Ivanchuk vs Jobava: 2010 Olympiad, Khanty-Mansiysk

Annotated Classic Game | Hot Off The Chess, www.hotoffthechess.com

Today I would like to bring you an annotated game that is proving very popular online. It is between two well known names in chess, Vassily Ivanchuk and Baadur Jobava. The game was played during the matchup between Ukraine and Georgia, during the 2010 Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk.

Jobava, playing Black, brings out his beloved Caro Kann to Ivanchuk’s 1.e4. The Georgian is known for his creation within chess and his bold play and this game is no different. 3…Qb6 shows an early aggression by Black and then 6…Bc5 sacrifices a piece in return for ownership of the g1-a7 diagonal. With Ivanchuk’s King in the centre of the board, could this be significant?

Unfortunately for Baadur, the answer would prove to be no and this idea has not been repeated so far. One has to say that it is for good reason. Though it is undoubtedly brave, it simply lost and relies on errors by White in order to see any return. Of course, with a seasoned campaigner such as Ivanchuk, these errors were not forthcoming and White’s advantage steadily increases, until Black is left with little to no presence in the game.

Enjoy!

[Event "Chess Olympiad"]  [Site "Khanty-Mansiysk RUS"]  [Date "2010.09.28"]  [Round "7"]  [White "Vassily Ivanchuk"]  [Black "Baadur Jobava"]  [Result "1-0"]  [BlackElo "2710"]  [ECO "B12"]  [EventDate "2010.09.21"]  [WhiteElo "2754"]{ Annotations by John Lee Shaw for www.hotoffthechess.com. } 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 Qb6 { There are more common moves, here, ...e6, ...dxe4 and even the fianchetto via ...g6. Baadur has other ideas. } 4.a3 e5 { The most direct challenge. } 5.exd5 Nf6 { The recapture ...cxd5 has been seen in a couple of games with mixed fortunes. This move seems to have been a novelty at the time, but has never been seen again. } 6.dxe5 { This move can't be played lightly, because of the uncastled White King and the open g1-a7 diagonal. Ivanchuk obviously felt that he had the time and resources to deal with this. } 6...Bc5 { ? Letting a piece go in order to seize the diagonal. A very brave decision by Jobava! However, with correct play by White, this just loses in effect. Ivanchuk most likely expected ...Nxd5, when after Nd2 (the idea is Nc4), White has perhaps the tiniest of edges. } ( 6...Nxd5 7.Nd2 { Possible continuations, here, are ...Be7 and ...Qc7 to leave Black solid. However, being a fan of endgames, I personally like the idea of ...Qe3+. } ) 7.exf6 { Again, White has to be very sure of himself in order to accept this piece, which allows Black to dislodge the King with ...Bf2+. He is also threatening to mobilise quickly along the e-file. } 7...Bf2+ 8.Ke2 { The only respectable move; obviously Kd2 would leave ...Qe3 mate. } 8...O-O { The crucial position. Ivanchuk must have looked at this thoroughly and had things worked out when allowing this line. Accuracy is imperative, with any mistake or oversight being very costly ... not to mention embarrassing. } 9.Qd2 { Forced. The King needs an escape square in the case of ...Re8+. } 9...Re8+ { Black is committed to see his idea out, but in reality this continuation is hoping that his opponent errs, otherwise he is severely struggling. The other option, here, was ...Bxg1 in order to recoup the sacrificed piece. However, in a way, that option is virtual resignation due to it being a much more simplified situation, which helps White enormously. Also, White would still be left materially better. } ( 9...Bxg1 10.Kd1 Bd4 11.fxg7 Bxg7 12.Nc3 { Though the piece has been re-claimed, Black is still materially and positionally damaged, here. } ) 10.Kd1 Re1+ { Again, ...Bxg1 was possible and your chess engine will favour it greatly. However, it would be capitulation. Black's hopes are pinned upon a mistake from White and at least this claims the Queen. } 11.Qxe1 Bxe1 12.Kxe1 { King in the