chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Vasyl Ivanchuk vs Teimour Radjabov
Bazna Tournament (2009), Bazna ROM, rd 4, Jun-17
Sicilian Defense: Four Knights. Exchange Variation (B45)  ·  1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 67 more Ivanchuk/Radjabov games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: As you play through the game, you can get the FEN code for any position by right-clicking on the board and choosing "Copy Position (EPD)". Copy and paste the FEN into a post to display a diagram.

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
Jun-17-09  wanabe2000: I found today's game quite interesting. According to <tarek1> "12.Bd2 is the first new move". While watching the game I thought Ivanchuk, with the pawn sac (12....Qxb2) had winning chances but Radjabov advanced his King side pawns to keep the balance. Rad never moved his Queen rook and Queen bishop and still held a draw. Amazing.
Jun-17-09  chillowack: It's hard to believe White didn't win this game. He has a massive bind on Black's queenside (Black is effectively two pieces down, his rook and bishop stuck on square one).

I can only think time pressure played a part toward the end, otherwise Ivanchuk would have found a path to victory.

Jun-17-09  Marmot PFL: Once the queens were traded the draw seemed more likely than not.
Jun-18-09
Premium Chessgames Member
  alexrawlings: Could black not play 13.. Qxa2 here?
Jun-18-09  chillowack: <alexrawlings: Could black not play 13.. Qxa2 here?> Yes, he could have: and Ivanchuk wanted him to take it. But there's a rule, "don't go pawn-hunting in the opening," which it can be dangerous to violate.

Some possible variations:

13...Qxa2 14.g4 (to regain control of d4) Nh6 15.Be2 Be7 16.0-0 0-0 17.Ra1 Qb2 18.Rfb1 and the queen is trapped (note that d4 is no longer available to the queen as a flight square).

Or 13...Qxa2 14.g4 Nh6 15.Be2 Qa6 16.Nd6+ Bd6 17.Qd6 and White has control of the board and several threats, including Bd2-b4.

While certainly not exhaustive, these variations show that grabbing the a2-pawn could turn out to be dangerous for Black.

Jun-18-09  WhiteRook48: 12 Bd2?!?!

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