Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Sergey Karjakin (2014)

Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players ·

Kibitzing

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Sergey Karjakin
World Championship Candidates (2014), Khanty-Mansiysk RUS, rd 12, Mar-27
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Kmoch Variation (E20) · 1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening	find similar games	98 more Mamedyarov/Karjakin games
	PGN: download \| view \| print	Help: general \| java-troubleshooting

TIP: All games have a Kibitzer's Corner provided for community discussion. If you have a question or comment about this game, register a free account so you can post there.

For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.

PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

Mar-27-14		Ed Frank: Wild-looking draw, from a quick glance. It seems Shak likes this 4.f3 variation of the Nimzo-Indian, and Karjakin employs a Benoni-like response to it, with everything seen before until, at least according to the database I'm using, 8..exd5. In the continuation my database lists, 8...d6 is more common. It seems the 4.f3 variation of the Nimzo produces active games. One notable idea: Karjakin's 27...Nc6, a rook sacrifice which is completely alien to me other than it seems to try and eliminate White's dark squared bishop in order to better use the a pawn and, overall, win another pawn from white. The sacrifice apparently could compensate by overrunning white's few pawns with black's numerous pawns had the sacrifice been accepted, but I am only speculating.

Mar-27-14		crchandler: Black would have loved for white to grab the Exchange with 28. Bxf8. If white's dark square bishop is eliminated black is out of any danger and looks to stand better, with no kingside dark-square weaknesses to worry about and the a- and c-pawns potentially strong.

Mar-27-14		Refused: Well, that b5 move is probably the most complicated and double edged set up the Nimzo-Indian has to offer. So nice game by both, and they both tried to get something going here. Too bad it did not bring a decissive result. The structures are very similar to Benko gambit, when white responds with 5.f3 and black goes for the e6 push quite early. This results in really messy double edged positions.

Mar-27-14		csmath: 3. ...Bb4 [Karjakin is ready to challenge Mamedyarov's aggressive treatment of NID] 5. ...b5 [Uncompromising.] 13. ...Nc7 [New move with respect to game Ding Liren - Bacrot from Biel 2012 where Bacrot played 13. ...dxe5] 14. ...Bb7 [...Qxd4 15. Nxd4 Nxd5 16. Bf3 Nxc3 17. Nc6 perfectly good alternative.] 15. Bd2 [Qxc4 Nxd5 16. Bd2 Nxc3 17. bxc3 Bc5 and black has excellent compensation.] 16. bxc3? [Mamedyarov makes error. 16. Bxc3 dxe5 17. fxe5 with equal game.] 17. ...Bxd5 White position is absolutely horrible. click for larger view Mamedyarov decides to give a pawn to complete development. 20. ...Ndc5?! [Karjakin misses his chance: 20. ...a5! 21. Nd4 Nxd4 22. Nc5 Bd1 23. a4 or even 23. Bb2 and white's position looks extremely difficult. click for larger view One ought to add that black king looks shaky so further discussion is needed. ] 22. Bd1 [22. Rbd1!? a5 23. Ng5 Nxg5 24. Bxg5 a4 25. Rf4 with dangerous attack for example 25. ...Qb6?! 26. Kh1 a3 27. Bf6 Kh8 Bg4! . click for larger view ] Due to rather dangerous outlook for the black king white has achieved dynamic balance. 27. Bh6 [threatening mate with Qf6] 28. Rd1?! [Qf6 Qxe5 29. Qxe5 Nxe5 30. Bxf8 with interesting ending and probably equal chances.] 30. Bg5 f6 [30. ...Qc5+ 31. Kh1 Bxh2+ 32. Kxg2 gxf5 33. Bf6 Ne5 34. Qh6 Qc6 35. Kg1 Qb6 36. Kf1 Qf2 37. Kxf2 Ng4 38. Kf3 Nxh6 39. Rg1 Ng4 40. Bxf5 h5 with interesting ending that is drawn.] 35. h4! click for larger view [Excellent feeling of the attacker. This is conceived: 35. ...gxh4 36. Ba6 Rf6 37. Rd7! Qe3+ 38. Qxe3 Rxe3 39. Bxc6 Rxc6 40. Rxa7 and due to the weakness of the last rank the draw is at hand for example: 40....Rce6 41. Rd8 Re8 42. Rdd7.] ] 35. Qe3+ [Karjakin had enough.] The game reaches drawn ending with 45. Rd6 click for larger view which is quite obvious in the final position where black king cannot make any progress short of being mated: click for larger view ======= Very serious and complex game, played well by both. Black might have had better chances but the safety of his king was compromised so the outcome is fair.

Mar-27-14		csmath: I probably exaggerated after 17th move of black. Optically white position looks really bad but Mamedyarov has shown that he has certain dynamic in the position and after he sacrificed the pawn he got rather complex dynamic compensation against black castling which he used rather well against Karjakin. I do have a feeling that Karjakin has missed something better along the way but because his king was in rather dangerous situation it was not easy to find some better plan. I am impressed by Shark's cool head.

Mar-28-14		nalinw: Karjakin was in serious time trouble - something like 15 moves in 6 minutes - so it is not surprising he missed things. The commentators found 32. .... Qe3+ 33. Kh1 Qf4 apparently winning.

Mar-28-14		csmath: 32. ...Qe3+ 33. Kh1 Qf4 34. Be4 Kh8 and there is nothing "apparently winning" here. For example one line is that white can force ending similar to the one in the game: 35. Qc3 Qf6 36. Qxf6 Rxf6 37. Rxg5 and that is most likely a draw.

Mar-29-14		An Englishman: Good Evening: Quite an impressive struggle; in the old days, both players would be up for a brilliancy prize.

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:

No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
Nothing in violation of United States law.
No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
No trolling.
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.
Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

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

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.

Featured in the Following Game Collections[what is this?]

*41-Wild-looking draw
from Most Instructive Draws by FLAWLESSWIN64

Nimzo-Indian
from e6 after 1.d4 by TallTale

c5 5.d5 b5 6.e4 O-O 7.e5 Ne8 8.f4 exd5 9.cxd5 d6 10.Nf3 c4
from 98_E24-E29_Nimzo-Indian w/ 4.f3 & Saemisch by whiteshark

4.f3 Nimzo
from 1.d4 Repertoire Games by TonyRo

Nimzo-Indian
from e6 after 1.d4 Compiled by TallTale by fredthebear

c5 5.d5 b5 6.e4 O-O 7.e5 Ne8 8.f4 exd5 9.cxd5 d6 10.Nf3 c4
from 98_E24-E29_Nimzo-Indian w/ 4.f3 & Saemisch by nakul1964

*41-Wild-looking draw
from Most Instructive Draws by trh6upsz

4.f3 Nimzo
from Play 1. D4 and Win with White .. Dangerous Lines by Sergio X Garcia