kg4-g3 39.Kg1-h1 Qc7-d7
40.Ra1-g1+ Diagram

+ + + +
+ +q+ +p
p+ + + +
+ + R L
Pp P + +
+ + + k
P + + +
+ + + RK

583

Kg3-f2 41.Bg5-e3+ Kf2-e2 42.Kh1-h2


Qd7xa4 43.d4-d5 Ke2-d3 44.d5-d6
Qa4-d7 45.Rg1-c1 4.31/15 ]
26...Kg7-h6 Diagram [ 26...Kg7-g6
Diagram
(Diagram 584)
is not much help 27.Bb3-d5 Ra8-f8
28.Bd5-g2 Rf8xf1+ 29.Kg1xf1 Qh3xg3
30.Re7-e3 Qg3-f4+ 31.Kf1-e1+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26...Kg7-g6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + + +
+ + R +p
p+P+ +k+
+p+ + p
+ + +l+
+L+P+ Pq
PP + + +
R L +NK

155

584

+ + r +
+ PR+ +p
p+ + qk+
+p+ + p
+ + + +
+ +PL P
PP + + +
R + +NK

586

27.Bb3-d5 Ra8-f8 28.Bd5-g2 Diagram

+ + r +
+ + R +p
p+P+ +k+
+p+ + p
+ + +l+
+ +P+ Pq
PP + +L+
R L +NK

585

Qh3-h5 29.Bc1-e3 Bg4-f3 30.Bg2xf3


Qh5xf3 31.c6-c7 Qf3-f6 32.Re7-d7
Diagram
(Diagram 586)
Rf8-c8 33.Ra1-c1 h7-h6 34.Be3-d4
Qf6-e6 35.Rd7-d8 h6-h5 36.Nf1-e3
3.87/15 ]
27.Bb3-d5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27.Bb3-d5 Ra8-f8 28.Bd5-g2 Diagram
Rf8xf1+ 29.Kg1xf1 Qh3xg3
30.Re7-e3 Qg3-f4+ 31.Kf1-g1 Qf4-d4
32.Bg2-e4 Bg4-e6 33.a2-a4 b5xa4

r+ + + +
+ + R +p
p+P+ + k
+p+ + p
+ + +l+
+L+P+ Pq
PP + + +
R L +NK

+ + r +
+ + R +p
p+P+ + k
+p+ + p
+ + +l+
+ +P+ Pq
PP + +L+
R L +NK

587

588

34.Ra1-a3 Kh6-g7 35.Kg1-g2 h7-h5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

156

36.Re3-e2 Be6-g4 37.Re2-c2 Qd4-e5


38.c6-c7 h5-h4 39.Kg2-h1 Bg4-c8
40.Ra3xa4 Diagram

+l+ + +
+ P + k
p+ + + +
+ + q p
R+ +L+ p
+ +P+ +
PR+ + +
+ L + +K

589

591

Kf6-e7 5.00/18 ]

h4-h3 41.Bc1-e3 Kg7-f6 42.Rc2-f2+


Kf6-e7 4.78/19 ] 27...Ra8-f8 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27...Ra8-f8
28.Bd5-g2 Rf8xf1+ 29.Kg1xf1 Qh3xg3
30.Re7-e3 Qg3-f4+ 31.Kf1-g1 Qf4-d4
32.Bg2-e4 Bg4-e6 33.a2-a4 b5xa4
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+P+l+ k
+ + + p
p+ qL+ +
+ +PR +
P + + +
R L + K

+l+ + +
+ P + k
p+ + + +
+ + q p
R+ +L+ p
+ +P+ +
PR+ + +
+ L + +K

590

34.Ra1-a3 Kh6-g7 35.Kg1-g2 h7-h5


36.Re3-e2 Be6-g4 37.Re2-c2 Qd4-e5
38.c6-c7 h5-h4 39.Kg2-h1 Bg4-c8
40.Ra3xa4 Diagram
h4-h3 41.Bc1-e3 Kg7-f6 42.Rc2-f2+

+ + r +
+ + R +p
p+P+ + k
+p+L+ p
+ + +l+
+ +P+ Pq
PP + + +
R L +NK

592

28.Bc1-d2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


28.Bd5-g2 Rf8xf1+ 29.Kg1xf1
Diagram
(Diagram 593)
Qh3xg3 30.Re7-e3 Qg3-f4+
31.Kf1-g1 Qf4-d4 32.Bg2-e4 Bg4-e6
33.a2-a4 b5xa4 34.Kg1-g2 Kh6-g7
35.Ra1-a3 h7-h5 36.Re3-e2 Be6-g4
Diagram
37.Re2-c2 Qd4-e5 38.c6-c7 h5-h4
39.Kg2-h1 Bg4-c8 40.Ra3xa4 h4-h3
41.Bc1-e3 Kg7-f6 42.Rc2-f2+ Kf6-e7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + R +p
p+P+ + k
+p+ + p
+ + +l+
+ +P+ Pq
PP + +L+
R L +K+

+ + + +
+ + + k
p+P+ + +
+ + + pp
p+ qL+l+
R +P+ +
P +R+K+
+ L + +

157

593

594

4.78/17 ] 28...Bg4-f3 Diagram


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Bg4-f3
29.Bd5xf3 Rf8xf3 30.Re7-e3 Rf3-f8
31.Nf1-h2 Qh3-c8 32.Re3-e5 Rf8-f5
33.Nh2-g4+ Kh6-h5 34.Ng4-f6+
Kh5-g6 35.Re5xf5 Qc8xf5 36.Nf6-e4
Diagram
(Diagram 595)
Qf5-e5 37.Bd2-c3 Qe5-c7 38.Ra1-f1
Kg6-h5 39.Rf1-f5 h7-h6 40.Rf5-f6
b5-b4 41.Bc3-d4 a6-a5 42.Kg1-g2
4.81/17 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+P+ +k+
+p+ +qp
+ +N+ +
+ +P+ P
PP L + +
R + + K

+ + + +
+ q + +
+P+ R p
p + + pk
p LN+ +
+ +P+ P
PP + +K+
+ + + +

+ + r +
+ + R +p
p+P+ + k
+p+L+ p
+ + + +
+ +P+lPq
PP L + +
R + +NK

595

596

597

]
29.Bd5xf3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

158

x64: 29.Bd5xf3 Rf8xf3 30.Re7-e2


Kh6-g6 31.c6-c7 h7-h6 32.Re2-e3
Rf3-f8 33.Ra1-e1 Qh3-f5 34.Bd2-c3
Qf5-c5 35.Bc3-e5 Kg6-h7 36.Nf1-d2
Rf8-e8 37.Nd2-b3 Diagram

+ +r+ +
+ P + +k
p+ + + p
+pq L p
+ + + +
+N+PR P
PP + + +
+ + R K

598

600

Kg6-h7 42.Kg1-h2 4.31/15 ]

Qc5-d5 38.d3-d4 Re8-c8 39.Re1-f1


Kh7-g8 40.Kg1-h2 4.11/14 ]

+ + r +
+ + R +p
p+P+ + k
+p+ + p
+ + + +
+ +P+LPq
PP L + +
R + +NK

+r+ + +
+ P + +
p+ + +k+
+p+qL pp
+ P +P+
+ + R +
PP + + +
+ + RNK

599

29...Rf8xf3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 29...Rf8xf3 30.Re7-e2 Kh6-g6
31.c6-c7 h7-h6 32.Re2-e3 Rf3-f8
33.Ra1-e1 Qh3-f5 34.Bd2-c3 Qf5-c5
35.Bc3-e5 Rf8-c8 36.g3-g4 h6-h5
37.d3-d4 Qc5-d5 Diagram
38.g4xh5+ Kg6xh5 39.Re3-h3+
Kh5-g6 40.Nf1-e3 Qd5-e6 41.Rh3-f3

+ + + +
+ + R +p
p+P+ + k
+p+ + p
+ + + +
+ +P+rPq
PP L + +
R + +NK

601

30.Re7-e2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 30.Re7-e3 Rf3-f8 31.Nf1-h2
Kh6-g7 32.Ra1-e1 Rf8-c8 33.Bd2-c3+
Kg7-g8 34.g3-g4 Qh3-h6 35.Re3-e6
Qh6-f8 36.d3-d4 Qf8-d8 37.Re6-e5
b5-b4 38.Re5-e8+ Qd8xe8 Diagram
(Diagram 602)
39.Re1xe8+ Rc8xe8 40.Bc3xb4
Kg8-f7 41.Kg1-f2 Kf7-e6 42.Nh2-f3
4.27/16 ]
30...Kh6-g6 Diagram [ 30...Qh3-c8
doesn't change anything anymore

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+q+k+
+ + + +p
p+P+ + +
+ + + p
p P +P+
+ L + +
PP + + N
+ + R K

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+P+ + k
+p+ + p
+ + + +
+ +P+rPq
PP LR+ +
R + +NK

159

602

603

31.Ra1-c1 Qc8-c7 32.Kg1-g2+- ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30...Qh3-g4
31.Ra1-c1 Rf3-f8 32.Re2-e4 Qg4-f5
33.Bd2-e3 Kh6-g7 34.c6-c7 Qf5-h3
35.Be3-d4+ Kg7-g8 36.Bd4-f6 Qh3-f5
37.Rc1-c6 Rf8-c8 38.Re4-e5 Qf5-d7
39.Re5xg5+ Diagram
(Diagram 604)
Kg8-f8 40.Rg5-c5 Qd7xd3 41.Bf6-e5
Kf8-e8 42.Rc6-e6+ Ke8-f7 43.Re6xa6
Diagram
Kf7-e7 44.Be5-f6+ Ke7-d7 4.31/15 ]
31.c6-c7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

+r+ +k+
+ Pq+ +p
p+R+ L +
+p+ + R
+ + + +
+ +P+ P
PP + + +
+ + +NK

+r+ + +
+ P +k+p
R+ + + +
+pR L +
+ + + +
+ +q+ P
PP + + +
+ + +NK

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+P+ +k+
+p+ + p
+ + + +
+ +P+rPq
PP LR+ +
R + +NK
31.c6-c7 h7-h6 32.Re2-e3 Rf3-f8

604

605

606

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

160

33.Ra1-e1 Qh3-f5 34.Bd2-c3 Qf5-c5


35.Bc3-e5 Qc5-d5 36.Nf1-d2 Rf8-c8
37.Re3-f3 a6-a5 38.a2-a3 Qd5-c5+
39.Kg1-g2 Qc5-c2 40.Rf3-f6+ Kg6-h5
41.Rf6-f2 Rc8xc7 42.Be5xc7 Qc2xc7
43.Nd2-e4 4.28/15 ] 31...Rf3-f8
[ 31...Qh3-d7 Diagram

+ + + +
+ Pq+ +p
p+ + +k+
+p+ + p
+ + + +
+ +P+rP
PP LR+ +
R + +NK

607

does not improve anything 32.Re2-e7!


White should return some of the
goodies he has collected Qd7-h3
33.Re7-e3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31...h7-h6 32.Re2-e3 Rf3-f8
33.Ra1-e1 Qh3-f5 34.Bd2-c3 Diagram

+ + r +
+ P + +
p+ + +kp
+p+ +qp
+ + + +
+ LPR P
PP + + +
+ + RNK

+r+ + +
+ P + +
p+ + +kp
+p+qL p
+ + + +
+ +P+RP
PP N + +
+ + R K

608

609

(Diagram 608)
Qf5-c5 35.Bc3-e5 Qc5-d5 36.Nf1-d2
Rf8-c8 37.Re3-f3 Diagram
(Diagram 609)
a6-a5 38.a2-a3 Qd5-c5+ 39.Kg1-g2
Qc5-c2 40.Rf3-f6+ Kg6-h5 41.Rf6-f2
Rc8xc7 42.Be5xc7 Qc2xc7 43.Nd2-e4
4.17/15 Diagram
] 32.Ra1-e1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.Ra1-e1 Qh3-c8 33.Re2-e7 h7-h6
34.Bd2-c3 Qc8-f5 35.Kg1-h2 Diagram
Qf5-f2+ 36.Kh2-h3 Qf2-f3
37.Re7-g7+ Diagram

+ + + +
+ q + +
+ + + p
pp+ + pk
+ +N+ +
P +P+ P
P + RK+
+ + R +

610

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + r +
+ P R +
p+ + +kp
+p+ +qp
+ + + +
+ LP+ P
PP + + K
+ + RN+

+ + r +
+ P + R
p+ + +kp
+p+ + p
+ + + +
+ LP+qPK
PP + + +
+ + RN+

161

+ + r +
+ Pq+ +p
p+ + +k+
+p+ + p
+ + + +
+ +P+ P
PP LR+ +
+ + RNK

611

Pro x64: 33.Re2-e6+ Rf8-f6


34.Re1-c1 Qd7xe6 35.c7-c8Q h7-h6
36.Qc8xe6 Rf6xe6 37.Nf1-e3 Re6-d6
38.Kg1-f2 h6-h5 39.Bd2-b4 Rd6-f6+
40.Kf2-e2 Rf6-e6 41.d3-d4 h5-h4
42.g3xh4 g5xh4 43.d4-d5 Re6-e4
44.Bb4-c3 h4-h3 45.Ke2-f3 Re4-a4
46.Rc1-h1 b5-b4 47.Bc3-d4 b4-b3
7.75/14 Diagram

612

Kg6-h5 38.Nf1-e3 Rf8-f4 39.Kh3-h2


Qf3-f2+ 40.Ne3-g2 Rf4-f8 41.Rg7-e7
Qf2-c5 42.Re1-e4 Qc5-d6 43.Bc3-b4
Qd6-f6 44.Re7-e6 4.71/13 ]
32...Qh3-d7 Diagram [ 32...h7-h6
hoping against hope 33.Bd2-a5
Rf8-c8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...h7-h6 33.Bd2-a5 Qh3-g4
34.Ba5-c3 Qg4-h3 35.Re2-e6+
Kg6-h5 36.Re6-f6 Rf8xf6 37.Bc3xf6
Qh3-c8 38.Re1-e7 Kh5-g6 39.Bf6-c3
h6-h5 40.Nf1-e3 a6-a5 41.Bc3xa5
Kg6-f6 42.Ne3-d5+ Kf6-f5 43.Ba5-c3
4.97/14 ]
33.Re2-e6+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c

613

+ + + +
+ + + +
p+ + +k+
+ +P+ +
r+ L + +
+p+ NK+p
PP + + +
+ + + +R

614

]
33...Kg6-h5 [ 33...Rf8-f6 there is
nothing else anyway 34.Re1-c1
Qd7-c8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Rf8-f6 34.Re1-c1 Qd7xe6
35.c7-c8Q h7-h6 36.Qc8xe6 Rf6xe6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + r +
+ Pq+ +p
p+ +R+k+
+p+ + p
+ + + +
+ +P+ P
PP L + +
+ + RNK

162

615

37.Nf1-e3 Re6-d6 38.Kg1-f2 h6-h5


39.Bd2-b4 Rd6-e6 40.Ne3-d5 Kg6-f5
41.Rc1-c5 Kf5-g6 42.Rc5-c8 Kg6-f5
43.Rc8-f8+ Kf5-e5 44.Nd5-e3 Re6-f6+
45.Rf8xf6 Ke5xf6 46.Ne3-d5+ Kf6-e5
7.92/15 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +
p+ + + +
+p+Nk pp
L + + +
+ +P+ P
PP + K +
+ + + +

+ + r +
+ Pq+ +p
p+ +R+ +
+p+ + pk
+ + +P+
+ +P+ +
PP L + +
+ + RNK

617

40.Re4-e5+ Kh5-h4 41.Re6xh6+


Kh4-g3 42.Qc8-h3+ Kg3-f2
43.Qh3-f3# #10/18 ] 34...Kh5xg4
Diagram [ 34...Kh5-h4 is no salvation
35.Re6-h6+ Kh4xg4 36.Nf1-h2+
Kg4-g3 37.Re1-e3+ Kg3-f4
38.Re3-f3+ Kf4-e5 39.Rf3xf8 Qd7-d4+
40.Kg1-h1 Qd4xd3 41.Nh2-g4+
Ke5-d4 42.Rf8-d8+ Diagram

616

] 34.g3-g4+! Deflection: g5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.g3-g4+
Diagram
(Diagram 617)
Kh5xg4 35.Re1-e4+ Rf8-f4
36.Nf1-h2+ Kg4-h5 37.Bd2xf4 Qd7-g7
38.c7-c8Q g5xf4+ 39.Kg1-h1 h7-h6

+ R + +
+ P + +p
p+ + + R
+p+ + p
+ k +N+
+ +q+ +
PP L + +
+ + + +K

618

Kd4-e4 43.Ng4-f2+ Ke4-e5


44.Nf2xd3+ Ke5-e4 45.c7-c8Q Ke4-f3
46.Rh6-f6+ Kf3-e2 47.Nd3-c1+
Ke2-d1 48.Rf6-f1# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 34...Kh5-h4 35.Re6-h6+ Kh4xg4
36.Re1-e4+ Rf8-f4 37.Nf1-h2+ Kg4-f5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

163

38.Bd2-c3 Rf4-f1+ 39.Nh2xf1 Qd7xd3


40.c7-c8Q+ Diagram

+Q+ + +
+ + + +p
p+ + + R
+p+ +kp
+ +R+ +
+ Lq+ +
PP + + +
+ + +NK

619

Kf5xe4 41.Qc8-g4+ Ke4-d5


42.Qg4-e6+ Kd5-c5 43.Qe6-c6# #9/19
]

+ + r +
+ Pq+ +p
p+ +R+ +
+p+ + p
+ + +k+
+ +P+ +
PP L + +
+ + RNK

+ + + +
+ + + q
p+ + + R
+p+ R +
+ + p +
+ +P+ kQ
PP + + N
+ + + +K

621

40.Re4-e5 Qg5xe5 41.Re6xe5+


Kh5-h6 42.Qc8-f8+ Kh6-g6
43.Qf8-g8+ Kg6-f6 44.Nh2-g4# ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35...Rf8-f4
36.Nf1-h2+ Kg4-h5 37.Bd2xf4 Qd7-g7
38.c7-c8Q g5xf4+ 39.Kg1-h1 h7-h6
40.Re4-e5+ Kh5-h4 41.Re6xh6+
Diagram

620

35.Re1-e4+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


35.Re1-e4+ Rf8-f4 36.Nf1-h2+ Kg4-h5
37.Bd2xf4 Qd7-g7 38.c7-c8Q g5xf4+
39.Kg1-h1 h7-h6 40.Re4-e5+ Kh5-h4
41.Re6xh6+ Kh4-g3 42.Qc8-h3+
Diagram
Kg3-f2 43.Qh3-f3# #9/18 ] 35...Kg4-f3
[ 35...Rf8-f4 doesn't do any good
36.Nf1-h2+ Kg4-h5 37.Bd2xf4 Qd7-g7
38.c7-c8Q g5xf4+ 39.Kg1-h1 Qg7-g5

+Q+ + +
+ + + q
p+ + + R
+p+ R +
+ + p k
+ +P+ +
PP + + N
+ + + +K

622

Kh4-g3 42.Qc8-h3+ Kg3-f2


43.Qh3-f3# #8/21 ] 36.Bd2-e1
[ 36.Bd2-e1 Qd7-d4+ 37.Re4xd4
g5-g4 38.Nf1-d2# ; 36.Nf1-h2+ Kf3-g3
37.Re4-g4+ Diagram
Kg3-h3 38.Re6-h6# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 36.Nf1-h2+ Kf3-g3 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + r +
+ Pq+ +p
p+ +R+ +
+p+ + p
+ + +R+
+ +P+ k
PP L + N
+ + + K

164

623

r+lqklnr
pp+ppp+p
+L+ +p+
+ p + +
+ +P+ +
+ + +N+
PPPP PPP
RNLQK +R

625

9.Qd1-d2 Bc8-e6 10.0-0-0 [RR


10.a2-a3 Qd8-e7 11.0-0 g6-g5
12.b2-b4 c5xb4 13.a3xb4 Ra8-d8
14.d3-d4 h7-h5 15.d4-d5 Rd8-d7
624
16.Rf1-d1 Ng8-h6 17.Be3xb6 Qe7xb4
18.Bb6xa7 0-0 19.Qd2-e3 c6xd5
20.Ba7-c5 Qb4-b7 21.Ra1-a7 Qb7-c8
22.Ra7xd7 Be6xd7 23.Nc3xd5
1-0 Sokolov,A (2632)-Meynard,T
(2234)/Montpellier 2006/CBM 111 ext ]
10...Ng8-e7 11.Be3-h6 0-0 12.g2-g4N
[RR 12.Kc1-b1 b6-b5 13.Bh6xg7
Kg8xg7 14.Nf3-h2 Qd8-a5 15.Nh2-g4
b5-b4 16.Qd2-h6+ Kg7-g8 17.Nc3-e2
Qa5xa2+ 18.Kb1-c1 b4-b3 19.c2-c4
37.Re4-g4+ Kg3-h3 38.Re6-h6#
Be6xc4 20.d3xc4 Qa2-a1+ 21.Kc1-d2
#3/15 ]
Ra8-d8+ 22.Ne2-d4 Rd8xd4+
1-0
23.Kd2-e2 Qa1xb2+ 24.Ke2-f3
Qb2-c2 25.Rd1xd4 c5xd4 0-1 Sigrist,A
(1922)-Bentley,J (2211)/Dos Hermanas
10
B31 2004/CBM 099 ext ] 12...Ne7-c8
Vassily Ivanchuk
13.Bh6xg7 Kg8xg7 14.Nf3-h4
Nc8-d6 15.Nh4-g2 Nd6-b5 16.f2-f4
Viswanathan Anand
GP, final play off, blitz g/5 (1
1994 Nb5-d4 Diagram

+ + r +
+ Pq+ +p
p+ +R+ +
+p+ + p
+ +R+ +
+ +P+ k
PP L + N
+ + + K

B31: Sicilian: 2...Nc6 3 Bb5 g6


1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3.Bf1-b5 g7-g6 4.Bb5xc6 Diagram
d7xc6 5.d2-d3 Bf8-g7 6.h2-h3
e7-e5 7.Bc1-e3 b7-b6 8.Nb1-c3 f7-f6

(Diagram 626)
17.Rd1-f1 b6-b5 last book move last
book move 18.Kc1-b1 [ 18.f4-f5!?
is worth looking at b5-b4 19.Nc3-e2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ q r +
p + + kp
pp+lpp+
+ p p +
+ nPPP+
+ NP+ +P
PPPQ +N+
+ KR+ +R

165
24.Qe2-e3 Ra8-c8 25.Rh1-f1 g6-g5
26.Rc1-c3 Rf8-d8 -0.16/13 ]
626

Nd4xe2+ 20.Qd2xe2 Be6xa2 21.f5xg6


h7xg6 22.h3-h4! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 18.f4-f5 b5-b4 19.Nc3-e2
Nd4xe2+ 20.Qd2xe2 Be6xa2
21.Ng2-e3 Qd8-d4 22.g4-g5 f6xg5
23.Rh1-g1 c5-c4 24.Ne3xc4 Ba2xc4
25.d3xc4 Ra8-d8 Diagram

+ r r +
p + + kp
+p+ +p+
+ + pPp
pPqP+ +
+ + + +P
PP+Q+ +
+ K +RR

627

26.Rg1xg5 a7-a5 27.Rg5-g3 a5-a4


28.Kc1-b1 Rf8-f6 29.h3-h4 Qd4-c5
30.f5xg6 Rf6xf1+ 31.Qe2xf1 h7xg6
32.h4-h5 0.17/14 ] 18...Qd8-a5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18...c5-c4 19.Nc3-e2 Nd4xe2
20.Qd2xe2 c4xd3 21.c2xd3 Qd8-d4
22.f4xe5 Qd4xe5 23.Rf1-c1 c6-c5

r+ + r +
p + + kp
+p+lpp+
qpp p +
+ nPPP+
+ NP+ +P
PPPQ +N+
+K+ +R+R

628

19.b2-b3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 19.b2-b3 Ra8-d8 20.f4-f5
Be6-d7 21.g4-g5 f6xg5 22.f5-f6+
Kg7-g8 23.Qd2xg5 c5-c4 24.Ng2-e3
c4xd3 25.c2xd3 Rf8-f7 26.Kb1-b2
b5-b4 27.Nc3-a4 Bd7-e6 28.Ne3-c4
Be6xc4 29.d3xc4 0.04/15 ]

r+ + r +
p + + kp
+p+lpp+
qpp p +
+ nPPP+
+PNP+ +P
P+PQ +N+
+K+ +R+R

629

19...c5-c4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


19...Ra8-d8 20.f4-f5 Be6-d7 21.g4-g5
f6xg5 22.f5-f6+ Kg7-g8 23.Qd2xg5
c5-c4 24.Kb1-b2 c4xd3 25.c2xd3
b5-b4 26.Nc3-a4 Nd4-e6 27.Qg5-h4
Bd7-e8 28.Ng2-e3 Rd8xd3 29.Ne3-c4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

166

Qa5-d8 30.Kb2-b1 c6-c5 31.Na4-b2


-0.01/14 ] 20.Rf1-f2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 20.f4-f5 b5-b4 21.Nc3-d1 c4xd3
22.c2xd3 Be6-f7 23.Ng2-e3 Ra8-d8
24.g4-g5 Bf7xb3 25.g5xf6+ Rf8xf6
26.a2xb3 Qa5-a1+ 27.Kb1xa1
Nd4xb3+ 28.Ka1-b2 Nb3xd2
29.Ne3-g4 Nd2xf1 30.Ng4xf6 Kg7xf6
31.Rh1xf1 Rd8xd3 32.f5xg6+ Diagram

+ + + +
p + + +p
+p+ kP+
+ + p +
p +P+ +
+ +r+ +P
K + + +
+ +N+R+

630

Kf6xg6 0.01/12 ] 20...b5-b4


Black threatens to win material: b4xc3
[ 20...Ra8-e8 21.Nc3-d1 Diagram

+ +rr +
p + + kp
+p+lpp+
qp+ p +
+pnPPP+
+P+P+ +P
P+PQ RN+
+K+N+ +R

r+ + r +
p + + kp
+p+lpp+
q + p +
ppnPPP+
+P+P+ +P
P+PQNRN+
+K+ + +R

631

632

(Diagram 631)
Qa5xd2 22.Rf2xd2 c4xb3
23.a2xb3 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...Ra8-d8 21.f4xe5 f6xe5 22.Rh1-f1
Rf8xf2 23.Rf1xf2 Kg7-g8 24.Ng2-e3
c4xd3 25.c2xd3 Qa5-b4 26.Ne3-c2
Qb4-d6 27.Qd2-g5 Nd4xc2 28.Rf2xc2
Rd8-f8 29.Qg5-d2 Kg8-g7 -0.36/14 ]
21.Nc3-e2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21.Nc3-e2 c4-c3 22.Qd2-d1
Be6xb3 23.a2xb3 Nd4-b5 24.Ne2-g1
Nb5-a3+ 25.Kb1-c1 Na3-b5
26.Kc1-b1 Nb5-a3+ -0.24/17 ]
21...c4-c3 [ 21...c4xb3?! 22.c2xb3
Nd4-b5 23.Rh1-c1= Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...c4-c3

r+ + r +
p + + kp
+p+lpp+
qn+ p +
p +PPP+
+P+P+ +P
P+ QNRN+
+KR + +
22.Qd2-d1 Qa5-a3 23.Qd1-c1

633

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

167

Qa3xc1+ 24.Rh1xc1 Nd4xe2


25.Rf2xe2 a7-a5 26.Rc1-f1 a5-a4
27.f4-f5 Be6-d7 28.Ng2-e3 Diagram

r+ + r +
+ +l+ kp
+p+ pp+
+ + pP+
pp +P+P+
+PpPN +P
P+P+R+ +
+K+ +R+

634

a4xb3 29.a2xb3 Rf8-h8 30.Ne3-c4


c6-c5 -0.02/14 ] 22.Ne2xd4
[ 22.Qd2-d1 Nd4-b5 23.f4-f5
Nb5-a3+ 24.Kb1-a1 Diagram

r+ + r +
p + + kp
+p+lpp+
q + pP+
p +P+P+
nPpP+ +P
P+P+NRN+
K +Q+ +R

635

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.Qd2-d1


Be6xb3 23.a2xb3 Nd4-b5 24.Ne2-g1
Nb5-a3+ 25.Kb1-c1 Na3-b5
26.Kc1-b1 Nb5-a3+ -0.24/16 ]
22...e5xd4?? forfeits the advantage
[ 22...c3xd2 Diagram
23.Nd4xe6+ Kg7-g8 24.Ne6xf8
Ra8xf8 25.Rf2xd2 Qa5-c5-+ ;

r+ + r +
p + + kp
+p+lpp+
q + p +
p NPPP+
+P+P+ +P
P+Pp RN+
+K+ + +R

636

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...c3xd2


23.Nd4xe6+ Kg7-g8 24.Ne6xf8
Ra8xf8 25.Rf2xd2 Qa5-b6 26.Rd2-e2
a7-a5 27.f4xe5 f6xe5 28.Ng2-e3
Qb6-d4 29.Ne3-c4 Rf8-a8 30.Rh1-f1
a5-a4 31.Re2-d2 a4xb3 32.c2xb3
Diagram

r+ + +k+
+ + + +p
+p+ +p+
+ + p +
pNqP+P+
+P+P+ +P
P+ R + +
+K+ +R+

637

Kg8-g7 33.g4-g5 c6-c5 34.h3-h4


Ra8-a6 35.Rf1-f3 -0.71/16 ]
23.Qd2-c1= [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.Qd2-c1 Diagram
Be6-d7 24.f4-f5 Ra8-b8 25.Rh1-e1
Qa5-a3 26.Qc1xa3 b4xa3 27.Rf2-f3
Rf8-e8 28.f5xg6 h7xg6 29.Ng2-f4
Rb8-b6 30.Re1-f1 Re8-h8 31.Kb1-c1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + r +
p + + kp
+p+lpp+
q + + +
p pPPP+
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+KQ + +R

168

r+ + r +
p +l+ kp
+p+ pp+
q + +P+
p pP+P+
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+KQ + +R

638

640

a7-a5 32.Rf3-f2 Diagram

+ + + r
+ +l+ k
rp+ pp+
p + + +
+ pPNP+
pPpP+ +P
P+P+ R +
+ K +R+

+ +r+ +
p +l+ kp
rp+ pp+
+ + +P+
+ pPNPP
pPpP+ +
P+P+ R +
+K+ +R+

639

641

26.e4xf5 Ra8-e8 27.g5xf6+ Kg7xf6


28.Qc1-f4 Kf6-e7 29.Rh1-e1+ Ke7-d8
30.Re1xe8+ Rf8xe8 31.f5-f6 Kd8-c8
32.f6-f7 Re8-f8 33.Qf4-h6 Kc8-c7
Diagram

Rb6-b8 33.Nf4-e2 0.16/17 ]


23...Qa5-c5 [ 23...Be6-d7 24.f4-f5=
Diagram
(Diagram 640)

(Diagram 642)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Be6-d7
24.f4-f5 Ra8-b8 25.Rh1-e1 Qa5-a3
26.Qc1xa3 b4xa3 27.h3-h4 Rb8-b6
28.Ng2-f4 Rf8-e8 29.Re1-f1 Diagram
Bd7-c8 30.Kb1-c1 Rb6-b7 31.Nf4-e2
g6xf5 32.g4xf5 0.18/15 ] 24.f4-f5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.f4-f5 Be6-d7 25.g4-g5 g6xf5

34.Rf2-f6 Qc5-e7 35.Qh6-f4+ Kc7-c8


36.Qf4xd4 Rf8xf7 Diagram
37.Rf6xf7 Qe7xf7 38.Qd4xa7 0.36/15
]
White threatens to win material: f5xe6
24...Be6-g8? [ 24...Be6-d7!?
deserves consideration 25.Ng2-f4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + r +
p kl+P+p
+p+ + Q
+ q + +
p p + +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+K+ + +

+k+ + +
p +lqr+p
+p+ R +
+ + + +
p Q + +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ +N+
+K+ + +

r+ + r +
p + + kp
+p+lpp+
+ q +P+
p pP+P+
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+KQ + +R
Diagram

169

642

643

r+ + r +
p +l+ kp
+p+ pp+
+ q +P+
p pPNP+
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ R +
+KQ + +R

645

a7-a5 26.f5xg6 h7xg6$ ;Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 24...Be6-d7 25.g4-g5 g6xf5
26.e4xf5 Ra8-e8 27.g5xf6+ Kg7xf6
28.Qc1-f4 Kf6-e7 29.Rh1-e1+ Ke7-d8
30.Re1xe8+ Diagram

+ kRr +
p +l+ +p
+p+ + +
+ q +P+
p p Q +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+K+ + +

646

644

Rf8xe8 31.f5-f6 Kd8-c8 32.f6-f7


Re8-f8 33.Qf4-h6 Kc8-c7 34.Rf2-f6
Qc5-e7 35.Qh6-f4+ Kc7-c8 36.Qf4xd4
Rf8xf7 37.Rf6xf7 Qe7xf7 38.Qd4xa7
0.55/13 Diagram
] 25.g4-g5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25.g4-g5 Diagram
Qc5-e7 26.g5xf6+ Rf8xf6 27.Qc1-g5
Kg7-h8 28.f5xg6 Rf6-e6 29.Qg5xe7
Re6xe7 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+k+ + +
Q +l+q+p
+p+ + +
+ + + +
p + + +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ +N+
+K+ + +

r+ + rl+
p + + kp
+p+ pp+
+ q +PP
p pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+KQ + +R

r+ + +lk
p + r +p
+p+ +P+
+ + + +
p pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+K+ + +R

170

647

32.Rh1-g1 Bg8-e6 33.Rg2-g5 Be6-d7


34.Rg5-h5 Re8-f8 35.Rg1-f1 Kh8-g8
1.46/15 ] 25...a7-a5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...Qc5-e7
26.g5xf6+ Rf8xf6 27.Qc1-g5 Diagram

r+ + +l+
p + q kp
+p+ rp+
+ + +PQ
p pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+K+ + +R

650

648

Kg7-h8
Re6xe7
Ra8-e8
Be6-d7
Kh8-g8

649

30.Ng2-f4 Re7-g7 31.Rf2-g2 Ra8-e8

28.f5xg6 Rf6-e6 29.Qg5xe7


30.Ng2-f4 Re7-g7 31.Rf2-g2
32.Rh1-g1 Bg8-e6 33.Rg2-g5
34.Rg5-h5 Re8-f8 35.Rg1-f1
1.46/14 ]

r+ + rl+
+ + + kp
+p+ pp+
p q +PP
p pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+KQ + +R

651

26.Rh1-e1 Diagram [ 26.g5xf6+


Rf8xf6 27.Qc1-g5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26.g5xf6+ Kg7xf6 Diagram
27.f5xg6+ Kf6-e7 28.Rf2xf8 Ra8xf8
29.g6-g7 Rf8-a8 30.Ng2-h4 Ke7-d7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + rl+
+ + + +p
+p+ kp+
p q +P+
p pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+KQ + +R

171

652

31.Nh4-f5 a5-a4 32.Qc1-h6 a4xb3


33.a2xb3 Qc5-e5 Diagram

r+ + +l+
+ +k+ Pp
+p+ + Q
+ + qN+
p pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
+P+ + +
+K+ + +R

653

34.Rh1-f1 Kd7-c7 35.Qh6-g5 Qe5-a5


36.Qg5-e7+ Kc7-b6 2.24/12 ]
(Diagram 654)
26...f6xg5?? Diagram [ 26...a5-a4
27.g5xf6+ Rf8xf6$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26...a5-a4 27.g5xf6+ Diagram
Rf8xf6 28.e4-e5 Rf6xf5 29.Rf2xf5
a4xb3 30.c2xb3 Bg8xb3 31.a2xb3
Diagram
c3-c2+ 32.Qc1xc2 Ra8-a1+
33.Kb1xa1 Qc5xc2 34.Rf5-f4 Qc2xg2

r+ + rl+
+ + + kp
+p+ pp+
p q +PP
p pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+KQ R +

r+ + rl+
+ + + kp
+p+ Pp+
+ q +P+
pp pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+KQ R +

r+ + + +
+ + + kp
+p+ +p+
+ q PR+
p p + +
+PpP+ +P
+ + +N+
+KQ R +
35.Rf4xd4 Qg2-d2 36.Re1-e4

654

655

656

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

172

Qd2-c3+ 37.Ka1-b1 Qc3xb3+


38.Kb1-c1 Qb3-c3+ 39.Kc1-b1 b4-b3
40.Rd4-d7+ Kg7-f8 41.Re4-e2 Kf8-e8
42.e5-e6 Qc3-f6 -0.34/12 ]

r+ + rl+
+ + + kp
+p+ +p+
p q +Pp
p pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+KQ R +

657

659

does not save the day 28.e4-e5


Qd6-c7 29.e5-e6 Bg8xe6
30.Re1xe6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27...Kg7-h8 Diagram

the position is going down the drain


27.Qc1xg5+- Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 27.Qc1xg5 Kg7-h8 28.Ng2-f4
Qc5-e5 29.Qg5-h6 Rf8-f6 30.Nf4xg6+
Rf6xg6 31.f5xg6 Qe5-g3 32.g6-g7+
Qg3xg7 Diagram

r+ + +lk
+ + + qp
+p+ + Q
p + + +
p pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ R +
+K+ R +

r+ + rl+
+ + + kp
+p+ +p+
p q +PQ
p pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+K+ R +

658

33.Qh6xc6 Ra8-b8 34.Rf2-f5 a5-a4


35.b3xa4 Rb8-b7 36.a4-a5 Qg7-g3
37.Qc6-f6+ Rb7-g7 38.Re1-f1 Qg3-e3
39.a5-a6 h7-h6 4.61/13 ]
27...Kg7-h8 Diagram [ 27...Qc5-d6

r+ + rlk
+ + + +p
+p+ +p+
p q +PQ
p pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+K+ R +

660

28.Ng2-f4 Qc5-e5 29.Qg5-h6 Rf8-f6


30.Nf4xg6+ Rf6xg6 31.f5xg6 Qe5-g3
32.g6-g7+ Qg3xg7 33.Qh6xc6 Ra8-b8
34.Rf2-f5 Rb8-b7 35.Rf5xa5 Rb7-f7
36.Qc6-d6 Rf7-f2 37.Re1-c1 Rf2-g2
38.Ra5-f5 Rg2-g3 39.Qd6xb4 Rg3xh3
40.Rc1-f1 Rh3-h2 41.Qb4-d6 4.97/14 ]
28.Ng2-f4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28.Ng2-f4 Diagram
Qc5-e5 29.Qg5-h6 Rf8-f6 30.Nf4xg6+
Rf6xg6 31.f5xg6 Qe5-g3 32.g6-g7+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + rlk
+ + + +p
+p+ +p+
p q +PQ
p pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ RN+
+K+ R +

r+ + rlk
+ + + +p
+p+ +p+
p q +PQ
p pPN +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ R +
+K+ R +

173

661

662

Qg3xg7 33.Qh6xc6 Ra8-d8


34.Qc6-a6 Rd8-b8 35.Rf2-f5 a5-a4
36.Qa6xa4 Qg7-g3 37.Re1-f1 Bg8-e6
38.Rf5-f6 Qg3-d6 39.Qa4-a7 Rb8-g8
40.Rf6-h6 Rg8-g7 41.Qa7-a8+
Rg7-g8 42.Qa8-b7 4.42/13 ]

r+ + rlk
+ + + +p
+p+ +p+
p q +PQ
p pPN +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ R +
+K+ R +

r+ + rlk
+ + + +p
+p+ +pQ
p + qP+
p pPN +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ R +
+K+ R +

663

664

Rf8-f6 30.Nf4xg6+ Rf6xg6 31.f5xg6


Qe5-g3 32.g6-g7+ Qg3xg7 33.Qh6xc6
Ra8-b8 34.Rf2-f5 Rb8-b7 35.Rf5xa5
Rb7-f7 36.Qc6-d6 Rf7-f2 37.Re1-c1
Rf2-g2 38.Ra5-f5 Rg2-g3 39.Qd6xb4
Rg3xh3 40.Rc1-f1 Rh3-h2 41.Qb4-d6
4.97/14 Diagram

(Diagram 663)
(Diagram 665)
28...g6xf5 [ 28...Qc5-e5 is one last
hope 29.Qg5-h6 Rf8-f6 30.Nf4xg6+
Rf6xg6 31.f5xg6 Qe5-g3 32.g6-g7+
Qg3xg7 33.Qh6xc6 Ra8-a7+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Qc5-e5
29.Qg5-h6 Diagram

] 29.Qg5-h6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 29.Qg5-h6 Bg8xb3
30.Nf4-g6+ Diagram
Kh8-g8 31.Re1-g1 Ra8-a7
32.Ng6xf8+ Kg8-f7 33.a2xb3 Qc5-e5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +lk
+ + + qp
+ Q + +
+ + +R+
+ pP+ +
+PpP+ +
P+P+ + r
+K+ +R+

r+ + r k
+ + + +p
+p+ +NQ
p q +p+
p pP+ +
+lpP+ +P
P+P+ R +
+K+ R +

174

665

666

34.Rf2xf5+ Qe5xf5 35.e4xf5 Kf7-e8


36.Rg1-e1+ Ra7-e7 37.Qh6xc6+
Ke8-f7 38.Qc6-d5+ Kf7xf8
39.Qd5-d8+ Kf8-g7 40.Qd8xe7+
Kg7-h6 41.Qe7-h4+ Kh6-g7
42.Re1-e7+ Kg7-g8 43.Qh4-g3+
Kg8-h8 #16/14 Diagram
(Diagram 667)
]
29...Bg8-f7 Diagram [ 29...Bg8xb3
cannot undo what has already been
done 30.Re1-g1 Ra8-a7 31.Nf4-g6+
Kh8-g8 32.Ng6-e5+ Kg8-h8 33.a2xb3

+ + + k
+ + R +p
+ + + +
p + +P+
p p + +
+PpP+ QP
+P+ + +
+K+ + +

r+ + rlk
+ + + +p
+p+ + Q
p q +p+
p pPN +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ R +
+K+ R +

667

668

Qc5-d6 34.Ne5-g6+ Kh8-g8


35.Ng6-e7+ Diagram
(Diagram 669)
Kg8-f7 36.Rf2xf5+ Qd6-f6 37.Rf5xf6+
Kf7-e8 38.Qh6xf8+ Ke8-d7 39.Ne7-d5
c6xd5 40.Rg1-g7# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 29...Bg8xb3 30.Nf4-g6+ Kh8-g8
31.Re1-g1 Ra8-a7 32.Ng6xf8+ Kg8-f7
33.a2xb3 Qc5-e5 34.Rf2xf5+ Qe5xf5
35.e4xf5 Kf7-e8 36.Rg1-e1+ Ra7-e7
37.Qh6xc6+ Ke8-f7 38.Qc6-d5+
Kf7xf8 39.Qd5-d8+ Kf8-g7
40.Qd8xe7+ Kg7-h6 41.Qe7-h4+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
r + N +p
+pq + Q
p + +p+
p pP+ +
+PpP+ +P
+P+ R +
+K+ + R

175

669

r+ + r k
+ + +l+p
+p+ + Q
p q +p+
p pPN +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ R +
+K+ R +

671

Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ + + k
p + +P+
p p + Q
+PpP+ +P
+P+ + +
+K+ R +
Kh6-g7 42.Re1-e7+ Kg7-g8
43.Qh4-g3+ Kg8-h8 #15/15 ]
(Diagram 671)
30.Qh6-f6+ [ 30.Qh6-f6+ Diagram
(Diagram 672)
Kh8-g8 31.Rf2-g2+ Bf7-g6
32.Rg2xg6+ h7xg6 33.Qf6xg6+
Kg8-h8 34.Qg6-h6+ Kh8-g8
35.Re1-g1+ Kg8-f7 36.Qh6-e6#
Diagram

670

r+ + r k
+ + +l+p
+p+ Q +
p q +p+
p pPN +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ R +
+K+ R +

r+ + r +
+ + +k+
+p+Q+ +
p q +p+
p pPN +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ + +
+K+ + R
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.Qh6-f6+

672

673

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

176
11

Diagram

r+ + r k
+ + +l+p
+p+ Q +
p q +p+
p pPN +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ R +
+K+ R +

Vassily Ivanchuk
Garry Kasparov
Euwe Amsterdam, Euwe (4)

]
1-0

1994

674

B93: Sicilian Najdorf: 6 f4


1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 d7-d6
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram

Kh8-g8 31.Re1-g1+ Bf7-g6


32.Rg1xg6+ h7xg6 33.Qf6xg6+
Kg8-h8 34.Qg6-h6+ Kh8-g8
35.Rf2-g2+ Kg8-f7 36.Qh6-e6# #7/9
Diagram

r+ + r +
+ + +k+
+p+Q+ +
p q +p+
p pPN +
+PpP+ +P
P+P+ +R+
+K+ + +

B93

675

rnlqklnr
pp+ pppp
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

676

Ng8-f6 5.Nb1-c3 a7-a6 6.f2-f4


Qd8-c7 7.Qd1-f3 g7-g6 8.Bc1-e3
Bf8-g7 9.h2-h3 [RR 9.f4-f5 Nb8-d7
10.Qf3-h3 b7-b5 11.a2-a3 Bc8-b7
12.Bf1-d3 Nd7-e5 13.Be3-h6 Bg7xh6
14.Qh3xh6 Qc7-b6 15.0-0-0 0-0-0
16.Qh6-e3 Nf6-g4 17.Qe3-g1 g6xf5
18.Nc3-d5 Bb7xd5 19.e4xd5 f5-f4
20.Bd3-f5+ Kc8-b7 21.Rd1-f1 Ng4-f6
22.Rf1xf4 Kb7-a7 23.Nd4-c6+ Ne5xc6
Radulov,I (2490)-Timman,J (2605)/
Indonesia 1983/MCD/- (38) ]
9...e7-e5N [RR 9...b7-b5 10.e4-e5
Bc8-b7 11.e5xf6 Bb7xf3 12.f6xg7
Rh8-g8 13.Nd4xf3 Rg8xg7 14.0-0-0
Nb8-d7 15.g2-g4 Ra8-c8 16.Rh1-h2
b5-b4 17.Nc3-e4 Qc7-c6 18.Bf1-d3
Rg7-g8 19.Kc1-b1 Qc6-b7 20.Rh2-e2
Ke8-f8 21.Be3-d4 a6-a5 22.Nf3-g5
f7-f6 23.Ng5xh7+ Kf8-f7 24.Rd1-e1
Rowson,J (2305)-McShane,L (2130)/
Richmond 1994/EXT 2001/1-0 (32) ;RR

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

177

9...0-0 10.Bf1-d3 Nb8-c6 11.0-0


Bc8-d7 12.Qf3-f2 (RR 12.Ra1-e1
Ra8-e8 13.Qf3-f2 e7-e5 14.Nd4-f3
Qc7-c8 15.Qf2-h4 Nf6-h5 16.f4-f5
Qc8-d8 17.Nc3-d5 Qd8xh4 18.Nf3xh4
Nh5-f6 19.Nd5-b6 Bd7-c8 20.a2-a3
Nc6-e7 21.f5xg6 h7xg6 22.Be3-g5
Nf6-h7 23.Nb6xc8 Ne7xc8 24.Bg5-d2
Bg7-f6 25.Nh4-f3 Kg8-g7 26.g2-g4
Bf6-d8 Resika,N (2250)-Chase,C
(2320)/Boylston 1994/EXT 2000/1-0
(52) ) 12...b7-b5 13.a2-a3 Nc6xd4
14.Be3xd4 Bd7-c6 15.Ra1-e1 e7-e5
16.Bd4-e3 e5xf4 17.Be3xf4 Nf6-d7
18.Qf2-d2 Rf8-e8 19.Kg1-h1 Ra8-d8
20.Re1-e2 Nd7-c5 21.b2-b4 Nc5-d7
22.Nc3-d5 Bc6xd5 23.e4xd5 Nd7-e5
24.Re2-f2 Graf,P (2134)-Litwin,J (2183)/
Polanica Zdroj 2006/CBM 113 ext/-
(78) ] 10.f4xe5 d6xe5 11.Be3-h6
Bg7xh6 12.Qf3xf6 0-0 13.Nc3-d5
Qc7-a5+ 14.b2-b4 Qa5-d8
15.Nd5-e7+ Qd8xe7 16.Qf6xe7
e5xd4 Diagram

rnl+ rk+
+p+ Qp+p
p+ + +pl
+ + + +
P pP+ +
+ + + +P
P+P+ +P+
R + KL+R

677

17.Bf1-c4 Nb8-c6 18.Qe7-c5


last book move last book move Bh6-e3
[ 18...Rf8-e8 does not win a prize
19.0-0 Bc8-e6 20.Bc4xe6 Re8xe6
21.a2-a4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18...Rf8-e8 19.0-0 Bc8-e6 20.Bc4xe6

Re8xe6 21.a2-a4 Bh6-e3+ 22.Kg1-h1


Ra8-e8 23.b4-b5 Nc6-d8 24.Qc5-c4
Kg8-g7 25.Kh1-h2 Re6xe4 26.Qc4-c7
Diagram

+ nr+ +
+pQ +pkp
p+ + +p+
+P+ + +
P+ pr+ +
+ + l +P
+P+ +PK
R + +R+

678

a6xb5 27.a4xb5 Re4-e7 28.Qc7-g3


Nd8-e6 29.Qg3-e5+ Kg7-g8 1.98/13 ]
19.Rh1-f1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 19.Rh1-f1 Bc8-d7 20.Qc5-d6
Bd7-e8 21.e4-e5 Be3-g5 22.e5-e6
Bg5-e7 23.Qd6-c7 Be7xb4+
24.Ke1-d1 f7xe6 25.Rf1xf8+ Bb4xf8
26.Bc4xe6+ Kg8-h8 27.Qc7xb7
Ra8-b8 28.Qb7xa6 2.46/13 ]
(Diagram 679)
19...Nc6-d8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 19...Bc8-d7 20.Qc5-d6
Bd7-e8 21.e4-e5 Be3-g5 22.e5-e6
Bg5-e7 23.Qd6-c7 Be7xb4+
24.Ke1-d1 f7xe6 25.Rf1xf8+ Bb4xf8
26.Bc4xe6+ Kg8-h8 27.Qc7xb7
Ra8-b8 28.Qb7xa6 2.74/13 ]
(Diagram 680)
20.Rf1-f3 [ 20.Bc4-d5!? keeps an
even firmer grip Rf8-e8+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 20.Qc5-e7 Nd8-e6 21.h3-h4
Ra8-a7 22.Bc4-d5 a6-a5 23.b4-b5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+l+ rk+
+p+ +p+p
p+n+ +p+
+ Q + +
PLpP+ +
+ + l +P
P+P+ +P+
R + KR+

r+ln rk+
+p+ +p+p
p+ + +p+
+ Q + +
PLpP+ +
+ + l +P
P+P+ +P+
R + KR+

178

679

680

Ne6-f4 24.Qe7-c7 Nf4xg2+ 25.Ke1-e2


Kg8-h8 26.Rf1xf7 Ng2-f4+
27.Ke2-e1 2.81/12 ] 20...Bc8-e6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...Bc8-e6
21.Rf3xe3 d4xe3 22.Bc4xe6 Nd8xe6
23.Qc5xe3 a6-a5 24.b4-b5 Ra8-d8
25.c2-c3 Rf8-e8 26.Ke1-f2 Diagram
(Diagram 681)
f7-f6 27.Ra1-e1 Rd8-d6 28.h3-h4
b7-b6 29.c3-c4 1.86/14 ] 21.Rf3xe3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.Bc4-d3
Diagram
Rf8-e8 22.Rf3xe3 d4xe3 23.Qc5xe3

+ rr+k+
+p+ +p+p
+ +n+p+
pP+ + +
+ +P+ +
+ P Q +P
P+ + KP+
R + + +

r+ n rk+
+p+ +p+p
p+ +l+p+
+ Q + +
P pP+ +
+ +LlR+P
P+P+ +P+
R + K +

681

682

Nd8-c6 24.Qe3-b6 Re8-e7 25.a2-a4


Re7-d7 26.0-0-0 Nc6-d4 27.Kc1-b2
Ra8-c8 1.90/12 ] 21...d4xe3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...d4xe3
Diagram
(Diagram 683)
22.Bc4xe6 Nd8xe6 23.Qc5xe3 a6-a5
24.b4-b5 Ra8-d8 25.c2-c3 Rf8-e8
26.Ke1-f2 Rd8-d7 27.Ra1-f1 Re8-c8
28.e4-e5 Rc8-c5 29.b5-b6 Rc5-d5
30.Kf2-e2 h7-h5 1.81/15 ] 22.Bc4xe6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.Bc4-d3
Nd8-c6 23.a2-a3 Rf8-d8 24.Qc5xe3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ n rk+
+p+ +p+p
p+ +l+p+
+ Q + +
PL+P+ +
+ + p +P
P+P+ +P+
R + K +

179

683

a6-a5 25.b4-b5 Nc6-e5 26.Ra1-d1


Be6-c4 27.a3-a4 Ra8-c8 28.Ke1-f1
Bc4xd3+ 29.c2xd3 Rc8-c2 Diagram

+ r +k+
+p+ +p+p
+ + +p+
pP+ n +
P+ +P+ +
+ +PQ +P
+r+ +P+
+ +R+K+

684

30.Qe3-g5 1.63/15 ] 22...Nd8xe6


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Nd8xe6
Diagram
(Diagram 685)
23.Qc5xe3 a6-a5 24.b4-b5 Ra8-d8
25.c2-c3 Rf8-e8 26.Ke1-f2 Rd8-d7
27.Ra1-f1 Re8-c8 28.e4-e5 Rc8-c5
29.b5-b6 Rc5-d5 30.Kf2-e2 Rd7-d8
31.g2-g3 a5-a4 32.c3-c4 Rd5-d4
33.Rf1-c1 1.72/18 ] 23.Qc5xe3

r+ + rk+
+p+ +p+p
p+ +n+p+
+ Q + +
P +P+ +
+ + p +P
P+P+ +P+
R + K +

685

Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


23.Qc5xe3 a6-a5 24.b4-b5 Ra8-d8
25.c2-c3 Rf8-e8 26.Ke1-f2 Rd8-d7
27.Ra1-f1 Re8-c8 28.e4-e5 Rc8-c5
29.b5-b6 Rc5-d5 30.Kf2-e2 Rd7-d8
31.g2-g3 a5-a4 32.c3-c4 Rd5-d4
33.Rf1-c1 1.50/18 ]

r+ + rk+
+p+ +p+p
p+ +n+p+
+ + + +
P +P+ +
+ + Q +P
P+P+ +P+
R + K +

686

23...a6-a5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


23...a6-a5 Diagram
(Diagram 687)
24.b4-b5 Ra8-d8 25.c2-c3 Rf8-e8
26.Ke1-f2 f7-f6 27.Ra1-e1 Rd8-d6
28.h3-h4 b7-b6 29.e4-e5 f6xe5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + rk+
+p+ +p+p
+ +n+p+
p + + +
P +P+ +
+ + Q +P
P+P+ +P+
R + K +

180

687

30.Qe3xe5 Rd6-d2+ 31.Re1-e2


Rd2-d3 32.a2-a4 Re8-f8+ 33.Kf2-g1
1.62/16 ] 24.b4-b5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.b4-b5
Ra8-d8 25.c2-c3 Rf8-e8 26.Ke1-f2
Rd8-d7 27.Ra1-f1 Re8-c8 28.e4-e5
Rc8-c5 29.b5-b6 Rc5-d5 30.Kf2-e2
Rd7-d8 31.g2-g3 a5-a4 32.c3-c4
Rd5-d4 33.Rf1-c1 1.50/15 ]

r+ + rk+
+p+ +p+p
+ +n+p+
pP+ + +
+ +P+ +
+ + Q +P
P+P+ +P+
R + K +

688

+r+ rk+
+p+ +p+p
+ +n+p+
pP+ + +
+ +P+ +
+ P Q +P
P+ + +P+
+ +RK +

689

29.b5-b6 Rc5-b5 30.h3-h4 Rb5-b2


31.Rf1-f2 Rd7-d1+ 32.Kg1-h2 Rd1-b1
Diagram

+ + +k+
+p+ +p+p
P +n+p+
p + + +
+ +P+ P
+ P Q +
Pr + RPK
+r+ + +

690

33.Rf2xb2 Rb1xb2 1.52/15 ]


(Diagram 691)
25.0-0-0 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25.0-0-0 Diagram

24...Ra8-c8 Diagram [ 24...Ra8-d8


hardly improves anything 25.Ra1-d1
Rd8-c8 26.c2-c3+- Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Ra8-d8
25.c2-c3 Rf8-e8 26.Ke1-f2 Rd8-d7
27.Ra1-f1 Re8-c8 28.Kf2-g1 Rc8-c5

(Diagram 692)
Rf8-e8 26.Qe3-b6 Re8-e7 27.Qb6xa5
Re7-c7 28.Rd1-d2 Rc7-c4 29.Qa5-b6
Rc8-c7 30.Qb6-e3 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ rk+
+p+ +p+p
+ +n+p+
pP+ + +
+ +P+ +
+ + Q +P
P+P+ +P+
R + K +

+r+ rk+
+p+ +p+p
+ +n+p+
pP+ + +
+ +P+ +
+ + Q +P
P+P+ +P+
+ KR+ +

+ + +k+
+pr +p+p
+ +n+p+
+P+ + +
+r+P+ +
+ + Q +P
P+PR +P+
+ K + +

181

691

Rb4xb6 33.Rd2-d7 Ne6-g5


34.Qf3-e3 2.37/17 ] 25...Rc8-c5
[ 25...Rf8-e8 doesn't improve anything
26.Qe3-a7 Ne6-c5 Diagram

+r+r+k+
Qp+ +p+p
+ + +p+
pPn + +
+ +P+ +
+ + + +P
P+P+ +P+
+ KR+ +

694

692

27.Qa7xa5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


25...Rf8-e8 Diagram

693

Rc4-b4 31.b5-b6 Rc7-c4 32.Qe3-f3

+r+r+k+
+p+ +p+p
+ +n+p+
pP+ + +
+ +P+ +
+ + Q +P
P+P+ +P+
+ KR+ +

695

26.Qe3-b6 Re8-e7 27.Qb6xa5


Re7-c7 28.Rd1-d2 Rc7-c4 29.Qa5-b6
Rc8-c7 30.Qb6-e3 Rc4-b4 31.b5-b6
Rc7-c6 32.Rd2-d7 Rc6xb6 33.Qe3-f3
Rb4-b1+ 34.Kc1-d2 Ne6-g5
35.Qf3-f4 2.12/15 ] 26.Rd1-d5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26.Rd1-d5 Rc5-c7 27.Qe3-f2 a5-a4
28.Kc1-b2 Rc7-e7 29.Qf2-d2 Rf8-c8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

182

30.Rd5-d7 a4-a3+ 31.Kb2xa3 Rc8xc2


32.Qd2xc2 Diagram

+ + +k+
+p+Rrp+p
+ +n+p+
+P+ + +
+ +P+ +
K + + +P
P+Q+ +P+
+ + + +

+r+ +k+
Qp+ +p+
+ +n+pp
+P+ P +
p+r+ + +
P + + +P
KPR +P+
+ + + +

696

+ + rk+
+ + +p+p
p +n+p+
pPrR+ +
+ +P+ +
+ + Q +P
P+P+ +P+
+ K + +

Re7xd7 33.Qc2-c8+ Ne6-f8


34.Ka3-b4 f7-f6 35.Qc8-c4+ Kg8-g7
36.b5-b6 h7-h6 37.h3-h4 h6-h5
2.33/16 ]

+ + rk+
+p+ +p+p
+ +n+p+
pPrR+ +
+ +P+ +
+ + Q +P
P+P+ +P+
+ K + +

697

26...b7-b6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 26...Rc5-c7 27.Qe3-f2 a5-a4
28.Kc1-b2 Rc7-c4 29.a2-a3 h7-h6
30.e4-e5 Rf8-c8 31.Rd5-d7 Rc4-f4
32.Qf2-a7 Rf4-c4 33.Rd7-d2 Diagram
Rc8-c7 34.g2-g3 Kg8-g7 35.Qa7-e3
Rc7-c8 2.24/14 ]
27.Qe3-g3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27.Qe3-f2 h7-h6 28.Rd5xc5

698

699

Ne6xc5 29.Qf2-f6 Rf8-b8 30.g2-g4


a5-a4 31.Qf6-d6 Rb8-b7 32.e4-e5
Nc5-e6 33.Kc1-b2 Kg8-g7 34.Kb2-a3
Ne6-c5 35.Qd6-f6+ Kg7-h7 2.50/15
Diagram
(Diagram 700)
]
(Diagram 701)
27...Rc5-c7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 27...Rc5-c4 28.Qg3-d6
Rf8-c8 29.Rd5-d2 Kg8-g7 30.Qd6xb6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+r+ +p+k
p + Qpp
+Pn P +
p+ + +P+
K + + +P
P+P+ + +
+ + + +

+ + rk+
+ + +p+p
p +n+p+
pPrR+ +
+ +P+ +
+ + + QP
P+P+ +P+
+ K + +

183

700

701

Ne6-g5 31.e4-e5 Ng5-e4 32.Rd2-e2


Ne4-c3 33.Qb6-f6+ Diagram
(Diagram 702)
Kg7-h6 34.Re2-f2 Rc4-b4 35.Qf6-f3
Rb4-b1+ 36.Kc1-d2 Rb1-d1+
37.Qf3xd1 Nc3xd1 38.Kd2xd1 Rc8-c5
39.b5-b6 Rc5-b5 40.Rf2-f6 Kh6-g7
41.Rf6-d6 Rb5xe5 42.b6-b7 Re5-b5
43.Rd6-d7 Kg7-f6 44.Kd1-e2 Rb5-b2
2.37/15 ]
28.Qg3-d6 Diagram [ 28.Qg3-f2
seems even better Ne6-c5+- Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Rd5-d6

+r+ + +
+ + +pkp
+ + Qp+
pP+ P +
+r+ + +
+ n + +P
P+P+R+P+
+ K + +

+ + rk+
+ r +p+p
p +n+p+
pP+R+ +
+ +P+ +
+ + + QP
P+P+ +P+
+ K + +

+ + rk+
+ r +p+p
p + +p+
pPnR+ +
+ +P+ +
+ + + +P
P+P+ QP+
+ K + +
Diagram

702

703

704

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
+ r +p+p
p Rn+p+
pP+ + +
+ +P+ +
+ + + QP
P+P+ +P+
+ K + +

184

705

Rf8-c8 29.Qg3-f2 Ne6-c5 30.Qf2-d2


Rc7-b7 31.e4-e5 Nc5-e4 32.Rd6-d8+
Rc8xd8 33.Qd2xd8+ Kg8-g7
34.Qd8-d4 Ne4-c5 35.e5-e6+ f7-f6
36.Qd4-d6 Nc5-e4 37.Qd6-c6 Ne4-c5
38.Kc1-d2 f6-f5 2.57/15 ]

+ + rk+
+ r +p+p
p Qn+p+
pP+R+ +
+ +P+ +
+ + + +P
P+P+ +P+
+ K + +

706

28...Rf8-c8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 28...Rf8-b8 Diagram

r + +k+
+ r +p+p
p Qn+p+
pP+R+ +
+ +P+ +
+ + + +P
P+P+ +P+
+ K + +

707

37.Rd2-d6 Rb5-c5 38.Kc1-b2


Rc5-b5+ 39.Kb2-a3 2.02/16 ]

+r+ +k+
+ r +p+p
p Qn+p+
pP+R+ +
+ +P+ +
+ + + +P
P+P+ +P+
+ K + +

708

29.Rd5-d2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 29.Rd5-d2 Rc7-b7 30.Qd6-d5
Rb7-c7 31.h3-h4 h7-h5 32.Qd5-d6
Rc7-b7 33.g2-g3 Kg8-h7 34.Kc1-b2
Ne6-c5 35.Rd2-d4 Diagram
(Diagram 709)

(Diagram 707)
29.Rd5-d2 Rb8-b7 30.Qd6-d5 h7-h6
31.e4-e5 Rb7-b8 32.Qd5-f3 Rb8-c8
33.Qf3-f2 Rc7-b7 34.Qf2-e3 Rc8-c4
35.Qe3xh6 Rc4-c5 36.Qh6-e3 Rc5xb5

Nc5-e6 36.Rd4-d5 Rc8-c4 37.e4-e5


Rc4-b4+ 38.Kb2-c1 1.86/17 ]
29...Rc7-b7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29...Rc7-b7 30.Qd6-d5 Diagram
Rb7-c7 31.h3-h4 h7-h5 32.Qd5-d6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ + +
+r+ +p+k
p Q +p+
pPn + +p
+ RP+ P
+ + + P
PKP+ + +
+ + + +

+r+ +k+
+ r +p+p
p Qn+p+
pP+ + +
+ +P+ +
+ + + +P
P+PR +P+
+ K + +

+r+ +k+
+r+ +p+p
p +n+p+
pP+Q+ +
+ +P+ +
+ + + +P
P+PR +P+
+ K + +

185

709

710

Rc3-e3 35.Qd6-e5 Re3-f3 36.c2-c4


a5-a4 37.Qe5-d6 a4-a3+ 38.Kb2-c2
1.79/15 ] 30.g2-g4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.Qd6-d5
Rb7-c7 31.h3-h4 h7-h5 32.Qd5-d6
Rc7-b7 33.g2-g3 Rc8-c5 34.Rd2-d5
Rc5-c4 35.e4-e5 Kg8-g7 36.Rd5-d3
Rb7-c7 37.Qd6xb6 Rc4xc2+
38.Kc1-b1 1.80/14 ]

+r+ +k+
+r+ +p+p
p Qn+p+
pP+ + +
+ +P+P+
+ + + +P
P+PR + +
+ K + +

712

30...Ne6-c5 Diagram [ 30...Rc8-c5


Diagram
(Diagram 713)

711

Rc7-b7 33.g2-g3 Rc8-c3 34.Kc1-b2

does not save the day 31.Rd2-d5


Rc5-c4 32.e4-e5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 30...Rc8-c5 31.h3-h4 Rc5-c4
32.Qd6-d5 Rb7-c7 33.Qd5-a8+
Kg8-g7 34.Qa8-b8 Rc4xe4 35.Qb8xb6
Re4xg4 36.Qb6xa5 Rc7-c5 37.Qa5-b6
Rg4xh4 38.Rd2-d7 Rh4-e4 39.Qb6-b7
Re4-f4 40.a2-a4 Ne6-d4 41.Rd7-c7
1.72/14 ]
(Diagram 714)
31.Qd6-f6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31.e4-e5 Rb7-b8 32.Qd6-d5 Rc8-c7
33.Qd5-f3 Rc7-e7 34.Rd2-d5 Rb8-e8
35.Rd5-d6 Re7xe5 36.Rd6xb6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+r+ +p+p
p Qn+p+
pPr + +
+ +P+P+
+ + + +P
P+PR + +
+ K + +

+r+ +k+
+r+ +p+p
p Q +p+
pPn + +
+ +P+P+
+ + + +P
P+PR + +
+ K + +

186

713

714

Re5-e1+ 37.Kc1-d2 Re1-a1 38.Qf3-c6


Nc5-e4+ 39.Kd2-d3 Diagram
(Diagram 715)
Ra1-d1+ 40.Kd3-c4 2.10/14 ]
31...h7-h6 [ 31...Rb7-b8 is not the
saving move 32.Rd2-d4+- Diagram
(Diagram 716)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31...Rb7-b8
Diagram
32.Rd2-d4 Rc8-f8 33.Kc1-b2 Rf8-e8
34.e4-e5 Re8-e6 35.Qf6-f4 Re6-e8

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+p
RQ+ +p+
pP+ + +
+ +n+P+
+ +K+ +P
P+P+ + +
r + + +

rr+ +k+
+ + +p+p
p + Qp+
pPn + +
+ RP+P+
+ + + +P
P+P+ + +
+ K + +

rr+ +k+
+ + +p+p
p + Qp+
pPn + +
+ +P+P+
+ + + +P
P+PR + +
+ K + +

715

716

717

36.Rd4-d6 Re8-e6 37.Rd6-c6 Rb8-e8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

187

38.Qf4-d4 Kg8-g7 39.Rc6-d6 Diagram

+ +r+ +
+ + +pkp
p Rr+p+
pPn P +
+ Q +P+
+ + + +P
PKP+ + +
+ + + +

718

Re8-c8 40.Qd4-f2 Rc8-e8 41.h3-h4


Nc5-e4 42.Qf2xb6 Re6xe5 2.26/16 ]
32.e4-e5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 32.Rd2-d8+ Diagram

+rR +k+
+r+ +p+
p + Qpp
pPn + +
+ +P+P+
+ + + +P
P+P+ + +
+ K + +

719

r + +k+
+ Q +p+
p + + +
pPn P p
P+K+ +P+
+ + + +
+P+ + +
+ + + +

+r+ +k+
+r+ +p+
p + Qpp
pPn P +
+ + +P+
+ + + +P
P+PR + +
+ K + +

720

721

Rc8-c4 34.h4-h5 Rc4xg4 35.Qf6-f3


Rg4-g1+ 36.Kc1-b2+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 32...Nc5-e6 Diagram
(Diagram 722)

Rc8xd8 33.Qf6xd8+ Kg8-h7 34.e4-e5


Nc5-e6 35.Qd8-d5 Ne6-c5 36.Qd5-d6
Kh7-g7 37.h3-h4 Kg7-h7 38.Qd6-c6
g6-g5 39.h4xg5 h6xg5 40.Kc1-b2
Kh7-g8 41.Kb2-c3 Rb7-d7 42.Kc3-c4
Rd7-b7 43.a2-a4 Rb7-b8 44.Qc6-c7
2.67/19 Diagram
]
32...Rc8-e8 [ 32...Nc5-e6
hardly improves anything 33.h3-h4

33.Qf6-f3 Rb7-c7 34.Qf3-f2 Ne6-c5


35.Qf2-e3 g6-g5 36.Rd2-d6 Nc5-e6
37.Qe3-d3 Rc7-c3 38.Qd3-d2 Rc8-c4
39.Rd6xb6 Ne6-d4 40.Kc1-d1 Rc3xh3
41.Qd2-g2 Rh3-f3 2.47/16 ] 33.h3-h4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Rd2-d8
Re8xd8 Diagram
34.Qf6xd8+ Kg8-h7 35.Qd8-d6
Kh7-g7 36.h3-h4 Kg7-h7 37.Qd6-c6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +k+
+r+ +p+
p +nQpp
pP+ P +
+ + +P+
+ + + +P
P+PR + +
+ K + +

+ r +k+
+r+ +p+
p + Qpp
pPn P +
+ + +P+
+ + + +P
P+P+ + +
+ K + +

188

722

+r+ + +
+ + +pk
p Rr+ p
pPn P pP
+Q+ +P+
+ + + +
P+P+ + +
+ K + +

724

Nc5-e6 37.Qf5-f6+ Kg7-h7 38.Rd2-d6


Re8-g8 39.Qf6-f3 Rg8-b8 40.Kc1-b2
Rb7-c7 41.Qf3-f2 Rc7-b7 Diagram
723

g6-g5 38.h4xg5 h6xg5 39.Kc1-b2


Kh7-g8 40.Kb2-c3 Rb7-d7 41.Kc3-c4
Rd7-b7 42.a2-a4 Rb7-b8 43.Qc6-c7
2.67/17 ] 33...Kg8-h7 [ 33...Rb7-b8
cannot change what is in store for
White 34.Qf6-f4 Re8-e6 35.Qf4xh6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33...Rb7-b8
34.Qf6-f4 Re8-e6 35.Rd2-d6 Rb8-e8
36.h4-h5 g6-g5 37.Qf4-d4 Kg8-g7
38.Qd4-d5 Re8-c8 39.Qd5-c4
Diagram
Rc8-b8 40.Kc1-b2 Rb8-e8 41.a2-a4
Re8-c8 2.37/17 ] 34.h4-h5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.h4-h5
g6xh5 35.Qf6-f5+ Kh7-g7 36.g4xh5

r + + +
+r+ +p+k
p Rn+ p
pP+ P +P
+ + + +
+ + + +
PKP+ Q +
+ + + +

725

42.c2-c3 Kh7-g7 43.a2-a4 Kg7-h7


44.Qf2-f6 Rb8-e8 45.Qf6-f3 Ne6-c5
46.Qf3-f4 Re8-e6 3.59/17 ] 34...g6-g5
Diagram [ 34...Re8-g8 doesn't change
the outcome of the game 35.Qf6-c6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34...Re8-g8
35.g4-g5 Nc5-e6 Diagram
36.Qf6-f3 Rb7-c7 37.h5xg6+ Rg8xg6
38.g5xh6 Rg6xh6 39.Rd2-d6 Kh7-g7
40.Qf3-g3+ Rh6-g6 41.Qg3-f2 Rc7-c5
42.Rd6xb6 Rc5xe5 43.Rb6-b7 Rg6-f6
44.Qf2-g3+ Re5-g5 45.Qg3-e3 Kg7-f8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +r+
+r+ +p+k
p +nQpp
pP+ P PP
+ + + +
+ + + +
P+PR + +
+ K + +

189

726

46.Kc1-b2 Rf6-f4 47.Rb7-b8+ Kf8-g7


48.Qe3-c3+ Rf4-d4 49.Qc3xa5
3.61/15 ]

+ +r+ +
+r+ +p+k
p + Q p
pPn P pP
+ + +P+
+ + + +
P+PR + +
+ K + +

727

35.Rd2-d6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 35.Rd2-d6 Nc5-e6 36.Qf6-f3
Re8-e7 37.Qf3-f2 Ne6-f4 38.Rd6xb6
Rb7-c7 39.Rb6-d6 Rc7-c3 40.Qf2-e1
Rc3-c4 41.b5-b6 Rc4-a4 42.Qe1-e3
Kh7-g7 43.a2-a3 Nf4-e6 44.Qe3-f3
Ra4-f4 45.Qf3-g2 Ne6-c5 46.Qg2-d5
Nc5-b7 47.Rd6-d7 Re7xd7 48.Qd5xd7
4.83/18 Diagram
]
35...Re8-e6 [ 35...Nc5-e6 does not
help much 36.Qf6-f3 Re8-e7

+ + + +
+n+Q+pk
P + + p
p + P pP
+ + rP+
P + + +
+P+ + +
+ K + +

+ +r+ +
+r+ +p+k
p R Q p
pPn P pP
+ + +P+
+ + + +
P+P+ + +
+ K + +

728

729

37.Qf3-f2+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


35...Nc5-e6 36.Qf6-f3 Rb7-c7
37.Qf3-e4+ Kh7-g7 38.Rd6xb6
Ne6-c5 39.Qe4-f5 Rc7-e7 40.Rb6-f6
Nc5-e6 41.b5-b6 Diagram
(Diagram 730)
Ne6-d4 42.Qf5-f1 Nd4-e6 43.Qf1-f3
a5-a4 44.b6-b7 Ne6-c5 45.Rf6-b6
Nc5-d7 46.Qf3-f6+ Kg7-g8 47.Qf6xh6
Nd7xb6 48.Qh6xb6 4.72/17 ]
36.Qf6-d8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 36.Qf6-d8 Re6xd6 37.e5xd6
Nc5-e6 38.Qd8-c8 Ne6-c5 39.Qc8-c6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+ +
+ + rpk
P +nR p
p + PQpP
+ + +P+
+ + + +
P+P+ + +
+ K + +

190

730

a5-a4 40.d6-d7 Rb7xd7 41.Qc6xb6


Nc5-e6 Diagram

+ + + +
+ +r+p+k
Q +n+ p
+P+ + pP
p+ + +P+
+ + + +
P+P+ + +
+ K + +

+ Q + +
+r+ +p+k
p Rr+ p
pPn P pP
+ + +P+
+ + + +
P+P+ + +
+ K + +

732

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36...Re6xd6


37.e5xd6 a5-a4 38.Kc1-b2 a4-a3+
39.Kb2xa3 Rb7-a7+ 40.Ka3-b2
Kh7-g7 41.Qd8-c7 Ra7-b7 42.Qc7-c6
Diagram

731

42.Qb6-c6 Rd7-d8 43.b5-b6 Rd8-b8


44.b6-b7 Ne6-d8 45.Qc6-d6 Rb8xb7
46.Qd6xd8 Rb7-b4 47.Qd8-d3+
Kh7-g8 48.c2-c4 Rb4-b7 49.Qd3-e4
Rb7-b4 50.Kc1-c2 a4-a3 51.Qe4-e8+
Kg8-g7 52.Qe8-e5+ Kg7-f8
53.Qe5-c5+ 5.72/17 ]
(Diagram 732)
36...Kh7-g7 Diagram [ 36...Re6xd6
doesn't get the cat off the tree
37.e5xd6 Nc5-e6 38.Qd8-c8+- ;

+ + + +
+r+ +pk
pQP + p
+Pn + pP
+ + +P+
+ + + +
PKP+ + +
+ + + +

733

Rb7-d7 43.Kb2-c1 Rd7-b7 44.Kc1-d2


Rb7-b8 45.Kd2-e2 Kg7-f6 46.Ke2-e3
Kf6-e6 47.c2-c4 Ke6-f6 48.d6-d7+
Kf6-e7 49.d7-d8B+ Rb8xd8
50.Qc6xb6 Nc5-e6 51.c4-c5 Rd8-d4
52.c5-c6 Rd4xg4 53.Qb6-a7+ Ke7-d6
54.Qa7xf7 Rg4-g3+ 55.Ke3-e4
5.76/18 ]
37.a2-a3 [ 37.Rd6-c6 and White can
already relax Rb7-e7 38.Qd8xb6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ Q + +
+r+ +pk
p Rr+ p
pPn P pP
+ + +P+
+ + + +
P+P+ + +
+ K + +

191

734

Re6xc6 39.Qb6xc6 Re7xe5+- ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37.a2-a3
Re6xd6 38.e5xd6 Nc5-d7 39.Qd8-c8
Nd7-c5 40.Qc8-c6 a5-a4 41.Kc1-b2
Kg7-f6 42.d6-d7+ Kf6-e7 43.Qc6xh6
Nc5-e6 44.d7-d8B+ Ne6xd8
45.Qh6xg5+ f7-f6 46.Qg5-e3+ Nd8-e6
47.h5-h6 Ke7-f7 48.h6-h7 Rb7-b8
49.Qe3-e4 Ne6-g5 50.Qe4xa4 Kf7-g6
51.Qa4-a7 Rb8-h8 52.Qa7xb6
Rh8xh7 Diagram
(Diagram 735)
53.a3-a4 Rh7-h2 54.a4-a5 5.58/16 ]
37...a5-a4 [ 37...Re6xd6 does not win
a prize 38.e5xd6 Nc5-a4
39.Qd8-c8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...Re6xd6 38.e5xd6 Nc5-e4
39.Qd8-c8 Ne4-c5 40.Qc8-c6 a5-a4
41.Kc1-b2 Kg7-h7 42.d6-d7 Rb7xd7
43.Qc6xb6 Nc5-e6 44.Qb6-c6 Rd7-d4
45.b5-b6 Ne6-d8 46.Qc6-b5 Rd4-d6
47.b6-b7 Nd8xb7 48.Qb5xb7 Kh7-g7
49.Qb7-b4 Rd6-d8 50.Qb4xa4
Rd8-b8+ Diagram
51.Kb2-c1 Rb8-d8 52.Qa4-a7 Rd8-d5
53.a3-a4 6.03/17 ] 38.Kc1-b2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.Kc1-b2
Re6xd6 39.e5xd6 Nc5-d7 40.Qd8-c7

+ + + +
+ + + +r
Q + pk+
+P+ + n
+ + +P+
P + + +
KP+ + +
+ + + +

r + + +
+ + +pk
+ + + p
+ + + pP
Q+ + +P+
P + + +
KP+ + +
+ + + +

735

736

Nd7-c5 41.Qc7-c6 Kg7-h7 42.d6-d7


Rb7xd7 43.Qc6xb6 Nc5-e6 44.Qb6-c6
Rd7-d4 45.b5-b6 Ne6-d8 46.Qc6-b5
Rd4-d6 47.b6-b7 Nd8xb7 48.Qb5xb7
Kh7-g7 49.Qb7-b4 Rd6-d8 50.Qb4xa4
Rd8-b8+ 51.Kb2-c1 Rb8-d8
52.Qa4-a7 Rd8-e8 53.Qa7-d4+
Kg7-g8 54.a3-a4 6.07/16 ] 38...Rb7-e7
Diagram [ 38...Re6xd6 does not solve
anything 39.e5xd6 Nc5-e6
40.Qd8-e8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...Re6xd6 Diagram
39.e5xd6 Nc5-d7 40.Qd8-c7 Nd7-c5
41.Qc7-c6 Kg7-h7 42.d6-d7 Rb7xd7
43.Qc6xb6 Nc5-e6 44.Qb6-c6 Rd7-d4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ Q + +
+r+ +pk
p r + p
+Pn P pP
p+ + +P+
P + + +
KP+ + +
+ + + +

192

+ + k +
+ + + +Q
r + p p
+ + + pP
p+ + +P+
P + + +
KP+ + +
+ + + +

737

45.b5-b6 Ne6-d8 46.Qc6-b5 Rd4-d6


47.b6-b7 Nd8xb7 48.Qb5xb7 Kh7-g7
49.Qb7-b4 Rd6-d8 50.Qb4xa4
Rd8-b8+ 51.Kb2-c1 Rb8-d8
52.Qa4-a7 Rd8-e8 53.Qa7-d4+
Kg7-g8 54.a3-a4 6.24/17 ]

+ Q + +
+ + rpk
p Rr+ p
+Pn P pP
p+ + +P+
P + + +
KP+ + +
+ + + +

Ke7-f6 51.Qb4xa4 Kf6-e5 52.Qa4-b5+


Ke5-d6 53.Qb5-b4+ Kd6-d5 54.a3-a4
Re6-e4 55.Qb4-b7+ Kd5-e5 56.a4-a5
Re4xg4 57.Qb7-g7+ Ke5-f5
58.Qg7xh6 7.05/17 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + Q
P + +kpP
+ + +r+
+ + + +
+P+ + +
+ K + +

738

]
39.Rd6xb6 [ 39.Rd6xb6 Re7-d7
40.Qd8-b8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39.Rd6xb6 Re6xb6 40.Qd8xb6
Re7xe5 41.Qb6-d6 f7-f6 42.Qd6-c7+
Kg7-g8 43.b5-b6 Kg8-f8 44.b6-b7
Nc5xb7 45.Qc7xb7 Re5-e6 46.Qb7-h7
Re6-b6+ Diagram
47.Kb2-c1 f6-f5 48.Qh7xf5+ Kf8-e7
49.Qf5-e4+ Rb6-e6 50.Qe4-b4+

739

1-0

740

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


12

193
C16

Garry Kasparov
Vassily Ivanchuk
Horgen (6)

1995

C16: French: 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e5: Lines


without ...c5
1.e2-e4 Notes by Raymond Keene.
e7-e6 2.d2-d4 Diagram

rnlqklnr
pppp+ppp
+ +p+ +
+ + + +
+ PP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKLNR

741

d7-d5 3.Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4 4.e4-e5


b7-b6 5.a2-a3 Bb4-f8 Diagram
(Diagram 742)
Black has chosen an anti-intuitive
system in which he not only postpones
the development of his pieces, but also
retreats to the back rank the only piece
he has so far developed. This is the
kind of defence calculated to enrage
the classically minded Kasparov. The
virtues of Black's system are its solidity
and the potential mobility of his
queenside pawn mass. 6.Ng1-f3
Ng8-e7 7.h2-h4 h7-h6 8.h4-h5
Diagram
Played to cramp Black's kingside, but
Black, following the Nimzowitsch
example, has not yet committed himself
to castling on either flank. a7-a5 [RR

rnlqklnr
p p +ppp
p +p+ +
+ +pP +
+ P + +
P N + +
PP+ PPP
R LQKLNR

rnlqkl r
p p npp
p +p+ p
+ +pP +P
+ P + +
P N +N+
PP+ PP+
R LQKL+R

742

743

8...c7-c5 9.Nc3-e2 Bc8-a6 10.c2-c3


Nb8-c6 11.b2-b4 Ba6-c4 12.d4xc5
b6xc5 13.Ne2-f4 Bc4xf1 14.Ke1xf1
Ne7-c8 15.b4-b5 Nc6-a5 16.Qd1-a4
Qd8-b6 17.g2-g4 Na5-c4 18.Nf4-d3
Bf8-e7 19.Rh1-g1 Qb6-a5 20.Qa4xa5
Nc4xa5 21.Bc1-e3 Nc8-b6 22.a3-a4
Ra8-c8 23.Kf1-e2 Georgiadis,I (2413)Dizdar,G (2543)/Dresden 2007/CBM
118/- (33) ] 9.Bf1-b5+ c7-c6
10.Bb5-a4 An artificial decision. In the
further course of play this bishop
becomes a target for Black's advancing
pawns thus involving White in a serious
loss of time and space. It seems more

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


sensible to play 10 Bd3 with the plan of
Ne2 and c3. After 10 Bd3 White can
meet 10...c5 with 11 Nb5 Nec6 12 dxc5
bxc5 13 c4, exploiting his lead in
development. Black's best after 10 Bd3
is doubtless 10...Ba6 when White could
try 11 Bf4 Bxd3 12 cxd3 sacrificing
pawn structure for dynamic chances in
the c-file. Nb8-d7N [RR 10...Bc8-a6
11.Nc3-e2 b6-b5 12.Ba4-b3 Nb8-d7
13.c2-c3 c6-c5 14.Bb3-c2 Ne7-c6
15.Bc1-e3 Bf8-e7 16.Rh1-h3 Qd8-c8
17.Rh3-g3 Ke8-f8 18.Ke1-f1 b5-b4
19.Kf1-g1 c5xd4 20.c3xd4 b4xa3
21.b2xa3 Ra8-b8 22.Ne2-f4 Kf8-g8
23.Nf3-e1 Nd7-b6 24.Qd1-g4 Be7-f8
25.Ne1-f3 Papa,S (2364)-Kupper,P
(2311)/Switzerland 2004/CBM 099 ext/
1-0 (43) ] 11.Nc3-e2 b6-b5 12.Ba4-b3
c6-c5 13.c2-c3 Ne7-c6 14.0-0
Qd8-c7 In spite of his lack of
development, Black's position is rich in
resources. He clearly, for example,
possesses the initiative on the queen's
flank. Kasparov's next move is a further
waste of time. His plan should be to
attack Black's position by utilising the
White f-pawn as a battering ram. To
that end White's most promising course
is 15 Nh2 followed immediately by f4
and f5 when White's knights, after due
preparation with Be3, can then gallop
directly to aggressive squares such as
f4 and g4. 15.Rf1-e1 c5-c4 16.Bb3-c2
Nd7-b6 last book move last book move
17.Bc1-f4 [ 17.Qd1-d2 Bf8-e7 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 17.Qd1-d2
Diagram
(Diagram 744)
b5-b4 18.Qd2-f4 b4-b3 19.Bc2-b1
Nc6-e7 20.Qf4-g4 Bc8-d7 21.Ne2-f4
Nb6-a4 22.Re1-e2 Ra8-d8 23.Bc1-e3
Qc7-b7 24.Qg4-g3 Na4-b6 0.51/16 ]

194

r+l+kl r
+ q +pp
nn+p+ p
pp+pP +P
+pP + +
P P +N+
PLQNPP+
R L R K

744

17...Bf8-e7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 17...Bc8-a6 18.Qd1-b1 b5-b4
19.a3xb4 a5xb4 20.Bc2-h7 Bf8-e7
21.Bf4-e3 b4-b3 22.Ne2-f4 Be7-d8
23.Nf3-d2 Qc7-d7 24.Nd2-f3 Bd8-e7
25.Re1-e2 0.02/14 ]

r+l+k+ r
+ q lpp
nn+p+ p
pp+pP +P
+pP L +
P P +N+
PL+NPP+
R +QR K

745

18.Bf4-g3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 18.Qd1-d2 Bc8-b7 19.Bf4-h2
b5-b4 20.Bc2-b1 b4-b3 21.a3-a4 0-0
22.Qd2-f4 Rf8-e8 23.Qf4-g4 Ra8-d8
24.Ne2-f4 Rd8-d7 0.20/14 ]
18...Ra8-b8 [ 18...b5-b4 19.Qd1-d2$
Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18...b5-b4
19.a3xb4 a5xb4 20.Ra1xa8 Nb6xa8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+l+k+ r
+ q lpp
nn+p+ p
pp+pP +P
+pP + +
P P +NL
PL+NPP+
R +QR K

r+l+k+ r
+ q lpp
nn+p+ p
p +pP +P
ppP + +
P P +NL
PLQNPP+
R + R K

195

746

747

21.Bc2-a4 Bc8-b7 22.Ba4xc6+


Bb7xc6 23.Bg3-h4 Be7xh4 24.Nf3xh4
Diagram

n+ +k+ r
+ q +pp
+l+p+ p
+ +pP +P
ppP + N
+ P + +
P +NPP+
+ +QR K

r +k+ r
+lq +pp
nn+p+ p
+ +pP +P
+pP L +
+pP + +N
P Q PP+
RL+ R K

748

749

27.Bf4-e3 0-0 28.Nh3-f4 Nb6-a4


0.16/15 ]
(Diagram 750)

(Diagram 748)
0-0 25.Nh4-f3 b4xc3 26.b2xc3
Na8-b6 27.Qd1-d2 Rf8-a8 28.Re1-b1
Nb6-a4 29.Qd2-f4 0.00/16 ] 19.Nf3-h2
Diagram [ 19.Bg3-h4 b5-b4$ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19.Ne2-f4 b5-b4
20.a3xb4 a5xb4 21.Nf3-d2 b4-b3
22.Bc2-b1 Be7-g5 23.Nf4-h3 Bg5xd2
24.Qd1xd2 Bc8-b7 25.Bg3-f4 Diagram
Rb8-a8 26.Ra1xa8+ Bb7xa8

At last, but the force of the f4-advance


has been weakened by White's
displacement of his queen's rook.
19...Qc7-d8 Diagram [ 19...b5-b4
20.a3xb4 a5xb4 21.Ne2-f4$ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...b5-b4
Diagram
20.Qd1-d2 b4-b3 21.Bc2-d1 Bc8-b7
22.Ne2-f4 0-0 23.Bd1-g4 Nb6-a4
24.Nh2-f3 Rb8-d8 25.Ra1-d1 Qc7-b6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rl+k+ r
+ q lpp
nn+p+ p
pp+pP +P
+pP + +
P P + L
PL+NPPN
R +QR K

rl+k+ r
+ q lpp
nn+p+ p
p +pP +P
ppP + +
P P + L
PL+NPPN
R +QR K

196

750

751

+ rr+k+
+l+ lpp
qn+p+ p
p +pP +P
n+pP NL+
PpP +NL
P +QPP+
+ +RR K

rlqk+ r
+ + lpp
nn+p+ p
pp+pP +P
+pP + +
P P + L
PL+NPPN
R +QR K

752

753

26.Qd2-e2 Rf8-e8 -0.11/14 Diagram


(Diagram 752)
]
(Diagram 753)
A mysterious defensive move. The only
justification I can see for it is that Black
wishes to remove his queen from the
potential long term range of White's
dark-squared bishop. 20.Nh2-g4
[ 20.Ne2-f4!? Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.Ne2-f4

rlqk+ r
+ + lpp
nn+p+ p
pp+pP +P
+pP N +
P P + L
PL+ PPN
R +QR K

754

Be7-h4 21.Re1-e3 Bh4-g5 22.Nh2-f3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

197

0-0 23.Qd1-b1 Nb6-a4 24.Nf3xg5


h6xg5 25.Nf4-e2 Kg8-h8 26.Bg3-h2
Diagram

rlq r k
+ + +pp
+n+p+ +
pp+pP pP
n+pP + +
P P R +
PL+NPPL
RQ+ + K

rlqk+ r
+ + lpp
nn+p+ p
p +pP +P
ppP +N+
P P + L
PL+NPP+
R +QR K

755

Qd8-g5 27.Kg1-h1 0.14/13 Diagram

r + rk+
+l+ +pp
nn+p+ p
p +pP qP
+pP N l
PpP NL+
P Q PPL
R + R +K

Qd8-b6 27.Re3-f3 0.35/14 ]


20...b5-b4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 20...Nb6-a4 21.Ra1-a2 Be7-g5
22.Bg3-f4 Bc8-d7 23.Qd1-d2 Bg5xf4
24.Ne2xf4 Qd8-g5 25.Ng4-h2 0-0
26.Nh2-f3 Qg5-g4 27.Bc2xa4 b5xa4
28.Ra2-a1 0.11/14 Diagram

r + rk+
+ +l+pp
+n+p+ p
p +pP +P
p+pP Nq+
P P +N+
P Q PP+
R + R K

757

756

758

]
(Diagram 759)
21...a5xb4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...a5xb4 Diagram
(Diagram 760)

]
21.a3xb4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21.Qd1-d2 Bc8-b7 22.Bg3-h2
Be7-g5 23.Ng4-e3 b4-b3 24.Bc2-d1
0-0 25.Ne2-f4 Bg5-h4 26.Bd1-f3

22.Ne2-f4
24.Qd1-e2
26.Qe2-g4
28.Qg4xh4
29.Qh4-g4

Qd8-c7 23.Bc2-b1 Be7-d8


b4-b3 25.Ng4-e3 0-0
Rf8-e8 27.Bg3-h4 Bd8xh4
Qc7-e7 Diagram
Qe7-g5 30.Qg4xg5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rlqk+ r
+ + lpp
nn+p+ p
p +pP +P
PpP +N+
+ P + L
PL+NPP+
R +QR K

rlqk+ r
+ + lpp
nn+p+ p
+ +pP +P
ppP +N+
+ P + L
PL+NPP+
R +QR K

rl+r+k+
+ + qpp
nn+p+ p
+ +pP +P
+pP N Q
+pP N +
P + PP+
RL+ R K

198

759

still eliminate all risk by playing 22 b3


at once when 22...bxc3 23 Nxc3 Bb4
can be met by 24 Re3. [ 22.Ne2-f4!?$
Diagram

rlqk+ r
+ + lpp
nn+p+ p
+ +pP +P
ppP NN+
+ P + L
PL+ PP+
R +QR K

762

760

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.Bc2-b1


b4-b3 23.Ne2-f4 Rb8-a8 24.Ra1xa8
Diagram

761

h6xg5 0.05/13 ] 22.c3xb4 White could

R+lqk+ r
+ + lpp
nn+p+ p
+ +pP +P
+pP NN+
+pP + L
P + PP+
+L+QR K

763

Nb6xa8 25.Qd1-d2 Na8-c7 26.Nf4-h3


Bc8-b7 27.Qd2-f4 Be7-g5 28.Qf4-f3
Bg5-d2 29.Re1-d1 0.04/13 ]
22...Nc6xb4= Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Be7xb4 23.Ne2-c3
Nb6-d7 24.Re1-e3 Rb8-b6 25.Bc2-b1
Qd8-g5 26.Ra1-a8 Rb6-b8 27.Ra8xb8
Nd7xb8 28.Nc3-b5 Nb8-d7 29.Qd1-f3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

199

0-0 -0.13/14 Diagram

+l+ rk+
+ +n+pp
+n+p+ p
+N+pP qP
lpP +N+
+ + RQL
P + PP+
+L+ + K

764

rlqk+ r
+ + lpp
n +p+ p
+ +pP +P
npP +N+
+ + + L
PL+NPP+
R +QR K

765

23.Bc2-b1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 23.Ne2-c3 Diagram
(Diagram 766)
Bc8-d7 24.Bc2-b1 0-0 25.Qd1-f3
Be7-g5 26.Re1-d1 Qd8-e7 27.Bg3-f4
Rb8-a8 28.Ra1xa8 Rf8xa8 29.Bf4xg5
Qe7xg5 30.Ng4-e3 Bd7-c6 -0.18/14 ]
23...Bc8-d7 The critical moment.
White now mistimes his effort to
eliminate his one queenside weakness,
the b-pawn. By playing instead 24 Qd2

rlqk+ r
+ + lpp
n +p+ p
+ +pP +P
npP +N+
+ N + L
PL+ PP+
R +QR K

rlqk+ r
+ + lpp
n +p+ p
+ +pP +P
npP +N+
+ + + L
P +NPP+
RL+QR K

766

767

he would maintain the balance of the


position. In particular, Black could not
then complete his mobilisation with 24...
O-O on account of possible sacrifices
against the h6-pawn introduced with 25
Bf4. Note, however, that White cannot
sacrifice at once with 25 Nxh6+ gxh6
26 Qxh6 on account of 26...Nd3.
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Bc8-a6
24.Qd1-d2 Diagram
Nb6-d7 25.Bg3-f4 Rb8-a8 26.Re1-c1
Nb4-d3 27.Bb1xd3 c4xd3 28.Ra1xa6
Ra8xa6 29.Qd2xd3 Ra6-a2
30.Qd3-b3 Qd8-a5 31.Rc1-c8+
Be7-d8 -0.36/13 ] 24.b2-b3 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r qk+ r
+ + lpp
ln +p+ p
+ +pP +P
npP +N+
+ + + L
P QNPP+
RL+ R K

200

768

+rqk+ r
+ +llpp
n +p+ p
+ +pP +P
npP +N+
+ N + L
P Q PP+
RL+ R K

770

[ 24.Bg3-f4!?= Diagram

r qk+ r
+ +llpp
n +p+ p
+ +pP +P
npP LN+
+ + + +
P +NPP+
RL+QR K

769

must definitely be considered ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Qd1-d2
Rb8-c8 25.Ne2-c3 Diagram
(Diagram 770)
Rc8-a8 26.Ra1xa8 Qd8xa8
27.Re1-d1 0-0 28.Qd2-f4 Be7-g5
29.Qf4-f3 Nb6-a4 -0.21/14 ]
Secures a4 24...Rb8-a8 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Be7-g5
Diagram
25.b3xc4 Nb6xc4 26.Bg3-f4 Bg5xf4
27.Ne2xf4 Qd8-g5 28.g2-g3 0-0

r qk+ r
+ +llpp
n +p+ p
+ +pP +P
npP +N+
+P+ + L
+ +NPP+
RL+QR K

r qk+ r
+ +l+pp
n +p+ p
+ +pP lP
npP +N+
+P+ + L
+ +NPP+
RL+QR K

771

772

29.Ng4-e3 Bd7-b5 30.Ra1-a7 Rb8-a8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

201

31.Ra7-b7 Rf8-b8 32.Nf4-h3 -0.38/14 ]

r+ qk+ r
+ +llpp
n +p+ p
+ +pP +P
npP +N+
+P+ + L
+ +NPP+
RL+QR K

773

25.Ra1xa8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 25.Ra1xa8 Qd8xa8 26.Bg3-f4
Qa8-b7 27.Bf4-c1 Bd7-c6 28.Ng4-e3
0-0 29.b3xc4 d5xc4 30.Qd1-d2
Rf8-a8 31.Ne2-c3 Nb6-a4 32.Nc3xa4
Ra8xa4 33.Bc1-b2 -0.36/13 ]

R+ qk+ r
+ +llpp
n +p+ p
+ +pP +P
npP +N+
+P+ + L
+ +NPP+
+L+QR K

774

25...Qd8xa8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


25...Qd8xa8 Diagram
(Diagram 775)
26.Bg3-f4 Qa8-b7 27.Bf4-c1 Bd7-c6
28.Ne2-c3 Qb7-a7 29.b3xc4 d5xc4
30.Ng4-e3 0-0 31.Qd1-e2 Rf8-d8

q+ +k+ r
+ +llpp
n +p+ p
+ +pP +P
npP +N+
+P+ + L
+ +NPP+
+L+QR K

775

32.Re1-d1 Qa7-b7 33.f2-f3 Qb7-a6


-0.24/14 ] 26.b3xc4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26.Bg3-f4 Qa8-a3 27.b3xc4
Diagram

+ +k+ r
+ +llpp
n +p+ p
+ +pP +P
nPP LN+
q + + +
+ +NPP+
+L+QR K

776

d5xc4 28.Bb1-e4 Nb6-d5 29.Ng4-e3


Qa3-a6 30.Be4xd5 Nb4xd5 31.Qd1-c1
Nd5xe3 32.Qc1xe3 0-0 33.Re1-b1
Bd7-c6 34.Ne2-c3 -0.30/14 ]
26...Nb6xc4 Black's knights have
seized dominating posts.. .
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26...d5xc4
27.Qd1-d2 Bd7-c6 28.Ng4-e3 0-0
29.Re1-c1 Qa8-a6 30.Ne2-f4 Rf8-d8
31.Qd2-c3 Bc6-b5 32.Qc3-d2 Nb4-c6
33.Nf4-e2 -0.26/14 ] 27.Ne2-c1?

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

202

Diagram [ 27.Bg3-f4!? ;Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 27.Bg3-f4 Qa8-a7 28.Qd1-c1
Nc4-a3 29.Qc1-c3 Qa7-a6 30.Qc3-f3
Na3xb1 31.Re1xb1 Bd7-b5 32.Ne2-c3
Bb5-d3 33.Rb1-c1 0-0 34.Ng4-e3
-0.28/13 Diagram

+ + rk+
+ + lpp
q+ +p+ p
+ +pP +P
n P L +
+ NlNQ+
+ + PP+
+ R + K

777

779

Kd8-d7 38.Qa8xh8 Nb5-c3 39.Qh8xg7


Nc3-e2+ 40.Kg1-h2 Qe1xf1
41.Qg7xh6 Qf1-g1+ 42.Kh2-h3
Qg1-h1+ 43.Bg3-h2 Kd7-e8
44.Qh6-h8+ Ke8-d7 -0.82/16 ]

q+ +k+ r
+ +llpp
+ +p+ p
+ +pP +P
nnP +N+
+ + + L
+ + PP+
+LNQR K

q+ +k+ r
+ + lpp
+ +p+ p
+ +pP +P
lnnP +N+
+ + + L
+ +QPP+
+LN R K

778

27...Bd7-a4-+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 27...Bd7-a4 28.Qd1-e2
Diagram
Qa8-a7 29.Ng4-e3 Nc4-a3 30.Nc1-a2
Nb4xa2 31.Bb1xa2 Qa7xd4
32.Ba2xd5 Ba4-b5 33.Qe2-f3 Qd4-c3
34.Ne3-f1 Qc3xe1 35.Bd5-c6+ Ke8-d8
36.Bc6xb5 Na3xb5 37.Qf3-a8+

q+ +k+ r
+ + lpp
+ +p+ p
+ +pP +P
lnnP +N+
+ + + L
+ + PP+
+LNQR K

780

White's pieces are in a terrible tangle


and it suddenly transpires that he
cannot defend his pawn on d4.
28.Qd1-e2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28.Qd1-e2 Qa8-a7 29.Ng4-e3
Nc4-a3 30.Nc1-a2 Qa7xd4 31.Na2xb4
Qd4xb4 32.Bb1-d3 Ba4-b5
33.Bd3xb5+ Qb4xb5 34.Qe2-g4 0-0
35.Re1-c1 Rf8-b8 36.Rc1-c7 Qb5-b4
37.Qg4xb4 Be7xb4 38.Kg1-f1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

203

Na3-b5 -0.89/16 ]

q+ +k+ r
+ + lpp
+ +p+ p
+ +pP +P
lnnP +N+
+ + + L
+ +QPP+
+LN R K

781

28...Qa8-a7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 28...Qa8-a7 29.Ng4-e3
Nc4-a3 30.Nc1-a2 Nb4xa2 31.Bb1xa2
Qa7xd4 32.Ba2xd5 Ba4-b5 33.Qe2-f3
Qd4-c3 34.Ne3-f1 Qc3xe1
35.Bd5-c6+ Ke8-d8 36.Bc6xb5
Na3xb5 37.Qf3-a8+ Kd8-d7
38.Qa8xh8 Nb5-c3 39.Qh8xg7
Nc3-e2+ 40.Kg1-h2 Qe1xf1
41.Qg7xh6 Qf1-g1+ 42.Kh2-h3
Qg1-h1+ 43.Bg3-h2 Kd7-e8
44.Qh6-h8+ Ke8-d7 -0.82/14 ]

+ +k+ r
q + lpp
+ +p+ p
+ +pP +P
lnnP +N+
+ + + L
+ +QPP+
+LN R K

+ +k+ r
q + lpp
+ +p+ p
+ +pP +P
lnnP + +
+ + N L
+ +QPP+
+LN R K

782

783

(Diagram 782)
29.Ng4-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29.Ng4-e3 Diagram

Qd4-c3 34.Ne3-f1 Qc3xe1


35.Bd5-c6+ Diagram
(Diagram 784)

(Diagram 783)
Nc4-a3 30.Nc1-a2 Qa7xd4
31.Na2xb4 Qd4xb4 32.Bb1-d3 0-0
33.Re1-c1 Ba4-b5 34.Bd3xb5 Qb4xb5
35.Qe2-g4 Rf8-b8 36.Rc1-c7 Qb5-b4
37.Qg4xb4 Be7xb4 38.Kg1-h2
-0.89/14 ] 29...Qa7xd4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Nc4-a3
30.Nc1-a2 Nb4xa2 31.Bb1xa2
Qa7xd4 32.Ba2xd5 Ba4-b5 33.Qe2-f3

Ke8-d8 36.Bc6xb5 Na3xb5


37.Qf3-a8+ Kd8-d7 38.Qa8xh8
Nb5-c3 39.Qh8xg7 Nc3-e2+
40.Kg1-h2 Qe1xf1 41.Qg7xh6
Qf1-g1+ 42.Kh2-h3 Qg1-h1+
43.Bg3-h2 Kd7-e8 44.Qh6-h8+
Ke8-d7 -0.82/14 ]
30.Ne3xc4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 30.Nc1-d3 Nc4-a3 31.Nd3xb4
Qd4xb4 32.Bb1-d3 Ba4-b5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +k+ r
+ + lpp
+L+p+ p
+l+ P +P
+ + + +
n + +QL
+ + PP+
+ + qNK

204

784

+ +k+ r
+ + lpp
+ +p+ p
+ +pP +P
lnNq + +
+ + + L
+ +QPP+
+LN R K

786

-1.35/15 ]

+ +k+ r
+ + lpp
+ +p+ p
+ +pP +P
lnnq + +
+ + N L
+ +QPP+
+LN R K

785

33.Bd3xb5+ Qb4xb5 34.Qe2-g4 0-0


35.Re1-c1 Rf8-b8 36.Rc1-c7 Qb5-b4
37.Qg4xb4 Be7xb4 38.Kg1-f1
Na3-b5 -0.89/13 ]

+ +k+ r
+ + lpp
+ +p+ p
+ + P +P
lnpq + +
+ + + L
+ +QPP+
+LN R K

787

31.Qe2-f1? A counsel of despair.


[ 31.Qe2-e4 Qd4xe4 32.Bb1xe4-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31.Qe2-f3 0-0
32.Bg3-f4 Diagram

(Diagram 786)
(Diagram 788)
30...d5xc4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 30...d5xc4 31.Qe2-f3 0-0
32.Bg3-f4 Nb4-c2 33.Re1-f1 Rf8-b8
34.Nc1-e2 Qd4-d3 35.Qf3-g4 Kg8-h8
36.Rf1-c1 Rb8-d8 37.Rc1-f1 Ba4-b3
38.Ne2-c1 Qd3-d5 39.Nc1-e2 Rd8-b8
40.Rf1-c1 Qd5-d3 41.Bf4-h2 Rb8-d8
42.Ne2-f4 Qd3-e4 43.Nf4-g6+

Ba4-c6 33.Qf3-g3 Kg8-h8 34.Nc1-e2


Qd4-b2 35.Qg3-e3 Rf8-d8 36.Qe3-c1
Nb4-d3 37.Qc1xb2 Nd3xb2 38.Re1-c1
Be7-c5 39.Kg1-f1 Kh8-g8 40.f2-f3
Bc6-b7 -1.20/14 ] 31...0-0 At long last
Black completes his mobilisation. This
is one of the later instances of castling

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
+ + lpp
+ +p+ p
+ + P +P
lnpq L +
+ + +Q+
+ + PP+
+LN R K

205

788

in a grandmaster game and with


Black's king now in safety, Kasparov
decided to resign. White is only a pawn
down, but the advance of Black's
passed c-pawn will inevitably cost
White a piece. [ 31...0-0 Diagram

+ + rk+
+ + lpp
+ +p+ p
+ + P +P
lnpq + +
+ + + L
+ + PP+
+LN RQK

+ +k+ r
+ + lpp
+ +p+ p
+ + P +P
ln q + +
+ p + L
+ + PP+
+LN RQK
Diagram

+ + rk+
+ + +pp
+l+p+ p
+ + P +P
lLq + +
+ + R +
+p+ PP+
+ L +QK

789

791

Rf8-d8 40.Bc4-d3 -2.55/14 ]


0-1

13
32.Nc1-e2 Qd4-b6-+ ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 31...c4-c3 Diagram

790

Vassily Ivanchuk
Veselin Topalov
It (cat.19), (Russia) (8)

B84

1996

(Diagram 790)
32.Re1-e4 Qd4-d7 33.Nc1-a2
Nb4xa2 34.Bb1xa2 c3-c2 35.Bg3-f4
0-0 36.Ba2-c4 Ba4-c6 37.Re4-e1
Qd7-d4 38.Bf4-c1 Be7-b4 39.Re1-e3

B85: Sicilian Scheveningen: 6 Be2 a6,


lines with early Be3
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 d7-d6
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram
Ng8-f6 5.Nb1-c3 a7-a6 6.Bf1-e2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rnlqklnr
pp+ pppp
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

206

792

e7-e6 7.0-0 Bf8-e7 8.f2-f4 0-0


9.Kg1-h1 Qd8-c7 10.a2-a4 Nb8-c6
11.Bc1-e3 Rf8-e8 12.Be2-f3 Ra8-b8
13.g2-g4 Be7-f8 14.g4-g5 Nf6-d7
15.Bf3-g2 Nc6xd4 16.Be3xd4 b7-b5
17.a4xb5 Diagram

rl+rlk+
+ qn+ppp
p+ pp+ +
+P+ + P
+ LPP +
+ N + +
PP+ +LP
R +Q+R+K

Giovanardi,R (2015)-Lagrotteria,S
(2180)/Cesenatico 1998/EXT 2000/0-1
(41) ] 19...e6-e5 20.Bd4-e3 e5xf4
last book move 21.Be3xf4 The isolani
on d6 becomes a target [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 21.Rf1xf4 Nd7-e5 22.Nc3-d5
Bc8-e6 23.Nd5-c7 Qd8xg5 24.Qd1-e1
Qg5-g6 25.Nc7xe8 Rb8xe8 26.Ra7-b7
Bf8-e7 27.Qe1-g3 Qg6xg3 28.h2xg3
Diagram

+ +r+k+
+R+ lppp
+ pl+ +
+p+ n +
P +PR +
+ + L P
+P+ +L+
+ + + +K

794

793

a6xb5 18.Ra1-a7 Qc7-d8 19.b2-b4N


[RR 19.Bd4-e3 b5-b4 20.Nc3-e2
d6-d5 21.Ne2-d4 Bc8-b7 22.e4-e5
Bf8-c5 23.Ra7-a1 Qd8-b6 24.Rf1-f3
Rb8-a8 25.Ra1-c1 Ra8-a2 26.Rf3-h3
g7-g6 27.Qd1-g1 Re8-a8 28.b2-b3
Qb6-a5 29.Rh3-f3 Ra8-c8 30.Qg1-f2
Ra2-a1 31.Qf2-d2 Ra1xc1+
32.Qd2xc1 Bc5xd4 33.Be3xd4 Nd7-c5

Be7-g5 29.Rb7xb5 Re8-c8 30.Kh1-g1


Bg5xf4 31.g3xf4 0.11/15 ] 21...Nd7-e5
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...Qd8-b6
Diagram
(Diagram 795)
22.Qd1-a1 Rb8-b7 23.Ra7-a5
Nd7-e5 24.Ra5xb5 Qb6-c6 25.Rb5xb7
Bc8xb7 26.Qa1-a7 Re8-a8 27.Qa7-f2
Qc6xc3 28.Bf4xe5 Qc3-c4 29.Be5-d4
Ra8-a2 30.Bd4-c3 Bb7xe4 31.Bg2xe4
Qc4xe4+ 32.Kh1-g1 0.24/16 ]
22.Nc3-d5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.Bf4xe5 Diagram
d6xe5 23.Rf1xf7 Qd8xg5 24.Nc3-d5
Bc8-e6 25.Rf7-f1 Re8-d8 26.Qd1-f3
Kg8-h8 27.c2-c3 Qg5-g6 28.Qf3-e2
Bf8-d6 29.Bg2-f3 Rd8-f8 30.Rf1-d1
Rb8-d8 0.08/14 ] 22...Bc8-g4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rl+rlk+
R +n+ppp
q p + +
+p+ + P
P +PL +
+ N + +
+P+ +LP
+ +Q+R+K

rlqrlk+
R + +ppp
+ p + +
+p+ L P
P +P+ +
+ N + +
+P+ +LP
+ +Q+R+K

207

795

796

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Bc8-b7


23.Qd1-d2 Ne5-c4 24.Qd2-d3 Bf8-e7
25.h2-h4 f7-f6 26.Nd5-e3 Nc4xe3
27.Bf4xe3 Qd8-d7 28.Be3-d4 Qd7-g4
29.g5xf6 Qg4xh4+ 30.Kh1-g1 g7xf6
31.c2-c4 b5xc4 32.Qd3xc4+ Kg8-h8
0.17/14 ] 23.Qd1-d2 last book move.
Black has a cramped position
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.Qd1-e1
Ne5-c6 24.Ra7-a6 Qd8-c8 25.Ra6-a1
Bg4-e6 26.Qe1-f2 Nc6-e5 27.Ra1-a7
Rb8-b7 28.Rf1-a1 Ne5-c6 29.Ra7xb7
Qc8xb7 30.Bf4-d2 Nc6-e5 31.Bd2-e3
0.19/15 ] 23...Ne5-c6 [ 23...Bg4-e6
Diagram

r qrlk+
R + +ppp
+ pl+ +
+p+Nn P
P +PL +
+ + + +
+PQ +LP
+ + +R+K

797

24.Nd5-c7 Re8-e7 25.Nc7xe6 f7xe6


26.Ra7xe7 Qd8xe7 27.Bf4xe5 d6xe5
28.Bg2-h3$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...Bg4-h5 24.Bf4-g3 Kg8-h8
25.h2-h4 Ne5-c6 26.Ra7-a6 Qd8-d7
27.Rf1-a1 Nc6-e5 28.Qd2-f2 Ne5-c4
29.Qf2-f5 Re8-e6 30.Bg2-f3 0.18/13
Diagram

r + l k
+ +q+ppp
R+ pr+ +
+p+N+QPl
Pn+P+ P
+ + +LL
+P+ + +
R + + +K

798

] 24.g5-g6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


24.Ra7-a6 Nc6-e5 25.Rf1-a1 Bg4-e6
26.Ra6-a7 Ne5-c6 27.Ra7-a3 Qd8-d7
28.Ra3-a6 Nc6-e5 29.Bf4-g3 Rb8-c8
0.26/14 Diagram
] 24...Nc6xa7? [ 24...f7-f6 25.g6xh7+
Kg8-h8 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+rlk+
+ +q+ppp
R+ pl+ +
+p+Nn P
P +P+ +
+ + + L
+PQ +LP
R + + +K

208

799

24...f7-f6 25.Ra7-a6 Bg4-d7


26.g6xh7+ Kg8xh7 27.Bg2-f3 Qd8-c8
28.Rf1-a1 Kh7-h8 29.Nd5-b6 Qc8-c7
30.Nb6xd7 Qc7xd7 31.c2-c3 Nc6-e5
Diagram

r +rl k
+ +q+ p
R+ p p +
+p+ n +
P +PL +
+ P +L+
+ Q + P
R + + +K

800

32.Bf4xe5 Re8xe5 33.Ra6-a7


Rb8-b7 0.32/15 ] 25.g6xf7++[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25.g6xf7+
Diagram

r qrlk+
n + +Ppp
+ p + +
+p+N+ +
P +PLl+
+ + + +
+PQ +LP
+ + +R+K

801

h7-h6 32.Nf4-e6 Rd8-d7 33.Ne6-g5


g7-g6 34.Kh1-g2 Rb8-c8 35.c2-c3
Rd7-c7 36.Rf1-c1 2.75/16 ]
25...Kg8-h8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25...Kg8-h8 26.Bf4-g5 Na7-c6
27.Bg5xd8 Re8xd8 28.Qd2-e3 Bg4-e6
29.Bg2-h3 Be6xd5 30.e4xd5 Nc6-e5
31.Qe3-a7 Rb8-a8 32.Qa7-c7 h7-h6
33.Kh1-g2 g7-g6 34.Bh3-e6 Kh8-h7
35.Rf1-e1 Rd8-b8 36.h2-h3 h6-h5
37.h3-h4 2.80/18 ]
(Diagram 802)
26.Bf4-g5 [ 26.f7xe8B?! Diagram
(Diagram 803)
Qd8xe8 27.Nd5-e3 Bg4-e6 ;
26.f7xe8R?! is clearly inferior Qd8xe8
27.Nd5-e3 Bg4-e6$ ; 26.f7xe8Q?!
is the weaker alternative Qd8xe8
27.Nd5-c3 Qe8-d8$ Diagram
(Diagram 804)

(Diagram 801)
Kg8-h8 26.Bf4-g5 Na7-c6 27.Bg5xd8
Re8xd8 28.Qd2-e3 Bg4-d7 29.Bg2-h3
Nc6-e5 30.Nd5-f4 Bd7xh3 31.Qe3xh3

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Bf4-g5


Na7-c6 27.Bg5xd8 Re8xd8 28.Qd2-e3
Nc6-e5 29.Bg2-h3 Bg4-d7 30.Kh1-g2
Rb8-b7 31.Bh3xd7 Rd8xd7 32.Qe3-e2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r qrl k
n + +Ppp
+ p + +
+p+N+ +
P +PLl+
+ + + +
+PQ +LP
+ + +R+K

r qLl k
n + + pp
+ p + +
+p+N+ +
P +PLl+
+ + + +
+PQ +LP
+ + +R+K

r q l k
n + + pp
+ p + +
+p+ + +
P +PLl+
+ N + +
+PQ +LP
+ + +R+K
Rb7-b8 33.h2-h3 g7-g6 34.Rf1-f2

209
Rd7xf7 35.Rf2xf7 Ne5xf7 36.Nd5-c7
Kh8-g7 37.Nc7xb5 Bf8-e7 38.c2-c3
Be7-f6 39.Qe2-c4 Diagram
802

r + + +
+ + +nkp
+ p lp+
+N+ + +
PQ+P+ +
+ P + +P
+ + +K+
+ + + +
803

804

805

Rb8-a8 40.Nb5-d4 2.53/17 ]


26...Qd8-d7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 26...Na7-c6 27.Bg5xd8
Re8xd8 28.Qd2-e3 Nc6-e5 29.Bg2-h3
Bg4-d7 30.Qe3-b3 Rb8-b7 31.Kh1-g2
Bd7xh3+ 32.Qb3xh3 Ne5xf7
33.Nd5-f4 Rd8-e8 34.Nf4-e6 Diagram

+ +rl k
+r+ +npp
+ pN+ +
+p+ + +
P +P+ +
+ + + +Q
+P+ +KP
+ + +R+

806

Rb7-e7 35.Qh3-d3 Re7xe6 36.Rf1xf7


Re6-g6+ 37.Kg2-f2 2.27/15 ]
27.f7xe8N [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27.f7xe8Q Diagram
Rb8xe8 28.Qd2-f2 Kh8-g8 29.Nd5-b6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r +rl k
n +q+Ppp
+ p + +
+p+N+ L
P +P+l+
+ + + +
+PQ +LP
+ + +R+K

r +Ql k
n +q+ pp
+ p + +
+p+N+ L
P +P+l+
+ + + +
+PQ +LP
+ + +R+K

210

807

808

Qd7-c7 30.e4-e5 Bg4-e6 31.Bg2-e4


h7-h5 32.Nb6-d5 Qc7-d7 Diagram
(Diagram 809)
33.Qf2-h4 Be6-g4 34.Nd5-b6 Qd7-c7
35.Rf1-f4 Qc7xb6 36.Rf4xg4 Re8xe5
37.Qh4xh5 Re5xe4 38.Rg4xe4
Qb6-c6 39.Qh5-g6 d6-d5 40.Qg6-e6+
Qc6xe6 41.Re4xe6 Bf8xb4 42.Kh1-g2
Kg8-f7 43.Re6-b6 Bb4-c5 44.Rb6-b7+
Kf7-g6 45.Rb7-d7 d5-d4 46.Bg5-e7
Bc5xe7 47.Rd7xe7 Na7-c8 48.Re7-d7
Diagram
Kg6-f5 49.Rd7xd4 2.87/17 ]

+ +rlk+
n +q+ p
+ pl+ +
+p+NP Lp
P +L+ +
+ + + +
+P+ Q P
+ + +R+K

+n+ + +
+ +R+ p
+ + +k+
+p+ + +
+ p + +
+ + + +
+P+ +KP
+ + + +

809

810

27...Rb8xe8?! Diagram [ 27...Qd7xe8


28.e4-e5! Decoy: e5 d6xe5
29.Nd5-f6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27...Rb8xe8 28.Qd2-f2 Kh8-g8
Diagram
(Diagram 811)
29.Nd5-b6 Qd7-c7 30.e4-e5 Bg4-e6
31.Bg2-e4 h7-h5 32.Nb6-d5 Qc7-d7
33.Qf2-h4 Be6-g4 34.Nd5-b6 Qd7-c7
35.Rf1-f4 Qc7xb6 36.Rf4xg4 Re8xe5
37.Qh4xh5 Re5xe4 38.Rg4xe4
Qb6-c6 39.Qh5-g6 d6-d5 40.Qg6-e6+
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +rlk+
n +q+ pp
+ p + +
+p+N+ L
P +P+l+
+ + + +
+P+ QLP
+ + +R+K

+ + lk+
n + + p
+q+Q+ +
+p+p+ L
P +R+ +
+ + + +
+P+ + P
+ + + +K

211

811

812

Qc6xe6 41.Re4xe6 Bf8xb4


42.Kh1-g2 Kg8-f7 43.Re6-e5 d5-d4
44.Re5-d5 Bb4-c3 45.Rd5-d7+ Kf7-g6
46.Bg5-e7 Na7-c6 47.Be7-c5 Kg6-h7
3.08/16 Diagram
(Diagram 813)
]
(Diagram 814)
just waiting for the end 28.Qd2-f2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Qd2-f2
Diagram

+ + + +
+ +R+ pk
+n+ + +
+pL + +
+ p + +
+ l + +
+P+ +KP
+ + + +

+ +rl k
n +q+ pp
+ p + +
+p+N+ L
P +P+l+
+ + + +
+PQ +LP
+ + +R+K

+ +rl k
n +q+ pp
+ p + +
+p+N+ L
P +P+l+
+ + + +
+P+ QLP
+ + +R+K

813

814

815

Kh8-g8 29.Nd5-b6 Qd7-c7 30.e4-e5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

212

Bg4-e6 31.Bg2-e4 h7-h5 32.Nb6-d5


Qc7-d7 33.Qf2-h4 Diagram

+ +rlk+
n +q+ p
+ pl+ +
+p+NP Lp
P +L+ Q
+ + + +
+P+ + P
+ + +R+K

816

Be6-g4 34.Nd5-b6 Qd7-c7 35.Rf1-f4


Qc7xb6 36.Rf4xg4 Re8xe5
37.Qh4xh5 Re5xe4 38.Rg4xe4
Qb6-c6 39.Qh5-g6 d6-d5 40.Qg6-e6+
Qc6xe6 41.Re4xe6 Bf8xb4 42.Kh1-g2
Kg8-f7 43.Re6-e5 d5-d4 44.Re5-d5
Bb4-c3 45.Rd5-d7+ Kf7-g6 46.Bg5-e7
Na7-c6 47.Be7-c5 Kg6-h7 2.05/18
Diagram
(Diagram 817)
] 28...Kh8-g8 Diagram [ 28...h7-h6
does not help much 29.e4-e5!
Deflection: f8 Qd7-f5 A) 30.Qf2xf5?!
Diagram
(Diagram 818)
Bg4xf5 31.Rf1xf5 h6xg5+- ; B)
30.Qf2xa7?! is much weaker Qf5xg5
31.Nd5-f4 Re8-d8$ ( 31...d6xe5
32.Qa7-f7 e5xf4 33.Qf7xe8 ); C)
30.Bg5-e3 Qf5xf2 31.Rf1xf2
( 31.Be3xf2 Na7-c6+- Diagram
) 31...d6xe5 32.Be3xa7+- ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 28...Kh8-g8 29.Nd5-b6
Diagram

+ + + +
+ +R+ pk
+n+ + +
+pL + +
+ p + +
+ l + +
+P+ +KP
+ + + +

+ +rl k
n + + p
+ p + p
+p+NPQL
P + +l+
+ + + +
+P+ +LP
+ + +R+K

+ +rl k
+ + + p
+np + p
+p+NP +
P + +l+
+ + + +
+P+ LLP
+ + +R+K

817

818

819

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +rlk+
n +q+ pp
N p + +
+p+ + L
P +P+l+
+ + + +
+P+ QLP
+ + +R+K

213

820

Qd7-c7 30.e4-e5 Bg4-e6 31.Bg2-e4


h7-h5 32.Nb6-d5 Qc7-d7 33.Qf2-h4
Be6-g4 34.Nd5-b6 Diagram

+ +rlk+
n +q+ p
N p + +
+p+ P Lp
P +L+lQ
+ + + +
+P+ + P
+ + +R+K

821

Qd7-c7 35.Rf1-f4 Qc7xb6 36.Rf4xg4


Re8xe5 37.Qh4xh5 Re5xe4
38.Rg4xe4 Qb6-c6 39.Qh5-g6 d6-d5
40.Qg6-e6+ Qc6xe6 41.Re4xe6
Bf8xb4 42.Kh1-g2 Kg8-f7 43.Re6-b6
Bb4-c5 44.Rb6-b7+ Kf7-g6 2.21/15 ]
(Diagram 822)
29.e4-e5! Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 29.Nd5-b6 Diagram
Qd7-c7 30.e4-e5 Bg4-e6 31.Bg2-e4

+ +rlk+
n +q+ pp
+ p + +
+p+N+ L
P +P+l+
+ + + +
+P+ QLP
+ + +R+K

+ +rlk+
n +q+ pp
N p + +
+p+ + L
P +P+l+
+ + + +
+P+ QLP
+ + +R+K

822

823

h7-h5 32.Nb6-d5 Qc7-d7 33.Qf2-h4


Be6-g4 34.Nd5-b6 Qd7-c7 35.Rf1-f4
Qc7xb6 36.Rf4xg4 Re8xe5
37.Qh4xh5 Re5xe4 38.Rg4xe4
Qb6-c6 39.Qh5-g6 d6-d5 40.Qg6-e6+
Qc6xe6 41.Re4xe6 Bf8xb4 42.Kh1-g2
Kg8-f7 Diagram
(Diagram 824)
43.Re6-b6 Bb4-c5 44.Rb6-b7+
Kf7-g6 1.94/15 ]
Mate attack 29...h7-h6?? the final
mistake, not that it matters anymore
[ 29...d6xe5 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
n + +kp
+ +R+ +
+p+p+ L
l + + +
+ + + +
+P+ +KP
+ + + +

+ +rlk+
n +q+ pp
+ p + +
+p+NP L
P + +l+
+ + + +
+P+ QLP
+ + +R+K

+ +rlk+
n +q+ pp
+ + + +
+p+Np L
P + +l+
+ + + +
+P+ QLP
+ + +R+K

214
30.Qf2xf8# Mate attack ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 29...Bg4-e6 30.Nd5-f4 h7-h6
Diagram
824

+ +rlk+
n +q+ p
+ pl+ p
+p+ P L
P + N +
+ + + +
+P+ QLP
+ + +R+K
825

826

30.Nd5-b6 Combination ; 29...Re8xe5

827

31.Nf4xe6 Qd7xe6 32.Bg5xh6 g7xh6


33.Qf2xa7 Qe6xe5 34.Qa7-b7 Bf8-g7
35.Rf1-g1 Kg8-h8 36.Bg2-c6 Re8-e7
37.Qb7-b8+ Kh8-h7 38.Qb8xb5
Qe5xb5 39.Bc6xb5 d6-d5 40.Bb5-d3+
Kh7-g8 41.Kh1-g2 0.85/14 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ + r l
+ + + p
+ +p+ +
P + + +
+ +L+ +
+P+ +KP
+ + + R
] 30.Nd5-b6 [ 30.Bg5-e7 makes it
even easier for White Bg4-f5
( 30...Bf8xe7?? 31.Qf2-f7+ Kg8-h8
32.Bg2-e4+- ) 31.e5xd6 Na7-c6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.Bg5xh6
d6xe5 31.Bg2-e4 Diagram

828

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +rlk+
n +q+ p
+ + + L
+p+Np +
P +L+l+
+ + + +
+P+ Q P
+ + +R+K

215

829

Bg4-h5 32.Qf2-h4 Qd7-g4 33.Qh4xg4


Bh5xg4 34.Rf1-g1 Bg4-e6 Diagram

+ +rlk+
n + + p
+ +l+ L
+p+Np +
P +L+ +
+ + + +
+P+ + P
+ + + RK

830

35.Bh6xg7 Bf8xg7 36.Nd5-f6+ Kg8-f7


37.Nf6xe8 Bg7-f8 38.Ne8-c7 Be6-h3
39.Rg1-g3 Bh3-d7 40.Rg3-f3+
Kf7-g7 3.27/13 ] 30...Qd7-c7
[ 30...Qd7-f5 31.Bg2-d5+ Kg8-h7
32.Qf2xf5+ Bg4xf5 33.Rf1xf5
h6xg5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30...Qd7-f5 31.Bg2-d5+ Kg8-h7
32.Qf2xf5+ Bg4xf5 33.Rf1xf5 h6xg5
34.Rf5-f7 Bf8-e7 35.e5xd6 Be7-d8
36.Rf7xa7 Bd8xb6 37.Ra7-b7 Bb6-d4
38.d6-d7 Re8-d8 Diagram
39.Bd5-c6 Kh7-g8 40.Rb7xb5 Bd4-f6

+ r + +
+R+P+ pk
+ + + +
+p+L+ p
P l + +
+ + + +
+P+ + P
+ + + +K

831

41.c2-c4 Kg8-f7 42.c4-c5 Kf7-e7


43.Kh1-g2 Bf6-e5 44.Rb5-b7 2.91/15 ]
31.Bg2-d5+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 31.Bg2-d5+ Diagram

+ +rlk+
n q + p
N p + p
+p+LP L
P + +l+
+ + + +
+P+ Q P
+ + +R+K

832

Kg8-h8 32.Qf2xf8+ Re8xf8


33.Rf1xf8+ Kh8-h7 34.Bd5-e4+
Bg4-f5 35.Be4xf5+ g7-g6 36.Nb6-d5
Qc7-b7 37.Bf5-e4 Kh7-g7 38.Nd5-f6
Diagram
(Diagram 833)
Qb7xe4+ 39.Nf6xe4 Kg7xf8
40.Bg5xh6+ Kf8-e7 41.e5xd6+ Ke7-e6
42.Kh1-g2 Na7-c6 43.c2-c3 Ke6-d5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + R +
nq+ + k
+ p Npp
+p+ P L
P +L+ +
+ + + +
+P+ + P
+ + + +K

216

833

44.Kg2-f3 Nc6-e5+ 45.Kf3-f4 Ne5-d7


46.Bh6-g7 Kd5-e6 47.Bg7-d4 Ke6-d5
48.h2-h4 Nd7-f8 49.Ne4-g5 Nf8-e6+
50.Ng5xe6 Kd5xe6 51.Bd4-c5 7.74/14
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ Pk+p+
+pL + +
P + K P
+ P + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
]
(Diagram 835)
31...Kg8-h7 Diagram [ 31...Kg8-h8
a last effort to resist the inevitable
32.Qf2-h4 Bf8-e7 ( 32...Qc7xb6
fails to the following pretty mating
combination 33.Bg5xh6 Qb6-g1+
Diagram

834

+ +rlk+
n q + p
N p + p
+p+LP L
P + +l+
+ + + +
+P+ Q P
+ + +R+K

+ +rl k
n + + p
+ p + L
+p+LP +
P + +lQ
+ + + +
+P+ + P
+ + +RqK

835

836

34.Kh1xg1 Bg4-e6 35.Bh6xg7+


Kh8xg7 36.Qh4-f6+ Kg7-g8
37.Qf6-g6+ Bf8-g7 38.Qg6xe8+
Kg8-h7 39.Bd5-e4+ Be6-f5
40.Be4xf5+ Kh7-h6 41.Qe8-g6# )
33.Bg5xe7 Qc7xe7 34.Qh4xg4
Qe7xe5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31...Kg8-h8 32.Qf2xf8+ Re8xf8
33.Rf1xf8+ Kh8-h7 34.Bd5-e4+
Bg4-f5 35.Be4xf5+ g7-g6 36.Nb6-d5
Qc7-b7 37.Bf5-e4 Diagram
Kh7-g7 38.Nd5-f6 Qb7xe4+
39.Nf6xe4 Kg7xf8 40.Bg5xh6+ Kf8-e7
41.e5xd6+ Ke7-e6 42.Kh1-g2 Na7-c6
43.c2-c3 Ke6-d5 44.Kg2-f3 Nc6-e5+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + R +
nq+ + +k
+ p +pp
+p+NP L
P +L+ +
+ + + +
+P+ + P
+ + + +K

217

837

45.Kf3-f4 Ne5-d7 46.Bh6-g7 Kd5-e6


47.Bg7-d4 Ke6-d5 48.h2-h4 Nd7-f8
49.Ne4-g5 Nf8-e6+ 50.Ng5xe6
Kd5xe6 7.98/15 ]

+ +rl +
n q + pk
N p + p
+p+LP L
P + +l+
+ + + +
+P+ Q P
+ + +R+K

838

32.Bd5-e4+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 32.Bd5-e4+ g7-g6 33.Nb6-d5
Bg4-f5 34.Nd5xc7 Re8xe5 35.Be4xf5
Re5xf5 36.Qf2-g1 h6xg5 37.Rf1xf5
g6xf5 38.Qg1xa7 Kh7-g6 39.Nc7xb5
d6-d5 40.Qa7-b6+ Kg6-h5 41.Nb5-c3
d5-d4 42.Qb6xd4 Kh5-g6 43.Kh1-g2
Bf8-g7 13.68/12 ]
32...Kh7-g8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...g7-g6 33.Nb6-d5 Bg4-f5
34.Nd5xc7 Re8xe5 35.Be4xf5 Re5xf5

+ +rl +
n q + pk
N p + p
+p+ P L
P +L+l+
+ + + +
+P+ Q P
+ + +R+K

839

36.Qf2-g1 h6xg5 37.Rf1xf5 g6xf5


38.Qg1xa7 Diagram

+ + l +
Q N + +k
+ p + +
+p+ +pp
P + + +
+ + + +
+P+ + P
+ + + +K

840

Kh7-g6 39.Nc7xb5 d6-d5 40.Qa7-b6+


Kg6-h5 41.Nb5-c3 d5-d4 42.Qb6xd4
Kh5-g6 43.Kh1-g2 Bf8-g7 13.74/13 ]
33.Nb6-d5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33.Nb6-d5 Diagram
(Diagram 841)
g7-g6 34.Nd5xc7 Bg4-f5 35.Nc7xe8
Na7-c8 36.Be4xf5 Bf8-g7 37.Ne8xg7
g6xf5 38.e5xd6 Kg8-h8 39.Ng7xf5
Kh8-h7 40.Bg5xh6 Nc8-b6 41.Qf2xb6
Kh7-g6 42.d6-d7+ Kg6-h7 43.Qb6xb5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +rlk+
n q + p
+ p + p
+p+NP L
P +L+l+
+ + + +
+P+ Q P
+ + +R+K

218

841

Kh7-g6 44.d7-d8Q 44.41/14 ]


33...Qc7-d7 Diagram [ 33...Na7-c6
doesn't get the bull off the ice
34.Nd5xc7 Nc6xe5 35.Nc7xe8
Bg4-f3+ 36.Be4xf3 Ne5-g6
37.Bf3-d5+ Kg8-h7 38.Bd5-e4 h6xg5
39.Qf2xf8 Kh7-h6 40.Qf8xg7+
Diagram

+ +N+ +
+ + + Q
+ p +nk
+p+ + p
P +L+ +
+ + + +
+P+ + P
+ + +R+K

842

Kh6-h5 41.Ne8-f6+ Kh5-h4


42.Qg7-h7# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Bg4-h3 34.Nd5xc7 Bh3xf1
35.Be4-d5+ Kg8-h8 36.Nc7xe8
Bf1-g2+ 37.Bd5xg2 Kh8-g8
38.Bg2-d5+ Kg8-h7 39.Qf2-f5+ g7-g6
40.Qf5xf8 h6xg5 41.Qf8-g7# #8/15 ]

+ +rlk+
n +q+ p
+ p + p
+p+NP L
P +L+l+
+ + + +
+P+ Q P
+ + +R+K

843

34.Nd5-e7+!! Diagram [ 34.Nd5-e7+


Bf8xe7 35.Qf2-f7+ Kg8-h8 36.Qf7-g6
Bg4-f5 37.Rf1xf5 Kh8-g8 38.Be4-d5+
Qd7-e6 39.Bd5xe6+ Kg8-h8
40.Qg6xe8+ Kh8-h7 41.Be6-f7 h6xg5
42.Qe8-g8+ Kh7-h6 43.Qg8-h8# ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Nd5-e7+
Diagram

+ +rlk+
n +qN p
+ p + p
+p+ P L
P +L+l+
+ + + +
+P+ Q P
+ + +R+K

844

Bf8xe7 35.Qf2-f7+ Kg8-h8 36.Bg5xe7


Bg4-f5 37.Rf1xf5 Qd7-c6 38.Be4xc6
Re8xe7 39.Qf7xe7 Na7xc6 40.Rf5-f8+
Kh8-h7 Diagram
41.Qe7-e8 d6xe5 42.Rf8-h8# #9/15 ]
Mate attack
1-0

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + R +
+ + Q pk
+np + p
+p+ P +
P + + +
+ + + +
+P+ + P
+ + + +K

+ +rlk+
n +qN p
+ p + p
+p+ P L
P +L+l+
+ + + +
+P+ Q P
+ + +R+K

14
Vassily Ivanchuk
Alexei Shirov
Hoogovens 1996 (3)

219

845

rnlqkl r
pp+ +ppp
+p+pn +
+ +p+ +
+PP + +
+ N +N+
PP +PPPP
R LQKL+R

847

13.d4-d5 Qd8-b6 14.Bf1-g2 0-0-0


15.0-0 b5-b4 16.Nc3-a4 Qb6-b5
Diagram
846

+kr l r
pl+n+p+
+ +pP +
+qpP+ L
Npp+ + +
+ + + P
PP + PLP
R +Q+RK

848

D44

17.a2-a3 e6xd5 18.a3xb4 c5xb4


19.Bg5-e3 Nd7-c5 20.Qd1-g4+
1996 Rd8-d7 last book move 21.Qg4-g7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.Be3xc5
D44: Semi-Slav: Botvinnik System
Bf8xc5 22.Na4xc5 Qb5xc5 23.Qg4-g7
1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 c7-c6
Rh8-d8 24.Bg2-h3 Kc8-c7 25.Bh3xd7
3.Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6 4.Ng1-f3 e7-e6
Rd8xd7 26.Qg7-g5 Qc5-d4 27.Qg5-e3
Diagram
Qd4xf6 28.Qe3-c5+ Diagram
5.Bc1-g5 d5xc4 6.e2-e4 b7-b5
Qf6-c6 29.Qc5xb4 d5-d4 30.f2-f3
7.e4-e5 h7-h6 8.Bg5-h4 g7-g5
d4-d3 31.Rf1-f2 Kc7-b8 32.Ra1-e1
9.Nf3xg5 h6xg5 10.Bh4xg5 Nb8-d7
Qc6-d5 33.h2-h4 Rd7-d8 34.Re1-e7
11.e5xf6 Bc8-b7 12.g2-g3 c6-c5
Rd8-g8 35.Kg1-h2 a7-a5 36.Qb4-b6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
plkr+p+
+ + q +
+ Qp+ +
pp+ + +
+ + + P
P + P P
R + +RK

220

849

d3-d2 37.Rf2-f1 1.35/15 ] 21...Bf8xg7


Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...Bf8xg7 22.f6xg7 Rh8-g8
23.Na4xc5 Rd7-c7 24.Nc5xb7 Rc7xb7
25.Rf1-d1 Rb7-d7 26.Be3-d4 (RR
26.Be3xa7 Rg8xg7 27.Ba7-d4 Rg7-g4
28.Bg2-h3 f7-f5 29.Bh3xg4 f5xg4
30.Ra1-a8+ Kc8-c7 31.Rd1-a1 c4-c3
32.Bd4-e5+ Kc7-b6 33.Be5-d4+
Kb6-c7 34.Bd4-e5+ Kc7-b6
35.Be5-d4+ Kb6-c7 - Kuljasevic,D
(2365)-Cernousek,L (2294)/Saint
Vincent 2002/CBM 090 ext (35) )
26...f7-f5 27.h2-h4 a7-a6 28.h4-h5
Rg8xg7 29.Bd4xg7 Rd7xg7
30.Rd1xd5 Qb5-b6 31.Kg1-f1 Qb6-f6
32.Ra1-c1 Qf6xb2 33.Rc1xc4+
Rg7-c7 34.Rc4xc7+ Diagram
(Diagram 850)
Kc8xc7 35.Rd5-c5+ Kc7-d6
36.Rc5xf5 Qb2-b1+ -0.29/15 ]
(Diagram 851)
22.f6xg7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.f6xg7 Rh8-g8 23.Na4xc5 Rd7-c7
24.Nc5xb7 Rc7xb7 25.Rf1-d1 Rb7-d7
26.Be3-d4 f7-f5 27.h2-h4 a7-a6

+k+ + +
+ R + +
p+ + + +
+ +R+p+P
p + + +
+ + + P
q + PL+
+ + +K+

+k+ + r
pl+r+pl
+ + P +
+qnp+ +
Npp+ + +
+ + L P
P + PLP
R + +RK

850

851

28.h4-h5 Rg8xg7 29.Bd4xg7 Rd7xg7


30.Rd1xd5 Qb5-b6 31.Kg1-f1 Qb6-f6
32.Ra1-c1 Qf6xb2 33.Rc1xc4+
Rg7-c7 34.Rc4xc7+ Kc8xc7
35.Rd5-c5+ Kc7-d6 36.Rc5xf5
Qb2-b1+ -0.38/16 ] 22...Rh8-g8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Rh8-g8
23.Na4xc5 Rd7-c7 24.Nc5xb7 Rc7xb7
25.Rf1-d1 Rb7-d7 26.Be3-d4 f7-f5
27.h2-h4 a7-a6 28.h4-h5 Rg8xg7
29.Bd4xg7 Rd7xg7 30.Rd1xd5
Qb5-b6 31.Rd5xf5 Rg7xg3 32.Ra1-a5
Rg3-d3 33.Ra5-c5+ Kc8-d7
34.Rc5xc4 Rd3-d1+ 35.Bg2-f1
Qb6-h6 36.Rf5-f4 Qh6xh5 37.Rf4-d4+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

221

Rd1xd4 38.Rc4xd4+ Kd7-c6


39.Rd4xb4 Qh5-e5 40.Bf1-g2+
Kc6-c5 -0.28/17 ] 23.Na4xc5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.Na4xc5
Rd7-c7 24.Nc5xb7 Rc7xb7 25.Rf1-d1
Rb7-d7 26.Be3-d4 f7-f5 27.h2-h4
a7-a6 28.h4-h5 Rg8xg7 29.Bd4xg7
Rd7xg7 Diagram

+k+ + +
+ + + r
p+ + + +
+q+p+p+P
pp+ + +
+ + + P
P + PL+
R +R+ K

852

30.Rd1xd5 Qb5-b6 31.Kg1-f1 Qb6-f6


32.Ra1-b1 Rg7-h7 33.Rb1-c1 Qf6xb2
34.Rc1xc4+ Rh7-c7 35.Rc4xc7+
Kc8xc7 36.Rd5-c5+ Kc7-d6 37.Rc5xf5
Qb2-b1+ -0.42/16 ]

+k+ +r+
pl+r+pP
+ + + +
+qNp+ +
pp+ + +
+ + L P
P + PLP
R + +RK

+k+ +r+
plr +pP
+ + + +
+qNp+ +
pp+ + +
+ + L P
P + PLP
R + +RK

853

854

(Diagram 853)
23...d5-d4N [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...Rd7-c7 Diagram
(Diagram 854)
24.Nc5xb7 Rc7xb7 25.Rf1-d1 Rb7-d7
26.Bg2-h3 f7-f5 27.Bh3xf5 Rg8xg7
28.Be3xa7 Rg7-f7 29.Bf5xd7+
Qb5xd7 30.Ba7-d4 Qd7-g4 31.h2-h3
Qg4-e4 32.Ra1-a8+ Kc8-d7
33.Kg1-h2 Rf7-e7 34.h3-h4 Qe4-g4
35.Ra8-a7+ Kd7-d6 36.Ra7-a6+
Kd6-c7 -0.25/15 ;RR 23...Rg8xg7
24.Nc5xd7 Qb5xd7 25.Ra1xa7

Rg7-g6 26.Rf1-a1 Rg6-e6 27.Be3-d4


Re6-e2 28.h2-h4 Re2-d2 29.Bd4-e3
Rd2xb2 30.Ra1-a5 b4-b3 31.Ra5-c5+
Kc8-d8 32.Ra7xb7 Qd7xb7
33.Rc5xd5+ Qb7xd5 34.Bg2xd5
Rb2-b1+ 35.Kg1-g2 b3-b2 36.Bd5-e4
Rb1-d1 37.Be3-g5+ Kd8-e8 38.Bg5-f6
Ponomariov,R (2734)-Shirov,A (2723)/
Wijk aan Zee 2003/CBM 093/0-1 (42) ]
24.Bg2xb7+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.Bg2xb7+ Diagram
Rd7xb7 25.Nc5xb7 Qb5-b6
26.Be3xd4 Qb6xd4 27.Rf1-d1 Qd4xg7
28.Ra1xa7 Kc8-b8 29.Rd1-a1 Rg8-e8
30.Nb7-d6 Re8-e1+ 31.Ra1xe1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+k+ +r+
pL+r+pP
+ + + +
+qN + +
ppp + +
+ + L P
P + P P
R + +RK

222
38.Kg1-g2 Ka6-b5 39.Re3-e5+
Kb5-c6 40.Re5-e7 Kc6-c5 41.Re7-c7+
Kc5-b5 0.53/19 ]
855

Kb8xa7 32.Nd6xc4 Qg7-d4 33.b2-b3


f7-f5 34.Re1-e3 f5-f4 35.Re3-f3 f4xg3
36.h2xg3 Diagram

+ + + +
k + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
pNq + +
+P+ +RP
+ + P +
+ + + K

856

Ka7-a6 37.Rf3-e3 Qd4-d1+


38.Kg1-g2 Ka6-b5 39.Re3-e5+
Kb5-c6 40.Re5-e7 Kc6-c5 41.Re7-c7+
Kc5-b5 0.40/18 ] 24...Rd7xb7 Diagram
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Rd7xb7
25.Nc5xb7 Qb5-b6 26.Be3xd4
Qb6xd4 27.Rf1-d1 Qd4xg7 28.Ra1xa7
Kc8-b8 29.Rd1-a1 Rg8-e8 30.Nb7-d6
Re8-e1+ 31.Ra1xe1 Kb8xa7
32.Nd6xc4 Qg7-d4 33.b2-b3 f7-f5
34.Re1-e3 f5-f4 35.Re3-f3 f4xg3
36.h2xg3 Ka7-a6 37.Rf3-e3 Qd4-d1+

+k+ +r+
pr+ +pP
+ + + +
+qN + +
ppp + +
+ + L P
P + P P
R + +RK

857

25.Nc5xb7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 25.Nc5xb7 Qb5-b6 26.Be3xd4
Qb6xd4 27.Rf1-d1 Qd4xg7 28.Ra1xa7
Kc8-b8 29.Rd1-a1 Rg8-e8 30.Nb7-d6
Re8-e1+ 31.Ra1xe1 Kb8xa7
32.Nd6xc4 Qg7-d4 33.b2-b3 f7-f5
Diagram

+ + + +
k + + +
+ + + +
+ + +p+
pNq + +
+P+ + P
+ + P P
+ + R K

858

34.Re1-e3 f5-f4 35.Re3-f3 f4xg3


36.h2xg3 Ka7-a6 37.Rf3-e3 Qd4-d1+
38.Kg1-g2 Ka6-b5 39.Re3-e5+
Kb5-c6 40.Re5-e7 Kc6-c5 41.Re7-c7+
Kc5-b5 0.39/19 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+k+ +r+
pN+ +pP
+ + + +
+q+ + +
ppp + +
+ + L P
P + P P
R + +RK

223

859

25...Qb5-b6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


25...Qb5-b6 Diagram

+k+ +r+
pN+ +pP
q + + +
+ + + +
ppp + +
+ + L P
P + P P
R + +RK

860

26.Be3xd4 Qb6xd4 27.Rf1-d1


Qd4xg7 28.Ra1xa7 Kc8-b8 29.Rd1-a1
Rg8-e8 30.Nb7-d6 Re8-e1+
31.Ra1xe1 Kb8xa7 32.Nd6xc4
Qg7-d4 33.b2-b3 f7-f5 Diagram

+ + + +
k + + +
+ + + +
+ + +p+
pNq + +
+P+ + P
+ + P P
+ + R K

861

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Be3xd4


Qb6xd4 27.Rf1-d1 Qd4xg7 28.Ra1xa7
Kc8-b8 29.Rd1-a1 Rg8-e8 30.Nb7-d6
Re8-e1+ 31.Ra1xe1 Diagram

k + + +
R + +pq
+ N + +
+ + + +
pp+ + +
+ + + P
P + P P
+ + R K

862

Kb8xa7 32.Nd6xc4 Qg7-d4 33.b2-b3


f7-f5 34.Re1-e3 f5-f4 35.Re3-f3 f4xg3
36.h2xg3 Ka7-a6 37.Rf3-e3 Ka6-b5
38.Re3-e5+ Kb5-c6 Diagram

(Diagram 861)
(Diagram 863)
34.Re1-e3 f5-f4 35.Re3-f3 f4xg3
36.h2xg3 Ka7-a6 37.Rf3-e3 Qd4-d1+
38.Kg1-g2 Ka6-b5 39.Re3-e5+
Kb5-c6 40.Re5-e7 Kc6-c5 41.Re7-c7+
Kc5-b5 0.49/17 ] 26.Be3xd4 Diagram

39.Kg1-g2 Qd4-d1 40.Re5-e7 Kc6-c5


41.Re7-c7+ Kc5-b5 0.38/17 ]
26...Qb6xd4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...Qb6xd4 27.Rf1-d1 Qd4xg7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +
+k+ + +
+ + R +
pNq + +
+P+ + P
+ + P +
+ + + K

+k+ +r+
pN+ +pP
q + + +
+ + + +
ppL + +
+ + + P
P + P P
R + +RK

224

863

864

Diagram
(Diagram 865)
28.Ra1xa7 Kc8-b8 29.Rd1-a1 Rg8-e8
30.Nb7-d6 Re8-e1+ 31.Ra1xe1
Diagram
(Diagram 866)
Kb8xa7
Qd4-d5
Ka7-b8
Ka7-b7
Kb7-c6

32.Nd6xc4 Qg7-d4 33.b2-b3


34.h2-h4 f7-f6 35.Re1-a1+
36.Ra1-c1 Kb8-a7 37.Rc1-b1
38.Kg1-h2 Qd5-c5 39.Rb1-b2
40.Rb2-e2 Qc5-d5 0.48/16 ]

+k+ +r+
pN+ +pq
+ + + +
+ + + +
pp+ + +
+ + + P
P + P P
R +R+ K

k + + +
R + +pq
+ N + +
+ + + +
pp+ + +
+ + + P
P + P P
+ + R K

865

866

27.Rf1-d1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 27.Rf1-d1 Qd4xb2 28.Nb7-d6+
Kc8-b8 29.Rd1-b1 Qb2xg7
30.Rb1xb4+ Kb8-a8 31.Rb4-a4
Qg7-d4 32.Nd6-b5 Diagram
(Diagram 867)
Qd4-b2 33.Ra4xa7+ Ka8-b8
34.Nb5-d6 c4-c3 35.Nd6-c4 Qb2-b4
36.Nc4-e5 Qb4-b5 37.Ra7-a8+
Kb8-b7 38.Ra8xg8 Qb5xe5
39.Ra1-b1+ Kb7-c7 40.Rb1-c1 Kc7-d7
Diagram
41.h2-h4 Qe5-e2 42.Rg8-f8 Qe2-f3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

k+ + +r+
p + +p+
+ + + +
+N+ + +
R+pq + +
+ + + P
+ + P P
R + + K

+ + +R+
+ +k+p+
+ + + +
+ + q +
+ + + +
+ p + P
+ + P P
+ R + K

225

867

868

+k+ +r+
pN+ +pP
+ + + +
+ + + +
ppq + +
+ + + P
P + P P
R +R+ K

+k+ +r+
pN+ +pP
+ + + +
+ + + +
pp+ + +
+ + + P
q + P P
R +R+ K

869

870

43.h4-h5 Kd7-e7 0.38/13 ]


(Diagram 869)
27...Qd4xb2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27...Qd4xb2 Diagram
(Diagram 870)
28.Nb7-d6+ Kc8-b8 29.Rd1-b1
Qb2xg7 30.Rb1xb4+ Kb8-a8
31.Rb4-a4 Qg7-d4 Diagram
32.Nd6xc4 Rg8-b8 33.h2-h4 Rb8-b4
34.Ra4xa7+ Qd4xa7 35.Ra1xa7+
Ka8xa7 36.Nc4-d6 f7-f6 37.h4-h5

k+ + +r+
p + +p+
+ N + +
+ + + +
R+pq + +
+ + + P
+ + P P
R + + K

871

Rb4-b8 38.h5-h6 Rb8-h8 39.Nd6-f5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

226

Ka7-b6 40.g3-g4 Kb6-c6 41.f2-f3


Kc6-d5 42.Kg1-f2 Kd5-e6 43.Kf2-e3
Ke6-f7 0.49/14 ] 28.Nb7-d6+ Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Nb7-d6+
Kc8-b8 29.Rd1-b1 Qb2xg7 Diagram

k + +r+
p + +pq
+ N + +
+ + + +
pp+ + +
+ + + P
+ + P P
RR+ + K

872

30.Rb1xb4+ Kb8-a8 31.Rb4-a4


Qg7-d4 32.Nd6xc4 Rg8-b8 33.h2-h4
Rb8-b4 34.Ra4xa7+ Qd4xa7
35.Ra1xa7+ Ka8xa7 36.Nc4-d6 f7-f6
37.h4-h5 Rb4-b8 38.h5-h6 Rb8-h8
39.Nd6-f5 Ka7-b7 Diagram
(Diagram 873)
40.g3-g4 Kb7-c6 41.f2-f3 Kc6-d5
42.Kg1-f2 Kd5-e6 43.Kf2-e3 Ke6-f7
0.39/18 ]
(Diagram 874)
28...Kc8-b8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28...Kc8-b8 29.Rd1-b1 Diagram
(Diagram 875)
Qb2xg7 30.Rb1xb4+ Kb8-a8
31.Rb4-a4 Qg7-d4 32.Nd6xc4 Rg8-b8
33.h2-h4 Rb8-b4 34.Ra4xa7+ Qd4xa7
35.Ra1xa7+ Diagram
Ka8xa7 36.Nc4-d6 f7-f6 37.h4-h5

+ + + r
+k+ + +
+ + p P
+ + +N+
+ + + +
+ + + P
+ + P +
+ + + K

+k+ +r+
p + +pP
+ N + +
+ + + +
pp+ + +
+ + + P
q + P P
R +R+ K

k + +r+
p + +pP
+ N + +
+ + + +
pp+ + +
+ + + P
q + P P
RR+ + K

873

874

875

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

k+ + + +
R + +p+
+ + + +
+ + + +
rN+ + P
+ + + P
+ + P +
+ + + K

227

876

Rb4-b8 38.h5-h6 Rb8-h8 39.Nd6-f5


Diagram

+ + + r
k + + +
+ + p P
+ + +N+
+ + + +
+ + + P
+ + P +
+ + + K

877

Ka7-b6 40.g3-g4 Kb6-c6 41.f2-f3


Kc6-d5 42.Kg1-f2 Kd5-e6 43.Kf2-e3
Ke6-f7 0.49/17 ] 29.Rd1-b1
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29.Ra1-b1
Qb2xg7 Diagram
(Diagram 878)
30.Rb1xb4+ Kb8-a8 31.Rb4xc4
Qg7-g6 32.h2-h4 f7-f5 33.Rc4-d4
Qg6-h5 Diagram
34.Rd1-d2 Rg8-g4 35.Kg1-g2 f5-f4
36.Kg2-h3 Ka8-b8 37.Rd2-b2+

k + +r+
p + +pq
+ N + +
+ + + +
pp+ + +
+ + + P
+ + P P
+R+R+ K

k+ + +r+
p + + +
+ N + +
+ + +p+q
+ R + P
+ + + P
+ + P +
+ +R+ K

878

879

Kb8-c7 38.Rb2-b7+ Kc7-c6


39.Rb7xa7 0.46/16 ] 29...Qb2xg7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Qb2xg7
Diagram
(Diagram 880)
30.Rb1xb4+ Kb8-a8 31.Rb4-a4
Qg7-d4 32.Nd6xc4 Rg8-b8 33.h2-h4
Rb8-b4 34.Ra4xa7+ Qd4xa7
35.Ra1xa7+ Ka8xa7 36.Nc4-d6 f7-f6
37.h4-h5 Rb4-b8 38.h5-h6 Rb8-h8
39.Nd6-f5 Ka7-b6 40.Kg1-g2 Kb6-c6
41.Kg2-f3 Kc6-d5 Diagram
42.Kf3-f4 Kd5-e6 43.g3-g4 Ke6-f7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

k + +r+
p + +pq
+ N + +
+ + + +
pp+ + +
+ + + P
+ + P P
RR+ + K

+ + + r
+ + + +
+ + p P
+ +k+N+
+ + + +
+ + +KP
+ + P +
+ + + +

228

880

881

44.Kf4-e4 Kf7-g6 0.45/17 ]


30.Rb1xb4+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30.Rb1xb4+ Kb8-a8 31.Rb4-a4
Diagram
(Diagram 882)
Qg7-d4 32.Nd6xc4 Rg8-b8 33.h2-h4
Rb8-b4 34.Ra4xa7+ Qd4xa7
35.Ra1xa7+ Ka8xa7 36.Nc4-d6 f7-f6
37.h4-h5 Rb4-b8 38.h5-h6 Rb8-h8
39.Nd6-f5 Ka7-b6 40.Kg1-g2 Kb6-c6
41.Kg2-f3 Kc6-d5 42.Kf3-f4 Kd5-e6
43.g3-g4 Diagram
Ke6-f7 44.Kf4-e4 Kf7-g6 0.36/17 ]

k+ + +r+
p + +pq
+ N + +
+ + + +
R+p+ + +
+ + + P
+ + P P
R + + K

+ + + r
+ + + +
+ +kp P
+ + +N+
+ + KP+
+ + + +
+ + P +
+ + + +

882

883

30...Kb8-c7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


30...Kb8-a8 31.Rb4-a4 Qg7-d4
32.Nd6-b5 Qd4-b2 33.Ra4xa7+
Ka8-b8 34.Nb5-d6 c4-c3 35.Nd6-c4
Qb2-b4 36.Nc4-e5 Qb4-b5
37.Ra7-a8+ Kb8-b7 38.Ra8xg8
Qb5xe5 Diagram
(Diagram 884)
39.Ra1-b1+ Kb7-c7 40.Rb1-c1
Kc7-d7 41.h2-h4 Qe5-e2 42.Rg8-f8
Qe2-f3 Diagram
43.h4-h5 Kd7-e7 0.47/17 ] 31.Ra1-a6
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31.Ra1-a6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

229
Qe4-c6 41.h4-h5 Diagram

+ + +R+
+k+ +p+
+ + + +
+ + q +
+ + + +
+ p + P
+ + P P
R + + K

+ + R +
+ +k+p+
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + P
+ p +qP
+ + P +
+ R + K

884

+ + + +
+ k + +
+q+ + +
+ + + +P
+ + + +
+ + +RP
+p+ PK+
+ R + +

886

Kc7-d6 42.h5-h6 Qc6-e4 43.Rc1-h1


Qe4-h7 44.Rh1-e1 Diagram
885

Rg8-b8 32.Ra6xa7+ Kc7xd6


33.Rb4xb8 Qg7-c3 34.Kg1-g2 Qc3-c2
35.Rb8-d8+ Kd6-c6 36.Ra7xf7
Qc2-e4+ 37.Rf7-f3 Kc6-c7 38.Rd8-d1
c4-c3 39.Rd1-c1 c3-c2 40.h2-h4
Qe4-c6 41.h4-h5 Kc7-d6 42.h5-h6
Qc6-e4 43.Rc1-h1 Qe4-h7 44.Rh1-e1
Kd6-d5 45.Rf3-f6 Kd5-d4 46.g3-g4
1.13/17 ] 31...Rg8-b8 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31...Rg8-b8
32.Ra6xa7+ Kc7xd6 33.Rb4xb8
Qg7-c3 34.Kg1-g2 Qc3-c2
35.Rb8-d8+ Kd6-c6 36.Ra7xf7
Qc2-e4+ 37.Rf7-f3 Kc6-c7 38.Rd8-d1
c4-c3 39.Rd1-c1 c3-c2 40.h2-h4

+ + + +
+ + + +q
+ k + P
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +RP
+p+ PK+
+ + R +

887

Kd6-d5 45.Rf3-f6 Kd5-d4 46.g3-g4


1.27/16 ]
(Diagram 888)
32.Ra6xa7+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 32.Ra6xa7+ Kc7xd6
33.Rb4xb8 Qg7-c3 34.Kg1-g2 Qc3-c2
35.Rb8-d8+ Kd6-c6 36.Ra7xf7
Qc2-e4+ 37.Rf7-f3 Kc6-c7 38.Rd8-d1
c4-c3 39.Rd1-c1 c3-c2 40.h2-h4
Qe4-c6 41.h4-h5 Kc7-d6 42.h5-h6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + + +
p k +pq
R+ N + +
+ + + +
Rp+ + +
+ + + P
+ + P P
+ + + K

230

888

+ + + +
+ + + +q
+ k + P
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +RP
+p+ PK+
+ + R +

890

Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +
+qk + P
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +RP
+p+ PK+
+ R + +

889

Qc6-e4 43.Rc1-h1 Qe4-h7 44.Rh1-e1


Diagram
(Diagram 890)
Kd6-d5 45.Rf3-f6 Kd5-d4 46.g3-g4
1.13/17 ]
(Diagram 891)
last book move. 32...Kc7xd6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32...Kc7xd6
33.Rb4xb8 Diagram
Qg7-c3 34.Kg1-g2 Qc3-c2

r + + +
R k +pq
+ N + +
+ + + +
Rp+ + +
+ + + P
+ + P P
+ + + K

R + + +
R + +pq
+ k + +
+ + + +
+p+ + +
+ + + P
+ + P P
+ + + K
35.Rb8-d8+ Kd6-c6 36.Ra7xf7

891

892

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

231

Qc2-e4+ 37.Rf7-f3 Kc6-c7 38.Rd8-d1


c4-c3 39.Rd1-c1 c3-c2 40.h2-h4
Qe4-c6 41.h4-h5 Kc7-d6 42.h5-h6
Qc6-e4 43.Rc1-h1 Qe4-h7 44.Rh1-e1
Kd6-d5 45.Rf3-f6 Kd5-d4 46.g3-g4
1.26/18 ] 33.Rb4xb8 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 33.Rb4xb8 Diagram

R + + +
R + +pq
+ k + +
+ + + +
+p+ + +
+ + + P
+ + P P
+ + + K

893

Qg7-h7 34.h2-h4 c4-c3 35.Rb8-b6+


Kd6-d5 36.Ra7-c7 Qh7-e4
37.Rb6-b5+ Kd5-d6 38.Rb5-c5
Qe4-e1+ 39.Kg1-g2 Qe1-e4+
40.Kg2-h2 Qe4-c2 41.Rc7-c6+
Kd6-d7 42.Rc5xc3 Qc2xf2+
43.Kh2-h3 Qf2-f5+ 44.Kh3-g2
Qf5-e4+ 45.Kg2-f2 Qe4-d4+ 46.Kf2-f3
Qd4-d5+ 47.Kf3-g4 f7-f5+ 48.Kg4-g5
1.15/14 ] 33...Qg7-g4 Diagram
[ 33...Qg7-h7!? ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 33...Qg7-h7 34.h2-h4 c4-c3
35.Rb8-b6+ Kd6-d5 36.Ra7-c7
Qh7-e4 37.Rb6-b5+ Kd5-d6
38.Rb5-c5 Qe4-e1+ 39.Kg1-g2
Qe1-e4+ 40.Kg2-h2 Qe4-c2
41.Rc7-c6+ Kd6-d7 42.Rc5xc3
Qc2xf2+ 43.Kh2-h3 Qf2-f5+
44.Kh3-g2 Qf5-e4+ 45.Kg2-f2
Qe4-d4+ 46.Kf2-f3 Qd4-d5+
47.Kf3-g4 f7-f5+ 48.Kg4-g5 1.20/15 ]
34.Rb8-d8++- Diagram [ 34.Ra7xf7?!
c4-c3 35.Rb8-d8+ Kd6-c6 ;

R + + +
R + +p+
+ k + +
+ + + +
+p+ +q+
+ + + P
+ + P P
+ + + K

894

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Rb8-d8+


Kd6-e6 35.Ra7-c7 Ke6-f6 36.h2-h4
Kf6-g7 37.Rd8-d7 Kg7-g6 38.Rd7xf7
Qg4-d1+ 39.Kg1-g2 Qd1-d5+
40.Rf7-f3 Qd5-e4 41.Rc7-c8 Diagram

+R+ + +
+ + + +
+ + +k+
+ + + +
+p+q+ P
+ + +RP
+ + PK+
+ + + +

895

Kg6-h6 42.Rc8-c5 Kh6-g7 43.g3-g4


Qe4-d4 44.Rc5-c7+ Kg7-g6
45.Kg2-h3 Qd4-e4 46.h4-h5+ Kg6-h6
47.Rf3-f5 1.77/17 ]
(Diagram 896)
34...Kd6-c6 Diagram [ 34...Kd6-e6
35.Ra7-c7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34...Kd6-e6 35.Ra7-c7 Ke6-f6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ R + +
R + +p+
+ k + +
+ + + +
+p+ +q+
+ + + P
+ + P P
+ + + K

232

+ + + +
+ k +p+
+ + + +
+ + + +
+p+ +q+
+ + + P
+ R P P
R + + K

896

36.h2-h4 Kf6-g7 37.Rd8-d7 Kg7-g6


38.Rd7xf7 Qg4-d1+ 39.Kg1-g2
Qd1-d5+ 40.Rf7-f3 Qd5-e4 41.Rc7-c5
Kg6-g7 42.g3-g4 Qe4-d4 43.Rc5-c7+
Kg7-g6 44.Kg2-h3 Qd4-e4 45.h4-h5+
Kg6-h6 46.Rf3-f5 1.61/15 ]

+ R + +
R + +p+
+k+ + +
+ + + +
+p+ +q+
+ + + P
+ + P P
+ + + K

+ R + +
+ + +p+
+ + + +
+ k + +
+p+ +q+
+ + + P
+ + P P
R + + K

897

898

899

40.Rc4-d4 Ke6-f7 41.Kg1-g2 Qf5-e5


Diagram
(Diagram 900)
42.Rc1-d1 Qe5-b5 Diagram

35.Ra7-a1 Diagram [ 35.Ra7-a1


Kc6-c7 36.Rd8-d2+- Diagram

(Diagram 901)

(Diagram 898)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35.Ra7-a1
Kc6-c5 Diagram
36.Ra1-c1 f7-f6 37.Rd8-d3 Qg4-f5
38.Rd3-c3 Kc5-d5 39.Rc3xc4 Kd5-e6

43.Rd1-d2 Kf7-g6 44.Rd4-g4+ Kg6-f5


45.Rg4-f4+ Kf5-g6 46.Rf4-e4 Qb5-c6
2.32/17 Diagram
]
1-0

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + +k+
+ + p +
+ + q +
+ R + +
+ + + P
+ + PKP
+ R + +

+ + + +
+ + +k+
+ + p +
+q+ + +
+ R + +
+ + + P
+ + PKP
+ +R+ +

233

+ R + +
+ + +p+
+k+ + +
+ + + +
+p+ +q+
+ + + P
+ + P P
R + + K

900

903

15
901

C11

Vassily Ivanchuk
Alexander Morozevich
Memorial Donner (cat.16), (Ne

1996

C11: French: Classical System: 4 e5


and 4 Bg5 dxe4
1.e2-e4 e7-e6 2.d2-d4 d7-d5
3.Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6 4.e4-e5 Nf6-d7
Diagram
(Diagram 904)

+ + + +
+ + + +
+q+ pk+
+ + + +
+ +R+ +
+ + + P
+ R PKP
+ + + +

902

5.f2-f4 c7-c5 6.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6


7.Bc1-e3 Bf8-e7 8.d4xc5 Nd7xc5
9.Bf1-e2 0-0 [RR 9...Bc8-d7 10.a2-a3
b7-b6 11.b2-b4 Nc5-b7 12.Be2-a6
Ra8-b8 13.0-0 0-0 14.Qd1-d2 f7-f6
15.Ra1-d1 f6-f5 16.Nc3xd5 Bd7-e8
17.Nd5xe7+ Qd8xe7 18.Qd2-c3 h7-h6
19.Rd1-d2 Nc6-d8 20.Nf3-d4 Nd8-f7
21.Rf1-d1 g7-g5 22.g2-g3 Kg8-h7
23.Ba6-c4 g5xf4 24.Be3xf4
Hedman,E (2350)-Wademark,H (2154)/
Stockholm 2007/CBM 119 ext/1-0 (31) ]
10.0-0 Bc8-d7 11.a2-a3 Bd7-e8N
[ RR 11...Ra8-c8 12.Qd1-e1 f7-f6
13.e5xf6 Rf8xf6 14.b2-b4 Nc5-e4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rnlqkl r
pppn+ppp
+ +p+ +
+ +pP +
+ P + +
+ N + +
PPP+ PPP
R LQKLNR

234

904

15.Nc3xe4 d5xe4 16.Nf3-g5 Rf6-f5


17.Ng5xe4 Be7-f6 18.Ne4xf6+ Rf5xf6
19.Ra1-d1 Qd8-e8 20.Be2-d3 Nc6-e7
21.Be3xa7 Ne7-d5 22.Qe1-h4 Rf6-h6
23.Qh4-g3 Bd7-c6 24.c2-c4 Nd5-c3
25.Ba7-d4 Rc8-c7 26.Bd4xc3
Grijalva,R (2104)-Netolitzky,G (2228)/
Internet ICC 2000/EXT 2001/1-0 (38) ]
12.Qd1-e1 Ra8-c8 13.Ra1-d1 Qd8-c7
14.b2-b4 Nc5-d7 15.Nc3-b5 Qc7-b8
16.Be2-d3 f7-f6 17.Qe1-h4 Diagram
(Diagram 905)
last book move last book move f6-f5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 17...g7-g6
18.Qh4-h3 f6-f5 19.Qh3-h6 a7-a6
20.Nb5-d6 Be7xd6 21.Nf3-g5 Rf8-f7
22.e5xd6 Qb8xd6 23.Ng5xf7 Be8xf7
24.c2-c3 b7-b5 25.Bd3-c2 Qd6-e7
26.Rf1-e1 Qe7-f6 27.Rd1-d3 e6-e5
28.f4xe5 Nd7xe5 1.03/14 ] 18.Qh4-h3
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18.Be3xa7 Qb8-a8 19.Qh4-f2 Nc6xa7
20.Qf2xa7 Qa8xa7+ 21.Nb5xa7
Rc8-a8 22.Na7-b5 Be8-f7 23.Nf3-d4
Diagram
Be7-d8 24.c2-c4 Nd7-b6 25.c4-c5
Nb6-a4 26.Bd3-e2 Na4-b2
27.Rd1-d2 1.00/14 ]

qr+lrk+
pp+nl pp
+n+pp +
+N+pP +
P + P Q
P +LLN+
+P+ +PP
+ +R+RK

r+ + rk+
+p+nllpp
+ +p+ +
+N+pPp+
P N P +
P +L+ +
+P+ +PP
+ +R+RK

qr+lrk+
pp+nl pp
+n+p+ +
+N+pPp+
P + P +
P +LLN+Q
+P+ +PP
+ +R+RK
18...Nd7-b6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

905

906

907

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

235

18...a7-a5 19.c2-c4 g7-g6 20.c4xd5


e6xd5 21.Bd3-b1 a5xb4 22.Rd1xd5
b4xa3 23.Rf1-d1 Rc8-d8 24.Nb5-d6
Diagram

q rlrk+
+p+nl +p
+nN +p+
+ +RPp+
+ + P +
p + LN+Q
+ + +PP
+L+R+ K

908

Nc6-b4 25.Rd5-a5 Nd7-f6 26.Be3-c5


Nf6-d5 27.Nf3-g5 Be7xg5 28.Bc5xb4
Nd5xb4 29.Qh3-b3+ Be8-f7
30.Qb3xb4 Bg5-e7 31.Ra5xa3
Be7xd6 32.Rd1xd6 Rd8xd6
33.e5xd6 0.96/13 ] 19.Be3xb6
[ 19.g2-g4 Be8-d7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 19.g2-g4 Nb6-c4 20.Bd3xc4
d5xc4 21.g4xf5 Rf8xf5 22.Nb5-d4
Nc6xd4 23.Nf3xd4 Be8-g6 24.Nd4xe6
Rf5-h5 25.Qh3-f3 Rc8-c6 26.Ne6-g5
Kg8-h8 27.Rd1-d2 Rh5xg5+ 28.f4xg5
Qb8xe5 1.31/13 ] 19...a7xb6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...a7xb6
20.c2-c4 d5xc4 21.Bd3xc4 Nc6-d8
22.Rd1xd8 Rc8xd8 23.Nf3-d4 Be8xb5
24.Bc4xe6+ Kg8-h8 25.Nd4xb5 g7-g6
26.Qh3-e3 Rf8-e8 27.Be6-f7 Re8-f8
28.Bf7-b3 Rd8-c8 29.Qe3xb6 Rf8-d8
30.Qb6-e6 Be7-h4 31.Qe6-f7 1.33/13 ]
20.g2-g4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 20.c2-c4 d5xc4 21.Bd3xc4
Nc6-d8 22.Rd1xd8 Rc8xd8 23.Nf3-d4
Be8xb5 24.Bc4xe6+ Kg8-h8
25.Nd4xb5 g7-g6 Diagram
26.Qh3-e3 Rf8-e8 27.Be6-f7 Re8-f8

q r r k
+p+ l +p
p +L+p+
+N+ Pp+
P + P +
P + + +Q
+ + +PP
+ + +RK

909

28.Bf7-b3 Rd8-c8 29.Qe3xb6 Rf8-d8


30.Qb6-e6 Be7-h4 31.Qe6-f7 1.00/14 ]

qr+lrk+
+p+ l pp
pn+p+ +
+N+pPp+
P + PP+
P +L+N+Q
+P+ + P
+ +R+RK

910

20...g7-g6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


20...g7-g6 Diagram
(Diagram 911)
21.g4xf5 e6xf5 22.Qh3-g2 Kg8-h8
23.Rd1-e1 h7-h6 24.Rf1-f2 Be8-f7
25.Qg2-h3 h6-h5 26.Qh3-g2 Nc6-a7
27.Nf3-g5 1.05/13 ] 21.g4xf5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.g4xf5 e6xf5
22.Qh3-g2 Kg8-h8 23.Qg2-d2 Be8-d7
24.Bd3-e2 Bd7-e6 25.Qd2-e3 Kh8-g7
26.Qe3xb6 Kg7-g8 27.c2-c3 Rf8-e8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

qr+lrk+
+p+ l +p
pn+p+p+
+N+pPp+
P + PP+
P +L+N+Q
+P+ + P
+ +R+RK

236

911

28.a3-a4 Be7-d8 29.Qb6-e3 0.88/15


Diagram

qrlr+k+
+p+ + +p
+n+l+p+
+N+pPp+
PP + P +
+ P QN+
+ +L+ P
+ +R+RK

912

] 21...e6xf5 [ 21...g6xf5? Diagram


(Diagram 913)
22.Nb5-d4 Nc6xd4 23.Nf3xd4+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...e6xf5
22.Qh3-g2 Kg8-h8 23.Qg2-f2 Nc6-a7
24.Nb5-d4 Rf8-g8 25.Nd4-e6 Rc8-c3
26.Nf3-g5 Na7-c8 27.Qf2-h4 h7-h5
28.Rd1-a1 0.83/14 Diagram
] 22.Rf1-f2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.Qh3-g2 Kg8-h8 23.Qg2-f2 Nc6-a7
24.Nb5-d4 Be8-f7 25.e5-e6 Bf7-e8

qr+lrk+
+p+ l +p
pn+p+ +
+N+pPp+
P + P +
P +L+N+Q
+P+ + P
+ +R+RK

qn+l+rk
+p+ l +
p +N+p+
+ +pPpNp
P + P Q
P rL+ +
+P+ + P
R + +RK

913

914

26.Nf3-e5 Rc8-c3 27.Rd1-a1 Qb8-d6


28.Qf2-d2 Rc3-c8 29.Ra1-d1 Na7-c6
0.92/14 ] 22...Nc6-d8 Diagram
[ 22...Be8-d7 23.Rf2-g2 ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Rf8-f7 23.Qh3-g2 Rf7-g7
24.Nf3-g5 Be7xg5 Diagram
(Diagram 915)
25.Qg2xg5 Nc6-e7 26.Nb5-d6
Rc8-c3 27.Bd3-b5 Be8-c6 28.a3-a4
Qb8-c7 29.Qg5-f6 Bc6-d7 30.Bb5xd7
Qc7xd7 31.b4-b5 0.93/14 ]
23.Nb5-d4 [ 23.Nf3-d4 Diagram
Kg8-h8 24.Rf2-g2 Rc8-c6+- ;

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

qr+l+k+
+p+ + rp
pn+ +p+
+N+pPpl
P + P +
P +L+ +
+P+ RQP
+ +R+ K

qrnlrk+
+p+ l +p
p + +p+
+N+pPp+
P + P +
P +L+N+Q
+P+ R P
+ +R+ K

qrnlrk+
+p+ l +p
p + +p+
+N+pPp+
P N P +
P +L+ +Q
+P+ R P
+ +R+ K
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.Nf3-d4

237
Kg8-h8 24.Bd3-f1 Be8-f7 25.Bf1-g2
Diagram
915

916

qrn r k
+p+ ll+p
p + +p+
+N+pPp+
P N P +
P + + +Q
+P+ RLP
+ +R+ K

918

Nd8-e6 26.Nd4xe6 Bf7xe6


27.Bg2xd5 Rf8-d8 28.Qh3-b3 Be6xd5
29.Rd1xd5 Rd8xd5 30.Qb3xd5
Rc8-d8 31.Qd5-e6 Be7-h4 32.Rf2-e2
Rd8-d1+ 33.Kg1-g2 1.28/15 ]
23...Kg8-h8 Diagram [ 23...Rc8-c3!?
24.Bd3xf5 Rc3xa3 25.Bf5-e6+ Be8-f7
26.Be6xf7+ Rf8xf7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23...Be8-d7 Diagram
(Diagram 919)
24.Rf2-g2 Rc8-c3 25.Bd3xf5 Rc3xf3
26.Qh3xf3 Bd7xf5 27.Nd4xf5 Rf8xf5
28.Qf3xd5+ Diagram

917

(Diagram 920)
Kg8-h8 29.Rg2-g4 Qb8-a7 30.Rd1-d3
b6-b5+ 31.Qd5-d4 Qa7-a6 32.Qd4-d7
Nd8-c6 33.Rd3-h3 Qa6-a8
34.Qd7-d5 0.60/13 ]
(Diagram 921)
24.Rf2-g2+- Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 24.Bd3-b5 Diagram
Be8-c6 25.Nf3-h4 Be7xh4 26.Qh3xh4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

qrn rk+
+p+ll +p
p + +p+
+ +pPp+
P N P +
P +L+N+Q
+P+ R P
+ +R+ K

q n +k+
+p+ l +p
p + +p+
+ +QPr+
P + P +
P + + +
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K

qrnlr k
+p+ l +p
p + +p+
+ +pPp+
P N P +
P +L+N+Q
+P+ R P
+ +R+ K

238

919

qrnlr k
+p+ l +p
p + +p+
+L+pPp+
P N P +
P + +N+Q
+P+ R P
+ +R+ K

922

Qb8-c7 27.Bb5-e2 Qc7-f7 28.b4-b5


Bc6-d7 29.Be2-f3 Kh8-g8 30.Rf2-d2
Rc8-c4 31.Kg1-g2 Rf8-e8 0.90/14 ]
920

qrnlr k
+p+ l +p
p + +p+
+ +pPp+
P N P +
P +L+N+Q
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K
921

923

24...Rc8-c3 Diagram [ 24...Qb8-c7


25.Nd4xf5 Nd8-e6 26.Qh3-h6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Rc8-c3
Diagram
(Diagram 924)
25.Nf3-h4 Be7xh4 26.Qh3xh4 Rc3-c7
27.Qh4-h6 Rf8-g8 28.Bd3xf5 b6-b5
29.Qh6-g5 Rc7-g7 30.Bf5-g4 Nd8-c6
31.e5-e6 Nc6xd4 32.Rd1xd4 Diagram
Qb8-a7 33.Qg5-e5 1.66/13 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

239
25.Nf3-h4 Diagram

q nlr k
+p+ l +p
p + +p+
+ +pPp+
P N P +
P rL+N+Q
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K

q +l+rk
+p+ + rp
+ +P+p+
+p+p+ Q
P R PL+
P + + +
+P+ +RP
+ + + K

q nlr k
+p+ l +p
p + +p+
+ +pPp+
P N P +
P rL+N+Q
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K
25.Nf3-h4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

924

925

q nlr k
+p+ l +p
p + +p+
+ +pPp+
P N P N
P rL+ +Q
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K

927

Be7xh4 26.Qh3xh4 Rc3-c7


27.Qh4-h6 Rf8-g8 28.Bd3-e2 Qb8-c8
29.Qh6-g5 Rg8-f8 30.Be2-f3 Diagram

+qnlr k
+pr + +p
p + +p+
+ +pPpQ
P N P +
P + +L+
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K

928

926

Qc8-d7 31.Rg2-d2 Rc7-c3 32.Rd2-d3


Rc3xd3 33.Rd1xd3 1.26/14 ]
25...Nd8-c6 [ 25...Rc3xa3??
the pawn is indigestible 26.Nh4xg6+
Diagram
(Diagram 929)
Be8xg6 27.Rg2xg6+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 25...Be7xh4 26.Qh3xh4
Rc3-c7 27.Qh4-h6 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

q nlr k
+p+ l +p
p + +N+
+ +pPp+
P N P +
r +L+ +Q
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K

q nlr k
+pr + +p
p + +pQ
+ +pPp+
P N P +
P +L+ +
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K

240

929

930

Kh8-g8 28.Bd3xf5 Rc7-e7 29.Qh6-h4


Qb8-c7 30.Bf5-h3 Kg8-h8 31.Nd4-f3
b6-b5 32.Nf3-g5 Qc7-c4 1.43/13 ]
26.Nd4-e6 Diagram [ 26.Nd4-b5
Rc3xd3 27.Rd1xd3 Nc6xe5 28.f4xe5
Qb8xe5 29.Nh4xg6+ Be8xg6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Nd4-b5
Rc3xd3 Diagram
(Diagram 931)
27.c2xd3 Rf8-g8 28.d3-d4 Qb8-d8
29.Nh4-f3 Nc6xb4 30.Nb5-c3 Nb4-c6
31.Nf3-g5 Be7xg5 32.Rg2xg5 Qd8-d7
33.Qh3-e3 Qd7-e6 Diagram

q +lr k
+p+ l +p
pn+ +p+
+N+pPp+
P + P N
P +r+ +Q
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K

+ +l+rk
+p+ + +p
pn+q+p+
+ +pPpR
+ P P +
P N Q +
+ + + P
+ +R+ K

931

932

34.Rd1-b1 Nc6-a5 35.Qe3-f3 h7-h6


36.Rg5-g2 2.28/14 ]
(Diagram 933)
26...Rf8-g8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 26...Rf8-g8 27.Nh4xf5
Be8-d7 28.Nf5xe7 Nc6xe7 29.Qh3-h4
Bd7xe6 30.Qh4xe7 Qb8-c8 31.Bd3-f5
Rc3-c6 32.Qe7-f6+ Rg8-g7
33.Rd1xd5 Be6xd5 34.Bf5xc8
Diagram
Rc6xf6 35.e5xf6 Rg7-c7 36.Rg2-d2
Rc7xc8 37.Rd2xd5 Kh8-g8 38.Rd5-d7
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

q +lr k
+p+ l +p
pn+N+p+
+ +pPp+
P + P N
P rL+ +Q
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K

+L+ + k
+p+ + rp
pr+ Qp+
+ +lP +
P + P +
P + + +
+P+ +RP
+ + + K

+r+ +k+
+p+R+ +p
p + Pp+
+ + + +
P + P +
P + + +
+P+ + P
+ + + K
Rc8-c6 39.Rd7-g7+ Kg8-h8

241
40.Rg7xb7 Rc6xf6 41.a3-a4 Rf6-c6
42.b4-b5 Rc6-f6 43.c2-c4 Rf6-d6
44.Kg1-f1 Kh8-g8 45.Kf1-e2 2.04/16 ]
933

q +l+rk
+p+ l +p
pn+N+p+
+ +pPp+
P + P N
P rL+ +Q
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K
934

935

936

27.Nh4xf5! Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 27.Nh4xf5 Be8-d7 28.Nf5xe7
Nc6xe7 29.Qh3-h4 Bd7xe6
30.Qh4xe7 Qb8-c8 31.Bd3-f5 Rc3-c6
32.Qe7-f6+ Rg8-g7 Diagram

+q+ + k
+p+ + rp
pr+lQp+
+ +pPL+
P + P +
P + + +
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K

937

33.Rd1xd5 Be6xd5 34.Bf5xc8 Rc6xf6


35.e5xf6 Rg7-c7 36.Rg2-d2 Rc7xc8
37.Rd2xd5 Kh8-g8 38.Rd5-d7 Rc8-c6
39.Rd7-g7+ Kg8-h8 40.Rg7xb7
Rc6xf6 41.a3-a4 Rf6-c6 42.b4-b5
Rc6-f6 43.c2-c4 Kh8-g8 44.Kg1-g2
Rf6xf4 45.Rb7xb6 Rf4xc4 46.a4-a5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

242

1.59/16 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ + + +p
R + +p+
PP+ + +
+r+ + +
+ + + +
+ + +KP
+ + + +

938

q +l+rk
+p+ l +p
pn+N+p+
+ +pPN+
P + P +
P rL+ +Q
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K

939

puts the final touch 27...Qb8-c8??


Diagram [ 27...g6xf5 28.Rg2xg8+
Kh8xg8 29.Qh3-h6 Mate attack ;
27...-- 28.Nf5xe7 Threat Nc6xe7
29.Qh3-h4 Combination ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 27...Be8-d7 28.Nf5xe7
Diagram
(Diagram 940)
Nc6xe7 29.Qh3-h4 Bd7xe6
30.Qh4xe7 Qb8-c8 31.Bd3-f5 Rc3-c6
32.Qe7-f6+ Diagram

q + +rk
+p+lN +p
pn+N+p+
+ +pP +
P + P +
P rL+ +Q
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K

+q+ +rk
+p+ + +p
pr+lQp+
+ +pPL+
P + P +
P + + +
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K

940

941

Rg8-g7 33.Rd1xd5 Be6xd5 34.Bf5xc8


Rc6xf6 35.e5xf6 Rg7-c7 36.Rg2-d2
Rc7xc8 37.Rd2xd5 Kh8-g8 38.Rd5-d7
h7-h6 39.Rd7xb7 Rc8-c6 40.b4-b5
Rc6xf6 41.Kg1-g2 Kg8-f8 42.a3-a4
Rf6-e6 43.Kg2-f3 Kf8-e8 44.c2-c4
Ke8-d8 45.h2-h3 2.08/17 ]
(Diagram 942)
the pressure is too much, Black
crumbles 28.Rg2-g3 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 28.Rg2-g3 h7-h5 29.Nf5-h6
Be7-h4 30.Qh3xh4 Qc8xe6
31.Nh6xg8 Kh8xg8 32.Qh4xh5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+q+l+rk
+p+ l +p
pn+N+p+
+ +pPN+
P + P +
P rL+ +Q
+P+ +RP
+ +R+ K

243

942

Nc6-e7 33.Qh5-h4 Be8-d7 34.f4-f5


Ne7xf5 35.Qh4-d8+ Kg8-g7 36.Bd3xf5
Rc3xg3+ 37.h2xg3 g6xf5 38.c2-c4
d5-d4 39.Rd1xd4 Bd7-e8 40.Qd8-c7+
Be8-f7 41.Rd4-d8 Qe6xc4 42.Qc7xb6
Qc4-c1+ 43.Kg1-g2 Diagram

+ R + +
+p+ +lk
Q + + +
+ + Pp+
P + + +
P + + P
+ + +K+
+ q + +
Qc1-b2+ 5.18/13 ] 28...h7-h5
[ 28...Qc8xe6?? is refuted by the
following mate in 3 29.Qh3xh7+!!
Diagram
Decoy: h7 Kh8xh7 30.Rg3-h3+
Be7-h4 31.Rh3xh4# Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...h7-h5
29.Nf5-h6 Be7-h4 Diagram
30.Qh3xh4 Qc8xe6 31.Nh6xg8

943

+ +l+rk
+p+ l +Q
pn+q+p+
+ +pPN+
P + P +
P rL+ R
+P+ + P
+ +R+ K

+ +l+r+
+p+ + +k
pn+q+p+
+ +pPN+
P + P R
P rL+ +
+P+ + P
+ +R+ K

+q+l+rk
+p+ + +
pn+N+pN
+ +pP +p
P + P l
P rL+ RQ
+P+ + P
+ +R+ K

944

945

946

Kh8xg8 32.Qh4xh5 Nc6-e7 33.Qh5-h4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

244

Be8-d7 34.f4-f5 Ne7xf5 35.Qh4-d8+


Kg8-h7 36.Bd3xf5 Rc3xg3+ 37.h2xg3
g6xf5 38.Qd8-f6 Qe6xf6 39.e5xf6
Kh7-g6 40.Rd1xd5 Bd7-a4 41.Rd5-d6
Ba4xc2 42.Rd6xb6 Bc2-e4 43.Kg1-f2
Kg6-f7 44.Kf2-e3 5.56/15 Diagram

+ + + +
+p+ +k+
R + P +
+ + +p+
P +l+ +
P + K P
+ + + +
+ + + +

947

] 29.Nf5-h6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 29.Nf5-h6 Be7-h4 30.Qh3xh4
Qc8xe6 31.Nh6xg8 Kh8xg8
32.Qh4xh5 Nc6-e7 33.Qh5-h4 Qe6-f7
34.Rg3-h3 Qf7-g7 35.Qh4-f6 Ne7-c6
36.Qf6-d6 Rc3xa3 37.Qd6xd5+
Diagram

+ +l+k+
+p+ + q
pn+ +p+
+ +QP +
P + P +
r +L+ +R
+P+ + P
+ +R+ K

+q+l+rk
+p+ l +
pn+N+pN
+ +pP +p
P + P +
P rL+ RQ
+P+ + P
+ +R+ K

948

949

(Diagram 948)
Qg7-f7 38.Qd5xf7+ Be8xf7 39.Bd3-f1
Ra3-a2 40.b4-b5 Nc6-b4 4.84/12 ]
(Diagram 949)
29...Rg8-g7 [ 29...Rg8-f8
cannot change what is in store for
White 30.Ne6xf8 Qc8xh3 31.Nf8xg6+
Be8xg6 32.Rg3xh3 Rc3xa3+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Rg8-g7
Diagram
30.f4-f5 Rg7-h7 31.f5xg6 Rc3xd3
32.g6-g7+ Rh7xg7 33.Rd1xd3 Be8-g6
34.Rd3xd5 h5-h4 35.Ne6xg7 Qc8xh3

+q+l+ k
+p+ l r
pn+N+pN
+ +pP +p
P + P +
P rL+ RQ
+P+ + P
+ +R+ K

950

36.Rg3xh3 Kh8xg7 37.Nh6-g4 Bg6-f5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

245

38.Ng4-f2 Bf5xh3 39.Nf2xh3 Kg7-g6


40.Rd5-d7 Kg6-f5 41.Rd7xb7 Be7-d8
42.Rb7-d7 b6-b5 43.Rd7-d6 6.00/13 ]
30.Bd3-f5 Diagram [ 30.f4-f5
secures the win Rg7-h7 31.f5xg6
Rc3xd3 32.g6-g7+ ( 32.Rg3xd3?!
Rh7xh6 33.Ne6-f4 Qc8xh3 34.Rd3xh3
d5-d4= ; 32.c2xd3 Rh7xh6 33.Qh3-f5
Be8xg6 34.Rg3xg6 Rh6xg6+
35.Qf5xg6 Qc8-g8 36.Qg6xg8+
Kh8xg8+- ; 32.Rd1xd3 Rh7xh6
33.Qh3-f5 Be8xg6 34.Rg3xg6
Rh6xg6+ 35.Qf5xg6 Qc8-g8
36.Qg6xg8+ Kh8xg8 37.Rd3xd5
h5-h4+- ) 32...Rh7xg7 33.Rd1xd3+( 33.c2xd3 Rg7xg3+ 34.h2xg3
Nc6-d4 );Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30.f4-f5 Diagram

+q+l+ k
+p+ l r
pn+N+pN
+ +pPP+p
P + + +
P rL+ RQ
+P+ + P
+ +R+ K

951

Rg7-h7 31.Qh3xh5 g6-g5 32.Qh5-h3


Nc6xe5 33.Ne6xg5 Be7xg5
34.Rg3xg5 Be8-f7 35.Qh3-e3 Ne5-f3+
36.Qe3xf3 Rh7xh6 37.Qf3-f4 Rc3-c6
38.Qf4-d4+ Rh6-f6 39.Rd1-e1 Qc8-f8
40.Rg5-g3 Qf8-h6 41.Re1-e7 Kh8-h7
42.Re7xb7 Qh6-c1+ 43.Bd3-f1
4.37/12 ]
30...Rc3xg3+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 30...Rc3xg3+ 31.Qh3xg3
Rg7-h7 32.Ne6-f8 Qc8-a8 33.Nf8xh7
Kh8xh7 34.Nh6-g8 h5-h4 35.Qg3-g2

+q+l+ k
+p+ l r
pn+N+pN
+ +pPL+p
P + P +
P r + RQ
+P+ + P
+ +R+ K

952

g6xf5 36.Ng8-f6+ Diagram

q+ +l+ +
+p+ l +k
pn+ N +
+ +pPp+
P + P p
P + + +
+P+ +QP
+ +R+ K

953

Be7xf6 37.e5xf6 Be8-g6 38.Qg2xd5


Qa8-e8 39.Qd5-d7+ Qe8-f7 40.Kg1-f2
b6-b5 41.Qd7xf7+ Bg6xf7 42.Rd1-g1
Kh7-h6 43.Rg1-g7 Nc6-d8 44.Kf2-e3
Kh6-h5 45.Rg7-g5+ Kh5-h6
46.Rg5xf5 2.30/15 ]
(Diagram 954)
31.Qh3xg3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 31.Qh3xg3 Rg7-h7 32.Ne6-f8
Qc8-a8 33.Nf8xh7 Kh8xh7 34.Nh6-g8
g6xf5 35.Ng8-f6+ Be7xf6 36.e5xf6
Be8-g6 37.Rd1xd5 Qa8-c8 38.Qg3-d3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+q+l+ k
+p+ l r
pn+N+pN
+ +pPL+p
P + P +
P + + rQ
+P+ + P
+ +R+ K

246

954

h5-h4 39.Rd5-d7+ Kh7-h6 40.Rd7-g7


Qc8-f8 41.Rg7xb7 Qf8xf6 42.Rb7xb6
Bg6-h5 43.b4-b5 Qf6-g6+ 44.Kg1-f2
2.29/14 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +
Rn+ +qk
+P+ +p+l
+ + P p
P +Q+ +
+P+ K P
+ + + +

955

]
(Diagram 956)
31...Qc8-b8?? simply worsens the
situation [ 31...Rg7-h7 32.Ne6-f8!
Discovered attack: e6, f5-c8 Qc8-a8
33.Nf8xh7 Kh8xh7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 31...Rg7-h7 32.Ne6-f8 Qc8-c7
Diagram
33.Nf8xh7 Kh8xh7 34.Rd1xd5 h5-h4

+q+l+ k
+p+ l r
pn+N+pN
+ +pPL+p
P + P +
P + + Q
+P+ + P
+ +R+ K

+ +lN k
+pq l +r
pn+ +pN
+ +pPL+p
P + P +
P + + Q
+P+ + P
+ +R+ K

956

957

35.Qg3-g2 b6-b5 36.Nh6-g4 g6xf5


37.Ng4-f6+ Be7xf6 38.e5xf6 Be8-g6
39.Rd5xb5 Qc7-f7 40.Rb5-b6 1.67/11 ]
32.Rd1xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.Rd1xd5 b6-b5 33.Ne6xg7 Kh8xg7
34.Bf5xg6 Be8xg6 35.Nh6-f5+ Kg7-h7
36.Nf5xe7 Nc6xe7 37.Rd5-d7 Qb8-e8
38.e5-e6 Kh7-g8 39.Rd7xe7 Qe8xe7
40.Qg3xg6+ Qe7-g7 41.Qg6xg7+
Kg8xg7 42.Kg1-f2 Kg7-f6 43.f4-f5
Kf6-e7 44.Kf2-e3 Diagram
h5-h4 45.Ke3-d4 4.88/12 ]
32...Rg7-h7 [ 32...b6-b5 33.Bf5-d3
Qb8-a7+ 34.Kg1-f1 Qa7xa3 Diagram
35.Ne6xg7 Qa3-c1+ 36.Kf1-e2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+p+ k +
+ +P+ +
+p+ +P+p
P + + +
P + K +
+P+ + P
+ + + +

+ +l+ k
+p+ l r
+n+N+pN
+p+RP +p
P + P +
q +L+ Q
+P+ + P
+ + +K+

247

958

959

h5-h4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


32...b6-b5 33.Ne6xg7 Kh8xg7
34.Bf5xg6 Be8xg6 35.Nh6-f5+ Kg7-h7
36.Nf5xe7 Nc6xe7 37.Rd5-d7 Qb8-e8
38.e5-e6 Diagram
(Diagram 960)
Kh7-g8 39.Rd7xe7 Qe8xe7
40.Qg3xg6+ Qe7-g7 41.Qg6xg7+
Kg8xg7 42.Kg1-f2 Kg7-f6 43.f4-f5
Kf6-e7 44.Kf2-e3 h5-h4 45.Ke3-d4
5.16/13 ] 33.Bf5xg6 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Bf5xg6
Qb8-c8 34.Bg6-f5 Be8-f7 35.Ne6-g5

+ +q+ +
+p+Rn +k
+ +P+l+
+p+ + +p
P + P +
P + + Q
+P+ + P
+ + + K
Bf7xd5
Nc6-d8
Bf6xg5
Nc6-e7
Rh6-h8
Kg7-h6

960

36.Bf5xc8 Rh7xh6 37.e5-e6


38.f4-f5 Be7-f6 39.Qg3-d6
40.Qd6xd5 Nd8-c6 41.Bc8xb7
42.Qd5-d6 Kh8-g7 43.Bb7-e4
44.Qd6xb6 Rh8-f8 45.Qb6-c7
46.Qc7-e5 Diagram

+ + r +
+ + n +
+ +P+ k
+ + QPlp
P +L+ +
P + + +
+P+ + P
+ + + K

961

Bg5-f6 47.Qe5-d6 Rf8-g8+


48.Kg1-f2 8.41/13 ]
(Diagram 962)
33...Rh7xh6 [ 33...Be8-d7 praying for
a miracle 34.Nh6-f7+ Rh7xf7
35.Rd5xd7 Qb8-g8 36.Rd7xb7
Nc6-d8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

q +l+ k
+p+ l +r
pn+N+LN
+ +RP +p
P + P +
P + + Q
+P+ + P
+ + + K

248

962

33...Qb8-c8 34.Bg6-f5 Be8-f7


35.Ne6-g5 Bf7xd5 36.Bf5xc8 Rh7xh6
37.e5-e6 Nc6-d8 38.f4-f5 Be7-f6
39.Qg3-d6 Bf6xg5 40.Qd6xd5 Nd8-c6
41.Bc8xb7 Nc6-e7 42.Qd5-d6 Kh8-g7
43.Bb7-e4 Rh6-h8 44.Qd6xb6 Rh8-f8
45.Qb6-c7 Kg7-h6 46.Qc7-e5 Bg5-f6
47.Qe5-d6 Rf8-g8+ 48.Kg1-f2 8.65/14
] 34.Bg6-f7!! Clearance: g6 [ 34.Bg6-f7
Be7-g5 35.Qg3xg5 Diagram

q +l+ k
+p+ +L+
pn+N+ r
+ +RP Qp
P + P +
P + + +
+P+ + P
+ + + K

q +l+ k
+p+ +L+
pn+N+ r
+ +RP Qp
P + P +
P + + +
+P+ + P
+ + + K

16

964

E77

Yasser Seirawan
Vassily Ivanchuk
FIDE WCH k.o

1997

E70: King's Indian: Miscellaneous lines


with 4 e4, including 5 Nge2 and 5 Bd3
0-0 6 Nge2
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 g7-g6
3.Nb1-c3 Bf8-g7 4.e2-e4 d7-d6
Diagram

963

Rh6-g6 36.Qg5xg6 Be8xf7


37.Qg6-g7# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34.Bg6-f7 Be7-g5 35.Qg3xg5 Diagram
Rh6-g6 36.Qg5xg6 Be8xf7 #4/15 ]
1-0

(Diagram 965)
5.Bf1-d3 e7-e5 6.d4-d5 a7-a5
7.Ng1-e2 Nb8-a6 8.f2-f3 [RR 8.0-0
Nf6-d7 9.a2-a3 Na6-c5 10.Bd3-c2
Nd7-b6 11.b2-b3 0-0 12.Ra1-b1 f7-f5
13.e4xf5 g6xf5 14.Bc1-e3 Nc5-d7
15.f2-f4 a5-a4 16.f4xe5 a4xb3
17.Bc2xb3 Bg7xe5 18.Nc3-b5 Nd7-c5
19.Ne2-f4 Bc8-d7 20.Rf1-f3 Rf8-f7
21.Nb5-d4 Qd8-h4 22.Rf3-h3 Qh4-e7
Kasimdzhanov,R (2653)-Kozul,Z (2565)/
Bled 2002/EXT 2003/1-0 (68) ]
8...Nf6-d7 [RR 8...Na6-c5 9.Bc1-e3
Nf6-d7 10.Nc3-a4 b7-b6 11.Na4xc5
Nd7xc5 12.Ne2-c3 Bc8-d7 13.Bd3-c2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rnlqk+ r
ppp pplp
+ p np+
+ + + +
+PPP+ +
+ N + +
PP + PPP
R LQKLNR

249

965

0-0 14.0-0 f7-f5 15.e4xf5 g6xf5


16.Qd1-d2 f5-f4 17.Be3-f2 Qd8-g5
18.Kg1-h1 Qg5-h5 19.Qd2-e2 Rf8-f6
20.g2-g4 f4xg3 21.Bf2xg3 Ra8-f8
22.Bc2-d1 Bd7-g4 23.Qe2-d2
Tran T Thu,T-Ngo Dieu Hoa/Vung Tau
2004/EXT 2005/0-1 (57) ] 9.Bc1-e3
Bg7-h6 10.Qd1-d2N [RR 10.Be3-f2
0-0 11.g2-g4 f7-f5 12.e4xf5 Nd7-c5
13.Ne2-g3 Nc5xd3+ 14.Qd1xd3 g6xf5
15.g4xf5 Na6-b4 16.Qd3-e4 Qd8-g5
17.Ra1-d1 Bc8xf5 18.Ng3xf5 Qg5xf5
19.Ke1-e2 Ra8-e8 20.Rh1-g1+
Kg8-h8 21.Qe4xf5 Rf8xf5 22.Rg1-g3
Bh6-f4 23.Rg3-g4 Bf4xh2 24.Rd1-h1
Bh2-f4 Schlehoefer,R (2335)-Opalka,G
(2225)/Ruhrgebiet 1997/EXT 2002/1-0
(45) ] 10...Bh6xe3 11.Qd2xe3 c7-c6
12.Qe3-h6 Nd7-c5 13.Ra1-d1
Qd8-b6 14.Bd3-b1 Ke8-e7 15.f3-f4
e5xf4 16.Rh1-f1 Rh8-f8 Diagram

r+l+ r +
+p+ kp+p
nqpp +pQ
p nP+ +
+P+Pp +
+ N + +
PP +N+PP
+L+RKR+

966

24.Nc3-d5 Bc8-b7 25.Nd5xb4 Ke8-e7


26.Rd6-d4 Ra8-b8 27.b2-b3 f7-f5
28.Rf1-f2 Bb7-a8 29.Rf2-d2 2.67/13
Diagram

lr + r +
+ +nk +p
+ + +p+
+ + +p+
NPRP+ +
+P+ + +
P+ R +PP
+L+ K +

967

] 17...f7-f6 [ 17...Ke7-e8 Diagram


(Diagram 968)

(Diagram 966)
last book move last book move
17.Qh6xf4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
17.Qh6xf4 Nc5-d7 18.d5xc6 b7xc6
19.Qf4xd6+ Ke7-e8 20.Ne2-d4
Qb6-b8 21.Nd4xc6 Qb8xd6
22.Rd1xd6 Na6-b4 23.Nc6xb4 a5xb4

does not improve anything 18.e4-e5+- ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 17...Nc5-d7
18.d5xc6 b7xc6 19.Qf4xd6+ Ke7-e8
20.Ne2-d4 Qb6-b8 21.Nd4xc6
Qb8xd6 22.Rd1xd6 Na6-b4
23.Nc6xb4 a5xb4 24.Nc3-d5 Bc8-b7
25.Nd5xb4 Ke8-e7 26.Rd6-d4 Ra8-b8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+l+kr +
+p+ +p+p
nqpp +p+
p nP+ +
+P+PQ +
+ N + +
PP +N+PP
+L+RKR+

250

968

27.b2-b3 f7-f5 28.Nb4-d5+ Bb7xd5


29.Rd4xd5 f5-f4 30.Ke1-e2 Diagram

r + r +
+ +nk +p
+ + +p+
+ +R+ +
+P+Pp +
+P+ + +
P+ +K+PP
+L+ +R+

969

Nd7-f6 2.91/13 ] 18.d5xc6


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18.d5xc6
Bc8-e6 19.Qf4xd6+ Ke7-e8
20.Ne2-d4 Ra8-d8 21.Qd6xd8+
Qb6xd8 22.Nd4xe6 Qd8-c8
23.Rd1-d8+ Qc8xd8 24.Ne6xd8
Ke8xd8 25.c6xb7 Kd8-d7 26.e4-e5
f6-f5 27.g2-g4 Kd7-e6 28.g4xf5+
g6xf5 29.Nc3-e4 Nc5xe4 30.Bb1xe4
Ke6xe5 31.Be4-h1 Na6-c5 32.Ke1-d2
f5-f4 33.Bh1-d5 Rf8-b8 3.43/14 ]
18...Qb6xc6 [ 18...Bc8-e6 what else?
19.Qf4xd6+ Ke7-e8+- ;Houdini 2.0c

Pro x64: 18...Bc8-e6 19.Qf4xd6+


Ke7-f7 20.Rf1xf6+ Kf7-g7 21.c6xb7
Qb6xd6 22.Rd1xd6 Kg7xf6
23.b7xa8Q Rf8xa8 24.Nc3-d5+ Kf6-e5
25.Rd6-b6 Ra8-b8 26.Rb6xb8 Na6xb8
27.Ne2-c3 Nb8-d7 28.Ke1-d2 Nd7-f6
29.Nd5xf6 Ke5xf6 30.Nc3-d5+ Kf6-e5
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ +l+p+
p nNk +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
PP K +PP
+L+ + +

970

31.Kd2-e3 Be6-c8 32.h2-h3 g6-g5


33.Bb1-c2 3.76/14 ] 19.Ne2-d4
[ 19.Nc3-d5+ Diagram
(Diagram 971)
might be the shorter path Ke7-d8
20.Ne2-d4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Ne2-d4 Qc6-d7 20.Nc3-d5+
Ke7-d8 21.Nd5-b6 Qd7-e7 22.Nb6xa8
g6-g5 23.Qf4-d2 Bc8-g4 24.Qd2xa5+
Kd8-e8 25.Rd1-d2 Nc5xe4 26.Bb1xe4
Qe7xe4+ 27.Ke1-f2 Ke8-f7 28.Na8-b6
Na6-c5 29.Kf2-g1 Kf7-g8 30.Nb6-d5
f6-f5 31.Qa5-c7 Qe4-e5 6.83/15
Diagram
(Diagram 972)
] 19...Qc6-e8 [ 19...Qc6-d7 no good,
but what else? 20.Nc3-d5+ Ke7-d8+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...Qc6-d7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+l+ r +
+p+ k +p
n+qp pp+
p nN+ +
+P+PQ +
+ + + +
PP +N+PP
+L+RKR+

+ + rk+
+pQ + +p
+ p + +
+ nNqpp
+PN +l+
+ + + +
PP R +PP
+ + +RK

251

971

r+l+ r +
+p+qk +p
n+ p pp+
p n + +
+PNPQ +
+ N + +
PP + +PP
+L+RKR+

973

27.Rd6xf6 Rf8xf6 28.Nb6-d5+


Diagram
972

+ + + +
+p+lk +p
n+ + r +
pNnNq p
+P+P+ +
+ + +Q+
PP + +PP
+L+ KR+

974

Diagram
(Diagram 973)
20.Nc3-d5+ Ke7-d8 21.Nd5-b6
Qd7-e7 22.Nb6xa8 g6-g5 23.Qf4-d2
Bc8-g4 24.Qd2xa5+ Kd8-e8
25.Na8-b6 Bg4xd1 26.Ke1xd1 Qe7-e5
27.Qa5-b5+ Ke8-d8 28.Nd4-f3
Qe5-e6 29.Nb6-d5 5.77/12 ]
20.Nc3-d5+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 20.Nc3-d5+ Ke7-d7 21.Nd4-b5
Qe8-e6 22.Nd5-b6+ Kd7-e8
23.Nb6xa8 Ke8-e7 24.Na8-b6 g6-g5
25.Qf4-f3 Bc8-d7 26.Rd1xd6 Qe6-e5

Ke7-d8 29.Qf3xf6+ Qe5xf6 30.Rf1xf6


Bd7xb5 31.c4xb5 Na6-c7 32.Rf6-f8+
Nc7-e8 33.e4-e5 10.62/13 ]
(Diagram 975)
20...Ke7-d8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...Ke7-d7 21.Nd4-b5 Qe8-e6
22.Nd5-b6+ Kd7-e8 23.Nb6xa8
Ke8-e7 24.Na8-b6 g6-g5 25.Qf4-f3
Qe6-g4 26.Nb5xd6 Diagram
Bc8-e6 27.Nb6-d5+ Ke7-d8
28.Qf3xg4 Be6xg4 29.Rd1-d2 Nc5-d7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+l+qr +
+p+ k +p
n+ p pp+
p nN+ +
+PNPQ +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+L+RKR+

+l+ r +
+p+ k +p
nN N p +
p n + p
+P+P+q+
+ + +Q+
PP + +PP
+L+RKR+

252

975

976

30.e4-e5 Nd7xe5 31.Rf1xf6 Rf8xf6


32.Nd5xf6 Bg4-e6 33.Nf6xh7 Kd8-c7
34.b2-b3 g5-g4 35.Nh7-f6 Na6-b4
36.Ke1-f2 11.01/14 ] 21.Qf4xd6+
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Qf4xd6+ Bc8-d7 22.Nd4-b5 Kd8-c8
23.Nb5-c7 Qe8-d8 24.Nc7xa8 b7-b5
25.Na8-b6+ Kc8-b7 26.Nb6xd7
Nc5xd7 27.Nd5xf6 Nd7xf6 28.Qd6xd8
Rf8xd8 29.Rd1xd8 Nf6-g4 30.c4xb5
Na6-c7 31.Rf1-f7 Ng4-e5 32.Rf7xh7
a5-a4 33.Bb1-c2 Diagram
Ne5-c4 34.Bc2xa4 Nc4xb2
35.Rd8-d7 15.81/14 ]
21...Bc8-d7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c

+ R + +
+kn + +R
+ + +p+
+P+ n +
p+ +P+ +
+ + + +
PPL+ +PP
+ + K +

r+lkqr +
+p+ + +p
n+ Q pp+
p nN+ +
+PNP+ +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+L+RKR+

977

978

Pro x64: 21...Bc8-d7 22.Nd4-b5


Kd8-c8 23.Nb5-c7 Qe8-d8 24.Nc7xa8
b7-b5 25.Na8-b6+ Kc8-b7 26.Nb6xd7
Nc5xd7 27.Nd5xf6 b5xc4 28.Nf6xd7
Diagram
(Diagram 979)
Rf8xf1+ 29.Ke1xf1 Qd8-c7 30.e4-e5
Qc7xd6 31.Rd1xd6 Na6-b4
32.Nd7-c5+ Kb7-c7 33.Nc5-e6+
Kc7-b7 34.Bb1-e4+ Kb7-b8
35.Rd6-d8+ Kb8-a7 36.Rd8-d7+
Ka7-a6 37.Rd7xh7 Nb4xa2
38.Be4xg6 16.39/15 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ q r +
+k+N+ +p
n+ Q +p+
p + + +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+L+RKR+

r+ kqr +
+p+l+ +p
n+ Q pp+
p nN+ +
+PNP+ +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+L+RKR+

253

979

980

22.Nd4-b5 Diagram [ 22.Nd4-b5


Kd8-c8 Diagram
(Diagram 981)
23.Nb5-c7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.Nd4-b5 Kd8-c8 Diagram
(Diagram 982)
23.Nb5-c7 Qe8-d8 24.Nc7xa8 b7-b5
25.Na8-b6+ Kc8-b7 26.Nb6xd7
Nc5xd7 Diagram
27.Nd5xf6 Rf8xf6 28.Qd6xd7+
Qd8xd7 29.Rd1xd7+ Kb7-c6

r+k+qr +
+p+l+ +p
n+ Q pp+
pNnN+ +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+L+RKR+

r+k+qr +
+p+l+ +p
n+ Q pp+
pNnN+ +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+L+RKR+

+ q r +
+k+n+ +p
n+ Q pp+
pp+N+ +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+L+RKR+
30.Rf1xf6+ Kc6xd7 31.Rf6xa6

981

982

983

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

254

Diagram

+ + + +
+ +k+ +p
R+ + +p+
pp+ + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+L+ K +

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+pk +R+
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+L+ K +

984

b5xc4 32.Ra6xa5 Kd7-d6 33.e4-e5+


Kd6-e7 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + k +p
+ + +p+
R + P +
+p+ + +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+L+ K +

r+ kqr +
+p+l+ +p
n+ Q pp+
pNnN+ +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+L+RKR+

985

17
34.Ra5-a7+ Ke7-e6 35.Ra7xh7 g6-g5
36.Rh7-g7 Ke6xe5 37.Rg7xg5+
Ke5-d4 38.Rg5-g4+ 15.65/13
Diagram
(Diagram 986)
]
1-0

Vassily Ivanchuk
Peter Svidler
Linares (10)

986

987

D85

04.03.1998

D85: Exchange Grnfeld: Unusual


White 7th moves and lines with 7 Nf3
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 g7-g6
3.Nb1-c3 d7-d5 4.c4xd5 Diagram
Nf6xd5 5.e2-e4 Nd5xc3 6.b2xc3
Bf8-g7 7.Ng1-f3 c7-c5 8.Ra1-b1 0-0
9.Bf1-e2 c5xd4 10.c3xd4 Qd8-a5+
11.Bc1-d2 Qa5xa2 12.0-0 b7-b6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rnlqkl r
ppp pp+p
+ + np+
+ +P+ +
+ P + +
+ N + +
PP +PPPP
R LQKLNR

255

988

13.Qd1-c1 Bc8-b7 14.Be2-c4 Qa2-a4


15.Bc4-b5 Qa4-a2 16.Bb5-c4 Qa2-a4
Diagram

rn + rk+
pl+ pplp
p + +p+
+ + + +
q+LPP+ +
+ + +N+
+ L PPP
+RQ +RK

989

17.Bc4-b5 Qa4-a2 18.Rf1-e1 Rf8-c8


19.Qc1-d1 e7-e6 20.h2-h4N [RR
20.Qd1-e2 Nb8-c6 21.Qe2-e3 e6-e5
22.d4-d5 Nc6-d4 23.Nf3xd4 e5xd4
24.Qe3-f4 Bg7-f8 25.Rb1-a1 Qa2-c2
26.Bb5-d7 Rc8-c5 27.Bd2-b4 d4-d3
28.Bb4xc5 Bf8xc5 29.Re1-c1 Qc2-b2
30.Rc1-d1 a7-a5 31.Ra1-b1 Qb2-c3
32.Bd7-b5 a5-a4 33.Rd1xd3 Qc3-c2
34.Rb1-f1 a4-a3 Khalifman,A (2505)Epishin,V (2475)/Vilnius 1988/CBM 007/
- (41) ;RR 20.Bb5-a4 Nb8-c6

21.d4-d5 e6xd5 22.Ba4-b3 Qa2-a3


23.e4xd5 Nc6-d4 24.Nf3xd4 Bg7xd4
25.Qd1-g4 (RR 25.Re1-e4 Qa3-c5
26.Bd2-e1 Bd4-f6 27.Qd1-f3 Kg8-g7
28.Re4-f4 Qc5-d6 29.Be1-b4 Qd6-d8
30.Bb4-d2 g6-g5 31.Rf4-f5 Rc8-c7
32.Qf3-g3 Ra8-c8 33.h2-h4 Kg7-h8
34.Bd2xg5 Bf6xg5 35.h4xg5 Qd8-e7
36.Rf5-e5 Qe7-b4 37.Bb3-c2 Qb4-c3
38.Bc2-d3 Qc3-d4 39.d5-d6 Rc7-c3
Chernin,A (2615)-Dvoirys,S (2590)/
Podolsk 1993/CBM 038/1-0 (51) )
25...Bd4-c3 26.Bd2-c1 Qa3-b4
27.Re1-e4 Qb4-b5 28.Qg4-d1 Rc8-e8
29.Re4xe8+ Qb5xe8 30.Bc1-b2
Bc3xb2 31.Rb1xb2 Qe8-e5 32.Rb2-e2
Qe5-d6 33.Qd1-d4 a7-a5 34.h2-h4
h7-h5 Khenkin,I (2612)-Van Wely,L
(2646)/France 2000/EXT 2001/0-1
(44) ] 20...h7-h5 last book move
21.Qd1-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Rb1-c1 a7-a5 22.Rc1xc8+ Bb7xc8
23.Re1-e2 Qa2-b2 24.Bb5-c4 a5-a4
25.Bd2-e1 Qb2-a3 26.Re2-a2 Qa3-d6
27.Ra2xa4 Ra8xa4 28.Qd1xa4
Qd6-c6 29.Qa4-b5 Qc6xb5 30.Bc4xb5
Bc8-d7 31.Bb5-d3 Nb8-c6 32.e4-e5
Bg7-f8 0.06/14 ] 21...Nb8-c6 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...Nb8-c6
22.Qe2-e3 Nc6-a5 23.Bd2-b4 Na5-c4
24.Qe3-d3 a7-a6 25.Re1-e2 Qa2xb1+
26.Qd3xb1 a6xb5 27.Re2-e1 Diagram
(Diagram 990)
Ra8-a4 28.Bb4-e7 Ra4-a5 29.Be7-b4
Ra5-a4 30.Bb4-e7 0.25/16 ]
(Diagram 991)
22.Bb5-c4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.Qe2-e3 Nc6-a5 23.Bd2-b4 Na5-c4
24.Qe3-d3 a7-a6 25.Re1-e2 Qa2xb1+
26.Qd3xb1 a6xb5 27.Re2-e1 Ra8-a4
28.Bb4-e7 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+r+ +k+
+l+ +pl
p +p+p+
+p+ + +p
LnPP+ P
+ + +N+
+ + PP+
+Q+ R K

r+r+ +k+
pl+ +pl
pn+p+p+
+L+ + +p
+ PP+ P
+ + +N+
q+ LQPP+
+R+ R K

+r+ +k+
+l+ Lpl
p +p+p+
+p+ + +p
r+nPP+ P
+ + +N+
+ + PP+
+Q+ R K

256

990

Ra8-c8 31.Be7-b4 0.07/16 ]


22...Qa2-a4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Qa2-a3 23.d4-d5 e6xd5
24.Bc4xd5 Qa3-e7 25.Bd2-g5 Qe7-e8
26.Bg5-f4 Nc6-d8 27.Nf3-g5 Qe8-d7
28.Qe2-a2 Bb7xd5 29.e4xd5 Rc8-c5
30.d5-d6 Rc5-a5 31.Qa2-b3 Nd8-c6
32.Rb1-c1 Ra8-c8 0.09/15 ] 23.Rb1-a1
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.Bc4-b5
Qa4-a2 -0.10/16 ] 23...Qa4-c2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Qa4-c2
24.Bc4-d3 Qc2-b2 25.Ra1-a4 b6-b5
26.Bd3xb5 a7-a5 27.d4-d5 e6xd5
28.e4xd5 Nc6-b4 29.d5-d6 Bb7xf3
30.g2xf3 Nb4-c2 31.d6-d7 Nc2xe1
32.d7xc8Q+ Ra8xc8 33.Bb5-d7
Bg7-c3 34.Bd7xc8 Bc3xd2 35.Qe2-d1
Ne1xf3+ 36.Qd1xf3 Qb2-c1+ Diagram

991

+L+ +k+
+ + +p+
+ + +p+
p + + +p
R+ + + P
+ + +Q+
+ l P +
+ q + K
992

Ra4-a5 29.Qb1-b3 Rc8-a8 30.Kg1-h2

993

37.Kg1-g2 Qc1xc8 38.Ra4-d4 Bd2-c3


39.Rd4-e4 Bc3-b4 40.Qf3-f6 Bb4-c5
41.Qf6-e5 Qc8-b7 42.f2-f3 Qb7-b6
0.09/19 ] 24.Bc4-d3 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Bc4-d3
Qc2-b2 25.Ra1-a4 b6-b5 26.Bd3xb5
a7-a5 27.d4-d5 e6xd5 28.e4xd5
Nc6-b4 29.d5-d6 Bb7xf3 30.g2xf3
Nb4-c2 31.d6-d7 Nc2xe1 32.d7xc8Q+
Ra8xc8 33.Bb5-d7 Qb2xd2
34.Qe2xd2 Ne1xf3+ 35.Kg1-g2
Nf3xd2 36.Bd7xc8 Bg7-c3 37.Bc8-b7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

257

Kg8-g7 38.Bb7-d5 Kg7-f6 39.Ra4-a3


Diagram

+ + + +
+ + +p+
+ + kp+
p +L+ +p
+ + + P
R l + +
+ n PK+
+ + + +

994

Bc3-b4 40.Ra3-a2 Kf6-g7 41.Kg2-h3


Kg7-f6 0.03/17 ]

r+r+ +k+
pl+ +pl
pn+p+p+
+ + + +p
+ PP+ P
+ +L+N+
+qLQPP+
R + R K

995

24...Qc2-b2 Now all is on d4


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Qc2-b2
25.Ra1-a4 b6-b5 26.Bd3xb5 a7-a5
27.d4-d5 e6xd5 28.e4xd5 Nc6-b4
29.d5-d6 Bb7xf3 30.g2xf3 Nb4-c2
31.d6-d7 Nc2xe1 32.d7xc8Q+ Ra8xc8
33.Bb5-d7 Qb2xd2 34.Qe2xd2
Ne1xf3+ 35.Kg1-g2 Nf3xd2
36.Bd7xc8 Bg7-c3 37.Bc8-b7 Kg8-g7
38.Bb7-d5 Kg7-f6 39.Ra4-a3 Diagram
Bc3-b4 40.Ra3-a2 Kf6-g7 41.Ra2-a1

+ + + +
+ + +p+
+ + kp+
p +L+ +p
+ + + P
R l + +
+ n PK+
+ + + +

996

Kg7-f6 42.Ra1-c1 a5-a4 0.22/17 ]


25.Ra1-a4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25.Ra1-a4 Diagram

r+r+ +k+
pl+ +pl
pn+p+p+
+ + + +p
R+ PP+ P
+ +L+N+
q LQPP+
+ + R K

997

b6-b5 26.Bd3xb5 a7-a5 27.d4-d5


e6xd5 28.e4xd5 Nc6-b4 29.d5-d6
Bb7xf3 30.g2xf3 Nb4-c2 31.d6-d7
Nc2xe1 32.d7xc8Q+ Ra8xc8
33.Bb5-d7 Qb2xd2 34.Qe2xd2
Ne1xf3+ 35.Kg1-g2 Nf3xd2
36.Bd7xc8 Bg7-c3 37.Bc8-b7 Kg8-g7
38.Bb7-d5 Kg7-f6 39.Ra4-a3 Bc3-b4
Diagram
40.Ra3-a2 Kf6-g7 41.Ra2-a1
Bb4-c3 0.15/17 ] 25...b6-b5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...Qb2-b3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + +p+
+ + kp+
p +L+ +p
l + + P
R + + +
+ n PK+
+ + + +

258

998

26.Re1-a1 b6-b5 27.Bd3xb5 a7-a5


28.Kg1-h2 Rc8-d8 29.e4-e5 Ra8-c8
30.Bd2-g5 Rd8-d7 31.Ra1-a3 Qb3-d5
32.Ra3-a1 Rd7-c7 33.Bb5xc6 Bb7xc6
34.Ra4xa5 0.12/13 ] 26.Bd3xb5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26.Bd3xb5 a7-a5 27.d4-d5 e6xd5
28.e4xd5 Nc6-a7 29.Bb5-d3 Bb7xd5
30.Re1-b1 Bd5xf3 31.g2xf3 Qb2-f6
32.Ra4xa5 Na7-c6 33.Ra5xa8
Rc8xa8 34.Qe2-e4 Ra8-a2 35.Bd2-g5
Qf6-d4 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ + +pl
+n+ +p+
+ + + Lp
+ qQ+ P
+ +L+P+
r+ + P +
+R+ + K

r+r+ +k+
pl+ +pl
+n+p+p+
+L+ + +p
R+ PP+ P
+ + +N+
q LQPP+
+ + R K

999

1000

(Diagram 999)
36.Bg5-e3 Qd4xe4 37.Bd3xe4
Nc6-d4 38.Be4-d5 Ra2-a5
39.Rb1-b8+ Kg8-h7 0.05/15 ]
(Diagram 1000)
26...Rc8-d8 Will d4 fall? [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 26...a7-a5 Diagram
(Diagram 1001)
27.d4-d5 e6xd5 28.e4xd5 Nc6-a7
29.Bb5-a6 Bb7xa6 30.Qe2xa6 Na7-b5
31.Qa6-b7 Ra8-b8 32.Qb7-e7 Qb2-b3
33.Ra4xa5 Qb3xd5 34.Qe7-g5

r+r+ +k+
+l+ +pl
+n+p+p+
pL+ + +p
R+ PP+ P
+ + +N+
q LQPP+
+ + R K
Qd5-d7 Diagram

1001

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rr+ +k+
+ +q+pl
+ + +p+
Rn+ + Qp
+ + + P
+ + +N+
+ L PP+
+ + R K

259

1002

35.Re1-e7 Qd7-d3 36.Re7-e3


Qd3-c4 37.Nf3-e5 -0.04/14 ]
27.Bd2-g5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27.d4-d5 e6xd5 28.e4-e5
Rd8-e8 29.Qe2-d3 a7-a6 30.Re1-b1
Nc6xe5 31.Nf3xe5 Qb2xe5 32.Bb5xe8
Qe5xe8 Diagram

r+ +q+k+
+l+ +pl
p+ + +p+
+ +p+ +p
R+ + + P
+ +Q+ +
+ L PP+
+R+ + K

1003

33.Ra4-a3 Qe8-d7 34.Ra3-b3 Bb7-c6


35.Rb3-b8+ Ra8xb8 36.Rb1xb8+
Kg8-h7 37.Qd3xa6 d5-d4 38.Rb8-b6
Bc6-e4 39.Qa6-c4 Bg7-f8 0.39/14
Diagram
]
27...Qb2xe2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27...Qb2xe2 28.Bb5xe2 Rd8-d7

+ + l +
+ +q+p+k
R + +p+
+ + + +p
+Qpl+ P
+ + + +
+ L PP+
+ + + K

r+ r +k+
pl+ +pl
+n+p+p+
+L+ + Lp
R+ PP+ P
+ + +N+
q +QPP+
+ + R K

1004

1005

Diagram
(Diagram 1006)
29.Re1-b1 Bg7xd4 30.Rb1xb7
Bd4xf2+ 31.Kg1xf2 Rd7xb7 Diagram
(Diagram 1007)
32.Bg5-f6 Rb7-b4 33.Ra4-a6 Ra8-c8
34.Nf3-g5 Rb4-b3 35.Bf6-a1 Rb3-b8
36.g2-g3 Rb8-b6 37.Ra6-a3 e6-e5
38.Be2-c4 Rb6-b7 0.26/17 ]
28.Bb5xe2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28.Bb5xe2 Rd8-d7 29.Re1-b1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +k+
pl+r+pl
+n+p+p+
+ + + Lp
R+ PP+ P
+ + +N+
+ +LPP+
+ + R K

r+ + +k+
pr+ +p+
+n+p+p+
+ + + Lp
R+ +P+ P
+ + +N+
+ +LKP+
+ + + +

260

1006

1007

Ra8-c8 30.Be2-b5 a7-a6 31.Bb5xc6


Rc8xc6 32.Nf3-e5 Bg7xe5 33.d4xe5
Rc6-c2 34.Ra4-b4 Diagram
(Diagram 1008)
Bb7-c8 35.Bg5-e3 a6-a5 36.Rb4-a4
Rd7-b7 37.Rb1-a1 Rb7-b4 38.Ra4xa5
Rb4xe4 0.18/17 ]
(Diagram 1009)
28...Rd8-d7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 28...Rd8-d7 29.Re1-b1
Bg7xd4 30.Rb1xb7 Bd4xf2+

+ + +k+
+l+r+p+
p+ +p+p+
+ + P Lp
R +P+ P
+ + + +
+r+ PP+
+R+ + K

r+ r +k+
pl+ +pl
+n+p+p+
+ + + Lp
R+ PP+ P
+ + +N+
+ +LPP+
+ + R K

1008

1009

31.Kg1xf2 Rd7xb7 32.Bg5-d2 a7-a5


33.Bd2-c3 Ra8-d8 34.Nf3-e5 Nc6xe5
Diagram
(Diagram 1010)
35.Bc3xe5 Rb7-b4 36.Ra4xa5
Rb4xe4 37.g2-g3 Kg8-h7 38.Be5-c3
Rd8-c8 0.22/16 ]
(Diagram 1011)
29.Re1-b1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 29.Bg5-e3 a7-a5 30.Re1-c1
Ra8-c8 31.g2-g3 Bg7-f8 32.Kg1-g2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
+r+ +p+
+ +p+p+
p + n +p
R+ +P+ P
+ L + +
+ +LKP+
+ + + +

r+ + +k+
pl+r+pl
+n+p+p+
+ + + Lp
R+ PP+ P
+ + +N+
+ +LPP+
+ + R K

261

1010

1011

Bf8-b4 33.Ra4-a2 Kg8-g7 34.Ra2-c2


Bb4-a3 35.Rc1-a1 Ba3-b4 36.Be3-f4
Nc6xd4 37.Rc2xc8 Nd4xe2 0.18/15
Diagram
(Diagram 1012)
]
(Diagram 1013)
last book move 29...Nc6-d8 Diagram
[ 29...Bg7xd4 30.Nf3xd4 Nc6xd4
31.Ra4xd4 Rd7xd4 32.Rb1xb7
Rd4xe4 33.Be2-f3$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

+R+ + +
+l+r+pk
+ +p+p+
p + + +p
l +PL P
+ + +NP
+ +nPK+
R + + +

r+ + +k+
pl+r+pl
+n+p+p+
+ + + Lp
R+ PP+ P
+ + +N+
+ +LPP+
+R+ + K

1012

1013

x64: 29...Bg7xd4 Diagram


(Diagram 1014)
30.Rb1xb7 Bd4xf2+ 31.Kg1xf2
Rd7xb7 32.Bg5-f6 Rb7-b4 33.Ra4-a6
Rb4-b6 34.Ra6-a3 a7-a5 35.Bf6-c3
Ra8-c8 36.Nf3-e5 Nc6xe5 37.Bc3xe5
Rb6-b4 38.Ra3xa5 Rb4xe4 39.g2-g3
0.22/14 ]
30.Be2-d3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 30.e4-e5 Bb7-d5 31.Nf3-d2
Diagram
Nd8-c6 32.Be2-f3 Bd5xf3 33.Nd2xf3
a7-a5 34.Ra4-c4 Nc6-b4 35.Nf3-d2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +k+
pl+r+p+
+n+p+p+
+ + + Lp
R+ lP+ P
+ + +N+
+ +LPP+
+R+ + K

r+ n +k+
pl+r+pl
+ +p+p+
+ + + Lp
R+ PP+ P
+ + +N+
+ +LPP+
+R+ + K

r+ n +k+
p +r+pl
+ +p+p+
+ +lP Lp
R+ P + P
+ + + +
+ NLPP+
+R+ + K
Diagram

262

1014

r+ + +k+
+ +r+pl
+ +p+p+
p + P Lp
nRP + P
+ + + +
+ N PP+
+R+ + K

1017

Bg7-f8 36.Nd2-e4 Rd7-b7 37.Ne4-f6+


Kg8-g7 38.Bg5-d2 Ra8-b8 39.f2-f3
a5-a4 0.21/16 ]
1015

r+ n +k+
pl+r+pl
+ +p+p+
+ + + Lp
R+ PP+ P
+ +L+N+
+ + PP+
+R+ + K
1016

1018

30...f7-f5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


30...Nd8-c6 31.Bd3-b5 Diagram
(Diagram 1019)
a7-a6 32.Bb5-f1 a6-a5 33.Bf1-b5
Rd7-c7 34.Rb1-c1 Rc7-c8 35.d4-d5
e6xd5 Diagram
36.e4xd5 Nc6-e5 37.Nf3xe5 Bg7xe5
38.Bb5-c6 Bb7xc6 39.d5xc6 Kg8-g7
40.Rc1-e1 0.24/15 ] 31.d4-d5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31.d4-d5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +k+
pl+r+pl
+n+p+p+
+L+ + Lp
R+ PP+ P
+ + +N+
+ + PP+
+R+ + K

r+r+ +k+
+l+ +pl
+n+ +p+
pL+p+ Lp
R+ +P+ P
+ + +N+
+ + PP+
+ R + K

263

1019

1020

r+ n +k+
pl+r+ l
+ +p+p+
+ +P+pLp
R+ +P+ P
+ +L+N+
+ + PP+
+R+ + K

r+ + + +
+R+ + l
+ + +k+
r + p +
p+ + + P
R + LP+
+ + PK+
+ + + +

1021

1022

Diagram
(Diagram 1021)
f5xe4 32.Bd3xe4 Bb7xd5 33.Be4xg6
a7-a5 34.Bg6xh5 Bd5-c6 35.Ra4-a3
a5-a4 36.Bh5-e8 Rd7-d5 37.Be8xc6
Nd8xc6 38.Bg5-e3 e6-e5 39.Kg1-f1
Nc6-d4 40.Rb1-b4 Nd4xf3 41.g2xf3
Rd5-a5 42.Kf1-g2 Kg8-f7 43.Rb4-b7+
Kf7-g6 0.48/15 Diagram
] 31...f5xe4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31...f5xe4 32.Bd3xe4 Diagram
Bb7xd5 33.Be4xg6 a7-a5 34.Bg6xh5
Bd5-c6 35.Ra4-a3 a5-a4 36.Bh5-e8

r+ n +k+
pl+r+ l
+ +p+p+
+ +P+ Lp
R+ +L+ P
+ + +N+
+ + PP+
+R+ + K

1023

Rd7-d5 37.Be8xc6 Nd8xc6 38.Bg5-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

264

e6-e5 39.Kg1-f1 Nc6-d4 40.Rb1-d1


Kg8-f7 41.Be3xd4 e5xd4 42.Nf3-g5+
Kf7-g6 43.Ng5-e6 Bg7-e5 44.g2-g4
Diagram

r+ + + +
+ + + +
+ +N+k+
+ +rl +
p+ p +PP
R + + +
+ + P +
+ +R+K+

1024

Be5-d6 45.h4-h5+ Kg6-f6 0.62/16 ]


32.Bd3xe4 [Less advisable is
32.Ra4xe4 Bb7xd5 33.Re4-e3
Kg8-h7! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.Bd3xe4 Bb7xd5 33.Be4xg6
Diagram

r+ n +k+
p +r+ l
+ +p+L+
+ +l+ Lp
R+ + + P
+ + +N+
+ + PP+
+R+ + K

1025

a7-a5 34.Bg6xh5 Bd5-c6 35.Ra4-a3


a5-a4 36.Bh5-e8 Rd7-d5 37.Be8xc6
Diagram
Nd8xc6 38.Bg5-e3 e6-e5 39.Kg1-f1
Nc6-d4 40.Rb1-d1 Kg8-f7 41.Be3xd4

r+ n +k+
+ + + l
+L+p+ +
+ +r+ L
p+ + + P
R + +N+
+ + PP+
+R+ + K

1026

e5xd4 42.Nf3-g5+ Kf7-g6 43.Ng5-e6


Bg7-e5 44.g2-g4 Be5-d6 45.h4-h5+
Kg6-f6 0.46/17 ] 32...Bb7xd5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32...Bb7xd5
33.Be4xg6 Nd8-f7 34.Bg6xh5 Nf7xg5
35.Nf3xg5 Bg7-f6 36.Ra4-a6 Bf6xg5
37.h4xg5 Bd5-c4 38.Ra6-a4 Bc4-d5
39.Bh5-g4 a7-a5 40.Rb1-b5 Rd7-a7
41.Rb5-b6 Ra8-e8 42.f2-f3 Kg8-g7
43.Kg1-f2 Kg7-g6 0.66/16 ] 33.Be4xg6
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33.Be4xg6 Nd8-f7 34.Bg6xh5 Nf7xg5
35.Nf3xg5 Bg7-f6 36.Ra4-a6 Bf6xg5
37.h4xg5 Kg8-g7 38.Bh5-f3 Ra8-c8
39.Rb1-a1 Rc8-c2 40.Bf3xd5 e6xd5
41.f2-f4 d5-d4 42.f4-f5 d4-d3
43.Ra6xa7 Diagram
(Diagram 1027)
Rd7xa7 44.Ra1xa7+ Kg7-f8 0.57/15 ]
(Diagram 1028)
33...Rd7-b7 Diagram [ 33...Bd5-c6
Diagram
34.Ra4-a3 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...a7-a5 34.Bg6xh5 Bd5-c6
35.Ra4-a3 a5-a4 36.Bh5-e8 Rd7-d5
37.Be8xc6 Nd8xc6 38.Bg5-e3 Nc6-e5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

265
41.Ra3-a2 Diagram

+ + + +
R +r+ k
+ + + +
+ + +PP
+ + + +
+ +p+ +
+r+ +P+
R + + K

r+ n +k+
p +r+ l
+ +p+L+
+ +l+ Lp
R+ + + P
+ + +N+
+ + PP+
+R+ + K

r+ n +k+
p +r+ l
+l+p+L+
+ + + Lp
R+ + + P
+ + +N+
+ + PP+
+R+ + K

1027

r+ + +k+
+ + + +
+ lp+ +
+ +r+ +
p+ + +PP
+ + L +
R+ + P +
+R+ + K

1030

a4-a3 42.Kg1-g2 Ra8-c8 43.h4-h5


Kg8-f7 44.h5-h6 0.48/14 ]
1028

r+ n +k+
pr+ + l
+ +p+L+
+ +l+ Lp
R+ + + P
+ + +N+
+ + PP+
+R+ + K
1029

39.Nf3xe5 Bg7xe5 40.g2-g4 Be5-d6

1031

34.Rb1xb7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


34.Rb1xb7 Nd8xb7 35.Bg6xh5 a7-a5
36.Bg5-d2 Ra8-d8 37.Bd2-e3 Bd5-c6
38.Ra4-a2 Bc6-d5 39.Ra2-a3 Bg7-f8
40.Ra3-a4 Bf8-b4 41.Nf3-g5 e6-e5
42.Ng5-f3 Bd5-c6 43.Ra4-a1 0.55/17 ]
34...Nd8xb7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 34...Nd8xb7 35.Bg6xh5
a7-a5 36.Bg5-d2 Ra8-d8 37.Bd2-e3
Bd5-c6 38.Ra4-a2 Bc6-d5 39.Ra2-a3
Bg7-f8 40.Ra3-a4 Bf8-b4 41.Nf3-g5
Nb7-d6 42.Be3-b6 Rd8-a8 43.Bh5-e2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

266

Nd6-f5 44.g2-g3 Kg8-g7 0.66/17 ]

r+ + +k+
pn+ + l
+ +p+L+
+ +l+ Lp
R+ + + P
+ + +N+
+ + PP+
+ + + K

1032

35.Bg5-e3 Diagram [ 35.Bg6xh5


Nb7-c5 36.Ra4-g4 Bd5xf3 37.g2xf3
a7-a5 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35.Bg6xh5 a7-a5 36.Bg5-e7 Ra8-c8
37.Be7-a3 Rc8-c2 38.Nf3-g5 e6-e5
39.Bh5-g4 Bd5-b3 40.Ra4-e4 Rc2-a2
41.Ba3-e7 Bb3-d5 42.Bg4-e6+
Bd5xe6 43.Ng5xe6 a5-a4 44.Ne6xg7
Kg8xg7 45.Re4xe5 Ra2-a1+
46.Kg1-h2 a4-a3 47.Re5-b5 0.61/16 ]
(Diagram 1033)
35...a7-a5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35...a7-a5 Diagram
(Diagram 1034)
36.Nf3-g5 Nb7-d6 37.Be3-c5 Bg7-e5
38.f2-f4 Nd6-b7 39.Bc5-e3 Be5-b2
40.Bg6-f7+ Kg8-g7 41.Bf7xe6 Bd5xe6
42.Ng5xe6+ Kg7-g6 43.Kg1-f2 Kg6-f5
44.Ne6-g5 Bb2-f6 45.Kf2-f3 Ra8-d8
46.g2-g3 Bf6-g7 47.Ng5-e4 Rd8-d3
0.46/16 ] 36.Bg6xh5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36.Nf3-g5
Nb7-d6 37.Be3-c5 Bg7-e5 38.f2-f4
Nd6-b7 39.Bc5-e3 Be5-b2 40.Bg6-f7+
Kg8-g7 41.Bf7xe6 Bd5xe6

r+ + +k+
pn+ + l
+ +p+L+
+ +l+ +p
R+ + + P
+ + LN+
+ + PP+
+ + + K

r+ + +k+
+n+ + l
+ +p+L+
p +l+ +p
R+ + + P
+ + LN+
+ + PP+
+ + + K

1033

1034

42.Ng5xe6+ Diagram
(Diagram 1035)
Kg7-g6 43.Kg1-f2 Kg6-f5 44.Ne6-g5
Ra8-c8 45.Kf2-f3 Bb2-g7 46.Ng5-e4
0.51/15 ]
(Diagram 1036)
36...Bd5-c6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36...Nb7-d6 37.Be3-d2 Diagram
Nd6-c4 38.Bd2-e1 Ra8-f8 39.Kg1-h2
Bg7-f6 40.Nf3-g5 Bf6xg5 41.h4xg5
Nc4-b2 42.Ra4-a3 Nb2-c4 43.Ra3-a1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + + +
+n+ + k
+ +N+ +
p + + +p
R+ + P P
+ + L +
l + +P+
+ + + K

r+ + +k+
+n+ + l
+ +p+ +
p +l+ +L
R+ + + P
+ + LN+
+ + PP+
+ + + K

r+ + +k+
+ + + l
+ np+ +
p +l+ +L
R+ + + P
+ + +N+
+ L PP+
+ + + K

267

1035

1036

Nc4xa5 46.Ra1xa5 Kg8-g7


47.Ra5-a7+ Kg7-h6 0.44/15 ]
37.Ra4-g4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 37.Ra4-f4 Nb7-d6 38.Nf3-g5
e6-e5 39.Rf4-g4 Bc6-d7 40.Rg4-g3
Nd6-f5 41.Bh5-f3 Ra8-f8 42.Bf3-d5+
Kg8-h8 43.Rg3-f3 a5-a4 44.g2-g3
Nf5xe3 45.Rf3xe3 Rf8-c8 46.Ng5-f7+
Kh8-h7 47.Nf7xe5 Bd7-f5 48.f2-f4
Rc8-c2 49.Kg1-f1 0.63/16 ]

r+ + +k+
+n+ + l
+l+p+ +
p + + +L
+ + +RP
+ + LN+
+ + PP+
+ + + K

1038

37...Bc6xf3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 37...Bc6xf3 38.g2xf3 Nb7-d6
39.Bh5-g6 Nd6-f5 40.h4-h5 Nf5xe3
41.f2xe3 Ra8-a7 42.Bg6-c2 Ra7-c7
43.Bc2-b3 Kg8-h7 44.Bb3xe6 Kh7-h6
45.Kg1-f2 Kh6xh5 46.Rg4-a4 Rc7-c2+
47.Kf2-g3 Bg7-e5+ 48.f3-f4 Be5-c3
49.Be6-d5 0.56/17 ]
1037

