This is actually a Schveningen (Keres attack) of which Kasparov is a great expert. I have his book on this line. It is filled with deep analysis.

and yes < sicilianhugefun > it has served him well. He and Karpov played many games in this system in their matches, and GK has played it fearlessly against all other comers, many of which thereafter avoided his pet line.

The CG database has 5 games with 11.f4 instead of LDP's 11.h4

Dominguez usually plays extremely well but he made lots of bad moves in this game. For example, speaking of the LSB, 18. Bh1 would only have made sense if he had wanted to play e5, which wasn't playable. Then 19. Rg3 seems unnecessary and gives up the column for nothing. Then he plays 23. Bg2 so he can re-challenge the file he gave up for nothing. I also think he should have played 30. Nce2 instead of Bxf4, which cost him a pawn.

In the pre-engine days there is no question GK was the man.. but I think anyone who is serious about the Najdorf needs to study MVL games. He is currently the foremost Najdorf exponent, and his prep combines the best of GK, his own talent, and engine support.

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/che...

First, my apology. I missed your question from 2017. How do I know if someone posts a message to me, unless I keep returning to games where comment?? Anyway..

< I also think he should have played 30. Nce2 instead of Bxf4, which cost him a pawn.>

The position after 30.Nce2

click for larger view

..Nxe2 31.Nxe2 [forced as Nd4 hangs] Nxf3 [and now the Bd2 is attacked with a fork threat] 32.Kc1 Bxe4 [now it looks like -2 p] 33.Nc3 Nxd2 34.Kxd2 Bf3 35.Bxc4 Bxg4 36.Ne4 [threat = Nf6 fork] Ke7 37.Bxa6 [white must be careful here.. If he captures the G pawn, the knight could get trapped] f6 and thus far it looks like this:

click for larger view

I will agree white's LSB was "behind the line of scrimage" [e4 pawn], but I wouldn't call it 'blocked in' as we normally understand it [as in the case of the QGD or French LSB].

Here both LSB's equally split the long diagonal until 25.f3 . Only then did it start to feel a little cramped, but white's intention was to redeploy it on an alternate diag.

< Dominguez usually plays extremely well but he made lots of bad moves in this game. ... >

Yes he does! I enjoy his games.

< Is my analysis wrong or was Dominguez really playing sub-par in that game? >

Well my friend, that's difficult to say. Some of these positions are very complicated, and even at the superGM level players can overlook things, take a wrong turn, and end up in trouble, often in only a few moves. Let me just say...

This was a rapid game in 2017, but considering Karjakin played the same opening line at classical time control at the Sinquefield Cup 2018 a year later... [ Karjakin vs Mamedyarov, 2018 1/2-1/2 ] ..and drew in 56 moves, I would have to think up to move 15 Leinier's play was ok. In fact, it would appear they both were familiar with the same line, maybe from another game not in the CG database??

The early part of the game up to that point looks fine to me. I did wonder about 15.a3 however. Not that it was a mistake mind you, but I prefer to not disturb pawns around the king unless forced.

Karjakin played 15.f4 [ the point being that white's center activity will create a flight square for the Nc3 making a3 unnecessary] that is to say.. his play/attack was faster.