chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Levon Aronian vs Andrei Istratescu
European Team Championship (2009), Novi Sad SRB, rd 2, Oct-23
English Opening: King's English. Four Knights Variation Fianchetto Lines (A29)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 5 more Aronian/A Istratescu games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can change the color of the light and dark squares by registering a free account then visiting your preferences page. Or, you can change it with the "SETTINGS" link in the lower right.

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
Oct-23-09  zealouspawn: aronian is a magician for winning this game after move 26.
Oct-23-09  MindBoggle: Amazing endgame play by Levon.
Oct-23-09  Everett: Everything is nearly forced after move 26, so I do not think this is more than solid chess playing by white. Of course it takes a GM of Aronian's ability to recognize it.

White's play along the 7th rank comes much more quickly and easily compared to black's.

Black could consider 26..Rxa2 first, though white still has a much more active set of rooks. Black's idea of protecting the b-pawn from the front does not prevent white from dominating the 7th. White greatly benefits from being able to use the f3 square for the rook, a move that cannot be mirrored by black. A rook on f3 for white protects f2 while attacking f7. That's simply superior placement.

Oct-23-09  Eyal: <Everything is nearly forced after move 26>

Not quite - Black's collapse seems to occur on moves 35-36. First, 35...Rgd6 should be better than Rg4 - it might be counter-intuitive to give up the g7 pawn with White's rooks on the 7th, but the black rook would be much better placed and it's not easy to see how White makes progress after 36.Rxg7+ Kh6. Then, 36...Rf2 is definitely a mistake, allowing the tactics of 37.Rg6! (37...Rxg6 38.fxg6+, winning the rook on f2); moves like 36...Rd8 or Kg8 should have been better.

39...Kh7 instead of Rxf5, on the other hand, is also losing by force, though it might have put somewhat more of a challenge for White - 40.Kh4 Rxh2+ 41.Kg5 Rh3 42.g4! etc.

Oct-23-09  Everett: Thank you <Eyal>, for the endgame lesson!
Oct-24-09  notyetagm: 36 ... ♖d2-f2?


click for larger view

37 ♖c6-g6!


click for larger view

<Eyal: ... Then, 36...Rf2 is definitely a mistake, allowing the tactics of <<< 37.Rg6! (37...Rxg6 38.fxg6+, winning the rook on f2);>>> moves like 36...Rd8 or Kg8 should have been better.>

(VAR)
37 ... ♖g4x♖g6?? 38 f5x♖g6+


click for larger view


click for larger view

Oct-24-09  notyetagm: For another example of the tactical idea underlying Aronian's brilliant 37 ♖c6-g6!, in my Game Collection: If only I could move my pawn *DIAGONALLY*, consider the following:

Steinitz vs Chigorin, 1889

18 ?


click for larger view

18 ♕f3-g3!


click for larger view

(VAR)
18 ... ♕h4x♕g3 19 h2x♕g3 <trapped piece>


click for larger view


click for larger view

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