Here we continue with the theme of Caro-Kann Classical wins by Black at the top level, with this game featuring dynamic opposite-side attacking play by GM Hikaru Nakamura from the 2017 U.S. Championship. Unlike the 2020 commentary game in which he lost as White to Awonder Liang, here Nakamura plays actively, even aggressively, but in a way that is in tune with the position's characteristics rather than attempting to force an attack. His opponent, GM Yaroslav Zherebukh, had been having a great tournament up to that point, but apparently was caught out by Nakamura's opening choice and subsequent play.
White's problems stemmed from his choice on move 14 to prematurely exchange minor pieces. This resulted in the h-file being opened for Black's rook, and he was also able to start pushing around White in the center, seizing the initiative and conducting a punishing attack. Nakamura's execution of it is particularly instructive. The variations show the interplay of various tactical ideas, revolving around fixing White's vulnerabilities around the king position - particularly the h1 and f2 squares - and taking advantage of loose/awkward piece placement. A devastating win in only 21 moves, showing that the Caro-Kann Classical can be a fighting choice as well as a solid one for Black.
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1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nh3 Nf6 6...e6 6...h6 7.Nf4 Nbd7 7...e5 8.Nxg6 hxg6 9.dxe5 Qa5+ 10.Bd2 Qxe5+ 11.Qe2 Qxe2+ 12.Bxe2 Nbd7 13.0-0 0-0-0 14.Rad1 Nb6 15.Bc1 Bd6 16.Rfe1 Kc7 17.h3 Rhe8 18.Bd3 8.Bc4 Qc7 9.0-0 e6 10.c3 10.Re1 Bd6 11.Rxe6+ fxe6 12.Nxe6 Qb6 13.Qe2 Ke7 10...Bd6 11.Qf3 c5 12.dxc5 12.d5 e5!? 12...Bxc5 12...Nxc5 13.Bb5+ Ncd7 13.Bb3 0-0-0 14.Nxg6? 14.Be3 14.Qe2 14...hxg6 15.Bf4 e5 16.Be3 e4 17.Qe2 17.Qf4!? Bd6 18.Qg5 Ne5-+ 17...Bxe3 17...Rxh2 18.Qxe3 18.fxe3 Rxh2 19.Kxh2 Rh8+ 20.Kg1 Qxg3 21.Rxf6 Nxf6 22.Bxf7 Kb8 18...Rxh2 19.Rfd1 19.Kxh2? Ng4+ 19...Rdh8 20.Qxa7 20.Rxd7 Nxd7 21.Rd1 Kb8 22.Qxe4 22.Bxf7 Ne5 23.Be6 Nf3+! 24.gxf3 Qxg3+ 25.fxg3 Rh1+ 26.Kf2 R8h2# 22...f5 23.Qe7 Nc5 24.Qxc7+ Kxc7-+ 20.Kf1 Kb8 21.Qd4 Ne5 22.Bc2 e3 23.Qxe3 Nfg4-+ 20...e3! 21.Qxe3 21.Qa8+ Nb8 22.Rd4 R2h4 23.Rad1 23.Rxh4 exf2+ 24.Kxf2 Rxh4-+ 23...e2-+ 21.Rd4 Qxg3 22.Qa8+ Qb8 23.Rc4+ Kd8 24.Qxb8+ Nxb8 25.Rd1+ Nbd7-+ 21...Ng4 0–1
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Zherebukh,Y | 2605 | Nakamura,H | 2793 | 0–1 | B18 | 10 |
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