[Event "Candidates Tournament 2020: Round 2 Gam"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/1sG"] [Date "2020.03.18"] [Result "*"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/BlueRepublik"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "E20"] [Opening "Nimzo-Indian Defense: Kmoch Variation"] [StudyName "2020-21 Candidates Tournament Analysis - by GM Marian Petrov"] [ChapterName "Caruana Fabiano- Alekseenko Kiril 1-0"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/ldhgOlvJ/nab3Q229"] [Orientation "white"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 { Nimzo-Indian is one of the most solid openings for black. } 4. f3 d5 5. a3 Be7 { Bc3 is more popular and safe. This move allows e4 and the game is very sharp } 6. e4 dxe4 7. fxe4 c5 8. d5 exd5 9. exd5 { White has defended passed pawn but is a bit behind in development } 9... O-O 10. Be2 Re8 11. Nf3 Bg4 12. O-O Nbd7 13. d6!? { Now, White will have to prove the d6 pawn is a strength, and not a liability. But Caruana knows his theory extremely well: } 13... Bf8 14. h3 Bh5 15. Nb5 Re6? { The first mistake by Alekseenko: now White has free development. Qb6 or Rb8 were preferred by the engines } 16. Bf4 a6 17. Nc7 { the rook is almost out of squares... } 17... Re4 18. Bh2 Rc8 19. g4 { Black now has to give a piece } 19... Bxg4 20. hxg4 Nxg4 21. Bd3 Nxh2 22. Bxe4 Nxf1 23. Qxf1 Bxd6 24. Nd5 { Alekseenko has 3 pawns for the piece, but White's activity is significant, and Black's pieces are not active } 24... g6 25. Qh3 Kg7 26. Kh1 { White has a simple plan of Rg1and attack the king } 26... Ne5 27. Nh4 h5 28. Rg1 Bf8 29. Nf4 { The pressure is mounting } 29... Ng4 { a desperate move, that doesn't work } 30. Nxh5+! gxh5 31. Bf5 { White is totally winning } 31... Be7 32. Bxg4 hxg4 33. Qxg4+ Bg5 { this is forced to avoid mate, and now, keeping the pin, Caruana makes yet another quiet move, and Alekseenko resigns. } 34. Qh5! *