[Event "American Cup Group A"] [Site "St Louis"] [Date "2023.03.22"] [Round "6"] [White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2743"] [BlackElo "2768"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] [Annotator "Sethuraman, Sandeep"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "B32"] [Opening "Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/DZGTvv5d/Dbut6afj"] [Orientation "white"] 1. e4 { [%emt 0:00:02] } 1... c5 { [%emt 0:00:07] } 2. Nf3 { [%emt 0:00:11] } 2... Nc6 { [%emt 0:00:04] } 3. d4 { [%emt 0:00:11] } 3... cxd4 { [%emt 0:00:05] } 4. Nxd4 { [%emt 0: 00:09] } 4... e5 { [%emt 0:00:04] The Kalashnikov is a rare guest at the top level nowadays, but Nakamura decides it will be a good option to create winning chances from the opening. } 5. Nb5 { [%emt 0:00:07] } 5... d6 { [%emt 0:00:05] } 6. N1c3 { [%emt 0:01:44] } (6. c4 { is also a try for white to establish the famous Maroczy bind setup, but Dominguez prefers the main line. } 6... Be7 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 Be6 9. Nc2 Bg5 { trading off Black's "bad" bishop is a very common continuation, and white holds a measurable edge, but Black is not without chances. }) 6... a6 { [%emt 0:00:06] } 7. Na3 { [%emt 0:00:05] } 7... Be6 { [%emt 0:00:04] } (7... b5 { is much more common in my database with Radjabov being a huge believer in the line, employing it against the likes of So, Giri, Dominguez, and Nakamura. } 8. Nd5 Nge7 9. c4 Nxd5 10. exd5 { is perhaps why Nakamura opted against it. In hindsight, he will certainly be happy with his decision. }) 8. Nc4 { [%emt 0:02: 10] } 8... Rb8!? { [%emt 0:00:15] } (8... b5 { is slightly more common, but Nakamura's choice has been rapidly gaining popularity in recent years. } 9. Ne3 Nf6 10. Bd3 g6 11. O-O Bg7 12. a4 { and White has a nice initiative and good control over the d5-square, giving him the better chances. }) 9. Nd5 { [%emt 0:22:56] Dominguez decides to clarify things in the center. } (9. Ne3 { would have kept the tension for a couple more moves. } 9... Nf6 10. g3 h5!? { was probably what worried him, as Nakamura is never pleasant to face when he has the initiative. Interestingly, in 2020, Radjabov employed this same idea against So, and that game ended in a draw. } 11. Bg2 (11. h4 { was what So opted for } 11... Be7 12. Bg2 Ng4 13. Ncd5 Qd7 { and despite gaining significant winning chances, So wasn't able to finish the game. } 14. Nb6 Qd8 15. Nbd5 b5 16. c3 Qd7 17. O-O Bd8 18. a4 b4 19. Qd3 a5 20. Nc4 O-O 21. Nxd6 Bxd5 22. Qxd5 Ne7 23. Qd2 Qe6 24. Nb5 Bb6 25. cxb4 Rbd8 26. Qe2 axb4 27. a5 Bc5 28. Bf3 Qc6 29. a6 Rd7 30. Bg5 f6 31. Bxg4 hxg4 32. Qc4+ Kh7 33. Be3 Bxe3 34. Qxc6 Bxf2+ 35. Kxf2 Nxc6 36. Rfc1 Na7 37. Nxa7 Rxa7 38. Rc6 Rd8 39. Ke3 Rad7 40. Rc5 Rd3+ 41. Kf2 Rd2+ 42. Kf1 Rh2 43. Kg1 Rdd2 44. Rb1 Rdg2+ 45. Kf1 Rf2+ 46. Kg1 Rfg2+ 47. Kf1 Rf2+ 48. Kg1 Rhg2+ 49. Kh1 f5 50. a7 f4 51. gxf4 Rh2+ 52. Kg1 Rfg2+ 53. Kf1 Rf2+ 54. Kg1 Rhg2+ 55. Kh1 Rh2+ 56. Kg1 { So, W.. - Radjabov, T.., 1/2-1/2, Skilling Open KO 2020, https://lichess.org/ zZIHJILX }) 11... h4 12. O-O h3 13. Bh1 g6 { with a dynamically equal, but very playable position for both sides. }) 9... Bxd5 { [%emt 0:00:26] } 10. exd5 { [%emt 0:03:30] } 10... Nce7 { [%emt 0:00:03] } 11. g3 { [%emt 0:08:14] } 11... b5 { [%emt 0:01:39] } 12. Ne3 { [%emt 0:00:28] } 12... g6 $146 { [%emt 0: 00:19] This move signifies the entrance into uncharted territories. } 13. a4 { [%emt 0:07:41] } 13... Nf6 { [%emt 0:03:11] } 14. axb5 { [%emt 