Rf8-f5 44.g2-g4 Rf5xg5 45.Be1xa5

(Diagram 1039)
38.Rg4xg7+ Decoy: e5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 38.g2xf3 Nb7-d6 39.Bh5-g6
Nd6-f5 40.h4-h5 Nf5xe3 41.f2xe3
Ra8-b8 42.Rg4-e4 Rb8-b6 43.Kg1-f2
Bg7-f8 44.f3-f4 Diagram
Kg8-g7 45.Kf2-f3 Kg7-h6 46.Bg6-f7
Bf8-g7 47.Bf7xe6 Kh6xh5 0.49/15 ]
38...Kg8xg7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...Kg8xg7 39.Bh5xf3 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +k+
+n+ + l
+ +p+ +
p + + +L
+ + +RP
+ + Ll+
+ + PP+
+ + + K

+ + lk+
+ + + +
r +p+L+
p + + +P
+ +RP +
+ + P +
+ + K +
+ + + +

r+ + + +
+n+ + k
+ +p+ +
p + + +
+ + + P
+ + LL+
+ + PP+
+ + + K

268

1039

1040

Rb8-b1+ 42.Kg1-h2 a4-a3


43.Be3-d4+ Kg7-f7 44.Kh2-g3 a3-a2
45.h4-h5 a2-a1Q 46.Bd4xa1 Rb1xa1
47.Kg3-h4 Ra1-a2 48.g2-g4 Ra2xf2
49.Kh4-g3 Rf2-a2 50.Bf3-e4 Ra2-a3+
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + +k+
+ +p+ +
+ + + +P
+ +L+P+
r + + K
+ + + +
+ + + +

1042

51.Kg3-f4 Kf7-g7 52.g4-g5 Ra3-h3


53.Be4-f3 e6-e5+ 54.Kf4-e4 0.11/17 ]
39.Bh5xf3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39.Bh5xf3 a5-a4 40.Bf3xb7 Ra8-b8
Diagram
(Diagram 1043)

1041

a5-a4 40.Bf3xb7 Ra8-b8 41.Bb7-f3

41.Bb7-f3 Rb8-b1+ 42.Kg1-h2 a4-a3


43.Be3-d4+ Kg7-f7 44.Kh2-g3 a3-a2
45.h4-h5 a2-a1Q 46.Bd4xa1 Rb1xa1
47.Kg3-h4 Ra1-a2 48.g2-g4 Ra2xf2
49.Kh4-g3 Rf2-a2 50.Bf3-e4 Ra2-a3+
51.Kg3-f4 Kf7-g7 52.g4-g5 Ra3-h3
53.Be4-f3 e6-e5+ 54.Kf4-e4 0.05/18 ]
39...Ra8-b8 Diagram [ 39...a5-a4
40.Bf3xb7 Ra8-b8 41.Be3-d4+ Kg7-f7
42.Bb7-f3$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39...a5-a4 40.Bf3xb7 Ra8-b8
41.Bb7-f3 Rb8-b1+ 42.Kg1-h2 a4-a3
43.Be3-d4+ Kg7-f7 44.Kh2-g3 a3-a2
45.h4-h5 a2-a1Q 46.Bd4xa1 Rb1xa1
47.Kg3-h4 Ra1-a2 48.g2-g4 Ra2xf2
49.Kh4-g3 Rf2-a2 50.g4-g5 Ra2-a4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + + +
+L+ + k
+ +p+ +
+ + + +
p+ + + P
+ + L +
+ + PP+
+ + + K

269

1043

51.Bf3-e2 Ra4-a5 52.Kg3-f4 Ra5-f5+


53.Kf4-g4 0.07/16 ]

r + + +
+n+ + k
+ +p+ +
p + + +
+ + + P
+ + LL+
+ + PP+
+ + + K

1044

40.Be3-f4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


40.Be3-f4 Rb8-d8 41.Bf3xb7 Diagram
(Diagram 1045)
a5-a4 42.Bf4-e5+ Kg7-f7 43.g2-g4
Rd8-d1+ 44.Kg1-g2 Rd1-e1
45.Be5-c3 Re1-c1 46.Bc3-h8 a4-a3
47.h4-h5 Kf7-g8 48.Bh8-f6 a3-a2
49.Bb7-e4 Kg8-f7 50.Bf6-h8 Rc1-c5
51.Bh8-b2 Rc5-b5 52.Bb2-a1 Rb5-b1
53.Ba1-c3 Rb1-c1 54.Bc3-e5 Rc1-c5
55.Be5-a1 Rc5-c1 56.Ba1-d4 Rc1-e1

+ r + +
+L+ + k
+ +p+ +
p + + +
+ + L P
+ + + +
+ + PP+
+ + + K

1045

57.Kg2-f3 Re1-d1 58.Bd4-c3 Rd1-c1


59.Bc3-b2 Rc1-h1 60.Kf3-e2 a2-a1Q
61.Bb2xa1 Rh1xa1 62.h5-h6 Ra1-g1
63.f2-f3 Kf7-f6 64.Ke2-e3 Rg1-e1+
65.Ke3-d4 Re1-d1+ 66.Be4-d3
e6-e5+ 67.Kd4-e4 0.52/20 ]
40...Rb8-d8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
40...Rb8-d8 Diagram

+ r + +
+n+ + k
+ +p+ +
p + + +
+ + L P
+ + +L+
+ + PP+
+ + + K

1046

41.Bf3xb7 a5-a4 42.Bf4-e5+ Kg7-f7


43.g2-g4 Rd8-d1+ 44.Kg1-g2 Rd1-e1
45.Be5-c3 Re1-c1 46.Bc3-h8 a4-a3
47.h4-h5 Kf7-g8 48.Bh8-f6 a3-a2
49.Bb7-e4 Kg8-f7 50.Bf6-h8 Rc1-c5
51.Bh8-b2 Rc5-b5 52.Bb2-a1 Rb5-b1
53.Ba1-c3 Rb1-c1 54.Bc3-e5 Rc1-c5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

270

55.Be5-a1 Rc5-c1 56.Ba1-d4 Rc1-e1


57.Kg2-f3 Re1-d1 58.Bd4-c3 Rd1-c1
59.Bc3-b2 Rc1-h1 60.Kf3-e2 a2-a1Q
61.Bb2xa1 Rh1xa1 62.h5-h6 Ra1-g1
63.f2-f3 Kf7-f6 64.Ke2-e3 Rg1-e1+
65.Ke3-d4 Re1-d1+ 66.Be4-d3
e6-e5+ 67.Kd4-e4 0.58/20 ] 41.Bf3xb7
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41.Bf3xb7
Diagram

+ r + +
+L+ + k
+ +p+ +
p + + +
+ + L P
+ + + +
+ + PP+
+ + + K

1047

a5-a4 42.Bf4-e5+ Kg7-f7 43.g2-g4


Rd8-d1+ 44.Kg1-g2 Rd1-e1
45.Be5-c3 Re1-c1 46.Bc3-h8 a4-a3
47.h4-h5 Kf7-g8 48.Bh8-f6 a3-a2
49.Bb7-e4 Kg8-f7 50.Bf6-h8 Rc1-c5
51.Bh8-b2 Rc5-b5 52.Bb2-a1 Rb5-b1
53.Ba1-c3 Rb1-c1 54.Bc3-e5 Diagram
(Diagram 1048)
Rc1-c5 55.Be5-a1 Rc5-c1 56.Ba1-d4
Rc1-e1 57.Kg2-f3 Re1-d1 58.Bd4-c3
Rd1-c1 59.Bc3-b2 Rc1-h1 60.Kf3-e2
a2-a1Q 61.Bb2xa1 Rh1xa1 62.h5-h6
Ra1-g1 63.f2-f3 Kf7-f6 64.Ke2-e3
Rg1-e1+ 65.Ke3-d4 Re1-d1+
66.Be4-d3 e6-e5+ 67.Kd4-e4 0.52/19 ]
41...a5-a4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
41...a5-a4 Diagram
42.Bf4-e5+ Kg7-f7 43.g2-g4 a4-a3
44.h4-h5 Rd8-d1+ 45.Kg1-g2 Rd1-e1

+ + + +
+ + +k+
+ +p+ +
+ + L +P
+ +L+P+
+ + + +
p+ + PK+
+ r + +

+ r + +
+L+ + k
+ +p+ +
+ + + +
p+ + L P
+ + + +
+ + PP+
+ + + K

1048

1049

46.Be5-d4 Re1-d1 47.Bd4-h8 Kf7-g8


48.Bh8-e5 Rd1-e1 49.Be5-f6 Kg8-f7
50.g4-g5 a3-a2 51.f2-f3 a2-a1Q
52.Bf6xa1 Re1xa1 53.h5-h6 Ra1-a5
54.f3-f4 Ra5-a3 55.Bb7-e4 Kf7-g8
56.g5-g6 Ra3-e3 57.Be4-f3 Re3-c3
58.Kg2-f2 Rc3-b3 59.Kf2-g3 Rb3-b8
60.Bf3-e4 0.61/19 ] 42.Bf4-e5+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42.Bf4-e5+
Kg7-f7 Diagram
43.g2-g4 a4-a3 44.Kg1-g2 a3-a2
45.Bb7-e4 Rd8-b8 46.h4-h5 Rb8-b5
47.Be5-c3 Rb5-c5 48.Bc3-a1 Rc5-c1
49.Ba1-h8 Rc1-c5 50.Bh8-b2 Rc5-b5
51.Bb2-a1 Rb5-b1 52.Ba1-c3 Rb1-c1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + +
+L+ +k+
+ +p+ +
+ + L +
p+ + + P
+ + + +
+ + PP+
+ + + K

271

1050

53.Bc3-e5 a2-a1Q 54.Be5xa1 Rc1xa1


55.h5-h6 Ra1-a4 56.f2-f3 Ra4-a5
57.Kg2-g3 Ra5-c5 58.Kg3-f4 Kf7-f6
59.Be4-d3 e6-e5+ 60.Kf4-e4 Rc5-c3
0.58/19 ] 42...Kg7-g8??
further deteriorates the position
[ 42...Kg7-f7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
42...Kg7-f7 43.g2-g4 a4-a3 44.Kg1-g2
a3-a2 45.Bb7-e4 Rd8-b8 46.h4-h5
Rb8-b5 47.Be5-a1 Rb5-b1 48.Ba1-c3
Rb1-c1 49.Bc3-e5 a2-a1Q 50.Be5xa1
Rc1xa1 51.h5-h6 Ra1-a4 52.f2-f3
Kf7-f6 53.Kg2-g3 Ra4-c4 54.Kg3-h4
Rc4-c5 55.f3-f4 0.57/18 ] 43.h4-h5+[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43.h4-h5
Rd8-d1+ 44.Kg1-h2 Rd1-b1
45.Bb7-a6 Rb1-e1 46.f2-f4 a4-a3
47.Ba6-c8 Re1xe5 48.f4xe5 Kg8-f7
49.h5-h6 a3-a2 50.Bc8xe6+ Kf7xe6
51.h6-h7 a2-a1Q 52.h7-h8Q Ke6-f5
53.Qh8-g7 Kf5-e6 54.Qg7-f6+ Ke6-d5
55.Qf6-d6+ Kd5-e4 56.Qd6-g6+
Ke4-d5 57.Qg6-f7+ Kd5-c6
58.Qf7-e6+ Kc6-c5 59.Qe6-d6+
Kc5-b5 60.Qd6-d5+ Kb5-b6 61.g2-g4
Qa1-e1 62.Qd5-d4+ Kb6-c7 63.g4-g5
Qe1-e2+ 64.Kh2-g3 Qe2-e1+
65.Kg3-g4 Qe1-e2+ 66.Kg4-f5
Qe2-f3+ 67.Kf5-g6 Qf3-c6+ 2.25/20 ]
43...Rd8-d1+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

43...Rd8-d1+ 44.Kg1-h2 Rd1-b1


45.Bb7-a6 Rb1-e1 46.f2-f4 a4-a3
47.Ba6-c4 Kg8-f7 48.Bc4xe6+ Kf7xe6
49.h5-h6 Re1xe5 50.f4xe5 a3-a2
51.h6-h7 a2-a1Q 52.h7-h8Q Qa1-b2
53.Qh8-f6+ Ke6-d5 54.Kh2-h3 Qb2-a1
55.g2-g4 Kd5-e4 56.Qf6-f5+ Ke4-d5
57.Kh3-h4 Kd5-c5 58.Qf5-f8+ Kc5-c4
59.Qf8-f7+ Kc4-b4 60.Qf7-b7+ Kb4-c3
61.Qb7-c6+ Kc3-d2 2.19/18 ]
44.Kg1-h2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
44.Kg1-h2 a4-a3 45.Bb7-e4 Rd1-e1
46.f2-f3 a3-a2 47.h5-h6 Re1xe4
48.f3xe4 Kg8-h7 49.Be5-g7 e6-e5
50.Bg7xe5 Kh7xh6 51.Kh2-g3
Kh6-g5 0.91/1 ] 44...Rd1-e1
[ 44...Rd1-b1 doesn't get the cat off the
tree 45.Bb7-a6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 44...Rd1-b1 45.Bb7-a6 Rb1-e1
46.f2-f4 a4-a3 47.Ba6-c4 Kg8-f7
48.Bc4xe6+ Kf7xe6 49.h5-h6 Re1xe5
50.f4xe5 a3-a2 51.h6-h7 a2-a1Q
52.h7-h8Q Qa1-b2 53.Qh8-f6+
Ke6-d5 54.Kh2-h3 Qb2-a1 55.Qf6-f7+
Kd5-c6 56.Qf7-e6+ Kc6-c5
57.Qe6-d6+ Kc5-b5 58.Qd6-d5+
Kb5-b6 59.g2-g4 Qa1-c1 60.Qd5-d6+
Kb6-b5 61.Qd6-b8+ Kb5-a6
62.Qb8-b3 Qc1-f1+ 63.Kh3-g3
Qf1-g1+ 64.Kg3-f4 Qg1-f2+ 65.Kf4-e4
Qf2-e2+ 66.Ke4-f5 Qe2-f2+
67.Kf5-g6 2.18/17 ] 45.f2-f4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 45.f2-f4 a4-a3
46.Bb7-c8 Re1xe5 47.f4xe5 Kg8-f7
48.h5-h6 a3-a2 49.Bc8xe6+ Kf7xe6
50.h6-h7 a2-a1Q 51.h7-h8Q Ke6-f5
52.Qh8-f6+ Kf5-e4 53.Qf6-g6+
Ke4-d5 54.Qg6-f7+ Kd5-c6
55.Qf7-e6+ Kc6-c5 56.Qe6-d6+
Kc5-b5 57.Qd6-d5+ Kb5-b6 58.g2-g4
Qa1-e1 59.Qd5-d4+ Kb6-b5 60.g4-g5
Qe1-e2+ 61.Kh2-g3 Qe2-e1+
62.Kg3-g4 Qe1-e2+ 63.Kg4-f5
Qe2-f3+ 64.Qd4-f4 Qf3-h3+ 65.Qf4-g4
Qh3-f1+ 66.Kf5-e6 Qf1-c1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


67.Qg4-e2+ Kb5-c6 68.Qe2-e4+
Kc6-c5 2.25/20 ] 45...Re1xe5
[ 45...Kg8-f7 cannot undo what has
already been done 46.Bb7-c8 Re1-b1
47.h5-h6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45...Kg8-f7 46.Bb7-c8 a4-a3
47.Bc8xe6+ Kf7xe6 48.h5-h6 Re1xe5
49.f4xe5 a3-a2 50.h6-h7 a2-a1Q
51.h7-h8Q Ke6-f5 52.Qh8-h3+ Kf5-e4
53.Qh3-g4+ Ke4-d5 54.Qg4-d7+
Kd5-e4 55.Qd7-h7+ Ke4-d5
56.Qh7-g8+ Kd5-c6 57.Qg8-e6+
Kc6-c5 58.Qe6-d6+ Kc5-b5
59.Qd6-d5+ Kb5-b6 60.g2-g4 Qa1-e1
61.Qd5-d4+ Kb6-c7 62.g4-g5
Qe1-e2+ 63.Kh2-g3 Qe2-e1+
64.Kg3-g4 Qe1-e2+ 65.Kg4-f5
Qe2-f3+ 66.Kf5-g6 Qf3-c6+
67.Qd4-d6+ 2.32/18 ] 46.f4xe5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46.f4xe5 a4-a3
47.Bb7-c8 Kg8-f7 48.h5-h6 a3-a2
49.Bc8xe6+ Kf7xe6 50.h6-h7 a2-a1Q
51.h7-h8Q Ke6-f5 52.Qh8-h5+ Kf5-e6
53.Qh5-e8+ Ke6-d5 54.Qe8-g8+
Kd5-c6 55.Qg8-e6+ Kc6-c5
56.Qe6-d6+ Kc5-b5 57.Qd6-d5+
Kb5-b6 58.g2-g4 Qa1-e1 59.Qd5-d4+
Kb6-b5 60.g4-g5 Qe1-e2+ 61.Kh2-g3
Qe2-e1+ 62.Kg3-g4 Qe1-e2+
63.Kg4-f5 Qe2-f3+ 64.Qd4-f4 Qf3-h3+
65.Qf4-g4 Qh3-f1+ 66.Kf5-e6 Qf1-c1
67.Ke6-f6 2.22/18 ] 46...a4-a3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46...a4-a3
47.Bb7-c8 Kg8-f7 48.h5-h6 a3-a2
49.Bc8xe6+ Kf7xe6 50.h6-h7 a2-a1Q
51.h7-h8Q Ke6-f5 52.Qh8-h5+ Kf5-e6
53.Qh5-e8+ Ke6-d5 54.Qe8-g8+
Kd5-c6 55.Qg8-c8+ Kc6-d5
56.Qc8-d7+ Kd5-e4 57.Qd7-b7+
Ke4-d4 58.e5-e6 Qa1-e1 59.Qb7-g7+
Kd4-d5 60.Qg7-f6 Kd5-d6 61.Qf6-f8+
Kd6-d5 62.Qf8-f5+ Kd5-c6 63.Qf5-f3+
Kc6-c5 64.e6-e7 Qe1-e5+ 65.g2-g3
Kc5-d6 66.Qf3-f7 Qe5-h8+ 67.Kh2-g2
Qh8-b2+ 68.Kg2-f3 Qb2-c3+

272
69.Kf3-g4 Qc3-b4+ 70.Kg4-g5
Qb4-d2+ 71.Kg5-g6 Qd2-d3+
72.Kg6-h6 Qd3-e3+ 2.19/19 ]
47.Bb7-c8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47.Bb7-c8 Kg8-f7 48.h5-h6 a3-a2
49.Bc8xe6+ Kf7xe6 50.h6-h7 a2-a1Q
51.h7-h8Q Ke6-f5 52.Qh8-h5+ Kf5-e6
53.Qh5-e8+ Ke6-d5 54.Qe8-g8+
Kd5-c6 55.Qg8-c8+ Kc6-d5
56.Qc8-d7+ Kd5-e4 57.Qd7-b7+
Ke4-d4 58.e5-e6 Qa1-e1 59.Qb7-g7+
Kd4-d5 60.Qg7-f6 Kd5-d6 61.Qf6-f8+
Kd6-d5 62.Qf8-f5+ Kd5-c6 63.Qf5-f3+
Kc6-c5 64.e6-e7 Qe1-e5+ 65.g2-g3
Kc5-d6 66.Qf3-f7 Qe5-h8+ 67.Kh2-g2
Qh8-b2+ 68.Kg2-f3 Qb2-c3+
69.Kf3-g4 Qc3-b4+ 70.Kg4-g5
Qb4-d2+ 71.Kg5-g6 Qd2-d3+
72.Kg6-h6 Qd3-e3+ 2.16/20 ]
47...Kg8-f7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47...Kg8-f7 48.h5-h6 a3-a2
49.Bc8xe6+ Kf7xe6 50.h6-h7 a2-a1Q
51.h7-h8Q Ke6-f5 52.Qh8-f6+ Kf5-e4
53.Qf6-g6+ Ke4-d5 54.Qg6-f7+
Kd5-c6 55.Qf7-e6+ Kc6-c5
56.Qe6-d6+ Kc5-b5 57.Qd6-d5+
Kb5-b6 58.g2-g4 Qa1-e1 59.Qd5-d4+
Kb6-b5 60.g4-g5 Qe1-e2+ 61.Kh2-g3
Qe2-e1+ 62.Kg3-g4 Qe1-e2+
63.Kg4-f5 Qe2-f3+ 64.Qd4-f4 Qf3-h3+
65.Qf4-g4 Qh3-f1+ 66.Kf5-e6 Qf1-c1
67.Ke6-f6 2.20/21 ] 48.h5-h6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 48.h5-h6 a3-a2
49.Bc8xe6+ Kf7xe6 50.h6-h7 a2-a1Q
51.h7-h8Q Ke6-f5 52.Qh8-h5+ Kf5-e6
53.Qh5-e8+ Ke6-d5 54.Qe8-g8+
Kd5-c6 55.Qg8-e6+ Kc6-c5
56.Qe6-d6+ Kc5-b5 57.Qd6-d5+
Kb5-b6 58.g2-g4 Qa1-c1 59.Qd5-d8+
Kb6-b5 60.Qd8-b8+ Kb5-a6
61.Qb8-a8+ Ka6-b6 62.Qa8-e4
Qc1-d2+ 63.Kh2-g3 Kb6-c7
64.Qe4-c4+ Kc7-d8 65.Qc4-g8+
Kd8-c7 66.Qg8-f7+ Kc7-b8 67.Qf7-f8+
Kb8-b7 68.Qf8-e7+ Kb7-c8 69.g4-g5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

273

67.Qg4-e2+ Kb5-c6 68.Qe2-e4+


Qd2-e1+ 70.Kg3-g4 Qe1-e4+
Kc6-c5 2.16/18 ] 50.h6-h7
71.Kg4-h5 Qe4-f3+ 72.Kh5-h6
Qf3-h1+ 73.Kh6-g7 2.16/22 ]
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 50.h6-h7
48...a3-a2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
a2-a1Q 51.h7-h8Q Ke6-f5
48...a3-a2 49.Bc8xe6+ Kf7xe6
52.Qh8-h5+ Kf5-e6 53.Qh5-e8+
50.h6-h7 a2-a1Q 51.h7-h8Q Ke6-f5
Ke6-d5 54.Qe8-g8+ Kd5-c6
52.Qh8-h5+ Kf5-e6 53.Qh5-e8+
55.Qg8-e6+ Kc6-c5 56.Qe6-d6+
Ke6-d5 54.Qe8-g8+ Kd5-c6
Kc5-b5 57.Qd6-d5+ Kb5-b6 58.g2-g4
55.Qg8-e6+ Kc6-c5 56.Qe6-d6+
Qa1-c1 59.Qd5-d8+ Kb6-b5
Kc5-b5 57.Qd6-d5+ Kb5-b6 58.g2-g4
60.Qd8-b8+ Kb5-a6 61.Qb8-a8+
Qa1-c1 59.Qd5-d8+ Kb6-b5
Ka6-b6 62.Qa8-e4 Qc1-d2+
60.Qd8-b8+ Kb5-a6 61.Qb8-a8+
63.Kh2-g3 Kb6-c7 64.Qe4-c4+ Kc7-d8
Ka6-b6 62.Qa8-e4 Qc1-d2+
65.Qc4-g8+ Kd8-c7 66.Qg8-f7+
63.Kh2-g3 Kb6-c7 64.Qe4-c4+ Kc7-d8 Kc7-b8 67.Qf7-f8+ Kb8-b7 68.Qf8-e7+
65.Qc4-g8+ Kd8-e7 66.Qg8-g7+
Kb7-c8 69.g4-g5 Qd2-e1+ 70.Kg3-g4
Ke7-e8 67.Qg7-g6+ Ke8-d7
Qe1-e4+ 71.Kg4-h5 Qe4-f3+
68.Qg6-f7+ Kd7-c8 69.Qf7-f8+ Kc8-b7 72.Kh5-h6 Qf3-h1+ 73.Kh6-g7 2.11/19
70.Qf8-e7+ Kb7-c8 71.g4-g5 Qd2-e1+ ] 50...a2-a1Q [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
72.Kg3-g4 Qe1-e4+ 73.Kg4-h5
50...a2-a1Q 51.h7-h8Q Qa1-e1
Qe4-f3+ 74.Kh5-h6 Qf3-h1+
52.Qh8-f6+ Ke6-d5 53.e5-e6 Kd5-d6
75.Kh6-g7 2.20/21 ] 49.Bc8xe6+!
54.Qf6-f8+ Kd6-d5 55.Qf8-f5+ Kd5-d6
takes home the point [Houdini 2.0c Pro 56.Qf5-f6 Qe1-e4 57.Kh2-h3 Qe4-h7+
x64: 49.Bc8xe6+ Kf7xe6 50.h6-h7
58.Kh3-g4 Qh7-h1 59.e6-e7+ Kd6-d7
a2-a1Q 51.h7-h8Q Ke6-d5
60.g2-g3 Qh1-g1 61.Qf6-f8 Qg1-d1+
62.Kg4-g5 Qd1-d2+ 63.Kg5-g6
52.Qh8-g8+ Kd5-c6 53.Qg8-e6+
Kc6-c5 54.Qe6-d6+ Kc5-b5
Qd2-d6+ 64.Kg6-h5 Qd6-d5+
65.Kh5-h4 Qd5-h1+ 66.Kh4-g5
55.Qd6-d5+ Kb5-b6 56.g2-g4 Qa1-e1
57.Qd5-d4+ Kb6-b5 58.g4-g5
Qh1-c1+ 67.Kg5-g6 Qc1-c6+
68.Qf8-f6 Qc6-c4 69.Kg6-g7 Qc4-a4
Qe1-e2+ 59.Kh2-g3 Qe2-e1+
60.Kg3-g4 Qe1-e2+ 61.Kg4-f5
70.Qf6-e5 Qa4-g4+ 71.Kg7-f8 2.12/20
Qe2-f3+ 62.Qd4-f4 Qf3-h3+ 63.Qf4-g4 ] 51.h7-h8Q [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
Qh3-f1+ 64.Kf5-e6 Qf1-c1
51.h7-h8Q Qa1-b2 52.Qh8-f6+
65.Qg4-e2+ Kb5-c6 66.Qe2-e4+
Ke6-d5 53.Kh2-h3 Qb2-a1 54.Qf6-f7+
Kc6-c5 2.13/17 ] 49...Kf7xe6
Kd5-c6 55.Qf7-e6+ Kc6-c5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 49...Kf7xe6
56.Qe6-d6+ Kc5-b5 57.Qd6-d5+
50.h6-h7 a2-a1Q 51.h7-h8Q Ke6-f5
Kb5-b6 58.g2-g4 Qa1-c1 59.Qd5-d6+
52.Qh8-h5+ Kf5-e6 53.Qh5-e8+
Kb6-b5 60.Qd6-b8+ Kb5-a6
Ke6-d5 54.Qe8-g8+ Kd5-c6
61.Qb8-b3 Qc1-f1+ 62.Kh3-g3
55.Qg8-e6+ Kc6-c5 56.Qe6-d6+
Qf1-g1+ 63.Kg3-f4 Qg1-f2+ 64.Kf4-g5
Kc5-b5 57.Qd6-d5+ Kb5-b6 58.g2-g4
Qf2-d2+ 65.Kg5-f6 Qd2-f2+ 2.14/16 ]
Qa1-e1 59.Qd5-d4+ Kb6-b5 60.g4-g5
51...Ke6-d5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
51...Qa1-b2 52.Qh8-f6+ Ke6-d5
Qe1-e2+ 61.Kh2-g3 Qe2-e1+
53.Kh2-h3 Qb2-a1 54.Qf6-f7+ Kd5-c6
62.Kg3-g4 Qe1-e2+ 63.Kg4-f5
Qe2-f3+ 64.Qd4-f4 Qf3-h3+ 65.Qf4-g4 55.Qf7-e6+ Kc6-c5 56.Qe6-d6+
Kc5-b5 57.Qd6-d5+ Kb5-b6 58.g2-g4
Qh3-f1+ 66.Kf5-e6 Qf1-c1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Qa1-c1 59.Qd5-d6+ Kb6-b5
60.Qd6-b8+ Kb5-a6 61.Qb8-b3
Qc1-f1+ 62.Kh3-g3 Qf1-g1+ 63.Kg3-f4
Qg1-f2+ 64.Kf4-g5 Qf2-d2+ 65.Kg5-f6
Qd2-f2+ 2.37/17 ] 52.Qh8-g8+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 52.Qh8-g8+
Kd5-c6 53.Qg8-e6+ Kc6-c5
54.Qe6-d6+ Kc5-b5 55.Qd6-d5+
Kb5-b6 56.g2-g4 Qa1-c1 57.Qd5-d8+
Kb6-b5 58.Qd8-b8+ Kb5-a6
59.Qb8-a8+ Ka6-b6 60.Qa8-e4
Qc1-d2+ 61.Kh2-g3 Kb6-c7
62.Qe4-c4+ Kc7-d8 63.Qc4-g8+
Kd8-e7 64.Qg8-g7+ Ke7-e8
65.Qg7-g6+ Ke8-d7 66.Qg6-f7+
Kd7-c8 67.Qf7-f8+ Kc8-b7 68.Qf8-e7+
Kb7-c8 69.g4-g5 Qd2-e1+ 70.Kg3-f4
Qe1-f1+ 71.Kf4-g4 Qf1-d1+ 72.Kg4-f5
Qd1-f1+ 73.Kf5-g6 Qf1-b1+
74.Kg6-g7 2.51/19 ] 52...Kd5-e4
[ 52...Kd5-c5 is no salvation
53.Qg8-c8+ Kc5-d5 54.Qc8-d7+
Kd5-c5 55.Qd7-e7+ Kc5-c6
56.Qe7-d6+ Kc6-b5 57.Qd6-d5+
Kb5-b6 58.e5-e6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 52...Kd5-c5 53.Qg8-c8+ Kc5-b6
54.Qc8-b8+ Kb6-c6 55.Qb8-d6+
Kc6-b5 56.Qd6-d5+ Kb5-b6 57.g2-g4
Qa1-c1 58.Qd5-d8+ Kb6-b5
59.Qd8-b8+ Kb5-a6 60.Qb8-a8+
Ka6-b6 61.Qa8-e4 Qc1-d2+
62.Kh2-g3 Kb6-c7 63.Qe4-c4+ Kc7-d8
64.Qc4-g8+ Kd8-c7 65.Qg8-f7+
Kc7-b8 66.Qf7-f8+ Kb8-b7 67.Qf8-e7+
Kb7-c8 68.g4-g5 Qd2-e1+ 69.Kg3-f4
Qe1-f1+ 70.Kf4-g4 Qf1-c4+ 71.Kg4-f5
Qc4-d3+ 72.Kf5-f6 Qd3-f1+
73.Kf6-g7 2.59/19 ] 53.Qg8-g6+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 53.Qg8-g6+
Ke4-d5 54.Qg6-f7+ Kd5-c6
55.Qf7-e6+ Kc6-b5 56.Qe6-d5+
Kb5-b6 57.g2-g4 Qa1-c1 58.Qd5-d8+
Kb6-b5 59.Qd8-b8+ Kb5-a6
60.Qb8-a8+ Ka6-b6 61.Qa8-e4
Qc1-d2+ 62.Kh2-g3 Kb6-c7

274
63.Qe4-c4+ Kc7-d8 64.Qc4-g8+
Kd8-c7 65.Qg8-f7+ Kc7-b8 66.Qf7-f8+
Kb8-b7 67.Qf8-e7+ Kb7-c8 68.g4-g5
Qd2-e1+ 69.Kg3-f4 Qe1-f1+
70.Kf4-g4 Qf1-c4+ 71.Kg4-f5 Qc4-d3+
72.Kf5-f6 Qd3-f1+ 73.Kf6-g7 2.51/18 ]
53...Ke4-d5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
53...Ke4-d5 54.Qg6-f7+ Kd5-c6
55.Qf7-e6+ Kc6-c5 56.Qe6-d6+
Kc5-b5 57.Qd6-d5+ Kb5-b6 58.g2-g4
Qa1-c1 59.Qd5-e4 Qc1-d2+
60.Kh2-g3 Kb6-c7 61.Qe4-c4+ Kc7-d7
62.Qc4-f7+ Kd7-c8 63.Qf7-f8+ Kc8-b7
64.Qf8-e7+ Kb7-c8 65.g4-g5 Qd2-d3+
66.Kg3-f4 Qd3-f1+ 67.Kf4-g4 Qf1-c4+
68.Kg4-f5 Qc4-d3+ 69.Kf5-f6 Qd3-f1+
70.Kf6-g7 2.59/17 ] 54.Qg6-f7+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 54.Qg6-f7+
Kd5-c6 55.Qf7-e6+ Kc6-b7
56.Qe6-d5+ Kb7-c8 57.e5-e6
Qa1-h8+ 58.Kh2-g1 Qh8-a1+
59.Kg1-f2 Qa1-f6+ 60.Kf2-g3 Qf6-g7+
61.Kg3-f4 Qg7-c7+ 62.Kf4-g4
Qc7-g7+ 63.Kg4-f3 Qg7-f6+ 64.Kf3-e3
Qf6-c3+ 65.Ke3-e4 Qc3-c2+
66.Ke4-e5 Qc2-c7+ 67.Ke5-f6
Qc7-f4+ 68.Kf6-g6 Qf4-g4+ 69.Kg6-f7
Qg4-f4+ 70.Kf7-e7 2.52/18 ]
54...Kd5-e4 [ 54...Kd5-c6
cannot change destiny 55.e5-e6
Qa1-h8+ 56.Kh2-g3 Qh8-e5+
57.Kg3-g4 Qe5-d4+ 58.Kg4-h5
Qd4-e5+ 59.Kh5-g6 Qe5-e4+
60.Kg6-h6 Qe4-e3+ 61.Kh6-g7
Qe3-g5+ 62.Kg7-f8 Qg5-e5+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 54...Kd5-c6
55.Qf7-e6+ Kc6-b7 56.Qe6-d5+
Kb7-c8 57.e5-e6 Qa1-h8+ 58.Kh2-g1
Qh8-a1+ 59.Kg1-f2 Qa1-f6+
60.Kf2-g3 Qf6-g7+ 61.Kg3-f4 Qg7-f6+
62.Kf4-e3 Qf6-c3+ 63.Ke3-e4
Qc3-c2+ 64.Ke4-e5 Qc2-c7+
65.Ke5-f6 Qc7-f4+ 66.Kf6-g6 Qf4-g4+
67.Kg6-f7 Qg4-f4+ 68.Kf7-e7
Qf4-b4+ 2.26/17 ] 55.Qf7-g6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


[ 55.e5-e6 and the result of the game
is clear: White will win Qa1-e5+
56.Kh2-h3 Qe5-h8+ 57.Kh3-g3+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 55.e5-e6
Qa1-e1 56.Qf7-f6 Ke4-d5 57.e6-e7
Kd5-c5 58.Qf6-g5+ Kc5-c6
59.Qg5-g6+ Kc6-d7 60.e7-e8R
Qe1xe8 61.Qg6xe8+ Kd7xe8
62.Kh2-g3 Ke8-f7 63.Kg3-h4 Kf7-g6
64.Kh4-g4 Kg6-f6 65.Kg4-h5 Kf6-e5
66.g2-g4 Ke5-d4 67.g4-g5 6.20/15 ]
55...Ke4-d5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
55...Ke4-d5 0.06/16 ] 56.Qg6-f7+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 56.Qg6-f5
Qa1-b2 57.Qf5-f7+ Kd5-c6
58.Qf7-e6+ Kc6-b7 59.Qe6-d5+
Kb7-b6 60.e5-e6 Qb2-h8+ 61.Kh2-g3
Qh8-g7+ 62.Kg3-f3 Qg7-f6+
63.Kf3-e3 Qf6-c3+ 64.Ke3-e4
Qc3-e1+ 65.Ke4-f4 Qe1-f2+
66.Qd5-f3 Qf2-b2 67.Kf4-f5 Qb2-b1+
68.Kf5-f6 Qb1-a1+ 2.13/17 ]
56...Kd5-e4 [ 56...Kd5-c6 the last
chance for counterplay 57.e5-e6
Qa1-h8+ 58.Kh2-g3 Qh8-e5+
59.Kg3-g4 Qe5-d4+ 60.Qf7-f4
Qd4-g7+ 61.Qf4-g5 Qg7-d4+
62.Kg4-f5 Qd4-c3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 56...Kd5-e4 57.e5-e6 Qa1-e1
58.Qf7-f6 Ke4-d5 59.e6-e7 Kd5-c5
60.Qf6-g5+ Kc5-c6 61.Qg5-g6+
Kc6-d7 62.e7-e8R Qe1xe8
63.Qg6xe8+ Kd7xe8 64.Kh2-g3
Ke8-f7 65.Kg3-h4 Kf7-g6 66.Kh4-g4
Kg6-f6 67.Kg4-h5 Kf6-f7 68.Kh5-g5
Kf7-f8 69.Kg5-f6 Kf8-e8 70.g2-g4
Ke8-f8 0.06/15 ] 57.e5-e6 [Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 57.e5-e6 Qa1-e1
58.Qf7-f6 Ke4-d5 59.e6-e7 Kd5-c5
60.Qf6-g5+ Kc5-c6 61.Qg5-g6+
Kc6-d7 62.e7-e8R Qe1xe8
63.Qg6xe8+ Kd7xe8 64.Kh2-g3
Ke8-f7 65.Kg3-h4 Kf7-g6 66.Kh4-g4
Kg6-f6 67.Kg4-h5 Kf6-f7 68.Kh5-g5
Kf7-f8 69.Kg5-f6 Kf8-e8 70.g2-g4

275
Ke8-f8 6.47/16 ] 57...Qa1-h8+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 57...Qa1-e1
58.Qf7-f6 Ke4-d5 59.e6-e7 Kd5-c5
60.Qf6-g5+ Kc5-c6 61.Qg5-g6+
Kc6-d7 62.e7-e8R Qe1xe8
63.Qg6xe8+ Kd7xe8 64.Kh2-g3
Ke8-f7 65.Kg3-h4 Kf7-g6 66.Kh4-g4
Kg6-f6 67.Kg4-h5 Kf6-f7 68.g2-g4
Kf7-f6 69.Kh5-h6 Kf6-f7 70.g4-g5
Kf7-g8 71.Kh6-g6 Kg8-f8 72.Kg6-h7
Kf8-f7 73.g5-g6+ Kf7-f6 74.g6-g7
Kf6-f5 75.g7-g8Q 6.54/17 ] 58.Kh2-g3
[ 58.Kh2-g3 Ke4-e3 59.e6-e7
Qh8-e5+ 60.Kg3-g4 Qe5-d4+
61.Kg4-h5 Qd4-e5+ 62.Kh5-h6
Qe5-h2+ 63.Kh6-g7 Qh2xg2+
64.Kg7-f8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
58.Kh2-g3 Qh8-b8+ 59.Kg3-g4
Qb8-c8 60.Qf7-f5+ Ke4-d4 61.e6-e7
Qc8-e8 62.Kg4-g5 Qe8xe7+
63.Qf5-f6+ Qe7-e5+ 64.Qf6xe5+
Kd4xe5 65.g2-g3 Ke5-e6 66.g3-g4
Ke6-f7 67.Kg5-h6 Kf7-f8 68.Kh6-g6
Kf8-e8 69.Kg6-f6 Ke8-f8 70.g4-g5
Kf8-g8 7.08/15 ]
1-0

18

C45

Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu


Vassily Ivanchuk
Ch World FIDE (play-off), (US (4)

1999

C45: Scotch Game


1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3.d2-d4 e5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram
(Diagram 1051)
Bf8-c5 5.Nd4xc6 Qd8-f6 6.Qd1-d2
d7xc6 7.Nb1-c3 Qf6-e7 8.Bf1-e2
[ RR 8.Qd2-g5 Ng8-f6 (RR 8...f7-f6
9.Qg5-g3 Bc8-e6 10.Bf1-d3 0-0-0
11.Bc1-d2 h7-h5 12.h2-h4 Ng8-h6
13.f2-f3 Nh6-f7 14.0-0-0 Nf7-e5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+lqklnr
pppp+ppp
+n+ + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

276
14.Qd2xf2
1-0
1051

15.Bd3-e2 Be6-c4 16.Qg3-e1 Bc5-d4


17.Kc1-b1 Qe7-c5 18.Bd2-c1 Rh8-e8
19.Be2xc4 Ne5xc4 20.Nc3-e2 Bd4xb2
21.Bc1xb2 Qc5-b5 22.Qe1-c3 Nc4xb2
23.Rd1xd8+ Cernousek,L (2411)Ivanov,M (2450)/Brno 2007/CBM 119
ext/0-1 (44) ) 9.Bc1-e3 Bc5xe3
10.Qg5xe3 Bc8-e6 11.h2-h3 Nf6-d7
12.Bf1-e2 f7-f6 13.0-0-0 0-0
14.Kc1-b1 Rf8-e8 15.Be2-h5 Re8-d8
16.Nc3-e2 Kg8-h8 17.Bh5-g4 Nd7-e5
18.Bg4xe6 Qe7xe6 19.b2-b3 a7-a5
20.Rd1xd8+ Ra8xd8 21.Qe3-a7
Ne5-f7 22.Ne2-c3 Qe6-e5
Leko,P (2694)-Svidler,P (2713)/Linares
1999/CBM 070/- ] 8...Ng8-f6 9.0-0
Nf6xe4N [RR 9...Bc8-e6 10.e4-e5
Nf6-d7 11.Qd2-f4 h7-h6 12.Nc3-a4
0-0-0 13.Na4xc5 Qe7xc5 14.Bc1-e3
Qc5xe5 15.Qf4xe5 Nd7xe5
16.Be3xa7 Rd8-d2 17.Rf1-e1 Be6-c4
18.Be2xc4 Ne5xc4 19.b2-b3 Nc4-a3
20.c2-c4 b7-b6 21.c4-c5 b6-b5
22.Re1-e7 Rd2-d7 23.Ra1-e1 Rh8-d8
24.Re7xd7 Juan-Vasta,E (2367)/Dos
Hermanas 2003/EXT 2004/0-1 (50) ]
10.Nc3xe4 Qe7xe4 11.Rf1-e1 0-0
12.Be2-d3 Qe4-d5 13.b2-b4 Bc5xf2+
last book move last book move

19

A04

Veselin Topalov
Vassily Ivanchuk
XVI Ciudad de 99 (13)

09.03.1999

A30: Symmetrical English: Double


Fianchetto and Hedgehog
1.Ng1-f3 c7-c5 2.c2-c4 Nb8-c6
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram

r+lqklnr
pp+ppppp
+n+ + +
+ + + +
+PN + +
+ + + +
PP +PPPP
RNLQKL+R

1052

e7-e6 5.g2-g3 Bf8-b4+ 6.Nb1-c3


Qd8-a5 7.Nd4-b5 d7-d5 [RR
7...Ng8-f6 8.a2-a3 Bb4xc3+ 9.Nb5xc3
Nf6-e4 10.Bc1-d2 Qa5-f5 11.f2-f4
Ne4xc3 12.Bd2xc3 Qf5-e4 13.Rh1-g1
Qe4-e3 14.Rg1-g2 0-0 15.Qd1-d6
b7-b6 16.g3-g4 Bc8-a6 17.Rg2-g3
Qe3-c5 18.Qd6xc5 b6xc5 19.e2-e4
f7-f6 20.0-0-0 e6-e5 21.Rd1-d6 e5xf4
22.Rg3-f3 Ivanchuk,V (2741)-Eljanov,P
(2658)/Fuegen 2006/CBM 115/1-0
(41) ] 8.a2-a3 Bb4xc3+ 9.b2xc3N
[ RR 9.Nb5xc3 d5-d4 10.b2-b4
Nc6xb4 11.a3xb4 Qa5xa1 12.Nc3-b5
Ng8-f6 13.Nb5-c7+ Ke8-e7 14.Nc7xa8
Bc8-d7 15.Bf1-g2 Rh8xa8 16.0-0
Qa1-c3 17.b4-b5 Qc3xc4 18.Bc1-a3+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

277

Ke7-e8 19.Bg2xb7 Ra8-b8 20.Bb7-c6


Nf6-d5 21.Bc6xd5 Qc4xd5 22.Qd1-a4
Rb8xb5 23.Qa4xa7 f7-f6 Lerner,K
(2550)-Huzman,A (2390)/Kujbyshev
1986/MCL/0-1 (41) ] 9...Ng8-f6
10.Bf1-g2 0-0 11.Qd1-b3 d5xc4
12.Qb3xc4 e6-e5 13.Nb5-d6 Bc8-e6
14.Qc4-d3 e5-e4 15.Nd6xe4 Nf6xe4
16.Bg2xe4 Diagram

r+ + rk+
pp+ +ppp
+n+l+ +
q + + +
+ +L+ +
P PQ+ P
+ +PP P
R L K +R

1053

+ + +k+
p + + pp
+R+ + +
+ + +p+
+ + + +
+q+ +PP
+ L +KP
+ + + +

+ r rk+
pp+ +ppp
+ +l+ +
q + + +
+ +L+ +
P P + P
Q +KP P
R L + +R

1054

1055

Ra8-d8 17.Qd3-c2 Nc6-d4


18.Qc2-b2 last book move last book
move Nd4xe2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18...Nd4xe2 19.Ke1xe2 Rf8-e8
20.f2-f3 f7-f5 21.Be4xb7 Qa5xc3
22.Ke2-f1 Be6-c4+ 23.Kf1-g2
Re8-e2+ 24.Qb2xe2 Bc4xe2
27.Ra2-f2 Qc3xa3 28.Rh1-c1 Qa3-b3
25.Ra1-a2 Be2-b5 26.Bc1-f4 Bb5-c4
29.Bb7-c6 Bc4-b5 30.Bc6-b7 -1.26/15
27.Ra2-f2 Qc3xa3 28.Rh1-c1 Qa3-b3 ] 19...Rf8-e8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29.Bb7-c6 Bc4-b5 30.Rf2-d2 Rd8xd2+ 19...Rf8-e8 Diagram
31.Bf4xd2 Bb5xc6 32.Rc1xc6 -1.27/16
Diagram
(Diagram 1056)
(Diagram 1054)
] 19.Ke1xe2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Ke1xe2 Diagram
Rf8-e8 20.f2-f3 f7-f5 21.Be4xb7
Qa5xc3 22.Ke2-f1 Be6-c4+ 23.Kf1-g2
Re8-e2+ 24.Qb2xe2 Bc4xe2
25.Ra1-a2 Be2-b5 26.Bc1-f4 Bb5-c4

20.f2-f3 f7-f5 21.Be4xb7 Qa5xc3


22.Ke2-f1 Be6-c4+ 23.Kf1-g2
Re8-e2+ 24.Qb2xe2 Bc4xe2
25.Ra1-a2 Be2-b5 26.Bc1-g5 Bb5-c4
27.Ra2-f2 Rd8-d4 28.Bg5-c1 Qc3-b3
29.Bb7-c6 Bc4-b5 -1.09/14 ]
20.Qb2-b4 [ 20.f2-f3 f7-f5 21.Qb2-b4
Qa5-a6+ 22.Ke2-f2 f5xe4 23.Bc1-f4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rr+k+
pp+ +ppp
+ +l+ +
q + + +
+ +L+ +
P P + P
Q +KP P
R L + +R

278

1056

e4xf3 24.Rh1-e1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 20.f2-f3 f7-f5 21.Be4xb7 Qa5xc3
22.Ke2-f1 Be6-c4+ 23.Kf1-g2
Re8-e2+ 24.Qb2xe2 Bc4xe2
25.Ra1-a2 Be2-b5 26.Ra2-b2 Bb5-a4
27.Rb2-f2 Ba4-c6 28.Bb7xc6 Qc3xc6
29.Rh1-e1 Rd8-d3 30.Bc1-b2 Kg8-f7
-1.21/13 ] 20...Qa5-h5+ [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 20...Qa5-h5+ 21.f2-f3 f7-f5
22.Ke2-f2 f5xe4 23.Qb4xe4 Be6-d5
24.Qe4-g4 Qh5xg4 25.f3xg4 Bd5xh1
26.Bc1-f4 Bh1-d5 27.Bf4-e3 b7-b6
28.Ra1-c1 Re8-f8+ 29.Kf2-g1 Bd5-f3
30.g4-g5 Rd8-d1+ 31.Rc1xd1 Bf3xd1
32.Be3-f4 Kg8-f7 33.Kg1-f2 Bd1-g4
-6.42/13 Diagram
(Diagram 1057)
] 21.f2-f3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21.f2-f3 f7-f5 22.Ke2-f2 f5xe4
23.Qb4xe4 Be6-d5 24.Qe4-g4
Qh5xg4 25.f3xg4 Bd5xh1 26.Bc1-f4
Bh1-d5 27.Bf4-e3 b7-b6 28.Ra1-c1
Re8-f8+ 29.Kf2-g1 Bd5-f3 30.g4-g5
Rd8-d1+ 31.Rc1xd1 Bf3xd1 32.Be3-f4
Kg8-f7 33.Kg1-f2 Bd1-g4 -6.46/14 ]
21...f7-f5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21...f7-f5 22.Qb4-a5 Qh5-h3
23.Ke2-f2 f5xe4 24.Bc1-g5 e4xf3

+ + r +
p + +kpp
p + + +
+ + + P
+ + Ll+
P P + P
+ + K P
+ + + +

+ rr+k+
pp+ +ppp
+ +l+ +
+ + + +q
Q +L+ +
P P +PP
+ +K+ P
R L + +R

1057

1058

25.Ra1-g1 Rd8-d5 26.Qa5-a4 Re8-f8


27.Bg5-f4 Rd5-d3 28.Qa4-e4 Rd3xc3
29.a3-a4 b7-b6 30.a4-a5 Be6-c4
31.a5xb6 a7xb6 32.Qe4-e7 Bc4-d5
-4.74/11 ]
(Diagram 1059)
22.g3-g4 [ 22.Qb4-a5 Rd8-d5
23.Be4xd5 Be6xd5+ Diagram
24.Ke2-d2 Qh5xf3 25.Rh1-e1
Qf3-g2+ 26.Kd2-d3 Re8xe1
27.Qa5-d8+ Kg8-f7 28.Qd8-c7+
Kf7-g6 29.Qc7xg7+ Kg6xg7
30.Bc1-h6+ Kg7xh6 31.Ra1xe1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rr+k+
pp+ + pp
+ +l+ +
+ + +p+q
Q +L+ +
P P +PP
+ +K+ P
R L + +R

+ +r+k+
pp+ + pp
+ + + +
Q +l+p+q
+ + + +
P P +PP
+ +K+ P
R L + +R

279

1059

1060

Bd5-e4+ 32.Kd3-c4 Qg2-a2+


33.Kc4-b4 Qa2-b2+ 34.Kb4-c4 b7-b5+
35.Kc4-c5 Diagram
(Diagram 1061)
Qb2xc3+ 36.Kc5-d6 Qc3xe1
37.Kd6-e6-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.Be4-d3 Be6-d5+ 23.Ke2-d1
Qh5xf3+ 24.Kd1-c2 Qf3xh1 25.a3-a4
Qh1xh2+ 26.Kc2-b1 Qh2xg3
27.Bd3xf5 Re8-e1 28.Bf5-c2 Qg3-f2
29.Bc2-b3 Qf2-d2 30.Bb3xd5+
Diagram
Rd8xd5 31.Qb4-b2 h7-h5 32.Ra1-a2

+ + + +
p + + +p
+ + + k
+pK +p+
+ +l+ +
P P + P
q + + P
+ + R +

+ r +k+
pp+ + pp
+ + + +
+ +L+ +
PQ + + +
+ P + +
+ q + +
RKL r +

1061

1062

Qd2xb2+ 33.Ra2xb2 b7-b6 -5.71/13 ]


22...Qh5-h3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Qh5-h3 23.g4xf5 Be6xf5
24.Rh1-f1 Re8xe4+ 25.Qb4xe4
Bf5xe4 26.Rf1-f2 Be4-d3+ 27.Ke2-d1
Bd3-g6+ Diagram
(Diagram 1063)
28.Bc1-d2 Qh3-h4 29.Rf2-g2 Qh4-f4
30.Kd1-e1 Qf4xf3 31.Rg2xg6 Qf3-e4+
32.Bd2-e3 Qe4xe3+ -10.60/11 ]
23.g4xf5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.g4xf5 Be6xf5 24.Rh1-f1 Re8xe4+
25.Qb4xe4 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
pp+ + pp
+ + +l+
+ + + +
+ + + +
P P +P+q
+ + R P
R LK+ +

+ r +k+
pp+ + pp
+ + + +
+ + +l+
+ +Q+ +
P P +P+q
+ +K+ P
R L +R+

280

1063

+ r +k+
pp+ + pp
+ + + +
+ + +l+
+ +Q+ +
P P +P+q
+ +K+ P
R L +R+

1065

Rd8xd2+ 34.Rb2xd2 Bg6-h5+


35.Kd1-c2 Qf1xe1 36.Rd2-d8+ Kg8-f7
37.Rd8-d7+ Diagram
1064

Bf5xe4 26.Rf1-f2 Be4-d3+ 27.Ke2-d1


Bd3-g6+ 28.Bc1-d2 Qh3-h4 29.Rf2-g2
Qh4-f4 30.Kd1-c1 Qf4xf3 31.Rg2xg6
h7xg6 32.Ra1-a2 Qf3-h1+ 33.Kc1-c2
Qh1xh2 34.Kc2-c1 -11.36/12 ]
23...Be6xf5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23...Be6xf5 24.Rh1-f1 Re8xe4+
25.Qb4xe4 Diagram

+ + + +
pp+R+kpp
+ + + +
+ + + +l
+ + + +
P P + +
+K+ + P
+ + q +

1066

Kf7-f6 -11.54/12 ]
(Diagram 1067)
24.Qb4-c4+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.Ke2-f2 Diagram

(Diagram 1065)
(Diagram 1068)
Bf5xe4 26.Rf1-f2 Be4-d3+ 27.Ke2-d1
Bd3-g6+ 28.Bc1-d2 Qh3-h4 29.Rf2-g2
Qh4-f4 30.Ra1-a2 Qf4xf3+ 31.Rg2-e2
Qf3-f5 32.Ra2-b2 Qf5-f1+ 33.Re2-e1

Bf5xe4 25.Qb4-c4+ Kg8-h8


26.Qc4-e2 Be4-d3 27.Qe2xe8+
Rd8xe8 28.Ra1-a2 Bd3-f1 29.Rh1-g1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rr+k+
pp+ + pp
+ + + +
+ + +l+
Q +L+ +
P P +P+q
+ +K+ P
R L + +R

+ rr+k+
pp+ + pp
+ + + +
+ + +l+
Q +L+ +
P P +P+q
+ + K P
R L + +R

281

+ +r+ k
pp+ + pp
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
P P +P+q
R+ + K P
+ L +lR

1067

+ rr+ k
pp+ + pp
+ + + +
+ + +l+
+Q+L+ +
P P +P+q
+ +K+ P
R L + +R

1068

Diagram

1070

32.Kf1-g1 Qe2-d1+ 33.Kg1-h2


Qd1xc1 34.Kh2-g2 Qc1xc3 35.a3-a4
Qc3-c2+ 36.Kg2-h3 Qc2xa4 -15.78/12
Diagram

(Diagram 1069)
Qh3xh2+ 30.Kf2xf1 Qh2xa2
31.Rg1-g2 Qa2-c4+ 32.Kf1-g1
Re8-e1+ 33.Kg1-f2 Re1xc1 34.Kf2-g3
Qc4xc3 35.a3-a4 Rc1-f1 36.Kg3-h4
Qc3-f6+ 37.Rg2-g5 Rf1xf3 -16.33/14 ]
24...Kg8-h8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24...Kg8-h8 Diagram
25.Ke2-f2 Bf5xe4 26.Qc4-e2 Be4-d3
27.Qe2xe8+ Rd8xe8 28.Ra1-a2
Bd3-f1 29.Rh1-g1 Qh3xh2+ 30.Kf2xf1
Qh2xa2 31.Rg1-g3 Qa2-e2+

1069

(Diagram 1071)
]
(Diagram 1072)
25.Rh1-e1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25.Ke2-f2 Diagram
Bf5xe4 26.Qc4-e2 Be4-d3
27.Qe2xe8+ Rd8xe8 28.Ra1-a2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+ k
pp+ + pp
+ + + +
+ + + +
q+ + + +
+ + +PRK
+ + + +
+ + + +

+ rr+ k
pp+ + pp
+ + + +
+ + +l+
+Q+L+ +
P P +P+q
+ +K+ P
R L + +R

+ rr+ k
pp+ + pp
+ + + +
+ + +l+
+Q+L+ +
P P +P+q
+ + K P
R L + +R

282

1071

1072

Qh2xa2 31.Rg1-g2 Qa2-c4+


32.Kf1-g1 Re8-e1+ 33.Kg1-f2 Re1xc1
34.Kf2-g3 Qc4xc3 35.a3-a4 Rc1-f1
36.Kg3-h4 Qc3-f6+ 37.Rg2-g5
Rf1xf3 -16.33/14 ] 25...Re8xe4+!
Diagram [ 25...Re8xe4+ 26.Qc4xe4
Qh3xh2+ 27.Ke2-e3 Bf5xe4-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...Bf5xe4
26.Qc4xe4 Re8xe4+ 27.f3xe4
Qh3xh2+ 28.Ke2-f3 Rd8-f8+
29.Kf3-e3 Qh2-f2+ 30.Ke3-d3 Qf2xe1
31.Bc1-e3 Qe1xa1 32.Be3-d4 Qa1xa3
33.e4-e5 Qa3-b3 34.Kd3-d2 h7-h5
35.Bd4-e3 Qb3-e6 36.Be3-d4 h5-h4
37.Bd4-c5 Rf8-d8+ Diagram

+ r + k
pp+ + p
+ +q+ +
+ L P +
+ + + p
+ P + +
+ K + +
+ + + +
38.Bc5-d4 Qe6xe5 39.Kd2-c2
Qe5-f5+ Diagram
(Diagram 1075)

1073

Bd3-f1 29.Rh1-g1 Qh3xh2+ 30.Kf2xf1

40.Kc2-d2 -20.03/14 ]
(Diagram 1076)
Mate attack
0-1

1074

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + k
pp+ + p
+ + + +
+ + +q+
+ L + p
+ P + +
+K+ + +
+ + + +

+ r + k
pp+ + pp
+ + + +
+ + +l+
+Q+r+ +
P P +P+q
+ +K+ P
R L R +

283

1075

1076

rnlqk+ r
ppppp lp
+ + np+
+ + +p+
+ + + +
+P+ +NP
P+PPPPLP
RNLQK +R

1077

g6-g5 last book move last book move


[ RR 11...Qe8-f7 12.Bb2-c3 g6-g5
13.e2-e4 f5xe4 14.Nd2xe4 Bc8-g4
15.Ne4xf6+ e7xf6 16.d4-d5 c6-c5
17.Nf3-d2 Ra8-e8 18.Nd2-e4 Bg4-f5
19.g3-g4 Bf5-h7 20.Qc2-d3 Re8-e5
21.f2-f4 g5xf4 22.Rf1xf4 f6-f5
23.Qd3-g3 Qf7-g6 24.Bc3xe5 Bg7xe5
25.Re1-f1 b7-b6 26.Rf4xf5 Lputian,S
(2630)-Malaniuk,V (2615)/Kropotkin
1995/CBM 047/1-0 (41) ] 12.a2-a3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 12.Bb2-a3
Diagram
(Diagram 1078)

Bc8-e6 13.e2-e4 f5xe4 14.Nd2xe4


20
A04 Qe8-g6 15.Ne4xf6+ Qg6xf6
Vassily Ivanchuk
16.Qc2-e4 Na6-c7 17.Ba3-b2 Qf6-f5
Christian Braun
18.Qe4-e2 b7-b5 19.Bb2-c3 b5xc4
Frankfurt Simul
19.06.2000 20.b3xc4 0.43/13 ;RR 12.e2-e4 f5xe4
13.Nd2xe4 Nf6xe4 14.Qc2xe4 Rf8-f7
A87: Dutch Defence: Leningrad
15.Bb2-c3 Bc8-f5 16.Qe4-e3 Qe8-d7
System: 5 Nf3
17.d4-d5 c6-c5 18.Bc3xg7 Kg8xg7
1.Ng1-f3 f7-f5 2.g2-g3 Ng8-f6
19.h2-h4 g5-g4 20.Nf3-d2 Na6-b4
3.Bf1-g2 g7-g6 4.b2-b3 Bf8-g7
21.f2-f3 Nb4-c2 22.Qe3-c3+ Kg7-g8
Diagram
23.Re1-e2 Nc2-d4 24.Re2-f2 Bf5-g6
5.Bc1-b2 0-0 6.0-0 d7-d6 7.d2-d4
25.Qc3-e3 Nd4-f5 26.Qe3-e6 Qd7xe6
Qd8-e8 8.c2-c4 c7-c6 9.Nb1-d2
Sorokin,M (2517)-Potapov,P (2384)/
h7-h6 10.Qd1-c2 Nb8-a6 11.Ra1-e1
Dresden 2007/CBM 118/1-0 (50) ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+l+qrk+
pp+ p l
n+pp n p
+ + +pp
+PP + +
LP+ +NP
P+QNPPLP
+ + RRK

284

1078

12...Qe8-g6N [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


12...Na6-c7 Diagram

r+l+qrk+
ppn p l
+pp n p
+ + +pp
+PP + +
PP+ +NP
LQNPPLP
+ + RRK

1079

13.b3-b4 Diagram [ 13.c4-c5 Nf6-d5 ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 13.c4-c5 Bc8-e6
14.Nd2-c4 Ra8-d8 15.c5xd6 e7xd6
16.Nf3-d2 Na6-c7 17.Nc4-a5 Rd8-b8
18.Nd2-c4 Rf8-d8 Diagram

r r +k+
ppn + l
+pplnqp
N + +pp
+NP + +
PP+ + P
LQ+PPLP
+ + RRK

1080

19.f2-f3 Nc7-d5 20.e2-e4 f5xe4


21.f3xe4 Rd8-d7 22.Rf1-f2 0.44/14 ]

r+l+ rk+
pp+ p l
n+pp nqp
+ + +pp
PPP + +
P + +NP
LQNPPLP
+ + RRK

1081

13.e2-e3 Qe8-f7 14.Nd2-b1 Bc8-d7


15.Nb1-c3 a7-a5 16.Nf3-d2 g5-g4
17.Qc2-d3 Ra8-c8 18.b3-b4 a5xb4
19.a3xb4 0.19/13 ;RR 12...Qe8-h5
13.e2-e3 Na6-c7 14.b3-b4 Bc8-d7
15.Nd2-b3 Rf8-f7 16.Qc2-d1 Nf6-e4
13...Na6-c7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
17.Nf3-d2 Qh5xd1 18.Re1xd1 Ne4xd2 13...Bc8-e6 14.Nd2-b3 Ra8-b8
19.Rd1xd2 f5-f4 20.e3xf4 g5xf4
15.Nf3-d2 g5-g4 16.e2-e4 f5xe4
21.Rf1-e1 Ra8-f8 22.g3xf4 Bg7-f6
17.Nd2xe4 Na6-c7 18.Ne4xf6+
23.d4-d5 Rf7-g7 24.Bb2xf6 Rf8xf6
Qg6xf6 19.Bg2-e4 d6-d5 20.c4xd5
25.Re1-e3 Rf6xf4 26.Nb3-a5 c6xd5
Be6xd5 21.Nb3-c5 Nc7-b5
27.c4xd5 Arkhangelsky,M (2295)-Anic,
22.Be4xd5+ c6xd5 23.Nc5-e6 0.46/14
D (2415)/Paris 1993/TD/0-1 (41) ]
] 14.e2-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

285

14.a3-a4 Bc8-d7 15.Re1-a1 Ra8-e8


16.e2-e3 Re8-c8 17.Nd2-b3 b7-b6
18.Nf3-d2 g5-g4 19.Qc2-d3 Nc7-a6
20.Bb2-c3 Na6-c7 21.b4-b5 0.42/14 ]
14...Bc8-d7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
14...a7-a5 15.b4xa5 Ra8xa5 16.c4-c5
Bc8-e6 17.Nd2-c4 Be6xc4
18.Qc2xc4+ Qg6-f7 19.Qc4-c2 Nf6-e4
20.Nf3-d2 Diagram

+ + rk+
+pn pql
+pp + p
r P +pp
+ Pn+ +
P + P P
LQN PLP
+ + RRK

1082

Ne4xd2 21.Qc2xd2 Ra5-b5 22.a3-a4


Rb5-b3 23.c5xd6 e7xd6 24.Qd2-c2
Rf8-a8 0.21/13 ] 15.Re1-e2
[ 15.Qc2-b3 Bd7-e6$ Diagram

r+ + rk+
ppn p l
+pplnqp
+ + +pp
PPP + +
PQ+ PNP
L N PLP
+ + RRK

r+ + +k+
ppnlprl
+pp nqp
+ + +pp
PPP + +
P + PNP
LQNRPLP
+ + +RK

1083

1084

(Diagram 1083)
16.c4-c5 Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 15.Nd2-b3
b7-b6 16.Nf3-d2 Ra8-c8 17.a3-a4
g5-g4 18.h2-h3 g4xh3 19.Bg2xh3
Nf6-g4 20.Bh3-g2 Qg6-h5 21.Nd2-f3
a7-a5 22.b4xa5 0.40/12 ] 15...Rf8-f7
Diagram [ 15...a7-a5 16.b4xa5
Ra8xa5 17.a3-a4= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 15...Ra8-c8 16.a3-a4 Qg6-f7
17.Nf3-e1 Qf7-h5 18.Ne1-f3 Bd7-e6
19.Rf1-e1 Qh5-g6 20.e3-e4 f5-f4
21.d4-d5 c6xd5 22.c4xd5 Nc7-a6
0.16/13 ]
16.Rf1-e1 Diagram [ 16.Rf1-c1
Ra8-c8$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

(Diagram 1085)
Bd7-e6
Be6-d5
Bd5xg2
Ra8-c8

17.Nd2-c4 Nf6-e4 18.Nf3-d2


19.a3-a4 Ne4xd2 20.Nc4xd2
21.Kg1xg2 Nc7-d5 22.b4-b5
23.c5xd6 e7xd6 0.37/13 ]
(Diagram 1086)

16...Ra8-f8 Diagram [ 16...a7-a5


17.b4xa5 Ra8xa5 18.c4-c5$ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 16...Ra8-c8
17.a3-a4 b7-b6 18.Qc2-b3 Nf6-e4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +k+
ppnlprl
+pp nqp
+ P +pp
P P + +
P + PNP
LQNRPLP
+ + +RK

r+ + +k+
ppnlprl
+pp nqp
+ + +pp
PPP + +
P + PNP
LQNRPLP
+ + R K

286

1085

1086

19.b4-b5 Bg7-h8 20.Qb3-c2 Rf7-f8


21.h2-h4 a7-a6 22.Nd2xe4 f5xe4
23.b5xc6 Bd7xc6 24.h4xg5 h6xg5
0.22/13 ]
(Diagram 1087)
17.h2-h3 Diagram [ 17.Nd2-b3
Nc7-e6$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
17.a3-a4 Qg6-h5 18.h2-h3 Qh5-g6
19.b4-b5 Rf8-c8 Diagram
20.Bb2-a1 c6xb5 21.a4xb5 Nc7xb5
22.Qc2-b3 Nb5-c7 23.Qb3xb7 Nf6-e4
24.Re1-b1 0.45/13 ]
Consolidates g4 17...Qg6-h5

+ + rk+
ppnlprl
+pp nqp
+ + +pp
PPP + +
P + PNP
LQNRPLP
+ + R K

+r+ +k+
ppnlprl
+pp nqp
+P+ +pp
P+PP + +
+ + PNPP
LQNRPL+
+ + R K

+ + rk+
ppnlprl
+pp nqp
+ + +pp
PPP + +
P + PNPP
LQNRPL+
+ + R K
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 17...Rf8-c8

1087

1088

1089

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

287

Diagram

+r+ +k+
ppnlprl
+pp nqp
+ + +pp
PPP + +
P + PNPP
LQNRPL+
+ + R K

+r+ +k+
ppnlprl
+pp n p
+ + +ppq
PPPP + +
+ + PNPP
LQNRPL+
+ + R K

1090

1092

Diagram
18.a3-a4 Rf7-f8 19.Nf3-h2 Qg6-f7
20.b4-b5 c6xb5 21.a4xb5 d6-d5
22.Nh2-f3 Nf6-e4 23.Nd2xe4 f5xe4
24.Nf3-e5 Bg7xe5 25.d4xe5 a7-a5
0.18/13 Diagram

+r+ rk+
+pnlpq+
+ + + p
pP+pP p
+P+p+ +
+ + P PP
LQ+RPL+
+ + R K

+ + rk+
+pn pr+
p+p+l+qp
P +pPpp
PP+n+ +
+ + P PP
+QNRPL+
L + R K

1091

Ne4xd2 25.Re2xd2 d5xc4 0.43/13 ]


18...g5-g4= Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 18...Bg7-h8 19.Nh2-f1 d6-d5
20.Qc2-a4 Rf8-a8 21.Nd2-f3 Nf6-e4
22.Nf1-d2 a7-a5 23.b4xa5 b7-b5
24.c4xb5 c6xb5 25.Qa4-c2 0.24/13
Diagram

] 18.Nf3-h2 [ 18.a3-a4 Rf8-c8$


Diagram
(Diagram 1092)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18.Bb2-a1
Qh5-g6 19.a3-a4 a7-a6 20.a4-a5
Bd7-e6 21.Nf3-h2 d6-d5 22.Nh2-f3
Nf6-e4 23.Nf3-e5 Bg7xe5 24.d4xe5

1093

(Diagram 1094)
]
Black wins space 19.h3-h4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19.Qc2-a4
Nc7-a6 20.b4-b5 c6xb5 21.Qa4-a5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +kl
+ nlpr+
+ + + p
Pp+p+ppq
+ Pn+ +
P + PNPP
LQNRPL+
+ + R K

+ + rk+
ppnlprl
+pp n p
+ + +p+q
PPP +p+
P + P PP
LQNRPLN
+ + R K

288

1094

1095

b5xc4 22.Bg2xb7 Na6-b8 23.h3xg4


f5xg4 24.Qa5xh5 Nf6xh5 25.Nd2xc4
Nh5-f6 26.e3-e4 Bd7-b5 27.Re2-c2
Diagram
(Diagram 1096)
Bb5-a4 28.Rc2-c1 Nb8-d7 29.Nc4-e3
h6-h5 30.Rc1-c7 Nf6-e8 0.06/15 ]
(Diagram 1097)
19...Nf6-e8 Diagram [ 19...Rf8-c8!?=
Diagram
must be considered ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

n + rk+
pL+ prl
+ p n p
+l+ + +
+NPP+p+
P + + P
LR+ P N
+ + R K

+ + rk+
ppnlprl
+pp n p
+ + +p+q
PPP +pP
P + P P
LQNRPLN
+ + R K

+r+ +k+
ppnlprl
+pp n p
+ + +p+q
PPP +pP
P + P P
LQNRPLN
+ + R K

1096

1097

1098

x64: 19...Nc7-e6 20.Nh2-f1 Qh5-g6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

289

21.Nd2-b3 d6-d5 22.Nb3-c5 Ne6xc5


23.b4xc5 Nf6-e4 24.Nf1-d2 b7-b5
25.c4xd5 c6xd5 Diagram

+ + rk+
p +lprl
+ + +qp
+pPp+p+
+ Pn+pP
P + P P
LQNRPL+
+ + R K

+ +nrk+
+pnlprl
p+pp + p
Q + +p+q
PPP +pP
P + P P
L NRPLN
+ + R K

1099

+l+nrk+
+p+ +rl
pQp+p+qp
N Pp+p+
P Pn+pP
P + P P
L NRPL+
+ + R K

26.Kg1-h2 Qg6-c6 27.Bb2-c3 Ne4xc3


28.Qc2xc3 0.20/14 ]

+ +nrk+
ppnlprl
+pp + p
+ + +p+q
PPP +pP
P + P P
LQNRPLN
+ + R K

1100

1101

1102

]
(Diagram 1103)
20...d6-d5 [ 20...Bd7-e6 Diagram

20.c4-c5 Diagram [ 20.Qc2-a4


a7-a6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20.Qc2-a4 a7-a6 21.Qa4-a5 Diagram
(Diagram 1101)
Qh5-g6 22.Qa5-b6 Bd7-c8 23.Nd2-b3
e7-e6 24.Nh2-f1 d6-d5 25.Nf1-d2
Ne8-d6 26.Nb3-a5 Nc7-e8 27.c4-c5
Nd6-e4 0.69/15 Diagram

(Diagram 1104)
21.Nd2-c4$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...Bd7-e6 21.Nh2-f1 Qh5-g6
22.Nd2-c4 Be6xc4 23.Qc2xc4 Ne8-f6
24.Qc4-c2 Nf6-e4 25.Nf1-d2 d6-d5
26.a3-a4 h6-h5 27.Kg1-h2 e7-e6
28.Qc2-b3 Rf7-e7 29.Nd2xe4
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

290
[ 21.Qc2-a4!? Diagram

+ +nrk+
ppnlprl
+pp + p
+ P +p+q
P P +pP
P + P P
LQNRPLN
+ + R K

+ +nrk+
ppn prl
+ppl+ p
+ P +p+q
P P +pP
P + P P
LQNRPLN
+ + R K

+ + rk+
ppn r l
+p+p+q+
+ Pp+p+p
PP PN+pP
+Q+ P P
L +RPLK
+ + R +

1103

+ +nrk+
ppnlprl
+p+ + p
+ Pp+p+q
QP P +pP
P + P P
L NRPLN
+ + R K

1106

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.Qc2-a4


a7-a6 22.Qa4-a5 Nc7-e6 23.Qa5-b6
1104 Bd7-c8 24.Nd2-b3 Ne8-f6 25.Nb3-a5
Ne6-d8 26.Nh2-f1 Nf6-e4 27.Nf1-d2
Qh5-g6 28.Qb6-c7 Nd8-e6 29.Qc7-b8
Diagram

1105

f5xe4 0.27/15 ] 21.Nd2-b3 Diagram

Ql+ rk+
+p+ prl
p+p+n+qp
N Pp+p+
P Pn+pP
P + P P
L NRPL+
+ + R K

1107

h6-h5 30.Na5xb7 0.72/16 ]


(Diagram 1108)
21...Nc7-e6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 21...Ne8-f6 22.Nb3-c1
Rf8-a8 23.Nc1-d3 Rf7-f8 24.Nh2-f1
Nf6-e4 25.Nf1-d2 Nc7-e6 26.a3-a4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +nrk+
ppnlprl
+p+ + p
+ Pp+p+q
P P +pP
PN+ P P
LQ+RPLN
+ + R K

291

+ +nrk+
pp+lprl
+p+n+ p
+ Pp+p+q
P P +pP
PN+ P P
LQ+RPLN
+ + R K

1108

a7-a5 27.b4xa5 Ra8xa5 28.Qc2-b3


Ra5-a7 29.Qb3-b6 Diagram

+ + rk+
rp+lp l
Qp+n+ p
+ Pp+p+q
P+ Pn+pP
+ +NP P
L NRPL+
+ + R K

+l+ rk+
+pn prl
p+p+ +qp
N Pp+ +
P Pp+pP
PQ+ P P
L +RPLK
+ + R +

1109

1110

1111

]
Rf8-a8 30.Re1-a1 Qh5-f7 31.a4-a5
Bg7-h8 32.Ra1-a4 Bh8-g7 33.Ra4-a3
Bg7-h8 34.Nd2xe4 f5xe4 0.29/16 ]

(Diagram 1112)
22...Ne8-f6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Ne8-c7 Diagram

(Diagram 1110)
(Diagram 1113)
22.Nb3-c1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 22.Nb3-a5 Ne6-d8 23.Qc2-a4
Ne8-f6 24.Nh2-f1 Nf6-e4 25.Nf1-d2
Bd7-c8 26.Na5-b3 a7-a6 27.Nb3-a5
Nd8-e6 28.Qa4-b3 Qh5-g6 29.Kg1-h2
Ne6-c7 30.Nd2xe4 f5xe4 0.44/16
Diagram

23.Nc1-d3 Rf8-a8 24.Nh2-f1 Rf7-f8


25.a3-a4 Qh5-g6 26.Nf1-d2 f5-f4
27.g3xf4 a7-a5 28.b4xa5 Bg7-f6
29.Nd2-b3 Qg6-h5 30.a5-a6 Ra8xa6
0.48/16 ] 23.Nc1-d3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23.Nh2-f1 Nf6-e4 24.Nf1-d2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +nrk+
pp+lprl
+p+n+ p
+ Pp+p+q
P P +pP
P + P P
LQ+RPLN
+ N R K

+ + rk+
ppnlprl
+p+n+ p
+ Pp+p+q
P P +pP
P + P P
LQ+RPLN
+ N R K

292

1112

1113

Diagram
(Diagram 1114)
Rf8-a8 25.Nc1-b3 Ra8-b8 26.Nb3-a5
Rf7-f8 27.a3-a4 Qh5-g6 28.Nd2xe4
Diagram
(Diagram 1115)
f5xe4 29.Kg1-h2 Ne6-c7 30.Qc2-b3
Qg6-f7 31.Re2-d2 0.32/15 ]
23...Nf6-e4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...Rf8-d8 24.Qc2-a4 a7-a6
25.Nh2-f1 Rf7-f8 26.Nf1-d2 Nf6-e4

+ + rk+
pp+lprl
+p+n+ p
+ Pp+p+q
P Pn+pP
P + P P
LQNRPL+
+ N R K

r + rk+
pp+lp l
+p+n+qp
N Pp+p+
PP PN+pP
+ + P P
LQ+RPL+
+ + R K

1114

1115

27.Qa4-a5 Bd7-c8 28.a3-a4 Qh5-f7


29.Qa5-b6 Qf7-g6 30.b4-b5 c6xb5
31.a4xb5 0.49/15 ] 24.Nh2-f1
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Qc2-b3
a7-a6 25.Nh2-f1 Diagram
(Diagram 1116)
Qh5-g6 26.a3-a4 Rf8-e8 27.Nf1-d2
Re8-f8 28.Kg1-h2 Kg8-h7 29.Re1-b1
Kh7-g8 30.Bb2-a1 a6-a5 31.Nd2xe4
f5xe4 0.47/14 ] 24...a7-a6 Diagram
[ 24...Rf8-d8 Diagram
25.Qc2-b3$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24...Rf8-a8 25.a3-a4 Rf7-f8 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
+p+lprl
p+p+n+ p
+ Pp+p+q
P Pn+pP
PQ+NP P
L +RPL+
+ + RNK

+ r +k+
pp+lprl
+p+n+ p
+ Pp+p+q
P Pn+pP
P +NP P
LQ+RPL+
+ + RNK

r+ + rk+
pp+lp l
+p+n+ p
+ Pp+p+q
PP Pn+pP
+ +NP P
LQ+RPL+
+ + RNK

293

1116

28.Qc2-a4
30.Qa4-c2
32.Nd3-e5
34.Re2-d2

a7-a6 29.Kg1-h2 Rb8-d8


Bg7-h8 31.Nd2xe4 f5xe4
Bh8xe5 33.d4xe5 Qf7-f5
Bd7-e8 0.33/15 ]

+ + rk+
+p+lprl
p+p+n+ p
+ Pp+p+q
P Pn+pP
P +NP P
LQ+RPL+
+ + RNK

1119

1117

25.Nf1-d2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 25.Re1-d1 Diagram

1118

26.a4-a5 Qh5-f7 27.Nf1-d2 Ra8-b8

+ + rk+
+p+lprl
p+p+n+ p
+ Pp+p+q
P Pn+pP
P +NP P
LQ+RPL+
+ +R+NK

1120

Qh5-g6 26.Nf1-d2 Bd7-c8 27.Nd2-b3


Rf8-e8 28.Nd3-e5 Bg7xe5 29.d4xe5
Re8-d8 30.a3-a4 Bc8-d7 31.Nb3-a5
Bd7-c8 32.Qc2-d3 Rf7-f8 33.Re2-e1
0.56/15 ]
25...Bg7-f6 Diagram [ 25...Rf8-a8
26.Re1-d1 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25...Bd7-c8 26.a3-a4 Qh5-g6
27.Qc2-b3 Bc8-d7 28.Kg1-h2 Kg8-h7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
+p+lprl
p+p+n+ p
+ Pp+p+q
P Pn+pP
P +NP P
LQNRPL+
+ + R K

294

1121

29.Qb3-c2 Qg6-h5 30.Re1-d1 Kh7-g6


31.Kh2-g1 Kg6-h7 32.Kg1-h2
Kh7-g6 0.42/13 ]

+ + rk+
+p+lpr+
p+p+nl p
+ Pp+p+q
P Pn+pP
P +NP P
LQNRPL+
+ + R K

1122

26.Nd3-f4 Diagram [ 26.Nd3-e5


Bf6xe5 27.d4xe5 Rf8-d8 ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 26.Qc2-a4 Rf7-g7
27.Nd3-e5 Bf6xe5 28.d4xe5 Qh5-e8
29.Qa4-c2 Rg7-f7 30.Qc2-d1 Rf7-g7
31.Kg1-h2 Rg7-f7 32.Qd1-b3 a6-a5
33.Nd2xe4 f5xe4 34.Qb3-c2 Diagram
Qe8-a8 0.61/15 ]
26...Ne6xf4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...Ne6xf4 27.e3xf4 Qh5-g6
28.Qc2-b3 Bf6-g7 29.Qb3-a4 Bg7-f6
30.Re1-d1 e7-e6 31.Nd2xe4 d5xe4

+ +qrk+
+p+lpr+
+p+n+ p
p PpP +
P +p+pP
P + P P
LQ+RPLK
+ + R +

+ + rk+
+p+lpr+
p+p+nl p
+ Pp+p+q
P PnNpP
P + P P
LQNRPL+
+ + R K

1123

1124

32.Qa4-b3 Rf8-d8 33.Re2-e3 Rf7-e7


34.Qb3-c4 h6-h5 35.a3-a4 Kg8-h7
36.Rd1-e1 0.35/14 ] 27.e3xf4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27.e3xf4
Diagram
(Diagram 1125)
Qh5-g6 28.Qc2-b3 Bf6-g7 29.Qb3-a4
Bg7-f6 30.Re1-d1 e7-e6 31.Qa4-c2
Rf8-d8 32.Re2-e3 Rf7-e7 33.a3-a4
Bd7-e8 34.Rd1-e1 Be8-d7 35.Nd2xe4
d5xe4 36.Qc2-b3 Bd7-e8 37.Qb3-c4
Qg6-g7 38.Re1-d1 Be8-f7 0.41/15 ]
27...Kg8-h8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
+p+lpr+
p+p+ l p
+ Pp+p+q
P PnPpP
P + + P
LQNRPL+
+ + R K

295

1125

+ r +k+
+p+lprl
p+p+ + p
+ Pp+q+
PP PpPpP
+ + Q P
L R PL+
+ + R K

1127

27...Qh5-g6 Diagram

+ + rk+
+p+lpr+
p+p+ lqp
+ Pp+p+
P PnPpP
P + + P
LQNRPL+
+ + R K

1126

28.Qc2-b3 Bf6-h8 29.Re1-d1 Bd7-e6


30.h4-h5 Qg6-f6 31.Rd1-e1 Rf7-g7
32.Nd2xe4 d5xe4 33.d4-d5 Be6xd5
34.Bb2xf6 Bd5xb3 35.Bf6xg7 Bh8xg7
36.Re2-d2 Bb3-d5 0.26/15 ]
28.Nd2-b3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28.Nd2xe4 f5xe4 29.Qc2-b3
Kh8-g8 30.Qb3-e3 Qh5-f5 31.Re2-c2
Bf6-g7 32.a3-a4 Bg7-f6 33.Re1-d1
Bf6-g7 34.Rc2-e2 Rf8-d8 35.Rd1-e1
Rd8-f8 36.Re2-d2 Rf8-d8 Diagram
37.Rd2-c2 Rf7-f8 38.Rc2-e2 Bd7-e8
39.Qe3-b3 0.48/15 ]
28...e7-e6 [ 28...Bd7-e6 29.Nb3-c1$ ;

+ + r k
+p+lpr+
p+p+ l p
+ Pp+p+q
P PnPpP
PN+ + P
LQ+RPL+
+ + R K

1128

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Qh5-g6


Diagram
(Diagram 1129)
29.Nb3-c1 Bd7-e6 30.Nc1-d3 Kh8-g8
31.a3-a4 Kg8-g7 32.Nd3-e5 Bf6xe5
33.d4xe5 a6-a5 34.b4-b5 Rf8-d8
35.Bb2-d4 Rf7-f8 36.Re2-e3 0.27/15 ]
29.Nb3-c1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29.Nb3-d2 Qh5-g6 30.Nd2xe4
Diagram
d5xe4 31.Qc2-c4 Kh8-g8 32.Bb2-c1
Rf8-d8 33.Re2-e3 Rf7-e7 34.Bc1-b2
Bd7-e8 35.a3-a4 Qg6-g7 36.Re1-d1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + r k
+p+lpr+
p+p+ lqp
+ Pp+p+
P PnPpP
PN+ + P
LQ+RPL+
+ + R K

+ + r k
+p+l+r+
p+p+plqp
+ Pp+p+
P PNPpP
P + + P
LQ+RPL+
+ + R K

296

1129

1130

Be8-f7 0.41/15 ] 29...Rf7-g7


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Rf8-a8
30.Qc2-b3 Rf7-e7 31.Nc1-d3 Kh8-g8
32.Nd3-e5 Bf6xe5 33.f4xe5 Bd7-e8
34.a3-a4 a6-a5 35.b4xa5 Ra8xa5
36.Bb2-c1 Ra5-a8 37.Bc1-e3 Qh5-g6
38.Bg2xe4 f5xe4 0.39/15 ] 30.Nc1-d3
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30.a3-a4 Kh8-g8 31.a4-a5 Rg7-e7
32.Re2-e3 Re7-g7 33.Nc1-d3 Rf8-d8
34.Bb2-a1 Qh5-f7 35.Nd3-e5 Bf6xe5
36.f4xe5 f5-f4 37.g3xf4 Qf7xf4
38.Bg2xe4 d5xe4 Diagram
39.Re3xe4 0.50/15 ]
30...Rg7-g8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

+ r +k+
+p+l+ r
p+p+p+ p
P P P +
P PpqpP
+ + R +
+Q+ P +
L + R K

+ + r k
+p+l+ r
p+p+pl p
+ Pp+p+q
P PnPpP
P +N+ P
LQ+RPL+
+ + R K

1131

1132

30...Kh8-g8 Diagram
(Diagram 1133)
31.Nd3-e5 Rg7-e7 32.Bb2-c1 Rf8-d8
33.Qc2-b3 Bd7-e8 34.Qb3-e3 Be8-f7
35.a3-a4 Bf7-g6 36.Re2-c2 Bg6-e8
37.Rc2-b2 Be8-g6 38.Bg2xe4 d5xe4
0.43/15 ] 31.Nd3-e5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31.Qc2-c1
Rg8-g7 32.Bb2-a1 Kh8-g8 33.Qc1-e3
Rf8-a8 34.Re1-b1 Ra8-f8 35.Nd3-e5
Bf6xe5 36.d4xe5 Rg7-e7 37.Re2-e1
Qh5-g6 38.Re1-d1 Kg8-g7 39.Bg2xe4
f5xe4 0.54/16 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
+p+l+ r
p+p+pl p
+ Pp+p+q
P PnPpP
P +N+ P
LQ+RPL+
+ + R K

+ + rrk
+p+l+ +
p+p+pl p
+ PpNp+q
P PnPpP
P + + P
LQ+RPL+
+ + R K

297

1133

1134

31...Bd7-e8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 31...Rg8-g7 32.a3-a4 Kh8-g8
33.Qc2-b3 Bf6xe5 34.d4xe5 Rf8-a8
35.a4-a5 Ra8-f8 36.Re1-d1 Rf8-d8
37.Bb2-d4 Qh5-g6 38.Bg2xe4 f5xe4
39.Kg1-g2 Qg6-f5 40.Qb3-c3 0.46/16 ]

+ +lrrk
+p+ + +
p+p+pl p
+ PpNp+q
P PnPpP
P + + P
LQ+RPL+
+ + R K

1135

32...Bf6xh4? Diagram
[ 32...Rg8-g7!? ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 32...Rg8-g7 33.a3-a4 Kh8-g8
34.Qc2-d3 Be8-g6 35.Qd3-b3 Bg6-h7
36.Re2-a2 Rf8-e8 37.Qb3-e3 Re8-c8
38.Bg2xe4 f5xe4 39.b4-b5 Bf6xe5
40.f4xe5 c6xb5 41.a4xb5 a6xb5
42.Qe3xh6 Qh5xh6 43.Bc1xh6
0.43/16 ]

+ +lrrk
+p+ + +
p+p+p+ p
+ PpNp+q
P PnPpl
P + + P
+Q+RPL+
+ L R K

1136

(Diagram 1135)
32.Bb2-c1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.Qc2-c1 Bf6xe5 33.d4xe5 Rg8-g7
34.a3-a4 Kh8-g8 35.Re1-d1 Qh5-f7
36.Bb2-d4 Qf7-e7 37.Qc1-e3 Be8-g6
38.Re2-c2 Qe7-d7 39.Bd4-b2 Rg7-f7
40.Bg2xe4 f5xe4 0.57/15 ]

33.g3xh4+- [ 33.Bg2xe4 f5xe4


Diagram
34.Qc2-a2 Bh4-e7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 33.g3xh4 Qh5xh4 34.Re2-e3
h6-h5 35.Qc2-e2 Qh4-f6 36.Bg2xe4
f5xe4 37.Re3-c3 h5-h4 38.Kg1-h2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +lrrk
+p+ + +
p+p+p+ p
+ PpN +q
P PpPpl
P + + P
+Q+RP +
+ L R K

298

1137

Be8-h5 39.Kh2-g2 Kh8-h7 40.a3-a4


h4-h3+ 41.Kg2-h1 a6-a5 42.b4-b5
Rf8-c8 43.Kh1-h2 1.70/15 ]
33...Qh5xh4 [ 33...g4-g3 34.f2-f3
( 34.Bg2xe4?! g3xf2+ 35.Kg1xf2
Qh5xh4+ 36.Kf2-e3 f5xe4= )
34...Ne4-f6 35.Kg1-f1+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 33...Qh5xh4 Diagram

+ +lrrk
+p+ + +
p+p+p+ p
+ PpNp+
P PnPpq
P + + +
+Q+RPL+
+ L R K

1138

34.Re2-e3 h6-h5 35.Bg2xe4 f5xe4


36.Re3-g3 Qh4-f6 37.Rg3-g2 Qf6-f5
38.Kg1-h2 h5-h4 39.Re1-g1 Be8-h5
40.a3-a4 Kh8-h7 41.Bc1-d2 h4-h3
42.Rg2-g3 Qf5-f6 43.Qc2-b3 Qf6-h4
44.b4-b5 a6xb5 45.a4xb5 1.68/16 ]
34.Bc1-e3 Diagram [ 34.Re2-e3!?

h6-h5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


34.Re2-e3 h6-h5 35.Bg2xe4 f5xe4
36.Re3-g3 Qh4-f6 37.Rg3-g2 h5-h4
38.Ne5xg4 Qf6-f5 39.Ng4-e5
Rg8xg2+ 40.Kg1xg2 Rf8-g8+
41.Kg2-h2 Diagram

+ +l+rk
+p+ + +
p+p+p+ +
+ PpNq+
P PpP p
P + + +
+Q+ P K
+ L R +

1139

h4-h3 42.Bc1-e3 Rg8-g2+ 43.Kh2-h1


Kh8-g7 44.Re1-g1 Rg2xg1+
45.Kh1xg1 1.96/13 ]

+ +lrrk
+p+ + +
p+p+p+ p
+ PpNp+
P PnPpq
P + L +
+Q+RPL+
+ + R K

1140

34...Be8-h5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


34...g4-g3 35.f2-f3 Ne4-f6 36.Qc2-a4
Rg8-g7 37.Kg1-f1 Nf6-d7 38.Ne5-d3
Be8-f7 39.Qa4-b3 Kh8-g8 40.a3-a4
Rf8-d8 41.Qb3-c3 h6-h5 42.Re1-d1
Qh4-h2 43.Be3-g1 Qh2-h4 44.Nd3-e5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

299

Nd7xe5 45.f4xe5 1.30/17 ] 35.Kg1-f1


Diagram [ 35.Re1-a1 Rg8-g7+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35.Qc2-b3
Bh5-e8 36.Qb3-d3 Be8-h5 37.Re2-b2
Rf8-c8 38.Qd3-b3 Rc8-e8 39.Rb2-c2
Re8-d8 40.Rc2-a2 g4-g3 41.f2-f3
Ne4-f6 42.Kg1-f1 Kh8-g7 43.a3-a4
Qh4-h2 2.00/13 ]

+ + rrk
+p+ + +
p+p+p+ p
+ PpNp+l
P PnPpq
P + L +
+Q+RPL+
+ + RK+

1141

35...Qh4-h2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


35...Kh8-g7 36.Qc2-b3 Rf8-a8
37.Re2-b2 Qh4-h2 38.Rb2-c2 Bh5-f7
39.Rc2-e2 Ra8-d8 40.Be3-c1 Rd8-c8
41.Qb3-d3 Rc8-a8 42.a3-a4 Ra8-c8
43.Bg2xe4 d5xe4 1.74/13 ] 36.a3-a4
[ 36.Qc2-d3 Rg8-g7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 36.Qc2-d3 Rf8-c8 37.Qd3-b3
Rc8-f8 38.Qb3-c2 Rg8-g7 39.Re1-b1
Rf8-g8 40.Rb1-d1 Rg8-f8 41.Rd1-c1
Rg7-g8 42.Rc1-b1 Rg8-g7 43.Rb1-d1
Rf8-g8 44.Re2-e1 g4-g3 45.f2-f3
Ne4-f2 1.78/13 ] 36...Bh5-e8
[ 36...Rg8-g7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36...Rf8-c8 37.Qc2-d3 Rg8-g7
38.Qd3-b3 Rc8-f8 39.Qb3-c2 Rg7-e7
40.Qc2-d3 Re7-g7 41.Be3-c1 g4-g3
42.f2-f3 Kh8-g8 43.f3xe4 Bh5xe2+
44.Re1xe2 f5xe4 1.50/13 ] 37.Re2-d2
[ 37.Be3-d2 h6-h5 38.Bd2-c1 h5-h4 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37.Re1-d1
Ne4-f6 38.Qc2-b3 Nf6-e4 39.Re2-e1

h6-h5 40.Bg2xe4 f5xe4 41.Kf1-e2


g4-g3 42.Re1-h1 Qh2-g2 43.Rd1-g1
1.81/12 ] 37...h6-h5? [ 37...Ne4xd2+
38.Be3xd2 h6-h5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 37...g4-g3 38.Ne5-f3 Qh2-h5
39.Nf3-e5 Qh5-h2 40.Ne5-f3 0.24/15 ]
38.Bg2xe4?? with this move White
loses his initiative [ 38.Rd2-d1+the advantage is on the side of White ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.Rd2-d1
Ne4-f6 39.f2-f3 h5-h4 40.Be3-g1
Qh2xf4 41.Bg2-h1 h4-h3 42.Ne5-d3
Qf4-g3 43.Bg1-h2 Qg3-h4 44.Bh2-e5
g4-g3 45.Nd3-f4 g3-g2+ 46.Nf4xg2
h3xg2+ 47.Bh1xg2 Be8-f7 48.Qc2-f2
Qh4-g5 49.Kf1-e2 Rg8-g7 50.Re1-h1+
Kh8-g8 0.20/14 ] 38...f5xe4
Exerts pressure on the isolated pawn
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38...f5xe4
39.f4-f5 g4-g3 40.f2-f4 Qh2-h3+
41.Rd2-g2 h5-h4 42.Be3-c1 Rf8xf5
43.Kf1-g1 Be8-h5 44.Re1-f1 Rf5-f8
45.Qc2-b3 Rf8-e8 46.Rf1-e1 Rg8-g7
47.Rg2-c2 Rg7-e7 48.b4-b5 a6xb5
49.a4xb5 -0.15/13 ] 39.Kf1-e2
[ 39.Qc2-b3!?$ and White has air to
breath ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 39.f4-f5
g4-g3 40.f2-f4 Qh2-h3+ 41.Rd2-g2
h5-h4 42.Be3-c1 Rf8xf5 43.Kf1-g1
Be8-h5 44.Re1-f1 Rf5-f8 45.Bc1-e3
Rf8-f5 46.Qc2-c3 Rg8-f8 47.Qc3-d2
Kh8-h7 48.Qd2-b2 Bh5-e8 49.Qb2-e2
Be8-h5 50.Qe2-d2 Rf8-g8 51.Qd2-b2
Rg8-f8 52.Qb2-d2 Rf8-g8 -0.07/13 ]
39...g4-g3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39...g4-g3 40.Rd2-d1 Rf8xf4
41.Ke2-d2 Rf4xf2+ 42.Be3xf2 g3xf2
43.Re1-f1 Qh2-f4+ 44.Kd2-c3
Rg8-g3+ 45.Ne5-d3 h5-h4 46.Rf1xf2
e4xd3 47.Qc2-d2 Qf4xd2+ 48.Rd1xd2
Be8-g6 49.Rf2-f6 h4-h3 50.Rf6xe6
Kh8-g7 51.Re6-e7+ Kg7-h6
52.Rd2-h2 Kh6-g5 53.a4-a5 Kg5-g4
54.Re7-g7 Kg4-f4 55.Rg7xb7 Bg6-f5
56.Kc3-d2 Rg3-g2+ 57.Rh2xg2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


h3xg2 -0.41/17 ] 40.Ke2-d1
[ 40.Rd2-d1!? Rf8xf4 41.Re1-f1 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40.Rd2-d1
Rf8xf4 41.Ke2-d2 Rf4xf2+ 42.Be3xf2
g3xf2 43.Re1-f1 Qh2-f4+ 44.Kd2-c3
Rg8-g3+ 45.Ne5-d3 h5-h4 46.Rf1xf2
e4xd3 47.Qc2-d2 Qf4xd2+ 48.Rd1xd2
Be8-g6 49.Rf2-f6 h4-h3 50.Rf6xe6
Kh8-g7 51.Re6-e5 Kg7-h6 52.Rd2-h2
Bg6-e4 53.Re5-e7 Kh6-g5 54.Re7xb7
Kg5-f4 55.Kc3-d2 -0.39/15 ]
40...g3-g2-+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
40...g3-g2 41.f2-f3 h5-h4 42.Be3-g1
Qh2-g3 43.f4-f5 e6xf5 44.Bg1-f2
Qg3-f4 45.Qc2-c3 Be8-h5 46.Kd1-c1
Bh5xf3 47.Bf2-e3 Qf4-h2 48.Be3-g1
Qh2-h3 49.Rd2-f2 Rf8-e8 50.Rf2-e2
-0.79/13 ] 41.f2-f3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 41.f2-f3 h5-h4 42.Be3-g1
Qh2-g3 43.f4-f5 e6xf5 44.Bg1-f2
Qg3-f4 45.Qc2-c3 Be8-h5 46.Bf2-e3
Qf4-h2 47.Be3-g1 Qh2-g3 48.Bg1-f2
Bh5xf3+ 49.Kd1-c1 Qg3-f4 50.Bf2-e3
Qf4-g3 51.Be3-f2 Qg3-f4 -1.05/14 ]
41...h5-h4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
41...h5-h4 42.f3xe4 Rf8xf4 43.Kd1-c1
Rf4xe4 44.Kc1-b2 Qh2-h3 45.Ne5-c4
Rg8-g4 46.Nc4-e5 Rg4-g3 47.Ne5-c4
Re4xe3 48.Nc4xe3 g2-g1Q
49.Re1xg1 Rg3xg1 50.Rd2-d3
Qh3-f3 -1.22/12 ] 42.f3xe4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42.Be3-g1
Qh2-g3 43.f4-f5 e6xf5 44.Bg1-f2
Qg3-f4 45.Qc2-b3 Be8-h5 46.Bf2-e3
Bh5xf3+ 47.Kd1-c2 Qf4-h2 48.Be3-g1
Qh2-g3 49.Bg1-f2 Qg3-f4 50.Bf2-e3
Qf4-h2 -0.91/13 ] 42...Be8-h5+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...Rf8xf4
43.Be3xf4 Be8-h5+ 44.Kd1-c1 Qh2xf4
45.e4xd5 g2-g1Q 46.Re1xg1
Rg8xg1+ 47.Kc1-b2 e6xd5 48.Kb2-a2
h4-h3 49.Qc2-b2 Bh5-g6 50.Ne5xg6+
Rg1xg6 51.Rd2-f2 Qf4-h4 52.Qb2-d2
Kh8-g8 53.Ka2-b2 Rg6-g3 -1.29/14 ]
43.Kd1-c1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

300
43.Kd1-c1 h4-h3 44.Qc2-d3 Qh2-h1
45.Be3-g1 h3-h2 46.Qd3-e3 d5xe4
47.Kc1-b2 Rg8-g7 48.Qe3-f2 h2xg1Q
49.Re1xg1 Bh5-f3 50.Ne5-c4 Rf8xf4
51.a4-a5 Rg7-g8 52.Rd2-c2 Qh1-h2
53.Nc4-d6 Rg8-f8 54.Qf2-e3 Kh8-h7
-1.21/15 ] 43...h4-h3 Is this a
dangerous pawn? [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 43...h4-h3 44.Qc2-d3 Qh2-h1
45.Be3-g1 h3-h2 46.Qd3-e3 d5xe4
47.Kc1-c2 Rg8-g7 48.Kc2-b2 Bh5-f3
49.Rd2-c2 h2xg1Q 50.Re1xg1
Qh1-h2 51.Kb2-b3 Qh2xf4 52.Qe3-f2
Kh8-h7 -1.05/13 ] 44.e4xd5?
[ 44.Kc1-b1 Rf8xf4 45.Be3xf4
Qh2xf4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
44.Qc2-d3 Qh2-h1 45.Be3-g1 h3-h2
46.Qd3-e3 d5xe4 47.f4-f5 Rg8-g7
48.Bg1xh2 Qh1xh2 49.Qe3-h6+
Kh8-g8 50.Qh6xe6+ Bh5-f7 51.Ne5xf7
Rf8xf7 52.Qe6-e8+ Rf7-f8
53.Qe8-e6+ Kg8-h8 54.f5-f6 Rg7-h7
55.Rd2-d1 Qh2-f4+ 56.Kc1-c2 Rf8xf6
57.Qe6xe4 Qf4xe4+ 58.Re1xe4
Rf6-f1 -1.11/13 ] 44...e6xd5
[ 44...Qh2-g3 45.Ne5-d3 h3-h2
46.Rd2xg2 Qg3xg2 47.Qc2xg2
Rg8xg2 48.d5xc6 b7xc6-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44...Qh2-g3
45.Ne5-d3 h3-h2 46.Rd2xg2 Qg3xg2
47.Qc2xg2 Rg8xg2 48.d5xc6 Rg2-e2
49.Re1-h1 Bh5-f3 50.Rh1xh2+
Re2xh2 51.c6xb7 Bf3xb7 52.b4-b5
a6xb5 53.a4xb5 Rf8-a8 54.Nd3-f2
Ra8-a5 55.c5-c6 Ra5xb5 56.c6xb7
Rb5xb7 57.Kc1-c2 Kh8-g7 58.Kc2-c3
Rb7-c7+ 59.Kc3-d3 -4.38/13 ]
45.f4-f5?? causes even greater
problems [ 45.Kc1-b2 Qh2-g3
46.Be3-f2 Qg3xf4 47.Ne5-d3-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 45.Qc2-d3
Qh2-g3 46.Be3-f2 Qg3xd3 47.Rd2xd3
h3-h2 48.Rd3-h3 h2-h1Q 49.Rh3xh1
g2xh1Q 50.Re1xh1 Rf8-f5 51.Rh1-h2
Rg8-g7 52.Kc1-d2 Rg7-h7 53.Bf2-g3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Kh8-g7 54.Rh2-g2 Kg7-f6 55.Bg3-h4+
Kf6-e6 56.Bh4-g5 Rh7-h8 57.Kd2-c3
-0.24/14 ] 45...Qh2-g3-+ [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 45...Qh2-g3 46.Ne5-d3
h3-h2 47.Rd2xg2 Qg3xg2 48.Qc2xg2
Rg8xg2 49.Nd3-f4 Bh5-f3 50.Nf4xg2
Bf3xg2 51.Be3-f4 h2-h1Q 52.Re1xh1+
Bg2xh1 53.Bf4-e5+ Kh8-g8 54.f5-f6
Kg8-f7 55.Kc1-d2 Bh1-e4 56.Kd2-e3
Rf8-g8 57.Ke3-f4 Rg8-g1 58.Kf4-e3
Rg1-b1 -6.33/13 ] 46.Be3-f2
[ 46.Ne5-d3 doesn't do any good h3-h2
47.Rd2xg2 Qg3xg2 48.Qc2xg2
Rg8xg2 49.Nd3-f4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 46.Ne5-d3 h3-h2 47.Rd2xg2
Qg3xg2 48.Qc2xg2 Rg8xg2 49.Nd3-f4
Bh5-f3 50.Nf4xg2 Bf3xg2 51.Be3-f4
h2-h1Q 52.Re1xh1+ Bg2xh1
53.Bf4-e5+ Kh8-g8 54.f5-f6 Kg8-f7
55.Kc1-d2 Bh1-e4 56.Kd2-e3 Rf8-g8
57.Ke3-f4 Rg8-g1 58.Kf4-e3 Rg1-b1
-6.88/14 ] 46...Qg3-f4 [ 46...Qg3-a3+
and Black wins 47.Kc1-b1 h3-h2-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46...Qg3-a3+
47.Kc1-b1 h3-h2 48.Rd2-d3 Qa3xb4+
49.Kb1-a2 Qb4xe1 50.Bf2xe1 g2-g1Q
51.Rd3-h3 h2-h1Q 52.Rh3xh1
Qg1xh1 53.Qc2-c1 Rg8-g2+
54.Ka2-a3 Kh8-g8 55.Qc1-e3 Rf8xf5
56.a4-a5 Qh1-f1 -8.22/12 ] 47.Ne5-d3
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 47.Ne5-d3
Qf4xf5 48.Bf2-g1 Qf5-g5 49.Kc1-b2
Qg5-h4 50.Qc2-c1 h3-h2 51.Bg1xh2
Qh4xh2 52.Re1-g1 Bh5-f3 53.Nd3-f2
Rf8-e8 54.Kb2-c3 Rg8-f8 55.Nf2-d3
Bf3-e4 56.Kc3-b3 Be4xd3 57.Rd2xd3
Rf8-f2 -1.53/13 ] 47...Qf4xf5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 47...Qf4xf5
48.Bf2-g1 Qf5-g5 49.Kc1-b2 Qg5-h4
50.Qc2-c1 h3-h2 51.Bg1xh2 Qh4xh2
52.Re1-g1 Bh5-f3 53.Nd3-f2 Rf8-e8
54.Nf2-d3 Bf3-e4 55.Qc1-d1 Rg8-g3
56.Nd3-e5 Re8-f8 57.a4-a5 Kh8-g7
58.Qd1-c1 Kg7-h7 -1.53/16 ]
48.Bf2-g1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

301
48.Bf2-g1 Qf5-g5 49.Kc1-b2 Qg5-h4
50.Qc2-c1 h3-h2 51.Bg1xh2 Qh4xh2
52.Re1-g1 Bh5-f3 53.Nd3-f2 Rf8-e8
54.Nf2-d3 Bf3-e4 55.Qc1-d1 Re8-f8
56.Nd3-f2 Rf8-f3 57.Rd2-e2 Be4-f5
58.Qd1-e1 Qh2-f4 -1.83/15 ]
48...Rg8-g3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
48...Qf5-g5 49.Kc1-b2 Qg5-h4
50.Qc2-c1 h3-h2 51.Bg1xh2 Qh4xh2
52.Re1-g1 Bh5-f3 53.Nd3-e5 Bf3-e4
54.Qc1-e1 Rg8-g3 55.Rd2-f2 Rf8xf2+
56.Qe1xf2 Be4-f5 57.Ne5-f7+ Kh8-g7
58.Nf7-d6 -1.57/14 ] 49.Nd3-f2
[ 49.Kc1-b2!? ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
49.Kc1-b2 Bh5-g6 50.Rd2-f2 Qf5-c8
51.Rf2xf8+ Qc8xf8 52.Qc2-f2 Qf8xf2+
53.Nd3xf2 Rg3-f3 54.Re1-e2 Bg6-f5
55.Nf2xh3 Bf5xh3 56.Re2-f2 Rf3xf2+
57.Bg1xf2 Kh8-g7 58.Kb2-c3 Kg7-f6
59.Kc3-d3 Kf6-f5 -1.19/13 ]
49...Qf5-f4-+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
49...Qf5xc2+ 50.Rd2xc2 Rg3-a3
51.Nf2xh3 Rf8-f1 52.Kc1-d2 Ra3xh3
53.Rc2-c1 Rh3-f3 54.a4-a5 Bh5-g6
55.Rc1-d1 Kh8-g7 56.Re1-e3 Rf3-f4
57.Re3-e1 Bg6-e4 58.Rd1-a1 Kg7-g6
59.Kd2-e2 Rf1-f3 60.Ke2-d2 Kg6-g5
-2.75/15 ] 50.Kc1-b2? [ 50.Re1-e6
Rg3-e3 51.Re6-d6-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 50.Re1-e6 Rf8-e8 51.Re6xe8+
Bh5xe8 52.Kc1-b2 Be8-g6 53.Qc2-d1
Qf4-h6 54.Qd1-e2 Bg6-e4 55.Bg1-h2
Qh6-e3 56.Qe2-h5+ Be4-h7
57.Qh5-e5+ Qe3xe5 58.d4xe5 Bh7-f5
59.Nf2xh3 Bf5xh3 60.Rd2-d1 Rg3-e3
61.Bh2-f4 -1.79/13 ] 50...Bh5-g6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 50...Bh5-g6
51.Qc2-d1 Qf4-f3 52.Qd1xf3 Rf8xf3
53.Nf2xh3 Rf3-b3+ 54.Kb2-a1
Rb3-a3+ 55.Rd2-a2 Ra3xa2+
56.Ka1xa2 Rg3xh3 57.Ka2-b2 Kh8-g7
58.Re1-e3 Rh3-h1 59.Re3-e1 Bg6-e4
60.Kb2-c3 Kg7-f6 61.Kc3-d2 Kf6-f5
62.Kd2-e3 Rh1-h3+ 63.Ke3-f2 Rh3-b3
64.b4-b5 a6xb5 65.a4xb5 Rb3xb5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

302

54.Rg2-e2 Rh3-d3 55.Bg1-e3 Rd3xd1


66.Re1-a1 Rb5-b2+ 67.Kf2-g3
56.Be3xf4 Rd1xe1 57.Bf4-e5+ Kh8-g8
Rb2-b3+ 68.Kg3-f2 -2.48/14 ]
58.Re2xe1 Rf8-f2+ 59.Kb2-a3 Rf2-f3+
51.Qc2-d1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
60.Ka3-a2 Rf3-f2+ 61.Ka2-b3 Rf2-f3+
51.Qc2-d1 Qf4-f3 52.Qd1xf3 Rf8xf3
62.Kb3-b2 Rf3-f2+ 63.Kb2-a3 -0.07/15
53.Nf2xh3 Rf3-b3+ 54.Kb2-a1
Rb3-a3+ 55.Rd2-a2 Ra3xa2+
] 53...Bg6-e4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
56.Ka1xa2 Rg3xh3 57.Ka2-b2 Kh8-g7 53...Bg6-e4 54.Rg2-e2 Rh3-d3
58.Kb2-c1 Rh3-b3 59.b4-b5 c6xb5
55.Bg1-e3 Rd3xd1 56.Be3xf4 Rd1xe1
60.a4xb5 Rb3xb5 61.Kc1-d2 Kg7-f6
57.Bf4-e5+ Kh8-h7 58.Re2xe1
62.Kd2-e3 Bg6-e4 63.Re1-a1 Kf6-f5
Rf8-f2+ 59.Kb2-a3 Kh7-g6
64.Ke3-e2 Rb5-b2+ 65.Ke2-e3 Kf5-g4 60.Re1-g1+ Be4-g2 61.a4-a5 Kg6-f5
66.Ra1-e1 a6-a5 -2.89/15 ]
62.Ka3-b3 Kf5-e6 63.Kb3-c3 Bg2-e4
51...Rg3-f3 [ 51...Qf4-h4 52.Qd1-e2
64.Rg1-g7 Rf2-f3+ 65.Kc3-b2 Rf3-f7
Rf8-e8 53.Qe2-d1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
0.06/16 ]
x64: 51...Qf4-f3 52.Qd1xf3 Rf8xf3
-
53.Nf2xh3 Rf3-b3+ 54.Kb2-a1
Rb3-a3+ 55.Rd2-a2 Ra3xa2+
56.Ka1xa2 Rg3xh3 57.Ka2-b2 Kh8-g7 21
B14
58.Kb2-c1 Rh3-b3 59.b4-b5 c6xb5
Vassily Ivanchuk
60.a4xb5 Rb3xb5 61.Kc1-d2 Kg7-f6
Jaan Ehlvest
62.Kd2-e3 a6-a5 63.Re1-a1 Bg6-e4
FIDE World Ch (2.4)
02.12.2000
64.Bg1-h2 Kf6-f5 65.Ra1-g1 a5-a4
-2.78/16 ] 52.Nf2xh3? [ 52.Nf2-d3
B14: Caro-Kann: Panov-Botvinnik
Bg6xd3 53.Rd2xd3 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
Attack with 5...e6 and 5...g6
x64: 52.Nf2-d3 Qf4-g3 53.Nd3-e5
1.c2-c4 c7-c6 2.e2-e4 d7-d5
Rf3-f1 54.Ne5xg6+ Qg3xg6
3.e4xd5 Ng8-f6 4.Nb1-c3 Diagram
55.Rd2-c2 Qg6-g5 56.Rc2-e2 Qg5-h4
57.Qd1-d2 Rf1xe1 58.Re2xe1 h3-h2
(Diagram 1142)
59.Bg1xh2 Qh4xh2 60.Re1-g1 Rf8-g8
61.Qd2-f2 Rg8-g3 62.Qf2-f8+ Kh8-h7
c6xd5 5.d2-d4 e7-e6 6.Ng1-f3
63.Qf8-f7+ Rg3-g7 64.Qf7-f5+ Kh7-h6 Bf8-b4 7.c4xd5 Nf6xd5 8.Qd1-c2
65.Qf5-f2 Qh2-g3 66.Qf2-e2 Rg7-g4
Qd8-c7 9.Bc1-d2 Nb8-d7 [RR
67.Qe2-e6+ Kh6-g5 68.Qe6-e7+
9...Bb4-e7 10.Ra1-c1 Bc8-d7
Kg5-f5 -1.16/15 ] 52...Rf3xh3??
11.Nc3xd5 Qc7xc2 12.Nd5-c7+
stumbles just before the finish line
Qc2xc7 13.Rc1xc7 b7-b6 14.Nf3-e5
[ 52...Qf4-g3-+ and Black has
Be7-d6 15.Rc7-c1 a7-a6 16.Bf1-e2
triumphed ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
Ra8-a7 17.0-0 0-0 18.Ne5xd7
52...Qf4-g3 53.Nh3-f2 Rf3-a3
Ra7xd7 19.Bd2-e3 b6-b5 20.Be2-f3
54.Nf2-d3 Ra3xd3 55.Rd2xd3 Qg3xd3 h7-h6 21.Rf1-d1 Bd6-e7 22.g2-g3
56.Qd1xd3 Bg6xd3 57.Kb2-c3 Bd3-e4 Be7-g5 23.Be3xg5 h6xg5 24.d4-d5
58.Kc3-d2 Kh8-g7 59.Kd2-e2 Kg7-g6
Christiansen,L (2665)-Stripunsky,A
60.Bg1-h2 Rf8-f3 61.Re1-g1 Rf3-b3
(2586)/Framingham 2001/EXT 2005/
62.b4-b5 a6xb5 63.a4xb5 Rb3xb5
- (48) ] 10.Bf1-d3 Bb4xc3
11.b2xc3 Nd5-f6 12.a2-a4N [RR
-1.87/13 ] 53.Rd2xg2= [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 53.Rd2xg2 Bg6-e4
12.0-0 b7-b6 13.Rf1-e1 (RR

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rnlqkl r
pp+ pppp
+p+ n +
+ +P+ +
+P+ + +
+ N + +
PP P PPP
R LQKLNR

303

1142

13.Ra1-e1 Bc8-b7 14.Nf3-e5 Nd7xe5


15.Re1xe5 Ra8-c8 16.Rf1-e1 Nf6-g4
17.Re5-h5 h7-h6 18.Rh5-h3 h6-h5
19.c3-c4 b6-b5 20.c4-c5 a7-a6
21.a2-a4 Bb7-c6 22.a4xb5 a6xb5
23.Qc2-b2 Ke8-f8 24.Rh3-g3 Ng4-f6
25.d4-d5 Bc6xd5 26.Bd2-c3 Rh8-h6
27.Qb2-d2 Kf8-e7 Friedel,J (2466)Cyborowski,L (2580)/Cappelle la
Grande 2007/CBM 117 ext/1-0 (35) )
13...Bc8-b7 14.Nf3-e5 Ra8-c8
15.Ra1-c1 Nd7xe5 16.Re1xe5 h7-h6
17.Qc2-d1 Qc7-e7 18.Re5-e3 Nf6-d5
19.Re3-g3 g7-g5 20.c3-c4 Nd5-f4
21.Bd3-f1 Rc8-d8 22.Qd1-a4+ Qe7-d7
23.Qa4xa7 Rd8-a8 24.Qa7xb6
Ra8xa2 25.Bd2xf4 g5xf4 26.Rg3-b3
Bb7-c8 Malaniuk,V (2522)-Olszewski,M
(2409)/Grodzisk Mazowiecki 2007/CBM
119 ext/1-0 ] 12...b7-b6 13.0-0 Bc8-b7
14.Nf3-h4 0-0 15.f2-f4 Bb7-d5
16.Nh4-f3 Bd5-c4 Diagram

r+ + rk+
p qn+ppp
p +pn +
+ + + +
P+lP P +
+ PL+N+
+QL +PP
R + +RK
Nd7xe5 23.f4xe5 Nf6-d5 24.c3-c4
Qc7xc4 25.Qf3xf7+ Kg8-h8
26.Bd2xa5 Qc4xd4+ 27.Kg1-h1
Rd8-e8 28.Rb1-b7 Qd4xe5
29.Rb7xa7 0.03/14 ] 18...Ra8-c8
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18...Rf8-d8 19.a4-a5 b6xa5
20.Ra1-a2 Nf6-d5 21.Rf1-a1 f7-f6
22.Ne5xd7 Rd8xd7 23.f4-f5 e6xf5
24.Qd3xf5 Diagram

r+ + +k+
p qr+ pp
+ + p +
p +n+Q+
+ P + +
+ P + +
R+ L +PP
R + + K

(Diagram 1143)
17.Nf3-e5 Bc4xd3 last book move
last book move 18.Qc2xd3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18.Qc2xd3
Rf8-d8 19.Ra1-e1 Ra8-c8 20.Qd3-f3
h7-h6 21.a4-a5 b6xa5 22.Re1-b1

1143

Ra8-d8 25.Ra2xa5 Nd5xc3


26.Qf5-e6+ Kg8-h8 27.Ra5xa7
0.03/13 ]
19.Rf1-f3 [ 19.a4-a5 b6-b5
20.Qd3xb5 Nd7xe5 21.Qb5xe5

1144

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ rk+
p qn+ppp
p +pn +
+ + N +
P+ P P +
+ PQ+ +
+ L +PP
R + +RK

304

1145

Qc7xe5 22.d4xe5 Nf6-e4$ ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19.a4-a5
Diagram

+r+ rk+
p qn+ppp
p +pn +
P + N +
+ P P +
+ PQ+ +
+ L +PP
R + +RK

1146

Nd7xe5 20.f4xe5 Nf6-d5 21.a5xb6


a7xb6 22.Ra1-a3 Qc7-c4 23.Qd3-g3
Kg8-h8 24.Ra3-a7 Rc8-c7 25.Ra7xc7
Qc4xc7 26.Qg3-d3 Rf8-c8 27.Qd3-f3
Kh8-g8 28.c3-c4 Qc7xc4 29.Qf3xf7+
Kg8-h8 0.16/14 ] 19...Nf6-d5=
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...Rf8-d8
20.Ra1-e1 Nd7-c5 21.Qd3-b1 g7-g6
22.Qb1-c2 Nc5-b7 23.f4-f5 e6xf5
24.Bd2-g5 Qc7-e7 25.Qc2-b3 Nb7-d6
26.Bg5xf6 Qe7xf6 27.Rf3-h3 Nd6-e4
0.01/14 ] 20.Qd3-b5 White threatens

to win material: Qb5xd7 [ 20.Rf3-h3


h7-h6= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20.Rf3-h3 h7-h6 21.a4-a5 b6xa5
22.Rh3-g3 Nd7xe5 23.f4xe5 Kg8-h8
24.Rg3-f3 f7-f6 25.Rf3-h3 Rf8-f7
26.Qd3-a6 f6xe5 27.Qa6xe6 Nd5-f4
28.Bd2xf4 Rf7xf4 29.Qe6xe5 Qc7xe5
30.d4xe5 0.07/14 ] 20...Rf8-d8
Diagram [ 20...Nd7xe5 21.f4xe5
Qc7-c4 22.Rf3-g3= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 20...Nd7xe5 Diagram

+r+ rk+
p q +ppp
p +p+ +
+Q+nn +
P+ P P +
+ P +R+
+ L +PP
R + + K

1147

21.f4xe5 Qc7-c4 22.Rf3-g3 Kg8-h8


23.Rg3-h3 h7-h6 24.Ra1-f1 Rc8-c7
25.Qb5xc4 Rc7xc4 26.Rh3-f3 Rc4xa4
27.Rf3xf7 Rf8xf7 28.Rf1xf7 Ra4-a1+
29.Rf7-f1 Ra1-a2 30.c3-c4 Ra2xd2
31.c4xd5 -0.12/16 ]
(Diagram 1148)
21.Ra1-f1 [ 21.Ra1-c1 h7-h6=
Diagram
(Diagram 1149)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.a4-a5 b6xa5
22.Qb5-d3 g7-g6 23.Qd3-a6 Qc7-b6
24.Qa6xa5 f7-f6 25.Ne5-d3 Qb6xa5
26.Ra1xa5 Nd5xc3 27.Rf3-e3 Nd7-b8
28.Nd3-c5 -0.03/13 ] 21...f7-f5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+rr +k+
p qn+ppp
p +p+ +
+Q+nN +
P+ P P +
+ P +R+
+ L +PP
R + + K

+rr +k+
p qn+pp
p +p+ p
+Q+nN +
P+ P P +
+ P +R+
+ L +PP
+ R + K

305

1148

1149

Black has a new backward pawn: e6


[ 21...f7-f6 22.Ne5xd7 Qc7xd7
23.Rf1-e1! Diagram
(Diagram 1150)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...Nd7-f8
22.Rf1-e1 f7-f6 23.Ne5-g4 Qc7-c4
24.Rf3-g3 Kg8-h8 25.Ng4-f2 Qc4-a2
26.Qb5-d3 f6-f5 27.a4-a5 Nf8-g6
28.a5xb6 Diagram
Ng6xf4 29.Bd2xf4 Nd5xf4 -0.22/14 ]
22.Bd2-e1 [ 22.a4-a5!?= Diagram
is worth consideration ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22.a4-a5 Nd7xe5 23.f4xe5

+rr +k+
p +q+ pp
p +pp +
+Q+n+ +
P+ P P +
+ P +R+
+ L +PP
+ + R K

+rr + k
p + + pp
P +p+n+
+ +n+p+
+ P P +
+ PQ+ R
q+ L NPP
+ + R K

+rr +k+
p qn+ pp
p +p+ +
PQ+nNp+
+ P P +
+ P +R+
+ L +PP
+ + +RK

1150

1151

1152

Qc7-c4 24.Qb5xc4 Rc8xc4 25.a5xb6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

306

a7xb6 26.Rf1-a1 Rd8-c8 27.Ra1-a6


Kg8-f7 28.Rf3-h3 h7-h6 29.Kg1-f2
b6-b5 30.Ra6-a5 Nd5xc3 31.Bd2xc3
Rc4xc3 32.Rh3xc3 Rc8xc3
33.Ra5xb5 -0.21/15 ] 22...Nd7xe5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Nd7xe5
Diagram

+rr +k+
p q + pp
p +p+ +
+Q+nnp+
P+ P P +
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
+ + LRK

1153

23.f4xe5 Qc7-c4 24.Be1-d2 a7-a6


25.Qb5xc4 Rc8xc4 26.Rf1-a1 Rd8-c8
27.Ra1-a3 Rc8-c7 28.h2-h3 h7-h5
29.Kg1-f2 h5-h4 30.g2-g4 h4xg3+
31.Rf3xg3 Kg8-f7 32.h3-h4 Rc7-c8
33.h4-h5 f5-f4 34.Rg3-f3 -0.56/18 ]
23.f4xe5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23.f4xe5 Qc7-c4 24.Be1-d2
a7-a6 25.Qb5xc4 Rc8xc4 26.Rf1-a1
Rd8-c8 27.Ra1-a3 Rc8-c7 28.h2-h3
h7-h5 29.Kg1-f2 h5-h4 30.g2-g4
h4xg3+ 31.Rf3xg3 Kg8-f7 32.h3-h4
Rc7-c8 33.Kf2-e2 -0.60/17 ]
(Diagram 1154)
23...Qc7-c4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 23...Qc7-c4 24.Be1-d2 a7-a6
25.Qb5xc4 Rc8xc4 Diagram
26.Rf1-a1 Rd8-c8 27.Ra1-a3 Rc8-c7
28.h2-h3 h7-h5 29.Kg1-f2 h5-h4
30.g2-g4 h4xg3+ 31.Rf3xg3 Kg8-f7
32.h3-h4 Rc7-c8 33.h4-h5 f5-f4

+rr +k+
p q + pp
p +p+ +
+Q+nPp+
P+ P + +
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
+ + LRK

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
pp +p+ +
+ +nPp+
P+rP + +
+ P +R+
+ L +PP
+ + +RK

1154

1155

34.Rg3-f3 -0.55/17 ]
(Diagram 1156)
24.Be1-h4 Diagram [ 24.Be1-d2
a7-a6 25.Qb5xc4 Rc8xc4 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Be1-d2
Diagram
(Diagram 1157)
a7-a6 25.Qb5xc4 Rc8xc4 26.Rf1-a1
Rd8-c8 27.Ra1-a3 g7-g6 28.g2-g3
g6-g5 29.Kg1-g2 h7-h6 Diagram
30.h2-h4 g5-g4 31.Rf3-d3 Kg8-h7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+rr +k+
p + + pp
p +p+ +
+Q+nPp+
P+qP + +
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
+ + LRK

+rr +k+
p + + pp
p +p+ +
+Q+nPp+
P+qP + +
+ P +R+
+ L +PP
+ + +RK

+r+ +k+
+ + + +
pp +p+ p
+ +nPpp
P+rP + +
R P +RP
+ L +KP
+ + + +
32.h4-h5 Kh7-g7 -0.57/15 ]

307

1156

+rr +k+
p + + pp
p +p+ +
+Q+nPp+
P+qP + L
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
+ + +RK

1159

24...Qc4xb5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


24...Qc4xb5 25.a4xb5 Rd8-d7
Diagram
1157

+r+ +k+
p +r+ pp
p +p+ +
+P+nPp+
+ P + L
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
+ + +RK
1158

1160

26.Rf1-c1 Nd5-c7 27.Rc1-b1 Rd7-d5


28.Bh4-e1 Nc7xb5 29.Rf3-f2 Diagram
(Diagram 1161)
h7-h6 30.Rb1-b3 Nb5-c7 31.Rb3-a3
a7-a5 32.Rf2-b2 Rc8-b8 33.Ra3-b3
b6-b5 34.c3-c4 Rd5xd4 35.Be1xa5
Rd4xc4 36.Ba5xc7 Rc4xc7
37.Rb3xb5 Rb8xb5 38.Rb2xb5 Kg8-f7
39.Rb5-b6 -0.75/17 ] 25.a4xb5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +k+
p + + pp
p +p+ +
+n+rPp+
+ P + +
+ P + +
+ + RPP
+R+ L K

308

1161

25.a4xb5 Rd8-d7 26.Bh4-e1 Nd5-c7


27.c3-c4 Rd7xd4 28.Rf3-f4 Rc8-d8
29.h2-h4 g7-g6 30.Be1-b4 Kg8-f7
31.Bb4-d6 Diagram

+ r + +
p n +k+p
p Lp+p+
+P+ Pp+
+Pr R P
+ + + +
+ + +P+
+ + +RK

1162

Rd4xf4 32.Rf1xf4 Rd8-d7 33.Kg1-f2


Nc7-e8 34.Bd6-b4 Rd7-d3 35.g2-g4
Rd3-b3 36.Bb4-d6 Rb3-c3 37.g4xf5
e6xf5 -0.93/16 Diagram
(Diagram 1163)
]
25...Rd8-d7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 25...Rd8-d7 Diagram
26.Bh4-e1 Nd5-c7 27.c3-c4 Rd7xd4

+ +n+ +
p + +k+p
p L +p+
+P+ Pp+
+P+ R P
+ r + +
+ + K +
+ + + +

+rr +k+
p + + pp
p +p+ +
+P+nPp+
+ P + L
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
+ + +RK

+r+ +k+
p +r+ pp
p +p+ +
+P+nPp+
+ P + L
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
+ + +RK
28.Rf3-f4 Rc8-d8 29.h2-h4 g7-g6

1163

1164

1165

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

309

30.Be1-b4 Nc7-e8 31.g2-g4 Kg8-f7


32.g4xf5 g6xf5 33.Kg1-g2 Rd4xf4
34.Rf1xf4 Rd8-d3 35.h4-h5 Rd3-e3
36.Bb4-d6 h7-h6 37.Rf4-f1 Re3-e4
-0.71/19 ]

+r+ +k+
p +r+ pp
p +p+ +
+P+nPp+
+ P + L
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
+ + +RK

1166

1168

Rd7-d5 28.Bh4-e1 Nc7xb5 29.Rf3-f2


h7-h6 30.Rb1-b3 Kg8-h7 31.Rf2-b2
Nb5-c7 32.Rb3-a3 Rd5-b5 33.Rb2-e2
a7-a5 34.c3-c4 Rb5-b1 Diagram

26.Rf1-c1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 26.Bh4-e1 Nd5-c7 27.c3-c4
Rd7xd4 28.Rf3-f4 Diagram

+r+ +k+
p n + pp
p +p+ +
+P+ Pp+
+Pr R +
+ + + +
+ + +PP
+ + LRK

+r+ +k+
p +r+ pp
p +p+ +
+P+nPp+
+ P + L
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
+ R + K

1167

Rc8-d8 29.h2-h4 g7-g6 30.Be1-b4


Nc7-e8 31.g2-g4 Kg8-f7 32.g4xf5
g6xf5 33.Kg1-g2 Rd4xf4 34.Rf1xf4
Rd8-d3 35.h4-h5 Rd3-e3 36.Bb4-d6
-0.66/17 ]
26...Rc8-c4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 26...Nd5-c7 27.Rc1-b1

+r+ + +
+ n + pk
p +p+ p
p + Pp+
+PP + +
R + + +
+ +R+PP
+r+ L K

1169

35.Kg1-f2 Rb1-c1 36.Re2-b2 Rc1xc4


37.Rb2xb6 Rc4-c2+ 38.Kf2-f3
-0.71/16 ]
(Diagram 1170)
27.Bh4-e1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27.Bh4-e1 Diagram
Nd5-c7 28.Rc1-b1 Rd7-d5 29.Rb1-a1
Nc7xb5 30.Ra1-a6 Rd5-d7 31.h2-h4
g7-g6 32.Be1-d2 Kg8-g7 33.Kg1-f2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
p +r+ pp
p +p+ +
+P+nPp+
+rP + L
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
+ R + K

+ + +k+
p +r+ pp
p +p+ +
+P+nPp+
+rP + +
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
+ R L K

310

1170

1171

Rc4-c8 34.Rf3-g3 f5-f4 35.Rg3-f3


Rd7-f7 36.g2-g4 -0.54/17 ]
(Diagram 1172)
27...Nd5-c7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 27...Rc4-a4 28.Rf3-f2
Rd7-c7 29.Rf2-c2 Nd5-e3 30.Rc2-e2
Ne3-c4 31.Rc1-d1 Rc7-d7 32.Rd1-b1
Ra4-a5 33.Rb1-b4 Diagram
Rd7-c7 34.g2-g3 Kg8-f7 35.Kg1-g2
Ra5-a1 36.Be1-f2 -0.45/16 ]
28.h2-h3? [ 28.Rc1-b1 Rd7-d5
29.Rb1-a1 Nc7xb5 30.Kg1-f1
Diagram

+ + +k+
p +r+ pp
p +p+ +
+P+nPp+
+rP + +
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
+ R L K

+ + +k+
p +r+ pp
p +p+ +
rP+ Pp+
RnP + +
+ P + +
+ +R+PP
+ + L K

+ + +k+
p nr+ pp
p +p+ +
+P+ Pp+
+rP + +
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
+ R L K

1172

1173

1174

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
p + + pp
p +p+ +
+n+rPp+
+rP + +
+ P +R+
+ + +PP
R + LK+

311

1175

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Rc1-b1


Rd7-d5 29.Rb1-a1 Nc7xb5 30.Ra1-a6
Rd5-d7 31.h2-h4 g7-g6 32.Be1-d2
Kg8-g7 33.Kg1-f2 Rc4-c8 34.Rf3-g3
f5-f4 35.Rg3-f3 Rd7-f7 36.g2-g4
-0.54/15 ] 28...Rd7xd4!-+ Diagram
[ 28...Nc7xb5?! Diagram

+ + +k+
p +r+ pp
p +p+ +
+n+ Pp+
+rP + +
+ P +R+P
+ + +P+
+ R L K

1176

29.Be1-d2 Diagram
(Diagram 1177)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Rd7xd4
Diagram
29.Rc1-a1 Diagram
Rc4-a4 30.Rf3-d3 Rd4xd3 31.Ra1xa4

+ + +k+
p +r+ pp
p +p+ +
+n+ Pp+
+rP + +
+ P +R+P
+ L +P+
+ R + K

+ + +k+
p n + pp
p +p+ +
+P+ Pp+
+rr + +
+ P +R+P
+ + +P+
+ R L K

+ + +k+
p n + pp
p +p+ +
+P+ Pp+
+rr + +
+ P +R+P
+ + +P+
R + L K

1177

1178

1179

Nc7xb5 32.Ra4-a6 Rd3-e3 33.c3-c4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

312

Re3xe1+ Diagram

+ + +k+
p + + pp
Rp +p+ +
+n+ Pp+
+P+ + +
+ + + +P
+ + +P+
+ + r K

1180

34.Kg1-f2 Diagram

+ + +k+
p + + pp
Rp +p+ +
+n+ Pp+
+P+ + +
+ + + +P
+ + KP+
+ + r +

1181

Re1xe5 35.c4xb5 Re5xb5 36.Ra6xa7


Rb5-b2+ 37.Kf2-f3 e6-e5 38.g2-g4
Rb2-b3+ 39.Kf3-f2 f5-f4 40.Ra7-e7
Diagram
(Diagram 1182)
Rb3xh3 Diagram
41.Re7xe5 Rh3-g3 42.Re5-e6 b6-b5
-1.78/16 ]
Deflection: c3
0-1

+ + +k+
+ + R pp
p + + +
+ + p +
+ + pP+
+r+ + +P
+ + K +
+ + + +

+ + +k+
+ + R pp
p + + +
+ + p +
+ + pP+
+ + + +r
+ + K +
+ + + +

+ + +k+
p n + pp
p +p+ +
+P+ Pp+
+rr + +
+ P +R+P
+ + +P+
+ R L K

1182

1183

1184

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


22

313
E97

Aleksander Delchev
Vassily Ivanchuk
EuTCh Leon ESP (8)

14.11.2001

E97: King's Indian: Classical Main Line


(6...e5 7 0-0 Nc6): 8 Be3 and 8 d5 Ne7,
not 9 Ne1
1.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 g7-g6
3.Nb1-c3 Bf8-g7 4.e2-e4 Diagram

rnlqk+ r
pppppplp
+ + np+
+ + + +
+P+P+ +
+ N +N+
PP P PPP
R LQKL+R

r+lq r k
pp+ + lp
+ p Np+
+P+Ppn+
+ + + +
+ N LL+
P+ + PPP
R +QR K

1186

1185

0-0 5.d2-d4 d7-d6 6.Bf1-e2 e7-e5


7.0-0 Nb8-c6 8.d4-d5 Nc6-e7
9.b2-b4 Nf6-h5 10.Rf1-e1 f7-f5
11.Nf3-g5 Nh5-f6 12.Be2-f3 c7-c6
13.Bc1-e3 Kg8-h8 14.b4-b5 c6xd5
15.c4xd5 f5xe4 16.Ng5xe4 Ne7-f5
17.Ne4xf6 Diagram [RR 17.a2-a4
Nf6xe4 18.Nc3xe4 Nf5xe3 19.Re1xe3
Bc8-f5 20.Re3-c3 a7-a6 21.Ra1-b1
Qd8-a5 22.Rc3-c4 Bg7-h6 23.h2-h3
Bf5xe4 24.Bf3xe4 Qa5-b6 25.Be4-f3
a6-a5 26.Qd1-c2 Ra8-e8 27.Rb1-e1
Re8-e7 28.Re1-e4 Re7-f7 29.Rc4-c8
Kh8-g7 30.Rc8xf8 Rf7xf8 31.Re4-c4
Rf8-f7 Bareev,E (2698)-Cvitan,O
(2511)/Bihac 1999/EXT 2000/1-0 (60) ]
17...Bg7xf6 18.Nc3-e4 Nf5xe3N
[ RR 18...Bf6-h4 19.a2-a4 Nf5xe3
20.Re1xe3 Bc8-f5 21.Qd1-b3 Ra8-c8
22.Qb3-b4 Rc8-c2 23.Ra1-f1 Bh4-e7

24.Re3-c3 Rc2xc3 25.Qb4xc3 Qd8-b6


26.Qc3-d3 Rf8-c8 27.h2-h3 Qb6-c7
28.Qd3-e3 b7-b6 29.Rf1-a1 Qc7-c2
30.g2-g4 Qc2-b2 31.Ra1-a3 Bf5xe4
32.Bf3xe4 Be7-h4 33.Ra3-b3
Kantsler,B (2507)-Avrukh,B (2600)/Tel
Aviv 2001/CBM 081 ext/0-1 (56) ]
19.Re1xe3 Bc8-f5 20.Ra1-c1 Bf6-g5
last book move 21.Ne4xg5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.Ne4xg5
Qd8xg5 22.Rc1-c7 Ra8-b8 23.Bf3-e2
Rf8-c8 24.Qd1-c1 Qg5-d8 25.Re3-c3
Kh8-g8 26.h2-h3 Rc8xc7 27.Rc3xc7
Rb8-c8 28.Rc7xc8 Qd8xc8 29.Qc1-g5
Qc8-c2 30.Be2-f1 Qc2-c7 31.Qg5-e3
Qc7-b6 32.Qe3xb6 a7xb6 33.g2-g4
-0.04/17 Diagram
(Diagram 1187)
] 21...Qd8xg5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...Qd8xg5 Diagram
(Diagram 1188)
22.Rc1-c7 Ra8-b8 23.Bf3-e2 Rf8-c8
24.Qd1-c1 Qg5-d8 25.Re3-c3 Kh8-g8
26.h2-h4 Rc8xc7 27.Rc3xc7 Rb8-c8
28.Rc7xc8 Qd8xc8 29.Qc1-a3 Qc8-c2
30.Be2-f1 Qc2-c5 31.Qa3xc5 d6xc5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+p+ + +p
p p +p+
+P+Ppl+
+ + +P+
+ + + +P
P+ + P +
+ + +LK

r+ + r k
pp+ + +p
+ p +p+
+P+Pplq
+ + + +
+ + RL+
P+ + PPP
+ RQ+ K

314

r+ + r k
ppR + +p
+ p +p+
+P+Pplq
+ + + +
+ + RL+
P+ + PPP
+ +Q+ K

1187

1189

Bc8-d7 28.Qc2-c3 Qd8-c8 29.Qc3xc8


Bd7xc8 30.Kg1-f1 a7-a6 31.b5xa6
b7xa6 32.a4-a5 Kg7-f6 33.Kf1-e2
Bc8-g4+ 34.Ke2-e3 Bg4-d7 35.Be4-d3
Bd7-c8 0.08/16 ] 23.Rc3xc8
last book move [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.a2-a4 Kh8-g7 24.Rc3-c7+ Rc8xc7
25.Rc1xc7+ Rf8-f7 26.Rc7xf7+ Kg7xf7
27.g2-g3 Kf7-g7 28.Kg1-g2 Qg5-d8
29.g3-g4 Bf5-d7 30.Qd1-c1 a7-a6
31.Qc1-a3 a6xb5 32.Qa3xd6 b5xa4
33.Qd6xe5+ Qd8-f6 34.Qe5-c7
-0.08/16 ] 23...Rf8xc8 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Rf8xc8
24.Rc1xc8+ Bf5xc8 25.Bf3-e4 Kh8-g7
26.a2-a4 Bc8-d7 27.Qd1-c2 Qg5-d8
28.Qc2-c3 Qd8-c8 29.Qc3xc8 Bd7xc8
Diagram

1188

32.Kg1-h2 0.16/14 ] 22.Re3-c3


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.Rc1-c7
Diagram
(Diagram 1189)

(Diagram 1190)

Ra8-b8 23.Bf3-e2 Rf8-c8 24.Qd1-c1


Qg5-d8 25.Re3-c3 Kh8-g8 26.h2-h4
Rc8xc7 27.Rc3xc7 Rb8-c8 28.Rc7xc8
Qd8xc8 29.Qc1-a3 Qc8-c2 30.Be2-f1
Qc2-c5 31.Qa3xc5 d6xc5 32.Kg1-h2
0.00/15 ] 22...Ra8-c8 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Rf8-c8 23.Rc3xc8+
Ra8xc8 24.Rc1xc8+ Bf5xc8 25.Bf3-e4
Kh8-g7 26.Qd1-c2 Qg5-d8 27.a2-a4

30.Kg1-f1 Kg7-f6 31.Kf1-e2 a7-a6


32.b5xa6 b7xa6 33.a4-a5 Bc8-g4+
34.Ke2-d3 Bg4-d7 35.Kd3-e3 Bd7-b5
36.Be4-d3 Bb5xd3 37.Ke3xd3 0.07/18
]
24.Rc1xc8+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.Rc1xc8+ Diagram
Bf5xc8 25.Bf3-e4 Kh8-g7 26.Qd1-c2
Qg5-d8 27.a2-a4 Bc8-d7 28.Qc2-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+l+ + +
pp+ + kp
+ p +p+
+P+Pp +
P+ +L+ +
+ + + +
+ + PPP
+ + + K

+r+ + k
pp+ + +p
+ p +p+
+P+Pplq
+ + + +
+ + +L+
P+ + PPP
+ RQ+ K

315

1190

1191

Kg7-f6 31.Kf1-e2 Bc8-f5 32.f2-f3


a7-a6 33.b5xa6 b7xa6 34.Be4xf5
Kf6xf5 35.Ke2-e3 a6-a5 36.h2-h4
h7-h6 -0.04/19 ] 24...Bf5xc8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Bf5xc8
Diagram

+l+ + k
pp+ + +p
+ p +p+
+P+Pp q
+ + + +
+ + +L+
P+ + PPP
+ +Q+ K

1193

25.Bf3-e4 Kh8-g7 26.Qd1-c2 Qg5-d8


27.a2-a4 Bc8-d7 28.Qc2-c3 Qd8-c8
29.Qc3xc8 Bd7xc8 30.Kg1-f1 Kg7-f6
31.Kf1-e2 Bc8-f5 32.Ke2-e3 Bf5-d7
33.h2-h3 a7-a6 34.b5xa6 b7xa6
35.Be4-c2 Bd7-f5 36.Bc2xf5 Kf6xf5
37.g2-g4+ Diagram
(Diagram 1194)

+R+ + k
pp+ + +p
+ p +p+
+P+Pplq
+ + + +
+ + +L+
P+ + PPP
+ +Q+ K

1192

Qd8-c8 29.Qc3xc8 Bd7xc8 30.Kg1-f1

Kf5-f6 38.Ke3-e4 0.06/16 ] 25.Qd1-c2


White threatens to win material:
Qc2xc8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25.Bf3-e4 Kh8-g7 Diagram
(Diagram 1195)
26.Qd1-c2 Qg5-d8 27.a2-a4 Bc8-d7
28.Qc2-c3 Qd8-c8 29.Qc3xc8 Bd7xc8
30.Kg1-f1 Kg7-f6 31.Kf1-e2 Bc8-f5
32.Ke2-e3 Bf5-d7 33.h2-h3 a7-a6
34.b5xa6 b7xa6 35.Be4-c2 Bd7-f5
36.Bc2xf5 Kf6xf5 37.g2-g4+ Kf5-f6
38.Ke3-e4 -0.03/17 ] 25...Qg5-d8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+ p +p+
+ +Ppk+
P+ + +P+
+ + K +P
+ + P +
+ + + +

+l+ + +
pp+ + kp
+ p +p+
+P+Pp q
+ +L+ +
+ + + +
P+ + PPP
+ +Q+ K

316

1194

+lq + k
pp+ + +p
+ p +p+
+P+Pp +
+ + + +
+ + +L+
P+Q+ PPP
+ + + K

1196

d6xe5 33.Qc3-c6 Qe7-c5+ 34.Kg1-h2


Qc5-e7 35.g4-g5 Qe7xg5 36.Qc6-b7+
Kg7-f6 37.Qb7xa7 0.01/16 ]
1195

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...Qg5-d8


Diagram
(Diagram 1196)
26.h2-h3 Bc8-d7 27.a2-a4 Kh8-g7
28.Qc2-c3 b7-b6 29.Bf3-g4 Bd7xg4
30.h3xg4 Qd8-e7 31.g4-g5 h7-h5
32.g5xh6+ Kg7xh6 33.Qc3-d3 Qe7-c7
34.Kg1-h2 Kh6-g7 35.Qd3-e4
Qc7-c1 0.03/18 ] 26.h2-h4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.h2-h3
Bc8-d7 27.a2-a4 Kh8-g7 28.Qc2-c3
b7-b6 29.Bf3-g4 Bd7xg4 30.h3xg4
h7-h6 31.f2-f4 Qd8-e7 32.f4xe5

+lq + k
pp+ + +p
+ p +p+
+P+Pp +
+ + + P
+ + +L+
P+Q+ PP+
+ + + K

1197

26...Bc8-f5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 26...Bc8-d7 27.a2-a4 Kh8-g7
28.h4-h5 Bd7-f5 Diagram
(Diagram 1198)
29.Bf3-e4 Bf5xe4 30.Qc2xe4 g6xh5
31.Qe4-f5 h7-h6 32.Qf5xh5 Qd8-c8
33.Qh5-h4 Qc8-c1+ 34.Kg1-h2
Qc1-g5 35.Qh4-g3 a7-a6 36.b5xa6
b7xa6 -0.01/16 ]
27.Bf3-e4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ q + +
pp+ + kp
+ p +p+
+P+Ppl+P
P+ + + +
+ + +L+
+Q+ PP+
+ + + K

+ q + k
pp+ + +p
+ p +p+
+P+Ppl+
+ + + P
+ + +L+
P+Q+ PP+
+ + + K

317

1198

1199

27.Bf3-e4 Qd8-d7 28.Be4xf5 g6xf5


29.a2-a4 Kh8-g7 30.a4-a5 Kg7-f6
31.a5-a6 b7-b6 32.Qc2-c6 Kf6-e7
33.f2-f3 f5-f4 34.Kg1-f2 h7-h6
35.Qc6-b7 h6-h5 0.00/16 ] 27...Bf5xe4
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27...Qd8-d7
Diagram
(Diagram 1200)
28.Be4xf5 Diagram
g6xf5 29.a2-a4 Kh8-g7 30.a4-a5
Kg7-f6 31.a5-a6 b7-b6 32.Qc2-c6
Kf6-e7 33.f2-f3 Diagram
f5-f4 34.Kg1-f2 Diagram

+ + + k
pp+q+ +p
+ p +p+
+P+Ppl+
+ +L+ P
+ + + +
P+Q+ PP+
+ + + K

+ + + k
pp+q+ +p
+ p +p+
+P+PpL+
+ + + P
+ + + +
P+Q+ PP+
+ + + K

+ + + +
p +qk +p
PpQp + +
+P+Ppp+
+ + + P
+ + +P+
+ + +P+
+ + + K

1200

1201

1202

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
p +qk +p
PpQp + +
+P+Pp +
+ + p P
+ + +P+
+ + KP+
+ + + +

318

1203

rnlqkl r
ppp +ppp
+ +pn +
+ + + L
+ Pp+ +
+ N + +
PPP+ PPP
R +QKLNR

1204

h7-h6 35.Qc6-b7 h6-h5 0.09/16 ]


-

20.Qd2-e3 Bf6-d4 21.Qe3-f3 Nf8-g6


22.d5xe6 f7xe6 23.Nc3-a4 Qb6-a5
24.Qf3-b3 Kg8-h8 25.Na4-c3 Ng6-e5
26.Bc4xe6 Rd8-d6 27.Nc3-a4 b7-b5
23
C11 Kosintseva,N (2340)-Chebotarev,O
Ruslan Ponomariov
(2425)/Vladimir 2002/CBM 087 ext/0-1
Vassily Ivanchuk
(55) ] 13...Nd7-f6 14.Nf3-e5 Rf8-d8
FIDE WCh KO Final (1)
16.01.2002 15.Bf1-c4 Bc8-d7 16.Bc4-b3 Bd7-e8
Diagram
C13: French: Classical System: 4 Bg5
Be7, Alekhine-Chatard Attack
1.e2-e4 e7-e6 2.d2-d4 d7-d5
3.Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6 4.Bc1-g5 d5xe4
1205
Diagram
(Diagram 1204)
5.Nc3xe4 Bf8-e7 6.Bg5xf6 Be7xf6
7.Ng1-f3 0-0 8.Qd1-d2 Bf6-e7
9.0-0-0 Qd8-d5 10.Ne4-c3 Qd5-a5
11.a2-a3 [RR 11.Bf1-d3 Nb8-d7
12.Qd2-f4 Nd7-f6 13.Kc1-b1 c7-c5
14.d4xc5 Qa5xc5 15.Rh1-f1 Qc5-b4
- Nestorovic,N (2424)-Lajthajm,B
(2511)/Zlatibor 2007/CBM 120 ext ]
11...Nb8-d7 12.Kc1-b1 Qa5-b6
13.Qd2-e3N [RR 13.Kb1-a1 Nd7-f6
14.Bf1-d3 Bc8-d7 15.Nf3-e5 Rf8-d8
16.g2-g4 c7-c5 17.Ne5xd7 Nf6xd7
18.d4-d5 Nd7-f8 19.Bd3-c4 Be7-f6

r+ rl+k+
ppp lppp
q +pn +
+ + N +
+ P + +
PLN Q +
PP+ PPP
+K+R+ +R

17.Rh1-e1 Be7-f8 18.g2-g4


last book move. Black has a cramped
position last book move Nf6-d5
[ 18...a7-a5 19.g4-g5 Nf6-d5
20.Qe3-d3 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18...Nf6-d7 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ rllk+
pppn+ppp
q +p+ +
+ + N +
+ P +P+
PLN Q +
PP+ P P
+K+RR +

319

1206

19.Ne5-c4 Qb6-a6 20.Nc4-d2 b7-b5


21.d4-d5 e6-e5 22.Nd2-f3 Bf8-c5
23.Qe3-e2 Qa6-b6 24.Rd1-d2 a7-a6
25.Nf3xe5 Nd7xe5 26.Qe2xe5
Bc5xf2 0.34/15 ] 19.Qe3-f3 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19.Nc3xd5
e6xd5 20.Qe3-f3 Qb6-d6 21.g4-g5
Bf8-e7 22.h2-h4 f7-f6 23.g5xf6
Be7xf6 24.Ne5-g4 c7-c6 25.Ng4xf6+
Qd6xf6 26.Qf3xf6 g7xf6 27.Re1-e7
Be8-g6 28.Rd1-g1 Kg8-f8 29.Re7xb7
Rd8-b8 30.Rb7xb8+ Ra8xb8
31.Bb3-a4 Rb8-b6 0.80/15 Diagram

+ + k +
p + + +p
rp+ pl+
+ +p+ +
L+ P + P
P + + +
PP+ P +
+K+ + R

r+ rllk+
ppp +ppp
q +p+ +
+ +nN +
+ P +P+
PLN +Q+
PP+ P P
+K+RR +

1207

1208

(Diagram 1207)
a7-a5 26.h2-h4 a5-a4 27.Ne5-c4
Qb6-c7 0.45/13 ] 20...Qb6-c7
[ 20...f7-f6 Diagram

]
(Diagram 1208)

(Diagram 1209)
19...c7-c6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19...Nd5xc3+ 20.Qf3xc3 a7-a5
21.Qc3-e3 a5-a4 22.Bb3-c4 Bf8-d6
23.f2-f4 Bd6xe5 24.Qe3xe5 Qb6-d6
25.f4-f5 Qd6xe5 26.Re1xe5 e6xf5
27.g4xf5 Be8-c6 28.Re5-e7 0.32/13 ]
20.Nc3-e4 [ 20.h2-h4 ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 20.g4-g5 Nd5-e7 21.Qf3-f4
Ra8-c8 22.Qf4-e4 Ne7-f5 23.Nc3-e2
Nf5-d6 24.Qe4-f3 Nd6-f5 25.Qf3-f4

21.Ne5-c4 Qb6-c7 22.Ne4-c5 Bf8xc5


23.d4xc5 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...f7-f6 21.Ne5-c4 Qb6-c7
22.Ne4-c5 Bf8xc5 23.d4xc5 Be8-f7
24.Nc4-d6 b7-b6 25.Nd6xf7 Qc7xf7
26.c2-c4 Nd5-e7 27.Rd1-d6 Diagram
e6-e5 28.Re1-d1 Rd8-f8 0.58/15 ]
21.c2-c4 [ 21.g4-g5+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 21.g4-g5 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ rllk+
pp+ + pp
qp+pp +
+ +nN +
+ PN+P+
PL+ +Q+
PP+ P P
+K+RR +

r+ r +k+
p + nqpp
ppRpp +
+ P + +
+P+ +P+
PL+ +Q+
P + P P
+K+ R +

r+ rllk+
ppq +ppp
+p+p+ +
+ +nN P
+ PN+ +
PL+ +Q+
PP+ P P
+K+RR +

320

1209

1210

1211

a7-a5 22.Qf3-g3 Ra8-a7 23.Bb3-a2

b7-b5 24.Qg3-f3 c6-c5 25.Ne4xc5


Bf8xc5 26.d4xc5 Qc7xc5 27.Ba2xd5
Rd8xd5 28.Rd1xd5 Qc5xd5
29.Qf3xd5 e6xd5 0.71/12 ]
21...Nd5-e7?? another step towards
the grave [ 21...Nd5-b6 22.g4-g5
Nb6-d7 23.Ne5xd7 Rd8xd7
24.Ne4-f6+ Kg8-h8 25.Nf6xd7
Qc7xd7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...Nd5-b6 Diagram

r+ rllk+
ppq +ppp
np+p+ +
+ + N +
+PPN+P+
PL+ +Q+
P + P P
+K+RR +

1212

22.c4-c5 Nb6-d7 23.Qf3-c3 h7-h6


24.f2-f4 a7-a5 25.Re1-f1 a5-a4
26.Bb3-c2 Bf8-e7 27.Ne5-c4 Nd7-f6
28.Nc4-b6 Nf6xg4 29.Nb6xa8
Rd8xa8 0.26/14 ] 22.Ne4-g5+Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.Ne4-g5 Ne7-c8 23.c4-c5 Rd8-d5
24.Qf3-e4 g7-g6 25.Bb3xd5 c6xd5
26.Qe4-f4 h7-h6 27.Ng5-f3 g6-g5
28.Qf4-e3 b7-b6 29.Rd1-c1 b6xc5
30.d4xc5 Nc8-e7 Diagram
(Diagram 1213)
31.Nf3-d4 Ne7-c6 32.Nd4xc6 Be8xc6
33.f2-f4 Bf8-e7 34.f4-f5 1.96/16 ]
22...Ne7-c8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Ne7-c8 23.c4-c5 Rd8-d5
24.Qf3-e4 g7-g6 25.Bb3xd5 c6xd5
26.Qe4-f4 h7-h6 27.Ng5-f3 Be8-a4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +llk+
p q np+
+ +p+ p
+ PpN p
+ + +P+
P + QN+
P + P P
+KR R +

r+ rllk+
ppq nppp
+p+p+ +
+ + N N
+PP +P+
PL+ +Q+
P + P P
+K+RR +

321

1213

1214

r+n+ lk+
ppq +p+
+ +p+pp
+ PpN P
+ P Q +
P + +N+
P + P P
+K+lR +

r+n+llk+
ppq +ppp
+p+p+ +
+ PrN N
+ P +P+
PL+ +Q+
P + P P
+K+RR +

1215

1216

28.g4-g5 Ba4xd1 Diagram


(Diagram 1215)
29.Re1xd1 b7-b6 30.g5xh6 b6xc5
31.d4xc5 a7-a5 32.Nf3-g5 Bf8xh6
33.Qf4xf7+ Qc7xf7 34.Ng5xf7 Bh6-g7
35.f2-f4 Ra8-a7 36.Nf7-g5 Bg7xe5
37.f4xe5 2.15/15 ] 23.c4-c5 [ 23.c4-c5
Rd8-d5 24.Qf3-e4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23.c4-c5 Rd8-d5 Diagram
24.Qf3-e4 Diagram
g7-g6 25.Bb3xd5 c6xd5 26.Qe4-f4
h7-h6 27.Ng5-f3 g6-g5 28.Qf4-e3
b7-b6 Diagram

r+n+llk+
ppq +ppp
+p+p+ +
+ PrN N
+ PQ+P+
PL+ + +
P + P P
+K+RR +

1217

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+n+llk+
p q +p+
p +p+ p
+ PpN p
+ P +P+
P + QN+
P + P P
+K+RR +

322

r+ + +k+
p q lp+
+l+p+ p
+ PpNPp
+ + +P+
P + Q +
P + + P
+KR R +

1218

1220

29.Rd1-c1 b6xc5 30.d4xc5 Diagram

r+n+llk+
p q +p+
+ +p+ p
+ PpN p
+ + +P+
P + QN+
P + P P
+KR R +

24
1219

Nc8-e7 31.Nf3-d4 Ne7-c6 32.Nd4xc6


Be8xc6 33.f2-f4 Bf8-e7 34.f4-f5
1.96/14 Diagram
(Diagram 1220)
]
1-0

D20

Vassily Ivanchuk
Ruslan Ponomariov
FIDE WCh KO Final (2)

17.01.2002

D20: Queen's Gambit Accepted: 3 e3


and 3 e4
1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 d5xc4
3.e2-e4 Ng8-f6 4.e4-e5 Nf6-d5
Diagram
(Diagram 1221)
5.Bf1xc4 Nd5-b6 6.Bc4-d3 Nb8-c6
7.Ng1-e2 Bc8-g4 The backward pawn
on d4 becomes a target 8.f2-f3
Bg4-e6 9.Nb1-c3 Be6-c4 10.Bd3xc4
Nb6xc4 11.0-0 [RR 11.Qd1-b3
Nc4-b6 12.e5-e6 f7xe6 13.Bc1-e3
Qd8-d7 14.0-0 g7-g6 15.Rf1-d1
Nc6-a5 16.Qb3-b4 Na5-c6 17.Qb4-b3
Nc6-a5 18.Qb3-b4 Na5-c6 19.Qb4-b5
a7-a6 20.Qb5-b3 Nc6-a5 21.Qb3-b4
Na5-c6 22.Qb4-b3 Nc6-a5 23.Qb3-b4
Na5-c6 24.Qb4-b3 - Mamedyarov,
S (2709)-Bacrot,E (2717)/Wijk aan Zee
2006/CBM 111 ] 11...e7-e6 12.a2-a3N
[ RR 12.f3-f4 Qd8-d7 13.Qd1-d3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rnlqkl r
ppp pppp
+ + + +
+ +nP +
+pP + +
+ + + +
PP + PPP
RNLQKLNR

323

1221

Nc4-b6 14.f4-f5 0-0-0 15.Bc1-g5


Bf8-e7 16.Bg5xe7 Qd7xe7 17.Qd3-g3
g7-g6 18.f5-f6 Qe7-b4 19.a2-a3
Qb4-c4 20.Ra1-d1 Rd8-d7 21.Qg3-e3
Qc4-b3 22.d4-d5 Nb6-c4 23.Qe3-h3
Qb3-b6+ 24.Kg1-h1 Nc6xe5 25.b2-b3
Qb6xb3 26.d5xe6 f7xe6
Chow,A (2300)-Shamkovich,L (2405)/
Chicago 1990/EXT 1997/0-1 (34) ;RR
12.Qd1-b3 Nc4-b6 13.Bc1-e3 Nc6-b4
14.Ra1-c1 a7-a5 15.Nc3-a4 Nb6xa4
16.Qb3xa4+ c7-c6 17.Ne2-c3 Nb4-d5
18.Be3-f2 Bf8-e7 19.Qa4-b3 Be7-g5
20.Rc1-e1 b7-b5 21.Nc3xd5 Qd8xd5
22.Qb3xd5 c6xd5 23.g2-g3 Ra8-c8
24.f3-f4 Bg5-e7 25.Re1-c1 Ke8-d7
26.Bf2-e3 Rc8-c4 Dao Thien Hai
(2537)-Filippov,A (2481)/Cebu City
2007/CBM 120 ext/- (53) ]
12...Qd8-d7 13.Kg1-h1 Diagram
(Diagram 1222)
Bf8-e7 14.Qd1-b3 Nc4-b6 15.Bc1-e3
0-0 16.Ra1-c1 a7-a5 17.Rf1-d1
a5-a4 18.Qb3-c2 Rf8-d8 last book
move last book move 19.Ne2-f4
[ 19.Be3-f2 Be7-g5 20.Rc1-b1
Nc6-a5= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Be3-f2 Diagram

r+ +kl r
pppq+ppp
+n+p+ +
+ + P +
+nP + +
P N +P+
P +N+PP
R LQ+R+K

r+ r +k+
+ppqlppp
nn+p+ +
+ + P +
p+ P + +
P N +P+
PQ+NLPP
+ RR+ +K

1222

1223

Ra8-c8 20.Kh1-g1 h7-h6 21.Nc3xa4


Nb6xa4 22.Qc2xa4 Nc6xe5
23.Qa4-b3 Ne5-g6 24.Qb3xb7 Rc8-b8
25.Qb7-a7 Rb8xb2 26.Rc1xc7 Qd7-d6
27.Ne2-c3 Qd6xa3 28.Qa7xa3
Be7xa3 29.Rd1-a1 0.16/15 ]
19...Ra8-a5 Diagram [ 19...Nb6-c4
20.Be3-f2 Be7-g5 21.Nc3-e2! ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...Nb6-c4
20.Be3-g1 Be7-g5 21.Nc3-e2 Nc4-b6
22.Qc2-e4 Nb6-d5 23.Rc1-c2 Bg5xf4
24.Ne2xf4 Nc6-a5 25.Nf4xd5 Diagram
e6xd5 26.Qe4-f4 Na5-c4 27.Bg1-f2
Qd7-e6 28.Kh1-g1 h7-h6 29.Bf2-e1
g7-g5 30.Qf4-g4 Nc4-e3 -0.22/16 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ r +k+
+ppq+ppp
+ +p+ +
n +NP +
p+ PQ+ +
P + +P+
PR+ +PP
+ +R+ LK

+ r +k+
+ppqlppp
nn+p+ +
r + P +
p+ P N +
P N LP+
PQ+ +PP
+ RR+ +K

324
28.Na4-c3 Rb5-a5 29.Nc3xd5
Ra5xd5 -0.10/15 ] 21.Qe4-c2=
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Rc1-c2 Nb6-c4 22.Be3-f2 Qd7-e8
23.Qe4-e2 Nc4-b6 24.Nc3-e4 Nb6-d5
25.Nf4-d3 Qe8-f8 26.Kh1-g1 Qf8-h6
27.h2-h3 Be7-g5 28.Nd3-c5 0.34/14
Diagram

1224

+ r +k+
+pp +p+p
+n+p+pq
r NnP l
p+ PN+ +
P + +P+P
PR+QLP+
+ +R+ K

1225

20.Qc2-e4 [ 20.Nc3-e4 Nb6-d5


21.Nf4xd5 Qd7xd5= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 20.Nc3-e4 Nb6-d5 21.Nf4xd5
Ra5xd5 22.Qc2xa4 Nc6xd4
23.Qa4xd7 Rd5xd7 24.Be3xd4
Rd7xd4 25.Rd1xd4 Rd8xd4
26.Kh1-g1 c7-c6 27.Kg1-f2 h7-h6
28.Kf2-e3 Rd4-d8 29.f3-f4 Kg8-h7
30.b2-b4 Kh7-g6 31.g2-g3 0.13/15 ]
20...g7-g6 Prevents intrusion on h5
[ 20...h7-h6 21.h2-h4= ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 20...h7-h6 21.Nf4-h5 Be7-g5
22.Be3xg5 h6xg5 23.Qe4-e2 Qd7-e7
24.Qe2-f2 Nb6-d5 25.Nc3-e4 Ra5-b5
26.Ne4-c5 Nc6-a5 27.Nc5xa4 Na5-b3

1226

+ r +k+
+ppqlp+p
nn+p+p+
r + P +
p+ P N +
P N LP+
PQ+ +PP
+ RR+ +K

1227

21...Qd7-e8 [ 21...Kg8-h8
22.Qc2-e2= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...Qd7-c8 Diagram
22.Qc2-e2 Qc8-a8 23.Nc3-e4 Qa8-a6
24.Qe2-c2 Ra5-b5 25.Qc2-e2 Qa6-a5
26.Kh1-g1 Rb5-b3 27.Rd1-d3 Qa5-b5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+qr +k+
+pp lp+p
nn+p+p+
r + P +
p+ P N +
P N LP+
PQ+ +PP
+ RR+ +K

325

1228

28.Rd3xb3 Qb5xb3 0.14/14 ]


22.Qc2-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.g2-g3 Rd8-d7 23.Qc2-e2 Qe8-d8
24.d4-d5 Nb6xd5 25.Nc3xd5 e6xd5
26.e5-e6 f7xe6 27.Be3-d2 e6-e5
28.Nf4-e6 Qd8-a8 29.Bd2xa5 Qa8xa5
Diagram

+ + +k+
+pprl +p
+n+N+p+
q +pp +
p+ + + +
P + +PP
P +Q+ P
+ RR+ +K

1229

30.Qe2-e3 Rd7-d6 31.Rc1-c5


Qa5-b6 0.27/14 ] 22...Rd8-d7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Qe8-d7
Diagram
23.Rc1-c2 Be7-f8 24.Nc3-e4 Bf8-e7
25.Rc2-d2 Nb6-d5 26.Kh1-g1 Ra5-a8
27.Nf4xd5 Qd7xd5 28.Rd2-c2 b7-b6
29.Ne4-c3 Qd5-d7 30.Qe2-c4 0.22/15

+ r +k+
+ppqlp+p
nn+p+p+
r + P +
p+ P N +
P N LP+
P +Q+PP
+ RR+ +K

1230

] 23.Rc1-c2 Diagram [ 23.Rd1-d2


Qe8-a8$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.g2-g3 Qe8-d8 24.d4-d5 Nb6xd5
25.Nc3xd5 e6xd5 26.e5-e6 f7xe6
27.Be3-d2 e6-e5 28.Nf4-e6 Qd8-a8
29.Bd2xa5 Qa8xa5 30.Qe2-e3
Rd7-d6 31.Rc1-c5 Qa5-b6 0.27/14 ]

+ +q+k+
+pprlp+p
nn+p+p+
r + P +
p+ P N +
P N LP+
PR+Q+PP
+ +R+ +K

1231

23...Nb6-d5 Diagram [ 23...Qe8-a8!?=


should not be overlooked ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 23...Kg8-g7 24.Nc3-e4
Qe8-d8 25.Rc2-d2 Kg7-g8 Diagram
26.Kh1-g1 h7-h6 27.Kg1-h1 g6-g5
28.Nf4-h5 Nb6-d5 29.f3-f4 Ra5-a8
30.Qe2-f3 g5xf4 31.Nh5xf4 0.21/14 ]
24.Nc3xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ q +k+
+pprlp+p
nn+p+p+
r + P +
p+ PNN +
P + LP+
P RQ+PP
+ +R+ +K

+ +q+k+
+pprlp+p
+n+p+p+
r +nP +
p+ P N +
P N LP+
PR+Q+PP
+ +R+ +K

326

1232

1233

24.Nf4xd5 Diagram
(Diagram 1234)
e6xd5 25.f3-f4 Be7-f8 26.f4-f5 g6xf5
27.Qe2-d3 Qe8-e6 28.Rc2-f2 Nc6-e7
29.g2-g4 f5-f4 30.Rf2xf4 Ne7-g6
31.Rf4-f5 c7-c5 32.Rd1-f1 c5xd4
33.Be3xd4 Diagram
(Diagram 1235)
Bf8-c5 34.Qd3-e3 Bc5xd4
35.Qe3xd4 0.67/16 ] 24...e6xd5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

+ +q+k+
+pprlp+p
+n+p+p+
r +NP +
p+ P + +
P N LP+
PR+Q+PP
+ +R+ +K

+ + lk+
+p+r+p+p
+ +q+n+
r +pPR+
p+ L +P+
P NQ+ +
P + + P
+ + +R+K

1234

1235

24...e6xd5 25.Nf4-d3 Be7-f8


26.Kh1-g1 Ra5-b5 27.Rc2-c3 Rd7-d8
28.Rd1-c1 Qe8-d7 29.Be3-g5 Bf8-e7
30.Bg5xe7 Diagram
(Diagram 1236)
Qd7xe7 31.Qe2-f2 Rd8-e8 32.Nd3-c5
b7-b6 33.Nc5xa4 0.41/15 ]
(Diagram 1237)
25.Rd1-c1 Diagram [ 25.Kh1-g1
Rd7-d8$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25.Nf4-d3 Be7-f8 26.Rc2-c3 Ra5-a6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
+ppqLp+p
+n+ +p+
+r+pP +
p+ P + +
P RN+P+
P +Q+PP
+ R + K

+ +q+k+
+pprlp+p
+n+ +p+
r +pP +
p+ P N +
P + LP+
PR+Q+PP
+ +R+ +K

327

1236

1237

+ +qlk+
+ppr+p+p
r+n+ +p+
+ +pP +
p+ P + +
P RNLP+
P +Q+PP
+ +R+ +K

r+ r lk+
+pp + +p
+n+qpp+
+ +pP +
p+ P P +
P RN+ +
PQ+ LPP
+ +R+ K

1238

1239

Diagram
(Diagram 1238)
27.Qe2-c2 f7-f6 28.f3-f4 Qe8-e6
29.Kh1-g1 Ra6-a8 30.Be3-f2 Rd7-d8
Diagram
(Diagram 1239)
31.Qc2-e2 Rd8-e8 32.Rd1-c1 0.50/15
]
25...f7-f6 [ 25...Rd7-d8 26.Kh1-g1$
Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...Be7-f8

+ +q+k+
+pprlp+p
+n+ +p+
r +pP +
p+ P N +
P + LP+
PR+Q+PP
+ R + +K

1240

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rq+k+
+pp lp+p
+n+ +p+
r +pP +
p+ P N +
P + LP+
PR+Q+PP
+ R + K

328

1241

26.Rc2-c3 Rd7-d8 27.Nf4-d3 Ra5-a8


28.Qe2-f2 Bf8-e7 29.Kh1-g1 Ra8-a6
30.Nd3-c5 Be7xc5 31.Rc3xc5
Diagram

+ rq+k+
+pp +p+p
r+n+ +p+
+ RpP +
p+ P + +
P + LP+
P + QPP
+ R + K

1242

+ r +k+
+pp q +p
+n+P+p+
+r+p+ +
p+ + + +
P +NQPP
PR+ +KP
+ + R +

+ +q+k+
+pprl +p
+n+ pp+
r +pP +
p+ P + +
P +NLP+
PR+Q+PP
+ R + +K

1243

1244

x64: 26...Ra5-a8 27.Be3-f2 Rd7-d8


28.Rc1-e1 g6-g5 29.Kh1-g1 Qe8-g6
30.Rc2-c1 f6-f5 31.e5-e6 Be7-f6
32.Nd3-c5 Nc6xd4 33.Qe2-d3 Qg6-g7
34.Nc5xb7 Rd8-e8 35.Nb7-c5 0.50/15
Diagram

Qe8-e6 32.Be3-g5 Rd8-e8 33.Bg5-f6


Ra6-b6 0.35/16 ] 26.Nf4-d3 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Rc1-e1
(Diagram 1245)
f6xe5 27.d4xe5 Be7-h4 28.g2-g3
Bh4-g5 29.e5-e6 Rd7-d8 30.Nf4-d3
Bg5xe3 31.Qe2xe3 Qe8-e7 32.Kh1-g2 ]
27.d4xe5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
Ra5-b5 Diagram
x64: 27.d4xe5 Rd7-d8 28.Be3-f2
33.Qe3-f4 d5-d4 34.Qf4-e4 Rb5-b3
d5-d4 29.Rc2-c4 Qe8-f7 30.e5-e6
35.Rc2-c4 Rd8-a8 36.Rc4xc6 b7xc6
Qf7-f5 31.Bf2-g3 Rd8-c8 32.Kh1-g1
37.Qe4xd4 0.56/14 ]
26...f6xe5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
Ra5-a8 33.Rc1-e1 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

329
Rd8-d5 36.Rc5xd5 Qf5xd5 0.67/15 ]

r+ +r+k+
+ p + qp
+ +Pl +
+ Np+pp
p+ n + +
P +Q+P+
P + LPP
+ R R K

+ +q+k+
+pprl +p
+n+ +p+
r +pp +
p+ P + +
P +NLP+
PR+Q+PP
+ R + +K

r+r+ +k+
+pp l +p
+n+P+p+
+ + +q+
p+Rp + +
P +N+PL
P +Q+PP
+ + R K

1245

+ +q+k+
+pprl +p
+n+ +p+
r +pP +
p+ + + +
P +NLP+
PR+Q+PP
+ R + +K

1248

27...d5-d4 [ 27...Rd7-d8 28.Kh1-g1


Diagram
1246

+ rq+k+
+pp l +p
+n+ +p+
r +pP +
p+ + + +
P +NLP+
PR+Q+PP
+ R + K
1247

Be7-g5 34.Bg3-f2 Rc8-d8 35.Rc4-c5

1249

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27...Rd7-d8


28.Be3-f2 Diagram
(Diagram 1250)
Be7-g5 29.Rc1-e1 d5-d4 30.e5-e6
Qe8-e7 31.f3-f4 Bg5-f6 32.Kh1-g1
Bf6-g7 33.Rc2-c4 Diagram
Ra5-a8 34.Qe2-e4 Rd8-f8 35.Qe4-d5
Rf8-f5 0.59/14 ] 28.Be3-h6
[ 28.Be3-d2 Ra5-a6 Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Be3-f2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rq+k+
+pp l +p
+n+ +p+
r +pP +
p+ + + +
P +N+P+
PR+QLPP
+ R + +K

+ r +k+
+pp q lp
+n+P+p+
r + + +
p+Rp P +
P +N+ +
P +QLPP
+ + R K

+ +q+k+
+pprl +p
r+n+ +p+
+ + P +
p+ p + +
P +N+P+
PRLQ+PP
+ R + +K
Diagram

330

1250

1251

1252

+ +q+k+
+pprl +p
+n+ +p+
r + P +
p+ p + +
P +N+P+
PR+QLPP
+ R + +K

1253

Rd7-d8 29.Rc2-c4 Qe8-f7 30.e5-e6


Qf7-f5 31.Bf2-g3 Rd8-c8 32.Kh1-g1
Ra5-a8 33.Rc1-e1 Be7-g5 34.Bg3-f2
Rc8-d8 35.Rc4-c5 Rd8-d5 36.Rc5xd5
Qf5xd5 0.67/15 ] 28...g6-g5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Rd7-d5
29.Bh6-f4 Be7-f8 30.Bf4-g3 Rd5-d8
31.Bg3-h4 Rd8-a8 32.f3-f4 Qe8-e6
33.Rc2-c4 Ra8-e8 34.Qe2-c2
Diagram

+ +rlk+
+pp + +p
+n+q+p+
r + P +
p+Rp P L
P +N+ +
PQ+ +PP
+ R + +K

1254

Qe6-f5 35.Bh4-f6 0.47/14 ]


29.Rc2xc6 [ 29.Qe2-d2!? Ra5-d5
30.Bh6xg5 Nc6xe5 31.Nd3xe5
Diagram
Rd5xe5 32.Bg5-f4$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +q+k+
+pprl +p
+n+ + L
r + P p
p+ p + +
P +N+P+
PR+Q+PP
+ R + +K

+ +q+k+
+pprl +p
+ + + +
+ +rN L
p+ p + +
P + +P+
PRQ +PP
+ R + +K

331

1255

1256

x64: 29.Qe2-d2 Ra5-b5 30.Bh6xg5


Nc6xe5 31.Nd3xe5 Rb5xe5 32.Bg5-f4
Re5-e6 33.Rc2xc7 d4-d3 34.Rc7-c8
Rd7-d8 35.Rc8xd8 Diagram
(Diagram 1257)
Qe8xd8 36.Bf4-e3 Re6-c6 37.g2-g4
Rc6xc1+ 38.Qd2xc1 Qd8-d5
39.Kh1-g2 Be7-f6 40.Be3-d2 Bf6-d4
0.50/14 ] 29...b7xc6= [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 29...b7xc6 30.Qe2-d2
Diagram
Ra5-b5 31.Bh6xg5 Be7xg5
32.Qd2xg5+ Qe8-g6 33.Qg5-d2

+ Rq+k+
+p+ l +p
+ +r+ +
+ + + +
p+ + L +
P +p+P+
P Q +PP
+ R + +K

+ +q+k+
+ prl +p
+p+ + L
r + P p
p+ p + +
P +N+P+
P Q +PP
+ R + +K

1257

1258

Rd7-e7 34.f3-f4 Diagram


(Diagram 1259)
Qg6-e4 35.Rc1-e1 Qe4-f5 36.Re1-c1
Qf5-e4 37.Rc1-e1 0.21/13 ] 30.Rc1xc6
Black wins the exchange [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 30.Qe2-d2 Ra5-b5
31.Bh6xg5 Be7xg5 32.Qd2xg5+
Qe8-g6 33.Qg5-d2 Rd7-d8 34.Rc1-e1
c6-c5 35.e5-e6 Rd8-e8 36.e6-e7
h7-h6 37.Qd2-c2 Qg6-f7 38.f3-f4
Qf7-b3 39.Qc2-e2 Qb3-f7 40.Qe2-g4+
Kg8-h7 0.21/14 ] 30...Be7-d6?
e5 seems the pivot of the position

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+ p r +p
+p+ +q+
+r+ P +
p+ p P +
P +N+ +
P Q +PP
+ R + +K
[

332

1259

+r+q+ +
+ + + +k
+ + + +
+ + NQ+p
p+ ppP +
P + + +
P + +PP
+ + + +K

1261

30...Be7-d8= Diagram

+ lq+k+
+ pr+ +p
+R+ + L
r + P p
p+ p + +
P +N+P+
P +Q+PP
+ + + +K

1260

is the best option Black has ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30...Be7-d8
31.f3-f4 Rd7-d6 32.Rc6xd6 c7xd6
33.Qe2-g4 d6xe5 34.Bh6xg5 h7-h5
35.Qg4-c8 e5-e4 36.Bg5xd8 Ra5-d5
37.Nd3-e5 Rd5xd8 38.Qc8-f5 Rd8-c8
39.Qf5-g5+ Kg8-h7 40.Qg5-f5+
Diagram
(Diagram 1261)
Kh7-h8 41.Qf5-f6+ Kh8-g8
42.Qf6-g5+ Diagram
Kg8-h7 0.07/16 ] 31.f3-f4+- Diagram

+r+q+k+
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + N Qp
p+ ppP +
P + + +
P + +PP
+ + + +K

1262

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31.f3-f4 Rd7-f7


32.Rc6-c1 Bd6-f8 33.Bh6xg5 Qe8-e6
34.Bg5-d8 Ra5-a8 35.Bd8-f6 Ra8-b8
36.Qe2-f3 Qe6-f5 37.g2-g4 Qf5-c8
38.f4-f5 c7-c5 39.g4-g5 Qc8-b7
40.Kh1-g2 Qb7xf3+ 41.Kg2xf3 Rb8-b3
Diagram
(Diagram 1263)
42.Kf3-e4 0.78/17 ]
31...Rd7-f7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 31...Rd7-f7 32.Rc6-c1 Bd6-f8
33.Bh6xg5 Qe8-e6 34.Bg5-d8 Ra5-a8
35.Bd8-f6 Ra8-e8 36.Qe2-f3 Qe6-b3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + lk+
+ + +r+p
+ + L +
+ p PPP
p+ p + +
Pr+N+K+
P + + P
+ R + +

+ +q+k+
+ pr+ +p
+Rl + L
r + P p
p+ p P +
P +N+ +
P +Q+PP
+ + + +K

333

1263

1264

37.f4-f5 Bf8-h6 38.Rc1-d1 Bh6-f8


39.Qf3-g4+ Bf8-g7 40.Nd3-c5
Diagram
(Diagram 1265)
Qb3xb2 41.Nc5-e6 h7-h5
42.Qg4-g5 0.87/17 ]
(Diagram 1266)
32.Rc6-c1
32.Rc6-c1
34.Bg5-d8
36.Qe2-f3

[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


Bd6-f8 33.Bh6xg5 Qe8-e6
Ra5-a8 35.Bd8-f6 Ra8-b8
Qe6-f5 37.g2-g4 Qf5-c8

+ +r+k+
+ p +rlp
+ + L +
+ N PP+
p+ p +Q+
Pq+ + +
P + +PP
+ +R+ +K

+ +q+k+
+ p +r+p
+Rl + L
r + P p
p+ p P +
P +N+ +
P +Q+PP
+ + + +K

1265

1266

38.f4-f5 c7-c5 39.g4-g5 Qc8-b7


40.Kh1-g2 Qb7xf3+ 41.Kg2xf3 Rb8-b3
42.Kf3-e4 0.78/17 ] 32...Rf7xf4?
Diagram [ 32...Bd6-f8 33.Bh6xg5
Qe8-e6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...Bd6-f8 33.Bh6xg5 Qe8-e6
34.Bg5-d8 Ra5-a8 35.Bd8-f6 Ra8-e8
36.Qe2-f3 Qe6-b3 37.f4-f5 Bf8-h6
38.Rc1-d1 Bh6-f8 39.Qf3-g4+ Bf8-g7
40.Nd3-c5 Qb3xb2 41.Nc5-e6
Diagram
h7-h5 42.Qg4-g5 0.87/15 ]
33.Nd3xf4+- [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33.Nd3xf4 Ra5xe5 34.Qe2-c4+
Qe8-f7 35.Nf4-d3 Re5-f5 36.g2-g3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
+ p +rlp
+ +NL +
+ + PP+
p+ p +Q+
P + + +
q + +PP
+ +R+ +K

+ +q+k+
+ p + +p
+ l + L
r + P p
p+ p r +
P +N+ +
P +Q+PP
+ R + +K

334
46.Kh1-g2 Kd5-e4 47.Bf8-b4 Ke4-e3
48.Rd1-e1+ Ke3-d4 Diagram
1267

1268

Rf5-f3 37.Nd3-c5 Bd6xc5 38.Qc4xf7+


Kg8xf7 39.Rc1xc5 Kf7-e6 40.Bh6xg5
Rf3-f2 41.Rc5-c6+ Ke6-d5 42.Rc6xc7
d4-d3 43.Kh1-g1 Rf2xb2 44.Rc7xh7
Rb2-a2 45.h2-h4 Ra2xa3 46.Kg1-f2
Ra3-c3 47.Kf2-e3 a4-a3 48.Ke3-d2
Rc3-b3 49.Rh7-a7 Kd5-e4 50.Bg5-f6
2.39/16 ] 33...Ra5xe5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33...Ra5xe5
34.Qe2-c4+ Qe8-f7 35.Nf4-d3 Re5-f5
36.g2-g3 Rf5-f3 37.Nd3-c5 Bd6xc5
38.Qc4xf7+ Kg8xf7 39.Rc1xc5 Kf7-e6
40.Rc5xc7 d4-d3 41.Bh6xg5 Rf3-f5
42.Bg5-h6 Rf5-f2 43.Rc7-c1 Rf2xb2
44.Rc1-d1 Rb2-b3 45.Bh6-f8 Ke6-d5

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ + + +
pL k + +
Pr+p+ P
+ + +KP
+ + R +

1269

49.h2-h3 Rb3-b2+ 50.Kg2-f3 d3-d2


51.Re1-d1 Kd4-d3 52.g3-g4 Rb2-c2
2.50/19 ]

+ +q+k+
+ p + +p
+ l + L
+ + r p
p+ p N +
P + + +
P +Q+PP
+ R + +K

1270

34.Qe2-c4+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


34.Qe2-c4+ Diagram
(Diagram 1271)
Qe8-f7 35.Nf4-d3 Re5-f5 36.g2-g3
Rf5-f3 37.Nd3-c5 Bd6xc5 38.Qc4xf7+
Kg8xf7 39.Rc1xc5 Kf7-e6 40.Rc5xc7
d4-d3 41.Bh6xg5 Rf3-f5 42.Bg5-h6
Rf5-f2 43.Rc7-c1 Rf2xb2 44.Rc1-d1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +q+k+
+ p + +p
+ l + L
+ + r p
p+Qp N +
P + + +
P + +PP
+ R + +K

335

1271

Rb2-b3 45.Bh6-f8 Ke6-d5 46.Kh1-g2


Kd5-e4 47.Bf8-b4 Ke4-e3 48.Rd1-e1+
Ke3-d4 49.h2-h3 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ + + +
pL k + +
Pr+p+ PP
+ + +K+
+ + R +

1272

Rb3-b2+ 50.Kg2-f3 d3-d2 51.Re1-d1


Kd4-d3 52.g3-g4 Rb2-c2 2.27/17 ]
34...Qe8-f7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34...Qe8-f7 35.Nf4-d3 Re5-f5
36.g2-g3 Rf5-f3 37.Nd3-c5 Bd6xc5
38.Qc4xf7+ Kg8xf7 39.Rc1xc5 Kf7-e6
40.Rc5xc7 Diagram
d4-d3 41.Bh6xg5 Rf3-f5 42.Bg5-h6
Rf5-f2 43.Rc7-c1 Rf2xb2 44.Rc1-d1
Rb2-b3 45.Bh6-f8 Ke6-d5 46.Kh1-g2
Kd5-e4 47.Bf8-b4 Ke4-e3 48.Rd1-e1+
Ke3-d4 49.h2-h3 Rb3-b2+ 50.Kg2-f3

+ + + +
+ R + +p
+ +k+ L
+ + + p
p+ p + +
P + +rP
P + + P
+ + + +K

1273

d3-d2 51.Re1-d1 Kd4-d3 52.g3-g4


Rb2-c2 2.50/19 ] 35.Nf4-d3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35.Nf4-d3
Re5-f5 36.g2-g3 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ p +q+p
+ l + L
+ + +rp
p+Qp + +
P +N+ P
P + + P
+ R + +K

1274

Rf5-f3 37.Nd3-c5 Bd6xc5 38.Qc4xf7+


Kg8xf7 39.Rc1xc5 Kf7-e6 40.Rc5xc7
d4-d3 41.Bh6xg5 Rf3-f5 42.Bg5-h6
Rf5-f2 43.Rc7-c1 Rf2xb2 44.Rc1-d1
Rb2-b3 45.Bh6-f8 Ke6-d5 46.Kh1-g2
Kd5-e4 47.Bf8-b4 Ke4-e3 48.Rd1-e1+
Ke3-d4 49.h2-h3 Rb3-b2+ 50.Kg2-f3
d3-d2 51.Re1-d1 Kd4-d3 52.g3-g4
Rb2-c2 2.27/18 ] 35...Re5-f5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35...Re5-f5
36.g2-g3 Rf5-f3 37.Nd3-c5 Bd6xc5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

336

38.Qc4xf7+ Kg8xf7 39.Rc1xc5 Kf7-e6


40.Rc5xc7 d4-d3 41.Bh6xg5 Diagram

+ + + +
+ R + +p
+ +k+ +
+ + + L
p+ + + +
P +p+rP
P + + P
+ + + +K

1275

Rf3-f5 42.Bg5-h6 Rf5-f2 43.Rc7-c1


Rf2xb2 44.Rc1-d1 Rb2-b3 45.Bh6-f8
Ke6-d5 46.Kh1-g2 Kd5-e4 47.Bf8-b4
Ke4-e3 48.Rd1-e1+ Ke3-d4 49.h2-h3
Rb3-b2+ 50.Kg2-f3 d3-d2 51.Re1-d1
Kd4-d3 52.g3-g4 Rb2-c2 2.47/17 ]
36.Qc4xf7+ Diagram [ 36.g2-g3!?+and White can already relax ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36.g2-g3
Diagram

+ + +k+
+ p +q+p
+ l + L
+ + +rp
p+Qp + +
P +N+ P
P + + P
+ R + +K

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ + k +
+ + + +
p+ +RL +
+ + + P
r+ + + P
+ + + +K

1276

1277

(Diagram 1276)
Rf5-f3 37.Nd3-c5 Bd6xc5 38.Qc4xf7+
Kg8xf7 39.Rc1xc5 Rf3-f2 40.Bh6xg5
Rf2xb2 41.Rc5xc7+ Kf7-e6
42.Rc7-e7+ Ke6-f5 43.Bg5-c1 Rb2-c2
44.Bc1-f4 Rc2-a2 45.Re7-e5+ Kf5-g6
46.Re5-g5+ Kg6-f6 47.Rg5-d5
Ra2xa3 48.Rd5-d6+ Kf6-e7
49.Rd6xd4 Ra3-a2 50.Rd4-e4+
Ke7-f6 1.76/15 Diagram
(Diagram 1277)
]

+ + +k+
+ p +Q+p
+ l + L
+ + +rp
p+ p + +
P +N+ +
P + +PP
+ R + +K

36...Kg8xf7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


36...Kg8xf7 37.h2-h4 g5xh4
38.Kh1-g1 h4-h3 39.g2xh3 Kf7-g6

1278

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

337

40.Bh6-d2 Rf5-f3 41.Nd3-c5 Rf3-g3+


42.Kg1-f1 Rg3xh3 Diagram

+ + + +
+ p + +p
+ l +k+
+ N + +
p+ p + +
P + + +r
P L + +
+ R +K+

1279

43.Rc1-c4 h7-h5 44.Nc5-e4 Bd6-e5


45.Rc4xa4 Rh3-h1+ 46.Kf1-e2
Rh1-h2+ 47.Ke2-d3 Kg6-f5 48.Ne4-c5
h5-h4 49.Ra4-a8 h4-h3 50.Ra8-f8+
Kf5-g4 51.Rf8-g8+ Kg4-f3 52.a3-a4
Rh2-g2 53.Rg8-f8+ Kf3-g3 0.96/19 ]
37.h2-h4! the decision [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 37.h2-h4 g5xh4 38.Kh1-g1
h4-h3 39.g2xh3 Kf7-g6 40.Bh6-d2
Rf5-f3 41.Nd3-c5 Rf3-g3+ 42.Kg1-f1
Rg3xh3 43.Rc1-c4 h7-h5 44.Nc5-e4
Bd6-e5 45.Rc4xa4 Rh3-h1+ 46.Kf1-e2
Rh1-h2+ 47.Ke2-d3 Kg6-f5 48.Ne4-c5
h5-h4 49.Ra4-a8 h4-h3 50.Ra8-f8+
Kf5-g4 51.Rf8-g8+ Kg4-f3 52.a3-a4
Rh2-g2 53.Rg8-f8+ Kf3-g3 0.78/20 ]
37...g5xh4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 37...g5xh4 38.Kh1-g1 h4-h3
39.g2xh3 Kf7-g6 40.Bh6-d2 Rf5-f3
41.Nd3-c5 Rf3-g3+ 42.Kg1-f1 Rg3xh3
43.Rc1-c4 h7-h5 44.Nc5-e4 Bd6-e5
45.Rc4xa4 Rh3-h1+ 46.Kf1-e2
Rh1-h2+ 47.Ke2-d3 Kg6-f5 48.Ne4-c5
h5-h4 49.Ra4-a8 h4-h3 50.Ra8-f8+
Kf5-g4 51.Rf8-g8+ Kg4-f3 52.a3-a4
Rh2-g2 53.Rg8-f8+ Kf3-g3 0.88/20 ]
38.Kh1-g1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38.Kh1-g1 Diagram

+ + + +
+ p +k+p
+ l + L
+ + +r+
p+ p + p
P +N+ +
P + +P+
+ R + +K

+ + + +
+ p +k+p
+ l + L
+ + +r+
p+ p + p
P +N+ +
P + +P+
+ R + K

1280

1281

h4-h3 39.g2xh3 Kf7-g6 40.Bh6-d2


Rf5-f3 41.Nd3-c5 Rf3-g3+ 42.Kg1-f1
Rg3xh3 43.Rc1-c4 h7-h5 44.Nc5-e4
Bd6-e5 45.Rc4xa4 Rh3-h1+ 46.Kf1-e2
Rh1-h2+ 47.Ke2-d3 Kg6-f5 48.Ne4-c5
Rh2-h3+ 49.Kd3-c2 h5-h4 50.Nc5-d3
Rh3-h2 51.Ra4-a7 h4-h3 52.Nd3xe5
Kf5xe5 53.Ra7xc7 Rh2-g2
54.Rc7-e7+ Ke5-f5 0.91/19 ]
38...Kf7-e6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...h4-h3 39.g2xh3 Kf7-g6 40.Bh6-d2
Rf5-f3 41.Nd3-c5 Rf3-g3+ 42.Kg1-f2
Rg3xh3 43.Rc1-g1+ Kg6-f6 44.Rg1-f1
Diagram
Rh3-h4 45.Nc5xa4 Kf6-e6 46.b2-b4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ p + +p
+ l k +
+ N + +
p+ p + +
P + + +r
P L K +
+ + +R+

338

1282

Rh4-h2+ 47.Kf2-e1 Rh2-h3 48.Bd2-c1


h7-h5 49.Na4-c5+ Bd6xc5 50.b4xc5
h5-h4 51.a3-a4 Rh3-c3 52.Bc1-b2
Rc3-c4 0.82/16 ] 39.Rc1-c4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 39.Rc1-c4
c7-c5 40.Rc4xa4 Ke6-d5 41.Ra4-a7
c5-c4 42.Nd3-b4+ Kd5-e4 43.Ra7-d7
Bd6xb4 44.a3xb4 c4-c3 45.b2xc3
d4xc3 46.Rd7-b7 Rf5-h5 47.Bh6-c1
Rh5-d5 48.Kg1-f2 c3-c2 49.Rb7-c7
Ke4-d3 50.Rc7-e7 Kd3-c4 51.Re7xh7
Rd5-d1 52.Rh7-c7+ Kc4-d3 53.Bc1-e3
Rd1-b1 54.Rc7-d7+ Diagram

+ + + +
+ +R+ +
+ + + +
+ + + +
P + + p
+ +kL +
+p+ KP+
+r+ + +

+ + + +
+ p + +p
+ lk+ L
+ + +r+
p+Rp + p
P +N+ +
P + +P+
+ + + K

1283

1284

(Diagram 1283)
Kd3-c4 55.Rd7-c7+ Kc4-d3
56.Rc7-d7+ 1.01/19 ]
(Diagram 1284)
39...h4-h3 [ 39...Ke6-d5 40.Rc4xa4
c7-c5 41.Ra4-a8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 39...c7-c5 40.Rc4xa4 Ke6-d5
41.Ra4-a7 c5-c4 42.Nd3-b4+ Kd5-e6
43.Nb4-c6 Bd6-c5 44.Nc6-d8+ Ke6-d5
45.Ra7-d7+ Kd5-e4 46.Nd8-b7 c4-c3
47.Nb7xc5+ Diagram
Rf5xc5 48.b2xc3 d4xc3 49.Rd7xh7
Ke4-d3 50.Rh7-d7+ Kd3-e2 51.a3-a4

+ + + +
+ +R+ +p
+ + + L
+ N +r+
+ pk+ p
P p + +
P + +P+
+ + + K

1285

Rc5-f5 52.Rd7-d4 Rf5-f1+ 53.Kg1-h2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Rf1-f2 54.Rd4xh4 c3-c2 55.Kh2-g3
Rf2-f1 56.a4-a5 c2-c1Q 57.Bh6xc1
Rf1xc1 1.08/17 ] 40.g2xh3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40.g2xh3
Ke6-d5 41.Rc4xa4 Rf5-f3 42.Nd3-f2
Bd6-g3 43.Kg1-g2 Rf3-b3 44.Bh6-c1
Bg3-h4 45.Nf2-g4 Rb3-g3+ 46.Kg2-h2
Rg3-f3 47.Ra4-a5+ c7-c5 48.b2-b4
Rf3-c3 49.Ra5xc5+ Rc3xc5 50.b4xc5
h7-h5 51.c5-c6 Kd5xc6 52.Ng4-e5+
Kc6-d5 53.Ne5-f3 Bh4-e7 54.Nf3-d2
Be7-g5 55.Kh2-g3 d4-d3 56.Kg3-f3
1.58/19 ] 40...Ke6-d5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 40...Ke6-d5 41.Rc4xa4
Rf5-f3 42.Nd3-f2 d4-d3 43.Ra4-a5+
c7-c5 44.b2-b4 Rf3-g3+ 45.Kg1-f1
Rg3-f3 46.b4xc5 Bd6xc5 47.Kf1-e1
Kd5-c4 48.Nf2-e4 Bc5-e3 49.Ne4-d2+
Be3xd2+ 50.Ke1xd2 Rf3-f2+
51.Kd2-e1 Rf2-h2 52.Bh6-f4 Rh2xh3
53.Ke1-d2 h7-h5 54.Ra5-a7 h5-h4
55.Ra7-c7+ Kc4-d5 56.Bf4-e3 Rh3-f3
57.Kd2xd3 h4-h3 58.Rc7-c2 Kd5-e5
59.a3-a4 1.70/16 ] 41.Rc4xa4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41.Rc4xa4
Rf5-f3 42.Nd3-f2 Bd6-g3 43.Kg1-g2
Rf3-b3 44.Bh6-c1 Bg3-h4 45.Nf2-g4
Rb3-g3+ 46.Kg2-h2 Rg3-f3
47.Ra4-a5+ c7-c5 48.b2-b4 Rf3-c3
49.Ra5xc5+ Rc3xc5 50.b4xc5 h7-h5
51.c5-c6 Kd5xc6 52.Ng4-e5+ Kc6-d5
53.Ne5-f3 Bh4-e7 54.Nf3-d2 Be7-g5
55.Kh2-g3 d4-d3 56.Kg3-f3 1.67/16 ]
41...Kd5-e4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
41...Rf5-f3 42.Nd3-f2 c7-c5 43.Ra4-a8
d4-d3 44.Bh6-d2 c5-c4 45.Ra8-a5+
Kd5-d4 46.Kg1-g2 Rf3-g3+ 47.Kg2-f1
Rg3-f3 48.Kf1-e1 Rf3-g3 49.Nf2-g4
Rg3-g1+ 50.Ke1-f2 1.65/14 ]
42.Nd3-f2+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
42.Nd3-f2+ Ke4-f3 43.Ra4-c4 Rf5-e5
44.Rc4-c1 Re5-h5 45.Bh6-d2 Rh5-e5
46.Nf2-h1 Re5-e2 47.Rc1-f1+ Kf3-e4
48.Nh1-f2+ Ke4-d5 49.Rf1-d1 Bd6-g3
50.Nf2-d3 Kd5-c4 51.Bd2-f4 Bg3xf4

339
52.Nd3xf4 Re2-e4 53.Rd1-c1+ Kc4-b3
54.Nf4-d5 Re4-e5 55.Nd5-f6 Re5-g5+
56.Kg1-h2 Kb3xb2 57.Rc1xc7 Kb2xa3
58.Rc7xh7 1.70/19 ] 42...Ke4-f3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...Ke4-f3
43.Ra4-c4 Rf5-e5 44.Rc4-c1 Re5-h5
45.Bh6-d2 Kf3-e2 46.Nf2-e4 Rh5xh3
47.Rc1-f1 Rh3-b3 48.Rf1-f2+ Ke2-d3
49.Ne4xd6 c7xd6 50.Bd2-f4 d6-d5
51.Kg1-g2 Kd3-c4 52.Rf2-d2 d4-d3
53.Kg2-f3 h7-h5 54.Bf4-g3 Rb3-b7
55.Bg3-e5 h5-h4 56.Kf3-e3 Rb7-e7
57.b2-b3+ Kc4xb3 58.Rd2xd3+
Kb3-c4 59.Rd3-c3+ Kc4-b5 1.59/20 ]
43.Ra4xd4 [ 43.Bh6-d2!? Kf3-e2
44.Nf2-e4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
43.Ra4-c4 Rf5-e5 44.Rc4-c1 Re5-h5
45.Bh6-d2 Kf3-e2 46.Nf2-e4 Rh5xh3
47.Ne4xd6 c7xd6 48.Bd2-b4 Rh3-g3+
49.Kg1-h2 Rg3-g6 50.Kh2-h3 Ke2-f3
51.Rc1-f1+ Kf3-e2 52.Rf1-e1+ Ke2-f3
53.Bb4-d2 Rg6-g3+ 54.Kh3-h4
Rg3-g2 55.Bd2-c1 h7-h6 56.Kh4-h5
1.26/15 ] 43...Bd6-c5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 43...Bd6-c5 44.Rd4-d2
Rf5-f6 45.Rd2-c2 Bc5-d4 46.Bh6-c1
Kf3-g3 47.Kg1-f1 Bd4xf2 48.Rc2-c3+
Kg3-h4 49.Kf1-e2 Bf2-g3 50.a3-a4
Kh4xh3 51.Rc3-c5 Kh3-g4 52.a4-a5
Rf6-e6+ 53.Ke2-d3 h7-h5 54.Rc5-g5+
Kg4-h4 55.b2-b4 Bg3-e1 56.Rg5-c5
Kh4-g3 57.Rc5-c4 Re6-f6 58.Bc1-g5
Rf6-f3+ 59.Kd3-e4 0.65/15 ]
44.Rd4-d2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
44.Rd4-d2 Rf5-f6 45.Rd2-c2 Bc5-d4
46.Bh6-c1 Kf3-g3 47.Kg1-f1 Bd4xf2
48.Rc2-c3+ Kg3-h4 49.Kf1-e2 Bf2-g3
50.a3-a4 Kh4xh3 51.Rc3-c5 Kh3-g4
52.a4-a5 Rf6-e6+ 53.Ke2-d3 h7-h5
54.Rc5-g5+ Kg4-h4 55.b2-b4 Bg3-e1
56.Rg5-c5 Kh4-g3 57.Rc5-c4 Re6-f6
58.Bc1-g5 Rf6-f3+ 59.Kd3-e4 0.57/16 ]
44...Rf5-f6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
44...Rf5-f6 45.Rd2-c2 Bc5-d4
46.Bh6-c1 Kf3-g3 47.Kg1-f1 Bd4xf2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


48.Rc2-c3+ Kg3-h4 49.Kf1-e2 Bf2-g3
50.a3-a4 Kh4xh3 51.Rc3-c5 Kh3-g4
52.a4-a5 Rf6-e6+ 53.Ke2-d3 h7-h5
54.Rc5-g5+ Kg4-h4 55.b2-b4 Bg3-e1
56.Rg5-c5 Kh4-g3 57.Rc5-c4 Re6-f6
58.Bc1-g5 Rf6-f3+ 59.Kd3-e4 0.65/19 ]
45.Bh6-g5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45.Rd2-c2 Bc5-d4 46.Bh6-c1 Kf3-g3
47.Kg1-f1 Bd4xf2 48.Rc2-c3+ Kg3-h4
49.Kf1-e2 Bf2-g3 50.a3-a4 Kh4xh3
51.Rc3-c5 Rf6-e6+ 52.Ke2-d3 Kh3-g4
53.a4-a5 Re6-g6 54.b2-b4 h7-h5
55.b4-b5 Bg3-d6 56.Rc5-c6 0.66/16 ]
45...Rf6-g6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45...Rf6-g6 46.h3-h4 h7-h6 47.Kg1-f1
h6xg5 48.Rd2-d3+ Kf3-f4 49.Nf2-h3+
Kf4-e4 50.Rd3-c3 g5-g4 51.Nh3-g5+
Ke4-d5 52.Kf1-g2 Bc5-d6 53.Rc3-c1
Rg6-h6 54.Rc1-h1 Bd6-f4 55.a3-a4
Rh6-b6 56.Rh1-b1 Rb6-b3 57.a4-a5
Rb3-g3+ 58.Kg2-f2 Rg3-d3 59.a5-a6
Rd3-d2+ 60.Kf2-f1 Bf4xg5 61.h4xg5
0.61/19 ] 46.Kg1-f1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 46.h3-h4 h7-h6 47.Kg1-f1 h6xg5
48.Rd2-d3+ Kf3-f4 49.Nf2-h3+ Kf4-e4
50.Rd3-c3 g5-g4 51.Nh3-g5+ Ke4-d5
52.Kf1-g2 Bc5-d6 53.Rc3-c1 Rg6-h6
54.Rc1-h1 Bd6-f4 55.a3-a4 Rh6-b6
56.Rh1-b1 Rb6-b3 57.a4-a5 Rb3-g3+
58.Kg2-f2 Rg3-d3 59.a5-a6 Rd3-d2+
60.Kf2-f1 Bf4xg5 61.h4xg5 0.52/18 ]
46...Rg6xg5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
46...Rg6xg5 47.Rd2-d3+ Kf3-f4
48.b2-b4 Bc5-a7 49.Rd3-d7 Rg5-g3
50.a3-a4 Ba7xf2 51.Kf1xf2 Rg3xh3
52.Rd7-f7+ Kf4-e5 53.Rf7xc7 Rh3-b3
54.b4-b5 Rb3-b4 55.a4-a5 Rb4xb5
56.a5-a6 Rb5-b2+ 57.Kf2-g3 h7-h5
58.a6-a7 Rb2-a2 59.Rc7-h7 Ra2-a3+
60.Kg3-h4 Ke5-d5 0.61/15 ]
47.Rd2-d3+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47.Rd2-d3+ Kf3-f4 48.b2-b4 Bc5-a7
49.Rd3-d7 Rg5-g3 50.a3-a4 Ba7xf2
51.Kf1xf2 Rg3xh3 52.Rd7-f7+ Kf4-e5
53.Rf7xc7 Rh3-b3 54.b4-b5 Rb3-b4

340
55.a4-a5 Rb4xb5 56.a5-a6 Rb5-b2+
57.Kf2-g3 h7-h5 58.a6-a7 Rb2-a2
59.Rc7-h7 Ra2-a3+ 60.Kg3-h4
Ke5-d5 0.53/16 ] 47...Kf3-f4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 47...Kf3-f4
48.b2-b4 Bc5-a7 49.Rd3-d7 Rg5-g3
50.a3-a4 Ba7xf2 51.Kf1xf2 Rg3xh3
52.Rd7-f7+ Kf4-e5 53.Rf7xc7 Ke5-d6
54.Rc7-b7 Kd6-c6 55.Rb7-e7 Rh3-a3
56.b4-b5+ Kc6-b6 57.Re7-e6+ Kb6-a5
58.Re6-a6+ Ka5-b4 0.57/15 ]
48.Rd3-c3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
48.b2-b4 Bc5-a7 49.Rd3-d7 Rg5-g3
50.a3-a4 Ba7xf2 51.Kf1xf2 Rg3xh3
52.Rd7-f7+ Kf4-e5 53.Rf7xc7 Ke5-d6
54.Rc7-b7 Kd6-c6 55.Rb7-e7 Rh3-a3
56.b4-b5+ Kc6-b6 57.Re7-e6+ Kb6-a5
58.Re6-a6+ Ka5-b4 0.50/16 ]
48...Bc5-b6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
48...Bc5-b6 49.a3-a4 Rg5-a5
50.b2-b3 Ra5-a8 51.Nf2-d3+ Kf4-e3
52.Nd3-b4+ Ke3-d2 53.Rc3-d3+
Kd2-c1 54.Nb4-d5 Kc1-c2 55.Kf1-e2
Ra8-e8+ 56.Nd5-e3+ Kc2-b2
57.h3-h4 Bb6-a5 58.Rd3-d5 Ba5-b4
0.39/17 ] 49.b2-b4 [ 49.a3-a4 Rg5-f5
50.Nf2-d1 h7-h5 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 49.a3-a4 Rg5-f5 50.Nf2-d1
Rf5-d5 51.Kf1-e2 Rd5-e5+ 52.Ke2-d3
Re5-e1 53.Kd3-d2 Re1-e4 54.Rc3-a3
Bb6-a5+ 55.Nd1-c3 Re4-e3
56.Kd2-c2 c7-c6 57.Ra3-b3 h7-h5
58.h3-h4 0.33/15 ] 49...Rg5-d5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 49...Kf4-e5
50.Rc3-f3 Bb6-d4 51.Nf2-g4+ Ke5-d5
52.Kf1-e2 Kd5-c4 53.Ng4-e3+ Bd4xe3
54.Ke2xe3 c7-c5 55.Ke3-f4 Rg5-d5
56.b4xc5 Rd5xc5 57.Rf3-e3 Rc5-d5
58.Re3-e4+ Kc4-b3 0.25/15 ]
50.Rc3-d3 White threatens to win
material: Rd3xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 50.Rc3-c2 Kf4-g3 51.Nf2-e4+
Kg3-f3 52.Ne4-d2+ Kf3-e3
53.Nd2-c4+ Ke3-e4 54.Nc4xb6 c7xb6
55.Kf1-e2 Rd5-g5 56.Rc2-c4+ Ke4-d5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


57.Rc4-f4 b6-b5 58.Rf4-f7 Rg5-g3
59.Rf7-f3 Rg3-g5 60.Ke2-f2 h7-h5
61.Rf3-d3+ Kd5-c4 0.32/17 ]
50...Rd5-f5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
50...Rd5-f5 51.Nf2-d1 c7-c5 52.Kf1-e2
c5xb4 53.a3xb4 Kf4-e5 54.Ke2-d2
Rf5-f4 55.Kd2-c3 Rf4-h4 56.Nd1-e3
Bb6xe3 57.Rd3xe3+ Ke5-d5
58.Kc3-b3 Rh4-f4 59.Re3-c3 Rf4-f1
60.b4-b5 Rf1-b1+ 61.Kb3-a4 h7-h5
62.Rc3-d3+ Kd5-c4 0.36/16 ]
51.Nf2-d1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
51.Nf2-d1 c7-c5 52.Kf1-e2 c5xb4
53.a3xb4 Kf4-e5 54.Ke2-d2 Rf5-f4
55.Kd2-c3 Rf4-h4 56.Nd1-e3 Bb6xe3
57.Rd3xe3+ Ke5-d5 58.Kc3-b3 Rh4-f4
59.Re3-c3 Rf4-f1 60.b4-b5 Rf1-b1+
61.Kb3-a4 h7-h5 62.Rc3-d3+ Kd5-c4
0.31/18 ] 51...c7-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 51...c7-c5 52.Kf1-e2 c5xb4
53.a3xb4 Kf4-e5 54.Ke2-d2 Rf5-f4
55.Kd2-c3 Rf4-h4 56.Nd1-e3 Bb6xe3
57.Rd3xe3+ Ke5-d5 58.Kc3-b3 Rh4-f4
59.Re3-c3 Rf4-f1 60.b4-b5 Rf1-b1+
61.Kb3-a4 h7-h5 62.Rc3-d3+ Kd5-c4
0.36/16 ] 52.Nd1-c3 [ 52.Kf1-e2 c5xb4
53.a3xb4 Rf5-g5$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 52.Kf1-e2 c5xb4 53.a3xb4
Kf4-e5 54.Ke2-d2 Rf5-f4 55.Kd2-c3
Rf4-h4 56.Nd1-e3 Bb6xe3
57.Rd3xe3+ Ke5-d5 58.Kc3-b3 Rh4-f4
59.Re3-c3 Rf4-f1 60.b4-b5 Rf1-b1+
61.Kb3-a4 h7-h5 62.Rc3-d3+ Kd5-c4
0.31/17 ] 52...c5xb4= [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 52...c5xb4 53.a3xb4 Kf4-e5+
54.Kf1-e1 Rf5-f4 55.b4-b5 Ke5-e6
56.Nc3-d5 Rf4-d4 57.Rd3xd4 Bb6xd4
58.Nd5-c7+ Ke6-d6 59.Nc7-a6
Kd6-d5 60.Ke1-e2 Kd5-c4 61.Na6-c7
Bd4-b6 62.Nc7-a8 Kc4xb5 63.Na8xb6
Kb5xb6 64.Ke2-d3 Kb6-c5 65.Kd3-e4
Kc5-c4 66.h3-h4 h7-h5 67.Ke4-e5
0.18/18 ] 53.a3xb4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 53.a3xb4 Kf4-e5+ 54.Kf1-e1
Rf5-f4 55.b4-b5 Ke5-e6 56.Nc3-d5

341
Rf4-d4 57.Rd3xd4 Bb6xd4
58.Nd5-c7+ Ke6-d6 59.Nc7-a6
Kd6-d5 60.Ke1-e2 Kd5-c4 61.Na6-c7
Bd4-b6 62.Nc7-a8 Kc4xb5 63.Na8xb6
Kb5xb6 64.Ke2-d3 Kb6-c5 65.Kd3-e4
Kc5-c4 66.h3-h4 h7-h5 67.Ke4-e5
0.13/20 ] 53...Kf4-e5+ [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 53...Kf4-e5+ 54.Kf1-e1
Rf5-f4 55.b4-b5 Ke5-e6 56.Nc3-d5
Rf4-d4 57.Rd3xd4 Bb6xd4
58.Nd5-c7+ Ke6-d6 59.Nc7-a6
Kd6-d5 60.Ke1-e2 Kd5-c4 61.Na6-c7
Bd4-b6 62.Nc7-a8 Kc4xb5 63.Na8xb6
Kb5xb6 64.Ke2-d3 Kb6-c5 65.Kd3-e4
Kc5-c4 66.h3-h4 h7-h5 67.Ke4-e5
Kc4-d3 68.Ke5-f5 Kd3-d4 0.17/19 ]
54.Kf1-e1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
54.Kf1-e1 Rf5-f4 55.b4-b5 Ke5-e6
56.Nc3-d5 Rf4-d4 57.Rd3xd4 Bb6xd4
58.Nd5-c7+ Ke6-d6 59.Nc7-a6
Kd6-d5 60.Ke1-e2 Kd5-c4 61.Na6-c7
Bd4-b6 62.Nc7-a8 Kc4xb5 63.Na8xb6
Kb5xb6 64.Ke2-d3 Kb6-c5 65.Kd3-e4
Kc5-c4 66.h3-h4 h7-h5 67.Ke4-e5
Kc4-d3 68.Ke5-f5 Kd3-d4 0.13/19 ]
54...Rf5-f4 Black threatens to win
material: Rf4xb4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 54...Rf5-f4 55.b4-b5 Rf4-c4
56.Ke1-e2 Rc4-c5 57.Ke2-f3 Bb6-a5
58.Rd3-e3+ Ke5-d4 59.Nc3-e2+
Kd4-c4 60.Re3-e4+ Kc4xb5
61.Ne2-d4+ Kb5-a6 62.Re4-e6+
Ka6-b7 63.Kf3-e4 Rc5-c7 64.Nd4-f5
Ba5-b4 65.Re6-f6 Rc7-c4+
66.Nf5-d4 0.14/17 ] 55.Rd3-d5+
[ 55.b4-b5 Ke5-e6= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 55.b4-b5 Ke5-e6 56.Nc3-d5
Rf4-d4 57.Rd3xd4 Bb6xd4
58.Nd5-c7+ Ke6-d6 59.Nc7-a6
Kd6-d5 60.Ke1-e2 Kd5-c4 61.Na6-c7
Bd4-b6 62.Nc7-a8 Kc4xb5 63.Na8xb6
Kb5xb6 64.Ke2-d3 Kb6-c5 65.Kd3-e4
Kc5-c4 66.h3-h4 Kc4-c5 67.Ke4-e5
h7-h5 68.Ke5-e4 Kc5-c4 69.Ke4-e5
0.13/15 ] 55...Ke5-e6= [Houdini 2.0c

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Pro x64: 55...Ke5-e6 56.Rd5-b5
Bb6-c7 57.Ke1-e2 Rf4-h4 58.Rb5-b7
Bc7-e5 59.Nc3-d1 Rh4xh3 60.Nd1-f2
Rh3-b3 61.Nf2-d3 Be5-d6 62.Rb7xh7
Ke6-d5 63.Rh7-h6 Bd6xb4
64.Rh6-h5+ Kd5-d6 65.Rh5-f5 Kd6-c6
66.Nd3xb4+ Rb3xb4 67.Rf5-f6+
0.05/16 ] 56.Rd5-b5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 56.Rd5-b5 Bb6-c7 57.Ke1-e2
Rf4-h4 58.Rb5-b7 Bc7-e5 59.Nc3-d1
Rh4xh3 60.Nd1-f2 Rh3-b3 61.Nf2-d3
Be5-d6 62.Rb7xh7 Ke6-d5 63.Rh7-h6
Bd6xb4 64.Rh6-h5+ Kd5-d6
65.Rh5-f5 Kd6-c6 66.Nd3xb4+
Rb3xb4 67.Rf5-f6+ 0.01/17 ]
56...Bb6-c7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
56...Bb6-c7 57.Ke1-e2 Rf4-h4
58.Rb5-b7 Bc7-e5 59.Nc3-d1 Rh4xh3
60.Nd1-f2 Rh3-b3 61.Nf2-d3 Be5-d6
62.Rb7xh7 Ke6-d5 63.Rh7-h6 Bd6xb4
64.Rh6-h5+ Kd5-d6 65.Rh5-h6+
Kd6-d5 66.Rh6-h5+ 0.05/17 ]
57.Nc3-d5 White threatens to win
material: Nd5xc7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 57.Ke1-e2 Rf4-h4 58.Rb5-b7
Bc7-e5 59.Nc3-d1 Rh4xh3 60.Nd1-f2
Rh3-b3 61.Nf2-d3 Be5-d6 62.Rb7xh7
Ke6-d5 63.Rh7-h6 Bd6xb4 64.Rh6-b6
Kd5-d4 65.Nd3xb4 Rb3-e3+
66.Ke2-d2 0.03/15 ] 57...Rf4-e4+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 57...Rf4-e4+
58.Ke1-f2 Bc7-d6 59.Nd5-e3 Re4-f4+
60.Kf2-e2 Rf4xb4 61.Rb5xb4 Bd6xb4
62.Ke2-f3 Bb4-c5 63.Ne3-g2 Ke6-e5
64.Ng2-f4 Bc5-b6 65.Nf4-d3+ Ke5-d4
66.Nd3-c1 h7-h6 67.Kf3-g2 Kd4-c5
68.Nc1-b3+ Kc5-d6 69.Nb3-c1 Kd6-c5
70.Nc1-b3+ 0.03/20 ] 58.Ke1-f2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 58.Ke1-f2
Bc7-d6 59.Nd5-e3 Re4-f4+ 60.Kf2-e2
Rf4xb4 61.Rb5xb4 Bd6xb4 62.Ke2-f3
Bb4-c5 63.Ne3-g2 Ke6-e5 64.Ng2-f4
Bc5-b6 65.Nf4-d3+ Ke5-d4 66.Nd3-c1
h7-h6 67.Kf3-g2 Kd4-c5 68.Nc1-b3+
Kc5-d6 69.Nb3-c1 Kd6-c5

342
70.Nc1-b3+ -0.01/19 ] 58...Bc7-d6
Attacking the isolated pawn on b4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 58...Bc7-d6
59.Nd5-e3 Re4-f4+ 60.Kf2-e2 Rf4xb4
61.Rb5xb4 Bd6xb4 62.Ke2-f3 Bb4-c5
63.Ne3-c4 Ke6-d5 64.Nc4-b2 h7-h6
65.Kf3-g2 Kd5-d4 66.Nb2-a4 Bc5-a7
67.Kg2-h1 Kd4-d5 68.Na4-c3+
Kd5-c6 0.03/18 ]
-

25

C84

Ruslan Ponomariov
Vassily Ivanchuk
FIDE WCh KO Final (5)

21.01.2002

C88: Closed Ruy Lopez: Anti-Marshall


Systems
1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3.Bf1-b5 a7-a6 4.Bb5-a4 Diagram

r+lqklnr
+ppp+ppp
p+n+ + +
+ + p +
L+ +P+ +
+ + +N+
PPPP PPP
RNLQK +R

1286

Ng8-f6 5.0-0 Bf8-e7 6.Rf1-e1 b7-b5


7.Ba4-b3 0-0 8.h2-h3 Bc8-b7
9.d2-d3 d7-d6 10.a2-a3 Nc6-b8
11.Nb1-d2 Nb8-d7 12.Nd2-f1 Rf8-e8
13.Nf1-g3 c7-c6 14.Nf3-h2 d6-d5
15.Qd1-f3 g7-g6 [RR 15...Nd7-c5
16.Bb3-a2 Nc5-e6 17.c2-c3 d5xe4
18.d3xe4 Be7-f8 19.Re1-d1 Qd8-c7
20.Nh2-g4 Nf6xg4 21.Qf3xg4 c6-c5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


22.Ba2-d5 Ra8-d8 23.Bc1-e3 c5-c4
24.Ng3-f5 g7-g6 25.Nf5-h6+ Bf8xh6
26.Be3xh6 Bb7xd5 27.e4xd5 Ne6-c5
28.Qg4-h4 Rd8-d6 29.Rd1-d2 Nc5-b3
30.Ra1-d1 Lauk,U (2424)-Nyback,T
(2567)/Jyvaskyla 2007/CBM 119 ext/
0-1 (40) ] 16.Bb3-a2 Be7-f8
17.Bc1-g5N [RR 17.h3-h4 h7-h5
18.Bc1-g5 Bf8-g7 19.Ra1-d1 Qd8-c7
20.c2-c3 a6-a5 21.Nh2-f1 b5-b4
22.Nf1-e3 Qc7-d6 23.Ne3-c2 b4xc3
24.b2xc3 Ra8-b8 25.d3-d4 Bb7-a8
26.Bg5-c1 Nf6-g4 27.Nc2-e3 Ng4xe3
28.Qf3xe3 Qd6-e7 29.Qe3-g5 Qe7-f8
30.e4xd5 c6xd5 31.Ng3-f1 e5xd4
Nijboer,F (2586)-Fressinet,L (2636)/
Wijk aan Zee 2004/CBM 099/0-1 (53) ;
RR 17.Bc1-e3 Bf8-g7 18.Ra1-d1
Qd8-e7 19.c2-c3 h7-h6 20.Nh2-g4
Nf6xg4 21.h3xg4 d5-d4 22.Be3-d2
c6-c5 23.Ng3-e2 Nd7-f8 24.Qf3-h3
Bb7-c8 25.c3xd4 c5xd4 26.Ba2-d5
Ra8-a7 27.Bd2xh6 Bc8xg4
28.Qh3xg4 Bg7xh6 29.Qg4-h3 Kg8-g7
30.g2-g3 Nf8-h7 31.Kg1-g2 Nh7-f6
Djukic,N (2504)-Lekic,D (2364)/Bar
2005/CBM 105 ext/1-0 (42) ] 17...h7-h6
Diagram

343

r+ qrlk+
+l+n+p+
p+p+ npp
+p+pp L
+ +P+ +
P +P+QNP
LPP+ PPN
R + R K

r+ +r+k+
+ +q+pl
p+ +n+pp
+ppPp +
+ + +P+
P PP+Q+
+ LNPP+
R + R K

1287

1288

(Diagram 1287)
18.Bg5-d2 Bf8-g7 19.Nh2-g4
Nf6xg4 20.h3xg4 last book move last
book move Nd7-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 20...Qd8-h4 21.e4xd5 c6xd5
22.g4-g5 h6xg5 23.Ba2xd5 Bb7xd5
24.Qf3xd5 Nd7-f6 25.Qd5-f3 Ra8-c8
26.c2-c3 Re8-e6 27.a3-a4 b5xa4
28.Ng3-e4 g5-g4 29.Qf3-e3 Nf6xe4
30.Qe3xe4 Re6-b6 31.g2-g3 -0.13/15 ]
21.Ra1-d1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21.Ng3-e2 Nc5-e6 22.Bd2-e3
d5-d4 23.Be3-d2 c6-c5 24.Ba2-d5
Qd8-d7 25.c2-c4 d4xc3 26.b2xc3
Bb7xd5 27.e4xd5 Diagram

Ne6-f4 28.Ne2xf4 e5xf4 29.Ra1-b1


Ra8-d8 30.Re1xe8+ Rd8xe8
31.Bd2xf4 Bg7xc3 32.Bf4xh6 0.14/14 ]
(Diagram 1289)
21...Ra8-c8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...Nc5-e6 Diagram
(Diagram 1290)
22.Ng3-e2
24.Ba2-b3
26.Bb3-a2
28.Qg3-f3

a6-a5 23.Qf3-e3
d5-d4 25.Qe3-g3
c6-c5 27.Bd2xg5
Qd8-f6 29.Qf3xf6

Ne6-g5
a5-a4
h6xg5
Bg7xf6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ qr+k+
+l+ +pl
p+p+ +pp
+pnpp +
+ +P+P+
P +P+QN
LPPL PP+
+ +RR K

r+ qr+k+
+l+ +pl
p+p+n+pp
+p+pp +
+ +P+P+
P +P+QN
LPPL PP+
+ +RR K

344
25.Ng3-e2 Rc8-d8 26.e4xd5 c6xd5
27.Bd2-e3 Ne6-g5 28.Qf3-g3 Rd8-d7
29.Qg3-h4 d5-d4 30.Be3xg5 Diagram
1289

+ +r+k+
+l+r+pl
+ q +pp
pp+ p L
+ p +PQ
P PP+ +
LP +NPP+
+ +RR K
1290

30.Ba2-d5 -0.11/15 ] 22.Ng3-f1


[ 22.Bd2-e3 Nc5-e6= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 22.Ng3-e2 Nc5-e6 23.Qf3-g3
Qd8-f6 24.f2-f3 Qf6-e7 25.Qg3-f2
d5xe4 26.Ba2xe6 Qe7xe6 27.d3xe4
c6-c5 28.g4-g5 h6xg5 29.Bd2xg5
b5-b4 30.Qf2-e3 a6-a5 0.15/14 ]
22...Nc5-e6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Nc5-e6 23.Qf3-h3 Ne6-g5
24.Qh3-g3 Qd8-d6 25.Qg3-h4 Qd6-f6
26.Qh4-g3 Ng5-e6 27.Qg3-h2 Ne6-d4
28.Nf1-e3 Qf6-f4 29.c2-c3 Qf4xh2+
30.Kg1xh2 -0.05/15 ] 23.Qf3-g3
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.c2-c3 Qd8-d6 24.Nf1-g3 a6-a5

1291

h6xg5 31.Qh4xg5 d4xc3 32.Ne2xc3


-0.06/14 ]

+rqr+k+
+l+ +pl
p+p+n+pp
+p+pp +
+ +P+P+
P +P+ Q
LPPL PP+
+ +RRNK

1292

23...Kg8-h7 [ 23...c6-c5!?!
is an interesting alternative ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 23...c6-c5 Diagram
(Diagram 1293)
24.Qg3-h2 Ne6-d4 25.Rd1-c1 d5xe4
26.d3xe4 g6-g5 27.Nf1-g3 Qd8-d7
28.Bd2-e3 Qd7xg4 29.c2-c3 Nd4-e6
30.f2-f3 Qg4-h4 31.Ng3-f5 Qh4xh2+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+rqr+k+
+l+ +pl
p+ +n+pp
+pppp +
+ +P+P+
P +P+ Q
LPPL PP+
+ +RRNK

345

1293

32.Kg1xh2 -0.11/14 ] 24.Nf1-h2


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.c2-c3 c6-c5
25.Qg3-f3 d5xe4 26.d3xe4 Qd8-f6
27.Qf3xf6 Bg7xf6 28.Ba2-d5 Bb7-c6
29.Nf1-e3 Ne6-f4 30.Bd5xf7 Re8-d8
31.Ne3-d5 Nf4xd5 Diagram

+rr + +
+ + +L+k
p+l+ lpp
+ppnp +
+ +P+P+
P P + +
P L PP+
+ +RR K

1294

32.e4xd5 Bc6xd5 33.Bd2-g5 Bd5xf7


34.Bg5xf6 Rd8xd1 35.Re1xd1 0.17/13
] 24...f7-f6 Controls g5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 24...Kh7-g8 Diagram
25.Nh2-f1 0.11/15 ] 25.Nh2-f3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25.Qg3-h3
a6-a5 26.Nh2-f1 Diagram
Ne6-d4 27.c2-c3 Nd4-e6 28.Qh3-f3
a5-a4 29.Nf1-g3 Qd8-d7 30.Bd2-e3

+rqr+k+
+l+ +pl
p+p+n+pp
+p+pp +
+ +P+P+
P +P+ Q
LPPL PPN
+ +RR K

+rqr+ +
+l+ + lk
+p+nppp
pp+pp +
+ +P+P+
P +P+ +Q
LPPL PP+
+ +RRNK

1295

1296

Ne6-g5 31.Qf3-e2 c6-c5 32.Be3xg5


f6xg5 33.e4xd5 Bb7xd5 34.Ba2xd5
Qd7xd5 0.23/14 ] 25...c6-c5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...a6-a5
26.Qg3-h3 a5-a4 27.g2-g3 c6-c5
28.g4-g5 Ne6xg5 29.Bd2xg5 f6xg5
30.Ba2xd5 Bb7xd5 31.e4xd5 Diagram
(Diagram 1297)
g5-g4 32.Qh3xg4 Qd8xd5 33.Qg4-e4
Rc8-d8 34.Kg1-g2 0.24/14 ]
26.Qg3-h2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26.Qg3-h3 c5-c4 27.e4xd5 Bb7xd5
28.d3xc4 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+rqr+ +
+ + + lk
+ + +pp
+ppPp p
p+ + + +
P +P+NPQ
PP+ P +
+ +RR K

+rqr+ +
+ + + lk
p+ +nppp
+p+lp +
+P+ +P+
P + +N+Q
LPPL PP+
+ +RR K

346

1297

1298

b5xc4 29.g4-g5 f6xg5 30.Bd2xg5


Ne6xg5 31.Nf3xg5+ Qd8xg5
32.Rd1xd5 Re8-f8 33.Rd5-d6 Qg5-f4
34.Re1-f1 Rc8-d8 35.Rd6xa6 Rd8-d2
36.Qh3-e6 Rf8-f6 37.Qe6xc4 Qf4xc4
38.Ba2xc4 Rf6xa6 39.Bc4xa6
Rd2xc2 0.36/15 ] 26...Ne6-d4 Diagram
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26...c5-c4
27.d3xc4 b5xc4 28.e4xd5 Bb7xd5
Diagram
29.Bd2-e3 Qd8-a5 30.c2-c3 Qa5-b5
31.Ba2-b1 Rc8-d8 32.Be3-c1 Bd5xf3
33.g2xf3 Ne6-g5 34.Bc1xg5 f6xg5
35.Qh2-h5 Qb5-b6 36.Bb1-e4
Re8-f8 0.09/14 ]

+rqr+ +
+ + + lk
p+ +nppp
+ +lp +
+p+ +P+
P + +N+
LPPL PPQ
+ +RR K

+rqr+ +
+l+ + lk
p+ + ppp
+pppp +
+ nP+P+
P +P+N+
LPPL PPQ
+ +RR K

1299

1300

27.Nf3xd4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 27.c2-c3 Nd4xf3+ 28.g2xf3
Qd8-d7 29.Kg1-g2 Re8-h8 30.Bd2-e3
Kh7-g8 31.Qh2-g3 Rh8-h7 32.f3-f4
Kg8-h8 33.f4xe5 Diagram
(Diagram 1301)
f6xe5 34.e4xd5 Bb7xd5+ 35.Ba2xd5
Qd7xd5+ 36.Qg3-f3 Qd5-e6
37.Re1-h1 0.35/15 ]
27...c5xd4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27...c5xd4 28.Rd1-c1 Qd8-d7
29.Qh2-h4 Re8-h8 30.Bd2-b4 Bb7-a8
31.Ba2-b3 Rh8-e8 32.Bb4-d2 Re8-f8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ + k
+l+q+ lr
p+ + ppp
+pppP +
+ +P+P+
P PPL Q
LP + PK+
+ +RR +

+rqr+ +
+l+ + lk
p+ + ppp
+pppp +
+ NP+P+
P +P+ +
LPPL PPQ
+ +RR K

347

1301

1302

33.Rc1-d1 Rf8-f7 34.Rd1-a1 Qd7-d6


35.Bd2-b4 Qd6-e6 36.a3-a4 Bg7-f8
Diagram
(Diagram 1303)
37.Bb4xf8 Rf7xf8 38.a4xb5 a6xb5
0.18/15 ]
(Diagram 1304)
28.c2-c3 Diagram [ 28.Ba2-b3
Qd8-d6$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28.Rd1-c1 Qd8-d7 29.Qh2-h4
Diagram

l+r+ l +
+ + +r+k
p+ +qppp
+p+pp +
PL pP+PQ
+L+P+ +
PP+ PP+
R + R K

+rqr+ +
+l+ + lk
p+ + ppp
+p+pp +
+ pP+P+
P +P+ +
LPPL PPQ
+ +RR K

+r+r+ +
+l+q+ lk
p+ + ppp
+p+pp +
+ pP+PQ
P +P+ +
LPPL PP+
+ R R K

1303

1304

1305

Rc8-c7 30.Ba2-b3 Re8-c8 31.Bd2-a5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

348

Rc7-c5 32.Ba5-d2 Qd7-e6 33.g4-g5


f6xg5 34.Bd2xg5 h6-h5 35.Rc1-d1
Rc5-c7 0.19/16 ]

+rqr+ +
+l+ + lk
p+ + ppp
+p+pp +
+ pP+P+
P PP+ +
LP L PPQ
+ +RR K

+r+ l +
+lrq+ +k
p+ + ppp
+p+ p +
+ pP+P+
PL+P+ +Q
P + PP+
+ LRR K

1306

+rqr+ +
+l+ + lk
p+ + ppp
+p+pp +
+ +P+P+
P pP+ +
LP L PPQ
+ +RR K

28...d4xc3 Diagram [ 28...Qd8-d7


29.Qh2-h4 a6-a5= Diagram

+r+r+ +
+l+q+ lk
+ + ppp
pp+pp +
+ pP+PQ
P PP+ +
LP L PP+
+ +RR K

1307

1308

1309

x64: 29.Bd2xc3 a6-a5 30.e4xd5


Diagram
(Diagram 1310)

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Qd8-d7


29.Qh2-h3 d4xc3 30.Bd2xc3 d5-d4
31.Bc3-b4 Bg7-f8 32.Bb4-d2 Rc8-c2
33.Bd2-c1 Re8-c8 34.Ba2-b3 Rc2-c7
Diagram
35.Qh3-h4 g6-g5 36.Qh4-h5 Bf8-d6
37.Bc1-d2 0.11/15 ]
29.b2xc3 Diagram [ 29.Bd2xc3
and White could well hope to play on
a6-a5 30.e4xd5= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

b5-b4 31.a3xb4 a5xb4 32.Bc3xb4


Bb7xd5 33.Ba2xd5 Qd8xd5 34.Bb4-c3
Rc8-a8 35.Rd1-d2 Ra8-a4 36.Qh2-h3
Re8-d8 37.b2-b4 Ra4-a3 Diagram
(Diagram 1311)
38.Re1-c1 Rd8-c8 39.Rd2-c2 0.21/14
]
29...d5xe4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+rqr+ +
+l+ + lk
+ + ppp
pp+Pp +
+ + +P+
P LP+ +
LP + PPQ
+ +RR K

+ r + +
+ + + lk
+ + ppp
+ +qp +
P + +P+
r LP+ +Q
+ R PP+
+ + R K

+rqr+ +
+l+ + lk
p+ + ppp
+p+pp +
+ +P+P+
P PP+ +
L+ L PPQ
+ +RR K
29...d5xe4 Diagram

349

1310

1311

1312

+rqr+ +
+l+ + lk
p+ + ppp
+p+ p +
+ +p+P+
P PP+ +
L+ L PPQ
+ +RR K

1313

30.d3xe4 Qd8-e7 31.Qh2-h3 Re8-d8


32.Qh3-e3 Qe7-d7 33.f2-f3 Qd7-d3
34.Qe3-b6 Qd3-c2 35.Ba2-b1 Qc2-b2
36.Bd2xh6 Rd8xd1 37.Re1xd1
Qb2-b3 38.Rd1-c1 Kh7xh6 39.Qb6xb7
Qb3xa3 -0.08/13 ] 30.d3xe4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.Qh2-h3
Qd8xd3 Diagram

+r+r+ +
+l+ + lk
p+ + ppp
+p+ p +
+ +p+P+
P Pq+ +Q
L+ L PP+
+ +RR K

1314

31.Qh3-h4 g6-g5 32.Qh4-h5 Re8-e7


33.Ba2-b3 Qd3-d8 34.Bd2xg5 Qd8-e8
35.Qh5xe8 Diagram
Re7xe8 36.Bg5-d2 Rc8-c7 37.a3-a4
b5xa4 38.Bb3xa4 Re8-d8 39.Ba4-c2
Rc7-d7 40.Bd2-e3 Rd7xd1 41.Re1xd1
Rd8xd1+ 42.Bc2xd1 -0.37/15 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+Q+ +
+l+ r lk
p+ + p p
+p+ p L
+ +p+P+
PLP + +
+ + PP+
+ +RR K

+rqr+ +
+l+ + lk
p+ + ppp
+p+ p +
+ +P+P+
P P + +
L+ L PPQ
+ +RR K

350

1315

1316

30...Qd8-e7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 30...Qd8-e7 Diagram
(Diagram 1317)
31.Qh2-h3 Re8-d8 32.Qh3-e3
Rd8-d7 33.Bd2-c1 Rc8-d8 34.Rd1xd7
Qe7xd7 35.f2-f3 Qd7-d3 36.Qe3-b6
Bb7-a8 37.Qb6-a5 Qd3-d6 38.Bc1-e3
Rd8-c8 39.Qa5-b4 Qd6xb4 40.c3xb4
Rc8-c2 41.Ba2-d5 -0.14/17 ]
31.a3-a4 Diagram [ 31.Qh2-h3
Re8-d8 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31.Qh2-h3 Diagram
Re8-d8 32.Qh3-e3 Rd8-d7 33.Bd2-c1

+r+r+ +
+l+ q lk
p+ + ppp
+p+ p +
+ +P+P+
P P + +
L+ L PPQ
+ +RR K

+r+r+ +
+l+ q lk
p+ + ppp
+p+ p +
+ +P+P+
P P + +
L+ L PPQ
+ +RR K

+r+r+ +
+l+ q lk
p+ + ppp
+p+ p +
+ +P+P+
P P + +Q
L+ L PP+
+ +RR K
Rc8-d8 34.Rd1xd7 Qe7xd7

1317

1318

1319

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

351

35.Qe3-b6 Rd8-c8 36.Ba2-e6 Qd7-c6


37.Qb6xc6 Rc8xc6 38.Be6-d5 Rc6-c7
39.Bd5xb7 Rc7xb7 40.Re1-d1
Bg7-f8 -0.14/15 ]

+r+r+ +
+l+ q lk
p+ + ppp
+p+ p +
P+ +P+P+
+ P + +
L+ L PPQ
+ +RR K

1320

1322

36.Re1-e2 Rc8-d8 37.Bd2-e3 a4-a3


38.Kg1-g2 Kh7-h8 39.Rb1-h1 Rd3-d1
40.Re2-e1 Rd1xe1 Diagram

31...b5xa4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 31...b5xa4 32.Qh2-h3
Re8-d8 33.Qh3-e3 Bb7-c6 34.Bd2-c1
Bc6-d7 35.Ba2-d5 Bd7xg4 36.Rd1-d3
Bg4-e6 37.c3-c4 Diagram

+rr + +
+ + q lk
p+ +lppp
+ +Lp +
p+P+P+ +
+ +RQ +
+ + PP+
+ L R K

+r+r+ +
+l+ q lk
p+ + ppp
+ + p +
p+ +P+P+
+ P + +
L+ L PPQ
+ +RR K

1321

Be6xd5 38.c4xd5 Rc8-c2 39.Bc1-a3


Qe7-b7 40.Rd3-c3 Rc2xc3 41.Qe3xc3
Qb7-b3 -0.45/15 ]
32.Qh2-h3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.g2-g3 Re8-d8 33.f2-f3 Rd8-d7
34.Qh2-f2 Rd7-d3 35.Rd1-b1 Qe7-d7

+ r + k
+l+q+ l
p+ + ppp
+ + p +
+ +P+P+
p P LPP
L+ + QK+
+ + r +R

1323

41.Qf2xe1 -0.41/14 ] 32...Re8-d8


Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...Re8-d8 33.Qh3-e3 Bb7-c6
34.Bd2-c1 Bc6-d7 35.Ba2-d5 Bd7xg4
36.Rd1-d3 Bg4-e6 37.c3-c4 Be6xd5
38.c4xd5 Rc8-c2 39.Bc1-a3 Qe7-b7
40.Rd3-c3 Rc2xc3 41.Qe3xc3
Qb7-b3 -0.45/15 ]
33.Qh3-f3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33.Qh3-e3 a4-a3 34.c3-c4 Rd8-d4
35.f2-f3 Rc8-d8 36.Re1-e2 Bb7-c6
37.Rd1-b1 Qe7-d7 38.Bd2-a5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+rr + +
+l+ q lk
p+ + ppp
+ + p +
p+ +P+P+
+ P + +Q
L+ L PP+
+ +RR K

352

1324

Rd4-d1+ 39.Rb1xd1 Qd7xd1+


40.Re2-e1 Rd8-d3 41.Qe3-f2 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + lk
p+l+ ppp
L + p +
+P+P+P+
p +r+P+
L+ + QP+
+ +qR K

1325

+ + + +
+lr q lk
+ + ppp
p + p +
p+ +P+P+
+ P Q +
L+ + PP+
+ LrR K

+ + + +
+ r q lk
+ +lppp
p +Lp +
+ +P+P+
L P QP+
+ + +P+
+ +R+ K

1326

1327

Diagram
Qd1-a4 -0.49/13 ] 33...Rc8-c7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33...a6-a5
34.Bd2-c1 Rc8-c7 35.Qf3-e3 Rd8xd1
Diagram

(Diagram 1328)
] 34.Bd2-c1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34.Qf3-e2 a4-a3 35.f2-f3 a6-a5
36.Kg1-h2 Bg7-f8 37.Re1-h1 Diagram

(Diagram 1326)
(Diagram 1329)
36.Re1xd1 Bb7-c8 37.f2-f3 Bc8-e6
38.Ba2-d5 a4-a3 39.Bc1xa3 Diagram
Qe7xa3 40.Bd5xe6 Rc7-c6
41.Be6-d5 Rc6xc3 42.Qe3-a7 Qa3-a4
43.Rd1-d2 Rc3-c1+ 44.Kg1-f2 Qa4-b4
45.Qa7-e3 a5-a4 46.g2-g3 -0.51/14

Rc7-d7 38.Kh2-g3 Qe7-c5 39.Bd2-e3


Diagram
Qc5xc3 40.Rd1-b1 Bb7-c6 41.Rb1-c1
Qc3-d3 42.Qe2-e1 Bc6-b7 43.g4-g5
f6xg5 44.Be3xg5 -0.45/15 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

353
34...a6-a5 35.Qf3-e3 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + lk
+ + ppp
+ +Lp +
pq +P+P+
+ + QPP
+ R K +
+ r + +

+ r l +
+lr q +k
+ + ppp
p + p +
+ +P+P+
p P +P+
L+ LQ+PK
+ +R+ +R

+ r l +
+l+r+ +k
+ + ppp
p q p +
+ +P+P+
p P LPK
L+ +Q+P+
+ +R+ +R
34...Rc7-d7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

1328

1329

1330

+ r + +
+lr q lk
+ + ppp
p + p +
p+ +P+P+
+ P Q +
L+ + PP+
+ LRR K

1331

Rd8xd1 36.Re1xd1 Bb7-c8 37.f2-f3


Bc8-e6 38.Ba2-d5 a4-a3 39.Bc1xa3
Qe7xa3 40.Bd5xe6 Rc7-c6 41.Be6-d5
Rc6xc3 42.Qe3-a7 Qa3-a4 43.Rd1-d2
Rc3-c1+ 44.Kg1-f2 Qa4-b4 45.Qa7-e3
a5-a4 46.g2-g3 -0.51/14 ] 35.Ba2-b1
[ 35.Qf3-e2!? ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35.Qf3-e2 Diagram

+ r + +
+l+rq lk
p+ + ppp
+ + p +
p+ +P+P+
+ P + +
L+ +QPP+
+ LRR K

1332

a6-a5 36.Kg1-h2 Qe7-e8 37.Rd1xd7


Qe8xd7 38.f2-f3 Qd7-d3 39.Qe2-b2
Bb7-a8 40.Qb2-b6 Rd8-c8 41.Qb6-e6
Qd3xc3 42.Re1-d1 Qc3-c2 43.Qe6-d7
Kh7-h8 -0.40/15 ] 35...Qe7-e6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35...Rd7xd1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

