GM Mikhail Golubev  annotates games

Round 11

Rublevsky - Dominguez

For the second time in the tournament Rublevsky plays the Fischer Attack against the Najdorf. 8.Qf3 is a relatively rare line, Dominguez responded with a solid 8...Bb7 9.0-0 Nc6!. Black equalised and the draw was agreed quickly.

0.5-0.5

Eljanov - Shirov

For the second time in the tournament Eljanov is fighting as White against his favourite Black opening, The Gruenfeld Defence. Black quickly equalised and on the 25th move two experts of the Gruenfeld agreed for a draw.

0.5-0.5

Ivanchuk - Svidler

One more Gruenfeld Defence in the last round. In Linares-2006 Ivanchuk used against Svidler a 4.Bg5 line, but this time he opted for 4.Qb3. Ivanchuk managed to get certain advantage and propose a draw, which fully suited him (because Karjakin already made a draw against Jakovenko). Thus, Ivanchuk, absolutely deservedly, took a clear first place in the tournament.

0.5-0.5

Jakovenko - Karjakin

The line with 8.d4 on the main direction of the Ruy Lopez, a kind of the 'active' Anti-Marshall.

Instead of the most common 8...d6 Karjakin captured on d4, after what White sacrificed a pawn by 11.c3 - a known and even topical line. White's compensation proved to be sufficient only for regaining the pawn. When opponents agreed for a draw, the board was almost empty. Some deviations from the game line which were analysed after the game were: 16...Nf6 and now 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Rad1 (Jakovenko) or 17.Rad1!? Bd6 18.Bxd6 cxd6 19.Qc6 (Karjakin); 17.Nd5 (suggestion of annotator) 17...Bxe5 18.Rxe5 Nd6 19.Ne7+ Kh8 20.Rae1 Qd7 21.Rh5 h6; 20.Nf5!? Nd4 21.Nh6+ gxh6 22.Qg4+ Kh8 23.Rd1, regaining the piece (Jakovenko)

0.5-0.5

Onischuk - Nisipeanu

In the Queen's Indian Accepted, Onischuk on the 15th move deviated from the game Aronian-Shirov, Elista (3) 2007 and developed certain initiative. On the 20th move, trying to make his defence easier, Nisipeanu sacrificed a pawn. (Maybe he wished to avoid dangers for his queen). Onischuk, as he had no choice, took that pawn, getting reasonable winning chances. Step by step, Alexander converted his advantage into a full point.

1-0

Sasikiran - Van Wely

The ultra-acute Botvinnik System of the Slav Defence is considered nowadays to be too risky for Black and can be seen in the top tournaments only seldom. 16.b3 is rare, but position after 17.Ne4 was once already tested, in the game Czerwonski- Kaszowski, Poland 2000. After the novelty 18...b2! a very complicated fight followed. On the 25th move 25.Qe2!? seemed to be interesting for White. As it seems Sasikiran, made a mistake on the 30th move: he could play 30.Qa1! instead of 30.h4. (Much earlier, 21.Rxb2!? Rxd4 22.Qc3 was quite critical according to Van Wely). After 30...Qf6! White started to face problems. Black consolidated, and, having an extra pawn, won the game.

0-1