0:05:14] } (14. c4! { This counterintuitive move would have posed serious problems. Now } 14... bxc4 15. Bxc4 { makes the rook on b8 look very silly and gives White a significant edge. } 15... Bg7 16. O-O Qc8 17. Qe2 Ra8 { with a rather bleak position. }) 14... axb5 { [%emt 0:00:29] } 15. Bg2 { [%emt 0:01:52] } 15... Bh6 { [%emt 0:04:44] A nice inclusion. } (15... Bg7 { would have been slightly less accurate as after } 16. Bd2 O-O 17. O-O Qd7 18. Bb4 { gives White a clear target in the d6-pawn and subsequently an edge. }) 16. O-O { [%emt 0:06:57] } 16... O-O { [%emt 0:00:26] } 17. Qd3 { [%emt 0:04:32] } 17... Nd7 { [%emt 0:06:29] } 18. Bd2 { [%emt 0:05:31] } 18... Nc5 { [%emt 0:10:56] } (18... f5!? { was perhaps a bit more accurate, but after } 19. Qe2 e4 20. Rfd1 Ne5 { neither side has much to write home about. }) 19. Qe2 { [%emt 0:06:38] } 19... Qc7?! { [%emt 0: 11:15] This move allows a sneaky idea. } (19... b4 { was more prudent, shutting off the d2-bishop, and threatening } 20. b3 Qc7 21. Nc4 Bxd2 22. Qxd2 Nf5 { where Black would maintain a relatively balanced position. }) 20. b4 { [%emt 0: 02:47] } (20. Ba5! { might have been even more dangerous. } 20... Qb7 21. Bb4 Qb6 22. Ra3 { and now Black must always keep an eye on the d6-pawn. }) 20... Nd7 { [%emt 0:06:05] } 21. Ra5 { [%emt 0:00:57] } 21... Bxe3 { [%emt 0:08:13] } 22. Bxe3 { [%emt 0:03:50] } 22... Nf5! { [%emt 0:00:23] The only way to maintain equality. } 23. Ra7 { [%emt 0:05:27] } (23. Rxb5 { was also possible, but after } 23... Nxe3 24. fxe3 Qc3 { Black will easily win back his pawn and equalize. }) 23... Rb7 { [%emt 0:01:32] } 24. Rxb7 { [%emt 0:00:07] } 24... Qxb7 { [%emt 0:00:04] } 25. Bd2 { [%emt 0:00:20] White needs to keep the bishop pair. } (25. Ra1?! Nxe3 26. Qxe3 Nb6 { would already put White under some pressure. }) 25... Ra8 { [%emt 0:03:43] } 26. Qd3 { [%emt 0: 05:03] } 26... Ra2 { [%emt 0:02:26] } 27. Rd1 { [%emt 0:01:22] } (27. g4 { might have been safer } 27... Nd4 28. c3 Nc2 29. Bg5 { and Black's c2-knight will have to find a way back into the game through the a3-square. }) 27... Nf6 { [%emt 0:03:21] Now the position is already dangerous for White. } 28. Bg5 { [%emt 0:02:13] Accurate. } (28. Bh3 { immediately would allow } 28... Nd4 29. c3 Ra3! { with an unpleasant bind after } 30. Bg2 h5 31. Bg5?? { when White can easily lose the thread here. } 31... Rxc3 { would be a cold shower! }) (28. h3 { slowplaying doesn't give fruit either. } 28... h5! { is a common theme to restrict white's kingside and create safe squares for Black's steeds. } 29. c3 Kg7 { and Black will slowly improve his pieces. }) 28... Kg7 { [%emt 0:01:18] Again, Nakamura forces Dominguez to find an only move. } 29. Bh3 { [%emt 0:02:36] All else fails. } (29. c3? h6 30. Bxf6+ (30. Bd2?! { would be too embarrassing to play. }) 30... Kxf6 31. Bh3 Ne7 { Without the two bishops, White's position is riddled with holes, and Black's king is perfectly safe on the f6-square. }) (29. Bxf6+ { taking unprovoked might be even worse. } 29... Kxf6 30. Bh3 Nd4 { and Black's position is clearly superior. }) 29... Nd4 { [%emt 0:19:17] } 30. c3 { [%emt 0:00:04] It seems that Dominguez has stabilized with this, but Nakamura has options. } 30... Nc2 { [%emt 0:00:30] } (30... Ne2+ { is tempting, but after } 31. Kf1 Qa7 { is beautiful geometry. White must be careful here. } 32. Be3?? (32. Rd2 { is the only way } 32... Nc1 33. Rxa2 { the point } 33... Nxa2 34. Qf3 { and White is to be preferred. }) 32... Qa4 33. Rd2 Nc1 { and White cannot