centre and stuck there for now, pieces at home, yet completely winning. I never thought I would see the day when I would be writing that when annotating a game. Impressive is that Ivanchuk must have seen this position some moves ago, otherwise his play leading up to it would have been rather irresponsible. } 12...Bf5 { This is probably the optimum move here, but material down, Black has no threats and White has no problems. } 13.Be2 { Perhaps this move gives Black a certain glimmer of hope, there were certainly other alternatives and in hindsight I wonder if Ivanchuk will consider it a bit weak compared to Ne2 and Nc3 or even fxg7. However, Jobava does not capitalise. } 13...Nd7 { Missing the chance to improve his situation. Baadur really had to play ...cxd5 to challenge, here. } ( 13...cxd5 14.Nc3 Nc6 15.Nxd5 Qa5+ 16.Nc3 Nd4 { And though White remains better, Black is back in the game to a certain extent, here. } ) 14.dxc6 { This is the problem with Black's last move, it allows White to resolve the d-pawn; fxg7 was also a very good way to proceed. } 14...bxc6 15.Bd1 { This move is not so much about the pawn (though why let it go if it can be saved?) but more about letting the Ng1 out. } 15...Re8+ 16.Ne2 Nxf6 17.Nc3 { Things have worked out very well for White and Ivanchuk can now turn his attention towards development, when he will have an overwhelming presence in the game. } 17...Bc8 { This could be a bit of a waiting move, though the bishop will end up going to a6. It is hard to find a positive plan of action for Black. Engines seem to like ...Nd5, but I really don't understand that as any exchanges in this situation would favour White. } 18.a4 { With the Bc1 guarding b2, Ivanchuk is looking to develop the rook via the a-file. } 18...a5 19.Rf1 Ba6 20.Rf2 h5 { Prudent. White has the potential to expand rather quickly on the Kingside, h4, g4, g5 etc. } 21.Ra3 h4 22.g3 { This illustrates Baadur Jobava's predicament very well. He does not have much to play with and no positive plans. And to everything he can try, Vassily Ivanchuk is able to answer forcefully. He is very much hanging on at this stage. The message here, is that his Kingside plans have not been interfered with at all. } 22...h3 23.g4 Rd8 { I am not sure what the reasoning was behind this move and the rook ends up going back to e8. There was probably nothing better than to try to be difficult towards White's potential of Rb3, with ...Bc4. } 24.Nf4 { Though this eyes the h3-pawn, it is not high on Ivanchuk's considerations. He is merely seeking activity and working on sorting his pieces out. In this, he has the luxury of time, because Jobava can not do anything himself. Sadly, the Georgian is quite a spectator in this game. } 24...Nd7 25.Rb3 { Nxh3 was perfectly sound, here and perhaps best. However, Ivanchuk is in no rush to grab material, especially when there are other good moves that improve his position. } ( 25.Nxh3 Ne5 26.f4 Ng6 { and White has numerous continuations, Rb3, Ng1, Be2, utterly winning. } ) 25...Qd4 26.Nfe2 Re8 27.Ne4 Qxa4 28.Bd2 Qa1 { It is hard to see what Black aims to achieve from this move. } 29.Bc3 { Slowly but surely, White is unravelling his position and getting his pieces to the optimum squares, with an overwhelming command of the board. } 29...Ne5 30.Ra3 Qb1 { This move, in essence, condemns the Queen to oblivion. Black is losing horribly and White is highly unlikely to be caught. Were it not for the possibility of a little trick, Baadur would probably have resigned by now. } 31.Nd2 Qc1 { Setting up the trick, but while there may be people who would fall for it, Vassily Ivanchuk would have to be having a very bad day to be one of them. } 32.Rxa5 { Nxc1 would be hugely embarrassing to Ivanchuk, with Black delivering mate via ...Nxf3. As things stand, Jobava has nothing left but to resign. } 32...Ng6 33.Rxa6 Nf4 34.Ra8 { The killer blow, which leaves Black in absolute zugzwang. And here, Baduur Jobava resigned. } 1-0