chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Jan Smeets vs Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
Tata Steel Group A (2011), Wijk aan Zee NED, rd 8, Jan-23
Modern Defense: Pseudo-Austrian Attack (B06)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

Click Here to play Guess-the-Move
Given 15 times; par: 104 [what's this?]

explore this opening
find similar games 4 more Smeets/Vachier-Lagrave games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can learn a lot about this site (and chess in general) by reading the Chessgames Help Page. If you need help with premium features, please see the Premium Membership Help Page.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

Kibitzer's Corner
Jan-23-11  DAVI DE RAFE: ayye enikkishtayyilla
Jan-23-11  percyblakeney: The fourth loss in a row for Smeets, and also his fourth loss in a row with white, unusual in top events. Nepo can give him his fifth loss in a row in the ninth round while Kramnik may give him his fifth white loss in a row in the tenth round.
Jan-23-11  Eyal: Right now Smeets is like someone bleeding in the water and surrounded by sharks - they all smell the blood and want a bite...
Jan-23-11  KingG: MVL taking a leaf out of Kramnik's book I see. J Smeets vs Kramnik, 2010
Jan-25-11  goldenbear: In my opinion (which isn't worth much, I haven't looked at this with a computer or anything), if Smeets had seen that 30.b4 is only superficially "strong", he would have played 29.Ree7, and I don't a grandmaster could possibly lose the resulting position. He probably should have drawn somewhere anyway, but to me 29.Ree7 looks far more practical.
Jan-25-11  hermit druid: 29.Ree7 Rhe8 and black keeps a huge pawn up. The mistake was somewhere else, I guess.
Jan-25-11  shalgo: 38.h4 looks like a better drawing try. 38.Kb3 seems to lose a critical tempo.

If Black tries to play the same way, then 38.h4 Kc6 39.h5 gxh5 (now forced, because Black's king is not close enough to protect the f-pawn) 40.Rxf5 Rh6 41.Rf3 h4 42.Rh3 Kd5 43.Kb3 and if Black moves his king toward the h-pawn, then White can push his pawns on the queenside.

For example, 43...Ke4 44.c4 Kf4 45.cxb5 axb5 46.a4 bxa4 47.Kxa4 Kg4 48.Rh1 Kg3 49.b5 Kg2 50.Rb1 h3 51.Ka5 h2 52.b6 h1Q 53.Rxh1 Rxh1 54.Ka6, with a draw.

I note this idea at my blog (http://shalgochess.blogspot.com).

Feb-10-11  ReikiMaster: 19.g4 prevents Nf5 = advantage white. 30.Kc1 looks better.
Mar-15-11
Premium Chessgames Member
  Penguincw: That pawn is going to queen (assuming Vachier-Lagrave doesn't blunder).

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC