chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Levon Aronian vs Vladimir Kramnik
Botvinnik Memorial Rapid (2011) (rapid), Moscow RUS, rd 6, Sep-03
English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense. Flohr-Mikenas-Carls Variation (A18)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

Click Here to play Guess-the-Move
Given 6 times; par: 84 [what's this?]

explore this opening
find similar games 95 more Aronian/Kramnik games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: Premium members can suggest a game for Guess-the-Move with the Guess-the-Move Suggestion Queue.

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]

A COMPUTER ANNOTATED SCORE OF THIS GAME IS AVAILABLE.  [CLICK HERE]

Kibitzer's Corner
Sep-03-11  Ulhumbrus: The finale of the game suggests that after 35 Kf2 White's King threatens to march not just to f4 but from there to c7. In order to answer this threat it may be necessary for Black to threaten to capture the d7 pawn as quickly as possible and so to play, instead of 34...f5, 34...Kf8 eg 35 Kg3 Ke7
Sep-04-11  sevenseaman: Kramnik has been truly outplayed here.
Sep-04-11  Rook e2: English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense. Flohr-Mikenas-Carls Variation

Is the 'Carls' named after Carlsen?

Sep-04-11  Gregor Samsa Mendel: My guess would be it's named after Carl Johan Margot Carls.
Sep-05-11  polarmis: This game was stopped after 18.Rfe1 for the players to comment (in Russian). It was Aronian's first and last chance to speak at the Botvinnik Memorial. It also included the funniest moment of the day:

<Levitov: Could you say something about the opening?

Aronian: Unfortunately my other games were more interesting (smiles), as I see it. But the sporting component is also a factor. Generally, we’ve played quite a rare variation. Vladimir played a move I don’t know very well. It seemed to me that with the move 16.Ne4 I started to play more carefully, but Vladimir played Qg6 and… for now I’m happy. It seems to me that at this point I’ve managed to achieve something. But as the previous games showed, my feelings might be deceiving me a little.

Levitov: What are your immediate plans now?

Aronian: In principle play’s very concrete here. If Vladimir manages to develop then he can’t possibly have any problems. My plan’s to keep the queens on and to worry his queen on g6. Ideally I’d maybe put my rook on g3, and try and stop him developing his bishop to a comfortable position.

Levitov: You evaluate the position as slightly better?

Aronian: In any case I'm not at any great risk.

And then Kramnik:

Levitov: Could you say something about the opening?

Kramnik: We played a variation of the English Opening that was popular in the 80s but is now half-forgotten. White maintains some pressure. Usually he gets to keep a couple more pieces while I managed to exchange a knight for his bishop using an accurate move order, which is good, overall. But still, White maintains some pressure. Black needs to play accurately to completely equalise. Now, at this moment, I’m inclined to play 18…Bf5 and commence very concrete play, because I’m threatening to exchange the bishop for the knight when it’ll definitely be drawn. So, more likely than not, the knight will retreat. But there are some very sharp variations there. It could start, let’s say, with 19.Ng3, and the principled move is 19…Bd3 to try and take the pawn, though White can play 20.Qe5 there, and for example, 20…Bxc4 21.Nf5 and jump around like that. On the other hand, there’s 21…Kh8. For now it seems to me that Black holds there. It’s a little dangerous, but on the other hand I might be able to seize the initiative if White’s play dies down. For now I’m inclined towards 18…Bf5 but of course in principle you can play some calmer move, 18…b6 or 18…Bd7. There’s nothing terrible for Black. I still prefer 18…Bf5 but I’ll think about it a bit.

Levitov: And how do you evaluate the position?

Kramnik: It’s a little bit better for…

Here Aronian indicates that he can hear!

Kramnik (loudly): Black’s got a big edge! (laughter and applause)>

All the comments on Day 2 of the Botvinnik Memorial: http://whychess.org/en/node/1685

Sep-11-11  Piewalker: I briefly reviewed this game with only a little analysis here on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hUo...
Nov-12-16  Saniyat24: White is initiating all the attack in the middle game, making Black play a very passive game. Black's bishop is moving around and not doing much, and the Black Queen is sitting there, only guarding the bishop.

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: RAPID. 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