354

36.Re1xd1 Diagram

+ r + +
+l+ q lk
p+ + ppp
+ + p +
p+ +P+P+
+ P +Q+
+ + PP+
+LLR+ K

1333

a6-a5 37.Rd1xd8 Qe7xd8 38.Bb1-a2


Qd8-d6 39.Kg1-h1 a4-a3 40.Kh1-h2
a5-a4 41.Qf3-e3 Bg7-f8 42.f2-f3
Qd6-d7 43.Qe3-a7 Kh7-h8 44.Qa7-b6
Kh8-g7 45.Qb6-a7 Kg7-h8
46.Qa7-b6 -1.07/15 ] 36.Rd1xd7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36.Rd1xd7
Rd8xd7 37.Qf3-e2 Qe6-b3 38.Bc1-e3
a4-a3 39.Re1-c1 Bb7-c6 40.Bb1-a2
Qb3-b5 41.Ba2-c4 Qb5-b2 42.Rc1-c2
Qb2-b8 43.Be3-c1 Bg7-f8 44.Bc4-e6
Rd7-c7 45.Rc2-a2 Qb8-b1 46.Qe2-e3
Qb1xe4 47.Qe3xe4 Bc6xe4
48.Bc1xa3 Bf8xa3 49.Ra2xa3
Diagram
(Diagram 1334)
Rc7-c6 50.Be6-a2 -0.98/17 ]
36...Rd8xd7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36...Qe6xd7 37.Bb1-c2 Qd7-b5
38.Bc1-a3 Qb5-c4 39.Re1-b1 Bb7-c8
40.Qf3-e3 Bc8xg4 41.Rb1-b7 Rd8-d7
42.Rb7-b4 Qc4-a2 43.Qe3-c1 h6-h5
44.Rb4xa4 Diagram
Bg7-h6 45.Ba3-f8 Bh6xc1
46.Ra4xa2 -0.93/16 ] 37.Bb1-c2
[ 37.Qf3-e2 Diagram
Qe6-b3 38.Bb1-c2 Qb3-a2-+ ;

+ + + +
+ r + +k
p+ +Lppp
+ + p +
+ +l+P+
R P + +
+ + PP+
+ + + K

+ + + +
+ +r+ lk
p+ + pp+
+ + p +p
R+ +P+l+
L P + +
q+L+ PP+
+ Q + K

+ + + +
+l+r+ lk
p+ +qppp
+ + p +
p+ +P+P+
+ P + +
+ +QPP+
+LL R K
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37.Qf3-e2

1334

1335

1336

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

355

Qe6-b3 38.Bc1-e3 a4-a3 39.Re1-c1


Bb7-c6 40.Bb1-a2 Qb3-b5 41.Ba2-c4
Qb5-b2 42.Rc1-c2 Qb2-b8 43.Be3-c1
Bg7-f8 44.Bc4-e6 Rd7-c7 45.Rc2-a2
Qb8-b1 46.Qe2-e3 Diagram

+ + l +
+ r + +k
p+l+Lppp
+ + p +
+ +P+P+
p P Q +
R+ + PP+
+qL + K

1337

Qb1xe4 47.Qe3xe4 Bc6xe4


48.Bc1xa3 Bf8xa3 49.Ra2xa3 Rc7-c6
50.Be6-a2 -0.88/16 ] 37...Bb7-c6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37...Bb7-c6
Diagram

+ + + +
+ +r+ lk
p+l+qppp
+ + p +
p+ +P+P+
+ P +Q+
+L+ PP+
+ L R K

48.Kg1-f2 e5-e4 49.Kf2-e3 Kh7-g6


50.f3-f4 a5-a4 51.g2-g3 -1.60/17 ]
38.Re1-d1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 38.Bc2-d1 Bc6-b5 39.Bd1-e2
Qe6-a2 40.Kg1-h2 Qa2-b3 41.Re1-h1
Rd7-c7 42.Bc1-e3 Bb5xe2 43.Qf3xe2
a4-a3 44.Qe2xa6 Rc7xc3 45.Qa6-a7
a3-a2 46.Rh1-a1 Rc3-c2 47.Qa7-e7
Kh7-g8 -1.71/15 ]

+ + + +
+ +r+ lk
p+l+qppp
+ + p +
p+ +P+P+
+ P +Q+
+L+ PP+
+ LR+ K

1339

38...Qe6-a2 [ 38...Rd7xd1+ 39.Qf3xd1


Qe6-c4 40.Bc1-a3 Qc4xc3 41.Bc2xa4
Bc6xe4 42.Ba4-b3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 38...Rd7xd1+ Diagram

1338

(Diagram 1340)
39.Qf3xd1 Qe6-c4 40.Bc1-a3 Qc4xc3
41.Bc2xa4 Bc6xe4 42.Ba4-b3 Be4-b7
43.Qd1-c2 Qc3-d4 44.Qc2-c4 Qd4xc4
45.Bb3xc4 a6-a5 46.f2-f3 f6-f5
47.g4xf5 g6xf5 48.Kg1-f2 e5-e4
49.Kf2-e3 Kh7-g6 50.f3-f4 a5-a4
51.g2-g3 -1.60/17 Diagram
(Diagram 1341)

38.Re1-d1 Rd7xd1+ 39.Qf3xd1


Qe6-c4 40.Bc1-a3 Qc4xc3 41.Bc2xa4
Bc6xe4 42.Ba4-b3 Be4-b7 43.Qd1-c2
Qc3-d4 44.Qc2-c4 Qd4xc4 45.Bb3xc4
a6-a5 46.f2-f3 f6-f5 47.g4xf5 g6xf5

] 39.Rd1xd7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 39.Rd1xd7 Bc6xd7
40.Qf3-d1 Bd7-e8 41.Bc1-e3 Qa2-c4
42.Kg1-h2 Be8-c6 43.Qd1-d6 Bc6xe4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + lk
p+l+qppp
+ + p +
p+ +P+P+
+ P +Q+
+L+ PP+
+ Lr+ K

+ + + +
+l+ + l
+ + +kp
+ + +p+
p+L+pP +
L + K P
+ + + +
+ + + +

356

1340

1341

44.Bc2xe4 Qc4xe4 45.Qd6xa6


Qe4xg4 46.c3-c4 Qg4-h5+ 47.Kh2-g1
Qh5-d1+ Diagram
(Diagram 1342)
48.Kg1-h2 f6-f5 49.Qa6-a7 Qd1-c2
50.Be3-c5 Qc2xc4 51.Bc5-f8 Qc4-h4+
52.Kh2-g1 Qh4-f6 53.Bf8xg7 Qf6xg7
54.Qa7xa4 Qg7-c7 55.Qa4-a1 Kh7-g7
56.Qa1-d1 h6-h5 57.Qd1-d2 Qc7-b6
58.Qd2-d7+ Kg7-f6 -1.58/19 ]
39...Bc6xd7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 39...Bc6xd7 40.Qf3-d1
Bd7-e8 41.Bc1-e3 Qa2-c4 42.Kg1-h2

+ + + +
+ + + lk
Q+ + ppp
+ + p +
p+P+ + +
+ + L +
+ + PP+
+ +q+ K

+ + + +
+ +R+ lk
p+l+ ppp
+ + p +
p+ +P+P+
+ P +Q+
q+L+ PP+
+ L + K

1342

1343

Be8-c6 43.Qd1-d6 Bc6xe4 44.Bc2xe4


Qc4xe4 45.Qd6xa6 Qe4xg4 46.c3-c4
Qg4-h5+ 47.Kh2-g1 Qh5-d1+
48.Kg1-h2 f6-f5 49.Qa6-a7 Qd1-c2
50.Be3-c5 Qc2xc4 51.Bc5-f8 Qc4-h4+
52.Kh2-g1 Qh4-f6 53.Bf8xg7 Qf6xg7
54.Qa7xa4 Qg7-c7 55.g2-g3 h6-h5
56.Qa4-a6 Qc7-c1+ 57.Kg1-g2
Qc1-d2 58.Qa6-b7+ Kh7-h6
59.Qb7-e7 Qd2-d5+ 60.f2-f3 Qd5-d2+
61.Kg2-h3 -1.31/19 ]
40.Qf3-d1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
40.Qf3-d1 Bd7-e8 41.f2-f3 Diagram
Qa2-a1 42.c3-c4 Bg7-f8 43.Bc1-e3
Qa1-c3 44.Qd1-d3 Qc3xd3 45.Bc2xd3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ +l+ lk
p+ + ppp
+ + p +
p+ +P+P+
+ P +Q+
q+L+ PP+
+ L + K

+ +l+ +
+ + + lk
p+ + ppp
+ + p +
p+ +P+P+
+ P +P+
q+L+ +P+
+ LQ+ K

357

1344

1345

Kh7-g8 46.Kg1-f2 Kg8-f7 47.Bd3-b1


Kf7-e6 48.Bb1-a2 a4-a3 49.Kf2-e2
Ke6-d7 50.Ke2-d2 Kd7-c6 -1.41/19 ]
40...Bd7-b5 [ 40...Bd7-c6
41.Qd1-d3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
40...Bd7-e8 41.f2-f3 Qa2-a1 42.c3-c4
a4-a3 43.Bc2-b3 Bg7-f8 44.Qd1-d2
a6-a5 45.Kg1-f2 g6-g5 46.Kf2-e2
Bf8-c5 47.Ke2-d1 a5-a4 48.Bb3-a2
Diagram
Kh7-g7 49.Qd2-d5 Qa1xa2
50.Qd5xc5 -1.25/17 ] 41.Bc1-e3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41.Kg1-h2
Bb5-c6 42.Qd1-d3 Bc6-e8 43.c3-c4
Bg7-f8 44.Kh2-g1 Qa2-a1 45.Bc2-b1

+ +l+ +
+ + + +k
+ + p p
+ l p p
p+P+P+P+
p + +P+
L+ Q +P+
q LK+ +

1346

Qa1-d4 46.Qd3-c2 a4-a3 47.Qc2-b3


Kh7-g7 48.g4-g5 h6xg5 49.Bc1xa3
Bf8xa3 50.Qb3xa3 Qd4xc4 -1.19/15 ]
41...Qa2-c4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
41...Qa2-c4 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + lk
p+ + ppp
+l+ p +
p+q+P+P+
+ P L +
+L+ PP+
+ +Q+ K

1347

42.Kg1-h2 Bb5-c6 43.Qd1-d6 Bc6xe4


44.Bc2xe4 Qc4xe4 45.Qd6xa6
Qe4xg4 46.c3-c4 Qg4-h5+ 47.Kh2-g1
Qh5-d1+ 48.Kg1-h2 f6-f5 49.Qa6-a7
Qd1-c2 50.Be3-c5 Qc2xc4 51.Bc5-f8
Qc4-h4+ 52.Kh2-g1 Qh4-f6 53.Bf8xg7
Qf6xg7 Diagram
54.Qa7xa4 Qg7-c7 55.g2-g3 h6-h5
56.Qa4-a6 Qc7-c1+ 57.Kg1-g2
Qc1-d2 58.Qa6-b7+ Kh7-h6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
Q + + qk
+ + +pp
+ + pp+
p+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + PP+
+ + + K

358

1348

59.Qb7-e7 Qd2-d5+ 60.f2-f3 Qd5-d2+


61.Kg2-h3 -1.25/17 ] 42.Kg1-h2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42.Kg1-h2
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + lk
p+ + ppp
+l+ p +
p+q+P+P+
+ P L +
+L+ PPK
+ +Q+ +

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...Bb5-e8


43.Qd1-a1 Bg7-f8 44.Qa1-d1 a4-a3
45.Bc2-b3 Qc4xe4 46.Qd1-d8 Qe4-c6
47.c3-c4 Qc6-e6 48.Qd8-b8 Bf8-d6
49.Qb8-b6 e5-e4+ 50.g2-g3 Be8-f7
51.c4-c5 Bd6xg3+ 52.Kh2xg3 Qe6xb3
53.Qb6xb3 Bf7xb3 54.Be3-d4
-1.59/15 ]

+ + + +
+ + + lk
p+l+ ppp
+ + p +
p+q+P+P+
+ P L +
+L+ PPK
+ +Q+ +

1350

1349

Bb5-c6 43.Qd1-d6 Bc6xe4


44.Bc2xe4 Qc4xe4 45.Qd6xa6
Qe4xg4 46.c3-c4 Qg4-h5+ 47.Kh2-g1
Qh5-d1+ 48.Kg1-h2 f6-f5 49.Qa6-a7
Qd1-c2 50.Be3-c5 Qc2xc4 51.Bc5-f8
Qc4-h4+ 52.Kh2-g1 Qh4-f6 53.Bf8xg7
Qf6xg7 54.Qa7xa4 Qg7-c7 55.Qa4-a1
Kh7-g7 56.Qa1-d1 h6-h5 57.Qd1-d2
Qc7-c5 58.Qd2-d7+ Kg7-h6
59.Qd7-d8 f5-f4 60.Qd8-h8+ Kh6-g5
-1.42/17 ] 42...Bb5-c6 Diagram

43.Qd1-a1 [ 43.Qd1-d3 Qc4xd3


44.Bc2xd3 a4-a3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 43.Qd1-d6 Bc6xe4 44.Bc2xe4
Qc4xe4 45.Qd6xa6 Qe4xg4 46.c3-c4
Qg4-h5+ 47.Kh2-g1 Qh5-d1+
48.Kg1-h2 f6-f5 49.Qa6-a7 Qd1-c2
50.Be3-c5 Qc2xc4 51.Bc5-f8 Qc4-h4+
52.Kh2-g1 Qh4-f6 53.Bf8xg7 Qf6xg7
54.Qa7xa4 Qg7-c7 55.Qa4-a1 Kh7-g7
56.Qa1-d1 h6-h5 57.Qd1-d2 Qc7-c5
58.Qd2-d7+ Kg7-h6 59.Qd7-d8 f5-f4
60.Qd8-h8+ Kh6-g5 61.Qh8-d8+
Kg5-f5 -1.42/16 ] 43...Bg7-f8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43...a6-a5
44.Qa1-a3 Qc4-e2 45.Bc2xa4 Bc6xe4
46.c3-c4 Qe2xc4 47.Ba4-b3 Qc4-f1
48.f2-f3 Be4-c6 49.Qa3xa5 Bc6xf3
50.g2xf3 Qf1-e2+ 51.Kh2-g3 Qe2xe3
52.Bb3-d5 h6-h5 53.g4xh5 Qe3-g5+
54.Kg3-f2 Qg5xh5 55.Qa5-a2
Qh5-h4+ 56.Kf2-g2 Qh4-g5+
57.Kg2-f2 f6-f5 58.Qa2-e2 Qg5-h4+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


59.Kf2-g2 Qh4-d4 60.Qe2-c4
Qd4-d2+ 61.Kg2-g3 Bg7-f6 -1.89/17 ]
44.Bc2-b1 [ 44.Qa1-b2 Bc6-b5-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44.Qa1-b1
Qc4xc3 45.Qb1-a2 Qc3-b4
46.Qa2-f7+ Bf8-g7 47.Qf7-a2 Bc6xe4
48.Qa2xa4 Qb4xa4 49.Bc2xa4 Bg7-f8
50.Kh2-g3 a6-a5 51.f2-f3 Be4-d3
52.Kg3-f2 Kh7-g7 53.Be3-b6 Bf8-b4
54.Kf2-e3 Bd3-c4 -1.65/17 ] 44...a4-a3
[ 44...Qc4-e2 seems even better
45.Kh2-g3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
44...Qc4-e2 45.Kh2-g3 a4-a3
46.Be3-c1 Bf8-c5 47.Bc1xa3 -2.82/17 ]
45.f2-f3 [ 45.Qa1-a2 doesn't change
the outcome of the game Qc4xa2
46.Bb1xa2 Bc6xe4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 45.Qa1-a2 Qc4xa2 46.Bb1xa2
Bc6xe4 47.Kh2-g1 h6-h5 48.g4xh5
g6xh5 49.Kg1-f1 Kh7-g6 50.g2-g3
Be4-d3+ 51.Kf1-e1 Kg6-f5 52.Ke1-d2
Bd3-e4 53.Kd2-e2 Be4-c6 54.Ke2-d2
Kf5-e4 55.Kd2-c2 Bc6-d5 56.f2-f3+
-2.31/15 ] 45...Qc4-b3 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 45...Qc4-b3 46.Qa1-a2
Bc6-a4 47.Kh2-h3 a6-a5 48.Kh3-g3
Kh7-h8 49.Kg3-h2 Qb3xa2 50.Bb1xa2
Ba4-c2 51.Be3-c1 Kh8-g7 52.Kh2-g1
a5-a4 53.Ba2-d5 Bc2-b3 54.Kg1-f2
Bf8-c5+ 55.Kf2-e2 Bb3xd5 56.e4xd5
a3-a2 57.Bc1-b2 Kg7-f7 58.Ke2-d2
Kf7-e7 59.Kd2-d3 Ke7-d7 60.Bb2-a1
Kd7-d6 61.Kd3-c4 Bc5-a3 62.g2-g3
Ba3-c5 63.Ba1-b2 g6-g5 64.Bb2-a1
Bc5-a3 65.Kc4-b5 Kd6xd5 66.c3-c4+
Kd5-d6 67.Kb5xa4 -2.63/19 ]
46.Qa1-a2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
46.Qa1-a2 Bc6-a4 47.Kh2-h3 a6-a5
48.Kh3-g3 Kh7-h8 49.Kg3-h2 Qb3xa2
50.Bb1xa2 Ba4-c2 51.Be3-c1 Kh8-g7
52.Kh2-g1 a5-a4 53.Ba2-d5 Bc2-b3
54.Kg1-f2 a3-a2 55.Bc1-b2 Bb3xd5
56.e4xd5 Bf8-c5+ 57.Kf2-e1 Kg7-f7
58.Ke1-e2 Kf7-e7 59.Ke2-d3 Ke7-d7
60.Bb2-a1 Kd7-d6 61.Kd3-c4 Bc5-a3

359
62.g2-g3 Ba3-c5 63.Ba1-b2 g6-g5
64.Bb2-a1 Bc5-a3 65.Kc4-b5 Kd6xd5
66.c3-c4+ Kd5-d6 67.Kb5xa4 -2.82/18
] 46...Bc6-a4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
46...Bc6-a4 47.Kh2-h3 a6-a5
48.Kh3-g3 Kh7-h8 49.Kg3-h2 Qb3xa2
50.Bb1xa2 Ba4-c2 51.Be3-c1 Kh8-g7
52.Kh2-g1 a5-a4 53.Ba2-d5 Bc2-b3
54.Kg1-f2 Bf8-c5+ 55.Kf2-e2 Bb3xd5
56.e4xd5 a3-a2 57.Bc1-b2 Kg7-f7
58.Ke2-d2 Kf7-e7 59.Kd2-d3 Ke7-d7
60.Bb2-a1 Kd7-d6 61.Kd3-c4 Bc5-a3
62.g2-g3 Ba3-c5 63.Ba1-b2 a4-a3
64.Bb2-a1 Bc5-f2 65.Kc4-b3 Kd6xd5
66.Kb3xa2 -2.63/18 ] 47.Kh2-g3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 47.Kh2-h3
a6-a5 48.Kh3-g3 Kh7-h8 49.Kg3-h2
Qb3xa2 50.Bb1xa2 Ba4-c2 51.Be3-c1
Kh8-g7 52.Kh2-g1 a5-a4 53.Ba2-d5
Bc2-b3 54.Kg1-f2 a3-a2 55.Bc1-b2
Bf8-c5+ 56.Kf2-e2 Bb3xd5 57.e4xd5
Kg7-f7 58.Ke2-d2 Kf7-e7 59.Kd2-d3
Ke7-d6 60.Kd3-c4 h6-h5 61.g4xh5
g6xh5 62.Bb2-a1 h5-h4 -2.62/16 ]
47...Kh7-g7 [ 47...Kh7-h8-+
and Black can celebrate victory ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 47...a6-a5
48.Be3-c1 Kh7-g7 49.Kg3-h2 Qb3xc3
50.Qa2-d5 Qc3-b3 51.Bb1-a2 Qb3xd5
52.e4xd5 Ba4-b5 53.Kh2-g3 Bf8-c5
54.Bc1-d2 a5-a4 55.Bd2-c3 Bb5-d3
56.Bc3-d2 Bd3-e2 57.Bd2-c3 Be2-b5
58.Bc3-d2 -2.77/15 ] 48.Qa2-d2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 48.Qa2-d2
Qb3-d1 49.Be3xh6+ Kg7-f7
50.Bb1-a2+ Kf7-e8 51.Qd2xd1
Ba4xd1 52.Bh6xf8 Ke8xf8 53.Kg3-f2
Kf8-e7 54.Kf2-e3 Ke7-d6 55.Ke3-d3
Kd6-c5 56.Ba2-f7 Bd1-a4 57.Bf7-a2
Ba4-b5+ 58.c3-c4 Bb5-a4 59.Kd3-c3
a6-a5 60.Ba2-b1 Ba4-e8 61.Kc3-b3
-0.82/17 ] 48...g6-g5 [ 48...Qb3xb1?!
49.Be3xh6+ Kg7-f7 50.Qd2-d5+
Kf7-e8 51.Qd5-e6+ Bf8-e7
52.Qe6-c8+ Ke8-f7 53.Qc8-c4+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Kf7-e8 54.Qc4-c8+ Ke8-f7
55.Qc8-c4+ Kf7-e8 56.Qc4-c8+= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 48...Qb3-d1
49.Be3xh6+ Kg7-f7 50.Bb1-a2+
Kf7-e8 51.Qd2-e3 Bf8-e7 52.g4-g5
Ba4-b3 53.g5xf6 Be7xf6 54.Ba2xb3
Qd1xb3 55.Qe3-c5 Bf6-e7 56.Qc5xe5
Qb3-d1 57.Bh6-f4 Qd1-e1+ 58.Kg3-h2
Qe1-h4+ 59.Kh2-g1 a3-a2
60.Qe5-b8+ Ke8-f7 61.Qb8-b3+
Kf7-f6 62.Qb3-b6+ Kf6-g7 63.Bf4-e5+
Kg7-h7 64.c3-c4 Qh4-e1+ 65.Kg1-h2
a2-a1Q 66.Be5xa1 Qe1xa1
67.Qb6-c7 Qa1-g7 68.e4-e5 Be7-b4
69.Qc7xg7+ Kh7xg7 70.Kh2-g3
a6-a5 -0.69/18 ] 49.Bb1-a2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 49.Bb1-a2
Qb3-d1 50.Qd2-d5 Qd1xd5 51.e4xd5
Kg7-f7 52.Kg3-f2 Kf7-e8 53.Be3-b6
Ba4-c2 54.Kf2-e3 Bf8-d6 55.c3-c4
Ke8-d7 56.Ke3-d2 Bc2-g6 57.Kd2-c3
Bd6-c7 58.Bb6-c5 e5-e4 59.f3xe4
Bg6xe4 60.Bc5xa3 Bc7-e5+
61.Kc3-b4 Be4xg2 62.Ba2-b1 Bg2-f3
63.Bb1-f5+ Kd7-c7 64.Kb4-a5
-0.25/19 ] 49...Qb3-b7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 49...Qb3-b7 50.Qd2-d5
Qb7xd5 51.e4xd5 Kg7-f7 52.Kg3-f2
Kf7-e8 53.Be3-b6 Ke8-d7 54.c3-c4
Bf8-d6 55.Kf2-e3 Ba4-c2 56.Ke3-d2
Bc2-g6 57.Kd2-c3 Bd6-c7 58.Bb6-c5
e5-e4 59.f3xe4 Bg6xe4 60.Bc5xa3
Bc7-e5+ 61.Kc3-b4 Be4xg2
62.Ba2-b1 Bg2-f3 63.Bb1-f5+ Kd7-c7
64.Kb4-a5 -0.15/20 ] 50.Qd2-d3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 50.Qd2-d5
Qb7xd5 51.e4xd5 Ba4-c2 52.c3-c4
Bf8-b4 53.Kg3-f2 Kg7-f7 54.Be3-b6
f6-f5 55.g4xf5 Bc2xf5 56.c4-c5
Kf7-e7 57.Kf2-e3 Bb4-c3 58.c5-c6
Ke7-d6 59.g2-g4 Bf5-h7 60.c6-c7
Bc3-d4+ 61.Ke3-d2 Kd6-d7
62.Bb6xd4 e5xd4 63.d5-d6 -0.20/18 ]
50...Ba4-e8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
50...Qb7-b5 51.Qd3-d5 Qb5xd5

360
52.e4xd5 Ba4-c2 53.c3-c4 Bf8-b4
54.Kg3-f2 Kg7-f7 55.Be3-b6 Kf7-e7
56.c4-c5 f6-f5 57.g4xf5 Bc2xf5
58.Kf2-e3 Bb4-c3 59.c5-c6 Ke7-d6
60.g2-g4 Bf5-h7 61.c6-c7 Bc3-d4+
62.Ke3-d2 Kd6-d7 63.Bb6xd4 e5xd4
64.d5-d6 -0.26/17 ] 51.Qd3-d5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 51.Qd3-d5
Qb7-f7 52.Kg3-f2 Bf8-e7 53.c3-c4
Qf7-f8 54.Qd5-b7 Be8-f7 55.Qb7xa6
Qf8-b8 56.Qa6-b6 Qb8xb6 57.Be3xb6
Kg7-f8 58.Kf2-e2 Kf8-e8 59.Ke2-d3
Ke8-d7 60.Kd3-c3 Kd7-c6 61.Bb6-f2
Be7-c5 62.Bf2-e1 Bf7-e6 63.Kc3-b3
Be6-g8 64.Be1-d2 Kc6-d6 65.Bd2-e1
-0.38/19 ] 51...Qb7xd5 [ 51...Qb7-f7
52.Be3-b6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
51...Qb7-f7 52.c3-c4 Qf7-e7 53.c4-c5
Be8-f7 54.Qd5-d2 Qe7-c7 55.Ba2xf7
Qc7xf7 56.c5-c6 a3-a2 57.c6-c7
Qf7xc7 58.Qd2xa2 a6-a5 59.Qa2-a4
Bf8-b4 60.Kg3-h2 Qc7-b7 61.Kh2-g1
Qb7-c8 62.Qa4-b5 Qc8-c7 63.Kg1-f1
Qc7-d8 64.Qb5-b7+ Kg7-g6 65.Kf1-e2
Qd8-d6 -0.49/18 ] 52.e4xd5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 52.e4xd5
Be8-g6 53.c3-c4 Bf8-b4 54.Kg3-f2
Kg7-f8 55.Be3-b6 Kf8-e7 56.c4-c5
Bb4-c3 57.Ba2-b3 Bg6-d3 58.d5-d6+
Ke7-d7 59.Kf2-e3 Bd3-b5 60.Ke3-e4
Bc3-b2 61.Ke4-d5 Bb5-c6+ 62.Kd5-c4
e5-e4 63.f3xe4 Bc6xe4 64.Bb3-a4+
Be4-c6 65.Ba4xc6+ Kd7xc6
66.Kc4-b3 -0.17/18 ] 52...a6-a5
[ 52...h6-h5!? ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
52...h6-h5 53.g4xh5 Be8xh5
54.Kg3-f2 Kg7-f7 55.c3-c4 Bf8-b4
56.Be3-b6 Kf7-e7 57.c4-c5 Bh5-g6
58.Ba2-b3 Bg6-d3 59.Kf2-e3 Bd3-b5
60.Ke3-e4 Bb5-f1 61.Bb3-a4 Bb4-c3
62.d5-d6+ Ke7-e6 63.Ba4-b3+ Ke6-d7
64.Ke4-f5 -0.25/17 ] 53.c3-c4=
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 53.Be3-b6
Bf8-d6 54.c3-c4 Bd6-b4 55.Kg3-f2
Kg7-f7 56.c4-c5 Kf7-e7 57.Kf2-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Be8-g6 58.d5-d6+ Ke7-d7 59.Ba2-b3
Bg6-e8 60.Bb3-a4+ Kd7-e6
61.Ba4-b3+ Ke6-d7 62.Bb3-a4+
-0.02/19 ] 53...Bf8-b4 An ideal square
for the black bishop. [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 53...Bf8-b4 54.Kg3-f2 Kg7-f8
55.Be3-b6 Kf8-e7 56.c4-c5 Be8-b5
57.Kf2-e3 Bb4-c3 58.d5-d6+ Ke7-d7
59.Ke3-e4 Bc3-d4 60.Ke4-d5 Bb5-c6+
61.Kd5-c4 Kd7-e6 62.Kc4-d3+ Ke6-d7
63.Kd3-c4 Kd7-e6 0.02/19 ] 54.c4-c5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 54.Kg3-f2
Kg7-f8 55.Be3-b6 Kf8-e7 56.c4-c5
Be8-b5 57.Kf2-e3 Bb4-c3 58.d5-d6+
Ke7-d7 59.Ke3-e4 Bc3-d4 60.Ke4-d5
Bb5-c6+ 61.Kd5-c4 Kd7-e6
62.Kc4-d3+ Ke6-d7 63.Kd3-c4
Kd7-e6 -0.02/19 ] 54...Kg7-f8
[ 54...Bb4-e1+ 55.Be3-f2 Be1xf2+
56.Kg3xf2= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
54...Kg7-f8 55.c5-c6 Kf8-e7 56.Kg3-f2
Ke7-d6 57.Kf2-e2 Kd6-c7 58.Ke2-d3
h6-h5 59.g4xh5 Be8xh5 60.Kd3-c4
Bh5-g6 61.Be3-c5 Bg6-d3+
62.Kc4xd3 Bb4xc5 63.Kd3-c4 Bc5-d6
64.Ba2-b1 Bd6-e7 65.Bb1-a2 Be7-b4
66.Kc4-b3 Bb4-d6 67.Kb3-a4 g5-g4
68.Ka4xa5 g4xf3 69.g2xf3 -0.15/20 ]
55.Kg3-f2 [ 55.c5-c6 Kf8-e7= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 55.c5-c6 Kf8-e7
56.Kg3-f2 Ke7-d6 57.Kf2-e2 Kd6-c7
58.Ke2-d3 h6-h5 59.g4xh5 Be8xh5
60.Kd3-c4 Bh5-g6 61.Be3-c5 Bg6-d3+
62.Kc4xd3 Bb4xc5 63.Kd3-c4 Bc5-f8
64.Ba2-b1 Bf8-e7 65.Bb1-a2 Be7-b4
66.Kc4-b3 Bb4-d6 67.Kb3-a4 g5-g4
68.Ka4xa5 g4xf3 69.g2xf3 -0.21/20 ]
55...Be8-b5 [ 55...Kf8-e7 56.c5-c6! ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 55...Kf8-e7
56.c5-c6 Ke7-d6 57.Kf2-e2 Kd6-c7
58.Ke2-d3 h6-h5 59.g4xh5 Be8xh5
60.Kd3-c4 Bh5-g6 61.Be3-c5 Bg6-d3+
62.Kc4xd3 Bb4xc5 63.Kd3-c4 Bc5-d6
64.Ba2-b1 Bd6-e7 65.Bb1-a2 Be7-b4
66.Kc4-b3 Bb4-d6 67.Kb3-a4 f6-f5

361
68.Ba2-b1 g5-g4 69.f3xg4 -0.16/19 ]
56.c5-c6= White advances the passed
pawn [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 56.c5-c6
Kf8-e7 57.Be3-a7 Bb4-d6 58.Kf2-e3
a5-a4 59.Ba7-b6 Bb5-a6 60.g2-g3
Ba6-f1 61.Ke3-d2 Bf1-b5 62.Kd2-e3
Bb5-a6 63.Bb6-a7 Ba6-f1 64.Ba7-b6
Bf1-b5 65.Bb6-a7 e5-e4 66.Ke3xe4
Bd6xg3 67.Ke4-e3 Bg3-f4+ 68.Ke3-d4
Bf4-d6 69.Kd4-e4 Bb5-e2 70.Ba7-b6
Be2-d1 71.Bb6-f2 Bd1-b3 -0.13/23 ]
56...Kf8-e7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
56...Kf8-e7 57.Be3-a7 Bb4-d6
58.Kf2-e3 a5-a4 59.Ba7-b6 Bb5-a6
60.g2-g3 Ba6-f1 61.Bb6-a7 Bf1-b5
62.Ba7-b6 Bd6-b4 63.Bb6-a7 Bb5-a6
64.Ba7-b6 Ba6-f1 65.Bb6-a7 Bf1-b5
66.Ba7-b6 Bb5-a6 67.Ke3-e4 Bb4-d6
68.Ke4-e3 Ba6-f1 -0.08/22 ] 57.Be3-a7
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 57.Be3-b6
Bb5-a6 58.Kf2-e3 a5-a4 59.Ke3-e4
Bb4-d6 60.Ke4-e3 Ba6-f1 61.g2-g3
Bf1-a6 62.Bb6-a7 Ba6-b5 63.Ba7-b6
Bb5-f1 64.Bb6-a7 Ke7-d8 65.Ba7-b6+
Kd8-c8 66.Ba2-b1 Bd6-c7 67.Bb6-c5
Bf1-c4 68.d5-d6 -0.14/21 ] 57...Ke7-d8
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 57...Bb4-d6
58.Ba7-b6 a5-a4 59.Kf2-e3 Bb5-a6
60.g2-g3 Ba6-f1 61.Bb6-a7 Bf1-b5
62.Ba7-b6 Bd6-b4 63.Bb6-a7 Bb5-a6
64.Ke3-e4 Ba6-f1 65.Ke4-e3 Bb4-d6
66.Ba7-b6 Bf1-a6 67.Bb6-a7 Ke7-d8
68.Ba7-b6+ Kd8-c8 69.Bb6-a5 Bd6-e7
70.Ke3-e4 Be7-c5 71.Ke4-f5 Ba6-e2
72.Kf5xf6 Be2xf3 73.Kf6xe5 Bf3xg4
-0.08/20 ] 58.Ba7-b6+ [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 58.Ba7-b6+ Kd8-e8
59.Kf2-e3 Bb5-f1 60.Ke3-f2 Bf1-a6
61.Kf2-e3 Ke8-e7 62.Ke3-e4 a5-a4
63.Ke4-e3 Bb4-d6 64.Bb6-a7 Ba6-f1
65.g2-g3 Bf1-b5 66.Ba7-b6 Bd6-b4
67.Bb6-a7 Bb5-a6 68.Ba7-b6 Bb4-d6
69.Bb6-a7 Ke7-d8 70.Ba7-b6+ Kd8-c8
71.Bb6-a5 Ba6-f1 72.Ba5-b6 Bf1-b5
73.Ke3-e4 Bb5-a6 74.Ke4-e3 Ba6-b5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


75.Ke3-e4 -0.13/23 ] 58...Kd8-c8
[ 58...Kd8-e8 59.Kf2-e3= ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 58...Kd8-e8 59.Kf2-e3 Bb5-f1
60.Ke3-f2 Bf1-a6 61.Kf2-e3 Ke8-e7
62.Ke3-e4 a5-a4 63.Ke4-e3 Bb4-d6
64.g2-g3 Ba6-f1 65.Bb6-a7 Ke7-d8
66.Ba7-b6+ Kd8-c8 67.Bb6-a5 Bf1-b5
68.Ba5-b6 Bb5-a6 69.Bb6-a5 Ba6-f1
70.Ba5-b6 Bf1-b5 71.Ke3-e4 Bb5-a6
72.Ke4-e3 Ba6-f1 73.Bb6-a5 -0.08/21 ]
59.Kf2-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
59.Kf2-e3 Bb5-f1 60.Ke3-e4 Bf1xg2
61.Ba2-c4 Bb4-d6 62.Bb6xa5 Bg2-h1
63.Bc4-a6+ Kc8-b8 64.Ba6-c4 Kb8-c8
65.Bc4-a6+ -0.02/22 ] 59...a5-a4
[ 59...Bb5-f1!?= is worthy of
consideration ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
59...Bb5-f1 60.Ke3-e4 Bf1xg2
61.Ba2-c4 Bb4-d6 62.Bb6xa5 Bg2-h1
63.Bc4-a6+ Kc8-b8 64.Ba6-c4 Kb8-c8
65.Bc4-a6+ 0.02/19 ] 60.Ke3-e4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 60.Ke3-e4
Bb4-d2 61.Ke4-f5 e5-e4 62.f3xe4
Bd2-c3 63.Kf5-e6 Bc3-e5 64.Bb6-c5
Kc8-c7 65.d5-d6+ Kc7xc6 66.d6-d7
Be5-c7 67.Bc5-e7 Bb5-d3 68.Ba2-d5+
Kc6-b6 69.d7-d8Q Bc7xd8
70.Be7xd8+ Kb6-b5 71.Bd8-e7 a3-a2
72.Bd5xa2 Bd3xe4 73.Ba2-d5 Be4-c2
74.Ke6xf6 Bc2-d1 75.Bd5-e6 Bd1-b3
76.Be6-f5 Bb3-d5 77.Bf5-d3+
Kb5-c6 1.17/16 ] 60...Bb5-e2??
leads to further unpleasantness
[ 60...Bb4-c3 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
60...Bb4-c3 61.Ke4-f5 Bc3-b2
62.Kf5xf6 Bb2-d4 63.Bb6-a5 e5-e4+
64.Kf6-e6 e4xf3 65.g2xf3 Bd4-c5
66.c6-c7 Bb5-d7+ 67.Ke6-e5 Bc5-e3
68.d5-d6 Be3-f4+ 69.Ke5-d5 Kc8-b7
70.Ba5-c3 Bf4-e3 71.Bc3-b4 Be3-c1
72.Ba2-c4 Bd7-c6+ 73.Kd5-d4 Bc6-d7
74.Bb4-c5 Bc1-b2+ 75.Kd4-e4
1.23/18 ] 61.Ke4-f5+- [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 61.Ke4-f5 Be2-b5 62.Kf5xf6
Bb4-c3 63.Kf6-e6 Bc3-b4 64.Ke6xe5

362
Bb4-d2 65.Ke5-e6 Bd2-f4 66.Bb6-a5
Bf4-c1 67.Ba5-b4 Bc1-b2 68.Bb4-f8
Bb2-c1 69.Bf8xh6 Bb5-f1 70.d5-d6
Bf1xg2 71.Ke6-e7 1.82/15 ] 61...e5-e4
[ 61...Be2-b5 62.Kf5xf6 Bb4-c3
63.Kf6-e6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
61...Be2-f1 62.Kf5-e6 Bf1-b5
63.Ke6xf6 Bb4-c3 64.Kf6-e6 Bc3-b4
65.Ke6xe5 Bb4-d2 66.Ke5-e6 Bd2-f4
67.Bb6-a5 Bf4-c1 68.Ba5-b4 Kc8-d8
69.Bb4-d6 Bb5-a6 70.Bd6-e5 Ba6-b5
71.Ba2-b1 Bc1-b2 72.c6-c7+ Kd8-c8
1.92/16 ] 62.Kf5-e6 [ 62.f3xe4
keeps an even firmer grip Bb4-d6
63.Kf5xf6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
62.f3xe4 Bb4-d6 63.Kf5xf6 Bd6-c7
64.Bb6-c5 Bc7-d8+ 65.Kf6-e5 Be2-b5
66.Bc5xa3 Bd8-b6 67.Ba2-b1 Kc8-c7
68.Bb1-c2 Bb6-a5 69.Ba3-d6+ Kc7-d8
70.Ke5-e6 Bb5-e2 71.Bc2xa4
Be2xg4+ 72.Ke6-f6 Ba5-c7 73.e4-e5
3.21/15 ] 62...e4xf3?? an oversight.
But Black was lost anyway..
[ 62...Be2-b5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
62...Be2-b5 63.f3xe4 Bb4-c3
64.Bb6-c5 Kc8-c7 65.d5-d6+ Kc7xc6
66.d6-d7 Bc3-a5 67.Bc5-e7 Kc6-b7
68.Be7xf6 Bb5-e2 69.d7-d8Q
Be2xg4+ 70.Ke6-e5 Ba5xd8
71.Bf6xd8 Bg4-d1 72.Ba2-d5+ Kb7-c8
73.Bd8-e7 a3-a2 74.Bd5xa2 Kc8-d7
75.Be7-a3 Bd1-b3 76.Ba2-b1 Bb3-f7
77.Ke5-d4 1.96/17 ] 63.d5-d6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 63.d5-d6
Bb4xd6 64.Ke6xd6 Kc8-b8 65.c6-c7+
Kb8-b7 66.Kd6-c5 Be2-b5 67.Ba2-e6
Bb5-d7 68.Be6xd7 f3xg2 69.c7-c8Q#
#7/21 ] 63...Bb4xd6 [ 63...Kc8-b8
is not the saving move 64.d6-d7
Bb4-e7 65.Ke6xe7 Be2-a6
66.d7-d8Q+ Ba6-c8 67.Qd8-c7+
Kb8-a8 68.Qc7xc8# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 63...Bb4xd6 64.Ke6xd6 Kc8-b8
65.c6-c7+ Kb8-b7 66.Kd6-c5 Be2-b5
67.Ba2-e6 Bb5-d7 68.Be6xd7 f3xg2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

363

69.c7-c8Q# #6/22 ] 64.Ke6xd6


[ 64.Ke6xd6 Kc8-b8 65.Ba2-e6
Kb8-a8 66.c6-c7 Ka8-b7 67.c7-c8Q+
Kb7xb6 68.Qc8-c7+ Kb6-b5
69.Qc7-c5+ Kb5-a6 70.Be6-c8# ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 64.Ke6xd6
Kc8-b8 65.c6-c7+ Kb8-b7 66.Kd6-c5
Be2-b5 67.Ba2-e6 Bb5-d7 68.Be6xd7
f3xg2 69.c7-c8Q# #6/19 ]
1-0

12.Nd4-f3 Nb8-c6 13.e4-e5 b7-b6


14.Rf1-d1 d6xe5 15.f4xe5 Qd8-c7
16.Bc1-f4 Nd7-c5 17.Bd3-c2 Nc6-b4
18.Bc2-e4 Nc5xe4 19.Nc3xe4 Bc8-b7
20.Ne4-d6 Be7xd6 21.e5xd6 Bb7xf3
22.Qe2xf3 Qc7-d7 23.Qf3-c3 e6-e5
24.Bf4xe5 Nb4-c6 Sax,G (2545)Fedorowicz,J (2500)/New York 1986/
EXT 1997/1-0 (34) ] 10...Nb8-d7
11.Qd1-e2 g7-g6 12.Bc1-d2 Be7-f8
13.Ra1-d1 Nf6-h5 14.Nd4-f3
White prepares e5 b7-b6 15.e4-e5
B42 Bc8-b7 16.Nf3-g5 Diagram

26

Vassily Ivanchuk
Francisco Vallejo-Pons
SuperGM Linares ESP (10) 06.03.2002
B42: Sicilian: Kan Variation: 5 Bd3
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 e7-e6
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram

rnlqklnr
pp+p+ppp
+ +p+ +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

1351

a7-a6 5.Bf1-d3 Ng8-f6 6.0-0 d7-d6


7.c2-c4 Bf8-e7 8.Nb1-c3 0-0 9.f2-f4
[ RR 9.Rf1-e1 Bc8-d7 10.Bd3-f1
Nb8-c6 11.Bc1-e3 Nc6xd4 12.Be3xd4
Bd7-c6 13.f2-f3 Qd8-a5 14.a2-a3
Rf8-e8 15.Qd1-d2 Qa5-d8 16.Re1-d1
Nf6-d7 - Tukmakov,V (2560)Dzindzichashvili,R (2500)/Baku 1972/
URS-ch ] 9...Rf8-e8 10.Kg1-h1N [RR
10.Qd1-e2 Nf6-d7 11.Kg1-h1 g7-g6

r+ qrlk+
+l+n+p+p
pp pp+p+
+ + P Nn
+P+ P +
+ NL+ +
PP LQ+PP
+ +R+R+K

1352

Nh5-g7 17.Bd3-e4 Qd8-c7


18.Qe2-f3 last book move last book
move Bb7xe4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18...Ra8-a7 19.e5xd6 Bf8xd6
20.Be4xb7 Qc7xb7 21.Nc3-e4 Bd6-e7
22.Bd2-b4 Nd7-c5 23.Ne4xc5 b6xc5
24.Bb4-c3 Ng7-f5 25.Qf3-e2 Qb7-c7
26.Ng5-e4 Ra7-b7 27.Bc3-e5 0.47/14 ]
19.Nc3xe4 Diagram [ 19.Qf3xe4?!
Ra8-d8= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Ng5xe4 Diagram
(Diagram 1353)
Qc7xc4 20.b2-b3 Qc4-c7 21.Ne4xd6
Bf8xd6 22.e5xd6 Qc7-b8 23.Bd2-e1
Re8-c8 24.Nc3-e4 a6-a5 25.Be1-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +rlk+
+ qn+pnp
pp pp+p+
+ + P +
+P+NP +
+ N +Q+
PP L +PP
+ +R+R+K

364

1353

Ng7-f5 26.Rd1-d2 a5-a4 27.b3-b4


b6-b5 28.Rf1-c1 Qb8-b6 0.61/14 ]

r+ +rlk+
+ qn+pnp
pp pp+p+
+ + P N
+P+NP +
+ + +Q+
PP L +PP
+ +R+R+K

1354

19...h7-h6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


19...h7-h6 Diagram
(Diagram 1355)
20.e5xd6 Qc7-c8 21.Bd2-c3 Qc8xc4
22.Ng5-h3 Ng7-f5 23.b2-b3 Qc4-b5
24.g2-g4 Nf5-h4 25.Qf3-f2 Qb5-c6
26.Rd1-d4 f7-f5 27.Rd4-c4 Qc6-d5
28.Qf2xh4 f5xe4 29.Nh3-f2 e4-e3+
30.Nf2-e4 Ra8-c8 0.32/16 ] 20.e5xd6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.Ng5-h3
Qc7xc4 21.e5xd6 Ng7-f5 22.Bd2-c3

r+ +rlk+
+ qn+pn
pp pp+pp
+ + P N
+P+NP +
+ + +Q+
PP L +PP
+ +R+R+K

1355

Ra8-c8 23.Nh3-f2 h6-h5 24.b2-b3


Qc4-c6 25.Qf3-d3 a6-a5 26.Kh1-g1
Bf8-h6 27.Qd3-f3 Bh6-f8 28.Bc3-e5
Bf8-g7 29.Be5xg7 Kg8xg7 0.12/15 ]
20...Qc7-d8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...Qc7-c8 21.Bd2-c3 Qc8xc4
22.Ng5-h3 Ng7-f5 23.b2-b3 Qc4-b5
24.g2-g4 Nf5-h4 25.Qf3-f2 Qb5-c6
26.Rd1-d4 f7-f5 27.Rd4-c4 Qc6-d5
28.Qf2xh4 f5xe4 29.Nh3-f2 e4-e3+
30.Nf2-e4 Ra8-c8 0.32/15 ] 21.Qf3-h3
[ 21.Ng5xf7 Diagram
(Diagram 1356)
Kg8xf7 22.Bd2-c3 Ra8-c8 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.g2-g4 h6xg5
22.f4xg5 Kg8-h8 23.Bd2-c3 Qd8-c8
24.Qf3xf7 Qc8xc4 25.Qf7xg6 Qc4xa2
26.Bc3xg7+ Bf8xg7 27.Qg6-h5+
1.22/15 Diagram
(Diagram 1357)
] 21...h6xg5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...h6xg5 22.f4xg5 Ng7-f5 23.Bd2-c3
Bf8-g7 24.Bc3xg7 Kg8xg7 25.g2-g4
Re8-h8 26.Qh3-c3+ Kg7-g8 27.g4xf5
e6xf5 28.Ne4-f6+ Nd7xf6 Diagram
29.g5xf6 Rh8-h4 30.Rf1-e1 Qd8-d7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ qrlk+
+ +n+Nn
pp Pp+pp
+ + + +
+P+NP +
+ + +Q+
PP L +PP
+ +R+R+K

r+ +r+ k
+ +n+ l
pp Pp+ +
+ + + PQ
+ +N+P+
+ + + +
qP + + P
+ +R+R+K

r+ q +kr
+ + +p+
pp P np+
+ + +pP
+P+ + +
+ Q + +
PP + + P
+ +R+R+K
31.Qc3-f3 Ra8-d8 32.c4-c5 b6xc5

365

1356

1357

33.Re1-e7 Qd7-a4 34.Qf3-d5 Qa4-c4


35.d6-d7 Qc4xd5+ 36.Rd1xd5 Kg8-f8
37.Rd5xc5 0.92/16 ] 22.f4xg5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.f4xg5
Ng7-f5 23.Bd2-c3 Bf8-g7 24.Bc3xg7
Nf5xg7 25.Rf1-f4 Ng7-f5 26.g2-g4
e6-e5 27.Rf4-f3 Nf5-d4 28.Rf3xf7
Kg8xf7 29.Qh3-h7+ Kf7-e6 Diagram

r+ qr+ +
+ +n+ +Q
pp Pk+p+
+ + p P
+PnN+P+
+ + + +
PP + + P
+ +R+ +K

1359

30.Qh7xg6+ Nd7-f6 31.Ne4xf6


Re8-h8 32.Nf6-g8+ Ke6-d7
33.Qg6-f7+ Kd7-c8 34.Ng8-e7+
Kc8-d7 35.Ne7-f5+ Kd7-c8 36.g5-g6
Qd8-d7 37.Qf7-d5 Qd7-b7 38.d6-d7+
Kc8-b8 39.Nf5xd4 Qb7xd5+ 40.c4xd5
e5xd4 41.Rd1xd4 Diagram
(Diagram 1360)
1358

Kb8-b7 0.63/15 ] 22...e6-e5??


terrible, but what else could Black do to
save the game? [ 22...Ng7-f5 23.g2-g4
A) 23...Nf5xd6?? taking the pawn will
cause Black grave problems 24.Bd2-c3
e6-e5 25.Qh3-f3+- ( 25.Rd1xd6?!
is clearly worse Bf8xd6 26.Ne4xd6
Re8-e7 ); B) 23...Bf8-g7 Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Ng7-f5
23.Bd2-c3 Bf8-g7 24.Bc3xg7 Nf5xg7
25.Ne4-f6+ Nd7xf6 26.g5xf6 Ng7-h5
27.g2-g4 Nh5xf6 28.Qh3-f3 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rk + + r
+ +P+ +
pp + +P+
+ +P+ +
+ R +P+
+ + + +
PP + + P
+ + + +K

r+ qr+k+
+ +n+pl
pp Pp+p+
+ + +nP
+P+N+P+
+ + + +Q
PP L + P
+ +R+R+K

r+ qr+k+
+ + +p+
pp Ppnp+
+ + + +
+P+ +P+
+ + +Q+
PP + + P
+ +R+R+K

366

1360

1361

e6-e5 31.Qd4-d5 e5-e4 32.Rf1-g1


Kg8-g7 33.Qd5-d4+ Kg7-g8
34.Rg1-g3 Ra7-d7 35.Kh1-g2 e4-e3
36.Rg3xe3 Re8xe3 37.Qd4xe3
Rd7xd6 0.11/15 ] 23.Qh3xd7!!+Diagram [ 23.Qh3xd7 Qd8xd7
24.Ne4-f6+ Kg8-h8 25.Nf6xd7 Bf8xd6
Diagram

r+ +r+ k
+ +N+pn
pp l +p+
+ + p P
+P+ + +
+ + + +
PP L +PP
+ +R+R+K

1363

26.Rf1xf7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


23.Qh3xd7 Diagram

1362

Nf6xg4 29.Qf3xg4 Ra8-a7 30.Qg4-d4

r+ qrlk+
+ +Q+pn
pp P +p+
+ + p P
+P+N+ +
+ + + +
PP L +PP
+ +R+R+K

1364

Qd8xd7 24.Ne4-f6+ Diagram


Kg8-h8 Diagram
25.Nf6xd7 Bf8xd6 Diagram
26.Rf1xf7 Ng7-e6 27.Bd2-e3 Diagram
Bd6-e7 28.Nd7xe5 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +rlk+
+ +q+pn
pp P Np+
+ + p P
+P+ + +
+ + + +
PP L +PP
+ +R+R+K

r+ +rl k
+ +q+pn
pp P Np+
+ + p P
+P+ + +
+ + + +
PP L +PP
+ +R+R+K

r+ +r+ k
+ +N+pn
pp l +p+
+ + p P
+P+ + +
+ + + +
PP L +PP
+ +R+R+K

367

1365

1366

r+ +r+ k
+ +N+R+
pp ln+p+
+ + p P
+P+ + +
+ + L +
PP + +PP
+ +R+ +K

r+ +r+ k
+ + lR+
pp +n+p+
+ + N P
+P+ + +
+ + L +
PP + +PP
+ +R+ +K

1368

1369

Be7xg5 29.Be3xg5 Ne6xg5


30.Ne5xg6+ Diagram
1367

(Diagram 1370)
Kh8-g8 31.Rf7-b7 Diagram
(Diagram 1371)
Ra8-b8 32.Rb7xb8 Diagram
Re8xb8 33.g2-g3 Diagram
Ng5-e4 34.Kh1-g2 b6-b5 35.Kg2-f3
Rb8-e8 36.c4xb5 Kg8-g7 37.b5xa6
Ne4-g5+ Diagram
38.Kf3-f4 Kg7xg6 39.Rd1-d6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +r+ k
+ + +R+
pp + +N+
+ + + n
+P+ + +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+ +R+ +K

r+ +r+k+
+R+ + +
pp + +N+
+ + + n
+P+ + +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+ +R+ +K

368

r + +k+
+ + + +
pp + +N+
+ + + n
+P+ + +
+ + + P
PP + + P
+ +R+ +K

1370

+ +r+ +
+ + + k
P+ + +N+
+ + + n
+ + + +
+ + +KP
PP + + P
+ +R+ +

1371

1373

1374

Diagram

R +r+k+
+ + + +
pp + +N+
+ + + n
+P+ + +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+ +R+ +K

(Diagram 1375)
1372

Ng5-e6+ 40.Kf4-e5 3.58/15 Diagram


(Diagram 1376)
]
(Diagram 1377)
Decoy: d7
1-0

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

369
27

+ +r+ +
+ + + +
P+ R +k+
+ + + n
+ + K +
+ + + P
PP + + P
+ + + +

+ +r+ +
+ + + +
P+ Rn+k+
+ + K +
+ + + +
+ + + P
PP + + P
+ + + +

r+ qrlk+
+ +Q+pn
pp P +p+
+ + p P
+P+N+ +
+ + + +
PP L +PP
+ +R+R+K

1375

B52

Aleksander Delchev
Vassily Ivanchuk
4th IECC Istanbul TUR (8)

07.06.2003

B52: Sicilian: Moscow Variation with 3...


Bd7
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 d7-d6
3.Bf1-b5+ Bc8-d7 4.Bb5xd7+
Diagram

1376

1377

rn qklnr
pp+Lpppp
+ p + +
+ p + +
+ +P+ +
+ + +N+
PPPP PPP
RNLQK +R

1378

Qd8xd7 5.c2-c4 Ng8-f6 6.Nb1-c3


g7-g6 7.0-0 Bf8-g7 8.d2-d4 c5xd4
9.Nf3xd4 0-0 10.f2-f3 Rf8-c8
11.b2-b3 d6-d5 12.e4xd5 Nf6xd5
13.Nc3xd5 e7-e6 14.Bc1-e3 [RR
14.Bc1-h6 e6xd5 15.Bh6xg7 Kg8xg7
16.c4-c5 Nb8-a6 17.Nd4-c2 Na6xc5
18.Qd1-d4+ f7-f6 19.Nc2-e3 Nc5-e6
20.Qd4-h4 Rc8-c5 21.Ra1-d1 d5-d4
22.Ne3-g4 Ra8-f8 23.Rf1-e1 Rc5-h5
24.Qh4-g3 Rh5-d5 25.Rd1-d2 Qd7-d6
26.Qg3-h4 h7-h5 27.Ng4-f2 g6-g5
28.Qh4-e4 Rd5-e5 Kamsky,G (2705)Gelfand,B (2733)/Elista 2007/CBM 119/
0-1 (53) ] 14...e6xd5 15.c4xd5 [RR
15.Ra1-c1 d5xc4 16.Rc1xc4 Rc8xc4
17.b3xc4 Nb8-c6 18.Nd4xc6 Qd7xc6
19.Qd1-d5 Qc6xd5 20.c4xd5 Ra8-d8
21.Be3xa7 Rd8xd5 22.Rf1-b1 Rd5-a5
23.Ba7-e3 b7-b5 24.Be3-b6 Ra5-a6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

370

25.Bb6-e3 Ra6-a3 26.Be3-b6 Ra3xa2


27.Rb1xb5 h7-h5 28.Bb6-e3 Bg7-f6
29.Rb5-d5 Ra2-e2 Priborsky,I (2331)Jasny,S (2325)/Czechia 2007/EXT
2008/- (44) ] 15...Nb8-a6
last book move last book move
16.Ra1-c1N Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 16.Qd1-e1 Rc8-c5
17.Ra1-d1 Rc5xd5 18.Nd4-c2 Na6-c7
19.Rd1xd5 Nc7xd5 20.Qe1-d2 Qd7-f5
21.Rf1-d1 Nd5xe3 22.Nc2xe3 Qf5-c5
23.b3-b4 Qc5-b6 24.f3-f4 Ra8-e8
25.Rd1-e1 Qb6-d4 26.Qd2xd4
Bg7xd4 -0.21/15 ;RR 16.Qd1-d2
Qd7xd5 17.Ra1-c1 Rc8-e8 18.Rf1-d1
Ra8-d8 19.Nd4-c2 Qd5xd2 20.Rd1xd2
Rd8xd2 21.Be3xd2 Bg7-e5 22.Rc1-e1
- Coenen,N (2389)-Colovic,A
(2408)/Izmir 2004/CBM 102 ext ]

r+r+ +k+
pp+q+plp
n+ + +p+
+ +P+ +
+ N + +
+P+ LP+
P+ + +PP
+ RQ+RK

1379

16...Rc8xc1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 16...Rc8xc1 17.Qd1xc1
Qd7xd5 18.Nd4-e2 Ra8-d8 19.Be3xa7
Na6-b4 20.Qc1-c4 Qd5xc4 21.b3xc4
Rd8-d2 Diagram
(Diagram 1380)
22.Ne2-c1 Rd2-c2 23.Ba7-f2 Rc2xc4
24.Rf1-d1 Bg7-f8 25.h2-h4 Rc4-c2
26.a2-a4 Kg8-g7 27.Bf2-d4+ f7-f6

+ + +k+
Lp+ +plp
+ + +p+
+ + + +
nP+ + +
+ + +P+
P+ rN+PP
+ + +RK

1380

-0.23/17 ]

r+ + +k+
pp+q+plp
n+ + +p+
+ +P+ +
+ N + +
+P+ LP+
P+ + +PP
+ rQ+RK

1381

17.Qd1xc1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


17.Be3xc1 Qd7xd5 18.Nd4-c2 Qd5-a5
19.Bc1-a3 Ra8-c8 20.Qd1-d7
Qa5-b6+ 21.Kg1-h1 Qb6-c7
22.Qd7xc7 Na6xc7 Diagram
(Diagram 1382)
23.Nc2-e3 Rc8-e8 24.Ba3-c1 Nc7-b5
25.Ne3-c4 b7-b6 26.a2-a4 Nb5-c3
27.Nc4-d6 Re8-e2 -0.30/17 ]
17...Na6-b4 Black threatens to win
material: Nb4xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 17...Qd7xd5 18.Nd4-e2 Ra8-d8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +k+
ppn +plp
+ + +p+
+ + + +
+ + + +
LP+ +P+
P+N+ +PP
+ + +R+K

371

1382

19.Be3xa7 Na6-b4 20.Ba7-f2 Nb4xa2


21.Qc1-c4 b7-b5 22.Qc4xd5 Rd8xd5
23.Rf1-e1 Rd5-d3 24.Bf2-c5 Bg7-f8
25.b3-b4 Na2xb4 26.Bc5xf8 Kg8xf8
27.Re1-b1 Rd3-d2 28.Rb1xb4 Rd2xe2
29.Rb4xb5 -0.19/17 ] 18.Qc1-d2
White threatens to win material:
Qd2xb4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18.Rf1-d1 Nb4xd5 19.Be3-f2 Ra8-e8
20.Qc1-d2 Bg7-f6 21.h2-h4 Re8-d8
22.h4-h5 a7-a6 23.Nd4-e2 Bf6-e5
24.h5xg6 h7xg6 25.f3-f4 Be5-g7
26.Bf2-d4 b7-b6 -0.13/16 ]
18...Nb4xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18...Nb4xd5 19.Nd4-c2 Qd7-b5
20.Be3-d4 Bg7xd4+ 21.Qd2xd4
Ra8-c8 22.Nc2-e3 Nd5xe3 23.Qd4xe3
Qb5-a5 Diagram

+r+ +k+
pp+ +p+p
+ + +p+
q + + +
+ + + +
+P+ QP+
P+ + +PP
+ + +RK

1383

Qb6-c6 -0.20/17 ] 19...Qd7-e7


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...Qd7-b5
20.Be3-f2 Ra8-e8 21.Ne2-d4 Diagram

+ +r+k+
pp+ +plp
+ + +p+
+q+n+ +
+ N + +
+P+ +P+
P+ Q LPP
+ + +RK

1384

Qb5-b4 Diagram
(Diagram 1383)
(Diagram 1385)
24.a2-a4 Qa5-d5 25.Rf1-e1 b7-b6
26.Qe3-e7 Qd5xb3 27.Qe7xa7
Qb3-b2 28.Qa7-d7 Rc8-c2 -0.19/17 ]
19.Nd4-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Nd4-c2 Qd7-f5 20.Rf1-d1 Nd5xe3
21.Nc2xe3 Qf5-c5 22.b3-b4 Qc5-b5
23.Ne3-d5 Ra8-e8 24.Rd1-c1 Qb5-e2
25.Rc1-d1 Qe2-c4 26.Nd5-e3 Qc4-b5
27.Rd1-e1 Qb5-b6 28.Kg1-h1

22.Qd2xb4 Nd5xb4 23.Nd4-b5


Diagram
(Diagram 1386)
a7-a6 Diagram
24.Nb5-d6 Re8-e2 25.Rf1-d1 Re2xa2
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
pp+ +plp
+ + +p+
+ +n+ +
q N + +
+P+ +P+
P+ Q LPP
+ + +RK

+ +r+k+
pp+ +plp
+ + +p+
+N+ + +
n + + +
+P+ +P+
P+ + LPP
+ + +RK

+ +r+k+
+p+ +plp
p+ + +p+
+N+ + +
n + + +
+P+ +P+
P+ + LPP
+ + +RK

372

1385

+ + +k+
+p+ +plp
p+ N +p+
+ + + +
n + + +
+P+ +P+
r+ + LPP
+ +R+ K

1388

26.Nd6xb7 Bg7-c3 27.Bf2-c5 Ra2-e2


28.Rd1-d6 Kg8-g7 29.Bc5xb4
Diagram
1386

+ + + +
+N+ +pkp
p+ R +p+
+ + + +
L + + +
+Pl +P+
+ +r+PP
+ + + K
1387

Bc3xb4 Diagram
(Diagram 1390)
30.Rd6xa6 -0.16/17 ]
-

1389

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+N+ +pkp
p+ R +p+
+ + + +
l + + +
+P+ +P+
+ +r+PP
+ + + K

373

1390

rnl+klnr
pppp+ppp
+ + + +
+ + + +
+L+Pp q
+ + + +
PPPP +PP
RNLQ+KNR

1391

(2355)-Rantanen,Y (2440)/Helsinki
1984/MCL ; B) 7.Ng1-f3 Qh4-f6
28
C33 8.Nb1-c3 Ng8-h6 9.Nc3-e2 g7-g5
10.h2-h4 g5-g4 11.Nf3-g5 f4-f3
Vassily Ivanchuk
12.Ne2-f4 Be6xc4 13.Qd3xc4 Nd7-b6
Predrag Nikolic
5th IECC Playoff Final (1)
30.05.2004 14.Qc4-c3 d6-d5 15.Nf4xd5 Nb6xd5
16.e4xd5 Nh6-f5 17.Bc1-f4 Nf5xh4
18.Qc3-e3+ Bf8-e7 19.Rh1xh4 h7-h6
C33: King's Gambit Accepted: 3 Nc3
20.Rh4-h5 h6xg5 21.Bf4xg5
and 3 Bc4
1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.f2-f4 e5xf4 3.Bf1-c4 Westerinen,H (2410)-Norri,J (2325)/
Qd8-h4+ 4.Ke1-f1 Diagram
Finland 1991/EXT 2000/1-0 ] 7.Ng1-f3
Qh4-g4 8.Nb1-c3 Bf8-e7 9.h2-h3
(Diagram 1391)
Qg4-g6 10.Bc1xf4 0-0 11.Ra1-e1
Nf6-h5 12.Bf4-h2 Nh5-g3+
d7-d6 5.d2-d4 Bc8-e6 6.Qd1-d3
13.Bh2xg3 Qg6xg3 14.Nc3-e2
Ng8-f6N [RR 6...Nb8-d7 A) RR
Qg3-g6 15.Ne2-f4 last book move.
7.Nb1-c3 c7-c6 8.Ng1-f3 Qh4-f6
White threatens to win material: Nf4xg6
9.h2-h4 (RR 9.Bc1-d2 Be6xc4
last book move Qg6-h6 Diagram
10.Qd3xc4 Nd7-b6 11.Qc4-e2 0-0-0
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 15...Qg6-h6
12.a2-a4 d6-d5 13.a4-a5 Nb6-c4
16.g2-g3 Be6-d7 17.Kf1-g2 Nb8-c6
14.e4xd5 c6xd5 15.Nf3-e5 Nc4xe5
18.e4-e5 d6xe5 19.Nf3xe5 Nc6xe5
16.d4xe5 Qf6-f5 17.a5-a6 b7-b6
20.Re1xe5 Be7-g5 21.Nf4-d5 Bd7-c6
18.Qe2-f3 Ng8-e7 19.Bd2xf4 g7-g5
22.Rh1-e1 Bg5-f6 23.Re5-e4 Ra8-d8
20.Bf4-g3 Bf8-g7 21.Nc3-b5 Qf5xf3+
24.Nd5xf6+ Qh6xf6 0.14/14 ]
22.g2xf3 Ne7-f5 23.Nb5xa7+ Kc8-d7
Weinwurm,W (2127)-Ljubarskij,J
(Diagram 1392)
(2290)/Lignano Sabbiadoro 2005/CBM
108 ext/1-0 (61) ) 9...Ng8-h6 10.Nc3-e2 16.g2-g3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
Be6xc4 11.Qd3xc4 0-0-0 12.Bc1xf4
x64: 16.Nf4xe6 f7xe6 17.h3-h4
Rd8-e8 13.Bf4-g5 - Pirttimaki,T
Nb8-c6 18.Kf1-g1 Rf8-f7 19.Rh1-h3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rn + rk+
ppp lppp
+ pl+ q
+ + + +
+LPPN +
+ +Q+N+P
PPP+ +P+
+ + RK+R

374

1392

Ra8-f8 20.Bc4-b5 Nc6-b4 21.Qd3-c4


c7-c5 22.Bb5-d7 Diagram

+ + rk+
pp+Llrpp
+ pp+ q
+ p + +
nQPP+ P
+ + +N+R
PPP+ +P+
+ + R K

1393

d6-d5 23.e4xd5 e6xd5 0.11/12 ]


(Diagram 1394)
Prevents intrusion on h4 16...Nb8-d7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 16...Be6-d7
17.Kf1-g2 Nb8-c6 18.e4-e5 d6xe5
19.Nf3xe5 Nc6xe5 20.Re1xe5 Be7-g5
21.Nf4-d5 Bd7-c6 22.Rh1-e1 Diagram
Bg5-f6 23.Re5-e4 Ra8-d8
24.Nd5xf6+ Qh6xf6 0.11/13 ]
17.Kf1-g2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
17.Bc4-b3 c7-c6 18.Kf1-g2 Be6xb3

rn + rk+
ppp lppp
+ pl+ q
+ + + +
+LPPN +
+ +Q+NPP
PPP+ + +
+ + RK+R

r+ + rk+
ppp +ppp
+l+ + q
+ +NR l
+LP + +
+ +Q+ PP
PPP+ +K+
+ + R +

1394

1395

19.a2xb3 Be7-g5 20.Nf3xg5 Qh6xg5


21.h3-h4 Qg5-g4 22.Rh1-f1 Ra8-e8
23.b3-b4 a7-a6 24.Re1-a1 Nd7-f6
0.17/13 ] 17...Nd7-b6 [ 17...Be6xc4
18.Qd3xc4 c7-c6 19.Qc4-b3 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 17...Be6xc4
18.Qd3xc4 c7-c6 19.Rh1-f1 Ra8-b8
20.Qc4-b3 Be7-d8 21.h3-h4 Rf8-e8
22.e4-e5 d6xe5 23.Nf3xe5 Nd7xe5
24.Re1xe5 Re8xe5 25.d4xe5 Bd8-b6
26.Rf1-d1 0.21/14 ] 18.Bc4xe6+[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18.Bc4xe6
Diagram
f7xe6 19.Qd3-b3 d6-d5 20.e4xd5
Rf8xf4 21.g3xf4 Nb6xd5 22.f4-f5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + rk+
ppp lppp
n pL+ q
+ + + +
+ PPN +
+ +Q+NPP
PPP+ +K+
+ + R +R

375

1396

Nd5-f4+ 23.Kg2-g3 Be7-d6 24.Kg3-f2


Ra8-f8 25.f5xe6 Bd6-e7 26.Rh1-h2
b7-b6 27.Re1-e5 Nf4-g6 28.Re5-e3
Ng6-h4 29.Kf2-e2 Qh6-h5 30.Qb3-d3
0.76/16 Diagram

+ + rk+
p p l pp
p +P+ +
+ + + +q
+ P + n
+ +QRN+P
PPP+K+ R
+ + + +

1397

] 18...f7xe6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


18...f7xe6 Diagram

r+ + rk+
ppp l pp
n pp+ q
+ + + +
+ PPN +
+ +Q+NPP
PPP+ +K+
+ + R +R

1398

29.Kf2-e2 Qh6-h5 30.Qb3-d3 0.73/15 ]


19.Rh1-f1 [ 19.Qd3-b3 d6-d5
20.e4xd5 Rf8xf4 Diagram

r+ + +k+
ppp l pp
n +p+ q
+ +P+ +
+ P r +
+Q+ +NPP
PPP+ +K+
+ + R +R

1399

21.g3xf4 Nb6xd5 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 19.Qd3-b3 d6-d5 20.e4xd5
Rf8xf4 21.g3xf4 Nb6xd5 22.f4-f5
Nd5-f4+ 23.Kg2-g3 Be7-d6 24.Kg3-f2
Ra8-f8 25.f5xe6 Diagram

(Diagram 1398)
(Diagram 1400)
19.Qd3-b3 d6-d5 20.e4xd5 Rf8xf4
21.g3xf4 Nb6xd5 22.f4-f5 Nd5-f4+
23.Kg2-g3 Be7-d6 24.Kg3-f2 Ra8-f8
25.f5xe6 Bd6-e7 26.Rh1-h2 b7-b6
27.Re1-e5 Nf4-g6 28.Re5-e3 Ng6-h4

Bd6-e7 26.Rh1-h2 b7-b6 27.Re1-e5


Nf4-g6 28.Re5-e3 Ng6-h4 29.Kf2-e2
Qh6-h5 30.Qb3-d3 0.74/14 ]
19...c7-c5? [ 19...g7-g5!?

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
ppp + pp
+ lP+ q
+ + + +
+ P n +
+Q+ +N+P
PPP+ K +
+ + R +R

376

1400

is noteworthy 20.Nf4-e2 c7-c5$


Diagram

r+ + rk+
pp+ l +p
n pp+ q
+ p + p
+ PP+ +
+ +Q+NPP
PPP+N+K+
+ + RR+

r+ + rk+
pp+ l pp
n pp+ q
+ P + +
+ +PN +
+ +Q+NPP
PPP+ +K+
+ + RR+

1402

23.Re1xf1 Qg5-g6 24.d4-d5 Ra8-c8


25.c2-c4 Be7-g5 26.Qd3-f3 h7-h6
27.h3-h4 Bg5-d2 28.Ne6-f8 Rc8xf8
29.Qf3xf8+ Kg8-h7 30.Qf8-f5 Diagram
1401

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...g7-g5


20.Nf4-e2 Qh6-g6 21.Nf3-d2 Ra8-c8
22.Ne2-c3 c7-c6 23.Rf1xf8+ Rc8xf8
24.Re1-f1 Rf8xf1 25.Qd3xf1 Be7-f6
26.Nc3-e2 Kg8-g7 27.Qf1-f3 Qg6-e8
0.17/14 ] 20.d4-d5 [ 20.d4xc5
Diagram
(Diagram 1402)
d6xc5 21.Nf3-e5 Qh6-g5+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.Nf3-h2 e6-e5
21.Nh2-g4 Qh6-g5 22.Nf4-e6 Rf8xf1

+ + + +
pp+ + pk
n p +qp
+ pPpQ+
+P+P+NP
+ + + P
PP l +K+
+ + +R+

1403

Nb6xc4 31.b2-b3 Qg6xf5 32.Rf1xf5


1.47/15 ] 20...Rf8xf4 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 20...c5-c4 Diagram
(Diagram 1404)
21.Qd3-e3 e6xd5 22.e4xd5
23.Nf3-d4 Ra8-e8 24.b2-b3
25.Qe3-e6 Qh6-f6 26.c2-c3
27.Qe6-e4 g7-g5 28.Nf4-e6
Diagram

Rf8-f7
Re8-f8
a7-a6
0.68/15

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + rk+
pp+ l pp
n pp+ q
+ +P+ +
+p+PN +
+ +Q+NPP
PPP+ +K+
+ + RR+

+ + rk+
+p+ lr+p
pn pNq +
+ +P+ p
+pNQ+ +
+PP + PP
P+ + +K+
+ + RR+

377

1404

1405

] 21.g3xf4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


21.g3xf4 Diagram

r+ + +k+
pp+ l pp
n pp+ q
+ pP+ +
+ +PP +
+ +Q+N+P
PPP+ +K+
+ + RR+

+ + +k+
+p+ +Rp
pn +r+ +
+ lpP +p
+p+ + +
+ + + +P
PP+ +KN
R + + +

1406

1407

23.f4-f5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


21...Qh6xf4 22.a2-a4 Nb6xa4
23.d5xe6 Diagram

(Diagram 1406)
(Diagram 1408)
Qh6xf4 22.a2-a4 Nb6xa4 23.d5xe6
Na4-b6 24.e4-e5 d6-d5 25.Nf3-h2
Qf4-g5+ 26.Nh2-g4 c5-c4 27.Qd3-f5
Qg5-d2+ 28.Qf5-f2 Qd2xf2+
29.Ng4xf2 Ra8-e8 30.Re1-a1 a7-a6
31.Nf2-g4 h7-h5 32.Ng4-h2 Be7-c5
33.Rf1-f7 Re8xe6 Diagram
34.Rf7xb7 Re6xe5 35.Ra1xa6
0.48/14 ] 21...Qh6xf4 Diagram
[ 21...Qh6-g6+ 22.Kg2-h2 e6xd5

Na4-b6 24.e4-e5 d6-d5 25.Nf3-h2


Qf4-g5+ 26.Nh2-g4 Diagram
(Diagram 1409)
c5-c4 27.Qd3-g3 Qg5-d2+ 28.Qg3-f2
Qd2xf2+ 29.Ng4xf2 Ra8-e8
30.Re1-a1 a7-a6 31.Nf2-g4 h7-h5
32.Ng4-h2 Be7-c5 33.Rf1-f7 Re8xe6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +k+
pp+ l pp
+ pP+ +
+ p + +
n+ +Pq +
+ +Q+N+P
PP+ +K+
+ + RR+

r+ + +k+
pp+ l pp
n +P+ +
+ ppP q
+ + +N+
+ +Q+ +P
PP+ +K+
+ + RR+

378

1408

1409

34.Rf7xb7 Re6xe5 35.Ra1xa6 0.65/15

r+ + +k+
pp+ l pp
n pp+ +
+ pP+ +
+ +Pq +
+ +Q+N+P
PPP+ +K+
+ + RR+

r+ + +k+
pp+ l pp
n pp+ +
+ pP+ +
P+ +Pq +
+ +Q+N+P
PP+ +K+
+ + RR+

1410

1411

Diagram

]
(Diagram 1412)
(Diagram 1410)
22.d5xe6 Diagram [ 22.a2-a4 Nb6xa4
23.d5xe6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.a2-a4 Diagram

30.Qg3-g4 Qe6xg4+ 31.h3xg4 d5-d4


32.Rf1-f7 Nb6-d5 33.Kg2-g3 c5-c4
34.Re1-f1 0.55/14 ]
(Diagram 1413)

(Diagram 1411)
Nb6xa4 23.d5xe6 Na4-b6 24.e4-e5
d6-d5 25.Nf3-h2 Qf4-g5+ 26.Qd3-g3
Qg5-h6 27.Nh2-g4 Qh6xe6
28.Ng4-f6+ Kg8-h8 29.Nf6-h5 Ra8-g8

22...Ra8-f8? Diagram [ 22...Qf4-h6


Diagram
23.e4-e5 d6-d5 24.Nf3-d2 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Qf4-h6
23.e4-e5 d6-d5 24.Nf3-h2 Qh6xe6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +rk
pp+ l pp
n +q+ +
+ ppP +N
+ + + +
+ + + QP
PP+ +K+
+ + RR+

r+ + +k+
pp+ l pp
n pP+ +
+ p + +
+ +Pq +
+ +Q+N+P
PPP+ +K+
+ + RR+

r+ + +k+
pp+ l pp
n pP+ q
+ p + +
+ +P+ +
+ +Q+N+P
PPP+ +K+
+ + RR+

379
27.e5-e6 d5-d4 28.Nh2-g4 Ra8-e8
29.b2-b3 Nc4-a3 30.Re1-e2 Na3-b5
31.Rf5-f7 Nb5-c3 Diagram
1412

+ +r+k+
pp+ lRpp
+ +P+ +
+ p + +
+ p +N+
+Pn + +P
P+P+R+K+
+ + + +
1413

1415

32.Re2-f2 Nc3xa2 0.63/15 ]

+ + rk+
pp+ l pp
n pP+ +
+ p + +
+ +Pq +
+ +Q+N+P
PPP+ +K+
+ + RR+

1416

1414

25.Qd3-f5 Qe6xf5 26.Rf1xf5 Nb6-c4

23.b2-b4 Diagram [ 23.e4-e5!?


d6-d5 24.Nf3-h2 Qf4-g5+ 25.Kg2-h1
Rf8xf1+ 26.Re1xf1 Qg5xe5
27.Qd3-b5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.e4-e5 Diagram
(Diagram 1417)
Nb6-c8 24.Nf3-h2 Qf4-g5+ 25.Nh2-g4
Rf8-d8 26.Qd3-f5 Qg5xf5 27.Rf1xf5
d6xe5 28.Rf5xe5 b7-b6 29.Re1-f1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
pp+ l pp
n pP+ +
+ p P +
+ + q +
+ +Q+N+P
PPP+ +K+
+ + RR+

380

1417

Rd8-d2+ 30.Rf1-f2 Rd2-d8 31.Re5-h5


Rd8-d6 32.Rf2-e2 Rd6-d8 33.Ng4-e5
Nc8-d6 34.Re2-d2 1.94/14 ]

+ + rk+
pp+ l pp
n pP+ +
+ p + +
P +Pq +
+ +Q+N+P
P+P+ +K+
+ + RR+

1418

23...Rf8-f6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 23...Qf4-h6 24.e4-e5
Diagram
(Diagram 1419)
Qh6xe6 25.e5xd6 Qe6xd6 26.b4xc5
Qd6xd3 27.c2xd3 Be7xc5 28.Nf3-g5
Diagram
Rf8-c8 29.Rf1-f5 Bc5-d6 30.Re1-e2
h7-h6 31.Ng5-f7 Bd6-b4 32.Re2-e4
a7-a5 33.Kg2-g3 0.56/14 ]

+ + rk+
pp+ l pp
n pP+ q
+ p P +
P + + +
+ +Q+N+P
P+P+ +K+
+ + RR+

+ + rk+
pp+ + pp
n + + +
+ l + N
+ + + +
+ +P+ +P
P+ + +K+
+ + RR+

+ + +k+
pp+ l pp
n pPr +
+ p + +
P +Pq +
+ +Q+N+P
P+P+ +K+
+ + RR+
24.Qd3-b5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

1419

1420

1421

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

381

24.Qd3-b5 Rf6xe6 Diagram

+ + +k+
pp+ l pp
n pr+ +
+Qp + +
P +Pq +
+ + +N+P
P+P+ +K+
+ + RR+

1422

25.b4xc5 d6xc5 26.Nf3-d4 Qf4-g5+


27.Kg2-h1 Qg5-h5 28.Qb5-b3 c5-c4
29.Qb3-g3 Diagram

+ + +k+
pp+ l pp
n +r+ +
+ + + +q
+pNP+ +
+ + + QP
P+P+ + +
+ + RR+K

1423

Qh5-e5 30.Qg3xe5 Re6xe5 31.Rf1-f5


Nb6-d7 32.Kh1-g2 b7-b6 33.Nd4-c6
Re5-e6 34.Re1-d1 Nd7-f6
35.Nc6xe7+ Re6xe7 36.e4-e5 Nf6-e8
37.Rd1-d5 g7-g6 38.Rf5-f4 Ne8-c7
39.Rd5-d8+ Nc7-e8 40.Rf4-e4 Kg8-f7
41.Re4xc4 Re7xe5 42.Rd8-d7+
Re5-e7 43.Rd7xe7+ Diagram
Kf7xe7 0.90/16 ] 24...Rf6xe6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Rf6xe6
Diagram

+ +n+ +
p + Rk+p
p + +p+
+ + + +
+R+ + +
+ + + +P
P+P+ +K+
+ + + +

+ + +k+
pp+ l pp
n pr+ +
+Qp + +
P +Pq +
+ + +N+P
P+P+ +K+
+ + RR+

1424

1425

25.b4xc5 d6xc5 26.Nf3-d4 Re6-g6+


27.Kg2-h1 Qf4-b8 28.Nd4-f5 Be7-f8
29.Qb5-b3+ c5-c4 30.Qb3-f3 h7-h6
31.e4-e5 Qb8-c8 32.e5-e6 Rg6xe6
33.Re1xe6 Qc8xe6 34.Nf5xh6+
Qe6xh6 35.Qf3xf8+ Kg8-h7
36.Qf8-f5+ Kh7-h8 37.Kh1-h2 c4-c3
38.Qf5-e4 Qh6-d2+ Diagram
(Diagram 1426)
39.Kh2-g3 Qd2-g5+ 40.Qe4-g4
1.00/13 ] 25.b4xc5 [ 25.Qb5-e8+
Diagram
Qf4-f8 26.Qe8xf8+ Be7xf8 27.b4xc5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + k
pp+ + p
n + + +
+ + + +
+ +Q+ +
+ p + +P
P+Pq + K
+ + +R+

+ +Q+k+
pp+ l pp
n pr+ +
+ p + +
P +Pq +
+ + +N+P
P+P+ +K+
+ + RR+

382

1426

1427

d6xc5 28.e4-e5 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 25.b4xc5 d6xc5 26.Nf3-d4
Qf4-g5+ 27.Kg2-h1 Qg5-h5
28.Qb5-b3 c5-c4 29.Qb3-g3 Qh5-e5
30.Qg3xe5 Re6xe5 31.Rf1-f5 Nb6-d7
32.Kh1-g2 b7-b6 33.Nd4-c6 Re5-e6
34.Re1-d1 Nd7-f6 35.Nc6xe7+
Re6xe7 36.e4-e5 Nf6-e8 37.Rd1-d5
g7-g6 38.Rf5-f4 Ne8-c7 39.Rd5-d8+
Nc7-e8 40.Rf4-e4 Kg8-f7 Diagram
41.Re4xc4 Re7xe5 42.Rd8-d7+
Re5-e7 43.Rd7xe7+ Kf7xe7 0.91/15
Diagram
] 25...Be7-h4?? causes further
problems for ? [ 25...d6xc5

+ Rn+ +
p + rk+p
p + +p+
+ + P +
+p+R+ +
+ + + +P
P+P+ +K+
+ + + +

+ +n+ +
p + k +p
p + +p+
+ + + +
+R+ + +
+ + + +P
P+P+ +K+
+ + + +

1428

1429

26.Qb5-e8+ Qf4-f8 27.Qe8xf8+


Be7xf8 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25...d6xc5 26.Nf3-d4 Qf4-g5+
27.Kg2-h1 Qg5-h5 28.Qb5-b3 c5-c4
29.Qb3-g3 Qh5-e5 30.Qg3xe5
Re6xe5 31.Rf1-f5 Be7-f6 32.Rf5xe5
Bf6xe5 33.Nd4-e6 Nb6-a4 Diagram
(Diagram 1430)
34.Re1-f1 Be5-f6 35.e4-e5 Bf6-e7
36.Kh1-g2 Na4-c3 37.Rf1-f4 b7-b5
38.Ne6-d4 Be7-c5 39.e5-e6 g7-g5
40.Rf4-g4 Kg8-f8 41.Nd4-c6 h7-h6
42.h3-h4 Nc3-d5 43.Kg2-f3 Nd5-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
pp+ + pp
+ +N+ +
+ + l +
n+p+P+ +
+ + + +P
P+P+ + +
+ + R +K

383

1430

1.04/17 ] 26.Nf3xh4+- Diagram


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Nf3xh4
Diagram

+ + +k+
pp+ + pp
n pr+ +
+QP + +
+ +Pq N
+ + + +P
P+P+ +K+
+ + RR+

1431

Qf4-g5+ 27.Kg2-h2 Qg5-e5+


28.Kh2-h1 Qe5-c3 29.Qb5-b3 Qc3xb3
30.a2xb3 d6xc5 31.Kh1-g2 g7-g6
32.Nh4-f3 h7-h6 33.Nf3-d2 Kg8-g7
Diagram
(Diagram 1432)
34.Re1-a1 a7-a6 35.Ra1-d1 Re6-e5
36.Nd2-c4 Nb6xc4 37.Rd1-d7+
Kg7-g8 38.b3xc4 Re5xe4 39.Rd7xb7
Re4xc4 4.97/13 ]

+ + + +
pp+ + k
n +r+pp
+ p + +
+ +P+ +
+P+ + +P
+PN +K+
+ + RR+

+ + +k+
pp+ + pp
n pr+ +
+QP + +
+ +Pq N
+ + + +P
P+P+ +K+
+ + RR+

1432

1433

26...Qf4xh4 Diagram [ 26...Qf4-g5+


Diagram
(Diagram 1434)
is not much help 27.Kg2-h2 Qg5-e5+
28.Kh2-h1+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...Qf4-g5+ 27.Kg2-h2 Qg5-e5+
28.Kh2-h1 Qe5-c3 29.Qb5-b3 Qc3xb3
30.a2xb3 d6xc5 31.Kh1-g2 g7-g6
32.Nh4-f3 h7-h6 33.Nf3-d2 Kg8-g7
34.Re1-a1 a7-a6 Diagram
35.Ra1-d1 Re6-e5 36.Nd2-c4 Nb6xc4
37.Rd1-d7+ Kg7-g8 38.b3xc4 Re5xe4
39.Rd7xb7 Re4xc4 5.17/14 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
pp+ + pp
n pr+ +
+QP + q
+ +P+ N
+ + + +P
P+P+ +K+
+ + RR+

+ + + +
+p+ + k
pn +r+pp
+ p + +
+ +P+ +
+P+ + +P
+PN +K+
R + +R+

384

1434

27.Qb5-b3 Qh4-g5+ 28.Kg2-h1


Qg5-e7 29.c5xb6 a7xb6 30.e4-e5
d6-d5 31.Qb3xd5 Qe7-e8 32.Qd5xb7
h7-h6 33.Re1-e3 Diagram

+ +q+k+
+Q+ + p
p +r+ p
+ + P +
+ + + +
+ + R +P
P+P+ + +
+ + +R+K

1437

1435

Re6xe5 34.Rf1-g1 g7-g5 35.Re3xe5


Qe8xe5 36.Rg1-d1 Qe5-e8
37.Qb7xb6 Qe8-e4+ 38.Kh1-g1
6.16/13 ] 27...d6-d5 [ 27...Qh4-g5+
does not solve anything 28.Kg2-h1
Qg5-e7 29.c5xb6 a7xb6 30.e4-e5+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27...Qh4-e7
28.c5xb6 Diagram
(Diagram 1438)

+ + +k+
pp+ + pp
n pr+ +
+QP + +
+ +P+ q
+ + + +P
P+P+ +K+
+ + RR+
27.Qb5-b3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

1436

a7xb6 29.e4-e5 d6-d5 30.Qb3xd5


Qe7-e8 31.Qd5xb7 h7-h6 32.Qb7-e4
b6-b5 33.Re1-e3 b5-b4 34.Re3-f3
Qe8-g6+ 35.Qe4xg6 Re6xg6+
36.Rf3-g3 Rg6-e6 37.Rg3-e3 Re6-a6
38.Rf1-a1 6.84/14 ] 28.c5xb6
[ 28.c5xb6 Qh4-g5+ 29.Kg2-h1
Re6xb6 30.Qb3xd5+ Qg5xd5
31.e4xd5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28.c5xb6 Qh4-g5+ 29.Kg2-h1 Re6xb6
30.Qb3xd5+ Qg5xd5 31.e4xd5 h7-h5
32.Re1-e7 g7-g5 33.Re7-e5 g5-g4
34.h3xg4 h5-h4 35.Re5-g5+ Kg8-h7
36.Rf1-f7+ Kh7-h6 37.Rg5-g7 Rb6-b2
38.g4-g5+ Kh6-h5 39.Rf7xb7 Rb2xc2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

385
3.Ng1-f3 Bf8-b4+ 4.Nb1-d2 Diagram

+ + +k+
pp+ q pp
P pr+ +
+ + + +
+ +P+ +
+Q+ + +P
P+P+ +K+
+ + RR+

1438

rnlqk+ r
pppp+ppp
+ +pn +
+ + + +
lPP + +
+ + +N+
PP NPPPP
R LQKL+R

1440

40.d5-d6 Rc2xa2 41.d6-d7 Ra2-d2


42.Rg7-g8 Rd2-d1+ 43.Kh1-g2
Rd1-d2+ Diagram

+ + +R+
pR+P+ +
+ + + +
+ + + Pk
+ + + p
+ + + +
+ r +K+
+ + + +
44.Kg2-f3 8.50/13 ]
1-0

29

b7-b6 5.g2-g3 Bc8-b7 6.Bf1-g2 0-0


7.0-0 c7-c5 8.a2-a3 Bb4xd2
9.Bc1xd2 c5xd4 10.Bd2-b4 Rf8-e8
11.Qd1xd4 [RR 11.Bb4-d6 Nf6-e4
12.Qd1xd4 Nb8-a6 13.b2-b4 Ra8-c8
1439 14.Ra1-c1 Ne4xd6 15.Qd4xd6 Na6-c7
16.Rf1-d1 Re8-e7 17.Qd6-d3 Bb7xf3
18.Bg2xf3 Nc7-e8 19.Bf3-b7 Rc8-c7
20.Bb7-a6 Rc7-c6 21.Qd3-b3 Qd8-b8
22.Qb3-a4 Rc6-c7 23.Qa4-b5 Ne8-f6
24.f2-f3 d7-d5 25.c4-c5 h7-h5
Karpov,A (2660)-Andersson,U (2555)/
Madrid 1973/MCL/1-0 (38) ] 11...Nb8-c6
12.Qd4-d6 Ra8-c8N [RR 12...Nc6xb4
13.Qd6xb4 Qd8-c7 14.Ra1-c1 Ra8-c8
15.Qb4-d2 Qc7-b8 16.Qd2-e3 d7-d5
17.Nf3-e5 d5xc4 18.Bg2xb7 Qb8xb7
19.Ne5xc4 Re8-d8 20.Qe3-f4 Qb7-d5
- Kostic,V (2335)-Eisterer,H (2300)/
Austria 1989/TD ] 13.Rf1-d1 Nc6xb4
14.Qd6xb4 Qd8-c7 15.Ra1-c1 d7-d5
E16 16.Nf3-d4 a7-a6 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk
Rustam Kasimdzhanov
WCC , tiebreak 25/10 (3.4) 24.06.2004
E16: Queen's Indian: 4 g3 Bb7 5 Bg2
Bb4+
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6

(Diagram 1441)
17.b2-b3 Re8-d8 18.Qb4-e1 d5xc4
last book move last book move
19.Rc1xc4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Rc1xc4 Qc7-b8 20.Bg2xb7 Rc8xc4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+r+k+
+lq +ppp
pp +pn +
+ +p+ +
QPN + +
P + + P
P +PPLP
+ RR+ K

386

1441

21.Nd4-c6 Rc4xc6 22.Bb7xc6 Rd8xd1


23.Qe1xd1 g7-g6 24.Kg1-g2 Kg8-g7
25.Qd1-d4 Qb8-c7 26.Bc6-f3 e6-e5
27.Qd4-e3 Qc7-d6 28.b3-b4 Qd6-e6
29.Bf3-e4 Nf6xe4 30.Qe3xe4 0.03/16 ]
19...Qc7-e7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 19...Qc7-b8 20.Bg2xb7 Rc8xc4
21.Nd4-c6 Rd8xd1 22.Qe1xd1
Rc4xc6 23.Bb7xc6 g7-g6 24.Kg1-g2
Kg8-g7 25.Qd1-d4 Diagram

q + + +
+ + +pkp
ppL+pnp+
+ + + +
+ Q + +
PP+ + P
+ +PPKP
+ + + +

1442

Qb8-c7 26.Bc6-e4 e6-e5 27.Qd4-d3


Qc7-c1 28.a3-a4 Qc1-c5 0.05/15 ]
20.Rc4xc8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20.Nd4-c6 Bb7xc6 21.Rd1xd8+
Qe7xd8 22.Bg2xc6 b6-b5 23.Rc4-c1

+rr +k+
+l+ qppp
pp +pn +
+ + + +
+RN + +
PP+ + P
+ +PPLP
+ +RQ K

1443

g7-g6 24.a3-a4 b5-b4 25.Rc1-c4


Qd8-d6 26.Qe1-c1 Diagram

+r+ +k+
+ + +p+p
p+Lqpnp+
+ + + +
PpR+ + +
+P+ + P
+ +PP P
+ Q + K

1444

a6-a5 27.Kg1-g2 Kg8-g7 28.f2-f3


e6-e5 0.00/15 ] 20...Rd8xc8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...Rd8xc8
21.Bg2xb7 Qe7xb7 22.Rd1-c1 g7-g6
23.Nd4-f3 Kg8-g7 24.Rc1xc8 Qb7xc8
25.Qe1-d2 Qc8-c5 26.b3-b4 Qc5-c4
27.Kg1-g2 Nf6-e4 28.Qd2-d1 Ne4-c3
29.Qd1-d6 0.09/13 ] 21.Rd1-c1?
[ 21.Qe1-b4!? would keep White alive
Qe7xb4 22.a3xb4 Bb7xg2
23.Kg1xg2= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Bg2xb7 Qe7xb7 22.Rd1-c1 g7-g6
23.Nd4-f3 Kg8-g7 24.Rc1xc8 Qb7xc8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

387

25.Qe1-d2 Qc8-c5 26.b3-b4 Qc5-c4


27.Kg1-g2 Nf6-e4 28.Qd2-d1 Ne4-c3
29.Qd1-d6 -0.05/14 ] 21...Qe7xa3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...Qe7xa3
Diagram

+r+ +k+
+l+ +ppp
pp +pn +
+ + + +
+ N + +
qP+ + P
+ +PPLP
+ R Q K

1445

22.Rc1xc8+ Bb7xc8 23.Qe1-c3


Bc8-d7 24.e2-e3 h7-h6 25.Bg2-f1
Qa3-c5 26.Qc3xc5 b6xc5 27.Nd4-f3
Bd7-b5 28.Nf3-e5 Nf6-e4 29.f2-f3
Bb5xf1 30.f3xe4 Bf1-b5 31.Kg1-f2
f7-f6 32.Ne5-g6 -0.53/15 ] 22.Rc1xc8+
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.Bg2-c6 Qa3-e7 23.Qe1-d2 g7-g6
24.Rc1-c4 b6-b5 25.Bc6xb7 Qe7xb7
26.Rc4xc8+ Qb7xc8 27.Qd2-f4 Nf6-d5
28.Qf4-d6 Qc8-c1+ 29.Kg1-g2
Qc1-d2 -0.60/13 ]
(Diagram 1446)
22...Bb7xc8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Bb7xc8 23.Qe1-c3
Bc8-d7 24.e2-e3 h7-h6 25.h2-h3
Qa3-d6 26.g3-g4 e6-e5 27.Nd4-f3
e5-e4 28.Qc3-d4 Qd6xd4 29.Nf3xd4
Kg8-f8 30.Bg2-f1 b6-b5 31.Kg1-g2
Nf6-d5 -0.50/14 ]
23.Qe1-c3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.e2-e3 Diagram
Bc8-d7 24.Qe1-c3 Qa3-c5 25.Qc3xc5

+R+ +k+
+l+ +ppp
pp +pn +
+ + + +
+ N + +
qP+ + P
+ +PPLP
+ + Q K

+l+ +k+
+ + +ppp
pp +pn +
+ + + +
+ N + +
qP+ + P
+ +PPLP
+ + Q K

+l+ +k+
+ + +ppp
pp +pn +
+ + + +
+ N + +
qP+ P P
+ + PLP
+ + Q K

1446

1447

1448

b6xc5 26.Nd4-f3 Bd7-b5 27.Nf3-e5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

388

Kg8-f8 28.f2-f4 Nf6-d5 29.Kg1-f2


f7-f6 30.Ne5-c4 Kf8-e7 31.Bg2-e4
Bb5xc4 32.b3xc4 -0.60/15 ]
23...Bc8-d7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23...Bc8-d7 24.Nd4-c6 Qa3-c5
25.Qc3xc5 b6xc5 26.Nc6-a5 Bd7-b5
27.Na5-b7 Nf6-d7 28.Bg2-f3 Kg8-f8
29.Nb7-d6 Nd7-e5 30.Kg1-g2 Ne5xf3
31.Kg2xf3 Diagram

+ + k +
+ + +ppp
p+ Np+ +
+lp + +
+ + + +
+P+ +KP
+ +PP P
+ + + +

1449

Kf8-e7 32.Nd6-e4 Bb5-c6 33.Kf3-f4


Bc6xe4 34.Kf4xe4 -0.54/17 ]
(Diagram 1450)
24.Bg2-c6 [ 24.Nd4-c6!? ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Nd4-c6
Qa3-c5 25.Qc3xc5 b6xc5 26.Nc6-a5
Bd7-b5 27.Na5-b7 Nf6-d7 28.Bg2-f3
Kg8-f8 29.Nb7-d6 Nd7-e5 30.Kg1-g2
Diagram
(Diagram 1451)
Ne5xf3 31.Kg2xf3 Kf8-e7 32.Nd6-e4
Bb5-c6 33.Kf3-f4 Bc6xe4 34.Kf4xe4
-0.61/15 ] 24...Qa3-c5-+ [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 24...Qa3-c5 25.Qc3xc5
b6xc5 26.Bc6xd7 Diagram
c5xd4 27.Bd7-c6 a6-a5 28.Kg1-g2
Kg8-f8 29.Kg2-f3 Kf8-e7 30.Bc6-b5

+ + +k+
+ +l+ppp
pp +pn +
+ + + +
+ N + +
qPQ + P
+ +PPLP
+ + + K

+ + k +
+ + +ppp
p+ Np+ +
+lp n +
+ + + +
+P+ +LP
+ +PPKP
+ + + +

+ + +k+
+ +L+ppp
p+ +pn +
+ p + +
+ N + +
+P+ + P
+ +PP P
+ + + K

1450

1451

1452

Ke7-d6 31.Bb5-d3 Kd6-e5 32.h2-h3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

389

g7-g6 33.e2-e3 Nf6-d5 34.Bd3-f1


d4xe3 35.f2xe3 Nd5-c3 36.Bf1-d3
f7-f5 37.g3-g4 Nc3-e4 38.Bd3xe4
f5xe4+ 39.Kf3-e2 -0.99/19 ]
25.Qc3xc5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.Qc3xc5 b6xc5 26.Bc6xd7
c5xd4 27.Bd7-c6 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ + +ppp
p+L+pn +
+ + + +
+ p + +
+P+ + P
+ +PP P
+ + + K

1453

a6-a5 28.Kg1-g2 Kg8-f8 29.Kg2-f3


Kf8-e7 30.Bc6-b5 Ke7-d6 31.Bb5-d3
Kd6-e5 32.h2-h3 g7-g6 33.e2-e3
Nf6-d5 34.Bd3-f1 d4xe3 35.f2xe3
Nd5-c3 36.Bf1-d3 f7-f5 37.g3-g4
Nc3-e4 38.Bd3xe4 f5xe4+ 39.Kf3-e2
-1.13/19 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ +p+p+
p + k +
+ +p+P+
+P+ P +P
+ +K+ +
+ + + +

+ + +k+
+ +l+ppp
ppL+pn +
+ Q + +
+ N + +
+P+ + P
+ +PP P
+ + + K

1454

1455

(Diagram 1454)
]
(Diagram 1455)
25...b6xc5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25...b6xc5 Diagram
(Diagram 1456)
26.Bc6xd7
28.Kg1-g2
30.Bc6-b5
31.Bb5-d3

c5xd4 27.Bd7-c6 a6-a5


Kg8-f8 29.Kg2-f3 Kf8-e7
Ke7-d6 Diagram
Kd6-e5 32.h2-h3 g7-g6

+ + +k+
+ +l+ppp
p+L+pn +
+ p + +
+ N + +
+P+ + P
+ +PP P
+ + + K

1456

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + +ppp
+ kpn +
pL+ + +
+ p + +
+P+ +KP
+ +PP P
+ + + +

390

1457

33.e2-e3 Nf6-d5 34.Bd3-f1 d4xe3


35.f2xe3 Nd5-c3 36.Bf1-d3 f7-f5
37.g3-g4 Nc3-e4 38.Bd3xe4 f5xe4+
39.Kf3-e2 -0.93/17 ] 26.Bc6xd7
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26.Bc6xd7 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ +L+ppp
p+ +pn +
+ p + +
+ N + +
+P+ + P
+ +PP P
+ + + K

1458

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ +p+p+
p + k +
+ +p+P+
+P+ P +P
+ +K+ +
+ + + +

+ + +k+
+ +L+ppp
p+ +pn +
+ p + +
+ N + +
+P+ + P
+ +PP P
+ + + K

1459

1460

Diagram
(Diagram 1461)
27.Nd4-c6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...c5xd4 27.Bd7-c6 a6-a5 Diagram

c5xd4 27.Bd7-c6 a6-a5 28.Kg1-g2


Kg8-f8 29.Kg2-f3 Kf8-e7 30.Bc6-b5
Ke7-d6 31.Bb5-d3 Kd6-e5 32.h2-h3
g7-g6 33.e2-e3 Nf6-d5 34.Bd3-f1
d4xe3 35.f2xe3 Nd5-c3 36.Bf1-d3
f7-f5 37.g3-g4 Nc3-e4 38.Bd3xe4
f5xe4+ 39.Kf3-e2 -0.93/18 Diagram
]
26...c5xd4 [Instead of 26...Nf6xd7

(Diagram 1462)
28.Kg1-g2 Kg8-f8 29.Kg2-f3 Kf8-e7
30.Bc6-b5 Ke7-d6 31.Bb5-d3 Kd6-e5
32.h2-h3 g7-g6 33.e2-e3 Nf6-d5
34.h3-h4 d4xe3 35.f2xe3 h7-h5
36.Bd3-c4 Nd5-c3 37.Bc4-d3 f7-f5
38.Bd3-f1 Nc3-e4 -0.90/19 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+ +n+ppp
p+ +p+ +
+ p + +
+ N + +
+P+ + P
+ +PP P
+ + + K

+ + +k+
+ + +ppp
+L+pn +
p + + +
+ p + +
+P+ + P
+ +PP P
+ + + K

391

1461

1462

27.Bd7-c6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


27.Bd7-c8 a6-a5 28.Bc8-a6 Kg8-f8
29.Kg1-g2 Nf6-e4 30.Ba6-d3 Ne4-c5
31.Bd3-c4 Kf8-e7 32.f2-f3 Ke7-d6
33.Kg2-f2 Kd6-e5 34.h2-h4 h7-h6
35.h4-h5 Ke5-d6 36.g3-g4 -0.89/16
Diagram
(Diagram 1463)
] 27...a6-a5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27...a6-a5 Diagram
28.Kg1-g2 Kg8-f8 Diagram
29.Kg2-f3 Kf8-e7 30.Bc6-b5 Ke7-d6
31.Bb5-d3 Kd6-e5 32.h2-h3 g7-g6

+ + + +
+ + +pp
+ kp+ p
p n + +P
+Lp +P+
+P+ +P+
+ +PK +
+ + + +

+ + +k+
+ + +ppp
+L+pn +
p + + +
+ p + +
+P+ + P
+ +PP P
+ + + K

+ + k +
+ + +ppp
+L+pn +
p + + +
+ p + +
+P+ + P
+ +PPKP
+ + + +
33.e2-e3 Diagram

1463

1464

1465

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + +p+p
+ +pnp+
p + k +
+ p + +
+P+LPKPP
+ + P +
+ + + +

392

+ + +k+
+ + +ppp
+L+pn +
p + + +
+ p + +
+P+ + P
+ +PP P
+ + + K

1466

1468

Nf6-d5 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + +p+p
+ +p+p+
p +nk +
+ p + +
+P+LPKPP
+ + P +
+ + + +
34.Bd3-f1 d4xe3 35.f2xe3 h7-h5
36.g3-g4 -0.89/17 ]
(Diagram 1468)
0-1

30
1467

B12

Alexander Morozevich
Vassily Ivanchuk
36th Olympiad (4.1)
18.10.2004
B12: Caro-Kann: Advance Variation
1.e2-e4 c7-c6 2.d2-d4 d7-d5
3.e4-e5 Bc8-f5 4.f2-f4 e7-e6
5.Ng1-f3 Diagram
(Diagram 1469)
c6-c5 6.Bc1-e3 c5xd4 [RR
6...Qd8-b6 7.Nb1-c3 a7-a6 8.Nc3-a4
Qb6-a5+ 9.c2-c3 c5-c4 10.Bf1-e2
Bf8-e7 11.0-0 h7-h5 12.b2-b3 b7-b5
13.Na4-c5 Qa5xc3 14.Be3-d2 Qc3-c2
15.Qd1-e1 Be7xc5 16.d4xc5 Nb8-c6
17.b3xc4 b5xc4 18.Qe1-g3 Ke8-f8
19.Ra1-c1 Qc2-b2 20.Qg3-f2 Ng8-e7
21.Bd2-c3 Bromberger,S (2491)Maslak,K (2501)/Olomouc 2005/CBM
107 ext/0-1 (64) ;RR 6...Nb8-c6
7.d4xc5 Qd8-a5+ 8.Qd1-d2 Qa5xd2+
9.Ke1xd2 Bf5-e4 10.c2-c3 Ng8-e7
11.Bf1-b5 Ra8-c8 12.b2-b4 Ne7-f5
13.Kd2-e2 a7-a6 14.Bb5xc6+ Rc8xc6
15.Nb1-d2 Be4xf3+ 16.Nd2xf3 Bf8-e7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rn qklnr
pp+ +ppp
+p+p+ +
+ +pPl+
+ P P +
+ + +N+
PPP+ +PP
RNLQKL+R

393

k r + +
lp+ +prp
p+ +pn +
+ +Pq +
N+ + + +
+ Q pRN
PP +L+ P
+ +R+ +K

1469

17.g2-g4 Nf5xe3 18.Ke2xe3 b7-b6


19.Nf3-d4 Rc6-c8 20.c5-c6 f7-f6
21.Ke3-d3 Neubauer,J (2076)-Raaber,
A (1498)/Schweinfurt 2007/CBM 118
ext/1-0 (40) ] 7.Nf3xd4 Ng8-e7N [RR
7...Bf5-g6 8.Bf1-b5+ Nb8-d7 9.0-0
Bf8-c5 10.Qd1-d2 Ng8-e7 11.Nb1-c3
0-0 12.Nc3-a4 Bc5xd4 13.Be3xd4
a7-a6 14.Bb5xd7 Qd8xd7 15.Na4-b6
Qd7-c6 16.Nb6xa8 Rf8xa8 17.c2-c3
b7-b5 18.a2-a4 b5xa4 19.Qd2-d1
Ne7-f5 20.Qd1xa4 Nf5xd4 21.c3xd4
Qc6-b6 22.Rf1-f2 Moussard,J (1670)Cabanes,K (1550)/Clichy 2003/EXT
2004/1-0 (41) ] 8.Bf1-b5+ Nb8-d7
9.0-0 a7-a6 10.Bb5-e2 g7-g5
11.g2-g4 g5xf4 12.g4xf5 Ne7xf5
13.Nd4xf5 f4xe3 14.Nb1-c3 Rh8-g8+
15.Kg1-h1 last book move last book
move Qd8-g5 Diagram [Inferior is
15...e6xf5 16.Qd1xd5 Qd8-e7
17.Rf1xf5 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
15...Qd8-g5 16.Nf5-g3 Qg5xe5
17.Qd1-d3 Rg8-g7 18.Ra1-d1 0-0-0
19.Rf1-f3 Bf8-c5 20.Nc3-a4 Bc5-a7
21.c2-c4 Kc8-b8 22.c4xd5 Nd7-f6
23.Qd3-c3 Diagram
Qe5xc3 24.Na4xc3 Nf6xd5
25.Nc3xd5 e6xd5 -0.27/13 ]
Black has a mate threat 16.Be2-f3?

r+ +klr+
+p+n+p+p
p+ +p+ +
+ +pPNq
+ + + +
+ N p +
PPP+L+ P
R +Q+R+K
[

1470

1471

16.Nf5-g3 Diagram
(Diagram 1472)

is a viable option Qg5xe5 17.Qd1-d3! ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 16.Nf5-g3
Rg8-g7 17.Qd1-d4 0-0-0 18.Ra1-d1
Bf8-c5 19.Qd4-a4 Nd7xe5 20.b2-b4
Bc5-e7 21.b4-b5 Qg5-h4 22.Qa4xh4
Be7xh4 -0.07/12 ] 16...Nd7xe5-+
Diagram [ 16...Qg5xf5 is much worse
17.Bf3-h5 Qf5-g5 18.Bh5xf7+ Ke8-d8
19.Bf7xg8 Qg5xg8 20.Qd1-d3$ ;
16...e6xf5 17.Qd1xd5 Qg5-e7
18.Ra1-d1 Nd7xe5 19.Qd5-a5 Ne5xf3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +klr+
+p+n+p+p
p+ +p+ +
+ +pP q
+ + + +
+ N p N
PPP+L+ P
R +Q+R+K

394
20.Rf1-g1 Nc6-e5 21.Qd3-e2 Kc8-b8
22.Ra1-e1 Qg5-f4 Diagram
1472

20.Nc3-d5= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


16...Nd7xe5 17.Nf5-d4 Bf8-c5
18.Nd4-b3 Bc5-a7 19.Qd1-e2 0-0-0
20.Rf1-g1 Qg5-f4 21.Bf3-h5 f7-f5
22.Ra1-f1 Rg8xg1+ 23.Rf1xg1 Kc8-b8
24.Rg1-g7 -0.97/13 ]

r+ +klr+
+p+ +p+p
p+ +p+ +
+ +pnNq
+ + + +
+ N pL+
PPP+ + P
R +Q+R+K

1473

17.Qd1-e2 [ 17.Nc3xd5 0-0-0


( 17...e6xf5 again, Black cannot
capture the knight 18.Nd5-c7+ Ke8-e7
19.Nc7xa8+- ; 17...Qg5xf5
18.Nd5-c7+ Ke8-e7 19.Nc7xa8+- ;
17...e6xd5 18.Qd1xd5 Qg5xf5
19.Qd5xb7 ) 18.Nf5xe3 Bf8-c5-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 17.Nf5-g3 0-0-0
18.Qd1-d4 Ne5-c6 19.Qd4-d3 Bf8-d6

k r +r+
+p+ +p+p
p+ lp+ +
+ +pn +
+ + q +
+ N pLN
PPP+Q+ P
+ + R RK

1474

23.Bf3-h5 Bd6-c5 24.Re1-f1 -0.83/13 ]


17...Qg5xf5 [ 17...e6xf5?! 18.Rf1-g1
Diagram

r+ +klr+
+p+ +p+p
p+ + + +
+ +pnpq
+ + + +
+ N pL+
PPP+Q+ P
R + + RK

1475

Ne5-g4 19.Nc3xd5= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 17...Qg5xf5 18.Bf3xd5 Qf5-h3
19.Bd5-g2 Qh3-g4 20.Ra1-e1 Bf8-h6
21.Bg2xb7 Qg4xe2 22.Re1xe2
Ra8-b8 23.Nc3-e4 Rg8-g7 24.Ne4-c5
a6-a5 25.b2-b3 Rb8-d8 26.Bb7-g2
Rd8-d2 27.Rf1-e1 Ke8-e7 28.a2-a3
f7-f5 -1.81/15 ] 18.Bf3xd5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18.Bf3xd5
Qf5-h3 19.Bd5-g2 Qh3-g4 20.Ra1-e1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

395

Bf8-h6 21.Bg2xb7 Qg4xe2 22.Re1xe2


Ra8-b8 23.Bb7xa6 f7-f5 24.b2-b3
Ke8-e7 25.Re2-g2 Rg8xg2 26.Kh1xg2
Rb8-g8+ 27.Kg2-h1 Rg8-d8
28.Kh1-g2 Rd8-d2+ 29.Ba6-e2
Rd2xc2 -1.77/15 ]

r+ +klr+
+p+ +p+p
p+ +p+ +
+ +Lnq+
+ + + +
+ N p +
PPP+Q+ P
R + +R+K

1476

r+ +klr+
+p+ +p+p
p+ +p+ +
+ + n +
+ + +q+
+ N p +
PPP+Q+LP
+ + RR+K
Ra8-d8
Rd8-d7
Nc4xb2
Rd7-d6
Nb2xd1

18...Qf5-h3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


18...Qf5-h3 Diagram

r+ +klr+
+p+ +p+p
p+ +p+ +
+ +Ln +
+ + + +
+ N p +q
PPP+Q+ P
R + +R+K

20.Bg2-f3 Ne5xf3 21.Rf1xf3 Bf8-c5-+ ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19.Bd5-g2
Qh3-g4 20.Ra1-e1 Diagram

1477

19.Bd5-g2 Qh3-g4 20.Ra1-e1 Ra8-d8


21.h2-h3 Qg4xe2 22.Re1xe2 Rd8-d7
23.Re2xe3 Ne5-c4 24.Re3-e2 Nc4xb2
25.Nc3-d5 Bf8-g7 26.Nd5-b6 Rd7-d6
27.Nb6-c8 Rd6-d1 28.Rf1xd1 Nb2xd1
29.Bg2xb7 -1.84/15 ] 19.Bd5xb7
Diagram [ 19.Bd5-g2 Qh3-g4

1478

21.h2-h3 Qg4xe2 22.Re1xe2


23.Re2xe3 Ne5-c4 24.Re3-e2
25.Nc3-d5 Bf8-g7 26.Nd5-b6
27.Nb6-c8 Rd6-d1 28.Rf1xd1
29.Bg2xb7 -1.83/13 ]

r+ +klr+
+L+ +p+p
p+ +p+ +
+ + n +
+ + + +
+ N p +q
PPP+Q+ P
R + +R+K

1479

19...Ra8-a7 [ 19...Ra8-d8 makes it


even easier for Black 20.Bb7-g2
Qh3-g4 21.Ra1-d1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 19...Ra8-d8 Diagram
20.Ra1-d1 Rd8xd1 21.Rf1xd1 f7-f5
22.Bb7-g2 Qh3-g4 23.h2-h3 Qg4xe2
24.Nc3xe2 Ke8-f7 25.Bg2-b7 a6-a5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rklr+
+L+ +p+p
p+ +p+ +
+ + n +
+ + + +
+ N p +q
PPP+Q+ P
R + +R+K

396

1480

26.Kh1-h2 Kf7-f6 27.Bb7-h1 -2.13/12 ]


20.Bb7-f3 Diagram [ 20.Bb7-g2
Qh3-h6 21.Ra1-e1 Bf8-c5-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.Bb7-f3
Bf8-h6 21.Ra1-d1 Qh3-h4 22.Rd1-d6
Ne5-g4 23.Nc3-e4 Ke8-e7 24.Rd6-c6
Bh6-f4 25.Bf3xg4 Qh4xg4 26.Qe2xg4
Diagram

+ + +r+
r + kp+p
p+R+p+ +
+ + + +
+ +NlQ+
+ + p +
PPP+ + P
+ + +R+K

1481

Rg8xg4 27.Rf1-e1 Rg4-h4 28.Re1-e2


Ra7-d7 -1.18/14 ]
20...Bf8-h6 Diagram [ 20...Ne5xf3?!
21.Rf1xf3 Qh3-g4 22.h2-h3! ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...Rg8-g3
Diagram
21.Bf3-h5 Qh3-h4 22.Rf1-f6 Ne5-g6

+ +klr+
r + +p+p
p+ +p+ +
+ + n +
+ + + +
+ N pL+q
PPP+Q+ P
R + +R+K

+ +kl +
r + +p+p
p+ +p+ +
+ + n +
+ + + +
+ N pLrq
PPP+Q+ P
R + +R+K

1482

1483

23.Rf6-f3 Rg3xf3 24.Bh5xf3 Bf8-d6


25.Ra1-d1 Bd6-f4 26.Qe2-g2 f7-f5
27.Nc3-e2 Ra7-g7 28.Bf3-c6+ Ke8-f8
29.Bc6-d7 Kf8-e7 -1.17/12 ]
(Diagram 1484)
21.Nc3-e4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21.Ra1-d1 Diagram
(Diagram 1485)
Qh3-h4 22.Rd1-d6 Ne5-g4 23.Nc3-e4
Ke8-e7 24.Rd6-c6 Bh6-f4 25.Bf3xg4
Qh4xg4 26.Qe2xg4 Rg8xg4 27.Rf1-e1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +k+r+
r + +p+p
p+ +p+ l
+ + n +
+ + + +
+ N pL+q
PPP+Q+ P
R + +R+K

+ +k+r+
r + +p+p
p+ +p+ l
+ + n +
+ + + +
+ N pL+q
PPP+Q+ P
+ +R+R+K

397

1484

1485

+ +k+r+
r + +p+p
p+ +p+ l
+ + n +
+ +N+ +
+ + pL+q
PPP+Q+ P
R + +R+K

+ +k+ +
r + +prp
p+ +p+ l
+ + n +
+ +N+ +
+ + pL+q
PPP+Q+ P
R + +R+K

1486

1487

Rg4-h4 28.Re1-e2 Ra7-d7 -1.18/13 ]


(Diagram 1486)
21...Ke8-e7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 21...Rg8-g7 Diagram
(Diagram 1487)
22.Ra1-d1 f7-f5 23.Ne4-c5 Ke8-e7
24.Rd1-d4 f5-f4 25.Rd4-e4 Qh3-f5
26.Rf1-d1 Ra7-c7 27.b2-b4 Rc7xc5
28.b4xc5 Ne5xf3 29.Qe2xf3 Qf5xc5
30.c2-c4 Ke7-f6 31.Re4xf4+ Bh6xf4
32.Qf3xf4+ Kf6-e7 -1.20/13 ]

+ + +r+
r + kp+p
p+ +p+ l
+ + n +
+ +N+ +
+ + pL+q
PPP+Q+ P
R + +R+K
22.Qe2-e1? Diagram [ 22.Ra1-d1

1488

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

398

Bh6-f4 23.Bf3-h5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 22.Ra1-d1 Diagram

+ + +r+
r + kp+p
p+ +p+ l
+ + n +
+ +N+ +
+ + pL+q
PPP+Q+ P
+ +R+R+K

1489

Qh3-h4 23.Ne4-c5 Bh6-f4 24.b2-b4


a6-a5 25.a2-a3 Rg8-g5 26.Nc5-e4
Rg5-g7 27.Ne4-c5 Ke7-f8 28.Bf3-e4
a5xb4 29.a3xb4 Ra7-a2 -1.50/13
Diagram

+ + k +
+ + +prp
+ +p+ +
+ N n +
P +Ll q
+ + p +
r+P+Q+ P
+ +R+R+K

1490

]
(Diagram 1491)
22...f7-f5 Black threatens to win
material: f5xe4 [ 22...a6-a5 Diagram
secures victory 23.Ne4-g3 Bh6-f4-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Ra7-b7

+ + +r+
r + kp+p
p+ +p+ l
+ + n +
+ +N+ +
+ + pL+q
PPP+ + P
R + QR+K

+ + +r+
r + kp+p
+ +p+ l
p + n +
+ +N+ +
+ + pL+q
PPP+ + P
R + QR+K

1491

1492

Diagram
(Diagram 1493)
23.Ne4-f6 Ne5xf3 24.Nf6xg8+ Ke7-f8
25.Qe1-e2 Nf3xh2 26.Qe2xh2
Qh3xh2+ 27.Kh1xh2 Kf8xg8 28.b2-b3
Rb7-d7 29.Rf1-d1 Rd7-c7 30.c2-c4
Kg8-g7 31.Rd1-g1+ Kg7-f6 32.Kh2-g3
e3-e2 33.Ra1-e1 Bh6-e3 -0.76/11 ]
23.Qe1-b4+= Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 23.Qe1-b4+ Ke7-f7
24.Ne4-d6+ Kf7-f6 25.Nd6-e4+ Kf6-f7
26.Ne4-d6+ -0.08/10 ]
23...Ke7-f7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +r+
+r+ kp+p
p+ +p+ l
+ + n +
+ +N+ +
+ + pL+q
PPP+ + P
R + QR+K

+ + +r+
r + k +p
p+ +p+ l
+ + np+
Q +N+ +
+ + pL+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

399

1493

1494

+ + +r+
r + +k+p
p+ Np+ l
+ + np+
Q + + +
+ + pL+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

+ + +r+
r + +k+p
p+ +p+ l
+ + np+
Q +N+ +
+ + pL+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

1495

1496

x64: 23...Ke7-f7 24.Ne4-d6+ Diagram


(Diagram 1495)
Kf7-f6 25.Nd6-e4+ Kf6-f7
26.Ne4-d6+ 0.23/11 ]
(Diagram 1496)
24.Qb4-d4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24.Ne4-d6+ Kf7-f6 25.Nd6-e4+
Kf6-f7 -0.08/13 ]
White threatens to win material:
Qd4xa7 24...Ne5xf3 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Ne5xf3

+ + +r+
r + +k+p
p+ +p+ l
+ + np+
+ QN+ +
+ + pL+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K
Diagram

1497

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +r+
r + +k+p
p+ +p+ l
+ + +p+
+ QN+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

400

1498

25.Qd4-f6+ Kf7-e8 26.Qf6xe6+


Ke8-f8 27.Qe6-c8+ Kf8-g7
28.Qc8-c3+ Kg7-g6 29.Qc3-c6+
Kg6-h5 30.Ne4-f6+ Kh5-h4 31.Qc6xf3
Qh3xf3+ 32.Rf1xf3 Rg8-g6 33.Rf3xf5
Bh6-g5 34.Nf6-d5 Ra7-b7 35.Ra1-d1
e3-e2 36.Rd1-d4+ Kh4-h5 37.Rd4-e4
Rb7xb2 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+ + +r+
+ +N+Rlk
+ +R+ +
+ + + +
PrP+p+ P
+ + + +K

1499

38.Re4xe2 Rb2xa2 39.Kh1-g2


Kh5-h6 40.Kg2-f3 Ra2-a1 41.c2-c4
Ra1-c1 42.Re2-g2 Rc1xc4 43.Rf5-f7
a6-a5 -0.09/12 ]
25.Qd4-f6+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 25.Qd4-f6+ Kf7-e8
26.Qf6xe6+ Ke8-f8 27.Qe6-c8+

+ + +r+
r + +k+p
p+ +p+ l
+ + +p+
+ QN+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

1500

Kf8-g7 28.Qc8-c3+ Kg7-g6


29.Qc3-c6+ Kg6-h5 30.Ne4-f6+
Kh5-h4 31.Qc6xf3 Qh3xf3+ 32.Rf1xf3
Diagram

+ + +r+
r + + +p
p+ + N l
+ + +p+
+ + + k
+ + pR+
PPP+ + P
R + + +K
Rg8-f8
Bg5xf6
Kh5-h6
Kh5-h6

1501

33.Rf3xf5 Bh6-g5 34.Ra1-g1


35.Rf5-f4+ Kh4-h5 36.Rf4-f5+
37.Rf5-f3 Kh6-h5 38.Rf3-f5+
-0.20/14 ]
(Diagram 1502)

25...Kf7-e8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 25...Kf7-e8 26.Qf6xe6+ Ke8-f8
27.Qe6-c8+ Kf8-g7 28.Qc8-c3+
Kg7-g6 29.Qc3-c6+ Kg6-h5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +r+
r + +k+p
p+ +pQ l
+ + +p+
+ +N+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

401

1502

30.Ne4-f6+ Kh5-h4 31.Qc6xf3


Qh3xf3+ 32.Rf1xf3 Rg8-f8 33.Rf3xf5
Bh6-g5 34.Ra1-g1 Bg5xf6 35.Rg1-f1
Ra7-g7 36.Rf5xf6 Rf8xf6 37.Rf1xf6
Rg7-c7 38.Rf6-e6 Rc7xc2 39.Re6xe3
Rc2xb2 40.a2-a3 Kh4-g4 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +k+
P + R +
r + + P
+ + + +K

1503

+ +k+r+
r + + +p
p+ +pQ l
+ + +p+
+ +N+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

1504

30.Ne4-f6+ Kh5-h4 31.Qc6xf3


Qh3xf3+ 32.Rf1xf3 Rg8-f8 33.Rf3xf5
Bh6-g5 34.Ra1-g1 Bg5xf6 35.Rg1-f1
Ra7-g7 36.Rf5xf6 Rf8xf6 37.Rf1xf6
Rg7-c7 38.Rf6-e6 Rc7xc2 39.Re6xe3
Rc2xb2 40.a2-a3 Kh4-g4 41.h2-h3+
Kg4-f4 42.Re3-e6 a6-a5 43.Kh1-g1
-0.33/9 ]

+ +k+r+
r + + +p
p+ +Q+ l
+ + +p+
+ +N+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

1505

41.h2-h3+ Kg4-f4 42.Re3-e6 a6-a5


43.Kh1-g1 -0.16/1 ]
(Diagram 1504)
26.Qf6xe6+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 26.Qf6xe6+ Ke8-f8
27.Qe6-c8+ Kf8-g7 28.Qc8-c3+
Kg7-g6 29.Qc3-c6+ Kg6-h5

26...Ke8-f8 Black has a mate threat


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26...Ke8-f8
27.Qe6-c8+ Diagram
Kf8-g7 28.Qc8-c3+ Kg7-g6
29.Qc3-c6+ Kg6-h5 30.Ne4-f6+
Kh5-h4 31.Qc6xf3 Qh3xf3+ 32.Rf1xf3
Rg8-f8 33.Rf3xf5 Bh6-g5 34.Ra1-g1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+Q+ kr+
r + + +p
p+ + + l
+ + +p+
+ +N+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

402

+ + +r+
r + +k+p
p+ + + l
+ + +p+
+Q+N+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

1506

Bg5xf6 35.Rg1-f1 Ra7-g7 36.Rf5xf6


Rf8xf6 37.Rf1xf6 Rg7-c7 38.Rf6-e6
Rc7xc2 39.Re6xe3 Rc2xb2 40.a2-a3
Kh4-g4 41.h2-h3+ Kg4-f4 42.Re3-e6
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+ +R+ +
+ + + +
+ + k +
P + + +P
r + + +
+ + + +K

1508

33.Rf1xf3= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


27.Qe6-c8+ Kf8-g7 28.Qc8-c3+
Kg7-g6 29.Qc3-c6+ Kg6-f7 Diagram

+ + +r+
r + +k+p
p+Q+ + l
+ + +p+
+ +N+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

1507

1509

30.Qc6-f6+ Kf7-e8 31.Qf6-e6+


-0.20/11 Diagram
a6-a5 43.Kh1-g1 -0.17/10 ]
27.Qe6-f6+?? Diagram [ 27.Qe6-c8+
is the best chance Kf8-f7 28.Qc8-c4+
Diagram
(Diagram 1508)
Kf7-g7 29.Qc4-c3+ Kg7-g6
30.Qc3-c6+ Kg6-h5 31.Ne4-f6+
Kh5-h4 32.Qc6xf3 Qh3xf3+

(Diagram 1510)
]
(Diagram 1511)
27...Ra7-f7-+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 27...Ra7-f7 28.Qf6-d8+
Kf8-g7 29.Rf1-g1+ Bh6-g5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +k+r+
r + + +p
p+ +Q+ l
+ + +p+
+ +N+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

+ + kr+
r + + +p
p+ + Q l
+ + +p+
+ +N+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

403

1510

28.Qf6-d6+ Diagram [ 28.Qf6-d8+


doesn't change anything anymore
Kf8-g7 29.Rf1-g1+ Bh6-g5
30.Rg1xg5+ Nf3xg5 31.Ne4xg5
Rg8xd8 32.Ng5xh3 Rd8-d2-+ ;

1512

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Qf6-d8+


Kf8-g7 Diagram
1511

30.Rg1xg5+ Nf3xg5 31.Ne4xg5


Rg8xd8 32.Ng5xh3 Rd8-d2
33.Ra1-g1+ Kg7-h6 34.b2-b4 Rf7-g7
35.Rg1-e1 e3-e2 36.Nh3-g1 Rd2-d1
37.Ng1-f3 Rd1xe1+ 38.Nf3xe1
Rg7-g4 39.a2-a3 Kh6-g5 40.c2-c4
Rg4xc4 41.Kh1-g2 -6.15/12 ]
(Diagram 1512)

+ + kr+
+ + +r+p
p+ + Q l
+ + +p+
+ +N+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

+ Q +r+
+ + +rkp
p+ + + l
+ + +p+
+ +N+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

1513

29.Rf1-g1+ Bh6-g5 30.Rg1xg5+


Nf3xg5 31.Ne4xg5 Rg8xd8
32.Ng5xh3 Rd8-d2 33.Ra1-e1 f5-f4
34.Nh3-g5 Rf7-f5 35.Re1-g1 Rd2xc2
36.Ng5-f3+ Kg7-f6 37.Nf3-d4 Rc2xb2
38.Nd4xf5 Kf6xf5 39.Rg1-f1 Kf5-e4
40.Rf1-c1 f4-f3 41.a2-a3 Rb2-g2
42.Rc1-c7 e3-e2 43.Rc7-e7+ Ke4-f5
44.a3-a4 Kf5-f4 45.a4-a5 f3-f2
-6.33/13 ]
28...Kf8-g7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28...Kf8-g7 29.Qd6-g3+ Qh3xg3
30.Ne4xg3 Nf3-h4 31.Rf1-g1 Bh6-g5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + kr+
+ + +r+p
p+ Q + l
+ + +p+
+ +N+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

404

1514

32.Ra1-d1 Kg7-h6 33.a2-a3 f5-f4


34.Rd1-d6+ Diagram

+ + +r+
+ + +r+p
p+ R + k
+ + + l
+ + p n
P + p N
PP+ + P
+ + + RK

1515

Rg8-g6 35.Ng3-e4 Nh4-f3 -5.63/11 ]


29.Rf1-g1+ [ 29.Qd6-g3+ a fruitless try
to alter the course of the game Qh3xg3
30.Ne4xg3 Nf3-h4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 29.Qd6-g3+ Diagram
(Diagram 1516)
Qh3xg3 30.Ne4xg3 Nf3-h4
31.Ng3-h5+ Kg7-f8 32.Rf1-d1 Rf7-c7
33.c2-c3 Kf8-f7 34.Rd1-d4 Nh4-f3
35.Rd4-d5 Kf7-g6 36.Nh5-g3 f5-f4
37.Rd5-d6+ Kg6-g5 38.Ra1-f1

+ + +r+
+ + +rkp
p+ + + l
+ + +p+
+ +N+ +
+ + pnQq
PPP+ + P
R + +R+K

1516

-6.11/12 ] 29...Kg7-h8 [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 29...Kg7-h8 30.Rg1xg8+
Kh8xg8 31.Qd6-g3+ Qh3xg3
32.Ne4xg3 f5-f4 33.Ng3-e2 Rf7-c7
34.c2-c3 Rc7-b7 35.b2-b3 Rb7-g7
-6.45/9 ] 30.Ne4-f6 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.Rg1xg8+
Diagram

+ + +Rk
+ + +r+p
p+ Q + l
+ + +p+
+ +N+ +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + + +K

1517

Kh8xg8 31.Qd6-b8+ Kg8-g7


32.Qb8-g3+ Qh3xg3 33.Ne4xg3 f5-f4
34.Ng3-e2 Rf7-c7 35.Ra1-c1 Kg7-f6
36.c2-c3 Rc7-g7 Diagram
37.a2-a3 Kf6-f5 38.c3-c4 Kf5-e4
39.Rc1-d1 Nf3-d2 -7.27/10 ]
0-1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + rp
p+ + k l
+ + + +
+ + p +
+ P pn+
PP +N+ P
+ R + +K

405

1518

r+lqklnr
pp+ppppp
+n+ + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

1520

Nf6-g4 12.Na3-c2 b5xc4 13.Bf1xc4


Ng4xe3 14.Nc2xe3 Bf8-e7 15.0-0 0-0
16.Bc4-d3 f7-f5 17.Ra1-c1
1519 0-1 Sigfusson,S (2381)-Shirov,A (2723)/
Reykjavik 2003/CBM 093 ext ]
9...Bc8-d7N [RR 9...Ng8-f6 10.c2-c4
A) RR 10...Nf6xe4 11.c4xb5 a6-a5
12.Nb4-d5 (RR 12.Nb4-a6 Bc8-b7
13.Qd1-a4 f7-f5 14.b5-b6+ Bb7-c6
15.Qa4xa5 Ke8-f7 16.Bf1-b5 Ne4-c5
17.Bb5-c4+ Bc6-d5 18.Bc4xd5+
Ne7xd5 19.Qa5-d2 Nd5xb6
20.Na6xc5 d6xc5 21.Qd2-c2 e5-e4
22.Bc1-e3 Qd8-d3 23.Qc2xd3 e4xd3
24.Ke1-d2 f5-f4 25.Be3xf4 c5-c4
26.Bf4-e5 Bf8-b4+ Cheng,X (2239)Chjumachenko,A (2320)/
31
B32 Hendersonville 2006/EXT 2007/-
Vassily Ivanchuk
(39) ) 12...Bc8-b7 13.Bf1-c4 Ra8-c8
Teimour Radjabov
14.Nd5-e3 d6-d5 15.Bc4-b3 d5-d4
36th Olympiad (6)
20.10.2004 16.Ne3-c4 Ne7-g6 17.0-0 Bf8-c5
18.Qd1-h5 0-0 19.Nc4xe5 Ng6xe5
B32: Sicilian: Lwenthal and
20.Qh5xe5 Bc5-d6 21.Qe5-h5 Rc8-c5
Kalashnikov Variations
22.Qh5-h3 Ne4-g5 23.Bc1xg5 Rc5xg5
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
24.g2-g3 Qd8-f6 25.f2-f3 Nygren,K
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram
(2247)-Yu,Y (2205)/Taby 2007/CBM
e7-e5 5.Nd4-b5 d7-d6 6.Nb1-c3
119 ext/0-1 (33) ; B) 10...b5xc4
a7-a6 7.Nb5-a3 b7-b5 8.Nc3-d5
11.Na3xc4 Ne7-g6 12.Bc1-g5 Bf8-e7
Nc6-e7 9.Nd5-b4 [RR 9.Bc1-e3
13.Bg5xf6 g7xf6 14.Nb4-d5 Bc8-e6
Ne7xd5 10.e4xd5 Ng8-f6 11.c2-c4
15.Nc4-b6 Ra8-b8 16.Qd1-a4+ Ke8-f8

+ + +rk
+ + +r+p
p+ Q N l
+ + +p+
+ + + +
+ + pn+q
PPP+ + P
R + + RK

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

406

17.Qa4xa6 Be6xd5 18.Nb6xd5


Rb8xb2 19.Bf1-c4 Ng6-f4 20.0-0
Rh8-g8 21.Nd5xf4 e5xf4 22.Qa6-a3
Qd8-b6 23.Qa3-f3 Qb6-d4 24.Bc4-d5
Simek,P (2271)-Kovaleva,N (2150)/
Pardubice 2006/CBM 113 ext/1-0 (44) ]
10.c2-c4 a6-a5 11.Nb4-c2 Ng8-f6
12.Na3xb5 Bd7xb5 13.c4xb5 Nf6xe4
14.Bc1-e3 d6-d5 15.b5-b6 f7-f5
16.Qd1-e2 Ke8-f7 Diagram

r+ q l r
+ + nkpp
P + + +
p +ppp+
+ +n+ +
+ + L +
PPN+QPPP
R + KL+R

rr+ + +
+ +qlkpp
Pn+ n +
pQ+p+ +
+ +p+ +
+ +LN +
PP + LPP
+KR + +R

1522

1521

17.0-0-0 Qd8-d7 18.Kc1-b1


last book move last book move Qd7-e6
[ 18...Ra8-b8!?$ might be a viable
alternative ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18...Ra8-b8 19.f2-f3 Ne4-f6 20.Be3-f2
Ne7-c6 21.Qe2-b5 Bf8-e7 22.Nc2-e3
Rh8-d8 23.Rd1-c1 Rd8-c8 24.Bf1-d3
e5-e4 25.f3xe4 f5xe4 0.39/13
Diagram

r+ + l r
+ + nkpp
P +q+ +
p +ppp+
+ +nP +
+ + L +
PPN+Q+PP
+K+R+L+R

1523

Nf6xd5 26.Qb5xd5 0.37/12 ]


19...Ne4-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19...Ne4-f6 Diagram
(Diagram 1524)

(Diagram 1522)
] 19.f2-f3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.f2-f4 Diagram
(Diagram 1523)
e5xf4 20.Be3-d4 Ne7-c6 21.Qe2-b5
Ra8-b8 22.Bf1-e2 Kf7-g8 23.Bd4-g1
Ne4-f6 24.Be2-f3 h7-h5 25.Bf3xd5

20.Qe2-b5 Ra8-b8 21.f3-f4 e5-e4


22.Bf1-e2 g7-g6 23.Rd1-c1 Bf8-h6
24.Qb5xa5 Qe6-d6 25.g2-g3 Kf7-g7
26.Qa5-a7 0.50/13 ] 20.f3-f4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.Be3-f2
Ra8-b8 21.Qe2-a6 Nd6-c8 22.f3-f4
e5-e4 23.b6-b7 Qe6xa6 24.Bf1xa6
Nc8-d6 25.Bf2-a7 Rb8xb7 26.Ba6xb7
Nd6xb7 27.Nc2-e3 Kf7-e6 28.Ba7-d4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + l r
+ + nkpp
P +qn +
p +ppp+
+ + + +
+ + LP+
PPN+Q+PP
+K+R+L+R

407

1524

Ne7-c6 0.64/12 ] 20...Nd6-c4


[ 20...g7-g6 21.f4xe5 Qe6xe5
22.Be3-d4 Qe5xe2 23.Bf1xe2 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...g7-g6
21.f4xe5 Qe6xe5 22.Nc2-e1 Qe5-e4+
23.Rd1-d3 Bf8-g7 24.Be3-c5 Nd6-b7
25.Bc5xe7 Qe4xe7 26.Rd3xd5
Rh8-d8 27.Rd5xd8 Ra8xd8 28.Ne1-f3
Rd8-c8 29.Qe2xe7+ Kf7xe7
30.Bf1-b5 0.61/13 ] 21.f4xe5+Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.f4xe5 Nc4xb6 22.Qe2-f2 Nb6-c4
23.Nc2-d4 Qe6xe5 24.Be3-f4 Qe5-f6
25.Bf1xc4 d5xc4 26.Qf2-c2 Kf7-g8
27.Qc2xc4+ Diagram
(Diagram 1525)
Qf6-f7 28.Qc4xf7+ Kg8xf7 29.Rh1-f1
Ra8-d8 30.Rd1-d3 a5-a4 31.Bf4-e5
Rh8-g8 32.Rf1-c1 g7-g6 0.88/13 ]
(Diagram 1526)
21...Ra8-b8 [ 21...Nc4xb6 22.Be3xb6
Qe6xb6 23.Nc2-d4+- Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...Nc4xb6
22.Qe2-f2 Nb6-c4 23.Nc2-d4 Qe6xe5
24.Be3-f4 Qe5-f6 25.Bf1xc4 d5xc4
26.Qf2-c2 Kf7-g8 27.Rh1-e1 a5-a4

r+ + lkr
+ + n pp
+ + q +
p + +p+
+QN L +
+ + + +
PP + +PP
+K+R+ +R

r+ + l r
+ + nkpp
P +q+ +
p +pPp+
+n+ + +
+ + L +
PPN+Q+PP
+K+R+L+R

r+ + l r
+ + nkpp
q + + +
p +pPp+
+ N + +
+ + + +
PP +Q+PP
+K+R+L+R
28.Qc2xc4+ Qf6-f7 29.Qc4xf7+

1525

1526

1527

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

408

Kg8xf7 30.Nd4-e6 Ra8-a7 31.Bf4-b8


Ra7-a8 32.Bb8-g3 1.10/12 ] 22.g2-g4!
White takes the lead [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 22.Be3-f2 Diagram

r + l r
+ + nkpp
P +q+ +
p +pPp+
+n+ + +
+ + + +
PPN+QLPP
+K+R+L+R

1528

Ne7-c6 23.Rd1xd5 Qe6xd5


24.Qe2xc4 Qd5xc4 25.Bf1xc4+
Kf7-g6 26.Rh1-e1 Bf8-e7 27.Bc4-d5
Rh8-c8 28.a2-a3 a5-a4 29.Bd5-e6
Rc8-d8 30.Kb1-a2 1.14/13 ] 22...f5-f4?
Diagram [ 22...f5xg4 23.Bf1-g2
Combination ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Qe6xe5 23.Be3-d4 Diagram

r + l r
+ + nkpp
P + + +
p +pqp+
+nL +P+
+ + + +
PPN+Q+ P
+K+R+L+R

r + l r
+ + nkpp
P +q+ +
p +pP +
+n+ pP+
+ + L +
PPN+Q+ P
+K+R+L+R

1529

1530

(Diagram 1529)
Qe5xe2 24.Bf1xe2 Ne7-c6 25.Rh1-f1
Nc6xd4 26.Be2xc4 d5xc4 27.Rd1xd4
Rb8xb6 28.Nc2-e3 c4-c3 29.Rf1xf5+
Kf7-g8 30.Ne3-c4 Rb6-b8 31.Rd4-d7
c3xb2 32.Rf5xa5 0.63/11 ]
(Diagram 1530)
23.Qe2-f3 [ 23.Qe2-f2 keeps an even
firmer grip Nc4xe3 24.Qf2xf4+ Kf7-g8
25.Nc2xe3 Qe6xb6+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 23.Qe2-f3 Diagram
Nc4xe3 24.Qf3xf4+ Kf7-g8 25.Qf4xe3
Rb8xb6 26.Bf1-h3 Rb6-b8 27.Rh1-f1
h7-h6 28.Nc2-d4 Qe6-g6+ 29.Qe3-d3

r + l r
+ + nkpp
P +q+ +
p +pP +
+n+ pP+
+ + LQ+
PPN+ + P
+K+R+L+R
Qg6-e4 30.e5-e6 a5-a4 31.Rf1-f3

1531

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

409

Rb8-b4 32.Rd1-f1 Kg8-h7 33.Nd4-c2


Rb4-b8 1.46/13 ] 23...g7-g5 Diagram
[ 23...Nc4xe3 24.Qf3xf4+ Kf7-g8
25.Nc2xe3 Qe6xb6 26.Rd1-d2+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Nc4xe3
24.Qf3xf4+ Kf7-g8 25.Qf4xe3 Rb8xb6
26.Bf1-h3 Rb6-b8 27.Rh1-f1 h7-h6
28.Nc2-d4 Qe6-g6+ 29.Qe3-d3
Diagram

r + lkr
+ + n p
+ + +qp
p +pP +
+ N +P+
+ +Q+ +L
PP + + P
+K+R+R+

1532

Qg6-e4 30.e5-e6 a5-a4 31.Kb1-a1


Rb8-c8 32.Qd3-a6 h6-h5 33.g4-g5
Qe4-e5 34.Qa6-d3 Qe5xg5 1.63/12 ]

r + l r
+ + nk+p
P +q+ +
p +pP p
+n+ pP+
+ + LQ+
PPN+ + P
+K+R+L+R

r + l r
+q+ + k
Pn+P+ p
p + + p
+Q+RpPP
+ + + +
PPN+ + +
+KL + +R

1533

1534

(Diagram 1533)
24.Bf1xc4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24.Bf1xc4 d5xc4 25.h2-h4
Qe6-c6 26.Qf3-f1 Kf7-g8 27.Rd1-d6
Qc6-e4 28.Rd6-d4 Qe4-b7 29.Be3-c1
Ne7-c6 30.Qf1xc4+ Kg8-g7
31.Rd4-e4 h7-h6 32.e5-e6 Diagram
(Diagram 1534)
Bf8-b4 33.Nc2xb4 a5xb4 34.e6-e7
Nc6xe7 35.Qc4-d4+ Kg7-g6
36.Qd4-d6+ Kg6-f7 37.Qd6xb4
Ne7-d5 2.48/15 ]
24...d5xc4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24...d5xc4 Diagram

r + l r
+ + nk+p
P +q+ +
p +pP p
+L+ pP+
+ + LQ+
PPN+ + P
+K+R+ +R

1535

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + l r
+ + nk+p
P +q+ +
p + P p
+p+ pP+
+ + LQ+
PPN+ + P
+K+R+ +R

410

r + l r
+q+ + kp
Pn+ + +
p + P p
+Q+RpPP
+ + + +
PPN+ + +
+KL + +R

1536

25.h2-h4 Kf7-g8 26.Be3-f2 Qe6-c6


27.Qf3-c3 h7-h5 28.Rh1-g1 Bf8-g7
29.g4xh5 Rh8xh5 30.Rg1xg5 Rh5xg5
31.h4xg5 Qc6-e6 32.Nc2-a3 Bg7xe5
33.Qc3xc4 Kg8-f7 34.Rd1-d7 Rb8-h8
35.Bf2-e1 Rh8-h2 2.61/14 ]

r + l r
+ + nk+p
P +q+ +
p + P p
+p+ pP+
+ + LQ+
PPN+ + P
+K+R+ +R

37.Qd6xb4 2.42/14 Diagram

r + + r
+q+ nk+
P + + p
+ + + p
Q +RpPP
+ + + +
PP + + +
+KL + +R

1537

25.h2-h4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 25.h2-h4 Qe6-c6 26.Qf3-f1
Kf7-g8 27.Rd1-d6 Qc6-e4 28.Rd6-d4
Qe4-b7 29.Be3-c1 Ne7-c6
30.Qf1xc4+ Kg8-g7 31.Rd4-e4
Diagram
h7-h6 32.e5-e6 Bf8-b4 33.Nc2xb4
a5xb4 34.e6-e7 Nc6xe7 35.Qc4-d4+
Kg7-g6 36.Qd4-d6+ Kg6-f7

1538

1539

]
(Diagram 1540)
25...Qe6-c6 Diagram [ 25...Kf7-g8
Diagram
(Diagram 1541)
cannot undo what has already been
done 26.Be3-f2 Qe6-c6 27.Qf3-c3
g5xh4 28.Qc3xa5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25...Kf7-g8 26.Be3-f2 Qe6-c6
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + l r
+ + nk+p
P +q+ +
p + P p
+p+ pPP
+ + LQ+
PPN+ + +
+K+R+ +R

r + lkr
+ + n +p
P +q+ +
p + P p
+p+ pPP
+ + LQ+
PPN+ + +
+K+R+ +R

r + lkr
+ + n +p
Pq+ + +
p + P p
+p+ pPP
+ + +Q+
PPN+ L +
+K+R+ +R

411
29.g4xh5 Rh8xh5 30.Rg1xg5 Rh5xg5
31.h4xg5 Ne7-g6 32.Qc3xa5 Bg7xe5
33.Qa5-c5 Qc6-e4 Diagram
1540

r + +k+
+ + + +
P + +n+
+ Q l P
+p+qp +
+ + + +
PPN+ L +
+K+R+ +
1541

1543

34.Rd1-d7 f4-f3 2.44/12 ]

r + l r
+ + nk+p
Pq+ + +
p + P p
+p+ pPP
+ + LQ+
PPN+ + +
+K+R+ +R

1544

1542

27.Qf3-c3 h7-h5 28.Rh1-g1 Bf8-g7

26.e5-e6+! here's the full point


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Qf3-f1
Diagram
(Diagram 1545)
Kf7-g8 27.Rd1-d6 Qc6-e4 28.Rd6-d4
Qe4-b7 29.Be3-c1 Ne7-c6
30.Qf1xc4+ Kg8-g7 31.Rd4-e4 h7-h6
32.e5-e6 Bf8-b4 33.Nc2xb4 a5xb4
34.e6-e7 Nc6xe7 35.Qc4-d4+ Kg7-g6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + l r
+ + nk+p
Pq+ + +
p + P p
+p+ pPP
+ + L +
PPN+ + +
+K+R+Q+R

412

1545

36.Qd4-d6+ Kg6-f7 37.Qd6xb4


2.42/11 ] 26...Kf7-g6 Diagram
[ 26...Qc6xe6 27.h4xg5 Diagram

r + l r
+ + nk+p
P +q+ +
p + + P
+p+ pP+
+ + LQ+
PPN+ + +
+K+R+ +R

1546

Zwischenzug ; 26...Kf7xe6 Diagram


(Diagram 1547)
27.h4xg5 Zwischenzug ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 26...Kf7-g8 27.Qf3-f2 Ne7-g6
28.Be3-d4 g5xh4 29.Qf2-d2 Qc6xe6
30.Qd2xa5 Bf8-g7 31.Rh1-e1 Qe6-f7
32.Qa5-a7 Qf7xa7 33.b6xa7 Rb8-d8
34.Bd4-c3 2.03/11 Diagram

r + l r
+ + n +p
Pq+k+ +
p + + p
+p+ pPP
+ + LQ+
PPN+ + +
+K+R+ +R

+ r +kr
P + + lp
+ + +n+
+ + + +
+p+ pPp
+ L + +
PPN+ + +
+K+RR +

r + l r
+ + n +p
Pq+P+k+
p + + p
+p+ pPP
+ + LQ+
PPN+ + +
+K+R+ +R

]
27.Qf3-f2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27.Qf3-f2 h7-h6 28.h4xg5

1547

1548

1549

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

413

Bf8-g7 29.g5xh6 Rh8xh6 30.Rh1-h5


Rh6xh5 31.g4xh5+ Kg6-h7 32.Qf2xf4
Rb8-f8 33.Qf4-g4 c4-c3 34.Rd1-g1
Diagram

+ + r +
+ + n lk
Pq+P+ +
p + + +P
+ + +Q+
+ p L +
PPN+ + +
+K+ + R

1550

1552

Rb8-b7 31.Kb1-a1 Bf8-g7 32.Bd4xg7


Rb7xg7 33.Qf2-d4 Rg7-e7 34.Rh1-h6
f4-f3 35.Qd4-d8+ Qc6-e8 Diagram

Rf8-g8 35.b2-b3 Bg7-h8 36.Qg4-c4


Rg8xg1+ 37.Be3xg1 Qc6-g2 4.82/13 ]

r + l r
+ + n +p
Pq+P+k+
p + + p
+p+ pPP
+ + L +
PPN+ Q +
+K+R+ +R

r + l r
+ + n +
Pq+P+kp
p + + p
+p+ pPP
+ + L +
PPN+ Q +
+K+R+ +R

1551

27...Qc6xe6 [ 27...h7-h6 Diagram


(Diagram 1552)
does not solve anything 28.Be3-d4
Bf8-g7 29.Bd4xg7 Kg6xg7 30.Qf2-d4+
Kg7-g8 31.h4xg5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27...Kg6-g7 28.h4xg5 Ne7-g6
29.Be3-d4+ Kg7-g8 30.Rd1-e1

+ Qq+kr
+ + r +p
P +P+nR
p + + P
+p+ +P+
+ + +p+
PPN+ + +
K + R +

1553

36.Qd8-d5 f3-f2 37.Re1-f1 Re7xe6


38.Rf1xf2 Qe8-c6 39.Qd5-f5 Qc6-d7
40.Nc2-e3 4.49/11 ] 28.Be3-d4
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28.Be3-d4 Rh8-g8 29.h4xg5 Ne7-d5
30.Qf2-h4 Kg6-f7 31.Qh4xh7+ Rg8-g7
32.g5-g6+ Qe6xg6 33.Bd4xg7
Qg6xh7 34.Rh1xh7 Bf8xg7
35.Rd1xd5 Kf7-g6 36.Rh7-h5 Rb8xb6
37.Rd5-g5+ Kg6-f7 38.Rg5-b5 Rb6-d6
39.Kb1-c1 Bg7-h6 40.Rb5xa5 f4-f3+
41.g4-g5 5.86/11 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + +k+
+ r + l
R + + PR
+p+ + +
+ + +p+
PPN+ + +
+ K + +

414

1554

r + l r
+ + n +p
P +q+k+
p + + p
+pL pPP
+ + + +
PPN+ Q +
+K+R+ +R

r + + r
+ + n lp
P +q+k+
p + + p
+pL pPP
+ + + +
PPN+ Q +
+K+R+ +R

1556

33.Rg1xg5+ Ne7-g6 34.Rd4-d6


Qe6-f7 35.Qf4-e5+ Kg7-g8
36.Rd6xg6+ Diagram
1555

28...Bf8-g7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 28...Rh8-g8 29.h4xg5
Ne7-d5 30.Qf2-h4 Kg6-f7 31.Qh4xh7+
Rg8-g7 32.g5-g6+ Qe6xg6 33.Bd4xg7
Qg6xh7 34.Rh1xh7 Bf8xg7
35.Rd1xd5 Kf7-g8 36.Rh7-h1 Rb8xb6
37.Nc2-d4 c4-c3 38.b2-b3 Rb6-g6
39.Kb1-c2 Rg6xg4 6.48/12 ]

r + +kr
+ + +q+p
P + +R+
p + Q R
+p+ + P
+ + + +
PPN+ + +
+K+ + +

h7xg6 37.Qe5xb8+ Kg8-h7


38.Qb8-c7 Kh7-g8 39.Qc7-g3 Qf7-f1+
40.Qg3-e1 Qf1xe1+ 41.Nc2xe1
7.13/12 ] 29...Rb8-d8 Diagram
[ 29...h7-h6 Diagram
(Diagram 1558)

(Diagram 1556)
29.h4xg5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29.Rh1-e1 Qe6xg4 30.Re1-g1 Bg7xd4
31.Rd1xd4 Qg4-e6 32.Qf2xf4 Kg6-g7

1557

a last effort to resist the inevitable


30.Rh1-e1 Qe6-f7 31.Bd4xg7
Kg6xg7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29...h7-h6 30.Bd4xg7 Kg6xg7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + + r
+ + n l
P +q+kp
p + + P
+pL pP+
+ + + +
PPN+ Q +
+K+R+ +R

415

+ r + r
+ + n lp
P +q+k+
p + + P
+pL pP+
+ + + +
PPN+ Q +
+K+R+ +R

1558

1560

Diagram

r + + r
+ + n k
P +q+ p
p + + P
+p+ pP+
+ + + +
PPN+ Q +
+K+R+ +R

+ r + r
+ + n lp
P +q+k+
p + + P
+pL pP+
+ + + +
PPN+ Q +
+K+ R +R

1559

1561

37.Nd4-e6+ Rg6xe6 38.Re4xe6


Qd6-d3+ 39.Kb1-a1 Qd3-d5 40.g5-g6
h7-h6 41.Qe1-h4 9.42/12 Diagram

31.Qf2-c5 Kg7-g8 32.g5xh6 Rh8-h7


33.Rd1-d6 Qe6-f7 34.Qc5xa5 Qf7-f8
35.Qa5-g5+ Kg8-h8 36.Rd6-f6 Qf8-c8
37.Qg5-e5 Kh8-g8 38.Qe5xf4 Kg8-h8
39.Rf6-e6 6.23/12 ]

(Diagram 1562)
]

(Diagram 1560)
(Diagram 1563)
30.Rd1-e1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 30.Rd1-e1 Diagram
Qe6-d5 31.Bd4xg7 Kg6xg7
32.Re1xe7+ Kg7-g8 33.Qf2-e1
Qd5-d6 34.b6-b7 Kg8-f8 35.Re7-e4
Rh8-g8 36.Nc2-d4 Rg8-g6

30...Qe6-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


30...Qe6-d5 31.Bd4xg7 Kg6xg7
32.Re1xe7+ Kg7-g8 33.Qf2-e1
Qd5-d6 34.b6-b7 Kg8-f8 35.Re7-e4
Rh8-g8 36.Nc2-d4 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r k +
+P+ + +
+ +R+Pp
p +q+ +
+p+ pPQ
+ + + +
PP + + +
K + + +R

+ r + r
+ + n lp
P +q+k+
p + + P
+pL pP+
+ + + +
PPN+ Q +
+K+ R +R

+ r kr+
+P+ + +p
+ q + +
p + + P
+pNRpP+
+ + + +
PP + + +
+K+ Q +R
Rg8-g6 37.Nd4-e6+ Rg6xe6

416

1562

1563

1564

38.Re4xe6 Qd6-d3+ 39.Kb1-a1


Qd3-d5 40.g5-g6 h7-h6 41.Qe1-h4
9.71/13 ] 31.Bd4-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 31.Bd4-c5 Qd6-d5 32.Bc5xe7
Rd8-d7 33.Qf2-h2 h7-h6 34.Qh2-h5+
Kg6-h7 35.g5xh6 Qd5xh5 36.h6xg7
Kh7xg7 37.g4xh5 Kg7-f7 38.Be7-g5
Rd7-b7 39.Nc2-d4 Diagram

+ + + r
+r+ +k+
P + + +
p + + LP
+pN p +
+ + + +
PP + + +
+K+ R +R

1565

Rb7xb6 40.h5-h6 Kf7-g6 41.Bg5xf4


10.05/11 ] 31...Qd6-d2 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 31...Qd6-d5 32.Bc5xe7
Rd8-d7 33.Qf2-h2 h7-h6 34.Qh2-h5+
Kg6-h7 35.g5xh6 Qd5xh5 36.h6xg7
Rh8-e8 37.Rh1xh5+ Kh7xg7
38.Rh5-g5+ Kg7-f7 39.Rg5-f5+ Kf7-g6
40.Be7-h4 Re8-b8 41.Rf5xf4 Rb8xb6
42.Rf4xc4 Rd7-d2 43.Rc4-e4 Rb6-b8
44.Re4-e6+ Kg6-g7 45.Bh4-f6+
Kg7-f7 10.37/12 ] 32.Re1-e6+
[ 32.Re1-e6+ Kg6-f7 33.Re6xe7+
Kf7-g8 34.Qf2xd2 Rd8xd2
35.b6-b7+- ; 32.Re1xe7??
is not directly advisable because of the
following mate in 2 Qd2-d1+
Clearance: d2 33.Rh1xd1 Rd8xd1# ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32.Re1-e6+
Bg7-f6 33.Re6xf6+ Kg6-g7 34.Qf2xd2
Rd8xd2 35.Bc5xe7 Rd2-d7 36.Be7-d6
Rh8-e8 37.Bd6xf4 Kg7-g8 38.Nc2-e3
Re8-c8 39.Ne3-f5 Rc8-d8 40.g5-g6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

417

h7xg6 41.Rf6xg6+ Kg8-f7 42.Rg6-g7+


Kf7-e6 43.b6-b7 Rd7-d1+ 44.Rh1xd1
Rd8xd1+ 45.Kb1-c2 13.21/12
Diagram

+ + + +
+P+ + R
+ +k+ +
p + +N+
+p+ LP+
+ + + +
PPK+ + +
+ +r+ +

1566

rnlqkl r
ppp +ppp
+ +pn +
+ + + L
+ Pp+ +
+ N + +
PPP+ PPP
R +QKLNR

1567

22.Nc6-e7+ Bf6xe7 23.c2xd3 Qb6-b7


24.Qd2-e3 Qb7-d5 25.b2-b3 Qd5-b7
26.Rd1-e1 Rd8-c8 Diermair,A (2391)Moser,E (2416)/Austria 2007/EXT 2008/
]
- (112) ;RR 12.Nc3-e2 0-0
1-0
13.c2-c3 Nb8-d7 14.Ne2-f4 Nd7-f6
15.Qd1-e2 c5xd4 16.Nf3xd4 Bb7xg2
17.Nf4xg2 Qd8-c7 18.a2-a4 b5-b4
32
C11 19.c3xb4 Be7xb4 20.Ra1-c1 Qc7-b6
21.Nd4-c6 Bb4-c5 22.Nc6-e5 Rf8-c8
Vassily Ivanchuk
Sergey Volkov
23.Ng2-f4 Bc5-d4 24.Ne5-c4 Qb6-a7
21st European Club Cup (6)
2005 25.Nc4-d6 Rc8xc1 26.Rf1xc1 Qa7-d7
Arakhamia Grant,K (2435)-Luther,T
C13: French: Classical System: 4 Bg5
(2586)/Triesen 2007/CBM 118 ext/-
Be7, Alekhine-Chatard Attack
(49) ] 12...b5-b4 13.d5xe6 b4xc3
1.e2-e4 e7-e6 2.Nb1-c3 d7-d5
14.e6xf7+ Ke8-f8 15.Qd1-e2 c3xb2
3.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 4.Bc1-g5 d5xe4
16.Ra1-d1 Qd8-b6 17.Rf1-e1
Diagram
Diagram
(Diagram 1567)
5.Nc3xe4 Bf8-e7 6.Bg5xf6 g7xf6
7.Ng1-f3 f6-f5 8.Ne4-c3 a7-a6
9.g2-g3 b7-b5 10.Bf1-g2 Bc8-b7
11.0-0 c7-c5 12.d4-d5N [RR
12.Rf1-e1 c5xd4 13.Nf3xd4 Bb7xg2
14.Kg1xg2 Ra8-a7 15.Re1-e3 Ra7-d7
16.Re3-d3 Be7-f6 17.Nc3-e2 0-0
18.Qd1-d2 Qd8-b6 19.Ra1-d1 Rf8-d8
20.Kg2-g1 Nb8-c6 21.Nd4xc6 Rd7xd3

(Diagram 1568)
Qb6-f6 last book move last book move
18.c2-c3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18.c2-c3 Bb7-e4 19.Qe2xb2 Nb8-c6
20.Nf3-h4 Ra8-d8 21.Rd1xd8+
Nc6xd8 22.Bg2xe4 f5xe4 23.Re1xe4
Nd8xf7 24.Re4-f4 Qf6-e5 25.Qb2-b7
Rh8-g8 26.Rf4-f3 Be7-f6 27.Nh4-f5
Qe5-e6 28.Qb7-b8+ Qe6-e8
29.Qb8-a7 Qe8-b5 30.Nf5-d6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rn + k r
+l+ lP+p
pq + + +
+ p +p+
+ + + +
+ + +NP
PpP+QPLP
+ +RR K

418

1568

Qb5-b1+ 31.Kg1-g2 -0.10/15


Diagram

+ + kr+
Q + +n+p
p+ N l +
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ P +RP
P+ + PKP
+q+ + +

1569

] 18...Bb7-e4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


18...Bb7-e4 Diagram
(Diagram 1570)
19.Qe2xb2 Nb8-c6 20.Nf3-h4 Ra8-d8
21.Rd1xd8+ Nc6xd8 22.Bg2xe4 f5xe4
23.Re1xe4 Nd8xf7 24.Re4-f4 Qf6-e5
25.Nh4-f3 Qe5-e6 26.Qb2-b7 Rh8-g8
27.Rf4-e4 Qe6-d6 28.Re4-e1 Be7-d8
-0.09/16 ] 19.Nf3-h4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 19.Qe2xb2 Diagram
Nb8-c6 20.Nf3-h4 Ra8-d8

rn + k r
+ + lP+p
p+ + q +
+ p +p+
+ +l+ +
+ P +NP
Pp +QPLP
+ +RR K

rn + k r
+ + lP+p
p+ + q +
+ p +p+
+ +l+ +
+ P +NP
PQ + PLP
+ +RR K

1570

1571

21.Rd1xd8+ Nc6xd8 22.Bg2xe4 f5xe4


23.Re1xe4 Nd8xf7 24.Re4-f4 Qf6-e5
25.Qb2-b7 Rh8-g8 26.Rf4-f3 Be7-f6
27.Nh4-f5 Qe5-e6 28.Qb7-b8+
Qe6-e8 29.Qb8-a7 Qe8-b5 30.Nf5-d6
Qb5-b1+ 31.Kg1-g2 -0.10/16 ]
19...Nb8-c6 [ 19...Qf6xf7 20.Bg2xe4
f5xe4 21.Qe2xe4 Be7xh4
22.Qe4xa8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19...Be4xg2 20.Kg1xg2 Ra8-a7
21.Qe2xb2 Kf8xf7 22.Qb2-b3+ Kf7-g7
23.Rd1-d5 Rh8-g8 24.Nh4xf5+
Kg7-h8 25.Rd5-e5 Nb8-c6 26.Nf5xe7
Nc6xe7 27.Re5xc5 Qf6-g6 28.Qb3-e6
Ra7-b7 29.c3-c4 Kh8-g7 30.Qe6-e5+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

419

Qg6-f6 31.Qe5-g5+ Qf6xg5


32.Rc5xg5+ Ne7-g6 -0.07/13 ]
20.Bg2xe4 [ 20.Qe2xb2!? Diagram

r+ + k r
+ + lP+p
p+n+ q +
+ p +p+
+ +l+ N
+ P + P
PQ + PLP
+ +RR K

1572

is interesting Be4xg2 21.Kg1xg2$ ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.Bg2xe4 f5xe4
21.Qe2xe4 Ra8-d8 22.Rd1-b1 Rd8-d2
23.Nh4-f3 Rd2-d6 24.Rb1xb2 Kf8xf7
25.Rb2-b6 Kf7-g7 26.Rb6xc6 Diagram

+ + + r
+ + l kp
p+Rr q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ +
+ P +NP
P+ + P P
+ + R K

1573

Rd6xc6 27.Qe4xe7+ Qf6xe7


28.Re1xe7+ Kg7-f6 29.Re7-e5 h7-h6
30.Kg1-g2 Rh8-d8 31.Re5-h5 Kf6-g7
32.Nf3-h4 Rc6-e6 33.Rh5xc5 0.00/15 ]
20...f5xe4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...f5xe4 Diagram
21.Qe2xe4 Ra8-b8 22.Rd1-b1 c5-c4

r+ + k r
+ + lP+p
p+n+ q +
+ p + +
+ +p+ N
+ P + P
Pp +QP P
+ +RR K

1574

23.Re1-e2 Be7-a3 24.Re2-e3 Nc6-e7


25.Re3-f3 Qf6-d6 26.Qe4xc4 h7-h5
27.Rf3-d3 Qd6-c6 28.Qc4-f4 Qc6-b7
29.c3-c4 Ba3-c5 30.Rd3-d7 Qb7xd7
31.Qf4xb8+ Qd7-c8 32.Qb8xb2
Kf8xf7 0.05/13 ] 21.Qe2xe4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.Qe2xe4
Diagram

r+ + k r
+ + lP+p
p+n+ q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ N
+ P + P
Pp + P P
+ +RR K

1575

Ra8-b8 22.Rd1-b1 c5-c4 23.Re1-e2


Be7-a3 24.Re2-e3 Nc6-e7 25.Re3-f3
Qf6-d6 26.Qe4xc4 h7-h5 27.Rf3-d3
Qd6-f6 28.Rd3-f3 Qf6-d6 29.Rf3-d3
-0.08/14 ] 21...Ra8-d8 Diagram
[ 21...Ra8-b8 22.Rd1-b1= ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 21...Ra8-b8 22.Rd1-b1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

420

Diagram

r + k r
+ + lP+p
p+n+ q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ N
+ P + P
Pp + P P
+R+ R K

1576

c5-c4 23.Re1-e2 Be7-a3 24.Re2-e3


Nc6-e7 25.Re3-f3 Qf6-d6 26.Qe4xc4
h7-h5 27.Rf3-d3 Qd6-f6 28.Rd3-f3
Qf6-c6 29.Qc4-d4 0.00/13 ]

+ r k r
+ + lP+p
p+n+ q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ N
+ P + P
Pp + P P
+ +RR K

1577

22.Rd1-b1= White threatens to win


material: Rb1xb2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 22.Rd1-b1 Rd8-d2 23.Nh4-f3
Rd2-d6 24.Rb1xb2 Kf8xf7 25.Rb2-b6
Kf7-g7 26.Rb6xc6 Rd6xc6
27.Qe4xe7+ Qf6xe7 Diagram
28.Re1xe7+ Kg7-f6 29.Re7-e5
Rh8-b8 30.Re5-h5 Kf6-g6 31.g3-g4
Kg6-g7 32.Nf3-h4 Rc6-c7 33.Nh4-f5+
Kg7-f6 34.Nf5-d6 Kf6-g6 0.00/15 ]

+ + + r
+ + q kp
p+r+ + +
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ P +NP
P+ + P P
+ + R K

1578

22...Rd8-d2 Diagram [ 22...Kf8xf7


23.Rb1xb2 Rh8-g8 24.Rb2-b6 Qf6xh4
25.Qe4-f5+ ( 25.Qe4xc6?! is clearly
weaker Rd8-d6 26.Re1xe7+ Qh4xe7
27.Qc6xd6 Qe7-e1+ 28.Kg1-g2
Qe1-e4+ 29.f2-f3 Qe4-c2+ 30.Kg2-h3
Qc2-f5+ 31.g3-g4 Qf5xf3+ 32.Qd6-g3
Qf3xg3+ 33.Kh3xg3 h7-h5+Diagram

+ + +r+
+ + +k+
pR + + +
+ p + +p
+ + +P+
+ P + K
P+ + + P
+ + + +

1579

) 25...Kf7-e8 26.Rb6xc6+- Diagram


; 22...Qf6xc3 23.Qe4xc6 Be7xh4
24.Qc6-h6+ Kf8xf7 25.Qh6-h5+
( 25.Qh6xh4?! Rh8-e8 26.Qh4xh7+
Kf7-f8 27.Qh7-h6+ Kf8-f7 28.Qh6-h5+
Kf7-f8 29.Qh5-h6+ Kf8-f7 30.Qh6-h5+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rk+r+
+ + l +p
p+R+ + +
+ p +Q+
+ + + q
+ P + P
P+ + P P
+ + R K

421

1580

r + k r
+ + lP+p
p+n+ q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ N
+ P + P
Pp + P P
+R+ R K

1582

Diagram

+ rr+ +
+ + +k+
p+ + + +
+ p + +Q
+ + + +
+ q + P
Pp + P P
+R+ R K

1581

Kf7-f8 31.Re1xe8+ Rd8xe8


32.Qh5-h6+ Kf8-f7 33.Qh6-h5+
Kf7-f8= ) 25...Kf7-g7 26.Qh5xh4+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Rd8-b8
Diagram
(Diagram 1582)
23.Re1-e2 Kf8xf7 24.Qe4-d5+ Kf7-f8
25.Re2-e6 Qf6-f7 26.Qd5xc6 Be7xh4
27.g3xh4 Kf8-g7 Diagram
28.Rb1xb2 Rb8xb2 29.Qc6-g2+
Kg7-f8 30.Qg2-a8+ Kf8-g7
31.Qa8-g2+ Kg7-f8 0.08/12 ]

r + + r
+ + +qkp
p+Q+R+ +
+ p + +
+ + + P
+ P + +
Pp + P P
+R+ + K

+ + k r
+ + lP+p
p+n+ q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ N
+ P + P
Pp r P P
+R+ R K
Black has a mate threat 23.Nh4-f3

1583

1584

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

422

White threatens to win material: Nf3xd2


[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.Nh4-f3
Rd2-d6 24.Rb1xb2 Kf8xf7 Diagram

+ + + r
+ + lk+p
p+nr q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ +
+ P +NP
PR + P P
+ + R K

+ + + r
+ + + +p
p+r+ k +
+ p R +
+ + + +
+ P +NP
P+ + P P
+ + + K

1585

Kg6-g7 32.Nf3-h4 Rc6-c7 33.Nh4-f5+


Kg7-f6 34.Nf5-d6 Kf6-g6 0.18/16
Diagram

25.Rb2-b6 Kf7-g7 26.Rb6xc6 Rd6xc6


27.Qe4xe7+ Qf6xe7 Diagram

+ + + r
+ + q kp
p+r+ + +
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ P +NP
P+ + P P
+ + R K

1587

r + + +
+ r + +p
p+ N +k+
+ p + +R
+ + +P+
+ P + +
P+ + P P
+ + + K

1586

1588

]
28.Re1xe7+ Kg7-f6 29.Re7-e5
Rh8-b8 30.Re5-h5 Kf6-g6 31.g3-g4
Kg6-g7 32.Nf3-h4 Rc6-c7 33.Nh4-f5+
Kg7-f6 34.Nf5-d6 Kf6-g6 0.00/15 ]
23...Rd2-d6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23...Rd2-d6 24.Rb1xb2 Kf8xf7
25.Rb2-b6 Kf7-g7 26.Rb6xc6 Rd6xc6
27.Qe4xe7+ Qf6xe7 28.Re1xe7+
Kg7-f6 29.Re7-e5 Diagram
Rh8-b8 30.Re5-h5 Kf6-g6 31.g3-g4

(Diagram 1589)
24.Rb1xb2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24.Rb1xb2 Diagram
(Diagram 1590)
Kf8xf7 25.Rb2-b6 Kf7-g7 26.Rb6xc6
Rd6xc6 27.Qe4xe7+ Qf6xe7
28.Re1xe7+ Kg7-f6 29.Re7-e5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + k r
+ + lP+p
p+nr q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ +
+ P +NP
Pp + P P
+R+ R K

+ + k r
+ + lP+p
p+nr q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ +
+ P +NP
PR + P P
+ + R K

423

1589

1590

Rh8-b8 30.Re5-h5 Kf6-g7 31.Nf3-e5


Rc6-c7 32.Ne5-d3 c5-c4 33.Nd3-b4
Rc7-e7 34.Rh5-c5 Rb8-e8 35.Nb4xa6
Re7-e2 36.Rc5-c7+ Kg7-g6 0.04/14
Diagram
(Diagram 1591)
]

+ +r+ +
+ R + +p
N+ + +k+
+ + + +
+p+ + +
+ P + P
P+ +rP P
+ + + K

+ + k r
+ + lP+p
p+nr q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ +
+ P +NP
PR + P P
+ + R K

1591

1592

28.Rb6xc6 Rd6xc6 29.Qe4xe7+


Qf6xe7 30.Re2xe7+ Diagram
(Diagram 1593)
Rf8-f7 31.Re7-e5 Rc6-f6 32.f2-f4
c5-c4 33.Re5-g5+ Kg7-f8 34.Rg5-c5
Rf7-b7 35.Rc5-c8+ Kf8-g7
36.Rc8xc4 0.11/13 ]

(Diagram 1592)

(Diagram 1594)

24...Kf8xf7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 24...Kf8xf7 25.Rb2-b6 Kf7-g7
26.Re1-e2 Rh8-e8 27.Nf3-h4 Re8-f8

Black wins a piece 25.Rb2-b6 Diagram


[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25.Rb2-e2
Qf6xc3 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + r +
+ + R kp
p+r+ + +
+ p + +
+ + + N
+ P + P
P+ + P P
+ + + K

+ + + r
+ + lk+p
p+nr q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ +
+ P +NP
PR + P P
+ + R K

+ + + r
+ + lk+p
p+nr + +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ +
+ q +NP
P+ +RP P
+ + R K

424
28.Qe4-g4+ Qf6-g6 29.Qg4-c8+
Be7-f8 30.Nf3-h4 Diagram
1593

1594

+Q+ lkr
+ + + +p
p+nr +q+
+ p + +
+ + + N
+ + R P
P+ + PKP
+ + R +

1596

Qg6-h5 31.Re3-e8 Nc6-d8


32.Nh4-f5 0.01/12 ]

+ + + r
+ + lk+p
pRnr q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ +
+ P +NP
P+ + P P
+ + R K

1597

1595

26.Re2-e3 Qc3-f6 27.Kg1-g2 Kf7-g8

White threatens to win material:


Rb6xa6 25...Kf7-e8 Black king safety
improved [ 25...Kf7-g7!?= Diagram
(Diagram 1598)
is an interesting idea ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25...Kf7-g7 Diagram
26.Qe4-g4+ Kg7-f8 27.Rb6xc6
Rd6xc6 28.Nf3-e5 Rc6-c7 29.Ne5-d7+
Rc7xd7 30.Qg4xd7 Kf8-f7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + r
+ + l kp
pRnr q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ +
+ P +NP
P+ + P P
+ + R K

+ + + r
+ + l kp
pRnr q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ +
+ P +NP
P+ + P P
+ + R K

425

1598

1599

+ + k r
+ +Ql qp
p+ + + +
+ p + +
+ + + P
+ P + P
P+ + P +
+ + R K

+ +k+ r
+ + l +p
pRnr q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ +
+ P RNP
P+ + P P
+ + + K

1600

1601

31.Qd7-d5+ Kf7-g7 32.Qd5-d7 Kg7-f7


33.Qd7-d5+ 0.21/12 ] 26.Re1-e3
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26.Nf3-g5 Qf6xg5 27.Rb6xc6 Rd6xc6
28.Qe4xc6+ Ke8-f8 29.Qc6-c8+
Kf8-g7 30.Qc8-d7 Kg7-f8 31.h2-h4
Qg5-g7 Diagram

Pro x64: 26...Rh8-f8 27.Rb6xa6


Rf8-f7 28.Ra6-a8+ Nc6-d8 29.a2-a4
Ke8-f8 30.a4-a5 h7-h5 31.Qe4-a4
Kf8-g7 32.Qa4-c2 Rd6-a6 33.Qc2-e4
Diagram

(Diagram 1600)

Qf6-c6 34.Qe4xc6 Ra6xc6 0.34/11 ]

32.Qd7-c8+ Kf8-f7 33.Qc8-e6+ Kf7-f8


34.Re1-e4 a6-a5 35.Re4-f4+ Kf8-e8
36.Qe6-c8+ Be7-d8 37.Qc8xc5
0.42/12 ]
26...Rh8-f8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c

(Diagram 1602)

(Diagram 1603)
27.Qe4xh7 [ 27.Rb6xa6 Rf8-f7
28.Ra6-a8+ Nc6-d8 29.Kg1-g2= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27.Rb6xa6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

R+ n + +
+ + lrk
r+ + q +
P p + +p
+ +Q+ +
+ P RNP
+ + P P
+ + + K

+ +kr +
+ + l +p
pRnr q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ +
+ P RNP
P+ + P P
+ + + K

426

1602

1603

Rf8-f7 28.Ra6-a8+ Diagram


(Diagram 1604)
Nc6-d8 29.a2-a4 Ke8-f8 30.a4-a5
h7-h5 31.Qe4-a4 Kf8-g7 32.Qa4-c2
Diagram
(Diagram 1605)
Rd6-a6 33.Qc2-e4 Qf6-c6 34.Qe4xc6
Ra6xc6 0.17/12 ] 27...Rf8-f7
[ 27...Qf6-f5!? should be investigated
more closely 28.Qh7xf5 Rf8xf5
29.Rb6xa6 Ke8-d7$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

R+ +k+ +
+ + lr+p
+nr q +
+ p + +
+ +Q+ +
+ P RNP
P+ + P P
+ + + K

R+ n + +
+ + lrk
+ r q +
P p + +p
+ + + +
+ P RNP
+Q+ P P
+ + + K

1604

1605

x64: 27...Qf6-f5 28.Qh7xf5 Rf8xf5


29.Rb6xa6 Ke8-d7 30.h2-h4 Be7-d8
31.Kg1-g2 Rd6-g6 32.Re3-d3+
Kd7-c7 33.Ra6-a4 Kc7-b6 34.g3-g4
Kb6-b5 35.Ra4-e4 0.25/12 ]
28.Qh7-g8+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 28.Qh7-g8+ Rf7-f8
29.Qg8-b3 Qf6-f7 30.Rb6xa6 Qf7xb3
31.a2xb3 Ke8-d7 32.Kg1-g2 Be7-f6
33.Ra6-b6 Rf8-e8 34.Re3xe8 Kd7xe8
35.b3-b4 c5xb4 36.c3xb4 Ke8-d7
37.b4-b5 Nc6-b4 Diagram
38.Rb6-b7+ Kd7-e6 0.33/13 ]
28...Rf7-f8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28...Rf7-f8 29.Qg8-b3 Qf6-f7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ +k+ +
R r l +
+P+ + +
n + + +
+ + +NP
+ + PKP
+ + + +

+ +k+Q+
+ + lr+
pRnr q +
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ P RNP
P+ + P P
+ + + K

427

1606

1607

+ +kr +
+ + lq+
pRnr + +
+ p + +
+ + + +
+QP RNP
P+ + P P
+ + + K

+ +krQ+
+ + l +
pRnr q +
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ P RNP
P+ + P P
+ + + K

1608

1609

Diagram
(Diagram 1608)
30.Rb6xa6 Qf7xb3 31.a2xb3 Ke8-d7
32.h2-h4 Be7-f6 33.Ra6-b6 Rf8-e8
34.Rb6-b7+ Kd7-d8 35.Re3xe8+
Kd8xe8 36.c3-c4 Rd6-d7 37.Rb7xd7
Ke8xd7 38.Kg1-g2 Nc6-d4 0.45/12 ]
(Diagram 1609)
29.Qg8-c4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 29.Qg8-b3 Diagram
Qf6-f7 30.Rb6xa6 Qf7xb3 31.a2xb3

+ +kr +
+ + l +
pRnr q +
+ p + +
+ + + +
+QP RNP
P+ + P P
+ + + K

1610

Ke8-d7 32.h2-h4 Be7-f6 33.Kg1-g2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

428

Rf8-b8 34.Ra6-a3 Rb8-h8 35.Nf3-e1


Kd7-c7 36.f2-f4 Rd6-d2+ 37.Kg2-f3
Kc7-b6 38.Ra3-a1 0.38/13 ]

+ +kr +
+ + l +
pRnr q +
+ p + +
+Q+ + +
+ P RNP
P+ + P P
+ + + K

1611

29...a6-a5? Diagram [ 29...Rf8-f7


30.Qc4xc5 Ke8-f8 31.Qc5-h5+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Rf8-f7
30.Qc4xc5 Rd6-d1+ 31.Kg1-g2
Qf6xf3+ 32.Re3xf3 Be7xc5 33.Rb6xc6
Bc5-e7 34.h2-h4 a6-a5 35.h4-h5
Rd1-d2 36.a2-a4 Rf7-h7 37.Rf3-f5
Be7-d8 38.h5-h6 Ke8-d7 39.Rc6-g6
0.40/12 ]

+ +kr +
+ + l +
Rnr q +
p p + +
+Q+ + +
+ P RNP
P+ + P P
+ + + K

+ + + +
+ k l +
+n+ q +
+ +Q+ +P
P+ + + +
+ P RNP
r + P +
+ + + K

1612

1613

(Diagram 1612)
30.Kg1-g2 Diagram
[ 30.Qc4-b5!?+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 30.Qc4-b5 c5-c4 31.h2-h4
Ke8-d8 32.Qb5xc4 Kd8-c7 33.Qc4-b5
Rf8-b8 34.Rb6xb8 Nc6xb8
35.Qb5xa5+ Rd6-b6 36.h4-h5 Nb8-c6
37.Qa5-d5 Rb6-b2 38.a2-a4 Diagram
(Diagram 1613)
Kc7-b6 1.56/12 ]
30...Rf8-f7 [ 30...Qf6-f5 31.h2-h3
Rf8-f6 32.Qc4-g8+ Rf6-f8
33.Qg8-b3 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30...Qf6-f5 31.h2-h4 Rf8-f7 32.Rb6-b5

+ +kr +
+ + l +
Rnr q +
p p + +
+Q+ + +
+ P RNP
P+ + PKP
+ + + +

1614

Ke8-f8 33.Rb5xc5 Qf5-d7 34.h4-h5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

429

Rd6-f6 35.Rc5xc6 Qd7xc6 36.Qc4xc6


Rf6xc6 37.Nf3-e5 Rc6-h6 38.Ne5xf7
Kf8xf7 39.g3-g4 Be7-g5 0.37/12 ]
31.Qc4xc5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 31.Rb6-b5 Ke8-f8 32.Rb5xc5
Be7-d8 33.Qc4-e2 Rf7-e7 34.Re3xe7
Qf6xe7 35.Qe2-c4 Qe7-d7 36.Nf3-g5
Kf8-g7 37.Qc4-e4 Rd6-g6 38.Rc5-d5
0.71/13 ]

+ +k+ +
+ + lr+
Rnr q +
p Q + +
+ + + +
+ P RNP
P+ + PKP
+ + + +

1615

31...Ke8-f8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 31...Ke8-f8 32.h2-h4 Kf8-g7
33.Qc5-h5 Be7-d8 34.Rb6-b5 Qf6-h6
35.Qh5-c5 Rd6-e6 36.Re3xe6
Qh6xe6 37.h4-h5 Diagram

+ l + +
+ + +rk
+n+q+ +
pRQ + +P
+ + + +
+ P +NP
P+ + PK+
+ + + +

+ + k +
+ + lr+
Rnr q +
p Q + +
+ + + +
+ P RNP
P+ + PKP
+ + + +

1616

1617

(Diagram 1616)
Bd8-e7 38.Nf3-g5 Be7xg5
39.Qc5xg5+ Kg7-h7 40.Qg5-d5
Qe6xd5+ 41.Rb5xd5 0.54/14 ]
(Diagram 1617)
32.Qc5-h5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.h2-h4 Kf8-g7 33.Qc5-h5 Diagram
Be7-d8 34.Rb6-b5 Qf6-h6 35.Qh5-c5
Rd6-e6 36.Re3xe6 Qh6xe6 37.h4-h5
Kg7-h7 38.Qc5-d5 Qe6xd5 39.Rb5xd5
Kh7-h6 40.c3-c4 0.44/12 ] 32...Kf8-g8
[ 32...Kf8-g7 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + lrk
Rnr q +
p + + +Q
+ + + P
+ P RNP
P+ + PK+
+ + + +

1618

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + lrk
Rnr q +
p + + +Q
+ + + +
+ P RNP
P+ + PKP
+ + + +

430

1619

33.Re3-e4 Qf6-h6 34.Qh5-g4+


Kg7-h8 35.Re4-e3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 32...Kf8-g7 33.Re3-e4 Qf6-h6
34.Re4-g4+ Kg7-f8 35.Qh5xh6+
Rd6xh6 36.Nf3-d4 Rf7-f6 37.Rb6-b5
Nc6xd4 38.c3xd4 Rf6-c6 39.Rg4-f4+
Kf8-g7 40.Rb5xa5 Rc6-c2 41.Ra5-a7
Rh6-e6 42.d4-d5 0.47/12 ]
33.Qh5-g4+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 33.h2-h4 Kg8-g7 34.Re3-e4
Qf6-h6 35.Qh5-g4+ Kg7-h7
36.Rb6-b5 Rf7-g7 37.Nf3-g5+ Be7xg5
38.h4xg5 Qh6-g6 39.Rb5-f5 Kh7-g8
40.Qg4-h3 0.51/11 ]
(Diagram 1620)
33...Rf7-g7 [ 33...Qf6-g6 34.Qg4-a4
Qg6-f6 35.Rb6-b5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 33...Qf6-g6 Diagram
(Diagram 1621)
34.Qg4xg6+ Rd6xg6 35.h2-h4
Be7-c5 36.Re3-e8+ Kg8-g7
37.Rb6-b5 Bc5-e7 38.c3-c4 Rg6-g4
39.Nf3-g5 Be7xg5 40.Rb5xg5+
Rg4xg5 41.h4xg5 Nc6-b4 42.a2-a3
Nb4-d3 43.f2-f4 Kg7-g6 0.34/13 ]
34.Qg4-c4+ Diagram [ 34.Qg4-c8+

+ + +k+
+ + lr+
Rnr q +
p + + +
+ + +Q+
+ P RNP
P+ + PKP
+ + + +

+ + +k+
+ + lr+
Rnr +q+
p + + +
+ + +Q+
+ P RNP
P+ + PKP
+ + + +

1620

1621

Nc6-d8 35.Rb6-b5 Rd6-c6+- ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Qg4-c8+
Diagram
(Diagram 1622)
Be7-f8 35.h2-h4 Rg7-f7 36.c3-c4
Nc6-b4 37.Rb6xd6 Qf6xd6 38.Nf3-g5
Qd6-d7 39.Re3-e8 Qd7xc8 40.Re8xc8
Rf7-f5 41.a2-a3 Nb4-c2 42.g3-g4
Rf5-e5 43.a3-a4 Kg8-g7 44.Rc8-c7+
Kg7-g6 45.Rc7-c6+ Kg6-g7 0.70/13 ]
34...Rg7-f7 Diagram [ 34...Kg8-h8+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34...Kg8-f8
35.h2-h4 Be7-d8 36.Rb6-b5 Qf6-f7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+Q+ +k+
+ + l r
Rnr q +
p + + +
+ + + +
+ P RNP
P+ + PKP
+ + + +

+ + +k+
+ + l r
Rnr q +
p + + +
+Q+ + +
+ P RNP
P+ + PKP
+ + + +

431

1622

1623

37.Qc4-e4 Qf7-g6 38.Rb5-f5+ Rg7-f7


39.Rf5xf7+ Qg6xf7 40.c3-c4 Rd6-f6
Diagram
(Diagram 1624)
41.Re3-e1 Kf8-g7 42.Qe4-d5 Bd8-b6
43.h4-h5 a5-a4 44.g3-g4 Nc6-b4
45.Qd5xf7+ Rf6xf7 0.67/13 ]
(Diagram 1625)
35.Qc4-g4+ [ 35.Rb6-b5 Kg8-h8+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35.Rb6-b5
a5-a4 36.Rb5-g5+ Kg8-f8 37.Qc4-g4

+ l k +
+ + +q+
+n+ r +
p + + +
+P+Q+ P
+ + RNP
P+ + PK+
+ + + +

+ + +k+
+ + lr+
Rnr q +
p + + +
+Q+ + +
+ P RNP
P+ + PKP
+ + + +

1624

1625

Qf6-h8 38.Rg5-h5 Rd6-h6 39.Rh5xh6


Qh8xh6 40.Qg4xa4 Be7-c5 41.Nf3-d4
Bc5xd4 42.c3xd4 Qh6-d6 0.92/12 ]
35...Rf7-g7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35...Rf7-g7 36.Qg4-c8+ Diagram
(Diagram 1626)
Kg8-h7 37.c3-c4 Be7-d8 38.Rb6-b7
Rg7xb7 39.Qc8xb7+ Qf6-g7
40.Qb7-b1+ Qg7-g6 41.Qb1-b3
Kh7-h6 42.c4-c5 Rd6-f6 43.h2-h4
Bd8-c7 44.Qb3-b7 Qg6-f7 45.a2-a3
0.20/16 ] 36.Qg4-c8+ [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 36.Qg4-e4 Rg7-f7 37.h2-h4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+Q+ +k+
+ + l r
Rnr q +
p + + +
+ + + +
+ P RNP
P+ + PKP
+ + + +

432

1626

Be7-f8 38.Qe4-g4+ Qf6-g6


39.Qg4xg6+ Rd6xg6 40.Nf3-g5 Bf8-c5
41.Re3-e8+ Kg8-g7 42.Ng5xf7
Bc5xb6 43.Nf7-g5 Rg6-f6 44.Ng5-e4
Rf6-f5 45.Re8-e6 0.61/13 ] 36...Be7-f8
Diagram [ 36...Nc6-d8 37.Rb6xd6
Qf6xd6 38.Qc8-c4+ Kg8-f8
39.Nf3-d4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36...Kg8-h7 37.c3-c4 Qf6-g6 38.h2-h4
Nc6-a7 39.Rb6xd6 Na7xc8
40.Rd6xg6 Rg7xg6 41.Nf3-e5 Rg6-g8
42.h4-h5 Kh7-h6 43.Ne5-c6 Be7-d6
44.c4-c5 Bd6-c7 45.Nc6-e7 Nc8xe7
46.Re3xe7 0.79/12 ]

+Q+ lk+
+ + + r
Rnr q +
p + + +
+ + + +
+ P RNP
P+ + PKP
+ + + +

+Q+ lk+
+ + + r
Rnr q +
p + + +
+ + + P
+ P RNP
P+ + PK+
+ + + +

1627

1628

(Diagram 1627)
37.Re3-e8 [ 37.h2-h4 Diagram
(Diagram 1628)
Rg7-f7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.h2-h4 Rg7-f7 38.c3-c4 Nc6-b4
39.Rb6xd6 Qf6xd6 40.Nf3-g5 Qd6-d7
41.Re3-e8 Qd7xc8 42.Re8xc8 Rf7-f5
43.a2-a3 Diagram
Nb4-c2 44.g3-g4 Rf5-e5 45.a3-a4
Nc2-e1+ 46.Kg2-g3 Ne1-d3 0.74/12 ]
37...Rg7-g6? [ 37...Rg7-f7
38.Qc8-g4+ Qf6-g7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

+R+ lk+
+ + + +
+ + + +
p + +rN
nP+ + P
P + + P
+ + PK+
+ + + +
x64: 37...Rg7-f7 Diagram

1629

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+Q+Rlk+
+ + +r+
Rnr q +
p + + +
+ + + +
+ P +NP
P+ + PKP
+ + + +

433

1630

38.Qc8-g4+ Qf6-g6 39.Qg4xg6+


Rd6xg6 40.Nf3-d2 Rf7-c7 41.Nd2-e4
Kg8-f7 42.Re8-a8 Kf7-g7 43.f2-f3
Bf8-e7 44.Ra8-a6 Rc7-c8 45.Rb6-b7
Rg6-e6 46.h2-h4 Kg7-g6 47.c3-c4
Kg6-f5 48.Rb7-b5+ Re6-e5 0.54/13 ]
38.h2-h4+- [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38.Nf3-h4 Rg6-g5 39.c3-c4 Rg5-e5
40.Re8xf8+ Qf6xf8 41.Rb6xc6 Rd6xc6
42.Qc8xc6 Re5-e2 43.Qc6-d5+ Qf8-f7
44.Qd5-d8+ Qf7-f8 45.Qd8-g5+
Qf8-g7 Diagram
(Diagram 1631)
46.Qg5xa5 1.62/10 ] 38...Qf6-f7
[ 38...Rd6-e6 39.Nf3-g5 Re6xe8
40.Qc8xe8 Kg8-g7 41.Qe8-d7+
Qf6-e7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...Rd6-e6 39.Nf3-g5 Re6xe8
40.Qc8xe8 Kg8-g7 41.Rb6-b7+
Bf8-e7 42.f2-f4 Rg6-h6 43.c3-c4
Qf6-f8 44.Qe8-d7 Qf8-g8 45.Qd7-d5
a5-a4 46.f4-f5 Qg8xd5+ 47.c4xd5
1.39/11 ] 39.Rb6-b7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 39.Rb6-b7 Qf7-f6 40.Nf3-g5
Rd6-d8 41.Qc8-c7 Qf6-g7
42.Qc7xg7+ Rg6xg7 43.Rb7xg7+
Kg8xg7 44.Ng5-e6+ Kg7-f7
45.Ne6xd8+ Kf7xe8 46.Nd8xc6 a5-a4

+ + +k+
+ + + q
+ + + +
p + + Q
+P+ + N
+ + + P
P+ +rPKP
+ + + +

1631

47.h4-h5 Ke8-f7 48.g3-g4 Bf8-d6


49.Kg2-f3 Kf7-f6 50.Kf3-e4 Kf6-g5
51.Nc6-e5 Bd6-e7 52.f2-f4+ Kg5-h6
53.f4-f5 Kh6-g5 54.c3-c4 6.53/14 ]
39...Qf7-f6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39...Qf7-f6 40.Nf3-g5 Rd6-d8
41.Qc8-c7 Qf6-g7 42.Qc7xg7+
Rg6xg7 43.Rb7xg7+ Kg8xg7
44.Ng5-e6+ Kg7-f7 45.Ne6xd8+
Kf7xe8 46.Nd8xc6 a5-a4 47.h4-h5
Bf8-g7 48.Nc6-d4 Bg7-f8 49.g3-g4
Bf8-a3 50.g4-g5 Ba3-b2 51.Nd4-b5
Bb2-c1 52.g5-g6 Ke8-f8 53.Kg2-f3
Kf8-g7 54.Nb5-d4 Kg7-h6 55.Kf3-g4
6.73/16 ] 40.Nf3-g5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 40.Nf3-g5 Rd6-d8 41.Qc8-c7
Qf6-g7 42.Qc7xg7+ Rg6xg7
43.Rb7xg7+ Kg8xg7 44.Ng5-e6+
Kg7-f7 45.Ne6xd8+ Kf7xe8
46.Nd8xc6 a5-a4 47.h4-h5 Ke8-f7
48.c3-c4 Kf7-g7 49.Kg2-f3 Kg7-h6
50.g3-g4 5.74/11 ] 40...Nc6-e5
[ 40...Rd6-d8 is still a small chance
41.Qc8-c7 Qf6-g7 42.Qc7xg7+
Rg6xg7 43.Rb7xg7+ Kg8xg7
44.Ng5-e6+ Kg7-f7 45.Ne6xd8+
Kf7xe8 46.Nd8xc6 Bf8-g7+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40...Rd6-d8
41.Qc8-c7 Qf6-g7 42.Qc7xg7+
Rg6xg7 43.Rb7xg7+ Kg8xg7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


44.Ng5-e6+ Kg7-f7 45.Ne6xd8+
Kf7xe8 46.Nd8xc6 a5-a4 47.h4-h5
Bf8-g7 48.Nc6-d4 Ke8-f7 49.Kg2-f3
Bg7-f8 50.Kf3-f4 Kf7-f6 51.c3-c4
Bf8-h6+ 52.Kf4-e4 6.22/12 ]
41.Rb7-f7!! Deflection: f7 [ 41.Rb7-f7
Ne5xf7 42.Re8xf8+ Kg8-g7
43.Rf8-g8+ Kg7-h6 44.Qc8-f8+
Rg6-g7 45.Ng5xf7+ Qf6xf7
46.Rg8-h8+ Kh6-g6 47.Qf8xd6+
Kg6-f5 48.Rh8-h6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 41.Rb7-f7 Ne5xf7 42.Re8xf8+
Kg8-g7 43.Rf8-g8+ Kg7-h6
44.Qc8-f8+ Kh6-h5 45.Ng5xf7 Rd6-c6
46.Rg8-h8+ Kh5-g4 47.Nf7-e5+
Kg4-f5 48.Ne5xc6 Qf6xf8 49.Rh8xf8+
Kf5-e6 50.h4-h5 Rg6-g7 51.Nc6-d4+
Ke6-d5 52.Kg2-f3 Kd5-c4 53.Rf8-c8+
Kc4-d5 54.g3-g4 Rg7-f7+ 55.Nd4-f5
Kd5-e6 56.h5-h6 Ke6-f6 57.c3-c4
10.60/11 ]
1-0

434

rnlqkl r
ppp pppp
+ + + +
+ +p+ +
+ PnL +
+ + P +
PPP+ PPP
RN+QKLNR

1632

23.Rb4xb7+ Kd7-e6 Aerni,A (2024)Lurje,P (2169)/Basel 2007/CBM 116


ext/1-0 ] 9...Nb4-c6 10.Ng1-e2 f7-f5N
[ RR 10...e6-e5 11.Nc3-b5 e5xf4
12.Nb5-c7+ Ke8-d7 13.Ne2xf4 Bf8xd6
14.Nc7xa8 Kd7-e7 15.Qd1-h5 g7-g6
16.Qh5-h6 Bc8-e6 17.0-0-0 Qd8-g8
18.Rd1xd6 Ke7xd6 19.Rh1-d1+
Nc6-d4 20.e3xd4 Qg8xa8 21.d4xc5+
33
A45 Kd6xc5 22.Nf4xe6+ f7xe6 23.Qh6-e3+
Vassily Ivanchuk
Kc5-b5 24.a2-a4+ Kb5-a6
25.Qe3-e2+ Sadkowsky,D (2304)Baadur Jobava
Memorial: Elite (2)
07.05.2005 Lobzhanidze,D (2462)/Belgium 2006/
EXT 2007/1-0 ] 11.Nc3-b5 Ke8-f7
12.Nb5-c7 Ra8-b8 13.g2-g4 f5xg4
A45: Trompowsky Attack
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.Bc1-g5 Nf6-e4
14.Ne2-g3 Nc6-b4 last book move last
3.Bg5-f4 d7-d5 4.e2-e3 Diagram
book move 15.a2-a3 Diagram
[ 15.Ng3xe4!? might be the shorter
(Diagram 1632)
path Kf7-g8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
15.Ng3xe4 c5-c4 16.a2-a3 Nb4-c6
17.Qd1-e2 Kf7-g8 18.Qe2xc4 Qd8-d7
c7-c5 5.Bf1-d3 Nb8-c6 6.Bd3xe4
d5xe4 7.d4-d5 Nc6-b4 8.Nb1-c3
19.Ne4-c5 Qd7-f7 20.Qc4-e4 Qf7-f5
21.Qe4xf5 e6xf5 22.Nc7-e6 b7-b6
e7-e6 9.d5-d6 [RR 9.d5xe6 Bc8xe6
10.a2-a3 Qd8xd1+ 11.Ra1xd1
3.05/12 Diagram
Nb4xc2+ 12.Ke1-d2 Be6-b3
13.Kd2-c1 Nc2xa3 14.b2xa3 Bb3xd1
(Diagram 1633)
15.Kc1xd1 0-0-0+ 16.Kd1-c2 c5-c4
17.Ng1-e2 Bf8xa3 18.Rh1-a1 Ba3-c5 ]
19.Nc3xe4 Bc5-b4 20.Ra1xa7 f7-f5
15...Nb4-d5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
15...Nb4-d5 Diagram
21.Ra7-a4 f5xe4 22.Ra4xb4 Kc8-d7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rl+ lkr
p + + pp
pnPN+ +
+ N +p+
+ + Lp+
P + P +
PP+ P P
R + K +R

rlq l r
ppN +kpp
+ Pp+ +
+ p + +
n +pLp+
P + P N
PP+ P P
R +QK +R

rlq l r
ppN +kpp
+ Pp+ +
+ pn+ +
+ +pLp+
P + P N
PP+ P P
R +QK +R

435

1633

1634

1635

16.Ng3xe4 Nd5xf4 17.e3xf4 Qd8-d7

18.Qd1xg4 Qd7-c6 19.f2-f3 Bf8xd6


20.Nc7xe6 Bc8xe6 21.Ne4-g5+
Kf7-e7 22.Qg4xe6+ Ke7-d8 23.0-0-0
Kd8-c7 24.Qe6-f7+ Kc7-b6
25.Qf7-b3+ Kb6-a5 26.Ng5-e6 Rh8-e8
27.Qb3-c3+ Ka5-b6 28.Kc1-b1
Re8-e7 29.f4-f5 Rb8-e8 30.a3-a4
a7-a6 31.Qc3-c4 1.91/14 ] 16.Ng3xe4
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
16.Ng3xe4 Nd5xf4 17.e3xf4 Qd8-d7
18.Rh1-g1 h7-h5 19.Qd1-d3 Rh8-h6
20.0-0-0 Kf7-g8 21.Ne4xc5 Qd7-f7
22.Qd3-d2 Bc8-d7 23.Kc1-b1 Bd7-c6
24.Rd1-e1 2.05/14 ]

rlq l r
ppN +kpp
+ Pp+ +
+ pn+ +
+ +NLp+
P + P +
PP+ P P
R +QK +R

1636

16...Nd5xf4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


16...Nd5xf4 17.e3xf4 Qd8-d7
18.Qd1xg4 Qd7-c6 19.f2-f3 Bf8xd6
20.Nc7xe6 Bc8xe6 21.Ne4-g5+
Kf7-e7 22.Qg4xe6+ Ke7-d8 23.0-0-0
Kd8-c7 24.Qe6-f7+ Kc7-b6
25.Qf7-b3+ Kb6-a5 26.Ng5-e6 Rh8-e8
27.Qb3-c3+ Ka5-b6 28.Kc1-b1
Re8-e7 29.f4-f5 Rb8-e8 30.a3-a4
a7-a6 31.Qc3-c4 1.90/14 ] 17.e3xf4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 17.e3xf4
Qd8-d7 18.Rh1-g1 h7-h5 19.Qd1-d3
Kf7-g8 20.0-0-0 Rh8-h6 21.Ne4xc5
Qd7-c6 22.b2-b4 Bc8-d7 23.Rg1-e1
Diagram
Rb8-d8 24.Kc1-b2 1.69/11 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + lk+
ppNl+ p
+qPp+ r
+ N + +p
P + Pp+
P +Q+ +
+P+ P P
+ KRR +

436

1637

17...Kf7-g8 [ 17...Bc8-d7 Diagram

r q l r
ppNl+kpp
+ Pp+ +
+ p + +
+ +NPp+
P + + +
PP+ P P
R +QK +R

rlq lkr
ppN + pp
+ Pp+ +
+ p + +
+ +NPQ+
P + + +
PP+ P P
R + K +R

1639

18...h7-h5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


18...h7-h5 Diagram

1638

is no salvation 18.Qd1xg4 h7-h5


19.Qg4-e2+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
17...Qd8-d7 18.Rh1-g1 h7-h5
19.Qd1-d3 Kf7-g8 20.0-0-0 Rh8-h6
21.Ne4xc5 Qd7-c6 22.b2-b4 Bc8-d7
23.Rg1-e1 Rb8-d8 24.Kc1-b2 2.02/12 ]
18.Qd1xg4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 18.f4-f5 Bc8-d7 19.f5xe6 Bd7-c6
20.Nc7-d5 h7-h5 21.e6-e7 Qd8-a5+
22.c2-c3 c5-c4 23.d6-d7 Bc6xd7
24.e7xf8Q+ Kg8xf8 25.Nd5-e3
Qa5-c7 26.0-0 Rh8-h6 27.Qd1-d4
Bd7-e6 28.Qd4xa7 Kf8-g8 29.Ra1-d1
Rb8-f8 30.Ne4-d6 3.86/13 ]

rlq lkr
ppN + p
+ Pp+ +
+ p + +p
+ +NPQ+
P + + +
PP+ P P
R + K +R

1640

19.Qg4-g3 h5-h4 20.Qg3-d3 b7-b5


21.0-0-0 Rh8-h6 22.Rh1-g1 b5-b4
23.a3-a4 Rb8-b7 24.Kc1-b1 Rb7xc7
25.d6xc7 Qd8xc7 26.Ne4-d6 c5-c4
27.Qd3-d4 Bf8xd6 28.Qd4xd6 Qc7xd6
29.Rd1xd6 Kg8-f7 30.Rd6-c6 2.56/14
Diagram
(Diagram 1641)
] 19.Qg4-g3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 19.Qg4-g3 h5-h4 20.Qg3-d3
b7-b5 21.0-0-0 Rh8-h6 22.Rh1-g1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+l+ + +
p + +kp
+R+p+ r
+ + + +
Ppp+ P p
+ + + +
PP+ P P
+K+ + R

437

1641

b5-b4 23.Nc7-a6 Bc8xa6 24.Qd3xa6


Qd8-b6 25.Qa6xb6 a7xb6 26.a3-a4
Rb8-d8 27.Kc1-b1 Rd8-d7 28.Kb1-a2
Kg8-f7 29.Ne4-g5+ Kf7-f6 2.04/15 ]

rlq lkr
ppN + p
+ Pp+ +
+ p + +p
+ +NP +
P + + Q
PP+ P P
R + K +R

1642

19...b7-b5 [ 19...h5-h4 Diagram


(Diagram 1643)
cannot change what is in store for
White 20.Qg3-d3 b7-b6 21.0-0-0+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...h5-h4
20.Qg3-d3 b7-b5 21.0-0-0 Rh8-h6
22.Rh1-g1 b5-b4 23.Nc7-a6 Bc8xa6
24.Qd3xa6 Qd8-b6 25.Qa6xb6 a7xb6
26.a3xb4 c5xb4 27.Kc1-d2 Rb8-d8

rlq lkr
ppN + p
+ Pp+ +
+ p + +
+ +NP p
P + + Q
PP+ P P
R + K +R

1643

28.Kd2-e3 Rd8-d7 Diagram

+ + lk+
+ +r+ p
p Pp+ r
+ + + +
p +NP p
+ + K +
PP+ P P
+ +R+ R

1644

29.h2-h3 b4-b3 30.c2xb3 2.37/14 ]


20.Rh1-g1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20.Rh1-g1 Rh8-h6 21.0-0-0 b5-b4
22.Ne4xc5 b4xa3 23.b2xa3 Bc8-d7
24.Qg3-g5 Kg8-h8 25.Qg5xd8
Rb8xd8 Diagram
(Diagram 1645)
26.c2-c4 Bd7-a4 27.Nc5xa4 Bf8xd6
28.Nc7-b5 Bd6xf4+ 29.Kc1-c2
Rd8xd1 30.Rg1xd1 Bf4xh2 31.c4-c5
Rh6-f6 32.c5-c6 Rf6xf2+ 33.Rd1-d2
Rf2xd2+ 34.Kc2xd2 Kh8-g8 35.c6-c7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r l k
p Nl+ p
+ Pp+ r
+ N + +p
+ + P +
P + + +
+P+ P P
+ KR+ R

438

1645

+ r l k
p Nl+ p
+ Pp+ r
+ N + +p
+P+ P +
P + + +
+ + P P
+ KR+ R

1647

Bh2-f4+ Diagram

+ + +k+
p P + p
+ +p+ +
+N+ + +p
N+ + l +
P + + +
+ K + +
+ + + +

1646

36.Kd2-c2 Bf4xc7 37.Nb5xc7 Kg8-f7


38.Na4-c5 3.63/17 ] 20...Rh8-h6
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...Rh8-h6 21.0-0-0 b5-b4
22.Ne4xc5 b4xa3 23.b2xa3 Bc8-d7
24.Qg3-g5 Kg8-h8 25.Qg5xd8
Rb8xd8 26.c2-c4 Diagram

+ + + k
p + + p
+P+p+ +
+N+ + +p
N+ + + +
P + + +
+KR r l
+ + + +

1648

Rf2xd2+ 34.Kc2xd2 Kh8-g8 35.c6-c7


Bh2-f4+ 36.Kd2-c2 Bf4xc7 37.Nb5xc7
Kg8-f7 38.Na4-c5 3.98/16 ]
(Diagram 1649)
21.0-0-0 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21.0-0-0 Diagram

(Diagram 1647)

(Diagram 1650)

Bd7-a4 27.Nc5xa4 Bf8xd6 28.Nc7-b5


Bd6xf4+ 29.Kc1-c2 Rd8xd1
30.Rg1xd1 Bf4xh2 31.c4-c5 Rh6-f6
32.c5-c6 Rf6xf2+ 33.Rd1-d2 Diagram

b5-b4 22.Ne4xc5 b4xa3 23.b2xa3


Bc8-d7 24.Qg3-g5 Kg8-h8 25.Qg5xd8
Rb8xd8 26.c2-c4 Bd7-a4 27.Nc5xa4
Bf8xd6 28.Nc7-b5 Bd6xf4+ 29.Kc1-c2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rlq lk+
p N + p
+ Pp+ r
+pp + +p
+ +NP +
P + + Q
PP+ P P
R + K R

rlq lk+
p N + p
+ Pp+ r
+pp + +p
+ +NP +
P + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

439

1649

1650

Rd8xd1 30.Rg1xd1 Bf4xh2 31.c4-c5


Rh6-f6 32.c5-c6 Rf6xf2+ 33.Rd1-d2
Rf2xd2+ 34.Kc2xd2 Kh8-g8 35.c6-c7
Bh2-f4+ Diagram
(Diagram 1651)
36.Kd2-c2 Bf4xc7 37.Nb5xc7 Kg8-f7
38.Na4-c5 3.76/16 ]
(Diagram 1652)
21...Kg8-h8 [ 21...b5-b4 Diagram
does not save the day 22.Ne4xc5
b4xa3 23.b2xa3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

+ + +k+
p P + p
+ +p+ +
+N+ + +p
N+ + l +
P + + +
+ K + +
+ + + +

rlq lk+
p N + p
+ Pp+ r
+pp + +p
+ +NP +
P + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

rlq lk+
p N + p
+ Pp+ r
+ p + +p
p +NP +
P + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R
x64: 21...b5-b4 22.Ne4xc5 b4xa3

1651

1652

1653

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

440

Diagram

rlq lk+
p N + p
+ Pp+ r
+ N + +p
+ + P +
p + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

1654

+ + l k
+ + + p
p+ +p+ r
+p+ q +
+ Q + p
P P + +P
+PN P +
+K+R+ R

1656

33.Nd2-e4 Rh6-g6 5.24/13 ]


23.b2xa3 Bc8-d7 24.Qg3-g5 Kg8-h8
25.Qg5-e5 Rb8-b6 26.Rg1-g5 Rh6-f6
27.Rg5xh5+ Kh8-g8 28.Rh5-g5 Rf6-f5
29.Rg5xf5 e6xf5 30.Qe5-d5+ Kg8-h7
31.Nc7-e6 Bd7xe6 32.Nc5xe6 Qd8-f6
33.Qd5-e5 3.79/14 Diagram

+ + l +
p + + pk
r PNq +
+ + Qp+
+ + P +
P + + +
+P+ P P
+ KR+ +

1655

rlq l k
p N + p
+ Pp+ r
+pN + +p
+ + P +
P + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

1657

22...b5-b4 Diagram [ 22...Bc8-d7


does not improve anything
23.Qg3-e3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Bc8-d7 Diagram
(Diagram 1658)

] 22.Ne4xc5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 22.d6-d7 Bc8xd7 23.Nc7-a6
h5-h4 24.Qg3-d3 Qd8-b6 25.Na6xb8
Qb6xb8 26.Qd3xd7 Qb8xf4+
27.Ne4-d2 c5-c4 28.h2-h3 c4-c3
29.b2xc3 a7-a6 30.Kc1-b1 Qf4-e5
31.Qd7-d4 Diagram
Qe5-h2 32.Rg1-h1 Qh2-c7

23.Qg3-c3 h5-h4 24.Rg1-g5 a7-a5


25.Kc1-b1 b5-b4 26.a3xb4 a5xb4
27.Qc3-e5 Rh6-f6 28.Nc7xe6 Bd7xe6
29.Nc5xe6 Qd8-d7 30.f4-f5 b4-b3
31.c2-c4 Qd7-a7 32.Rg5-h5+ Kh8-g8
33.c4-c5 Qa7-a2+ 34.Kb1-c1 4.70/13 ]
23.a3xb4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r q l k
p Nl+ p
+ Pp+ r
+pN + +p
+ + P +
P + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

rlq l k
p N + p
+ Pp+ r
+ N + +p
p + P +
P + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

441

1658

1659

x64: 23.d6-d7 b4xa3 24.b2xa3


Diagram
(Diagram 1660)
h5-h4 25.Qg3-g5 Bc8xd7 26.Rd1xd7
Qd8xg5 27.Rg1xg5 Bf8xc5 Diagram
(Diagram 1661)
28.Rg5xc5 Rh6-f6 29.Rc5-e5 Rf6xf4
30.Re5-h5+ Kh8-g8 31.Rd7xg7+
Kg8xg7 32.Nc7xe6+ Kg7-f6
33.Ne6xf4 Rb8-c8 34.Rh5-h7 Kf6-f5
35.Rh7xh4 6.55/13 ]

rlq l k
p NP+ p
+ +p+ r
+ N + +p
+ + P +
P + + Q
+P+ P P
+ KR+ R

r + + k
p NR+ p
+ +p+ r
+ l + R
+ + P p
P + + +
+P+ P P
+ K + +

rlq l k
p N + p
+ Pp+ r
+ N + +p
P + P +
+ + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

1660

1661

1662

23...Rb8xb4 Diagram [ 23...Bc8-d7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

442

Diagram

r q l k
p Nl+ p
+ Pp+ r
+ N + +p
P + P +
+ + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

1663

does not win a prize 24.Qg3-g5+- ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Bc8-d7
24.Qg3-g5 Kh8-h7 25.Nc7-a6 Rb8-a8
26.Nc5xd7 Qd8xd7 27.Na6-c5 Qd7-f7
28.d6-d7 Bf8-e7 29.Qg5-e5 Ra8-f8
30.Kc1-b1 Kh7-h8 Diagram

+ + r k
p +Plqp
+ +p+ r
+ N Q +p
P + P +
+ + + +
PP+ P P
+K+R+ R

1664

31.Rg1-e1 Be7-d8 32.Nc5xe6


Rh6xe6 33.Qe5xe6 Qf7xf4 34.Qe6-e5
Qf4-g4 35.f2-f4 Qg4xf4 36.Qe5xf4
Rf8xf4 6.08/14 ]
24.d6-d7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24.d6-d7 Bc8xd7 25.Rd1xd7
Qd8-f6 26.Nc7xe6 Qf6xb2+ 27.Kc1-d1
Rb4-b8 28.Ne6xf8 Rb8xf8 29.Nc5-d3

+lq l k
p N + p
+ Pp+ r
+ N + +p
r + P +
+ + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

1665

Qb2-c3 30.Qg3xg7+ Qc3xg7


31.Rg1xg7 Diagram

+ + r k
p +R+ R
+ + + r
+ + + +p
+ + P +
+ +N+ +
+P+ P P
+ +K+ +

1666

a7-a6 32.Kd1-d2 a6-a5 33.Nd3-e5


Rh6-d6+ 34.Kd2-e3 Rd6xd7
35.Rg7xd7 Kh8-g8 36.Rd7-a7 Rf8-c8
37.c2-c4 7.65/13 ]
(Diagram 1667)
24...Rb4-c4 Diagram [ 24...Bc8xd7
otherwise it's curtains at once
25.Rd1xd7 Qd8-f6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24...Bc8xd7 25.Rd1xd7 Qd8-f6
26.Nc7xe6 Qf6xb2+ 27.Kc1-d1
Rb4-b8 28.Ne6xf8 Rb8xf8 29.Nc5-d3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+lq l k
p NP+ p
+ +p+ r
+ N + +p
r + P +
+ + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

443

1667

h5-h4 30.Qg3xg7+ Qb2xg7


31.Rg1xg7 a7-a5 32.c2-c4 Rf8-d8
Diagram

+ r + k
+ +R+ R
+ + + r
p + + +
+P+ P p
+ +N+ +
+ + P P
+ +K+ +

1668

33.Kd1-c2 Rd8xd7 34.Rg7xd7


Rh6-g6 35.c4-c5 Kh8-g8 36.h2-h3
Rg6-c6 37.Rd7-a7 Kg8-f8 38.Ra7xa5
Kf8-e7 39.Nd3-e5 7.79/14 ]
(Diagram 1669)
25.Nc5xe6 Diagram [ 25.Nc5xe6
Diagram
Qd8xd7 26.Rd1xd7 ( 26.Ne6xf8
Rc4xc2+ Diagram
27.Kc1xc2 Qd7xc7+ 28.Kc2-d2

+lq l k
p NP+ p
+ +p+ r
+ N + +p
+r+ P +
+ + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

+lq l k
p NP+ p
+ +N+ r
+ + + +p
+r+ P +
+ + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

+l+ N k
p Nq+ p
+ + + r
+ + + +p
+ + P +
+ + + Q
Pr+ P P
+ KR+ R
Rh6-d6+ 29.Kd2-e1 Bc8-g4= )

1669

1670

1671

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

444

26...Bc8xd7 27.Ne6xf8+- ;Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 25.Nc7xe6 Bc8xd7 Diagram

+ q l k
p +l+ p
+ +N+ r
+ N + +p
+r+ P +
+ + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

1672

26.Ne6xd8 Bd7-e8 27.Nd8-e6


Rc4xc5 28.Ne6xc5 Rh6-g6 29.Qg3-e3
Be8-f7 30.Rg1xg6 Bf7xg6 31.Nc5-e6
Bf8-e7 32.Qe3xa7 Diagram

+ + + k
Q + l p
+ +N+l+
+ + + +p
+ + P +
+ + + +
PP+ P P
+ KR+ +
Be7-f6 33.Rd1-g1 Bg6-f5
34.Ne6xg7 19.82/11 ]
(Diagram 1674)
1-0

+lq l k
p NP+ p
+ +N+ r
+ + + +p
+r+ P +
+ + + Q
PP+ P P
+ KR+ R

1673

34

1674

D12

Walter Arencibia
Vassily Ivanchuk
Memorial: Elite (5)

10.05.2005

D12: Slav Defence: 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 Bf5


1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 c7-c6
3.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6 4.e2-e3 Bc8-f5
Diagram
(Diagram 1675)
5.Nb1-c3 e7-e6 6.Bf1-d3 Bf5-g6
7.0-0 Nb8-d7 8.Qd1-e2 Bf8-b4
9.Bc1-d2 a7-a5 10.a2-a3 Bb4xc3
11.Bd2xc3 0-0 [RR 11...Nf6-e4
12.c4xd5 e6xd5 13.Bd3xe4 Bg6xe4
14.b2-b4 a5-a4 15.b4-b5 0-0
16.b5xc6 b7xc6 17.Bc3-b4 Rf8-e8
18.Ra1-c1 Re8-e6 19.Nf3-d2 Be4-f5
20.Rc1-c3 Qd8-g5 21.Qe2-f3 Re6-g6
22.Qf3-g3 Qg5-h5 23.Qg3-c7 Bf5-h3
24.g2-g3 Bh3xf1 25.Nd2xf1 Qh5-f5
26.Rc3xc6 Dorfman,J (2595)-Dreev,A
(2697)/playchess.com INT 2006/CBM
110 ext/0-1 (43) ] 12.Bd3xg6N [RR
12.b2-b4 a5xb4 13.a3xb4 Qd8-c7
14.Nf3-d2 b7-b5 15.c4-c5 Nf6-e4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rn qkl r
pp+ pppp
+p+ n +
+ +p+l+
+PP + +
+ + PN+
PP + PPP
RNLQKL+R

445
Rb8-d8 23.Ra1-b1 Rd8-d6 24.Qc2-f2
Rd6-d8 Diagram
1675

16.Bd3xe4 d5xe4 17.Nd2-b3 Nd7-f6


- Hofman,R (2220)-Bang,A (2280)/
Berlin West 1988/TD ] 12...h7xg6
13.Nf3-d2 a5-a4 14.f2-f3 Rf8-e8
15.e3-e4 e6-e5 16.c4xd5 Nf6xd5
17.Rf1-d1 Diagram

r+ qr+k+
+p+n+pp
+p+ +p+
+ +np +
p+ PP+ +
P L +P+
P NQ+PP
R +R+ K

1676

Nd5xc3 18.b2xc3 last book move last


book move b7-b5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 18...Qd8-e7 19.Nd2-c4 Re8-d8
20.Nc4-e3 Ra8-c8 21.Ra1-a2 b7-b5
22.Ne3-g4 Rc8-a8 23.Ng4-e3 Nd7-b6
24.Qe2-d3 Rd8-d6 25.Ra2-b2 0.07/14
] 19.Nd2-f1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 19.Kg1-h1 Ra8-b8 20.Nd2-f1
Qd8-c7 21.Nf1-e3 Nd7-f6 22.Qe2-c2

+ rr+k+
+ q +pp
+p+ np+
+p+ p +
p+ PP+ +
P P NP+
+ + QPP
+R+R+ +K

1677

25.Qf2-d2 e5xd4 26.c3xd4 0.09/14 ]

r+ qr+k+
+ +n+pp
+p+ +p+
+p+ p +
p+ PP+ +
P P +P+
+ +Q+PP
R +R+NK

1678

19...Qd8-e7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


19...Qd8-c7 20.Nf1-e3 Ra8-d8
21.Ra1-b1 Nd7-f6 22.d4xe5 Re8xe5
23.Rd1xd8+ Qc7xd8 24.c3-c4 Qd8-d6
25.c4xb5 Diagram
(Diagram 1679)
Re5xb5 26.Rb1xb5 c6xb5 27.Qe2xb5
Qd6xa3 28.Qb5-b8+ Qa3-f8 0.05/13 ]
20.Qe2-b2 [ 20.Nf1-e3!?$ ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 20.Nf1-e3 Nd7-b6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+ + +pp
+pq np+
+P+ r +
p+ +P+ +
P + NP+
+ +Q+PP
+R+ + K

446

1679

21.Qe2-a2 Re8-d8 22.Ra1-b1 Ra8-c8


23.Kg1-h1 Rd8-d7 24.h2-h3 Rc8-d8
25.Rb1-b4 Qe7-g5 26.Qa2-e2 e5xd4
27.c3xd4 0.10/14 ] 20...Nd7-b6=
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...Nd7-f6
21.Qb2-b4 Qe7-c7 22.Nf1-e3 Ra8-d8
23.Qb4-c5 Rd8-c8 24.Qc5-b4 Re8-d8
25.Qb4-c5 e5xd4 26.c3xd4 Qc7-f4
27.Rd1-e1 Nf6-d7 28.Qc5-e7 0.05/13 ]
21.Nf1-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Qb2-b4 Diagram
(Diagram 1680)
Qe7xb4 22.c3xb4 e5xd4 23.Rd1xd4
Re8-d8 24.Rd4xd8+ Ra8xd8
25.Nf1-e3 Rd8-d3 26.Kg1-f2 Rd3-b3
27.Kf2-e2 f7-f6 28.Ra1-c1 Rb3xa3
29.Rc1xc6 Ra3-a2+ 30.Ke2-d3
Nb6-d7 31.Rc6-c7 Nd7-e5+
32.Kd3-c3 -0.07/14 Diagram
(Diagram 1681)
] 21...f7-f5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...Ra8-d8 Diagram
22.Rd1-e1 Rd8-d7 23.Ra1-d1 Re8-d8
24.Rd1-d2 Nb6-c4 25.Ne3xc4 b5xc4
26.Re1-d1 Qe7-g5 27.d4-d5 c6xd5
28.Rd2xd5 Qg5-e3+ 29.Kg1-h1

r+ +r+k+
+ + qpp
np+ +p+
+p+ p +
pQ PP+ +
P P +P+
+ + +PP
R +R+NK

+ + +k+
+ R + p
+ + pp+
+p+ n +
pP +P+ +
+ K NP+
r+ + +PP
+ + + +

+ rr+k+
+ + qpp
np+ +p+
+p+ p +
p+ PP+ +
P P NP+
Q + +PP
R +R+ K

1680

1681

1682

-0.08/13 ] 22.Qb2-a2+ [Houdini 2.0c

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

447

Pro x64: 22.Ra1-c1 e5xd4 23.c3xd4


f5xe4 24.f3-f4 Qe7-d6 25.g2-g3
Nb6-d5 26.Ne3xd5 Qd6xd5 27.Rc1-c5
Qd5-b3 28.Qb2-c1 Ra8-c8 29.Rd1-e1
Diagram

+r+r+k+
+ + + p
+p+ +p+
+pR + +
p+ PpP +
Pq+ + P
+ + + P
+ Q R K

r+ +r+ k
+ + + p
+ + +p+
+ RP+ +
p+n+ +N+
P q + +
+ + +QP
+ +R+ K

1683

23.e4xf5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


23.e4xf5 e5xd4 24.f5xg6+ Kh7xg6
25.Qa2-b1+ Kg6-f7 26.Ne3-f5 Qe7-f6
27.Nf5xd4 Kf7-g8 28.Qb1-f5 Qf6xf5
29.Nd4xf5 Re8-e5 30.g2-g4 Re5-c5
31.Rd1-d3 Nb6-d5 32.Ra1-e1 Kg8-h7
33.Re1-c1 Nd5-f4 34.Rd3-d2 Ra8-e8
0.40/14 ] 23...e5xd4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...g6xf5
24.Ne3xf5 Qe7-f6 25.Qa2-c2 Kh7-g8
26.d4xe5 Re8xe5 27.Nf5-d6 Ra8-d8
28.Qc2-a2+ Nb6-d5 29.Nd6-e4 Qf6-f7
30.Qa2-f2 Qf7-f4 31.Rd1-e1 Re5-h5
32.h2-h3 0.32/14 Diagram

Qb3-d3 -0.10/12 ] 22...Kg8-h7


[ 22...Kg8-h8!?= Diagram

r+ +r+ k
+ + q p
np+ +p+
+p+ pp+
p+ PP+ +
P P NP+
Q+ + +PP
R +R+ K

1684

should be examined more closely ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Kg8-h8
23.d4-d5 f5-f4 24.Ne3-g4 c6xd5
25.e4xd5 e5-e4 26.f3xe4 Qe7xe4
27.Ra1-b1 f4-f3 28.g2xf3 Qe4xf3
29.Qa2-g2 Qf3xc3 30.Rb1xb5 Nb6-c4
31.Rb5-c5 Diagram
Ra8-b8 32.Rc5-c7 -0.19/14 ]

1685

(Diagram 1686)
]
(Diagram 1687)
24.Ne3-f1?? White has let it slip away
[ 24.f5xg6+!? Kh7xg6 25.Qa2-b1+
Kg6-f7 26.Ne3-f5 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24.f5xg6+ Diagram
Kh7xg6 25.Qa2-b1+ Kg6-f7
26.Ne3-f5 Qe7-f6 27.Nf5xd4 Kf7-g8
28.Qb1-f5 Qf6xf5 29.Nd4xf5 Re8-e5
30.g2-g4 Re5-c5 31.Rd1-d3 Nb6-d5
32.Ra1-e1 Kg8-h7 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
+ + + p
+p+ + +
+p+n+ +r
p+ +Nq +
P P +P+P
+ + QP+
R + R K

r+ +r+ +
+ + q pk
np+ +p+
+p+ +P+
p+ p + +
P P NP+
Q+ + +PP
R +R+ K

r+ +r+ +
+ + q pk
np+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ p + +
P P NP+
Q+ + +PP
R +R+ K

448

1686

1687

r+ + + +
+ + + pk
+p+ + +
+prn+N+
p+ + +P+
P PR+P+
+ + + P
+ + R K

1689

33.Re1-c1 Nd5-f4 34.Rd3-d2


Ra8-e8 0.40/13 ] 24...Nb6-d5 Diagram
[ 24...g6xf5 25.c3xd4 Qe7-f6
26.Qa2-f2 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24...g6xf5 Diagram

r+ +r+ +
+ + q pk
np+ + +
+p+ +p+
p+ p + +
P P +P+
Q+ + +PP
R +R+NK

1690

1688

25.Rd1xd4 Nb6-c4 26.Rd4-f4 Qe7-f6


27.Rf4xc4 b5xc4 28.Qa2xc4 Ra8-d8
29.Ra1-b1 Rd8-b8 Diagram
(Diagram 1691)
30.Rb1-d1 Rb8-b3 31.Qc4xa4
Rb3xc3 32.Nf1-g3 Qf6-g5 33.Qa4-a7
c6-c5 34.a3-a4 Qg5-e3+ 35.Kg1-h1
-0.95/13 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r +r+ +
+ + + pk
+p+ q +
+ + +p+
p+Q+ + +
P P +P+
+ + +PP
+R+ +NK

r+ +r+ +
+ + q pk
+p+ +p+
+p+n+P+
p+ p + +
P P +P+
Q+ + +PP
R +R+NK

449

1691

1692

25.Rd1-e1 Diagram [ 25.f5xg6+


Diagram
(Diagram 1693)
Kh7-h8 26.Rd1-e1 Qe7-h4= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25.f5xg6+
Kh7-h8 26.Rd1-e1 Qe7-h4 27.g2-g3
Qh4-f6 28.c3xd4 Qf6xd4+ 29.Qa2-f2
Qd4-d3 30.Qf2-c5 Qd3xg6 31.Nf1-d2
Nd5-f4 32.Re1xe8+ Ra8xe8
33.Nd2-e4 Diagram
Nf4-h3+ 34.Kg1-f1 Re8-d8 35.Ra1-e1
Rd8-d3 36.Kf1-g2 0.06/15 ]
25...Qe7xe1 Diagram [ 25...Qe7-c5

r+ +r+ +
+ + q pk
+p+ +P+
+p+n+ +
p+ p + +
P P +P+
Q+ + +PP
R +R+NK

+ +r+ k
+ + + p
+p+ +q+
+pQ + +
p+ +Nn +
P + +PP
+ + + P
R + + K

r+ +r+ +
+ + q pk
+p+ +p+
+p+n+P+
p+ p + +
P P +P+
Q+ + +PP
R + RNK

1693

1694

1695

26.f5xg6+ Kh7xg6 27.c3xd4 Qc5xd4+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

450

Diagram

r+ +r+ +
+ + + p
+p+ +k+
+p+n+ +
p+ q + +
P + +P+
Q+ + +PP
R + RNK

1696

28.Kg1-h1 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


25...Qe7xe1 26.Ra1xe1 Re8xe1
27.f5xg6+ Kh7xg6 28.c3xd4 Kg6-f6
29.Qa2-d2 Ra8-e8 30.Kg1-f2 Re8-e2+
31.Qd2xe2 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + p
+p+ k +
+p+n+ +
p+ P + +
P + +P+
+ +QKPP
+ + rN+

1697

Re1xe2+ 32.Kf2xe2 Nd5-f4+


33.Ke2-f2 b5-b4 34.a3xb4 a4-a3
35.Nf1-d2 Kf6-e6 36.Kf2-e3 Nf4xg2+
Diagram
37.Ke3-d3 a3-a2 38.Nd2-b3 Ng2-e1+
39.Kd3-c3 Ne1xf3 40.Kc3-b2 Nf3xh2
41.Kb2xa2 Nh2-f3 42.Ka2-b2 g7-g5
43.Kb2-c3 -0.41/17 ]
26.Ra1xe1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c

+ + + +
+ + + p
+p+k+ +
+ + + +
P P + +
p + KP+
+ N +nP
+ + + +

r+ +r+ +
+ + + pk
+p+ +p+
+p+n+P+
p+ p + +
P P +P+
Q+ + +PP
R + qNK

1698

1699

Pro x64: 26.f5xg6+ Kh7xg6


27.Ra1xe1 Re8xe1 Diagram
(Diagram 1700)
28.c3xd4 Kg6-f6 29.Qa2-d2 Ra8-e8
30.Kg1-f2 Re8-e2+ 31.Qd2xe2
Re1xe2+ 32.Kf2xe2 Nd5-f4+
33.Ke2-f2 b5-b4 34.a3xb4 a4-a3
35.Nf1-d2 Kf6-e6 36.Kf2-e3 Nf4xg2+
37.Ke3-d3 a3-a2 38.Nd2-b3 Diagram
Ng2-e1+ 39.Kd3-c3 Ne1xf3
40.Kc3-b2 Nf3xh2 41.Kb2xa2 Nh2-f3
42.Ka2-b2 g7-g5 43.Nb3-c5+ Ke6-d5
-0.47/16 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + + +
+ + + p
+p+ +k+
+p+n+ +
p+ p + +
P P +P+
Q+ + +PP
+ + rNK

+ + + +
+ + + p
+p+k+ +
+ + + +
P P + +
+N+K+P+
p+ + +nP
+ + + +

r+ +r+ +
+ + + pk
+p+ +p+
+p+n+P+
p+ p + +
P P +P+
Q+ + +PP
+ + RNK

451
Pro x64: 26...Re8xe1 27.f5xg6+
Diagram
1700

1701

r+ + + +
+ + + pk
+p+ +P+
+p+n+ +
p+ p + +
P P +P+
Q+ + +PP
+ + rNK

1703

Kh7xg6 28.c3xd4 Kg6-f6 29.Qa2-d2


Ra8-e8 30.Kg1-f2 Re8-e2+ Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + p
+p+ k +
+p+n+ +
p+ P + +
P + +P+
+ QrKPP
+ + rN+

1704

1702

26...Re8xe1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c

31.Qd2xe2 Re1xe2+ 32.Kf2xe2


Nd5-f4+ 33.Ke2-f2 b5-b4 34.a3xb4
a4-a3 35.Nf1-d2 Kf6-e6 36.Kf2-e3
Nf4xg2+ 37.Ke3-d3 a3-a2 38.Nd2-b3
Ng2-e1+ 39.Kd3-c3 Ne1xf3 40.Kc3-b2
Nf3xh2 41.Kb2xa2 Nh2-f3 42.Ka2-b2
g7-g5 43.Nb3-c5+ Ke6-d5 -0.31/14 ]
27.Qa2-f2? [ 27.f5xg6+!? Diagram
and White can hope to live Kh7xg6
28.c3xd4! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27.f5xg6+ Kh7xg6 28.c3xd4 Kg6-f6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + + +
+ + + pk
+p+ +p+
+p+n+P+
p+ p + +
P P +P+
Q+ + +PP
+ + rNK

r+ + + +
+ + + pk
+p+ +P+
+p+n+ +
p+ p + +
P P +P+
Q+ + +PP
+ + rNK

452

1705

+ + + +
+ + + p
+p+ k +
+p+n+ +
p+ P + +
P + +P+
+ +K+PP
+ + +N+

1707

Re1-a1 31.Kg1-h2 Ra1xa3 32.Nf1-g3


Re8-e6 33.Ng3-e4 Diagram
1706

29.Qa2-d2 Ra8-e8 30.Kg1-f2 Re8-e2+


31.Qd2xe2 Re1xe2+ 32.Kf2xe2
Diagram
(Diagram 1707)
Nd5-f4+ 33.Ke2-f2 b5-b4 34.a3xb4
a4-a3 35.Nf1-d2 Kf6-e6 36.Kf2-e3
Nf4xg2+ 37.Ke3-d3 a3-a2 38.Nd2-b3
Ng2-e1+ 39.Kd3-c3 Ne1xf3 40.Kc3-b2
Nf3xh2 41.Kb2xa2 Nh2-f3 42.Ka2-b2
g7-g5 43.Nb3-c5+ Ke6-d5 -0.40/15 ]
27...Ra8-e8-+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 27...Ra8-e8 28.f5xg6+
Kh7xg6 29.c3xd4 Kg6-f7 30.h2-h3

+ + + +
+ + +kp
+p+r+ +
+p+n+ +
p+ PN+ +
r + +P+P
+ + QPK
+ + + +

1708

Re6-g6 34.f3-f4 Rg6-h6 35.Ne4-g5+


Kf7-g8 36.Qf2-e1 Ra3-e3 37.Qe1-a5
Re3-e8 38.Qa5-a7 Rh6-f6 -1.37/16 ]
(Diagram 1709)
28.Qf2xd4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28.f5xg6+ Kh7xg6 29.c3xd4 Kg6-f7
30.h2-h3 Re1-a1 31.Kg1-h2 Ra1xa3
32.Nf1-g3 Re8-e6 33.Ng3-e4 Re6-g6
34.f3-f4 b5-b4 35.Ne4-g5+ Kf7-e7
36.Qf2-c2 Diagram
Rg6-h6 37.Qc2-c5+ Ke7-d7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+ +
+ + + pk
+p+ +p+
+p+n+P+
p+ p + +
P P +P+
+ + QPP
+ + rNK

+ + + +
+ + k p
+p+ +r+
+ +n+ N
pp P P +
r + + +P
+Q+ +PK
+ + + +

453

1709

1710

38.Qc5-a7+ Nd5-c7 -1.26/13 ]


28...Kh7-g8 Diagram [ 28...g6xf5
with excellent chances for Black
29.Qd4-h4+ Kh7-g6-+ ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 28...g6-g5 29.f5-f6 g7xf6
30.h2-h4 Re1-c1 31.Qd4-d3+ Kh7-h8
32.Qd3-g6 Re8-e1 33.h4xg5 Re1xf1+
34.Kg1-h2 f6xg5 35.Qg6xc6 Rf1-d1
36.Qc6-h6+ Kh8-g8 37.Qh6xg5+
Kg8-f7 38.Qg5-f5+ Kf7-e7 39.Qf5-e5+
Ke7-d7 40.Qe5-f5+ Kd7-c6
41.Qf5-e6+ Kc6-c5 -1.68/13 ]
29.f5xg6= Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 29.f5xg6 Nd5-e3 30.h2-h4
Re1xf1+ 31.Kg1-h2 Ne3-d5 32.c3-c4

+ +r+k+
+ + + p
+p+ +p+
+p+n+P+
p+ Q + +
P P +P+
+ + +PP
+ + rNK
Nd5-f6
Rf1-d1
Kg8-h8
Rd8-c8

1711

33.c4xb5 c6xb5 34.Qd4-b2


35.Qb2xb5 Rd1-d4 36.Kh2-h3
37.Qb5-c5 Re8-d8 38.Qc5-b5
39.Qb5-b7 Diagram

+r+ + k
+Q+ + p
+ + nP+
+ + + +
p+ r + P
P + +P+K
+ + +P+
+ + + +

1712

Rc8-e8 40.Qb7-a7 Re8-d8 41.Qa7-c7


Nf6-h5 Diagram
(Diagram 1713)
42.g2-g3 Rd4-d3 43.Qc7-e7 Nh5-f6
44.Kh3-g2 Rd8-c8 -0.45/18 ]
29...Nd5-e3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 29...Nd5-e3 30.h2-h4
Re1xf1+ 31.Kg1-h2 Ne3-d5 32.c3-c4
Nd5-f6 33.c4xb5 c6xb5 34.Qd4-b2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + k
+ Q + p
+ + +P+
+ + + +n
p+ r + P
P + +P+K
+ + +P+
+ + + +

+ +r+k+
+ + + p
+p+ +P+
+p+n+ +
p+ Q + +
P P +P+
+ + +PP
+ + rNK

454

1713

1714

Rf1-d1 35.Qb2xb5 Rd1-d4 36.Kh2-h3


Kg8-h8 37.Qb5-c5 Re8-d8 38.Qc5-c7
Nf6-h5 39.g2-g3 Diagram
(Diagram 1715)
Rd4-d3 40.Qc7-e7 Nh5-f6 41.Kh3-g2
Rd8-c8 -0.36/18 Diagram
(Diagram 1716)
]
30.h2-h3 Controls g4 [ 30.h2-h4
Re1xf1+ 31.Kg1-h2 Rf1-f2= Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.h2-h4

+ r + k
+ Q + p
+ + +P+
+ + + +n
p+ r + P
P + +PPK
+ + + +
+ + + +

+r+ + k
+ + Q p
+ + nP+
+ + + +
p+ + + P
P +r+PP
+ + +K+
+ + + +

+ +r+k+
+ + + p
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ Q + +
P P nP+
+ + +PP
+ + rNK

1715

1716

1717

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
+ + + p
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ Q + P
P P nP+
+ + rPK
+ + + +

455

1718

Re1xf1+ 31.Kg1-h2 Ne3-d5 32.c3-c4


Nd5-f6 33.c4xb5 c6xb5 34.Qd4-b2
Rf1-d1 35.Qb2xb5 Rd1-d4 36.Kh2-h3
Kg8-h8 37.Qb5-c5 Re8-d8 38.Qc5-b5
Rd8-c8 39.Qb5-b7 Rc8-e8 40.Qb7-b5
Re8-d8 41.Kh3-g3 Nf6-d5 42.h4-h5
Nd5-e3 43.Qb5-e5 -0.44/17 ]
30...Re1xf1+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 30...Re1xf1+ 31.Kg1-h2
Rf1-e1 32.Qd4-d7 Ne3-f1+ 33.Kh2-g1
Nf1-d2+ 34.Kg1-h2 Nd2xf3+ 35.g2xf3
Re8-e2+ 36.Kh2-g3 Re1-g1+
37.Kg3-f4 Rg1xg6 38.Qd7-d8+
Kg8-h7 39.Qd8-d4 Rg6-f6+ 40.Kf4-g3
Re2-b2 41.Qd4-c5 Rb2-d2 42.Qc5-e3
Rf6-g6+ 43.Kg3-h4 Rd2-g2 44.Qe3-e4
c6-c5 45.Qe4-d3 Diagram
(Diagram 1719)
c5-c4 46.Qd3-f5 Rg2-g1 47.Qf5-e4
Rg1-d1 48.f3-f4 Rd1-d3 -0.49/17 ]
(Diagram 1720)
31.Kg1-h2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31.Kg1-h2 -1.87/1 ] 31...Rf1-d1
Black threatens to win material: Rd1xd4
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31...Rf1-e1
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + pk
+ + +r+
+pp + +
p+ + + K
P PQ+P+P
+ + +r+
+ + + +

+ +r+k+
+ + + p
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ Q + +
P P nP+P
+ + +P+
+ + +rK

+ +r+k+
+ + + p
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ Q + +
P P nP+P
+ + +PK
+ + r +
32.Qd4-d7 Ne3-f1+ 33.Kh2-g1

1719

1720

1721

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

456

Nf1-d2+ 34.Kg1-h2 Nd2xf3+ 35.g2xf3


Re8-e2+ 36.Kh2-g3 Re1-g1+
37.Kg3-f4 Rg1xg6 38.Qd7-d8+
Kg8-h7 39.Qd8-d4 Rg6-f6+ 40.Kf4-g3
Rf6-e6 41.Kg3-f4 Re2-b2 42.Qd4-c5
Re6-f6+ 43.Kf4-e3 Rb2-b3 44.h3-h4
Rf6-e6+ 45.Ke3-d4 g7-g6 46.h4-h5
-0.47/17 ] 32.Qd4-h4?? Diagram
[ 32.Qd4-a7 would hold out Ne3-f1+
33.Kh2-g1 Nf1-d2+ 34.Kg1-h2! ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32.Qd4-a7
Diagram

+ +r+k+
Q + + p
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ + + +
P P nP+P
+ + +PK
+ +r+ +

+ r + k
+ + + p
+ + +Pn
+p+ + Q
p+ + + +
P P +P+P
+ + +PK
+ +r+ +

1723

1722

Ne3-f1+ 33.Kh2-g1 Nf1-d2+


34.Kg1-h2 Kg8-h8 35.Qa7-c5 Nd2-f1+
36.Kh2-h1 Nf1-e3+ 37.Kh1-h2 Rd1-d5
38.Qc5xc6 Re8-d8 39.Qc6-e6
Ne3-f1+ 40.Kh2-g1 Nf1-g3 41.Qe6-e7
Ng3-f5 42.Qe7-c7 Nf5-h4 43.Qc7-g3
Rd5-d1+ 44.Kg1-h2 Nh4-f5 45.Qg3-g4
Nf5-h6 46.Qg4-g5 -0.56/16 Diagram
(Diagram 1723)
]
(Diagram 1724)
32...Ne3-f1+-+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...Ne3-f1+ 33.Kh2-h1 Re8-e2
34.Qh4-h7+ Kg8-f8 35.Qh7-h8+

+ +r+k+
+ + + p
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ + + Q
P P nP+P
+ + +PK
+ +r+ +

1724

Kf8-e7 36.Qh8xg7+ Ke7-d6


37.Qg7-f6+ Kd6-c7 38.Qf6-d4
Diagram
(Diagram 1725)
Rd1xd4 39.c3xd4 Kc7-d6 40.g6-g7
Re2-e8 41.Kh1-g1 Nf1-e3 42.Kg1-f2
Ne3-f5 43.g2-g4 Nf5xg7 44.h3-h4
Ng7-e6 45.Kf2-e3 Kd6-d5 -7.57/11 ]
33.Kh2-g1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33.Kh2-h1 Re8-e2 34.Qh4-h7+
Diagram
Kg8-f8 35.Qh7-h8+ Kf8-e7
36.Qh8xg7+ Ke7-d6 37.Qg7-f6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ k + +
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ Q + +
P P +P+P
+ +r+P+
+ +r+n+K

