[Event "FIDE World Senior Team Championships 2025"] [Site "Prague"] [Date "2025.02.24"] [Round "07"] [White "Shabalov, Alexander"] [Black "Bellini, Fabio"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2471"] [BlackElo "2408"] [TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "C65"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense"] [StudyName "2025 FIDE World Senior Team Championships"] [ChapterName "Shabalov, Alexander - Bellini, Fabio"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/lbyDv1vS/pcXzyADB"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ChessLifeOnline"] [Orientation "white"] { Shabalov's victory on board 3 gave USA hopes of a win over Italy in round 7. } 1. e4 { [%clk 1:30:54] } 1... e5 { [%clk 1:30:45] } 2. Nf3 { [%clk 1:31:18] } 2... Nc6 { [%clk 1:31:06] } 3. Bb5 { [%clk 1:31:12] } 3... Nf6 { [%clk 1:31:03] } 4. d3 { [%clk 1:28:50] } 4... Bc5 { [%clk 1:29:31] } 5. c3 { [%clk 1:28:58] } 5... O-O { [%clk 1:26:33] } 6. Bg5 { [%clk 1:27:40] } 6... h6 { [%clk 1:15:02] } 7. Bh4 { [%clk 1:28:01] } 7... Be7 { [%clk 1:14:41] } 8. O-O { [%clk 1:20:21] } 8... d6 { [%clk 1:13:37] } 9. Re1 { [%clk 1:20:23] } 9... Nh5 { [%clk 1:03:58] } 10. Bg3 { [%clk 1:20:03] } 10... Nxg3 { [%clk 1:02:15] } 11. hxg3 { [%clk 1:20:28] } 11... f5 { [%clk 0:56:31] } 12. exf5 { [%clk 1:16:53] } 12... Bxf5 { [%clk 0:56:39] } 13. Nbd2 { [%clk 1:16:17] } 13... Bf6 { [%clk 0:51:46] } 14. d4 { [%clk 1:08:38] } 14... exd4 { [%clk 0:49:37] } 15. Nb3 { [%clk 1:08:56] } 15... d3 { [%clk 0:42:31] } 16. Bxd3 { [%clk 1:07:25] } 16... Qd7 { [%clk 0:40:21] } 17. Qc2 { [%clk 1:05:33] } 17... Bxd3 { [%clk 0:40:13] } 18. Qxd3 { [%clk 1:06:01] } 18... Qf7 { [%clk 0:38:45] } 19. Re2 { [%clk 0:54:34] } 19... a6 { [%clk 0:35:31] } 20. Rae1 { [%clk 0:54:06] } 20... Rfe8 { [%clk 0:34:17] } 21. Kf1 { [%clk 0:45:16] } 21... Rxe2 { [%clk 0:27:40] } 22. Rxe2 { [%clk 0:45:40] } 22... Re8 { [%clk 0:27:38] } 23. Rxe8+ { [%clk 0:45:21] } 23... Qxe8 { [%clk 0:28:07] } 24. Nbd2 { [%clk 0:45:17] } 24... Qe6 { [%clk 0:25:01] } 25. a3 { [%clk 0:44:31] } 25... b5 { [%clk 0:21:18] } 26. a4 { [%clk 0:42:12] } 26... Ne5 { [%clk 0:19:18] } 27. Qe2 { [%clk 0:23:41] } 27... bxa4 { [%clk 0:17:25] } 28. Qxa6 { [%clk 0:20:47] } 28... Nxf3 { [%clk 0:07:44] } 29. gxf3 { The game has been level, so far, but the two players continue to push each other. The preceding moves are highly recommended for those interested in studying how to play equal positions. } { [%clk 0:20:27] } 29... Qd5? { Bellini's only mistake so far was a fatal one. Black relied on general principles in deciding to prioritize queen centralization over bean-counting. But the queen is remarkably ineffective here, as we'll see. } { [%clk 0:05:29] } (29... Qa2! { was better, defending the a-pawn while creating threats against the b-pawn. Now } 30. Ne4 Be7 31. c4 Qb3 { sees Black's queen being much more of a nuisance. }) 30. Ne4 { [%clk 0:18:00] } 30... Qd1+?! { Things go from bad to worse, but this was the most logical justification for 29. ... Qd5, so it's consistent. } { [%clk 0:04:14] } (30... Be7 31. Qxa4 { simply nabs a pawn while retaining pressure. }) (30... Qb3 { was better, but now } 31. Qc8+ Kh7 32. Qf5+ { wins at least a pawn. }) 31. Kg2 { [%clk 0:18:28] } 31... Be7 { Black has managed to defend the a4-pawn, but the c7-pawn now hangs. } { [%clk 0:04:27] } 32. Qc8+ { [%clk 0:18:14] } 32... Kf7 { [%clk 0:04:19] } 33. Qxc7 { [%clk 0:18:15] } 33... Qd5 { [%clk 0:02:32] } 34. Qd7 { [%clk 0:17:56] } 34... Qe5 { [%clk 0:01:54] } 35. Qxa4 $18 { White has the better-coordinated minor pieces, two extra pawns, and plenty of time to reach the time control. } { [%clk 0:17:46] } 35... d5 { [%clk 0:01:37] } 36. Qb5 { [%clk 0:17:00] } 36... Qe6 { [%clk 0:01:23] } 37. Nc5 { [%clk 0:16:17] } 37... Qf5 { [%clk 0:01:08] } 38. Na4 { [%clk 0:13:30] } 38... Bd6 { [%clk 0:00:40] } 39. Nb6 { [%clk 0:13:46] } 39... Bxg3 { [%clk 0:00:37] } 40. fxg3 { [%clk 0:12:56] } 40... Qc2+ { [%clk 0:00:58] } 41. Kf1 { 1-0 White wins. } { [%clk 0:13:18] } 1-0