avoid material loss. }) (30... Nb3 { is a bit awkward. }) 31. Qf3?! { [%emt 0:02:11] } (31. Rd2 { is an opportunity Dominguez will regret not taking. However, hindsight is 20/20 and he should be applauded for his fighting spirit. } 31... Ra1+ 32. Rd1 Ra2 33. Rd2 { and Black has nothing better than to repeat. } 33... Ra1+ 34. Rd1 Rxd1+ { overpushing is never good } 35. Qxd1 Na3 36. Qc1 Nc4 37. Bh6+ { and Black must be careful. }) 31... Ng8 { [%emt 0:00:28] White might have missed this move. } (31... Ne8 32. Bf1 { would maintain equality. }) 32. Bf1 { [%emt 0:00: 28] Again an only move, but White is still suffering. } 32... Ra3 { [%emt 0:03:24] } (32... Na3!? { The computer suggests this weird-looking move with the idea of .. .Qb7-c8. Apparently it's worth the time to defend the b5-pawn, but really, who can blame Nakamura for missing this? } 33. Rd2 Rxd2 34. Bxd2 Nc4 { would offer black slight winning chances. }) 33. Bc1 { [%emt 0:00:46] } 33... Rb3 { [%emt 0:00:04] } 34. Qe4? { [%emt 0:00:36] Dominguez finally cracks. Perhaps calling this a mistake is too harsh, but this is where the problems start. } (34. Qd3 { This inhuman move maintains equality after } 34... Nxb4 35. Qd2 (35. Qxb5? Qxb5 36. Bxb5 Na2 { and Black is much better. }) 35... Na6 36. Qc2 Nc5 37. Be3 b4 { Black must liquidate } 38. cxb4 Rxb4 39. Bxc5 Qc7 { and Black hangs on for dear life. }) 34... Rxc3 { [%emt 0:00:14] } 35. Bb2 { [%emt 0:00:10] } 35... Nf6 { [%emt 0:03:11] } 36. Qh4?? { [%emt 0:00:01] } (36. Qe2 { was the only way. } 36... Rc8 37. Rd2 Nxb4 38. f4! { would offer White some counterplay, although even here, Black maintains a clear advantage. }) 36... Rb3?? { [%emt 0:00:31] Nakamura loses the thread a bit. } (36... Nd4!? 37. Rxd4 Rc2 38. Ba1 Qa7!! { was the ridiculous computer line. }) (36... Rf3 { would have forced matters, combining threats of ...Qb7-a7 with threats of trapping the queen. } 37. Bc1 h5! { is great prophylaxis against Bc1-h6, and it suffocates the white queen. Black is completely winning here. }) 37. Bc1 { [%emt 0:00:07] } 37... Ng8 { [%emt 0:00:06] } 38. Qd8 { [%emt 0:00:56] } 38... Qe7 { [%emt 0:00:29] } 39. Qa5 { [%emt 0:00:52] } 39... Nd4 { [%emt 0:06:14] The dust has cleared, leaving White down a pawn with uncoordinated pieces. } 40. Be3 { [%emt 0:00:06] } 40... Nf3+ { [%emt 0:00:07] } 41. Kg2 { [%emt 0:00:24] } 41... Qf6 { [%emt 0:00: 12] } 42. Be2 { [%emt 0:01:04] } 42... e4! { [%emt 0:02:33] Thematic, cementing the knight on f3 and opening up lines for Black's other pieces. } 43. Qxb5?? { [%emt 0:00:27] } (43. Qa1 g5 44. Bxb5 Qxa1 45. Rxa1 Rxb4 { was the lesser evil, but Black is still much better, if not completely winning. }) 43... Qb2?? { [%emt 0:00:05] Black misses a knockout punch. } (43... Rxe3!! 44. fxe3 Nh6! { was winning on the spot. White's king is too weak and he can't defend the e3-pawn. } 45. Qa4 Ng4 46. Qa1 Nxe3+ 47. Kh1 Nxd1 { ends the game. }) 44. Qa6 { [%emt 0:00:49] } (44. Bf4! { would have put Dominguez right back in the game. } 44... Nd4 45. Rxd4 Qxd4 46. Bxd6 { and White has good compensation for the exchange. }) 44... Nf6 { [%emt 0:00:47] } 45. h3 { [%emt 0:00:30] } 45... h5! { [%emt 0:01:40] Thematic. } 46. Kf1 { [%emt 0:00:26] } 46... Qe5 { [%emt 0:00:45] } 47. Kg2 { [%emt 0:00: 38] } 47... Rxe3! { [%emt 0:00:47] Nakamura doesn't need to be told twice. } 48. fxe3 { [%emt 0:00:09] } 48... h4 { [%emt 0:00:01] } 49. gxh4 { [%emt 0:00:25] } 49... Qh2+ { [%emt 0: 00:04] 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1