+ + +k+
+ + + pQ
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ + + +
P P +P+P
+ +r+P+
+ +r+n+K

457

1725

1726

Kd6-c7 38.Qf6-d4 Rd1xd4 39.c3xd4


Kc7-d6 40.g6-g7 Re2-e8 41.Kh1-g1
Nf1-e3 42.Kg1-f2 Ne3-f5 43.g2-g4
Nf5xg7 44.h3-h4 Ng7-e6 45.Kf2-e3
Kd6-d5 -7.56/12 ] 33...Nf1-e3+
[ 33...Re8-e2 and Black wins
34.Qh4-h7+ Kg8-f8 35.Qh7-h8+
Kf8-e7 36.Qh8xg7+ Ke7-d6
37.Qg7-f6+ Kd6-c7 38.Qf6-f4+
Kc7-b7-+ Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33...Re8-e2
34.Qh4-h7+ Diagram
Kg8-f8 35.Qh7-h8+ Kf8-e7
36.Qh8xg7+ Ke7-d6 37.Qg7-f6+
Kd6-c7 38.Qf6-f4+ Kc7-b7 39.Qf4-g4

+ + + +
+k+ + +
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ + Q +
P P +P+P
+ +r+P+
+ +r+nK

+ + +k+
+ + + pQ
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ + + +
P P +P+P
+ +r+P+
+ +r+nK

1727

1728

Nf1-e3+ 40.Kg1-h2 Ne3xg4+


41.h3xg4 Re2-a2 42.f3-f4 Rd1-d8
43.f4-f5 Rd8-g8 44.g4-g5 Ra2-f2
45.Kh2-g3 Rf2xf5 Diagram
(Diagram 1729)
46.Kg3-g4 Rf5-f2 47.Kg4-g3 Rf2-c2
48.Kg3-g4 Rg8xg6 49.Kg4-f5 Rg6-g8
50.c3-c4 b5xc4 51.g2-g4 c4-c3
52.Kf5-f4 Rc2-a2 53.g5-g6 Rg8xg6
-12.80/16 ] 34.Kg1-h2 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Kg1-h2
-0.09/17 ]
34...Ne3-f1+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +r+
+k+ + +
+p+ +P+
+p+ +rP
p+ + + +
P P + K
+ + +P+
+ + + +

+ +r+k+
+ + + p
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ + + Q
P P nP+P
+ + +PK
+ +r+ +
34...Ne3-f5 Diagram
(Diagram 1731)

458

1729

1730

+ +r+k+
+ + + p
+p+ +P+
+p+ +n+
p+ + + Q
P P +P+P
+ + +PK
+ +r+ +

1731

Ne3xg4+ 43.h3xg4 Re2-a2 44.f3-f4


Rd1-d8 45.f4-f5 Rd8-g8 46.g4-g5
Ra2-f2 47.Kh2-g3 Rf2xf5 48.Kg3-g4
Rf5-f2 49.Kg4-g3 Rf2-c2 50.Kg3-g4
Rg8xg6 51.Kg4-f5 Rg6-g8 52.c3-c4
b5xc4 53.g2-g4 c4-c3 54.Kf5-f4
Rc2-a2 55.g5-g6 Rg8xg6 -0.09/16
Diagram

+ + + +
+k+ + +
+p+ +r+
+ + + +
p+ + KP+
P p + +
r+ + + +
+ + + +

1732

35.Qh4-f4 Re8-f8 36.h3-h4 Rd1-e1


37.Qf4-c7 Re1-e6 38.h4-h5 Nf5-e3
39.Qc7-d7 Re6-f6 40.Qd7-e7 Ne3-d5
41.Qe7-c5 Rf6-f5 42.h5-h6 Rf5-h5+
43.Kh2-g1 Rh5xh6 44.Qc5xc6 Nd5-f4 ] 35...Re8-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45.Qc6xb5 Rh6xg6 -1.73/18 ]
35...Re8-e2 36.Qh4-h7+ Kg8-f8
35.Kh2-g1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.Qh7-h8+ Kf8-e7 38.Qh8xg7+
35.Kh2-g1 Re8-e2 36.Qh4-h7+ Kg8-f8 Ke7-d6 39.Qg7-f6+ Kd6-c7 40.Qf6-f4+
37.Qh7-h8+ Kf8-e7 38.Qh8xg7+
Kc7-b7 41.Qf4-g4 Nf1-e3+ 42.Kg1-h2
Ke7-d6 39.Qg7-f6+ Kd6-c7 40.Qf6-f4+ Ne3xg4+ 43.h3xg4 Re2-a2 44.f3-f4
Kc7-b7 41.Qf4-g4 Nf1-e3+ 42.Kg1-h2
Rd1-d8 45.f4-f5 Rd8-g8 46.g4-g5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

459

Ra2-f2 47.Kh2-g3 Rf2xf5 48.Kg3-g4


Rf5-f2 49.Kg4-g3 Rf2-c2 50.Kg3-g4
Rg8xg6 51.Kg4-f5 Rg6-g8 52.c3-c4
b5xc4 53.g2-g4 c4-c3 54.Kf5-f4
Rc2-a2 55.g5-g6 Rg8xg6 -12.87/17
Diagram

+ + + +
+k+ + +
+p+ +r+
+ + + +
p+ + KP+
P p + +
r+ + + +
+ + + +

1733

] 36.Qh4-h7+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


36.Qh4-h7+ Kg8-f8 37.Qh7-h8+
Kf8-e7 38.Qh8xg7+ Ke7-d6
39.Qg7-f6+ Kd6-c7 40.Qf6-f4+ Kc7-b7
41.Qf4-g4 Nf1-e3+ 42.Kg1-h2
Ne3xg4+ 43.h3xg4 Re2-a2 44.f3-f4
Rd1-d8 45.f4-f5 Rd8-g8 46.g4-g5
Ra2-f2 47.Kh2-g3 Rf2xf5 48.Kg3-g4
Rf5-f2 49.Kg4-g3 Diagram
(Diagram 1734)
Rf2-c2 50.Kg3-g4 Rc2xc3 51.Kg4-f5
Rc3xa3 52.Kf5-f6 Rg8-f8+ 53.Kf6-g7
Rf8-f5 54.Kg7-h7 Rf5xg5 55.g6-g7
Rg5xg2 56.Kh7-g8 b5-b4 57.Kg8-f7
Ra3-f3+ 58.Kf7-g8 b4-b3 -13.79/18 ]
36...Kg8-f8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 36...Kg8-f8 -2.00/1 ]
37.Qh7-h8+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.Qh7-h8+ Diagram
Kf8-e7 38.Qh8xg7+ Ke7-d6
39.Qg7-f6+ Kd6-c7 40.Qf6-f4+ Kc7-b7
41.Qf4-g4 Nf1-e3+ 42.Kg1-h2

+ + +r+
+k+ + +
+p+ +P+
+p+ + P
p+ + + +
P P + K
+ + rP+
+ + + +

+ + k +
+ + + pQ
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ + + +
P P +P+P
+ +r+P+
+ +r+nK

+ + k Q
+ + + p
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ + + +
P P +P+P
+ +r+P+
+ +r+nK

1734

1735

1736

Ne3xg4+ 43.h3xg4 Re2-a2 44.f3-f4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

460

Rd1-d8 45.f4-f5 Rd8-g8 46.g4-g5


Ra2-f2 47.Kh2-g3 Rf2xf5 48.Kg3-g4
Rf5-f2 49.Kg4-g3 Rf2-c2 50.Kg3-g4
Rc2xc3 51.Kg4-f5 Rc3xa3 52.Kf5-f6
Rg8-f8+ 53.Kf6-g7 Rf8-f5 54.g2-g4
Rf5xg5 55.Kg7-f6 Rg5xg4 56.Kf6-f5
Ra3-g3 -13.24/19 ] 37...Kf8-e7
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...Kf8-e7 -2.20/1 ]

+ + + Q
+ + k p
+p+ +P+
+p+ + +
p+ + + +
P P +P+P
+ +r+P+
+ +r+nK

1737

38.Qh8xg7+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


38.Qh8xg7+ Ke7-d6 39.Qg7-f6+
Kd6-c7 40.Qf6-f4+ Kc7-b7 41.Qf4-g4
Nf1-e3+ 42.Kg1-h2 Ne3xg4+
43.h3xg4 Re2-a2 44.f3-f4 Rd1-d8
45.f4-f5 Rd8-g8 46.g4-g5 Ra2-f2
47.Kh2-g3 Rf2xf5 48.Kg3-g4 Rf5-f2
49.Kg4-g3 Rf2-c2 50.Kg3-g4 Rc2xc3
51.Kg4-f5 Rc3xa3 52.Kf5-f6 Rg8-f8+
53.Kf6-g7 Rf8-f5 54.g2-g4 Rf5xg5
55.Kg7-f6 Rg5xg4 56.Kf6-f5 Ra3-g3
-13.24/18 ] 38...Ke7-d6 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 38...Ke7-d6 39.Qg7-f6+
Kd6-c7 40.Qf6-f4+ Kc7-b7 41.Qf4-g4
Nf1-e3+ 42.Kg1-h2 Ne3xg4+
43.h3xg4 Re2-a2 44.f3-f4 Rd1-d8
45.f4-f5 Rd8-g8 46.g4-g5 Ra2-f2
47.Kh2-g3 Rf2xf5 48.Kg3-g4 Rf5-f2
49.g2-g3 Rf2-c2 50.c3-c4 b5xc4
51.Kg4-f5 c4-c3 52.Kf5-e4 Rg8xg6
53.Ke4-f5 Rg6-g8 54.Kf5-e4 Rg8xg5

55.Ke4-f4 Rg5-d5 56.g3-g4 Rc2-f2+


57.Kf4-e3 -11.92/14 ] 39.Qg7-f6+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 39.Qg7-f8+
Kd6-c7 40.Qf8-f4+ Kc7-b7 41.Qf4-g4
Nf1-e3+ 42.Kg1-h2 Ne3xg4+
43.h3xg4 Re2-a2 44.f3-f4 Rd1-d8
45.f4-f5 Rd8-g8 46.g4-g5 Ra2-f2
47.Kh2-g3 Rf2xf5 48.Kg3-g4 Rf5-f2
49.Kg4-g3 Rf2-c2 50.Kg3-g4 Rc2xc3
51.Kg4-f5 Rc3xa3 52.Kf5-f6 Rg8-f8+
53.Kf6-g7 Rf8-f5 54.g2-g4 Rf5xg5
55.Kg7-f6 Rg5xg4 56.Kf6-f5 Ra3-g3
-13.24/15 ] 39...Kd6-c7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 39...Kd6-c7 40.Qf6-f4+
Kc7-b7 41.Qf4-g4 Nf1-e3+ 42.Kg1-h2
Ne3xg4+ 43.h3xg4 Re2-a2 44.f3-f4
Rd1-d8 45.f4-f5 Rd8-g8 46.g4-g5
Ra2-f2 47.Kh2-g3 Rf2xf5 48.Kg3-g4
Rf5-f2 49.g2-g3 Rf2-c2 50.c3-c4
b5xc4 51.Kg4-f5 Rc2-f2+ 52.Kf5-e5
Rg8xg6 -11.04/13 ] 40.Qf6-f7+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40.Qf6-g7+
Kc7-b6 41.Qg7-d4+ Rd1xd4 42.c3xd4
Nf1-e3 43.g2-g4 Ne3-c4 44.d4-d5
c6xd5 45.f3-f4 Nc4xa3 46.Kg1-f1
Re2-e8 47.f4-f5 Na3-c4 48.f5-f6
Nc4-e5 49.h3-h4 Ne5xg6 50.h4-h5
Ng6-e5 51.Kf1-e2 Ne5xg4+
52.Ke2-d2 Ng4xf6 53.h5-h6 Kb6-c5
54.Kd2-c2 b5-b4 55.Kc2-b2 a4-a3+
56.Kb2-c2 a3-a2 57.Kc2-b2 Re8-e2+
58.Kb2-a1 -11.40/14 ] 40...Kc7-b6
[ 40...Kc7-b6 41.Qf7-d7 Rd1xd7
42.g6-g7 Rd7xg7 43.Kg1xf1 Rg7xg2
44.h3-h4 Re2-a2 45.c3-c4 Rg2-c2
46.c4-c5+ Kb6xc5 47.h4-h5 Ra2-a1# ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40...Kc7-b6
41.Qf7-d7 Rd1xd7 42.Kg1xf1 Re2-a2
43.Kf1-g1 Rd7-d2 44.g6-g7 Rd2xg2+
45.Kg1-h1 Rg2-h2+ 46.Kh1-g1
Rh2-d2 47.g7-g8Q Ra2-a1# -#8/16 ]
0-1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

461

35

E12 14...Qc8-c6 15.Bf1-e2 Qc6xe4


Baadur Jobava
16.Ke1-f1 Ra8-a7 17.Be2-f3 Qe4-d3+
18.Qb3xd3 Rd8xd3 19.Na4xb6
Vassily Ivanchuk
Memorial: Elite (9)
14.05.2005 Ra7-c7 20.Ra1-e1 Ke7-f8 21.b2-b3
Bf6-d4 22.Nb6-a4 Rd3-d2 23.Re1-e2
E12: Queen's Indian: Unusual White
0.05/14 ]
4th moves, 4 a3, 4 Nc3 Bb7 5 a3 and 4
Nc3 Bb7
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6
3.Ng1-f3 b7-b6 4.Bc1-g5 h7-h6
1739
Diagram

rnlqkl r
p pp+pp
p +pn p
+ + + L
+PP + +
+ + +N+
PP +PPPP
RN+QKL+R

1738

5.Bg5-h4 Bf8-e7 6.Nb1-c3 c7-c5


7.e2-e4 c5xd4 8.Nf3xd4 d7-d6
9.Nd4-b5 a7-a6 10.Bh4xf6 Be7xf6
11.Nb5xd6+ Ke8-e7 12.Nd6xc8+
Qd8xc8 13.Nc3-a4N [RR 13.Bf1-e2
Rh8-d8 14.Qd1-c1 Qc8-c5 15.0-0
Nb8-c6 16.Rf1-d1 Rd8xd1+
17.Qc1xd1 Bf6xc3 18.b2xc3 Ra8-d8
19.Qd1-c2 Nc6-e5 20.Ra1-d1
Rd8xd1+ 21.Qc2xd1 Ne5xc4
22.Qd1-a4 Nc4-a5 23.Be2xa6 Qc5xc3
24.g2-g3 Ke7-f6 25.Ba6-f1 g7-g5
26.Qa4-e8 Kf6-g7 27.Qe8-d8 Qc3-c5
Pantsulaia,L (2578)-Volokitin,A (2666)/
Beersheba 2005/CBM 110/- ]
13...Rh8-d8 14.Qd1-b3 last book
move. White threatens to win material:
Qb3xb6 last book move Nb8-d7
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

r+qr + +
+ +nkpp
pp +pl p
+ + + +
N+P+P+ +
+Q+ + +
PP + PPP
R + KL+R

15.Qb3-a3+ Diagram [ 15.Bf1-d3


Nd7-c5 16.Na4xc5 b6xc5! ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 15.Qb3-b4+
Diagram

r+qr + +
+ +nkpp
pp +pl p
+ + + +
NQP+P+ +
+ + + +
PP + PPP
R + KL+R

1740

Ke7-e8 16.Bf1-e2 Qc8-c6 17.0-0


Bf6-e7 18.Qb4-b3 Ke8-f8 19.Ra1-d1
Kf8-g8 20.Rf1-e1 Ra8-c8 21.Be2-f1
Nd7-c5 22.Na4xc5 Be7xc5 23.a2-a3
Rd8xd1 24.Qb3xd1 Qc6-c7 25.e4-e5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

462

Rc8-d8 0.20/12 ]

r+qr + +
+ +nkpp
pp +pl p
+ + + +
N+P+P+ +
Q + + +
PP + PPP
R + KL+R

1741

15...Nd7-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


15...Nd7-c5 Diagram

r+qr + +
+ + kpp
pp +pl p
+ n + +
N+P+P+ +
Q + + +
PP + PPP
R + KL+R

Rc4-c3+ 24.Kf3-g4 Rc3xa3 25.Bf1xa6


Ra3xa2 26.h2-h4 Ra2-a4 27.e4-e5
Kd8-e7 28.Ba6-b5 -0.48/14 ]
16...Qc8-c6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
16...Qc8-c6 17.Na4xc5 Qc6xc5
18.Qa3xc5+ b6xc5 19.Ra1-d1 Bf6xb2
20.0-0 Ke7-f6 21.g2-g3 Bb2-d4
22.Rd1-b1 Diagram

r+ r + +
+ + +pp
p+ +pk p
+ p + +
+PlP+ +
+ + + P
P+ +LP P
+R+ +RK

1743

1742

16.Bf1-e2 Qc8-c6 17.Na4xc5 Qc6xc5


18.Ra1-c1 Qc5xa3 19.b2xa3 Ra8-c8
20.g2-g3 b6-b5 21.f2-f4 Bf6-d4
22.Rc1-b1 b5xc4 23.Rb1-b7+ Rd8-d7
24.Rb7xd7+ Ke7xd7 25.Ke1-d2
c4-c3+ 26.Kd2-c2 Rc8-b8 27.Rh1-b1
Rb8xb1 28.Kc2xb1 -0.40/17 ]
16.Bf1-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
16.Na4xc5 Qc8xc5 17.Ra1-d1
Qc5xa3 18.b2xa3 Bf6-c3+ 19.Ke1-e2
Bc3-a5 20.f2-f4 Ra8-c8 21.g2-g3
Rc8xc4 22.Rd1xd8 Ke7xd8 23.Ke2-f3

Ra8-b8 23.Kg1-g2 Bd4-c3 24.Be2-h5


Rb8xb1 25.Rf1xb1 g7-g6 26.Bh5-f3
Rd8-d2 27.a2-a3 Bc3-d4 -0.39/18 ]
17.Na4xc5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
17.Na4xc5 Diagram
(Diagram 1744)
Qc6xc5 18.Qa3xc5+ b6xc5
19.Ra1-d1 Bf6xb2 20.0-0 Bb2-c3
21.g2-g3 Ra8-b8 22.Rd1xd8 Ke7xd8
23.Rf1-d1+ Kd8-c7 24.Rd1-d3 Rb8-b2
25.Rd3xc3 Rb2xe2 26.Rc3-f3 f7-f6
27.Rf3-a3 Kc7-b6 -0.50/17 ]
17...Qc6xc5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
17...Qc6xc5 Diagram
(Diagram 1745)
18.Qa3xc5+ b6xc5 19.Ra1-d1 Bf6xb2
20.0-0 Bb2-c3 21.g2-g3 Ra8-b8
22.Rd1xd8 Ke7xd8 23.Rf1-d1+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ r + +
+ + kpp
ppq+pl p
+ N + +
+P+P+ +
Q + + +
PP +LPPP
R + K +R

r+ r + +
+ + kpp
pp +pl p
+ q + +
+P+P+ +
Q + + +
PP +LPPP
R + K +R

463

1744

1745

Bc3-d4 24.Rd1-d2 g7-g6 25.Kg1-g2


Kd8-c7 26.f2-f4 f7-f6 27.Be2-d1
Kc7-c6 -0.34/17 ] 18.b2-b4
[ 18.Qa3xc5+!? has some apparent
merit b6xc5 19.Ra1-b1 ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 18.Qa3xc5+ Diagram
(Diagram 1746)
b6xc5 19.Ra1-d1 Bf6xb2 20.0-0
Bb2-c3 21.Rd1-d3 Rd8xd3 22.Be2xd3
Ra8-d8 23.Rf1-d1 Ke7-f6 24.Kg1-f1
Kf6-e5 25.g2-g3 g7-g5 26.Kf1-g2
a6-a5 27.h2-h3 Bc3-d4 28.Rd1-b1
-0.40/16 ] 18...Qc5-g5-+ Diagram

r+ r + +
+ + kpp
pp +pl p
+ Q + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
PP +LPPP
R + K +R

1746

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18...Qc5-c6


19.Ra1-c1 Qc6xe4 20.Qa3-e3
Qe4xe3 21.f2xe3 a6-a5 22.b4-b5
Ra8-c8 23.Rh1-f1 Rd8-d5 24.c4xd5
Rc8xc1+ 25.Ke1-d2 Rc1xf1 26.Be2xf1
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + kpp
p +pl p
pP+P+ +
+ + + +
+ + P +
P+ K +PP
+ + +L+

1747

e6xd5 27.g2-g3 Ke7-e6 28.Bf1-h3+


Ke6-d6 -0.50/15 ]
(Diagram 1748)
19.Ra1-d1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Ra1-b1 Qg5xg2 20.Be2-f3 Qg2-g5
21.Ke1-f1 Bf6-d4 22.Rh1-g1 Qg5-f4
23.Rg1-g2 Ra8-c8 24.Qa3-b3 Ke7-f8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ r + +
+ + kpp
pp +pl p
+ + + q
PP+P+ +
Q + + +
P+ +LPPP
R + K +R

464

1748

25.a2-a4 Kf8-g8 26.Rb1-d1 Bd4-f6


27.a4-a5 Rd8xd1+ 28.Qb3xd1 b6xa5
-0.68/15 ] 19...Qg5xg2 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...Qg5xg2
20.b4-b5+ Ke7-e8 21.Rd1xd8+
Ra8xd8 22.Be2-f3 Qg2-g5 23.b5xa6
Qg5-d2+ 24.Ke1-f1 Bf6-e7 25.Qa3-e3
Be7-c5 26.Qe3-e2 Qd2-a5 27.a6-a7
Qa5xa7 28.Kf1-g2 Qa7-e7 Diagram

+ rk+ +
+ + qpp
p +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + +L+
P+ +QPKP
+ + + +R

1749

29.h2-h4 Bc5-d4 30.e4-e5 Qe7-c5


31.Rh1-d1 Bd4xe5 32.Rd1xd8+
Ke8xd8 33.Qe2-e3 Be5-d4 -0.64/17 ]
20.b4-b5+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20.b4-b5+ Diagram
Ke7-e8 21.Rd1xd8+ Ra8xd8

r+ r + +
+ + kpp
pp +pl p
+ + + +
PP+P+ +
Q + + +
P+ +LPqP
+ +RK +R

r+ r + +
+ + kpp
pp +pl p
+P+ + +
+P+P+ +
Q + + +
P+ +LPqP
+ +RK +R

1750

1751

22.Be2-f3 Qg2-g5 23.b5xa6 Qg5-d2+


24.Ke1-f1 Bf6-d4 25.Bf3-e2 Bd4-c5
26.Qa3-g3 Qd2xa2 27.a6-a7 b6-b5
28.c4xb5 Bc5xa7 Diagram
(Diagram 1752)
29.Rh1-g1 Rd8-d2 30.Qg3-g4 Ba7-c5
31.Qg4-f4 Bc5-b6 32.Qf4-g4 g7-g5
33.h2-h4 h6-h5 34.Qg4-f3 g5-g4
-0.82/17 ] 20...Ke7-e8 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...Ke7-e8
21.Rd1xd8+ Ra8xd8 22.Be2-f3
Qg2-g5 23.b5xa6 Qg5-d2+ 24.Ke1-f1
Bf6-e7 25.Qa3-e3 Be7-c5 26.Qe3-e2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rk+ +
l + +pp
+ +p+ p
+P+ + +
+ +P+ +
+ + + Q
q+ +LP P
+ + +K+R

465

1752

+ + k +
+ + +pp
p +p+ p
+ l + q
+P+P+ +
+ + +L+
P+ +QPKP
+ + + +

1754

Diagram

+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
Pp +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + +L+
P+ qQP P
+ + +K+R

1753

Qd2-a5 27.a6-a7 Qa5xa7 28.Kf1-g2


Qa7-e7 29.Rh1-d1 Qe7-g5+
30.Kg2-f1 Ke8-f8 31.Rd1xd8+ Qg5xd8
32.Kf1-g2 Qd8-g5+ Diagram
(Diagram 1754)
33.Kg2-f1 Bc5-d4 34.Qe2-d1 e6-e5
-0.63/15 ]
21.Rd1xd8+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Rd1xd8+ Ra8xd8 22.Be2-f3
Diagram
Qg2-g5 23.b5xa6 Qg5-d2+ 24.Ke1-f1
Bf6-e7 25.Qa3-e3 Be7-c5 26.Qe3-e2

r+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
pp +pl p
+P+ + +
+P+P+ +
Q + + +
P+ +LPqP
+ +RK +R

+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
pp +pl p
+P+ + +
+P+P+ +
Q + +L+
P+ + PqP
+ + K +R
Diagram

1755

1756

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
Pp +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + +L+
P+ qQP P
+ + +K+R

466

1757

Qd2-a5 27.a6-a7 Qa5xa7 28.Kf1-g2


]
Qa7-e7 29.Rh1-d1 Qe7-g5+
30.Kg2-f1 Ke8-f8 31.Rd1xd8+ Qg5xd8
32.Kf1-g2 Qd8-g5+ 33.Kg2-f1 Bc5-d4
34.Qe2-d1 e6-e5 -0.87/16 ]
21...Ra8xd8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 21...Ra8xd8 22.Be2-f3
Qg2-g5 23.b5xa6 Qg5-d2+ 24.Ke1-f1
Bf6-e7 25.Qa3-e3 Be7-c5 26.Qe3-e2
Qd2-a5 27.a6-a7 Diagram

+ rk+ +
P + +pp
p +p+ p
q l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + +L+
P+ +QP P
+ + +K+R

1758

Qa5xa7 28.Kf1-g2 Qa7-e7 29.Rh1-d1


Qe7-g5+ 30.Kg2-f1 Ke8-f8
31.Rd1xd8+ Qg5xd8 32.Kf1-g2
Qd8-g5+ 33.Kg2-f1 Bc5-d4 34.Qe2-d1
e6-e5 -0.62/17 Diagram

+ + k +
+ + +pp
p + + p
+ + p q
+PlP+ +
+ + +L+
P+ + P P
+ +Q+K+

+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
pp +pl p
+P+ + +
+P+P+ +
Q + + +
P+ +LPqP
+ + K +R

1759

1760

22.Be2-f3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


22.Be2-f3 Diagram
(Diagram 1761)
Qg2-g5 23.b5xa6 Qg5-d2+ 24.Ke1-f1
Bf6-d4 25.Bf3-e2 Bd4-c5 26.Qa3-g3
Qd2xa2 27.a6-a7 Diagram
(Diagram 1762)
Qa2xa7 28.Qg3xg7 Qa7-a2
29.Qg7-f6 Rd8-d4 30.Rh1-g1
Qa2-b1+ 31.Kf1-g2 Qb1xe4+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
pp +pl p
+P+ + +
+P+P+ +
Q + +L+
P+ + PqP
+ + K +R

467

1761

+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
Pp +pl p
+ + + +
+P+P+ +
Q + +L+
P+ q P P
+ + +K+R

1763

34.Rg1-g7 Diagram

+ rk+ +
P + +pp
p +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + Q
q+ +LP P
+ + +K+R

1762

32.Kg2-h3 Qe4-f5+ 33.Qf6xf5 e6xf5


34.Rg1-e1 Ke8-f8 35.Kh3-g3 Rd4-d2
36.h2-h4 Kf8-g7 37.f2-f4 Kg7-g6
38.h4-h5+ Kg6-f6 -0.63/16 ]
22...Qg2-g5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Qg2-g5 23.b5xa6
Qg5-d2+ 24.Ke1-f1 Diagram
(Diagram 1763)
Bf6-d4 25.Bf3-e2 Bd4-c5 26.Qa3-g3
Qd2xa2 27.a6-a7 Qa2xa7 28.Qg3xg7
Qa7-a2 29.Qg7-f6 Rd8-d4 30.Rh1-g1
Qa2-b1+ 31.Kf1-g2 Qb1xe4+
32.Kg2-h3 Qe4-f5+ 33.Qf6xf5 e6xf5

+ +k+ +
+ + +pR
p + + p
+ l +p+
+Pr + +
+ + + +K
+ +LP P
+ + + +

1764

Ke8-e7 35.Be2-h5 Ke7-f6 36.Rg7xf7+


Kf6-e5 37.Kh3-g3 Rd4xc4 38.Rf7-h7
Rc4-c3+ 39.Bh5-f3 -0.52/18 ]
(Diagram 1765)
23.b5xa6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.b5xa6 Qg5-d2+ Diagram
(Diagram 1766)
24.Ke1-f1 Bf6-d4 25.Bf3-e2 Bd4-c5
26.Qa3-g3 Qd2xa2 27.a6-a7 Qa2xa7
28.Qg3xg7 Qa7-a2 29.Qg7-f6 Rd8-d4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
pp +pl p
+P+ + q
+P+P+ +
Q + +L+
P+ + P P
+ + K +R

+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
Pp +pl p
+ + + +
+P+P+ +
Q + +L+
P+ q P P
+ + K +R

468

1765

1766

+ +k+ +
+ + +p+
p +pQ p
+ l + +
+PrP+ +
+ + + +
+ +LP P
+q+ +KR

+ +k+ +
+ + +p+
p + + p
+ l +p+
+Pr + +
+ + + +K
+ +LP P
+ + R +

1767

1768

30.Rh1-g1 Qa2-b1+ Diagram


(Diagram 1767)
31.Kf1-g2 Qb1xe4+ 32.Kg2-h3
Qe4-f5+ 33.Qf6xf5 e6xf5 34.Rg1-e1
Diagram
(Diagram 1768)
Ke8-f8 35.Kh3-g2 Rd4-d2 36.h2-h3
Kf8-g7 -0.67/16 ] 23...Qg5-d2+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Bf6-e7
24.Qa3-b2 Diagram
Qg5-a5+ 25.Ke1-f1 Qa5xa6

+ rk+ +
+ + lpp
Pp +p+ p
+ + + q
+P+P+ +
+ + +L+
PQ + P P
+ + K +R
26.Qb2xg7 Be7-c5 27.Qg7-g8+

1769

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

469

Ke8-e7 28.Qg8-g3 Diagram

+ r + +
+ + kp+
qp +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + +LQ
P+ + P P
+ + +K+R

1770

Qa6xa2 29.Rh1-g1 Qa2xc4+


30.Kf1-g2 Qc4-d4 31.e4-e5 Qd4-c4
32.Qg3-g7 Qc4-f4 33.Rg1-a1 b6-b5
34.Ra1-b1 -0.54/15 ] 24.Ke1-f1
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.Ke1-f1 Bf6-d4 25.Bf3-e2 Bd4-c5
26.Qa3-g3 Qd2xa2 27.a6-a7 Qa2xa7
28.Qg3xg7 Qa7-a2 29.Qg7-f6 Rd8-d4
30.Rh1-g1 Diagram

+ +k+ +
+ + +p+
p +pQ p
+ l + +
+PrP+ +
+ + + +
q+ +LP P
+ + +KR

1771

Qa2-b1+ 31.Kf1-g2 Qb1xe4+


32.Kg2-h3 Qe4-f5+ 33.Qf6xf5 e6xf5
34.Rg1-e1 Ke8-f8 35.Kh3-g2 Rd4-d2
36.h2-h4 Kf8-g7 37.Re1-g1 -0.69/1 ]
24...Bf6-d4 Diagram [ 24...Bf6-e7

+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
Pp +pl p
+ + + +
+P+P+ +
Q + +L+
P+ q P P
+ + +K+R

1772

25.Qa3-e3 Be7-c5 26.Qe3-e2-+ ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Bf6-d4
Diagram

+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
Pp +p+ p
+ + + +
+PlP+ +
Q + +L+
P+ q P P
+ + +K+R

1773

25.Bf3-e2 Bd4-c5 26.Qa3-g3 Qd2xa2


27.a6-a7 Qa2xa7 28.Qg3xg7 Qa7-a2
29.Qg7-f6 Rd8-d4 30.Rh1-g1
Qa2-b1+ 31.Kf1-g2 Qb1xe4+
32.Kg2-h3 Qe4-f5+ 33.Qf6xf5 e6xf5
34.Rg1-e1 Ke8-f8 35.Kh3-g2 Rd4-d2
36.h2-h4 Kf8-g7 37.Re1-g1 -0.52/16 ]
25.Bf3-e2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.Bf3-e2 Diagram
Bd4-c5 26.Qa3-g3 Qd2xa2 27.a6-a7
Qa2xa7 28.Qg3xg7 Qa7-a2 29.Qg7-f6
Rd8-d4 30.Rh1-g1 Qa2-b1+ 31.Kf1-g2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
Pp +p+ p
+ + + +
+PlP+ +
Q + +L+
P+ q P P
+ + +K+R

+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
Pp +p+ p
+ + + +
+PlP+ +
Q + + +
P+ qLP P
+ + +K+R

470

1774

1775

Qb1xe4+ 32.Kg2-h3 Qe4-f5+


33.Qf6xf5 e6xf5 34.Rg1-e1 Ke8-f8
35.Kh3-g3 Rd4-d2 36.h2-h4 Rd2-a2
37.f2-f4 Kf8-g7 38.h4-h5 -0.63/18 ]
(Diagram 1776)
25...Bd4-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25...Bd4-c5 26.Qa3-g3 Qd2xa2
27.a6-a7 b6-b5 28.c4xb5 Bc5xa7
29.Rh1-g1 Rd8-d2 30.Qg3-f3 Qa2-b2
31.h2-h4 Ke8-f8 32.h4-h5 Ba7-c5
33.Qf3-f4 Kf8-g8 34.Qf4-g4 Diagram
Bc5-d6 35.Qg4-f3 -0.64/16 ]
26.Qa3-g3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

+ rk+ +
+ + +pp
Pp +p+ p
+ + + +
+PlP+ +
Q + + +
P+ qLP P
+ + +K+R

+ + +k+
+ + +pp
+ +p+ p
+Pl + +P
+ +P+Q+
+ + + +
q rLP +
+ + +KR

1776

1777

26.Qa3-g3 Qd2xa2 27.a6-a7 Qa2xa7


28.Qg3xg7 Diagram
(Diagram 1778)
Qa7-a2 29.Qg7-f6 Rd8-d4 30.Rh1-g1
Qa2-b1+ Diagram
(Diagram 1779)
31.Kf1-g2 Qb1xe4+ 32.Kg2-h3
Qe4-f5+ 33.Qf6xf5 e6xf5 34.Rg1-e1
Ke8-f8 35.Kh3-g3 Rd4-d2 36.h2-h4
Kf8-g7 37.f2-f4 Rd2-a2 38.h4-h5
-0.63/14 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rk+ +
q + +pQ
p +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
+ +LP P
+ + +K+R

+ +k+ +
+ + +p+
p +pQ p
+ l + +
+PrP+ +
+ + + +
+ +LP P
+q+ +KR

+ + + +
+ + +pk
p + + p
+ l +p+P
+P+ P +
+ + + K
r+ +L+ +
+ + R +

471
26...Qd2xa2 27.a6-a7 Qa2xa7
28.Qg3xg7 Qa7-a2 29.Qg7-f6
Diagram
1778

+ rk+ +
+ + +p+
p +pQ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
q+ +LP P
+ + +K+R
1779

1781

Rd8-d4 30.Rh1-g1 Qa2-b1+


31.Kf1-g2 Diagram

+ +k+ +
+ + +p+
p +pQ p
+ l + +
+PrP+ +
+ + + +
+ +LPKP
+q+ + R

1782

1780

] 26...Qd2xa2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Qb1xe4+ 32.Kg2-h3 Qe4-f5+


33.Qf6xf5 e6xf5 34.Rg1-g7 Ke8-e7
35.Be2-h5 Ke7-f6 36.Rg7xf7+ Kf6-e5
37.Kh3-g3 Rd4xc4 38.Bh5-d1
Rc4-c3+ 39.Kg3-g2 -0.55/14 ]
27.Qg3xg7?? Diagram [ 27.a6-a7
Qa2xa7 28.Qg3xg7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27.a6-a7 Qa2xa7 28.Qg3xg7
Qa7-a2 29.Qg7-f6 Rd8-d2 30.Qf6-f4
f7-f5 31.Qf4-b8+ Ke8-f7 32.Qb8-c7+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

472

Bc5-e7 33.Be2-h5+ Kf7-f8 34.Qc7xb6


Qa2xc4+ 35.Kf1-g2 Qc4xe4+
36.Bh5-f3 Qe4-e5 37.Rh1-c1 Qe5-g7+
38.Kg2-f1 Qg7-b2 39.Qb6xb2 Rd2xb2
40.Rc1-c7 Diagram

+ + k +
+ R l +
+ +p+ p
+ + +p+
+ + + +
+ + +L+
r + P P
+ + +K+

1783

Be7-d6 41.Rc7-h7 Bd6-c5 42.Bf3-e2


-0.57/12 ]

+ rk+ +
+ + +pQ
Pp +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
q+ +LP P
+ + +K+R

1784

White has lost his nerve...


understandable when you consider his
position 27...Rd8-d1+!!-+ Deflection:
e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27...Rd8-d1+
28.Kf1-g2 Rd1xh1 29.Kg2xh1 Qa2xe2
30.a6-a7 Qe2xe4+ 31.Qg7-g2
Qe4-b1+ 32.Qg2-g1 Qb1-a2
33.Qg1-g8+ Bc5-f8 34.Qg8-g3

Qa2xa7 35.Qg3-f4 Diagram

+ +kl +
q + +p+
p +p+ p
+ + + +
+P+ Q +
+ + + +
+ + P P
+ + + +K

1785

Bf8-c5 36.h2-h4 Ke8-e7 37.Qf4xh6


Qa7-b7+ 38.Kh1-h2 Qb7-f3
39.Qh6-g5+ Ke7-d7 40.Qg5-g2
Bc5-d6+ 41.Kh2-g1 Qf3-d1+
42.Qg2-f1 Qd1-g4+ 43.Qf1-g2
Qg4xh4 44.Qg2-f3 f7-f5 45.Qf3-b7+
Bd6-c7 -5.15/15 ] 28.Kf1-g2
[ 28.Be2xd1 Qa2xf2# Mate attack
Deflection Pinning ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28.Kf1-g2 Diagram
(Diagram 1786)
Rd1xh1 29.Kg2xh1 Qa2xe2 30.a6-a7
Qe2xe4+ 31.Qg7-g2 Qe4-b1+
32.Qg2-g1 Qb1-a2 33.Qg1-g8+
Bc5-f8 34.Qg8-g3 Qa2xa7 35.Qg3-f4
Bf8-c5 36.h2-h4 Ke8-e7 37.Qf4xh6
Qa7-b7+ 38.Kh1-g1 Qb7-f3
39.Qh6-g5+ Ke7-e8 40.Qg5-g8+
Ke8-d7 41.Qg8-g2 Qf3-d1+ 42.Qg2-f1
Qd1-g4+ 43.Qf1-g2 Qg4xh4 -5.19/16 ]
28...Rd1xh1 Diagram [ 28...Qa2xe2?!
is easily refuted 29.Rh1xd1 Qe2xd1
30.Qg7-g8+ Bc5-f8 31.Qg8-g3= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Rd1xh1
Diagram
29.Kg2xh1 Qa2xe2 30.a6-a7
Qe2xe4+ 31.Qg7-g2 Qe4-b1+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +k+ +
+ + +pQ
Pp +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
q+ +LPKP
+ +r+ +R

+ +k+ +
+ + +pQ
Pp +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
q+ +LPKP
+ + + +r

473

1786

1787

32.Qg2-g1 Qb1-a2 33.Qg1-g8+


Bc5-f8 34.Qg8-g4 Qa2xa7 35.Qg4-f4
Bf8-c5 36.Kh1-g2 Qa7-a8+ 37.Kg2-g3
Qa8-a1 38.Qf4-b8+ Ke8-e7
39.Qb8-b7+ Ke7-f8 40.Kg3-g2 Qa1-d4
-4.87/12 Diagram
(Diagram 1788)
]
29.Qg7-h8+ [ 29.Kg2xh1 the only
chance to get some counterplay
Qa2xe2 30.a6-a7 Qe2xe4+
31.Qg7-g2 Qe4-b1+ 32.Qg2-g1-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29.Kg2xh1

+ + k +
+Q+ +p+
p +p+ p
+ l + +
+Pq + +
+ + + +
+ + PKP
+ + + +

+ +k+ +
+ + +pQ
Pp +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
q+ +LPKP
+ + + +r

1788

1789

Diagram
(Diagram 1790)
Qa2xe2 30.a6-a7 Qe2xe4+
31.Qg7-g2 Qe4-b1+ 32.Qg2-g1
Qb1-a2 33.Qg1-g8+ Bc5-f8
34.Qg8-g3 Qa2xa7 35.Qg3-f4 Bf8-c5
36.Kh1-g2 Qa7-a8+ 37.Kg2-g3
Qa8-a1 38.Qf4-b8+ Ke8-e7
39.Qb8-b7+ Ke7-f8 40.Kg3-g2
Qa1-d4 -4.84/13 ] 29...Ke8-d7
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29...Ke8-d7 30.Qh8-a8 Qa2xe2
31.Qa8-b7+ Kd7-e8 32.Qb7-b8+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +k+ +
+ + +pQ
Pp +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
q+ +LP P
+ + + +K

474

1790

Ke8-e7 33.Qb8-c7+ Ke7-f8


34.Qc7-b8+ Kf8-g7 35.Qb8-g3+
Kg7-h7 36.Kg2xh1 Bc5xf2 37.Qg3xf2
Qe2xf2 38.h2-h4 Qf2xh4+ 39.Kh1-g1
Qh4xe4 40.a6-a7 Qe4-b1+ 41.Kg1-g2
Qb1-a2+ 42.Kg2-f3 Qa2xa7 43.Kf3-e4
Qa7-a3 44.Ke4-d4 Qa3-f3 45.Kd4-e5
Qf3-c3+ 46.Ke5-d6 Qc3xc4 47.Kd6-e5
Qc4-c3+ 48.Ke5-e4 Kh7-g6 -15.55/14 ]

+ + + Q
+ +k+p+
Pp +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
q+ +LPKP
+ + + +r

1791

30.a6-a7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 30.Qh8-g7 Qa2xe2 31.Kg2xh1
Qe2xf2 32.h2-h3 Bc5-d4 33.e4-e5
Qf2-e1+ 34.Kh1-h2 Bd4xe5+
35.Qg7xe5 Qe1xe5+ 36.Kh2-g2
Qe5-e4+ 37.Kg2-f1 Qe4xc4+ Diagram

+ + + +
+ +k+p+
Pp +p+ p
+ + + +
+q+ + +
+ + + +P
+ + + +
+ + +K+

1792

38.Kf1-e1 Qc4xa6 39.Ke1-d2


Qa6-a2+ 40.Kd2-c3 Qa2-h2 41.h3-h4
Qh2xh4 42.Kc3-d3 Qh4-g5 43.Kd3-e2
h6-h5 -15.78/16 ]

+ + + Q
P +k+p+
p +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
q+ +LPKP
+ + + +r

1793

30...Qa2xe2 Diagram [ 30...Qa2xe2


31.Qh8-c8+ Kd7xc8 32.a7-a8Q+
Kc8-c7 33.Qa8-a7+ Kc7-d6
34.Qa7-b8+ Kd6-e7 35.Qb8-c7+
Ke7-f6 36.Qc7-f4+ Kf6-g6 37.Qf4-g3+
Kg6-h7 38.Kg2xh1 Bc5xf2-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30...Qa2xe2
31.Qh8-c8+ Kd7xc8 32.a7-a8Q+
Kc8-c7 33.Qa8-a7+ Kc7-d8
34.Qa7-b8+ Kd8-e7 35.Qb8-c7+
Ke7-f6 36.Qc7-f4+ Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + +p+
p +pk p
+ l + +
+P+PQ +
+ + + +
+ +qPKP
+ + + +r

475

1794

Kf6-g7 37.Qf4-g3+ Kg7-h7


38.Kg2xh1 Bc5xf2 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + +p+k
p +p+ p
+ + + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + Q
+ +ql P
+ + + +K

1795

39.Kh1-g2 Bf2xg3+ 40.Kg2xg3


Qe2xe4 41.Kg3-f2 Qe4xc4 42.Kf2-e3
e6-e5 Diagram
(Diagram 1796)
43.h2-h3 Kh7-g6 44.Ke3-f3 Qc4-f4+
45.Kf3-e2 f7-f5 46.Ke2-d3 e5-e4+
47.Kd3-d4 e4-e3+ 48.Kd4-d3 Qf4-f3
49.Kd3-c3 Qf3xh3 50.Kc3-d3 Diagram
f5-f4 -17.32/16 ]
0-1

+ + + +
+ + +p+k
p + + p
+ + p +
+q+ + +
+ + K +
+ + + P
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ + + +
p + +kp
+ + +p+
+ + + +
+ +Kp +q
+ + + +
+ + + +

+ + + Q
P +k+p+
p +p+ p
+ l + +
+P+P+ +
+ + + +
+ +qPKP
+ + + +r

1796

1797

1798

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

476

36

B58 Budapest 2006/CBM 113 ext/-


(42) ;RR 10.Rf1-e1 Ra8-c8 11.Qd1-d2
Vassily Ivanchuk
Neuris Delgado Ramirez
Nc6-a5 12.Be2-d3 Na5-c4 13.Bd3xc4
Memorial: Elite (10)
15.05.2005 Rc8xc4 14.Ra1-d1 Qd8-b6 15.Bg5xf6
g7xf6 16.Re1-e3 Kg8-h8 17.Nf3-h4
B58: Classical Sicilian: 6 Be2
f6-f5 18.Re3-h3 f5xe4 19.Qd2-h6
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 d7-d6
Be6xh3 20.g2xh3 Rf8-g8+ 21.Kg1-f1
Be7-g5 22.Qh6-h5 Rc4xc3 23.b2xc3
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram
Qb6-b5+ 0-1 Lana Prieto,J-Juan
Roldan,J (2255)/Asturias 1996/EXT
2001 ] 10...h7-h6 11.Bg5xf6 Be7xf6
1799 12.Nc3-d5 Be6xd5 13.Qd1xd5
Qd8-b6 14.Qd5-a2 Nc6-e7 15.c2-c3
Qb6-c6 16.Be2-d3 Rf8-d8 Diagram

rnlqklnr
pp+ pppp
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

Ng8-f6 5.Nb1-c3 Nb8-c6 6.Bf1-e2


e7-e5 7.Nd4-f3 Bf8-e7 8.Bc1-g5
[ RR 8.0-0 ] 8...Bc8-e6 9.0-0 [RR
9.Qd1-d2 0-0 10.Ra1-d1 Nf6-e8
11.Bg5xe7 Qd8xe7 12.Nc3-d5 Qe7-d7
13.0-0 h7-h6 14.b2-b4 Ra8-d8
15.b4-b5 Nc6-e7 16.Nf3xe5 d6xe5
17.Nd5xe7+ Kg8-h8 18.Qd2xd7
Rd8xd7 19.Rd1xd7 Be6xd7 20.Rf1-d1
Bd7-e6 21.Rd1-d8 g7-g6 22.b5-b6
a7-a6 23.Be2xa6 1-0 Mateus,M (2130)Paez,G/Cartagena de Indias 2007/
CBM 119 ext ] 9...0-0 10.a2-a3N [RR
10.Qd1-d2 Qd8-a5 11.Rf1-d1 Ra8-d8
12.Bg5xf6 Be7xf6 13.Nc3-d5 Qa5xd2
14.Rd1xd2 Be6xd5 15.Rd2xd5
Nc6-b4 16.Rd5-d2 d6-d5 17.a2-a3
d5xe4 18.a3xb4 e4xf3 19.Rd2xd8
Rf8xd8 20.Be2xf3 e5-e4 21.Bf3xe4
Bf6xb2 22.Ra1-b1 b7-b6 23.Be4-d3
Bb2-f6 24.b4-b5 Kg8-f8
Ohme,M (2123)-Szabo,B (2040)/

r+ r +k+
pp+ npp
+qp l p
+ + p +
+ +P+ +
P PL+N+
QP + PPP
R + +RK

1800

17.Rf1-e1 last book move last book


move Ra8-c8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
17...Qc6-d7 18.Ra1-d1 Ne7-g6
19.g2-g3 b7-b5 20.Re1-e3 Ra8-b8
21.b2-b4 Ng6-f4 22.Bd3-f1 Qd7-g4
23.a3-a4 a7-a6 24.Bf1-g2 Nf4xg2
25.Kg1xg2 Rb8-c8 26.a4xb5 a6xb5
0.07/16 ] 18.Ra1-d1 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18.a3-a4 a7-a6
19.a4-a5 Ne7-g6 20.g2-g3 Ng6-f8
21.Qa2-d5 Qc6xd5 22.e4xd5 Nf8-d7
23.Bd3-f5 Rc8-c5 24.Re1-d1 Diagram
Rc5-b5 25.Bf5xd7 Rd8xd7 0.15/14 ]
18...b7-b5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18...a7-a6 19.Bd3-c2 Rc8-c7
20.Re1-e3 Ne7-c8 21.Bc2-b3 Nc8-b6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
+p+n+pp
p+ p l p
P rPpL+
+ + + +
+ P +NP
P + P P
R +R+ K

+rr +k+
pp+ npp
+qp l p
+ + p +
+ +P+ +
P PL+N+
QP + PPP
+ +RR K

477

1801

1802

22.a3-a4 a6-a5 23.g2-g3 Qc6-d7


24.Re3-d3 Qd7-g4 25.Bb3-d5
Diagram
(Diagram 1803)
Nb6xd5 26.Qa2xd5 0.05/15 ]
19.Bd3-c2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Rd1-d2 Rc8-b8 20.Bd3-c2 a7-a5
21.Bc2-b3 Rd8-f8 22.Qa2-b1 a5-a4
23.Bb3-a2 Qc6-b6 24.Qb1-d3 Rb8-d8
25.Re1-d1 Rd8-d7 26.c3-c4 b5-b4
27.a3xb4 Qb6xb4 0.24/15 ]
19...Rc8-c7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19...Qc6-b6 20.Re1-e3 a7-a5

+ r +k+
+pr +pp
n p l p
p +Lp +
P+ +P+q+
+ PR+NP
QP + P P
+ +R+ K

1803

21.a3-a4 b5-b4 22.Bc2-b3 Rd8-f8


23.Re3-d3 Rc8-c6 24.Bb3-d5 Ne7xd5
25.Qa2xd5 b4xc3 26.Rd3xc3 Rc6xc3
27.b2xc3 Rf8-c8 28.Qd5xd6 Qb6xd6
29.Rd1xd6 Rc8xc3 0.07/14 ]
20.Bc2-b3 White threatens to win
material: Bb3xf7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.a3-a4 a7-a6
21.a4xb5 a6xb5 22.Bc2-d3 Rd8-a8
23.Qa2-b3 Rc7-b7 24.Rd1-a1 Ra8-a4
25.Re1-d1 Ne7-g6 26.g2-g3 Diagram
(Diagram 1804)
Bf6-d8 27.Bd3-c2 Ra4xa1 28.Rd1xa1
Ng6-f8 29.Qb3-d5 Qc6xd5 30.e4xd5
0.33/16 ] 20...Ne7-c8 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 20...Rd8-f8 Diagram
(Diagram 1805)
21.Rd1-d2 Qc6-c5 22.Re1-d1 Rc7-d7
23.Bb3-e6 Rd7-d8 24.Be6-d5 Qc5-b6
25.Qa2-b3 Rd8-b8 26.a3-a4 Ne7xd5
27.Rd2xd5 b5xa4 28.Qb3xa4 Qb6xb2
29.Rd5xd6 Rf8-c8 0.16/15 ] 21.g2-g3
Secures h4 [ 21.a3-a4 Nc8-b6
22.a4-a5 Nb6-c4$ Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.a3-a4
Nc8-b6 22.a4xb5 Qc6xb5 23.Bb3-c2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+r+ +pp
+qp lnp
+p+ p +
r+ +P+ +
+QPL+NP
P + P P
R +R+ K

+ + rk+
p r npp
+qp l p
+p+ p +
+ +P+ +
PLP +N+
QP + PPP
+ +RR K

+ r +k+
p r +pp
+qp l p
Pp+ p +
+n+P+ +
+LP +N+
QP + PPP
+ +RR K

478

1804

Nb6-d7 26.Bd3-c2 Qa4-b5 27.Rd1xd6


Rd8-b8 28.b2-b4 Rc7xc3 29.Bc2-d3
Qb5-a4 0.21/15 ] 21...g7-g6
[ 21...Nc8-b6 22.Bb3-d5 Qc6-d7
23.Qa2-b3= Diagram

+ r +k+
p rq+pp
n p l p
+p+Lp +
+ +P+ +
PQP +NP
P + P P
+ +RR K

1807

1805

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...Nc8-b6


22.Bb3-d5 Qc6-d7 23.Re1-e3 h6-h5
24.h2-h4 Qd7-g4 25.Qa2-b3 a7-a6
26.Kg1-g2 Nb6-a4 27.Qb3-c2 Na4-c5
28.Nf3-h2 Diagram

1806

a7-a5 24.Bc2-d3 Qb5-a4 25.Qa2-b1

+ r +k+
+ r +pp
p+ p l +
+pnLp +p
+ +P+qP
P P R P
PQ+ PKN
+ +R+ +

1808

Qg4-d7 29.Nh2-f3 Qd7-g4


30.Nf3-h2 0.00/16 ] 22.h2-h4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.a3-a4
Nc8-b6 23.a4xb5 Diagram
Qc6xb5 24.Rd1-d2 a7-a5 25.Re1-a1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
p r +p+
nqp lpp
+P+ p +
+ +P+ +
+LP +NP
QP + P P
+ +RR K

479
27.Bb3-d5 Nb6xd5 28.Rd2xd5 Rc7-b7
29.Nf3-d2 a5-a4 30.Rd5-a5 Qc6-b6
31.Nd2-c4 Qb6-c6 32.Ra1-d1 0.25/15 ]
1809

Kg8-g7 26.h2-h4 Qb5-c6 27.Bb3-d5


Nb6xd5 28.Rd2xd5 Rc7-b7 29.Nf3-d2
a5-a4 30.Rd5-a5 Qc6-b6 31.Nd2-c4
Qb6-c6 32.Ra1-d1 0.25/15 ]
22...Kg8-g7 [ 22...Nc8-b6 23.Nf3-h2$ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Nc8-b6
Diagram

+ r +k+
p r +p+
nqp lpp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLP +NP
QP + P +
+ +RR K

1810

23.Nf3-h2 h6-h5 24.Nh2-f1 a7-a5


25.Bb3-d5 Qc6-d7 26.Nf1-e3 Bf6-g7
27.Kg1-g2 a5-a4 28.Qa2-b1 Bg7-h6
29.Qb1-d3 Bh6xe3 30.Qd3xe3 Nb6-c4
31.Bd5xc4 b5xc4 0.03/15 ] 23.Nf3-h2
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.a3-a4 Nc8-b6 24.a4xb5 Qc6xb5
25.Rd1-d2 a7-a5 26.Re1-a1 Qb5-c6

+nr + +
p r +pk
+qp lpp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLP + P
QP + P N
+ +RR K

1811

23...Nc8-b6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 23...a7-a5 24.Bb3-d5 Qc6-d7
25.Nh2-f1 Nc8-b6 Diagram

+ r + +
+ rq+pk
n p lpp
pp+Lp +
+ +P+ P
P P + P
QP + P +
+ +RRNK

1812

26.Nf1-e3 h6-h5 27.Qa2-b3 Kg7-g8


28.Qb3-c2 Bf6-g7 29.Bd5-a2 Nb6-c4
30.Ba2xc4 b5xc4 31.Qc2-e2 Qd7-b5
32.Ne3-d5 0.31/16 ]
24.Nh2-g4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24.Bb3-d5 Qc6-d7 25.Nh2-f1
a7-a5 26.h4-h5 Nb6xd5 27.Qa2xd5
Bf6-g5 28.h5xg6 f7xg6 29.Nf1-d2
Bg5-f6 30.Nd2-b3 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + +
p r +pk
nqp lpp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLP + P
QP + P N
+ +RR K

+ r + +
+ rq+ k
+ p lpp
pp+Qp +
+ +P+ +
PNP + P
P + P +
+ +RR K

480

1813

1814

a5-a4 31.Nb3-a5 Rc7-c5 32.Qd5-b7


Rc5-c7 33.Qb7-b6 0.20/16 ]
(Diagram 1815)
24...Qc6-d7 Diagram [ 24...Nb6-c4
25.Ng4-e3$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24...Nb6-c4 25.Qa2-b1 Qc6-d7
26.Bb3xc4 Diagram
(Diagram 1816)
b5xc4 27.Ng4-e3 Rd8-b8 28.Rd1-d2
Qd7-c6 29.Ne3-d5 Diagram
Rc7-b7 30.Re1-d1 Rb8-d8 31.Qb1-c2

+ r + +
p r +pk
nqp lpp
+p+ p +
+ +P+NP
PLP + P
QP + P +
+ +RR K

+ r + +
p rq+pk
+ p lpp
+p+ p +
+L+P+NP
P P + P
P + P +
+Q+RR K

r + + +
p r +pk
+qp lpp
+ +Np +
+p+P+ P
P P + P
P R P +
+Q+ R K
Rb7-b3 0.24/14 ]

1815

1816

1817

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + +
p rq+pk
n p lpp
+p+ p +
+ +P+NP
PLP + P
QP + P +
+ +RR K

481

1818

Black threatens to win material:


Qd7xg4 25.Ng4-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.Ng4xf6 Kg7xf6 26.Rd1-d3
Diagram

+ r + +
p rq+p+
n p kpp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLPR+ P
QP + P +
+ + R K

1819

Kf6-g7 27.Kg1-g2 a7-a5 28.h4-h5


a5-a4 29.Bb3-d5 Nb6xd5 30.Rd3xd5
g6xh5 31.Re1-h1 Qd7-g4 32.f2-f3
Qg4-g5 33.Qa2-b1 Rc7-c5 34.Qb1-d3
Rc5xd5 35.Qd3xd5 0.05/15 ]
25...Qd7-h3 Diagram [ 25...h6-h5
26.Kg1-g2$ Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...a7-a5
26.Re1-e2 h6-h5 27.Kg1-g2 a5-a4
28.Bb3-d5 Kg7-g8 29.Qa2-b1 Bf6-g7
30.Qb1-d3 Bg7-h6 31.Re2-d2 Kg8-g7

+ r + +
p rq+pk
n p lp+
+p+ p +p
+ +P+ P
PLP N P
QP + PK+
+ +RR +

1820

32.Bd5-a2 Diagram

+ r + +
+ rq+pk
n p +pl
+p+ p +p
p+ +P+ P
P PQN P
LP R PK+
+ +R+ +

1821

Bh6xe3 33.Qd3xe3 Nb6-c4


34.Ba2xc4 Rc7xc4 35.Rd2xd6
Qd7xd6 36.Rd1xd6 Rd8xd6 0.25/15 ]
(Diagram 1822)
26.Rd1-d3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26.a3-a4 b5xa4 27.Bb3xa4
Bf6-g5 28.Ne3-g2 Bg5-f6 29.Ba4-b3
Qh3-d7 30.Ng2-e3 Rc7-c5 31.h4-h5
a7-a5 32.h5xg6 f7xg6 33.Bb3-e6
Qd7-e7 34.Qa2-b3 a5-a4 35.Qb3xb6
Diagram
Qe7xe6 36.Ne3-d5 Qe6-d7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + +
p r +pk
n p lpp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLP N Pq
QP + P +
+ +RR K

+ r + +
+ + q k
Q pLlpp
+ r p +
p+ +P+ +
+ P N P
P + P +
+ +RR K

482

1822

1823

+ r + +
p r +pk
n p lpp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLPRN Pq
QP + P +
+ + R K

+ r + +
p rq+pk
n p lpp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLPRN P
QP + P +
+ + R K

1824

1825

37.Qb6-a6 0.68/16 ]
(Diagram 1824)
26...Rd8-f8 Diagram [ 26...Qh3-c8
27.Re1-d1 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...Qh3-d7 Diagram
(Diagram 1825)
27.Re1-d1 Qd7-c6 28.Ne3-d5
Nb6xd5 29.Bb3xd5 Qc6-d7 30.Qa2-b3
a7-a5 31.h4-h5 g6xh5 32.Rd3-f3
a5-a4 33.Qb3-c2 Qd7-g4 34.Qc2-d3
h5-h4 0.42/15 ]

+ + r +
p r +pk
n p lpp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLPRN Pq
QP + P +
+ + R K

1826

27.Qa2-b1 Diagram [ 27.a3-a4 b5xa4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

483

28.Bb3xa4 Bf6-e7 Diagram

+ + r +
p r lpk
n p +pp
+ + p +
L+ +P+ P
+ PRN Pq
QP + P +
+ + R K

1827

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27.a3-a4


Diagram

+ + r +
p r +pk
n p lpp
+p+ p +
P+ +P+ P
+LPRN Pq
QP + P +
+ + R K

1828

b5xa4 28.Bb3xa4 Qh3-e6 29.Ba4-b3


Qe6-d7 30.Kg1-g2 Bf6-e7 31.Ne3-d5
Nb6xd5 32.Bb3xd5 f7-f5 33.e4xf5
Qd7xf5 34.Rd3-f3 Qf5-c8 35.Rf3xf8
Be7xf8 36.c3-c4 Qc8-f5 37.b2-b4
0.88/15 ]
(Diagram 1829)
27...Bf6-e7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27...Rf8-d8 Diagram
28.Qb1-d1 Bf6-e7 29.Qd1-e2 h6-h5

+ + r +
p r +pk
n p lpp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLPRN Pq
P + P +
+Q+ R K

+ r + +
p r +pk
n p lpp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLPRN Pq
P + P +
+Q+ R K

1829

1830

30.Rd3-d2 Qh3-d7 31.Re1-d1 Rc7-c5


32.Bb3-d5 Rd8-f8 33.Kg1-g2 Kg7-g8
34.Qe2-d3 Rf8-c8 35.Kg2-g1 0.59/15 ]
(Diagram 1831)
28.Qb1-d1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28.Qb1-c2 Qh3-d7 29.Qc2-e2
h6-h5 30.Kg1-g2 Rc7-c5 31.Rd3-d1
Rc5-c8 32.Re1-h1 a7-a6 33.Ne3-d5
Nb6xd5 34.Bb3xd5 Diagram
f7-f5 35.Qe2-e3 f5xe4 36.Qe3xe4
0.64/15 ]
28...Qh3-c8 [ 28...Nb6-c4 29.Qd1-e2
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + r +
p r lpk
n p +pp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLPRN Pq
P + P +
+Q+ R K

+r+ r +
+ +qlpk
p+ p +p+
+p+Lp +p
+ +P+ P
P P + P
P +QPK+
+ +R+ +R

+ + r +
p r lpk
n p +pp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLPRN Pq
P + P +
+ +QR K

484

1831

+ + r +
p r lpk
+ p +pp
+p+ p +
+n+P+ P
PLPRN Pq
P +QP +
+ + R K

1834

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Rc7-c8


29.Rd3-d2 a7-a6 30.Qd1-f3 Nb6-d7
31.Bb3-a2 Nd7-f6 32.Re1-d1 Rc8-d8
1832 33.Ba2-d5 Kg7-g8 34.Bd5-c6 Diagram

+ r rk+
+ + lp+
p+Lp npp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
P P NQPq
P R P +
+ +R+ K

1835

1833

Kg8-g7 35.Ne3-d5 Nf6xd5


36.Rd2xd5 0.48/14 ] 29.Rd3-d2
[ 29.h4-h5 Qc8-d7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 29.Ne3-d5 Nb6xd5 30.Bb3xd5
Diagram
(Diagram 1836)
Qc8-h3 31.Qd1-e2 h6-h5 32.Qe2-e3
Qh3-g4 33.Kg1-h2 f7-f5 34.e4xf5
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+q+ r +
p r lpk
+ p +pp
+p+Lp +
+ +P+ P
P PR+ P
P + P +
+ +QR K

+ + r +
p r l k
+ p +p+
+p+LpP+p
+ + +qP
P PRQ P
P + P K
+ + R +

485

1836

+qr + +
p r lpk
+ p +pp
+p+np +
+ +P+ P
PLP + P
P R P +
+ +QR K

1838

] 30...Rd8-f8 Diagram [ 30...Nb6-c4


Diagram
1837

Qg4xf5 35.Rd3-d2 Rc7-c5 36.f2-f3


Be7-f6 37.b2-b3 Bf6-e7 38.b3-b4
Rc5-c7 39.Re1-d1 0.71/16 ]
29...Rf8-d8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29...Rc7-c5 30.Qd1-f3 Nb6-c4
31.Bb3xc4 b5xc4 32.Ne3-d5 Qc8-d7
33.Re1-d1 Rf8-b8 34.Qf3-e2 Rc5-c6
35.Qe2-e3 Kg7-h7 36.a3-a4 Be7-d8
37.Nd5-b4 Bd8-b6 0.56/13 ] 30.Qd1-f3
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.Ne3-d5
Nb6xd5 Diagram
31.Bb3xd5 h6-h5 32.a3-a4 b5xa4
33.Qd1-f3 Rd8-f8 34.Re1-a1 Qc8-h3
35.Qf3-e3 Qh3-g4 36.Kg1-h2 Qg4-d7
37.Kh2-g2 Qd7-b5 38.Ra1-d1 0.64/14

+qr + +
p r lpk
+ p +pp
+p+ p +
+n+P+ P
PLP NQP
P R P +
+ + R K

1839

31.Bb3xc4 b5xc4 32.Qf3-e2 ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30...Nb6-c4
31.Bb3xc4 b5xc4 Diagram
(Diagram 1840)
32.Re1-d1 Qc8-d7 33.Ne3-d5 Rc7-b7
34.Kg1-g2 Qd7-c6 35.Nd5-b4 Qc6-c7
36.Qf3-e3 Qc7-d7 37.Nb4-d5 Qd7-c6
38.Qe3-e2 h6-h5 39.Kg2-g1 Kg7-g8
40.Qe2-e3 Be7-f8 41.Nd5-f6+
Kg8-h8 0.52/16 ]
31.Re1-d1 Diagram [ 31.h4-h5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+qr + +
p r lpk
+ p +pp
+ + p +
+p+P+ P
P P NQP
P R P +
+ + R K

+q+ r +
p r lpk
n p +pp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLP NQP
P R P +
+ + R K

486

1840

1841

+q+ r +
p r lpk
n p +pp
+p+ p +P
+ +P+ +
PLP NQP
P R P +
+ + R K

+r+ + +
p rR+pk
+ + +pp
+ + p +q
P+p+P+ +
+ P Q P
P + PK+
+ +R+ +

1842

1843

Diagram
(Diagram 1842)
Nb6-c4 32.Bb3xc4 b5xc4 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31.h4-h5
Qc8-d7 32.Qf3-e2 Be7-g5 33.Re1-d1
Bg5xe3 34.Rd2xd6 Qd7-h3
35.Qe2xe3 Qh3xh5 36.Kg1-g2 Nb6-c4
37.Bb3xc4 b5xc4 38.Rd6-d7 Rf8-c8
39.a3-a4 Diagram
Qh5-g4 40.Rd7-d6 0.66/14 ]
31...h6-h5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31...Qc8-d7 32.Qf3-e2 Rc7-c5
33.h4-h5 Qd7-h3 34.Bb3-a2 a7-a5

+q+ r +
p r lpk
n p +pp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
PLP NQP
P R P +
+ +R+ K

1844

35.Qe2-f3 Nb6-c4 36.Ba2xc4 b5xc4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

487

37.Rd2-e2 Qh3xh5 38.Qf3xh5 g6xh5


39.Ne3-f5+ Kg7-f6 40.Nf5xd6 Be7xd6
41.Rd1xd6+ Kf6-g7 0.63/14 ]
32.Qf3-e2 Diagram [ 32.Rd2xd6?!
Be7xd6 33.Rd1xd6 f7-f6= ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 32.Rd1-e1 Rc7-c5
33.Rd2-d1 Qc8-b7 34.Bb3-d5 Qb7-d7
35.Qf3-e2 Rc5-c7 36.Bd5-b3 a7-a6
37.Qe2-f3 Rc7-c8 38.Re1-f1 Kg7-h7
39.Ne3-d5 Nb6xd5 40.Bb3xd5 0.60/14
Diagram

+r+ r +
+ +qlp+k
p+ p +p+
+p+Lp +p
+ +P+ P
P P +QP
P + P +
+ +R+RK

+q+ r +
p r lpk
n p +p+
+p+ p +p
+ +P+ P
PLP N P
P RQP +
+ +R+ K

1846

1845

+q+ r +
+ r lpk
pn p +p+
+p+ p +p
+ +P+ P
PLP N P
P RQPK+
+ +R+ +

1847

(Diagram 1846)
32...a7-a6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...Rc7-c5 33.Rd2-d3 Qc8-h3
34.Bb3-a2 Qh3-d7 35.Kg1-g2 Qd7-c8
36.Qe2-f3 Nb6-c4 37.Ba2xc4 b5xc4
38.Rd3-d2 Qc8-d7 39.Ne3-d5 Rf8-b8
40.Qf3-e3 Be7-d8 0.57/14 ] 33.Rd1-a1
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Kg1-g2
Diagram
(Diagram 1847)
Qc8-d7 34.Rd2-d3 Rc7-c8 35.Ne3-d5
Nb6xd5 36.Bb3xd5 f7-f5 37.e4xf5
Qd7xf5 38.Qe2-e3 Rc8-c5 39.Rd3-d2
Qf5-g4 40.b2-b4 Rc5-c8 41.Qe3-a7

Rc8-e8 42.f2-f3 0.68/14 ] 33...Rc7-c5


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33...Qc8-b7
Diagram
(Diagram 1848)
34.Bb3-d5 Qb7-a7 35.Ra1-d1 Rc7-c8
36.Qe2-f3 Nb6-d7 37.Bd5-a2 Nd7-f6
38.Ne3-d5 Nf6xd5 39.Ba2xd5 Qa7-b6
40.Kg1-g2 Kg7-h7 41.Rd2-d3 0.58/14 ]
34.Kg1-h2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 34.Bb3-d5 Qc8-d7 35.Ra1-e1
Nb6-a4 36.Bd5-b3 Na4-b6 37.Qe2-d3
Rf8-c8 38.Bb3-d5 Be7-f6 39.Qd3-e2
Kg7-g8 40.Qe2-f3 Bf6-g7 41.Re1-d1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + r +
+qr lpk
pn p +p+
+p+ p +p
+ +P+ P
PLP N P
P RQP +
R + + K

488

1848

+q+ r +
+ + lpk
pn p +p+
+pr p +p
+ +P+ P
PLP N P
P RQP K
R + + +

1850

Nb6xd5 42.Ne3xd5 0.62/14 Diagram

+r+ +k+
+ +q+pl
p+ p +p+
+prNp +p
+ +P+ P
P P +QP
P R P +
+ +R+ K

1849

+ + r +
+q+ lpk
pn p +p+
+pr p +p
+ +P+ P
PLP N P
P RQP K
R + + +

1851

] 35.Ne3-d5+- [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


35.a3-a4 Nd7-f6 36.f2-f3 Diagram

]
(Diagram 1850)
34...Nb6-d7 [ 34...Qc8-d7
35.Bb3-d5 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34...Qc8-b7 Diagram
(Diagram 1851)
35.Bb3-d5
37.Qe2-f3
39.Ne3-d5
41.Nd5-b4

Qb7-d7 36.Ra1-d1 Be7-d8


Kg7-g8 38.Bd5-a2 Rc5-c6
Nb6-c4 40.Ba2xc4 Rc6xc4
Bd8-c7 42.Nb4xa6 0.55/14

(Diagram 1852)
b5xa4 37.Bb3xa4 Qc8-b7 38.Ra1-a3
a6-a5 39.Ra3-b3 Qb7-c7 40.Rd2-d1
Rf8-b8 41.Rb3xb8 Qc7xb8 42.Kh2-g2
Qb8-b6 43.Ne3-c4 Rc5xc4 44.Qe2xc4
Qb6xb2+ 45.Kg2-g1 0.79/15 ]
35...Be7-d8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35...Qc8-d8 36.Ra1-d1 Rc5-c8
37.Kh2-g2 Nd7-c5 38.Bb3-a2 Rc8-c6
39.Qe2-e3 Nc5-d7 40.Nd5-b4 Rc6-b6
41.Ba2-b3 Nd7-c5 42.Bb3-c2 Kg7-g8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+q+ r +
+ + lpk
p+ p np+
+pr p +p
P+ +P+ P
+LP NPP
P RQ+ K
R + + +

489

1852

43.Nb4-d5 Rb6-c6 44.b2-b4 Nc5-e6


45.Qe3-a7 Rf8-e8 0.91/15 ] 36.a3-a4
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36.Ra1-d1 Qc8-b7 37.Nd5-b4 Bd8-e7
38.Qe2-f3 Nd7-f6 39.Nb4-d5 Nf6xd5
40.Bb3xd5 Qb7-d7 41.Qf3-e3 Kg7-h7
42.Kh2-g2 Qd7-g4 43.f2-f3 0.83/14
Diagram

+ + r +
+ + lp+k
p+ p +p+
+prLp +p
+ +P+qP
P P QPP
P R +K+
+ +R+ +

1853

]
(Diagram 1854)
36...Qc8-b7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36...Bd8-c7 Diagram
37.Qe2-f3 Qc8-d8 38.Kh2-g2 Nd7-b6

+ql r +
+ +n+pk
p+ p +p+
+prNp +p
P+ +P+ P
+LP + P
P RQP K
R + + +

+q+ r +
+ ln+pk
p+ p +p+
+prNp +p
P+ +P+ P
+LP + P
P RQP K
R + + +

1854

1855

39.a4xb5 a6xb5 40.Nd5xb6 Bc7xb6


41.Qf3-d3 Bb6-c7 42.Bb3-d5 Bc7-b8
43.Qd3-e3 Qd8-d7 44.Rd2-d1 Qd7-g4
45.f2-f3 Qg4-d7 46.Ra1-a6 Kg7-g8
0.97/14 ] 37.a4xb5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37.Ra1-a3
Nd7-b6 38.Nd5xb6 Qb7xb6 39.a4xb5
a6xb5 40.Bb3-d5 Rc5-c8 41.Ra3-b3
Rc8-c5 42.Qe2-e3 Qb6-c7 43.Rd2-d1
Qc7-d7 44.Rd1-a1 f7-f5 45.Kh2-g1
f5xe4 46.Qe3xe4 0.92/14 ]
37...a6xb5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 37...a6xb5 38.Rd2-d3 Rc5-c8
39.Rd3-d1 Nd7-c5 40.Bb3-c2 Kg7-h7
41.Kh2-g2 Kh7-g8 42.b2-b4 Nc5-d7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ l r +
+q+n+pk
p+ p +p+
+PrNp +p
+ +P+ P
+LP + P
P RQP K
R + + +

490

1856

43.Ra1-a3 Nd7-f6 44.Nd5xf6+ Bd8xf6


45.Rd1xd6 Bf6-e7 46.Rd6-d1 0.94/15 ]

+ l r +
+q+n+pk
+ p +p+
+prNp +p
+ +P+ P
+LP + P
P RQP K
R + + +

1857

38.Ra1-d1 [ 38.Rd2-d3 Nd7-b6 ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.Rd2-d3
Rc5-c8 39.Rd3-d1 Nd7-c5 40.Bb3-c2
Kg7-h7 41.Ra1-a3 b5-b4 42.Nd5xb4
Bd8-c7 43.Ra3-a1 Rf8-d8 44.Qe2-c4
Kh7-g7 45.Qc4-d5 Qb7-b5 1.01/15
Diagram
(Diagram 1858)
] 38...Rc5-c8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...Qb7-a7 39.Qe2-e3 Qa7-a5
40.Bb3-c2 Rc5-c8 41.Qe3-e2 Qa5-a7

+rr + +
+ l +pk
+ p +p+
+qnQp +p
N +P+ P
+ P + P
PL+ P K
R +R+ +

1858

42.Qe2xb5 Nd7-f6 43.Qb5-e2 Qa7-b7


44.Nd5-b4 Nf6-g4+ 45.Kh2-g2 Bd8-b6
46.Qe2-b5 Qb7-a7 47.Rd1-f1 Bb6-c5
48.Qb5-a6 Qa7-b8 49.Nb4-d3 Bc5-b6
50.Rf1-d1 Qb8-c7 51.Nd3-b4 Rc8-b8
52.Nb4-d5 Qc7-c5 53.b2-b4 0.92/15 ]
39.Bb3-c2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 39.Nd5-b4 Nd7-c5 40.Bb3-d5
Qb7-d7 41.Bd5-a2 Bd8-e7 42.Qe2-e3
f7-f5 43.e4xf5 Qd7xf5 44.Ba2-d5
Rc8-c7 45.Nb4-c6 Rf8-c8 46.Nc6xe7
Rc7xe7 47.b2-b4 Nc5-a4 0.76/15 ]
(Diagram 1859)
39...Nd7-f6 [ 39...Rc8-a8
40.Rd1-b1 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39...Rc8-a8 Diagram
(Diagram 1860)
40.Kh2-g2 Nd7-c5 41.Qe2-e3 Nc5-e6
42.Bc2-b1 Kg7-g8 43.b2-b4 g6-g5
44.h4xg5 Bd8xg5 45.f2-f4 Bg5-d8
46.Rd2-a2 e5xf4 47.g3xf4 Bd8-h4
0.58/15 ] 40.Nd5xf6 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40.Kh2-g2
Nf6xd5 41.Rd2xd5 b5-b4 42.Bc2-d3
Rc8-c5 43.Bd3-a6 Qb7-b8 44.Rd5xc5
d6xc5 45.Qe2-c4 b4xc3 46.b2xc3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+rl r +
+q+n+pk
+ p +p+
+p+Np +p
+ +P+ P
+ P + P
PLRQP K
+ +R+ +

r+ l r +
+q+n+pk
+ p +p+
+p+Np +p
+ +P+ P
+ P + P
PLRQP K
+ +R+ +

491

1859

1860

Bd8-e7 47.Rd1-d7 Rf8-e8 48.Ba6-b7


Qb8-a7 49.Bb7-c6 0.64/14 ]
(Diagram 1861)
40...Bd8xf6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 40...Bd8xf6 41.Bc2-b3 b5-b4
42.Bb3-d5 Qb7-b6 43.c3-c4 Rc8-c7
44.Rd2-d3 Kg7-h7 45.Rd1-a1 Bf6-g7
46.Qe2-e3 Qb6-c5 47.Kh2-g2 Bg7-h6
48.Qe3-e1 Rf8-b8 49.Ra1-a6 Rc7-d7
50.Rd3-f3 Kh7-g7 51.Qe1-d1 0.71/17 ]
41.Rd2xd6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
41.Bc2-b3 b5-b4 42.Bb3-d5 Diagram
Qb7-b6 43.c3-c4 Rc8-c7 44.Rd2-d3

+rl r +
+q+ +pk
+ p Np+
+p+ p +p
+ +P+ P
+ P + P
PLRQP K
+ +R+ +

+r+ r +
+q+ +pk
+ p lp+
+p+ p +p
+ +P+ P
+ P + P
PLRQP K
+ +R+ +

+r+ r +
+q+ +pk
+ p lp+
+ +Lp +p
p +P+ P
+ P + P
P RQP K
+ +R+ +

1861

1862

1863

Kg7-h7 45.Rd3-b3 Bf6-g7 46.Rd1-a1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Qb6-c5 47.Kh2-g2 Bg7-h6 48.Ra1-a6
Rf8-c8 49.Rb3-f3 0.78/16 ] 41...Bf6-e7
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41...b5-b4
42.Qe2-f3 Bf6-e7 43.Rd6-d7 Rc8-c7
44.Bc2-a4 Rf8-c8 45.c3xb4 Qb7xb4
46.Ba4-b3 f7-f6 47.Qf3-e3 Qb4-b7
48.Bb3-e6 Qb7-b4 49.Rd7-d2 Be7-c5
50.Qe3-f3 Rc8-e8 51.Rd2-d7+ Re8-e7
52.Rd7xc7 Re7xc7 0.69/15 ]
42.Rd6-d5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
42.Rd6-d5 b5-b4 43.c3-c4 Qb7-b6
44.Kh2-g2 Qb6-f6 45.Bc2-a4 Rc8-c7
46.Ba4-b5 Be7-c5 47.Rd1-a1 Qf6-e7
48.Qe2-c2 f7-f5 49.e4xf5 Rf8xf5
50.f2-f3 Qe7-f7 51.Qc2-e4 Bc5-d4
0.83/17 ] 42...b5-b4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 42...b5-b4 43.c3-c4 Qb7-c6
44.Bc2-b3 Rf8-d8 45.Kh2-g2 Rd8xd5
46.c4xd5 Qc6-c5 47.Qe2-d3 Be7-d6
48.Rd1-a1 Qc5-d4 49.Qd3xd4 e5xd4
50.Ra1-a6 Rc8-d8 51.Bb3-c4 Kg7-f6
52.Kg2-f3 1.04/17 ] 43.c3-c4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43.c3-c4
Qb7-b6 44.Rd5-b5 Qb6-c7 45.Bc2-b3
Rf8-d8 46.Rd1-d5 Rc8-b8 47.Kh2-g2
Rb8xb5 48.Rd5xd8 Rb5-b8 49.Rd8-d5
Be7-c5 50.Qe2-d2 Bc5-d4 51.c4-c5
Rb8-a8 52.Qd2xb4 Bd4xb2 53.Rd5-d6
Bb2-d4 54.c5-c6 0.88/15 ] 43...Qb7-b8
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43...Qb7-b6
44.Rd5-b5 Qb6-c6 45.Bc2-b3 Be7-c5
46.Rd1-d5 Bc5-d4 47.Rb5xb4 Rc8-c7
48.Bb3-a4 Qc6-f6 49.Kh2-g2 Rf8-a8
50.b2-b3 Bd4-c5 51.Rb4-b5 Bc5-d4
52.c4-c5 0.88/15 ] 44.Bc2-a4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44.Rd5-b5
Qb8-c7 45.Bc2-b3 Rf8-d8 46.Rd1-d5
Rc8-b8 47.Kh2-g2 Rb8xb5 48.Rd5xd8
Rb5-b8 49.Rd8-d5 Be7-c5 50.Qe2-d2
Bc5-d4 51.c4-c5 Rb8-a8 52.Qd2xb4
Bd4xb2 53.Rd5-d6 Bb2-d4 54.c5-c6
0.88/15 ] 44...Rf8-d8 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 44...Be7-c5 45.Ba4-d7
Rc8-c7 46.Rd5xe5 Bc5xf2 47.Qe2xf2
Rc7xd7 48.Rd1-d5 Rd7xd5

492
49.Re5xd5 Kg7-g8 50.Qf2-d4 Rf8-e8
51.e4-e5 Qb8-c7 52.Kh2-g2 Qc7-c6
53.Qd4-f4 Kg8-g7 0.98/14 ] 45.Ba4-d7
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 45.Kh2-g2
Qb8-c7 46.Qe2-d3 Rd8xd5 47.c4xd5
Rc8-d8 48.Ba4-c6 Be7-c5 49.Rd1-c1
Qc7-b6 50.Qd3-e2 Bc5-d4 51.Rc1-c2
Qb6-c7 52.Qe2-c4 Qc7-d6 53.Qc4-b3
f7-f5 54.Qb3-d3 f5xe4 55.Qd3xe4
1.12/16 ] 45...Rc8-c5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 45...Rc8-c5 46.Bd7-b5
Rc5xd5 47.e4xd5 Be7-c5 48.Kh2-g2
f7-f5 49.Rd1-a1 e5-e4 50.Ra1-a6
Rd8-d6 51.Bb5-c6 Rd6-f6 52.Ra6-a5
Qb8-d6 53.Ra5-b5 Rf6-f7 54.Qe2-d2
f5-f4 55.g3xf4 Rf7xf4 56.Rb5-b7+
Rf4-f7 57.Rb7xf7+ Kg7xf7 1.04/18 ]
46.Bd7-b5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
46.Bd7-h3 Rd8xd5 47.Rd1xd5
Rc5xd5 48.e4xd5 Be7-c5 49.b2-b3
Bc5-d4 50.Kh2-g2 Qb8-d6 51.Qe2-d3
Qd6-f6 52.f2-f3 Qf6-d6 53.Qd3-d2
Bd4-c3 54.Qd2-f2 Bc3-d4 55.Qf2-e2
f7-f5 56.Qe2-d2 Kg7-f7 57.f3-f4
Bd4-c3 0.96/15 ] 46...Rc5-c8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46...Rc5xd5
47.e4xd5 Be7-c5 48.Kh2-g2 f7-f5
49.Rd1-a1 e5-e4 50.Ra1-a6 Rd8-d6
51.Bb5-c6 Rd6-f6 52.Ra6-a5 Qb8-d6
53.Ra5-b5 Rf6-f7 54.Qe2-d2 f5-f4
55.g3xf4 Rf7xf4 56.Rb5-b7+ Rf4-f7
57.Rb7xf7+ Kg7xf7 1.04/17 ]
47.Qe2-d2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47.Rd1-a1 Be7-c5 48.Kh2-g2 Qb8-c7
49.Ra1-a6 Bc5-d4 50.Qe2-d2 Rc8-a8
51.Rd5-d7 Rd8xd7 52.Ra6xa8 Qc7-b7
53.Ra8-e8 Rd7-c7 54.f2-f3 Rc7-e7
55.Bb5-c6 1.28/16 ] 47...Qb8-b6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 47...Rd8xd5
48.e4xd5 Qb8-d6 49.Rd1-e1 Qd6-f6
50.Qd2-e3 e5-e4 51.Re1-e2 Be7-c5
52.Qe3xe4 Bc5xf2 53.d5-d6 Bf2-d4
54.d6-d7 Rc8-d8 55.b2-b3 Bd4-c5
56.Qe4-f4 1.28/14 ] 48.Kh2-g2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 48.Rd1-a1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Qb6-f6 49.Kh2-g2 Be7-c5 50.Ra1-a6
Bc5-b6 51.b2-b3 Rd8xd5 52.e4xd5
e5-e4 53.Qd2-f4 Qf6-d4 54.d5-d6
Rc8-d8 55.d6-d7 f7-f5 56.Bb5-c6
Qd4-c5 57.Bc6-a4 Qc5-d4 58.Ba4-b5
Qd4-c5 59.Qf4-d2 1.32/16 ]
48...Rc8-a8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
48...Rc8-a8 49.Qd2-e2 Be7-c5
50.Bb5-c6 Ra8-b8 51.Rd5xd8 Rb8xd8
52.Bc6-d5 Rd8-d6 53.Rd1-a1 Bc5-d4
54.Ra1-a8 Rd6-f6 55.f2-f3 Qb6-c5
56.Qe2-d2 Bd4-e3 57.Qd2-e1
Be3-d4 1.19/15 ] 49.b2-b3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 49.Qd2-e2
Be7-c5 50.Bb5-c6 Ra8-b8 51.Rd5xd8
Rb8xd8 52.Bc6-d5 Rd8-d6 53.Rd1-a1
Bc5-d4 54.Ra1-a8 Rd6-f6 55.f2-f3
Qb6-c5 56.Qe2-d2 Bd4-e3 57.Qd2-e1
Be3-d4 0.95/16 ] 49...Rd8xd5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 49...Rd8xd5
50.e4xd5 Be7-d6 51.Bb5-a4 Qb6-c7
52.Rd1-e1 Bd6-c5 53.Re1-e2 f7-f6
54.Qd2-d3 Ra8-a7 55.Re2-e1 f6-f5
56.Qd3-d2 Qc7-d6 57.f2-f3 Bc5-d4
58.Re1-e2 Ra7-a8 59.Qd2-g5 Bd4-c5
60.Kg2-h3 1.19/15 ] 50.e4xd5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 50.e4xd5
Be7-d6 51.Bb5-a4 Qb6-c7 52.Rd1-e1
Bd6-c5 53.Re1-e2 f7-f6 54.Qd2-d3
Ra8-a7 55.Re2-e1 Ra7-a8 56.Qd3-e4
Qc7-d6 57.f2-f4 Bc5-d4 58.f4-f5
g6xf5 59.Qe4xf5 0.93/18 ] 50...Be7-d6
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 50...Be7-d6
51.Bb5-a4 Qb6-c7 52.Rd1-e1 Bd6-c5
53.Re1-e2 f7-f6 54.Qd2-d3 f6-f5
55.Qd3-d2 Qc7-d6 56.f2-f3 Bc5-d4
57.Qd2-g5 Ra8-h8 58.Ba4-c6 Rh8-d8
59.Re2-e1 Bd4-c3 0.95/16 ] 51.Bb5-a4
[ 51.Rd1-e1 Qb6-d4 52.Qd2xd4
e5xd4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
51.Rd1-e1 Ra8-a3 52.Bb5-a4 Qb6-c7
53.Re1-e4 f7-f5 54.Re4-e2 e5-e4
55.Qd2-d4+ Bd6-e5 56.Qd4-e3
Be5-d6 57.Qe3-d2 Kg7-h7 58.Qd2-g5
Kh7-g7 59.Qg5-c1 Bd6-e5 0.86/16 ]

493
51...Ra8-a7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
51...Qb6-c7 52.Rd1-f1 Bd6-c5
53.Rf1-e1 f7-f6 54.Qd2-c2 Ra8-a6
55.Qc2-e2 Bc5-d4 56.Qe2-d3 Qc7-d6
57.Re1-e2 Ra6-a5 58.Re2-a2 Ra5-a8
59.Qd3-c2 Ra8-a5 60.Qc2-e2 Ra5-a8
61.Qe2-d2 Ra8-a5 62.Qd2-e2
Ra5-a8 0.91/14 ] 52.Rd1-e1 [ 52.f2-f3
Ra7-e7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
52.Qd2-e2 f7-f6 53.Qe2-d2 Ra7-a6
54.Qd2-c2 Bd6-c5 55.Ba4-e8 f6-f5
56.Be8-d7 Qb6-d6 57.Bd7-e6 Ra6-a3
58.Rd1-e1 e5-e4 59.Qc2-b2+
Kg7-h7 1.00/14 ] 52...Ra7-e7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 52...Qb6-c7
53.Qd2-b2 Qc7-c5 54.Qb2-e2 Qc5-c7
55.Qe2-d2 f7-f6 56.Qd2-c2 Bd6-c5
57.f2-f4 Bc5-d4 58.f4-f5 g6xf5
59.Qc2xf5 Ra7xa4 60.b3xa4 Qc7xc4
61.Qf5-d7+ Kg7-g6 62.Qd7-e8+
Kg6-g7 63.Qe8-e7+ Kg7-g6 1.04/15 ]
53.Qd2-b2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
53.Ba4-b5 e5-e4 54.Re1-e2 f7-f5
55.Bb5-c6 Qb6-c5 56.Re2-e1 Bd6-e5
57.Qd2-g5 Be5-d4 58.Qg5-f4 Re7-a7
59.Re1-e2 Bd4-c3 60.Re2-e3 0.99/15 ]
53...Bd6-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
53...Qb6-d4 54.Qb2xd4 e5xd4
55.Re1-d1 Bd6-c5 56.d5-d6 Bc5xd6
57.Rd1xd4 Bd6-c5 58.Rd4-d5 Re7-c7
59.Kg2-f3 f7-f5 60.Ba4-b5 Kg7-f6
61.Kf3-e2 Kf6-e7 62.f2-f4 Ke7-f6
63.Ke2-f3 Rc7-c8 64.Bb5-d7 Rc8-c7
0.83/18 ] 54.Re1xe5 [ 54.Ba4-c6!? ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 54.Re1-e2
Bc5-d4 55.Qb2-c1 Qb6-d6 56.Re2-a2
Re7-a7 57.Qc1-d2 Qd6-c5 58.Qd2-e2
Ra7-a8 59.Qe2-d2 Qc5-d6 60.Qd2-g5
Qd6-c5 61.Qg5-d2 Qc5-d6 0.92/16 ]
54...Bc5-d4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
54...Bc5-d4 55.Qb2xd4 Qb6xd4
56.Re5xe7 g6-g5 57.h4xg5 h5-h4
58.Re7-e3 h4xg3 59.Re3xg3 Qd4-e4+
60.Kg2-f1 Kg7-g6 61.Rg3-e3 Qe4-d4
62.Re3-f3 Kg6xg5 63.Ba4-d7 Qd4-e4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


64.Kf1-g2 Qe4-e7 65.Bd7-f5 Qe7-e5
66.Bf5-d3 Qe5-d4 67.Bd3-h7 f7-f6
68.Bh7-b1 Qd4-b2 69.Bb1-e4 Qb2-d4
70.Rf3-f5+ Kg5-g6 71.Rf5-f4+ Kg6-f7
0.90/18 ] 55.Qb2xd4! better than
holding on to the material [Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 55.Qb2xd4 Qb6xd4
56.Re5xe7 g6-g5 57.h4xg5 h5-h4
58.Ba4-e8 h4xg3 59.Kg2xg3 Kg7-g6
60.Be8xf7+ Kg6xg5 61.Bf7-e6
Qd4-d3+ 62.Kg3-g2 Qd3-e4+
63.Kg2-h2 Qe4-c2 64.Re7-g7+ Kg5-f6
65.Rg7-f7+ Kf6-e5 66.Rf7-f3 Ke5-d6
67.Kh2-g3 Qc2-g6+ 68.Kg3-f4
Qg6-f6+ 69.Kf4-e4 Qf6-e5+
70.Ke4-d3 0.88/14 ] 55...Qb6xd4
[ 55...Qb6xd4 56.Re5xe7
Combination ; 55...-- 56.Qd4xb6
Wins material ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
55...Qb6xd4 56.Re5xe7 g6-g5
57.h4xg5 h5-h4 58.Ba4-e8 h4xg3
59.Kg2xg3 Kg7-g6 60.Be8xf7+
Kg6xg5 61.Bf7-e6 Qd4-d3+
62.Kg3-g2 Qd3-e4+ 63.Kg2-h2
Qe4-c2 64.Re7-g7+ Kg5-f6
65.Rg7-f7+ Kf6-e5 66.Rf7-f3 Ke5-d6
67.Kh2-g3 Qc2-g6+ 68.Kg3-f4
Qg6-f6+ 69.Kf4-e4 Qf6-e5+
70.Ke4-d3 1.02/15 ] 56.Re5xe7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 56.Re5xe7
g6-g5 57.h4xg5 h5-h4 58.Ba4-e8
h4xg3 59.Kg2xg3 Kg7-g6 60.Be8xf7+
Kg6xg5 61.Bf7-e6 Qd4-d3+
62.Kg3-g2 Qd3-e4+ 63.Kg2-h2
Qe4-c2 64.Re7-g7+ Kg5-f6
65.Rg7-f7+ Kf6-e5 66.Rf7-f3 Ke5-d6
67.Kh2-g3 Qc2-g6+ 68.Kg3-f4
Qg6-f6+ 69.Kf4-e4 Qf6-e5+
70.Ke4-d3 0.82/16 ] 56...Kg7-f6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 56...g6-g5
57.h4xg5 Kg7-g6 58.Re7-e3 Kg6xg5
59.Re3-f3 f7-f6 60.Ba4-d7 Qd4-d2
61.Rf3-e3 0.88/18 ] 57.Re7-e3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 57.Re7-e3
Kf6-g7 58.Ba4-c6 Qd4-d1 59.Bc6-d7

494
f7-f5 60.Re3-f3 Qd1-d4 61.Bd7-b5
Kg7-f7 62.Rf3-e3 Kf7-g7 63.Re3-e6
f5-f4 64.Re6-e2 f4xg3 65.f2xg3
Qd4-d3 0.85/17 ] 57...Kf6-g7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 57...Kf6-g7
58.Ba4-c6 Qd4-d1 59.Re3-f3 Qd1-d4
60.Rf3-f4 Qd4-d3 61.Bc6-a4 f7-f5
62.Rf4-f3 Qd3-d4 63.Ba4-b5 Kg7-f7
64.Rf3-e3 Kf7-g7 65.Bb5-a4 f5-f4
66.Re3-e7+ Kg7-f8 67.Re7-e8+
Kf8-g7 68.Re8-e2 Qd4-d1 69.Re2-e7+
Kg7-f6 70.Re7-e4 f4xg3 71.Re4-e6+
Kf6-f7 72.f2xg3 Qd1-c2+ 73.Kg2-f3
Qc2-c3+ 74.Kf3-f4 Qc3-d4+ 75.Kf4-f3
Qd4-d1+ 76.Kf3-f2 Qd1-d2+ 77.Kf2-f3
Qd2-d3+ 78.Kf3-f4 Qd3-d4+
79.Kf4-f3 0.93/20 ] 58.Ba4-d7
[ 58.Re3-e1 f7-f5 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 58.Ba4-c6 Qd4-d1 59.Re3-e8
f7-f5 60.Re8-e7+ Kg7-h6 61.Re7-e3
Qd1-d4 62.Re3-f3 Kh6-g7 63.Bc6-b5
Kg7-f7 64.Rf3-e3 Kf7-g7 65.Bb5-a4
f5-f4 66.Re3-e7+ Kg7-f6 67.Re7-e6+
Kf6-g7 68.f2-f3 Qd4-d2+ 69.Kg2-h3
Qd2-f2 70.Re6-e7+ Kg7-f8 0.85/18 ]
58...Kg7-f8 [ 58...f7-f5 59.Bd7-e6 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 58...f7-f5
59.Bd7-e6 Kg7-f6 60.Be6-c8 Kf6-g7
61.Bc8-d7 f5-f4 62.g3xf4 Qd4xf4
63.Bd7-e6 Qf4-d4 64.Re3-f3 Kg7-h7
65.Kg2-g3 Kh7-g7 66.Kg3-h3 Qd4-d1
67.Kh3-g2 Qd1-d4 68.Kg2-h3
Qd4-d1 0.80/16 ] 59.Bd7-h3
[ 59.Bd7-e8 Qd4-d1 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 59.Bd7-c6 Kf8-g7 60.Re3-e7
Kg7-f6 61.Re7-e8 Qd4-c5 62.Re8-e1
Qc5-d6 63.Bc6-b5 Kf6-f5 64.Bb5-e8
Kf5-f6 65.Re1-e3 Kf6-g7 66.Be8-c6
Kg7-f6 67.Re3-e1 Qd6-c5 68.Bc6-b5
Qc5-d6 69.Re1-e3 Qd6-c5 70.Bb5-c6
Qc5-d6 71.Re3-e1 0.98/18 ]
59...Kf8-g7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
59...f7-f5 60.Kg2-g1 Qd4-d1+
61.Bh3-f1 f5-f4 62.Re3-d3 Qd1-c2
63.g3xf4 Kf8-e7 64.Rd3-e3+ Ke7-d6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


65.Kg1-g2 Kd6-c5 66.Bf1-e2 Qc2-f5
67.Kg2-g3 Qf5-b1 68.Be2-f3 Qb1-g1+
69.Bf3-g2 Qg1-d1 70.f2-f3 Qd1-c2
0.67/19 ] 60.Kg2-g1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 60.Bh3-c8 Qd4-a7 61.Re3-f3
Qa7-d4 62.Bc8-a6 f7-f5 63.Ba6-b5
Kg7-f7 64.Rf3-e3 Kf7-g7 65.Bb5-a4
f5-f4 66.Re3-e7+ Kg7-f6 67.Re7-e6+
Kf6-g7 68.Re6-e2 Qd4-d1 69.Re2-e7+
Kg7-f6 70.Re7-e6+ Kf6-g7 71.g3xf4
Qd1-g4+ 72.Kg2-f1 Qg4xh4 0.85/19 ]
60...f7-f5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
60...Qd4-d1+ 61.Bh3-f1 Kg7-f8
62.Kg1-g2 Qd1-d4 63.Bf1-e2 Kf8-g7
64.Be2-d3 Kg7-f6 65.Bd3-e4 Qd4-c5
66.Re3-e2 Qc5-d4 67.Be4-c2 Qd4-c5
68.Bc2-e4 Qc5-d4 0.80/17 ] 61.Bh3-f1
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 61.Bh3-f1
Qd4-c5 62.Re3-d3 Qc5-d6 63.Kg1-g2
Kg7-f7 64.Bf1-e2 Qd6-e5 65.Rd3-e3
Qe5-b2 66.Kg2-h3 Qb2-d2 67.Kh3-h2
Qd2-e1 68.Kh2-g2 Qe1-d2 69.Be2-f1
Qd2-d4 70.Bf1-e2 Qd4-b2 71.Kg2-h3
0.75/18 ] 61...Kg7-f7? [ 61...f5-f4
62.Re3-d3 Qd4-b6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 61...f5-f4 62.Re3-d3 Qd4-b6
63.g3xf4 Qb6-d6 64.Rd3-f3 Qd6-e7
65.Rf3-g3 Qe7xh4 66.Bf1-e2 Qh4xf4
67.Be2xh5 g6-g5 68.Rg3-e3 Qf4-h4
69.Re3-e7+ Kg7-f8 70.Re7-e8+
Kf8-g7 71.Bh5-e2 Kg7-f7 72.Re8-e6
Qh4-h3 73.Be2-d1 0.74/17 ]
62.Re3-d3+- [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
62.Re3-d3 Qd4-a7 63.d5-d6 Kf7-e8
64.Rd3-d5 Qa7-a8 65.Rd5-e5+
Ke8-d8 66.c4-c5 Qa8-a5 67.Re5-d5
Qa5-a8 68.Bf1-c4 f5-f4 69.g3xf4
Qa8-a1+ 70.Kg1-g2 Qa1-a8 71.f4-f5
g6xf5 72.Kg2-g3 Qa8-a1 73.Rd5xf5
Qa1-g1+ 74.Kg3-f4 Qg1xf2+
75.Kf4-g5 Qf2-d4 76.Kg5xh5 Qd4-h8+
77.Kh5-g5 Qh8-g7+ 78.Kg5-f4
Qg7-d4+ 79.Kf4-g3 Qd4-e3+
80.Kg3-g4 Qe3-d4+ 81.Kg4-f3
Qd4-c3+ 82.Kf3-e4 Qc3-e1+

495
83.Ke4-d5 Qe1-h1+ 84.Kd5-e6
Qh1-e4+ 85.Rf5-e5 Qe4-g4+
86.Ke6-d5 Qg4xh4 1.65/19 ]
62...Qd4-a7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
62...Qd4-a7 63.d5-d6 Kf7-e8
64.Rd3-d5 Qa7-a8 65.Rd5-e5+
Ke8-d8 66.c4-c5 Qa8-a5 67.Re5-d5
Qa5-a8 68.Bf1-c4 f5-f4 69.g3xf4
Qa8-a1+ 70.Kg1-g2 Qa1-a8 71.f4-f5
g6xf5 72.Kg2-g3 Qa8-a1 73.Rd5xf5
Qa1-g1+ 74.Kg3-f4 Qg1xf2+
75.Kf4-g5 Qf2-d4 76.Kg5xh5 Qd4-h8+
77.Kh5-g5 Qh8-g7+ 78.Kg5-f4
Qg7-d4+ 79.Kf4-g3 Qd4-e3+
80.Kg3-g4 Qe3-d4+ 81.Kg4-f3
Qd4-c3+ 82.Kf3-e4 Qc3-e1+
83.Ke4-d5 Qe1-h1+ 84.Kd5-e6
Qh1-e4+ 85.Rf5-e5 Qe4-g4+
86.Ke6-d5 Qg4xh4 1.77/16 ] 63.d5-d6
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 63.d5-d6 Kf7-e8
64.Rd3-d5 Qa7-a8 65.Rd5-e5+
Ke8-d8 66.c4-c5 Qa8-a5 67.Re5-d5
Qa5-a8 68.Bf1-c4 f5-f4 69.g3xf4
Qa8-a1+ 70.Kg1-g2 Qa1-a8 71.f4-f5
g6xf5 72.Kg2-g3 Qa8-a1 73.Rd5xf5
Qa1-g1+ 74.Kg3-f4 Qg1xf2+
75.Kf4-g5 Qf2-d4 76.Kg5xh5 Qd4-h8+
77.Kh5-g5 Qh8-g7+ 78.Kg5-f4
Qg7-d4+ 79.Kf4-g3 Qd4-e3+
80.Kg3-g4 Qe3-d4+ 81.Kg4-f3
Qd4-c3+ 82.Kf3-e4 Qc3-e1+
83.Ke4-d5 Qe1-h1+ 84.Kd5-e6
Qh1-e4+ 85.Rf5-e5 Qe4-g4+
86.Ke6-d5 Qg4xh4 1.65/21 ]
63...Kf7-e8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
63...Kf7-e8 64.Rd3-d5 Qa7-a8
65.Rd5-e5+ Ke8-d8 66.c4-c5 Qa8-a5
67.Re5-d5 Qa5-a8 68.Bf1-c4 f5-f4
69.g3xf4 Qa8-a1+ 70.Kg1-g2 Qa1-a8
71.f4-f5 g6xf5 72.Kg2-g3 Qa8-a1
73.Rd5xf5 Qa1-g1+ 74.Kg3-f4
Qg1xf2+ 75.Kf4-g5 Qf2-d4 76.Kg5xh5
Qd4-h8+ 77.Kh5-g5 Qh8-g7+
78.Kg5-f4 Qg7-d4+ 79.Kf4-g3
Qd4-e3+ 80.Kg3-g4 Qe3-d4+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


81.Kg4-f3 Qd4-c3+ 82.Kf3-e4
Qc3-e1+ 83.Ke4-d5 Qe1-h1+
84.Kd5-e6 Qh1-e4+ 85.Rf5-e5
Qe4-g4+ 86.Ke6-d5 Qg4xh4 1.77/20 ]
64.Rd3-d5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
64.Rd3-d5 Qa7-a8 65.Rd5-e5+
Ke8-d8 66.c4-c5 Qa8-a5 67.Re5-d5
Qa5-a8 68.Bf1-c4 f5-f4 69.g3xf4
Qa8-a1+ 70.Kg1-g2 Qa1-a8 71.f4-f5
g6xf5 72.Kg2-g3 Qa8-a1 73.Rd5xf5
Qa1-g1+ 74.Kg3-f4 Qg1xf2+
75.Kf4-g5 Qf2-d4 76.Kg5xh5 Qd4-h8+
77.Kh5-g5 Qh8-g7+ 78.Kg5-f4
Qg7-d4+ 79.Kf4-g3 Qd4-e3+
80.Kg3-g4 Qe3-d4+ 81.Kg4-f3
Qd4-c3+ 82.Kf3-e4 Qc3-e1+
83.Ke4-d5 Qe1-h1+ 84.Kd5-e6
Qh1-e4+ 85.Rf5-e5 Qe4-g4+
86.Ke6-d5 Qg4xh4 1.65/19 ]
64...Qa7-a8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
64...Ke8-d8 65.c4-c5 Qa7-a8
66.Bf1-c4 f5-f4 67.g3xf4 Qa8-a1+
68.Kg1-g2 Qa1-a8 69.f4-f5 g6xf5
70.Kg2-g3 Qa8-a1 71.Rd5xf5
Qa1-g1+ 72.Kg3-f4 Qg1xf2+
73.Kf4-g5 Qf2-d4 74.Kg5xh5 Qd4-h8+
75.Kh5-g5 Qh8-g7+ 76.Kg5-f4
Qg7-d4+ 77.Kf4-g3 Qd4-e3+
78.Kg3-g4 Qe3-d4+ 79.Kg4-f3
Qd4-c3+ 80.Kf3-e4 Qc3-e1+
81.Ke4-d5 Qe1-h1+ 82.Kd5-e6
Qh1-e4+ 83.Rf5-e5 Qe4-g4+
84.Ke6-d5 Qg4xh4 1.77/16 ]
65.Rd5-e5+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
65.Rd5-e5+ Ke8-d8 66.c4-c5 Qa8-a5
67.Re5-d5 Qa5-a8 68.Bf1-c4 f5-f4
69.g3xf4 Qa8-a1+ 70.Kg1-g2 Qa1-a8
71.f4-f5 g6xf5 72.Kg2-g3 Qa8-a1
73.Rd5xf5 Qa1-g1+ 74.Kg3-f4
Qg1xf2+ 75.Kf4-g5 Qf2-d4 76.Kg5xh5
Qd4-h8+ 77.Kh5-g5 Qh8-g7+
78.Kg5-f4 Qg7-d4+ 79.Kf4-g3
Qd4-e3+ 80.Kg3-g4 Qe3-d4+
81.Kg4-f3 Qd4-c3+ 82.Kf3-e4
Qc3-e1+ 83.Ke4-d5 Qe1-h1+

496
84.Kd5-e6 Qh1-e4+ 85.Rf5-e5
Qe4-g4+ 86.Ke6-d5 Qg4xh4 1.65/20 ]
65...Ke8-d8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
65...Ke8-d8 66.c4-c5 Qa8-a5
67.Re5-d5 Qa5-a8 68.Bf1-c4 f5-f4
69.g3xf4 Qa8-a1+ 70.Kg1-g2 Qa1-a8
71.f4-f5 g6xf5 72.Kg2-g3 Qa8-a1
73.Rd5xf5 Qa1-g1+ 74.Kg3-f4
Qg1xf2+ 75.Kf4-g5 Qf2-d4 76.Kg5xh5
Qd4-h8+ 77.Kh5-g5 Qh8-g7+
78.Kg5-f4 Qg7-d4+ 79.Kf4-g3
Qd4-e3+ 80.Kg3-g4 Qe3-d4+
81.Kg4-f3 Qd4-c3+ 82.Kf3-e4
Qc3-e1+ 83.Ke4-d5 Qe1-h1+
84.Kd5-e6 Qh1-e4+ 85.Rf5-e5
Qe4-g4+ 86.Ke6-d5 Qg4xh4 1.77/19 ]
66.c4-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
66.c4-c5 Qa8-a5 67.Re5-d5 Qa5-a8
68.Bf1-c4 f5-f4 69.g3xf4 Qa8-a1+
70.Kg1-g2 Qa1-a8 71.f4-f5 g6xf5
72.Kg2-g3 Qa8-a1 73.Rd5xf5
Qa1-g1+ 74.Kg3-f4 Qg1xf2+
75.Kf4-g5 Qf2-d4 76.Kg5xh5 Qd4-h8+
77.Kh5-g5 Qh8-g7+ 78.Kg5-f4
Qg7-d4+ 79.Kf4-g3 Qd4-e3+
80.Kg3-g4 Qe3-d4+ 81.Kg4-f3
Qd4-c3+ 82.Kf3-e4 Qc3-e1+
83.Ke4-d5 Qe1-h1+ 84.Kd5-e6
Qh1-e4+ 85.Rf5-e5 Qe4-g4+
86.Ke6-d5 Qg4xh4 1.65/18 ]
66...Qa8-a1 [ 66...Qa8-a5 67.Re5-d5
Qa5-a8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
66...Qa8-a5 67.Re5-d5 Qa5-a8
68.Bf1-c4 Kd8-c8 69.Kg1-h2 Kc8-d8
70.Rd5-e5 Qa8-c6 71.Kh2-g1 f5-f4
72.g3xf4 Qc6-b7 73.Re5-g5 Qb7-e4
74.f4-f5 Qe4-b1+ 75.Kg1-g2 g6xf5
76.Rg5xh5 Qb1-e4+ 77.f2-f3 Qe4-e5
78.Bc4-b5 Qe5-g7+ 79.Kg2-h3 f5-f4
80.Rh5-g5 1.60/16 ] 67.Re5-e7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 67.Re5-e7
Qa1-c1 68.Re7-c7 f5-f4 69.g3xf4
Kd8-e8 70.f4-f5 Qc1-f4 71.f5xg6
Qf4-g4+ 72.Bf1-g2 Qg4xg6
73.Rc7-e7+ Ke8-f8 74.Re7-e4 Qg6-g7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


75.c5-c6 Qg7-a1+ 76.Kg1-h2 Qa1-f6
77.d6-d7 Kf8-f7 78.Re4xb4 Kf7-g7
79.Kh2-g1 Qf6-d6 80.Rb4-f4 Qd6-d1+
81.Bg2-f1 Qd1-d6 82.b3-b4 Qd6-g6+
83.Bf1-g2 Qg6-b1+ 84.Kg1-h2 Qb1-d3
85.Bg2-f1 Qd3-d6 86.Kh2-g3 Qd6-g6+
87.Kg3-h3 Qg6-e6+ 88.Kh3-g3
5.67/18 ] 67...Qa1-c1 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 67...Qa1-c1 68.Re7-c7 f5-f4
69.g3xf4 Kd8-e8 70.f4-f5 Qc1-f4
71.f5xg6 Qf4-g4+ 72.Bf1-g2 Qg4xg6
73.Rc7-e7+ Ke8-f8 74.Re7-e4 Qg6-g7
75.c5-c6 Qg7-a1+ 76.Kg1-h2 Qa1-f6
77.d6-d7 Kf8-f7 78.Re4xb4 Kf7-g7
79.Kh2-g1 Qf6-d6 80.Rb4-f4 Qd6-d1+
81.Bg2-f1 Qd1-d6 82.b3-b4 Qd6-g6+
83.Bf1-g2 Qg6-b1+ 84.Kg1-h2 Qb1-d3
85.Bg2-f1 Qd3-d6 86.Kh2-g3 Qd6-g6+
87.Kg3-h3 Qg6-e6+ 88.Kh3-g3
5.35/19 ] 68.Re7-c7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 68.Re7-c7 f5-f4 69.g3xf4 Kd8-e8
70.f4-f5 Qc1-f4 71.f5xg6 Qf4xh4
72.Bf1-b5+ Ke8-d8 73.Rc7-e7
Qh4-g4+ 74.Kg1-h2 Qg4-h4+
75.Kh2-g2 Qh4-g4+ 76.Kg2-f1
Qg4-h3+ 77.Kf1-e1 Qh3-c3+
78.Ke1-e2 Qc3-c2+ 79.Ke2-f1
Qc2-b1+ 80.Re7-e1 Qb1xg6
81.Re1-e8+ Qg6xe8 82.Bb5xe8
Kd8xe8 83.c5-c6 Ke8-d8 84.Kf1-g2
Kd8-c8 85.Kg2-g3 Kc8-d8 86.Kg3-h4
Kd8-c8 87.Kh4xh5 Kc8-d8
88.Kh5-g5 4.15/15 ] 68...f5-f4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 68...f5-f4
69.g3xf4 Kd8-e8 70.f4-f5 Qc1-f4
71.f5xg6 Qf4-g4+ 72.Bf1-g2 Qg4xg6
73.Rc7-e7+ Ke8-f8 74.Re7-e4 Qg6-g7
75.c5-c6 Qg7-a1+ 76.Kg1-h2 Qa1-f6
77.d6-d7 Qf6-d6+ 78.f2-f4 Kf8-g7
79.Re4xb4 Qd6-f6 80.Kh2-g3 Qf6-g6+
81.Kg3-f2 Qg6-f6 82.Kf2-e3 Qf6xh4
83.Rb4-b7 Qh4-d8 4.86/16 ] 69.g3xf4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 69.g3xf4
Kd8-e8 70.f4-f5 Qc1-f4 71.f5xg6
Qf4-g4+ 72.Bf1-g2 Qg4xg6

497
73.Rc7-e7+ Ke8-f8 74.Re7-e4 Qg6-g7
75.c5-c6 Qg7-a1+ 76.Kg1-h2 Qa1-f6
77.d6-d7 Qf6-d6+ 78.f2-f4 Kf8-g7
79.Re4xb4 Qd6-f6 80.Kh2-g3 Qf6-g6+
81.Kg3-f2 Qg6-f6 82.Rb4-e4 Qf6xh4+
83.Kf2-f3 Qh4-g4+ 84.Kf3-e3 Qg4-d1
85.b3-b4 Qd1-b3+ 86.Ke3-e2 4.85/15 ]
69...Qc1-d1 [ 69...Kd8-e8 70.f4-f5!
finishing the game Qc1-f4 71.Rc7-e7+
Ke8-f8 72.f5xg6 Qf4-g4+ 73.Bf1-g2
Qg4xg6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
69...Kd8-e8 70.f4-f5 Qc1-f4 71.f5xg6
Qf4-g4+ 72.Bf1-g2 Qg4xg6
73.Rc7-e7+ Ke8-f8 74.Re7-e4 Qg6-g7
75.c5-c6 Qg7-a1+ 76.Kg1-h2 Qa1-f6
77.d6-d7 Qf6-d6+ 78.Kh2-g1 Kf8-f7
79.Re4xb4 Kf7-f6 80.Rb4-f4+ Kf6-e7
81.Rf4-e4+ Ke7-f6 82.Re4-e8
Qd6-d1+ 83.Kg1-h2 Qd1-d6+
84.Kh2-h3 4.77/16 ] 70.c5-c6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 70.c5-c6
Qd1-g4+ 71.Bf1-g2 Qg4-d1+
72.Kg1-h2 Qd1-d4 73.Rc7-g7
Qd4xf4+ 74.Kh2-g1 Qf4-c1+
75.Bg2-f1 Qc1xc6 76.Rg7-g8+ Kd8-d7
77.Bf1-h3+ Kd7xd6 78.Rg8xg6+
Kd6-c7 79.Rg6xc6+ Kc7xc6 80.Bh3-f5
Kc6-d5 81.Bf5-g6 Kd5-e5 82.Bg6xh5
Ke5-f5 83.Kg1-g2 Kf5-f6 84.Bh5-e2
Kf6-g6 85.Kg2-g3 Kg6-f6 86.Kg3-f4
Kf6-f7 87.Kf4-e5 Kf7-g6 88.f2-f4
5.75/17 ] 70...Qd1-g4+ [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 70...Qd1-g4+ 71.Bf1-g2
Qg4-d1+ 72.Kg1-h2 Qd1-d4
73.Rc7-g7 Qd4xf4+ 74.Kh2-g1
Qf4-c1+ 75.Bg2-f1 Qc1xc6
76.Rg7-g8+ Kd8-d7 77.Bf1-h3+
Kd7xd6 78.Rg8xg6+ Kd6-c7
79.Rg6xc6+ Kc7xc6 80.Bh3-f5 Kc6-d5
81.Bf5-g6 Kd5-e5 82.Bg6xh5 Ke5-f5
83.Kg1-g2 Kf5-f6 84.Bh5-e2 Kf6-g6
85.Kg2-g3 Kg6-f6 86.Kg3-f4 Kf6-f7
87.Kf4-e5 Kf7-g6 88.f2-f4 5.86/18 ]
71.Bf1-g2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
71.Bf1-g2 Qg4-d1+ 72.Kg1-h2 Qd1-d4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


73.Rc7-g7 Qd4xf4+ 74.Kh2-g1
Qf4-c1+ 75.Bg2-f1 Qc1xc6
76.Rg7-g8+ Kd8-d7 77.Bf1-h3+
Kd7xd6 78.Rg8xg6+ Kd6-c7
79.Rg6xc6+ Kc7xc6 80.Bh3-f5 Kc6-d5
81.Bf5-g6 Kd5-e5 82.Bg6xh5 Ke5-f5
83.Kg1-g2 Kf5-f6 84.Bh5-e2 Kf6-g6
85.Kg2-g3 Kg6-f5 86.Be2-d3+ Kf5-f6
87.h4-h5 Kf6-g5 88.Bd3-e2 Kg5-h6
89.f2-f4 Kh6-g7 90.f4-f5 5.73/16 ]
71...Qg4xf4 [ 71...Qg4-d1+ there is
nothing better in the position 72.Kg1-h2
Qd1-d2+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
71...Qg4-d1+ 72.Kg1-h2 Qd1-d4
73.Rc7-g7 Qd4xf4+ 74.Kh2-g1
Qf4-c1+ 75.Bg2-f1 Qc1xc6
76.Rg7-g8+ Kd8-d7 77.Bf1-h3+
Kd7xd6 78.Rg8xg6+ Kd6-c7
79.Rg6xc6+ Kc7xc6 80.Bh3-f5 Kc6-d5
81.Bf5-g6 Kd5-e5 82.Bg6xh5 Ke5-f5
83.Kg1-g2 Kf5-f6 84.Bh5-e2 Kf6-g6
85.Kg2-g3 Kg6-f5 86.Be2-d3+ Kf5-f6
87.h4-h5 Kf6-g5 88.Bd3-e2 Kg5-h6
89.f2-f4 Kh6-g7 90.f4-f5 5.84/17 ]
72.Bg2-h3 [ 72.Bg2-h3 Qf4-c1+
73.Kg1-g2 Kd8-e8 74.Rc7-c8+ Ke8-f7
75.d6-d7 Qc1-e1 76.d7-d8Q Qe1-e4+
77.Kg2-g1 Qe4-e1+ 78.Bh3-f1 Qe1-e7
79.Rc8-c7 Qe7xc7 80.Bf1-c4+ Kf7-g7
81.Qd8xc7+ Kg7-f6 82.Qc7-d6+
Kf6-g7 83.Qd6-d8 Kg7-h7 84.Qd8-g8+
Kh7-h6 85.Qg8-h8# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 72.Bg2-h3 Qf4xd6 73.Rc7-d7+
Qd6xd7 74.Bh3xd7 Kd8-e7 75.Kg1-g2
Ke7-d6 76.Kg2-f3 Kd6-e7 77.Kf3-e4
g6-g5 78.h4xg5 Ke7-d8 79.Ke4-d5
Kd8-e7 80.g5-g6 Ke7-f6 81.c6-c7
Kf6xg6 82.c7-c8Q Kg6-g7 83.Bd7-e6
Kg7-h7 84.Qc8-b7+ Kh7-g6
85.Qb7xb4 Kg6-f6 86.Qb4-f4+ Kf6-g6
87.Be6-f7+ Kg6-g7 88.Bf7xh5 Kg7-h7
89.b3-b4 16.74/17 ]
1-0

498
37

B35

Sergey Karjakin
Vassily Ivanchuk
6th European Individual Championship (9)
B35: Sicilian: Accelerated Dragon with
5 Nc3: main line
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram

r+lqklnr
pp+ppppp
+n+ + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

1864

g7-g6 5.Nb1-c3 Bf8-g7 6.Bc1-e3


Ng8-f6 7.Bf1-c4 Qd8-a5 8.0-0 0-0
9.Nd4-b3 Qa5-c7 10.Be3-g5 a7-a6
11.Bc4-e2 d7-d6 [RR 11...e7-e6
12.Qd1-d2 b7-b5 13.a2-a3 Ra8-b8
( RR 13...Bc8-b7 14.Nb3-c5 Nc6-e5
15.Nc5xb7 Qc7xb7 16.Qd2-f4 Nf6-h5
17.Be2xh5 g6xh5 18.Bg5-h6 Ne5-g6
19.Qf4-d2 Bg7xh6 20.Qd2xh6 b5-b4
21.Nc3-e2 Qb7xe4 22.Ne2-g3 Qe4-f4
23.Qh6xh5 Rf8-c8 24.a3xb4 Qf4xb4
25.c2-c3 Qb4-h4 26.Qh5xh4 Ng6xh4
27.Ra1-a4 Nh4-g6 28.Rf1-a1
Huerga Leache,M (2440)-Tallarico
Tallarico,O (2195)/Mondariz 2007/CBM
120 ext/1-0 (56) ) 14.Rf1-d1 b5-b4
15.a3xb4 Nc6xb4 16.Bg5-f4 e6-e5
17.Bf4-g5 d7-d6 18.Nb3-a5 Bc8-e6
19.b2-b3 h7-h6 20.Bg5xf6 Bg7xf6
21.Be2-c4 Bf6-g5 22.Qd2-e2 Be6-c8
23.Nc3-d5 Nb4xd5 24.Bc4xd5 Rb8-b5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

499

25.Na5-c4 Kg8-g7 26.Nc4-b2


Anand,V (2784)-Van Wely,L (2636)/
Wijk aan Zee 1999/CBM 069/1-0 (60) ]
12.Bg5xf6 e7xf6 13.Qd1-d2N [RR
13.Nc3-d5 Qc7-d8 14.f2-f4 f6-f5
15.e4xf5 Bg7xb2 16.Ra1-b1 Bb2-g7
17.f5xg6 h7xg6 18.a2-a4 Bc8-e6
19.Be2-f3 Ra8-c8 20.Kg1-h1 Rf8-e8
21.Qd1-d2 Nc6-e7 22.Nd5xe7+
Re8xe7 23.Nb3-d4 Be6-c4 24.Rf1-d1
d6-d5 25.f4-f5 Qd8-d6 26.a4-a5
Rc8-e8 27.Rb1-b6 Qd6-f4 Bruned,Y
(2328)-Moreno Ruiz,J (2503)/Collado
Villalba 2005/CBM 108 ext/0-1 (58) ]
13...Nc6-e7 14.Ra1-d1 f6-f5
15.Be2-f3 Bg7-e5 16.e4xf5 Bc8xf5
Diagram

r+ + rk+
+pq np+p
p+ p +p+
+ + ll+
+ + + +
+NN +L+
PPPQ PPP
+ +R+RK

1865

17.Nb3-d4 Bf5-d7 18.Nc3-d5


Ne7xd5 19.Bf3xd5 Bd7-c6
20.Bd5-b3 last book move last book
move Qc7-b6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...Rf8-e8 21.f2-f4 Be5xd4+
22.Qd2xd4 Re8-e4 23.Qd4xd6
Qc7-b6+ 24.Kg1-h1 Re4-e2
25.Bb3-d5 Qb6xb2 26.f4-f5 Bc6xd5
27.Qd6xd5 g6-g5 Diagram
28.Rd1-d2 Re2xd2 29.Qd5xd2 h7-h6
30.Qd2-d7 Ra8-b8 31.Qd7-d6 Rb8-e8
32.Qd6xh6 -0.11/14 ] 21.Kg1-h1
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

r+ + +k+
+p+ +p+p
p+ + + +
+ +Q+Pp
+ + + +
+ + + +
PqP+r+PP
+ +R+R+K

1866

21.f2-f4 Be5-f6 22.c2-c3 Ra8-e8


23.f4-f5 d6-d5 24.Rf1-f2 g6-g5
25.Qd2-d3 g5-g4 26.Rf2-f4 h7-h5
27.Rf4-f2 Re8-e7 -0.03/14 ]

r+ + rk+
+p+ +p+p
pqlp +p+
+ + l +
+ N + +
+L+ + +
PPPQ PPP
+ +R+R+K

1867

21...Ra8-d8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 21...d6-d5 22.f2-f4 Be5-f6
23.f4-f5 g6-g5 24.Rf1-e1 Rf8-e8
25.c2-c3 Qb6-c7 26.Nd4-c2 Re8xe1+
27.Rd1xe1 Qc7-d7 28.Nc2-b4 Qd7xf5
29.Nb4xd5 -0.03/14 ]
22.f2-f4 White threatens to win
material: f4xe5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.c2-c3 Be5xd4 23.c3xd4 a6-a5
24.Rd1-c1 a5-a4 25.Bb3-c4 Rf8-e8
26.d4-d5 Bc6-d7 27.Rf1-e1 Re8xe1+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r rk+
+p+ +p+p
pqlp +p+
+ + l +
+ N + +
+L+ + +
PPPQ PPP
+ +R+R+K

500

1868

28.Rc1xe1 Rd8-c8 29.Re1-e7 Rc8xc4


30.Re7xd7 Rc4-d4 0.00/15 ]
22...Be5-f6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Qb6xd4 23.Qd2xd4 Be5xd4
24.Rd1xd4 Rf8-e8 25.Kh1-g1 Re8-e4
26.Rd4xe4 Bc6xe4 27.Rf1-d1 d6-d5
28.Kg1-f2 Kg8-g7 29.Rd1-d4 b7-b5
30.a2-a4 Rd8-c8 31.c2-c3 Rc8-d8
32.Bb3-a2 b5xa4 33.Rd4xa4 0.03/15 ]
23.Nd4-f3 Diagram [ 23.f4-f5 g6-g5= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.f4-f5 Diagram
(Diagram 1869)
g6-g5 24.h2-h4 h7-h6 25.Rf1-e1
d6-d5 26.Nd4-f3 Kg8-g7 27.c2-c3
g5xh4 28.Qd2-f4 Rf8-e8 29.Qf4-g4+
Kg7-h8 30.Qg4-h5 Re8xe1+
31.Rd1xe1 Kh8-g7 32.Qh5-g4+
Kg7-h8 33.Nf3-e5 -0.01/13 ]
(Diagram 1870)
23...a6-a5 [ 23...Bf6xb2? Diagram
(Diagram 1871)
is inferior since it leads to 24.Rd1-b1
Bc6xf3 25.Rb1xb2 Bf3xg2+
26.Qd2xg2+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

+ r rk+
+p+ +p+p
pqlp lp+
+ + +P+
+ N + +
+L+ + +
PPPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

+ r rk+
+p+ +p+p
pqlp lp+
+ + + +
+ + P +
+L+ +N+
PPPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

+ r rk+
+p+ +p+p
pqlp +p+
+ + + +
+ + P +
+L+ +N+
PlPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

1869

1870

1871

23...Bc6-e4 24.Nf3-g5 d6-d5 25.c2-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

501

Rf8-e8 26.Ng5xe4 d5xe4 27.Qd2-e2


e4-e3 28.f4-f5 Rd8xd1 29.Rf1xd1
Kg8-g7 30.f5xg6 h7xg6 31.Kh1-g1
Re8-d8 32.Rd1xd8 Bf6xd8 33.Bb3-d5
Bd8-f6 34.a2-a4 -0.30/14 ] 24.f4-f5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.c2-c3
Diagram

+ r rk+
+p+ +p+p
qlp lp+
p + + +
+ + P +
+LP +N+
PP Q +PP
+ +R+R+K

1872

d6-d5 25.Nf3-d4 Rf8-e8 26.Nd4xc6


b7xc6 27.f4-f5 g6-g5 28.Rf1-e1
Qb6-c7 29.g2-g3 Rd8-b8 30.Kh1-g2
Qc7-d7 31.Bb3-a4 Qd7-b7 32.Rd1-b1
Qb7-c7 -0.18/14 ] 24...a5-a4 Diagram
[ 24...Bf6xb2 25.c2-c3 d6-d5
26.Qd2-h6+- ( 26.Qd2xb2?!
is the weaker alternative a5-a4 );
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...a5-a4
25.Bb3-d5 Diagram
(Diagram 1873)
Qb6xb2 26.f5xg6 h7xg6 27.Bd5xc6
b7xc6 28.Qd2-f4 c6-c5 29.Qf4xa4
Rd8-a8 30.Qa4-b3 Ra8xa2
31.Rd1xd6 Qb2xb3 32.c2xb3 Kg8-g7
33.Nf3-e1 Bf6-e5 34.Rd6-d7 Ra2-a1
35.g2-g3 Be5-d4 36.b3-b4 Ra1-a2
37.b4xc5 Bd4xc5 -0.39/15 ]
25.Bb3-c4 [ 25.Bb3-d5 Diagram
Qb6xb2 26.f5xg6 h7xg6 27.Bd5xc6
b7xc6! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

+ r rk+
+p+ +p+p
qlp lp+
+ +L+P+
p+ + + +
+ + +N+
PPPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

+ r rk+
+p+ +p+p
qlp lp+
+ + +P+
p+ + + +
+L+ +N+
PPPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

+ r rk+
+p+ +p+p
qlp lp+
+ +L+P+
p+ + + +
+ + +N+
PPPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

1873

1874

1875

25.Bb3-d5 Qb6xb2 26.f5xg6 h7xg6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

502

27.Bd5xc6 b7xc6 28.Qd2-f4 c6-c5


29.Qf4xa4 Rd8-a8 30.Qa4-b3 Ra8xa2
31.Qb3xb2 Bf6xb2 32.Rd1xd6 Bb2-h8
33.Rd6-d2 Rf8-e8 34.Nf3-g5 Diagram

+ +r+kl
+ + +p+
+ + +p+
+ p + N
+ + + +
+ + + +
r+PR +PP
+ + +R+K

1876

f7-f5 35.Rd2-d6 -0.41/13 ]


25...Qb6xb2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25...d6-d5 26.Bc4-d3 Qb6xb2
27.Qd2-h6 Bf6-g7 28.Qh6-h4 Rd8-d6
29.Rf1-e1 Qb2-f6 30.Qh4-g4 Rd6-d8
31.Nf3-e5 Diagram

+ r rk+
+p+ +plp
+l+ qp+
+ +pNP+
p+ + +Q+
+ +L+ +
P+P+ +PP
+ +RR +K

1877

28.Nf3-g1 g6-g5 29.Rd1-c1 Qc2-b2


30.Rc1-c7 b7-b5 31.Rf1-c1 Qb2-e5
32.Qd5-d3 Rf8-e8 33.Ng1-f3 Qe5-b2
34.Qd3-d5 Diagram

+ rr+k+
+ R +p+p
+ p l +
+p+Q+Pp
p+ + + +
+ + +N+
Pq + +PP
+ R + +K

1878

Re8-e7 35.Rc7-c2 -0.84/14 ]

+ r rk+
+p+ +p+p
+lp lP+
+ + + +
p+L+ + +
+ + +N+
PqPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

1879

26...h7xg6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


26...h7xg6 Diagram
(Diagram 1880)

Rf8-e8 32.Ne5xc6 Re8xe1+


33.Rd1xe1 Qf6xc6 34.f5xg6 h7xg6
35.Re1-e7 Rd8-e8 -0.94/13 ] 26.f5xg6
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26.Bc4-d5 Bc6xd5 27.Qd2xd5 Qb2xc2

27.Bc4-d5 Bc6xd5 28.Qd2xd5


Qb2xc2 29.Nf3-e1 Qc2-c3 30.Qd5xb7
Kg8-g7 31.Ne1-d3 Rf8-h8 Diagram
32.h2-h3 Rh8-e8 33.Qb7-f3 Re8-e7
34.Rd1-c1 Qc3-d4 35.Rc1-c6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r rk+
+p+ +p+
+lp lp+
+ + + +
p+L+ + +
+ + +N+
PqPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

+ r + r
+Q+ +pk
+ p lp+
+ + + +
p+ + + +
+ qN+ +
P+ + +PP
+ +R+R+K

503

1880

1881

Rd8-b8 -0.64/16 ] 27.Nf3-g5


[ 27.Bc4-d5!? Diagram
(Diagram 1882)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27.Bc4-d5
Diagram
(Diagram 1883)
Kg8-g7 28.Bd5xc6 b7xc6 29.Nf3-d4
Bf6xd4 30.Qd2xd4+ Qb2xd4
31.Rd1xd4 d6-d5 32.Rd4xa4 Rd8-a8
33.Ra4xa8 Rf8xa8 34.Rf1-a1 Ra8-a3
35.Kh1-g1 d5-d4 36.h2-h3 Ra3-c3

+ r rk+
+p+ +p+
+lp lp+
+ +L+ +
p+ + + +
+ + +N+
PqPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

+ r rk+
+p+ +p+
+lp lp+
+ +L+ +
p+ + + +
+ + +N+
PqPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

1882

1883

37.Ra1-d1 Rc3xc2 38.Rd1xd4 Rc2xa2


39.Rd4-d7 c6-c5 -0.73/15 Diagram
(Diagram 1884)
] 27...Rd8-d7-+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27...d6-d5 Diagram
(Diagram 1885)
28.Bc4-d3 Qb2-d4 29.Ng5-f3 Qd4-g4
30.c2-c3 Rd8-e8 31.Qd2-b2 Re8-e3
32.Nf3-d4 Bf6xd4 33.c3xd4 Rf8-e8
34.Qb2-b4 f7-f5 35.Kh1-g1 Diagram
a4-a3 36.Qb4-c5 Qg4-h4 -1.12/15 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

504
Diagram

+ + + +
+ +R+pk
+ + +p+
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ + + +P
r+ + +P+
+ + + K

+ r rk+
+p+ +p+
+l+ lp+
+ +p+ N
p+L+ + +
+ + + +
PqPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

+ +r+k+
+p+ + +
+l+ +p+
+ +p+p+
pQ P +q+
+ +Lr +
P+ + +PP
+ +R+RK
28.Bc4-d3 [ 28.Bc4-d5 Bc6xd5

1884

1885

+ + rk+
+p+r+p+
+ p lp+
+ +l+ N
p+ + + +
+ + + +
PqPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

1887

29.Qd2xd5 Bf6xg5 30.Qd5xg5


Qb2xa2 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28.h2-h4 Diagram

+ + rk+
+p+r+p+
+lp lp+
+ + + N
p+L+ + P
+ + + +
PqPQ +P+
+ +R+R+K

1888

1886

Kg8-g7 29.Bc4-d5 Bc6xd5


30.Qd2xd5 Qb2-e5 31.Qd5-c4 Bf6xg5
32.h4xg5 b7-b5 33.Qc4-d4 Qe5xd4
34.Rd1xd4 Rf8-c8 35.Rf1-f2 Rd7-c7
36.c2-c4 Rc7xc4 37.Rd4xd6 Rc4-c2
38.Rf2xc2 Rc8xc2 -1.36/13 ]
28...Kg8-g7 Diagram [ 28...Rf8-e8
keeps an even firmer grip 29.Bd3-c4-+
Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Rf8-e8
29.Bd3-c4 d6-d5 30.Bc4-d3 Bf6-e5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
+p+r+p+
+lp lp+
+ + + N
p+L+ + +
+ + + +
PqPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

505

1889

31.Qd2-f2 f7-f5 32.Rf1-e1 Rd7-g7


33.Ng5-f3 Be5-f6 34.Re1xe8+ Bc6xe8
Diagram

+ +l+k+
+p+ + r
+ + lp+
+ +p+p+
p+ + + +
+ +L+N+
PqP+ QPP
+ +R+ +K

1890

35.Rd1-e1 Rg7-e7 36.Re1xe7 Bf6xe7


37.Qf2-e1 -1.91/13 ]
(Diagram 1891)
29.Qd2-f4 [ 29.Rd1-b1 Qb2-e5
30.Ng5-f3-+ Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29.Ng5-e4
Bf6-e5 30.Qd2-g5 Diagram
f7-f6 31.Ne4xf6 Rf8xf6 32.Rf1xf6
Be5xf6 33.Qg5xg6+ Kg7-f8 34.Rd1-f1
Diagram

+ + r +
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ + + N
p+ + + +
+ +L+ +
PqPQ +PP
+ +R+R+K

+ + r +
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ + q +
p+ + + +
+ +L+N+
P+PQ +PP
+R+ +R+K

+ + r +
+p+r+pk
+lp +p+
+ + l Q
p+ +N+ +
+ +L+ +
PqP+ +PP
+ +R+R+K

1891

1892

1893

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + k +
+p+r+ +
+lp lQ+
+ + + +
p+ + + +
+ +L+ +
PqP+ +PP
+ + +R+K

506

1894

Rd7-f7 35.Bd3-c4 d6-d5 36.Bc4-e2


Qb2xa2 37.Be2-h5 d5-d4 38.Qg6-g3
Qa2-e6 39.Qg3-b8+ Qe6-e8
40.Qb8-d6+ Qe8-e7 41.Qd6-b8+
Kf8-g7 42.Qb8-g3+ Kg7-h8 43.Bh5xf7
Qe7xf7 -2.09/14 ] 29...Rf8-h8 Diagram
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Rf8-h8
Diagram

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ + + N
p+ + Q +
+ +L+ +
PqP+ +PP
+ +R+R+K

1895

30.h2-h3 Qb2-e5 31.Ng5-e4 Qe5xf4


32.Rf1xf4 Bf6-e5 33.Rf4-f1 Rd7-e7
34.Ne4-g5 f7-f5 35.Ng5-f3 Be5-f6
36.Kh1-h2 Re7-e3 37.Rd1-e1 Rh8-e8
38.Re1xe3 Re8xe3 39.Rf1-b1 a4-a3
40.Bd3-c4 -2.35/15 ]
30.Ng5-f3 Diagram [ 30.h2-h3

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ + + N
p+ + Q +
+ +L+ +
PqP+ +PP
+ +R+R+K

1896

doesn't improve anything Bf6xg5


31.Qf4xg5 Rh8xh3+ 32.Kh1-g1
Qb2-d4+ 33.Rf1-f2 Rh3-h4-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.h2-h3
Diagram

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ + + N
p+ + Q +
+ +L+ +P
PqP+ +P+
+ +R+R+K

1897

Qb2-e5 31.Ng5-e4 Qe5xf4 32.Rf1xf4


Bf6-e5 33.Rf4-f1 Rh8-h5 34.Kh1-g1
Rd7-e7 35.Ne4-f2 Rh5-h4 36.c2-c4
f7-f5 37.Bd3-e2 Re7-e8 -2.45/13 ]
(Diagram 1898)
30...Qb2xa2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 30...Qb2xa2 31.Bd3-e4
Bc6xe4 32.Qf4xe4 Rh8-h5 33.c2-c4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ + + +
p+ + Q +
+ +L+N+
PqP+ +PP
+ +R+R+K

507

1898

Rh5-c5 34.Nf3-d2 Bf6-e5 35.Qe4-e3


f7-f5 36.Rd1-b1 Diagram

+ + + +
+p+r+ k
+ p +p+
+ r lp+
p+P+ + +
+ + Q +
q+ N +PP
+R+ +R+K

1899

f5-f4 37.Qe3-d3 Rd7-e7 38.Nd2-e4


Rc5xc4 39.Ne4xd6 Rc4-c2 -2.65/15 ]
(Diagram 1900)
31.Rd1-e1 [ 31.Bd3-e4
doesn't change anything anymore
Bc6xe4 32.Qf4xe4 Rh8-h5-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31.Bd3-e4
Bc6xe4 32.Qf4xe4 Diagram
a4-a3 33.Qe4-g4 Qa2-e6 34.Qg4-a4
a3-a2 35.c2-c4 a2-a1R 36.Rd1xa1
Diagram

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ + + +
p+ + Q +
+ +L+N+
q+P+ +PP
+ +R+R+K

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+ p lp+
+ + + +
p+ +Q+ +
+ + +N+
q+P+ +PP
+ +R+R+K

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+ pqlp+
+ + + +
Q+P+ + +
+ + +N+
+ + +PP
R + +R+K
Bf6xa1 37.Qa4xa1+ Qe6-f6

1900

1901

1902

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

508

38.Qa1-b1 Rd7-e7 39.Rf1-d1 Re7-e2


40.Qb1xb7 Qf6-f4 41.Qb7-d5 Qf4-g4
42.Nf3-g5 Re2-f2 -2.72/14 ]
31...Qa2-b2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31...Qa2-b2 32.Re1-e2 Qb2-b6
33.c2-c4 a4-a3 34.Re2-f2 Bc6xf3
35.Qf4xf3 Bf6-d4 36.Rf2-e2 Bd4-e5
37.h2-h3 f7-f5 38.Bd3-b1 Qb6-c5
39.Re2-e3 Rh8-a8 40.Rf1-e1 Rd7-e7
-3.12/14 ] 32.c2-c3 Diagram
[ 32.Bd3-e4 doesn't get the bull off the
ice Qb2-b4 33.c2-c4 Bc6xe4
( 33...Qb4xc4 34.Nf3-d2 Qc4-d4
35.Be4xc6 Qd4xf4 36.Rf1xf4 b7xc6
37.Rf4xa4-+ ) 34.Re1xe4 a4-a3-+
Diagram

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+ p lp+
+ + + +
qP+RQ +
p + +N+
+ + +PP
+ + +R+K

1903

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32.Re1-e2


Diagram
(Diagram 1904)
a4-a3 33.c2-c4 Qb2-c3 34.Bd3-b1
Bc6xf3 35.Rf1xf3 Rh8-h4 36.g2-g4
Qc3-a1 37.Qf4-c1 Rh4xg4 38.Rf3xa3
Rg4xc4 39.Qc1xc4 Qa1xa3 Diagram
40.Kh1-g2 d6-d5 41.Qc4-f4 Qa3-d6
42.Qf4xd6 Rd7xd6 43.Kg2-f3 -2.82/13
]
32...Qb2xc3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 32...a4-a3 Diagram

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ + + +
p+ + Q +
+ +L+N+
qP+R+PP
+ + +R+K

+ + + +
+p+r+pk
+ p lp+
+ + + +
+Q+ + +
q + + +
+ +R+ P
+L+ + +K

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ + + +
p+ + Q +
+ PL+N+
q + +PP
+ + RR+K

1904

1905

1906

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ + + +
+ + Q +
p PL+N+
q + +PP
+ + RR+K

509

1907

33.Re1-e2 Qb2xc3 34.Bd3-b1


Rd7-e7 35.Re2-c2 Qc3-e3 36.Qf4-b4
Bc6xf3 37.g2xf3 Qe3-d3 38.Rc2-f2
Rh8-h4 39.Qb4-a5 Rh4-h5 40.Qa5-d8
Re7-e3 41.Qd8-c7 -5.12/12 ]

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ + + +
p+ + Q +
+ qL+N+
+ + +PP
+ + RR+K

1908

33.Re1-e3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 33.Bd3-e4 a4-a3 34.Be4xc6
b7xc6 35.Re1-e2 Rd7-e7 36.Re2-f2
Qc3-c5 37.h2-h3 Qc5-d5 38.Qf4-a4
Re7-e3 39.Kh1-g1 Qd5-e4 40.Qa4-a7
Rh8-e8 -4.89/13 ]
33...Qc3-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Qc3-c5 Diagram
34.Bd3-b1 b7-b5 35.Re3-e1 a4-a3
36.Re1-c1 Bf6-c3 37.Qf4-g4 Rd7-a7

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ + + +
p+ + Q +
+ qLRN+
+ + +PP
+ + +R+K

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ q + +
p+ + Q +
+ +LRN+
+ + +PP
+ + +R+K

1909

1910

38.Bb1-a2 b5-b4 39.Nf3-h4 Bc6-d5


40.Ba2xd5 Qc5xd5 41.Rc1-d1
-4.73/13 ] 34.Bd3-e4 [ 34.Re3-e2
Diagram
(Diagram 1911)
doesn't get the cat off the tree a4-a3-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Bd3-b1 b7-b5
35.Re3-e1 a4-a3 36.Re1-c1 Qc5-b6
37.Rc1xc6 Qb6xc6 38.Qf4xf6+ Kg7xf6
39.Nf3-d4+ Kf6-g7 40.Nd4xc6 Rd7-c7
41.Rf1-c1 b5-b4 42.Bb1-a2 -4.43/12 ]
34...a4-a3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34...a4-a3 35.Be4xc6 b7xc6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+lp lp+
+ q + +
p+ + Q +
+ +L+N+
+ +R+PP
+ + +R+K

510

1911

36.Re3-e2 Rd7-b7 37.Rf1-c1 g6-g5


38.Qf4-d2 Qc5-d5 39.Qd2xd5 c6xd5
40.Re2-a2 Diagram

+ + + r
+r+ +pk
+ p l +
+ +p+ p
+ + + +
p + +N+
R+ + +PP
+ R + +K

1912

g5-g4 41.Nf3-e1 Rb7-b3 42.Rc1-d1


Bf6-e5 43.g2-g3 Be5xg3 44.Ne1-d3
Bg3-e5 45.Nd3xe5 d6xe5 46.Rd1xd5
g4-g3 47.Rd5-d1 Rb3-b2 -6.17/15 ]
35.Be4xc6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35.Be4xc6 Diagram
(Diagram 1913)
b7xc6 36.Re3-e2 Rd7-b7 37.Rf1-c1
g6-g5 38.Qf4-d2 Qc5-d5 39.Qd2xd5
c6xd5 40.Re2-a2 g5-g4 41.Nf3-g1

+ + + r
+p+r+pk
+Lp lp+
+ q + +
+ + Q +
p + RN+
+ + +PP
+ + +R+K

1913

Rb7-b3 42.h2-h3 d5-d4 43.Rc1-a1


Rh8-a8 44.h3xg4 d4-d3 45.Ra1-d1
Rb3-b2 46.Ra2-a1 Rb2-c2 -6.20/14 ]
35...b7xc6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 35...b7xc6 36.Re3-e2 Rd7-b7
37.Rf1-c1 g6-g5 38.Qf4-d2 Qc5-d5
39.Qd2xd5 c6xd5 40.Re2-a2 g5-g4
41.Nf3-g1 Rb7-b3 42.h2-h3 d5-d4
43.Rc1-a1 Rh8-a8 44.h3xg4 Diagram

r+ + + +
+ + +pk
+ p l +
+ + + +
+ p +P+
pr+ + +
R+ + +P+
R + + NK

1914

d4-d3 45.Ra1-d1 Rb3-b2 46.Ra2-a1


Rb2-c2 -5.86/13 ]
36.Re3-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36.Re3-e2 Rd7-b7 37.Rf1-c1 g6-g5
38.Qf4-d2 Qc5-d5 39.Qd2xd5 c6xd5
40.Re2-a2 g5-g4 41.Nf3-g1 Rb7-b3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + r
+ +r+pk
+pp lp+
+ q + +
+ + Q +
p + RN+
+ + +PP
+ + +R+K

511

1915

42.h2-h3 Diagram

+ + + r
+ + +pk
+ p l +
+ +p+ +
+ + +p+
pr+ + +P
R+ + +P+
+ R + NK

1916

d5-d4 43.Rc1-a1 Rh8-a8 44.h3xg4


d4-d3 45.Ra1-d1 Rb3-b2 46.Ra2-a1
Rb2-c2 -6.03/14 ] 36...Rd7-a7
[ 36...Rd7-b7 and Black can already
relax 37.Re2-d2 Bf6-b2 38.Qf4xd6
Qc5xd6 39.Rd2xd6 a3-a2-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36...Rd7-b7
37.Rf1-c1 g6-g5 Diagram
(Diagram 1917)
38.Qf4-d2 Qc5-d5 39.Qd2xd5 c6xd5
40.Re2-a2 g5-g4 41.Nf3-g1 Rb7-b3
42.h2-h3 Bf6-b2 43.Rc1-d1 Rb3-b5

+ + + r
+r+ +pk
+pp l +
+ q + p
+ + Q +
p + +N+
+ +R+PP
+ R + +K

1917

44.Kh1-h2 Bb2-e5+ 45.Kh2-h1


Rb5-a5 -5.71/14 ] 37.g2-g4 [ 37.Rf1-c1
is the last straw Qc5-b5 38.Nf3-d4-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37.Re2-a2
Qc5-d5 38.Ra2-d2 Qd5-f5 39.Qf4xf5
g6xf5 40.Rd2-a2 Rh8-b8 41.Kh1-g1
c6-c5 42.Rf1-c1 Rb8-b2 43.Rc1-a1
Diagram

+ + + +
r + +pk
+ p l +
+ p +p+
+ + + +
p + +N+
Rr + +PP
R + + K

1918

Rb2xa2 44.Ra1xa2 Bf6-b2 45.Kg1-f2


Ra7-e7 46.Nf3-h4 -5.08/13 ] 37...a3-a2
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37...a3-a2
38.Qf4-e3 Diagram
a2-a1Q 39.Rf1xa1 Ra7xa1+
40.Kh1-g2 Ra1-a2 41.Qe3-d3 Qc5-c3
42.Qd3-d1 Ra2xe2+ 43.Qd1xe2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + r
r + +pk
+pp lp+
+ q + +
+ + +P+
+ + QN+
p+ +R+ P
+ + +R+K

512

1919

Qc3-b2 44.Qe2xb2 Bf6xb2 45.Kg2-f2


c6-c5 46.h2-h4 Bb2-e5 47.Kf2-e3
Be5-g3 48.Ke3-e4 Bg3xh4 49.Ke4-d5
Bh4-g3 Diagram

+ + + r
+ + +pk
+ p +p+
+ pK+ +
+ + +P+
+ + +Nl
+ + + +
+ + + +

1920

50.g4-g5 Bg3-f4 51.Kd5-e4 -10.86/13


] 38.g4-g5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38.Kh1-g2 a2-a1Q 39.Rf1xa1
Diagram

+ + + r
r + +pk
+pp lp+
+ q + +
+ + QP+
+ + +N+
+ +R+KP
R + + +

1921

47.Kf2-e3 Be5-g3 48.h4-h5 g6xh5


49.g4xh5 Rh8xh5 50.Ke3-d3 Kg7-f6
-11.07/14 ] 38...a2-a1Q [ 38...a2-a1Q
Diagram

+ + + r
r + +pk
+pp lp+
+ q + P
+ + Q +
+ + +N+
+ +R+ P
q + +R+K

1922

39.Rf1xa1 Ra7xa1+ 40.Kh1-g2


Bf6xg5 41.Qf4-d4+ Qc5xd4 42.Nf3xd4
c6-c5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...a2-a1Q Diagram

(Diagram 1921)

(Diagram 1923)

Ra7xa1 40.Qf4-e3 Ra1-a2 41.Qe3-d3


Qc5-c3 42.Qd3-d1 Ra2xe2+
43.Qd1xe2 Qc3-b2 44.Qe2xb2 Bf6xb2
45.Kg2-f2 c6-c5 46.h2-h4 Bb2-e5

39.g5xf6+ Qa1xf6 40.Qf4xf6+ Kg7xf6


41.Re2-d2 Kf6-g7 42.Rd2-g2 Qc5-d5
43.Rg2-d2 Qd5-c4 44.Kh1-g1 Ra7-a2
45.Rd2xa2 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + r
r + +pk
+pp lp+
+ q + P
+ + Q +
+ + +N+
+ +R+ P
q + +R+K

513

1923

r+lqklnr
+ppp+ppp
p+n+ + +
+ + p +
L+ +P+ +
+ + +N+
PPPP PPP
RNLQK +R

1925

Bc8-d7 7.Nb1-d2 g7-g6 8.Nd2-f1


Bf8-g7 9.Nf1-g3 0-0 10.0-0 Rf8-e8
[ RR 10...Qd8-e8 11.Ba4-c2 Kg8-h8
1924 12.h2-h3 d6-d5 13.e4xd5 Nf6xd5
14.Bc2-b3 Nd5-b6 15.Bc1-e3 f7-f5
16.Be3-c5 Rf8-f6 17.Rf1-e1 Bd7-e6
18.Bc5xb6 c7xb6 19.Nf3xe5 Be6xb3
20.Qd1xb3 Nc6xe5 21.d3-d4 Rf6-e6
22.d4xe5 Re6xe5 23.Re1xe5 Qe8xe5
24.Qb3xb6 Qe5-b5 25.Qb6xb5
Smirin,I (2659)-Ernst,S (2512)/Fuegen
2006/CBM 115/- (45) ;RR
10...h7-h6 11.d3-d4 Rf8-e8 12.d4-d5
Nc6-b8 13.Ba4xd7 Nb8xd7 14.c3-c4
Nd7-c5 15.Qd1-c2 a6-a5 16.b2-b3
Qc4xa2 46.Rf1-f2 Qa2-e6 47.Rf2-b2
Kg8-h7 17.Ra1-b1 c7-c6 18.d5xc6
c6-c5 -12.60/12 ]
b7xc6 19.Rf1-d1 Qd8-c7 20.Bc1-a3
0-1
Nf6-d7 21.Rd1-d2 Bg7-f8 22.Rb1-d1
Nc5-b7 23.h2-h4 Nd7-c5 24.h4-h5
Re8-d8 25.Kg1-h2 Kulovana,E (2199)38
C77 Berezjuk,S (2445)/Czechia 2007/EXT
Vassily Ivanchuk
2008/0-1 (56) ] 11.Rf1-e1 Qd8-e7
Levon Aronian
12.h2-h3 Qe7-f8N [RR 12...Nc6-a5
Karabakh International (3)
04.10.2005 13.d3-d4 e5xd4 14.c3xd4 Bd7xa4
15.Qd1xa4 Na5-c6 16.Bc1-d2 Nf6-d7
C77: Ruy Lopez: 3...a6 4 Ba4 Nf6,
17.Qa4-c4 Nd7-b6 18.Qc4-d3 Qe7-f8
unusual lines
19.d4-d5 Nc6-e5 20.Nf3xe5 Bg7xe5
1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
21.Ra1-c1 Ra8-c8 22.b2-b3 Nb6-d7
3.Bf1-b5 a7-a6 4.Bb5-a4 Diagram
23.f2-f4 Be5-g7 24.Bd2-e3 h7-h5
Ng8-f6 5.d2-d3 d7-d6 6.c2-c3
25.Be3-f2 Bg7-h6 26.Qd3-f3 Qf8-e7

+ + + r
+ + +pk
+pp +p+
+ + + +
+q+ + +
+ + +N+
R+ + + P
+ + +RK

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

514

27.Rc1-d1 Cherniaev,A (2437)-Flear,G


(2489)/Port Erin 2001/CBM 084 ext/1-0
(47) ] 13.d3-d4 Ra8-d8 14.Bc1-d2
Kg8-h8 15.Ra1-c1 b7-b5 16.Ba4-c2
Nc6-a5 17.Bc2-d3 Na5-b7 Diagram

+ rrq k
+npl+plp
p+ p np+
+p+ p +
+ PP+ +
+ PL+NNP
PP L PP+
+ RQR K

1926

18.b2-b4 a6-a5 last book move last


book move 19.c3-c4 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 19.a2-a4 b5xa4 20.b4-b5
a4-a3 21.Rc1-a1 Bd7-e6 22.d4-d5
Be6-d7 23.Ra1xa3 Nb7-c5 24.Bd2-e3
Rd8-a8 25.Be3xc5 d6xc5 26.c3-c4
Qf8-d6 27.Qd1-c2 0.73/13 ] 19...b5xc4
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19...a5xb4 20.c4xb5 Rd8-c8
21.Bd2xb4 e5xd4 22.Nf3xd4 Nf6-g4
23.Nd4-c6 Ng4-e5 24.Nc6xe5 Bg7xe5
Diagram
(Diagram 1927)
25.Bd3-c4 Kh8-g8 26.Qd1-f3 Bd7-e6
27.Ng3-e2 Nb7-c5 28.Bb4xc5 d6xc5
29.Bc4xe6 Re8xe6 0.72/12 ]
(Diagram 1928)
20.Rc1xc4 [ 20.Bd3xc4 a5xb4
21.Bc4-a6 Nb7-a5 22.Rc1xc7
e5xd4 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20.Bd3xc4 Diagram

+r+rq k
+npl+p+p
+ p +p+
+P+ l +
L +P+ +
+ +L+ NP
P+ + PP+
+ RQR K

+ rrq k
+npl+plp
+ p np+
p + p +
PpPP+ +
+ +L+NNP
P+ L PP+
+ RQR K

+ rrq k
+npl+plp
+ p np+
p + p +
PLPP+ +
+ + +NNP
P+ L PP+
+ RQR K

1927

1928

1929

e5xd4 21.Bc4-a6 Rd8-b8 22.Rc1xc7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

515

Nb7-d8 23.Nf3xd4 a5xb4 24.Bd2-f4


Rb8-b6 25.Ba6-c4 Rb6-b7 26.Rc7xb7
Nd8xb7 27.Nd4-c2 Re8-c8 28.Bc4-b3
Nf6-e8 29.Nc2xb4 Nb7-c5 30.Nb4-d5
Bg7-e5 31.Qd1-d2 Kh8-g8 0.51/12 ]
20...c7-c6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...Rd8-c8 21.d4xe5 d6xe5 22.b4xa5
Bd7-b5 23.Rc4-c3 Bb5xd3 24.Rc3xd3
Nb7-c5 25.Bd2-b4 Rc8-b8 26.Bb4xc5
Qf8xc5 27.Qd1-d2 Rb8-b5 28.a5-a6
Qc5-a7 29.Re1-c1 Kh8-g8 30.Rd3-c3
c7-c5 31.Qd2-d6 Re8-e6 0.58/13 ]
21.b4xa5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.d4xe5 d6xe5 22.b4xa5 Bd7-e6
23.Rc4-c3 Nb7xa5 24.Qd1-a4 Rd8-a8
25.Qa4-c2 Re8-d8 26.Nf3xe5 Nf6-d7
27.Ne5xd7 Rd8xd7 28.e4-e5 Rd7-d5
29.Bd2-f4 Qf8-b4 30.Re1-e4 0.48/13 ]
21...Rd8-a8 Diagram [ 21...e5xd4!?
22.Qd1-c2 Rd8-a8 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21...e5xd4 Diagram

+ rrq k
+n+l+plp
+pp np+
P + + +
+RpP+ +
+ +L+NNP
P+ L PP+
+ +QR K

1930

22.a5-a6 Nb7-c5 23.Rc4xd4 Rd8-a8


24.Bd3-f1 Bd7-c8 25.Bd2-g5 Bc8xa6
26.Bg5xf6 Bg7xf6 27.Bf1xa6 Ra8xa6
28.Rd4xd6 Bf6-c3 29.Re1-e3 Qf8-g7
30.e4-e5 0.29/12 ]
22.d4xe5+- [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.d4xe5 Diagram
d6xe5 23.Qd1-c2 c6-c5 24.Re1-b1
Bd7-c8 25.Rc4-c3 Nf6-d7 26.Bd3-b5

r+ +rq k
+n+l+plp
+pp np+
P + p +
+RPP+ +
+ +L+NNP
P+ L PP+
+ +QR K

r+ +rq k
+n+l+plp
+pp np+
P + P +
+R+P+ +
+ +L+NNP
P+ L PP+
+ +QR K

1931

1932

Ra8-a7 27.Bd2-e3 Re8-d8 28.Bb5xd7


Bc8xd7 29.a5-a6 Nb7-d6 30.Rb1-b6
Rd8-b8 31.Rb6xb8 Qf8xb8 32.Rc3-a3
Kh8-g8 33.Be3xc5 1.10/14 ]
22...d6xe5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...d6xe5 23.Qd1-c2 c6-c5
24.Re1-b1 Bd7-c8 25.Rc4-c3 Ra8-a7
26.a5-a6 Nb7-d6 27.Rc3xc5 Bc8xa6
28.Bd3xa6 Ra7xa6 29.Bd2-b4 Nf6-d7
Diagram
30.Rc5-c6 Nd7-b8 31.Rc6xd6
Ra6xd6 32.Bb4xd6 Qf8xd6 33.Qc2-c4
Kh8-g8 34.Qc4-d5 Qd6-c7 1.07/15 ]
23.Qd1-c2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23.Qd1-c2 c6-c5 24.Re1-b1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +rq k
+ +n+plp
r+ n +p+
+ R p +
L +P+ +
+ + +NNP
P+Q+ PP+
+R+ + K

516

1933

Bd7-c8 25.Bd3-e2 Nf6-d7 26.Rc4-a4


Nb7-d6 27.a5-a6 Ra8-a7 28.Bd2-e3
Qf8-e7 29.Be2-c4 Re8-d8 30.Rb1-d1
Nd6xc4 31.Qc2xc4 1.21/13 Diagram

+lr + k
r +nqplp
P+ + +p+
+ p p +
R+Q+P+ +
+ + LNNP
P+ + PP+
+ +R+ K

1934

r+ +rq k
+n+l+plp
+p+ np+
P + p +
+R+P+ +
+ +L+NNP
P+QL PP+
+ + R K

r+ +rq k
+ +l+ lp
+ n pp+
P R p +
+ +P+ +
+ +Q+NNP
P+ L PP+
+R+ + K

1935

1936

Ba2-e6 32.Rc5-c7 Re8-d8


33.Bd2-b4 0.94/13 ] 24.Bd2-b4
[ 24.Rc4-a4 Na5-b7 25.Ra4xa8
Re8xa8+- Diagram

]
(Diagram 1937)
(Diagram 1935)
23...Nb7xa5 [ 23...c6-c5 24.Re1-b1
Nb7xa5 25.Rc4xc5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23...c6-c5 24.Re1-b1 Bd7-c8
25.Rc4-c3 Nf6-d7 26.Bd3-b5 Nb7-d6
27.Bb5xd7 Bc8xd7 28.Rc3xc5 f7-f6
29.Qc2-d3 Diagram
Bd7-e6 30.a5-a6 Be6xa2 31.Rb1-b2

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Rc4-a4


Na5-b7 25.Ra4xa8 Re8xa8 26.Nf3xe5
Bd7-e6 27.a2-a4 Nf6-h5 28.Ng3xh5
Bg7xe5 29.Nh5-f4 Nb7-c5 30.Nf4xe6
f7xe6 31.Bd2-b4 Be5-h2+ 32.Kg1-f1
Bh2-d6 33.Bb4-c3+ Kh8-g8 34.a4-a5
Bd6-c7 35.Bc3-b4 Bc7-d6 36.Re1-d1
1.31/14 ] 24...Qf8-g8 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + q k
+n+l+plp
+p+ np+
+ + p +
+ +P+ +
+ +L+NNP
P+QL PP+
+ + R K

517

1937

[ 24...c6-c5 25.Bb4xc5 Qf8-g8


26.Rc4-c3+- Diagram

r+ +r+qk
+ +l+plp
+ + np+
n L p +
+ +P+ +
+ RL+NNP
P+Q+ PP+
+ + R K

1938

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...c6-c5


25.Bb4xc5 Qf8-g8 26.Rc4-c3 Na5-b7
27.Bc5-e3 Qg8-f8 28.Re1-b1 Bd7-a4
29.Qc2-d2 Nb7-d6 30.Rc3-c7 Nf6-d7
31.Ng3-e2 Re8-c8 32.Rb1-c1 Kh8-g8
0.88/14 Diagram
(Diagram 1939)
]
25.Rc4-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25.Rc4-c5 Diagram
Na5-b7 26.Rc5xe5 c6-c5 27.Re5xe8

r+r+ qk+
+ Rn+plp
+ n +p+
+ + p +
l+ +P+ +
+ +LLN+P
P+ QNPP+
+ R + K

r+ +r+qk
+ +l+plp
+p+ np+
n + p +
LR+P+ +
+ +L+NNP
P+Q+ PP+
+ + R K

r+ +r+qk
+ +l+plp
+p+ np+
n R p +
L +P+ +
+ +L+NNP
P+Q+ PP+
+ + R K

1939

1940

1941

Qg8xe8 28.Bb4-d2 Bd7-c6 29.Bd3-c4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

518

Nb7-d8 30.Bc4-b3 Nd8-e6 Diagram

r+ +q+ k
+ + +plp
+l+nnp+
+ p + +
+ +P+ +
+L+ +NNP
P+QL PP+
+ + R K

r+ +r+qk
+n+l+plp
+p+ np+
+ R p +
L +P+ +
+ +L+NNP
P+Q+ PP+
+ + R K

1942

Bd7-e6 30.Bc4xe6 Qg8xe6 31.a2-a4


Ne8-d6 32.Re1-b1 Diagram

31.Nf3-e5 Bc6-b7 32.Re1-b1 Nf6-d7


33.Ne5xf7+ Qe8xf7 34.Bb3xe6
Qf7xe6 35.Rb1xb7 Ra8xa2 36.Qc2-d3
Bg7-d4 37.Ng3-e2 0.98/16 ]
25...Na5-b7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25...Na5-b7 Diagram

r+ +r+qk
+n+l+plp
+p+ np+
+ R p +
L +P+ +
+ +L+NNP
P+Q+ PP+
+ + R K

r+ + + k
+n+ + lp
+ nqpp+
+ p + +
P+ +P+ +
+ + +NNP
+QL PP+
+R+ + K

1943

26.Rc5xe5 c6-c5 27.Re5xe8 Qg8xe8


28.Bb4-c3 Qe8-d8 29.Re1-b1 Ra8-a7
30.e4-e5 Nf6-d5 31.Bc3-d2 Qd8-e7
32.Qc2-b3 Bd7-c6 33.Bd3-c4 Qe7-e6
34.Nf3-g5 1.20/15 ]
26.Rc5xe5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26.Rc5xe5 c6-c5 27.Re5xe8
Nf6xe8 28.Bb4-d2 f7-f6 29.Bd3-c4

1944

1945

Qe6-e8 33.Rb1-a1 Qe8-e6 34.Bd2-f4


Nd6-c4 35.Ra1-b1 Nb7-d6 36.Rb1-d1
Ra8-b8 37.Bf4xd6 Nc4xd6 38.Qc2xc5
Nd6xe4 39.Ng3xe4 Qe6xe4 0.92/16
Diagram
(Diagram 1946)
]
26...c6-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...Re8-b8 Diagram
27.Nf3-g5 Nb7-d8 28.Re5-a5 Ra8xa5
29.Bb4xa5 Nd8-e6 30.Ng5xe6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + + k
+ + + lp
+ + pp+
+ Q + +
P+ +q+ +
+ + +N+P
+ + PP+
+ +R+ K

r+ +r+qk
+n+l+plp
+p+ np+
+ + R +
L +P+ +
+ +L+NNP
P+Q+ PP+
+ + R K

rr + +qk
+n+l+plp
+p+ np+
+ + R +
L +P+ +
+ +L+NNP
P+Q+ PP+
+ + R K
Bd7xe6 31.Ba5-c7 Diagram

519

1946

1947

r + +qk
+ L +plp
+p+lnp+
+ + + +
+ +P+ +
+ +L+ NP
P+Q+ PP+
+ + R K

1949

Rb8-a8 32.a2-a4 Qg8-c8 33.Bc7-d6


Nf6-d7 34.e4-e5 Kh8-g8 35.f2-f4
Qc8-b7 0.99/14 ] 27.Bb4-c3
[ 27.Re5xe8 Nf6xe8 28.Bb4-c3 f7-f6+Diagram

r+ +n+qk
+n+l+ lp
+ + pp+
+ p + +
+ +P+ +
+ LL+NNP
P+Q+ PP+
+ + R K

1950

1948

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27.Re5xe8


Nf6xe8 28.Bb4-d2 f7-f6 29.Bd3-c4
Diagram
(Diagram 1951)
Bd7-e6
Ne8-d6
Qe8-e6
Nb7-d6

30.Bc4xe6 Qg8xe6 31.a2-a4


32.Re1-b1 Qe6-e8 33.Rb1-a1
34.Bd2-f4 Nd6-c4 35.Ra1-e1
36.Re1-d1 Ra8-b8 37.Bf4xd6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +n+qk
+n+l+ lp
+ + pp+
+ p + +
+L+P+ +
+ + +NNP
P+QL PP+
+ + R K

520

1951

Nc4xd6 38.Qc2xc5 Nd6xe4


39.Ng3xe4 Diagram

r + + k
+ + + lp
+ +qpp+
+ Q + +
P+ +N+ +
+ + +N+P
+ + PP+
+ +R+ K

1952

Qe6xe4 0.82/14 ] 27...Bd7-e6


[ 27...Re8-b8 28.Re1-b1 Qg8-d8
29.Qc2-d2+- Diagram
(Diagram 1953)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27...Re8-d8
28.Re1-b1 Diagram
Ra8-a7 29.Nf3-g5 h7-h6 30.Ng5-f3
Qg8-f8 31.Qc2-d2 Qf8-d6 32.Bd3-c4
Qd6xd2 Diagram
33.Nf3xd2 Nb7-d6 34.Bc4-b3 Ra7-c7
35.Re5-e7 c5-c4 0.72/14 ] 28.Bd3-b5

rr q + k
+n+l+plp
+ + np+
+ p R +
+ +P+ +
+ LL+NNP
P+ Q PP+
+R+ + K

r+ r +qk
+n+l+plp
+ + np+
+ p R +
+ +P+ +
+ LL+NNP
P+Q+ PP+
+R+ + K

+ r + k
rn+l+pl
+ + npp
+ p R +
+L+P+ +
+ L +NNP
P+ q PP+
+R+ + K

1953

1954

1955

[ 28.Qc2-b2 c5-c4 29.Bd3xc4 Be6xc4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

521

30.Re5xe8 Diagram

r+ +R+qk
+n+ +plp
+ + np+
+ + + +
+l+P+ +
+ L +NNP
PQ + PP+
+ + R K

1956

Nf6xe8 31.Qb2xb7 Ra8xa2


32.Bc3xg7+ Ne8xg7+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 28.Qc2-b2 Diagram

r+ +r+qk
+n+ +plp
+ +lnp+
+ p R +
+ +P+ +
+ LL+NNP
PQ + PP+
+ + R K

1957

c5-c4 29.Bd3xc4 Be6xc4 30.Re5xe8


Nf6xe8 31.Bc3xg7+ Ne8xg7
32.Qb2xb7 Ra8xa2 33.Re1-d1 Qg8-f8
34.Qb7-c7 Bc4-b5 35.Rd1-d8 Bb5-e8
36.Nf3-d4 Kh8-g8 37.Ng3-e2 Ng7-e6
38.Nd4xe6 f7xe6 1.22/13 ] 28...Re8-c8
Diagram [ 28...Re8-d8 29.Bb5-c6
Ra8xa2+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28...Ra8xa2 Diagram
29.Qc2-b1 Re8-a8 30.Bb5-c6 Ra2-a7
31.Qb1-b2 Qg8-f8 32.Re1-b1 Be6-c8

+ +r+qk
+n+ +plp
+ +lnp+
+Lp R +
+ +P+ +
+ L +NNP
r+Q+ PP+
+ + R K

1958

33.Rb1-d1 Ra8-b8 34.Qb2-b6 Ra7-a3


35.Ng3-e2 Kh8-g8 36.Bc3-b2 0.79/13 ]

r+r+ +qk
+n+ +plp
+ +lnp+
+Lp R +
+ +P+ +
+ L +NNP
P+Q+ PP+
+ + R K

1959

29.a2-a4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 29.a2-a4 Nb7-d6 30.Bb5-e2
Be6-d7 31.a4-a5 Nd6-b5 32.Bc3-d2
Qg8-f8 33.Re1-c1 Nb5-d4 34.Nf3xd4
c5xd4 35.Re5-c5 Diagram
(Diagram 1960)
Qf8-e8 36.Qc2-d3 Rc8xc5
37.Rc1xc5 1.14/13 ]
29...Nb7-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29...Qg8-f8 30.Ng3-e2 Be6-d7
31.Re5-g5 Bd7xb5 32.a4xb5 h7-h6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+r+ q k
+ +l+plp
+ + np+
P R + +
+ pP+ +
+ + + NP
+QLLPP+
+ R + K

r+r+ +qk
+n+ +plp
+ +lnp+
+Lp R +
P+ +P+ +
+ L +NNP
+Q+ PP+
+ + R K

522

1960

1961

33.Rg5-g3 c5-c4 34.Bc3xf6 Bg7xf6


35.e4-e5 Bf6-e7 36.Re1-d1 1.18/12
Diagram
(Diagram 1962)
] 30.Bb5-f1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 30.Bb5-e2 Be6-d7 31.Qc2-d2
Qg8-f8 32.Re1-d1 Nf6-e8 33.Re5-d5
Bd7xa4 34.Bc3xg7+ Kh8xg7
35.Rd1-c1 f7-f6 36.e4-e5 f6xe5
37.Nf3xe5 c5-c4 38.Be2xc4 Nd6xc4
39.Ne5xc4 1.28/12 ]
30...Nf6-e8 [ 30...Nd6-e8 31.Re1-d1
Ra8-b8 32.Bf1-b5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

r+r+ q k
+n+ lp+
+ + +pp
+P+ P +
+p+ + +
+ + +NRP
+Q+NPP+
+ +R+ K

r+r+ +qk
+ + +plp
+ nlnp+
+ p R +
P+ +P+ +
+ L +NNP
+Q+ PP+
+ + RLK

1962

1963

x64: 30...Be6-d7 31.Re5-e7 Diagram


(Diagram 1964)
Bd7-c6 32.Nf3-g5 h7-h6 33.e4-e5
Nf6-d5 34.e5xd6 h6xg5 35.Bc3xg7+
Qg8xg7 36.d6-d7 Nd5xe7
37.d7xc8Q+ Ne7xc8 38.Qc2xc5
Bc6xa4 39.Qc5xg5 Nc8-d6 40.Qg5-d5
Qg7-f8 41.Ng3-e4 Nd6xe4 42.Re1xe4
Ba4-c2 1.22/13 Diagram
] 31.Re5xc5!! Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 31.Re5xc5 Rc8-d8
32.Re1-b1 Diagram
f7-f6 33.Nf3-d4 Be6-a2 34.Rb1-b2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+r+ +qk
+ +lRplp
+ n np+
+ p + +
P+ +P+ +
+ L +NNP
+Q+ PP+
+ + RLK

r+ + q k
+ + +p+
+ + +p+
+ +Q+ +
+ +R+ +
+ + + +P
+l+ PP+
+ + +LK

r+ rn+qk
+ + +plp
+ nl+p+
+ R + +
P+ +P+ +
+ L +NNP
+Q+ PP+
+R+ +LK

523

1964

f6xe5 37.Nc6xe5 Rd7-d8 38.Ne5xf7+


Qg8xf7 39.a4-a5 Bg7xc3 40.Qc2xc3+
Kh8-g8 41.a5-a6 Ne8-f6 42.Rc5-c7
2.58/14 ]

r+r+n+qk
+ + +plp
+ nl+p+
+ R + +
P+ +P+ +
+ L +NNP
+Q+ PP+
+ + RLK

1967

1965

Discovered attack: c5, c3-d4.


31...Nd6-b7 Diagram [ 31...Rc8xc5
Diagram

1966

Ba2-f7 35.Nd4-c6 Rd8-d7 36.e4-e5

r+ +n+qk
+ + +plp
+ nl+p+
+ r + +
P+ +P+ +
+ L +NNP
+Q+ PP+
+ + RLK

1968

32.Bc3-d4 Discovered attack ; 31...-32.Rc5xc8 Threat A) 32...Nd6xc8


33.Bc3xg7+ Ne8xg7 ( 33...Qg8xg7
Diagram
34.Qc2-c6 Combination ; 33...Kh8xg7
34.Nf3-g5 Combination ) 34.Nf3-d4
Combination ; B) 32...Be6xc8
33.Bc3xg7+ Ne8xg7 ( 33...Qg8xg7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+n+n+ k
+ + +pqp
+ +l+p+
+ + + +
P+ +P+ +
+ + +NNP
+Q+ PP+
+ + RLK

524

1969

34.e4-e5 Combination ; 33...Kh8xg7


34.Qc2-c3+ Combination ) 34.Qc2-c6
Combination ; C) 32...Ra8xc8
33.Nf3-d4 Diagram

+r+n+qk
+ + +plp
+ nl+p+
+ + + +
P+ NP+ +
+ L + NP
+Q+ PP+
+ + RLK

1970

Combination ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


31...Rc8-d8 32.Re1-b1 f7-f6
33.Nf3-d4 Be6-a2 34.Rb1-b2 Ba2-f7
35.Nd4-c6 Rd8-d7 36.e4-e5 f6xe5
37.Nc6xe5 Rd7-e7 38.Ne5xf7+
Qg8xf7 2.26/13 ]
32.Rc5xc8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 32.Rc5xc8 Ra8xc8 33.Bc3xg7+
Qg8xg7 34.Qc2-d2 Qg7-c3
35.Qd2xc3+ Rc8xc3 36.Re1-b1
Rc3-c7 37.e4-e5 Be6-d5 38.Nf3-d4

r+r+n+qk
+n+ +plp
+ +l+p+
+ R + +
P+ +P+ +
+ L +NNP
+Q+ PP+
+ + RLK

1971

Rc7-e7 39.f2-f4 f7-f6 40.a4-a5 f6xe5


41.f4xe5 Re7xe5 42.a5-a6 Nb7-d6
43.a6-a7 Re5-e3 44.Ng3-e2 Re3-a3
45.Nd4-b5 Nd6xb5 46.Rb1xb5 Ne8-c7
47.Rb5-b8+ Kh8-g7 2.68/17 ]

r+R+n+qk
+n+ +plp
+ +l+p+
+ + + +
P+ +P+ +
+ L +NNP
+Q+ PP+
+ + RLK

1972

32...Ra8xc8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


32...Ra8xc8 Diagram
(Diagram 1973)
33.Bc3xg7+ Ne8xg7 34.Qc2-d2
Rc8-a8 35.Qd2-b4 Nb7-a5 36.Bf1-b5
Qg8-d8 37.Ng3-f1 Ra8-c8 38.Nf1-e3
Na5-b3 39.Re1-d1 Qd8-c7
40.Qb4-d6 2.59/15 ] 33.Re1-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+n+qk
+n+ +plp
+ +l+p+
+ + + +
P+ +P+ +
+ L +NNP
+Q+ PP+
+ + RLK

525

1973

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Bc3xg7+


Diagram

+r+n+qk
+n+ +pLp
+ +l+p+
+ + + +
P+ +P+ +
+ + +NNP
+Q+ PP+
+ + RLK

+ +n+qk
+nr + lp
L+ +lpp+
+ + + +
P+ +P+ +
+ L RNNP
+Q+ PP+
+ + + K

1975

37.Nd4-b5 Rc7-c8 38.Re3-d3 Nb7-c5


39.Rd3-d5 Qg8-e6 40.a4-a5 1.83/13 ]

1974

Qg8xg7 34.Qc2-d2 Qg7-c3


35.Qd2xc3+ Rc8xc3 36.Re1-b1
Rc3-c7 37.Bf1-b5 Ne8-d6 38.e4-e5
Nd6xb5 39.a4xb5 Be6-d5 40.Nf3-d4
Kh8-g7 41.b5-b6 Rc7-c8 42.Ng3-e2
Rc8-e8 43.f2-f4 f7-f6 44.Rb1-b5
2.52/14 ] 33...Ne8-d6 Diagram
[ 33...Nb7-a5 a fruitless try to alter the
course of the game 34.Qc2-d2 Na5-c4
35.Bf1xc4 Rc8xc4 36.a4-a5+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33...f7-f6
34.Bf1-a6 Rc8-c7 Diagram
35.Nf3-d4 Be6-c8 36.Ba6-f1 Bc8-d7

+r+ +qk
+n+ +plp
+ nl+p+
+ + + +
P+ +P+ +
+ L RNNP
+Q+ PP+
+ + +LK

1976

34.Qc2-b2 [ 34.Bf1-a6!? Diagram


(Diagram 1977)
makes it even easier for White Rc8-a8
35.Bc3xg7+ Qg8xg7+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 34.Nf3-g5 f7-f6 35.Ng5xe6
Qg8xe6 36.Bf1-a6 Rc8-c6 37.Ba6-e2
h7-h5 38.Be2-b5 Rc6-c8 39.Bb5-a6
Rc8-a8 40.Ba6xb7 Nd6xb7 41.Ng3-e2
Nb7-c5 42.Ne2-f4 2.04/13 ]
34...Nb7-a5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 34...Nb7-a5 35.Nf3-d2 Na5-c4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +qk
+n+ +plp
L+ nl+p+
+ + + +
P+ +P+ +
+ L RNNP
+Q+ PP+
+ + + K

526

1977

36.Nd2xc4 Nd6xc4 37.Bf1xc4 Be6xc4


38.a4-a5 Rc8-a8 39.Qb2-b4 Bc4-e6
40.Re3-d3 Qg8-c8 41.Bc3xg7+
Kh8xg7 42.Qb4-b2+ f7-f6 43.e4-e5
f6-f5 44.Qb2-b4 Qc8-c1+ 45.Ng3-f1
2.27/15 ]

+r+ +qk
+ + +plp
+ nl+p+
n + + +
P+ +P+ +
+ L RNNP
Q + PP+
+ + +LK

1978

35.Nf3-g5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


35.Nf3-d2 h7-h5 36.Bf1-a6 Rc8-c6
37.Ba6-b5 Rc6-c8 38.Re3-d3 Nd6-c4
39.Nd2xc4 Na5xc4 40.Qb2-a1 Rc8-c5
41.Bc3xg7+ Diagram
Qg8xg7 42.Rd3-d8+ Kh8-h7
43.Qa1xg7+ Kh7xg7 44.Ng3-e2
Nc4-e5 45.Rd8-d6 2.05/15 ]
35...Nd6-b7 [ 35...Nd6-c4 36.Bc3xg7+

+ + +qk
+ + +pL
+ +l+p+
+Lr + +p
P+n+P+ +
+ +R+ NP
+ + PP+
Q + + K

1979

Qg8xg7 37.Qb2xg7+ Diagram

+r+ + k
+ + +pQp
+ +l+p+
n + + N
P+n+P+ +
+ + R NP
+ + PP+
+ + +LK

1980

Kh8xg7 38.Ng5xe6+ f7xe6+- ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35...Nd6-c4
36.Bc3xg7+ Qg8xg7 37.Qb2xg7+
Kh8xg7 38.Ng5xe6+ f7xe6 39.Re3-c3
Kg7-f6 40.Bf1xc4 Rc8xc4 Diagram
(Diagram 1981)
41.Rc3xc4 Na5xc4 42.Ng3-e2 Kf6-e5
43.f2-f3 g6-g5 44.Kg1-f2 h7-h6
45.Ne2-c1 Nc4-a5 46.Nc1-d3+
Ke5-d4 47.Kf2-e2 Na5-c4 48.Nd3-b4
Kd4-c5 49.Nb4-c2 2.02/15 ]
36.Ng5xe6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ +pkp+
n + + +
P+r+P+ +
+ R + NP
+ + PP+
+ + + K

527

1981

x64: 36.Ng5xe6 f7xe6 37.e4-e5


Rc8-a8 38.Ng3-e4 Qg8-c8 39.Ne4-d6
Qc8-c7 40.Bf1-b5 Nb7-d8 41.Qb2-b4
Na5-c6 42.Qb4-e4 Ra8-b8 43.Re3-d3
Qc7-b6 44.Rd3-d2 Qb6-c5 45.Qe4-c4
Qc5xc4 46.Nd6xc4 Kh8-g8 47.f2-f4
3.83/16 ]

+r+ +qk
+n+ +plp
+ +N+p+
n + + +
P+ +P+ +
+ L R NP
Q + PP+
+ + +LK

1982

+r+ +qk
+n+ + lp
+ +p+p+
n + + +
P+ +P+ +
+ L R NP
Q + PP+
+ + +LK

1983

37.e4-e5 Rc8-a8 38.Ng3-e4 Qg8-c8


39.Ne4-d6 Qc8-c7 40.Bf1-b5 Nb7-d8
41.Qb2-b4 Na5-c6 42.Qb4-e4 Ra8-b8
43.Re3-d3 Qc7-b6 44.Rd3-d2 Qb6-c5
45.Qe4-c4 Qc5xc4 46.Nd6xc4 Kh8-g8
47.f2-f4 3.73/16 ] 37...Qg8-d8 Diagram
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37...Rc8-a8
38.Ng3-e4 Qg8-c8 39.Qb2-b6 Qc8-c6
40.Qb6xc6 Na5xc6 41.Bf1-b5 Nc6-e7
42.Ne4-f6 Ne7-f5 43.Re3-e1 Ra8-c8
44.Re1-c1 Bg7-h6 45.Bb5-d7
Rc8-d8 3.65/14 ]
(Diagram 1984)
38.Ng3-e4
38.Ng3-e4
40.Bc3-d4
42.Bd4-b2
44.Rc3-d3

[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


Rc8-a8 39.Qb2-b5 Qd8-c7
Qc7-c6 41.Ne4-f6 Ra8-d8
Bg7-f8 43.Re3-c3 Bf8-c5
Qc6-c7 Diagram
(Diagram 1985)

36...f7xe6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 36...f7xe6 37.e4-e5 Rc8-a8
38.Ng3-e4 Qg8-c8 39.Ne4-d6 Qc8-c7
40.Bf1-b5 Nb7-d8 41.Qb2-b4 Na5-c6
42.Qb4-e4 Ra8-b8 43.Re3-d3 Qc7-b6
44.Rd3-d2 Qb6-c5 45.Qe4-c4 Qc5xc4
46.Nd6xc4 Kh8-g8 47.f2-f4 4.07/15 ]
37.e4-e5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

45.Rd3xd8+ Qc7xd8 46.Bb2-c1


3.94/14 ] 38...Qd8-d1 [ 38...Qd8-c7+hoping against hope ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 38...Rc8-a8 39.Qb2-b5 Qd8-c7
40.Bc3-d4 Qc7-e7 41.Ne4-f6 Bg7-h6
42.Re3-d3 Bh6-g7 43.Rd3-c3 Ra8-f8
44.Qb5-b2 Rf8-d8 45.Qb2-d2 3.72/14 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+rq + k
+n+ + lp
+ +p+p+
n + P +
P+ + + +
+ L R NP
Q + PP+
+ + +LK

+ r + k
+nq + +p
+ +pNp+
nQl P +
P+ + + +
+ +R+ +P
L + PP+
+ + +LK

528

1984

1985

39.Ne4-d6! Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 39.Ne4-d6 Rc8-a8 40.Re3-d3
Qd1xa4 41.Nd6xb7 Na5-c4
42.Qb2-b4 Qa4xb4 43.Bc3xb4
Nc4xe5 44.Rd3-d8+ Diagram
(Diagram 1986)
Ra8xd8 45.Nb7xd8 Bg7-f6
46.Nd8xe6 Kh8-g8 47.f2-f4 Ne5-c6
48.Bb4-e1 Nc6-d4 49.Bf1-c4 Nd4xe6
50.Bc4xe6+ Kg8-g7 51.Kg1-f2
Bf6-h4+ 52.g2-g3 Bh4-e7 53.Be6-d5
Kg7-f6 54.Kf2-f3 6.05/17 ]
Deflection: a5 39...Rc8-c7

r+ R + k
+N+ + lp
+ +p+p+
+ + n +
L + + +
+ + + +P
+ + PP+
+ + +LK

+r+ + k
+n+ + lp
+ Np+p+
n + P +
P+ + + +
+ L R +P
Q + PP+
+ +q+LK

1986

1987

[ 39...Nb7xd6 40.Qb2-d2 Diagram


( 40.Bc3xa5 Deflection ; 40.e5xd6
Passed pawn )
(Diagram 1988)
Decoy Double attack ; 39...-40.Nd6xc8 Wins material ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 39...Rc8-a8 40.Re3-d3
Qd1xa4 41.Nd6xb7 Na5-c4
42.Qb2-b4 Qa4xb4 43.Bc3xb4
Nc4xe5 44.Rd3-d8+ Ra8xd8
45.Nb7xd8 Bg7-f6 46.Nd8xe6 Kh8-g8
47.f2-f4 Ne5-c6 48.Bb4-e1 Nc6-d4
49.Bf1-c4 Nd4xe6 50.Bc4xe6+ Kg8-f8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

529
39

+r+ + k
+ + + lp
+ np+p+
n + P +
P+ + + +
+ L R +P
+ Q PP+
+ +q+LK

1988

Vassily Ivanchuk
Ruben Felgaer
Casino de Masters (1)

24.10.2005

B78: Sicilian Dragon: Yugoslav Attack,


9 Bc4 Bd7 10 0-0-0 Rc8
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram

51.Kg1-f2 Kf8-e7 52.Be6-d5 5.99/15


Diagram

+ + + +
+ + k +p
+ + lp+
+ +L+ +
+ + P +
+ + + +P
+ + KP+
+ + L +

B35

1989

] 40.Bc3xa5 [ 40.Bc3xa5 Qd1-c2


41.Qb2xc2 ( 41.Nd6xb7?! succumbs to
Qc2xb2 42.Ba5xc7 Qb2xb7+- )
41...Rc7xc2 42.Nd6xb7+- ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 40.Bc3xa5 Rc7-e7
41.Nd6xb7 Qd1xa4 42.Nb7-c5 Qa4-c6
43.Qb2-b6 Qc6xb6 44.Ba5xb6 Re7-e8
45.Re3-e1 Bg7-f8 46.Re1-a1 Bf8xc5
47.Bb6xc5 Re8-c8 48.Bc5-e3 Kh8-g8
49.Ra1-a6 Kg8-f7 50.Ra6-a7+
Kf7-g8 10.36/12 ]
1-0

r+lqklnr
pp+ppppp
+n+ + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

1990

g7-g6 5.Nb1-c3 Bf8-g7 6.Bc1-e3


Ng8-f6 7.Bf1-c4 0-0 8.Bc4-b3 d7-d6
9.f2-f3 Bc8-d7 10.h2-h4 Ra8-c8
11.Qd1-d2 h7-h5 12.0-0-0 Nc6-e5
13.Be3-g5 Rc8-c5 14.f3-f4 Ne5-c4
15.Qd2-d3 b7-b5 16.e4-e5 Nf6-h7
[ RR 16...d6xe5 17.Bg5xf6 Bg7xf6
18.Nd4xb5 Nc4xb2 19.Qd3xg6+
Bf6-g7 20.Kc1xb2 Qd8-c8 21.Rd1xd7
Qc8xd7 22.Qg6xh5 Rc5xb5
23.Nc3xb5 Qd7xb5 24.f4xe5 e7-e6
25.Rh1-e1 Rf8-c8 26.Re1-e3 Rc8-c5
27.Qh5-g5 Kg8-h7 28.Qg5-h5+
Kh7-g8 29.Qh5-g5 Kg8-h7
30.Qg5-h5+ - Klovans,J (2490)Gufeld,E (2525)/Daugavpils 1978/
MCD ] 17.Nd4xb5N Diagram [RR
17.e5xd6 Nh7xg5 18.d6xe7 Qd8xe7
19.h4xg5 Bd7-g4 20.Nd4xb5 Bg4-f5
21.Qd3-f3 Nc4xb2 22.Rh1-e1 Rc5xc3
23.Qf3xc3 Qe7-b7 24.Qc3-c5 Nb2xd1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

530

25.Re1xd1 Qb7xg2 26.Nb5-d6 Bf5-g4


27.Rd1-g1 Qg2-f3 28.Qc5-c4 Qf3-e3+
0-1 Kucherenko,D (2353)-Guivan,V
(2204)/Alushta 2006/CBM 112 ext ]

+ q rk+
p +lppln
+ p +p+
+Nr P Lp
+n+ P P
+LNQ+ +
PPP+ +P+
+ KR+ +R

1991

17...Nh7xg5 18.h4xg5 Nc4-a5


19.Nb5xd6 Na5xb3+ 20.a2xb3 e7xd6
last book move 21.Qd3xd6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.Qd3xd6
Rc5-c7 22.Nc3-d5 Rc7-b7
23.Nd5-e7+ Kg8-h7 24.g2-g4 Rf8-e8
25.Ne7-f5 Bd7xf5 26.Qd6xd8 Re8xd8
27.Rd1xd8 Bf5xg4 28.Kc1-d2
Diagram

+ R + +
pr+ +plk
+ + +p+
+ + P Pp
+ + Pl+
+P+ + +
PPK + +
+ + + +R

+ q rk+
p rl+pl
+ Q +p+
+ + P Pp
+ + P +
+PN + +
PP+ +P+
+ KR+ +R

1992

1993

(Diagram 1992)
Bg4-f5 29.Rh1-h2 a7-a5 30.Kd2-e3
Rb7-c7 31.Rd8-d2 Bg7-f8 32.c2-c4
Bf8-c5+ 33.Ke3-f3 -0.20/15 ]
21...Rc5-c7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21...Rc5-c7 22.Nc3-d5 Rc7-b7
23.Nd5-e7+ Kg8-h7 24.g2-g4 Rf8-e8
25.Ne7-f5 Bd7xf5 26.Qd6xd8 Re8xd8
27.Rd1xd8 Bf5xg4 28.Kc1-d2 Bg4-f5
29.Rh1-h2 a7-a5 30.Kd2-e3 Rb7-c7
31.Rd8-d2 Bg7-f8 32.Ke3-f3 Bf8-c5
0.00/13 ]
22.g2-g4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 22.Nc3-d5 Rc7-b7 23.Nd5-e7+
Kg8-h7 24.g2-g4 Rf8-e8 25.Ne7-f5

Bd7xf5 26.Qd6xd8 Re8xd8


27.Rd1xd8 Bf5xg4 28.Kc1-d2 Bg4-f5
29.Rh1-h2 a7-a5 30.Kd2-e3 Rb7-c7
31.Rd8-d2 Bg7-f8 32.Ke3-f3 Bf8-c5
-0.18/14 ]
(Diagram 1994)
22...Qd8-c8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Qd8-c8 23.g4xh5 g6xh5
24.Rd1-d2 Bd7-c6 25.Nc3-d5 Rc7-d7
26.Qd6-c5 Qc8-b7 27.Rh1-d1 Rf8-c8
28.Nd5-f6+ Bg7xf6 29.g5xf6 Rd7xd2
30.Rd1xd2 Bc6-f3 31.Qc5-e7 Qb7-b6
32.Kc1-b1 h5-h4 -0.26/15 ] 23.f4-f5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ q rk+
p rl+pl
+ Q +p+
+ + P Pp
+ + PP+
+PN + +
PP+ + +
+ KR+ +R

531

1994

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.g4xh5


g6xh5 24.Rd1-d2 Bd7-c6 25.Nc3-d5
Rc7-d7 26.Qd6-c5 Qc8-b7 27.Rh1-d1
Rf8-c8 28.Nd5-f6+ Bg7xf6 29.g5xf6
Rd7xd2 30.Rd1xd2 Bc6-f3
31.Qc5-g1+ Bf3-g4 32.Kc1-b1
Qb7-e4 -0.28/14 ] 23...Rc7xc3
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...Bd7-c6 24.f5-f6 Bc6xh1 25.f6xg7
Kg8xg7 26.g4xh5 Bh1-b7 27.Qd6-f6+
Kg7-h7 28.Rd1-d4 Qc8-h3 29.h5xg6+
Kh7-g8 Diagram

+ + rk+
plr +p+
+ + QP+
+ + P P
+ R + +
+PN + +q
PP+ + +
+ K + +

+q+ rk+
p +l+pl
+ Q +p+
+ + PPPp
+ + +P+
+Pr + +
PP+ + +
+ KR+ +R

1995

1996

(Diagram 1995)
30.Kc1-b1 Rc7-c8 31.b3-b4 Qh3-e6
32.g6xf7+ Qe6xf7 33.Rd4-d6 Qf7xf6
34.g5xf6 Rc8-d8 35.Rd6xd8 Rf8xd8
36.e5-e6 Bb7-c6 37.Kb1-a2 -0.48/14 ]
(Diagram 1996)
24.b2xc3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.b2xc3 Diagram
(Diagram 1997)
Qc8xc3 25.Qd6-d4 Qc3xd4
26.Rd1xd4 Bd7-c6 27.Rh1-e1 h5-h4
28.f5-f6 Bg7-h8 29.Rd4-d2 h4-h3

+q+ rk+
p +l+pl
+ Q +p+
+ + PPPp
+ + +P+
+PP + +
+P+ + +
+ KR+ +R
30.Rd2-h2 Bc6-g2 31.e5-e6 f7xe6

1997

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

532

32.Re1xe6 Rf8-d8 33.Re6-e3 Rd8-d5


34.Re3-e8+ Kg8-f7 35.Re8xh8
Rd5xg5 36.Rh2xh3 Bg2xh3
37.Rh8xh3 Rg5xg4 38.Rh3-h7+
Kf7xf6 39.Rh7xa7 g6-g5 40.Kc1-d2
Rg4-g2+ 41.Kd2-d3 g5-g4 42.b3-b4
g4-g3 43.Ra7-a6+ Kf6-e5 44.Ra6-g6
Rg2-g1 45.b4-b5 Rg1-d1+
46.Kd3-e2 0.22/14 ] 24...Qc8xc3
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24...Qc8xc3 25.Qd6-d4 Qc3xd4
26.Rd1xd4 Bd7-c6 27.Rh1-e1 h5-h4
28.f5-f6 Bg7-h8 29.Rd4-d2 h4-h3
30.Rd2-h2 Diagram

+ + rkl
p + +p+
+l+ Pp+
+ + P P
+ + +P+
+P+ + +p
+P+ + R
+ K R +

1998

Bc6-g2 31.e5-e6 f7xe6 32.Re1xe6


Rf8-d8 33.Re6-e3 Rd8-d5 34.Re3-e8+
Kg8-f7 35.Re8xh8 Rd5xg5 36.Rh2xh3
Bg2xh3 37.Rh8xh3 Rg5xg4
38.Rh3-h7+ Kf7xf6 39.Rh7xa7 g6-g5
40.Kc1-d2 Rg4-g2+ 41.Kd2-d3 g5-g4
42.b3-b4 g4-g3 43.Ra7-a6+ Kf6-e5
44.Ra6-g6 Rg2-g1 45.b4-b5 Rg1-d1+
46.Kd3-e2 0.36/15 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +R+
+P+ k +
+ + + +
+ + + p
+P+K+ +
+ +r+ +

+ + rk+
p +l+pl
+ Q +p+
+ + PPPp
+ + +P+
+Pq + +
+P+ + +
+ KR+ +R

1999

2000

h5-h4 28.f5-f6 Bg7-h8 29.e5-e6 f7xe6


30.Rd4-d2 h4-h3 31.Rd2-h2 Bc6-g2
32.Re1xe6 Rf8-d8 33.Re6-e3 Rd8-d5
34.Re3-e8+ Kg8-f7 35.Re8xh8
Rd5xg5 36.Rh2xh3 Bg2xh3
37.Rh8xh3 Rg5xg4 38.Rh3-h7+
Diagram
(Diagram 2001)

(Diagram 1999)
]
25.Qd6-d4 last book move
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25.Qd6-d4
Qc3xd4 26.Rd1xd4 Bd7-c6 27.Rh1-e1

Kf7xf6 39.Rh7xa7 g6-g5 40.Kc1-d2


Rg4-g2+ 41.Kd2-d3 g5-g4 42.b3-b4
g4-g3 43.Ra7-a6+ Kf6-e5 44.Ra6-g6
Rg2-g1 45.b4-b5 Rg1-d1+
46.Kd3-e2 0.21/15 ] 25...Qc3xd4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
p + +k+R
+ + Pp+
+ + + +
+ + +r+
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K + +

533

2001

Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


25...Qc3xd4 26.Rd1xd4 Bd7-c6
27.Rh1-e1 h5-h4 28.f5-f6 Bg7-h8
29.Rd4-d2 h4-h3 30.Rd2-h2 Bc6-g2
31.e5-e6 f7xe6 32.Re1xe6 Rf8-d8
33.Re6-e3 Rd8-d5 34.Re3-e8+ Kg8-f7
35.Re8xh8 Rd5xg5 36.Rh2xh3
Bg2xh3 37.Rh8xh3 Rg5xg4
38.Rh3-h7+ Kf7xf6 Diagram

+ + + +
p + + +R
+ + kp+
+ + + +
+ + +r+
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K + +

2002

39.Rh7xa7 g6-g5 40.Kc1-d2 Rg4-g2+


41.Kd2-d3 g5-g4 42.b3-b4 g4-g3
43.Ra7-a6+ Kf6-e5 44.Ra6-g6 Rg2-g1
45.b4-b5 Rg1-d1+ 46.Kd3-e2 0.35/15
Diagram
]

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +R+
+P+ k +
+ + + +
+ + + p
+P+K+ +
+ +r+ +

+ + rk+
p +l+pl
+ + +p+
+ + PPPp
+ q +P+
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ KR+ +R

2003

2004

26.Rd1xd4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


26.Rd1xd4 Diagram
(Diagram 2005)
Bd7-c6 27.Rh1-e1 h5-h4 28.f5-f6
Bg7-h8 29.Rd4-d2 h4-h3 30.Rd2-h2
Bc6-g2 31.e5-e6 f7xe6 32.Re1xe6
Rf8-d8 33.Re6-e3 Rd8-d5 34.Re3-e8+
Kg8-f7 35.Re8xh8 Rd5xg5 36.Rh2xh3
Bg2xh3 37.Rh8xh3 Rg5xg4
38.Rh3-h7+ Kf7xf6 Diagram
39.Rh7xa7 g6-g5 40.Kc1-d2 Rg4-g2+
41.Kd2-d3 g5-g4 42.b3-b4 g4-g3
43.Ra7-a6+ Kf6-e5 44.Ra6-g6 Rg2-g1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
p +l+pl
+ + +p+
+ + PPPp
+ R +P+
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K + +R

+ + + +
p + + +R
+ + kp+
+ + + +
+ + +r+
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K + +

534

2005

2006

45.b4-b5 Rg1-d1+ 46.Kd3-e2 0.22/17


Diagram
(Diagram 2007)
] 26...Bd7-c6 Black threatens to win
material: Bc6xh1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26...Bd7-c6 27.Rh1-e1 h5-h4
28.f5-f6 Diagram
(Diagram 2008)
Bg7-h8 29.Rd4-d2 h4-h3 30.Rd2-h2
Bc6-g2 31.e5-e6 f7xe6 32.Re1xe6
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +R+
+P+ k +
+ + + +
+ + + p
+P+K+ +
+ +r+ +

+ + rk+
p + +pl
+l+ Pp+
+ + P P
+ R +Pp
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

+ + rkl
p + + +
+ +RPp+
+ + + P
+ + +P+
+P+ + +p
+P+ +lR
+ K + +
Rf8-d8 33.Re6-e3 Rd8-d5

2007

2008

2009

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

535

34.Re3-e8+ Kg8-f7 35.Re8xh8


Rd5xg5 36.Rh2xh3 Bg2xh3
37.Rh8xh3 Rg5xg4 38.Rh3-h7+
Kf7xf6 39.Rh7xa7 g6-g5 40.Kc1-d2
Rg4-g2+ 41.Kd2-d3 g5-g4 42.b3-b4
g4-g3 43.Ra7-a6+ Kf6-e5 44.Ra6-g6
Rg2-g1 45.b4-b5 Rg1-d1+ 46.Kd3-e2
0.28/18 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +R+
+P+ k +
+ + + +
+ + + p
+P+K+ +
+ +r+ +

2010

2012

36.Rh2xh3 Bg2xh3 37.Rh8xh3


Rg5xg4 38.Rh3-h7+ Kf7xf6
39.Rh7xa7 g6-g5 40.Kc1-d2 Rg4-g2+
41.Kd2-d3 g5-g4 42.b3-b4 g4-g3
43.Ra7-a6+ Kf6-e5 44.Ra6-g6 Rg2-g1
45.Rg6-g5+ Ke5-f4 0.20/17 ]
27...Rf8-e8? Diagram [ 27...h5-h4
would allow Black to play on 28.f5-f6
Bg7-h8$ Diagram

] 27.Rh1-e1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


27.Rh1-e1 Diagram

+ + rk+
p + +pl
+l+ +p+
+ + PPPp
+ R +P+
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

+ + + R
p + +k+
+ + Pp+
+ + + r
+ + +P+
+P+ + +p
+P+ +lR
+ K + +

2011

h5-h4 28.f5-f6 Bg7-h8 29.e5-e6


f7xe6 30.Rd4-d2 h4-h3 31.Rd2-h2
Bc6-g2 32.Re1xe6 Rf8-d8 33.Re6-e3
Rd8-d5 34.Re3-e8+ Kg8-f7
35.Re8xh8 Rd5xg5 Diagram

+ + rkl
p + +p+
+l+ Pp+
+ + P P
+ R +Pp
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

2013

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27...h5-h4


28.f5-f6 Bg7-h8 29.e5-e6 f7xe6
30.Rd4-d2 h4-h3 31.Rd2-h2 Bc6-g2
32.Re1xe6 Rf8-c8 33.Re6-e3 Rc8-c5
34.Re3-e8+ Diagram
Kg8-f7 35.Re8xh8 Rc5xg5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +R+kl
p + + +
+ + Pp+
+ r + P
+ + +P+
+P+ + +p
+P+ +lR
+ K + +

536

+ +r+k+
p + +pl
+lR Pp+
+ + P P
+ + +Pp
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

2014

36.Rh2xh3 Bg2xh3 37.Rh8xh3


Rg5xg4 38.Rh3-h7+ Kf7xf6
39.Rh7xa7 g6-g5 40.Kc1-d2 Rg4-h4
41.Kd2-e3 Rh4-h3+ 42.Ke3-e4
Rh3-h4+ 43.Ke4-f3 Rh4-h3+
44.Kf3-g2 0.25/14 ]

+ +r+k+
p + +pl
+l+ +p+
+ + PPPp
+ R +P+
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

+ +r+ +
p + +pk
+ + +p+
+ + P P
+P+ +l+
+P+ + +p
+KR + +
+ + R +

2015

2016

2017

34.Kc2-c3 a7-a5 35.c4-c5 Re8-b8


36.Re1-a1 Rb8-b5 37.Kc3-c4
Rb5-b4+ 38.Kc4-d5 Bg4-e6+
39.Kd5-d6 Rb4xb3 40.Ra1xa5 0.58/18
]

28.f5-f6+- Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 28.f5-f6 h5-h4 29.Rd4-d6
Diagram
(Diagram 2016)
Bc6-g2 30.Rd6-d2 h4-h3 31.f6xg7
Kg8xg7 32.c2-c4 Bg2-f3 33.Kc1-c2
Bf3xg4 Diagram

(Diagram 2018)
28...Bg7-f8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 28...h5-h4 Diagram
29.Rd4-d6 Bc6-g2 30.Rd6-d2 h4-h3
31.f6xg7 Kg8xg7 32.c2-c4 Bg2-f3
33.Kc1-c2 Bf3xg4 34.Kc2-c3 a7-a5
35.c4-c5 Re8-b8 36.Re1-a1 Rb8-b5
37.Kc3-c4 Rb5-b4+ 38.Kc4-d5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
p + +pl
+l+ Pp+
+ + P Pp
+ R +P+
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

+ +r+k+
p + +pl
+l+ Pp+
+ + P P
+ R +Pp
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

537

2018

2019

Bg4-e6+ 39.Kd5-d6 Rb4xb3


40.Ra1xa5 0.69/17 ]
(Diagram 2020)
29.g4xh5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 29.g4xh5 Bf8-a3+ 30.Kc1-b1
Ba3-c5 31.Rd4-c4 Bc5-f2 32.Re1-d1
Bc6-b5 33.Rc4-c7 Bf2-b6 34.Rc7-e7
g6xh5 35.c2-c4 Diagram
Bb5-c6 36.Re7xe8+ Bc6xe8
37.Rd1-h1 Bb6-d4 38.Rh1xh5 Be8-d7
39.Kb1-c2 Bd7-f5+ 40.Kc2-d2 a7-a5
41.e5-e6 Bf5xe6 42.Kd2-d3 0.72/17 ]
29...g6xh5 Diagram [ 29...Bf8-c5

+ +rlk+
p + +p+
+l+ Pp+
+ + P Pp
+ R +P+
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

+ +r+k+
p + Rp+
l + P +
+l+ P Pp
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ + + +
+K+R+ +

+ +rlk+
p + +p+
+l+ Pp+
+ + P PP
+ R + +
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +
30.Rd4-c4 Bc5-f2 31.Re1-d1+- ;

2020

2021

2022

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

538

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Bf8-a3+


Diagram

+ +r+k+
p + +p+
+l+ Pp+
+ + P PP
+ R + +
lP+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

2023

30.Kc1-b1 Ba3-c5 31.Rd4-c4 Bc5-f2


32.Re1-d1 Bc6-b5 33.Rc4-c7 Bf2-b6
34.Rc7-e7 g6xh5 35.c2-c4 Bb5-c6
36.Re7xe8+ Bc6xe8 37.Rd1-h1
Bb6-d4 38.Rh1xh5 Be8-d7 39.Kb1-c2
Bd7-f5+ 40.Kc2-d2 Bf5-g6 41.Rh5-h1
Bd4xe5 42.Kd2-e3 0.68/16 ]

+ +rlk+
p + +p+
+l+ P +
+ + P Pp
+ R + +
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

2024

30.e5-e6! Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 30.e5-e6 Diagram
Re8xe6 31.Re1xe6 f7xe6 32.g5-g6
Bc6-e8 33.f6-f7+ Be8xf7 34.g6xf7+
Kg8xf7 35.Rd4-f4+ Kf7-g7 36.Kc1-d2
Bf8-e7 37.Kd2-d3 h5-h4 38.Rf4-f3

+ +rlk+
p + +p+
+l+PP +
+ + + Pp
+ R + +
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

2025

Kg7-g6 39.Kd3-e4 Kg6-g5 40.Ke4-e5


Be7-c5 41.Ke5xe6 Kg5-g4 42.Rf3-f5
1.26/16 ]

+ +rlk+
p + +p+
+l+PP +
+ + + Pp
+ R + +
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

2026

it's all over 30...Bf8-c5??


