[Event "FIDE Candidates 2024"] [Site "Toronto, Canada"] [Date "2024.04.04"] [Round "1.4"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2743"] [BlackElo "2727"] [Annotator "WGM Tatev Abrahamyan"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "D32"] [Opening "Tarrasch Defense: Symmetrical Variation"] [StudyName "2024 FIDE Candidates and Women's Candidates Annotations"] [ChapterName "Gukesh D - Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/Mez4h4WA/VUVFl03I"] [Orientation "white"] { Annotations by WGM Tatev Abrahamyan } 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. e3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. a3 a6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. b4 Bd6 9. Ra2 { We see another unique idea in the opening. This one is much easier to explain, as the rook is headed to the d2-square. } 9... Ne5 10. Rd2 Nxf3+ 11. gxf3!? { A recapture we don't see every day! } (11. Qxf3 a5! { Compared to the game, Black can get away with this move here. } 12. b5 O-O 13. cxd5 Be5! { and Black is quickly getting play against the underdeveloped pieces. }) 11... O-O (11... a5 12. cxd5 axb4 13. dxe6 { This is why we needed the queen on d1: to keep the d6-bishop pinned! }) 12. Bb2 a5 13. cxd5 e5 14. Nb5 axb4 15. Nxd6 Qxd6 16. axb4 Qxb4 17. Qc2 Bg4 { This move forces a draw. Chess is a fascinating game. } 18. Bc3 (18. fxg4? Rfc8 19. Qd3 Ne4 20. Bg2 Nxd2 21. Qxd2 Ra1+!! 22. Bxa1 Rc1+ 23. Ke2 Qxg4+ 24. Bf3 Qc4+ 25. Qd3 Rc2+ $19) 18... Qa3 19. Bb2 Qb4 { The players have nothing better than to settle for a repetition. } 20. Bc3 Qa3 21. Bb2 Qb4 { 1/2-1/2 The game is a draw. } 1/2-1/2