Hi! Today’s annotated game takes us back to the year 1998. It features an early game of one of the most popular players on the chess circuit today.
David Navara, of the Czech Republic, is one of the most humble and pleasant players one can meet. One shouldn’t be fooled by his mild manners, however, as at the chess board, he is extremely dangerous! This game is a fine example of that.
It is played at the 1998 Energy Cup, in Olomouc, Czech Republic. Even back then, the 13-year-old Navara, was already rated in the 2200’s and showing his now proven chess potential.
His opponent, Jan Helbich Sr, of Slovakia, is somewhat less known to me. However, when this game was played, he was also rated in the mid 2200’s.
The game sees Navara take White in a Najdorf Sicilian. It is possible that he was under-estimated by his older opponent, but I suspect that the result comes down to superior preparation. The 27-move game follows known theory until move 23.
We see a confident Navara follow a material giving line, in order to open lines to the uncastled enemy King. When Helbich misses the drawing line, he pounces without mercy. Watch out for the sublime coordination of White’s pieces, among which is a beautifully placed knight.
Enjoy!
[Event “Energy Cup”]
[Site “Olomouc”]
[Date “1998.??.??”]
[Round “9”]
[White “David Navara”]
[Black “Jan Helbich Sr”]
[Result “1-0”]
[ECO “B99”]
[EventDate “????.??.??”]
{ Annotations by John Lee Shaw for www.hotoffthechess.com. } 1.e4 c5 { The Sicilian Defence, one of the most common replies to 1.e4. It is also one of the most powerful counter-attacking choices. However, playing this opening comes with a responsibility to know it’s theory well. } 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 { The Najdorf variation, one of the sharpest lines, for both colours. } 6.Bg5 { One of the most common continuations, 6.Be2 and 6.Be3 are the most popular of the alternatives. } 6…e6 7.f4 { This move is often a big indicator that White will be castling long. (It would be quite risky to push pawns like this on the side that one intends to castle as it strips the King of coverage.) This means that we are likely to see a game with the Kings in different areas of the board, as Black is unlikely to want to put his King on the Queenside. } 7…Be7 8.Qf3 { Strong confirming that he will be castling Queenside — and already assigning his Queen to the flank that he suspects the opposing King will be heading. } 8…Qc7 9.O-O-O Nbd7 10.Bd3 b5 { A multi-purposed move, not only preparing b7 for the development of the bishop on the a8-h1 diagonal, but looking to throw some chaos in the White camp by advancing to b4. } 11.Rhe1 Bb7 12.Qg3 { Immediately getting the Queen off of the same diagonal as Black’s Bb7. } 12…b4 { Textbook play from Black so far, and still in theory. With White busy on the Kingside, Helbich counters on the Queenside. This is a common feature when the Kings are on different sides of the board, because pawns can be used to open lines and dislodge opposing pieces, without compromising one’s own King safety. Incidentally, there was no real point in playing 12…Nh5, rather than embarrassing the Queen, White is fine after 13.Qg4. } 13.Nd5 { ! Perhaps this move would not appeal to many players, it seems to just give a piece. However, it is theoretically sound and superior to the alternatives — Navara knows what he is doing. } 13…exd5 { The best response, even though it opens the e-file, which is White’s point. With the location of the Kings, the game revolves around who can get to the opposition King first and this involves opening lines and diagonals. This is not to be Navara’s only material investment to this end. } 14.e5 { This is slightly better than exd5, which is perfectly playable, but in my opinion a bit less testing. Not only does White keep Black’s d5-pawn in place (which is actually inhibiting to Black’s own mobility — blocking the Bb7 and removing a square from the Nf6) but White threatens to completely open the e-file. And he would probably intend to do this with exd6 rather than reclaiming material with exf6. With the bishop pinned to the King, the Queen would be the only piece able to recapture on d6. after which White has the powerful Nf5. So Black has to tread carefully, here! } 14…dxe5 { The only respectable move. Black has to try and keep the e-file as closed as he can. } 15.fxe5 Nh5 16.e6 { ! Well, this sets the cat among the pigeons, doesn’t it? Navara is showing very good preparation, with the game still in known territory. } 16…Nxg3 17.exf7+ Kxf7 18.Rxe7+ { Things start to look rather deadly for Black, here, but there are a whole heap of draws in this line. Even at this stage, the game is not in new territory yet. } 18…Kg8 19.hxg3 Qxg3 20.Ne6 { The knight moves in to support the rook in a threat of mate on g7. However, the knight is also a very important piece on e6, as you will see. } 20…Qe5 { The only viable move. } 21.Rf1 { Bringing another piece in to the attack, the rook is certainly better placed on the f-file. } 21…Nf8 { Black wants the Ne6 gone, when he perhaps better. } 22.Bf5 { A lovely move, which must have had Black banging his head on the table the first time it appeared in play (we are still not out of known territory here), White prevents the capture of the Ne6 due to Bxe6+, when the Queen will have to sacrifice itself in order to save the King. } 22…Bc8 { Black puts another piece on the knight, which is a fine example as to what a thorn in its side it is. } 23.Re8 { Once again, White thwarts Black’s wishes and makes yet another threat of mate, this time with Rxf8 mate. The knight seems absolutely ‘dug in’ on e6. } 23…Bb7 { ?? Here we leave theory, but this is a very big mistake and leads to the only loss in this line. The problem with 23…Bb7, is that it takes the pressure off of White’s knight and the knight is the glue in White’s threatening setup. The tried and tested way to go, was 23…Kf7, when White has many ways to fall on his sword. Bailing with 24.Re7+ seems best, when 24…Kg8 25.Re8 Kf7 would lead to repetition. There doesn’t appear to be anything better. } 24.Bg6 { ! Black now has a rude awakening, with two separate mates threatened (Rfxf8# and Bf7#). And capturing the bishop on g6 is of course suicide, Rfxf8+ and Rxh8 mate follow. This is all facilitated by White’s knight being safe and sound on e6 — what a piece! } 24…Qf6 { The lesser of defensive evils. When your best option is to make this kind of move, you know you are in trouble. } 25.Bxf6 gxf6 { This is a terminal mistake, with Navara now able to force mate. However, it can be speculated that having explored the alternative of …Rxe8 (see variation), Helbich decided not to drag things out. } ( 25…Rxe8 { This is the non-mate way to go, but White would still be utterly winning after: } 26.Bxe8 gxf6 27.Nd8 Bc8 28.Nf7 ) 26.Rxf6 { !! Natural and best. Mate is now unavoidable from here. } 26…Rxe8 27.Bf7# { Checkmate. A very nice finish by David Navara. } 1-0
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