Black crumbles in face of a dire
situation [ 30...Re8xe6 31.Re1xe6
f7xe6 32.g5-g6 Passed pawn ;
30...f7xe6 31.g5-g6 Diagram
(Diagram 2027)
Passed pawn ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30...f7xe6 31.g5-g6 Re8-b8
32.Re1xe6 Bf8-c5 33.Rd4-d3 Rb8-c8
34.Kc1-b2 h5-h4 35.Re6-e5 Bc5-f2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +rlk+
p + + +
+l+pPP+
+ + + +p
+ R + +
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

539

lr+ + +
p + +Pk
+l+ +P+
+ + + R
+ + + +
+PPR+ +
K + + +
+ + + +

2027

36.Re5-e7 Bf2-g3 37.Re7-g7+ Kg8-f8


38.Rg7-h7 Bg3-e5+ 39.c2-c3 Kf8-g8
40.f6-f7+ Kg8-f8 41.Rh7xh4 Diagram

+r+ k +
p + +P+
+l+ +P+
+ + l +
+ + + R
+PPR+ +
K + + +
+ + + +

2029

Bg6-f5 39.Kc3-d2 Kg7-h7 40.Rc4-h4


Bf5-g4 41.b3-b4 Diagram

+ + + +
p + + +k
l R + +
+ + + +p
P + +lR
+ + + +
+PK + +
+ + + +

2028

2030

Bb6-c7 42.Rd6-a6 Bc7-f4+ 43.Kd2-d3


3.88/12 Diagram

Kf8-g7 42.Rh4-h5 Be5-b8 43.Rh5-g5


Diagram

(Diagram 2031)
(Diagram 2029)
]
Bb8-f4 44.Rg5-g4 Bf4-e5 45.Rg4-c4
a7-a5 46.Rd3-e3 1.29/15 ] 31.g5-g6!
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31.g5-g6 f7xe6 32.f6-f7+ Kg8-g7
33.f7xe8Q Bc6xe8 34.Rd4-c4 Bc5-b6
35.Re1xe6 Be8xg6 36.Re6-d6
Bb6-e3+ 37.Kc1-b2 Be3-b6 38.Kb2-c3

(Diagram 2032)
Mate threat 31...f7xg6 Diagram
[ 31...f7xg6 32.f6-f7+ Passed pawn ;
31...-- 32.e6xf7+ Mate threat ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31...f7xe6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
p + + +k
R+ + + +
+ + + +p
P + llR
+ +K+ +
+P+ + +
+ + + +

+ +r+k+
p + +p+
+l+PPP+
+ l + +p
+ R + +
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

540

2031

2032

32.f6-f7+ Kg8-g7 33.f7xe8Q Bc6xe8


34.Rd4-c4 Bc5-b6 35.Re1xe6 Be8xg6
36.Re6-d6 Bb6-e3+ 37.Kc1-b2
Diagram
(Diagram 2033)
Be3-b6 38.Kb2-c3 Bg6-e8 39.Kc3-d2
Be8-b5 40.Rc4-h4 Bb5-e8 41.c2-c4
Bb6-c5 42.Rd6-d5 Bc5-e7
43.Rh4-e4 4.01/13 ]
32.f6-f7+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.f6-f7+ Kg8-f8 33.f7xe8Q+ Diagram
Bc6xe8 34.Rd4-d7 Kf8-g8 35.Rd7-d8
Kg8-f8 36.e6-e7+ Kf8-f7 37.Rd8-c8

+ + + +
p + + k
+ R +l+
+ + + +p
+R+ + +
+P+ l +
KP+ + +
+ + + +

+ +r+k+
p + + +
+l+PPp+
+ l + +p
+ R + +
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

+ +Qk +
p + + +
+l+P+p+
+ l + +p
+ R + +
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +
Bc5-d6 38.Re1-f1+ Kf7xe7

2033

2034

2035

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

541

39.Rf1-e1+ Ke7-f6 40.Rc8xe8 Kf6-f5


41.Re8-h8 Bd6-g3 42.Rh8-f8+ Kf5-g5
43.Re1-e6 h5-h4 44.Rf8-f6 Bg3-f4+
45.Kc1-d1 h4-h3 46.Rf6xg6+ Kg5-f5
47.Rg6-f6+ Kf5-g4 48.Re6-e4 6.09/17 ]
32...Kg8-f8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...Kg8-g7 33.f7xe8Q Bc6xe8
34.Rd4-d8 Kg7-f8 35.e6-e7+ Kf8-f7
36.Rd8-c8 Bc5-d6 37.Re1-f1+ Kf7xe7
38.Rf1-e1+ Diagram

+R+l+ +
p + k +
+ l +p+
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

+ +Rk +
p + + +
+l+P+p+
+ l + +p
+ R + +
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

2037

2036

Ke7-f6 39.Rc8xe8 Kf6-f5 40.Re8-h8


Bd6-g3 41.Rh8-f8+ Kf5-g5 42.Re1-e6
h5-h4 43.Rf8-f6 Bg3-f4+ 44.Kc1-d1
h4-h3 45.Rf6xg6+ Kg5-f5 46.Rg6-f6+
Kf5-g4 47.Re6-e4 6.21/18 ]
33.f7xe8Q+ [ 33.f7xe8R+ Diagram
(Diagram 2037)
might be the shorter path Bc6xe8
34.Rd4-c4 Bc5-d6 35.e6-e7+ Kf8-f7
36.Re1-f1+ Kf7-e6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 33.f7xe8Q+ Bc6xe8 34.Rd4-d7
Kf8-g8 35.Rd7-d8 Kg8-f8 36.e6-e7+
Kf8-f7 37.Rd8-b8 h5-h4 38.Re1-f1+
Kf7xe7 Diagram
39.Rf1-e1+ Ke7-f7 40.Rb8xe8 Bc5-b4
41.Re1-e4 Bb4-d6 42.Re8-d8 Bd6-g3
43.Rd8-d3 g6-g5 44.Kc1-d2 Kf7-f6
45.Re4-a4 Kf6-f5 46.Ra4xa7 g5-g4

R +l+ +
p + k +
+ + +p+
+ l + +
+ + + p
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K +R+

2038

47.Ra7-f7+ Kf5-g6 48.Rf7-f1 Bg3-e5


49.Rd3-d5 5.98/18 ] 33...Bc6xe8
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Bc6xe8 34.Rd4-d7 Kf8-g8
35.Rd7-d8 Kg8-f8 36.e6-e7+ Kf8-f7
37.Rd8-b8 h5-h4 38.Re1-f1+ Kf7xe7
39.Rf1-e1+ Ke7-f7 40.Rb8xe8 Bc5-b4
41.Re1-e4 Bb4-d6 42.Re8-d8 Bd6-g3
43.Rd8-d3 g6-g5 44.Kc1-d2 Kf7-f6
45.Re4-a4 Kf6-f5 46.Ra4xa7 g5-g4
47.Ra7-f7+ Diagram
Kf5-g6 48.Rf7-f1 Bg3-e5 49.Rd3-d5
6.33/17 ]
34.Rd4-d7! Decoy: d7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 34.Rd4-d7 Kf8-g8 35.Rd7-d8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + +R+
+ + + +
+ + +k+
+ + +pp
+P+R+ l
+PK + +
+ + + +

+ +lk +
p + + +
+ +P+p+
+ l + +p
+ R + +
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

542

2039

+ R + +
p + +k+
+ + +p+
+ + + +
+ +R+ p
+P+ + l
+P+ + +
+ K + +

2041

h5-h4 38.Re1-f1+ Kf7xe7 39.Rf1-e1+


Ke7-f7 40.Rb8xe8 Diagram
2040

Kg8-f8 36.e6-e7+ Kf8-f7 37.Rd8-b8


h5-h4 38.Re1-f1+ Kf7xe7 39.Rf1-e1+
Ke7-f7 40.Rb8xe8 Bc5-b4 41.Re1-e4
Bb4-d6 42.Re8-d8 Bd6-g3 Diagram
(Diagram 2041)
43.Rd8-h8 g6-g5 44.Kc1-d2 Kf7-g7
45.Rh8-a8 Bg3-f2 46.Re4-e7+
Kg7-f6 5.78/15 ] 34...Bc5-b6
[ 34...Be8xd7 35.Re1-f1+
Decoy Double attack ( 35.e6xd7
Promotion Passed pawn );Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 34...Kf8-g8 35.Rd7-d8
Kg8-f8 36.e6-e7+ Kf8-f7 37.Rd8-b8

+ +R+ +
p + +k+
+ + +p+
+ l + +
+ + + p
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ K R +

2042

Bc5-b4 41.Re1-e4 Bb4-d6 42.Re8-d8


Bd6-g3 43.Rd8-h8 g6-g5 44.Kc1-d2
Kf7-g7 45.Rh8-a8 Bg3-f2 46.Re4-e7+
Kg7-f6 5.86/16 ] 35.c2-c4 Diagram
[ 35.Re1-f1+ makes sure everything
is clear Kf8-g8 36.Rd7-e7 Be8-c6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35.c2-c4
Diagram
Bb6-f2 36.Re1-f1 Be8xd7 37.Rf1xf2+
Kf8-e8 38.e6xd7+ Ke8xd7 39.Rf2-g2
Kd7-c6 40.Rg2xg6+ Kc6-c5
41.Rg6-h6 Kc5-b4 42.Kc1-c2 h5-h4
43.Rh6xh4 Kb4-c5 44.Rh4-h5+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +lk +
p +R+ +
l +P+p+
+ + + +p
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ + + +
+ K R +

543

2043

Kc5-c6 45.b3-b4 Kc6-b6 46.Rh5-h7


a7-a6 47.Rh7-h6+ Kb6-b7 7.36/13
Diagram

+ + + +
+k+ + +
p+ + + R
+ + + +
PP+ + +
+ + + +
+K+ + +
+ + + +

2044

]
(Diagram 2045)
35...Kf8-g8 [ 35...Be8xd7 doesn't do
any good 36.e6xd7 Kf8-f7
37.Re1-e8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35...Be8xd7 Diagram
36.e6xd7 Kf8-g7 37.Re1-e8 Bb6-c7
38.d7-d8Q Bc7xd8 39.Re8xd8 Kg7-f7
40.c4-c5 Kf7-e7 41.Rd8-g8 Ke7-d7
42.Rg8xg6 h5-h4 43.Rg6-h6 a7-a5

+ +lk +
p +R+ +
l +P+p+
+ + + +p
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ + + +
+ K R +

+ + k +
p +l+ +
l +P+p+
+ + + +p
+P+ + +
+P+ + +
+ + + +
+ K R +

2045

2046

44.Rh6xh4 Kd7-c6 45.Rh4-h5 Kc6-b5


46.Kc1-c2 Kb5-c6 47.Kc2-c3 Kc6-c7
48.Rh5-h6 7.14/14 ] 36.b3-b4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36.b3-b4
Bb6-f2 37.Re1-d1 Bf2-e3+ 38.Kc1-c2
Be3-b6 39.c4-c5 Be8xd7 40.e6xd7
Bb6-d8 41.Rd1-e1 Kg8-f7 42.Re1-e8
a7-a5 43.Re8xd8 Kf7-e7 44.Rd8-g8
Ke7xd7 45.b4xa5 g6-g5 46.Rg8xg5
h5-h4 47.a5-a6 Kd7-c6 48.a6-a7
Kc6-b7 49.Rg5-g7+ Kb7-a8 50.c5-c6
h4-h3 51.c6-c7 7.13/14 Diagram
] 36...Bb6-f2 [ 36...Be8xd7 does not
help much 37.e6xd7 Kg8-f7
38.Re1-e8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

k+ + + +
P P + R
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +p
+K+ + +
+ + + +

544

2047

36...Bb6-f2 37.Re1-d1 Kg8-f8


38.Rd7-h7 Kf8-g8 39.Rh7-b7 Bf2-h4
40.Rb7xa7 Be8-c6 41.Rd1-f1 Bh4-g5+
42.Kc1-c2 Bc6-g2 43.Rf1-f7 Bg2-e4+
44.Kc2-c3 Bg5-h4 45.b4-b5 Bh4-d8
46.Rf7-g7+ Kg8-h8 8.02/16 ]
37.Re1-f1 Diagram [ 37.Re1-d1!?
seems even better Bf2-e3+ 38.Kc1-c2
Be3-b6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.Re1-d1 Bf2-e3+ 38.Kc1-c2 Be3-b6
39.c4-c5 Be8xd7 40.e6xd7 Bb6-d8
41.Rd1-e1 Kg8-f7 42.Re1-e8 Bd8-c7
43.Re8-c8 Bc7-d8 44.Rc8xd8 Kf7-e7
45.Rd8-g8 Ke7xd7 46.Rg8xg6 Kd7-c8
47.Rg6-h6 Kc8-b7 48.Rh6xh5 Kb7-b8
49.Rh5-h7 a7-a6 50.Kc2-d3 Kb8-c8
51.Kd3-d4 7.21/16 ]
(Diagram 2048)
37...Bf2-g3 Diagram [ 37...Be8xd7
is the last straw 38.e6xd7 Bf2-e3+
39.Kc1-c2 Be3-b6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 37...Be8xd7 Diagram
(Diagram 2049)
38.e6xd7 Bf2-b6 39.c4-c5 Bb6-d8
40.Kc1-d2 a7-a6 41.c5-c6 h5-h4
42.Kd2-e3 g6-g5 43.Ke3-e4 Kg8-g7

+ +l+k+
p +R+ +
+ +P+p+
+ + + +p
PP+ + +
+ + + +
+ + l +
+ K +R+

+ + +k+
p +l+ +
+ +P+p+
+ + + +p
PP+ + +
+ + + +
+ + l +
+ K +R+

2048

2049

44.Rf1-a1 Kg7-f6 45.Ra1xa6 Kf6-e7


46.Ke4-d5 g5-g4 47.Ra6-a2 Bd8-c7
48.Ra2-e2+ Ke7-f6 49.Re2-e6+ Kf6-f5
50.Re6-e8 h4-h3 51.Re8-f8+ Kf5-g5
52.d7-d8Q+ Bc7xd8 53.Rf8xd8
5.51/16 ]
(Diagram 2050)
38.Rd7-d8 Diagram [ 38.Rd7-d8
Kg8-g7 39.Rd8xe8 Bg3-e5 40.e6-e7
Be5-d4 41.Re8-g8+ Kg7xg8
42.e7-e8Q+ Kg8-h7 43.Rf1-f7+
Kh7-h6 44.Qe8-f8+ Kh6-g5
45.Qf8-d8+ Bd4-f6 46.Qd8xf6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +l+k+
p +R+ +
+ +P+p+
+ + + +p
PP+ + +
+ + + l
+ + + +
+ K +R+

545

+ + + +
+ + + R
+P+ Q +
+ + + +
P + + +
+ + + +k
+ + + +
+ K + +

2050

Kg5-g4 47.Qf6-f3+ Kg4-h4 48.Qf3-f2+


Kh4-h3 49.Rf7-f3+ Kh3-g4
50.Qf2-g3# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38.Rd7-d8 Kg8-h7 39.Rd8xe8 Bg3-d6
40.c4-c5 Bd6-e5 41.Re8-e7+ Kh7-h6
42.Re7xa7 Kh6-g5 43.e6-e7 Be5-f4+
44.Rf1xf4 Kg5xf4 45.e7-e8Q Kf4-g4
46.Qe8xg6+ Kg4-f3 47.Qg6xh5+
Kf3-e4 48.Qh5-g4+ Ke4-e5
49.Ra7-e7+ Ke5-f6 50.Qg4-e6+
Kf6-g5 51.c5-c6 Kg5-f4 52.Qe6-f6+
Kf4-g4 53.Re7-g7+ Kg4-h3 19.84/13
Diagram

+ Rl+k+
p + + +
+ +P+p+
+ + + +p
PP+ + +
+ + + l
+ + + +
+ K +R+

2051

2052

(Diagram 2051)
]
40
(Diagram 2052)
1-0

A35

Vassily Ivanchuk
Miguel Illescas-Cordoba
Casino de Masters (2)
25.10.2005
A34: Symmetrical English: 2 Nc3, lines
with ...d5
1.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 c7-c5
3.Nb1-c3 Nb8-c6 4.g2-g3 Diagram
d7-d5 5.d2-d4 c5xd4 6.Nf3xd4
d5xc4 7.Nd4xc6 Qd8xd1+ 8.Nc3xd1
b7xc6 9.Bf1-g2 Nf6-d5 10.Nd1-e3
Bc8-a6 11.Ne3xd5 c6xd5 12.Bg2xd5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+lqkl r
pp+ppppp
+n+ n +
+ p + +
+P+ + +
+ N +NP
PP PPP P
R LQKL+R

546

2053

Ra8-c8 13.Bc1-d2 e7-e6 14.Bd5-e4


Bf8-c5 15.Bd2-c3 0-0 Diagram

+r+ rk+
p + +ppp
l+ +p+ +
+ l + +
+p+L+ +
+ L + P
PP +PP P
R + K +R

20.Rh1-c1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


20.g3-g4 f7-f6 21.h2-h4 h7-h6
22.g4-g5 h6xg5 23.h4xg5 f6xg5
24.Rh1-h7 Rd8-d7 25.Ke2-f1 Bc5-f8
26.Kf1-g2 Kg8-f7 27.f2-f3 Rd7-d8
0.26/13 Diagram

+ r l +
p + +kpR
+ +p+ +
+ + + p
l+p+L+ +
+ L PP+
PP + +K+
+ + + +

2055

2054

16.e2-e3 Rf8-d8 17.Ra1-d1 Ba6-b5


18.Ke1-e2N [RR 18.Rd1xd8+ Rc8xd8
19.0-0 Bc5-e7 20.Be4-f3 Be7-f6
21.Bc3xf6 g7xf6 22.Rf1-d1 Rd8-b8
23.Rd1-d2 Kg8-f8 24.Kg1-g2 Kf8-e7
25.Bf3-e2 Rb8-c8 26.Rd2-c2 Ke7-d6
27.Kg2-f1 Rc8-b8 28.Kf1-e1 a7-a5
29.Be2-h5 Rb8-b7 30.a2-a3 f6-f5
31.Ke1-d2 f7-f6 32.Kd2-c1 a5-a4
Shevelev,A (2305)-Shevelev,A (2305)/
Paris 1996/EXT 1997/1-0 (80) ]
18...Bb5-a4 19.Rd1xd8+ Rc8xd8
last book move last book move

] 20...f7-f5 Black threatens to win


material: f5xe4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...f7-f6 Diagram

+ r +k+
p + + pp
+ +pp +
+ l + +
l+p+L+ +
+ L P P
PP +KP P
+ R + +

2056

21.h2-h4 h7-h6 22.g3-g4 Kg8-f7


23.h4-h5 Rd8-d6 24.Bc3-e1 Ba4-b5
25.Ke2-f3 Kf7-e7 26.Be1-c3 Bb5-e8
27.Kf3-f4 0.23/13 ] 21.Be4-f3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.Be4-b7
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
pL+ + pp
+ +p+ +
+ l +p+
l+p+ + +
+ L P P
PP +KP P
+ R + +

547

2057

Rd8-d6 22.Bc3-e5 Rd6-b6 23.Bb7-f3


Ba4-b5 24.Ke2-d2 Bc5-b4+ 25.Kd2-c2
Kg8-f7 26.Be5-d4 Rb6-a6 27.a2-a3
Bb4-e7 28.Kc2-c3 Ra6-d6 0.34/13 ]
21...Kg8-f7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...h7-h6 22.Ke2-e1 Bc5-e7
23.Ke1-f1 Ba4-b5 24.Bf3-e2 Rd8-c8
25.Bc3-d4 Rc8-c6 26.Bd4xa7 Rc6-a6
27.Ba7-d4 Ra6xa2 28.Be2xc4
Bb5xc4+ 29.Rc1xc4 0.31/13 ]
22.Ke2-e1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.Ke2-f1 Ba4-b5 23.Bf3-h5+ g7-g6
24.Bh5-e2 a7-a6 25.h2-h4 Bc5-e7
26.Bc3-d4 Be7-f6 27.Be2xc4 Bf6xd4
28.Bc4xb5 a6xb5 29.Rc1-c7+ Kf7-f6
30.e3xd4 Rd8xd4 31.Rc7xh7 0.28/13 ]
22...Ba4-b5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Rd8-c8 Diagram
(Diagram 2058)
23.Bf3-h5+ g7-g6 24.Bh5-e2 Ba4-b5
25.Bc3-d2 Bb5-a6 26.Be2xc4 Bc5xe3
27.Bc4xe6+ Kf7xe6 28.Bd2xe3
Rc8xc1+ 29.Be3xc1 Ba6-c4 30.b2-b3
Bc4-d3 31.Bc1-f4 0.22/13 ] 23.Bf3-e2
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.Rc1-d1 Rd8-b8 24.Ke1-e2 Bb5-a4
25.Rd1-d2 Bc5-b4 26.Bc3-e5 Bb4xd2
27.Be5xb8 c4-c3 28.b2xc3 Bd2xc3

+r+ + +
p + +kpp
+ +p+ +
+ l +p+
l+p+ + +
+ L PLP
PP + P P
+ R K +

2058

29.Bb8xa7 Ba4-b5+ 30.Ke2-d1


Bb5-a4+ 31.Kd1-c1 0.15/13 ]

+ r + +
p + +kpp
+ +p+ +
+ll +p+
+p+ + +
+ L P P
PP +LP P
+ R K +

2059

23...a7-a6 Diagram [ 23...Rd8-c8!?$


deserves consideration ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 23...Rd8-c8 24.Bc3-e5 a7-a6
25.Ke1-f1 Bc5-b4 26.Kf1-g1 Bb4-e7
27.f2-f4 Be7-f6 28.Be5xf6 Kf7xf6
29.Kg1-f2 Rc8-b8 0.17/12 ]
(Diagram 2060)
24.Bc3-d2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 24.Bc3-d2 Bc5-e7 25.Be2xc4
Rd8-d7 26.Ke1-e2 g7-g5 27.Bc4xb5
a6xb5 28.f2-f4 g5-g4 29.Bd2-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + +
+ + +kpp
p+ +p+ +
+ll +p+
+p+ + +
+ L P P
PP +LP P
+ R K +

548

2060

+ r + +
+ + +kpp
p+ +p+ +
+ll +p+
+p+ + +
+ + P P
PP LLP P
+ R K +

2062

b5-b4 30.Bc3-e5 Diagram

+ + + +
+ +rlk+p
+ +p+ +
+ + Lp+
p + Pp+
+ + P P
PP +K+ P
+ R + +

2061

Be7-f6 31.Be5xf6 Kf7xf6 32.Rc1-c6


0.56/13 ]

+ r + +
+ + lkpp
p+ +p+ +
+l+ +p+
+L+ + +
+ + P P
PP L P P
+ R K +

2063

x64: 25.Be2xc4 Rd8-d7 26.Ke1-e2


Bd6-f8 27.f2-f4 Bf8-e7 28.b2-b3
Be7-a3 29.Rc1-c2 Ba3-f8 30.Bd2-a5
g7-g6 31.Rc2-d2 Rd7xd2+ Diagram

(Diagram 2062)
(Diagram 2064)
24...Bc5-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24...Bc5-e7 25.Be2xc4 Diagram
(Diagram 2063)
Rd8-d7 26.Ke1-e2 g7-g5 27.Bc4xb5
a6xb5 28.f2-f4 g5-g4 29.Bd2-c3
Be7-f6 30.Bc3xf6 Kf7xf6 31.Rc1-c6
0.52/11 ] 25.Be2xc4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro

32.Ke2xd2 Bb5xc4 33.b3xc4 0.65/13 ]


25...Bd6-e5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25...Rd8-d7 26.Ke1-e2 Bd6-f8
27.Bc4xb5 a6xb5 Diagram
28.Bd2-c3 Bf8-e7 29.a2-a3 h7-h6
30.Bc3-d4 Be7-f6 31.Ke2-d3 Bf6xd4
32.e3xd4 0.56/12 ] 26.b2-b3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.b2-b3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + l +
+ + +k+p
p+ +p+p+
Ll+ +p+
+L+ P +
+P+ P P
P+ rK+ P
+ + + +

+ + l +
+ +r+kpp
+ +p+ +
+p+ +p+
+ + + +
+ + P P
PP LKP P
+ R + +

549

2064

2065

+ r + +
+ + +kpp
p+ +p+ +
+l+ lp+
+L+ + +
+P+ P P
P+ L P P
+ R K +

r+ + + +
+ + + +p
P+Rlk+ +
+ + pp+
+ + P +
+ + P +
+ LK+ P
+ + + +

2066

2067

Diagram
(Diagram 2066)
Kf7-f6 27.Ke1-e2 g7-g5 28.Bc4xb5
a6xb5 29.f2-f4 g5xf4 30.g3xf4 Be5-d6
31.a2-a4 b5xa4 32.b3xa4 e6-e5
33.a4-a5 Kf6-e6 34.a5-a6 Rd8-a8
35.Rc1-c6 Diagram
(Diagram 2067)
Ke6-d5 36.Rc6-b6 e5xf4 37.e3xf4
0.76/14 ] 26...Rd8-a8 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 26...Kf7-f6 Diagram

+ r + +
+ + + pp
p+ +pk +
+l+ lp+
+L+ + +
+P+ P P
P+ L P P
+ R K +

2068

27.Ke1-e2 g7-g5 28.Bc4xb5 a6xb5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

550

29.f2-f4 g5xf4 30.g3xf4 Be5-b2


31.Rc1-c2 Bb2-a1 32.Bd2-e1 Rd8-d7
33.Rc2-c6 Ba1-b2 0.72/12 ] 27.a2-a4
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27.f2-f4 Diagram

r+ + + +
+ + +kpp
p+ +p+ +
+l+ lp+
+L+ P +
+P+ P P
P+ L + P
+ R K +

2069

2071

34.Bc3-e5 Ra8-c8 0.85/13 ]

Be5-b2 28.Rc1-c2 Bb2-f6 29.Ke1-f2


Ra8-a7 30.Bd2-a5 Ra7-d7 31.Bc4xb5
a6xb5 32.Rc2-c5 Bf6-d8 33.Ba5xd8
Rd7xd8 34.Kf2-e2 b5-b4 35.Rc5-c4
Rd8-a8 36.Rc4-c7+ Kf7-f6 0.74/13 ]

r+ + + +
+ + +kpp
p+ +p+ +
+l+ lp+
P+L+ + +
+P+ P P
+ L P P
+ R K +

r+ +l+ +
+ + +kpp
p+ +p+ +
+ + lp+
P+L+ + +
+P+ P P
+ L P P
+ R K +

2070

r+ + + +
+ + +kpp
p+ +p+ +
+ + lp+
P+l+ + +
+P+ P P
+ L P P
+ R K +

2072

28.Rc1xc4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 28.Rc1xc4 Ra8-b8 29.b3-b4
Be5-d6 30.Ke1-e2 h7-h6 31.Bd2-c3
g7-g5 32.f2-f4 Rb8-b7 33.a4-a5
Kf7-e7 34.Ke2-d3 Ke7-d7 35.h2-h4
Diagram
(Diagram 2073)

27...Bb5xc4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 27...Bb5-e8 Diagram
28.f2-f4 Be5-f6 29.Ke1-e2 Bf6-b2
30.Rc1-c2 Bb2-f6 31.Ke2-f2 Bf6-e7
32.Bd2-c3 Be8-c6 33.Rc2-d2 a6-a5

g5xh4 36.g3xh4 Bd6-e7 0.75/16 ]


28...Ra8-b8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 28...Kf7-e7 29.f2-f4 Be5-f6
30.Rc4-c6 Ra8-a7 31.Ke1-e2 a6-a5
32.Rc6-b6 Ke7-f7 33.Rb6-b5 Bf6-d8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+r+k+ +
p+ lp+ p
P + +pp
PR+ P P
+ LKP P
+ + + +
+ + + +

r+ + + +
+ + +kpp
p+ +p+ +
+ + lp+
P+R+ + +
+P+ P P
+ L P P
+ + K +

551

2073

2074

r + + +
+ + +kpp
p+ +p+ +
+ + lp+
P+R+ + +
+P+ P P
+ L P P
+ + K +

r + + +
+ + +kpp
p+ lp+ +
+ + +p+
PPR+ + +
+ + P P
+ LKP P
+ + + +

2075

2076

34.Bd2-c3 h7-h6 0.78/13 ]


(Diagram 2075)
29.Rc4-b4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29.b3-b4 Be5-d6 30.Ke1-e2 Diagram
(Diagram 2076)
h7-h6 31.Bd2-c3 g7-g5 32.f2-f4
Rb8-b7 33.a4-a5 Kf7-e7 34.Ke2-d3
Ke7-d7 35.h2-h4 g5xh4 36.g3xh4
Bd6-e7 0.74/14 Diagram
] 29...g7-g5 [ 29...Rb8xb4 Diagram
30.Bd2xb4 Be5-c7 31.Ke1-e2+- ;

+ + + +
+r+kl +
p+ +p+ p
P + +p+
PR+ P P
+ LKP +
+ + + +
+ + + +

2077

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + +kpp
p+ +p+ +
+ + lp+
Pr + + +
+P+ P P
+ L P P
+ + K +

552

2078

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Rb8xb4


30.Bd2xb4 Be5-c7 31.Ke1-e2 e6-e5
32.Ke2-d3 a6-a5 33.Bb4-c3 Kf7-e6
34.f2-f4 e5xf4 35.e3xf4 g7-g6
36.Bc3-d4 Bc7-d6 0.74/13 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ lk+p+
p + +p+
P+ L P +
+P+K+ P
+ + + P
+ + + +

2079

r + + +
+ + +k+p
p+ +p+ +
+ + lpp
PR + + +
+P+ P P
+ LKP P
+ + + +

2080

Bd6-f8 41.Kd5-e5 Bf8-b4 42.Ke5xf5


Bb4-e7 43.Kf5-g6 h5-h4 44.Kg6-f5
h4xg3 45.h2xg3 Diagram

+ + + +
+k+ l +
+ + + +
+P+ +K+
+ + +p+
+ + L P
+ + P +
+ + + +

2081

Be7-f8 46.Kf5xg4 Kb7-c8 47.Be3-a7


Kc8-b7 48.Ba7-d4 0.84/15 ]
] 30.Rb4xb8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 30.Ke1-e2 Diagram
(Diagram 2080)
g5-g4 31.Rb4xb8 Be5xb8 32.Ke2-d3
Kf7-e7 33.e3-e4 Ke7-d7 34.b3-b4
Bb8-d6 35.b4-b5 a6xb5 36.a4xb5
Kd7-c7 37.e4xf5 e6xf5 38.Kd3-c4
Kc7-b7 39.Bd2-e3 h7-h5 40.Kc4-d5

(Diagram 2082)
30...Be5xb8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 30...Be5xb8 31.Ke1-e2
g5-g4 32.Ke2-d3 Kf7-e7 33.e3-e4
Ke7-d7 34.b3-b4 Bb8-d6 35.b4-b5
a6xb5 36.a4xb5 Kd7-c7 37.e4xf5
e6xf5 38.Kd3-c4 Diagram
Kc7-b7 39.Bd2-e3 h7-h5 40.Kc4-d5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

R + + +
+ + +k+p
p+ +p+ +
+ + lpp
P+ + + +
+P+ P P
+ L P P
+ + K +

+ + + +
+ k + +p
+ l + +
+P+ +p+
+K+ +p+
+ + + P
+ L P P
+ + + +

553

2082

2083

Bd6-f8 41.Kd5-e5 Bf8-b4 42.Ke5xf5


Bb4-e7 43.Kf5-g6 h5-h4 44.Kg6-f5
h4xg3 45.h2xg3 Be7-f8 46.Kf5xg4
Kb7-c8 47.Be3-a7 Kc8-b7 48.Ba7-d4
0.89/14 ]
(Diagram 2084)
31.Ke1-e2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 31.Ke1-e2 g5-g4 32.Ke2-d3
Kf7-e7 33.e3-e4 Ke7-d7 34.b3-b4
Kd7-c6 35.Bd2-e3 h7-h5 36.e4xf5
e6xf5 37.Kd3-c4 Bb8-c7 38.b4-b5+
a6xb5+ 39.a4xb5+ Kc6-b7 40.Kc4-d5
Diagram

l + + +
+ + +k+p
p+ +p+ +
+ + +pp
P+ + + +
+P+ P P
+ L P P
+ + K +

+ + + +
+kl + +
+ + + +
+P+K+p+p
+ + +p+
+ + L P
+ + P P
+ + + +

2084

2085

Bc7-d8 41.Be3-f4 Kb7-b6 0.79/15 ]


(Diagram 2086)
31...Kf7-e8 [ 31...g5-g4 Diagram
(Diagram 2087)
32.Ke2-d3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31...e6-e5 32.Ke2-d3 Kf7-e6
33.Kd3-c4 Ke6-d6 34.b3-b4 Kd6-c6
35.b4-b5+ a6xb5+ 36.a4xb5+ Kc6-b7
37.Kc4-c5 e5-e4 38.Bd2-c3 Bb8-c7
39.h2-h3 Bc7-b6+ 40.Kc5-d5 0.86/13 ]
32.e3-e4! Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

l + + +
+ + +k+p
p+ +p+ +
+ + +pp
P+ + + +
+P+ P P
+ LKP P
+ + + +

l + + +
+ + +k+p
p+ +p+ +
+ + +p+
P+ + +p+
+P+ P P
+ LKP P
+ + + +

554

2086

2087

x64: 32.f2-f4 Diagram


(Diagram 2088)
g5-g4 33.Ke2-d3 Ke8-d7 34.Bd2-c3
Kd7-c6 35.Kd3-c4 Bb8-c7 36.b3-b4
Bc7-d6 37.Bc3-d4 Bd6-f8 38.Bd4-e5
h7-h5 39.b4-b5+ a6xb5+ 40.a4xb5+
Kc6-b7 0.95/14 ]
(Diagram 2089)
Discovered attack: e3, d2-g5
32...g5-g4? [ 32...f5xe4 33.Bd2xg5
Discovered attack ; 32...-- 33.e4xf5

l +k+ +
+ + + +p
p+ +p+ +
+ + +pp
P+ + P +
+P+ P P
+ LK+ P
+ + + +

l +k+ +
+ + + +p
p+ +p+ +
+ + +pp
P+ +P+ +
+P+ + P
+ LKP P
+ + + +

2088

2089

Threat e6xf5 34.Bd2xg5


Zwischenzug ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...g5-g4 33.Ke2-d3 Diagram
(Diagram 2090)
Ke8-d7 34.b3-b4 Kd7-c6 35.Bd2-e3
f5xe4+ 36.Kd3xe4 Bb8-d6 37.Be3-d2
Bd6-f8 38.Ke4-e5 Kc6-d7 39.b4-b5
a6xb5 40.a4xb5 Bf8-g7+ 41.Ke5-e4
Kd7-c7 42.Bd2-e3 Kc7-b7 43.Be3-d4
0.83/16 ] 33.e4xf5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Ke2-d3
Diagram
Ke8-d7 34.b3-b4 Kd7-c6 35.Bd2-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

l +k+ +
+ + + +p
p+ +p+ +
+ + +p+
P+ +P+p+
+P+K+ P
+ L P P
+ + + +

l +k+ +
+ + + +p
p+ +p+ +
+ + +p+
P+ +P+p+
+P+K+ P
+ L P P
+ + + +

555

2090

2091

f5xe4+ 36.Kd3xe4 Bb8-d6 37.Be3-d2


h7-h5 38.Bd2-c3 Bd6-f8 39.f2-f4
g4xf3 40.Ke4xf3 Kc6-d5 41.b4-b5
Diagram
(Diagram 2092)
a6xb5 42.a4xb5 0.79/14 ]
(Diagram 2093)
33...e6xf5 [ 33...Bb8-d6 is not much
help 34.f5xe6 Ke8-e7 35.f2-f3 g4xf3+
36.Ke2xf3 Diagram
Ke7xe6 37.Kf3-e4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

+ + l +
+ + + +
p+ +p+ +
+P+k+ +p
P+ + + +
+ L +KP
+ + + P
+ + + +

l +k+ +
+ + + +p
p+ +p+ +
+ + +P+
P+ + +p+
+P+ + P
+ LKP P
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ + k +p
p+ lP+ +
+ + + +
P+ + + +
+P+ +KP
+ L + P
+ + + +
x64: 33...e6xf5 Diagram

2092

2093

2094

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

l +k+ +
+ + + +p
p+ + + +
+ + +p+
P+ + +p+
+P+ + P
+ LKP P
+ + + +

556

2095

34.Ke2-d3 Ke8-d7 35.b3-b4 Kd7-c6


36.Kd3-d4 Bb8-d6 37.Kd4-c4 Bd6-e7
38.Bd2-e3 h7-h5 39.b4-b5+ a6xb5+
40.a4xb5+ Kc6-b7 41.Kc4-d5 h5-h4
0.79/15 ] 34.Bd2-f4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Ke2-d3
Ke8-d7 35.b3-b4 Kd7-c6 36.Kd3-d4
Bb8-d6 37.Kd4-c4 Bd6-e7 38.Bd2-e3
h7-h5 39.Be3-d4 h5-h4 40.b4-b5+
a6xb5+ 41.a4xb5+ Kc6-b7 0.79/14 ]

l +k+ +
+ + + +p
p+ + + +
+ + +p+
P+ + Lp+
+P+ + P
+ +KP P
+ + + +

+ +k+ +
+ + + +p
p+ + + +
+ + +p+
P+ + lp+
+P+ + P
+ +KP P
+ + + +

2097

39.Ke3-d3 Kd5-c5 40.Kd3-c3 a6-a5


41.h2-h4 h7-h5 42.Kc3-d3 Kc5-d5
0.71/14 ] 35.Bf4-e3 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35.Bf4-e3
Ba7-b8 36.Ke2-d3 Bb8-e5 37.Kd3-c4
Be5-c7 38.b3-b4 Ke8-d8 39.b4-b5
a6xb5+ 40.Kc4xb5 Kd8-c8 41.a4-a5
h7-h5 42.a5-a6 Kc8-b8 43.Kb5-c6
Bc7-d8 44.Kc6-d5 h5-h4 45.Kd5-e6
f5-f4 46.g3xf4 Bd8-c7 47.Ke6-d5
2.18/18 ]
(Diagram 2098)

2096

34...Bb8-a7 [ 34...Bb8xf4 Diagram


35.g3xf4 a6-a5 36.Ke2-d3+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34...Bb8xf4
35.g3xf4 Ke8-e7 36.f2-f3 g4xf3+
37.Ke2xf3 Ke7-e6 38.Kf3-e3 Ke6-d5

35...Ba7-b8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


35...Ba7-b8 36.Ke2-d3 Bb8-e5
37.Kd3-c4 Ke8-d7 38.b3-b4 Kd7-c6
39.b4-b5+ a6xb5+ 40.a4xb5+ Kc6-d7
41.Kc4-d5 Diagram
(Diagram 2099)
Be5-b8 42.Kd5-c5 Bb8-e5 43.b5-b6
h7-h5 44.Kc5-b5 Be5-b8 45.b6-b7
Kd7-c7 46.Kb5-a6 Kc7-c6 47.Be3-c1
Kc6-d7 48.Ka6-b6 Bb8-d6 49.Bc1-e3
Bd6-b8 50.Be3-d4 f5-f4 51.Bd4-c3
f4xg3 52.h2xg3 Kd7-d6 2.24/19 ]
36.Ke2-d3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36.Ke2-d3 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +k+ +
l + + +p
p+ + + +
+ + +p+
P+ + +p+
+P+ L P
+ +KP P
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ +k+ +p
+ + + +
+P+Klp+
+ + +p+
+ + L P
+ + P P
+ + + +

l +k+ +
+ + + +p
p+ + + +
+ + +p+
P+ + +p+
+P+KL P
+ + P P
+ + + +

557

2098

2099

Kd7-c6
Kc6-d7
Bb8-e5
Be5-b8
Kc7-c6
Bb8-d6

39.b4-b5+ a6xb5+ 40.a4xb5+


41.Kc4-d5 Be5-b8 42.Kd5-c5
43.b5-b6 h7-h5 44.Kc5-b5
45.b6-b7 Kd7-c7 46.Kb5-a6
47.Be3-c1 Kc6-d7 48.Ka6-b6
49.Bc1-b2 2.00/18 Diagram

+ + + +
+P+k+ +
K l + +
+ + +p+p
+ + +p+
+ + + P
L + P P
+ + + +

2101

] 36...Ke8-d7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


36...Bb8-e5 37.Kd3-c4 Diagram

2100

Bb8-e5 37.Kd3-c4 Ke8-d7 38.b3-b4

+ +k+ +
+ + + +p
p+ + + +
+ + lp+
P+K+ +p+
+P+ L P
+ + P P
+ + + +

2102

Ke8-d7 38.b3-b4 Kd7-c6 39.b4-b5+


a6xb5+ 40.a4xb5+ Kc6-d7 41.Kc4-d5
Be5-b8 42.Kd5-c5 Bb8-e5 43.b5-b6
h7-h5 44.Kc5-b5 Be5-b8 45.b6-b7
Kd7-c7 46.Kb5-a6 Kc7-c6 47.Be3-c1
Kc6-d7 48.Ka6-b6 Bb8-d6 49.Kb6-a7
Bd6-c5+ 50.Ka7-a6 2.06/17 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

558

37.Kd3-c4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 37.Kd3-c4 Bb8-e5 38.b3-b4
h7-h5 39.Kc4-d5 Be5-d6 40.b4-b5
a6xb5 41.a4xb5 Bd6-b8 42.b5-b6
Bb8-d6 43.Be3-d2 Bd6-b8 44.Bd2-c1
Bb8-d6 45.Bc1-g5 Bd6-b8 46.Bg5-d2
Bb8-d6 47.Bd2-e1 Bd6-b8 48.Be1-c3
Bb8-d6 49.Bc3-d4 Bd6-b8 50.Bd4-b2
f5-f4 51.Bb2-d4 Bb8-d6 52.b6-b7
Bd6-b8 53.g3xf4 Bb8xf4 2.00/18
Diagram

+ + + +
+P+k+ +
+ + + +
+ +K+ +p
+ L lp+
+ + + +
+ + P P
+ + + +

l + + +
+ +k+ +p
p+ + + +
+ + +p+
P+K+ +p+
+P+ L P
+ + P P
+ + + +

2104

2103

+ + + +
+ + + +p
k+ + + +
+ + Kp+
+ + +p+
+ + + P
+ + P P
+ + + +

2105

(Diagram 2104)
37...Kd7-e6 [ 37...h7-h5 is not the
saving move 38.b3-b4+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 37...Bb8-e5 38.b3-b4 h7-h5
39.Kc4-d5 Be5-d6 40.b4-b5 a6xb5
41.a4xb5 Bd6-b8 42.b5-b6 Bb8-d6
43.Be3-d2 Bd6-b8 44.Bd2-c1 Bb8-d6
45.Bc1-g5 Bd6-b8 46.Bg5-e3 Bb8-d6
1.77/16 ] 38.b3-b4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.b3-b4
Ke6-d7 39.b4-b5 a6xb5+ 40.Kc4xb5
Kd7-c8 41.a4-a5 Kc8-b7 42.a5-a6+
Kb7-a8 43.Kb5-c6 Bb8-a7 44.Be3xa7
Ka8xa7 45.Kc6-d5 Ka7xa6 46.Kd5-e5
Diagram
Ka6-b7 47.Ke5xf5 Kb7-c7 48.Kf5xg4

Kc7-d6 49.Kg4-f5 Kd6-d5 50.f2-f4


Kd5-d4 51.g3-g4 h7-h6 2.73/16 ]
(Diagram 2106)
38...h7-h5 Diagram [ 38...Ke6-d7
doesn't change the outcome of the
game 39.Kc4-d5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 38...Ke6-d7 39.b4-b5 a6xb5+
40.Kc4xb5 Diagram
Kd7-c8 41.a4-a5 Kc8-b7 42.a5-a6+
Kb7-a8 43.Kb5-c6 Bb8-a7 44.Be3xa7
Ka8xa7 45.Kc6-d5 Ka7xa6 46.Kd5-e5
Ka6-b7 47.Ke5xf5 Kb7-c7 48.Kf5xg4
Kc7-d6 49.Kg4-f5 Kd6-d5 50.f2-f4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

l + + +
+ + + +p
p+ +k+ +
+ + +p+
PPK+ +p+
+ + L P
+ + P P
+ + + +

l + + +
+ +k+ +p
+ + + +
+K+ +p+
P+ + +p+
+ + L P
+ + P P
+ + + +

559

2106

2107

Kd5-d4 51.g3-g4 h7-h6 2.80/17 ]


(Diagram 2108)
39.b4-b5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 39.b4-b5 a6xb5+ 40.Kc4xb5
Bb8-c7 41.a4-a5 Bc7xa5 42.Kb5xa5
Ke6-e5 43.Ka5-b4 Ke5-d5 44.Kb4-b5
f5-f4 45.g3xf4 h5-h4 46.Be3-c1 h4-h3
47.Bc1-e3 Kd5-e6 48.Kb5-c4 Ke6-f6
49.Kc4-d5 Kf6-f5 50.Kd5-d4 Kf5-f6
51.Kd4-e4 Kf6-f7 52.Be3-d4 Kf7-e7
53.f4-f5 Ke7-f7 54.Bd4-c5 3.84/15 ]
39...a6xb5+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39...a6xb5+ 40.Kc4xb5 Bb8-c7

l + + +
+ + + +
p+ +k+ +
+ + +p+p
PPK+ +p+
+ + L P
+ + P P
+ + + +

l + + +
+ + + +
p+ +k+ +
+P+ +p+p
P+K+ +p+
+ + L P
+ + P P
+ + + +

2108

2109

41.a4-a5 Bc7xa5 42.Kb5xa5 Ke6-e5


43.Ka5-b5 Ke5-d5 44.Be3-c1 Kd5-d6
45.Bc1-f4+ Kd6-d5 46.Bf4-e3 f5-f4
47.g3xf4 h5-h4 48.Be3-c1 Diagram
(Diagram 2110)
h4-h3 49.Bc1-e3 Kd5-e6 50.Kb5-c4
Ke6-f6 51.Kc4-d5 Kf6-f5 52.Kd5-d4
Kf5-f6 53.Kd4-e4 Kf6-f7 54.Be3-d4
Kf7-e7 55.f4-f5 Ke7-f7 56.Bd4-c5
3.91/16 ] 40.Kc4xb5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 40.Kc4xb5 Bb8-c7 41.a4-a5
Bc7xa5 42.Kb5xa5 Ke6-e5 43.Ka5-b5
Ke5-d5 44.Be3-c1 Kd5-d6 45.Bc1-f4+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+K+k+ +
+ + Ppp
+ + + +
+ + P P
+ L + +

560
51.Kf5xg4 Kc8-b8 52.Bb6-e3 Bb4-a5
53.f2-f4 Kb8-c7 54.f4-f5 4.06/17
Diagram
2110

Kd6-d5 46.Bf4-e3 f5-f4 47.g3xf4


h5-h4 48.Be3-c1 h4-h3 49.Bc1-e3
Kd5-e6 50.Kb5-c4 Ke6-f6 51.Kc4-d5
Kf6-f5 52.Kd5-d4 Kf5-f6 53.Kd4-e4
Kf6-f7 54.Be3-d4 Kf7-e7 55.f4-f5
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + k +
+ + + +
+ + +P+
+ LK+p+
+ + + +p
+ + P P
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ k + +
P+ + + +
l + +P+
+ + +K+
+ + L P
+ + + +
+ + + +

2112

] 41.a4-a5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 41.a4-a5 Kd5-e4 42.a5-a6 h5-h4
43.Kb5-b6 h4xg3 44.h2xg3 Ke4-f3
45.Kb6-b7 Bb8xg3 46.f2xg3 Kf3xe3
47.a6-a7 Ke3-f3 48.a7-a8Q Kf3xg3
49.Qa8-a3+ Kg3-f4 50.Qa3-c1+ Kf4-f3
2111 51.Qc1-f1+ Kf3-e4 52.Kb7-c6 Ke4-e5
53.Qf1-e2+ Ke5-f4 54.Qe2-f2+ Kf4-g5
55.Qf2-e3+ Diagram

Ke7-f7 56.Bd4-c5 Kf7-f6 57.Bc5-e3


Kf6-f7 58.Ke4-e5 3.85/16 ] 40...Ke6-d5
[ 40...Ke6-d7+- praying for a miracle ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40...Ke6-d7
41.a4-a5 Bb8-d6 42.a5-a6 Kd7-c7
43.Be3-b6+ Kc7-b8 44.Kb5-c6 Bd6-b4
45.Kc6-d5 Bb4-f8 46.Kd5-e6 Kb8-c8
47.Ke6xf5 Bf8-e7 48.Kf5-g6 h5-h4
49.Kg6-f5 h4xg3 50.h2xg3 Be7-b4

(Diagram 2113)
Kg5-f6 56.Kc6-d5 Kf6-g6 57.Kd5-e5
7.29/14 ]
(Diagram 2114)
41...Kd5-e4 [ 41...f5-f4
hardly improves anything 42.Be3xf4
Bb8-a7 43.Bf4-e3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 41...h5-h4 42.a5-a6 h4xg3
43.h2xg3 Kd5-e4 44.Kb5-b6 Ke4-f3
45.Kb6-b7 Bb8xg3 46.f2xg3 Kf3xe3
47.a6-a7 Ke3-f3 48.a7-a8Q Kf3xg3
49.Qa8-a3+ Kg3-f4 50.Qa3-c1+
Diagram
Kf4-f3 51.Qc1-f1+ Kf3-e4 52.Kb7-c6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +
+K+ + +
+ + +pk
+ + +p+
+ + Q +
+ + + +
+ + + +

l + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
PK+k+p+p
+ + +p+
+ + L P
+ + P P
+ + + +

+ + + +
+K+ + +
+ + + +
+ + +p+
+ + kp+
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ Q + +
Ke4-e5 53.Qf1-e2+ Ke5-f4

561

2113

2114

2115

54.Qe2-f2+ Kf4-g5 55.Qf2-e3+ Kg5-f6


56.Kc6-d5 Kf6-g6 57.Kd5-e5 7.34/15 ]
42.a5-a6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
42.a5-a6 h5-h4 43.Kb5-b6 h4xg3
44.h2xg3 Ke4-f3 45.Kb6-b7 Bb8xg3
46.f2xg3 Kf3xe3 47.a6-a7 Ke3-f3
48.a7-a8Q Kf3xg3 49.Qa8-a3+ Kg3-f4
50.Qa3-c1+ Kf4-f3 51.Qc1-f1+ Kf3-e4
52.Kb7-c6 Ke4-e5 53.Qf1-e2+ Ke5-f4
54.Qe2-f2+ Kf4-g5 55.Qf2-e3+ Kg5-f6
56.Kc6-d5 Kf6-g6 57.Kd5-e5 7.20/15 ]
42...h5-h4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
42...Ke4-f3 43.Kb5-b6 h5-h4
44.Kb6-b7 h4xg3 45.h2xg3 Bb8xg3
46.f2xg3 Kf3xe3 47.a6-a7 Ke3-f3
48.a7-a8Q Kf3xg3 49.Qa8-a3+ Kg3-f4
50.Qa3-c1+ Kf4-f3 51.Qc1-f1+ Kf3-e4
52.Kb7-c6 Ke4-e5 53.Qf1-e2+ Ke5-f4
54.Qe2-f2+ Kf4-g5 55.Qf2-e3+
Kg5-g6 56.Kc6-d5 Kg6-h5 57.Kd5-e5
Kh5-g6 7.34/16 ] 43.g3xh4 [ 43.g3xh4
Ke4-d5 44.h4-h5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 43.Kb5-b6 h4xg3 44.h2xg3
Ke4-f3 45.Kb6-b7 Bb8xg3 46.f2xg3
Kf3xe3 47.a6-a7 Ke3-f3 48.a7-a8Q
Kf3xg3 49.Qa8-a3+ Kg3-f4
50.Qa3-c1+ Kf4-f3 51.Qc1-f1+ Kf3-e4
52.Qf1-g2+ Ke4-f4 53.Kb7-c6 Kf4-g5
54.Kc6-d5 f5-f4 55.Kd5-e4 f4-f3
56.Qg2-f2 Kg5-h5 6.71/13 ]
1-0

41
Marc Narciso Dublan
Vassily Ivanchuk
Casino de Masters (3)

D90

26.10.2005

D90: Grnfeld: 4 Nf3 Bg7 sidelines


1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 g7-g6
3.Nb1-c3 d7-d5 4.Ng1-f3 Bf8-g7
Diagram
5.c4xd5 Nf6xd5 6.Nc3-a4 Bc8-f5
[ RR 6...0-0 7.e2-e4 Nd5-b6 8.Bf1-e2
Bc8-g4 9.Bc1-e3 Nb8-c6 10.d4-d5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rnlqk+ r
ppp pplp
+ + np+
+ +p+ +
+PP + +
+ N +N+
PP +PPPP
R LQKL+R

562

2116

Bg4xf3 11.g2xf3 Nc6-e5 12.Na4xb6


a7xb6 13.f3-f4 Ne5-d7 14.e4-e5
Nd7-c5 15.b2-b4 Nc5-e4 16.Be2-f3
f7-f5 17.Qd1-b3 Qd8-d7 18.0-0
Kg8-h8 19.Ra1-c1 g6-g5 20.Qb3-c4
Ra8-a3 21.Bf3xe4 Ashley,M (2500)Romanishin,O (2570)/Cannes 1998/
CBM 063 ext/- (32) ] 7.Nf3-h4
Bf5-c8 8.e2-e4N Nd5-f6 9.Na4-c3
0-0 10.Bf1-e2 c7-c5 11.d4-d5 e7-e6
12.Nh4-f3 e6xd5 13.e4xd5 Bc8-f5
14.0-0 Nf6-e4 15.Qd1-b3 Qd8-b6
16.Nc3-a4 Qb6xb3 17.a2xb3
Diagram
(Diagram 2117)
Nb8-d7 18.Nf3-h4 Rf8-e8 19.Nh4xf5
g6xf5 20.Be2-b5 Ra8-d8 last book
move 21.Bc1-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21.Bc1-e3 a7-a6 22.Bb5xd7
Rd8xd7 23.Ra1-d1 b7-b5 24.Na4xc5
Ne4xc5 25.Be3xc5 Re8-e5 26.Bc5-b6
Re5xd5 27.Rd1-a1 Bg7xb2
28.Ra1xa6 Rd5-d3 29.b3-b4 Bb2-d4
30.Bb6-c5 Bd4xc5 31.b4xc5 Rd3-c3
32.c5-c6 Rd7-d6 33.Rf1-b1 Kg8-g7
34.Kg1-f1 Rd6xc6 35.Ra6xc6 Rc3xc6
Diagram
36.Rb1xb5 -0.02/15 ] 21...a7-a6

rn + rk+
pp+ +plp
+ + +p+
+ pP+l+
N+ +n+ +
+P+ +N+
P +LPPP
R L +RK

+ + + +
+ + +pkp
+r+ + +
+p+ +p+
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + PPP
+R+ +K+

2117

2118

last book move [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


21...Bg7-e5 Diagram
(Diagram 2119)
22.Rf1-d1 b7-b6 23.g2-g3 Re8-e7
24.Bb5-c6 Nd7-f6 25.f2-f3 Ne4-d6
26.Be3-g5 Kg8-g7 27.Na4-c3 h7-h6
28.Bg5-d2 0.10/13 ] 22.Bb5-d3
[ 22.Bb5xd7 Diagram
Rd8xd7 23.Ra1-d1 b7-b5 24.Na4xc5
Ne4xc5 25.Be3xc5 Re8-e5= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.Bb5xd7
Rd8xd7 23.Ra1-d1 b7-b5 24.Na4xc5
Ne4xc5 25.Be3xc5 Re8-e5 26.b3-b4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rr+k+
pp+n+p+p
+ + + +
+LpPlp+
N+ +n+ +
+P+ L +
P + PPP
R + +RK

+ rr+k+
+p+L+plp
p+ + + +
+ pP+p+
N+ +n+ +
+P+ L +
P + PPP
R + +RK

563

2119

2120

+ rr+k+
+p+ +plp
p+ + n +
+ pP+p+
N+ +n+ +
+P+LL +
P + PPP
+ +R+RK

2121

Rd8xd5 24.Na4-b6 Rd5-d8


25.Bd3xe4 f5xe4 26.Be3xc5 Rd8-d3
27.b3-b4 Re8-d8 28.Rd1-c1 Bg7-h6
29.Rc1-c4 Rd3-d1 30.Bc5-e3 Bh6xe3
31.f2xe3 Rd8-d6 32.Rc4-c8+ Kg8-g7
-0.12/13 ] 23...Nf6xe4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Nf6xe4
24.Rf1-d1 b7-b5 25.Na4xc5 Bg7xb2
26.Nc5xe4 Bb2xa1 27.Ne4-g3 Ba1-f6
28.d5-d6 Rd8-d7 29.Ng3xf5 a6-a5
30.g2-g4 a5-a4 31.b3xa4 b5xa4
32.Rd1-d2 a4-a3 33.Rd2-a2 Bf6-b2
34.Be3-c5 Re8-a8 35.Kg1-g2 Kg8-f8
36.h2-h3 Kf8-e8 37.Kg2-f3 Ra8-c8
38.Bc5-e3 -0.30/17 Diagram

Re5xd5 27.Rd1-a1 Bg7xb2


28.Ra1xa6 Bb2-d4 29.Ra6-a8+
(Diagram 2122)
Kg8-g7 30.Ra8-c8 Rd7-d8 31.Rc8xd8
Rd5xd8 32.Rf1-c1 h7-h5 33.g2-g3
]
Bd4-e5 34.f2-f4 Be5-b2 0.02/15 ]
22...Nd7-f6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
(Diagram 2123)
22...Bg7-d4 23.Ra1-d1 Bd4xe3
24.Rf1-d1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.f2xe3 Ne4-d6 25.Bd3xf5 Nd6xf5
26.Rf1xf5 Re8xe3 27.Rf5-g5+ Kg8-f8
24.Rf1-d1 b7-b5 25.Na4-c3 Bg7xc3
28.Na4-c3 h7-h6 29.Rg5-f5 Kf8-g7
26.b2xc3 f5-f4 27.Be3-d2 Rd8xd5
28.Bd2-e1 Rd5xd1 29.Ra1xd1 Ne4-f6
30.Kg1-f2 Re3-e8 31.Rf5-f4 Nd7-e5
32.d5-d6 Rd8-d7 -0.02/12 ] 23.Bd3xe4 30.c3-c4 Kg8-g7 31.Rd1-a1 Re8-e2
[ 23.Ra1-d1 Rd8xd5 24.Bd3xe4
32.Be1-c3 Re2-c2 33.Bc3xf6+ Kg7xf6
Re8xe4! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34.Ra1xa6+ Kf6-f5 35.h2-h4 b5xc4
23.Ra1-d1 Diagram
36.b3xc4 Rc2xc4 -0.34/14 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+k+ +
+ +r+p+p
+ P + +
+ + +N+
+ + +P+
p + LK+P
Rl + P +
+ + + +

+ rr+k+
+p+ +plp
p+ + + +
+ pP+p+
N+ +n+ +
+P+ L +
P + PPP
R + +RK

+ + + +
+ + +p+p
R+ + + +
+ p +k+
+r+ p P
+ + + +
+ + PP+
+ + + K

564

2122

x64: 24...b7-b5 25.Na4-c3 Bg7xc3


26.b2xc3 f5-f4 27.Be3-d2 Rd8xd5
28.Bd2-e1 Rd5xd1 29.Ra1xd1 Ne4-f6
30.c3-c4 Kg8-g7 31.Rd1-a1 Re8-e2
32.Be1-c3 Re2-c2 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + +pkp
p+ + n +
+pp + +
+P+ p +
+PL + +
+r+ PPP
R + + K

2125

2123

33.Bc3xf6+ Kg7xf6 34.Ra1xa6+


Kf6-e5 35.Kg1-f1 b5xc4 36.b3xc4
Rc2xc4 37.Ra6-a7 Rc4-c1+ 38.Kf1-e2
Rc1-c2+ 39.Ke2-f3 -0.36/16 ]

2124

] 24...b7-b5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro

+ rr+k+
+ + +plp
p+ + + +
+ppP+p+
N+ +n+ +
+P+ L +
P + PPP
R +R+ K

2126

Black threatens to win material: b5xa4


25.Na4xc5 [ 25.Na4-c3 f5-f4
26.Be3-d2! ( 26.Be3xf4? Bg7xc3
27.b2xc3 Ne4xc3-+ );Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.Na4-c3 Diagram
Bg7xc3 26.b2xc3 f5-f4 27.Be3-d2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rr+k+
+ + +plp
p+ + + +
+ppP+p+
+ +n+ +
+PN L +
P + PPP
R +R+ K

565

2127

Rd8xd5 28.Bd2-e1 Rd5xd1


29.Ra1xd1 Ne4-f6 30.c3-c4 Kg8-g7
31.Rd1-a1 Re8-e2 32.Be1-c3 Re2-c2
33.Bc3xf6+ Kg7xf6 34.Ra1xa6+
Kf6-e5 35.Kg1-f1 b5xc4 36.b3xc4
Rc2xc4 37.Ra6-a7 Rc4-c1+ 38.Kf1-e2
Rc1-c2+ 39.Ke2-f3 -0.32/15 Diagram

+ + + +
R + +p+p
+ + + +
+ p k +
+ + p +
+ + +K+
+r+ PPP
+ + + +

2128

+ +r+k+
+ +r+p+p
+ P l +
+p+ +N+
P+ + + +
+ + L +
+ R PPP
+ + + K

2129

Rb1-b2+ 38.Ra2xb2 Be5xb2 -0.34/17


Diagram

+ + k +
+ +r+p+p
+NP + +
+ + + +
p+ + + +
+ + LP+P
l + KP+
+ + + +

2130

] 26.Nc5xe4 [ 26.Ra1xa6? is no good


Ne4xc5 27.Ra6-a2 Diagram
(Diagram 2131)

] 25...Bg7xb2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


25...Bg7xb2 26.Nc5xe4 Bb2xa1
27.Ne4-g3 Ba1-f6 28.d5-d6 Rd8-d7
29.Ng3xf5 a6-a5 30.Rd1-d2 a5-a4
31.b3xa4 Diagram
b5xa4 32.Rd2-a2 Re8-e4 33.f2-f3
Re4-b4 34.h2-h3 Bf6-e5 35.Nf5-e7+
Kg8-f8 36.Ne7-c6 Rb4-b1+ 37.Kg1-f2

Bb2-f6-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


26.Nc5xe4 Bb2xa1 27.Ne4-g3 Ba1-f6
28.d5-d6 Rd8-d7 29.Ng3xf5 a6-a5
30.Rd1-d2 a5-a4 31.b3xa4 b5xa4
32.Rd2-a2 Diagram
Re8-e4 33.f2-f3 Re4-b4 34.h2-h3
Bf6-e5 35.Nf5-e7+ Kg8-f8 36.Ne7-c6
Rb4-b1+ 37.Kg1-f2 Rb1-b2+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rr+k+
+ + +p+p
+ + + +
+pnP+p+
+ + + +
+P+ L +
Rl + PPP
+ +R+ K

+ +r+k+
+ +r+p+p
+ P l +
+ + +N+
p+ + + +
+ + L +
R+ + PPP
+ + + K

566

+ + k +
+ +r+p+p
+NP + +
+ + + +
p+ + + +
+ + LP+P
l + KP+
+ + + +

2131

+ rr+k+
+ + +p+p
p+ P l +
+p+ +p+
+ + + +
+P+ L N
+ + PPP
+ +R+ K

2132

2133

2134

38.Ra2xb2 Be5xb2 -0.46/16 Diagram

+ +r+k+
+ +r+p+p
+ P l +
+ + +N+
p+ + + +
+ + L +
+ R PPP
+ + + K

(Diagram 2133)
] 26...Bb2xa1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...Bb2xa1 27.Ne4-g3 Ba1-f6
28.d5-d6 Diagram
(Diagram 2134)
Rd8-d7 29.Ng3xf5 a6-a5 30.Rd1-d2
a5-a4 31.b3xa4 b5xa4 Diagram
32.Rd2-a2 Re8-e4 33.f2-f3 Re4-c4
34.Be3-h6 Rc4-c5 35.g2-g4 Rc5-c4
36.Kg1-f2 -0.36/15 ] 27.Ne4-c5?
[

27.Ne4-g3 f5-f4 28.Be3xf4

2135

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

567

Diagram

+ rr+k+
+ + +p+p
p+ + + +
+p+P+ +
+ + L +
+P+ + N
+ + PPP
l +R+ K

2136

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27.Ne4-g3


Ba1-f6 28.d5-d6 Rd8-d7 29.Ng3xf5
a6-a5 30.Rd1-d2 a5-a4 31.b3xa4
b5xa4 32.Rd2-a2 Re8-e4 33.f2-f3
Diagram

+ + +k+
+ +r+p+p
+ P l +
+ + +N+
p+ +r+ +
+ + LP+
R+ + +PP
+ + + K

2137

Re4-b4 34.h2-h3 Bf6-e5 35.Nf5-e7+


Kg8-f8 36.Ne7-c6 Rb4-b1+ 37.Kg1-f2
Rb1-b2+ 38.Ra2xb2 Be5xb2 -0.42/16 ]
27...f5-f4!-+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27...f5-f4 28.Be3xf4 Rd8xd5
29.Rd1xa1 Rd5xc5 30.g2-g3 Re8-e6
31.Bf4-e3 Rc5-c2 32.b3-b4 Kg8-g7
33.Ra1-a3 Kg7-g6 34.Kg1-g2
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + +p+p
p+ +r+k+
+p+ + +
P + + +
R + L P
+r+ PKP
+ + + +

2138

h7-h5 35.Be3-c5 Rc2-d2 36.h2-h3


f7-f6 37.Bc5-e3 Rd2-e2 38.Ra3-c3
Re6-e8 -1.28/19 ]

+ rr+k+
+ + +p+p
p+ + + +
+pNP+ +
+ + p +
+P+ L +
+ + PPP
l +R+ K

2139

the final blow 28.Be3xf4 Diagram


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Be3xf4
Rd8xd5 29.Rd1xa1 Rd5xc5 30.g2-g3
Re8-e6 31.Bf4-e3 Rc5-c2 32.b3-b4
Kg8-g7 33.Ra1-a3 Kg7-g6 34.Kg1-g2
h7-h5 35.Be3-d4 f7-f6 36.Bd4-c5
Rc2-d2 37.h2-h3 Diagram
Rd2-b2 38.g3-g4 h5xg4 39.h3xg4
Kg6-g5 -1.41/17 ]
28...Rd8xd5! Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 28...Rd8xd5 29.Rd1xa1
Rd5xc5 30.g2-g3 Re8-e6 31.Bf4-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +
p+ +rpk+
+pL + +p
P + + +
R + + PP
+ r PK+
+ + + +

+ rr+k+
+ + +p+p
p+ + + +
+pNP+ +
+ + L +
+P+ + +
+ + PPP
l +R+ K

568

2140

2141

Rc5-c2 32.b3-b4 Kg8-g7 33.Ra1-a3


Kg7-g6 34.Kg1-g2 Diagram
(Diagram 2142)
f7-f6 35.h2-h3 Rc2-b2 36.Be3-c5
h7-h6 37.g3-g4 Rb2-d2 38.Bc5-e3
-1.36/18 ]
(Diagram 2143)
Mate attack 29.Rd1xa1 [ 29.Rd1xd5
Re8-e1# Diagram
Mate attack ; 29.-- Rd5xd1#
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + +p+p
p+ +r+k+
+p+ + +
P + + +
R + L P
+r+ PKP
+ + + +

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+p
p+ + + +
+pNr+ +
+ + L +
+P+ + +
+ + PPP
l +R+ K

+ + +k+
+ + +p+p
p+ + + +
+pNR+ +
+ + L +
+P+ + +
+ + PPP
l + r K

2142

2143

2144

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+p
p+ + + +
+pN + +
+ + L +
+P+ + +
+ + PPP
l +r+ K

569

2145

Mate threat ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


29.Rd1xa1 Diagram

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+p
p+ + + +
+pNr+ +
+ + L +
+P+ + +
+ + PPP
R + + K

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+p
p+ + + +
+pr + +
+ + L +
+P+ + +
+ + PPP
R + + K

2147

36.Be3-d2 f7-f6 37.h2-h3 Rc4-c2


38.Bd2-e3 Re6-e8 -1.33/16 ]

2146

Rd5xc5 30.g2-g3 Re8-e6 31.Bf4-e3


Rc5-c2 32.b3-b4 Kg8-g7 33.Ra1-a3
Kg7-g6 34.Kg1-g2 h7-h5 35.h2-h3
f7-f6 36.Be3-c5 Rc2-b2 37.g3-g4
h5xg4 38.h3xg4 Kg6-g5 -1.40/17 ]
29...Rd5xc5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 29...Rd5xc5 Diagram
(Diagram 2147)
30.g2-g3 Re8-e6 31.Bf4-e3 Rc5-c2
32.b3-b4 Kg8-g7 33.Ra1-a3 Kg7-g6
34.Kg1-g2 h7-h5 35.Ra3-d3 Rc2-c4

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+p
p+ + + +
+pr + +
+ + L +
+P+ + +
+ + PPP
R + + K

2148

30.g2-g3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 30.h2-h3 Rc5-c2 31.Ra1xa6
Rc2-b2 32.Ra6-b6 Rb2xb3 33.Kg1-h2
Rb3-b2 34.Bf4-d6 Re8-e2 35.Bd6-a3
Rb2-b3 36.Ba3-c5 Diagram
(Diagram 2149)
Re2-c2 37.Bc5-d4 Kg8-f8
38.Rb6-h6 -1.17/15 ]
30...Rc5-c6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30...Re8-e6 31.Bf4-e3 Diagram
Rc5-c2 32.b3-b4 Kg8-g7 33.Ra1-a3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+ + +p+p
R + + +
+pL + +
+ + + +
+r+ + +P
+ +rPPK
+ + + +

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+p
p+ + + +
+pr + +
+ + L +
+P+ + P
+ + P P
R + + K

+ + +k+
+ + +p+p
p+ +r+ +
+pr + +
+ + + +
+P+ L P
+ + P P
R + + K

570

2149

2150

Rc2-c4 36.Be3-d2 f7-f6 37.h2-h3


Rc4-c2 38.Bd2-e3 Re6-e8 -1.31/16 ]
31.h2-h4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 31.Bf4-e3 Kg8-g7 32.Kg1-g2
Kg7-g6 33.Ra1-a2 Re8-d8 34.b3-b4
Rd8-d3 35.Ra2-a1 Kg6-f5 36.Ra1-a2
h7-h6 37.Ra2-e2 Rc6-c4 38.Re2-a2
Rd3-d6 -1.09/16 ]

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+p
p+r+ + +
+p+ + +
+ + L P
+P+ + P
+ + P +
R + + K

2152

31...f7-f6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 31...Re8-e2 Diagram

2151

Kg7-g6 34.Kg1-g2 h7-h5 35.Ra3-d3

+ + +k+
+ + +p+p
p+r+ + +
+p+ + +
+ + L P
+P+ + P
+ +rP +
R + + K

2153

32.Ra1-d1 a6-a5 33.Rd1-a1 Rc6-a6


34.Ra1-d1 a5-a4 35.b3xa4 b5xa4
36.Kg1-f1 Ra6-e6 37.Bf4-e3 Re2-c2
38.Rd1-a1 Re6-e4 -1.57/13 ]
32.h4-h5 [ 32.Bf4-e3 Re8-e6-+ ;

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
+ + + +p
p+r+ p +
+p+ + +
+ + L P
+P+ + P
+ + P +
R + + K

571

2154

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32.Bf4-e3


Kg8-f7 33.b3-b4 Kf7-g6 34.Kg1-g2
Rc6-c2 35.Be3-c5 Re8-e6 36.Ra1-a3
Rc2-b2 37.Kg2-f3 h7-h5 38.Ra3-d3
Rb2-e2 39.Kf3-g2 Re6-e8 40.Rd3-d7
Kg6-f5 41.Rd7-h7 -1.22/15 Diagram

+ +r+ +
+ + + +R
p+ + p +
+pL +k+p
P + + P
+ + + P
+ +rPK+
+ + + +

2155

] 32...Kg8-f7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


32...Re8-e2 33.Ra1-d1 Rc6-c2
34.Bf4-e3 Kg8-f7 Diagram
(Diagram 2156)
35.b3-b4 Kf7-e6 36.Kg1-f1 Rc2-a2
37.Be3-c5 Re2-d2 Diagram
38.Rd1-e1+ Ke6-f5 39.Re1-e7

+ + + +
+ + +k+p
p+ + p +
+p+ + +P
+ + + +
+P+ L P
+r+rP +
+ +R+ K

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+ +kp +
+pL + +P
P + + +
+ + + P
r+ r P +
+ +R+K+

2156

2157

Rd2-c2 40.Bc5-d4 h7-h6 41.Kf1-g2


-1.36/16 ] 33.Kg1-g2 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Kg1-g2
Re8-e2 34.b3-b4 Re2-b2 35.Ra1-d1
Kf7-e7 36.Rd1-e1+ Ke7-d7
37.Re1-d1+ Kd7-e6 38.Rd1-e1+
Ke6-f5 39.Re1-e7 Rc6-c2 40.Bf4-e3
Rb2xb4 41.Re7xh7 a6-a5 42.h5-h6
a5-a4 43.Kg2-f3 a4-a3 44.Rh7-a7
Diagram
Rb4-b3 45.g3-g4+ Kf5-e5 46.h6-h7
Rc2-c8 Diagram
47.Ra7-c7 Rc8-d8 48.Rc7-e7+
Ke5-d5 -1.52/16 ]
33...Re8-d8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
R + + +
+ + p P
+p+ +k+
r + + +
p + LKP
+r+ P +
+ + + +

+r+ + +
R + + +P
+ + p +
+p+ k +
+ + +P+
pr+ LK+
+ + P +
+ + + +

+ +r+ +
+ + +k+p
p+r+ p +
+p+ + +P
+ + L +
+P+ + P
+ + PK+
R + + +
33...Re8-e2 34.b3-b4 Diagram

572

2158

2159

2160

+ + + +
+ + +k+p
p+r+ p +
+p+ + +P
P + L +
+ + + P
+ +rPK+
R + + +

2161

Re2-b2 35.Ra1-d1 Kf7-e7


36.Rd1-e1+ Ke7-d7 37.Re1-d1+
Kd7-e6 38.Rd1-e1+ Ke6-f5 39.Re1-e7
Rc6-c2 40.Bf4-e3 Rb2xb4 41.Re7xh7
a6-a5 42.h5-h6 a5-a4 43.Kg2-f3
a4-a3 44.Rh7-a7 Rb4-b3 45.g3-g4+
Kf5-e5 46.h6-h7 Rc2-c8 47.Ra7-c7
Rc8-d8 48.Rc7-e7+ Ke5-d5 -1.40/16 ]
34.Bf4-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34.h5-h6 Diagram

+ r + +
+ + +k+p
p+r+ p P
+p+ + +
+ + L +
+P+ + P
+ + PK+
R + + +
Rd8-d3
Rd4-d5
Rc6-c4
Rc4xb4
Rb4-b2

2162

35.b3-b4 Rd3-d4 36.Ra1-b1


37.Rb1-e1 Rd5-d7 38.Re1-b1
39.Rb1-b3 Kf7-g6 40.Rb3-a3
41.Ra3xa6 Kg6-f7 42.Ra6-b6
43.Bf4-d6 Rb2-c2 44.Bd6-b4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

573

-1.33/17 ] 34...Kf7-e6 [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 34...Rd8-d5 35.g3-g4
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + +k+p
p+r+ p +
+p+r+ +P
+ + +P+
+P+ L +
+ + PK+
R + + +

2163

b5-b4 36.Kg2-f3 Rd5-d3 37.Ra1-b1


Rc6-c3 38.Rb1-a1 Rd3-d6 39.Ra1-b1
a6-a5 40.Kf3-e4 Rd6-d8 41.Be3-d4
Rd8-e8+ 42.Ke4-f4 Rc3-d3 43.Bd4-b6
Re8-e2 44.f2-f3 Re2-e5 45.Bb6-f2
Re5-e2 -1.52/16 ] 35.Ra1-e1
[ 35.b3-b4 Rd8-d3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 35.b3-b4 Ke6-f5 36.f2-f3
Rc6-c2+ 37.Kg2-h3 Rd8-d3
38.Ra1-e1 Rd3-b3 39.g3-g4+ Kf5-e5
40.Kh3-g3 Ke5-d5 41.Re1-d1+
Diagram
(Diagram 2164)
Kd5-c4 42.Be3-c5 Rb3-d3 43.Rd1-e1
a6-a5 44.Re1-e4+ Kc4-b3 -1.19/15 ]
35...Rd8-d3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35...Rd8-d5 36.h5-h6 Ke6-f7 37.b3-b4
Rc6-c2 38.Be3-f4 Rd5-d3 39.Re1-a1
Rc2-c6 40.Ra1-b1 Rc6-c4 41.Bf4-e3
Kf7-g6 42.Rb1-a1 Rc4-c6 43.Ra1-e1
Rc6-c2 Diagram
44.Be3-f4 Rd3-b3 45.Re1-e7 Rb3xb4
46.Re7-g7+ Kg6-f5 47.Rg7xh7 a6-a5
48.Rh7-e7 Rb4-b2 49.Bf4-e3 a5-a4
50.Be3-d4 -1.52/15 ] 36.b3-b4

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+ + p +
+p+k+ +P
P + +P+
+r+ LPK
+r+ + +
+ +R+ +

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+ + pkP
+p+ + +
P + + +
+ +rL P
+r+ PK+
+ + R +

2164

2165

Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


36.b3-b4 Rd3-d5 37.g3-g4 Rc6-c4
38.Be3-c5+ Rd5-e5 39.Re1-a1
Rc4xg4+ 40.Kg2-f3 Ke6-f5 41.Ra1xa6
Rg4-c4 42.Ra6-b6 Rc4-c3+ 43.Kf3-g2
Kf5-e4 44.Bc5-e3 Rc3-c2 Diagram
(Diagram 2166)
45.Rb6xf6 Re5xh5 46.Kg2-g3 Rh5-h1
47.Rf6-e6+ Ke4-f5 -1.05/15 ]
36...Ke6-d5 [ 36...Rd3-d5-+
Diagram
and Black can already relax ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36...Rc6-c2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +p
R + p +
+p+ r +P
P +k+ +
+ + L +
+r+ PK+
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+r+kp +
+p+ + +P
P + + +
+ +rL P
+ + PK+
+ + R +

574

2166

2167

39.Kh3-g2 f6-f5 40.Ra1-a2 Kd5-c4


41.Be3-c5 Rc6-e6 42.Ra2-a1 h7-h6
43.Ra1-c1+ Rd3-c3 44.Rc1-d1
Re6-e2 45.Rd1-d6 a6-a5 -1.10/13 ]
37.Be3-c5? Diagram [ 37.Be3-f4
Kd5-c4 38.Re1-c1+ Rd3-c3-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37.Be3-f4
Kd5-c4 38.Re1-c1+ Rd3-c3 39.Rc1-e1
Rc3-c2 40.Re1-e4+ Kc4-b3 41.h5-h6
Rc6-c8 42.Re4-e7 Rc8-h8 43.Bf4-d6
Rh8-d8 44.Bd6-c5 -1.07/12 ]

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+r+ p +
+pLk+ +P
P + + +
+ +r+ P
+ + PK+
+ + R +
37...Rc6xc5 [

2169

37...a6-a5 Diagram

(Diagram 2170)

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+r+kp +
+p+r+ +P
P + + +
+ + L P
+ + PK+
+ + R +

2168

37.Kg2-h3 Ke6-d5 38.Re1-a1 Rc2-c6

ends the debate 38.h5-h6 f6-f5-+


( 38...Rc6xc5 39.b4xc5 Kd5xc5
40.Re1-e7-+ );Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...a6-a5 38.h5-h6 f6-f5 39.Re1-e7
a5xb4 40.Bc5xb4 Kd5-c4 41.Bb4-a5
Rc6xh6 42.Re7-c7+ Kc4-b3
43.Rc7-c5 b5-b4 44.Rc5xf5 Kb3-a4
45.Rf5-c5 b4-b3 46.Ba5-c3 Diagram
(Diagram 2171)
Rh6-a6 -2.40/12 ] 38.b4xc5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.b4xc5
Diagram
Kd5xc5 39.Re1-e7 h7-h6 40.Re7-h7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+r+ p +
ppLk+ +P
P + + +
+ +r+ P
+ + PK+
+ + R +

+ + + +
+ + + +p
+ + + r
+ R + +
k+ + + +
+pLr+ P
+ + PK+
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+ + p +
+pPk+ +P
+ + + +
+ +r+ P
+ + PK+
+ + R +

575

2170

2171

2172

b5-b4 41.Rh7xh6 a6-a5 42.Rh6-h7

a5-a4 43.h5-h6 Rd3-d8 44.Rh7-c7+


Kc5-b6 45.Rc7-f7 a4-a3 46.Rf7xf6+
Kb6-b5 47.h6-h7 a3-a2 48.Rf6-d6
Rd8-c8 -0.53/11 ] 38...b5-b4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38...Kd5xc5
39.Re1-e7 h7-h6 40.Re7-h7 b5-b4
41.Rh7xh6 a6-a5 42.Rh6-h7 a5-a4
43.h5-h6 Rd3-d8 44.Rh7-c7+ Kc5-b6
45.Rc7-f7 a4-a3 46.Rf7xf6+ Kb6-b5
47.h6-h7 a3-a2 48.Rf6-d6 Rd8-c8
-0.45/12 ]

+ + + +
+ + + +p
p+ + p +
+ Pk+ +P
p + + +
+ +r+ P
+ + PK+
+ + R +

2173

39.Re1-e7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 39.Re1-e7 Kd5xc5 40.Re7xh7
a6-a5 41.h5-h6 Rd3-d8 42.Rh7-c7+
Kc5-b6 43.Rc7-f7 b4-b3 44.Rf7xf6+
Kb6-c5 45.Rf6-f7 a5-a4 46.Rf7-b7
Kc5-c4 47.h6-h7 a4-a3 48.Rb7-c7+
Kc4-b4 49.Rc7-b7+ Kb4-c3
50.Rb7-c7+ Kc3-b2 51.Rc7-d7 Rd8-c8
52.Rd7-c7 Rc8-e8 -0.34/15 ]
(Diagram 2174)
39...Kd5xc5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39...Kd5-c6 40.Re7xh7 b4-b3
41.Rh7-h8 Kc6xc5 42.h5-h6 Rd3-d7
43.h6-h7 Rd7-c7 44.Rh8-b8 Rc7xh7
45.Rb8xb3 a6-a5 46.Rb3-f3 a5-a4
47.Rf3xf6 a4-a3 48.Rf6-a6 Diagram
Kc5-b4 49.g3-g4 Kb4-b3 50.Ra6-b6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + R +p
p+ + p +
+ Pk+ +P
p + + +
+ +r+ P
+ + PK+
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ + + +r
R+ + + +
+ k + +
+ + + +
p + + P
+ + PK+
+ + + +

576

2174

2175

Kb3-c4 51.Rb6-a6 Kc4-b4 52.g4-g5


-0.09/11 ] 40.Re7xh7 [ 40.Re7-c7+
Kc5-b6 41.Rc7xh7 Rd3-d8-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40.h5-h6 a6-a5
41.Re7xh7 Rd3-d8 42.Rh7-g7 Rd8-h8
43.h6-h7 b4-b3 44.Rg7-b7 a5-a4
45.Kg2-f3 b3-b2 46.Rb7xb2 Rh8xh7
47.Rb2-c2+ Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +r
+ + p +
+ k + +
p+ + + +
+ + +KP
+R+ P +
+ + + +

2176

40...b4-b3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


40...a6-a5 41.h5-h6 Rd3-d8
42.Rh7-g7 Rd8-h8 43.h6-h7 a5-a4
44.Rg7-c7+ Kc5-b5 45.Rc7-b7+
Kb5-c4 46.Rb7-c7+ Kc4-d5 47.Rc7-b7
b4-b3 48.Kg2-f3 b3-b2 49.Rb7xb2
Rh8xh7 50.Rb2-b5+ Kd5-c4
51.Rb5-b6 a4-a3 52.Rb6-c6+ Kc4-b3
53.Rc6-b6+ Kb3-c3 54.Rb6xf6
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +r
+ + R +
+ + + +
+ + + +
p k +KP
+ + P +
+ + + +

2177

(Diagram 2176)
Kc5-b5 48.Rc2-b2+ Kb5-c4
49.Rb2-c2+ Kc4-b3 50.Rc2-c6 a4-a3
51.Rc6-b6+ Kb3-c4 52.Rb6-c6+
Kc4-b3 53.Rc6-b6+ -0.28/14 ]

a3-a2 -0.24/12 ] 41.Rh7-b7??


solves nothing [ 41.h5-h6 Diagram
a6-a5 42.Rh7-h8-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 41.h5-h6 Rd3-d8 42.Rh7-b7
Kc5-c4 43.h6-h7 a6-a5 44.Rb7-c7+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +R
p+ + p P
+ k + +
+ + + +
+p+r+ P
+ + PK+
+ + + +

577

2178

Kc4-b4 45.Rc7-b7+ Kb4-c4


46.Rb7-c7+ -0.02/14 ] 41...a6-a5-+
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
41...Kc5-c6 42.Rb7-b8 Kc6-c7
43.Rb8-e8 a6-a5 44.Re8-e7+ Rd3-d7
45.Re7-e1 a5-a4 46.Re1-b1 Kc7-b6
47.Kg2-f3 Rd7-h7 48.g3-g4 f6-f5
49.Rb1-g1 b3-b2 -0.99/13 ]

+ + + +
+R+ + +
+ + p +
p k + +P
+ + + +
+p+r+ P
+ + PK+
+ + + +

2179

42.h5-h6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


42.h5-h6 a5-a4 43.h6-h7 Diagram
Rd3-d8 44.Kg2-f3 Kc5-c6 45.Rb7-b4
Rd8-h8 46.Rb4xa4 Rh8xh7 47.Ra4-a1
Kc6-d5 48.Kf3-e3 Kd5-c4 49.Ra1-c1+
Kc4-b4 50.Rc1-b1 Rh7-h2 51.Ke3-e2
Kb4-c3 52.Rb1-c1+ Kc3-b2

+ + + +
+R+ + +P
+ + p +
+ k + +
p+ + + +
+p+r+ P
+ + PK+
+ + + +

2180

53.Rc1-d1 -0.54/14 ] 42...a5-a4


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...a5-a4
43.h6-h7 Rd3-d8 44.Kg2-f3 Kc5-c6
45.Rb7-b4 Rd8-h8 46.Rb4xa4 Rh8xh7
47.Ra4-a1 Kc6-d5 48.Ra1-b1 Kd5-c4
49.Kf3-e3 Rh7-e7+ 50.Ke3-d2 Re7-a7
51.Rb1-c1+ Kc4-d4 52.Rc1-d1
Ra7-a2+ 53.Kd2-c1+ Kd4-c3 -0.48/14 ]
43.g3-g4 [ 43.Kg2-f1 does not win a
prize Rd3-d8 44.Kf1-e1 Rd8-h8-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43.h6-h7
Rd3-d8 44.Kg2-f3 Kc5-c6 45.Rb7-b4
Rd8-h8 46.Rb4xa4 Rh8xh7
47.Ra4-c4+ Kc6-b5 48.Rc4-c1 Kb5-b4
49.Rc1-b1 Kb4-c3 50.Rb1-c1+ Kc3-d3
51.Rc1-b1 Kd3-c2 -0.46/12 ]
43...Rd3-d8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
43...Rd3-d8 44.h6-h7 Kc5-c6
45.Rb7-b4 Rd8-h8 46.Rb4xa4 Rh8xh7
47.Ra4-a1 b3-b2 48.Ra1-b1 Rh7-b7
49.f2-f4 Kc6-c5 50.Kg2-f2 Kc5-c4
51.g4-g5 Kc4-b3 52.Rb1-e1 f6xg5
53.f4xg5 Kb3-c2 54.Re1-e2+ Kc2-d3
55.Re2-e3+ Kd3-c2 -1.09/13 ] 44.f2-f4
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44.h6-h7
Kc5-c6 45.Rb7-b4 Rd8-h8 46.Rb4xa4
Rh8xh7 47.Ra4-c4+ Kc6-b5
48.Rc4-c1 Kb5-b4 49.Rc1-b1 Rh7-c7
50.Kg2-f3 Rc7-c2 51.Kf3-e3 b3-b2
52.f2-f4 Rc2-c3+ 53.Ke3-d2 -0.81/11 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


44...Rd8-h8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
44...Rd8-h8 45.g4-g5 f6xg5 46.f4xg5
Rh8-g8 47.Kg2-h3 Rg8xg5 48.Kh3-h4
Rg5-g1 49.Kh4-h5 Kc5-c4 50.Rb7-c7+
Kc4-d4 51.Rc7-b7 Rg1-h1+
52.Kh5-g6 Kd4-c4 53.Rb7-c7+ Kc4-d5
54.Rc7-b7 Rh1-g1+ 55.Kg6-f5
Rg1-f1+ 56.Kf5-g6 -1.29/14 ] 45.g4-g5
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 45.g4-g5 f6xg5
46.f4xg5 Rh8-g8 47.Kg2-h3 Rg8xg5
48.Kh3-h4 Rg5-g1 49.Kh4-h5 Kc5-c4
50.Rb7-c7+ Kc4-d4 51.Rc7-b7
Rg1-h1+ 52.Kh5-g6 Kd4-c4
53.Rb7-c7+ Kc4-d5 54.Rc7-b7
Rh1-g1+ 55.Kg6-f5 Rg1-f1+
56.Kf5-g6 -1.36/15 ] 45...f6xg5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 45...f6xg5
46.f4xg5 Rh8-g8 47.Kg2-h3 Rg8xg5
48.Kh3-h4 Rg5-g1 49.Kh4-h5
Rg1-h1+ 50.Kh5-g6 Kc5-c4
51.Rb7-c7+ Kc4-d5 52.Rc7-b7
Rh1-g1+ 53.Kg6-f5 Rg1-f1+
54.Kf5-g6 -1.29/12 ] 46.f4xg5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46.f4xg5
Rh8-g8 47.Kg2-h3 Rg8xg5 48.Kh3-h4
Rg5-g1 49.Kh4-h5 Rg1-h1+
50.Kh5-g6 Kc5-c4 51.Rb7-c7+ Kc4-d5
52.Rc7-b7 Rh1-g1+ 53.Kg6-f5
Rg1-f1+ 54.Kf5-g6 -1.36/13 ]
46...Rh8-g8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
46...Rh8-g8 47.Kg2-h3 Rg8xg5
48.Kh3-h4 Rg5-g1 49.Kh4-h5
Rg1-h1+ 50.Kh5-g6 Kc5-c4
51.Rb7-c7+ Kc4-d5 52.Rc7-b7
Rh1-g1+ 53.Kg6-f5 Rg1-f1+
54.Kf5-g6 -1.41/13 ] 47.Rb7-g7
[ 47.Kg2-g3 a last effort to resist the
inevitable Rg8xg5+ 48.Kg3-h4-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 47.Kg2-g3
Rg8xg5+ 48.Kg3-h4 Rg5-g1
49.Kh4-h5 Rg1-h1+ 50.Kh5-g6 Kc5-c4
51.Rb7-c7+ Kc4-d5 52.Rc7-b7
Rh1-g1+ 53.Kg6-f5 Rg1-f1+
54.Kf5-g6 -1.36/11 ] 47...b3-b2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 47...b3-b2

578
48.Rg7xg8 b2-b1Q 49.Rg8-c8+
Kc5-d4 50.Rc8-d8+ Kd4-e5
51.Rd8-e8+ Ke5-f5 52.Re8-e7 a4-a3
53.Re7-f7+ Kf5xg5 54.h6-h7 Qb1-b2+
55.Rf7-f2 Qb2-g7 56.Rf2-a2 Kg5-h6+
57.Kg2-f1 Qg7-f7+ 58.Kf1-e1 Qf7-e7+
59.Ke1-d2 Kh6xh7 -5.18/10 ]
48.Rg7xg8 [ 48.h6-h7 Rg8xg7
49.h7-h8Q Rg7xg5+ 50.Kg2-h2
b2-b1Q 51.Qh8-f8+ Kc5-d4
52.Qf8-f2+ Kd4-e5 53.Qf2-c5+ Ke5-f6
54.Qc5-f8+ Kf6-e6 55.Qf8-c8+ Ke6-e7
56.Qc8-c7+ Ke7-f6 57.Qc7-d6+ Kf6-f5
58.Qd6-d5+ Kf5-f4 59.Qd5-d2+ Kf4-f3
60.Qd2xg5 Qb1-b2+ 61.Kh2-g1
Qb2-d4+ 62.Kg1-h1 Qd4-e4
63.Kh1-g1 Qe4-e3+ 64.Qg5xe3+
Kf3xe3 65.Kg1-g2 a4-a3 66.Kg2-g3
Ke3-e4 67.Kg3-h4 a3-a2 68.Kh4-g3
a2-a1Q 69.Kg3-g2 Qa1-d4 70.Kg2-f1
Qd4-d2 71.Kf1-g1 Ke4-f3 72.Kg1-f1
Qd2-c1# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
48.Rg7xg8 b2-b1Q 49.Rg8-c8+
Kc5-d4 50.Rc8-d8+ Kd4-e5
51.Rd8-e8+ Ke5-f5 52.Re8-e7 a4-a3
53.Re7-f7+ Kf5xg5 54.h6-h7 Qb1-b2+
55.Rf7-f2 Qb2-g7 56.Rf2-a2 Kg5-h6+
57.Kg2-f1 Qg7-f7+ 58.Kf1-e1 Qf7-e7+
59.Ke1-d2 Kh6xh7 -5.24/11 ]
48...b2-b1Q [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
48...b2-b1Q 49.Rg8-c8+ Kc5-d4
50.Rc8-d8+ Kd4-e5 51.Rd8-e8+
Ke5-f5 52.Re8-e7 a4-a3 53.Re7-f7+
Kf5xg5 54.h6-h7 Qb1-b2+ 55.Rf7-f2
Qb2-g7 56.Rf2-a2 Kg5-h6+ 57.Kg2-f1
Qg7-f6+ 58.Kf1-e2 Qf6-a6+
59.Ke2-d2 Kh6xh7 -4.85/9 ] 49.Rg8-g7
[ 49.Rg8-c8+ cannot change destiny
Kc5-d4 50.Rc8-d8+ Kd4-e5-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 49.Rg8-c8+
Kc5-d4 50.Rc8-d8+ Kd4-e5
51.Rd8-e8+ Ke5-f5 52.Re8-e7 a4-a3
53.Re7-f7+ Kf5xg5 54.h6-h7 Qb1-b2+
55.Rf7-f2 Qb2-g7 56.Rf2-a2 Kg5-h6+
57.Kg2-f1 Qg7-f6+ 58.Kf1-e2 Qf6-a6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

579

59.Ke2-d2 Kh6xh7 -5.32/10 ]


49...a4-a3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
49...a4-a3 50.Rg7-a7 a3-a2
51.Ra7-a5+ Kc5-b4 52.Ra5xa2
Qb1xa2+ 53.Kg2-f3 Qa2-f7+
54.Kf3-g3 Kb4-c4 55.Kg3-g4 Kc4-d4
56.Kg4-g3 Kd4-e4 57.Kg3-g4 Qf7-g6
58.Kg4-h4 Ke4-f5 -7.16/11 ]
0-1

22.Kg1xf1 Kg8-f7 23.h2-h4 Bc8-g4


24.Kf1-e1 Kf7-e6 25.Rc3-c2 Bg4-f5
Atalik,S (2586)-Secer,A (2287)/Ankara
2007/CBM 117 ext/- (48) ]
11...Nb8-d7 [RR 11...d5xc4
12.Rc3xc4 Nb8-d7 13.0-0 e6-e5
14.Qd1-c2 (RR 14.d4xe5 Nd7xe5
15.Nf3xe5 Qe7xe5 16.Qd1-d4
- Ljubojevic,L (2557)-Nikolic,P
(2661)/Bled 2002/EXT 2003 )
14...e5xd4 15.Rc4xd4 Nd7-f6
42
D56 16.Rf1-d1 Bc8-e6 17.b2-b4 Rf8-d8
Vassily Ivanchuk
18.a2-a3 Rd8xd4 19.Rd1xd4 a7-a5
20.Qc2-b2 a5xb4 21.Rd4xb4 b7-b5
Alexander Onischuk
World Team Championship 2005
02.11.2005
(2)
22.e3-e4 Qe7-a7 23.e4-e5 Nf6-d5
24.Rb4-b3 Nd5-f4 25.Rb3-e3 Be6-d5
D56: Queen's Gambit Declined: Lasker
26.Be2-f1 Bacrot,E (2707)-Roiz,M
Defence
(2611)/Rishon Le Ziyyon 2006/CBM
114 ext/0-1 (43) ] 12.0-0 Rf8-e8N [RR
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6
3.Ng1-f3 d7-d5 4.Nb1-c3 Bf8-e7
12...Rf8-d8 13.Qd1-b1 d5xc4
Diagram
14.Be2xc4 e6-e5 15.Qb1-e4 Rd8-e8
16.d4xe5 Nd7xe5 17.Nf3xe5 Qe7xe5
18.Qe4xe5 Re8xe5 - Minic,D-Maric,
R/Skopje 1968/MCD ] 13.Qd1-c2
2181 d5xc4 14.Be2xc4 e6-e5 15.d4-d5
Nd7-b6 16.d5xc6 b7xc6 17.Rf1-c1
Diagram

rnlqk+ r
ppp lppp
+ +pn +
+ +p+ +
+PP + +
+ N +N+
PP +PPPP
R LQKL+R

5.Bc1-g5 h7-h6 6.Bg5-h4 0-0


7.e2-e3 Nf6-e4 8.Bh4xe7 Qd8xe7
9.Ra1-c1 Ne4xc3 10.Rc1xc3 c7-c6
11.Bf1-e2 [RR 11.Qd1-b1 Nb8-d7
12.c4xd5 e6xd5 13.Bf1-d3 Nd7-f6
14.0-0 a7-a5 15.a2-a3 a5-a4
16.Nf3-e5 Nf6-g4 17.f2-f4 Ng4xe5
18.f4xe5 f7-f6 19.e5xf6 Rf8xf6
20.Rf1xf6 Qe7xf6 21.Qb1-f1 Qf6xf1+

(Diagram 2182)
Nb6-d5 18.Rc3-b3 a7-a5 19.Qc2-e4
a5-a4 20.Rb3-a3 last book move last
book move Bc8-d7 [ 20...Nd5-f6
21.Qe4-c2$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...Nd5-f6 21.Qe4-c2 Qe7-b4
22.e3-e4 Bc8-d7 23.h2-h3 c6-c5
24.Ra3-e3 Ra8-b8 25.b2-b3 Rb8-d8
26.Rc1-d1 a4xb3 27.a2xb3 0.09/13
Diagram
(Diagram 2183)
] 21.Bc4xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Nf3-d2 Diagram
Nd5-f6 22.Qe4-c2 Qe7-b4 23.Rc1-d1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+l+r+k+
p + qpp
np+ + p
+ + p +
+L+ + +
+ R PN+
PPQ+ PPP
+ R + K

+ rr+k+
+ +l+pp
+ + n p
+ p p +
qL+P+ +
+P+ RN+P
+Q+ PP+
+ +R+ K

r+ +r+k+
+ +lqpp
+p+ + p
+ +np +
p+L+Q+ +
R + P +
PP N PPP
+ R + K

580

2182

Bd7-e6 26.Rd1-d2 Be6xc4 27.Be2xc4


Nf6-d5 0.17/12 ] 21...c6xd5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...c6xd5
Diagram

r+ +r+k+
+ +lqpp
+ + + p
+ +pp +
p+ +Q+ +
R + PN+
PP + PPP
+ R + K

2185

2183

2184

e5-e4 24.Bc4-e2 Re8-b8 25.Nd2-c4

22.Qe4xd5 Bd7-f5 23.Ra3-c3 Ra8-b8


24.b2-b3 Rb8-d8 25.Qd5-c5 a4xb3
26.Qc5xe7 Re8xe7 27.Rc3xb3
Re7-c7 28.Rc1-e1 Rc7-c5 29.e3-e4
Bf5-e6 30.Rb3-b2 Rd8-a8 31.Re1-a1
0.27/14 ] 22.Qe4xd5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22.Qe4xd5 Bd7-f5 23.Ra3-c3
Ra8-b8 24.b2-b3 Rb8-d8 25.Qd5-c5
a4xb3 26.Qc5xe7 Re8xe7 27.Rc3xb3
Re7-c7 28.Rc1-e1 Rc7-c5 29.e3-e4
Bf5-e6 30.Rb3-b2 Rd8-a8 31.Re1-a1
0.12/15 ] 22...Ra8-b8 Black threatens
to win material: Rb8xb2 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Bd7-f5 23.Ra3-c3
Ra8-b8 24.b2-b3 a4xb3 25.a2xb3
Rb8-d8 26.Qd5-c5 Rd8-d6 27.Qc5-b5
Re8-d8 28.h2-h3 Rd6-d1+ 29.Rc1xd1
Rd8xd1+ 30.Kg1-h2 f7-f6 31.b3-b4
Rd1-d8 32.Qb5-c5 Qe7-e6 0.22/14 ]
23.Ra3-c3 [ 23.Qd5-d2 Diagram
(Diagram 2186)
Rb8-b7 24.Ra3-c3 Bd7-g4$ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.Qd5-d2
Rb8-b7 24.Ra3-c3 Bd7-g4 25.Rc3-c4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r +r+k+
+ +lqpp
+ + + p
+ + p +
p+ + + +
R + PN+
PP Q PPP
+ R + K

581

2186

Bg4xf3 26.g2xf3 Qe7-g5+ 27.Kg1-f1


Qg5-f5 28.Kf1-g2 Re8-b8 29.Rc1-c2
Diagram

r + +k+
+r+ +pp
+ + + p
+ + pq+
p+R+ + +
+ + PP+
PPRQ PKP
+ + + +

2187

Rb7-b6 30.Rc4-g4 Rb6-g6 31.Rc2-c4


h6-h5 0.20/14 ] 23...Bd7-g4
[ 23...Qe7-e6 24.Qd5xe6 Bd7xe6
25.Nf3xe5 Rb8xb2 26.a2-a3= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Bd7-f5
Diagram
(Diagram 2188)
24.b2-b3 a4xb3 25.a2xb3 Rb8-d8
26.Qd5-c5 Rd8-d6 27.Qc5-b5 Re8-d8
28.h2-h3 Rd6-d1+ 29.Rc1xd1

r +r+k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
+ +Qpl+
p+ + + +
+ R PN+
PP + PPP
+ R + K

2188

Rd8xd1+ 30.Kg1-h2 f7-f6 31.b3-b4


Rd1-d8 32.Qb5-c5 Qe7-e6 0.22/14 ]
24.b2-b3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.Rc3-c2 Qe7-f6 25.Nf3-d2 Bg4-e6
26.Qd5-c6 Be6xa2 27.Qc6xa4 Ba2-d5
28.e3-e4 Bd5-e6 29.Qa4-a3 Re8-d8
30.Qa3-e3 Qf6-g6 31.h2-h3 Rd8-d4
Diagram

r + +k+
+ + +pp
+ +l+qp
+ + p +
+ rP+ +
+ + Q +P
PRN PP+
+ R + K

2189

32.Nd2-f3 Rd4xe4 33.Nf3xe5 Re4xe3


34.Ne5xg6 0.26/15 ] 24...a4xb3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Rb8-d8
Diagram
25.Qd5-e4 Bg4xf3 26.Qe4xf3 e5-e4
27.Qf3-e2 a4xb3 28.a2xb3 Qe7-b4
29.Qe2-c4 Qb4-b7 30.Qc4-c6 Qb7xc6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rr+k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
+ +Qp +
p+ + +l+
+PR PN+
P+ + PPP
+ R + K

582

2190

31.Rc3xc6 Rd8-b8 32.Rc6-c3 Re8-d8


33.Rc1-a1 Rd8-d3 0.40/15 ] 25.a2xb3
Diagram [Weaker is 25.Rc3xb3
Bg4-e6 26.Qd5xe5 Be6xb3
27.Qe5xe7 Re8xe7 28.a2xb3
Rb8xb3 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25.a2xb3 Qe7-f6 26.Qd5-e4 Bg4-f5
27.Qe4-a4 Rb8-a8 28.Qa4-c6 Qf6xc6
29.Rc3xc6 Ra8-b8 30.Rc6-c3 f7-f6
31.Nf3-d2 Re8-d8 32.Nd2-c4 Kg8-f7
33.f2-f3 0.33/14 ]
(Diagram 2191)
White has a new passed pawn: b3.
25...Rb8-b4 Diagram [ 25...Rb8-d8
26.Qd5-e4 f7-f5 27.Qe4-c4+ Kg8-h7
28.Nf3-e1 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25...Rb8-d8 26.Qd5-e4 f7-f5
27.Qe4-c6 Rd8-d6 Diagram
(Diagram 2192)
28.Qc6-c7 Rd6-d7 29.Qc7-c5 Bg4xf3
30.Qc5xe7 Re8xe7 31.g2xf3 Rd7-d2
32.Rc3-c7 Kg8-f7 33.b3-b4 Rd2-b2
34.Kg1-g2 Rb2xb4 0.28/15 ]
26.Nf3-e1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26.Rc3-c7 Diagram
Qe7-f6 27.Qd5-a5 Qf6-b6 28.Qa5xb6

r +r+k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
+ +Qp +
+ + +l+
+PR PN+
+ + PPP
+ R + K

+ +r+k+
+ + q p
+Qr + p
+ + pp+
+ + +l+
+PR PN+
+ + PPP
+ R + K

+ +r+k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
+ +Qp +
r + +l+
+PR PN+
+ + PPP
+ R + K

2191

2192

2193

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
+ R qpp
+ + + p
+ +Qp +
r + +l+
+P+ PN+
+ + PPP
+ R + K

583

+ qr+k+
+R+l+pp
+ + + p
+ + + +
+ NpQ +
+ +rP +
+ + PPP
+ R + K

2194

Rb4xb6 29.Nf3-d2 Re8-d8 30.Nd2-c4


Rb6xb3 31.Nc4xe5 Bg4-e6 32.Ne5-f3
Rd8-d7 33.Rc7xd7 Be6xd7 34.h2-h3
Diagram

+ + +k+
+ +l+pp
+ + + p
+ + + +
+ + + +
+r+ PN+P
+ + PP+
+ R + K

+ r +k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
+ +Qp +
r + +l+
+PR P +
+ + PPP
+ R N K

2195

Rb3-b2 35.Nf3-e5 Bd7-e6 36.Rc1-c7


Be6-d5 0.49/14 ] 26...Re8-d8 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26...e5-e4
27.Ne1-c2 Bg4-e6 28.Qd5-e5 Rb4xb3
29.Rc3-c7 Qe7-d8 30.Nc2-d4 Rb3-d3
31.Qe5-f4 Be6-d7 32.Rc7-b7 Diagram
Rd3-d2 33.h2-h3 Qd8-e7 34.Qf4-c7
Re8-d8 35.Nd4-c6 0.32/15 ]
Black threatens to win material: Rd8xd5
27.Qd5-a5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27.Qd5-c5 Qe7xc5 28.Rc3xc5

2196

2197

e5-e4 29.Ne1-c2 Rb4xb3 30.Nc2-d4


Rb3-d3 31.Rc5-e5 Rd8-c8 32.Rc1-b1
Rd3-d1+ 33.Rb1xd1 Bg4xd1 34.h2-h4
Bd1-c2 35.Nd4xc2 Rc8xc2 Diagram
(Diagram 2198)
36.Re5xe4 Kg8-f8 37.Re4-b4 Kf8-e7
38.Rb4-b7+ Ke7-e6 0.29/15 Diagram
(Diagram 2199)
]
27...Rd8-b8 Diagram [ 27...Bg4-f5
28.Rc3-c5 Rb4xb3 29.Rc5xe5$ ;

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

584
Diagram

+ + +k+
+ + +pp
+ + + p
+ + R +
+ +p+ P
+ + P +
+r+ PP+
+ + + K

+ + + +
+R+ +pp
+ +k+ p
+ + + +
+ + + P
+ + P +
+r+ PP+
+ + + K

+ r +k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
Q + p +
r + +l+
+PR P +
+ + PPP
+ R N K
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27...Bg4-f5

2198

2199

+ r +k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
Q + pl+
r + + +
+PR P +
+ + PPP
+ R N K

2201

28.Rc3-c7 Qe7-d6 29.Ne1-f3


Qd6-d1+ 30.Nf3-e1 Qd1-d6
31.Ne1-f3 0.20/13 ]

r + +k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
Q + p +
r + +l+
+PR P +
+ + PPP
+ R N K

2202

2200

28.h2-h3 Diagram [ 28.Ne1-d3


Rb4-b5 29.Qa5-a4 Bg4-e6 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Ne1-d3
Diagram
(Diagram 2203)
Rb4-b5 29.Qa5-a4 Bg4-e6 30.Nd3-c5
Rb5-b4 31.Qa4-c6 Rb8-b6
32.Qc6-a8+ Rb6-b8 Diagram
33.Qa8-a2 Rb8-d8 34.Qa2-c2 Be6-d5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + +k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
Q + p +
r + +l+
+PRNP +
+ + PPP
+ R + K

Qr + +k+
+ + qpp
+ +l+ p
+ N p +
r + + +
+PR P +
+ + PPP
+ R + K

585

2203

2204

35.e3-e4 Bd5-c6 36.Qc2-e2 Rb4-d4


37.Rc3-d3 Rd4xd3 38.Nc5xd3 0.41/14
]
(Diagram 2205)
White threatens to win material: h3xg4
28...Rb4-b5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28...Bg4-f5 29.Ne1-f3 Rb4-b5
Diagram
30.Qa5-c7 Qe7-e8 31.g2-g4 Bf5-d7
32.Rc3-c5 Rb5xc5 33.Rc1xc5 f7-f6
34.Nf3-d2 Bd7-e6 35.Rc5-c3 Rb8-c8
36.Qc7-a5 Rc8xc3 37.Qa5xc3
Diagram

r + +k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
Q + p +
r + +l+
+PR P +P
+ + PP+
+ R N K

r + +k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
Qr+ pl+
+ + + +
+PR PN+P
+ + PP+
+ R + K

+ +q+k+
+ + + p
+ +lp p
+ + p +
+ + +P+
+PQ P +P
+ N P +
+ + + K

2205

2206

2207

Be6-d5 38.Qc3-d3 Qe8-c6 0.24/15 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

586

29.Qa5-a1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


29.Qa5-c7 Diagram

r + +k+
+ Q qpp
+ + + p
+r+ p +
+ + +l+
+PR P +P
+ + PP+
+ R N K

2208

+ r +k+
+ + +pp
+ +l+ p
+r+ p +
qN+P+ +
+PR + +P
Q+ + PP+
+ R + K

2210

38.Rc3xc4 0.22/14 ]
Qe7xc7 30.Rc3xc7 Bg4-f5 31.Ne1-f3
f7-f6 32.g2-g4 Bf5-e6 33.Rc7-e7
Be6-d5 34.Nf3-d2 Rb8-b7 35.Re7xb7
Rb5xb7 36.Rc1-c3 Rb7-a7 37.Rc3-d3
Bd5-a8 38.e3-e4 Kg8-f7 39.Kg1-g2
0.31/15 ] 29...Bg4-e6 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Bg4-f5
30.Ne1-f3 Diagram

r + +k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
+r+ pl+
+ + + +
+PR PN+P
+ + PP+
Q R + K

2209

Bf5-e4 31.Nf3-d2 Be4-f5 32.e3-e4


Bf5-e6 33.Qa1-a2 Rb8-d8 34.Nd2-c4
Qe7-b4 Diagram
35.Qa2-e2 Rb5-c5 36.Qe2-b2
Rd8-d4 37.Qb2-a2 Be6xc4

r + +k+
+ + qpp
+ +l+ p
+r+ p +
+ + + +
+PR P +P
+ + PP+
Q R N K

2211

Attacking the isolated pawn on b3.


Black threatens to win material: Be6xb3
30.Ne1-f3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30.Rc3-c7 Qe7-b4 Diagram
(Diagram 2212)
31.Ne1-f3 Rb5-a5 32.Qa1-b1 Rb8-d8
33.Rc1-c3 Ra5-b5 34.e3-e4 Be6xb3
35.Rc3-d3 Diagram
Rd8xd3 36.Qb1xd3 Rb5-b8
37.Nf3-d2 Bb3-e6 0.10/13 ]
30...Be6xb3 [ 30...Qe7-e8!?=
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + +k+
+ R +pp
+ +l+ p
+r+ p +
q + + +
+P+ P +P
+ + PP+
Q R N K

+ r +k+
+ R +pp
+ + + p
+r+ p +
q +P+ +
+l+R+N+P
+ + PP+
+Q+ + K

r +q+k+
+ + +pp
+ +l+ p
+r+ p +
+ + + +
+PR PN+P
+ + PP+
Q R + K
is worth looking at ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

587

2212

x64: 30...Qe7-e8 31.Rc3-c7 Be6xb3


32.e3-e4 Rb8-d8 33.Qa1-a7 Rd8-a8
34.Qa7-e3 Qe8-e6 35.Qe3-d3 Rb5-b4
36.Nf3-d2 Diagram

r+ + +k+
+ R +pp
+ +q+ p
+ + p +
r +P+ +
+l+Q+ +P
+ N PP+
+ R + K

2215

2213

Ra8-a2 0.13/13 ] 31.Rc3-c8+


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31.Rc3-c8+
Kg8-h7 32.Rc1-c7 Diagram

2214

rR+ + +
+ R qppk
+ + + p
+r+ p +
+ + + +
+l+ PN+P
+ + PP+
Q + + K

2216

Qe7-e6 33.Rc8xb8 Rb5xb8


34.Qa1xe5 Rb8-a8 35.Rc7-e7
Qe6xe5 36.Nf3xe5 f7-f6 37.Ne5-c6
Bb3-d5 38.Nc6-d4 Kh7-g6 39.Nd4-e2
Kg6-h7 40.e3-e4 Bd5-c6 41.f2-f3
Ra8-a2 42.Ne2-d4 0.65/15 ]
31...Rb8xc8 Diagram [ 31...Kg8-h7
32.Rc8xb8 Rb5xb8 33.Nf3xe5 ;

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

588

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31...Kg8-h7


32.Rc1-c7 Qe7-b4 33.Rc8xb8 Rb5xb8
34.Nf3xe5 Rb8-d8 35.Qa1-b1+
Kh7-g8 36.Ne5-c6 Qb4-d6 37.Rc7-a7
Qd6xc6 38.Qb1xb3 Qc6-d5
39.Qb3xd5 Diagram

+ r +k+
R + +pp
+ + + p
+ +Q+ +
+ + + +
+ + P +P
+ + PP+
+ + + K

2217

Rd8xd5 40.e3-e4 Rd5-d2 41.g2-g4


Kg8-f8 42.Kg1-g2 Rd2-c2 0.71/15 ]

+r+ +k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
+r+ p +
+ + + +
+l+ PN+P
+ + PP+
Q R + K

2218

32.Rc1xc8++- Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 32.Rc1xc8+ Kg8-h7
33.Qa1-a8 Rb5-d5 34.Qa8-b8 Qe7-d6
35.Rc8-h8+ Kh7-g6 36.Nf3-h4+
Kg6-h5 37.Qb8xb3 Kh5xh4 38.e3-e4
Rd5-d3 39.Qb3xf7 Qd6-f6 40.g2-g3+
Kh4-g5 41.h3-h4+ Kg5-g4 42.Qf7xf6

g7xf6 43.Rh8xh6 f6-f5 44.e4xf5


Kg4xf5 45.Rh6-h8 e5-e4 46.Rh8-f8+
Kf5-g6 47.Rf8-g8+ Kg6-f6 48.h4-h5
e4-e3 49.Kg1-f1 Kf6-f5 50.h5-h6
1.19/13 ]

+R+ +k+
+ + qpp
+ + + p
+r+ p +
+ + + +
+l+ PN+P
+ + PP+
Q + + K

2219

32...Kg8-h7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


32...Kg8-h7 33.Qa1-a8 Diagram

Q+R+ + +
+ + qppk
+ + + p
+r+ p +
+ + + +
+l+ PN+P
+ + PP+
+ + + K

2220

Rb5-d5 34.Qa8-b8 Qe7-d6


35.Rc8-h8+ Kh7-g6 36.Nf3-h4+
Kg6-h5 37.Qb8xb3 Kh5xh4 38.e3-e4
Rd5-d3 39.Qb3xf7 Qd6-f6 40.g2-g3+
Kh4-g5 41.h3-h4+ Kg5-g4 42.Qf7xf6
g7xf6 43.Rh8xh6 f6-f5 44.e4xf5
Kg4xf5 45.Rh6-h8 e5-e4 46.Rh8-f8+
Kf5-g6 47.Rf8-g8+ Kg6-f6 48.h4-h5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

589

e4-e3 49.Kg1-f1 Diagram

+ + +R+
+ + + +
+ + k +
+ + + +P
+ + + +
+ +rp P
+ + P +
+ + +K+

2221

Kf6-f5 50.h5-h6 1.31/14 ] 33.Qa1-a8


Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33.Qa1-a8 Rb5-d5 34.Qa8-b8
Diagram

QR+ + +
+ + qppk
+ + + p
+ +rp +
+ + + +
+l+ PN+P
+ + PP+
+ + + K

2222

Qe7-d6 35.Rc8-h8+ Kh7-g6


36.Nf3-h4+ Kg6-h5 37.Qb8xb3
Kh5xh4 38.e3-e4 Rd5-d3 39.Qb3xf7
Qd6-f6 40.g2-g3+ Kh4-g5 41.h3-h4+
Kg5-g4 42.Qf7xf6 g7xf6 43.Rh8xh6
f6-f5 44.e4xf5 Kg4xf5 45.Rh6-h8
e5-e4 46.Rh8-f8+ Kf5-g6 47.Rf8-g8+
Kg6-f6 48.h4-h5 e4-e3 49.Kg1-f1
Kf6-f5 50.h5-h6 1.15/15 Diagram
]

+ + +R+
+ + + +
+ + + P
+ + +k+
+ + + +
+ +rp P
+ + P +
+ + +K+

Q+R+ + +
+ + qppk
+ + + p
+r+ p +
+ + + +
+l+ PN+P
+ + PP+
+ + + K

2223

2224

33...Rb5-d5 Diagram [ 33...Rb5-c5


34.Rc8-h8+ Kh7-g6+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 33...Rb5-d5 34.Qa8-b8
Diagram
(Diagram 2225)
Qe7-d6 35.Rc8-h8+ Kh7-g6
36.Nf3-h4+ Kg6-h5 37.Qb8xb3
Kh5xh4 38.e3-e4 Rd5-d3 39.Qb3xf7
Qd6-f6 40.g2-g3+ Kh4-g5 41.h3-h4+
Kg5-g4 42.Qf7xf6 g7xf6 43.Rh8xh6
f6-f5 44.e4xf5 Kg4xf5 45.Kg1-g2
Rd3-d2 46.Rh6-h8 e5-e4 47.Rh8-h5+
Kf5-g6 48.Rh5-c5 Kg6-h6 49.g3-g4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

QR+ + +
+ + qppk
+ + + p
+ +rp +
+ + + +
+l+ PN+P
+ + PP+
+ + + K

590

2225

Kh6-g7 50.h4-h5 1.18/13 ]

Q+R+ + +
+ + qppk
+ + + p
+ +rp +
+ + + +
+l+ PN+P
+ + PP+
+ + + K

2226

QR+ + +
+ + qppk
+ + + p
+ +rp +
+ + + +
+l+ PN+P
+ + PP+
+ + + K

2227

Diagram [ 34...Qe7-d6 35.Rc8-h8+


Kh7-g6 36.Nf3-h4+ ( 36.Qb8xb3?!
is no comparison Rd5-d1+ 37.Kg1-h2
e5-e4+ 38.g2-g3 e4xf3 ) 36...Kg6-h5
37.Qb8xb3 Kh5xh4 38.e3-e4+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34...Qe7-d6
35.Rc8-h8+ Kh7-g6 36.Nf3-h4+
Kg6-h5 37.Qb8xb3 Kh5xh4 38.e3-e4
Rd5-d3 39.Qb3xf7 Qd6-f6 40.g2-g3+
Kh4-g5 41.h3-h4+ Kg5-g4 42.Qf7xf6
g7xf6 43.Rh8xh6 f6-f5 44.e4xf5
Kg4xf5 45.Rh6-h8 e5-e4 46.Rh8-f8+
Kf5-g6 47.Rf8-g8+ Kg6-f6 48.h4-h5
Diagram
(Diagram 2228)

34.Qa8-b8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


34.Qa8-b8 Diagram

e4-e3 49.Kg1-f1 Kf6-f5 50.h5-h6


1.31/12 ]

(Diagram 2227)
(Diagram 2229)
Qe7-d6 35.Rc8-h8+ Kh7-g6
36.Nf3-h4+ Kg6-h5 37.Qb8xb3
Kh5xh4 38.e3-e4 Rd5-d3 39.Qb3xf7
Qd6-f6 40.g2-g3+ Kh4-g5 41.h3-h4+
Kg5-g4 42.Qf7xf6 g7xf6 43.Rh8xh6
f6-f5 44.e4xf5 Kg4xf5 45.Rh6-h8
e5-e4 46.Rh8-f8+ Kf5-g6 47.Rf8-g8+
Kg6-f6 48.h4-h5 e4-e3 49.Kg1-f1
Kf6-f5 50.h5-h6 1.15/14 ] 34...Bb3-a4

35.e3-e4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


35.Rc8-h8+ Kh7-g6 36.e3-e4
Rd5-d1+ 37.Kg1-h2 Qe7-d6
38.Qb8-g8 Kg6-f6 39.Rh8-h7 Kf6-e7
40.Qg8xg7 Qd6-f6 41.Qg7xf6+
Ke7xf6 42.Rh7xh6+ Diagram
Kf6-g7 43.Rh6-a6 Ba4-c2 44.Nf3xe5
Bc2xe4 45.Ra6-a7 Be4-g6 46.g2-g4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +R+
+ + + +
+ + k +
+ + + +P
+ +p+ +
+ +r+ P
+ + P +
+ + + K

QR+ + +
+ + qppk
+ + + p
+ +rp +
l+ + + +
+ + PN+P
+ + PP+
+ + + K

+ + + +
+ + +p+
+ + k R
+ + p +
l+ +P+ +
+ + +N+P
+ + PPK
+ +r+ +

591

2228

2229

Kf6-g7 49.Nd7-c5 Rb1-c1 50.Nc5-e6+


Kg7-f6 51.Ne6-d4 Rc1-c3+ 52.f2-f3
1.98/13 ] 35...Rd5-b5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35...Rd5-b5
36.Rc8-h8+ Kh7-g6 37.Qb8-g8 Kg6-f6
38.Kg1-h2 Rb5-c5 39.Qg8-h7 Ba4-d7
40.Rh8-a8 Kf6-e6 41.Qh7xg7 Bd7-b5
42.Qg7xh6+ f7-f6 43.Ra8-f8 Rc5-c6
Diagram

+ + R +
+ + q +
+r+kp Q
+l+ p +
+ +P+ +
+ + +N+P
+ + PPK
+ + + +

2231

44.Nf3-h4 Ke6-d7 45.Nh4-f5 2.40/13 ]

2230

Rd1-b1 47.Kh2-g3 Kg7-f6 48.Ne5-d7+

QR+ + +
+ + qppk
+ + + p
+r+ p +
l+ +P+ +
+ + +N+P
+ + PP+
+ + + K

2232

36.Rc8-h8+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


36.Rc8-h8+ Kh7-g6 37.Qb8-g8 Kg6-f6
38.Rh8-h7 g7-g6 39.Qg8-h8+ Kf6-e6
40.Qh8-a8 Qe7-d7 41.Qa8-a6+
Ke6-e7 42.Nf3-h4 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ +qkp+R
Q+ + +pp
+r+ p +
l+ +P+ N
+ + + +P
+ + PP+
+ + + K

592

2233

Qd7-c6 43.Nh4xg6+ Ke7-d6


44.Qa6xc6+ Kd6xc6 45.Rh7xf7
Kc6-d6 46.Rf7-f6+ Kd6-d7 47.f2-f3
Ba4-b3 48.Kg1-h2 Bb3-c4 49.Rf6-a6
Kd7-c7 50.Kh2-g3 1.99/15 ]
36...Kh7-g6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36...Kh7-g6 37.Qb8-g8 Diagram

+ + +QR
+ + qpp
+ + +kp
+r+ p +
l+ +P+ +
+ + +N+P
+ + PP+
+ + + K

2234

37.Qb8-g8 Kg6-f6 38.Rh8-h7 g7-g6


39.Qg8-h8+ Kf6-e6 40.Qh8-a8
Qe7-d7 41.Qa8-a6+ Ke6-e7
42.Nf3-h4 Qd7-c6 43.Nh4xg6+
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + kp+R
Q+q+ +Np
+r+ p +
l+ +P+ +
+ + + +P
+ + PP+
+ + + K

2235

Ke7-d6 44.Qa6xc6+ Kd6xc6


45.Rh7xf7 Ba4-c2 46.Rf7-f6+ Kc6-d7
47.f2-f3 Bc2-d3 48.Kg1-f2 Bd3-c4
49.Kf2-g3 Rb5-a5 1.88/14 ]
37...Rb5-b1+?? Diagram
[ 37...Kg6-f6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...Kg6-f6 Diagram
(Diagram 2236)
38.Rh8-h7 g7-g6 39.Kg1-h2 Rb5-c5
40.Qg8-g7+ Kf6-e6 41.Qg7xh6
Ke6-d6 42.Qh6-d2+ Kd6-c7
43.Qd2-a2 Ba4-e8 44.Qa2-a6 Qe7-d6
45.Qa6-a8 Qd6-e7 46.Rh7-h8 Kc7-d7
47.Qa8-a7+ Kd7-d6 48.Qa7-b6+
Kd6-d7 49.Nf3-g5 Rc5-c3 1.96/11
Diagram

Kg6-f6 38.Rh8-h7 g7-g6 39.Qg8-h8+


Kf6-e6 40.Qh8-a8 Qe7-d7
41.Qa8-a6+ Ke6-e7 42.Nf3-h4 Qd7-c6
(Diagram 2237)
43.Nh4xg6+ Ke7-d6 44.Qa6xc6+
Kd6xc6 45.Rh7xf7 Ba4-c2 46.Rf7-f6+ ]
but even a better move would not have
Kc6-d7 47.f2-f3 Bc2-d3 48.Kg1-f2
saved the game 38.Kg1-h2
Bd3-c4 49.Kf2-g3 Rb5-a5 2.09/1 ]
37.Qb8-g8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.Kg1-h2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +QR
+ + qpp
+ + k p
+r+ p +
l+ +P+ +
+ + +N+P
+ + PP+
+ + + K

+ +l+ R
+ +kqp+
Q + +p+
+ + p N
+ +P+ +
+ r + +P
+ + PPK
+ + + +

+ + +QR
+ + qpp
+ + +kp
+ + p +
l+ +P+ +
+ + +N+P
+ + PP+
+r+ + K

593
Ke6-d6 41.Rh7xh6+ Kd6-c7
42.Nf3xe5 Rb1-b6 43.Qg7xf7 Qe7xf7
44.Ne5xf7 Diagram
2236

+ + + +
+ k +N+
r + + R
+ + + +
l+ +P+ +
+ + + +P
+ + PPK
+ + + +
2237

2238

Kg6-f6 39.Rh8-h7 Kf6-e6 40.Qg8xg7

2239

Ba4-c6 45.e4-e5 Rb6-b2 46.Kh2-g3


Kc7-d7 47.h3-h4 Kd7-e7 48.Nf7-d6
Bc6-d5 49.h4-h5 4.41/13 ] 38...Ba4-d7
[ 38...Kg6-f6 does not solve anything
39.Rh8-h7 Kf6-e6 40.Qg8xg7 Ke6-d6
41.Rh7xh6+ Kd6-c7 42.Nf3xe5
Rb1-b6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...Kg6-f6 39.Rh8-h7 Kf6-e6
40.Qg8xg7 Ke6-d6 41.Rh7xh6+
Kd6-c7 42.Nf3xe5 Rb1-b6 43.Qg7xf7
Qe7xf7 44.Ne5xf7 Ba4-c6 45.e4-e5
Rb6-b2 46.Kh2-g3 Bc6-d5 47.Nf7-g5
Rb2-e2 48.e5-e6 Kc7-d6 49.h3-h4
Re2-b2 50.h4-h5 Kd6-e7 51.Rh6-h7+
Ke7-f6 4.66/14 ] 39.Qg8-h7+ Diagram
[ 39.Rh8-h7 and White has prevailed
f7-f5 40.Nf3-h4+ Kg6-h5
41.Rh7xg7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39.Rh8-h7 f7-f5 40.Nf3-h4+ Kg6-h5
41.Rh7xg7 Rb1-b8 42.Rg7-g5+
Qe7xg5 43.Qg8-f7+ Kh5xh4
44.g2-g3+ Qg5xg3+ 45.f2xg3+
Kh4-g5 46.Qf7-e7+ Kg5-h5 47.g3-g4+
f5xg4 48.Qe7xe5+ Kh5-g6 49.Qe5xb8
Bd7-e6 50.Qb8-d6 Kg6-f7 51.h3xg4
Kf7-f6 52.Kh2-g3 9.34/11 ]
39...Kg6-f6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + R
+ +lqppQ
+ + +kp
+ + p +
+ +P+ +
+ + +N+P
+ + PPK
+r+ + +

594

2240

Pro x64: 39...Kg6-f6 40.Rh8-a8


Qe7-e6 41.Ra8-g8 Kf6-e7 42.Qh7xg7
Qe6-f6 43.Qg7-f8+ Ke7-e6 44.Rg8-g4
Rb1-b3 45.Qf8-c5 Rb3-b5 46.Qc5-a3
Bd7-c6 47.Nf3-h4 Ke6-d7 48.Qa3-d3+
Qf6-d6 49.Qd3-f3 Rb5-b2 50.Qf3xf7+
Qd6-e7 51.Qf7-f3 h6-h5 52.Nh4-f5
2.15/12 ]

+ + + R
+ +lqppQ
+ + k p
+ + p +
+ +P+ +
+ + +N+P
+ + PPK
+r+ + +

2241

R+ + + +
+ +lqppQ
+ + k p
+ + p +
+ +P+ +
+ + +N+P
+ + PPK
+r+ + +

2242

Bc6-d7 51.Qf3-d3 1.96/13 ]


40...Kf6-e6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 40...Kf6-e6 41.Qh7xg7 Qe7-f6
42.Qg7-g3 Qf6-f4 43.Rg8-h8 Qf4xg3+
44.Kh2xg3 f7-f6 45.Rh8xh6 Rb1-b3
46.h3-h4 Ke6-e7 47.Rh6-h7+ Ke7-e6
48.h4-h5 Bd7-c6 49.h5-h6 Bc6xe4
50.Rh7-a7 Be4xf3 51.g2xf3 Rb3-b2
52.h6-h7 Rb2-b8 53.Kg3-h4 Ke6-f5
54.Kh4-h5 1.23/15 Diagram

r + + +
R + + +P
+ + p +
+ + pk+K
+ + + +
+ + +P+
+ + P +
+ + + +

2243

40.Rh8-g8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


40.Rh8-a8 Diagram
Qe7-e6 41.Ra8-g8 Kf6-e7 42.Qh7xg7 ]
Qe6-f6 43.Qg7-f8+ Ke7-e6 44.Rg8-g4 41.Qh7xg7 [ 41.Rg8xg7?! Qe7-f6$ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41.Qh7xg7
Rb1-b5 45.Qf8-a3 Bd7-c6 46.Nf3-h4
Ke6-d7 47.Qa3-d3+ Qf6-d6 48.Qd3-f3 Qe7-f6 42.Qg7-g3 Qf6-f4 43.Rg8-h8
Qf4xg3+ 44.Kh2xg3 f7-f6 45.Rh8xh6
Qd6-f8 49.Nh4-f5 Kd7-c7 50.Rg4-h4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +R+
+ +lqppQ
+ +k+ p
+ + p +
+ +P+ +
+ + +N+P
+ + PPK
+r+ + +

595

2244

Rb1-b3 46.h3-h4 Ke6-e7 47.Rh6-h7+


Ke7-e6 48.h4-h5 Bd7-c6 49.h5-h6
Bc6xe4 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +R
+ +kp P
+ + p +
+ +l+ +
+r+ +NK
+ + PP+
+ + + +

2245

50.Rh7-a7 Be4xf3 51.g2xf3 Rb3-b2


52.h6-h7 Rb2-b8 53.Kg3-h4 Ke6-f5
54.Kh4-h5 1.07/13 ] 41...Qe7-f6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41...Qe7-f6
42.Qg7-g3 Qf6-f4 43.Rg8-h8 Qf4xg3+
44.Kh2xg3 f7-f6 45.Rh8xh6 Rb1-b3
46.h3-h4 Ke6-e7 47.Rh6-h7+ Ke7-e6
48.h4-h5 Bd7-c6 49.h5-h6 Bc6xe4
50.Rh7-a7 Be4xf3 51.g2xf3 Rb3-b2
52.h6-h7 Rb2-b8 53.Kg3-h4 Ke6-f5
54.Kh4-h5 0.99/16 ] 42.Qg7-g3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42.Qg7-g3

Qf6-f4 43.Rg8-h8 Qf4xg3+ 44.Kh2xg3


f7-f6 45.Rh8xh6 Rb1-b3 46.h3-h4
Ke6-e7 47.Rh6-h7+ Ke7-e6 48.h4-h5
Bd7-c6 49.h5-h6 Bc6xe4 50.Rh7-a7
Be4xf3 51.g2xf3 Rb3-b2 52.h6-h7
Rb2-b8 53.Kg3-h4 1.08/15 ]
42...Rb1-b5 [ 42...Rb1-b6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...Bd7-c6
43.Nf3-d2 Rb1-e1 44.Qg3-b3+ Ke6-e7
45.Qb3-a3+ Qf6-d6 46.Qa3-a7+
Qd6-d7 47.Qa7-a5 Ke7-f6 48.Rg8-g3
Kf6-e6 49.Qa5-b4 0.92/11 ] 43.Rg8-a8
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43.Rg8-a8
Bd7-c6 44.Ra8-a6 Rb5-c5 45.Nf3-d2
Qf6-f4 46.Qg3xf4 e5xf4 47.Nd2-b3
Rc5-c3 48.Nb3-d4+ Ke6-d7
49.Nd4xc6 Rc3xc6 50.Ra6xc6 Kd7xc6
51.g2-g4 f4xg3+ 52.Kh2xg3 Kc6-c5
53.Kg3-f4 Kc5-d4 54.h3-h4 h6-h5
55.e4-e5 Kd4-d5 1.47/15 ] 43...Ke6-e7
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43...Bd7-c6
44.Ra8-a6 Rb5-c5 45.Nf3-d2 Qf6-f4
46.Qg3xf4 e5xf4 47.Nd2-b3 Rc5-c3
48.Nb3-d4+ Ke6-d7 49.Nd4xc6
Rc3xc6 50.Ra6xc6 Kd7xc6 51.g2-g4
f4xg3+ 52.Kh2xg3 Kc6-c5 53.Kg3-f4
Kc5-d4 54.h3-h4 f7-f6 55.h4-h5
Kd4-d3 1.36/13 ] 44.Qg3-g8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44.Qg3-g8
Qf6-f4+ 45.g2-g3 Qf4xf3 46.Qg8-d8+
Ke7-d6 47.Ra8-a6+ Kd6-c5
48.Qd8-c7+ Kc5-b4 49.Qc7-c2
Rb5-c5 50.Qc2-b2+ Qf3-b3
51.Qb2-d2+ Qb3-c3 52.Qd2xd7
Qc3-c2 53.Ra6-b6+ Kb4-c3 54.Qd7-f5
h6-h5 55.Qf5-f3+ Kc3-c4 56.Qf3xf7+
Kc4-c3 57.Qf7-f3+ Kc3-c4 58.Rb6-b8
Rc5-c7 59.Qf3-f5 Rc7-c5 60.h3-h4
Kc4-c3 61.Rb8-h8 Kc3-b4
62.Rh8xh5 2.63/16 ] 44...Qf6-f4+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44...Qf6-f4+
45.g2-g3 Qf4xf3 46.Qg8-d8+ Ke7-d6
47.Ra8-a6+ Kd6-c5 48.Qd8-c7+
Kc5-b4 49.Qc7-c2 Rb5-c5
50.Qc2-b2+ Qf3-b3 51.Qb2-d2+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Qb3-c3 52.Qd2xd7 Qc3-c2
53.Ra6-b6+ Kb4-c3 54.Qd7-f5 h6-h5
55.Qf5-f3+ Kc3-c4 56.Qf3xf7+ Kc4-c3
57.Qf7-f3+ Kc3-c4 58.Kh2-g2 h5-h4
59.g3xh4 Rc5-c7 60.h4-h5 Rc7-g7+
61.Kg2-h2 2.74/15 ] 45.g2-g3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 45.g2-g3
Qf4xf3 46.Qg8-d8+ Ke7-d6
47.Ra8-a6+ Kd6-c5 48.Qd8-c7+
Kc5-b4 49.Qc7-c2 Rb5-c5
50.Qc2-b2+ Qf3-b3 51.Qb2-d2+
Kb4-b5 52.Ra6-a8 Kb5-c4 53.Qd2xd7
Kc4-c3 54.Qd7-a7 Kc3-b4 55.Qa7-a6
Kb4-c3 56.Qa6xh6 Qb3-b4
57.Qh6-c1+ Kc3-b3 58.Qc1-b1+
Kb3-c3 59.Qb1-e1+ Kc3-c4
60.Qe1-e2+ Kc4-c3 61.h3-h4 Rc5-c6
62.h4-h5 2.69/15 ] 45...Qf4xf3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 45...Qf4xf3
46.Qg8-d8+ Ke7-d6 47.Ra8-a6+
Kd6-c5 48.Qd8-c7+ Kc5-b4
49.Qc7-c2 Rb5-c5 50.Qc2-b2+ Qf3-b3
51.Qb2-d2+ Kb4-b5 52.Ra6-a8
Kb5-c4 53.Qd2xd7 Kc4-c3 54.Qd7-a7
Kc3-b4 55.Qa7-a6 Kb4-c3 56.Qa6xh6
Qb3-b4 57.Qh6-c1+ Kc3-b3
58.Qc1-b1+ Kb3-c3 59.Qb1-e1+
Kc3-c4 60.Qe1-e2+ Kc4-c3 61.h3-h4
Rc5-c6 62.h4-h5 2.52/13 ] 46.Qg8-d8+
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46.Qg8-d8+
Ke7-d6 47.Ra8-a6+ Kd6-c5
48.Qd8-c7+ Kc5-b4 49.Qc7-c2
Rb5-c5 50.Qc2-b2+ Qf3-b3
51.Qb2-d2+ Kb4-b5 52.Ra6-a8
Qb3-e6 53.Qd2-b2+ Kb5-c6
54.Ra8-a6+ Kc6-c7 55.Ra6xe6
Bd7xe6 56.Kh2-g2 h6-h5 57.Qb2-a1
Kc7-c6 58.Qa1-a7 Rc5-c4 59.Qa7-a5
Rc4-c5 60.Qa5-a6+ Kc6-c7 2.37/12 ]
46...Ke7-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
46...Ke7-d6 47.Ra8-a6+ Kd6-c5
48.Qd8-c7+ Kc5-b4 49.Qc7-c2
Rb5-c5 50.Qc2-b2+ Kb4-c4
51.Ra6-a3 Qf3xe4 52.Qb2-a2+
Kc4-d4 53.Qa2-d2+ Kd4-c4

596
54.Qd2xd7 Qe4-c2 55.Qd7xf7+
Kc4-b4 56.Ra3-a2 Qc2-b1 57.Ra2-a6
Qb1-c2 58.Ra6xh6 e5-e4 59.Rh6-b6+
Kb4-c3 60.Qf7-f6+ Kc3-d3 61.Rb6-b4
Kd3-e2 62.Rb4-d4 Ke2-e1 2.14/10 ]
47.Ra8-a6+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47.Ra8-a6+ Kd6-c5 48.Qd8-c7+
Kc5-b4 49.Qc7-c2 Rb5-c5
50.Qc2-b2+ Kb4-c4 51.Ra6-a3
Qf3xe4 52.Qb2-a2+ Kc4-d4
53.Qa2-d2+ Kd4-c4 54.Qd2xd7
Qe4-c2 55.Qd7xf7+ Kc4-b4
56.Ra3-a2 Qc2-b1 57.Ra2-a6 Qb1-c2
58.Ra6xh6 e5-e4 59.Rh6-b6+ Kb4-c3
60.Qf7-f6+ Kc3-d3 61.Rb6-b4 Kd3-e2
62.Rb4-d4 Ke2-e1 1.96/11 ]
47...Kd6-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47...Kd6-c5 48.Qd8-c7+ Kc5-b4
49.Qc7-c2 Rb5-c5 50.Qc2-b2+
Kb4-c4 51.Ra6-a3 Qf3xe4
52.Qb2-a2+ Kc4-d4 53.Qa2-d2+
Kd4-c4 54.Qd2xd7 Qe4-c2
55.Qd7xf7+ Kc4-b4 56.Ra3-a2
Qc2-b1 57.Ra2-a6 Qb1-c2 58.Ra6xh6
e5-e4 59.Rh6-b6+ Kb4-c3 60.Qf7-f6+
Kc3-d3 61.Rb6-b4 Rc5-d5 2.12/12 ]
48.Qd8-e7+?? throwing away the
advantage [ 48.Qd8-c7+ Kc5-b4 A)
49.Qc7xd7?! Qf3xf2+ 50.Kh2-h1 A1)
50...Qf2xg3?? it may look tempting but
Black must resist capturing the pawn
51.Qd7-d2+ ( 51.Ra6xh6??
the pawn is something White will choke
on Qg3-f3+ 52.Kh1-g1 Qf3-e3+
53.Kg1-h2 Qe3-f4+ 54.Kh2-g2
Qf4xe4+ 55.Kg2-f2 Qe4-f4+ 56.Kf2-e2
Qf4xh6-+ ; 51.Qd7xf7 Qg3xh3+
52.Kh1-g1 Qh3-g4+ 53.Kg1-f2
Qg4-h4+ 54.Kf2-f3 Qh4-h3+
55.Kf3-e2 Qh3-g2+ 56.Ke2-d3
Qg2-g3+ 57.Kd3-e2 Rb5-b8= )
51...Qg3-c3 52.Ra6-a4+ Kb4xa4
53.Qd2xc3+- ; A2) 50...Qf2-f1+
51.Kh1-h2 Qf1-f2+ 52.Kh2-h1 A2a)
52...Qf2xg3 again that pawn is deadly

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

597

bait and will cause Black grave


60.Qd1-d5+ Ka2-b1 61.Qd5xd7
Qb2xf2+ 62.Kh2-h1 Qf2-f1+
problems 53.Qd7-d2+ ( 53.Ra6xh6
again, the pawn cannot be taken
63.Kh1-h2 Qf1-f2+ 64.Kh2-h1
Qg3-f3+ 54.Kh1-g1 Qf3-e3+
-0.04/14 ] 49...Kc4-c3 Black has a
55.Kg1-f1 Qe3-f4+ 56.Kf1-g1
mate threat [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
Qf4xh6-+ ; 53.Qd7xf7?! is easily
49...Kc4-c3 50.Ra4-a3+ Rb5-b3
refuted Qg3xh3+ 54.Kh1-g1 Qh3-g3+
51.Qe7xe5+ Kc3-d2 52.Qe5-d5+
Kd2-c2 53.Qd5-c4+ Qf3-c3
55.Kg1-f1 Qg3-d3+ 56.Kf1-g1
Qd3-e3+ 57.Qf7-f2 Qe3-c1+ 58.Qf2-f1 54.Qc4-e2+ Kc2-c1 55.Qe2-f1+
Kc1-c2 56.Ra3-a2+ Rb3-b2
Qc1xf1+ 59.Kg1xf1 h6-h5= )
53...Qg3-c3 54.Ra6-a4+ Kb4xa4
57.Qf1-e2+ Kc2-b1 58.Ra2xb2+
Qc3xb2 59.Qe2-d1+ Kb1-a2
55.Qd2xc3+- ; A2b) 52...Qf2-f1+
53.Kh1-h2 Qf1-f2+= ; B) 49.Qc7-c2+- ; 60.Qd1-d5+ Ka2-b1 61.Qd5xd7
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 48.Qd8-c7+
Qb2xf2+ 62.Kh2-h1 Qf2-f3+
Kc5-b4 49.Qc7-c2 Rb5-c5
63.Kh1-h2 Qf3-f2+ 64.Kh2-h1 0.05/12
50.Qc2-b2+ Qf3-b3 51.Qb2-d2+
] 50.Ra4-a3+ [ 50.Qe7xd7??
Kb4-b5 52.Ra6-a5+ Kb5-c6
will give the opponent a chance to mate
53.Ra5xc5+ Kc6xc5 54.Qd2xd7
in 3 Qf3xf2+ 51.Kh2-h1 Rb5-b1+
Qb3-c4 55.h3-h4 Qc4xe4 56.Qd7-c7+ 52.Qd7-d1 Rb1xd1# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
Kc5-d4 57.Qc7-d6+ Kd4-c4
x64: 50.Ra4-a3+ Rb5-b3 51.Qe7xe5+
58.Qd6xh6 Kc4-d5 59.Qh6-b6 Qe4-c2 Kc3-d2 52.Qe5-d5+ Kd2-c2
60.h4-h5 f7-f5 61.Kh2-g2 f5-f4
53.Qd5-c4+ Qf3-c3 54.Qc4-e2+
1.19/13 ] 48...Kc5-c4= [Houdini 2.0c
Kc2-c1 55.Qe2-f1+ Kc1-c2
Pro x64: 48...Kc5-c4 49.Ra6-a4+
56.Ra3-a2+ Rb3-b2 57.Qf1-e2+
Kc2-b1 58.Ra2xb2+ Qc3xb2
Kc4-c3 50.Ra4-a3+ Rb5-b3
51.Qe7xe5+ Kc3-d2 52.Qe5-d5+
59.Qe2-d1+ Kb1-a2 60.Qd1-d5+
Ka2-b1 61.Qd5xd7 Qb2xf2+
Kd2-c2 53.Qd5-c4+ Qf3-c3
54.Qc4-e2+ Kc2-c1 55.Qe2-f1+
62.Kh2-h1 Qf2-f1+ 63.Kh1-h2 Qf1-f2+
64.Kh2-h1 -0.04/13 ] 50...Rb5-b3
Kc1-c2 56.Ra3-a2+ Rb3-b2
57.Qf1-e2+ Kc2-b3 58.Ra2xb2+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 50...Rb5-b3
Qc3xb2 59.Qe2-d1+ Kb3-c3
51.Qe7xe5+ Kc3-d2 52.Qe5-d5+
60.Qd1-f3+ Kc3-c2 61.Qf3-e2+
Kd2-c2 53.Qd5-c4+ Qf3-c3
Kc2-c1 62.Qe2-e1+ Kc1-c2
54.Qc4-e2+ Kc2-c1 55.Qe2-f1+
63.Qe1-e2+ Kc2-c1 0.05/13 ]
Kc1-c2 56.Ra3-a2+ Rb3-b2
49.Ra6-a4+ [ 49.Qe7xd7??
57.Qf1-e2+ Kc2-b1 58.Ra2xb2+
mating quickly in 3 Qf3xf2+ 50.Kh2-h1
Qc3xb2 59.Qe2-d1+ Kb1-a2
Rb5-b1+ 51.Qd7-d1 Rb1xd1# ;
60.Qd1-d5+ Ka2-b1 61.Qd5xd7
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 49.Ra6-a4+
Qb2xf2+ 62.Kh2-h1 Qf2-f1+
Kc4-c3 50.Ra4-a3+ Rb5-b3
63.Kh1-h2 Qf1-f2+ 64.Kh2-h1 0.05/11
51.Qe7xe5+ Kc3-d2 52.Qe5-d5+
] 51.Qe7xe5+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
Kd2-c2 53.Qd5-c4+ Qf3-c3
51.Qe7xe5+ Kc3-d2 52.Qe5-d5+
54.Qc4-e2+ Kc2-c1 55.Qe2-f1+
Kd2-c2 53.Qd5-c4+ Qf3-c3
Kc1-c2 56.Ra3-a2+ Rb3-b2
54.Qc4-e2+ Kc2-c1 55.Qe2-f1+
57.Qf1-e2+ Kc2-b1 58.Ra2xb2+
Kc1-c2 56.Ra3-a2+ Rb3-b2
Qc3xb2 59.Qe2-d1+ Kb1-a2
57.Qf1-e2+ Kc2-b1 58.Ra2xb2+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Qc3xb2 59.Qe2-d1+ Kb1-a2
60.Qd1-d5+ Ka2-b1 61.Qd5xd7
Qb2xf2+ 62.Kh2-h1 Qf2-f1+
63.Kh1-h2 Qf1-f2+ 64.Kh2-h1
-0.04/12 ] 51...Kc3-c2?? ruins a very
nice position [ 51...Kc3-d2
the rescuing straw 52.Qe5-d5+ Kd2-c2
53.Ra3-a2+ Rb3-b2 54.Ra2xb2+
Kc2xb2 55.Qd5-d2+ Kb2-a3
56.Qd2xd7 Qf3xf2+ 57.Kh2-h1
Qf2-f1+ 58.Kh1-h2 Qf1-f2+ 59.Kh2-h1
Qf2-f1+ 60.Kh1-h2 Qf1-f2+= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 51...Kc3-d2
52.Qe5-d5+ Kd2-c2 53.Ra3xb3
Qf3xf2+ 54.Kh2-h1 Qf2-f1+ 55.Kh1-h2
Qf1-f2+ 56.Kh2-h1 0.12/9 ]
52.Ra3-a2++- [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
52.Ra3-a2+ Kc2-d3 53.Qe5-d5+
Kd3-c3 54.Qd5-d2+ Kc3-c4
55.Qd2xd7 Rb3-a3 56.Ra2-b2 Ra3-b3
57.Qd7-a4+ Kc4-c5 58.Qa4xb3
Qf3xb3 59.Rb2xb3 Kc5-d4
60.Rb3-b4+ Kd4-c5 8.88/9 ]
52...Kc2-c1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
52...Kc2-d3 53.Qe5-d5+ Kd3-c3
54.Qd5-d2+ Kc3-c4 55.Qd2xd7 Qf3-f6
56.Ra2-c2+ Qf6-c3 57.Rc2xc3+
Rb3xc3 58.Kh2-g2 f7-f6 59.Qd7-d5+
Kc4-b4 60.Qd5-d6+ Kb4-c4
61.Qd6xf6 Kc4-d3 8.82/9 ] 53.Qe5-a1+
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 53.Qe5-a1+
Rb3-b1 54.Qa1-d4 Qf3-g2+
55.Kh2xg2 Bd7xh3+ 56.Kg2xh3
Rb1-b2 57.Ra2xb2 f7-f6 #6/9 ]
53...Rb3-b1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
53...Rb3-b1 54.Qa1-d4 Qf3-g2+
55.Kh2xg2 Bd7xh3+ 56.Kg2xh3
Rb1-b2 57.Ra2xb2 f7-f6 #5/1 ]
54.Qa1-d4 [ 54.Qa1-d4 Qf3-g2+
55.Kh2xg2 Bd7xh3+ 56.Kg2xh3
Rb1-b7 57.Qd4-d2+ Kc1-b1
58.Qd2-c2# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
54.Qa1-d4 Qf3-g2+ 55.Kh2xg2
Bd7xh3+ 56.Kg2xh3 Rb1-b2

598
57.Ra2xb2 f7-f6 #5/17 ]
1-0

43

B92

Lazaro Bruzon
Vassily Ivanchuk
World Team Championship 2005
08.11.2005
(7)
B92: Sicilian Najdorf: 6 Be2
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 d7-d6
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram

rnlqklnr
pp+ pppp
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

2246

Ng8-f6 5.Nb1-c3 a7-a6 6.Bf1-e2


e7-e5 7.Nd4-b3 Bf8-e7 8.g2-g4
h7-h6 9.Bc1-e3 [RR 9.f2-f4 b7-b5
10.g4-g5 Nf6-d7 11.Nc3-d5 Bc8-b7
12.Bc1-d2 Nb8-c6 13.g5xh6 Be7-h4+
14.Ke1-f1 g7xh6 15.c2-c4 b5xc4
16.Be2xc4 e5xf4 17.Ra1-c1 Ra8-c8
18.Bc4-e2 Nd7-f6 19.Be2-g4 Nf6xd5
20.e4xd5 Nc6-e5 21.Bg4xc8 Bb7xc8
22.Rc1-c3 Bc8-g4 23.Qd1-c2 Qd8-d7
Bologan,V (2676)-Svidler,P (2695)/
Tomsk 2001/CBM 082 ext/0-1 (31) ;RR
9.h2-h4 b7-b5 10.Be2-f3 b5-b4
11.Nc3-d5 Nf6xd5 12.Qd1xd5 Ra8-a7
13.Bc1-e3 Bc8-e6 14.Qd5-d2 Ra7-b7
15.g4-g5 h6xg5 16.Be3xg5 Be7xg5
17.h4xg5 Rh8xh1+ 18.Bf3xh1 a6-a5
19.0-0-0 Rb7-d7 20.Kc1-b1 a5-a4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


21.Nb3-c1 Nb8-c6 22.f2-f4 e5xf4
23.Qd2xf4 Nc6-e5 Matlakov,M (2452)Korbut,E (2452)/St Petersburg 2007/
CBM 116 ext/0-1 (33) ] 9...Bc8-e6
10.Rh1-g1 Nb8-c6 11.Nc3-d5N [RR
11.Qd1-d2 d6-d5 (RR 11...a6-a5
12.a2-a4 Nc6-b4 13.f2-f4 Ra8-c8
14.Be2-b5+ Ke8-f8 15.Qd2-g2 Nf6xg4
16.Be3-c1 Qd8-b6 17.Nc3-d5 Nb4xd5
18.e4xd5 Rc8xc2 19.Bb5-e2 Be7-h4+
20.Ke1-d1 Ng4-f2+ 21.Kd1xc2
Be6-f5+ 22.Be2-d3 Bf5xd3+
23.Kc2-d2 Qb6-b4+ 0-1 Tagnon,N
(2064)-Zhao Jun (2374)/Groningen
2002/EXT 2004 ) 12.e4xd5 Nf6xd5
13.Nc3xd5 Qd8xd5 14.0-0-0 Qd5xd2+
15.Rd1xd2 Ra8-c8 16.Kc1-b1 Nc6-b4
17.Be2-f3 b7-b5 18.a2-a3 Nb4-c6
19.Nb3-c5 Be7xc5 20.Be3xc5 Nc6-a5
21.Bc5-b4 Na5-c4 22.Rd2-d3 a6-a5
23.Bb4-c3 0-0 24.g4-g5 Be6-f5
25.g5xh6 g7-g6 Chakanyuka,C (2067)Friedland,J (2199)/Oxford 2003/CBM
093 ext/- (50) ] 11...Ra8-c8
12.Be2-f3 Be6xd5 13.e4xd5 Nc6-a5
14.Nb3-d2 Na5-c4 15.Nd2xc4
Rc8xc4 16.Bf3-e2 Rc4-e4 Diagram

599

+ qk+ r
+p+ lpp
p+ p n p
+ +Pp +
+ +r+P+
+ + L +
PPP+LP P
R +QK R

+ + + r
+ +k+pp
p+ + + p
qpRPp L
+ + +P+
rP+ + +
P+ Q P P
+ + K R

2247

2248

(Diagram 2247)
17.Qd1-d2 Nf6-d7 18.Be2-d3
last book move last book move
Re4xe3+ [ 18...Re4-a4!?=
must be considered ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 18...Re4-a4 19.b2-b3 Ra4-a5
20.Bd3-f5 Be7-g5 21.Bf5xd7+ Ke8xd7
22.c2-c4 b7-b5 23.Ra1-c1 Ra5-a3
24.c4-c5 d6xc5 25.Rc1xc5 Qd8-a5
26.Be3xg5 Diagram
(Diagram 2248)
h6xg5 27.b3-b4 Qa5-a4 -0.01/15 ]
19.f2xe3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Qd2xe3 Diagram

+ qk+ r
+p+nlpp
p+ p + p
+ +Pp +
+ + +P+
+ +LQ +
PPP+ P P
R + K R
0-0 20.Qe3-f3 Be7-g5 21.Ke1-f1

2249

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

600

Nd7-f6 22.Kf1-g2 Qd8-b6 23.Rg1-d1


Qb6-c5 24.Bd3-f5 g7-g6 25.Bf5-e4
Bg5-f4 0.37/14 ] 19...Be7-h4+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...Be7-h4+
Diagram

+ qk+ r
+p+n+pp
p+ p + p
+ +Pp +
+ + +Pl
+ +LP +
PPPQ + P
R + K R

2250

20.Ke1-e2 0-0 21.c2-c4 e5-e4


22.Bd3xe4 Rf8-e8 23.Be4-f5 Bh4-g5
24.Rg1-g3 Nd7-e5 25.Qd2-d4 Qd8-c7
26.b2-b3 g7-g6 27.Bf5-d3 Qc7-a5
28.Ke2-f1 Bg5-h4 29.Rg3-h3 0.23/14 ]
20.Ke1-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20.Ke1-d1 Bh4-g5 21.c2-c4 Qd8-b6
22.Rg1-g3 0-0 23.Bd3-f5 Nd7-f6
24.b2-b4 g7-g6 25.Bf5-d3 e5-e4
26.Bd3-c2 Rf8-c8 0.33/14 ] 20...e5-e4
[ 20...0-0!? ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...0-0 21.c2-c4 e5-e4 22.Bd3xe4
Rf8-e8 23.Be4-f5 Bh4-g5 24.Rg1-g3
Nd7-e5 25.Qd2-d4 Qd8-c7 26.b2-b3
g7-g6 27.Bf5-d3 Qc7-a5 28.Ke2-f1
Bg5-h4 29.Rg3-h3 0.23/14 ]
21.Bd3xe4+- Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 21.Bd3xe4 0-0 22.Be4-f5
Rf8-e8 23.Bf5xd7 Qd8xd7 24.Qd2-d3
Qd7-e7 25.Ke2-f3 Bh4-f6 26.Kf3-g2
Bf6xb2 27.Ra1-f1 Bb2-f6 Diagram
28.Rf1-f3 b7-b5 29.Kg2-h1 Qe7-d7
30.c2-c3 Qd7-c7 31.Rg1-f1 0.35/16 ]
21...0-0 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...0-0 22.Be4-f5 Rf8-e8 23.Bf5xd7

+ +r+k+
+p+ qpp
p+ p l p
+ +P+ +
+ + +P+
+ +QP +
P+P+ +KP
+ + +RR

+ qk+ r
+p+n+pp
p+ p + p
+ +P+ +
+ +L+Pl
+ + P +
PPPQK+ P
R + + R

2251

2252

Qd8xd7 24.Qd2-d3 Qd7-e7 25.Ke2-f3


Bh4-f6 26.Kf3-g2 Bf6xb2 27.Ra1-f1
Bb2-f6 28.Rf1-f3 b7-b5 29.c2-c4
Diagram
(Diagram 2253)
Qe7-d7 30.h2-h3 b5-b4 31.Rg1-f1
Qd7-c7 0.42/15 ] 22.Ra1-f1
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.Be4-f5
Rf8-e8 23.Bf5xd7 Qd8xd7 24.Qd2-d3
Qd7-e7 25.Ra1-f1 Qe7-e5 26.b2-b4
Bh4-f6 27.h2-h3 Qe5-h2+ 28.Ke2-d1
Qh2xh3 29.e3-e4 Qh3-h2 30.Kd1-c1
b7-b5 0.45/13 ] 22...Rf8-e8 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
+ + qpp
p+ p l p
+p+P+ +
+P+ +P+
+ +QPR+
P+ + +KP
+ + + R

601

2253

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Rf8-e8


23.Be4-f5 Nd7-f6 24.c2-c4 g7-g6
25.Bf5-c2 b7-b5 26.c4xb5 a6xb5
27.Qd2-d4 Re8-e5 28.Bc2-b3 Qd8-a5
29.Ke2-d1 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ + +p+
+ p npp
qp+Pr +
+ Q +Pl
+L+ P +
PP + + P
+ +K+RR

2254

Nf6-e4 30.Kd1-c2 Bh4-f2 31.Rg1-g2


0.39/14 ]
(Diagram 2255)
23.Be4-f5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.Be4-h1 Bh4-g5 Diagram
24.Rg1-g3 Qd8-b6 25.c2-c4 a6-a5
26.Qd2-c3 Qb6-c5 27.b2-b3 Nd7-f6
28.h2-h3 Bg5-h4 29.Rg3-g1 b7-b5

+ qr+k+
+p+n+pp
p+ p + p
+ +P+ +
+ +L+Pl
+ + P +
PPPQK+ P
+ + +RR

+ qr+k+
+p+n+pp
p+ p + p
+ +P+ l
+ + +P+
+ + P +
PPPQK+ P
+ + +RRL

2255

2256

0.33/13 ] 23...Nd7-e5 [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 23...Nd7-f6 24.c2-c4 g7-g6
25.Bf5-c2 b7-b5 26.c4xb5 a6xb5
27.Qd2-d4 Re8-e5 28.Bc2-b3 Qd8-a5
29.Ke2-d1 Nf6-e4 30.Kd1-c2 Diagram
(Diagram 2257)
Bh4-f2 31.Rg1-g2 0.39/15 ]
24.Qd2-b4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.b2-b3 g7-g6 25.Bf5-e4 Qd8-e7
26.Be4-h1 Diagram
Bh4-g5 27.Rg1-g3 Bg5-h4 28.Rg3-g2
Qe7-c7 29.Rg2-g1 Qc7-c5 30.Ke2-d1
Kg8-g7 31.Qd2-d4 0.45/14 ] 24...b7-b5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
qp+Pr +
+ Qn+Pl
+L+ P +
PPK+ + P
+ + +RR

+ +r+k+
+p+ qp+
p+ p +pp
+ +Pn +
+ + +Pl
+P+ P +
P+PQK+ P
+ + +RRL

602

2257

2258

[ 24...Qd8-e7 Diagram
(Diagram 2259)
25.Qb4-d4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24...Qd8-e7 25.Ke2-d1 g7-g6
26.Bf5-e4 Bh4-g5 Diagram
(Diagram 2260)

+ +r+k+
+p+ qpp
p+ p + p
+ +PnL+
Q + +Pl
+ + P +
PPP+K+ P
+ + +RR

+ +r+k+
+p+ qp+
p+ p +pp
+ +Pn l
Q +L+P+
+ + P +
PPP+ + P
+ +K+RR

2259

2260

26.Qb4-d4 Qd8-a5 27.a2-a4 b5xa4


28.Rf1-a1 Ne5xd3 29.c2xd3 Bh4-g5
30.Rg1-g3 Re8-c8 31.Qd4xa4
Diagram
(Diagram 2261)
Qa5xd5 32.Qa4xa6 Rc8-c2+
33.Ke2-d1 Rc2-c6 34.Qa6-a8+
Kg8-g7 35.Kd1-d2 Qd5-b5 36.Qa8-a3
Bg5-f6 0.53/14 Diagram

27.Rg1-g3 a6-a5 28.Qb4-b3 Re8-c8


]
29.Be4-d3 Bg5-h4 30.Rg3-g2 a5-a4
25...Bh4-g5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
31.Qb3-b6 Rc8-c5 32.Bd3-e4
Pro x64: 25...g7-g6 Diagram
Ne5-c4 0.37/13 ] 25.Bf5-d3+- Diagram
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25.Bf5-d3 g7-g6 26.Qb4-d4 Qd8-a5 27.a2-a4 b5xa4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +k+
+ + +p+
p+ p +pp
q +P+ l
Q+ + +P+
+ +PP R
P +K+ P
R + + +

+ + + +
+ + +pk
+rp lpp
+q+ + +
+ + +P+
Q +PP R
P K + P
R + + +

+ qr+k+
+ + +pp
p+ p + p
+p+Pn +
Q + +Pl
+ +LP +
PPP+K+ P
+ + +RR

603

2261

2262

+ qr+k+
+ + +p+
p+ p +pp
+p+Pn +
Q + +Pl
+ +LP +
PPP+K+ P
+ + +RR

2264

28.Rf1-a1 Ne5xd3 29.c2xd3 Bh4-g5


30.Rg1-g3 Re8-c8 31.Qd4xa4
Qa5xd5 32.Qa4xa6 Rc8-c2+
33.Ke2-d1 Rc2-c6 34.Qa6-a8+
Kg8-g7 35.Kd1-d2 Bg5-f6 0.54/13 ]

+ qr+k+
+ + +pp
p+ p + p
+p+Pn l
Q + +P+
+ +LP +
PPP+K+ P
+ + +RR

2265

2263

26.Rg1-g3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 26.Rg1-g3 Qd8-b6 27.Qb4-e4
g7-g6 28.Ke2-d1 Bg5-h4 29.Rg3-h3
Bh4-g5 30.Rf1-e1 Qb6-c7 31.Bd3-e2
Re8-c8 32.c2-c3 Diagram
Qc7-b7 33.Re1-f1 Rc8-c5 34.Kd1-c1
b5-b4 35.c3-c4 0.57/13 ]
26...Qd8-b6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 26...Qd8-d7 27.a2-a4
Ne5xd3 28.Ke2xd3 b5xa4 29.c2-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +k+
+ q +p+
p+ p +pp
+p+Pn l
+ +Q+P+
+ P P +R
PP +L+ P
+ +KR +

+ qr+k+
+ + +pp
p+ p + p
+p+Pn l
Q + +P+
+ +LP R
PPP+K+ P
+ + +R+

604

r + +k+
+ q + p
p+ p p p
+ +P+ l
+ +Q+P+
P P PRR
+K+ + P
+ + + +

2266

+ +r+k+
+ + +pp
pq p + p
+p+Pn l
Q + +P+
+ +LP R
PPP+K+ P
+ + +R+

2267

a4-a3 30.b2xa3 f7-f6 31.Rf1-f3


Qd7-c7 32.Kd3-c2 Re8-b8 33.Qb4-e4
0.60/12 Diagram
(Diagram 2268)
]

2268

2269

b5-b4 35.c3-c4 0.57/16 Diagram


(Diagram 2270)
]
(Diagram 2271)

(Diagram 2269)
27.Qb4-e4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27.Qb4-e4 g7-g6 28.Ke2-d1
Bg5-h4 29.Rg3-h3 Bh4-g5 30.Rf1-e1
Qb6-c7 31.Bd3-e2 Re8-c8 32.c2-c3
Qc7-b7 33.Re1-f1 Rc8-c5 34.Kd1-c1

27...g7-g6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 27...g7-g6 28.Ke2-d1 Bg5-h4
29.Rg3-h3 Bh4-g5 30.Bd3-e2 Qb6-a5
31.a2-a3 b5-b4 32.a3xb4 Qa5-a1+
33.Kd1-d2 Qa1xb2 Diagram
34.Be2xa6 Re8-e7 35.Kd2-e2 Re7-c7
36.Ba6-d3 Rc7-c3 37.Ke2-d1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+q+ +p+
p+ p +pp
+ rPn l
pP+Q+P+
+ + P +R
PP +L+ P
+ K +R+

+ +r+k+
+ + +pp
pq p + p
+p+Pn l
+ +Q+P+
+ +LP R
PPP+K+ P
+ + +R+

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+
p+ p +pp
+ +Pn l
P +Q+P+
+ + P +R
qPKL+ P
+ + +R+
Qb2-a1+ 38.Kd1-d2 0.68/13 ]

605

2270

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+
pq p +pp
+p+Pn l
+ +Q+P+
+ +LP R
PPP+K+ P
+ + +R+

2273

28.Ke2-d1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


28.c2-c3 Qb6-a5 29.a2-a3 Diagram
2271

2272

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+
p+ p +pp
qp+Pn l
+ +Q+P+
P PLP R
P +K+ P
+ + +R+

2274

Qa5-d8 30.Qe4-d4 Bg5-h4


31.Rg3-g2 Bh4-g5 32.Ke2-d1 Ne5xd3
33.Qd4xd3 Re8xe3 34.Qd3-d4
Qd8-e7 0.65/13 Diagram
(Diagram 2275)
] 28...b5-b4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28...Qb6-d8 29.Qe4-d4 Qd8-a5
30.a2-a3 Re8-c8 31.Kd1-c1 b5-b4
32.a3xb4 Ne5xd3+ 33.Qd4xd3
Qa5-a1+ 34.Kc1-d2 Qa1xb2
35.Qd3-b3 Qb2-d4+ 36.Kd2-e1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+ + qp+
p+ p +pp
+p+P+ l
+ Q +P+
P P r +
P + +RP
+ +K+R+

606

2275

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+
pq p +pp
+ +Pn l
p +Q+P+
+ +LP R
PPP+ + P
+ +K+R+

2277

Diagram

+r+ +k+
+ + +p+
p+ p +pp
+ +P+ l
P q +P+
+Q+ P R
+P+ + P
+ + KR+

2276

Rc8-e8 37.Rf1-f3 Qd4-a1+


38.Ke1-f2 0.80/12 ]
(Diagram 2277)
29.Kd1-c1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 29.Kd1-c1 Re8-c8 30.Kc1-b1
a6-a5 31.Qe4-d4 Qb6-b7 32.h2-h3
a5-a4 33.Rg3-g2 Rc8-c5 34.Rg2-e2
Ne5xd3 35.c2xd3 Rc5xd5 36.Qd4-e4
Qb7-b5 Diagram
37.Qe4-c4 0.88/15 ]
29...a6-a5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29...Re8-c8 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
+q+r+ l
pp +Q+P+
+ +PP +P
PP +R+ +
+K+ +R+

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+
pq p +pp
+ +Pn l
p +Q+P+
+ +LP R
PPP+ + P
+ K +R+

2278

2279

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +k+
+ + +p+
pq p +pp
+ +Pn l
p +Q+P+
+ +LP R
PPP+ + P
+ K +R+

607

2280

30.Kc1-b1 a6-a5 31.b2-b3 Rc8-c5


32.Rg3-g2 a5-a4 33.Qe4-d4 Qb6-a5
34.Bd3-c4 Rc5-c8 35.Rg2-f2 a4xb3
36.c2xb3 Rc8-a8 37.h2-h3 Kg8-h7
1.08/13 ] 30.Kc1-b1 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.Rf1-h1
Bg5-h4 31.Rg3-h3 Bh4-g5 32.Kc1-b1
Re8-c8 33.Rh1-c1 a5-a4 34.Rc1-e1
a4-a3 35.b2-b3 Qb6-c7 36.Bd3-c4
Diagram

+r+ +k+
+ q +p+
+ p +pp
+ +Pn l
pL+Q+P+
pP+ P +R
P+P+ + P
+K+ R +

2281

Rc8-e8 37.Qe4-d4 0.99/14 ]


30...a5-a4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30...a5-a4 31.Rf1-h1 b4-b3 32.h2-h4
b3xa2+ 33.Kb1xa2 Re8-b8 34.Qe4-d4
Bg5xe3 35.Qd4xb6 Be3xb6

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+
q p +pp
p +Pn l
p +Q+P+
+ +LP R
PPP+ + P
+K+ +R+

2282

36.Bd3-e2 Bb6-d4 37.c2-c3 Bd4-f2


38.Rg3-g2 Bf2-e3 39.Be2-d1 Diagram

r + +k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
+ +Pn +
p+ + +PP
+ P l +
KP + +R+
+ +L+ +R

2283

Rb8-a8 40.Rh1-e1 Be3-f4 41.g4-g5


h6xg5 42.h4xg5 1.07/14 Diagram
(Diagram 2284)
] 31.Qe4-d4 [ 31.Rf1-h1 Bg5-h4
32.Rg3-f3 Re8-b8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 31.Rf1-h1 b4-b3 32.Qe4-d4
Qb6-a5 33.Rh1-d1 Re8-c8 34.Rg3-g2
b3xa2+ 35.Kb1-a1 Rc8-b8 36.c2-c3
a4-a3 37.b2-b4 Qa5-a4 38.Bd3-c2
Qa4-b5 39.Ka1xa2 0.88/12 Diagram
] 31...Qb6-a5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +k+
+ + +p+
+ p +p+
+ +Pn P
p+ + l +
+ P + +
KP + +R+
+ +LR +

r + +k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
+q+Pn l
P Q +P+
p P P +
K+L+ +RP
+ +R+ +

608

r+ + +k+
+q+ +p+
+ p +pp
+ +Pn l
p Q +P+
+P+LP R
+P+ + P
+K+ +R+

2284

+ + +k+
+q+ +p+
+ p +pp
+ rPn l
p Q +P+
+P+ P R
+P+L+ P
+K+R+ +

2285

31...Qb6-b7 32.b2-b3 a4xb3 33.a2xb3


Re8-a8 Diagram

2286

2287

Bf6-g5 34.Rg2-e2 b4-b3 35.c2xb3


a4xb3 36.a2-a4 Re8-c8 37.h2-h3
Ne5-f3 38.Qd4-e4 Nf3-e5 39.Bd3-b5
1.05/13 Diagram

(Diagram 2286)
34.Bd3-e2 Ra8-c8 35.Rf1-c1 Rc8-c5
36.Rc1-d1 Diagram

(Diagram 2288)
]

(Diagram 2287)
(Diagram 2289)
Rc5-c8 37.Rg3-h3 Qb7-c7 38.Rd1-c1
Qc7-a5 39.Rc1-f1 Rc8-a8 40.Kb1-c1
Qa5-a3+ 41.Qd4-b2 Qa3-a7 0.85/15 ]
32.e3-e4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 32.Rf1-d1 Bg5-f6 33.Rg3-g2

32...b4-b3 Diagram [ 32...Re8-c8


33.Bd3-e2+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...Re8-b8 33.Bd3-c4 Diagram
Kg8-g7 34.h2-h3 Rb8-c8 35.Bc4-d3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
qL+Pn l
P+ +Q+P+
+p+ P +P
P +R+ +
+K+R+ +

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
q +Pn l
pp QP+P+
+ +L+ R
PPP+ + P
+K+ +R+

r + +k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
q +Pn l
ppLQP+P+
+ + + R
PPP+ + P
+K+ +R+

609
Bg5-d8 38.Qd4-f2 Qa5-c7 39.Bd3-c4
Qc7-b7 40.Bc4-d3 Qb7-c7
41.Bd3-c4 0.80/14 ]
2288

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
q +Pn l
p+ QP+P+
+p+L+ R
PPP+ + P
+K+ +R+
2289

2290

Kg7-g8 36.Rg3-g2 a4-a3 37.b2-b3

2291

33.Bd3-e2 [ 33.Qd4-c3 b3xc2+


34.Bd3xc2 Qa5-b6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 33.c2-c3 Diagram

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
q +Pn l
p+ QP+P+
+pPL+ R
PP + + P
+K+ +R+

2292

Bg5-h4 34.Rg3-h3 b3xa2+


35.Kb1xa2 Bh4-g5 36.Bd3-e2 Re8-b8
37.Rh3-g3 Qa5-d8 38.h2-h3 Qd8-c7
39.c3-c4 Rb8-b4 40.Rg3-a3 Kg8-g7
41.Ra3-f3 Kg7-g8 42.Rf3-c3 Kg8-h7
43.Ka2-a1 Qc7-b7 44.Rc3-a3 Kh7-g7
45.Ra3-a2 Qb7-c7 46.Qd4-f2 Ne5xc4
47.Qf2-d4+ Kg7-g8 48.Qd4-c3 Bg5-d2
49.Qc3-c2 Bd2-g5 50.Ra2xa4 1.01/13

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

610

] 33...b3xa2+ Diagram [ 33...b3xc2+


34.Kb1xc2 Re8-b8 35.Kc2-b1+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33...b3xc2+
34.Kb1xc2 Re8-b8 35.Kc2-b1 Rb8-b4
36.Qd4-c3 Qa5-b6 37.Kb1-a1 Rb4xe4
38.Qc3-c2 Re4-d4 39.Rf1-d1 Rd4-f4
40.h2-h3 Rf4-f2 41.Rd1-f1 Rf2-h2
42.Rg3-a3 Qb6-b7 43.Qc2-e4 Bg5-d8
44.Ra3xa4 Rh2xh3 0.46/13 ]

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
q +Pn l
p+ QP+P+
+ + + R
pPP+L+ P
+K+ +R+

2293

34.Kb1xa2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


34.Kb1-a1 Diagram
(Diagram 2294)
Re8-b8 35.h2-h3 Bg5-d2 36.c2-c3
Bd2-g5 37.Ka1xa2 Qa5-a8 38.c3-c4
Qa8-a6 39.Rg3-a3 Rb8-b4 40.Qd4-c3
Qa6-b7 41.Qc3-c2 Qb7-d7
42.Ka2-a1 1.00/13 ] 34...Re8-b8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34...Re8-b8
Diagram

+ +r+k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
q +Pn l
p+ QP+P+
+ + + R
pPP+L+ P
K + +R+

r + +k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
q +Pn l
p+ QP+P+
+ + + R
KPP+L+ P
+ + +R+

2294

2295

Bg5-d8 36.Rc3-a3 Rb8-b4 37.c2-c4


Bd8-g5 38.h2-h3 Kg8-g7 39.Qd4-f2
Rb4-b7 40.Qf2-e1 Qa5-c5 41.Qe1-c3
Rb7-b4 42.Ka2-a1 Bg5-d8 43.Be2-d3
Kg7-g8 Diagram
(Diagram 2296)

(Diagram 2295)
35.Rg3-c3 Bg5-d8 36.Rc3-a3 Rb8-b4
37.c2-c4 Bd8-g5 38.h2-h3 Kg8-g7
39.Qd4-f2 Rb4-b7 40.Be2-d1 Ne5xc4
41.Ra3xa4 Qa5-b5 42.b2-b4 Qb5-e8
43.h3-h4 0.94/16 ] 35.Rg3-a3 Diagram
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35.Rg3-c3

44.Qc3-c2 Ne5xd3 45.Qc2xd3


Rb4xc4 46.Ra3-c3 1.03/14 ]
35...Rb8-b4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35...Rb8-b4 36.c2-c4 Kg8-g7
37.Ra3-f3 Kg7-g8 38.Rf3-h3 Kg8-g7
39.Ka2-a1 Rb4-b3 40.Rh3-f3 Rb3xf3
41.Be2xf3 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ l +k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
+ qPn +
prP+P+P+
R QL+ +P
P + + +
K + +R+

r + +k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
q +Pn l
p+ QP+P+
R + + +
KPP+L+ P
+ + +R+

+ + + +
+ + +pk
+ p +pp
q +Pn l
p+PQP+P+
+ + +L+
P + + P
K + +R+

611
Ne5xc4 44.Bf3-e2 Bf6xc3+ 45.Ka1-a2
Nc4-d2 46.Rf1-f4 Bc3-e5 0.69/15 ]
36.Qd4-c3 [ 36.c2-c4!?+- Diagram
2296

+ + +k+
+ + +p+
+ p +pp
q +Pn l
prPQP+P+
R + + +
KP +L+ P
+ + +R+
2297

2299

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36.c2-c4


Kg8-g7 37.Ra3-f3 Kg7-g8 38.Rf3-c3
Qa5-c7 39.Rc3-a3 Kg8-g7 40.h2-h3
Qc7-a5 41.Qd4-f2 Rb4-b7 42.Qf2-e1
Qa5-c5 43.Qe1-c3 Rb7-b4 44.Ka2-a1
Bg5-d8 45.Be2-d3 Kg7-g8 46.Qc3-c2
Ne5xd3 47.Qc2xd3 Rb4xc4
48.Ra3-c3 1.04/14 ] 36...Qa5-b6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36...Qa5-b6
37.Be2-d3 Ne5xg4 38.h2-h3 Ng4-e5
39.Rf1-b1 Kg8-g7 40.b2-b3 a4xb3+
41.Ra3xb3 Rb4xb3 42.Qc3xb3
Diagram
(Diagram 2300)

2298

Bg5-f6 42.Qd4-c3 Qa5xc3 43.b2xc3

Qb6-f2 43.Qb3-a3 Bg5-f4 44.Rb1-b7


Qf2-g2 45.h3-h4 Qg2-h1 0.53/14 ]
37.Be2-d3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.h2-h3 Kg8-g7 38.Rf1-b1 Diagram
(Diagram 2301)
Rb4xe4 39.Be2-d3 Re4-d4 40.Rb1-f1
Ne5xd3 41.c2xd3 Bg5-f6 42.Rf1xf6
Kg7xf6 43.Ra3xa4 Kf6-e5 44.Qc3-e1+
Ke5xd5 45.Ra4-a5+ Kd5-c6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + +pk
q p +pp
+ +Pn l
+ +P+ +
+Q+L+ +P
K+P+ + +
+R+ + +

+ + + +
+ + +pk
q p +pp
+ +Pn l
pr +P+P+
R Q + +P
KPP+L+ +
+R+ + +

612

2300

2301

46.Qe1-e8+ Kc6-c7 47.Qe8xf7+


Kc7-c6 0.56/13 ] 37...Bg5-e3 Diagram
[ 37...Kg8-g7 38.b2-b3 a4xb3+
39.c2xb3$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...Ne5xg4 38.h2-h3 Ng4-e5
39.Rf1-b1 Diagram
(Diagram 2302)
Kg8-g7 40.b2-b3 a4xb3+ 41.Ra3xb3
Rb4xb3 42.Qc3xb3 Qb6-f2 43.Qb3-a3
Bg5-f4 44.Rb1-b7 Qf2-g2 45.h3-h4
Qg2-h1 0.53/13 ]
38.Rf1-b1 [ 38.Qc3-c8+ Diagram
Kg8-g7 39.Rf1-b1 Be3-c5+- ;

+ + +k+
+ + +p+
q p +pp
+ +Pn l
pr +P+ +
R QL+ +P
KPP+ + +
+R+ + +

+ + +k+
+ + +p+
q p +pp
+ +Pn +
pr +P+P+
R QLl +
KPP+ + P
+ + +R+

+Q+ +k+
+ + +p+
q p +pp
+ +Pn +
pr +P+P+
R +Ll +
KPP+ + P
+ + +R+
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.Qc3-c8+

2302

2303

2304

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

613

Kg8-g7 39.Rf1-b1 Be3-c5 40.h2-h3


Qb6-a7 41.Qc8-a6 Qa7xa6
42.Bd3xa6 Rb4xe4 43.Ra3-c3 Re4-d4
44.Ba6-b5 Rd4xd5 45.Bb5xa4 Rd5-d4
46.Ba4-b5 Rd4-d2 47.b2-b4 Bc5-d4
0.84/13 ] 38...Be3-c5 [ 38...Ne5-c4!
looks like a viable alternative
39.Qc3xc4 Rb4xc4 40.Bd3xc4
Qb6-b4 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...Ne5-c4 39.Bd3xc4 Be3-d4
40.Qc3xb4 Qb6xb4 41.Bc4-d3 Qb4-a5
42.Rb1-f1 Bd4-c5 43.Ra3-c3 Kg8-g7
44.Rc3-c4 Qa5-b5 45.e4-e5 d6xe5
46.Rc4-f4 Qb5-d7 47.Rf4xf7+
Diagram

+ + + +
+ +q+Rk
+ + +pp
+ lPp +
p+ + +P+
+ +L+ +
KPP+ + P
+ + +R+

2305

Qd7xf7 48.Rf1xf7+ Kg7xf7 49.b2-b3


a4xb3+ 50.Ka2xb3 0.44/15 ]
39.b2-b3+- [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39.Qc3-d2 Qb6-a7 40.Ka2-a1 Rb4-b8
41.Ra3-a2 Ne5xg4 42.c2-c3 Qa7-d7
43.Bd3-c2 Rb8-a8 44.Qd2-f4 Bc5-e3
45.Qf4-f3 Be3-b6 46.Qf3-d1 Ng4-e5
47.Ra2xa4 0.59/12 ] 39...a4xb3+
Diagram [ 39...Qb6-a7!? 40.b3xa4
Rb4xa4 41.Rb1-b8+ Qa7xb8
42.Ra3xa4 Ne5xg4+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 39...Qb6-a7 40.h2-h3 Kg8-g7
41.Qc3-d2 Ne5-f3 42.Qd2-e2 Nf3-d4
43.Qe2-d1 Qa7-d7 44.Qd1-d2 a4xb3+
45.c2xb3 Qd7-e8 46.Qd2-c3 Qe8-e5

47.Ra3-a4 Qe5-h2+ 48.Rb1-b2


Rb4xa4+ 49.b3xa4 Qh2xh3 50.a4-a5
Qh3xg4 51.e4-e5 0.53/13 ]

+ + +k+
+ + +p+
q p +pp
+ lPn +
r +P+P+
RpQL+ +
K+P+ + P
+R+ + +

2306

40.Rb1xb3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


40.Rb1xb3 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ + +p+
q p +pp
+ lPn +
r +P+P+
RRQL+ +
K+P+ + P
+ + + +

2307

Rb4xb3 41.Qc3xb3 Qb6xb3+


42.Ra3xb3 Ne5xg4 43.Bd3-e2 Ng4-f6
44.Be2-f3 g6-g5 45.Bf3-h1 g5-g4
46.c2-c3 Kg8-g7 47.Rb3-b2 Bc5-e3
48.Rb2-g2 h6-h5 49.Rg2-b2 Nf6-d7
50.Rb2-b7 Nd7-c5 1.49/17 ]
40...Kg8-g7 Diagram [ 40...Rb4xb3
41.Qc3xb3 ( 41.c2xb3 Bc5xa3
42.Ka2xa3 Qb6-f2 ; 41.Ra3xb3?!
Qb6-a7+ 42.Ka2-b1 Ne5xg4+- )

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

614

41...Qb6-d8 42.Ra3-a6+- ;Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 40...Rb4xb3 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ + +p+
q p +pp
+ lPn +
+ +P+P+
RrQL+ +
K+P+ + P
+ + + +

2308

41.Qc3xb3 Qb6-d8 42.Ra3-a6


Qd8-c8 43.h2-h3 Kg8-h7 44.Qb3-a4
Qc8-b7 45.Bd3-f1 Kh7-g7 46.Qa4-b3
Qb7-c7 47.Ka2-b2 Bc5-d4+ 48.c2-c3
Bd4-e3 49.Ra6-a8 1.53/15 ]

+ + + +
+ + +pk
q p +pp
+ lPn +
r +P+P+
RRQL+ +
K+P+ + P
+ + + +

2309

41.Rb3xb4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


41.Rb3xb4 Bc5xb4 42.Qc3-b2 Qb6-c5
43.Ra3-a8 Kg7-h7 44.h2-h4 Kh7-g7
45.g4-g5 h6-h5 46.Qb2-b1 Qc5-c3
47.Qb1-f1 Ne5-d7 48.Ra8-a6 Qc3-c8
49.Ka2-b1 Bb4-c5 Diagram
50.Bd3-b5 Nd7-e5 51.Qf1-f6+ Kg7-g8
52.Qf6-e7 Qc8-g4 53.Ra6-a8+

+q+ + +
+ +n+pk
R+ p +p+
+ lP+ Pp
+ +P+ P
+ +L+ +
+P+ + +
+K+ +Q+

2310

Kg8-h7 2.06/18 ] 41...Bc5xb4


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41...Bc5xb4
42.Qc3-b2 Qb6-c5 43.Ra3-a8 Kg7-h7
44.h2-h4 Kh7-g7 45.g4-g5 h6-h5
46.Qb2-b1 Qc5-c3 47.Qb1-f1 Ne5-d7
48.Ra8-a6 Qc3-c8 49.Ka2-b1 Bb4-c5
50.Bd3-b5 Nd7-e5 51.Qf1-f6+ Kg7-g8
52.Qf6-e7 Qc8-g4 53.Ra6-a8+
Kg8-h7 2.20/17 ] 42.Qc3-b2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42.Qc3-b2
Qb6-c5 43.Ra3-a8 g6-g5 44.h2-h3
Kg7-g6 45.Ra8-a6 Kg6-h7 46.Qb2-b3
Kh7-g6 47.Ra6-a4 Bb4-c3 48.Bd3-c4
Bc3-d4 49.c2-c3 Bd4-e3 50.Bc4-e2
Kg6-g7 51.Ra4-a8 Be3-f4 52.Qb3-b8
2.01/19 ] 42...Qb6-c5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 42...Qb6-c5 43.Ra3-a8 g6-g5
44.h2-h3 Kg7-g6 45.Ra8-a6 Kg6-h7
46.Qb2-b3 Kh7-g6 47.Ra6-a8 Bb4-c3
48.Ra8-g8+ Kg6-h7 49.Qb3-b8
Ne5xd3 50.c2xd3 Bc3-e5 2.07/17 ]
43.Ra3-a4 [ 43.Ra3-a8 makes it even
easier for White Kg7-h7+- ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 43.Ra3-a8 g6-g5
44.h2-h3 Kg7-g6 45.Bd3-f1 Kg6-g7
46.Qb2-b3 Kg7-h7 47.Bf1-e2 Qc5-f2
48.Qb3xb4 Qf2xe2 49.Qb4-a4 Kh7-g7
50.Ra8-a7 Qe2-f2 51.Ra7-c7 Qf2-f3
52.Qa4-a6 1.99/16 ] 43...Bb4-e1?
[ 43...Bb4-c3 44.Qb2-a3 Ne5xd3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


45.c2xd3 Qc5-f2+ 46.Ka2-b3 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43...Bb4-c3
44.Qb2-c1 Qc5-f2 45.Ka2-b3 Ne5xd3
46.c2xd3 Bc3-e5 47.Qc1-c2 Qf2-f3
48.Kb3-c4 Qf3xg4 49.d3-d4 Be5-f4
50.Ra4-a8 Qg4-h4 51.Ra8-a2 Qh4-g4
52.Qc2-c3 Bf4-g5 53.Qc3-b4 Qg4xe4
54.Qb4xd6 0.83/15 ] 44.h2-h3
[ 44.Qb2-b8 keeps an even firmer grip
Be1-a5 45.Qb8-b5 Ba5-b6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44.Qb2-b8
Be1-a5 45.Qb8-b5 Ba5-b6 46.Qb5xc5
Bb6xc5 47.h2-h3 Kg7-f6 48.Ra4-a8
Ne5-f3 49.Ka2-b3 Nf3-g5 50.h3-h4
Ng5-f3 51.h4-h5 Kf6-e5 52.c2-c3
2.63/14 ] 44...Be1-f2? [ 44...Be1-c3
45.Qb2-c1 Ne5xd3 46.c2xd3 Qc5-f2+
47.Ka2-b3 Bc3-e5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 44...Be1-c3 45.Qb2-a3 Ne5xd3
46.c2xd3 Qc5-f2+ 47.Ka2-b3 Bc3-e5
48.Kb3-c4 Qf2-f3 49.Ra4-a7 Qf3xh3
50.d3-d4 Qh3-f1+ 51.Qa3-d3 Qf1-c1+
52.Kc4-b5 Qc1-g1 53.Ra7-a4 Be5-f4
54.Qd3-e2 Qg1-b1+ 55.Ra4-b4
Qb1-a1 56.Qe2-f2 Bf4-g5 57.Qf2-f3
Qa1-a8 58.Qf3-e2 Qa8-b7+
59.Kb5-c4 Qb7-a6+ 60.Rb4-b5
Qa6-c8+ 61.Kc4-b3 0.81/14 ]
45.Ra4-a8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45.Qb2-b4 Qc5-c7 46.Ra4-a8 Bf2-b6
47.Qb4-b5 Kg7-f6 48.Qb5-a6 Qc7-c5
49.Ra8-b8 Ne5xd3 50.Qa6xd3 Kf6-g7
51.Ka2-b3 Qc5-g1 52.c2-c3 Bb6-c5
53.Rb8-b7 Qg1-c1 54.h3-h4 Qc1-a1
55.Kb3-c2 Qa1-a2+ 56.Kc2-c1
Qa2-a1+ 57.Rb7-b1 2.29/17 ]
45...Kg7-f6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45...Kg7-f6 46.Qb2-a3 Qc5-c7
47.Qa3-a5 Qc7xa5+ 48.Ra8xa5
Ne5-f3 49.Ra5-a8 Nf3-g5 50.Ra8-h8
Ng5xh3 51.Rh8xh6 Nh3-g5 52.Rh6-h8
Bf2-c5 53.Rh8-e8 Ng5-f3 54.Ka2-b3
Kf6-g5 55.Re8-e7 f7-f6 56.Re7-g7
Nf3-e5 2.36/16 ] 46.Qb2-a3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46.Qb2-a3

615
Qc5-c7 47.Qa3-a5 Qc7xa5+
48.Ra8xa5 Ne5-f3 49.Ra5-a8 Nf3-g5
50.Ra8-h8 Ng5xh3 51.Rh8xh6 Nh3-g5
52.Rh6-h8 Bf2-c5 53.Rh8-e8 Ng5-f3
54.Ka2-b3 Kf6-g5 55.Re8-e7 f7-f6
56.Re7-g7 Nf3-e5 2.17/15 ]
46...Qc5-c7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
46...Qc5-c7 47.Qa3-a5 Qc7xa5+
48.Ra8xa5 Ne5-f3 49.Ra5-a8 Nf3-g5
50.Ra8-h8 Ng5xh3 51.Rh8xh6 Nh3-g5
52.Rh6-h8 Bf2-c5 53.Rh8-e8 Ng5-f3
54.Ka2-b3 Kf6-g5 55.Re8-e7 f7-f6
56.Re7-g7 Nf3-e5 2.36/17 ] 47.Qa3-b4
[ 47.Qa3-a6 might be the shorter path
Kf6-g5 48.Qa6-c8 Qc7xc8 49.Ra8xc8
Kg5-h4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47.Qa3-a5 Qc7xa5+ 48.Ra8xa5
Ne5-f3 49.Bd3-f1 Kf6-e5 50.Ra5-a8
Ke5-f4 51.Ra8-h8 Bf2-e3 52.Rh8xh6
Kf4xe4 53.Rh6-h8 Ke4xd5 54.Bf1-g2
Kd5-e4 55.Rh8-f8 f7-f5 56.Bg2xf3+
Ke4xf3 57.g4xf5 g6xf5 58.Rf8xf5+
Kf3-e4 2.45/15 ] 47...Bf2-b6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 47...Bf2-a7
48.Ka2-b1 Kf6-g7 49.Qb4-b5 Kg7-f6
50.Bd3-e2 Kf6-g5 51.Qb5-b4 Ba7-c5
52.Qb4-b3 Bc5-d4 53.Ra8-a4 Bd4-c3
54.Ra4-a6 Kg5-h4 55.Be2-f1 2.29/15 ]
48.Ka2-b3 [ 48.Ra8-a6 makes it even
easier for White Bb6-c5 49.Qb4-a5
Qc7xa5+ 50.Ra6xa5 Kf6-g5+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 48.Ka2-b1
Kf6-g7 49.Qb4-b5 Kg7-f6 50.Bd3-e2
Bb6-c5 51.Ra8-g8 Kf6-g5 52.Rg8-g7
Kg5-h4 53.Rg7-h7 Bc5-e3 54.Qb5-b3
Qc7-c5 2.39/14 ] 48...Kf6-g5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 48...Kf6-g7
49.Bd3-e2 Bb6-d4 50.h3-h4 g6-g5
51.h4xg5 h6xg5 52.Ra8-e8 Bd4-b6
53.Kb3-b2 Bb6-a7 54.Qb4-d2 f7-f6
55.Kb2-c1 Ba7-c5 56.Qd2-c3 Qc7-a7
57.Re8-e6 Qa7-a2 1.83/15 ]
49.Qb4-d2+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
49.Qb4-d2+ Kg5-h4 50.Qd2xh6+
Kh4-g3 51.Ra8-a4 Bb6-c5 52.Qh6-c1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Qc7-b8+ 53.Kb3-a2 Qb8-e8
54.Ra4-a5 Kg3xh3 55.Qc1-f4 Ne5xd3
56.c2xd3 Bc5-b6 57.Ra5-a3 Bb6-c5
58.Qf4-f3+ Kh3-h4 59.Ra3-a6 Qe8-b5
60.Ra6-c6 2.26/14 ] 49...Kg5-h4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 49...Kg5-h4
50.Qd2xh6+ Kh4-g3 51.Ra8-a4
Qc7-c5 52.Qh6-d2 Qc5-g1 53.Bd3-e2
Kg3xh3 54.Kb3-a2 Bb6-c5 55.g4-g5
Kh3-g3 56.Ka2-b2 Bc5-e3
57.Ra4-a3 2.19/14 ] 50.Kb3-a2
[ 50.Ra8-h8 and White can already
relax Bb6-c5 51.Rh8xh6+ Kh4-g3
52.Qd2-e1+ Kg3-f3+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 50.Qd2xh6+ Kh4-g3
51.Ra8-a4 Qc7-c5 52.Qh6-d2 Qc5-g1
53.Bd3-e2 Kg3xh3 54.Kb3-a2 Bb6-c5
55.g4-g5 Qg1-f2 56.Ra4-a8 Bc5-e3
57.Ra8-h8+ Kh3-g3 2.48/12 ]
50...Bb6-c5 [ 50...Ne5xd3 51.Qd2xd3
Bb6-a7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
50...Ne5xd3 51.Qd2xd3 Bb6-c5
52.c2-c3 Qc7-b7 53.Ra8-f8 Qb7-a7+
54.Ka2-b1 Qa7-b6+ 55.Kb1-c2
Qb6-a7 56.Rf8-h8 Qa7-a2+ 57.Kc2-d1
Qa2-a1+ 58.Kd1-d2 Qa1-b2+
59.Qd3-c2 Bc5-e3+ 60.Kd2-d3
Qb2xc2+ 61.Kd3xc2 Kh4xh3
62.Kc2-d3 Be3-g5 2.36/12 ] 51.Qd2-a5
[ 51.Qd2xh6+ secures the point
Kh4-g3 52.Bd3-f1+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 51.Qd2xh6+ Kh4-g3 52.Bd3-e2
Qc7-b7 53.Ra8-a4 Qb7-c8 54.c2-c3
Qc8-b8 55.Ra4-a5 Kg3-f2 56.Qh6-d2
Kf2-g2 57.h3-h4 Kg2-g3 58.Qd2-e1+
Bc5-f2 2.90/12 ] 51...Qc7xa5+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 51...Qc7xa5+
52.Ra8xa5 Kh4xh3 53.Bd3-e2 Kh3-g3
54.Ka2-b3 Kg3-f2 55.Be2-d1 Kf2-e3
56.c2-c4 Ke3xe4 57.Ra5-a2 Bc5-b6
58.Ra2-h2 Bb6-e3 59.Kb3-c3
Be3-d4+ 60.Kc3-b4 Bd4-e3 61.Kb4-b3
Ke4-d4 62.Bd1-e2 Be3-f4 63.Rh2-f2
Bf4-g5 64.Be2-f1 0.43/17 ] 52.Ra8xa5
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 52.Ra8xa5

616
Kh4xh3 53.Bd3-e2 Kh3-g3 54.Ka2-b3
Kg3-f2 55.Be2-d1 Kf2-e3 56.c2-c4
Ke3xe4 57.Ra5-a2 Bc5-e3 58.Ra2-a8
Be3-d4 59.Ra8-c8 Bd4-c5 60.Kb3-c3
Bc5-d4+ 61.Kc3-b4 Bd4-c5+
62.Kb4-b5 Ke4-d4 0.34/17 ]
52...Kh4xh3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
52...Kh4xh3 53.Bd3-e2 Kh3-g3
54.Ka2-b3 Kg3-f2 55.Be2-d1 Kf2-e3
56.c2-c4 Ke3xe4 57.Ra5-a2 Bc5-e3
58.Ra2-a8 Be3-d4 59.Kb3-b4 Ke4-d3
60.Ra8-a2 Bd4-c3+ 61.Kb4-b3
Kd3-d4 62.Ra2-a4 Bc3-d2 0.35/18 ]
53.Bd3-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
53.Bd3-e2 Kh3-g3 54.Ka2-b3 Kg3-f2
55.Be2-d1 Kf2-e3 56.c2-c4 Ke3xe4
57.Ra5-a2 Bc5-e3 58.Ra2-a8 Be3-d4
59.Ra8-c8 Bd4-c5 60.Kb3-c3 Bc5-d4+
61.Kc3-b4 Bd4-c5+ 62.Kb4-b5
Ke4-d4 0.32/17 ] 53...Kh3-g3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 53...Kh3-g3
54.Ka2-b3 Kg3-f2 55.Be2-d1 Kf2-e3
56.c2-c4 Ke3xe4 57.Ra5-a2 Ke4-f4
58.Ra2-h2 Kf4-g5 59.Kb3-c3 Bc5-e3
60.Rh2-a2 Ne5xg4 61.Bd1xg4
Kg5xg4 0.35/17 ] 54.Ra5-a8
[ 54.Ka2-b3 Kg3-f4$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 54.Ka2-b3 Kg3-f2 55.Be2-d1
Kf2-e3 56.c2-c4 Ke3xe4 57.Ra5-a2
Bc5-e3 58.Ra2-a8 Be3-d4 59.Ra8-c8
Bd4-c5 60.Kb3-c3 f7-f6 61.Rc8-h8
Bc5-d4+ 62.Kc3-b4 Bd4-c5+
63.Kb4-b5 0.33/15 ] 54...Kg3-f4=
Black threatens to win material: Kf4xe4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 54...Kg3-f2
55.Be2-b5 Ne5xg4 56.Bb5-e8 Ng4-e5
57.Be8xf7 h6-h5 58.Ra8-h8 Ne5xf7
59.Rh8-f8 Kf2-e3 60.Rf8xf7 Ke3xe4
61.Rf7-h7 Ke4xd5 62.Ka2-b3 Bc5-e3
63.Rh7-e7 Be3-f4 64.Re7-h7 Kd5-d4
65.Kb3-b4 d6-d5 -0.12/15 ] 55.Ra8-h8
White threatens to win material:
Rh8xh6 [ 55.Ka2-b3 Kf4xe4 56.c2-c4
f7-f5 57.g4xf5 Ke4xf5= ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 55.Ka2-b3 Kf4xe4 56.Ra8-h8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Ke4xd5 57.Rh8xh6 Kd5-e4 58.g4-g5
Ke4-f4 59.Kb3-b2 Kf4xg5 0.13/14 ]
55...Kf4xe4 [ 55...Kf4-e3 56.Be2-b5! ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 55...Kf4-e3
56.Be2-f1 Ne5xg4 57.Rh8-h7 f7-f6
58.Bf1-d3 h6-h5 59.Ka2-b3 Ng4-e5
60.Rh7-h6 Bc5-d4 61.Kb3-b4 Ke3-f4
62.Kb4-b3 Kf4-e3 63.Kb3-b4 -0.11/15 ]
56.Rh8xh6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
56.Rh8xh6 Ke4xd5 57.Ka2-b2 Kd5-e4
58.Rh6-h1 f7-f5 59.g4xf5 g6xf5
60.Kb2-c1 f5-f4 61.Kc1-d2 Bc5-f2
62.Be2-f1 f4-f3 63.Rh1-h8 Bf2-g3
64.Rh8-h3 Bg3-f2 65.Rh3-h2 Bf2-e3+
66.Kd2-e1 Be3-b6 67.Bf1-a6 Ne5-g4
68.Ba6-d3+ Ke4-f4 69.Rh2-h8 0.11/15
] 56...Ke4xd5 Black has a new
backward pawn: d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 56...Ke4xd5 57.Ka2-b2 Kd5-e4
58.Rh6-h1 f7-f5 59.g4xf5 g6xf5
60.Kb2-c1 f5-f4 61.Kc1-d2 Bc5-f2
62.Rh1-b1 f4-f3 63.Rb1-b4+ Bf2-d4
64.Be2-f1 d6-d5 65.c2-c3 Ne5-c4+
66.Bf1xc4 Bd4-e3+ 67.Kd2-e1 d5xc4
68.Rb4xc4+ Ke4-d3 69.Rc4-c6
Be3-d2+ 70.Ke1-f2 Bd2xc3 0.15/15 ]
57.Ka2-b3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
57.Ka2-b2 Kd5-e4 58.Rh6-h1 f7-f5
59.g4xf5 g6xf5 60.Kb2-c1 f5-f4
61.Kc1-d2 Bc5-f2 62.Be2-f1 f4-f3
63.Rh1-h8 Bf2-g3 64.Rh8-h3 Bg3-f2
65.Kd2-d1 Bf2-c5 66.Rh3-h4+
Ke4-e3 0.15/14 ] 57...Kd5-e4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 57...Kd5-e4
58.Kb3-c3 Ke4-f4 59.Rh6-h7 f7-f6
60.Rh7-e7 g6-g5 61.Re7-e6 f6-f5
62.g4xf5 Kf4xf5 63.Re6-e8 g5-g4
64.Be2-f1 Kf5-f4 65.Kc3-d2 d6-d5
66.Kd2-e2 Ne5-f3 67.Re8-d8 Nf3-d4+
68.Ke2-d3 Nd4-c6 69.Rd8-c8 0.14/17 ]
58.Rh6-h7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
58.Rh6-h4 Ke4-f4 59.Be2-d1 g6-g5
60.Rh4-h7 f7-f6 61.Rh7-h6 Ne5xg4
62.Bd1xg4 Kf4xg4 63.Rh6xf6 Kg4-g3
64.Kb3-c4 g5-g4 65.Kc4-d5 Kg3-g2

617
66.Kd5-e4 g4-g3 67.c2-c3 Kg2-h2
68.Rf6-h6+ Kh2-g2 69.Ke4-d5 Kg2-f3
70.Rh6-f6+ Kf3-g4 0.11/15 ]
58...Ke4-f4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
58...f7-f5 59.g4xf5 g6xf5 60.Rh7-h3
f5-f4 61.Be2-d3+ Ne5xd3 62.c2xd3+
Ke4-f5 63.Kb3-c4 Bc5-e3 64.Kc4-d5
Kf5-g4 65.Rh3-h7 f4-f3 66.Rh7-g7+
Be3-g5 67.Rg7-f7 Bg5-f4 68.Rf7-g7+
Bf4-g5 69.Rg7-f7 0.02/15 ] 59.Kb3-c3
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 59.Rh7-g7
g6-g5 60.Rg7-h7 f7-f6 61.Rh7-h6
f6-f5 62.g4xf5 Kf4xf5 63.c2-c3 g5-g4
64.Be2-f1 g4-g3 65.Bf1-g2 Ne5-f7
66.Rh6-h4 Kf5-g5 67.Rh4-h1 Nf7-e5
68.Kb3-c2 0.18/14 ] 59...d6-d5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 59...f7-f6
60.Rh7-e7 g6-g5 61.Re7-e6 f6-f5
62.g4xf5 Kf4xf5 63.Re6-e8 g5-g4
64.Be2-f1 Kf5-f4 65.Kc3-d2 d6-d5
66.Kd2-e2 Ne5-f3 67.Re8-d8 Nf3-d4+
68.Ke2-d3 Nd4-c6 69.Rd8-c8 0.14/16 ]
60.Rh7-h8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
60.Kc3-b3 g6-g5 61.Kb3-a4 f7-f6
62.Rh7-h6 Ne5xg4 63.Be2xg4 Kf4xg4
64.Rh6xf6 Bc5-d4 65.Rf6-f7 Kg4-g3
66.Ka4-b5 Bd4-c3 67.Kb5-c6 d5-d4
68.Kc6-d5 g5-g4 69.Kd5-e4 0.23/15 ]
60...Kf4-e3 Black threatens to win
material: Ke3xe2 [ 60...Ne5xg4
61.Be2xg4 Kf4xg4$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 60...Ne5xg4 61.Be2xg4 Kf4xg4
62.Rh8-d8 g6-g5 63.Rd8xd5 Bc5-e3
64.Kc3-d3 Kg4-f4 65.Kd3-e2 f7-f5
66.Rd5-b5 Be3-g1 67.Rb5-b4+ Kf4-e5
68.Ke2-f3 Bg1-c5 69.Rb4-b5 g5-g4+
70.Kf3-g3 0.10/15 ] 61.Rh8-e8??
not a good decision, because now the
opponent is right back in the game
[ 61.Be2-d1$ would be a reprieve ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 61.Be2-d1 f7-f5
62.g4xf5 g6xf5 63.Rh8-h3+ Ke3-e4
64.Bd1-e2 f5-f4 65.Be2-d3+ Ne5xd3
66.c2xd3+ Ke4-f5 67.d3-d4 Bc5-d6
68.Kc3-d3 Kf5-g4 69.Rh3-h6 Bd6-f8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


70.Rh6-f6 Bf8-e7 0.24/14 ]
61...Bc5-d4+-+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
61...Bc5-d4+ 62.Kc3-b4 Ke3xe2
63.c2-c3 Ke2-d3 64.c3xd4 Kd3xd4
65.g4-g5 Ne5-f3 66.Kb4-b5 Nf3xg5
67.Kb5-c6 Ng5-f3 68.Re8-a8 g6-g5
69.Kc6-d6 Nf3-d2 70.Ra8-f8 Nd2-e4+
71.Kd6-c6 f7-f6 72.Rf8-d8 g5-g4
73.Rd8xd5+ Kd4-e3 74.Rd5-d1 g4-g3
75.Rd1-e1+ Ke3-f3 76.Re1-f1+
Kf3-g2 -0.87/15 ] 62.Kc3-b4
[ 62.Kc3-b3 Ke3xe2 63.c2-c3 Ke2-d3
64.c3xd4 Ne5xg4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 62.Kc3-b4 Ke3xe2 63.c2-c3
Ke2-d3 64.c3xd4 Kd3xd4 65.g4-g5
Ne5-f3 66.Kb4-b5 Nf3xg5 67.Kb5-c6
Ng5-f3 68.Re8-a8 g6-g5 69.Kc6-d6
Nf3-d2 70.Ra8-f8 Nd2-e4+ 71.Kd6-c6
f7-f6 72.Rf8-d8 g5-g4 73.Rd8xd5+
Kd4-e3 74.Rd5-d1 g4-g3 75.Rd1-e1+
Ke3-f3 76.Re1-f1+ Kf3-g2 -0.94/16 ]
62...Ke3xe2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
62...Ke3xe2 63.c2-c3 Ke2-d3
64.c3xd4 Kd3xd4 65.g4-g5 Ne5-f3
66.Kb4-b5 Nf3xg5 67.Kb5-c6 Ng5-f3
68.Re8-a8 g6-g5 69.Kc6-d6 Nf3-d2
70.Ra8-f8 Nd2-e4+ 71.Kd6-c6 f7-f6
72.Rf8-d8 g5-g4 73.Rd8xd5+ Kd4-e3
74.Rd5-b5 g4-g3 75.Rb5-b2 f6-f5
76.Kc6-d5 Ke3-f4 77.Kd5-d4 Kf4-f3
78.Rb2-b3+ Kf3-g4 -0.93/17 ] 63.c2-c3
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 63.c2-c3
Ke2-d3 64.c3xd4 Kd3xd4 65.g4-g5
Ne5-f3 66.Kb4-b5 Nf3xg5 67.Kb5-c6
Ng5-f3 68.Re8-a8 g6-g5 69.Kc6-d6
Nf3-d2 70.Ra8-f8 Nd2-e4+ 71.Kd6-c6
f7-f6 72.Rf8-d8 g5-g4 73.Rd8xd5+
Kd4-e3 74.Rd5-d1 g4-g3 75.Rd1-e1+
Ke3-f3 76.Re1-f1+ Kf3-g2 -0.85/18 ]
63...Ke2-d3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
63...Ke2-d3 64.c3xd4 Kd3xd4
65.g4-g5 Ne5-f3 66.Kb4-b5 Nf3xg5
67.Kb5-c6 Ng5-f3 68.Kc6-d6 g6-g5
69.Re8-a8 Nf3-d2 70.Ra8-f8 Nd2-e4+
71.Kd6-c6 f7-f6 72.Rf8-d8 g5-g4

618
73.Rd8xd5+ Kd4-e3 74.Rd5-d1 g4-g3
75.Rd1-e1+ Ke3-f3 76.Re1-f1+
Kf3-g2 -0.86/17 ] 64.c3xd4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 64.c3xd4
Kd3xd4 65.Re8-h8 Ne5xg4 66.Rh8-h1
Ng4-e3 67.Rh1-g1 Kd4-e4 68.Kb4-c3
d5-d4+ 69.Kc3-d2 Ne3-c4+ 70.Kd2-c2
f7-f5 71.Rg1xg6 f5-f4 72.Rg6-g8 f4-f3
73.Rg8-e8+ Nc4-e5 74.Re8-f8 d4-d3+
75.Kc2-c3 Ke4-e3 76.Rf8-e8 Ke3-f4
77.Kc3-d2 f3-f2 78.Re8-f8+ Kf4-g3
-0.87/15 ] 64...Kd3xd4 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 64...Kd3xd4 65.g4-g5 Ne5-f3
66.Kb4-b5 Nf3xg5 67.Kb5-c6 Ng5-f3
68.Kc6-d6 g6-g5 69.Re8-b8 Nf3-d2
70.Rb8-b5 Nd2-e4+ 71.Kd6-c6 g5-g4
72.Rb5xd5+ Kd4-e3 73.Rd5-d1 g4-g3
74.Rd1-e1+ Ke3-f3 75.Re1-f1+
Ne4-f2 -0.74/14 ] 65.g4-g5 [ 65.Re8-f8
g6-g5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
65.Re8-a8 Ne5xg4 66.Ra8-a1 Ng4-e3
67.Ra1-g1 Kd4-e4 68.Kb4-c3 d5-d4+
69.Kc3-d2 Ne3-c4+ 70.Kd2-d1 d4-d3
71.Rg1-g4+ Ke4-d5 72.Rg4-f4 f7-f5
73.Rf4-h4 g6-g5 74.Rh4-h5 g5-g4
75.Rh5xf5+ Kd5-e4 -0.66/13 ]
65...Ne5-f3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
65...Ne5-f3 66.Kb4-b5 Nf3xg5
67.Kb5-c6 Ng5-f3 68.Kc6-d6 g6-g5
69.Re8-a8 Nf3-d2 70.Ra8-f8 Nd2-e4+
71.Kd6-c6 f7-f6 72.Rf8-d8 g5-g4
73.Rd8xd5+ Kd4-e3 74.Rd5-d1 g4-g3
75.Rd1-e1+ Ke3-f3 76.Re1-f1+
Ne4-f2 -0.80/15 ] 66.Re8-e7
[ 66.Kb4-b5 Nf3xg5 67.Kb5-c6-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 66.Kb4-b5
Nf3xg5 67.Kb5-c6 Ng5-f3 68.Kc6-d6
g6-g5 69.Re8-b8 Nf3-d2 70.Rb8-b5
Nd2-e4+ 71.Kd6-c6 g5-g4
72.Rb5xd5+ Kd4-e3 73.Rd5-f5 f7-f6
74.Rf5-f1 g4-g3 75.Rf1-e1+ Ke3-f3
76.Re1-f1+ Kf3-g2 77.Rf1-f4 -0.83/13 ]
66...Nf3xg5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
66...Nf3xg5 67.Re7-a7 f7-f5
68.Ra7-g7 f5-f4 69.Rg7xg6 Ng5-e4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

619

70.Rg6-a6 f4-f3 71.Ra6-a3 f3-f2


] 69.Re7-d7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
72.Ra3-f3 Ne4-c5 73.Rf3-f7 Nc5-d3+
69.Re7-d7 Ne4-c3 70.Rd7-g7 f5-f4
74.Kb4-b3 Kd4-e3 75.Kb3-c2 Nd3-e5
71.Rg7xg6 f4-f3 72.Rg6-f6 Kd4-e4
76.Rf7-f5 -1.79/13 ] 67.Kb4-b5
73.Rf6-e6+ Ke4-f4 74.Re6-f6+ Kf4-g4
[ 67.Re7-d7 cannot change destiny
75.Rf6-g6+ Kg4-f5 76.Rg6-g8 d5-d4
f7-f5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
77.Rg8-f8+ Kf5-g4 78.Rf8-g8+ Kg4-f4
67.Kb4-b3 f7-f5 68.Re7-a7 f5-f4
79.Rg8-f8+ Kf4-e3 80.Rf8-e8+ Ke3-d3
81.Re8-f8 Kd3-e2 82.Rf8-e8+ Ke2-d2
69.Kb3-c2 f4-f3 70.Kc2-d1 Ng5-e4
71.Ra7-a3 f3-f2 72.Kd1-e2 g6-g5
83.Re8-f8 -1.44/16 ] 69...Ne4-f6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 69...Ne4-c3
73.Ra3-a4+ Kd4-e5 74.Ke2-f1 g5-g4
75.Ra4-a1 g4-g3 76.Ra1-d1 d5-d4
70.Rd7-g7 f5-f4 71.Rg7xg6 f4-f3
72.Rg6-f6 Kd4-e4 73.Rf6-e6+ Ke4-f4
77.Rd1-d3 Ke5-d5 78.Rd3-d1
Kd5-c4 -2.12/14 ] 67...Ng5-e4
74.Re6-f6+ Kf4-g4 75.Rf6-g6+ Kg4-f5
76.Rg6-g8 d5-d4 77.Rg8-f8+ Kf5-g4
[ 67...f7-f5!? seems even better
68.Re7-e1 f5-f4 69.Re1-d1+ Kd4-e5
78.Rf8-g8+ Kg4-f4 79.Rg8-f8+ Kf4-e3
70.Kb5-b4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
80.Rf8-e8+ Ke3-d3 81.Re8-f8 Kd3-e2
67...f7-f5 68.Kb5-c6 f5-f4 69.Re7-g7
82.Rf8-e8+ Ke2-d2 83.Re8-f8
f4-f3 70.Rg7xg6 f3-f2 71.Rg6-f6
-1.48/15 ] 70.Rd7-g7 [ 70.Rd7-f7
Ng5-e4 72.Rf6-f5 Kd4-c4 73.Rf5-f7
desperation Nf6-g4 71.Kc6-d6-+ ;
d5-d4 74.Rf7-f4 d4-d3 75.Rf4xe4+
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 70.Rd7-f7
Kc4-c3 76.Re4-f4 d3-d2 77.Rf4-f3+
Nf6-g4 71.Kc6-d6 Ng4-e3 72.Rf7-g7
Kc3-d4 78.Rf3-f7 Kd4-e3 79.Rf7-e7+
f5-f4 73.Rg7xg6 f4-f3 74.Rg6-f6
Ke3-d3 80.Re7-d7+ Kd3-c3 81.Rd7-f7 Ne3-c4+ 75.Kd6-e6 Nc4-d2 76.Rf6-f5
d2-d1Q 82.Rf7xf2 Qd1-d4 -2.48/14 ]
Nd2-e4 77.Rf5xd5+ Kd4-e3 78.Rd5-f5
f3-f2 79.Ke6-e5 Ne4-c3 80.Rf5-f6
68.Kb5-c6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
68.Re7-d7 f7-f5 69.Kb5-c6 Ne4-c3
Ke3-e2 81.Rf6xf2+ -0.64/14 ]
70.Rd7-g7 f5-f4 71.Rg7xg6 f4-f3
70...Nf6-g4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
72.Rg6-f6 Kd4-e4 73.Rf6-e6+ Ke4-f4
70...Nf6-g4 71.Kc6-d6 Ng4-e5
74.Re6-f6+ Kf4-g4 75.Rf6-g6+ Kg4-f5
72.Rg7-e7 Ne5-c4+ 73.Kd6-e6 f5-f4
76.Rg6-g8 d5-d4 77.Rg8-f8+ Kf5-g4
74.Re7-d7 Nc4-e3 75.Rd7-f7 g6-g5
78.Rf8-g8+ Kg4-f4 79.Rg8-f8+ Kf4-e3
76.Ke6-f6 g5-g4 77.Kf6-g5 f4-f3
80.Rf8-e8+ Ke3-d3 81.Re8-f8 Kd3-e2
78.Kg5-h4 Kd4-e4 79.Rf7-f8 d5-d4
82.Rf8-e8+ Ke2-f2 83.Re8-d8 Kf2-e3
80.Kh4-g3 d4-d3 81.Rf8-e8+ Ke4-d4
84.Rd8-e8+ Ke3-d3 -1.54/17 ]
82.Re8-d8+ Kd4-c3 83.Kg3-f2
Ne3-d1+ 84.Kf2-g3 f3-f2 -2.07/16 ]
68...f7-f5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
71.Kc6-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
68...f7-f5 69.Re7-d7 Ne4-c3
70.Rd7-g7 f5-f4 71.Rg7xg6 f4-f3
71.Kc6-d6 Ng4-e5 72.Rg7-e7
72.Rg6-f6 Kd4-e4 73.Rf6-e6+ Ke4-f4
Ne5-c4+ 73.Kd6-e6 f5-f4 74.Re7-d7
74.Re6-f6+ Kf4-g4 75.Rf6-g6+ Kg4-f5
Nc4-e3 75.Rd7-f7 g6-g5 76.Ke6-f6
76.Rg6-g8 d5-d4 77.Rg8-f8+ Kf5-g4
g5-g4 77.Kf6-g5 f4-f3 78.Kg5-h4
78.Rf8-g8+ Kg4-f4 79.Rg8-f8+ Kf4-e3
Kd4-e4 79.Rf7-f8 d5-d4 80.Kh4-g3
80.Rf8-e8+ Ke3-d3 81.Re8-f8 Kd3-e2
d4-d3 81.Rf8-e8+ Ke4-d4 82.Re8-d8+
82.Rf8-e8+ Ke2-f2 83.Re8-d8 Kf2-e1
Kd4-c3 83.Kg3-f2 Ne3-d1+ 84.Kf2-g3
84.Rd8xd4 f3-f2 85.Rd4-f4 Nc3-e2
f3-f2 -2.22/17 ] 71...Ng4-e5
86.Rf4-f8 Ne2-d4+ 87.Kc6-d5 -1.49/18 [ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 71...Ng4-e5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

620

74.Rg8-d8 [ 74.Ke6-d6 doesn't get the


72.Rg7-e7 Ne5-c4+ 73.Kd6-e6 f5-f4
74.Re7-d7 Kd4-e4 75.Rd7xd5 f4-f3
bull off the ice f4-f3 75.Rg8-e8 f3-f2
76.Rd5-c5 Nc4-e3 77.Ke6-f6 Ke4-d4
76.Re8xe5+ Ke4-f3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c
78.Rc5-c6 f3-f2 79.Rc6-c1 Kd4-e4
Pro x64: 74.Rg8-e8 Ne5-d3
80.Rc1-a1 Ke4-d3 81.Kf6-g5 Kd3-d2
75.Ke6-f6+ Ke4-d4 76.Kf6xg6 f4-f3
82.Ra1-h1 Kd2-e2 83.Kg5xg6 Ke2-d3 77.Kg6-g5 f3-f2 78.Re8-f8 Kd4-e3
84.Kg6-g5 Kd3-e4 85.Rh1-c1 Ke4-f3
79.Kg5-g4 Ke3-e2 80.Rf8-e8+ Ke2-f1
86.Kg5-h5 Kf3-g3 87.Kh5-g5 Kg3-g2
81.Re8-e3 Nd3-c5 82.Kg4-f4 d5-d4
88.Kg5-f4 Ne3-d5+ 89.Kf4-e4 -1.78/15 83.Re3-e8 Nc5-b3 84.Kf4-e4 Kf1-e2
] 72.Kd6-e6 [ 72.Rg7-b7
85.Ke4-d5+ Ke2-d3 86.Re8-f8 Kd3-e3
doesn't improve anything Ne5-c4+
87.Rf8-e8+ Ke3-f3 88.Re8-f8+ Kf3-e3
89.Rf8-e8+ -1.90/14 ] 74...f4-f3
73.Kd6-e6 Kd4-e4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 72.Rg7-b7 f5-f4 73.Rb7-b5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 74...f4-f3
Ne5-c4+ 74.Kd6-c6 f4-f3 75.Rb5xd5+
75.Rd8-f8 d5-d4 76.Rf8-h8 f3-f2
Kd4-e4 76.Rd5-c5 Nc4-e3 -1.98/16 ]
77.Rh8-h4+ Ne5-g4 78.Rh4xg4+
72...f5-f4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
Ke4-f3 79.Rg4xd4 f2-f1Q 80.Ke6-e7
72...f5-f4 73.Rg7-h7 g6-g5 74.Rh7-h1
g6-g5 81.Rd4-a4 Qf1-b5 82.Ra4-a3+
f4-f3 75.Rh1-f1 g5-g4 76.Ke6-f5
Kf3-f4 83.Ra3-a2 Qb5-e5+ 84.Ke7-f8
Ne5-c4 77.Kf5-f4 Nc4-e3 78.Rf1-f2
g5-g4 85.Ra2-a4+ Qe5-e4 -6.12/13 ]
Kd4-d3 79.Rf2-a2 d5-d4 80.Kf4-g3
75.Rd8xd5 [ 75.Rd8-f8 cannot change
Kd3-e4 81.Ra2-b2 d4-d3 82.Rb2-b4+
what is in store for White d5-d4
Ke4-e5 83.Rb4-b3 Ke5-d4
76.Rf8-h8 f3-f2 77.Rh8-h4+ Ne5-g4
84.Rb3-b4+ Kd4-c3 85.Rb4-e4
78.Rh4xg4+ Ke4-f3 79.Rg4xd4
Ne3-c4 86.Re4xg4 d3-d2 -2.45/14 ]
f2-f1Q-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
73.Rg7-g8 [ 73.Rg7-h7 is no salvation
75.Rd8-f8 d5-d4 76.Rf8-h8 f3-f2
Ne5-d3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
77.Rh8-h4+ Ne5-g4 78.Rh4xg4+
73.Rg7-h7 g6-g5 74.Rh7-g7 f4-f3
Ke4-f3 79.Rg4xd4 f2-f1Q 80.Ke6-e7
75.Rg7xg5 f3-f2 76.Rg5xe5 f2-f1Q
g6-g5 81.Rd4-d5 g5-g4 82.Rd5-f5+
77.Re5xd5+ Kd4-c4 78.Rd5-f5 Qf1-h3 Kf3-g2 83.Ke7-e6 Qf1xf5+ 84.Ke6xf5
79.Ke6-e5 Qh3-e3+ 80.Ke5-f6 Kc4-d4 g4-g3 85.Kf5-e5 Kg2-f3 86.Ke5-d5
81.Rf5-g5 Qe3-e4 82.Rg5-f5 Qe4-c6+ g3-g2 -6.36/14 ] 75...f3-f2
83.Kf6-g5 Qc6-g2+ 84.Kg5-f6 Qg2-g3 [ 75...Ne5-d3 keeps an even firmer grip
85.Rf5-a5 Qg3-f4+ 86.Kf6-g6 Qf4-g4+ 76.Rd5-a5 f3-f2 77.Ra5-a4+ Ke4-e3
87.Kg6-f6 Qg4-f3+ 88.Kf6-g5 Qf3-g2+ 78.Ra4-a1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
89.Kg5-f5 Qg2-c2+ 90.Kf5-f6 Kd4-e4
75...f3-f2 76.Rd5xe5+ Ke4-f4
91.Ra5-f5 Qc2-c7 92.Rf5-f1 Qc7-d6+
77.Re5-a5 f2-f1Q 78.Ra5-a4+ Kf4-g5
93.Kf6-g5 Qd6-d5+ 94.Kg5-g6
79.Ra4-a5+ Qf1-f5+ 80.Ra5xf5+ g6xf5
-2.68/15 ] 73...Kd4-e4 [Houdini 2.0c
81.Ke6-d5 Kg5-g4 82.Kd5-d4 f5-f4
Pro x64: 73...f4-f3 74.Rg8-h8 f3-f2
83.Kd4-d3 f4-f3 84.Kd3-d2 Kg4-g3
75.Rh8-h4+ Kd4-d3 76.Rh4-h1
85.Kd2-e1 Kg3-g2 86.Ke1-d2 -6.17/12
Ne5-c4 77.Ke6xd5 g6-g5 78.Kd5-e6
] 76.Rd5-d1 [ 76.Rd5xe5+ otherwise it's
curtains at once Ke4-f4 77.Re5-a5-+ ;
Nc4-e3 79.Ke6-e5 g5-g4 80.Ke5-f4
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 76.Rd5xe5+
Kd3-e2 81.Rh1-a1 f2-f1Q+ 82.Ra1xf1
Ke4-f4 77.Re5-a5 f2-f1Q 78.Ra5-a4+
Ke2xf1 83.Kf4-g3 Kf1-e2 84.Kg3-f4
Kf4-g5 79.Ra4-a5+ Qf1-f5+
Ke2-f2 85.Kf4-e4 g4-g3 -5.01/13 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


80.Ra5xf5+ g6xf5 81.Ke6-d5 Kg5-g4
82.Kd5-d4 f5-f4 83.Kd4-d3 f4-f3
84.Kd3-d2 Kg4-g3 85.Kd2-e1 Kg3-g2
86.Ke1-d2 -6.20/13 ] 76...g6-g5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 76...g6-g5
77.Rd1-a1 Ne5-d3 78.Ra1-a4+
Ke4-e3 79.Ra4-a7 f2-f1Q 80.Ra7-e7
Qf1-h3+ 81.Ke6-d5+ Ke3-f3
82.Kd5-d4 Qh3-h8+ 83.Kd4-c4 g5-g4
84.Re7-a7 Qh8-e5 85.Ra7-d7
-9.15/12 ] 77.Rd1-f1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 77.Rd1-a1 Ne5-d3 78.Ke6-f6
g5-g4 79.Kf6-g5 g4-g3 80.Ra1-a4+
Ke4-e3 81.Ra4-g4 f2-f1Q 82.Rg4xg3+
Ke3-e4 83.Rg3-g4+ Nd3-f4 84.Rg4-h4
Qf1-g1+ 85.Kg5-f6 Qg1-d4+ 86.Kf6-f7
Qd4-c4+ 87.Kf7-f8 Qc4-c5+ 88.Kf8-e8
Qc5-e5+ 89.Ke8-f7 Qe5-f5+ -8.56/13 ]
0-1

621

rnlqkl r
+ +ppppp
p+ + n +
+PpP+ +
+ + + +
+ + + +
PP +PPPP
RNLQKLNR

2311

9...Bf8-g7 10.Bf1-e2 [RR 10.Nf3-d2 ]


10...0-0 11.0-0 Qd8xb6N [RR
11...Nd7xb6 12.Nf3-d2 (RR 12.Bc1-g5
h7-h6 13.Bg5-f4 Bc8-a6 14.Be2xa6
Ra8xa6 15.Qd1-e2 Ra6-a8 16.Rf1-d1
Qd8-c7 17.h2-h3 Qc7-b7 18.Nf3-d2
44
A57 Nf6-d7 19.Bf4-g3 Rf8-e8 20.Nd2-b1
c5-c4 21.Nb1-a3 Nd7-c5 22.e4-e5
Ivan Cheparinov
Vassily Ivanchuk
Nc5-d3 23.e5-e6 f7-f5 24.Na3-b5
FIDE World Cup (21)
30.11.2005 f5-f4 25.Bg3-h2 Re8-f8 26.b2-b3
Nd3-e5 Chiburdanidze,M (2513)A57: Benko/Volga Gambit
Sedina,E (2380)/Moscow 2001/CBM
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 c7-c5
085 ext/- (47) ) 12...Bc8-a6
3.d4-d5 b7-b5 4.c4xb5 a7-a6
13.Be2xa6 Ra8xa6 14.Qd1-e2 Ra6-a8
15.f2-f4 Qd8-d7 16.Nd2-c4 Rf8-b8
Diagram
17.Nc4-e3 Nf6-e8 18.Qe2-c2 Ne8-c7
(Diagram 2311)
19.b2-b3 e7-e6 20.d5xe6 Nc7xe6
21.Bc1-b2 Ne6-d4 22.Qc2-d1 Qd7-e6
5.b5-b6 d7-d6 6.Nb1-c3 Nb8-d7
23.Ra1-a3 f7-f5 24.Qd1-d3 Rb8-e8
25.Rf1-d1 f5xe4 26.Qd3-d2
7.a2-a4 a6-a5 8.e2-e4 g7-g6
9.Ng1-f3 [RR 9.Bf1-b5 Qd8xb6
Cherednichenko,S (2152)-Bogatyriova,
10.f2-f4 Bc8-a6 11.Ng1-f3 Ba6xb5
L (2204)/Kiev 1999/EXT 2002/0-1 (49) ]
12.a4xb5 Bf8-g7 13.Nf3-d2 Nf6-h5
12.Nf3-d2 Bc8-a6 13.Nc3-b5 Rf8-b8
14.Qd1-a4 Qb6-d8 15.Nd2-c4 Nd7-b6 14.Qd1-c2 Qb6-d8 15.Nd2-c4
16.Nc4xb6 Qd8xb6 17.0-0 0-0
Nd7-b6 16.Nc4-a3 Nf6-e8 Diagram
18.Bc1-e3 Bg7-d4 19.Be3xd4 c5xd4
Begins the manoeuvre Nf6-e8-c7-a6-b4
17.Ra1-b1 Ne8-c7 18.b2-b3
20.Nc3-e2 d4-d3+ 21.Ne2-d4 e7-e5
last book move last book move Ba6xb5
22.d5xe6 f7xe6 23.Kg1-h1 Nh5xf4
Roubalik,J (2122)-Pakhomov,A (2449)/
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18...Nc7xb5
Brno 2007/CBM 119 ext/0-1 (51) ]
19.Na3xb5 Nb6-d7 20.Bc1-e3 Bg7-e5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rr qn+k+
+ + pplp
ln p +p+
pNpP+ +
P+ +P+ +
N + + +
PQ+LPPP
R L +RK

622

2312

21.Rb1-c1 Rb8-b7 22.f2-f4 Be5-g7


23.Be3-f2 Ra8-b8 24.Qc2-d2 Qd8-b6
25.f4-f5 Ba6xb5 26.Be2xb5 0.10/14
Diagram

r + +k+
+r+npplp
q p +p+
pLpP+P+
P+ +P+ +
+P+ + +
+ Q LPP
+ R +RK

2313

] 19.Na3xb5 White has the pair of


bishops. The knight dominates
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19.Be2xb5
Diagram
(Diagram 2314)
Nc7xb5
Qd8-b6
Nd7-e5
Ra8-b8

20.Na3xb5 Nb6-d7 21.h2-h3


22.Bc1-b2 Bg7xb2 23.Qc2xb2
24.Qb2-d2 Rb8-f8 25.Rb1-c1
26.Rf1-e1 Rf8-e8 27.Rc1-c2

rr q +k+
+ n pplp
n p +p+
pLpP+ +
P+ +P+ +
NP+ + +
+Q+ PPP
+RL +RK

2314

Re8-f8 0.27/15 ] 19...Nc7-a6


[ 19...Nc7xb5 Diagram

rr q +k+
+ + pplp
n p +p+
pnpP+ +
P+ +P+ +
+P+ + +
+Q+LPPP
+RL +RK

2315

20.Be2xb5 Bg7-d4 21.Bc1-b2 Bd4xb2


22.Rb1xb2$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19...Nb6-d7 20.Nb5xc7 Qd8xc7
21.Bc1-e3 Ra8-a7 22.Rb1-c1 Bg7-e5
23.Be2-b5 Nd7-f6 24.h2-h3 Qc7-b6
25.Qc2-d3 Ra7-b7 26.Be3-d2 Qb6-c7
27.Rf1-e1 0.11/14 ] 20.Bc1-g5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.h2-h4
Na6-b4 21.Qc2-d2 Nb6-d7 22.h4-h5
Bg7-e5 23.Qd2-g5 Nd7-f6 24.Qg5-h4
Qd8-f8 25.g2-g3 Nf6xh5 26.Be2xh5
g6xh5 27.Qh4xh5 Qf8-g7 28.Bc1-g5
Rb8-b7 29.Bg5-h6 0.24/15 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

623

20...Na6-b4 Black threatens to win


material: Nb4xc2. Menacing
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...h7-h6
21.Bg5-d2 Na6-b4 22.Qc2-c1 Kg8-h7
23.Bd2xb4 a5xb4 24.Qc1-f4 Kh7-g8
25.Rb1-c1 Nb6-d7 26.h2-h4 Qd8-f8
27.Nb5-c7 Bg7-e5 28.Qf4-g4 0.17/15 ]
21.Qc2-d2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21.Qc2-c1 Nb6-d7 22.h2-h4
h7-h5 23.Qc1-e3 Qd8-f8 24.Rb1-c1
Rb8-b7 25.Rf1-d1 Ra8-b8 26.Rd1-e1
Bg7-e5 27.Bg5-h6 Be5-g7 0.14/14
Diagram

r + qk+
+r+nppl
+ p +pL
pNpP+ +p
Pn +P+ P
+P+ Q +
+ +LPP+
+ R R K

2316

rr q +k+
+ + pplp
n p +p+
pNpP+ L
Pn +P+ +
+P+ + +
+ QLPPP
+R+ +RK

rr + +k+
+ + pp+p
q p npL
pNpP+ +
Pn +PP +
+P+ Q +
l +L+PP
+ R +RK

2317

2318

]
(Diagram 2317)
21...Qd8-d7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...Nb6-d7 22.Rb1-c1 Bg7-f6
23.Bg5-h6 Qd8-b6 24.Qd2-e3 Bf6-b2
25.Rc1-d1 Bb2-e5 26.Rd1-c1 Nd7-f6
27.f2-f4 Be5-b2 0.03/13 Diagram
(Diagram 2318)
] 22.f2-f4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.h2-h4 h7-h5 23.Nb5-a3 Bg7-e5
24.Bg5-f4 Be5xf4 25.Qd2xf4 Rb8-f8
26.Na3-b5 Ra8-b8 27.Qf4-g5 Kg8-h7
28.Rf1-d1 f7-f5 29.Be2-f3 f5-f4

0.32/13 ] 22...Rb8-b7 Diagram


[ 22...h7-h6 23.Bg5-h4 ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...h7-h6 Diagram
(Diagram 2319)
23.Bg5-h4 Rb8-f8 24.f4-f5 g6-g5
25.Bh4-g3 Bg7-f6 26.h2-h4 Kg8-g7
27.h4xg5 h6xg5 28.Bg3-f2 Rf8-h8
29.Bf2-e3 Rh8-h4 30.Be3xg5 Rh4xe4
31.Bg5xf6+ e7xf6 0.10/13 ]
23.f4-f5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23.Rb1-c1 f7-f6 24.Bg5-h4 f6-f5
25.Be2-f3 Ra8-c8 26.Qd2-e2 Bg7-d4+
27.Nb5xd4 c5xd4 28.Rc1xc8+ Qd7xc8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rr + +k+
+ +qppl
n p +pp
pNpP+ L
Pn +PP +
+P+ + +
+ QL+PP
+R+ +RK

r+ + +k+
+r+qpplp
n p +p+
pNpP+ L
Pn +PP +
+P+ + +
+ QL+PP
+R+ +RK

624

2319

2320

29.e4xf5 Qc8xf5 30.Bh4xe7 d4-d3


31.Qe2-e1 d3-d2 32.Qe1-h4 Nb6xd5
33.Be7xd6 0.30/12 ]
(Diagram 2321)
23...Qd7-e8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...Bg7-e5 Diagram
(Diagram 2322)
24.f5xg6 h7xg6 25.Rf1-f2 Ra8-f8
26.Bg5-f4 Be5-g7 27.Rb1-f1 Kg8-h7
28.Rf2-f3 f7-f5 29.Qd2-e3 Kh7-g8
30.Rf3-g3 0.25/13 ] 24.Rf1-f3 Diagram

r+ + +k+
+r+qpplp
n p +p+
pNpP+PL
Pn +P+ +
+P+ + +
+ QL+PP
+R+ +RK

r+ + +k+
+r+qpp+p
n p +p+
pNpPlPL
Pn +P+ +
+P+ + +
+ QL+PP
+R+ +RK

2321

2322

[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.f5xg6 h7xg6


25.Qd2-f4 f7-f6 26.Be2-g4 Kg8-h7
27.Bg5-h4 Bg7-h6 28.Qf4-f3 Nb6-d7
29.Bh4-g3 Nb4-c2 30.Bg4-e6 Nc2-d4
31.Nb5xd4 c5xd4 32.Bg3-f2 0.38/13 ]
(Diagram 2323)
24...Nb6-d7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 24...Bg7-e5 25.f5xg6 h7xg6
26.Rb1-f1 Diagram
f7-f6 27.Bg5-f4 Nb6-d7 28.Rf3-h3
Be5xf4 29.Qd2xf4 Qe8-f7 30.Be2-g4
Nd7-f8 31.Qf4-h6 Qf7-g7 32.Qh6-h4
Ra8-b8 33.Rf1-c1 Rb8-d8 34.Kg1-h1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +q+k+
+r+ pplp
n p +p+
pNpP+PL
Pn +P+ +
+P+ +R+
+ QL+PP
+R+ + K

r+ +q+k+
+r+ pp+
n p +p+
pNpPl L
Pn +P+ +
+P+ +R+
+ QL+PP
+ + +RK

625

2323

2324

r+ +q+k+
+r+npplp
+ p +p+
pNpP+PL
Pn +P+ +
+P+ +R+
+ QL+PP
+R+ + K

r+ + + +
+r+ pq+k
+ p np+
pNpPl +p
Pn +PL +
+P+ Q +
+ +LRPP
+ + +RK

2325

2326

Rd8-b8 0.45/14 ]
(Diagram 2325)
25.Rb1-f1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.f5xg6 f7xg6 26.Rf3-f2 h7-h5
27.Rb1-f1 Bg7-e5 28.Bg5-f4 Kg8-h7
29.Bf4-h6 Nd7-f6 30.Qd2-e3 Qe8-f7
31.Bh6-f4 Diagram
(Diagram 2326)
Be5xf4 32.Qe3xf4 Ra8-d8 0.43/13 ]
25...Bg7-e5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 25...Ra8-d8 26.f5xg6 f7xg6

r+ +q+k+
+r+npplp
+ p +p+
pNpP+PL
Pn +P+ +
+P+ +R+
+ QL+PP
+ + +RK

2327

27.Rf3-h3 h7-h5 28.Rh3-g3 Rd8-b8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

626

29.Bg5-f4 Nd7-e5 30.Qd2-e3 Kg8-h7


31.Kg1-h1 Qe8-g8 32.h2-h3 Rb8-f8
0.39/12 Diagram

+ + rq+
+r+ p lk
+ p +p+
pNpPn +p
Pn +PL +
+P+ Q RP
+ +L+P+
+ + +R+K

2328

r+ +q+k+
+r+npp+p
+ p +p+
pNpPlPL
Pn +P+ +
+P+ +R+
+ QL+PP
+ + +RK

2329

26.Rf3-h3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 26.f5xg6 f7xg6 27.Bg5-f4
Be5-g7 28.Rf3-f2 Nd7-f6 29.Be2-f3
Qe8-f7 30.e4-e5 Nf6xd5 31.e5xd6
Ra8-d8 32.Bf4-g5 Bg7-f6 33.Rf2-e2
Bf6xg5 34.Qd2xg5 0.63/14 Diagram
]
26...f7-f6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...h7-h5 Diagram
27.Bg5-f4 Be5-f6 28.f5xg6 f7xg6
29.Rh3-g3 Kg8-h7 30.Kg1-h1 Bf6-g7

+ r +k+
+r+ pq+p
+ P +p+
pNpn+ Q
Pn + + +
+P+ +L+
+ +R+PP
+ + +RK

r+ +q+k+
+r+npp+p
+ p +p+
pNpPlPL
Pn +P+ +
+P+ + +R
+ QL+PP
+ + +RK

r+ +q+k+
+r+npp+
+ p +p+
pNpPlPLp
Pn +P+ +
+P+ + +R
+ QL+PP
+ + +RK

2330

2331

2332

31.Qd2-e3 Ra8-b8 32.Rg3-h3 Bg7-f6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

627

33.Qe3-g3 Kh7-h8 0.40/13 Diagram

r +q+ k
+r+np +
+ p lp+
pNpP+ +p
Pn +PL +
+P+ + QR
+ +L+PP
+ + +R+K

2333

] 27.Bg5-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


27.f5xg6 Diagram

r+ +q+k+
+r+np +p
+ p pP+
pNpPl L
Pn +P+ +
+P+ + +R
+ QL+PP
+ + +RK

2334

Qe8xg6 28.Rf1-f5 Kg8-h8 29.Bg5-e3


Ra8-b8 30.Rh3-h6 Qg6-f7 31.Rf5-h5
Rb8-g8 32.Be3-f4 Diagram
(Diagram 2335)
Rg8-g7 33.Rh5-h4 Kh8-g8 34.Be2-g4
Be5xf4 35.Qd2xf4 0.48/14 ] 27...g6-g5
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27...g6-g5
28.Rh3-h5 Ra8-c8 Diagram
29.Nb5-a3 Kg8-g7 30.Na3-c4 Qe8-d8
31.h2-h4 h7-h6 32.Be3-f2 Qd8-c7

+ + +rk
+r+npq+p
+ p p R
pNpPl +R
Pn +PL +
+P+ + +
+ QL+PP
+ + + K

+r+q+k+
+r+np +p
+ p p +
pNpPlPpR
Pn +P+ +
+P+ L +
+ QL+PP
+ + +RK

2335

2336

33.Nc4xe5 Nd7xe5 34.Bf2-g3 Rc8-h8


35.Bg3xe5 d6xe5 36.h4xg5 Diagram
(Diagram 2337)
h6xg5 37.Rh5xh8 Kg7xh8 0.61/12 ]
28.g2-g4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28.Rh3-h5 Diagram
(Diagram 2338)
Ra8-c8
Qe8-d8
Qd8-c7
Rc8-h8

29.Nb5-a3 Kg8-g7 30.Na3-c4


31.h2-h4 h7-h6 32.Be3-f2
33.Nc4xe5 Nd7xe5 34.Bf2-g3
35.Bg3xe5 d6xe5 36.h4xg5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + r
+rq p k
+ + p p
p pPpPPR
Pn +P+ +
+P+ + +
+ QL+P+
+ + +RK

r+ +q+k+
+r+np +p
+ p p +
pNpPlPpR
Pn +P+ +
+P+ L +
+ QL+PP
+ + +RK

628

2337

2338

h6xg5 37.Rh5xh8 Kg7xh8 0.39/13 ]


28...Ra8-c8 Diagram [ 28...Qe8-f7
Diagram
(Diagram 2339)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Qe8-f8
Diagram
(Diagram 2340)
29.Rh3-h5 Ra8-b8 30.Kg1-g2 Rb8-c8
31.Rf1-f3 Qf8-d8 32.Rf3-h3 Nd7-f8
33.Rh5-h6 Rc8-b8 34.Be2-c4 Kg8-f7
35.Be3-f2 0.12/12 ]

r+ + +k+
+r+npq+p
+ p p +
pNpPlPp
Pn +P+P+
+P+ L +R
+ QL+ P
+ + +RK

r+ + qk+
+r+np +p
+ p p +
pNpPlPp
Pn +P+P+
+P+ L +R
+ QL+ P
+ + +RK

+r+q+k+
+r+np +p
+ p p +
pNpPlPp
Pn +P+P+
+P+ L +R
+ QL+ P
+ + +RK
29.Be2-c4 Diagram [ 29.Rh3-h5

2339

2340

2341

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

629

Diagram

+r+q+k+
+r+np +p
+ p p +
pNpPlPpR
Pn +P+P+
+P+ L +
+ QL+ P
+ + +RK

2342

c5-c4 30.Be2xc4 Qe8-d8+- ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29.Rh3-h5
Qe8-f7 30.Rf1-f3 Qf7-g7 31.Rf3-h3
Nd7-f8 32.Kg1-g2 Kg8-f7 33.Rh5-h6
Rc8-b8 34.Be3-f2 Be5-f4 35.Qd2-e1
Bf4-e5 36.Qe1-c1 Kf7-e8 0.44/14
Diagram

r +kn +
+r+ p qp
+ p p R
pNpPlPp
Pn +P+P+
+P+ + +R
+ +LLKP
+ Q + +

2343

+r+q+k+
+r+np +p
+ p p +
pNpPlPp
PnL+P+P+
+P+ L +R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

+r+q+k+
+r+ p +p
n p p +
pNpPlPp
PnL+P+P+
+P+ L +R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

2344

2345

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Qe8-f7


30.Rh3-h5 Qf7-g7 31.h2-h4 g5xh4
32.Rh5xh4 Kg8-f7 33.Kg1-g2 Rc8-h8
34.Be3-h6 Qg7-g8 35.Rf1-h1 Kf7-e8
36.Bc4-e2 Qg8-f7 37.Bh6-e3 Nd7-b6
Diagram
(Diagram 2346)

]
(Diagram 2344)
29...Be5-d4? [ 29...Nd7-b6$
Diagram
and Black is still in the game ;

38.Be3-f4 0.07/14 ] 30.Nb5xd4+[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.Nb5xd4


Diagram
c5xd4 31.Be3xd4 Qe8-f7 32.Rf1-f3
Nd7-b6 33.Bd4xb6 Rb7xb6 34.Rh3-h5
Rb6-b8 35.Rf3-h3 Rb8-b7 36.Kg1-g2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +k+ r
+r+ pq+p
n p p +
pNpPlP+
Pn +P+PR
+P+ L +
+ QL+K+
+ + + +R

+r+q+k+
+r+np +p
+ p p +
p pP+Pp
PnLNP+P+
+P+ L +R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

630

2346

2347

Rb7-b8 37.Qd2-e2 Rb8-b7 38.Qe2-b2


Rb7-c7 39.Rh5xh7 Qf7xh7 40.Rh3xh7
Kg8xh7 1.12/13 ] 30...c5xd4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30...c5xd4
31.Be3xd4 Diagram
(Diagram 2348)
Rc8-b8 32.Rf1-c1 Rb8-c8 33.Rh3-h5
Qe8-f8 34.Rc1-f1 h7-h6 35.Rf1-f3
Diagram
Nd7-b6 36.Bd4xb6 Rb7xb6 37.Rf3-h3
Kg8-h7 38.Kg1-g2 Rb6-b8
39.Rh5xh6+ Qf8xh6 40.Rh3xh6+
Kh7xh6 1.19/12 ] 31.Be3xg5

+r+q+k+
+r+np +p
+ p p +
p +P+Pp
PnLLP+P+
+P+ + +R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

+r+ qk+
+r+np +
+ p p p
p +P+PpR
PnLLP+P+
+P+ +R+
+ Q + P
+ + + K

2348

2349

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31.Be3xd4


Qe8-f7 32.Rh3-c3 Qf7-f8 33.Bc4-b5
Nd7-e5 34.Bd4xe5 d6xe5 35.Kg1-g2
Rb7-c7 36.Rc3xc7 Rc8xc7 37.Rf1-c1
Rc7xc1 38.Qd2xc1 Kg8-g7
39.Qc1-c7 0.88/13 ] 31...Nd7-e5
Diagram [ 31...d4-d3 32.Bg5-h6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31...Nd7-e5
32.Bg5-h4 Kg8-h8 33.Qd2xd4 Ne5xg4
Diagram
34.Bc4-e2 Ng4-e5 35.Rh3-c3 h7-h5
36.Bh4-g3 Diagram
Rb7-c7 37.Rf1-c1 Rc7xc3
38.Rc1xc3 0.50/12 ]
32.Bg5-h6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+q+ k
+r+ p +p
+ p p +
p +P+P+
PnLQP+nL
+P+ + +R
+ + + P
+ + +RK

+r+q+ k
+r+ p +
+ p p +
p +PnP+p
Pn QP+ +
+PR + L
+ +L+ P
+ + +RK

+r+q+k+
+r+ p +p
+ p p +
p +PnPL
PnLpP+P+
+P+ + +R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

631
Ne5xg4 34.Rf1-c1 Ng4-e5 35.Bh4-e1
Qe8-f7 36.Rh3-g3 Rc8-g8 37.Kg1-h1
Rb7-c7 38.Rg3xg8+ Qf7xg8
39.Be1xb4 a5xb4 0.59/12 Diagram

2350

+ + +qk
+ r p +p
+ p p +
+ +PnP+
PpLQP+ +
+P+ + +
+ + + P
+ R + +K

2353

2351

+r+q+k+
+r+ p +p
+ p p L
p +PnP+
PnLpP+P+
+P+ + +R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

2354

2352

x64: 32.Bg5-h4 Kg8-h8 33.Qd2xd4

32...d4-d3? Diagram [ 32...Ne5xc4


33.b3xc4 Qe8xa4+- ( 33...Rc8xc4??
34.Bh6-g7 e7-e5 35.Bg7xf6+- );
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32...Ne5xc4
33.b3xc4 Diagram
Qe8xa4 34.Bh6-g7 Kg8xg7
35.Qd2-h6+ Kg7-f7 36.Qh6xh7+
Kf7-e8 37.Qh7-g8+ Ke8-d7
38.Qg8-e6+ Kd7-c7 39.Qe6xe7+
Kc7-b6 40.Qe7xd6+ Kb6-a7 41.c4-c5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+q+k+
+r+ p +p
+ p p L
p +P+P+
PnPpP+P+
+ + + +R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

632

2355

Qa4-c2 42.c5-c6 Rb7-c7 43.Rh3-a3


Ka7-b6 44.Qd6-e6 Qc2-e2 45.h2-h3
d4-d3 46.Qe6xf6 Qe2xe4 0.34/12 ]

+r+q+k+
+r+ p +p
+ p p L
p +PnP+
PnL+P+P+
+P+p+ +R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

2356

33.g4-g5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


33.g4-g5 Diagram
(Diagram 2357)
Qe8-f7 34.Rh3-g3 Kg8-h8 35.g5-g6
h7xg6 36.f5xg6 Ne5xg6 37.Rf1-f5
Qf7-h7 38.Rf5-h5 Rc8-g8 39.Bh6-g7+
Rg8xg7 40.Rh5xh7+ Kh8xh7
41.Bc4xd3 Ng6-e5 42.Bd3-e2 Rb7-c7
43.Qd2-f4 Rg7xg3+ 44.Qf4xg3
Rc7-c2 45.Kg1-f1 Rc2-c1+ 46.Kf1-g2

+r+q+k+
+r+ p +p
+ p p L
p +PnPP
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ +R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

2357

Rc1-c2 47.Qg3-h4+ Kh7-g6


48.Qh4-g3+ 1.30/14 ] 33...Qe8-f7?
Diagram [ 33...Ne5xc4 34.Qd2-g2
Kg8-h8 35.b3xc4 Rc8xc4+( 35...Qe8xa4 36.Bh6-g7+ Kh8-g8
37.g5xf6+- );Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Kg8-f7 34.g5xf6 e7xf6 35.Rh3-g3
Qe8-h8 36.Rg3-g7+ Qh8xg7+
37.Bh6xg7 Kf7xg7 38.Kg1-f2 Kg7-g8
39.h2-h3 Ne5xc4 40.b3xc4 Rc8xc4
41.Qd2-h6 Rb7-g7 42.Qh6xf6 Rc4xe4
43.Qf6xd6 1.61/11 ]
(Diagram 2358)
34.Rh3-g3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34.Rh3-g3 Diagram
(Diagram 2359)
Kg8-h8 35.g5-g6 h7xg6 36.f5xg6
Ne5xg6 37.Rf1-f5 Qf7-h7 38.Rf5-h5
Rc8-g8 39.Bh6-g7+ Rg8xg7
40.Rh5xh7+ Kh8xh7 41.Bc4xd3
Ng6-e5 42.Bd3-e2 Rb7-c7 43.Qd2-f4
Rg7xg3+ 44.Qf4xg3 Rc7-c2 45.Kg1-f1
Rc2-c1+ 46.Kf1-g2 Rc1-c2
47.Qg3-h4+ Kh7-g6 48.Qh4-g3+
1.30/15 ] 34...Kg8-h8 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34...Kg8-h8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +k+
+r+ pq+p
+ p p L
p +PnPP
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ +R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

+r+ +k+
+r+ pq+p
+ p p L
p +PnPP
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

633

2358

2359

35.g5-g6 h7xg6 36.f5xg6 Ne5xg6


37.Rf1-f5 Qf7-h7 38.Rf5-h5 Rc8-g8
39.Bh6-g7+ Rg8xg7 40.Rh5xh7+
Diagram
(Diagram 2360)

+ + + k
+r+ p rR
+ p pn+
p +P+ +
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ R
+ Q + P
+ + + K

+r+ + k
+r+ pq+p
+ p p L
p +PnPP
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

2360

2361

Ne5xg6 37.Rf1-f5 Qf7-h7 38.Rf5-h5


Rc8-g8 39.Bh6-g7+ Rg8xg7
40.Rh5xh7+ Kh8xh7 41.Bc4xd3
Ng6-e5 42.Bd3-e2 Rb7-c7 43.Qd2-f4
Rg7xg3+ 44.Qf4xg3 Rc7-c2 45.Kg1-f1
Rc2-c1+ 46.Kf1-g2 Rc1-c2
47.Qg3-h4+ Kh7-g6 48.Qh4-g3+
1.30/15 Diagram

Kh8xh7 41.Bc4xd3 Ng6-e5


42.Bd3-e2 Rb7-c7 43.Qd2-f4
Rg7xg3+ 44.Qf4xg3 Rc7-c2 45.Kg1-f1
(Diagram 2362)
Rc2-c1+ 46.Kf1-g2 Rc1-c2
47.Qg3-h4+ Kh7-g6 48.Qh4-g3+
]
the knock-out blow 35...h7xg6
1.61/16 ]
35.g5-g6! Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
[ 35...h7xg6 36.f5xg6 Passed pawn ;
x64: 35.g5-g6 h7xg6 36.f5xg6
35...-- 36.g6xf7 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + p +
+ p pk+
p +Pn +
Pn +P+ +
+P+ + Q
+r+L+KP
+ + + +

+r+ + k
+r+ pq+p
+ p pPL
p +PnP+
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

+r+ + k
+r+ pP+p
+ p p L
p +PnP+
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

634

2362

2363

35...h7xg6 36.f5xg6 Ne5xg6 37.Rf1-f5


Qf7-h7 38.Rf5-h5 Rc8-g8 39.Bh6-g7+
Rg8xg7 40.Rh5xh7+ Kh8xh7
41.Bc4xd3 Ng6-e5 42.Bd3-e2 Rb7-c7
43.Qd2-f4 Rg7xg3+ 44.Qf4xg3
Rc7-c2 45.Kg1-f1 Rc2-c1+ 46.Kf1-g2
Rc1-c2 47.Qg3-h4+ Kh7-g6
48.Qh4-g3+ Kg6-f7 1.61/15 ] 36.f5xg6
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36.f5xg6
Diagram

+r+ + k
+r+ pq+
+ p pPL
p +Pn +
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

2365

Ne5xg6 37.Rf1-f5 Qf7-h7 38.Rf5-h5


Rc8-g8 39.Bh6-g7+ Rg8xg7
40.Rh5xh7+ Kh8xh7 41.Bc4xd3
Ng6-e5 42.Bd3-e2 Rb7-c7 43.Qd2-f4
Rg7xg3+ 44.Qf4xg3 Rc7-c2 45.Kg1-f1
Rc2-c1+ 46.Kf1-g2 Rc1-c2
47.Qg3-h4+ Kh7-g6 48.Qh4-g3+
Kg6-f7 1.31/13 Diagram
2364

Wins material ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

(Diagram 2366)
] 36...Ne5xg6 [ 36...Qf7-e8 Diagram
(Diagram 2367)
is not much help 37.Bc4-b5 Rb7xb5
38.Bh6-f8 ( 38.a4xb5 Kh8-g8
39.b5-b6 Nb4-a6+- ) 38...Qe8xf8
39.g6-g7+ ( 39.a4xb5 Kh8-g7
40.Rg3-h3 Kg7-g8 ) 39...Qf8xg7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + pk+
+ p p +
p +Pn +
Pn +P+ +
+P+ + Q
+r+L+KP
+ + + +

+r+q+ k
+r+ p +
+ p pPL
p +Pn +
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ R
+ Q + P
+ + +RK

635

2366

2367

40.Rg3xg7 Kh8xg7 41.a4xb5+- ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36...Ne5xg6
37.Rf1-f5 Qf7-h7 Diagram

+r+ + k
+r+ p +q
+ p pnL
p +P+R+
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ R
+ Q + P
+ + + K

2368

39.Bh6-g7+ Rg8xg7 40.Rh5xh7+


Kh8xh7 41.Bc4xd3 Ng6-e5 42.Bd3-e2
Rb7-c7 43.Qd2-f4 Rg7xg3+
44.Qf4xg3 Rc7-c2 45.Kg1-f1 Rc2-c1+
46.Kf1-g2 Rc1-c2 47.Qg3-h4+ Kh7-g7
48.Qh4-f2 Kg7-f7 1.32/14 ]

+r+ + k
+r+ pq+
+ p pnL
p +P+R+
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ R
+ Q + P
+ + + K

2369

(Diagram 2368)
38.Rf5-h5 Rc8-g8 39.Bh6-g7+
Rg8xg7 40.Rh5xh7+ Kh8xh7
41.Bc4xd3 Ng6-e5 42.Bd3-e2 Rb7-c7
43.Qd2-f4 Rg7xg3+ 44.Qf4xg3
Rc7-c2 45.Kg1-f1 Rc2-c1+ 46.Kf1-g2
Rc1-c2 47.Qg3-h4+ Kh7-g6
48.Qh4-g3+ Kg6-f7 1.61/14 ] 37.Rf1-f5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.Rf1-f5 Qf7-h7 38.Rf5-h5 Rc8-g8

37...Ng6-e5 [ 37...Qf7-h7 is one last


hope 38.Rf5-h5 Kh8-g8+- ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 37...Qf7-h7 38.Rf5-h5
Rc8-g8 39.Bh6-g7+ Rg8xg7
40.Rh5xh7+ Kh8xh7 41.Bc4xd3
Ng6-e5 42.Rg3xg7+ Kh7xg7
43.Qd2-g2+ Kg7-f7 44.Bd3-e2 Rb7-c7
45.Qg2-h3 Diagram
Kf7-g7 46.Qh3-e6 Kg7-f8 47.Kg1-g2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ r pk+
+ p p +
p +Pn +
Pn +P+ +
+P+ + +Q
+ +L+ P
+ + + K

636

2370

Rc7-c2 1.43/12 ] 38.Bh6-f8!


