Albertan: Here is some analysis I have done of this game using the assistance of thje chess programs Rybka 2.2 and Junior 9Krush,I (2449) - Akopian,V (2700) [E45]
Gibtelecom Masters Catalan Bay ENG (1), 23.01.2007
Krush is the third highest female player in the USA,the 52nd highest rated player in the USA and the 1264th highest rated player in the world. Akopian is the 21st highest rated player in the world and the second highest rated player in Armenia.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 The Queen's Gambit.
2...e6
Allowing him to complete the development of his kingside rapidly.
3.Nc3 Bb4
The Nimzo-Indian Defense.This hypermodern opening was developed by Grandmaster Aron Nimzowitsch who introduced it to master-level chess in the early 20th century. Unlike most Indian openings the Nimzo-Indian does not involve an immediate fianchetto, although Black often follows up with ...b6 and ...Bb7. By pinning White's knight Black prevents the threatened 4.e4 and seeks to inflict doubled pawns on White. White will attempt to create a pawn centre and develop his pieces to prepare for an assault on the Black position.
4.e3
This move defines the variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense....it is known as the Rubinstein variation, named after Akiba Rubinstein ( (12 December 1882 in Stawiska, Poland - 15 March 1961 in Antwerp, Belgium), a Polish GM He was one of the earliest chess players to take the endgame into account when choosing and playing the opening. He was exceptionally talented in the endgame, particularly in rook endings, where he broke new ground in knowledge.
4...b6
Akopian decides to fianchetto his light-squared bishop. [ Analysis:In this position two moves are more popular..they are:(a) 4...0-0 ; and (b) 4...c5 ]
5.Nge2
This move is the most popular continuation for White in this position.She intends to play 6.a3 and after he exchanges on c3 she will recapture on c3 with her king's knight which will preserve her queenside pawn structure.
5...Ba6
This developing move is the most often played move by Black in this position.He attacks her c-pawn.
6.a3
The most often played move for White at this point of the game,Krush forces Akopian to make a decision about the future of his dark-squared bishop.
6...Bxc3+
This is the most commonly reply to White's last move.He avoids the loss of a tempo at the cost of giving her the "two bishops".
7.Nxc3
The only move White plays in this position in my database,keeping her queenside pawn structure intact.
7...d5
A move almost always played by Black in this position.Akopian gains more influence in the center and creates a double-attack against her c-pawn.
8.Be2!?
A rarely played continuation,she simply develops another minor piece,and leaves her c-pawn enprise.
[Analysis:The most popular move for White to play in this position is: 8.b3 and play most often continues: 8...0-0 9.Be2 Nc6 10.a4 dxc4 11.bxc4 Qd7 12.0-0 Na5 13.Nb5 c6 14.Na3 Rfd8 ( 14...c5; 14...Rac8) ]
Returning to the moves of the game, for his next move Akopian played:
8...dxc4
He goes up a pawn in material. The Rybka chess program suggests Krush has sufficient compensation for the pawn. [ Analysis:The most popular move for Black in this position is: 8...0-0 and play most often continues: 9.b3 Nc6 10.a4 dxc4 11.bxc4 Qd7 12.0-0 Na5 13.Nb5 c6 14.Na3 Rfd8 ( 14...c5; 14...Rac8) ]
) 13...Nd5 14.Nxd5 exd5 15.Bd3 0-0 ( Worse is: 15...cxd3 16.Rxb3 0-0 17.Qxd3 Qd7 
) 16.Bc2 Bc8 =]
The next move of the game was:
[ Junior 9: 16.d5 e5 17.exf5 Nf6 18.Ne4 Bxd5 19.Nxf6+ Rxf6 20.Rg3 Qd6 21.Rg6 Raf8 With sufficient compensation for the pawn]
The game continued with Akopian playing:
]
The next move played by Akopian was:
