Round 4 of the European Individual Championships saw Russian superstar Danil Dubov play a game that would have even impressed the great Paul Morphy! This game is definitely worth taking a look at. Enjoy!
gm Dubov,D – gm Basso P Skopje Rd4 21.3.2019 (1-0)
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5$5{[#] <strong style="color:red;">This move is one of the ‘problem’ childs of modern opening theory. It has defied refutation, despite many attempts at relegating it to the rubbish can.</strong>} 7.Bf4$5{[#] <strong style="color:red;">Probably the best move, though there are serious alternatives</strong>}
({<strong style="color:black;">A: Playing for the dark squares </strong> } 7.Be3$5 Bxe3 8.Nd6+ Ke7 9.fxe3 Qc7! 10.Nc4 ( 10.Ndb5 Qe5 ) Rd8 {<strong style="color:black;">and Black has little to complain about, though the position remains complex and double-edged. </strong> })
( {<strong style="color:black;">B: Playing for the Bishop pair </strong> }7.Nd6+ Ke7! 8.Nxc8+ ( 8.Bf4 e5 ) Rxc8 {<strong style="color:black;">and while the last word has not been written, praxis has shown that Black’s lead in development fully compensates Whites 2 Bishops </strong> } )
O-O{[#]} 8.e5$5 {[#]<strong style="color:black;">A rarely encountered move! No doubt Dubov’s home preparation </strong> }
({<strong style="color:black;"> The usual way is to try to exploit the weak darks squares:</strong> } 8.Bc7$5 Qe7
9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Ne8 ( {<strong style="color:black;">maybe even better is </strong> }10...Qd8$5 11.O-O-O a6 12.Nd4 Qb6 {<strong style="color:black;">with complex play </strong> }) 11.Qxe7
Nxe7 12.O-O-O f5 {<strong style="color:black;">and despite White’s control of more space, Black has a compact position that has withstood the test of time in praxis </strong> } )
a6!
({<strong style="color:black;">Less strong would be </strong>} 8...Ne8$6 9.Ne4!{<strong style="color:black;">and White gains time attacking the Bishop </strong>} )
9.Nd6{[#]}
( {<strong style="color:black;">Not to be recommended is </strong> }9.exf6$6 Qxf6! {<strong style="color:black;">when White must exercise caution to avoid being worse </strong> } 10.Qd2
axb5 11.Bxb5 d5 12.O-O h6$13 )
Bxd6$6{[#] <strong style="color:red;">Dubov’s preparation pays off! This move is known to be inferior</strong>}
( {<strong style="color:black;">Black is not worse after the correct </strong> }9...Ne8! 10.Nce4$5
( 10.Nde4 Bd4! )
( 10.Nxe8$5 Rxe8 11.Bd3 Bd4! 12.O-O Bxe5 13.Bxe5
Nxe5 14.Bxh7+ Kxh7 15.Qh5+ Kg8 16.Qxe5 d6 17.Qh5 e5!{<strong style="color:black;">with roughly even chances in a dynamic and double-edged game </strong> } )
Bxd6! 11.Nxd6
( 11.exd6 Qb6 12.Bd3 f5! ) f6!{<strong style="color:black;">with counterplay </strong> } )
10.Qxd6{[#] <strong style="color:red;">Now White has an improved version of the mainline, as he not only has superior dark square control but also has the two Bishops!</strong>} Qb6$5{[#]}
( {<strong style="color:black;">Black tries to mix it up and goes fishing with his Queen, something that he will come to regret. He had to be more modest and try the humble </strong> }10...Ne8$5 11.Qd2
f6 12.exf6 Qxf6 13.Bg3 d5 14.O-O-O$14 {<strong style="color:black;"> though it must be admitted that Black has a difficult task ahead of him.</strong> } ) 11.exf6!{[#]} ( 11.Rb1 {<strong style="color:black;"> would have preserved White’s positional advantages, but what 22 year old could resist Dubov’s move?</strong> } ) Qxb2{[#]}
12.Kd2!{<strong style="color:black;">forced, but Dubov’s idea! </strong> } Qxa1{[#] <strong style="color:red;">It is not often that one encounters this kind of ‘wild,wild west’ position in modern grandmaster chess!</strong>} 13.Bh6!{[#] <strong style="color:red;">A brilliant concept by the young Dubov, which rips open Black’s King position, but curiously not the only way to proceed with White’s attack</strong>}
({<strong style="color:black;">Morphy and Tal would have no doubt preferred </strong> } 13.Bd3$3{[#]} Qxh1 14.Bxh7+$3{<strong style="color:black;">The key! </strong> } Kxh7 15.Qxf8 Qxg2 16.Ne4!{<strong style="color:black;">and there is no defence to White’s attack </strong> }
Na5 17.Ng5+ Kg6 18.Qxf7+ {<strong style="color:black;">etc </strong> })
Re8! ( 13...gxh6 14.Qg3+ ) 14.fxg7
({<strong style="color:black;">Also strong would be </strong> } 14.Bxg7$5 e5 15.Bd3 ) Ne7{[#]} 15.g4!{[#]} a5$5{<strong style="color:black;">there is no other way to get Black’s pieces into play </strong> } 16.Bg2 Qb2 17.Rb1!{[#] <strong style="color:red;">and here it is evident that Black can not avoid defeat. White wins the Queen and maintains all of the advantages of his position. I give the remaining moves. </strong>} Ra6 18.Qg3
Qxb1 19.Nxb1 e5 20.Be3 Re6 21.Nc3 d5 22.Nxd5 Nxd5 23.Bxd5 Rd6
24.c4 Be6 25.Qxe5 Red8 26.Ke2 Bxg4+ 27.f3 Be6 28.Bc5 R6d7 29.Bxe6
Re8 30.Bxf7+{[#]} 1-0
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A brilliant and well deserved victory by the young Dubov!
Download the PGN her e!