Mate attack [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38.Bh6-g7+ Qf7xg7 39.Rf5-h5+
Kh8-g8 40.Rg3xg7+ Kg8xg7
41.Qd2-h6+ Kg7-f7 42.Qh6-h7+
Kf7-e8 43.Qh7-f5 Ne5-f3+ 44.Kg1-g2
Ke8-d8 45.Rh5-h8+ Kd8-c7
46.Rh8xc8+ Kc7-b6 47.Qf5xf3 Rb7-c7
48.Rc8xc7 Kb6xc7 49.Bc4xd3 Kc7-d8
50.h2-h4 Kd8-e8 51.Bd3-b1 Nb4-a6
52.Qf3-c3 Na6-c5 53.Qc3xa5 Ke8-f7
54.Qa5-c3 16.05/12 ] 38...Qf7-h7
Diagram [ 38...Rc8xf8 39.Qd2-h6+
Mate attack ; 38...Qf7xf8 39.Rf5-h5+
Mate attack ; 38...-- 39.Qd2-h6+
Mate threat ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...Qf7-h7 39.Bf8-g7+ Kh8-g8
40.Bg7xf6+ Ne5-g6 41.Rg3xg6+
Qh7xg6+ 42.Rf5-g5 e7xf6
43.Rg5xg6+ Rb7-g7 44.Rg6xg7+
Diagram

+r+ +k+
+ + + R
+ p p +
p +P+ +
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ +
+ Q + P
+ + + K

+r+ L k
+r+ p +q
+ p p +
p +PnR+
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ R
+ Q + P
+ + + K

2371

2372

40.Bg7xf6+ Ne5-g6 41.Rg3xg6+


Qh7xg6+ 42.Rf5-g5 e7xf6
43.Rg5xg6+ Rb7-g7 44.Rg6xg7+
Kg8xg7 45.Bc4xd3 Kg7-f7 46.Bd3-b5
Rc8-c2 47.Qd2-f4 7.51/9 ]
(Diagram 2373)

(Diagram 2371)
Kg8xg7 45.Bc4xd3 Rc8-e8 46.Bd3-b5
Re8-e7 47.h2-h4 Re7-e5 48.Qd2-g2+
Kg7-h6 49.Kg1-f2 Re5-e7 50.Qg2-g4
Re7-e5 51.Kf2-f3 Nb4-c2 9.15/14 ]
39.Bf8-g7+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 39.Bf8-g7+ Kh8-g8

39...Qh7xg7 Diagram [ 39...Kh8-g8


the last chance for counterplay
40.Bg7xf6+ Ne5-g6 41.Rg3xg6+
Qh7xg6+ 42.Rf5-g5 e7xf6
43.Rg5xg6+ Rb7-g7 44.Rg6xg7+
Kg8xg7 45.Bc4xd3 Rc8-b8+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 39...Kh8-g8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ + k
+r+ p Lq
+ p p +
p +PnR+
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ R
+ Q + P
+ + + K

637

2373

40.Bg7xf6+ Ne5-g6 41.Rg3xg6+


Qh7xg6+ 42.Rf5-g5 e7xf6
43.Rg5xg6+ Rb7-g7 44.Rg6xg7+
Kg8xg7 45.Bc4xd3 Kg7-f7 46.Bd3-b5
Diagram

+r+ + +
+ + +k+
+ p p +
pL+P+ +
Pn +P+ +
+P+ + +
+ Q + P
+ + + K

2374

Rc8-c2 47.Qd2-f4 7.81/9 ]


(Diagram 2375)
40.Rf5-h5+ [ 40.Rg3xg7 Kh8xg7
41.Qd2-g2+ Kg7-f7+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 40.Rf5-h5+ Qg7-h7
41.Rh5xh7+ Kh8xh7 42.Qd2-g2
Ne5-f7 43.Qg2-h3+ Nf7-h6 44.Qh3xc8
d3-d2 45.Bc4-e2 Rb7-a7 46.Qc8-f8

+r+ + k
+r+ p q
+ p p +
p +PnR+
PnL+P+ +
+P+p+ R
+ Q + P
+ + + K

2375

e7-e5 47.d5xe6 Ra7-c7 48.Qf8xf6


Rc7-c1+ 49.Kg1-f2 11.25/9 ]
40...Kh8-g8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
40...Qg7-h7 41.Rh5xh7+ Kh8xh7
42.Qd2-g2 Ne5-f7 43.Qg2-h3+ Nf7-h6
44.Qh3xc8 Rb7-b6 45.Bc4xd3
Nb4xd3 46.Rg3xd3 Rb6-b4 47.Qc8-e6
Rb4-b7 48.Rd3-g3 10.16/9 ]
41.Rg3xg7+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
41.Rg3xg7+ Kg8xg7 42.Qd2-h6+
Kg7-f7 43.Qh6-h7+ Kf7-e8 44.Qh7-f5
Ne5-f3+ 45.Kg1-g2 Ke8-d8
46.Rh5-h8+ Kd8-c7 47.Rh8xc8+
Kc7-b6 48.Qf5xf3 Rb7-c7 49.Rc8xc7
Kb6xc7 50.Bc4xd3 Kc7-d8 51.h2-h4
Kd8-d7 52.Qf3-f5+ Kd7-c7 53.Bd3-b5
Kc7-b6 14.75/9 ] 41...Kg8xg7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41...Kg8xg7
42.Qd2-h6+ Kg7-f7 43.Qh6-h7+
Kf7-e8 44.Qh7-f5 Ne5-f3+ 45.Kg1-g2
Ke8-d8 46.Rh5-h8+ Kd8-c7
47.Rh8xc8+ Kc7-b6 48.Qf5xf3 Rb7-c7
49.Rc8xc7 Kb6xc7 50.Bc4xd3 Kc7-d8
51.h2-h4 Nb4xd3 52.Qf3xd3 Kd8-e8
53.Qd3-c3 f6-f5 54.e4xf5 Ke8-f7
15.39/10 ] 42.Qd2-h6+ [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 42.Qd2-h6+ Kg7-f7
43.Qh6-h7+ Kf7-e8 44.Qh7-f5
Ne5-f3+ 45.Kg1-g2 Ke8-d8
46.Rh5-h8+ Kd8-c7 47.Rh8xc8+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Kc7-b6 48.Qf5xf3 Rb7-c7 49.Rc8xc7
Kb6xc7 50.Bc4xd3 Kc7-d8 51.h2-h4
Kd8-e8 52.Bd3-b1 Nb4-a6 53.Qf3-c3
Na6-c5 54.Qc3xa5 Ke8-f7
55.Qa5-c3 14.02/11 ] 42...Kg7-f7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...Kg7-f7
43.Qh6-h7+ Kf7-e8 44.Qh7-f5
Ne5-f3+ 45.Kg1-g2 Ke8-d8
46.Rh5-h8+ Kd8-c7 47.Rh8xc8+
Kc7-b6 48.Qf5xf3 Rb7-c7 49.Rc8xc7
Kb6xc7 50.Bc4xd3 Kc7-d8 51.h2-h4
Kd8-e8 52.Bd3-b1 Nb4-a6 53.Qf3-c3
Na6-c5 54.Qc3xa5 Ke8-f7
55.Qa5-c3 14.21/12 ] 43.Qh6-h7+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43.Qh6-h7+
Kf7-e8 44.Qh7-f5 Ne5-f3+ 45.Kg1-g2
Ke8-d8 46.Rh5-h8+ Kd8-c7
47.Rh8xc8+ Kc7-b6 48.Qf5xf3 Rb7-c7
49.Rc8xc7 Kb6xc7 50.Bc4xd3 Kc7-d8
51.h2-h4 Kd8-e8 52.Bd3-b5+ Ke8-f8
53.h4-h5 Nb4-c2 54.Qf3-f2 Nc2-a3
55.h5-h6 Kf8-f7 56.Qf2-g3 Na3xb5
57.Qg3-g7+ Kf7-e8 58.a4xb5 f6-f5
59.h6-h7 17.23/13 ] 43...Kf7-e8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43...Kf7-e8
44.Qh7-f5 Ne5-f3+ 45.Kg1-g2 Ke8-d8
46.Rh5-h8+ Kd8-c7 47.Rh8xc8+
Kc7-b6 48.Qf5xf3 Rb7-c7 49.Rc8xc7
Kb6xc7 50.Bc4xd3 Kc7-d8 51.h2-h4
Nb4xd3 52.Qf3xd3 Kd8-e8
53.Qd3-b5+ Ke8-f7 54.Qb5xa5 Kf7-g7
55.Qa5-b5 Kg7-f8 56.Qb5-d7 Kf8-f7
57.a4-a5 Kf7-f8 58.a5-a6 Kf8-f7
59.b3-b4 16.87/14 ] 44.Qh7-f5
[ 44.Qh7-f5 Ne5-f3+ 45.Kg1-f2+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44.Qh7-f5
Ne5-f3+ 45.Kg1-g2 Ke8-d8
46.Rh5-h8+ Kd8-c7 47.Rh8xc8+
Kc7-b6 48.Qf5xf3 Rb7-d7 49.Bc4-b5
Rd7-c7 50.Rc8xc7 Kb6xc7 51.Bb5xd3
Kc7-d8 52.h2-h4 Nb4xd3 53.Qf3xd3
Kd8-e8 54.Qd3-b5+ Ke8-f7
55.Qb5xa5 Kf7-g7 56.Qa5-b5 Kg7-f8
57.Qb5-d7 Kf8-f7 58.a4-a5 Kf7-f8

638
59.a5-a6 Kf8-f7 60.b3-b4 16.68/15 ]
1-0

45

E60

Levon Aronian
Vassily Ivanchuk
Corus Wijk aan Zee NED (1) 14.01.2006
D78: Fianchetto Grnfeld: 6 0-0 c6
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 g7-g6
3.Ng1-f3 Bf8-g7 4.g2-g3 c7-c6
Diagram

rnlqk+ r
pp+ppplp
+p+ np+
+ + + +
+PP + +
+ + +NP
PP +PP P
RNLQKL+R

2376

5.Nb1-c3 d7-d5 6.Qd1-b3 0-0


7.Bf1-g2 Qd8-b6 8.0-0 Rf8-d8
9.h2-h3 [RR 9.c4-c5 Qb6xb3
10.a2xb3 Nb8-a6 11.Bc1-f4 Nf6-d7
12.Rf1-d1 e7-e5 13.Nf3xe5 Nd7xe5
14.Bf4xe5 Bg7xe5 15.d4xe5 Bc8-f5
16.Ra1-a5 Bf5-c2 17.Rd1-d4 Bc2xb3
18.f2-f4 Bb3-c4 19.e2-e4 Na6-b4
20.e4xd5 c6xd5 21.Rd4-d2 a7-a6
22.Ra5-a4 a6-a5 23.Ra4-a3 Kg8-g7
Aronian,L (2724)-Svidler,P (2740)/
Beersheba 2005/CBM 110/- (35) ;
RR 9.Qb3xb6 a7xb6 10.c4xd5
Nf6xd5 11.Nc3xd5 Rd8xd5 12.Rf1-d1
Bc8-e6 13.a2-a3 Rd5-b5 14.Bg2-f1
Nb8-d7 15.e2-e3 Rb5-f5 16.Nf3-h4
Rf5-a5 17.Bc1-d2 Ra5-a4 18.Bd2-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Nd7-f6 19.Nh4-f3 Nf6-e4 20.Bc3-e1
Be6-d5 21.Bf1-g2 Bd5-b3 22.Rd1-c1
c6-c5 23.Nf3-d2 Ne4xd2 Rausis,I
(2521)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2573)/
France 2007/CBM 118 ext/- (45) ]
9...Bc8-e6N [RR 9...Bc8-f5 10.c4xd5
( RR 10.c4-c5 Qb6xb3 11.a2xb3
Nb8-a6 12.Bc1-f4 Nf6-d7 13.Nc3xd5
c6xd5 14.c5-c6 Na6-b4 15.c6xb7
Ra8-b8 16.Bf4xb8 Nd7xb8 17.Ra1xa7
Nb4-c6 18.Ra7-a8 Bf5-d7 19.Rf1-c1
e7-e6 20.b3-b4 Nc6-e7 21.Rc1-c7
Bg7-f8 22.Rc7xd7 Rd8xd7 23.Ra8xb8
Ne7-c6 24.Rb8-c8 1-0 Maletin,P
(2541)-Pilavov,G (2550)/Sochi 2006/
EXT 2007 ) 10...Qb6xb3 11.a2xb3
Nf6xd5 12.Bc1-g5 Nb8-a6 13.e2-e4
Nd5xc3 14.b2xc3 Bf5xe4 15.Rf1-e1
Be4xf3 16.Bg2xf3 f7-f6 17.Bg5-f4
e7-e5 18.d4xe5 Na6-c5 19.e5xf6
Bg7xf6 20.Bf4-e5 Bf6xe5 21.Re1xe5
Nc5xb3 22.Ra1-a2 Rd8-e8 23.Ra2xa7
- Loginov,V (2499)-Balashov,Y
(2581)/Elista 2001/CBM 083 ]
10.Nf3-g5 Be6-f5 11.Qb3xb6 a7xb6
12.c4xd5 Nf6xd5 13.e2-e4 Nd5xc3
14.b2xc3 Bf5-d7 15.f2-f4 Nb8-a6
16.g3-g4 White plans f5 Na6-c7
Diagram
(Diagram 2377)
17.f4-f5 Nc7-b5 18.Bc1-b2
last book move last book move Bg7-h6
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18...f7-f6
19.Ng5-f3 Nb5-d6 20.Rf1-e1 Nd6-c4
21.Bb2-c1 b6-b5 22.Bg2-f1 Ra8-a4
23.Kg1-g2 Rd8-a8 24.Bf1xc4+
Ra4xc4 25.Bc1-d2 Rc4-a4 26.f5xg6
h7xg6 -0.37/14 ] 19.h3-h4 Diagram
[ 19.Ng5-f3 Bh6-e3+ 20.Kg1-h1
Nb5-d6! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Ng5-f3 Diagram
Bh6-e3+ 20.Kg1-h1 c6-c5 21.Rf1-e1
Be3-f4 22.Bg2-f1 Ra8-a4 23.Bb2-c1

639

r+ r +k+
+pnlpplp
pp+ +p+
+ + + N
+ PPPP+
+ P + +P
P+ + +L+
R L +RK

r+ r +k+
+p+lpp+p
pp+ +pl
+n+ +P+
+ PP+P+
+ P +N+P
PL + +L+
R + +RK

2377

2378

Bf4xc1 24.Re1xc1 Nb5-d6 25.Bf1-d3


c5-c4 26.Bd3-c2 Ra4-a3 -0.30/13 ]
(Diagram 2379)
19...f7-f6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19...f7-f6 Diagram
(Diagram 2380)
20.Ng5-e6 Bd7xe6 21.f5xe6 Bh6-d2
22.Rf1-f3 Nb5-d6 23.a2-a4 Ra8-a5
24.Kg1-f2 Nd6xe4+ 25.Kf2-e2 Bd2-h6
26.Bb2-a3 Ne4-d6 27.Ba3-b4 Ra5-a8
28.Rf3-f1 Kg8-g7 29.a4-a5 -0.49/15 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ r +k+
+p+lpp+p
pp+ +pl
+n+ +PN
+ PP+PP
+ P + +
PL + +L+
R + +RK

r+ r +k+
+p+lp +p
pp+ ppl
+n+ +PN
+ PP+PP
+ P + +
PL + +L+
R + +RK

640
23.Kg1-h1 Nd6-c4 24.Rf1-f3 Be3-d2
25.Rf3-f2 Nc4xb2 26.Rf2xd2 Nb2-c4
27.Rd2-c2 Diagram
2379

r+ r +k+
+p+lp +p
pp+ p +
+ + +P+
+nPP+ P
+ P + +
P+R+ +LN
R + + +K
2380

20.Ng5-f3 [ 20.Ng5-h3 Bh6-d2


21.Rf1-f3 Nb5-d6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 20.Ng5-e6 Bd7xe6 21.f5xe6
Bh6-d2 22.Rf1-f3 Nb5-d6 23.a2-a4
Ra8-a5 24.Kg1-f2 Nd6xe4+ 25.Kf2-e2
Bd2-h6 26.Bb2-a3 Ne4-d6 27.Ba3-b4
Ra5-a8 28.Rf3-f1 Kg8-g7 29.a4-a5
-0.47/14 ] 20...g6xf5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 20...Bh6-e3+ 21.Kg1-h2 Nb5-d6
22.Nf3-e1 Nd6-c4 23.Ne1-d3 c6-c5
24.d4-d5 Bd7-b5 25.Rf1-f3 g6xf5
26.g4xf5 Kg8-f7 27.Bg2-f1 Rd8-g8
28.Nd3-f2 Nc4-d2 -0.77/13 ] 21.e4xf5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.g4xf5 Nb5-d6 22.Nf3-h2 Bh6-e3+

2381

b6-b5 28.Ra1-g1 Kg8-f7 29.Nh2-g4


-0.48/13 ]

r+ r +k+
+p+lp +p
pp+ p l
+n+ +P+
+ P +PP
+ P +N+
PL + +L+
R + +RK

2382

21...Nb5-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


21...Bh6-e3+ 22.Kg1-h1 Nb5-a3
23.Bb2-c1 Be3xc1 24.Ra1xc1 h7-h5
25.g4xh5 Kg8-f7 26.d4-d5 Na3-c4
27.Nf3-d4 c6-c5 28.Nd4-e6 Rd8-h8
29.Rf1-f2 Diagram
Rh8xh5 30.Rf2-f4 Nc4-e3 31.Rc1-e1
Ne3xf5 -0.58/14 ] 22.Rf1-e1
[ 22.Bg2-h3 Bh6-e3+ 23.Kg1-g2
Kg8-f7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + + r
+p+lpk+
p +Np +
+ pP+P+P
+n+ + P
+ P + +
P+ + RL+
+ R + +K

641

2383

22.g4-g5 Bh6-g7 23.Rf1-e1 Rd8-e8


24.a2-a4 Bd7xf5 25.Bg2-f1 f6xg5
26.h4xg5 Bf5-c2 27.Bf1-h3 Ra8xa4
28.Bh3-e6+ Kg8-f8 29.Ra1xa4
Bc2xa4 Diagram

+ +rk +
+p+ p lp
ppnL+ +
+ + + P
l+ P + +
+ P +N+
L + + +
+ + R K

2384

30.Re1-f1 Ba4-b5 31.c3-c4 -0.50/13 ]


22...Kg8-f7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Nd6-c4 Diagram
(Diagram 2385)
23.Bb2-c1 Bh6xc1 24.Ra1xc1 h7-h5
25.Bg2-f1 Nc4-d6 26.g4xh5 Kg8-f7
27.Rc1-c2 Rd8-g8+ 28.Kg1-h2 Bd7xf5
29.Rc2-e2 e7-e6 30.Bf1-h3 Bf5xh3

r+ r +k+
+p+lp +p
pp+ p l
+ + +P+
+nP +PP
+ P +N+
PL + +L+
R + R K

2385

31.Kh2xh3 Nd6-f5 32.Re1-g1 Rg8xg1


33.Nf3xg1 -0.78/15 ] 23.Bg2-h3
Diagram [ 23.g4-g5 Bh6-f8 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.g4-g5 Bh6-g7
24.Bg2-h3 Bd7xf5 25.Bh3xf5 Nd6xf5
26.a2-a4 f6xg5 27.h4xg5 c6-c5
28.Nf3-e5+ Kf7-g8 29.Ne5-f3 c5xd4
30.Nf3xd4 Bg7xd4+ 31.c3xd4 Kg8-f7
32.Re1-f1 Kf7-g6 -0.44/12 ]

r+ r + +
+p+lpk+p
ppn p l
+ + +P+
+ P +PP
+ P +N+L
PL + + +
R + R K

2386

23...Rd8-g8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 23...Bh6-f4 24.Bb2-c1
Bf4xc1 25.Re1xc1 Rd8-g8 26.Kg1-f2
e7-e6 27.a2-a4 e6xf5 28.g4xf5
Ra8-e8 29.Nf3-d2 Bd7xf5 30.Bh3-f1
Rg8-g4 31.Bf1-c4+ Bf5-e6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

642

32.Bc4xe6+ Re8xe6 Diagram

+ + + +
+p+ +k+p
ppnrp +
+ + + +
P+ P +rP
+ P + +
+ N K +
R R + +

2387

33.Rc1-f1 h7-h5 34.Ra1-e1 Re6xe1


35.Rf1xe1 Rg4xh4 -1.04/13 ]

r+ + +r+
+p+lpk+p
ppn p l
+ + +P+
+ P +PP
+ P +N+L
PL + + +
R + R K

2388

r+ + +r+
+p+lpk+p
ppn p l
+ + +PP
+ P + P
+ P +N+L
PL + + +
R + R K

r+ + r +
+p+ pk+
+p+ + +
+ + RnPp
p P + +
+ P + +
P+ + +K+
R L + +

2389

2390

24...Bh6-f4 Diagram
(Diagram 2391)

24.Kg1-f2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


24.g4-g5 Diagram
(Diagram 2389)
Bd7xf5 25.Bh3xf5 Nd6xf5 26.Bb2-c1
Bh6-g7 27.Kg1-f2 f6xg5 28.h4xg5
b6-b5 29.Bc1-b2 Rg8-f8 30.Kf2-g2
h7-h5 31.Bb2-c1 b5-b4 32.Nf3-e5+
Bg7xe5 33.Re1xe5 Diagram
Nf5-h4+ 34.Kg2-g3 -0.63/13 ]
24...Bh6-f4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

25.Bb2-c1 Bf4xc1 26.Re1xc1 e7-e6


27.a2-a4 e6xf5 28.g4xf5 Ra8-e8
29.Nf3-d2 Bd7xf5 30.Bh3-f1 Rg8-g4
31.Bf1-c4+ Bf5-e6 32.Bc4xe6+
Re8xe6 33.Rc1-f1 h7-h5 34.Ra1-e1
Re6xe1 35.Rf1xe1 Rg4xh4 -1.04/13 ]
25.Nf3-e5+? Diagram [ 25.a2-a4
Diagram
e7-e6 26.Bb2-a3 e6xf5 27.Ba3xd6
Bf4xd6 28.g4-g5 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.a2-a4 h7-h5 26.g4-g5 Nd6xf5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +r+
+p+lpk+p
ppn p +
+ + +P+
+ P lPP
+ P +N+L
PL + K +
R + R +

r+ + +r+
+p+lpk+p
ppn p +
+ + +P+
P+ P lPP
+ P +N+L
L + K +
R + R +

643

2391

2392

27.Re1-e2 Bf4-g3+ 28.Kf2-g2 Bg3-d6


29.Re2-e4 Nf5-g3 30.Re4-e1
Bd7xh3+ 31.Kg2xh3 Ng3-f5
32.Re1-e4 Bd6-g3 33.Kh3-g2 Kf7-g6
Diagram
(Diagram 2393)
34.g5xf6 Kg6xf6 -0.93/12 ]
(Diagram 2394)
25...f6xe5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25...f6xe5 Diagram
26.d4xe5 Nd6-c4 27.e5-e6+ Kf7-f8

r+ + +r+
+p+ p +
pp+ pk+
+ + +nPp
P+ PR+ P
+ P +Nl
L + +K+
R + + +

r+ + +r+
+p+lpk+p
ppn p +
+ + NP+
+ P lPP
+ P + +L
PL + K +
R + R +

r+ + +r+
+p+lpk+p
ppn + +
+ + pP+
+ P lPP
+ P + +L
PL + K +
R + R +

2393

2394

2395

28.e6xd7 Nc4xb2 29.Re1-e2 Nb2-d3+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

644

30.Kf2-f3 Bf4-c7 31.Ra1-d1 Nd3-c5


32.Re2-d2 Ra8-d8 33.g4-g5 Diagram

+ r kr+
+plPp +p
pp+ + +
+ n +PP
+ + + P
+ P +K+L
P+ R + +
+ +R+ +

Nd6-c4
Nc4xb2
Nb2-d3
Ra8-d8
Bc7-e5
Na4xc3

+ rLkr+
+plPp +p
+ + + +
+p+n+PP
+p+ + P
P + +K+
+ +R+ +
+ + R +

2396

b6-b5 34.Bh3-g4 Bc7-e5 35.Bg4-h5


Nc5-a4 36.Rd2-c2 Na4xc3 37.Rd1-e1
Be5-d4 38.Bh5-e8 b5-b4 39.g5-g6
Rg8-g7 40.Kf3-g4 Bd4-b6 41.Kg4-g5
Bb6-c7 42.a2-a3 -2.19/14 ] 26.d4xe5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26.d4xe5 Diagram

r+ + +r+
+p+lpk+p
ppn + +
+ + PP+
+ + lPP
+ P + +L
PL + K +
R + R +

Nc3-d5 39.Rc2-e2 c6-c5 40.a2-a3


c5-c4 -2.47/16 Diagram

2397

27.e5-e6+ Kf7-f8 28.e6xd7


29.Kf2-f3 Bf4-c7 30.Re1-e2
31.Ra1-d1 Nd3-c5 32.Re2-d2
33.g4-g5 b6-b5 34.Bh3-g4
35.Bg4-h5 Nc5-a4 36.Bh5-e8
37.Rd1-e1 Be5-c7 38.Rd2-c2

2398

r+ + +r+
+p+lpk+p
ppn + +
+ + PP+
+ + lPP
+ P + +L
PL + K +
R + R +

2399

26...Nd6-c4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 26...Nd6-c4 27.e5-e6+ Kf7-f8
28.e6xd7 Nc4xb2 29.Kf2-f3 Bf4-c7
30.Re1-e2 Nb2-d3 31.Ra1-d1 Nd3-c5
32.Re2-d2 Diagram
(Diagram 2400)
Ra8-d8 33.Bh3-f1 Bc7-d6 34.Bf1-c4
Rg8-h8 35.Bc4-e6 Nc5xd7 36.Be6xd7
Rd8xd7 37.c3-c4 Kf8-f7 38.Rd1-b1
e7-e6 39.f5xe6+ Kf7xe6 40.Rb1xb6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + kr+
+plPp +p
pp+ + +
+ n +P+
+ + +PP
+ P +K+L
P+ R + +
+ +R+ +

645

2400

r+ + kr+
+p+Pp +p
pp+ + +
+ + +P+
+n+ lPP
+ P + +L
PL + K +
R + R +

2402

Rh8-f8+ 41.Kf3-g2 Rf8-f4 -2.45/16 ]

r+ + +r+
+p+lpk+p
pp+ + +
+ + PP+
+n+ lPP
+ P + +L
PL + K +
R + R +

2401

27.e5-e6+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 27.e5-e6+ Kf7-f8 28.e6xd7
Diagram
(Diagram 2402)
Nc4xb2 29.Kf2-f3 Bf4-c7 30.Re1-e2
Nb2-d3 31.Ra1-d1 Nd3-c5 32.Re2-d2
Diagram
Ra8-d8 33.g4-g5 b6-b5 34.Bh3-g4
Bc7-e5 35.Bg4-h5 Nc5-a4 36.Rd2-c2
Na4xc3 37.Rd1-e1 Be5-d4 38.Bh5-e8
b5-b4 39.Kf3-g4 -2.35/15 ]
27...Kf7-f8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro

r+ + kr+
+plPp +p
pp+ + +
+ n +P+
+ + +PP
+ P +K+L
P+ R + +
+ +R+ +

r+ + +r+
+p+lpk+p
pp+P+ +
+ + +P+
+n+ lPP
+ P + +L
PL + K +
R + R +
x64: 27...Kf7-f8 Diagram

2403

2404

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + kr+
+p+lp +p
pp+P+ +
+ + +P+
+n+ lPP
+ P + +L
PL + K +
R + R +

646

2405

28.e6xd7 Nc4xb2 29.Kf2-f3 Bf4-c7


30.Re1-e2 Nb2-d3 31.Ra1-d1 Nd3-c5
32.Bh3-f1 Bc7-d6 33.f5-f6 Ra8-d8
34.g4-g5 Rd8xd7 35.Re2-d2 Rd7-d8
36.Bf1-h3 Kf8-f7 37.Bh3-f5 Rg8-h8
38.Kf3-g4 b6-b5 -2.12/16 ]

r+ + kr+
+p+lp +p
pp+P+ +
+ + +P+
+n+ lPP
+ P + +L
PL + K +
R + R +

2406

28.e6xd7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 28.e6xd7 Nc4xb2 29.Kf2-f3
Bf4-c7 30.Re1-e2 Nb2-d3 31.Ra1-d1
Nd3-c5 32.Bh3-f1 Bc7-d6 33.f5-f6
Ra8-d8 34.g4-g5 Diagram
Rd8xd7 35.Re2-d2 Rd7-d8 36.Bf1-h3
Kf8-f7 37.Bh3-f5 Rg8-h8 38.Kf3-g4
b6-b5 -2.23/14 ]
28...Nc4xb2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

+ r kr+
+p+Pp +p
ppl P +
+ n + P
+ + + P
+ P +K+
P+ +R+ +
+ +R+L+

r+ + kr+
+p+Pp +p
pp+ + +
+ + +P+
+n+ lPP
+ P + +L
PL + K +
R + R +

2407

2408

28...Nc4xb2 29.Kf2-f3 Diagram


(Diagram 2409)
Bf4-c7 30.Re1-e2 Nb2-d3 31.Ra1-d1
Nd3-c5 32.Re2-d2 Ra8-d8 33.g4-g5
b6-b5 34.a2-a3 Bc7-e5 35.Bh3-f1
Be5-d6 36.f5-f6 Rd8xd7 37.Bf1-h3
Rd7-d8 -1.89/12 ] 29.Re1-e4 Diagram
[ 29.Kf2-f3 Bf4-c7 30.Re1-e2
Nb2-d3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29.Kf2-f3 Bf4-c7 30.Re1-e2 Nb2-d3
31.Ra1-d1 Nd3-c5 32.Bh3-f1 Bc7-d6
33.f5-f6 Ra8-d8 34.g4-g5 Rd8xd7
35.Re2-d2 Rd7-d8 36.Bf1-h3 Kf8-f7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + kr+
+p+Pp +p
pp+ + +
+ + +P+
+ + lPP
+ P +K+L
Pn + + +
R + R +

647

2409

r+ + kr+
+p+Pp +p
pp+ + +
+ + +P+
+ +RlPP
+ P + +L
Pn + K +
R + + +

2411

37.Bh3-f5 Rg8-h8 Diagram

+ r + r
+p+ pk+p
ppl P +
+ n +LP
+ + + P
+ P +K+
P+ R + +
+ +R+ +

2410

38.Kf3-g4 b6-b5 -2.16/13 ]

r+ + kr+
+p+Pp +p
ppl + +
+ + +P+
+ +R+PP
+ P + +L
Pn + K +
R + + +

2412

34.Kd4-d3 Nc4-e5+ 35.Kd3-c2 e7xf6


36.Ra1-f1 Rg8-g6 37.Bh3-f5 Rg6-g7
38.Re4-e2 Ra8xa2+ Diagram

(Diagram 2411)
(Diagram 2413)
29...Bf4-d6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 29...Bf4-c7 30.Bh3-f1 Nb2-a4
31.f5-f6 e7-e5 32.g4-g5 Na4xc3
33.Re4-e1 Ra8-d8 34.Bf1-h3 Kf8-f7
35.Bh3-g4 e5-e4 36.Re1-e3 Bc7-e5
37.Bg4-h5+ Kf7-e6 38.Bh5-e8 Rg8-f8
39.Ra1-e1 b6-b5 -2.48/13 ]
30.Kf2-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30.Kf2-e3 b6-b5 31.g4-g5 Kf8-f7
32.f5-f6 Nb2-c4+ 33.Ke3-d4 c6-c5+

39.Kc2-b3 Ra2-a8 40.g5xf6 c5-c4+


41.Kb3-c2 -1.98/12 ] 30...b6-b5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30...Bd6-c5+
31.Ke3-d2 b6-b5 32.g4-g5 Nb2-c4+
Diagram
33.Kd2-e2 Nc4-d6 34.Re4-e5 Bc5-b6
35.f5-f6 e7xf6 36.Re5-e6 Diagram
Nd6-c4 37.Re6xf6+ Kf8-e7 38.Rf6-h6
Rg8-h8 -1.98/13 ] 31.Ra1-b1 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+p+P+krp
+ l p +
+pp nLP
+ + + P
+ P + +
r+K+R+ +
+ + +R+

r+ + kr+
+p+Pp +p
+p+ + +
+pl +PP
+n+R+ P
+ P + +L
P+ K + +
R + + +

r+ + kr+
+p+P+ +p
lpnRp +
+p+ + P
+ + + P
+ P + +L
P+ +K+ +
R + + +
[ 31.g4-g5 Nb2-c4+ 32.Ke3-e2

648
Nc4-e5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31.g4-g5 Nb2-c4+ 32.Ke3-d4 Ra8-d8
33.f5-f6 e7xf6 34.Ra1-f1 Diagram
2413

+ r kr+
+p+P+ +p
+pl p +
+p+ + P
+nKR+ P
+ P + +L
P+ + + +
+ + +R+
2414

2416

Rg8-g6 35.Bh3-f5 Bd6-e7 36.Kd4-d3


Diagram

+ r k +
+p+Pl +p
+p+ pr+
+p+ +LP
+n+R+ P
+ PK+ +
P+ + + +
+ + +R+

2417

2415

Rg6-g7 37.Bf5-e6 b7-b6 38.Be6-f5


-1.83/12 ]
(Diagram 2418)
31...Nb2-c4+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31...Nb2-c4+ Diagram
32.Re4xc4 b5xc4 33.Rb1xb7 Kf8-g7
34.Bh3-g2 Kg7-f6 35.g4-g5+ Kf6-e5
36.Bg2xc6 Bd6-c5+ 37.Ke3-f3 Ra8-a3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + kr+
+p+Pp +p
+pl + +
+p+ +P+
+ +R+PP
+ P K +L
Pn + + +
+R+ + +

r+ + kr+
+p+Pp +p
+pl + +
+p+ +P+
+n+R+PP
+ P K +L
P+ + + +
+R+ + +

649

2418

2419

38.Rb7-c7 Ra3xc3+ 39.Kf3-g4 Bc5-b6


40.Rc7-c8 Bb6-d8 41.Bc6-a4 h7-h6
42.Rc8-c6 h6xg5 43.h4xg5 Rc3-c1
44.Rc6-e6+ Ke5-d4 45.g5-g6 c4-c3
46.Ba4-b3 c3-c2 47.Re6-c6 Rc1-g1+
48.Kg4-f3 Rg1-f1+ 49.Kf3-e2 -2.70/16
] 32.Re4xc4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.Re4xc4 Diagram
(Diagram 2420)
b5xc4 33.Rb1xb7 Kf8-g7 34.Bh3-f1
Kg7-f6 35.g4-g5+ Kf6xf5 36.Bf1xc4
Rg8-d8 37.Bc4-d3+ Kf5-e6
38.Bd3-c4+ Ke6-e5 39.Bc4-d3

r+ + kr+
+p+Pp +p
+pl + +
+p+ +P+
+R+ +PP
+ P K +L
P+ + + +
+R+ + +

2420

Bd6-c5+ 40.Ke3-f3 Ra8-a4 41.Kf3-g3


Ke5-d6 42.Bd3xh7 Rd8xd7
43.Rb7xd7+ Kd6xd7 44.h4-h5
Bc5-d6+ 45.Kg3-h3 Ra4xa2 46.h5-h6
Bd6-e5 47.Bh7-b1 Ra2-b2 48.Bb1-d3
Be5xc3 49.h6-h7 Kd7-e6 50.Kh3-g4
Rb2-g2+ 51.Kg4-h5 -2.82/16
Diagram

+ + + +
+ + p +P
+p+k+ +
+ + + PK
+ + + +
+ lL+ +
+ + +r+
+ + + +

2421

] 32...b5xc4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


32...b5xc4 33.Rb1xb7 Kf8-g7
34.g4-g5 Rg8-d8 35.Bh3-g2 Ra8xa2
36.Bg2xc6 Ra2-h2 37.Ke3-d4
Rh2xh4+ 38.Bc6-e4 Rh4-g4
39.Kd4-d5 Rg4xg5 40.Kd5xc4 Kg7-f6
41.Kc4-d5 Rg5-g4 42.c3-c4 h7-h5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

650

43.Be4-b1 Rg4-g2 44.c4-c5 Rg2-d2+


45.Kd5-c4 Bd6xc5 46.Kc4xc5 Rd8xd7
47.Rb7-b6+ Kf6-e5 48.Rb6-e6+
Ke5-f4 49.f5-f6 Rd2-d5+ 50.Kc5-c4
Rd5-d4+ 51.Kc4-c5 e7xf6 52.Re6xf6+
Kf4-g5 -2.40/13 Diagram

+ + + +
+ +r+ +
+ + R +
+ K + kp
+ r + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+L+ + +

2422

2424

47.Bb1-d3 Rb2-d2 48.Bd3-f5+ e7-e6


-2.71/14 ] 33...Kf8-g7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 33...Kf8-g7 34.Bh3-f1
Diagram

] 33.Rb1xb7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


33.Rb1xb7 Diagram

r+ + kr+
+R+Pp +p
+pl + +
+ + +P+
+p+ +PP
+ P K +L
P+ + + +
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ +kp +L
+pl + +
+ + + PP
+ + + +
+ P + +K
r+ + + +
+ + + +

2423

Kf8-g7 34.Bh3-f1 Kg7-f6 35.g4-g5+


Kf6xf5 36.Bf1xc4 Rg8-d8 37.Bc4-d3+
Kf5-e6 38.Bd3-c2 Bd6-c5+ 39.Ke3-f4
Ke6-d6 40.Bc2xh7 Ra8-a4+ 41.Kf4-g3
Rd8xd7 42.Rb7xd7+ Kd6xd7 43.h4-h5
Bc5-d6+ 44.Kg3-h3 Ra4xa2 Diagram
45.h5-h6 Bd6-e5 46.Bh7-b1 Ra2-b2

r+ + +r+
+R+Pp kp
+pl + +
+ + +P+
+p+ +PP
+ P K +
P+ + + +
+ + +L+

2425

Kg7-f6 35.g4-g5+ Kf6xf5 36.Bf1xc4


Rg8-d8 37.Bc4-d3+ Kf5-e6
38.Bd3-c4+ Ke6-e5 39.Bc4-d3
Bd6-c5+ 40.Ke3-f3 Ra8-a4 41.Kf3-g3
Ra4-a7 42.Rb7-b2 Ra7-a3
43.Rb2-e2+ Ke5-d6 44.Re2-c2
Bc5-d4 45.Bd3xh7 Rd8xd7 46.Bh7-f5
e7-e6 -2.50/16 ] 34.Bh3-g2 Diagram
[ 34.g4-g5 a fruitless try to alter the
course of the game Rg8-d8 35.a2-a4
Ra8xa4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

651

34.g4-g5 Rg8-d8 35.h4-h5 Ra8xa2


36.h5-h6+ Kg7-f8 37.Bh3-f1 Ra2-h2
38.Bf1xc4 Rh2-h3+ 39.Ke3-e4
Rh3-h4+ 40.Ke4-d3 Rh4-h5
41.Bc4-e6 Rh5xg5 42.Rb7-b6
Rg5-g3+ Diagram

+ r k +
+ +Pp +p
RplL+ P
+ + +P+
+ + + +
+ PK+ r
+ + + +
+ + + +

2426

46.Ba4-b3 c3-c2 47.Re6-c6 Rc1-g1+


48.Kg4-f3 Rg1-f1+ 49.Kf3-e2 -2.57/16
] 35.g4-g5+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 35.g4-g5+ Kf6-e5 36.Bg2xc6
Bd6-c5+ 37.Ke3-f3 Ra8-a3 38.Rb7-c7
Ra3xc3+ 39.Kf3-g4 Bc5-b6 40.Rc7-c8
Bb6-d8 41.Bc6-a4 h7-h6 42.Rc8-c6
h6xg5 43.h4xg5 Diagram

+ l +r+
+ +Pp +
+R+ + +
+ + kPP
L+p+ +K+
+ r + +
P+ + + +
+ + + +

2428

43.Kd3-d4 c6-c5+ 44.Kd4-c4 Rg3-h3


45.f5-f6 Rh3xh6 -2.52/14 ]

r+ + +r+
+R+Pp kp
+pl + +
+ + +P+
+p+ +PP
+ P K +
P+ + +L+
+ + + +

2427

34...Kg7-f6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


34...Kg7-f6 35.g4-g5+ Kf6-e5
36.Bg2xc6 Bd6-c5+ 37.Ke3-f3 Ra8-a3
38.Rb7-c7 Ra3xc3+ 39.Kf3-g4 Bc5-b6
40.Rc7-c8 Bb6-d8 41.Bc6-a4 h7-h6
42.Rc8-c6 h6xg5 43.h4xg5 Rc3-c1
44.Rc6-e6+ Ke5-d4 45.g5-g6 c4-c3

Rc3-c1 44.Rc6-e6+ Ke5-d4 45.g5-g6


c4-c3 46.Ba4-b3 c3-c2 47.Re6-c6
Rc1-g1+ 48.Kg4-f3 Rg1-f1+
49.Kf3-e2 -2.71/14 ]
(Diagram 2429)
35...Kf6xf5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 35...Kf6-e5 36.Bg2xc6 Bd6-c5+
37.Ke3-f3 Ra8-a3 38.Rb7-c7 Ra3xc3+
39.Kf3-g4 Bc5-b6 40.Rc7-c8 Bb6-d8
41.Bc6-a4 h7-h6 42.Rc8-c6 h6xg5
43.h4xg5 Rc3-c1 44.Rc6-e6+
Diagram
(Diagram 2430)
Ke5-d4 45.g5-g6 c4-c3 46.Ba4-b3
c3-c2 47.Re6-c6 Rc1-g1+ 48.Kg4-f3
Rg1-f1+ 49.Kf3-e2 -2.57/15 ]
36.Bg2xc6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36.Bg2xc6 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +r+
+R+Pp +p
+pl k +
+ + +PP
+p+ + P
+ P K +
P+ + +L+
+ + + +

+ l +r+
+ +Pp +
+ +R+ +
+ + kPP
L+p+ +K+
+ + + +
P+ + + +
+ r + +

r+ + +r+
+R+Pp +p
+pl + +
+ + +kP
+p+ + P
+ P K +
P+ + +L+
+ + + +

652

2429

2430

2431

r+ + +r+
+R+Pp +p
+Ll + +
+ + +kP
+p+ + P
+ P K +
P+ + + +
+ + + +

2432

Ra8xa2 37.Bc6-d5 Bd6-c5+


38.Ke3-f3 Rg8-f8 39.Bd5xc4 Ra2-f2+
40.Kf3-g3 Rf2-f4 41.Bc4-d3+ Kf5-e6
42.d7-d8N+ Rf8xd8 43.Kg3xf4
Rd8xd3 44.Rb7-b3 Bc5-d4 45.h4-h5
Bd4xc3 46.Kf4-g4 Rd3-d4+ 47.Kg4-f3
Bc3-b4 48.g5-g6 h7xg6 49.h5xg6
Ke6-f6 50.Kf3-e3 Bb4-c5 -2.67/14 ]
36...Ra8-b8 [ 36...Ra8xa2 might be the
shorter path 37.Bc6-e4+ Kf5-e6
38.Ke3-d4 Bd6-e5+ 39.Kd4xc4
Ra2-a4+ 40.Kc4-d3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 36...Ra8xa2 37.Bc6-e4+
Kf5-e6 38.Be4xh7 Rg8-f8 39.Ke3-d4
Ra2-h2 -2.39/14 ] 37.Ke3-d4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37.Rb7xb8
Rg8xb8 38.Ke3-d4 Bd6-g3 39.h4-h5
Kf5xg5 40.a2-a4 Bg3-c7 41.Kd4xc4
e7-e6 42.Bc6-b5 Kg5-f6 43.Kc4-b4
Kf6-e7 44.c3-c4 Ke7-d8 45.c4-c5
Rb8-a8 46.c5-c6 h7-h6 47.Kb4-c5
Ra8-a5 48.Kc5-d4 -2.18/14 ]
(Diagram 2433)
37...Kf5-g4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...Rb8xb7 38.Bc6xb7 Bd6-g3
39.h4-h5 Kf5xg5 40.Kd4xc4 e7-e6
41.a2-a4 Kg5-f6 42.a4-a5 Kf6-e7
43.Bb7-c6 Ke7-d6 44.Bc6-b5 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + +r+
+R+Pp +p
+Ll + +
+ + +kP
+pK + P
+ P + +
P+ + + +
+ + + +

+ + +r+
+ +P+ +p
+ kp+ +
PL+ + +P
+K+ + +
+ P + l
+ + + +
+ + + +

653

2433

+ + +r+
+r+Pp +p
+Ll + +
+ + + P
P+pK +kP
+ P + +
+ + + +
+ + + +

2435

48.Bc6-h1 h5-h4 49.a4-a5 Kf6-e6


50.Bh1-c6 Rg3-b3+ 51.Kb5-c4
Diagram
2434

Kd6-c7 45.a5-a6 Bg3-f2 46.Kc4-b4


Rg8-d8 47.c3-c4 -1.91/14 ] 38.a2-a4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.g5-g6
h7xg6 39.Kd4xc4 Rb8xb7 40.Bc6xb7
Rg8-d8 41.Bb7-c8 Kg4xh4 42.Kc4-d5
Bd6-a3 43.c3-c4 Kh4-g5 44.c4-c5
e7-e6+ 45.Kd5-d6 Kg5-f6 46.Kd6-c7
Kf6-e7 47.c5-c6 Ba3-d6+ 48.Kc7-b6
-1.57/14 ] 38...Kg4xh4 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 38...Rb8xb7 Diagram
39.Bc6xb7 Bd6-c7 40.Kd4xc4
Kg4xh4 41.Kc4-b5 Rg8xg5+
42.Kb5-c6 Bc7-d8 43.c3-c4 Rg5-g6+
44.Kc6-c5 Kh4-g5 45.Bb7-c6 Kg5-f6
46.Kc5-b5 h7-h5 47.c4-c5 Rg6-g3

+ l + +
+ +Pp +
+L+k+ +
P P + +
+K+ + p
+r+ + +
+ + + +
+ + + +

2436

Rb3-b8 52.a5-a6 -2.53/14 ] 39.a4-a5


[ 39.g5-g6 h7xg6 40.Rb7xb8 Bd6xb8
41.a4-a5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39.g5-g6 Diagram
(Diagram 2437)
Rb8xb7 40.Bc6xb7 h7xg6 41.a4-a5
Rg8-d8 42.Bb7-c6 Kh4-g5 43.Kd4xc4
Kg5-f6 44.a5-a6 Bd6-b8 45.Bc6-b5
e7-e5 46.Kc4-c5 Kf6-e7 47.c3-c4
e5-e4 48.Kc5-d4 Bb8-a7+ 49.Kd4xe4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + +r+
+R+Pp +p
+Ll +P+
+ + + +
P+pK + k
+ P + +
+ + + +
+ + + +

654

2437

Ke7-d6 50.Bb5-a4 Kd6-c7 51.Ke4-d5


g6-g5 52.c4-c5 g5-g4 -1.94/13 ]
39...Rb8xb7 [Not 39...Kh4xg5
40.a5-a6 Rb8xb7 41.Bc6xb7-+
Diagram

+ + +r+
+L+Pp +p
P+ l + +
+ + + k
+pK + +
+ P + +
+ + + +
+ + + +

2438

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 39...Rb8xb7


40.Bc6xb7 Kh4xg5 41.Kd4xc4 Kg5-f6
42.Kc4-b5 Bd6-b8 43.c3-c4 Rg8-d8
44.Bb7-c6 h7-h5 45.Kb5-b6 e7-e5
46.Kb6-b7 Bb8-d6 47.Kb7-b6
Rd8-b8+ 48.Bc6-b7 Kf6-e7 49.Kb6-c6
Rb8-d8 50.c4-c5 Bd6-b8 51.Bb7-c8
e5-e4 -2.85/13 ] 40.Bc6xb7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40.Bc6xb7
Kh4xg5 41.Kd4xc4 Kg5-f6 42.Kc4-b5

Bd6-b8 43.c3-c4 Rg8-d8 44.Bb7-c6


h7-h5 45.Kb5-b6 e7-e5 46.Kb6-b7
Bb8-d6 47.Kb7-b6 Rd8-b8+
48.Bc6-b7 Kf6-e7 49.Kb6-c6 Rb8-d8
50.c4-c5 Bd6-b8 51.Bb7-c8 e5-e4
-2.83/14 ] 40...Kh4xg5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 40...Kh4xg5 41.Kd4xc4
Kg5-f6 42.Kc4-b5 Bd6-b8 43.c3-c4
Rg8-d8 44.Bb7-c6 h7-h5 45.Kb5-b6
e7-e5 46.Kb6-b7 Bb8-d6 47.Kb7-b6
Rd8-b8+ 48.Bc6-b7 Kf6-e7 49.Kb6-c6
Rb8-d8 50.c4-c5 Bd6-b8 51.Bb7-c8
e5-e4 -2.65/15 ] 41.a5-a6 [ 41.Kd4xc4
doesn't change the outcome of the
game Kg5-f6-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
41.Kd4xc4 Kg5-f6 42.Kc4-b5 Bd6-b8
43.Kb5-b6 e7-e5 44.Bb7-c6 Kf6-e7
45.c3-c4 e5-e4 46.Bc6xe4 Ke7xd7
47.a5-a6 Bb8-c7+ 48.Kb6-b5 Rg8-b8+
49.Be4-b7 h7-h5 50.c4-c5 Rb8xb7+
51.a6xb7 h5-h4 52.Kb5-c4 Kd7-c6
53.Kc4-d4 Kc6xb7 -3.03/13 ]
41...Bd6-b8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
41...Bd6-b8 42.Kd4xc4 Kg5-f6
43.Bb7-c8 h7-h5 44.Kc4-b5 h5-h4
45.Kb5-b6 h4-h3 46.d7-d8R Rg8xd8
47.Bc8xh3 e7-e5 48.Bh3-g2 Rd8-d2
49.Bg2-e4 Rd2-b2+ 50.Kb6-c6
Bb8-a7 51.Be4-d3 Rb2-b8 52.Kc6-c7
Kf6-e6 53.Bd3-e4 -3.02/13 ]
42.Kd4xc4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
42.Kd4xc4 Kg5-f6 43.Kc4-c5 e7-e5
44.Kc5-b6 Kf6-e7 45.Bb7-d5 Rg8-d8
46.Bd5-c6 h7-h5 47.Kb6-b7 h5-h4
48.c3-c4 Ke7-d6 49.Bc6-g2 Kd6xd7
50.c4-c5 Rd8-g8 51.Bg2-h3+ Kd7-e7
52.c5-c6 e5-e4 53.Bh3-c8 Bb8-a7
54.Bc8-d7 Ba7-e3 55.Bd7-f5 Ke7-d6
56.c6-c7 Rg8-g7 -3.26/14 ] 42...Kg5-f6
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...Kg5-f6
43.Kc4-c5 e7-e5 44.Bb7-e4 h7-h5
45.c3-c4 h5-h4 46.Kc5-c6 Kf6-e7
47.c4-c5 Ke7-d8 48.Be4-f5 Rg8-g5
49.Bf5-h3 Rg5-g3 50.Bh3-e6 h4-h3
51.Kc6-b7 h3-h2 52.Be6-d5 Kd8xd7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


53.Kb7xb8 Rg3-b3+ 54.Bd5xb3
h2-h1Q -2.92/12 ] 43.Kc4-b5
[ 43.Bb7-c6 does not save the day
e7-e5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
43.Bb7-c8 h7-h5 44.Kc4-b5 h5-h4
45.Kb5-b6 h4-h3 46.d7-d8R Rg8xd8
47.Bc8xh3 e7-e5 48.Bh3-g2 Rd8-d2
49.Kb6-b7 Rd2-b2+ 50.Kb7-a8
Bb8-c7 51.Bg2-e4 Rb2-b8+
52.Ka8-a7 Kf6-e6 53.c3-c4 Ke6-d6
-3.26/13 ] 43...e7-e5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 43...e7-e5 44.Bb7-e4 h7-h5
45.Kb5-b6 Kf6-e7 46.Be4-f5 h5-h4
47.c3-c4 e5-e4 48.Bf5xe4 Ke7xd7
49.c4-c5 Bb8-c7+ 50.Kb6-b5 Rg8-b8+
51.Kb5-c4 Rb8-e8 52.Be4-f5+ Kd7-e7
53.Bf5-g4 Re8-a8 54.Kc4-b5 Ra8-a7
55.Bg4-f5 Ke7-d8 56.Bf5-h3 Bc7-b8
57.Kb5-b6 -3.34/13 ] 44.Kb5-b6
[ 44.Bb7-e4 cannot undo what has
already been done Rg8-d8 45.Kb5-c6
Kf6-e6-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
44.Bb7-e4 h7-h5 45.Kb5-b6 Kf6-e7
46.Be4-f5 h5-h4 47.c3-c4 e5-e4
48.Bf5xe4 Ke7xd7 49.c4-c5 Bb8-c7+
50.Kb6-b5 Rg8-b8+ 51.Kb5-c4
Rb8-e8 52.Be4-f5+ Kd7-e7 53.Bf5-g4
Re8-a8 54.Kc4-b5 Ra8-a7 55.Bg4-f5
Ke7-d8 56.Bf5-h3 Bc7-b8 57.Kb5-b6
-3.41/14 ] 44...Kf6-e7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 44...Kf6-e7 45.Bb7-d5
Rg8-d8 46.Bd5-c6 h7-h5 47.Kb6-b7
h5-h4 48.c3-c4 Ke7-d6 49.Bc6-g2
Kd6xd7 50.c4-c5 Kd7-e6 51.Bg2-h3+
Ke6-d5 52.c5-c6 e5-e4 53.c6-c7
Bb8xc7 54.Kb7xc7 Rd8-a8 55.Kc7-b6
Ra8-b8+ 56.Kb6-c7 -3.31/12 ]
45.Bb7-c8 [ 45.Bb7-e4 doesn't change
anything anymore Ke7xd7 46.Be4xh7
Rg8-g7-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45.Bb7-d5 Rg8-d8 46.Bd5-c6 h7-h5
47.Kb6-b7 h5-h4 48.c3-c4 Ke7-d6
49.Bc6-g2 Kd6xd7 50.c4-c5 Kd7-e6
51.Bg2-h3+ Ke6-d5 52.c5-c6 e5-e4
53.c6-c7 Bb8xc7 54.Kb7xc7 Rd8-a8

655
55.Kc7-b6 Ra8-b8+ 56.Kb6-c7
-3.38/13 ] 45...Rg8-g2 [ 45...Rg8-g2
46.Kb6-c5 Ke7-d8-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 45...Rg8-g2 46.Kb6-c5 Ke7-d8
47.Bc8-b7 Bb8-a7+ 48.Kc5-d5
Kd8xd7 49.Kd5xe5 Rg2-g6 50.Ke5-f5
Kd7-c7 51.c3-c4 Kc7-b6 52.Kf5-f4
Kb6-c5 53.Kf4-f5 Kc5xc4 54.Bb7-f3
Kc4-c5 55.Bf3-e2 Rg6-g8 56.Be2-d1
Kc5-b6 -4.86/13 ]
0-1

46

E12

Ivan Sokolov
Vassily Ivanchuk
Corus Wijk aan Zee NED (2) 15.01.2006
E12: Queen's Indian: Unusual White
4th moves, 4 a3, 4 Nc3 Bb7 5 a3 and 4
Nc3 Bb7
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6
3.Ng1-f3 b7-b6 4.Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4
Diagram

rnlqk+ r
p pp+ppp
p +pn +
+ + + +
lPP + +
+ N +N+
PP +PPPP
R LQKL+R

2439

5.Qd1-b3 c7-c5 6.a2-a3 Bb4-a5


7.Bc1-g5 Bc8-b7 8.d4xc5 [RR
8.e2-e3 0-0 9.Ra1-d1 d7-d5
10.Bf1-e2 Nb8-d7 11.0-0 c5xd4
12.Nc3-b5 h7-h6 13.Bg5-h4 Nd7-c5
14.Qb3-c2 d4-d3 15.Be2xd3 Nc5xd3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


16.Rd1xd3 a7-a6 17.c4xd5 a6xb5
18.d5xe6 Qd8-e8 19.Bh4xf6 f7xe6
20.Bf6-e5 Bb7-e4 21.Rd3-d7 Be4xc2
22.Rd7xg7+ Kg8-h8 Bareev,E (2707)Adams,M (2742)/Wijk aan Zee 2002/
CBM 087/- ] 8...Nb8-a6 9.c5-c6
d7xc6N [RR 9...Bb7xc6 10.Qb3-c2
Ba5xc3+ 11.Qc2xc3 Na6-c5
12.Nf3-d2 0-0 13.f2-f3 e6-e5 (RR
13...h7-h6 14.Bg5-h4 d7-d6 15.b2-b4
Nc5-d7 16.e2-e3 a7-a5 17.Bf1-d3
a5xb4 18.a3xb4 Ra8xa1+ 19.Qc3xa1
Qd8-c7 20.0-0 Rf8-a8 21.Qa1-c3
Bc6-b7 22.Rf1-a1 Ra8xa1+
23.Qc3xa1 d6-d5 24.Bh4-g3 Qc7-c8
25.Qa1-b2 Qc8-a8 26.c4xd5 Nf6xd5
27.e3-e4 Nd5-e7 28.Nd2-c4
Sokolov,I (2696)-Macieja,B (2592)/
Stepanakert 2005/CBM 110/1-0 (40) )
14.e2-e4 (RR 14.e2-e3 Rf8-e8
15.b2-b4 Nc5-e6 16.Bg5-h4 Nf6-e4
17.Bh4xd8 Ne4xc3 18.Bd8-h4 a7-a5
19.b4-b5 Bc6-b7 20.Ra1-c1 Nc3-a4
21.Bf1-e2 Na4-c5 22.0-0 f7-f5
23.Rf1-d1 g7-g5 - Korotylev,A
(2609)-Eljanov,P (2655)/Moscow 2006/
CBM 112 ) 14...Rf8-e8 15.Bg5-e3
d7-d6 16.Bf1-e2 Nf6-h5 17.g2-g3
Qd8-d7 18.Nd2-b3 Qd7-h3 19.Be2-f1
Qh3-e6 20.Nb3xc5 d6xc5 21.0-0-0
a7-a5 22.Bf1-e2 Ra8-d8 23.Rd1xd8
Re8xd8 24.Rh1-d1 Macieja,B (2592)Efimenko,Z (2637)/Khanty Mansiysk
2005/CBM 111/0-1 (46) ] 10.Qb3-c2
c6-c5 11.Ra1-d1 Qd8-c7 12.Bg5xf6
g7xf6 13.g2-g3 Ke8-e7 14.Bf1-g2
Na6-b4 15.Qc2-b3 Nb4-c6 16.0-0
Ra8-d8 17.Nc3-e4 Diagram

656

+ r + r
plq kp+p
pn+pp +
l p + +
+P+N+ +
PQ+ +NP
P +PPLP
+ +R+RK

2440

Rd8xd1+ 21.Qb3xd1 Qc7-b8


22.Qd1-c1 a7-a6 23.Nb5-c3 Ba5xc3
24.Qc1xc3 Qb8-d8 25.Qc3-c2 Ke7-f8
26.e2-e4 f5xe4 27.Qc2xe4 Qd8-d1+
28.Bg2-f1 Nc6-d4 29.Qe4xb7 Nd4xf3+
30.Kg1-g2 0.18/14 Diagram

+ + k +
+Q+ +p+p
pp +p+ +
+ p + +
+P+ + +
P + +nP
P + PKP
+ +q+L+

2441

] 18.Qb3-e3 [ 18.Qb3-c2!?$ Diagram


(Diagram 2442)

(Diagram 2440)
last book move last book move h7-h6
Covers g5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
17...f6-f5 18.Ne4-c3 Rd8xd1
19.Rf1xd1 Rh8-d8 20.Nc3-b5

should not be overlooked ;Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 18.e2-e3 Rd8xd1 19.Rf1xd1
Rh8-d8 20.Rd1xd8 Nc6xd8 21.Qb3-c2
Qc7-d7 22.g3-g4 Bb7xe4 23.Qc2xe4
Qd7-d1+ 24.Bg2-f1 Qd1-c1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + r
plq kp+
pn+pp p
l p + +
+P+N+ +
P + +NP
PQ+PPLP
+ +R+RK

657

2442

25.Qe4-a8 Qc1xb2 26.Qa8xa7+


Ke7-e8 27.Qa7-c7 Qb2xa3 28.Qc7-f4
Qa3-b2 29.Qf4xh6 Nd8-c6 30.Qh6-h7
Ke8-f8 0.11/14 Diagram

+ + k +
+ + +p+Q
pn+pp +
l p + +
+P+ +P+
+ + PN+
q + P P
+ + +LK

2443

23.Rf1xd1 Ne5xc4 24.Qe3-b3 Nc4-d6


25.Qb3-a4 Rh8-d8 26.h2-h3 c5-c4
27.Nf3-d4 Ke7-f8 28.Nd4-c6 b6-b5
-0.31/12 ] 19...Qc7xe5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 19...Qc7xe5 Diagram

+ r + r
pl+ kp+
p +pp p
l p q +
+P+N+ +
P + Q P
P +PPLP
+ +R+RK

2444

20.b2-b3 f6-f5 21.f2-f4 Qe5-b2


22.Rd1-b1 Qb2-d4 23.Qe3xd4 c5xd4
24.Ne4-f2 Bb7xg2 25.Kg1xg2 Ba5-d2
26.Nf2-d3 Bd2-e3 27.Nd3-e5 Rd8-c8
28.Rb1-d1 Rh8-g8 29.Ne5-f3 Rc8-d8
30.Nf3-e5 Rd8-c8 31.Ne5-f3 0.01/13
Diagram
(Diagram 2445)
] 20.Rd1xd8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20.b2-b3 Diagram
(Diagram 2446)

] 18...Nc6-e5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


18...Nc6-e5 19.Nf3xe5 Qc7xe5
20.b2-b3 f6-f5 21.f2-f4 Qe5-b2
22.Rd1-b1 Qb2-d4 23.Qe3xd4 c5xd4
24.Ne4-f2 Bb7xg2 25.Kg1xg2 Ba5-d2
26.Nf2-d3 Bd2-e3 27.Nd3-e5 Rd8-c8
28.Rb1-d1 Rh8-g8 29.Ne5-f3 Rc8-d8
30.Nf3-e5 Rd8-c8 31.Ne5-f3 0.02/15 ]
19.Nf3xe5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Ne4-d2 Ba5xd2 20.Nf3xd2 Bb7xg2
21.Kg1xg2 Rd8-d4 22.Nd2-f3 Rd4xd1

f6-f5 21.f2-f4 Qe5-b2 22.Ne4-f2


Bb7xg2 23.Kg1xg2 Rh8-g8 24.Qe3-f3
Ke7-f6 25.a3-a4 Kf6-g7 26.Rd1-b1
Qb2-a2 27.Rf1-d1 Qa2-c2 28.Nf2-d3
Ba5-c3 -0.07/12 ] 20...Rh8xd8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...Rh8xd8
21.Ne4xf6 Qe5xe3 22.f2xe3 Bb7-a6
23.Nf6-g4 Rd8-d2 24.Ng4xh6 f7-f5
25.b2-b3 Rd2xe2 26.Rf1-f2 Re2-e1+
27.Rf2-f1 Re1xf1+ Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +r+
p + kp+
p +p+ p
+ + +p+
+Pp P +
PP+ lNP
+ +P+KP
+ +R+R+

+ r + r
pl+ kp+
p +pp p
l p q +
+P+N+ +
PP+ Q P
+ +PPLP
+ +R+RK

+ + + +
p + k +
lp +p+ N
l p +p+
+P+ + +
PP+ P P
+ + +LP
+ + +rK

658

2445

2446

30.Nh6-g8 f5xg4 31.Ng8-e7+ Kg6-g5


32.Kf1-f2 Ba5-d2 33.Ne7-c6 Bd2-c1
34.a3-a4 Ba6-b7 35.Nc6xa7 Bb7xg2
36.Kf2xg2 Bc1xe3 -0.14/17 ]
21.Ne4xf6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21.Ne4xf6 Qe5xe3 22.f2xe3
Bb7-a6 23.Nf6-g4 Ba5-d2 24.Kg1-f2
Ba6xc4 25.Ng4-e5 Bc4-d5 26.g3-g4
Ke7-f6 27.Ne5-c6 Bd5xc6 28.Bg2xc6
Kf6-e5 29.Kf2-f3 c5-c4 Diagram

+ r + +
p + +p+
pL+p+ p
+ + k +
+p+ +P+
P + PK+
P lP+ P
+ + +R+

2448

30.a3-a4 f7-f5 -0.26/16 ]


(Diagram 2449)

2447

28.Kg1xf1 Ke7-f6 29.g3-g4 Kf6-g6

21...Qe5xe3 [ 21...Ke7xf6
22.Qe3xh6+ Kf6-e7 23.Qh6-h4+
Ke7-e8 24.Bg2xb7 ; 21...Qe5xb2?!
22.Bg2xb7 Qb2xf6 23.Bb7-f3= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...Qe5xe3
Diagram
(Diagram 2450)
22.f2xe3 Bb7-a6 23.Nf6-g4 Ba5-d2
24.Kg1-f2 Ba6xc4 25.Ng4-e5 Bc4-d5
26.a3-a4 f7-f6 27.Bg2xd5 Rd8xd5
28.Ne5-c4 Rd5-f5+ 29.Kf2-g2 Rf5xf1
30.Kg2xf1 Bd2-a5 31.Kf1-f2 Ba5-b4
0.00/16 ] 22.f2xe3 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.f2xe3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + +
pl+ kp+
p +pN p
l p q +
+P+ + +
P + Q P
P +PPLP
+ + +RK

+ r + +
pl+ kp+
p +pN p
l p + +
+P+ + +
P + q P
P +PPLP
+ + +RK

659

2449

2450

Bb7-a6 23.Nf6-g4 Ba5-d2 24.Kg1-f2


Ba6xc4 25.Ng4-e5 Bc4-d5 26.g3-g4
Ke7-f6 27.Ne5-c6 Bd5xc6 28.Bg2xc6
Kf6-e5 29.Kf2-f3 f7-f5 30.g4xf5 e6xf5
31.Rf1-g1 -0.16/16 ]
(Diagram 2451)
22...Bb7-a6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Bb7-a6 23.Nf6-g4
Rd8-d2 24.Ng4xh6 Diagram
f7-f5 25.b2-b3 Rd2xe2 26.Rf1-f2
Re2-e1+ 27.Rf2-f1 Re1xf1+ 28.Kg1xf1
Ke7-f6 29.g3-g4 b6-b5 30.c4xb5
Ba6xb5+ 31.Kf1-f2 Kf6-g6 32.Nh6-g8

+ r + +
pl+ kp+
p +pN p
l p + +
+P+ + +
P + P P
P +P+LP
+ + +RK

+ + + +
p + kp+
lp +p+ N
l p + +
+P+ + +
P + P P
P rP+LP
+ + +RK

2451

2452

f5xg4 33.Ng8-e7+ Kg6-f6 34.Ne7-c8


a7-a6 35.Nc8-d6 Ba5-c7 36.Nd6xb5
a6xb5 Diagram
(Diagram 2453)
37.Bg2-f1 b5-b4 38.a3xb4 c5xb4
39.h2-h4 g4xh3 40.Bf1xh3 -0.01/17 ]
(Diagram 2454)
Black threatens to win material: Ba6xc4
23.Nf6-g4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.Nf6-g4 Diagram
Rd8-d2 24.Ng4xh6 f7-f5 25.b2-b3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

660
Re1xf1+ 28.Kg1xf1 Ke7-f6 Diagram

+ + + +
+ l + +
+ +pk +
+pp + +
+ + +p+
PP+ P +
+ + KLP
+ + + +

+ r + +
p + kp+
lp +pN p
l p + +
+P+ + +
P + P P
P +P+LP
+ + +RK

+ r + +
p + kp+
lp +p+ p
l p + +
+P+ +N+
P + P P
P +P+LP
+ + +RK

2453

2454

2455

Rd2xe2 26.Rf1-f2 Re2-e1+ 27.Rf2-f1

+ + + +
p + + +
lp +pk N
l p +p+
+P+ + +
PP+ P P
+ + +LP
+ + +K+

2456

29.g3-g4 b6-b5 30.c4xb5 Ba6xb5+


31.Kf1-f2 Kf6-g6 32.Nh6-g8 f5xg4
33.Ng8-e7+ Kg6-f6 34.Ne7-c8 a7-a6
35.Nc8-d6 Ba5-c7 36.Nd6xb5 a6xb5
37.Bg2-f1 b5-b4 38.a3xb4 c5xb4
39.Bf1-e2 -0.09/16 ] 23...Rd8-d2
Diagram [ 23...Ba5-d2 Diagram

+ r + +
p + kp+
lp +p+ p
+ p + +
+P+ +N+
P + P P
P lP+LP
+ + +RK

2457

24.Kg1-f2 f7-f6 25.Ng4xh6 Ba6xc4


26.Nh6-g4= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...Ba5-d2 24.Kg1-f2 Ba6xc4
25.Ng4-e5 Bc4-d5 26.h2-h3 Ke7-f6
27.Ne5-g4+ Kf6-g7 28.e3-e4 Bd5-b7
29.e4-e5 Bb7-c8 30.Ng4-f6 Bd2-g5
31.Nf6-h5+ Kg7-g6 32.Nh5-f4+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

661

Diagram

+lr + +
p + +p+
p +p+kp
+ p P l
+ + N +
P + + PP
P +PKL+
+ + +R+

2458

Kg6-f5 -0.24/16 ]

+ + + +
p + kp+
lp +p+ p
l p + +
+P+ +N+
P + P P
P rP+LP
+ + +RK

2459

+ + + +
p + kp+
lp +p+ N
l p + +
+P+ + +
P + P P
P rP+LP
+ + +RK

+ + +N+
p + + +
+ +p+k+
llp +p+
+ + +P+
PP+ P +
+ + KLP
+ + + +

2460

2461

-0.17/13 ] 24...Ba5-c3 Diagram


[ 24...Rd2-b2 Diagram
24.b2-b3 Consolidates c4 [Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 24.Ng4xh6 Diagram
(Diagram 2460)
f7-f5 25.b2-b3 Rd2xe2 26.Rf1-f2
Re2-e1+ 27.Rf2-f1 Re1xf1+ 28.Kg1xf1
Ke7-f6 29.g3-g4 b6-b5 30.c4xb5
Ba6xb5+ 31.Kf1-f2 Kf6-g6 32.Nh6-g8
Diagram
f5xg4 33.Ng8-e7+ Kg6-f6 34.Ne7-c8
a7-a6 35.Nc8-d6 Ba5-c7 36.Nd6xb5
a6xb5 37.h2-h4 g4xh3 38.Bg2xh3

(Diagram 2462)
25.Ng4xh6 f7-f5 26.e3-e4= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Rd2xe2
25.Ng4xh6 f7-f5 26.Rf1-f2 Re2-e1+
27.Rf2-f1 Re1xf1+ 28.Kg1xf1 Ke7-f6
29.g3-g4 b6-b5 30.c4xb5 Ba6xb5+
31.Kf1-f2 Kf6-g6 32.Nh6-g8 f5xg4
Diagram
33.Ng8-e7+ Kg6-f6 34.Ne7-c8 a7-a6
35.Nc8-d6 Ba5-c7 36.Nd6xb5 a6xb5
37.h2-h4 g4xh3 38.Bg2xh3 -0.08/14

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
p + kp+
lp +p+ p
l p + +
+P+ +N+
PP+ P P
r +P+LP
+ + +RK

+ + +N+
p + + +
+ +p+k+
llp + +
+ + +p+
PP+ P +
+ + KLP
+ + + +

662

2462

2463

+ + + +
+ l + +
+ +pk +
+pp + +
+ + + +
PP+ P +L
+ + K +
+ + + +

+ + + +
p + kp+
lp +p+ p
+ p + +
+P+ +N+
PPl P P
+ rP+LP
+ + +RK

2464

2465

Diagram
(Diagram 2464)
]
(Diagram 2465)
25.Ng4xh6 Attacks the backward
pawn on f7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
25.Ng4xh6 Diagram
f7-f6 26.Bg2-c6 Ke7-f8 27.Nh6-g4
Kf8-g7 28.a3-a4 Ba6-c8 29.Rf1-c1
Bc3-b2 30.Rc1-e1 Bb2-c3 31.Bc6-f3
Rd2-b2 32.Re1-d1 Rb2xb3 33.Kg1-g2

+ + + +
p + kp+
lp +p+ N
+ p + +
+P+ + +
PPl P P
+ rP+LP
+ + +RK
f6-f5 0.03/15 ] 25...f7-f5 Diagram

2466

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

663

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...f7-f6


26.Rf1-c1 Diagram

+ + + +
p + k +
lp +pp N
+ p + +
+P+ + +
PPl P P
+ rP+LP
+ R + K

2467

Bc3-b2 27.Rc1-e1 Bb2-c3 28.Re1-c1


Bc3-b2 0.04/15 ]

+ + + +
p + k +
lp +p+ N
+ p +p+
+P+ + +
PPl P P
+ rP+LP
+ + +RK

2468

26.g3-g4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 26.g3-g4 Bc3-g7 27.Nh6-g8+
Ke7-f7 28.g4xf5 Rd2xe2 29.f5xe6+
Kf7xg8 30.Rf1-f7 Ba6-c8 31.Bg2-d5
Re2xe3 32.e6-e7 Bg7-d4 33.Rf7-f8+
Kg8-h7 34.Rf8xc8 Diagram
Re3xe7+ 35.Kg1-g2 Re7-e3
36.Rc8-c7+ Kh7-h6 37.Rc7xa7
Re3xb3 38.Bd5-f3 Diagram
Kh6-g5 39.Bf3-e2 Rb3-b2 40.Ra7-e7
Rb2-c2 41.Re7-e6 0.06/15 ]

+R+ + +
p + P +k
p + + +
+ pL+ +
+Pl + +
PP+ r +
+ + + P
+ + + K

+ + + +
R + + +
p + + k
+ p + +
+Pl + +
Pr+ +L+
+ + +KP
+ + + +

+ + + +
p + k +
lp +p+ N
+ p +p+
+P+ +P+
PPl P +
+ rP+LP
+ + +RK

2469

2470

2471

White threatens to win material: g4xf5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

664

26...Bc3-g7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


26...Bc3-g7 Diagram

+ + + +
p + k l
lp +p+ N
+ p +p+
+P+ +P+
PP+ P +
+ rP+LP
+ + +RK

2472

27.Nh6-g8+ Ke7-f7 28.g4xf5 Kf7xg8


29.f5xe6 Rd2xe2 30.Rf1-f7 Ba6-c8
31.Bg2-d5 Re2xe3 32.e6-e7 Bg7-d4
33.Rf7-f8+ Kg8-h7 34.Rf8xc8
Re3xe7+ 35.Kg1-g2 Re7-e3
36.Rc8-c7+ Kh7-h6 37.Rc7xa7
Re3xb3 38.Ra7-a8 Diagram

R+ + + +
+ + + +
p + + k
+ pL+ +
+Pl + +
Pr+ + +
+ + +KP
+ + + +

2473

Rb3-b2+ 39.Kg2-h3 Kh6-g5


40.Ra8-g8+ Kg5-f5 41.Rg8-f8+
Kf5-g5 0.11/15 ] 27.g4-g5
[ 27.Nh6-g8+ Ke7-f8 28.g4xf5 e6xf5=
Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27.Nh6-g8+

+ + kN+
p + + l
lp + + +
+ p +p+
+P+ + +
PP+ P +
+ rP+LP
+ + +RK

2474

Ke7-f7 28.g4xf5 Kf7xg8 29.f5xe6


Rd2xe2 30.Rf1-f7 Ba6-c8 31.Bg2-d5
Re2xe3 32.e6-e7 Bg7-d4 33.Rf7-f8+
Diagram

+l+ Rk+
p + P +
p + + +
+ pL+ +
+Pl + +
PP+ r +
+ + + P
+ + + K

2475

Kg8-h7 34.Rf8xc8 Re3xe7+


35.Kg1-g2 Re7-e3 36.Rc8-c7+
Kh7-h6 37.Rc7xa7 Re3xb3 38.Bd5-f3
Kh6-g5 39.Bf3-e2 Rb3-b2 40.Ra7-e7
Rb2-c2 41.Re7-e6 0.06/15 ]
27...Rd2xe2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27...Rd2xe2 28.h2-h4 Diagram
Bg7-e5 29.Bg2-c6 Re2xe3 30.Rf1-f3
Re3xf3 31.Bc6xf3 Ke7-f8 32.Kg1-g2
Diagram
Kf8-g7 33.Bf3-c6 Be5-b2 34.a3-a4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
p + k l
lp +p+ N
+ p +pP
+P+ + P
PP+ P +
+ +r+L+
+ + +RK

+ + k +
p + + +
lp +p+ N
+ p lpP
+P+ + P
PP+ +L+
+ + +K+
+ + + +

665
34.h3-h4 Kf8-g7 35.e4-e5 Bb7-c8
36.Bg2-e4 Be3-f4 37.Kh1-g2 Bc8-g4
38.e5-e6 Bg4xe6 Diagram
2476

+ + + +
p + + k
p +l+ +
+ p + P
+P+Ll P
PP+ + +
+ + +K+
+ + + +
2477

Ba6-c8 35.Kg2-f3 Bb2-e5 36.h4-h5


Be5-d4 -0.02/14 ] 28.e3-e4??
allows the opponent back into the
game [ 28.Rf1-f2 and White hangs
on Re2xe3 29.Rf2xf5= ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 28.h2-h4 Ba6-c8 29.Nh6-g8+
Ke7-f7 30.Rf1-d1 Re2xe3 31.Rd1-d8
Bg7-d4 32.Kg1-f1 Bc8-a6 33.Rd8-a8
Re3xb3 34.Ra8xa7+ Kf7xg8
35.Ra7xa6 Rb3-b2 36.Bg2-c6
Rb2-f2+ 37.Kf1-e1 -0.12/13 ]
28...Ba6-b7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28...Bg7-d4+ 29.Kg1-h1 Ba6-b7
30.h2-h3 Re2-e3 31.Rf1xf5 e6xf5
32.Nh6xf5+ Ke7-f8 33.Nf5xe3 Bd4xe3

2478

39.Kg2-f3 Bf4-d2 40.Be4-d5 Be6-f5


41.Bd5-e4 Diagram

+ + + +
p + + k
p + + +
+ p +lP
+P+L+ P
PP+ +K+
+ l + +
+ + + +

2479

Bf5-c8 42.Be4-d5 Bd2-c1 43.a3-a4


Bc1-d2 -0.95/15 ]
(Diagram 2480)
29.Rf1-f4 Diagram [ 29.Nh6-g8+
Ke7-f8 30.Ng8-f6 Bg7xf6 31.g5xf6
Bb7xe4 ( 31...f5xe4 32.Rf1-d1 )
32.Bg2xe4 Re2xe4 ( 32...f5xe4?!
33.h2-h4= );Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
pl+ k l
p +p+ N
+ p +pP
+P+P+ +
PP+ + +
+ +r+LP
+ + +RK

666

2480

29.Kg1-h1 Bb7xe4 30.Bg2xe4 Re2xe4


31.Kh1-g2 Bg7-d4 Diagram

+ + + +
p + k +
p +p+ N
+ p +pP
+Plr+ +
PP+ + +
+ + +KP
+ + +R+

2481

32.h2-h3 Ke7-f8 33.h3-h4 Kf8-g7


34.h4-h5 Re4-h4 Diagram
(Diagram 2482)
35.Rf1xf5 Rh4xh5 36.Rf5-f4 Rh5xg5+
37.Nh6-g4 e6-e5 38.Rf4-e4 Kg7-g6
39.Kg2-g3 Kg6-f5 40.Kg3-f3 Rg5-h5
41.Ng4-e3+ Bd4xe3 42.Re4xe3
Rh5-h3+ 43.Kf3-f2 Rh3xe3 44.Kf2xe3
a7-a6 45.b3-b4 a6-a5 46.b4-b5
a5-a4 -0.82/14 ]
29...Bg7-e5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c

+ + + +
p + + k
p +p+ N
+ p +pPP
+Pl + r
PP+ + +
+ + +K+
+ + +R+

+ + + +
pl+ k l
p +p+ N
+ p +pP
+P+PR +
PP+ + +
+ +r+LP
+ + + K

2482

2483

Pro x64: 29...Bg7-e5 30.Rf4-f1


Be5-d4+ 31.Kg1-h1 Bb7xe4
32.Bg2xe4 Re2xe4 33.Kh1-g2
Re4-e2+ 34.Kg2-g3 Re2-b2 35.b3-b4
c5xb4 36.a3xb4 Rb2-b3+ 37.Kg3-g2
Rb3xb4 38.Rf1-e1 Rb4-b2+
39.Kg2-h3 Rb2-f2 40.Kh3-g3 a7-a5
41.h2-h4 a5-a4 42.Re1-d1 Bd4-c5
43.Nh6-g8+ Ke7-f7 44.Ng8-h6+
Kf7-g6 45.Rd1-e1 f5-f4+ 46.Kg3-g4
Bc5-e3 47.h4-h5+ Kg6-g7 -1.17/13 ]
30.Rf4-f1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 30.Rf4-f1 Be5-d4+ 31.Kg1-h1
Bb7xe4 32.Bg2xe4 Re2xe4 33.Kh1-g2
Re4-e2+ 34.Kg2-g3 Re2-b2 35.b3-b4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
pl+ k +
p +p+ N
+ p lpP
+P+PR +
PP+ + +
+ +r+LP
+ + + K

667

2484

c5xb4 36.a3xb4 Rb2-b3+ 37.Kg3-g2


Rb3xb4 38.Rf1-e1 Rb4-b2+
39.Kg2-h3 Rb2-f2 40.Kh3-g3 a7-a5
41.h2-h4 a5-a4 42.Re1-d1 Bd4-c5
43.Nh6-g8+ Ke7-f7 44.Ng8-h6+
Kf7-g6 45.Rd1-e1 Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +
p +p+kN
+ l +pP
p+P+ + P
+ + + K
+ + r +
+ + R +

2485

f5-f4+ 46.Kg3-g4 Bc5-e3 47.h4-h5+


Kg6-g7 -1.32/18 ]

+ + + +
pl+ k +
p +p+ N
+ p lpP
+P+P+ +
PP+ + +
+ +r+LP
+ + +RK

2486

c5xb4 36.a3xb4 Rb2-b3+ 37.Kg3-g2


Rb3xb4 38.Rf1-e1 Rb4-b2+
39.Kg2-h3 Rb2-f2 40.Kh3-g3 a7-a5
41.h2-h4 a5-a4 42.Re1-d1 Bd4-c5
43.Nh6-g8+ Ke7-f7 44.Ng8-h6+
Kf7-g6 45.Rd1-e1 f5-f4+ 46.Kg3-g4
Bc5-e3 47.h4-h5+ Kg6-g7 -1.17/18 ]
31.Bg2xe4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 31.Bg2xe4 Be5-d4+ 32.Kg1-h1
Re2xe4 33.Kh1-g2 Re4-e2+
34.Kg2-g3 Re2-b2 35.b3-b4 c5xb4
36.a3xb4 Rb2-b3+ 37.Kg3-g2 Rb3xb4
38.Rf1-e1 Rb4-b2+ 39.Kg2-h3 Rb2-f2
40.Kh3-g3 a7-a5 41.h2-h4 a5-a4
42.Re1-d1 Bd4-c5 43.Nh6-g8+ Ke7-f7
44.Ng8-h6+ Kf7-g6 45.Rd1-e1 f5-f4+
Diagram
(Diagram 2487)
46.Kg3-g4 Bc5-e3 47.h4-h5+
Kg6-g7 -1.31/17 ]
(Diagram 2488)

(Diagram 2486)
30...Bb7xe4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30...Be5-d4+ 31.Kg1-h1 Bb7xe4
32.Bg2xe4 Re2xe4 33.Kh1-g2
Re4-e2+ 34.Kg2-g3 Re2-b2 35.b3-b4

31...Re2xe4 [ 31...f5xe4?! Diagram


32.g5-g6 Be5-d4+ 33.Kg1-h1= ;
31...Be5xh2+ is clearly worse
32.Kg1-h1 f5xe4 33.g5-g6$ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31...Be5-d4+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +
p +p+kN
+ l + P
p+P+ p P
+ + + K
+ + r +
+ + R +

+ + + +
p + k +
p +p+ N
+ p lpP
+P+L+ +
PP+ + +
+ +r+ P
+ + +RK

+ + + +
p + k +
p +p+ N
+ p l P
+P+p+ +
PP+ + +
+ +r+ P
+ + +RK
32.Kg1-h1 Diagram

668

+ + + +
p + k +
p +p+ N
+ p +pP
+PlL+ +
PP+ + +
+ +r+ P
+ + +R+K

2487

2490

Re2xe4 33.Kh1-g2 Re4-e2+


34.Kg2-g3 Re2-b2 35.b3-b4 c5xb4
36.a3xb4 Rb2-b3+ 37.Kg3-g2 Rb3xb4
38.Rf1-e1 Rb4-b2+ 39.Kg2-h3 Rb2-f2
40.Kh3-g3 a7-a5 41.h2-h4 a5-a4
42.Re1-d1 Bd4-c5 43.Nh6-g8+ Ke7-f7
44.Ng8-h6+ Kf7-g6 45.Rd1-e1 f5-f4+
46.Kg3-g4 Bc5-e3 47.h4-h5+ Kg6-g7
-1.16/16 ] 32.Kg1-g2 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32.Kg1-g2
Be5-d4 33.h2-h3 Ke7-f8 34.h3-h4
Kf8-g7 35.h4-h5 Re4-h4 36.Rf1xf5
Rh4xh5 37.Rf5-f4 Rh5xg5+
38.Nh6-g4 e6-e5 39.Rf4-e4 Kg7-g6
40.Kg2-g3 Kg6-f5 41.Kg3-f3 Rg5-h5
42.Ng4-e3+ Bd4xe3 43.Re4xe3
Rh5-h3+ 44.Kf3-f2 Rh3xe3 45.Kf2xe3
a7-a6 46.b3-b4 a6-a5 47.b4-b5 a5-a4
-0.79/16 Diagram

2488

2489

(Diagram 2491)
]
(Diagram 2492)
32...Re4-h4 [ 32...Re4-e2+ 33.Kg2-f3
Re2xh2 34.Rf1-e1 Rh2-h3+ 35.Kf3-g2
Rh3-g3+ 36.Kg2-f2 Rg3xg5
37.Re1xe5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +
p + + +
+Pp pk+
p+P+ + +
P + K +
+ + + +
+ + + +

669

2491

+ + + +
p +k+ +
p +p+ +
+ p + +
P+P+ + N
+Pl +K+
+ + + +
+ + + +

2493

Ba1-d4 45.Nh7-g5 -0.54/16 ]

+ + + +
p + k +
p +p+ N
+ p lpP
+P+r+ +
PP+ + +
+ + +KP
+ + +R+

2492

32...Be5-d4 33.h2-h3 Ke7-f8 34.h3-h4


Kf8-g7 35.h4-h5 Re4-h4 36.Rf1xf5
Rh4xh5 37.Rf5-f4 Rh5xg5+
38.Nh6-g4 e6-e5 39.Rf4-e4 Kg7-g6
40.Kg2-g3 a7-a6 41.Re4-e1 b6-b5
42.Re1-h1 Kg6-f5 43.Rh1-f1+ Kf5-e4
44.Rf1-f6 -0.81/14 ] 33.Rf1-e1
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33.Rf1-h1 Be5-f4 34.Rh1-e1 Rh4xh2+
35.Kg2-f3 Bf4xg5 36.Nh6xf5+ Ke7-d7
37.Re1-d1+ Rh2-d2 38.Rd1xd2+
Bg5xd2 39.Nf5-h4 Bd2-c3 40.a3-a4
Diagram
Kd7-d6 41.Nh4-g6 Bc3-f6 42.Kf3-e4
a7-a5 43.Ng6-f8 Bf6-a1 44.Nf8-h7

+ + + +
p + k +
p +p+ N
+ p lpP
+P+ + r
PP+ + +
+ + +KP
+ + R +

2494

33...Rh4xh2+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 33...Rh4xh2+ 34.Kg2-g1
Rh2-h5 35.Nh6xf5+ Ke7-d7
36.Re1xe5 Rh5xg5+ 37.Kg1-h2
Rg5xf5 38.Re5-e3 e6-e5 39.Kh2-g3
Kd7-e6 40.Re3-e1 Rf5-f8 41.a3-a4
Rf8-d8 42.Re1-h1 Diagram
(Diagram 2495)
Rd8-d3+ 43.Kg3-g4 e5-e4 44.Kg4-f4
e4-e3 45.Rh1-h6+ Ke6-e7 46.Kf4-f3
Rd3xb3 47.Kf3-e2 a7-a5 48.Rh6-c6
Ke7-d7 49.Rc6-h6 Rb3-b4 50.Ke2xe3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + +
p + + +
p +k+ +
+ p p +
P+P+ + +
+P+ + K
+ + + +
+ + + +R

670

2495

Rb4xa4 51.Rh6xb6 Ra4xc4


52.Rb6-b7+ -0.62/21 ]

+ + + +
p + k +
p +p+ N
+ p lpP
+P+ + +
PP+ + +
+ + +Kr
+ + R +

2496

34.Kg2-g1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 34.Kg2-g1 Rh2-h5 35.Nh6xf5+
Ke7-d7 36.Re1xe5 Rh5xg5+
37.Kg1-h2 Rg5xf5 38.Re5-e3 e6-e5
39.Kh2-g3 Kd7-e6 40.Re3-e1 Rf5-f8
41.a3-a4 Rf8-d8 42.Re1-h1 Rd8-d3+
43.Kg3-g4 e5-e4 44.Kg4-f4 e4-e3
45.Rh1-h6+ Ke6-e7 46.Kf4-f3 Rd3xb3
47.Kf3-e2 a7-a5 48.Rh6-c6 Ke7-d7
49.Rc6-h6 Rb3-b4 50.Ke2xe3 Rb4xa4
51.Rh6xb6 Ra4xc4 52.Rb6-b7+
-0.71/20 ]
34...Rh2-h5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

+ + + +
p + k +
p +p+ N
+ p lpP
+P+ + +
PP+ + +
+ + + r
+ + R K

2497

34...Rh2-h5 35.Nh6xf5+ Ke7-d7


36.Re1xe5 Rh5xg5+ 37.Kg1-h2
Rg5xf5 38.Re5-e3 e6-e5 39.Kh2-g3
Kd7-e6 40.Re3-e1 Rf5-f8 41.a3-a4
Rf8-d8 42.Re1-h1 Rd8-d3+ 43.Kg3-g4
Diagram

+ + + +
p + + +
p +k+ +
+ p p +
P+P+ +K+
+P+r+ +
+ + + +
+ + + +R

2498

e5-e4 44.Kg4-f4 e4-e3 45.Rh1-h6+


Ke6-e7 46.Kf4-f3 Rd3xb3 47.Kf3-e2
a7-a5 48.Rh6-c6 Ke7-d7 49.Rc6-h6
Rb3-b4 50.Ke2xe3 Rb4xa4
51.Rh6xb6 Ra4xc4 52.Rb6-b7+
-0.62/18 ] 35.Nh6xf5+ [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 35.Nh6xf5+ Ke7-d7
36.Re1xe5 Rh5xg5+ 37.Kg1-h2
Rg5xf5 38.Re5-e3 e6-e5 39.Kh2-g3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

671

Kd7-e6 40.Re3-e1 Rf5-f8 41.a3-a4


Rf8-d8 42.Re1-h1 Rd8-d3+ 43.Kg3-g4
e5-e4 44.Kg4-f4 e4-e3 45.Rh1-h6+
Ke6-e7 46.Kf4-f3 Rd3xb3 47.Kf3-e2
a7-a5 48.Rh6-c6 Ke7-d7 49.Rc6-h6
Diagram

+ + + +
+ +k+ +
p + + R
p p + +
P+P+ + +
+r+ p +
+ +K+ +
+ + + +

2499

Rb3-b4 50.Ke2xe3 Rb4xa4


51.Rh6xb6 Ra4xc4 52.Rb6-b7+
-0.71/16 ] 35...Ke7-d7 [ 35...e6xf5?!
36.Re1xe5+ Ke7-f7 37.Re5xf5+
Kf7-g6 38.Rf5-f3= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 35...Ke7-d7 36.Re1xe5 Rh5xg5+
37.Kg1-h2 Rg5xf5 38.Re5-e3 e6-e5
39.Kh2-g3 Kd7-e6 40.Re3-e1 Rf5-f8
41.a3-a4 Rf8-d8 42.Re1-h1 Rd8-d3+
43.Kg3-g4 e5-e4 44.Kg4-f4 e4-e3
45.Rh1-h6+ Ke6-e7 46.Kf4-f3 Rd3xb3
47.Kf3-e2 a7-a5 48.Rh6-c6 Ke7-d7
49.Rc6-h6 Rb3-b4 50.Ke2xe3
Diagram
(Diagram 2500)
Rb4xa4 51.Rh6xb6 Ra4xc4
52.Rb6-b7+ -0.62/20 ] 36.Re1-d1+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36.Re1xe5
Diagram
Rh5xg5+ 37.Kg1-h2 e6xf5 38.b3-b4
c5xb4 39.a3xb4 Kd7-d6 40.Re5-e2
Rg5-g4 41.Re2-c2 Kd6-e6 42.Kh2-h3

+ + + +
+ +k+ +
p + + R
p p + +
PrP+ + +
+ + K +
+ + + +
+ + + +

+ + + +
p +k+ +
p +p+ +
+ p RNPr
+P+ + +
PP+ + +
+ + + +
+ + + K

2500

2501

Ke6-d7 43.Rc2-d2+ Kd7-c7


44.Rd2-d5 Rg4xc4 45.Rd5xf5 Rc4xb4
46.Rf5-f7+ Kc7-b8 47.Rf7-f8+ Kb8-b7
48.Rf8-f7+ Kb7-a6 -0.65/17 ]
36...Kd7-c7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 36...Kd7-c6 37.Nf5-e3 Rh5xg5+
38.Kg1-f2 a7-a6 39.Rd1-h1 Be5-d4
40.Rh1-e1 Rg5-g7 41.Kf2-f3 Rg7-f7+
42.Kf3-e4 Rf7-h7 43.Re1-f1 b6-b5
44.Rf1-f3 Rh7-h4+ 45.Ke4-d3 Bd4-e5
46.c4xb5+ a6xb5 -0.82/17 ]
37.Nf5-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.Nf5-e3 Rh5xg5+ Diagram
38.Kg1-f2 Be5-d4 39.Rd1-d3 Kc7-d6
40.Kf2-f3 Rg5-g1 41.a3-a4 Rg1-h1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

672

40.Kf2-f3 Rg5-g1 41.a3-a4 Rg1-h1


42.Ne3-g4 Rh1-f1+ 43.Kf3-e2 Rf1-a1
44.Rd3-g3 Ra1-b1 45.Rg3-d3 Kd6-c6
2502 46.Ke2-f3 Rb1-f1+ 47.Kf3-e2 Rf1-g1
48.Ke2-f3 e6-e5 49.Ng4-e3 Rg1-h1
50.Ne3-f5 Rh1-f1+ 51.Kf3-g4 Rf1-g1+
52.Kg4-f3 Rg1-f1+ 53.Kf3-g4 -0.84/19
] 38...Rh5xg5+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...Kc7-d6 39.Kg1-g2 Kd6-e5
40.Ne3-f1 Rh5xg5+ 41.Nf1-g3 Rg5-g8
42.Rd3-d1 Ke5-f4 43.Rd1-f1+ Kf4-e3
44.Rf1-f3+ Ke3-d2 45.Kg2-h3 Kd2-d1
46.Ng3-e4 Kd1-c2 47.Kh3-h4 e6-e5
48.b3-b4 c5xb4 49.a3xb4 -0.86/17 ]
39.Kg1-f1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39.Kg1-f2 Kc7-d6 40.Kf2-f3 Rg5-g1
41.Kf3-f4 Rg1-a1 42.Kf4-f3 Ra1-h1
43.Ne3-g4 Rh1-e1 44.Kf3-f4 e6-e5+
2503 45.Kf4-f5 Re1-f1+ 46.Kf5-g5 Rf1-h1
47.Rd3-f3 e5-e4 48.Rf3-f7 Rh1-h3
-0.82/17 ] 39...Kc7-c6 [ 39...Kc7-d6
40.Ne3-d1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39...Kc7-d6 40.Ne3-d1 Rg5-h5
41.Kf1-g2 a7-a6 42.Nd1-e3 Kd6-e5
43.Ne3-d1 Rh5-g5+ 44.Kg2-f3 Rg5-g7
45.Rd3-d2 Rg7-f7+ 46.Kf3-g3 Ke5-f5
-0.93/14 ] 40.Ne3-c2 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 40.Kf1-e2 Rg5-g1 41.Ne3-d1
Rg1-g2+ 42.Ke2-f3 Rg2-h2 43.Nd1-e3
Rh2-h3+ 44.Kf3-e2 Rh3-h4 45.Ne3-g2
42.Ne3-g4 Rh1-f1+ 43.Kf3-e2 Rf1-a1
Rh4-h2 46.Rd3-g3 Bd4-e5 47.Rg3-g5
44.Rd3-g3 Ra1-b1 45.Rg3-d3 Kd6-c6
Kc6-d6 48.Ke2-d3 Rh2-h3+
46.Ke2-f3 Rb1-f1+ 47.Kf3-e2 Rf1-g1
49.Ng2-e3 Be5-d4 -0.82/15 ]
48.Ke2-f3 e6-e5 49.Ng4-e3 Rg1-h1
40...e6-e5 [ 40...Rg5-g1+ 41.Kf1-e2
50.Ne3-f5 Rh1-f1+ 51.Kf3-g4 Rf1-g1+ Rg1-g2+ 42.Ke2-d1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c
52.Kg4-f3 Rg1-f1+ 53.Kf3-g4 -0.84/17 Pro x64: 40...Rg5-g1+ 41.Kf1-e2
] 37...Be5-d4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
Rg1-g2+ 42.Ke2-d1 Bd4-g7 43.Rd3-f3
37...Rh5xg5+ 38.Kg1-f2 a7-a6
Rg2-h2 44.Rf3-e3 Kc6-d6 45.Re3-e2
39.Rd1-h1 Be5-d4 40.Rh1-h3 Rg5-e5
Rh2-h1+ 46.Re2-e1 Rh1-h8
41.Kf2-e2 Kc7-d6 42.Ke2-d3 Bd4xe3
47.Re1-e3 Bg7-e5 48.Kd1-e2 a7-a6
43.Rh3xe3 Re5xe3+ 44.Kd3xe3
49.Re3-f3 Rh8-h7 50.Ke2-d3 -0.93/15
] 41.Rd3-h3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
Kd6-e5 45.a3-a4 Ke5-f5 46.Ke3-d3
41.Rd3-h3 e5-e4 42.Nc2-e3 Bd4xe3
e6-e5 47.Kd3-e3 e5-e4 -0.76/15 ]
38.Rd1-d3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
43.Rh3xe3 Kc6-d6 44.Re3xe4 Rg5-g3
38.Kg1-f2 Rh5xg5 39.Rd1-d3 Kc7-d6
45.b3-b4 Rg3xa3 46.b4-b5 Ra3-d3

+ + + +
p k + +
p +p+ +
+ p lNPr
+P+ + +
PP+ + +
+ + + +
+ +R+ K

+ + + +
p k + +
p +p+ +
+ p l r
+P+ + +
PP+ N +
+ + + +
+ +R+ K

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


47.Kf1-e2 Rd3-d4 48.Ke2-e3
Rd4xe4+ 49.Ke3xe4 Kd6-e6
50.Ke4-f4 Ke6-e7 51.Kf4-e5 Ke7-d7
52.Ke5-d5 -0.63/16 ] 41...e5-e4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41...Rg5-g1+
42.Kf1-e2 Rg1-g2+ 43.Ke2-d1 e5-e4
44.Rh3-h4 Rg2-g3 45.Rh4xe4 Rg3xb3
46.Kd1-e2 Bd4-b2 47.a3-a4 Rb3-c3
48.Ke2-d2 Kc6-d7 49.Re4-h4 Rc3-g3
50.Nc2-e3 Bb2-f6 51.Rh4-h7+ Rg3-g7
52.Rh7-h6 -0.72/15 ] 42.Rh3-h6+
[ 42.Rh3-h4 Rg5-g1+ 43.Kf1-e2
Rg1-g2+ 44.Ke2-d1 Rg2-g3 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42.Nc2-e3
Bd4xe3 43.Rh3xe3 Kc6-d6 44.Re3xe4
Rg5-g3 45.b3-b4 Rg3xa3 46.b4-b5
Ra3-d3 47.Kf1-e2 Rd3-d4 48.Ke2-e3
Rd4xe4+ 49.Ke3xe4 Kd6-e6
50.Ke4-f4 Ke6-e7 51.Kf4-e5 Ke7-d7
52.Ke5-d5 -0.63/15 ] 42...Kc6-d7-+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...Kc6-d7
43.Nc2xd4 c5xd4 44.Rh6-h4 Rg5-e5
45.Kf1-e2 Re5-e7 46.Rh4-h6 Kd7-c7
47.Rh6-h8 a7-a5 48.Rh8-h4 Re7-e6
49.b3-b4 Kc7-d6 50.Ke2-d2 a5xb4
51.a3xb4 Kd6-c6 52.Rh4-h7 Re6-f6
-0.59/18 ] 43.Rh6-h4? [ 43.Rh6-h7+
Kd7-d6 44.Rh7-h3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 43.Nc2xd4 c5xd4 44.Rh6-h4
Rg5-e5 45.Kf1-e2 Kd7-e6 46.b3-b4
Ke6-f6 47.Rh4-h6+ Kf6-g5 48.Rh6-h7
a7-a5 49.Rh7-d7 d4-d3+ 50.Ke2-e3
Kg5-f5 51.Rd7-d6 a5xb4 52.a3xb4
Re5-e6 -0.69/15 ] 43...Rg5-g1+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43...Rg5-g1+
44.Kf1-e2 Rg1-g2+ 45.Ke2-d1 e4-e3
46.Rh4-e4 Rg2-d2+ 47.Kd1-c1
Rd2-d3 48.b3-b4 Bd4-c3 49.b4-b5
Bc3-d4 50.Nc2-e1 Rd3-c3+ 51.Ne1-c2
Kd7-d6 52.Kc1-b1 Rc3-b3+ 53.Kb1-c1
Rb3-d3 54.Re4-e8 Kd6-d7 55.Re8-e4
Bd4-c3 56.Kc1-b1 Bc3-d2 57.Kb1-b2
Kd7-d6 58.Re4-e8 Bd2-c3+ 59.Kb2-c1
Bc3-d4 60.a3-a4 Kd6-d7 61.Re8-e4
Rd3-c3 62.Kc1-d1 Rc3xc4 63.Nc2xe3

673
Rc4xa4 -1.80/18 ] 44.Kf1-e2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44.Kf1-e2
Rg1-g2+ 45.Ke2-d1 e4-e3 46.Rh4-e4
Rg2-d2+ 47.Kd1-c1 Rd2-d3 48.b3-b4
Bd4-c3 49.b4-b5 Bc3-d4 50.Nc2-e1
Rd3-c3+ 51.Ne1-c2 Kd7-d6 52.Kc1-b1
Rc3-b3+ 53.Kb1-c1 Rb3-d3
54.Re4-e8 Kd6-d7 55.Re8-e4 Bd4-c3
56.Kc1-b1 Bc3-d2 57.Kb1-b2 Kd7-d6
58.Re4-e8 Bd2-c3+ 59.Kb2-c1 Bc3-d4
60.a3-a4 Kd6-d7 61.Re8-e4 Rd3-c3
62.Kc1-d1 Rc3xc4 63.Nc2xe3
Rc4xa4 -1.90/1 ] 44...Rg1-g2+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44...Rg1-g2+
45.Ke2-d1 e4-e3 46.Rh4-e4 Rg2-d2+
47.Kd1-c1 Rd2-d3 48.b3-b4 Bd4-c3
49.b4-b5 Bc3-d4 50.Nc2-e1 Rd3-c3+
51.Ne1-c2 Kd7-d6 52.Kc1-b1 Rc3-b3+
53.Kb1-c1 Rb3-d3 54.Re4-e8 Kd6-d7
55.Re8-e4 Bd4-c3 56.Kc1-b1 Bc3-d2
57.Kb1-b2 Kd7-d6 58.Re4-e8
Bd2-c3+ 59.Kb2-c1 Bc3-d4 60.a3-a4
Kd6-d7 61.Re8-e4 Rd3-c3 62.Kc1-d1
Rc3xc4 63.Nc2xe3 Rc4xa4 -1.80/14 ]
45.Ke2-d1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45.Ke2-d1 e4-e3 46.Rh4-e4 Rg2-d2+
47.Kd1-c1 Rd2-d3 48.b3-b4 Bd4-c3
49.b4-b5 Bc3-d4 50.Nc2-e1 Rd3-c3+
51.Ne1-c2 Kd7-d6 52.Kc1-b1 Rc3-b3+
53.Kb1-c1 Rb3-d3 54.Re4-e8 Kd6-d7
55.Re8-e4 Bd4-c3 56.Kc1-b1 Bc3-d2
57.Kb1-b2 Kd7-d6 58.Re4-e8
Bd2-c3+ 59.Kb2-c1 Bc3-d2+
60.Kc1-b2 Bd2-c3+ -1.90/15 ]
45...e4-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45...e4-e3 46.Rh4-e4 Rg2-d2+
47.Kd1-c1 Rd2-d3 48.b3-b4 Bd4-c3
49.b4-b5 Bc3-d4 50.Nc2-e1 Rd3-c3+
51.Ne1-c2 Kd7-d6 52.Kc1-b1 Rc3-b3+
53.Kb1-c1 Rb3-d3 54.Re4-e8 Kd6-d7
55.Re8-e4 Bd4-c3 56.Kc1-b1 Bc3-d2
57.Kb1-b2 Kd7-d6 58.Re4-e8
Bd2-c3+ 59.Kb2-c1 Bc3-d2+
60.Kc1-b2 Bd2-c3+ -1.80/16 ]
46.Rh4-e4 [ 46.Rh4-h1 does not help

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


much Kd7-d6 47.Rh1-e1 Rg2-d2+
48.Kd1-c1 Rd2-d3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 46.Rh4-e4 Rg2-d2+ 47.Kd1-c1
Rd2-d3 48.b3-b4 Bd4-c3 49.b4-b5
Bc3-d4 50.Nc2-e1 Rd3-c3+ 51.Ne1-c2
Kd7-d6 52.Kc1-b1 Rc3-b3+ 53.Kb1-c1
Rb3-d3 54.Re4-e8 Kd6-d7 55.Re8-e4
Bd4-c3 56.Kc1-b1 Bc3-d2 57.Kb1-b2
Kd7-d6 58.Re4-e8 Kd6-d7 59.Re8-e4
Kd7-d6 -1.90/17 ] 46...Rg2-d2+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46...Rg2-d2+
47.Kd1-c1 Rd2-d3 48.b3-b4 Bd4-c3
49.b4-b5 Bc3-d4 50.Nc2-e1 Rd3-c3+
51.Ne1-c2 Kd7-d6 52.Kc1-b1 Rc3-b3+
53.Kb1-c1 Rb3-d3 54.Re4-e8 Kd6-d7
55.Re8-e4 Bd4-c3 56.Kc1-b1 Bc3-d2
57.Kb1-b2 Kd7-d6 58.Re4-e8 Kd6-d7
59.Re8-e4 Kd7-d6 -1.80/18 ]
47.Kd1-c1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47.Kd1-c1 Rd2-d3 48.b3-b4 Bd4-c3
49.b4-b5 Bc3-d4 50.Nc2-e1 Rd3-c3+
51.Ne1-c2 Kd7-d6 52.Kc1-d1 Rc3-d3+
53.Kd1-c1 Bd4-c3 54.Re4-e8 Bc3-f6
55.Re8-e4 Bf6-g5 56.Re4-g4 Bg5-e7
57.Rg4-e4 -1.90/14 ] 47...a7-a5
[ 47...Rd2-d3!? keeps an even firmer
grip 48.b3-b4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47...Rd2-d3 48.b3-b4 Bd4-c3
49.b4-b5 Bc3-d4 50.Nc2-e1 Rd3-c3+
51.Ne1-c2 Kd7-d6 52.Kc1-d1 Rc3-d3+
53.Kd1-c1 Bd4-c3 54.Re4-e8 Bc3-f6
55.Re8-e4 Bf6-g5 56.Re4-g4 Bg5-e7
57.Rg4-e4 -1.81/15 ] 48.b3-b4
[ 48.Nc2-e1 Rd2-f2-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 48.Nc2-e1 Rd2-f2 49.Kc1-d1
Kd7-d6 50.Kd1-c1 Kd6-c6 51.a3-a4
Kc6-b7 52.Re4-e7+ Kb7-a6
53.Re7-e6 Bd4-b2+ 54.Kc1-b1 Rf2-e2
55.Ne1-d3 Bb2-d4 56.Kb1-c1 Re2-g2
57.Nd3-e1 -1.45/15 ] 48...a5-a4
[ 48...Rd2-d3 and Black can already
relax 49.b4xa5 b6xa5 50.a3-a4-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 48...a5-a4
49.b4xc5 b6xc5 50.Nc2-e1 Kd7-d6
51.Re4-e8 Rd2-e2 52.Kc1-d1 Re2-b2

674
53.Re8-e4 Rb2-b3 54.Kd1-e2 Rb3xa3
55.Ne1-c2 Ra3-c3 56.Nc2xd4 c5xd4
57.Re4xd4+ Kd6-c5 58.Rd4-d5+
Kc5xc4 59.Rd5-a5 a4-a3 60.Ra5-a6
Kc4-b4 61.Ra6-b6+ Kb4-a4
62.Rb6-a6+ Ka4-b5 63.Ra6-a8
Kb5-b4 64.Ra8-a6 Kb4-b3
65.Ra6-b6+ Kb3-c2 66.Rb6-a6
Rc3-b3 67.Ke2-e1 Kc2-d3
68.Ra6-d6+ Kd3-e4 69.Rd6-e6+
Ke4-d4 70.Re6-d6+ Kd4-c3
71.Rd6-a6 Kc3-c2 -2.07/18 ] 49.b4xc5
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 49.b4xc5 b6xc5
50.Nc2-e1 Kd7-d6 51.Re4-e8 Rd2-e2
52.Kc1-d1 Re2-b2 53.Re8-e4 Rb2-b3
54.Kd1-e2 Rb3xa3 55.Ne1-c2 Ra3-c3
56.Nc2xd4 c5xd4 57.Re4xd4+ Kd6-c5
58.Rd4-d5+ Kc5xc4 59.Rd5-a5 a4-a3
60.Ra5-a6 Kc4-b4 61.Ra6-b6+
Kb4-a4 62.Rb6-a6+ Ka4-b5
63.Ra6-a8 Kb5-b4 64.Ra8-a6 Kb4-b3
65.Ra6-b6+ Kb3-c2 66.Rb6-a6
Rc3-b3 67.Ke2-e1 Kc2-d3
68.Ra6-d6+ Kd3-e4 69.Rd6-e6+
Ke4-d4 70.Re6-d6+ Kd4-c3
71.Rd6-a6 Kc3-c2 -2.05/13 ]
49...b6xc5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
49...b6xc5 50.Nc2-e1 Kd7-d6
51.Re4-e8 Rd2-e2 52.Kc1-d1 Re2-b2
53.Ne1-c2 Rb2-b3 54.Kd1-e2 Rb3-c3
55.Nc2xd4 c5xd4 56.Re8-d8+ Kd6-c5
57.Rd8-c8+ Kc5-b6 58.Rc8-d8
Rc3-c2+ 59.Ke2-d1 Rc2xc4
60.Kd1-e2 Kb6-c7 61.Rd8-d5 Kc7-c6
62.Rd5-d8 Rc4-c2+ 63.Ke2-e1
Rc2-d2 64.Rd8-c8+ Kc6-b5
65.Rc8-b8+ Kb5-c4 66.Rb8-b4+
Kc4-d3 67.Rb4xa4 Rd2-e2+
68.Ke1-d1 Re2-g2 -2.16/19 ]
50.Nc2-e1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
50.Nc2-e1 Kd7-d6 51.Re4-e8 Rd2-e2
52.Kc1-d1 Re2-b2 53.Re8-e4 Rb2-b3
54.Kd1-e2 Rb3xa3 55.Ne1-c2 Ra3-c3
56.Nc2xd4 c5xd4 57.Re4xd4+ Kd6-c5
58.Rd4-d5+ Kc5xc4 59.Rd5-d7 a4-a3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


60.Rd7-c7+ Kc4-b3 61.Rc7-b7+
Kb3-c2 62.Rb7-a7 Kc2-b2
63.Ra7-b7+ Rc3-b3 64.Rb7-e7
a3-a2 -2.17/16 ] 50...Rd2-f2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 50...Kd7-d6
51.Re4-e8 Rd2-e2 52.Kc1-d1 Re2-b2
53.Ne1-c2 Rb2-b3 54.Kd1-e2 Rb3-c3
55.Nc2xd4 c5xd4 56.Re8-d8+ Kd6-c5
57.Rd8-c8+ Kc5-b6 58.Rc8-d8
Rc3-c2+ 59.Ke2-d1 Rc2xc4
60.Kd1-e2 Kb6-c7 61.Rd8-d5 Kc7-c6
62.Rd5-d8 Rc4-c2+ 63.Ke2-e1
Rc2-d2 64.Rd8-a8 Kc6-b5
65.Ra8-b8+ Kb5-c4 66.Rb8-b4+
Kc4-d3 67.Rb4xa4 Rd2-e2+
68.Ke1-d1 Re2-g2 -2.19/19 ]
51.Kc1-d1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
51.Kc1-d1 Kd7-d6 52.Re4-e8 Rf2-b2
53.Ne1-f3 Rb2-a2 54.Re8-e4 Ra2xa3
55.Nf3xd4 c5xd4 56.Re4xd4+ Kd6-c5
57.Rd4-d8 Ra3-b3 58.Kd1-c2 Kc5xc4
59.Rd8-c8+ Kc4-b4 60.Rc8-e8
Rb3-c3+ 61.Kc2-b1 a4-a3 62.Re8-b8+
Kb4-c4 63.Rb8-e8 Kc4-d4 64.Kb1-a2
Kd4-d3 65.Re8-d8+ Kd3-c2
66.Rd8-e8 Kc2-d2 67.Re8-d8+
Rc3-d3 -2.54/18 ] 51...Kd7-d6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 51...Kd7-d6
52.Re4-e8 Rf2-b2 53.Ne1-c2 Rb2-b3
54.Kd1-e2 Rb3-c3 55.Nc2xd4 c5xd4
56.Re8-d8+ Kd6-c5 57.Rd8-c8+
Kc5-b6 58.Rc8-d8 Rc3-c2+ 59.Ke2-d1
Rc2xc4 60.Kd1-e2 Kb6-c7 61.Rd8-d5
Kc7-c6 62.Rd5-d8 Rc4-c2+ 63.Ke2-e1
Rc2-d2 64.Rd8-b8 d4-d3 65.Rb8-e8
Rd2-e2+ 66.Ke1-d1 Kc6-d5
67.Re8-a8 Re2-a2 68.Ra8-a5+
Kd5-c6 -2.31/20 ] 52.Re4-e8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 52.Re4-e8
Rf2-b2 53.Ne1-c2 Rb2-b3 54.Kd1-e2
Rb3-c3 55.Nc2xd4 c5xd4 56.Re8-d8+
Kd6-c5 57.Rd8-c8+ Kc5-b6 58.Rc8-d8
Rc3-c2+ 59.Ke2-d1 Rc2xc4
60.Kd1-e2 Kb6-c7 61.Rd8-d5 Kc7-c6
62.Rd5-d8 Rc4-c2+ 63.Ke2-e1

675
Rc2-d2 64.Rd8-a8 Kc6-b5
65.Ra8-b8+ Kb5-c4 66.Rb8-b4+
Kc4-d3 67.Rb4xa4 Rd2-e2+ -2.40/19 ]
52...Bd4-e5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
52...Rf2-b2 53.Ne1-f3 Rb2-a2
54.Re8-e4 Ra2xa3 55.Nf3xd4 c5xd4
56.Re4xd4+ Kd6-c5 57.Rd4-d7
Ra3-a2 58.Rd7-c7+ Kc5-d6
59.Rc7-a7 a4-a3 60.Kd1-e1 Kd6-c5
61.Ra7-a8 Kc5xc4 62.Ra8-c8+
Kc4-b4 63.Rc8-b8+ Kb4-c5
64.Rb8-c8+ Kc5-d5 65.Rc8-d8+
Kd5-e5 66.Rd8-e8+ Ke5-f4
67.Re8-f8+ Kf4-e4 68.Rf8-a8 Ke4-d4
69.Ra8-d8+ Kd4-c4 70.Rd8-c8+
Kc4-b4 -2.19/19 ] 53.Ne1-d3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 53.Ne1-d3
Rf2-d2+ 54.Kd1-c1 Be5-d4 55.Nd3-e1
Rd2-e2 56.Kc1-d1 Re2-b2 57.Ne1-f3
Rb2-a2 58.Re8-e4 Ra2xa3 59.Nf3xd4
c5xd4 60.Re4xd4+ Kd6-c5 61.Rd4-d7
Ra3-a2 62.Rd7-c7+ Kc5-d6
63.Rc7-a7 a4-a3 64.Kd1-e1 Kd6-c5
65.Ra7-a8 Kc5xc4 66.Ra8-c8+
Kc4-d3 67.Rc8-d8+ Kd3-e4
68.Rd8-e8+ Ke4-d4 69.Re8-a8
Kd4-d5 70.Ra8-d8+ Kd5-e5
71.Rd8-e8+ Ke5-f4 72.Re8-f8+ Kf4-e5
73.Rf8-e8+ Ke5-f4 -2.18/18 ]
53...Rf2-d2+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
53...Rf2-d2+ 54.Kd1-c1 Be5-d4
55.Nd3-e1 Rd2-e2 56.Kc1-d1 Re2-b2
57.Ne1-f3 Rb2-a2 58.Re8-e4 Ra2xa3
59.Nf3xd4 c5xd4 60.Re4xd4+ Kd6-c5
61.Rd4-d7 Ra3-a2 62.Rd7-c7+
Kc5-d6 63.Rc7-a7 a4-a3 64.Kd1-e1
Kd6-c5 65.Ra7-a8 Kc5xc4
66.Ra8-c8+ Kc4-d3 67.Rc8-d8+
Kd3-e4 68.Rd8-e8+ Ke4-d4
69.Re8-a8 Kd4-d5 70.Ra8-d8+
Kd5-e5 71.Rd8-e8+ Ke5-f4
72.Re8-f8+ Kf4-e5 73.Rf8-e8+
Ke5-f4 -2.09/18 ] 54.Kd1-c1
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 54.Kd1-c1
Be5-d4 55.Nd3-e1 Rd2-e2 56.Kc1-d1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Re2-b2 57.Ne1-f3 Rb2-a2 58.Re8-e4
Ra2xa3 59.Nf3xd4 c5xd4 60.Re4xd4+
Kd6-c5 61.Rd4-d7 Ra3-a2
62.Rd7-c7+ Kc5-d6 63.Rc7-a7 a4-a3
64.Kd1-e1 Kd6-c5 65.Ra7-a8 Kc5xc4
66.Ra8-c8+ Kc4-d3 67.Rc8-d8+
Kd3-e4 68.Rd8-e8+ Ke4-d4
69.Re8-a8 Kd4-d5 70.Ra8-d8+
Kd5-e5 71.Rd8-e8+ Ke5-f4
72.Re8-f8+ Kf4-e5 73.Rf8-e8+
Ke5-f4 -2.18/19 ] 54...Be5-d4
[ 54...Rd2xd3?! is much weaker
55.Re8-d8+ Kd6-e6 56.Rd8xd3= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 54...Be5-d4
55.Nd3-e1 Rd2-e2 56.Kc1-d1 Re2-b2
57.Ne1-f3 Rb2-a2 58.Re8-e4 Ra2xa3
59.Nf3xd4 c5xd4 60.Re4xd4+ Kd6-c5
61.Rd4-d7 Ra3-a2 62.Rd7-c7+
Kc5-d6 63.Rc7-a7 a4-a3 64.Kd1-e1
Kd6-c5 65.Ra7-a8 Kc5xc4
66.Ra8-c8+ Kc4-d3 67.Rc8-d8+
Kd3-e4 68.Rd8-e8+ Ke4-d4
69.Re8-a8 Kd4-d5 70.Ra8-d8+
Kd5-e5 71.Rd8-e8+ Ke5-f4
72.Re8-f8+ Kf4-e5 73.Rf8-e8+
Ke5-f4 -2.09/20 ] 55.Nd3-e1
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 55.Nd3-e1
Rd2-e2 56.Kc1-d1 Re2-b2 57.Ne1-f3
Rb2-a2 58.Re8-e4 Ra2xa3 59.Nf3xd4
c5xd4 60.Re4xd4+ Kd6-c5 61.Rd4-d7
Ra3-a2 62.Rd7-c7+ Kc5-d6
63.Rc7-a7 a4-a3 64.Kd1-e1 Kd6-c5
65.Ra7-a8 Kc5xc4 66.Ra8-c8+
Kc4-d3 67.Rc8-d8+ Kd3-e4
68.Rd8-e8+ Ke4-d4 69.Re8-a8
Kd4-d5 70.Ra8-d8+ Kd5-e5
71.Rd8-e8+ Ke5-f4 72.Re8-f8+ Kf4-e5
73.Rf8-e8+ Ke5-f4 -2.18/19 ]
55...Rd2-h2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
55...Rd2-h2 56.Kc1-d1 Rh2-b2
57.Ne1-f3 Rb2-a2 58.Re8-e4 Ra2xa3
59.Nf3xd4 c5xd4 60.Re4xd4+ Kd6-c5
61.Rd4-d7 Ra3-a2 62.Rd7-c7+
Kc5-d6 63.Rc7-a7 a4-a3 64.Kd1-e1
Kd6-c5 65.Ra7-a8 Kc5xc4

676
66.Ra8-c8+ Kc4-d3 67.Rc8-d8+
Kd3-e4 68.Rd8-e8+ Ke4-d4
69.Re8-a8 Kd4-d5 70.Ra8-d8+
Kd5-e5 71.Rd8-e8+ Ke5-f4
72.Re8-f8+ Kf4-e5 73.Rf8-e8+
Ke5-f4 -2.09/18 ] 56.Kc1-d1
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 56.Kc1-d1
Rh2-b2 57.Ne1-f3 Rb2-a2 58.Re8-e4
Ra2xa3 59.Nf3xd4 c5xd4 60.Re4xd4+
Kd6-c5 61.Rd4-d7 Ra3-a2
62.Rd7-c7+ Kc5-d6 63.Rc7-a7 a4-a3
64.Kd1-e1 Kd6-c5 65.Ra7-a8 Kc5xc4
66.Ra8-c8+ Kc4-d3 67.Rc8-d8+
Kd3-e4 68.Rd8-e8+ Ke4-d4
69.Re8-a8 Kd4-d5 70.Ra8-d8+
Kd5-e5 71.Rd8-e8+ Ke5-f4
72.Re8-f8+ Kf4-e5 73.Rf8-e8+
Ke5-f4 -2.18/17 ] 56...Rh2-b2
[ 56...Kd6-c7!? seems even better
57.Re8-e7+ Kc7-d8 58.Re7-e6
Rh2-d2+ 59.Kd1-c1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 56...Rh2-b2 57.Ne1-f3
Rb2-a2 58.Re8-e4 Ra2xa3 59.Nf3xd4
c5xd4 60.Re4xd4+ Kd6-c5 61.Rd4-d7
Ra3-a2 62.Kd1-e1 a4-a3 63.Rd7-a7
Kc5xc4 64.Ra7-c7+ Kc4-d4
65.Rc7-d7+ Kd4-c5 66.Rd7-d3 e3-e2
67.Rd3-e3 Kc5-d4 68.Re3-h3 Kd4-c4
69.Rh3-e3 Kc4-b4 70.Re3-e4+
Kb4-c3 71.Re4-e3+ Kc3-c4
72.Re3-e4+ Kc4-d3 73.Re4-e3+
Kd3-d4 74.Re3-h3 -1.96/17 ]
57.Ne1-c2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
57.Ne1-f3 Rb2-a2 58.Re8-e4 Ra2xa3
59.Nf3xd4 c5xd4 60.Re4xd4+ Kd6-c5
61.Rd4-d8 Ra3-b3 62.Rd8-c8+
Kc5-d4 63.Rc8-d8+ Kd4xc4
64.Rd8-c8+ Kc4-d3 65.Rc8-d8+
Kd3-e4 66.Rd8-e8+ Ke4-d4
67.Re8-d8+ Kd4-c3 68.Rd8-c8+
Kc3-b4 69.Kd1-e2 a4-a3 70.Rc8-a8
Rb3-c3 71.Ra8-b8+ Kb4-c5
72.Rb8-c8+ Kc5-b4 73.Rc8-b8+
Kb4-c5 -1.97/16 ] 57...Rb2-b3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 57...Rb2-b3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


58.Kd1-e2 Rb3-c3 59.Nc2xd4 c5xd4
60.Re8-d8+ Kd6-c5 61.Rd8-c8+
Kc5-b6 62.Rc8-d8 Rc3-c2+ 63.Ke2-d1
Rc2xc4 64.Kd1-e2 Kb6-c7 65.Rd8-d5
Kc7-c6 66.Rd5-d8 Rc4-c2+ 67.Ke2-e1
Rc2-d2 68.Rd8-a8 Kc6-b5
69.Ra8-b8+ Kb5-c4 70.Rb8-b4+
Kc4-d3 71.Rb4xa4 Rd2-c2 -2.19/17 ]
58.Re8-e4?? the position was bad, and
this mistake simply hastens the end
[ 58.Kd1-e2-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
58.Kd1-e2 Rb3-c3 59.Nc2xd4 c5xd4
60.Re8-d8+ Kd6-c5 61.Rd8-c8+
Kc5-b6 62.Rc8-d8 Rc3-c2+ 63.Ke2-d1
Rc2xc4 64.Kd1-e2 Kb6-c7 65.Rd8-e8
Rc4-c2+ 66.Ke2-e1 Kc7-d6 67.Re8-a8
Kd6-d5 68.Ra8-a5+ Kd5-c4
69.Ra5xa4+ Kc4-d3 -2.17/14 ]
58...Rb3-d3+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
58...Rb3-d3+ 59.Kd1-c1 Bd4-e5
60.Nc2-e1 Rd3xa3 61.Ne1-f3 Be5-f6
62.Kc1-c2 Ra3-c3+ 63.Kc2-b1
Rc3-b3+ 64.Kb1-c2 Rb3-b2+
65.Kc2-d3 a4-a3 66.Re4-f4 Rb2-b3+
67.Kd3-c2 Rb3-c3+ 68.Kc2-b1 Kd6-e6
69.Kb1-a2 e3-e2 70.Nf3-e1 Rc3-e3
71.Ne1-g2 Bf6-e5 72.Rf4-g4 Ke6-f6
73.Rg4-g8 Re3-d3 74.Ng2-e1
Rd3-h3 -3.64/17 ] 59.Kd1-c1
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 59.Kd1-c1
Bd4-e5 60.Nc2-e1 Rd3xa3 61.Ne1-f3
Be5-f6 62.Kc1-c2 Ra3-c3+ 63.Kc2-b1
Rc3-b3+ 64.Kb1-c2 Rb3-b2+
65.Kc2-d3 a4-a3 66.Re4-f4 Rb2-b3+
67.Kd3-c2 Rb3-c3+ 68.Kc2-b1 Kd6-e6
69.Kb1-a2 e3-e2 70.Nf3-e1 Rc3-e3
71.Ne1-g2 Bf6-e5 72.Rf4-g4 Ke6-f6
73.Rg4-g8 Re3-d3 74.Ng2-e1
Rd3-h3 -3.73/18 ] 59...Bd4-e5
[ 59...Bd4-c3-+ and Black has it in the
bag ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 59...Bd4-e5
60.Nc2-e1 Rd3xa3 61.Ne1-f3 Be5-f6
62.Kc1-c2 Ra3-c3+ 63.Kc2-b1
Rc3-b3+ 64.Kb1-c2 Rb3-b2+
65.Kc2-d3 a4-a3 66.Re4-f4 Rb2-b3+

677
67.Kd3-c2 Rb3-c3+ 68.Kc2-b1 Kd6-e6
69.Kb1-a2 e3-e2 70.Nf3-e1 Rc3-e3
71.Ne1-g2 Bf6-e5 72.Rf4-g4 Ke6-f6
73.Rg4-g8 Re3-d3 74.Ng2-e1
Rd3-h3 -3.64/14 ] 60.Nc2xe3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 60.Nc2-e1
Rd3xa3 61.Ne1-f3 Be5-f6 62.Kc1-c2
Ra3-c3+ 63.Kc2-b1 Rc3-b3+
64.Kb1-c2 Rb3-b2+ 65.Kc2-d3 a4-a3
66.Re4-f4 Rb2-b3+ 67.Kd3-c2
Rb3-c3+ 68.Kc2-b1 Kd6-e6 69.Kb1-a2
e3-e2 70.Nf3-e1 Rc3-e3 71.Ne1-g2
Bf6-e5 72.Rf4-g4 Ke6-f6 73.Rg4-g8
Re3-d3 74.Ng2-e1 Rd3-h3 -3.73/15 ]
60...Rd3xe3 [ 60...Rd3xa3?!
61.Ne3-f5+ Kd6-e6 62.Nf5-h6= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 60...Rd3xe3
61.Re4-g4 Re3xa3 62.Rg4-g6+
Kd6-d7 63.Rg6-a6 Ra3-c3+
64.Kc1-b2 Rc3xc4+ 65.Kb2-a2 Rc4-f4
66.Ka2-a3 Rf4-b4 67.Ka3-a2 Be5-b2
68.Ka2-b1 c5-c4 69.Kb1-c2 a4-a3
70.Kc2-b1 c4-c3 71.Kb1-c2 Rb4-e4
72.Kc2-b3 Re4-e2 -5.48/14 ]
61.Re4xe3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
61.Re4-h4 Re3xa3 62.Rh4-h6+
Kd6-d7 63.Kc1-b1 Ra3-c3 64.Rh6-a6
Rc3xc4 65.Kb1-a2 Rc4-f4 66.Ka2-a3
Rf4-b4 67.Ka3-a2 Be5-b2 68.Ka2-b1
c5-c4 69.Kb1-c2 a4-a3 70.Kc2-b1
c4-c3 71.Kb1-c2 Rb4-e4 72.Kc2-b3
Re4-e2 -5.47/15 ] 61...Be5-f4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 61...Be5-f4
62.Kc1-b2 Bf4xe3 63.Kb2-c2 Be3-c1
64.Kc2-b1 Bc1-b2 65.Kb1-c2 Bb2xa3
66.Kc2-b1 Kd6-e5 67.Kb1-a1 Ba3-b4
68.Ka1-a2 Ke5-d4 69.Ka2-b2 Kd4xc4
70.Kb2-c1 a4-a3 71.Kc1-d1 a3-a2
72.Kd1-e2 a2-a1Q 73.Ke2-f3 Kc4-d4
74.Kf3-f4 c5-c4 75.Kf4-g4 Bb4-d2
76.Kg4-f5 c4-c3 77.Kf5-e6 c3-c2
78.Ke6-f6 Qa1-f1+ 79.Kf6-e7 Bd2-b4+
80.Ke7-d7 Qf1-f5+ 81.Kd7-c7
Bb4-a5+ 82.Kc7-d6 c2-c1Q -21.64/19 ]
62.Kc1-d2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


62.Kc1-c2 Bf4xe3 63.Kc2-d1 Kd6-e5
64.Kd1-e2 Ke5-d4 65.Ke2-f3 Be3-c1
66.Kf3-g4 Bc1xa3 67.Kg4-f4 Kd4xc4
68.Kf4-f5 Ba3-b4 69.Kf5-e4 a4-a3
70.Ke4-e5 a3-a2 71.Ke5-f4 a2-a1Q
72.Kf4-f5 Kc4-d4 73.Kf5-f4 c5-c4
74.Kf4-f3 c4-c3 75.Kf3-f2 c3-c2
76.Kf2-f3 c2-c1Q 77.Kf3-g3 Qc1-c4
78.Kg3-h2 Bb4-d6+ 79.Kh2-h3
Qa1-h1+ 80.Kh3-g4 Kd4-e3+
81.Kg4-g5 -21.68/21 ] 62...Bf4xe3+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 62...Bf4xe3+
63.Kd2-d3 Be3-c1 64.Kd3-e2 Bc1xa3
65.Ke2-d3 Kd6-e5 66.Kd3-c3 Ba3-b4+
67.Kc3-d3 a4-a3 68.Kd3-c2 Ke5-d4
69.Kc2-d1 Kd4xc4 70.Kd1-c2 Bb4-d2
71.Kc2-d1 a3-a2 72.Kd1-e2 a2-a1Q
73.Ke2-f2 Qa1-d4+ 74.Kf2-g2
Qd4-g4+ 75.Kg2-f2 Kc4-d4 76.Kf2-f1
Qg4-f3+ 77.Kf1-g1 c5-c4 78.Kg1-h2
c4-c3 79.Kh2-g1 c3-c2 -16.79/18 ]
63.Kd2xe3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
63.Kd2-d3 Be3-c1 64.Kd3-e2 Bc1xa3
65.Ke2-d3 Kd6-e5 66.Kd3-c3 Ba3-b4+
67.Kc3-d3 a4-a3 68.Kd3-c2 Ke5-d4
69.Kc2-b3 Kd4-d3 70.Kb3-a4 a3-a2
71.Ka4-b5 a2-a1Q 72.Kb5-b6 Kd3xc4
73.Kb6-b7 Kc4-d4 74.Kb7-b6 c5-c4
75.Kb6-b5 Qa1-a5+ 76.Kb5-c6 c4-c3
77.Kc6-b7 c3-c2 -18.18/19 ]
63...Kd6-e5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
63...Kd6-e5 64.Ke3-d2 Ke5-d4
65.Kd2-c1 Kd4-c3 66.Kc1-d1 Kc3-d3
67.Kd1-c1 Kd3-d4 68.Kc1-b2 Kd4xc4
69.Kb2-c2 Kc4-d4 70.Kc2-c1 Kd4-c3
71.Kc1-d1 c5-c4 72.Kd1-e2 Kc3-b3
73.Ke2-f2 c4-c3 74.Kf2-g2 Kb3xa3
75.Kg2-f3 Ka3-b3 76.Kf3-e3 c3-c2
77.Ke3-f4 c2-c1Q+ 78.Kf4-g4 a4-a3
79.Kg4-f5 Kb3-b2 80.Kf5-e6 a3-a2
81.Ke6-e7 Qc1-c7+ 82.Ke7-e6
Qc7-c4+ 83.Ke6-f5 a2-a1Q 84.Kf5-g5
Qc4-c1+ 85.Kg5-g4 Qa1-a4+
86.Kg4-f5 Qc1-c5+ 87.Kf5-g6
Qa4-a6+ 88.Kg6-f7 Qc5-a7+ 89.Kf7-f8

678
Qa6-c8# -#26/20 ] 64.Ke3-d3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 64.Ke3-d3
Ke5-f4 65.Kd3-d2 Kf4-e4 66.Kd2-c3
Ke4-e3 67.Kc3-c2 Ke3-d4 68.Kc2-b2
Kd4xc4 69.Kb2-c2 Kc4-d4 70.Kc2-d2
c5-c4 71.Kd2-c2 c4-c3 72.Kc2-c1
Kd4-c5 73.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5 74.Kd1-c1
Kd5-d4 75.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4 76.Kc2-c1
Kc4-b3 77.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3 78.Kb1-c2
Ka3-b4 79.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3 80.Kc1-d1
a4-a3 81.Kd1-e1 a3-a2 82.Ke1-e2
c3-c2 83.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q 84.Ke3-f4
Qa1-f6+ 85.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q 86.Kg3-h2
Qf6-f2+ 87.Kh2-h3 Qc1-c8# -#24/43 ]
64...Ke5-f4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
64...Ke5-f4 65.Kd3-d2 Kf4-e4
66.Kd2-c3 Ke4-e3 67.Kc3-c2 Ke3-d4
68.Kc2-b2 Kd4xc4 69.Kb2-c2 Kc4-d4
70.Kc2-d2 c5-c4 71.Kd2-c2 c4-c3
72.Kc2-c1 Kd4-c5 73.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5
74.Kd1-c1 Kd5-d4 75.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4
76.Kc2-c1 Kc4-b3 77.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3
78.Kb1-c2 Ka3-b4 79.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3
80.Kc1-d1 a4-a3 81.Kd1-e1 a3-a2
82.Ke1-e2 c3-c2 83.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q
84.Ke3-f4 Qa1-f6+ 85.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q
86.Kg3-h2 Qf6-f2+ 87.Kh2-h3
Qc1-c8# -#24/41 ] 65.Kd3-d2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 65.Kd3-d2
Kf4-e4 66.Kd2-c3 Ke4-e3 67.Kc3-c2
Ke3-d4 68.Kc2-b2 Kd4xc4 69.Kb2-c2
Kc4-d4 70.Kc2-d2 c5-c4 71.Kd2-c2
c4-c3 72.Kc2-c1 Kd4-c5 73.Kc1-d1
Kc5-d5 74.Kd1-c1 Kd5-d4 75.Kc1-c2
Kd4-c4 76.Kc2-c1 Kc4-b3 77.Kc1-b1
Kb3xa3 78.Kb1-c2 Ka3-b4 79.Kc2-c1
Kb4-b3 80.Kc1-d1 a4-a3 81.Kd1-e1
a3-a2 82.Ke1-e2 c3-c2 83.Ke2-e3
a2-a1Q 84.Ke3-f4 Qa1-f6+ 85.Kf4-g3
c2-c1Q 86.Kg3-h2 Qf6-f2+ 87.Kh2-h3
Qc1-c8# -#23/42 ] 65...Kf4-e4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 65...Kf4-e4
66.Kd2-c3 Ke4-e3 67.Kc3-c2 Ke3-d4
68.Kc2-b2 Kd4xc4 69.Kb2-c2 Kc4-d4
70.Kc2-d2 c5-c4 71.Kd2-c2 c4-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


72.Kc2-c1 Kd4-c5 73.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5
74.Kd1-c1 Kd5-d4 75.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4
76.Kc2-c1 Kc4-b3 77.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3
78.Kb1-c2 Ka3-b4 79.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3
80.Kc1-d1 a4-a3 81.Kd1-e2 a3-a2
82.Ke2-e3 c3-c2 83.Ke3-f4 a2-a1Q
84.Kf4-f5 c2-c1Q 85.Kf5-e6 Qc1-c6+
86.Ke6-f5 Qc6-f6+ 87.Kf5-g4 Qa1-g1+
88.Kg4-h3 Qf6-h6# -#24/37 ]
66.Kd2-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
66.Kd2-c3 Ke4-e3 67.Kc3-c2 Ke3-d4
68.Kc2-b2 Kd4xc4 69.Kb2-c2 Kc4-d4
70.Kc2-d2 c5-c4 71.Kd2-c2 c4-c3
72.Kc2-c1 Kd4-c5 73.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5
74.Kd1-c1 Kd5-d4 75.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4
76.Kc2-c1 Kc4-b3 77.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3
78.Kb1-c2 Ka3-b4 79.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3
80.Kc1-d1 a4-a3 81.Kd1-e1 a3-a2
82.Ke1-e2 c3-c2 83.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q
84.Ke3-f4 Qa1-f6+ 85.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q
86.Kg3-h2 Qf6-f2+ 87.Kh2-h3
Qc1-c8# -#22/39 ] 66...Ke4-d4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 66...Ke4-d4
67.Ke2-d2 Kd4xc4 68.Kd2-c2 Kc4-d4
69.Kc2-d2 c5-c4 70.Kd2-c2 c4-c3
71.Kc2-c1 Kd4-c5 72.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5
73.Kd1-c1 Kd5-d4 74.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4
75.Kc2-c1 Kc4-b3 76.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3
77.Kb1-c2 Ka3-b4 78.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3
79.Kc1-d1 a4-a3 80.Kd1-e2 a3-a2
81.Ke2-e3 c3-c2 82.Ke3-f4 a2-a1Q
83.Kf4-f5 c2-c1Q 84.Kf5-e6 Qc1-c6+
85.Ke6-f7 Qa1-f6+ 86.Kf7-g8 Qc6-g2+
87.Kg8-h7 Qf6-g7# -#22/32 ]
67.Ke2-d2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
67.Ke2-d1 Kd4xc4 68.Kd1-c2 Kc4-d4
69.Kc2-d2 c5-c4 70.Kd2-c2 c4-c3
71.Kc2-c1 Kd4-c5 72.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5
73.Kd1-c1 Kd5-d4 74.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4
75.Kc2-c1 Kc4-b3 76.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3
77.Kb1-c2 Ka3-b4 78.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3
79.Kc1-d1 a4-a3 80.Kd1-e1 a3-a2
81.Ke1-e2 c3-c2 82.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q
83.Ke3-f4 Qa1-f6+ 84.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q
85.Kg3-h2 Qf6-f2+ 86.Kh2-h3

679
Qc1-c8# -#20/33 ] 67...Kd4xc4
Black threatens strongly Kd1
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 67...Kd4xc4
68.Kd2-c2 Kc4-d4 69.Kc2-d2 c5-c4
70.Kd2-c2 c4-c3 71.Kc2-c1 Kd4-c5
72.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5 73.Kd1-c1 Kd5-d4
74.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4 75.Kc2-c1 Kc4-b3
76.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3 77.Kb1-c2 Ka3-b4
78.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3 79.Kc1-d1 a4-a3
80.Kd1-e1 a3-a2 81.Ke1-e2 c3-c2
82.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q 83.Ke3-f4 Qa1-f6+
84.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q 85.Kg3-h2 Qf6-f2+
86.Kh2-h3 Qc1-c8# -#20/32 ]
68.Kd2-c2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
68.Kd2-c2 Kc4-d4 69.Kc2-d2 c5-c4
70.Kd2-c2 c4-c3 71.Kc2-c1 Kd4-c5
72.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5 73.Kd1-c1 Kd5-d4
74.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4 75.Kc2-c1 Kc4-b3
76.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3 77.Kb1-c2 Ka3-b4
78.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3 79.Kc1-d1 a4-a3
80.Kd1-e1 a3-a2 81.Ke1-e2 c3-c2
82.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q 83.Ke3-f4 Qa1-f6+
84.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q 85.Kg3-h2 Qf6-f2+
86.Kh2-h3 Qc1-c8# -#19/33 ]
68...Kc4-d4 With the decisive threat
Kc1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 68...Kc4-d4
69.Kc2-d2 c5-c4 70.Kd2-c2 c4-c3
71.Kc2-c1 Kd4-c5 72.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5
73.Kd1-c1 Kd5-d4 74.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4
75.Kc2-c1 Kc4-b3 76.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3
77.Kb1-c2 Ka3-b4 78.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3
79.Kc1-d1 a4-a3 80.Kd1-e1 a3-a2
81.Ke1-e2 c3-c2 82.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q
83.Ke3-f4 Qa1-f6+ 84.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q
85.Kg3-h2 Qf6-f2+ 86.Kh2-h3
Qc1-c8# -#19/31 ] 69.Kc2-d2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 69.Kc2-d2
c5-c4 70.Kd2-c2 c4-c3 71.Kc2-c1
Kd4-c5 72.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5 73.Kd1-c1
Kd5-d4 74.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4 75.Kc2-c1
Kc4-b3 76.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3 77.Kb1-c2
Ka3-b4 78.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3 79.Kc1-d1
a4-a3 80.Kd1-e1 a3-a2 81.Ke1-e2
c3-c2 82.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q 83.Ke3-f4
Qa1-f6+ 84.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q 85.Kg3-h2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Qf6-f2+ 86.Kh2-h3 Qc1-c8# -#18/29 ]
69...c5-c4?? releasing the pressure on
the opponent [ 69...Kd4-e4 70.Kd2-e2
Ke4-d5= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
69...c5-c4 70.Kd2-c2 c4-c3 71.Kc2-c1
Kd4-c5 72.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5 73.Kd1-c1
Kd5-d4 74.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4 75.Kc2-c1
Kc4-b3 76.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3 77.Kb1-c2
Ka3-b4 78.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3 79.Kc1-d1
a4-a3 80.Kd1-e2 a3-a2 81.Ke2-e3
c3-c2 82.Ke3-f4 a2-a1Q 83.Kf4-f5
c2-c1Q 84.Kf5-e6 Qc1-c6+ 85.Ke6-f7
Qa1-f6+ 86.Kf7-g8 Qc6-g2+
87.Kg8-h7 Qf6-g7# -#19/26 ]
70.Kd2-c2= [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
70.Kd2-c2 c4-c3 71.Kc2-c1 Kd4-c5
72.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5 73.Kd1-c1 Kd5-d4
74.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4 75.Kc2-c1 Kc4-b3
76.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3 77.Kb1-c2 Ka3-b4
78.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3 79.Kc1-d1 a4-a3
80.Kd1-e1 a3-a2 81.Ke1-e2 c3-c2
82.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q 83.Ke3-f4 Qa1-f6+
84.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q 85.Kg3-h2 Qf6-f2+
86.Kh2-h3 Qc1-c8# -#17/36 ]
70...c4-c3 Don't underestimate that
pawn [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 70...c4-c3
71.Kc2-c1 Kd4-c5 72.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5
73.Kd1-c1 Kd5-d4 74.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4
75.Kc2-c1 Kc4-b3 76.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3
77.Kb1-c2 Ka3-b4 78.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3
79.Kc1-d1 a4-a3 80.Kd1-e1 a3-a2
81.Ke1-e2 c3-c2 82.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q
83.Ke3-f4 Qa1-f6+ 84.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q
85.Kg3-h2 Qf6-f2+ 86.Kh2-h3
Qc1-c8# -#17/34 ] 71.Kc2-c1
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 71.Kc2-c1
Kd4-c5 72.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5 73.Kd1-c1
Kd5-d4 74.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4 75.Kc2-c1
Kc4-b3 76.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3 77.Kb1-c2
Ka3-b4 78.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3 79.Kc1-d1
a4-a3 80.Kd1-e1 a3-a2 81.Ke1-e2
c3-c2 82.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q 83.Ke3-f4
Qa1-f6+ 84.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q 85.Kg3-h2
Qf6-f2+ 86.Kh2-h3 Qc1-c8# -#16/36 ]
71...Kd4-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

680
71...Kd4-c5 72.Kc1-d1 Kc5-d5
73.Kd1-c1 Kd5-d4 74.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4
75.Kc2-c1 Kc4-b3 76.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3
77.Kb1-c2 Ka3-b4 78.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3
79.Kc1-d1 a4-a3 80.Kd1-e1 a3-a2
81.Ke1-e2 c3-c2 82.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q
83.Ke3-f4 Qa1-f6+ 84.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q
85.Kg3-h2 Qf6-f2+ 86.Kh2-h3
Qc1-c8# -#16/30 ] 72.Kc1-d1??
makes life more difficult [ 72.Kc1-b1
Kc5-d5 73.Kb1-c1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 72.Kc1-b1 Kc5-d5 73.Kb1-c1
Kd5-d4 74.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4 75.Kc2-c1
Kc4-b3 76.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3 77.Kb1-c2
Ka3-b4 78.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3 79.Kc1-d1
a4-a3 80.Kd1-e1 a3-a2 81.Ke1-e2
c3-c2 82.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q 83.Ke3-f4
Qa1-f6+ 84.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q 85.Kg3-h2
Qf6-f2+ 86.Kh2-h3 Qc1-c8# -#15/34 ]
72...Kc5-d5-+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
72...Kc5-d5 73.Kd1-e2 Kd5-c4
74.Ke2-e3 Kc4-b3 75.Ke3-d3 c3-c2
76.Kd3-d2 Kb3-b2 77.Kd2-d3 c2-c1Q
78.Kd3-e4 Kb2xa3 79.Ke4-d4 Ka3-b3
80.Kd4-e4 a4-a3 81.Ke4-f5 a3-a2
82.Kf5-e6 a2-a1Q 83.Ke6-f5 Qc1-f1+
84.Kf5-e6 Qa1-f6+ 85.Ke6-d7 Qf1-c4
86.Kd7-e8 Qc4-a4# -#15/25 ]
73.Kd1-c1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
73.Kd1-e1 Kd5-c4 74.Ke1-e2 Kc4-b3
75.Ke2-d3 c3-c2 76.Kd3-d2 Kb3-b2
77.Kd2-d3 c2-c1Q 78.Kd3-e4 Kb2xa3
79.Ke4-d4 Ka3-b2 80.Kd4-d5 a4-a3
81.Kd5-e5 a3-a2 82.Ke5-e6 a2-a1Q
83.Ke6-f7 Qa1-a2+ 84.Kf7-e7
Qc1-g5+ 85.Ke7-d7 Qa2-d5+
86.Kd7-e8 Qg5-d8# -#14/26 ]
73...Kd5-d4 [ 73...Kd5-d4 74.Kc1-d1
Kd4-d3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
73...Kd5-d4 74.Kc1-c2 Kd4-c4
75.Kc2-c1 Kc4-b3 76.Kc1-b1 Kb3xa3
77.Kb1-c2 Ka3-b4 78.Kc2-c1 Kb4-b3
79.Kc1-d1 a4-a3 80.Kd1-e1 a3-a2
81.Ke1-e2 c3-c2 82.Ke2-e3 a2-a1Q
83.Ke3-f4 Qa1-f6+ 84.Kf4-g3 c2-c1Q

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

681

85.Kg3-h2 Qf6-f2+ 86.Kh2-h3


Qc1-c8# -#14/29 ]
0-1

47

B42

Vassily Ivanchuk
Gata Kamsky
Corus Wijk aan Zee NED (5) 19.01.2006
B42: Sicilian: Kan Variation: 5 Bd3
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 e7-e6
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram

rnlqklnr
pp+p+ppp
+ +p+ +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

2504

qlr +k+
r + +ppp
ppnp n +
+ + p +
+P+P+ +
+NN Q +
PP RLPPP
R + + K

2505

17.Ra1-c1 Bc8-e6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 17...Nc6-e7 18.h2-h3 Ra7-c7
19.Rc1-d1 Rc7-b7 20.Rd2-c2 Rb7-c7
21.c4-c5 b6xc5 22.Nb3xc5 Rc7-c6
23.Nc5-b3 Qb8-b4 24.Rd1-c1
Bc8-e6 0.33/14 ] 18.Rc1-d1 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18.h2-h3
Nf6-d7 19.Nb3-a1 Nc6-d4 20.Na1-c2
Nd4xe2+ 21.Qe3xe2 Nd7-f6
22.Nc2-e3 Qb8-c7 23.b2-b3 Qc7-c5
Diagram
(Diagram 2506)

a7-a6 5.Bf1-d3 Bf8-c5 6.Nd4-b3


Bc5-a7 7.Qd1-e2 d7-d6 8.Bc1-e3
Ng8-f6 9.Be3xa7 Ra8xa7 10.c2-c4
Nb8-c6 11.Nb1-c3 0-0 12.0-0 b7-b6
13.Qe2-e3N [RR 13.Rf1-d1 Qd8-c7
14.Rd1-d2 Rf8-d8 15.Ra1-d1 Qc7-b8
16.Bd3-b1 Ra7-d7 17.Nb3-d4 Bc8-b7
18.Nd4-c2 Nc6-e5 19.Nc2-e3 Ne5-g6
20.Qe2-f1 Qb8-a8 21.f2-f3 Bb7-c6
22.b2-b4 Qa8-a7 23.Qf1-f2 b6-b5
24.Bb1-c2 Qa7-b8 25.a2-a3 Ng6-e5
26.Bc2-b3 Qb8-c7 27.c4xb5 a6xb5
Herbrechtsmeier,C (2285)-Gerstner,W
(2355)/Baden-Baden 1993/TD/0-1
(40) ] 13...Qd8-c7 14.Bd3-e2 Qc7-b8
15.Rf1-d1 Rf8-d8 16.Rd1-d2 e6-e5
Diagram

24.Qe2-d3 Ra7-e7 25.Rc1-d1


0.46/13 ]
(Diagram 2507)
18...h7-h6 last book move last book
move 19.h2-h3 Secures g4
[ 19.Nc3-d5 Be6xd5 20.c4xd5
Nc6-e7$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.a2-a3 Diagram
(Diagram 2508)
b6-b5 20.Nc3-d5 b5xc4 21.Be2xc4
Be6xd5 22.Bc4xd5 Nf6xd5 23.Rd2xd5
Ra7-b7 24.Rd5-d3 Nc6-e7 25.Rd3-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
r + +ppp
pp pln +
+ q p +
+P+P+ +
+PN N +P
P+ RQPP+
+ R + K

q r +k+
r + +ppp
ppnpln +
+ + p +
+P+P+ +
+NN Q +
PP RLPPP
+ +R+ K

q r +k+
r + +pp
ppnpln p
+ + p +
+P+P+ +
PNN Q +
P RLPPP
+ +R+ K
Rd8-c8 26.Rc3xc8+ Ne7xc8

682

2506

2507

2508

27.Rd1-d3 Nc8-e7 28.Rd3-c3 d6-d5


0.15/13 ] 19...Ra7-b7 [ 19...b6-b5
20.Nc3-d5 b5xc4 21.Be2xc4 Be6xd5
22.Bc4xd5$ ( 22.e4xd5 Nc6-e7 );
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...Nc6-e7
20.c4-c5 Be6xb3 21.c5xb6 Ra7-b7
22.a2xb3 Rb7xb6 23.Be2-c4 Qb8-c7
24.Rd2-d3 Qc7-b7 25.Rd1-c1 Rd8-c8
26.Rd3-d1 Rb6-c6 27.Qe3-g3 Qb7-b6
28.Rc1-c2 Rc6-c7 29.Rc2-d2 Rc7-d7
30.Rd1-c1 0.12/13 ] 20.Be2-f1
[ 20.Nc3-d5!? Be6xd5 21.c4xd5
( 21.e4xd5?! Nc6-e7= );Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 20.Nc3-d5 Be6xd5 21.c4xd5
Nc6-e7 22.Rd1-c1 Rb7-c7 23.Be2xa6
Rc7-a7 24.Ba6-b5 Ra7xa2 25.Rd2-e2
Rd8-c8 26.Re2-c2 Diagram

qr+ +k+
+ + npp
p p n p
+L+Pp +
+ +P+ +
+N+ Q +P
rPR+ PP+
+ R + K

2509

Rc8xc2 27.Rc1xc2 Qb8-b7


28.Nb3-d2 Ra2-a5 29.Bb5-e2
Ra5-a1+ 30.Kg1-h2 b6-b5 0.28/13 ]
20...b6-b5= [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20...Nc6-e7 Diagram
(Diagram 2510)
21.c4-c5 Be6xb3 22.a2xb3 b6xc5
23.Qe3xc5 Rb7-d7 24.Qc5-c4 d6-d5
25.Nc3xd5 Ne7xd5 26.e4xd5 Rd7-d6
27.b3-b4 Qb8-b7 28.b4-b5 a6xb5
29.Qc4xb5 Qb7-a8 30.Bf1-c4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

q r +k+
+r+ npp
pp pln p
+ + p +
+P+P+ +
+NN Q +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

683

2510

Qa8-a7 0.04/14 ] 21.c4xb5 [ 21.c4-c5


Be6xb3 22.a2xb3 d6xc5 Diagram

q r +k+
+r+ +pp
p+n+ n p
+pp p +
+ +P+ +
+PN Q +P
P R PP+
+ +R+LK

2511

23.Rd2xd8+ Nc6xd8 24.Qe3xc5


Nd8-e6! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Nc3-d5 b5xc4 22.Bf1xc4 Be6xd5
23.Bc4xd5 Nf6xd5 24.e4xd5 Nc6-e7
25.Nb3-a5 Rb7-c7 26.b2-b3 Qb8-b4
27.Na5-c4 a6-a5 28.Rd1-c1 a5-a4
29.Rd2-d3 Ne7-f5 30.Qe3-e4 Nf5-d4
31.Rd3-g3 a4xb3 32.a2xb3 Nd4xb3
-0.01/14 ] 21...a6xb5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 21...a6xb5 Diagram
22.Nc3-d5 Be6xd5 23.e4xd5 Nc6-e7
24.Nb3-a5 Rb7-b6 25.Na5-c6 Ne7xc6
26.d5xc6 d6-d5 27.Rd1-e1 Rb6xc6

q r +k+
+r+ +pp
+npln p
+p+ p +
+ +P+ +
+NN Q +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

2512

28.Qe3xe5 b5-b4 29.Qe5-d4 Qb8-d6


30.Bf1-d3 Rd8-a8 31.Rd2-e2 Rc6-c7
32.Bd3-b1 Rc7-c4 33.Qd4-d2 Ra8-c8
Diagram

+r+ +k+
+ + +pp
+ q n p
+ +p+ +
pr+ + +
+ + + +P
PP QRPP+
+L+ R K

2513

34.Bb1-f5 0.12/16 ] 22.Nc3-d5


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.Nc3-d5
Be6xd5 Diagram
(Diagram 2514)
23.e4xd5 Nc6-e7 24.Nb3-a5 Rb7-b6
25.Na5-c6 Ne7xc6 26.d5xc6 d6-d5
27.Rd1-e1 Rb6xc6 28.Qe3xe5 b5-b4
29.Qe5-d4 Rd8-c8 30.Bf1-d3 Qb8-d6
31.Rd2-e2 Rc6-c1 32.Bd3-b1 -0.13/14

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

q r +k+
+r+ +pp
+np n p
+p+lp +
+ +P+ +
+N+ Q +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

684

2514

] 22...Be6xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


22...Be6xd5 23.e4xd5 Nc6-e7
24.Nb3-a5 Rb7-b6 25.Na5-c6 Ne7xc6
26.d5xc6 d6-d5 27.Rd2-c2 Rd8-c8
28.Rd1-c1 Diagram

qr+ +k+
+ + +pp
rP+ n p
+p+pp +
+ + + +
+ + Q +P
PPR+ PP+
+ R +LK

2515

+ + + +
+ + + pk
+ K p p
+ + + +
R + + +
+ + + +P
P + rP+
+ + + +

2516

25.Na5-c6 Ne7xc6 26.d5xc6 d6-d5


27.Rd2-c2 Rd8-c8 28.Rd1-c1 d5-d4
29.Qe3-d2 Diagram

qr+ +k+
+ + +pp
rP+ n p
+p+ p +
+ p + +
+ + + +P
PPRQ PP+
+ R +LK

2517

Qb8-c7 30.Qd2-a5 b5-b4 31.Rc2-c4


b4-b3 32.a2xb3 Rb6xb3 33.Rc4-c5
Qc7xa5 34.Rc5xa5 Rb3xb2
35.Ra5xe5 0.03/16 Diagram

d5-d4 29.c6-c7 d4xe3 30.c7xb8Q


e3xf2+ 31.Kg1xf2 Rc8xb8 32.Rc2-c8+
Kg8-h7 33.Rc8xb8 Rb6xb8 34.Kf2-e3
Rb8-a8 35.a2-a3 b5-b4 36.a3xb4
(Diagram 2518)
Nf6-d5+ 37.Ke3-e4 Nd5xb4 38.Rc1-c4
Ra8-a1 39.Rc4xb4 Ra1xf1 40.Ke4xe5 ] 23...Nc6-e7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
f7-f6+ 41.Ke5-d6 Rf1-f2 0.13/16
Pro x64: 23...Nc6-e7 24.Nb3-a5
Rb7-b6 25.Na5-c6 Ne7xc6 26.d5xc6
Diagram
] 23.e4xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
d6-d5 27.Rd1-e1 Rb6xc6 28.Qe3xe5
23.e4xd5 Nc6-e7 24.Nb3-a5 Rb7-b6
b5-b4 29.Qe5-d4 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +k+
+ + +pp
+P+ n p
+ + R +
+ p + +
+ + + +P
r + PP+
+ R +LK

q r +k+
+ + +pp
+r+ n p
+ +p+ +
p Q + +
+ + + +P
PP R PP+
+ + RLK

685

2518

2519

Rd8-c8 30.Bf1-d3 Qb8-d6 31.Rd2-e2


Rc6-c1 32.Bd3-f5 Rc8-c4 33.Qd4-e3
Rc1xe1+ 34.Re2xe1 d5-d4 0.00/15
Diagram
(Diagram 2520)
]
(Diagram 2521)
24.Nb3-a5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24.Nb3-a5 Diagram
Rb7-b6 25.Na5-c6 Ne7xd5
26.Nc6xb8 Nd5xe3 27.f2xe3 Nf6-e4

+ + +k+
+ + +pp
+ q n p
+ + +L+
prp + +
+ + Q +P
PP + PP+
+ + R K

q r +k+
+r+ npp
+ p n p
+p+Pp +
+ + + +
+N+ Q +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

q r +k+
+r+ npp
+ p n p
Np+Pp +
+ + + +
+ + Q +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

2520

2521

2522

28.Nb8-c6 Rb6xc6 29.Rd2-d5 Rd8-c8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

686

30.Bf1-d3 Ne4-f6 31.Rd5xb5 e5-e4


32.Bd3-f1 Rc8-a8 33.a2-a3 d6-d5
34.Rb5-b7 Rc6-c2 35.Rd1-d4 -0.01/15
]

q r +k+
+r+ npp
+ p n p
Np+Pp +
+ + + +
+ + Q +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

2523

2525

e5-e4 35.Rc1-c6 Kh7-g6 36.a2-a3


h6-h5 37.g2-g3 -0.09/14 ]

White threatens to win material:


Na5xb7 24...Rb7-c7 Diagram
[ 24...Rb7-b6!?! is an interesting idea ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Rb7-b6
Diagram

q r +k+
+ + npp
r p n p
Np+Pp +
+ + + +
+ + Q +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

rR+ +k+
+ + +pp
r + n p
+p+ p +
+ + + +
+ + + +P
PP + KP+
+ R +L+

2524

25.Na5-c6 Ne7xc6 26.d5xc6 d6-d5


27.Rd2-c2 Rd8-c8 28.Rd1-c1 d5-d4
29.c6-c7 d4xe3 30.c7xb8Q e3xf2+
31.Kg1xf2 Rc8xb8 32.Rc2-c8+
Diagram
Kg8-h7 33.Rc8xb8 Rb6xb8 34.Kf2-e3

q r +k+
+ r npp
+ p n p
Np+Pp +
+ + + +
+ + Q +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

2526

25.Na5-c6= Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 25.Na5-c6 Diagram
(Diagram 2527)
Ne7xd5 26.Nc6xb8 Nd5xe3 27.f2xe3
Rd8xb8 28.Rd2xd6 Kg8-h7
29.Bf1-d3+ e5-e4 30.Bd3-b1 Rb8-c8
31.Kg1-f2 Rc7-c5 32.g2-g3 Rc5-c7
33.Kf2-e2 Rc7-c5 34.Rd6-b6 Rc5-g5
35.g3-g4 h6-h5 36.Rb6-b7 Kh7-g8
37.a2-a3 h5xg4 38.h3xg4 Rg5xg4
39.Rb7xb5 0.05/15 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

q r +k+
+ r npp
+Np n p
+p+Pp +
+ + + +
+ + Q +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

+r+ +k+
+ + +pp
+ + n +
+R+ + +
+ +p+r+
P + P +
P +K+ +
+L+R+ +

687

2527

2528

q r +k+
+ r npp
+Np n p
+p+Pp +
+ + + +
+ + Q +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

+r+ + +
+ r +ppk
+ R n p
+p+ + +
+ +p+ +
+ + P +P
PP + +P+
+L+R+ K

2529

2530

37.Rd1xd8 h5xg4 38.h3xg4 Kh7-g6


0.13/15 ]
(Diagram 2529)
(Diagram 2531)
25...Ne7xc6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 25...Ne7xd5 26.Nc6xb8
Nd5xe3 27.f2xe3 Rd8xb8 28.Rd2xd6
Kg8-h7 29.Bf1-d3+ e5-e4 30.Bd3-b1
Rb8-c8 Diagram

26.d5xc6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 26.d5xc6 d6-d5 27.Qe3xe5
Diagram
(Diagram 2532)

(Diagram 2530)
31.Kg1-f2 Rc7-c5 32.g2-g3 Rc5-c1
33.g3-g4 Rc1-c5 34.Kf2-g3 h6-h5
35.Rd6-d4 Rc8-e8 36.Rd4-d8 Re8xd8

Rd8-e8 28.Qe5-f4 Rc7xc6 29.Qf4xb8


Re8xb8 30.a2-a3 g7-g6 31.Rd2-d4
Diagram
Rc6-c5 32.Rd4-b4 Nf6-d7 33.Rd1-e1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

688
Nf6-g8 36.Re7-a7 0.22/13 ]

q r +k+
+ r +pp
+np n p
+p+Pp +
+ + + +
+ + Q +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

q r +k+
+ r +pp
+P+ n p
+p+pQ +
+ + + +
+ + + +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

r + +k+
+ + +p+
+r+ npp
+p+p+ +
+ R + +
P + + +P
P + PP+
+ +R+LK

2531

q r +k+
+ r +pp
+Pp n p
+p+ p +
+ + + +
+ + Q +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

2534

26...Rc7xc6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


26...Rc7xc6 27.Qe3xe5 Diagram
2532

q r +k+
+ + +pp
+rp n p
+p+ Q +
+ + + +
+ + + +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK
2533

Kg8-g7 34.Re1-e7 Nd7-f6 35.a3-a4

2535

d6-d5 28.Qe5xb8 Rd8xb8 29.a2-a3


g7-g6 30.Rd2-d4 Rc6-c5 31.Rd4-b4
Diagram
(Diagram 2536)
Nf6-d7 32.Rd1-e1 Kg8-f8 33.g2-g3
f7-f5 34.Kg1-g2 Kf8-f7 35.Bf1-d3
Kf7-f6 36.f2-f4 Kf6-f7 0.35/14 ]
27.Qe3xe5 The isolani on b5 becomes
a target [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27.Qe3xe5 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + +k+
+ + +p+
+ + npp
+prp+ +
R + + +
P + + +P
P + PP+
+ +R+LK

689

Q r +k+
+ + +pp
+r+ n p
+p+p+ +
+ + + +
+ + + +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

2536

2538

Nd7-f6 35.a3-a4 0.24/13 ]

q r +k+
+ + +pp
+rp n p
+p+ Q +
+ + + +
+ + + +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

q r +k+
+ + +pp
+rp n p
+ + Q +
p + + +
+ + + +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

2537

d6-d5 28.Qe5xb8 Rd8xb8 29.a2-a3


g7-g6 30.Rd2-d4 Rc6-c5 31.Rd4-b4
Nf6-d7 32.Rd1-e1 Kg8-g7 33.Re1-e7
Nd7-f6 34.a3-a4 Nf6-g8 35.Re7-a7
0.22/14 ] 27...b5-b4 Diagram [Not
27...d6xe5 28.Rd2xd8+ Qb8xd8
29.Rd1xd8+ Kg8-h7 30.Bf1xb5
Rc6-c1+ 31.Kg1-h2 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27...d6-d5 28.Qe5xb8 Diagram
(Diagram 2538)
Rd8xb8 29.a2-a3 g7-g6 30.Rd2-d4
Rc6-c5 31.Rd4-b4 Nf6-d7 32.Rd1-e1
Kg8-f8 33.g2-g3 Kf8-g7 34.Re1-e7

2539

28.Qe5-d4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 28.Qe5-a5 Qb8-b6 29.Qa5xb6
Rc6xb6 30.Bf1-c4 g7-g6 31.g2-g3
d6-d5 32.Bc4xd5 Nf6xd5 33.Rd2xd5
Rd8xd5 34.Rd1xd5 Rb6-a6 35.Rd5-d4
Ra6xa2 36.Rd4xb4 Kg8-g7 37.Kg1-g2
Kg7-f6 38.Rb4-b6+ Kf6-e5
39.Rb6-b5+ Ke5-e6 40.Rb5-b6+
Ke6-d5 41.Rb6-b7 0.26/14 Diagram
]
28...Qb8-b6 Diagram [ 28...d6-d5
29.Bf1-d3= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28...d6-d5 29.Bf1-d3 Rd8-c8
30.Rd2-e2 Qb8-d6 31.Rd1-e1 g7-g6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+R+ +p+
+ + +pp
+ +k+ +
+ + + +
+ + + PP
rP + PK+
+ + + +

q r +k+
+ + +pp
+rp n p
+ + + +
p Q + +
+ + + +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

690

2540

2541

32.Qd4-e3 h6-h5 33.Qe3-e7 Rc8-a8


34.Qe7xd6 Rc6xd6 35.Bd3-b1 d5-d4
36.Re1-d1 Kg8-g7 37.Re2-e7
Ra8-c8 0.02/15 ]

+ r +k+
+ + +pp
qrp n p
+ + + +
p Q + +
+ + + +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+LK

+ r +k+
+ + +p+
r p npp
+ + + +
pL+ + +
+ + + +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+ K

2542

2543

Kg8-g7 34.Kg1-f2 Ra8-a7 35.Rd2-d4


Ra7-d7 36.Rc1-c2 Rd7-a7 37.g2-g4
0.24/14 Diagram
(Diagram 2544)

(Diagram 2542)
29.Bf1-c4 [ 29.Qd4xb6 Rc6xb6
30.Bf1-c4 g7-g6$ Diagram

] 29...Qb6xd4 Diagram [ 29...Qb6-a5


30.Bc4-b3$ Diagram
(Diagram 2545)

(Diagram 2543)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29.Qd4xb6
Rc6xb6 30.f2-f3 d6-d5 31.Bf1-c4
Rd8-a8 32.Bc4-b3 g7-g6 33.Rd1-c1

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Qb6-a5


30.Rd2-e2 d6-d5 31.Bc4-b3 Rd8-d7
32.Re2-e3 Rc6-c8 33.Re3-e5 Rc8-c5
34.Rd1-e1 Rd7-c7 35.Qd4-f4 Rc5-c6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
r + +pk
r + npp
+ +p+ +
p R +P+
+L+ +P+P
PPR+ K +
+ + + +

+ r +k+
+ + +pp
+rp n p
q + + +
p Q + +
+L+ + +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+ K

691

2544

2545

36.Qf4-d2 Rc6-c5 37.Re5-e7 Nf6-e4


38.Re7-e8+ Kg8-h7 39.Qd2-d4
0.16/14 Diagram
(Diagram 2546)
]

+ +R+ +
+ r +ppk
+ + + p
q rp+ +
p Qn+ +
+L+ + +P
PP + PP+
+ + R K

+ r +k+
+ + +pp
+rp n p
+ + + +
pLq + +
+ + + +P
PP R PP+
+ +R+ K

2546

2547

Kg8-h7 37.Rd8-d4 Ra6xa2 Diagram


(Diagram 2548)
38.Rd4xb4 Kh7-g6 39.Kg1-f2 f7-f6
40.Rb4-b7 Kg6-f5 41.Kf2-f3 g7-g6
42.g2-g4+ Kf5-e6 43.Rb7-b6+
Ke6-e7 0.33/14 ]

(Diagram 2547)
(Diagram 2549)
30.Rd2xd4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 30.Rd2xd4 Rd8-b8
31.Bc4-b3 d6-d5 32.f2-f4 Rc6-e6
33.Bb3xd5 Nf6xd5 34.Rd4xd5 Re6-a6
35.Rd5-d8+ Rb8xd8 36.Rd1xd8+

30...Rc6-b6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


30...Rd8-b8 31.Bc4-b3 d6-d5 32.f2-f4
Rc6-e6 33.Bb3xd5 Nf6xd5 34.Rd4xd5
Re6-a6 35.Rd5-d8+ Rb8xd8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + +ppk
+ + + p
+ + + +
p R P +
+ + + +P
rP + +P+
+ + + K

+ r +k+
+ + +pp
+rp n p
+ + + +
pLR + +
+ + + +P
PP + PP+
+ +R+ K

692

2548

2549

36.Rd1xd8+ Diagram
(Diagram 2550)
Kg8-h7 37.Rd8-d4 Ra6xa2
38.Rd4xb4 Kh7-g6 39.Kg1-f2 f7-f6
40.Rb4-b7 Kg6-f5 41.Kf2-f3 g7-g6
42.g2-g4+ Kf5-e6 43.Rb7-b6+
Ke6-e7 0.40/15 ] 31.Bc4-b3
In the style of Nimzovich [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 31.f2-f4 h6-h5 32.f4-f5
Diagram
d6-d5 33.Bc4xd5 Rd8xd5 34.Rd4xd5
Nf6xd5 35.Rd1xd5 Rb6-a6 36.Rd5-b5
Ra6xa2 37.Rb5xb4 Ra2-a5 38.g2-g4

+ R +k+
+ + +pp
r+ + + p
+ + + +
p + P +
+ + + +P
PP + +P+
+ + + K

+ r +k+
+ + +pp
r p n +
+ + +P+p
pLR + +
+ + + +P
PP + +P+
+ +R+ K

2550

2551

Ra5-c5 39.Kg1-f2 Rc5-c2+ 40.Kf2-g3


h5xg4 41.h3xg4 g7-g6 42.f5-f6
Rc2-d2 43.Rb4-b7 0.38/14 ]
31...Kg8-f8 [ 31...d6-d5 32.Bb3xd5
Rd8xd5 33.Rd4xd5 Nf6xd5
34.Rd1xd5$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31...d6-d5 Diagram
(Diagram 2552)
32.Bb3xd5 Rd8xd5 33.Rd4xd5
Nf6xd5 34.Rd1xd5 Rb6-a6 35.Rd5-d4
Ra6xa2 36.Rd4xb4 g7-g6 37.Rb4-b7
Kg8-g7 38.f2-f4 Kg7-f6 39.Kg1-f2
Kf6-e6 40.Kf2-f3 h6-h5 41.b2-b4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
+ + +pp
r + n p
+ +p+ +
p R + +
+L+ + +P
PP + PP+
+ +R+ K

693

2552

Ra2-a3+ 42.Kf3-e4 f7-f5+ 43.Ke4-d4


0.40/15 ] 32.g2-g4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 32.Rd1-c1 Diagram

+ r k +
+ + +pp
r p n p
+ + + +
p R + +
+L+ + +P
PP + PP+
+ R + K

2553

+ r k +
+ + +p+
r + n p
+ +p+ p
p R PP+
+L+ + +P
PP + + +
+ +R+ K

2554

0.37/14 ]

+ r + +
+ + kpp
r p n p
+ + + +
p R +P+
+L+ + +P
PP + P +
+ +R+ K

2555

33.Rd1-e1+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


33.f2-f4 Diagram
d6-d5 33.g2-g3 g7-g6 34.Rc1-c5
Kf8-g7 35.Kg1-g2 Rd8-e8 36.Rc5-c2
Re8-a8 37.Rc2-c7 Kg7-g8
38.Kg2-g1 0.39/14 ] 32...Kf8-e7
Diagram [ 32...d6-d5 33.f2-f4
( 33.Bb3xd5? Rb6-d6-+ );Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 32...g7-g5 33.f2-f4 d6-d5
Diagram
34.Kg1-g2 Kf8-g7 35.Rd1-e1 g5xf4
36.Rd4xf4 Rd8-a8 37.Re1-e7 Rb6-e6
38.Re7xe6 f7xe6 39.Rf4xb4 Nf6-e4
40.a2-a4 Ra8-f8 41.Rb4-b7+ Kg7-g6

(Diagram 2556)
g7-g5 34.Rd1-f1 Rd8-c8 35.Rf1-e1+
Ke7-f8 36.Kg1-g2 d6-d5 37.Kg2-f3
g5xf4 38.Kf3xf4 Rc8-a8 39.Re1-e5
Ra8-a7 40.Re5-e1 Kf8-g7 41.Re1-c1
Ra7-d7 42.Rc1-c8 Rd7-a7 0.55/12 ]
33...Ke7-f8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Ke7-f8 34.Kg1-g2 Rd8-c8
Diagram
35.Re1-d1 d6-d5 36.Bb3xd5 Nf6xd5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + +
+ + kpp
r p n p
+ + + +
p R PP+
+L+ + +P
PP + + +
+ +R+ K

+r+ k +
+ + +pp
r p n p
+ + + +
p R +P+
+L+ + +P
PP + PK+
+ + R +

694

2556

+ r k +
+ + +pp
r p n p
+ + + +
p R +P+
+L+ + +P
PP + PK+
+ + R +

2558

[ 34...d6-d5 35.f2-f4$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 34...d6-d5 Diagram
2557

37.Rd4xd5 Rb6-a6 38.Rd5-b5 Ra6xa2


39.Rb5xb4 Rc8-c7 40.Rb4-b8+ Kf8-e7
41.Rd1-e1+ Ke7-f6 42.Rb8-b6+
Kf6-g5 43.Kg2-g3 f7-f6 44.f2-f4+
Kg5-g6 45.f4-f5+ Kg6-f7 0.47/14 ]
34.Re1-c1 [ 34.Kg1-g2 Rd8-c8 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Kg1-g2
Diagram

+ r k +
+ + +pp
r + n p
+ +p+ +
p R +P+
+L+ + +P
PP + P +
+ R + K

2559

35.f2-f4 g7-g5 36.Rc1-e1 Rb6-e6


37.Re1xe6 f7xe6 38.Rd4xb4 g5xf4
39.Rb4xf4 Kf8-e7 40.Rf4-b4 Rd8-c8
41.Kg1-f2 Ke7-d6 42.Rb4-b6+ Kd6-e5
43.Kf2-e3 Nf6-e4 0.35/15 ]
(Diagram 2560)

(Diagram 2558)
g7-g5 35.f2-f4 Kf8-g7 36.Kg2-f3
Rd8-d7 37.Rd4-d1 Rd7-a7 38.Rd1-d2
Rb6-c6 39.Rd2-d4 Ra7-b7 40.Bb3-a4
Rc6-a6 0.46/14 ] 34...Rd8-d7 Diagram

35.Rc1-c8+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 35.Rc1-c4 Rd7-b7
36.Rc4-c8+ Kf8-e7 37.f2-f4 Nf6-d7
38.Rd4-d1 Rb7-a7 39.Kg1-g2 Nd7-c5
40.Bb3-c4 Nc5-e6 41.Kg2-g3 g7-g6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + k +
+ +r+pp
r p n p
+ + + +
p R +P+
+L+ + +P
PP + P +
+ R + K

695

2560

42.Bc4-d5 Rb6-b5 0.65/13 ]

+R+ k +
+ +r+pp
r p n p
+ + + +
p R +P+
+L+ + +P
PP + P +
+ + + K

2561

35...Kf8-e7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 35...Kf8-e7 36.Rc8-c4 Rd7-b7
37.Rc4-c1 d6-d5 38.f2-f4 Rb7-d7
39.Kg1-f2 Rd7-a7 40.Kf2-f3 Rb6-b5
41.Rd4-d2 Rb5-b6 42.f4-f5 Ke7-e8
43.Rd2-e2+ Ke8-d7 0.50/15 ]
(Diagram 2562)
36.h3-h4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36.Rc8-c4 Rd7-b7 37.Rc4-c1 d6-d5
38.f2-f4 Rb7-d7 39.Kg1-f2 Rd7-a7
40.Kf2-f3 Rb6-b5 41.Rd4-d2 Rb5-b6
42.f4-f5 Rb6-d6 43.Rc1-e1+ Ke7-f8

+R+ + +
+ +rkpp
r p n p
+ + + +
p R +P+
+L+ + +P
PP + P +
+ + + K

2562

0.50/14 ] 36...g7-g5? Diagram


[ 36...d6-d5 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36...d6-d5 37.f2-f3 Ke7-d6 38.Kg1-f2
Kd6-e5 39.Rd4-d2 Ke5-f4 40.Rc8-c5
g7-g5 41.h4-h5 Kf4-e5 42.Kf2-g3
Ke5-d6 43.Rc5-a5 Kd6-e5
44.Rd2-e2+ Ke5-d6 0.55/13 ]

+R+ + +
+ +rkp+
r p n p
+ + + p
p R +PP
+L+ + +
PP + P +
+ + + K

2563

37.Rc8-h8+- [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


37.Rc8-h8 Diagram
(Diagram 2564)
Rd7-c7 38.Rh8xh6 Rc7-c5 39.h4xg5
Rc5xg5 40.f2-f3 d6-d5 41.Rh6-h8
Rg5-e5 42.Kg1-f2 Ke7-d6 43.Rh8-c8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + R
+ +rkp+
r p n p
+ + + p
p R +PP
+L+ + +
PP + P +
+ + + K

696

2564

Rb6-b7 44.Rc8-c4 Rb7-e7 45.Rc4-c2


Re7-b7 46.Bb3-a4 Kd6-e7
47.Rc2-e2 1.44/16 ] 37...Rd7-d8
[ 37...Rd7-c7 38.Rh8xh6 Rc7-c5
39.Kg1-g2+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...Rd7-c7 38.Rh8xh6 Rb6-b5
39.Kg1-g2 Rc7-c5 40.h4-h5 Rb5-b8
41.f2-f3 Rc5-e5 42.Rd4-d2 d6-d5
43.Rd2-c2 d5-d4 44.Rc2-c7+ Diagram

r + + +
+ R kp+
+ + n R
+ + r pP
p p +P+
+L+ +P+
PP + +K+
+ + + +

2565

+ r + +
+ + kp+
r p n R
+ + + p
p R +PP
+L+ + +
PP + P +
+ + + K

2566

Ke7-f8 43.Re4-c4 Rb6-b7 44.Rc4-c8+


Ng7-e8 45.Rc8-b8 Rb7-d7 46.Rb8xb4
d6-d5 47.Kg1-f2 d5-d4 48.Bb3-a4
Rd7-d8 49.Rh7xh4 d4-d3 2.09/13 ]
38...Rd8-g8 [ 38...Rb6-b5 39.Bb3-a4
Rb5-a5 40.Rd4xb4+- Diagram

+ r + +
+ + kp+
+ p n R
r + + p
LR + +PP
+ + + +
PP + P +
+ + + K

2567

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38...Rb6-b5


39.f2-f4 g5xh4 40.g4-g5 Nf6-g8
41.Rh6xh4 d6-d5 42.Rh4-h7 Ke7-e6
Nf6-d7 45.Rh6-h7 Re5-e2+
43.Kg1-g2 f7-f6 44.g5-g6 f6-f5
46.Kg2-g3 1.34/14 ] 38.Rh8xh6
45.Bb3-a4 Rb5-b6 46.Kg2-f3 Ke6-f6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.Rh8xh6
47.g6-g7 Rd8-a8 1.81/12 ] 39.f2-f3
Diagram
[ 39.f2-f4!? Diagram
g5xh4 39.g4-g5 Rd8-g8 40.f2-f4
might be the shorter path g5xh4
Nf6-e8 41.Rh6-h7 Ne8-g7 42.Rd4-e4+ 40.g4-g5 d6-d5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +r+
+ + kp+
r p n R
+ + + p
p R PPP
+L+ + +
PP + + +
+ + + K

697

2568

x64: 39.f2-f4 g5xh4 40.g4-g5 Nf6-e8


41.Rh6-h7 Ne8-g7 42.Rd4-e4+ Ke7-f8
43.Re4-c4 Rb6-b7 44.Rc4-c8+
Ng7-e8 45.Rc8-b8 Rb7-d7 46.Rb8xb4
d6-d5 47.Kg1-f2 d5-d4 48.Bb3-a4
Rd7-d8 49.Rh7xh4 d4-d3 2.09/14 ]
39...g5xh4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39...d6-d5 40.Kg1-g2 g5xh4
41.Rh6xh4 Ke7-d6 42.Rd4-f4 Kd6-c5
43.Rh4-h1 Rb6-e6 44.Kg2-f2 Rg8-g5
45.Rh1-c1+ Kc5-b5 46.Rc1-c7 Nf6-e8
47.Rc7xf7 Rg5-e5 48.Rf7-b7+ Kb5-c5
49.Kf2-g3 1.56/13 ] 40.Rh6xh4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40.Kg1-f2
Rg8-g5 41.Rh6xh4 Rb6-b8 42.Rd4-d1
d6-d5 43.Bb3-c2 Rb8-a8 44.Rd1-e1+
Ke7-f8 45.Bc2-b3 Ra8-a5 46.Rh4-h8+
Kf8-g7 47.Re1-h1 Ra5-b5 48.Rh8-c8
Rb5-b7 49.Bb3-c2 Rb7-e7 1.40/15 ]
40...d6-d5 [ 40...Rg8-g5 41.Kg1-f2+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40...Rb6-b5
41.Kg1-f2 Rg8-g5 42.Rh4-h8 Rb5-b7
43.Rh8-a8 Nf6-d7 44.Ra8-a6 Nd7-c5
45.Ra6xd6 Nc5xb3 46.a2xb3 Rg5-c5
47.Rd4-d2 Rb7-a7 1.27/13 ] 41.Kg1-f2
[ 41.Bb3xd5?! is much worse Rg8-d8
42.Rh4-h6 b4-b3 ( 42...Rd8xd5
43.Rh6xf6 Rd5xd4 44.Rf6xb6 )
43.a2xb3 Nf6xd5 44.Rh6xb6 Nd5xb6
45.Rd4xd8 Ke7xd8= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

x64: 41.Kg1-f2 Rb6-b7 42.Kf2-g3


Rb7-b5 43.Kg3-f4 Rg8-d8 44.g4-g5
Nf6-d7 45.Bb3xd5 Nd7-c5 46.Kf4-e3
b4-b3 47.a2-a3 Nc5-e6 48.Bd5xe6
Rd8xd4 49.Rh4xd4 Ke7xe6 1.64/14 ]
41...Rb6-b8 [ 41...Ke7-d6 42.Rd4-f4
Rg8-g6 43.Rf4-f5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 41...Rg8-g5 42.Rh4-h8 Ke7-d6
43.Rd4-d1 Kd6-e7 44.Rh8-a8 Rg5-e5
45.Rd1-d4 Nf6-d7 46.Ra8-a7 Rb6-e6
47.Rd4xb4 Re5-e2+ 48.Kf2-g3
Re6-d6 49.Rb4-b7 Re2xb2 50.Bb3xd5
Rb2-d2 51.Bd5-c4 Rd2-c2 1.60/13 ]
42.Kf2-e3 [ 42.Bb3xd5 is the less
attractive alternative Rg8-d8
43.Rh4-h5 Nf6xh5 44.g4xh5 Rb8-b5
45.Rd4-e4+ Ke7-f6= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 42.Rh4-h1 Rg8-g5 43.Rh1-e1+
Ke7-d7 44.Rd4-f4 Rb8-b6 45.Bb3-a4+
Kd7-d8 46.Rf4-d4 Rb6-b7 47.Ba4-c2
Rb7-b5 48.Bc2-d3 Rb5-a5 49.Bd3-b1
Ra5-a4 50.a2-a3 1.91/13 ] 42...Ke7-d6
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...Rb8-b5
43.Rh4-h6 Rg8-g6 44.Rh6-h8 Ke7-d6
45.Rh8-a8 Rb5-b7 46.Ra8-a6+
Kd6-c7 47.Ra6-a5 Rg6-g8 48.Ke3-f4
Rg8-e8 49.Bb3xd5 Nf6xd5+
50.Ra5xd5 1.73/14 ] 43.Rh4-h6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43.Rh4-h6
Kd6-e7 44.Ke3-f4 Rg8-g6 45.Rh6xg6
f7xg6 46.g4-g5 Nf6-d7 47.Bb3xd5
Rb8-b5 48.Rd4-d1 Rb5-c5
49.Rd1-e1+ Ke7-d6 50.Bd5-e4
Nd7-e5 51.Re1-d1+ Kd6-e6
52.Rd1-d8 Ne5-c6 53.Rd8-e8+
Ke6-f7 1.99/16 ] 43...Rb8-e8+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43...Kd6-e7
44.Ke3-f4 Rg8-g6 45.Rh6xg6 f7xg6
46.g4-g5 Nf6-d7 47.Bb3xd5 Nd7-c5
48.Kf4-e3 b4-b3 49.a2-a4 Rb8-h8
50.Bd5-c6 Rh8-h2 51.Rd4-d2 Rh2-h5
52.Rd2-d5 2.11/14 ] 44.Ke3-f4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44.Ke3-f4
Rg8-g6 45.Rh6-h2 Kd6-c5 46.Rd4-d1
Re8-e7 47.g4-g5 Nf6-d7 48.Rd1xd5+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Kc5-b6 49.Rh2-h6 Nd7-c5 50.Bb3-c4
Kb6-c6 51.Kf4-f5 Nc5-e6 52.Rh6xg6
f7xg6+ 53.Kf5-f6 Ne6-f4 54.Kf6xe7
Nf4xd5+ 55.Bc4xd5+ Kc6xd5 2.33/16 ]
44...Kd6-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
44...Rg8-g6 45.Rh6-h2 Re8-e5
46.Bb3-c2 Rg6-g8 47.Rd4xb4 Nf6-d7
48.Bc2-f5 Re5-e7 49.Rh2-h6+ Kd6-c7
50.Rb4-a4 Rg8-b8 51.Ra4-a7+
Rb8-b7 52.Ra7xb7+ Kc7xb7
53.Rh6-d6 Nd7-b6 2.36/13 ]
45.Rd4-d2 [ 45.Rh6xf6?! is the weaker
alternative Kc5xd4 46.Rf6xf7 Rg8-f8
47.Rf7xf8 Re8xf8+ 48.Kf4-g3
Kd4-e5= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45.Rd4-d1 Rg8-g6 46.Rh6xg6 f7xg6
47.Kf4-g5 Re8-f8 48.Kg5xg6 d5-d4
49.Rd1-c1+ Kc5-b6 50.Rc1-c4 Nf6-d7
51.Rc4xd4 Nd7-e5+ 52.Kg6-g7 Rf8xf3
53.Rd4xb4+ Kb6-c5 54.Rb4-e4
Kc5-d6 55.Re4-d4+ Kd6-c7
56.Rd4-a4 Rf3-g3 57.Bb3-e6 Rg3-g2
58.Kg7-f6 2.56/14 ] 45...Rg8-g6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 45...Rg8-g6
46.g4-g5 Rg6xh6 47.g5xh6 Kc5-d6
48.Kf4-f5 Re8-e6 49.Rd2-d1 Kd6-c5
50.f3-f4 Kc5-d6 51.Rd1-d2 Kd6-c5
52.Rd2-d3 Kc5-d6 53.Rd3-d1 Kd6-c5
54.Rd1-c1+ Kc5-d6 55.Bb3-a4 d5-d4
56.Rc1-c6+ Kd6-e7 57.Rc6-c7+
Ke7-f8 58.Ba4-b5 2.20/16 ] 46.Rh6-h1
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46.g4-g5
Rg6xh6 47.g5xh6 Re8-h8 48.Kf4-g5
Nf6-h7+ 49.Kg5-f5 Rh8-d8 50.Kf5-e5
Rd8-e8+ 51.Ke5-f4 Nh7-f6 52.Rd2-d1
Nf6-h5+ 53.Kf4-g4 Nh5-f6+ 54.Kg4-g5
Nf6-h7+ 55.Kg5-f4 Nh7-f6 56.Kf4-f5
Re8-e6 57.Rd1-c1+ Kc5-d6
58.Bb3-a4 Nf6-h7 59.Rc1-c6+ Kd6-e7
60.Ba4-b5 Re6xc6 61.Bb5xc6 d5-d4
62.Bc6-e4 2.30/15 ] 46...Re8-g8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46...Re8-g8
47.Rh1-c1+ Kc5-b6 48.Rd2-c2 Nf6-d7
49.Bb3xd5 Rg6-f6+ 50.Kf4-e3 Nd7-e5
51.Rc2-c7 Rg8-e8 52.Bd5-e4 Kb6-b5

698
53.Rc7-b7+ Rf6-b6 54.Rb7xb6+
Kb5xb6 55.g4-g5 Re8-d8 56.f3-f4
2.03/13 ] 47.Rh1-c1+ [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 47.Rh1-e1 Kc5-d6
48.Re1-e5 Rg6-h6 49.Bb3xd5
Nf6xd5+ 50.Re5xd5+ Kd6-c6
51.Rd5-f5 Rg8-a8 52.Rf5xf7 Ra8xa2
53.g4-g5 Rh6-d6 54.Rd2-c2+ Kc6-b6
55.Rf7-f8 Rd6-d4+ 56.Kf4-e5 2.16/13 ]
47...Kc5-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47...Kc5-b6 48.Rd2-c2 Nf6-d7
49.Bb3xd5 Rg6-f6+ 50.Kf4-e3 Nd7-e5
51.Rc2-c7 Rg8-e8 52.Bd5-e4 Kb6-b5
53.Rc7-b7+ Rf6-b6 54.Rb7xb6+
Kb5xb6 55.g4-g5 Re8-d8 56.f3-f4
2.03/14 ] 48.Rd2-c2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 48.Rd2-d4 Rg8-e8 49.Rd4xb4
Nf6-d7 50.Rb4-b5 Re8-e5 51.Bb3-c2
Rg6-e6 52.Bc2-f5 Re6-e7 53.b2-b4
Re5-e2 54.Rc1-d1 Re7-e5 55.Bf5-e4
Re5xe4+ 56.f3xe4 Re2xe4+ 57.Kf4-g3
Re4-e3+ 58.Kg3-f2 2.43/15 ]
48...Rg8-d8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
48...Nf6-d7 49.Rc2-c6+ Kd6-e7
50.Bb3xd5 Rg6xc6 51.Rc1xc6 Rg8-h8
52.Bd5-b3 Rh8-h3 53.Bb3-a4 Nd7-f8
54.Rc6-c7+ Ke7-f6 55.g4-g5+ Kf6-g6
56.Ba4-c2+ Kg6-g7 57.Bc2-b3
Nf8-g6+ 58.Kf4-e4 2.32/14 ] 49.Rc2-c7
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 49.Rc2-c7
Nf6-d7 50.Rc7-c6+ Kd6-e7 51.Rc6xg6
f7xg6 52.Bb3xd5 Nd7-f8 53.Rc1-e1+
Ke7-d6 54.Bd5-b3 Kd6-c5 55.Kf4-g5
Rd8-d6 56.Re1-e7 Nf8-d7 57.f3-f4
Nd7-f6 58.Re7-e1 Nf6-d5 59.f4-f5
g6xf5 60.g4xf5 2.40/15 ] 49...Rd8-d7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 49...Nf6-d7
50.Rc7-c6+ Kd6-e7 51.Rc6xg6 f7xg6
52.Bb3xd5 Nd7-f8 53.Rc1-e1+ Ke7-d6
54.Bd5-b3 Kd6-c5 55.Kf4-g5 Rd8-d6
56.Re1-e5+ Kc5-d4 57.Re5-b5
Nf8-e6+ 58.Kg5-h6 Ne6-c5
59.Rb5xb4+ Kd4-e3 2.37/15 ]
50.Rc1-c6+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
50.Rc1-c6+ Kd6-e7 51.Bb3-c2 Rg6-g7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


52.Kf4-e5 Nf6-e8 53.Rc7xd7+ Ke7xd7
54.Bc2-a4 Kd7-e7 55.Ke5xd5 Rg7-h7
56.Rc6-c4 Ne8-f6+ 57.Kd5-c6 Nf6-d7
58.Rc4-e4+ Ke7-f8 59.g4-g5 f7-f5
60.g5xf6 Nd7xf6 61.Re4xb4 Rh7-h6
62.Rb4-b7 Nf6-g4+ 63.Kc6-d5
Ng4-e3+ 64.Kd5-e5 Rh6-h2 2.89/16 ]
50...Kd6-e7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
50...Kd6-e7 51.Rc7xd7+ Nf6xd7
52.Bb3xd5 Rg6xc6 53.Bd5xc6 Nd7-c5
54.Kf4-e3 Ke7-e6 55.Bc6-e4 b4-b3
56.a2-a3 2.30/1 ] 51.Bb3-c2
[ 51.Kf4-f5+- makes it even easier for
White ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 51.Bb3-c2
Rg6-g7 52.Kf4-e5 Nf6-e8 53.Rc7xd7+
Ke7xd7 54.Bc2-a4 Kd7-e7 55.Ke5xd5
Rg7-h7 56.Rc6-c4 Ne8-f6+ 57.Kd5-c6
Nf6-d7 58.Rc4-e4+ Ke7-d8
59.Re4xb4 Rh7-h6+ 60.Kc6-b5
Nd7-e5 61.Ba4-d1 Kd8-c7 2.71/16 ]
51...d5-d4 [ 51...Rg6-h6 the only
chance to get some counterplay
52.Bc2-f5 Rd7xc7 53.Rc6xc7+ Ke7-d6
54.Rc7xf7 Nf6-e8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 51...Rg6-g7 52.Kf4-e5 Nf6-e8
53.Rc7xd7+ Ke7xd7 54.Rc6-a6 f7-f6+
55.Ke5-d4 Kd7-e7 56.Bc2-f5 Ke7-f8
57.Ra6-a8 Kf8-e7 58.Ra8-c8 Rg7-g8
59.Rc8-b8 Rg8-h8 60.Rb8-b7+
Ke7-d6 61.Rb7xb4 2.60/13 ]
52.Rc7xd7+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
52.Rc7xd7+ Ke7xd7 53.Bc2xg6
Kd7xc6 54.Bg6xf7 Nf6-h7 55.Bf7-b3
Kc6-d6 56.g4-g5 Nh7-f8 57.Kf4-e4
d4-d3 58.Ke4xd3 Kd6-e5 59.Kd3-e3
Nf8-g6 60.Bb3-f7 Ng6-f8 61.f3-f4+
Ke5-f5 62.Bf7-c4 Kf5-g6 63.Bc4-d3+
Kg6-f7 64.f4-f5 Nf8-d7 65.Bd3-c4+
Kf7-g7 66.f5-f6+ Kg7-g6 67.Ke3-f4
4.68/14 ] 52...Ke7xd7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 52...Ke7xd7 53.Bc2xg6
Kd7xc6 54.Bg6xf7 Nf6-h7 55.Bf7-b3
Kc6-d6 56.g4-g5 Nh7-f8 57.Kf4-e4
d4-d3 58.Ke4xd3 Kd6-e5 59.Kd3-e3
Nf8-g6 60.Bb3-c2 Ng6-f4 61.Bc2-e4

699
Nf4-e6 62.g5-g6 Ke5-f6 63.f3-f4
Ne6-c5 64.Be4-c2 Nc5-d7 65.f4-f5
Kf6-g7 66.Ke3-e4 Nd7-b6 4.79/17 ]
53.Bc2xg6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
53.Bc2xg6 Kd7xc6 54.Bg6xf7 Nf6-h7
55.Bf7-b3 Kc6-d6 56.g4-g5 Nh7-f8
57.Kf4-e4 d4-d3 58.Ke4xd3 Kd6-e5
59.Kd3-e3 Nf8-g6 60.Bb3-c2 Ng6-f4
61.Bc2-e4 Nf4-e6 62.g5-g6 Ke5-f6
63.f3-f4 Ne6-c5 64.Be4-c2 Nc5-d7
65.f4-f5 Kf6-g7 66.Ke3-e4 Nd7-b6
3.94/15 ] 53...Kd7xc6 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 53...Kd7xc6 54.Bg6xf7
Nf6-h7 55.Bf7-b3 Kc6-d6 56.g4-g5
Nh7-f8 57.Kf4-e4 d4-d3 58.Ke4xd3
Kd6-e5 59.Kd3-e3 Nf8-g6 60.Bb3-c2
Ng6-f4 61.Bc2-e4 Nf4-e6 62.g5-g6
Ke5-f6 63.f3-f4 Ne6-c5 64.Be4-c2
Nc5-d7 65.f4-f5 Kf6-g7 66.Ke3-e4
Nd7-b6 3.87/16 ] 54.Bg6xf7
[ 54.Bg6xf7 Kc6-d6 55.g4-g5+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 54.Bg6xf7
Nf6-h7 55.Bf7-b3 Kc6-d6 56.g4-g5
Nh7-f8 57.Kf4-e4 d4-d3 58.Ke4xd3
Kd6-e5 59.Kd3-e3 Nf8-g6 60.Bb3-c2
Ng6-f4 61.Bc2-e4 Nf4-e6 62.g5-g6
Ke5-f6 63.f3-f4 Ne6-c5 64.Be4-c2
Nc5-d7 65.f4-f5 Kf6-g7 66.Ke3-e4
Nd7-f6+ 67.Ke4-e5 3.65/13 ]
1-0

48

A28

Vassily Ivanchuk
Sergey Karjakin
Corus Wijk aan Zee NED (13)29.01.2006
A28: English Opening: Four Knights
Variation
1.c2-c4 e7-e5 2.Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6
3.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 4.e2-e3 Diagram
Bf8-b4 5.Qd1-c2 Bb4xc3 6.Qc2xc3
Qd8-e7 7.a2-a3 d7-d5 8.d2-d4
e5xd4 9.Nf3xd4 Nc6xd4 10.Qc3xd4
c7-c5 11.Qd4-h4 Bc8-e6 12.c4xd5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+lqkl r
pppp+ppp
+n+ n +
+ + p +
+P+ + +
+ N PN+
PP P PPP
R LQKL+R

700

2569

Nf6xd5 [RR 12...Be6xd5 13.Bf1-b5+


Nf6-d7 14.Qh4xe7+ Ke8xe7 15.0-0
Rh8-d8 16.e3-e4 Bd5-b3 17.Bc1-e3
c5-c4 18.Ra1-c1 Ra8-c8 19.Bb5xd7
Ke7xd7 20.Be3-d4 g7-g6 21.Rc1-c3
Rc8-c6 22.Rc3-h3 h7-h5 23.f2-f4
Rd8-e8 24.e4-e5 a7-a6 25.f4-f5
Bb3-c2 26.f5xg6 Bc2xg6 27.Rh3-f3
Wilschut,P (2202)-Pedersen,L (2053)/
Maastricht 2007/CBM 118 ext/1-0 (68) ]
13.Qh4xe7+N [RR 13.Bf1-b5+ Be6-d7
14.Qh4xe7+ Ke8xe7 15.Bb5-e2
Rh8-d8 16.e3-e4 Nd5-c7 17.Bc1-e3
Nc7-e6 18.Be2-c4 - Onischuk,A
(2627)-Shirov,A (2746)/New Delhi/
Teheran 2000/CBM 080 ] 13...Nd5xe7
14.Bf1-b5+ Be6-d7 15.Bb5-e2 f7-f6
Diagram

r+ +k+ r
pp+ln pp
+ + p +
+ p + +
+ + + +
P + P +
P +LPPP
R L K +R

+ + + +
pr+ +kpp
pL+l+ +
+ + +n+
P + + +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
+ R + +

2570

2571

Rb7-c7 0.34/15 ] 21...c5xb4


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...c5-c4
Diagram

(Diagram 2570)

(Diagram 2572)

16.e3-e4 Ke8-f7 17.Bc1-e3 Rh8-c8


18.f2-f3 Bd7-e6 19.Ra1-c1 b7-b6
20.Be2-a6 Rc8-d8 last book move last
book move 21.b2-b4 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 21.Ke1-f2 Rd8-d6 22.b2-b4
c5xb4 23.a3xb4 Ra8-d8 24.Rc1-c7
Rd8-d7 25.Rc7xd7 Rd6xd7 26.Rh1-c1
f6-f5 27.e4xf5 Ne7xf5 28.Ba6-b5
Rd7-b7 29.Bb5-c6 Diagram

22.Rc1-c3 Rd8-d7 23.Ke1-f2 Ra8-d8


24.Ba6xc4 Be6xc4 25.Rc3xc4 Rd7-d3
26.Be3-c1 Rd8-d7 27.b4-b5 Ne7-g6
28.f3-f4 h7-h6 29.Rc4-c6 Ng6-e7
30.Rc6-c2 h6-h5 31.Rh1-e1 0.42/14 ]
22.a3xb4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.a3xb4 Diagram
Be6-c8 23.Ba6-e2 Bc8-e6 24.Ke1-f2
Rd8-c8 25.Be2-a6 Rc8xc1 26.Rh1xc1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ r + +
p + nkpp
Lp +lp +
+ + + +
Pp+P+ +
P + LP+
+ + +PP
+ R K +R

r+ r + +
p + nkpp
Lp +lp +
+ + + +
P +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + +PP
+ R K +R

701

2572

Be6-c4 31.Bb5xc4+ Rc8xc4


32.Ra1xa7 f5xe4 0.40/16 ] 23...Bc8-e6
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Bc8-e6
Diagram

r+ r + +
p + nkpp
p +lp +
+ + + +
P +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ +L+PP
+ R K +R

2574

2573

Ra8-d8 27.Kf2-g3 f6-f5 28.h2-h4


h7-h6 29.Ba6-b5 Rd8-c8 30.Rc1-a1
Be6-c4 31.Bb5xc4+ Rc8xc4
32.Ra1xa7 f5xe4 0.40/15 ] 22...Be6-c8
Black threatens to win material: Bc8xa6
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Rd8-d7
23.Ke1-f2 Ra8-d8 24.Ba6-b5 Rd7-b7
25.Rc1-c3 Rd8-c8 26.Rc3xc8 Ne7xc8
27.Be3-f4 a7-a5 28.Bb5-c6 Rb7-a7
29.b4xa5 Nc8-e7 30.Bc6-b5 Ra7xa5
0.37/14 ] 23.Ba6-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23.Ba6-e2 Bc8-e6 24.Ke1-f2
Rd8-c8 25.Be2-a6 Rc8xc1 26.Rh1xc1
Ra8-d8 27.Kf2-g3 f6-f5 28.h2-h4
h7-h6 29.Ba6-b5 Rd8-c8 30.Rc1-a1

24.Ke1-f2 Rd8-c8 25.Be2-a6 Rc8xc1


26.Rh1xc1 Ra8-d8 27.Ba6-e2 Rd8-c8
28.b4-b5 Be6-b3 29.f3-f4 Rc8xc1
30.Be3xc1 f6-f5 31.Be2-d3 f5xe4
32.Bd3xe4 h7-h6 33.Bc1-b2 Ne7-d5
0.39/15 ] 24.Ke1-f2 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Ke1-f2
Rd8-c8 25.Be2-a6 Rc8xc1 26.Rh1xc1
Ra8-d8 27.Kf2-e2 g7-g5 28.g2-g3
Kf7-g7 29.h2-h4 g5xh4 30.g3xh4
Ne7-g6 31.Rc1-c6 Kg7-f7 32.Rc6-c7+
Rd8-d7 0.35/14 ]
(Diagram 2575)
White loses the right to castle
24...Ra8-c8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24...Rd8-c8 25.Be2-a6 Rc8xc1
26.Rh1xc1 Ra8-d8 27.Ba6-e2 Rd8-c8
28.b4-b5 Be6-b3 29.f3-f4 Rc8xc1
30.Be3xc1 f6-f5 31.Be2-d3 f5xe4
32.Bd3xe4 h7-h6 33.Bc1-b2 Ne7-d5
0.40/14 ]
25.Rc1-a1 White threatens to win
material: Ra1xa7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.b4-b5 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ r + +
p + nkpp
p +lp +
+ + + +
P +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ +LKPP
+ R + +R

+rr + +
p + nkpp
p +lp +
+ + + +
P +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ +LKPP
+ R + +R

702

2575

2576

27.Rh1-c1 Nc8-d6 28.h2-h4 Be6-b3


29.Be3-f4 Nd6-b7 30.Bf4-b8 Nb7-c5
31.Rc1-a1 Bb3-a4 32.Be2-c4+ Kf7-g6
33.Bb8-f4 0.41/14 ] 25...Ne7-c6?
Diagram [ 25...Rc8-c7!?$ ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 25...Rd8-d7 26.Rh1-c1
Diagram

+r+ + +
p +rnkpp
p +lp +
+ + + +
P +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ +LKPP
R R + +

2578

g7-g5 27.Rc1xc8 Ne7xc8 28.Ra1-c1


Nc8-d6 29.Rc1-c6 h7-h6 30.h2-h4
Be6-b3 31.h4xg5 h6xg5 32.b4-b5
Bb3-e6 33.Be2-d3 Kf7-g7 34.Be3-d4
0.37/15 ]
(Diagram 2579)

+rr + +
p + nkpp
p +lp +
+P+ + +
+ +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ +LKPP
+ R + +R
Rd8-d7 26.Rc1xc8 Ne7xc8

2577

26.Be2-a6 [ 26.Rh1-c1 Nc6xb4


27.Ra1xa7+ Kf7-g8 28.Rc1xc8
Rd8xc8 29.Be3xb6 Rc8-c2+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Rh1-c1
Diagram
(Diagram 2580)
Nc6xb4 27.Rc1xc8 Rd8xc8
28.Ra1xa7+ Kf7-g8 29.Be3xb6
Be6-c4 30.Be2-d1 Nb4-d3+ 31.Kf2-e3
Rc8-b8 32.Bb6-a5 Rb8-b2 33.Ra7-c7
Bc4-b5 34.Rc7-c8+ Kg8-f7 35.Rc8-c2
Rb2xc2 36.Bd1xc2 Nd3-c5 37.Ba5-e1
1.13/15 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

703
26...Rc8-c7 Diagram

+rr + +
p + +kpp
pn+lp +
+ + + +
P +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ +LKPP
R + + +R

+rr + +
p + +kpp
pn+lp +
+ + + +
P +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ +LKPP
R R + +

+ + + +
+ + +kpp
+ + p +
+ln + +
+ +P+ +
+ + KP+
+L+ +PP
+ + L +

2579

2580

2581

] 26...Rc8-b8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

+ r + +
p r +kpp
Lpn+lp +
+ + + +
P +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
R + + +R

2582

27.Rh1-c1 Rd8-d7 28.Ba6-b5 Nc6xb4


29.Bb5xd7 Rc7xd7 30.Kf2-g3 Nb4-a2
31.Rc1-c8 h7-h6 32.h2-h4 Rd7-e7
33.Rc8-a8 Be6-c4 34.h4-h5 Re7-c7
35.Be3-f4 Diagram

R+ + + +
p r +kp
p + p p
+ + + +P
+l+PL +
+ + +PK
n+ + +P+
R + + +

2583

Rc7-d7 36.Ra8-c8 b6-b5 37.Rc8-c7


0.77/14 ] 27.Ba6-b5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27.Ba6-b5 Diagram
(Diagram 2584)
Nc6-d4 28.Ra1xa7+ Kf7-g8
29.Bb5-d7 Rd8xd7 30.Ra7xd7
Be6xd7 31.Be3xd4 Kg8-f7 32.g2-g4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r r + +
p + +kpp
pn+lp +
+L+ + +
P +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
R + + +R

704

r r + +
p + +kpp
p +lp +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
R + + +R

2584

Rb8-b7 33.Rh1-c1 Bd7-b5 34.Kf2-g3


Bb5-d7 35.Bd4-e3 Bd7-b5 36.h2-h4
Kf7-e6 0.84/17 ] 27...Nc6xb4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27...Nc6-d4
Diagram

r r + +
p + +kpp
p +lp +
+L+ + +
P nP+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
R + + +R

r r + +
R + +kpp
p +lp +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
+ + + +R

2585

2586

2587

Rb8-a8 33.Ra7xa8 Rd8xa8


34.Be3xb6 Ra8-a2 35.Be2-f1 Nd7xb6
36.Rb4xb6 Be6-d7 37.Rb6-b7 0.68/15
]

28.Ra1xa7+ Kf7-g8 29.Bb5-d7


Rd8xd7 30.Ra7xd7 Be6xd7
31.Be3xd4 Kg8-f7 32.Rh1-c1 Rb8-b7
33.Kf2-e3 Bd7-b5 34.g2-g4 Kf7-e6
35.h2-h4 Bb5-e8 36.g4-g5 h7-h6
37.g5xh6 g7xh6 0.78/16 ]
28.Ra1xa7+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 28.Ra1xa7+ Diagram
Kf7-f8 29.Rh1-b1 Nb4-d3+ 30.Kf2-g3
Nd3-c5 31.Bb5-e2 Nc5-d7 32.Rb1-b4

(Diagram 2588)
28...Kf7-g8 Diagram [ 28...Kf7-f8!?
29.Rh1-b1 Nb4-c2 30.Be3-f4+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Kf7-f8
Diagram
29.Rh1-b1 Nb4-d3+ 30.Kf2-g3
Nd3-c5 31.Bb5-e2 Nc5-d7 32.Kg3-f2
Be6-f7 33.Ra7-c7 Rb8-c8 34.Rb1-c1
Nd7-c5 35.Be3xc5+ b6xc5 36.Rc1xc5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r r + +
R + +kpp
p +lp +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
+ + + +R

r r k +
R + + pp
p +lp +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
+ + + +R

705

2588

2589

+rr k +
+ R +lpp
+ + p +
+ R + +
+ +P+ +
+ + +P+
+ +LKPP
+ + + +

r r +k+
R + + pp
p +lp +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
+ + + +R

2590

2591

Diagram
(Diagram 2590)
Rc8-a8 0.77/15 ]
(Diagram 2591)
29.Ra7-e7+- [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29.Ra7-e7 Diagram
Be6-f7 30.Rh1-c1 Rb8-c8 31.Rc1xc8
Rd8xc8 32.Be3xb6 Rc8-c2+
33.Kf2-g3 h7-h5 34.h2-h4 Diagram
Nb4-c6 35.Re7-c7 Rc2-b2 36.Bb5xc6
Rb2xb6 37.Kg3-f4 Rb6-b2 38.g2-g3

r r +k+
+ + R pp
p +lp +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
+ + + +R

2592

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+ + Rlp
L + p +
+L+ + +p
n +P+ P
+ + +PK
+r+ +P+
+ + + +

706

2593

Rb2-c2 39.Kf4-f5 Rc2-c5+ 40.Kf5-f4


1.07/16 ] 29...Be6-f7 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Be6-a2
30.Rh1-c1 Rb8-c8 31.Rc1xc8
Diagram

+Rr +k+
+ + R pp
p + p +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
l+ + KPP
+ + + +

2594

r r +k+
+ + Rlpp
p + p +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
+ + + +R

2595

35.Re7-c7 Rc2-b2 36.Bb5xc6 Rb2xb6


37.Kg3-f4 Rb6-b2 38.g2-g3 Rb2-c2
Diagram

+ + +k+
+ R +lp
+L+ p +
+ + + +p
+ +PK P
+ + +PP
+r+ + +
+ + + +

2596

39.Kf4-f5 Rc2-c5+ 40.Kf5-f4 1.07/15 ]


Rd8xc8 32.Be3xb6 Ba2-c4
33.Re7-e8+ Rc8xe8 34.Bb5xe8
Nb4-d3+ 35.Kf2-e3 Nd3-e5 36.Bb6-c5
g7-g5 37.Be8-a4 Kg8-f7 38.Ba4-d1
Kf7-e6 39.Ke3-d4 h7-h6 40.Bd1-a4
1.12/16 ]
30.Rh1-a1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 30.Rh1-c1 Rb8-c8 31.Rc1xc8
Rd8xc8 32.Be3xb6 Rc8-c2+
33.Kf2-g3 h7-h5 34.h2-h4 Nb4-c6

(Diagram 2597)
30...Rb8-a8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 30...Rb8-c8 Diagram
(Diagram 2598)
31.Ra1-a7 Rd8-f8 32.Re7-c7 Rc8xc7
33.Ra7xc7 Rf8-d8 34.Be3xb6 Rd8-b8
35.Rc7-d7 Bf7-e6 36.Rd7-d8+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r r +k+
+ + Rlpp
p + p +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
R + + +

+rr +k+
+ + Rlpp
p + p +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
R + + +

707

2597

2598

Rb8xd8 37.Bb6xd8 Kg8-f7 38.Bd8-b6


Be6-c8 39.Bb6-e3 1.19/14 ]

r+ r +k+
+ + Rlpp
p + p +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
R + + +

R+ r +k+
+ + Rlpp
p + p +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
+ + + +

2599

2600

Nc2-d4 38.Bb5-d3 Rd8-a8 Diagram


(Diagram 2601)

(Diagram 2599)
39.Rb6-a6 1.18/15 ]
31.Re7-d7 Diagram [ 31.Ra1xa8
Diagram
(Diagram 2600)
Rd8xa8 32.Re7-b7 h7-h5+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31.Ra1xa8
Rd8xa8 32.Re7-b7 h7-h6 33.Rb7xb6
Ra8-d8 34.Kf2-g3 Nb4-c2 35.Be3-c5
Nc2-e1 36.Bc5-d6 Ne1-c2 37.Kg3-f2

(Diagram 2602)
31...Rd8-c8 [ 31...Ra8-b8 Diagram
(Diagram 2603)
32.Rd7xd8+ Rb8xd8 33.Be3xb6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31...Bf7-e8
32.Bb5-c4+ Kg8-h8 33.Rd7xd8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +k+
+ + +lp
R L p p
+ + + +
+ nP+ +
+ +L+P+
+ + KPP
+ + + +

r+ r +k+
+ +R+lpp
p + p +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
R + + +

r r +k+
+ +R+lpp
p + p +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
R + + +

708
Kh8-g8 36.Kf2-g3 Rc8-c2 37.Be2-d1
Rc2-c8 38.Ra1-a3 Nb4-c2 39.Ra3-a7
Rc8-c3 Diagram
2601

+ +l+k+
R + + pp
L + p +
+ + + +
+ +P+ +
+ r +PK
+n+ +PP
+ +L+ +
2602

2603

Ra8xd8 34.Be3xb6 Rd8-c8 35.Bc4-e2

2604

40.Kg3-f2 1.11/15 ] 32.Ra1xa8


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32.Ra1xa8
Diagram

R+r+ +k+
+ +R+lpp
p + p +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + LP+
+ + KPP
+ + + +

2605

Rc8xa8 33.Be3xb6 Ra8-a2+


34.Kf2-g3 h7-h5 35.h2-h4 Ra2-b2
36.Bb6-d4 Rb2-c2 37.Bd4-e3 Rc2-b2
38.Rd7-d2 Rb2-b3 39.Be3-c5 Bf7-e6
40.Rd2-d4 Nb4-c2 41.Rd4-d8+
Kg8-h7 1.35/16 ] 32...Rc8xa8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32...Rc8xa8
33.Be3xb6 Diagram
Ra8-a2+ 34.Kf2-g3 h7-h5 35.h2-h4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +k+
+ +R+lpp
L + p +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + +P+
+ + KPP
+ + + +

709

2606

Ra2-b2 36.Bb6-d4 Rb2-c2 37.Bd4-g1


Diagram

+ + +k+
+ +R+lp
+ + p +
+L+ + +p
n +P+ P
+ + +PK
+r+ +P+
+ + + L

2607

Rc2-b2 38.Rd7-c7 Rb2-d2 39.Bg1-c5


Nb4-d3 40.Bc5-e3 1.29/13 ]
33.Be3xb6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33.Be3xb6 Ra8-a2+ 34.Kf2-g3 h7-h5
35.h2-h4 Ra2-b2 36.Bb6-d4 Rb2-c2
37.Bd4-g1 Rc2-b2 38.Rd7-c7 Rb2-d2
39.Bg1-c5 Nb4-d3 40.Bc5-e3 1.10/14 ]
33...h7-h6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Ra8-a2+ 34.Kf2-g3 Diagram
h7-h5 35.h2-h4 Ra2-b2 36.Bb6-d4
Rb2-c2 37.Bd4-e3 Bf7-e6 38.Rd7-b7
Be6-c8 39.Rb7-e7 Bc8-a6 40.Bb5-a4
Rc2-b2 1.17/14 ] 34.Kf2-g3 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ +R+lpp
L + p +
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + +PK
r+ + +PP
+ + + +

2608

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Rd7-d8+


Diagram

r+ R +k+
+ + +lp
L + p p
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + +P+
+ + KPP
+ + + +

2609

Ra8xd8 35.Bb6xd8 Nb4-c2


36.Bb5-a4 Nc2-a3 37.Kf2-e3 Kg8-f8
38.Ke3-d3 Na3-c4 39.Kd3-d4 Nc4-d6
40.Ba4-c6 Nd6-c4 41.f3-f4 Bf7-g8
42.e4-e5 Diagram
(Diagram 2610)
f6xe5+ 43.f4xe5 Bg8-e6 1.29/15 ]
34...Ra8-c8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34...Nb4-c2 35.Bb6-f2 Ra8-c8
36.Rd7-d6 Nc2-b4 37.Bb5-d7
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

710
Diagram

+ L kl+
+ + + p
+L+ p p
+ + P +
+nK P +
+ + + +
+ + +PP
+ + + +

r+ + +k+
+ +R+lp
L + p p
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + +PK
+ + +PP
+ + + +

+r+ +k+
+ +L+lp
+ R p p
+ + + +
n +P+ +
+ + +PK
+ + LPP
+ + + +

2610

2611

+ + +k+
+ +L+lp
R + p p
+ + + +
+ +P+ +
+ +nLPK
+ + +PP
+ r + +

2613

Rc1-c2 40.Rb6-b7 Kg8-f8 41.Bd7-f5


Rc2-e2 42.Be3-d4 1.22/15 ]
35.Rd7-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35.Rd7-d8+ Rc8xd8 Diagram

+ r +k+
+ + +lp
L + p p
+L+ + +
n +P+ +
+ + +PK
+ + +PP
+ + + +

2614

2612

Rc8-c1 38.Rd6-b6 Nb4-d3 39.Bf2-e3

36.Bb6xd8 Nb4-c2 37.Bd8-b6 Nc2-a3


38.Bb5-a4 Bf7-e6 39.Ba4-e8 Be6-f7
40.Be8-c6 Na3-c4 41.Bb6-d4 Nc4-e5
42.Bc6-b5 Bf7-c4 43.Bb5-e8 Bc4-f7
44.Be8-a4 Bf7-c4 45.f3-f4 Ne5-d3
1.13/15 ] 35...Bf7-e8 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 35...Bf7-e8 36.Bb5xe8
Rc8xe8 37.Bb6-c5 Re8-b8 38.Rd6-d7
Nb4-c6 39.Rd7-c7 Nc6-e5 40.Bc5-d4
Ne5-d3 41.Kg3-g4 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + +k+
+ R + p
+ + p p
+ + + +
+ LP+K+
+ +n+P+
+ + +PP
+ + + +

711
42.Kg3-f4 Nc2-e1 43.g2-g4 Ne1-d3+
44.Kf4-f5 1.06/14 ] 37.Rd6xc6
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.Rd6xc6 Nb4xc6 38.Kg3-f2 g7-g5
39.g2-g3 Kg8-g7 40.f3-f4 Be8-g6
41.Kf2-e3 Bg6-f7 42.Bb6-c5 Bf7-e6
43.Bc5-d6 Kg7-f7 44.h2-h4 g5xh4
45.g3xh4 Nc6-a5 46.Bd6-c5 Na5-c4+
47.Ke3-d4 Nc4-d2 48.Be2-h5+ Kf7-g7
49.Bc5-b4 Nd2-b3+ 50.Kd4-e3
1.33/18 Diagram

2615

+ + + +
+ + + k
+ +lp p
+ + + +L
L +PP P
+n+ K +
+ + + +
+ + + +

Rb8-b4 42.Bd4-c3 Rb4-b3 43.h2-h4


Kg8-f8 44.Kg4-f5 Rb3-b5+ 45.Kf5-g4
h6-h5+ 46.Kg4-g3 1.08/15 ] 36.Bb5-e2
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36.Bb5xe8
Rc8xe8 37.Bb6-c5 Re8-b8 38.Rd6-d7
Nb4-c6 39.Rd7-c7 Nc6-e5 40.Bc5-d4
Ne5-d3 41.Kg3-g4 Rb8-b4 42.Bd4-c3
Rb4-b3 43.h2-h4 Kg8-f8 44.Kg4-f5
Rb3-b5+ Diagram

+ + k +
+ R + p
+ + p p
+r+ +K+
+ +P+ P
+ Ln+P+
+ + +P+
+ + + +

2617

]
2616

45.Kf5-g4 h6-h5+ 46.Kg4-g3 0.98/16 ]


36...Rc8-c6 [ 36...Kg8-f7
37.Bb6-e3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36...Kg8-f7 37.Bb6-e3 Nb4-c2
38.Be3-g1 Rc8-c7 39.h2-h4 Kf7-e7
40.Rd6-b6 Rc7-c3 41.Rb6-b7+ Ke7-f8

(Diagram 2618)
37...Nb4xc6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...Nb4xc6 Diagram
(Diagram 2619)
38.Kg3-f2 g7-g5 39.g2-g3 Be8-g6
40.Kf2-e3 Bg6-h5 41.h2-h3 Nc6-e5
42.Bb6-d4 Kg8-f7 43.Bd4-c5 Kf7-g7
44.Bc5-b4 Kg7-f7 45.g3-g4 Bh5-g6
46.Be2-d1 Ne5-c4+ 47.Ke3-d4
1.23/17 ] 38.Kg3-f4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.f3-f4 g7-g5
39.Kg3-f3 Kg8-g7 40.Kf3-e3 g5xf4+
41.Ke3xf4 Be8-f7 42.Bb6-c5 Nc6-e5
43.Bc5-d4 Ne5-g6+ 44.Kf4-e3 Ng6-e5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +l+k+
+ + + p
LR+ p p
+ + + +
n +P+ +
+ + +PK
+ +L+PP
+ + + +

+ +l+k+
+ + + p
Ln+ p p
+ + + +
+ +P+ +
+ + +PK
+ +L+PP
+ + + +

712

2618

2619

45.h2-h3 Kg7-g6 46.Ke3-f4 Bf7-c4


47.Be2-d1 1.12/16 ]
(Diagram 2620)
38...Nc6-e5 Diagram [ 38...g7-g5+
39.Kf4-e3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...g7-g5+ 39.Kf4-e3 Kg8-f7
40.Be2-c4+ Kf7-g6 41.Bc4-e6 Nc6-e5
42.Bb6-d4 Be8-d7 43.Be6-d5 Bd7-b5
44.h2-h3 Bb5-f1 45.Ke3-f2 Bf1-b5
46.Bd4-c3 h6-h5 47.Bc3-d4 h5-h4
48.Kf2-e3 1.05/16 Diagram

+ +l+k+
+ + + p
Ln+ p p
+ + + +
+ +PK +
+ + +P+
+ +L+PP
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + pk+
+l+Ln p
+ LP+ p
+ + KP+P
+ + +P+
+ + + +

+ +l+k+
+ + + p
L + p p
+ + n +
+ +PK +
+ + +P+
+ +L+PP
+ + + +

2620

2621

2622

]
39.Bb6-c7 [ 39.Kf4-e3 g7-g5+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 39.Kf4-e3 g7-g5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

713

40.g2-g3 Be8-h5 41.Bb6-d4 Kg8-g7


42.Bd4-c5 Kg7-f7 43.h2-h3 Kf7-g7
44.Bc5-b4 Kg7-f7 45.g3-g4 Bh5-g6
46.Be2-d1 Ne5-c4+ 47.Ke3-d4
1.10/16 ] 39...Be8-d7 Diagram
[ 39...Kg8-f7 40.Kf4-e3+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 39...g7-g5+ 40.Kf4-e3
Diagram

+ +l+k+
+ L + +
+ + p p
+ + n p
+ +P+ +
+ + KP+
+ +L+PP
+ + + +

2623

Kg8-f7 41.g2-g3 Kf7-e7 42.Ke3-d4


Ne5-c6+ 43.Kd4-c5 Ke7-d7 44.Bc7-b6
Nc6-e5 45.Bb6-a5 Be8-h5
46.Be2-b5+ Kd7-e7 47.f3-f4 Ne5-f3
48.Bb5-e2 Bh5-g4 1.02/16 ]

+ + +k+
+ Ll+ p
+ + p p
+ + n +
+ +PK +
+ + +P+
+ +L+PP
+ + + +

+ + k +
+ Ll+ p
+n+ p p
+ + + +
+ +PP +
+ + K +
+ +L+PP
+ + + +

2624

2625

(Diagram 2624)
40.Kf4-e3 Diagram [ 40.Bc7xe5?!
g7-g5+ 41.Kf4-e3 f6xe5 42.Be2-c4+
Kg8-g7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
40.Kf4-e3 Kg8-f8 41.f3-f4 Ne5-c6
Diagram
(Diagram 2625)
42.Bc7-d6+ Kf8-f7 43.f4-f5 g7-g5
44.h2-h3 Kf7-g7 45.g2-g4 Bd7-e8
46.Be2-c4 h6-h5 47.Bc4-d5 h5xg4
48.h3xg4 Nc6-e5 49.Bd6xe5 f6xe5
1.23/16 ]
40...Kg8-f8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

+ + +k+
+ Ll+ p
+ + p p
+ + n +
+ +P+ +
+ + KP+
+ +L+PP
+ + + +
40...Kg8-f7 Diagram

2626

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ Ll+kp
+ + p p
+ + n +
+ +P+ +
+ + KP+
+ +L+PP
+ + + +

714

2627

41.Ke3-d4 Ne5-c6+ 42.Kd4-c5


Nc6-e7 43.g2-g3 Bd7-e6 44.f3-f4
f6-f5 45.e4-e5 Ne7-d5 46.Bc7-a5
Nd5-e3 47.Ba5-d2 Ne3-g4 48.h2-h3
1.20/15 ] 41.Ke3-d4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 41.f3-f4 Ne5-c6 42.Bc7-d6+
Kf8-f7 43.f4-f5 g7-g5 44.h2-h3 Kf7-g7
45.g2-g4 Bd7-e8 46.Be2-c4 h6-h5
47.Bc4-d5 h5xg4 48.h3xg4 Nc6-e5
49.Bd6xe5 f6xe5 1.23/15 ] 41...Ne5-f7
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41...Ne5-f7
42.Bc7-b6 g7-g5 Diagram
(Diagram 2628)
43.Kd4-d5 Bd7-a4 44.g2-g3 Ba4-b3+
45.Kd5-d4 Kf8-e7 46.Bb6-c5+ Ke7-d7
47.f3-f4 Nf7-d8 48.Kd4-e3 Nd8-e6
49.Bc5-b4 Ne6-d8 50.Bb4-c3 1.30/16 ]
42.Bc7-a5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
42.Bc7-b6 g7-g5 43.Kd4-d5 Bd7-a4
44.g2-g3 Ba4-b3+ 45.Kd5-d4 Kf8-e7
46.Bb6-c5+ Ke7-d7 47.f3-f4 Nf7-d8
48.Kd4-e3 Nd8-e6 49.Bc5-b4 Kd7-c6
50.f4xg5 f6xg5 51.Bb4-c3 Kc6-d6
1.29/15 ] 42...Nf7-e5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...g7-g5
43.Ba5-c3 Nf7-d8 44.Kd4-e3 Kf8-e7
45.Bc3-b4+ Ke7-f7 46.f3-f4 g5xf4+
47.Ke3xf4 Kf7-g6 48.Be2-c4 Nd8-e6+

+ + k +
+ +l+n+
L + p p
+ + + p
+ KP+ +
+ + +P+
+ +L+PP
+ + + +

2628

49.Kf4-e3 Kg6-g5 50.Bb4-d6 Kg5-g6


51.Bc4-d5 1.29/15 ]

+ + k +
+ +l+ p
+ + p p
L + n +
+ KP+ +
+ + +P+
+ +L+PP
+ + + +

2629

43.Ba5-b4+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


43.Ba5-c3 Ne5-c6+ 44.Kd4-d5
Nc6-e7+ 45.Kd5-d6 Kf8-e8 46.Bc3-d4
Ne7-c8+ 47.Kd6-c7 Nc8-e7 48.Bd4-f2
Bd7-e6 49.f3-f4 Diagram
(Diagram 2630)
f6-f5 50.Kc7-d6 Ke8-f7 51.e4-e5
Ne7-c8+ 52.Kd6-c5 1.32/15 ]
43...Kf8-e8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
43...Kf8-f7 Diagram
44.Bb4-d2 Bd7-a4 45.Kd4-c5 Kf7-e6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +k+ +
+ K n p
+ +lp p
+ + + +
+ +PP +
+ + + +
+ +LLPP
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ +l+kp
+ + p p
+ + n +
L KP+ +
+ + +P+
+ +L+PP
+ + + +

715

2630

2631

+ +k+ +
+ +l+ p
+ L p p
+ + n +
+ KP+ +
+ + +P+
+ +L+PP
+ + + +
46.Kc5-d6
48.Be2-c4
50.Bb4-d2
52.Bd2-e1

2632

Ne5-f7+ 47.Kd6-c7 Nf7-d8


h6-h5 49.Ba3-b4 Nd8-c6
Nc6-e5 51.Bc4-d5 Bd7-b5
1.29/15 Diagram

+ +k+ +
+ K + p
+ + p +
+l+Ln +p
+ +P+ +
+ + +P+
+ + +PP
+ + L +

2633

46.f3-f4 Ne5-c6 47.Bd2-e1 Nc6-d8


48.h2-h3 Ke6-e7 49.Kc5-d4 Nd8-e6+
50.Kd4-e3 Ba4-c6 51.Be1-b4+ Ke7-d7
52.g2-g3 1.18/16 ] 44.Kd4-c5
] 45.Bb4-d2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44.Bb4-d6
Diagram
45.Kc5-d6 Ng6-f4 46.Be2-f1 Nf4-e6
47.e4-e5 f6xe5 48.Kd6xe5 Ne6-d8
(Diagram 2632)
49.Ke5-d6 Nd8-f7+ 50.Kd6-d5 Nf7-d8
51.Bf1-d3 Nd8-c6 52.Bb4-c3 Ke8-f7
Ne5-c6+ 45.Kd4-e3 Ke8-f7 46.f3-f4
53.g2-g4 Nc6-e7+ 54.Kd5-e5 g7-g5
g7-g6 47.g2-g4 g6-g5 48.h2-h3
1.32/15 ] 45...Ng6-e5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 45...Bd7-a4 46.f3-f4 Ng6-e7
Bd7-e6 49.Be2-b5 Nc6-a5 50.Bd6-b4
47.g2-g3 Ba4-b3 48.Be2-f3 Ke8-d7
Na5-b3 51.Bb5-c6 1.23/15 ]
44...Ne5-g6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
49.Bd2-c3 Kd7-e6 50.f4-f5+ Ke6-d7
44...Ne5-c6 45.Bb4-a3 Nc6-e5
51.Bf3-e2 Bb3-f7 52.Be2-b5+ Kd7-c7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


53.Bc3-a5+ Kc7-b7 54.Ba5-d2
1.32/15 ] 46.Kc5-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 46.f3-f4 Ne5-f7 47.Bd2-c3
Ke8-e7 48.Bc3-b4 Ke7-e8 49.Kc5-d5
Bd7-a4 50.Be2-h5 Ke8-d7
51.Bh5-g4+ Kd7-e8 52.Kd5-c4 Nf7-d8
53.e4-e5 f6xe5 54.f4xe5 Ba4-c6
55.e5-e6 g7-g6 1.56/15 ] 46...Bd7-a4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46...Ne5-c6
47.Bd2-e3 Nc6-e7 48.Be2-c4 Ne7-c8+
49.Kd6-c7 Nc8-e7 50.g2-g3 h6-h5
51.Be3-g1 Ne7-c6 52.f3-f4 Nc6-b4
53.Bg1-c5 Nb4-c2 54.Bc4-d5 1.39/15 ]
47.f3-f4 [ 47.Bd2-c3 Ne5-g6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 47.f3-f4 Ne5-f7+
48.Kd6-c7 Nf7-d8 49.Be2-h5+ Nd8-f7
50.Bd2-b4 Ba4-b5 51.Bh5-g6 Bb5-f1
52.g2-g3 Bf1-c4 53.h2-h4 Bc4-b5
54.h4-h5 Bb5-c4 55.Kc7-c6 Bc4-e6
56.Bb4-a3 Ke8-d8 57.Ba3-f8 Nf7-h8
58.Bg6-h7 Be6-d7+ 59.Kc6-d5
1.56/18 ] 47...Ne5-f7+ [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 47...Ne5-f7+ 48.Kd6-c7
Nf7-d8 49.Be2-h5+ Nd8-f7 50.Bd2-b4
Ba4-b5 51.Bh5-g6 Bb5-f1 52.g2-g3
Bf1-c4 53.h2-h4 Bc4-b5 54.h4-h5
Bb5-c4 55.Kc7-c6 Bc4-e6 56.Bb4-a3
Ke8-d8 57.Ba3-f8 Nf7-h8 58.Bg6-h7
Be6-d7+ 59.Kc6-d5 1.64/17 ]
48.Kd6-c7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
48.Kd6-c7 Nf7-d8 49.Be2-h5+ Nd8-f7
50.Bd2-b4 Ba4-b5 51.Bh5-g6 Bb5-f1
52.g2-g3 Bf1-c4 53.h2-h4 Bc4-b5
54.h4-h5 Bb5-e2 55.Kc7-c6 Be2-c4
56.Bb4-a3 Bc4-e6 57.Ba3-c5 Ke8-d8
58.Bc5-f8 Nf7-h8 59.Bg6-h7 Be6-d7+
60.Kc6-d5 1.56/15 ] 48...Ba4-d7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 48...Nf7-d8
49.Be2-h5+ Nd8-f7 50.Bd2-b4 Ba4-b5
51.Bh5-g6 Bb5-f1 52.g2-g3 Bf1-c4
53.h2-h4 Bc4-b5 54.h4-h5 Bb5-e2
55.Kc7-c6 Be2-c4 56.Bb4-a3 Bc4-e6
57.Ba3-c5 Ke8-d8 58.Bc5-f8 Nf7-h8
59.Bg6-h7 Be6-d7+ 60.Kc6-d5
1.64/14 ] 49.Bd2-b4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro

716
x64: 49.Bd2-b4 Bd7-a4 50.Bb4-c3
Ke8-e7 51.Bc3-d4 Ke7-e8 52.Bd4-c5
Ba4-d7 53.Bc5-g1 Bd7-a4 54.Bg1-d4
Ke8-e7 55.Bd4-c5+ Ke7-e8 56.h2-h3
Ba4-d7 57.Bc5-d4 Bd7-a4 58.h3-h4
Ke8-e7 59.Bd4-c3 Ke7-e8 60.Bc3-b4
g7-g5 61.g2-g3 g5xh4 62.g3xh4
Ba4-d7 63.Bb4-c5 1.60/16 ]
49...Bd7-a4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
49...Bd7-a4 50.Bb4-c3 Ke8-e7
51.Bc3-d4 Ke7-e8 52.Bd4-g1 Ba4-d7
53.Bg1-f2 Bd7-a4 54.Be2-c4 Nf7-d8
55.Kc7-d6 Nd8-b7+ 56.Kd6-d5
Nb7-d8 1.67/17 ] 50.Be2-c4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 50.Bb4-c3
Ke8-e7 51.g2-g3 Ba4-d7 52.Bc3-b4+
Ke7-e8 53.Bb4-c5 Bd7-a4 54.Be2-h5
Ba4-b5 55.Bh5-g6 Bb5-a4 56.g3-g4
Ba4-b5 57.h2-h3 Bb5-d3 58.Kc7-c6
1.65/15 ] 50...Nf7-h8 [ 50...Nf7-d8
51.Bc4-d5 Ba4-c2 52.Bb4-c3+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 50...Nf7-d8
51.Bc4-d5 Ba4-c2 52.Kc7-d6 Bc2-a4
53.Bb4-e1 Ba4-c2 54.Be1-f2 Bc2-d3
55.g2-g3 h6-h5 56.Bf2-c5 Bd3-b5
57.Bc5-g1 Bb5-d3 58.h2-h3 Bd3-b5
59.h3-h4 Nd8-f7+ 60.Kd6-c5 1.54/16 ]
51.g2-g3 [ 51.e4-e5 keeps an even
firmer grip Nh8-g6 52.e5xf6 g7xf6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 51.e4-e5
Nh8-g6 52.e5xf6 g7xf6 53.g2-g3
Ba4-d1 54.Kc7-d6 Bd1-g4 55.Bb4-c3
f6-f5 56.Bc4-f1 Ke8-f7 57.Bc3-b4
Ng6-f8 58.h2-h3 Bg4-f3 59.Bf1-c4+
Kf7-e8 60.Kd6-e5 Bf3-e4 1.85/16 ]
51...Nh8-f7 [ 51...Nh8-g6
52.Bb4-d6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
51...Nh8-g6 52.Bb4-c5 Ng6-e7
53.e4-e5 f6xe5 54.f4xe5 g7-g6
55.e5-e6 Ne7-f5 56.Bc4-e2 h6-h5
57.Be2-d3 h5-h4 58.g3xh4 Nf5xh4
59.Kc7-d6 Nh4-f5+ 60.Kd6-e5 Nf5-e7
61.h2-h4 Ba4-c6 62.Bc5-e3 1.89/15 ]
52.h2-h4 [ 52.Bb4-c3 seems even
better Nf7-d8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


52.Bb4-c3 Nf7-d8 53.e4-e5 f6xe5
54.Bc3xe5 g7-g6 55.Bc4-d3 g6-g5
56.f4-f5 Nd8-f7 57.Be5-d4 Nf7-d8
58.Kc7-d6 Nd8-f7+ 59.Kd6-e6
Ba4-d7+ 60.Ke6-d5 Bd7-a4 61.Bd4-c5
Ba4-b3+ 62.Kd5-d4 1.89/16 ]
52...Nf7-h8 [ 52...Nf7-d8 53.Bc4-d5
Ba4-c2 54.Bb4-a5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 52...Nf7-d8 53.Bc4-e2 Nd8-f7
54.Be2-h5 Ba4-c2 55.Bh5-g6 Bc2-b3
56.h4-h5 Bb3-e6 57.Kc7-c6 Be6-c4
58.Bb4-a3 Bc4-e6 59.Ba3-c5 Ke8-d8
60.Bc5-f8 Nf7-h8 61.Bg6-h7 Be6-d7+
62.Kc6-d5 1.64/17 ] 53.Bb4-d6
White prepares e5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 53.e4-e5 Nh8-g6 54.e5-e6
Ng6-e7 55.h4-h5 Ne7-c6 56.Bb4-c5
Nc6-e7 57.Bc4-d3 Ne7-d5+ 58.Kc7-d6
Nd5-e7 59.g3-g4 Ne7-c8+ 60.Kd6-c7
Nc8-e7 61.Bd3-c4 Ne7-c6 62.Kc7-d6
Nc6-e7 63.f4-f5 Ne7-c6 64.Bc4-e2
Nc6-e5 65.Bc5-d4 1.92/16 ]
53...Nh8-g6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
53...Nh8-f7 54.e4-e5 Nf7-d8 55.e5-e6
Nd8-c6 56.Bd6-c5 Nc6-e7 57.Bc4-d3
Ne7-d5+ 58.Kc7-d6 Nd5-e7 59.f4-f5
Ke8-d8 60.Bc5-b6+ Kd8-e8 61.Bb6-e3
Ne7-c8+ 62.Kd6-c7 Nc8-e7 63.Be3-f2
Ne7-d5+ 64.Kc7-d6 Nd5-c3 65.h4-h5
1.92/17 ] 54.Bc4-e2 [ 54.e4-e5
and White can already relax Ng6-e7
55.e5-e6 Ne7-f5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 54.e4-e5 Ng6-e7 55.e5-e6
Ne7-c6 56.Bd6-c5 Nc6-e7 57.Bc4-d3
Ne7-d5+ 58.Kc7-d6 Nd5-e7 59.f4-f5
h6-h5 60.Bc5-f2 Ne7-c8+ 61.Kd6-c7
Nc8-e7 62.Bf2-g1 Ne7-d5+ 63.Kc7-d6
Nd5-c3 64.Bg1-f2 Ba4-b5 65.Bd3-c2
1.87/18 ] 54...Ng6-h8 [ 54...Ng6-e7
55.Bd6-a3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
54...Ng6-e7 55.Bd6-c5 Ke8-f7
56.Be2-c4+ Kf7-e8 57.h4-h5 Ne7-c6
58.Bc4-e6 Nc6-e7 59.e4-e5 f6xe5
60.f4xe5 Ba4-c6 61.Kc7-d6 Ke8-f8
62.Be6-c4 Bc6-e4 63.e5-e6 1.49/15 ]

717
55.Be2-c4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
55.e4-e5 f6xe5 56.Bd6xe5 Ke8-f8
57.Be5-d6+ Kf8-e8 58.Bd6-c5 Nh8-g6
59.f4-f5 Ng6-h8 60.Bc5-d4 Ke8-f8
61.g3-g4 Nh8-f7 62.Be2-f1 Ba4-b3
63.Bd4-c5+ Kf8-g8 1.84/15 ]
55...Nh8-g6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
55...Nh8-g6 0.01/16 ] 56.e4-e5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 56.e4-e5
Ng6-e7 57.e5-e6 Ne7-c6 58.Bd6-c5
Nc6-e7 59.Bc4-d3 Ne7-d5+ 60.Kc7-d6
Nd5-e7 61.f4-f5 Ke8-d8 62.Bc5-b6+
Kd8-e8 63.Bb6-d4 h6-h5 64.Bd4-f2
Ne7-c8+ 65.Kd6-c7 Nc8-e7 66.Bf2-c5
Ne7-d5+ 67.Kc7-d6 Nd5-e7 68.Bc5-f2
Ne7-c8+ 1.79/17 ] 56...f6xe5
[ 56...Ng6-e7 57.e5-e6+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 56...Ng6-e7 57.e5-e6 Ne7-c6
58.Bd6-c5 Nc6-e7 59.Bc4-d3 Ne7-d5+
60.Kc7-d6 Nd5-e7 61.f4-f5 Ke8-d8
62.Bc5-b6+ Kd8-e8 63.Bb6-d4 h6-h5
64.Bd4-f2 Ba4-b3 65.Bf2-g1 Bb3-a4
66.Bg1-d4 Ne7-c8+ 67.Kd6-c7 Nc8-e7
68.Bd4-g1 Ne7-d5+ 69.Kc7-d6
Nd5-e7 70.Bg1-d4 1.86/16 ] 57.f4xe5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 57.f4xe5
Ng6-h8 58.e5-e6 Nh8-g6 59.Bc4-d3
Ng6-e7 60.Bd6-c5 g7-g5 61.Bd3-e2
Ne7-g6 62.h4xg5 h6xg5 63.Kc7-d6
Ke8-f8 64.Be2-d3 Ng6-e7 65.Kd6-e5
Kf8-e8 66.Ke5-f6 Ne7-d5+ 67.Kf6xg5
Nd5-e7 68.g3-g4 Ba4-c6 69.Kg5-f6
Ne7-d5+ 70.Kf6-e5 Nd5-e7 71.g4-g5
Ke8-f8 72.g5-g6 3.10/18 ] 57...Ng6-e7
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 57...Ng6-f8
58.e5-e6 Nf8-g6 59.Bc4-d3 Ng6-e7
60.Bd6-c5 g7-g5 61.Bd3-e2 Ne7-g6
62.h4xg5 h6xg5 63.Kc7-d6 Ke8-f8
64.Be2-d3 Ng6-e7 65.Kd6-e5 Kf8-e8
66.Bd3-e2 Ke8-d8 67.Ke5-f6 Ne7-d5+
68.Kf6xg5 Kd8-e8 69.Be2-d3 Nd5-e7
70.g3-g4 Ne7-d5 71.Bd3-g6+ Ke8-d8
72.Bg6-e4 Ba4-b3 73.Bc5-d6 Bb3-c4
3.14/17 ] 58.e5-e6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 58.e5-e6 g7-g5 59.h4xg5 h6xg5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


60.Bd6-c5 Ne7-f5 61.Bc4-d3 Nf5-e7
62.Bd3-e2 Ne7-g6 63.Kc7-d6 Ke8-f8
64.Be2-d3 Ng6-e7 65.Kd6-e5 Kf8-e8
66.Ke5-f6 Ne7-d5+ 67.Kf6xg5 Nd5-e7
68.g3-g4 Ne7-d5 69.Bd3-g6+ Ke8-d8
70.Bg6-e4 Ba4-b3 71.Bc5-d6 Bb3-c4
3.07/14 ] 58...g7-g6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 58...Ne7-f5 59.Bc4-d3 Nf5-e7
60.Bd6-c5 g7-g5 61.h4xg5 h6xg5
62.Bd3-e2 Ne7-g6 63.Kc7-d6 Ke8-f8
64.Be2-d3 Ng6-e7 65.Kd6-e5 Kf8-e8
66.Bd3-e2 Ke8-d8 67.Ke5-f6 Ne7-d5+
68.Kf6xg5 Ba4-e8 69.Be2-d3 Be8-c6
70.g3-g4 Kd8-e8 71.Bd3-g6+ Ke8-d8
72.Bg6-h5 Bc6-e8 73.Kg5-f5 Nd5-c7
74.Kf5-f6 Nc7-d5+ 75.Kf6-f5 Nd5-c7
3.22/15 ] 59.Bd6-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 59.Bd6-c5 Ne7-f5 60.Bc4-d3
h6-h5 61.Bc5-b4 Nf5-e7 62.Kc7-d6
Ke8-d8 63.Bb4-c5 Ne7-f5+ 64.Kd6-e5
Kd8-c7 65.Ke5-f6 Ba4-c6 66.e6-e7
Bc6-e8 67.Bd3-c2 Kc7-c8 68.Bc5-b4
Kc8-c7 69.Bb4-d2 Kc7-b7 70.Bd2-c1
Kb7-c7 71.Bc1-f4+ Kc7-c8 72.Bc2-d3
Kc8-b7 73.Bd3-e4+ Kb7-b6 74.Be4-d5
Kb6-c5 75.Bd5-f7 3.17/16 ] 59...Ne7-f5
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 59...h6-h5
60.Bc4-d3 Ne7-f5 61.Bc5-b4 Nf5-e7
62.Kc7-d6 Ke8-d8 63.Bb4-c5 Ne7-f5+
64.Kd6-e5 Kd8-c7 65.Ke5-f6 Ba4-c6
66.e6-e7 Bc6-e8 67.Bd3-c2 Kc7-c8
68.Bc5-b4 Kc8-c7 69.Bb4-d2 Kc7-b7
70.Bd2-c1 Kb7-c7 71.Bc1-f4+ Kc7-c8
72.Bc2-d3 Kc8-b7 73.Bd3-e4+ Kb7-b6
74.Be4-d5 Kb6-c5 75.Bd5-f7 3.23/17 ]
60.Bc4-d3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
60.Bc4-d3 h6-h5 61.Bc5-b4 Nf5-e7
62.Kc7-d6 Ke8-d8 63.Bb4-c5 Ne7-f5+
64.Kd6-e5 Kd8-c7 65.Ke5-f6 Ba4-c6
66.e6-e7 Bc6-e8 67.Bd3-c2 Kc7-c8
68.Bc5-b4 Kc8-c7 69.Bb4-d2 Kc7-b7
70.Bd2-c1 Kb7-c7 71.Bc1-f4+ Kc7-c8
72.Bc2-d3 Kc8-b7 73.Bd3-e4+ Kb7-b6
74.Be4-d5 Kb6-c5 75.Bd5-f7 3.17/19 ]
60...Nf5-e7 [ 60...h6-h5 61.Bc5-b4+- ;

718
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 60...h6-h5
61.Bc5-b4 Nf5-e7 62.Kc7-d6 Ke8-d8
63.Bb4-c5 Ne7-f5+ 64.Kd6-e5 Kd8-c7
65.Ke5-f6 Ba4-c6 66.e6-e7 Bc6-e8
67.Bd3-c2 Kc7-c8 68.Bc5-b4 Kc8-c7
69.Bb4-d2 Kc7-b7 70.Bd2-c1 Kb7-c7
71.Bc1-f4+ Kc7-c8 72.Bc2-d3 Kc8-b7
73.Bd3-e4+ Kb7-c8 74.Be4-c2 Kc8-b7
75.Bc2-b3 Nf5-d4 76.Bb3-f7 3.11/17 ]
61.Kc7-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
61.Kc7-d6 Ke8-d8 62.Kd6-e5 g6-g5
63.h4xg5 h6xg5 64.Ke5-f6 Ne7-d5+
65.Kf6xg5 Ba4-e8 66.g3-g4 Kd8-c7
67.e6-e7 Kc7-c6 68.Bc5-a3 Kc6-c7
69.Bd3-g6 Kc7-d7 70.Bg6-f5+ Kd7-c7
71.Bf5-e4 Nd5-c3 72.Be4-g6 Kc7-d7
73.Bg6-f5+ Kd7-c7 74.Kg5-f6
Nc3-d5+ 75.Kf6-e5 3.41/13 ]
61...h6-h5 [ 61...g6-g5+- there is
nothing better in the position ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 61...g6-g5
62.h4xg5 h6xg5 63.Kd6-e5 Ke8-d8
64.Ke5-f6 Ne7-d5+ 65.Kf6xg5 Ba4-e8
66.g3-g4 Kd8-c7 67.e6-e7 Kc7-c6
68.Bc5-a3 Kc6-c7 69.Bd3-g6 Kc7-d7
70.Bg6-f5+ Kd7-c7 71.Bf5-e4 Nd5-c3
72.Be4-g6 Kc7-d7 73.Bg6-f5+ Kd7-c7
74.Kg5-f6 Nc3-d5+ 75.Kf6-e5 3.47/14 ]
62.Kd6-e5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
62.Kd6-e5 Ba4-c6 63.Ke5-f6 Ne7-d5+
64.Kf6xg6 Nd5-c3 65.Kg6xh5 Bc6-e4
66.Bd3-a6 Be4-c6 67.g3-g4 Nc3-e4
68.Bc5-b4 Ne4-f6+ 69.Kh5-g5 Nf6-d5
70.Bb4-c5 Nd5-c3 71.Bc5-d4 Nc3-e4+
72.Kg5-f5 Ne4-d6+ 73.Kf5-f6 Nd6-e4+
74.Kf6-e5 3.97/13 ] 62...Ne7-f5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 62...Ba4-c6
63.Ke5-f6 Ne7-d5+ 64.Kf6xg6 Nd5-c3
65.Kg6xh5 Bc6-e4 66.Bd3-a6 Be4-c6
67.g3-g4 Nc3-e4 68.Bc5-b4 Ne4-f6+
69.Kh5-g5 Nf6-d5 70.Bb4-c5 Nd5-c3
71.Bc5-d4 Nc3-e4+ 72.Kg5-f5
Ne4-d6+ 73.Kf5-f6 Nd6-e4+
74.Kf6-e5 4.04/14 ] 63.Ke5-f6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 63.Ke5-f6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Ba4-c6 64.e6-e7 Ke8-d7 65.Kf6-f7
Kd7-c7 66.Kf7-f8 Nf5xg3 67.Bd3xg6
Ng3-e2 68.Bc5-e3 Ne2-c3 69.Bg6xh5
Nc3-d5 70.Be3-f2 Nd5-f6 71.Bh5-e2
Nf6-e4 72.Bf2-d4 4.61/14 ] 63...Ba4-c6
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 63...Ke8-d8
64.Kf6-f7 Ba4-b3 65.Kf7xg6 Nf5-e7+
66.Kg6-f7 Ne7-d5 67.Kf7-f8 Kd8-c7
68.e6-e7 Nd5xe7 69.Kf8xe7 Bb3-d1
70.Bd3-e4 Bd1-g4 71.Bc5-d4 Bg4-d1
72.Bd4-e5+ Kc7-b6 73.Ke7-d6 Bd1-g4
74.Be4-c6 Kb6-a6 75.Be5-d4 4.92/15 ]
64.e6-e7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
64.e6-e7 Ke8-d7 65.Kf6-f7 Kd7-c7
66.e7-e8Q Bc6xe8+ 67.Kf7xe8
Kc7-c6 68.Bc5-g1 Nf5xg3 69.Bd3xg6
Kc6-d5 70.Ke8-f7 Kd5-c4 71.Bg1-h2
Ng3-f1 72.Bh2-f4 Kc4-d4 73.Kf7-e6
Nf1-e3 74.Bf4-e5+ Kd4-c5 75.Bg6xh5
Ne3-c2 76.Bh5-d1 Nc2-d4+
77.Ke6-f6 4.86/15 ]
1-0

719

rnlqkl r
ppp pp+p
+ + +p+
+ +p+ L
+PPn+ +
+ N + +
PP +PPPP
R +QKLNR

2634

Nd7-f6 21.Bd5-b3 Nf6-e4 22.Rd1-e1


Ne4xc3 23.Rb1-b2 Aronian,L (2761)Svidler,P (2742)/Dortmund 2006/CBM
114/0-1 (47) ] 9.Qb1xb7 Be6-d5
10.Qb7-b5+ Nb8-d7N [RR
10...Qd8-d7 11.Ra1-b1 Qd7xb5
12.Rb1xb5 Nb8-d7 13.Ng1-f3 (RR
13.Ng1-e2 e7-e5 14.f2-f3 Bf8-g7
15.d4xc5 0-0 16.e3-e4 Bd5-c6
49
D80 17.Rb5-b1 Rf8-b8 18.Rb1-d1 Bc6-a4
Vassily Ivanchuk
19.Rd1-a1 Nd7xc5 20.Ne2-c1 Ba4-b5
Peter Svidler
21.Bh4-f2 Nc5-a4 22.Bf1-e2 Na4xc3
2006 Morelia/Linares MEX/ESP
25.02.2006
(6)
23.0-0 Bg7-h6 24.Be2-d1 Nc3xd1
25.Rf1xd1 c4-c3 26.Nc1-b3 Bb5-a4
27.Rd1-e1 Ba4xb3 Arutinian,D (2544)D80: Grnfeld: Unusual White 4th
moves and 4 Bg5
Pashikian,A (2538)/Martuni 2007/CBM
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 g7-g6
119 ext/0-1 ) 13...e7-e6 14.Bf1-e2
3.Nb1-c3 d7-d5 4.Bc1-g5 Nf6-e4
Bf8-e7 15.Ke1-d2 c5xd4 16.e3xd4
Diagram
a7-a6 17.Rb5-b1 g6-g5 18.Bh4-g3
g5-g4 19.Nf3-e1 h7-h5 20.h2-h3
(Diagram 2634)
Nd7-f6 21.f2-f3 g4xf3 22.g2xf3
Rh8-g8 23.Bg3-f2 Be7-d6 24.Ne1-c2
5.Bg5-h4 Ne4xc3 6.b2xc3 d5xc4
Ke8-d7 25.Nc2-e3 Sargissian,G
(2667)-Naiditsch,A (2676)/Germany
7.e2-e3 Bc8-e6 8.Qd1-b1 c7-c5 [RR
8...Qd8-d5 9.Ng1-f3 Nb8-d7 10.Bf1-e2 2006/CBM 116/- (42) ] 11.Ng1-f3
Be6-f5 11.Qb1-b2 Bf8-g7 12.0-0
Ra8-b8 12.Qb5-a4 c5xd4 13.c3xd4
e7-e5 13.Qb2-b4 c7-c5 14.Qb4xc4
Qd8-c8 14.Ra1-c1 Increasing the
Qd5xc4 15.Be2xc4 Ra8-c8 16.Bc4-d5 pressure on the isolated pawn on c4
e7-e6 Diagram
Bf5-d3 17.Rf1-d1 Bd3-a6 18.Ra1-b1
15.Bf1xc4 Rb8-b4 16.Qa4-a6
b7-b6 19.Bh4-g3 c5xd4 20.e3xd4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rq+kl r
p +n+p+p
+ +p+p+
+ +l+ +
Q+pP + L
+ + PN+
P+ + PPP
+ R KL+R

720

2635

Bd5-b7 17.Qa6-a5 last book move last


book move f7-f6 [ 17...Rb4xc4??
capturing the bishop loses 18.Rc1xc4
Qc8-a8 19.Rc4-c7 Bb7xf3
20.g2xf3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
17...Bb7-d5 Diagram

+q+kl r
p +n+p+p
+ +p+p+
Q +l+ +
rLP + L
+ + PN+
P+ + PPP
+ R K +R

2636

18.Nf3-d2 Bd5xg2 19.Rh1-g1 Bg2-a8


20.Ke1-e2 Qc8-b8 21.Bc4-a6 Ba8-b7
22.Bh4-g3 Qb8-a8 23.Ba6-b5 0.44/11 ]
18.Nf3-d2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 18.Nf3-d2 g6-g5 19.a2-a3
Rb4-b6 20.0-0 Qc8-c6 21.d4-d5
Qc6-c5 22.Qa5xc5 Nd7xc5 23.Bh4-g3
Bb7xd5 24.Rf1-d1 Bf8-e7 25.Bc4xd5
e6xd5 26.Bg3-c7 Rb6-c6 0.32/12 ]

+q+kl r
pl+n+ +p
+ +ppp+
Q + + +
rLP + L
+ + P +
P+ N PPP
+ R K +R

2637

18...Bb7xg2? Diagram [ 18...g6-g5


19.a2-a3 Rb4-b6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 18...g6-g5 19.a2-a3 Rb4-b6
20.Bh4-g3 Bb7xg2 21.Rh1-g1 Bg2-d5
22.e3-e4 Bd5xc4 23.Rc1xc4 Rb6-c6
24.Rc4xc6 Qc8xc6 25.Ke1-f1 Qc6-b6
26.Qa5-c3 Ke8-f7 27.Kf1-g2 Bf8-d6
28.Rg1-b1 0.27/11 ]

+q+kl r
p +n+ +p
+ +ppp+
Q + + +
rLP + L
+ + P +
P+ N PlP
+ R K +R

2638

19.Rh1-g1+- [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


19.Rh1-g1 Bg2-h3 20.Bh4xf6 Rh8-g8
21.Bf6-h4 Rb4-b6 22.a2-a3 Qc8-c7
23.Bh4-g3 Qc7-c6 24.Qa5xa7 Rb6-b2
25.Bg3-h4 Bf8-e7 26.Bh4xe7
Ke8xe7 1.48/11 ] 19...Qc8-c6
[ 19...Bg2-d5 20.Bh4xf6! Decoy: c6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

721

Rb4xc4 21.Nd2xc4 Qc8-b8+( 21...Nd7xf6?? too greedy 22.Nc4-d6+


Bf8xd6 23.Rc1xc8+ Ke8-f7 Diagram

+R+ + r
p + +k+p
+ lpnp+
Q +l+ +
+ P + +
+ + P +
P+ + P P
+ + K R

2639

24.Qa5xa7+ Bd6-e7 25.Rc8xh8+- );


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...Bg2-h3
20.Bh4xf6 Rh8-g8 21.Bf6-h4 Rb4-b6
22.a2-a3 Qc8-c7 23.Bh4-g3 Qc7-c6
24.Qa5xa7 Rb6-b2 25.Bg3-h4 Bh3-f5
26.Qa7-a5 Diagram

+ +klr+
+ +n+ +p
+q+p+p+
Q + +l+
+LP + L
P + P +
r N P P
+ R K R
Bf8-e7 1.28/11 ] 20.Rg1xg2
[ 20.Qa5xa7 Rb4-a4 21.Qa7xa4
Qc6xa4 22.Rg1xg2 Ke8-f7 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.Rg1xg2
Diagram
Qc6xg2 21.Bc4xe6 Qg2-h1+

2640

+ +kl r
p +n+ +p
+q+ppp+
Q + + +
rLP + L
+ + P +
P+ N PRP
+ R K +

2641

22.Nd2-f1 Bf8-d6 23.Bh4-g3 Rb4-b6


24.Bg3xd6 Rb6-c6 25.Be6xd7+
Ke8xd7 26.Bd6-c5 Rh8-a8 27.Qa5-b5
Ra8-c8 28.Qb5-b3 Rc6-e6
29.Qb3-a4+ Qh1-c6 30.Qa4xa7+
Rc8-c7 3.66/10 ] 20...Qc6xg2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...Qc6xg2
21.Bc4xe6 Qg2-h1+ 22.Nd2-f1 Bf8-d6
23.Bh4-g3 Rb4-b6 24.Bg3xd6 Rb6-c6
25.Be6xd7+ Ke8xd7 26.Bd6-c5
Rh8-a8 27.Qa5-b5 Diagram
(Diagram 2642)
Ra8-c8 28.Qb5-b3 Rc6-e6
29.Qb3-a4+ Qh1-c6 30.Qa4xa7+
Rc8-c7 3.94/11 ] 21.Bc4xe6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.Bc4xe6
Diagram
(Diagram 2643)
Qg2-g1+ 22.Nd2-f1 Rb4-b2
23.Rc1-c8+ Ke8-e7 24.Qa5-d8+
Ke7xe6 25.Qd8-e8+ Ke6-d6
26.Bh4-g3+ Qg1xg3 27.Nf1xg3 f6-f5
28.Qe8-f7 Bf8-g7 3.45/9 ] 21...Bf8-d6
Diagram [ 21...Qg2-h1+ no good, but
what else? 22.Nd2-f1 Bf8-d6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...Qg2-h1+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + + +
p +k+ +p
+r+ pp+
+QL + +
+ P + +
+ + P +
P+ + P P
+ R KN+q

+ +kl r
p +n+ +p
+ +Lpp+
Q + + +
r P + L
+ + P +
P+ N PqP
+ R K +

722

2642

+ +k+ r
p +n+ +p
+ lLpp+
Q + + +
r P + L
+ + P +
P+ N PqP
+ R K +

2644

Rb8-b6 30.Bh4-g3 a7-a6 31.h2-h4


Diagram
2643

22.Nd2-f1 Bf8-d6 23.Bh4-g3 Rb4-b6


24.Bg3xd6 Rb6-c6 25.Be6xd7+
Ke8xd7 26.Bd6-c5 Rh8-a8 27.Qa5-b5
Ra8-c8 28.Qb5-b3 Rc6-e6
29.Qb3-a4+ Qh1-c6 30.Qa4xa7+
Rc8-c7 3.78/11 ]
(Diagram 2644)
22.Rc1-c8+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22.Rc1-c8+ Ke8-e7
23.Rc8xh8 Ke7xe6 24.Qa5-d8
Qg2-h1+ 25.Ke1-e2 Qh1-c6
26.Rh8xh7 Rb4-b8 27.d4-d5+ Ke6xd5
28.Qd8xd7 Qc6xd7 29.Rh7xd7

+ + + +
+ +R+ +
pr l pp+
+ +k+ +
+ + + P
+ + P L
P+ NKP +
+ + + +

2645

Kd5-e6 32.Rd7xd6+ Rb6xd6


33.Bg3xd6 Ke6xd6 34.Ke2-d3 5.27/9 ]
(Diagram 2646)
22...Ke8-e7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Ke8-e7 Diagram
(Diagram 2647)
23.Rc8xh8 Ke7xe6 24.Qa5-d8
Qg2-h1+ 25.Ke1-e2 Qh1-c6
26.Rh8xh7 Rb4-b8 27.d4-d5+ Ke6xd5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+R+k+ r
p +n+ +p
+ lLpp+
Q + + +
r P + L
+ + P +
P+ N PqP
+ + K +

