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Sergey Karjakin vs Richard Rapport
Gashimov Memorial (2021) (rapid), Baku AZE, rd 1, Dec-18
French Defense: Winawer. Advance Variation (C18)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Dec-19-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  Ron: At the end of White's 28th move, material is equal but Black has an advantage, according to Stockfish.

Black's 28. ... Bc8! is best according to Stockfish.

After 29. ... Rd4 White resigned for play could go: 30. cxd4 c3+ 31. Kb1 Qb4+ 32. Kc1 Qb2+ 33. Kd1 Qb1+ 34. Ke2 Qxc2+ 35. Kf1 Qh7 36. Qd6 Qe7 37. Qf4 b4 38. Qxh6 Bd7 39. Qh5 Kb6 40. Bf4 b3 41. Kg2 b2 42. Qg6 Be8 43. Qe4 Qg7+ 44. Bg4 Qg6 45. Qe1 c2 46. Bc1 b1=Q

Dec-20-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  fredthebear: <Ron> At a quick glance, I had a bit of trouble finding my way (too many choices) with the 29...Rd4 line above (five consecutive checks and then a queen retreat!?). 30...c3+ certainly is a restrictive move (pawn jam on the c-file that I really like) that greatly alarms the White king. This game serves as a good reminder to always follow the "every consecutive check" line(s) first as far as it will go as a trunk line, and then look for earlier (non-check) variations branching off which may or may not be faster/superior.

White can quickly turn the tables in this finish making use of the Q-B battery on the h2-b8 diagonal. The Black king is also exposed.

Attempted Black shortcuts (preparatory non-checks) like 31...Qa3 threatening mate on the move and 31...Nb4 threatening mate in two return the move to White, who can then desperately keep checking his own way to checkmate. With the queens able to get close to the opposing kings, it's a dangerous position for both colors.

BTW, 29...Nxd4 is also winning for Black but also takes some effort.

* * *

Mutual queenside castling in the French Defense doesn't happen every day. It's a somewhat sharp and difficult game.

The sacrifice 18.Bxc4! leads to a long combination if accepted. Definitely a game for computers to solve, so I'll request game analysis.

Dec-22-21  Everett: The French Winawer�. Thought Nepo was going to try that out in the WC.
Dec-22-21  springerarchie: I thought while watching the resumption of the Candidates tournament, that Nepo might pull out the Winawer French as he had done against Caruana & MVL. Would have been interesting.

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