Gretarsson, H. (2520) - Ehlvest, J. (2585) [D37]

Chess Siberia

Gretarsson, H. (2520) - Ehlvest, J. (2585) [D37]
Reykjavik Open (7) 2002
Notes by Boris Schipkov

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. a3 Nc6 9. b4
Slightly risky move. Alternatives are 9. cxd5 and 9. Rc1.

9...Nxb4!
Of course. White's king stands in the centre and Black begins the attack.
10. axb4 Bxb4 11. Qb3 a5 12. Be5
If 12. Nd2 then 12...d4 13. Ncb1 Ne4 14. Qxb4 axb4 15. Rxa8 e5 with an edge to Black in Sulypa, A - Heinis, V, French Team Ch 1999. Or 12. Bd3 dxc4 13. Bxc4 b5 14. Be2 Nd5 15. Be5 a4 with better chances to the second player in Van Wely, L - Vaganian, R, Dordrecht blitz 2000.
12...Nd7 13. Bd4
After 13. Rc1?! f6 14. Bg3 Nc5 15. Qc2 Ne4 16. Qb2 e5 17. Ke2 Nxc3+ 18. Rxc3 Bg4 Black had a huge advantage in Lautier, J - Topalov, V, Amber Blindfold 1999.
13...Re8

14. cxd5?!
Correct is 14. Be2! e5 15. O-O exd4 16. Nxd5 with more or less equal game.
14...e5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Bb5 Nc6!
A strong answer.
17. Bxg7?
Better is 17. Bc5! Bxc5 (17... Bxc3+ 18. Qxc3 Qxd5 19. O-O Be6) 18. dxc6 Qb6 19. cxb7 Bxb7 20. O-O with only a small edge to Black.
17...Kxg7 18. dxc6 Qd4!
An unexpected blow. Now Black has a powerful attack.
19. Rc1

19...Rxe3+!
Winning.
20. fxe3 Qxe3+ 21. Kd1 Be6 22. Qb2 Rd8+ 23. Nd5+ Kg8
White resigned. 0-1

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