+R+ + r
p +nk +p
+ lLpp+
Q + + +
r P + L
+ + P +
P+ N PqP
+ + K +

723

+ + + +
+ +R+ +
pr l pp+
+ +k+ +
+ + + +
+ + P L
P+ NKP P
+ + + +

2646

r + + +
p +Q+ +R
+ql pp+
+ +k+ +
+ + + L
+ + P +
P+ NKP P
+ + + +

2647

28.Qd8xd7 Qc6xd7 29.Rh7xd7


Rb8-b6 30.Bh4-g3 a7-a6 Diagram

2649

32.Rd7xd6+ Rb6xd6 33.Bg3xd6


Ke6xd6 34.Ke2-d3 5.27/10 Diagram

(Diagram 2648)
31.h2-h4 Kd5-e6 32.Rd7xd6+
Rb6xd6 33.Bg3xd6 Ke6xd6
34.Ke2-d3 5.57/1 ] 23.Rc8xh8
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.Rc8xh8 Ke7xe6 24.Qa5-d8
Qg2-h1+ 25.Ke1-e2 Qh1-c6
26.Rh8xh7 Rb4-b8 27.d4-d5+ Ke6xd5
28.Qd8xd7 Diagram
Qc6xd7 29.Rh7xd7 Rb8-b6
30.Bh4-g3 a7-a6 31.h2-h4 Kd5-e6

2648

(Diagram 2650)
]
(Diagram 2651)
23...Ke7xe6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...Ke7xe6 24.Qa5-d8 Qg2-h1+
Diagram
25.Ke1-e2 Qh1-c6 26.Rh8xh7
Rb4-b8 27.d4-d5+ Ke6xd5 28.Qd8xd7
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +
p+ k pp+
+ + + +
+ + + P
+ +KP +
P+ N P +
+ + + +

+ + + R
p +nk +p
+ lLpp+
Q + + +
r P + L
+ + P +
P+ N PqP
+ + K +

+ Q + R
p +n+ +p
+ lkpp+
+ + + +
r P + L
+ + P +
P+ N P P
+ + K +q

724

2650

2651

2652

r + + +
p +Q+ +R
+ql pp+
+ +k+ +
+ + + L
+ + P +
P+ NKP P
+ + + +

2653

Qc6xd7 29.Rh7xd7 Rb8-b6


30.Bh4-g3 a7-a6 31.h2-h4 Kd5-e6
32.Rd7xd6+ Rb6xd6 33.Bg3xd6
Ke6xd6 34.Ke2-d3 5.31/11 ]
24.Qa5-d8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24.Qa5-d8 Qg2-h1+ 25.Ke1-e2
Qh1-c6 26.Rh8xh7 Rb4-b8 27.d4-d5+
Ke6xd5 28.Qd8xd7 Qc6xd7
29.Rh7xd7 Diagram

r + + +
p +R+ +
+ l pp+
+ +k+ +
+ + + L
+ + P +
P+ NKP P
+ + + +

2654

Rb8-b6 30.Bh4-g3 a7-a6 31.h2-h4


Kd5-e6 32.Rd7xd6+ Rb6xd6
33.Bg3xd6 Ke6xd6 5.00/9 ]
24...Qg2-g1+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 24...Qg2-h1+ 25.Ke1-e2
Qh1-c6 26.Rh8xh7 Rb4-b8 27.d4-d5+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ Q + R
p +n+ +p
+ lkpp+
+ + + +
r P + L
+ + P +
P+ N PqP
+ + K +

725

2655

Ke6xd5 28.Qd8xd7 Qc6xd7


29.Rh7xd7 Rb8-b6 30.Bh4-g3 a7-a6
31.h2-h4 Kd5-e6 32.Rd7xd6+ Rb6xd6
33.Bg3xd6 Ke6xd6 5.24/10 ]

+ Q + R
p +n+ +p
+ lkpp+
+ + + +
r P + L
+ + P +
P+ N P P
+ + K q

2656

25.Ke1-e2 Diagram [ 25.Ke1-e2


Diagram
(Diagram 2657)
Qg1-g4+ 26.f2-f3 Qg4xh4 Diagram
27.Qd8-g8+ Ke6-f5 Diagram
28.Rh8xh7 Qh4xh7 29.Qg8xh7+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25.Ke1-e2
Qg1-g4+ 26.f2-f3 Qg4xh4 27.Rh8-e8+
Ke6-f5 28.Qd8xd7+ Kf5-g5

+ Q + R
p +n+ +p
+ lkpp+
+ + + +
r P + L
+ + P +
P+ NKP P
+ + + q

+ Q + R
p +n+ +p
+ lkpp+
+ + + +
r P + q
+ + PP+
P+ NK+ P
+ + + +

+ + +QR
p +n+ +p
+ l pp+
+ + +k+
r P + q
+ + PP+
P+ NK+ P
+ + + +
29.Qd7xd6 Rb4-b2 30.Re8-h8

2657

2658

2659

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

726

Rb2xd2+ Diagram

+ + + R
p + + +p
+ Q pp+
+ + + k
+ P + q
+ + PP+
P+ rK+ P
+ + + +

2660

31.Ke2xd2 Diagram

+ + + R
p + + +p
+ Q pp+
+ + + k
+ P + q
+ + PP+
P+ K + P
+ + + +
Qh4-f2+ 32.Kd2-d3 Qf2-f1+
33.Kd3-c3 Qf1-c1+ 34.Kc3-b4
Qc1-b1+ 35.Kb4-c4 Qb1-c1+
36.Kc4-b5 Qc1xe3 Diagram
(Diagram 2662)
37.Rh8xh7 Diagram
Qe3xf3 38.Rh7xa7 6.84/10 ]
1-0

2661

+ + + R
p + + +p
+ Q pp+
+K+ + k
+ P + +
+ + qP+
P+ + + P
+ + + +

+ + + +
p + + +R
+ Q pp+
+K+ + k
+ P + +
+ + qP+
P+ + + P
+ + + +

+ Q + R
p +n+ +p
+ lkpp+
+ + + +
r P + L
+ + P +
P+ NKP P
+ + + q

2662

2663

2664

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


50

727
D39

Vassily Ivanchuk
Francisco Vallejo-Pons
2006 Morelia/Linares MEX/ESP
10.03.2006
(13)
D44: Semi-Slav: Botvinnik System
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.Ng1-f3 d7-d5
3.c2-c4 e7-e6 4.Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4
Diagram

rnlqk+ r
ppp +ppp
+ +pn +
+ +p+ +
lPP + +
+ N +N+
PP +PPPP
R LQKL+R

2665

5.Bc1-g5 d5xc4 6.e2-e4 b7-b5


7.a2-a4 c7-c6 8.e4-e5 h7-h6 9.e5xf6
h6xg5 10.f6xg7 Rh8-g8 11.g2-g3
Bc8-b7 12.Bf1-g2 c6-c5 13.0-0
g5-g4 14.Nf3-h4 Bb7xg2 15.Nh4xg2
Rg8xg7 16.a4xb5 c5xd4 Diagram

rn qk+ +
p + +pr
+ +p+ +
+P+ + +
lpp +p+
+ N + P
P + PNP
R +Q+RK

2666

Rg7-e7 27.c6-c7 Ra8-c8 28.Qd5xd4


Kf8-f7 Diagram

+r+q+ +
p P rk+
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ QpNp+
+ + + P
P + P P
+ + +RK

2667

(Diagram 2666)
17.Nc3-e4 f7-f5N [RR 17...Qd8-b6
18.Ra1-c1 Nb8-d7 19.Rc1xc4 Nd7-e5
20.Rc4xb4 0-0-0 21.Ne4-d2 Rd8-h8
22.Nd2-c4 1-0 Sasikiran,K (2700)Perez Candelario,M (2515)/Calatrava
2007/CBM 117 ext ] 18.Ng2-f4 Ke8-f7
19.Ra1-c1 f5xe4 20.Rc1xc4 Bb4-c5
last book move last book move
21.Rc4xc5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Rc4xc5 Nb8-d7 22.Rc5-c6 Nd7-e5
23.Qd1-b3 Ne5xc6 24.Qb3xe6+
Kf7-f8 25.b5xc6 Qd8-e8 26.Qe6-d5

29.Qd4-d5+ Kf7-f6 30.Rf1-c1 Re7-e5


31.Rc1-c6+ Kf6-g5 2.46/10 ]
21...Nb8-d7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...Nb8-d7 Diagram
(Diagram 2668)
22.Rc5-c6 Nd7-e5 23.Qd1-b3
Ne5xc6 24.Qb3xe6+ Kf7-f8 25.b5xc6
Qd8-e8 26.Qe6-d5 Rg7-e7 27.c6-c7
Ra8-c8 28.Qd5xd4 Kf8-f7 29.Qd4-d5+
Kf7-f6 30.Rf1-c1 Re7-e5 31.Rc1-c6+
Kf6-g5 2.32/11 ] 22.Rc5-h5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ q + +
p +n+kr
+ +p+ +
+PR + +
+ ppNp+
+ + + P
P + P P
+ +Q+RK

728

2668

[ 22.Rc5-c6 Diagram

r+ q + +
p +n+kr
+R+p+ +
+P+ + +
+ ppNp+
+ + + P
P + P P
+ +Q+RK

2669

Nd7-e5 23.Qd1-b3 Ne5xc6


24.Qb3xe6+ Kf7-f8 25.b5xc6
Qd8-e8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.Rc5-c6 Nd7-e5 23.Qd1-b3 Ne5xc6
24.Qb3xe6+ Kf7-f8 25.b5xc6 Qd8-e8
26.Qe6-d5 Rg7-e7 27.c6-c7 Ra8-c8
28.Qd5xd4 Kf8-f7 29.Qd4-d5+ Kf7-f6
30.Rf1-c1 Re7-e5 31.Rc1-c6+
Kf6-g5 2.43/9 ] 22...Nd7-f6?
[ 22...Qd8-b6 23.Rh5-h6 Nd7-e5 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Qd8-b6
23.Rf1-e1 Nd7-f6 24.Rh5-e5 Ra8-e8
25.Nf4-h5 Nf6xh5 26.Re5xh5 e4-e3
27.f2xe3 d4xe3 28.Qd1-e2 Re8-d8

29.Qe2xe3 Qb6xe3+ 30.Re1xe3


Rd8-d2 31.Rh5-h6 Rd2xb2 32.Re3xe6
Rb2xb5 0.30/11 ] 23.Rh5-e5+[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.Rh5-e5
Qd8-d7 24.Re5xe6 Ra8-e8 25.Re6-c6
Re8-e5 26.Qd1-a4 d4-d3 27.Qa4-c4+
Nf6-d5 28.Qc4-d4 Rg7-g5 Diagram

+ + + +
p +q+k+
+R+ + +
+P+nr r
+ QpNp+
+ +p+ P
P + P P
+ + +RK

2670

29.Rf1-a1 Nd5-b6 30.Qd4xd7+


Nb6xd7 31.Ra1xa7 Re5-e7 32.b5-b6
d3-d2 33.Rc6-d6 Nd7xb6 34.Ra7xe7+
Kf7xe7 35.Rd6xd2 Rg5-c5 2.01/12 ]
23...Qd8-d6?? Diagram [ 23...Qd8-d7
24.Qd1-b3 Kf7-g8 25.Nf4xe6
Qd7-f7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...Qd8-d7 24.Re5xe6 Ra8-e8
25.Re6-c6 Re8-e5 26.Qd1-a4 d4-d3
27.Rf1-c1 Nf6-d5 28.Nf4xd5 d3-d2
29.Rc1-d1 Qd7xd5 30.Qa4xa7+
Re5-e7 Diagram
(Diagram 2671)
31.Qa7-e3 Re7-d7 32.Rc6-c2
Qd5xb5 33.Qe3-f4+ Kf7-g6
34.Qf4xe4+ Qb5-f5 35.Qe4xf5+
Kg6xf5 36.Rc2xd2 Rd7xd2
37.Rd1xd2 1.76/12 ]
shortens the misery for Black
24.Re5xe6 [ 24.Re5xe6 Qd6xe6
25.Nf4xe6 Kf7xe6 26.Qd1xd4+- ;

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
Q + rkr
+R+ + +
+P+q+ +
+ +p+p+
+ + + P
P p P P
+ +R+ K

r+ + + +
p + +kr
+ qpn +
+P+ R +
+ ppNp+
+ + + P
P + P P
+ +Q+RK

729

r+ + + +
p + +kr
+ qRn +
+P+ + +
+ ppNp+
+ + + P
P + P P
+ +Q+RK

2671

51
2672

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Re5xe6


Diagram
(Diagram 2673)
Qd6xe6 25.Nf4xe6 Kf7xe6
26.Qd1xd4 Rg7-d7 27.Qd4-c4+
Ke6-f5 28.Rf1-a1 Ra8-d8 29.Kg1-g2
Kf5-g6 30.Ra1-a6 Kg6-g7 31.Qc4-c3
3.73/9 ]
1-0

2673

B90

Vassily Ivanchuk
Loek Van Wely
Amber Blindfold (3)

20.03.2006

B80: Sicilian Scheveningen: 6 g3 and 6


Be3, including English Attack
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 d7-d6
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram
(Diagram 2674)
Ng8-f6 5.Nb1-c3 a7-a6 6.Bc1-e3
e7-e6 7.f2-f3 Bf8-e7 8.Qd1-d2
Nb8-c6 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.g2-g4 Nc6xd4
11.Be3xd4 b7-b5 12.g4-g5 Nf6-d7
13.h2-h4 Bc8-b7 14.a2-a3 Ra8-c8
15.Rh1-g1 Nd7-e5 16.Qd2-e3 Ne5-c4
17.Bf1xc4 Diagram
(Diagram 2675)
Rc8xc4 18.h4-h5N [RR 18.Kc1-b1
b5-b4 19.a3xb4 Rc4xb4 20.b2-b3
Bb7-a8 21.Bd4-c5 Rb4-b7 22.e4-e5
d6-d5 23.Bc5xe7 Qd8xe7 24.Kb1-b2
Rf8-c8 25.Rd1-d3 Rb7-c7 26.Rg1-a1
Ba8-b7 27.h4-h5 Rc7-c5 28.h5-h6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rnlqklnr
pp+ pppp
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

+rq rk+
+l+ lppp
p+ pp+ +
+p+ + P
+LLP+ P
P N QP+
PP+ + +
+ KR+ R

730

2674

2675

a6-a5 29.Qe3-f4 Bb7-a6 30.Rd3-e3


Qe7-c7 31.Qf4-d4 Qc7-b7 32.Kb2-c1
Ba6-f1 Zontakh,A (2460)-Obodchuk,A
(2430)/Policka 1995/EXT 1999/1-0
(83) ;RR 18.Rg1-g2 b5-b4 19.a3xb4
Rc4xb4 20.Bd4-c5 Rb4-c4 21.Bc5-a3
Qd8-c7 22.Rd1-d3 Rf8-c8 23.Rg2-d2
Rc4-c6 24.Kc1-b1 Be7-f8 25.f3-f4
Rc6-b6 26.f4-f5 a6-a5 27.f5xe6 f7xe6
28.Qe3-h3 Rc8-e8 29.Qh3-g3 Bb7-a6
30.Rd3-f3 Re8-b8 31.g5-g6 h7xg6
32.Rd2-f2 Ba6-c4 Yagupov,I (2474)Jojua,D (2125)/Batumi 2002/CBM 090/
1-0 (50) ] 18...Rf8-e8 19.Kc1-b1
Qd8-c7 20.b2-b3 Rc4-c6 last book

move 21.Nc3-d5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 21.Nc3-d5 e6xd5 22.e4xd5
Bb7-c8 23.d5xc6 Qc7xc6 24.Qe3-c3
Bc8-b7 25.Qc3xc6 Bb7xc6 26.Rd1-d3
Be7-d8 27.h5-h6 g7-g6 28.Kb1-b2
Re8-e2 29.Bd4-c3 d6-d5 30.Rd3-d2
Re2-e3 31.f3-f4 Bd8-c7 1.75/14 ]
21...e6xd5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21...e6xd5 22.e4xd5 Bb7-c8
23.d5xc6 Qc7xc6 24.Qe3-c3 Bc8-b7
25.Qc3xc6 Bb7xc6 26.Rd1-d3 Be7-d8
27.h5-h6 Diagram

+ lr+k+
+ + +ppp
p+lp + P
+p+ + P
+ L + +
PP+R+P+
+P+ + +
+K+ + R

2676

g7-g6 28.Kb1-b2 Re8-e2 29.Bd4-c3


d6-d5 30.Rd3-d2 Re2-e3 31.f3-f4
Bd8-c7 1.76/13 ]
(Diagram 2677)
22.e4xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.e4xd5 Bb7-c8 23.d5xc6 Qc7xc6
24.Qe3-c3 Bc8-b7 25.Qc3xc6 Bb7xc6
26.Rd1-d3 Be7-d8 27.h5-h6 g7-g6
28.Bd4-f2 Diagram
(Diagram 2678)
d6-d5 29.Rd3-e3 Bd8-e7 30.Kb1-b2
1.38/10 ] 22...Rc6xc2 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Bb7-c8 23.d5xc6
Qc7xc6 24.Qe3-c3 Bc8-b7 25.Qc3xc6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
+lq lppp
p+rp + +
+p+p+ PP
+ LP+ +
PP+ QP+
+P+ + +
+K+R+ R

+ lr+k+
+ + +p+p
p+lp +pP
+p+ + P
+ + + +
PP+R+P+
+P+ L +
+K+ + R

731

2677

2678

Bb7xc6 26.Rd1-d3 Be7-d8 27.h5-h6


g7-g6 28.Bd4-f2 d6-d5 29.Rd3-e3
Bd8-e7 30.Kb1-b2 1.70/11 ] 23.g5-g6
last book move [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23.g5-g6 h7xg6 24.h5xg6 Re8-f8
25.g6xf7+ Kg8xf7 26.Rg1xg7+ Kf7-e8
27.Rd1-e1 Rf8-f7 28.Rg7xf7 Ke8xf7
29.Qe3-e6+ Kf7-e8 30.Qe6-g6+
Ke8-d8 31.Qg6xc2 Qc7xc2+
32.Kb1xc2 Bb7xd5 33.f3-f4 Kd8-d7
34.f4-f5 Be7-h4 35.Re1-e2 Bh4-d8
36.f5-f6 Bd5-f7 37.Kc2-c3 2.19/10 ]
23...h7xg6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...h7xg6 Diagram
24.h5xg6 Re8-f8 25.g6xf7+ Kg8xf7

+ +r+k+
+lq lpp
p+ p +p+
+p+P+ +P
+ L + +
PP+ QP+
+r+ + +
+K+R+ R

2679

26.Rg1xg7+ Kf7-e8 27.Rd1-e1 Rf8-f7


28.Rg7xf7 Ke8xf7 29.Qe3-e6+ Kf7-e8
30.Qe6-g6+ Ke8-d8 31.Qg6xc2
Qc7xc2+ 32.Kb1xc2 Bb7xd5 33.f3-f4
Kd8-d7 34.f4-f5 Be7-h4 35.Re1-e2
Bh4-d8 Diagram

+ l + +
+ +k+ +
p+ p + +
+p+l+P+
+ L + +
PP+ + +
+K+R+ +
+ + + +

2680

36.f5-f6 Bd5-f7 37.Kc2-c3 2.39/11 ]


24.h5xg6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.h5xg6 Re8-f8 25.g6xf7+ Kg8xf7
26.Rg1xg7+ Kf7-e8 27.Rd1-e1 Rf8-f7
28.Rg7xf7 Ke8xf7 29.Qe3-e6+ Kf7-e8
30.Qe6-g6+ Ke8-d8 31.Qg6xc2
Diagram
Qc7xc2+ 32.Kb1xc2 Bb7xd5 33.f3-f4
Kd8-d7 34.f4-f5 Be7-h4 35.Re1-e2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

732
Rf8xg8 33.Qf7xg8+ Diagram

+ k + +
+lq l +
p+ p + +
+p+P+ +
+ L + +
PP+ +P+
+Q+ + +
+K+ R +

2681

Bh4-d8 36.f5-f6 Bd5-f7 37.Kc2-c3


2.20/9 ] 24...Re8-f8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24...Re8-f8 25.g6xf7+ Kg8xf7
26.Rg1xg7+ Kf7-e8 27.Rd1-e1 Rf8-f7
28.Rg7xf7 Ke8xf7 29.Qe3-e6+ Kf7-e8
30.Qe6-g6+ Ke8-d8 31.Qg6xc2
Qc7xc2+ Diagram

+ k + +
+l+ l +
p+ p + +
+p+P+ +
+ L + +
PP+ +P+
+q+ + +
+K+ R +

2682

32.Kb1xc2 Bb7xd5 33.f3-f4 Kd8-d7


34.f4-f5 Be7-h4 35.Re1-e2 Bh4-d8
36.f5-f6 Bd5-f7 37.Kc2-c3 2.38/10 ]
25.g6xf7+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.g6xf7+ Rf8xf7 26.Bd4xg7
Rc2-h2 27.Bg7-e5+ Kg8-f8 28.Be5xh2
Rf7-f6 29.Qe3-g5 Kf8-e8 30.Qg5-h5+
Ke8-d8 31.Rg1-g8+ Rf6-f8 32.Qh5-f7

+ k +Q+
+lq l +
p+ p + +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+ + + L
+K+R+ +

2683

Kd8-d7 34.Rd1-c1 Qc7-b6 35.Rc1-e1


Qb6-c7 36.Bh2-f4 Qc7-d8 37.Qg8-e6+
Kd7-e8 38.Bf4xd6 5.17/11 ]

+ + rk+
+lq lPp
p+ p + +
+p+P+ +
+ L + +
PP+ QP+
+r+ + +
+K+R+ R

2684

25...Rf8xf7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


25...Rf8xf7 26.Bd4xg7 Rc2-h2
27.Bg7-e5+ Kg8-f8 28.Be5xh2 Rf7-f6
29.Qe3-g5 Kf8-e8 30.Qg5-h5+ Ke8-d8
31.Rg1-g8+ Diagram
(Diagram 2685)
Rf6-f8 32.Qh5-f7 Rf8xg8 33.Qf7xg8+
Kd8-d7 34.Rd1-c1 Qc7-b6 35.Rc1-e1
Qb6-c7 36.Bh2-f4 Qc7-d8 37.Qg8-e6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ k +R+
+lq l +
p+ p r +
+p+P+ +Q
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+ + + L
+K+R+ +

733

2685

Kd7-e8 38.Bf4xd6 6.15/12 ]


26.Bd4xg7! Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26.Bd4xg7 Rc2-e2 27.Qe3xe2
Qc7-d7 28.Bg7-h6+ Kg8-h8
29.Rg1-h1 Be7-f6 30.Qe2-e6 Qd7xe6
31.d5xe6 Rf7-h7 32.Bh6-e3 4.08/9 ]

+ + +k+
+lq lrL
p+ p + +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ QP+
+r+ + +
+K+R+ R

2686

the end, the rest is history. 26...Rf7xg7


Diagram [ 26...Rc2-e2 what else?
27.Qe3xe2 Bb7-c8+- ( 27...Rf7xg7
Diagram
succumbs to an attractive mate
28.Qe2-e6+ Kg8-f8 29.Rg1xg7
Qc7-c1+ 30.Rd1xc1 Kf8xg7
31.Rc1-g1+ Be7-g5 32.Rg1xg5+
Kg7-f8 33.Rg5-g8# );Houdini 2.0c Pro

+ + +k+
+lq l r
p+ p + +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+ +Q+ +
+K+R+ R

2687

x64: 26...Rc2-h2 Diagram

+ + +k+
+lq lrL
p+ p + +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ QP+
+ + + r
+K+R+ R

2688

27.Bg7-e5+ Kg8-f8 28.Be5xh2


Bb7-c8 29.Qe3-h6+ Kf8-e8
30.Rg1-g8+ Rf7-f8 31.Rg8xf8+ Be7xf8
32.Rd1-e1+ Bf8-e7 33.Qh6-h8+
Ke8-f7 34.Qh8-h7+ Kf7-e8
35.Qh7-g8+ Ke8-d7 36.Qg8-f7
4.66/10 ]
(Diagram 2689)
27.Qe3-e6+ Diagram [ 27.Rg1xg7+
Diagram
Kg8xg7 28.Rd1-g1+ Rc2-g2
29.Rg1xg2+ Kg7-f8 30.Qe3-h6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+lq l r
p+ p + +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ QP+
+r+ + +
+K+R+ R

+ + +k+
+lq l R
p+ p + +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ QP+
+r+ + +
+K+R+ +

734

+ + k +
+lq l R
p+ pQ+ +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+ + + +
+KrR+ +

2689

+ + + +
+l+ Q k
p+ p + +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+ + + +
+ K + +

2690

Kf8-e8 31.Rg2-g8+ Be7-f8


32.Rg8xf8+ Ke8-d7 33.Qh6-e6# ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27.Qe3-e6+
Kg8-f8 28.Rg1xg7 Rc2-c1+ Diagram

2692

Ke3xf4 38.Qb6xd6+ Kf4-e4 17.22/10 ]


(Diagram 2693)
27...Kg8-h8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 27...Kg8-f8 28.Rg1xg7
Rc2-c1+ 29.Rd1xc1 Qc7xc1+
30.Kb1xc1 Kf8xg7 31.Qe6xe7+
Kg7-g6 32.Qe7xb7 a6-a5 33.Qb7xb5
Diagram
Kg6-f6 34.Qb5xa5 Kf6-e5 35.Kc1-c2
Ke5-d4 36.f3-f4 Kd4-e3 37.Qa5-b6+
Ke3xf4 38.Qb6xd6+ Kf4-e4 17.47/11
Diagram

(Diagram 2691)
29.Rd1xc1 Qc7xc1+ 30.Kb1xc1
Kf8xg7 31.Qe6xe7+ Diagram
(Diagram 2692)
Kg7-g6 32.Qe7xb7 a6-a5 33.Qb7xb5
Kg6-f6 34.Qb5xa5 Kf6-e5 35.Kc1-c2
Ke5-d4 36.f3-f4 Kd4-e3 37.Qa5-b6+

2691

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+lq l r
p+ pQ+ +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+r+ + +
+K+R+ R

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ p +k+
pQ+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+ + + +
+ K + +

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ Q + +
+ +P+ +
+ +k+ +
PP+ + +
+K+ + +
+ + + +

735

2693

+ + + k
+lq l r
p+ pQ+ +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+r+ + +
+K+R+ R

2696

28.Rg1xg7 Diagram [ 28.Rg1-h1+


Diagram
2694

2695

+ + + k
+lq l r
p+ pQ+ +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+r+ + +
+K+R+ +R
Rg7-h7 29.Rh1xh7+ Kh8xh7
30.Qe6-f7+ Kh7-h6 31.Rd1-h1+
Rc2-h2 32.Rh1xh2+ Be7-h4
33.Rh2xh4+ Kh6-g5 34.Rh4-h5# ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Rg1-h1+
Rc2-h2 29.Rh1xh2+ Diagram
(Diagram 2698)
Rg7-h7 30.Rh2xh7+ Kh8xh7
31.Qe6-f7+ Kh7-h6 32.Rd1-h1+
Be7-h4 33.Rh1xh4+ Kh6-g5
34.Rh4-h5# #7/12 Diagram

2697

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + k
+lq l r
p+ pQ+ +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+ + + R
+K+R+ +

+ + + +
+lq +Q+
p+ p + +
+p+P+ kR
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+ + + +
+K+ + +

736

2698

2699

]
(Diagram 2700)
28...Kh8xg7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28...Rc2-b2+ 29.Kb1xb2 Be7-f6+
30.Kb2-b1 Qc7xg7 31.Rd1-h1+
Qg7-h7+ 32.Rh1xh7+ Kh8xh7
33.Qe6xf6 Bb7-c8 34.Qf6-f7+ Kh7-h6
35.Qf7-f8+ Kh6-g5 36.Qf8xc8 a6-a5
37.Qc8-g4+ Kg5-h6 38.Qg4-e6+
Kh6-h5 39.Qe6xd6 Kh5-g5 40.Kb1-c2
Diagram
Kg5-f5 41.Qd6-c5 Kf5-f4 42.Qc5xb5
16.39/13 ] 29.Rd1-g1+ Diagram

+ + + k
+lq l R
p+ pQ+ +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+r+ + +
+K+R+ +

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ Q + +
pp+P+ k
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+K+ + +
+ + + +
[ 29.Rd1-g1+ Rc2-g2 30.Rg1xg2+
Be7-g5 31.Rg2xg5+ Kg7-f8
32.Rg5-g8# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29.Rd1-g1+ Rc2-g2 30.Rg1xg2+
Be7-g5 31.Rg2xg5+ Kg7-f8
32.Rg5-g8# #4/15 ]
(Diagram 2702)
1-0

2700

2701

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+lq l k
p+ pQ+ +
+p+P+ +
+ + + +
PP+ +P+
+r+ + +
+K+ + R

737

2702

rnlqk+ r
pppp+ppp
+ +pn +
+ + + +
lPP + +
+ N + +
PPQ+PPPP
R L KLNR

2703

16.Qc2xd2 Ra8-d8 Diagram


52

E37

Evgeny Bareev
Vassily Ivanchuk
Memorial Havana CUB (4)

24.11.2006

E37: Nimzo-Indian: Classical: 4...d5 5


a3 Bxc3+ 6 Qxc3 Ne4
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6
3.Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4 4.Qd1-c2 Diagram
(Diagram 2703)
d7-d5 5.a2-a3 Bb4xc3+ 6.Qc2xc3
Nf6-e4 7.Qc3-c2 c7-c5 8.d4xc5
Nb8-c6 9.c4xd5 e6xd5 10.Ng1-f3
Qd8-f6 11.e2-e3 Bc8-g4 12.Bf1-e2
0-0 13.0-0 Rf8-e8 14.Bc1-d2N [RR
14.h2-h3 Bg4-f5 15.Qc2-d1 Ra8-d8
16.Nf3-d4 Ne4xc5 17.Nd4xf5 Qf6xf5
18.b2-b4 Nc5-e6 19.Bc1-b2 d5-d4
20.Be2-d3 Qf5-g5 21.f2-f4 Qg5-h6
22.e3xd4 Ne6xf4 23.Bd3-c4 Nc6-e5
24.Bc4-b5 Re8-e6 25.Qd1-b3 Ne5-d3
26.Bb5xd3 Nf4xh3+ 27.g2xh3
Qh6-e3+ 28.Kg1-h2 Qe3-d2+
Koneru,H (2572)-Sethuraman,S (2380)/
Abu Dhabi 2007/CBM 119 ext/1-0 (33) ]
14...d5-d4 15.Ra1-d1 Ne4xd2

+ rr+k+
pp+ +ppp
+n+ q +
+ P + +
+ p +l+
P + PN+
P QLPPP
+ +R+RK

2704

17.Qd2-c1 last book move last book


move d4-d3 [ 17...Bg4-f5 18.Be2-b5
Bf5-g4 19.Bb5xc6 b7xc6 20.Rd1xd4
( 20.Nf3xd4?! Bg4xd1 21.Rf1xd1
a7-a5 ) 20...Bg4xf3 21.Rd4-f4+( 21.g2xf3?! Rd8xd4 22.e3xd4
Qf6xf3= );Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
17...d4-d3 Diagram
(Diagram 2705)
18.Rd1xd3 Rd8xd3 19.Be2xd3
Bg4xf3 20.g2xf3 Qf6xf3 21.Qc1-c4
Re8-e5 22.Qc4-f4 Qf3xf4 23.e3xf4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rr+k+
pp+ +ppp
+n+ q +
+ P + +
+ + +l+
P +pPN+
P +LPPP
+ QR+RK
Re5xc5
Kg8-g7
Rc4-c3
0.16/10

738

2705

24.Rf1-e1 g7-g6 25.Bd3-e4


26.Kg1-g2 Rc5-c4 27.b2-b4
28.Re1-e3 Rc3xe3 29.f2xe3
Diagram

+ + + +
pp+ +pkp
+n+ +p+
+ + + +
P +LP +
P + P +
+ + +KP
+ + + +

2706

] 18.Rd1xd3 [ 18.Be2xd3? Bg4xf3


19.Bd3xh7+ Kg8xh7 20.g2xf3 Nc6-e5
21.Rd1xd8 Ne5xf3+ ( 21...Qf6xd8?!
22.Qc1-c2+ Kh7-g8 23.Qc2-e4-+ ;
21...Re8xd8 Diagram
(Diagram 2707)
22.Qc1-c2+ Kh7-g8 23.f3-f4 Ne5-f3+
24.Kg1-g2-+ ) 22.Kg1-h1 Re8xd8-+
( 22...Qf6xd8?! 23.Qc1-d1 Nf3-d2

+ r + +
pp+ +ppk
+ + q +
+ P n +
+ + + +
P + PP+
P + P P
+ Q +RK

2707

24.Qd1-h5+ Kh7-g8 25.Rf1-d1-+ );


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18.Rd1xd3
Rd8xd3 19.Be2xd3 Bg4xf3 20.g2xf3
Qf6xf3 21.Qc1-c4 Re8-e5 22.Qc4-f4
Qf3xf4 23.e3xf4 Re5xc5 24.Rf1-e1
g7-g6 25.Bd3-e4 Kg8-g7 26.Kg1-g2
Rc5-c4 27.b2-b4 Rc4-c3 28.Re1-e3
Rc3xe3 29.f2xe3 -0.02/14 ]
18...Rd8xd3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18...Rd8xd3 19.Be2xd3 Bg4xf3
20.g2xf3 Qf6xf3 21.Qc1-c4 Re8-e5
22.h2-h4 Re5xe3 23.f2xe3 Qf3-g3+
24.Kg1-h1 Qg3-h3+ 25.Kh1-g1
Qh3-g3+ 26.Kg1-h1 0.23/12 ]
19.Be2xd3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Be2xd3 Bg4xf3 20.g2xf3 Qf6xf3
21.Qc1-c4 Re8-e5 22.Qc4-f4 Qf3xf4
23.e3xf4 Re5xc5 24.Rf1-d1 g7-g6
Diagram
(Diagram 2708)
25.Kg1-g2 Kg8-g7 26.Bd3-e4
Rc5-c4 0.00/12 ] 19...Bg4xf3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...Bg4xf3
Diagram
20.g2xf3 Qf6xf3 21.Qc1-c4 Re8-e5
22.h2-h4 Re5xe3 23.f2xe3 Qf3-g3+
24.Kg1-h1 Qg3-h3+ 25.Kh1-g1
Qh3-g3+ 26.Kg1-h1 0.16/13 ] 20.g2xf3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
pp+ +p+p
+n+ +p+
+ r + +
+ + P +
P +L+ +
P + P P
+ +R+ K

739

2708

+ +r+k+
pp+ +ppp
+n+ q +
+ P + +
+ + + +
P +LPP+
P + P P
+ Q +RK

2710

0.09/12 Diagram

+ +r+k+
pp+ +ppp
+n+ q +
+ P + +
+ + + +
P +LPl+
P + PPP
+ Q +RK

2709

[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.g2xf3


Diagram

+ + +k+
ppQ +ppp
+n+ + +
+ + + +
+ + + P
P + P +
PLq P +
+ + + K

2711

] 21.Bd3-e4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


21.Bd3-e4 Diagram

(Diagram 2710)
(Diagram 2712)
Qf6xf3 21.Qc1-c4 Qf3-h3 22.Qc4-f4
Re8-e5 23.Rf1-c1 Qh3-h5 24.h2-h4
Re5xc5 25.Rc1xc5 Qh5xc5 26.Qf4-c7
Qc5-d5 27.Bd3-c2 Qd5-d2 -0.03/11 ]
20...Nc6-e5 Black threatens to win
material: Ne5xd3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 20...Qf6xf3 21.Qc1-c4 Qf3-h3
22.Qc4-f4 Re8-e5 23.Rf1-c1 Qh3-h5
24.h2-h4 Re5xc5 25.Rc1xc5 Qh5xc5
26.Qf4-c7 Qc5-d5 27.Bd3-c2 Qd5-d2

Ne5xf3+ 22.Be4xf3 Qf6xf3 23.Qc1-d1


Qf3-f6 24.Qd1-d4 Qf6-g5+ 25.Kg1-h1
Re8-d8 26.Rf1-g1 Rd8xd4 27.Rg1xg5
Rd4-d2 28.b2-b4 g7-g6 29.Kh1-g2
f7-f5 30.e3-e4 f5xe4 31.Rg5-e5
Kg8-f7 32.Re5xe4 Kf7-f6 33.Re4-e8
Kf6-f7 34.Re8-e1 0.11/14 Diagram
] 21...Ne5xf3+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...Ne5xf3+ 22.Be4xf3 Qf6xf3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
pp+ +ppp
+ + q +
+ P n +
+ +L+ +
P + PP+
P + P P
+ Q +RK

+ + + +
pp+ +k+p
+ + +p+
+ P + +
P + + +
P + + +
+ r PKP
+ + R +
23.Qc1-d1
25.Kg1-h1
27.Rg1xg5
29.Kh1-g2
31.Rg5-e5
33.Re4-e8
Diagram

740

2712

+ + + +
pp+ +k+p
+ + +p+
+ P + +
P + + +
P + + +
+ r PKP
+ + R +

2714

f7-f5 30.e3-e4 f5xe4 31.Rg5-e5


Kg8-f7 32.Re5xe4 Kf7-f6 33.Re4-e8
Kf6-f7 34.Re8-e1 0.12/13 ]
2713

Qf3-f5 24.Qd1-d4 Qf5-g5+


Re8-d8 26.Rf1-g1 Rd8xd4
Rd4-d2 28.b2-b4 g7-g6
f7-f5 30.e3-e4 f5xe4
Kg8-f7 32.Re5xe4 Kf7-f6
Kf6-f7 34.Re8-e1 0.24/14

+ +r+k+
pp+ +ppp
+ + q +
+ P + +
+ + + +
P + PL+
P + P P
+ Q +RK

2715

22...Qf6xf3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 22...Qf6xf3 23.Qc1-d1 Qf3-f5
24.Qd1-d4 Diagram
(Diagram 2716)

(Diagram 2714)
] 22.Be4xf3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 22.Be4xf3 Qf6xf3 23.Qc1-d1
Qf3-f6 24.Qd1-d4 Qf6-g5+ 25.Kg1-h1
Re8-d8 26.Rf1-g1 Rd8xd4 27.Rg1xg5
Rd4-d2 28.b2-b4 g7-g6 29.Kh1-g2

Qf5-g5+ 25.Kg1-h1 Re8-d8 26.Rf1-g1


Rd8xd4 27.Rg1xg5 Rd4-d2 28.b2-b4
g7-g6 29.Kh1-g2 f7-f5 30.e3-e4 f5xe4
31.Rg5-e5 Kg8-f7 32.Re5xe4 Kf7-f6
33.Re4-e8 Kf6-f7 34.Re8-e1 0.23/14 ]
23.Qc1-d1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
pp+ +ppp
+ + + +
+ P +q+
+ Q + +
P + P +
P + P P
+ + +RK

+ +r+k+
pp+ +ppp
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + + +
P + Pq+
P + P P
+ Q +RK

741

2716

2717

x64: 23.Qc1-d1 Qf3-f5 24.Qd1-d4


Qf5-g5+ 25.Kg1-h1 Re8-d8 26.Rf1-g1
Rd8xd4 27.Rg1xg5 Rd4-d2 28.b2-b4
g7-g6 29.Kh1-g2 Diagram
(Diagram 2718)
f7-f5 30.e3-e4 f5xe4 31.Rg5-e5
Kg8-f7 32.Re5xe4 Kf7-f6 33.Re4-e8
Kf6-f7 34.Re8-e1 0.12/15 ]
23...Qf3-f5 Diagram [ 23...Qf3-f6
24.Qd1-d4 Qf6-g5+ 25.Kg1-h1$ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Qf3-f6
24.Qd1-d4 Qf6-g5+ 25.Kg1-h1
Diagram

+ + +k+
pp+ +p+p
+ + +p+
+ P + R
P + + +
P + P +
+ r PKP
+ + + +

+ +r+k+
pp+ +ppp
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + + +
P + Pq+
P + P P
+ +Q+RK

+ +r+k+
pp+ +ppp
+ + + +
+ P + q
+ Q + +
P + P +
P + P P
+ + +R+K

2718

2719

2720

Re8-d8 26.Rf1-g1 Rd8xd4 27.Rg1xg5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

742

Rd4-d2 28.b2-b4 Diagram

+ + +k+
pp+ +ppp
+ + + +
+ P + R
P + + +
P + P +
+ r P P
+ + + +K

2721

g7-g6 29.Kh1-g2 f7-f5 30.e3-e4


f5xe4 31.Rg5-e5 Kg8-f7 32.Re5xe4
Kf7-f6 33.Re4-e8 Kf6-f7 34.Re8-e1
0.23/13 ]

+ +r+k+
pp+ +ppp
+ + + +
+ P +q+
+ + + +
P + P +
P + P P
+ +Q+RK

2722

24.b2-b4 [ 24.Qd1-d6 Qf5-g4+


25.Qd6-g3 Qg4-c4= Diagram

+ +r+k+
pp+ +ppp
+ + + +
+ P + +
+q+ + +
P + P Q
P + P P
+ + +RK

+ r +k+
+p+ +pp
+ + + p
P +q+ +
+ +P+Q+
P + + +
+ + P P
+R+ + K

2723

2724

Qd5-c6 31.Rb1-b6 0.13/12 ]


24...h7-h6 Diagram [ 24...Qf5-g6+
25.Kg1-h1 Qg6-e4+ 26.Kh1-g1
Qe4-g6+ 27.Kg1-h1 Qg6-e4+
28.Kh1-g1 Qe4-g6+= ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 24...Qf5-g6+ Diagram
(Diagram 2725)

(Diagram 2723)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Qd1-d6
h7-h6 25.b2-b4 a7-a5 26.b4xa5
Qf5-g5+ 27.Qd6-g3 Qg5xc5 28.Rf1-b1
Qc5-d5 29.Qg3-g4 Re8-d8 30.e3-e4
Diagram

25.Kg1-h1 Qg6-e4+ 26.Kh1-g1


Qe4-g6+ 27.Kg1-h1 0.12/13 ]
25.Rf1-e1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.Qd1-d6 a7-a5 26.b4xa5
Qf5-g5+ 27.Qd6-g3 Qg5xc5 28.Rf1-b1
Qc5-d5 29.Qg3-g4 Re8-d8 30.e3-e4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
pp+ +ppp
+ + +q+
+ P + +
P + + +
P + P +
+ + P P
+ +Q+RK

+ +r+k+
pp+ +pp
+ + + p
+ P +q+
P + + +
P + P +
+ + P P
+ +Q+RK

743

2725

2726

+ r +k+
+p+ +pp
Rq+ + p
P + + +
+ +P+Q+
P + + +
+ + P P
+ + + K

+ +r+k+
pp+ +pp
+ + + p
+ P +q+
P + + +
P + P +
+ + P P
+ +QR K

2727

2728

Qd5-c6 31.Rb1-b6 0.13/11 Diagram


(Diagram 2727)
]
(Diagram 2728)
25...a7-a5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25...b7-b6 26.Qd1-d6 Re8-e6
27.Qd6-b8+ Kg8-h7 28.Qb8xa7
Re6-g6+ 29.Kg1-f1 b6xc5 30.b4xc5
Rg6-f6 31.f2-f4 Diagram
Rf6-c6 32.Re1-d1 Rc6xc5 0.05/10 ]
26.e3-e4 [ 26.f2-f4!?$ Diagram

+ + + +
Q + +ppk
+ + r p
+ P +q+
+ + P +
P + P +
+ + + P
+ + RK+

2729

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +r+k+
+p+ +pp
+ + + p
p P +q+
P + + +
P + P +
+ + P P
+ +QR K

+ +r+k+
+p+ +pp
+ + + p
p P +q+
P + P +
P + P +
+ + + P
+ +QR K

744

2730

2731

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.f2-f4 a5xb4


27.a3xb4 Diagram
(Diagram 2732)
Re8-e4 28.Qd1-c2 Qf5-g6+
29.Qc2-g2 Re4xb4 30.Qg2xg6 f7xg6
Diagram
(Diagram 2733)
31.Re1-d1 Rb4-c4 32.Rd1-d7 Rc4xc5
33.Rd7xb7 Rc5-c2 34.e3-e4 g6-g5
0.05/11 ] 26...Qf5-g6+= [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 26...Qf5-g6+ Diagram

+ +r+k+
+p+ +pp
+ + + p
+ P +q+
P + P +
+ + P +
+ + + P
+ +QR K

+ + +k+
+p+ + p
+ + +pp
+ P + +
r + P +
+ + P +
+ + + P
+ + R K

+ +r+k+
+p+ +pp
+ + +qp
p P + +
P +P+ +
P + + +
+ + P P
+ +QR K

2732

2733

2734

27.Kg1-f1 a5xb4 28.a3xb4 Re8xe4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

745

29.Qd1-b1 Re4xe1+ 30.Qb1xe1


Qg6-c6 Diagram

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
+q+ + p
+ P + +
P + + +
+ + + +
+ + P P
+ + QK+

2735

31.Kf1-g1 Qc6-d5 32.h2-h3 Qd5-g5+


33.Kg1-f1 Qg5-h4 34.Kf1-g2 Qh4-f4
35.Qe1-b1 g7-g6 36.Qb1-e1 Qf4-d4
37.Qe1-e8+ Kg8-g7 -0.09/14 ]
27.Kg1-f1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27.Kg1-f1 a5xb4 28.a3xb4
Re8xe4 29.Re1xe4 Qg6xe4
30.Qd1-d7 f7-f5 31.Kf1-g1 f5-f4
32.Qd7-g4 Kg8-h7 33.b4-b5 Diagram
(Diagram 2736)
Qe4-b1+ 34.Kg1-g2 Qb1xb5
35.Qg4-f5+ Kh7-g8 36.Qf5-c8+
Kg8-h7 37.Qc8-f5+ Kh7-g8 -0.13/16 ]
(Diagram 2737)
27...a5xb4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27...a5xb4 28.a3xb4 Diagram
(Diagram 2738)
Re8xe4 29.Qd1-b1 Re4xe1+
30.Qb1xe1 Qg6-c6 31.Kf1-g1 Qc6-d5
32.h2-h3 Qd5-g5+ 33.Kg1-f1 Qg5-h4
34.Kf1-g2 Qh4-f4 35.Qe1-b1 g7-g6
36.Qb1-e1 Qf4-d4 37.Qe1-e8+

+ + + +
+p+ + pk
+ + + p
+PP + +
+ +qpQ+
+ + + +
+ + P P
+ + + K

+ +r+k+
+p+ +pp
+ + +qp
p P + +
P +P+ +
P + + +
+ + P P
+ +QRK+

+ +r+k+
+p+ +pp
+ + +qp
+ P + +
P +P+ +
+ + + +
+ + P P
+ +QRK+

2736

2737

2738

Kg8-g7 -0.09/14 ] 28.a3xb4 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

746

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.a3xb4


Re8xe4 29.Qd1-b1 Re4xe1+
30.Qb1xe1 Qg6-c6 31.Kf1-g1 Qc6-d5
32.h2-h3 Qd5-g5+ 33.Kg1-f1 Qg5-h4
34.Kf1-g2 Qh4-f4 35.Qe1-b1 g7-g6
36.Qb1-e1 Qf4-d4 37.Qe1-e8+
Kg8-g7 -0.20/14 ]

+ +r+k+
+p+ +pp
+ + +qp
+ P + +
P +P+ +
+ + + +
+ + P P
+ +QRK+

2739

28...Re8xe4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 28...Re8xe4 Diagram

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
+ + +qp
+ P + +
P +r+ +
+ + + +
+ + P P
+ +QRK+

2740

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
+ + +qp
+ P + +
P +r+ +
+ + + +
+ + P P
+ +QRK+

2741

material: Qb1xe4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 29.Re1xe4 Qg6xe4 30.Qd1-d8+
Kg8-h7 31.Qd8-d7 f7-f5 32.Kf1-g1
f5-f4 33.Qd7-g4 Qe4-g6 34.Qg4xg6+
Kh7xg6 35.Kg1-g2 Kg6-f5 36.Kg2-f3
Kf5-e5 37.h2-h4 -0.17/13 ]
29...Qg6-a6+ Diagram [ 29...Re4xe1+
30.Qb1xe1 Qg6-c6 31.Qe1-e5! ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Re4xe1+
30.Qb1xe1 Qg6-c6 31.Kf1-g1 Qc6-d5
Diagram
(Diagram 2742)
32.h2-h3 Qd5-g5+ 33.Kg1-f1 Qg5-h4
34.Kf1-g2 Diagram
(Diagram 2743)
Qh4-f4 35.Qe1-b1 g7-g6 36.Qb1-e1
Qf4-d4 37.Qe1-e8+ Kg8-g7 -0.10/14 ]
(Diagram 2744)

29.Qd1-b1 Re4xe1+ 30.Qb1xe1


Qg6-c6 31.Kf1-g1 Qc6-d5 32.h2-h3
Qd5-g5+ 33.Kg1-f1 Qg5-h4 34.Kf1-g2
Qh4-f4 35.Qe1-b1 g7-g6 36.Qb1-e1
Qf4-d4 37.Qe1-e8+ Kg8-g7 -0.10/14 ]
29.Qd1-b1 White threatens to win

30.Kf1-g2= Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 30.Kf1-g2 Re4xe1
31.Qb1xe1 Qa6-g6+ 32.Kg2-h3
Qg6-f5+ 33.Kh3-g3 Qf5-g5+
34.Kg3-f3 Qg5-f6+ 35.Kf3-g2 Qf6-f4
36.f2-f3 Qf4-g5+ 37.Kg2-f1 Qg5-d5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

747
Diagram

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
+ + + p
+ Pq+ +
P + + +
+ + + +
+ + P P
+ + Q K

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
+ + + p
+ P + +
P + + q
+ + + +P
+ + PK+
+ + Q +

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
q+ + + p
+ P + +
P +r+ +
+ + + +
+ + P P
+Q+ RK+

2742

+ + +k+
+p+ +p+
+ + + p
+ P + p
P + + +
+ + +PK
q+ + + P
+ + Q +

2745

40.Qe1-e4 -0.18/12 ]
2743

2744

38.Kf1-g2 Qd5-a2+ 39.Kg2-g3 g7-g5

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
q+ + + p
+ P + +
P +r+ +
+ + + +
+ + PKP
+Q+ R +

2746

30...Re4-g4+ Diagram [ 30...Re4-e6


31.Re1xe6 Qa6xe6 32.h2-h3= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30...Re4-g4+
31.Kg2-f3 Diagram
(Diagram 2747)
Rg4-g6 32.Re1-e8+ Kg8-h7
33.Qb1-e4 b7-b6 34.Re8-a8 Qa6-f1
35.Ra8-f8 Qf1-d1+ 36.Kf3-e3
Qd1-e1+ 37.Ke3-f3 Qe1-c3+
38.Kf3-e2 Qc3-b2+ 39.Ke2-f3 b6xc5
40.b4xc5 Qb2-b3+ 41.Kf3-e2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
q+ + + p
+ P + +
P + +r+
+ + +K+
+ + P P
+Q+ R +

748

2747

Qb3-a2+ -0.13/13 ]

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
q+ + + p
+ P + +
P + +r+
+ + + +
+ + PKP
+Q+ R +

2748

31.Kg2-h3 White has a mate threat


[ 31.Kg2-f3 Diagram
(Diagram 2749)
Rg4-g6 32.Re1-e8+ Kg8-h7= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31.Kg2-f3
Rg4-g6 32.Re1-e8+ Kg8-h7
33.Qb1-e4 b7-b6 34.Re8-a8 Qa6-f1
35.Ra8-f8 Qf1-d1+ 36.Kf3-e3
Qd1-e1+ 37.Ke3-f3 Qe1-c3+
38.Kf3-e2 Qc3-b2+ 39.Ke2-f3 b6xc5
40.b4xc5 Qb2-b3+ 41.Kf3-e2
Qb3-a2+ 42.Ke2-f3 -0.07/11 ]

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
q+ + + p
+ P + +
P + +r+
+ + +K+
+ + P P
+Q+ R +

2749

31...Rg4-g6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 31...Rg4-g6 32.Re1-e3
Qa6-c6 33.Re3-g3 Qc6-e6+
34.Kh3-g2 Qe6-d5+ 35.Kg2-g1
Rg6-e6 36.Qb1-a1 g7-g6 37.Rg3-g4
Re6-e8 38.h2-h3 Re8-e2 39.Rg4-d4
Qd5-g5+ 40.Kg1-f1 Qg5-e7
41.Qa1-d1 Re2-a2 42.Kf1-g2 Qe7-e5
43.Rd4-d8+ Kg8-g7 -0.35/14 ]

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
q+ + +rp
+ P + +
P + + +
+ + + +K
+ + P P
+Q+ R +

2750

32.Qb1-f5? [ 32.Re1-e3!?!
Diagram
has some apparent merit ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 32.Re1-e3 Qa6-c4
33.Re3-g3 Rg6-f6 34.Rg3-e3 Rf6-e6
35.Re3xe6 Qc4xe6+ 36.Kh3-g3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
q+ + +rp
+ P + +
P + + +
+ + R +K
+ + P P
+Q+ + +

749

2751

Qe6-e5+ 37.Kg3-g2 Qe5-d5+


38.Kg2-g1 Qd5-g5+ 39.Kg1-f1
Qg5-e5 -0.23/10 ] 32...Qa6-c6
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...Qa6-c6 33.Re1-e3 Qc6-g2+
34.Kh3-h4 Qg2xh2+ 35.Re3-h3
Qh2-g1 36.Rh3-g3 Qg1-h1+
37.Qf5-h3 Qh1-e4+ Diagram

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
+ + +rp
+ P + +
P +q+ K
+ + + RQ
+ + P +
+ + + +

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
+q+ +rp
+ P +Q+
P + + +
+ + + +K
+ + P P
+ + R +

2753

35.Re3-h3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


33.Re1-e3 Qc6-g2+ 34.Kh3-h4
Qg2xh2+ 35.Re3-h3 Qh2-g1
36.Rh3-g3 Qg1-h1+ 37.Rg3-h3
Qh1-e1 38.Rh3-g3 Qe1xb4+ Diagram

2752

38.Rg3-g4 Qe4-e7+ 39.Kh4-g3


Qe7-e5+ 40.Kg3-g2 Qe5-e4+
41.Kg2-g3 Qe4xb4 42.Rg4xg6 f7xg6
43.Qh3-c8+ Kg8-h7 44.f2-f3 Qb4-b1
45.Qc8-b8 Qb1-b3 -1.19/13 ]
33.Re1-e4?? Diagram [ 33.Re1-e3
Qc6-g2+ 34.Kh3-h4 Qg2xh2+

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
+ + +rp
+ P +Q+
q + + K
+ + + R
+ + P +
+ + + +

2754

39.Kh4-h3 Rg6-e6 40.Kh3-g2 g7-g6


41.Qf5-d5 Qb4-b2 -1.37/11 ]
(Diagram 2755)
a blunder in a bad position
33...Rg6-g5-+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Rg6-g5 34.b4-b5 Qc6xb5
35.Qf5-f3 Qb5-d7+ 36.Kh3-h4 g7-g6
37.Re4-g4 Rg5xc5 38.Qf3-e3 Qd7-d6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
+q+ +rp
+ P +Q+
P +R+ +
+ + + +K
+ + P P
+ + + +

750

2755

39.Kh4-h3 Rc5-h5+ 40.Kh3-g2


Rh5xh2+ 41.Kg2-g1 h6-h5 Diagram

+ + +k+
+p+ +p+
+ q +p+
+ + + +p
+ + +R+
+ + Q +
+ + P r
+ + + K

2756

42.Rg4-d4 Qd6-c7 -2.41/10 ]


34.Qf5-f3 [ 34.b4-b5 Qc6xb5
( 34...Rg5xf5?! is clearly inferior
35.b5xc6 b7xc6 36.Kh3-g4 Rf5xc5
37.Re4-e8+ Kg8-h7 38.Re8-e7-+ )
35.Qf5-f3 Qb5-d7+ 36.Kh3-h4
g7-g6-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34.b4-b5 Qc6xb5 35.Qf5-f3 Qb5-d7+
36.Kh3-h4 Rg5xc5 37.Qf3-e3 Rc5-d5
38.Re4-e8+ Kg8-h7 39.f2-f4 g7-g6
40.Re8-e5 Diagram
Rd5-d2 41.f4-f5 Rd2xh2+ 42.Kh4-g3
-1.92/9 ] 34...Qc6-d7+ [Houdini 2.0c

+ + + +
+p+q+p+k
+ + +pp
+ +rR +
+ + P K
+ + Q +
+ + + P
+ + + +

2757

Pro x64: 34...g7-g6 35.Kh3-h4


Diagram

+ + +k+
+p+ +p+
+q+ +pp
+ P + r
P +R+ K
+ + +Q+
+ + P P
+ + + +

2758

Rg5-e5 36.Re4-e3 Re5-h5+


37.Kh4-g3 Rh5-g5+ 38.Kg3-h4
Qc6-d7 39.Re3-e4 Rg5-h5+
40.Qf3xh5 g6xh5 41.Kh4-g3 f7-f5
42.Re4-f4 Kg8-g7 43.Kg3-g2 Qd7-d5+
44.Kg2-g3 Qd5-e5 -5.02/11 ]
35.Kh3-h4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 35.Kh3-h4 Rg5-g1 36.c5-c6
b7xc6 37.Re4-g4 Rg1-d1 38.Qf3-e2
Rd1-d3 39.f2-f3 g7-g5+ 40.Kh4-g3
f7-f5 41.Rg4-c4 Rd3-d2 42.Qe2-e5
f5-f4+ 43.Rc4xf4 g5xf4+ 44.Qe5xf4
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+ +q+ +
+p+ + p
+ + + +
P + Q +
+ + +PK
+ r + P
+ + + +

751

2759

Qd7-g7+ 45.Qf4-g4 h6-h5


46.Qg4xg7+ Kg8xg7 -5.41/14 ]

+ + +k+
+p+q+pp
+ + + p
+ P + r
P +R+ K
+ + +Q+
+ + P P
+ + + +

2760

35...Rg5-g1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


35...Rg5-g1 Diagram
(Diagram 2761)
36.c5-c6 b7xc6 37.Re4-g4 Rg1-d1
38.Qf3-e2 Rd1-d3 39.f2-f3 g7-g5+
40.Kh4-g3 Qd7-d6+ 41.Kg3-h3
Rd3-d2 42.Qe2-e8+ Kg8-g7
43.Rg4-g2 -2.29/12 ] 36.Qf3-e3
[ 36.c5-c6 b7xc6 37.Re4-e5 Qd7-d8+
38.Kh4-h3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36.c5-c6 b7xc6 37.Re4-g4 Rg1-d1

+ + +k+
+p+q+pp
+ + + p
+ P + +
P +R+ K
+ + +Q+
+ + P P
+ + + r

2761

38.Qf3-e2 Rd1-d2 39.Qe2-e5 g7-g5+


40.Kh4-h5 Rd2xf2 41.h2-h4 f7-f6
42.Qe5-e4 -1.87/11 ] 36...Qd7-f5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36...Qd7-f5 37.Re4-e8+ Kg8-h7
38.Re8-h8+ Kh7xh8 39.Qe3-e8+
Kh8-h7 40.Qe8-h8+ Kh7xh8 41.f2-f3
Qf5xf3 42.h2-h3 g7-g5# -#7/16 ]

+ + +k+
+p+ +pp
+ + + p
+ P +q+
P +R+ K
+ + Q +
+ + P P
+ + + r

2762

37.Re4-e8+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


37.Re4-e8+ Kg8-h7 38.Re8-h8+
Kh7xh8 39.Qe3-e8+ Kh8-h7
40.Qe8-h8+ Kh7xh8 41.f2-f3 Qf5xf3
42.h2-h3 g7-g5# -#6/22 Diagram
] 37...Kg8-h7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...Kg8-h7 -0.61/1 ] 38.Qe3-e4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + k
+p+ +p+
+ + + p
+ P + p
P + + K
+ + +q+P
+ + + +
+ + + r

752

2763

[ 38.Re8-h8+ doesn't do any good


Kh7xh8 39.Qe3-e8+ Kh8-h7
40.Qe8-h8+ Kh7xh8 41.f2-f3 g7-g5+
42.Kh4-h5 Qf5-g6# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 38.Re8-h8+ Diagram

+ + + R
+p+ +ppk
+ + + p
+ P +q+
P + + K
+ + Q +
+ + P P
+ + + r

2764

Kh7xh8 39.Qe3-e8+ Kh8-h7


40.Qe8-h8+ Kh7xh8 41.f2-f3 Qf5xf3
42.h2-h3 g7-g5# -#5/20 ] 38...g7-g5+
Diagram [ 38...g7-g5+ 39.Kh4-h5
Qf5-g6+ Diagram
40.Qe4xg6+ f7xg6# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 38...g7-g5+ 39.Kh4-h5 Diagram
Qf5-g6+ 40.Qe4xg6+ f7xg6# -#3/9 ]
0-1

+ +R+ +
+p+ +p+k
+ + +qp
+ P + pK
P +Q+ +
+ + + +
+ + P P
+ + + r

+ +R+ +
+p+ +p+k
+ + + p
+ P +qpK
P +Q+ +
+ + + +
+ + P P
+ + + r

+ +R+ +
+p+ +p+k
+ + + p
+ P +qp
P +Q+ K
+ + + +
+ + P P
+ + + r

2765

2766

2767

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

753

53

B90

Vassily Ivanchuk
Veselin Topalov
Morelia Morelia, Mexico (2)

18.02.2007

B90: Sicilian Najdorf: Unusual White


6th moves, 6 Be3 Ng4 and 6 Be3 e5
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 d7-d6
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram

rnlqklnr
pp+ pppp
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

2768

+ q rk+
+r+ l pp
p+npp+ +
+p+Np +
+ +P+ +
+ + +N+
PPPQ PPP
R + +RK

2769

Pro x64: 19...Qd8xe7 20.Rd1-d2


Rf8-d8 21.Rf1-d1 Qe7-f7 22.Qc3-e3
Qf7-f6 23.h2-h3 h7-h6 24.c2-c3
Qf6-e7 25.Rd2-d3 Kg8-h8 26.Qe3-b6
Rd7-b7 0.61/14 Diagram

n r + k
+r+ q p
pQ pp+ p
+p+ p +
+ +P+ +
+ PR+N+P
PP + PP+
+ +R+ K

2770

Ng8-f6 5.Nb1-c3 a7-a6 6.Bc1-e3


e7-e5 7.Nd4-f3 Bf8-e7 8.Bf1-c4 0-0
9.0-0 Bc8-e6 10.Bc4xe6 f7xe6
11.Nc3-a4 Nf6-g4 12.Qd1-d3 Ng4xe3
13.Qd3xe3 b7-b5 14.Na4-b6 Ra8-a7
15.Nb6-d5 Ra7-b7 16.Qe3-d2
Nb8-c6N Diagram [RR 16...Kg8-h8
17.Nd5xe7 Qd8xe7 18.Rf1-d1 Rb7-b6
19.Qd2-e3 Rb6-c6 20.c2-c3 Nb8-d7
21.a2-a4 Nd7-c5 22.a4xb5 a6xb5
23.Ra1-a5 Rf8-b8 24.Rd1-a1 h7-h6
25.Qe3-e2 b5-b4 26.Ra5-b5 Rc6-b6
] 20.Rd1-d3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27.Rb5xb6 - Popovic,D (2551)20.Rd1-d2 Diagram
Popovic,P (2474)/Zlatibor 2007/CBM
120 ext ]
(Diagram 2771)
(Diagram 2769)
17.Ra1-d1 Rb7-d7 18.Qd2-c3
Nc6-b8 19.Nd5xe7+ last book move
last book move Qd8xe7 [Houdini 2.0c

Rd7-c7 21.Qc3-a3 Rf8-c8 22.Qa3xd6


Qe7xd6 23.Rd2xd6 Rc7xc2 24.Nf3xe5
Nb8-c6 25.Ne5-d3 e6-e5 26.Rf1-d1
Rc2-c4 27.Rd1-c1 Rc4xc1+
28.Nd3xc1 Kg8-f7 29.Nc1-d3 Kf7-e7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

n + rk+
+ +rq pp
p+ pp+ +
+p+ p +
+ +P+ +
+ Q +N+
PPPR PPP
+ + +RK

754
21...Rf8-d8 [ 21...Rd7-c7 22.Qc3-a3
Rc7xc2 23.Rd3xd6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21...Rd7-c7 Diagram
2771

n + rk+
+ r q p
p+ pp+ p
+p+ p +
+ +P+ +
+ QR+N+
PPP+ PPP
+ +R+ K

0.71/12 ] 20...h7-h6 [ 20...Rd7-c7


Diagram

n + rk+
+ r q pp
p+ pp+ +
+p+ p +
+ +P+ +
+ QR+N+
PPP+ PPP
+ + +RK

22.Qc3-d2 Nb8-c6 23.a2-a3 Rf8-f4


24.c2-c3 Rf4xe4 25.Rd3xd6 Re4-a4
26.Rd6-d7 Rc7xd7 27.Qd2xd7
Qe7xd7 28.Rd1xd7 e5-e4 29.Nf3-d2
Nc6-e5 0.56/12 ] 22.h2-h4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.h2-h3
Qe7-f6 23.a2-a4 Kg8-h7 24.Rd3-e3
Qf6-e7 25.a4xb5 a6xb5 26.Qc3-d3
Rd8-c8 27.Rd1-a1 Nb8-c6 28.Qd3xb5
Rd7-a7 29.Ra1xa7 Qe7xa7 0.69/13 ]

2772

21.Qc3-d2 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


20...Rf8-f4 21.Rf1-e1 Rd7-d8
22.a2-a4 b5xa4 23.Qc3-a5 Rd8-c8
24.Qa5xa4 d6-d5 25.Nf3xe5 Qe7-c5
26.Ne5-f3 Qc5xc2 27.Qa4xc2 Rc8xc2
28.e4xd5 e6xd5 29.Rd3xd5 Rc2xb2
0.44/11 ] 21.Rf1-d1 [ 21.Rd3-d2
Rd7-c7 22.Qc3-a3 Nb8-c6 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.Rd3-d2
Rf8-f4 22.Rf1-e1 g7-g6 23.Qc3-e3
Nb8-c6 24.Qe3-b6 Nc6-b4 25.a2-a3
Rd7-b7 26.Qb6xd6 Qe7xd6
27.Rd2xd6 Nb4xc2 0.66/11 ]

2773

(Diagram 2774)
22...Kg8-h7 Diagram [ 22...Rd7-c7
23.Qc3-d2 Rc7-d7 24.Qd2-e3 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22...Rd7-c7
23.Qc3-d2 Rc7-d7 24.h4-h5 Qe7-f7
25.Qd2-e3 Nb8-c6 26.Qe3-b6 Nc6-d4
27.Nf3xd4 e5xd4 28.Rd3xd4 Qf7xh5
29.Qb6xa6 Qh5-c5 30.a2-a4 Rd7-f7
31.Rd1-d2 b5xa4 32.Rd4xd6 Rd8-f8
33.Rd6-d4 Qc5-e5 34.Qa6xa4 0.49/12
Diagram
]
23.Rd1-d2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23.a2-a4 Qe7-f6 24.Rd1-e1
b5xa4 25.Qc3-b4 Rd7-c7 26.Qb4xa4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

755
Kh7-g8 29.c2-c3 0.54/12 Diagram

n r +k+
+ +rq p
p+ pp+ p
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
+ QR+N+
PPP+ PP+
+ +R+ K

+ + rk+
+ + +rp
+ +p+ p
+ + q +
Q+ RP+ +
+ + + +
PPR PP+
+ + + K

n r + +
+ +rq pk
p+ pp+ p
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
+ QR+N+
PPP+ PP+
+ +R+ K

+ r +k+
+ r q p
p+npp+ p
+ + p +P
Q+ +P+ +
+ PR+N+
P + PP+
+ +R+ K

2774

2777

]
2775

n r + +
+ +rq pk
p+ pp+ p
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
+ QR+N+
PPPR PP+
+ + + K

2778

23...Qe7-f8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


23...g7-g6 24.a2-a4 Kh7-g7
25.Qc3-b3 Nb8-c6 26.a4xb5 a6xb5
27.h4-h5 b5-b4 28.h5xg6 Kg7xg6
29.c2-c3 Rd7-a7 30.c3xb4 Ra7-a1+
31.Rd2-d1 0.50/12 ] 24.Qc3-b3
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.Rd3-e3 Qf8-f6 25.Rd2-d1 Qf6-e7
26.Qc3-a5 Rd8-c8 27.c2-c3 Qe7-d8
28.Qa5-a3 Rc8-c4 29.b2-b3 Rc4-c8
30.h4-h5 0.55/12 Diagram

2776

]
24...Qf8-e8 [ 24...Qf8-f6 25.c2-c4 ;
Nb8-c6 27.Re1-d1 Qf6-e7 28.h4-h5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

nrq + +
+ +r+ pk
p+ pp+ p
+p+ p +P
+ +P+ +
QPP RN+
P+ + PP+
+ +R+ K

n r q +
+ +r+ pk
p+ pp+ p
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
+Q+R+N+
PPPR PP+
+ + + K

756

n r + +
+ +r+ pk
p+ ppq p
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
+Q+R+N+
PPPR PP+
+ + + K

2779

n + + +
+r+ + pk
p+ +p+ p
+ + p +P
+ +P+ +
+ + +N+
PP + PP+
+ +R+ K

2780

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Qf8-f6


Diagram

2781

2782

Qe7-g5 Diagram
(Diagram 2783)

(Diagram 2781)
25.c2-c4 b5xc4 26.Qb3xc4 Qf6-e7
27.Qc4-a4 Rd8-c8 28.h4-h5 Rc8-c1+
29.Rd2-d1 Rd7-c7 30.Qa4-b4 Rc7-b7
31.Qb4xd6 Qe7xd6 32.Rd3xd6
Rc1xd1+ 33.Rd6xd1 Diagram
Rb7xb2 34.Nf3xe5 Rb2xa2 0.48/12 ]
25.a2-a4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.a2-a4 Qe8-f7 26.a4xb5
a6xb5 27.Qb3xb5 Rd7-b7 28.Qb5-a5
Qf7-e7 29.Nf3xe5 Rb7xb2 30.h4-h5

31.Ne5-c4 Rb2-b1+ 32.Rd2-d1


Qg5xa5 33.Nc4xa5 Rb1xd1+
34.Rd3xd1 d6-d5 35.e4xd5 Rd8xd5
36.Rd1xd5 e6xd5 0.70/13 Diagram
(Diagram 2784)
]
25...Qe8-g6 [ 25...d6-d5 26.Nf3xe5
( 26.e4xd5 e5-e4 27.Rd3-e3 e4xf3
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

n r + +
+ + + pk
+ pp+ p
Q + N qP
+ +P+ +
+ +R+ +
rPR PP+
+ + + K

n + + +
+ + + pk
+ + + p
N +p+ +P
+ + + +
+ + + +
+P+ PP+
+ + + K

n rq+ +
+ +r+ pk
p+ pp+ p
+p+ p +
P+ +P+ P
+Q+R+N+
PPR PP+
+ + + K

757

2783

n rq+ +
+ +r+ pk
p+ +p+ p
+p+P+ +
P+ + + P
+Q+ Rp+
PPR PP+
+ + + K

2786

; 26.a4xb5?! is no comparison d5xe4


27.Rd3xd7 Nb8xd7 Diagram
2784

+ rq+ +
+ +n+ pk
p+ +p+ p
+P+ p +
+ +p+ P
+Q+ +N+
PPR PP+
+ + + K

2787

28.b5xa6 e4xf3 29.Qb3xf3 Nd7-b6


2785 30.Qf3-e4+ Kh7-g8 31.Rd2xd8
Qe8xd8+- ) 26...d5xe4 27.Ne5xd7
e4xd3 28.Nd7-c5 ( 28.Qb3xd3+?
Kh7-h8-+ ) 28...b5xa4 29.Qb3-c4
( 29.Qb3xe6?! Qe8xe6 30.Nc5xe6
Rd8-d6 ) 29...d3xc2 30.Qc4xc2+
Kh7-g8 31.Rd2xd8 Qe8xd8
32.Qc2xa4 Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...Qe8-f7
26.a4xb5 a6xb5 27.Qb3xb5 Rd7-b7
28.Qb5-a5 Qf7-e7 29.Nf3xe5 Rb7xb2
30.h4-h5 Qe7-g5 31.Ne5-c4 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

n q +k+
+ + + p
p+ +p+ p
+ N + +
Q+ + + P
+ + + +
P + PP+
+ + + K

n r + +
+ + + pk
+ pp+ p
Q + + qP
+N+P+ +
+ +R+ +
rPR PP+
+ + + K

758

2788

2789

Rb2-b1+ 32.Rd2-d1 Qg5xa5


33.Nc4xa5 Rb1xd1+ 34.Rd3xd1 d6-d5
35.e4xd5 Rd8xd5 36.Rd1xd5 e6xd5
0.95/12 Diagram
(Diagram 2790)
] 26.a4xb5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26.Rd2-e2 Diagram

n + + +
+ + + pk
+ + + p
N +p+ +P
+ + + +
+ + + +
+P+ PP+
+ + + K

n r + +
+ +r+ pk
p+ pp+qp
+p+ p +
P+ +P+ P
+Q+R+N+
PP+RPP+
+ + + K

2790

2791

Ra7-a1+ 33.Re2-e1 Ra1xe1+


34.Nf3xe1 Qe7xh4 0.79/13 ]
(Diagram 2792)
26...a6xb5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26...a6xb5 27.Qb3-b4 Qg6-f7
28.Qb4xb5 Diagram
(Diagram 2793)

(Diagram 2791)
Qg6-e8 27.a4xb5 a6xb5 28.Qb3xb5
Qe8-e7 29.b2-b4 Rd7-b7 30.Qb5-c4
Rb7-c7 31.Qc4-b3 Rc7-a7 32.b4-b5

Rd7-b7 29.Qb5-a5 Qf7-e7 30.Nf3xe5


Rb7xb2 31.h4-h5 Qe7-g5 32.Ne5-c4
Rb2-b1+ 33.Rd2-d1 Qg5xa5
34.Nc4xa5 Rb1xd1+ 35.Rd3xd1 d6-d5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

n r + +
+ +r+ pk
p+ pp+qp
+P+ p +
+ +P+ P
+Q+R+N+
PPR PP+
+ + + K

n r + +
+ +r+qpk
+ pp+ p
+Q+ p +
+ +P+ P
+ +R+N+
PPR PP+
+ + + K

759

2792

2793

36.e4xd5 Rd8xd5 37.Rd1xd5 e6xd5


0.95/12 Diagram
(Diagram 2794)
]
(Diagram 2795)
27.Rd3-e3 Diagram [ 27.Qb3-b4
Rd7-a7 28.Rd3xd6 Ra7-a1+
29.Kg1-h2 Diagram
Qg6-g4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27.Qb3-b4 Diagram
Qg6-f7 28.h4-h5 Qf7-f4 29.Rd3-e3

n + + +
+ + + pk
+ + + p
N +p+ +P
+ + + +
+ + + +
+P+ PP+
+ + + K

n r + +
+ +r+ pk
+ pp+qp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
+Q+R+N+
PPR PP+
+ + + K

n r + +
+ + + pk
+ Rp+qp
+p+ p +
Q +P+ P
+ + +N+
PPR PPK
r + + +

2794

2795

2796

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

n r + +
+ +r+ pk
+ pp+qp
+p+ p +
Q +P+ P
+ +R+N+
PPR PP+
+ + + K

760

2797

Nb8-a6 30.Qb4xb5 Na6-c5 31.g2-g3


Qf4-g4 0.88/11 ]

n r + +
+ +r+ pk
+ pp+qp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
+Q+ RN+
PPR PP+
+ + + K
27...Nb8-a6 Diagram [
Diagram

2798

27...Qg6-f7+-

(Diagram 2799)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27...Qg6-f7
28.c2-c3 Rd7-a7 29.Re3-e1 Nb8-a6
30.Qb3xb5 Qf7-c7 31.Re1-a1 Na6-c5
32.Ra1xa7 Qc7xa7 33.Nf3xe5 Nc5xe4
34.Ne5-c6 Diagram
Qa7-a1+ 35.Kg1-h2 Ne4xd2
36.Nc6xd8 0.52/11 ]
28.Qb3xb5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

n r + +
+ +r+qpk
+ pp+ p
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
+Q+ RN+
PPR PP+
+ + + K

+ r + +
q + + pk
+Npp+ p
+Q+ + +
+ +n+ P
+ P + +
P R PP+
+ + + K

+ r + +
+ +r+ pk
n+ pp+qp
+p+ p +
+ +P+ P
+Q+ RN+
PPR PP+
+ + + K
28.Qb3xb5 Diagram

2799

2800

2801

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + +
+ +r+ pk
n+ pp+qp
+Q+ p +
+ +P+ P
+ + RN+
PPR PP+
+ + + K

761

2802

Na6-c7 29.Qb5-c6 Qg6-f6 30.b2-b4


Nc7-e8 31.b4-b5 Rd7-c7 32.Qc6-a6
Rd8-b8 33.Re3-b3 Rc7-c4 34.b5-b6
Rc4xe4 35.Qa6-a7 Qf6-d8 36.Qa7-f7
Ne8-f6 37.b6-b7 d6-d5 38.Qf7xe6
Qd8-c7 39.Qe6-f5+ Kh7-h8 0.83/12 ]
28...Na6-c5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28...Na6-c7 29.Qb5-c6 Qg6-f6
30.b2-b4 Nc7-e8 31.b4-b5 Rd7-c7
32.Qc6-a6 Rd8-b8 33.h4-h5 Rc7-c4
34.Re3-b3 Qf6-f7 35.b5-b6 Diagram
(Diagram 2803)
Rc4xe4 36.b6-b7 Qf7-c7 37.Qa6-a7
Re4-g4 38.Rb3-b6 Kh7-g8
39.Kg1-h2 0.98/13 ]
(Diagram 2804)
29.Qb5-c4 [ 29.Qb5-c6 Rd7-a7
30.Rd2xd6 Rd8xd6 31.Qc6xd6
Nc5xe4 32.Qd6xe5 Ne4-f6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29.h4-h5
Qg6xh5 30.b2-b4 Diagram
Nc5-b7 31.Re3-a3 Rd7-f7 32.Qb5-c6
Rd8-f8 33.Rd2-d3 Qh5-g4 34.c2-c4
Diagram
Kh7-g8 35.c4-c5 d6xc5 36.b4xc5
0.81/11 ] 29...Rd7-a7 [Houdini 2.0c

r +n+ +
+ + +qpk
QP pp+ p
+ + p +P
+r+P+ +
+R+ +N+
+PR PP+
+ + + K

+ r + +
+ +r+ pk
+ pp+qp
+Qn p +
+ +P+ P
+ + RN+
PPR PP+
+ + + K

+ r + +
+ +r+ pk
+ pp+ p
+Qn p +q
P +P+ +
+ + RN+
+PR PP+
+ + + K

2803

2804

2805

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + r +
+n+ +rpk
+Qpp+ p
+ + p +
PP+P+q+
R +R+N+
+ + PP+
+ + + K

762

2806

Pro x64: 29...Rd8-a8 30.Re3-e1


Qg6-f7 31.b2-b4 Nc5-b7 32.Qc4-d3
Rd7-c7 33.c2-c4 Rc7-c8 34.Re1-d1
Qf7-c7 35.Rd2-c2 Ra8-a4 36.Qd3-d2
Kh7-g8 0.89/12 ] 30.Re3-e1
[ 30.Rd2-d1 Qg6-e8+- Diagram

+ rq+ +
r + + pk
+ pp+ p
+ n p +
+Q+P+ P
+ + RN+
PP+ PP+
+ +R+ K

2807

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.b2-b4


Ra7-a1+ 31.Kg1-h2 Nc5-d7
32.Qc4-c3 Ra1-f1 33.Qc3-d3 Rf1-a1
34.Rd2-d1 Ra1-a8 35.Kh2-g1 Nd7-f6
36.b4-b5 Qg6-f7 37.b5-b6 Qf7-b7
38.Rd1-b1 Ra8-a6 39.Nf3xe5 Ra6xb6
40.Rb1xb6 Diagram
Qb7xb6 1.13/11 ] 30...Qg6-e8
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

+ r + +
+q+ + pk
R ppn p
+ + N +
+ +P+ P
+ +QR +
+P+ PP+
+ + + K

2808

30...Nc5-b7 31.b2-b4 Qg6-e8


Diagram

+ rq+ +
rn+ + pk
+ pp+ p
+ + p +
PQ+P+ P
+ + +N+
+PR PP+
+ + R K
32.Rd2-d3
34.Rd3-c3
36.Rc3-c6
38.Qb3-e3

2809

Rd8-c8 33.Qc4-b3 Qe8-e7


Rc8-a8 35.h4-h5 Ra7-a4
Nb7-d8 37.Rc6-b6 Qe7-c7
Nd8-c6 0.83/13 ]
(Diagram 2810)

31.b2-b4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 31.Nf3xe5 Diagram
d6xe5 32.Rd2xd8 Qe8xd8 33.Qc4xc5
Qd8-d4 34.Qc5xd4 e5xd4 35.Re1-d1
e6-e5 36.c2-c3 d4xc3 37.b2xc3
Ra7-c7 38.Rd1-d3 Kh7-g6 39.Kg1-f1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rq+ +
r + + pk
+ pp+ p
+ n p +
+Q+P+ P
+ + +N+
PPR PP+
+ + R K

+ rq+ +
r + + pk
+ pp+ p
+ n N +
+Q+P+ P
+ + + +
PPR PP+
+ + R K

763

2810

2811

+ rq+ +
r + + pk
+ pp+ p
+ n p +
PQ+P+ P
+ + +N+
+PR PP+
+ + R K

+ rq+ +
r + + pk
+ pp+ p
+ + p +
nPQ+P+ P
+ + +N+
+PR PP+
+ + R K

2812

2813

Kg6-f6 40.Rd3-d6+ Kf6-e7 1.12/11 ]


(Diagram 2812)
31...Nc5-a4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 31...Nc5-b7 32.Rd2-d3
Rd8-c8 33.Qc4-b3 Qe8-e7 34.Rd3-d2
Rc8-a8 35.Qb3-c4 Ra7-a3 36.Re1-d1
Kh7-g8 37.h4-h5 Qe7-f7 38.c2-c3
0.79/13 ]
32.Qc4-b3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.Qc4-d3 Diagram
Rd8-d7 33.c2-c4 Na4-b6 34.c4-c5
d6xc5 35.Qd3-b5 Qe8-d8 36.b4xc5
Rd7xd2 37.c5xb6 Ra7-a2 38.Nf3xd2

+ rq+ +
r + + pk
+ pp+ p
+ + p +
nP +P+ P
+ +Q+N+
+PR PP+
+ + R K
Qd8xd2 39.Re1-f1 1.05/12 ]

2814

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

764

32...Na4-b6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


32...Qe8-e7 33.Re1-d1 Diagram

+ r + +
r + q pk
+ pp+ p
+ + p +
nP +P+ P
+Q+ +N+
+PR PP+
+ +R+ K

2815

Rd8-d7 34.h4-h5 Na4-b6 35.Rd2-d3


Nb6-a4 36.Nf3-d2 Na4-b6 37.Rd3-f3
Rd7-c7 38.Qb3-e3 Nb6-c4 39.Nd2xc4
Rc7xc4 1.02/13 ] 33.Re1-d1
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Re1-d1
Ra7-d7 34.Rd2-d3 Qe8-g6 35.b4-b5
Qg6-f6 36.Rd1-a1 d6-d5 37.Qb3-b4
Nb6-c4 38.h4-h5 Qf6-f7 39.Nf3-d2
Nc4xd2 40.Rd3xd2 Qf7xh5 41.b5-b6
Rd7-b7 42.c2-c4 1.14/13 ] 33...Ra7-d7
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Qe8-b5 34.Rd2xd6 Rd8xd6
35.Rd1xd6 Nb6-c4 36.Rd6-d3
Ra7-a1+ 37.Kg1-h2 Ra1-a4 38.c2-c3
Ra4-a8 39.Qb3-c2 g7-g6 40.Rd3-d1
Kh7-g7 41.Qc2-d3 Ra8-a7 42.Nf3-d2
1.68/12 ]
(Diagram 2816)
34.Qb3-d3 Diagram [ 34.b4-b5!?
Qe8-f7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34.Rd2-d3 Diagram
Qe8-g6 35.b4-b5 Qg6xe4 36.Qb3xe6
Nb6-a4 37.Rd3-d4 Qe4xc2 38.Nf3xe5
Rd7-b7 39.Rd4xd6 Rd8xd6
40.Rd1xd6 Rb7xb5 41.Ne5-d3
Rb5-b1+ 42.Kg1-h2 Rb1-b8

+ rq+ +
+ +r+ pk
n pp+ p
+ + p +
P +P+ P
+Q+ +N+
+PR PP+
+ +R+ K

+ rq+ +
+ +r+ pk
n pp+ p
+ + p +
P +P+ P
+Q+R+N+
+P+ PP+
+ +R+ K

2816

2817

43.Qe6-e4+ Kh7-g8 44.Rd6-d7


1.42/11 ]
(Diagram 2818)
34...Rd8-c8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 34...Rd8-c8 35.c2-c3 Rd7-c7
36.Rd2-c2 Kh7-g8 37.Rd1-a1 Qe8-d7
38.Ra1-a6 Nb6-c4 39.Rc2-a2 Qd7-f7
40.b4-b5 Rc8-b8 41.b5-b6 Nc4xb6
42.Qd3xd6 Nb6-c4 43.Qd6xe6
Rb8-b1+ 44.Kg1-h2 0.69/14 ]
35.c2-c3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 35.Rd1-a1 Nb6-c4 36.Rd2-e2
Rd7-c7 37.Re2-e1 Qe8-b5 38.c2-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ rq+ +
+ +r+ pk
n pp+ p
+ + p +
P +P+ P
+ +Q+N+
+PR PP+
+ +R+ K

+r+q+ +
+ +r+ pk
n pp+ p
+ + p +
P +P+ P
+ +Q+N+
+PR PP+
+ +R+ K

765

2818

2819

Qb5-b6 39.Ra1-a2 Rc7-f7 40.Re1-a1


Kh7-g8 41.Ra2-a8 0.70/12 ]
(Diagram 2820)
35...Rd7-a7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 35...Rd7-c7 36.Rd2-c2
Kh7-g8 37.Rd1-a1 Qe8-d7 38.Ra1-a6
Nb6-c4 39.Rc2-a2 d6-d5 40.Ra6-a8
Qd7-f7 41.b4-b5 Qf7-g6 42.Ra8xc8+
Rc7xc8 0.79/12 ]
36.Qd3-e3 [ 36.Rd2-c2 Qe8-a4+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36.Rd2-c2
Diagram
Qe8-a4 37.Nf3-d2 Kh7-g8 38.Rc2-c1

+r+q+ +
+ +r+ pk
n pp+ p
+ + p +
P +P+ P
+ PQ+N+
+ R PP+
+ +R+ K

+r+q+ +
r + + pk
n pp+ p
+ + p +
P +P+ P
+ PQ+N+
+ R PP+
+ +R+ K

+r+q+ +
r + + pk
n pp+ p
+ + p +
P +P+ P
+ PQ+N+
+R+ PP+
+ +R+ K

2820

2821

2822

Qa4-d7 39.b4-b5 Qd7-c7 40.c3-c4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

766

Ra7-a2 41.c4-c5 d6xc5 42.Qd3-b3


Rc8-a8 43.Qb3xe6+ Kg8-h8
44.Nd2-c4 0.96/12 ] 36...Ra7-a6
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36...Ra7-a6 37.Rd2-c2 Nb6-c4
38.Qe3-d3 Qe8-a4 39.Rd1-b1 Qa4-b5
40.Nf3-d2 Ra6-a8 41.Nd2xc4 Rc8xc4
42.Rb1-d1 Diagram

r+ + + +
+ + + pk
+ pp+ p
+q+ p +
Pr+P+ P
+ PQ+ +
+R+ PP+
+ +R+ K

+r+q+ +
+ + + pk
R+ +p+ p
+ + p +
P +P+ P
+ P nN+
+ + PP+
+ +R+ K

2823

2825

Qa4-b5 41.Nf3-h4 Qb5-c6 42.Nh4-g6


Kh7-g8 43.Rc1-d1 Rc8-a8 0.60/14 ]
37...Nb6-c4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 37...Nb6-c4 38.Rd2-a2 Ra6xa2
39.Qe2xa2 Qe8-c6 40.Qa2-e2 Qc6-a4
41.Rd1-c1 Kh7-g8 42.h4-h5 Qa4-a3
43.Qe2-c2 d6-d5 44.e4xd5 e6xd5
45.b4-b5 Qa3-c5 46.Rc1-e1 Qc5xb5
47.Nf3xe5 Nc4xe5 48.Re1xe5 0.57/15

Qb5-c6 43.Qd3xd6 Qc6xe4 0.69/13 ]


]

+r+q+ +
+ + + pk
rn pp+ p
+ + p +
P +P+ P
+ P QN+
+ R PP+
+ +R+ K

2824

37.Qe3-e2 [ 37.Rd2xd6 is clearly


weaker Nb6-c4 38.Rd6xa6 Nc4xe3
Diagram
39.f2xe3 Qe8-g6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 37.Rd2-c2 Nb6-c4 38.Qe3-d3
Qe8-a4 39.h4-h5 Ra6-a7 40.Rd1-c1

+r+q+ +
+ + + pk
r+ pp+ p
+ + p +
Pn+P+ P
+ P +N+
+ RQPP+
+ +R+ K
38.Rd2-a2
38.Rd2-c2
40.Qe2-d3
42.Nh4-g6
44.Rc2-e2

2826

[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


Qe8-a4 39.h4-h5 Kh7-g8
Ra6-a8 41.Nf3-h4 Qa4-d7
Ra8-a3 43.Qd3-f3 Rc8-a8
0.65/13 ] 38...Ra6-c6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

767
50.Re5-e6 0.88/12 ] 39...Rc6-c7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 39...Rc8-a8
40.Rd1-a1 Ra8-c8 41.Ra1-a2 Rc6-c7
42.Ra7xc7 Rc8xc7 43.Qe2-d3 Qe8-c6
44.Nf3-d2 Rc7-c8 45.h4-h5 Diagram

Diagram [ 38...Ra6xa2 39.Qe2xa2


Qe8-c6 40.Qa2-e2 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 38...Ra6xa2 39.Qe2xa2 Qe8-c6
40.Qa2-e2 Nc4-a3 41.Rd1-c1 Rc8-b8
42.Qe2-e3 Na3-c4 43.Qe3-d3 Rb8-f8
44.Nf3-d2 Nc4xd2 45.Qd3xd2 d6-d5
46.Rc1-a1 d5xe4 0.60/12 ]

+r+q+ +
+ + + pk
+rpp+ p
+ + p +
Pn+P+ P
+ P +N+
R+ +QPP+
+ +R+ K

+r+ + +
+ + + pk
+qpp+ p
+ + p +P
Pn+P+ +
+ PQ+ +
R+ N PP+
+ + + K

2827

2829

Nc4xd2 46.Ra2xd2 Qc6xc3


47.Qd3xc3 Rc8xc3 48.Rd2xd6
Rc3-c1+ 49.Kg1-h2 Rc1-c2
39.Ra2-a7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
50.Rd6xe6 Rc2xf2 51.Re6xe5 1.05/12
39.g2-g3 Diagram
] 40.Rd1-a1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 40.Ra7xc7 Rc8xc7 41.Nf3-d2
Nc4-b2 42.Rd1-c1 Qe8-a4 43.h4-h5
2828 Qa4-a3 44.Nd2-b1 Qa3-b3 45.Qe2-e3
Nb2-a4 46.Qe3-d3 Qb3-b2 47.Rc1-d1
Rc7-c6 48.Rd1-d2 Qb2-c1+
49.Kg1-h2 Kh7-g8 0.89/13 ]

+r+q+ +
+ + + pk
+rpp+ p
+ + p +
Pn+P+ P
+ P +NP
R+ +QP +
+ +R+ K

Qe8-f7 40.b4-b5 Rc6-c5 41.Nf3-d2


Qf7-b7 42.Nd2xc4 Rc5xc4 43.Rd1xd6
Qb7xb5 44.Rd6xe6 Qb5-b1+
45.Kg1-g2 Qb1xe4+ 46.Qe2xe4+
Rc4xe4 47.Ra2-a7 Rc8xc3 48.Re6-e7
Re4-g4 49.Re7xe5 Rc3-c2

(Diagram 2830)
40...Qe8-f7?? Diagram
[ 40...Kh7-g8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
40...Kh7-h8 41.Ra1-a6 Rc7-e7
42.Qe2-d3 Qe8-f7 43.Ra7-a8 Re7-e8
44.Ra8xc8 Re8xc8 45.Nf3-d2 Qf7-b7
46.Ra6-a2 Nc4xd2 47.Ra2xd2 1.06/12
]
leading to a quick end 41.Qe2xc4!!
Deflection: c7 [ 41.Qe2xc4 Rc7xa7
42.Ra1xa7 Rc8xc4 43.Ra7xf7 Rc4xc3
44.b4-b5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+q+ +
R r + pk
+ pp+ p
+ + p +
Pn+P+ P
+ P +N+
+ +QPP+
R + + K

+r+ + +
R r +qpk
+ pp+ p
+ + p +
Pn+P+ P
+ P +N+
+ +QPP+
R + + K

768

+ + + +
+R+ + p
P ppk p
+ + p +P
r +P+ +
+ + +NK
+ + PP+
+ + + +

2830

54
2831

41.Qe2xc4 Rc7xa7 42.Ra1xa7


Rc8xc4 43.Ra7xf7 Rc4xc3 44.b4-b5
Rc3-b3 45.Rf7-b7 Rb3-b1+ 46.Kg1-h2
Kh7-g6 47.b5-b6 Rb1-b4 48.Kh2-g3
Kg6-f6 49.h4-h5 Diagram
(Diagram 2832)
Rb4xe4 50.Rb7-d7 d6-d5 51.b6-b7
Re4-b4 52.Rd7-c7 Rb4-b2 5.22/12 ]
1-0

2832

A17

Vladimir Kramnik
Vassily Ivanchuk
16th Amber Tournament (Rapid) rapid (5)
A17: English Opening: 1...Nf6 with ...
Bb4
1.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6
3.Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4 4.Qd1-c2 Diagram
(Diagram 2833)
0-0 5.a2-a3 Bb4xc3 6.Qc2xc3
d7-d6 7.b2-b4 a7-a5 8.Bc1-b2 e6-e5
9.g2-g3 [RR 9.e2-e3 Bc8-g4
- Tratar,M (2476)-Czakon,J (2482)/
San Sebastian 2007/CBM 117 ext ]
9...a5xb4 10.a3xb4 Ra8xa1+
11.Bb2xa1 b7-b5N [RR 11...b7-b6
12.Bf1-g2 Nb8-c6 13.0-0 Bc8-g4
14.b4-b5 Nc6-b8 15.h2-h3 Bg4-h5
16.d2-d3 Nb8-d7 17.Ba1-b2 Nd7-c5
18.Rf1-a1 Qd8-d7 19.g3-g4 Bh5-g6
20.Nf3-h4 Qd7-e7 21.Ra1-a7 Nf6-e8
22.Nh4xg6 f7xg6 23.d3-d4 e5xd4
24.Bg2-d5+ Kg8-h8 25.Qc3xd4
Qe7xe2 26.Ra7xc7 Van Wely,L (2700)Almasi,Z (2640)/Monte Carlo 2001/

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rnlqk+ r
pppp+ppp
+ +pn +
+ + + +
lP+ + +
+ N +N+
PPQPPPPP
R L KL+R

769

2833

CBM 081 ext/- (36) ] 12.c4xb5


Bc8-d7 13.e2-e3 Qd8-c8 14.Bf1-e2
Qc8-b7 Attacks the isolani on b5
15.d2-d3 Diagram

n + rk+
+qpl+ppp
+ p n +
+P+ p +
P + + +
+ QPPNP
+ +LP P
L + K +R

2834

Bd7xb5 16.0-0 last book move last


book move Nb8-c6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 16...Nb8-a6 17.Qc3-d2 Nf6-d5
18.Nf3-h4 Nd5xb4 19.e3-e4 Bb5-d7
20.d3-d4 Qb7xe4 21.d4xe5 Rf8-e8
22.Be2xa6 Nb4xa6 23.e5xd6 -0.29/11
] 17.Rf1-b1 Diagram [ 17.Qc3-b3 e5-e4
18.Nf3-g5 Nc6-e5 19.Ba1xe5 d6xe5! ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 17.Qc3-b3
Diagram
Qb7-a6 18.Ba1-c3 e5-e4 19.Rf1-a1

+ + rk+
+qp +ppp
+np n +
+l+ p +
P + + +
+Q+PPNP
+ +LP P
L + +RK

2835

Qa6-b7 20.Nf3-e1 Nc6-e5 21.Bc3xe5


d6xe5 22.Qb3-c3 Rf8-d8 23.Ra1-a5
c7-c6 24.Ra5-a2 -0.13/12 ]

+ + rk+
+qp +ppp
+np n +
+l+ p +
P + + +
+ QPPNP
+ +LP P
LR+ + K

2836

17...Qb7-a6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


17...e5-e4 Diagram
(Diagram 2837)
18.Nf3-e1 Nc6-e5 19.Qc3-c2 e4xd3
20.Ne1xd3 Bb5xd3 21.Be2xd3
Ne5-f3+ 22.Kg1-f1 Nf3xh2+ 23.Kf1-e2
Nh2-g4 24.f2-f3 Ng4-e5 25.Ba1xe5
d6xe5 26.Rb1-d1 Qb7xb4 27.Ke2-f2
Rf8-c8 28.Rd1-b1 Qb4-d6 -0.51/12 ]
18.Qc3-b3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
+qp +ppp
+np n +
+l+ + +
P +p+ +
+ QPPNP
+ +LP P
LR+ + K

770

2837

18.Ba1-b2 Nf6-d5 19.Qc3-d2 Nd5xb4


20.Rb1-a1 Qa6-b7 21.Ra1-b1 Rf8-a8
22.Nf3-g5 h7-h6 23.Ng5-e4 Nb4-d5
-0.30/12 ] 18...Rf8-a8 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 18...e5-e4 19.Nf3-e1 Nc6-e5
20.Ba1xe5 d6xe5 21.Rb1-c1 c7-c6
22.f2-f3 Rf8-d8 23.f3xe4 Nf6xe4
24.Rc1-d1 Ne4-d6 25.Qb3-b2 f7-f6
26.Rd1-a1 -0.31/10 ] 19.Nf3-d2
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Nf3-e1 Qa6-a4 20.Qb3xa4 Ra8xa4
21.Be2-d1 Ra4-a8 22.Bd1-f3 Ra8-a2
23.Bf3-d1 Nc6-e7 24.Bd1-b3 Ra2-e2
25.e3-e4 Ne7-c6 26.Ba1-c3 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ p +ppp
+np n +
+l+ p +
P +P+ +
+LLP+ P
+ +rP P
+R+ N K

r+ + +k+
+ p +ppp
q+np n +
+l+ p +
P + + +
+Q+PP P
+ NLP P
LR+ + K

2838

2839

(Diagram 2838)
Nf6-g4 27.Rb1-a1 -0.25/11 ]
(Diagram 2839)
19...Qa6-a2 Black threatens to win
material: Qa2xd2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 19...Qa6-a3 20.Ba1-c3 Qa3xb3
21.Nd2xb3 Ra8-a3 22.Be2-f1 Bb5-a4
23.Nb3-d2 Ra3xc3 24.Rb1-a1 Nf6-d5
25.Ra1xa4 Nd5-b6 26.Ra4-a1 Nc6xb4
Diagram
27.Nd2-c4 g7-g6 28.Nc4xb6 c7xb6
29.Ra1-b1 Nb4xd3 30.Rb1xb6 d6-d5

+ + +k+
+ p +ppp
n p + +
+ + p +
n + + +
+ rPP P
+ N P P
R + +LK
31.Bf1xd3 Rc3xd3 32.Kg1-g2

2840

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

771

Kg8-g7 -0.32/13 ] 20.Ba1-c3


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.Qb3-d1
Ra8-a4 21.Ba1-c3 Nf6-d5 22.Bc3-b2
h7-h6 23.e3-e4 Nd5xb4 24.Bb2-c3
Bb5xd3 25.Rb1-a1 Bd3-c2 26.Qd1-c1
Qa2-e6 27.Ra1xa4 Bc2xa4 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ p +pp
+npq+ p
+ + p +
ln +P+ +
+ L + P
+ NLP P
+ Q + K

2841

28.Bc3xb4 Nc6xb4 29.Qc1xc7


-0.36/12 ] 20...Qa2xb3 [ 20...Ra8-a3
Diagram

+ + +k+
+ p +ppp
+np n +
+l+ p +
P + + +
rQLPP P
q+ NLP P
+R+ + K

2842

21.Qb3-d1 Nf6-d5 22.Bc3-b2! ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...Ra8-a3
21.Qb3xa2 Ra3xa2 22.Rb1-c1 e5-e4
23.Be2-d1 e4xd3 24.Bd1-b3 Ra2-a7
25.h2-h3 Nf6-d7 26.f2-f4 Nd7-b6
27.Kg1-f2 Nb6-a4 28.Bc3-d4 Nc6xd4

29.e3xd4 Diagram

+ + +k+
r p +ppp
+ p + +
+l+ + +
nP P P +
+L+p+ PP
+ N K +
+ R + +

2843

Na4-b6 30.Kf2-e3 -0.50/13 ]


21.Rb1xb3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Nd2xb3 Ra8-a3 22.Be2-f1 Bb5-a4
23.Nb3-d2 Ra3xc3 24.Rb1-a1 Nf6-d5
25.Ra1xa4 Nd5-b6 26.Ra4-a1 Nc6xb4
27.Nd2-c4 g7-g6 28.Nc4xb6 c7xb6
29.Ra1-b1 Nb4xd3 30.Rb1xb6 d6-d5
31.Bf1xd3 Rc3xd3 32.Kg1-g2
Kg8-g7 -0.43/13 ] 21...Ra8-a2 Diagram
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...Ra8-a2
22.Be2-f3 Nc6-e7 23.Bc3-b2 Bb5xd3
24.Rb3-a3 Ra2xa3 25.Bb2xa3 g7-g6
26.Kg1-g2 Kg8-g7 27.g3-g4 Nf6-d5
28.h2-h4 Nd5-c3 29.Ba3-b2 Ne7-d5
30.h4-h5 Kg7-f6 31.h5xg6 Diagram
(Diagram 2844)
f7xg6 -0.70/15 ]
(Diagram 2845)
22.Be2-f1?? cause more grief
[ 22.Be2-f3 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.Rb3-b2 Diagram
Ra2xb2 23.Bc3xb2 Nc6xb4
24.Nd2-c4 e5-e4 25.d3xe4 Nf6xe4
26.f2-f3 Ne4-d2 27.Nc4xd2 Bb5xe2
28.Kg1-f2 Be2-a6 29.Bb2-a3 Nb4-d3+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ p +p+p
+ p kP+
+ +np +
P + +P+
+ nlPL+
L N PK+
+ + + +

+ + +k+
+ p +ppp
+np n +
+l+ p +
P + + +
+RLPP P
r+ NLP P
+ + + K

+ + +k+
+ p +ppp
+np n +
+l+ p +
P + + +
+ LPP P
rR NLP P
+ + + K
30.Kf2-g2 Ba6-b5 Diagram

772

2844

+ + +k+
+ p +ppp
+ p + +
+l+ + +
+ + + +
L +nPPP
+ N +KP
+ + + +

2847

31.g3-g4 Bb5-a4 32.Nd2-e4 Ba4-d7


-0.76/13 ] 22...Nf6-d5-+ [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Nf6-d5 Diagram
2845

+ + +k+
+ p +ppp
+np + +
+l+np +
P + + +
+RLPP P
r+ N P P
+ + +LK
2846

2848

23.Bf1-g2 Nc6-e7 24.Bc3-b2 Bb5-a4


25.Rb3-a3 Ra2xb2 26.Ra3xa4 Nd5-b6
27.Ra4-a7 Rb2xd2 28.Ra7xc7
Rd2-d1+ 29.Bg2-f1 Kg8-f8 30.Rc7-b7
Ne7-c8 31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1 32.d3-d4
e5xd4 33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 34.f2-f4
Rd1xd4 Diagram
35.Bf1-h3 Rd4-d1+ 36.Kg1-f2
Rd1-d2+ 37.Kf2-g1 Kf8-e8 38.Rb7-b8
Rd2-c2 39.Bh3-f5 Rc2-c5 40.Bf5-d3
g7-g6 41.Kg1-f2 Ke8-d7 Diagram
42.Rb8-b7+ Rc5-c7 -2.01/12 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+n+ k +
+R+ +ppp
n p + +
+P+ + +
+ r P +
+ + + P
+ + + P
+ + +LK

Rn+ + +
+ +k+p+p
n p +p+
+Pr + +
+ + P +
+ +L+ P
+ + K P
+ + + +

773

2849

2850

23.Bf1-g2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


23.Bf1-g2 Nc6-e7 24.Bc3-b2 Bb5-a4
Diagram
(Diagram 2851)
25.Rb3-a3 Ra2xb2 26.Ra3xa4
Nd5-b6 27.Ra4-a7 Rb2xd2 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ p nppp
+ p + +
+ +np +
lP + + +
+R+PP P
rL N PLP
+ + + K

+ + +k+
R p nppp
n p + +
+ + p +
P + + +
+ +PP P
+ r PLP
+ + + K

2851

2852

36.Rc7-c6 Ke8-d7 37.f2-f4 Rd1xd4


38.Kg2-f3 f7-f5 -2.20/13 ] 23...Nc6-e7
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
23...Nc6-e7 24.Bc3-b2 Bb5-a4
25.Rb3-a3 Ra2xb2 26.Ra3xa4 Nd5-b6
27.Ra4-a7 Rb2xd2 28.Ra7xc7
Rd2-d1+ Diagram
(Diagram 2853)

(Diagram 2852)
28.Ra7xc7 Rd2-d1+ 29.Bg2-f1 Kg8-f8
30.Rc7-b7 Ne7-c8 31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1
32.d3-d4 e5xd4 33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1
34.Kg1-g2 d6-d5 35.Rb7-c7 Kf8-e8

29.Bg2-f1 Kg8-f8 30.Rc7-b7 Ne7-c8


31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1 32.d3-d4 e5xd4
33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 34.f2-f4 Rd1xd4
35.Bf1-h3 Rd4-d1+ 36.Kg1-f2
Rd1-d2+ 37.Kf2-g1 Kf8-e8 38.Rb7-b8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+ R nppp
n p + +
+ + p +
P + + +
+ +PP P
+ + PLP
+ +r+ K

774

2853

+ + +k+
+ p nppp
+ p + +
+l+np +
P + + +
+RLPP P
r+ N PLP
+ + + K

2855

Diagram

Rn+k+ +
+ + +ppp
n p + +
+P+ + +
+ + P +
+ + + PL
+ r + P
+ + + K

2854

Rd2-c2 39.Bh3-f5 Rc2-c5 40.Bf5-d3


g7-g6 41.Kg1-f2 Ke8-d7 42.Rb8-b7+
Rc5-c7 -2.17/15 ]
(Diagram 2855)
24.Bc3-b2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24.Bc3-b2 Diagram
(Diagram 2856)
Bb5-a4 25.Rb3-a3 Ra2xb2
26.Ra3xa4 Nd5-b6 27.Ra4-a7 Rb2xd2
28.Ra7xc7 Rd2-d1+ 29.Bg2-f1 Kg8-f8

+ + +k+
+ p nppp
+ p + +
+l+np +
P + + +
+R+PP P
rL N PLP
+ + + K

2856

30.Rc7-b7 Ne7-c8 31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1


32.d3-d4 e5xd4 33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1
34.Kg1-g2 d6-d5 35.Rb7-c7 Kf8-e8
36.Rc7-c6 Ke8-d7 37.f2-f4 Rd1xd4
38.Kg2-f3 Rd4-d2 39.h2-h4 Rd2-b2
Diagram
(Diagram 2857)
40.Bf1-d3 g7-g6 -2.20/13 ]
24...Bb5-a4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 24...Bb5-a4 25.Rb3-a3
Ra2xb2 26.Ra3xa4 Nd5-b6 27.Ra4-a7
Rb2xd2 28.Ra7xc7 Rd2-d1+
29.Bg2-f1 Kg8-f8 30.Rc7-b7 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+n+ + +
+ +k+ppp
nR+ + +
+P+p+ +
+ + P P
+ + +KP
r + + +
+ + +L+

+ + +k+
+ p nppp
+ p + +
+l+np +
P + + +
+R+PP P
rL N PLP
+ + + K

+ + k +
+R+ nppp
n p + +
+ + p +
P + + +
+ +PP P
+ + P P
+ +r+LK

775

2857

2858

e5xd4 33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 34.f2-f4


Rd1xd4 35.Bf1-h3 Rd4-d1+ 36.Kg1-f2
Rd1-d2+ 37.Kf2-g1 Kf8-e8 38.Rb7-b8
Rd2-c2 39.Bh3-f5 Rc2-c5 40.Bf5-d3
g7-g6 41.Kg1-f2 Ke8-d7 42.Rb8-b7+
Rc5-c7 -2.17/17 ]

+ + +k+
+ p nppp
+ p + +
+ +np +
lP + + +
+R+PP P
rL N PLP
+ + + K

2860

25.Rb3-a3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 25.Rb3-a3 Ra2xb2 26.Ra3xa4
Diagram

2859

Ne7-c8 31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1 32.d3-d4

+ + +k+
+ p nppp
+ p + +
+ +np +
RP + + +
+ +PP P
r N PLP
+ + + K

2861

Nd5-b6 27.Ra4-a7 Rb2xd2


28.Ra7xc7 Rd2-d1+ 29.Bg2-f1 Kg8-f8
30.Rc7-b7 Diagram
Ne7-c8 31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1 32.d3-d4
e5xd4 33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 34.f2-f4
Rd1xd4 35.Bf1-h3 Rd4-d1+ 36.Kg1-f2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + k +
+R+ nppp
n p + +
+ + p +
P + + +
+ +PP P
+ + P P
+ +r+LK

776

2862

Rd1-d2+ 37.Kf2-g1 Kf8-e8 38.Rb7-b8


Rd2-c2 39.Bh3-f5 Rc2-c5 40.Bf5-d3
g7-g6 41.Kg1-f2 Ke8-d7 42.Rb8-b7+
Rc5-c7 -2.20/18 ]

+ + +k+
+ p nppp
+ p + +
+ +np +
lP + + +
R +PP P
rL N PLP
+ + + K

2863

+ + +k+
+ p nppp
+ p + +
+ +np +
lP + + +
R +PP P
r N PLP
+ + + K

2864

Rd1-d2+ 37.Kf2-g1 Kf8-e8 38.Rb7-b8


Rd2-c2 39.Bh3-f5 Diagram

Rn+k+ +
+ + +ppp
n p + +
+P+ +L+
+ + P +
+ + + P
+r+ + P
+ + + K

2865

Rc2-c5 40.Bf5-d3 g7-g6 41.Kg1-f2


Rc5-c3 -2.17/15 ]
25...Ra2xb2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 25...Ra2xb2 Diagram
(Diagram 2864)
26.Ra3xa4 Nd5-b6 27.Ra4-a7
Rb2xd2 28.Ra7xc7 Rd2-d1+
29.Bg2-f1 Kg8-f8 30.Rc7-b7 Ne7-c8
31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1 32.d3-d4 e5xd4
33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 34.f2-f4 Rd1xd4
35.Bf1-h3 Rd4-d1+ 36.Kg1-f2

(Diagram 2866)
26.Ra3xa4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26.Ra3xa4 Diagram
(Diagram 2867)
Nd5-b6 27.Ra4-a7 Rb2xd2
28.Ra7xc7 Rd2-d1+ 29.Bg2-f1 Kg8-f8
30.Rc7-b7 Ne7-c8 31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
+ p nppp
+ p + +
+ +np +
lP + + +
R +PP P
r N PLP
+ + + K

+ + +k+
+ p nppp
+ p + +
+ +np +
RP + + +
+ +PP P
r N PLP
+ + + K

777

2866

2867

32.d3-d4 e5xd4 33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1


34.f2-f4 Rd1xd4 35.Bf1-h3 Rd4-d1+
36.Kg1-f2 Rd1-d2+ 37.Kf2-g1 Kf8-e8
38.Rb7-b8 Rd2-c2 39.Bh3-f5 Rc2-c5
40.Bf5-d3 g7-g6 41.Kg1-f2 Diagram

Rn+k+ +
+ + +p+p
n p +p+
+Pr + +
+ + P +
+ +L+ P
+ + K P
+ + + +

+ + +k+
+ p nppp
n p + +
+ + p +
RP + + +
+ +PP P
r N PLP
+ + + K

2868

2869

Rd1xd4 35.Bf1-h3 Rd4-d1+ 36.Kg1-f2


Rd1-d2+ 37.Kf2-g1 Kf8-e8 38.Rb7-b8
Rd2-c2 39.Bh3-f5 Rc2-c5 40.Bf5-d3
g7-g6 41.Kg1-f2 Rc5-c3 -2.12/17 ]
27.Ra4-a7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27.Ra4-a7 Diagram

(Diagram 2868)
(Diagram 2870)
Rc5-c3 -2.31/16 ] 26...Nd5-b6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26...Nd5-b6
Diagram
27.Ra4-a7 Rb2xd2 28.Ra7xc7
Rd2-d1+ 29.Bg2-f1 Kg8-f8 30.Rc7-b7
Ne7-c8 31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1 32.d3-d4
e5xd4 33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 34.f2-f4

Rb2xd2 28.Ra7xc7 Rd2-d1+


29.Bg2-f1 Kg8-f8 30.Rc7-b7 Ne7-c8
31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1 32.d3-d4 e5xd4
33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 34.d4-d5 Nb6xd5
35.Rb7-b8 Nd5-b6 36.Kg1-g2 d6-d5
37.Bf1-e2 Rd1-c1 38.Be2-g4 d5-d4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +k+
R p nppp
n p + +
+ + p +
P + + +
+ +PP P
r N PLP
+ + + K

778

2870

39.Kg2-f3 Rc1-c3+ 40.Kf3-e2 Kf8-e8


41.Bg4xc8 Nb6xc8 42.b5-b6 Ke8-d7
43.Rb8-b7+ Kd7-e6 -2.22/18 ]

+ + +k+
R p nppp
n p + +
+ + p +
P + + +
+ +PP P
r N PLP
+ + + K

2871

27...Rb2xd2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


27...Rb2xd2 28.Ra7xc7 Rd2-d1+
29.Bg2-f1 Kg8-f8 30.Rc7-b7 Ne7-c8
31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1 32.d3-d4 e5xd4
33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 34.d4-d5 Nb6xd5
35.Rb7-b8 Nd5-b6 Diagram
(Diagram 2872)
36.Kg1-g2 g7-g6 37.Bf1-e2 Rd1-b1
38.h2-h3 Rb1-b3 39.Be2-g4 f7-f5
40.Bg4-e2 Rb3-b2 -2.13/16 ]

Rn+ k +
+ + +ppp
n p + +
+P+ + +
+ + + +
+ + + P
+ + P P
+ +r+LK

2872

28.Ra7xc7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 28.Ra7xc7 Diagram

+ + +k+
+ R nppp
n p + +
+ + p +
P + + +
+ +PP P
+ r PLP
+ + + K

2873

Rd2-d1+ 29.Bg2-f1 Kg8-f8 30.Rc7-b7


Ne7-c8 31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1 32.d3-d4
e5xd4 33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 34.d4-d5
Nb6xd5 35.Rb7-b8 Nd5-b6 Diagram
(Diagram 2874)
36.Kg1-g2 Kf8-e8 37.Bf1-e2 Rd1-d4
38.Kg2-f3 d6-d5 39.Kf3-e3 Rd4-a4
40.Rb8-b7 Nb6-c4+ 41.Be2xc4
d5xc4 -2.09/15 ]
28...Kg8-f8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 28...Rd2-d1+ Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

Rn+ k +
+ + +ppp
n p + +
+P+ + +
+ + + +
+ + + P
+ + P P
+ +r+LK

+ + +k+
+ R nppp
n p + +
+ + p +
P + + +
+ +PP P
+ r PLP
+ + + K

+ + +k+
+ R nppp
n p + +
+ + p +
P + + +
+ +PP P
+ + PLP
+ +r+ K

779

2874

2875

31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1 32.d3-d4 e5xd4


33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 34.d4-d5 Nb6xd5
35.Rb7-b8 Nd5-b6 36.Kg1-g2 d6-d5
37.Bf1-e2 Rd1-c1 38.Be2-g4 d5-d4
39.Kg2-f3 Rc1-c3+ 40.Kf3-e2 Kf8-e8
41.Bg4xc8 Nb6xc8 42.b5-b6 Ke8-d7
43.Rb8-b7+ Diagram

+n+ + +
+R+k+ppp
P + + +
+ + + +
+ p + +
+ r + P
+ +KP P
+ + + +

2877

Kd7-e6 -2.06/15 ]

2876

29.Bg2-f1 Kg8-f8 30.Rc7-b7 Ne7-c8

+ + k +
+ R nppp
n p + +
+ + p +
P + + +
+ +PP P
+ r PLP
+ + + K

2878

29.Rc7-b7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


29.Bg2-h3 Rd2-d1+ 30.Kg1-g2 g7-g6
31.Rc7-b7 Nb6-d5 32.Rb7-b8+ Kf8-g7
33.Rb8-b7 Kg7-f6 34.Rb7-d7 Nd5xb4
35.Rd7xd6+ Kf6-g7 36.d3-d4 e5xd4
37.Rd6xd4 Rd1xd4 38.e3xd4 Nb4-d3
-2.00/14 ] 29...Rd2-d1+ Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

780

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Rd2-d1+


30.Bg2-f1 Ne7-c8 31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1
32.d3-d4 e5xd4 33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1
34.d4-d5 Nb6xd5 35.Rb7-b8 Nd5-b6
36.Kg1-g2 d6-d5 37.Bf1-e2 Rd1-c1
38.Be2-g4 d5-d4 39.Kg2-f3 Rc1-c3+
40.Kf3-e2 Kf8-e8 41.Bg4xc8 Nb6xc8
42.b5-b6 Ke8-d7 43.Rb8-b7+ Kd7-e6
-2.06/15 Diagram

+n+ + +
+R+ +ppp
P +k+ +
+ + + +
+ p + +
+ r + P
+ +KP P
+ + + +

2879

Rn+ k +
+ + +ppp
n p + +
+P+ + +
+ + + +
+ + + P
+ + PKP
+ +r+L+

2881

d6-d5 37.Bf1-e2 Rd1-c1 38.Be2-g4


d5-d4 39.Kg2-f3 Rc1-c3+ 40.Kf3-e2
Kf8-e8 41.Bg4xc8 Nb6xc8 42.b5-b6
Ke8-d7 43.Rb8-b7+ Kd7-e6 -2.06/16 ]
31.b4-b5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31.b4-b5 Diagram

+ + k +
+R+ nppp
n p + +
+ + p +
P + + +
+ +PP P
+ + PLP
+ +r+ K

35.Rb7-b8 Nd5-b6 36.Kg1-g2


Diagram

2880

30.Bg2-f1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


30.Bg2-f1 -1.95/1 ] 30...Ne7-c8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30...Ne7-c8
31.b4-b5 Rd1-b1 32.d3-d4 e5xd4
33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 34.d4-d5 Nb6xd5

+n+ k +
+R+ +ppp
n p + +
+P+ p +
+ + + +
+ +PP P
+ + P P
+ +r+LK

2882

Rd1-b1 32.d3-d4 e5xd4 33.e3xd4


Rb1-d1 34.Kg1-g2 d6-d5 35.Rb7-c7
Kf8-e8 36.Rc7-c6 Ke8-d7 37.f2-f4
Rd1xd4 38.Kg2-f3 Rd4-d2 39.h2-h4
f7-f5 40.Kf3-e3 -2.09/14 ] 31...Rd1-a1
Diagram [ 31...Rd1-b1 makes it even
easier for Black 32.d3-d4-+ ;

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

781

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 31...Rd1-b1


32.d3-d4 e5xd4 Diagram

+n+ k +
+R+ +ppp
n p + +
+P+ + +
+ p + +
+ + P P
+ + P P
+r+ +LK

2883

+n+ k +
+R+ +ppp
n p + +
+P+ p +
+ + + +
+ +PP P
+ + PKP
r + +L+

2885

Pro x64: 32...Ra1-b1 33.d3-d4 e5xd4


Diagram
33.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 34.d4-d5 Nb6xd5
35.Rb7-b8 Nd5-b6 36.Kg1-g2 Rd1-d2
37.Kg2-f3 Kf8-e7 38.Kf3-e3 Rd2-a2
39.Rb8-b7+ Ke7-e8 40.Bf1-d3 g7-g6
41.h2-h4 Nb6-d5+ 42.Ke3-d4 Nc8-b6
-2.00/13 ]

+n+ k +
+R+ +ppp
n p + +
+P+ p +
+ + + +
+ +PP P
+ + P P
r + +LK

2884

32.Rb7-c7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


32.Kg1-g2 Diagram
Ra1-b1 33.d3-d4 e5xd4 34.e3xd4
Rb1-d1 35.d4-d5 Rd1xd5 36.Kg2-f3
Kf8-e8 37.Kf3-e3 Nb6-d7 38.Bf1-c4
Rd5-e5+ 39.Ke3-d4 Nc8-b6 40.f2-f4
-1.72/13 ] 32...g7-g6 [Houdini 2.0c

+n+ k +
+ R +ppp
n p + +
+P+ + +
+ p + +
+ + P P
+ + P P
+r+ +LK

2886

34.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 35.Kg1-g2 Rd1xd4


36.Rc7-c6 Rd4-d2 37.Kg2-f3 Kf8-e8
38.Kf3-e3 Rd2-a2 39.Bf1-d3 g7-g6
40.Bd3-b1 Ra2-a3+ 41.Ke3-d4
Ke8-d7 -2.00/13 ] 33.h2-h4
[ 33.Kg1-g2 Ra1-b1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 33.Rc7-c6 Kf8-e7
34.Rc6-c7+ Ke7-e6 35.Kg1-g2
Ra1-a7 36.Rc7-c2 Ke6-d7 37.Kg2-f3
Nc8-e7 38.e3-e4 d6-d5 39.h2-h4
-1.82/12 Diagram
] 33...Ra1-b1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 33...Ra1-b1 34.d3-d4 e5xd4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
r +knp+p
n + +p+
+P+pp +
+ +P+ P
+ +P+KP
+R+ P +
+ + +L+

782

2887

35.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 36.f2-f4 Rd1xd4


37.Rc7-c6 Rd4-b4 38.h4-h5 Rb4-b2
39.Bf1-h3 f7-f5 40.Bh3-f1 Diagram

+n+ k +
+ + + +p
nRp +p+
+P+ +p+P
+ + P +
+ + + P
r + + +
+ + +LK

2888

Kf8-f7 41.Rc6-c7+ Nc8-e7 42.Rc7-b7


Nb6-d5 43.h5xg6+ h7xg6 -2.21/16 ]

+n+ k +
+ R +p+p
n p +p+
+P+ p +
+ + + P
+ +PP P
+ + P +
+r+ +LK

+n+ k +
+ R +p+p
n p +p+
+P+ + +
+ P + P
+ + + P
+ + P +
+ +r+LK

2889

2890

44.Ke3-e4 Ke8-d7 45.Rb8-b7+


Kd7-e6 -2.32/14 ] 34...e5xd4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34...e5xd4
Diagram
(Diagram 2891)

(Diagram 2889)
34.d3-d4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34.d3-d4 e5xd4 35.e3xd4 Rb1-d1
Diagram
36.Kg1-g2 Rd1xd4 37.Rc7-b7 d6-d5
38.h4-h5 Rd4-d2 39.Kg2-f3 g6xh5
40.Kf3-e3 Rd2-b2 41.Bf1-d3 Kf8-e8
42.f2-f3 Rb2-b4 43.Rb7-b8 d5-d4+

35.e3xd4 Rb1-d1 36.Kg1-g2 Rd1xd4


37.Rc7-b7 d6-d5 38.h4-h5 Rd4-d2
39.Kg2-f3 g6xh5 40.Kf3-e3 Rd2-b2
41.Bf1-d3 Kf8-e8 42.f2-f3 Rb2-b4
43.Rb7-c7 Nc8-d6 -2.24/15 ] 35.e3xd4
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35.e3xd4
Rb1-d1 36.Rc7-c6 Kf8-e7 37.Rc6-c7+
Ke7-e6 38.d4-d5+ Rd1xd5 39.Bf1-h3+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+n+ k +
+ R +p+p
n p +p+
+P+ + +
+ p + P
+ + P P
+ + P +
+r+ +LK

783

2891

f7-f5 40.Rc7xh7 Rd5xb5 41.h4-h5


g6xh5 42.Rh7-h6+ Ke6-d7 43.Bh3-f1
Rb5-b3 44.Rh6xh5 Nc8-e7 45.Rh5-h6
Rb3-b2 46.Kg1-g2 Ne7-c6 -2.32/13 ]
35...Nc8-e7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35...Rb1-d1 36.Rc7-c6 Kf8-e7
Diagram

+n+ + +
+ + kp+p
nRp +p+
+P+ + +
+ P + P
+ + + P
+ + P +
+ +r+LK

2892

37.f2-f4 Ke7-d7 38.Kg1-f2 f7-f5


39.Bf1-e2 Rd1xd4 40.h4-h5 g6xh5
41.Be2xh5 Rd4-c4 42.Bh5-f3 Rc4xc6
43.Bf3xc6+ Kd7-c7 44.Kf2-e3
Nc8-e7 -2.28/13 ] 36.Kg1-g2
[ 36.h4-h5 hardly improves anything
Ne7-d5 37.Rc7-b7 Rb1-b4-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36.Rc7-b7

Ne7-d5 37.h4-h5 Rb1-d1 38.h5xg6


h7xg6 39.f2-f4 Rd1xd4 40.Kg1-f2
Rd4-d2+ 41.Kf2-f3 Rd2-a2 42.Bf1-e2
Kf8-g7 43.Be2-f1 Diagram

+ + + +
+R+ +pk
n p +p+
+P+n+ +
+ + P +
+ + +KP
r+ + + +
+ + +L+

2893

Ra2-a3+ 44.Kf3-f2 Kg7-f6 45.Bf1-g2


Kf6-e6 -2.09/13 ] 36...h7-h5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36...Ne7-d5
37.Rc7-b7 h7-h5 38.Rb7-b8+ Kf8-e7
39.Rb8-b7+ Ke7-e6 40.Rb7-b8
Rb1-b2 41.Kg2-g1 Rb2-d2 42.Bf1-h3+
f7-f5 43.Kg1-g2 Ke6-f6 44.Rb8-f8+
Kf6-e7 45.Rf8-g8 Ke7-f7 46.Rg8-b8
Rd2xd4 47.Rb8-b7+ Kf7-e6 -2.41/15 ]
37.Rc7-b7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.Bf1-e2 Diagram
(Diagram 2894)
Ne7-d5 38.Rc7-a7 Rb1-b2 39.Be2-d3
Rb2-b4 40.Bd3-f1 Rb4xd4 41.Kg2-f3
Kf8-e8 42.Kf3-e2 Nd5-c3+ 43.Ke2-f3
Rd4-d2 44.Ra7-c7 -2.43/13 ]
37...Nb6-d5 Diagram [ 37...Ne7-d5
and Black can already relax
38.Bf1-e2-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...Ne7-d5 38.Rb7-b8+ Kf8-e7
39.Rb8-b7+ Ke7-e6 40.Rb7-b8
Rb1-b2 41.Kg2-f3 Rb2-b3+ 42.Kf3-g2
Rb3-b4 43.Rb8-e8+ Ke6-d7 44.Re8-f8
Kd7-e7 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + k +
+ R np+
n p +p+
+P+ + +p
+ P + P
+ + + P
+ +LPK+
+r+ + +

+ + R +
+ + kp+
n p +p+
+P+n+ +p
r P + P
+ + + P
+ + PK+
+ + +L+

784

2894

2895

45.Rf8-b8 Rb4xd4 46.Rb8-b7+


Ke7-e6 -2.29/13 ]
(Diagram 2896)
38.Rb7-b8+ [ 38.Bf1-e2 doesn't get
the cat off the tree Rb1-b2 39.Kg2-f3
Rb2-b3+ 40.Kf3-g2 Ne7-f5-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.Bf1-d3
Rb1-b4 39.Bd3-e4 Nd5-c3 40.Be4-c6
Ne7-f5 41.d4-d5 Rb4-b2 42.Rb7-b8+
Kf8-g7 43.b5-b6 Nf5-e3+ 44.Kg2-g1
Ne3-g4 45.b6-b7 Ng4xf2 46.Rb8-a8
Nf2-h3+ Diagram
47.Kg1-h1 -1.75/12 ] 38...Kf8-g7

+ + k +
+R+ np+
+ p +p+
+P+n+ +p
+ P + P
+ + + P
+ + PK+
+r+ +L+

R+ + + +
+P+ +pk
+Lp +p+
+ +P+ +p
+ + + P
+ n + Pn
r + + +
+ + + K

2896

2897

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38...Kf8-g7


39.Rb8-b7 Ne7-f5 40.Bf1-c4 Nf5-e3+
41.f2xe3 Nd5xe3+ 42.Kg2-f3 Ne3xc4
43.Kf3-e4 Kg7-f6 44.Ke4-d5 Rb1-b4
45.Rb7-a7 Nc4-e3+ 46.Kd5-e4
Ne3-f5 -2.06/12 ] 39.Rb8-d8
[ 39.Bf1-c4 cannot undo what has
already been done Rb1-b4 40.Bc4xd5
Ne7xd5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39.Bf1-e2 Rb1-b2 40.Be2-f3 Kg7-f6
41.Kg2-g1 Kf6-e6 42.Bf3-g2 Nd5-c3
43.Bg2-h3+ Ke6-f6 44.Rb8-b6 Ne7-f5
45.Bh3xf5 Kf6xf5 46.Rb6xd6 Nc3xb5
47.Rd6-d7 f7-f6 48.Kg1-g2 Kf5-e4
-2.49/13 ] 39...Rb1-b2 [ 39...Ne7-f5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


might be the shorter path 40.Bf1-e2-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 39...Ne7-f5
40.Bf1-d3 Nf5xh4+ 41.g3xh4 Nd5-f4+
42.Kg2-f3 Nf4xd3 43.Kf3-e3 Rb1-b3
44.Rd8xd6 Nd3-b2+ 45.Ke3-e4
Rb3xb5 46.Rd6-d7 Nb2-d1 47.f2-f3
Nd1-c3+ 48.Ke4-d3 Rb5-b3
49.Kd3-c4 -2.93/14 ] 40.Kg2-g1
[ 40.Rd8xd6 doesn't change anything
anymore Ne7-f5 41.Rd6-d8 Nd5-e3+
42.Kg2-g1 Ne3xf1 43.Kg1xf1
Rb2xb5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
40.Rd8xd6 Nd5-e3+ 41.Kg2-g1
Ne3xf1 42.Kg1xf1 Rb2xb5 43.Kf1-e2
Rb5-b2+ 44.Ke2-e1 Ne7-f5 45.Rd6-d7
Kg7-f6 46.d4-d5 Nf5-d4 47.Ke1-f1
Kf6-e5 48.f2-f4+ Ke5-f6 49.Rd7-a7
-2.36/12 ] 40...Ne7-f5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 40...Ne7-f5 41.Bf1-d3 Nf5xd4
42.Rd8xd6 Nd4-f3+ 43.Kg1-f1 Nd5-f6
44.Bd3-e2 Nf6-e4 45.Rd6-d8 Nf3-h2+
46.Kf1-e1 Ne4-c3 47.Rd8-e8 Nc3xe2
48.Re8xe2 Rb2xb5 49.Ke1-d2 Nh2-g4
50.Kd2-c3 Rb5-f5 51.f2-f4 Rf5-a5
52.Kc3-b4 -3.13/15 ] 41.Bf1-c4
[ 41.Bf1-d3 doesn't get the cat off the
tree Nf5xd4 42.Rd8xd6 Nd4-f3+
43.Kg1-f1 Nd5-f6-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 41.Bf1-d3 Nf5xd4 42.Rd8xd6
Nd4-f3+ 43.Kg1-f1 Nd5-f6 44.Bd3-e2
Nf6-e4 45.Rd6-d8 Nf3-h2+ 46.Kf1-e1
Ne4-c3 47.Rd8-e8 Nc3xe2 48.Re8xe2
Rb2xb5 49.Ke1-d2 Nh2-g4 50.Kd2-c3
Rb5-f5 51.f2-f4 Rf5-a5 52.Kc3-b4
-3.26/12 ] 41...Rb2-b1+ [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 41...Nd5-f6 42.Bc4-d3
Nf5xd4 43.Rd8xd6 Nd4-f3+ 44.Kg1-g2
Nf3-e1+ 45.Kg2-f1 Ne1xd3 46.Rd6xd3
Rb2xb5 47.Kf1-e2 Nf6-g4 48.f2-f3
Ng4-e5 49.Rd3-c3 Kg7-f6 50.Ke2-e3
Rb5-b4 51.f3-f4 Ne5-g4+ 52.Ke3-f3
-3.64/14 ] 42.Kg1-h2 [ 42.Bc4-f1
does not improve anything Kg7-f6-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42.Bc4-f1
Nd5-f6 43.Kg1-g2 Rb1-b2 44.Bf1-d3

785
Nf6-g4 45.Bd3xf5 Ng4-e3+ 46.Kg2-g1
Ne3xf5 47.Rd8-b8 Nf5xd4 48.b5-b6
Kg7-f6 49.Kg1-f1 Kf6-e7 50.Rb8-b7+
Ke7-e6 51.Kf1-g2 d6-d5 52.Kg2-f1
Nd4-c6 53.Kf1-g2 d5-d4 54.Kg2-f3
d4-d3 -3.22/13 ] 42...Nd5-f6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...Nd5-f6
43.Kh2-g2 Rb1-b2 44.Bc4-d3 Nf6-g4
45.Bd3xf5 Ng4-e3+ 46.Kg2-g1 Ne3xf5
47.Rd8-b8 Nf5xd4 48.b5-b6 Kg7-f6
49.Kg1-g2 Kf6-e6 50.Rb8-b7 d6-d5
51.Kg2-f1 Nd4-c6 52.Kf1-g2 d5-d4
53.Kg2-f3 d4-d3 -3.09/14 ] 43.f2-f3
[ 43.Bc4-d3 there is nothing else
anyway Nf6-g4+ 44.Kh2-g2-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43.Kh2-h3
Nf5xd4 44.Rd8xd6 Nd4xb5 45.Rd6-d2
Nf6-e4 46.Rd2-a2 Nb5-d4 47.Bc4-d3
Rb1-e1 48.Kh3-g2 Ne4-c5 49.Bd3-c4
Re1-c1 -3.00/12 ] 43...Rb1-b2+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43...Rb1-b2+
44.Kh2-g1 Nf5xd4 45.Kg1-f1 Nd4xf3
46.Bc4-e2 Nf3-d4 47.Be2-d1 Nf6-e4
48.Rd8-a8 Ne4xg3+ 49.Kf1-e1 Ng3-f5
50.Bd1-a4 Nf5-e3 51.Ba4-d1 Nd4xb5
52.Bd1-f3 Nb5-d4 -6.74/13 ]
44.Kh2-h3 [ 44.Kh2-g1 praying for a
miracle Nf5xd4 45.Kg1-f1 Nd4xf3
46.Bc4-d3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
44.Kh2-g1 Nf5xd4 45.Kg1-f1 Nd4xf3
46.Bc4-e2 Nf3-d4 47.Be2-d1 Nf6-e4
48.Rd8-b8 Ne4xg3+ 49.Kf1-e1
Rb2xb5 50.Rb8-d8 Ng3-f5 51.Ke1-d2
Rb5-b2+ 52.Kd2-d3 Rb2-h2
53.Rd8-d7 Rh2xh4 54.Rd7-c7
Rh4-h3+ 55.Kd3-c4 -6.72/14 ]
44...Nf5xd4 [ 44...Nf5xd4 45.g3-g4
Nd4xf3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
44...Nf5xd4 45.g3-g4 Nd4xf3
46.Kh3-g3 h5xg4 47.Kg3-f4 Nf3-e5
48.Rd8xd6 Ne5xc4 49.Rd6-d4 Nc4-a5
50.Kf4-g3 Rb2xb5 51.Rd4-a4 Na5-c6
52.Ra4-a6 Nc6-d4 53.Kg3-f4 Rb5-f5+
54.Kf4-g3 Rf5-f3+ 55.Kg3-g2 -8.42/11

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


]

786

22.Rd1-e1 Bc8-h3 23.Bb2-c1 Qh5-g4


0-1
24.g2-g3 Bh3xf1 25.Kg1xf1 Rh6-h5
26.h2-h4 h7-h6 27.Kf1-g2 Ra8-f8
28.Nf3-h2 Erdos,V (2523)-Sulava,N
55
E11 (2544)/Differdange 2007/CBM 119 ext/
Vassily Ivanchuk
- ] 14.Ra1-d1N [RR 14.Nf3-e1
Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu
Qd8-g5 15.f2-f4 Qg5-e7 16.Ne1-f3
World Chess Cup (3.5)
02.12.2007 c7-c5 17.d5xc6 Bb7xc6 18.Nf3-d4
Bc6-b7 19.Be2-f3 Ra8-c8 20.Ra1-c1
E14: Queen's Indian: Classical
a7-a6 21.Qc2-d3 Nd7-f6 22.Rc1-c2
Variation (4 e3)
h7-h5 23.Nd4-b3 h5-h4 24.Bb2xf6
1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.Ng1-f3 e7-e6
Qe7xf6 25.Nb3-d2 d6-d5 26.c4xd5
3.c2-c4 Bf8-b4+ 4.Nb1-d2 Diagram
Rc8xc2 27.Qd3xc2 e6xd5 28.Bf3xe4
d5xe4 Sarno,S (2365)-Smyslov,V
(2570)/Rome 1990/TD/- (42) ;RR
14.d5xe6 Nd7-f8 15.c4-c5 b6xc5
2898 16.b4xc5 Ne4xc5 17.Qc2xf5 Nf8xe6
18.h2-h4 Qd8-e7 19.h4-h5 Bb7-e4
20.Qf5-h3 Ne6-g5 21.Nf3xg5 Rg6xg5
22.Be2-g4 Ra8-f8 23.f2-f4 Rg5-d5
24.Bb2-d4 Be4-f5 25.Bg4xf5 Rd5xf5
26.g2-g4 Rf5-d5 27.h5-h6 g7xh6
28.f4-f5 Nc5-b3 Hernandez Rios,I
(2291)-Minzer,C (2432)/La Roda 2006/
CBM 111 ext/- (81) ] 14...e6-e5
15.Be2-d3 c7-c6 16.Bd3xe4 f5xe4
17.Qc2xe4 Diagram

rnlqk+ r
pppp+ppp
+ +pn +
+ + + +
lPP + +
+ + +N+
PP NPPPP
R LQKL+R

b7-b6 5.a2-a3 Bb4xd2+ 6.Qd1xd2


Bc8-b7 7.e2-e3 0-0 8.Bf1-e2 d7-d6
9.0-0 Nb8-d7 10.b2-b4 Nf6-e4
11.Qd2-c2 f7-f5 [RR 11...c7-c5
12.Nf3-d2 Ne4xd2 13.Qc2xd2 Qd8-g5
14.f2-f3 Rf8-d8 15.Rf1-d1 d6-d5
16.Qd2-b2 c5xb4 17.Qb2xb4 Bb7-a6
18.e3-e4 Qg5-g6 19.Qb4-a4 Ba6xc4
20.Be2xc4 d5xc4 21.Qa4xc4 Nd7-f8
22.Bc1-e3 f7-f5 23.e4xf5 - Gelfand,
B (2665)-Anand,V (2735)/Dortmund
1996/CBM 054 ] 12.Bc1-b2 Rf8-f6
13.d4-d5 Rf6-g6 [RR 13...Rf6-h6
14.Ra1-d1 e6-e5 15.Be2-d3 c7-c6
16.Bd3xe4 f5xe4 17.Qc2xe4 c6xd5
18.c4xd5 Nd7-f6 19.Qe4-b1 Qd8-e8
20.e3-e4 Qe8-h5 21.Qb1-d3 Bb7-c8

(Diagram 2899)
c6xd5 18.c4xd5 Nd7-f6 19.Qe4-c4
last book move last book move Ra8-c8
Black threatens to win material: Rc8xc4
[ 19...Qd8-d7!? 20.Nf3-e1 Ra8-c8 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...Qd8-d7
Diagram
(Diagram 2900)
20.Rf1-e1 Ra8-c8 21.Qc4-e2 Bb7xd5
22.g2-g3 Qd7-g4 23.Nf3-d2 Qg4xe2
24.Re1xe2 Rc8-c2 25.Bb2-a1 Bd5-e6
26.Rd1-e1 Rc2-a2 27.f2-f4 Be6-g4
28.Re2-g2 Bg4-h3 29.Rg2-e2
-0.63/12 ] 20.Qc4-b3= Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ q +k+
pl+n+ pp
ppp +r+
+ +Pp +
PP+Q+ +
P + PN+
L + PPP
+ +R+RK

r+ + +k+
pl+q+ pp
p p nr+
+ +Pp +
PQ+ + +
P + PN+
L + PPP
+ +R+RK

787

2899

2900

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.Qc4-b3


Qd8-c7 21.h2-h3 Qc7-c2 22.Qb3xc2
Rc8xc2 23.Rd1-d2 Rc2xd2 24.Nf3xd2
Nf6xd5 25.g2-g3 Nd5-c7 26.Rf1-c1
Nc7-e6 27.h3-h4 Kg8-f7 28.e3-e4
Rg6-g4 0.01/12 ]
(Diagram 2901)
20...Qd8-d7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 20...Qd8-c7 21.h2-h3 Qc7-d7
22.Bb2xe5 Bb7-a6 23.Nf3-h4 d6xe5
24.Nh4xg6 Ba6xf1 25.Ng6xe5 Qd7-d6
26.Kg1xf1 Qd6xe5 27.d5-d6+ Kg8-h8
28.Qb3-f7 -0.16/11 ]

+rq +k+
pl+ + pp
p p nr+
+ +Pp +
P + + +
PQ+ PN+
L + PPP
+ +R+RK

+r+ +k+
pl+q+ pp
p p nr+
+ +Pp +
P + + +
PQ+ PN+
L + PPP
+ +R+RK

2901

2902

21.Nf3-e1? [ 21.Bb2xe5 Bb7-a6


22.Rf1-e1$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Bb2xe5 d6xe5 22.Nf3xe5 Bb7xd5
23.Ne5xg6 h7xg6 24.Qb3-b2 Qd7-e7
25.Qb2-d4 Qe7-c7 26.f2-f3 Bd5-c4
27.Rd1-c1 b6-b5 28.Rf1-d1 0.08/10 ]
21...Bb7-a6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...Bb7-a6 22.Rd1-d2 Ba6-c4
23.Qb3-d1 Qd7-f5 24.Qd1-f3 Qf5xf3
25.Ne1xf3 Bc4xf1 26.Kg1xf1 Nf6-e4
27.Rd2-e2 Diagram
Rg6-h6 28.h2-h3 Kg8-f7 29.Nf3-d2
Ne4-f6 30.e3-e4 Rc8-c2 31.Bb2-a1
Rc2-a2 -1.71/13 ] 22.f2-f3 [ 22.Rd1-d2
Ba6xf1 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +k+
p + + pp
p p +r+
+ +Pp +
P +n+ +
P + PN+
L +RPPP
+ + +K+

+r+ +k+
p +q+ pp
p p nr+
+ +Pp +
P + + +
PQ+ P +
L R PPP
+ + NlK

788

+r+ +k+
p +q+ pp
p p nr+
+ +Pp +
Pl+ + +
PQ+ PP+
L + +PP
+ +RNRK

2903

+r+ +k+
p +q+ pp
p p nr+
+ +Pp +
P + + +
P + PP+
LQ+ +PP
+ +RNlK

2904

23.Kg1xf1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


22.Rd1-d2 Ba6-c4 23.Qb3-d1 Qd7-f5
24.Qd1-f3 Qf5xf3 25.Ne1xf3 Bc4xf1
26.Kg1xf1 Nf6-e4 27.Rd2-e2 Kg8-f7
28.Nf3-d2 Ne4xd2+ 29.Re2xd2
-1.36/11 ] 22...Ba6-c4 [ 22...Ba6-c4
23.Qb3-c2 Bc4xf1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 22...Ba6-c4 Diagram

2905

2906

Diagram
(Diagram 2907)
a7-a6 Diagram
(Diagram 2908)
30.Rd2-c2 Rf8-c8 31.Qg1-f2 -5.22/14

(Diagram 2905)

]
0-1

23.Qb3-c2 Bc4xf1 Diagram


24.Qc2-f2 Qd7-a4 25.Rd1-d2 Bf1-c4
26.e3-e4 Rc8-f8 27.Qf2-e3 b6-b5
28.Kg1-h1 Qa4-b3 29.Qe3-g1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
p + + pp
+ p nr+
+p+Pp +
Pl+P+ +
Pq+ +P+
L R +PP
+ + N QK

789

2907

rnlqklnr
pp+ pppp
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

2909

[RR 12.h2-h3 h7-h5 13.Bf1-d3 h5-h4


14.Nc3-d5 Be6xd5 15.e4xd5 e5-e4
16.Rh1-e1 Bf8-e7 17.Bd3-e2 Nd7-b6
2908 18.Be2-g4 Nb6-c4 19.Qd2-f2 Nf6xg4
20.h3xg4 h4-h3 21.Be3-d4 h3-h2
22.c2-c3 Qc7-b7 23.Qf2-e2 Ke8-f8
24.g4-g5 a6-a5 25.Qe2xe4 a5-a4
26.Nb3-c1 Be7xg5 Topalov,V (2801)Leko,P (2740)/Monte Carlo 2006/CBM
111 ext/0-1 (46) ;RR 12.f4-f5 Be6-c4
13.Bf1-e2 Bf8-e7 14.g2-g4 Bc4xe2
15.Qd2xe2 Qc7-c4 16.Qe2-g2 b5-b4
17.Nc3-d5 Nf6xd5 18.e4xd5 Be7-d8
19.g4-g5 a6-a5 20.Rd1-c1 Bd8-b6
21.Nb3-d2 Qc4-c7 22.Rh1-e1 a5-a4
23.c2-c3 b4-b3 24.a2-a3 Bb6xe3
25.Re1xe3 Nd7-b6 26.c3-c4 Nb6-d7
56
B90 Llaneza Vega,M (2438)-Onischuk,V
Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu
(2506)/Grodzisk Mazowiecki 2007/CBM
Vassily Ivanchuk
119 ext/1-0 (59) ] 12...Bf8-e7 13.f4-f5
World Chess Cup (3.4)
02.12.2007 Be6-c4 14.g2-g4 Nf6xg4 15.Rh1-g1
h7-h5 16.h2-h3 Ng4xe3 17.Qd2xe3
B90: Sicilian Najdorf: Unusual White
Diagram
6th moves, 6 Be3 Ng4 and 6 Be3 e5
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 d7-d6
(Diagram 2910)
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram
Ng8-f6 5.Nb1-c3 a7-a6 6.Bc1-e3
Rh8-h7 18.Bf1xc4 last book move
e7-e5 7.Nd4-b3 Bc8-e6 8.Qd1-d2
last book move b5xc4 [Houdini 2.0c
Nb8-d7 9.0-0-0 b7-b5 10.f2-f4
Pro x64: 18...Qc7xc4 19.Rd1-d2
Qd8-c7 11.Kc1-b1 Ra8-c8 12.a2-a3N Qc4-c6 20.Rg1-d1 Nd7-b6 21.Nb3-a5

+ + rk+
+ + + pp
p+ p nr+
+p+Pp +
Pl+P+ +
Pq+ +P+
L R +PP
+ + N QK

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+k+ r
+ qnlpp
p+ p + +
+p+ pP+p
+l+P+ +
PNN Q +P
PP+ + +
+K+R+LR

790

2910

Qc6-c7 22.Qe3-d3 Ke8-f8 23.Rd2-g2


Nb6-c4 24.Na5xc4 Qc7xc4 25.Qd3-g3
h5-h4 0.19/12 ] 19.Nb3-d2 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19.Nc3-d5
Qc7-b7 20.Nb3-a5 Qb7-b5 21.Nd5xe7
Ke8xe7 22.Qe3-d2 Qb5-b6 23.Qd2-c3
Qb6-c7 24.Rg1-g2 Nd7-f6 Diagram

+r+ + +
+ q kppr
p+ p n +
N + pP+p
+p+P+ +
P Q + +P
PP+ +R+
+K+R+ +

2911

+r+k+ +
+ qnlppr
p+ p + +
+ + pP+p
+p+P+ +
P N Q +P
PPN + +
+K+R+ R

2912

22.Kb1-a1 Nd7-f6 23.Nf3-d2 Rb8-c8


24.Nd2-f3 Rc8-b8 25.Nf3-d2 0.23/13
Diagram

r +k+ +
+ + lppr
p+ p n +
+ q pP+
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
PPNQ+ +
K +R+ R

2913

] 20.Nd2-f3 [ 20.Qe3-f3 Qc7-c5= ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.Qe3-f3
Qc7-b7 21.Qf3-e2 Qb7-c6 22.Rg1-g2
h5-h4 23.Rd1-g1 Ke8-f8 24.Kb1-a1
25.Rg2-e2 Ke7-e8 26.Qc3-b4 c4-c3
Kf8-g8 25.Qe2-e3 Kg8-h8 26.Qe3-g5
27.Rd1xd6 c3xb2 28.Kb1xb2 0.48/11 ] d6-d5 0.32/12 ] 20...Rc8-b8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...Qc7-b7
(Diagram 2912)
21.Kb1-a1 Ke8-f8 22.Qe3-e2 h5-h4
23.Nf3-d2 Qb7-c6 24.Ka1-a2 Nf6-h5
19...Nd7-f6 The knight blocks f5
25.Nc3-d5 Nh5-f4 26.Nd5xf4 e5xf4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...Qc7-c5
27.Nd2-f3 Rc8-b8 28.Rd1-d5 Rh7-h5
20.Qe3-e2 h5-h4 21.Nd2-f3 Rc8-b8
-0.11/14 ] 21.Kb1-a2 [Houdini 2.0c

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

791

Pro x64: 21.Nf3-g5 Diagram

r +k+ +
+ q lppr
p+ p n +
+ + pPNp
+p+P+ +
P N Q +P
PP+ + +
+K+R+ R

2914

Rh7-h6 22.Kb1-a1 Qc7-b6


23.Qe3xb6 Rb8xb6 24.Ng5-f3 Ke8-f8
25.Ka1-a2 h5-h4 26.Nf3-d2 Rb6-c6
27.Nd2-f1 Rc6-b6 28.Nf1-e3 -0.06/13 ]
21...Qc7-b6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 21...Be7-d8 22.Nf3-d2
Qc7-c6 23.Qe3-e2 Bd8-b6 24.Rg1-g2
Bb6-d4 25.Qe2xc4 Qc6-b7 26.Rd1-b1
Ke8-f8 27.Ka2-a1 h5-h4 28.Qc4-d3
Rh7-h6 -0.08/12 ]
(Diagram 2915)
Black has a mate threat 22.Qe3-c1
Diagram [ 22.Qe3xb6 Rb8xb6
23.Rg1-g2 Be7-d8= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 22.Qe3xb6 Rb8xb6 23.Rg1-g2
Ke8-f8 24.Nf3-g5 Rh7-h6 25.Rd1-g1
Rb6-b8 26.Ng5-f3 Rh6-h7 27.Nf3-d2
Rb8-c8 28.Ka2-b1 h5-h4 29.Kb1-a2
Be7-d8 30.Nd2-f3 Bd8-b6 -0.05/12 ]
(Diagram 2916)
22...Qb6-b7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Ke8-f8 23.Ka2-a1 h5-h4
24.Rg1-g2 Be7-d8 25.Qc1-b1 Qb6-c6
26.Rg2-d2 Bd8-c7 27.Nf3-g5 Rh7-h5
28.Rd1-g1 Diagram

r +k+ +
+ + lppr
pq p n +
+ + pP+p
+p+P+ +
P N QN+P
KPP+ + +
+ +R+ R

r +k+ +
+ + lppr
pq p n +
+ + pP+p
+p+P+ +
P N +N+P
KPP+ + +
+ QR+ R

r + k +
+ l +pp
p+qp n +
+ + pPNr
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
PPR + +
KQ+ + R
Kf8-g8 -0.36/12 ]

2915

2916

2917

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r +k+ +
+q+ lppr
p+ p n +
+ + pP+p
+p+P+ +
P N +N+P
KPP+ + +
+ QR+ R

792

2918

23.Nf3-g5 White threatens to win


material: Ng5xh7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23.Rg1-e1 Ke8-f8 Diagram

r + k +
+q+ lppr
p+ p n +
+ + pP+p
+p+P+ +
P N +N+P
KPP+ + +
+ QRR +

2919

24.Ka2-a1 Kf8-g8 25.Re1-e3 Rh7-h6


26.Rd1-g1 h5-h4 27.Re3-e1 Rh6-h5
28.Re1-e2 Kg8-h8 29.Qc1-b1
-0.37/12 ] 23...Rh7-h8 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 23...Rh7-h6 24.Ka2-a1
Ke8-f8 25.h3-h4 Kf8-g8 26.Rg1-g3
a6-a5 27.Rd1-g1 Nf6-g4 28.Nc3-d5
Be7xg5 29.h4xg5 Diagram
Rh6-h8 30.Rg3-c3 Qb7-b5 31.b2-b3
-0.44/13 ] 24.Rg1-g2 [ 24.h3-h4
Ke8-f8! Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Ka2-a1

r + +k+
+q+ +pp
+ p + r
p +NpPPp
+p+P+n+
P + + R
PP+ + +
K Q + R

r + k r
+q+ lpp
p+ p n +
+ + pPNp
+p+P+ P
P N + +
KPP+ + +
+ QR+ R

2920

2921

Ke8-f8 25.Rd1-d2 Rh8-h6 26.h3-h4


Kf8-g8 27.Qc1-b1 Nf6-g4 28.Nc3-d5
Be7-d8 29.Qb1-a2 a6-a5 30.Rg1-d1
-0.29/12 ] 24...h5-h4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...Ke8-f8
25.Ka2-a1 Rh8-h6 26.Qc1-b1 a6-a5
Diagram
(Diagram 2922)
27.Qb1-c1 h5-h4 28.Rd1-g1 Rh6-h5
29.Rg2-d2 Nf6-d7 30.Ng5-f3 Nd7-c5
-0.42/13 ]
25.Rd1-g1 Diagram [ 25.Ka2-b1 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25.Ka2-a1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + k +
+q+ lpp
+ p n r
p + pPNp
+p+P+ +
P N + +P
PP+ +R+
KQ+R+ +

r +k+ r
+q+ lpp
p+ p n +
+ + pPN
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
KPP+ +R+
+ QR+ +

793

2922

2923

r +k+ r
+q+ lpp
p+ p n +
+ + pPN
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
PP+ +R+
K QR+ +

r + k +
+q+ +p+
p+ p p r
+ +Np R
+p+Pn p
P + + +P
PPR + +
K Q + +

2924

2925

Diagram
(Diagram 2924)
Ke8-f8 26.Rd1-d2 Nf6-h5 27.Rg2-g4
Be7xg5 28.Rg4xg5 Rh8-h6 29.Nc3-d5
Nh5-f4 30.f5-f6 g7xf6 Diagram
(Diagram 2925)
31.Rg5-f5 Nf4xh3 32.Rd2-g2 Nh3-g5
33.Nd5xf6 -0.46/11 ]
25...Rh8-h5 [ 25...d6-d5!? 26.e4xd5
Nf6xd5 27.Nc3xd5 Qb7xd5
Diagram

r +k+ r
+q+ lpp
p+ p n +
+ + pPN
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
KPP+ +R+
+ Q + R

2926

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r +k+ r
+ + lpp
p+ + + +
+ +qpPN
+p+ + p
P + + +P
KPP+ +R+
+ Q + R

794

2927

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...d6-d5


Diagram

r +k+ r
+q+ lpp
p+ + n +
+ +ppPN
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
KPP+ +R+
+ Q + R

2928

26.e4xd5 Nf6xd5 27.Ng5-e4 Nd5xc3+


28.Ne4xc3 Be7-c5 29.Rg2xg7 Bc5xg1
30.Rg7xg1 Rh8-h5 31.Rg1-g8+
Ke8-e7 32.f5-f6+ Ke7xf6 33.Qc1-f1+
Rh5-f5 34.Rg8xb8 Qb7xb8
35.Nc3-d5+ Kf6-e6 36.Qf1xc4 Ke6-d6
37.b2-b4 Qb8-a7 -0.79/11 Diagram
(Diagram 2929)
] 26.Ng5xf7= [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26.Qc1-b1 Diagram
d6-d5 27.Ng5xf7 Ke8xf7 28.Rg2xg7+

+ + + +
q + +p+
p+ k + +
+ +Npr+
PQ+ + p
P + + +P
K+P+ + +
+ + + +

r +k+ +
+q+ lpp
p+ p n +
+ + pPNr
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
KPP+ +R+
+Q+ + R

2929

2930

Kf7-e8 29.Rg7xe7+ Qb7xe7


30.Nc3xd5 Nf6xd5 31.Rg1-g8+
Ke8-d7 32.Rg8xb8 Kd7-c7 33.Rb8-a8
Diagram
(Diagram 2931)
Kc7-b7 34.Ra8-g8 Nd5-f6 35.Qb1-d1
Rh5-h6 36.Rg8-d8 Rh6-h7 37.Ka2-b1
Nf6xe4 38.Qd1-d5+ Kb7-c7 -0.37/11 ]
26...Ke8xf7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26...Ke8xf7 Diagram
27.Rg2xg7+ Kf7-e8 28.Rg1-g6
Rh5-h7 29.Rg7xh7 Nf6xh7 30.Nc3-d5
Be7-g5 31.Rg6-g8+ Ke8-f7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

R+ + + +
+ k q +
p+ + + +
+ +npP+r
+p+P+ p
P + + +P
KPP+ + +
+Q+ + +

r + + +
+q+ lkp
p+ p n +
+ + pP+r
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
KPP+ +R+
+ Q + R

795

2931

2932

32.Rg8xb8 Qb7xb8 33.Qc1-f1 Nh7-f6


34.Nd5xf6 c4-c3 35.Qf1-c4+ Kf7xf6
36.b2-b3 Kf6-e7 37.Qc4xa6 Qb8-c7
38.a3-a4 Bg5-c1 39.Qa6-f1 Bc1-d2
40.Qf1-g2 Ke7-d7 41.Qg2-g6 Kd7-c6
-0.42/13 Diagram
(Diagram 2933)
]
27.Rg2xg7+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 27.Rg2xg7+ Kf7-e8
28.Rg1-g6 Rh5-h7 29.Rg7xh7 Nf6xh7
30.Nc3-d5 Be7-g5 31.Rg6-g8+ Ke8-f7
32.Rg8xb8 Diagram

+ + + +
+ q + +
+kp +Q+
+ + pP+
P+ +P+ p
+Pp + +P
K+Pl + +
+ + + +

r + + +
+q+ lkp
p+ p n +
+ + pP+r
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
KPP+ +R+
+ Q + R

R + + +
+q+ +k+n
p+ p + +
+ +NpPl
+p+P+ p
P + + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

2933

2934

2935

Qb7xb8 33.Qc1-f1 Nh7-f6 34.Nd5xf6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

796

c4-c3 35.Qf1-c4+ Kf7xf6 36.b2-b3


Kf6-e7 37.Qc4xa6 Qb8-c7 38.a3-a4
Ke7-f6 39.a4-a5 Qc7-c5 40.Qa6-b6
Qc5xb6 41.a5xb6 -0.60/12 ]

r + + +
+q+ lkR
p+ p n +
+ + pP+r
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + R

2936

27...Kf7-f8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 27...Kf7-e8 28.Rg1-g6 Diagram

r +k+ +
+q+ l R
p+ p nR+
+ + pP+r
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

2937

r + l +
+q+k+ +n
p+ p +R+
+ +NpP+
+p+P+ p
P + + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

r + k +
+q+ l R
p+ p n +
+ + pP+r
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + R

2938

2939

28.Rg1-g6 Praise the rook!


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Nc3-d5
Nf6xd5 Diagram
(Diagram 2940)

Rh5-h7 29.Rg7xh7 Nf6xh7 30.Nc3-d5


Be7-f8 31.Ka2-a1 Ke8-d7 32.Ka1-a2
Diagram

29.Rg7-g8+ Kf8-f7 30.Rg1-g7+ Kf7-f6


31.Rg7-g6+ Kf6-f7 32.Rg6-g7+
Diagram

(Diagram 2938)

(Diagram 2941)

a6-a5 33.Ka2-b1 Qb7-b5 34.Kb1-a1


a5-a4 35.f5-f6 Rb8-b7 36.Rg6-g8
-0.52/13 ]

Kf7-f6 -0.21/15 ] 28...d6-d5


[ 28...Qb7-b6!? Diagram
might be a viable alternative 29.Nc3-d5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + k +
+q+ l R
p+ p + +
+ +npP+r
+p+P+ p
P + + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + R

r + +R+
+q+ lkR
p+ p + +
+ +npP+r
+p+P+ p
P + + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

797

2940

31.Rg6-g7+ Kf7-f6 32.Rg7-g6+ Kf6-f7


33.Rg6-g7+ Kf7-f6 34.Rg7-g6+
Kf6-f7= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28...Rh5-h7 Diagram

r + k +
+q+ l Rr
p+ p nR+
+ + pP+
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

2943

2941

29.Rg7xh7 Nf6xh7 30.Nc3-d5 Be7-g5


31.Qc1-a1 Kf8-f7 32.Rg6xd6 Nh7-f6
33.Rd6-b6 Qb7-a7 34.Rb6xb8
Qa7xb8 35.Qa1-d1 Qb8-d8
36.Qd1-e2 Nf6xd5 37.e4xd5 Qd8-f6
38.Qe2xc4 Qf6xf5 39.d5-d6+ Kf7-f6
40.Qc4-b3 -0.53/12 Diagram
(Diagram 2944)
] 29.e4xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29.e4xd5 Diagram

r + k +
+ + l R
pq p nR+
+ + pP+r
+p+P+ p
P N + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +
Nf6xd5 30.Rg7-g8+ Kf8-f7

(Diagram 2945)
2942

Nf6-e8 30.f5-f6 Ne8xg7 31.Rg6xg7


Qb7xb2+ 32.Qc1xb2 Rb8xb2+
33.Ka2xb2 Be7xf6 34.Rg7-g4 e5-e4
35.Rg4xe4 Rh5xd5 36.Re4-f4 Rd5-d6
37.Rf4xc4 Rd6-b6+ 38.Kb2-c1 Kf8-f7
39.Nc3-d5 Bf6-g5+ 40.Kc1-d1 Rb6-b2
41.Rc4-b4 Rb2-a2 42.Rb4-a4 Kf7-e6
43.Nd5-c7+ Ke6-d6 44.Nc7xa6
0.30/13 ] 29...Nf6xd5?? Diagram
[ 29...Qb7-b6 Diagram
30.Rg7xe7 Kf8xe7 31.d5-d6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + +
+ + + +
p+ P k +
+ + pql
+ + + p
PQ+ + +P
KPP+ + +
+ + + +

r + k +
+q+ l R
p+ + nR+
+ +PpP+r
+p+ + p
P N + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

r + k +
+ + l R
pq + nR+
+ +PpP+r
+p+ + p
P N + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +
Qb6xd6 32.Rg6xf6 Qd6-d4

798

2944

2945

33.Rf6-e6+ Ke7-f8 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 29...Nf6-e8 30.f5-f6 Ne8xg7
31.Rg6xg7 Qb7xb2+ 32.Qc1xb2
Rb8xb2+ 33.Ka2xb2 Be7xf6
34.Rg7-g4 e5-e4 35.Rg4xe4 Rh5xd5
36.Re4-f4 Rd5-d6 37.Rf4xc4 a6-a5
38.Kb2-b3 Rd6-b6+ 39.Kb3-a4 Bf6xc3
40.Rc4xc3 0.34/11 ]

r + k +
+q+ l R
p+ + +R+
+ +npP+r
+p+ + p
P N + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

2947

strolling merrily down the path to


disaster. 30.Rg7-g8++- [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 30.Rg7-g8+ Kf8-f7
31.Rg6-g7+ Kf7-f6 32.Nc3xd5+
Qb7xd5 33.Qc1-g1 e5-e4 34.Rg8xb8
Be7-d6 35.Qg1-g6+ Kf6-e5
36.Rb8-e8+ Ke5-f4 37.Qg6xh5
Diagram
(Diagram 2948)
2946

Kf4-e3 38.Qh5-g5+ Ke3-f3


39.Qg5-g2+ Kf3-e3 40.Qg2-g1+
Ke3-f3 41.f5-f6 c4-c3+ 42.b2-b3
11.82/9 ] 30...Kf8-f7 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30...Kf8-f7
Diagram
31.Rg6-g7+ Kf7-f6 32.Nc3xd5+
Qb7xd5 33.Qc1-g1 e5-e4 34.Rg8xb8
Be7-d6 35.Qg1-g6+ Kf6-e5
36.Rb8-e8+ Ke5-f4 37.Qg6xh5 Kf4-e3
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +R+ +
+ + + R
p+ l + +
+ +q+P+Q
+p+pk p
P + + +P
KPP+ + +
+ + + +

r + +R+
+q+ lk+
p+ + +R+
+ +npP+r
+p+ + p
P N + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

+ +R+ +
+ + + R
p+ l + +
+ +q+P+Q
+p+p+ p
P + k +P
KPP+ + +
+ + + +
38.Qh5-g5+ Ke3-f3 39.Qg5-g2+

799
Kf3-e3 40.Qg2-g1+ Ke3-f3 41.f5-f6
c4-c3+ 42.b2-b3 12.10/1 ]
2948

r + +R+
+q+ lk+
p+ + +R+
+ +npP+r
+p+ + p
P N + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

2951

31.Rg6-g7+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 31.Rg6-g7+ Diagram

2949

r + +R+
+q+ lkR
p+ + + +
+ +npP+r
+p+ + p
P N + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

2952

2950

Kf7-f6 32.Nc3xd5+ Qb7xd5


33.Qc1-g1 e5-e4 34.Rg8xb8 Be7-d6
35.Qg1-g6+ Kf6-e5 36.Rb8-e8+
Ke5-f4 37.Qg6xh5 Kf4-e3 38.Qh5-g5+
Ke3-f3 39.Qg5-g2+ Kf3-e3
40.Qg2-g1+ Ke3-f3 41.f5-f6 c4-c3+
42.b2-b3 11.82/9 Diagram
]
31...Kf7-f6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31...Kf7-f6 32.Nc3xd5+ Qb7xd5
33.Qc1-g1 Rb8xb2+ 34.Ka2-a1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +R+ +
+ + + R
p+ l P +
+ +q+ +
+ +p+ p
PPp +k+P
K+P+ + +
+ + + Q

r + +R+
+q+ lkR
p+ + + +
+ +npP+r
+p+ + p
P N + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

800

2953

2954

Rb2-a2+ 35.Ka1xa2 e5-e4


36.Qg1-g6+ Kf6-e5 37.Rg7xe7+
Diagram
(Diagram 2955)
Ke5-f4 38.Qg6xh5 c4-c3+ 39.Ka2-a1
Qd5xg8 40.Qh5xh4+ Kf4-f3
41.Qh4xe4+ Kf3-g3 42.f5-f6 Qg8-g5
43.Qe4-d3+ Kg3-g2 44.Re7-e2+
Kg2-h1 45.Qd3xc3 Qg5-g1+
46.Re2-e1 12.16/1 ] 32.Nc3xd5+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32.Nc3xd5+
Qb7xd5 Diagram
33.Qc1-g1 Rb8xb2+ 34.Ka2-a1

+ + +R+
+ + R +
p+ + +Q+
+ +qkP+r
+p+p+ p
P + + +P
K+P+ + +
+ + + +

r + +R+
+ + l R
p+ + k +
+ +qpP+r
+p+ + p
P + + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

2955

2956

Rb2-a2+ 35.Ka1xa2 e5-e4


36.Qg1-g6+ Kf6-e5 37.Rg7xe7+
Ke5-f4 38.Qg6xh5 c4-c3+ 39.Ka2-a1
Qd5xg8 40.Qh5xh4+ Kf4-f3
41.Qh4xe4+ Kf3-g3 42.f5-f6 Qg8-g5
43.Qe4-d3+ Kg3-g2 44.Re7-e2+
Kg2-h1 45.Qd3xc3 Qg5-g1+
46.Re2-e1 11.89/10 ] 32...Qb7xd5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32...Qb7xd5
33.Qc1-g1 Rb8xb2+ 34.Ka2-a1
Rb2-b1+ 35.Ka1xb1 e5-e4 36.Rg7xe7
Kf6xe7 37.Qg1-g7+ Qd5-f7
38.Qg7-e5+ Diagram
Ke7-d7 39.Rg8-g7 Qf7xg7
40.Qe5xg7+ Kd7-d6 41.Qg7-g6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +R+
+ + kq+
p+ + + +
+ + QP+r
+p+p+ p
P + + +P
+P+ + +
+K+ + +

801

2957

Kd6-e5 42.Qg6xh5 a6-a5 43.Qh5-g5


e4-e3 44.Qg5xe3+ Ke5xf5 45.Qe3-d4
Kf5-e6 46.Qd4xh4 Ke6-d5
47.Qh4-g5+ Kd5-e4 48.Qg5xa5
13.09/11 ] 33.Rg7-g6+ [ 33.Qc1-g1
c4-c3+ 34.b2-b3+- Diagram

r + +R+
+ + l R
p+ + k +
+ +qpP+r
+ + + p
PPp + +P
K+P+ + +
+ + + Q

2958

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Qc1-g1


c4-c3+ 34.b2-b3 e5-e4 35.Qg1-g6+
Kf6-e5 36.Rg7xe7+ Ke5-f4 37.Rg8xb8
Rh5xf5 38.Rb8-b4 Kf4-e3 39.Qg6-g7
Diagram
Rf5-f3 40.Qg7-g1+ Ke3-f4
41.Qg1-g4+ Kf4-e3 42.Rb4xe4+
Ke3-f2 8.55/9 ] 33...Kf6-f7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33...Kf6-f7

+ + + +
+ + R Q
p+ + + +
+ +q+r+
R +p+ p
PPp k +P
K+P+ + +
+ + + +

2959

34.Rg8xb8 Diagram

R + + +
+ + lk+
p+ + +R+
+ +qpP+r
+p+ + p
P + + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

2960

c4-c3+ 35.Ka2-b1 Rh5xf5 36.Qc1-g1


Rf5-f1+ 37.Qg1xf1+ Kf7xg6
38.Rb8-b6+ Kg6-g5 39.b2-b4 a6-a5
40.Rb6-b5 Qd5-e4 41.Rb5xa5 Be7-d6
42.Ra5-a7 Qe4-f4 43.Qf1-g2+ Kg5-f6
44.Qg2-g7+ Kf6-e6 45.Qg7-g6+
4.02/9 ] 34.Rg8xb8 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Rg8xb8
c4-c3+ 35.Ka2-b1 Rh5xf5 36.Qc1-g1
Rf5-f1+ 37.Qg1xf1+ Kf7xg6
38.Rb8-b6+ Kg6-g5 39.b2-b4 a6-a5
40.Rb6-b5 Qd5-e4 41.Rb5xa5 Be7-d6
42.Ra5-a7 Qe4-f4 43.Qf1-g2+ Kg5-f6
44.Qg2-g7+ Kf6-e6 45.Qg7-g6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

802

3.42/10 ]

R + + +
+ + lk+
p+ + +R+
+ +qpP+r
+p+ + p
P + + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

2961

34...c4-c3+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 34...c4-c3+ 35.Ka2-b1
Rh5xf5 36.Qc1-g1 Rf5-f1+
37.Qg1xf1+ Kf7xg6 38.Rb8-b6+
Kg6-g5 39.b2-b4 a6-a5 40.Rb6-b5
Qd5-d4 41.Rb5-b7 Qd4-d8
42.Qf1-g1+ Kg5-f6 43.b4xa5 Qd8-d5
44.a5-a6 Be7xa3 45.Qg1-f1+ Kf6-g6
46.Qf1-d3+ Qd5xd3 47.c2xd3 3.83/11 ]

R + + +
+ + lk+
p+ + +R+
+ +qpP+r
+ + + p
P p + +P
KPP+ + +
+ Q + +

2962

R + + +
+ + lk+
p+ + +R+
+ +qpP+r
+ + + p
P p + +P
PP+ + +
+KQ + +

2963

Qd5-d4 41.Rb5-b7 Qd4-d8


42.Qf1-g1+ Kg5-f6 43.b4xa5 Qd8-d5
44.a5-a6 Be7xa3 45.Qg1-f1+ Kf6-g6
46.Qf1-d3+ Qd5xd3 47.c2xd3 3.60/12
Diagram

+ + + +
+R+ + +
P+ + +k+
+ + p +
+ + + p
l pP+ +P
+ + + +
+K+ + +

2964

] 35...Rh5xf5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


35...Rh5xf5 Diagram
(Diagram 2965)

35.Ka2-b1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


35.Ka2-b1 Diagram
Rh5xf5 36.Qc1-g1 Rf5-f1+
37.Qg1xf1+ Kf7xg6 38.Rb8-b6+
Kg6-g5 39.b2-b4 a6-a5 40.Rb6-b5

36.Qc1-g1 Rf5-f1+ 37.Qg1xf1+


Kf7xg6 38.Rb8-b6+ Kg6-g5 39.b2-b4
a6-a5 40.Rb6-b5 Qd5-d4 41.Rb5-b7
Qd4-d8 42.Qf1-g1+ Kg5-f6 43.b4xa5
Qd8-d5 44.a5-a6 Be7xa3 45.Qg1-f1+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

R + + +
+ + lk+
p+ + +R+
+ +qpr+
+ + + p
P p + +P
PP+ + +
+KQ + +

803

2965

Kf6-g6 46.Qf1-d3+ Qd5xd3 47.c2xd3


3.83/11 Diagram

+ + + +
+R+ + +
P+ + +k+
+ + p +
+ + + p
l pP+ +P
+ + + +
+K+ + +

2966

] 36.Qc1-g1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


36.Qc1-g1 Rf5-f1+ 37.Qg1xf1+
Kf7xg6 38.Rb8-b6+ Kg6-g7
39.Qf1-g1+ Kg7-f8 40.b2xc3 Be7-d8
41.Qg1-f1+ Diagram
(Diagram 2967)
Kf8-g7 42.c3-c4 Qd5-e4 43.Rb6-d6
Qe4-b7+ 44.Kb1-a2 Bd8-e7
45.Rd6-e6 Be7-g5 46.Re6xe5 3.29/10
] 36...Be7-f8 [ 36...Rf5-f1+ no good, but
what else? 37.Qg1xf1+ Kf7xg6

+ l k +
+ + + +
pR + + +
+ +qp +
+ + + p
P P + +P
+P+ + +
+K+ +Q+

2967

38.Qf1xa6+ Kg6-f7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 36...Rf5-f1+ 37.Qg1xf1+ Kf7xg6
38.Rb8-b6+ Kg6-g5 39.b2-b4 a6-a5
40.Rb6-b5 Qd5-e4 41.Rb5xa5 Be7-d6
42.Ra5-a7 Qe4-f4 43.Qf1-g2+
Kg5-f6 3.51/9 ] 37.Rg6-g8 [ 37.Rg6xa6
Qd5-e6 38.Ra6xe6 Kf7xe6
39.Qg1-g8+ Ke6-e7 Diagram

R + lQ+
+ + k +
+ + + +
+ + pr+
+ + + p
P p + +P
PP+ + +
+K+ + +

2968

40.Qg8-h7+ Ke7-e6 41.Rb8-e8+


Ke6-d5 42.Qh7xf5 Kd5-c6 43.Qf5-e6+
Bf8-d6 44.Re8-c8+ Kc6-b7
45.Qe6-d7+ Bd6-c7 46.Qd7xc7+
Kb7-a6 47.Rc8-a8+ Ka6-b5
48.Ra8-a5# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.Rg6xa6 Qd5-e6 38.Rb8xf8+ Kf7xf8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

804

39.Ra6xe6 c3xb2 40.Qg1-c5+ Kf8-g8


41.Re6xe5 Rf5-f1+ 42.Kb1xb2 Rf1-f7
43.Qc5-c4 Kg8-h8 14.79/9 ]
37...Bf8-h6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...Qd5-d6 Diagram

R + lR+
+ + +k+
p+ q + +
+ + pr+
+ + + p
P p + +P
PP+ + +
+K+ + Q

R +R+ +
+ + k +
p+ + +Ql
+ +qpr+
+ + + p
P p + +P
PP+ + +
+K+ + +

2969

R + +R+
+ + k +
p+ + +Ql
+ +qpr+
+ + + p
P p + +P
PP+ + +
+K+ + +

38.Rb8xf8+ Qd6xf8 39.Qg1-g6+


Kf7-e7 40.Rg8xf8 Rf5xf8 41.Qg6-g7+
Rf8-f7 42.Qg7xe5+ Ke7-d7
43.Qe5xc3 Rf7-f1+ 44.Kb1-a2 Rf1-d1
45.Qc3-b4 Rd1-d5 46.Qb4xh4 Rd5-d6
47.Qh4-f4 8.76/10 ] 38.Qg1-g6+
[ 38.Qg1-g6+ Kf7-e7 39.Rg8-e8+
Diagram

2970

2971

(Diagram 2970)
Ke7-d7 40.Rb8-d8+ Kd7-c7
41.Re8-e7+ Kc7xd8 42.Qg6-e8# ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38.Qg1-g6+
Kf7-e7 Diagram

57

B87

Vassily Ivanchuk
Sergey Karjakin
Amber Tournament (Rapid) rapid
18.03.2008
(4)

(Diagram 2971)
39.Rg8-e8+ Ke7-d7 40.Rb8-d8+
Kd7-c7 41.Re8-e7+ Kc7xd8
42.Qg6-e8# #5/9 ]
1-0

B87: Sicilian Scheveningen/Najdorf: 6


Bc4, with early ...b5
1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 d7-d6
3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram
Ng8-f6 5.Nb1-c3 a7-a6 6.Bf1-c4
e7-e6 7.Bc4-b3 b7-b5 8.Bc1-g5
Bf8-e7 9.Qd1-f3 Qd8-c7 10.e4-e5
Bc8-b7 11.e5xd6 Be7xd6 12.Qf3-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rnlqklnr
pp+ pppp
+ p + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

805
14...f7xe6 15.Nd4xe6 Qc7-e5
16.Ne6xg7+ Diagram
2972

Bd6-c5 [RR 12...0-0 13.0-0-0 Bd6-e7


14.Bb3xe6 f7xe6 15.Nd4xe6 Qc7-c8
16.Ne6xf8 Kg8xf8 17.Rh1-e1 Nb8-c6
18.Bg5xf6 Be7xf6 19.Nc3-d5 Nc6-e5
20.Qe3-a3+ 1-0 Naumann,A (2549)Freitag,M (2402)/Austria 2007/EXT
2008 ] 13.0-0-0 Nb8-c6 14.Qe3xe6+N
[RR 14.Bg5xf6 g7xf6 15.Nc3-e4
Bc5xd4 16.Rd1xd4 Nc6xd4
17.Ne4xf6+ Ke8-f8 (RR 17...Ke8-e7
18.Qe3xd4 Ra8-d8 19.Qd4-h4 Ke7-f8
20.c2-c3 h7-h6 21.Bb3-c2 Qc7-e5
22.Nf6-h7+ Kf8-e8 23.Nh7-f6+ Ke8-f8
24.Nf6-h7+ Kf8-e8 25.Nh7-f6+ Ke8-f8
26.Nf6-h7+ - Taddei,B (2288)Roeder,M (2456)/Le Touquet 2006/EXT
2007 ) 18.Qe3xd4 Ra8-d8 19.Qd4-h4
Qc7-e5 (RR 19...h7-h6 20.c2-c3
Qc7-e5 21.Nf6-h7+ Kf8-e8 22.Nh7-f6+
Ke8-f8 23.Nf6-h7+ Kf8-e8 24.Nh7-f6+
Ke8-f8 25.Nf6-h7+ - Kogan,A
(2567)-Sutovsky,E (2607)/Ashdod 2006/
CBM 114 ext ) 20.f2-f4 Qe5-e3+
21.Kc1-b1 Rd8-d2 22.Qh4-h6+ Kf8-e7
23.Qh6-g5 Ke7-d6 24.a2-a3 Rd2xg2
25.Rh1-d1+ Rg2-d2 26.Qg5-e5+
Qe3xe5 27.Rd1xd2+ Qe5-d5
28.Nf6xd5 Bb7xd5 Edlund,R (2227)Constantin,D (2106)/Dos Hermanas
2004/CBM 099 ext/- (46) ]

r+ +k+ r
+l+ + Np
p+n+ n +
+pl q L
+ + + +
+LN + +
PPP+ PPP
+ KR+ +R

2973

Ke8-f8 17.Ng7-e6+ Kf8-f7 18.Rh1-e1


Qe5xe1 19.Ne6xc5+ last book move
last book move Kf7-g6 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 19...Kf7-g6 20.Rd1xe1
Kg6xg5 21.Nc5xb7 Ra8-a7 22.Nb7-d6
Rh8-f8 23.Nc3-e2 Nf6-g4 24.f2-f4+
Kg5-h6 25.Bb3-e6 Ng4-e3 26.g2-g3
Ra7-e7 27.f4-f5 Diagram

+ + r +
+ + r +p
p+nNL+ k
+p+ +P+
+ + + +
+ + n P
PPP+N+ P
+ K R +

2974

Ne3-g2 28.Re1-d1 Ng2-e3 1.34/14 ]


20.Rd1xe1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20.Rd1xe1 Diagram
Kg6xg5 21.Nc5xb7 Ra8-a7
22.Nb7-d6 Rh8-f8 23.Bb3-d5 Ra7-c7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + + r
+l+ + +p
p+n+ nk+
+pN + L
+ + + +
+LN + +
PPP+ PPP
+ K R +

806

2975

24.Bd5xc6 Rc7xc6 25.Re1-e6 Kg5-h5


26.f2-f3 Rf8-d8 27.g2-g4+ Kh5-g6
28.Nc3-e4 1.17/11 ] 20...Kg6xg5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...Kg6xg5
Diagram

r+ + + r
+l+ + +p
p+n+ n +
+pN + k
+ + + +
+LN + +
PPP+ PPP
+ K R +

2976

21.Nc5xb7 Kg5-g6 22.Nc3-e2 Ra8-a7


23.Nb7-c5 Rh8-e8 24.Ne2-f4+ Kg6-h6
25.Re1xe8 Nf6xe8 26.Kc1-d2 Ne8-f6
27.c2-c3 Nc6-e5 28.f2-f3 Ra7-a8
1.13/12 ] 21.Nc5xb7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 21.Nc5xb7 Ra8-e8
22.Re1-d1 Rh8-f8 23.Nb7-c5 b5-b4
24.Nc3-d5 Nf6xd5 25.Bb3xd5 Nc6-d8
26.Rd1-d4 a6-a5 27.h2-h4+ Kg5-h5
28.Bd5-f3+ Kh5-g6 29.Rd4-d6+

Kg6-g7 1.12/12 ] 21...Nc6-d4


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21...Rh8-e8
22.Re1-d1 Ra8-a7 23.Nb7-d6 Re8-f8
24.Bb3-e6 Nc6-d8 25.Be6-d5 Ra7-c7
26.f2-f3 Nd8-c6 27.Nc3-e4+ Nf6xe4
28.Bd5xe4 Rf8-g8 29.c2-c3 1.16/12 ]
22.Nb7-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.Nb7-d6 Diagram

r+ + + r
+ + + +p
p+ N n +
+p+ + k
+ n + +
+LN + +
PPP+ PPP
+ K R +

2977

Nd4xb3+ 23.a2xb3 Ra8-a7


24.Re1-e6 Rh8-f8 25.f2-f3 Ra7-c7
26.Nd6-e4+ Nf6xe4 27.Nc3xe4+
Kg5-f4 28.Re6xa6 b5-b4 29.Ra6-b6
Rf8-c8 30.Rb6-f6+ Kf4-e5 31.c2-c3
b4xc3 32.b2xc3 1.21/13 ] 22...Rh8-f8
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Nd4xb3+ 23.a2xb3 Ra8-a7
24.Re1-e6 Rh8-f8 25.f2-f3 b5-b4
26.Nc3-a4 a6-a5 27.Na4-c5 Kg5-g6
28.Kc1-d2 Ra7-c7 29.Nc5-e4 Rc7-d7
30.Kd2-e3 1.27/12 ]
(Diagram 2978)
23.f2-f3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23.Re1-e7 h7-h6 24.Bb3-e6
b5-b4 25.f2-f4+ Kg5xf4 26.Nc3-d5+
Nf6xd5 27.Be6xd5 Ra8-d8
28.Re7-e4+ Kf4-g5 29.Nd6-f7+ Rf8xf7
30.Bd5xf7 Kg5-f5 31.Re4-e1 Rd8-c8
1.23/12 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
p+ N n +
+p+ + k
+ n + +
+LN + +
PPP+ PPP
+ K R +

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
p+ N n +
+p+ + k
+ n + +
+LN +P+
PPP+ +PP
+ K R +

807

2978

2979

23...b5-b4 [ 23...Kg5-g6 24.Nc3-e2


Nd4xb3+ 25.a2xb3+- Diagram
(Diagram 2980)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Ra8-a7
24.Bb3-d5 Ra7-d7 25.Nd6-e4+
Nf6xe4 26.h2-h4+ Kg5-g6 27.Re1xe4
Nd4-f5 28.Bd5-e6 Rd7-c7 29.Nc3-d5
Diagram
Rc7-c6 30.Re4-g4+ Kg6-h6 0.93/12 ]
24.Nc3-e4+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.Nc3-a4 Kg5-g6 Diagram
25.Na4-c5 Rf8-d8 26.Nd6-c4 Rd8-e8
27.Nc4-e5+ Kg6-g7 28.Bb3-c4 a6-a5

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
p+ N nk+
+p+ + +
+ + + +
+P+ +P+
PP+N+PP
+ K R +

+ + r +
+ r + +p
p+ +L+k+
+p+N+n+
+ +R+ P
+ + +P+
PPP+ +P+
+ K + +

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
p+ N nk+
+ + + +
Np n + +
+L+ +P+
PPP+ +PP
+ K R +
29.f3-f4 Ra8-c8 30.Nc5-d3 Nf6-g4

2980

2981

2982

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

808

1.34/13 ] 24...Nf6xe4 [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 24...Nf6xe4 25.Re1xe4
Nd4xb3+ 26.a2xb3 Ra8-b8 27.Re4-e6
Kg5-f4 28.Kc1-d2 Rf8-g8 29.Re6-e4+
Kf4-g5 30.Kd2-e3 Diagram

r + +r+
+ + + +p
p+ N + +
+ + + k
p +R+ +
+P+ KP+
PP+ +PP
+ + + +

2983

Kg5-f6 31.g2-g3 Rb8-d8 32.Re4-f4+


Kf6-g6 33.Rf4-d4 a6-a5 34.c2-c4
b4xc3 35.b2xc3 1.03/15 ] 25.Re1xe4
[ 25.f3xe4?! Nd4xb3+ 26.a2xb3
Kg5-f6 Diagram

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
p+ N k +
+ + + +
p +P+ +
+P+ + +
PP+ +PP
+ K R +

2984

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25.Re1xe4


Nd4xb3+ 26.a2xb3 Ra8-b8 27.Re4-e6
Kg5-f4 28.Kc1-d2 Rf8-g8 29.Re6-e4+
Kf4-g5 30.Kd2-e3 Kg5-f6 31.g2-g3
Rb8-d8 32.Re4-f4+ Kf6-g6 33.Rf4-d4

a6-a5 34.c2-c4 b4xc3 35.b2xc3


1.10/14 ] 25...Nd4xb3+ Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...Rf8-f4
26.Bb3-d5 Ra8-a7 27.h2-h4+ Rf4xh4
Diagram

+ + + +
r + + +p
p+ N + +
+ +L+ k
p nR+ r
+ + +P+
PPP+ +P+
+ K + +

2985

28.Nd6-f7+ Ra7xf7 29.Bd5xf7


Rh4xe4 30.f3xe4 Kg5-f4 31.Bf7-d5
Nd4-e2+ 32.Kc1-d2 Ne2-g3
33.Kd2-d3 Kf4-e5 34.Kd3-c4 a6-a5
35.Kc4-d3 1.23/13 ]

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
p+ N + +
+ + + k
p +R+ +
+n+ +P+
PPP+ +PP
+ K + +

2986

26.a2xb3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 26.a2xb3 Ra8-b8 27.Re4-e6
Kg5-f4 28.Kc1-d2 Rf8-g8 29.Re6-e4+
Kf4-g5 30.Kd2-e3 Kg5-f6 31.g2-g3
Rb8-d8 32.Re4-f4+ Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +r+
+ + + +p
p+ N k +
+ + + +
p + R +
+P+ KPP
PP+ + P
+ + + +

809

2987

Kf6-g6 33.Rf4-d4 a6-a5 34.c2-c4


b4xc3 35.b2xc3 1.08/13 ]

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
p+ N + +
+ + + k
p +R+ +
+P+ +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

2988

+ r +r+
+ + + +p
+ + +k+
p + + +
p RN+P+
+P+ KP+
PP+ + P
+ + + +

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
+ N + +
p + + k
p +R+ +
+P+ +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

2989

2990

Diagram
26...a6-a5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26...Ra8-b8 27.Re4-e6 Kg5-f4
28.Kc1-d2 Rf8-g8 29.Re6-e4+ Kf4-g5
30.Kd2-e3 Kg5-f6 31.g2-g4 Rb8-d8
32.Re4-d4 a6-a5 33.Nd6-e4+ Kf6-g6
0.95/11 Diagram

(Diagram 2991)
Kg5-f6
Kg7-f6
Rf8-g8
Ke6-f5
Ke6-f5

29.Re4-h4 Kf6-g7 30.Rh4-g4+


31.Rg4-a4 Kf6-e6 32.Nd6-e4
33.g2-g3 Ra8-f8 34.f3-f4
35.Ne4-d6+ Kf5-e6 36.Nd6-e4
1.01/12 ]

(Diagram 2989)
(Diagram 2992)
]
27.Re4-g4+ Diagram [ 27.c2-c4 b4xc3
28.b2xc3 Kg5-f6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 27.c2-c4 b4xc3 28.b2xc3

27...Kg5-f6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 27...Kg5-f6 28.Nd6-e4+
Kf6-e6 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
+ N + +
p + + k
+ +R+ +
+PP +P+
+ + +PP
+ K + +

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
+ N + +
p + + k
p + +R+
+P+ +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
+ +k+ +
p + + +
p +N+R+
+P+ +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

810

2991

31.Rh4-h6+ Ke6-e5 32.b2xc3 Rf8-g8


33.g2-g3 Rg8-f8 34.Ne4-g5 Ra7-b7
35.Kc1-c2 Rf8-f6 36.Rh6xh7 Rb7xh7
37.f3-f4+ Ke5-f5 38.Ng5xh7 0.74/14 ]

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
+ N k +
p + + +
p + +R+
+P+ +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

2994

2992

28.Nd6-e4+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 28.Rg4-h4 Diagram

2993

29.Rg4-h4 Ra8-a7 30.c2-c4 b4xc3

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
+ N k +
p + + +
p + + R
+P+ +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

2995

Ra8-a7 29.Rh4-h6+ Kf6-g7


30.Rh6-e6 Ra7-d7 31.c2-c4 b4xc3
32.b2xc3 Rf8-d8 33.Nd6-c4 Kg7-f7
34.Re6-c6 Kf7-g7 35.Kc1-b2 0.84/12 ]
28...Kf6-e5 Diagram [ 28...Kf6-e6
29.Rg4-h4+- Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Kf6-e6
29.Rg4-h4 Ra8-a7 30.Rh4-h6+
Ke6-e5 31.c2-c4 b4xc3 32.b2xc3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
+ + k +
p + + +
p +N+R+
+P+ +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
+ +k+ +
p + + +
p +N+ R
+P+ +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

811

2996

2997

Rf8-g8 33.g2-g3 Rg8-f8 34.Ne4-g5


Ra7-b7 Diagram
(Diagram 2998)
35.Kc1-c2 Rf8-f6 36.Rh6xh7 Rb7xh7
37.f3-f4+ Ke5-f5 38.Ng5xh7 0.74/12 ]
(Diagram 2999)
29.Rg4-h4 [ 29.Rg4-g7+- Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29.Rg4-g7
h7-h6 30.Rg7-e7+ Diagram
Ke5-f4 31.Ne4-d6 Rf8-g8 32.Re7-e4+
Kf4-g5 33.c2-c4 b4xc3 34.b2xc3

+ + r +
+r+ + +p
+ + + R
p + k N
+ + + +
+PP +PP
+ + + P
+ K + +

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
+ + + +
p + k +
p +N+R+
+P+ +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

r+ + r +
+ + + Rp
+ + + +
p + k +
p +N+ +
+P+ +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

2998

2999

3000

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + r +
+ + R +
+ + + p
p + k +
p +N+ +
+P+ +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

812

3001

+ + r +
r + + +p
+ + + +
p + k +
p +N+ R
+P+ +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

3003

Diagram

r+ + +r+
+ + + +
+ N + p
p + + k
+ +R+ +
+PP +P+
+ + +PP
+ K + +

3002

Kg5-f6 35.g2-g4 Ra8-d8 36.Re4-d4


Kf6-e6 0.92/12 ] 29...a5-a4?
[ 29...Ra8-a7 Diagram
(Diagram 3003)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Ra8-a7
Diagram
(Diagram 3004)
30.Ne4-g3 Ra7-d7 31.c2-c3 Rf8-d8
32.f3-f4+ Ke5-d5 33.Rh4-h5+ Kd5-c6
34.Ng3-e4 b4xc3 35.b2xc3 Rd7-e7

+ + r +
r + + +p
+ + + +
p + k +
p +N+ R
+P+ +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

3004

36.Rh5-h6+ Kc6-d5 0.62/11 ]


30.b3xa4+- Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 30.b3xa4 Ra8xa4 31.Rh4-h5+
Rf8-f5 32.Rh5xh7 Ra4-a8 33.Kc1-d2
Ra8-g8 34.Ne4-g3 Rf5-f4 35.Rh7-h5+
Ke5-e6 Diagram
(Diagram 3005)
36.Rh5-h6+ Ke6-e5 37.Kd2-d3
Rg8-d8+ 38.Kd3-e3 Rf4-c4 39.f3-f4+
Ke5-d5 1.41/13 ]
30...Ra8xa4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30...Ra8xa4 31.Rh4-h5+ Diagram
Rf8-f5 32.Rh5xh7 Rf5-f8 33.Rh7-h5+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +r+
+ + + +
+ +k+ +
+ + + +R
p + r +
+ + +PN
PPK +PP
+ + + +

r+ + r +
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ + k +
Pp +N+ R
+ + +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

813
Ra4-a2 36.Rh8-e8+ Ke5-d4
37.Kc1-b1 Ra2-a5 38.Re8-b8 Ra5-a4
39.Rb8-d8+ Kd4-e5 1.61/12 ]
31.Ne4-c5 Diagram [ 31.Rh4-h5+
might be the shorter path Rf8-f5
32.Rh5xh7 Rf5-f8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 31.Rh4-h5+ Rf8-f5 32.Rh5xh7
Rf5-f8 33.Rh7-e7+ Ke5-f5 34.b2-b3
Ra4-a2 35.Re7-b7 Rf8-h8 36.Kc1-b1
Ra2-a5 37.h2-h3 Rh8-g8 38.g2-g4+
Kf5-f4 39.Rb7-f7+ Kf4-e5 1.50/12
Diagram

3005

+ + +r+
+ + +R+
+ + + +
r + k +
p +N+P+
+P+ +P+P
+P+ + +
+K+ + +

3006

3008

]
(Diagram 3009)

+ + r +
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ + k +R
rp +N+ +
+ + +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

3007

Rf8-f5 34.Rh5-h4 Rf5-f4 35.Rh4-h8

31...Ra4-a1+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 31...Ra4-a1+ 32.Kc1-d2
Rf8-g8 33.Nc5-d3+ Ke5-f6 34.Rh4-f4+
Kf6-e6 35.Rf4-e4+ Ke6-f6 36.g2-g3
Ra1-h1 37.Re4-f4+ Kf6-g7 38.Rf4-g4+
Kg7-h8 39.Rg4-h4 Rg8-d8 40.Kd2-e2
Rd8-e8+ 41.Ke2-f2 0.93/14 ]
(Diagram 3010)
32.Kc1-d2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.Kc1-d2 0.77/1 ] 32...Rf8-g8
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32...Rf8-g8 33.Nc5-d3+ Ke5-f6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + r +
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ N k +
rp + + R
+ + +P+
PP+ +PP
+ K + +

+ + r +
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ N k +
p + + R
+ + +P+
PP+ +PP
r K + +

814

3009

3010

34.Rh4-f4+ Kf6-e6 35.Rf4-e4+ Ke6-f6


36.g2-g3 Ra1-h1 37.Re4-f4+ Kf6-g7
38.Rf4-g4+ Kg7-h8 39.Rg4-h4 Rg8-d8
40.Kd2-e2 Rd8-e8+ 41.Ke2-f2 0.93/13
Diagram
(Diagram 3011)
]
(Diagram 3012)
33.g2-g3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 33.g2-g4 Ra1-g1 34.Nc5-d3+
Diagram

+ +r+ k
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ + + +
p + + R
+ +N+PP
PP+ K P
+ + + +r

+ + +r+
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ N k +
p + + R
+ + +P+
PPK +PP
r + + +

+ + +r+
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ + k +
p + +PR
+ +N+P+
PPK + P
+ + + r
Ke5-f6 35.Nd3xb4 Rg1-g2+

3011

3012

3013

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

815

36.Kd2-d3 Rg8-d8+ 37.Kd3-c3 Kf6-g6


38.f3-f4 Rd8-c8+ 39.Kc3-b3 Rc8-e8
40.c2-c3 Re8-e2 41.f4-f5+ Kg6-g5
0.83/11 ]

+ + +r+
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ N k +
p + + R
+ + +PP
PPK + P
r + + +

3014

3016

40.Rh5-g5+ Kg7-f7 0.86/11 ]

33...Ra1-f1 Diagram [ 33...Ra1-g1


Diagram

+ + +r+
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ N k +
p + + R
+ + +PP
PPK + P
+ + + r

+ + +r+
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ + k +
p + + R
+ +N+PP
PPK + P
+ + + r

3015

34.Nc5-d3+ Ke5-f6 35.Nd3xb4


( 35.Rh4xh7 Rg1-g2+ 36.Kd2-e3
Rg2xc2+- ) 35...Rg1-g2+ 36.Kd2-c3
Rg8-c8+ 37.Kc3-d4+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 33...Ra1-g1 34.Nc5-d3+
Diagram
Ke5-f6 35.Nd3xb4 Rg1-g2+
36.Kd2-c3 Kf6-g7 37.f3-f4 Rg8-c8+
38.Kc3-b3 Rc8-d8 39.Rh4-h5 Rd8-d2

+ + +r+
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ N k +
p + + R
+ + +PP
PPK + P
+ + +r+

3017

34.Kd2-e2 [ 34.Nc5-d3+ seems even


better Ke5-f6 35.Rh4xh7 b4-b3+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34.Nc5-d3+
Diagram
(Diagram 3018)
Ke5-f6 35.Rh4-f4+ Kf6-g7 36.Rf4-g4+
Kg7-f8 37.Rg4xb4 Rf1xf3 38.c2-c4
Rg8-g4 39.Rb4-b8+ Kf8-g7 40.c4-c5
Rg4-d4 41.Rb8-b7+ Kg7-f6 1.20/12 ]
34...Rf1-b1 [ 34...Rf1-g1 35.Nc5-d3+
Ke5-f5 36.Nd3xb4 ( 36.Rh4xh7
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +r+
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ + k +
p + + R
+ +N+PP
PPK + P
+ + +r+

+ + +r+
+ + + +R
+ + + +
+ + +k+
p + + +
+ +N+PP
PP+K+ P
+ + + r

816

3018

3019

Rg1-g2+ 37.Nd3-f2 Rg8-c8+- )


36...Rg8-e8+ 37.Ke2-d3+- ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 34...Rf1-g1 35.Nc5-d3+
Ke5-f6 36.Nd3xb4 Rg8-e8+
37.Ke2-d3 Rg1-d1+ 38.Kd3-c3 Kf6-g6
39.Nb4-c6 Re8-e3+ 40.Kc3-c4
Rd1-d2 41.Nc6-d4 h7-h5 1.03/12 ]
35.Rh4xb4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35.Rh4xb4 Rg8-c8 36.Nc5-d3+ Ke5-f6
37.Rb4-f4+ Kf6-g7 38.Rf4-g4+ Kg7-f6
39.c2-c4 Rc8-e8+ 40.Ke2-d2 Re8-d8
41.Rg4-f4+ Diagram
Kf6-e7 42.Kd2-c3 Rb1-d1 43.Rf4-e4+
Ke7-f6 44.Re4-e3 Rd1-h1 45.h2-h4
Rh1-h3 1.47/12 ] 35...Ke5-d5

+ r + +
+ + + +p
+ + k +
+ + + +
+P+ R +
+ +N+PP
P K + P
+r+ + +

3020

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35...Rg8-c8


36.Nc5-d3+ Ke5-f6 37.Rb4-f4+ Kf6-g7
38.Rf4-g4+ Kg7-f6 39.c2-c4 Rc8-e8+
40.Ke2-d2 Re8-d8 41.Rg4-f4+ Kf6-e7
42.Kd2-c3 Rb1-d1 43.Rf4-e4+
Diagram

+ r + +
+ + k +p
+ + + +
+ + + +
+P+R+ +
+ KN+PP
P + + P
+ +r+ +

3021

Ke7-f6 44.Re4-e3 Rd1-h1 45.h2-h4


Rh1-h3 1.58/13 ] 36.Nc5-e4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36.Nc5-e4
Diagram
Rg8-a8 37.Rb4-b6 Rb1-h1
38.Ne4-c3+ Kd5-e5 39.Rb6-b5+
Ke5-e6 40.Rb5-h5 Rh1-c1
41.Rh5-h6+ Ke6-e5 42.Ke2-d2
1.60/12 ] 36...Kd5-c6 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +r+
+ + + +p
+ + + +
+ +k+ +
R +N+ +
+ + +PP
PP+K+ P
+r+ + +

817

3022

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36...Rg8-a8


37.Rb4-b6 Rb1-c1 38.Ke2-d2 Rc1-f1
39.Kd2-e3 Rf1-e1+ 40.Ke3-d3
Re1-d1+ 41.Kd3-c3 Kd5-e5 42.Kc3-c4
Ra8-c8+ 43.Kc4-b3 1.49/11 ]

+ + +r+
+ + + +p
+k+ + +
+ + + +
R +N+ +
+ + +PP
PP+K+ P
+r+ + +

3023

37.h2-h4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 37.f3-f4 Rg8-f8 38.Rb4-c4+
Kc6-d5 39.b2-b3 Rb1-c1 40.Ke2-f3
Rc1-f1+ 41.Kf3-e3 Rf1-e1+ 42.Ke3-d3
Re1-d1+ 43.Kd3-c3 Rd1-h1
44.Rc4-d4+ Kd5-e6 45.Ne4-c5+
Ke6-f5 46.Rd4-d5+ Kf5-g4
47.Rd5-g5+ Kg4-f3 1.83/12 ]
37...Rb1-h1 Diagram [ 37...Rg8-e8
38.Ke2-f2+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

+ + +r+
+ + + +p
+k+ + +
+ + + +
R +N+ P
+ + +PP
PP+K+ +
+r+ + +

3024

37...Rg8-f8 38.Rb4-c4+ Kc6-b6


39.b2-b3 Rb1-b2 40.f3-f4 Rf8-f5
41.Ke2-f3 Rf5-a5 42.Ne4-f6 h7-h5
43.g3-g4 h5xg4+ 44.Kf3xg4 1.64/11 ]

+ + +r+
+ + + +p
+k+ + +
+ + + +
R +N+ P
+ + +PP
PP+K+ +
+ + + +r

3025

38.Rb4-c4+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


38.Rb4-c4+ Diagram
(Diagram 3026)
Kc6-b5 39.b2-b3 Rg8-f8 40.f3-f4
Kb5-b6 41.Ke2-f3 Rh1-f1+ 42.Kf3-g2
Rf1-e1 43.Kg2-f2 Re1-d1 44.Ne4-c5
h7-h5 45.Nc5-e6 Rf8-f5 46.Kf2-e2
Rd1-a1 1.74/13 ] 38...Kc6-b6 Diagram
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 38...Kc6-b5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + +r+
+ + + +p
+k+ + +
+ + + +
+R+N+ P
+ + +PP
PP+K+ +
+ + + +r

818

3026

39.b2-b3 Rg8-f8 40.f3-f4 Kb5-b6


41.Ke2-f3 Rh1-f1+ 42.Kf3-g2 Rf1-e1
43.Kg2-f2 Re1-d1 44.Kf2-e3 Rd1-e1+
Diagram

+ + r +
+ + + +p
k + + +
+ + + +
+R+NP P
+P+ K P
+P+ + +
+ + r +

3027

45.Ke3-d2 Re1-a1 46.Rc4-d4 1.83/12


]
(Diagram 3028)
39.b2-b4 [ 39.f3-f4 keeps an even
firmer grip Rg8-f8+- Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 39.f3-f4 Rg8-f8
40.Ke2-f3 Rh1-f1+ 41.Kf3-e3 h7-h6
42.Ke3-e2 Rf1-g1 43.Ke2-f3 Rg1-b1
44.Ne4-c3 Rb1-f1+ 45.Kf3-g2 Rf1-e1

+ + +r+
+ + + +p
k + + +
+ + + +
+R+N+ P
+ + +PP
PP+K+ +
+ + + +r

+ + r +
+ + + +p
k + + +
+ + + +
+R+NP P
+ + + P
PP+K+ +
+ + + +r

3028

3029

46.Nc3-d5+ Kb6-b5 47.Rc4-b4+


Kb5-c5 1.83/12 ] 39...Rg8-d8 Diagram
[ 39...Rg8-f8 40.f3-f4+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 39...Rh1-h2+ 40.Ke2-e3
Rh2-h3 41.f3-f4 Rg8xg3+ 42.Ne4xg3
Rh3xg3+ 43.Ke3-e4 Rg3-h3
44.Rc4-d4 Kb6-b5 45.f4-f5 Rh3xh4+
46.Ke4-e5 Rh4-h2 47.c2-c3 Rh2-e2+
48.Rd4-e4 1.80/11 ]
(Diagram 3030)
40.Rc4-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
40.f3-f4 Kb6-b5 41.Rc4-c7 Kb5xb4
42.Rc7xh7 Kb4-c4 43.f4-f5 Kc4-d4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + +
+ + + +p
k + + +
+ + + +
PR+N+ P
+ + +PP
+P+K+ +
+ + + +r

819

3030

44.Ne4-f2 Rh1-g1 45.Ke2-f3 Rg1-c1


46.Rh7-c7 Kd4-e5 47.Rc7-c5+ Ke5-d4
1.81/12 Diagram

+ r + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ R +P+
+ k + P
+ + +KP
+P+ N +
+ r + +

x64: 41.Ke2-d3 Ra8-a7 42.f3-f4


Ra7-e7 43.Ne4-f6 Re7-g7 44.Nf6-d5+
Kb6-b7 45.Kd3-d4 Rh1-c1 46.c2-c3
Rg7xg3 47.Rc5-c7+ Kb7-a6
48.Rc7xh7 2.07/11 ]

r+ + + +
+ + + +p
k + + +
+ R + +
P +N+ P
+ P +PP
+ +K+ +
+ + + +r

3032

41...Ra8-a2+ [ 41...Ra8-e8 Diagram


3031

] 40...Rd8-a8 [ 40...Rd8-d7
doesn't change the outcome of the
game 41.c2-c3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 40...Rd8-e8 41.c2-c3 Re8-e6
42.Rc5-d5 Rh1-a1 43.Ke2-d3
Ra1-d1+ 44.Kd3-c4 Re6-c6+
45.Ne4-c5 Rd1xd5 46.Kc4xd5 Rc6-g6
47.Nc5-e4 Kb6-b5 48.f3-f4 1.76/11 ]
41.c2-c3 Diagram [ 41.Ne4-f6
and White can already relax Ra8-a3
42.c2-c3 Ra3-a2+ 43.Ke2-e3 Rh1-e1+
44.Ke3-d4 Ra2-a7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

+ +r+ +
+ + + +p
k + + +
+ R + +
P +N+ P
+ P +PP
+ +K+ +
+ + + +r

3033

does not win a prize 42.Ke2-d3+- ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41...Ra8-e8
42.Ke2-d3 Rh1-e1 43.Rc5-f5 Re8-e7
44.Rf5-f8 Re1-g1 45.g3-g4 Re7-d7+
46.Kd3-c4 Rd7-c7+ 47.Ne4-c5
Diagram
Rg1-h1 48.Rf8-b8+ Kb6-a7 1.95/11 ]
42.Ke2-e3 [ 42.Ke2-d3 seems even
better Rh1-d1+ 43.Kd3-c4 Rd1-d7+- ;

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + R +
+ r + +p
k + + +
+ N + +
PK+ +PP
+ P +P+
+ + + +
+ + + r

820

3034

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42.Ke2-d3


Diagram

+ + + +
+ + + +p
k + + +
+ R + +
P +N+ P
+ PK+PP
r+ + + +
+ + + +r

3035

Ra2-a7 43.Rc5-e5 Rh1-d1+


44.Kd3-c4 Ra7-c7+ 45.Ne4-c5
Rd1-d6 46.f3-f4 Rd6-g6 47.Re5-g5
Rg6xg5 48.h4xg5 Rc7-g7 49.Kc4-d4
Kb6-b5 50.Kd4-d5 2.15/12 ]
42...Rh1-e1+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
42...Ra2-a7 43.Ke3-d4 Rh1-e1
44.Rc5-f5 Re1-g1 45.g3-g4 Ra7-c7
46.Ne4-c5 Rg1-h1 47.h4-h5 Rh1-d1+
48.Kd4-c4 Rd1-e1 49.f3-f4 2.18/11
Diagram
] 43.Ke3-f4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
43.Ke3-d4 Ra2-a7 44.Rc5-f5 Re1-g1

+ + + +
+ r + +p
k + + +
+ N +R+P
PK+ PP+
+ P + +
+ + + +
+ + r +

3036

45.g3-g4 Ra7-c7 46.Ne4-c5 Rg1-h1


47.h4-h5 Rh1-d1+ 48.Kd4-c4 Rd1-e1
49.f3-f4 2.07/12 ] 43...Re1-f1
[ 43...Ra2-a7+- otherwise it's curtains
at once ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
43...Ra2-a7 44.Ne4-f6 Ra7-f7
45.Rc5-f5 Kb6-b7 46.g3-g4 Rf7-c7
47.Nf6-e4 Re1-h1 48.Ne4-c5+ Kb7-b6
49.h4-h5 Rc7-e7 50.Nc5-e4 1.83/12 ]
44.Rc5-h5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
44.Rc5-f5 Ra2-a8 45.Rf5-f6+ Kb6-b5
46.Rf6-f7 h7-h6 47.Ne4-d6+ Kb5-a6
48.Rf7-f6 h6-h5 49.Nd6-e4+ Ka6-b7
50.Kf4-g5 Ra8-h8 51.g3-g4 h5xg4
52.f3xg4 Rh8-g8+ 53.Rf6-g6 Rg8xg6+
54.Kg5xg6 2.30/12 ] 44...Ra2-a8
[ 44...Ra2-a7 is no salvation 45.Ne4-g5
Ra7-c7 46.Rh5xh7 Rc7xc3
47.h4-h5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
44...Ra2-a7 45.Rh5-h6+ Kb6-b5
46.Ne4-d6+ Kb5-a4 47.b4-b5 Ra7-d7
48.b5-b6 Rf1-b1 49.b6-b7 Rb1-b6
50.Kf4-g5 Rd7-g7+ 51.Kg5-h5
Rg7xb7 52.Nd6xb7 Rb6xb7 53.f3-f4
Ka4-b3 54.f4-f5 Kb3xc3 55.Rh6-c6+
Kc3-d4 56.f5-f6 Kd4-d5 1.90/11 ]
45.Rh5-h6+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45.Rh5-h6+ Kb6-b5 46.Ne4-d6+
Kb5-a4 47.Rh6xh7 Rf1-c1 48.Nd6-e4
Ra8-f8+ 49.Kf4-g4 Rf8-g8+ 50.Kg4-h3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Rg8-f8 51.Rh7-h5 Ka4-b3 52.b4-b5
Kb3-c2 53.Kh3-g4 Rc1-b1 54.Rh5-g5
Kc2-d3 55.h4-h5 Kd3-e3 56.h5-h6
Rb1-h1 57.Rg5-g6 Rf8xf3 3.42/15 ]
45...Kb6-b5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45...Kb6-b5 46.Ne4-d6+ Kb5-a4
47.Rh6xh7 Ra8-d8 48.Nd6-e4
Rd8-f8+ 49.Kf4-g4 Rf8-g8+ 50.Ne4-g5
Rf1-h1 51.Rh7-c7 Ka4-b3 52.b4-b5
Rg8-b8 53.Ng5-e6 Kb3-a4 54.Ne6-d4
Rb8-g8+ 55.Kg4-f5 Ka4-a5 56.Rc7-c6
Rg8-f8+ 57.Kf5-e4 Rf8-e8+
58.Ke4-d5 3.41/16 ] 46.Ne4-d6+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46.Ne4-d6+
Kb5-a4 47.Rh6xh7 Ra8-d8 48.Nd6-e4
Rd8-f8+ 49.Kf4-g4 Rf8-g8+ 50.Ne4-g5
Rf1-c1 51.Rh7-c7 Ka4-b3 52.b4-b5
Rc1xc3 53.Rc7xc3+ Kb3xc3 54.h4-h5
Kc3-c4 55.h5-h6 Kc4xb5 56.h6-h7
Rg8-h8 57.f3-f4 Kb5-c6 58.f4-f5
Kc6-d7 59.f5-f6 Kd7-e8 60.Kg4-f4
Ke8-f8 61.g3-g4 Kf8-e8 3.30/14 ]
46...Kb5-a4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
46...Kb5-a4 47.Rh6xh7 Ra8-d8
48.Nd6-e4 Rd8-f8+ 49.Kf4-g4 Rf8-g8+
50.Ne4-g5 Rf1-c1 51.Rh7-c7 Ka4-b3
52.b4-b5 Rc1xc3 53.Rc7xc3+ Kb3xc3
54.h4-h5 Kc3-c4 55.h5-h6 Kc4xb5
56.h6-h7 Rg8-h8 57.f3-f4 Kb5-c6
58.f4-f5 Kc6-d7 59.f5-f6 Kd7-e8
60.Kg4-f4 Ke8-f8 61.g3-g4 Kf8-e8
3.41/14 ] 47.Rh6xh7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 47.Rh6xh7 Ra8-d8
48.Nd6-e4 Rd8-f8+ 49.Kf4-g4 Rf8-g8+
50.Ne4-g5 Rf1-c1 51.Rh7-c7 Ka4-b3
52.b4-b5 Rc1xc3 53.Rc7xc3+ Kb3xc3
54.h4-h5 Kc3-c4 55.h5-h6 Kc4xb5
56.h6-h7 Rg8-h8 57.f3-f4 Kb5-c5
58.f4-f5 Kc5-d5 59.f5-f6 3.11/13 ]
47...Ka4-b3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47...Ra8-d8 48.Rh7-a7+ Ka4-b3
49.Nd6-e4 Rd8-f8+ 50.Kf4-g4 Rf8-g8+
51.Kg4-h5 Rf1-e1 52.Kh5-h6 Re1xe4
53.f3xe4 Kb3xc3 54.b4-b5 Kc3-d4
55.b5-b6 Rg8xg3 56.b6-b7 Rg3-b3

821
57.h4-h5 Kd4xe4 58.Kh6-g5 2.94/11 ]
48.Rh7-c7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
48.Rh7-c7 Rf1-c1 49.Nd6-e4 Ra8-f8+
50.Kf4-g5 Rf8-g8+ 51.Kg5-f6 Rc1-h1
52.b4-b5 Rg8-b8 53.c3-c4 Kb3-b4
54.f3-f4 Rh1-c1 55.Ne4-d6 Rc1-g1
56.c4-c5 Rg1xg3 57.f4-f5 Rb8xb5
58.Nd6xb5 Kb4xb5 59.h4-h5 Rg3-h3
60.Kf6-g5 Rh3-g3+ 61.Kg5-f4 Rg3-h3
62.Kf4-g4 Rh3-h2 63.f5-f6 3.61/14 ]
48...Ra8-d8 [ 48...Rf1-d1 does not
help much 49.Rc7-c6+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 48...Rf1-c1 49.Nd6-e4
Rc1-h1 50.b4-b5 Ra8-b8 51.Rc7-c5
Kb3-a4 52.c3-c4 Rb8-f8+ 53.Kf4-g4
Rf8-g8+ 54.Kg4-f5 Rg8-f8+ 55.Ne4-f6
Ka4-b4 56.Rc5-c7 Rh1-h3 3.46/11 ]
49.Nd6-f5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
49.Nd6-f5 Rd8-d3 50.Nf5-d4+ Kb3-b2
51.b4-b5 Rf1-c1 52.b5-b6 Rc1xc3
53.Kf4-e5 Rd3-e3+ 54.Ke5-d5 Re3-e8
55.Rc7xc3 Kb2xc3 56.Nd4-b5+
Kc3-d3 57.b6-b7 Kd3-e3 58.h4-h5
Re8-b8 59.Nb5-d6 Ke3xf3 60.h5-h6
Kf3xg3 61.h6-h7 Kg3-f4 62.Kd5-e6
4.50/13 ]
1-0

58

A15

Vassily Ivanchuk
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
Chess Olympiad (10)
01.10.2010
D90: Grnfeld: 4 Nf3 Bg7 sidelines
1.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 g7-g6
3.Nb1-c3 d7-d5 4.c4xd5 Diagram
(Diagram 3037)
Nf6xd5 5.Qd1-b3 Nd5-b6 6.d2-d4
Bf8-g7 7.Bc1-f4 Bc8-e6 [RR
7...Bc8-g4 8.Nf3-g5 0-0 9.h2-h3
Bg4-c8 10.e2-e3 c7-c5 11.d4xc5
e7-e5 12.Ng5xf7 Rf8xf7 13.Bf4-g3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

rnlqkl r
ppp pp+p
+ + np+
+ +P+ +
+ + + +
+ N +N+
PP PPPPP
R LQKL+R

822

3037

Nb6-d7 14.Bf1-c4 Qd8-e7 15.Nc3-e4


Nb8-a6 16.Ra1-c1 Kg8-f8 17.Bc4xf7
Qe7xf7 18.Qb3-a3 Qf7-e7 19.0-0
b7-b6 20.Ne4-d6 Nd7xc5 21.Nd6xc8
Ra8xc8 22.b2-b4 Speelman,J (2590)Gurevich,I (2510)/Hastings 1992/CBM
033/1-0 ] 8.Qb3-a3 [RR 8.d4-d5
Be6xd5 9.Nc3xd5 Qd8xd5 10.Bf4xc7
Qd5xb3 11.a2xb3 Bg7xb2 12.Ra1-a2
Bb2-c3+ 13.Ke1-d1 Nb6-d5
14.Bc7xb8 Ra8xb8 15.Ra2xa7 Bc3-f6
16.e2-e3 0-0 17.Bf1-d3 Rf8-d8
18.Kd1-e2 Nd5-c3+ 19.Ke2-d2
Nc3-e4+ 20.Kd2-e2 Rd8xd3
21.Ke2xd3 Ne4xf2+ 22.Kd3-e2
Nf2xh1 Yushko,O (1943)-Torok,S
(2290)/Gyongyos 2003/EXT 2005/0-1 ]
8...0-0 9.e2-e3 Nb8-d7 10.Ra1-d1N
[ RR 10.Nf3-g5 Be6-c4 11.Bf1xc4
Nb6xc4 12.Qa3-b3 e7-e5 13.Qb3xc4
Nd7-b6 14.Qc4-b3 e5xf4 15.Ng5-f3
f4xe3 16.f2xe3 Qd8-e7 17.Ke1-f2
c7-c5 18.Rh1-e1 c5xd4 19.e3xd4
Bg7xd4+ 20.Kf2-f1 Qe7-f6 21.Nc3-e4
Qf6-g7 22.Nf3xd4 Qg7xd4 23.Ra1-d1
Qd4-e5 24.Qb3-c3 Qe5xc3
Kottnauer,C-Richter,E/Chocen 1942/
EXT 2001/0-1 (59) ] 10...a7-a5
11.Nf3-g5 Be6-d5 12.e3-e4 Bd5-c4
13.h2-h4 Bc4xf1 14.Ke1xf1 Nd7-f6

15.Qa3-c5 c7-c6 16.Ng5-f3


last book move last book move e7-e6
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
16...Nb6-d7 17.Qc5-c4 Qd8-b6
18.Kf1-g1 Qb6-b4 19.Qc4-e2 Nf6-h5
20.Bf4-e3 Nd7-f6 21.Rh1-h3 Nf6-g4
22.e4-e5 0.00/11 ]

r+ q rk+
+p+ +plp
np+pnp+
p Q + +
+ PPL P
+ N +N+
PP + PP+
+ +R+K+R

3038

Consolidates d5 17.Qc5-d6 Diagram


[ 17.Rh1-h3 Rf8-e8$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 17.Kf1-g1 Diagram

r+ q rk+
+p+ +plp
np+pnp+
p Q + +
+ PPL P
+ N +N+
PP + PP+
+ +R+ KR
Rf8-e8
Nb6-c4
Qd8-b6
Ra8-d8
0.30/12

3039

18.Rh1-h3 Bg7-f8 19.Qc5-g5


20.Bf4-e5 Nf6-d7 21.Qg5-c1
22.b2-b3 Nc4xe5 23.d4xe5
24.Qc1-f4 Qb6-c5 25.Nc3-e2
]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ q rk+
+p+ +plp
npQpnp+
p + + +
+ PPL P
+ N +N+
PP + PP+
+ +R+K+R

823

3040

Black has a cramped position


17...Nb6-c4= [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
17...Qd8-c8 Diagram

r+q+ rk+
+p+ +plp
npQpnp+
p + + +
+ PPL P
+ N +N+
PP + PP+
+ +R+K+R

19.b2-b3 Nc4-a3 20.g2-g3 Nf6-g4


21.h4-h5 c6-c5 22.Bf4-g5 Rd8-c8
23.h5xg6 h7xg6 24.Rh1-h4 f7-f5
25.Nc3-a4 c5xd4 26.Nf3xd4 Bg7xd4
27.Rd1xd4 Rc8-c2 0.00/14 ] 19.b2-b3
White threatens to win material: b3xc4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19.Bf4-g5
Diagram

r+ r +k+
+p+ +plp
+p+pnp+
p + + L
+nPP+ P
+ N +N+
PP + PP+
+ +R+K+R

3042

3041

18.Qd6-c7 Ra8-a6 19.Qc7xc8 Rf8xc8


20.Rh1-h3 Nf6-h5 21.Bf4-h2 Nb6-c4
22.b2-b3 Nc4-b2 23.Rd1-d2 0.06/11 ]
18.Qd6xd8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18.Qd6xd8 Rf8xd8 19.b2-b3 Nc4-a3
20.Rd1-c1 Na3-b5 21.Nc3xb5 c6xb5
22.e4-e5 Nf6-d5 23.g2-g3 Bg7-f8
24.Kf1-g2 Bf8-a3 25.Bf4-g5 Rd8-c8
26.Rc1xc8+ Ra8xc8 27.h4-h5 Rc8-c2
28.h5xg6 f7xg6 -0.12/15 ] 18...Rf8xd8
White has a very active position
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18...Rf8xd8

Nc4xb2 20.Rd1-b1 Nb2-d3 21.e4-e5


Nf6-d5 22.Nc3xd5 Rd8xd5 23.Rb1xb7
Rd5-b5 24.Rb7xb5 c6xb5 25.h4-h5
g6xh5 26.Rh1xh5 Ra8-c8 27.Kf1-e2
Rc8-c3 28.Bg5-d2 -0.10/12 ]
19...Nc4-a3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 19...Nc4-a3 20.g2-g3 Na3-b5
21.Nc3xb5 c6xb5 22.Bf4-g5 Rd8-c8
23.Bg5xf6 Bg7xf6 24.Rd1-d2 Rc8-c1+
25.Kf1-g2 Rc1xh1 26.Kg2xh1 Ra8-c8
27.Kh1-g2 Kg8-g7 28.d4-d5 e6xd5
29.Rd2xd5 -0.09/13 ]
(Diagram 3043)
20.Bf4-e5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 20.g2-g3 Na3-b5 21.Nc3xb5
c6xb5 22.e4-e5 Nf6-d5 23.Kf1-g2
a5-a4 24.Bf4-g5 Rd8-c8 25.Rd1-c1
a4xb3 26.a2xb3 Rc8-c3 27.Rc1xc3
Nd5xc3 -0.07/11 ]
20...Nf6-g4 [ 20...b7-b5 21.Kf1-e2=

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ r +k+
+p+ +plp
+p+pnp+
p + + +
+ PPL P
nPN +N+
P+ + PP+
+ +R+K+R

r+ r +k+
+p+ +plp
+p+pnp+
p + L +
+ PP+ P
nPN +N+
P+ + PP+
+ +R+K+R

824

3043

3044

r+ r +k+
+ + +plp
+p+pnp+
pp+ L +
+ PP+ P
nPN +N+
P+ +KPP+
+ +R+ +R

+Rr + +
+p+ lpkp
+ +p+p+
pp+ + +
+ PP+ P
+P+ KN+
P+ + PP+
+ + + +R

3045

3046

Diagram
(Diagram 3045)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...Ra8-c8
21.Kf1-e2 Na3-b5 22.Nc3xb5 c6xb5
23.Be5xf6 Bg7xf6 24.Rd1-c1 Kg8-g7
25.Ke2-e3 Bf6-e7 26.Rc1xc8 Diagram
(Diagram 3046)
Rd8xc8 27.Ke3-d3 Be7-d6
28.Nf3-g5 -0.11/11 ] 21.Be5xg7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 21.Be5xg7
Kg8xg7 Diagram

r+ r + +
+p+ +pkp
+p+p+p+
p + + +
+ PP+nP
nPN +N+
P+ + PP+
+ +R+K+R

3047

22.h4-h5 Ng4-f6 23.h5-h6+ Kg7-g8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

825

24.Rh1-h4 Na3-c2 25.Nf3-g5 Rd8-d7


26.e4-e5 Nf6-d5 27.Nc3xd5 c6xd5
28.Rh4-f4 Ra8-c8 29.Kf1-e2 Nc2-b4
0.08/14 ] 21...Kg8xg7 Black king
safety dropped [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...Kg8xg7 22.h4-h5 Rd8-h8
23.Rh1-h4 f7-f5 24.Nf3-e5 g6-g5
25.Rh4-h3 Ng4xe5 26.d4xe5 Rh8-d8
27.e4xf5 Diagram

r+ r + +
+p+ + kp
+p+p+ +
p + PPpP
+ + + +
nPN + +R
P+ + PP+
+ +R+K+

3048

Rd8xd1+ 28.Nc3xd1 e6xf5


29.Rh3-d3 0.10/12 ] 22.Kf1-e2
[ 22.h4-h5 h7-h6$ Diagram

r+ r + +
+p+ +pk
+p+p+pp
p + + +P
+ PP+n+
nPN +N+
P+ + PP+
+ +R+K+R

+rr + +
+p+ +pk
+p+pnpp
p + + +
+ PP+ P
nPN +N+
P+ +KPP+
+ RR+ +

3049

3050

(Diagram 3049)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.h4-h5
Ng4-f6 23.h5-h6+ Kg7-g8 24.Rh1-h4
Na3-c2 25.Nf3-g5 Rd8-d7 26.e4-e5
Nf6-d5 27.Nc3xd5 c6xd5 28.Rd1-c1
Ra8-c8 29.Rh4-f4 0.16/13 ] 22...h7-h5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Ng4-f6 23.Rd1-c1 h7-h6
24.Rh1-d1 Ra8-c8 Diagram
(Diagram 3050)
25.Nf3-e5 Rd8-d6 26.f2-f3 Rc8-d8
27.Ke2-e3 Nf6-d7 28.Ne5-d3 -0.21/12

r+ r + +
+p+ +pk
+p+p+p+
p + + +p
+ PP+nP
nPN +N+
P+ +KPP+
+ +R+ +R

]
23.Rd1-d2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23.Rd1-d3 b7-b5 24.Rh1-c1

3051

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

826

a5-a4 25.b3xa4 b5-b4 26.Nc3-d1


Ra8xa4 27.Nd1-b2 Ra4-a6 28.Nf3-e5
Rd8-c8 29.Rd3-d2 Diagram

+r+ + +
+ + +pk
r+p+p+p+
+ + N +p
p PP+nP
n + + +
PN RKPP+
+ R + +

+ rr+ +
+ + +pk
+p+p+p+
ppR + +p
+ PP+ P
nP+ KN+
P+ R PP+
+ + + +

3052

r+ r + +
+p+ +pk
+p+pnp+
p + + +p
+ PP+ P
nPN +N+
P+ RKPP+
+ + + +R

Ng4xe5 30.d4xe5 Na3-b5 -0.10/12 ]

r+ r + +
+p+ +pk
+p+p+p+
p + + +p
+ PP+nP
nPN +N+
P+ RKPP+
+ + + +R

3053

f6-f5 30.g2-g3 0.04/13 Diagram


(Diagram 3056)

23...Ng4-f6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 23...Rd8-e8 24.Nc3-a4
Ra8-d8 25.Na4-c5 b7-b6 26.Nc5-a4
Ng4-f6 27.Ke2-e3 Nf6-d7 28.Rh1-c1
b6-b5 29.Na4-c5 Nd7xc5 30.Rc1xc5
-0.07/11 Diagram
]

]
(Diagram 3057)
24...Nf6-e8 [ 24...Ra8-c8 Diagram
(Diagram 3058)

24.Rh1-c1 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 24.Nf3-g5 Nf6-e8 25.Rh1-c1
Ne8-c7 26.Nc3-a4 f7-f6 27.Ng5-f3
Ra8-b8 28.Na4-b6 Nc7-b5 29.e4-e5

25.Nf3-e5$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


24...Rd8-g8 25.Nf3-e5 Ra8-d8
Diagram

3054

3055

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r r + +
+p+ + k
Np+p+p+
pn+ Pp+p
+ P + P
nP+ +NP
P+ RKP +
+ R + +

r+ r + +
+p+ +pk
+p+pnp+
p + + +p
+ PP+ P
nPN +N+
P+ RKPP+
+ R + +

+rr + +
+p+ +pk
+p+pnp+
p + + +p
+ PP+ P
nPN +N+
P+ RKPP+
+ R + +

827

3056

3057

+ r +r+
+p+ +pk
+p+pnp+
p + N +p
+ PP+ P
nPN + +
P+ RKPP+
+ R + +

3059

26.f2-f3 Nf6-d7 27.Ne5-d3 Rg8-h8


28.Ke2-f2 f7-f6 29.Rd2-e2 Rh8-e8
30.Re2-d2 Re8-e7 0.01/12 ]
25.Nc3-a4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.Nf3-g5 Diagram

r+ rn+ +
+p+ +pk
+p+p+p+
p + + Np
+ PP+ P
nPN + +
P+ RKPP+
+ R + +

3060

3058

Ne8-d6
Re8-e7
Nd6-b5
Rc7-e7

26.Nc3-a4 Rd8-e8 27.Na4-c5


28.Rd2-d3 Ra8-d8 29.Ng5-f3
30.Rd3-d1 Re7-c7 31.g2-g3
0.07/13 ]
(Diagram 3061)

25...Ne8-d6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 25...Ne8-f6 26.Na4-c3
0.06/14 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ rn+ +
+p+ +pk
+p+p+p+
p + + +p
N+ PP+ P
nP+ +N+
P+ RKPP+
+ R + +

r+ r + +
+p+ +pk
+p+pnp+
p + + +p
+ PP+ P
nPN +N+
P+ RKPP+
+ R + +

828

3061

3062

]
(Diagram 3063)
Black threatens to win material: Nd6xe4
26.Ke2-e3 White king safety dropped
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Na4-c5
Diagram
(Diagram 3064)
b7-b6 27.e4-e5 b6xc5 28.e5xd6
Rd8xd6 29.d4xc5 Rd6xd2+
30.Ke2xd2 Ra8-d8+ 31.Kd2-e3
Na3-b5 32.g2-g3 Kg7-f6 33.Ke3-e4

r+ r + +
+p+ +pk
+pnp+p+
p + + +p
N+ PP+ P
nP+ +N+
P+ RKPP+
+ R + +

r+ r + +
+p+ +pk
+pnp+p+
p N + +p
+ PP+ P
nP+ +N+
P+ RKPP+
+ R + +

3063

3064

Rd8-d5 34.a2-a4 Nb5-a3 35.Nf3-d4


Rd5-e5+ 36.Ke4-f4 0.12/13 ]
26...Na3-b5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26...Rd8-e8 27.Nf3-e5 Diagram
(Diagram 3065)
f7-f6 28.Ne5-d3 Ra8-d8 29.Na4-b6
f6-f5 30.f2-f3 f5xe4 31.f3xe4 Re8-f8
32.Rd2-f2 Diagram
Rf8xf2 33.Nd3xf2 0.05/12 ]
27.Nf3-e5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27.Na4-c5 Nb5-a3 Diagram
28.Rd2-d3 Ra8-b8 29.g2-g3 Rd8-e8
30.Nf3-e5 Rb8-d8 31.f2-f3 f7-f6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +r+ +
+p+ +pk
+pnp+p+
p + N +p
N+ PP+ P
nP+ K +
P+ R PP+
+ R + +

829

3065

r+ r + +
+p+ +pk
+pnp+p+
p N + +p
+ PP+ P
nP+ KN+
P+ R PP+
+ R + +

3068

32.Ne5-d7 Diagram

+ r r +
+p+ + k
Npnp+p+
p + + +p
+ PP+ P
nP+NK +
P+ + RP+
+ R + +

r+ r + +
+p+ +pk
+pnp+p+
pn+ + +p
N+ PP+ P
+P+ KN+
P+ R PP+
+ R + +

3066

3067

+ rr+ +
+p+N+ k
+pnppp+
p N + +p
+ PP+ P
nP+RKPP
P+ + + +
+ R + +

3069

Nd6-b5 33.Ke3-f2 0.22/13 ]


27...Nb5-c7 [ 27...Rd8-e8 28.Na4-c5
Diagram
(Diagram 3070)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27...Nb5-a3
28.f2-f3 Nd6-b5 29.Na4-c5 Nb5-d6
30.Ke3-f2 Ra8-a7 31.g2-g3 Nd6-b5
32.Ne5-d7 Nb5-c7 33.Nd7-b6
Diagram
Nc7-a6 34.Kf2-g2 Na6xc5
35.Rc1xc5 0.19/13 ] 28.f2-f3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Na4-c5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +r+ +
+p+ +pk
+pnp+p+
pnN N +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ K +
P+ R PP+
+ R + +

+ r + +
rpn +pk
Np+p+p+
p N + +p
+ PP+ P
nP+ +PP
P+ R K +
+ R + +

830

3070

3071

+ r + +
rpn +pk
+pnp+p+
p N N +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ K +
P+ + PP+
+ RR+ +

r+ rn+ +
+p+ +pk
+pnp+p+
p + N +p
N+ PP+ P
+P+ KP+
P+ R +P+
+ R + +

3072

3073

Ra8-a7 29.Rd2-d1 Diagram


(Diagram 3072)
Nc7-b5 30.a2-a4 Nb5-c7 31.Rc1-c2
Nc7-a6 32.Nc5-d3 Na6-b4 33.Nd3xb4
a5xb4 34.Ne5-d3 f7-f5 35.Nd3-c5
0.29/13 ] 28...Nc7-e8 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Nc7-b5
29.Na4-c5 Nb5-a3 30.Ke3-f2 Ra8-a7
31.g2-g3 Nd6-b5 32.Ne5-d7 Nb5-c7
33.Nd7-b6 Nc7-a6 34.Kf2-g2 Na6xc5
35.Rc1xc5 0.19/12 ]
29.Na4-b6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 29.Rc1-d1 Diagram

r+ rn+ +
+p+ +pk
+pnp+p+
p + N +p
N+ PP+ P
+P+ KP+
P+ R +P+
+ +R+ +

3074

Ra8-a7 30.Na4-c5 Ne8-c7 31.Ke3-f2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

831

Nc7-a6 32.g2-g3 Nd6-b5 33.a2-a4


Nb5-c7 34.Ne5-d7 Na6-b4 35.Nd7-b6
Nc7-a6 36.Kf2-g2 Na6xc5 37.d4xc5
Rd8xd2+ 38.Rd1xd2 0.33/12 ]

r+ rn+ +
+p+ +pk
Npnp+p+
p + N +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ KP+
P+ R +P+
+ R + +

3075

29...Ra8-a6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


29...Ra8-a7 30.Ne5-d3 Ne8-c7
31.Nd3-c5 Nc7-a8 32.Nb6-c4 Na8-c7
33.Nc4xd6 Rd8xd6 34.g2-g4 h5xg4
35.f3xg4 b7-b6 36.Nc5-a4 Ra7-b7
37.h4-h5 g6xh5 38.g4xh5 0.24/13 ]
30.Nb6-d7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 30.Nb6-d7 Ra6-a7 31.Nd7-c5
Ne8-c7 32.Rc1-b1 Nc7-a6 33.g2-g4
Rd8-h8 34.g4-g5 Rh8-d8 35.Rb1-c1
Nd6-b5 36.Nc5xa6 Ra7xa6 37.a2-a4
Nb5-a3 0.30/14 Diagram
(Diagram 3076)
]
(Diagram 3077)
30...Ra6-a8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 30...Ne8-c7 31.Nd7-c5
Ra6-a7 Diagram
32.g2-g3 Nc7-a6 33.a2-a3 Nd6-b5
34.Nc5xa6 Ra7xa6 35.a3-a4 Nb5-c7
36.Ne5-c4 f7-f6 37.Ke3-f2 Ra6-a7
0.30/14 ]

+ r + +
+p+ +pk
r+p+p+p+
p + N Pp
P+ PP+ P
nP+ KP+
+ R + +
+ R + +

+ rn+ +
+p+N+pk
r+pnp+p+
p + N +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ KP+
P+ R +P+
+ R + +

+ r + +
rpn +pk
+pnp+p+
p N N +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ KP+
P+ R +P+
+ R + +

3076

3077

3078

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ rn+ +
+p+N+pk
+pnp+p+
p + N +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ KP+
P+ R +P+
+ R + +

832

3079

31.Nd7-c5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 31.g2-g4 Diagram

r+ rn+ +
+p+N+pk
+pnp+p+
p + N +p
+ PP+PP
+P+ KP+
P+ R + +
+ R + +

3080

h5xg4 32.f3xg4 a5-a4 33.Nd7-b6


a4xb3 34.Nb6xa8 Rd8xa8 35.a2xb3
Ne8-f6 36.Ne5-c4 Nf6xe4 37.Rd2-g2
Nd6xc4+ 38.b3xc4 Ne4-d6 39.h4-h5
g6xh5 40.g4xh5+ Kg7-h6 41.Ke3-d3
Nd6-f5 42.Kd3-e4 0.40/12 ]
(Diagram 3081)
31...Ne8-c7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 31...Ne8-f6 32.a2-a4 Ra8-c8
33.Rd2-c2 Rc8-c7 34.Ke3-f2 Nd6-e8
35.Rc2-d2 Ne8-d6 36.g2-g3 Rc7-c8

r+ rn+ +
+p+ +pk
+pnp+p+
p N N +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ KP+
P+ R +P+
+ R + +

3081

37.Kf2-g2 b7-b6 38.Nc5-d3 0.45/13 ]

r+ r + +
+pn +pk
+pnp+p+
p N N +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ KP+
P+ R +P+
+ R + +

3082

32.Rc1-d1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


32.Ke3-f2 Diagram
(Diagram 3083)
Nc7-a6 33.Rc1-d1 Ra8-a7 34.g2-g3
Nd6-b5 35.a2-a4 Nb5-c7 36.Ne5-d7
Na6-b4 37.Nd7-b6 Nc7-a6 38.Kf2-g2
Na6xc5 39.d4xc5 Rd8xd2+
40.Rd1xd2 0.33/12 ] 32...Ra8-a7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32...f7-f6
33.Ne5-c4 Diagram
Nd6xc4+ 34.b3xc4 b7-b6 35.Nc5-b7
Rd8-d7 36.Rd2-b2 b6-b5 37.c4xb5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ r + +
+pn +pk
+pnp+p+
p N N +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ +P+
P+ R KP+
+ R + +

r+ r + +
+pn + k
+pnppp+
p N + +p
+NPP+ P
+P+ KP+
P+ R +P+
+ +R+ +

833

r+ r + +
+pn +pk
+pnp+p+
p N N +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ KP+
P+ R +P+
+ R + +

3083

r+ r + +
+pn +pk
+pnp+p+
p N N +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ KPP
P+ R + +
+ R + +

3084

c6xb5 38.Nb7-c5 Rd7-d6 39.Rd1-c1


b5-b4 0.33/11 ] 33.Rd1-c1
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Ke3-f2
Nc7-a6 34.g2-g3 Nd6-b5 35.a2-a4
Nb5-c7 36.Ne5-d7 Na6-b4 37.Nd7-b6
Nc7-a6 38.Kf2-g2 Na6xc5 39.d4xc5
Rd8xd2+ 40.Rd1xd2 0.33/12 ]
33...Ra7-a8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 33...Ra7-a8 0.13/15 ]

3085

3086

Nd6-b5 37.a3-a4 Nb5-c7 38.Nd7-b6


Na6-b4 39.Ke3-f2 e6-e5 0.32/12 ]
34...Ra8-b8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 34...Nc7-a6 35.a2-a4 Na6-c7
36.Nd3-f4 Kg7-h7 37.Ke3-f2 Nc7-a6
38.Nf4-d3 Kh7-h6 39.g2-g3 Na6xc5
40.d4xc5 Nd6-e8 41.Rc1-d1 0.37/13
Diagram
(Diagram 3087)

(Diagram 3085)
]
34.Ne5-d3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34.g2-g3 Diagram
Ra8-a7 35.a2-a3 Nc7-a6 36.Ne5-d7

35.Nd3-f4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


35.g2-g3 Rb8-a8 36.Nd3-e5 Ra8-a7
37.a2-a3 Nc7-a6 38.Ne5-d7 Nd6-b5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ rn+ +
+p+ +p+
+p+p+pk
p P + +p
P+ +P+ P
+P+N+PP
+ R K +
+ +R+ +

r r + +
+pn +pk
+pnp+p+
p N + +p
+ PP+ P
+P+NKP+
P+ R +P+
+ R + +

834

3087

3088

39.a3-a4 Nb5-c7 40.Nd7-b6 Na6-b4


41.Ke3-f2 Diagram
(Diagram 3089)
e6-e5 0.32/13 ] 35...Rd8-h8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35...Nd6-c8
36.g2-g4 h5xg4 37.f3xg4 Nc8-e7
38.Rd2-f2 e6-e5 39.d4xe5 b7-b6
40.Nc5-d3 Rd8-h8 41.h4-h5 Rb8-d8
42.Rc1-d1 c6-c5 43.Nd3-b2 Rd8xd1
44.Nb2xd1 Diagram
g6xh5 45.Nf4xh5+ Kg7-g6 0.44/13 ]
36.Rc1-c2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36.g2-g3 Rh8-d8 37.a2-a4 Nd6-c8

+ r + +
rpn +pk
Np+p+p+
p N + +p
Pn PP+ P
+P+ +PP
+ R K +
+ R + +

+ + + r
+ n npk
p + +p+
p p P +P
+ +PNP+
+P+ K +
P+ + R +
+ +N+ +

3089

3090

38.g3-g4 h5xg4 39.f3xg4 Nc8-e7


40.h4-h5 b7-b6 41.Nc5-d3 g6-g5
42.Nf4-e2 0.44/12 ] 36...Nd6-e8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36...Rb8-a8
Diagram
(Diagram 3091)
37.Rd2-d1 Rh8-d8 38.g2-g3 e6-e5
39.d4xe5 Nd6-f5+ 40.e4xf5 Rd8xd1
41.f5xg6 Ra8-e8 42.g6xf7 Re8xe5+
43.Ke3-f2 Kg7xf7 44.Nc5xb7 Kf7-g7
45.Nb7-c5 0.23/13 ] 37.Ke3-f2
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.e4-e5 Nc7-d5+ 38.Nf4xd5 e6xd5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + + r
+pn +pk
+pnp+p+
p N + +p
+ PPN P
+P+ KP+
P+RR +P+
+ + + +

835

3091

39.Nc5-d7 Rb8-a8 40.Rc2-c5 Ne8-c7


41.Rc5-c1 Ra8-d8 42.Nd7-c5 Rd8-b8
Diagram

r + + r
+pn +pk
+p+ +p+
p NpP +p
+ P + P
+P+ KP+
P+ R +P+
+ R + +

3092

43.g2-g3 Rh8-d8 44.g3-g4 h5xg4


45.f3xg4 Nc7-e6 46.Rd2-f2 Rd8-e8
47.h4-h5 Ne6xc5 48.Rc1xc5 g6xh5
49.g4xh5 0.34/12 ]
(Diagram 3093)
37...Ne8-f6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 37...Ne8-d6 38.Rc2-c1 Rh8-d8
39.a2-a4 Nd6-c8 40.Nf4-e2 Nc8-e7
41.Rc1-c2 b7-b6 42.Nc5-d3 f7-f6
43.Rd2-d1 Rb8-a8 44.Rc2-c1

r +n+ r
+pn +pk
+p+p+p+
p N + +p
+ PPN P
+P+ +P+
P+RR KP+
+ + + +

3093

Ra8-a7 0.22/14 ]

r + + r
+pn +pk
+p+pnp+
p N + +p
+ PPN P
+P+ +P+
P+RR KP+
+ + + +

3094

38.Nf4-d3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 38.a2-a4 Rh8-d8 39.Kf2-e3
Rd8-d6 40.Rc2-c1 Nf6-d7 41.Nf4-d3
Nd7xc5 42.d4xc5 Rd6-d7 43.Rc1-d1
Rb8-d8 44.Nd3-e5 Rd7xd2 45.Rd1xd2
Rd8xd2 46.Ke3xd2 0.29/13 ]
(Diagram 3095)
38...Nf6-e8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...Rh8-d8 39.Kf2-e3 Nf6-e8
40.Nd3-e5 Ne8-d6 41.Ne5-d7 Rb8-a8
42.Nd7-b6 Ra8-a7 43.Rd2-d1 Nc7-b5
44.a2-a4 Nb5-a3 45.Rc2-e2 0.29/13 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + + r
+pn +pk
+p+pnp+
p N + +p
+ PP+ P
+P+N+P+
P+RR KP+
+ + + +

