Portisch, L. (2530) - Korchnoi, V. (2605) [A90], Corus H, Wijk aan Zee (4) 2008

Chess Siberia

Portisch, L. (2530) - Korchnoi, V. (2605) [A90]
Corus H, Wijk aan Zee (4) 2008
Notes by Boris Schipkov

1. d4 e6 2. c4 f5

3. g3 Nf6
Viktor Korchnoi is a great specialist in the Dutch Defence and in the Bogo-Indian Defence too.
4. Bg2 d5 5. Nf3 Bb4+

6. Nbd2
5...Bb4+ is a rare continuation, Black tries to stop the manoeuvre Bc1-a3 after b2-b3, but White has an extra move sometimes.
6...Be7 7. O-O

7...Nc6!?
A novelty. This knight pressures on the central squares.
8. b3 O-O 9. Bb2 Ne4 10. Qc2 Bd7 11. Rad1 a5 12. a3

13...Be8
12...Ra6 is also playable.
13. Ne5! Nxe5 14. dxe5 Bg6!? 15. Nxe4 fxe4 16. Bh3 Ra6

17. Qd2
Here after 17. Qc3! c5 White could sacrifice his bishop with 18. Bxe6+! Rxe6 19. cxd5 Ra6 20. d6 Bg5 21. Qc4+ Kh8, with good compensation.
17...dxc4 18. Qe3?
18. Qc3 is better, and the first player could take the c4-pawn with queen.
18...Qe8! 19. bxc4

19...Qa4!
A sound move. Black attacks the weak c-pawn.
20. c5 Rc6 21. Rc1?!
In the case of 21. Bd4 h6 Black has a small advantage.
21...h6 22. Qd4 Qb5 23. e3
Or 23. Qd2 Rd8 24. Bd4 Bxc5 25. e3.
23...Rd8 24. a4

24...Qe2 25. Qc3 Rd3
Black wins a piece after 26. Qc2 (26. Rc2 Qh5) 26...Rd2.
White resigned. 0-1

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