836

3095

39.Nd3-e5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 39.g2-g3 Nc7-b5 40.Nd3-e5
Nb5-a3 41.Rc2-c1 Ne8-d6 42.Ne5-d7
Rb8-d8 43.Nd7-b6 Rd8-b8 44.Kf2-g2
Nd6-b5 45.e4-e5 Rh8-d8 0.45/13 ]

r +n+ r
+pn +pk
+p+p+p+
p N N +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ +P+
P+RR KP+
+ + + +

3096

39...Ne8-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


39...Ne8-d6 40.Rc2-c1 Rb8-d8
41.g2-g3 Rh8-g8 42.a2-a4 Nc7-e8
43.Kf2-g2 Ne8-f6 44.Rd2-e2 Rg8-h8
45.Re2-c2 Rh8-g8 Diagram
46.Rc2-d2 Rg8-h8 47.Rd2-c2
Rh8-g8 0.46/13 ] 40.Ne5-d7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40.g2-g3
Rb8-a8 41.Ne5-d7 Rh8-d8 42.Rc2-c1
Nc7-a6 43.a2-a4 Ra8-a7 44.Nd7-b6

+ r +r+
+p+ +pk
+pnpnp+
p N N +p
P+ PP+ P
+P+ +PP
+R+ +K+
+ R + +

3097

Nd6-e8 45.Kf2-g2 Na6xc5


46.Rc1xc5 0.47/12 ] 40...Rb8-d8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40...Rb8-d8
Diagram

+ r + r
+pnN+pk
+pnp+p+
p N + +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ +P+
P+RR KP+
+ + + +

3098

41.Rc2-c1 Nc7-a6 42.Rc1-d1 Na6-b4


43.a2-a3 Nb4-a6 44.Nd7-e5 Rd8-a8
45.g2-g3 Na6-c7 46.Rd1-c1 Nc7-a6
47.Nc5-d7 Na6-c7 48.Nd7-b6
Ra8-d8 0.38/14 ] 41.Nd7-b6 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41.Rc2-c1
Nc7-a6 42.Rc1-d1 Nd6-b5 43.Nd7-b6
Nb5-c3 44.Rd1-c1 Na6xc5 45.Rc1xc3
Nc5-d7 46.Nb6-c4 Rd8-a8
47.Nc4-d6 0.33/12 ]
41...Rh8-e8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r + r
+pn +pk
Npnp+p+
p N + +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ +P+
P+RR KP+
+ + + +

837

3099

Pro x64: 41...Rh8-e8 42.a2-a4 Re8-e7


43.e4-e5 Nd6-f5 44.Nb6-c4 Rd8-b8
45.Nc4xa5 Nc7-d5 46.g2-g3 Re7-c7
47.Na5-c4 Nd5-b4 48.Rc2-c1 Rb8-d8
49.Rc1-d1 Nb4-d5 50.Nc5-e4 0.30/12 ]

+ rr+ +
+pn +pk
Npnp+p+
p N + +p
+ PP+ P
+P+ +P+
P+RR KP+
+ + + +

3100

42.Kf2-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


42.a2-a4 Re8-e7 43.Rc2-c1 Diagram
(Diagram 3101)
Nc7-a8 44.Nb6xa8 Rd8xa8 45.g2-g3
Ra8-d8 46.Kf2-g2 Nd6-c8 47.Rc1-e1
Nc8-d6 0.35/11 ] 42...Nc7-b5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...Re8-e7
43.Rc2-c1 f7-f5 44.e4-e5 Nd6-f7

+ r + +
+pn rpk
Npnp+p+
p N + +p
P+ PP+ P
+P+ +P+
+ R KP+
+ R + +

3101

45.a2-a3 Nc7-d5+ 46.Nb6xd5 Rd8xd5


47.g2-g3 b7-b6 48.Nc5-d3 Rd5-b5
49.Rd2-b2 Nf7-d8 50.Nd3-f4 Re7-d7
0.25/13 ] 43.a2-a4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 43.a2-a4 Nb5-c7 44.Rc2-c1
Re8-e7 45.Rc1-b1 f7-f6 46.Rb1-c1
f6-f5 47.e4-e5 Nd6-f7 48.g2-g3
Nc7-d5+ 49.Nb6xd5 Rd8xd5
50.Rd2-c2 Rd5-d8 51.Rc1-e1 g6-g5
0.37/14 ] 43...Nb5-c7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 43...Nb5-c7 44.Rc2-b2
Rd8-b8 45.Ke3-f2 Re8-d8 46.Rd2-d1
Nc7-a8 47.Nb6-d7 Rb8-c8 48.Nd7-e5
Na8-c7 49.Rb2-c2 Rc8-a8
50.Rd1-c1 0.42/13 ] 44.Rc2-b2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44.Rc2-c1
Re8-e7 45.Rc1-b1 f7-f6 46.Rb1-c1
f6-f5 47.e4-e5 Nd6-f7 48.g2-g3
Nc7-d5+ 49.Nb6xd5 Rd8xd5
50.Rd2-c2 Rd5-d8 51.Rc1-e1 g6-g5
0.37/12 ] 44...Re8-e7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 44...Rd8-b8 45.Rb2-b1
Nc7-a6 46.Rb1-c1 Na6-b4 47.Nc5-d7
Rb8-d8 48.Rc1-c5 Re8-e7 49.Nd7-e5
f7-f6 50.Ne5-d3 e6-e5 51.d4xe5
0.39/12 ] 45.b3-b4 [ 45.Ke3-f2
Nc7-e8 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45.Rb2-b1 f7-f6 46.Rb1-c1 f6-f5
47.e4-e5 Nd6-f7 48.g2-g3 Nc7-d5+
49.Nb6xd5 Rd8xd5 50.Rd2-c2 Rd5-d8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


51.Rc1-e1 g6-g5 0.37/13 ] 45...a5xb4
[ 45...Nc7-a8!? must definitely be
considered 46.b4xa5 Na8xb6
47.Rb2xb6 Nd6-c4+ 48.Ke3-d3
Nc4xb6 49.a5xb6 f7-f5 ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 45...Nc7-a8 46.b4xa5
Na8xb6 47.Rb2xb6 Nd6-c4+
48.Ke3-e2 Nc4xb6 49.a5xb6 Rd8-a8
50.Rd2-a2 Ra8-a5 51.Ra2-c2 f7-f6
52.Rc2-c1 Ra5-a8 53.Ke2-d3 Ra8-d8
54.Kd3-c4 Kg7-f7 55.a4-a5 -0.23/13 ]
46.Rb2xb4 Black has new hanging
pawns: b7+c6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
46.Rb2xb4 Nc7-a6 47.Nc5xa6 b7xa6
48.Rd2-c2 Re7-c7 49.Rb4-b1 Rd8-b8
50.Ke3-d3 a6-a5 51.Rb1-b2 Rb8-b7
52.g2-g3 f7-f6 53.Kd3-e3 f6-f5
54.Rc2-c5 f5xe4 55.f3xe4 0.43/15 ]
46...Nc7-a6 [ 46...Nc7-a8 47.Ke3-e2 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 46...Nc7-a8
47.Ke3-f2 Na8xb6 48.Rb4xb6 Rd8-a8
49.Rd2-b2 e6-e5 50.d4-d5 Re7-c7
51.d5xc6 b7xc6 52.Rb2-c2 Nd6-c8
53.Rb6-b1 Nc8-d6 54.Rb1-d1 0.46/13 ]
47.Rb4-b2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47.Nc5xa6 b7xa6 48.Rd2-c2 Re7-c7
49.Rb4-b1 Rd8-b8 50.Ke3-d3 a6-a5
51.Rb1-b2 Rb8-b7 52.g2-g3 f7-f6
53.Rc2-c1 Nd6-c8 54.Rc1-b1 Nc8xb6
55.Rb2xb6 Rb7xb6 56.Rb1xb6
0.38/14 ] 47...Na6-c7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 47...e6-e5 48.d4xe5 Re7xe5
49.Nc5xa6 b7xa6 50.Rb2-c2 Re5-e6
51.Ke3-f2 Re6-e8 52.g2-g3 Nd6-b7
53.Rd2xd8 Nb7xd8 54.Nb6-d7 a6-a5
55.e4-e5 Re8-e7 0.38/12 ] 48.Rd2-c2
[ 48.Ke3-f2 Nc7-a6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 48.Ke3-f2 Nc7-a6 49.Nc5xa6
b7xa6 50.Rd2-c2 f7-f5 51.e4-e5
Nd6-b7 52.Rc2-c4 Nb7-a5 53.Rc4-c5
Na5-b7 54.Rc5xc6 Rd8xd4 55.Rb2-c2
Kg7-h6 56.Nb6-c8 Re7-e8 57.Nc8-d6
Nb7xd6 58.e5xd6 Rd4xa4 0.50/13 ]
48...Kg7-h6 [ 48...e6-e5!?$ should be
investigated more closely ;Houdini 2.0c

838
Pro x64: 48...e6-e5 49.d4xe5 Re7xe5
50.Ke3-f2 Re5-e7 51.Nb6-c4 Nc7-e6
52.Nc5xe6+ f7xe6 53.Nc4xd6 Rd8xd6
54.Rb2-b6 Rd6-d4 55.a4-a5 Re7-d7
56.Rc2-b2 Rd4-d2+ 57.Rb2xd2
Rd7xd2+ 58.Kf2-e3 Rd2-d7 59.e4-e5
0.19/14 ] 49.Ke3-f2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 49.Ke3-f2 Nc7-e8 50.g2-g3
Kh6-h7 51.Rc2-c3 Kh7-g7 52.Rc3-d3
Rd8-b8 53.Kf2-g2 Rb8-d8 54.Rb2-b1
Ne8-c7 55.Rd3-e3 e6-e5 0.48/13 ]
49...Nc7-a8 [ 49...Kh6-g7 50.e4-e5
Nd6-f5 51.Nc5xb7 Rd8xd4 52.Nb7-a5
Rd4xh4 53.Na5xc6 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 49...Nc7-e8 50.g2-g3 Kh6-h7
51.Rc2-c3 Kh7-g8 52.Kf2-g2 Kg8-h7
53.Rc3-c1 Kh7-g7 54.Nc5-d3 Ne8-c7
55.Nd3-e5 f7-f6 0.50/13 ] 50.Nb6-c4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 50.e4-e5
Nd6-f5 51.a4-a5 Kh6-g7 52.Rc2-d2
Nf5xh4 53.Nb6-c4 Nh4-f5 54.Nc5xb7
Rd8xd4 55.Rd2xd4 Nf5xd4 56.Nb7-c5
Nd4-b5 57.a5-a6 Na8-c7 58.Nc4-d6
f7-f6 59.e5xf6+ Kg7xf6 60.Nd6-e4+
Kf6-e5 61.Nc5-d3+ Ke5-d4
62.Rb2-d2 0.65/12 ] 50...Nd6xc4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 50...Nd6xc4
51.Rc2xc4 b7-b6 52.Nc5-b3 Re7-a7
53.Nb3-c1 Kh6-g7 54.Kf2-e3 Ra7-c7
55.Nc1-d3 b6-b5 56.a4xb5 c6xb5
57.Rc4xc7 Na8xc7 58.g2-g3 Rd8-a8
59.Rb2-c2 Nc7-e8 60.d4-d5 e6xd5
61.e4xd5 0.40/15 ] 51.Rc2xc4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 51.Rc2xc4
b7-b6 52.Nc5-b3 Re7-a7 53.Nb3-c1
Kh6-g7 54.Nc1-e2 Rd8-c8 55.Rb2-b3
Ra7-a5 56.g2-g4 h5xg4 57.f3xg4
Ra5-a7 58.Kf2-f3 f7-f6 0.40/13 ]
51...b7-b6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
51...b7-b6 52.Nc5-b3 Re7-a7
53.Nb3-c1 Kh6-g7 54.Kf2-e3 Ra7-c7
55.Nc1-d3 b6-b5 56.a4xb5 c6xb5
57.Rc4xc7 Na8xc7 58.Rb2-c2 Nc7-e8
59.Rc2-c6 Ne8-d6 0.38/14 ] 52.Nc5-d3
[ 52.Nc5-b3 Re7-a7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


x64: 52.Nc5-b3 Re7-a7 53.Rc4-b4
Rd8-c8 54.Rb2-c2 Kh6-g7 55.Rb4-c4
Rc8-d8 56.a4-a5 b6xa5 57.Rc4-c5
a5-a4 58.Nb3-a5 Ra7-d7 59.Na5xc6
Rd8-c8 60.Nc6-e5 Rc8xc5 61.d4xc5
Rd7-d8 62.Rc2-a2 0.37/14 ]
52...c6-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
52...c6-c5 53.d4xc5 Rd8xd3 54.c5xb6
Na8xb6 55.Rb2xb6 Re7-a7 56.Rb6-b4
Rd3-d2+ 57.Kf2-g3 Rd2-a2 58.e4-e5
Kh6-g7 59.Rc4-f4 Ra2-c2 60.Rb4-c4
Rc2-b2 61.Rf4-d4 Ra7-a5 62.f3-f4
Rb2-b3+ 63.Kg3-f2 Rb3-b2+
64.Kf2-f3 0.37/15 ] 53.a4-a5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 53.d4xc5
Rd8xd3 54.c5xb6 Na8xb6 55.Rb2xb6
Re7-a7 56.Rb6-b4 Rd3-d2+ 57.Kf2-g3
Rd2-a2 58.e4-e5 Kh6-g7 59.Rc4-d4
Ra7-a5 60.f3-f4 Ra5-c5 61.Rd4-d7
Rc5-c3+ 62.Kg3-h2 0.38/13 ]
53...Rd8xd4 [ 53...c5xd4 54.a5-a6 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 53...c5xd4
54.a5xb6 Re7-b7 55.Nd3-e5 Kh6-g7
56.Rc4-b4 d4-d3 57.Kf2-e1 Kg7-f6
58.Ne5-c6 Rd8-c8 59.Nc6-a5 Rb7-b8
60.Ke1-d2 Rc8-c5 61.Na5-b3 0.39/12 ]
54.Rc4xd4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
54.Rc4xd4 c5xd4 55.a5xb6 Re7-b7
56.Nd3-e5 Rb7xb6 57.Rb2xb6
Na8xb6 58.Ne5xf7+ Kh6-g7 59.Nf7-e5
Kg7-f6 60.f3-f4 Nb6-a4 61.Ne5-c6
e6-e5 62.Nc6xe5 Na4-c5 63.Kf2-f3
Nc5-b3 64.Ne5-c6 Nb3-d2+ 65.Kf3-e2
Nd2xe4 66.Nc6xd4 Ne4-c5 67.Ke2-e3
Nc5-a4 68.Nd4-c6 Na4-c3 69.Nc6-e5
Kf6-f5 70.Ke3-d3 Nc3-b5 0.63/16 ]
54...c5xd4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
54...c5xd4 55.a5xb6 Re7-b7
56.Nd3-e5 Rb7xb6 57.Rb2xb6
Na8xb6 58.Ne5xf7+ Kh6-g7 59.Nf7-e5
Kg7-f6 60.f3-f4 Nb6-a4 61.Ne5-c6
e6-e5 62.Nc6xe5 Na4-c5 63.Kf2-f3
Nc5-b3 64.Kf3-e2 Nb3-c5 65.Ne5-f3
Nc5xe4 66.Nf3xd4 Ne4-c5 67.Ke2-e3
Nc5-a4 68.Nd4-c6 Na4-c3 69.Nc6-e5

839
Kf6-f5 0.73/15 ] 55.a5xb6 [Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 55.a5xb6 Re7-b7
56.Nd3-e5 Rb7xb6 57.Rb2xb6
Na8xb6 58.Ne5xf7+ Kh6-g7 59.Nf7-e5
Kg7-f6 60.f3-f4 Nb6-a4 61.Ne5-c6
e6-e5 62.Nc6xe5 Na4-c5 63.Kf2-f3
Nc5-b3 64.Kf3-e2 Nb3-c5 65.Ne5-f3
Nc5xe4 66.Nf3xd4 Kf6-g7 67.Ke2-e3
Ne4-d6 68.g2-g3 Kg7-f7 69.Ke3-f3
0.61/16 ] 55...Re7-b7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 55...Re7-b7 56.Nd3-e5
Rb7xb6 57.Rb2xb6 Na8xb6
58.Ne5xf7+ Kh6-g7 59.Nf7-e5 Kg7-f6
60.f3-f4 Nb6-a4 61.Ne5-c6 e6-e5
62.Nc6xe5 Na4-c5 63.Kf2-f3 Nc5-b3
64.Kf3-e2 Nb3-c5 65.Ne5-c6 Nc5xe4
66.Nc6xd4 Ne4-c5 67.Ke2-e3 Nc5-a4
68.Nd4-c6 Na4-c3 69.Ke3-d3 Nc3-d5
70.Kd3-e4 0.69/15 ] 56.Nd3-e5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 56.Nd3-e5
Rb7xb6 57.Rb2xb6 Na8xb6
58.Ne5xf7+ Kh6-g7 59.Nf7-e5 Kg7-f6
60.f3-f4 Nb6-a4 61.Ne5-c6 e6-e5
62.Nc6xe5 Na4-c5 63.Kf2-f3 Nc5-b3
64.Kf3-e2 Nb3-c5 65.Ne5-c6 Nc5xe4
66.Nc6xd4 Ne4-c5 67.Ke2-e3 Nc5-a4
68.Nd4-c6 Na4-c3 69.Ke3-d3 Nc3-d5
70.Kd3-e4 0.60/16 ] 56...Rb7xb6
[ 56...Na8xb6? 57.Ne5-c4+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 56...Rb7xb6
57.Rb2xb6 Na8xb6 58.Ne5xf7+
Kh6-g7 59.Nf7-e5 Kg7-f6 60.f3-f4
Nb6-a4 61.Ne5-c6 e6-e5 62.Nc6xe5
Na4-c5 63.Kf2-f3 Nc5-b3 64.Ne5-c6
Nb3-d2+ 65.Kf3-e2 Nd2xe4
66.Nc6xd4 Ne4-c5 67.Ke2-e3 Nc5-a4
68.Nd4-c6 Na4-c3 0.75/14 ] 57.Rb2-a2
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 57.Rb2xb6
Na8xb6 58.Ne5xf7+ Kh6-g7 59.Nf7-e5
Kg7-f6 60.f3-f4 Nb6-a4 61.Ne5-c6
e6-e5 62.Nc6xe5 Na4-c5 63.Kf2-f3
Nc5-b3 64.Ne5-c6 Nb3-d2+ 65.Kf3-e2
Nd2xe4 66.Nc6xd4 Ne4-c5 67.Ke2-e3
Nc5-a4 68.Nd4-c6 Na4-c3 0.66/13 ]
57...Na8-c7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


57...Na8-c7 58.Ra2-a7 Nc7-a6
59.Ne5xf7+ Kh6-h7 60.Nf7-e5+
Kh7-g8 61.Ne5xg6 Rb6-b2+ 62.Kf2-f1
Na6-c5 63.Ng6-f4 d4-d3 64.Kf1-e1
e6-e5 65.Nf4xh5 Rb2xg2 66.Nh5-f6+
Kg8-f8 67.Nf6-d7+ Nc5xd7 68.Ra7xd7
Rg2-e2+ 69.Ke1-d1 Re2-h2
70.Rd7xd3 Rh2xh4 71.Kd1-e2
Kf8-e7 0.42/15 ] 58.Ra2-a7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 58.Ra2-a7
Nc7-a6 59.Ne5xf7+ Kh6-h7
60.Nf7-e5+ Kh7-g8 61.Ne5xg6
Rb6-b2+ 62.Kf2-f1 Na6-c5 63.Ng6-f4
d4-d3 64.Kf1-e1 e6-e5 65.Nf4xh5
Rb2xg2 66.Nh5-f6+ Kg8-f8
67.Nf6-d7+ Nc5xd7 68.Ra7xd7
Rg2-e2+ 69.Ke1-d1 Re2-h2
70.Rd7xd3 Rh2xh4 71.Kd1-e2
Kf8-e7 0.35/15 ] 58...Rb6-b2+
[ 58...Nc7-b5 59.Ra7xf7 Nb5-d6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 58...Nc7-a6
59.Ne5xf7+ Kh6-g7 60.Nf7-e5+
Kg7-g8 61.Ne5xg6 Rb6-b2+ 62.Kf2-f1
Na6-c5 63.Ng6-f4 d4-d3 64.Kf1-e1
e6-e5 65.Nf4xh5 Rb2xg2 66.Nh5-f6+
Kg8-f8 67.h4-h5 Rg2-h2 68.Ke1-d1
0.46/13 ] 59.Kf2-g3+- [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 59.Kf2-g3 Rb2-c2
60.Ne5xf7+ Kh6-g7 61.Nf7-e5 Kg7-g8
62.Kg3-f4 Nc7-b5 63.Ra7-b7 Nb5-d6
64.Rb7-d7 Nd6-c4 65.Rd7xd4 Nc4xe5
66.Kf4xe5 Rc2xg2 67.Ke5xe6 Rg2-f2
68.Rd4-d3 Rf2-h2 69.Ke6-f6 Kg8-h7
70.Rd3-d7+ Kh7-h6 71.Rd7-d8
0.76/17 ] 59...Rb2-c2 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 59...Rb2-c2 60.Ne5xf7+
Kh6-g7 61.Nf7-e5 Kg7-g8 62.Kg3-f4
Nc7-b5 63.Ra7-b7 Nb5-d6 64.Rb7-d7
Nd6-c4 65.Rd7xd4 Nc4xe5 66.Kf4xe5
Rc2xg2 67.Ke5xe6 Rg2-f2 68.Rd4-d3
Kg8-g7 69.e4-e5 Rf2-h2 70.Rd3-d4
Kg7-f8 71.Ke6-f6 0.84/13 ] 60.Ne5xf7+
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 60.Ne5xf7+
Kh6-g7 61.Nf7-e5 Kg7-g8 62.Kg3-f4
Nc7-b5 63.Ra7-b7 Nb5-d6 64.Rb7-d7

840
Nd6-c4 65.Rd7xd4 Nc4xe5 66.Kf4xe5
Rc2xg2 67.Ke5xe6 Rg2-f2 68.Rd4-d3
Kg8-g7 69.e4-e5 Rf2-h2 70.Rd3-d4
Kg7-f8 71.Ke6-f6 0.76/14 ]
60...Kh6-g7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
60...Kh6-h7 61.Nf7-e5 Kh7-g8
62.Kg3-f4 Nc7-b5 63.Ra7-b7 Nb5-d6
64.Rb7-d7 Nd6-c4 65.Rd7xd4 Nc4xe5
66.Kf4xe5 Rc2xg2 67.Ke5xe6 Rg2-f2
68.Rd4-d3 Kg8-g7 69.e4-e5 Rf2-h2
70.Rd3-d4 Kg7-f8 71.Ke6-f6 0.84/15 ]
61.Nf7-e5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
61.Nf7-e5 Kg7-g8 62.Kg3-f4 Nc7-b5
63.Ra7-b7 Nb5-d6 64.Rb7-d7 Nd6-c4
65.Rd7xd4 Nc4xe5 66.Kf4xe5 Rc2xg2
67.Ke5xe6 Rg2-f2 68.Rd4-d3 Kg8-g7
69.e4-e5 Rf2-h2 70.Rd3-d4 Rh2-h3
71.Rd4-f4 0.69/14 ] 61...Kg7-f6
[ 61...Kg7-g8 62.Kg3-f4 ( 62.Ne5xg6
is clearly weaker d4-d3 63.Ra7-a3
d3-d2 );Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
61...Kg7-g8 62.Kg3-f4 Nc7-b5
63.Ra7-b7 Nb5-d6 64.Rb7-d7 Nd6-c4
65.Rd7xd4 Nc4xe5 66.Kf4xe5 Rc2xg2
67.Ke5xe6 Rg2-f2 68.Rd4-d3 Rf2-h2
69.Ke6-f6 Kg8-h7 70.Rd3-d7+ Kh7-h6
71.Rd7-d8 0.73/13 ] 62.Kg3-f4+[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 62.Kg3-f4
Kf6-e7 63.g2-g3 Rc2-c3 64.Ne5xg6+
Ke7-d6 65.g3-g4 e6-e5+ 66.Ng6xe5
d4-d3 67.Ne5xd3 Nc7-e6+ 68.Kf4-e3
Ne6-c5 69.g4xh5 Nc5xd3 70.Ke3-d4
Rc3-b3 71.Ra7-a6+ Kd6-e7
72.Kd4-c4 Nd3-c1 73.f3-f4 Rb3-e3
74.Kc4-d4 Re3-b3 0.84/15 ]
62...Kf6-e7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
62...Kf6-g7 63.Ra7-b7 Kg7-h7
64.g2-g3 Kh7-g7 65.Rb7-b4 Rc2-d2
66.Kf4-g5 Kg7-h7 67.Ne5-c6 Rd2-c2
68.Nc6xd4 Rc2-c5+ 69.Kg5-f6 e6-e5
70.Nd4-e2 Nc7-e8+ 71.Kf6-e7 Rc5-c2
72.Ne2-g1 Ne8-g7 73.Rb4-b6
Rc2-g2 0.81/12 ] 63.g2-g3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 63.g2-g3
Rc2-c3 64.Ne5xg6+ Ke7-d6 65.g3-g4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


e6-e5+ 66.Ng6xe5 d4-d3 67.Ne5xd3
Nc7-e6+ 68.Kf4-e3 Ne6-c5 69.g4xh5
Nc5xd3 70.Ke3-d4 Rc3-b3
71.Ra7-a6+ Kd6-e7 72.Kd4-c4
Nd3-c1 73.f3-f4 Rb3-e3 74.Kc4-d4
Re3-b3 0.78/13 ] 63...Rc2-c5?
[ 63...Rc2-c3!? ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 63...Rc2-c3 64.Ne5xg6+ Ke7-d6
65.g3-g4 e6-e5+ 66.Ng6xe5 d4-d3
67.Ne5xd3 Nc7-e6+ 68.Kf4-e3 Ne6-c5
69.g4xh5 Nc5xd3 70.Ke3-d4 Rc3-b3
71.Ra7-a6+ Kd6-e7 72.Kd4-c4
Nd3-c1 73.Ra6-a7+ Ke7-e6 74.f3-f4
Rb3-e3 75.f4-f5+ Ke6-e5 76.Ra7-e7+
Ke5-f4 0.76/12 ] 64.Ra7-b7+[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 64.Ra7-b7
Ke7-d6 65.Rb7-b6+ Kd6-e7 66.g3-g4
h5xg4 67.f3xg4 g6-g5+ 68.h4xg5
Rc5-c1 69.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-f7 70.Nc6xd4
Rc1-c4 71.Rb6-d6 Rc4-a4
72.Rd6-d7+ Kf7-g6 73.Rd7xc7
Ra4xd4 74.Rc7-c6 Kg6-f7 75.g5-g6+
Kf7xg6 76.Rc6xe6+ Kg6-f7 77.Kf4-f5
Rd4-d3 78.Re6-f6+ Kf7-e7 79.g4-g5
Rd3-f3+ 80.Kf5-g6 Rf3-g3 81.e4-e5
1.21/15 ] 64...Ke7-d6 [ 64...Rc5-c1
65.Ne5xg6+ Ke7-f6 66.Ng6-e5+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 64...Ke7-d6
65.Rb7-b6+ Kd6-e7 66.g3-g4 h5xg4
67.f3xg4 g6-g5+ 68.h4xg5 Rc5-c1
69.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-f7 70.Nc6xd4 Rc1-c4
71.Rb6-d6 Rc4-a4 72.Rd6-d7+ Kf7-g6
73.Rd7xc7 Ra4xd4 74.Rc7-c6 Kg6-f7
75.g5-g6+ Kf7xg6 76.Rc6xe6+ Kg6-f7
77.Kf4-f5 Rd4-d3 78.Re6-f6+ Kf7-e7
79.g4-g5 Rd3-f3+ 80.Kf5-g6 Rf3-g3
81.e4-e5 1.31/12 ] 65.Rb7-b6+
[ 65.Ne5xg6?! e6-e5+ 66.Kf4-g5
Nc7-b5$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
65.Rb7-b6+ Kd6-e7 66.g3-g4 h5xg4
67.f3xg4 g6-g5+ 68.h4xg5 Rc5-c1
69.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-f7 70.Nc6xd4 Rc1-c4
71.Rb6-d6 Rc4-a4 72.Rd6-d7+ Kf7-g6
73.Rd7xc7 Ra4xd4 74.Rc7-c6 Kg6-f7
75.g5-g6+ Kf7xg6 76.Rc6xe6+ Kg6-f7

841
77.Kf4-f5 Rd4-d3 78.Re6-f6+ Kf7-e7
79.g4-g5 Rd3-f3+ 80.Kf5-g6 Rf3-g3
81.e4-e5 1.21/15 ] 65...Kd6-e7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 65...Kd6-e7
66.g3-g4 h5xg4 67.f3xg4 g6-g5+
68.h4xg5 Rc5-c1 69.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-f7
70.Nc6xd4 Rc1-c4 71.Rb6-d6 Rc4-a4
72.Rd6-d7+ Kf7-g6 73.Rd7xc7
Ra4xd4 74.Rc7-c6 Kg6-f7 75.g5-g6+
Kf7xg6 76.Rc6xe6+ Kg6-f7 77.Kf4-f5
Rd4-d3 78.Re6-f6+ Kf7-e7 79.g4-g5
Rd3-f3+ 80.Kf5-g6 Rf3-g3 81.e4-e5
1.31/13 ] 66.g3-g4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 66.g3-g4 h5xg4 67.f3xg4 g6-g5+
68.h4xg5 Rc5-c1 69.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-f7
70.Nc6xd4 Rc1-c4 71.Rb6-d6 Rc4-a4
72.Rd6-d7+ Kf7-g6 73.Rd7xc7
Ra4xd4 74.Rc7-c6 Kg6-f7 75.g5-g6+
Kf7xg6 76.Rc6xe6+ Kg6-f7 77.Kf4-f5
Rd4-d3 78.Re6-f6+ Kf7-e7 79.g4-g5
Rd3-f3+ 80.Kf5-g6 Rf3-g3 81.e4-e5
1.21/14 ] 66...h5xg4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 66...h5xg4 67.f3xg4 g6-g5+
68.h4xg5 Rc5-c1 69.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-f7
70.Nc6xd4 Rc1-c4 71.Rb6-d6 Rc4-a4
72.Rd6-d7+ Kf7-g6 73.Rd7xc7
Ra4xd4 74.Rc7-c6 Kg6-f7 75.g5-g6+
Kf7xg6 76.Rc6xe6+ Kg6-f7 77.Kf4-f5
Rd4-d3 78.Re6-f6+ Kf7-e7 79.g4-g5
Rd3-f3+ 80.Kf5-g6 Rf3-g3 81.e4-e5
1.31/12 ] 67.f3xg4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 67.f3xg4 g6-g5+ 68.h4xg5
Rc5-c1 69.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-f7 70.Nc6xd4
Rc1-c4 71.Rb6-d6 Rc4-a4
72.Rd6-d7+ Kf7-g6 73.Rd7xc7
Ra4xd4 74.Rc7-c6 Kg6-f7 75.g5-g6+
Kf7xg6 76.Rc6xe6+ Kg6-f7 77.Kf4-f5
Rd4-d3 78.Re6-f6+ Kf7-e7 79.g4-g5
Rd3-f3+ 80.Kf5-g6 Rf3-g3 81.e4-e5
1.21/14 ] 67...g6-g5+ [ 67...Rc5-c1+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 67...g6-g5+
68.h4xg5 Rc5-c1 69.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-f7
70.Nc6xd4 Rc1-c4 71.Rb6-d6 Rc4-a4
72.Rd6-d7+ Kf7-g6 73.Rd7xc7
Ra4xd4 74.Rc7-c6 Kg6-f7 75.g5-g6+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Kf7xg6 76.Rc6xe6+ Kg6-f7 77.Kf4-f5
Rd4-d3 78.Re6-f6+ Kf7-e7 79.g4-g5
Rd3-f3+ 80.Kf5-g6 Rf3-g3 81.e4-e5
1.20/12 ] 68.h4xg5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 68.h4xg5 Rc5-c1 69.Ne5-c6+
Ke7-f7 70.Nc6xd4 Rc1-c4 71.Rb6-d6
Rc4-a4 72.Rd6-d7+ Kf7-g6 73.Rd7xc7
Ra4xd4 74.Rc7-c6 Kg6-f7 75.g5-g6+
Kf7xg6 76.Rc6xe6+ Kg6-f7 77.Kf4-f5
Rd4-d3 78.Re6-f6+ Kf7-e7 79.g4-g5
Rd3-f3+ 80.Kf5-g6 Rf3-g3 81.e4-e5
1.10/12 ] 68...Rc5-b5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 68...Rc5-c1 69.Ne5-c6+
Ke7-f7 70.Nc6xd4 Rc1-c4 71.Rb6-d6
Rc4-a4 72.Rd6-d7+ Kf7-g6 73.Rd7xc7
Ra4xd4 74.Rc7-c6 Kg6-f7 75.g5-g6+
Kf7xg6 76.Rc6xe6+ Kg6-f7 77.Kf4-f5
Rd4-d3 78.Re6-f6+ Kf7-e7 79.g4-g5
Rd3-f3+ 80.Kf5-g6 Rf3-g3 81.e4-e5
1.19/13 ] 69.Rb6-c6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 69.Rb6-c6 Rb5-b7 70.g5-g6
Ke7-f6 71.Rc6-d6 Nc7-b5 72.g4-g5+
Kf6-g7 73.Rd6xe6 Nb5-c3 74.Re6-f6
Kg7-g8 75.Rf6-f7 Rb7-b6 76.Rf7-d7
Nc3-e2+ 77.Kf4-f3 Ne2-g1+ 78.Kf3-g4
Ng1-e2 79.Rd7-a7 Rb6-b8
80.Ne5-c6 1.87/13 ] 69...Rb5-b7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 69...Nc7-e8
70.Rc6-a6 Ne8-c7 71.Ra6-a4 Rb5-b7
72.Ra4xd4 Nc7-b5 73.Rd4-d2 Nb5-c3
74.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-f8 75.Rd2-d6
Rb7-f7+ 76.Kf4-e3 Rf7-g7 77.Ke3-d3
Nc3-b5 78.Rd6xe6 Rg7xg5 1.99/14 ]
70.Rc6-c4 [ 70.g5-g6 might be the
shorter path Ke7-f6+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 70.g5-g6 Ke7-f6 71.g4-g5+
Kf6-g7 72.Rc6-d6 Nc7-b5 73.Rd6xe6
Nb5-c3 74.Re6-f6 Kg7-g8 75.Rf6-f7
Rb7-b6 76.Rf7-d7 Nc3-e2+ 77.Kf4-f3
Ne2-g1+ 78.Kf3-g4 Ng1-e2 79.Rd7-a7
Rb6-b8 80.Ne5-c6 1.87/14 ]
70...Nc7-b5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
70...Nc7-b5 71.Rc4-c8 Nb5-c3
72.Rc8-h8 Ke7-d6 73.Rh8-d8+
Kd6-e7 74.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-f7 75.Nc6xd4

842
Rb7-b4 76.Rd8-d6 Nc3-d5+ 77.Kf4-e5
Nd5-b6 78.Nd4-c6 Nb6-c4+ 79.Ke5-f4
Nc4xd6 80.Nc6xb4 Kf7-g6 81.Nb4-c6
Nd6-b5 82.Nc6-e5+ Kg6-g7 83.Kf4-e3
Nb5-c3 84.g5-g6 Nc3-b5 85.Ke3-d3
Nb5-d6 86.Kd3-d4 1.44/16 ] 71.Rc4-c8
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 71.Rc4-c8
Nb5-c3 72.Rc8-h8 Ke7-d6
73.Rh8-d8+ Kd6-e7 74.Ne5-c6+
Ke7-f7 75.Nc6xd4 Rb7-b4 76.Rd8-d6
Nc3-d5+ 77.Kf4-e5 Nd5-b6 78.Nd4-c6
Nb6-c4+ 79.Ke5-f4 Nc4xd6
80.Nc6xb4 Kf7-g6 81.Nb4-c6 Nd6-b5
82.Nc6-e5+ Kg6-g7 83.Ne5-d3
Nb5-c3 84.Nd3-e5 1.39/15 ]
71...Nb5-c3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
71...Nb5-c3 72.Rc8-h8 Ke7-d6
73.Rh8-d8+ Kd6-e7 74.Ne5-c6+
Ke7-f7 75.Nc6xd4 Rb7-b4 76.Rd8-d6
Rb4-a4 77.Nd4xe6 Nc3xe4 78.Rd6-d4
Ra4xd4 79.Ne6xd4 Ne4-d6 80.Nd4-c6
Nd6-b5 81.Nc6-e5+ Kf7-g7 82.Kf4-e4
Nb5-c7 83.Ke4-f5 Nc7-d5 84.Ne5-c4
1.41/14 ] 72.Rc8-h8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 72.Rc8-h8 Rb7-b5 73.Rh8-h7+
Ke7-e8 74.Ne5-d7 Nc3-e2+ 75.Kf4-f3
Ne2-g1+ 76.Kf3-g2 Ng1-e2
77.Nd7-f6+ Ke8-f8 78.Kg2-f3 Ne2-c1
79.g5-g6 Rb5-b3+ 80.Kf3-g2 Rb3-b2+
81.Kg2-h3 0.95/13 ] 72...Nc3-e2+
[ 72...Ke7-d6 73.Rh8-d8+ Kd6-e7
74.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-f7 75.Nc6xd4
Rb7-b4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
72...Rb7-b5 73.Rh8-h7+ Ke7-e8
74.Ne5-d7 Nc3-e2+ 75.Kf4-f3
Ne2-g1+ 76.Kf3-g2 Ng1-e2
77.Nd7-f6+ Ke8-d8 78.Kg2-f3 Ne2-c1
79.Rh7-d7+ Kd8-c8 80.Rd7xd4
Rb5-b3+ 81.Kf3-g2 Nc1-e2
82.Rd4-c4+ Kc8-d8 83.e4-e5 Rb3-g3+
84.Kg2-f2 1.31/13 ] 73.Kf4-f3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 73.Kf4-f3
0.40/1 ] 73...Rb7-b5 [ 73...Ne2-g1+
doesn't get the bull off the ice
74.Kf3-g2 Rb7-b5 75.Rh8-h7+

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

843

( 75.Kg2xg1?! is the weaker alternative


87.Ke2-d1 Ke7-f7 88.Rd6-b6 Nb3-d4
Rb5xe5 76.Rh8-h7+ Ke7-d6= )
89.Rb6-b4 Nd4-c6 90.Rb4-f4+ 1.95/13
] 75...Rb5xe5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
75...Ke7-e8 76.Ne5-f7 ( 76.Kg2xg1?!
is much weaker Rb5xe5 77.Kg1-f2
75...Rb5xe5 76.g6-g7 Re5-g5
Re5xg5= ) 76...Rb5-b2+ 77.Kg2xg1+- ;
77.g7-g8R Rg5xg8 78.Rh8xg8 d4-d3
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 73...Ne2-g1+
79.Rg8-b8 Ng1-e2 80.Kg2-f3 Ne2-c3
74.Kf3-f2 Rb7-b1 75.Rh8-h1 Rb1-b5
81.Rb8-b2 Nc3-a4 82.Rb2-b4 Na4-c5
76.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-d6 77.Nc6xd4
83.e4-e5 d3-d2 84.Rb4-d4 Nc5-b3
Rb5-b4 78.Kf2-e3 Rb4-b1 79.g5-g6
85.Rd4-d6 Ke7-f7 86.Kf3-e2 Kf7-e7
Rb1-e1+ 80.Ke3-d3 Re1-d1+
87.Ke2-d1 Ke7-f7 88.Rd6-b6 Nb3-d4
81.Kd3-c4 Kd6-e5 2.22/11 ] 74.g5-g6
89.Rb6-b4 Nd4-c6 90.Rb4-f4+ 2.04/14
] 76.g6-g7 [ 76.Kg2xg1? catches the
[ 74.Kf3xe2?! is clearly worse Rb5xe5
75.Ke2-f3 Re5xg5= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
eye, but Re5xe4 77.Rh8-h4 Ke7-f8-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 76.g6-g7
x64: 74.Rh8-h7+ Ke7-e8 75.Ne5-c4
Ne2-g1+ 76.Kf3-f2 Rb5xg5
Re5-g5 77.g7-g8R Rg5xg8 78.Rh8xg8
77.Nc4-d6+ Ke8-f8 78.Kf2xg1
d4-d3 79.Rg8-b8 d3-d2 80.Rb8-b1
Rg5xg4+ 79.Kg1-f2 Rg4-g6
Ng1-e2 81.Rb1-d1 Ne2-c3 82.Rd1xd2
80.Rh7-f7+ Kf8-g8 81.Rf7-b7 Kg8-f8
Nc3xe4 83.Rd2-e2 Ne4-c3 84.Re2-f2
82.Kf2-e2 e6-e5 83.Nd6-f5 Rg6-g2+
Nc3-e4 85.Rf2-f4 Ne4-g5 86.Kg2-g3
84.Ke2-d3 Rg2-a2 85.Rb7-h7
Ng5-f7 87.Rf4-a4 Ke7-f6 88.Ra4-a6
Ra2-a3+ 86.Kd3-c4 Ra3-c3+
Nf7-g5 89.Kg3-f4 Ng5-h3+ 90.Kf4-f3
87.Kc4-d5 2.22/12 ] 74...Ne2-g1+
Nh3-g5+ 91.Kf3-e3 Ng5-h3 92.Ke3-f3
[ 74...Rb5xe5 is not much help
Nh3-g5+ 1.56/12 ] 76...Re5-g5
75.g6-g7 ( 75.Kf3xe2?! is much worse
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 76...Re5-g5
Re5xe4+ 76.Ke2-d3 Re4xg4= )
77.g7-g8R Rg5xg8 78.Rh8xg8 d4-d3
75...Re5-g5 76.g7-g8Q ( 76.Kf3xe2?!
79.Rg8-b8 d3-d2 80.Rb8-b1 Ng1-e2
is the less attractive alternative Rg5xg7 81.Rb1-d1 Ne2-c3 82.Rd1xd2 Nc3xe4
77.Ke2-d3 Rg7xg4= ) 76...Rg5xg8
83.Rd2-e2 Ne4-c3 84.Re2-f2 Nc3-e4
77.Rh8xg8 Ne2-g1+ 78.Kf3-g2+- ;
85.Rf2-f4 Ne4-g5 86.Kg2-g3 Ng5-f7
87.Rf4-a4 Ke7-f6 88.Ra4-a6 Nf7-g5
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 74...Ne2-g1+
75.Kf3-g2 Rb5xe5 76.g6-g7 Re5-g5
89.Kg3-f4 Ng5-h3+ 90.Kf4-f3 Nh3-g5+
91.Kf3-e3 Ng5-h3 92.Ke3-f3
77.g7-g8R Rg5xg8 78.Rh8xg8 d4-d3
Nh3-g5+ 1.64/13 ] 77.g7-g8Q
79.Rg8-b8 Ng1-e2 80.Kg2-f3 Ne2-c3
81.Rb8-b2 Nc3-a4 82.Rb2-b4 Na4-c5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 77.g7-g8Q
83.e4-e5 d3-d2 84.Rb4-d4 Nc5-b3
Rg5xg8 78.Rh8xg8 d4-d3 79.Rg8-b8
85.Rd4-d6 Ke7-f7 86.Kf3-e2 Kf7-e7
Ng1-e2 80.Kg2-f3 Ne2-c3 81.Rb8-b2
87.Ke2-d1 Ke7-f7 88.Rd6-b6 Nb3-d4
Nc3-a4 82.Rb2-b7+ Ke7-f6 83.Kf3-e3
89.Rb6-b4 Nd4-c6 90.Rb4-f4+ 2.04/15 Kf6-g5 84.e4-e5 Na4-c5 85.Rb7-g7+
] 75.Kf3-g2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
Kg5-h6 86.Rg7-c7 Nc5-a6 2.01/14 ]
75.Kf3-g2 Rb5xe5 76.g6-g7 Re5-g5
77...Rg5xg8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
77.g7-g8R Rg5xg8 78.Rh8xg8 d4-d3
77...Rg5xg8 78.Rh8xg8 d4-d3
79.Rg8-b8 Ng1-e2 80.Kg2-f3 Ne2-c3
79.Rg8-b8 Ng1-e2 80.Kg2-f3 Ne2-c3
81.Rb8-b2 Nc3-a4 82.Rb2-b4 Na4-c5
81.Rb8-b2 Nc3-a4 82.Rb2-b4 Na4-c5
83.e4-e5 d3-d2 84.Rb4-d4 Nc5-b3
83.e4-e5 d3-d2 84.Rb4-d4 Nc5-b3
85.Rd4-d6 Ke7-f7 86.Kf3-e2 Kf7-e7
85.Rd4-d6 Ke7-f7 86.Kf3-e2 Kf7-e7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


87.Ke2-d1 Ke7-f7 88.Rd6-b6 Nb3-d4
89.Rb6-b4 Nd4-c6 90.Rb4-f4+
Kf7-e7 2.19/12 ] 78.Rh8xg8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 78.Rh8xg8
d4-d3 79.Rg8-b8 Ng1-e2 80.Kg2-f3
Ne2-c3 81.Rb8-b2 Nc3-a4 82.Rb2-b4
Na4-c5 83.e4-e5 d3-d2 84.Rb4-d4
Nc5-b3 85.Rd4-d6 Ke7-f7 86.Kf3-e2
Kf7-e7 87.Ke2-d1 Ke7-f7 88.Rd6-b6
Nb3-d4 89.Rb6-b4 Nd4-c6 90.Rb4-f4+
Kf7-e7 1.93/13 ] 78...d4-d3
[ 78...Ng1-e2 does not save the day
79.e4-e5 d4-d3 80.Kg2-f3 Ne2-d4+
81.Kf3-e3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
78...Ng1-e2 79.Kg2-f3 Ne2-g1+
80.Kf3-f4 Ke7-f7 81.Rg8-d8 Kf7-e7
82.Rd8-b8 Ke7-f7 83.Rb8-h8 Ng1-e2+
84.Kf4-e5 d4-d3 85.Rh8-d8 Ne2-c1
86.Rd8-d6 Kf7-g6 87.Rd6xe6+
Kg6-g5 1.67/14 ] 79.Rg8-a8
[ 79.Rg8-g7+ and White can already
relax Ke7-f6 80.Rg7-d7 Ng1-e2+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 79.Rg8-b8
Ng1-e2 80.Kg2-f3 Ne2-c3 81.Rb8-b2
Nc3-a4 82.Rb2-b4 Na4-c5 83.e4-e5
d3-d2 84.Rb4-d4 Nc5-b3 85.Rd4-d6
Ke7-f7 86.Kf3-e2 Kf7-e7 87.Ke2-d1
Ke7-f7 88.Rd6-b6 Nb3-d4 89.Rb6-b4
Nd4-c6 90.Rb4-f4+ Kf7-e7 2.15/15 ]
79...d3-d2 [ 79...Ng1-e2 does not
improve anything 80.Kg2-f3 Ne2-d4+
81.Kf3-e3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
79...Ng1-e2 80.Kg2-f3 Ne2-c3
81.Kf3-e3 d3-d2 82.Ke3xd2 Nc3xe4+
83.Kd2-e3 Ne4-g5 84.Ke3-f4 Ke7-f6
85.Ra8-f8+ Kf6-g7 86.Rf8-c8 Kg7-f6
87.Rc8-c6 Ng5-h3+ 88.Kf4-f3
Nh3-g5+ 89.Kf3-e3 Ng5-h3 90.Ke3-d4
Nh3-f4 1.47/16 ] 80.Ra8-a1
[ 80.Ra8-a7+!? keeps an even firmer
grip Ke7-e8 81.Ra7-a1 Ng1-e2+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 80.Ra8-a7+
Ke7-f6 81.Ra7-d7 Ng1-e2 82.Rd7xd2
Ne2-c3 83.Kg2-f3 Nc3-b5 84.Rd2-d8
e6-e5 85.Kf3-e3 Nb5-d4 86.g4-g5+

844
Kf6-g6 87.Rd8-d6+ Kg6-g7 88.Rd6-h6
Nd4-c2+ 89.Ke3-f3 Nc2-d4+
90.Kf3-g4 2.11/16 ] 80...Ng1-e2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 80...Ng1-e2
81.Ra1-d1 Ne2-c3 82.Rd1xd2 Nc3xe4
83.Rd2-e2 Ne4-c3 84.Re2-f2 Nc3-e4
85.Rf2-f4 Ne4-g5 86.Kg2-g3 Ng5-f7
87.Rf4-a4 e6-e5 88.Ra4-a6 Nf7-g5
89.Kg3-f2 Ng5-e6 90.Kf2-f3 Ne6-g5+
91.Kf3-e3 Ng5-e6 92.Ra6-b6 Ne6-g5
93.Rb6-h6 Ke7-f7 94.Rh6-c6 1.55/18 ]
81.Ra1-d1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
81.Ra1-d1 Ne2-c3 82.Rd1xd2 Nc3xe4
83.Rd2-e2 Ne4-c3 84.Re2-f2 Nc3-e4
85.Rf2-f4 Ne4-g5 86.Kg2-g3 Ng5-f7
87.Rf4-a4 Ke7-f6 88.Ra4-a6 Nf7-g5
89.Ra6-a3 e6-e5 90.Ra3-a6+ Ng5-e6
91.Kg3-f3 Kf6-e7 92.Ra6-b6 Ne6-g5+
93.Kf3-e3 Ng5-e6 94.Ke3-f3
Ne6-g5+ 1.47/14 ] 81...Ne2-c3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 81...Ne2-c3
82.Rd1xd2 Nc3xe4 83.Rd2-e2 Ne4-c3
84.Re2-f2 Nc3-e4 85.Rf2-f4 Ne4-g5
86.Kg2-g3 Ng5-f7 87.Rf4-a4 e6-e5
88.Ra4-a6 Nf7-g5 89.Kg3-f2 Ng5-e6
90.Kf2-f3 Ne6-g5+ 91.Kf3-e3 Ng5-e6
92.Ra6-b6 Ne6-g5 93.Rb6-h6 Ke7-f7
94.Rh6-c6 1.55/18 ] 82.Rd1xd2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 82.Rd1xd2
Nc3xe4 83.Rd2-e2 Ne4-c3 84.Re2-f2
Nc3-e4 85.Rf2-f4 Ne4-g5 86.Kg2-g3
Ng5-f7 87.Rf4-a4 e6-e5 88.Ra4-a6
Nf7-g5 89.Kg3-f2 Ng5-e6 90.Kf2-f3
Ne6-g5+ 91.Kf3-e3 Ng5-e6
92.Ra6-c6 1.52/15 ] 82...Nc3xe4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 82...Nc3xe4
83.Rd2-e2 Ne4-c3 84.Re2-f2 Nc3-e4
85.Rf2-f4 Ne4-g5 86.Kg2-g3 Ng5-f7
87.Rf4-a4 e6-e5 88.Ra4-a6 Nf7-g5
89.Kg3-f2 Ng5-e6 90.Kf2-f3 Ne6-g5+
91.Kf3-e3 Ng5-e6 92.Ra6-b6 Ne6-g5
93.Rb6-h6 Ke7-f7 94.Rh6-c6 1.54/17 ]
83.Rd2-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
83.Rd2-e2 Ne4-c3 84.Re2-f2 Nc3-e4
85.Rf2-f4 Ne4-g5 86.Kg2-g3 Ng5-f7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


87.Rf4-a4 e6-e5 88.Ra4-a6 Nf7-g5
89.Kg3-f2 Ng5-e6 90.Kf2-f3 Ne6-g5+
91.Kf3-e3 Ng5-e6 92.Ra6-b6 Ne6-g5
93.Rb6-h6 Ke7-f7 94.Rh6-a6 Ng5-e6
95.Ra6-b6 Kf7-e7 96.Ke3-f3 Ne6-g5+
97.Kf3-e3 Ng5-e6 98.Ke3-f3 1.50/15 ]
83...Ne4-g5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
83...Ne4-c3 84.Re2-f2 Nc3-e4
85.Rf2-f4 Ne4-g5 86.Kg2-g3 Ng5-f7
87.Rf4-a4 e6-e5 88.Ra4-a6 Nf7-g5
89.Kg3-f2 Ng5-e6 90.Kf2-f3 Ne6-g5+
91.Kf3-e3 Ng5-e6 92.Ra6-b6 Ne6-g5
93.Rb6-h6 Ke7-f7 94.Rh6-a6 Ng5-e6
95.Ra6-b6 Kf7-e7 96.Ke3-f3 Ne6-g5+
97.Kf3-e3 Ng5-e6 98.Ke3-f3 1.54/14 ]
84.Kg2-g3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
84.Kg2-g3 Ke7-f7 85.Kg3-h4 Kf7-g6
86.Re2-f2 Ng5-e4 87.Rf2-f3 Ne4-f6
88.g4-g5 Nf6-d5 89.Kh4-g4 Kg6-g7
90.Rf3-a3 Kg7-g6 91.Ra3-h3 Kg6-f7
92.Rh3-h6 Nd5-e3+ 93.Kg4-f4 Ne3-f5
94.Rh6-f6+ Kf7-e7 95.Kf4-e5 1.67/16 ]
84...Ke7-f6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
84...Ke7-f7 85.Kg3-h4 Kf7-g6
86.Re2-f2 Ng5-e4 87.Rf2-f3 Ne4-f6
88.g4-g5 Nf6-d5 89.Kh4-g4 Kg6-g7
90.Rf3-a3 Kg7-g6 91.Ra3-h3 Kg6-g7
92.Rh3-h6 Kg7-f7 93.Rh6-h8 e6-e5
94.Rh8-h7+ Kf7-g6 95.Rh7-h6+
Kg6-f7 96.Kg4-f3 Nd5-c3 97.Kf3-e3
Kf7-g7 1.59/15 ] 85.Kg3-h4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 85.Kg3-h4
Kf6-g6 86.Re2-f2 Ng5-e4 87.Rf2-f3
Ne4-f6 88.g4-g5 Nf6-d5 89.Kh4-g4
Kg6-g7 90.Rf3-a3 Kg7-g6 91.Ra3-h3
Kg6-g7 92.Rh3-h6 Nd5-e3+ 93.Kg4-f4
Ne3-d5+ 94.Kf4-e5 1.75/16 ]
85...Kf6-g6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
85...Kf6-g6 86.Re2-e3 Kg6-h6
87.Re3-d3 Kh6-g6 88.Rd3-b3 Kg6-h6
89.Rb3-b8 Ng5-f3+ 90.Kh4-g3 Nf3-g5
91.Rb8-g8 e6-e5 92.Kg3-f2 Ng5-f7
93.Kf2-e3 Kh6-h7 94.Rg8-b8 Kh7-g6
95.Ke3-e4 Kg6-f6 96.Rb8-b6+
Kf6-g5 1.77/20 ] 86.Re2-e3

845
[ 86.Re2-b2 makes it even easier for
White Ng5-f3+ 87.Kh4-g3 Nf3-g5+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 86.Re2-e3
Kg6-h6 87.Re3-d3 Kh6-g6 88.Rd3-b3
Kg6-h6 89.Rb3-b8 Ng5-f3+ 90.Kh4-g3
Nf3-g5 91.Rb8-g8 e6-e5 92.Kg3-f2
Ng5-f7 93.Kf2-e3 Kh6-h7 94.Rg8-b8
Kh7-g6 95.Ke3-e4 Kg6-f6 96.Rb8-b6+
Kf6-g5 1.48/18 ] 86...Kg6-h6
[ 86...e6-e5 does not solve anything
87.Re3-b3 Ng5-e6 88.Rb3-b6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 86...Kg6-h6
87.Re3-d3 Kh6-g6 88.Rd3-b3 Kg6-h6
89.Rb3-b8 Ng5-f3+ 90.Kh4-g3 Nf3-g5
91.Rb8-g8 e6-e5 92.Kg3-f2 Ng5-f7
93.Kf2-e3 Kh6-h7 94.Rg8-b8 Kh7-g6
95.Ke3-e4 Kg6-f6 96.Rb8-b6+
Kf6-g5 1.52/19 ] 87.Re3-a3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 87.Re3-d3
Kh6-g6 88.Rd3-b3 Kg6-h6 89.Rb3-b8
Ng5-f3+ 90.Kh4-g3 Nf3-g5 91.Rb8-g8
e6-e5 92.Rg8-c8 Kh6-g6 93.Rc8-c6+
Kg6-f7 94.Kg3-f2 Ng5-e6 95.Kf2-e3
Ne6-g5 96.Rc6-d6 Kf7-e7 97.Rd6-b6
Ng5-e6 98.Rb6-a6 Ne6-c5
99.Ra6-h6 1.56/18 ] 87...Kh6-g6
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 87...Kh6-g6
88.Ra3-b3 Kg6-h6 89.Rb3-b8 Ng5-f3+
90.Kh4-g3 Nf3-g5 91.Rb8-g8 e6-e5
92.Rg8-c8 Kh6-g6 93.Rc8-c6+ Kg6-f7
94.Kg3-f2 Ng5-e6 95.Kf2-e3 Ne6-d4
96.Rc6-b6 Kf7-g7 97.Ke3-e4 1.58/17 ]
88.Ra3-a8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
88.Ra3-a8 Kg6-h6 89.Ra8-e8 Ng5-f3+
90.Kh4-g3 Nf3-g5 91.Re8-g8 e6-e5
92.Kg3-f2 Ng5-f7 93.Kf2-e3 Kh6-h7
94.Rg8-b8 Kh7-g6 95.Ke3-e4 Kg6-f6
96.Rb8-b6+ Kf6-g5 1.48/15 ]
88...Ng5-f3+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
88...Kg6-h6 89.Ra8-e8 Ng5-f3+
90.Kh4-g3 Nf3-g5 91.Re8-g8 e6-e5
92.Kg3-f2 Ng5-f7 93.Kf2-e3 Kh6-h7
94.Rg8-b8 Kh7-g6 95.Ke3-e4 Kg6-f6
96.Rb8-b6+ Kf6-g5 1.52/15 ]
89.Kh4-g3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


89.Kh4-g3 Nf3-g5 90.Ra8-g8+ Kg6-f6
91.Kg3-h4 Ng5-e4 92.g4-g5+ Kf6-f7
93.Rg8-a8 Kf7-g6 94.Ra8-h8 e6-e5
95.Rh8-c8 Kg6-f5 96.Rc8-f8+ Kf5-g6
97.Kh4-g4 Ne4-c3 98.Rf8-f6+ Kg6-g7
99.Rf6-h6 e5-e4 100.Kg4-f4 Kg7-f7
1.73/17 ] 89...Nf3-e5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 89...Nf3-g5 90.Ra8-g8+
Kg6-f6 91.Kg3-h4 Ng5-e4 92.g4-g5+
Kf6-f7 93.Rg8-a8 Kf7-g6 94.Ra8-h8
e6-e5 95.Rh8-c8 Kg6-f5 96.Rc8-f8+
Kf5-g6 97.Kh4-g4 Ne4-c3 98.Rf8-f6+
Kg6-g7 99.Kg4-f5 e5-e4 100.Rf6-e6
1.51/14 ] 90.Ra8-a6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 90.Ra8-a6 Ne5-d7 91.Ra6xe6+
Kg6-g5 92.Re6-a6 Nd7-f8 93.Kg3-f3
Nf8-g6 94.Ra6-a5+ Kg5-h6 95.Kf3-e4
Ng6-e7 96.Ra5-e5 Ne7-g6 97.Re5-d5
Ng6-e7 98.Rd5-d7 Ne7-g6 99.Ke4-f5
Ng6-e7+ 100.Kf5-e5 Ne7-c8
101.Rd7-c7 2.38/14 ] 90...Kg6-g5
[ 90...Kg6-f6+- desperation ;Houdini 2.
0c Pro x64: 90...Ne5-c4 91.Ra6xe6+
Kg6-g5 92.Re6-e4 Nc4-d2
93.Re4-e5+ Kg5-g6 94.Kg3-f4 Nd2-b3
95.Re5-g5+ Kg6-f7 96.Rg5-f5+ Kf7-g6
97.g4-g5 Nb3-d2 98.Rf5-f6+ Kg6-g7
99.Rf6-e6 Nd2-b3 100.Re6-d6 Nb3-c5
101.Kf4-f5 Kg7-f7 102.Rd6-h6 2.41/13
] 91.Ra6-a5 [ 91.Ra6-a5 Kg5-f6
92.g4-g5+ Kf6xg5 93.Ra5xe5+ Kg5-f6
94.Re5-a5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
91.Ra6-a5 Kg5-f6 92.g4-g5+ Kf6-f5
93.g5-g6 Kf5xg6 94.Ra5xe5 Kg6-f6
95.Kg3-f4 Kf6-e7 96.Re5-a5 Ke7-d6
97.Kf4-e4 Kd6-c6 98.Ke4-d4 e6-e5+
99.Ra5xe5 Kc6-d6 100.Re5-f5 Kd6-e6
101.Rf5-f1 Ke6-d6 102.Rf1-f6+
Kd6-e7 103.Kd4-e5 5.61/16 ]
1-0

846
59

C03

Vassily Ivanchuk
Viktor Erdos
Tradewise Caleta ENG (4)

28.01.2011

C06: French Tarrasch: 3...Nf6 4 e5


Nfd7 5 Bd3 main lines
1.e2-e4 e7-e6 2.d2-d4 d7-d5
3.Nb1-d2 a7-a6 4.Ng1-f3 Diagram

rnlqklnr
+pp +ppp
p+ +p+ +
+ +p+ +
+ PP+ +
+ + +N+
PPPN PPP
R LQKL+R

3102

Ng8-f6 5.Bf1-d3 c7-c5 6.e4-e5


Nf6-d7 7.c2-c3 Nb8-c6 8.0-0 g7-g5
9.Bd3-b1 [RR 9.d4xc5 g5-g4
10.Nf3-d4 Nd7xe5 (RR 10...Nd7xc5
11.Nd2-b3 Nc6xe5 12.Nb3xc5 Bf8xc5
13.Rf1-e1 Qd8-f6 14.Qd1-e2 Bc5-d6
15.Nd4-f5 Bd6-c7 16.Kg1-h1 h7-h5
17.Bd3-c2 Ne5-g6 18.c3-c4 Ke8-f8
19.Qe2-e3 e6xf5 0-1 Mohammad,A
(2200)-Reefat,B (2479)/Dhaka 2007/
CBM 117 ext ) 11.Nd2-b3 Bc8-d7
12.Bd3-e2 Rh8-g8 13.f2-f4 g4xf3
14.Nd4xf3 Qd8-c7 15.Nf3-g5 Rg8-g7
16.Be2-h5 Bf8-e7 17.Ng5-f3 0-0-0
18.Bc1-h6 Rg7-g8 19.Nf3-d4 Be7-g5
20.Bh6xg5 Rg8xg5 21.Bh5-e2 Rd8-g8
22.Rf1-f2 Ne5-g4 23.Be2xg4 Rg5xg4
Adams,M (2746)-Legky,N (2477)/
France 2001/EXT 2002/1-0 (38) ]
9...g5-g4 10.Nf3-e1 h7-h5
11.Ne1-c2N [RR 11.Nd2-b3 a6-a5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

847

12.Nb3xc5 Nd7xc5 13.d4xc5 Bf8xc5


14.Ne1-d3 Bc5-a7 15.Qd1-a4 Bc8-d7
16.Qa4-f4 Ba7-b8 17.Rf1-d1 f7-f5
18.c3-c4 d5-d4 19.Rd1-e1 Qd8-e7
20.Bb1-c2 h5-h4 21.Bc1-d2 Bb8-c7
22.Bc2-d1 Rh8-g8 23.a2-a3 a5-a4
24.f2-f3 g4xf3 25.Bd1xf3 Bc7-a5
Comp Fritz-Topalov,V (2737)/Bilbao
2004/CBM 102 ext/1-0 (47) ]
11...Rh8-g8 12.Rf1-e1 c5xd4
13.c3xd4 f7-f5 14.Nd2-f1 Bf8-e7
15.Bc1-d2 Nd7-f8 16.f2-f4 b7-b5
17.a2-a3 Diagram

r+lqknr+
+ + l +
p+n+p+ +
+p+pPp+p
+ P Pp+
P + + +
PNL +PP
RL+QRNK

3103

last book move last book move a6-a5


[ 17...Nf8-g6 18.Bb1-a2! ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 17...h5-h4 18.Qd1-e2
Qd8-b6 19.Re1-c1 Nf8-g6 20.Qe2-e3
h4-h3 21.g2-g3 Bc8-d7 22.Qe3-d3
Ra8-c8 23.Nf1-e3 0.00/12 Diagram
(Diagram 3104)

+r+k+r+
+ +ll +
pqn+p+n+
+p+pPp+
+ P Pp+
P +QN Pp
PNL + P
RLR + K

r+lqknr+
+ + l +
+n+p+ +
pp+pPp+p
+ P Pp+
P + N +
PNL +PP
RL+QR K

3104

3105

Ra8xa1 25.Rc1xa1 0.17/13 ]


18...Nf8-d7 Diagram [ 18...h5-h4
19.Nc2-e3! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18...Nf8-g6 19.Qd1-d2 h5-h4
20.Ra1-a2 Qd8-b6 21.Re1-c1 Bc8-b7
22.Qd2-f2 h4-h3 23.g2-g3 Ra8-c8
24.Nf1-e3 -0.09/12 ]

] 18.Bd2-c3 [ 18.Nf1-e3= Diagram


(Diagram 3106)
(Diagram 3105)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18.Qd1-e2
Bc8-a6 19.b2-b4 h5-h4 20.Qe2-d3
Nf8-g6 21.Bb1-a2 a5xb4 22.a3xb4
Qd8-b6 23.Re1-c1 Ba6-b7 24.Ba2-b3

19.Qd1-d2 [ 19.Nf1-g3!?
is interesting Bc8-b7 20.Ng3xh5$ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19.Qd1-d3
Bc8-a6 20.b2-b4 Ra8-c8 21.Nf1-g3
Qd8-c7 22.Bc3-b2 Nd7-b6 23.Ng3xh5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+lqk+r+
+ +nl +
+n+p+ +
pp+pPp+p
+ P Pp+
P L + +
PN+ +PP
RL+QRNK

848

3106

Nb6-c4 24.Bb2-c3 Rg8-f8 25.b4xa5


Be7-h4 26.Re1-c1 0.33/11 ]
19...Nd7-b6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19...Bc8-b7 Diagram

r+ qk+r+
+l+nl +
+n+p+ +
pp+pPp+p
+ P Pp+
P L + +
PNQ +PP
RL+ RNK

3107

20.Re1-c1 h5-h4 21.Qd2-d3 Qd8-b6


22.Nf1-e3 h4-h3 23.g2-g3 Ra8-c8
24.Qd3-e2 Be7-f8 25.Bb1-a2 0.11/12 ]
20.b2-b3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 20.Nf1-e3 h5-h4 21.Bb1-a2
h4-h3 22.g2-g3 Nb6-c4 23.Ne3xc4
b5xc4 24.Nc2-e3 Qd8-b6 25.Ra1-c1
a5-a4 0.21/11 ]
Controls a4+c4 20...Ke8-f7 Diagram
[ 20...a5-a4 21.b3xa4 Nb6-c4
22.Qd2-e2 Ra8xa4 23.Nf1-e3 ;

r+lqk+r+
+ + l +
nn+p+ +
pp+pPp+p
+ P Pp+
PPL + +
+NQ +PP
RL+ RNK

3108

Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...a5-a4


21.b3-b4 Nb6-c4 22.Qd2-d3 Be7-h4
23.Re1-c1 Qd8-d7 24.Nc2-e3 Bc8-b7
25.Nf1-d2 Ke8-f7 26.Nd2xc4 d5xc4
-0.06/11 ]

r+lq +r+
+ + lk+
nn+p+ +
pp+pPp+p
+ P Pp+
PPL + +
+NQ +PP
RL+ RNK

3109

Black loses the right to castle


21.Nf1-e3 Diagram [ 21.Nc2-e3
h5-h4$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Nc2-e3 Diagram
(Diagram 3110)
a5-a4 22.b3-b4 Ra8-b8 23.Nf1-g3
h5-h4 24.Ng3-h5 Nb6-c4 25.Ne3xc4
d5xc4 26.Qd2-e3 g4-g3 27.h2-h3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+lq +r+
+ + lk+
nn+p+ +
pp+pPp+p
+ P Pp+
PPL N +
+ Q +PP
RL+ RNK

849

3110

0.30/11 ]

r+lq kr+
+ + l +
nn+p+ +
pp+pPp+p
+ P Pp+
PPL N +
+NQ +PP
RL+ R K

3112

24.Nc2-b4 Diagram

r+lq +r+
+ + lk+
nn+p+ +
pp+pPp+p
+ P Pp+
PPL N +
+NQ +PP
RL+ R K

3111

21...Kf7-f8 Diagram [ 21...h5-h4


22.Re1-c1! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...a5-a4 22.b3-b4 h5-h4 23.Bb1-a2
h4-h3 24.g2-g3 Ra8-b8 25.Ra1-c1
Bc8-b7 26.Ba2-b1 Rb8-a8 27.Rc1-d1
Nb6-c4 28.Ne3xc4 d5xc4 29.d4-d5
Qd8xd5 30.Qd2xd5 e6xd5
31.Rd1xd5 -0.08/12 ]
(Diagram 3112)
22.Bc3-b2 Diagram [ 22.Re1-c1
Bc8-d7= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22.Qd2-d3 Bc8-a6 23.Bc3-b2 a5-a4

r+ q kr+
+ + l +
lnn+p+ +
+p+pPp+p
pN P Pp+
PP+QN +
L + +PP
RL+ R K

3113

Nc6xb4 25.a3xb4 Kf8-g7 26.Re1-c1


Be7xb4 27.Rc1-c6 Rg8-e8 28.b3xa4
Nb6-c4 0.31/10 ]
(Diagram 3114)
22...Kf8-g7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...a5-a4 Diagram
(Diagram 3115)
23.b3-b4 Kf8-f7 24.Qd2-c3 Nb6-c4
25.Ne3xc4 d5xc4 26.Nc2-e3 Qd8-b6
27.d4-d5 e6xd5 28.Qc3-d2 Bc8-e6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+lq kr+
+ + l +
nn+p+ +
pp+pPp+p
+ P Pp+
PP+ N +
LNQ +PP
RL+ R K

r+lq kr+
+ + l +
nn+p+ +
+p+pPp+p
p+ P Pp+
PP+ N +
LNQ +PP
RL+ R K

850

3114

3115

29.Kg1-h1 Be7-h4 30.g2-g3 0.07/12


Diagram
(Diagram 3116)
] 23.Re1-c1 [ 23.Qd2-d3 a5-a4!
Diagram
(Diagram 3117)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.Qd2-c3
Bc8-d7 24.Qc3-d3 a5-a4 25.b3-b4
Nb6-c4 26.Ne3xc4 b5xc4 27.Qd3-d2
Qd8-b6 28.Nc2-e3 Rg8-d8 29.g2-g3
0.20/12 Diagram

r+ + +r+
+ + +k+
qn+l+ +
+p+pPp+p
pPp+ Ppl
P + N P
L Q + P
RL+ R +K

r+lq +r+
+ + l k
nn+p+ +
+p+pPp+p
p+ P Pp+
PP+QN +
LN+ +PP
RL+ R K

r+ r + +
+ +ll k
qn+p+ +
+ +pPp+p
pPpP Pp+
P + N P
L Q + P
RL+ R K
] 23...Bc8-d7 Diagram [ 23...a5-a4

3116

3117

3118

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

851

24.Qd2-c3 Bc8-d7 25.Nc2-b4 ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...a5-a4
24.b3-b4 h5-h4 25.Rc1-d1 Diagram

r+lq +r+
+ + l k
nn+p+ +
+p+pPp+
pP P Ppp
P + N +
LNQ +PP
RL+R+ K

3119

Bc8-b7 26.Qd2-e2 h4-h3 27.Qe2xb5


h3xg2 28.Rd1-c1 Ra8-c8 29.Ne3xg2
Diagram

+rq +r+
+l+ l k
nn+p+ +
+Q+pPp+
pP P Pp+
P + + +
LN+ +NP
RLR + K

3120

Qd8-c7 30.Nc2-e3 Rg8-h8 -0.06/12 ]


(Diagram 3121)
24.Nc2-e1 [ 24.Ne3xf5+ e6xf5
25.Nc2-e3$ Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Qd2-d3
a5-a4 25.Ne3xf5+ e6xf5 26.Nc2-e3
Rg8-f8 27.e5-e6 Bd7xe6 28.Rc1xc6

r+ q +r+
+ +ll k
nn+p+ +
pp+pPp+p
+ P Pp+
PP+ N +
LNQ +PP
RLR + K

r+ q +r+
+ +ll k
nn+ + +
pp+pPp+p
+ P Pp+
PP+ N +
L Q +PP
RLR + K

3121

3122

Be6-d7 29.Rc6-c1 Ra8-c8 30.Bb1-c2


Diagram
(Diagram 3123)
a4xb3 31.Qd3xb3 Be7-d6 32.g2-g3
0.34/10 ] 24...a5-a4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24...a5-a4
25.b3-b4 Nb6-c4 26.Ne3xc4 b5xc4
27.Ne1-c2 Nc6-a7 28.Nc2-e3 Na7-b5
29.Bb1-c2 Qd8-c7 30.Bc2-d3 Ra8-b8
Diagram
31.Ra1-b1 Rg8-f8 32.Rc1-c2
Bd7-c6 -0.12/13 ]
Black gains space 25.b3-b4 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+rq r +
+ +ll k
n + + +
+p+p+p+p
p+ P Pp+
PP+QN +
LL+ +PP
R R + K

r + +r+
+ qll k
+ +p+ +
+n+pPp+p
pPpP Pp+
P +LN +
L Q +PP
R R + K

r+ q +r+
+ +ll k
nn+p+ +
+p+pPp+p
p+ P Pp+
PP+ N +
L Q +PP
RLR N K
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25.b3-b4

852
Nb6-c4 26.Ne3xc4 b5xc4 27.Ne1-c2
Qd8-c7 28.Nc2-e3 h5-h4 29.Bb1-c2
Rg8-f8 30.Bc2-b1 Rf8-g8 31.Bb1-c2
-0.12/10 Diagram

3123

r+ + +r+
+ qll k
+n+p+ +
+ +pPp+
pPpP Ppp
P + N +
LLQ +PP
R R + K

3126

3124

r+ q +r+
+ +ll k
nn+p+ +
+p+pPp+p
pP P Pp+
P + N +
L Q +PP
RLR N K

3127

3125

25...Nb6-c4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 25...Nb6-c4 26.Ne3xc4
b5xc4 27.Ne1-c2 Nc6-a7 28.Nc2-e3
Na7-b5 29.Bb1-c2 Qd8-c7 30.Bb2-c3
h5-h4 31.Rc1-f1 Diagram
h4-h3 32.g2-g3 Qc7-b6 33.Bc3-b2
Kg7-f7 34.Ra1-c1 -0.17/13 ]
Black threatens to win material: Nc4xd2.
Black can be proud of that piece
26.Qd2-e2 [ 26.Ne3xc4 b5xc4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +r+
+ qll k
+ +p+ +
+n+pPp+
pPpP Ppp
P L N +
+LQ +PP
R + +RK

r+ q +r+
+ +ll k
+n+p+ +
+p+pPp+p
pPnP Pp+
P + N +
L Q +PP
RLR N K

853

3128

3129

r+ q +r+
+ +ll k
+n+p+ +
+ +pPp+p
pPpP Pp+
P + + +
LNQ +PP
RLR + K

r+ q +r+
+ +ll k
+n+p+ +
+ +pPp+p
pPpP Pp+
P + + +
LNQ +PP
RLR + K

3130

3131

27.Ne1-c2! Diagram
(Diagram 3130)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.Ne3xc4
b5xc4 27.Ne1-c2 Diagram
(Diagram 3131)
Nc6-a7 28.Nc2-e3 Na7-b5 29.Bb1-c2
Qd8-c7 30.Bb2-c3 Nb5xc3 31.Qd2xc3
Diagram
Qc7-b6 32.Rc1-f1 h5-h4 33.Ra1-c1
h4-h3 34.g2-g3 0.04/14 ] 26...Qd8-b8
[ 26...Qd8-b6 27.Rc1-d1 Ra8-c8

r+ + +r+
+ qll k
+ +p+ +
+ +pPp+p
pPpP Pp+
P Q N +
+L+ +PP
R R + K
Diagram

3132

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +r+
+ +ll k
qn+p+ +
+p+pPp+p
pPnP Pp+
P + N +
L +Q+PP
RL+RN K

854

3133

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26...Qd8-b6


Diagram

r+ + +r+
+ +ll k
qn+p+ +
+p+pPp+p
pPnP Pp+
P + N +
L +Q+PP
RLR N K

3134

+lr +r+
q + + k
+n+p+ +
+pPpPp+
p+nP Pp+
P LLN +P
+ +Q+ P
R R + +K

rq + +r+
+ +ll k
+n+p+ +
+p+pPp+p
pPnP Pp+
P +NN +
L +Q+PP
RLR + K

3135

3136

28.Qe2xb2 Qb8-a7 29.Nd3-c5


Diagram
27.Ne3xc4 d5xc4 28.Ne1-c2 Ra8-d8
29.Qe2-d2 Bd7-e8 30.Rc1-d1 h5-h4
31.Nc2-e3 h4-h3 32.g2-g3 Be8-f7
33.Bb2-c3 -0.33/13 ] 27.Ne1-d3=
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27.Ne1-d3 Qb8-a7 28.Nd3-c5 Ra8-d8
29.Bb2-c3 Bd7-c8 30.Kg1-h1 Be7xc5
31.b4xc5 h5-h4 32.Bb1-d3 h4-h3
33.g2xh3 Diagram
g4xh3 34.Rc1-b1 Kg7-f8 35.Rb1xb5
Qa7-g7 36.Bd3xc4 d5xc4 37.Qe2xc4
0.47/12 ]
27...Qb8-a7 [Worse is 27...Nc4xb2

(Diagram 3137)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27...Qb8-c7
28.Nd3-c5 Bd7-c8 29.Rc1-d1 Rg8-d8
30.Bb2-c3 Be7xc5 31.b4xc5 h5-h4
32.Ne3xc4 d5xc4 33.Qe2-b2 Diagram
(Diagram 3138)
Ra8-b8 0.36/11 ] 28.Nd3-c5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28.Nd3-c5
Ra8-d8 29.Bb2-c3 Bd7-c8 30.Kg1-h1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + +r+
q +ll k
+n+p+ +
+pNpPp+p
pP P Pp+
P + N +
Q + +PP
RLR + K

r+lr + +
+ q + k
+n+p+ +
+pP Pp+
p+pP Ppp
P L + +
Q + +PP
RL+R+ K

855

3137

3138

Be7xc5 31.b4xc5 h5-h4 32.Bb1-d3


h4-h3 33.g2xh3 g4xh3 34.Rc1-b1
Kg7-f8 35.Rb1xb5 Qa7-g7 36.Bd3xc4
d5xc4 Diagram
(Diagram 3139)
37.Qe2xc4 0.47/12 ] 28...Rg8-f8
Diagram [ 28...h5-h4 29.Kg1-h1= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Ra8-d8
29.Bb2-c3 Bd7-c8 30.Kg1-h1 Be7xc5
31.b4xc5 Qa7-e7 32.Kh1-g1 h5-h4
33.Ne3xc4 d5xc4 34.Qe2-b2 Bc8-a6
0.30/11 ]
29.Kg1-h1 [ 29.Bb2-c3 Kg7-h6

+lr kr+
+ + + q
+n+p+ +
+RP Pp+
p+pP P +
P L N +p
+ +Q+ P
R + + +K

r+ + r +
q +ll k
+n+p+ +
+pNpPp+p
pPnP Pp+
P + N +
L +Q+PP
RLR + K

3139

3140

Diagram
(Diagram 3141)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29.Ne3xc4
d5xc4 30.Qe2-f2 Bd7-c8 31.Bb2-c3
Rf8-d8 32.Ra1-a2 h5-h4 33.Ra2-b2
h4-h3 34.g2-g3 Be7xc5 35.b4xc5
0.63/11 Diagram
(Diagram 3142)
] 29...Ra8-c8 Diagram [ 29...Ra8-b8
30.Ne3xc4 b5xc4 31.h2-h3$ Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Be7xc5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + r +
q +ll +
+n+p+ k
+pNpPp+p
pPnP Pp+
P L N +
+ +Q+PP
RLR + K

r+lr + +
q + + k
+n+p+ +
+pP Pp+
p+pP Pp+
P L + Pp
R + Q P
+LR + K

r + r +
q +ll k
+n+p+ +
+ NpPp+p
pPpP Pp+
P + + +P
L +Q+P+
RLR + +K

856
32.Ne3xc4 d5xc4 33.Qe2-f2 Bd7-c6
34.Rd1-d6 Bc6-d5 35.Bb1-c2 Ne7-c6
36.Ra1-d1 0.43/11 Diagram
3141

+ r r +
q + + k
+nRp+ +
+pPlPp+p
pPp+ Pp+
P + + +
LL+ QPP
+ +R+ +K
3142

3144

+r+ r +
q +ll k
+n+p+ +
+pNpPp+p
pPnP Pp+
P + N +
L +Q+PP
RLR + +K

3145

3143

30.d4xc5 Nc6-e7 31.Rc1-d1 Ra8-d8

30.Ne3xc4 Diagram [ 30.Bb2-c3


Rf8-h8 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30.Bb1-d3 Be7xc5 Diagram
(Diagram 3146)
31.d4xc5 Qa7-b7 32.Rc1-d1 Nc6-e7
33.Bb2-d4 Bd7-c6 34.Qe2-f2 Ne7-g6
35.Kh1-g1 Qb7-d7 36.Ne3xc4 d5xc4
0.53/11 ]
30...b5xc4 White has a new protected

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ r +
q +l+ k
+n+p+ +
+plpPp+p
pPnP Pp+
P +LN +
L +Q+PP
R R + +K

+r+ r +
q +ll k
+n+p+ +
+pNpPp+p
pPNP Pp+
P + + +
L +Q+PP
RLR + +K

857

3146

3147

passed pawn: b4. Black has a new


protected passed pawn: c4
[ Inferior is 30...d5xc4 31.Rc1-d1 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30...b5xc4
Diagram
(Diagram 3148)
31.Bb1-c2 Rc8-b8 32.Ra1-b1 Rf8-h8
33.h2-h3 Be7xc5 34.d4xc5 Bd7-e8
35.Qe2-f2 g4xh3 36.Rc1-g1 Rh8-g8
37.g2xh3+ Kg7-f8 38.Rg1xg8+ Kf8xg8
39.Rb1-g1+ Kg8-f8 0.47/12 ]
31.Bb1-c2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31.Qe2-f2 h5-h4 32.Bb2-c3 Diagram

+r+ r +
q +ll k
+n+p+ +
+ NpPp+p
pPpP Pp+
P + + +
L +Q+PP
RLR + +K

+r+ r +
q +ll k
+n+p+ +
+ NpPp+
pPpP Ppp
P L + +
+ + QPP
RLR + +K

3148

3149

Rc8-b8 33.Rc1-d1 Bd7-c8 34.Qf2-e3


Be7xc5 35.d4xc5 Qa7-f7 36.Bb1-c2
0.59/10 ] 31...Be7xc5 [ 31...h5-h4
32.Qe2-e3$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31...Rc8-b8 32.Ra1-b1 Rf8-h8
33.h2-h3 Be7xc5 34.d4xc5 Bd7-e8
35.Qe2-f2 g4xh3 36.Rc1-g1 Rh8-g8
37.g2xh3+ Diagram
(Diagram 3150)
Kg7-f8 38.Rg1xg8+ Kf8xg8
39.Rb1-g1+ Kg8-f8 0.46/11 ]
32.d4xc5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
32.d4xc5 Nc6-e7 33.Qe2-e3 h5-h4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r +l+r+
q + + k
+n+p+ +
+ PpPp+p
pPp+ P +
P + + +P
LL+ Q +
+R+ + RK

858

3150

34.Rc1-e1 Rf8-h8 35.Kh1-g1 h4-h3


36.g2-g3 Bd7-c6 37.Bb2-c3 Kg7-f7
0.60/11 Diagram

+r+ + r
q + nk+
+l+p+ +
+ PpPp+
pPp+ Pp+
P L Q Pp
+L+ + P
R + R K

3151

] 32...Nc6-e7 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 32...Rc8-b8 33.Qe2-e3
Bd7-e8 34.Qe3-f2 Be8-g6 35.Rc1-e1
Kg7-g8 36.Ra1-d1 Rf8-f7 37.Kh1-g1
Bg6-h7 0.53/11 Diagram
(Diagram 3152)
]
33.Rc1-d1 [ 33.h2-h4 Diagram
Ne7-g6 34.Qe2-f2 Bd7-c6 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Kh1-g1

r + +k+
q + +r+l
+n+p+ +
+ PpPp+p
pPp+ Pp+
P + + +
LL+ QPP
+ +RR K

+r+ r +
q +ln k
+ +p+ +
+ PpPp+p
pPp+ Pp+
P + + +
LL+Q+PP
R R + +K

+r+ r +
q +ln k
+ +p+ +
+ PpPp+p
pPp+ PpP
P + + +
LL+Q+P+
R R + +K

3152

3153

3154

Ne7-g6 34.Qe2-e3 Bd7-c6 35.Rc1-d1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

859

Kg7-g8 36.Rd1-d2 h5-h4 37.Ra1-f1


Qa7-e7 38.Bb2-d4 Qe7-b7
39.Qe3-c3 0.58/13 ] 33...Bd7-b5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
33...Rf8-h8 34.Kh1-g1 h5-h4
35.Rd1-d2 h4-h3 36.g2-g3 Qa7-b7
37.Qe2-e3 Kg7-f7 38.Ra1-d1 Bd7-c6
0.44/11 ]

+r+ r +
q + n k
+ +p+ +
+lPpPp+p
pPp+ Pp+
P + + +
LL+Q+PP
R +R+ +K

3155

34.Bb2-c3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


34.Qe2-e3 Ne7-g6 35.Rd1-d2 Bb5-c6
36.Bb2-d4 Qa7-e7 37.Ra1-b1 Qe7-b7
38.Rb1-f1 Kg7-g8 39.Kh1-g1 h5-h4
40.Qe3-c3 0.58/13 ] 34...Ne7-g6
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
34...Qa7-b7 35.Qe2-f2 Ne7-g6
36.Qf2-e3 h5-h4 37.Bc3-d4 Ng6-e7
38.Qe3-f2 Ne7-g6 39.Kh1-g1 h4-h3
40.g2-g3 Ng6-e7 41.Ra1-c1 Kg7-f7
0.44/12 Diagram
(Diagram 3156)
]
(Diagram 3157)
35.Rd1-d4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35.Qe2-e3 Diagram
Bb5-c6 36.Bc3-d4 h5-h4 37.Kh1-g1
Qa7-b7 38.Rd1-d2 Qb7-e7 39.Ra1-c1

+r+ r +
+q+ nk+
+ +p+ +
+lPpPp+
pPpL Pp+
P + + Pp
+L+ Q P
+ RR+ K

+r+ r +
q + + k
+ +p+n+
+lPpPp+p
pPp+ Pp+
P L + +
+L+Q+PP
R +R+ +K

+r+ r +
q + + k
+ +p+n+
+lPpPp+p
pPp+ Pp+
P L Q +
+L+ +PP
R +R+ +K
Rf8-h8 40.Rd2-d1 h4-h3 0.58/13 ]

3156

3157

3158

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

860

35...Bb5-c6 Diagram [ 35...h5-h4


36.Ra1-f1 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35...Qa7-c7 36.Qe2-e3 h5-h4
37.Ra1-d1 Bb5-c6 38.Kh1-g1 Kg7-g8
39.Rd4-d2 Qc7-e7 40.Rd1-c1 Rf8-d8
41.Bc3-d4 Diagram

+rr +k+
+ + q +
+l+p+n+
+ PpPp+
pPpL Ppp
P + Q +
+LR +PP
+ R + K
h4-h3 0.45/13 ]

+r+ r +
q + + k
+l+p+n+
+ PpPp+p
pPpR Pp+
P L + +
+L+Q+PP
R + + +K

3159

41.Bc2-b1 Kg7-f7 42.Rd2-e2 h4-h3


43.g2-g3 Rh8-g8 0.42/13 Diagram

r + +r+
+ + qk+
+l+p+n+
+ PpPp+
pPp+ Pp+
P L Q Pp
+ +R+ P
+L+R+ K

3161

] 37.Kh1-g1 [ 37.h2-h3 Qa7-e7 ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37.Qe2-e3
h5-h4 38.Rb1-d1 Qa7-e7 39.h2-h3
g4xh3 40.Qe3xh3 Rf8-h8 41.Kh1-h2
Qe7-f7 42.Kh2-g1 Qf7-e7 43.Kg1-h1
Rh8-g8 44.Qh3-f3 Kg7-f7 45.Qf3-e3
Kf7-g7 46.Qe3-f3 Kg7-f7 0.55/13 ]
37...Bc6-b5 Diagram [ 37...h5-h4
3160 38.Qe2-e3 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...Qa7-e7 38.Qe2-e3 h5-h4
39.Rb1-d1 Rf8-g8 40.Rd4-d2 Rg8-h8
41.Bc2-b1 Kg7-f7 42.Rd2-e2 h4-h3
43.g2-g3 Rh8-g8 0.42/13 ]
(Diagram 3162)
38.Rb1-d1 [ 38.h2-h3 Diagram
(Diagram 3163)

36.Ra1-b1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


36.Qe2-e3 h5-h4 37.Kh1-g1 Qa7-e7
38.Ra1-e1 Kg7-g8 39.Rd4-d1 Kg8-g7
40.Bc3-a1 Kg7-g8 41.Ba1-b2 h4-h3
42.g2-g3 0.55/13 ] 36...Rc8-b8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36...Qa7-b7
37.Rb1-d1 h5-h4 38.Kh1-g1 Rf8-h8
39.Qe2-e3 Qb7-e7 40.Rd4-d2 Rc8-b8

Ng6-e7 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


38.Qe2-e3 Bb5-c6 39.Rd4-d2 Qa7-e7
40.Bc3-d4 Rf8-h8 41.Rb1-f1 Rb8-c8
42.Qe3-c3 h5-h4 43.Bc2-b1 h4-h3
44.g2-g3 0.59/13 Diagram
] 38...Qa7-e7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...Bb5-c6 39.Qe2-e3 Qa7-e7
40.Rd4-d2 Rb8-c8 41.Rd1-b1 Qe7-d7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + r +
q + + k
+ +p+n+
+lPpPp+p
pPpR Pp+
P L + +
+L+Q+PP
+R+ + K

r + r +
q + + k
+ +p+n+
+lPpPp+p
pPpR Pp+
P L + +P
+L+Q+P+
+R+ + K

+r+ + r
+ + q k
+l+p+n+
+ PpPp+
pPpL Pp+
P Q + Pp
+ R + P
+L+ +RK

861
44.Rd2-f2 Qe7-b7 45.h2-h3 Rc8-d8
Diagram
3162

3163

+ r rk+
+q+ + +
+l+p+n+
+ PpPp+p
pPpL Pp+
P + Q +P
+L+ RP+
+ +R+ K

3165

46.h3xg4 h5xg4 47.g2-g3 Kg8-f7


0.43/14 ] 39.Qe2-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 39.Qe2-f2 Bb5-c6 40.Rd4-d2
Rb8-c8 41.Bc3-d4 h5-h4 42.Bc2-b1
Kg7-g8 43.Qf2-e3 Rc8-b8 44.Bd4-c3
Rb8-c8 45.g2-g3 Kg8-g7 0.60/13 ]
39...Qe7-a7 Diagram [ 39...h5-h4
40.Rd1-f1 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39...Rb8-c8 40.Rd4-d2 Bb5-c6
41.Rd1-b1 Qe7-d7 42.Bc3-d4 Kg7-g8
43.Rb1-d1 Qd7-e7 44.Rd2-f2 Qe7-b7
45.h2-h3 Rc8-d8 46.h3xg4 h5xg4
47.g2-g3 Kg8-f7 0.43/13 ]
(Diagram 3166)

3164

42.Bc3-d4 Kg7-g8 43.Rb1-d1 Qd7-e7

40.Rd4xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


40.Rd4-d2 Bb5-c6 41.Bc3-d4 Qa7-d7
42.Rd2-e2 h5-h4 43.Re2-f2 Qd7-e7
44.Rf2-d2 Kg7-g8 45.Rd2-e2 Qe7-d7
46.Re2-f2 Qd7-e7 47.Qe3-c3 h4-h3
0.65/13 ] 40...e6xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 40...e6xd5 41.Rd1xd5 Ng6-e7
42.e5-e6+ Kg7-h7 43.Rd5-d6 Rf8-g8
44.Bc3-f6 Rb8-d8 45.Bf6xe7 Qa7xe7
46.Qe3-e5 Rg8-f8 47.Rd6xd8 Rf8xd8
48.Qe5xf5+ Kh7-g8 49.Qf5xh5
Qe7-g7 50.Bc2-h7+ Kg8-f8 0.25/11 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + r +
q + + k
+ +p+n+
+lPpPp+p
pPpR Pp+
P L Q +
+L+ +PP
+ +R+ K

862

3166

41.e5-e6+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


41.Rd1xd5 Ng6-e7 42.e5-e6+ Kg7-h7
43.Rd5-d6 Rf8-g8 44.Bc3-f6 Rb8-d8
45.Bf6xe7 Qa7xe7 46.Qe3-e5 Rg8-f8
47.Rd6xd8 Rf8xd8 48.Qe5xf5+
Kh7-g8 49.Qf5xh5 Qe7-g7
50.Bc2-h7+ Kg8-f8 0.13/12 ]
41...Kg7-h6 [ 41...d5-d4 42.Rd1xd4
Kg7-h7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
41...d5-d4 42.Rd1xd4 Kg7-h7
43.Rd4-d5 Ng6-e7 44.Rd5-d6 Rf8-g8
45.Bc3-f6 Rb8-d8 46.Qe3-e5 Rd8xd6
47.Qe5xd6 Rg8-e8 48.Qd6-e5 Kh7-g8
49.Bc2xf5 Ne7xf5 50.Qe5xf5 Qa7-h7
51.Qf5-g5+ Kg8-f8 52.f4-f5 Re8-c8
53.Bf6-e5 0.24/12 ] 42.Rd1xd5+[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42.Rd1xd5
Qa7-b7 43.Qe3-d4 Qb7-e7 44.Bc2xf5
Rb8-d8 45.Rd5-d6 Bb5-c6 46.Bf5xg6
Kh6xg6 47.f4-f5+ Kg6xf5 48.Qd4-e5+
Kf5-g6 49.Rd6xc6 Rd8-d1+ 50.Bc3-e1
Rf8-f5 51.Qe5-c3 Rf5-f8 52.Qc3-c2+
Rd1-d3 53.Qc2xa4 0.35/10 ]
42...Rb8-d8?? Black falls apart
[ 42...Qa7-b7 43.Qe3-d4 Ng6-h4+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...Qa7-b7
43.Qe3-d4 Qb7-e7 44.Bc2xf5 Rb8-d8
45.Rd5-d6 Bb5-c6 46.Bf5xg6 Kh6xg6
47.f4-f5+ Kg6xf5 48.Qd4-e5+ Kf5-g6
49.Rd6xc6 Rd8-d1+ 50.Bc3-e1 Rf8-f5

51.Qe5-c3 Rf5-f8 52.Qc3-c2+ Rd1-d3


53.Qc2xa4 0.52/11 ] 43.Rd5xd8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 43.Rd5xd8
Rf8xd8 44.Bc2xf5 Qa7-c7 45.g2-g3
Rd8-d1+ 46.Kg1-f2 Bb5-c6 47.b4-b5
Bc6xb5 48.Bf5-e4 Rd1-d3 49.Be4xd3
c4xd3 50.f4-f5+ Kh6-h7 51.f5xg6+
Kh7xg6 52.Qe3-e4+ Kg6-g5
53.Qe4-d4 Kg5-f5 54.Qd4-d5+ Kf5-g6
55.Bc3-d2 Qc7-e7 56.Qd5-e4+ Kg6-f6
57.Bd2-c3+ Kf6-g5 58.Kf2-g2 h5-h4
59.Qe4-f4+ Kg5-h5 60.Qf4-f5+
Kh5-h6 61.g3xh4 Qe7xh4 1.47/13 ]
43...Rf8xd8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
43...Rf8xd8 44.Bc2xf5 Qa7-c7
45.g2-g3 Rd8-d1+ 46.Kg1-f2 Bb5-c6
47.b4-b5 Ng6-e7 48.b5-b6 Qc7-b7
49.Qe3-e5 Ne7xf5 50.Qe5-f6+ Kh6-h7
51.Qf6xf5+ Kh7-g8 52.Qf5xh5 Kg8-f8
53.Qh5xg4 1.43/9 ] 44.Bc2xf5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 44.Bc2xf5
Qa7-c7 45.g2-g3 Rd8-d1+ 46.Kg1-f2
Bb5-c6 47.b4-b5 Ng6-e7 48.b5-b6
Qc7-b7 49.Qe3-e5 Ne7xf5 50.Qe5-f6+
Kh6-h7 51.Qf6xf5+ Kh7-g8 52.Qf5xh5
Kg8-f8 53.Qh5xg4 1.17/10 ]
44...Qa7-c7 [ 44...Qa7-b8 45.g2-g3
Rd8-d1+ 46.Kg1-f2+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 44...Qa7-c7 45.g2-g3
Rd8-d1+ 46.Kg1-f2 Bb5-c6 47.b4-b5
Bc6xb5 48.Bf5-e4 Rd1-d3 49.Be4xd3
c4xd3 50.f4-f5+ Kh6-h7 51.f5xg6+
Kh7xg6 52.Qe3-e4+ Kg6-g5
53.Qe4-d4 Kg5-f5 54.Qd4-d5+ Kf5-g6
55.Bc3-d2 Qc7-e7 56.Qd5-e4+ Kg6-f6
57.Bd2-c3+ Kf6-g5 58.Kf2-g2 h5-h4
59.Qe4-f4+ Kg5-h5 60.Qf4-f5+
Kh5-h6 61.g3xh4 Qe7xh4 1.29/11 ]
45.g2-g3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
45.Bf5xg6 Rd8-d1+ 46.Kg1-f2 Kh6xg6
47.Qe3-e4+ Kg6-h6 48.e6-e7 Qc7-c8
49.Qe4-e5 Qc8-g8 50.Qe5-f5 g4-g3+
51.Kf2-e2 Qg8-g4+ 52.Qf5xg4 h5xg4
53.Ke2xd1 g3xh2 1.25/9 ]
45...Rd8-d1+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


45...Rd8-d1+ 46.Kg1-f2 Bb5-c6
47.b4-b5 Bc6xb5 48.Bf5-e4 Rd1-d3
49.Be4xd3 c4xd3 50.f4-f5+ Kh6-h7
51.f5xg6+ Kh7xg6 52.Qe3-e4+
Kg6-g5 53.Qe4-d4 Kg5-f5 54.Qd4-d5+
Kf5-g6 55.Bc3-d2 Qc7-e7 56.Qd5-e4+
Kg6-f6 57.Bd2-c3+ Kf6-g5 58.Kf2-g2
h5-h4 59.Qe4-f4+ Kg5-h5 60.Qf4-f5+
Kh5-h6 61.g3xh4 Qe7xh4 1.29/11 ]
46.Kg1-f2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
46.Kg1-f2 Bb5-c6 47.b4-b5 Bc6xb5
48.Bf5-e4 Rd1-d3 49.Be4xd3 c4xd3
50.f4-f5+ Kh6-h7 51.f5xg6+ Kh7xg6
52.Qe3-e4+ Kg6-g5 53.Qe4-d4 Kg5-f5
54.Qd4-d5+ Kf5-g6 55.Bc3-d2 Qc7-e7
56.Qd5-e4+ Kg6-f6 57.Bd2-c3+
Kf6-g5 58.Kf2-g2 h5-h4 59.Qe4-f4+
Kg5-h5 60.Qf4-f5+ Kh5-h6 61.g3xh4
Qe7xh4 1.37/11 ] 46...Qc7-d8
[ 46...Kh6-h7 doesn't do any good
47.Bf5-e4 Rd1-d3 48.Be4xd3 c4xd3
49.Qe3-e4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
46...Bb5-c6 47.b4-b5 Bc6xb5
48.Bf5-e4 Bb5-c6 49.f4-f5+ Ng6-f4
50.e6-e7 Qc7xe7 51.Qe3xf4+ Kh6-h7
52.Be4xc6 Rd1-d3 53.Bc3-b4 Qe7-f6
54.Qf4xc4 Qf6xf5+ 55.Qc4-f4 Qf5xf4+
56.g3xf4 Kh7-g7 57.Bc6xa4 Kg7-f6
2.10/12 ] 47.Bf5-c2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 47.Bf5-e4 Rd1-d3 48.Be4xd3
Qd8xd3 49.f4-f5+ Kh6-h7 50.Qe3xd3
c4xd3 51.Kf2-e3 Ng6-e7 52.Ke3-e4
Bb5-c6+ 53.Ke4-e5 Ne7-d5 54.Bc3-d2
Kh7-g7 55.Ke5-d6 Bc6-a8 56.c5-c6
Nd5-f6 57.Bd2-c3 Kg7-g8 58.Bc3-e1
Nf6-e4+ 59.Kd6-d7 Ne4-f6+
60.Kd7-c7 Nf6-d5+ 61.Kc7-d6 Ba8xc6
62.Kd6xc6 Nd5-e7+ 63.Kc6-b5
Ne7xf5 64.Kb5-c4 Nf5-g7 65.b4-b5
Ng7xe6 66.Kc4xd3 2.97/13 ]
47...Rd1-d3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
47...Rd1-d3 48.Bc2xd3 Qd8xd3
49.f4-f5+ Kh6-h7 50.Qe3xd3 c4xd3
51.Kf2-e3 Ng6-e7 52.Ke3-e4 Bb5-c6+
53.Ke4-e5 Ne7-d5 54.Bc3-d2 Kh7-g7

863
55.Ke5-d6 Bc6-a8 56.c5-c6 Nd5-f6
57.Bd2-c3 Kg7-g8 58.Bc3-e1 Nf6-e4+
59.Kd6-d7 Ne4-f6+ 60.Kd7-c7
Nf6-d5+ 61.Kc7-d6 Ba8xc6 62.Kd6xc6
Nd5-e7+ 63.Kc6-b5 Ne7xf5 64.Kb5-c4
Nf5-g7 65.b4-b5 Ng7xe6 66.Kc4xd3
3.19/12 ] 48.Bc2xd3 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 48.Bc2xd3 Qd8xd3 49.f4-f5+
Kh6-h7 50.Qe3xd3 c4xd3 51.Kf2-e3
Ng6-e7 52.Ke3-e4 Bb5-c4 53.f5-f6
Ne7-d5 54.Ke4-d4 Bc4-a2 55.e6-e7
Nd5xf6 56.Kd4xd3 Ba2-b1+
57.Kd3-c4 Bb1-a2+ 58.Kc4-b5 Nf6-d5
59.e7-e8Q Nd5-c7+ 60.Kb5xa4
Nc7xe8 61.b4-b5 Kh7-g6 62.b5-b6
Ba2-d5 63.Ka4-b5 Kg6-f5 64.c5-c6
Ne8-c7+ 65.Kb5-c5 2.76/11 ]
48...Qd8xd3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
48...Qd8xd3 49.f4-f5+ Kh6-h7
50.Qe3xd3 c4xd3 51.Kf2-e3 Ng6-e7
52.Ke3-e4 Bb5-c4 53.f5-f6 Ne7-d5
54.Ke4-d4 Bc4-a2 55.e6-e7 Nd5xf6
56.Kd4xd3 Ba2-b1+ 57.Kd3-c4
Bb1-a2+ 58.Kc4-b5 Nf6-d5 59.e7-e8Q
Nd5-c7+ 60.Kb5xa4 Nc7xe8 61.b4-b5
Kh7-g6 62.b5-b6 Ba2-d5 63.Ka4-b5
Kg6-f5 64.c5-c6 Ne8-c7+ 65.Kb5-c5
2.83/12 ] 49.f4-f5+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 49.f4-f5+ Kh6-h7 50.Qe3xd3
c4xd3 51.Kf2-e3 Ng6-e7 52.Ke3-e4
Ne7xf5 53.Ke4xf5 Kh7-h6 54.Kf5-f6
Bb5-c6 55.Kf6-f5 Bc6-e8 56.e6-e7
Kh6-h7 57.Kf5-f6 Kh7-g8 58.Kf6-e6
Be8-c6 59.Ke6-d6 Bc6-e8 60.c5-c6
Kg8-f7 61.b4-b5 2.50/13 ]
49...Qd3xe3+ [ 49...Kh6-h7
is still a small chance 50.Qe3xd3
c4xd3+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
49...Kh6-h7 50.Qe3xd3 c4xd3
51.Kf2-e3 Ng6-e7 52.Ke3-e4 Ne7xf5
53.Ke4xf5 Kh7-g8 54.Kf5-e5 Kg8-f8
55.Ke5-d6 Kf8-e8 56.c5-c6 Ke8-d8
57.e6-e7+ Kd8-e8 58.c6-c7 2.14/11 ]
50.Kf2xe3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
50.Kf2xe3 Kh6-g5 51.f5xg6 Kg5xg6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


52.Ke3-e4 h5-h4 53.g3xh4 Kg6-h7
54.Ke4-d5 Kh7-g8 55.Kd5-d6 Kg8-f8
56.c5-c6 Kf8-e8 57.c6-c7 Bb5-a6
58.b4-b5 Ba6-b7 59.b5-b6 Bb7-c8
60.h4-h5 4.20/12 ] 50...Ng6-e7
[ 50...Ng6-f8 doesn't improve anything
51.Ke3-d4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
50...Bb5-a6 51.f5-f6 Ba6-c8 52.b4-b5
Bc8xe6 53.c5-c6 Be6-d5 54.Ke3-d4
Bd5-f3 55.Kd4xc4 Ng6-e5+
56.Bc3xe5 Kh6-g6 57.c6-c7 Bf3-b7
58.b5-b6 Kg6-f7 59.Kc4-c5 Kf7-e6
60.Be5-c3 Bb7-c8 61.Kc5-c6 3.74/13 ]
51.Ke3-e4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
51.Ke3-e4 Ne7-g8 52.Ke4-e5 Kh6-g7
53.c5-c6 Kg7-f8 54.c6-c7 Bb5-a6
55.b4-b5 Ba6-b7 56.Ke5-d6 Kf8-e8
57.b5-b6 Bb7-c8 58.Bc3-g7 Ng8-e7
59.f5-f6 Ne7-f5+ 60.Kd6-e5 Bc8xe6
61.Ke5xe6 Nf5xg7+ 62.Ke6-d5
3.96/13 ] 51...Bb5-c6+ [ 51...Ne7-c6
52.f5-f6 Nc6-d8 53.Ke4-d5 Bb5-c6+
54.Kd5-d6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
51...Ne7-g8 52.Ke4-e5 Kh6-g7
53.c5-c6 Kg7-f8 54.c6-c7 Bb5-a6
55.b4-b5 Ba6-c8 56.Bc3-b4+ Kf8-e8
57.Bb4-d2 Bc8-b7 58.b5-b6 Bb7-c8
59.Bd2-c3 Ng8-h6 60.f5-f6 Nh6-f7+
61.Ke5-d5 Bc8-b7+ 62.Kd5xc4 Nf7-g5
63.e6-e7 Ng5-e4 64.Kc4-b4 Bb7-c8
65.Bc3-e5 Ne4xf6 66.Be5xf6 Ke8-d7
67.Kb4xa4 Bc8-b7 68.Ka4-b5
Bb7-c6+ 69.Kb5-c5 4.04/15 ]
52.Ke4-e5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
52.Ke4-e5 Kh6-g7 53.Ke5-d6+ Kg7-f8
54.f5-f6 Bc6-b5 55.f6xe7+ Kf8-e8
56.c5-c6 Bb5-a6 57.c6-c7 Ba6-b7
58.b4-b5 Bb7-c8 59.b5-b6 Bc8-b7
60.Bc3-b4 c4-c3 61.Bb4xc3 Bb7-a6
62.Bc3-e5 Ba6-b7 63.Be5-a1 4.15/12 ]
52...Ne7-d5 [ 52...Ne7xf5 a last effort
to resist the inevitable 53.Ke5xf5
Bc6-b5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
52...Kh6-g7 53.Ke5-d6+ Kg7-f8
54.f5-f6 Bc6-b5 55.f6xe7+ Kf8-e8

864
56.c5-c6 Bb5-a6 57.c6-c7 Ba6-b7
58.b4-b5 Bb7-c8 59.b5-b6 Bc8-b7
60.Bc3-b4 c4-c3 61.Bb4xc3 Bb7-a6
62.Bc3-e5 Ba6-b7 63.Be5-a1 4.22/13 ]
53.b4-b5! Deflection: d5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 53.b4-b5 Bc6-a8 54.c5-c6
Nd5-c7 55.e6-e7 Nc7-e8 56.Ke5-e6
Kh6-h7 57.Ke6-d7 h5-h4 58.g3xh4
Kh7-h6 59.b5-b6 Kh6-h7 60.Bc3-b2
Kh7-h6 61.Bb2-e5 Kh6-h7 62.h4-h5
Kh7-g8 63.c6-c7 Ba8-b7 64.h5-h6
Ne8xc7 7.64/13 ] 53...Nd5xc3
[ 53...Bc6xb5 54.Bc3-d2+
Decoy Double attack ( 54.Ke5xd5
Deflection ); 53...-- 54.b5xc6
Wins material ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
53...Bc6-a8 54.c5-c6 Nd5-c7 55.e6-e7
Nc7-e8 56.Ke5-e6 Kh6-h7 57.Ke6-d7
h5-h4 58.g3xh4 Kh7-h6 59.b5-b6
Kh6-h7 60.Bc3-b2 Kh7-h6 61.Bb2-e5
Kh6-h7 62.h4-h5 Kh7-g8 63.c6-c7
Ba8-b7 64.h5-h6 Ne8xc7 8.67/14 ]
54.b5xc6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
54.b5xc6 Nc3-b5 55.e6-e7 Nb5-c7
56.Ke5-d6 Nc7-e8+ 57.Kd6-d7
Ne8-f6+ 58.Kd7-e6 Nf6-e8 59.Ke6-f7
c4-c3 60.Kf7xe8 Kh6-g7 61.c6-c7
c3-c2 62.c7-c8Q c2-c1Q 63.c5-c6
Qc1-b2 64.Qc8-e6 Qb2-b8+
65.Ke8-d7 Qb8-a7+ 66.c6-c7
Qa7-d4+ 67.Qe6-d6 Qd4xd6+
68.Kd7xd6 Kg7-f7 69.c7-c8Q 6.92/10 ]
54...Nc3-b5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
54...Nc3-b5 55.e6-e7 Nb5-c7
56.Ke5-d6 Nc7-e8+ 57.Kd6-d7
Ne8-f6+ 58.Kd7-e6 Nf6-e8 59.Ke6-f7
Kh6-g5 60.Kf7xe8 Kg5xf5 61.c6-c7
Kf5-g5 62.c7-c8Q c4-c3 63.Ke8-d7
c3-c2 64.Qc8-g8+ Kg5-h6 65.Qg8-f8+
Kh6-h7 66.Qf8-f5+ Kh7-g7
67.e7-e8N+ Kg7-h6 68.Qf5xc2
12.30/11 ] 55.e6-e7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 55.e6-e7 Nb5-c7 56.Ke5-d6
Nc7-e8+ 57.Kd6-d7 Ne8-f6+
58.Kd7-e6 Nf6-e8 59.Ke6-f7 c4-c3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


60.Kf7xe8 Kh6-g7 61.c6-c7 c3-c2
62.c7-c8Q c2-c1Q 63.c5-c6 h5-h4
64.Qc8-e6 h4-h3 65.f5-f6+ Kg7-h7
66.f6-f7 Qc1-c2 67.f7-f8N+ Kh7-g7
68.c6-c7 Qc2-d3 69.c7-c8Q Qd3-b5+
70.Qc8-c6 Qb5-b8+ 71.Qe6-c8
Qb8xc8+ 72.Qc6xc8 Kg7-h8
73.Qc8-c3+ Kh8-g8 74.Qc3-c4+
Kg8-h8 75.Qc4-d4+ Kh8-g8
76.Qd4xg4+ Kg8-h8 77.Qg4xa4
17.22/16 ] 55...Nb5-c7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 55...Nb5-c7 56.Ke5-d6
Nc7-e8+ 57.Kd6-d7 Ne8-f6+
58.Kd7-e6 Nf6-e8 59.Ke6-f7 c4-c3
60.Kf7xe8 Kh6-g7 61.c6-c7 c3-c2
62.c7-c8Q c2-c1Q 63.c5-c6 h5-h4
64.Qc8-e6 h4-h3 65.f5-f6+ Kg7-h7
66.f6-f7 Qc1-c2 67.f7-f8N+ Kh7-h8
68.c6-c7 Kh8-g7 69.c7-c8Q Qc2xc8+
70.Qe6xc8 Kg7-h8 71.Qc8-c3+
Kh8-g8 72.Qc3-c4+ Kg8-h8
73.Qc4-d4+ Kh8-g8 74.Qd4xg4+
Kg8-h8 75.Qg4xa4 17.27/17 ]
56.Ke5-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
56.Ke5-d6 Nc7-e8+ 57.Kd6-d7
Ne8-f6+ 58.Kd7-e6 Nf6-e8 59.Ke6-f7
c4-c3 60.Kf7xe8 Kh6-g7 61.c6-c7
c3-c2 62.c7-c8Q c2-c1Q 63.c5-c6
Qc1-c2 64.Qc8-e6 Qc2-b2
65.Qe6-g6+ Kg7-h8 66.c6-c7 Qb2-b7
67.Qg6xh5+ Kh8-g7 68.Qh5-g6+
Kg7-h8 69.Qg6-h6+ Kh8-g8
70.Qh6-e6+ Kg8-h8 71.c7-c8Q
Qb7xc8+ 72.Qe6xc8 Kh8-g7
73.Qc8-c6 Kg7-h7 74.Qc6xa4 Kh7-g7
75.Qa4-d4+ Kg7-h7 76.f5-f6 15.53/14 ]
56...Nc7-e8+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
56...Nc7-e8+ 57.Kd6-d7 Ne8-f6+
58.Kd7-e6 Nf6-e8 59.Ke6-f7 c4-c3
60.Kf7xe8 Kh6-g7 61.c6-c7 c3-c2
62.c7-c8Q c2-c1Q 63.c5-c6 Qc1xa3
64.Qc8-e6 Qa3-c3 65.f5-f6+ Qc3xf6
66.Qe6xf6+ Kg7xf6 67.c6-c7 h5-h4
68.c7-c8Q h4xg3 69.h2xg3 a4-a3
70.Qc8-c3+ Kf6-f5 71.Qc3xa3 Kf5-g6

865
72.Ke8-d7 Kg6-h7 73.Qa3-d3+
Kh7-g7 74.e7-e8Q 16.23/15 ]
57.Kd6-d7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
57.Kd6-d7 Ne8-f6+ 58.Kd7-e6 Nf6-e8
59.Ke6-f7 c4-c3 60.Kf7xe8 Kh6-g7
61.c6-c7 c3-c2 62.c7-c8Q c2-c1Q
63.c5-c6 h5-h4 64.Qc8-e6 h4-h3
65.f5-f6+ Kg7-h7 66.f6-f7 Qc1-c2
67.f7-f8N+ Kh7-h8 68.c6-c7 Qc2-d3
69.c7-c8Q Qd3-b5+ 70.Ke8-f7
Qb5-f1+ 71.Qe6-f6+ Qf1xf6+
72.Kf7xf6 15.65/13 ] 57...Ne8-f6+
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 57...Kh6-g7
58.Kd7xe8 c4-c3 59.c6-c7 c3-c2
60.c7-c8Q c2-c1Q 61.c5-c6 h5-h4
62.Qc8-e6 h4-h3 63.f5-f6+ Kg7-h7
64.f6-f7 Qc1-c2 65.f7-f8N+ Kh7-h8
66.c6-c7 Kh8-g7 67.c7-c8Q Qc2xc8+
68.Qe6xc8 Kg7-h8 69.Qc8-c3+
Kh8-g8 70.Qc3-c4+ Kg8-h8
71.Qc4-d4+ Kh8-g8 72.Qd4xg4+
Kg8-h8 73.Qg4xa4 17.27/14 ]
58.Kd7-e6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
58.Kd7-e6 Nf6-e8 59.Ke6-f7 c4-c3
60.Kf7xe8 Kh6-g7 61.c6-c7 c3-c2
62.c7-c8Q c2-c1Q 63.c5-c6 h5-h4
64.Qc8-e6 h4-h3 65.f5-f6+ Kg7-h7
66.f6-f7 Qc1-c2 67.f7-f8N+ Kh7-h8
68.c6-c7 Kh8-g7 69.c7-c8Q Qc2xc8+
70.Qe6xc8 Kg7-h8 71.Qc8-c3+
Kh8-g8 72.Qc3-c4+ Kg8-h8
73.Qc4-d4+ Kh8-g8 74.Qd4xg4+
Kg8-h8 75.Qg4xa4 17.22/15 ]
58...Nf6-e8 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
58...Nf6-e8 59.Ke6-f7 c4-c3
60.Kf7xe8 Kh6-g7 61.c6-c7 c3-c2
62.c7-c8Q c2-c1Q 63.c5-c6 Qc1-g5
64.Qc8-e6 h5-h4 65.Qe6-g6+
Qg5xg6+ 66.f5xg6 Kg7xg6 67.c6-c7
Kg6-g7 68.c7-c8Q Kg7-f6 69.Ke8-d7
h4xg3 70.e7-e8Q g3xh2 71.Qe8-e6+
Kf6-g5 72.Qe6-e5+ Kg5-h6
73.Qc8-a6+ Kh6-h7 74.Qe5xh2+
Kh7-g7 75.Qa6xa4 17.35/16 ]
59.Ke6-f7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


59.Ke6-f7 c4-c3 60.Kf7xe8 Kh6-g7
61.c6-c7 c3-c2 62.c7-c8Q c2-c1Q
63.c5-c6 Qc1xa3 64.Qc8-e6 Qa3-c3
65.f5-f6+ Qc3xf6 66.Qe6xf6+ Kg7xf6
67.c6-c7 h5-h4 68.c7-c8Q h4xg3
69.h2xg3 Kf6-g5 70.Ke8-d7 Kg5-f6
71.e7-e8Q Kf6-g5 72.Qc8-c5+
Kg5-f6 16.36/14 ] 59...Ne8-c7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 59...c4-c3
60.Kf7xe8 Kh6-g7 61.c6-c7 c3-c2
62.c7-c8Q c2-c1Q 63.c5-c6 h5-h4
64.Qc8-e6 Qc1-g5 65.Qe6-g6+
Qg5xg6+ 66.f5xg6 h4xg3 67.h2xg3
Kg7xg6 68.c6-c7 Kg6-f6 69.c7-c8Q
Kf6-e5 70.Qc8xg4 Ke5-d6 71.Qg4xa4
Kd6-c7 72.Qa4-d7+ Kc7-b6
73.Qd7-d6+ Kb6-b5 14.92/15 ]
60.e7-e8Q [ 60.e7-e8Q Nc7xe8
61.Kf7xe8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
60.e7-e8Q Nc7xe8 61.Kf7xe8 c4-c3
62.c6-c7 c3-c2 63.c7-c8Q c2-c1Q
64.Qc8-a6+ Kh6-h7 65.Qa6-g6+
Kh7-h8 66.f5-f6 Qc1-e3+ 67.Ke8-d7
Qe3-d4+ 68.Kd7-c6 Qd4xf6+
69.Qg6xf6+ Kh8-g8 70.Kc6-d5 h5-h4
71.g3xh4 Kg8-h7 72.c5-c6 Kh7-g8
73.c6-c7 13.70/12 ]
1-0

866

rnlqkl r
pp+ pppp
+p+ n +
+ + + +
+pP + +
+ N +N+
PP +PPPP
R LQKL+R

3167

[ RR 10...a7-a5 11.Nh4xg6 h7xg6


12.Qd1-e2 0-0 13.Rf1-d1 Qd8-e7
14.e3-e4 e6-e5 15.d4-d5 Rf8-d8
16.Bc1-g5 Nd7-f8 17.Ra1-c1 Ra8-c8
18.Bc4-a2 Bb4-c5 19.Bg5-e3 Nf8-d7
20.Rd1-d2 c6xd5 21.e4xd5 Bc5xe3
22.Qe2xe3 Qe7-c5 23.Rc1-e1 Qc5xe3
24.Re1xe3 Kg8-f8 25.d5-d6
Gerzhoy,L (2386)-Zugic,I (2467)/
Toronto 2006/CBM 113 ext/- (32) ]
11.g2-g4 last book move. White
threatens to win material: g4xh5 last
book move [RR 11.Qd1-b3 a7-a5
12.g2-g4 Bh5-g6 13.Nh4-g2 0-0
14.Ng2-f4 e6-e5 15.d4xe5 Nd7xe5
60
D18 16.Bc4-e2 Nf6-d7 17.Nf4xg6 Ne5xg6
Le Quang Liem
18.Rf1-d1 Nd7-c5 19.Rd1xd8 Nc5xb3
Vassily Ivanchuk
20.Rd8xa8 Rf8xa8 21.Ra1-b1 Ra8-d8
ACP Golden Classic (2)
15.07.2012 22.Be2-d1 Nb3xc1 23.Rb1xc1 Ng6-e5
24.Bd1-b3 Rd8-d2 25.Rc1-c2 Bb4xc3
D18: Slav Defence: 5 a4 Bf5 6 e3
Sakaev,K (2655)-Kasparov,G (2830)/
1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6
Rethymnon 2003/CBM 098/0-1 (41) ]
3.c2-c4 c7-c6 4.Nb1-c3 d5xc4
11...g7-g5N Diagram [ 11...Nf6-d5
12.Bc4xd5 c6xd5 13.Nh4-g2 Bb4xc3
Diagram
14.b2xc3! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
(Diagram 3167)
11...Nf6-d5 12.Nh4-g2 Bh5-g6 A) RR
13.Bc1-d2 Bb4-d6 (RR 13...Nd5xc3
5.a2-a4 Bc8-f5 6.e2-e3 e7-e6
14.b2xc3 Bb4-d6 15.Qd1-b3 Qd8-b6
7.Bf1xc4 Bf8-b4 8.0-0 Nb8-d7
16.Ng2-f4 Bd6xf4 17.e3xf4 0-0
9.Nf3-h4 Bf5-g6 10.h2-h3 Bg6-h5
18.Bc4xe6 Bg6-d3 19.Qb3xb6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

867

Nd7xb6 20.Be6-b3 Bd3xf1 21.Kg1xf1


Ra8-d8 22.Kf1-e2 Rf8-e8+ 23.Bd2-e3
Nb6-d5 24.Ke2-d3 g7-g6 25.Be3-d2
Rd8-d7 26.Ra1-b1 b7-b6 27.c3-c4
Nd5-c7 28.f4-f5 Solomon,K (2352)Grischuk,A (2719)/Tripoli 2004/CBM
102/0-1 (52) ) 14.f2-f3 h7-h5 15.e3-e4
h5xg4 16.h3xg4 Nd5-b6 17.Bc4-b3
e6-e5 18.Bd2-e3 e5xd4 19.Be3xd4
Nd7-c5 20.Bb3-a2 Bd6-h2+ 21.Kg1-f2
Qd8-d6 22.Nc3-e2 Bg6xe4 23.Bd4xg7
Nc5-d3+ 24.Kf2-e3 0-0-0 25.f3xe4
Rh8-h3+ 26.Rf1-f3 Qd6-c5+
27.Bg7-d4 Qc5-g5+ Ulibin,M (2575)Minasian,A (2570)/Krasnodar 1998/
EXT 2000/1-0 (40) ; B) 13.Qd1-b3
Qd8-b6 14.Bc1-d2 Bb4xc3 15.Bd2xc3
Qb6xb3 16.Bc4xb3 Nd5xc3 17.b2xc3
0-0 18.Ng2-f4 Bg6-e4 19.a4-a5
-0.20/11 Diagram

r+ + rk+
pp+n+ppp
+p+p+ +
P + + +
+ PlNP+
+LP P +P
+ + P +
R + +RK

3168

; RR 11...Nf6xg4 12.h3xg4 Qd8xh4


13.g4xh5 Bb4-d6 14.Rf1-e1 Qh4-h3
15.f2-f4 g7-g5 16.Bc4-f1 Nd7-f6
17.Bf1xh3 1-0 Spraggett,K (2555)Komljenovic,D (2450)/Andorra 1993/
TD ]
Black threatens to win material: g5xh4
12.Nh4-g2 [ 12.Nh4-f3 Diagram
Bh5-g6 13.Qd1-b3 a7-a5= ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 12.Nh4-f3

r+ qk+ r
pp+n+p+p
+p+pn +
+ + + pl
PlLP +PN
+ N P +P
P + P +
R LQ+RK

r+ qk+ r
pp+n+p+p
+p+pn +
+ + + pl
PlLP +P+
+ N PN+P
P + P +
R LQ+RK

3169

3170

Bh5-g6 13.Qd1-b3 a7-a5 14.e3-e4


h7-h5 15.Nf3xg5 h5xg4 16.e4-e5
g4xh3 17.e5xf6 Nd7xf6 18.Ng5-f3
Rh8-g8 19.Bc1-g5 0.20/11 ]
12...Bh5-g6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 12...Nd7-b6 13.Bc4-d3 Bh5-g6
14.f2-f4 0-0 15.f4xg5 Nf6-d5
16.Nc3-e4 Bg6xe4 17.Bd3xe4
Qd8xg5 18.a4-a5 Nb6-c4 19.Qd1-d3
f7-f5 20.g4xf5 e6xf5 21.Rf1xf5
0.19/12 ]
13.f2-f3 Prevents intrusion on e4
[ 13.f2-f4 would keep White in the
game h7-h6 14.Qd1-b3! ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 13.f2-f4 h7-h6 14.Qd1-b3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ qk+ r
pp+n+p+p
+p+pnl+
+ + + p
PlLP +P+
+ N P +P
P + PN+
R LQ+RK

868

3171

a7-a5 15.f4-f5 e6xf5 16.g4xf5 Bg6-h5


17.Nc3-a2 Qd8-e7 18.Na2xb4
Qe7xb4 19.Qb3-d3 0.10/11 ]
13...h7-h5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
13...Qd8-a5 14.Qd1-b3 Nd7-b6
15.e3-e4 h7-h6 16.Ng2-e1 Ra8-d8
17.Bc4-e2 0-0 18.Bc1-e3 Bb4-d6
19.Ne1-d3 Bg6-h7 -0.28/11 Diagram

+ r rk+
pp+ +p+l
nplpn p
q + + p
P+ PP+P+
+QNNLP+P
P +L+ +
R + +RK

3172

] 14.e3-e4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


14.Qd1-b3 Diagram
a7-a5 15.e3-e4 Nf6-g8 16.Nc3-a2
Nd7-b6 17.Na2xb4 Qd8xd4+
18.Ng2-e3 a5xb4 19.Rf1-d1 Qd4-c5
20.Bc4-e2 h5xg4 21.h3xg4 -0.22/10 ]
14...h5xg4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

r+ qk+ r
pp+n+p+
+p+pnl+
+ + + pp
PlLP +P+
+QN PP+P
P + +N+
R L +RK

3173

14...Bb4-e7 Diagram

r+ qk+ r
pp+nlp+
+p+pnl+
+ + + pp
P+LPP+P+
+ N +P+P
P + +N+
R LQ+RK

3174

15.a4-a5 h5xg4 16.h3xg4 Qd8-b8


17.Bc4-e2 Qb8-h2+ 18.Kg1-f2 Rh8-h3
19.Rf1-g1 Nf6-g8 20.a5-a6 b7-b5
21.Bc1-d2 Ra8-d8 -0.21/10 ] 15.h3xg4
White king safety dropped.
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 15.h3xg4
Qd8-c7 16.e4-e5 Nf6-d5 17.Bc4xd5
c6xd5 18.Bc1xg5 Bb4xc3 19.b2xc3
Ra8-c8 20.Ra1-c1 Qc7-c4 21.Ng2-f4
Qc4-a2 22.Qd1-e2 -0.22/11 Diagram
] 15...Qd8-a5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
15...Qd8-c7 Diagram
16.e4-e5 Nf6-d5 17.Bc4xd5 c6xd5
18.Bc1xg5 Bb4xc3 19.b2xc3 Ra8-c8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+k+ r
pp+n+p+
+ +p+l+
+ +pP L
P+ P NP+
+ P +P+
q+ +Q+ +
+ R +RK

r+ +k+ r
ppqn+p+
+p+pnl+
+ + + p
PlLPP+P+
+ N +P+
P + +N+
R LQ+RK

869

3175

r+ +k+ r
pp+n+p+
+p+pnl+
q + + p
PlLPP+P+
+ N +P+
P +Q+N+
R L +RK

3177

17.Bc4-a2 Kc8-b8 18.Ng2-e3 Nd7-b6


Diagram
3176

20.Ra1-c1 Qc7-c4 21.Kg1-f2 Rh8-h3


22.Rf1-h1 -0.13/9 ] 16.Qd1-e2?
Diagram [ 16.Qd1-b3 0-0-0 17.Bc1xg5
Qa5xg5 18.Qb3xb4 Qg5-h6-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 16.Qd1-b3 0-0-0
17.Bc1xg5 Bb4xc3 18.Bg5xf6 Bc3xb2
19.Qb3xb2 Nd7xf6 20.Ng2-f4 Bg6-h7
21.Ra1-b1 Qa5-b6 22.Rf1-d1 Qb6xb2
23.Rb1xb2 -0.05/12 ]
(Diagram 3177)
White intends e5 16...0-0-0 Diagram
[ 16...Nd7-b6!? 17.Bc4-a2 0-0-0 ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 16...0-0-0

k r + r
pp+ +p+
np+pnl+
q + + p
Pl PP+P+
+ N NP+
LP +Q+ +
R L +RK

3178

19.e4-e5 Bb4xc3 20.b2xc3 Nf6-d5


21.Ne3xd5 Nb6xd5 22.Ba2xd5
Rd8xd5 23.Bc1xg5 Qa5xc3 -0.50/11 ]
(Diagram 3179)
17.e4-e5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
17.Bc4-a2 Diagram
Kc8-b8 18.Ng2-e3 Nd7-b6 19.e4-e5
Bb4xc3 20.b2xc3 Nf6-d5 21.Ne3xd5
Nb6xd5 22.Ba2xd5 Rd8xd5
23.Bc1xg5 Qa5xc3 -0.53/10 Diagram
] 17...Nf6-d5 [ 17...Nf6-h7!? 18.Bc1-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+kr + r
pp+n+p+
+p+pnl+
q + + p
PlLPP+P+
+ N +P+
P +Q+N+
R L +RK

+kr + r
pp+n+p+
+p+pnl+
q + + p
Pl PP+P+
+ N +P+
LP +Q+N+
R L +RK

k + + r
pp+ +p+
+p+p+l+
+ +rP L
P+ P +P+
+ q +P+
+ +Q+ +
R + +RK

870

+k+r+ r
pp+n+p+n
+p+p+l+
q + P p
PlLP +P+
+ N LP+
P +Q+N+
R + +RK

3179

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 17...Nf6-h7


18.Nc3-e4 Nd7-b6 19.Bc1-e3 Kc8-b8
20.Ng2-e1 Nb6-d5 21.Bc4xd5 e6xd5
3180 22.Ne4xg5 Qa5-b6 23.Ng5-h3
Diagram

k r + r
pp+ +p+n
qp+ +l+
+ +pP +
Pl P +P+
+ + LP+N
P +Q+ +
R + NRK

3183

3181

Nh7-f8 24.Nh3-f4 Nf8-e6 25.Nf4xg6


f7xg6 26.Ne1-c2 Bb4-a5 27.Qe2-d3
g6-g5 -0.32/12 ] 18.Bc4xd5= Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18.Bc4xd5
e6xd5 19.Bc1xg5 Rd8-g8 20.Ng2-h4
Bg6-h7 21.Bg5-f4 Bb4xc3 22.b2xc3
Qa5xc3 23.Qe2-f2 Bh7-d3 24.Rf1-c1
Qc3-b4 25.Bf4-d2 Qb4-e7 26.Rc1-c3
Bd3-e4 27.Nh4-g2 -0.15/13 Diagram
]

Rd8-e8! Diagram

3182

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+k+ +rr
pp+nqp+
+p+ + +
+ +pP +
P+ Pl+P+
+ R +P+
+ L QN+
R + + K

+kr + r
pp+n+p+
+p+p+l+
q +LP p
Pl P +P+
+ N +P+
P +Q+N+
R L +RK

871

3184

3185

18...e6xd5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 18...e6xd5 19.Bc1xg5 Rd8-g8
20.Ng2-h4 Bg6-h7 21.Bg5-f4 Bb4xc3
22.b2xc3 Qa5xc3 23.Qe2-f2 Bh7-d3
24.Rf1-c1 Qc3-b3 25.a4-a5 Qb3-b4
26.Kg1-g2 Rh8-h5 27.Bf4-d2 Diagram
(Diagram 3186)
Qb4-b2 -0.03/13 ]
19.Bc1xg5 Black has the pair of
bishops [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
19.Bc1xg5 Diagram
Rd8-g8 20.Ng2-h4 Bb4xc3 21.b2xc3
Qa5xc3 22.Nh4xg6 Rg8xg6

+k+ +r+
pp+n+p+
+p+ + +
P +pP +r
q P +PN
+ +l+P+
+ L QK+
R R + +

+kr + r
pp+n+p+
+p+ +l+
q +pP p
Pl P +P+
+ N +P+
P +Q+N+
R L +RK

+kr + r
pp+n+p+
+p+ +l+
q +pP L
Pl P +P+
+ N +P+
P +Q+N+
R + +RK

3186

3187

3188

23.Qe2-d2 Qc3xd2 24.Bg5xd2 Nd7-b6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

872

25.Kg1-g2 Nb6-c4 26.Bd2-f4 Diagram

+k+ + r
pp+ +p+
+p+ +r+
+ +pP +
P+nP LP+
+ + +P+
+ + +K+
R + +R+

3189

+k+ +rr
pp+n+p+
+p+ +l+
q +pP L
Pl P +P+
+ N +P+
P +Q+N+
R + +RK

3191

Diagram
Kc8-d7 27.Rf1-b1 b7-b6 28.Rb1-h1
Rg6-g8 29.Bf4-h6 -0.08/12 ]
19...Rd8-e8 [ 19...Rd8-g8=
Diagram

+k+ +rr
pp+n+p+
+p+ +l+
q +pP L
Pl P +P+
+ N +P+
P +Q+N+
R + +RK

3190

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19...Rd8-g8


Diagram
(Diagram 3191)
20.Ng2-h4 Bg6-h7 21.Bg5-f4 Bb4xc3
22.b2xc3 Qa5xc3 23.Qe2-f2 Bh7-d3
24.Ra1-c1 Qc3-b3 25.Rf1-d1 Nd7-b6
26.Qf2-e3 Bd3-c2 -0.25/12 ]
20.Qe2-d2?? Diagram [ 20.Ng2-f4$

+k+r+ r
pp+n+p+
+p+ +l+
q +pP L
Pl P NP+
+ N +P+
P +Q+ +
R + +RK

3192

and White can hope to survive ;


Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20.Ng2-f4
Bg6-h7 21.Qe2-d2 Kc8-b8 22.Nf4-h5
Bh7-g6 23.Nh5-f6 Re8-d8 24.Ra1-e1
Bb4xc3 25.b2xc3 Qa5xa4 26.e5-e6
Diagram
(Diagram 3193)
f7xe6 27.Bg5-f4+ Kb8-a8 28.Nf6xd7
Rd8xd7 29.Re1xe6 0.07/11 ]
there were better ways to keep up the
pressure 20...Nd7xe5! Decoy: e5.
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...Nd7xe5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

k r + r
pp+n+p+
+p+PNl+
+ +p+ L
q+ P +P+
+ P +P+
+ Q + +
+ + RRK

+k+r+ r
pp+n+p+
+p+ +l+
q +pP L
Pl P +P+
+ N +P+
P Q +N+
R + +RK

873

3193

3194

21.d4xe5 Diagram

+k+r+ r
pp+ +p+
+p+ +l+
q +pP L
Pl + +P+
+ N +P+
P Q +N+
R + +RK

+k+r+ +
+p+ +p+r
pp+ Ll+
+ + P +
P+ + NP+
+ + +P+
+ + + +
R + + K

3195

3196

( 21...d5-d4 Passed pawn );Houdini 2.


0c Pro x64: 21.d4xe5 d5-d4 Diagram

(Diagram 3195)
(Diagram 3197)
d5-d4 22.Bg5-f6 d4xc3 23.b2xc3
Bb4xc3 24.Qd2-e3 Bc3xa1 25.Rf1xa1
Rh8-h7 26.Ng2-f4 Qa5-b6 27.Qe3xb6
a7xb6 Diagram
(Diagram 3196)
28.Kg1-g2 Kc8-c7 29.e5-e6 Bg6-c2
30.Bf6-e5+ Kc7-c8 -0.97/12 ]
21.Bg5-f6? Diagram [ 21.d4xe5
Bb4xc3 Decoy Double attack

22.Bg5-f6 d4xc3 23.b2xc3 Bb4xc3


24.Qd2-e3 Bc3xa1 25.Rf1xa1 Rh8-h7
26.Ng2-f4 Diagram
(Diagram 3198)
Qa5-b6 27.Qe3xb6 a7xb6 28.Kg1-f2
Bg6-c2 29.Kf2-g3 Kc8-c7 30.Ra1-c1
-0.99/11 ]
21...Ne5-c4-+ [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+k+r+ r
pp+ +p+
+p+ +l+
q + P L
Pl p +P+
+ N +P+
P Q +N+
R + +RK

+k+r+ +
pp+ +p+r
+p+ Ll+
q + P +
P+ + NP+
+ + QP+
+ + + +
R + + K

+k+r+ r
pp+ +p+
+p+ Ll+
q +pn +
Pl P +P+
+ N +P+
P Q +N+
R + +RK
21...Ne5-c4 Diagram

874

3197

3198

3199

+k+r+ r
pp+ +p+
+p+ Ll+
q +p+ +
PlnP +P+
+ N +P+
P Q +N+
R + +RK

3200

22.Qd2-c1 Rh8-g8 23.Ra1-a2


Nc4xb2 24.Ra2xb2 Bb4xc3 25.Rb2-b3
Bc3-d2 26.Qc1-a3 Kc8-b8 27.Bf6-e5+
Kb8-a8 28.Qa3-d6 Qa5xa4 -1.37/11 ]
22.Qd2-f2 Diagram [ 22.Qd2-c1
Rh8-g8 23.Ra1-a2 Re8-e6-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.Qd2-c1
Rh8-g8 23.Ra1-a2 Diagram

+k+r+r+
pp+ +p+
+p+ Ll+
q +p+ +
PlnP +P+
+ N +P+
RP + +N+
+ Q +RK

3201

Re8-e6 24.Qc1-g5 Kc8-b8 25.Ng2-f4


Re6-e8 26.Qg5-h6 Bb4-d6 27.Kg1-h1
Nc4-d2 28.Rf1-f2 Re8-e1+
29.Kh1-h2 -1.57/12 ]
22...Nc4xb2! Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Rh8-g8 23.Ra1-c1
Kc8-b8 24.Rf1-d1 Bb4-d6 25.b2-b3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+k+r+ r
pp+ +p+
+p+ Ll+
q +p+ +
PlnP +P+
+ N +P+
P + QN+
R + +RK

875

3202

+k+r+ r
pp+ +p+
+p+ Ll+
q +p+ +
Pl P +P+
+ N +P+
Q + +N+
R + +RK

Nc4-b6 26.Rd1-e1 Nb6-d7


27.Re1xe8+ Rg8xe8 28.Bf6-g5
Qa5-b4 29.Bg5-f4 -1.37/13 ]

Qa4-b4 34.Nh4-f5 Qb4-e1+


35.Kg3-g2 Qe1-e2+ 36.Kg2-g3
-1.30/12 ]

+k+r+ r
pp+ +p+
+p+ Ll+
q +p+ +
Pl P +P+
+ N +P+
n + QN+
R + +RK

+k+r+ L
pp+ +p+
+p+ +l+
q +p+ +
Pl P +P+
+ N +P+
n + QN+
R + +RK

3203

the knockout punch 23.Bf6xh8


Diagram [ 23.Qf2xb2 Diagram

3204

3205

23...Re8xh8 [ 23...Bb4xc3 Diagram


(Diagram 3206)

(Diagram 3204)
Bb4xc3 Combination ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23.Nc3-a2 Nb2-d3 24.Qf2-g3
Bb4-d2 25.Bf6xh8 Re8xh8 26.Ra1-d1
Bd2-c3 27.Na2xc3 Qa5xc3 28.Rd1xd3
Qc3xd3 29.Qg3-f4 Rh8-h1+
30.Kg1xh1 Qd3xf1+ 31.Kh1-h2
Qf1-a1 32.Ng2-h4 Qa1xa4 33.Kh2-g3

keeps an even firmer grip 24.Qf2-h4


Nb2-d3 25.Ra1-d1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 23...Nb2-d3 24.Qf2-h4 Bb4xc3
25.Ra1-a2 Qa5-b6 26.Bh8-f6
Bc3xd4+ 27.Kg1-h2 Qb6-b4
28.Bf6xd4 Qb4xd4 29.Qh4-g3
Re8-h8+ 30.Ng2-h4 Nd3-f4 31.Rf1-e1
Kc8-b8 -1.54/12 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+k+r+ L
pp+ +p+
+p+ +l+
q +p+ +
P+ P +P+
+ l +P+
n + QN+
R + +RK

k + + r
pp+ +p+
+p+ +l+
+ +p+ +
P+ q nPN
+ + +PQ
R+ + + K
+ + R +

876

3206

3207

] 24.Nc3-e2 Diagram [ 24.Qf2xb2


Bb4xc3 25.Qb2-f2 Bc3xa1 26.Rf1xa1
Qa5-c3-+ Diagram
(Diagram 3208)
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 24.Nc3-e2
Qa5-c7 25.Ng2-f4 Bb4-d6 26.a4-a5
Bd6xf4 27.Ne2xf4 Qc7xf4 28.Qf2xb2
Bg6-d3 29.Rf1-b1 Bd3xb1 30.Ra1xb1
b7-b6 31.a5xb6 a7xb6 32.Qb2-f2
b6-b5 33.Rb1-a1 Kc8-b7 34.Ra1-e1
-1.13/14 Diagram
]
24...Nb2-d3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c

+k+ + r
pp+ +p+
+p+ +l+
+ +p+ +
P+ P +P+
+ q +P+
+ + QN+
R + + K

+ + + r
+k+ +p+
+p+ + +
+p+p+ +
+ P qP+
+ + +P+
+ + Q +
+ + R K

+k+ + r
pp+ +p+
+p+ +l+
q +p+ +
Pl P +P+
+ + +P+
n +NQN+
R + +RK
Pro x64: 24...Qa5-c7 25.Ng2-f4

3208

3209

3210

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

877

Bb4-d6 26.a4-a5 Bd6xf4 27.Ne2xf4


Qc7xf4 28.Qf2xb2 Bg6-d3 29.Rf1-b1
Bd3xb1 30.Ra1xb1 b7-b6 31.a5xb6
a7xb6 32.Rb1-a1 Diagram

+k+ + r
+ + +p+
pp+ + +
+ +p+ +
+ P qP+
+ + +P+
Q + + +
R + + K

3211

3213

for Black 26.Ra1-a2 Qa5-b4


27.Ne2xc3 Qb4xd4+ 28.Ra2-f2
Qd4xc3 29.Rf2-e2 Qc3-d4+
30.Re2-e3-+ Diagram

Kc8-b7 33.Ra1-b1 Qf4-g3+


34.Qb2-g2 -1.08/12 ]

+k+ + r
pp+ +p+
+p+ +l+
q +p+ +
Pl P +P+
+ +n+P+
+ +NQN+
R + +RK

+ + + +
pp+ +p+
+pk + +
q +p+ +
P+ P PP+
+ +nN +
+ + + +
R + +RK

3212

25.Qf2-g3 [ 25.Qf2-e3 Qa5-d8


26.f3-f4 Bg6-e4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.Qf2-e3 Bb4-d6 26.f3-f4
Bg6-e4 27.Ne2-g3 Rh8-h3 28.Ng3xe4
Rh3xe3 29.Ne4xd6+ Kc8-d7
30.Ng2xe3 Kd7xd6 Diagram
31.Ra1-a2 Kd6-c7 32.Ne3-f5 b7-b5
33.Ra2-e2 -0.93/13 ] 25...Qa5-d8
[ 25...Bb4-c3!? makes it even easier

+k+ + r
pp+ +p+
+p+ +l+
+ +p+ +
P+ q +P+
+ +nRPQ
+ + +N+
+ + +RK

3214

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 25...Bb4-c3


26.Ra1-a2 Qa5-b4 27.Ne2xc3
Qb4xd4+ 28.Ra2-f2 Qd4xc3
29.Rf2-e2 Qc3-d4+ 30.Re2-e3 Rh8-e8
31.f3-f4 Bg6-e4 32.Ng2-e1 Nd3-c5
33.a4-a5 Qd4-b2 34.Qg3-h4 -1.60/12 ]
26.f3-f4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 26.f3-f4
Qd8-e7 27.Ne2-c1 Nd3xc1 28.Ra1xc1
Bg6-e4 29.Rf1-f2 Qe7-f6 30.Rc1-d1
Qf6-h6 31.Rf2-f1 Qh6-g7 32.Kg1-f2
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+k+ + r
pp+ +pq
+p+ + +
+ +p+ +
Pl PlPP+
+ + + Q
+ + KN+
+ +R+R+

878

+kq + r
pp+ +p+
+pl +l+
+ +p+ +
P+ P PP+
+ +n+ Q
+ +N+N+
R +R+ K

3215

Be4-c2 33.Ng2-e3 Bc2xd1 34.Rf1xd1


Qg7-g6 35.Ne3-f5 Kc8-b8 -1.34/12 ]
26...Bb4-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...Qd8-e7 27.Ne2-c1 Nd3xc1
28.Ra1xc1 Bg6-e4 29.Rf1-f2 Qe7-f6
30.Rc1-d1 Qf6-h6 31.Rf2-f1 Qh6-g7
32.Kg1-f2 Be4-c2 33.Ng2-e3 Bc2xd1
34.Rf1xd1 Diagram

+k+ + r
pp+ +pq
+p+ + +
+ +p+ +
Pl P PP+
+ + N Q
+ + K +
+ +R+ +

Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


27...Nd3-b2 28.a4-a5 Nb2-c4
29.Rf3-f2 Kc8-b8 30.a5-a6 b7-b5
31.Ng2-e1 Bg6-e4 32.Rf2-h2 b5-b4
33.Ne1-f3 Rh8xh2 34.Kg1xh2 b4-b3
35.Nf3-e5 Qd8-h8+ 36.Qg3-h3
-1.02/13 ]

+kq + r
pp+ +p+
+pl +l+
+ +p+ +
Pn P PP+
+ + +RQ
+ +N+N+
R + + K

3216

Qg7-g6 35.Ne3-f5 Kc8-b8 -1.10/12 ]


27.Rf1-f3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
27.Rf1-d1 Diagram
Nd3-b2 28.Rd1-e1 Kc8-b8 29.Ra1-a2
Nb2-c4 30.a4-a5 Qd8-e7 31.a5-a6
b7-b6 32.Ne2-c3 Qe7-f6 33.Qg3-f2
Bg6-d3 -0.96/12 ] 27...Nd3-b4

3217

3218

28.Ne2-c3?! Diagram [ 28.g4-g5


Kc8-b8 29.Ra1-d1-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 28.Rf3-b3 Bg6-c2 29.Rb3-e3
Kc8-b8 30.Ra1-e1 Bc2-e4 31.Re3-b3
Qd8-f6 32.g4-g5 Qf6-e7 33.Ng2-h4
Nb4-d3 34.Re1-b1 -0.93/12 Diagram
]
puts up no fight 28...Rh8-h7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

k + + r
pp+ qp+
+pl + +
+ +p+ P
P+ PlP N
+R+n+ Q
+ +N+ +
+R+ + K

+kq + r
pp+ +p+
+pl +l+
+ +p+ +
Pn P PP+
+ N +RQ
+ + +N+
R + + K

879

3219

3220

[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...Qd8-f6


29.Ra1-d1 Kc8-b8 30.Rd1-d2 Bd6-c7
31.g4-g5 Qf6-e6 32.Rf3-e3 Qe6-d7
33.Ng2-h4 -0.96/11 ] 29.Ra1-d1
[ 29.Ng2-e1 Qd8-h8 30.Nc3-e2
Bg6-e4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
29.Ng2-e1 Diagram

+kq + +
pp+ +p+r
+pl +l+
+ +p+ +
Pn P PP+
+ N +RQ
+ + + +
R + N K

3221

Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


29...Kc8-b8 30.Rd1-d2 Qd8-h8
31.Ng2-e1 Rh7-h1+ 32.Kg1-g2
Rh1-h4 33.Kg2-f1 f7-f6 34.Rf3-e3
Qh8-h6 35.Ne1-g2 Diagram

k + + +
pp+ + +
+pl plq
+ +p+ +
Pn P PPr
+ N R Q
+ R +N+
+ + +K+

3222

Rh4-h1+ 36.Kf1-f2 Rh1-h2 -0.95/11 ]


(Diagram 3223)

(Diagram 3221)
Qd8-h4 30.Kg1-f2 Qh4-f6 31.Ra1-d1
Kc8-b8 32.a4-a5 Rh7-h8 33.Rd1-d2
Bd6-c7 34.g4-g5 Qf6-d6 35.Rd2-e2
f7-f6 36.Rf3-e3 f6xg5 37.Qg3xg5
Bc7xa5 -0.92/12 ] 29...Qd8-h8

30.Kg1-f2 [ 30.Ng2-e1 Diagram


a fruitless try to alter the course of the
game Rh7-h1+ 31.Kg1-f2 Bd6-e7-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.Ng2-e1
Rh7-h4 31.Kg1-f2 Kc8-b8 32.a4-a5
Bd6-c7 33.Ne1-g2 Rh4-h7 34.Rf3-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+k+ + q
pp+ +p+r
+pl +l+
+ +p+ +
Pn P PP+
+ N +RQ
+ + +N+
+ +R+ K

+k+ + q
pp+ +p+r
+pl +l+
+ +p+ +
Pn P PP+
+ N +RQ
+ + + +
+ +RN K

880

3223

3224

Nb4-c2 35.Re3-e7 Rh7-h3


36.Re7-e8+ Qh8xe8 37.Qg3xh3
Bc7xa5 -0.76/11 ] 30...Nb4-c2
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
30...Nb4-c2 31.Nc3-e2 Rh7-h2
32.g4-g5 Qh8-h5 33.Rd1-g1 Bg6-e4
34.Rf3-c3 Kc8-b8 35.a4-a5 Bd6-b4
36.f4-f5+ Kb8-a8 37.Ne2-f4 Qh5-h8
38.Rc3xc2 Qh8xd4+ 39.Qg3-e3
Qd4xe3+ 40.Kf2xe3 Be4xc2 -2.99/12 ]
31.Nc3-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31.Rd1-d2 Nc2xd4 32.Rf3-e3 Nd4-e6
33.Nc3xd5 c6xd5 34.Rd2xd5 Bd6-c5
35.f4-f5 Qh8-b2+ 36.Kf2-g1 Qb2-c1+
37.Kg1-f2 Bc5xe3+ 38.Qg3xe3

+k+ + q
pp+ +p+r
+pl +l+
+ +p+ +
P+ P PP+
+ N +RQ
+n+ KN+
+ +R+ +

3225

Qc1xe3+ 39.Kf2xe3 Rh7-h3+


40.Ke3-e4 -3.07/11 ] 31...Bg6-e4
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31...Rh7-h2 32.g4-g5 Qh8-h5
33.Rd1-g1 Bg6-e4 34.Rf3-b3 a7-a5
35.Rb3-c3 Bd6-b4 36.Rc3xc2 Be4xc2
37.Qg3-f3 Qh5xf3+ 38.Kf2xf3 Bc2xa4
39.Ng2-e3 Ba4-b5 -3.08/12 ]

+k+ + q
pp+ +p+r
+pl + +
+ +p+ +
P+ PlPP+
+ + +RQ
+n+NKN+
+ +R+ +

3226

32.g4-g5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


32.Rd1-d2 Rh7-h2 33.Kf2-g1 Rh2-h1+
34.Kg1-f2 Bd6-b4 35.Rd2xc2 Be4xc2
36.g4-g5 Kc8-c7 37.Rf3-e3 Bc2-e4
38.Re3-b3 Rh1-h2 Diagram
39.Rb3xb4 Rh2xg2+ 40.Qg3xg2
Be4xg2 41.Kf2xg2 Qh8-h7 42.Rb4-b2

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + + q
ppk +p+
+p+ + +
+ +p+ P
Pl PlP +
+R+ + Q
+ +NKNr
+ + + +

881

3227

Qh7-e4+ 43.Kg2-f2 b7-b6 44.Rb2-b3


Qe4-c2 -3.05/11 ] 32...Kc8-c7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32...Rh7-h2
33.Qg3-g4+ Kc8-c7 34.Rf3-g3 Bd6-b4
35.f4-f5 Bb4-d6 36.f5-f6 Bd6xg3+
37.Qg4xg3+ Kc7-c8 38.Ne2-f4 b7-b6
39.a4-a5 b6xa5 40.Qg3-g4+ Kc8-c7
41.Qg4-g3 Kc7-b7 42.Rd1-b1+
Nc2-b4 -2.22/12 ] 33.Qg3-g4 Diagram
[ 33.Rd1-d2 cannot change what is in
store for White Rh7-h2-+ ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 33.a4-a5 Diagram

+ + + q
ppk +p+r
+pl + +
P +p+ P
+ PlP +
+ + +RQ
+n+NKN+
+ +R+ +

+ + + q
ppk +p+r
+pl + +
+ +p+ P
P+ PlPQ+
+ + +R+
+n+NKN+
+ +R+ +

3228

3229

(Diagram 3228)
Rh7-h2 34.a5-a6 Be4xf3 35.Qg3xf3
Qh8-h4+ 36.Kf2-f1 Rh2-h1+
37.Ne2-g1 Qh4-h2 38.Qf3-f2 b7-b5
39.Rd1-c1 Nc2-b4 40.Rc1-d1 Nb4xa6
41.Rd1-a1 Kc7-b7 42.Kf1-e2 Qh2-h8
43.Ra1-e1 Na6-b4 -2.66/11 ]
(Diagram 3229)
33...Nc2xd4! Decoy: d4 [Weaker is
33...Be4xf3 34.Kf2xf3 Diagram
Rh7-h2 35.Kf3-f2-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 33...Nc2xd4 34.Ne2xd4 Bd6-c5
35.Rf3-e3 Bc5xd4 36.Rd1xd4 Qh8xd4
37.Qg4-g3 b7-b6 38.a4-a5 b6xa5

+ + + q
ppk +p+r
+pl + +
+ +p+ P
P+ P PQ+
+ + +K+
+n+N+N+
+ +R+ +

3230

39.f4-f5+ Kc7-b7 40.Qg3-d6 Be4xf5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

882

37.Rd1-f1 Qh8-b2 38.Rf1-f2 Qb2-d4


39.Rf2-f1 Be4xf3 40.Qg4xf3 Qd4xa4
41.Kg3-g4 a7-a5 42.Rf1-c1 Qa4-a3
43.Qf3xa3 Bc5xa3 44.Rc1-a1 -3.61/10
] 36.Ng2-h4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
36.Ng2-h4 Bd4-c5 37.Rd1-f1 Qh8-b2
38.Qg4-h3 Be4xf3 39.Rf1xf3 Qb2-d4
40.Qh3-f1 Qd4xa4 41.Nh4-f5 Qa4-c2
3231 42.Kg3-g4 b7-b5 43.Rf3-d3 Qc2-h2
44.Nf5-h6 b5-b4 45.Rd3-h3 Qh2-g1+
46.Qf1xg1 Bc5xg1 -3.86/11 ]
36...Bd4-c5 [ 36...f7-f5 37.Nh4xf5
Bd4-f2+ 38.Rf3xf2 Qh8-c3+ 39.Rf2-f3
Be4xf3 40.Rd1-c1-+ ( 40.Qg4xf3??
Rh7-h3+ 41.Kg3xh3 Qc3xf3+
42.Nf5-g3 Qf3xd1-+ );Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 36...f7-f5 37.Nh4xf5 Be4xf3
38.Kg3xf3 Rh7-h3+ 39.Kf3-e2
Qh8-e8+ 40.Ke2-f1 -5.08/12 ]
37.Rd1-f1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
Decoy ; 34.Ne2xd4 Bd6-c5
37.Rd1-f1 Qh8-b2 38.Qg4-h3 Be4xf3
Combination ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39.Rf1xf3 Qb2-d4 40.Qh3-f1 Qd4xa4
41.Nh4-f5 Qa4-c2 42.Kg3-g4 b7-b5
34.Ne2xd4 Bd6-c5 35.Rf3-e3 Bc5xd4
43.Rf3-d3 Qc2-h2 44.Nf5-h6 b5-b4
36.Rd1xd4 Qh8xd4 37.Qg4-g3 b7-b6
45.Rd3-h3 Qh2-g1+ 46.Qf1xg1
38.f4-f5+ Kc7-b7 39.a4-a5 b6xa5
40.Qg3-d6 Be4xf5 41.Qd6-e7+
Bc5xg1 -3.86/12 ] 37...Qh8-b2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 37...Qh8-b2
Kb7-a6 42.Qe7-d6 Qd4-b2+
43.Re3-e2 Qb2-b6+ 44.Ng2-e3
38.Qg4-h3 Be4xf3 39.Rf1xf3 Qb2-d4
Bf5-e4 -3.94/11 ] 34...Bd6-c5
40.Qh3-f1 Qd4xa4 41.Nh4-f5 Qa4-c2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 34...Bd6-c5
42.Nf5-h6 a7-a5 43.Qf1-e1 b7-b6
35.Qg4-g3 Bc5xd4+ 36.Rd1xd4
44.Rf3-c3 Qc2-e4 45.Qe1-d1 a5-a4
-3.69/14 ] 38.a4-a5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
Qh8xd4+ 37.Rf3-e3 Qd4-a1
x64: 38.Qg4-h3 Be4xf3 39.Rf1xf3
38.Re3-e2 Rh7-h1 39.Ng2-e1 b7-b6
40.Qg3-e3 Qa1xa4 41.Kf2-g3
Qb2-d4 40.Qh3-f1 Qd4xa4 41.Nh4-f5
Kc7-b7 -3.41/10 ] 35.Kf2-g3
Qa4-c2 42.Nf5-h6 a7-a5 43.Qf1-e1
[ 35.Rf3-e3 hoping against hope
b7-b6 44.Rf3-c3 Qc2-e4 45.Qe1-d1
Bc5xd4 36.Rd1xd4 Qh8xd4
a5-a4 -3.94/13 ] 38...a7-a6
37.Ng2-h4 Qd4xa4 38.f4-f5 Qa4-c2+
[ 38...Qb2-a2 seems even better
39.Re3-e2-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39.Qg4-h3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
35.Rf3-e3 Bc5xd4 36.Rd1xd4 Qh8xd4 38...f7-f5 39.Qg4-h3 Bc5-d4 40.g5-g6
37.Qg4-g3 Qd4-a1 38.Re3-e2 Rh7-h1 Rh7-h6 41.Qh3-g2 Qb2xg2+
39.Ng2-e1 b7-b6 40.Qg3-e3 Qa1xa4
42.Nh4xg2 Rh6xg6+ 43.Kg3-h2
41.Kf2-g3 Kc7-b7 -3.69/11 ]
Be4xf3 44.Rf1xf3 Rg6-h6+ 45.Kh2-g3
35...Bc5xd4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
c6-c5 46.Ng2-e3 Rh6-g6+ 47.Kg3-h4
35...Bc5xd4 36.Ng2-h4 Bd4-c5
Bd4xe3 48.Rf3xe3 c5-c4 49.Re3-e7+
41.Qd6-e7+ Kb7-a6 42.Qe7-d6
Qd4-b2+ 43.Re3-e2 Qb2-b6+
44.Ng2-e3 Bf5-e4 -3.65/13 ]
34.Ne2xd4 [ 34.Rd1xd4 Bd6-c5
Diagram

+ + + q
ppk +p+r
+p+ + +
+ lp+ P
P+ RlPQ+
+ + +R+
+ +NKN+
+ + + +

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


Kc7-c6 -4.17/11 ] 39.Qg4-h3
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 39.Kg3-h3
Be4xf3 40.Qg4xf3 Qb2-d2 41.Rf1-d1
Qd2xa5 42.Kh3-g4 Qa5-b4 43.Nh4-f5
a6-a5 44.Qf3-e2 Qb4-e4 45.Qe2-d2
Bc5-b4 46.Qd2-f2 a5-a4 -3.40/12 ]
39...Bc5-d6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39...Rh7-h8 40.Qh3-g4 Qb2-e2
41.Kg3-h3 Kc7-b8 42.Kh3-g3 Kb8-a7
43.Kg3-h3 Be4xf3 44.Qg4xf3 Qe2-d2
45.Rf1-a1 Bc5-d4 -3.98/11 ] 40.Rf3-e3
[ 40.Rf3-f2 cannot change destiny
Qb2-b5-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
40.Rf1-f2 Qb2-b5 41.Rf3-e3 Bd6-c5
42.Kg3-g4 Qb5xa5 43.Rf2-e2 Bc5xe3
44.Qh3xe3 Kc7-b8 45.Nh4-f5 Qa5-d8
46.Kg4-g3 Qd8-c7 47.Nf5-h6 c6-c5
-3.31/11 ] 40...Qb2-d4 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 40...Qb2-d4 41.Re3xe4
d5xe4 42.Qh3-g2 Qd4-d5 43.Kg3-g4
f7-f6 44.Rf1-e1 Bd6xf4 45.Nh4-f5
f6xg5 46.Qg2xe4 Qd5xa5 47.Re1-d1
Kc7-b8 48.Qe4-d4 Rh7-h2
49.Qd4-d8+ Qa5xd8 50.Rd1xd8+
Kb8-c7 51.Rd8-g8 Rh2-g2+
52.Kg4-f3 -4.15/13 ] 41.Re3xe4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41.Re3-f3
Be4xf3 42.Rf1xf3 f7-f5 43.Qh3-f1
Rh7-h5 44.Kg3-h3 Rh5xg5 45.Qf1-f2
Qd4-a1 46.Qf2-f1 Qa1xf1+ 47.Rf3xf1
Rg5-h5 48.Kh3-g3 c6-c5 49.Rf1-d1
d5-d4 -4.35/11 ] 41...d5xe4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41...d5xe4
42.Qh3-g2 Qd4-d5 43.Kg3-g4 f7-f6
44.Rf1-e1 Bd6xf4 45.Nh4-f5 f6xg5
46.Qg2xe4 Qd5xa5 47.Re1-d1 Kc7-b8
48.Qe4-d4 Rh7-h2 49.Qd4-d8+
Qa5xd8 50.Rd1xd8+ Kb8-c7
51.Rd8-g8 Rh2-g2+ 52.Kg4-f3
-4.11/12 ] 42.Kg3-g4 [ 42.Qh3-g2
is the last straw Qd4-d5 43.Kg3-g4-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42.Qh3-g2
Qd4-d5 43.Kg3-g4 f7-f6 44.Rf1-e1
Bd6xf4 45.Nh4-f5 f6xg5 46.Qg2xe4
Qd5xa5 47.Re1-d1 Kc7-b8 48.Qe4-d4

883
Rh7-h2 49.Qd4-d8+ Qa5xd8
50.Rd1xd8+ Kb8-c7 51.Rd8-g8
Rh2-g2+ 52.Kg4-f3 -4.34/12 ]
42...Qd4-d2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
42...Qd4-d2 43.Qh3-h1 Qd2-e2+
44.Kg4-g3 Qe2-h5 45.Qh1-h3
Qh5xg5+ 46.Qh3-g4 Qg5xa5
47.Kg3-g2 Qa5-d2+ 48.Rf1-f2 Qd2-e1
49.Qg4-g3 e4-e3 50.Rf2-b2 Qe1-d1
51.Qg3-g5 b7-b5 52.Qg5-g3 e3-e2
-6.02/10 ] 43.Kg4-g3 [ 43.Qh3-h1
is one last hope Qd2-e2+
44.Kg4-g3-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
43.Qh3-h1 Qd2-e2+ 44.Kg4-g3
Qe2-h5 45.Qh1-h3 Qh5xg5+
46.Qh3-g4 Qg5xa5 47.Kg3-g2
Qa5-d2+ 48.Rf1-f2 Qd2-e1 49.Qg4-g3
e4-e3 50.Rf2-b2 Qe1-d1 51.Qg3-g5
b7-b5 52.Qg5-g3 e3-e2 -6.20/11 ]
43...e4-e3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
43...e4-e3 44.Qh3-f5 e3-e2 45.Qf5-b1
Bd6xf4+ 46.Kg3-g4 e2xf1Q 47.Qb1xf1
Bf4xg5 48.Nh4-f5 Bg5-f6 49.Qf1-f4+
Qd2xf4+ 50.Kg4xf4 Bf6-c3 51.Kf4-g4
Bc3xa5 52.Kg4-f3 b7-b5 53.Kf3-e4
b5-b4 54.Ke4-d4 Ba5-b6+ 55.Kd4-c4
-11.38/10 ] 44.Qh3-f5 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 44.Qh3-f5 e3-e2 45.Qf5-b1
Bd6xf4+ 46.Kg3-g4 e2xf1Q 47.Qb1xf1
Bf4xg5 48.Nh4-f5 Bg5-f6 49.Qf1-f4+
Qd2xf4+ 50.Kg4xf4 Bf6-c3 51.Kf4-g4
Bc3xa5 52.Kg4-f3 b7-b5 53.Kf3-e4
b5-b4 54.Ke4-d4 Ba5-b6+ 55.Kd4-c4
-11.56/11 ] 44...e3-e2 [ 44...e3-e2
45.Rf1-b1 e2-e1Q+ 46.Rb1xe1
Qd2xe1+ 47.Kg3-g2 Qe1xh4
48.Kg2-f3 Qh4-h2 49.Qf5xh7 Qh2xh7
50.g5-g6 Qh7xg6 51.f4-f5 Qg6xf5+
52.Kf3-e2 Qf5-e4+ 53.Ke2-f2 Bd6-f4
54.Kf2-f1 Qe4-f3+ 55.Kf1-g1 Qf3-e2
56.Kg1-h1 Qe2-h2# ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 44...e3-e2 45.Qf5-b1 Bd6xf4+
46.Kg3-g4 e2xf1Q 47.Qb1xf1 Bf4xg5
48.Nh4-f5 Bg5-f6 49.Qf1-f4+ Qd2xf4+
50.Kg4xf4 Bf6-c3 51.Nf5-g3 Bc3xa5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

884

52.Ng3-e4 Rh7-h4+ 53.Kf4-f5 b7-b5


54.Kf5-e5 Ba5-b6 -11.50/10 ]
0-1

61

C78

Vassily Ivanchuk
Krishnan Sasikiran
ACP Golden Classic (6)

20.07.2012

C84: Closed Ruy Lopez: Unusual


White 6th moves
1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
3.Bf1-b5 a7-a6 4.Bb5-a4 Diagram

r+lqklnr
+ppp+ppp
p+n+ + +
+ + p +
L+ +P+ +
+ + +N+
PPPP PPP
RNLQK +R

3232

Ng8-f6 5.0-0 Bf8-e7 6.d2-d3 d7-d6


7.c2-c3 0-0 8.Rf1-e1 b7-b5 9.Ba4-c2
Rf8-e8 10.h2-h3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 10.d3-d4 Diagram

r+lqr+k+
+ p lppp
p+np n +
+p+ p +
+ PP+ +
+ P +N+
PPL+ PPP
RNLQR K

3233

19.Ra1-a3 Ra5-c5 20.d3-d4 e5xd4


21.c3xd4 Rc5-b5 22.Ba4xb5 a6xb5
23.d4-d5 Nc6-e7 24.Bc1-b2 b5-b4
25.Ra3-a7 Ne7-c8 26.Ra7-b7
Jakovenko,D (2691)-Akopian,V (2700)/
Moscow 2007/CBM 117/1-0 (44) )
12.d3-d4 g7-g6 13.h2-h3 Bf8-g7
14.Nf1-g3 Bc8-b7 15.Bc1-e3 e5xd4
16.c3xd4 Nc6-b4 17.Bc2-b1 Nf6xe4
18.Ng3xe4 Bb7xe4 19.Bb1xe4
Re8xe4 20.Qd1-b3 c7-c5 21.a2-a3
c5xd4 22.Be3xd4 Re4xe1+
23.Ra1xe1 Nb4-c6 24.Bd4xg7 Kg8xg7
Morozevich,A (2741)-Anand,V (2786)/
Monte Carlo 2005/CBM 105 ext/- ]
10...Bc8-b7N [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
10...h7-h6 Diagram
(Diagram 3234)

(Diagram 3233)
h7-h6 11.d4-d5 Nc6-a5 12.Nb1-d2
Bc8-d7 13.b2-b4 Na5-c4 14.Nd2xc4
b5xc4 15.Bc1-e3 Nf6-g4 16.Qd1-e2
Ng4xe3 17.Qe2xe3 0.05/12 ;RR
10.Nb1-d2 Be7-f8 11.Nd2-f1 h7-h6
( RR 11...g7-g6 12.Nf1-g3 Bf8-g7
13.a2-a4 b5-b4 14.a4-a5 b4xc3
15.b2xc3 Ra8-b8 16.h2-h3 Bc8-d7
17.Bc2-b3 Rb8-b5 18.Bb3-a4 Rb5xa5

11.Bc1-e3 (RR 11.d3-d4 Bc8-b7


12.a2-a4 Be7-f8 13.d4-d5 Nc6-b8
14.a4xb5 a6xb5 15.Ra1xa8 Bb7xa8
16.Nb1-a3 c7-c6 17.d5xc6 Ba8xc6
18.Bc2-d3 Nb8-d7 19.Na3xb5 Nd7-c5
20.Qd1-c2 d6-d5 21.Nb5-a7 d5xe4
22.Na7xc6 Qd8xd3 23.Nf3-d4 e5xd4
24.Nc6xd4 Qd3xc2 25.Nd4xc2
Nc5-d3 Guempel,V (2343)-Dashibalov,
E (2191)/Tomsk 2003/CBM 095 ext/0-1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

885
Rd8xe8 19.Nf1-e3 Bb7-e4 -0.06/12 ]

r+lqr+k+
+ p lpp
p+np n p
+p+ p +
+ +P+ +
+ PP+N+P
PPL+ PP+
RNLQR K

rn qr+k+
+lp lppp
p+ p n +
+p+ p +
+ +P+ +
+ PP+N+P
PPLN PP+
R LQR K

3234

(50) ) 11...Bc8-e6 12.Nb1-d2 Qd8-d7


13.Bc2-b3 d6-d5 14.Qd1-c2 Ra8-d8
15.a2-a4 d5xe4 16.a4xb5 a6xb5
17.Bb3xe6 Qd7xe6 18.Nd2xe4
Nf6xe4 19.d3xe4 -0.17/11 ] 11.Nb1-d2
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
11.a2-a4 Qd8-d7 12.Qd1-e2 d6-d5
13.Nb1-d2 Be7-f8 14.e4xd5 Nf6xd5
15.Nd2-e4 h7-h6 16.Bc2-b3 Bf8-e7
17.Bc1-d2 0.08/11 ]

r+ qr+k+
+lp lppp
p+np n +
+p+ p +
+ +P+ +
+ PP+N+P
PPLN PP+
R LQR K

12.Nd2-f1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


12.a2-a4 Nb8-c6 13.Nd2-b3 h7-h6
14.Qd1-e2 Qd8-d7 15.d3-d4 e5xd4
16.Nb3xd4 Nc6xd4 17.Nf3xd4 b5-b4
18.c3xb4 d6-d5 19.e4-e5 Be7xb4
0.23/12 ] 12...Nb8-d7 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 12...Nb8-c6 13.Nf1-e3 h7-h6
14.Ne3-f5 Be7-f8 15.Qd1-e2 Nc6-e7
16.Nf5-e3 Qd8-d7 17.Bc2-b3 a6-a5
18.Bc1-d2 0.14/12 ] 13.a2-a4 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 13.Nf1-g3
g7-g6 14.Bc1-e3 Be7-f8 15.Qd1-d2
Nd7-c5 16.b2-b4 Nc5-e6 17.Bc2-b3
Qd8-d7 18.Nf3-g5 Ne6xg5 19.Be3xg5
0.23/12 Diagram

3235

11...Nc6-b8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 11...Qd8-d7 12.Nd2-f1
Ra8-d8 13.Bc2-b3 d6-d5 14.e4xd5
Nf6xd5 15.Nf3xe5 Nc6xe5 16.Re1xe5
Nd5-f6 17.d3-d4 Be7-d6 18.Re5xe8+

3236

(Diagram 3237)
]
(Diagram 3238)
13...Be7-f8 last book move last book
move [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
13...Nd7-c5 14.Bc1-e3 Nc5-e6
15.Nf1-g3 g7-g6 16.Qd1-d2 Qd8-d7
17.b2-b4 Be7-f8 18.Bc2-b3 Bf8-g7
19.Nf3-g5 0.06/11 Diagram
] 14.Bc1-g5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +rlk+
+lpq+p+p
p+ p np+
+p+ p L
P +P+ +
+LPP+ NP
P+ Q PP+
R + R K

r+ qr+k+
+lpnlppp
p+ p n +
+p+ p +
P+ +P+ +
+ PP+N+P
PL+ PP+
R LQRNK

r+ +r+k+
+lpq+plp
p+ pnnp+
+p+ p N
PP +P+ +
+LPPL NP
+ Q PP+
R + R K
14.Nf1-e3 h7-h6 15.c3-c4 b5xc4

886
16.Ne3xc4 Ra8-b8 17.Bc1-d2 d6-d5
18.e4xd5 Bb7xd5 19.Bd2-c3 e5-e4
0.24/10 Diagram
3237

r qrlk+
+ pn+pp
p+ + n p
+ +l+ +
P+N+p+ +
+ LP+N+P
PL+ PP+
R +QR K
3238

3240

] 14...h7-h6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 14...Bf8-e7 15.Bg5-c1 0.12/11 ]

r+ qrlk+
+lpn+pp
p+ p n p
+p+ p L
P+ +P+ +
+ PP+N+P
PL+ PP+
R +QRNK

3241

3239

Black threatens to win material: h6xg5


15.Bg5-h4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 15.Bg5xf6 Qd8xf6 16.Nf1-e3
Nd7-c5 17.Qd1-d2 Bf8-e7 18.b2-b4
Nc5-e6 19.Bc2-b3 Ne6-f4 20.Bb3-d5
Nf4xh3+ 21.g2xh3 Bb7xd5 22.Ne3xd5
Qf6xf3 23.a4xb5 0.13/11 ]
15...c7-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
15...b5-b4 Diagram
16.c3xb4 d6-d5 17.Qd1-d2 Qd8-e7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ qrlk+
+lpn+pp
p+ p n p
+p+ p +
P+ +P+ L
+ PP+N+P
PL+ PP+
R +QRNK

r+ qrlk+
+lpn+pp
p+ p n p
+ + p +
Pp +P+ L
+ PP+N+P
PL+ PP+
R +QRNK

887

3242

3243

18.Bh4xf6 Nd7xf6 19.e4xd5 Nf6xd5


20.Nf3xe5 Qe7xb4 21.Bc2-d1 Nd5-f4
22.Qd2xb4 Bf8xb4 23.Bd1-b3 0.05/10
] 16.Nf1-e3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 16.Nf3-d2 Qd8-b6 17.Nf1-e3
d6-d5 18.e4xd5 Nf6xd5 19.Nd2-e4
Qb6-e6 20.Ne3xd5 Bb7xd5 21.a4xb5
a6xb5 22.Qd1-f3 c5-c4 0.30/11 ]

r+ qrlk+
+l+n+pp
p+ p n p
+pp p +
P+ +P+ L
+ PPNN+P
PL+ PP+
R +QR K

r+ +r+k+
+l+nqpl
p+ p npp
Ppp p +
+ +P+ L
+ PPN +P
PLN PP+
R +QR K

3245

21.e4xd5 c5-c4 22.Nd2-e4 0.21/10 ]


(Diagram 3246)
17.Bc2-b3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 17.Qd1-e2 Qb6-c7 18.a4xb5
a6xb5 19.Nf3-d2 d6-d5 20.Qe2-f3
d5-d4 21.Ne3-f5 Ra8xa1 22.Re1xa1
d4xc3 23.b2xc3 Diagram

(Diagram 3244)
(Diagram 3247)
16...Qd8-b6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 16...Qd8-e7 17.a4-a5 g7-g6
18.Nf3-d2 Bf8-g7 Diagram
19.Qd1-f3 Ra8-c8 20.Ne3-d5 Bb7xd5

3244

Re8-a8 0.27/10 ]
17...Qb6-c7 Diagram [ 17...Bb7-c6
18.Bb3-d5$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

888
Diagram

r+ +rlk+
+l+n+pp
pq p n p
+pp p +
P+ +P+ L
+ PPNN+P
PL+ PP+
R +QR K

+ +rlk+
+lqn+pp
+ + n p
+pp pN+
+ +P+ L
+ PP+Q+P
+LN PP+
R + + K

r+ +rlk+
+l+n+pp
pq p n p
+pp p +
P+ +P+ L
+LPPNN+P
P + PP+
R +QR K

3246

r+ +rlk+
+l+ +pp
pq p n p
+p+ p +
P+P+P+ +
+LP NN+P
P + PP+
R +QR K

3249

Bb7xe4 20.Bb3-c2 Be4-c6 21.Ne3-d5


Bc6xd5 22.c4xd5 Diagram
3247

r+ +rlk+
+ + +pp
pq p n p
+p+Pp +
P+ + + +
+ P +N+P
PL+ PP+
R +QR K
3248

17...c5-c4 18.Bh4xf6 Nd7xf6 19.d3xc4

3250

Qb6-b7 23.Bc2-e4 b5xa4 24.Qd1-d2


Re8-b8 25.Ra1-a2 Bf8-e7 -0.11/12 ]
(Diagram 3251)
18.Nf3-d2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18.c3-c4 b5-b4 19.Qd1-d2 Diagram
Nf6-h5 20.a4-a5 Nh5-f4 21.Bh4-g3
g7-g6 22.Ne3-d5 Bb7xd5 23.c4xd5
Bf8-g7 24.Bb3-c4 0.23/10 ] 18...c5-c4
Diagram [ 18...Bb7-c6!? Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18...g7-g6

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +rlk+
+lqn+pp
p+ p n p
+pp p +
P+ +P+ L
+LPPNN+P
P + PP+
R +QR K

r+ +rlk+
+lqn+pp
p+ p n p
+ p p +
PpP+P+ L
+L+PNN+P
P Q PP+
R + R K

r+ +rlk+
+ qn+pp
p+lp n p
+pp p +
P+ +P+ L
+LPPN +P
P N PP+
R +QR K

889
21.Bh4-g3 h6-h5 22.Ng4-e3 h5-h4
23.Bg3-h2 0.29/10 ]
3251

3252

r+ +rlk+
+lqn+pp
p+ p n p
+p+ p +
P+p+P+ L
+LPPN +P
P N PP+
R +QR K

3254

19.d3xc4+- Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 19.d3xc4 Diagram

r+ +rlk+
+lqn+pp
p+ p n p
+p+ p +
P+P+P+ L
+LP N +P
P N PP+
R +QR K

3255

3253

19.Qd1-f3 Bf8-g7 20.Ne3-g4 g6-g5

g7-g5 20.Bh4-g3 Nd7-c5 21.Bb3-c2


b5xc4 22.Qd1-f3 Bf8-g7 23.Ne3xc4
a6-a5 24.Bg3-h2 Ra8-b8 25.Ra1-d1
Bb7-c6 26.b2-b3 Rb8-c8 27.Qf3-f5
0.58/12 ]
(Diagram 3256)
19...b5xc4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 19...g7-g5 20.Bh4-g3 Nd7-c5
21.Bb3-c2 Nc5xa4 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +rlk+
+lqn+pp
p+ p n p
+p+ p +
P+P+P+ L
+LP N +P
P N PP+
R +QR K

r+ +rlk+
+lq +p+
p+ p n p
+p+ p p
n+P+P+ +
+ P N LP
PLN PP+
R +QR K

890

r+ +rlk+
+lqn+pp
p+ p n p
+ + p +
P+p+P+ L
+LP N +P
P N PP+
R +QR K

3256

r+ +rlk+
+ qn+pp
p+lp n p
+ + p +
P+p+P+ L
+ P NQ+P
PLN PP+
R + R K

3257

22.Bc2xa4 b5xa4 23.Qd1-c2 Bb7-c6


24.Ne3-d5 Nf6xd5 25.e4xd5 Bc6-d7
26.Nd2-e4 Bf8-e7 27.Qc2-d3 0.47/11 ]

r+ +rlk+
+ +n+pp
p+q+ n p
+ +lp +
P+ + + L
+ P N QP
PLN PP+
R + R K

(Diagram 3258)
20.Bb3xc4 Diagram [ 20.Ne3xc4?!
Ra8-b8$ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20.Bb3-c2 Bb7-c6 21.Qd1-f3 Diagram
(Diagram 3259)
Qc7-b7 22.Ne3xc4 d6-d5 23.e4xd5
Bc6xd5 24.Qf3-g3 Qb7-c6 25.Nc4-e3
0.63/10 Diagram
]

3258

3259

3260

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ +rlk+
+lqn+pp
p+ p n p
+ + p +
P+L+P+ L
+ P N +P
P N PP+
R +QR K

891

3261

20...Nf6xe4 Diagram [ 20...g7-g5


21.Bh4-g3 Nd7-c5 22.f2-f3+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 20...g7-g5
21.Bh4-g3 Diagram

r+ +rlk+
+lqn+p+
p+ p n p
+ + p p
P+L+P+ +
+ P N LP
P N PP+
R +QR K

3262

Nd7-c5 22.Ne3-d5 Nf6xd5 23.e4xd5


Nc5-d7 24.Qd1-f3 Nd7-b6 25.Qf3-e4
Diagram
(Diagram 3263)
Nb6xc4 26.Nd2xc4 Ra8-c8 27.b2-b3
Qc7-c5 0.59/11 ]
21.Ne3-d5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Ne3-d5 Diagram
Bb7xd5 22.Bc4xd5 Ne4xd2

r+ +rlk+
+lq +p+
pn p + p
+ +Pp p
P+L+Q+ +
+ P + LP
P N PP+
R + R K

r+ +rlk+
+lqn+pp
p+ p + p
+ + p +
P+L+n+ L
+ P N +P
P N PP+
R +QR K

r+ +rlk+
+lqn+pp
p+ p + p
+ +Np +
P+L+n+ L
+ P + +P
P N PP+
R +QR K

3263

3264

3265

23.Bd5xa8 Re8xa8 24.Qd1xd2 a6-a5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

892

25.Bh4-g3 Qc7-b7 26.b2-b4 Bf8-e7


27.f2-f4 e5-e4 28.Bg3-f2 a5xb4
29.c3xb4 d6-d5 30.Re1-d1 Be7-f6
31.Ra1-c1 0.80/13 ] 21...Bb7xd5
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21...Bb7xd5 22.Bc4xd5 Ne4xd2
23.Bd5xa8 Re8xa8 24.Qd1xd2 a6-a5
25.Bh4-g3 Qc7-b7 26.b2-b4 Bf8-e7
27.f2-f4 e5-e4 28.Bg3-f2 a5xb4
29.c3xb4 d6-d5 30.Re1-d1 Diagram

r+ + +k+
+q+nlpp
+ + + p
+ +p+ +
PP +pP +
+ + + +P
+ Q LP+
R +R+ K

r+ +rlk+
+ qn+pp
p+ p + p
+ +lp +
P+L+n+ L
+ P + +P
P N PP+
R +QR K

3267

3266

Be7-f6 31.Ra1-c1 1.13/14 ]


(Diagram 3267)

r+ +rlk+
+ qn+pp
p+ p + p
+ +Lp +
P+ +n+ L
+ P + +P
P N PP+
R +QR K

3268

22.Bc4xd5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


22.Bc4xd5 Diagram
(Diagram 3268)
Ne4xd2 23.Bd5xa8 Re8xa8
24.Qd1xd2 a6-a5 25.Bh4-g3 Nd7-b6
26.b2-b3 Nb6-d7 27.b3-b4 Qc7-c4
28.b4-b5 Nd7-c5 29.Re1-e3 Nc5-b3
30.Qd2-a2 Ra8-c8 31.Ra1-b1 0.86/12
] 22...Ne4xd2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
22...Ne4xd2 23.Bd5xa8 Diagram
Nd2-c4 24.Ba8-d5 g7-g5 25.Qd1-c2
Nd7-f6 26.Bd5xc4 Qc7xc4 27.Bh4-g3
Diagram
Re8-b8 28.Ra1-b1 Rb8-c8 29.Bg3-h2

L+ +rlk+
+ qn+pp
p+ p + p
+ + p +
P+ + + L
+ P + +P
P n PP+
R +QR K

3269

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ +rlk+
+ + +p+
p+ p n p
+ + p p
P+q+ + +
+ P + LP
PQ+ PP+
R + R K

893

3270

a6-a5 30.Rb1-d1 Rc8-b8 31.Re1-e3


g5-g4 32.h3xg4 Nf6xg4 1.07/14 ]
23.Bd5xa8 [ 23.Qd1xd2?! Ra8-b8$ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23.Bd5xa8
Nd2-c4 24.Ba8-d5 Nc4xb2 25.Qd1-b3
Nd7-b6 26.Bd5xf7+ Qc7xf7
27.Qb3xb6 Nb2-d3 28.Re1-e3 Nd3-c5
29.Re3-f3 Qf7-d7 30.Ra1-b1 Qd7xa4
31.Qb6-c7 Qa4-a2 32.Rb1-b6 g7-g5
0.95/13 ] 23...Re8xa8 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 23...Nd2-c4
24.Ba8-d5 Nc4xb2 25.Qd1-b3 Nd7-b6
26.Bd5xf7+ Qc7xf7 27.Qb3xb6
Nb2-d3 28.Re1-e3 Nd3-c5 29.Re3-f3
Qf7-d7 30.Ra1-b1 Qd7xa4 31.Qb6-c7
Qa4-a2 32.Rb1-b6 g7-g5 0.90/13
Diagram
(Diagram 3271)
]
(Diagram 3272)
24.Qd1xd2 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24.Qd1xd2 a6-a5 25.Bh4-g3
Diagram
Nd7-c5 26.f2-f4 e5xf4 27.Bg3xf4
Ra8-b8 28.Ra1-a2 Qc7-c6 29.Qd2-d4
Nc5-e6 30.Qd4-e4 d6-d5 0.69/10 ]

+ +rlk+
+ Q + +
pR p + p
+ n p p
+ + + L
+ P +R+P
q+ + PP+
+ + + K

r+ + lk+
+ qn+pp
p+ p + p
+ + p +
P+ + + L
+ P + +P
P n PP+
R +QR K

r+ + lk+
+ qn+pp
+ p + p
p + p +
P+ + + +
+ P + LP
P Q PP+
R + R K

3271

3272

3273

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + lk+
+ qn+pp
p+ p + p
+ + p +
P+ + + L
+ P + +P
P Q PP+
R + R K

894

3274

24...Qc7-c4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c


Pro x64: 24...a6-a5 Diagram

r+ + lk+
+ qn+pp
+ p + p
p + p +
P+ + + L
+ P + +P
P Q PP+
R + R K

3275

r+ + lk+
+ +n+pp
p+ p + p
+ + p +
P+q+ + L
+ P + +P
P Q PP+
R + R K

r+ + lk+
+ +n+pp
p+ p + p
+ + p +
P+q+ + +
+ P + LP
P Q PP+
R + R K

3276

3277

25...Ra8-b8 Diagram
25.Bh4-g3 Nd7-c5 26.f2-f4 e5xf4
27.Bg3xf4 Ra8-b8 28.Ra1-a2 Qc7-c6
29.Qd2-d4 Nc5-e6 30.Qd4-e4 d6-d5
0.90/11 ]
(Diagram 3276)
25.Bh4-g3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 25.Bh4-g3 Nd7-c5 26.Qd2-e2
Qc4-b3 27.Ra1-a3 Qb3-b6 28.a4-a5
Qb6-c7 29.Qe2-c4 Qc7-b7 30.b2-b4
Nc5-e6 31.Re1-a1 Bf8-e7 0.95/13 ]
25...Nd7-c5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

(Diagram 3278)
26.b2-b4 Rb8-c8 27.Qd2-e2 Qc4xe2
28.Re1xe2 Rc8xc3 29.b4-b5 a6xb5
30.a4xb5 g7-g5 31.Ra1-a7 Nd7-b6
0.90/11 ] 26.Qd2-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 26.Qd2-e2 Qc4-b3 Diagram
(Diagram 3279)
27.Ra1-a3 Qb3-b6 28.a4-a5 Qb6-c7
29.Qe2-c4 Qc7-b7 30.b2-b4 Nc5-e6
31.Qc4-e4 Qb7xe4 32.Re1xe4 Ra8-c8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + lk+
+ +n+pp
p+ p + p
+ + p +
P+q+ + +
+ P + LP
P Q PP+
R + R K

r+ + lk+
+ + +pp
p+ p + p
+ n p +
P+ + + +
+qP + LP
P +QPP+
R + R K

895

r+ + lk+
+ + +pp
p+ p + p
+ n p +
P+ + + +
+ P + LP
P +RPP+
R + + K

3278

Pro x64: 27...Ra8-c8 28.f2-f4 e5-e4


29.Bg3-f2 Nc5-d3 30.Re2xe4 Nd3xb2
31.Bf2-d4 d6-d5 32.Re4-e2 Nb2-d3
33.g2-g3 Bf8-c5 1.09/12 Diagram

3279

33.Re4-e1 Bf8-e7 34.Re1-d1 f7-f5


35.Kg1-h2 Kg8-f7 0.89/13 ]
26...Qc4xe2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
26...Qc4-b3 27.Ra1-a3 Qb3-b6
28.a4-a5 Qb6-c7 29.Qe2-c4 Qc7-b7
30.b2-b4 Nc5-e6 31.Qc4-e4 Qb7xe4
32.Re1xe4 Ra8-c8 33.Re4-e1 Bf8-e7
34.Re1-d1 f7-f5 35.Kg1-h2 Kg8-f7
1.11/13 ] 27.Re1xe2 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 27.Re1xe2
Ra8-c8 28.f2-f4 e5-e4 29.Bg3-f2
Nc5-d3 30.Re2xe4 Nd3xb2 31.Bf2-d4
d6-d5 32.Re4-e2 Nb2-d3 33.g2-g3
Bf8-c5 1.04/11 ]
27...Nc5-b3 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c

3280

+r+ +k+
+ + +pp
p+ + + p
+ lp+ +
P+ L P +
+ Pn+ PP
+ +R+ +
R + + K

3281

]
(Diagram 3282)
28.Ra1-d1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
28.Ra1-d1 f7-f5 29.f2-f4 Diagram
e5-e4 30.Bg3-f2 Kg8-f7 31.g2-g4
g7-g6 32.Kg1-g2 Ra8-c8 33.Re2-e1
Bf8-e7 34.Rd1-d5 Kf7-e6 35.Re1-d1
Rc8-b8 1.25/14 ] 28...f7-f5
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 28...g7-g5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + lk+
+ + +pp
p+ p + p
+ + p +
P+ + + +
+nP + LP
P +RPP+
R + + K

r+ + lk+
+ + + p
p+ p + p
+ + pp+
P+ + P +
+nP + LP
P +R+P+
+ +R+ K

896

3282

3283

Diagram
(Diagram 3284)
29.f2-f3 Kg8-g7 30.Bg3-f2 Ra8-b8
31.g2-g4 Kg7-g6 32.Kg1-g2 Bf8-e7
33.Bf2-a7 Rb8-c8 34.Re2-e4 f7-f5
35.Re4-b4 1.16/14 ] 29.Bg3xe5
[ 29.f2-f4!? e5-e4 30.Bg3-f2+Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29.f2-f4 e5-e4
30.Bg3-f2 Kg8-f7 31.g2-g4 g7-g6
32.Kg1-g2 Ra8-c8 33.Re2-e1 Bf8-e7
34.Rd1-d5 Kf7-e6 35.Re1-d1 Rc8-b8
1.25/13 ] 29...d6xe5 [Houdini 2.0c

r+ + lk+
+ + +p+
p+ p + p
+ + p p
P+ + + +
+nP + LP
P +RPP+
+ +R+ K

r+ + lk+
+ + + p
p+ p + p
+ + +p+
P+ +pP +
+nP + +P
P +RLP+
+ +R+ K

3284

3285

Pro x64: 29...d6xe5 30.Re2xe5 g7-g6


31.Re5-e6 Kg8-f7 32.Re6-b6 Nb3-c5
33.a4-a5 Ra8-a7 34.b2-b4 Nc5-d7
35.Rb6-c6 Nd7-e5 Diagram
(Diagram 3286)
36.Rc6-c8 Kf7-g7 37.f2-f4 Ne5-d7
38.g2-g3 Nd7-f6 39.Kg1-g2 Nf6-e4
40.Rc8-c6 Bf8-e7 0.40/14 ] 30.Re2xe5
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30.Re2xe5
g7-g6 Diagram
31.Re5-e6 Kg8-f7 32.Re6-b6 Nb3-c5
33.a4-a5 Ra8-a7 34.b2-b4 Nc5-d7
35.Rb6-c6 Nd7-e5 36.Rc6-c8 Kf7-g7

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + l +
r + +k+
p+R+ +pp
P + np+
P + + +
+ P + +P
+ + PP+
+ +R+ K

r+ + lk+
+ + + +
p+ + +pp
+ + Rp+
P+ + + +
+nP + +P
P + PP+
+ +R+ K

897

3286

3287

37.f2-f4 Ne5-d7 38.g2-g3 Nd7-f6


39.Kg1-g2 Nf6-e4 40.Rc8-c6 Bf8-e7
0.46/16 ] 30...Nb3-c5 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 30...g7-g6
31.Re5-e6 Kg8-f7 32.Re6-b6 Nb3-c5
33.a4-a5 Ra8-a7 34.b2-b4 Nc5-d7
35.Rb6-c6 Nd7-e5 36.Rc6-c8 Kf7-g7
37.f2-f4 Ne5-d7 38.g2-g3 Nd7-f6
39.Kg1-g2 Nf6-e4 40.Rc8-c6 Diagram
(Diagram 3288)
Bf8-e7 0.39/15 ]
31.a4-a5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
31.Rd1-d4 g7-g6 32.Rd4-c4 Nc5-d3

+ + l +
r + + k
p+R+ +pp
P + +p+
P +nP +
+ P + PP
+ + +K+
+ +R+ +

r+ + lk+
+ + + p
p+ + + p
+ n Rp+
P+ + + +
+ P + +P
P + PP+
+ +R+ K

3288

3289

33.Re5-a5 Nd3xb2 34.Rc4-c6 Kg8-f7


35.Ra5xa6 Ra8xa6 36.Rc6xa6
Nb2-d3 37.Kg1-f1 Diagram
(Diagram 3290)
Nd3-c5 38.Ra6-a7+ Kf7-e6 39.a4-a5
Nc5-e4 40.Ra7-a6+ Bf8-d6 0.47/13 ]
31...Nc5-a4 [ 31...g7-g6 32.g2-g4
f5xg4 33.h3xg4 ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 31...f5-f4 32.Rd1-d4 g7-g5
33.h3-h4 Nc5-b3 34.Rd4-d1 g5xh4
35.Re5-f5 Bf8-e7 36.Rf5xf4 Ra8-a7
37.Rf4-e4 Kg8-g7 38.Rd1-e1 Be7-d8
0.43/13 ] 32.Rd1-d2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + l +
+ + +k+
R+ + +pp
+ + +p+
P+ + + +
+ Pn+ +P
+ + PP+
+ + +K+

898

3290

x64: 32.Rd1-d2 g7-g6 33.Re5-e6


Diagram

r+ + lk+
+ + + +
p+ +R+pp
P + +p+
n+ + + +
+ P + +P
P R PP+
+ + + K

3291

Kg8-f7 34.Re6-c6 Na4-c5 35.b2-b4


Nc5-e6 36.Rd2-d7+ Kf7-f6 37.g2-g3
h6-h5 38.Kg1-g2 g6-g5 39.Rd7-d1
Ra8-a7 40.Rd1-e1 0.83/14 ]
32...Ra8-b8 [ 32...g7-g6!? ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 32...g7-g6
33.Re5-e6 Kg8-f7 34.Re6-c6 Na4-c5
35.b2-b4 Nc5-e6 36.Rd2-d7+ Kf7-f6
37.g2-g3 h6-h5 38.Kg1-g2 g6-g5
39.Rd7-d1 Ra8-a7 Diagram
40.Rd1-e1 0.73/13 ] 33.Re5-e6+[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Re5-e6
Na4-c5 34.Re6-b6 Rb8-e8 35.Rd2-d5

+ + l +
r + + +
p+R+nk +
P + +ppp
P + + +
+ P + PP
+ + PK+
+ +R+ +

3292

f5-f4 36.b2-b4 Nc5-e4 37.Rd5-d3


Re8-c8 38.Rb6xa6 Ne4xc3 39.Ra6-b6
Nc3-e4 40.Rd3-d1 Ne4-c3 41.Rd1-d7
Nc3-e4 42.f2-f3 Ne4-g3 43.Rd7-d1
Rc8-c4 44.a5-a6 Bf8xb4 45.a6-a7
Bb4-c5+ 46.Kg1-h2 0.85/14 ]
33...Na4xb2 Diagram [ 33...Na4-c5
34.Re6-c6 Nc5-e4 35.Rd2-e2+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33...Na4-c5
Diagram

r + lk+
+ + + p
p+ +R+ p
P n +p+
+ + + +
+ P + +P
P R PP+
+ + + K
34.Re6-b6
36.Rd5xf5
38.Rd6-d5
40.Re5-e1
42.Rd5-d3

3293

Rb8-c8 35.Rd2-d5 Bf8-e7


Be7-d8 37.Rb6-d6 Bd8-e7
g7-g6 39.Rf5-e5 Kg8-f7
h6-h5 41.b2-b4 Nc5-e6
0.87/13 ]

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + lk+
+ + + p
p+ +R+ p
P + +p+
+ + + +
+ P + +P
n R PP+
+ + + K

899

3294

34.Re6-b6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:


34.Re6-b6 Diagram

r + lk+
+ + + p
pR + + p
P + +p+
+ + + +
+ P + +P
n R PP+
+ + + K

3295

Nb2-c4 35.Rb6xb8 Nc4xd2


36.Rb8-a8 Nd2-e4 37.Ra8xa6 Bf8-c5
38.Ra6-c6 Bc5xf2+ 39.Kg1-f1 Kg8-f7
40.a5-a6 h6-h5 41.Rc6-c7+ Kf7-f8
42.c3-c4 Bf2-b6 43.a6-a7 Bb6xa7
44.Rc7xa7 Ne4-d2+ 45.Kf1-e2
Nd2xc4 46.Ke2-f3 g7-g5 47.Ra7-h7
Nc4-e5+ 48.Kf3-e3 h5-h4 49.Rh7-c7
1.56/17 ] 34...Nb2-c4 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 34...Nb2-c4 35.Rb6xb8
Diagram
Nc4xd2 36.Rb8-a8 Nd2-e4
37.Ra8xa6 Bf8-c5 38.Ra6-c6 Bc5xf2+

R + lk+
+ + + p
p+ + + p
P + +p+
+n+ + +
+ P + +P
+ R PP+
+ + + K

3296

39.Kg1-f1 Kg8-f7 40.a5-a6 h6-h5


41.Rc6-c7+ Kf7-f8 42.c3-c4 Bf2-b6
43.a6-a7 Bb6xa7 44.Rc7xa7 Ne4-d2+
45.Kf1-e2 Nd2xc4 46.Ke2-f3 g7-g5
47.Ra7-h7 Nc4-e5+ 48.Kf3-e3 h5-h4
49.Rh7-c7 1.57/17 ] 35.Rb6xb8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35.Rb6xb8
Nc4xd2 36.Rb8-a8 Nd2-e4 37.Ra8xa6
Bf8-c5 38.Ra6-c6 Bc5xf2+ 39.Kg1-f1
g7-g5 40.a5-a6 Kg8-g7 41.Kf1-e2
h6-h5 42.c3-c4 g5-g4 43.a6-a7
Bf2xa7 44.Rc6-c7+ Kg7-f6 45.Rc7xa7
Kf6-e5 46.Ra7-d7 g4xh3 47.g2xh3
1.46/13 ] 35...Nc4xd2 [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 35...Nc4xd2 36.Rb8-a8
Nd2-e4 37.Ra8xa6 Bf8-c5 38.Ra6-c6
Bc5xf2+ 39.Kg1-f1 f5-f4 40.a5-a6
Bf2-e3 41.Rc6-c7 Be3-b6 42.Rc7-b7
Bb6-e3 43.Kf1-e2 Ne4xc3+ 44.Ke2-f3
Nc3-d5 45.a6-a7 Be3xa7 46.Rb7xa7
Nd5-e3 47.g2-g4 1.56/14 ] 36.Rb8-a8
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36.Rb8-a8
Nd2-e4 37.Ra8xa6 Bf8-c5 38.Ra6-c6
Bc5xf2+ 39.Kg1-f1 Kg8-f7 40.a5-a6
Kf7-f8 41.Kf1-e2 h6-h5 42.Rc6-c7
Bf2-b6 43.a6-a7 Bb6xa7 44.Rc7xa7
Ne4xc3+ 45.Ke2-d2 Nc3-e4+
46.Kd2-e3 g7-g5 47.Ke3-d4 g5-g4
48.h3-h4 1.44/15 ] 36...Nd2-e4
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 36...Nd2-e4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


37.Ra8xa6 Bf8-c5 38.Ra6-c6 Bc5xf2+
39.Kg1-f1 Kg8-f7 40.a5-a6 Kf7-f8
41.Kf1-e2 Kf8-e8 42.Rc6-e6+ Ke8-d7
43.Re6xe4 f5xe4 44.Ke2xf2 Kd7-c7
45.Kf2-e3 Kc7-b6 46.Ke3xe4 Kb6xa6
47.Ke4-d5 Ka6-b6 48.c3-c4 Kb6-c7
49.c4-c5 h6-h5 50.g2-g4 1.47/13 ]
37.Ra8xa6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37.Ra8xa6 Bf8-c5 38.Ra6-c6 Bc5xf2+
39.Kg1-f1 Kg8-f8 40.a5-a6 Kf8-f7
41.Rc6-c7+ Kf7-f8 42.c3-c4 Bf2-b6
43.a6-a7 Bb6xa7 44.Rc7xa7 Ne4-d2+
45.Kf1-e2 Nd2xc4 46.Ke2-f3 g7-g5
47.Ra7-h7 Nc4-e5+ 48.Kf3-e2 g5-g4
49.Rh7xh6 g4xh3 50.g2xh3 1.43/15 ]
37...Ne4xc3 [ 37...Bf8-c5
38.Ra6-c6+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
37...h6-h5 38.Ra6-c6 Bf8-c5 39.a5-a6
Bc5xf2+ 40.Kg1-f1 g7-g5 41.Rc6-c7
Bf2-b6 42.Rc7-b7 Bb6-c5 43.Kf1-e2
Kg8-f8 44.a6-a7 Bc5xa7 45.Rb7xa7
Ne4xc3+ 46.Ke2-e3 Kf8-e8 47.Ke3-d3
Nc3-e4 48.Kd3-d4 g5-g4 1.28/13 ]
38.Ra6-c6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38.Ra6-a8 Nc3-b5 39.a5-a6 Nb5-c7
40.Ra8-a7 Nc7xa6 41.Ra7xa6 Kg8-f7
42.Kg1-f1 g7-g5 43.Kf1-e2 h6-h5
44.Ra6-c6 g5-g4 45.h3-h4 Bf8-g7
46.Ke2-e3 Bg7-e5 2.01/15 ]
38...Nc3-b5 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
38...Nc3-b5 39.a5-a6 Bf8-a3
40.Rc6-c3 Ba3-e7 41.a6-a7 Nb5xa7
42.Rc3-c7 Kg8-f7 43.Rc7xa7 Kf7-f6
44.g2-g3 Kf6-e6 45.Ra7-a6+ Ke6-d5
46.Kg1-g2 Be7-d6 47.f2-f4 g7-g5
48.Kg2-f3 g5xf4 49.g3xf4 1.80/13 ]
39.a5-a6 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
39.a5-a6 Bf8-a3 40.Kg1-f1 Kg8-h7
41.g2-g4 f5xg4 42.h3xg4 Kh7-g8
43.Kf1-g2 Ba3-e7 44.Rc6-b6 Nb5-a7
45.Rb6-b7 Be7-c5 46.f2-f4 Kg8-f8
47.Kg2-f3 1.75/14 ] 39...Bf8-e7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 39...Kg8-h7
40.g2-g3 Kh7-g8 41.Kg1-g2 Bf8-a3
42.Rc6-b6 Nb5-a7 43.Rb6-b8+

900
Kg8-h7 44.Rb8-b7 Ba3-c5 45.Rb7-c7
Bc5-b6 46.Rc7-e7 Kh7-g8 1.68/13 ]
40.Kg1-f1 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
40.a6-a7 Nb5xa7 41.Rc6-c7 Kg8-f7
42.Rc7xa7 Kf7-f6 43.Kg1-f1 Be7-c5
44.Ra7-a6+ Kf6-e5 45.Kf1-e2 Bc5-d4
46.Ke2-f3 Bd4-c5 47.Ra6-c6 Bc5-d6
48.Kf3-e3 Ke5-d5 49.Rc6-a6 g7-g5
50.Ke3-f3 h6-h5 1.78/13 ] 40...h6-h5
[ 40...f5-f4 41.Rc6-e6 Be7-a3
42.Re6-e8+ Kg8-h7 43.Re8-e5+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40...Be7-a3
41.Rc6-c8+ Kg8-h7 42.Rc8-d8
Nb5-a7 43.Rd8-d7 Ba3-c5 44.Rd7-d5
Bc5-e7 45.Rd5xf5 Kh7-g6 46.Rf5-d5
Kg6-f6 47.Rd5-d7 Be7-c5 48.Kf1-e2
g7-g6 49.Rd7-h7 1.69/13 ] 41.Rc6-c8+
[ 41.Rc6-e6 seems even better Be7-f8
42.Re6-e5 Nb5-a7 43.Re5xf5
Bf8-e7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
41.Rc6-c8+ Kg8-h7 42.a6-a7 Nb5xa7
43.Rc8-c7 Be7-f6 44.Rc7xa7 Kh7-h6
45.Ra7-a5 Kh6-g5 46.Kf1-e2 Bf6-c3
47.Ra5-c5 Bc3-d4 48.Rc5-d5 Bd4-f6
49.Ke2-e3 Bf6-e7 50.Rd5-d7 Be7-c5+
51.Ke3-d3 2.03/16 ] 41...Kg8-h7
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 41...Kg8-h7
42.a6-a7 Nb5xa7 43.Rc8-c7 Be7-f6
44.Rc7xa7 Kh7-h6 45.Ra7-a5 Kh6-g5
46.Kf1-e2 Bf6-c3 47.Ra5-c5 Bc3-d4
48.Rc5-d5 Bd4-f6 49.g2-g3 h5-h4
50.f2-f4+ Kg5-g6 51.g3xh4 Bf6xh4
52.Rd5-d7 Kg6-f6 2.07/15 ] 42.Kf1-e2
[Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42.a6-a7
Nb5xa7 43.Rc8-c7 Be7-f6 44.Rc7xa7
Kh7-h6 45.Ra7-a5 Kh6-g5 46.Kf1-e2
Bf6-c3 47.Ra5-c5 Bc3-d4 48.h3-h4+
Kg5-f6 49.Rc5-c6+ Kf6-f7 50.g2-g3
g7-g6 51.Ke2-f3 Bd4-e5 2.06/14 ]
42...f5-f4 [ 42...Kh7-g6 cannot undo
what has already been done
43.Rc8-c6+ Kg6-g5 44.Rc6-b6+- ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 42...Kh7-g6
43.a6-a7 Nb5xa7 44.Rc8-c7 Kg6-f6
45.Rc7xa7 g7-g5 46.Ra7-a5 Be7-d8

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games


47.Ra5-b5 Kf6-e6 48.Ke2-e3 h5-h4
49.f2-f4 g5xf4+ 50.Ke3xf4 Bd8-c7+
51.Kf4-g5 Bc7-d8+ 52.Kg5-g6 1.70/13
] 43.Ke2-f3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
43.a6-a7 Nb5xa7 44.Rc8-c7 Na7-c8
45.Rc7xc8 Kh7-g6 46.Rc8-b8 Kg6-f7
47.Ke2-f3 g7-g5 48.Rb8-b6 h5-h4
49.Kf3-g4 Be7-c5 50.Rb6-a6 Bc5xf2
51.Kg4xg5 Bf2-g3 52.Kg5-f5 Kf7-e7
53.Ra6-c6 Ke7-d7 2.37/15 ]
43...Be7-d6 [ 43...Kh7-g6 what else?
44.Kf3xf4 Nb5-a7+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 43...Kh7-g6 44.a6-a7 Nb5xa7
45.Rc8-c7 Na7-c8 46.Rc7xc8 Kg6-f5
47.Rc8-c7 Be7-f6 48.Rc7-c5+ Bf6-e5
49.h3-h4 g7-g6 50.Rc5-a5 Kf5-e6
51.Kf3-e4 Be5-f6 52.Ra5-a6+ Ke6-f7
53.Ke4xf4 Bf6xh4 54.Kf4-e5 Bh4-e7
55.Ra6-a7 2.14/14 ] 44.Rc8-d8
[ 44.Rc8-d8 Bd6-c5 45.Rd8-d5
Nb5-d4+ 46.Kf3-e4+- ;Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 44.Rc8-d8 Bd6-a3
45.Rd8-d3 Ba3-c5 46.Rd3-d5
Nb5-d4+ 47.Kf3xf4 Bc5-a7 48.Rd5-d7
Nd4-c6 49.f2-f3 Ba7-f2 50.Kf4-f5
Nc6-a7 51.f3-f4 Kh7-h6 52.Kf5-e5
g7-g6 53.g2-g4 Na7-c6+ 54.Ke5-e4
3.15/15 ]
1-0

901

r+lqklnr
pppp+ppp
+n+ + +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ + + +
PPP+ PPP
RNLQKL+R

3297

d7-d5 10.e4xd5 c6xd5 11.0-0 0-0


12.Rf1-e1 Bc8-b7 13.Bc1-e3 Bc5-d6
14.Be3-d4 c7-c5 15.Bd4xf6 g7xf6
16.c2-c4 d5xc4 17.Bd3xc4 Bb7xf3
18.g2xf3 Bd6-e5 19.Ra1-d1 Rf8-d8
20.b2-b3 Kg8-f8 21.Kg1-g2 Rd8xd1
22.Re1xd1 Ivanchuk,V (2787)-Leko,P
(2755)/Mukachevo 2007/CBM 121/-
(37) ] 8.Nd2-b3 Bc5-b6 last book
move last book move 9.Qf3-g3N
[ 9.Bc1-d2!?$ Diagram
(Diagram 3298)

is worth consideration RR Bc8-e6


10.Bd2-c3 Qf6-h6 11.Bf1-a6 Ng8-e7
62
C45 12.a2-a4 f7-f5 13.a4-a5 f5xe4
Anna Muzychuk
14.Qf3xe4 Bb6xf2+ 15.Ke1xf2 Be6-d5
Vassily Ivanchuk
16.Qe4-e2 0-0+ 17.Kf2-g1 Ra8-e8
ACP Golden Classic (7)
22.07.2012 18.Ba6-c4 Ne7-g6 19.Bc4xd5+ c6xd5
20.Qe2-d3 Ng6-f4 21.Bc3-d2 Nf4xd3
C45: Scotch Game
22.Bd2xh6 Nd3-f2 23.Bh6-g5 c7-c5
1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
24.a5-a6 Nataf,I (2592)-Fressinet,L
3.d2-d4 e5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Diagram
(2626)/Besancon 2006/CBM 113 ext/
- (40) ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
(Diagram 3297)
9.Bc1-d2 Qf6xf3 10.g2xf3 Ng8-e7
11.a2-a4 a7-a5 12.Bd2-c3 0-0
Bf8-c5 5.Nd4xc6 Qd8-f6 6.Qd1-f3
13.Nb3-d4 c6-c5 14.Nd4-b5 Bc8-e6
b7xc6 7.Nb1-d2 d7-d6 [RR
15.Rh1-g1 Ne7-g6 16.0-0-0 c5-c4
7...Qf6xf3 8.Nd2xf3 Ng8-f6 9.Bf1-d3
17.Nb5-d4 0.21/13 ;RR 9.c2-c4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+l+k+nr
p p +ppp
lpp q +
+ + + +
+ +P+ +
+N+ +Q+
PPPL PPP
R + KL+R

902

3298

Bb6-d4 10.Nb3xd4 Qf6xd4 11.Bf1-d3


Ng8-f6 12.0-0 Nf6-g4 13.Bd3-e2
Bc8-e6 14.Rf1-d1 Qd4-c5 15.b2-b3
0-0 16.h2-h3 Ng4-e5 17.Qf3-c3
Ne5-g6 18.Bc1-e3 Qc5-e5 19.Qc3xe5
d6xe5 20.Kg1-h2 a7-a5 21.g2-g3
Rf8-e8 22.Be2-f1 a5-a4 23.Bf1-g2
f7-f6 Behmardi Kalantari,R (2210)Hungaski,R (2366)/Yerevan 2006/CBM
114 ext/- (78) ;RR 9.Bf1-d3 Qf6xf3
10.g2xf3 Ng8-e7 11.a2-a4 a7-a5
12.Bc1-e3 f7-f5 13.Be3xb6 c7xb6
14.Rh1-g1 f5xe4 15.f3xe4 0-0
16.0-0-0 Bc8-b7 17.Rg1-g2 Ra8-e8
18.Nb3-d4 Bb7-c8 19.h2-h4 Rf8-f6
20.Rd1-g1 g7-g6 21.h4-h5 Re8-f8
22.h5xg6 h7xg6 23.Nd4-f5 Kg8-f7
Radjabov,T (2742)-Eljanov,P (2681)/
Kemer 2007/CBM 121/- (34) ]
9...Ng8-e7= Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 9...a7-a5 10.a2-a4 Qf6-g6
11.Qg3xg6 h7xg6 12.Bc1-d2 Ng8-f6
13.f2-f3 Bc8-e6 14.h2-h4 0-0
15.0-0-0 0.00/11 Diagram
(Diagram 3299)
]
10.Bf1-e2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
10.a2-a4 a7-a5 11.Bf1-d3 Ne7-g6

r+ + rk+
+ p +pp
lpplnp+
p + + +
P+ +P+ P
+N+ +P+
PPL +P+
+ KR+L+R

r+l+k+ r
p p nppp
lpp q +
+ + + +
+ +P+ +
+N+ + Q
PPP+ PPP
R L KL+R

3299

3300

12.0-0 0-0 13.Bc1-e3 Bb6xe3


14.Qg3xe3 Qf6xb2 15.Ra1-b1 Qb2-f6
16.Nb3-d4 Diagram
(Diagram 3301)
Ng6-e5 17.Bd3-e2 Bc8-e6 -0.04/12 ]
10...0-0 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
10...Ne7-g6 11.0-0 Ra8-b8 12.Qg3-c3
Qf6xc3 13.b2xc3 Ng6-e5 14.a2-a4
a7-a5 15.Nb3-d4 0-0 16.Ra1-b1
Rf8-e8 17.h2-h3 -0.06/12 ] 11.Bc1-d2
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 11.a2-a4 a7-a5
12.0-0 Ne7-g6 13.Qg3-f3 Qf6xf3
14.Be2xf3 Rf8-e8 15.Rf1-d1 Ng6-h4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+l+ rk+
+ p +ppp
+pp qn+
p + + +
P+ NP+ +
+ +LQ +
+P+ PPP
+R+ +RK

903
Nf4-d5 19.Bf3xd5 c6xd5 20.e5xd6
c7xd6 0.03/12 ]
3301

16.Nb3-d4 Nh4xf3+ 17.g2xf3 Bc8-d7


-0.16/12 ] 11...a7-a5 Black has a
cramped position [ 11...Qf6-e6 12.0-0
Qe6xe4 13.Be2-d3! ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 11...Ne7-g6 Diagram

r+l+ rk+
p p +ppp
lpp qn+
+ + + +
+ +P+ +
+N+ + Q
PPPLLPPP
R + K +R

3302

12.Bd2-c3 Qf6-e7 13.f2-f3 f7-f5


14.Nb3-d4 Bb6xd4 15.Bc3xd4 c6-c5
16.Bd4-c3 f5xe4 17.0-0-0 e4-e3
18.Rh1-e1 Ra8-b8 19.Be2-c4+
Kg8-h8 20.Kc1-b1 Bc8-f5 21.b2-b3
a7-a5 22.Bc3xa5 -0.57/10 ] 12.Bd2-c3
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 12.0-0
Ne7-g6 13.Bd2-c3 Qf6-f4 14.Qg3xf4
Ng6xf4 15.Be2-f3 Rf8-e8 16.Nb3-d4
Bc8-d7 17.Rf1-e1 g7-g6 18.e4-e5

r+l+ rk+
+ p nppp
lpp q +
p + + +
+ +P+ +
+NL + Q
PPP+LPPP
R + K +R

3303

White threatens to win material: Bc3xf6


12...Qf6-g6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 12...Qf6-h6 13.0-0 Rf8-e8
14.Be2-d3 Ne7-g6 15.Nb3-d4 Ng6-e5
16.h2-h3 d6-d5 17.Ra1-e1 Qh6-g6
18.e4xd5 Qg6xg3 19.f2xg3 c6xd5
0.13/11 ]

r+l+ rk+
+ p nppp
lpp +q+
p + + +
+ +P+ +
+NL + Q
PPP+LPPP
R + K +R

3304

Black threatens to win material:


Qg6xe4 13.Be2-d3 [ 13.0-0 Qg6xg3
14.h2xg3 Rf8-e8= Diagram
; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 13.0-0 Qg6xg3
14.h2xg3 Rf8-e8 15.Rf1-e1 Ne7-g6
16.Nb3-d2 Ng6-e5 17.Nd2-c4 Ne5xc4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+l+r+k+
+ p nppp
lpp + +
p + + +
+ +P+ +
+NL + P
PPP+LPP+
R + +RK

904

r+l+r+k+
+ p nppp
lpp +q+
p + + +
+ +P+ +
+NLL+ Q
PPP+ PPP
R + +RK

3305

3307

18.Be2xc4 Bc8-g4 19.a2-a4 Diagram

r+ +r+k+
+ p +ppp
lpp + +
p + + +
P+L+P+l+
+ L + P
PP+ PP+
R + R K

r+l+ rk+
+ p n pp
lpp +Q+
p + +p+
+ +P+ +
+NLL+ +
PPP+ PPP
R + K +R

3306

Ne7xg6 15.0-0 Ng6-f4 16.Bd3-c4+


Bc8-e6 17.Bc4xe6+ Nf4xe6
18.Ra1-e1 a5-a4 19.Nb3-d2 Ra8-e8
20.Nd2-f3 h7-h6 21.h2-h3 f5xe4
22.Re1xe4 -0.05/11 ] 14...Qg6-h6-+
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
14...Qg6xg3+ 15.h2xg3 f5xe4
16.Bd3xe4 Bc8-f5 17.0-0-0 Bf5xe4
18.f3xe4 Rf8-f2 19.Bc3-d4 Bb6xd4
20.Nb3xd4 Rf2xg2 21.Rh1-g1 Rg2xg1
22.Rd1xg1 Ra8-f8 23.Nd4-e6 Rf8-f2
24.Ne6xc7 Kg8-f7 25.Rg1-d1 -0.43/11

Ra8-b8 0.01/10 ] 13...f7-f5


[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 13...Rf8-e8
14.0-0 Diagram
(Diagram 3307)
Qg6xg3 15.h2xg3 Ne7-g6 16.Nb3-d2
Ng6-e5 17.Bc3xe5 Re8xe5 18.Nd2-c4
Re5-e7 19.Nc4xb6 c7xb6 20.Ra1-d1
h7-h5 21.f2-f3 -0.09/12 ] 14.f2-f3?
[ 14.Bd3-c4+ and White could well
hope to play on Kg8-h8 15.e4-e5! ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 14.Qg3xg6
Diagram

3308

]
Black prepares the advance f4
15.Nb3-d4 Diagram [ 15.Ke1-d1 f5xe4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+l+ rk+
+ p n pp
lpp + q
p + +p+
+ +P+ +
+NLL+PQ
PPP+ +PP
R + K +R

905

3309

16.Bd3xe4 Ne7-f5 17.Be4xf5


Bc8xf5-+ Diagram

r+ + rk+
+ p + pp
lpp + q
p + +l+
+ + + +
+NL +PQ
PPP+ +PP
R +K+ +R

3310

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 15.Bc3-d4


a5-a4 16.Bd4xb6 c7xb6 17.Nb3-d4
c6-c5 18.Nd4-b5 f5xe4 19.f3xe4
a4-a3 20.Nb5xa3 Bc8-d7 21.Bd3-c4+
Bd7-e6 22.Qg3xd6 Qh6-h4+ Diagram
(Diagram 3311)
23.Ke1-d1 Be6xc4 24.Na3xc4
Qh4xe4 25.Nc4xb6 Qe4xg2 -0.46/10 ]
15...f5-f4 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
15...f5-f4 Diagram
16.Qg3-f2 c6-c5 17.Nd4-f5 Bc8xf5

r+ + rk+
+ + n pp
p Ql+ +
+ p + +
+L+P+ q
N + + +
PPP+ +PP
R + K +R

r+l+ rk+
+ p n pp
lpp + q
p + +p+
+ NP+ +
+ LL+PQ
PPP+ +PP
R + K +R

r+l+ rk+
+ p n pp
lpp + q
p + + +
+ NPp +
+ LL+PQ
PPP+ +PP
R + K +R
18.e4xf5 c5-c4 19.Bd3xc4+ d6-d5

3311

3312

3313

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

906

20.Qf2-e2 d5xc4 21.f5-f6 Diagram

r+ + rk+
+ p n pp
l + P q
p + + +
+p+ p +
+ L +P+
PPP+Q+PP
R + K +R

3314

g7xf6 22.0-0-0 Ra8-e8 23.Qe2xc4+


Kg8-h8 24.Rh1-e1 Ne7-g8 25.Re1xe8
Rf8xe8 26.h2-h3 Qh6-g6 27.Kc1-b1
Qg6xg2 28.Qc4xf4 a5-a4 29.Qf4xa4
Qg2xf3 -1.21/13 ] 16.Qg3-f2 Diagram
[ Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 16.Qg3-f2
Diagram

r+l+ rk+
+ p n pp
lpp + q
p + + +
+ NPp +
+ LL+P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

3315

+ +rr k
+ pR+ +p
l + p q
p + + +
+ + p P
+ LQnP+
PPP+ + +
+K+ + +R

r+l+ rk+
+ p n pp
lpp + q
p + + +
+ NPp +
+ LL+P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

3316

3317

16...c6-c5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro


x64: 16...c6-c5 17.Nd4-f5 Bc8xf5
Diagram
(Diagram 3318)
18.e4xf5 c5-c4 19.Bd3xc4+ d6-d5
20.Qf2-e2 d5xc4 21.f5-f6 g7xf6
22.0-0-0 Bb6-e3+ 23.Kc1-b1 Qh6-h5
24.Qe2xc4+ Qh5-f7 25.Qc4-e4 Rf8-b8
26.Rd1-d7 Rb8-e8 27.Kb1-a1 Ra8-b8
28.Rh1-d1 -1.42/13 Diagram

c6-c5 17.Nd4-f5 Bc8xf5 18.e4xf5


c5-c4 19.Bd3xc4+ d6-d5 20.Qf2-e2
d5xc4 21.f5-f6 g7xf6 22.0-0-0 Ra8-e8
23.Qe2xc4+ Kg8-h8 24.Kc1-b1 Ne7-f5
25.Rd1-d7 Nf5-e3 26.Qc4-d3 Ne3xg2 ]
17.Bd3-c4+? Diagram [ 17.Nd4-b5
27.h2-h4 Ng2-e3 -1.58/13 Diagram
]
c5-c4! Decoy: c4 18.Bd3xc4+ d6-d5

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + rk+
+ p n pp
l p + q
p p +l+
+ +Pp +
+ LL+P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

r +r+k+
+ pRnq+p
+ + p +
p + + +
+ +Qp +
+ L lP+
PPP+ +PP
K +R+ +

r+l+ rk+
+ p n pp
l p + q
p p + +
+ NPp +
+ LL+P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

907
21.Qf2xb6 c7xb6 22.0-0-0-+
Diagram
3318

r+l+ rk+
+ + n pp
p + + +
pN+ + +
+p+Pp +
+ + +P+
PPP+ +PP
+ KR+ +R

3321

; Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 17.Nd4-f5


3319 Diagram

r+l+ rk+
+ p n pp
l p + q
p p +N+
+ +Pp +
+ LL+P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

3322

3320

19.Bc3-d4 d5xc4 20.Bd4xb6 Qh6xb6

Bc8xf5 18.e4xf5 Diagram


(Diagram 3323)
c5-c4 19.Bd3xc4+ Diagram
(Diagram 3324)
d6-d5 20.Qf2-e2 d5xc4 21.f5-f6
Rf8xf6 22.Bc3xf6 Qh6xf6 23.Qe2xc4+
Kg8-h8 24.0-0-0 Ne7-f5 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

908
Diagram

r+ + rk+
+ p n pp
l p + q
p p +P+
+ + p +
+ LL+P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

r+ + rk+
+ p n pp
l p + q
p + +P+
+L+ p +
+ L +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

r+ + + k
+ p + pp
l + q +
p + +n+
+Q+ p +
+ + +P+
PPP+ +PP
+ KR+ +R

r + + k
+ p + pp
l + q +
p + + +
+Q+ p +
+ +RnP+
PPP+ +PP
+K+ + +R

3323

3326

27.Qc4-c3 Qf6xc3 28.Rd3xc3


Ne3xg2 Diagram
3324

r + + k
+ p + pp
l + + +
p + + +
+ + p +
+ R +P+
PPP+ +nP
+K+ + +R

3327

29.Rh1-d1 Ng2-e3 30.Rd1-d7


Diagram

3325

(Diagram 3328)
Kh8-g8 Diagram
(Diagram 3329)
31.Rc3-c6 Rb8-e8 -1.39/11 Diagram
]
17...d6-d5 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro

25.Kc1-b1 Ra8-b8 26.Rd1-d3 Nf5-e3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + + k
+ pR+ pp
l + + +
p + + +
+ + p +
+ R nP+
PPP+ + P
+K+ + +

r + +k+
+ pR+ pp
l + + +
p + + +
+ + p +
+ R nP+
PPP+ + P
+K+ + +

+ +r+k+
+ pR+ pp
lR+ + +
p + + +
+ + p +
+ + nP+
PPP+ + P
+K+ + +

909

r+l+ rk+
+ p n pp
l p + q
p p + +
+LNPp +
+ L +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

3328

3331

x64: 17...d6-d5 18.Nd4-f5 Bc8xf5


19.e4xd5 Ne7-c8 20.0-0 Nc8-d6
21.b2-b3 Nd6xc4 22.b3xc4 Diagram
3329

r+ + rk+
+ p + pp
l + + q
p pP+l+
+P+ p +
+ L +P+
P+P+ QPP
R + +RK

3332

a5-a4 23.Ra1-e1 Qh6-d6 24.Bc3-e5


-1.92/10 Diagram

3330

(Diagram 3333)
]
(Diagram 3334)
18.e4xd5 [ 18.Nd4-f5 Diagram
the only chance to get some
counterplay Bc8xf5 19.e4xd5-+ ;

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

910
Diagram

r+ + rk+
+ p + pp
l q + +
+ pPLl+
p+P+ p +
+ + +P+
P+P+ QPP
+ + RRK

r+l+ rk+
+ p n pp
l + + q
p pp+ +
+LNPp +
+ L +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

r+l+ rk+
+ p n pp
l + + q
p pp+N+
+L+Pp +
+ L +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 18.Nd4-b5

3333

3334

r+l+ rk+
+ p n pp
l + + q
pNpp+ +
+L+Pp +
+ L +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

3336

d5xc4 19.Ra1-d1 Bc8-a6 20.a2-a4


Ra8-d8 21.0-0 c7-c6 22.Nb5-a3
Qh6-g5 23.Qf2-e2 Diagram

+ r rk+
+ + n pp
llp+ + +
p p + q
P+p+Pp +
N L +P+
PP+Q+PP
+ +R+RK

3337

3335

Rd8xd1 Diagram
(Diagram 3338)
24.Rf1xd1 -2.39/11 ] 18...c5xd4
Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
18...c5xd4 19.Bc3xd4 Ne7-f5
20.Bd4xb6 Rf8-e8+ 21.Ke1-f1 c7xb6
22.Kf1-g1 Nf5-e3 23.Bc4-b5 Diagram
Re8-d8 24.Bb5-d3 b6-b5 25.Bd3-e4
Bc8-b7 26.a2-a4 b5xa4 27.c2-c4

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ + rk+
+ + n pp
llp+ + +
p p + q
P+p+Pp +
N L +P+
PP+Q+PP
+ +r+RK

r+l+r+k+
+ + + pp
p + + q
pL+P+ +
+ + p +
+ + nP+
PPP+ QPP
R + + KR

911

3338

3339

r+l+ rk+
+ p n pp
l + + q
p +P+ +
+Lp p +
+ L +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

r+lr +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
pp+P+ +
+ +Lp +
+ + nP+
PPP+ QPP
R + + KR

3340

3341

Ne3xc4 28.Ra1xa4 -2.85/10 ]


(Diagram 3340)
19.d5-d6+ [ 19.Bc3xd4 cannot change
destiny Bb6xd4 20.Qf2xd4 Ne7-f5-+ ;
Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 19.Bc3xd4
Ne7-f5 20.Bd4xb6 Rf8-e8+ 21.Ke1-f1
c7xb6 22.Kf1-g1 Nf5-e3 23.Bc4-b5
Re8-d8 24.Bb5-d3 b6-b5 25.Bd3-e4
Diagram
Bc8-b7 26.a2-a4 b5xa4 27.c2-c4
Diagram
Ne3xc4 28.Ra1xa4 -3.17/11 ]
19...Bc8-e6 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro

r+ r +k+
+l+ + pp
+ + + q
p +P+ +
p+P+Lp +
+ + nP+
P + QPP
R + + KR
x64: 19...Bc8-e6 Diagram

3342

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + rk+
+ p n pp
l Pl+ q
p + + +
+Lp p +
+ L +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

912

3343

r+ +r+k+
+ p q pp
L + + +
p + + +
+l+ p +
+ + +P+
PPP+ QPP
R K + +R

3345

20.d6xe7 Diagram

r+ + rk+
+ p P pp
l +l+ q
p + + +
+Lp p +
+ L +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

3344

Be6xc4 21.Bc3xd4 Qh6-e6+


22.Ke1-d2 Qe6xe7 23.Kd2-c1 Rf8-e8
24.Bd4xb6 Diagram
(Diagram 3345)
c7xb6 25.Qf2xb6 Qe7-g5 Diagram
(Diagram 3346)
26.b2-b3 Bc4-e2 27.Kc1-b2 Qg5xg2
-3.91/9 ]
20.d6xe7 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
20.Qf2-e2 Ne7-d5 21.Bc4xd5 Diagram

r+ +r+k+
+ + + pp
Q + + +
p + + q
+l+ p +
+ + +P+
PPP+ +PP
R K + +R

r+ + rk+
+ p n pp
l Pl+ q
p + + +
+Lp p +
+ L +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

3346

3347

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + rk+
+ p + pp
l Pl+ q
p +L+ +
+ p p +
+ L +P+
PPP+Q+PP
R + K +R

913

3348

Be6xd5 22.0-0-0 d4xc3 23.Rd1xd5


c3xb2+ 24.Kc1xb2 Ra8-b8 25.Rd5-b5
Diagram

r + rk+
+ p + pp
l P + q
pR+ + +
+ + p +
+ + +P+
PKP+Q+PP
+ + + +R

3349

c7xd6 Diagram
(Diagram 3350)
26.c2-c3 Qh6-f6 27.Rh1-e1 Bb6-e3
28.Qe2-c4+ Kg8-h8 -4.47/10 ]
20...Be6xc4 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 20...Be6xc4 Diagram
21.Bc3xd4 Qh6-e6+ Diagram
22.Ke1-d2 Qe6xe7 Diagram
23.Bd4xb6 Diagram
c7xb6 24.Ra1-d1 Bc4xa2 Diagram

r + rk+
+ + + pp
l p + q
pR+ + +
+ + p +
+ + +P+
PKP+Q+PP
+ + + +R

r+ + rk+
+ p P pp
l + + q
p + + +
+lp p +
+ L +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

r+ + rk+
+ p P pp
l +q+ +
p + + +
+lL p +
+ + +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

3350

3351

3352

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

914
27.c2-c3 Rc8-d8 Diagram

r+ + rk+
+ p q pp
l + + +
p + + +
+lL p +
+ + +P+
PPPK QPP
R + + +R

r+ + rk+
+ p q pp
L + + +
p + + +
+l+ p +
+ + +P+
PPPK QPP
R + + +R

r+ + rk+
+ + q pp
p + + +
p + + +
+ + p +
+ + +P+
lPPK QPP
+ +R+ +R

+ r rk+
+ q + pp
p + + +
p + + +
+ R p +
+ P +P+
lP + QPP
+ K + +R

3353

3356

28.Rh1-e1 Rf8-e8 29.Re1xe8+


Rd8xe8 30.Qf2-h4 -4.48/14 Diagram
3354

+ +r+k+
+ q + pp
p + + +
p + + +
+ R p Q
+ P +P+
lP + +PP
+ K + +
3355

25.Kd2-c1 Qe7-c7 26.Rd1-d4 Ra8-c8

3357

]
(Diagram 3358)
21.e7xf8Q+ [ 21.Bc3xd4 doesn't do
any good Qh6-e6+ 22.Ke1-d2
Diagram
Qe6xe7 23.Bd4xb6 Diagram
c7xb6-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
21.Bc3xd4 Qh6-e6+ Diagram
22.Ke1-d2 Diagram
Qe6xe7 23.Bd4xb6 c7xb6 24.Ra1-d1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r+ + rk+
+ p P pp
l + + q
p + + +
+lp p +
+ L +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

r+ + rk+
+ p P pp
l +q+ +
p + + +
+lL p +
+ + +P+
PPPK QPP
R + + +R

r+ + rk+
+ p q pp
L + + +
p + + +
+l+ p +
+ + +P+
PPPK QPP
R + + +R

915

3358

3359

r+ + rk+
+ p P pp
l +q+ +
p + + +
+lL p +
+ + +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

r+ + rk+
+ p P pp
l +q+ +
p + + +
+lL p +
+ + +P+
PPPK QPP
R + + +R

3361

3362

Bc4xa2 25.Kd2-c1 Qe7-c7 26.Rd1-d4


Ra8-c8 27.c2-c3 Rc8-d8 28.Rh1-e1
Diagram
3360

(Diagram 3363)
Rf8-e8 29.Re1xe8+ Diagram
(Diagram 3364)
Rd8xe8 30.Qf2-h4 -4.18/12 ]
21...Ra8xf8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 21...Ra8xf8 22.Bc3xa5 Bb6xa5+
23.Ke1-d1 Rf8-d8 24.b2-b3 Diagram
Bc4-f7 25.Kd1-c1 Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r rk+
+ q + pp
p + + +
p + + +
+ R p +
+ P +P+
lP + QPP
+ K R +

916

3363

+ r +k+
+ p +lpp
+ + + q
l + + +
+ p p +
+P+ +P+
P+P+ QPP
R K + +R

3366

Ba5-c3 26.Kc1-b1 Diagram

+ rR+k+
+ q + pp
p + + +
p + + +
+ R p +
+ P +P+
lP + QPP
+ K + +

+ r +k+
+ p + pp
+ + + q
l + + +
+lp p +
+P+ +P+
P+P+ QPP
R +K+ +R

3364

+ r +k+
+ p +lpp
+ + + q
+ + + +
+ p p +
+Pl +P+
P+P+ QPP
RK+ + +R

3367

d4-d3 27.a2-a4 Bc3xa1 Diagram


3365

(Diagram 3368)
28.Kb1xa1 Diagram
(Diagram 3369)
Qh6-f6+ 29.Ka1-a2 d3-d2 30.Rh1-d1
Rd8-a8 31.Ka2-b1 -4.22/10 ]
22.Bc3xd4 Diagram [ 22.Bc3xa5
Diagram
does not help much Bb6xa5+ Diagram
23.Ke1-d1 Qh6-d6-+ ;Houdini 2.0c

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
+ p +lpp
+ + + q
+ + + +
P+ + p +
+P+p+P+
+P+ QPP
lK+ + +R

+ r +k+
+ p +lpp
+ + + q
+ + + +
P+ + p +
+P+p+P+
+P+ QPP
K + + +R

917

3368

3369

+ + rk+
+ p + pp
l + + q
L + + +
+lp p +
+ + +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

+ + rk+
+ p + pp
+ + + q
l + + +
+lp p +
+ + +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

3371

3372

Pro x64: 22.Bc3xa5 Bb6xa5+ Diagram

+ + rk+
+ p + pp
l + + q
p + + +
+lp p +
+ L +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

(Diagram 3373)
3370

23.Ke1-d1 Rf8-d8 24.b2-b3 Bc4-f7


25.Ra1-c1 d4-d3 26.c2-c3 Ba5-b6
27.Qf2-b2 Bb6-e3 28.Rc1-a1 Qh6-h4
29.a2-a4 d3-d2 30.g2-g3 Diagram
(Diagram 3374)
f4xg3 -4.47/11 ]
22...Rf8-e8+ Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 22...Rf8-e8+ 23.Ke1-d2
Re8-d8 24.c2-c3 c7-c5 25.Kd2-c1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

918
Bb6-e3+ 28.Rd1-d2 Diagram

+ + rk+
+ p + pp
+ + + q
l + + +
+lp p +
+ + +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R

+ r +k+
+ p +lpp
+ + + +
+ + + +
P+ + p q
+PP lPP
Q p + P
R +K+ +R

+ + rk+
+ p + pp
l + + q
p + + +
+lL p +
+ + +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R
c5xd4 26.Rh1-d1 d4-d3 27.Qf2-e1

3373

3374

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
p + + +
+l+ p +
+ PplP+
PP R +PP
R K Q +

3376

a5-a4 29.b2-b4 a4xb3 30.a2xb3


Bc4xb3 31.Ra1-a3 Be3xd2+
32.Kc1xd2 Qh6xh2 Diagram

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + p +
RlPp+P+
+ K +Pq
+ + Q +

3377

3375

33.Qe1-f1 Diagram
(Diagram 3378)
Bb3-c2 Diagram
(Diagram 3379)
34.Ra3-a7 Qh2-g3 35.Ra7-e7 Rd8-c8
36.Qf1-g1 -6.50/14 ]
23.Ke1-d2 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + p +
RlPp+P+
+ K +Pq
+ + +Q+

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + p +
R Pp+P+
+lK +Pq
+ + +Q+

+ +r+k+
+ p + pp
l + + q
p + + +
+lL p +
+ + +P+
PPP+ QPP
R + K +R
23.Ke1-d1 Re8-d8 Diagram

919

3378

+ r +k+
+ p + pp
l + + q
p + + +
+lL p +
+ + +P+
PPP+ QPP
R +K+ +R

3381

24.c2-c3 c7-c5 25.Kd1-c1 c5xd4


26.Rh1-d1 d4-d3 27.Qf2-e1 Diagram
3379

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
l + + q
p + + +
+l+ p +
+ Pp+P+
PP + +PP
R KRQ +

3382

Bb6-e3+ 28.Rd1-d2 Diagram


3380

(Diagram 3383)
a5-a4 29.b2-b4 a4xb3 30.a2xb3
Diagram
(Diagram 3384)
Bc4xb3 31.Ra1-a3 Be3xd2+ Diagram
32.Kc1xd2 Diagram
Qh6xh2 Diagram
33.Qe1-f1 Bb3-c2 34.Ra3-a7 Qh2-g3

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
p + + +
+l+ p +
+ PplP+
PP R +PP
R K Q +

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
+ + + +
+l+ p +
+PPplP+
+ R +PP
R K Q +

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
+ + + +
+ + p +
RlPp+P+
+ l +PP
+ K Q +

920

3383

3384

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
+ + + +
+ + p +
RlPp+P+
+ K +PP
+ + Q +

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + p +
RlPp+P+
+ K +Pq
+ + Q +

3386

3387

35.Ra7-e7 Rd8-c8 36.Qf1-g1 -6.75/15


Diagram
3385

(Diagram 3388)
] 23...Re8-d8 Diagram [Houdini 2.0c
Pro x64: 23...Re8-d8 Diagram
(Diagram 3389)
24.c2-c3 c7-c5 25.Kd2-c1 c5xd4
26.Rh1-d1 d4-d3 27.Qf2-e1 Bb6-e3+
28.Rd1-d2 a5-a4 29.b2-b4 Diagram
a4xb3 30.a2xb3 Bc4xb3 31.Ra1-b1
Diagram

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+r+ +k+
+ + R pp
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + p +
+ Pp+Pq
+lK +P+
+ + + Q

921

3388

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
+ + + +
+ + p +
+lPplP+
+ R +PP
+RK Q +

3391

Rd8-b8 32.Qe1-f1 Diagram

+ r +k+
+ p + pp
l + + q
p + + +
+lL p +
+ + +P+
PPPK QPP
R + + +R

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
+ + + +
pPl+ p +
+ PplP+
P+ R +PP
R K Q +

3389

r + +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
+ + + +
+ + p +
+lPplP+
+ R +PP
+RK +Q+
Qh6xh2 Diagram

3390

(Diagram 3393)
33.Rb1-b2 Diagram
(Diagram 3394)
Rb8-b5 34.Rb2-b1 Qh2-h4
35.Rb1-b2 Be3xd2+ Diagram
36.Kc1xd2 -6.16/13 ]
24.c2-c3 [Houdini 2.0c Pro x64:
24.c2-c3 Diagram
c7-c5 25.Kd2-c1 Diagram

3392

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + p +
+lPplP+
+ R +Pq
+RK +Q+

r + +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + p +
+lPplP+
R R +Pq
+ K +Q+

+ + +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + +
+r+ + +
+ + p q
+lPp+P+
R l +P+
+ K +Q+

922

3393

3394

3395

+ r +k+
+ p + pp
l + + q
p + + +
+lL p +
+ + +P+
PPPK QPP
R + + +R

+ r +k+
+ p + pp
l + + q
p + + +
+lL p +
+ P +P+
PP K QPP
R + + +R

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
l + + q
p p + +
+lL p +
+ P +P+
PP + QPP
R K + +R

3396

3397

3398

c5xd4 26.Rh1-d1 d4-d3 27.Qf2-e1

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

923

Bb6-e3+ 28.Rd1-d2 Diagram

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
p + + +
+l+ p +
+ PplP+
PP R +PP
R K Q +

3399

a5-a4 29.b2-b4 a4xb3 30.a2xb3


Diagram

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
+ + + +
+l+ p +
+PPplP+
+ R +PP
R K Q +

3400

Bc4xb3 31.Ra1-a3 Diagram


(Diagram 3401)
Be3xd2+ 32.Kc1xd2 Qh6xh2
33.Qe1-f1 Bb3-c2 34.Ra3-a7 Qh2-g3
35.Ra7-e7 Rd8-c8 36.Qf1-g1 -6.29/14
Diagram
] 24...c7-c5 Diagram [ 24...c7-c5
25.Ra1-d1 c5xd4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro
x64: 24...c7-c5 Diagram
25.Kd2-c1 Diagram

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
+ + + +
+ + p +
RlPplP+
+ R +PP
+ K Q +

+r+ +k+
+ + R pp
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + p +
+ Pp+Pq
+lK +P+
+ + + Q

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
l + + q
p p + +
+lL p +
+ P +P+
PP K QPP
R + + +R

3401

3402

3403

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
l + + q
p p + +
+lL p +
+ P +P+
PP + QPP
R K + +R

924

3404

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
p + + +
+l+ p +
+ PplP+
PP + +PP
R KRQ +

3406

c5xd4 Diagram

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
l + + q
p + + +
+lp p +
+ P +P+
PP + QPP
R K + +R

3405

26.Rh1-d1 d4-d3 27.Qf2-e1 Bb6-e3+


Diagram
(Diagram 3406)
28.Rd1-d2 a5-a4 29.b2-b3 Diagram
(Diagram 3407)
a4xb3 30.a2xb3 Diagram
Bc4xb3 Diagram
31.Ra1-b1 Diagram
Qh6-e6 32.Rb1-a1 Diagram
Qe6-f6 33.Kc1-b2 Rd8-b8 34.Rd2xd3

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
+ + + +
p+l+ p +
+PPplP+
P+ R +PP
R K Q +

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
+ + + +
+l+ p +
+PPplP+
+ R +PP
R K Q +

3407

3408

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
+ + + +
+ + p +
+lPplP+
+ R +PP
R K Q +

925

3409

r + +k+
+ + + pp
+ + q +
+ + + +
+ + p +
+lPRlP+
K + +PP
R + Q +

3412

Bb3-c4+ Diagram

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ + + q
+ + + +
+ + p +
+lPplP+
+ R +PP
+RK Q +

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
+ +q+ +
+ + + +
+ + p +
+lPplP+
+ R +PP
R K Q +
Diagram

3410

r + +k+
+ + + pp
+ + q +
+ + + +
+l+ p +
+ PRlP+
K + +PP
R + Q +
35.Kb2-c2 Bc4xd3+ 36.Kc2xd3
Qf6-g6+ 37.Kd3-c4 Diagram

3411

(Diagram 3414)
Qg6xg2 -5.28/11 ]
(Diagram 3415)
0-1

3413

Vassily Ivanchuk's Best Games

r + +k+
+ + + pp
+ + +q+
+ + + +
+K+ p +
+ P lP+
+ + +PP
R + Q +

+ r +k+
+ + + pp
l + + q
p p + +
+lL p +
+ P +P+
PP K QPP
R + + +R

926

3414

3415

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